The Young Hokage

Training Ground 13

Chapter 9: Training Ground 13.

-

As Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke ran to their destination Naruto couldn't help but feel a great sense of unease about what had happened only a few minutes before. A deep and powerful voice had helped him back inside that classroom but he still couldn't help but feel something else as well. Something that felt foul and wrong. A power, not his own lay just out of his reach. He had felt it. He knew something was off. But what that was he didn't know. But before he could try to decipher that mystery any longer he was pulled back to the here and now by Sakura.

-

Training ground thirteen was like most in or around the village of Konohagakure. It had a set of trees off to one side and a small river that ran down the middle cutting it more or less in half. However, it had fallen out of use in the past few years due to the unusually high number of training accidents. The numerous gravestones told the story better than anything else. People had died in this place. Just as the three entered into the training ground a woman walked calmly out from underneath one of the trees that bordered the training ground. She was young but they could instantly tell she had both skill and power. The green-colored vest was proof of that. At first, she said nothing instead choosing to slowly walk around the three like a predator encircling its prey.

"Who of you three solved the puzzle"? The woman asked.

"I did". Naruto replied making the woman stop before him and eye him closely.

"What's your name"? She asked now standing mere inches from his face.

"Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze". Naruto replied with pride clear in his voice. The woman, in turn, simply nodded her head before she continued on with her slow walk around the three.

"My name is Akira Tensho. I'm going to be the proctor for this phase of the exams. You're the first team this year to fight in thirteen. So do try your best not to die". She said in a carefree tone as if what she had just said wasn't at all ominous. Before any of them could ponder that particular thought any longer another team entered into the training ground. That being none other than the team from Sound.

"Good now that's been decided let's go over the rules. This is a one-on-one fight. Killing is of course allowed. Killing anybody who isn't your opponent, however, is forbidden. Joining into a fight that isn't yours is also forbidden. Are we clear"? Akira asked the six genin that was standing on opposite sides of her.

"Yes". Was the response she got from all six of the assembled genin.

"Good who's going first"? She asked as Sakura slowly stepped forward as did a girl about her age. Akira eyed the pair before her for only a second before signaling the start of the fight. Sakura began the fight by firing off a handful of both kunai and ninja stars however none of them landed anywhere near her.

"My turn pinky". The girl said before delivering a devastating punch to the gut sending Sakura to the ground. Sakura was in absolute agony but she nevertheless battled back to her feet.

"Looks like pinky wants more pain. Fine by me". The girl said before flying at her at speeds no genin should be able to achieve. However what happened next shocked and surprised everybody. Sakura blocked the attack. More than that her eyes were now different. Gone was the mint green being replaced by the eyes not all that dissimilar to the eyes of a fox

-

Meanwhile, the fox couldn't help but eye the sight before him.

"No, that's impossible. She wouldn't allow a human to hold her unless". The fox thought before his :son: walked into view.

"She has demon chakra father. How is that possible"? Naruto's duplicate asked as he eyed his father.

"How much work have you been able to accomplish". The fox asked temporarily forgetting the situation before his jailer's eyes. The boy was annoyed that his question was ignored but he nevertheless answered.

"It's slow going. He has been training his mind but I should still be able to drive him insane in a few weeks". The boy said making the fox nod his head.

"Good with any luck he'll undo this seal and I'll be free to kill the despicable insects who dared attack me and my mate". The fox said with absolute hatred.

"Oh, before you go I didn't name you, have I"? The fox asked the demon boy.

"No father you have not". The boy replied before the fox, in turn, began to consider possible names. After nearly an hour of non-stop contemplation, the fox turned to face the boy who by now was giving him the most annoyed look.

"I know what about Sai. How does that sound"? The fox asked.

"No, Sai sounds like a name somebody gives to a pasty white guy who is socially inept. Try again father". The demon boy said before turning around and walking into the endless darkness.

"Shows what you know. Sai is a great name". The fox said angrily before once again watching the fight taking place outside. Only now with ever-growing interest.

-

By now Sakura had somehow taken the lead gaining speed and power from seemingly nowhere. In what was clearly a desperate attempt to gain any form of distance the girl had fired off everything from kunai wrapped in explosive tags to ninja stars. However even with literally thousands of deadly projectiles being sent her way Sakura simply weaved in between the ninja stars as well as deflecting the thousands of kunai. The numerous explosions soon rocked the area tossing up copious amounts of dirt and rocks.

"What...the hell are you"? The girl said with fear.

