Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Prologue – Arc 1: The Soul Robber

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Chapter 6: Daikoku

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A night had passed since Katashiki's last attack. Sasuke spent this night waiting at Konoha's hospital. He arrived in the village only a few minutes after leaving Ryuka, and this time, his hurry and concern prevented him from wasting any time before entering the village. He just ran to the hospital as fast as possible and took no time to think about his right to walk on Konoha's streets.

He directly went to find the 5th Hokage as she was the most qualified medic-nin he knew about, but found her first apprentice, Shizune, instead. Realizing the emergency of the situation, she called Tsunade herself to take care of Sakura.

Sasuke's been waiting for hours, sitting in the medical center's hallway, for someone to give him any update on Sakura's status. Looking around himself, he notices the place is very similar to 7 years ago, even though it's been destroyed and rebuilt. He tries to remember the last time he came to this place… That's right. It was at the hospital after his encounter with Itachi. That's when he challenged Naruto for the first time.

These flashbacks make him realize how long it's been since he left the village, which brings him to think of the last moments he passed in Konoha before leaving, and Sakura first confessing to him as she tried to reason him. Sitting there, thinking of how far he got since all this happened, this memories led him to cringe on his past-self and his past way of being, especially considering everything that happened afterwards and as consequences of his actions, which brought him once again to wonder about his right to be here.

Tsunade finally opens the door in front of which Sasuke was waiting and comes to speak with him.

"She'll be okay." she says. "She just needs some more time here to recover completely but her life isn't at stake anymore."

"Ah Thank God!" thought Sasuke before answering "Thank you, Mrs. Without your help,…".

"No problem! She's my pupil after all! And the same goes to you. It was a good move to immediately bring her to us. If you didn't, she wouldn't have made it."

"…" He just stood silent a moment. "Can I see her?"

"Of course, but she's sleeping right now, So be careful not to disturb her." Tsunade answers before leaving.

Sasuke turns to Sakura's room door and slowly opens it. Once in the room, he quietly walks up to her, lying in the bed and calmly puts his hand on hers. He just stands there a few minutes, looking at Sakura and reminding himself of what brought her here. Sasuke raises his head straight and turns around, ready to leave with only one thing in mind: finding Katashiki and finishing him off. He knows he probably can't do it on his own, so he rather considers a different approach. In front of the building as he was leaving, Sasuke meets Naruto and Himari who arrived to Konoha a few minutes ago and came to check on Sakura and him.

"How's she doing?" asks Naruto.

"She'll be okay" simply answers Sasuke. "Where's Tsubai?"

"Mister Naruto left him to a young woman's house before coming here. We came to check on you and your girlfriend." says Himari.

"Yeah, I brought him to Ino… Yamanaka… The Yamanaka clan's head." explains Naruto, in case Sasuke forgot about her. "Since what Tsubai needs to do is to connect with his own mind, I thought she could help him. Also the Yamanaka clan is apparently the ancestor of Tsubai's clan, so he may have their jutsus too."

"I see." he answers. "I've got to go. Could you tell me right now about the place to which you tracked Katashiki's chakra back then."

"You intend to go now? You sure about that?"

"I'm not expecting to meet him there, and if I do, I'll obviously flee. I'm only going to collect intel if possible." answers Sasuke while pulling out a scroll and unrolling it to reveal a world map. "Could you point out the location here?"

"Well don't mess up." says Naruto while looking at the map and trying to figure out where the place is. "Kurama, can you help me? Where is it supposed to be on a map?" he says to Kurama.

Kurama moves Naruto's finger to the left side of the map, behind the Land of Earth, in the ocean.

"Oh Yeah! There must be a very small island around here, he's hiding in some cave there".

"Okay then. Good luck with Tsubai." says Sasuke before using the Body Flicker Jutsu to disappear.

"Wow!" says Himari. "He really just vanished in a smoke cloud. Shinobis are so cool!"

"Right!" answers Naruto. "But were you so much against Tsubai becoming one sooner while we were on the road to the village?"

"What? No! It would really be cool if Tsubai becomes a shinobi." answers Himari now witha worried face. "It's just that I don't feel like it fits him well. He's not really suited for thejob you know. And the things that are happening lately… Whatever he has in his body, andthis powerful guy going after it… I just don't want him to die."

"… Putting your life on the line is part of a shinobi's job." answers Naruto.

