In this chapter, three years have passed as many have changed as The Demons plot their first move
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
Chapter 2: Three Years
Naruto looked on at the scene before him. His eyes coldly staring ahead. He was seen outside the Castle in the courtyard. Surrounding the castle was a heavy thick fog, a ward that had been setup to keep any human away.
In front of him were several Terracota and Jiang Shi warriors. Armed with staves and axes as they stood before him.
"Come at me with everything that you have, strike and attack with no mercy, with the intent to kill me." Naruto ordered them all as he reached up to his shoulders and undoing his cloak tossed it aside as his armor formed around him except for his helmet as he got into a fighting stance.
The Jiang Shi hopped over to the right whilst the Terracotta went to the left, surrounding him on all sides. Despite surrounded on all sides, he showed no concern for his well being.
"Begin!"
The Jiang Shi charged at him, staves raised high as they attacked. He dodged and manuevered his body, avoiding their blows and attacks, shifting and turning as he avoided them. Two came at him from the side and he leapt up and did a split kick, catching them in the face knocking them down.
He grabbed a stave that was swung at his face and yanking it loose and broke it apart the head of an unfortunate Jiang Shi. He then ran and did a somersault over them with their backs exposed to him leaving them open to attack.
Naruto delivered several fast, powerful blows, scattering them and knocking them away.
The Terracota then charged him wielding their axes. Naruto summoned his shield as he raised it up as one swung and it bounced off of the metal. He then slammed the shield into it's face breaking it apart.
Dodging and deflecting their attacks, he shot out his foot and kicked one in the chest sending it barreling into the others.
Doing hand symbols he then cast a Jutsu. The ground turned to quicksand up to their ankles preventing them from moving as they struggled to break loose to no avail. He then followed it up with another Jutsu, summoning a giant boulder he effortlessly lifted up and tossed it crushing them.
The remaining Terracota and Jiang Shi's lunged at him. Grabbing onto him as they tried to pin him down onto the ground, grasping hold of his arms and legs as they dragged him down to the ground as they all piled on top of him weighing him down.
There was suddenly a burst and they were sent flying off of him as Naruto was seen standing up, having thrown them off of him. Knocking them away like they were flies. He swatted them away easily with his attacks. He grabbed two by the shoulders and tossed them into the walls, flinging them as though they were as light as pebbles.
Naruto then charged at them, drawing out his Broad Sword from his shield. He slashed and cut his way through them, with each swing causing them to explode and disintegrate, sometimes taking out three at once with an single attack.
Naruto then let out a roar as an aura of a Tiger appeared behind him as he held out his blade which began to glow with dark energy. He then swung sending out an attack which destroyed the rest.
Placing his sword back in the shield, he turned around.
"Impressive Brother, your strength is returning. You are becoming as strong as you were when you ruled." Suza said as The Phoenix Demon handed him back his cloak. "But try not to destroy all of our soldiers', we can't have an army without them." She chided him
Naruto paid no attention to her as he slung his cloak back onto his shoulders. "Those were just fodder, I expect the next ones to be even more powerful and worthy of my time."
"Byako." A voice called out and the sounds of heavy footsteps were heard. Naruto looked on as approaching him was Seiyu. The Dragon Demon strode forward glaring and looking down at him.
Naruto gazed up at the eight foot tall being not backing down. Seiyu looked on at him before he summoned his axe and shot out a bolt of lightning. The lightning shot past Naruto's head just missing his hair as he did not move a muscle or flinched as it went and hit a pair of Soldiers turning them to dust.
"You missed some." Seiyu told him as he turned around and walked away.
Shortly afterward, The Four were seen in a room meeting.
"Much has changed since our imprisonment." Suza said speaking up. "The Humans now have reign over the land, and have gotten stronger and made advancements."
"Yes, but with the proper strategy, we shall regain control of the land once more." Gebu said, The Tortoise Demon was the smartest of them and a Military Genius. It was his plans and tactics that had lead to many of their victories before in the past. Of his siblings' he was the one who Byako had the most trust in.
"Who are the strongest? The most powerful forces that comprise of the Humans?" Naruto asked as he sat on his throne looking on.
