Hello! Happy Belated Mother's Day! I've finally finished this chapter. It's nice to be able to get the ideas out of my head. I'm hoping to post another chapter soon, but...Anyway, I hope you guys like it. Enjoy! :)
P.S.
Please Review. You guys are my motivation! The more reviews I get, the more I want to write. And then I know what you think of the story.
Naruto's POV
Naruto backed away refusing to allow Neji any chance of attack. He curled his lip. Obviously, his best bet would be to use projectiles, and pick Neji off from a distance, but projectiles weren't his forte, and the Hyuuga knew their weakness was range, and probably had techniques against ranged attacks, and Naruto prefered to be up close and personal.
Neji began to step forward, trying to close the gap. Naruto knew that he had limited space, before he needed to either attack, or defend. Picking his special kunai, he flung it at Neji's face, hoping to set a trap for later. Neji just moved his head, and the kunai soared passed him, settling in the dirt near the center of the arena.
"Pointless." Neji moved forward again. Naruto back away. Naruto began to enter the shadows of the wall, meaning that he was really close to the wall. He'd thought he had more space.
"He's looking scared…"
"Just like that night…" Naruto whirled around. He vaguely recognized the face. The guy who hit Hinata back then.
"You shouldn't have turned your back." Neji said, dangerously close. Naruto jumped, all semblance of strategy forgotten, and launched himself at Neji. Naruto decked him in the jaw, before jabbing an elbow into his throat. He stumbled away.
The arena grew quiet, watching in anticipation. Neji's eyes hardened, veins crawling along his skin. "Unexpected. You are still fated to lose." Naruto ignored him.
'Just keep in control…' Naruto didn't want to let the fox out unless it was necessary. "Bullshit. I'll hit you again." Naruto ran forward, cocking his fist back in an obvious move. Neji smirked, completely prepared to shut down the arm. Naruto disappeared before his eyes.
He reappeared by Neji's side, which Neji saw easily with his Byakugan. Even then he was unprepared for the attack, and it grazed by Neji's cheek.
Neji was getting frustrated. Fate was on his side, so it should have been an easy win. And the elders had said that Hiashi's sudden change had been the result of the Namikaze boy. He had to beat him. He didn't want his seal activated again.
"Give up." Neji said. Naruto grinned inwardly. He could tell that Neji was starting to worry. That was good. Naruto slowly stepped forward, and Neji narrowed his eyes. He began to feed more chakra to his eyes, and his veins bulged as the pumped chakra and blood to the eyes.
Naruto kicked forward, seemingly gliding across the ground, one arm behind him, one arm in front of his chest. He tried to elbow Neji, who stepped to Naruto's right. Naruto spun on his heel, his hind elbow nailing Neji's gut. Neji's eyes widened, and spit flew out of his mouth. Naruto tried to dodge it, and in his distraction, Neji struck the joints on his elbow. Naruto's arms flopped to his side.
Neji tried to push his sudden advantage, but Naruto weaved his way out of Neji's range, before escaping the entire area. He stopped at the other side of the arena, arm flopping all the while.
"You're arm is useless now. Forfeit. You are fated to lose, and it will be proven." Naruto ignored him. He began to transfer chakra from his chest, into his arms. He began to tremble as his Tenketsu was forced open. It hurt. It burned.
"You are wasting chakra. It is futile."
"I've...got enough...to spare…" Naruto panted in pain. The pain began to fade away. "It doesn't matter how many you close...I can keep opening them all day…" 'But I really don't want to…It hurts!'
"You may have abnormally large reserves, however, you will succumb to fate. I will shut down your entire system, and you will be unable to reopen them. Just like Hinata." Naruto growled. He zig-zagged towards Neji, who raised his hands in guard. Naruto kicked forward, right foot out, aiming for Neji's stomach. Neji side stepped, chopping down at Naruto's knee. Naruto pulled his knee back, bringing his leg behind him, and contorted his body around, trying to hit Neji with his heel. Neji was prepared and dodged backwards, retreating slightly.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" 5 Naruto clones appeared. Neji was unable to see any difference between him and them, and the real Naruto was lost amongst the clones. They rushed him in a semi circle, attempting to mob him. He parried their weak attempts, dispelling them one by one. "Got you…" he heard in is ear. The real Naruto had snuck around him.
Neji was unable to turn around in time, and could only watch as Naruto disappeared from his line of sight. 'He knows the blind spot!' Neji dodged left, just before Naruto's fist smashed into the ground. "How?!" Even Hiashi stood when he realized what happened.
"You think training with Hina-chan wouldn't teach me a few things?" Naruto smirked.
"She is weak. No amount of training will make her better." Naruto stopped smiling.
"Why do you say that? Hinata is stronger than you think. And at least she tries to get better."
"...And that means?" Naruto flicked his Hiate.
"You're too scared to try and make things better. And you're to focused on your own problems to realize that other people go through worse than you ever have." He raised his fist, mirroring his pledge on Hinata's blood. "I'll have to beat that out of you."
Neji narrowed his eyes. He slowly untied his Hiate, revealing the cursed seal.
"From the moment my father was born, I was destined to receive this seal. That is proof that fate is real. From the moment you are born, your path is laid out before you. You have no say in how strong you are, just as I had no choice in gaining this seal." Naruto scowled.
"There's only a few things you can't control. Other people's choices, and who and where you were born. Maybe you were 'fated' to get your stupid seal, but you can decide just how good you get, and how you want to live life." Naruto removed his jacket. "And guess what? You're not the only one with a seal." He removed his mesh shirt. Molding a small amount of chakra, his seal flared onto his stomach. The audience was jittery. They didn't like being reminded that their greatest enemy was hidden just behind a couple strokes of a brush.
"I got this seal only a couple hours after I was born...and most of the people here hate me for it. But I'm happy, cause I decided that I wouldn't let them stop me from reaching my dreams. Hinata is getting stronger, you just refuse to see it." Naruto voice began to seeth. "You're all assholes! Fates the cowards way out! And to oppress someone for something they had no control over is evil!" HIs intent began to flash outwards, and seal was turning red. "But I can understand why…even if I wish it wasn't true..." He put his shirt back on. "So...if I win, I've proven that fate doesn't exist?"
"You are fated to lose, but if that is what you must believe, I will not stop you." Naruto snarled.
"I'll prove it. I'll carve my own path in this world. I'll be the greatest ninja ever…" For you...Mom and Dad.' Slowly, a strategy came to mind. He had one shot to knock Neji out. If he was able to use the Hiraishin well enough, he could catch Neji by surprise, hopefully winning the match. He had to get Neji near the kunai. And he knew how to do it.
"Arghhh!" Naruto rushed forward. He had to bait Neji. He began a flurry of punches, knowing that Neji would simply deflect them. He just wanted to get Neji to attack. He added kicks into the flurry, trying to force Neji to either succumb to the blows, or attack.
Neji was trying to concentrate. Naruto moved fast, and blocking punches and kicks from someone with almost limitless stamina was stressful, and energy consuming. He noticed a pattern in Naruto's attacks. A kick came along with every third punch from Naruto's right hand. On the next cycle, Neji grabbed Naruto's leg, pulling Naruto off balance.
