Chapter 23: Journey of the Best

Chapter 23: Journey of the Best

Five days later:

"Wood Release: Wood Clone!" I cried out ending with the snake hand seal. My body's cells split apart as a wooden mannequin that looked exactly like me stepped away, slowly turning into a more realistic version of myself. Soon the clone looked identical.

Ping!

You gained a new skill!

Wood Release: Wood Clone, B rank

A clone that is created by using chakra to alter the user's own cells into vegetation. They have the ability to travel far from the user and are able to communicate with the original. They don't disappear when hit and takes the damage to a certain degree.

CP- 1,000 per clone

Durability- 500/500

I grinned, "not bad huh Yamato sensei?"

Yamato smiled as he nodded, "very true Yami. You managed to pick it quite easily. In fact, it's almost instantaneous, one could even say you're a prodigy."

I snorted, "please, I'm no such thing, Wood Release: Great forest jutsu!" I called out, turning the wood clone into a large redwood tree that grew until it was thirty feet tall and 5 foot thick around the trunk, "I'm just quick is all."

"But still, your unique chakra control abilities is something of note," Yamato nodded, "to think you can not only perform the Wood Release but also Scorch, just what is your limit Yami?"

I shrugged, "as far as I know? Nothing. But ah, don't tell anyone okay?"

Yamato chuckled, "fine, I promise." Just then we heard shouting in the distance, and a firework light up the sky, "ah, that's right, today is the chunin exam finals is it not?"

I blinked, "it is? Well what are we waiting for? Come on man! We don't have all day!" I took off, leaping through the trees surrounded training field 3 as Yamato and I entered the streets of Konoha.

"Wait up Yami," Yamato chuckled, "not everyone has your speed."

"Hey! It's my fault you're so slow!" I chuckled, "besides, I have a job to do man! I can't afford to wait."

"Humph, I'm your sensei, one would think you would show me some respect."

"Oh please, you've been my sensei for four days," I rolled my eyes as we finally reached the stadium, "come on Yamato sensei! We need to get good seats!"

"Alright already," the now newly commissioned jonin sighed as we ran in, finding out spot with the jounins who stood near the back, overlooking everyone else.

I approached Asama first, "hey Asama, how's things?"

"Oh, Yami, surprised to see you kid," he grinned, "dad said you were training?"

"We finished early," I shrugged.

"As if," Yamato snorted.

Kurenai raised an eyebrow, "what do you mean?"

"I mean I literally have nothing more to teach him," Yamato grumbled, "Yami here is a sponge when it comes to ninjutsu."

I shrugged, "it's not me, you know how it is with Uchiha and ninjutsu," I replied with a shrug.

"Uchiha?" Kurenai blinked in surprise, "what are you talking about?"

I blinked, "she doesn't know?" i asked Asuma.

The man shrugged, "she's the rookie jounin, plus she doesn't like gossip."

"It's useless garbage," Kurenai snorted.

"Oh come now Kurenai, you're a ninja, surely you realise all information is somewhat valuable," I activated my eyes, meeting her matching red pupils causing her to gasp in shock, "if you did, then you wouldn't be surprised."

Asuma chuckled, "he's got you there Kurenai," the woman shot him a glare and looked away, Asuma noticed this and immediately gulped, "shit..ah, sorry."

I chuckled, "you're in the dog house tonight."

"W-what?! Why would you think that?!" Kurenai gasped.

I raised an eyebrow, "what? Is the fact that you two are seeing each other supposed to be a secret or something?"

Kurenai blushed red, Asuma's eyes widening in fear, pink touching his cheek. "W-who told you?!" Kurenai cried out.

I rolled my eyes, "nobody needed to, it was written all over your face," I looked at the arena, "now, who's supposed to coming out first?"

Asuma cleared his throat and began to speak, "the first match is between Sasuke and Tenten."

"Isn't that Kakashi sempai's student? Is he going up against Gai's student?"

Kurenai cleared her throat and nodded, "yes, it should be a decent enough match. By the way, where is Gai?"

"YOUTH!"

I flinched, "why did you have to ask?"

We all turned and there he was, standing at the edge of the area, almost ready to jump down in excitement. He had three flags on his back, one with each of his students' name. "THIS IS THE PROUDEST DAY OF MY LIFE! ALL THREE OF MY FAITHFUL STUDENTS HAVE MADE IT TO THE FINALS! OH HAPPY DAY!"

Asuma chuckled, "he never changes."

"Welcome one and all to the chunin exams!" I looked over and saw Genma standing in the middles of the ring with a mic, "I'm going to be the proctor for this event! So get ready to see the very best that the ninja world has to offer!"

I sighed, "I don't' want to say this, but Kumo did a much better job."

"Their entire country is just one giant stage," Yamato shrugged, "of course things like a tournament would be extremely well done."

