The Konoha group was making double time as they headed back home. As they headed back Naruto was explaining what he had seen when he used the Shen Gong Wu and his plan on how to keep both promises he had made.
"Naruto how far into the future were you able to see exactly?" Sakura questioned. She was still very concerned about the side effects the Dragons had mentioned. So far it looked like he was holding up okay, but that could change at any minute.
"I'm not sure, but I got the sense that I was previewing an event that would be taken place in the next few days. I don't have an exact location or time frame, but hey that's never stopped us before right?" Naruto grinned at her. He managed to duck before Sakura could hit him.
"Sakura-chan! Now is not the time to let your temper get the best of you. We need to figure out Naruto's vision and how it can benefit the new Five Great Nation Alliance," Lee chastised his girlfriend.
"We're about the plan a major counter offense against an organization that destroyed our home, murdered scores of people, and apparently have the power to take control off our minds. We don't have the luxury of being funny at the moment."
"At times such as these one needs humor to keep their sanity," Dagwood responded.
"Besides the Crystal Glasses are a tricky Wu. They show you what will happen in the near future, but the definition of near is ambiguous. Near could mean the next fear seconds or next week," Jack called down from the sky. He was providing aerial support using his helipack. So far they hadn't been followed and everything seemed normal. Still as an added precaution he had a few Jackbots doing recon about a mile ahead of them.
"Naruto-kun what exactly did you see when you put on the glasses? Hinata inquired. She was very worried that the vision of the future would affect Naruto's judgment.
"I saw Sasake and me battling it out under a dome conjured by the Xiaolin Dragons and their elements. I saw strange colored disks in their hands and they were partially made out of elements. I could see and hear sounds of a great battle going on outside the dome. I thought I got glimpses of the Kages and their ninja battling Madara, but he looked different."
"Different how? Was his mask gone or had he grown into a giant monster?" Kiba quipped. He was eager to bring an end to this long conflict as soon as possible. Behind him Akumara yipped in agreement.
"I couldn't really tell, but he looked like part of his body was decaying on the spot. There was a deep gash on his chest that was festering. I swear I could smell rotting fish. That Shroud was trying to close the wound with bloody skin. I could just make out the outline of something that looked like an eyeball on a patch, but I think I was just imagining it. I wish I could tell you more, but I couldn't focus on that."
"Not surprising since the glasses are meant to give the users a clear and precise vision of one occurrence. Madara may be a threat to us all, but at the time your vision took place your focus was on Sasake, so the events surrounding him take precedent," Stacey added. The young artist was chanting prayers of protection to Vishnu as the continued on their fast past trek towards the Leaf Village.
"Still it would be nice if Dickless had seen a way to stop Madara. From his poor description it sounds like Madara was weakened greatly. Possibly as a result from a fight with Danzo," Sai pointed out.
"What I'm more concerned about was that fact that the Shroud of Evil was actively trying to heal Madara. If that's the case then he's aware of the Shroud's existence and is using its power to further his own goals. But I didn't think an evil Shroud could heal wounds. I thought you told us that it could only destroy things," Yamato stated. This was becoming a whole new shogi game.
"It does. It thrives on death, destruction, and evil. It Naruto saw it trying heal Madara's wound with bloody skin they it probably took remains from a corpse and was patching Madara up so he could continue on his world domination kick, but we can chat about that later. What else happened between you and Sasake while you were in the dome?" Raimundo demanded.
"Time seemed to speed up. We were fighting and it made what happen at the Valley of the End look like a stroll through the park. I was using the Fox's chakra and my own together. Sasake was using his new techniques against me. Then something strange happened, those disks started circling Sasake, literally going though his body at times. He looked like he was in a lot of pain and his body was distorting and twisting inside out."
"I think I'm going to lose my lunch!" Sakura said, covering her mouth as she turned green. The thought of her first love literally inside out was disturbing image to think about.
"What happened next? What did you do?" Kakashi pressed. If they were to take this vision of the future seriously they had to decipher everything down to the last detail. If the Leaf Village was to be trusted after the stunt Danzo pulled Kakashi had to be upfront about everything, including a vision of a future event. The weight of the Leaf Pendent he now wore dug deep into his skin reminding him of his new responsibilities.
"I was drawing seals of some kind with one hand. I could feel the weight of an object on my belt and it was throbbing with power. There was a flash of light and something bluish white, almost vapor like, came out of Sasake's mouth and just hovered there while his body was turned to stone. I completed the seals which started to glow softly. I was performing a long procession of hand signs using the Dragons power with my own to power the seals to perform some kind of jutsu. The vision ended before I saw the final result. What do you think Kakashi-sensei? What does it all mean?"