"I get it, but a shinobi is willing to do it. Currently, Tsubai's life is just at stake for things he doesn't even control and I don't want him to be exposed to this kind of risks. As a shinobi, his will to give his life for a purpose won't have anything to do with people personally wanting him dead."

"Did you meet anybody aside from Katashiki that wants Tsubai dead?" asks Naruto.

"Well Yes, his dad."

"What?" he says with a shocked face, as he didn't understand Tsubai's relation with his dad this way at all until now.

"I'm not sure of it. But Tsubai said something like this to me. Like he needs to leave because he isn't safe around his dad and doesn't know what else to do."

"That's fucked up. But I see exactly what you mean. Being chased for something inside your body that you didn't ask for… I can totally relate to that. Half the people I fought until now were after Kurama, and even he himself wanted me dead at some point. But finally, we both understood that we are on the same side and can face our enemies efficiently together, and it works. Somehow, the same goes for Sasuke and me."

"I just love listening to you when you go on with these speeches about your past!" says Himari with an excited voice. "And I see what you want to say. You'll work to make the same thing happen between Tsubai and his Tengu."

"Exactly! You're pretty smart." says Naruto scratching the back of his head, flattered by Himari's words again. "Sasuke said Sakura is well and sleeping. Let's leave her alone for now and join Tsubai ya know!"

"Yeah Let's go ya know!" answers Himari who found her enthusiasm again.

So they head back to the Yamanaka clan's headquarters where they left Tsubai earlier.

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At the said place, Ino is already at work with her guest. As they both sit face to face on the ground, she's using the Mind Transfer Jutsu to project her consciousness within Tsubai's body. To anybody else, it looks like they're just sitting and holding each other's head, but they're actually talking within Tsubai's mind.

This couldn't have been achieved if she didn't discover earlier that Tsubai also knew this jutsu and simply wasn't aware of its name and various possible uses. In his mind, she's trying to help to connect with the thing who's voice can still be heard. And surprisingly to Tsubai, it works! The creature he heard earlier is now appearing without it having to manifest itself first.

"It seems like this spirit and the Mind Transfer jutsu share a specific connection we were unaware of, Tsubai." says Ino also surprised by the Tengu's appearance but keeping it professional. "There must be a good reason why someone of your clan, descendant of the Yamanaka, is wielding these 'Tengu'".

"Damn, This is nuts", simply answers Tsubai. "I don't know anything about it but looks like we can finally get answers now."

As they're both standing inside Tsubai's inner-world, they slowly approach the creature to see it more precisely and maybe get to communicate with it. As they were getting closer, they could now clearly see the ghost-like creature in front of them. It appears like a simple dark and damaged man-sized cloak floating above the ground. Apparently nobody or nothing was inside the cloak, except a light grey skull-like head under the hood. The skull had large pointy eye holes, and white human teeth. Now that they were facing it, it looks upon them and says:

"You're 20 years too late boy. Your father really must be an asshole. To communicate with the tengu and to control his power is usually part of the basic knowledge among your line age, and he didn't teach you any of it."

"Yeah I get it, and know it. He's weird." says Tsubai already annoyed by this conversation.

"Wait a minute,… Sir? Or something?" asks Ino who found the Tengu's last line quite interesting. "What you just said means that beings like you are a common thing in the Minamoto clan?"

"Sorry miss, but I don't want to talk with anyone else than my Yamabushi." answers the floating cape before undoing Ino's Mind transfer by himself.

"Uh!" goes Ino who just openned her eyes, back sitting on the ground. "Don't let yourself go, Tsubai! Keep talking!"

Fortunately, the Tengu's connection with Tsubai didn't fall apart. They're still face to face, able to see each other with no problem anymore.

"What you just said: Yamabushi. You called me that earlier. What does it mean?" asks Tsubai determined to finally get answers.

"It's just the name we give to you guys, who wield us, Tengus, in your minds" it answers.

"So Ino is right. There are other Tengu and Yamabushi. And from what I heard, I suppose they are my ancestors."

"They are ALL your ancestors since the Minamoto clan's founding. Well actually only the males. Every first-born is born with a Tengu and its birth is what causes the fathers to die every time. Your clan was founded with the sole purpose of birthing us."

"That's damn messed up…" says Tsubai who's just even more confused now. "Okay so my old-man also has one like you? How is he?"

"How could I know? I was inside you for all my life, I never met it. I never even felt it inside his body."

"Well you seem to know a lot of things that I couldn't have known anyway."

