Distorted

In the subconscious... Naruto felt like fading away...

"Hey brat. Come here".

Naruto, who felt his body weak slowly move to the huge cage where Kurama is.

"Held out your hand. Otherwise you might really die. It's troublesome for me if that happens".

'Big fox...'. Naruto weakly look at the fox.

Kurama held out his fist, which Naruto bumped with his own.

He gives him as much chakra as he could within what's allowed by the seal.

Red chakra coats Naruto body again. His flesh and heart roughly regenerated using flesh from other parts of his body. Rather than a heart, it's a mangled up organ made up of cardiac muscles trying to pump blood to its irregular connected vessels.

Each pump tears some of its tissue, and it gets repaired again.

The complexity of the organ prevents a proper heart to be made. The regenerated organ appears like a lumb of flesh, like a beating cancer that protrudes from within Naruto's chest visibly beating if one looks from outside.

Badump. Badump. Badump. The 'heart' tries to pump the blood left in Naruto, extending his life.

Kurama can sense Naruto life force fading rate is reduced significantly but at this rate... He will still die.

"Tch. I guess I will die with this brat".

The reason he don't want to 'die' is because when he dies he's basically trapped in a dark space, no sound, no sight, no sense of touch even, and it's basically an even worse prison. And when he revives initially he would be in a very weak state and he would be easily captured again. He rather get out from his vessel instead of dying and rebirthing outside.

...

A dog is seen run fast towards them all of a sudden.

That's, his sensei, Kakashi of the Sharingan. Kurama sensed the dog and Kakashi. This brat might live...

Kakashi kneeled down and sees a disgusting beating organ protruding under Naruto's skin, as if it's a beating worm. Kyubi must have tried to heal him...

The holed up cloth is the evidence that Sasuke had killed him, or at least tried. Sasuke... You... You have gone too far...

Kakashi quickly pick Naruto up urgently and sensed his vitals. The disgusting mangled organ in him is only delaying his death! He needs to bring him to Tsunade fast otherwise his life would really-

Kakashi sprang quickly and used all of his chakra.

Some medic ninja also knows of their situation and followed along.

"Kakashi-san, how is Naruto condition".

'Its bad. He is barely living. I need to get him to Tsunade fast'.

***

Aloe Vera (black/white zetsu) appears from the ground. He had been watching their development as they are both Indra and Asura reincarnates. Even he breath out a sigh of relief seeing Naruto actually survived. They were there as backup plans in case Madara can't resurrect Kaguya. He's tired of waiting for years to wait for the next reincarnations. Each reincarnations previously failed. And Madara is the only one who awaken the rinnegan and he placed his hope on him. This Sasuke is also really good, to have awaken the Mangekyo... He could awaken the rinnegan for sure if he gets Asura's chakra inside him.

Aloe vera dissappear from the battlefield...

***

[ICU Unit]

"We will do a high risk heart surgery. Once we remove his fake heart, his life and death will be determined within 2 minutes! And if he pass through this critical time, this will be hours long surgery. Prepare your mind, not a single mistake must be made!".

Seeing Naruto's condition, Tsunade quickly get into action. He had to give Choji who's injured only some medicines to relieve his pain and stabilise his condition and shift his focus only on Naruto.

In the operating room, Tsunade hold her chakra scalpel.

She cuts the skin layer by layer, carefully following the rhythm of the fake heart to avoid poking it. She had to cut open and pull back the sternum and lift the ribcage. With her control she managed to open his chest revealing the horrifying beating flesh.

"Ready to connect his vessels to the machine! Keep it circulating, prevent any leaking! I am removing this thing now!".

Tsunade skillfully cut the thing off, while the other medic nins do their jobs to keep Naruto have enough oxygen and blood flow the machine. Their chakra constantly running to keep him alive.

A heart donor is luckily available. A ninja who's brain dead was kept alive by oxygen tank, letting him heart beat. He was attacked by Orochimaru's men back then. He has no family and only himself.

He never signed any consent for organ donation, no.

But this is a normal practice, one of the shady thing that is needed for Konoha to survive. And for Naruto to survive.

The critical times has passed, but they still can't let their guard down.

The surgery goes in for hours...

***

"Kakashi-sensei... What, what happened? Where is Sasuke-kun...? And why Naruto is...".

Kakashi looks at Sakura who's waiting outside the ICU.

He's not sure how to tell her. Isn't it obvious? Why she had to ask him why Naruto is in the ICU with Tsunade, the best medical nin, for hours?

...

Kakashi sat down next to her.

"His heart is pierced through. It's a miracle he survived long enough for me to bring him to Tsunade. If it's other people than Naruto, they would have certainly died. You understands, Sakura?". Naruto is an Uzumaki with huge life force + Kyubi in him. He is only 2nd to Hashirama in terms of durability.

'Eh...?'.

Sakura felt her world spinning.