Gebu stepped forward. "King Byako, from what we have gathered these past three years as you recovered your strength, there are at present Five areas that contain the strongest forces of the land." He began as he looked over the map. "The first is known as Iwagakure; The Hidden Stone Village, next, there is Kumogakure; The Hidden Cloud Village; thirdly, there is Kirigakure; The Hidden Mist Village. After that, is Sunagakure; The Hidden Sand Village. And lastly, Konoha; The Hidden Leaf Village." The Tortoise Demon finished. "From what we understand, they are the most powerful and contend with each other."
Naruto nodded his head. "I see," He said looking on.
"They will be nothing but a pack of crippled birds to tear apart at our leisure. They are no threat." Seiyu said with a sneer.
"Do not underestimate them, also Brother." Gebu chided him. "I have found out there are other forces as well. First is lead by a Rogue named Orochimaru."
Upon hearing the name Naruto's eyes narrowed. He did not know why, but the name angered him for some reason. "And who else?" He said with a low growl
"A mysterious group that has been hard to decipher who they are." Gebu said to him. "What I've gathered from them is that they are called Akatsuki, meaning The Red Cloud. From what we have learned they are targeting specific individuals, those who appear to have great power within them. Similar to our own it seems."
"Interesting." Naruto stated. "It seems that it will be a challenge actually then."
"Also, I am pleased to introduce Five of your most powerful warriors." Gebu informed him and snapped his claw like fingers.
The doors opened and stepping in were five demons who wore Ceramic masks over their faces, hiding their features. Each one had the symbol of a venomous animal on it.
"The Centipede." The first one clad in white stepped forward. "Master of the multi fist strike. In the blink of an eye, he can deliver one hundred blows." Gebu said and the Demon lifting up his arms delivered several fast punches that were nearly impossible to trace.
"The Toad." Stepping forth was one clad in Yellow. "His skin is harder and stronger than solid steel. Any attack he receives he will absorb and deliver with twice the impact, observe." Gebu said and summoned a metal ball. He threw it at him and it made contact before bouncing off of him richocheting and smashing through a pillar.
"The Scorpion." The one clad in red and had the features of a female stepped forward and began to perform several kicks and attacks as she spun about. "Her attacks are like a dance, beautiful. But any fool who are enticed by it will suffer a painful end." She then brought her foot up and slammed it through a table.
"The Lizard." Next, was the one adorned in Green. He broke into a run and dashed up the walls, scaling up it effortlessly being beginning to leap across the room. "Able to climb and stick to any surface. No one is safe from his ambushes and deceptive attacks." Naruto was informed as he was shown now standing on the ceiling upside down
"And finally, The Cobra." Lastly, the one who wore Blue came forth. "Cold blooded and ruthless, one blow is all he will need to end an opponents' life." The Snake themed demon began doing jabs and strikes similar to a Cobra. He then produced a pair of sickles and delivered a striking chop extinguishing the torches in the room.
The group of Five bowed before Naruto who nodded his head in approval. "They will do and shall serve me well." He said to Gebu. "Now, onto the other matters of hand." He said as they continued on.
Three Years...
Three long years it had been since Naruto's tragic death.
But despite his unfortunate passing, life must still go on and so too must it for The Hidden Leaf Village.
The Ichiruki Ramen Shack was shown as Teuchi and his Daughter were seen serving Customers. They went about making and preparing the food with smiles on their faces, but if one looked closely, they could see that the smiles felt forced and that there wasn't as much effort being put into their work as they once did.
They still enjoyed working there and creating the food, but to them it wasn't the same anymore. The Noodles didn't have the same taste since their favorite customer no longer visited.
At The Academy, it was now lunch break.
A figure was shown at the playground. He had his brown hair in a ponytail and had a scar on his nose. Standing by looking on at the swing set, where he would always find a boy there after classes or when he had snuck out. He would spend hours there on the swings. He would often join him there as well, just the two of them together.
In a bush near it, Iruka Umino spotted a pair of Flowers growing. Irises, they were Naruto's favorite type of flowers, as he had told him that they had represented faith, courage and determination which symbolized him. A sad smile appeared on his face as tears formed in his eyes.
