ALL NOVEL Chapter 2: 2
Meeting with the Beast
The air was thick with tension as Naruto found himself in a dark, cold space. Shadows danced around him, the faint sound of dripping water echoing through the void. Before him loomed a massive iron gate, its surface etched with intricate seals. Beyond the bars, two enormous crimson eyes gleamed, filled with malice and primal rage.
"We finally meet brat," a deep, guttural voice growled, reverberating like a storm.
Naruto's fists clenched, but he held his ground, glaring at the figure emerging from the shadows. The Nine-Tails, Kurama, rose to his full, imposing height, his tails writhing behind him like serpents of destruction.
"You look even uglier than I imagined," Naruto said, his lips curling into a defiant smirk.
Kurama growled, his massive form stepping into the dim light. His nine tails swayed lazily behind him, their sheer size dwarfing the boy standing before him. "You talk big for someone so small."
Naruto smirked. "Small, maybe. But I'm not stupid. I'm here because I'm curious, curious about you."
The fox's eyes narrowed, studying him. "Curiosity? Is that what you call it? Or is it arrogance?"
Naruto shrugged, feigning indifference. "Call it whatever you want, but let's not waste time. I know what you are, and you know what I am. So let's skip the introductions, furball."
Kurama's growl deepened, reverberating through the space like distant thunder. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But boldness won't save you when I decide to take over."
"Take over?" Naruto tilted his head, his smirk widening. "You're sealed tighter than a drum. Not exactly in a position to make demands, are you?"
The fox's fangs glinted as he bared his teeth in a dangerous grin. "You underestimate me, brat. One crack in this seal, one moment of weakness, and I'll be free. Free to crush you and everyone else in this wretched village."
Naruto stared at him for a moment before laughing. "Wow, you're just full of sunshine and rainbows, huh?"
Kurama's tails lashed behind him, creating gusts of wind that whipped at the boy's hair. "Laugh while you can. Your arrogance will be your downfall."
Before Naruto could reply, a voice interrupted, smooth and playful, echoing through the void.
"Oh, don't mind him, Naruto. He's all bark and no bite," the voice chimed, dripping with mockery.
Mephisto materialized beside him, twirling his umbrella lazily. "What's this? A giant fox throwing tantrums? How adorable!"
Kurama's gaze snapped to Mephisto, his crimson eyes narrowing suspiciously. "And what are you supposed to be?"
Mephisto grinned, tipping his hat. "Oh, I'm no one special. Just a lingering memory, a whisper from the past." He leaned closer, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. "But you…you already know, don't you? After all, you see what the boy sees, hear what the boy hears."
Kurama growled, his massive frame tensing. "You're the boy's past self. Mephisto."
"Ding, ding, ding!" Mephisto twirled his umbrella again, his grin widening. "Give the big guy a prize! Although I have to say, being labeled as someone's 'past self' is a bit reductive. I prefer to think of myself as a guiding star."
Naruto glanced between the two, raising a hand. "Hold on. Are you saying he knows everything I know?"
Mephisto chuckled. "Of course he does, dear boy. Our furry friend here is privy to all your thoughts, your memories, your fears. Isn't that right, Kurama?"
The fox snarled but didn't deny it. "It doesn't matter. The boy is still a fool. And you, whatever you are, are just a phantom clinging to what's left of your former glory."
Mephisto's grin froze, his playful demeanor giving way to something colder, darker. He stepped closer to the gate, his voice dropping to a low, menacing tone. "Careful, fox. I don't take kindly to insults. You may be powerful, far more cleverer, and far more dangerous than you can imagine."
Kurama's ears twitched, and for a moment, he said nothing.
Mephisto leaned forward, his grin returning but sharper now. "Let me give you a little advice, play nice with the boy. You may not know it yet, but he's destined for far greater things than you. And if you try to get in his way…well, let's just say you'll wish you hadn't."
Naruto, still processing everything, finally spoke up. "Alright, enough with the ominous threats. Furball, we're stuck with each other, so let's make the best of it. You keep your claws to yourself, and I won't have to sic my 'past self' on you. Deal?"
Kurama's eyes flicked between Naruto and Mephisto, his growl simmering down to a low rumble. "Fine. For now."
Naruto smirked. "Good. Glad we're on the same page."
As the space around them began to dissolve, Mephisto's voice echoed one last time. "Oh, Naruto, this is going to be so much fun. Don't you think?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Yeah, sure. Fun."
Kurama's growl followed him into the waking world, but for once, it seemed less threatening and more…curious.
---
One week later
The village was eerily silent, the air heavy with foreboding. From high above, perched on a floating chair with binoculars in hand, Naruto watched the scene unfold below. He was dressed in an outlandish outfit, a bowl of popcorn balanced on one armrest, and his umbrella resting against the other.
"Well, well, what a show we have tonight," Mephisto's voice echoed in his mind, filled with glee.
Naruto grinned, popping a piece of popcorn into his mouth. "I've got to admit, Itachi's precision is impressive. Look at him go."
Through his binoculars, Naruto watched as Itachi methodically eliminated the adult male members of the Uchiha clan, his movements swift and calculated. Meanwhile, in another part of the compound, Tobi moved with reckless abandon, slaughtering indiscriminately, children, elders, anyone in his path.
"Such chaos," Mephisto purred. "It warms the heart, doesn't it?"
Naruto chuckled. "It's like watching art in motion. The masked man is more of a brute, though. No finesse."
"True," Mephisto mused. "But there's something to be said for raw carnage. Speaking of which, doesn't that masked man seem familiar?"
As if on cue, Kurama's voice growled in Naruto's mind. "That man… the one in the mask… he's the one responsible for your parents deaths."
Naruto's grin widened, his eyes glinting with malevolence. "Oh, really? That changes things. He's quite the performer, isn't he?"
Mephisto chuckled darkly. "Indeed. Perhaps it's time for an encore performance."
---
As the massacre concluded and Tobi vanished into the night, Naruto followed, his form shifting. By the time he caught up, he had fully transformed into Mephisto, complete with his eccentric attire and sly grin.
Tobi turned, sensing his presence. "Who's there?" he asked, his voice adopting a comically high pitch.
Mephisto stepped into the moonlight, twirling his umbrella. "My, my, what a delightful performance! Bravo!"
Tobi tilted his head, his Sharingan spinning. "Who are you?"
Mephisto feigned offense, gasping dramatically. "Who am I? Who am I? Why, I'm merely a connoisseur of chaos, a maestro of mayhem! You may call me… Mephisto."
Tobi's Sharingan narrowed. "You've been watching me."
"Oh, indeed," Mephisto said, stepping closer. "Such artistry, such brutality. But tell me, dear masked man, what drives you? Revenge? Ambition? Or are you simply bored, like me?"
Tobi laughed softly. "You wouldn't understand."
Mephisto leaned in, his grin widening unnaturally. "Oh, I understand all too well. You're just another little pawn, dancing to someone else's tune. How quaint."
Tobi's amusement faded. "Careful, or I'll make you regret crossing me."
Mephisto burst into laughter, twirling his umbrella. "Oh, you're delightful! Truly! But let me give you a little warning, free of charge."
His grin vanished, his expression turning cold. "I am not one to take threats lightly."