Unknown Location

Within a large cave with a giant statue that had nine eyes, a figure made of dark energy appeared on one of the statue's fingers. "Alright everyone, meeting time." The figure spoke in a distorted voice.

Within moments, eight other dark figures materialized on the remaining fingers. "You summoned us, Pain-sama?" One of the figures with Sharingan eyes asked.

"Indeed I did Itachi." Pain replied before addressing the others. "I've summoned you here to inform you that we are going to be accelerating our schedule and begin our hunt for the Jinchuriki of the Tailed Beasts."

"Really?" "So soon?" One figure that looked more like a plant said in two different voices.

"If I may ask Pain-sama, why?" Another figure with green eyes and a mask asked.

"You need not concern yourselves with the reason." Pain replied. "All you need to know is that several opportunities to capture some of the Jinchuriki have presented themselves and are too promising to pass up."

This was met with some murmurs from some of the figures, while the rest simply remained silent. "For example, the Chunin Selection Examination is being held in the Village Hidden in the Leaves and the Jinchuriki of the One-tail and the Nine-tail beasts are said to be taking part in them." Pain said.

"Really now?" A figure with a sword strapped to his back said with interest.

"That sounds interesting boss man." Another with a ponytail said. "I've always wanted to show the leaf some of my art."

"Indeed." Pain said. "Itachi, Kisame, with the Nine-tails and the One-tail in the same place, you will work alongside Sasori and Deidara and capture them both. The four of you should be more than enough to handle the both of them.

"As you wish Pain-sama." Itachi said calmly while Kisame nodded.

"Yeah, this is gonna be a real blast. Right Sasori, my man?" Deidara said to his partner, a hunched over figure.

"Yes." Sasori said in a mechanical-sounded voice. "Plus, there are rumors that our old friend Orochimaru is planning something at the exams. I've been waiting a long time to properly demonstrate what happens to those who just up and leave the Akatsuki."

"What about the rest of us Pain-sama?" A figure with purple eyes and a tri-scythe asked.

"Hidan, you and Kakazu are to continue your current assignment and collect the bounties in the Bingo Book." Pain replied. "If you come across any Jinchuriki or beasts, capture them, but maintaining the organization's finances is your top priority." Hidan groaned at this.

"Hidan, shut up." Kakazu growled at his partner before turning towards his leader. "It shall be done Pain-sama."

"Excellent." Pain said as he turned towards the plant-like figure. "Zetsu, you know what you must do."

"Yes Pain-sama." Zetsu replied with his two voices.

"You all have your assignments, now get to them." Pain ordered as seven of the figures vanished, leaving Pain with the lone remaining figure with blue eyes.

"It's finally beginning my love." The figure said in a female voice.

"Yes Konan. The world will soon know true pain." Pain said before he and Konan vanished as well, leaving the cave and dark and silent as a tomb.

Hokage's Office

"We've looked everywhere Lord Hokage. There's no sign of Naruto Uzumaki." A rabbit-masked ANBU explained.

Sarutobi rubbed the sides of his head, feeling a huge headache coming on. First Naruto kills a group of villagers and goes missing, then a string of more murders in the middle of the night and the Chunin Exams, in which the Fire Daimyo, the Wind Daimyo and loads of other dignitaries were attending, were just around the corner.

"First Orochimaru openly threatens the village if we shut down the exam and now all of this happens." Sarutobi said before looking at the ANBU. "Do we have any suspects in the murders of the girls?"

"I'm afraid not Lord Hokage." The ANBU replied.

Sarutobi sighed for what felt like the hundredth time in the last hour. A murder investigation that was going nowhere, a missing Jinchuriki and Sarutobi's former maniacal student was on the loose. What else could happen?

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Yamigakure Front Gate – a few days later

"Whoa." Naruto said when he first saw the imposing sight that was the Village Hidden in the Darkness. Though Tenten didn't say anything, she had the same thoughts as Naruto. The buildings were much taller that those found in Konoha and looked far more intimidating. Neon lit banners and signs were commonplace, as were the statues of various demons on the buildings. The most notable building had to be the tallest tower out of all of the village's buildings. The large plate on the side of the building had the kanji for "darkness," telling Naruto and Tenten that this tower had to be where the village's Kage resided. At the top of the tower was a kind of soft red light that gave off an almost sinister glow.

