Down the darkened halls of the Hidden Village of Oto, Kabuto walked with a large tray being held in his hand. Upon this tray was six cups and a large drinking bottle along with various food items as well. He came upon a door and used his free hand to open it.

Inside, gathered with the semi-large room, were six of the Orochimaru eight faces; some sitting and some engaging in other task. "My lords..." he says, not failing to notice to sour look Lust was giving him. "...and lady. I apologize for lord Orochimaru's absence as he is preparing Sasuke for an important test he wish's to give him."

"Fine with me seeing as I'm in no hurry to get things started" comes Sloth, leaning back in his chair to get even more comfortable.

"Speak for yourself" growls Wrath. "I just want to get this over and done with."

"You and I both, brother" says Greed, though his desire was different due to his own personal nature.

"Who cares about that" says Gluttony, saliva dripping from his mouth. "The food, the food. Give it to me now."

"Of course, masters" says Kabuto, advancing forward and placing the tray down. Almost immediately, Gluttony had pushed him to the side and was having his way with all the food. "Well, can I offer any of you any drinks at least?" he asked, getting nods from the gathered Faces.

As he pours the drinks, he looks at Envy and ask "By that way, what is so special about today anyways? Lord Orochimaru wasn't to clear on that."

"Today is the day all eight of us have been waiting for, luv" says Lust. "Today, we shall all battle one another so that the strongest among us can take the others into himself or HERSELF and become the one true Orochimaru."

"I see..." says Kabuto as he finish's handing out the drinks. "That makes sense I guess."

"But the question is can we even do it? After all, there's...Pride to consider" says Envy.

"Lord Orochimaru has had me doing examinations on him and together with the data I have obtained and lord Orochimaru's medical knowledge, we believe we have found a way to make the death curse a mute concern. Now, if you excuse me, I must bring Pride here, then I'll inform lord Orochimaru that you are all ready. If you'll excuse me" says Kabuto, bowing respectably before exiting the room.

As he walks down the hall again, heading to the lab where Pride's body was currently resting in and he allows himself a moment to smile just a little. Everything was going as planned. And before this day was over, there would indeed be one Orochimaru in the world; the only true Orochimaru...

Naruto Invoke: Trance Forme

chpt.27: Eight Faced 7: The Treachery

They didn't know the locations name; the place they had come to via the portal system. Everyone was gathered around the funeral mound where the body of elder Mada who had once been known as Amarillo Namikaze now lay.

"Ancient granny...no...Lady Amarillo, thank you for all you have done for us, all your hardships and sacrifices you had to make over your long life. Because of you and the work you did, we have a chance to save this world from experiencing a second age of darkness. I swear we won't fail you" says Naruto as the others bowed their heads in prayer.

He then turned back, taking hold of the torch aglow with fire as did the others. Then, one by one, they each stepped forward and lit the fire upon the pyre. "Grandma..." sniffed Fuu, having known her the longest of all of them. She then began a traditional song sung by the clan she had been born into, a song that was similar in both tone and feel as the one sung by the Senju during funerals.

Hanabi, tears falling from her eyes, hugs Naruto tightly as they all watched as the fire of the pyre rose and soon started consuming Mada's body.

Once the deed had been done and Mada's body had been reduced to ash, Utakata used his bubbles to but out the remaining fire while Gaara used his sand to gather her ash's and placed them within a special urn. The sand then hands the urn to Naruto who then leads them back to the portal sight for this region.

"I'll undergo the training" says Roushi suddenly.

"What changed your mind, old man?" asked Fuu, sounding somewhat bemused by his sudden change.

"I can't say as I don't know myself. But, I suddenly don't feel opposed to it anymore and when I look inside myself, I can no longer find my reasons there" says Roushi. "Perhaps, in my own way, I wish to honor this Mada woman. Maybe I even desire to avenge her despite not really knowing her well."

"I'll accept that" says Fuu. "But don't think it'll be easy training though. You'll have to risk everything you are just to begin it."

"If I must, then I shall do whatever is needed of me" says Roushi.

"That can wait till tomorrow" says Naruto, noting how late the hour was already. "Better to get a full night sleep and have a good breakfast before the trial of Self."

