(Chapter 25: Wipeout)

It was soon a full 2 days later before Team 7 would get everything set and ready to go to start advancing on their targets, with them closing in on the Otogakure team and wanting to take them out of the picture first. The reasons being that they were an unknown whose potential abilities they didn't want to risk finding out the hard way, as well as their possible connection to Orochimaru in everything that had gone on in the past number of days.

(July 16th, 998 S.E, Forest of Death, 7:43 Pm)

It was 17 minutes till 8 at night, with the Otogakure team having made their camp for the night with the sole female of the group being on watch. All the while unassuming of the fact of what would soon be a swift yet deadly end that would befall them.

"Everyone ready?" Gohan questioned

"Let's get this done and over with, as I want answers now." Sasuke answered as he already had both swords out to skewer whoever got in his way

"Alright then. Yakumo I think its time we gave their friend down there something to scream about." Gohan told Yakumo who was already at work in painting an illusion

'This is gonna be good, I should really thank Gohan for introducing me to all those horror novels.' Yakumo thought to herself with a malevolent grin on her face as she continued her painting

That out of the way Yakumo continued her paintings of Kin with an almost insidious smile before completing it and soon watching her illusions begin to take hold of the unaware Oto ninja taking watch. Meanwhile, on Kin's end she suddenly felt an itch on her right arm that she brushed off initially, yet it wasn't until she felt a sensation that made her feel unease at the fact that something was crawling in her skin and burrowing through her flesh.

With her eyes widening in horror as she saw worm-like creatures crawling throughout her flesh and rapidly multiplying, which was only aggravated as she could feel them gnawing away at her muscle and organs like an Akimichi would their barbeque. This caused her to quickly take out her senbon needles in an attempt to pierce and kill the creatures crawling and gnawing away at her flesh, with her doing so as she felt herself cough up blood as more of them multiplied and further started to agonizingly eat away at her at a hellishly slow pace.

Once she did so she ripped out one of the creatures from her flesh and soon saw that forcibly eating their way out of the wound she created were greyish-white maggots with lamprey like mouths, that thanks to the wounds she made were able to eat their way out of them. Then soon enough spread all of her body in a near-endless swarm and begin devouring her flesh at a now far more rapid and vicious rate, and no matter how many times she tried to get these creatures off her they only seemed to swarm over and cover her body more.

With her soon finding horror as they ate away at her flesh as soon enough they started devouring their way through her skin and covering her body, causing her to soon fall down and scream bloody murder as every centimeter of her flesh was being devoured by the maggot-like creatures. However, on the outside Kin was going into a seizure from the horrific illusion; her body spasming violently as she screamed in agony of the illusion she was trapped in.

"That's it come out and see what the fuss is all about." Gohan said to himself as he saw Dosu and Zaku coming out to see what Kin was screaming her head off about

"Alright Sasuke, go for it!" Gohan told the avenger who nodded

Before either Zaku or Dosu could react to Sasuke rapidly approaching them, Gohan had immediately cast Grasp Heart on Dosu which caused the mummified looking genin to drop dead from the necromantic energies causing his heart to implode. With Zaku being too caught off guard by the sudden death of his teammate that it was too late before he smelled the incredibly strong scent of ozone and iron that was accompanied by rapidly approaching footsteps.

With him letting out a loud exhale and soon looked down to see the front of his shirt turning a bright red from his own blood, while the sound of a thousand chirping birds filled his ears as he looked to see that an armored arm had pierced his chest up to the elbow. He soon looked back up to see the crimson Sharingan that belonged to Sasuke; who looked at him with annoyance and disgust like he was a lowly insect not even worth a millisecond of his time, before he withdrew the Chidori covered arm from his torso to leave him to die bleeding out.

Once that was settled Yakumo deftly jumped from her hiding place to join Gohan and Sasuke, with the former of the two getting the scrolls that the Otogakure team had collected along with any important supplies they had on them. Meanwhile, Sasuke tossed Yakumo some rope to tie Kin up with while he used his Sharingan to put her to sleep and have her cease her screaming under the illusion she was put under, once that was done Yakumo had tied up both her hands and feet so she wouldn't try anything funny.

With it being hours later before Kin woke up to find herself bound tightly by rope while her teammates lie dead a few yards away, with Zaku having a gaping hole in his chest and Dosu lying motionless as a corpse.
"Hey, guys she's up!" Gohan called out to his two teammates

"It took her long enough to wake up, we've eaten and finished having dinner in the time it took for her to wake up." Yakumo said while Sasuke had went over to Kin

"What the hell do you want from me?!" Kin questioned before Sasuke strode over towards her causing her words to die in her throat

"What I want from you is to tell us why you're in league with Orochimaru." Sasuke bluntly told her causing a lump to form in her throat

"H-How do you know that?" Kin questioned

"We questioned the one who looked like a mummy and he told us how you guys were supposed to ambush to see if Sasuke was worthy of being 'gifted' by him. So care to explain what that whole chestnut is all about." Gohan answered in having used his Raise Spirit ability to coerce Dosu into talking or ensuring that if he didn't then he would make sure his soul would cease to exist, which was ample enough threat for him to talk

"Either you talk or we make you. One way or the other you'll give us the information we want." Sasuke told her his onyx eyes boring into her with a cruel, and almost psychopathic look on his face that told her he'd flay the flesh on her bones if it meant getting what he wanted

