Chapter 75 The Scratching

Thus far nothing much could be found of use in the Whirlpool village. Now what time to begin the rebuilding process. An experiment proposed by Herbert to create a village sing high tech or otherwise sophisticated technology to build a Think Tank of sorts. A place where the exceptional could live and bounce ideas off one another. The main problem was finding those exceptional few who could find ways to combat the coming of Cthulhu. Between Naruto, Herbert, Konohamaru, Sasori, and Dr. Shinno, they had there bases covered. Using Deidara's clay constructs to aid in the rebuilding as well as clones from both Naruto and Herbert, things were looking to go smoothly. Then Herbert decided to give Deidara his own grenade launcher.

Needless to say this did not end well and many artifacts of cultural and historical significance were lost. So Naruto decided to bring out the best help he could use. The Shoggoth. The amorphous blob was quite useful when it came to building, and put whole platoons of clones to shame when it came to what could be done.

While the Shoggoth rebuilt the Hidden Whirlpool village Naruto was working on his own project. The Month before Minato and Kushina would leave was slowly approaching, and thus far Naruto had yet to find his own seal to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. With ink and brush every seal he created to act as a link would fail spectacularly. Weather it be by ending up somewhere you did not intend, or end up at a much higher altitude than Naruto was comfortable with, had he been unable to fly, Naruto was sure he would have been injured far beyond what Kurama could heal. Currently Naruto balled up another failed seal and began work on another.

"Like I said son, It's not something you create, it's something you find. You'll get it", said Minato.

"Mind if I ask how you found yours", asked Naruto.

Minato put his hand to his chin as he recalled the information.

"Well, it was when Jiraiya-sensei first taught me the sealing arts. After reading on some calculations and studying space-time Jutsu. In truth I was attempting to create a seal that would let me see exactly where items go when they are sealed. I was successful for the most part, but it didn't go so well, somehow I ended up on top the table when I finished. I realized at that oint what could be done with it. After that it was just trying to figure out what was happening. I created the Jutsu after that, but I found the actual seal that links to me by complete accident", said Minato.

"Interesting, though it doesn't help me much", said Naruto as he absent-mindedly inked his seal.

"You'll get it eventually, once you do then all you have to do is figure out how to create the seal without using ink. You could put it on anything you want just by touching it. Out it on a someones clothes and you cn always go to where that person is, and it never comes off unless you want it to", said Minato.

"I could theoretically mark everywhere in the Shinobi world, I would literally be able to go to any village with but a thought. It would make things so much easyer", said Naruto.

"To many seals close together can make it difficult, it's why I don't carry to many of mu kunai. Just enough to do what needs to be done", said Minato.

Naruto put down the brush and looked at the seal he created. It looked sound. In fact, it looked familiar. After several seconds Naruto realized it looked like a caricature of the Eye of Azathoth. It was slightly different, but it was something to note. Naruto took the paper and set it on the table as he concentrated. In an instant he disappeared. When Naruto opened his eyes he noted he was now standing ten closer to the seal, but not close enough.

"Not bad", said Minato.

"Could still use some work, but at least this time I didn't end up in the Stratosphere", said Naruto.

"I doubt you were that high", said Minato.

"No I calculated the drop, I was at least thirty five thousand feet in the air. Has to use some wind jutsu just to get enough air in my lungs", said Naruto.

"That never happened to me", said Minato.

"Obviously. After all, you aren't dead. Well, you are. You get what I mean", said Naruto.

He examined the seal a little more closely.

"You said the seal is special for everyone right", asked Naruto.

"Yeah, why", asked Minato.

"Well, if that's true then would Kurama need it's own seal", asked Naruto.

Minato's eyes widened a bit before he started to nod.

"I see what you mean", said Minato.

"So I hypothesise that because the seal is using both my and Kurama's chakra it sets it off course. Might explain a few things. My guess is that you can bring someone easily with you through the technique, but if you use two different sets of chakra, it messes everything up. I have to somehow create a seal that incorporates both me and Kurama", said Naruto.

He lifted his brush and began adding to the seal. After a moment he looked at it. Around the seal were nine spiraling tails to signify the fox. Naruto put the seal on the table and steeped a few steps away. He disappeared.

The next thing Naruto noticed was he was standing right on top the seal. He began to smile.

"You did it", said Minato smiling.

"Was there any doubt", asked Naruto.

Minato put his hand on his chin again and started to smile.

"Don't answer that", said Naruto.

"Well you found your seal, in only a few weeks, not bad. Now all you have to do is figure out how to ink the seal using only chakra and you should be set", said Minato.

Naruto nodded.

"So you finally did it Narto, congratulations", said Kushina as she walked up to them.

"Thanks, this could help a lot, especially what I'm up against", said Naruto as he began to fold the paper with the seal on it before putting it in his pocket.

"So what now", asked Kushina.

"Well, I should probably get started with checking up on everyone. And see if The others got your Kunai to The Old Man. Other than that, I hear rumors that Kabuto is in grass country in one of Orochimaru's old bases. Should send in a team for that. Also I need to find Zabuza and Haku, I'm not sure if they know what happened", said Naruto.

Kushina shrugged.

"Well you do that, I'm going look around. It's been a while since I seen my homelands. It may be a mess, but it once was home", said Kushina.

Naruto nodded as he walked off. He was growing accustomed to seeing them around, their month was almost up, but until someone got that kunai on Danzo they would have to stay. It was not going to be easy once they left.

As Naruto left he stopped after hearing a peculiar scratching sound. From the corner of his eye he saw movement. Naruto walked over to the area of interest with a kunai ready. He slowly approached the spot before turning to see only the corner of a broken building. He examined it for a bit before he decided it was just a trick of the eyes.

Kushina and Minato trekked the ruins of the village with Kushina getting lost in long ago nostalgia. Minato smiled along with her as they made there way to a near by building. Kushina froze and looked at it.

"This is where I was born", said Kushina.

Minato looked at the house. It was decrepid and had seen better days. As they looked within a strange scratching sound could be heard. Minato took out one of his Kunai and threw it in through a broken window, He instantly warped inside. He looked around the room but saw nothing.

"What is it", asked Kushina.

"I don't see anything", said Minato.

He grabbed his kunai and left the room. As he did he did not notice the cloud of smoke in the corner of the room.

Shikamaru looked at the Kunai in his hand. It was a peculiar looking thing. Tri pronged with a good bit of weight to it. He flipped it a few times before he put it in his weapons pouch. He left his room, doing all he could to sneak past his troublesome mother. He was lucky. Once outside he began to walk into the village. As he did so a hawk landed in front of him. Shikamaru eyes the animal for a moment before it winked. After that it flew off. Shikamaru thought little of it, until he noticed that a good portion of civilians were winking at him periodically.

That was all it took for him to realize they were Naruto's clones. Several people and animals would wink at him periodically. Shikamaru wasn't surprized, until he saw a yellow and orange cat wink at him, what was strange was the cat was laying next to Tora, the infamous cat that was the bane of all genin.

"He really wasn't lying when he said he was everywhere", said Shikamaru quietly to himself.

It was an unusual prospect that literally anyone could be someone they were not, more so when you knew it to be true. He ignored them as he made his way to the Third Hokage's home. Once he arrived and knocked on the door he was invited in by The Thirds nurse. Once inside he was lead to see Hiruzen, who was looking over several papers. When he saw Shikamaru he began to smile.

"Ah, Shikamaru to what do I owe the pleasure", asked Hiruzen.

"I got something to tell you", said Shikamaru as he reached into his weapons pouch. He removed the strange Kunai and put it on Hiruzens desk, much to Hiruzens shock.

"It's a message from Naruto", said Shikamaru.

Naruto in his Eldritch form was building a unique set of Chakra Armor to be used in his Eldritch form. While he could not use Chakra in that form, that would not always be the case and he wanted to be ready for it. Thanks to his extra arms, tentacles, and Psychic powers it was moving quite quickly. His hands glowed a putple color as he put the device together. Sasuke trained behind him with Sakura. He stopped for a moment.

"Why do you glow purple when you do that", asked Sasuke.

"Technically it's violet. In the visible spectrum violet has the highest frequency. Therefore it is the most powerful and energetic visible color per photon. In reality all psionic powers are the creation and manipulation of these Photons to use for various effects, notably telekinesis. The Photons we manipulate is powerful and that is reflected in their color", said Naruto.

"You read to much", said Sasuke.

"Or you don't read enough", said Naruto with a smirk, which was quite disturbing as it showed multiple rows of his razor sharp teeth.

