Kabuto and Mr Artist A new toy

The light in Kabuto's lab flickered eerily as he moved towards a large computer panel set into the edge of the room. The damage that had been caused by the death of the creature was repaired, and the equipment was replaced. The computer's screen came to life, and it cast a pale glow on Kabuto's face. The light reflected off of his glasses, creating a strange effect upon his face. He quickly began typing on the keypad, working on equations and entering in commands. He continued this for several moments, and then he turned away from the computer as several more lights across the room activated. He walked over near them as they illuminated a long row of massive glass, liquid-filled tubes. They were well over a meter high, and each one contained a single, limp figure. Kabuto smiled as he pushed his glasses up and pressed one more key on a nearby pad. Lights inside each tube began glowing, revealing the figures for what they really were. They all had short black hair, long limbs, and wide mouths.

"All preparations have completed." The computer intoned in a metallic voice, "Clones are ready for activation."

"Excellent." Kabuto replied, "Soon we can begin..."



Meanwhile, in another part of Oto, Dan Mclain and Mr. Artist were walking along one of the many corridors that twisted their way through the underground tunnels. There were many entrances lined across both sides of the hallway, some lead to rooms, others to places for storage, and still others that seemed to serve no function other than to preserve the symmetry of the hall. They were talking quietly, "So when did you start sketching Kabuto?" Dan asked, shuffling along the hallway and glancing inside one of the rooms.

"Oh, it was a few years ago Dan." Artist replied, "I saw him then for the first time, and from then on i was hooked. I just had to draw him and figure out everything i could about him."

"First thing," Dan said, glancing at Artist nervously, "Ah...That sounded strange. Second of all, stop calling me Dan."

"It's not like that!" Artist shouted, waving his arms wildly. "And what should i call you? Dan is your name isn't it?"

"Yeah..." Dan replied, an annoyed expression spreading across his face, "It is...But i hate it. Just call me Izumo."

"Oh, ok." Artist shrugged. Suddenly, Dan turned and moved through one of the doors on his right.

"Woah," Dan's voice echoed out through the door, "This is COOL!" He suddenly appeared at the door. He was wearing a large device on his right forearm. It was metallic, and had many large holes on the outside. "What is this thing?"

"That would be the melody arm." Orochimaru said, stepping out of the shadows towards Artist and Izumo. "An old toy that i gave to a test subject, Dosu by name. Unfortunately, he is dead."

"Awesome!" Izumo replied. He didn't seem affected by Orochimaru's presence, or so Artist thought as he backed up against the wall. "Can i have it?" Dan asked, looking up at Orochimaru with wide eyes. Orochimaru regarded him silently for a moment, and then he smiled,

"Of course...However, i will require something in return from you." He answered, stepping past Izumo and motioning for him to follow. As Dan quickly fell into step behind him, Artist reluctantly followed. "Now, here's what i need you to do. Simply kill your friend back there. That's about it." Dan and Artist choked, and then Dan glanced back at Artist. He stared thoughtfully at him for a moment, and then Orochimaru laughed and spoke again, "I was just playing with you. You don't have to kill him. I don't even know if he can fight... No. What i need you to do, is to test one of my...experiments."

"Uh, it isn't Sasuke is it?" Izumo asked, "I really don't feel like fighting him."

"Does he scare you?" Orochimaru said,

"No. He's just...how do i say this...Arrogant? no...Obsessed? no...Annoying...Ah!" Izumo placed his fist into his open left hand and smiled, "He's no fun!"

"Yes," Orochimaru sighed, "I will agree to that... Anyway, that isn't the point. The one i want you to test is in this room. His name is-" Suddenly Orochimaru paused, and he glanced around the area. After several moments of silence, he whirled around and pointed into an empty hallway. "Look! It's Itachi!"

Instantly, Sasuke burst from the room, his sword drawn. He quickly looked up and down the hallway, and then he turned back to Orochimaru with a dark expression. "That was a dirty trick." He growled, gripping his sword.

"And it wasn't nice of you to defeat my other experiment before i had a chance to view him in action!" Orochimaru sighed, and then turned back towards Izumo. "It seems that this fight will have to be postponed. Keep the melody arm."


"THANK YOU!" Izumo shouted, running down the hallway.



Kabuto was making final preparations in his lab when suddenly a figure flashed past his door, shouting gleefully. He shook his head and returned to what he was doing. "Now..." He said thoughtfully, "Let's begin."