Reincarnated As Naruto With Sukuna's Powers

[Trek]

Elemental nations have a lot of opportunities and good loot just waiting to be picked up.

Zero tails, chakra meteorite, sky ninja village tech and much much more.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

Why not summon the Opp Stoppa and watch from a distance?

Click to shrink...

meh boring~

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

Elemental nations have a lot of opportunities and good loot just waiting to be picked up.

Zero tails, chakra meteorite, sky ninja village tech and much much more.

Click to shrink...

yeah agree
and he is going to get everything for himself

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

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Note: The chapters will be made public in the future.


..........


Ay stood amidst the rubble in his office, his chest heaving with barely controlled fury.


His eyes blazed with an intensity that could rival a lightning storm, and his fists were clenched tightly, the veins on his one un-mangled forearm bulging.


He stepped over the debris, his boots crunching on the shattered remains of the wall.


"Alphabet!" Ay's voice thundered through the room, echoing off the damaged walls. The masked shinobi snapped to attention, their bodies rigid and alert. "Go out and put the village on lockdown. I don't want this news spreading beyond these walls."


The Alphabet, the Anbu equivalent of Konoha, hidden within the shadows of the room hesitated for a split second, barely perceptible but noticeable enough to Ay.


His eyes narrowed, and he took a threatening step forward. "Now!" he barked, his voice a dangerous growl. "Naruto has just killed 600 of our elite assassins. This cannot leave the village. Do you understand?"


They nodded in unison, their movements sharp and precise.


Without another word, they disappeared in a blur of motion, their figures blending seamlessly with the shadows as they left the room to carry out his orders.


Ay turned back to the shattered wall, his mind racing with thoughts of the massacre.


Six hundred of his best assassins, wiped out in a single confrontation with Naruto.


'What the fuck is up with that kid!?'


The Raikage's hands trembled slightly as he thought about the implications. If word got out, their enemies would see them as weakened, vulnerable.


It could lead to attacks, invasions, and the collapse of the power he had worked so hard to build.


He needed a plan. Something to contain the fallout and ensure that Kumo remained strong. Ay's eyes flickered with a deadly resolve.


He would find Naruto, and would make him pay for what he had done. But for now, he had to secure his village and prevent any further damage.


'How the hell do I deal with that yellow headed bastard now? Will he even believe it? If I was in his place, I wouldn't,' Ay thought of Minato.


He believed that with Naruto in his palms, no matter how crazy Minato is, he would have taken a step back to ensure the safety of his child.


Ay's palm moved to his back. 'There is also that god-forsaken mark he has put on me!'


Minato in the years after Naruto was born has improved his Flying Raijin a lot. He has managed to make the mark unobservable.


'I don't know how much time I have before Minato loses his cool. I need to find where the mark is on me and remove it asap.'


Ay then turned towards Mabui and said, "Get the fuinjutsu specialists. Minato has put a Flying Thunder God mark on me, I need to get it removed."


.....


....


...


..


.


As Hiruzen read the letter sent by their spy in Kumo, Minato clenched his fists in frustration.


"This is obviously a lie," Minato declared.


"Yes," Hiruzen agreed. "It looks like Ay doesn't care what happens to him."


Minato slowly rose from his chair. "I guess this means he's declaring war."


Hiruzen eyed Minato. He never expected to see such anger on Minato's face.


Feeling the stress weighing on him, Hiruzen thought of Jiraiya. "Ah, right. Minato, we can have Jiraiya confirm what's going on there."


Minato shook his head. "I don't think he can. You know what he's investigating."


"I understand how sensitive his investigation is," Hiruzen acknowledged. "But this situation is more important. We can't risk a war."


Minato sighed. "I know my son is a genius beyond measure, and he's very strong. But 600 assassins? No matter how I try to think of it, I can't see how that happened."


Hiruzen nodded. "I understand what you mean. We know how dominant the Uzumaki gene is in him. There's a chance it could be related to the Uzumaki bloodline. The story is so unbelievable that I don't think Kumo, despite their rather insignificant intelligence, would decide this was the best message to relay to us when they clearly understand what's at stake."


Minato sighed deeply. "Lord Third, I hope you're around to guide me some more. It seems that when my family is involved, I tend to think less clearly."


"Don't worry," Hiruzen reassured him. "I've been there. I know how it feels. At times like these, we should rely on the people around us to help during our darkest days."


Minato thought about how Kushina may be taking the news, knowing that even he was struggling with it.


....


...


..


.


In Iwagakure, the atmosphere in the office was tense. Clan leaders and top jonin sat around a large round table, their faces solemn and filled with worry.


Kitsuchi broke the heavy silence. "Damn, I can't believe that father died!"


Deidara scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Of course, only an idiot would challenge perhaps the strongest man in the world at the moment. Perhaps the old man had truly gone senile. Who even convinced him to join in this battle?"


Kitsuchi angrily rose from his chair, slamming his palms on the table. "Silence, Deidara! You will not belittle father in his death! Have some respect!"


Deidara rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. Internally, he was pleased. 'The old fool is finally dead. Now, who will stand in my way to create the most wonderful art this world has ever seen?'


Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Kitsuchi turned to the clan leaders and jonin. "Now, how shall we proceed? War is out of the question! Our village and the Daimyo cannot support it at all! Our only choice is to submit to whatever Konoha asks for."


The jonin immediately began to protest. Daiki, a 60-year-old war veteran jonin and an old friend of Onoki, rose from his seat. "Lord Kitsuchi, I'm afraid doing that will greatly upset the villagers and further lower our value in the Daimyo's eyes. This will also greatly decrease our respect in the world."


Kitsuchi understood that Daiki was speaking for the protesting jonin. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What are you suggesting then, Lord Daiki?"


"It's simple. We wait," Daiki replied. "Based on the news circulating, it's easy to see that the first village Konoha will retaliate against is Kumogakure. Let us wait and see how far that will go, and then we will proceed accordingly."


Kitsuchi carefully considered Daiki's words and then nodded in agreement. "Very well. We wait."


....


...


.


Kurotsuchi, within the building that housed the Stone Monument, polished the stone as her grandfather had always instructed her. Tears streamed down her face, but she continued the ritual, as if her actions could somehow bring him back.


"You polish that stone well, Kurotsuchi! When I come back, I will inspect it properly. I will punish you if I don't find it shining like a star! Hahahahah!" Her grandfather's boisterous laugh echoed in her mind, a bittersweet memory.


She scrubbed harder, her hands raw and bleeding from her relentless effort.


She had been at it ever since she heard the news of his death. "Liars! Liars, all of them! Grandpa said he'd come back... if I clean this well enough, he will come back... he will be back... I'm sure of it..."


Death, war, jealousy, and hate.


Conflicts are mostly the result of these four things.


People fight all the time, believing they are on the right side, believing they are justified.


They call the world cruel to rationalize their actions.


It's not that they don't realize they are contributing to the world's cruelty. They do realize it.


But they have been pulled into an endless cycle of hatred, unable to escape even if they wanted to.


They are forced.


And it only breeds more death.


More war.


More jealousy.


More...hate.


This pulls the newer generation into the meaningless fight, as it always has.


The only ones who truly lose are the innocent children.


They are drawn into this cycle without understanding why, without a chance to consider if they want to be part of it.


They are painted with the colors of the world, forcefully.


They are painted with the colors of hate.


They are the ones who suffer without knowing the reason.


But by the time they understand the reason, a new generation will have already been pulled into the cycle.


So, who should we blame?


...............


A/N:


Next chapter Naruto is going to make a BIG decision regarding his future. I have also not put every reaction in one chapter. They will be spread out and shown when the people are directly involved with the story line, you will know what I mean in the future.


Shout out to BigBowser! You were my motivation to write this chapter!!

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N: I didn't make the internal thoughts italic here cause there's just too much of it in this chapter.


This chapter was kinda cringe to write though...


Just know this...


LET ME COOK!


.....


(After Naruto killed the 600 hundred assassins)


Naruto ran his hands from the top of his head to his neck, pressing down hard.


Blood trickled down his neck, staining his clothes.


He wiped his palms on his shirt and turned to look at the dismembered bodies scattered around.


Most had vanished, but a few tough parts remained: a severed head, a lone arm, a leg.


'That really drained my chakra... huh?'


His senses suddenly flared. Instantly, he propelled himself toward the disturbance, chakra surging through his body.


"Hey there, little spy," Naruto grinned menacingly at the white Zetsu.


"Hiiih!" Zetsu squeaked as Naruto grabbed him by the neck. "How did you find me?"


Naruto just smiled innocently before slicing Zetsu in half, killing him instantly.


'Now what?' Naruto thought, surveying the carnage. He had just killed 600 key members of Kumogakure.


'I can't just act like nothing happened. They'll never overlook this.'


He glanced at the sky and saw eagles circling above.


'Those aren't normal eagles. Too much chakra. Father did say Kumo used eagles as scouts. So, they probably know already.'


He crouched, resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought. 'My father's much stronger than his canon counterpart. He can handle them. And mother... she has the Nine Tails' chakra. She'll be fine if she uses it properly.'


He opened his eyes and looked around.


'The problem is this: I can't explain this carnage. My intelligence won't help here. I have a few options. One, I could stay and wait for someone to find me. I'd probably get lost, but hiding with my shadow powers wouldn't be too difficult.'


'After this stunt, Obito might try to target me, no he definitely will.'


'And most importantly, I am five fucking years old! No matter how intelligent I am, they won't believe me or value my opinions at all! I can tell them everything, and they still won't believe me. My parents are good, but like everyone's parents, they have a brain that tries to rationalize the world. This is real life, not some BS fucking fanfic written by a 12-year-old wimp who has never been loved by anyone. They won't go, "Oh, Naruto, we are your parents, we believe in you. We will support you! You, as a five-year-old, want to leave the village and go on side quests all alone in this dangerous, cruel world of shinobi? Why not? That's the best plan I've ever heard!" Expecting things to go like that is beyond idiotic.'


'If I stay, I need a reason to explain all this. I could lie and say I can see the future, but they're some of the smartest shinobi in the world. They'd find the holes eventually. I've already fucked up the plot, so that route is a dead end.'


'Another option is to claim I can see the past and say I'm Asura's reincarnation, revealing Hashirama's role. But that messes with my plan. Revealing my wood style and other Asura-related powers will attract too much attention. Dealing with external threats is hard enough; adding Danzo and Orochimaru to the mix will drive me insane. I don't even know if Hiruzen is trustworthy. Father trusts him too much, and I can't risk it. I can't assume anyone's a good guy in this world.'


'Once they realize my powers, they'll imprison me in the village and turn me into a weapon. I can't let that happen. My goals are bigger. If I'm trapped by the village's conflicts and desires, I'll never see my family again.'


'Second, I could run away. This has many benefits. I'd have freedom and be able to do as I like. Sure, I'd lose my parents' support, and they're arguably the strongest people in the world if you ignore that parasite from Kaguya's time. I need to account for him too! This isn't a story; it's real life. Who knows if Isshiki will show up before Kaguya can do anything!'


'Well, I'll deal with it when it happens. Anyway, the only support my parents can offer is their jutsus, and I don't need those. With my intelligence, I can build galaxy-destroying bombs from scraps. Who knows what I can achieve with that and fuinjutsu.'


'Knowing Father, he'll probably hold someone hostage to get me back. If I don't return, it'll start a global conflict, and I don't want innocents dying because of me. Should I fake my death? No, Zetsu has already seen me. If I'm not wrong, he can transmit messages through his roots, so Obito might already know my situation.'


'The only choice I have is to leave the village myself by informing them. This will break my parents' hearts, and they'll think of themselves as failures for the rest of their lives. They are kind people and don't deserve that. But the hardest choices require the strongest wills.'


...


..


.


Black Zetsu flops on the ground as he passes through the ceiling.


Obito who was currently tending to the wounds he suffered glances behind when he heard the sound. His head turned while his hands worked on his chest, adjusting the bones and trying to get them to their correct place.


Kushina did a number on him.


"What happened? Where is the other part?"


Black Zetsu huffed, sweat trickled down from his head, "That Naruto kid, I think he has the same abilities as Kushina. He detected us. I managed to sneak away at the last moment. Had he been a moment faster, he would have caught me as well."


"What in the depths of the Infinite Tsukuyomi is going on with this cursed Uzumaki lineage?" Obito growls, his crimson eyes ablaze with frustration. "Suddenly, they all possess the ability to sense Zetsu. They're like thorns in my side, every last one of them. Nevertheless, how did that brat manage to seize the opportunity? Were the assassins even stationed in that vicinity?"


Black Zetsu gulped when he recalled that scene, that was no normal jutsu, he knew.


'It was like a Shinjutsu!'


Seeing Black Zetsu go silent, Obito raised an eyebrow and said, "Speak."


"That kid... he wiped them all out," Black Zetsu blurts out.


Hearing this, Obito's eyes widen in shock, his hand slips, and the bone he's fiddling with decides to go rogue, stabbing him right in the lungs.


"Owww..."


.....


..


.


(After some time)


Jiraiya looked down at the vultures feeding on the remains of the shinobi with a grim expression. He had just finished inspecting what remained of the people who had been here.


"The cuts were so clean, it's almost eerie," Jiraiya murmured to himself, his brow furrowing as he surveyed the grim scene.


"I've seen skilled swordsmen, but this... this is something else. And all these little fragments scattered around... it's like a nightmare made real, all human flesh."


He sighed heavily, his hand finding its way to his forehead as he tried to make sense of it all. "Kumo didn't exaggerate. Those assassins were torn apart with precision. But Naruto? It just doesn't add up."


Thinking of the boy who was too smart, not very social, avoided kids his age like the plague, and hated being recognized, Jiraiya couldn't imagine how Naruto could cause such havoc.


"And the rocks... By the sage, the rocks!" Jiraiya exclaimed. "Everywhere's a mess, except for this perfectly cut circle where Naruto unleashed... whatever he unleashed."


Having finished his investigation, Jiraiya decided to find where Naruto had gone. He located the bloodied steps of a child, and after confirming the size to match Naruto's, he followed the trail.


It led to a nearby cave, and he entered. As soon as he stepped in, he felt himself drop into the shadows as if falling into a pond.


"Naruto?"


The surroundings were painted black, but somehow he could still see. He unmistakably recognized Naruto on the other side.


"Jiraiya-ojisan, did you come to get me back?"


Jiraiya nodded and said, "Yeah, kiddo... come on, let's go and tell me what in the world happened here. Also, what is this place? It feels like a barrier."


Naruto slowly shook his head. "I'm not coming back."


"What?" Jiraiya's voice was laced with confusion and concern.


"Please inform my parents."


"W-what are you saying, Naruto? What's going on? Is someone threatening you?"


Naruto sighed. "Can't you understand? I can't stand all of this! I just want a normal life."


Jiraiya was finding it hard to process the sudden turn of events. He stepped closer, his brow furrowed in concern. "Naruto, you don't have to do this alone. Whatever's going on, we can handle it together. Let's go back and figure this out."


Naruto looked away, his face shadowed by an unseen emotion. "I'm not being threatened or anything like that. I just want peace, so please don't search for me. This is a shadow clone. And now, I will be undoing myself."


Jiraiya reached out, a desperate edge to his voice. "Naruto, wait—"


*Poof


With a puff of smoke, Naruto disappeared.


"Just what the hell is going on here?" Jiraiya asked no one in particular as he was suddenly shoved back to the cave's surface.


...


A/N:


Naruto's a pretty good actor, eh?


I thought long and hard about it. But, as I much as I want to get Minato and the others involved in this whole world domination plan, its just not sensible.


Hugegreenpickle was my motivation to write this chapter.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

Shoutout to my new P.a.t.r.e.o.n brother, Iwalkthestars!!!


We're currently 5 weeks ahead in p.a.t.r.e.o.n.


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Note: The chapters will be made public in the future.


....


(After a few weeks)


Haku sat in the dimly lit kitchen of his family's small, shabby house, listening intently to his parents' conversation.


The room was modest, with rough wooden walls and a dirt floor. A small fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows on the walls.


The scent of the snow-covered village outside seeped into the room, making him feel peaceful.


His father, a burly man with calloused hands and a weathered face, leaned forward, his voice low but intense. "Did you hear about the child, Naruto Namikaze?" he said, his tone tinged with both awe and disdain. "They say he single-handedly killed 600 assassins from Kumogakure."


Haku's mother, a slender woman with kind eyes that seemed tired beyond her years, nodded slowly. "Yes, it's hard to believe. A child of only five years old," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.


Haku, who had been idly sipping hot water from a chipped cup, perked up at this revelation.


He stared into the steaming liquid, his mind racing. A five-year-old child, capable of such power? Could he ever become that strong?


His father continued, his voice growing harsher. "That boy, Naruto, he's an Uzumaki. You know what that means. Those chains of theirs... they're kekkei genkai, just like the ones we despise."


