Chapitre 37: Chapter 37 The King in Yellow
Naruto stood in a blackened forest. The sky was dark and the moon was gone from the sky. Yellow silk was tied around the trees and littered the ground. No piece of yellow silk was disconnected from the others. Naruto looked down. He was standing on the Yellow silk. Behind him the black forest, in front of him miles and miles of Yellow silk of the finest make and quality. The silk flowed in a wind that was not there. In truth no matter what the silk always seemed clean. Naruto walked through the silk. It was tied sround trees or blanketed the forest floor. Hours seemed to pass and still the silk showed no end. The blackened forest was out of Naruto's sight. Faint whispers could be heard, but these were not the whispers of the Shadowed Man. These whispers were not nearly as alien. They were still strange aliens tongues but for some reason Naruto nor any mortal could truely understand these whispers to put in words mortal minds could understand these whispers were weaker than the Shadowed mans but more ethereal.
Walking through the yellow field of silk days, weeks, months, years, even decades seemed to pass in an instant as the ground was blanketed by the yellow silk. There was no end to the eternal yellow. As days seemed to pass with the moon never moving nor the wind ever blowing there was finally a glimpse of something. A massive ornate throne of beautiful stones and metals. Sitting on the throne was a seemingly humanoid being wearing the yellow cloak that stretched on for infinity. Though the figure itself stood no taller than a man. Under it's hood was a face covered completely in a yellow veil.
"And so we meet at last child", said the figure.
"Who are you", asked Naruto.
The figure dressed in yellow was still like a statue. Never moving nor breahing.
"I have many names. In this form I am known as The King in Yellow"
Naruto's eyes widened. He knew that name.
"Hastur, the Unspeakable One. Half brother and eternal enemy to Cthulhu"
Yellow silk wrapped around Naruto's neck choking him. The air grew denser and the light dimed.
"Do not speak that name in my presence", said Hastur.
Naruto only nodded as the yellow silk loosened and fell back to the ground.
"Where are we", asked Naruto while rubbing his neck.
"We are in the Dreamlands", said Hastur.
Naruto looked around.
"So the Dreamlands, I take it I am asleep", asked Naruto.
"Your body rests, your mind is active. We stand to the south, far south. Far from the isle of Oriab and its cities. I have claimed this land temporarily so that we may speak", said Hastur
"For a Great Old One to go so far just to speak with me, I would be honored to hear you out", said Naruto.
The still form that was Hastur stood. Wile still still as stone he moved to Naruto without the use of legs or any similar appendages hidden beneath the yellow silk.
"The Gaze of my kin has been turned on you for quite some time child, ever since you discovered the book. Many have stopped their observations, others continue to watch you. I have opted to speak with you. You merely must listen", said Hastur.
Naruto nodded.
"Your actions have created havoc for beings such as myself. My petulant half sibling has begun to stir, and Yig has taken minor interest on a human from your world. There buisness is none of my concern, however the order in our chaotic ways are changing. Soon we will be nothing but chaos with no order, or order with no chaos. Though order without chaos leaves no order left just as the reverse is true. The fundamental aspects of existence itself for us is changing by no fault of your own, though you are a major player in these events", said Hastur.
"So who's fault is it", asked Naruto.
"One more powerful than I or my half sibling. You have already met him. You call him the Shadowed man. Who or whatever he is is sufficiently powerful enough to block its identity from me and the other Great Old Ones", said Hastur.
"So then that means..."
Hastur nodded before Naruto could finish.
"Correct, by default the Shadowed man is an Outer God. Though with the countless Outer Gods I cannot truly say anything else. he is using you for some grand scheme. One that will change our nature. This includes mine. There are many ways I can deal with this. One would be your destruction. A simple task but I do not want to attract this beings attention. I am infinitely inferior to any Outer God", said Hastur.
"So what do you plan on doing", asked Naruto.
"Truthfully I do not wish my nature to change. Despite what others may believe I am content with my place in the multiverse, though should this Outer God succede I will have no choice. My only choice is obvious. I must cut the strings though being as I cannot do that so I shall do the next best thing and reveal them.", said Hatsur.
"Cut the strings?", questioned Naruto.
