Despite it All

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Root Remnants' POV (Village Hidden in the Waves)

A group of thirty shinobi stood in the shadows of a forest. The leader of the thirty men stood in front of them as he read a letter delivered by a hawk. They had struggled a fair bit since leaving their home but they had done as asked. They had established a base in The Village Hidden in the Waves. Far enough from the sway of the Leaf for them to operate. Yet close enough for them to keep tabs.

When they arrived it was run by a cruel man named Gato. The man had hired an army of criminals with his fortune to rule the village as a lord. He had killed any he saw fit and even used some for human trafficking. The emotionless soldiers cared little for the villagers suffering. But they needed safe refuge. They had offered the villagers a simple solution. They would take care of Gato and his troop of thugs in exchange for sanctuary in their home, secrecy of their presence, and a small amount of Ryo from their overall gain. The villagers were desperate for aid and accepted. Leading the Remnants of the Root slaying Gato and his men with ease. The villagers were grateful for this and had with their council formed a proper cover story. They would run Gato's company as if the man was still alive. But would offer better care for the village. This had worked well providing the group funding, supplies, and shelter. Once they were fully established they started with the last quest Danzo offered.

They investigated the leads they had regarding Orochimaru and even discovered a base. When the hawk used by their master appeared a letter in talon. They checked it and discovered what the fate of their master was. As well as his orders. They were to assault as many Sound bases as possible. It was a simple request, and to be frank an unrealistic one. While they could likely destroy several bases. It would surely lead to a retaliatory assault from the Sanin. Which would surely lead to their demise. But the thought of disobeying never occurred to the loyal and broken men. They had accepted the mission instantly and acted it out.

The base they had discovered seemed to be a fairly vital one. People often come through but very few supplies do so. It became clear to the group this was either a command base or a communication center. Often used in wars to process communications and ensure orders are followed. In this case it worked for a fractured village structure that was the Village Hidden in the Sound. They likely figured no component force would target such a small seemingly innocent camp. Surely only small-time bandits and missing ninja. So they had a skeleton crew of shinobi. Merely ten men, nearly all of their chakra levels indicate they were Chunin-level fighters. It would likely be a slaughter. Since many of the Root were nearly Anbu level.

It was. First was the patrol establishing a perimeter around the camp. Merely two almost Jounin-level shinobi. Surely they would've caused some level of fuss regardless in combat. But instead, one was suddenly bisected by a razor wire trap set up between two trees he hopped through. With the other having merely been overwhelmed by a targeted kunai barrage by them. While the patrol was eliminated their own was established. Ensuring no one would escape nor would they be flanked. They examined the building before they decided to blow into it from the roof. With two members using wind style, they manage to silently cut through the roof. They smashed into a room full of letters and carrier birds. Two non shinobi scrambled to their feet in fear. But the men could not even offer shouts of fear as they were silently butchered by the white-masked men. The men crawled throughout the building killing anyone they came across. Man, woman, child, subject they all were slain coldly. The orders had been clear. They were sending a message. Showing the Sannin the Root intended to hold him accountable for his crimes. Once the inhabitants had been killed they ransacked the building for supplies and information. They gained little of note but had located two more locations for them to check.

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Hiruzen's POV (Trial of Nio Starting Line)

It will be a bloody week.Hiruzen had lived a long and varied life. As such time had a way of fading for him. Days previously lived were forgotten as time marched forth. Perhaps the human mind could only hold so much, even a genius like him couldn't hold it all. Yet the day of Naruto Uzumaki's birth would likely haunt him till his final days. So much life had been lost, the military had been ransacked, various notables falling to hold back the beast. And though the Fourth Hokage had managed to fell the beast he only did so after much pain and suffering. His own life being lost in the chaos. The Kyuubi had tallied a heavy toll.

Perhaps ironically as the beast rampaged and ended life another was gained. One that if the scenario was any different would've surely been a celebrated one. Instead as he was born many were killed. As his father made the questionable choice of sealing the beast into the boy and his own life, the man surely did not realize what he was doing. Everyone had lost something… or someone after all.

October 10th marked a day of the passing of a legend, the day a beast bared its awful fangs, the day a legend of the Leaf and the a unstoppable beast fell, and to a select few, the day Naruto Uzumaki was given the curse of the Kyuubi.

The funeral that was held was massive. Villagers, shinobi, and merchants all had come to share their respects for the man who had led them. The pain wrought from such an event rivaled that of even the Third Great Shinobi War. The peace it had earned had been shattered in a single night. As such nearly everyone in the village was there. To say goodbye to loved ones, to say goodbye to their leader, and for two Uzumaki's to say goodbye to both an unknown father and a loving husband. The villagers radiated pain. But it was clear that everyone was searching for a target. A way to say goodbye to such pain

Kushina Uzumaki had been shattered of course. It was a disservice to say she lost her lover. She had lost her soul mate, her partner, a member of her newly created family. Worse yet she still held the killer of the man in her body, as well as the body of her child. For her own sake and for the sake of those who may earn her ire, the decision was made to hide what happened on that fateful night. The story of Minato managing the impossible was told. When the Golden Flash, The Fourth Hokage, some even dared to call him the Third God of Shinobi met the Kyuubi in battle it had been a draw. Neither powerful being could fell the other before the man found the Kyuub's weakness. Using this he slayed the beast, unfortunately being killed in the process.

