Cherreads

Chapter 3 - The Wrath of Chains

Chapter 15: The Shadow Beyond the Veil

Word Count: ~6,800+

🌑 The Council in Secret

Beneath the Hyƫga compound, past the polished corridors and ceremonial halls, there was a chamber no outsider had entered in decades.

Its walls were lined with old clan records, scrolls sealed with wax and chakra binding, and documents tracing bloodlines back to before Konoha's founding. The ceiling was low, the air tight, like the past itself refused to be disturbed.

Three elders stood at the center of the room, white-robed, silent, and grim-faced.

"The boy is dangerous," said Elder Kogai.

"He carries the Byakugan, but his blood is
 tainted. Not registered. Not pure," said Elder Mokura.

"And now he grows close with the jinchƫriki," whispered Elder Handa. "This cannot be coincidence."

A servant arrived with a dossier: Academy reports. Mission logs. Surveillance sketches. Nothing concrete—except one troubling fact:

Santos Orozco had no official clan file.

But his chakra signatures reacted violently when near Uzumaki Naruto.

"That kind of resonance
" murmured Kogai. "Is not random."

"Do you believe he is a vessel?" asked Mokura.

"No. But he is bonded to the Nine-Tails host in ways we cannot explain."

They began drawing up a quiet proposal—to have ANBU observe Santos, discreetly.

What they did not know


Was that their own clan head, Hiashi, had already placed protections in place to shield Santos from them.

🍃 A Calm Before the Journey

Far above, unaware of the whispers in the dark, Team 7 prepared to depart.

Kakashi stood beside the village gate in the morning mist, reading a small scroll and chewing on dried fruit like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"This isn't just any mission," he finally said, folding the paper. "We're headed toward a place most shinobi don't return from."

Naruto stretched his arms. "Finally! Something that sounds epic."

Hinata looked nervous, but nodded with resolve.

Santos tightened the wrappings on his katana, the obsidian blade humming faintly at his side. He hadn't said much since Kakashi handed him the mission file last night.

Target: Ruins near the Land of Monsters border.

Objective: Recover a lost scouting team's trail. Possible survivor extraction.

Caution: Unknown terrain. Unstable chakra residue reported.

This place
 it was where his mother had vanished.

He hadn't told anyone—not even Naruto.

But his instincts knew.

I'm going home.

🏞 The Road to the Edge

They traveled by foot, moving swiftly through winding forests and abandoned logging trails. The further they went, the quieter the world became.

Even birds stopped singing past a certain point.

Naruto noticed first.

"Hey
 where'd all the sounds go?"

Kakashi didn't answer.

Haku, walking alongside Hinata, whispered, "There's something wrong with the land here. The trees feel like they're listening."

Hinata shivered.

Santos said nothing. But he could feel it too.

A pull. A distant hum. Like a chain had been hooked deep into his chest, gently tugging him forward.

🏚 The Ruins

By the third day, they found the remains of the scouting team's last camp.

Scattered tents. Burned supply scrolls. Blood on stone, but no bodies.

"Whatever happened here," Kakashi muttered, crouching low, "was fast and precise."

Santos wandered a few feet away, kneeling by a blackened tree root.

He pressed his palm to the soil—and his vision flickered.

A flash of a woman running through fog.

A baby in her arms.

Voices shouting in a language he didn't understand.

A wall of darkness swallowing the horizon.

He gasped and pulled back.

Naruto was by his side in a heartbeat.

"You okay?"

"
Yeah," Santos lied.

🧊 The Mark of Darkness

That night, they made camp under an overhang of crumbled stone—a ruined shrine of sorts, half-swallowed by vines.

Santos wandered the edges alone.

He found an altar, cracked in half. On its surface were etchings in a script he couldn't fully read.

But one word
 he recognized.

Orozco.

His chest tightened.

"You are close," said a voice in the wind.

He spun, hand reaching for his sword—but no one was there.

His chains stirred restlessly inside him, rippling under his skin.

Naruto's voice called from behind: "Hey! Santos! Dinner!"

He didn't move.

đŸ”„ Campfire Confessions

Later, around the campfire, the team sat in a loose circle. The mood was quiet but warm. Kakashi had disappeared "to scout" (or maybe to nap).

Naruto was poking the fire with a stick.

"I used to think I didn't have anyone," he said. "Then I met you guys."

Hinata blushed and looked away.

Haku nodded, her voice soft. "I never thought I'd be part of something like this."

She looked at Naruto.

"You saved me. Even if you don't remember it fully
 that moment changed everything for me."

Naruto blinked. "I
 did?"

Santos smirked quietly.

"You don't remember much after that hit to the head," he said.

Naruto scratched the back of his neck. "Guess I'll take your word for it."

Haku smiled, her eyes lingering on him.

Then Hinata spoke, unexpectedly brave: "I'm glad we're here
 together."

Santos, for a long time, said nothing.

Then: "Me too."

⚔ Unseen Eyes

Miles away, two cloaked figures stood on a cliff overlooking the same valley.

One of them wore an Iwa forehead protector, scratched clean through.

The other's face was covered by a cracked white mask.

"They're getting close," said the Iwa-nin. "The Wraith is here."

"Let them. The ruins are hungry."

"And the boy?"

"
He must awaken. Or die."

They vanished in a flash of earth and smoke.

đŸ§© Final Scene: A Name in the Stone

As everyone settled for the night, Santos returned to the altar under the stars.

This time, he carved something of his own into the stone beneath the word Orozco.

Santos.

He stepped back, breathing deep.

No one would know what he was carving into the land.

But when the world spoke his name


He wanted it to remember where he came from.

Chapter 16: Echoes of the Crown

Word Count: ~6,500+

🌕 Scene 1 – Konoha: Secrets in the Smoke

The Hokage's office was dim. A late-night storm rolled outside the tower, low thunder echoing through the ceiling like warning drums.

Hiashi Hyƫga stood silently near the window, his arms folded behind his back. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat across from him, a faded scroll spread across the desk.

The wax seal had been broken with great care. The paper was fragile—older than it should have been.

"Mission file 091-B," the Hokage said gravely. "Classified beyond ANBU. Even Danzo never saw this one."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed. "This... pertains to Maria Orozco?"

Sarutobi nodded. "She didn't simply vanish."

He slid a document across the desk:

OPERATION: BLACK ROOT — Land of Monsters Expedition

Team: Orochimaru, Tenzen, Hyƫga Akihiro (observer), and Maria Orozco (diplomatic escort)

Objective: Recover ancient kekkei tƍta samples. Test field viability of Phase-Walking Bloodline.

Status: Team MIA. Ruins collapsed. Mission classified under "Cataclysm Suppression."

Hiashi's fingers trembled as he picked up the second scroll. There, in neat handwriting, was a field report by Orochimaru himself.

"The Orozco heir displays unprecedented phasing ability. She was able to walk through living chakra barriers without effort.

I believe she has accessed something
 older than bloodline limiters.

A 'void' chakra. It responds to proximity. It remembers.

The boy inside her
 may be even more valuable."

Hiashi's voice was cold. "He knew she was pregnant."

