Phantom of the Underworld - Chapter 11 (Patreon)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Highschool DxD or any other anime I use in this story.

Arc II- The White empress

Chapter 11- Monsters

"Quite the lovely reception, wouldn't you agree?" Naruto asked, as he was surrounded from all sides by Sairaorg's peerage, many of which pointing weapons that were mere inches from his face at him.

"Although I have to admit that Phenex's was better, you just can't go wrong with a good fireball." he mused, as he walked straight through the weapons as if they weren't even there.

"What are you doing here, Naruto?" Sairaorg, who was guarding his mother, asked.

As Naruto removed his mask, he raised an eyebrow. " Am I not allowed to visit an old friend?" He questioned.

"You had 8 years for a social visit, why start now?" The Bael retorted.

Sairaorg had heard that Naruto had survived his clan's massacre. But the rest about the Uzumaki was a complete mystery.

"True," Naruto conceded, "Sadly, this isn't a social visit." He told them.

Sairaorg narrowed his eyes, "then why are you here?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Naruto questioned, as he raised his arms in a grandiose fashion. "To scope out the competition, of course." He answered as he walked over towards Sairaorg's [Queen].

Causing Sairaorg's peerage to tense, expecting a fight.

But instead, Naruto just looked Kuisha up and down, until he finally nodded. "A Queen with a useful ability, no doubt she will help you get far within the future." He complimented.

As he traced Sairaorg's other members none of them stood out, a beautiful blonde devil, however, did wink at him. Until finally, his eyes landed on a young looking boy with spiky orange hair and golden eyes.

"If it isn't the Nemean Lion?" Naruto commented, and the other's in the room had their eyes widened.

How could this man know such a thing? It was supposed to be a secret.

Sensing their confusion, Naruto answered their unasked question, "What? I try to keep an eye on the current Longinus users. It isn't a surprise that I know of this one." He told them.

And as they readied their magic, Naruto decided to quell the rising tension. As he stuck out his hand in a placating fashion. "Relax, I didn't come here to fight. It wouldn't do us any good, and besides…"

He turned towards Misla Bael, a woman who Sairorg was ready to get out of here at any moment. "With your mother's 'condition', moving her around would only hasten her disease's effects." Naruto told them.

Sairaorg hastily turned towards his mother in shock, "what is he talking about?" He asked worryingly.

She had a guilty look on her face, and she was ready to deny the devil's accusations, but it was Naruto that answered for her. "Oh, She didn't tell you? Sadly, your mother had developed a not so uncommon sleep disease within the underworld." He revealed.

"What! Mother! Say it isn't true!" Saidaorg asked frantically, this revelation was enough for his peerage to unconsciously drop their guards in surprise.

But Naruto ended up elaborating even further. Of course she couldn't tell you. Under normal circumstances, the disease she has is incurable, with an almost guaranteed chance of death." He explained.

Misla had tears welling in her eyes, but she still couldn't face her son.

But Misla's silence was very telling, and gave the answer to the questions they had. Everything he said was true.

But how did he find out? The only ones who were supposed to know were her doctors, not even the butlers knew.

"Sairaorg I-" Milsa started, as tears fully brimmed within her eyes.

"Oh? How sad." Naruto interrupted, gaining glares from many within the room.

"What is it you want?" Sairaorg growled, not liking the news he had recently received.

Naruto tilted his head in confusion, "Why? To help, of course." He answered, as he hummed while walking towards the Bael woman. "I always did have a soft spot for caring mother's, perhaps it's just my own mother's influence?" He shrugged, as he outstretched his arm.

This particular disease was unique, as it was a disease only known to affect devils.

This disease was only known to affect the body's magical system. And it would gradually reduce the carrier's magic reserves, to the point of non-existence. Depending on the devil's initial reserves, the carrier could have the disease for years without even knowing it.

That was probably the reason for her son's lack of magic within his body. She'd probably had the disease since before her child's birth. And Sairaorg's lack of magic was likely another unfortunate side effect of the disease.

But as he was saying, once the carrier's magical reserves had decreased to a certain point, their body starts to deteriorate. Ironically, their sleep would also start to lessen, although this was due to their body's natural reaction to combat the disease.

Eventually their bodies would give out, and with the lack of magic within their systems, their bodies started to shut down. Leaving them within a coma-like state to prevent the condition of the carrier from getting worse.

And that would be the fate Misla would soon receive.

But that was of course… had he not been able to stop it.