"A metaphor, since finding the book your choices has been taken from you. You are the property of an unseen puppet master. One who knows how the story will end so long as the strings that bind you remain. This Shadowed Man holds all the cards. He has a plan for you, what that plan is I hazard to guess. Though considering the Necronomicons involvement, then it's plan is quite clear. To understand this I will have to tell you the true purpose of the Necronomicon", said Hastur.
"I'm listening", said Naruto.
"Long ago when Azathoth first slept the Outer Gods were born. From them spawned the Great Old Ones. In our infancy before we acquired enough power on our own the Necronomicon was created by Nyarlathotep and given the essence of the other Outer Gods and Great Old Ones. Every single one of us used the book, though not directly. The Necronomicon would pass from deity to deity not to use ourselves but for that deity to use the necronomicon on others. The book would be left all over the multiverse and we would wait for some being to find it. Once that being would use the book it was only a matter of time before it or someone else use it's eldritch science and magics to change themselves. That was when we would strike. We would assimilate their form into ourselves and that creatures power and form would be added to our library of forms. This is how The Outer Gods and Great Old Ones gained more forms to use as we so wished. Once we became sufficiently powerful enough we could create or own forms from nothing. Eventually our children no longer needed the book to do this as we changed to do it naturally. The Necronomicon is nothing more than a relic of a history and practice no longer used", said Hastur.
Naruto did not speak. He looked to Hastur who moved back to his throne and sat.
"What I am saying is that the Necronomicon, the true one that you possess is no longer needed by us. However one of the Outer Gods now has resurrected that ancient practice, why I do not know. Though I believe this shadowed man plans on assimilating you once you become sufficiently powerful", said Hastur.
"Why, I mean if what you say is true The Necronomicon no longer serves that purpose, why need it at all. Any Outer God can do what I can do, why assimilate me", asked Naruto.
"And that is what I cannot grasp. This practice has long since died among my kind. Though it can still be preformed we simply have chosen not to. We no longer need to", said Hastur.
"Ok but why is Cthulhu...", That was as far as Naruto got when the yellow silk began to strangle him again.
"S-Sorry", he said weakly.
The silk loosened.
"Sorry Hastur, it was a slip of the tongue. I won't say his name again", said Naruto.
"See that you don't", commanded Hastur.
"But why is he involved", asked Naruto.
"It is my belief that the Shadowed Man is using my half sibling as some form of test against you", said Hastur.
Naruto's jaw dropped.
"Test, a test. I am expected to halt a Great Old One as some form of test", screamed Naruto in anger.
"This being is an Outer God, my half sibling is but an annoyance compared to himself, much the same way my half sibling would be considered to a mortal", said Hastur.
"So everything in my life that has happened, has been the work of some Outer God", asked Naruto.
"Indeed, since finding the book you have no real free will", said Hastur.
"We'll see about that", said Naruto.
"Remember child, your luck so far in your life has been this being leading you to where he wants you", said Hastur.
Naruto crossed his arms.
"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink", said Naruto.
"In this case the water is the sunken city, and the drink is to face my half sibling. To not drink would equal the destruction of your race", said Hastur.
Naruto turned to Hastur before his eyes fell.
"So I don't have any choice. EIther I listen to the puppet master, or I damn my entire species", said Naruto.
"He has made it where you have no choice but to drink", said Hastur.
"Well, I guess I lose", said Naruto.
"You have lost against an Outer God, there is no shame in it. You still can defeat a Great Old One", said Hastur.
Naruto sat down idly playing with the yellow silk.
"So no matter what, in ten years time either I stop your half brother and become just another form for some Outer God to use. Or I ignore it and destroy my entire race in the process", said Naruto.
"Life was never ment to win. The best it can do is break even. The universe is truly an uncaring place. And when Azathoth awakens nothing will have ever mattered for it never will have happened", said Hastur.
Naruto took a deep breath.
"There is no point to life. But we live it all the same", said Naruto with a small smile on his face.
Naruto stood up and bowed to Hastur.
"Thank you for telling me this, I understand you have your own reasons but I cannot show my true gratitude. I may be a puppet, but I won't doom an entire species just because no matter what I will lose", said Naruto.
Hastur nodded. And Naruto stood straight.
"Besides who's to say I won't be the first mortal in existence to out smart an Outer God", said Naruto.
"Stronger have tried and they all have failed", said Hastur.