Sarutobi nodded. "He never returned. Neither did Akihiro. But one of our newer scouts claims to have found remnants near a collapsed shrine—bones, ruined documents, signs of
 rituals."

Hiashi clenched his jaw. "You didn't tell the elders."

"They would've buried it again. We must learn the truth. For him."

Outside, the wind howled.

🌑 Scene 2 – Deep Ruins: The Door Beneath the Stone

Far from Konoha, Team 7 stood before a jagged cliff wall, overgrown with moss and age. Kakashi pressed his palm against the surface. A seal flared—faint, ancient, and fading.

A hidden door slid open.

The air that spilled out was wrong. Cold, dry, and still. Like it had been trapped for generations.

Santos stepped forward, drawn by a force he couldn't name.

"This is it," he whispered.

They descended.

đŸ•Żïž Scene 3 – The Laboratory

The tunnel curved like the spine of some ancient beast. Torches flickered to life as they passed, reacting to their chakra.

What they found at the end was not a ruin.

It was a lab.

Long tables covered in glass vials. Broken scrolls, blackened with time. Maps of chakra pathways. Half-written research notes in Orochimaru's unmistakable hand.

Hinata gasped. "This
 it looks like something from the Snake Sannin's lair."

Naruto nodded grimly. "Same smell."

Santos said nothing. His eyes were drawn to the center of the chamber, where a metal platform rose above the stone.

Strapped to it


Was a skeleton.

Female. Arms and legs locked down with chakra chains fused to the table.

She wore the tattered remains of royal silk—lavender and gold, embroidered with symbols no one recognized. A faded, broken necklace hung from her neck: an Orozco tribal sigil, identical to Santos's.

"
My mother," Santos whispered.

Naruto's breath caught.

Kakashi stepped closer. "No signs of battle wounds. She was kept alive
 drained?"

Haku's eyes filled with tears. "They used her."

They stood in silence until Hinata gasped again—this time pointing to a sealed chamber behind the platform.

Inside a prison-like cell


Was another skeleton.

This one larger. Male.

Wearing robes unmistakably HyĆ«ga—the clan crest still visible on the ruined fabric.

His arms were broken at the elbows, as if he'd fought to escape. His Byakugan eyes
 were missing.

"Akihiro," Hinata whispered. "That must be
"

Santos turned away, fists trembling, eyes shadowed.

Chains began to ripple along his skin.

"They locked him away like a beast. And they bled her like an artifact."

Naruto placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Let's get everything we can. Then we bury them. Properly."

Kakashi nodded solemnly.

🧬 Scene 4 – Notes of the Past

Before they left, Hinata found a fragment of a research log near the base of the altar:

"The fusion between Byakugan perception and phasing-space awareness is unstable. But the child may represent perfect synchronicity.

Orozco Phase-Walking bloodline + Hyƫga Visual Field = void-based awareness?"

Another log nearby:

"They called it 'the Wraith.' A manifestation of chakra that slips through walls and seals, capable of threading through blood itself."

Haku picked it up and looked at Santos.

"It's not just your power. It's your inheritance."

đŸŒ« Final Scene – Beneath the Bones

As they prepared to leave, Santos stood alone before the bodies.

He knelt, touching the rusted chains that once bound his mother.

He whispered something in a language he didn't remember learning.

Then
 silence.

And a pulse of darkness.

A soft shimmer across his skin, like glass folding in on itself.

When he looked up
 tears streaked his face.

"I promise," he whispered, "I'll make them remember you. All of them."

Naruto stood at the threshold.

"You're not alone anymore."

The flames from his torch flickered over the skeletons one last time.

Then they turned and walked away—into the future, and into the storm that still awaited them.

Chapter 17: The Bond They Fear

Word Count: ~8,200+

đŸŒ«ïž Scene 1 — Return Under Heavy Skies

The gates of Konoha loomed through silver fog, rising like a watchful giant beyond the treetops. Most returning shinobi would have sighed in relief. But Team 7 felt no comfort as they approached.

Their steps were slower, burdened not with injury—but knowledge.

They had carried bones, scrolls of forbidden history, and echoes of something much older than war back with them. Something even the earth itself seemed reluctant to release.

Santos walked ahead, silent. He hadn't spoken since the final night in the ruins. The others gave him space. They could feel the air around him shift with his steps, cold and heavy, like shadow coiling just beneath his skin.

The gates opened without a word. Four masked ANBU were waiting. Their armor bore no insignia—silent watchers of the Hokage's will.

"You are to report to the Hokage immediately," one said.

Kakashi gave a short nod. "Understood."

They moved together into the heart of the village, but the walls seemed narrower now, the streets quieter. It wasn't paranoia. Konoha knew something had changed.

And somewhere above them, someone was watching.

🧓 Scene 2 — The Hokage's Office

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat at his desk, the half-burned end of his pipe forgotten between his fingers. Before him lay a table covered in relics:

A shattered tiara.

A scroll sealed in Orozco chakra script.

A sample of blackened bone, humming faintly with chakra.

A torn Hyƫga robe, embroidered with the clan crest.

To his right stood Hiashi Hyƫga, his expression as sharp and unreadable as ever.

When Team 7 arrived, the Hokage rose to his feet.

"You've all done well
 and returned with more than we ever expected."

Kakashi gave a light shrug. "More than I'd prefer, frankly."

Santos stood with arms folded tightly, his obsidian katana across his back. His gaze flicked between Hiashi and Sarutobi—but his words didn't come easily.

Hinata stepped forward. Her voice wavered, but she held her ground.

"The body we found
 I believe the man in the cell was my uncle. Akihiro Hyƫga."

Hiashi lowered his head.

"
Yes. I recognized the chakra in the photos. And the name carved into the cell wall."

Naruto clenched his fists. "He was left there. To die like a prisoner. Like garbage."

Sarutobi's voice was low.

"No one was supposed to know. That mission was buried decades ago
 and not by me."

He handed Santos a scroll. It bore a family seal he had never seen before.

"From Maria Orozco. Recovered near the lab's central chamber. It's addressed
 to her son."

Santos held it with shaking hands.

Inside, the script was broken, rushed. A bloodstain marked the lower half.

If you are reading this
 then I did not survive.

But you did. My son. My light in the void.

You must remember: You are not only of the Orozco. You are more.

The world will fear your truth. But fear is not your enemy.

Forget me if you must. But never forget what you are.

What you carry is not a curse. It is a crown.

His breath caught.

Naruto stepped beside him, quiet. "We'll figure this out. Together."

Santos said nothing. But in his silence, there was trust.

🏯 Scene 3 — The Council of the Old Blood

Later that night, deep in the ancestral chambers of the Hyƫga Clan, the Three Elders gathered beneath ancient lanterns.

The room was circular, lined with tomes and scrolls. The air itself seemed to resist sound.

Elder Kogai's voice grated like stone.

"So. It is true. Akihiro was slain. The Orozco girl was experimented on. The boy lives."

Elder Mokura spat into a bowl. "And the Hokage protected the secret. Even you, Hiashi, remained silent."

Hiashi's eyes narrowed. "Because your kind buries the truth the moment it challenges your control."

Elder Handa leaned forward. "The child—Santos—has unlocked abilities we don't understand. Darkness that merges with chakra. Constructs made of nothing. Phasing."

"And his chakra
" Kogai added, "
resonates with the jinchƫriki."

A pause.

Then Mokura's whisper: "A bond like that
 is unnatural."

Hiashi raised his voice for the first time. "Unnatural? You fear them because they are something we've never seen. But you would rather destroy what you can't control than guide it."

Kogai's hand tightened on his cane. "He is not of our clan."

"No," Hiashi said. "He is of both clans. And he is mine to protect."

The elders said nothing. But their silence was not consent—only delay.

They would not move against Santos openly.

But the storm had begun.

🍃 Scene 4 — Brothers on the Roof

The stars blinked overhead, blurred by the low-hanging mist. On the rooftop of their apartment, Naruto and Santos sat in silence, legs dangling over the ledge.

Neither needed words for a while.

Santos finally broke it.

"
She said I'm not cursed. But it doesn't feel like a crown. It feels like a noose."

Naruto picked at a loose thread in his sleeve.

"You know
 when I was younger, I thought maybe I was born wrong. That something about me made people hate me."

Santos looked over. Naruto smiled—soft, real.

"But then I met you. And I realized
 sometimes the world just doesn't understand what it fears."

There was silence again.

Then Santos murmured, "They think we're dangerous."

Naruto shrugged. "Then we show them what dangerous can do when it's used right."

Santos exhaled slowly. For the first time in days, his grip loosened.

đŸ—Ąïž Scene 5 — Hinata and Haku's Moonlight Walk

Elsewhere, near the stream just past the academy gardens, Hinata and Haku walked in step.

"I'm sorry," Hinata said. "About what happened there. I froze when I saw the cell."

Haku shook her head gently. "You didn't freeze. You breathed. That's how you stayed present."

They sat on the stone bridge, listening to the water.

Haku looked up.

"Do you think it's wrong
 to still want peace? After seeing all that?"

Hinata answered without hesitation.

"No. I think wanting peace after everything is the bravest thing we can do."

Their fingers brushed once. Neither pulled away.

🧬 Scene 6 — Sarutobi's Decision

Back in his tower, the Hokage read Maria's letter again.

Then another.

A letter from Akihiro to his daughter, never sent.

Hinata. If I do not return, know this: I served my clan with honor. But I died serving love. The boy we protect may one day wield power beyond comprehension. But I have seen his eyes
 and I know they are kind. Protect him as you would a brother. For in him, you will find more than blood. You will find hope.

Hiruzen turned to the window.

He gave the order:

"Increase silent surveillance. And prepare a file for Jiraiya. The child must be seen. Before someone else finds him first."

⚙ Final Scene — The Shrine Awakens

That night, Santos returned alone to the shrine he and Naruto had rebuilt—the one where the ancient stone bore the names Uzumaki and Orozco.

He lit a single candle.

He whispered his parents' names.

The flame flared blue.

Then a glyph activated on the far wall—ancient chakra script only he could read.

"Two lines intertwined. One of fire. One of shadow."

A seal pulsed.

And something behind the wall
 began to stir.

Santos stepped back, eyes wide.

"It's not over," he murmured.

"It's only just beginning."

Chapter 18: Shadows and Scales

Word Count: ~5,500+ (Part 1)

☁ Scene 1: The Mission Briefing

Team 7 sat in a cleared training field just before dusk, surrounded by falling leaves and the low buzz of summer insects. The warm light dappled across the dirt, casting long shadows behind each of them.

Kakashi Hatake stood at the front, arms folded over his flak vest, his usual relaxed demeanor more focused than usual.

Behind him, Haku, newly incorporated into the team, knelt quietly next to Hinata, who tried her best to hide her nerves. Naruto sat cross-legged, bouncing with excitement. Santos, as always, was quiet, leaning against a tree with his arms folded, shadows flickering faintly beneath his skin like they were breathing.

Kakashi's eye narrowed. "You've all been approved for the Chƫnin Exams."

Naruto whooped, pumping a fist into the air. "Finally!"

"But this year," Kakashi continued, "there won't be a written test. The first stage will take place in the Forest of Death. It's a survival and combat scenario."

Hinata's voice was soft but firm. "We'll be competing against other teams from every major village, won't we?"

"Yes. Including those from Suna, Kumo, and even Kiri," Kakashi said. "Many of them are dangerous. Lethal."

Santos tilted his head slightly. "That's fine."

His voice was calm. Too calm.

Kakashi studied him for a moment. "I know you've all trained. But once you enter that forest, it's kill or be killed. I want no heroics. If one of you is hurt, fall back. You win as a team—or you don't win at all."

Naruto and Haku nodded together.

Santos stared ahead, unreadable. But he finally said, "Understood."

🐍 Scene 2: Orochimaru's Confession

Far from the walls of Konoha, beneath the warped roots of a poisoned forest, Orochimaru stood in a dark chamber.

A line of glass vats flickered faintly, each filled with fluids, bones, or preserved tissue. Scrolls were spread on a long stone table, inscribed with bio-seals and chakra diagrams far beyond anything conventional medicine could explain.

He spoke aloud—though no one was there.

"To think
 I held it in my hands. Eighty percent of the Nine-Tails' chakra—ripped away in the chaos of the KyĆ«bi attack." Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed in the low light. "And still Kurama lives. Still it regenerates."

He turned, revealing a data chart.

"Komodo dragon DNA. Incredibly regenerative. Predatory. Patient.

Bat DNA. Sensory superiority. Echolocation. Nightborn.

Nine-Tails' chakra. Raw power. Rage. Immortality."

He gestured toward an empty stasis pod, dust covering its seal.

"I combined them. My own tailed beast. The first of its kind."

His voice twisted with bitterness.

"I attempted to seal it into a clan heir—an ideal vessel. Strong, fertile chakra. But the sealing failed. Her body rejected it. She
 died."

A pause.

"She was pregnant. I didn't know."

He clicked his tongue and turned away from the empty pod.

"It doesn't matter. The beast was lost. Dissipated. The project was deemed a failure."

He walked toward a separate table, where a folder lay half-burned.

"I sold the child to a traveling bio-engineer. A throwaway life. Nothing more."

Orochimaru gave a faint smirk, unaware of the truth:

The beast was not lost.

It had chosen the child.

And it had waited
 growing quietly alongside him.

đŸŒČ Scene 3: The Forest of Death Begins

The exam began without ceremony.

Team 7 stood at the massive gates of the Forest of Death, tension rippling in the air like the buzz of chakra.

Each team had one goal: survive, collect two scrolls—one "Heaven," one "Earth"—and reach the tower in the center of the forest in five days.

Within minutes of entering, they were already being stalked.

Santos took point, dark chains coiled loosely around his arms, ready to spring at the first sign of danger. Haku and Hinata moved quietly behind him, while Naruto muttered to himself about being hungry.

They barely made it half a kilometer before the trap was sprung.

A massive blast tag-imbued kunai exploded next to a tree, sending Santos flying through the air. He struck the ground hard, vision swimming.

