Naruto and Kabuto arrived at Orochimaru's main hideout, in the sound village. Kabuto began his task, gathering the the Sound ninja and the numerous test subjects, many of whom had been kept in cells or tubes for unspeakable experiments. The subjects, wary of Kabuto's intentions, hesitated at first, but Kabuto's silver tongue quickly persuaded them, leading them all to the vast arena deep within the hideout.
The arena was filled with tension, a mix of resentment, fear, and confusion radiating from the crowd. Kabuto stood at the center, his gaze sharp as he addressed them all.
"Orochimaru is dead," Kabuto announced, his voice steady yet carrying an undercurrent of finality that sent a shockwave through the crowd.
The response was immediate. The test subjects, finally freed from their tormentor's grasp, erupted into cheers. Some grinned with savage glee, while others looked on with disbelief. Suigetsu's wild grin spread across his face, his sharp teeth glinting as thoughts of freedom and vengeance danced through his mind. Orochimaru's dead..." His mind raced to his goal, obtaining the legendary Seven Swords of the Hidden Mist.
Kimimaro, however, stood paralyzed with shock. His lord, the one he had devoted his life to, was gone. His disbelief slowly turned into rage as his hands clenched into fists. Nearby, Sakon, Tayuya, Jirobo, and Kidomaru exchanged uneasy glances, their emotions conflicted. Tayuya broke the silence among them.
"So that's why the mark disappeared..." she muttered, her eyes narrowing in realization. After Orochimaru's death, the cursed marks that had once bound them to him had vanished.
Suddenly, Kimimaro's voice boomed across the arena, his fury spilling over. "Silence!" he shouted, his rage directed at the celebrating test subjects. The air grew thick with tension as he turned his burning gaze toward Kabuto, demanding answers. "Who killed Lord Orochimaru?"
It was not Kabuto who answered, but Naruto, standing calmly beside him. "I did," Naruto said, his voice unyielding and steady.
A deadly silence followed, broken only by the sound of Kimimaro's breath growing heavier with every passing second. His bloodlust surged, filling the arena like a tangible force. His once cold eyes now burned with the fire of vengeance.
"I will kill you," Kimimaro growled, his words dripping with venom.
Naruto let out a soft sigh, his shoulders briefly relaxing. "I didn't come here to fight," he said, almost regretfully. But then, as if a switch had flipped, his lips curved into a grin. "But I'm not one to turn down a battle either."
Suigetsu observed from the side, his sharp eyes watching Naruto closely. "He killed Orochimaru?" Suigetsu mused. "He must be powerful..."
Naruto's grin widened as he glanced around at the gathering. "Clear out of the arena," he ordered the others, his voice calm but leaving no room for defiance.
One by one, the test subjects, Sound ninja, backed away, the tension thickening as the arena was cleared, leaving Kimimaro and Naruto standing face to face, the air heavy with the anticipation of the clash to come.
"You killed Lord Orochimaru," Kimimaro hissed, his voice cold, like steel being unsheathed. "For that, I will tear you apart."
Kimimaro wasted no time. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he lunged forward, closing the distance between them in an instant. His arm shot out, bones erupting from his palm in the form of a blade" Dance of the Camellia" Naruto moved just as fast, his body twisting out of the way with grace. Kimimaro's bone blade missed Naruto by inches.
Naruto responded immediately with Bo-Bup, disappearing from Kimimaro's sight, only to reappear behind him. In one smooth motion, Naruto raised his leg high and brought it down with the force of an ax, performing the Axe Kick. The sheer pressure from the attack created a shockwave that rippled through the arena.
Kimimaro, anticipating the move, raised his arm, bones erupting from his forearm to block the powerful strike. The ground beneath him shattered, but he held firm, his eyes narrowing. With a quick counter, he twisted his body into a whirlwind, unleashing Dance of the Willow, sharp bone blades extending from his elbows and knees in a flurry of attacks.
Naruto weaved through the barrage of strikes, his speed almost blurring as he sidestepped each blow. With a sudden burst of speed, Naruto executed 3rd Stance Hwechook, his body spinning in a three-step combination. The first kick connected with Kimimaro's jaw, the second with his ribs, and the final blow came crashing into his skull from the opposite direction. The force of the attack sent Kimimaro flying across the arena, his body skidding across the stone floor.