"That must be part of memories I'm born with. Just enough for me to know what I am."

"Okay so do you know who Katashiki is and what you did to him?"

"Ah Him? Nah. I find him just as weird as you do. I don't even know how he learned about me. All I know is he wants my, your power for his personal use. Dunno where he comes from or for what he needs it."

"Damn! What about our powers then? You at least must know this very well."

"At least yes. The curse of your clan that caused my birth, I know a lot about this too."

"I honestly couldn't care less about my ancestors." Tsubai says, just eager to get to control his powers. "Just teach me how to use your skills."

Meanwhile, Naruto and Himari arrived at the place and both sit on the ground next to Ino.

"Welcome." says Ino. "I think we made it. Tsubai is currently communicating with it."

"So they're already speaking, Huh? It went faster than between me and Kurama then." says Naruto.

"Not really. It actually took him his whole life to realize how he was supposed to do it. The trick is pretty simple and completely different from your link with the Kyubi. We simply had to use the Yamanaka signature jutsu and we were done. I really think these Tengus are made to be wielded by people from my clan or his."

"That simple? Well not bad. At least he'll be ready to fight for himself soon."

"Really?" asks Himari. "Thank you a lot miss Yamanaka! Being able to fight back is really what he needed the most right now."

"You can just call me Ino! And he's not done. We don't know if this Tengu is friendly or not."

"Neither me or Kurama feels any hostility emanating from his body. It goes for everything that's in it." says Naruto using Kurama's ability to sense negative emotions.

"Shinobis can sense emotions?" asks Himari.

"He's the only one who can." answers Ino pointing her thumb at Naruto. "Even I, the leader of a clan that specializes in mind-related jutsus and sensing has no clue how he does it."

"That's a Kurama thing." explains Naruto. "He can only sense bad emotions, but it's convenient when it comes to find enemies or stop intruders. It was really helpful against the Zetsu's shape-shifting abilities 2 years ago."

"Could Tsubai also gain this kind of powers with his Tengu?" asks Himari who's hyped by the turn of the conversation.

"Haha! He didn't like it." says Naruto while laughing. "He goes 'She dares compare the proud and great Nine-Tails to a mere hiding spirit'. Kurama I mean."

"He can hear us?" she asks.

"Always. He sees all I see, hears all I hear. But he's a cool guy. I can't even imagine myself without him now."

"He's like constantly spying on you… Isn't it awkward sometimes?"

"Well maybe sometimes… But he got a better memory than me. And that's pretty cool ya know."

"Damn I wish I had a second mind!"

"I don't. I'm really fine as I am: alone in my head." says Ino in a clear voice. "Plus having someone constantly in your mind sounds super creepy. I really don't know how you cope with this, Naruto."

"Says the girl who can get in anybody's mind at any time. And it never bothered me. I feel like Kurama's way more annoyed by my life than I am by his. Honestly, I think that if I had been aware of Kurama's presence in my body from the beginning, I would have felt way less lonely than I did as a kid, and that if I ever would have felt lonely. I used to see him as a curse, but now, he's really a part of me I'm glad I have. We accomplished so much things together already and we've been working together for only 2-3 years now."

"I know I already said it, but you're really really good at telling things." says Himari. "Your personality and voice tones just fit what you tell so much. It's oddly heart-warming."

"Well, Hinata's one lucky girl isn't she?" says Ino to follow on Himari's about.

"Hehe…" Naruto laughs nervously while scratching the back of his head again with a flattered but uncomfortable look on his face. "Could you girls go easy on the compliments… I'm a shy guy that's not very comfortable when being popular with girls."

"Can you shut the damn up, noodle-boy!" yells Tsubai still sitting with his eyes closed. "I'm trying to keep focused, dude!"

"Oh Excuse us Tsubai!" answers Ino to keep it cool. "How's it going? I can't hear your discussion anymore."

"It's cool but be quiet please? Or go outside."

"His clan and his situation are very intriguing and seem to be important." whispers Ino to Naruto. "I hope you warned Lord Sixth about it."

"I did." answers Naruto whispering too. "First thing I did is report the situation to Kakashi."

Tsubai is still speaking with the Tengu and learned a lot about his interlocutor's nature and abilities already. He now knows everything he should about his power to absorb and manipulate memories, but is still learning about his other jutsus.

"What were you saying again?" says Tsubai to the Tengu in his inner-world. "Ah yes! What about the Darkness Release and the Time Controlling power you mentioned the other day?"