"I'm Sakura Haruno genin of Konohagakure and" At this, she pulled the girl in closer before whispering the last words she would ever hear before delivering a devastating punch killing her instantly. At this, Akira jumped down from one of the many trees and after only a few seconds announced that Sakura was the victor. With that now done she turned to face the still alive genin and asked.

"Now who's next"?

-

By the time Sakura's match had been called her eyes had long since returned to their mint green coloration and non-foxlike eyes. Sasuke however, didn't care about that at all. So she had a bit more skill than he had first guessed. He was still sure he could beat her in a fight should he need to. Naruto, however, wasn't so sure about that. He had felt something odd from her. Something dark and menacing. But only for the briefest of moments. So brief a time in fact that for the first few seconds he wasn't even sure he had felt anything from her at all.

So deep in his own thoughts was he that by the time he had returned to the present Sasuke had already stepped forward as did his opponent. He would be the last of his team to fight. That was fine by him. He would use this time to watch his teammate and study his fighting style. Because knowledge was a powerful tool for any ninja. A tool that if properly used could kill more people than any kunai or poison ever could. Hisao had drilled that much into him over his seven years of training under the man. He made plans that once the exams were done he would go visit his old sensei. He was sure the old man would enjoy that.

-

"Begin". Akira said before once again jumping back into the relative safety of the treetops. The pink-haired girl had surprised her in her fight. Based on her academy records she was a top student academically. But nothing in them had even remotely implied that she was at all a master in taijutsu. Had the records been redacted? If so then by who and why? Only the Hokage and the village council had such powers. But why would they do such a thing in the first place? What was the need? She was from a fairly unremarkable and insignificant merchant clan that had moved into the village roughly ten years after it's founding by the first Hokage. She was for all intents and purposes a nobody. It made no sense to the highly skilled ninja and that just wouldn't do. Not at all. She was going to get answers and so with that thought in mind, she formed a clone and sent it to the Hokage tower.

-

Meanwhile, Sasuke and his opponent, a roundish boy by the name of Kenta Itam were busy firing off attack after attack at an insanely high rate of speed. For a genin at any rate. But even so, Naruto knew something was off. Sasuke was moving in a way he knew wasn't right. He wasn't moving slower but something was clearly wrong with his teammate. But for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what it was that was wrong. Sasuke's form was as perfect as his own. The thing was, however, he kept missing. Sasuke for whatever reason didn't seem to notice or care as he just kept on pushing himself to move ever faster and hit ever harder. Kenta, however, didn't look at all concerned. His eyes never once left the raven-haired boy before him for even a second.

Sasuke had once again launched himself at a high rate of speed at Kenta ready to deliver a devastating punch to the boy's face only to once again miss. As his reward, he was sent flying backward by means of a hard kick to the gut sending him to the ground with an audible groan. By now Sasuke was nearing his limit. He could feel it. He was nearly out of chakra. His body ached all over from the numerous blows the boy had landed on him in their fight. Kenta for his part only eyed the downed boy for around a second before pulling out a handful of kunai from one of his ninja pouches before he sent them all flying at him. Sasuke could see the five kunai flying his way at a high rate of speed. But try as he may he knew his time was up. He just didn't have the chakra needed to move out of the way. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to beat Naruto infuriated him to no end. He knew how his father always viewed him as an embarrassment to the family. His father never once said it to his face but his eyes did every time he would walk back home and report that he had once again lost to the sun-kissed boy. It was in his rage that it happened. His eyes now bore the basic one tomoe Sharingan. With that, he was just able to move his body out of the way missing the kunai by mere inches. Kenta for his part only fired more at an ever-increasing rate of attack. It was then that Naruto had figured it out. He had missed it before the first time around due to not looking for it. But now he knew. It was his eyes. It had something to do with his eyes.

Sasuke now equipped with his clan's bloodline could also see why he was losing. The boy also bore a bloodline. Still, with or without the Sharingan he needed to end this fight right now and so with that in mind, Sasuke powered up one of his clan's most useful jutsu. Seconds later a sizeable fireball flew through the afternoon air making Kenta jump away or else be burned. By the time the fireball flew past him, Sasuke was gone.

-

Sasuke ran as fast as his tired legs would allow. He needed time to recover and plan. Just then he heard a sound and so with the speed befitting a ninja he hid behind a sizeable tree. In seconds Kenta came into view looking left then right before moving ever deeper into the forest and out of sight. But just as he was about to once again relax he had heard yet another sound from behind him. Looking around for whatever or whoever it was he soon saw Naruto toss him an MRE (Meal Ready To Eat). He, of course, took it and began to eat the meal happily feeling his chakra slowly being replenished. He wasn't at 100% but this would no doubt help in the upcoming battle.