How, you might ask? Well, the answer was simple. The disease solely affected the devil's magical system.

Not their bodies, although their bodies would be affected as a side effect. But as of right, Misla's body hasn't given out.

That meant it was well within his domain.

He focused, tapping into a small portion of the wellspring of power that resides inside him. The power that gave him complete control of imagination itself.

His Mangekyō spun violently, and his outstretched hand began to glow an eerie white. And had you not been blinded by the light. You would have seen a black, moon-like mark appear on his outstretched palm

He walked over and laid a single finger upon Misla's forehead.

The change was near instantaneous.

Her once pale skin became much tanner, and her once hidden bags under her eyes began to lessen.

But the biggest change was in the back of her mind. She no longer felt the intense complement to sleep.

"I-It's gone." she stuttered in surprise, not comprehending the situation.

Sairaorg immediately wrapped his mother in a warm embrace, being careful enough to not crush her.

He turned back to his old friend, "Thank you." He told him.

Naruto shrugged, "don't thank me, it's not like I won't be getting anything out of doing this." He stated. None of them noticed, but his skin was slightly paler from the stress of the technique he used.

Sairaorg narrowed his eyes, but he was willing to give up anything for his mother. "What do you want?" He asked.

Naruto smiled. "Only a moment of your time, I have an offer for you." He told him cryptically.

XXX

"So, You want us to challenge you to a rating game?" Kuisha asked in disbelief.

They were in a meeting room, with the only occupants being Sairorg, his mother, and Sairaorg's [Queen] and [Pawn]. Naruto had placed silencing seals within the room, so nobody else could hear their conversation.

"You're correct," Naruto affirmed, "everyone has their part to play, and this is yours." He told them.

"The Bael don't partake in treason." Misla told him.

Naruto only laughed, finding irony in that statement. "Don't they? Do you have any idea just what your 'husband' has done over the years?" He asked cryptically, and he turned towards Sairaorg. "And besides, this is a decision for your son. And we both know what he will do."

"And why is that?" Misla asked as she narrowed her eyes.

"Because everything he's ever done is for you." Naruto answered. "He fights for you, he trains for you, his only goal in life is to have you gain back the prestige you once had." He revealed.

Misla turned towards her son, surprise evident on her face. "Sairaorg, Is what he's saying true?"

Sairaorg looked away in shame, "I just wanted you to have the life you once had… the life you lost because of me." He told her.

Misla reached up to cusp her son's chin. "Son, you don't have to do that for me." She told him.

"Isn't this sweet?" Naruto sighed in recollection, "And she'll get everything she once had if you accept my deal. And if I somehow fail, you two won't be linked to any one of my plans. There isn't even any risk for you being involved. Honestly, it's a win-win."

"That isn't your choice to make." Misla glared.

"It isn't yours to make, either." Naruto told her. "And besides… I haven't even told you the best part yet."

Sairaorg raised an eyebrow, "And what's that?" He asked.

Naruto smirked. "What if I were to tell you there is a way for you to gain your clan's Power of Destruction?"

XXX

Occult Research Club Building

(Present)

Rias gremory wasn't happy, she hadn't been in a while.

She'd found out her long dead friend was alive and well. But then he'd tried to push her away, and she'd relented. And then her apparently second-fiancé, a man she hated with all her being, had come to tell her about her impending wedding, which would happen unless she were able to defeat him within a rating game.

So naturally, she'd summoned her once thought dead friend, with cards given to her by said friend's talking fox, and hired him to train her and her peerage.

Things seemed to be going smoothly, she'd been acquainted with some of Naruto's peerage members and even befriended Naruto's [Knight]. And then she'd overheard a conversation between said friend and her [Queen].

This time it was her who'd pushed him away. Although, to be fair, she needed to work on strategies for her impending rating game match.

And then came time for the rating game. And no matter how well they'd fought, it wasn't enough.

They'd lost, and she'd have to marry Riser.

But then, during the ceremony to celebrate their impending wedding. The ceremony was crashed, by her friend, Naruto Uzumaki.

He then promptly revealed a previous marriage contract set up years before his apparent death. And a battle between Naruto and her other Fiancé ensued.

What followed could only be described as a one-sided slaughter, showing the divide between herself and her old friend.

And then, once again, he'd tried to push her away. But instead of relenting this time, she pushed back. In the heat of the moment, she'd acted on her old feelings for her friend, she kissed him, fully on the lips. She took him completely by surprise, and then she'd invited him to another ceremony, to honor his apparent return to the Underworld and their impending wedding.