"Well I'm not sure entirely, but the fact that you were using seals means you must have been ready to perform a high risk fuinjutsu. Considering you have no knowledge or training I'm shocked that you would be attempting something so dangerous. The question is why you were using outside sources to power your jutsu and what were you attempting to do to whatever escaped Sasake's mouth. Hmm this is quite puzzling."
Up ahead the Xiaolin Dragons were talking amongst themselves. They had a theory about what Naruto saw, but they couldn't even imagine themselves attempting what he saw them doing. "Are we sure that cowboy is right in the head? That's one tall tale he's telling. How could he even conceive that we would use that particular technique to aid him? It's too dangerous!"
"I agree with Clay, using the Judgment of the Twelve Dragons is very dangerous gamble. While it may tip the odds of Naruto and Sasake's fated battle in his favor, the cost would be devastating. Mainly for us considering the chances of us dying are quite high! I don't know if we have the strength pull something off like that. We're not the Ancient Dragons! We don't have control over what happens once the elements are released!" Dagwood commented briskly. He shook his head in disbelief. They had come to the world to save it along with every reality from destruction. He didn't think that meant he would have to give up his life.
"You can't be so negative Dagwood. From what Naruto told us our technique turned Sasake's body to stone thus fulfilling its purpose of making his outside match his inside. Wish that had happened to Hannibal Bean instead of being an immortal vegetable. So that's one promise kept sort of. If Sasake's a stone statue he can't cause war between Kumo and Konoha right" Jack asked from just above their heads.
"Then what was the point of the seals? He's not master like his father. I know he talked to him, but I don't think he had time to impart any of his skills or knowledge to Naruto. So what was Naruto attempting to do? After all Sasake's dead in his vision, what more could he do for him except pray for his soul?" Stacey inquired.
"The answers right in the question Stacey. Have you forgotten that in this world they can use seals to call upon gods to do their bidding? If they can do that how farfetched is it they have a seal jutsu that could give them power over someone soul?"
"That's blasphemy Raimundo! To ask favors of beings like Shigami and Vishnu is one thing. To completely take control over the reincarnation cycle and chose the next life for someone's soul, their very essences in the karmic wheel of fate, is unthinkable! Shiva would torch him and the creatures of the Hindu apocalypse wouldn't allow a mere mortal to choose the fate of such a tainted soul."
"We're not in Mumbai Stacey. The rules of your religion don't govern them. I'm positive that the seals he was drawing in his vision of the future are for cleansing Sasake's soul and constructing a new body to house his soul once the reincarnation is finished. I think the technical term for this is "tensei" or "reincarnation of the soul". Naruto wouldn't have the power needed to live after casting such a powerful jutsu even with the Fox's power. With us lending him strength the jutsu probably wouldn't require as much chakra."
"True Rai, but how exactly are we supposed to aid him when it takes all twelve of us in sync to pull of this little stunt? At the moment we're scattered across the Elemental lands in world's about to go to war with a psychopath on steroids. In order for Naruto's vision to come to pass all of us need to be in the same area and I don't see that happening anytime soon."
"Dagwood's right you all. Are we sure the Crystal Glasses are working right? They've been wrong before. Remember that incident with Omi?"
"Hey, that was when I was the evil boy genius and had Vlad on pay role! I think we can trust the knucklehead to be telling the truth. The only question remaining isn't why we would use such a dangerous technique. I think the question would be how do we help Naruto learn those seals."
"Yes I'm wondering that myself. You Dragon's wouldn't happen to have any ideas on that subject now would you?" Kakashi asked them, as he suddenly appeared in the mist of the group. To say they were scared out of their skins was an understatement. Stacey was so startled she nearly blasted him with the Kazoo Atom incinerating him.
"DON'T DO THAT! I nearly reduced you to a few free floating molecules!"
"You should pay more attention to your surroundings instead of going on and on like that. Now tell me what you think about Naruto's vision of the future," Kakashi told them. So the Dragons filled him in on what they thought it meant.
Meanwhile the trio of Chakra, Chase, and Dojo were rapidly approaching Konoha with Danzo's head as proof of his untimely demise. Yet something wasn't sitting right with them. It was like the itch that you just can't scratch. For experienced warriors like the Young twins combined with their extend life the way Danzo went down was way to easy.
Dojo noticed the silence. "What's got your robes in a knot? I haven't seen you two this quite since Dashi grounded you after he caught you stealing his jasmine tea stock."
"Sorry Dojo we just feel that something isn't quite right. Did you feel anything suspicious when Danzo was beheaded?" Chase queried.
"No not really Chase. I was a little preoccupied with staying awake after using Dashi's essences for so long. Why do you ask?"
"Because I think that Danzo went down way to easily."
"Easily! It took everything we had plus some forbidden stuff just to hold in place long enough for the Avenger to slay him! How was that easy?!"