"So what's it going to be? Either you tell us what we want to know painlessly and still get to live, or option two is we torture you, melt your mind into mush and leave you out for the animals here to eat like a piece of apple pie and still get what we want. So the choice is yours." Gohan added as no matter what they'd still get the information they'd want from Kin

'Damn it its either I tell them and die, or I go back to Orochimaru and he makes me into one of his experiments.' Kin thought to her in seeing that no matter which way she sliced it she was fucked

"Fine...I'll tell you." Kin told them in seeing no other option for herself

That in mind Kin told them everything; from Orochimaru wanting to mark Sasuke with a Curse Seal and draw him over to his side, to them being used to test his might to see if he was worthy of taking back with him, to even the invasion that was planned. With the remaining Oto genin telling them everything considering that no matter what she had no real options but to do so or die and quite frankly Kin rather liked being alive.

"That's everything I know, I swear." Kin said in telling them everything she knew

"Well, is there anything she lied about?" Gohan questioned the kitsune within himself

"She's telling the truth. The girl is too afraid to lie to you. Especially after what that Yakumo girl did." Kurama answered back

"Thanks for telling me. By the way, is everything alright, your voice sounds all weird?" Gohan questioned the kitsune in hearing Kurama's voice sound distorted and slightly warbled

"Everything's fine, I've just been working on something that will make talking to you far easier." Kurama answered back as their work in creating an easier form of communication and their human form was 94% done

"Neat..anyways, I'll get back to you on that in just a moment." Gohan responded as he cut the connection off with the kitsune

"Well thank you for telling us what we needed, anyways let's go, guys. We're burning moonlight." Gohan told his companions

"Wait..don't leave me, I-I can't go back to him, you don't know what that monster is like!" Kin pleaded as the thought of going back to Orochimaru after this terrified her

"That sounds like a you problem, not ours. You dug this grave now you lie in it." Sasuke callously responded in caring less about Kin's fate

"Please, I'll do anything you want! Just take me with you, I can't go back to him, I can't get turned into one of those monsters under him. So please let me come with you!" Kin pleaded further as it went against her pride to have to beg, but the alternative of going back to Orochimaru made throwing her pride away worth it

"Anything you say?" Yakumo questioned as an idea came to mine

"Yes!" Kin exclaimed

"Gohan, mind if I talk with you. I have an idea." Yakumo asked the necromancer

"Sure I'm all ears." Gohan replied as he and Yakumo went out of earshot from Sasuke and Kin

"What's the idea you got for me?" Gohan questioned as a sinister smile came onto her face

"Well considering how she said she'll do anything to avoid going back to Orochimaru, I had the splendid idea of you making her your slave." Yakumo suggested with Gohan actually being caught by surprise that Yakumo would be the one to suggest such a thing

"I never thought I'd hear you suggest such a thing." Gohan spoke slightly shocked that Yakumo would come up with an idea like that

"Hey, when you've had your ID degrade and whittle away at your morality. Then things such as right and wrong, good and evil all start to blur and fade into nothing. So really I could care less about having the moral high ground, not to mention making Hinata my slave when I break and melt her mind seems like a fun idea." Yakumo responded considering that thanks to her Ido she had overtime become much more imoral and as such warping her sense of right and wrong

"Well then that makes sense why you don't really give a shit about what Sasuke or I do. Also, I am completely on-board with the whole slave idea. After all, I could more than use some help with things I've got planned." Gohan responded with a large grin on her face

"Great to hear Gohan, but I do want to get ahold of her sometimes. Since I want to have a few cracks at her for...personal reasons." Yakumo told him with a sadistic grin on her face

"Hey its fine by me, just don't break her too much when you do." Gohan replied in still wanting his soon to be slave still functional

"Don't worry I won't. Anyways, let's get back to your future slave." Yakumo said as the two returned back to Kin

"Good news Kin, you can come with us. However, it is on one condition." Gohan spoke with a malevolent grin on his face

"What's the condition?" Kin asked with a nervous gulp as she saw the smile on Gohan's face

"Simple. You become my slave and property. You do whatever I say, no questions asked. So either you can agree to being my slave and living under me and doing my will, or we can just leave you here and let Orochimaru get ahold of you. Who I suppose won't be too happy with how your current predicament." Gohan answered with his smile becoming predatory

'Fuck my life right now, that I have to be reduced to a slave.' Kin thought to herself through gritted teeth that it was either being enslaved or going back to Orochimaru

"...Fine I'll be your goddamn slave, just make sure that I'll be kept safe from that bastard." Kin said her pride taking a massive blow at the fact she had to reduce herself down to a mere slave

"Excellent, now then get your shit packed up because we'll be leaving in about 15 to 20 minutes." Gohan ordered her as she quickly did so

"Are you sure that was a wise idea Gohan?" Sasuke questioned in wondering if it was a good idea

"To me, it is, besides if she wants to try anything then I can kill her in an instant. So I'm sure that I've got it handled." Gohan answered back in knowing that he could keep Kin under his heel

"If you say so." Sasuke responded before walking off

Hidden Quest Completed: Audioslave

Congratulations you managed to get Kin Tsuchi to agree to being your slave and prevent her team from fucking things up for you. For that you gain the following rewards.

+15 CHA

+10 Affection with ?