"Like we Mortals say, there is a first time for everything", said Naruto.
Hastur did not move this time.
"Belive what you wish", said Hastur.
Then the world went black.
Naruto awoke in the hollow tree. Sasuke and Sakura were still sleeping, and his Shoggoth's eye stalks still watched from below. Naruto stood to stretch. Yawning he turned his head up. Rubbing his eyes he stared at something tied around one of the branches. It was a strip of yellow silk. Naruto raised an eyebrow as the strip of yellow silk then flew away in a gust of wind that was not there. Then a sound caught his attention.
The rustling of leaves and the colors of whispers could be heard. This were the voices of humans. Naruto got out of the hollow cavity in the tree. He saw the sound ninja trying to hide bt no one was silent. The heartbeat, it's colors of light red and orange visible through the trees. Three. There were three of them all set up preparing an ambush. Quite foolish considering what watches beneath Naruto's feet. Though Naruto did not hold it against them. They were only human after all.
Naruto's eyes trailed around the field. He had watchers. Old class mates were not far. Naruto ignored them. He had more pressing matters.
"You can come out now, I know you are there", said Naruto.
Three ninja came from the trees. The leader, covered in bandages was the first to appear.
"If you are here for our scrolls I have to say fighting me would be a detriment to your continued existence, as well as sanity", said Naruto.
"Oh is that so, and what could a brat like you do to us", asked the one who's face was covered in bandages.
"Me, I wouldn't have to lift a finger. It's what you have yet to see that will be your downfall", said Naruto.
The boy. The one with holes in his hands was the first to strike. He ran toward Naruto. The mad smile on his face betrayed his utter delight on the prospect of killing. He was the first to see that which lied unseen. A black tentacle busted violently from the ground. Wrapping around the boy. His screams of fear and terror echoed through the forest. The shoggoth oozed from the ground revealing it's many eyes and mouths. The boy pointed his palm at the Shoggoth and blew compressed air at it. There was no effect.
The girl, who's eyes were wide was the first to attempt to help. She put up more of a fight. Though no mortal could do much to the amorphous Shoggoth. His black tendrils oozed around her and held her high. All that was left was the one with bandages. He was cautious. His eye looking over the black blob. A thinker, coming up with some possible plan to save his teammates from the Shoggoth. Though his exposed eye showed fear at the beast. Naruto looked to the bushes. This battle had spectators. They were the classmates from the accademy as well as Rock Lee and his team. Naruto turned his head back to the boy in wraps. He had yet to move.
"Killing a Shoggoth is an impossible task. As an amorphous blob physical attacks are useless and pass right through it. I suggest you leave. Otherwise your teammates would be devoured. Slowly I might add", said Naruto.
Then there was a burst of energy. Naruto turned around. A Purple Haze of chakra poured from the hollow tree. Sasuke was the first to step out. His body covered in jagged black marks. Sakura was next. Her marks were the same, though were on the opposite side.
"Well, glad to see you are awake", said Naruto.
"What happened to me", asked Sasuke.
"Orochimaru marked both of you. You were the original target but Sakura jumped in the way to save you. She was marked, then he turned back to you. Once that was done he left", said Naruto.
Sasuke looked at Sakura who had the same purple aura and black marks on her.
"I was able too alter the process. The effects on the mind are weakened. So you should have some level of control over this state, though my equipment was limited", said Naruto.
There was a sound. The familiar sound. Naruto turned around to see the one in bandages use the device on his arm to cause the Shoggoth to ripple. His teammates fell.
"Lets go", he said.
They disappeared into the forest.
"I guess a Shoggoth and two others whith potent chakra were too much for them", said Naruto.
He put his hands behind his back and walked over to Sasuke and Sakura.
"How do you two feel", asked Naruto.
"Powerful", said Sasuke while he looked at his hand.
"This state seems to be addictive. I believe it activates endorphins while in use. However it is also a mutation. It will undoubtably make you powerful, but over use can result in sterility", said Naruto.
Both of their eyes widened.
"How do we turn it off", asked Sakura.
"I am not sure, I'll explain everything for now try and stay calm", said Naruto.
They both closed their eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly the black marks receded and the purple aura disipated.
