Chapter eight and it's all great. This will conclude the waterfall arc with a bang. Hopefully the twist will take you by surprise and the ending pleases you, it was a pretty busy little arc. As we move on more people will be introduced along with new friends and enemies made. So dive right in because it's my longest chapter yet and I've broken the 50,000 word mark, Huzzah.

-Operaman


Smoke billowed into the air above the village as team seven stood back to back surrounded by eight ninja at an intersection. The leader of the rogue ninja, Suien, stepped forward while gesturing to the ruined city, "Konoha ninja there is no reason for you to be interfering in this battle, it would be in your best interest to surrender and allow us to finish without any more resistance on your part. The village is in shambles, if you allow us to leave unimpeded I swear you can leave here with your lives."

In response to Suien team seven's captain Kakashi lazily drawled, "No thanks, we decent people have something called a conscious, though I have to ask why you are doing this? It must be a hell of a prize if you are risking life and limb to invade a hidden village, no matter how minor."

"I suppose that I could give you a history lesson on one of Taki's darker secrets. I am honestly just a simple man that wants to live comfortably for the rest of my life, but as a genin I was a staunch patriot wanting to raise Taki's prowess in the world. When Taki covertly joined in the destruction of Uzu no Kuni for the promise of jutsu scrolls and sealing techniques, and it was there I saw the futility of villages like Takigakure. I was but a simple genin, part of the troops behind the line in charge of maintaining camp. There were a handful of minor villages and two major ones that joined in a temporary alliance to put down the dangerous Uzumaki clan." At this point Naruto's face became shell shocked and he listened intently while Kakashi gave him a concerned look and Sakura seemed confused. "All the villages shared a single camp and I saw the difference between the five great villages and the minor ones. All the ninja of the same rank were so much stronger, bigger, faster, or knew more jutsu. Their jounin were at the same level as the few elite units and village leaders. Sometimes when off duty the genin would spar if tempers and village pride flared. The genin from the major villages would laugh when two from minor villages fought saying it was like watching toddlers, and if one of us happened to spar with a genin from a major village they'd get decimated."

Suien grimaced while remembering the outline of lightning around the body of a particularly gifted Kumo genin. "Once I watched the strongest genin from Kiri and Kumo fight and they could've easily beaten almost any chuunin in Taki, but it wasn't until a small band of Uzumaki hit the camp in retribution that I truly saw the difference between the villages. The Uzumaki were truly formidable, slaughtering any opponent they faced with high level water jutsu and their deadly fuuinjutsu, no matter the village. It wasn't until the Sandaime Raikage stepped on the scene that I saw why the smaller villages had no hope of gaining strength, how they simply existed at the whim of the great powers. That man slaughtered the fifteen attackers who could barely be touched in the blink of an eye. I am sure that any one of the five Kage would be able to destroy Takigakure if the mood came over them, look at what my band of twelve did to this pathetic place. I waited and bided my time until I learned all that I could and then left hoping to find a big payday and live easy. Fortunately my client needed a job done inside the waterfall, and who better to do it than a rogue ninja from the secretive village itself. I will complete this mission and retire kid, then be a lazy slob the rest of my life."

Naruto didn't know what to say. He found out that there was an Uzumaki clan. He had a family and it was a ninja clan, a feared and powerful ninja clan. It was only seconds later that he learned they were slaughtered because of that fear, then he finds out this man is killing innocent people for a payday, "I can't forgive people like you. You come to a village you abandoned for selfish reasons because you didn't want to work hard to get strength and then you killed all these people for money. Kids lost their parents and are orphans now and all alone while mothers and fathers have to watch their kids get buried, all just so you can live easy. You are one of the worst types of scum there is."

Finding her resolve somewhere during her Naruto's speech Sakura spoke up as well, "Naruto is right, this is deplorable, hurting civilians just because you can. We're definitely going to stop you here and now."

Laughing at the girl Murusame managed to get out between laughs, "Ha that's a good one girly, but how is a genin team and their jounin sensei going to stop the eight of us. You should've taken the chance to surrender, but it's people like you on their high horse looking down at me that makes me mad, so now I'm going to kill you nice and slow."

Suien raised his hand halting his subordinates advance, "Calm down Murusame, now let us show them our power, ready the combination attack." Suien, Hisame, and Murusame began the hand seals for their jutsu. Suien and Hisame launched the same Suiton jutsu first as Murusame finished his seals calling out, "Suiton: Hahonryu" (Water Release: Tearing Torrent) as rotating balls of water formed in their outstretched hands. They merged the two spheres together and a large vortex of water shot towards team seven as Murusame held his two hands apart with lightning crackled between, "Raiton: Jibashi (Electromagnetic Murder) as a web of electricity shot out of his hands supercharging the water as it crashed over the four Konoha ninja, "Collaboration Jutsu: Poseidon's Rage."

Unbeknownst to the invaders, the four shadow clones that Naruto created and spread out earlier substituted themselves with team seven just as the large wall of water blocked them from view beginning maneuver five. Naruto looked up to see his sensei beginning some seals as he started a set of his own while concentrating the chakra as much as possible to condense the attack. Naruto and Kakashi finished at the same time intoning Fuuton: Daitoppa and Katon: Karyuudan (Fire Dragon Bomb). The condensed Daitoppa fueled the raging fires of the Karyuudan as Naruto and Kakashi called out in synch, "Collaboration Jutsu: Wrath of the Fire Dragon." The inferno raged down the street, greedily devouring oxygen as the flames consumed everything in its path. Two of Hanzo's guards foolishly tried to erect water barriers that were quickly evaporated by the superheated flames as they soon followed turning to ash under the white hot blaze. Another one was hit by an ink bird and was caught in the end of the jutsu and as the flames dissipated he moaned pitifully in pain unable to move. Murusame managed to dodge, but the upturned chair he landed next to turned into the pink hair girl he taunted as she slipped a kunai under his ribs piercing his heart.

Suien regrouped with Hisame and the remaining two members of Hanzo's former guard. "We should retreat, that silver haired jounin is the copy ninja, we have no chance against an opponent like him." Throwing smoke bombs on the ground the foursome escaped into the city. Turning to Hisame Suien said, "If the water wasn't in any of the spots I gave you then there is only one spot it could be, but I didn't think that my student would hide it there."


Kakuzu watched the Konoha team battle the invaders. 'Of course, I am simply remembering how a fight with a Konoha-nin got me banished from this village and there are four Konoha-nin protecting Taki. I'm slightly impressed, they're pretty decent for a genin team, and they avoided that jutsu with shadow clones created by a brat. That's preposterous, a kid can't make shadow clones he should've died trying.' Kakuzu watched as the group of shinobi that launched the collaboration jutsu made an amateur mistake and let their guard down only for them to be taken down by a collaboration jutsu from a jounin and genin, also quite impressive and the resulting fire blast had at least A-rank power and was much more formidable than the one created by three experienced ninja, 'That blonde kid will have give me quite a payday in the future.'

Looking more closely at the Konoha nin he focused in on the one with the flack jacket. 'Well what do you know I might make some money in this place after all, and quite a bit at that. Hatake Kakashi the Copy-nin, high A-rank to low S-rank depending on the bingo book you check. If you include the money from Iwa, Kumo, some minor villages like Yugakure, several incredibly powerful crime lords, and the value of a sharingan eye, the total bounty on his head close to seventy million ryou, one of the highest for an affiliated ninja. This couldn't get any better, I'll get the hero water and a large paycheck off of Akatsuki's radar for my personal account.' Preparing his lightning heart Kakuzu took aim waiting for his opportunity. When the copy-nin turned to take in the retreating forms of the other ninja Kakuzu struck, "Raiton: Gian" (False Darkness.)

Just as the spear of lightning was ready to be launched a foot hit his chin hurling the jutsu up in the air crashing into the ceiling of the cavern sending boulders crashing down. Looking angrily at his attacker Kakuzu couldn't believe what he was seeing. 'That has to be the Jinchuuriki's grandkid or something. This homecoming is bringing back some old memories.' The girl's eyes widened as she got a good look at him before pointing a finger his way and shouting, "YOU! Fuu can't believe it, everything is your fault. It's because of you that Fuu lives outside the village. She was supposed to be a hero but they blamed the deaths of the elders that you killed on Fuu and banished her."