This brought Naruto to look at quite possibly the most bizarre sight in the village. Although it was still early in the afternoon, the sky was pitch dark as if it were the middle of the night. "I guess this is why they call it the Village Hidden in the Darkness." Naruto thought, thinking that it was the work of a very potent genjutsu or something.

"Ah, no place like home sweet home." Kin said as she, her team, Naruto and Tenten walked into the village.

"Alright, I need to go make my report to the Yamikage. The rest of you are dismissed." Onihime said as she started walking towards the tower. Shinku and Midoriko also went their own ways after giving their farewells, leaving Kin and the two former Konoha-nin.

"Come, I'll show you to the Temple of Jashin where we can begin the Ritual of the Acolyte." Kin said.

As Kin led Naruto and Tenten through Yamigakure's streets, the former Leaf Genin were awed by how technologically advanced the village was compared to Konoha. They also took note that a fair number of shinobi and kunoichi also wore Jashinist pendants over their typical ninja clothing and were armed with either swords or tri-scythes similar to Kin's. Also, when the other Jashinists saw Kin, they stopped what they were doing and gave her a bow with their right hands over their hearts. Kin nodded her head to them in return. They also looked at Naruto and Tenten, but not in the malicious way the people of Konoha did, but rather they looked at the two newcomers with curiosity or they gave a friendly nod.

After walking for a while, they came to a tall torii with a metal Jashin insignia hanging from it. On either side of the archway was a pair of demon statues armed with tri-scythes. Just past the torii was a flight of stairs that led up a steep looking hill. "This way." Kin instructed as she started up the steps. Naruto and Tenten followed suit, both of them feeling slight unease at the macabre setting. The only source of light came from the stone lanterns on the sides of the steps.

Once they reached the top of the stairs, Kin and the two former Konoha-nin were greeted by a hooded figure standing in front of an iron gate. It was too dark to see the figures face or make out the gender. Not surprisingly, he or she wore a Jashin pendent and was armed with a tri-scythe.

"Welcome back Kin-sama." The figure said in a soft male voice as he bowed to the High Priestess. Kin returned the bow. "Are my mother or grandmother around?"

"Yes Kin-sama. They are expecting you in front of the main temple." The guard replied before turning toward Naruto and Tenten. "Are these two new converts?"

"More than that." Kin said. "Inform the others to prepare for the Ritual of the Acolyte."

"At once Kin-sama." The guard said before performing some handsigns. The large heavy-looking gate opened, allowing Naruto and Tenten to get their first glimpse of the Temple of Jashin. Kin motioned for the two genin to follow. The temple grounds looked more or less like any other temple; several large buildings, a couple of wells and other things. But with the eternal darkness of Yamigakure, the demonic statues and Jashinists armed with tri-scythes wondering around, the place had a distinctively sinister feel to it.

"Welcome home, my daughter." Naruto and Tenten ceased looking at the temple grounds to see a beautiful woman with long jet black hair and dressed in black and red miko robes and a tri-scythe walking towards them. All in all, she looked like an older version of Kin.

Kin hugged her mother. After breaking from Kinsumi's embrace, Kin motioned for Naruto to come over. "Mother, I give you Naruto Uzumaki, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Naruto, this is my mother, Kinsumi Tsuchi. Like me, she too is a High Priestess of Jashin-sama."

"Welcome Naruto-kun." Kinsumi said. "We are honored by your presence." She then saw Tenten. "And who is this?"

"Tenten Xiayu, Kinsumi-san." The brunette introduced herself with a bow.

"Tenten here has shown a great interest in our religion and wishes to join our ranks. She has already spilled the blood of several heathens back in Konoha and shows great potential." Kin explained.