She still didn't know how to feel about that.

Which surprisingly, he'd come to, they'd talked, they'd danced, and it felt like old times, happy times. Her [Queen] had approached them, seemingly trying to bury the hatchet with her friend.

Then they'd been separated, and he'd seemingly disappeared.

She'd tried to wait out within the hideout in which she'd found him. But he'd never come back, none of them went back.

Worse was that her [Queen] wouldn't tell her what they'd conversed about. But she could still sense the animosity her [Queen] held for her friend. Her friend, or more accurately, her fiancé, which was nowhere to be found.

Just where the Hell was Naruto Uzumaki?

XXX

(With Naruto)

Naruto stared across the table at two familiar faces.

One was a man with golden blonde hair and blue eyes that were similar to his own.

The other was a man with red hair and greenish-blue eyes.

This was the Lords of houses Phenex and Gremory, two very powerful and influential devils in the underworld.

And the two of them were in his house with him, although specifically in his meeting room within the New Uzumaki mansion.

And had he looked behind him, he would have seen his loyal [Knight] Haku, watching over them. This was an important meeting after all, in more ways than one, and he'd elected to have at least one servant should things turn awry.

The two clan heads stared back, but neither of them said a thing.

That was, until Naruto broke the silence.

"Lord Gremory," Naruto nodded as he leaned over the small table and shook the red haired man's hand. " It is nice to see you again, I know it has been quite a long time since we have meet in a setting such as this."

Zeotocus Gremory smiled, "indeed it has. Although I believe the last time we met in such a formal meeting was about 12 years ago," he smiled a bit in recollection. "You did make quite the impression back then" he commented.

Naruto too smiled at the memory, recalling his initial meeting with this man and his family. "I remember the day quite well, and I hope I have matured quite a lot since then." He told the man.

"Of course," Zeotocus said. "And from what I can tell; You've grown into a fine young man, one that I'm sure Minato would be proud of," he complimented.

"Thank you" Naruto replied. And it was not long after that Naruto turned to the other man in the room. "Lord Phenex," he greeted, as he went to shake the blond haired man's hair.

Lord Phenex, or Ruval Phenex Sr, had many characteristics of his clan. From his spiked blonde hair, and eyes, he looked like an older version of his son. He even wore a similar red coat suit, although his was fully button with a matching tie to give off a more refined aura.

"Naruto," the lord greeted back, and if Naruto showed any discomfort at how he was being addressed, he didn't show it. "When I witnessed you return to the Underworld, I must say it was quite the surprise." He commented.

"Yes, well… truthfully, I hadn't intended on my arrival to be so dramatic," Naruto commented, as he bowed his head a little. "I would like to apologize for any disrespect I might have caused you or your family." He stated.

"Nonsense," the lord shook his head. "You were well within your right to do what you did. And the result of the match is no fault of your own. You both fought valiantly, and truthfully, I'm quite happy with the result of the match."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "is that so?" He asked, as he sat down within his chair.

The Phenex sighed, "Riser, has become quite problematic within the past few years. That is why we're hoping that with the result of the latest rating game, it could set him on the right path."

"Well, let's hope so, I'd like to see him in the young devil's tournament," Naruto said.

"You're entering the tournament?" Zeoticus asked.

"Of course I am, it is open to all High-class young devils, is it not?" Naruto inquired, as he silently signaled towards Haku, who then silently left the room.

"Yes, I suppose it is," Zeoticus relented. "I'd just assumed that after your upcoming match with young Sairaorg, you would start to slow down."

Naruto nodded, "your reasoning is sound" he conceded. "However, I believe you should perish that thought.

I've always been of the mind that once you have the capability to do somethingyou believe in, you should perform whatever it takes to accomplish it. There is no sense in waiting, for you should always strike while the iron is hot." He then turned towards Lord Phenex and asked, "do you not agree?"

The lord rubbed his chin in thought, "I suppose I would have to agree, although there is some sense in patiently waiting for a better time for such a task." He reasoned.

"I must have to agree with lord phenex," Zeoticus added.

Naruto eyed the two for but a second before a roar of laughter erupted from his voice, one full of mirth. "I suppose I should have expected such an answer." Naruto stated. "I must say, my father's description of you was quite accurate."

"Oh, your father spoke of me?" The Phenex inquired.