"Well that worked. With what little information I could find on these marks they seem to cause a gradual mutation that will lead into a secondary form. One that requires outside stimuli to activate. The mutation has several dormant abilaties that activate when this stimuli is used and will cause spontanious mutation. What this mutation will look like I do not know", said Naruto.
"Can we remove the marks", asked Sakura.
"The damage has been done. Once a mutation is acquired It cannot be deleted without your death. I'm afraid you are both stuck like this", said Naruto.
"So what do we do", asked Sasuke.
"We will discuss that later, for now we should deal with our visitors", said Naruto.
He turned to a spot in the bushes.
"You all can come out now", said Naruto.
"I am not coming out with that thing right there", screamed the voice of Ino.
Naruto turned to his Shoggoth and nodded. It dispelled in a cloud of smoke.
"He's gone", said Naruto.
Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru stepped out of the bushes. Naruto turned to a tall tree.
"You as well", said Naruto.
Jumping from the tree was Lee, Neji, and Tenten.
"Well I take it you all saw everything", asked Naruto.
Team 10 all had there heads down not willing to speak. It was Neji who broke the silence.
"What was that creature, I have never seen anything like it", asked Neji, his face stoic.
"A Shoggoth, a shapeshifting black amorphous being. It is one of my summons", said Naruto.
"You have a summoning contract", asked Shikamaru.
Naruto nodded.
"Naruto got it when we were in Wave, this faceless demon looking thing gave it to him", said Sakura.
"Why would they do that", asked Neji.
Naruto put his hands in his pockets. Looking to his teammates and then to Neji.
"It is because of my eyes, apparently they have roamed the lands to find the one who had the Eyes of Azathoth. Azathoth is a deity for them", said Naruto.
"And what is Azathoth", asked Shikamaru.
"Azathoth is a deity of Chaos, eternally sleeping. They say when he awakens the multiverse will end", said Naruto.
"Sounds hard to believe", said Lee.
Naruto nodded.
"Do you expect Gods to be understandable to us in any shape or form. Azathoth is described as a creature bigger than any universe whose form is so alien that to even learn to much about him would cause you to go insane", said Naruto.
"I sincerely doubt such a creature could exist", said Neji.
Naruto shrugged.
"Believe what you want but my summons believe he exists. They also speak on his progeny The Outer Gods and their Progeny the Great Old Ones", said Naruto.
"Why are you telling us this stuff anyway", asked Tenten.
"I have no reason not to. The only thing I am really revealing about myself if that I can summon, which you could have guessed by noticing the Shoggoth did not attack me", said Naruto.
"Are you always this parinoid", asked Ino.
"No just cautious. I also didn't want you to come up with strange theories about me and follow me around in an attempt to figure out what was going on. I am not a fan of being followed", said Naruto.
"Whatever", said Ino.
"If we can get back on track we still have a test to complete", said Sasuke.
Naruto smiled.
"Do you still have the heaven scroll", asked Naruto.
Sasuke pulled it out to show Naruto.
Naruto reached in his pocket.
"While you were out I came across a team. I got their earth scroll. We can just head to the tower and get you both looked at", said Naruto.
"And what if we wanted those scrolls", asked Neji.
His teammates glared at him.
"Then you can take them, after dealing with a Shoggoth, or maybe a Gug, a giant four armed hairy beast with a sideways mouth, maybe a Nightgaunt, faceless demon like creatures that can make no sound. Or would you perfer to meet a Deep One. Half Fish beasts whose temper knows no limits", asked Naruto.
"Fine, then be off. We have to find a scroll ourselves", said Neji.
"Good, I suggest you all take your leave", said Naruto.
It took only a minute before they were alone.
"Not bad", said Sasuke.
Naruto shrugged.
"I try, now to the tower. I have just the thing to get there", said Naruto.
He bit his thumb. Slaming his hand on the ground a large cloud of smoke appeared. Hidden in the smoke were three Byakhee. Naruto smiled as did Sakura.
"We get to fly them again, this will be fun", said Sakura.
"What are these things", asked Sasuke.
"Byakhee, they can fly quickly, even in the vacuum of space. Everyone get on. We are going to fly in style", said Naruto.
"I call the green one with yellow spots", said Sakura as she ran to said Byakhee.
Naruto chuckled.
They each mounted their respective Byakhee and took off for the tower.
Standing not far away watching them take off was the Shadowed man with a strip of yellow silk in his hand.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone