Naruto looked at the huge cave before him. It was massive. He looked to see the Shoggoth using numerous tentacles to dig at the walls. Already strange architecture could be seen carves into the cave. Creating an unusual support structure. The Shoggoth dragged the excess dirt and stone into itself before stretching a long tentacle depositing dirt into the giant sewer. Looking around Naruto was awed at the creatures work.
"He works fast", says Naruto.
"Yes they were built as tools my lord. He has created an opening to the sewer to dispose of unneeded materials. He can rebuild the wall just as quickly as he can demolish it", says Xel.
"Impressive", says Naruto.
Xel nods.
"In any event there is an area over here that is large enough to hold both Father Dagon and Mother Hydra", says Xel.
Xel leads Naruto over to a massive cavern. Looking around Naruto nods to himself. It is a large area with the ceiling over one hundred feet above.
"So are you ready Xel", asks Naruto.
"Yes my lord", says Xel.
Naruto takes out a kunai and slices his palm. Concentrating he holds his palm outward for a moment before slamming his hand to the ground. A huge cloud of mist appears. Naruto shivers. It feels as though the temperature of the cave was forcibly sucked out. After a moment Naruto notes he can see his own breath. The mist condenses on the floor creating a shallow pool of water that fills the entire cave. Two massive creatures emerge from the pool as if it were as deep as the ocean. Naruto examines the two creatures before him.
One who appears more masculine looks like a giant Deep One, but with many long tentacles instead of legs. Smaller tentacles emerge from his face in a strange beard with Whiskers much like a catfish. Long fins on his back curve outward resembling wings but look like they would have more use for swimming. His body is covered in barnacles and algae.
The other creature appears also as a giant Deep One, just as large as the other but more slender in appearance. moving tentacles in place of hair. It has a single long Tail, no legs. Appearing like a giant horrible parody of a mermaid. It has a disturbingly human like face but covered in scales, only when it's mouth is open does the Maw of a Deep One appear.
"And so the child who braved the book has summoned the Eldest of Deep Ones", says the many tentacled Creature.
"Hush Dagon, I wish to hear the child speak", says the mermaid like creature.
Naruto stares at the massive creatures before him.
"I have heard much about you, It is an Honor to meet Lord Dagon and Lady Hydra", says Naruto with a bow.
If reading has taught Naruto anything, it as not to piss off gods. It never ended well.
"Yes it is an honor. There have been whispers that you plan to stop our father from awakening. Tell me mortal, is this foolishness true", asks Dagon.
"My goal is to slow Cthulhu until the stars are no longer right", says Naruto.
"A difficult task. Father is much more powerful than both me and my mate combined. I don't think you quite understand the danger you suggest", says Hydra.
Dagon nods.
"I believe it best if we show him", says Dagon.
"How", asks Naruto.
"Your eyes cannot see illusions but they can see truth. We can both peer into the veil of time to see the future I can implant the vision of fathers attack directly in your mind. Maybe then you will Understand what you are truly up against", says Dagon.
Dagon look at Naruto as his eyes begin to glow. After a moment Naruto finds himself in the rubble of Konoha The skies are red and the world is burning. Surrounded by the screams of pain and watching as the remaining populace kill themselves and each other. Strange creatures roam the land destroying everything in sight. Watching as men and women rip out their own eyes and slit their own throat with rusty knives or their own fingernails. To look away from the horrible images Naruto turns away. He stares up to see a massive beast whose head pierces the clouds. It is a monstrous caricature of Octopus, Man, and Dragon. With a single hand it clutches the Hokage monument ripping it from the ground before throwing it far beyond the horizon.
The creature who's wings flap causing storms and hurricanes. It's many tentacles which extend where it's face should be lash out in some blasphemous form of laughter as it is attacked by ninja but they do little to slow the beast. It's arms stretch and move as if it's body were made of mud. Attacks that do hit the beast cause it to rain green slime which moves back to the giant mass of madness and horror made flesh. The village and surrounding forest burns as animals who run from the fire only stop as they look at the chaos before them and begin to tear off chunks of flesh with their own teeth and eat themselves, going mad just like the men and women of the village. Blood and gore flow from above the ground like a river. The ninja fighting the creatures do not last long and go mad from the massive beasts form. They fling themselves into crowds of the deranged to be torn to pieces or leap into the fires surrounding the village to end their torment.
