Chapter 74 I am Everywhere
The forests were calm. With only the deafening silence. No sound from insects could be heard. Naruto wandered this forest alone. Accompanied only by the soft crunch of dead leaves and snapping of twigs. Suddenly the sound of the breaking sound barrier could be heard. The night sky became bright. Naruto watched as falling stars came to the earth, bt not a simple number. Millions. Constant falling, as if every comet and meteor was somehow drawn to these lands. When they hit the ground everything was obliterated. Naruto ran as fast as he could to the sight of destruction. As he neared he could hear strange noises, like flapping and suishing. Then he saw it. An army of Star Spawn flew through the sky. Their numbers never ending as the stars continued to fall. So many fell, Naruto could not count. Millions of Star spawn scattered to the four corners of the earth, destroying all in their wake. Mutilating, devouring, torturing, everything they came across. Naruto watched as they flew up a massive mountain, or what he assumed was a mountain. It quickly became apparent it was something more. As the Star Spawn moved, the horrific visage of Cthulhu could be seen.
As the Star Spawn flew Around Cthulhu he rose. Naruto was a gasp that the massive beast was sitting. Now standing at his full was a massive lumbering giant beast who's form was never fully consistent. Almost as if it was made of water or thick mud. The Stars did not stop falling. Cthulhu let out a mighty roar and the Star spawn landed. There were star spawn as far as the eye could see all around Cthulhu, watching their master, waiting for his unholy call to bring the destruction of man. Cthulhu lifted his arm, and all hell broke loose.
The Star Spawn flew in the sky, watching down below. It mere moments there was nothing left of the once beautiful forest. All that remained was a scorched earth. Cthulhu lumbered crushing mountains with every step. Naruto now knew. Cthulhu was no monster to be challenged, it was a force of Nature to run in fear from. As that thought entered his mind an inky black crawled across the sky. No longer did the seemingly endless Star Spawn fall from the sky. Now only blackness remained. Cthulhu ignored it, but Naruto didn't. Especially when the inky shadows that crawled across the sky changed. Parts seemed to split. Beneath each cut were eyes. Billions upon billions of eyes filled the sky, and every last one of them stared at Naruto, blinking in sync. It was the Messager of the Old Ones, It was Chaos and Causality, it was Terror and madness, It was pure and perfect entropy, it was all that was wrong in the world, it was one of Nyarlathoteps many forms, the Messager of the Old Ones, a warning that a significant cosmic event was or would occur. The innumerable eyes simply stared down at the world averting their gaze from Naruto to watch the Star Spawn destroy all of earth, leaving nothing but ash. The eyes seemed happy at the wanton destruction as if it were merely entertainment for it. Cthulhu all the while ignored the now living sky, simply did what he was made for. He destroyed, he tore minds apart simply be existing, he ended all. He was Armageddon given form.
Naruto woke in his bed. He breathed heavily and looked around the room. It was just a nightmare. Just another reminder that the Threshold of Dreams was passed, and that any and all life connected to time and space, such as seers and psychics, would be plagued by maddening dreams. It caused Naruto many restless nights, and it looked like it would remain so.
Herbert was currently (With Konohamaru's Help), showing Deidara glimpses into other Universes. Herbert enjoyed a good explosion every once in a while, and for his fellow enjoyer of explosions, he decided to Show Deidara the wonders that were Nuclear bombs. While Herbert was far away from ever building one, seeing what they could do was still an awe inspiring sight for both mad scientists and mad bombers. Needless to Say Deidara was ecstatic.
"Must have now", said Deidara who at the moment was drooling, from more than one mouth.
"Thats nothing, wait until I show you an entire universe blowing up", said Herbert.
"Are we done here, peering through the void is not easy, it causes much strain on my mind", said Konohamaru.
"In a minute, show him a universe blowing up",, said Herbert.
Konohamaru sighed but complied. He put his hands on Deidara's head and shared the vision. Five seconds later Deidara fainted with the biggest smile on his...Face, Chest, and Hands ever seen.
