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The last thing Naruko Uzumaki heard was the snakes chilling phrase, "Five Pronged Seal!" The words echoed in her mind as she felt an excruciating pain in her abdomen, followed by a sudden sensation of falling. Darkness enveloped her, and she lost consciousness.
When Naruko woke up, she groaned and slowly opened her eyes. However, she immediately shut them again, shivering as a biting cold assaulted her senses. Opening her eyes more cautiously this time, Naruko found herself surrounded by a snowstorm. Confused and worried, she called out for help, hoping someone would hear her.
After a few minutes of silence, Naruko realized she was alone. Shivering, she wrapped her arms around herself and began walking, hoping to find another person or a way out of the storm. She couldn't understand how she ended up here, considering she was in the Forest of Death with her team moments ago, before being attacked by a mysterious woman with a long tongue.
In her frustration, Naruko blamed herself for entering the exams for her own ego and her sensei, Kakashi, for allowing them to participate when they clearly weren't prepared. She even had a passing thought of burning Kakashi's books as a form of revenge. However, the cold wind interrupted her thoughts, causing her to shiver once more.
As Naruko continued walking, her hope of escaping the storm diminished. The snow had reached her knees, making it difficult to move. Moreover, the limited visibility added to her sense of despair. In her struggle, she lost her footing and would have fallen into the snow if she hadn't grabbed onto something. To her relief, it turned out to be a hand, offering her support.
"Thank you for the-" Naruko began, only to scream in horror as she realized the person she was holding was encased in ice, a frozen corpse. She quickly backed away, shocked and terrified to see herself surrounded by countless frozen bodies.
Unable to comprehend the situation, Naruko wondered who could commit such an atrocity. Trembling in fear, she slowly retreated from the frozen bodies, fearing that they might come to life and attack her. However, before she could get far, a hand grabbed her shoulder, sending chills down her spine.
"How... pathetic," a cold female voice stated.
At the sound of the woman's voice, the snowstorm suddenly ceased. Naruko's horror intensified as she saw that the frozen bodies weren't just hundreds, but thousands. The magnitude of the massacre shocked her to the core.
However, her thoughts were interrupted when the hand on her shoulder tightened, causing her intense pain. In an instant, Naruko was thrown through the air and crashed into a pile of frozen corpses. Struggling to recover, she looked up to see her attacker.
Before her stood a tall and beautiful woman with porcelain white skin and long, light blue hair. She wore an unusual white and black military-style uniform, accentuated by a blue scarf and high-heeled boots. Naruko's gaze was drawn to the woman's eyes—one normal, with a white sclera and light blue iris, but the other a pitch-black sclera with a solid red pupil. The woman regarded Naruko with utter contempt and disgust.
Quivering in fear, Naruko listened as the woman identified herself as Esdeath, a former General of an Empire she never heard of and supposedly the strongest in the world. She claimed that Naruko was a descendant of the Yuki Clan and, astonishingly, her own reincarnation. The mention of the Yuki Clan reminded Naruko of her friend Haku, who possessed the power of ice.
Esdeath's prediction of a future where Naruko would become an unstoppable force, capable of freezing entire nations and bending the world to her will, sent a shiver down Naruko's spine. The mere thought of succumbing to such darkness and becoming a ruthless conqueror conflicted with every fiber of her being. She couldn't fathom herself inflicting pain and suffering upon innocent people, for her heart was filled with compassion and a deep desire to protect.
Determined to resist Esdeath's influence, Naruko summoned every ounce of courage within her and spoke defiantly, her voice quivering yet resolute. "I won't be a pawn in your twisted ambitions," she declared, her words carrying a weight of conviction. "I refuse to let darkness consume me. There must be another way."
Esdeath's expression hardened, her eyes narrowing with a mix of frustration and anger. She had anticipated Naruko's eagerness to embrace the power offered to her. In Esdeath's eyes, resistance was nothing but weakness, and she couldn't comprehend Naruko's defiance.
"Foolish girl," Esdeath hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. "You have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you dare to reject it? You will regret your defiance."