Everything went black.

🐉 Scene 4: The Mindscape — "Give Me a Name"

Santos stood alone in a swirling black void.

Chains floated in the air around him like constellations, each one glowing faintly with blue-purple chakra. Then, through the veil of shadows, a giant presence approached.

He turned.

Towering before him was a monstrous yet majestic dragon with nine tails—each tail flickering like ribbons of ink dipped in firelight. Its scales shimmered like obsidian glass, ridged and sharp, with eyes glowing a soft violet hue.

Its wings stretched impossibly wide, folding slowly as it stepped forward.

Santos felt no fear.

Only warmth.

"You've returned," the beast said, its voice resonant and ancient.

Santos frowned. "I've
 seen you before. In dreams. In glimpses."

The dragon nodded. "I have always been with you. Since before you took your first breath."

Santos stepped forward. "What are you?"

The dragon rumbled, lowering its head to eye level. "I am your shadow. Your fire. Your guardian and your burden."

A pause. Then, gently: "Name me."

Santos blinked. "You
 don't have one?"

"I was born in silence. I have only known your heartbeat. Your rage. Your sorrow. Name me, and I will be yours."

Santos stepped closer. "Then I'll call you
 Ryuk."

The dragon's eyes flared with light. "A fine name. Santos Orozco, my vessel
 my kin."

Santos swallowed. "I'm not afraid of you."

Ryuk smiled, just a little. "Good. Then rise. And fight."

đŸ©ž Scene 5: The Wake and the Sand

Santos's body surged with chakra as his eyes shot open.

The impact wound on his side had stopped bleeding. His shadow chains retracted like snakes returning to his veins.

He stood just in time to hear Naruto shout, "GAARA?!"

A wave of sand surged from the treeline, smashing into a fallen tree, exploding it into splinters.

Hinata pulled Haku back, shielding them both.

Gaara emerged from the cloud of debris, calm as ever, face painted in eerie serenity. His gourd hissed as sand spilled to the ground like blood from an open wound.

Santos stepped forward, expression unreadable.

"Get back," he told Naruto quietly.

"But—"

"Back."

Ryuk's presence swelled within him, no longer a voice, but a steady heartbeat in his bones.

Santos raised both arms.

Shadow chains shot from the ground, coiling around him like serpents preparing to strike.

Gaara blinked once.

Then the air split apart with violence.

(Forest of Death: The Wraith Awakens)

đŸŒȘ Scene 6: The Pulse of Power

Gaara's pupils contracted.

Something was wrong.

The boy standing before him—this dark-skinned shinobi with long, wild curls and glowing veins of darkness writhing beneath his skin—was wrong. His chakra didn't just feel heavy



it felt ancient, like the kind of chakra that came from things that weren't meant to exist.

Chains of condensed shadow slithered up Santos's arms, cracking like whips and coiling through the trees. One wrapped around his own waist like a belt; another split into barbs shaped like fangs.

The sand around Gaara stirred defensively on instinct. The gourd on his back pulsed.

"What is this?" Gaara murmured.

Inside him, Shukaku screamed.

"RUN, YOU FOOL!" the tanuki bellowed. "THAT THING ISN'T HUMAN—MOVE!!"

It was too late.

Santos vanished.

No hand seal. No flicker of movement.

Just pure shadow-step.

Gaara barely twisted his body aside as a massive black fist of pure darkness slammed into the sand where he'd stood—sending a shockwave that cracked the earth.

He recoiled, eyes wide.

He's fast
!

No. Not fast. Untouchable.

He saw nothing.

Only the glint of purple light as Santos reappeared inches from his face.

"You should have stayed hidden," Santos whispered.

Gaara's sand armor didn't react in time.

Santos punched him square across the face.

The sound was like thunder.

Gaara's body went limp, his sand failing to catch him before he crashed into the dirt. His gourd cracked. His chakra stuttered.

For the first time in his life, Gaara of the Sand was unconscious.

⛓ Scene 7: A Name That Echoes

Naruto and Hinata stood frozen. Haku held them both back with one arm, not taking her eyes off Santos.

The aura around him was almost unbearable—like staring into a void that looked back.

He walked slowly toward Gaara's body, shadow chains dragging behind him like silent serpents.

One looped forward.

Then stopped.

Santos exhaled slowly, shoulders relaxing as Ryuk's presence receded within him.

The chains unraveled and slithered back into his arms.

"Not today," he said coldly.

From the brush, Temari and Kankurƍ emerged, eyes wide with panic. They'd seen everything.

Temari took one step toward Gaara.

Santos raised a hand.

Chains slammed into the ground at her feet.

"You can take your brother," he said quietly, "but leave the scroll. And leave fast."

Kankurƍ looked like he was about to argue—until one of the shadow chains split open into rows of jagged teeth.

They dropped their Earth Scroll without a word.

Temari gently picked up Gaara, trembling.

"
Thank you," she whispered, barely audible.

Santos didn't answer.

He turned his back and walked toward his team.

🌘 Scene 8: Aftermath and Reflection

The tension didn't lift right away.

Santos stood with his back to the others, breathing slowly, as the chains faded back into nothing.

Naruto walked over cautiously, then smiled.

"That was insane, man. You really knocked him out. I mean—Gaara!"

Santos gave a faint grunt.

Hinata approached more gently, placing a hand on his arm.

"
Are you okay?"

He looked down at her, the dark energy finally ebbing from his body.

"I'm fine. Ryuk kept me grounded."

"Ryuk?" she echoed.

He smiled softly, only for a moment. "My partner. The one inside me."

Haku's gaze lingered on him, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.

"
That wasn't just some Kekkei Genkai," she said. "That was something else."

Santos nodded. "It's mine. That's all that matters."

No one questioned it further.

But deep down, Naruto couldn't shake the feeling that Santos's power wasn't just great.

It was terrifying.

🏯 Scene 9: Surveillance Room – Konoha's Hidden Monitors

The air inside the dimly lit observation chamber was tense.

Screens lined the wall—chakra-fed orbs projecting live feeds from within the Forest of Death. Several Jƍnin, ChĆ«nin proctors, and a few village elders stood in shocked silence.

But at the center of it all, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, sat rigidly in his chair, his aged fingers steepled together in front of his mouth. The glow of the crystal orb cast a pale shimmer across his face.

To his right stood Hiashi Hyƫga, arms crossed, his Byakugan activated. Beside him loomed Koh, the Hyƫga clan's elder adviser.

And in the moment currently frozen across multiple screens, they all saw it.

A dark-skinned boy, shirtless, cloaked in sentient shadow and forged chains, had knocked out the jinchƫriki of the One-Tail.

Hiashi narrowed his eyes. "
That chakra. I've never seen anything like it. Even with my Byakugan, I can barely follow it."

One of the elders spoke harshly, "That wasn't chakra. That was a tailed beast's killing intent."

Another monitor replayed the blow Santos had delivered to Gaara—so fast the camera barely registered it. The resulting shockwave cracked boulders and sent birds flying from miles around.