The Hokage's office was shown and The Godaime, Tsunade was seen seated at her desk doing paperwork. Whilst she would usually grumble about the mountains of papers she had to sign, today she was doing it without a fuss.
Putting her signature and seal on the last one, She sighed and poured herself a shot of lemon sake and drunk it. It was then that there was a knock on her door. "Come in." She said putting the bottle away.
The door opened and in stepped a young female teenager. She had short pink hair and clear green eyes. Her outfit consisted of a red top, pink elbow bands, black gloves over her hands and wore black biker shorts with a skirt attached to it and knee high shinobi boots. The back of her top had a circle on it. She wore on top her headband with the symbol of The Hidden Leaf on it.
The Girl was Sakura Haruno, her Apprentice.
"You wished to see me Lady Hokage." Sakura said as she shut the door.
"Yes, I see that you are doing quite well with your recent promotion to Chunin the last month." Tsunade said to her. "I am proud of you Sakura, of all the hard work you have put in. I believe you can make Jonin in a year or two" She said with a warm smile.
It was true, Sakura was a far cry from the weak and timid girl who could do nothing three years ago. Undergoing her training under Tsunade, learning everything she could from her.
Tsunade's methods were harsh and unforgiving, she gave Sakura no quarter. Letting her know that if she could not do this training, then she would stand no chance whatsoever of defeating Sasuke.
On the first day, Sakura had been blindfolded and her ears had been plugged, so that she could not see or hear where she was going as she had been taken into the deepest and darkest parts of the Forest of Death, where the air was at it's most thickest and the largest beasts dwelled at.
"Your task is to survive until Sunset." Tsunade said to her after removing the blindfold and the plugs. Sakura looked around as she felt how heavy the air was here, already she was straining to breathe as The trees plotted out any potential sign of the sun. "The Wolves here in this section of The Forest of Death are the size of Bears, Alligators who can swallow boats patrol the lakes and can detect the faintest sound even if you water walk and even the Plants will try to kill you as they emit deadly pollen. If you survive, then I will take you as my Apprentice. This is your only chance to back out, are you sure want to do this?" She said as this was the only opportunity she was going to give Sakura.
Sakura looking on swallowed her nerves and nodded her head. She had made her decision when she had told Tsunade to ler her be her Apprentice
"Very well, then I hope you don't wind up in the stomach of one of these beasts before the day is over." Tsunade said before she disappeared leaving Sakura all alone.
It had not even been a minute before she was attacked, as a Giant Worm had emerged from underground and tried to devour her. Sakura had panicked and just narrowly avoided being eaten. Thinking fast, she grabbed a kunai from her pouch and stabbed it right in the head burying the knife deep into its skull, killing it as the foul smell of blood oozed out of its body making Sakura sick to her stomach.
Sakura panted as she caught her breath just now, bringing a hand to her chest. "That was too close." She said but she then heard a sound from behind her.
The sound of growling...
Turning around her eyes widened as she saw several massive Wolves, as big as Tsunade had said they were. The Wolves had heard the sound of her screaming from before and approached her, their sharp fangs bristling.
Sakura realized that she had no chance against them by herself did the only thing that she could do, she had run. The Wolves quickly gave pursuit chasing after her their howls filling her with dread. She ran as fast as she could go, her feet pumping as she knew that if she tripped or stumbled she was a goner as Sakura fled. She saw a tree and knew that if she could get up it she might be able to save herself.
A rumbling was heard as suddenly, a massive Brown Bear, the size of an Elephant appeared from the brushes as she had encroached upon his territory. The Kunoichi however realized that she could use this to her advantage. Putting all of her chakra into her legs, she then leapt, leaping right over the bear and onto the tree branches. The Wolves chasing after her slammed into the Bear and they began fighting each other as the beasts then went at it.
Not sticking around to see who would win and gets the right to eat her, she leapt across the Branches, darting to safety.
For the rest of the day, Sakura was on guard and constantly moving as danger was all around her. More than once she had thought she was going to die but didn't give up. She could not give up. She found herself having to catch squirrels and eat them raw after skinning them least cooking it over a fire would attract another Wolf, Bear or beast.