Sasuke glared for a moment before he shrugged.

"Whatever", he said.

"It could also explain why your Chakra is purple when you use the curse mark. I believe it gives your chakra an increased potency, you don't have more, but you can use less chakra than you normally would have to because of this incresed frequency. The Mutation on the other hand. I'm not so sure about, though I have my theories", said Naruto.

Sasuke just shrugged again. Naruto ignoring him stepped back to admire his new Armor. It had four arms and holes for his tentacles.

"That should do it, after last time the Chakra armor broke when I shifted, this should work well", said Naruto.

He turned back to normal and stretched a bit.

"So what now", asked Sakura.

"Well, if this idea of a think tank is going to work we are going to need the best minds the world has to offer. Sasori has a few old contacts that can point us in the right directions. The Shoggoth building the hanger for the Shinigami will be finished in a few days, after all he think is bound to draw unwanted attention. Other than that We seem to have run into a few problems with the Zero Tails", said Naruto.

"How so", asked Sakura.

"The thing is way to violent, I have Herbert and Shinno trying to find some ways to calm it down, so it shouldn't be a problem, but so long as it continues to behave like this we won't be able to get anything from it", said Naruto.

"What exactally are you hoping to get from that thing anyway", asked Sasuke.

"Dr. Shinno has proposed a kind of Organic band aid that can become a second skin to help the dead heal. He believes if he can replicate how the Zero Tails heals he can get it, but that won't happen for some time. Other than that everything should be good. Zabuza and Haku have been updated on our location, once Dr. Shinno created his organic band aid we can make sure Zabuza woun't fall apart anymore", said Naruto.

"Yeah, that last part. Didn't need to know that", said Sakura.

"My mistake then", said Naruto as he sealed his Chakra armor.

He rolled up the scroll and put it in his pocket as they left the area.

Minato was on edge. All day he heard the scratching sound, after hearing it for so long he realized the way they timed themselves made the sound reminiscent of footsteps. Though he never could find out what was making the sounds, but whatever they were, they seemed to follow him, and Kushina. He almost jumped when he saw Xel round a corner sniffing the air.

"What are you doing", asked Minato.

"This scent, it is familiar. Old, very old. I do not know where I smelled it before, but I am going to find out", said Xel.

"This wouldn't happen to revolve around that scratching sound I keep hearing", asked Minato.

"What sound", asked Xel with a confused look on his face.

"All day I feel like I am being watched, I keep hearing this scratching sound", said Minato.

Xel began to scratch at his gills, a sign he was contemplating.

"It could be, until I know for certain I will be following you", said Xel.

"That does not inspire confidence", said Minato.

"You have no choice, if this scent belongs to something that you have been in contact with, then you can help me figure out what it is", said Xel.

Minato sighed.

Hiruzen examined the Kunai after Shikamaru left. Lost in nostalgia as he remembered his days with Minato. He was pulled from those thoughts when he began to think more on Naruto's plan.

"I can't believe he did it", said Hiruzen, believing Naruto copied his fathers Jutsu.

He unwrapped the cloth covering the Kunai and looked at the seal. All he had to do was get it on Danzo. Hiruzen would have to wait, once the rumors spread on what Danzo covered up, only then could he safely put it in Danzo without fear of another war. He sighed as he put the seal in his pocket. Hiruzen had already started spreading the rumors to sew mistrust against Danzo by alerting the clan heads through proxy on what Naruto discovered. Hiruzen was no fool, he knew perfectally well that Danzo would be watching him, that would make it difficult to do as much as he hoped, but it would have to do.

He was once again drawn from his thoughts when a mouse outside his window winked at him before scurring off. He raised an eyebrow focusing on the spot the mouse once was before shrugging. Stranger things have happened in the ninja world.

Deep in one of the Akatsuki's hidden caves Wilbur began his preparations. Already he found where Naruto was. It would only de a matter of time before one of his hounds found where he kept the Necronomicon. It was one of his advantages to being the Son of Yog-Sothoth, it gave him the best eyes to see the word. Through a warp in time and space Wilbur could see through the eyes of his chosen minions. His hounds walked from the corner as they explored the interior of the strange skull shaped craft. He smiled. With these hounds at his command he could not lose. After all, what could be a better set of eyes than the Hounds of Tindalos.