Naruto fell backwards, dragging Neji towards him. Neji's palms began to glow, intent on striking Naruto's exposed chest. Naruto laughed, and Neji raised an eyebrow.
"Bye!" Naruto disappeared in smoke, and in his place lay the special kunai thrown before. Neji saw him reappear where the kunai had been before. He picked up the kunai, examining it. It was triple pronged, seemingly designed for stabbing, instead of piercing like a normal kunai. It also had an odd symbol wrapped around the handle. While Neji could see that it was chakra activated, it wasn't an exploding seal, so he dropped his guard.
"So you've moved. You have only delayed your loss. In his line of sight, a large amount of chakra appeared in the seal, and it began to heat in his hand. Before he knew it, he was flying backwards. The audience was on the edge of their seats. The Demon Brat had used the Fourth's signature Jutsu. He would pay.
Naruto grabbed his kunai. It had worked. Neji was embedded in the wall on the opposite side of the arena. Naruto had poured all his chakra and strength into that attack. And it had paid off. Naruto went over to Neji.
"I won. I fought your fate and I won." He looked into the stands, directly at Hinata.
"You are within the range of my divination."
"Wha-"
"Hakke Rokujuuyonshou! Two!" Naruto felt jabs on his stomach, and his abs became numb. "Four!" His chest began to burn. "Eight!" His shoulders stopped responding. "Sixteen!" His arms gave way. "Thirtytwo!" Naruto's legs began to quake. "Sixtyfour!" Naruto was blown backwards, flying across the arena floor, before scraping his skin across the ground.
'Why didn't I check?!" He screamed at his own cockyness. That wasn't how a Hokage acted. He shuddered in pain.
"End the match proctor. His chakra system has been shut down. He is unable to fight." Naruto heard. Neji and the proctor were walking towards him.
'I promised! I swore I would win for Hinata!' He brought himself to his feet. 'I refuse to let her down!' He knew that he had to open his Tenketsu again to even stand a chance against Neji, but he didn't have anywhere to redirect chakra from. 'Keep going! Never give up!'
"Your chakra system is unresponsive. You will lose."
"Don't...don't make me repeat myself…" He grinned. "I promised...and I never go back on my word...that's Hinata and my own ninja way...and I refuse to abandon it…"
"You are an idiot ninja, with no future. You will die out in the world, where no one cares about you. Give up!" Neji was getting pissed. How could Naruto stand against odds like this and refuse to give in. It started making Neji feel guilty for giving in himself. "You are a failure!"
For some reason, this shook Naruto the wrong way. Yeah, he knew he wasn't the smartest ninja, or the best fighter. Yeah, he was reckless, immature, bratty. But when he had to, he pulled through. That's all that mattered, right? He didn't need to be the best to become Hokage, he just needed to persevere. He didn't have to be perfect, just to respect his parents...right?
'He's right...you're a disgrace to your parents.'
The audience began to jeer. They were seeing the Demon Brat put in his place. He had been running around too long, and they loved seeing him suffer.
"Yeah! Idiot ninja! You never should have graduated!"
"Leave! You're not welcome!
"You're gonna lose anyway!
"Give up!"
The audience shouted at him, making Naruto feel worse and worse. However, one comment, pushed Naruto over the edge.
"You're a failure, just like your parents!"
Blood rushed in Naruto's ears. "SHUT UP!" Red chakra raced outwards around Naruto, drawing cracks in the arena floor. A crater appeared around Naruto, growing with every pulse. The audience definitely shut up, and several people needed a change. "My parents were heroes...and no one here will disrespect them." He turned to Neji. "And you know why you're wrong? I do have people who care about me. Kakashi-Sensei, Sasuke, Jiji, Hinata...they care. I won't die, because I'll win. I told you I'd carve my own fate."
Neji had seen his Tenketsu burst open, and the proctor hadn't called the match yet, so he would have to seal them all again. "I will defeat you, again and again. You will fall!" This time Neji was the one on the offensive. He wanted to end this! He was fated to win, so why was it so hard?! His palms were burning, and his head was pounding. He was forcing chakra into his eyes and hands. He was hurting himself.
Naruto ramped up the speed, dodging everything Neji threw at him. He ducked, jumped, twisted, stepped, slipped, anything to escape the attacks. He threw his own punch, completely stopping Neji's attack. Neji heaved, the pain in his gut reaching unbearable levels.
Naruto didn't care anymore. He didn't push the advantage. He had to prove that Neji was wrong, and he had to outlast him. 'Just keep going...for Hinata!'
Naruto held his hand behind his back, spinning his chakra into a ball. The slight whirring sound was heard, and he was holding The Rasengan behind his back.
"I can see it. The Byakugan can see all." Neji stated, recovering from the earlier blow.
"Doesn't matter. Rasengan!" Naruto ran forward, arm outstretched. Neji side stepped, and Naruto barreled past him. Naruto turned on his heels. Neji was smirking.
"It doesn't matter how powerful the attack is, if it is unable to connect." Naruto ran forwards again, and Neji began to step again, but this time. Naruto launched himself into the sky, right into the sun, which Neji could barely see into. Naruto forced more chakra into the sphere, and The Rasengan threatened to burst. He began to fall back to the earth, prepared to wreak destruction on his target.
"Kaiten!" Neji began to spin his chakra around him, forming a protective shield against The Rasengan. Naruto brought it down on the sphere, and the Ultimate Defense began to sink into the ground, trying to hold back The Rasengan's power. Both Jutsu began to dissipate, and Naruto landed on the ground just outside the Kaiten circle. The Kaiten dissipated, and revealed that a panting Neji was in the middle of a 4 foot deep crater.
"Not so Ultimate, is it?" Naruto smirked down at Neji.
"Again, it did not connect, and your Tenketsu show that that was full power. Fate will prevail, as it always has." Neji was right. Naruto's hand was burning, and he couldn't make a more powerful Jutsu. He needed to get stronger.
Neji jumped out of the crater, resuming the offensive. Naruto needed time. He needed to meditate. While dodging, he performed the hand signs as subtle as possible. Dog...Horse...Bird…
"Futon: Toppa!" Neji was caught unawares, and was blown backwards a good couple of meters. When he was on his feet again, Naruto was sitting on the floor, meditating. His chakra network was beginning to swirl around the seal he'd shown earlier.
"Are you giving up? This is a fight, we do not meditate!" Naruto ignored him, however, his brow furrowed.
On the inside, Naruto was going through his worst memories, drawing out the fox's chakra.
'Stop taking my chakra.'
'I need it!' Naruto thought about HInata. Somehow, she always seemed to be the trigger. The scene played in his mind. Neji had beaten Hinata down, and when she tried to stand, he tried to kill her! The crack appeared, and the chakra began to leak. 'Hinata is put down everyday!' Another crack. Then, Naruto began to think about something that had been bothering him for a while. '...I've been ignoring her...I'm too focused on Sasuke...I'm a...I'm a shitty friend.' The dam broke. Chakra bubbled up, forming a singular tail. Naruto's nails lengthened, cutting into his closed fist. His birthmarks became more pronounced. His hair became wilder, and when he opened his eyes, they were blood red slits. The intent leaked outwards, and Neji instinctively shirked away. He recognized that feeling from nightmares he'd had when he was younger.