"You're forgetting Dojo that the man was famous for using forbidden and immoral techniques to further his goal. We know that he used stolen Sharingans to keep himself alive. The way his arm looked reminded me of tree bark. I wouldn't put it past the creep to have used DNA from the First Hokage to grant him his moketon powers. With all those special abilities how did we manage to kill him? No, I think he might still be alive"
"The guy lost his head! You are holding his head! We saw that kid reduce the body to nothing except a few free floating molecules! What in the name of all things holy makes you think he's still alive?!"
"How can we be sure that we really saw Sasake Uchiha kill Danzo? He could have used his Tsuykomi illusion on us to make us think he killed him. I'm not saying Danzo is completely alive Dojo, but I would bet that Madara and the Shroud would have more then a dozen uses for the guy's body. Either way we'll have to report this to the Jonin council and see what they think. Maybe Shizune can learn something from his head."
"Oh things are quickly going from bad to worse. Hang on I'm punching it to warp speed."
Meanwhile Karin was allowing (under threat of course) for Madara to bite her. She winced as her chakra was drained by Madara, but it was to no benefit. The gash in his chest was refusing to close. Karin eyed the Shroud carefully as it withered and shrank from the injury. Sasake was off to the side glaring angrily at the immortal Uchiha. He was disgusted that the man before him had allowed himself to be hurt by the allies of the Leaf Village. Not to mention one other thing.
"How could you let your guard down against that woman? You knew she was powerful and expert on weapons. How could you not sense that her tainto would do this to you?"
"If you don't hold your tongue you'll soon find it ripped out of your mouth! I may have underestimated Leaf's allies in the past, but no more. My friend has informed me all about the "Xiaolin Dragons", their strengths and more importantly their weakness. Should they attempt to aid the Shinobi Alliance they will find themselves in a dire predicament. What's with the sour look Sasake? You will soon have your complete revenge against Konoha."
"Why do you think? You told me I could obliterate Danzo for his crimes. Instead you have me drag his right arm and bits and pieces of him back with us so you could use them to fix yourself. How do you think I feel?!"
"Sasake calm down please! Ugh enough Madara it isn't working. My chakra can't heal your wound. Whatever that enchanted blade did to your body chakra alone won't fix it," Karin panted, removing her arm from his mouth.
"I'm aware of that which is why I asked you to bring parts of Danzo with us. If I'm to complete my Moon Eye plans I need to be at full strength. So, pardon the expression, I will take a leaf out of Danzo book and use his body parts to repair myself. Don't look so disgusted dear Sasake. The end is near."
In Konoha Grandmaster Fung had left Tsunade's tent and was searching for Shikaku and Shikamaru to find out what was going on. While searching he spotted his students, Crystal and Kimiko, helping finish repairs to the village. It was astonishing how quickly one could rebuild a village when you had talent, skilled labors, and Shen Gong Wu.
He found his quarry discussing possible strategies with the rest of the Jonin council. They had heard what happened at the Kage Summit and that the Dragons were tracking down Kakashi. There was no doubt in their minds he would accept the responsibility as Hokage. Still they were unsure how to proceed as part of the alliance without a leader or news from the Raikage. Grandmaster Fung cleared his throat, "Pardon my intrusion, but I was hoping I could be of some assistance."
"Your assistance is greatly appreciated. How's Lady Tsunade doing?" inquired Tsume.
"Recovering slowly I'm afraid. The drugs we gave her have repaired most of the internal damage, but she's still in a coma. I fear it could be weeks or months before her psyche has healed enough to wake up."
"Have you received any news from the rest of your students or your fellow grandmasters?" Inoichi asked. He, like everyone else wanted to make sure that Danzo wouldn't be coming back.
"Not yet, but I sense they will be returning soon. Until they do I like to bestow a gift that I think you might have some use for," Fung replied pulling out a bamboo chronicle from behind his back. The council looked at it curious about what it was. "This is the most revered battle text in my world. It's called the Art of War written by Sun Zi Bing Fa in the 6th century. This thirteen chapter chronicle contains valuable information ranging from Laying Plans, Maneuvering, to the Attack by Fire. I'm positive you Nara can make use of this in your battle plans."
"Thank you Grandmaster Fung I'm sure it will be a big help to us," Shikaku informed him, opening the chronicle and absorbing the information.
"Yeah, this is going to give us a distinct advantage. I doubt the Akatsuki are going to expect an attack based on another world's strategy," Shikamaru told him. Suddenly there was a commotion outside and everyone raced out to see Omi, Callie, Lu and Jermaine, and Auara along with the twins and Dojo returning. The looks on their faces indicated that what they had to share wouldn't be that pleasant.