Building crumble as the massive beast flaps its wings giving out a low roar that causes those still unlucky enough to be sane to violently mutilate themselves with whatever is near. the bodies of the young and old, the weak and strong, and the rich and poor litter the streets, and like a masochistic nightmare the still living cut and tear off their own skin and rip out their organs not seeming to die or feel pain as they begin to resemble corpses. Durring the chaos several men bow before the creature chanting praises in alien tounges.
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"
They praise and chant to the monster as they are slaughters slow. They are impaled on tentacles and devoured by the creatures that destroy all. Naruto tries to run but he cannot move. He takes one last look at the massive creature. Cthulhu looks down at the world before walking away uncaring. The cultists stop. Then a meek voice can be heard. Naruto looks to the side where an eyeless Hinata whispers praise to Cthulhu. This language is Understandable.
"In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming", she chants.
She turns her head to Naruto as if she knows he was there, and she smiles.
"That is not dead which can eternal lie. And with strange eons even death may die", she says as she listens to the sounds of destruction and laugh.
Naruto runs he trips over the body of Shikamaru whose skin is slowly melting off. senbon needles shoved into his eyes. Self inflicted. As Naruto backs away from the body that he just noticed is still breathing He turns to see as Kiba rips dogs to pieces shoving there flesh into his mouth. A hole in his stomach from putting to much for it to hold, and yet he still lives on.
Looking around he sees the destruction continue. Choji feasts on his own discarded flesh. Ino rips her eyelids and lips from her face and getting rid of what she keeps calling loose skin. Shino commands his insects to feast on both the living and the dead while they also eat at his own flesh. Sasuke in vain tries shoving a kunai into his chest over and over in his attempts to end his own life. Sakura carves into her face with her bare hands carving a a smile as tears of blood flow from her eyes she grasps the corners of the smile and tears her own face from her skull. Iruka slaughters children with a smile while scratching at his own face leaving deep gashes. No one is safe as Cthulhu walks away from the village gives one final blood curdling roar louder than any sound ever heard by human ears. Naruto watches as his classmates and friends heads pulsate sickeningly and explode around him giving way to a crimson shower.
The visions end and Naruto finds himself back in the cave. He breathes heavy before grabbing his head in pain. Naruto falls on his knees and vomits. He coughs and gags as black tears fall from his eyes. Sobbing to himself Dagon and Hydra merely watch. After nearly half an hour Naruto composes himself. The black tears still streaming. Naruto does not say anything for a moment. Then he takes a deep breath and shivers.
"I-I never thought it would be that bad", says Naruto.
"That was just a vision of things to come should father escape, the real thing will be much, much worse. Father is an uncaring entity. He does what he does not out of spite or for entertainment. But because it is what he is. He is proof of the bleak existence mortals have, that the universe is truly uncaring for your kind. Many other worlds in the multiverse where humans lived found themselves being eradicated simply because other creatures wanted their planet and the life of those planets were in the way for their plans. Do not treat father like an enemy that can be defeated, treat him as a natural disaster given flesh", says Dagon.
"I don't know how", says Naruto weakly.
"Of corse you don't. As much as you have changed you are still only human. You can never reach our level of power, much less fathers level", says Dagon.
"Even with the Necronomicon your chances of slowing father is so small it may as well be irrelevant", says Hydra.
Naruto looks at the Son and Daughter of Cthulhu.
"That does not mean I won't try", says Naruto.
"Do as you wish child, but do not expect to win. It would be best if you spent your remaining days in harmony. But I won't stop you", says Dagon.
"Neither shall I. We will help however you wish, for you are keeper of the Forbidden Book and the Eyes of Azathoth. However we know full well we cannot do anything against father. Should it come down to it, we will flee. Father is one of the few beings that can permanently destroy us", says Hydra.
"Well I thank you for your help. I hope we meet again soon", says Naruto.