His village had just emerged from the ravages of war, and the hatred for those with kekkei genkai ran deep. His own father harbored a particular disdain for the Uzumaki clan, believing their chains were a form of kekkei genkai.


Haku's mother nodded again, but if one looked closely, they could see the hesitation in her eyes. She agreed, but her agreement was hollow, a mere echo of her husband's sentiments.


Haku turned his gaze to the small window beside him.


The view was bleak, snow-covered fields stretching out as far as the eye could see. He took a deep breath, savoring the warmth of the hot water before setting the cup down.


"I'm going to play outside for a bit," he announced suddenly, rising from his seat.


His father's eyes narrowed. "It's too cold outside. Stay here and help your mother."


"I won't be long," Haku insisted, already moving toward the door.


His mother reached out a hand, concern etched on her face. "Haku, listen to your father."


But Haku was already out the door, his feet crunching on the fresh snow. He didn't look back, despite the protests that followed him.


The cold air bit at his cheeks, but Haku hardly noticed.


He made his way to a small pond at the edge of the village, a place he often visited when he needed to think.


The pond was frozen over, its surface a smooth, reflective sheet of ice.


Haku crouched by the edge, watching his breath mist in the air.


He had seen shinobi perform incredible feats with their jutsu, and he had always been fascinated.


He made a hand sign he had seen them use, focusing intently on the pond before him.


Nothing happened at first. Haku gritted his teeth, groaning in frustration. He tried again, and again, until finally, the water beneath the ice began to ripple.


Slowly, it rose up, transforming into a jagged kunai made of ice. Haku's eyes widened in awe and excitement.


He had done it.


He had created something magical.


"Look at this!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the stillness.


But his joy was short-lived. His mother appeared, her face pale with fear. "Haku!" she screamed, running towards him. "What are you doing?"


Before he could react, she slapped him hard across the face. "Never do that again!" she scolded, her voice shaking. "Do you understand?"


Haku's eyes filled with tears. He didn't understand why his mother was so angry. "But... I made it," he said, his voice breaking.


She glanced around, her eyes wide with panic. When she saw that no one else was around, she sighed in relief. "I'm sorry, Haku," she said softly, pulling him into a tight embrace. "But you must promise me, never use that power again. It's dangerous."


Haku nodded, though he was still confused and hurt. "I promise," he whispered.


Unbeknownst to them, Haku's father had been watching from behind a snowy bush. His face was twisted in a mixture of hatred and guilt.


He had seen everything, and he knew what he had to do, despite the heavy weight of his decision.


As Haku and his mother made their way back to the house, the small village seemed even colder and more oppressive than before. Haku couldn't shake the feeling that his life was about to change in ways he couldn't yet understand.


.....


...


...


(Later that day, at night)


(Haku POV)


Why?


Why is this happening to me!?


"Father! What are you doing!?" I scream, confused. Why...why is Father stabbing Mother?


"Damn, I totally forgot there was the child too," said a villager.


"Fuck! Kill that small monster as well!" shouted another villager.


"Leave none of those kekkei genkai monsters alive."


"Yes, kill them all!"


"KILL!"


"KILL!"


"KILL!" "KILL!" "KILL!" "KILL!" "KILL!" "KILL!" the villagers chanted in unison.


"Haku...run..." My mother manages to say before she collapses, stabbed multiple times by a knife.


"Mother!" I scream and run towards her. But my father gets in between us and tries to slash me.


I manage to dodge it at the last moment by a hair's breadth.


"I'm sorry, son," My father—this monster—says as he tries to cut me again.


"We were a happy family...WHY? WHY DID YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT ACCURSED POWER?" He screams and lunges at me.


Realization finally dawns on me. This was all because of what I did today. This happened because I created ice.


I never stopped to think if what I did was the result of kekkei genkai.


As I try to back off as he lunges towards me, I stumble and fall on my back.


The monster who had lunged manages to land right above me.


"You! Get off me!" I wail and try to push myself further away.


"GAH!"


He slams his foot on my chest to stop me. I taste iron suddenly.


"Please...let me go," I say weakly, grabbing his leg and begging.


I don't want to die.


He says nothing and cries while putting a knee on each of my arms, sitting on top of me, preventing me from moving.


I don't want to die.


"Don't kill me...father." I call the monster Father once again in hopes that he will remember that I was his son once.


"I'm sorry," he says.


That's all he says?


He grabs the knife with both hands and raises it above his head, ready to drive it through my skull.


I close my eyes and sob.


No no no no.


Please, someone save me!


Please!


I don't want to die.


*Slash!


Huh?


I suddenly feel my father's hold on me disappear all of a sudden.


I open my eyes only to have them flooded with blood all of a sudden.


"Argh!" I grunt and immediately throw my father to the side and get up, trying to see properly.


"Ah, sorry about that. I should have paid attention to it. Look this way, I will clean your eyes," a deep voice says. It sounds sarcastic and full of ego, as if he is making fun of me, but for some weird reason, I can't help but turn his way.


It looks like he saved me.


He grabs my face, and this time my whole face is drenched in water all of a sudden.


Thankfully, the water is warm.


I turn around and use my cloth to dry my face. I then look around to see where my father and the rest of the villagers are. I don't know what this man did, but they still posed a danger.


But they are all lying on the ground, blood spilled all over the place.


Did he kill them all?


I turn back to finally see the man.


"Who are you?" I ask the pink-haired man. He is tall and muscular. He has this uninterested look on his face, as if he is someone who lives above everyone.


"Sukuna Ryomen."


...


A/N:


IMPORTANT: I have exams next week so the next update will be a bit late. I am thinking about increasing the releases after the exams though. So, thats part bad and part good news for you guys.


Now, we're finally going to be focusing on gathering members and building his organization and country!!


I do know that I didn't include the reaction of every country involved but, I wanted to structure this all in a way where the people reacting will be involved directly as well.

 

[gearhead2177]

good job.

 

[SyrupJKL7]

Lindo

 

[PV5678]

It seems Sukuna has found his new Uraume lol

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N: Kyrah and Cheonma welcome to patreon!


What's up bruvs! I'm back! My exams finished today!


Chapter 23 on p.a.t.r.e.o.n at the moment.


Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


__________


(Haku POV)


I don't know how long it has been. Time feels strange now. But I know I have to bury her. I have to bury my mother.


The ground is cold, just like my hands. I dig and dig, my small fingers aching. My tears mix with the dirt.


Sukuna stands nearby, not saying anything, just watching. I don't understand him. Why did he save me? Why is he here?


"Why are you helping me?" I ask, my voice trembling.


He shrugs, his expression still unreadable. "Maybe I just felt like it," he says, as if it doesn't matter.


I sniffle and continue digging. The hole isn't very big, but it's enough. It's all I can do.


When it's done, I gently lay my mother in the ground. I cover her with the dirt, my heart breaking with each handful.


"I'm sorry, Mother," I whisper. "I didn't mean for this to happen. I didn't know..."


Sukuna finally steps closer. "You're strong, kid," he says. "Stronger than most."


I don't feel strong. I feel broken. But I nod. What else can I do?


"Come on," Sukuna says. "It's time to go."


I take one last look at the grave, then follow him. I don't know where we're going, but I have no one else.


I have to trust him. I have to survive.


As we walk away from the grave, the weight of everything that has happened crashes down on me.


Each step feels heavier, my chest tight with guilt and sorrow. I glance at Sukuna, his tall frame leading the way with a casual air, as if the horrors of the night don't touch him.


But for me, they do. They claw at my heart, whispering terrible truths.


"It's my fault," I mumble, more to myself than to Sukuna. The words echo in my head, growing louder. "It's all my fault."


We stop by a river. The water rushes by, uncaring, and I stare into its depths, thinking how easy it would be to let it take me. My vision blurs with tears, and I step closer to the edge, my toes curling over the muddy bank.


"I should just... I should just go with them," I say, my voice rising in pitch. "I should be dead too! I brought this on us!"


My breathing becomes ragged.


I start to hyperventilate, panic surging through me. My hands claw at my hair, my chest heaving. I stumble, almost falling into the water, but Sukuna's strong hand grabs me by the collar, pulling me back with a force that sends me sprawling on the ground.


"Calm down," he says, his tone surprisingly gentle but firm.


"No! No, you don't understand!" I scream, flailing against him. "I killed her! I killed my mother! It's all because of me!"


Sukuna doesn't let go, his grip like iron. "Listen to me, Haku," he says, his voice cutting through my hysteria. "This isn't what your mother would have wanted."


His words make me pause, my struggles weakening. "What?" I whisper, tears streaming down my face.


"Your mother loved you," Sukuna says, his expression serious. "She wanted you to live. To run and survive. She gave her life for that. Don't you dare waste it."


"But... but I can't..." I sob, collapsing into myself. "I can't go on. I have no reason."


Sukuna kneels beside me, his presence grounding. "Then find one," he says simply.


I look up at him, confused and desperate. "How? How can I find a reason?"


Sukuna's eyes soften slightly. "You live for a purpose, Haku. You honor her memory by surviving. By becoming strong. You need to find something to strive for, something to keep you going."


I shake my head, still unable to see through the fog of my grief. "I don't know if I can."


"You can," Sukuna insists. "Your mother saw something in you. A potential. I'm sure of it. Don't let her sacrifice be in vain."


His words start to sink in, and a small flicker of determination ignites within me. I wipe my tears, trying to steady my breathing. "But... you're so strong. You killed those villagers so easily. Is it because you have a purpose?"


Sukuna's expression grows more serious, his gaze intense. "Yes," he says. "Strength comes from having a purpose. A reason to fight, to live. If you have a 'why,' you can endure any 'how.'"


I listen, hanging on his every word. "What's your purpose?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.


"My purpose?" Sukuna looks out at the river, his eyes distant. "It's not something I share easily. But know this, Haku: when you find something worth fighting for, something that fuels your very being, it gives you a strength you never knew you had. It makes you unstoppable."


His words resonate deeply within me, stirring something I can't quite describe. The weight of my guilt doesn't vanish, but it becomes more bearable, like a burden I'm willing to carry for the sake of my mother.


"I want to be strong," I say, my voice gaining a bit of resolve. "I want to find a reason to live, like you said."


Sukuna nods, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good. That's the first step."


For the first time since the tragedy, I feel a glimmer of hope. It's faint, but it's there. I still don't know what my purpose will be, but I know I need to keep moving forward to find it.


"Thank you," I say, looking up at Sukuna with newfound respect.


He stands up, offering me a hand. "Don't thank me yet. This is just the beginning. The path ahead will be hard, but remember why you're walking it."


I take his hand, feeling a strength in his grip that I hope to one day have. As we continue our journey, the pain in my heart doesn't fade, but it transforms. It becomes a drive, a reminder of what I've lost and what I need to honor.


I will live. I will become strong. For my mother, and for myself.


And maybe one day, I will find my purpose.


I look at him.


Perhaps, I've already found it.


_____


A/N:


I know it's a short one, but there wasn't much more I could write regarding this. I just wanted to show what Haku was going through and also make it a bit motivational for you guys. Who knows? Maybe it's something you need today.


Sometimes, words fail to capture the depth of what someone is experiencing. Something might seem impossible at first, but one little spark can turn into an unstoppable force. I hope this resonates with you and gives you the encouragement you need.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N: Shoutout to Ta-Seti, and Dangit889 for joining the patreon!


Chapter 24 on patreon


Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


IMPORTANT: Recently, I've found writing short chapters to be easier, so from now on, I'll be uploading three chapters a week!


...


(Obito POV)


The dimly lit cavern smelled of damp earth, the air cold and unwelcoming. Shadows danced on the walls, cast by the flickering flames of a lone torch. I stared into the darkness, lost in thought.


Zetsu emerged from the shadows, his split face twisted into a scowl. His footsteps echoed on the stone floor as he walked toward me. The firelight glinted off my orange mask as I watched him approach.


"Obito, you need to start attending those meetings yourself," Zetsu said, clearly annoyed. "I can't stand playing the role of Mizukage any longer, especially after that banquet. I'm just glad I managed to slip away when the Kages were too focused on Minato."


I'd rather not remember that humiliating day.


I stayed still, my gaze fixed beyond the cavern walls. "I'm not going to any meetings," I said flatly. "I'm still healing." I gestured to my chest, where Kushina's lariat had left a brutal mark. "And besides, I need this time to plan."


Minato and Kushina have both become very strong, far more than I could've predicted. It's making me regret not attacking when that brat was born.


I manipulated the Daimyos and the Kages to make them attack Minato during the brat's birthday celebration, but it was too late.


Zetsu raised an eyebrow, curious. "Plan? What are you planning? Minato, Kushina, and even that kid Naruto now... they're all stronger than we thought. What are you going to do?"


Right, there's that brat to consider as well. He was someone I didn't even factor in. Six hundred shinobi killed in seconds, and at just five years old. I'm afraid not even the Sage of the Six Paths was that strong at his age.


He's made me very curious. I wonder what abilities he is hiding. I'll get those for myself one day.


I narrowed my eye slightly, a hint of a smile beneath the mask. "If we can't kill them, we'll give them so many problems they won't have time to focus on anything else. I'll trap Minato in a civil war."


Zetsu's eyes widened, intrigued. "A civil war? How do you plan to do that?"


I leaned forward slightly. "Konoha is strong, but it's also fragile. The new generation has taken power, but they don't truly have it. The old leaders still hold on to authority. We just need to find the right pressure points and apply enough force to make them fear the new generation."


Hiruzen, Danzo, and the two other insignificant elders...if Minato tries to act against what they think is right, their opinions regarding him will change. And that will be the spark that burns Konoha.


Zetsu nodded slowly. "And what about Naruto? He's a real threat."


I chuckled. "That kid... I have no immediate plans for him. I don't even know what he did that day. All Black Zetsu saw was a big black ball and the next moment they were all dead. I'll need to take him down myself, but I don't have a way to find where he is."


The brat is really my most significant headache. Using Zetsu to monitor him is out of the question; I need something else. I will have to find suitable people to do that.


"Yeah, I don't know if that kid is traumatized or just too smart. If he had only returned to the village, we could have targeted him easily. But nobody knows where he is."


Perhaps rather than the strength he displayed, his intelligence will be the thing I have a hard time dealing with. His intelligence is known far and wide, after all. Beating Shikaku, the Nara Clan's leader, known for his intelligence, at Shogi at the age of three is a feat no one can replicate.


I got up, feeling determined. "Well, his time will come one day. Anyway, I need you to do something for me right now."


I should focus on sowing the seeds of discord in Konoha first. But, I guess contacting a few people to keep an eye on him won't waste too much time.


"And what is that?" Zetsu asked.


"I need you to search for the family members of the assassins Naruto killed. I have something special planned for them and for Konoha."


They should have picked up a thing or two from their assassin relative. Even if they haven't, a little bit of training from my side will make them capable enough to do what I want.


Zetsu's curiosity deepened. "Special? What do you have in mind?"


My gaze turned steely. "Isn't it obvious? Revenge."


The elders may change their opinions of Minato and may try to have their way. Minato, politically, doesn't hold much power, so, if I want to achieve the results I want, Minato must get the support of the clan heads.


I know how Konoha's sensing barrier works, and since it cannot detect me at all as I was a part of it previously, I can simply teleport each of the family members near the desired location.


"Consider it done. I'll start searching immediately," Zetsu replied.


Kumo is under Minato's scrutiny at the moment. He doesn't trust Kumo at all. From what I've gathered from my spies, Naruto has declared he won't be returning to the village. I don't think Minato and Kushina will take that well.


But they are still holding back, as they value the elders' opinions and don't really have the support to do what they promised against the Raikage.


The elders don't want another war. Though they mostly speak the words of the Fire Daimyo, who doesn't want to see the destruction of Kumo as it would make the games he plays with the other Daimyos less fun. Bunch of useless pigs, those Daimyos. But they fit perfectly into my game.


I wonder how they will react when they find out all of their children, the heirs to their clans, disappear from the village all at once.


And what if Kumo is found to be responsible?


The elders, who don't want war, will clash with the clan heads and Minato, who are eager for Kumo's blood. And there are all the other villages, keeping silent, waiting to see how Konoha will respond to Kumo so they can act accordingly.


Civil war.


And if things progress well, the Fourth Great Ninja War.


The next few years are going to be very interesting.

 

[Grimmouse197]

It doesn't matter how strong the MC is if the world is tearing itself apart around himself. He could instantly be able to kill anyone in the world and it wouldn't matter if his very reason to stick around is being canablized.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


Chapter 25 on p.a.t.r.e.o.n


Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


A bit longer chap today.


....


(Minato's POV)


I look at the elders in frustration as I repeat what I just said.


"We need to take action! We can't just stand idly by! God knows what my son is going through at the moment!"


