Chapter 6 Collision of Demons! Zoro vs. Kisame!

*Two days after the battle. Konoha*

Dark clouds hanged over the village of Konoha. The village, usually vibrant with activities by ninja and civilians, was in an eerie state of silence. On the rooftop of the building closest to the Hokage monument all the ninjas, young and old, stood in silent procession. Well almost everyone, one was missing. He praised as one of the heroes of the failed insurrection by the sound and sand. Zoro was nowhere to be found. Most of the attendance where so wrapped in grief and didn't notice he wasn't there. Fu wasn't amongst them. While not his greatest enemy, he knew that Zoro was too dangerous to be allowed alone in the village. Even though Zoro's actions dispelled a lot of doubt that was directed towards his allegiance, none had seen the side of Zoro that he had. Fu looked around and spotted his master, Danzo, finishing his respects to his old friend and rival. Fu went to his side.

"Danzo, Zoro is not here. Do we have someone with him?" Fu asked the bandaged ninja.

"There is no further need for us to watch over the swordsman anymore." Danzo said as he walked away from the now surprised Fu.

"Sir, I think this is a mistake. How do we know that Zoro isn't from the sound or the sand?" Fu protested.

Danzo looked at Fu with his one uncovered eye. "You aren't the only person I had watching the swordsman. With all the information I have gathered, I've determined that he is not a spy for another village or is even an immediate threat." He said. "He is a new asset to the village. The way he dealt with the one tail jinjuriki was masterful, he stood up to a Sanin, and he isn't showing us his full power. I'm diverting our efforts to capturing the boy. He will be a new weapon for the Root! Now I must go prepare, the village needs a new Hokage."

Fu bowed and walked back to his place in the procession. Jiraiya couldn't help but overhear. He usually would have paid this no mind and be focused on mourning but he was warned about this by his teacher.

*Flashback Before the chunin exams.*

The elder Sarutobi and the toad sanin stood in the Hokage's office. Hiruzen had just explained his worries about a potential attack on the leaf village during the chunin exams. "There's nothing to worry about. If it'll ease your mind I'll stay in the village until the end." Jiraiya said.

Hiruzen looked at his student with a judgmental eye then stood up and walked towards the window. "I wish Tsunade would have gotten back in contact with me." He said as he puffed his pipe.

"Come on. You don't think I can do it?" Jiraiya said acting like he was hurt by the comment.

Hiruzen let out a small chuckle. "It's not that. It might just be too much for just one person, even of your standards."

Jiraiya walked over to his teacher and put his hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, we'll make it out of this no problem!" He said flashing a grin at the older man.

The elder Sarutobi smiled. "Ok. It's up to you then Jiraiya."

"Yes sir." He replied in a near mocking tone.

"Oh and one more thing." Hiruzen said. "Danzo is up to something. He's been keeping a very close eye on Roronoa Zoro. If you happen to see or hear anything suspicious tell me."

Jiraiya nodded, not really understanding where this came from, and left the office.

*End flashback*

'Right once again teacher….' He thought as he looked up at the Hokage monument.


*Couple of days later – outside Tenten's place*

"Man this sword is heavy…" Tenten commented as she went through a couple of exercises wielding Zoro's Shusui.

"It is. It took a little time for me to get use to the extra weight. The sword I had before that was extremely light." Zoro answered as he sharpened the Sandai.

Tenten was one of the few people in Konoha he could relate to. She was the only person inside the village that shared his passion for weapons.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your tools. I'm pretty sure Anko hid mine for some reason." Zoro said sighing at the thought of the snake woman.

"Anytime, plus you've given me a reason to get away from Gai. Ever since Lee's accident he's been stranger than usual." Tenten replied.

Zoro smiled a little bit then went back to work.

A couple of minutes later Tenten let out a small giggle. "Zoro I think you have an admirer." She said.

"Huh?" Zoro said. He looked up and Tenten pointed across the street to a lone boy.

He's seen this kid with Naruto before. Thick glasses looked like he was ready to pass out, snot running down one nostril, and three earrings in one ear… Zoro's jaw hit the ground.