'Who... Did that...'.

Her mind can't accept it. How could... How could Sasuke do that to him... It's too cruel... That's not Sasuke...

"I advice you give up on Sasuke. He... is lost completely. It's also my fault for not guiding him properly... Those who abandoned their comrade, they are no longer a Shinobi".

'No...'. Sakura had her eyes teary. Sasuke-kun, it's just an accident right? Sasuke-kun, why won't you return back to Konoha? Everyone is worried about you. I am worried about you.

It must have been a misunderstanding.

...

The doors are finally opened. Tsunade sees Sakura waiting outside.

'Hokage-sama-'. Sakura is nervous because Tsunade is now the fifth Hokage, a legendary sannin, and the one who is treating Naruto.

"You must be Sakura Haruno, right?".

'How is he doing?'.

"Naruto is fine now thankfully. His life is really tenacious. He still need to he monitored (for rejection reaction). He need few weeks to recuperate and he would be fine". She didn't say the part where if a rejection reaction happens with his new heart, Naruto may need to stop being a Shinobi. Taking immunosuppressant will give major side effects and it would hold him back.

Sakura felt glad Naruto is alive. She had asked Naruto to bring Sasuke-kun back, and Naruto promised it to him. She felt bad that she had to rely on Naruto to bring Sasuke-kun back.

***

3 days later, Naruto is out of ICU and had regained his consciousness.

His eyes were dead, looking up the ceiling.

He remembered the look Sasuke had when his hand pierces through his chest. He knows Sasuke is hurt as well. But... Naruto felt a chest pain inside. Both physically and emotionally. He failed to stop him... Sasuke...

But... He won't give up.

Even if Sasuke had thrown his bond with him away, but Sasuke is still someone he considered a friend. He won't give him up, ever.

After receiving news that Naruto is awake, Sakura quickly visited him. She brought a white flower while visiting as well.

"Sakura-chan...".

'Hey Naruto! I am glad you are fine'.

"I am sorry, Sakura-chan...".

'Why are you apologising?'.

...

'You sounds weird. And you look a little like candy wrapped like these'.

'The weather is really great. Let me open the curtains...'.

"Sakura-chan! I will definitely keep my promise! What I said to you is my lifelong promise!".

Tsunade hearing the words went quiet.

...

'Its alright, Naruto...'. Sakura looked through the window.

"Like I said...".

Sakura look at Naruto to hear what he's gonna say.

"I won't go back on my words! Because it's my ninja way! Hehehe". Naruto is able to carve a smile to Sakura-chan. The promise is on thing. But even without the promise, Naruto would have still continue to try bring Sasuke back.

Sakura turned to look to the side, thinking about how he begged Naruto to bring Sasuke back. She's always relying on others. No. She don't want to stay like this. She will bring Sasuke with her own efforts as well!

'Naruto...'.

'I am sorry but, I had to make you wait for awhile. Next time, we will do it together!'.

Naruto is stunned, but he's smiled wider hearing her words.

Sakura went to Hokage office, and Tsunade accepted her as an apprentice!

***

A week later. Tsunade is surprised that his wounds from the battle and from the operation bad healed completely. There's no visible body rejection.

At this time, Jiraiya come in!

"Ero-sennin!!!". Naruto exclaimed his surprise and complaint how he said he would become his teacher and suddenly dissappears.

Jiraiya explained he's investigating Akatsuki and found out their goal to capture Naruto who have 9 tails. And thus, he is bringing Naruto to train with him while avoiding Akatsuki at the same time.

Naruto however refuses at first because he wanted to chase Sasuke. Jiraiya convinces him by saying he would tell ANBU to prevent him from leaving the village. And there's also 3 years before Oro can take over Sasuke's body so it's okay. Naruto is convinced with the explanation. 3 years then...

'Sasuke... Wait for me...'. Naruto clenched his fist, his heart filled will and fire. He will definitely bring Sasuke back.

He eventually leave Konoha with Jiraiya to travel while training.

He looked back at the village. He would miss Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei, and others. Right... What if Shou-chan visited and he's not here? But their paths are already different. And they won't meet again. So he don't come up on his mind as much. He's a little embarassed that he couldn't become a Chunin, and that he failed to bring Sasuke back. He wonders what Shou-chan would tell him if he knows about what happened...

Naruto felt like Shou-chan is the one who understands him most, and at times he wants to tell everything that happened to him. But Shou-chan is not here.

Naruto shook his head. He can't trouble Shou-chan with his problems. He will definitely bring back Sasuke with his own efforts, and with Sakura-chan as well!

***

Ho? So this is the legendary mangekyou Sharingan. Sasuke-kun... I want you more than anything now!

Orochimaru licked his lips nonstop seeing Sasuke as they sparred. Sasuke chakra is growing really thick and he's going stronger.

At first, Sasuke was drunk in power and tried to use his mangekyou Sharingan power.

