Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
Talking: HI
Thoughts: I'm safe inside my head.
Biju/Demon/ enraged: Scary monster!
The Heroes Of Circumstance
Prologue: The road less seen.
What internal madness lies in the hearts of shinobi? What is the driving force that compels them all to fight and kill without hesitation? Some would waste your time. Tell you that their 'Nindo' or 'way of ninja' does, others would be more forth coming and say things like "power" or "wealth" . But neither were the ultimate answer he so desperately longed for. He had killed hundreds if not thousands at this point in his life and couldn't feel any less hollow than he did now. He had a purpose, a goal that once pushed him to fight and be strong, but she was gone, and with her all sense of identity he had.
"You think this is over boy?!" A black anthropomorphic mass asked him as it clung to the charred remains of a zetsu."YOU HAVEN'T WON! I have walked this earth for centuries and I will walk it for centuries more UNTIL my will is DONE!" Raved the being he had come to know as black zetsu. He turned his head slowly with disinterest absently looking at the enraged cultivation. "This fire will not kill me! This seal will not hold me! I am beyond petty humans like you! I will escape and I will tear you APART!"
A sigh escaped from the teen's lips."No, you won't." He said in a hollow tone."You're powerless. If you could have escaped you'd already be gone" He casted an empty gaze towards the pentagram seal formed underneath the entity."It hurts doesn't it? Having the life slowly drained from you while your movements are completely restricted. After all those years of living this must be the single most terrifying highlight of your life."
"THIS IS YOUR LAST WARNING BOY! Release me or I will make what Madara did to your little crush seem like a pleasant DREAM!"
The entity known as Black-Zetsu watched as a smile slowly crept across the boy's face sending a shiver through the creature's being. His lips spread to reveal a smile that gleamed with madness and insanity. Vains began popping out of his face as laugher began emerge from his throat."Hehehehe HAHAHAHHAHAHAA" The teen's cries of insanity filled the cave bringing atmosphere that the room held, which was a grim hades, to a new level of mental torment. " THIS IS NO DREAM! THIS IS HELL- OUR HELL- OUR INSTITUTION OF ETHERAL PUNISHMENT! HAHAHAHAHA!"
Out of nowhere the pawn and trusted puppet of Madara had returned looking a little roughed up and untamed. Moments after what had been an otherwise usual day for Black-Zetsu quickly became a nightmare. Explosions echoed throughout the corridors destroying various tunnels, passageways and artifacts. 'The God-Tree' that had nursed so many growing zetsus was set ablaze by an A-Rank ninjutsu from the teen himself. Zetsu's still in their infantcy tried to rise to defend themselves but were swiftly killed. An emergency signal was sent out to all zetsu operatives, and a battle immediately ensued between the small army and the rampaging boy.
It'd tried to activate one of the seals Madara had placed on the boy to make his heart implode, but noting happened! It was at this time that the leader of the zetsus knew... The seals were gone... and that monster they had created had irreversibly turned against them. The boy had been put through horrific traumas in order to pass all Madara's 'True' test and the memories of what he had been put through by the duo had been returned to him.
The teen continued setting fire to the entire cave, mowing through everything he could get his hands on. Tobi-zetsu had tried to bring an end to the teen but the boy countered with a power they had no data on, his susanoo. The child was never this powerful before and the abilities he was displaying were ridiculous, by all rights and logic he shouldn't have even had a Susanoo- MADARA HIMSELF HAD PROMISED HIM THE BOY WOULD NEVER REACH THIS LEVEL! After a short but prolonged battle the strongest of the zetsu was ripped apart by the insane berserker. Black-Zetsu shuttered in horror as fireballs, explosives tags and more hit 'The Gedo Mazo' damaging it dramatically. It had become a no retreat situation for Black-Zetsu as it and its small army rushed madly to save the key to their plan. Unfortunately; there simply weren't enough of them to stop the boy.
The actual number of zetsus able fight were in the low hundreds, the last census Black-Zetsu had taken revealed only 467 zetsu within their ranks were capable of actual combat. It had taken Madara and himself half a century to cultivate those zetsus alone. They needed the tailed beast to grow zetsus properly, which was the purpose Obito had been chosen to serve. The zetsu at their disposal were at best low tier chunin in strength. When it became clear that this was a lossing battle Black-Zetsu had tried to escape which is what had brought it to its current situation.
"Hahahahaha" The boy continued to laughed wildly as everything burned to ash around them. The Gedo Mazo had reduced to a head and 'The God Tree' was practically ash at this point, as it continued to burn he continued to watch as everything burned in the inferno of fire and smoke the teen created. From Black-Zetsu's prospective -traped within a red nearly satanic seal that slowly sucked the life out of it- as its red-eyed tormentor laughed at its pain and suffering had all the physiological effects of hell. Black-Zetsu knew this was its end and that there was no bargaining with the boy.
It's thoughts began to drift towards its mother and the promise he represented to her. He would be unable to live up to his purpose and revive her like he always wanted to. His mind began to become hazy as his life began to fade."I'm sorry mother... I've failed you, I was a waste of your gift...pl-please...for-forgi..." The last of Black-Zetsu strength vanished and it's world darkened.
The smile melted away from teen's lips as Black-Zetsu stopped moving."There's nothing left for you to take from me. My world ended when you killed my grandmothers and Rin." He pulled out a kunai and walked towards the burning center of the cave."This is the only gift I can give to those who continue to love me ignorant to what I have become." This was it, how he planned on ending things once and for all. He would slit his throat and add his body to the flame destroying any chances 'The Moon's Eye Plan' had of being revived.
A bitter sweet smile returned to his face. Everyone would be fine. Kushina-senpai would give birth to one of the most beautiful babies the world had ever seen, Minato-sensei would glow with pride and make a great father. Kakashi would heal and learn how to love again under Minato and Kushina-senpai's gentle care and konoha would move in a better direction. Yes, the world would truly be a better place without him in it.
"RAAARRRAAGGHH!" The head of the Gedo Mazo let out a ear piercing screech shaking the teen from his thoughts of suicide. Many of its pieces began to glow in a blinding show of lights before losing their luster. Finding a momentary instance of sanity the teenager noticed that the head of the Gedo Mazo was gone.
"What? That can't be unless... no. No, No, NO, NO, NNNNOOOOOOO!" He howled out in righteous fury.
xxxxxx
Ame: General pov-
The field stood quiet and without action on both sides. A boy with bright orange hair laid on the ground unmoving as the rain carried his blood away. His friends looked on petrified. No words escaped their lips. Only soft breathes of disbelief as their brains processed what had happened before their very eyes. The reality of the grim world they would soon call hell cemented by a cry of sorrow.
"YAAAAHIKOOOOO!"
Konan. One of the original founders and the matriarch of their group of friends cried out in pain. It had been no secret that she had been in love with Yahiko and that his loss had pained her deeply. None of them were strangers to loss and pain but they had found happiness again in Akatsuki. The foolish carrot-top had united them under the banner of hope and peace, giving them all a second chance at life even if some of them had tried to kill him in the beginning.
To them Yahiko was light given mortal flesh, and until today they were sure he'd always be around spreading his message of love and understanding. The sky crackled with lighting as the downpour doubled masking their pain and tears. It was like the heavens and kami himself were mourning the loss of the one they called brother and leader.
Their second in command, even if he didn't know it yet, shook in place before dropping the very instrument that had ended his best friend's life. His pupils dilating as he heaved in and out lost in a trace of pain. Nagato Uzumaki cast a gaze to his friends and fellow members of Akatsuki before looking up at Konan. Tears were streaming down her face matching the rain of this cursed land.
"Is that all boy? Is that all it took to break you and your will to fight? After all the speeches your friend gave. After all the battles you've won and lost. This is all it takes to break you all?" Hanzo 'The Salamander' a man renowned for his skill and honor in combat lectured on in disappointment."I expected more from you. From all of you." He tightened his grip on Konan and pressed his kunai further into her neck drawing trickle of blood from her.
"DON'T YOU DARE MOCK US YOU BASTARD!" Yelled one of the members who had his arm in a sling."NOT AFTER WHAT YOU DID TRAITOR!"
Hanzo mearly shook his head."Who said I was mocking you? Its the opposite, I applaud you all for making it this far." Spoke Hanzo calling down to the members of Akatsuki."Your words and actions have resonated with the people Ame and I will do my best to see some of them brought to light. But rest assured. For your actions against me and my rule, you will all die this day."
"Actions against you...? WHAT ACTIONS HAVE WE TAKEN AGAINST YOU, YOU OLD BASTARD?!" He yelled back feeling his hot-blooded nature as a member of Akatsuki take over."We avoided fighting with you when we could! AND WE ONLY FOUGHT WHEN WE HAD TO PROTECT THE CIVILIANS YOU KEPT PUTTING IN DANGER! THE ONLY TIME WE KILLED WAS TO PUT AN END TO THE CHILD SEX SLAVE OPERATIONS YOUR MEN WERE RUNNING!" He finished pointing an accusing finger at Hanzō.