"I've studied jinchƫriki," muttered a senior ANBU commander. "That wasn't a full transformation, but whatever it was
 it scared the One-Tail enough to shut down."

Koh turned to Hiruzen. "You told us the boy was of interest, Lord Hokage. But you failed to mention he was a possible jinchƫriki."

Hiruzen's lips pressed into a thin line. He sighed heavily. "Because I wasn't sure."

Hiashi's eyes remained on the screen. "And now?"

The old Hokage turned his gaze to the crystal orb, watching as Santos quietly let Temari and Kankurƍ take Gaara, claiming their scroll without pride or cruelty. The boy looked back at his team—not triumphant, but focused.

Hiruzen closed his eyes.

"
Now, I am."

đŸ§© Scene 10: Private Aside – Hiashi and Hiruzen

Later, in the Hokage's personal office, the glow of candles flickered against the walls as Hiashi and Hiruzen sat alone, the tension between them heavy.

Hiashi was the first to speak.

"You've known for some time that he carried something inside him."

Hiruzen nodded slowly. "Yes. But I didn't know what."

Hiashi frowned. "You suspected he was related to the Orozco clan—the same clan my cousin Akihiro fell in love with
 before vanishing in the Land of Monsters."

"I suspected," Hiruzen admitted, placing a file on the desk. "The boy is a living contradiction. The Byakugan, yet not born in the clan. A chakra signature that matches neither Uchiha, Uzumaki, nor HyĆ«ga—something else entirely."

Hiashi opened the file and studied it silently. It held a blurry photo from a lab: a woman in ceremonial robes, clearly pregnant, clearly of noble birth
 and a failed sealing tag burned into the floor beneath her.

"She died before childbirth," Hiashi murmured.

"But not before she was sealed," Hiruzen added grimly. "And Orochimaru was there."

Hiashi's face darkened.

"You think the tailed beast—that dragon—was meant for her?"

Hiruzen nodded. "But it sealed itself
 into the unborn child."

He stood and walked to the window, staring down at the Hokage Monument. "He doesn't know the full truth yet. Not about the beast. Not about his mother. Or the monster that sold him off like spare parts."

Hiashi slowly closed the file. "What do we do when he finds out?"

Hiruzen glanced over his shoulder. His expression was unreadable.

"We pray
 he still sees us as family."

Chapter 19: The Wraith Unleashed

The Chains Move When the Heart Does

đŸ„‹ Scene 1: Preliminaries Begin – The Arena Floor

The lights of the underground arena flickered to life, revealing the broad circular floor where each genin would prove their worth.

The crowd of competitors stood quietly around the edge, tension rippling like a storm under calm waters. High above, the Hokage, jƍnin instructors, and medical teams watched from balconies. Among them, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Gai observed silently.

Down below, Anko Mitarashi stood in the center like a knife in the sand.

"Alright, brats," she called. "This is where the weak drop and the strong step forward."

The screen flared to life—two names spinning fast before stopping with a loud ding.

First Match: Haku Yuki vs. Rock Lee

Lee's eyes lit up instantly. "A worthy opponent! I shall give this everything I have, Haku-san!"

Haku bowed politely. "I look forward to it."

As the two stepped into the ring, Tenten stood off to the side with her arm in a sling, clearly frustrated but silent. She glanced at Neji, who stood watching the fight carefully—not out of worry, but calculation.

Hinata, Naruto, and Santos stood shoulder to shoulder, eyes locked on the match.

"You think Haku can handle him?" Naruto asked.

"She's faster," Hinata said softly. "But Lee's taijutsu is something else."

Santos didn't speak. He was watching Lee with analytical precision—more interested in his reaction time than his strikes.

❄ Scene 2: Haku vs. Lee

The moment the match began, Lee charged with no hesitation. His fists blurred as he lunged, spinning and kicking with fluid precision. Haku bent like a reed in the wind, her feet gliding over the floor as she dodged.

Crack—whoosh—snap.

Their strikes lit up the air with bursts of chakra and impact. Lee's attacks were relentless. But Haku was like mist.

Suddenly, she spun midair, clapping her hands together—and a mirror of ice shot up behind her, catching Lee's heel strike just in time.

"You're not the only one who's fast," she whispered.

Lee grinned, even as his foot numbed from the contact.

"Then I'll move faster."

He dropped his weights.

The floor shook.

Hinata gasped. Naruto's jaw dropped.

Lee vanished.

The flurry of movement that followed was a blur of afterimages and sharp impacts. Haku was pushed to her limit, using a ring of ice mirrors to shield herself—but she never lost control.

At the last moment, when Lee came in with a powerful drop-kick, she phased out of the way, catching him in a cage of ice shards from all sides.

"Yield," she said gently, "or I'll pierce your pressure points."

Lee, breathing heavily, froze—then slowly raised his hand.

Anko called it. "Winner: Haku Yuki!"

The crowd murmured in awe. Even Kakashi arched an eyebrow.

Neji watched in silence.

So did Gaara.

🌀 Scene 3: The Matches Continue (Canon Order)

The next fights proceeded as they did in the original timeline—blow by blow, clash by clash:

Shikamaru vs. Kin – Kin's sound genjutsu proved tricky, but Shikamaru's shadow strategy turned the tables. He won with minimal effort and a deep sigh.

Kiba vs. Naruto – Kiba underestimated Naruto's unpredictability. Naruto, surprisingly tactical, pulled off the upset.

Hinata vs. Neji – An emotionally charged match that left Hinata bloodied but proud. Despite her loss, she refused to give up. Santos clenched his fist through the whole match.

Temari vs. Shikamaru – Postponed. Shikamaru will fight her in the finals.

Sasuke vs. Yoroi – Sasuke used stolen taijutsu and bursts of cursed-seal chakra. Dangerous. Effective. But Kakashi noticed his student's body was under strain.

Gaara vs. Dosu – A massacre. Dosu didn't stand a chance. The arena needed a new floor.

Then


The screen spun one final time for the finals match-up announcements.

🧿 Scene 4: The Brackets Form — Fate Drawn

The screen flashed each name and matchup one by one.

Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka

Sasuke Uchiha vs. Gaara of the Sand

Shikamaru Nara vs. Temari

Haku Yuki vs. Shino Aburame

Santos Orozco vs. Neji Hyƫga

Everyone turned as the last name echoed in the arena.

Neji's eyes narrowed.

Santos, standing tall and quiet in the back, slowly looked up.

His gaze met Neji's across the floor. No emotion. No intimidation.

Just a cold, focused calm.

Neji's mind raced: Byakugan. Chains. Shadow chakra. He's not part of the clan. Who is he?

Santos's mind: He hurt Hinata. Made her cry. I'll make sure he never does it again.

A shadow rippled briefly behind Santos as Ryuk stirred in his soul.

"Crush him," Ryuk whispered. "Make the cage collapse."

Chapter 20: Fang and Phantom

"Even the loudest dog can't silence a storm."

🌀 Scene 1: Prelim Match – Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka

The arena buzzed with excitement.

From the upper balconies, jƍnin and clan elders leaned forward. The Hokage watched with his typical calm, while Kakashi, Kurenai, and others kept a close eye on their students.

