Chapter 58 What I Was, and What I will Become

Naruto and company landed atop a plateau to rest with their mounts. They had started a fire and sat around it. Naruto had laid against a pile of logs as he looked at the stars thinking of the days to come. Sasuke looked at Naruto. Ever since hearing of Outer Gods and Great Old Ones there have been a few questions Sasuke wanted to ask his teammate, and now was as good a time as any. Though there was one question he could not get.

"Hey Naruto", asked Sasuke.

Naruto turned his attention to Sasuke.

"Can I ask you, why are you trying so hard to save the world against odds you don't have much hope against", asked Sasuke.

Naruto sat up. He took on a thoughtful expression before looking to Sasuke. He tried to find the right words to say, yet none came.

"It's hard to explain", said Naruto.

He thought for a moment before smiling, words would help, but to see it was something else. He snapped his fingers. Instantly the world shifted as a powerful illusion of formed from the power of the Dreamlands showed Konoha on an average day, yet the village looked slightly different, as if it were the past. They looked down below while they sat above the village on the Hokage monument. Sasuke and Sakura were surprised by this change in scenery. Naruto smiled at their expressions.

"This dream illusion shows exactly what happened the very day I saw humanity for what they really are, and consequentially effected my view on people as a whole. I was very young when this happened", said Naruto.

He pointed to a woman followed by two boys.

"Look at that woman, and tell me, what do you see", asked Naruto.

Sasuke looked for a moment.

"Just some woman with kids", said Sasuke.

"Same here", said Sakura.

"I see a single mother raising two children by herself, living and surviving maybe even thriving in a world where the odds are against her. Where you see people. I see a Person. That is an important distinction to make", said Naruto.

He looked back down and pointed to a young child near a food stand.

"What about there", asked Naruto.

Sasuke watched as the child stole an apple and ran off without anyone seeing.

"Just a petty thief", said Sakura.

Sasuke nodded.

"I see a young orphan who despite having little hope for tomorrow, still fights to survive, to hope against hope that one day things will turn around. Some would punish the thief, yet or world is not so black and white ", said Naruto.

He looked around before pointing to a young couple on a bench kissing.

"What about there", asked Naruto.

Sasuke and Sakura thought for a moment.

"Young lovers", said Sakura.

Sasuke just shrugged.

"I see the future, a young couple who could one day marry happily and have a beautiful child, that child could do great harm, or bring peace into someones life. These are not just people, they have an identity, they have lives worth fighting for. They all have there place in the world. A mixture of differing beliefs, culture, and ideals meshing together into what we call the human race, and I find that beautiful. Something like humanity that has the capability for both great good, or evil. And yet here they are. standing, shopping, smiing, and laughing. completely unaware of the dangers of the universe and yet we exist. One day this race of thinking and feeling creatures we call humanity will fall. Until then I believe they are worth fighting for, It's why I became I am a ninja, it's why I started the CDA. Everyone deserves a chance, even everything on our insignificant little world where we really mean nothing in the grand scheme of things has it's place in the universe. You can't save humanity if you don't understand it, and while they have our downsides, they also have their good points. Everyone has their own problems, and yet no matter how small they thrive, and they survive. They don't deserve the extinction Cthulhu or anything else would bring, not yet", said Naruto.

"You almost sound like an outside observer to us", said Sakura.

"I'm no longer human Sakura, I don't really know what I am or what I will become, but I know what I was. That is what is important. After all it is who was a man that makes him who he will become", said Naruto.

Sasuke looked down at the illusion of Konoha before turning to Naruto.

"What about me, what do you see", asked Sasuke.

This came as a surprize to both Sakura and Naruto but Naruto answered all the same.

"I see a boy with a tragic past he did not deserve, and yet, not because of it, but in spite of it. He has become strong. In you Sasuke I see proof that no matter how bad things get, humanity can grow past it. It may still haunt you, it may give you many sleepless nights, and it may make your view on the way of things pessimistic, but it has made you strong. Now you only have to let go of the past and learn from it", said Naruto.

Sasuke looked back down to the village as it faded from sight.

"We'll see", he said.

"What about me", asked Sakura.

Naruto looked for a moment before smiling.

"I see a young girl who will grow into a beautiful and strong woman, I see that you feel you are weak, that you walk behind us while me and Sasuke on walk ahead. But what I see is a capable ninja who against all supposed odds, will one day walk side by side with her peers.", said Naruto.

Sakura smiled before she laid back.

"Thanks Naruto", she said.

Naruto nodded.

Back in the waking world, Herbert was looking over hundreds of clones that were to go to destroy the Sky Village and steal the Zero Tails. He looked at the squads of clones before pulling out a canister.

"This canister utilises rituals from the Necronomicon, It has a pocket dimension inside that measures ten square feet of space. We have made several dozen. When you find the Zero Tails you are to cut him up into pieces and place him in each canister. We will bring him here in pieces. After that we put him into the containment cell. Any remaining technology is to be sealed and brought back. All Soldiers guarding the ruins are to be killed. Their plans are to dangerous with Cthulhu around the corner", said Herbert. He put the canister down.

"You will be outfitted with the Gas Masks, gauntlets, some experimental Chakra armor, Standard Ninja equipment, and Automatic Kunai throwers with extra ammo. Based off our estimates, there are nearly a five thousand troops. You sre to show no mercy, the last thing we need is morons out for revenge. Now the spy clones have provided maps of the ruins for each of you. You will exit this lab disguised as various small animals so that gate guards will not suspect us. The Zero Tails is our main target. It is an amorphous beast with the appearance of a long leech with a white human mask. While it's capabilities are unknown, old tales say it can make limbs and hands from its amorphous mass. Anything else is unknown. It should be in stasis but in the event it is not you are to bring it down by any means necessary. It is a being of chakra and cannot die. Do you understand", asked Herbert.