+55 Obedience to Kin Tsuchi

Slave Route with Kin Tsuchi unlocked

'Well, this was a productive night.' Gohan thought to himself with satisfaction at the rewards gained

(3 days later, July 19th, 998 S.E, Forest of Death, 8:48 Pm)

It was a few days later as Sasuke who had Yakumo as backup had departed from Team 7 to go and liberate Karin from her team.

"On my mark we kill them." Sasuke spoke as Yakumo already had her shortbow ready to fire

"Just say the word Sasuke." Yakumo responded having an arrow knocked on her target

With Yakumo waiting until their first target arrived who was on watch with Sasuke waiting until the right moment of the fool being out in the open enough for her to get a clear shot, once Sasuke saw that she did he gave her the signal. That out of the way the grey-eyed Kusa genin soon took a sharp gasp of air as he felt an arrow punch through her right lung, nearly stopping him in his tracks before Yakumo immediately fired off another one this time hitting him in the jugular vein causing him to rapidly bleed out onto the ground like a stuffed pig.

Once that was said and done Sasuke soon sped off from his hiding place to soon track down the remaining Kusa genin, with him using his Greater Boots of Speed to quickly dash throughout the site in order to find his target. With it being mere moments that he found him and quickly unsheathed his rapier and sabre and faster than they could react he had taken off their right arm at the elbow in a short flurry of slashes, that was soon followed up by him stabbing both blades into their jugular vein and carotid artery.

With Sasuke wordlessly stabbing his rapier through the genin's skull so he'd no longer have to hear any more of his gurgled screams of pain, before heading off to see where Karin was which didn't take long to fine considering that she stood out like a sore thumb with her bright red hair and eyes.

"Karin everything has been taken care of." Sasuke told her as he cleaned the blood off both of his blades

"Thank you!" Karin exclaimed as she tried to glomp onto Sasuke who merely sidestepped causing her to faceplant into the ground

"It is of no concern, now come along my teammate is waiting for us." Sasuke spoke nonplussed about Karin's attempt at affection

"Alright." Karin replied slightly downtrodden before following Sasuke to regroup with Yakumo

It was a few minutes later before Sasuke with Karin in tow had regrouped with Yakumo who had been going through Karin's teammate's supplies and had taken their scrolls and anything else she'd deemed necessary to take.

"Did you take out the other one Sasuke?" Yakumo questioned in having finished packing away everything she desired

"Yes, he didn't even see me coming. Anyways, Yakumo this is Karin. Karin this is Yakumo." Sasuke answered before introducing the two too each other

"Nice to meet you Karin, I've heard you're a great healer and all that." Yakumo said as she went to retrieve her two arrows from the corpse of one of Karin's teammates

"Yes, in fact I'm one of the best up and coming healers in my village." Karin replied her voice swelling with pride at the fact that she was one of her village's best up and coming healers

"Besides, I'm the only one whose been keeping these two idiots alive when they aren't trying to drain me dry. Its especially upsetting considering how much trouble I went through in preparing a medical kit to make sure they can stay afloat without having too, as always take the easy way out and use me like a glorified band-aid." Karin added in being aggravated and pissed that her now-dead teammates constantly used her like a glorified band-aid in clear disregard that it drained her life-force with each use

"What the hell are you talking about when you say they drain you dry?" Yakumo asked in confusion of what she meant before Karin sighed and rolled up her sleeves to reveal various bite marks

"One of the abilities I have is being able to use my life force to heal wounds no matter how critical they are. However, the catch is doing that drains my life-force. I tell them to stop doing and only do it for emergencies, but they refuse to listen to me even when my medical skills in my generation are second to none. Even my sensei turns a blind eye to it, as those two bastards over there especially don't like taking no for an answer and...its not pretty when I tell them to hold off on biting me when I can stitch up their wounds and have them back on their feet in no time." Karin answered as she lifted her shirt to show various bruises on her stomach and chest from the times they beat her and held her down to get what they wanted from her

"Lucky for you, you'll no longer have to deal with them. Seeing that as of now we're...I wouldn't say kidnapping you as much we're doing a surprise adoption." Yakumo said in seeing this as them more or less surprise adopting Karin into their fold than anything really sinister

"As long as I don't have to go back to Kusagakure, its fine by me." Karin responded in not really wanting to go back to her own village

"You won't. Now let's go, before any of the predators here catch up to us." Sasuke told them while they collectively nodded and got the fuck out of there

(3 days later, July 22nd, 998 S.E, 6:42 Pm, Forest of Death)

It was 3 days later as Team Guy had once more evade the predators of the Forest and had just finished defending their scrolls from an enemy team from Iwagakure, although Neji was furious considering that he'd been put out of commission early in the fight by supposed 'commoners' from Iwa.