This had worked well, as angry and hurt as people were. Knowing the Kyuubi had been slain alleviated this. For years this had worked, some in the know kept the knowledge to themselves. It was further enforced by both Hiruzen and Danzo but now this dam of lies faced its first crack. The people had spent years away from the pain but with the knowledge that there was a target their ire could finally be given out. Ikam had caused a chain of events that were sure to haunt the days of one Naruto Uzumaki.

Luckily for the ignorant blonde a multitude of people surrounded him. Perhaps some would believe this protected him. Maybe seeing others treating him as human would show them the truth. But hate had a way of blinding those who wielded it. They held back for now whispering ploys and plans as they secretly bathed the monster in hate. For now they would wait. Little could be done about the beast in the present moment. But one thing was inherently clear as the teams were separated for the Trial of Nio.

Naruto Uzumaki, a young man who had unknowingly been spared the pain of a jinchuriki would learn the path of one. How all jinchuriki were truly cursed, alone, and hopeless… how all were destined for this… for despite who they may be.

It was the fate of those cursed with the Tailed Beast.

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Tayuya had lived what most would call a complex life. Her parents had been slain by an unknown shinobi. She only survived due to the two hiding her. When she came out she had discovered her village razed to the ground. In just one night her life had been destroyed. She had wandered the surrounding woods of her home until she ran into a bandit group. She had suffered greatly for this. She had been nothing more than a slave to them. Things had slowly grown worse as she matured. On the night they decided to use her in yet another soul-breaking way her master had arrived. Orochimaru and several of his Sound shinobi had been hired to slay the group for their various crimes. Orochimaru, seeing her once the criminals had changed, had made her an offer. Join him or be left to suffer in the cruel world. Truly it had not been much of a choice. She had been prepared to suffer with the man. After all, a man taking a young woman with him often meant cruel things.

But he had treated her well. She had been fed, clothed, and treated like a human. From that point on the direction of her life had become obvious. As long as she served her master faithfully she knew she would be sheltered from the cruel world. So she had begged the man to make use of her. He had merely smiled and accepted her pleas. Soon she had received training. She had not intended to become a kunoichi but with the word of her savior, she threw herself into the training. Soon she became more than an orphan clutching at the legs of her savior. She became powerful, wanted, respected even. It grew her confidence to levels she never dreamt of. She became brash and obnoxious but to her shock, Orochimaru never chided her for it. She was accepted…

So as she and three comrades secretly traversed the hilly snowy terrain of the Land of Iron. Sneaking into a land infamous for its protection and dislike of shinobi. Truthfully her and comrades did so with casual ease. After all, shinobi were simply too stealthy and tricky for the samurai patrol. Soon they arrived deep in the land of Iron. At least a couple hours away by foot. They walked towards what appeared to be a large hill of snow. Tayuya and Kidomaru both weaved through hand signs before calling out.

"Temperature Seal: Rising Heat!"

"Temperature Seal: Rising Heat!"

The large hill of snow steamed suddenly. Kanji glowed from beneath the snow, rays of light piercing through the snow. As the kanji grew brighter the snow started to snow unearthed to reveal a natural cave entrance hidden by it initially.

"Not half bad." Kidomaru said with a smirk. "I can see why Orochimaru-sama wants these players."

"Stop with the flowery stuff. Our hideouts are hidden just as well as these Uzumaki shits." Tayuya countered hotly.

"Watch your mouth Tayuya. A lady needs to act dignifi-" Jirobo started before being slugged by the woman in question. The large man barely budged from the blow.

"Shut it, shit for brains! Your fatass has no room to discuss class!" Tayuya yelled at the large man.

Kidomaru cackled, while Jirobo merely frowned, not saying anything to engage further.

"Be on your best behavior." Sakon said with a smile. "We are meeting with trash but Lord Orochimaru wants us to behave like genin."

"Furthermore they may be trash but lord Orochimaru seems to think they may be dangerous." Ukon added as the group descended the natural cave. The walls were covered in the same Kanji that had melted the snow meaning they were somehow using Fuinjutsu to keep the cave warm. There was no need for light as well. The glow from the kanji lit the way to the center of the cave. After a minute or two of winding paths, they walked into a large chamber. The floor of the chamber was covered in a large warm rug. Several rooms were closed off. The chamber contained a large fire pit that was cooking some kind of prepared meat. Ikam was resting near this firepit in a large luxury chair. Facing the Sound Four as if he knew they were coming. To his left stood his second and comrade and from what Orochimaru had told them his lover, Mishio Uzumaki, as well as Leifazu who was cooking the meat in question. All three watched as they approached seemingly at ease with them coming to them.

Tayuya felt her blood boil at this but held back her rage. For now, her master needed these men and their assistance. In time they would pay for thinking themselves equal to Lord Orochimaru. Interrupting her thoughts was once again the voice of Sakon.