Kimimaro, undeterred, rose to his feet. Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth, but his expression remained cold and focused. His bones creaked and shifted beneath his skin, the sound unnatural and haunting. With a flick of his wrist, he drew a bone sword from his arm, his Dance of the Larch technique hardening the bone spikes protruding from his body.
"You're fast," Kimimaro admitted, wiping the blood from his lips, "but speed alone won't be enough."
Naruto didn't respond with words. Instead, his smile deepened. In the blink of an eye, he dashed forward, his movements a blur. He delivered a series of rapid Hwechook kicks, each one driving Kimimaro further back. Kimimaro blocked and countered, his bone blades clashing against Naruto's strikes, sending sparks flying with each impact.
But Naruto wasn't done. Using Dragon Catcher, he slipped beneath Kimimaro's defenses, hooking his leg around Kimimaro's neck. With a powerful leap, Naruto lifted Kimimaro into the air, spinning him wildly before slamming him headfirst into the ground. The impact created a small crater in the arena floor, dust and debris flying in every direction.
Kimimaro staggered to his feet, blood trickling down his face. His body, however, remained steady, and his eyes burned with cold fury. He slammed his hands into the ground, unleashing his most powerful technique" Dance of the Seedling Fern". A forest of massive bone spikes erupted from the ground, filling the arena with deadly spires of bone.
Naruto leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the bone spikes that shot up from below. As the ground transformed into a lethal field of bone, Naruto hovered above it, his body spinning in midair. He gathered his energy, focusing it into his legs.
"Let's see how you handle this," Naruto said, his voice low and dangerous.
He unleashed Blue Dragon's Kick, his leg cutting through the air like a blade. The force of the kick generated a massive whirlwind that took the form of a blue dragon. The whirlwind collided with the field of bone spikes, shattering them like glass. The sheer power of the attack sent shockwaves through the hideout, causing cracks to run up the stone walls.
Kimimaro, standing amidst the remains of his bone forest, stared at Naruto with grim determination. He raised his arm, bone blades forming once more, but his body was slowing. The illness that ravaged him was catching up, weakening him.
Naruto touched down on the ground, his blue eyes gleaming with energy. "You're strong," Naruto said, his tone respectful, "but this is over."
Kimimaro's chest heaved as he prepared for one final attack. His bones cracked and shifted, preparing to launch another assault, but Naruto was already moving. He vanished from Kimimaro's sight with Bo-Bup, reappearing behind him. Before Kimimaro could react, Naruto glowed with chakra, as he brought it down in a swift arc" Hand Slash", the strike cutting cleanly through the air.
Kimimaro's body went rigid as the attack hit him, the force of it overwhelming his already deteriorating form. For a moment, silence hung in the air.
Kimimaro staggered, his bones retracting as he fell to his knees. His vision blurred, the world around him fading. "For... Lord Orochimaru..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Naruto watched as Kimimaro collapsed to the ground, the last remnants of his strength finally giving out. There was no gloating, no celebration. Naruto's expression was calm, almost solemn, as he stood over the fallen warrior.
Without turning, Naruto called over to Kabuto, his voice echoing in the hollow chamber.
"Kabuto, heal him," Naruto commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
With a quick stride, Kabuto knelt beside Kimimaro, his hands glowing with a soft green light as he initiated the healing jutsu. The wounds on Kimimaro's body began to close, the torn muscle and shattered bones slowly knitting back together under Kabuto's skillful touch.
Kimimaro's eyes fluttered open, his gaze meeting Kabuto's. "Let me die," he murmured, his voice weak but resolute. "I've failed... Lord Orochimaru. If only I had been stronger... if only I wasn't bound by this body... I could have been his perfect vessel."
Kabuto smiled down at him, his expression uncharacteristically gentle. "You haven't failed him, Kimimaro. You've done more for him than anyone else. But you don't need to keep living for Orochimaru anymore. Find a new reason to live." He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in before adding, "If you die, Jugo will be sad."
Kimimaro's body tensed at the mention of Jugo. For the first time in what felt like years, a flicker of warmth stirred in his chest. His mind drifted to the gentle giant who had always looked up to him, who had only ever found peace in his presence. His lips twitched into a faint smile, though his body still ached.