Naruto was about to answer, but was interrupted as the door opened.

Haku approached the table, this time hauling a cart in her wake.

Naruto watched as she poured him a cup of tea. "Thank you, Haku," he stated, as he gave her a genuine smile.

"Of course, Naruto-sama" Haku said, she bowed curtly towards her master. She then went on to pour the two lords a cup as well.

"I thought it would be best to have some refreshments while we discuss things. And my servant, Haku, makes quite the delectable brew." Naruto reasoned, as he gingerly brought the glass up towards his mouth to drink.

It was not long after that the two lords did the same, and a pleasant smile graced their lips.

"Yes, this is quite delicious." Zeoticus agreed.

Lord Phenex's reply was drawn out, as he took some time before he spoke. "Yes… I suppose it is," He mused. "Tell me, that servant there, she's your Knight, the one that fought my son's [Queen, was she not?" He asked.

"You have quite the good eye, lord Phenex," Naruto complimented. "Yes, I suppose she is," he affirmed.

"I had thought so," the lord nodded," she had quite the impressive ice magic." He complimented," Such control in the element is rare these days."

Haku bowed, "why thank you, Phenex-sama, your words are most kind."

"While we are on the topic of your [Knight," Zeoticus piped up. " I couldn't help but notice your [Knight] is quite beautiful, might I inquire as to your relationship with her?" He asked blatantly.

Haku was able to keep her impassive visage at the unasked question, but she couldn't help the light dusting of pink that grazed her cheeks…

Naruto however didn't catch what he was implying. "What ever do you mean?" He asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Well, merely asking because of your impending marriage towards my daughter but…" Zeoticus paused to formulate his words carefully. "Should you enter a relationship with any other women. I feel as if you decide to do such a thing, I, as clan head, should be entitled to know. You are aware that it isn't exactly uncommon for devils of high standing to take multiple partners." It was true, and even though Zeotocus loved his wife, Venalana, he too had his own harem he'd occasionally bed with.

"I see… well as of now she is strictly a servant within my peerage." Naruto answered, not fully interested in the matter.

"We seem to have gone off-topic," Naruto stated . "What were we discussing earlier?"

"I believe we were talking about my late friend Minato—may he soul Rest In Peace ." Lord phenex reminded , as he threw in the devil equivalent of a prayer for his deceased friend.

"Ah yes," he nodded in recollection. "Truthfully, my father rarely spoke of you or his former clan. Although he stated that you were a model example of what your clan aspires towards, and that the Phenex clan is among some of the most honorable and honest devils within the underworld." Naruto informed.

"Minato and I were very close before his…untimely demise, I'm honored he held me and my clan to such a high degree." The Phenex stated.

"Yes, well… a pity that his notions were wrong." Naruto stated.

Once he finished his sentence, not another word was spoken within the room. As all the other occupants in the room were shocked at what he'd stated.

Lord Phenex was the first to recover. "You dare speak ill of my clan, Boy!" The clan head spat through gritted teeth.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Apologies, but it was not meant as an insult, I was merely stating a fact. Your clan's notions of honor and honesty are, in fact, wrong." He stated as if it were simply a fact.

Now, normally, Lord Phenex wasn't one to let his temper get the better of his. However, there was one thing the Phenex wouldn't stand for. And it was the fact that one would so blatantly insult not only himself, but his entire clan as a whole.

Sure, he'd heard the simple derogatory nicknames for his clan, such as: Yakitori or fried chicken. But with how Naruto could affront his clan so callously with such a disinterested look on his face clearly set him off.

'Perhaps this was where Riser had previously gotten his aggressive tendencies from?' Naruto mused, it certainly was an interesting thought.

"Now, now, I'm sure young Naruto didn't mean it-" Zeoticus tried to placate the situation, but he was interrupted.

"Oh no, I meant all that I said," Naruto corrected the Gremory clan head.

"You have no idea who you're talking to, do you, boy." The Phenex leader spat through gritted teeth.

Although, the Uzumaki just raised his eyebrow once again. "And you have no idea why I called this meeting, do you?" He stated, as he looked at the confused Gremory and irate Phenex.

"Oh? I suppose I neglected to mention that, your two clans…" he pointed at both clan heads, "will be forming an alliance together." He stated, surprising the two once again.

"Are you mad?" The Phenex asked.

But Naruto only shook his head, "I can assure you that I'm very much sane. " he assured.

