Chapter 9: The Beginning (Final) + Revelations of Ancient of Day

"People Talking"

"People Thinking"

"Sword Talking"

"Techniques"

AN: Bleach has become garbage. Honestly, I'm at a point where I'm reading it just to finish the story. Shame, so much potential wasted, just like Naruto :(,

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Chapter 9: The Beginning (Final)

The dimly lit room was silent save the multiple medical pipes littered along the walls. Large imposing computers surrounded connected to the pipes flashing random numbers. All in all, the room was hideous. It gave the vibe of a place where a mad scientist lived. Experiment after experiment. In the center of the room connected to all the wires and cords was a large liquid filled glass capsule. Next to the capsule was a small wooden chair. Sitting on said chair was a relatively petite woman with gray eyes and black hair. She wore the uniform of the Onmitsukidō. She held a book in her hands and quietly read from it. If one were to enter the room the impression they would perceive was that of a widow patiently waiting for her comatose partner. A complete silent hour passed before the woman stood up. She peered inside the capsule her eyes full of hope. She gently placed a hand on the glass as if it could shatter at the slightest touch.

She sighed in defeat before walking out of the room. As she walked down the hallway the days passed. Her hair grew longer, her gentle expression turned to ice. She grew taller and prouder. She began to wear a captains' haori. But every day she would return at the same time and read to the glass capsule. This small little daily ritual had become her support. Her lifeline. It was the only thing she could hold onto from the past.

The hollow's eyes widened when the Naruto clone popped away. The hollow stood there in silence as if waiting for the real Naruto to appear any second. Apacci, Mila-Rose, and Sung Sun who were all equally confused stared at the hollow, preparing in case it attacked again. But the hollow never moved. It simply stood there, waiting.

Naruto forced himself up.

"Garra is here?" Naruto thought flying in the direction his clone had been.

As Naruto flew through the air his vision blurred and everything went white.

Naruto exhaled as his eyes shot open. He was floating inside some kind of capsule filled with liquid. Naruto could hear the sporadic beeping of the monitors. He looked around but all he could see was glass. It began to feel as if he was drowning. Naruto wanted to panic, to struggle but he couldn't move his body. He struggled to move but nothing happened. His vision began to slowly darken. Before he completely blacked out he saw a figure running towards him. Whoever it was he could barely make out through the glass.

The last thing he heard was someone screaming his name, "Naruto?"

Naruto regained his vision. He looked around in a cold sweat. He was still flying through the desert at a breakneck speed.

"What just happened?"

Before Naruto could ponder the thought he sensed the presence of his comrades.

"How did I get here so fast?"

Naruto landed next to the trio causing them to jump in surprise.

"Naruto?" exclaimed Apacci, who was the first to regain her composure. "When did you get here?"

Naruto ignored her and stared at the nameless hollow. Said hollow stared back. The two were silent before Naruto walked up to him.

"Are you really Gaara?"

The hollow's eyes widened at the name. Naruto decided to copy his clone and reached out to the hollow on a spiritual link.

"Naruto, is that you?"

"Gaara, what happened to you?"

"The same can be said for you, Uzumaki."

Naruto's eyes widened at the thought and chuckled.

"You're absolutely right. It's a long story."

Gaara examined himself for a moment as well.

"I've been waiting a long time to meet with you, I have time."

Naruto frowned at the statement.

"Did the same thing happen to you as it did me?"

"And what would that be?" Gaara asked crossing his arms.

"We're you trapped in our world connected to a bunch of chains?"

Gaara's eyes widened at the statement confirming Naruto's theory.

"I was trapped in my village," Gaara replied, "I couldn't move. Not until I saw a vision of you. You were calling my name. The chains attached to me began to break. When they all finally broke I awoke in darkness. My mind was driven by instinct. Slowly I was able to regain my former self. I've been wandering this desert searching for you."

"That's almost the same thing that happened to me. When I awoke I was trapped in my village as well. I was connected to multiple chains. I …"

Before Naruto could finish his eyes widened. Naruto could feel his heart pulsating wildly. Purple miasma began to spread around his body causing those around him to jump back.