During the middle of the day it had started to rain and that was the only chance she had to get a drink catching rain drops onto her tongue as she couldn't drink from the ponds as Alligators roamed in them.
"I have to do this!" She would repeat to herself as she stomped on the head of a Venus Fly Trap. "I won't let Naruto's death go unanswered!" She said
As the sun had set, she was shown covered in cuts, dirt, bruises and blood. Both her own and of Beasts she had slain. With tears in her outfit she still walked forward despite her body being sore from all she had done as she rarely had a moment to rest.
It was then that Tsunade appeared and with her was Shizune. Tsunade looked on at Sakura staring her in the eyes. Sakura did not break contact as she looked on at her.
"Sakura, I have been monitoring your progress this whole day." Tsunade said to her. "More than once Shizune had told me to intervene when it looked like you was going to die but I did not and even stopped her when she tried to." She said as she had been here in The Forest the whole time watching her. "You surpassed the bar I had set for you." She said and motioned to Shizune who went over to Sakura and began to apply healing chakra onto her.
"For surviving, you are henceforth officially my Apprentice from this day forward. I will teach you everything I know. All the skills, technique and knowledge that I know I will grind into you."
"Yes Sensei!" Sakura responded to her.
Tsunade then smiled at her. "Good, now it's time to get some rest, because the real fun is about to start. And you'll think this was a cakewalk when I'm done with you." She informed her.
After that, Tsunade began training Sakura in earnest. Teaching her first in medical knowledge and testing her numerous times. Sakura had taken the training, not backing down as she had studied and read up on medical procedures until she collapsed from exhaustion. Reading the medical books and scrolls and doing shifts at the hospital, only giving her the minimal amount of time to rest.
Sakura had absorbed every piece of information, knowledge and lesson. Taking it all in to her as she would ace every test and demonstration she was given. Learning of the Medical Jutsu and skills that Tsunade had.
Thanks to her superb Chaka Control, she easily learned them. As well as able to do all but the most serious treatments at the hospital that Tsunade had to do herself.
Then Tsunade began teaching her how to use it to increase her power, for the legendary strength that she possessed.
The two had sparred against one another, with Tsunade winning handily almost every time when they began. But Sakura didn't cry or complain, instead she pulled herself up off the ground ready to resume again. Tsunade had been impressed with her skill and improvement, quickly getting to and surpassing Shizune's level who never could reach the strength her Master possessed.
Tsunade was certain now that Sakura could master her ultimate technique. The one move that no one else had been handle to do. But if there was anyone who could, it was the pink haired girl before her.
"Sakura, how are you holding up?" Tsunade asked her.
"I am doing fine." Sakura replied.
"You've been working really hard these past three years, don't overdo it. You're no good to anyone if you're stumbling about half conscious." She lectured her.
"Sakura, you have taken up the dual swords haven't you?" Tsunade asked her. "I heard that you have been spotted at the training grounds wielding a pair of sabres. Is that true?
"Yes Hokage, from the few reports we have gotten, Sasuke has taken up Swordsmenship as well. Now I am training myself with them as well." Sakura replied to her. "Lady Tsunade, I thank you for everything, but, when will I be ready to face him? I'm ten times the person I first was, am I ready now?"
Tsunade let out a murmur as she had been expecting this. "Be patient Sakura. You have performed admirably and are at the Upper Chunin level I believe, but do not overestimate yourself. Sasuke was near Chunin level when he was last here and do not think he has sat on his ass this whole time. He is most likely at The Jonin level now. He will not be an easy foe. That's not taking into the account of his Sharingan as well as The Cursed Seal he has."
"I know." Sakura said shifting a little. "But, everyday that he's out there, he mocks Naruto's memory."
Despite having gone to The Land of Sound, Sasuke's whereabouts were a mystery. Apparently he never stayed in one spot as he was gone constantly. Orochimaru as always was being slippery and constantly avoiding the public eye so no one knew where he was at.
"I know you miss the knucklehead, I miss him as well." Tsunade said to her. "But be patient, only when you have fully completed your training can you hope to stand against him. I don't want to lose you Sakura, not after I've lost so many others." She told the girl.