"Now! For the first match! Sasuke Uchiha and Tenten Higurashi!" I saw Tenten leap onto stage, closely followed by Sasuke who now wore his black uniform, his level now 40.

"Huh, he's not late," I hummed and turned around to address the recently arrived Kakashi, "I thought he was going to pick up your habits."

"W-hat?! Kakashi sempai! When did you get here?" Yamato asked in shock, which was just a testament to Kakashi's skill in stealth.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "chakra sensitives are no fun," he pouted before replying, "and Sasuke insisted that we arrived early, he wanted to impress a certain someone."

I smiled, "always has a chip on his shoulder," I took a deep breath and cried out, "COME SASUKE! KICK HER ASS!" Sasuke looked over and I saw him smirk, giving me a node.

"Woah there!" Asuma yelled, "you can't just tell him to kick her ass!"

I raised an eyebrow, "why not? I it because she's a girl? Isn't that a little sexist Asuma?" Que the glare from Kurenai aimed at a nervous Asuma who gulped in fear.

"YOSH! I WILL CHEER LOUDLY TOO! COME ON MY YOUTHFUL STUDENT! SHOW HIM THE STRENGTH OF YOUTH!" Gai yelled out.

"Shut up Gai sensei!" Tenten roared, "you're embarrassing me!"

"YOUTH!"

I sighed, "this is so going to be a drag."

The match began and we watched as Sasuke took out a kunai and threw it at Tenten. The girl easily dogged, unfurling her sealing scroll and begin her attack, only for the kunai Sasuke threw to suddenly do a 90 degree turn and come at Tenten from the back.

The girl however noticed it, she deflected the kunai and launched a rain of steel on Sasuke from her scrolls. However, instead of moving like any sane person, Sasuke began to go through hand seals, ending with the dog seal to summon a wall of Earth that blocked the weapons. He then ran along hr side and breathed out a fireball that Tenten dodged before they began to fight, each one showing off, which was the main purpose of this exam.

It was kind of boring though, it was obvious Tenten was weaker, Sasuke ended up beating her in five minutes. He just dodged until she she out of weapons in her scroll, and when she reached to get another one, he managed to kick her with a well place hit to the gut.

"Winner! Sasuke Uchiha!" Genma cheered, the Uchiha turned to me and waited. I nodded and gave him a thumbs up, satisfied, he helped Tenten to her feet before the two talked for a while.

I was surprised, "did...did Sasuke just help her up?"

"Why do you sound so surprised?" Kakashi asked.

"Sasuke doesn't help people up," I told him, "he has many good qualities, but he's a bit of a dick when it comes to other people."

"Well...you are a very good influence on him," Kakashi replied.

Asuma nodded, "it's only natural. You're the only remaining family member and he sees how strong you are and how you behave towards others. It's only natural that he want's to be like you."

I was silent as I let that sink in. Did I really make that much difference? Hm...I hope so. And since there's no Orochimaru to tempt him, Sasuke may not end up leaving the village, though it is ironic that I am going to, if not for joining Orochimaru, but to destroy every last trace of him.

The next match came, and it was between Kiba and Zaku, a sound ninja that looked very nervous to be here. Very nervous indeed.

The Sound ninja was smart and skilled, but Kiba and Akamaru were much better, after all two heads were better than one. While Zaku used his own jutsu to mobilise Kiba, Akamaru, which he forgot about, used this distraction to hit him with a Fang Passing Fang jutsu.

Then the next match came up, and it was a tough one. Neji vs Lee.

"GO MY YOUTHFUL STUDENTS!" Gai cheered heartily, seemingly unaffected by the fact his students now faced each other, "SHOW THEM YOUR YOUTH!"

"HI GAI SENSEI!" Lee gave a thumbs up, while Neji just ignored him completely.

The match was...quick to say the least. Lee took off his weights before he even entered the ring. He unlocked the first gate from the get go and attacked Neji with everything h had. But the Hyuga played it smart.

Le was faster and possibly stronger, but Neji was a genius for a reason. He showed off his skills by revealing he knew the juken, surprising the Hyuuga head, who sat just a few rows below.

Lee's attacks were useless against him after that. In the ten minute mark Neji managed to get a strike at Lee's left knee, locking it in place. At the twelve minute mark his left hand and at the twenty minute mark Lee was knocked unconscious, though Neji looked much worse for ware.

Gai however didn't seem sad, he was proud, he congratulated Neji, who ignored him, and took Lee to the medical wing where healers quickly began their work.

The next match was the one I was excited for. Naruto vs Temari. The sand kunoichi and NAruto walked into the arena, Naruto looking excited while the girl looked bored.

"You should just give up now organe boy," Temari snorted, "there's no way you're going to win."

"Why you little," Naruto growled.

"Hey Naruto!" I cried out.

"What?!" Naruto cried back.

"Reverse the sexyness!" I cried back.