-

Meanwhile, Danzo eyed the man before him floating inside one of the many test tubes Orochimaru had dotting around the cavern.

"Happy with my toys Danzo"? Orochimaru asked the former Hokage.

"How many do you have ready"? Danzo asked disregarding what the ghost-white man said.

"A few thousand, Danzo-kun". Orochimaru replied before eyeing the man for himself. For a time neither he nor Danzo said a word only eyeing the man as he slowly bobbed up and down in the greenish liquid. At the base of the container, the emblem of the leaf village was prominent.

"What's his name"? Danzo asked.

"It's Yamato. I was, however, unable to find a clan name". Orochimaru replied sounding a bit unhappy with his failure. Danzo said nothing before he turned away and walked deeper into the cave. Soon Konohagakure would pay. Soon it would be nothing more than ash under his feet.

-

As Sasuke carefully breathed in and out he listened intently for even the slightest bit of sound. Such as the sound of the trees moving to and fro or the snapping of twigs underfoot. For now, however, he was safe. He was still unsure why Naruto had helped him in the first place but for now, he would worry about winning his fight than trying to figure out his unusually helpful teammate. As he did so Akira Tensho was busy keeping an eye on the two combatants. She was honestly taken aback at Naruto's kind gesture to his teammate but was nevertheless pleased to see it. A Chunin needed to work well with his or her teammates and doing that proved he would do well in that respect. Still, he had a long road ahead of him before he would have the honor to wear the green colored vest. At that very moment, Sasuke's opponent was ever so slowly closing in. Kenta was embarrassed at his mistake. He had allowed a lowly genin to somehow get away from him. A fact he would make sure to correct the next time they met. He wasn't too keen on reporting back to his leader that his team had failed in their mission to test the boys skill in battle. However, he would first need to find the boy and that was proving to be a bigger challenge than he had first anticipated. Still, he was sure it wouldn't be long before the two would once again do battle.

-

As that was happening Danzo was just finishing up some light training. In just a few weeks time he alongside countless others would attack the village of his birth and get his revenge. Until then, however, he would train. This much younger body of his was proving far more capable than he had first guessed. An unexpected but nevertheless welcomed surprise. Just then a Sound ninja walked up. In his hand lay a scroll. Taking it in hand Danzo began to slowly read it's contents. The snake was once again departing the cave. This was the fifth time in as many weeks. Danzo, however, didn't care so long as his revenge against his village was complete. He could always deal with him later anyway.

-

Orochimaru meanwhile stood unmoving atop a sizeable hill overlooking a fairly insignificant fishing village. He always hated having to make the long trip to the hill on which he now stood upon but today he had been told that he had something good. Orochimaru didn't have to wait long as a hooded figure soon walked up. His footsteps were nearly imperceptible. But Orochimaru wasn't a legendary SS-rank ninja for nothing. Turning to face the figure he could see the scroll already at the ready. Taking it in hand he unsealed its contents and smiled a wicked smile. The kind that made even the hardest of hardened criminals wet themselves in fear of what that smile meant. Just as fast as he had opened it he resealed its contents back inside and was gone. Leaving not even a leaf behind.

-

Sasuke jumped out of the way of yet another round of kunai raining down from above. Kenta wasn't playing around anymore. His attacks had more than double in both their speed but also in its ferocity. Even with his clan's bloodline, he was just able to keep up.

"Fucking die already"! Kenta yelled out as he unleashed yet another round of kunai and ninja stars. Sasuke backflipped away before firing off his own attack.

"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu". Sasuke yelled out as a dragon made out of orange-colored fire moved at Kenta at speed. Kenta caught off guard was hit by the jutsu. The sound of the blood-curdling scream told them this battle was now over. Kenta or what was left of him was nothing but a blackened husk. His face was now permanently etched into a look of horror and pain. Akira once again jumped down and announced to nobody's surprise Sasuke's victory. Now it was Naruto's turn and if the last two fights were anything to go by this was going to be a hard-fought battle. The final battle was about to began.