"I understand."
"Good, you are dismissed." Tsunade informed her.
Sakura left the office and began to walk down the streets of Konoha. She went on until she came to a familiar place.
Pushing the curtain aside, she stepped in.
"Hey." She called out to the two who were seated there. Each having a bowl of Ramen before them.
"Sakura," The first one said. He had his hair done up in a bow and was wearing a green Chunin Vest. He wore a full black outfit with fishnets underneath it. He wore traditional sandals and a kunai holster around his thigh.
"Hello Sakura." The second one said to her. He wore a green jumpsuit outfit and had a hitai-ate wrapped around his waist. His arms were covered in wrappings with orange leggings adorning his legs to his knees. He had a bowl cut hairstyle and bushy eyebrows
"Shikamaru, Lee." Sakura said as she took a stool next to them.
An unusual friendship had struck up between the three, they all had been hit with grief of what had happened. Each having blamed themselves for it. They had found comfort in the other each vowing to get stronger so that such a thing would never happen again.
"How are you guys doing? Lee, I heard you got back from a mission the other day." Sakura said to them. Ayama came up to her and she ordered a bowl of chicken ramen to have.
"Yes indeed, we went to The Land of Bears. The foes there were strong, but they were no much for me and My Team's youthful spirit." Lee said with a smile. "How is your team Shikamaru-san?"
"Ino's a pain as usual, but other than that things have been going well." Shikamaru said as he leaned back his arms behind his head. Although it sounded like he was complaining, he wouldn't have it any other way.
"Congrats on your recent promotion to Jonin. In due time you'll be leading your own squad." Sakura said to him.
"Lucky me." Shikamaru said dryly.
"Have you seen any of the others recently, like Ino and Hinata?"
"I saw Ino the other day, I was helping her out in training. Hinata, I haven't talked to or seen her in months." Sakura replied. "She doesn't interact with me much anymore." She said as she looked and saw Lee was staring over to the side, as if imagining someone else was there. "Lee." She said to him.
"Huh? Oh I'm sorry." He apologized to her and Shikamaru. "I guess after all this time I still expect Naruto to plop right next to us and dig into a ramen as he always does."
"I know, all of us still do." Shikamaru said to him and Sakura nodded her head as her order arrived. "Sometimes when I pass by here I think I hear him eating as loudly as ever, only to see my mind just playing tricks on me." The member of Team 10 said as a somber mood fell over them all.
"Teuchi still puts out a bowl every night, hoping that Naruto might come back and take it." Lee said in a somber tone. "Sometimes I wanna pinch myself to see if I'm in a Genjutsu Dream and it will break apart and I'll be back in The Hospital before my Operation and Naruto is still with us." He told them.
"Things were a heck of a lot simpler back when we were all just Academy Students huh?" Shikamaru said to them. "We thought being a Ninja was all just about looking cool, like how the movies and arcades always did. Boy, were we in for a rude awakening." He said shaking his head.
"I know." Sakura said recalling her silly fantasies that she had before. How Sasuke would be her Knight in Shining Armor and she would have a Fairy Tale life. "I can't believe how delusional I was back then."
"I just wish I had arrived faster and been stronger that day." Lee said shaking his head. "I should have been able to beat that Bone Ninja. I was too weak and couldn't aid Naruto. If I had been there when he faced Sasuke, we would have won together. I couldn't defeat that Ninja and Gaara had to save me. What good am I if all my strength and training and nothing comes from it?" He lamented as this was unlike Rock Lee.
"It's not your fault Lee, it's no one's fault what happened." Sakura consoled him. "Naruto wouldn't want you to beat yourself up over it."
Shikamaru looking on remembered that day, and what had happened afterward
Shikamaru was shown kneeling, it was the day after the disastrous mission as he was at the training grounds of Team 10. That which had ended in the death of his comrade and near fatal wounds of the others on the squad.