Naruto blinked, "that's brilliant! Thanks Yami!"

"Hey! No helping!" Gemma cried out.

"Get bent Genma! We're ninjas! You want fair and square talk to the Samurai!"

This caused a great deal of the people to laugh, Genma looked at the Kage box where Sarutobi and the real Kazekage, Rasa, sat and watched. The Hokage waved it off, chuckling a bit, Genma sighed, "fine! Begin!"

"You're dead beat!" Temari cried out as she took out her fan and spread it out, "I'll blow you away!"

"Reverse Harem jutsu!" Naruto cried out as he exploded in a poff of smoke.

"What kind of jutsu is that?" Temari snorted as she waved her fan, blowing the smoke away, "you can't just make up a jutsu you useless brat. That's-HOLY SHIT!"

"~Hey beautiful," came the chorus of ten beautiful full grown naked men, each handsome and perfect in everyway. They were ripped and covered in baby oil, and at the lead was a figure that kind of looked a lot like me, only much older.

"WHAT KIND OF JUTSU IS THAT?!" Kurenai cried out.

"The ultimate jutsu!" I cheered, "feast your eyes on the S rank kinjutsu! Reverse harem jutsu!"

"GOD DAMN THAT'S HOT!" I heard Sakura cheer out.

"W-what is going on?" Temari's face turned red as her eyes pulled down to the whips of smoke around the doppelgangers' wangs, "w-woah..."

"Chance!" my doople ganger cried out as he charge the still stunned Temari and punched her in the gut. The others then dropped their hinges and dog piled the Suna ninja, throwing her fan away and grabbed every limb and pulling them apart.

"Give up!" Naruto cried out as his clones held Temari apart, her hands unable to form a single hand seal and her weapon far away. And for good measure Naruto had a kunai against her throat.

"Damnit! I can't believe I feel for that!" Temari cried out, "fine! I give up!"

"W-winner, Naruto Uzumaki," Genma said blinking in disbelief, "did that really just happen?"

"Hell yeah!" Naruto cried out as he let go of Temari and dismissed his clones, "that's the way to do it! Thanks Yami!"

I gave him a thumbs up, "anytime little bro!"

"Hey! I'm older than you!" Naruto cried out, but let it go as he went back to wherever the contestants were waiting.

"And now for the final round of the first stage! Gaara and Kankuro!"

"I forfeit" Kankaro cried out, much to the people's boos. But I understood, if I had to fight Gaara at level 37 I would be scared too.

"What?" Genma sighed, "fine. Then we move on to the next round! Since we have an odd number of people Gaara automatically moves to the finals. The next match will be between Sasuke Uchiha and Kiba Inuzuka!"

The two boys came into the arena and began their fight. It was somewhat flashy, but Sasuke managed to beat him by stabbing Kiba in the foot with a kunai and paralysing Akamaru. Smart and efficient.

Then came the canon match of Naruto and Neji, and it went exactly like canon. Neji went on and on about destiny and fate, honestly it began to get a little borning.

Naruto even got his ass kick the same way, being shoved into the ground with all his tenketsu points closed. "Oh for god's sake Naruto!" I cried out, "please do us all a favour as shut this bastard's mouth up about this destiny crap! Destiny can kiss my ass!"

Neji glared, but Naruto heard me, as they began the fight once again, this time again, some of Kurama's red chakra came pouring out, allowing Naruto to beat Neji and obtain victory.

We then gained a twenty minute break, during this time I decided to pay the contestants a little visit.

I found Naruto and Sasuke at the break room, standing next to a vending machine and glaring at each other.

"I'm going to beat you Naruto," Sasuke swore, "and when I do, I'll be one step closer to being Yami's equal."

"Tough luck," Naruto glared right back, "if anyone's going to bet Yami, it's me. I'm going to get stronger than him and when I do I'll be Hokage!"

Sasuke smirked, "we'll see about that."

"Well this is a little creepy," I spoke up alerting them both to my preakness, "I for one would have prefered I was being discussed between two hot young busty redheads rather than thirteen year old boys, but oh well, can't win them all."

Sasuke looked over and glared, "I meant what I said. As of right now I have two dreams Yami. Killing Itachi and defeating you."

I smiled, "okay..but remember, how you get there is far more important than just getting there."

"Hey! That's no fair! I'm going to get stronger than you too!" Naruto cried out.

I smirked, "alright, that's fine by me kiddo. Now, make sure you put on a good show today you two, I'll be sure to keep an eye on you both," I then left them, leaving both boys determined.

At the end of the break I saw Naruto and Sasuke walk onto the arena. I turned to Kakashi, "who do you think is going to win?"

"Honestly? If you had asked me two months ago I would say it was Sasuke, but now...it's a toss up. You?"

I smiled, "I think it doesn't matter. Because right now, those two are going to give it all they got."

"Begin!"