Tenten burst out into laughter. "Well that's the price of being a hero Zoro, people are gonna want to be like you." She blurted out between laughs.

The kid walked towards the two weapon experts. Tenten took a couple of breaths to regain her composure. Zoro turned his back to the kid and continued to sharpen his sword.

"What can I do for you?" Tenten asked the kid as she sheathes the Shusui and put it on her waist.

"Umm I was wondering... do you have any extra swords lying around?" He asked.

"Aren't you a little young to wanting real swords?" Tenten said.

"Wooden ones will be ok." He said.

"Well here's what I have." Tenten said as she laid her scroll on the ground. And numerous wooden swords appeared along it. "Take whatever you want. Just be careful with them. They might be wooden but they are still a weapon."

The boy's face lit up. "Well I'll take these." He said as he grabbed three random swords. Tenten let out a small peep before putting her hand over her mouth.

Zoro stood up as he sheathes the Sandai and grabbed the Shusui from Tenten's waist. "See you later."

Tenten just nodded knowing that if she removed her hand she would explode in laughter.


*Streets of Konoha*

Zoro walked down the busy streets of Konoha. The people no longer looked at him like he was the outsider that hung out with the Kyuubi kid but with admiration. Zoro had to admit it felt pretty good.

"Ah here you are Udon!" Zoro heard from behind him. "We've been looking for you."

"What are you doing?" Another more girlish voice said from behind him.

"Studying." The Udon kid answered.

"Studying? Ah! Studying Zoro! That's why you have the earrings and the swords." The boy laughed.

"Do I come bother you when you're trying to copy Naruto, Konohamaru?" Udon said.

"Uh…."

"Hey you brats…" Zoro said as he stopped and turned to the kids. The three stopped and looked at the green haired swordsman. "If you gonna bicker do it somewhere else."

The three looked down at their feet.

"See you've gone and made him mad." Udon said as he grabbed Zoro hand and started to pull him down the street. "I'll catch up with you guys later!" He yelled as he dragged a confused Zoro down the street.

"Sorry about that Zoro." Udon apologized as he dragged Zoro down the street. "I just wanted to see what you did for a little bit. When we watched you protect us the other day… I was inspired. I wanted to dye my hair green and get real earrings like you but my mom wouldn't let me so I got these clip-ons. Naruto showed Konohamaru his Sexy no Jutsu so I thought maybe you could teach me your Three swords style."

Zoro stopped. Udon ,realizing that he was no longer making forward progress, turned around and looked up at the swordsman.

Zoro's mind went back to the chunin exam where Sasuke had stolen his moves and he remembered his Jounin, Kakashi, had a Sharingan also. He uses to watch him train so how many of his moves did Kakashi know and could possibly show the Uchiha?

"No." Zoro said as he began to walk the other direction away from the sadden boy.

"Why not?" He asked.

Zoro didn't answer just sped up.

Udon caught up with him. "I'll listen. I'm a quick learner." He said as he made a couple of sloppy slashes with his wooden swords.

Once again Zoro didn't answer.

Udon followed Zoro until he reached the edge of the village and Udon couldn't follow anymore. Zoro took a quick glance to make sure the boy didn't follow him and he could clearly see the look of disappointment written on his face.


*Hours Later*

Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon ran around the village looking for some way to help with the restoration of their home. "Let's see what we can do next." Konohamaru said as the three continued there fast pace.

"Well, I think they were doing a cleanup near the coliseum." Moegi said.

"OK! That's where we are heading next!" Konohamaru said as his two friends cheered in agreement.

The three looked ahead and there was a group of chunin carrying glass. They all yelled as they tried to come to a stop but there momentum carried them threw the group causing all of them to drop the glass they were carrying.

"You kids look what you've done!" One of the chunin said.

"I'm sorry we weren't paying attention." Konohamaru said as he started to take off again.

The older boy grabbed him by the collar. "I'm sorry. That's all you can say?" He said. "We've been worked to the bone all day to no end and now we're gonna have to take responsibility for this."

"What are you complaining about? We all have to do our part to help the village!" Konohamaru said disgust hanging from every word.