"It's all my fault." He said cursing his incompetence. As Leader, what had happened was his responsibility. "Choji and Neji are barely hanging on. I should have been better! This failure lies solely with me!" He said in anger. "I should have been smarter and planned ahead, I knew that this was a dangerous mission but I wasn't taking it seriously! And now, Naruto's dead because of me." Shikamaru lamented.
When he had become Chunin, he had been given a speech that he would now be Squad Leader and would lead on missions. This has decisions would outcome whether the mission was a success or a failure and that his squadmates fates' rested in his hands. He had failed miserably! Instead of realizing he needed to grow up, he had slacked off as usual, thought of it as too much of a drag of course. He finally realized too late what Iruka, Asuma and everyone else was trying to tell him.
He had disgraced himself, his clan and his friends with his failure.
There was only one way that he could redeem himself...
He had written a letter beforehand, having left it in his room. An Apology to his Parents for being a worthless bum of a son, an apology to his Squad for never giving it his all, and an Apology to Konoha for his failure as a Ninja of The Leaf.
He pulled out a kunai from his pouches. Shikamaru looked on at it as he stared at the sharp short knife. This was the only way.
Steadying himself, he took a deep breath shutting his eyes and raised it overhead, preparing to plunge it into his chest.
Just as he was about to do so, a strong hand grasped his wrists stopping him from doing so. Opening his eyes, he was shocked to find his Sensei standing above him, a look of anger on his face as he clutched his wrists preventing him from doing it.
"W-What are you doing?" Shikamaru said to him.
"I could ask you the same thing." Asuma Sarutobi said before with his free hand, suddenly slugged Shikamaru across the face, knocking him to the ground and sending the kunai out of his grip.
Shikamaru felt the bones in his nose being broken as blood squirted out of his face as he laid there on the ground. Asuma walked around and getting the kunai tossed it away.
"Get up." Asuma ordered him and he grabbed him by the collar and pulled him up off the ground. "I said, Get up!" He then smacked Shikamaru across the face. "Just what the hell were you thinking just now?! For a genius that is the stupidest thing I have ever seen you do!" He berated him as it was one of the few times that Asuma was geniunely angry.
Shikamaru looked on at him tears forming in his eyes. "N-Naruto."
"I know!" Asuma shouted at him. "I know..." He said his voice quieter becoming more composed. "I know he's dead, and that you feel that it's all your fault. But you really think this will somehow fix things?" He snapped at Shikamaru. "You think that this will make things better? That it is honoring him? By killing yourself?!"
Shikamaru shamefully lowered his head unable to look his Sensei in the eye.
"Naruto would never want you to do this, it would be the last thing he'd ever want you to do." Asuma said in a harsh tone.
"The Mission's failure is mine! As Squad Leader it is my fault that he's dead!" Shikamaru said tears falling down his face.
"And killing yourself is the smartest thing that you could think to do?" Asuma said to him. "If you did this just now, it wouldn't just be Naruto's death we are mourning, but also yours." He said as his voice turned somber. "And I'm not ready to do that."
"Shikamaru, you must never attempt such a thing ever again. What has happened is tragic but we need you now. Your family, your friends, your teammates." Asuma told him. "They all need you right now.
Shikamaru looked over and saw his squadmates. Chouji was walking with a crutch and with his ribs taped up as he was being aided by Ino, with them was Temari as they were looking on at him.
"Shikamaru, the only way you can fix this is to live. Live so to honor Naruto's memory. That is what he would want you to do. We can't undo his death, but we can make it so he is never forgotten." Asuma told him.
Shikamaru looked on at his Sensei and nodded his head, as his eyes had dried up.
A few days later, after being cleared to train after resting Shikamaru had surprised his teammates at what he had done.
He had been the first one to arrive.
Shikamaru looked on back at them as he spoke up. "Guys, until the day where we can bring Justice to Naruto, I'm not going to give up."
"Neither am I." Sakura vowed.
"Myself as well! My burning spirit will ensure that he lives on forever!" Rock Lee declared.
The three then resumed eating the ramen.
As they finished eating, suddenly there was a poof of smoke and standing beside Sakura was a Jonin who wore a mask over his face and had his eye covered up with his hitai-ate.
"Kakashi?" Sakura said in surprise not expecting him to be here.