The older man shook. "I got those reports, and I am thankful for what did." He said giving them what could be considered a bow. "But when you did that it made people think of me as incompetent, and increased my burdens. As a ninja many sacrifices must be made to keep all of the people happy. What you ended may have brought a small few joy, but made life for others more difficult." He explained.
"You knew..." said the teen in disbelief.
"Yes, as I said, sacrifices. If I had allowed you to live longer there is no doubt in my heart that you would have made similar choices. Just like your leader did to save this girl." Hanzō looked out at them with compassion."I truly do regret this, you all would have made splendid additions to our village" Hanzō was truly sickened by the actions of his subordinates and once sought to end them himself by skinning the perpetrators alive. Once; He believed that his village was above the ilk that made up the majority of the hidden villages, but he was proven wrong. Powerful allies and civilians alike had enjoyed many of the underground... pleasures more than he'd hoped. Men and women alike had begun to seek out their perversions by any means they could. At first he tried to manage it but with the war going full-swing and small upraising a constant threat there was nothing he could do.
Violence erupted through out his lands nearly tearing them apart from the inside. So with the heaviest of hearts, he rebuilt the underground his way. Things began to patch themselves up afterwards, allowing him to regain the power he'd once had over his lands once more. It had been one of the hardest decisions of his life and it haunted him to this day. And what saddened him the most at the moment was what would happen to the girl in his captivity. His contact in Konoha wanted her for unknown reasons. He didn't know what would happen to her, but then again, he really didn't want to.
"We didn't come here to lose! Akatsuki is strong! And we're gonna kick your ass!"
"Kie-kun..." whispered Konan moved by her friend's impassioned words.
Hanzo raised a brow." And how pray tell do you plan to do that? Hmmm?" Hanzo brushed the teen's words away like trash."Your leader killed himself for this girl without first making sure she'd be freed. Your leader gave you strength to move your flat feet to oppose me. Your leader inspired insurrection throughout ame. Now, however, with him gone, so are his dreams of change and foolish idealisms. You are weak and he was a fool. The only reason you have not been killed by my men is due to my mercy. Mercy which I'm afraid you have run out of." He raised his hand to give his men the command to attack the group of revolutionaries.
"I'LL KILL YOOOUUUU" The young Uzumaki yelled out with murderous intent. He cycled through his hand-seals and slammed his palm to the ground."SUMMONING JUTSU!" A short pause later and a cloud of black smoke covered half of the field. This caused just the slightest bit of hesitation from Hanzo.
"RRRAAARRRRAAAAAWWWW!" A booming primal roar shot from the cloud of smoke seizing the hearts of many of the onlookers. Unfortunately the moment could not last. As the smoke cleared a giant head with many eyes appeared a few feat behind Nagato before shooting a spike aimed for his spine at the rebel.
"Look out!" Called out a member of Akatsuki who carried an over sized club, smacking the spike away along with the head."Are you alright, Nagato?" Asked the teen who looked more like a stone buda.
"Was that it?" Asked one of the Konoha anbu from Hanzo's side.
Nagato's expressions was one of defeat and disbelief."I..."
"I have had enough of your games, child."Hanzo raised his hand once more."Take them." Kunai rained down and shinobi rushed at the group of revolutionaries intent to kill at Hanzo's command. As this happened something, or someone, had appeared and whomever they were they radiated blood-lust. As if one with the earth he rose from the ground without a sound, kunai poised to strike Hanzo down from behind. An attack they would have succeeded if not for a word of warning.
"LOOK OUT, HANZO-SAMA!" Called one of the village leader's guards.
Hanzo turned his head in time to see the oncoming attack, using his reflexes to save himself from the oncoming kunai strike aimed for his head. Hanzo tilted his head to the side and raised his own kunai to block the attack, which failed? Hanzo watched on in confusion, as time slowed down for him, his attackers kunai had passed through his own as if it were a genjutsu before stabbing into his shoulder. A vicious snap-kick from the masked shinobi crashed into Hanzo's skull sending him flying a few feat away.
A look of pure madness danced in the masked man's eye, he glared at Konan before snatching her up. He pulled her closer before growing out a single question."Where. Is. It?!"
Konan stared back at him terrified and frozen."I-I d-don't know what your talking about, Madara-san." She sputtered out. He looked as if he was going to say more but before he could the sound of lite fuses cut him off. Explosive tags began crawling up his legs much to Konan's horror."YAHIKO!" She Called out as the tags went off in a flashy show of light sending dirt and debris flying.
"KONAN!" The members of Akatsuki cried out as one in despair.
"Two down." Muttered Danzo from behind his barricade of anbu guards. All was going according to plan with a few minor set backs. Akatsuki would be gone, and when Hanzo let his guard down he would make away with the body of the young Uzumaki. "When the battle is over be prepared to-"Danzo paused mid-sentence when he saw the masked man reappear besides the other members of Akatsuki. Whom stared back up at Danzo and those who stood with him. His sharingan scanning them like a bird of prey.