The clones all stood high.

"Sir yes sir", spoke them all in unison.

"Good, you have half an hour to get outfitted with your equipment, good luck", said Herbert.

The clones all left in a surprisingly orderly fashion. Konohamaru walked into the room after it cleared. His face betrayed his confusion.

"What's wrong half pint", asked Herbert.

"The dead girl, the one we have i the cell. I figured out why she wasn't experimented on, but it points to so much it is unbelievable", said Konohamaru.

"So whats the problem", asked Herbert.

"Well, after some more looking, I found out her D.N.A is a near perfect match for Orochimaru when he was still human, the only difference between her and Orochimaru is some small remnants of whoever she once was and the lack of a Y chromosome. She was experimented on to become him, likely the same process Orochimaru uses to make his hosts look like him. That is why she wasn't experimented on, it would ruin the results. I guess he got all the data he needed not long before he started the plans for the invasion. It is likely she was used to perfect the procedure, likely one of the first", said Konohamaru.

"That is fucking wierd, so she's like his daughter... Oh great I just had to say that, now I have the image of the pale and pasty snake bastard naked and thrusting stuck in my head", said Herbert as he shuttered.

"Will you take this seriously, this could lead to some interesting research in genetic replication, Within her is the secret to transfer traits into others. Think about it. An army of people who can use blood line abilities, or we can create clones. The possibilities are endless", said Konohamaru.

"I get it ok, I'm trying to get this image out of my mind. Besides, I have a lot to do. I have to get the clones ready to take out the Hidden Sky village, I have to find a way to pass the information that Kabuto is the assassin who tried to kill the Third Hokage, I have to look at some schematics from the massive machine in Snow Country that can change the weather, I have to find out how the fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Jutsu worked, and I have to finish making enough of Neji's blood for Naruto. Pardon me if more stuff on my plate doesn't excite me. I get this is important, but right now we have so much stuff to do I don't know where to start", said Herbert.

Konohamar shook his head.

"Yes, we have had much to do as of late, I am sorry to trouble you", said Konohamaru.

"No, I'm sorry. I get I'm not easy to work with but even with clones only so much can be done in a day. I'll look into it later", said Herbert.

Konohamaru nodded.

It had been only three hours since Naruto had first went to sleep. And much had to be done before he awoke. Xel watched them while Samehada slithered and crwled arond the lab. It's newfound intelligence made the sword quite curious to the world around it, something Xel found amusing as it experimentally poked at nearby equipment with it's handle.

"Master what is this", asked Samehada.

"That is a desk, where my lord's servants and allies do their work", said Xel.

The sword slithered around the room, moving it's scales to drag itself along the floor. Samehada made it's way to a console and screen Xel scratched at his gills.

"Calm yourself Samehada, you do not want to hurt yourself", said Xel.

The sword recoiled.

"I'm sorry", said the sword.

Xel found Samehada's childlike attitude quite interesting. Whatever mind it once had was shattered, and the sword might as well have been young again. It was amusing to watch for the old Deep One, and helped pass the time while he watched over his own master. That was when Herbert walked in. He sat at a nearby table and removed a small jar.

"Check it out fish stick, I made that cream. This is for Sasuke's eyes. Tell him to apply it every time after he uses his Mangekyo Sharingan. It should prevent blindness", said Herbert.

He then removed a pair of simple glasses from his pocket.

"These are glasses made from Yithian Glass so it's almost unbreakable. Small seals etched in the frames will improve Sasuke's vision. The seals check the eyes regularly an the glass adjusts to fix his vision if it deteriorates for any reason. He will need these once he uses his little eye trick", said Herbert.

He layed the two objects on the desk before turning to look at Samehada.

"So, hows the sword", asked Herbert.

"It is an enjoyable companion, though it's child like behavior can be grating at times", said Xel.

"Awwww, isn't that cute. He's like your son. I can already see the family resemblance. You both have a stick up your ass", said Herbert.

"I find your behavior annoying scientist, please leave me to watch my lord and his allies", said Xel.

Herbert shrugged before turning around.

"Whatever, just give that stuff to sunshine when he wakes up", said Herbert.

Xel grunted his reply.

Back in the land of dreams Naruto and company stood atop strange clouds in the sky that were somehow solid. The clouds were damp with elastic like water common too the Dreamlands. Taking his hand Sasuke grabbed a clump of water. While it looked like water, it did not behave as such. It was like a gel, slightly sticky and fell in clumps. Their mounts drank this thick water.

"This place is sureal", said Sasuke.

"I know, that is still water by the way, if you get thirsty just take a bite. It's as fresh as rainwater", said Naruto.

Sakura looked down the cloud at the small island where a herd of massive Shantak took to the skies. The massive winged beasts flew past them.

"Must be a Nightgaunt around, Shantak are afraid of them", said Naruto.

Sakura shrugged.

"So where are we headed", asked Sakura.

"Well, these clouds are apart of Serannian, a city in the clouds made of pink marble. My guess is these clouds are from there so we are getting close to Celephais, over there is the Cerenerian Sea. Those mountains form the valley of Ooth-Nargai where the city is, the big mountain there is Mount Aran where at it's low slopes Ginkogo Trees grow. Both Serannain and Celephais is ruled and possibly created by the most powerful dreamer ever known, Kuranes. Celephais is unique as time does not pass there as it does elsewhere, We could come back a thousand years later, and it would look exactly the same as it does today", said Naruto.

"Well lets go then, can't be stranger than standing on a cloud", said Sasuke.

"I hear that", said Sakura.

Naruto smiled as he mounted his Byakhee.

"You both underestimate the Dreamlands", said Naruto.

Sasuke and Sakura sat atop their respective mounts and rode to the city Celephais.