Danzo squints his eyes at me and says, "You should calm down, Hokage. At times like this, the advice of the older generations must be heeded. If you act without a level head, we will have to deal with heavy repercussions."


"I am calm," I say, looking him dead in the eyes. Damn him.


I've had enough of these old folks. I slam the round table we are sitting at and get up.


"If I find even a hair of my child touched, every one of you will see what I'm like when I'm not calm," I warn them and walk out, not forgetting to slam the door shut as I leave.


Just you wait, my son. I will find you.


....


(Orochimaru POV)


Tension in the village is high.


I don't think I've ever seen Minato this angry. He doesn't believe Kumo at all. Jiraiya went and confirmed that the 600 assassins were cut up as Kumo told us, and he even brought back the news that the brat didn't want to return.


It's pretty tough on the young parents.


But this is great for me. I have been planning on getting my hands on some more people to do experiments, and this situation has presented me with the perfect opportunity.


Jiraiya has been investigating me for a while now. He thinks I don't know. This has made me more cautious, and it has hindered my progress. But, not anymore.


Knowing the efficiency of the bureaucratic Konoha, it will take them a while to respond. Especially considering that the relationship between sensei and Minato has become cold due to the recent happenings.


Minato wants to retaliate, but sensei and his old friends don't want to. This conflict will go on until something happens to change this status quo.


This gives me some free time. Konoha is expecting something to happen so its shinobi have not been sent on missions, and that includes me. I think I will visit the Land of Water to see if there are some treasures to take.


Members of the clan with kekkei genkai are being massacred left and right in that country at the moment. It's a great opportunity to find some orphans and manipulate them to raise as guinea pigs.


They do have some interesting kekkei genkai.


I think I'll give the Kaguya clan a visit.


...


(Kimmimaro POV)


Naruto Namikaze. Naruto Uzumaki.


I wonder what his real name is. I heard some clan members calling him Namikaze and some others called him Uzumaki.


He's five years old, only three years younger than me, and yet he killed 600 of Kumo's best assassins. I wonder if they will put him in a cage too?


I have a kekkei genkai and it's pretty strong too, and I've been put in a cage. If they put him in a cage, will his cage be bigger or stronger or both? Or, will they even be able to catch him?


"Kimmimaro, come out. It's time for your fight."


Ah, if I become as strong as him, will I not have to fight like a slave? Will I be free if I become that strong?


"Don't waste time, and get up quickly!" The guard shouts at me, but I can feel his voice quivering a little. I guess he is a little scared of me. I wonder why, though. I just do what the clan asks me to do without failing every single day.


The clan says to fight, I fight. The clan says to kill, I kill. What's there to be scared of?


As I walk through the corridor, a few of the hooligans laying on their backs inside the jail get up and start screaming at me.


"Monster!"


"The demon is going again!"


"Fuck you, bonehead! I hope you die today!"


I didn't care about the insults. The Clan leader arranges for me to fight one of the inmates and has us kill each other. It doesn't matter who it is that just screamed; they always beg for mercy when I'm about to kill them.


It has happened plenty of times, after all. They like to act tough until death stares them in the eyes.


I'll make sure they beg today as well.


A curved wide rusted gate appeared in front of me, two guards pushed it open. Upon entering, I found myself in the familiar circular room with walls about 15 meters tall, it had three other similar gates spread equally apart.


I watched as three adults entered the arena, their clothes tattered and filthy, marking them as prisoners held by the clan. They looked scared and desperate, but I felt no sympathy. This was just another fight, another day in this endless cycle.


Opening my palm, I summoned a bone to jut out from the center, repeating the action with my other hand. Without hesitation, I launched into an attack. I wanted to get this over with; the monotony of this daily ritual was wearing me down.


As I fought, they hurled insults at me, trying to gang up and overpower me. One of them, a man with a deep scar across his face, shouted, "Monster! You won't get away with this!"


I ignored him and swung my arm, the bone slicing through the air. "Just die already," I muttered.


This is a waste of my time.


Another prisoner, a woman with tangled hair, screamed, trying to make me emotional so that I'd slip and make a mistake, "You're nothing but a tool for them! It doesn't matter what you do!"


Her words stung, but I pushed the feeling aside. "I know," I whispered to myself, dispatching her quickly. They were just ordinary people, and I swiftly defeated them. The audience in the circular room erupted in screams of joy at the sight.


My face remained impassive. I was strong, yes, but not strong enough to escape this life. The cheers and applause were hollow, meaningless.


After the fight, as I stood there, victorious yet empty, I felt a yearning for something more.


Is this all there is?


Just killing and being cheered for it?


I craved something beyond this endless cycle of killing worthless people.


I wanted to find worth in the world, a purpose beyond being a tool of entertainment for the clan.


I wanted to do something great in the world. One day, I am going to die. And if death is the ultimate end, then I want to die while pursuing something great.


The clan head was incredibly powerful, even though he lacked the Shikotsumyaku. At only eight years old, I knew I couldn't take him down.


One of the guards approached me, a smug look on his face. "Good job, kid. But try to make it more bloody. When you just crush through those peasants straight away, it just isn't all that fun."


I looked at him, my eyes cold. "I'll keep that in mind."


He laughed, patting my shoulder. "Good, good."


Bunch of psychopaths.


After such a long time, perhaps I've become one too.


Every day, I wished for someone to save me, to free me from this misery and sense of worthlessness.


As I stood in my cage yet again, I felt a yearning for something divine, something that could rescue me from this bleak existence.


I needed a miracle to find the worth and purpose I so desperately sought.


....


(Zabuza POV)


I can't believe I trusted the crazy Kaguya Clan's word. As time goes by, I only feel more and more stupid.


This was the weapon they promised me?


A fucking eight-year-old!?


I watched as the kid swiftly killed the three civilians. Pretty good for his age, I won't deny. However, this is still idiotic.


"Hehehe, so what do you think, Lord Zabuza?" Katsumaro, the clan head, said.


I mentally slap my forehead. God, he doesn't even realize it!


But, I still smile and give him a nice look. Sure, Katsumaro needs help in the mental department, but his strength cannot be questioned. That is also the only reason I am holding back from removing this waste of oxygen from the world.


"He is strong, Lord Katsumaro. But, he is young. Too young. The one we will be fighting against is the Mizukage, who is also the jinchuriki of the Three tails. The battlefield will be something only the likes of you can join," I praise him.


"You flatter me, Lord Zabuza. And you are right. Stay here for a day, and we will be ready with our demands."


I nod and get up, and a servant walks me to my room. I can't help but roll my eyes. Bunch of battle-crazed lunatics, can they even make demands? Do they have the calm, calculating mind that it requires one to have to make a good demand?


God, it's going to be a heck of a long day, I just know it.


Mei will be hearing an earful from me.


....


(Naruto POV)


"I will become a miracle then," I said. Haku had been annoying me for a while, asking me what my purpose was, and I just told him that I want to unite the world and end all conflicts once and for all. That wasn't my true goal, but it aligned perfectly well.


Ain't no way I'm telling an 8-year-old kid what I truly want.


"Cool!!!" He said, stars shining in his eyes.


Ok, maybe I shouldn't have even said that.


Haku had decided to stay with me, I agreed.


It was just dumb luck that the first island I stopped at after escaping the Land of Fire turned out to be the island Haku lived on. What was even more miraculous is that he was about to be killed by his father.


In the series, he was pretty talented and also had the Ice Release. With my guidance, I think he has the potential to be very strong. I planned to build an organization so having him as the first member won't be too bad.


Haku huddled with me by the fire I had built from cut woods. The flames crackled and danced. I poked at the burning logs with a stick, trying to coax more heat from the dwindling embers. The chill in the air was biting, and I pulled Haku's cloak tighter.


Haku smiled at that.


"Go on, sleep," I said. He nodded and within a few minutes, he fell asleep.


I thought about what to do next. Since I've already started with my orphans-collecting scheme, I guess it's time to go get another one.


Hmm...Kimimaro is a good choice.


He has a weird disease if I remember correctly, but I guess I'll figure out how to deal with that after I examine him thoroughly.


_________


A/N:


Just a chapter where I'm building up the next conflict, I hope you guys like it!

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N: Chapter 27 is on patreon


Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


Also, I topped the semester at uni, so congratulations to me! Just flexing a bit hehe


.....


(Naruto POV)


"Can you get off?" I said to Haku, who was clinging to my leg.


Hearing me, he looked up with eyes full of tears. "Pwease! Lemme coume!" he pleaded, trying his best to make me feel bad. Honestly, it might have worked if I wasn't about to invade a clan of battle-mad zealots.


"No," I said firmly. He withered to the ground like a flower after days of drought.


I grabbed him by the collar and brought him to eye level. "While I go and save another kid, you will stay here and work on your chakra control."


He nodded with a whimper, but that was good enough for me.


I pointed to the marks on the trees around us. "And make sure, no matter what, you stay inside the circle those marks form. This will protect you."


I had just devised this barrier technique. I had observed many of Uzumaki's fuinjutsu and was familiar with Konoha's barriers, having lived inside them.


With my genius, I was able to create something effective. It had many features: whatever sound is made inside won't be heard outside the barrier; dojutsu, at least those I know of, won't be able to see inside; chakra inside the barrier can't be detected; and people near the barrier will be influenced by subtle genjutsu, making them avoid it.


Not bad for my first time.


I turned back to Haku when I realized he was still just sitting there, pouting. Heh.


I ruffled his hair. "If you do good, I'll get you some nice food."


"Really!?" He straightened up immediately, all his sadness vanishing as if it were never there. Growing up in a small, impoverished village far from the bustling ports and hubs of the Land of Water, Haku rarely had the chance to eat nice food as a child.


"Yeah, yeah. So, make sure you work hard," I said, turning to leave.


.


.


.


After a while, I reached the island where the clan was located.


It wasn't too far off, but asking around for the location of a clan known for its kekkei genkai, especially during a time when they were being actively hunted, proved surprisingly difficult.


One would think that if someone came asking where the clan was to kill them, people would be quick to talk.


But people were too scared of the Kaguya clan.


Which...was fair, to be honest.


Who would want to get on those lunatics' blacklist...except people like me, who are even bigger lunatics. I guess it takes a lunatic to cut down another lunatic.


I hope they can make it fun.


I have prepared a special fuinjutsu technique just for them.


....


(Orochimaru POV)


From a distant hill, I observed the bustling Kaguya clan compound. Many people were walking and talking. Having never encountered a Kaguya clan member before, I was surprised by this display of civilization and activity.


I had assumed they behaved like cavemen. My mistake.


As I continued to observe, my eyes caught a rather interesting sight.


Zabuza Momochi.


The Land of Water is going through a civil war. If I'm not mistaken, he is currently a high-ranking member of the rebellion group. Is he here to seek help from the Kaguya clan?


Interesting.


I wonder if the Mizukage knows about this... Tensions are already high in this country, and discovering that the rebellion is about to gain significant support would escalate things further.


The Kaguya clan, like the other clans, is currently in hiding. If their location is made public... hehehe.


I wouldn't even have to lift a finger, and the kid I've heard so much about, who has the Shikotsumyaku, will fall into my hands.


Sometimes my genius it... it's almost frightening.


Body Flicker Jutsu!


*BOOM!


I was about to move when a massive explosion made me stop.


What is going on?


I squinted to see through the massive cloud of dust billowing from the explosion, but it was difficult.


I will need to get closer.


But my chakra might alert them. It's better if I send a snake first to observe the situation; I'll intervene if necessary.


*Poof!


I summoned a flying snake and immediately ordered it. "Observe the situation and report back to me ASAP!"


The snake didn't waste a moment and started gliding through the air. I made a hand sign and closed my eyes. As a close and important summoner of the Ryuchi Cave, I have been given a jutsu that helps me to see through the eyes of certain snakes.


The flying snake was one such snake. The snake also had to use the jutsu for it to work, which is what I meant when I said to report back to me ASAP.


I closed my eyes and activated the jutsu, waiting for the snake to do the same.


*Shinng!


Finally, the snake activated the jutsu.


"You goddamn monster! Who sent you? Why are you attacking?" I see from the jutsu, a Kaguya clan member asking a pink haired man.


"I don't think it concerns you. Now, tell me where Kimimaro is."


"Fuck you, I'm never going to tell you! Well... not unless you put me on the brink of death, I think... I don't really want to die."


"...Are you stupid?"


My exact thoughts. However, the important question is who is this man?


Why is he looking for Kimimaro?


*Slash!


My eyes widened in shock. What the hell was that?


One moment he was looking, and the next moment, he drew a line in the air, and the Kaguya clan member's head was cut off.


A jutsu that doesn't require hand signs?


No, that was different. If it was a jutsu that didn't need hand signs, then what element did it use?


Wind? No. The eyes of the flying snake are sensitive to chakra; they can see the aura of the element being used, and the green aura of wind didn't appear. In fact, there was no aura.


If no elemental jutsu was used, then what was?


This has become very interesting all of a sudden.


I came for one thing, but now my attention has been diverted.


I'll enjoy cutting you up and seeing what you're made of, dear stranger.


"Look what we have here."


Shit, he caught the snake! His senses are sharp.


"I know you've been spying from the start, you little snake."


Maybe he doesn't know I'm behind it?


"I'm talking to you. You overgrown lizard. What are you doing so far away from Konoha?"


How the hell does he know it's me?


"Well, no matter. I'll enjoy cutting you up. You better show your face here and not make me hunt you down. Or else, it's going to end up very, very bad for you," he grinned.


How long has it been since I've been insulted?


Heh, I'll be the one to cut you and enjoy doing it.


Let's see what you're all about.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


Shoutout to Luke Carmine, Zeke Ppskin, chris, and Based_Bass for joining the p.a.t.r.e.o.n.


Chapter 29 on p.a.t.r.e.o.n.


Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


.....


(Zabuza POV)


People in Kaguya are the worst!


I tried taking a nap but every once in a while a brawl would take place somewhere and all the people near them start shouting and motivating them.


I couldn't sleep at all!


But as the evening came, the brawls started happening less and less. And I thought I will finally be able to get some shut-eye.


*BOOM!


God, can people in this clan let me sleep in peace?


Grabbing my katana, I get out of my room to see what was happening. The sound of the explosion was too loud.


Is someone attacking the clan?


Surely nobody is that crazy, right?


Riiiight?


I finally get out of the house and see a huge cloud of dust billowing up in the East. I wonder who it is and just hope it isn't the Mizukage.


I make a hand sign and immediately head towards the location of the conflict.


....


(Katsumaru POV)


When I heard the loud explosion, my first thought was that the Mizukage had discovered our location and was launching an attack.


Since I was nearby, I quickly managed to reach the site of the explosion.


Why do things like this happen just when I'm about to do something good? After Zabuza arrived, I thought the great days of the Kaguya clan were not far off. I was already considering how to maximize our benefits from the rebellion group.


I'm going to torture the seven generations of whoever attacked us.


*Swish!


With a final big leap, I plunge into the cloud of dust. My senses, honed through countless battles, can pinpoint the enemy's location even with my eyes closed.


"Get him!"


"Don't let him move his hands! It looks like that weird jutsu can only be performed when he moves his hands!"


What weird jutsu are they talking about?


*Slash! *Slash! *Slash!


Before I can react, their heads are severed in an instant, as if by an invisible blade. Blood spurts from their necks, the warm, crimson spray splattering across my face and chest.


What the hell is this?


"Hmm... and who are you?" A pink-haired man—no, what in the world is that? Some kind of beast?


Four arms, four eyes, humongous in size, and a mouth on his stomach?


What monster is this?


*Crunch!


I don't even realize it when his foot has already sunk into my chest, pulverizing my ribs.


"GAH!" Blood spurts from my mouth as an otherworldly pain assaults me.


"I asked a question," he says.


I look up at him, my neck trembling from the effort.


No, it's not trembling from effort. This... this is fear!


I smile at myself with disgust. Me? Afraid of someone?


I get up despite the pain and immediately launch myself towards him. The surrounding houses that were on fire zoom past me as I deliver a punch, only for it to be stopped.


I flare my nostrils and swiftly turn, my hands extending and palms clenched. He simply takes a step back.


Fuck! I can't even touch him.


*BAM!


He smacks me in the face, breaking my nose. This disorients me... wha... is... Go... ings... gon...?!


....


(Naruto POV)


I can see this guy is disoriented, but to be sure, I decide to smack him a few more times.


*Bam! *Bam! *Bam! *Bam!*


Looking at his swollen, blood-covered face, with only a half-broken tooth remaining, I smile in satisfaction.


I have a feeling he is important. Nobody unimportant makes an entrance like that. Seriously, what kind of fodder barges into a huge dust cloud without a care in the world?


Though, no matter how strong he is in this clan to give him such confidence, he's still fodder compared to me. Hahaha!


