Zen Aku woke seeing darkness all around him.

He was dead.

Holding his head he tried to recover the earlier events before he went into this abyss.

He succeeded in doing so.

Earlier that day he and Merrick were walking through a forest when they were attacked by men.

These foot men resembled Putrid's of some sort.

They fought valiantly but these ones were stronger than expected and then they were overpowered.

Thinking quickly Zen Aku used the last of his strength to send Merrick back to Animaria.

Then darkness.

"Greetings Zen Aku" He whipped around trying to found the source of the dark deep voice."

"Who are you? Show yourself!"

"I am the one known as Death god" the Shinigami then appeared in front of Zen Aku.

"What do you want? "

"I will grant you salvation and a new life. "

"And in return? "

"You will guide a boy through trials and suffering. Do you accept? "

"Why me, of all people? "

The Shinigami gave a knowing smirk before fading slowly.

"Long ago you unknowingly prayed for a way to repent now I grant you your wish…"

Zen Aku then gave a pensive hum before finally nodding his agreement.

"Before we part I wish to give you these gifts, knowledge of the world you will now live and the information you need regarding your charge. Farewell we shall meet again someday," with that he vanished smiling at Zen Aku.

…

Zen Aku woke up in a forest hearing a child sob nearby.

He then rose up and walked towards the direction of the sound.

….

Naruto stared up at the figure overshadowing him.

"Greetings child " He froze at the sight of the wolf masked man.

He then asked; "are you Shinigami-sama? "

TBC…