"Maybe... I have something to live for," Kimimaro murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
Kabuto finished healing him, standing up with a satisfied nod. "Good. Now rest, Kimimaro. You'll need your strength for the journey ahead."
Naruto, standing off to the side, observed the exchange with silent approval. He then turned to face the gathered remnants of Orochimaru's forces, the Sound Ninja, the test subjects, and the rest of the stragglers that had stayed behind. Their eyes were filled with uncertainty and fear, and rightfully so. The man who had killed Orochimaru now stood before them, more powerful than any of them could comprehend.
"You're free to go," Naruto said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of authority. "But know this, if any of you cause trouble, I'll hunt you down." To emphasize his point, Naruto released a surge of his Charyeok, his divine power washed over the room like a tidal wave.
The air grew heavy, and the pressure made the weaker ones buckle at the knees. The sheer force of Naruto's aura made the walls creak, and every individual in the room shuddered as though their very souls were being crushed by the weight of his power. It was a clear message. This was not a boy to cross.
One by one, they began to retreat, their eyes avoiding Naruto's as they shuffled out of the hideout. Even the more hardened warriors understood the danger they would face if they stepped out of line.
Naruto turned to see Suigetsu approaching, his usual cocky grin plastered on his face, his sharp, shark-like teeth gleaming in the dim light. He stopped a few feet away from Naruto, his hands casually in his pockets as if he were meeting an old friend rather than the man who had just toppled Orochimaru's twisted empire.
"Well, well, boss man," Suigetsu drawled, extending his hand, "gotta say, I'm impressed. Thanks for taking down that snake bastard. He had it coming."
Naruto looked at Suigetsu's outstretched hand and then back at his face, smirking as he reached out to clasp it firmly. "Yeah, he did," Naruto said, his voice calm but carrying the weight of someone who had just changed the course of many lives.
Suigetsu's grin widened as their hands met, and for a brief moment, the tension that had gripped the hideout dissolved. "Not bad for a kid from Konoha," Suigetsu added with a chuckle. "Guess I'll have to call you 'boss man' from now on."
Naruto released Suigetsu's hand and crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Boss man, huh? You don't seem like the type to take orders from anyone."
Suigetsu laughed, his sharp teeth catching the light. "Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm not one for following rules, but I respect strength. And after watching you take out Kimimaro, you've got my attention."
Naruto's smirk deepened. "Good to know."
Kabuto finished healing Kimimaro and stood up "If you're tagging along, Suigetsu, we've got a few more stops to make," Kabuto said. "There are other prisoners, other experiments. They need to be freed."
Suigetsu shrugged nonchalantly. "Sounds like fun. But," his eyes gleamed as he turned to Kabuto, "first, I need something from you"
Kabuto raised an eyebrow. "And what would that be?"
"A sword," Suigetsu replied, his grin widening into a more predatory smile. "I've been itching to get my hands on a decent blade. You know where that bastard kept the good stuff, don't you?"
Kabuto glanced at Naruto, who gave a slight nod. Without a word, Kabuto disappeared into the shadows of the hideout, returning a few moments later with a large sword, wrapped in cloth. He tossed it to Suigetsu, who caught it with ease.
"Nice," Suigetsu muttered as he unwrapped the cloth, revealing a sleek blade that gleamed in the low light. "This'll do just fine."
Naruto watched as Suigetsu admired the sword, his eyes flickering with amusement. "You think that sword's gonna make you stronger?"
Suigetsu laughed, his eyes glinting. "Nah, boss man. I'm already strong. The sword just makes things more... interesting."
Naruto uncrossed his arms and turned, motioning for the group to follow him. "Let's see how useful you are, then."
Suigetsu sheathed the sword across his back, falling into step beside Naruto. "Don't worry, boss man. You won't regret bringing me along. Might even have some fun."
Naruto glanced sideways at him, his smirk still in place. "Just remember what I said. If you step out of line, I'll hunt you down myself."
Suigetsu's grin never faltered. "I wouldn't have it any other way.
Once the others had gone, Naruto turned back to Kimimaro who was standing. Kimimaro, though still recovering, appeared steadier than before. There was a glint of determination in his eyes that hadn't been there during their battle.