The two nod before their bodies melt into water before Naruto's very eyes. The shallow pool sinks into the earth with no signs it had even been there. Naruto turns to Xel.
"Come on Xel, I think I could use something to eat. I already got clones out looking for information of Kakashi and the clone teams are searching the entire elemental nations for the lost summoning contracts. We don't really have anything else to do right now", says Naruto.
"As you wish my lord", says Xel with a bow.
Naruto slept very little that night. The images shown by Dagon bored forever in his mind. He did eventually sleep though the nightmares made him restless once more. Naruto woke several hours before the sun would rise. The memories of the clones sent to research Kakashi entered his mind. He smiled at some good news. Naruto decided to eat today, but very little. He walked to Training ground 3. He met Sasuke and Sakura only moments later as they arrived each coming from different directions.
"Well, what did you find out Naruto", asks Sakura.
Sasuke looks to Naruto. Naruto pushes the thoughts of Cthulhu from his mind before remembering the memories of the clones.
"A lot surprisingly. Kakashi also known as Copy Cat Kakashi or the Copy nin, has an interesting history. He is rumored to have copied over one thousand Justus. Here is something you might find interesting Sasuke, Kakashi has the Sharringan", says Naruto.
Sasuke's eyes widen. As if reading Sasuke's mind Naruto answers the unanswered question.
"No he is not an Uchiha. Apparently he received his eye through a transplant. Probably from his teammate Obito Uchiha who died during a mission. What is really interesting was his sensei, the Fourth Hokage", says Naruto.
Sakura looks at Naruto and opens her mouth before quickly shutting it. Naruto smiles at her before continuing.
"His other teammate was a girl named Rin Nohara, She is also dead but I couldn't find out how she died. His father was disgraced and killed himself as well. According to what I read and my deduction, the guy is an emotional mess. I got some clones to follow him. He spends a lot of time at the Memorial Stone for KIA ninja not far from here", says Naruto.
Sasuke and Sakura absorb the words Naruto said. They begin to think it over.
"A lot of that stuff is personal Naruto, I don't think it was such a good idea to do all that", says Sakura.
"What do you mean", asks Naruto.
Sakura looks at Naruto confused.
"What do you mean, what do I mean", asks Sakura.
"I did a lot of research for this. I thought information on his past would allow us to learn his behavior and pass his test", says Naruto.
"That's not the point It's just personal stuff we have no business knowing", says Sakura.
"I suppose everyone is entitled to their privacy, but this was just a consequence of the research done", says Naruto.
Sakura shakes her head trying to figure out a better way to explain it. She didn't want to have to hit the son of the Fourth Hokage after all.
"Are you stupid or something", asks Sakura sarcastically.
"No, I have been called a genius. Though there was this one man did once describe me as 'Emotionally Retarded' I think that may be why there is a disconnect in this conversation", says Naruto.
"Naruto, let me ask you something. What if I told everyone your secret", asks Sakura.
Naruto thinks on that for a moment.
"Well, when you put it like that. Yeah I can see the problem. I guess I was to caught up with my work to think like that. I have been under a lot of stress lately", says Naruto.
"What secret", asks Sasuke.
Naruto turns his head to Sasuke. Then he turns it back to Sakura. seeing the look of surprise on her face Naruto sighs. He was beginning to see why the Hokage did not trust him with the information on his family until he was older. Naruto looks at Sakura before nodding. Sakura looks back at him with a look saying 'Are you sure'. To which Naruto only nods again.
"Well, since you are my teammate Sasuke I guess trust is an important thing to have so a secret of mine would be good to know. Sakura found out by accident so why not you to", says Naruto.
Sasuke looks confused at Sakura. She slowly approaches Sasuke. Leaning down to whisper the secret in his ear (And generally be close to him) she whispers the secret in his ear.
"Naruto is the son of the Fourth Hokage", whispers Sakura.
Sasuke looks at Naruto waiting for a confirmation. Naruto only nods. After a moment they notice Sasuke has not yet moved. Naruto waves his hand in front of his face.
"Hello, Sasuke anyone there", asks Naruto.
