Chapter 73: Chapter 27: Demon's Origin
Chapter 27: Demon's Origin
Naruto was thrown into a chamber made of earth as he rolled across the floor from the force exerted upon him. He coughed, quickly shifting to a more comfortable position and holding his left arm. He looked towards the entrance of the cell before Zetsu retreated behind the small hole as the earth began to shape itself and join leaving him in solitude.
He shook his head trying to remain awake as he rose to his feet. He observed the chamber looking at the rough wall and ceiling. He walked towards one of the sides and brushed his hand across the rugged texture. Shaking his head, he sat down and leaned back against it, "It absorbs chakra…guess I'm not going anywhere."
He titled his head backwards to rest against the wall as he began to recollect over his conversation with the leader of the Akatsuki. The face of Yasuo screaming flashed through his mind as he remembered everything that had happened in the fight between Madara and the Shodaime.
He clenched his fist tightly as he tried to control his growing hate and anger towards the Uchiha. He had always believed in shaping his own future however knowing that most of your life was being guided by an outside hand hurt him deeply. He stared at the tiny rocks in front of him as they helped shape the larger chamber he was currently in. He compared it to his own situation thinking of how great the goal of Madara was and how he was just one of the many parts needed to accomplish it.
Naruto closed his eyes, sighing as he concentrated on creating a link with the demon fox inside him. 'Kyuubi…'
He waited patiently for a reply and after a few minutes he received one, "What do you want?"
Naruto remained calm as he asked his question, 'Did you know about this…about that statue?'
The Kyuubi's prideful voice echoed in his head, "I have known about Anima since my beginning."
Naruto opened his eyes, 'What do you mean by beginning?'
The demon fox answered the blonde, "The tailed beasts all had a beginning…it was him."
Naruto understood the demon as his words flowed through his mind, 'You mean you were created from him?'
Kyuubi resumed, "Anima wasn't always sealed; he used to rule over this pathetic plain of existence. You pitiful humans were his subjects and followed him like fools."
Naruto shifted his left arm as he gritted his teeth, ignoring the throbbing pain, 'Then how was he sealed?'
Kyuubi had a feral grin across his furry face, "The humans weren't happy with their lives and devised a plot without him knowing. At that time, the use of chakra and study into its powers was relatively new and having seen what they became capable of when they used it…the humans believed they could defeat Anima."
Naruto undid the bandages across his right forearm, using them to wipe the dry blood from his face since the wound had been closed due to Kyuubi's healing abilities, 'And they did?'
Kyuubi licked his canines, "No, they were slaughtered for the futile attempt they made."
Naruto stopped wiping his face, 'Nani? Then how did he end up like this?'
Kyuubi continued in his booming voice, "You can't hurt something which is invincible. Their failure taught those fools what they should've already known. The humans of that time then concentrated on chakra and its many uses and eventually learned how to seal items and objects. As they delved deeper they began to hope again thinking they could defeat Anima by restricting his powers completely. This would also fail but from this defeat they devised a plan which would succeed."
Naruto threw his dirtied bandages to the hard floor before wiping the sweat from his forehead, 'What did they do?'
Kyuubi remained silent for a few moments before speaking, "Due to the enormity of Anima's power, they knew they couldn't completely seal it away…but simply breaking it up so it was mildly controlled was possible. The seal masters of that time used 9 animals to each bear part of his power. But due to the volatile sealing process, the chakra wasn't evenly split and some of the containers received a lot more chakra and abilities than others."
Naruto's eyes widened in recognition, 'You were one of the containers…the one who received the most power.'
Kyuubi's voice reverberated through the blonde's mind, 'I ended up receiving half of Anima's power and chakra with the other half residing within the 8 other tailed beasts. There were different effects across all the containers; some were just like animals yet more powerful and others inherited the cunningness of Anima also. The humans thought that they could enslave us and use us to their will…in return for their ambitions, I gave them death."
Naruto sighed as he knew of the demon's thirst for blood, 'What about you and Madara?'
Kyuubi continued, "He was one of many that challenged me. After having killed a few of their kind, I grew suspicious of why they so relentlessly pursued my power. I discovered the gift they had received from Anima and took pleasure in killing every one of them weaklings. However, Uchiha Madara was different from those who had come before him. He had already sealed the other 8 before he came to challenge me. Such a power shouldn't have been within his hands. Even so, he was still no match for me and I nearly killed him but he managed to escape. Years later, I was once again challenged by two but they also ran. I pursued them since cowards are the most pathetic kind of humans and it is dishonourable to run from a battle."
Naruto listened absorbedly, 'But when you got to Konoha, you forgot about them and decided to destroy the village instead?'
Kyuubi grew angry as he heard the genin, "Fool, I never forget those who dishonour me. The reason why I took priority in destroying the village is because it happened to be the Uchiha's nesting ground. I decided to finish them off once and for all along with all the other unworthy humans."
