Chapter 446 - My OC Stash #46 - A Snakes Obsession by slythefoxx2 (Naruto) (1/2)
-This caught me off guard for real, the consequences of Orochimaru being a woman were just something I didn't expect, damn/
Synopsis: It isn't Sasuke that Orochimaru wants, but Naruto. And she'll do anything to get him. Naruto x Fem Orochimaru I don't own Naruto
Rated: M
Words: 190K
Posted on: fanfiction.net/s/12777260/1/A-Snake-s-Obsession (slythefoxx2)
PS: If you're not able to copy/paste the link, you have everything in here to find it, by simply searching the author and the story title. It sucks that you can't copy links on mobile (´ー｀)
-I'll be putting the chapter ones of all the fanfics/originals mentioned, to give you guys a sample if you wan't more please do go to the website and support the author! (And maybe even convince them to start uploading chapters in here as well!)
Chapter 1
The Forest of Death looked like a warzone. The two boys watched as their third teammate had a duel with an S rank nukenin. They knew it was hopeless, even the most prodigious in the shinobi world rarely reach this level by the age of twelve. There was no shame in his defeat, it was inevitable. Even if they all had attacked nothing would have changed, and only a pact between summoners assured their safety while damning him.
They knew Naruto was different, he'd only been with them at the academy a short while as he'd opted to graduate three years early. But his push seemed to be more about how disliked he was by the instructors than any natural genius. However, three years of field experience is a gulf and while they were still fresh faced, even if more serious than the average rookie genin, they weren't battle hardened like him. It was shown in his display where he demonstrated a level of kenjutsu skill they didn't know he had and was utterly ruthless, attempting to to maximize every advantage but it wasn't enough. Even when he called upon that potent and frightening red chakra, his kenjutsu style becoming more feral as a result, it still did nothing. He couldn't touch her and she toyed with him until she'd gotten her satisfaction. But she was also, weirdly, complementary and encouraging.
Two strikes, one to the stomach and another to the face hard enough to instantly concuss him while also making him drop his sword ended the ominus chakra cloak. She picked up his sword and approached him, grabbing the redhead by his neck. She whispered something in his ear and promptly stabbed him with his sword, channeling raiton chakra once she impaled him causing the boy to scream. Their strongest member was done. They were surrounded by enemies and standing in front of Konoha's greatest traitor. Bleak was the only way to describe their situation.
”Nara-kun, Aburame-kun, come here please.” It sounded like a request but it was clearly an order and both boys obeyed. She handed them a scroll to their confusion. ”I know you'll report this to my former sensei when you make it to the tower but if anyone other than Naruto should receive this scroll I'd have to kill both your clans in their entirety. Do we have an understanding?” Both boys nodded while Shikamaru accepted the scroll. She departed soon after and the boys collected Naruto and his sword; Shino opting to carry him on his back after they patched up his wound. They made haste to the tower and luckily ran into only lite opposition, nothing the two couldn't handle. They arrived to the tower, greeted by their sensei, whom wasted no time getting Naruto to the medical center while having them debrief in front of the Hokage.
He made his way up to the familiar gate guards. A team of four was now only one but he'd changed. His eyes were harder and he was sporting a scar above and below his left eye. He was not happy to know raiton chakra delayed his healing ability but was assured the scar would be temporary, fading in months. He checked in as was protocol and made his way to the Hokage Tower to give his mission debrief. Given this was supposed to be a simple courier mission, lasting no more than a week and it lasted a month and a half it was of the utmost importance to know why so the Hokage spoke to him immediately. Naruto gave the mission details, only the facts and then presented the Hokage with four scrolls; three containing the bodies of his fallen comrades and the fourth the final words of the Chunin in charge.
The old man quickly read over the final words of Chunin Yagami, taking a deep pull from his pipe. ”Naruto, do you know what is contained in this scroll?”
”No, Hokage-sama.”
”Chunin Yagami stated you deserved a field promotion for what you did on the island of Ishval. He said you were directly responsible for defeating Kushimaru Kuriarare and Raiga Kurosuki. He said you even dealt with his initial bias professionally and have shown the qualities a shinobi needs to become a Chunin. How do you feel about that?”
”I am honored by his words.”