The masked man took a long breath and spoke in a more patient tone."Nagato."
"Yes?"
"You summoned the head? Where is it?" Nagato pointed behind them."Good, when this is over, we need to have a little chat. Kill anyone I don't take care of." The masked man they knew as Madara calmly placed Konan on the ground softly, and in a burst of speed he appeared in front of the would be assassins."All of you die today." His hand reached into the air itself and pulled out a gunbi.
Hanzo was the first to speak." You think you can fight all of us on your own?"
The masked man tilted his head to the side."Who said anything about "Think"? When I say anything it is simply a fact. Bitch!"
The area became silent once more. The rain even seemed to lighten up a bit. All eyes were on the masked man staring at him in disbelief. He'd just insulted one of the most powerful men known to the world, and not in a way that it could be brushed off. This was a show true disrespect with no regard for the other man's pride.
"I'm sorry. But would you care to say that again?"
"Which part? The one when I said I was going to kill you? Or where I called you a bitch? Bitch." The members of Akatsuki all gave him a look that said "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" Little did they know that, that was exactly what the masked man had planned.
"I'll make an example of you."
His sharingan narrowed at Hanzo."You will only die trying." The words between the two adversaries hung in the air, bringing the temperature of the area the to a noticeable low.
"No one interfere. I will break this fool and with him the frail hope those foolish children cling to." The leader of rain walked to meet his opponent.
"Hai, Hanzo-sama."
"Kage bushin no jutsu." Two shadow clones appeared at the masked men's side."Go and tend to the children while I handle this." He outstretched his right hand and one of the clones cut it off, taking it with him as he leapt away with his counterpart.
"Mutilation? Have you lost your resolve so early boy?" Said Hanzo standing a few feat away from him.
"No. I'm restoring the Baka." He said raising his stomp showing that a new hand was slowly growing in its place.
Hanzo kept any astonishment he felt from his face. Looking out of the corner of his eye he saw that the shadow clones had indeed began to attempt to save the leader of Akatsuki."I will sever your head before you can save that BOY." He gripped his sword and the battle began.
Hanzo opened up with a wide swing of his blade, intent on taking his opponents head off in one swift move. The masked man dipped under it in a surprising show of speed, and moved in to slice at the legendary shinobi with the sharp end of the gunbi. Hanzo stepped back avoiding the attack and with a grin moved his sickle in place to take the masked-man's head off. Once more; as if the man were a living genjutsu, Hanzo's attack passed through him harmlessly. Hanzo eyes widened in shock as his opponents newly resorted hand latched onto him.
"I win." The unknown man's sharingan gleamed with glee as Hanzo felt his body being sucked into a void. Luckily for Hanzo the jutsu was interrupted by one of his men who'd thrown a kunai at the masked men's head. Thus forcing him to turn intangible once more and saving Hanzo from an early loss.
Freed, Hanzo jumped back both eyes on the masked man."Who are you?" In all of Hanzo's life he'd never been caught off guard so easily by anyone. From the moment Hanzo had stepped onto the battle field he'd always been one of the fastest, and most quick witted shinobi. Decades of battle, hardship and loss had forged him into one of the sharpest military minds in the shinobi world, but now, things were different. Now, He was old and out of practice. Hanzo had spent the last decade behind his desk. His hours filled with nothing but constant paperwork and nagging diplomats.
When he'd first assumed power of ame he'd actually enjoyed it at first. Making powerful connections and trade deals had allowed his village to blossom. New jobs were created by businesses that had moved into the village, providing much need support. Vendors were able sell goods again to feed themselves and families, which finally allowed him to build a proper ninja academy thanks to the taxes they were able to collect. Ame was far from perfect but thanks to what he'd done it was far better than it was decades before. A great number of sacrifices had to be made in order achieve so much, but in his mind it was well worth every life it had cost. It was a proven fact that no one can gain anything without first losing something. Be it power, wealth, fame, freedom or knowledge, sacrifices had to be made. This was why a part of him hated hearing about the young revolutionary, Yahiko. The boy had challenged the established rules and the roles shinobi played and was revered for it. Everything the boy had done had reminded Hanzo of himself when was younger. That was why in his deepest darkest moments of reflection he had kill the boy. It had to be done to remind himself that he was right. That he hadn't sacrificed his dreams for nothing.