Naruto shook his head, 'You knew Madara was alive didn't you?'
Kyuubi responded, "When you came to me on your knees and begging for help. You informed of the Akatsuki's goal to obtain all the bijuu…I had my suspicions then, that he might still be alive since I didn't deal the final blow to him."
Naruto laughed as he realised a similarity in between his and the demon's goals, 'You're fighting your destiny…that's why you agreed to our pact…'
The Kyuubi remained silent before speaking in a menacing tone, "Don't underestimate me…disable the link, you've outstayed your welcome."
Naruto complied with the commanding order from the demon within him as he finished their mental link with each other. He looked at his left forearm before slowly undoing the bandages around it. As he let the last of the white cloth move from his skin, it revealed the intricate seal behind it. He sighed as he realised what he would have to do. He thought of all his friends and his soon to be born child. He shook his head smiling, "Tomorrow…I'll end this."
He didn't have time to contemplate any further as he heard the wall across him stir before it moved to a side and revealed the figure behind it. Naruto stared at the criminal in front of him, looking into the visible hole in his orange mask, "The extraction's happening earlier than expected."
Tobi walked into the chamber as he observed the chaotic state of the blonde, "There isn't going to be an extraction."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at his comment, "You're here to kill me?"
Tobi laughed as he scratched his head, "You've changed." He nodded upon finishing his statement.
Naruto looked on quizzically at the criminal, "Do I know you?"
Tobi folded his arms, taking a thinking stance for a few moments before finally moving his hand to his mask. He pulled it up revealing his face as he spoke to the shocked jinchuuriki, "I don't know, you tell me."
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Jiraiya ran through the murky swamp quickly as Sasuke, Kakashi and Sakura followed close behind. Pakkun led the way in front of the group as Jiraiya was by his side and running as fast as he could without letting the summon fall behind. They had passed the Valley Of The End and were now currently in Rice Field Country.
Sasuke looked around at the recognisable surroundings as he continued running, "This brings back memories."
Kakashi looked at the fellow sharingan wielder, "You've been here."
Sasuke nodded as he looked on ahead, "When I left, I went through this same place. Orochimaru's village was east of here." He felt ashamed of bringing up his past but focused on the task at hand instead so it didn't dwell on his mind too much.
Jiraiya listened to the two shinobi as he swiftly jumped across the large leaves in the muddy river in order to cross it, "We're heading north and from what it looks like, right past the border."
Sakura followed behind the toad hermit, "There's no known country up north, just a desolate wasteland."
Jiraiya nodded, as he landed on the ground ahead of the polluted river and jumped into the trees. The rest were right behind him as he spoke, "It doesn't really make sense that Akatsuki would have a base in such a deserted place. In total, there are around 8 pieces of land across the world where there are no inhabitants."
Sakura nodded, acknowledging the information as Kakashi spoke, "They must need the land for something. It would be a lot easier to blend in one of the many Countries."
Jiraiya's thoughts were on Naruto as he replied, "Hai, they've been gathering large amounts of money by collecting bounties and building up their financial state. The money must be connected to the land since I believe they have enough to fund their own village…which may be what they are doing."
Sasuke looked at the frog hermit, curious as to how he knew all this information, "How do you know so much of their plans?"
Jiraiya looked back at the Uchiha, "Through a friend."
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Naruto looked on in surprise at the young visage staring back at him. The left eye of the criminal was tightly shut with a scar running right across it, his face was thin and his jaw defined. The jinchuuriki finally spoke, "What are you doing here?"
Tobi pulled the mask back across his face, covering it up, as he replied, "It's been 2 years and this is the greeting you give me." He feigned being hurt.
Naruto was unresponsive to his joking demeanour, "I'm serious."
Tobi coughed, "I'm here on request of Jiraiya-sama…when we departed ways, I decided to help him after everything he had done for me. It was hard getting in but I did it eventually."
Naruto looked at the ground as he began to think, "You're his informant." He looked upwards at the criminal, "You didn't have to do this."
Tobi sighed, "I did though…to atone for past mistakes…" He scratched his head, "I need to get you out of here."
Naruto smiled as he slowly rose to his feet only to stumble before Tobi quickly grabbed him. He placed his right arm around his neck, "You've grown tremendously since I last saw you."
Naruto chuckled not letting his drowsiness overcome him, "I'm stronger than you now."
Tobi laughed at the comment but instantly stopped as he felt another presence. He looked towards the entrance of the chamber, "Hey, Sempai."
Naruto faced where the criminal was looking to meet the eyes of a fellow blonde. Deidara was still as he looked at the two shinobi, "You were the spy."
Tobi spoke calmly, "Yeah, I was." He moved Naruto to his side preparing to defend himself against any possible attack.
Deidara closed his eyes, "I'm not going to fight you yeah."