"Hmph, should've figured that the Third's grandson would say something like that, but you're gonna have to pay." He said as his friends cracked there knuckles.

"Hu….." Konohamaru tried to say before a fist to the gut cut him off. He fell to the ground clinching his stomach. Moegi ran to his side as the chunin closed in on them.

Udon looked at the situation. Everything was telling him just run to Konohamaru and check on him and maybe someone will save them. Then his mind flashed to Zoro. He remembered every moment that he stared at the green haired swordsman's back as he protected them.

"I…. I won't let you hurt them!" He declared.

"Huh? Who does this kid think he is!" One of the chunin said. Udon didn't say a word. He just grabbed one of his wooden swords and put it in his mouth and wielded the other to in his small hands.

The chunin burst into laughter. "Ah I see now." The leader of the group said.

"You want to be like that kid. Well come on then." He taunted.

'I can do this!' Udon thought. "San…" The sword in his mouth fell to the ground and once again the chunin were laughing.

Udon's mind raced. He took advantage of situation and brought the two remaining swords across one of the laughing chunin's knee causing him to yell in pain to the amusement of his friends.

"Ha kid you're a riot. But now you must accept you punishment." The chunin brought his fist back and tried to bring it forward with no success.

"What's the big…" He stopped as his gaze met with Zoro's stern gaze.

"Zoro!" Moegi said as she helped Konohamaru to his feet.

"Heh, you wana fight for these chumps? Then you have to fight us all right guys?" The chunin looked behind Zoro and all of his friends had run for the hills.

"Let's see how you like it." Zoro said as he clenched his fist and brought it to the boy's chest. The three kids looked on in amazement as the boy literally flew backwards from the force of the blow. They all turned to him.

"Thanks." They all said in unison.

"Did you come to check on me?" Udon said with sparkles in his eyes.

"Nope. Naruto told me he gets lost real easy. He's probably lost now." Konohamaru said as he adjusted his goggles.

"Ah!" Udon and Moegi said in unison. Zoro let out a heavy sigh. He started to walk away.

"Hey Zoro if you see Tenten again give her these." Udon said giving him two of the wooden swords. Zoro nodded and left the three young kids.

"So you've given up on being like him?" Konohamaru asked as the three walked to their next destination.

Udon shook his head "I'm still gonna be like him." Udon said as he grasped his one remaining sword. "I'll just work my way up from the bottom till I can finally reach Zoro."


*Next day- Zoro and Anko's apartment.*

Zoro and Anko sat around the small table in their apartment. "So that's why you're gonna come with me. Your crazy strength will be helpful in rebuilding a couple of houses." Anko said.

"And what if I have plans?" Zoro asked.

"Ha plans you? Get real! Only thing I can see you planning is when you're gonna train next!" Anko said. "Get ready to leave that's an order!"

"And who are you to order me around snake woman!" Zoro said as he stood up.

Anko jumped up and got in his face. "And who are you to question me moss head!" She retorted.

Sparks flew between the two before the turned away from each other. There was a knock at the door. "Get that." Anko said as she walked out of the room.

"Hmph." Zoro answered as he reluctantly walked and to the door. As soon as he opened the door he was met by two masked figures both punched him and tossed him out of the door onto the streets.

Anko heard the sounds of battle and raced towards the door. 'Zoro! Did Orochimaru send men to get him!' She thought as she reached the door. Three figures stood in her way. She looked at them and instantly recognized one. "Danzo!" She yelled as she tried to push past the three.

"Don't interfere." He said not taking his eye off of the fight at hand.

Zoro had quickly regained his composure and was dodging and parrying blows from the two masked men. 'Tch!' He thought as the two where barraging him with blows not leaving any room for him to strike.

As Zoro fought Anko, Danzo, and two more masked ANBU looked on. "This isn't even fair! He doesn't even have his swords!"

"Hmph is that so…" Danzo said.

Anko sneered and the older man. She quickly took the swords from the ANBU that standing with them. "Here moss head, catch!" Anko said as she threw them.

Zoro looked up and smiled. "Mutoryu: Tatsu Maki!" The whirlwind knocked the two masked men away from him and he caught the swords. "Thanks snake woman!" Zoro said as one of the masked men regained his composure and charged at him.