As he went further in on his explanation, "But the two of your clans are among some of the most powerful within the underworld. It would surely benefit both your clans should you two form an actual alliance, would it not? I mean, wasn't that what your whole political marriage was about? I because surely it wasn't done out of any parental love." Naruto stated, but the Lord of Gremory didn't take the bait.

"And why should we listen to you?" The Phenex asked, only to be ignored by Naruto.

Zeoticus however, was mulling over several thoughts within his head, although two questions were coming to the forefront of his mind. "What's your motive in doing this? What do you stand to gain from an alliance between our two clans?" He asked.

Although Naruto only gave a blank eye smile. "Wouldn't you believe me when I said that I felt guilty with disrupting your two clans joining with my entrance back into the underworld?" He asked.

"Not a chance." Zeoticus replied almost instantly.

"Oh Lord Gremory, how you wound me so," Naruto said as he clutched his heart dramatically. "And to think I might've even thought of you as a father one day."

But Zeoticus only gave a short snort in rebuttal; "Cut the dramatics, I saw that enough with Minato and Kushina back in the day," He stated.

It was only then that Naruto straighten, as he lost his ever so fake smile that was plastered on his face.

"Let's just say that I wish for a more united underworld. And this is one step towards that direction." He said cryptically, as he twirled his finger through the empty glass.

"Be that as it may…" Lord Gremory got up to walk away. " I believe this meeting is over."

"I agree," Lord Phenex also got up, "we've entertained this farce long enough."

Naruto frowned, "I wouldn't do that if I were you." He warned.

The Phenex turned back. "And why is that?" He asked.

"Because Lord Phenex…" Haku handed Naruto a few photos, "these photos will be released to the public if you don't."

He placed the photos on the table, and the two gasped.

"You can't be serious." Zeoticus muttered out in surprise.

Lord Phoenix's face went pale."This is…" he spoke.

"Documented photos of Honest Phenex, your predecessor, deliberately aiding the Old Satan faction during the civil war." Naruto finished.

"You cannot be serious." Ruval muttered in surprise.

"Ruval, tell me it isn't true?" Zeoticus questioned his old friend.

"I can assure you it is," Naruto told them. "Rival's predecessor was quite the cowardly man behind the surface. And in the civil war, he wasn't quite sure that which faction would win in the end. So he did the only thing he could think of… pretend to ally with the New Satan faction while simultaneously giving the Old Satan faction both information and Phenex tears." He explained.

"Of course, Honest later died in the war, and his successor, Ruval Phenex Sr., later took the position of clan head whilst ending his clan's former dealing with the old Satan faction. It's a rather noble tale on his part." Naruto stated, "Of course, the underworld won't see it that way."

Ruval looked back at the Uzumaki, "you intend to go to the public about this? The Phenex clan will-"he was interrupted.

"The Phenex clan's reputation will be ruined. And in the best case scenario, your clan won't be disbanded… but the Phenex will forever be known as traitors." Naruto finished, "rather ironic, don't you think?" He mused.

"I… you'll…" Lord Phenex's rage only grew, as the photos in his hands burst into flames.

Naruto only sighed at the lord's childishness, "you want to know the good thing about having your entire estate burning down?" He asked them as He handed him another set of photos. "You learn to make a lot of copies." He answered for them.

"This… this is extortion."Ruval stuttered out.

"That's exactly what this is," Naruto smiled. "I thought we'd skip all the political crap you clan heads throw in and get to the point." He told them.

"But if your two clans were to align…" the papers he was holding burst into flames. " The photos will never see the light of day." Naruto assured.

"Naruto, you cannot be serious." Zeotics said in disbelief.

"I am..." he affirmed, "And it's Lord Uzumaki." he told them, as he turned toward the red-headed man he asked. "Now, Lord Gremory, what are you going to do now?"

Zeoticus began to stare at the young Uzumaki.

At first, he had gone to this meeting purely for entertainment purposes. He'd thought Naruto was more like Kushina, who was far too brash for the strategic game that was politics.

But Naruto?

He was much more like Minato than he seemed.

They accepted this meeting simply to satisfy their own amusement. None of them expected to be backed into a corner like this.

Did Naruto have information on his clan as well? He doubted it would be as detrimental as what he had on the Phenex.

But then again… he would never think his friend's clan would do such a thing.

Was that Naruto's plan?

To invite them both and reveal his friend's clan's treachery right before they formed an alliance.