"This is fun", said Herbert.
"I fail to see how encouraging his destructive behavior is fun", said Konohamaru.
"Thats because your an alien. Foreigners don't get it", said Herbert.
Konohamaru pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. At that moment Sasori walked in speaking to Doctor Shinno. Aparently both Knew Orochimaru, and neither had fond memories of the man.
"He is a snake in the grass. If he had his way, he would use up everything he can gain from something, and dispose of it in an instant. You do not throw away a broken tool, you repair it. It is a puzzle in and of itself, he could never see that", said Shinno.
"I agree, though I would also add he possesses arrogance far beyond that of any I have ever met. May he die and rot in hell", said Sasori.
"Here Here", said Shinno.
"Sounds like you guys had fun with old snake face", said Herbert.
Sasori, ignoring that simply looked down at Deidara's unconscious form.
"May I inquire as to why Deidara is on the ground", asked Sasori.
"I showed him what happens when an entire universe blows up", said Herbert.
"Ahh, I see. Carry on then", said Sasori.
"No need, he'll be out for a while. I have some tech I would like to show you that could be used to improve your puppets", said Herbert.
He reached into a large weapons locker and pulled out a strange large tubelike device and several fist sized pill shaped objects.
"This Sasori is my current project, It is called a grenade launcher. Got the idea from viewing other universes, this weapon can be used for a crowd control puppet, sure it's more Deidara's style, but I have yet to find anyone who couldn't use a good explosion every once in a while", said Herbert as he threw a book to Sasori. It landed in front of him.
Suddenly the hunched over form of Sasori seemed to open. From within a red haired teenager walked out. His face betrayed no emotion as he lifted the Book. Herbert noted that the boy seemed to be made of wood. Sasori picked up the book and began reading it. After a moment Herbert commented.
"You turned yourself into a puppet", asked Herbert.
"No, I attempted it but I still have a core of living flesh, my dream was a failure", said Sasori.
Herbert rubbed his chin before removing his mask.
"You know, I can probably fix that for you. There are many unique rituals in the Necronomicon. We could transfer your conciousness into your puppet body, and forever rid you of whatever ls left of your human self", said Herbert.
Sasori looked at Herbert for a moment before speaking.
"Should you find a way, let me know", said Sasori.
"Gladly", said Herbert.
Shinno was looking over Deidara for the moment, he kept him on a table as he began his studies of the cream Orochimaru developed. Amaru later walked in with Kin.
"You know, being in a giant flying skull is not anything I ever expected to be in, it's kind of weird", said Amaru.
"Seen stranger, hell I'm technically dead", said Kin.
"Yeah, that could be a little disconcerting", said Amaru.
Shinno looked up before returning to his work.
"Amaru, can you get me a vial of sulphuric acid", asked Shinno.
"Sure Doctor Shinno", said Amaru as she grabbed said vial and handed it to Shinno. He took a single drop before dropping it on his a small mouse. The mouse squeaked before Shinno took the cream and rubbing it in the wound. He did this while looking under a microscope.
"Interesting, so far Orochimaru's cream heals almost any type of damage, however acid seems to be the exception, this requires more research. It could be improved", said Shinno mostly to himself.
"Can you get it working on dead bodies, because I got a really big cut on my back I am tired of sewing", said Kin.
"It stimulates Regeneration, however It has given me an idea. A similar cream of false skin that can be used as an organic bandage. It could be used on the dead. I'll speak to Dr. West on it later", said Shinno.
"Well when you got it ready let me know", said Kin.
"No worries, Amaru if you may, I need you to fetch my scalpel, there is one more thing I want to try", said Shinno.
"What are you doing Doctor Shinno", asked Amaru as he passed him the scalpel.
"I'm going to see if this cream can heal brain tissue, normally it is impossible, but Orochimaru has created stranger things", said Shinno as he put the mouse in a small cage and grabbed another.
"Take that mouse to the others, I don't want to contaminate the experiment with one who has already been tested", said Shinno.
Amaru shrugged as she grabbed the cage.