"Come with me at once. Lee, you are to go meet with your team as well." He said to them.
"What's going on?"
"We have a mission, of utmost importance." He told her.
"Wait, tell me what's happening."
"Akatsuki have attacked Sunagakure," Kakashi informed her. "Reports say they have kidnapped Gaara."
Naruto was seen in his private chambers, he was seated down with his legs crossed and his arms to his side as he was in a meditative state.
Byako, The Demon King inhaled calmly as he did not move any part of his figure as he sat there.
Once, he and his siblings' ruled every last inch of this land. Ruling over the humans having conquered them and wiping out any who resisted. Just even one of them could destroy an army of hundreds as The Four Demons ruled each part. They were unstoppable as no force could withstand their combined might. He ruled not only as King of The Demon's but as King of all.
But then, his arrogance had cost him. He had underestimated Human's, they had found a way to entrap him and the other's in stone. They could not defeat him, so instead they had sealed him away and had destroyed his original body trapping him in the realm of the dead and the living. Now forcing him to occupy this body in order to be alive once more.
While he had first been displeased, he had found a boon to it.
This body was stronger than he had expected it to be. There was a hidden power within it he had discovered. This boy, he was no ordinary Human. It now explained as to why he had survived the process of his spirit being transferred into his body. No regular human could hope to contain his power without dying.
The boys' power, once he had obtained and added it to his vast own, would make him truly unstoppable.
The splash of water was heard as he then found himself knee deep in what appeared to be a sewer. The foul smell of the water hit his nostrils but he did not show any response to it. He looked on and saw a red light in the distance. A light that was burning like an inferno.
He strode forward with no fear as he approached it, feeling the hot blaze of the light on him. As he approached, his ears picked up a noise.
The sound of bestial growling. That which was growing louder with each step that he took.
As he approached, he saw a giant maw of sharp fangs snarling at him and a pair of demonic eyes from behind a cage.
Naruto opened his eyes and smiled and briefly, his eyes flashed red.
His Chamber doors opened and in stepped Gebu who kneeled.
"What is it?"
"Forgive my intrusion, but our scouts have returned."
"Send them in."
Two beings then flew into the room, circling and flying overhead above him.
Two Tengu were shown, they had the traits and features of their kind. Crow like wings sticking out from their backs and long beak like noises. They each wore yamabushi style vests that had masks symbolized on them. They each wore sandals made out of wood. The first, the older had red wings and wielded a Ji Halberd. The second the shortest and younger of the two had yellow wings and carried a large bladed Ring.
"Jishin, Taifu." Naruto said to the two who were Father and Son as the two dropped and kneeled before him. "What have you to report?" He demanded to know.
"We have word that may interest you my King." Jishin said to him. "We have traveled and scouted far, we have discovered that one of those who bear resemblance to those called Akatsuki has made an assault on what is called The Land of Wind." The Tengu said to him. "He rode upon an Owl that he created. He also had a companion, clad in a similar cloak that burrowed underground."
"Interesting, it appears my enemies are gathering in one spot." Naruto noted. "An opportunity has presented itself for us. To rid of them."
"Allow us to go and dispose of them for you, King Byako." Taifu said in a brash tone. "Father and I shall depart immediately and slaughter them all."
"That will not be necessary." Naruto said holding up a hand. "In this matter, I shall go myself." He said standing up.
Gebu looked on a bit surprised. "Brother, is that wise? You are still adjusting to your new body and your powers have not fully been mastered." He said to him but was ignored.
"For if I am to rule this entire land, I must dispose of those who will stand against me. Akatsuki will be the first to know and bare witness my Power." He declared.
"Prepare our troops, from what I have been told Konoha will no doubt send aid. And send word to Ushi-Oni that he shall accompany me." Naruto said as his armor appeared on him. "Inform Suza and Seiyu I have a task for them while I am gone. They are to go to The Land of Swamps, apparently some humans are undergoing a ritual there. They are to eradicate them."
"Yes." Gebu said with a bow knowing his siblings' would take great pleasure in it.
"I will soon return, with one less threat to worry about." Naruto declared as he exited.
A/N: That's it for this Chapter. Review please.