"I gotta say, Lee, great job. You're getting really great with that bo-staff." Tenten spoke while she high-fived her bowl-cut haired teammate on a job well done

"Yosh! You did an amazing job as well Tenten, perhaps after the Exams we can engage in a most youthful sparring match. For I wish to test my Flames of Youth against your skills with lightning release!" Rock Lee excitedly responded in hopes of after the Exams having a match between himself and Tenten to truly test their martial skills

"That sounds like a great plan Lee, especially because I'll be able to see these new techniques you've been telling me about in action." Tenten said in being happy to fight against the taijutsu enthusiast who had been hard at work in practicing

"I can not wait to use my new techniques in the exams. Finally a chance to prove the power of Youth!" Rock Lee excitedly replied in wanting to have the chance to use one of his new techniques he'd been arduously working on

"As if his techniques or idiotic Youth will get him past the exams." Neji scoffed with bitterness at having his ass handed to him by nearly every team they encountered setting in

"At least Lee has pulled more of his weight than you and your all-seeing eyes have during the Exams. Especially because of you we had to start with nothing and all for what?! So that you could satisfy your ego and your hard-on for fate!" Tenten furiously spat having had it with Neji's ego-driven belief in fate

"Not to even mention that it's Lee and I busting our asses to not only get and protect the scrolls we do have but also keep everyone off our backs. Seeing that thanks to you, everyone's after us because you essentially painted a target on our backs." Tenten added as she and Rock Lee had been for the most part had become quite a bit stressed out from continuously having rival teams assault them to take them out or steal the scrolls they worked so hard to acquire

"Those commoners are nothing compared to my Byakugan. Besides, I could've handled them without any of your help in fact the two of you have just been slowing me down. It must be fate that I've been saddled with you lot that's been holding back." Neji retorted in seeing it as Fate testing him by putting him with teammates that have been holding him back from day one

"Neji, you can't mean that. We've been teammates that have bonded through the Flames of Youth instilled into us by Guy-sensei, as we're.." Rock Lee tried to say in having believed that they were teammates

"We were never teammates to being with, you two are just fated to help me to greatness. For it is my destiny to be superior to all of you." Neji callously responded making Tenten grow further angry and Rock Lee look at him with betrayal

"Superior to us? This coming from the guy who on nearly every mission we go on gets his ass handed to him..yes fate has really decided that the 'prodigal' Hyuga would be greater than us all. It anything we're superior to you, considering that on missions and even now we are." Tenten retorted causing Neji's face to redden with anger

"How dare you talk to me like that, when you and that freak over their dare to stray from the paths that fate set for you beneath me." Neji spoke furious that Tenten continued to talk down to him like that

"How dare I talk to you like that! I can't believe you right now, always talking about how your better than everyone and for what? All because Fate said so? In case you haven't noticed all of that bullshit you've been spouting means nothing. Especially when I and more importantly Lee have long since surpassed you." Tenten rebuked Neji in feeling nothing more than contempt for the Hyuga

"In fact out of all of us, it is you who Fate has deemed inferior to us commoners. Since you like the rest of your clan are nothing more than a bunch of basic taijutsu users that aren't anything special besides their eyes. Because from where I'm standing Fate has decided that your path is being nothing, but an insufferable ass who will always be stuck as another Hyuuga." Tenten spat which caused Neji in that instant to last out at her with a Gentle Fist strike which was intercepted by Rock Lee

"That is enough of your most unyouthful behavior Neji! Stop this now and let us continue these exams as a team." Rock Lee said as he saw Neji's behavior as going too far

"Out of my way you chakraless freak, as no one cares about you or those worthless Flames of Youth that you and Guy-sensei prattle on about." Neji responded as a flash of rare anger sparked in Rock Lee at hearing that

"Neji that is enough, as you are way out of line." Tenten heatedly spoke on defense of Rock Lee

"No. What is out of line is that Lee ever dared to think he was below the station that Fate set before him, as he was a mistake from the start. A mistake that Guy-sensei shouldn't have ever taken pity on. Seeing as how those Flames of Youth that you believe in mean nothing, when all it is is nothing but useless delusions and wasted words on a failure. So do everyone and Guy-sensei a favor and after the exams give up on your pathetic dream and stay in the station Fate had assigned you." Neji berated Rock Lee who felt anger well up from within him

"Neji...you've done it now." Tenten thought as she backed away from Rock Lee

With Tenten and the majority of the rookies knowing that there were few things that you never did or said around Rock Lee, one was disrespect his dream of becoming a taijutsu master and the other was calling the Flames of Youth in any manner worthless or anything relating to it. Therefore Tenten decided it would be best to get back a safe distance from the impending ass-whooping that Neji was about to receive from him, considering that Rock Lee had brought out his steel bo-staff it wasn't going to end well.

"Take back what you said about the Flames of Youth and my dream right now." Rock Lee demanded with all pretenses of his usual mirth and enthusiasm gone

"Why would I take back what's the truth, that a chakraless freak like you should give up on a futile dream. Any reason why Fate has you to even try and be above you station is beyond me. When its clear that you should be with the other commoners in the village instead of wearing a headband." Neji answered back which had earned him getting Lee's bo-staff smashed across his face

With the taijutsu enthusiast having had enough of Neji belittling him and his dreams of being constantly belittled and talked down to by Neji, who always belittled him and Tenten as supposed commoners who weren't fit to be shinobi because 'Fate' had dictated it. This...this was the last straw as he would not stand for his dream and Guy-sensei who had taught him about the Flames of Youth to be disrespected by someone who coasted on his talent and his being a supposed genius while he worked tirelessly to perfect his taijutsu.

The prodigal Hyuuga stumbled back in shock and anger that Rock Lee had struck him as he spat out blood and one of his molars, while the Green Beast soon got into a fighting stance to show that he wasn't messing around anymore. With Neji getting into his own Gentle Fist stance in seeing this as the perfect chance to humble this commoner and show him that his Flames of Youth were worthless in comparison to the power of Fate that had already decided his place in the world.