But first, I'll need to confirm it with the other Kaguya clan members.


I search for another one, and it doesn't take long to find one, unsurprising given that all the members are converging here.


"Who the hell are you?" one screams at me.


*Slash! *Spurt!*


Without wasting another moment, I immediately cut off his legs.


"AAARRRRGHHHH!" He only screams more. Sigh.


"Here, now shut up and tell me who this is." I close the wound to stop the pain. The guy looks at me, terrified. He's rapidly moving his mouth, but all that comes out is gibberish.


Did I give him PTSD?


Argh, I can't deal with this right now. I'll just find another one.


*Slash! *Spurt!


I cut his head off and look around to search for another member of the clan, however-


"Who the hell are you?" Another wild screamer appears.


I put the flashy entrance guy on my shoulders and blitz the screamer, covering his face with my palm and slamming him into the ground.


"Now, tell me who this is," I say, showing him the guy on my shoulders.


"Who the hell is that clown?" he asks instead.


Huh? I look at the guy.


Oh.


"Let me fix him up," I say, healing the guy's face.


"Clan leader!" the second screamer yells immediately.


With one hand, I make a hand sign, and the screamer withers into bones.


"He had decent chakra," I say, standing up. This is the new fuinjutsu technique I came up with allows me to absorb people's chakra, though it results in their death.


This is my solution to my inadequate chakra reserves. If I can absorb chakra on the battlefield, I will never run out.


I throw the clan leader to the ground and heal him just enough so that he wakes up.


To assert dominance, I step on his face and roll it back and forth a little.


"Urgh..." he groans.


"Wakey, wakey, clan head. I've got a few questions for you."


"Who the hell are you?" he asks.


I slap my forehead in annoyance. "Do you people have a limited vocabulary? Everyone keeps asking the same thing! ARGGH!" I groan.


"What do you want?"


Finally, someone asking an important question!


"Tell me where Kimimaro is."


....


A/N: Next chapter on Wednesday!

 

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A/N: Chapter 32 on patreon


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....


(Katsumaro's POV)


Anger rises in my heart as the monster presses on my head.


How. Dare. Him.


How dare him!?


I'm the clan leader of the great Kaguya Clan. We take pride in being killers.


And now some nobody is stepping on my face?


I absolutely cannot allow this!


Since I have already identified what he wants, I'll do everything in my power to not give him what he wants!


Kimimaro is the treasure of my clan, there is no way in hell I'm going to just give him up.


Most of my ribs have been broken, and I will probably die soon.


If I'm to die, then I'm taking this man down with me!


With my right hand, hidden from his eyes, I make a hand-sign.


"Earth Release: Earth Spike Jutsu!"


A spike shoots up from the ground, aimed at his chest. He dodges, but it's enough to force him off me. I roll to the side and get to my feet, ignoring the pain.


The man grins, excitement evident in his eyes. "Persistent, aren't you?"


I don't respond. Instead, I rush at him, bone blades extending from my forearms. He meets me halfway, our attacks clashing with a deafening crash.


"What a surprise. I thought only Kimimaro had Shikotsumyaku. Let me see how tough it is then," he sneers, deflecting the strike and countering with a punch. I barely dodge, the wind from his fist whipping my hair.


He knows about Kimimaro's kekkei genkai? Damn, how did the news even leak?


I thrust a bone blade at his abdomen. He catches it with his hand, but blood drips from his palm. I twist the blade, forcing him to release it.


"You're stubborn," he smiles, chakra flaring. "Let's see how you handle a normal jutsu."


Fire Release: Fire Dragon Jutsu!


A massive dragon made of flames roars towards me. I leap back, weaving hand signs.


"Water Release: Water Wall Jutsu!"


A wall of water rises, clashing with the dragon and creating a burst of steam. I use the cover to circle around him, aiming for a surprise attack.


But he's ready, turning and slashing at me with a kunai.


He must have picked it up when our jutsus clashed.


I parry with a bone blade, pushing him back with all my strength.


"You can't win, Katsumaro," he says, his voice echoing confidence. "Just give up."


"Never," I snarl, lunging at him again. Our battle is a blur of strikes and counterstrikes, neither of us gaining the upper hand.


However, when he strikes me at my face, I grow a bone spike from my nose.


He suddenly stops, eyes widening. I take the opportunity to deliver a powerful kick to his chest, sending him flying.


"Earth Release: Earth Grasp Jutsu!"


The ground beneath him morphs into hands, grabbing and restraining him. I rush forward, ready to end this.


But he breaks free with a surge of chakra, a demonic aura enveloping him. His grin is feral. "You have a pretty good grasps of your kekkei genkai."


He vanishes, appearing behind me in an instant. Pain explodes in my back as he strikes, sending me sprawling.


"You're done," he says, standing over me, foot poised to crush my skull.


With the last of my strength, I weave a final hand sign.


"Bone Release: Bone Prison Jutsu!"


Bones erupt from the ground, forming a cage around him. He looks at it, making no effort to break free.


"Whatever you're trying, you better finish it when I'm giving you a chance. You can't contain me."


I smile, blood trickling from my mouth. "I don't need to contain you. Just delay you."


With a final effort, I summon my chakra, channeling it into the bones. They glow, energy building to a peak.


"Self-sacrifice technique: Bone Explosion Jutsu!"


The bones detonate in a blinding flash, consuming us both in a storm of energy and bone shards.


As darkness takes me, I hear his scream of rage and pain. That is what happens when you underestimate the great Katsumaro.


I did it.


I protected Kimimaro.


The clan will survive.


....


(Naruto POV)


The smoke clears, and I stand amidst the rubble, unharmed. Bone shards and dust lie scattered around me, showing how hard Katsumaro tried to stop me.


I grin, brushing off my clothes. "What a show."


Katsumaro fought well. He was tough and determined, but he had no idea who he was up against. My acting skills fooled him completely. When he thought he had me, the look on his face was priceless.


"Persistent, aren't you?" I had said, making sure I sounded a bit arrogant to rile him up. It worked perfectly.


When I used the Fire Dragon Jutsu, he countered with the Water Wall Jutsu. I could see him thinking, planning his next move. He really believed he had a chance.


"You can't win, Katsumaro," I had said confidently. It wasn't just about beating him physically; I wanted to break his spirit, make him see how hopeless his situation was.


When he used the Bone Prison Jutsu, I pretended to be surprised. He needed to think he had me trapped. His eyes showed his desperation, his hope that he could stop me.


"Whatever you're trying, you better finish it while I'm giving you a chance. You can't contain me," I said, making him think he had a small window of opportunity. He thought he could delay me, maybe even take me down with him. But that was never going to happen.


When the Bone Explosion Jutsu went off, I screamed in fake pain and rage, making it all seem real. He had to believe he was winning, even if just for a moment.


But now, I stand here without a scratch. His sacrifice was for nothing.


Well, one can say it was for something.


The only reason I did all this was to see how well a clan leader could use the same kekkei genkai as Kimimaro. I need to train Kimimaro in the future, and the jutsu the clan head used surely helped me a bit.


This was also why I held back from using Shrine.


Kimimaro is the treasure of the Kaguya Clan, and now he belongs to me. The clan has no choice but to surrender after their clan leader has died.


Hm...I wonder how much money they have in their treasury. I need some money to run an organization, after all.


I hope there are plenty of gold and silver lying around in the treasury.


I smirk, turning away from the destruction. It's time to claim my prize.


As I walk away, I chuckle softly.


My acting skills are still great.


....


A/N: Next chapter on Friday!

 

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...


(Zabuza's POV)


The houses around me burned as I watched what Katsumaro ended up doing.


What the hell did I just see?


Katsumaro, though his clan is in decline, was a capable leader nonetheless.


He was strong. If he wasn't, I wouldn't have been sent by Mei so far and undercover to get his help.


At his best, he could give anyone in Kirigakure a run for their money, bar the Mizukage.


And to see such a man, forced to be reduced to shards...what kind of monster does this person have to be?


I crouch and grab a fragment of his bone. Katsumaro hid it well; nobody had any idea.


Everyone who knew about the existence of Kimimaro thought only Kimimaro had the Shikotsumyaku.


Katsumaro turned out to be pretty smart, and he played the dumb man all his life.


What a scary man.


The man had ignored me and went in a certain direction. I don't know where, but I'm sure he is going after Kimimaro. After all, only he is the only one in this whole clan who is worth all this trouble, considering he already killed the clan leader.


If I can get the help of such a man for our cause...


Yes! It doesn't matter what happens, but I'm going to ask him!


But that jutsu. I wonder what that is. He didn't make any hand signs when he cut off the heads of those normal members of the clan. He simply drew a line in the air.


Was it some kind of space-time ninjutsu? But, I've only heard of such ninjutsu being used to teleport. Never have I ever seen or heard of space-time ninjutsu being used as an attack.


How terrifying!


Most importantly, he has four arms. Is he even human? Or is he some experiment perhaps? That and he also has a big mouth on his stomach.


This guy is something straight out of a horror novel.


I'll need to be careful around him.


But I'm afraid to deal with a jinchuriki like the Mizukage, getting the help of something akin to a monster is only fair.


....


(Orochimaru's POV)


While that freak wreaked havoc, I decided to find Kimimaro first.


I didn't know what he planned to do with Kimimaro. The kid is going to be my vessel; I cannot take any chances.


Using transformation jutsu, I transformed into a snake and slithered through the forest. I made sure to use enough chakra to travel quickly, and within a few moments, I was inside the clan compound.


I slithered up a tree to get a good view of the compound.


"We are under attack!"


"Grab your weapons and head East!"


Hearing the commotion, I made sure to camouflage myself in the branches. No matter how strong that man was, the Kaguya clan isn't something that anyone can walk over like it's nothing.


It will take him time, and using that opportunity I will grab Kimimaro for myself.


The Kaguya clan members rushed out of their compound, wielding katanas, spears, and naginatas. Seeing that, I dropped from the tree and mid-air transformed back into a human.


Now then, my dear future vessel, where are you? I couldn't help but slip out my tongue in excitement.


I made my way into the yashiki (clan mansion), one by one I searched the rooms to see where they held Kimimaro. After a few unsuccessful attempts, I stop and think about where they could have held him.


The Kaguya clan aren't really known for their intelligence. So, there really is only one place they can keep him.


I have heard much about how Kimimaro is treated like a prisoner in his own clan, reduced to a mere commodity that people enjoy as he kills people.


He must be in prison.


Body Flicker Jutsu!


I have wasted too much time, I think it's time I sped up. I think I got too hung up making it an exciting meeting.


Soon, I appear in what appears to be a fighting ground. There were many iron gates around me; I had just entered from one. I make a hand sign and spread out my chakra.


There!


To save time, I used my chakra-sensing ability and was able to locate the prison.


I open the iron gate to the prison where Kimimaro is held. I sense there are other prisoners with him. They must be the ones Kimimaro is made to fight, I think.


As I walk down the corridor, prisoners on both sides shout at me.


"Who are you?" one yells.


"Hey, snake freak! What do you want?" another taunts.


Some just insult me for no reason. Their words mean nothing to me. I keep my eyes straight ahead.


There he is!


Kimimaro stands at the end of the corridor. My excitement grows, and my tongue slips out yet again in anticipation. This is the moment I've been waiting for.


I can't wait to see what secrets your bloodline holds~


....


(Kimimaro's POV)


The sound of the explosion ruined my sleep. But, I wasn't really angry.


I was having a nightmare, after all.


In my dream, I was over 90 and still in this prison, fighting yet another prisoner as the people of the clan scream my name in joy.


Though I was aware I was in a nightmare, as I'm confident I won't keep myself alive for such a long time in the same condition.


I'd rather be dead.


The prisoners, who too were woken up, were cursing the whole family of whoever caused the explosion.


Such foul mouths.


While I was not angry that I was woken up, I'm certainly getting angrier the longer I stay awake. These people are beyond annoying.


However, as I am deciding if I want to get out of my cage and cut their tongues so they can no longer speak, the iron gate at the front opens up and a pale man with snake-like features enters.


He walks through the corridor, his eyes searching for something. When they finally land on me, they remain unmoved.


He is here for me?


I ignore whatever nonsense the other prisoners are spouting and focus on the man in front.


"Who the hell are you?" I ask.


The man grins and opens his mouth, "I am Oroch-"


*Slash!


But he only manages to say half his name as his head from the corners of his mouth suddenly slid off. The yammering prisoners suddenly quiet down.


What a clean cut.


"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Orochimaru...what are you doing coming after someone I have my eyes on?" I see a pink-haired man say.


I squint my eyes, trying to see who he is, but since he is behind the iron gate, I can't see clearly as he is enveloped in the shadows.


He walks slowly, his footsteps echoing in the now silent prison.


Four arms.


Four eyes.


And a mouth on his stomach.


"Don't try to act smart with me, Orochimaru, get up already."


What in the world is he?


...


A/N: Next chapter on Monday!

 

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...


(Kimimaro's POV)


I cannot help but gulp; I don't know the intentions of this man. Keeping that in mind, I slowly generate a bone spike from my palm to defend myself. I try my best to make it as unnoticeable as possible.


"No need to keep your guard up, I'm not here to harm you," says the pink-haired man. Damn, he noticed!


I look at the pale man lying on the ground, whose head is still spurting blood. The pink-haired man called him Orochimaru. Isn't he supposed to be a Sannin?


I've heard a lot about their might, but to think even a Sannin was killed so easily by this man. How terrifying.


"What do you want from me?" I remember him saying something about having his eyes on me.


The man narrows his eyes at Orochimaru and then looks at me, "I will tell you when I'm done with him."


I cannot help but stare at the lifeless body of Orochimaru. "What do you mean? He is already dead."


"That's his specialty. Isn't it about time you got up now, Orochimaru? Use that disgusting jutsu of yours, and let's finish this already," he says instead.


Steam starts rising from Orochimaru's body as another body stretches out from his mouth.


How disgusting.


"Fufufu, I believe I hid this jutsu of mine pretty well. I wonder how you got this information?" asks Orochimaru.


It seems I still have much to learn about the world. A Sannin, at the end of the day, is still a Sannin; he actually mastered a jutsu that allows him to cheat death.


I wonder how the pink-haired man will deal with that. Will he succeed, or will he perish?


"Tell me your name," Orochimaru asks. I, too, am curious about that. He is pretty strong, I think, judging from that slash. I don't know what that jutsu is, but it seems pretty effective.


"I guess there is no harm in letting you know. I am Sukuna Ryomen. A pleasure meeting you, I guess," he yawns.


He is yawning in such a situation? The person he is up against is a Sannin, one of the strongest shinobi in the world at the moment.


Is he really so strong as to not even take Orochimaru seriously?


"I'm afraid I can't say the same about meeting you," says Orochimaru. Which is fair, considering Sukuna cut his head off the first time they met.


.....


(Orochimaru's POV)


The first thing that caught my eye when I saw him was his four arms, four eyes, and the mouth on his stomach. I wonder how he got them; it doesn't look like a transformation jutsu.


Well, I will see what their uses are soon enough.


I throw a smoke bomb and use the body flicker jutsu immediately.


It's time to kill.


....


(Third POV)


Orochimaru moved first.


He dashed forward, his hand forming seals. "Kusanagi no Tsurugi!" he shouted, and a sword shot out from his mouth.


Naruto leaped back, dodging the blade, and countered with a punch that sent shockwaves through the air.


"Come, Orochimaru!" Naruto said with a grin.


Their blows were fast and precise. Orochimaru's sword clashed with Naruto's fists. Each strike was met with an equal and opposite force. The prison around them shook from their power.


This also destroyed the bars that held the prisoners in place. Seeing the chance, all the prisoners escaped. Kimimaro also silently made his way out, but unlike the other prisoners who didn't stop and kept running away, he stayed behind, a safe distance away from the battlefield.


"Summoning jutsu!"


Orochimaru, sensing the need for more, summoned giant snakes.


They hissed and lunged at Naruto.


Naruto raised his hand and flicked his fingers. Dismantle landed on the snakes, their bodies exploding into pieces.


Orochimaru's eyes narrowed. 'There it is! That weird jutsu! I thought it was a spatial jutsu, but now that I'm witnessing it firsthand, I know I was wrong. This is something else.'


"Pretty interesting jutsu you have right there!" Orochimaru said and quickly made some hand signs.


"Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!"


With a manic smile on his face, Naruto shot straight at the fireball. He rotated mid-air and launched a Dismantle from each of his hands, cutting a plus sign on the fireball.


He jumped into the gap he created in the fireball and threw a Dismantle at Orochimaru.


*Slash! *Spurt!


Orochimaru's right hand was cut off, but he didn't think much of it. Instead, he was analyzing.


'This is not a spatial jutsu, now I'm sure. But what even is it? I need to be careful about it. The jutsu still uses chakra, so I will have to keep my sensing abilities in top gear to sense it.'