"You certainly have an eye for spotting talent Kin-chan." Kinsumi said as she sized the Weapons Mistress up.

"Indeed." A new elderly voice said as an older woman with dark grey hair joined them. Oddly enough, she looked similar to Kin and Kinsumi. "You have brought great honor to us and Jashin-sama Kin."

"Naruto, this is my grandmother, Kinaki Tsuchi." Kin said. "She leads this branch of the Followers of Jashin."

"We can all become acquainted later." Kinaki said. "The preparations for the Ritual of the Acolyte are complete."

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Inside the main ritual chamber, Naruto and Tenten were flat on their backs on the polished wooden floor and naked. Underneath them were various and intricate looking runes and symbols drawn onto the floor. Also, there were various symbols that were painted on their bodies as well.

"Okay this is more than a little embarrassing." Naruto said as he tried not to look at Tenten's naked form beside him, but he managed to sneak a couple of glances at her. "Please don't get an erection." The poor boy thought.

"You think?" Tenten replied as she stole a few glances at Naruto when she thought he wasn't looking. "Not bad." She thought.

Kin happened to have noticed Tenten stealing some free looks at Naruto. The thought actually amused the young High Priestess. "I'm more than willing to share Tenten…as long as you remember that I'm ALWAYS first in line."

"My friends." Kinaki spoke to the gathered Jashinists. "We are gathered here not only to welcome two new converts to serve Jashin-sama, but to bear witness to the commencement of the prophecy. The very prophecy that will usher in the age of darkness and chaos, the Age of Jashin." She then turned to a pair of hooded Jashinists. "Bring forth the sacrifices."

A moment later, the Jashinists returned with two people, bound and gagged. Judging from their clothing, they appeared to be prisoners. Kinaki then beckoned for Kin and Kinsumi to approach. They both had their tri-scythes in hand as they approached the two soon-to-be sacrificial lambs. This was another example of the working agreement between the Followers of Jashin and the Village Hidden in the Darkness. Between the need for target practice for the shinobi forces, human guinea pigs for Yamigakure's Science Department and human sacrifices for the Jashinists, prisoners rarely enjoyed Yamigakure's hospitality for more than six months.

"Look at the bright side heathens." Kinsumi said as she raised her weapon. "You're about to serve quite a purpose." With that, mother and daughter beheaded the two poor souls. Copious amounts of blood spilled on the floor.

Kinaki started performing several intricate handsigns. Naruto and Tenten noticed that Kin, her mother and the other Jashinists followed suit and began chanting. "Jashin-sama, I beseech you my lord."

Naruto and Tenten looked around to see that many of the candles in the room were rapidly going out and that the flames from the torches by the altar were glowing brighter and gradually rising. A moment later, the flames rose up out of the torches and formed a giant fireball that started to change shape into a demonic face. As this was happening, the blood from the two prisoners seemed to flow upward off the ground and into the flames. Naruto gulped as what he assumed was the face of Jashin fully formed out of fire and blood. Tenten just looked on in awe. Inside her seal, Kushina also looked on with a look of awe and amazement. Even though the first time she saw him was when she was a newborn, Kin still remembered the sight of her master from the night she was born. It was a sight that refused to leave her memory and she still couldn't help but feel awestruck in the presence of Jashin.

"So Kinaki, you have summoned me yet again." Jashin growled. "I trust the reason behind you calling me here is acceptable?"

"Yes Jashin-sama." Kinaki said as she and the others bowed. "I present to you Tenten Xiayu, a very promising new convert to our cause and more importantly, Naruto Uzumaki, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-tailed fox."

"Ah, I see." Jashin said as he looked at the two former Konoha Genin. "Yes. They both possess great potential. Along with young Kin, I foresee great things."

Naruto and Tenten looked at each other and nodded, as if having an unspoken agreement.

"We look forward to serving you, Jashin-sama." Naruto said without a hint of doubt in his voice.

"We shall spill blood and spread chaos in your name, Jashin-sama." Tenten added.