Yet Rock Lee made the first move in dashing towards Neji faster than what the Hyuuga's Byakugan could've perceived and appeared behind beside him to launch a vicious roundhouse kick that was narrowly blocked. Even still the force of it was enough to crack a bone in the arm Neji blocked with, before he was struck in the side by the bo-staff that hit like a 6-ton hammer, with Neji going in for a blindingly fast Gentle Fist strike that was parried by Rock Lee with the ease one would have of crushing an ant under their heel.

With the Green Beast then used this momentum to punch Neji in his back which nearly knocked him onto his knees, that was followed up by a small flurry of punches to his chest that had Neji not been as quick as he had would've wound up with a large number of his ribs broken instead of a small handful being cracked. Even still Neji put on an offensive of his own in order to counter Rock Lee's and put him in his place, but this was soundly shut down with Rock Lee using his bo-staff as an impenetrable shield of sorts that was able to not only expertly defend against it, it also allowed him to strike out with body shots at Neji as well.

"This is why I warned Neji against doing this. Since I always told him that Lee was holding back, but did he ever listen..nooo. Well, this is what his arrogant ass gets." Tenten said under her breath as she saw Rock Lee use his bo-staff like a baseball bat and smash it against Neji's face giving the Hyuuga a fat lip in the process

With the prodigal Hyuuga finding that none of his Gentle Fist strikes were finding purchase against Rock Lee whose physical might and prowess seemed to far outstrip his, considering that with each strike he launched it was blocked with his bo-staff or retaliated with a kick to the chest or a punch to the stomach. Something of which frustrated Neji who no matter what he did with his skill in the Gentle Fist to try and dominate his teammate and show him that his Flames of Youth were nothing compared to Fate, it proved futile as Rock Lee was able to keep pace with whatever he threw at him.

With Neji attempting an 8 Triagrams 32 palms against Rock Lee only for him to use his impressive athleticism to leap out of the way and then retaliate by striking Neji's right shoulder with his bo-staff with enough force that it nearly dislocated. All before he immediately followed up with a Leaf Hurricane that sent his bruised body skidding into a tree, meanwhile Rock Lee looked more invigorated than any sign of him being winded.

This only served to infuriate Neji further that this chakraless freak was overpowering him when it was his fate to be beneath him like the commoner he was, which further enraged Neji and caused him to charge after him in an enraged flurry of blows. All of which were soundly blocked or parried by Rock Lee's bo-staff, which served to further enrage Neji at the fact that he still couldn't land a single hit on the spandex-clad taijutsu enthusiast.

"Give up Neji, my Flames of Youth are too strong for you to stand against." Rock Lee told him considering that at this point it was clear that Neji was outmatched by the taijutsu enthusiast

"Never, Fate has decided that you always be beneath me!" Neji growled in anger and frustration

"Fine. Then I will have no choice but to use the power of youth to take you out." Rock responded with a sigh at his teammates arrogance and indignation

That in mind Rock Lee decided to end this vastly one-sided fight against the bruised and battered Hyuuga whose pride was the only thing keeping him going while Rock Lee took to dismantling him, with each strike of his bo-staff, punch, kick and elbow slamming into Neji like a battering ram. With Neji's entire torso, arms and thighs now being covered in bruises and welts from the relentless blows of Rock Lee, whose Flames of Youth empowered his blows like a river of kerosene flowing into a mighty inferno.

Blood spatters and saliva dotted the area around the two taijutsu users as the Green Beast continued unleashing his Youth powered blows onto Neji like he was an oversized punching bag, each strike hitting with bone-cracking force that caused Neji to stumble and flounder to keep up with the continuous blows. With Neji trying for another Gentle Fist technique that was stopped by a bo-staff strike to his right shoulder that hit with enough force to knock it out of it socket with an audible pop, causing a loud moan of pain to unwillingly escape prodigal Hyuuga.

It was within that moment that Rock Lee decided to once and for all put this to rest as he hit Neji a few inches below his sternum hard enough to have all the wind knocked out of his lungs, which was followed up by several hard punches to his kidneys and liver. Then it was promptly finished with a Severe Leaf Hurricane that not only knocked Neji into a nearby tree hard enough to crack it, but also finally knock the Hyuuga unconscious.

"Tenten, please see if Neji will be in any terrible condition?" Rock Lee requested in coming down from his rage-fuelled high

"...Considering that you beat the absolute tar out of him, he won't be waking up for a while. Other than some cracked bones and the concussion you probably gave him, then he'll be fine." Tenten spoke after giving the now unconscious Hyuuga a few checkovers to make sure he wasn't too grievously injured

"That is good news, as I didn't want to harm Neji too seriously. Even then it took everything I had to hold back enough to not cause serious harm to him." Rock Lee responded in having held back considerably against Neji to now harm him seriously

"Lee..you have far more restraint than I do. Considering that if he talked about me and my dreams the way he did you, then I honestly don't think I would've been able to stop myself from really hurting him." Tenten said in often being surprised by the restraint that Rock Lee had when it came to keeping his anger in check

"Thank you for the kind words Tenten. The main reason why I'm able to keep it all in check as you say is because my Flames of Youth give me focus to channel everything into becoming better than I am before. If I do not give it all of what I'm capable of towards improving myself not only physically as a taijutsu master, but also mentally as well. Then I am being most un-youthful in how I live my life." Rock Lee replied considering that there was one thing he did as a future taijutsu master that would surprise most people he knew

Which would be that he often meditated, as Guy-sensei had taught him that while it was always splendid to improve oneself physically and work towards excelling in martial combat and pure athleticism; that his Flames of Youth would never burn truly bright if he didn't focus on the spirit and mind as well. Therefore Rock Lee had taken to doing meditation and other such exercises to train himself both mentally and spiritually, so that he could make sure that his Flames of Youth wouldn't burn only bright but burn for as long as possible.