"You know, I really want to know where they get so many mice", said Amaru.
"It's easy really, the clones turn into mice and lure them out. Then they just grab it while turning back. Mouse never sees it coming. It's actually kind of funny", said Kin.
"I doubt that", said Amaru.
Shikamaru stood among the rest of his team and Team 8 to discuss what to do about Team 7, well to Shikamaru he more so just wanted to know exactly what to think about Naruto. Thus far nothing said gave Shikamaru any hints.
"Why would they even make them all missing ninja, what did they do", asked Choji.
"I have asked everyone I know, so far I got nothing", said Ino.
"W-what should we do", asked Hinata.
"Truth be told, we can't really do anything, but that's not why I asked you to come. I want to discuss a few things I have discovered, or think. Remember that giant flying skull", asked Shikamaru.
"Yeah, kind of hard to forget man", said Kiba.
"I think Naruto built it", said Shikamaru.
It was quiet for a moment while everyone just looked at Shikamaru.
"What", deadpanned everyone.
"I have been trying to find out rumors before Tea 7 left, one was Naruto going into the sewer quit often. He probably has been working on it for a while", said Shikamaru.
"Ok...But...How...When...Really", said Kiba.
"Naruto has shown an interest in almost every subject. History, mathematics, Every single field of science, philosophy, Mythology, Seals, Medicine, Engineering, you name it. He may be the smartest person I ever met, almost inhuman how much he knows. A jack of all trades master of most, to be honest he scares me sometimes. Hell if he had a healthy social life or could understand human interaction without reading it, I would swear he was a God. Actually considering what I heard he summoned when Gaara attacked, he probably knows a God", said Shikamaru.
"Considering the piercing black eyes of doom thing he's got going on, I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't exactly human", said Kiba.
"T-Thats not r-really nice Kiba", said Hinata.
"I calls it like I sees it", said Kiba.
"I take offense to that", spoke a civilian who sat in a tree.
"Who are you", asked Shikamaru.
He cursed himself, how could a civilian sneak up on a group of ninja. He questioned this until the civilian turned into Naruto. That caused some shocks.
"Not bad Shikamaru, I applaud you for figuring it out. Yes the craft is mine. Well not mine, I'm just a shadow clone. I have many in every single village. The flying skull you saw is called the Shinigami, an experimental ship built by reverse engineering technology from the Hidden Sky ruins. You really shouldn't speak in the open, you never know who's listening. You lucked out it was only me, then again I am everywhere", said Naruto.
"So, why did you build the Shinigami", asked Shino.
"Not here, not safe", said the clone.
"Where then", asked Shikamaru.
"The sewers wouldn't be safe, after leaving that crater ROOT agents will be down there, same for my house or the Uchiha district. But there is one place. It's on the outskirts of Konohagakura, Follow me", said Naruto.
Reluctantly they followed the clone through a secret opening in the walls. They carefully made there way through the forest until they made it to some ruins of a shrine. The entrance had a massive spiral on the front.
"This is the Uzumaki Clan's Mask Storage Temple, do not touch any masks within, especially the Shinigami mask", said the clone.
"Uzumaki clan, you are apart of a clan", asked Kiba.
"Yes, well I an the last I believe. No time to waste, inside", said Naruto.
Inside the shrine were ruins, but what really was unsettling was the wall of masks where Naruto brought them.
"So, I take it you have many questions. Instead you must listen, the fate of our species, if not the very world. In nine years, a celestial event will occur where several stars form a pattern that will cause a sunken city in the ocean to rise, within this city is a Great Old One called Cthulhu, do not try to figure out to much about him, to see him, or learn to much about him without taking precautions would cause irreversible insanity. I am going to stop him, with help", said Naruto.
"And how exactly do you plan on doing that", asked Shikamaru.
"I am working on a project to unite the ninja nations while developing technology and weapons to aid us. Currently I already have a way of uniting the Hidden Mist with Konoha, later plane will include the other villages, both major and minor, I have Shadow clones in every single major hidden village, and several minor. Other than that, I am attempting to prevent war on a massive scale in whatever way I can. Furthermore I have many allies, including S-Rank ninja"
"S-Rank, how did you manage that", asked Kiba.
"I have my ways, the point is I cannot do this alone and I am focusing on people I can trust or I believe are worth my time", said Naruto.
"Ok, answer this, why did the new Hokage make you a missing nin", asked Shikamaru.
Naruto seemed conflicted to tell them anything about that, but he sighed.
"Danzo is the leader of ROOT, essentially a more amoral version of the ANBU, he stole several papers from me on three dimensional seal techniques, as well as a formula I created called the Reagent, A serum that can bring the dead to life", said Naruto.
It was quiet. Everyone merely stared at Naruto trying to absorb what they just heard.
"I have my ways", said Naruto.
It remained quiet for a while before Naruto put his hands behind his back.
"Needless to say, when I tried to reclaim what Danzo stole, he decided to brand me a missing ninja. Unfortunately he still has a sample of the Reagent, and even more unfortunately he summoned something with the seal. Wilbur Whateley, son of Yog-Sothoth, Outer God of time and Space", said Naruto.
"Wait, that sounds familiar", said Kiba.
Naruto nodded.
"Wilbur Whateley is not human, his appearance is horrible. He is the one who killed Kuromaru", said Naruto.
Kiba snarled as his breathing became strained.
"He is a vile creature, and another complication, he wants to bring his father here. In doing so it will awaken every Great Old One, not just Cthulhu. Then there is Orochimaru, who now worships the Great Old One Yig, father of serpents. Orochimaru is his Avatar. There is also the Akatsuki, who hunt containers of the tailed beasts, like me", said Naruto.
" What", asked Ino.
"The Fourth Hokage was my father, when the Nine Tailed fox attacked he sealed it within me, Hinata knows this", said Naruto.
Everyone turned to Hinata who visibly shrank under their gaze.
"I-I knew who h-his father was, I did not k-know about t-the fox", said Hinata.
"All of the Akatsuki are S-rank missing ninja, I have been able to get two to defect and join me", said Naruto.
He sat down at a desk as he observed them all.
"Now that you know what will you do", asked Naruto.
Everyone looked to each other then back to Naruto.
"I-I want to help y-you Naruto-kun", said Hinata.
"I like living, I could help to", said Shikamaru.
"As long as I get to kill that Wilbur fucker you can count on me", said Kiba.
"Taking everything into account I know about you, and knowing your stance on truth, despite the impossibility of what you suggest. I believe you tell the truth, I will help", said Shino.
"You can count on me Naruto", said Choji.
"Well, I don't know, but if everyone else is fine with it, then I could help to", said Ino.
Naruto nodded.
"Good, welcome to the CDA, I'll get you your equipment later. For now Danzo is a problem, but I have an idea for him", said the Clone.
He reached into his pucket and pulled out a tri pronged kunai.
"This is my Fathers special Kunai, I need you to find a way to get this on Danzo, I will be watching. Once that's done, I can get him directly in my prison in the Shinigami. After that, it's up to the village to find a new Hokage", said Naruto.
"You are talking about kidnapping a Kage here Naruto, that could start a war", said Shikamaru.
"Yes it could, but I have it on good faith that eventually Danzo will be very much disliked, maybe enough to prevent a war. Go talk to the Third Hokage, let him know I support his plan, I would myself, but as a former Kage, it is going to be really hard getting to him without getting caught. Give him that Kunai and tell him my plan", said Naruto.
"Why can't you give it to him", asked Shikamaru.
"I'm a missing nin, and I can't fit the Kunai on a mouse. Besides the Third needs all the help he could get, just don't forget at any given time, the person you are talking to can be me, and if not, them I could be the mouse in the wall or the bird in the tree. Good luck, and remember what I said, I am everywhere", said Naruto.
And like that the clone dispelled.
Shikamaru looked down at the Kunai on the floor. He sighed as he picked it up.
"I guess we should find the third", said Shikamaru as he picked up the kunai.