"And you shall indeed." Jashin said. "I shall endow the both of you with some of my demonic power and unholy blessings. Prepare yourselves."

With that, Jashin's flaming eyes changed from orange to purple and black. The symbols on Naruto and Tenten started to glow bright red as well. "Okay, what's happening…" Naruto never got to finish his train of thought as he felt some kind of power surging through his veins. Tenten felt the same thing. It was a slight burning sensation, but at the same time, the two genin could feel themselves becoming stronger as well. Naruto and Tenten started to levitate off the ground slightly and Jashin's face started to change into serpent-like dragons that swirled around the two new converts.

A moment later, the flames died down and Jashin reformed above the altar. Naruto and Tenten gently landed on the floor, unconscious. "It is done. They both now have a fraction of my power and are gifted with immortality and rapid regeneration. I gave the girl the ability to summon any weapon. She summon any weapon of armor thinking about it. She will make a fearsome addition to our ranks." Jashin explained. "As for the boy, he already has the power of a demon coursing through his veins, but I did weaken the seal of the fox, but I also have him the ability of dark magic. I will summon a book for him, and to him I give a special scythe of demon bones. They are now my Knights of Darkness, warriors of chaos whom will slaughter my enemies in my name." As he said this a giant demonic book appeared in front of naruto.

.the book

Jashin's flaming visage then turned down towards Kin. "As for you, young Kin." Kin immediately bowed lower to show her respect to her master. "For your reward, I shall endow you with some of my power as well, as the power of snakes." Jashin's eyes glowed again and Kin could feel her master's power entering her system. She could feel herself becoming more powerful. The feeling was almost orgasmic.

"I expect great things from you and our two new friends Kin. Do not disappoint me." Jashin said.

"Yes, Jashin-sama." Kin said as Jashin's head vanished. A moment later, Kin lost consciousness.

"It's now official Mother." Kinsumi said as a hooded Jashinist gently picked Kin up off the ground. "We can officially mark today as the beginning of the end."

"Yes. It is a proud day indeed." Kinaki said as a couple of hooded Jashinists picked up Naruto and Tenten off the floor as well as the book and kin. Kinaki and Kinsumi could see that the two former Konoha nin were starting to change, like they were aging a couple of years. "Jashin-sama's power is changing their bodies. Over the next few hours, they will appear to be in their late teens and will remain like that for the rest of eternity. The reason behind this is that with slightly more mature bodies, Jashin-sama's power will settle within them more easily."

"I'm assuming the same will happen to Kin?" Kinsumi said as she noticed that her daughter was starting to change slightly as well.

"Yes." Kinaki replied.

"Hmm." Kinsumi said before turning to the Jashinists holding the unconscious ones. An amusing idea came to her mind. "Take them to Kin's chambers and see that they are not disturbed. And leave some new clothes for them. I think they are about to outgrow their old ones. And for the love of Jashin, nothing orange for the boy." Kinsumi said, shuddering at the memory of that horrid outfit Naruto wore.

With a nod of their heads, the Jashinists set off to their tasks.

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Elsewhere in the Elemental Nations

All of a sudden, Hidan felt a shiver go down his spine.

"What's wrong Hidan?" Kakazu asked as he stopped walking and turned to his current Akatsuki partner. The masked man from the Waterfall Village was carrying a dead man behind him.

"Nothing Kakazu. It's nothing." Hidan replied. "Just a chill that's all."

After looking at him for a moment, Kakazu decided that it was nothing and the two Akatsuki members continued on their way to the closest collection office to cash in Kakazu's latest bounty. For once, the usually vocal Jashinist from the Hot Springs Village was oddly quiet.

"The last time I felt a chill like that was about thirteen years ago, when I heard that Jashin-sama endowed the daughter of a priestess with some of the same blessings as me. Something big is going down in the cult, no doubt about it. Whatever it is, I'll find out about it sooner or later." Hidan thought, thinking that perhaps he should have stayed with the cult instead of joining the Akatsuki. It was bound to be better than hunting down heathens with prices on their heads with someone as short tempered as Kakazu.