The masked man looked at him passively."...too slow, I'll be sure to take you faster next time." He stood from his crouching position and formed a tiger seal. Three more clones popped into existence."Kill the rest. No more games." The clones nodded before they began to glow with sky blue chakra. One clone moved to fight the Konoha anbu, one to fight Hanzo's ninja and the last would serve as a buffer in case any tried to escape. In an instant they exploded with chakra as rib cages, arms and demonic skulls formed around them in a stunning display of power.
On the sidelines Danzo watched on stupefied. He could see the eyes of the clones from were he stood. They were the mangekyo sharingan and the ability they were using was one of legends The "Susanoo" and one of them were charging right at them with murderous intent.
"Danzo-sama, what do we do?!"
"First we destroy the clone, then we capture the traitor Uchiha."
"Hai, Danzo-sama." The anbu company got into their battle formation. Some leapt into the air to prepare a mid-air strike. Others moved to each side of the attacker and the rest stayed behind to protect their leader. "Now!" With a shout from their leader they rained down a barrage of kunai, explosive tags, fireballs and slabs of stone. A cloud of smoke and dust blinded them to the shadow clone.
"Is it dea-Aaggghuuu." Roots exploded from the dust cloud impaling the ironically named root division member. They stretched out impaling and striking at anything that moved with ruthless inefficiency. They had suffered casualties but they were fairing better than the Ame-nin by miles. Whom were being brutalized by the second shadow clone.
"Mokuton?!"
"Yes." Answered the clone darkly."And it will be the last thing you see." The clone sprinted towards the foundation leader.
Using the time his subordinates bought him, Danzo, activated his short distance evacuation jutsu. He and his closest men vanish in a cloud of smoke retreating to an unknown location.
"Fuck!" Swore the clone as it ran out of chakra and died turning into a pile of smoking ash.
Elsewhere; Yahiko's eyes began to flutter before opening once more to look up at his friends."Guys... what are you doing in heaven?" He asked in a raspy voice.
"Yahiko!" Konan slammed herself onto his chest, crying deeply into the man she loved.
"You idiot! You're alive!"
"What were you thinking?!"
"Baka! Baka! Baka!"
"Yahiko-kun!"
The various cries of his friends further confused him."Did you all die?"
"No you idiot! You're alive!" Answers Konan holding him closer. She couldn't care less about the rain or mud that stained her clothes. She had Yahiko back. They all did and that was all that mattered.
"How?"
"Madara. He arrived shortly after the others arrived and brought you back." Nagato explained.
"What? Where is he now?"
Nagato continued. "The shadow clones he had heal you ran out of chakra after saving you. The original is fighting Hanzo in a duel to the death."
"Guys" said Kyusuke with urgency." As touching as this all is... I don't think this is the time!" He pointed to the squad of anbu heading towards them.
"Konan, stay back and protect Yahiko. Daibutsu, Kyusuke and Hebikawa with me." Determined and veins hot with boiling blood. Nagato lead his friends in a counter charge against their enemies." Banshō ten'in!" Hand out stretched he pulled one of the Konoha anbu off his feet. Using his free hand he threw a barrage of kunai at him which embedded themselves into the anbu's skull, neck and chest. Killing him.
"Here's a fast ball for ya'!" Moving at speeds shocking for someone his size, Daibutsu swung at the dead anbu's skull. Knocking it clean off its shoulders, and shooting it towards their enemies hitting one in his chest and Knocking him off his feet.
Following up, Kyusuke drew his Kitana to engage the ambushers. Shielding Daibutsu from the oncoming counter attack, he bared the weight of five simultaneous strikes from enemy ninjatos. "Ugh." Grunting under the weight Kyusuke shifted his own in an attempt to parry the attacks with limited success. As he succeeded in only unhinging one of the blades from his own. Kyusuke was sure he would have died in the moments to come had it not been for Hebikawa who shielded him.
This was one of their techniques that they called the revolving turtle. One man would attack, the other would defend that man and that man would attack again, and it would repeat as needed. It was only one of the ways they dealt with being out numbered in most battles. Teamwork, trust and strategy. As they continued to defend themselves they remembered Yahiko's words."The size of a man doesn't really make a difference. What really matters is the size of their heart. If a smaller man is courageous and determined they can accomplish anything." The old speech echoed through their minds. Filling them with determination.
Nagato would attack next. Out stretching his hand he yelled."SHINRA TENSEI!" An invisible wall of chakra crashed into the anbu aggressors with such force it flattened them instantly, creating a mist of blood and gore. Further out the wave of kinetic energy stormed violently forward picking up anything in front of it and launching it forward in a deadly explosion of shrapnel. Killing anyone unfortunate enough to be in its path.
"DAMN, NAGATO!" Kyusuke stared at his friend with surprise."Where did that come from?!"