”As you should be but unfortunately, I cannot promote you at this time.” Of course he wasn't going to be promoted. People who'd graduated after him, done less than him and were less skilled were promoted but not him. ”Any questions, Naruto?”
”No.”
”I know you're disappointed but it just isn't time to promote you. I had plans for you, Naruto and you graduating early threw them off but I will not abandon them. I want you to get closer to what should have been your graduating class, it is for the best. Do you trust me?”
”No.”
”Maybe I deserve that but if you become connected with this upcoming generation of clan heirs it'll go a long way in providing you political protection from those who'd want to see you hampered.”
”Hampered like not being promoted when it is deserved?”
”Like not being treated as a shinobi at all. There are those who would seek to weaponize you and I don't want to see that.”
”Then kill them. You're the Hokage, you employ an army of assassins. If someone is a risk to your rule why not remove them?”
”A lot of reasons, Naruto; the largest one being that's the path toward tyranny. It'd make Konoha be something it was never meant to be. But sometimes to uphold that ideal, I have to accept less than ideal outcomes for those that don't deserve it.”
”As long as you can accept it, Hokage-sama.”
”That's not what I meant, Naruto. Just understand, I'm not holding you back out of malice.”
”If that's all, Hokage-sama.”
”Dismissed.”
When Naruto regained consciousness he relayed all relevant information to the Old Man, including that his chakra felt chaotic. Fortunately, the application of a seal over his existing one was discovered and remedied. This allowed Naruto's wound to heal faster and he was near 100% at the end of exam two and the start of the unexpected preliminary matches. All three of the sole Suna team passed. The fan user beat the weapons user from Team Gai. The puppet user bet some older Konoha genin that could dislodge his joints. The sand user defeated Kiba when the Inuzuka had enough sense to forfeit and likely saved himself from being killed. Sasuke Uchiha defeated another older genin, one that could absorb chakra through touch, it was a fast match. Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka had a match, it was long and seemed to offer some moments of self-realization for both girls so that was cool. Neji Hyuuga defeated his cousin but it was harder than he'd suspected and the boy seemed irate he didn't get to do more damage to his cousin. Choji lost to the sound genin Naruto prevented from attacking Kabuto. His two teammates defeated the others, Shikamaru knocked the girl out while Shino crippled the other boy.
It was time for the last match, him versus Rock Lee. He'd heard about Rock Lee, unable to use nin and genjutsu but still passed (and given a team) at the behest of his jounin sensei. It was difficult for Naruto not to resent the boy, only by creating his clone technique did he manage to pass the ninjutsu portion of the graduation exam. No one was there to advocate on his behalf because he had too much chakra but someone who couldn't mold theirs properly got the personal approval of one of Konoha's premiere Jounin? It's one thing for life to be unfair, it's another for it to be a complete asshole about making it clear. Naruto normally didn't dwell on who got things he didn't. It was a waste a time and with no ability to change it, it felt self-defeating and pointless. He wouldn't ignore the unfairness but harping on it just wasn't useful. However, since his humiliatng defeat, he's been in a sour mood. He knew he couldn't win, she was better than him in every way and yet it still felt like his pride had been shattered. He didn't understand why, it didn't make sense. But it did piss him the hell off.
”Are fighters ready?” the sickly proctor asked, both boys give an affirmative response before settling into their fight stances. Lee in his gouken stance, Naruto with his right hand on the hilt of his sword. ”Hajime” he said and both boys sped toward each other. Naruto got the better of the exchange, rotating around Lee's punch and hitting him, with his blunted sword thanks to seals, in the neck with enough force to send him into the wall. Had the sword not been dulled, Lee would be dead. Naruto stopped, fighting his instinct to press the advantage. This is a Konoha nin and he was hit pretty hard so Naruto would allow him to give up as he may be injured or knocked out. To his mild shock and sincere annoyance the green clad boy got up and resumed his stance. Naruto sped toward him again, this time hitting him in the left shoulder with an overhead strike and kicking Lee in the stomach, sending him back into the wall. It was weird, while not his fastest he could see that Lee could track him but couldn't move fast enough to counter.
”Take them off Lee” Gai shouted and the boy asked if his sensei was sure. The man gave him a thumbs up and Lee speed up to the balcony where the genin were observing. Naruto quickly put it together, the boy had been wearing weights and saw reason to change it. Before Lee could remove his weights, he was hit with another sword strike, hard enough to potentially break a few ribs and was sent careening to the floor.
