A/N: first off, I had originally planned for this and the previous chapter to just be one chapter, but I overshot. So this chapter is 4k+ words, I've been writing it since the 27th Aug( in the afternoon) to the 28th Aug( this morning ), so I'm going to sleep and will not update till next week, ciao!
[ JINICHI WATARU ]
!!!
'Oh shit…that's right, lord third said I shouldn't use metal throughout the duration of the Chunin exams. Damnit! Meh, he can't know if he wasn't here, plus I broke it for no reason, someone's life was on the line, so I did have to use it.'
Jinichi-two shrugged. He then holstered the two gourds on his sides, their familiar weight bringing a sense of comfort to him.
The blood from the decapitated mega snake began to pool around the dead corpse, painting the surrounding grass a glossy red.
"Ew." Jinichi-two said with a disgusted look on his face.
Turning his attention away from the dead beast, he faced his beneficiary.
Her head was down as she tried not to look at Jinichi-two giving him a few seconds to observe her features.
Her red hair was about neck length, blood red hair that made her stand out in a crowd. Although right now it was anything but graceful with how messy and dishelved it was.
Her eyes matched with her hair. With a pair of glasses to boot.
She had a grass village head band on her head. The rest of her clothes were plain in comparison.
"You okay, ribbon head?" Jinichi-two asked.
'She looks familiar..
she's obviously an Uzumaki. Not many of them in the world and the one I do know looks nothing like his kinsmen….hmmm.'
Jinichi-two tried to move closer but she moved back in fright, her body visibly shaking. He stopped approaching for a moment.
'She's afraid of me? what did I do though?'
"You know its rude to not introduce yourself to someone who saved you." Jinichi-two said rubbing the back of his head.
Her head perked up, to look at him, for a few seconds there was a tense silence before she spoke.
"My name is Karin. Karin Uzumaki." She responded her voice low.
"So I was right you are an Uzumaki! Nice to meet you, my names Jinichi." Jinichi-two responded.
'That's why she was familiar. She's the Uzumaki with actual clan perks.'
She was visibly disturbed by his response and moved back a bit further.
There was a brief silence for a moment.
'Well this is awkward, about time I go back to the main body with the fruits.'
Jinichi-two was about to go back to the bush to get his fruits.
"Why did you help me?" Karin asked her voice breaking slightly.
Jinichi-two turned back to her; a confused expression grew on his face.
"Is that a trick question? Why does anyone need a reason to help anyone? I can decide whether to help or not. I'm not necessarily good or evil but even I can't stand by and watch someone get chowed on by a building sized snake. So, for my conscience and peace of mind I saved you because I would feel guilty for letting you die if I could have done something about it."
Jinichi-two paused for a moment. Before snapping his fingers as if remembering something.
"I suggest you leave this place soon; scavengers of all kinds are always attracted to scent of dead beasts."
Karin looks at him like he's some strange animal before responding.
"Uh..r-right."
"Alright, see ya whenever I see ya ribbon head. Hope you make it outta here." Jinichi-two then reached into the bush and carried his makeshift jacket bag before leaping onto a tree and disappeared into the forest.
Leaving Karin alone in the clearing, before she eventually left in a hurry.
But in the shadows of a lone tree, hidden in the thicket, someone was watching.
"How interesting," the individual muttered.
" It seems that Atsumi encountered some rare specimen before dying. The Uzumaki girl has worth, but the boy has something far more interesting."
The figure pulled out a vial from their pocket and approached the dead snake, digging their hands into the decapitated neck, and took a blood sample.
"I'll have to review the blood sample to determined the effectiveness of the Kekkei genkai. But for now…,"
The figure reached into their sleeves, sliding the vial into a hidden compartment under layers upon layers of clothing while also bringing out another vial.
The vial had a greyish dust like material inside, that seemed to be actively moving in a certain direction like it was being attracted.
" I think it's time to hunt a little mouse."
…
…..
....
The evening sun began to set, as the faint light entering the forest began to settle.
Jinichi-two moved across the trees at a steady pace, leaping from tree branch to tree branch with ease. He stopped for a moment.
Landing on a tree branch for a moment he exhaled a sigh of relief.
'I know this place is called the forest of death but.. MUST EVERY GOD DAMN INCH OF IT BE OUT TO GET ME!!!!'
Jinichi-two complained dramatically.
It had been a few minutes since his encounter with the snake and the shy ribbon head. He had begun his return to base. Every five minutes he was either encountering an enemy Genin or a wild animal.