"Uzumaki Naruto. Have you forgotten me?"

"Impossible," Naruto exclaimed clutching his chest.

"I told you, boy, I am immortal. I am the God-King and you will never kill me. Now give me your body. I command you."

Naruto struggled against the miasma, but to no avail. He could feel himself losing control.

"Naruto!" the trio exclaimed. "What's happening?"

Naruto fell to a knee as the miasma grew. He could feel his body deteriorating. Naruto looked at Gaara and suddenly had an idea.

"Gaara, attack me with your strongest attack," he exclaimed.

The others heard his command and looked at him in confusion.

"Naruto?" Apacci exclaimed, "Where is all this miasma coming from?"

Naruto would be damned if Baraggan stole his body. He would simply destroy his body. Gaara heard Naruto and without hesitation began to charge his strongest cero. The black and green cero began to absorb all the light surrounding it. Naruto smirked at the power he felt from it. That would definitely do the trick.

"Gaara," Naruto said in a solemn voice, "take care of my family."

Gaara's eyes widened as his cero finished charging. Naruto prepared himself to take the attack but it never came.

"Gaara? What are you doing?"

Gaara had let his attack dissipate.

"I've been waiting countless years to see you again. I will not kill you."

Naruto closed his eyes and smiled.

"I see."

Naruto ignored the pain and began to concentrate. If Baraggan was really trying to take over his body, then he'd just have to take himself out of the equation. Naruto began to internally build energy.

"No, that won't work." Baraggan taunted. "I already control your internal network."

"Coward!" Naruto growled. "You lose to me so now you try and steal my body?"

"You can't steal what rightfully belong to you. I already told you everything in Heuco Mundo belongs to me. Everything under the sky is my domain."

Naruto let loose a ferocious scream. It sounded as if he were a dying lion. His vision faded to black.

Naruto slowly awoke in a familiar liquid filled capsule. This time, he didn't panic or struggle. His body was still unmoving. On the outside of the capsule, he could distinctly make out someone sitting next to him. All he could do was stare at them. The person sitting next to him stood up and stared at him. Whoever they were exclaimed in shock. They began to call out his name, but their voice slowly slurred and Naruto blacked out.

"Naruto," A woman called rousing him from his slumber.

Naruto awoke to find himself back at the base. Naruto scanned the cave. There were torches providing the light and a large round table in the middle. Near the table was a large flight of stairs leading up. Next to those stairs were another flight of stairs leading down. He noticed that he was sitting in a large stone chair. Everything seemed normal.

Naruto looked at the woman that had woken him. She had green eyes, blonde eyelashes, and messy short blonde hair. The rest of her face and entire body was covered in white shark scale armor. An intriguing feature was that her right forearm was a giant white blade. She was staring at him with concern.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

"Harribel?" Naruto replied a little confused. "What happened? Why am I here?"

"Your friend Ulquiorra brought you back after you passed out," she answered.

"Ulquiorra? Is she talking about Gaara?"

"Naruto?" Harribel spoke her voice drenched in worry. "Naruto are you okay?"

As soon as she asked the question Naruto's body felt old. He felt tired and in slow but constant pain. Why did she wake him? For some reason, he couldn't remember. Naruto closed his eyes and was about to let sleep take him when he felt her shake him awake. He slowly opened his eyes. That movement alone took more energy than he had.

"Please," she begged. Naruto could feel her shaking. "Don't sleep again,"

It baffled Naruto how a simple request could make him feel. Mind you it wasn't a simple request, but Naruto felt that if this woman had asked him to bring her the sun that he could and would do it. Naruto slowly stood up ignoring the ridiculous amount of pain that shook his entire body. The woman acted as his support.

"Everyone is waiting outside," she said leading him to the stairs. "Starrk has already gone on ahead. He'll scout out the area for any incoming threats. I have no doubt that Baraggan won't miss this opportunity to take revenge."

"Baraggan?"

"The others told me that his miasma almost got you," Harribel explained.