At the bottom of the stone steps, Naruto stretched his arms behind his head.

"You ready, mutt-boy?"

Kiba smirked, crouched beside Akamaru. "Hope you've got someone to carry you home after this, loser."

Akamaru barked sharply, echoing the confidence.

Santos, standing beside Hinata in the crowd, narrowed his eyes.

"He's trying to embarrass him," he muttered.

Hinata looked worried, wringing her fingers. "Naruto-kun can win
 if he doesn't get reckless."

"Let's see if he learned anything."

The proctor raised a hand. "Begin!"

Kiba shot forward with impressive speed, dropping to all fours mid-dash. He blurred, enhanced by his clan's beast mimicry technique.

Naruto dodged the first strike—but barely. Kiba's clawed fist grazed his cheek.

"Fang Over Fang!" Kiba and Akamaru spun into twin drills of wild chakra and force, shredding the arena floor as they carved toward Naruto.

Dust exploded on impact. Everyone flinched.

Kiba grinned—until the dust settled and Naruto stood, bruised but smiling.

"C'mon, that's it?" Naruto chuckled. "You hit like a squirrel."

Kiba growled. "You idiot. Akamaru, transformation!"

The small white pup turned into a clone of Kiba.

Now there were two.

Naruto blinked. "Aw, come on. Two of you? I barely like one!"

They came at him together—fists and claws flying.

Naruto took some hits, rolling, dodging, but slowly analyzing.

He formed a hand seal. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Four Narutos sprang into existence.

The two Kibas clashed with the clones in chaos—until Naruto took a big gamble. He grabbed one of the fake Kibas and slammed him to the ground—transforming into Akamaru mid-crash.

"Found you!"

With the real Kiba distracted, Naruto pulled a surprise combo:

He headbutted Kiba, punched him midair, and finished with a surprise Naruto Uzumaki Barrage that echoed across the whole arena.

Kiba landed flat on his back.

Akamaru tried to bark in warning—but Naruto had already tied him up in ninja wire, gagged with a leaf.

Kiba struggled to rise—but couldn't.

Proctor: "Winner: Naruto Uzumaki!"

Naruto cheered, pumping his fist toward the sky.

Hinata beamed, clapping for him, whispering, "You did it
"

Santos
 didn't smile, but he gave the faintest nod.

"That was smart," he said quietly. "He's learning."

đŸ”„ Scene 2: Prelim Match – Santos Orozco vs. Neji HyĆ«ga

The moment Naruto's body was pulled from the arena, the screen above flashed again.

Next Match: Santos Orozco vs. Neji Hyƫga

A sudden silence rippled through the crowd.

Even the Hokage leaned forward slightly.

Neji stepped onto the floor with slow, practiced ease. Confident. Arrogant. Still riding high after crushing Hinata.

Santos descended without a word—barefoot on the stone, shirtless under the arena lights. His chains shimmered faintly at his back, visible to few.

The Hyƫga elders in the stands muttered to themselves.

"He's not one of ours."

"And yet
 he carries the eye."

The proctor looked between them.

"Ready?"

Santos didn't blink.

Neji activated his Byakugan, veins bulging.

"Begin!"

⚔ Scene 3: Chains and Fate

Neji struck first.

He dashed in with a perfect opening strike aimed at Santos's shoulder joint—looking to shut down his tenketsu.

But when his palm hit


It phased through.

Neji's eyes widened.

Santos was gone—replaced by a black blur.

A shadow chain whipped around Neji's arm and pulled him off balance.

Santos reappeared, ghost-like, from behind him.

"You shouldn't have made her cry," he said calmly.

Neji twisted and struck again—this time aiming for the heart.

Santos let the attack land—but again, his body melted into darkness, and Neji's palm met nothing but cold shadow.

From above, Kakashi narrowed his eye. "He's using his phasing ability in sync with his chains now
"

"It's not substitution. It's intangibility," whispered one Hyƫga elder.

"Impossible."

Neji backed up now, wary.

"You think just because you have power, you're above fate?" he snapped. "Hinata was always weak. You're no different."

Santos raised his hand.

A forest of chains exploded from the ground, barbed and swirling around Neji like black iron vipers.

"I'm not trying to change fate," Santos said. "I'm here to shatter it."

Ryuk stirred within him.

"Finish this. Break his cage."

Santos lunged.

Chains slashed forward—controlled, precise.

Neji's palms blurred as he tried to use Rotation—but Santos's chains snared his feet, disrupting the spin.

A black fist of darkness struck Neji in the ribs—sending him flying backward.

He skidded, tried to rise, but Santos was already there.

One more punch—phased in and out to avoid palm strikes—connected with Neji's chest, right above the heart.

Neji gasped, dropping to one knee.

"Y-you
"

Santos stood over him. Calm. Merciless.

"You think being born into a clan makes you strong," he said, voice low. "It just makes you entitled."

Neji collapsed.

Proctor raised a hand. "Winner: Santos Orozco!"

🧿 Scene 4: After the Storm

From the stands, Naruto let out a long whistle. "Remind me not to get on his bad side."

Hinata stared, eyes wide. There was no malice in Santos—but there was no mercy either.

He walked quietly off the arena floor.

As he passed by Neji, he muttered, just loud enough:

"Next time you want to fight a Hyƫga
 pick one who'll forgive you."

Chapter 21: The Calm Before the Storm

"Time sharpens the blade that will change the world."

🌾 Scene 1: Team 7 Regroups

The underground arena slowly emptied.

The dust had settled, the blood had dried, and the names of the finalists were etched into the minds of everyone present.

But in one quiet corner of the corridor beyond the arena, Team 7 stood in a quiet cluster.

Naruto leaned against the wall, grinning but clearly bruised. Haku stood beside him, graceful as always, while Hinata sat on the bench with her hands in her lap, avoiding eye contact with everyone—especially Neji, who had been carried off by medics.

Santos leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, his long curly hair hanging loose around his shoulders, sweat and blood still drying on his bare chest. His eyes, silver and bright with the Byakugan, were unreadable.

"
You really crushed him," Naruto finally said, trying to break the silence.

"I held back," Santos replied simply.

Hinata looked up sharply.

"He hurt you," he added, turning to her. "I wasn't going to let that go."

Hinata's face turned red. She nodded slowly, her lips pressing into a faint smile.

"You defended me. Thank you
"

Santos didn't reply right away. Instead, he walked past her, gently placing his hand on her shoulder.

"He didn't win because of fate," he said. "He won because you weren't fighting for yourself. Next time
 you will."

Naruto's eyes flicked from Hinata to Santos, then to Haku, who gave a small approving nod.

This team wasn't just strong—they were bonded.

Each of them carried pain. Each of them carried purpose.

🧠 Scene 2: The Elders React

Up above, in the Hokage's private chamber, several high-ranking officials had gathered after the match: Hiashi Hyƫga, a few Hyƫga elders, the Third Hokage, and Inoichi Yamanaka, who had been reviewing memory reports on Santos.

The crystal orb replayed the final moments of Santos's fight—his precise strikes, his phasing ability, and the chains of shadow that obeyed his thoughts like living weapons.