"Tch..forest of death my ass, more like forest of unnecessary drama,...okay not my best one, glad no one was here to witness that." Jinichi-two muttered.
"You've got such a foul mouth for someone so young." A stranger retorts from behind him.
!!!!!!!!!
'What the hell!!'
Jinichi-two frantically jumps from the tree branch to a neighbouring branch coming face to face with the unknown enemy.
It was a tall teenager, with feminine features, long eyelashes, soft eyes and the like, with long brown hair that reached to the middle of his back. He was clothed in loose white robes flowed like silk, a purple ribbon, an obi tied in a knot, followed by brown pants. And a hidden waterfall village headband strapped tightly against his forehead.
"Who are you?" Jinichi-two asked his expression serious. A kunai already in hand as his free hand reached for his ninja pouch.
'How didn't I even notice him…' Jinichi pondered suspiciously.
The stranger had a small smile on his face but refused to answer.
"What do you want!!" Jinichi-two asked again, his tone sharp.
The strangers smile simply grew wider and more eerie, causing a shiver to go down Jinichi-two's spine.
'Is he trying to distract me for an ambush?'
Jinichi-two glanced around, looking for any signs of enemies hidden within the trees.
'If that's the case, I'm not taking any chances.'
Pulling a smoke bomb out of his pocket Jinichi throws it.
Poof
Poof
A cloud of smoke kicks up, blocking him from the view of the stranger and the stranger from his view.
Instantly Jinichi-two moved.
Whoosh!
Enhancing his legs with chakra, he launched himself from the tree branch and retreated in the opposite direction of the enemy, widening the gap between him and the stranger with every leap.
A few minutes later, his pace slowed, as he believed that he had escaped the stranger as there was no signs of the enemy's pursuit.
Right now, Jinichi-two had hidden in a tree thicket, intending to stay there until he was sure that the coast was clear.
After a moment, Jinichi-two let out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding.
'Phew..I think its safe now. I should return to tree.'
"Ah….the thrill of a chase, it's been so long I stretched my legs." A raspy voice said from behind Jinichi-two.
!!!!!!
His body moved before his mind did.
Twisting his hips, Kunai in hand, he lashed out at the enemy.
His kunai swiped at the enemy in a backward slash, intending to stab through the skull.
His attack was parried effortlessly leaving his torso wide open.
'SHIT!'
Jinichi-two's chakra surged in his torso, a metallic sheen growing over his flesh.
The stranger then struck him in his ribs.
Pa!
The force of the blow sent Jinichi-two flying.
"Damn it!" Jinichi-two cursed. Metal dust surged from the gourds on his hips, shaping into a cocoon around him.
He crashed into a thick tree branch, breaking through it and splintering wood, dropping to the ground, digging a trench across the dirt, before his momentum came to a halt.
The cocoon began to dissolve into a cloud of metal dust around Jinichi-two, circling him like snakes.
'Damnit! What the hell was that punch. I would've been done for if I didn't enhance my torso.'
Whoosh!
In an instant the enemy landed a few meters away from Jinichi-two, who was glaring at him.
"I see...you changed your charka to a metallic nature to protect your torso at the last second, enhancing your durability and reducing the potency of my strike. Clever..." the stranger said with an eerie smile on his face.
The stranger paused for a moment pondering something before continuing.
"Although it would seem you're still no where near his power yet."
"….What do you want from me?"
Jinichi-two asked cautiously. Although if one looked closer, they would be able to see the nervousness that was coming off of him.
'How did he catch up so quickly!! Damnit! I should have escaped underground!!'
Jinichi-two's mind was a whirlwind of panic.
The stranger chuckled softly.
"What do I want? How cold. I simply came to observe the offspring of a dear friend."
"….What the hell are you saying!! You're not making any sense!!"
"Sigh..I've never been good with children; All I'm saying is that is there any reason why a master can not greet the son of his student."
"…Huh?"
'I don't know what the hell he is talking about, but my gut is telling me to get away from this weirdo, and I'm inclined to agree.'
Chakra began to surge in his legs as he attempted to escape for the second time.
"I'd advise against running away, I tend to get a bit irritating when I'm ignored."
The stranger said, his expression serious. Then a sudden feeling of pressure emanated from him.
The tension in the atmosphere skyrocketed, a heavy pressure descended on Jinichi-two.
The metal dust surrounding Jinichi-two fell to the ground instantly.