"Meiton (Darkness Release) is the main nature of my chakra." answers the spirit. "It is a kekkei genkai resulting of the merging of two chakra elements. You know about these things already, right?"

"You mean like first Hokage's Mokuton?"

"Yes but not exactly. Meiton isn't normally something that can be used by a human being. And believe me, Mokuton is really pussy juice compared to my Meiton."

"Seriously?" says Tsubai who finds it hard to believe. "You mean I'll become as powerful as the man who's nicknamed the Damn God Of Shinobi?"

"Hoho!… No! Meiton is far more powerful than what Mokuton can do, but the first Hokage was a Sage from the Senju Clan. He had tremendous chakra. You're way more average, and my chakra isn't as big as a tailed beast's at all. Our use of this Kekkei Genkai will certainly be limited. You just need to know that it has the power to oppose the concepts of Space, Time and Energy and has various uses."

"I get it." answers Tsubai who finds this explanation way more reasonable. "So Meiton is also the source of my ability to control time."

"Control Time?" yells the Tengu with an ironic tone. "As I said, we're not powerful enough to 'control time', but we can indeed interrupt its flow for as long as we can hold it. But again, we can only barely disrupt space when it stands still for now. So trying to touch any living thing may break the time freeze."

"Uh… I really hyped you up too much in my head." says Tsubai who tries to stay positive after all. "But still, it's great… Oh and I didn't even ask, but you're gonna lend that power to me of course? You're not a damn commercial advertising your powers only to reveal a ridiculous price now, are you?"

"I'm part of you as long as I am in you,… Us Tengu aren't like Bijus. We are born in and need a Yamabushi to exist. Losing me won't kill you, but would kill me. So even if I wanted it, I couldn't stop you from using my chakra."

"That's damn cool, cape ghost!… About this, I know I don't use names much, but I still like to know them at least. So do you have any thing I shall call you other than the floating cape or simply the tengu up my ass?"

"I have a name, Tsubai. You shall call me… Daikoku."

"Great. Than It's damn nice to finally know you, Daikoku." says Tsubai to finally greet what will remain in his body for the rest of his life.

Outside of Tsubai's inner-world, Ino, Naruto and Himari are still sitting in a round and talking when Ino is suddenly anguished by a terrible feeling.

"What's wrong?" asks Himari who noticed Ino's discomfort.

"Something terrifying just entered the village!" answers Ino quietly.

"SHIT I FEEL IT TOO!" screams Naruto, disturbing Tsubai's inner-communication. "I'm sure it's him. Katashiki. He came to Konoha. Ino, inform Kakashi-sensei."

Ino immediately performs the ram hand seal and uses the Mind Transmission Jutsu to get in communication with the Hokage.

"Lord Hokage, The man chasing Tsubai Minamoto just entered the village!"

"I know." answers Kakashi. "He's at the gate and tried to get in like a simple villager. I wasn't expecting such civility from the person Naruto described. Kotetsu and Izumo called me as soon as they recognized him. I'm going there. Where is Naruto?"

"He's next to me with Tsubai." she answers turning to Naruto.

"He must leave." orders Kakashi. "They are both targets. I can't let the enemy get in contact with him."

"Naruto, Tsubai, The Hokage orders you to flee." says Ino.

"What? Definitely not." directly answers Naruto. "I won't leave the village with this guy around."

"Naruto refuses." says Ino to Kakashi.

"Sigh… Can you put me in communication with him?"

Ino raises her other hand and holds Naruto's forehead to telepathically link him with Kakashi.

"Naruto can you hear me?" asks Kakashi.

"Are you all speaking with your minds?" asks Himari who won't get any answer.

"Yes, I refuse" Naruto answers to the Hokage.

"Listen, the enemy can feel your chakra. I'm currently with Rock Lee and his Suicide Corps. We'll only hold him back until he senses you going away. He's only after you and Tsubai. He'll have no reason to stay here. This way we can get him away of the village."

"And I'll kick his ass when he goes after me, I get it." answers Naruto who agrees with this plan and turns to Tsubai. "Come with me, we gotta leave."

Tsubai stands up and they both run to the front door without wasting a second and away from the village by taking a different path than the entrance.

"They're leaving." says Ino to Kakashi. "What will you do?"

"As I said engage the enemy".

Himari still sitting near Ino, looks at the opened door and decides to stand up and run outside too.