Naruto and Sasuke charged at each other. It was a brutal battle, Naruto used his clones to charge at Sasuke from all sides, using the Disturbance style, the taijutsu style I taught him to overwhelm Sasuke from sheer numbers alone.

Sasuke threw off fireballs after fire balls, forcing Naruto back. It was only when Sasuke took breaks that Naruto was able to use his wind jutsu to fight back, since fire cancels out wind.

The match lasted for half an hour, half an hour of blood, sweat and growls. Sasuke however managed to gain the upper hand in the very last moment. He beat off Naruto's clones and hit Naruto up the head with enough force to knock him unconscious, though Sasuke looked ready to drop down dead, he was that depleted from chakra and low on stamina.

"I'll be right back," Kakashi explained as he went down and grabbed an unconscious Naruto who was taken to the sick bay. Sasuke quickly took a solder pill and sighed as his energy came back to him.

He then looked at the stands and his eyes landed on me. I smirked, "not bad, little cousin."

Sasuke snorted, "I'm older than you."

"Cosin?" Kakashi asked, now back to his position next to me.

"Didn't you hear?" Asuma chuckled, "Yami here is an Uchiha."

"What?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow.

"Yup," I activated my eyes and looked at Kakashi who gasped in surprise.

"But how?"

I shrugged, "I was an orphan remember? Parents probably died during the Kyuubi attack."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?"

"Lord Hokage ordered it a state secret."

"Sasuke knows?" Kakashi asked.

I nodded, "yup."

"...Good," Kakashi replied, looking back to the arena, though I knew his thoughts were about me.

"And now the final round for the chunin exams!" Genma announced, "Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Desert!"

Gaara calmly walked into the arena, an air of death following behind him, "I'll kill you to prove my existence."

"Bring it," Sasuke smirked as he readied himself.

"Is he ready for Gaara?" I asked Kakashi.

"Yes, if he's smart about it," Kakashi replied.

"I highly doubt a chunin is ready to fight a jinchuriki," I snorted.

"What?!" Kurenai snapped, "that Gaara boy is a jinchuriki?!"

I nodded, "yeah, the one tailed racoon," I snorted, "the weakest one, but still, very dangerous."

"Protector!" Kakashi called out leaping onto the arena, "my student hereby forfeit this match!"

"What?! What the hell are you doing Kakashi?!" Sasuke roared.

"Saving your life," Kakashi replied.

"No! You will not ruin this for me! I need to prove myself!" Sasuke roared.

"Sasuke!" I called out gaining his attention, "you can't beat him!"

The boy's eyes widened in shock, he growled and turned and walked away, "fine!"

"No," Gaara replied simply as sand exploded out of his gourd and rushed at Sasuke, moving around Kakashi to grab Sasuke's ankle in a lock.

"Stop this!"Gemma cried out, "they forfeited the match!"

"No," Gaara growled, "this will not end until I have your blood!" He squeezed the sand around Sasuke's ankle.

"ARGH!" Sasuke cried out, only instead of blood, it burst into water, as 'Sasuke's' entire body splashed away.

"W-what?!" Gaara cried out.

"Yoohoo!" I cheered, gaining everyone's attention to Sasuke and I standing on a wall, far away from Gaara, "that wasn't very nice! You could have killed someone kid!"

"You," Gaara growled.

"That's enough," Kakashi stepped in as Gaara took back his sand, "we already forfeited this match. Genma."

"Right, winner by forfeit, Gaara!" Genma announced.

"But mother craved for his blood!" Gaara roared, "I must have it!"

"Gaara!" there came a new shout louder than the rest. We turned and saw the Kazekage looked down in disgust, "that's enough boy. Stop making a fool of yourself."

"I...yes father," Gaara vanished in a swirl of sand, leaving a confused crowd.

"You didn't have to save me," Sasuke said immediately, "I could have handled myself."

"I'm sure you could have," I replied, "but that was about more than just you Sasuke. If Gaara had succeeded in hurting a leaf ninja, it could mean war between our villages. And that's something we really don't need right now."

Sasuke grunted, but took off, obviously he needed to let off a little steam. Just then Naruto came charging out of the stadium, "ah man! Did I miss it?! Dammit! Who won?! Was it Sasuke?!"

That night:

"It's not fair! I was so close to beating Sasuke!" Naruto grumbled as he kicked a stone.

"Relax, I'm sure you'll get him next time," I shrugged, "besides, what you have to focus on now is making sure you get stronger."

"Yeah...yeah that's right! Just you watch Yami! Next time I'll kick his ass!" Naruto grinned.

"Good, I look forward to it...hey listen, there's something I needed to talk to you about Naruto," I motioned to a seat on the park bench, we sat down.

"What's up Yami? You sound serious."

I nodded "I am...you see, I recently got a very high rank mission."

"Sweet! A mission?! What is it?! An A rank?!"

I smirked, "actually, it's an S rank."