Zoro placed one of the swords into the ground "Ittoryu: Nezumizan!" He yelled as he brought the sword up from the ground creating a projectile of air. The masked ninja wasn't expecting this and was hit with the full force of the blow and sent flying backwards.

The crowd that had gathered quickly made a hole for the flying man who finally ran was imbedded into a wall. His mask fell off showing his face eye glazed over.

The other masked ninja ran towards Zoro. The two traded blows for what seemed like forever. Zoro looked as the swords he was wielding and noticed that cracks had begun to form on them. Zoro lowered his guard and he could feel the man smile from beneath the mask. Then he drew two kunai and stabbed Zoro.

"Heh kid you still have…. WHAT!" He yelled as Zoro brought the swords up. "Nitoryu: Sai Kuru!" He spun his swords and sent his last opponent flying.

A man complained as pulled the first unconscious man out of his house. "I swear this village! I just got finished with repairs and now I have to redo this wall!" And as if on cue, a second ninja came blasting through the hole the first man had created. The man looked through the hole and saw the second man lying in the street on the other side of the house motionless.

Zoro stood there only holding the hilts. The shattered remains of the swords he had used where scattered along the road. "Good job, I was wondering if it was the swords you wield and not you that held the power."

"Danzo! What was the meaning of this!" Anko yelled.

"Meaning?" Danzo asked. "I'm taking him from you. He's going to be joining Root that's the meaning."

Anko gasped. He had heard rumors of what the Root does to its members. "Why would you want him? He sucks at anything ninja."

"We'll manage…" Danzo said.

"Sorry, but Zoro can't join the Root at the moment. He'll be coming with us." Danzo and Anko looked towards the sound of the voice to see the Toad hermit Jiraiya and Naruto standing next to Zoro.

Danzo squinted towards the white haired ninja. "What is the meaning of this Jiraiya?" Danzo said venom dripping from every word as it was his turn to inquire about an unknown.

"Ah you weren't there, Danzo. The elders want me to go get Tsunade to be the next Hokage." Jiraiya said.

Danzo and Anko tense to the news.

"Tsunade?" Zoro said as he looked at Naruto who just shrugged.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

"They also said I could take two people with me so I'm taking these two." Jiraiya said as he put his hands on Naruto and Zoro's shoulder.

Danzo clenched his fist. This… boy had out maneuvered him. Not only did he lose the seat of Hokage but also his chance to take Zoro.

"Zoro go get your things. We'll leave as soon as you're ready." Jiraiya said.

Zoro looked at the old Sanin. He had no reason to go with him but he hasn't been out of the village for a while. Zoro nodded and walked back inside. Danzo sneered at the boy as he pasted by and then retuned his gaze to Jiraiya. Without saying a word, Danzo and the ninjas that were with him disappeared.

Anko let out a sigh of relief. She walked over to Jiraiya. "Did the elders really say that?" She asked.

"More or less." Jiraiya said.

"Thanks." She said as Zoro walked out with his swords.

"Is that all you need?" Jiraiya asked as he glanced at Naruto's rather large pack.

"Yeah." Zoro answered as he walked over to them.

"You could learn a thing or two from him Naruto."

"Shut up Ero-Sanin!" Naruto yelled.

"Well then boys let's set out!" Jiraiya yelled as he pointed towards the gate.

"Is he always like this?" Zoro asked.

"Yeah…" Naruto said. Zoro and Naruto sighed in unison.

"Shut up you brats and get a move on!" Jiraiya yelled.


*Later, place unknown*

"Hey, Hey, Ero-Sanin! What sort of jutsu are you gonna teach me this time?" Naruto asked.

Zoro sighed. He understood why Naruto had to come but why drag him along for this trip.

Jiraiya looked at his two young traveling companions "Hey you two… don't you know what an amazing person I am?"

"Huh…" Naruto and Zoro said in unison.

"It's been said that I'm the Toad Sanin! And that's not all! In the north, in the south, east, and west! The legendary three sanin's white haired frog summoning child! The handsome man that can silence a crying child! He's Jiraiya! That's me!" Jiraiya declared.