'Had Naruto-No! Lord Uzumaki,' Lord Gremory corrected within his mind. 'Had he known that we were already planning on forming an alliance between our clans to begin with.' He thought.

Was it that he wanted to sow a seed of doubt within them, was that it?

Or was it something else?

He wasn't able to even remotely pinpoint the Uzuamki's intentions. They were just so… unpredictable.

Idly, he wondered… what someone would have to go through to become a monster like Naruto Uzumaki.

XXX

Flashback (8 years ago)

When he came to, he had woken up in an air pocket within the broken building. He could faintly hear the voracious black flames devouring his house outside, burning everything they touched.

He didn't know how long he sat there, covered in dust from the debris of the collapsed building and marred with the dripping deep crimson liquid that had covered his mother's lifeless corpse.

Not long after, his mother's body began to 'fade' away.

They were beings composed entirely of magic, and unlike humans, they didn't get to go to heaven or hell. They just faded, becoming one with the world's magic. Some saw it as some sort of spiritual ascension, a sort of afterlife for those who were uncared for in this world.

They become one with the world itself.

But he knew different, it just meant that you would leave nothing behind… that you were forgotten.

And so, he just sat there, tears freely flowing down his one good eye, while the other leaked only blood.

His only comprehensive thought was but a whisper that was drowned out but hollow roars of the flames around him.

"I get it now… I'm… in hell."

XXX

One year later.

(Somewhere outside konoha)

7 targets

6 were placed high up in the nearby trees that surrounded him, while the last was placed inconspicuously behind a large boulder, inaccessible through normal means.

A black haired boy jumped through the air, flipping as he did so. In one fluid motion, he sent 7 kunai soaring though the air. Each blade carefully calculated to meet their intended targets.

And, when he heard the distinct clang of metal hiring metal and the thudding sound of the blades, he inspected his work.

Three-tomoed crimson red eyes observed the area, with each blade hitting their mark.

Conveying the countless hours he'd spent practicing with blades such as these. Back before… his father had showed him how to throw blades such as these from a young age. After a couple of years of practice, he'd say he was proficient with them. And after he'd fully matured his eyes, he'd say his skill with them had skyrocketed.

But it wouldn't matter.

No matter how good he got with these blades, he still wouldn't be able to match up with him! He was faster, stronger and smarter.

That infuriated him.

Walking over to a nearby target, he reached for the kunai's handle and pulled, separated the blade which had been previously been impaled through the hard wood.

Inspecting the blade, he could see that it was slightly worn down, a telltale sign of their constant use. But he could still see his reflection through the blackened metal.

Red eyes blazed in front of him.

Images of this 'that' night rushed forward.

Of his parent's smiling faces, of Kakashi, and finally of his mother's pale face. How her dead eyes gazed back up at him, her warm blood smothering his clothes. Her sword gleamed in the moonlight as it impaled her straight through her chest.

He remembered it all, down to the last detail.

That was the curse of the Sharingan, he was cursed with perfect eyes that allowed him to remember every single moment of that night with perfect clarity.

His breathing quickened, and his hand shook.

He remembered it all… every time he closed his eyes, he saw 'her' face.

Conducting wind magic through the blade, and disrupting the reflection it cast. He began to observe the faint blue outline his magic produced. It surrounded the kunai like cold flame, only slightly revealing the power it truly had. This had been a new skill he had learned recently.

By using wind manipulation to coat the blade in a pale shroud that augmented the blade's piercing power exponentially.

Absent-mindedly, he seemingly tossed the kunai at a nearby tree, towards a nearby onlooker.

"Hey!" A voice called out, sitting right next to the tree he had previously tossed the knife at, the lethal object had cut straight throughout the tree just inches above his head.

And as Naruto stared at the creature in confusion, a single word of confusion ame to the forefront of his mind, "… A frog?"

"Hey! I'm not a frog!" The 'frog' shouted In indignation, "I'm a toad!"

And indeed he was, being about the size of a small puppy. With bright strange skin, yellow toad like eyes and purple markings all around his body.

"Even so…" Naruto played with another Kunai in his hand.

A talking toad wasn't the strangest thing he'd even seen. Hell, he had a talking fox, although that had been a fairly recent discovery. "Who are you?" He asked what he believed to be a familiar.

The toad held his arms up in a placating fashion. "Woah, woah, there isn't any need to get violent, now is there?" He questioned. But the only response he'd gotten was the faint pale blue glow that his kunai had seemingly adopted. "Alright, my name is Gamakichi!" The now named toad answered.