"So cool! What's it about?!"

"Sorry Naruto, but I can't say," I shrugged, "classified. But...I can tell you that I will be gone for a while because of this mission."

"How long?" Naruto asked, his voice now lower.

"Three years."

"Three years?!" Naruto gasped, "b-but that's crazy!"

I shrugged, "I know, but that's just how the world is Naruto. If I don't go under if not thousands of people are going to get hurt."

Naruto looked down, "so...you're going to be gone a long time huh?" Updated from novelb(i)n.c(o)m

I stood, my entire body covered up from head to toe, unless they were a chakra sensor, no one would know it was me. I had Kusanagi attached to my hip, hidden behind the cloak much like how Sasuke will once carry his own blade and had my entire body covered with several weapons, all hidden and stored away.

I gave my apartment a once over, I had sealed every entrance, every window and every door. No one was getting in here while I was gone. I left through the main door and locked it behind me.

I then took off, reaching the West gate where the Hokage waited along with the other members of my team and a squad of ANBU. My squad each wore matching black cloaks with hood pulled down.

I landed in a squat and rose, "sorry, did I keep you waiting?"

"Yami?" Holo narrowed her eyes dangerous as everyone there went on high alert.

"Please, don't be alarmed," I held a hand up, pulling my hood back revealing my face.

"Yami...you have grown since we last spoke," Hiruzen noted eyeing me up and down.

I nodded, "I discovered a medical jutsu that allows me to alert my body in certain ways. Nothing too dangerous like Orochimaru, but just enough to give me an adult size body."

"How can we be sure it's really you?" Anko asked.

I smirked, "the night of Orochimaru's death you and I had some drinks and I got laid. You were very grumpy the next day though, which was strange to say the least."

Anko's cheeks turned pink, "yeah, it's him."

Hiruzen sighed, "everyday it's something new. Fine, please, don't take too things far, I don't have to warn you about the dangers of body modifications do I?"

"No sir."

"Good. Now," the man smiled as he handed me a scroll, "this is your mission details and every file we have on Orochimaru, Oto and his several bases. Use this time well Yami, our hopes and dreams travel with you."

"Thank you sir," I took the scroll and put it away in my inventory, "we won't fail you."

"I know you won't," the man nodded, "and here, for the sake of your identities," he snapped his fingers and the ANBU guarding him produced several Oni porcelain masks, one red, one purple, one brown.

"Masks? What for?" Anko asked picking the purple one while Holo took the brown one.

"It's too keep your identity safe," Hiruzen replied, "Yami's skills might be...unique, but the rest of you can still hide your true selves, this is of course a dangerous high ranking mission. I suggest you each have a code name to us."

"Hm, can I be Sexy?" Anko asked with a grin as she put on the purple oni mask, "sound's appropriate yeah?"

"Puma is a good enough name," Holo shrugged putting her own mask on.

I turned to the last mask and smiled, "no thanks."

"Yami, I know you are strong enough to take care of yourself, but your identity could draw others into the land while you perform your mission. Iwa or even Kumo could take this chance to try and kill you while away from Konoha," Hiruzen warned.

"It's not that lord Hokage, it's just I have a much better mask," I opened my inventory and took out the first ever S rank object I had gotten my hands on. A mask made by the Uzumaki clan, indestructible and shaped like a geisha with oni like features.

Oni Mask of Stillness, S class item

This mask was created by the Uzumaki clan making it very powerful. It is sealed to be unbreakable and forces anyone who makes eye contact with the wearer to speak be paralyzed.

Limit- only works on enemies at least 10 levels below yours

I slipped the mask on my face, covering my already obscured face. I'm sure I look freaking scary as hell while wearing this. It was always an impressive item, but useless when facing tougher opponents, which I always usually did since I was only an Academy student when I first found this.

But now, now I was stronge, anyone below level 50 was going to effected by my gaze, which will probably end a lot of fights quickly for me.

"So, is everyone ready?" I asked turned to me team, only to see them stiffen.

"Dude! Where did you get that mask?!" Anko cried out as her reaction was the most visible.

"It was an Uzumaki mask I found in the old shrine," I shrugged, "I asked Misu and Naruto, they didn't mind."

"That mask is quite...scary," Turtle, Yagura's code name, said after a long pause.

"Yeah, I don't think we'll have a problem showing we mean business with that around," Puma snorted.

"Right then...for now you're code name will be Light. Good luck Light,.Sexy, Holo, Turtle," the Hokage nodded.

We all bowed back and turned around, taking off out of the gate at jonin speeds. I tested them and found myself to be the fastest with Anko being the second, Holo being third and Yagura coming in the last. Though I'm sure if he went into his jinchuriki form he would be nearly as fast as me.

"So where too first?" Anko asked.

"Orochimaru's main base is in the South of Oto," I explained as I looked at the map in the scroll the Hokage gave us, "it should take us two days to reach there if we keep up this speed. Sexy, Puma, how is your stamina?"