"For Hinata…I'll make it up to you!" Tears dripped down Naruto's face. He stood, or, crouched on all fours. He was growling.
"That power will not be sufficient."
"Oh yeah? Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" The arena was covered in red Naruto's. They all prowled around Neji, like they had surrounded their prey. "I think it's time for you to give up!" One shouted.
"Fate has deemed me the victor!"
"You don't look like a victor…" Neji snarled, striking the nearest one, who went up in smoke. The army pounced.
"Kaiten!" Almost every Naruto was destroyed. Only one remained. The original. And he had a new slightly red ball in his palm.
"Yoko Rasengan!" He smashed the Rasengan into The Ultimate Defense, which crumbled under the pressure. It pierced the shield, nailing Neji in the shoulder. The defense disappeared. Neji gripped the wound, which oozed blood. The Rasengan pushed Neji into the ground, leaving him on his knees. Naruto kicked him in the rib. Neji bounced against the wall of the crater, and got an uppercut to the chin, launching Neji into the air. Naruto was over him, slamming both hands into Neji's groin, before kicking Neji backwards. Neji fell back to the earth, completely exhausted. It was his muscles that weren't responding. The cloak faded from Naruto.
"Forfeit! Or I'll knock you out. You're choice."
"...Proctor...I...I concede…"
"Winner by Forfeit, Naruto Namikaze!" The arena was silent. Naruto knew it. He'd given them a fight, but because he wasn't the one on the ground, they wouldn't applaud.
"...Perhaps...perhaps I was fated to lose…" Naruto looked back down. Medic-nin were coming to put Neji on a stretcher. He shook his head.
"No. Stop it with the fate. I wasn't fated to win or lose...Look. People who use fate as an excuse, are just to scared or lazy to change it. You fought hard, I fought hard...we both could have won. But I did, because I didn't let fate decide. When you sealed my Tenketsu, I decided that I wouldn't let myself lose...and that's why I won. I made that decision, the same way you decided to be a prick today...fate is...fate can't exist...because then I can't decide...I have to be able to decide...So fight for a better future…
"...Do you think...do you think that Hinata will forgive me…?"
"Yes. She always has, and always will...even when I told her you were insufferable. And the seal...I'm sure there's someone out there who can erase it. Every seal has a counter, you just have to find it."
"...maybe…"
"Fate is just a way to excuse your life. You don't know what to do about the seal, so you said fate was real, so that you never had to try...I almost did that once...Just promise me that you won't give up anymore."
"...I...I promise…"
"Good." The medic ninja put Neji on the stretcher. They began to move towards the doors. Naruto walked alongside them, trying to get to the stairs. He needed a little rest.
"...One...one more question…"
"Yeah?"
"...How are you able to convince people so easily?"
"Huh?"
"Hinata became more confident...Hiashi-Sama has completely flipped. He has taken much more interest in Hinata than the clan."
"He did?!"
"Uh-huh…"
"Wow…" 'I guess he did listen…'
"And The Last Uchiha...you and Hinata are his only friends…"
"How do you know that?"
"...It is a Hyuuga's duty to know what happens within Konoha...but you didn't answer...How did you change them all? How did you change me?"
"...Because I speak from experience. I feel better now because I changed. I know what it feels like to be hated, so I connect with Hina-chan. I know what having no parents is like, so I connect with Sasuke...I know how loss affects people. I see it everyday...so I can explain it to Hiashi...I know how it feels to blame fate...so I change you...I...I just want everybody to be happy...I just want peace...That's why I have to be Hokage...I need to fix the ninja world. No more war...just peace. I will succeed, because I have to, and I won't give up, cause that's Hina-chan and my-"
-ninja way…" He smiled. "...I will fight for m-my fu-futu…" He drifted off, succumbing to the pain. Naruto smiled inwardly. Getting Neji to change was a better reward than any audience's applause...
He climbed the stairs to the waiting area.
"You did it!"
"You won!" Kiba and Sana were at the door to the waiting room. Kiba slapped Naruto on the back, causing Naruto to hiss in pain. He was going to be sore tomorrow.
"Great job!" Sana congratulated.
"You won!" A new voice said. Naruto spun around, assaulted by blue hair. Hinata was hugging him, which made Naruto feel really warm.
"I did it for you...:" She nodded on his shoulder. Naruto looked over. Kiba and Sana had weird looks on their faces. "What?"
Hinata jumped backwards. She couldn't believe she'd just jumped on Naruto. How could she! She hid her red face in her hands.
"What's wrong?" Naruto peered at her. "Hina-chan?" Naruto felt like he was missing something. "Whatever...are you guys even allowed here, since this is for participants…"
"We're Shino's teammates, so yeah! We were just waiting for you."
"Yeah, that was an epic match. I didn't think you could beat him so badly!" Kiba yelled. Akamaru yipped at Naruto's heels. "And at the end! Kami!" Kiba began to trail off, going through the doors to the waiting area.
"Sooo…" Sana began, "Why was your demon cloak thing different this time? It looked painful." Of course she would ask about that.
"It was painful…" He glared at his stomach.
'It's my only retribution.'
'Yeah, well fuck you.' Naruto said to The Kyuubi.
"Would Sasuke U-...the Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara match will be postponed until later-"
'Of course Sasuke gets special privileges…'
"-so would Shino Aburame and Kankuro of The Sand please come to the arena!" The proctor shouted. Naruto passed Shino and Kankuro on his way through the waiting room.
"Y-you did well, Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered.
"Thanks!" Naruto responded, before his brain started working. 'I've been ignoring Hinata! I gotta be a better friend!' "What happened with your dad?" 'That's what you asked about?!'
"Ohh...he did a complete 180! He's taking interest in my life, and he doesn't just listen to the council. Did you know that he also likes flower pressing?!" Hinata seemed to be surrounded by happiness. She was just butterflies and rainbows. It made Naruto feel good. That's all he wanted, to be happy with his friends.
"Hiashi-teme likes flower pressing?" Naruto looked at a picture of the stoic Hiashi in his mind. "Wow...never thought there was another Hyuuga like that…"Naruto laughed. She nodded enthusiastically.
"It was really surprising!" She drifted off into her own world.
'I hope she doesn't find out it was me...don't want her to think Hiashi-teme doesn't care.'
"Begin!"
"Proctor, I forfeit!" Kankuro said. Shino didn't react, but the audience, still riled up from watching the fight before were pissed.
"Hey!"
"These are the Finals! You can't quit!"
"Boring!"
"Winner by forfeit, Shino Aburame!" Shino set back to the stairs, with Kankuro following behind. The audience was still yelling. "Shikamaru Nara and Temari of The Sand, please come to the stage!"
"Ugh...maybe I should forfeit too…" Naruto heard Shikamaru mutter. 'I don't feel like fighting a girl…" Of course Shikamaru would say that.
Naruto grinned evilly. "Not on my watch..." Temari was already waiting at the center of the arena, staring up at Shikamaru. "Hey Shikamaru! Let's go!" Naruto pushed him over the edge, where Shikamaru fell to the ground.