"Let's go," Naruto said, motioning for them to follow. "There are others trapped in Orochimaru's other hideouts. It's time we set them free."
Kabuto nodded, falling into step behind Naruto. Kimimaro hesitated for a moment, glancing back. Orochimaru had been his reason for living. But then his thoughts shifted to Jugo and he turned away from the past.
In Takizato, Tobi arrived on a delicate mission. His goal, to recruit or control the entity hiding in Kaito's body, Zagred
Zagred, sat under the shade of the trees, sipping saké again. His eyes flickered as he sensed something. A presence. For a split second, it felt tangible before vanishing again. His lips curled into a sly smile.
With a soft, almost bored tone, Zagred muttered, "Come here."
Instantly, Tobi appeared before him, his orange spiral mask slightly tilted as if he were observing Zagred. Without missing a beat, Zagred's voice rang out coldly, "Impale."
In that instant, dark spears of shot up from the ground, aiming to pierce through Tobi. Zagred chuckled to himself, watching as the spears skewered his target, but the smile quickly faded. The spears phased through Tobi as if he wasn't there at all.
Tobi's masked face tilted to one side in curiosity, and he nonchalantly dropped through the ground, disappearing from sight.
A distance away, Tobi re-emerged from the shadows, his presence as carefree as ever. Zagred's frown deepened. "Interesting. Certainly more entertaining than those two puppets you sent earlier, Sasori and Deidara, was it?"
Tobi responded in his childish, singsong voice, "Throughout heaven and Earth, Tobi alone is the honored one!" mimicking Gojo's famous phrase with exaggerated enthusiasm.
Zagred chuckled darkly, but his amusement quickly turned to annoyance. "Crush."
In that moment, the very air around Tobi shifted. The gravity became unbearable, collapsing in on itself, creating a massive crater around the masked man. However, despite the overwhelming force, Tobi stood there unaffected, as if gravity itself had no hold over him.
Zagred's eyes narrowed. Tobi giggled beneath his mask, "Oh, was that supposed to hurt? Seems like someone doesn't understand how Tobi works. Try harder, creepy merchant~!"
The taunt hung in the air, and for the first time, a flicker of frustration crossed Zagred's features. "Finally," Zagred hissed, "someone who can entertain me."
"Devour" Zagred commanded. A vortex of black nothingness surrounded Tobi, threatening to consume him entirely.
Tobi, ever the dramatic, gasped loudly and clutched at his mask. "Oh no! The void! Whatever will Tobi do?!" His voice dripped with playful sarcasm as the void closed in.
When the darkness faded, Zagred grinned, believing his attack to be successful. Tobi was nowhere to be found. His smirk broadened as he started a monologue, his voice deep and malicious, "Humans... all so weak, so fragile. They seek power but have no idea what true power is. They are mere insects compared to what I..."
From behind, Tobi's obnoxious voice interrupted his dark musings. "Boo!"
Zagred's eyes widened as he spun around, seeing Tobi standing casually a few feet behind him. His tone was irritatingly playful as he continued, "Did you miss me, or did the void eat your brain too?"
Zagred's eyes narrowed. "This... was the power Sasori spoke of. Could this masked fool truly be the one Sasori called a god?"
The tension in the air thickened, and for a split second, Zagred considered testing his theory further. But before he could make a move, Tobi's Mangekyo Sharingan spun beneath the mask.
Their eyes locked.
The world around Zagred shifted violently, the once serene estate dissolving into a twisted, hellish landscape. He stood in a nightmarish version of his own mind, a place of pure darkness, filled with torment and chains.
In the center of this darkness, Kaito, the human vessel that Zagred inhabited was chained, bound by the weight of his own mind. The merchant struggled weakly, his eyes filled with terror and pain.
Tobi's voice, no longer playful, echoed in the void, calm and deadly serious, as he gazed upon Zagred's hideous form"This is the real you, huh? A parasite leeching off a human soul... But it ends here."
Zagred's eyes flicked around, trying to make sense of what was happening, but Tobi's Mangekyo had him locked in place. The pressure of the genjutsu began to build, like a noose tightening around his consciousness.
Tobi's voice was sharper now, his carefree attitude gone. "You serve me now, Zagred. Your power... your existence... it all belongs to me."
Tbc