Raising his eyebrow in confusion Kakuzu responded, "What are you talking about, there was no way that was you. All that happened over one hundred years ago. Just because your grandpa got the shaft doesn't make it my fault. You think they would forgive your family after all this time, but Taki is a pathetic and petty village so I'm not too surprised."

The girl's orange eyes hardened in anger, "That wasn't Fuu's grandpa, that was Fuu you fought."

Kakuzu's jaw would've dropped if it wasn't sewn to his top lip by the Jiongu, "There's no way, that fight was almost one hundred years ago, you should be dead."

"Yes Fuu is confused as well. She is still alive because her seal allowed her chakra coils to slowly adjust to the Nanabi's power so now the Kabutomushi's chakra is powering her body's systems keeping her alive and healthy, but you should be dead."

Kakuzu broke out laughing, "Ha we're more alike than I thought all those years ago. We're both monsters, immortal, and have been shunned by our home. This is to rich, so you've been here thanklessly defending them since I left all those years ago, and took the blame for my crimes. I couldn't have planned that better."

The mint haired girl was shaking with rage, "Shut UP!" As she screamed Kakuzu jumped back as a barrage of needles came down from the sky, seemingly launched by a… giant hornet? As he touched down he had to dodge again as a club like arm hit the ground where he landed crushing the earth and sending rocks flying everywhere. Kakuzu called out "Katon: Zukokku" and sent a stream of fire at the freakish bug. The stream was blocked as it came out of his mask by a black and white beetle's shell nullifying the flames. He was about to charge the girl when he had to duck as a large, sharp, and green arm tried to decapitate him and he rolled to the left as it pursued quickly slashing it's arm diagonally at his chest. Kakuzu blocked it with an earth wall as a giant beetle with a lump protruding out the front of its shell dropped from the sky onto where he just was causing fissures to spread through the ground and the wall to collapse. As he landed the vinegaroon fired a large green ball of goo out its ass at him so he erected another earth wall that was quickly dissolving from the green liquid. Getting tired of being outnumbered by the insects during their assault Kakuzu ripped off his shirt revealing his five masks, "Let me introduce you to my partners."

As he finished speaking the blue, yellow, red, silver masks separated from his body before gaining tentacle like bodies and the silver one fired a blast of wind that separated the bugs. Fuu undid one of the red straps around her shoulders, "Perhaps Fuu should get serious too." Removing the lid what seemed like thousands of beetles swarmed around her coming from the red container. They were huge for normal bugs, around five to seven inches long, and were a sickly green and black. They had long pointed tubes for mouths and sharp legs so even if one landed on you it would hurt. They were so thick that you could hardly see Fuu through them all as they swarmed. "Behold Fuu's prize from defeating an Aburame, destruction bugs that run off demonic chakra." As she finished saying that the swarm tried to attack Kakuzu but his skin was to hard and the bugs were unable to pierce his skin or the strange creatures with masks and inject their deadly chakra poison into the ninja. Deciding to improvise Fuu would use them as cover allowing her bugs to attack unseen periodically. She had him on the run and was about to attack herself when she had to dodge an air blade that almost decapitated her. Fuu paused her attack and stared down her old nemesis as they finally had the grudge match she dreamed of all these years.


Team seven watched the fight after seeing the lightning bolt crash into the roof of the mountain sending boulders crashing down. The genin, even Sai, had expressions of awe on their face watching the two one hundred year old ninja do battle. Naruto managed to tear his eye away and look at his sensei, "Kaka-sensei, shouldn't we go after the other four."

Smiling down at the blonde Kakashi began, "So eager my cute student, yes we will, but I want to understand what is going on here first and I think I got all I could. That green haired girl is the strongest ninja in the village and she is holding off that other one. He is a greater threat than the other four combined so I was debating the options available to us and I have a plan."

Sakura looked at her serious sensei, "Kaka-sensei don't leave us guessing, what are doing? We have to help these people."

Looking in the direction Suien and the others escaped in Kakashi nicked his thumb on a kunai before doing some hand signs and uttering "Kuchiyose no Jutsu" and a small tan pug wearing a blue bandana and leaf headband appeared in a puff of smoke, "Yo Kakashi."

"Sorry Pakkun, no time to talk. Here's the scent can you guide my cute students to it? They have to keep them from getting away, only trail them if you don't think they can pull it off."