Suddenly, Orochimaru transformed. His body elongated, becoming snake-like.


Orochimaru lashed out with his tail, striking with the speed of lightning. Naruto blocked it with his bare hands, his chakra shielding him from harm.


Naruto turned and grabbed the tail tightly.


This time, Naruto used Cleave, and Orochimaru's tail was immediately cut into countless pieces.


"ARRGH!" Orochimaru finally groaned in pain.


Naruto smirked and positioned his finger right above Orochimaru's neck.


*Slash!


*Swiish!


*Splat!


Orochimaru, who had his guard up, narrowly dodged the Dismantle, but a portion of his head was still cut off, and brain matter spilled out.


Like a puppet whose string was cut, Orochimaru's body instantly dropped to the ground, but in a snake form, with countless snakes making up his one body, he got out his own mouth yet again.


*Hiss!


*Swiish!


After getting out of the mouth, Orochimaru instantly turned around to gobble up Naruto.


"Idiot," Naruto said and threw a Dismantle straight at him.


But Orochimaru, who in this form had heightened senses, managed to dodge the Dismantle.


*Splat!


Though his tail still got cut.


"I win!" hissed Orochimaru as he widened his mouth and pounced on Naruto and is inches away from doing so.


"Divine Flame," Naruto said calmly as flames suddenly enveloped his body.


"ARRGH!!" Orochimaru screamed in pain as the fire caught him. He flailed and writhed in agony.


Naruto smiled as he watched Orochimaru. This was a good fight. But there was no escaping for Orochimaru now; he laced his soul awareness on the divine flame.


The screams of pain were not because Orochimaru's body was burning. It was because Orochimaru's soul was burning!


Naruto sat down and enjoyed the view.


'How many kids have you made go through this same pain, Orochimaru? I wonder how it feels when you are on the receiving end of it all,' Naruto thought.


He was not a fan of Orochimaru. He didn't believe in redemption. Being kind to your enemy meant destroying yourself; his father taught him that with his last action in his previous life.


He would never repeat that mistake.


Though, as he was sitting, a thought suddenly struck his mind.


'Isn't Orochimaru a scientist as well? He must be rich! He even started a hidden village in the series! He must be loaded, no doubt.'


Naruto, who was about to kill Orochimaru, stopped. With the very professional smile of a salesman who is just about to scam an elderly person out of all their savings, he walked up to Orochimaru.


"Should I save you, Orochimaru?"

 

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A/N:


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16 chapters ahead on patreon


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...


The boulders lay strewn around the battlefield after the fierce battle between Orochimaru and Naruto. Naruto steps over the boulders, making his way to Orochimaru.


...


(Naruto's POV)


"Orochimaru," I said, standing over his charred form. The smell of burnt flesh and scales still lingered in the air. "You're a tough nut to crack."


He coughed, barely able to lift his head. "What do you want, Sukuna?"


I smirked, savoring his desperation. "I have a proposition for you. I save your life, and in return, you submit everything to me—your research, your money... everything."


Orochimaru, being a scientist, must have a wealth of knowledge that far surpasses what is known by others in the world.


Sure, I could reach that level of knowledge in no time, but having a bit of a head start won't hurt. So, I decided to get his research as well.


He glared, defiance flickering in his eyes. "And why should I believe you?"


"You don't have a choice," I replied, my voice cold and unyielding. "Refuse, and you die. Agree, and you live. Simple as that."


Orochimaru's sneer faded, replaced by a look of resignation. "What guarantee do I have that you won't kill me afterward?"


Sweet.


"I have developed something called a binding vow, fuinjutsu of what I consider the highest order. The contract will be bound through the soul, and whoever breaks it will have their soul killed."


His eyes narrowed, trying to see if I was faking it and just trying to have a laugh. "A binding vow?"


"Yes," I said. I should probably give him a demonstration. "Look closely; this is an application of a binding vow."


I immediately made a binding vow to not use the divine flame for an hour, and my chakra immediately boosted.


Orochimaru's eyes widened when he felt the sudden chakra spike.


"Binding vows allow me to make contracts with the universe too. I give it something, and it gives me something I want. Of course, the exchange is equivalent."


He didn't need to know that a binding vow that benefits one more than the other is possible too. I also wasn't concerned about the news of the binding vow being leaked.


Though Orochimaru doesn't know it yet, I'm killing him right here. I just want all that is his.


I'm only telling him this because I don't have a choice. The other person needs to be aware of binding vows too, after all.


He looked around, as if searching for another option, but his shoulders slumped. "Fine. Tell me about the conditions."


I grinned and said, "In return for healing you, I will be taking all your knowledge on your research, all the cash and treasures you have."


"What if you attack me again after saving me?"


I pointed to myself with my four arms and said, "Sukuna won't attack Orochimaru with the powers he has used since his birth. And Orochimaru is to hand over all of his knowledge. Is that good enough?" I asked, trying to sound haughty and make it look like my patience was running thin.


Now, make the dumb move and jump in the trap, Orochimaru!


....


(Orochimaru's POV)


I have never heard of anything like this.


But I don't have a choice. Since I was asking too much, he clearly outlined that he, Sukuna, will not attack me with any abilities he has used since birth against me, Orochimaru.


Though that needs a bit more clarification.


"Just one question," I said. I needed to be clear about it. "What should the name be? The name of the soul or the body?"


"The name that is ingrained in your soul."


I have switched bodies, so I was wondering if that would cause a problem, but it seems it will not.


I glanced at my body. Damn, I won't survive for long if I don't get healed. I also have no chakra to heal myself.


"I suppose you'll heal me?"


I got a nod from Sukuna in return, and I slowly stretched my hand. He then reached out and shook my hand. I felt something take hold of my soul.


So, this is what a binding vow feels like... Hahaha, just you wait, you fool. I will make full use of this new power and have my revenge!


Sukuna smiled. He currently had his eyes closed and seemed to be analyzing something. Probably my memories.


I waited for him to heal me.


"Thanks for the memories, Orochimaru," he said, taking a step forward.


I slumped on the ground as I was very tired. I was barely breathing, after all.


He put his hand on me and I felt my body being healed bit by bit.


"GAAAH!"


Blood came out of my mouth immediately as I realized my chest had just been pierced.


"You... fooled me..." I managed to mutter. I looked down to see it was pierced with a huge wooden spike, and after piercing me, it was also slowly absorbing my chakra.


Wood release!?


"Who...the hell...are you?" I managed to say as darkness enveloped my vision.


"What's the use of telling a dead man?"


Oh no...


My dream of immortality...


NOOOO!!!!!


....


(Naruto's POV)


I stretched my body after confirming that Pedomaru was finally dead.


I think not using the wood release until now a good decision. For the things I had planned to do, I didn't think wood release was needed, and I saved it just in case I needed to make a binding vow like this.


Orochimaru was totally fooled.


Just in case, I also referred to myself as Sukuna to make sure nothing went wrong. After all, I am not Sukuna. But clearly, even that wasn't needed.


Orochimaru, who was hanging on to life by a thread, turned out to think slower than I thought he would. I overestimated him, perhaps.


I had referred to myself as "I" when I asked for his soul to be given to me, but when I made the binding vow, I referred to myself as Sukuna to make sure I could kill him while asking for the things I mentioned before. This combination allowed me to harm him while getting his knowledge.


As soon as the binding vow took hold, all his memories came to me—his research, his treasures, and his money.


Overall, I'd say it was a great harvest!


Now, where is Kimimaro?


....


A/N: Rip Orochimaru, I guess.

 

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...


(Kimimaro POV)


I stood there, observing the scene before me with a mix of awe and confusion.


The legendary Sannin, Orochimaru, reduced to such a state.


It was almost surreal to see someone once so powerful now so desperate. He agreed to all of Sukuna's conditions without hesitation. How could someone like Orochimaru fall so low?


I couldn't really pick up the conversation they had after Orochimaru was burned with fire, but Orochimaru ended up being killed. At least, I think so considering that Sukuna hasn't told Orochimaru to stop playing like before.


The seemingly unkillable Sannin has been killed!


I couldn't help but compare his weakness to my own. Despite my strength, I felt weak inside, as if something essential was missing.


Taking a deep breath, I move towards Sukuna. He was strong—unbelievably strong. I had to know why.


"Sukuna," I began, my voice steady but filled with curiosity, "why are you so strong?"


He looked at me and asked instead, "You look like you already have the answer. Tell me why do you think I am strong?"


"You seem to have something that I lack," I replied plainly.


He nodded and eyed me with interest, "I'll help you out a bit there. You lack purpose. Its good that you met me, I think your search ends now."


A purpose? That was it? I felt a pang of longing inside me. I had been searching for something, anything, to give my life meaning. But I hadn't found it.


I needed to understand more.


"What is your purpose?" I asked, hoping his answer would guide me.


Instead of answering directly, Sukuna turned the question back on me. "Why do you want to know?"


"Huh?" I was confused. "Didn't you say just now that you'd help me?"


He shook his head and said, "You didn't answer my first question. So, I want to know if you are simply wasting my time or if you truly are looking for purpose. You lack it, I can see that. But, do you recognize that lack and seek to gain it or not?"


I hesitated, then decided to share my thoughts. "I've always been searching for something to dedicate my life to. When Orochimaru showed up I thought maybe he was the answer, but now... now I see he is not. I need something greater, something worth fighting for."


Sukuna listened patiently, and then a smile spread across his face. "I want to conquer the world," he said, his voice filled with conviction.


"I want to bring peace to these lands once and for all. I want to create a world that is united under one strong banner that no one can rebel against."


His words resonated deep within me. A great purpose, one that promised a lasting impact on the world. It was exactly what I had been searching for.


"That sounds like a great purpose," I said, feeling a sense of clarity I hadn't felt in a long time. "Can I follow you? Can I help you achieve that peace?"


He smiled, "Why not? After all, that was one of the reasons I came here."


For the first time, I felt a sense of direction, a clear path ahead of me.


I would follow Sukuna—no, Sukuna-sama—and help him achieve his purpose. With that thought, my inner turmoil began to settle. I had found my purpose.


"Sukuna-sama, what shall we do next then?"


He said nothing about the 'sama' I just added to his name and looked at the now destroyed Yashiki.


"You know where the treasury is?"


I shook my head, I was not privy to such information after all. But, I did know a man who knew where it was.


"I know who the treasurer is, I can point you to the place he lives. I had once been transported to his house to fight against one of his attendants."


He nodded and said, "Lead the way then."


I won't disappoint you!


....


(Naruto POV)


The kid called me Sukuna-sama, but I had no desire to make him remove the 'sama' part. Sure, my body was that of a five-year-old at the moment, but I was still an adult. As a ninja and especially as a leader in this world, I believed maintaining an air of respect and authority was vital.


Kimimaro led me through the dense forest, turning and changing directions so many times that an average person would have lost count.


I followed closely, trusting his sense of direction.


He moved with a purpose, and I knew he would lead me to the treasure I sought. Finally, we arrived at a clearing, where a shabby hut stood. I raised an eyebrow, surprised by what I saw.


"Good memory, Kimimaro," I said, genuinely impressed. "But this hut... it's pretty shabby."


I had expected something more grandiose, especially from the treasurer of the Kaguya clan. Lavish and corrupt, maybe.


But this hut? It wasn't even a house. It was just a rundown shack.


Kimimaro gave a small, knowing smile. "The clan leader was very strict. He didn't allow corruption to fester. It also helped that the Kaguya clan members were more interested in fighting and killing than money. This hut was built like this on purpose. People wouldn't expect the treasury to look like this."


I nodded, realizing how smart that actually was. "I always thought the Kaguya clan was full of savages who didn't think much. Looks like I was wrong."


Kimimaro's smile widened slightly. "A few guards and Tatsumaro are mostly inside the underground building beneath the hut. Be careful."


I nodded and approached the hut, pushing the door open and stepping inside. It was dark and cramped, but I quickly spotted a hole in the floor covered with fuinjutsu.


I grinned, recognizing the seals immediately. I was good with fuinjutsu—really good. I was able to instantly unlock them.


The hole revealed itself, and without hesitation, I jumped in.


*Swish! *Swish! *Swish!


As soon as I landed, three figures attacked. They moved fast, but I was faster.


[Shrine]


*Slash!


I used Dismantle cutting them in half instantly. Their bodies hit the ground with a dull thud, and I looked around.


Gold and silver lay scattered around the underground room, shimmering in the dim light. I couldn't help but smile. This was exactly what I had been hoping for.


I made the right decision coming to the Kaguya clan.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


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...


KIMIMARO'S POV


Sukuna-sama nodded in satisfaction as he finished storing all the treasure of the Kaguya Clan in a scroll. "Didn't think the treasury was the place where the treasurer lived, quite smart."


One more corpse was lying in the corner of the basement. It was the treasurer.


Sukuna-sama currently didn't have his four-arms.


His four-arms form, I recently discovered, is only temporary.


"I'll make it permanent soon enough," he had said with confidence.


He turned around, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's go. Someone is waiting."


*Swish! Swish!*


I followed him silently, though my curiosity gnawed at me.


Someone? Should I ask him?


As if reading my thoughts, Sukuna-sama turned his head while we zoomed through the forest.


"If you have something to ask, ask it. Don't just stare at me."


He caught me. As expected of Sukuna-sama!


I cleared my throat. "Who is it that is expecting us, Sukuna-sama?"


"Well, he is not expecting you. I didn't tell him the reason as I wanted to come here quickly. After all, your clan was changing islands as if a common man changes clothes."


He was right. Fearing the Mizukage, the Kaguya Clan frequently changed its location. Even the current land they were in, they moved to it not long ago. I bowed slightly.


"Thank you for satiating my curiosity, Sukuna-sama."


"He is the same age as you, I think. So, make sure to get along with him."


"As you wish, my lord."


.....


We arrived at a forest clearing.


A young man was practicing his moves, his face set in concentration. As we approached, he stopped and turned to face us. His face brightened up when he saw Sukuna-sama, but his eyes narrowed when he saw me.


A competitor, I see.


"Who is this?" He tilted his head, trying to look cute in front of Sukuna-sama.


What a disgusting plan!


Sukuna-sama stepped forward with me by his side.


I looked up to see a slight smile playing on his lips.


What a brilliant plan!


"This is Kimimaro. Make sure to get along with him, Haku."


The young man's eyes flashed with a mix of curiosity and challenge as he tried to size me up.


I didn't back down and puffed out my chest to look tough but still spoke politely.


"Sukuna-sama has introduced me. I am Kimimaro. Nice to meet you, Haku."


"Sama..." Haku whispered, his ears perking up at the term. He looked at Sukuna-sama, trying to analyze something. The gears in my head turned as I tried to figure out why he was staring at Sukuna-sama.


"Welcome back, Sukuna-sama." Haku suddenly bowed.


Don't tell me—


Sukuna-sama chuckled and shook his head but said nothing.


He hadn't called Sukuna-sama "Sukuna-sama"!


Blasphemous!


"Let us fight," I said suddenly. I could feel Sukuna-sama's eyes narrowing at me, but I couldn't allow this disrespect.


How can someone under Sukuna-sama not give him respect?


"Oi." Sukuna-sama called out, and I bowed, apologizing immediately.


"I'm sorry, Sukuna-sama! But I cannot let go of the fact that he didn't respect you beforehand!"


"Respect doesn't work like that. Respect can only be given, not demanded. And he did give me the respect that you think is befitting of me, no? Then, there is no problem. Don't cause trouble." His voice was resolute, leaving no room for debate.


"I accept the challenge!" The moron screamed suddenly.


"Do you want to get beat up?" Sukuna-sama asked as he suddenly grabbed Haku by the head and lifted him into the air. Haha, you deserve it! Sucks to be you!


"EEEP! Sowwy sowwwy, I won't challenge!" Haku immediately started begging for forgiveness, as he should!


Heh?


Sukuna-sama grabbed me by the head too and lifted both me and Haku to his eye level.


"You both are unworthy of challenging each other at the moment. You two will fight each other only if I allow you to. If not, the thought shouldn't even come to your mind. Understood?"


We both tried to nod our heads but found ourselves unable to do so as Sukuna-sama had grabbed us by the head.


"Yes, yes, yes." Haku and I said hurriedly.


We were put down on the ground shortly after that.


"Now, both of you. Properly introduce yourselves."


I turned towards Haku and went first. "I am Kimimaro Kaguya. I am also the wielder of the Shikotsumyaku."


Haku's eyes widened a bit before he smiled slightly. "I am Haku. I am the wielder of the Ice Release."


So that's why he smiled.


We both are fellow outcasts of society.


"A good start," Sukuna-sama said before turning around. "I'll come back in a few minutes. Talk to each other until then."


We nodded and stared at Sukuna-sama's back until his figure finally disappeared.


"You bastard!" we screamed at each other at the same time and pounced on each other.