-

Naruto slowly began to walk to the center of the field. His sword was already drawn and at the ready. So far his team had won all of their battles but as he stood opposite his own opponent he knew something was wrong. But Naruto wasn't one to back down from any challenge and he sure as log wasn't about to start now. His opponent, however, had simply waited for the go-ahead to be given and once it had been he had seemingly teleported over to Naruto. Naruto in his shock and surprise was just able to lift his blade in time to block the incoming attack. The force of the powerful blow sending him to the ground with a thud. Flipping head over feet he landed a few feet away from his opposite. His sword already raised in case of a follow-up attack. The boy, however, only turned to face him once again. His face was unreadable. A fact that greatly unnerved him. Nevertheless, he ran at him and swung his sword as hard as he could. The boy, in turn, merely raised his hand and stopped the blade dead. At this, Naruto's eyes grew wide in both amazement and fear. Trying to pull away he found the boys hold upon the blade was too great. Looking at him he could only see a calmness one only gains with knowledge of one's skills.

"You're too weak to live". The boy said before Naruto was sent flying backward at a nearly uncontrollable speed. It was only due to his sword that he was able to slow himself down enough to regain his footing. Whoever this guy was he sure as hell was no Genin. He moved too fast and hit too hard to be just a Genin. That fact sent his mind racing. Why was a Chunin or above taking part in the exams? Something was clearly amiss and he needed to figure out what it was and fast. So with that thought in mind, Naruto bit into his thumb and ran through a long series of hand signs. In seconds Miko appeared in a cloud of smoke. He had grown considerably in the past few days and was now the size of a medium-sized dog.

"Miko I'm going to need your help to keep him busy". Naruto said to Miko who nodded his head in understanding. In seconds Miko was flying overhead and sending down long white-hot streams of fire. The boy, in turn, formed an earthen dome and blocked the attack.

"Oh no, you don't"! Naruto yelled out as he fired a set of kunai tipped in explosives. The sound of the many explosions soon filled the air for a few seconds. But when the dust had settled he was gone. Looking left then right he couldn't pinpoint his opponent. It was only when two arms erupted from the ground did he know and by then it was already too late to do much of anything.

"Demon Style: Demonic Darkness". The boy said before Naruto felt his vision began to blur and before he knew it he was unable to see much of anything. However, he didn't panic as was the likely desired effect. Hisao had trained them for any contingency and so he calmed his mind and listened. He didn't have to wait long for his opponent to make his move. So with a kick, he sent his attacker flying. Now with some space, he displaced the jutsu and regained use of his sight if however at a really slow rate of speed.

"Not bad, lord Danzo would be pleased to know that you will soon be dead". The boy said making Naruto's eyes once again grow wide. If Danzo had something to do with this it couldn't be good. Miko however not one for being ignored soon swoop down and launched a series of small fireball attacks. However, upon his second round, the boy jumped into the air and knocked the dragon to the ground with a thud. Naruto made to run over to his downed partner only to be met with a wall of fire.

"You should pay more attention to me". The boy said before going through a long series of hand signs.

"Fire Style: White Fire Dragon". In seconds a dragon made entirely of white-hot fire formed and shot its way to Naruto at a high rate of speed. Naruto, in turn, ran through his own set and blocked the attack. Akira Tensho meanwhile couldn't help but be amazed at the skill on display. Both boys clearly showed skills befitting a Chunin. Naruto was a given after all his mother was the wife of the fourth Hokage and was one of the best ANBU captains In village history. The other boy, however, raised a few too many red flags. He seemed far too skilled to be just a lowly genin but who would send a chunin to participate in the chunin exams? Whoever it was it couldn't be good but she still had a job to do so with that in mind she watched on.

-

Sakura and Sasuke watched as their teammate battled his opponent. Both knew they would have stood no chance facing him. Turning to face the boy next to her she could see the boy's eyes locked on Naruto. His eyes moving with every move the sun-kissed boy made. His face held a look of anger. Anger at what she didn't know. Still, she could guess who it was aimed at and was happy it wasn't aimed at her for once.

-

Blade met blade and fist met fist as the two genin battled. Naruto could feel his body cry out in utter protest of the act but he pushed past the pain. He still had a battle to win he would worry about his body later. That is if there was a later. His blade rose once again as he ran at his foe. Only this time the sound was that of flesh meeting steel. The boy looked down then back at Naruto. Whatever look Naruto had guessed he would see upon the boy he didn't. The boy before him smiled. An evil type of smile. One he didn't at all like.