"I'll last for another six hours," Puma shrugged.

"Four hours for me," Anko grunted, "I so need to kick up my training. What about you Yami?"

I turned to my SP and found it not dropping a single point, I must be using the SP I generate every second, "I'll last longer than you at the least. Fine, the first break will be in four hours...actually, wait,"

I motioned for them to stop as we gathered around, I unlatched my right arm armour and unzipped my forearm armour revealing my summoning tattoos. I used them and brought forth Blaze and Flamer, two Arginines, as well as Drogon, my Charizard and Hinokami.

"Holy shit!" Anko gasped as they all looked in awe at my pokemon.

"Is that a dragon?" Turtle looked shocked as he eyed Drogon who snorted and looked away in boredom.

"They're my summons," I replied, "they'll be much faster than we will ever be on foot," I moved up to Blaze and Flamer, scratching the giant dogs behind their ears, causing them to growl plenty, "this is Blaze and Flamer, Sexy, Puma, you can ride them."

"Woah," Anko replied, as she looked at the two up and down, "you have some pretty cool summons.is that a phoenix?"

"Ah yes...I remember that one," Turtle whispered, though only I could hear him as Anko and Holo didn't respond. "Am I to ride the dragon then?"

"Yes, his name is Drogon, and be careful, he's a little...touchy."

'I'm not touchy human,' Drogon growled, 'you judgemental bastard.'

I sighed, "plus he's a total diva."

Turtle nodded, "I'll...strive to be respectful," he turned to the Charizard and bowed, "please take care of me."

Drogon snorted, 'I like this one, he's got a good head on his shoulders, knows when to bow.'

'Your ego will be the death of you little flame,' Moltres chortled at the dragon.

'Oh put a sock in it chicken,' Charizard snorted as it lowered itself, 'get this over with human.'

"Alright everyone mount them, remember to use chakra to keep yourself steady," I called out as I jumped up onto Moltres' back and wrapped an arm around it's neck, "Hinokami here will set the pace, Drogon follow behind me and Flamer, Blazer, scout ahead but stay close, if you smell anything off, tell me immediately!"

'You got it boss!' Flamer barked.

'Yes sir,' Blaze nodded.

"Alright then, let's move out!" I called out causing Moltres to flap its magnificent wings and take off forward in a burst of speed, while not super fast, was at least faster than jonin speed.

Drogon was a little testy, insisting to show off for his new partner, causing Yagura to hold on for dear life. I smirked, this was going to be fun.

We reached the main base by nightfall, we were a hundred feet away from the entrance, my pokemon were back inside their balls, sealed away. The team and I sat behind bushes waiting, there were two guards at the entrance, both looked very bored.

The stronghold was built below a tree. It has two markings on it reminiscent of a snake and what appears to be a snake's skull on the top-most part. I could feel maybe a thousand, maybe more chakra signatures inside.

"What are we waiting for?" Anko asked.

"We strike at midnight, when everyone's asleep," I informed the, "get everything ready, we don't kill, merely capture if possible. We find out who's loyal to Orochimaru, who's fucking crazy and who would kill innocent people without a second though, and we make sure they will never be able to do so again."

"Is lethal force allowed sir?" Puma asked.

"Yes...go nuts," I nodded as we waited in silence.

Midnight:

"Rasen Nova Blast!" my clone cried out as the center of the underground hideout exploded, causing the entire base to explode, the Earth around the base came up into the sky, revealing the underground tunnels to the sky.

My team and I stood at the edge of this newly formed opening, looking down at the tunnels. Immediately five incredibly powerful chakra signatures approached the opening.

"What the fuck's going on here?!" a red haired woman wearing baggy white robes and a purple rope tied around her hip reached first. She had a flute on her person and a blackened skull cap on her head;

Tayuya, Of the North

Lv- 64

REP- -10

She looked at us and gasped, "w-what the fuck?!"

"Tayuya! What's going on?!" another figure asked as soon the redhead was going be the other members of the Sound Four. This one had two heads instead of one, wore a garb similar to Tayuya's and looked dangerous.

Sakon & Ukon, Of the West

Lv- 68

REP- -20

Then came the fat one with orange hair that was cut up in three parts.

Jirobo, Of the South

Lv- 60

REP- -10

Then finally came the guy with six arms, pushing the spider theme a little too hard.

Kidomaru, Of the East

Lv- 62

REP- -10

I whistled, "damn, aren't you four dangerous looking," I eyed them all.

"Who the fuck are you bastards?!" Tayuya cried out.

"Language," Jirobo corrected.

"Now now Tayuya," Sakon smiled, "we shouldn't treat our honored guest in such a wave. Tell me gentlemen, what can we, the Sound Four do for you?"

"Well that depends," I replied, "are you all loyal to Orochimaru and his ideas?"