"Oww…" He glared up at the waiting area
"Stop being so lazy!" Naruto screamed down at him.
"Dumb Blonde…"
"What'd you say?!" Temari asked, voice leaking venom.
"Nothing…" He dusted himself off, and with one more glare at Naruto, met Temari in the center.
"Ready? Begin!" Temari whipped her fan out. She threw attacks around, trying to nail Shikamaru with a strike. "Stop dodging!"
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru muttered. She was whipping up the rocks and dust created during Naruto's fight, slowly creating a smokescreen. He formed a hand sign, while dodging another gust of air. His shadow began to race from under him.
"I know that's what you want! You just want to use the dust to hide your shadow. Well? I'm ready!" She was intently staring at the ground around her. The shadow raced out from her left, to which she jumped backwards. The shadow continued to follow her, even as she kept going backwards.
It came to an abrupt halt, roughly half a foot from Temari's foot. She drew a line on the ground, just at the edge of the shadow. "That's your limit!" The shadow retreated away, disappearing into the dust.
'Troublesome…' Shikamaru thought from behind the tree. 'She's too far…'
"So that's the game we're playing?!" Temari shouted when the dust cleared. She knew that the longer she dragged this fight out, the easier it would be for him, but if she got too close, it was game over. So she continued to assault his tree with wind jutsu, hoping that eventually he would be forced to come out.
From behind the tree, Shikamaru was formulating a plan. There were craters strew around the arena, from Naruto and Neji's fight. They could supply shadows for later. However, it would be in his best interests if she didn't know that. He took off his jacket.
The fight dragged on, as Shikamaru did who knows what. Temari was getting frustrated. She didn't really have that many options here. Suddenly, a kunai raced out from the tree. She stopped it with her fan, and out the corner of her eye, she saw his shadow approach again. It stopped at the line again, and for a second, she was sure he had no idea what to do, but then it shot forward, just barely brushing her shoe before she escaped. He was gathering shadows from the wall. She dodged left again, and he continued to chase her. It stopped abruptly, and she drew the line again.
"It won't work!" She called. The sun was on her right. She did notice that she couldn't see the sun anymore. Glancing up, she saw that his jacket was attached to a kunai, and floating towards her. The shadow, raced underneath it, before rushing forwards again. It was becoming very annoying.
Suddenly, the shadow made an abrupt right, rushing away from her. "What?!" She tried to stepped back once more, trying to avoid any traps he'd set. She couldn't move. Her muscles began to move themselves. "H-how?!" He stepped out from behind the tree.
He walked forwards, and she walked to meet him. "The craters. They had extra shadows." He yawned. "I never actually used all my shadows when I chased you. I sent half around you, using the craters as cover. So that line you drew was half the distance.
Temari sighed. She'd been beat the moment she drew the line. "What now?" She had to admit, she had a grudging respect for this kid. He was good.
He raised his arm, forcing her to do the same. "Proctor…" He said. "I quit."
1
2
3
"NANI!" Temari shouted. He'd won the fight, but conceded?
"Jeez, be quiet." He groaned. "I'm tired. I don't have a good way to knock you out, and my chakra's not gonna last much longer...troublesome. So I quit."
"W-winner, Temari of The Sand!" The audience applauded. They didn't really understand what had transpired, but it was entertaining. He released Temari from the Jutsu, before slowly walking to the stairs. She stared at him for a moment, before bonking him on the head.
"Hey!"
"You can't just do that! I lost!"
"Tch...women…"
"Huh!"
"Shikamaru's really smart!" Naruto said to Hinata.
"Yeah...I would've used all my power…" She responded. "If he applied himself…"
"He would'a beat Sasuke as rookie...where is that Emo anyway?"
"Maybe Kakashi's rubbed off on him?" She smirked. Naruto chuckled.
"I hope not. Next thing you know, He's gonna start wearing two masks and reading porn."
"There will be a ten minute break between now and Sasuke Uchiha's fight!" The proctor said. The audience shifted, conversing with each other. Gaara sat in the corner o the room, grinning to himself. Naruto felt weird around him. He had no qualms with killing, and actually seemed to enjoy it. He was muttering about Mother.
Shikamaru and Temari entered the room. The others crowded around them, congratulating Shikamaru for doing so well. Even though he'd lost the match, he'd won the battle.
"Congrats, Shikamaru!" Naruto called from the balcony. Shikamaru glared. "What?"
"Troublesome." He said to himself. Naruto laughed.
"Shut up." Gaara said from the corner. Temari and Kankuro glanced at him, with worry int their eyes. The rest of them looked him over, before slowly dissipating away. Naruto could feel the hate rolling off him.
"He's creepy…" He said. No response. Looking over to his left, he saw that Hinata was shaking in fear. Her pale skin was turning white, and her eyes were shrinking. A lot of people were reacting like that as well. Even Temari and Kankuro were shaking.
"Wha-?" Naruto realized that he was being subjected to large amounts of Killing Intent, but he'd been desensitized to any KI from anyone other than the Kyuubi and Iruka. 'He's scaring Hinata!' Naruto sent his own intent at Gaara, easing the pressure in the room. Gaara glanced upwards, locking eyes with Naruto.
"Soon mother." He grinned maniacally. "You shall feast on his blood." He licked his lips. "The blood from before was bad…" Naruto heard everything. He increased the pressure. Now Naruto knew that Gaara was insane. He talked to himself. He wanted to kill. Hopefully Sasuke would be strong enough to fight him.
"Will Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Sand come down to the arena?!" Gaara stood, sauntering out the door. Naruto stopped his own Intent.
"He's still not here!" Naruto cursed to himself. "He can't lose! I wanna fight him!"
"Calm down, Naruto." Hinata placed her her hand on his arm. "Sasuke would never miss his fight. Leaves began to circle into the arena, and low and behold, Sasuke and Kakashi stepped out.
"Oh, are we late?" Kakashi asked.
"Almost! You're super lucky!" Naruto called down from the balcony. Sasuke grinned at him.
"Are both of you ready?" The proctor asked. Kakashi appeared right next to Naruto and Hinata.
"Yo!" Naruto hit his arm.
"You know how late you are?!"
"Like...5 minutes?" Kakashi asked tentatively, staring at a page in his book.
"We had two other matches, and a ten minute break! You missed my match!"
"Oh...did you win?"
"Of course! What'd'you take me for?!"
"Go!" Naruto turned his attention to Sasuke's match. Gaara stood there, letting his sand do its job, while Sasuke tried a few things for a bit, before backing away again. He launched a kunai, before reappearing right behind Gaara. His sand had been defending the kunai, so Sasuke punched him directly in the spine. Gaara stumbled forward, and his sand whipped around, arching out at Sasuke, who jumped back easily.
"How'd you get him to be so fast?!" Naruto asked. Sasuke was moving at weightless Lee speeds. "How hard did he train?!" 'I can't let him get better than me! I have to train even harder!'
Sasuke zipped around Gaara, evading his sand, and casually exploiting Gaara's inability to use Taijutsu. At one point, Sasuke hit him so hard that you could hear his sand armour crack. Gaara was bruised, his visible skin beginning to purple. Gaara growled, and some sand rose from the ground around him, taking shape into his own clone.