Naruto remained silent as Tobi voiced his confusion, "You're not?"
Deidara opened his eyes before folding his arms, "I overheard our leader, seems like he has been screwing over all of us from the beginning yeah."
Tobi scratched his head, "Oh."
Naruto remembered Madara's goals and understood why the criminal across him wasn't very willing to help anymore, "Taking others lives is easy and doesn't leave you questioning your methods…but when it comes back to yourself…views are changed greatly." He looked at the criminal with visible detest since he was the one who attacked Konoha.
Deidara shook his head, "Whatever yeah." He looked at Tobi, "Make sure the kid stays alive no matter what the cost. He's the only chance we have. You've probably got an hour before Zetsu realises his absence…I'll delay them as much as I can yeah."
Tobi was confused with how helpful the criminal was being, "What exactly did you overhear?"
Deidara moved towards the exit of the cell, "I don't have time to explain yeah."
Tobi nodded as he walked to the exit whilst carrying Naruto. As the three shinobi walked out of the cell, they quickened their pace as they ran through the corridors. Naruto looked at the corridors which had technological equipment implanted into the walls and ground surrounded by earth. As they exited the cave, his eyes widened as he saw the sight in front of him.
He was in a large city with towering buildings which looked a lot more advanced than any other village he had seen. The sun was rising in the distance as the lights on the various buildings began to switch off. He looked to his left at the masterful statue carved which was sticking out of the wall of rock. "We were in a mountain."
Tobi nodded as he swiftly began to run following Deidara, "Yeah, this city was built from that mountain outwards. We were told it was being built as a sort of haven for mercenaries who would help us start wars."
Deidara scoffed as he heard the black haired Akatsuki, "It was all bullshit yeah."
Tobi didn't bother asking what the real reason was since he figured he could question Naruto on the way. As they ran through the city, Deidara stopped before facing the other two shinobi, "This is where we part ways yeah."
The blonde criminal began to check through his clay as Tobi spoke for the final time, "For what it's worth…it's been fun."
Tobi took off with Naruto as Deidara formed a sculpture of a bird, "Yeah it has." He pushed some chakra into the miniature sculpture before it transformed into a larger bird. Ignoring the smoke, he jumped onto his transport as it took off into the air. He looked at the rising sun in the distance before he flew over the city.
He saw the figures of Naruto and Tobi vanishing in the distance as he turned to look over the city below, "My greatest masterpiece." He flew towards the statue carved into the mountain forming one of his explosive artworks and throwing it into the open mouth. Seconds later, an explosion occurred as the head of the statue was blown off causing parts of it to be thrown in multiple directions.
Deidara began to laugh, "How's that for a bang?"
He keenly observed the exit of the cave at the side of the mountain waiting for any signs of movement. "Come on yeah."
"Looking for me." The voice caused the criminal to swerve on his bird and create some distance as he looked towards the statue he had decimated moments before. Where the head used to be was now the body of Zetsu.
Deidara smirked, "And one other yeah."
Zetsu slowly exposed himself from the statue so his figure was clearly visible, "Why are you destroying things?" His face remained expressionless.
Deidara flew with his transport before coming to a halt across Zetsu, "Don't act clueless. You're the one who's been helping that old freak yeah."
Zetsu looked at the angry shinobi, "We're all working towards a common cause."
Deidara laughed, "I overheard him talking; there never was a common cause yeah."
Zetsu tilted his head to the side slightly, "You've done something which you're going to regret."
Deidara spitted towards the ground, "The only thing I regret is letting myself be convinced to join this damn organisation by you yeah."
Zetsu's dark side spoke as his face showed no signs of change contrary to the sound of his voice, "Allow me to end that regret."
Before the two began to fight, Deidara's attention was diverted towards the bottom of the mountain as a seething Uchiha stood glaring at him.
Madara had been disturbed from his recovery as he heard the explosion go off. He instantly headed to the source wanting to end any problems since he was now so close to his goals. He looked at Deidara, aware of the betrayal, "You dare defy me."
Zetsu spoke to the leader of Akatsuki, "Madara-sama, I can handle this. You should go ahead and retrieve the jinchuuriki."
Madara looked at his loyal subordinate, "There was a spy?"
Zetsu looked at Deidara, answering the Uchiha's question, "It was Tobi."
Madara closed his eyes controlling his building fury before he began to run. Deidara noticed the sudden movement before throwing one his clay bombs in the path of the Uchiha and causing him to jump out of the way of the explosion.
Deidara's transport swerved before flying over Madara and stopping in his path. The art appreciating criminal addressed the orange haired criminal, "You're not going anywhere yeah."
Madara stared at the criminal flying in the sky. The black circles in his crimson eyes began to swirl before forming the sharingan. He spoke in an intimidating and fuming tone, "You will die a painful death."
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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