A chilling sensation went down his spine as a feeling of animalistic fear and danger bloomed in his chest.
His breathing grew more ragged as his body froze in place.
'DAMN IT!! WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!!??'
Jinichi-two tried to move his body, but it refused.
'COME ON MOVE DAMN IT!!'
His body twitched.
Shink!
Sprrt!
His head was cut off in an instant, lopping of his neck in a smooth clean cut.
Jinichi-two gasped for air.
He had just had a premonition, one born out of safety for his life.
Running equalled death.
Fighting was suicide.
So Jinichi-two stayed put.
"Good. Children should always listen to their elders."
The stranger said. He raised his hand and pointed it at Jinichi-two.
A snake lunged forward from his sleeve.
"HISS!"
!!!
Jinichi-two tried to move but his body refused to respond.
'SHIT!!!'
The snake covered the distance immediately, binding the boy instantly.
Jinichi-two felt his heart drop to his stomach.
"Y-you're one of the legendary Sanin, Orochimaru." Jinichi-two croaked.
'YEAH, NO SHIT SHERLOCK!!
A FUCKING SNAKE IS BEING USED TO BIND YOU, WHO ELSE USES THAT JUTSU!!
SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! SHIT! THIS IS BAD!'
"Oh? so you've heard of me. Good to know."
'Damnit!!! He changed bodies after the start of the exam?? It's barely been a day!! I've never seen this body before that's why I didn't recognize him!!!! SHIT!!'
'Should I dispel to warn the main body?'
Jinichi-two's hands shuffled within the snake bindings, coming together to dispel the shadow clone jutsu.
"Should you attempt to dispel yourself and succeed in doing so, I will slaughter your comrades in front of your very eyes. So better choose wisely."
Orochimaru made the remark so casually, but Jinichi-two knew that he meant every word.
Jinichi-two flinched, before putting down his arms.
"W-What could I possibly have that someone of your caliber would want? Is it the heaven scroll?"
"What I want child is something more precious than a scroll, what I desire is…your unique talents." The stranger paused for a moment, before continuing.
"But do not worry, the time will come when I require. But for now, I've come to lend a helping hand with your current predicament."
"….And why the hell should I listen to you?" Jinichi-two attempted to stand confident but failed miserably.
"Because child, I am the only one in the world, aside from another who can help you tame your blood."
!!!!!!
'How could he possibly know about the Oni blood?'
"I-I have no idea what you're talking about."
"But off course you do, you feel it in your very bones, don't you? That chaotic blood that flows within you, that craves on chaos and destruction. That turns all who bear it to becomes vessels of violence and damnation. Just like your father…"
!!!!!
"Huh...?" Jinichi-two blurted out. His face changing from confusion to anger.
"What the hell are you saying!! My father was a civilian, there's no way he could have had this power!! He didn't even know how to use chakra!! You couldn't have known my father!!" Jinichi retorted in anger forgetting the current reality of his situation.
" I know him because I was the one who trained him. Your father is my student." Orochimaru said matter of factly.
!!!!!
'…..What?'
"YOU'RE LYING!! MY FATHER IS DEAD!! HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR 12 YEARS!!"
"Oh? He is very much alive."
"T-that's not possible!! He was killed during the nine tails attack!!"
"Ah..yes, of course you would think that. Your father truly would have died that day had it not been for my intervention."
"I was the one who saved him from his injures and took him under my wing. And trained him as my blade. Now he repays that debt with his undying loyalty."
"No,no,no, no, NO! my father would never work for you! H-he.."
"I'm hurt by your words Jinichi-kun, is that any way to speak to your god father?"
'Theres no way my father would work for a man like Orochimaru without a reason!! He has to be under some sort of genjutsu!!!'
" Y-you must have put him under some sort of genjutsu!! That's why..!"
The snake binding Jinichi-two squeezed tightly for a moment causing him to grunt in pain.
Orochimaru began chuckling.
" I'm sure by now you are well aware that genjutsu does not work on people who have the oni blood in them.
Poison, genjutsu and cursed seals have no effect on those with oni blood. Enhanced speed, Enhanced strength, durability and a craving for violence.
All are the tell-tale signs of those with oni blood."
Orochimaru paused, before continuing his statement.
"We have gone off topic, like I said Jinichi-kun, I have come to offer aid."
"I believe you have had encounters with the elders of this wretched village? My ex-sensei may look like a senile old man but he is no fool."