....


NARUTO'S POV


The first meeting of Haku and Kimimaro went just as I had expected.


Even now, they are probably fighting each other as I am out of their sight. It's fun having kids like them around. It makes me happy that both of them, who have been traumatized, can find time to be angry at each other and live life.


I'm not angry at them for not heeding me. They are kids, after all. In time, they will learn to do as I say.


They are young at the moment, but I will need to foster their abilities without wasting much time.


If I provide them with my good care, I think they will both be powerhouses by the time they are in their teens.


They also are pretty similar. They both were searching for a purpose, and I provided them with it. Sooner or later, they will become great friends; that I'm sure of.


The Kaguya Clan hasn't gone extinct as I didn't hunt every one of them down. However, they may be targeted by Obito to strengthen his control on the village.


Kimimaro has the Shikotsumyaku and Haku has the Ice Release. With my intelligence, I should be able to greatly increase their efficacy. I should also consider giving them each other's kekkei genkai. This will greatly increase their strength.


Shikotsumyaku provides a great way for defense, and the Ice Release is pretty versatile.


It wouldn't be bad to have it for myself as well. Shikotsumyaku should also provide me a good way to build my four-arms form. At the moment, I was using Metamorphosis to temporarily get that form, and it cost chakra to do so.


From Metamorphosis, I already know what it means and feels like to have four arms and a mouth on the stomach. It has allowed me to understand the biology behind it, so it won't be difficult to replicate it.


I think I should do that the first time I get my hand freed. For now, I will stick to collecting all the abandoned kids with great potential around the world.


I use Metamorphosis and turn into my four-arms form.


Now then, shall I greet the rat that has been following me?

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


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....


ZABUZA POV


The night was thick with silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. I crouched low, my muscles taut, eyes fixed on the distant figure of Sukuna.


The name fell from Kimimaro's lips, a silent utterance I caught only through the movement of his mouth.


The air around me felt heavy, laden with the weight of my mission and the consequences it could bring.


Sukuna is strong.


And, we need him.


The rebellion against the Mizukage teetered on a knife's edge, and Sukuna's allegiance could tip the scales in our favor. But approaching such a volatile ally was like trying to harness lightning. One wrong move, and we might find ourselves destroyed by the very power we sought to control.


For days now, I'd been trailing Sukuna, ever since his encounter with the Kaguya Clan leader. The memory of it still sent a chill down my spine.


But there was no need to think what happened in the past. It seems he has killed someone else.


I arrived just moments ago, and Sukuna is standing before a pile of ashes. The location is, at least, familiar – the same arena where I'd witnessed Kimimaro's brutal fights against the prisoners. The Yashiki of the Kaguya Clan, now destroyed, had its part spread around.


As I watched from the shadows, Sukuna engaged in conversation with Kimimaro. To my surprise, the kid chose to follow him. They retreated to a remote hut deep within the island's dense forest. Hours passed, and still, they remained inside. My mind raced with possibilities.


What could be keeping them in there for so long? Some sort of treasure, perhaps? The thought gnawed at me, and I felt a pang of envy. Oh, the difference such wealth could make for our cause! I could almost picture it – stacks of gold, ancient scrolls of forbidden jutsu, or perhaps weapons of unimaginable power. After seeing how the clan leader managed to hide his kekkei genkai all this while, I'm open to consider every outlandish idea.


Woe is me! Here I am, skulking in the bushes like some common thief, while they hoard riches beyond measure! Oh, cruel fate! How you mock my noble quest for revolution with these tantalizing glimpses of what could be!


I had to stifle a snort at my own melodramatic thoughts. Get a grip, Zabuza. You're a fearsome shinobi, not some weeping protagonist in a third-rate stage play.


When Sukuna finally emerged, I blinked in confusion.


The four arms that had been his most distinctive feature were gone. He appeared... almost normal. A transformation jutsu, perhaps? I mused. But why waste chakra on such a thing? Unless...


My mind whirled with possibilities, each more crazy than the last.


They set off, leaving the island behind. I steeled myself for what I knew would be a grueling pursuit.


Sukuna made an unseen hand sign, and suddenly, a massive bird unlike any I'd ever encountered materialized from his very shadow. Kimimaro and Sukuna then mounted the creature with ease.


I gritted my teeth, knowing what lay ahead. Running across the ocean using chakra was no small feat, even for a shinobi of my caliber. The strain on my reserves would be immense, but I had no choice. I couldn't lose them now.


The first few hours were manageable. The cool night air whipped past me as I sprinted across the water's surface, my eyes never leaving the silhouette of that strange bird against the starry sky.


But as dawn broke, painting the horizon in hues of pink and gold, the true challenge began.


They came without warning – massive, writhing forms breaching the waves around me. Oceanic chakra beasts, drawn to the constant pulse of energy beneath my feet.


The first to attack was a Suiryūdan, a water dragon with scales that shimmered like liquid sapphire. Its maw gaped wide, revealing rows of teeth that could shred steel.


I leapt, barely avoiding its lunging attack, my hands flashing through seals. "Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!" The dragon's head became encased in a sphere of water, which I used as a platform to put distance between us.


But there was no respite. A Kaijinhada, a creature with the body of a shark and arms ending in wickedly curved blades, erupted from the depths. Its eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence as it slashed at me. I parried with a sword, the clash of metal echoing across the waves.


"You picked the wrong shinobi to mess with," I growled, my voice low and dangerous. With a burst of speed, I vaulted over the creature.


Zing! Slash!


My blade singing as it cleaved through flesh and bone.


The ocean itself seemed to rise against me. Tentacles of living water, infused with malevolent chakra, lashed out from all directions.


They were Mizuhebi, serpentine creatures that could merge seamlessly with the sea itself. Dodging became a frantic dance, each near-miss sapping my strength and slowing my pursuit.


I can't keep this up forever!


My breath coming in ragged gasps. But I can't lose sight of them either. Everything depends on this.


Hours blurred together in a haze of constant motion and intermittent combat. My muscles screamed in protest, chakra reserves depleting at an alarming rate. Yet still, I pressed on.


The strange bird carrying Sukuna and Kimimaro remained a distant speck on the horizon, maddeningly out of reach.


As the sun began to set once more, I finally caught sight of land.


Relief flooded through me, quickly tempered by caution. I had no idea what awaited me on this new island, but at least it would be solid ground beneath my feet.


Sukuna and Kimimaro dismounted as soon as they reached the shore. To my amazement, the massive bird simply... vanished. One moment it was there, and the next, it dissipated like morning mist. Was it just the summoning jutsu? Or something else entirely?


I followed them into the dense forest, careful to maintain my distance. The foliage provided excellent cover, but it also limited my line of sight. I pushed forward, determined not to lose them now, not after everything I'd endured to reach this point.


And then, in the span of a heartbeat, they were gone.


I blinked, disbelieving. They had been right there, just a few kilometers ahead. I could have sworn... but no. The forest stretched out before me, empty and indifferent to my growing panic.


I pushed forward, certain I must have simply lost sight of them momentarily. But as the minutes stretched into hours, a sickening realization began to take hold. I was lost.


The more I walked, the more disoriented I became. The trees all looked the same, the undergrowth a repetitive tangle of green. I could have sworn I saw clearings in the distance, patches of open ground. But no matter how I tried to reach them, they remained frustratingly out of reach.


This isn't right!


My mind raced. I'm a trained shinobi, an expert tracker. How can I be going in circles like this?


Doubt began to creep in, insidious and corrosive. Had I imagined the whole thing? Was I chasing phantoms, driven by desperation and the weight of my mission? The very ground beneath my feet seemed to shift and waver, reality bending in ways that made my head spin.


No, no, no!


I chanted internally, trying to center myself. This has to be some kind of trick. A genjutsu, maybe? But when could he have cast it?


I formed the release seal, concentrating my chakra. "Release!"


Nothing changed.


Frustration boiled over, and I let out a roar of pure rage. The sound echoed through the forest, startling a flock of birds into flight. Their wings beat a frantic rhythm as they took to the sky.


I sank to my knees, my hands fisting in the soft earth. How could I have failed so completely? The rebellion, my comrades... they're all counting on me. And here I am, lost in some godforsaken forest, chasing after a man who I don't even know if he will help.


The weight of it all crashed down upon me. All this planning and careful maneuvering, all of it potentially undone by this one misstep. I could almost hear the Mizukage's mocking laughter, see the disappointment in the eyes of those who had put their faith in me.


Is this how it ends? I wondered, a bitter taste in my mouth. Not in glorious battle, not changing the fate of our village, but alone and confused in some nameless forest?


The injustice of it burned like acid in my veins.


I don't know how long I sat there, trapped in a spiral of self-recrimination and despair. Time seemed to lose all meaning, the forest a green prison with no discernible exit.


My mind conjured increasingly dire scenarios – starving to death in this endless maze, my body never to be found. Or worse, being discovered by the Mizukage's forces, dragged back to the village in chains to face execution as a traitor.


Just as I felt I might truly lose my grip on sanity, the air around me seemed to... shift. There's no other way to describe it. One moment, I was alone in the suffocating green twilight of the forest. The next, a familiar figure stood before me.


Sukuna.


But not as I had last seen him. This was the Sukuna of nightmares, four arms spread wide, the grotesque mouth on his stomach twisting into what might have been a smile. I scrambled to my feet, hand instinctively reaching for my blade.


"Well, well," Sukuna's voice was low, almost amused. "What have we here? A little lost shinobi, far from home."


I tried to speak, to demand answers, but my voice caught in my throat. How long had he known I was following him? Had this all been some elaborate trap?


Sukuna's eyes gleamed with an intelligence that was somehow more terrifying than any physical threat. "You've come a long way, Zabuza of the Mist. Tell me, what is it you seek?"


"When did you trap me in your genjutsu?" I managed to mumble out.


He flashed a grin at my face," From the time I fought against the Kaguya Clan leader. You were spying, were you not?"


What?!

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


16 chapters ahead in patreon. Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


I'm working on improving my writing, so I'll be using the name of that person even when I am inside their head. I hope you like the changes.


Also, I'm just going to start calling Naruto Sukuna from now on. Cause-meh!


....


Third-Person POV


Zabuza was exhausted, feeling as though he couldn't move a single muscle. Yet, when he learned how long Sukuna had kept him under the genjutsu, his eyebrows shot up in shock.


"That can't be," he said weakly.


Sukuna chuckled. "Oh, but it can. The tiresome journey you experienced wasn't real. I'm pretty skilled at genjutsu, wouldn't you say? Making one suffer for days inside a genjutsu without them realizing it... it's a feat that most shinobi in the world can't achieve."


Normally, hearing that would have made Zabuza seethe with rage. However, he was far too exhausted to even be angry.


"Water..." he whispered before collapsing.


Sukuna stared at Zabuza's fallen form and shook his head, disappointed.


He then grabbed Zabuza by the collar, hoisted him onto his shoulder, and made his way back to the forest clearing.


Kimimaro and Haku, who were fighting like dogs, immediately separated when they heard a rustle from the direction Sukuna had left. And Sukuna arrived to see them in a perfectly normal position.


"Give me 10 push-ups," said Sukuna out of nowhere.


Haku and Kimimaro cringed as they realized that Sukuna knew what they were doing.


Instantly, Haku and Kimimaro completed 10 push-ups, the latter finishing first by quite a big margin. Haku huffed while Kimimaro shot a fist in the air in victory. They totally ignored Zabuza.


Sukuna rolled his eyes at their antics and laid Zabuza down.


He made a hand sign and immediately flooded Zabuza's face with water. "Gurgurruru!" This made Zabuza wake up, gurgling the water and coughing.


"What? What?" Zabuza raised his hand and looked left and right, trying to assess his surroundings until his eyes finally landed on Sukuna. He narrowed his eyes for a second, unable to recognize who was in front of him. Finally, a few moments later, his eyes widened.


"Sukuna!" he bellowed, shooting straight up and immediately pouncing on Sukuna. The confusion of just waking up made him act in such a way.


BAM!


A punch landed straight on Zabuza's stomach, making Zabuza puke.


Sukuna's face turned into a scowl of disgust as he waved his hand in front of his nose. "You are a shinobi, Zabuza. Use your brain. Now, tell me what you want."


Zabuza seethed and stared daggers at Sukuna but relented nonetheless. With a sigh, he said, "I'm here to ask for help. Since you know my name, you probably know I am a revolutionary. My group and I are trying to overthrow the Mizukage."


"And?" Sukuna queried.


"We want your help," pleaded Zabuza.


"Why should I?" asked Sukuna, disinterest evident in his voice. He didn't think much of Zabuza. Sure, he didn't know what position Zabuza held, but he didn't think negotiations could take place just like this. Well, he was one of the Seven Swordsmen, but that was it. If negotiations were to take place, he would rather have it with Mei, who was rumored to be the leader of the revolutionary group.


Zabuza wasn't known for being an idiot. He recognized the reason behind Sukuna's disinterest and the answer he wanted to hear. But still, the reply Sukuna gave was enough confirmation that, if conditions were met, he would help the revolutionaries.


Reaching into his kunai pouch, Zabuza brought out a scroll and, with a hand sign, a seal stored in the scroll came out with a puff of smoke.


Presenting the seal to Sukuna, Zabuza clarified, "This is the seal of the leader of the revolutionary group, Mei Terumi. This has her chakra. I think you...are a sensor ninja; you should be able to sense her unique chakra."


Sukuna grabbed the seal and examined it. 'Hm... I do sense the chakra, and this is both Lava and Boil Release present in it. Considering the rather strong yin property, it can be determined that the owner of this chakra is a woman. There is a good chance it is Mei, but I can't leave it to chance.'


While Sukuna analyzed the seal, Zabuza proposed, "That is the seal of her trust. I have been given the right to negotitate on the behalf of the revolutionary group."


"Take me to her," Sukuna said with a tone of finality.


Zabuza nodded and got up. He looked down at his still shaking feet. 'Damn, it was only a genjutsu, but my legs are shaking as if I went through that journey for real.'


He glanced at Sukuna for just a second before averting his eyes. 'He really is a monster.'


Sukuna turned and called out to the kids, "You two, come here. We're going somewhere."


The two kids, who were in a silent glaring battle with each other, perked up hearing those words and immediately ran to him.


"Where are we going?"


"Where? Where?"


Sukuna ruffled their hair. "We are going to... Ah... where will we be going?" He turned and asked Zabuza.


"Our closest base is a few miles from here."


Sukuna nodded and carried both Haku and Kimimaro. "Well, let's get going."


....


Mei's POV


In the dimly lit room deep within the base on a remote island, Mei sat at her wooden desk. The only sound was the gentle scratching of her pen against the paper. She liked the peace that the room provided; a lot was going on, and she needed to plan to ensure their victory. A silent room was a great thing to have.


Her green eyes were focused intently on the documents before her. The door creaked open, and Ao stepped inside, his one visible eye scanning the room before settling on her. He approached her desk, his expression grave.


"Mei-sama," Ao began, his voice steady but laced with urgency, "Zabuza has returned. He brought someone with him."


She looked up from her papers, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Who?"


"A man named Sukuna," Ao replied. Mei raised a brow in question, and Ao just shrugged his shoulders. "He supposedly killed Tatsumaro."


"The Kaguya Clan Leader?" she questioned.


"Yes."


Mei's surprise deepened, and she set her pen down. "Zabuza went to recruit Tatsumaro, and instead he brings his killer?"


Ao nodded. "It appears that Zabuza made a calculated decision. Given the circumstances, I think we need all the strength we can muster."


Mei leaned back in her chair, her hand running through her auburn hair. She understood the reasoning. They were about to confront one of the most powerful shinobi in the world. Any advantage, no matter how unorthodox, could tip the scales in their favor.


"Interesting," she murmured, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He must have brought the man back for negotiations. Considering the seal Zabuza has, the man must not trust Zabuza's words.


Ao stepped closer, his voice dropping slightly. "We need to assess him carefully. The scrolls describing Sukuna's actions didn't exactly show him as a saint."


Mei chuckled, "We are shinobi, Ao. None of us are saints. But you are right; we do need to assess him carefully."


She stood, her decision made. "Let's see who this Sukuna is and what he wants in return."


Ao handed her a scroll detailing everything Zabuza saw Sukuna do with the Kaguya Clan as they made their way to them.


...


A/N: I'm taking a break tomorrow because I'm so exhausted right now. There's no way I'll be able to write a chapter. Sorry brothers!

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


I drew inspiration from reading paragraphs by Brandon Sanderson and Stephen King before writing this chapter. I think I'll stick to this style.


16 chapters ahead in patreon. Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


...


Mei Terumi POV


The first word that came to her mind when her eyes settled on the pink-haired, weird but hot-looking man was 'rude.' Sukuna was sitting on a chair, his leg draped over the table in front of him. He seemed to lack manners, or perhaps he had such inordinate confidence in his abilities that he thought lesser of everyone else.