Taking a deep whiff of the piece of cloth Kakashi obtained during the scuffle Pakkun answered, "No problem, now where are the kids."

Turning he saw two wide mouthed genin and one pale one with a weird look on his face. The pink haired one stuttered out, "Th-t-the dog t-tt-talked."

Deciding to mess with the girl Pakkun responded after taking a deep whiff, "Hold on, yup I like your choice in shampoo pinky. I use the same one."

The girl looked mortified as her face turned pale and ashy as she sulked, "I smell like a dog." Turning away from the girl Pakkun addressed the other two kids, "Alright let's go, follow me."

As he took off the three followed and Kakashi turned his attention back to the fight. "It's been awhile since I've been in a fight on this level, let's see if I still got it." With those words he pulled up his headband revealing his crimson and black eye.


Shibuki was cowering in his hiding spot. He was under the pointed roof of the village's financial building. It was one of the tallest structures in the village because it had a large pointed roof and Shibuki built a trapdoor at the top to access the space underneath. He could see almost the whole village from the Great Tree to the well used for entering and exiting the hidden village. This was his sanctuary as a child and no one found him when he was hiding here, not even his sensei or Dad. Looking out over his village now though Shibuki found no feeling of peace or safety.

Most of the city was rubble or flames, and there were still signs of battle going on as Shibuki saw flashes of lightning, fire, and felt the earth move periodically. 'There's no way I can compete in a fight on that level, it looks like everyone is doomed. I don't know why you didn't pick someone else to lead the village father, I'm just a coward and weakling, everyone is dying while I do nothing. I guess I'm letting you down. You never got scared whenever you protected the village, I wish I could be as brave as you. I wonder what you'd say to me now dad.' Wallowing in self-pity Shibuki suddenly recalled a scene from his childhood. It was so long ago that he'd forgotten the lesson but it seemed like he could recall the event down to the last detail for some reason.

Flashback

A young brunette child with short spiky hair was crying in a park holding his scraped knee. As the child cried oblivious to the world a man with short grey and brown hair with a small beard bent down and picked him up so the young boy was sitting on his shoulders with his hands resting in short hair. The child slowly stopped crying and the man began speaking in a comforting tone, "Why did you run off like that Shibuki-chan."

Sniffling a little the child responded, "Daddy that dog barked at me and then tried to eat Shibuki."

The man laughed at his child's sentence, "You know, the way you said that reminded me of an old friend."

The dog forgotten he scrunched his face up cutely in confusion and asked his father, "I'm a little boy daddy how can I remind you of a big grown up?"

Putting his boy down as he they sat on a bench the man answered, "It was because you said your own name when you talked to me, and she does that a lot. She never uses I or me in a sentence substituting her name instead."

"She sounds funny, can I meet her?"

Smiling fondly down at his son he answered, "Maybe when you get older… but Shibuki why did you run so far away from the dog, I couldn't find you. I always tell you to make sure you can see me when we go out."

Looking down at the ground the child swung his legs back and forth, "Cuz I was a scared dad. The dog was gonna eat me."

"No Shibuki it probably just wanted to give you a kiss and play with you a little bit. There was no reason to be scared, now let's go get some ice cream, but don't tell your mom, we haven't had dinner yet."

Not responding to his father Shibuki just kept looking at his feet as they swung back and forth. "Dad I'm always scared, I wish I could be brave like you and never get frightened, but everybody calls me a scaredy-cat and says I'll be a chicken forever."

Kneeling in front of his son and lifting his chin the man began to talk in a gentle tone, "Shibuki I get scared too." Seeing his child's surprised look at hearing that he continued, "For instance I was terrified when I stopped talking to those people and I couldn't find you. Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared, to be brave means you face that fear and overcome it, and I'll face any fear to protect this village, and you Shibuki-chan."

Staring in awe at the man the lesson went over the child's head but he did know one thing, "When I grow up I'm gonna be a leader just like you dad and everyone is going to call me brave cuz I'll get over my fears."

Laughing at his son's enthusiasm he adopted a lecturing tone, "Now Shibuki you can't just be brave to be the leader of this village and protect the people. You have to be strong too, and willing to put your life on the line to protect them and the village. Do you think you can you do it?"