-

Less than a second after the boy had smiled that evil type of smile Naruto was hit with such force that his sword was forced out of his hand before landing on the other side of the open field. Landing haphazardly he had no time at all to right himself before he was once again sent flying by the boy before him. Over and over again he was sent crashing into trees that tore into him, onto the uncaring ground that broke or dislodged his bones or upon the many stones that jutted out of the ground and cut into his arms and legs and back. Needless to say, Naruto was just about dead by the time the boy had stopped his unrelenting onslaught. Blood flowed out of his mouth like a crimson river and the many small cuts that ran up and down his body didn't help matters any. Naruto for his part was just able to get back to his feet. If only by his own willpower alone.

-

Sasuke and Sakura meanwhile eyed their teammate with no small part of worry. One more so than the other. Sakura by this point was on the verge of tears. Sasuke, however, remained stone-faced. He was sure his teammate wasn't done just yet. He was close but if he knew anything about his annoying sun-kissed teammate it was that he would never give up. How he would turn this into anything resembling a victory he had no idea. But if anybody could it was Naruto of that he was sure.

-

Meanwhile, the clone that Akira had sent entered into the Hokage tower and walked up the many stairs to the uppermost floor. Upon hearing the voice of the Hokage she opened the door and calmly walked in. The office looked much the same as it did back in Hiruzen's day aside from the fact his own face now sat next to the others. He gave her but a small gaze before returning to his work.

"Lord Hokage I'm a clone of Akira Tensho to ask about one Sakura Haruno". The clone said making the Hokage look back up his gaze turning from kind to unreadable. The face of a kage. The only sound in the office was of the fan overhead moving its blades to cool the room.

"Why do you need to know of her"? Shikaku asked the clone before him.

"She...I mean Sakura, sir showed skills, not at all fitting her records, sir". The clone replied with an even tone.

"She's been a Genin for weeks now...should her skills not have improved in all that time"? Shikaku asked not at all liking where this conversation was going. She was looking into things way above her pay grade.

"Well yes, of course, sir but...". The clone began before Shikaku raised his hand to put a stop to that.

"Your job is to oversee the battles and call the winner. That's it not look for somebody to train is that clear"? Shikaku said with more force than he planned on using.

"Sir...I'm not...I wasn't. She was losing, sir badly losing in fact. Then she unleashed a massive dose of chakra...way more than a Genin should have. She killed her opponent then just as fast as it had come it was gone. I feel I have the right to know something, sir". The clone replied a bit upset at the tone the Hokage used. Shikaku said nothing for a time as he eyed the clone.

"This doesn't go past this room...am I clear? What I'm about to reveal to you is an SSS-rank. Telling anybody without prior authorization is grounds to kill you and your family". Shikaku asked the clone already knowing the answer he was likely going to get.

"Yes, sir...I understand". She replied before he moved to a wooden door and opened it. The sounds of papers being moved filled the air for a few minutes.

"Sir...do you need help"? She asked stilled fixed in place.

"No"! Shikaku replied before the sound resumed again. Minutes later Shikaku reappeared with a folder nearly as thick as her arm.

"Sir I was only asking about her, not her clan". She said eyeing the massive folder before her.

"This...this is her folder. Her clan is much bigger and is housed in sublevel four. Even I, the Hokage can't enter that level without the ANBU commander". Shikaku replied looking red-faced due to the weight".

"But sir t...that's impossible. No Genin...no Chunin, in fact, should have a folder that size". The clone said not at all believing that folder was of a Genin not even a year out of the academy.

"Believe it because it's true". Shikaku said before pulling out four papers. Taking the four papers in hand she couldn't believe what she was reading.

"Sir...what is this"? The clone asked reading and rereading the papers unable to make sense of any of it.

"You know that Naruto's clan on his mother's side has blood red hair right". He asked.

"Yes, sir I do...why"? She asked not seeing why that mattered.

"Sakura has pink hair as does her father...why do you think that is"? Shikaku asked already seeing the gears in her head already starting to turn.

"She's an Uzumaki". The clone answers.

"No... she isn't an Uzumaki...not a pureblood at any rate. She has Uzumaki blood and thus is better able to house a demon". Shikaku replies seeing the woman's eyes go wide.

"She's like Naruto". The clone replied.

"In more ways than one. She houses the nine-tails mate. It's why she was paired with Naruto. The fact she was the top girl only helped in hiding our reasons for that placement". Shikaku said before taking the papers back and placing them inside the sizeable folder.

"D...does she know"? The clone asked. Her mind still trying to recover from the news.

"No. As far as I know, she knows nothing of the demon housed inside her and I would very much like to keep it that way. Shikaku said making sure she understood.

"Of course, sir...I'll say nothing but, sir what should we do if she finds out"? The clone asked. The Hokage stopped dead and looked at her with a great deal of sadness in his eyes.