”Sorry, Rock-kun, but if you willing disadvantaged yourself I can't allow that to change.”
Gai's protege was on the ground, holding his ribs. The three attacks he's absorbed having taken a toll but he refuses to back down. ”I-I won't let this end here. I will show-”
”I hate to interrupt you, Rock-kun but the only reason you aren't dead is because I haven't wanted to kill a fellow Konoha shinobi.” Naruto said before biting his finger and running across the sealing array on his sword, removing the barrier from the edge. ”You've taken advantage of that by not yielding and stepping on my mercy. Normally, I'd likely overlook it but you've caught me on a bad day. This is your only warning, if you get up again I'll come at you with the intent to kill.”
”I won't give up, Naruto. I will show hard work can trump a genius like you.” Lee said, managing to make it to his feet. Before he even took a stance, Lee was surrounded by cherry blossoms. Their fragrance was so alluring to the battered genin. It put him in a peaceful state, so peaceful he momentarily forgot he was in the middle of a fight. That is, until he heard a snap and the cherry blossoms seemingly attacked him, then Lee felt pain all over and fell to the ground in a bloody heap.
Most of the genin saw what Lee saw, him being surrounded by cherry blossoms. The Jounin knew it was a genjutsu but didn't dispel it so as to not interrupt it for Lee. While he was distracted, Naruto sent a series of wind blades toward Lee but it appeared as if the cherry blossoms suddenly grew sharp and attacked. Once Naruto dropped the illusion all saw Lee cut at various spots on his body. The cuts weren't deep but were numerous and appeared to be quite painful. Naruto waited for the proctor to call the match when, astoundingly, Lee tried to get to his feet once more. Even in mind numbing pain, the boy wouldn't give up. Many would find it admirable, more so foolish. Naruto found it offensive.
”Why?” the redhead questioned.
”B-because, I want to prove I can become a splendid shinobi with nothing but taijutsu.” Lee said, finally standing again. Naruto didn't know why but this angered him. This wasn't his only chance at the Chunin exams and even if the boy couldn't use chakra techniques he could pick up a weapon. But more than that, he was being an asshole. Even if he won, what would it prove? That Naruto was an idiot for being merciful? Because until recently, almost no one gave a shit if Naruto became a splendid ninja. This toolbox had the nerve to call him a genius. What does he know about burnt out tenketsu from performing an original jutsu? The research, the notes and diagrams. When something doesn't work, going back to the start, going back to chakra theory or what hand signs do? Figuring out the elemental manipulation exercises by himself? Doing all of that and self-training his physical skills. The torn muscles in his legs trying to perfect the basics of his kenjutsu style. The cracked knuckles from improper punching technique. To be diminished as a genius, to be setup as this asshole's foil when all he'd known is hard work. It was infuriating.
”You know, they say a shinobi is judged not by how they lived but how they die. I'll make sure you'll be remembered as a splendid shinobi, Rock-kun.” The Uzumaki said with menace and then blurred once again, intent on cutting down this arrogant boy that dare label him. However, his attack never reached Lee as Naruto was met with a powerful force and sent into a wall himself by Lee's sensei, Gai. Naruto's back hit the wall with a thud and he was seeing double, however he was coherent enough to make out Gai standing over his fallen student. This only enraged Naruto further as in the moment, he truly believed Gai wouldn't have attacked any other genin in attendance. But he openly attacked the sacrifice, likely not fearing any repercussions. But that's where he was wrong. Getting up, shakily to his feet, Naruto started to perform a sequence of hand signs; going a little slower do to the effects of his Gai's attack and his impact on the wall. However, the Hokage and Kakashi both knew what that jutsu was and with Gai distracted it could kill both his student and him. Hiruzen made to Naruto first, chopping him on the back of his neck, knocking the boy out. He had the candidates draw for their position in the finals, Kurenai drawing for Naruto. As they were dismissed she made her way to Gai.
”If you ever attack my student again, I will kill you, Gai.”
”There's no need for that, Kurenai-san. I had to protect my student.”