There was no response. Naruto snaps his fingers in front of Sasuke's face. Naruto places his hand on his chin as he begins to think. Then he smiles. He turns his head to Sakura.
"Hey Sakura why don't you kiss him to see if he wakes up", says Naruto.
Sakura only blushes and smiles.
"I'm up, I'm fine", says Sasuke quickly.
Sakura turns her head down in a slightly depressing manner. Naruto begins to laugh. After laughing he wipes the black tear from his eye with a single finger.
"Ok, so yeah What she said is true", says Naruto.
Sasuke inspects Naruto for a moment.
"You know I never really noticed but you do look a lot like him", says Sasuke.
"Good genes", says Naruto.
Sasuke smirks. Shaking his head slowly.
"So any other secrets you are keeping from us", asks Sasuke.
"Maybe but all good things come to those who wait", says Naruto.
Sakura shrug and Sasuke grunts.
"So what kind of test do you think Kakashi will give us", asks Sakura.
"Given his history it will probably be something related to teamwork and not individual strength. For a man who lost all his teammates, teamwork would be important to him as a person. Also Teamwork has always been important to the village", says Naruto.
"Makes since", says Sasuke.
Naruto nods.
"Well I think we might be here for a while. I think him being late is a common occurrence", says Naruto.
"I hope not", says Sakura.
Sasuke gets up and begins practicing his taijutsu. Naruto looks at the sky while the sun was out faint lights of the stars could be seen. The stars were on Naruto's mind quite a lot lately. Ten years, that was all he had. After that, who knows. Even seeing Cthulhu in Dagons vision made it seem as if Cthulhu was unstoppable. In many ways he was. Naruto's eyes were capable of seeing truth but that truth was not something he wanted to see. Before Naruto did not take Cthulhu seriously enough. Now he did, he was going to have to get more powerful to even think about attempting to slow Cthulhu. He was going to have to master his Eldritch Form. Xel said he would train him with it so Naruto could activate it at will. However that does raise the question if Naruto could not activate it at will how would he activate it to train with it, or was the training itself how to activate it. He would have to ask Xel on that information later. Now he had to pass. If all went well and Naruto was correct in his guess of Team 8 and 10 passing then everything else would fall into place so long as those teams would accept Naruto's proposal. He would have to watch them for a long time before he even implemented his plan into action.
"Hey Naruto"
Naruto turns his head. Sasuke was standing next to him.
"Since our sensei is taking so long, why don't we spar", asks Sasuke.
"Why not", says Naruto.
Naruto stands up cracking his knuckles. Getting his mind off Cthulhu could do him good, and a spar was a good way to do that.
"I should warn you, I have trained with Psycho's", says Naruto.
Sasuke raises an eyebrow at that but ignores it. Each of them gets in a fighting stance.
"Hand to hand only", says Naruto.
Sasuke nods.
Sasuke is the first to attack. Like before Naruto bends around his attacks but does it much more fluidly. Watching Sasuke come forward Naruto spins around. Dislocating his own shoulder Naruto hits Sasuke's head with the back of his lame arm before using momentum to spin the opposite direction popping it back into place and bringing the once dislocated arm into Sasuke's chest. Sasuke jumps back taking minimal damage but stares at Naruto confused.
"Sorry, my fighting style uses psychological tactics to cause discomfort for my enemy. It may look like it hurts, but really. My fast healing and flexibility make it really effective, It doesn't even feel weird", says Naruto.
"That. Is so gross", says Sakura still of put by the sickening popping sound of the arm going back into it's socket.
"Well it works", says Sasuke looking at Sakura for a moment before turning back to Naruto.
He jumps forward Naruto again bends and twists around Sasuke's attacks, but a fist catches Naruto off guard and hits Naruto in the shoulder that was dislocated.
"Doesn't even hurt", says Naruto as he uses Sasuke's belief that the punch hurt more than it really to catch him off guard and kick him in his chest in the same spot he once punched.
Sasuke ignores the pain as he begins sending a flurry of punches and kicks at Naruto. Naruto jumps in the air twisting his body unnaturally like a snake before bringing his foot down on Sasuke's Shoulder. However Sasuke grabs the foot and slams Naruto into the ground.