One elder hissed through his teeth.

"Those chains
 they're not of chakra alone."

"No," Inoichi agreed, voice troubled. "His memories still block certain truths. Whatever that boy is—he's not just HyĆ«ga, and he's certainly not fully human."

Hiashi stood silently, hands clasped behind his back. He had known for some time—seen glimpses in the boy's eye, in his stance, in his pain. This wasn't just some accident of fate.

"That boy has the blood of the Orozco royal line," Hiashi said at last.

"And something far older sealed inside him."

The other elders stiffened. "You should have told us—!"

"I told the Hokage. That was enough."

The Third Hokage took a deep drag from his pipe. "Santos may become Konoha's greatest ally
 or its greatest threat."

📣 Scene 3: The Announcement

Later that afternoon, all the remaining genin finalists were gathered in the main exam hall—Naruto, Gaara, Haku, Temari, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Shino, and Santos.

The Hokage stepped forward.

"You've all shown tremendous skill and growth during this exam. But the finals will determine whether you are ready to rise beyond genin. The audience will include lords, daimyƍ, and leaders from every Hidden Village."

The genin straightened, tense.

"There will be a one-month break before the finals. During that time, you may rest, train, and prepare. Use this time wisely."

Sasuke immediately turned to Kakashi.

Naruto scratched his head. "One month? That's forever."

Santos said nothing, his gaze distant.

In his chest, Ryuk stirred. "Your name will spread, little shadow. Are you ready?"

He didn't answer.

Not yet.

Chapter 22: Brothers in Shadow and Light – Part 1

"If you want one, you get both."

🍜 Scene 1: A Quiet Dinner

The warm scent of rice and grilled fish filled the small apartment as Santos and Naruto sat at the dinner table, chopsticks clinking softly against their bowls. The humble space had once been Naruto's dingy home—but since moving in with Santos, it had grown cleaner, cozier. They had fixed the windows, hung a few simple scrolls, and even reinforced the roof tiles.

Santos didn't speak much during meals, but Naruto didn't seem to mind. The silence between them had become a kind of language—respect without words.

Still, tonight felt different. Tension swirled under the surface.

Naruto finally broke it with a mouthful of rice. "You think I'll be ready for the finals?"

Santos, slowly chewing, gave a slight nod.

"You're getting there."

Naruto grinned. "You're not worried about your fight against Neji, are you?"

Santos smirked faintly. "I already fought him."

"Oh. Right." Naruto scratched his head, then blinked. "Wait. That's right—you beat him. Hard."

Santos raised a brow. "You were there, dumbass."

They both chuckled, the rare sound echoing through the room.

Just then—

BOOM BOOM BOOM!

A loud knock shook the front door like a battering ram. Naruto froze, rice still in his mouth.

"
You expecting someone?" he asked.

"No," Santos said, already standing.

The knock came again—louder, faster, heavier.

"Open up!" came a deep, booming voice. "Naruto Uzumaki! You're coming with me!"

Naruto flinched. "Uh. Nope. Don't like that."

He walked over cautiously, cracked the door open—

And was instantly grabbed by the collar and yanked into the hallway.

"WHAT THE—?!"

Santos blurred forward from the table, his eyes glowing faintly white.

Darkness rippled from his body, forming a chain spear that shot forward—aiming straight for the man holding Naruto.

But—

The stranger vanished, leaving only smoke behind.

Santos's spear cracked the wall instead.

A laugh echoed above.

"Whoa now! You've got some serious reflexes, kid!"

They looked up.

Standing on the ceiling like it was the ground, arms crossed and smiling with pure mischief, was a tall, muscular man in red and green robes. His white mane of hair flowed behind him, and red lines ran down his cheeks like war paint.

Naruto blinked. "Huh?! Who the hell are you?"

The man struck a dramatic pose.

"I am none other than the mighty, the pervy, the Legendary Sannin—Jiraiya of the Toads!"

Silence.

Santos didn't lower his stance.

"
You kidnapped my brother."

"Kidnapped?!" Jiraiya scoffed, leaping down. "I was inviting him to a life-changing training trip! Gotta be dramatic sometimes, you know?"

Naruto dusted himself off. "So
 you're that Jiraiya guy Pervy Sage?"

"I prefer 'Master Jiraiya,' but I'll take it."

Then his expression turned serious.

"I came because I want to train you, Naruto. Teach you to control the Nine-Tails' chakra—and to survive what's coming."

Naruto blinked. "Wait—what's coming?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "Trouble. Big, creepy, snake-eyed trouble."

Santos narrowed his eyes. "You're talking about Orochimaru."

That got Jiraiya's attention. He turned to Santos, studying him more carefully now.

"
You're the Orozco kid, aren't you?"

Santos's brow furrowed. "How do you know that?"

Jiraiya scratched his chin. "Let's just say I keep tabs on interesting stories. And you? You're one of the most interesting ones in years."

Naruto folded his arms. "Well, I'm not going anywhere without Santos."

Santos looked at him.

Naruto shrugged. "What? You're my brother. I'm not going on some wild super ninja trip without you."

Jiraiya raised a brow. "
You sure about that?"

Santos nodded. "If he goes, I go."

There was a pause. Then the Sannin grinned wide.

"
Alright then. I was only planning to train one knucklehead, but looks like I get a two-for-one special."

He winked at Santos.

"Besides
 you've got a beast inside you too, don't you?"

Santos stiffened—but said nothing.

Jiraiya's smile faded slightly. "I don't know what you're carrying—but I felt it. That power on the bridge? That wasn't normal."

Naruto tilted his head. "What is he talking about?"

Santos shook his head. "Nothing. Let it go."

Jiraiya sighed. "Alright, alright. Secrets later. Packing first. We leave tomorrow at sunrise. You two better be ready."

He waved and poofed out in a cloud of smoke.

Naruto scratched his head. "Man, he's weird. But kinda cool."

Santos turned to the cracked wall.

"
He dodged my spear. In midair."

Naruto smirked. "Guess that means he's got something to teach even you."

Santos almost smiled.

"
Maybe."

Chapter 23: Shadows Without a Name

"He disappeared without a sound... but left a silence louder than fear."

đŸŒ«ïž Scene 1: Gone Without a Trace

It had been three days.

Three long days since Santos vanished in the middle of the summoning technique.

Naruto paced furiously around the camp, dragging his fingers through his hair. "Where is he?! What do you mean you don't know where he went?!"

Jiraiya, for once, wasn't smiling.

"I told you, kid—he didn't go to Mount Myƍboku. He didn't even summon anything. It was like
 the jutsu backfired. Or maybe it did something else entirely."

Naruto glared up at him, his blue eyes blazing with worry. "So fix it!"

Jiraiya sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "That's not how summoning works. The scroll connects you to one clan of creatures. If Santos didn't sign the toad scroll, then whatever he summoned—wasn't a toad."

"
You think it was something else?"

Jiraiya gave him a sharp look.

"I think Santos didn't summon a creature at all.

I think something... summoned him."