Kidomaru snorted, "ha! Why would care about a dead guy?! As far as we're concerned he can go hang!"

I nodded, "I see...then what would you say to joining our merry band and go around Sound destroying every single remaining base of Orochimaru's?"

Jirobo blinked, "what?"

"We are going to burn Orochimaru's legacy into ashes, no, when we're done there won't even be ashes remaining. He's been a cancer to this land, and we are going to liberate it. So? What say you four? Will you help us?"

"Piss off!" Sakon snorted, "why the fuck would we do that?!"

"Because people are still suffering," I replied calmly, "I'm assuming you four know how...cruel that snake bastard was. He's dead now, but the system he put in place is still there. Join us...help us burn it to the ground."

The four looked at each other, Tayuya looked like she was considering it, but the rest, Jirobo, Sakon and Kidomaru, they laughed.

"Why the fuck would we do that?!" the six armed man asked as he threw his head back and laughed, "in this land the strong eat the weak!"

"They are trash," Jirobo snarled.

"And that's just perfect for us! Because there is no one stronger than us!" Sakon's smile turned deadly.

"I see...and what about you?" I turned to the red head.

"...fuck off," Tayuya looked away with a frown.

"You see shitter, in this land power rules! The strong eat the weak! Their word is law! And these two won't do a damn thing unless I tell them too!" Sakon laughed loudly.

"They are just food for the strong," Jirobo replied, lickign his lips.

"But you aren't the strongest are you?" I said in a challenging tone, "no, that title goes to you...doesn't it Kimimaro?"

The Sound Four flinched in shock as out of the shadows came the fifth chakra signature. He had arrived before them all, but had spent all this time watching from the darkness. Slowly he emerged out of the shadows, he had pale skin, vivid green eyes, masculine facial features, two scarlet dots on his forehead and shoulder-length white hair.

Kimimaro Kaguya, The Leader of the Sound Five

Lv- 73

REP- 0

He looked at me with those dead green eyes, "I'm surprised you noticed me," he coughed, I could see a little blood come out.

"You're sick," I replied.

"Yes...I am," he nodded.

"I see.how long?" I asked him.

"A month longer if I am lucky...or at least that is what I am told."

"I see...so tell me Kimimaro Kaguya...what do you care for? Is power really all you wish?"

"I.I don't have a purpose..." he admitted.

"Pathetic," Jirobo snorted, "all that power, and he's still hung up over the snake bastard's death."

"Without Lord Orochimaru.my life has no meaning," the pale haired man admitted, "I have no reason to continue to live..."

"And yet you do," I shot back, "when you heard of his death I'm sure you were devastated...but yes you didn't commit suicide...why is that?"

"I.I have a friend, Jugo, I couldn't die without making sure he was alright."

"Then isn't that your purpose?" I asked, startling the man, "making sure your friend is safe is a worthy goal. People always think that they must have some grand goal in like, some purpose to give meaning it it. But...in the end, does it ever matter? Life is life, it'll go on after you're dead and buried. Spending your life as a slave to one man, that's not a good enough reason to live."

"What is your purpose then?" Kimimaro asked.

"Me?" I shrugged, "simple. My goal in life is to protect those that can't protect themselves. It is to fight for peace, so that one day...a twelve year old isn't expected to wage a war against fully grown adults."

"Peace?! Seriously?! What kind of goal is that?!" Sakon laughed.

"Such a goal.it is nearly impossible to achieve," Kimimaro replied.

I nodded, "I know, but, if that was the case...why are these three people standing next to me with the same goal of helping the people of Oto?"

Kimimaro looked at my companions, "is this true? Do you share his beliefs?"

"I don't know about world peace and all, but I sure as shit ain't going to let anything Orochimaru valued exist. That man was a plague on the world and every trace of him needs to be tripped from this Earth," Anko replied.

"I'm just following orders," Holo replied, "but...if I'm being honest...fighting for peace is much prefered to fighting for death."

"He once spared my life when he had every reason not to," Yagura spoke the loudest, making them all hear him, "he didn't have to do that, and yet he did. I was a monster, but he still gave me a second chance, and for that...I am grateful. I fight by his side now because if I don't...then that means I'm fighting against kindness."

I blushed, I didn't realise Yagura held me in such high regard.

"Is this true?" Kimimaro asked.

I nodded, "yes...it was."

The man looked down before smiling, "then you are a better man than I."

"Alright enough of this crap!" Sakon snarled, "listen you little twit, I don't care who the fuck you are! No one blows up my base and gets away with it!"

"Your base?!" Kidomaru asked.

"Yeah! You got a problem with that?!" the six armed man just snarled and looked away, Sakon smirked, "that's what I thought."

I sighed, "look...I'll tell you this one time, don't try it. We're on a mission to cut out the elements in Oto that prevents the people from living in peace, creating a new village, a proper ninja village. If you choose to fight us.then I'll be forced to cut you out as well."