"Where are you going?" shouts Ino to Himari before she leaves.

Himari doesn't give an answer and just hurries outside.

At the entrance of the village Katashiki is standing before Konoha's gatekeepers. Feeling various chakra getting closer, he tells them:

"So you've called reinforcements. I suppose this means I'm not welcome here, and therefore won't get an answer to my question."

Both of them stayed quiet, not daring to say anything. They were just stunned and frightened by the feeling that this man's presence gives off. It feels like Sasuke Uchiha, but more powerful and more evil. Even they who aren't good sensitive ninjas could feel the strength of just his gaze. Kotetsu was just glad Izumo found the courage to discreetly inform the Hokage.

"I'm not an uncivilized twit, so I won't kill you for this, but I sure hope you called someone with whom I can negotiate properly" says Katashiki slowly going forward.

As he intends to go deeper in the village, he is stopped by Kakashi who jumps down from a roof to block his way. The two men only stare at each other for a few seconds until Katashiki decides to open dialogue.

"It's good to meet you, Hokage of Konoha." he says. "I'm just a passenger willing to get rid of some problems for you. Could you give me some indications?"

"You're here for Tsubai Minamoto and Naruto Uzumaki, and they're both currently under my protection. Sorry to disappoint you, but you can't have any of their souls." coldly answered the Hokage.

"… As I just said, I'm just here to get rid of this problem for you. You see, Naruto, Sasuke and Tsubai are the only reason I'm here. Once I get them, I'll leave and will never ever come back. As long as they are here, you'll have to face me or anyone else that'll be interested in them in the future. So I hope you understand that giving them away now will save us both a lot of time, sweat and chakra."

"Sorry but no." says Kakashi naturally. "You can at least save your words by not trying to discuss any longer." he adds getting ready to fight.

He just has to keep the enemy busy until he notices that Naruto and Tsubai are running away. He looks Katashiki straight in the eyes and suddenly has flashbacks of all his previous encounters with Rinnegan users. He's something of a veteran when it comes to this at this point. His opponent can absorb all Ninjutsu so he'll go with Taijutsu. He just needs to be fast enough and keep the enemy busy to avoid him using any gravitational manipulation. Fully aware of what he has to do, Kakashi readys himself and runs toward Katashiki to engage the fight.

Katashiki doesn't move and only waits for him to get closer, expecting him to try and punch him right in the face but instead, Kakashi slips on his left and quickly turns around to go for a kick in the back. The rinnegan wielder could foresee it, obviously, and turned his body at the same time as his opposer and blocked countered this hit with his forearms. However, Kakashi has no intention of letting him rest. He leans his feets on Katashiki's arms and jumps back and up while pushing him in the opposite direction at the same time. He didn't move him an inch but it doesn't matter. Now up in the air, He joins his hands and performs one of his thousand jutsus very fast.

Suiton – Suiryudan no Jutsu (Water Style – Water Dragon Bullet)

Katashiki gets ready to absorb the dragon, but to his surprise, it heads to splash on the ground in front of him instead. Kakashi lands back on the resulting puddle and prepares another jutsu.

Suiton – Kirigakure (Water Style – Hiding in Mist)

He turns the water splash into mist that surrounds him and Katashiki, who quickly understands his intentions of limiting his sight. Before absorbing the floating mist, he makes sure that the Hokage isn't already near him. He isn't. The mist disappears and Kakashi is only now running toward him, a kunai in his hand, heading to stab his throat. Strangely, the Kunai isn't strong enough to go through his skin.

"You thought a basic blade could pierce the skin of a god? Pathetic" says Katashiki with disregard.

Pulling a black rod out of his sleeve, he stabs him right in the heart, only to detonate the Lightning clone that was actually facing him. Unluckily, the chakra rod acts as a lightning rod and absorbs the clone's remaining before it can hurt Katashiki, who just understood the strategy he involuntarily foiled.

Then, he jumps from the ground to dodge the real Kakashi who's upper body just emerged from the ground under him and tried to grab him by the legs. Having him exposed and still half buried by his own jutsu, Katashiki violently kicks Kakashi in the chin and throws him into the closest wall.

Fast, strong, surprisingly durable and lucky. This is what Kakashi thought of the enemy after this brief exchange, struggling to get up from the wall's remains, that got shattered by the collision.