đŸ•łïž Scene 2: In the Realm of Shadows

Meanwhile—

Santos stood at the edge of a narrow stone bridge that hovered over a seemingly endless abyss, lit only by glowing lines of chakra that pulsed beneath the surface like veins.

The bat-dragon that met him earlier—now revealed to be named Valek—hovered just behind him.

"This place is where spirits once merged with beasts," Valek explained. "Not all tailed beasts were created
 some were forged."

Santos's body felt heavier here—but more attuned. His chains reacted to his emotions. They flicked and curled at his feet even when he stood still.

"Your bond with Ryuk was never artificial," Valek continued. "He did not invade you. He was born with you."

Santos turned. "
We're the same."

"You are two halves of a whole," the dragon replied.

"When he was sealed
 he cried out. But your soul was the only one that heard him. That is why he grew up with you."

Santos looked down at his hands.

"So that's why I always felt something moving when I slept
 why I heard a voice when I cried
"

Ryuk's voice stirred within him then.

"And why you were never truly alone."

đŸ”„ Scene 3: The Trail Runs Cold

Back in the waking world, Jiraiya and Naruto moved through forest and temple ruins, hunting for clues. Jiraiya had even summoned Fukasaku, one of the elder toads, but even he had no answers.

"Kid," Jiraiya said one night while Naruto sulked near the fire, "I've known shinobi who vanished into other worlds. Pocket dimensions. Sealing realms. But very few of them ever came back."

Naruto clenched his fist.

"Santos will."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "That confident?"

Naruto stood.

"He's my brother. He's stronger than me. Smarter too. And he made me promise I'd never give up."

The fire crackled between them.

"I'm not giving up on him."

🌌 Scene 4: Connection Through the Seal

That night, while Naruto slept, something stirred in his mindscape.

He stood in the dark, the red cage of the Kyƫbi's seal looming in front of him.

Kurama stirred from within, yellow eyes half-open.

"
Back already, brat?"

Naruto frowned. "I didn't come here on purpose."

Kurama blinked, then narrowed his eyes. "You're worried."

Naruto nodded. "Santos
 I haven't felt him. It's like he vanished from the whole world."

Kurama's expression shifted.

"I felt that chakra when he vanished," the fox said. "It was like mine
 but older. Colder. Hungrier."

Naruto turned. "You mean Ryuk?"

Kurama growled lowly. "If that beast is what I think it is
 then your friend isn't lost."

He leaned forward, eyes glowing behind the bars.

"He's awakening."

⚔ Scene 5: A Return in Chains and Light

Back in the shadow realm, Santos stood before a shrine.

Valek bowed his head, speaking an ancient word.

"It is time to leave this place, child of shadow. Your brother is calling."

The realm shifted—twisting, collapsing into black mist—and Santos's body lifted from the floor.

Chains wrapped around his arms and chest—not binding him, but carrying him forward.

A whisper of Ryuk echoed as light enveloped him:

"Let them know
 the Wraith has returned."

Chapter 24: Return of the Wraith

"When the world forgets your name, remind them with thunder."

🌳 Scene 1: The Forest Clearing – Team 10 Training

A narrow glade deep in the woods outside Konoha.

Team 10 was in the middle of their drills. Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji circled around Asuma, exchanging light strikes, refining their teamwork as the warm sun flickered between the trees.

"Formation Beta," Asuma called.

Choji surged forward with his Partial Expansion, Ino coordinated from behind, and Shikamaru manipulated his shadow underfoot. Smooth. Fluid. Growing stronger.

"That's it," Asuma called, lighting a cigarette. "You're finally syncing like a proper team."

They came to a stop, panting lightly but satisfied.

Ino wiped sweat from her forehead. "We're killing it."

Shikamaru shrugged. "Still too much work."

Just then—

The sky dimmed.

Not with clouds—but with shadows. An unnatural ripple moved through the forest, making birds scatter and branches creak.

Asuma's hand dropped to his trench knives. "Wait."

A swirl of darkness appeared above the treetops—a portal. Unlike any summoning they'd ever seen.

A sharp CRACK echoed like lightning shattering stone—and from that ripple of void descended a figure, barefoot and shirtless, chains trailing from his back like living serpents.

Santos Orozco.

But not the Santos they remembered.

His chakra felt colder, deeper—like it came from a place untouched by light. His eyes glowed faintly, the Byakugan lit with a strange, violet hue at the edges. And resting calmly on his left shoulder


A small dragon no larger than a house cat—sleek, black-scaled, and watching everything with burning amber eyes.

"What the—?!" Ino stumbled backward.

Even Shikamaru's expression cracked into a wide-eyed stare. "Now that's troublesome
"

Asuma stepped forward, tense. "Santos
?"

Santos didn't speak at first. His expression was unreadable. Cold—but not cruel.

The little dragon on his shoulder tilted its head and spoke in a voice only they could hear—its words forming directly in their minds:

"He has returned."

Santos looked down at them and finally spoke:

"Where is Team 7?"

☁ Scene 2: Tension and Recognition

Asuma approached cautiously.

"You've been gone for weeks. No word. The Hokage even thought you might've been kidnapped."

"I wasn't," Santos said simply.

Ino stared at the creature on his shoulder. "Is
 is that a summon?"

The dragon blinked slowly. "You may call me Ashiren. I am a herald of Ryuk, the Abyssborn."

That name made Asuma freeze.

He remembered that name. From old scrolls. From hushed whispers in ANBU circles. A creature not meant to exist. A dragon-tailed beast created by Orochimaru and lost to time.

"You're one of the Nine Tailed Beasts," Asuma whispered.

Santos said nothing.

Ashiren coiled its tail tighter. "He is more than a host. He is kin."

Shikamaru stepped forward. "You came back different. Stronger. What happened to you?"

Santos finally turned his gaze on him. Calm. Controlled. Unmoving.

"I remembered where I came from."

🌀 Scene 3: Word Travels Fast

By nightfall, the word spread like wildfire:

Santos Orozco has returned—with a dragon.

Team 7—Hinata, Haku, Naruto—and Kakashi gathered on a rooftop near the Hokage Monument.

"He's back?" Naruto shouted, almost tripping over his own feet. "Where?!"

"In the training district," Haku replied softly, sensing his chakra signature like an old friend returning. "He's
 different now."

Hinata's fingers tightened around the edge of her jacket. "But he's okay?"

Kakashi nodded, eye smiling. "He's more than okay. He's evolving."

Naruto didn't wait. He took off down the street. "I knew he'd come back!"

⚡ Scene 4: Brothers Reunited

Santos stood alone beneath a tree, Ashiren curled around his neck, resting like a scarf made of shadow and scale.

When Naruto found him, he didn't shout or jump.

He just
 stopped.

Stared.

"
You really came back."

Santos turned. "Of course."

Naruto looked down, trying not to tear up. "
You had me worried, y'know."

"I know."

The dragon lifted its head. "He called to you across realms. You never stopped searching."

Naruto grinned. "Damn right I didn't."

They stood in silence for a few seconds longer—before Naruto suddenly stepped forward and slugged him in the arm.

"Don't ever disappear like that again, jerk."

Santos didn't flinch. But he smiled.

Just a little.

"
Fine."

More Chapters