"I agree with that" says Utakata while Gaara nods as well.

Later that night, everyone save two had turned in for tomorrow's training which would be even more intense that ever before due to the resent events. The two who were still awake were Naruto and Hanabi who had business to take care of and had gone into the Casteopa Vault to take care of that business.

Hanabi triggered the activation of the Casteopa; Hegira Falls (Niagara Falls) and they were quick to enter. After exiting a small cave like structure, they took a moment to marvel at the majestic sight of the falls before stepping over the guard rail and onto the water.

Why had they came here? It had been a mental order Mada had placed upon Hanabi that would trigger should she ever die. And that order had been for her, along with Naruto, to enter the Hegira Falls Casteopa and walk upon the waters near the edge to where the message would be waiting.

"Pretty incredible place" notes Naruto as they walked onto the waters. "I just wish our coming here was under better circumstances though."

"I know..." agreed Hanabi, leading him to the spot

Soon, they had arrived at the chosen spot and Hanabi weaves together several hand signs before leaning down and clapping the rushing water. A glow arises from beneath them as water rises up, forming an image of sorts of Mada; but not as an old woman but her true self, Amarillo.

"Naruto, Hanabi, fancy seeing you two here" says Amarillo in a joking fashion, a grin on her face.

"Should have know she's be joking with us at the beginning" says Naruto.

"If you two are here, listening to this message, then it means I'm worm food now, heh heh" she chuckles, then her facial features change as she becomes more serious. "I'm sure you're both wondering why I have called you both here?"

"As my death likely occurred before I could complete certain works and telling you both things you need to know, I created this message to fill in the blanks and give you the information you'll need in order to advance and progress towards saving this world."

After a pause, she continues. "In my explanation, you will learn more about me, my past, and Musashi. You will learn who I suspect this man Tobi, who claims to be Madara Uchiha, may actually be. And, I will tell you about what you must do next, including your forthcoming battle with Kyubi's Yin chakra, Naruto. So listen close now because all of this you will need to know..."

(Oto)

"Sasuke, I have a little mission for you."

"What is it?" asked Sasuke, not really minding as he felt he could do with some fresh air.

"It has come to my attention that a group of rogue ninja have made a base for themselves in the valley not to far northwest of here. While they themselves do not concern me, I have learned that the process a scroll from their former village; a scroll that contains incredibly sensitive data within it. No doubt, they plan on offering this scroll to another village in exchange for asylum."

"And I suppose you want me to obtain this scroll for you, is that right?" asked Sasuke.

"Is this going to be to much for you?" asked Orochimaru.

Sasuke scoffs at the question. "It'll be child's play."

Orochimaru chuckles then says "Good, good, I'm glad to hear that. But, just to be on the safe side. I will be sending some backup along with you."

With those words, the door to Orochimaru's private sanctum open and Kimimaro steps in. But he wasn't alone as there were two others with him. A pale faced youth with white hair and a tough look man with orange hair. "Sasuke, allow me to introduce Suigetsu Hozuki and Jugo. They, along with Kimimaro, will accompany you on this task."

"Is that really necessary?" asked Sasuke. "I won't need any help..." he says, referring to Suigetsu and Jugo. "...and I certainty don't need a babysitter", referring to Kimimaro.

"Kimimaro is going along for the sake of supervising from the distance, not to actually help you on this errand of mine. As for the other two? Well, I thought it would be good if you had your own team to command. After all, I'm sure they can be of use to you" says Orochimaru.

Sasuke looks back at them, then at Orochimaru again and releases a sigh. "Fine." He then walks over to them and stops long enough to say "Try not to slow me down out there, OK?"

Suigetsu grins, saying "Oh, I won't slow you down, big shot. But don't come crying to me if I accidentally cut you with my blade during the battle." Suigetsu then reach's back and places a hand on the handle of the long sword he had hanging from his back, preparing to show it to Sasuke...up close and personal like. But this action is stopped by Jugo.

"Save it for another time. Like during the introductions we can give each other in route" says Jugo, his animalistic rampages being kept in check for the moment thanks to Kimimaro's close presence to him.

"Yeah, sure. Whatever" says Suigetsu, letting go of his blade then following after Sasuke with Jugo behind him.

