- Brat of the Lightning Blond and Duck-Faced Demons (Gash Bell/Naruto)
- (Adventure, Friendship)
Chapter One
Minato was filled with regret. He knew he had to seal at least half of the Kyuubi into his own son to counter the threat posed by the Masked Man. He also knew that doing so would condemn the child to a life with the embodiment of hatred and rage locked within him. He knew he had no choice, but still, even as the Death God slowly pulled at his soul, did he wish for some other way, begged, pleaded, prayed, for a different method that would allow his son to oppose the power and might of the Masked Man.
The Death God heard Minato's desperate prayer and responded accordingly. Instantly the Kyuubi was ripped from the mortal plain and swallowed entirely by the Death God.
'No!' Minato though upon witnessing this. 'Now how can Naruto fight the Masked Man?!
---
Meanwhile, in a far distant world, both unknown to and unknowing of the Shinobi World, a small, blond child named Gash stood proudly before a conservatively dressed teenage boy called Kiyo. He smiled gladly up at his friend, his partner, his bookmaster.
"We did it, Kiyo! We won the battle to be the king!"
Kiyo smiled in kind at his tiny friend, his feelings a mixture of relief, pride, and sadness. Relief and pride that he and Gash had won. Sadness because he knew that know was the last the last time he'd ever see Gash again. The last battle had been fought and won and now it was time to for Gash to return to the Demon World in kingly triumph.
Kiyo placed his hand on the blond child's head and ruffled his hair. "We did, Gash. We did."
"Congratulations, Gash Bell! You have done well, winning through this battle of 100 Demon Children! you are now the Demon World King! Partner, Kiyo Takamine, thank you for fighting with him to the end. And deep apologies for the inconvenience to the Human World. At this time, all the damage done to people, things, and parts of nature caused by this Demon Battle will be returned to this previous state. Now then, Demon World King Gash Bell's partner, Kyo, you have a final choice to make.
"If you've had pain from fighting alongside Gash, your memories of Gash may be erased and as compensation, you will be given any fortune you desire. On the other hand, if you wish to keep your memories of Gash, you may not have any such fortune.
"What shall you do?"
Gash's red spellbook was floating before the duo, aglow with whatever force that powered the tournament now speaking through the tome.
"I will leave my memories of Gash in my heart. I already have a 'fortune' in my heart..."
The voice from the book continued. "Congratulations, Kiyo! The fortune you've chosen will certainly make the path of your life from here glow golden. In hard times and sad times, that fortune will support your heart.
"The time of separation is at hand. Have you both prepared your hearts?"
Gash smiled, his heart swollen with pride at Kiyo's decision. "Kiyo..."
"We won't cry. We've already had our farewells."
Gash bowed to Kiyo and disappeared in a golden glow.
---
Gash was pulled from the Human World into the space between worlds. He felt himself propelled to the Demon World, but some other power was pulling him in an entirely different and new direction. 'Almost there,' Gash thought. 'I can sense Demons in this direction!' Gash willed himself to return to the Demon World. He redoubled his efforts and began to feel himself break into the Demon World. He was so close he could now sense Kanchome! He groped forward, struggling, trying with every part of his being to reach the duck-billed demon.
"Gash!" He heard Kanchome shout. Their hands met, Gash grasping Kanchome's wrist. Unfortunately for the two demons, the outside force that had been drawing Gash away now intensified and ripped them from their world and out to a new world of shinobi and tailed beasts.
---
Minato, weak and dying from the Death God Sealing Jutsu, could only watch as what appeared to be two strange children burst from the Death God’s mouth and were sealed inside his infant son. A seal resembling an old-fashioned door lock briefly flashed on the newborn’s chest before fading away.
“What?” Was all Minato could ask before the Death God finished removing Minato’s soul.