Naruto narrowed his eyes, "Well then, Gamakichi?" He repeated. "Who sent you?" He questioned, as he aimed the glowing knife at his newfound target.

The toad once again waved to placate the devil, this time his hands were moving far more frantically. He really didn't intend to get stabbed this evening. "Again with the threats? Jeez, master sure knows how to pick 'em"

"Master?" Naruto questioned.

"I… Er… wasn't supposed to say that!" He clamored, but upon receiving the young-devil's indignant stare, he shut his mouth.

"Master?" Naruto questioned once again, but this time his patience for the toad seemingly vanished.

"Um… look! I'd like to tell you, but he said I shouldn't… at least not right now…" the toad fumbled. "But he wants you for a job!" Gamakichi pipped up.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued for the first time in their conversation. "And why should I listen to you?" He asked.

The toad nodded, seemingly not unnerved by the question."Master said you would be cautious, that's why he wanted me to bring this…" he held on of his fingers, as the universal sign of 'one second'. As he seemingly tried to force himself to physically throw up. And after a few croaks, his efforts seemed to prove successful.

And what he spit up? Well… it made his heart sink.

Naruto closed the distance between the two,

As he fingered the object, he had recognized. And there was no mistaking it, it was definitely what he had seen from 'that' night.

It was a piece of torn black cloth… one with a red cloud-like design.

"Where did you get this?" Naruto questioned, a little more forceful than the toad would've liked, especially when the distance between the two was so small.

"Look," Gamakichi waved his hands once again to placate the devil. "My master plans to tell you all he knows and more." He told him, "he just wants you to do a few jobs for him." The toad finished.

Naruto looked back at the toad, as he had previously been enthralled by the piece of torn cloth within his hands. "Jobs? What kind of jobs?" He questioned.

"Just a few jobs my master need to get done. And he's even given you a day to decide if you want to accept or not." The toad explained, as he hopped off, but not before adding. "Come back here tomorrow, same time, if you want to accept." He added, seemingly happy to be able to get away from him.

But not before he'd left a manual folder where he'd previously been sitting. But Naruto made no room to grab it, as he was once again entrance by the broke piece of torn cloth.

One way or another… he'd be getting some answers.

He thought, as he finally reached to look inside. Unaware that there happened to be another onlooker watching him.

XXX

(Unknown location)

A young teen walked through the eerie halls.

He had pale skin, like that of snow, along with just as pale long hair framing his face. He had jade green eyes and on his forehead were two distinct scarlet dots, which marked him as a member of the Kaguya clan of mad demons.

Currently, he was their last living member.

He wore a long sleeved, loose fitting, lavender shirt with a white yin-yang symbol at the bottom and black pants, wrapped at the bottom, and Shinobi sandals. And around his waist was a long purple rope, a symbol of his allegiance to his master.

As he finally reached his destination, he knelt down on the ground, right in front of a large throne.

"You requested me, Orochimaru-sama" The young man stated, to a man sitting upon the throne.

"Kukuku… indeed I have, Kimimaro-Kun…" the man started.

The man sitting at the throne also had pale skin, but unlike Kimimaro's, his was of an unnatural pigmentation, as it was of a ghastly white that only a ghost could possess. His hair was long, waist-length, and midnight black. While his eyes were like that of a snake's, with their yellow iris and their slitted pupils. While purple snake-like clan markings surrounded them, along with a pair of extended fang-like teeth.

This man was Orochimaru, a man wanted in nearly every corner of the known worlds for the countless number of inhumane experimentations he has performed within his lifetime.

" I have something I need you to take care of for me." Orochimaru ordered.

"I will do what is requested, my lord." Kimimaro affirmed.

Orochimaru smirked, "It seems a rather pesky toad has snuck its way into one of our bases, and I'm afraid that the base might be compromised soon…"

"What would you like me to do Orochimaru-sama?" Kimimaro asked.

"You will go to the west base, leave nothing behind, there is nothing of value in that particular hideout anyway." Orochimaru ordered.

"And the people within the base?" Kimimaro inquired.

Orochimaru's smirk widened, "kill them… and leave no survivors." Orochimaru commanded, as he waved to send Kimimaro off.

Kimimaro stood up, nodding as he did so, "I will do as you ask, my lord."

It wasn't long after that the pale skinned boy left the room, but not before he heard a distinct laugh echo throughout the halls.

"Kukukuku."

End Chapter.