He looked at his two travel companions. They both had a look of disinterest on their face.

"I'm surrounded by idiots." Zoro said.

"Hey, I'm not an idiot!" Naruto declared as the two continued down the arguing leaving Jiraiya behind.

"Oi Ero-Sanin." Zoro said.

"Don't you start, it's Jiraiya." He said.

"Whatever, I know you brought Naruto to train him, but why am I here. There's nothing you can teach me." Zoro said. Jiraiya looked at the green haired swordsman.

'Hmph. For someone who's not a ninja he's very perspective.' Jiraiya thought. "You're here so Naruto won't be lonely."

"Right…" Zoro said.

"Hmph I don't know about you Zoro but I have a hidden talent! That's why he brought me." Naruto yelled. Jiraiya just looked at the fox whiskered boy. "Hey, hey, why did you choose me? You're doing a Sanin class in cool jutsu and I'm the only one who ranks high enough to get in right?"

There was an awkward silence then Jiraiya answered.

"The fourth Hokage was my apprentice, and you resemble him in a funny way. That's the reason." Jiraiya said then walked further down the path to catch up with Zoro leaving Naruto to ponder this revelation.


*Unknown Town- Hotel*

"Naruto, Zoro. Today we're staying here." Jiraiya said.

"What a strange town." Naruto said.

Zoro looked around. "This reminds me of Loguetown." Zoro said.

"Loguetown? Is that where you're from?" Naruto asked.

"No… Just a town I've been too." Zoro said.

Then a beautiful girl walked up to the three. Naruto and Jiraiya let out a yell while Zoro kept his usual composure. She winked at them.

"My pulse has sped up!" Jiraiya said. "Naruto!"

"Huh?" Naruto answered.

"Here is the room key. Go up to your room and refine your chakra as training."

"What are you telling me to do? You Ero Sanin!" Naruto protested

"Zoro, go with Naruto and make sure he doesn't foll…. err skip out on his training." Jiraiya said as he took the women out of the hotel.

'If I didn't know better he could be that cooks father.' Zoro thought as he followed an angry Naruto to their room.

Zoro sat on the edge of the bed as Naruto complained and focused his chakra as he was ordered to.

"Who does he think he is!" Naruto yelled.

"I wonder if I could get some alcohol…" Zoro said.

"Oi Zoro you're too young for that." Naruto said. Then there was a violent knock on the door. Naruto looked over at Zoro who didn't move an itch and was beginning to doze off.

"Don't move Zoro, I'll get it." Naruto said sarcastically. The violent knocking continued. "Yeah, yeah. Shut up already." Then there was silence.

"How could this be the Nine tails?" An unfamiliar voice said from the door. Zoro jumped up, only a certain number of people knew that information. He looked down the hall and before Naruto were a fish-like man and a slightly shorter man with Sharingan eyes. Zoro tensed up a little at the sight of another Sharingan user.

"Naruto, we would like you to come with us. Come out of the room…" The Sharingan user said.

"Naruto don't!" Zoro yelled. But the fox marked boy left the room anyway. Zoro quickly ran after him.

"Itachi. It's time we got started. We don't need him running around. We should cut off a leg." The fish man said as he put his hand on a hilt of a wrapped sword. "Well…?"

"I'd like to see you try." Zoro said as he appeared behind Naruto.

"Oh? And who might you be." The fish man said.

There was a tense quiet then the man named Itachi closed his eyes and spoke. "It has been awhile Sasuke" Everyone looked behind Itachi to see Sasuke standing there.

"Uchiha Itachi…." Sasuke said.

"Well well…. Indeed, today is a special day don't you think. This is the second time I've seen another Sharingan." The fish man said.

"I will kill you!" Sasuke yelled.

'Hmph, is this man kin to Sasuke…' Zoro thought.

"You seem to be familiar with Itachi." The fish man said. "Who is this guy?"

"He is my younger brother." Itachi said.

Naruto and Zoro wore looks of shock at the new information.

"I heard the entire Uchiha clan was wiped out by you…" the fish man said.