An eerie smile grew on his face.
"Knowing him once he was informed of your outburst in the land of iron, I'm sure he took preventive measures to shackle you and probably said something along the lines of 'it is a necessity, to protect you and this village.' ."
Jinichi-two turned his gaze away, unable to refute his statement.
"How unfortunate…. this village stifles talent under the guise of control. I am not like them, where they see a rampaging beast, I see a weapon that can be sharpened with the right guidance."
A pit of despair and anger began to settle within Jinichi-twos stomach as a feeling of hatred began to fester.
'NOO!!!DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!! HE'S JUST TRYING TO GET IN YOUR HEAD!'
"This blood is cursed!! If what you say of my father is true then this blood must have damned him!!! Power in exchange for losing one's loved ones is a fate I would never wish for anyone!!"
A disappointed look grew on Orochimaru face.
'OHHH SHIT!!! WHY DID I SAY THAT!!!'
"Then you are a fool. One that does not know the true value of his bloodline."
The snake bindings around Jinichi-two loosened, giving him enough room to put distance between him and Orochimaru.
"Ready yourself. If you show promise, you will be worthy of your father's name, should you fail…"
The unspoken threat hung in the air a reminder of the reality of Jinichi-two's situation.
With a simple flick of his hand Jinichi-two willed his metal dust to surge around him defensively.
'There's no real way I can beat him not as a Genin, even if there was ten of me, I still wouldn't be able to do it. All he's looking for right now is something to show him that I have potential.'
A clump of metal dust, from the cloud surrounding him surged up his left arm, reshaping into a sleek scimitar.
' I have no choice.'
Jinichi-two's gaze hardened. His weapon ready, he took a stance.
A small smile graced Orochimarus face, or rather the face of the individual he was wearing. He too took a stance although it was rather relaxed.
The forest was silent for a moment, the tense atmosphere weighing down on Jinichi-two, sweat dropping from his forehead, landing on the ground.
Plop.
Woosh.
Woosh.
Jinichi-two clashes against Orochimaru.
The Scimitar slashes diagonally, intending to cleave Orochimaru in two.
Orochimaru leans to the side, counter attacking with a strike to the boy's throat.
Metal dust surges up forming a barrier to intercept the attack and bind the snake's arm.
The Sanin's arm is trapped for a moment.
Jinichi-two twists his hips, attacking with a backward slash.
Orochimaru ducks under the blow, counter attacking with a sweeping kick.
Jinichi-two jumps over the attack, but is greeted with a barrage of snakes to his face.
His scimitar dices through the barrage, cutting through them in an instant.
Orochimaru uses the brief moment of distraction to close the distance.
Slapping the boys left arm away, the snake moves forward, leg first.
Landing a straight kick lands on Jinichi's chest.
Pa!
The force of the blow Launching him backwards into a tree. Digging a trench in the process.
With a wave of his hand, clumps of metal dust reforms into shuriken's, surging forward with blinding speed. Intending to puncture the snake sage.
Orochimaru had already made chase, manoeuvring around the volley of shurikens with ease.
Jinichi-two had already recovered from the attack, recalled back the volley of shurikens.
The shurikens stopped instantly, and returned back, aiming to butcher the Sannin from his flank.
The volley struck true, piercing the Sannin from the back.
The Sannin's form began to slur and dissolve into a pile of mud.
Whoosh!
!!
'Substitution Jutsu??!!'
Jinichi-two looked around frantically trying to trace the Sannin's movements, till he then looked up.
'Shit!'
An axe Kick from above.
Jinichi's hands rose to block the attack but they were too slow.
The blow landed with brutal ferocity on Jinichi's skull.
Bam!
Crack!
The force of the attack causing him to into the ground.
But by sheer ingenuity, Jinichi-two was able to enhance his head's durability with metal chakra before the blow landed, negating the force of the attack.
Grabbing the Sannin's leg he slams him into the ground, and thrusts his scimitar into the snake's stomach.
In a unbelieve display of flexibility and physical modification, the Sannin shifted his torso to the side to dodge the stab.
Causing the attack to only stab through his robes.
'Don't question it, just keep fighting!'
the Scimitar swiftly changed to a hammer intending to turn the snake sage into a stain on the dirt.
But Orochimaru thought otherwise, swiping his leg out, he tackles the boy, throwing him off balance and leaving him open.
Dozens of snakes come out of his hands intending to bind the boy.