"Yeah man, holy shit!" Agreed Hebikawa nodding his head vigorously.
Daibutsu's jaw just hung from his face like he'd been slapped.
"I don't know. I just...reacted to my anger..."
"Well it worked!" All for the anbu that had come to attack them were dead or dying in the mud. "I mean a few of them are still alive but-"
Nagato cut his friend short."Then let's not let our guard down. Not until all of them are dead." Nagato ran ahead to take care of all of the stragglers while they were still weak.
"Let's help him out boys. We can't let Nagato have all the glory! Can we?!"
"Fuck no!" They chorused together.
"As a former monk I concur. Too much glory is bad for one's diet." With that the three of them ran after Nagato ready to help.
In the distance; Yahiko, along with the others watched as the man they knew as Madara continued his dual Hanzo and things weren't looking good for him either. The masked man had slowed noticeable since the bout had begun and he had also suffered a few staggering injuries courtesy of Hanzo's blade which was laced with poison.
"Konan." Yahiko whispered into her ear softly.
"Yes?"
"If things get to rough I want you to help Madara." Nagato continued to watch the duel and he was sure he already knew its conclusion. 'Madara' was getting weaker faster than Hanzo and he was sure the veteran knew this. 'Madara' had fought like a wild beast, and while that was admirable, it wouldn't take him far. It was only a matter of time before he lost his head.
Konan gave him a look."I know you don't trust him, but I think we need to save him."
"Why? He's dangerous and a total ass. You know what he tried to do us and to Nagato." She whispered continuing their silent exchange.
"I don't know. Call it a hunch but something about him feels... familiar... something that wasn't there before." He explained vaguely. He wasn't sure why he felt the sudden impulse either, but he felt it would plague him if he let the shinobi die.
"Okay. But only if he's close to death or really needs me."
Yahiko grunted in a mixture of pain and agreement."That's all I ask."
Back with Obito things were looking grim. Both he and his adversary were bloodied and going all out. The veteran shinobi had summoned one of his Salamanders and thanks to his previous wounds the poison was proving more than effective. His vision was blurry, his breathing labored and body had failed to react properly too many times for his comfort. His eye stung like hell every time he used kamui and underneath his masked his eye began to leak tears.
"Hurts doesn't it, Boy." Said Hanzo from atop a pale and pink Salamander who's pointed fins made it appear to resemble a smiling dragon."Her name is Lolita. she's a special breed of Salamander that stops aging once they reach sexual maturity. Hence the name lolita. she is fully aquatic and completely blind, just as you will be soon."
"What did you do to me?!"
"You mean what type of poison I used?" The silence he got from the boy told he was right." I've lived a very long time boy. You're not the only Uchiha to come after me with a pair of those eyes or use the name 'Madara' child."
"What?" Obito was legitimately curious. He had no Idea he wasn't the first.
"You didn't know either did you boy?" Hanzo sported a disappointed look."I wonder how many others will oppose me before one of his followers finally does me in." Hanzo paused for a moment and decided to fill the child in." You are third Madara loyalist to come after me child. However you have one of the more unique abilities I've seen so far."
"The third!" Came a reply that was a cross between a wheeze and a snarl.
"Yes. In fact you are the second to use that fan on me. This was why I summoned her instead of my usual Salamander. Her poison leaks from her pours and mixes with the surrounding water. It has no odor or color and is difficult to identify even for dojutsu users. It places a huge strain on the eyes and blinds the victims. I've found it most effective on dojutsu users like yourself."
The teen had no reply for the older man. Obito had one, just one chance to swiftly defeat this man and had failed thanks to the interference of one Ame-nin. He was sure this was his end and that he would die alone and in a foreign land where no one cared for him. He found a strange peace in that fact. He couldn't face his Sensei, Kushina-senpai or even his teme of a rival as he was anymore. His back was against the metaphorical wall but perhaps he could still net a profit for his family. If he could weaken Hanzo just a bit more then Akatsuki might be able to kill the village leader. If they could, Yahiko, would replace Hanzo as the defacto leader of ame and with it a slightly more peaceful world would come into existence. The best part of it all was that he could go into the next life knowing he did three things. Help the woman he thought of as an older sister reconnect with a piece of her family, potentially create a peace between konoha and ame and in effect make Kakashi a little less busy. It was a win-win situation.