"Amaterasu!!!".

Orochimaru received the flame because he's curious.

"The flames that would burn forever until everything turns to dust... Hahaha. Interesting!".

Orochimaru spitted himself out forming a new body easily.

"Sasuke-kun, you shouldn't use your eyes casually. You noticed your vision gets a little blurry haven't you? Use it only sparingly. Don't rely on their powers and only use them as a trump card".

Sasuke is silent.

Orochimaru left the room as the training is over.

Tch. Sasuke-kun can't be controlled anymore. His curse mark does not seem to corrode his mind as much as he wanted too...

He needs to... risk it. Because he can see Sasuke will surpass him with his growing power, and perhaps Sasuke will get ideas to kill him when he's still weak.

'Kabuto. Prepare it'.

"But, Orochimaru-sama, what if you both dies?".

'So be it. Sasuke-kun cannot be controlled by me. And for that he's too strong and he will go against me. I prefer him dead over such thing. In case I died, you know what to do to revive me, Kabuto-kun'. He still had a part of himself in Anko and he could resurrect from her with Kabuto's help. So he dares to take this risk and opportunity to get Sasuke's body. A trap is laid down...

***

Years passed. And this time, Sasuke has learned all he could from Orochimaru.

Orochimaru has grown really weak, and eventually bed ridden.

"You need to take level 10 medicine, otherwise I can't do anything for you". Kabuto leaves the room after seeing Orochimaru coughing out blood.

After Kabuto left, Sasuke comes in front of Orochimaru's room.

Chidori Eisõ!

Sasuke formed a chidori into a sharp long spear and pierced through the door, heading towards Orochimaru!

Orochimaru is shocked seeing the shape transformation since he never knew he could do that.

"Of course it's you. I knew you would come from me".

'Now you will see I can be heartless'. He remembers Oro advice.

"I am stronger than you now".

'A bold statement from a nursing Uchiha!'.

"I am an avenger. I want revenge. And they say you are the genius, a legendary sannin. You aren't even the same league as the Uchiha. All see is a miserable wretch, you disgusts me".

Urgh!

Sasuke twisted his Chidori spear, hurting Oro. To avoid the sword, he spat his real self out of the sickly body!

Orochimaru true form is revealed. A snake like form made up of many white snakes.

"A snake that crawl the earth is dreaming to soar the sky...".

'Sasuke!!'.

They both fought, but Sasuke obviously winning. Eventually Sasuke killed him...

"So thats it?".

Sasuke suddenly felt his body weakened.

He noticed the black smoke coming from Oro body and is caught off guard.

'It looks like it's beginning to take effect now...'.

'Now, I will take you!'.

Sasuke enters a subconscious space, where moving flesh is moving about. There's also other souls in that space, being attached to some flesh being a part of Oro.

'This is where the transference ritual will be held'.

'Hahahahah. Those eyes...'. Orochimaru slowly wiggled his way to Sasuke...

But just as he tries to absorb Sasuke... Suddenly-

Huh!?

The flesh surrounding Sasuke are filled with his own chakra, seemingly taking over the ritual!

He had thought of this possibility with his mangekyou, and he had prepared for the worst. Either he will get absorbed completely, or they both die! He will take that sliver chance of getting Sasuke's body. Those eyes, it's worth his life for!

'My eyes... Surely, you must know how'.

"Hahahahaha. I am Orochimaru, I am the one who will receive everything!!".

Suddenly the whole space is distorted with strange purple markings filled all over the space. Those markings crawled and is absorbed into Orochimaru! He grows bigger and bigger, and eventually become as big as the flesh controlled by Sasuke! No. It's growing even bigger than Sasuke's flesh! But it's corroding and disintegrating as it grows, seemingly unstable and would die by itself if time goes on!

'Your body, is mine!!!'.

***

Kabuto had just returned after retrieving the medicine. He's surprised seeing the door was broke open.

Why is Sasuke here? So has the ritual already taken place?

"Is that you, Kabuto-kun?".

Sasuke walked past Kabuto casually. Kabuto had his sweaty dropped down his neck.

'Exactly which one are you...?'.

Sasuke breaks his long toungue, licking his lips.

"Kabuto-kun. Surely you don't have to ask... Now. With these eyes, I can uncover everything, every secret!".

[Orochimaru activates the Sharingan, and the Mangekyou Sharingan. He marvelled at the visual prowess and power it contains].

"It's just unfortunate his eyes is a little blurry. Kabuto-kun, I want to continue researching Hashirama's cell. There's an interesting reaction with Madara's cells previously, perhaps it can solve this issue. It's just unfortunate my body was sick and can't keep researching before. Perhaps... We can find something interesting as well. Muahaha. I feel happy Kabuto-kun. Let's have a little celebration later".

Kabuto smiled a little.

"Quite rare for you to celebrate Orochimaru-sama".

***