"She'll have to die. We have already asked the Uzumaki's now living in the village...we have jailers for the demon". Shikaku said with a sadness she knew all too well.

"I...I understand lord Hokage". She said softly before she departed the office and popped out of existence.

-

Naruto was in so much pain it was nearly unbearable and yet Naruto had slowly and painfully took one pain-filled step after another as he limped more than walked over to his now most hated foe. His tormenter only eyed the half-dead boy with an evil looking smile. His vision blurred and with each step he took, jolts of intense pain shot up his spine and throughout the rest of his body. But he wouldn't fail. He was going to be Hokage and that meant he needed to rise up the ranks from a lowly Genin to Chunin to Jonin and finally to Kage. But with his sword arm dislodged and with the level of blood loss he wasn't sure how long he could remain upright. A few minutes at most he guessed.

"H...human...y..r weak". A deep voice said. A voice he had heard only an hour or so before. Fighting to remain upright Naruto looked around for the voice. Aside from the tall trees and training field, he saw nobody save for the boy who had tossed him around like a dogs chew toy.

"H...human too w..weak". The voice said again. This time with a hint of anger. Seeing no other choice he entered his own mind.

"Err...what the hell! Why is my mindscape a fucking sewer...that's fucked up I only have one of the books". Naruto yelled out only then realizing he felt no pain. Moving his arms and legs a bit he again felt no pain whatsoever.

"Of course it's my mind why would I feel pain". Naruto thought to himself. It made as much sense as anything else he guessed. Moving ever deeper into the maze of his own mind he passed door after door all looking rusted and forgotten by time while others still looked almost new. Opening a few he could see his date with Ino-chan. His training under Hisao-sensei and of course his dragon, Miko coming into the world. He was about to open yet another when the deep, powerful voice yelled out from deeper into the long, dark hallway.

"H..human come c..closer". The voice said again. It held a deep sense of hate and anger. Naruto made to pull a blade only to realize he had nothing save his orange-colored jumper.

"Who are you? Where are you"? Naruto yelled out into the seemingly never-ending darkness. His voice echoing for a few seconds. At once the dark space lit up to reveal a massive cage easily 100 feet tall and wide. Naruto slowly walked up seeing nothing save for the ten feet thick iron bars spaced every foot. The bars looked rusted and old. As if the cage had existed for over a century without even the most basic of care.

"Hello...is anybody in here"? Naruto asked and again his voice echoed throughout the space. Trying to see anything Naruto moved ever closer until with speed only rivaled by the fourth Hokage a fox crashed into the thick iron bars sending out ripples in the knee-deep water. Its massive jaws biting into the sewer air and eyes filled with evil thoughts aimed at him.

"Come closer human. I wish to feel your bones break in my mouth". The fox yelled out still crashing against the bars trying to pull him in. Naruto, of course, didn't move and instead remains far far away.

"No thanks, I'm not stupid you're going to try and eat me you damn fox". Naruto yells back.

"Let me out, human. Let me enjoy human meat once again". The massive fox yells between the thick iron bars. He had stopped crashing himself against the unyielding bars that were his cell, his cage. Naruto didn't need to see the nine-mile-long tails to know who he was now standing before.

"Y...your the nine tails... you're the demon fox. You oversize furball you killed my father"! Naruto yells but held himself back as he knew he would pose no threat to the likes of the demon fox.

"That I am, human...what of it"? The fox replies. Sounding almost happy at the news he killed a human. A foxy smile forming on its face.

"Why... damn it...why did you do it"? Naruto asks eyes filled with both sadness and rage. The fox says nothing.

"Answer me damn it...answer me or else..." Naruto demands before he is cut off by the massive fox demon.

"Or else what...you're going to try crying me to death". The fox says before a deep, powerful laugh soon fills the space that is Naruto's mind. Naruto, in turn, falls to his knees feeling every bit helpless.

"Why...why did you attack us? We...we never did...we never did anything to you". Naruto cries. Upon hearing this the fox again rages against the bars.

"Nothing you say...your kind took my mate...my love...how dare you say you did nothing! Your kind should die for what you have done to us...not just to us but to my brothers and sisters". The fox says in a rage before he turns away. He was done talking to this pitiful human.

"Who...who took her"? Naruto asks for once feeling a sense of sadness for the towering beast. The towering beast replies but doesn't look at the boy who stands mere feet away.