"How long should I keep them gone, lord Orochimaru?" asked Kimimaro, aware of what today was for his master.

"It should already be finished before you even arrive. But, just to be safe, allow me four hours before returning. Just in case some of them prove more difficult than expected" was Orochimaru's reply.

Kimimaro bows before taking his leave, nearly pumping into Kabuto as he arrived. "They have all gathered and are awaiting. I have also taken the liberty of moving Pride into the room as well, lord Orochimaru."

"Good work, Kabuto" says Orochimaru as he gets up and heads toward the door. "Why don't you come along and observe. After all, this is an event that doesn't come around much and seeing it in person could be very educational for you."

"As you wish" says Kabuto, falling into step beside him.

As they walk down the hall, Kabuto hands the cup he had brought to Orochimaru, saying "Here, I thought you might like some tea before the big moment."

Orochimaru takes the cup and drinks it. "Hm, a new flavor?"

"Just something I came across back in Kiri recently. Does it taste good?" asked Kabuto.

"It serves the taste buds well enough. Though maybe a little more milk mixed in would enhance the flavoring."

"So, how will you get around the death curse old man Sarutobi placed on Pride?" asked Kabuto. "My research didn't turn up anything useful on that matter."

Orochimaru smiles, saying "Don't worry about that. The death curse is no longer an issue for me. In fact, if I were to be brutally honest with you, Kabuto..." They arrive at the room and Orochimaru takes hold of the handle, then looks back at Kabuto and says "...it was never really an issue to begin with."

"But we'll speak on that later..." Orochimaru then opens the door, stepping inside. "So, are we ready...?"

His words stop cold at we he sees before him. Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Lust, and Greed; all six of them were laying on the ground, unmoving. But worse yet was the state their bodies were in as they looked almost...mummified like; skin a cracking gray and the color in their hair faded and their eyes bulging and blood shot.

"What is this?" says Orochimaru, the venom in his voice being potent enough to make most feel as if their blood had frozen. A soft chuckle behind him, coming from Kabuto, catches his ear and makes the snake Sanin spin around, his face contorted into a rage. "KABUTO? What have you done?"

"Did you really think you could hide it? Did you really think I wouldn't figure it out when I examined Pride?" asked Kabuto as he moves forward, passing Orochimaru and stepping into the center of the room.

"My suspicions were born when you asked me to examine Pride, ordering me to use whatever means needed to unlock the mystery of the death curse for your own personal use. I was confused of course, seeing as he was still alive though comatose. Why would you be so indifferent in me doing whatever was needed knowing that it was one of your eight halves and that certain acts could render him unable to merge again with the rest of you to form a whole. It was all quite confusing."

Kabuto then moves back to Pride's body, placing his hand upon the comatose man's chest. "But the thing of it was...that Pride was already dead when you asked me to do the examination. He had died just moments after being curse by the mark. And you had gone in before handing him off to me, making it look like he was still alive when he was not. But why? And why would Pride have died when he was an incomplete entity? A fragment of the true Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru listen closely to Kabuto's words though he already knew the boy had figured out the secret. Question was, just HOW MUCH of the secret did he know? Just to be safe, he was preparing to attack Kabuto should he know to much.

"But he wasn't an incomplete entity, was he? He wasn't a fragment of Orochimaru? No, he had just been cosmetically altered by you and the other Snake's to play a role needed of him. He even had Orochimaru cells injected into him to help him play his role better. Am I right so far?" asked Kabuto.

"Quite perceptive. And here I thought I had done a good enough job to fool even your medical skills" says Orochimaru. "We also gave him false memories as well. He was more than just a stand in. He actually believed himself that he was an Orochimaru fragment."

"I figured as much" says Kabuto, stepping away and walking towards Orochimaru. "Having discovered this shocking truth, two questions were born. If he wasn't the Pride of Orochimaru, then where was the Pride then I puzzled over this conundrum for a while, then realization struck me like a lightning bolt."

