Naruto sat at the rendezvous point, the moon high in the sky, its pale light casting long shadows across the clearing. He sat cross-legged on the ground, his eyes half-lidded in quiet contemplation as he played absentmindedly with his brush. He dragged the brush across the dirt, making abstract strokes as if painting the very air. In reality, he was testing his ink's potency, even in its dormant state. He chuckled to himself, the thought of Mizuki's reaction amusing him.
The sound of footsteps reached his ears long before the silver-haired traitor came into view. Mizuki arrived as expected, a smug grin plastered on his face, though his eyes betrayed a hint of wariness. The man wasn't alone; Naruto could sense another presence lurking just out of sight, hiding in the thick shadows of the nearby trees. Naruto made no effort to acknowledge it, his attention fixed on the treacherous academy instructor.
"You're late," Naruto said in a casual tone, getting to his feet. His voice was light, but his eyes gleamed with anticipation.
Mizuki frowned at the lack of formality but ignored it. "Where's the scroll, Naruto?" he asked, scanning the area with suspicion.
Naruto's lips curled into a sly grin. "Somewhere safe," he replied, his tone easy, as if they were discussing an inconsequential matter. In truth, he hadn't stole the scroll at all.
Mizuki's frown deepened. "Hand it over, and you'll become a genin," he said, his voice oily with false encouragement. "Isn't that what you want? To pass the exam? To be a real ninja?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, his playful grin never faltering. "Sure, that's nice and all," he began, turning the brush over in his hand, the wood smooth against his palm. "But I want something else too."
Mizuki looked confused. "What more could you possibly want than becoming a genin?" he asked, his irritation starting to show.
Naruto's next words were delivered with the same casualness, but they carried the weight of finality. "I want you die."
The simplicity of his statement was chilling. Naruto spoke as if he were commenting on the weather, but the look in his eyes was far more menacing. Mizuki stiffened, his smug smile dropping immediately.
"Quit playing games with me!" Mizuki barked, but there was a note of unease creeping into his voice. His hand twitched towards his kunai pouch, but he hesitated.
Naruto remained silent, his predatory grin widening as the tension thickened in the air. He stood still, hands casually at his sides, but there was an undeniable shift in his presence. It was like standing before a beast in human skin, smiling, waiting to strike.
Mizuki scowled. "You're just a worthless orphan! You're nothing, Naruto!"
Naruto's expression darkened. "Don't say my name," he warned, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone, the playfulness gone, replaced by something much colder.
Mizuki glared at him and spat, "Naruto! You're going to die here, you brat!"
Naruto sighed, almost disappointed. "I warned you." His eyes glinted with a dangerous light.
Mizuki opened his mouth to respond, but no sound came out. His eyes widened in shock, and his hand flew to his throat as he struggled to speak. His mouth moved, but no words formed, only strained silence. Panic flashed across his face.
Naruto chuckled darkly, watching Mizuki flail. "I told you not to say my name, didn't I? But you couldn't help yourself." His voice was calm, almost amused, as if the situation was nothing more than a game to him. "But it doesn't matter. You won't have to worry about names anymore."
Mizuki's panic turned into rage, and with a growl, he reached into his vest, pulling out a small vial filled with a thick, dark liquid. His eyes were wild with desperation as he downed the contents in one gulp.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, Mizuki's body began to change. His muscles bulged, fur sprouted from his skin, and his face elongated into a snout. His teeth became razor-sharp, and his hands transformed into clawed paws. In a matter of seconds, Mizuki had become a humanoid tiger, standing on two legs but possessing the raw power and ferocity of a wild beast.
Naruto's grin widened. "Interesting." He pointed his brush at Mizuki "Well then, I guess it's time to begin."
The transformed Mizuki roared, charging at Naruto with terrifying speed, his claws aimed for the boy's throat. But Naruto didn't flinch. In an instant, he vanished, his form flickering out of sight as he used Shunpo to dodge the attack.
Mizuki skidded to a halt, eyes wide as he frantically searched for his prey. But before he could react, Naruto reappeared behind him, his foot slamming into the back of Mizuki's head with a brutal roundhouse kick. The force of the blow sent Mizuki crashing face-first into the ground, creating a small crater.