"Of course dad, I'll be an even better chief than you."

"Alright then Shibuki I'll help you be the leader of this village, but you have to train hard and get strong okay."

Saluting his father Shibuki answered, "Yes sir."

Picking Shibuki back up and putting him on his shoulders once more the man walked towards the village, "Alright we'll start tomorrow, but for now let's get that ice cream." Smiling father and son walked back into the village.

Flashback End

As Shibuki broke out of the weird memory trance he sat there ashamed as feelings of guilt and worthlessness overcame him. 'I promised my dad I would put my life on the line to protect this village and I'm hiding like a coward while my people are fighting and dying. What makes me feel even worse is that I ran away and those Konoha ninja stayed behind to protect the people when they didn't have to. Some leader I am, well no more I'm going out there and protecting my village just like my father did. And Fuu, I completely forgot about her. I've been so busy that I've neglected to visit her, another promise that I broke. Well I'm going to fix that too. After this mess is over I'll make sure that Fuu can live in the village like dad wanted, but for now I have to stop this mess.'

As he stood up and grabbed some supplies he stockpiled over the years Shibuki looked out over his village once more and saw four figures running through the village towards a spot that only he and his sensei knew about. They could've been some ninja going to a million different places in response to the attack, but he knew they were going there because one of the shinobi was his sensei that they all thought died on a solo mission a couple years ago. 'Sensei, what are you doing here, what's going on?' Jumping out the trapdoor Shibuki trailed the ninja trying to figure out what was happening. "Is sensei behind this attack, and Ame as well? They must be after the hero water. But if there here then what happened to the Konoha team, did they die?' Shibuki was worried about team seven especially Naruto, despite his initial misgivings the brat grew on him. There was something about him that just grabbed your attention and made you want to trust the kid, 'Naruto got so upset at seeing our genin killed. He has one of the biggest hearts I've ever seen, I hope he's alright.'

After taking a quick detour and losing sight of the group Shibuki arrived at the second largest tree in Taki. It was larger than the financial building that Shibuki was hiding in and the middle was hollowed out creating a small chamber where the hero water is housed. There were small windows with just enough room for Shibuki to squeeze through. 'Alright I'll wait up here on the rafters until Suien grabs the wate, and then I'll kill him and drink some to get a power boost before killing the other three. For now it's just the waiting game.' The game didn't last very long as the four invaders walked up to the hero water. Shibuki tensed as Suien reached forward and disabled all the traps around the gourd before reaching to grab it. As soon as he touched it two kunai held by Shibuki stabbed into his kidneys. The Head Ninja of Taki stepped back and gazed in shock as the body he stabbed revealed itself to be Mizu Bunshin. The last words he heard before infinite blackness were "My you certainly are foolish Shibuki, did you think you could surprise your old sensei." Suddenly he felt a kunai pierce the back of his neck where brain and spine met as he knew no more.


Suien watched the body of his former student bounced off the hardwood floor as blood and brain matter oozed out of the wound in his neck. Throwing the dirtied kunai into the corpse Suien walked forward grabbing the gourd before putting it in the cushioned holster he designed just to hold the hero water. Speaking to his team he began, "It appears those Konoha nin decided to stay behind and help the wounded. That's a leaf nin for you though bleeding hearts through and through. Let's get out of here while they are distracted and slip out the secret entrance."

His team followed him as he jumped out of the chamber and began hopping from building to building toward the secret entrance with haste. When they finally exited the village proper they ran across the field towards the plateau and hidden tunnel at full speed. After about thirty seconds of running in the field Suien and his companions stopped and jumped backwards to avoid a large cloud of red gas. Three of the nin managed to get away without breathing any, but Hisame inhaled some of the fumes and began wobbling around as if drunk. An ink bird then smashed into one of Hanzo's personal guards while he was in the air breaking his re-breather and knocking him into the cloud causing him to inhale some poison gas as he hit the ground.