Jinichi points his scimitar at the snakes, reshaping it and firing of a hail of metal dust bullets.
Trrrrr-rt, Trrrrr-rt, Trrrrr-rt!
The snakes are riddled with holes, causing them to fall to the ground.
'tch! My reserves Are draining fast; I can't keep fighting like this. I have to switch things up.'
Channelling his chakra in his legs, he gave distance between himself and Orochimaru who was looking at him intrigued.
The metal dust surrounding him retreats back to his gourds at his command. The metal dust scimitar on his arm followed suit.
'Inventory.'
[ *POOF* ]
A scroll appeared in hand, slamming his hand on it, the scroll disappeared in a puff of smoke as a jagged blade appeared in left hand.
'Sky Pirate Cutlass. Never thought I'd ever use this in a fight.'
Whoosh!
Jinichi lunges forward at Orochimaru, thrusting his sword at the snake's chest.
The snake sage parries the sword away, forcing Jinchi's back to be exposed.
Using the momentum of the parry Jinichi twists his hips to land a backward slash on Orochimaru.
The Sannin leans back to avoid the attack. The slash cutting a few strands of hair in the process.
Jinichi's right leg lashes out to kick the snake sage in his ribs.
The snake blocks the kick with his arm. Grabs Jinichi by his ankle pulling him in.
The snake sage cocked his fist back and threw a brutal punch to his jaw.
'Uh-oh!'
Thwack!
The force of the blow sending the boys head snaping back.
But in a brief moment of ingenuity, Jinichi made a gamble, in the half second before the blow landed, Jinichi augmented his face with metallic chakra.
Using the force of the attack as a starter, he built up momentum while parallel to the ground.
To enhance the effectiveness of his next strike.
Twisting his hips, Jinichi spun like a tornado, before his right leg lashed out with a heel kick to the Sannin's skull.
Bam!
Krrkkk!
The Sannin's head snaps to side at an awkward angle, before unnaturally returning. A surprised look on his face.
'Not enough.'
Cutlass in hand, Jinichi lunges at the snake sage launching an onslaught of slashes and thrusts.
The snake sage uses his unnatural flexibility to dodge them all much to Jinichi's displeasure.
'I'm exhausted, I can tell that I'll probably dispel at any moment from now.'
Jinichi's guard dropped for a moment, giving the Sannin the brief window of opportunity he needed.
Slithering forward at frightening speed, Orochimaru grabbed Jinichi by his neck. Catching the boy by surprise.
Jinichis grip on the cutlass weakened and the blade slipped out of his hand.
"Ack!"
"You've done well for a shadow clone. A bit rough around the edges, but your performance was satisfactory. This would've been far more entertaining if you were the original."
'…Damn it..'
Suddenly a volley of shurikens came out of the bushes, aiming to butcher Orochimaru. Forcing him to release Jinichi and reposition himself.
Woosh!
Out of the bushes came a yellow spikey haired pre-teen, clad in an orange and blue jumpsuit, with three familiar whiskers on each side of his cheek.
"Get away from him!" Naruto shouted. Kunai in hand.
!!!!
'Naruto?????'
Woosh!
Woosh!
Two figures came out of their hiding spots.
One had dark hair, dark eyes, was clad in a blue high collar T-shirt. White pants. And he was not happy with the current situation. His expression was that of reluctance but also that of caution. His hand already reaching to his ninja pouch.
The other had pink hair, green eyes, clad in a pink kunoichi uniform. She too was not happy with the current situation. Her body language expressed her caution for the current situation as she continued to remain on guard.
"What are you guys doing here??" Jinichi-two asked in surprise.
"…..The Loser heard trouble and ran here to see what the commotion was, once he saw it was you he stepped in before we could even stop him." Sasuke said with a sigh.
"Who the hell are you calling loser you loser!!" Naruto retorted.
'Now's not the time for this!!'
"…You guys should run." Jinichi said.
"Huh! Not after all the running I did to get here!!" Naruto complained.
"YOU JUST DON'T GET IT DO YOU!!" Jinichi-two shouted. Naruto flinched.
" Even if there were eight of us, no…even if they were ten of us here we'd still all die to him!"
" You guys can still…."
Shlick!
Sprrt!
Team 7 looked at him in horror.
Jinichi-two looked down, and saw his very own cutlass piercing through his chest.
Looking back he saw Orochimaru behind him and eerie smile on his face.
"You talk too much Jinichi-kun."
"RUN!!"
[ *POOF* ]