Fortunately, Rock Lee and the Suicide Corps (an elite of Taijutsu specialists all using the Eight Inner Gates) arrive just on time to take on the fight. Lee helps the Hokage up while the rest of the team prepares to engage the fight. Katashiki, still unimpressed, turns to the east side of the village as if he finally realized something.

"Oh, So you're blocking my path to buy them time to escape." he says to Kakashi. "I guess you except me to go after them as they are my only targets, is it?"

Kakashi stays quiet and tries to foresee how Katashiki will react now that he figured their plan out.

"I think you misunderstood me. I said that I'm a civilized person, not an idiot. If I stay here and threaten to destroy this beautiful place or kill anyone nearby, the fox will have to come by himself."

The Hokage didn't see that coming. He really thought Katashiki would take the bait, as he seemed to have no other reason to be here.

"Suicide Corps, Kick this man out!" orders the Hokage.

"ROGER THAT!" says every member of the team together as they get in rank and all open the 6th Gate of Joy at the same time.

"Hado, Purogu!" Rock Lee calls two of his teammates. "Take the lead!"

"LET'S BEAT HIS ASS" yells Hado, the first-called taijutsu specialist, leaping toward his target.

"At your service!" says Purogu, the second-called, before going to follow her partner.

Leaping in Katashiki's direction, they position themselves symmetrically around him and get ready to deliver powerful 6th Gate-powered kicks in his chest together while chanting "Dynamic Entry" in chorus. The horned intruder runs to them at the same speed, throws his body in the air and bends it to evade the blow. As soon as he touches the ground, the rest of the Suicide Corps leaded by Lee comes to confront him. They all go for a punch in his face together, so he bows forward to dodge again and grabs the foot of one of them. Using the shinobi that he just grabbed like a baseball bat, he strikes every one surrounding him away.

"There's way too much of you. Let me correct this!"

On both his sides, Haddo and Purogu come back to get at him with drop kicks. Katashiki stops the two of them with just his hands, lets them go only to force them closer.

Bansho Ten'in

He generates an attraction force with both his hands to force the two ninjas closer, and grows black rods out of his palms straight through their throats as they're being attracted to his hands.

"PUROGU! HADO!" screams Lee as he witnesses Katashiki taking his friend's lives with disturbing ease.

Out of anger and frustration, Rock Lee screams his soul out and hurries to activate the 7th Gate of Wonder. All his teammates just step back to give him the space he needs. He swiftly gets to the source of his anger and violently knee kicks him in the stomach to push him in the air. Katashiki is blown away by the strike but manages to stabilize himself levitating.

"Lee!" says Kakashi, surprised by the strength and speed of this last attack.

"Now That's interesting!" shouts Katashiki floating in the sky and looking down at Rock Lee already charging at him again.

.

Not for away from the village, two of Katashiki's targets are still running to bait their pursuer. Tsubai stops running and turns back to the village. Naruto also stays still and looks at Tsubai, waiting for an explanation.

"He stays in the village." he says. "It's getting dangerous for those who are fighting."

"He's not coming after us?" says Naruto. "It's true! What is he planning?"

"What an asshole!" simply complains Tsubai who turns back to Naruto and sees his worried face. "What's up?"

"We can't do that."

.

At the same time, behind the land of Earth, in the ocean, on a very small island, looking like nothing more than 2 huge boulders visible from the surface, Sasuke falls from the sky and perfectly lands on it. He immediately starts looking for a possible cave opening and quickly finds one, in between the two boulders. With the Chidori, he breaks the hole's surroundings and enlarges it to go down in it more easily.

Jumping down in the cave, he just now sees how deep it actually is and keeps falling for nearly a minute. Feeling the pressure get heavier and the end of the fall coming, he attaches his hand and feet to the wall to land safely. He is now standing in the middle of complete darkness so uses Lightning Release again to light the cave and holds his astonishment when he discovers what fills this place.

There are monster-like animal dead bodies all around, and even some that look like they were artificially assembled. Those must be the containers he uses for his stolen souls. So Sasuke's theory was right. Katashiki didn't actually split Juubi's chakra like the Rikudo-Sennin did to create the Biju. He just built artificial beasts and gave them souls he's stolen from other places.

He is now hoping to find information about the origin of the shadow woman and the dragon. While lurking the cave between the dead bodies, he finds something that may interest him. A large desk filled with papers written in a complex language that resembles the one used for the Uchiha tablet. By using his left eye, he can plainly decipher these writings.