'You can't defend forever!' Sasuke thought. The sand clone reached out towards him, to which Sasuke just punched through his body. His hand got stuck inside the clones chest, but a simple palm to the face, dismantled the rest of the clone. He felt some sand scrape at his left shoe, and he quickly jumped away from the sand coffin Gaara had attempted. 'Nice try.' "Is that all you got?" Sasuke raised his arm upwards, "Try again." He smirked.
Even though Sasuke had the upper hand, he was the one panting in exertion. His hastily upped speed hadn't given him the endurance to continually use it, and Lee, Gai, Hinata, Sana, Kakashi, and Naruto noticed.
"C'mon Sasuke!" Naruto yelled down. "End it!" Sasuke glanced up at the waiting area. Naruto, being Naruto, was planted on the railing, one push from falling into the arena. Looking back at Gaara, Sasuke saw that Gaara had pushed himself to his feet. Sand was circling around him, and Temari and Kankuro's faces were foreboding, to say the least.
Gaara formed the tiger seal, and his sand arched around him, making him impossible to see. The sand stopped moving, and all that was left was a solid ball of densely packed sand. Sasuke smirked. Gaara was hiding. Rushing forward, he delivered a devastating punch to the ball.
Spikes erupted from the side of the sphere, just grazing Sasuke's fist and nose. Sasuke pulled back slowly, and the spikes disappeared back into the ball. Blood dribbled down his face, and he slowly backed away from the harmless looking ball.
The audience was silent. Their Uchiha had been injured. Hinata used the Byakugan to peer through the ball, seeing Gaara's chakra network. "He's preparing a big Jutsu!" She whisper screamed to Naruto.
Sasuke abruptly did a backhandspring to the arena wall. He flashed through some signs, before holding his palm out in front of him, one arm in the other.
"Kakashi, don't tell me-" Gai started.
*chirp*
"It is." Kakashi said, putting his book down to watch.
"That-That's the Jutsu you used on the bridge?!" Naruto, recognizing the sound.
*chirp*
In the Hokage's box, he and the Kazekage had risen out of their seats. Hiruzen couldn't believe it. Team 7 was getting strong fast.
'Sasuke sure is lucky...he even copied my style! His flames of youth are bright!'
Sasuke jumped off the wall, dragging his arm through the ground, leaving an obvious path of destruction in his wake.
*chirp*
"Chidori!" Sasuke pushed his palm through the sand barrier, which gave way easily to the destructive power of the Jutsu. The spikes attempted to impale him, but they were barely able to form, now that the defense had been penetrated.
"How could you teach him such a reckless move Kakashi?" Gai asked.
"Like you have the right to say anything…" Kakashi grumbled. Sasuke's Sharingan was activated, and he was able to see that his attack had hit Gaara in the arm.
"What's this warm feeling? It smells…" Then the pain registered. "It smells like blood...my blood...my...my-m-"
"I'M BLEEDING!" Gaara's voice emerged from the hole in the sphere. "AAAUUUUGH"
Sasuke's Sharingan picked up on an abnormality in Gaara's chakra. His stomach lit up with a dark golden chakra, just like Naruto's lit up with a fiery red. He quickly pulled his hand out, and was blown backwards on his feet. A being made of sand lunged outwards, flailing around in pain. The air was filled with feathers, but Sasuke's Sharingan immediately dispelled the Genjutsu being cast. There were discombobulated shouts of "Kai!" as ninja also dispelled the Genjutsu. The Hokage box went up in smoke.
"Wha-"
"It's an invasion!" The proctor yelled. A blast of wind arched towards them. Gaara emerged from the sphere, clutching his arm, but the sand creature was nowhere to be seen. His sensei and siblings appeared in front of him.
"Gaara, the plan-..." Kankuro shouted. Gaara had collapsed on the ground, whimpering and clutching his head.
"I'm calling it!" Their sensei shouted. They looked at him in panic. "GO!" He commanded. They grabbed Gaara and leapt the wall, towards the west forest, in the direction of the Sand Village.
"Hey! WHat's going on?!" Sasuke asked.
"I already told you...it's an invasion, and that kid was their weapon...The exams are over."
"What?!"
"You're already a Chunin. You're a ninja, now go follow them!" He commanded. Sasuke picked himself up, and raced after Gaara and his siblings.
Sandaime's POV
Hiruzen had a kunai to his throat. The Kazekage held him, while his guard dispatched of any nearby ninja.
"I never suspected Sand to betray us." He glared at the Kazekage.
"Treaties are fickle, aren't they?" He laughed. "Eh, Sensei?"
"I see...Orochimaru." The Kazekage pulled his face off, showing the sneering face of the Snake Sannin. "I knew this day would come…" Orochimaru Shunshinned them to a nearby rooftop, "But my head will not be removed so easily.
*Shlip*
Hiruzen watched the blood spill. "So you do have regret for killing your former Sensei."
"I refuse to kill a motionless object." Orochimaru whispered, pulling his bleeding hand away from The Sandaime's Neck. "It's just so boring!"
"Ninjutsu: Shishienjin!" A giant barrier went up. Now only Orochimaru and The Sandaime could interact with each other. The Sandaime pulled off his robes, revealing his battle armour underneath.
"You foresaw your own death...Ke ke ke…" Orochimaru pulled off his Kazekage robes, revealing his own outfit. "Oh how I've looked forward to this moment."
Hiruzen glanced around at the barrier. "Looks pretty impenetrable."
"Of course, and would you really like people to interfere, Sensei?"
Ninja crowded around the outside, watching the oncoming fight. Orochimaru's henchmen raised their arms, and another, smaller barrier appeared between them and The Sandaime. Only one person would be leaving this fight.
The Sandaime rushed forward to meet his former student, throwing just one Shuriken. 'Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!' He thought. Orochimaru was surrounded by Shuriken
'Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei!' One coffin sprang up, followed by another.
'He plans to use them. Whatever I do, I cannot allow the third to rise!' He clenched his hands, and the Shuriken planted themselves into the coffins t-with so much force, they restricted the third coffing from rising. 'Good.'
The coffin doors fell forward, and two bodies stepped out. "...You've aged Sarutobi…" The white haired one said.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?" The long haired one asked.
"Sensei's...I'm sorry we had to meet each other like this…" Tears welled up in his eyes.
"That's Lord First and Second!" A ninja outside shouted.
"I know...I hope that the student surpassed the masters…"
The first thing Naruto saw when he woke up was Hinata's face. "Wha?" Naruto blinked. The last thing he remembered was seeing feathers in the air around him. "What the hell happened?" Naruto sprang up. The arena had gone up in smoke. There was blood on the walls, and bodies on the floor.
"Sand and Sound invaded." Hinata said. "We have to follow Sas-" Her voice caught in her throat.
"What?" Naruto felt a presence behind him. He ducked, just as a kunai was stabbed where his head had been. In a blow of air, Kakashi had turned the man into another stain on the wall.
"Naruto! Sasuke went after Gaara. Take Shikamaru, Hinata, and Sana with you." Kakashi commanded. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" A dog appeared in the smoke.