Naruto stood over him, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "I expected more from a tiger," he said mockingly. Mizuki growled, pushing himself up from the dirt, blood dripping from his snout. He lunged again, swiping at Naruto with his claws, but Naruto effortlessly dodged each strike, his movements a blur as he used Shunpo to stay one step ahead.
"This is boring," Naruto yawned, dodging another swipe. "Let's make it more fun."
With a single flick of his wrist, black ink spilled into the air. The ink hung there for a moment before streaking toward Mizuki, wrapping around him like chains.
Mizuki struggled, his claws slashing at the ink, but it was no use. The ink tightened, binding him in place.
Naruto smirked. "You see, Mizuki, names are important. They define who we are, what we are. Without a name, you're nothing." He twirled the brush between his fingers, the ink swirling around Mizuki. "And now, you're going to be... nothing."
With a sharp stroke, Naruto slashed the air, and the ink constricted even tighter around Mizuki. The tiger man let out a strangled roar as his body began to wither, his strength fading along with his very identity.
Naruto stood over the fallen Mizuki, watching as the once powerful man was reduced to a nameless husk. He let out a satisfied sigh. "Well, that was fun. Guess I'll go tell the old man now."
Naruto hefted Mizuki's limp body over his shoulder, his eyes still gleaming with amusement from their fight. He glanced at the unconscious traitor, then turned his back to the clearing, preparing to leave. However, the sensation of being watched lingered, the faint rustle of fabric in the shadows confirming his suspicions.
The hidden figure finally emerged from the treeline, slow, deliberate, and utterly confident. Applause echoed through the quiet night as the man clapped, his voice slithering through the air.
"Well done, boy," the man purred, his tone a blend of amusement and praise. "It seems the reports were... woefully inaccurate." His serpentine eyes gleamed in the moonlight as he regarded Naruto. "Mizuki spoke so much about you, a loudmouth, a failure of a ninja who couldn't even pass the academy exams." The man chuckled darkly. "How ironic that the one he looked down upon has now beaten him into the dirt."
Naruto stood still, only slightly shifting his gaze toward the man. He wasn't surprised by the sudden praise or the mocking tone behind it. The figure before him had an air of command, an aura that even the most dense person could recognize. And yet, Naruto's grin returned, wider and more predatory than before.
"That's enough, Orochimaru." Naruto's voice was calm, confident, and devoid of any respect for the infamous figure standing before him.
Orochimaru blinked, his eyes widening in genuine surprise. "You... you know who I am?" His tone, though still smooth and composed, carried a note of astonishment. Few, especially mere children, would dare utter his name so casually.
Naruto adjusted Mizuki's weight on his shoulder. "I asked you a question. What do you want?" His grin remained plastered on his face, as if this entire situation was nothing more than an entertaining diversion.
The surprise melted from Orochimaru's face, replaced by a twisted smile. "Impressive," he whispered to himself before meeting Naruto's eyes again. "Mizuki underestimated you greatly. It seems I did too." Orochimaru licked his lips, his serpentine tongue flickering out for just a moment. "As for why I'm here..."
Orochimaru paced slowly, his voice taking on a more conversational tone. "Mizuki, as you probably guessed, wasn't very bright. His plan, however, was quite simple. Have you steal the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing from the Hokage, something he was certain you'd be foolish enough to do." Orochimaru's tone dripped with amusement as he recounted the plan. "In exchange for delivering the scroll to me, Mizuki wanted power, of course."
Naruto raised an eyebrow, though his smirk never faltered. "So, you're telling me you tagged along for this scroll? And Mizuki really thought he could barter with you?"
Orochimaru chuckled, nodding slightly. "Indeed. But that's not the only reason I'm here. You see, Mizuki had one thing right. He said you were foolish. He believed you could be manipulated, that you could be used." Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed with malevolent interest. "But when I saw you fight just now, I realized Mizuki's plan had only one flaw."
"And what was that?" Naruto asked, though his tone implied he already knew the answer.
"Mizuki wasn't the one who should have recruited you," Orochimaru said, his voice a low, hypnotic whisper. "I should have."