All these papers were giving precise and complete descriptions of jutsu or animal species. What got Sasuke's attention the most is a piece of writing titled "Umashi Ashikabi Hikoji". This is what Katashiki said before escaping his Soul Absorption. He takes the paper from the table to get a closer look. It doesn't feel like regular paper when touched and starts glowing the moment it makes contact with Sasuke's hand.

The text is a really well-written and integral paragraph about how this jutsu works and how it can be used. Sasuke just quickly reads through the paper to verify his theories, and can confirm he was mostly right. This jutsu is his rinnegan's unique ability and is what allows him to keep the absorbed souls as servants. These souls are like Pain's bodies, meaning they have Katashiki's eyes and he can see through them, but the souls can also use any rinnegan ability, except this one. The souls know every jutsu that they knew as living beings but can't use them without a physical form. That's why he usually puts them in a body. He calls these things Tsukumogami.

Sasuke decides to take this sheet with him along with other papers he would find interesting. While searching among these, he comes across one titled "To find and absorb the Daitengu". It contains words like Tengu, Minamoto, and Yamabushi. It must be about what he plans to do with Tsubai. He decides to take it too. Another paper is talking about space-time ninjutsu. It's titled Chimatakami. It must be the name of the jutsu, the one Sasuke and Katashiki both use to travel to other dimensions. He also takes this one and prepares to leave but stops when he sees one last sheet.

Just titled "To Remember", it mentions what seems to be Katashiki's full name, which gives a really bad feeling to Sasuke. He's supposedly named Katashiki Otsutsuki, just like Kaguya Otsutsuki or her children. Sasuke finally found a connection between him and Kaguya but it's far from expected. The Rikudo-Sennin said Kaguya came from a far away country to eat the chakra fruit. Katashiki must be from this same country, but does this mean they all have horns and Dojutsus? This is a really disturbing discovery for Sasuke, especially considering the fact that that same paper mentions other people with the same name. Satisfied by his findings, Sasuke takes this last sheet and hurries to leave this obscure place before anyone finds him.

.

In Konoha, Katashiki stands on the ground still near the village's entrance while Rock Lee goes all out on him with the Gate Of Wonder. Even with the current speed and violence of Lee, he escapes every single hit Lee tries with ease.

"Actually, It's nothing" says Katashiki, feeling no thrill at all from this fight.

"How can he read my movements so well and easily?" thinks Lee giving his best to try touch him at least once.

"You're not a big deal, but for a human, you're strong." says Katashiki still dodging everything. "With the Gate of Death you would be incredibly powerful, maybe even more than me. You may waste your body after each time you activate it, but I'll just have to seal your soul into another body." He says looking at Rock Lee with a provocative smile.

"HERE!" screams Lee to interrupt him as he's about to unleash a new attack. "LEAF… EARTHQUAKE!" he screams while he briefly makes eye contact with him, going to hit him with a monstrous double knee kick that breaks the ground even before hitting anything.

"Hm, Fool." says Katashiki also making eye contact with a pair of Sharingan.

"Sharingan?" thinks Lee as Katashiki traps him in a Genjutsu.

Katashiki had switched from Rinnegan to Sharingan to read Rock Lee movements efficiently and just jumped on the opportunity to stop him, as he knew this last technique, the Leaf Earthquake, may have damaged him seriously. Trapped in an illusion, Lee's body deactivates the Gate of Wonder, severely damaged by its use, and keeps flying forward to the enemy. The invader touches Lee's shoulder and grabs his soul to rip it out and get what he believes will be his new number one Tsukumogami. Already foreseeing himself operate for his freedom, Katashiki is interrupted by Naruto right beside him.

Rasengan

Naruto sends Katashiki far away with this surprise attack and saves Lee from this inevitable death. Katashiki sent flitting outside the village comes back to his senses and switches back to the Rinnegan to absorb a fire spiral coming in his direction. He gets back on his feet and sees Tsubai standing before him. Naruto leaves a passed out Lee near Kakashi and goes to join Tsubai in front of Katashiki.

"Sorry, Kakashi-sensei!" says Naruto in a clear voice, walking toward the red-eyed man. "How could a man who will become Hokage let his sensei and friends to die for his safety?"

Naruto activates his Sage Mode and his Kurama Chakra Mode and stands besides Tsubai, all ready to fight, to face a Katashiki giving a pissed off look.

"When I become the Hokage, the only one allowed to sacrifice will be me."

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End of Chapter 6 - Next chapter: Confrontation