As she walked towards him, the full view of his strapping body only tightened the knot in her heart. She stood still, closing her eyes to control her breath, though it probably looked like she was controlling her anger. When she opened her eyes, she fixed them on Sukuna.


"What do you propose?" she asked, forcing her voice to be firm.


"Can you afford me?" he replied, his rugged voice causing a violent flutter in her lower abdomen. This was what she dreamt of on particularly sultry nights. She grabbed a chair and sat down, fearing her knees might give out.


"Your skills are great, I don't doubt that. Taking down the Kaguya Clan's leader is a significant feat. However, we are facing a foe far more powerful than him." She laid a trap. To the untrained ear, it might sound like she was questioning his abilities. But it could also be interpreted differently: she was subtly asking again about his demands. His answer would demonstrate if he was as smart as he was strong. A perfectly veiled trap for the inexperienced fool, which would let her gauge how much compensation he would require.


"My question still stands," Sukuna grinned ear to ear. He knew!


"What do you suggest as a display of power?" Mei instantly picked up what Sukuna meant. By not taking her bait and holding his position, he had positioned himself advantageously, now demanding a chance to demonstrate his true value.


Pleased, Sukuna removed his legs from the table, and Mei's right eyebrow shot up. "You are smart. I like it."


It was a test, she realized. Not only was she testing him, but he was also testing whether she was qualified to receive his services. Mei took a deep breath and crossed her legs. Raising her right arm, she adjusted her blue dress and the mesh armor underneath, covering her breasts, and let out a warm breath.


This is getting hard, she thought, crossing her arms in front of her chest to hide the shapes that had just formed. She noted to have the guard stationed far from her room tonight, as she didn't think she would have the self-control to keep it down.


"Can you kill him?" Mei cut to the chase. There was no use trying to play games with a player; she would only reveal her own flaws, and as the leader of the revolutionary group, she couldn't allow that to happen. No matter how... tempting he looked.


"I specialize in taking down such beasts," said Sukuna. Whatever his skills were, they suited such operations. Mei would have to see for herself.


"Mei-sama," Ao called out. Sukuna's eyes turned to him before quickly scanning the room. The short distance Ao placed himself compared to others highlighted his importance in the revolutionary group's hierarchy. He handed her a piece of paper, the back of his hand covering it.


Mei read it and her gaze shifted to Sukuna. "You have kids?"


"I do," said Sukuna, resting his chin on one of his hands. Mei stood up, forming a hand sign with the paper between her fingers. The paper melted and dropped to the ground.


"Let's leave then. We have a long journey ahead. What will you do with the kids?" Mei asked.


"They will come, but they will stay at a distance when we engage."


". . . Engage?"


"Engage with the Mizukage."


With stiff shoulders, Mei turned and walked to the door. She glanced back. "Meet me in 10 minutes. Ao will guide you to the location," she said, briefly looking at Ao, who nodded.


The chair screeched back as Sukuna stood up, his towering height almost touching the ceiling. Ao quickly turned on his heel and wiped his brow, but Sukuna paid him no mind.


Back in her personal room, Mei slumped to the floor instantly. She grabbed her dress and stretched it out. Looking at the state of the dress she had worn just yesterday, she sighed.


Slowly, she made her way to a drawer and took out a new dress, this one fit for battle.


As she put on the dress, she couldn't help but think back to the paper that Ao handed her.


{ He killed Orochimaru. }


That was shocking. She had planned to test Sukuna by taking him on a mission to see him fight tomorrow, but that changed everything.


Orochimaru, probably the strongest of the three Sannin, had died at Sukuna's hands! How had that happened? She didn't know. It wasn't in the scroll Ao had given her before meeting Sukuna. This was the reason she didn't inform Sukuna about that and instead asked about his kids, a information she knew beforehand. She needed more information at hand before talking about it.


Something must have happened while they were talking that led to this new information.


Mei's ears perked up at a slight tumbling noise from a corner of the room. She hurried over and, with chakra enveloping her finger, drew an arc on the wall.


Click!


A box popped out from the wall, revealing a small scroll inside.


{ Orochimaru was meeting with Jiraiya when he suddenly disappeared in a puff of smoke. Jiraiya was confronting Orochimaru for crimes related to experimentation. Konoha declared him rogue, but a few hours later, a member of the now fractured and chaotic Kaguya Clan provided a credible report that Orochimaru was killed on their island. It was a Konoha spy, and one of our sleeper agents intercepted the message. Following our protocols, the message was then transferred to its destination in Konoha. }


That man might just be able to take down the Mizukage after all.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


16 chapters ahead in patreon. Join today: Patreon Link Click Here


...


Kushina Uzumaki sat motionless on the couch, her violet eyes fixed on the framed photograph in her hands. Her fingers traced the outline of a young boy's face, his bright blue eyes and spiky blonde hair frozen in time.


"Naruto," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room.


The clock on the wall ticked loudly, each passing second reminding her of the time that had passed since her son's disappearance. Her gaze drifted to the calendar hanging nearby, its days marked off with neat, red X's. Two months. It had been two long months since Naruto left.


A gentle knock on the door broke the silence. "Kushina?" Minato's voice called out softly.


She didn't respond, and the door creaked open. Minato stepped inside, his blue eyes filled with concern as he took in the sight of his wife. Her once-vibrant red hair hung limp around her face, and dark circles shadowed her eyes.


"Kushina, love," Minato said, approaching her slowly. "It's almost noon. Have you eaten anything today?"


Kushina shook her head slightly, her gaze never leaving the photograph.


Minato sighed and settled down beside her on the couch. He reached out, gently placing his hand over hers. "I know it's hard, but you need to take care of yourself. Naruto wouldn't want to see you like this."


At the mention of their son's name, Kushina's fingers tightened around the frame. "How can I eat when I don't know if he's even alive, Minato?" she asked, her voice cracking. "What if he's hungry? What if he's cold or scared or . . ."


"Shh," Minato soothed, pulling her close. "Naruto is smart, remember? He's capable of keeping himself out of trouble."


Kushina leaned into her husband's embrace, tears welling up in her eyes. "But he's just a child, Minato. Our child. How could we let this happen?"


Minato stroked her hair, his own heart heavy with guilt and worry. "I ask myself that every day," he admitted. "But dwelling on it won't bring him back. We need to stay strong, for him and for each other."


They sat quietly for a moment, the heavy silence between them thick with shared grief. Minato didn't show his pain; as a man and as her husband, he couldn't. Someone in the house needed to put up a front of strength; if both of them broke down, who would hold it together?


Finally, Kushina spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you really think he killed those shinobi? Six hundred of them?"


Minato hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "I . . . I don't know. It seems impossible, but with everything that has happened, I have come to accept that he might have really done it."


Kushina pulled away, her eyes meeting Minato's. "But why? Why would he not return?" she asked. She was incapable of thinking of anything else at the moment; she was not in the right mind to analyze her son's actions. She didn't care if those 600 shinobi died; she only wanted her son with her.


"Honestly, I think he realized the darkness present in our own village," Minato said, his voice tinged with regret. "After I became Hokage, I realized that the village isn't the same beacon of light that it portrays itself as to its people, Kushina."


Kushina nodded. She knew what he was talking about. After all, they both were shinobi. In their line of work, they had seen plenty of stomach-turning things, and to not expect their own village to do it would be utterly foolish.


"There are many factions within and outside of the village trying to gain some sort of advantage. Had Naruto returned, I'm afraid he would be in far greater danger than he is now. The elders would have left no stone unturned to turn him into a weapon, and you know how that experience is better than I do, don't you, Kushina?"


Remembering the days she had to spend alone and away from the people she wanted to be with, she felt a sharp pinch in her heart. Being stared at like a monster and being treated as one, the grand politics in play with her as the center of everything . . . as a mother, she never wanted her child to go through that.


"Why is this so hard? I want him here, but now that you say that . . . I also want him away. I-I don't know what to do!" cried Kushina.


Minato placed a hand on her cheek and softly said, "We've expanded our range for searching, but . . . there's still no sign of Naruto. I think it's best to let Naruto be and trust him."


Kushina buried her face in his chest. "I just hope he communicates with us somehow."


"We can only wait now, dear," said Minato, pressing a kiss on her forehead. "We can only hope that if not anyone else in the village, he can at least trust his parents, and I'm sure that he will understand that one day."


Kushina stayed silent but clenched Minato's blue shirt. Closing her eyes, she took deep breaths and prayed for Naruto's well-being. The reasons her son might have had for not returning were valid, but alas, she was a mother and she couldn't help but hope he might return.


"Come on, let's get you something to eat. Just a little, okay?" Minato stood up, extending his hand to her.


After taking a moment, Kushina took his hand, allowing him to lead her to the kitchen. As they walked, Minato couldn't help but notice how frail she felt, how much weight she had lost in the past months.


In the kitchen, Minato busied himself preparing a simple meal while Kushina sat at the table, her eyes distant. The silence between them was broken only by the sounds of cooking.


"Here," Minato said, placing a bowl of miso soup and some rice in front of her. "Try to eat a little, okay?"


Kushina nodded, picking up her chopsticks. She took a small bite of rice, chewing mechanically.


"I was thinking," Minato began, "maybe—"


Knock! Knock! Knock!


A sharp, distinctive knock on the window interrupted him mid-sentence. Both Minato and Kushina's heads snapped towards the sound. Through the glass, they could see the familiar silver hair and masked face of Kakashi, his visible eye wide with urgency.


Minato moved swiftly to the window, sliding it open. "What is it, Kakashi?"


Kakashi's usual laid-back demeanor was replaced by an air of barely contained shock. "Orochimaru is dead!"


...


(A/N)--IMPORTANT NOTICE:


Hey everyone! I have an important update to share. With the semester now over, I'll be focusing on preparing for my board exams. To manage my time better, I'll be reverting to my old schedule of posting two chapters a week. This way, I can keep sharing content without going completely silent. My parents have high expectations for me, and I want to make sure I give my best effort in the exams—after all, thy shalt not disappoint thy parents!


After the exams, I'm planning a special event to release a ton of chapters! With July coming to a close, I anticipate returning to my regular posting schedule on October 1. Thank you for your understanding and support!

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N: Triple release, cause I'm about to disappoint you. Notice is at the third chapter released today.


....


OBITO POV


The air in the Mizukage's council chamber was suffused with tension. Obito, disguised as the Fourth Mizukage, sat at the head of the decorated table, his piercing gaze sweeping over the so-called experts gathered before him. The room, with its high ceilings and imposing stone walls adorned with ancient water country painting.


Pathetic, Obito thought, his lip curling slightly. These fools cling to their positions like drowning men to driftwood, fully aware of their own impotence.


The self-proclaimed advisors shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, the soft rustle of their formal robes the only sound breaking the oppressive quiet. Obito allowed himself a moment of sardonic amusement, watching them squirm under his gaze.


Finally, an elder known as Zakeru cleared his throat, one of the two elders who were permitted to speak. His voice, reedy with age and tinged with poorly disguised hatred, broke the silence. "We have news, Lord Mizukage." Zakeru's eyes, small and mean, darted around the room before settling on Obito. "Orochimaru has been killed by someone unknown."


Obito raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. Through his Zetsu network, he was already privy to this information, but the speed at which it had reached the council was... interesting.


"Your circles seem to have grown bigger, Zakeru," Obito drawled, his voice laced with dangerous curiosity.


Zakeru's reaction was immediate and predictable. His wrinkled hands shot up, trembling as he shook them in frantic denial. Beads of sweat materialized on his forehead, glistening in the dim light of the chamber.


"M-my lord," he stammered, his earlier confidence evaporating like mist in the sun, "my circle is the same as before, small and dedicated to providing any information you desire. My connections aren't extensive enough for me to receive news from Konoha directly. The spies overheard merchants in the port talking about it."


Obito leaned back in his chair, outwardly impassive but inwardly contemptuous. Weaklings, these elders. But exactly as I want them to be. His council had no use for overly smart shinobi looking to do something for the greater good. They could have limited abilities, but they must absolutely not interfere with his plans.


"We don't dare, my lord," interjected Tekinma, the second elder. Unlike Zakeru's reedy tones, Tekinma's voice was deep and gravelly, as if each word was being dragged over rough stones. "Orochimaru's death came as a surprise, but the greater surprise is the location of his demise."


Obito motioned for him to continue, his fingers drumming an impatient rhythm on the armrest of his chair.


Tekinma straightened, his broad shoulders squaring as if bracing for impact. "He died in the Kaguya Clan's new hiding place."


A heavy silence fell over the room. Obito's mind raced, piecing together the implications. Merchants seem unusually well-informed in this case. They're being used, but to what end?


"Where are these... merchants?" Obito asked, his voice deceptively soft.


Tekinma glanced at Zakeru, who nodded almost imperceptibly. "They have long left the village, my lord," Zakeru replied, his reedy voice now tinged with apprehension.


In an instant, the atmosphere in the room changed. Killing intent flared from Obito, a perceivable wave of malevolence that seemed to suck the very air from the chamber. Zakeru slumped in his chair, his head bowed so low it nearly touched the table. He didn't dare ask for forgiveness; he was simply too terrified to even keep his head up.


"Find them." The two words fell from Obito's lips like a death sentence.


Zakeru's face, already pale, turned ashen. The finality in Obito's tone made it clear: failure would result in a fate worse than death. The Mizukage had provided plenty of gruesome examples with rigid elders who had failed to deliver in the past.


Straightening his back with visible effort, Zakeru bowed once more. "I'll immediately get to it, my lord!" He scurried from the room, relief and terror warring on his face as he escaped Obito's presence.


Obito turned his attention to Tekinma. "Gather the hunter-nins," he commanded. "Ensure they're equipped with scrolls containing paper bombs. We have a clan to make extinct."


"Yes, my lord!" Tekinma's response was immediate. He left the office with surprising speed for a man of his age and build.


Obito's gaze swept over the remaining elders, cowering in their seats. His voice, when he spoke, was laden with contempt. "And the rest of you... make yourselves useful and run the village. If I find anything amiss when I return, your families will receive a personal visit from me with your heads wrapped in furoshiki. Am I clear?"


"Ye-Yes, my lord!" They screamed in unison, scrambling from the office in a flurry of robes and panic.


As the door slammed shut behind the last fleeing elder, Obito allowed himself a moment of quiet reflection. These fools are so easily manipulated. But they serve their purpose... for now.


With a swift hand sign, Obito created a shadow clone.


Kamui!


He immediately used the technique on the clone and sending it to his base where Zetsu awaited to convey more messages.


.


.


.


The world blurred and twisted as the shadow clone materialized in Obito's hidden base. The air here was stale. Zetsu's mismatched eyes gleamed in the dim light, his body seeming to emerge from the very shadows themselves.


"Finally," Zetsu's dual-toned voice echoed in the cavernous space. "It took you some time, Obito."


The clone's visible eye narrowed. "Get to the point," he said curtly, the Kamui technique still swirling around him.


Zetsu tilted his head, noting the urgency. "In a hurry, are we? Very well. We don't know who killed Orochimaru yet. But we do know that this man killed both Tatsumaro and Orochimaru on the same night. That alone speaks volumes about his ability."


The clone's posture shifted slightly, a silent question in the tilt of his head.


Zetsu continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "The kid rumored to have Shikotsumyaku has disappeared. With Orochimaru there and his subsequent death, I first thought it was a conflict of interest."


"First?" the clone prompted, turning slightly.


"Due to the large scale of the conflict, I was able to later collect some of the chakra dispersed in the clan," Zetsu explained. "Using that, I tried to locate him, but perhaps he was too far away. I didn't find him on the island. The chakra had some likeness to the Kaguya Clan members, so I think he is a hidden card of the Kaguya Clan who retaliated against Orochimaru for trying to kidnap Kimimaro and later escaped with the kid. There is a chance, however, he might return to the island after securing the kid."


The clone processed this information, his mind starting to formulate plans and contingencies. With a hand sign, he said, "If he comes, I'll deal with him. So you can divert your attention from there. I need you to find the merchants currently escaping the Land of Water. Capture them alive." He paused, then added, "Also, how are the family members of the assassins doing?"


"They have been doing pretty well," Zetsu replied, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "They are currently undergoing rigorous physical training. I have been guiding them just as you instructed."


"Good," the clone nodded, then turned to look at a corner where the silhouette of a tiny person was visible. "You will be working now, Three Tails."


With a soft 'poof', the clone disappeared, its gathered knowledge flowing back to the original Obito.


.


.


.


Back in the Mizukage's office, Obito absorbed the information from his dispelled clone. His mind raced, analyzing the new intel and its implications.


The rumors of Orochimaru's death spread faster than anticipated, he mused, pacing the length of the ornate office. The involvement of merchants suggests a deeper conspiracy. But who's pulling the strings?