Kabuto then stops, pointing at Orochimaru and declares. "It's you, isn't it. You are Pride." Kabuto then walks over to the table and pulls a knocked over chair back up and sits upon it, crossed leg. "I always wondered why you didn't have a designation like the others. But you did. And as the Pride of Orochimaru, you naturally retained both his physical appearance and mannerism. You were the most like the original as pride was his most dominate trait."

"Bravo, Kabuto. Quite perceptive" says Orochimaru, clapping his hands. "And again, you are correct. I am the TRUE Pride of Orochimaru."

"Which leads me to the other question. What about the eighth Orochimaru then? Was it possible that there wasn't eight? Or, had he or she already been consumed by another? But that question didn't stay a mystery for long as an examination of my own blood, following a cut, to see if there was any infections present revealed..."

Seeing that Kabuto knew the full truth, Orochimaru goes to make the first strike with his shadow snakes. But, to his shock, the jutsu didn't activate. Even more than that, his body suddenly began to feel numb as his knees gave out on him and he collapsed.

Kabuto gets up and walks to him. "I am the eighth Orochimaru. The one who didn't look at all like the original. This fact confused me. But then I realized why I looked so different. This body was the physical representation of what Orochimaru would have looked like had his parents not used him in their insane experiments to create a human/Biju hybrid."

"Damn you, Kabuto" growls Orochimaru as he tries to regain movement, but finds his body only becoming more numb instead. "What did you do to me?"

"Say thing I did to them earlier. Oh, by the way. Did you REALLY enjoy that tea I made for you?"

In that moment, Orochimaru understood. It had been the tea. The taste within that made it feel lacking wasn't because it needed a little more milk. Rather, it had been a drug. One potent enough to leave the seven Orochimaru helpless.

Kabuto looks to each of the other Faces, saying "I've already taking what is need from them into myself. All that's left is you." He then reach's out and grabs hold of Orochimaru's chin, making the two of them lock eyes. "I also learned, from them before they died, that I was never given a title of my own, given the fact you sealed my memories to leave one of the eight as weak and incapable of fighting you. So, I have given myself a title even if it is about to become meaningless..."

"I am Orochi-Treachery" says Kabuto. "And now, it is time for us to become one again so that the true Orochimaru can be born once more..."

"KABUTO..." roars Orochimaru as Kabuto got to work on him.

(several hours later)

"Well, that was rather boring" whined Suigetsu as they reenter Oto.

"Funny, I recall that one ninja giving you some trouble before Sasuke stepped in" says Jugo.

"Shut up" shouts Suigetsu. "I was just having an off moment is all. Or do I need to prove it to you right here and..."

"Save it for later, you two" orders Sasuke, looking back at them with his Sharingan activated.

"Fine" growls Suigetsu.

"Anyways, lets go report to Orochimaru now" says Sasuke.

"Wait, you all can go rest now. I'll deliver it personally" says Kimimaro, taking the scroll from Sasuke's hand.

"Oh, I get it. You plan on claiming all the glory for yourself, huh?" shouts Suigetsu.

"And how would he do that, exactly?" asked Sasuke. "His job, as ordered by Orochimaru, was simply to observe which he did. Besides, he's not the type to take credit for the work of others...like a certain someone else here would."

"Why you..." says Suigetsu, preparing to attack but deciding not to when he sees a dangerous look come over Sasuke's eyes.

"Orochimaru will likely be busy working on something that has to do with Ouroborus and will not like anyone other than me interrupting him. Or, if you want to take a risk of being bitten by one of his snakes, then please feel free to go deliver it yourself" says Kimimaro, offering the scroll up.

"Um...no thanks. I need to soak for a while anyways" says Suigetsu before running off. Sasuke and Jugo also take their leave while Kimimaro heads to the room where the ritual would have been held in.

He doubted that Orochimaru would still be there of course, unless the ritual had only just finished up just before their return, but Kimimaro couldn't deny his desire to see the other seven laying hollowed and lifeless upon the ground. Plus, it would let him know ahead of time which one was the one now.

He arrives at the room and opens the door; stepping inside. He only took three steps before freezing in place. Eight bodies were present here. Pride was laying back on a table on the far side of the room. Sloth, Envy, Lust, Wrath, Greed and Gluttony were scattered around here and there. And...Orochimaru himself lay near the door, his own body dead and breaking.