Naruto's head was hurting. Something was off.

"Harribel… Baraggan isn't out there," Naruto struggle to say.

"What do you mean?"

Her words were slowly drowned out as sleep took over. Naruto could feel himself falling but he never hit the ground. The last thing he heard was the woman yelling his name.

"That's right Uzumaki. Let me take control. Sleep and never wake up."

Naruto was once again greeted to the sight of glass and a strange liquid. He heard voices all around him. He could make out distinct figures walking around him. Some were taking notes others messing with the machines around him. One of them exclaimed something and they all crowded around him. Naruto couldn't make out their words as his world slowly faded black.

"Naruto!" a female voice exclaimed waking him.

Naruto scanned the area. He was in a familiar lit cave, but it wasn't the same as before. The cave had signs of battle and table that was originally in the middle was now broken into large chunks everywhere. The walls had large cracks and were covered in blood. Naruto continued to look around. Dead hollows littered the floor around him. Again the feeling of being old and in pain racked Naruto's body. It Naruto a moment to realize that he was on the ground.

"Where is everybody?" Naruto thought.

"Naruto?" called out a male voice.

Naruto heard rapid footsteps approaching. He tried to sit up, but the pain was too great. His eyelids became heavy as the person approached. Naruto felt someone pick him up. He looked around but could barely make things out. He heard more footsteps heading his way.

"I found him," the man holding him up exclaimed.

The man spoke in a melancholic voice. Naruto saw Harribel run down the stairs. She ran up and hugged him.

"Ulquiorra," the woman said, "Go help the others outside. If we can reach Baraggan then we can finally end this."

Ulquiorra nodded and left the cave. As he left Naruto noticed that Ulquiorra was battle scarred. Harribel carried Naruto over to the wall. She also carried her own scars. A horrible feeling was building in the pit of his stomach.

"Why are you still fighting?" she asked Naruto. "You're only spreading the curse. Your body can't handle it."

"What do you mean," Naruto coughed.

A large explosion shook the cave. Naruto looked into the woman's eyes. They were filled with concern. "We were able to separate Baraggan from your body. But the curse is still there."

Another explosion shook the cave. A chunk of the cavern fell off.

"Baraggan?" Naruto exclaimed. "Where is he now?"

Naruto tried to force himself up but no matter how hard he tried it was no use.

"Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Harribel asked. "He has your power. There's nothing we can do but run."

Naruto who was now breathing heavily had no answer. His lungs were on fire. Every breath was like being pierced with a thousand of needles. Naruto stared into the beautiful green eyes that were watching him. He saw sadness, anger, worry, and many more emotions. They all gave him solace. After a moment he forced himself to stand up.

"Naruto please," Tier Harribel begged, "Don't go."

Tears rolled down her cheeks causing him to frown. He knelt down in front of her and touched his forehead to hers. The two sat like that amidst the surrounding destruction. It was just the two of them.

"I love you Tier Harribel."

He gave her his trademark grin and stood up. He limped towards the exit. He would end this right here and now. He would erase all her pain.

As Naruto reached the entrance Ulquiorra slammed into the ground next to him. Naruto limped over to him. Ulquiorra examined his right arm that was quickly disintegrating. He began to concentrate causing it to heal and a rapid rate. Naruto smirked standing.

"Why the name change?" he asked looking up.

The sky was covered in purple. Floating there looking down on him was the former God-King of Heuco Mundo, Baraggan Louisenbairn.

"Only you can call me Gaara," Gaara replied standing next to Naruto. "But Ulquiorra is a name I share with the creature within me."

Naruto made a mental not to ask what that meant later. If they survived that is. Naruto examined the revived God-King. His appearance had definitely changed. His purple cloak now covered in yellow flames. Naruto grimaced. Floating around Baraggan were six large black orbs.

"He really did take my power."

"Looks like I'm on time," another voice said.

Coyote Starrk landed next to Naruto with a bored expression.

"Everyone's a safe distance away," Starrk said without provocation. "We can go all out."

"Harribel is still in there," Naruto replied turning to face Baraggan. "He doesn't touch her."