"Not bad, but not good enough", says Sasuke as he brings down his foot onto the back of Naruto's shoulder while holds his arm. Naruto dislocates it again and squirms out from Sasuke's foot before getting on his feet. The sickening pop of the shoulder going back in causes Sakura to turn green.
Sasuke jumps up in the air before landing behind Naruto. He grabs both of his arms and pulls them behind Naruto. Sasuke puts his foot on Naruto's back pushing away with his foot while pulling back Naruto's arms. Naruto only smiled as he dislocates both shoulders flipping behind Sasuke who lets go of the arms. Popping them back in while in mid air Naruto lands before dropping prone to the ground. Naruto grabs Sasuke's feet with his legs and twists his body to send Sasuke face first into the ground. Naruto gets back to his feet and hops back as Sasuke gets back on his as well. Sasuke jumps forward to deliver a right hook To Naruto's stomach But Naruto bends Backwards kicking the fist up dropping prone again and then slips between Sasuke's legs.
Once behind Sasuke Naruto quickly squirms to his feet and attempts to kick Sasuke in the back but Sasuke jumps away making the kick miss him. Sasuke quickly turns back around watching as Naruto uses both flexibility and Agility to close the gap. Sasuke dodges and blocks Naruto's attacks but his arms and legs bend at odd angles making predicting his attacks difficult.
"Why don't you use your Sharringan, you are going to need it", says Naruto smiling.
While Naruto tried to distract Sasuke with a quip Sasuke instead used the moment it took to say it to land a good hard punch right into Naruto's face.
"Don't need it to beat you", says Sasuke.
Naruto quickly gets up. Each one takes punch after punch, kick after kick and attack after attack. After a while Sasuke begins to feel winded. He notices Naruto is not even breathing heavy. attempting to end the fight quickly Sasuke Blocks all of Naruto's attacks waiting for an opening. Then it happens, Naruto dislocates his shoulder yet again to swing around and backhand him with the dead arm in Sasuke's head. Sasuke ducks and as soon as Sasuke sees Naruto is about to pop the joint back into place Sasuke quickly grabs hold of the arm attempting to keep it out of its socket.
However Naruto Smiles. Shifting his weight Naruto pops the joint back in and uses his free hand to send a powerful punch right in Sasuke's face. Sasuke does not let go of Naruto's arm in time as he flies back. Sasuke breathes heavily for a moment before standing up.
"Like I said the style is meant to convey discomfort to the enemy, but it is also meant to trick the opponent. Do the same move more than once and your opponent expects it and tries to counter, but at the same time I know they will try and counter it. All I have to do is alter the move to essentially counter a counter", says Naruto.
"Not bad, and you aren't even winded", says Sasuke.
"I got good stamina", says Naruto shrugging.
Sasuke nods. They both sit down to gain back some of their stamina. After almost an hour Kakashi finally shows up.
"Yo", says Kakashi casually.
"You're late", says Sakura sounding irritated.
"Well there was this black cat that crossed my path and I had to take the long way around to get here", says Kakashi.
Naruto sighs shaking his head.
"So sensei what's the test", asks Naruto.
Kakashi takes out an alarm clock and sits it on a nearby stump. Then he takes out two silver bells. Holding them up for the three to see.
"All you have to do is get these bells from me, do that and you will officially become Genin", says Kakashi.
"Umm, sensei there are only two bells", says Sakura.
"I know, that's because whoever doesn't get a bell goes back to the academy. They will also get tied to that post over there", says Kakashi pointing to 3 nearby posts.
"And watch the ones who did get a bell eat lunch in front of them", says Kakashi.
Kakashi notes that Sakura's and Sasuke's face show obvious duress, but Naruto merely takes on a thinking pose for a moment.
"I see", says Naruto to himself.
Kakashi waits a moment. He could almost see the gears in Naruto's head turning.
"Ok, the alarm clock is set for noon, you have until then to get a bell. The test starts when I say go", says Kakashi.
Kakashi waits for a moment. Examining his students.
"Go!", says Kakashi.