"I've been waiting to say this to you… I've lived hating you… and also I have lived only to kill you…" Sasuke declared as lightning started to race across his body before it formed on his right hand. "I have lived for this!"

"Chidori…" Itachi said.

Sasuke let out a mighty yell as he ran down the hallway dragging the Chidori along the wall only to be stopped by Itachi. The two brothers looked at each other. Then Naruto formed a sign and started to gather energy. Everyone could fill Naruto's power filling the room.

"This bastard…!" Sasuke yelled.

"You're in the way…" Itachi said as he broke Sasuke's wrist causing him to scream in pain.

"Sasuke! Damn it! Ninpou Kuchise no…"

"Too late!" The fish man said as he brought his sword down. Naruto lost his concentration as he saw Zoro appear in front of him holding the Wado blocking the fish man's blow before it could even strike.

"Kisame what are you doing…" Itachi asked.

"Heh it's not me this kid has some strength." He replied. Zoro drew the Sandai. The pushed the wrapped sword upward and crossed the swords across Kisame's chest.

"Nitoryu: Takitate!" The force of the slice sent Kisame through the wall and out onto the street. Zoro jumped after him.

"Zoro!" Naruto yelled. "Hmm so that's Roronoa Zoro…." Itachi said. Even through the pain Sasuke sneered at the fact that his brother knew about Zoro.

"Yeah, I guess it was a good thing I brought him." Jiraiya said as he dropped the sign he had formed.


*Streets*

Street vendors looked at the hotel. There was an unusual amount of commotion coming from it. Sure the usual parties made a lot of noise but this sound was different. Then a wall exploded sending rocks flying all over the place. Vendors covered their head and ran for safety. A figured appeared from the dust and slid across the ground using his sword as a break.

"Heh, good strike for a kid!" Kisame yelled as he came to a full stop.

The Santoryu Master jumped to the street. "Good block didn't think you'd had time to fish man." Zoro complimented as he landed on the ground.

The two had sadistic grins on their face. Slowly bystanders crept closer and closer to the two, hoping to get a great view of the fight. Then in a flash the two clashed. A gust of wind surged out from the sheer force of the blow. As if the wind took away their remaining courage, the onlookers started to panic.

Zoro violently slashed at Kisame who just smirked as he deflected blow after blow until Kisame put his hand onto the bandaged sword stopping Zoro in his tracks. Kisame jumped back freeing himself and brought his sword into a downward slash broadside first. Zoro quickly brought the Wado and Sandai up to block the blow.

'Trying to use his sword as a club?' Zoro thought. Kisame looked at the quizzical look on Zoro's face and flashed a grin.

"Heh, wondering why I'm attacking like this." Kisame said. "You see Samehada is a special sword. It doesn't slash." He said as the bandages unwrapped from the sword and Zoro's eyes widened as the sword traveled downwards across his chest. He could feel each of the many sharp edges that outlined the sword dig into his skin and then rip out as fast as they entered.

"It shaves!" Kisame yelled as he brought the sword back to a side stance and smashed it into Zoro sending head over heels down the empty street.

After a couple of spins Zoro planted both of his swords into the ground to stop his movement. The green haired swordsman looked at the Shark featured man.

"KEKEKEKEKEKE!" Samehada cried out much to Zoro's surprise.

"Oh I haven't seen Samehada act like this in forever. You're chakra must me high quality. You see my sword eats chakra, that's why ninja like you are no match for me." Kisame chuckled.

Zoro quickly looked the living sword over. He has never fought against anything like it. Confident that he had assessed the situation he rushed Kisame.

"Oh the kid has spirit." Kisame said as he prepared to receive the attack.

"Ittoryu: Sanjuroku Pound Ho!" Zoro yelled launching the wave at his opponent.

Kisame readied Samehada to receive the attack. "Didn't I tell you Samehada…." Kisame stopped midsentence as the attack caused Samehada to deflect from in front of him sending him sliding backwards and midsection wide open. 'What! That wasn't a chakra based attack!' He thought as he watch Zoro sheath his swords and disappear from vision.

"Rashomon!" Zoro yelled as he appeared behind Kisame.

"Hahaha you almost got me." Kisame said much to Zoro's surprise then he was blanketed by water.