He let loose all his remaining power. His eyes transformed, spinning wildly. Naruto let loose a battle cry. His body became shrouded in flames. He ignored his body screaming for him to stop and lie down. He crouched before charging at Baraggan. Ulquiorra and Starrk followed suit.

"Yes," Baraggan exclaimed as Naruto charged him. "Uzumaki Naruto. I the Immortal God-King accept your challenge."

Chapter 9: The Beginning (Final)

(END)

Revelations of Ancient of Day

"Where am I?" was Naruto's first question. "What is this?" his second. "This doesn't feel right."

"The World That Never Was," an alien voice answered.

"Why am I here?" Naruto asked.

Whatever was speaking to him was not human. Its speech was as if speaking in chants. It had multiple tones and an echo.

"This is the plane of Higher Existence."

"Which means?"

"It means that a soul like yours should not be able to reach here."

"Still didn't answer my question."

"Think of it like this, you look at an ant and think surely it must have a different view than what you have. It sees you as a giant, houses like mountains, and mountains like the sun. But for you, you see all those things differently, your view of the world is larger than the ants."

"So are you calling me an ant?"

"Yes, that's precisely so."

"And what if I don't like that?"

"Nothing, you can do nothing about it."

"Is that so?" Naruto replied, despite not having a physical body Naruto was sure that he was smirking. "I've been known to surprise."

"Oh, we know. We've been watching your story with a lot of interest. That's why we chose you."

"Chose me for what?"

"To bring peace."

"…From all my experiences peace, no matter how great does not last. Eventually time changes, as well as souls. Our desires and wills change."

"True, souls are very stubborn. Always wanting to change and better themselves or to be better than others. A very poisonous thought. It's a good and negative about them. They're never satisfied."

Naruto agreed, "Peace is sadly a state of stagnation where nothing changes."

"You've really thought about this haven't you."

"You're not the first person whose asked me to bring peace. It's easier said than done."

"We wonder Naruto, then should we just destroy everything and leave it all blank?"

"You won't do that. If you've really been watching my life, then you've seen worse. Haven't you?"

"You're right. There would be no point in simply erasing everything…. But we are surprised."

"Why?"

"We would have thought that you would be yelling that peace can be won and that you'd fight for it. We thought you would be the champion for the good of humanity."

"…"

"Are we wrong?"

"I'm just tired."

"…we see."

"All my life I've been fighting for peace. I just think I've had enough. I just wanted to be happy with the people who I had."

"The hollows? The Shinigami? Or the humans?"

"I don't know," was Naruto's honest answer.

"So you've given up?"

"In a sense yes. It's hard to continue fighting when you don't see the end."

"…"

"…"

"What if we gave you the power needed to change the world?"

"… If you have that power then why not just change the world yourself?"

"If we did that… it wouldn't be free will now would it?"

"Is this all a game to you?"

"Perhaps, we have invested quite a few resources and we want to see how the "game" ends."

"I won't do it. Find someone else."

"…"

"…"

"Is that so?"

"That's right. You're playing around with souls like a child. I won't have any part in it."

"That's your justification? Your false sense of morality?"

"My false sense of morality," Naruto replied annoyance seeping into his voice, "Is what makes me, me."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah it is?"

"Very well then,"

"…"

Naruto couldn't help but mentally frown. Something about the whole conversation was bugging him.

"You knew what I was going to say," Naruto accused.

"Of course,"

"I don't understand if you can see the future then why did you have this conversation with me?"

"Because the future is never set in stone. The future is a tree with infinite branches. No two branches are alike."

"So is there a future where peace is possible?"

"We thought you didn't believe in peace?"

"I do. I just know that it doesn't last."

"…"

"So what happens now?"

"Tell us. What do you want to do?"

Naruto was at a loss. He had no idea what he wanted. The memories of his loved ones passed through his mind. Shinigami and hollow alike. Naruto then thought about the friends he had while alive. He missed them all.

"I want to understand what is happening to me. Why am I a hollow one minute, a Shinigami the next?"