"Oh please," Sakon licked his lips, "if anyone is going to make a proper ninja village out of this place, it's going to be me!"

"You ain't going to make it out of this alive brat," Kidomaru snarled as each of his hands began to move through hand seals while Jirobo cracked his knuckles..

I sighed, "are the three of you serious about this?"

"Damn right we are!" Kidomaru growled before turning around to see Tayuya, "you fighting or what?"

The redhead glared, "fuck off," she took out her flute, getting ready for a fight, though she didn't look serious about it.

I sighed, "very well then...it seems all three of you will have to die."

"Three of us?" Jirobo asked.

I nodded, "yes, Tayuya obviously doesn't care for you three and she doesn't like the idea of a shitty world like the rest of you, so, she'll live."

Sakon laughed, "is that so Tayuya?! Are you going soft on us?!"

"Keep your eyes straight you bastard," she growled, "don't forget, I can still kick your fucking ass!"

Sakon snorted, "whatever. Well you bastard?! Come on then! Come and kill me! I'm curious to see if you can do it!"

"Curiosity is a deadly thing Sakon," I replied as I slowly removed the oni mask and pulled down my hood, "after all, curiosity is the same reason Orochimaru died by my hands."

All five of the gathered sound ninja's eyes widened. "What the fuck-" Sakon began, but couldn't finish as I vanished from uptop, appearing right before him with Kusanagi drawn and leveled at his head.

SLINCK!

Sakon moved, but not quickly enough as the blade expanded and pierced his throat, both his and his brother's;

Ping!

You gained a critical strike! DMG is multiplied by 5!

1,000 X 5 = 5,000!

Sakon: 145,000/150,000

Ukon: 145,000/150,000

I reached around and grabbed his arm, flinging him into the air. "Rasen Nova Blast!" a clone of mine that was hiding in the shadows came rushing out, leaping at his body. Sakon tried to run away, but the explosion that came hit him hard.

Ping!

You gained a critical strike! DMG is multiplied by 5!

40,000 X 5 = 200,000

Sakon: 0/ 150,000

Ukon: 0/ 150,000

You gained + 50,000 EXP for defeating Sakon

You gained +50,000 EXP for defeating Ukon

"You bastard!" Kidomaru cried out as he leaped away, only for Anko and Holo to arrived behind him and slice his neck open with a clean cut. Jirobo tried to run, but Yagura took care of him with a simple neck snap.

I turned to Tayuya, the only one of the Sound Four remaining. Her eyes were wide, her hands shaking, she was pale, like a ghost. I looked at her, "do you wish to fight me as well?"

"D-did you really kill Orochimaru?"

I nodded, "indeed I did...did you care for him?"

"N-no,he was a bastard," she spat, lowering her flute, "w-what are you going to do to me?"

"That depends...what do you wish to do in life? Do you have a goal? A dream? When you sold your soul to Orochimaru...did you ever have a dream?"

"Yeah, not dieing, what else did you expect you fucking-" she snorted before immediately growing afraid as she gulped, "I-I didn't mean-"

I chuckled, surprising her, "it's fine, I get it. But seriously Tayuya...hasn't there always been something you wanted to do in life?"

"I...I wanted to be able to protect myself and...I want a home," she looked away, "I don't fucking know."

"I see...well, then maybe until you figure that out, you could come with us," I smile before turning to Kimimaro, "well... aren't you going to try and kill me for killing your master Kimimaro?"

The Kaguya clan member glared at me, "I.no, I don't know what I'm supposed to be doing. You killed the man who I respected...yet you ask me to follow my dream. I'm conflicted as to what I would do."

"Well, if I could make a suggestion, maybe you should come with us," I shrugged, "a man who fights not for himself, but for others, that's rare, especially in the world we find ourselves in right now. Maybe as you go, you can find your own purpose in life."

"That is...a tempting offer. But I cannot accept. As you know, I am sick...I will not last a month."

"If I can heal you, will you accept?" I asked him.

Kimimaro stared at me before shaking his head, "no medic on this world can heal me."

"I doubt Kabuto and Orochimaru where that competent, hell, out of the sannin, Orochimaru wasn't even the best medic. That honour belonged to Tsunade, so trust me, I have skills Orochimaru couldn't even dream up off. So...do you accept?"

The Kaguya clan member looked at me with his dull green eyes before slowly nodding, "yes, I accept."

I smiled and nodded, "good, glad to have you both on board. Now, let's go deal with the rest of the sound ninja on the base shall we?"

"Right," Anko nodded.

"What are you going to do to them?" Tayuya asked.

"Give them the same offer I gave you," I told her, "and then, I'm going to burn this base down," I created a hundred clones each with a hundred CP and sent them into the underground tunnels of the base. "Come, I'm so curious as to what they will say."