"I'm not done yet..." He mumbled weakly under his breath just loud enough for Hanzo to hear. Face filled with concentration he punched his right arm into the ground."MOKUTON: SUICIDE ART- THOUSAND IVY BLADES!" Without warning thousands of tiny plants burst from the ground underneath them. What appeared to ordinary poison ivy- if a bit over sized- quickly ensnared Hanzo's Salamander. The plant forced itself into the olm salamander's body causing it to let out a piercing cry of anguish. Obito ripped the arm off and activated kamui turning intangible before his jutsu could kill him."You shouldn't monologue when you fight s-rank shinobi, Dumb-ass." He groaned. Raising to his feet he looked out on the cliff. The olm salamander was dead and atop so was its master. It seemed the speed of the jutsu overwhelmed the legendary shinobi. Obito closed his eyes no longer feeling the presence of Hanzo. "I did it." He said with a smile hidden by his mask. His thoughts drifted towards Nagato. He would need to tell the boy everything about his eyes and where they'd come from. "Sigh... one step at a time Obito." He walked to the edge of the cliff looming over the members of Akatsuki. "Hanzo's dead. Has Nagato taken care of... what?" He stopped noticing the looks of distress they were giving him.
"BEHIND YOU!" One of the members tried to warn but it had come to late.
He didn't even feel it as Hanzo plunged his Kitana into him and added a twist."I raised that salamander from an EGG!" Hanzo brutally sliced clean through the right side of Obito's midsection freeing his blade. Hanzo added to the brutality by harshly kicking the teen off the cliff. Obito hit the ground hard, his guts exposed and his strength all but none existent. Hanzo looked down at the teens his eyes burning with unkempt fury."I WILL DESTROY YOU ALL FOR THE SAKE OF MY LAND!" Hanzo's mask was gone, destroyed by the last attack he endured. His breaths were now visible and carried a small purple cloud with each breah."And you, BOY!" He pointed his blade at Yahiko."I will make you watch as I kill all the fools you've brought to their doom." A sadistic glint danced in Hanzo's eyes.
While his words were imposing and threatening he wasn't in the best condition. He was sporting multiple cuts and stabs all over his body, especially around his ankles and thighs. One of his arms hung uselessly to his side. His armor was also torn up and just above his rib cage- if one's eyes were sharp enough- a purple substance could be seen leaking instead of blood. Yes he had beaten the teen but he had still paid a price.
Eyes locked on Konan, Hanzo jumped down landing on the masked man's prone body. A gruesome crunch filled the air as the boy's skull was crushed under Hanzo's foot. For a brief moment he looked down at the corpse." Bitch." He uttered silently before charging at the girl and her friends. A few of the faces he didn't recognize from the group stood in front to protect the girl and their leader. They were yelling about friendship or something else stupid. It all fell on deaf ears as he cut them down, killing or seriously wounding all the that stood in his way. Before long he stood in front of the girl who shielded her little boyfriend with her frame.
"I won't let you hurt, HIM!" She snarled viciously.
"Your compliance isn't a factor child." He dropped his sword and roughly grabbed her by the back of the hair and yanking back with great force he separated the two."It never was." Hanzo hoisted Konan in the air by above the rebel leader. Taunting Yahiko and his other friends who bared witness to the act helpless to stop it. Yes there were dozens of them but most were dreamers and below chunin level.
"Aghhh!" Konan screamed out in pain thrashing struggling against Hanzo's iron grip.
"LET HER GO!" Yelled Yahiko still helpless after being resurrected.
"Don't worry boy. I will release her..." He let his words hang in the air as he smirked."From this tender mortal coil."
"Waaaggghh AAGHHHH YAHIKOOOO!" Konan screamed out louder unable to save herself.
Hanzo increased the pressure around her neck slowly, careful not to snap her neck too soon. A sinister grin plastered on his face."Now watch as I repay you for your generous insurrection."
"YAAAAHIKOOOOO!" Konan screamed out even louder. She could feel her bones begin to break along with the near unbearable pain that accompanied it. She knew Yahiko could do nothing and she knew she was hurting him by calling his name, but she couldn't help; for it was her prayer. And even when he was powerless to change anything, it had soothed her soul "AGHHH..." She suddenly felt the vice-grip on her neck weaken.
There was blood every where. It covered Yahiko and traveled down Konan's waist. It happened almost instantly; an explosion blood and gore that shot out in every direction. "When...did...? I...killed..? " Hanzo looked at his waist line to find four medium sized spears sticking out of his gut. He shakily looked over his shoulder to see the boy he'd just slain on his kness 15-ft away, with his arm still outstretched as if he'd just thrown something. Hanzo tried to process how this was even possible. He'd crushed that boy's skull and yet... Time seemed to stand still while Hanzo watched the boy's single eye turn pale and close."...Izanagi..." How could I have forgotten about that technique...Thought Hanzo before his thoughts were interrupted by a battle cry.