Summoning her own strength, Naruko stood tall amidst the frozen corpses that littered the battlefield, her determination shining through the fear in her eyes. She held onto the core of her beliefs, knowing that she possessed something far greater than the power Esdeath desired: the unwavering will to protect and preserve life. With her voice steady, she spoke, her words cutting through the cold air. "I may not possess the power you seek, but I have something far more precious within me: the will to protect and the strength to uphold the legacy of the Yuki Clan. I won't let you tarnish that."
Esdeath's lips curled into a wicked smile, relishing the challenge before her. "Very well," she said, her voice dripping with a sadistic delight. "If you choose to stand against me, then you shall face the consequences. Prepare yourself, Naruko Uzumaki, for I will show you the true extent of my power."
As Esdeath raised her hand, an immense surge of icy energy emanated from her body, causing the already freezing temperature to plummet even further. Sheets of ice began to form, encasing the surrounding area in an unforgiving prison of ice. Naruko felt a sense of dread welling up within her, but she refused to yield to fear.
Gathering her own chakra, Naruko tapped into her innate Uzumaki resilience, drawing upon the strength of her will. She focused on the warmth that burned within her, the fierce determination that had carried her through countless trials before. With a resounding battle cry, she unleashed a torrent of fiery demonic chakra, countering Esdeath's icy onslaught.
The clash of elements created a swirling vortex of fire and ice, each force vying for dominance. Naruko pushed herself beyond her limits, pouring her heart and soul into the struggle. Hours passed as she fought tirelessly, her endless reserves of chakra and energy the only things keeping her afloat in this seemingly one-sided battle.
However, despite her valiant efforts, Esdeath managed to gain the upper hand. In a swift and calculated move, she struck Naruko, snapping one of her legs and breaking several bones within her body. Naruko gritted her teeth, enduring the excruciating pain while refusing to give up. But as her concentration wavered, the demonic chakra retreated, leaving her unable to move due to the overwhelming backlash.
Helpless and immobile, Naruko watched as Esdeath dropped to one knee, her brow covered in sweat and her breath ragged. A smirk formed on Esdeath's lips as she spoke, her voice filled with both exhaustion and excitement. "Truth be told, I was contemplating taking over your body and annihilating everyone in your worthless village. But I've changed my mind. You provided me with a challenge, Naruko Uzumaki. Even without proper strategy or technique, you lasted longer than I expected. You even managed to land a hit on me using... unethical methods. I applaud you."
A mix of relief and trepidation washed over Naruko as she listened to Esdeath's words. She realized that she had no choice if she wanted to save her friends and protect her village. Resigned to her fate, she let out a weary sigh and agreed to Esdeath's proposition.
Knowing the risks involved, Naruko understood that merging with this twisted psycho would forever alter her existence. But in that moment, she made a silent promise to herself that she would find a way to retain her own identity, her own values, even in the darkest depths of this unholy union.
Forest of death
Deep within the treacherous confines of the Forest of Death, Sakura's eyes widened in sheer horror as she gazed upon Sasuke. The once familiar visage of her teammate was now marred by sinister black markings that snaked across his skin, emanating a dark purple chakra. A cruel grin twisted his features, while his eyes held a sadistic glimmer that sent a chill down Sakura's spine.
The events leading up to this terrifying moment had been nothing short of harrowing for Sakura. After their fateful encounter with Orochimaru, during which he had sunk his fangs into Sasuke's flesh, leaving behind a cursed mark on his neck, Sakura had hurriedly led both her teammates to a secluded clearing within the forest. Hiding them within the sheltered embrace of a small hollow tree, she anxiously awaited their awakening, only to be met with an eerie and unsettling silence that refused to dissipate.
However, the situation quickly spiraled into chaos as the Oto Team, their relentless adversaries, made their presence known. Fueled by their unwavering determination to reach Sasuke, they launched an unrelenting assault, their combined strength overpowering Team Seven and their reinforcements. The brief glimmer of hope provided by the arrival of Rock Lee and Team Ten was quickly extinguished as the Oto Team proved to be a formidable force, systematically incapacitating their opponents one by one.