"Wha...what is this?" says Kimimaro, unable to comprehend what he was seeing. Had something gone wrong with the ritual? Had there been an attack? Had that death curse claimed them all after all? He then notices a cloth being held in Orochimaru's hand, torn from the clothing of another.

Kimimaro steps forward and retrieves the cloth, knowing immediately where it had come from. His face darkens, his eyes fill with rage, as he spins around and races from the room. He knew where the killer would be. Entering the chamber of Ouroborus, he sees the killer who was focused on the massive tank which contained the monstrously large white snake.

"KABUTO!" he roars as he charges forward, bones ripping from his body to attack with.

Kabuto turns to look at Kimimaro and in the moment their eyes lock, Kimimaro's whole bodies freezes up and he collapses to his knees. "Ah, Kimimaro. You're back I see. How did the mission go?" asked Kabuto as he approach's him.

What was going on, wondered Kimimaro. Though it was Kabuto's face and form, he was different now. The look in his eyes, his mannerisms, the way he carried himself, the aura he gave off, his speech patterns. It was all like...

"Lord Orochimaru?" asked Kimimaro, getting a grin from Kabuto that only Orochimaru could make. "But...how...?"

"This body was one of my eight fragmented selves. The one you believed to be my pride personified was a fake the true Pride had made as a just in case" says Orochimaru/Kabuto. He then looks back at the tank, adding "Funny, I never would have believed that my final body type would come from the black sheep in the experiment. But, perhaps there is purpose in this being the case."

Orochimaru/Kabuto then explains to Kimimaro all about what had happened after he had left with Sasuke and the other two. Now back on his feet, Kimimaro ask "So, what's the next step then, master?"

Orochimaru/Kabuto raises his hand and places it on the massive tank as the head of the white snake becomes visible in the foggy water. "I will focus on completing Ouroborus here as merging him with me is the next step in fulfilling my parents long desired dream. Also, as I have Kabuto's form as my true form now, I can use Kiri to suit my needs as well seeing as Kabuto is a Kiri ninja as well."

"But what about around here? Will the others be as loyal to you now that you have this new look?"

"That won't be a problem as I can use a transformation jutsu to make them see me as they expect to see me" says Orochimaru/Kabuto, who then chuckles. "Despite a few unexpected turns, the plan is still progressing in the manner I need it to and only time stands between me and my destiny..."

(Sanctuary)

"So, you know what you need to do then?" asked Fuu.

"Overcome the darkness of the Biju's chakra which will manifest itself as a copy of me while in there" says Roushi. "That shouldn't be a problem."

"Don't get cocky. Its that type of attitude that could make you lose in there" warns Fuu. "Just remember, it will be hard and you will be pushed right to the edge."

"I know...I will be victorious" says Roushi before he steps forward into the chamber.

"We can only hope so" says Fuu as the path seals itself off.

"Hey, where are big brother and Hanabi at?" asked Moegi, looking around. "I thought they would be hear to watch as well?"

"Maybe they're still asleep?" says Utakata.

"Things of late haven't been easy for them" adds Gaara. He wasn't just referring to what had happened with Mada either. There was the situation with Hinata having been brainwashed and was still in enemy hands. There was the attack on Senhana and the deaths of many people. And there was the truth about what was going on within the Hyuga Clan; that it was Hizashi who was still alive and Hiashi who was likely dead now.

"I'll go check on them" says Moegi, turning to head into the underground chambers.

"Leave them be for now" says Fuu, making her stop. "They have a lot to think about...worry about. Let the comforts of sleep and dreams keep them for just a little bit longer before they have to awaken to the cruel reality of this world..."

But little did Fuu, or anyone else know, that Naruto and Hanabi were already awake. Down, within the Casteopa Vault, they had finished hearing all of Mada's message and, armed with the knowledge that had been passed onto them, they were now training with even more intensity than ever before.

Naruto, now up to five chakra tails of power and Hanabi, surrounded by the Sage aura Mada had taught her, moved insanely fast and exchanged explosive blows with one another, knowing that in order to save the world, stop Uchiha, and rescue Hinata, they would need to be stronger, smarter, and faster than ever before.

And time was running out...

to be continued...