Naruto's smirk grew wider, almost impossibly so. "So that's it, huh? You're here to recruit me?"
Orochimaru nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Naruto's. "A waste, don't you think? Staying here, in this village... under the thumb of those who will never see you for what you truly are. The Leaf is blind to your potential, Naruto. It would be a shame to watch you waste away here when you could become so much more."
Naruto tilted his head slightly, still smiling. "I've gotta admit, I'm flattered. A ninja of your... caliber, interested in me." His voice dripped with sarcasm, and it was clear he wasn't taking the offer seriously at all.
Orochimaru's lips curled into a chuckle, his pale face stretching into a snake-like smile. "Sarcasm doesn't suit you, boy. You should be thanking me for recognizing your potential. Imagine it, a world where your power is nurtured, where you are free to pursue true strength without restraint."
Naruto tossed Mizuki's unconscious body aside like a rag doll, dusting his hands off before drawing his brush from his sash. His movements were slow and deliberate, his eyes narrowing as he pointed the brush directly at Orochimaru. "If you think sweet-talking me will work, you're dumber than Mizuki."
Naruto didn't flinch, but his eyes glowed with intrigue as Orochimaru suggested.
"So let's do this the old-fashioned way," Orochimaru suggested, his tone casual but laced with challenge. "How about a wager? The Loser submits to the winner."
Naruto smile widened further, clearly entertained by the idea. "A wager? My, my... You're an interesting individual, Orochimaru"
"Very well. I accept."
"Splendid" Orochimaru
Naruto twirled his brush in his hand, his grin growing even darker. "Good. Let's see what the legendary Sannin has to offer."
Orochimaru's serpentine eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was something far more dangerous lurking beneath that amusement. He straightened his posture, his long, pale fingers flexing as if preparing for a feast.
"I hope you're ready, Naruto. This will be more than just a simple test of strength."
Naruto laughed, his voice echoing through the empty clearing. "I wouldn't want it any other way."
Without further hesitation, Naruto exploded into motion, using Shunpo to close the distance between himself and Orochimaru in the blink of an eye. His speed left the air vibrating with displaced energy, but Orochimaru was no ordinary shinobi. With a wicked grin, the snake Sannin met Naruto's attack head-on, raising his arm to block Naruto's incoming kick.
Naruto's knee collided with Orochimaru's forearm with a force that cracked the air, but Orochimaru didn't even flinch. His eyes flashed dangerously as he twisted his body and countered with a powerful roundhouse kick aimed at Naruto's torso.
Naruto vanished before the kick could land, reappearing above Orochimaru's head, his brush poised to strike. Orochimaru felt the movement more than saw it, his reflexes kicking in as he dodged sideways, leaving Naruto's brush to carve through the air where his head had been moments ago.
Landing gracefully, Naruto pressed forward, launching a series of kicks and punches at Orochimaru, each one aimed with lethal precision. Orochimaru dodged and parried the strikes with serpentine grace, his body twisting and bending unnaturally to avoid the brunt of Naruto's attacks. The two of them danced around each other, the ground beneath them cracking from the sheer force of their clashes.
"You move well, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru commented as he narrowly avoided a blow aimed at his ribs. "But you'll have to do more than that to defeat me."
Naruto's grin widened as he leaped back, putting some distance between them. He raised his hand, and in an instant, giant, spectral hands manifested in the air above him. The hands mimicked his movements, growing larger as they loomed over Orochimaru.
"Let's see how you handle this," Naruto said, and with a flick of his wrist, the massive spirit hands lunged forward, aiming to crush Orochimaru under their immense size and strength.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed as he summoned a Rashomon gate, the towering structure erupting from the ground just in time to intercept the first spirit hand. The impact shook the forest, but Orochimaru's defense held firm. The second hand, however, swung in from the side, bypassing the gate and crashing toward Orochimaru's exposed flank.
With a hiss, Orochimaru spat out his body to evade the strike. The spirit hand smashed into the ground, creating a crater where Orochimaru had been standing.
But Naruto wasn't finished. He lunged forward, closing the gap once more, his brush striking toward Orochimaru's arm with deadly precision.