'A water clone!' Zoro asked as he started to scan the area for his opponent.

"Suiton: Suikodan no Jutsu!" Kisame yelled from above sending multiple shark shaped water bullets at the swordsman.

Zoro drew the Wado and tried to slice the first one, but his attack bounced right off and the others hit Zoro all over his body.

Kisame landed a few yards away from him. "Heh, you're not a ninja or a horrible one not to be able to slice through that attack." Kisame gloated.

Zoro once again went on the attack. "Nitoryu: Nigiri Hirameki!" He yelled the projectiles went straight through Kisame, as he once again turned into water, destroying numerous stalls and caving in a nearby wall.

"What strength." Kisame said as he admired the damage and scanned for his green haired opponent. Then he felt a presence above him. "When did he…?"

"Kama Kiri!" Zoro yelled from above Kisame driving his two swords into his open back and riding him into the ground.

Zoro prepared a finishing blow when another Kisame appeared beside him Samehada prepped for attack. Zoro quickly deflected the blow with the Wado and sliced with the Sandai. As soon as the sword connected it exploded into water. Zoro looked down at a smirking Kisame as he brought the real Samehada for an attack. Zoro blocked the blow with his arm and quickly regret it as Samehada shaved away at it.

Zoro jumped away and Kisame jumped to his feet and quickly made some signs and water started to seep from the ground around them. "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu!" Zoro could only shield himself as a literal waterfall rose from the ground and rushed at him. It crashed against him as water filled the streets washing away buildings and destroying everything in its path.

Not waiting for Kisame to release the jutsu Zoro sprang from the water. "Santoryu: Tora Gari!" He yelled as he descended onto the unsuspecting Kisame causing him to drop the jutsu.

Kisame looked at the boy, swords in each hand and one in his mouth. "I can see how you gave Orochimaru so much trouble." Kisame said as he discarded his ruined jacket and Zoro donned his headband. "But he'd be no match for me either!" Kisame yelled as he rushed at Zoro. The clash between the two sent shockwaves out from each parried blow. Zoro had a huge smile on his face. Kisame also had a smile on his. These two swordsmen were enjoying a once in a lifetime fight.


*Hotel (somehow still intact) hallway."

Itachi and Jiraiya had fought to a standstill. Jiraiya couldn't help but worry about Zoro and that showed in the way he fought. Jiraiya put his hands on the ground. "Ninpou: Gama Guchi Shibari!" Then flesh appeared from the walls. It encompassed everything even the down Sasuke. "Heh didn't think I'd have to resort to this." Jiraiya said as Itachi looked around.

"This technique summons the esophagus of the giant toad from Myouki Mountain, Rock Inn. Itachi! I hope you enjoy being food for Iwagama!"

"Wha… What the heck is going one here!" Naruto yelled.

"Naruto, Stay still! It's just my Jutsu." Jiraiya ordered.

'Tch I have to meet up with Kisame and get out of here.' Itachi thought as he began to run.

"No one sneaks away without my awareness from here!" Jiraiya yelled Itachi turned the corner and then Jiraiya had a look of shock on his face. He ran and turned the corner only to see black flame flickering where a flesh wall should be.

"He's gone!" Naruto yelled as Jiraiya just glared at the wall. "Ero Sanin! Zoro is still fighting that fish dude!" Naruto yelled as he ran towards the opening.

"No not that way." Jiraiya said as he stopped Naruto from making a deadly mistake. "You get Sasuke and I'll deal with Zoro."


*Ruined city street*

A bloodied Zoro stood across from a bloodied Kisame both breathing heavily.

"Why are you even in the leaf?" Kisame asked. Zoro looked on cautious to his surrounding expecting a trap. "You'd be better off in the mist or even the cloud. You being there is like a wolf amongst sheep. If you stay there too long you'll become just another dull blade." A familiar feeling ran down Kisame's back. "Heh, don't talking anymore? Well Itachi is finished so let's wrap this up." Kisame said as he readied to attack.

Itachi appeared outside and rushed towards the fight from one direction as Jiraiya and Naruto, carrying an unconscious Sasuke, came from the hotel.