"Ninja from your village...they came and attacked us and forced us apart...they sealed her in a baby girl...your teammate no less". The fox replied before the hate Naruto had felt only seconds before was replaced by an overpowering sense of loss. The loss of a loved one. The loss of a mate.

"That's not possible we would never...". Naruto began only to have the fox cut in.

"You did the masks prove it. It could only ever be you". The fox replies.

"The masks what did they look like"? Naruto asks feeling safer than before. The fox doesn't move. His mind now on the loss of his mate.

"Nothing...it was just a wooden mask nothing more". The fox replies eyeing the boy before him.

"Years ago I was taken from my home alongside my sister, Naruko. They had masks like that...the two must be linked somehow". Naruto says more sure than anything else in his whole life. The fox, in turn, finally turns back to face Naruto unsure what he was even getting at.

"How...the two are years apart"? The fox asks the boy not seeing how the two things connect. At once Naruto says one word, a name.

"Danzo". The fox ponders this until his massive eyes grow wide in understanding.

"The boy you face... he said his name. I'll help you take him down but you must unlock this cage". The fox says. Naruto backs away.

"No way you're going to eat me". Naruto says.

"You have my word". The fox replies a bit upset at this humans disrespect. Who did he think he was anyway.

"The word of a demon...that's rich. No way you can just hand me your chakra". Naruto fires back. The fox, in turn, can only laugh.

"Impossible even as my jailer giving you my chakra would kill you. Luckily for you, I can train you in its use". The fox replies.

"We have no time I have a fight to win I can't train in using your chakra". Naruto yells pulling at his yellow locks of hair. The fox can only eye the boy with bewilderment. This human was a total idiot it seemed.

"Time flows slower in this place. A second in the real world is next to nothing in here. Even so, It'll take time but you have that". The fox replies as he lays upon his paws.

"How...long will this training take"? Naruto asks. The fox in a bored tone of voice answers.

"Hmm...about 150 years on your own". The fox says making Naruto's eyes grow wide.

"I can't wait that long I'll be dead by then". This, in turn, forces yet another deep, powerful laugh from the demon fox.

"Will you relax that bear guy told you that clone thing...right...back in wave...just use that". The fox says before a long yawn exits the cage and blows Naruto back sending gray sewer water up his nose. What followed was a few seconds of Naruto running around the room trying to remove the nonexistent water from his nose. Yup, a total idiot. He really did pity the humans of his village should he ever become its Kage.

"That'll work"? Naruto asks once he was done running around looking every bit the fool the fox viewed him as.

"The hell should I know. I'm a fox...you know foxes...no hands". The fox answers looking at the boy like he was some clueless idiot. Naruto flips the demon fox off before forming the needed handsigns. A few seconds later a cloud of white smoke filled the area. Once the smoke had blown away twelve or so clones all stood side-by-side.

"Ok, this is....". Naruto stops himself before turning to face the fox.

"What's your name"? Naruto asks. The fox taken aback just looks at the boy for a few seconds before answering.

"Names, Kurama...Kurama Otsutsuki". The fox finally replies.

"Right...this is Kurama-sensei. He'll be training us in the use of his chakra". Naruto yells to his clones who all yell in unison. Soon the 13 Naruto were all busy learning how to use demon chakra. Kurama all the while laughing as one after another a clone would pop and sending Naruto to his knees in pain. Oh yes, he enjoyed this very much. Once he was free he would keep this human alive. if only to have something to laugh at.

-

To anybody save for Naruto, it looked next to hopeless. The boy was barely able to stand much less fight and yet here he was limping slowly over to his opponent his eyes filled with the will to fight on. Akira had seen his like before broken and forgotten on the field of battle many a time. She had half a mind to call it but then he stopped. Akira had never seen such a thing in her life.

"What is he doing"? She asked herself as she watched the boy from the safety of the trees. Or at least it was until the boy unleashed what would later be dubbed as Naruto's demon mode.

Seconds passed without so much as a twitch. That was until a wave of dark, dense, hate-filled chakra poured out of the boy. His eyes became the eyes of a fox. His teeth grew into fangs. His nails grew. His hair gained long red lines of hair. But most noticeable was the red colored chakra that flowed around his battle-worn body. The cuts up and down his body all started to heal, his bones all popped back into place and unseen by anybody his blood was being replaced.

"Time for round two...fucker". Naruto said in a deep, demonic sounding voice before shooting at the boy at superhuman speeds. The kick sending the boy flying onto a nearby lake. He, of course, righted himself before standing atop the water before eyeing Naruto, no this wasn't the same boy he could tell. Something was off. Something was very clearly off. But before he could do much of anything Naruto yelled out.