"I swear Lee out of all of you are the most hardworking of all." Tenten said in always having been impressed by his indomitable work ethic

"Thank you Tenten, now then let us get to work on setting camp for the night. It would be most un-youthful if we weren't at our full strength for tomorrow morning." Rock Lee replied in feeling that it would be a horrible thing if they weren't at their full strength come the following morning

"Sounds like a good plan to me after the week we've had." Tenten spoke with a weary yawn as she and Rock Lee proceeded to get to work on hunkering down for the night

(4 hours later, 11:49 Pm, Gohan's Mindscape)

It was 11 minutes to midnight as Gohan had finished his watch and was now drifting off to sleep where he was currently in his mindscape, in which Kurama had informed him that they had finally completed their human form and wanted to show Gohan the completed result.

"Well...uh..shit I honestly don't know what your name is. Would you mind telling me what it is, because if your gonna show me your human form then I feel like I should get to know it? Not to mention we've been working alongside each other long enough that I've earned enough of your respect for that honor." Gohan spoke to the massive kitsune in feeling as though he earned enough of Kurama's respect that he earned the chance to know their name

"I guess your right. After all, we've been together long enough and I like you enough that I feel you've earned that right." Kurama spoke in feeling that Gohan had earned enough of their respect and favor for him to know their name

"My name is Kurama." Kurama told the necromancer their true name

"Well, its nice to finally know your name, Kurama." Gohan responded, happy to finally know Kurama's actual name

"Now then time for you to see my human form. Although you will need to bare with me, as its a modified version of the human form I used to use." Kurama spoke before crimson and obsidian chakra surrounded the great tailed beast

That in mind Kurama soon let out a mighty roar that reverberated throughout the mindscape, before the colossal beast soon turn into a mass of overwhelmingly powerful chakra that began rapidly condensing down in size and shape. With the mass of chakra that was Kurama soon taking on a humanoid shape that continuously was refining its shape and appearance, before in a matter of minutes and an explosive burst of crimson light revealed what Kurama's human form looked like, which had surprised Gohan as to what it was.

With Kurama taking the form of a tall woman standing at 6 foot 7, having fair skin, waist-length bright pale reddish-gold hair that fell in a thick mane all around her, sharpened teeth that were curved in a fanged smile, full lips, crimson vulpine eyes that held centuries of countless knowledge and experience of the world. With her having long powerful legs, thick thighs, a heart-shaped rear that was supported by flared hips and a low E-cup bust; all of which was accentuated by her curvaceous yet muscular figure that showed that despite having been a sage was a woman who loved combat.

Kurama had taken the liberty of wearing studded leather armor that revealed a semi-modest amount of her cleavage that was colored onyx with dark ruby-colored trim, over this she wore a knee-length haori, colored dark goldenrod with obsidian colored markings reminiscent on the kimono her creator wore. Yet unlike the kimono he wore hers was much more form-fitting with it exposing her full chest and more notably being sleeveless, considering that the kitsune had in her mind felt that sleeves were bullshit.

"Well, what do you think?" Kurama asked her voice still the thunderous one in her kitsune

"Ok first things first, I didn't realize you were a goddamn woman. Secondly, why does your voice still sound the same?" Gohan questioned in surprise that Kurama was a fucking woman

"I guess I can't fault you for that, seeing as how the voice would put anyone off. However, why my voice is still the same that's more or less because I've been too lazy to come up with another one. Since I use to have to work on that, as I've been out of practice on that department for the past century or so." Kurama answered back in not really faulting Gohan for thinking she was a dude considering that the voice she used was unmistakenly so

"..This just adds a whole other level of weird too things." Gohan spoke in finding Kurama's voice coming out of their body to be quite disarming

"I can change back into being a giant kitsune if it makes things less weird for you." Kurama told him

"Oh no, you're fine. Its just gonna take some getting used to is all." Gohan replied considering that he was gonna have to get used to the whole Dr. Girlfriend effect Kurama had going on right now

"Great to hear! Since being in that fox form for so long isn't as comfortable as you'd think, because now I can finally stretch myself out for the first time in ages." Kurama said as she started stretching herself out, giving Gohan ample view of her assets

'Why does my fucking tailed beast have to look like a goddamn pornstar.' Gohan thought to himself while Kurama continued to stretch herself out

"You do know that I can hear your thoughts." Kurama told him while she continued stretching

"Damn it, I forgot that you're in my head!" Gohan cursed while Kurama let out a melodious laugh

"Hey, I don't mind if you are attracted to me. I mean with how my human form looks I wouldn't blame you for thinking I look as stunning as I do now." Kurama spoke with a light chuckle while Gohan pinched the bridge of his nose

"Well, we can add vain to your list of traits." Gohan replied as Kurama was showing off her flexibility by doing the splits all the way to the ground with negligible ease

"To be fair Gohan, I do look better than the girls in that village. Hell, I look better than Hashirama's granddaughter if I do say so myself." Kurama said with a semi vanity filled smile upon her face

