The Legend of the Kyubi

"Now speak, spawn of the traitor, tell me what you need from Uzu before I wipe you out of existence" - Kurama said neutrally as he started to release some of his chakra. He wasn't in the best of moods, so getting a new anti-stress toy was welcome.     

"I've come for a Shinigami no Kamen for my father" - Mitsuki replied fearfully as he felt as if a beast was about to tear him apart without a second thought - "He wants to use it, so he can revive the Shodaime and Nidaime Hokage."     

"As tempting as it sounds, I don't think it's likely to happen, not when Orochimaru is just as dangerous as those Akatsuki bastards" - Kurama said seriously as he extended a finger, and started concentrating Raiton chakra on it - "If that's all, I guess it's goodbye…"     

"Wait, father is on his last legs and only wishes for one thing, to annihilate Akatsuki and destroy their plans, that's a good thing for you!" - Mitsuki exclaimed in terror as he felt the chakra in the red-haired man's finger not disappearing, but becoming more and more powerful - "I'm serious, the hatred father feels for you and Konoha, doesn't compare to the hatred he feels for the three remaining members of Akatsuki!"     

Kurama's expression changed to a confused one because the Orochimaru that Mitsuki was talking about was nothing like the one he knew.     

"Did something happen with Orochimaru?" - Kurama asked with a frown, though he didn't stop concentrating chakra on his finger.     

"He has lost almost all of his memories, making all of his dreams that he had sacrificed so much for, become nothing but dust in the middle of the wind" - Mitsuki answered as he spoke honestly, not only to save his life but because those were his father's orders.     

". . ." - Kurama was silent when he heard this as he tried to imagine the expression Orochimaru should have right now, only to shake his head - "I understand what you're trying to say, but I can't just hand you something as dangerous as a Shinigami no Kamen, so I'm going to ask you nicely to leave, maybe Orochimaru can change during his last days of life and teach you some things that are actually worthwhile, though I honestly don't expect much from a man as corrupt as him."     

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave without the mask" - Mitsuki replied in terror because he noticed the change in the red-haired man's expression.     

"I'm letting you leave Uzu alive, and yet you seem to think I'm doing it for something as stupid as believing your story..." - Kurama said neutrally - "Now I'm going to repeat it, leave Uzu and don't come back, because the next time I see you, your life will be over..."     

Kurama waited to see the man retreat, only to notice how the man stood his ground - "If that's your decision, then you're going to have to face the consequences..."     

Kurama refocused chakra on his finger, only to freeze when he noticed the medallion Mitsuki had pulled out of one of his sleeves - ". . ."     

"Father gave this to me, he said to use it if you didn't agree to give me the Mask" - Mitsuki said as he felt as if his breathing stopped, only to let out a sigh of relief when he saw how Kurama wasn't attacking.     

"How did you get that medallion?" - Kurama asked neutrally as he looked at Mitsuki with a frown - "And I hope you're honest because Orochimaru can't possess this medallion on his own merit."     

"Father told me that he got it by luck, though he didn't tell me how" - Mitsuki answered honestly, only to feel Kurama's firm grip on his neck - "Ack."     

Kurama looked him closely in the eyes for a few seconds before releasing him with a frown - "As a person with common sense, I shouldn't hand over the mask to you because it's a danger to the Elemental Nations in Orochimaru's hands, but as a member and leader of the Uzumaki clan, I can't ignore the rules my ancestors have written, much less when something as important as the Shinigami is involved..."     

The Uzumaki clan has been a faithful companion of the Shinigami since the beginning of their existence, the blood-red hair was the sign of the pact with the god of death.     

Legend even tells that the first Uzumaki did not have red hair, but had brown hair like our brothers the Senju, but after the pact with the Shinigami and obtaining the Shiki Fujin (Dead Demon Consuming Seal), his hair became red like the blood of the Shinigami's victims.     

Kurama was indeed at a crossroads, though he quickly concluded - "Well, I'm going to give you the Mask, though first I'm going to warn you about something and I hope you'll mention it to Orochimaru..."     

"O-OK" - nodded Mitsuki fearfully.     

"I give you the mask, but at the same time, a contract..." - Kurama said as his eyes glowed with malice. An Oni-shaped mask appeared in his hands as it was surrounded by a purple aura that seemed to be radiating screams of terror, pain, and anguish - "With the Shinigami involved, I inform you that the contract must be followed. You will wear the mask, but if it is used for your sins, then prepare to suffer the hunt of the Hounds of the God of Death."     

The mask stood still as it was handed to Mitsuki, only for him to feel as if it was silently observing him as if studying his soul.     

"With this, the contract has been completed" - Kurama said as he took the necklace and squeezed it so tightly that only dust had remained - "You may retire, and remember, a contract with the Uzumaki clan must be followed to the letter, more so when the Shinigami is involved..."     

Mitsuki nodded weakly before retreating, only to shiver in terror when he heard Kurama's voice speak to him.     

"How did you get to this place undetected?" - Kurama asked coldly.     

Mitsuki tried to speak, but he was so frightened that the words would not come out of his mouth.     

"Well?" - Kurama asked only to open his eyes in realization as he noticed how the young man was shaking like a leaf in the middle of the wind - "Right, my chakra... Is it a little better now?"     

Mitsuki was finally able to calm down a bit as he felt the pressure slowly disappear - "Ugh..."     

"Good, now you can talk" - Kurama said neutrally.     

"I entered from a crack in the barrier I detected, possibly a result of all those barriers colliding together" - replied Mitsuki with sweat running all over his body.     

"I see... thank you for your honesty..." - Kurama said as he nodded and with a snap of his hands made the man disappear from Uzu. He was silent for a few seconds before shaking his head - "I better check on Inari before I go back to the front..."     

* * * * *     

It took two hours for Kurama to return to the central base, only to hear how the chaos was happening outside. He slowly walked to see what was going on, only to notice how the White Zetsu were fighting against the allied forces.     

"You're finally back, Kuro-chan!" - Kushina exclaimed seriously as she saw the red-haired man appear - "But it's not the time for that, we need backup!"     

"Akatsuki attacked us during the meeting, and we could barely get ready to counterattack" - added Kakashi - "Come on, we have a lot to do!"     

"I'm not going to participate in this fight" - Kurama replied simply.     

"What?" - those present couldn't believe what the red-haired man had said.     

"As I said, I'm not going to participate in this fight" - Kurama said seriously - "So don't expect me to wipe your asses every time."     

". . ." - Both Kakashi and the other Kage frowned at his words.     

Kushina tried to talk to Kurama but was stopped by Kakashi's words - "I see... I guess something had to have happened for you not to participate..."     

"Meh, I still didn't want you meddling" - A said with disdain - "After all, we don't have to depend on you."     

Onoki's secretary just kept silent, though he didn't seem bothered by Kurama's attitude either.     

"We'd better go to the battlefield, there's still a lot to do" - Ao said seriously.     

"Let's go" - said Gaara simply - "We must not lag behind or the morale of our troops will start to fall."     

Kurama didn't say anything else, he just closed his eyes while listening as the 5 Kage retreated in silence - "They took it better than I thought, I guess that's why they're in command of the army..."     

"Are you going to tell me the reason for not participating in the battle?" - Kushina asked with a frown.     

"It's a preparation" - Kurama answered seriously - "I want Obito to think that he got me, so he won't be prepared for my next move..."     

Kushina stared at him for a few seconds before letting out a sigh - "Ok, I don't know what's going on, but I support your decision..."