”Then you should have ordered him to concede the match but you encouraged him to continue on. What, Naruto was supposed to continually hold back for his and your ego? No, I don't care why you did it, never attack my students again.” She said before she walked out. Gai knew she had a point and started to question if he'd given Lee some bad habits because he overidentified with the boy. Before he could leave the tower he was greeted by Kakashi. He knew his longtime rival was angry by the subtle cues in his body language, ones most would miss but the two had been friends long enough that it was obvious to the taijutsu master.
”Kakashi before you say anything-'
”Mah, mah, Gai. What needs to be said? You couldn't abandon your student to his fate. You had to intervene lest Lee be killed.”
”Yes, but I went overboard. I'll apologize to Naruto-san promptly.”
”You can but the damage has been done. He likely believes you wouldn't have done that to anyone else. You want to guess why?”
The green clad man looked stricken. ”I hold him no ill will, Kakashi. You know that.”
”Of course, I do. I know you. He doesn't. He just knows you attacked him in front of the Hokage and a team of foreign ninja with impunity.”
Naruto woke with a start and quickly realized he was in the Hokage's office. He surmised that either the Old Man knocked him out or one of his many lapdogs did. A tantrum wouldn't do him any good but he, to his mind, had every right to try to kill that helmet haired bastard. It was an unprovoked attack in the middle of official Konoha proceedings. The aged Hokage saw his guest had finally returned to the waking world and called him over, there was much they needed to talk about.
”Naruto, how are you feeling?”
”Like I got blindsided by a Jounin.”
”Yes, yes, that was unfortunate and Gai will be here to apologize soon. He'd be here now if I hadn't told him he needed to wait so we can talk.”
”Talk about what?”
”Oh, how you were going to attempt to kill a senior Konoha shinobi after attempting to kill a fellow genin. Who you'll be fighting in the finals and who will be training you.”
”I don't see how there is much to talk about. Lee should have conceded but he didn't, I had every right to kill him and avoid taking damage in some desperation play. Gai had no right and no need to attack me. As for everything else, I'm pulling out of the exams.”
”Why?” Hiruzen said evenly but was surprised Naruto would quit.
”Because you aren't going to promote me anyway. Now, my team makes it and I don't hold them back from promotion.”
”Naruto, that isn't true. You have as good a chance as anyone, though what you attempted to do to Gai will have to be noted.”
”Of course it'll be noted. I don't care, I'm done. There's no point to this. You won't let your pet fox have any kind of authority over someone so why pretend? So I can entertain people I don't like? No, I'm done.”
”Naruto, I've never treated you like you were the fox. You may be unhappy with me but I deserve more credit than that.”
”How do I know why you do the things you do if you don't tell me? Three years you left me in the reserves while people not as good or dedicated as me got a Jounin sensei. Three separate misranked missions, three recommendations I be promoted to chunin and you ignore them and won't tell me why. You ignored the last words of one of your shinobi! And my graduating class? Most of them wondered why I was still a genin. People who graduate early aren't supposed to be stuck on the lowest rung, they questioned my abilities and what could I say? You were intentionally holding me back? What a whiny asshole I'd look like then. It's bad enough you let them all treat me like an infectious disease and tell me to deal with it. It was worse still when you've lied to my face but tell me to trust you. But now, you won't even give me what I've earned and you want me to be happy about it.”
Hiruzen knows Naruto is right, the boy has no reason to trust him. He is keeping things from him, trying to hide his past misdeeds, done with the best of intentions to protect the village and Naruto. But it's a house of cards, one in which Naruto acknowledged as an a_d_u_l_t, by turning 16 or a Chunin would topple. He's worked hard to fix what he's broken but he hasn't managed it yet and Danzo has only made the situation worse. Hiruzen knows he should have killed the man years ago, he was always too light on those he considered friends and it allowed the man too much power in the shadows of the village. A village can't have two leaders just like a person can't have two masters. Something has to give and it has to be soon. He wishes he could tell Naruto everything, make him understand his reasoning but he can't. Especially not now, not when his former student has seemingly taken an interest in Naruto if what Anko said is true. He is either in danger of harm or being lured away with honeyed words and false promises. He wouldn't acknowledge her potential tactics are a lot like his own, his heart couldn't take it.
”Naruto, don't drop out of the finals. You have a chance, promotions are selected by committee.”
”A committee of people that probably hate me? Or won't go against you? No, I don't see the point.”
”Not everyone is against you and this is your best chance to get promoted. Even the Daimyo has a say if he so wishes, if you're impressive enough.”