"Water Style: Water Whips". It wasn't long before long whips of blue water formed and began tearing into him coloring the water red in blood.

"Yes...yes give me more". Naruto said as he formed more and more of the whips. By now the water was more red than not. Akira could only watch in horror as the boy's body was torn apart. It was clear to her who had won. She had to do something before he was killed by Naruto. But as soon as she readied herself to jump down a powerful wave sent her flying back deeper into the forest.

"You will not stop my fun"! Naruto yelled out before slowly walking over to the now mostly dead boy.

"How does it feel...human...to know you're going to die". The demonic sounding Naruto asked with sick glee.

"Err...f...fuck...y...you...Danzo-sama will...k...kill...you". The boy said but it was clear the boy was on the edge of this realm. Soon his soul would be taken. That, of course, couldn't be allowed to happen. He was having far too much fun with this pitiful human.

-

The first thing Akira could feel was the feeling of ants all over her body.

"Err...god no...I fucking hate bugs". She yelled trying to remove the small things from her body. Looking back she could see she was blew a good mile or so deeper into the forest. With no time she made her way back as fast as her legs would allow. Hoping beyond all hope she would make it in time. Chunin Exams or not this wasn't right.

-

"Errr...god p...please just...ki...kill m...me". The boy cried out. He had been ripped apart, burned, and had his eyes removed and much much more before being healed to feel even more pain again.

"Hmm...how about no. Now about Danzo...where is he"? The demonic Naruto asked as he dug his blade ever deeper into the boy.

"Fuck y...you I'm n..not saying n.not...nothing". The boy yelled back as best as his body would allow.

"Oh, but you will...you see I have this body for a good long while still...a little deal me and my jailer made I help him pass and I...will you know". Demonic Naruto says before making a new cut.

"Arrg...ok...Danzo is...in the Land Of Fire...that's all I know". The boy replied.

"See that wasn't so hard". The demonic Naruto says before slowly returning back to normal. Once that was done Naruto ending the boy's life for good.

-

Just than Akira enters the training ground ready to stop Naruto.

"Oh...Naruto...are you alright"? She asks seeing his blue eyes.

Yup, what's next"? Naruto asks. Looking around she could see Sasuke busy losing his last meal not too far away and Sakura looked turned on.

"Oh, that...that happens in a month your done...for now". Akira replies. She had a report to file to the Hokage and ask for some much needed time off. So with that, she was off happy to be away from that boy.

-

Meanwhile back inside his mind Naruto stood before the massive cage of the fox.

"So are you happy"? Naruto asked Kurama.

"Yes, I thank you...I enjoyed that very much". Kurama replied before laying back down in the gray sewer water. Maybe he was wrong about humans. At least some of them. Naruto nodded his head happy to hear it but just as he was about to exit the fox asked something.

"That Ino girl...is she your mate". Kurama asked sounding bored. Naruto taken aback says nothing for a few seconds.

"No, she's just...". Naruto begins before Kurama cuts in".

"I can make her your mate...I can make any female your mate". Kurama says sounding almost like a kid in a candystore at the idea of using his demon powers to influence the mind walker.

"I'm not getting you off...in fact how do I cut off your ability to see what I'm doing"? Naruto asks hotly.

"Fine damn it. I was only joking...by the sage can't a fox tell a damn joke"? Kurama says annoyed at his jailer for being such a party pooper.

"I like Ino-chan. She's nice and...". Naruto says before again being cut off.

"And she's a female ready for mating". Kurama says sounding like a teenager hoping to get laid.

"We're just 13 you damn fox...I can't do that with Ino-chan". Naruto yells back. The fox in turn only lifts his head before eyeing Naruto.

"At 13 I had hundreds of mates...some of them were even human". Kurama says making Naruto eye him oddly.

"Humans...how...your the size of a fucking mountain". Naruto asks. The fox, in turn, turns into a man with red hair and eyes.

"Like this...I'm a being of chakra I can be whatever the hell I please". The fox replies before turning back to his fox form.

"Oh, that makes sense...I guess". Naruto says feeling kind of stupid for not guessing that.

"Good now if you don't mind I need a nap so you know...piss off". The fox says before forcing Naruto outside his mind.

-

Departing from his mind Naruto soon finds himself face-to-face with Sakura.

"Oh hi, Sakura-chan...what can I do for you...today"? Naruto asks backing away.

"I know". She says before walking away.

"Shit". Naruto says. He had a bad feeling about that.