Standing back to back with the last of the rain nin Suien added for the mission he cursed. The only other person that would've been of use to him in the battle inhaled poison gas leaving him with just one of Hanzo's pathetic guards. Taking a quick glance around he saw the two that inhaled the gas dancing around laughing like they ate some of Waterfall's special mushrooms. Suien quickly turned and grabbed a foot that was about to strike him. Throwing the blonde into the dissipating cloud of poison he cackled as the genin started to run around like a loon. Suien's laughing at the amateur mistake of getting incapacitated by his team's own poison was quickly cut off as the rouge nin frowned when the child burst into a cloud of smoke and more of those blasted clones exploded through the ground with explosive tags attached to their bodies. Just as the blasts rang out Suien used Kawamiri with the rain nin that inhaled the poison leaving him to die in the large explosion. Patting the fire out on his sleeves Suien landed next to the other rain-nin and grabbed Hisame as he called for a retreat.

They broke away for about a second before the black body of an ink lion blew past Suien and hit Hanzo's guard causing him to drop his umbrella he was holding as he tumbled away from Suien entangled with the beast. Picking up the umbrella he opened it and blocked the senbon the kunoichi threw at him before flipping a hidden switch and throwing it in the air. "Ninpou: Jouro Senbon" (Ninja Art: Raining Needles from Heaven). The umbrella then expelled what seemed like hundreds of Senbon forcing team seven to fall back a good distance. Facing the three genin Suien pumped chakra to his leg muscles and rocketed toward them at high speeds, steering clear of the tricky blonde and poison user he clotheslined the pale haired boy launching him away from his comrades.

He rushed the disoriented boy with a kunai drawn going for the kill, but as he stabbed down he realized he only managed to impale the blonde's arm before he looked up and saw mismatched blue and red eyes looking at him. Staring into the red one it began spinning hypnotically as he kicked the genin's form away from him. Jumping back he landed next to Hisame's body as the world around him rippled for a second and the unconscious kunoichi turned into a clone that was suddenly giving him a bear hug with an exploding tag burning on its chest. Looking at the real blonde as he held his bleeding right arm and Suien could only mutter, "Sharingan" and he saw that irritating brat's lips move as he uttered, "boom" and Suien wasted his last breath cursing Danzo and his mission before being consumed by the flames.

Sai looked strangely at Naruto as he moved to tie up Hisame and the one surviving ame ninja. He let the ink binds around the one he subdued lose their forms as his blonde teammate tied him up. Finally unable to think anymore Sai had to ask, "Why did you do that Naruto? You could've used the opportunity to strike down Suien as he killed me, why would you risk yourself to save me? You hate me don't you?"

Scratching his head in embarrassment Naruto answered his emotionally stunted teammate, "I don't hate you Sai. Sure, sometimes you piss me off with the dickless shit, but you're my teammate."

"So because I am on your team you saved me?"

"Well yeah, remember the conversation last night. Kakashi-sensei told you his saying, 'Those that break the rules are trash, but those that abandon their comrades are worse than trash.' You may not be my best friend, but you are my teammate and we share a bond that I want to protect."

Sai showed confusion at the answer, "You and I have a bond? When did that happen?"

Smiling at the artist Naruto rested his elbow on Sai's shoulder, "The moment we became teammates. You know, Sasuke and I used to argue and fight all the time, but we had a bond like brothers. You and I fight all the time and even though I don't consider you my brother you are a friend and I protect my friends."

Sai mouthed the word slowly as if testing it, "Friends."

"Yes Sai friends, you and I have a bond like you and your brother in the book used to have, and though it may be different than the bonds we lost it is still a bond that I will fight for."

Sakura finished administering the antidote to the two bound nin before she walked over to them and put her hand on Sai's other shoulder, "I may hit you all the time, but I feel the same as Naruto. You're our friend and our teammate, and like we said yesterday we watch out for each other on team seven."

Sai stood there in shock as a weird feeling rose up inside his torso that made him feel really good as he felt his lips move uncontrollably. "I think… I understand. You were mad at me yesterday because I insulted your bond with Sasuke, I, I… I remember what I wanted to draw now." Taking his book out of his pack Sai began drawing furiously in the two empty pages as his teammates looked on. He finished sketching and showed them the picture. It was Sai and his brother back to back holding a bo staff and naginata facing off against a horde of monsters with a smile on his face.