"YAAAA." Kyusuke Charged in cutting off the veteran shinobi's arm freeing Konan in the process and leaving Hanzo open for the red blur that rushed him.
White eyes with a purple hue sparked with rage piercing Hanzo's soul. The older man found himself on his back being pummeled by the vengeful Uzumaki. "Die! Die! Die! DIE! DIE!" Hanzo was forced to listen to the Uzumaki repeat himself with fire and brimstone. There was so much hatred in Nagato's eyes for him and Hanzo felt it deeper within himself with each fist. There was nothing he could do to stop the assault. Not with a useless arm and one hand missing. He was truly powerless and he knew it.
"This is it... This is how I die...? After so many conquest and battles, I am slain by children." Hanzo hazard a chuckle."How quaint and familiar is a fate such as this? I wonder... how they would feel if they could see me now? *sigh* like it matters any longer." His thoughts began to blur."They'll turn out the same... it's only be a matter of-" Hanzo's thoughts came to an abrupt halt as his skull collapsed in on itself. Bringing an end to the once legendary shinobi.
"Haa... haaa... haaa" Nagato heaved heavily."Is everyone... okay...?" Doing a quick scan he got his answer. Three of his lay dead decapitated while two others cluthed their wounds."No..." A tear of remorse fell down his face.
"Ngghhh Nagato, save who you can..." advised Yahiko still clutching his chest.
"But you're- I understand." Nagato and the others quickly sprang into action taking care of their wounded.
"Guys! The masked guy is still breathing, but he doesn't look too good." Yelled the only other female member of their group.
"Madara... are you sure Moa?" Asked Konan.
"Hai" She called out pealing back his blood and sweat covered mask."He's our age..." She said to herself taking in his appearance.
He couldn't be more than 15yrs old with his baby face and soft features. Thick scars decorated the right side of his face. Slime like trails of purple mucus trailed from both eye sockets, covering most of his face in a combination of secretions and blood. His breath was thick and labored. Every few breathes he'd cough up blood. A long gash made its way from his breastbone to his pelvic vertically. Other small cuts and bruises also covered his frame. The only wound missing was the near fatal wound from Hanzo's last attack. His pulse was weakening by the second. If no action was taken she was sure he'd be dead within the hour.
"I need help!" To her shock his arm reached out and grasped her shoulder.
"...The head...*cough...cough*..." He wheezed." You must destroy...the hea-..." His eyes rolled to the back of his head and his world turned black.
"NAGATOO!"
xxxxx
Location/Pov:?
Iron and damp air. Those were the first things his sense had picked up. Opening his sore eyes he looked up at the ceiling. It was a plain dark grey of a room that clearly wasn't one that belonged a hospital. Scanning the room he and his surroundings he saw a tint of pink. Raising his arms...arm... slowly he pushed the pink comforter away from his form. Carefully he attempted to stand on his legs only to quickly fall to his back.
"Uuuggghhh...everything hurts..." He looked to his chest. He was wrapped up like a mummy. Even his arm."Why does everything hurt?" If the teen had been smart he would have noticed that thick bandages cloaked him and a makeshift cast encased his right leg. A red streak popped from his chest. "What the Fuck happened to me?" He asked as he lay prone on his back in agony.
The pitter patter of naked feet filled hollow room. Seconds later a girl with long black hair and smooth face stood in the rooms doorway. For a few seconds the two teen's stared at each other.
Needing help and obviously wanting answers the boy decided to speak."Hello." He said carefully hoping to prompt a response.
"...Hi." The girl said nervously.
The boy smiled." By chance... could I ask you a question?"
The girl looked away but nodded with confidence."What is it?"
"Do you know where we are?"
She nodded in understanding."You're in my room." She answered with a warmth that was so kind and beautiful that it made the boy's heart flutter.
"...Does that mean you're the one who patched me up?"
She nodded."H-hai... are you okay?" She asked observing his peculiar situation.
He blushed with embarrassment."I might need a little help... I'm a little stuck." She nodded and walked over to the bed and gently helped him get him back inside the soft cradle." Thanks...errr"
"Moa" She said politely." My name is Moa."
"Thanks Moa-san. My name is... my name is..." His pupils dilated and the smell of iron became more prominent as a migraine pressed against his brain. "Ughh... I don't know what my name is..." A small trail of blood spilled from his nostrils and he rewelcomed darkness.
Prologue end:
A/N:
Well that was it. I hope you all enjoyed it. I decided to make the first chapter an Obito chapter because it was one of the only ways I could think of to take care of the zetsus and get the ball rolling. Obito is not the main character of this tale but he will have a leading role here. He will also be returning to his old self(as far as personality) in this story thanks to a certain Uzumaki.