"'Sup Kakashi...oh." The dog growled.
"Pakkun! I need you to track Sasuke. We need to find him!"
"The emo kid? Got it." Kakashi disappeared into the smoke.
"Go wake Shikamaru. I'll wake Sana." Hinata commanded. Naruto's mind was spinning, but he did understand one thing. If he didn't do anything, people would die.
Even if he didn't know how to cast Genjutsu, he could dispel it. That was something Kakashi had made sure would happen. Shikamaru was on the ground, snoozing away, like the rest of the crowd. He placed his hands on Shikamaru's neck, pulsing a little chakra. Shikamaru didn't move. Pakkun came over, sniffing.
"Wake up." Naruto tried again. Shikamaru didn't move. "HEY!" Shikamaru flinched.
"What the...YOU'RE NOT EVEN ASLEEP!"
"Troublesome…" Shikamaru stretched. What do you want?"
"Kakashi-Sensei is making us follow Sasuke, and you're coming with us.
"Yup!" Kakashi reappeared, with Gai along with him. "Now go!" Gai punched a hole in the wall behind them. Hinata and Sana appeared to their left. "Go after Sasuke! Don't let him fight Gaara!"
"Wait, what happened?!" Naruto yelled, already jumping out the hole after Pakkun.
"I'll explain later!" Hinata shouted. She and Sana followed him, with Shikamaru reluctantly jumping after them.
"You sure they'll be enough?" Gai asked.
"It's Naruto. Konoha's number one unpredictable ninja."
Time Skip
Pakkun had picked up Sasuke's scent, and they entered the west forest outside of Konoha. "Why did I have to come?" Shikamaru complained.
"Kakashi-Sensei said so!" Hinata shouted.
*Sniff Sniff*
"C'mon! Move faster! There are 9 Shinobi following us!"
"Already?!" Shikamaru whined.
"Shouldn't we ambush them?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, that would work." Sana said.
"NO! Shikamaru shouted. "We only ambush people if two conditions are met. If we could pinpoint their location, and hide quick enough. And even then, they're probably Chunin and above," He looked to Pakkun for confirmation. "And we're made up of, a strong but stupid ninja" Naruto growled. "A close range Hyuuga, A barely trained ninja" Sana winced. "A dog, and a slacker. We won't be able to defeat them...without using a decoy."
"Hmm?"
"If one person stays behind, and can pretend to be the entire squad, we can shake them, and finish this mission...but the person who stays behind...they'll probably die."
"...!"
"So who's going to do it?"
"..."
"We need the dog to track Sasuke, so...and volunteers?"
"..."
"..."
"...Alright...I'll do i-"
"I'm the only choice." Shikamaru interrupted.
"Why?" Shikamaru stopped.
"You need Naruto to even have a chance in defeating that Gaara kid, and I'm the only one smart enough to pull this off without dying."
"..."
"I'll be fine."
"You know that's not true…" Naruto said.
"I'll catch up. Besides, this is what the Shadow Possession Jutsu was made for" He turned left, before jumping away.
"C'mon!" Pakkun shouted, following Sasuke's scent again.
Shikamaru stopped. He knew they'd follow the snapped twigs and footprints. Sure enough, eight shadows connected to his own.
"Hah...If the bait is obvious, don't take it." 'The dog said there were nine of them…' He gripped a kunai between each of his knuckles. "Let's test it."
He threw them with perfect accuracy, each one poised to pierce them in the heart.
*clank*
His kunai landed at their feet. 'Knew it. One of them stays behind to protect the rest.' He felt a pang in his chakra network, and his shadow disconnected from theirs. 'Fuck'
"It's no use kid. We know all about that Jutsu."
"Welp...this is the end of my rope." 'I just wanted a normal life...with a mediocre wife and kids. I just wanted to die old...and I've wound myself up in this troublesome situation.' *Sigh*
"Come out…and take this kids head while you're at it." Something landed behind him. Shikamaru flinched.
"Good job Shikamaru."
"A-Asuma-Sensei?"
"Ke...Let's just fix them. He inserted a kunai into the back of their heads, and the light in their eyes died. The ash and dust that made the look dead disappeared, and they stood, cold, killing machines. "Please Sensei...do make this enjoyable."
"Katon: Karyu Endan!" A massive wall of flames engulfed the battlefield.
"Suiton: Suijinheki!" The fire was engulfed by the water that emerged from the Nidaime. "Suiton: Suiyudan!" Water formed from the air, surrounding The Nidaime.
"Doton: Doryuheki!" Hiruzen spit up a volume of mud, which absorbed all the water The Nidaime had produced.
The Shodaime raised his hands. "Mokuton: Jukaikotan!" Wood cracked through the roof, quickly overtaking the wall and capturing The Sandaime in it's branches.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" A giant monkey clad in armour appeared by Hiruzen's hands.
"This is what it's come to… This should have been finished years ago!"
"It will be finished now."
"It's too late." The monkey turned into a giant metal staff, completely ripping the branches Hiruzen was confined in. The staff, extended past the two revived Hokage, directly towards Orochimaru.
Orochimaru tilted his head up, and a snake began to spit up a sword covered in saliva. Orochimaru gripped the hilt, and managed to block the staff. Pushing back, the staff flew back towards Hiruzen, leaving him crippled on the ground. The forest around them grew, almost strangling Hiruzen. 'I have to seal them away.'
"I'm sorry Minato."
"My, my…" Orochimaru shook his head. "Your age has caught you…" He gripped his face. "It's too bad…" Ripping the flesh away, a young woman appeared.
"N-no."
"I did."
"Y...your inhuman."
"Ke ke ke...you don't have the guts to call me a monster. I've mastered Furofushi no Jutsu!" he laughed.
"You'll destroy the balance of life and death!"
"You think I care?!"
'I must protect Konoha from him...he is no longer my student.'
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
"You must be desperate, if you are to shorten your own life span!"
'Snake'
'Boar'
'Sheep'
'Rabbit'
'Dog'
'Rat'
'Bird'
'Horse'
'Snake'
A mass of smoke appeared behind the three Hiruzen's.
'So this is the Reaper…'
"This is insane!" A ninja shouted, as he attempted to fight a massive snake.
"Kuchiyose: Yataikuzushi no Jutsu!" A massive frog appeared over the snake, completely crushing it.
"Alright ladies! The Toad Sage is here!"
"Lord Jiraiya!"
"Where's the old man?"
"Fighting Orochimaru!"
'You better not…'
"It doesn't matter what you do! It's too late!"
"Konoha will never fall!"
"Kokuangyo no Jutsu!"
"Konoha is not loyal to me…" He spoke into the darkness. "Konoha is loyal to itself! If I die, a ne Hokage will take my place, and Konoha will continue to prosper!" He was blown backwards by an attack he couldn't see. "Every person in Konoha, Shinobi or Civilian, Young or old, Student or Teacher, is a family. You cannot destroy Konoha's roots!"
"I can, and I will!" Orochimaru shouted through the darkness.
"Orochimaru! It is time to face your coming. I made a mistake years ago, and I will not repeat it. I reveal my trump card, a Jutsu you don't know!"