The nightmare reached its zenith when Sasuke finally regained consciousness. But he was no longer the same person. The ominous and malevolent chakra that radiated from him hinted at a dangerous transformation. Sasuke unleashed his pent-up wrath upon the Oto Genin, striking them with merciless ferocity. Amidst the chaos, his attention fixated on Zaku, whom he sadistically forced to his knees, mercilessly yanking on the unfortunate ninja's arms until they gruesomely dislocated from their sockets.
Sakura's voice reverberated through the clearing, filled with desperation and concern as she called out to Sasuke, pleading for him to stop. With a heavy heart, she rushed towards him, her arms encircling his tense form, momentarily interrupting his torment of Zaku. In the midst of the chaos, unbeknownst to those present, Naruko herself was undergoing a transformation. The fusion of her Uzumaki and Yuki clan bloodlines with Esdeath's demon extract and her own Namikaze lineage caused a profound change within her. First, she grew a few inches taller, her figure becoming more robust. Her hair transformed into a mixture of her Namikaze and Uzumaki colors, taking on a vibrant shade of orange. Then, a tattoo-like mark appeared just above her chest, etched onto her collarbone before vanishing completely.
"Leave now!" Sasuke commanded, his voice filled with exhaustion as he glared at the Oto Team, the remnants of his newfound power waning.
Reluctantly recognizing the precariousness of their situation, the Oto Genin acquiesced. Dosu, their leader, took a step forward, extending a peace offering in the form of their scroll. Aware that further confrontation would likely result in their demise, he placed it carefully on the ground, his words tinged with resignation.
However, the tension in the air heightened when two light blue chakra chains suddenly impaled Dosu through his heart and brain, their tips resembling arrows. Moments later, as Dosu was about to fall, the chains yanked back with a vengeance, tearing off more flesh upon their retreat. A chilling voice broke the tense silence, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
"How disappointing, Sasuke," Naruko emerged from the hollow tree, her transformation arresting the attention of all present. Her appearance had undergone a drastic and striking change, making her nearly unrecognizable. A collective gasp filled the air as the temperature plummeted, an ominous sign of the power radiating from Naruko.
"N-Naruko?" Sakura stammered, taken aback by the stark transformation her normally cheerful teammate had undergone.
With an expression devoid of interest, Naruko regarded Sakura with disdain, her voice dripping with contempt. "You are truly useless, Sakura. To think you would prevent Sasuke from annihilating our enemies. Are you foolish enough to believe they would show you the same mercy? No, they would kill you without hesitation, or worse, subject you to unimaginable suffering," Naruko's words stunned Sakura, their harshness cutting deep. The Uzumaki then shifted her attention to Sasuke.
"And you, Sasuke. Are you so easily swayed from taking a life simply because a naive child implores you? I believed your ambition was to exact revenge upon your brother. Or will you spare his life as well if someone asks you politely enough?" Naruko's taunting struck a chord within Sasuke, causing him to flinch. His fists clenched at the mention of Itachi, begrudgingly acknowledging the truth behind Naruko's words.
His primary goal had always been to avenge Itachi's treachery, yet he allowed himself to be restrained from ending the lives of their enemies, individuals who had shown no mercy to them.
As Naruko spoke, Zaku attempted to launch a surprise attack from behind, hoping to eliminate her. However, before he could execute his plan, six blue chakra chains swiftly intercepted him, halting his advance. Naruko's gaze shifted to the commotion behind her, she then ordered the chains to encircle around Zaku before pulling him in front of her. Without uttering a word, she raised a hand and placed it against Zaku's face. Moments later, a familiar yet unfamiliar sensation coursed through Naruko's heart. Two distinct and cooling chakra's merged into one, surging up her arm and into Zaku. His eyes widened, his struggle becoming more desperate as color rapidly drained from his face. Soon, his resistance ceased entirely, leaving the spectators in shock and disbelief as they witnessed Naruko dispatching her assailant with ruthless efficiency. She had used not only chains of pure chakra but also displayed her mastery of Ice Style ninjutsu.
The Rookies shared a collective thought, their minds reeling in surprise. When had Naruko acquired such incredible abilities? This revelation, combined with her new altered appearance, left them dumbfounded. Naruko smiled to herself before muttering audibly, her words reaching the ears of all present, "It seems I must thank that snake before I kill it. Without that seal, my Uzumaki and Yuki bloodlines would never have awakened. Moreover, the presence of the Kyuubi appears to have created a gross imbalance of yang chakra over yin. Now that it is entierly sealed, that imbalance has been rectified."