He paused by the window, gazing out at the mist-shrouded village of Kirigakure.


A person capable of eliminating both Tatsumaro and Orochimaru in one night... that's no small feat, Obito thought, his fist clenching involuntarily. If this individual has ties to the Kaguya Clan, their motives could be even more complex than I initially assumed.


He turned away from the window, his eye falling on the Mizukage hat resting on the desk. A symbol of power, yes, but also a reminder of the long game he was playing.


Protecting Kimimaro is understandable, Obito reasoned, but there could be other hidden agendas at play. I need to stay ahead of this unseen enemy.


He moved towards the hidden Kamui portal. Every piece of information, every strategic move, had to be meticulously planned. Failure was not an option.


As he stepped into the swirling vortex, Obito's resolve hardened. The Kaguya clan will go extinct. I'll make sure of that. And if that man stands in my way...


The thought remained unfinished as Obito disappeared into the portal, leaving behind an empty office.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

AO POV


The room was quiet, almost too quiet. Ao stood near the wall, his single visible eye fixed on Sukuna. The powerful shinobi had been silent for a while, seemingly lost in thought. Suddenly, Sukuna spoke up.


"Why don't you grab me a pen and paper, Ao?"


Ao blinked, surprised by the request. "If I may... why would you need those?"


Sukuna's lips curved into a slight smirk. "Well... I was thinking about a few things, don't worry you'll know why pretty soon."


Ao stared at Sukuna, trying to figure out what he was up to. After a moment, he decided it wasn't worth arguing over. With a nod, he turned to one of the masked men standing guard in the room.


"Get me what he asked for," Ao commanded.


The masked man disappeared without a word. Ao tapped his foot impatiently, wondering what Sukuna could possibly want with writing materials.


Within minutes, the masked man returned, pen and paper in hand. Ao took the items and walked over to Sukuna, who was now standing up, holding them out.


"Here," Ao said gruffly.


Sukuna took the pen and paper, a strange glint in his eyes. Ao watched, curiosity getting the better of him. 'Is he going to write something now?' he wondered.


But what happened next left Ao completely stunned.


Instead of putting pen to paper, the mouth on Sukuna's stomach opened wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth. Before Ao could react, he tossed both the pen and paper into the gaping maw.


Ao's jaw dropped. He stared at Sukuna, then at the now-empty spot where the pen and paper had been, then back at Sukuna. Words failed him.


Sukuna nodded to himself, acting as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. He met Ao's bewildered gaze with a calm expression.


"What?" Sukuna asked, as if eating office supplies was perfectly normal.


Ao struggled to find his voice. "You... you just... Why did you do that?"


Sukuna shrugged. "I told you, I was thinking about a few things."


"And that required eating a pen and paper?" Ao couldn't keep the disbelief out of his voice.


"You'd be surprised what can spark new ideas," Sukuna replied cryptically.


Ao shook his head, trying to make sense of what he'd just witnessed. He'd seen a lot in his years as a shinobi, but this... this was something else entirely.


"Is this some kind of technique I've never heard of?" Ao asked, still struggling to understand.


Sukuna's lips curved into another smirk. "Let's just say I have my own ways of processing information."


Ao decided he didn't want to know any more. Whatever Sukuna was planning, it was clear he wasn't going to share until he was ready. And if it involved more bizarre demonstrations like this one, Ao wasn't sure he wanted to be present for it.


"Right," Ao said, trying to regain his composure. "Well, if that's all you needed..."


.


.


.


SUKUNA POV


Sukuna smirked, watching Ao's comical expression when he'd swallowed the pen and paper. Of course, he had plans for those items later, but the situation had been tense since his arrival. He'd decided to have a little fun with Ao in the meantime.


'I'll deal with the pen and paper when I'm alone,' Sukuna thought. 'For now, messing with Ao was worth it just to see that face.'


Jokes aside, Sukuna knew they were hiding something. He'd noticed the small paper Ao slipped to Mei earlier. He'd said nothing, but his keen eyes hadn't missed a thing. Mei's behavior had shifted dramatically after reading it. Before, she'd been suspicious of his abilities. Suddenly, she believed in them completely, ready to take on the Mizukage with his support.


It was a development worth considering. Sukuna closed his eyes, trying to imagine what might have been written on that paper. After a moment, he shook his head. It was pointless to guess without more information.


Instead, Sukuna decided to review everything major he'd done since arriving in this form. The realization hit him quickly: in this body, the world didn't know him. There was really only one thing they could recognize him by - his battles on the Kaguya Clan's newest hiding island.


'The news of my exploits must have spread,' Sukuna mused. It wasn't Zabuza, that he was sure of. He'd sensed Zabuza the whole time he was fighting, and while Zabuza had seen him kill the Kaguya Clan's leader, he hadn't witnessed the battle with Orochimaru. But a few others did see him take down the legendary Sannin.


'Didn't think news traveled so fast in the ninja world,' Sukuna thought, mentally whistling at the efficiency of their information network.


The question now was how much they knew. How detailed were the reports of his abilities? He had made sure that everyone else was at a distance where they couldn't hear his conversation with Orochimaru. So, there was no way that they knew too much.


'Betting on me to beat the Mizukage, simply because I took down Orochimaru single-handedly? Honestly, that seems too desperate,' Sukuna thought wryly.


"Let's move to the location," said Ao.


Sukuna pushed off from the wall, stretching his muscles as they both went down through the ladders.


Ao led Sukuna through a labyrinthine corridor, the walls had blazing torches that flickered, they were the only source of light there. The narrow passage was a maze of twists and turns, each corner revealing another stretch of identical stonework.


The deeper they went, the colder it got. The torches were the only thing providing warmth that helped a bit with the encroaching cold. Sukuna also noticed the thickening humidity.


"When is it when we truly leave?" asked Sukuna. He expected they would be leaving with a boat or something, but here they were going deeper and deeper to God knows where.


"Mei-sama will tell you when we reach the location," said Ao as he focused ahead. His eyes narrowing slightly, trying to make sure he doesn't make a mistake and get stuck in this maze.


Slowly but surely, Sukuna felt an invisible weight pushing down on him from every direction. The walls themselves seemed to sweat, droplets of moisture trickling down from the stone surfaces and pooling on the floor.


The deeper they went, the steady the torches on the walls burned. Different materials from the ones above, no doubt. Their light illuminated the water seeping from the cracks in the ceiling and the walls.


Sukuna wiped his brow, feeling the dampness clinging to his skin. 'Why are we heading deeper and deeper into the ocean?' thought Sukuna, his eyes narrowing on the back of Ao.


However, he continued in silence. The corridor narrowed and narrowed and soon they reached a huge metal door, 10 feet in height and width. Fuinjutsu seals, glinting faintly in the dim light, were present on it which made Sukuna curious.


"Stand back, please," said Ao, stepping forward towards the door. He took a deep breath and he began to weave a series of hand-signs.


For a full minute, Ao continued.


"Open!" he intoned, the seals flared brilliantly before dimming to a steady glow. With a resounding clank, the metal door began to shift. The sound of gears turning and metal component sliding against each other filled the air.


Slowly, the massive door creaked open, revealing the chamber beyond. The sound of metal rolling and grinding continued.


"Please come inside," Ao broke the silence, inviting Sukuna into the dimly lit room. With a nod, Sukuna stepped across the threshold. Immediately, he sensed a shift in the atmosphere. The oppressive pressure and the humid heaviness that clung to the corridors vanished, dispersed by some unseen force.


Sukuna glanced around, taking in his surroundings.


'Is it those seals?' wondered Sukuna. Considering the corridor had progressively narrowed as they ventured deeper, Sukuna hadn't anticipated the room's expansive dimensions.


It had a long, polished wooden table dominating the center. Maps and scrolls were spread out across its surface, several chairs were arranged around it, and torches lined the wall.


"Please, take a seat," Ao offered, pulling out a chair hospitably.


Sukuna declined with a shake of his head. "I'm fine. I'm rather interested in these walls."


The walls which surprisingly were made of stone, were also covered in fuinjutsu seals like the ones of the metal door. Sukuna walked over and analyzed those seals.


After a few moments, he realized. 'So this is the reason why the pressure and humidity disappeared all of a sudden?'


His fingers traced the strokes of brush on the wall. 'These strokes are perfectly balanced to maintain an equilibrium of energy. This is a work of a master, no doubt.'


The seals themselves were divided into various layers, one layer stacking up on the other. It was deliberate move to hide the true workings of the seals, Sukuna realized. He inspected further and what he found surprised him.


'Uzumaki signatures? This was made by an Uzumaki?'


Sukuna's gaze snapped towards Ao, who flinched under the sudden intensity of his stare.


"Wh-what?" Ao managed to stammer out, his voice wavering slightly.


"Do you know the origin of this seal?" Sukuna's voice was calm yet insistent, demanding answers.


"Uh..." Ao hesitated, swallowing audibly. His eyes darted around nervously, weighing his options. After a pregnant pause, he gathered his courage and replied, "This was something we stole from Kirigakure's Jutsu Treasury."


"Which was also stolen?" Sukuna questioned, his tone betraying a hint of skepticism.


". . . Yeah," Ao admitted reluctantly, his shoulders slumping slightly.


Sukuna turned his attention back to seals on the chamber walls. 'Kirigakure was one of the primary suspects in the destruction of Uzushiogakure. I didn't expect to find actual proof here,' he thought, a faint grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.


The destruction of Uzushiogakure had been shrouded in mystery. It was a devastation carried out with unparalleled efficiency.


Despite suspicions, not a shred of tangible evidence had surfaced, leaving Konoha's hands tied. If proof had existed, it would have forced Konoha into a position of conflict with Kirigakure and potentially other involved villages.


'What a pleasant surprise,' Sukuna mused silently.

 

[MyMumCallsMePig]

A/N:


Shoutout to frandley mesidor for joining the patreon.


Hey, I forgot one thing the previous time! I said Naruto had blonde hair but he has red hair in the photo sorry about that!


Also, there is a notice at the end, please read it!


Though if you're lazy I'll keep it short here: I will be pausing the Patreon for 2 months, meaning you won't need to pay during this time. Your payments will be paused(new members cannot join unfortunately). I've realized that I won't be able to post quality chapters while stressed about exams. Thanks!


....


Sukuna's POV


With nothing to do, Sukuna decides to keep himself preoccupied with the seals. After analyzing the application of the various layers in the seal, he comes to the conclusion that the room is basically a submarine, though he has yet to see any seals responsible for submarine-like movements.


But there are a few peculiar things he notices. There is one seal that attaches itself to something that is not considered part of this container; it seems to interact with something like a hinge, and the seals could have those hinges detached.


'Pretty interesting stuff they've got going on here. I wonder what they use it for. Well, I guess that time will come soon enough,' muses Sukuna.


A few other seals interact with the stone walls; they seem to make the walls move or part in some way not clearly defined here. Secret compartments for people to hide and escape, no doubt.


A faint sound above catches Sukuna's attention, and without turning, his enlarged eye glimpses movement—a panel in the ceiling sliding open. Instinctively, he pivots, capturing the expected sight unfolding above him.


From the concealed opening descends Mei, clad in shimmering battle gear that seems to blend with the dim light. Her movements are silent and graceful. The ceiling panel closes swiftly behind her, erasing any trace of her entry.


Mei stands confidently amidst the chamber, her auburn hair flowing over her shoulder as she surveys the room. Her eyes fall first on Ao, at whom she nods, and then on Sukuna, whom she waves at. "Thank you for waiting, Sukuna," says Mei.


"Just remember that punctuality is something I value a lot," says Sukuna, turning towards the seal while Mei walks over to Ao. His fingers trace the seals as he searches for the specific one responsible for the opening and closing of the panel.


'There,' Sukuna taps on that particular seal. 'It's not the exact thing, but this should be it. The seal right here is linked to a seal that has been written somewhere else. Pretty smart,' he praises in his heart.


"Now, when are we leaving, Mei?" asks Sukuna.


Mei, who is conversing with Ao, turns her head and says, "Just a moment, please."


Sukuna turns and walks over to the table, pulling out a chair, and sits down. 'This is getting boring!' He yawns.


Mei sneaks a glance at Sukuna before tapping a specific rhythm on the table, and a box with a transparent cover like a bell switch cover rises to the surface from the middle of the table. Inside it is a button glowing red.


Sukuna raises an eyebrow at Mei, who just signals him to wait. Suddenly, the room they are in shakes as if an earthquake has hit. He perks his ears, listening intently, while his eyes scan the seals on the wall that are glowing dimly blue. 'It's those hinge seals' work!' thinks Sukuna; he is sure about it.


The room suddenly dips, giving the sensation of floating upwards, as if Sukuna were sitting on a raft. Abruptly, one of the walls parts, revealing a pane of glass through which the dark blue ocean stretches out beyond.


"What's this?" Sukuna asks, his curiosity piqued. He rises from his seat and approaches the pane of glass, noticing with surprise that even the glass itself bears intricate fuinjutsu inscriptions. 'This is too much. Everything has a seal on it!'


"Who in the world built this?" Sukuna exclaims incredulously.


....


Mei Terumi's POV


Mei is on the verge of speaking when Ao signals her with a hand sign, prompting a silent sigh of resignation. She walks over to Sukuna's side, shooting Ao a brief but pointed glare.


"A few of our engineers designed this room," she explains, "and a fuinjutsu expert utilized their skills to create conditions suitable for survival at this depth in the ocean."


"They have done an excellent job," Sukuna praises. Gazing out at the magnificent ocean before him, he whispers, "What a beautiful world..."


Mei smiles warmly at him, her gaze also drawn to the stunning ocean teeming with differently colored fish and unique chakra beasts. 'A beautiful world indeed,' Mei thinks to herself.


Sukuna asks, "So, what exactly are we aiming to achieve with all of this?"


"We're heading to a location where a messenger will approach us. This way, we avoid the prying eyes of the common folk," Mei explains.


Sukuna looks puzzled and leans against the pane of glass. He is about to inquire further when suddenly, from above and below, rows of teeth larger than 20 feet fill his vision. The room or container shudders as it settles into the maw of the gigantic beast.


"I suppose this is our transportation?" Sukuna remarks, a small smile playing on his lips.


Mei nods with a hint of amusement. "Her name is Pookie. Don't worry, she doesn't bite," she assures him cheekily.


Sukuna shakes his head slightly and peers through the gap between Pookie's enormous teeth, gazing out at the vast ocean beyond.


After a while, Sukuna narrows his eyes as he senses movement in the distance on the ocean's surface. Gradually, the approaching figure becomes clearer—it is a dolphin.


"There's our messenger," Mei declares, placing her hands on the pane of glass.


Blue chakra ripples from Mei's palm into the ocean outside, where the dolphin twists playfully in response to the energy. Squeaking happily, it swims into the maw and taps on the glass.


"Thank you so much, my dear," purrs Mei. She gestures to Ao behind her, who taps a specific rhythm on the table once again. A drawer extends from the walls beside the window, catching the dolphin's attention. It drops a scroll onto the drawer before excitedly dancing away.


"Why did I even think there would be a human messenger at the bottom of the ocean?" Sukuna chuckles to himself. Mei looks at him with a quizzical expression, and he simply replies, "I just remembered an old joke."


A small panel slides open, bringing in the scroll left by the dolphin. Mei kneels to retrieve it, then stands and moves to the table, with Sukuna following behind.


Mei spreads the scroll out on the table while Sukuna settles comfortably into his seat. "So?" he prompts.


"The Mizukage is heading to the Kaguya Clan's island to eliminate what remains of the Kaguya clan!"


....


A/N


(NOTICE):


I'll be gone for 61 days exactly.


Over the past few days, I've been working hard to write quality chapters and build up a buffer to keep you all engaged while I focus on my upcoming exams. However, I've come to realize that balancing chapter accumulation with exam preparation has been more exhausting than I anticipated.


In just two days, I have a week-long mock test, followed by a short break before another exam. After that, I'll be preparing for my final semester exam, which is crucial for my academic progress. By the time I finish all three exams, it'll be October (seriously, fuck the semester system!).


My ethics doesn't allow me to take your money when I'm unable to deliver content. Therefore, I'm pausing the Patreon for two months. During this time, you won't need to pay to be there, and you won't be charged at all.


Unfortunately, this also means that new members won't be able to join while it's paused. Sorry guys!


Thank you for your understanding, and I appreciate your support during this busy time!

 

[ActionJHW]

Well it looks like Kiri grabbed a lot from the Uzumaki clan when they destroyed them. I am guessing that Obito might have caused the Kiri civil war to prevent them from capitalizing here. In other news Sukuna will likely have to beat Kiri into submission, as I don't think he would be able to win people over through charisma. I could see him becoming the new Mizukage, but that is only if he is willing to stay in one place.