"That is actually a mistake on our part and at the same time your fault."

"How so?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"When you originally died that was to be the end of your world. We were to simply erase the world and move you to the next. But you're will and lingering regret connected itself to the world. What was to be a simple process became one where we had to erase every lingering will one by one or we would risk erasing yours."

"Why is that a problem? Couldn't you just make a new me?"

"We could but you wouldn't be the same Naruto you are now. No soul is the same."

Naruto mentally nodded in understanding.

"As we worked on removing the lingering sentiments your physical body moved on. But a strange thing happened. Your body with no resentment or attachment to anything simply existed. The body developed a consciousness and fell in love with a hollow."

The voice had an air of amusement.

"Imagine our surprise that you fell in love with a creature of negative emotions. And imagine our even greater shock when said creature reciprocated the emotions. You truly gave us something of interest."

"…"

"Your body divided time and space to be with the creature."

"…" Naruto suddenly had a thought. "You were the light the was showing me visions?"

"That's right. We were. Very perceptive."

"Why did you show me the visions of her? If what happened was so shocking?"

"Because we wanted to see if you would do what we saw in the future."

"…It really is all a game to you."

Naruto was feeling sick. His emotions had all been fake. The voice seemed to know this.

"Nothing you felt was created by us. We believe in free will. The future that you chose was yours and yours alone. Your actions and thought can lead to infinite possibilities."

Naruto took the explanation in strides. He felt a little better knowing that his emotions and actions were his choices.

"What happened then?" he asked.

"The shock of your body severing its attachment to its soul caused the lingering attachment to shatter at an unstable rate. So instead of becoming a Shinigami, you appeared in Soul Society as a hollow. Whatever explanation they gave you was only partially correct."

"Which means?"

"You were told you housed a countless number of souls. That is not true. You are not the culmination of all the souls that world possessed. You are one soul that erased the others."

The sick feeling had returned. Naruto had a hard time wrapping his head around it.

"Are you saying that I killed everyone else?"

"No not killed, you simply carry on their will. They have returned to us."

"Wait, then what about Gaara? Why was he there in Heuco Mundo?"

"The humans that house more than one soul? You call them Jinchuriki. They too all had their bodies split from their souls."

A sense of purpose was building in Naruto's non-existent chest. If Gaara remembered what happened to him, then the others surely remembered too.

"Is it possible to find them?" Naruto asked.

"What would be the purpose?"

"I…," Naruto thought for a second. What was his reasoning for wanting to find them? After a moment he spoke. "They're my precious friends and loved ones."

"What about the loved ones you have now?"

"It's a little selfish but I want to bring them all together. When we were alive they had to struggle and could never live happy simple lives. We were always fighting. I want to at least give them a happy afterlife. The same goes for those I love now."

"… Very selfish indeed."

"If bringing peace even for a small amount of time will let them have that then I'll do that. I'll bring everyone together."

"So you will change history and bridge the gap?"

"Yes," Naruto answered mentally nodding, "I'll bring peace."

Naruto had his resolve. Where he was about to let despair and sorrow get him he remembered those important to him. He always fought for them and they for him. He owed it to them to at least try.

"So you will take our power and fight for your peace?"

"I will."

"Then Uzumaki Naruto, We grant you the title of Ancient of Day."

"Ancient of Day?" Naruto repeated.

"We have been watching and have decided that you have struggled for your loved ones and your beliefs. You who have taken the greatest of all paths will require the power of a Chosen One. We bestow upon you the power of Absolute Sovereignty."

Naruto was at a loss for words. What did that mean? How would he have access to all these powers?

"It is now time to wake up."

"Wait I have a few more questions."

"Soon all those answers will be answered. For now, it is time to awake from your slumber. Your destiny is not fulfilled yet."

Naruto mentally nodded in acceptance as his vision faded white.

TBC

Revelations of Ancient of Day

(END)

AN: How was the chapter? Be sure to let me know. If you want more about why I decided to go a certain route with the story be sure to check out my blog The World Is Watching. Ozorcard Blogger