"One that I don't know?" Orochimaru asked, genuinely curious.
"Fuinjutsu: Shikufujin!"
The Reaper reached into his body, grabbing his soul by the hand. Hiruzen arched his back, flinching from the pain. This would be his last technique.
His Shadow Clones raced forwards, sniffing their way through the darkness.
"There!" They each grabbed something, and refused to let go. "I summon Thee!" The Reaper reached through the clones, grabbing at the soul of the two Kage. The darkness vanished.
'What is this?! The darkness just disappeared!'
"I'm sorry Hiruzen…" The Nidaime said.
"Yeah...Sorry about that…"
"No...forgive me. Seal!" They're bodies collapsed into ash as their souls were ripped out. The faces of Zaku and Kin appeared in the ash.
"Using your own subordinates as sacrifices. You are a monster."
*Fwoom*
"Stop talking!"
"Come! Enma!" The staff appeared in his arms. He summoned the last vestiges of his strength, he launched himself at Orochimaru. He spun the staff, knocking the sword out of Orochimaru's grasp. Snakes slithered up Orochimaru's arm, intent on injecting a lethal poison into him. However, Hiruzen had another idea. He grabbed Orochimaru's arm, pulling him close.
"This ends here!"
Orochimaru could barely move. Something was grabbing him, but he couldn't tell what. "What are you doing?!"
"This...this Jutsu was the one used to seal the Kyuubi...and I will seal you too." Something flashed in front of Orochimaru's eyes. "Now you see...I will seal you into the belly of the Reaper, where we will fight for eternity!"
"NO!" Orochimaru struggled to move. He could see it. His soul was being ripped out by the Shinigami. His sword quivered. "DIE!" he brought two fingers up, and his sword stabbed Hiruzen in the back, puncturing all the way through.
"Finally caught you." Sasuke said. Temari and Kankuro turned. Gaara's right side had broken out. He was covered in purple markings, and his forehead bulged.
"Go ahead Temari. I got this." Kankuro stepped forward. Temari nodded, and dragged Gaara with her, continuing their retreat towards Suna.
"No. You will fight me." Shino stepped out from the shadows. "You were supposed to be my fight anyways." Sasuke nodded to Shino before flying off again.
"Sasuke's stopped!" Pakkun said. Hinata, Sana, and Naruto grinned. Shikamaru had obviously succeeded in stopping their pursuers, and now they'd finally catch Sasuke. They heard a low growl ahead of them. Emerging into a small clearing, they saw that Sasuke was on the ground in front of Temari and Gaara, who was almost totally disfigured.
"AAUGH!" Gaara shouted, clutching his face. Temari disappeared, obviously scared of whatever was happening. Sasuke settled down into his own stance.
Gaara's forehead and right arm turned into the sand creature that had appeared in the arena. He began to laugh.
"I'll kill you! I'm going to feel so alive!" Sasuke flinched. Itachi had said that before. "BE AFRAID!" He launched himself at Sasuke, who jumped upwards just in time. Gaara left a smoking hole in the ground.
"A-Are you sure?" Naruto asked, starling Hinata and Sana. "Wow…" Naruto teared up "The same as me…"
"What?"
"He's a Jinchuuriki." Naruto stated.
"What's that?"
"Chidori!" Sasuke shouted, ripping Gaara's arm in half. He landed on the opposite side of the clearing.
"HAHAHAH! Now I understand why I'm so happy!" Gaara laughed. "If I kill someone strong enough to hurt me, I'll feel more alive than ever!" His back bulged outwards, as a tail began to form. He launched himself at Sasuke, who barely had time to dodge, even with The Sharingan.
"What the hell!" Sasuke shouted. 'I can't use the Chidori anymore, but that sand won't break to anything else. But I have to be stronger…'
"DIE!"
"Chidori!" They launched themselves at eachother again. "HA...HA!" Sasuke panted. He was covered in the curse mark. "You can't beat me! I have Orochimaru's power with me!"
"Wha?" Naruto asked. "Sasuke's never like that.
"You should fear me! I can kill you!" Sasuke laughed.
"That's not Sasuke…" Hinata said. "The seal is taking over…"
"Wha-" Sasuke grabbed his shoulder, collapsing onto the ground.
"Ugh!" The seal slowly retreated, but refused to leave. "What's happening?"
Gaara sprinted over to Sasuke, raising his clawed demon arm above his head, about to crush Sasuke into oblivion.
Naruto left his perch, and kicked Gaara right in the temple, knocking the consumed Jinchuuriki backwards. "Leave Naruto! This is my fight!" Sasuke growled from the ground.
"You're not Sasuke…" Naruto looked down at him. They're was that gleam in his eye, that one that Orochimaru had.
"Yes I am! I am the Avenger!"
"You...you are the blonde one. Mother said you would taste good!"
"Gu...guys! Let's go!" Naruto picked up the struggling Sasuke, and attempted to run, but Gaara launched one of his arms at them.
"NARUTO!" Hinata jumped in between the attack, knocking Sasuke and Naruto out of the way. The arm pinned her atop one of the trees, and she fell unconscious.
Sana ran forward, her sword drawn, slashing at Gaara, who caught the blade with his sand. "LEAVE US!" He batted her aside, throwing her hundreds of feet into the air. Naruto was alone.
"Let me go!" Sasuke shouted. He attempted to wriggle out of Naruto's grip, but his inability to move hindered his progress. The seal finally contained itself, and Sasuke stopped struggling. "Ugh…" He fell asleep.
Naruto felt that feeling in his stomach. A feeling he hadn't felt since the first Kyuubi incident. A feeling of desperation. Ever since then, people had been too scared to try anything with him. But now, he had to defend an unconscious Sasuke, Hinata, and Sana.
"Why don't you run?!"
"Cause they're my friends! I won't leave them!" Naruto cried.
"I know what's within you! You are just like me! We need no "friends"! We live to kill!"
"If you touch them, I'll kill you!" Naruto shouted indignantly, but he was shaking. This guy was insane.
"Ugh…" Gaara's body continued to transform. From the trees above them, Temari watched the fight.
'What does he mean "You're just like me"?'
"I thought you said that you we're going to kill me!" Gaara laughed. "Don't you hate them?!"
'I did...I did hate them…
FLASHBACK START
"Get out! Demon!"
"Look at him. He's a monster."
"You deserve to die!"
"Why?!" Naruto yelled. "What did I do?!" He was only 4 years old, and this pain was all he knew. Everybody hated him. He was surrounded. He was alone.
One of the people laughed at him. "You know what you did!"
"No I-" NAruto was cut off when a bottle shattered against the side of his head. Blood fell down the side of his face. "I don't get it!" He screamed at them. They're faces grew dark as they laughed at his pain. They were the monsters.
FLASHBACK END
'I did hate them...but now I have my friends. Jiji...Iruka-Sensei...Hina-chan, and Sasuke. So I'm not alone! But…' Naruto looked at Gaara, who was still laughing. 'He still is. He's still alone...I got used to the looks, the hate, cuz I had my friends...and maybe...maybe I would've been like this if I hadn't met them. A demon.'
"If you don't kill me, your friend there will die!" He said, pointing at Hinata. "I'll play with you...just until you wish to die."