"I will neither confirm or deny that statement. However, now that you got your human form and my knowing your real name. What does that mean for us going forward?" Gohan questioned as to what it meant now that Kurama had a human form and his knowing her name

"That's easy Gohan." Kurama spoke as she rose to her feet and in a puff of crimson and onyx smoke teleported to him

"Now that we've gained some trust between the two of us, I can start teaching you some of the things I've learned over the centuries. That is if you'll let me in and give me a few more liberties." Kurama added as she snapped her fingers and there was a comfortable chair for her too lounge in

"What sort of liberties are you asking for?" Gohan questioned while the strongest of the tailed beasts merely had a perpetual lazy smile on her face

"It's simple really. Just allow for me to project myself into your vision like you would with your astral projection spell. That way I can actually see you when I want to talk with you." Kurama requested

Considering that the kitsune wanted to be able to physically see Gohan whenever she wanted to talk with him, in finding doing so was more comfortable and less jarring than being an incorporeal voice.

"That's easy enough accommodate." Gohan spoke in finding that it would be easy enough to allow

"Excellent! The next thing I'd like is better access to your chakra." Kurama replied as her other request

"Why is that exactly?" Gohan asked as to why Kurama would want this

"Simple, so that way it won't only be easier for me to lend you my chakra. It will also make my teaching you what I know far easier to accomplish. Considering that us acting in better union will make what I eventually teach you, so much easier." Kurama answered back as now only would better access to Gohan's chakra allow for them to synchronize better with each other but also make teaching him what she's learned throughout the centuries far easier

"I'll agree to do this, but I want to know if this is a two-way thing we've got going on here? Since I trust you no doubt, but I'd feel better in knowing that this stuff could work both ways." Gohan asked in wanting to make sure that his agreeing to do this wasn't simply one-sided

"Don't worry it isn't completely one-sided if anything it'll help out more once you start delving deeper into my power." Kurama spoke considering that doing so would allow for Gohan to better be able to control her chakra

"Well if it makes learning how to tap into and control your power easier, then I'm all for it." Gohan responded causing Kurama to gain a fanged smile

"Thanks, Gohan, as this is gonna make everything I have prepared for you work out so much better." Kurama giddily spoke in feeling actual excitement for the first time in decades

(+9 Affection and obedience to Kurama for agreeing to give her more liberties within you.)

"Now then let's shake on a new start to our partnership." Kurama added as she extended her clawed hand towards Gohan

"Too our new partnership." Gohan responded as he shook her hand causing a crimson and onyx pulse of energy to radiate throughout the mindscape

"What was that?" Gohan asked in having saw the pulse of energy

"That was merely a sign of our deal taking effect, now then go on and rest up. Since I've got to start working on what to start teaching you once you crush my punk-ass sister and her host." Kurama answered back in needing to start working out lesson plans for after Gohan crushed Shukaku and Gaara

"Alright, well I'll see you later." Gohan said as he soon went off into his dreams while Kurama stayed behind

'It's great to be me.' Kurama thought to herself

So with Team 7 having accomplished their objectives in taking out the Otogakure Team and gaining Karin onto their side, it seems as though things aren't all too well within Team Guy, yet despite this things seem to improve for Gohan with him learning Kurama's true name and seeing her human form. So how will all of this affect things for everyone going forward, well you'll have to find out in the new chapters of A Necromancer's Path to Power.

Now then on to the reviews from the last chapter.

Joshl1294: Trust me he will do that to the DXD villains considering that he's gonna actually be somewhat proactive in getting shit done once he's established himself and his defences against people there, considering that he likes making sure that there are as few threats to him as possible. Also, I already had plans to recruit the fallen and I'm not gonna pass up a free blood knight in Freed since there's a lot I can do with him if I can get the chance. Don't even get me started on fucking Rizevim, I mean seriously for someone who is a descendant of Lucifer and his son no less, he's a fucking disappointment of a villain who I expected so much more from than that bullshit Sacred Gear Canceller. So trust me he will be getting his dues soon enough and also agree with you completely on the hilarious idea for Vali's team being rebranded. Furthermore, I'm totally down for doing those types of omakes in the future since it sounds pretty dope to show how their being far more stronger would fuck with canon. Also, yeah I believe that Asuma didn't deserve to get shafted like he did in canon since he's a pretty awesome guy that got dealt a rotten hand. On the subject of Panty and Stocking I agree that Kneesocks and Scanty are a lot better as characters since I did happen to enjoy their characters quite a bit more than Panty and Stocking, so you can believe that when the 1st part of Naruto is done and over with he'll be taking a vacation to Panty and Stocking for a hot minute. On top of that finally, someone agrees that my man Yamcha was done dirty by Toriyama as out of all the Z-Fighters at least he has a career that's actually well sustaining and can pay his bills outside of fighting. Furthermore, I can't fucking stand Akeno considering that her holding back her powers to give a fuck you to daddy irritated me, not only because she's holding herself back from her full potential. But she's also fucking over Rias in the long run and pretty much all but saying my throwing a hissy fit over my daddy is more important than letting you win against Riser so he doesn't marry you and violate you like a full-sized fuckdoll. So trust me when I say my sympathies for Akeno are very short. Gohan is creating a triumvirate of illusionists when you think about it concerning Yakumo, Kin and soon Tayuya. Like the Gatcha idea since villains just out of the blue doing that has pissed me off for awhile when its without prior buildup. And its fine with DBZ characters since I will eventually get to them I just have to figure out how they'll fit into the story over all

Doom60: I try to be but with my school schedule its pretty hard to do.