The brush didn't cut his flesh, but instead severed the name of Orochimaru's arm. As the brush connected, Naruto smirked. "I've severed your arm's name," he said calmly. "Half of its strength is gone."
Orochimaru frowned, sensing something strange in his arm. It didn't hurt, but the limb felt... weaker. He flexed his fingers experimentally, realizing Naruto had done something far more dangerous than a physical strike.
"You brat," Orochimaru spat.
Naruto grinned, his spirit appendages readying themselves for another attack. "That's just the beginning."
Orochimaru's smile faded. "I see... Well then, let me show you why I am called a Sannin!" With a sudden surge of chakra, Orochimaru clasped his hands together, and the air around him began to crackle with energy.
"Doton: Doryūdan no Jutsu!" Orochimaru called out, slamming his hand into the ground. The earth beneath them rumbled as a massive earthen dragon erupted from the ground, its rocky body twisting and coiling as it roared toward Naruto.
Naruto's eyes gleamed as the spirit hands responded, meeting the earthen dragon's assault head-on. The two massive constructs collided with a resounding crash, debris flying in all directions as the dragon tried to overpower the spirit hands.
Orochimaru took advantage of the distraction, leaping back and performing another set of hand signs. "Let's see you handle this, Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu!"
A torrent of flames burst from Orochimaru's mouth, shaped like a massive dragon of fire. The intense heat scorched the air as the fiery dragon roared toward Naruto, its fanged maw open wide to consume him.
Naruto didn't flinch. He raised his hand, and one of his spirit appendages slammed down, meeting the dragon head-on. The flames wrapped around the massive hand but failed to consume it, flickering and dissipating as Naruto redirected the attack into the ground.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, realizing he would need to step up his game. With a vicious grin, he called out, "Very well, Naruto-kun. Kuchiyose: Mandara no Jin!"
Hundreds of snakes erupted from Orochimaru's sleeves and from the ground beneath him, their fanged mouths hissing as they swarmed toward Naruto in a tidal wave of serpents. The snakes lashed out in every direction, seeking to overwhelm Naruto through sheer numbers.
Naruto's spirit hands moved with blinding speed, crushing and swatting the snakes aside as they came. But as each snake was destroyed, more replaced them, slithering across the ground and lunging at him with incredible ferocity.
Orochimaru, observing the chaos, took the opportunity to flick his wrist. The legendary Sword of Kusanagi shot out from his throat, extending toward Naruto like a spear.
Naruto dodged using Shunpo, appearing behind Orochimaru in a blur of speed. But Orochimaru twisted impossibly, the Kusanagi sword following Naruto's every movement. With each dodge, Naruto's smile grew wider.
"You're fast, Naruto-kun," Orochimaru said, his voice echoing ominously as the sword extended even further. "But you can't outrun this forever."
Naruto chuckled, his brush glowing with white energy. "Who said I needed to run?"
With a flourish, he lifted the brush above his head and called out, "Shin'uchi: Shirafude Ichimonji!"
In an instant, the blade of his brush transformed into white bristles, glowing with radiant energy. A large circle of white energy formed around Naruto, pulsing with power. Orochimaru's eyes widened as he sensed the shift in Naruto's aura.
Naruto struck Orochimaru with the white energy, writing the kanji for "Black Ant" on his body. Orochimaru's form flickered for a moment, and a powerful pressure washed over him. He staggered, his strength sapped as his body felt unnaturally weak.
"What... did you do to me?" Orochimaru hissed, his voice strained.
Naruto's grin was positively predatory now. "I gave you a new name. You're as weak as an ant now, Orochimaru. How does it feel?"
Orochimaru's eyes blazed with fury, but his body refused to respond. His movements were sluggish, and he could feel the immense drop in power.
Naruto stood over him, triumphant, his brush resting on his shoulder once more. "You lost the wager, Orochimaru. Now, you'll do as I say."
Orochimaru's expression darkened, but he could do nothing. For the first time in years, he had been completely outplayed.
Naruto's grin never faltered. "Looks like the predator caught the serpent."
The fight was over.
Tbc