Allowing her chains to disperse, Naruko let Zaku's lifeless body slump to the ground. Shifting her attention to Kin, she smirked and raised another hand, directing eight chains towards her. Two chains pinned Kin's legs, two restrained her arms, and the rest hovered near her face. Naruko stared at the downed kunoichi with an apathetic expression as the light blue chains of chakra got dangerously close to her eyes.
In the distance, the voices of Ino and Sakura echoed, filled with desperation as they pleaded for Naruko to halt her actions. Yet, Naruko remained resolute, ignoring their pleas. With a commanding gesture, she directed her chains to spin rapidly, their slow approach towards Kin instilling a sense of dread within her. Desperate, Kin screamed, imploring her assailant to cease the impending danger. However, her words were silenced by the shock and curiosity that flickered across Naruko's face. Kin couldn't comprehend the reason for such an expression, but her bewilderment turned to sheer horror when Sasuke uttered words that chilled her to the core, "She has the Sharingan!"
To emphasize his statement, Naruko conjured a shard of ice, crafting an impromptu mirror for Kin to witness her own transformed eyes. Once jet-black, her irises now possessed a chilling crimson hue, adorned with a single tomoe encircling each pupil. The sight sent shivers down Kin's spine, confirming the irreversible change that had occurred.
"It appears you lucked out, little Uchiha. I was just going to kill you..." Naruko's voice rang out, her words dripping with a venomous edge. "...but as one of the three remaining Uchiha, you have two choices before you. Either join Konohagakure willingly, officially becoming a part of our village, or face another unsavory option. It's your choice. I couldn't care either way; you're still the enemy."
Releasing her hold on Kin, Naruko retracted her chains, drawing them back within herself. She then lowered herself, stooping to meet Kin at eye level. A disconcerting smile curved her lips as she posed the question, "So, what will it be?"
Kin's response faltered, her speech hindered by the overwhelming circumstances. After a prolonged pause, she managed to muster a reply, her voice trembling, "I'd prefer the first option." Naruko's smile widened, basking in the vulnerability of her captive's admission. Without hesitation, she struck with alarming speed, her fist connecting with Kin's stomach, rendering her unconscious. Naruko's subsequent words reverberated, ensuring they reached the ears of all present. "It would be in all of your best interests not to mention the existence of a female Uchiha."
Instantly, the members of Team 10 and Team Guy erupted into a heated argument, their voices clashing in a chaotic symphony of protest. However, their discordant exchange was abruptly silenced by the enraged voice of a male Uchiha. "You will not say anything," he declared, his tone brimming with fury.
A knowing smirk played on Naruko's lips, her voice laced with a menacing undertone. "This has just become clan business," she asserted, her gaze sweeping across both teams. "And since Sasuke is, in all but name, the clan head of the Uchiha Clan, you must remain silent regarding this fact. Or you could join the other two bodies if it is necessary to preserve the secret."The mention of the bodies elicited visible flinches from the assembled teams. The lightning-fast movements of Naruko's chains were so swift that even Lee couldn't guarantee he would perceive them, even with the fourth gate opened. Even Neji's Byakugan failed to anticipate the onslaught. Yet, a single glimpse of the chains through his doujutsu unveiled their astounding chakra reserves, surpassing anything he had ever seen. Naruko's foot slammed against the ground, causing a shockwave to ripple outward, covering the earth in a ten-meter radius with a glacial layer of ice. Neji and Lee, displaying their remarkable agility,leaped out of harm's way just in time. The remaining spectators were left in a state of profound silence, their legs encased in ice. All eyes were locked on Naruko, captivated by the frozen expanse that had appeared around her.
The smirk on Naruko's face dissolved, replaced by an intense glare that bore into the souls of those who dared to meet her eyes. In the wake of her piercing gaze, both teams slowly retreated, their steps heavy with bewilderment and a lingering sense of unease. Lee and Ino stole a brief moment to exchange a perplexed glance, their thoughts consumed by the haunting question of what had befallen their once vibrant and spirited comrade.