”Fine.” Naruto relented but in no way believed the lying old man.
”Good, now I've arranged for my student to train you so you'll be safe. I don't know what Orochimaru wants but it is paramount she not get it.”
”Tsunade's going to train me?” he said, somewhat hopefully.
”No, Jiraiya.”
”The smut peddler? Not interested.”
”Naruto, he trained the Yondaime and is powerful in his own right. You can learn a lot.”
”But I don't know him. If protection is an issue I'll go train in my summon's realm. I had some things I wanted to work on anyway.”
”Naruto, you will train with Jiraiya, that's an order.” Hiruzen said, sternly, causing Naruto's eyes to narrow.
”Hai.”
”Good, now let's resolve the Gai issue and you can be dismissed for the day.
After his meeting with the Sandaime, Naruto headed to an isolated training ground, one he's used for years. He was curious what the missing nin would give him and why. He also wanted to be sure that should it be a trap it'll only affect him. He may dislike a great deal of Konoha residents but he doesn't want them dead, mindless slaughter isn't his deal. He activated the seal on the scroll and read the contents. He immediately recognized the handwriting, it was the same handwriting of the scrolls he would periodically receive with advance material he couldn't get from the shinobi library. Never any specific techniques, just theory or helpful hints. He always assumed the scrolls came from a Konoha shinobi that couldn't reveal themselves but if it came from Orochimaru, what does that mean? The scrolls, outside of the guidance of the panthers, were the greatest sources of help in his development as a ninjutsu inventor. He couldn't understand why she'd help him. This felt like the Old Man, a game was being played but he didn't understand the rules or how he fit in. He was just at the whimsy of others and he hated that feeling but didn't know how to break free of it.
He decided to just look at the material. True, he needed a plan but it wasn't going to come to him now so he'd focus on something he could do. The scroll listed a technique, the Impure World Reincarnation which was created by the Nidaime. It can bring souls back from the dead but requires a live sacrifice and genetic material from the one you wish to bring back. Enclosed in the bottom on the scroll was another sealing array, one for storage. He unsealed the contents to find two vials of blood. This was beyond creepy. The vials themselves contained a note and he could only dread what the lunatic snake summoner had written.
Those with power create boundaries to horde and safeguard their power. Those without power stay within the boundaries to stay in favor of the powerful. Freedom is pushing against and through all boundaries, allowing your ambition to be your only master. Chakra is poorly understood but the potential is limitless; however our understanding is hampered by what many would call profane or ”forbidden”. Most shinobi are content to live in ignorance, to have a child's understanding of the very force they depend on. But I saw something different in you, a d_e_s_i_r_e to understand like I have; that is why I've helped you and you've yet to disappoint. I chose to ignore decency and ethics in my d_e_s_i_r_e to understand this energy and our world. I walked in the darkness without a single regret. But I want to see how far you can go while in the light. This technique is powerful but it is not perfect. You may want nothing to do with it, you may find it offensive so I've given you an extra incentive to improve upon it in your own way. The Sandaime has withheld many things from you, not just your status as Jinchuuriki. If you want to know more about your past, about your clan then the blood contained in these two vials will do it. Just remember, keeping people ignorant is not a method of protection but control; don't let anyone control you. Break free of anything that holds you back, burn it down and kill it if you must. I look forward to seeing how far you get by month's end.
It could be a lie, he says it but doesn't believe it. He needs to know what these people know but he can't sacrifice people, not even to know more about his origins but she was confident he wouldn't have to. He needed to focus on this but with Jiraiya training him it is going to be difficult, the sensei of the Yondaime must be a real taskmaster.
No, no he wasn't. He was a lazyass that put forth minimal effort and was constantly distracted with any halfway attractive woman around. Naruto would be annoyed, especially since this man was clearly here to be his watcher more than his trainer but his negligence was beneficial so Naruto wouldn't complain. Though, he'd rather train with Kurenai-sensei since she actually gives a damn and has been helpful coming up with intensive chakra control exercises for him. She, however, was called away on a special detail which Naruto found a little convenient. So, he was stuck with this idiot as a trainer. What were they working on? Initially it was going to be summoning until Naruto informed him he already had a contract. But he was insistent Naruto sign the Toad contract too so the elder toads and Bagheera, the Boss of the Panthers and Naruto's personal summons, were hashing it out so nothing more to do there. Drawing on the bijuu chakra? He can already do that and how can a non-jinchuuriki that has never trained one help him? So, the last project was the rasengan, the Yondaime's personal jutsu. It would be useful as an attack jutsu and helping him in perfecting pure shape manipulation. It was also a decent chakra control exercise. He was still on the second step after two weeks, not because he couldn't go farther but he was slow playing Jiraiya. No sense in doing this faster than necessary. Naruto practiced it while he sent an overcharged shadow clone to the panthers to unravel the Impure World Reincarnation.