"Ikam, I believe? We were sent by our Lord, Orochimaru. You will assist us in the mission we were given." Sakon said his smile, eerily similar to the old Japanese folklore of the yokai - Oni. Before he could continue or Ikam could respond there was the sound of air rushing by him as suddenly Mishio appeared in front of Sakon with her blade at his throat.

"You should be careful in what way you talk to Ikam-kun." She whispered darkly. "Or I'll kill the lot of you regardless of what your master wishes." A hand suddenly emerged from the chest of Sakon grabbing the blade.

"Or what? You think trash like you can threaten us?" Ukon said cockily as his head emerged next to Sakons. Mishio seemed shocked for a second before she suddenly appeared in the middle of the Sound Four, all of their faces contorting in disbelief as she thrusted her blade towards the back of Sakon and Ukon. But before she could pierce the two arrogant men something unexpected happened.

A white blob suddenly appeared from their body, stopping the blade and throwing Mishio back. White Zetsu had emerged from the body of Sakon and Ukon. Both screamed in terror. This was not normal. He didn't have any presence. He gave away nothing, almost as his traces were something that one of his origin could not understand. He was almost otherworldly….

From another nation?

From another dimension?

Another consequence of inhumane experiences?

From another WORLD?

Leifazu raced forward, drawing two battle axes and leaping up to cleave him in two. Black Zetsu chose that moment to emerge from the ground with a raised arm. Both battle axes slammed into the arm and shattered.

Both blobs converged into one another raising their hand in the air stopping any further advances. Both of them merged into one taking a humanoid shape with the body split into a black and white side respectively with a venus fly trap covering most of their head revealing a single eye and teeth smiling through it.

"Oh dear it appears the Master was right to send us as insurance!" White Zetsu chuckled as he stood in front of the Sound Four with his twin. "Good thing I marked them with my spore!"

"Such it would seem. Though he will be disappointed, the group was so antagonistic." Black Zetsu added. "We figured there may be tension with this group so I was sent to ensure nothing regrettable happens."

Ikam stood and snapped his fingers both Mishio and Leifazu both stepping back in this silent order. "Well, it seems things started off on the wrong foot. Usually, for such disrespect, I would have you killed. But dead bodies have a way of stopping successful partnerships." He laughed at his joke as he stopped in front of the six. "Luckily for you all, none of my men were injured. If they were, your death would be painful."

The Sound Four looked on furiously as Black Zetsu considered his response. "Lucky indeed, we cannot afford to die or allow them to die. Do you intend to carry out his request?"

"So it's a request now?" Leifazu chuckled. "Are we sure I can't just cut them?" He asked as he drew more axes from his person.

"They did disrespect you, my beloved." Mishio added as her body tensed preparing for battle.

Ikam merely chuckled. "It matters little. They know I could slay them if I please. Besides Orochimaru has been rather helpful, it would be a shame to end a relationship as beneficial as this. I will indulge you for now. What is the request?"

"Our lord merely wishes for a distraction when the Sound Four make their move!" White Zetsu gleefully informed. "Tell them Sakon!"

Sakon looked just as angry as the rest of the Sound Four, finally taking his eyes from Zetsu, though he did keep an eye on him in the form of Ukon. Surely upset they were considered nonfactors of this meeting. "Our Lord intends for us to kidnap two subjects of interest to you as well as us." He explained.

"The targets in question?" Ikam asked.

"The targets of this level are Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha." Kidomaru explained with glee.

"I can certainly see why my beloved would be interested in killing more Uzumaki filth. But it is hardly worth the risk for one measly shinobi. Even a jinchuriki. We have no interest in such." Mishio countered as she sat on the arm of Ikam's chair.

"Now love." Ikam countered merrily. "Your thinking is too simple." Mishio sent him a questioning glance but it was Black Zetsu who answered.

"For one reason or another, the Akatsuki are after the jinchuriki."

"And we're aware that you just like our Lord attempted to and failed to defeat their leader. Hell, those shitheads want both of our groups dead." Tayuya inserted her usual flavor of politeness.

Ikam hummed loudly at this, raising a hand to his mouth as he thought. His odd eyes with kanji in them eyed each member of Orochimaru's group. "I can see why he offered this. You will have your distraction." He said as he rose and stomped from the room, Mishio followed him quickly. "I'll retire for now but take Leifazu with you. He will be more than enough for this. Any qualms?"

"None." Black Zetsu answered. He and White Zetsu led the Sound Four out of the cave. Turning them to address them once they had made some distance.

"Your order hasn't changed too much now! You are to kidnap both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha alive! As long as their heart is beating it should be fine!" White Zetsu said happily.

"It is important that this mission goes well. As such Leifazu, one of our spies, and I will create a suitable distraction. During this, you are to go out with White Zetsu and capture the two. Be careful, but it could be problematic for any of you to be captured. White Zetsu will either save you or eat your corpse." He informed them gruffly. "For now we will wait until the break between the Third and Second test. Understood?"

"As our master wishes." The four said as they bowed. All of them were determined to succeed and prove they were not as useless as Ikam had treated them.