CocoDu11: I think Yugao is a pretty alright character that has some potential to do a considerable amount in the story and will join Gohan's side eventually.

John50: Gohan will eventually learn Sage Modd after the invasion and start finalizing it when Part 2 pops off since there's quite a good amount I'll cover in the time skip. Also he will eventually learn the Rasengan variants he does in canon and I'll do my best concerning Gaara.

TheOnlyKing: Glad to see you enjoyed last Chapter and hope you enjoy this one

Frescko: Gohan won't be going rogue considering that for his plans to work they more or less hinge on his being in Konoha so he can make sure everything falls in line. However, Hiruzen will have his downfall soon enough.

Starwing1995: Thanks for the clarification

setokayba2n: I did do some changes to the rules.

MasterofDragonsGod: Happy you liked the last chapter and hope you'll enjoy this this one.

Sydanus0900: Nice to see you liked the prior chapter. Also concerning Sakura there are far worse things than death that can happen, since death all things considered when thinking of Orochimaru and what he can do is more of a mercy. Trust me as Hinata's gonna live alright, but trust me when I say she's gonna wish she died so just remember that for what will happen soon enough to her.

Krystian Garlicki: Good point as Gohan will eventually have a run in with the Shinigami himself and have a long talk about Hiruzen.

Mckenray: I do to since Asuma to me is a character who deserves better than what happened in canon, which is why when Hiruzen's dirty deeds are aired out. Asuma will be taking over as the clan head and the Saurtobi clan will soon be under Gohan's banner. Not to mention I plan on having Asuma trade up from Kurenai to Pakura.

CuriousGuest: I don't think pissed is gonna cover how angry she'll be with Hiruzen considering that he not only let Orochimaru go Scot free, but now try to mess with Gohan and massively downgrade him. Also Hiruzen is someone who is both selfish concerning how it gets him what he wants and more thinks things through in terms of short term gains and rarely the long term ones. Considering how he didn't think things through with Anko, Orochimaru and now Yugao telling Anko about what he's got planned. Trust me Sakurs is gonna get turned into a science experiment for sure to where there's not gonna even be a Sakura anymore when he's done. Trust me when Gohan Gohan that weakness of undead possession then more or less Sasori is done for since he technically would count for the conditions of it on top of giving him a countermeasure against Obito. Lee will have his fight against Gaara although a lot more intense than you think it'd be, as well as Tenten getting her chance to shine. Furthermore what's not to like about Yakumo and Anko bonding after all it may go great enough and have Yakumo possibly become her apprentice. And maybe on Gaara having a "good" role model.

Sapphireweapon12 (17-24): Good point on Gohan being more Lawful Neutral than Evil considering that the thing is that he really starts showing his teeth the more you poke the proverbial he may engage in acts of evil but it's both when he knows he can get away with it and when he knows it'll further his goals without them falling apart. Also concerning Hinata she's already getting her fate sealed as Yakumo's slave/plaything. Which is why Hinata is gonna get a hard reprogramming by Yakumo to be her revenge..just not in the way you'll think. With the Hyuga that's getting the spotlight in the future is Hanabi who will gear up for her own plans. Which is why Kurenai will die thanks to Yakumo and Hinata as a proxy. Thanks for the fantastic idea of how to turn Kisame over to Gohan's side considering that the hardest part for me a legitimate way to get him onto his side that would work so thanks for that. Love the idea for the Gatcha but will have to wait later on in the story for it to be gained. Also he has been using the free spin but nothing notable gained from it he can use and I'll look the Nasuverse later on

And cut as I hoped you guys liked this chapter and all that it entailed, but without further ado let's get down to it now shall we.

First up I hope you guys liked the swift takedown of the Oto team considering that with how beefed up Team 7 are it makes sense that they'd take out the Oto team fast and in a hurry, also as an added bonus Kin is now Gohan's slave.

Next up is Sasuke and Yakumo "surprise adopting" Karin onto their side of things which I hoped y'all liked and the reason behind her actually wanting to come with them of her own volition.

Following that up we get the spat between Team Guy and Rock handing Neji his shit, which was one of my favorite scenes to have written out. Considering that for one it shows that with Rock Lee and Tenten actually growing stronger than Neji what he'd be like, seeing as how he's held onto his belief of Fate. Not to mention it lets me show how strong Lee is when he wants to let Neji actually have it.

Lastly, we've got the reveal of Kurama's human form and that yes Kurama is gonna be female in this one, other than that it let me set up the fact that once the Exams are over Kurama's gonna get to teaching Gohan some of what she's learned throughout the centuries.

That being said please favorite, follow, review and share this story as much as possible; because I'd like to see how far this story can be taken and become something pretty dope in the long run. Also please remember that flames won't be tolerated since they're merely a waste of everyone's time and the fact that I appreciate constructive criticism as long as you do it in a well thought out and respectable manner.

With all that out of the way this is Pravus666 signing out until next time, with the next chapter skipping over the Preliminaries among other things so stay tuned for that.

Side note I will be taking a small break from this story considering that I've nearly been going full steam on this story for a while now and will be on a bit of a break for while from this to focus on my other stories and to make sure I don't burn out.

Part 1 Theme Song: A New Game by Mudvayne

Random End Song: E is for Extinction by Thousand Foot Krutch