The key to Naruto's understand of the jutsu was to remove the mysticism from it and think of it as a chakra exercise. A soul was not being called back. Yin chakra was. The genetic material was a bridge, it contained both the Yin and the Yang chakra of the person being returned. The sacrificial body was for the additional yang chakra, the seals not only called back the the Yin but helped convert the sacrifices Yang into a compatible half of the returned person's Yin, making it reminiscent of their true chakra imprint. This also, somewhat explains, how they can repair the damage. The pure Yin chakra is constantly creating or recreating their form. So, Naruto reasoned, he needy a vessel of as pure Yang chakra he could get. This meant attempting pure yang release. There isn't much written on it, what he could find states that some have a natural affinity for it but are unaware and chalk it up to other things, like those gifted with yin release make excellent genjutsu practitioners. It can be trained but it starts with being able to separate the yin and the yang within one's chakra. Some accomplish this through visualization, seeing the yin and the yang emerge from various points and calling upon one source or the other and with no other known method Naruto opted to try it.
Success has been varied. He knew without Kurenai-sensei's previous help he'd have no hope of accomplishing this but now that his chakra control was better, his flow almost calm, he could focus it enough on separating the most basic elements from each other. Truthfully, if he didn't have this deadline, given to him by Orochimaru herself, he'd probably be doing better. He isn't very calm as he has too many questions and he believes figuring out an ethical Impure World Reincarnation will help get them answered. But even if it does, what does it all mean?
She made her way through the forest at a clipped pace, being late was not an option; it was never an option. Also, the sooner she got there the sooner she got this over. She doesn't know how to feel about her ”Master” as gratitude often wars with low level terror. No time to think about it now, she reassures herself. All she has to do is give her report and continue on with her day. Even if the guilt becomes suffocating, she chose her path. She arrived at the designated meet and waited, there was no point in trying to find her, she'd reveal herself when she was ready. And she appeared, right behind her. She was impressed she managed not to jump in fright. Immediately she began kneeling, as is expected of her, causing the woman to laugh before speaking.
”So prompt, as usual.”
”Hai.”
”Well, what do you have to share with me?”
”He is being trained, poorly by Jiraiya and gives appears to be unhappy with the arrangement. Jiraiya seems more like his watcher than his sensei.”
The woman nodded at those words, ”What else?”
”Every morning before his workout he sends a shadow clone with approximately half his chakra somewhere with a panther summons.”
”Their realm. He must have his shadow clone training in secret so not even Sarutobi can spy on him. Clever boy. Is there anything else?”
”Once he's done training with Jiraiya he practices his kenjutsu, does a light workout and then heads home. There he does research until several of his summons meet with him. I'm assuming they are performing surveillance of his competition. I scouted the other finalists, all but Shino-kun and Shikamaru-kun have subtle but unnatural shadows following them and none have appeared to notice.”
”Kukuku, you've done well. I want you to cease your surveillance, it won't be necessary any longer.”
”But-”
”But what? I thought you'd be relieved to no longer have to spy on him. Don't tell me your nursing that silly little crush.” she asked but her subordinate didn't answer. ”You are? Tsk, tsk, tsk. You know that can never go anywhere, yes? Even if you were to turn his head that wouldn't end well for you, yes?”
”Hai.” she said through gritted teeth.
”Don't be glum, you'll get what you truly want. Just forget about Naruto-kun.”
”Hai.”
”Good, you are dismissed, Hinata-chan.”
”Jiraiya, how is he doing?”
”He's getting it faster than I did. Why isn't he a Chunin yet? He has the mission record for it.”
”We've been over this, I won't always be here to protect him. He needs allies and ties to the village. He has startling little and I've long since alienated him.”