Zoro rushed at Kisame who jumped high into the air.

"Since you lack the chakra control to block this attack last time… Suiton: Suikodan no Jutsu!" Kisame yelled bringing Samehada to an attack position as a shark made of water enveloped him.

Zoro sheathe the other two swords and jumped to meet him, Wado Ichimonji trailing behind him. "Ittoryu!" A silhouette of a dragon encompassed Zoro and blue flames began to dance across his blade. "Hiryu: Kaen!" Zoro yelled as the dragon passed the shark.

Kisame landed on the ground followed by Zoro. Kisame erupted into blue flame in the exact spot Zoro slashed him as Zoro erupted in blood from his wound and leaned against his sword.

"Hahaha. I didn't expect you to have an ace in the hole." Kisame said as Samehada started to ate the flame away chattering happily.

Itachi and Jiraiya looked on.

"Zoro is capable of this…?" Naruto said as shock and fear filled his face.

Kisame and Zoro stood up and turned towards each other. Kisame stood as Zoro continued to lean against his sword.

"Kisame, we don't have time for this." Itachi said.

"Roronoa Zoro huh?" Kisame said a smirk on his face. "I'll remember that name. Get stronger because next time we fight, you might not be lucky enough to have someone save you." He said as he disappeared along with Itachi.

"Hoshigaki Kisame… Zoro you've made a terrible enemy this day." Jiraiya said as he walked up beside the boy.

'Kisame…' Zoro thought as the shark man's words rang in his head.


*On the path again*

Zoro had remained silent ever since his fight with Kisame. This was the second time he was left beaten by someone stronger than him. Naruto had tried talking to his friend to no avail. His mind raced at the fact that he couldn't do anything against his ninjitsu and he was a great swordsman on top of that.

'You'll become just another dull blade.' Kisame words still lingered in his head.

'Just how far had he fallen behind…'

"Zoro" Jiraiya said breaking his train of thought. "Thanks for taking Kisame off of my hands back there. I guess bringing you was a good idea."

"So you brought me along to be a glorified bodyguard." Zoro said.

"No!" Jiraiya yelled. "Me, the legendary Sanin Jiraiya, is going to train you!"

"I'm not a ninja!" Zoro yelled thinking the old man was mocking him.

"Correct!" Jiraiya yelled.

Zoro Sneered. "In what? I can't even mold chakra! What good would your training be to me!" Jiraiya looked at the uncharacteristic behavior of Zoro. "And none of my attacks could fully block or cut his jutsu. Gaara's were easier to deflect and slice."

"Just because you we're able to cut Gaara's unstable chakra enforced attacks you thought you'd be able to cut through anyone's? Just like weapons, the strength of one spirit and their ability to focus determines how strong an attack will be" Jiraiya said

"Still doesn't change the fact that none of my attacks could cut his."

"Except one." Jiraiya said.

Zoro face changed from anger to contemplation to realization.

"Right! Your Kaen!" Jiraiya yelled. "While it's not exactly chakra, the way it reacted to Kisame's jutsu and how his sword readily ate it up shows something. We're going to see if we can pull out and use this blue flame in more of your attacks. This substitute might be as close as you're going to get to using chakra."

Zoro's looked up at the older man and nodded, as his hand rest on the Shusui as he remembered the samurai who brought that skill out of him. He would make this skill his and then he'd show Kisame how much of a dull blade he was.

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AN: Don't worry! Zoro won't be running around spewing blue fireballs or anything of the sorts. At the most I'll probably make it just coat his weapons like the village of iron's samurai do with their weapons and/or strengthen some of his attacks. I wanted to give his attacks some growth that was a little based off of the Naruto-verse while not going full ninja. It's probably going to be more battle spirit oriented like most of Zoro's attacks already are.

Next chapter: Zoro, Naruto, and Jiraiya catch up with Tsunade and Zoro vs. Orochimaru part 2.

Oh and to answer XxBlackOpsCommanderxX: Zoro will be as strong or slightly stronger as his Time Skip self after the Naruto time skip. He will be significantly stronger when he makes it back to the One Piece-verse.

B.O.Z