"C'mon Naruto...you can do it…" Sasuke had woken up. "You're...you're stronger than me." Naruto looked at him in disbelief. "When you have something to protect...that's when you can be strong…"
'He's right! My friends need me!' Naruto began to concentrate. The wind swirled around him, as a fiery chakra appeared around him. 'And I can do it without becoming a demon!' "AHHHH!"
'Whoa! That's an unbelievable amount of chakra!'
"Tajuu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" 2000 shadow clones appeared, all of them crowding the tree tops. "Get ready! Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze is gonna kick your ass!"
All the clones charged at Gaara from their positions, who was stunned at the amount of clones around, and by the look they held in their eyes. That determination.
Gaara was clobbered from all sides, as the clones cut down on his sand. He flopped around the forest, completely at the mercy of Naruto. "How do you like me now?" Naruto smirked. Gaara fell to the forest floor.
"No! I-I REFUSE TO LOSE TO THE LIKES OF YOU!" Gaara expanded, blowing himself to the size of a the Hokage tower. Now he was a giant Tanuki made of sand, with one long tail behind him. "DIE! NOW!"
Naruto was unperturbed. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Naruto went up in smoke. Gamabunta appeared with his pipe in his mouth.
"What you summon me here for?"
"I need your help!" Naruto said, pointing at the Tanuki. "I have to beat him!"
"Hmm...no."
"EH?!"
"I'm not willing to fight a tailed beast...and you still aren't my henchman! We haven't even drunk Sake together!"
"I'm a kid! I can't drink!" Naruto blanched. "I need this! Please! I can't do it alone!" He pleaded.
"...fine. I'll do it." He said pulling out his sword. "But it won't be easy…"
"YES!" Gamabunta hopped forward, slashing his sword into the Shobi. However, it got stuck inside, and it took all of Gamabunta's strength to pull it free.
"...In honor of giving me a good fight, I'll show you the true power of the Tailed Beast…" Gaara said.
"The poor boy has insomnia...he and Shukaku don't get along."
"Huh?"
"Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu!" Gaara slumped over, hanging by the waist.
"WOO! Straight out the gate, and my prey's already here!" Shukaku laughed. "I'm free!"
"We need to wake him up! It's the only way to stop him!"
"How?!"
"We n-"
"Futon: Renkudan!" Bullets emerged from the Shobi's mouth, nailing Gamabunta in the shoulder. "WEEE! HE'S DEAD!"
"Ouch!" Gamabunta winced. "You need to knock him awake! Henge me into something with teeth and claws! I'll grab him!"
"Okay!" 'Something with teeth…'
"NOW!" Gamabunta commanded.
"Whoa, wait! What the F-!" Gamabunta went into smoke as the henge took hold. When he emerged, he was an orange fox with 9 flowing tails.
"Got'im!" Gamabunta grunted. Naruto launched himself off the fox's back, directly at Gaara's sleeping body!
"WAKE YOUR ASS! UP!" Naruto hooked him in the jaw. Gaara's eyes snapped open in surprise.
"NO! I just got out!" Shukaku whined before going up in smoke.
"Bye kid!" Gamabunta disappeared too. Now, all that was left was Gaara and Naruto.
"What did you do?!" Gaara screamed. "Where's mother?!"
"SHUT UP!" Naruto flew towards Gaara, who raced to meet him. "That's not your mom! Just listen for once!" Naruto punched him in the face. "You've been driving people away! You have siblings! And if you didn't kill everyone who got too close, maybe you wouldn't be so alone!" Naruto kicked him in the stomach. "So just let people close!" He commanded. "...I know what it's like...I was hated too. But now I have my friends with me. If I didn't...well...I would have ended up like you!"
"STOP! I REFUSE! I WILL CONTINUE TO EXIST!" Gaara launched one last punch at Naruto, who just batted Gaara to the floor. Gaara collapsed on his feet. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"
"...Yes I do...I understand it so much that it hurts. It's not trivial...but now I have friends! Friends I refuse to let die! And if I have to, I will kill you." Naruto's eyes flashed for a moment.
"No...no...WHY SHOULD I CARE?! WHY SHOULD I CARE FOR OTHERS?!"
"Because they can save you. Just like they saved me...I love them! AND THEY LOVE ME!" Naruto shouted.
'That's it...that's what makes him so strong…'
"That's enough Naruto." Sasuke said, putting his hand on Naruto's shoulder in a placating manner. "Hinata and Sana are okay. They were each over his shoulder.
"...good…" *Huf huf* "...good…" Kankuro and Temari landed between them and Gaara.
"Stop…" Gaara commanded. "It's alright...I quit." They looked at him in shock, before looking back at Naruto and Sasuke.
"Go...before the ANBU catch you." Naruto said.
"...Thanks…" Temari said. She slung her brother over her shoulder, while Kankuro did the same. They ran away
"Let's go back…" Naruto said. He took Hinata off Sasuke's shoulders, and they went back home. It began to rain, heavily. It poured onto their backs as they walked home.
"I told you Sensei...You will be the one dying here!" Orochimaru laughed. His soul was no longer outside his body.
"...I can't kill you...but there is one thing...I will take away your arms, so you will no longer be able to use Jutsu again!" The Reaper raised his sword.
"NO!" The Reaper slashed down, severing Orochimaru's connection to his arms. They flopped down uselessly. "GIVE THEM BACK!"
"SEAL!"
"Ugh…" 'My arms…'
"...I'm sorry I couldn't take you with me...but Operation: Destroy Konoha is over…" The Reaper slurped up the soul arms, and Orochimaru's arms began to burn. It was an excruciating pain. "I'll see you again one day…" The Sandaime started.
*BOOM* The barrier around them came crashing down. The roof began to crack, and the KI on Orochimaru reached astronomical levels. Naruto came crashing down at him, completely enraged.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!" Naruto commanded. Orochimaru grunted. His arms were useless now, and the Jinchuuriki was about to explode on him.
"Let's go!" He commanded.
"Yes Lord Orochimaru!" They vaulted away from the village in escape. Some Jonin attempted to go after him, but they were stopped by the four handed one.
Naruto was tempted to go after him and kill him for what he did, but now wasn't the time. He turned to Jiji, who was barely clinging to life. The Reaper was slowly swallowing his soul, even if no one could see it.
"Jiji…" He whispered, falling to his knees.
"Naruto...listen…"
"You promised!" Naruto cried. "You promised to be there when I became Hokage!"
*Cough*
"I'm sorry…"
"Jiji!"
"I will see you again...you have others…"
"But you were the first!" Jiji smiled.
"I-I *cough* I'm so sorry...but…"
"What?" Naruto cried.
"Where tree leaves dance...One shall find flames…"
"Huh?"
"The fire's shadow shall illuminate the village...And once again, tree leaves shall bud anew."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Naruto cried.
"And you...you are the brightest flame Naruto…"
"Jiji…" The Reaper had finished the job. "Jiji!" Naruto shook him. "JIJI!"
Sasuke approached from behind. "He's gone." Naruto's cries reverberated throughout the village. Louder than the fall of the rain.
That took a lot to write...Hopefully you've enjoyed this...