”No one who has graduate early has ever been sent to the reserves, so I can't imagine why he took that as an insult.”
”He wasn't supposed to be allowed to take the exam if there was a reasonable expectation he could pass. Iruka and Mizuki assured me he couldn't do the clone jutsu.”
”With his chakra levels he'd never be able to with what they teach in the academy. Tell me, Sensei, why I should be happy with you setting my godson up to fail?”
”I would have taught him another clone jutsu at some point but him failing the exams outright would have made it possible to put him on Kakashi's team.”
”You were going to make him the deadlast to satisfy Minato's brat? You manipulative bastard. Is this why you've had me stay away for so long? So, I couldn't see the strings you were pulling?”
”Enough, Jiraiya. You were needed out there. As of now, Naruto has very few connections to the village. He seems to like his teammates and his sensei but they've only been together for six months, that's hardly enough time to sway him should he decide to leave.”
”He wouldn't leave, he's no traitor.”
”I hope you're right, Jiraiya.”
It was three days before the finals and Naruto had finally done it. It'd take some time to perfect it, even more time to develop his Yin release but as of right now, he could perform purely yang jutsu and it was time to attempt the Impure World Reincarnation. He got time off from Jiraiya once he demonstrated you could perform a completed rasengan, which he has to admit is a damn fine jutsu. He was in an isolated clearing in the panther realm and had a barrier erected just in case things went poorly. He had contract seals at the ready but didn't want to put the control seals mentioned in the scroll. He took some deep breaths, calming his nerves.
”Yang Release: Shadow Clone Jutsu” Naruto said then started the ritual for the Impure World Reincarnation. Once he was sure he had it complete, he performed the hand signs and whispered, ”Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation” Naruto didn't have to wait long for the jutsu to take effect as each of his Yang clones were encased in an ethereal glow. Soon, both started to change their shape, taking on the forms of those called back. Naruto was shocked to see two women with hair similar to his, though neither had his blue eyes. Both women looked confused as if a haze had yet to be lifted. They noticed each other first, both shocked,
”Mito-sama?/Kushina-chan?” both questioned before they looked at the boy before them. Mito was silent and confused, she had no clue who this whiskered cheek boy could be but in her peripheral vision she could see Kushina trembling, as if trying to to not cry.
”Sochi? Is that you, Naruto? Where are we, this doesn't look like Konoha”
”I'm Naruto and this is the realm of the Panthers, my summons but what do you mean, Sochi?” Naruto wasn't dumb but after being denied information about his parents his entire life the idea that he'd just brought his mother back was unbelievable though the woman hugging him fiercely was quickly putting his disbelief to rest. It was sad but Naruto couldn't ever remember being hugged before. The feeling was indescribable.”
”I'm your mother, Naruto. Didn't Hiruzen tell you about Minato and I? How has your life been?” she blurted out, finally releasing him.
”Um, the Old Man said he didn't know who my parents were. My life… I was a pariah growing up, not even my Academy Instructors liked me so I graduated early, at the age of 9. The Old Man didn't put me on a genin squad for three years.” Naruto explained before something clicked, ”Wait, Minato? You don't mean?”
”Yes, sochi, the Yondaime was your father. I-I hope you don't hate us for what we did. I argued against it but Minato was convinced you'd need the Kyuubi to defeat the man that attack us the night you were born.”
”I don't hate you. I… I guess I just wish things had been different. Almost everyone treated me like I didn't exist.”
”Naruto-kun?” Mito spoke. She hated to interrupt this moment between mother and son, especially since Kushina must have died almost immediately after giving birth, given how weak a jinchuuriki's seal becomes during childbirth but she needed to know how he brought them back. She was familiar with Tobirama's abomination and lonely childhood or not, she couldn't accepted someone being sacrificed to return them.
”Hai?”
”Did you perform the Edo Tensei?”
”Hai.”
”Sochi, no! You can't just sacrifice people.”
”I didn't. I used a shadow clone made with yang release.” he quickly explained.
”Oh, that was very creative.”
”My sochi is a genius, Mito-sama!”
”Actually, I'm not. I just work really hard at and don't give up. Nothing genius about that.”
”I don't know about that, Naruto-kun, Tobirama never came up with this and he invented both jutsu. Seems obvious in retrospect but the best insights do.” Mito said.