As his teammates looked at the picture Naruto fell down on his but as he gripped the wound on his right arm hissing in pain. Sakura began scolding him while applying disinfectant and bandaging him, "Honestly Naruto didn't you have any clones left that could've substituted with Sai, honestly you don't think about your actions and then you get this nasty gash, I'll stitch it up after everything gets settled here okay." As she finished wrapping the bandages the three genin looked up to the sky upon hearing the chirping of what had to be a large flock of birds. The only thing that greeted them was the stone ceiling of Takigakure and a voice echoing across the field, "Raikiri."


Kakashi was waiting for the strange shinobi to once again try to escape and counter the other girl before attacking. He admired her coordinated assaults using the different bugs effectively to keep the strange ninja on his heels, 'She'd put an Aburame to shame.' After eavesdropping on the conversation with his enhanced hearing Kakashi was reluctant to get involved, but after remembering Suien's confession of how Taki had a hand in the slaughter of Kushina-neechan's clan he figured they might as well make the most of the situation and try to get the Nanabi Jinchuuriki to return to Konoha. Kakashi realized the danger of getting in a fight with the two ancient ninja, but the risk was worth the reward and he sent a mizu bunshin to the tan beauty to deliver a message before it dissolved into water. Since then he's only corralled Kakuzu back in a handful of times, but the rogue nin was adjusting to his attacks speed and timing incredibly fast and was about to be able to counter Kakashi's moves. Grinning under his mask the wily copycat realized it was time to get to work.

Kakuzu was quickly getting annoyed at his predicament. Alone the Jinchuuriki or copy-nin would've been an entertaining fight, but their combined forces proved to be deadly despite them never fighting together. After conferring with the ancient woman the Konoha nin added himself to the fray and was pushing Kakuzu harder than he's been in a long time. The bounty hunter quickly realized that he would be better off recalling his masks after the heart capable of using raiton was almost devoured by the giant vinegaroon. The club like arms opened up and extended revealing massive appendages that just missed pulling the yellow lightning mask into its gaping mouth before cracking the mask with the whip like tail after failing to capture it.

After recalling his minions Kakuzu had no support and had to face all the bugs and jounin on his own as he continued to dodge the salvo of attacks launched by the two ninja. It would appear to be a coordinated routine from an observer's point of view, but to Kakuzu the attacks were unpredictable and deadly. Only instincts and reflexes honed over a hundred years allowed him to outpace them and survive the lethal assault. To make it even harder the Jinchuuriki has just as much experience as he does and is incredibly shrewd when maneuvering her pets. There is no apparent pattern to the attacking bugs as they mix up speeds and attack combinations like old pros making it difficult to find space to counter.

He would've been able to escape the insects if it wasn't for that blasted copy nin, but Kakuzu was finally getting the feel for Kakashi's attacks, he just needs a little more time before eliminating the weaker link of the two. Dodging the barrage of stingers from above he raised an earth wall that blocked the preying mantis as he emerged from the ground firing a Zukokku at the green monster's back that was blocked by the beetle with a lump. Cursing at the strong defense of that huge beetle and the black and white one he jumped over an acid blast before trying to gain some room to maneuver by calling out, "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu (Great Waterfall technique)" as his blue mask spewed out a huge mass of swirling water that looked like a drill blocking the bugs and copy nin from advancing. He was about to launch a raiton jutsu to follow up as the silver haired jounin launched himself over the attack by raising an earth wall and rushed at Kakuzu after landing. Stopping his chakra flow he disconnected his right fist from the wrist and launched it at the copy nin as he controlled it with the black threads of the Jiongu. The fist just missed the attacking shinobi as he ducked and rolled to the right as the appendage grazed the tips of his silver hair when it passed over his head. 'Alright now I got his speed so I'll take him out next time he attacks.'

Dodging the strange ox sized beetle as it once again tried to crush him Kakuzu blocked the preying mantis' strike with his arm. Those annoying little bugs started to swarm again to block his vision so he quickly left the area as those devastating clubs smashed through the bug wall and the whip like tail quickly followed snapping inches in front of Kakuzu's face, but as he was in the air the horned beetle smashed into him from his back while the one with pincers slashed through his head from above before he crumbled into rubble revealing he was an earth clone. From his hidden position behind a pile of rubble Kakuzu began to prepare a jutsu when Kakashi appear above him with his left foot raised over his head and crackling with lightning chakra prepared to bring it hammering down on the ancient ninja's head.

Kakuzu did not panic and allowed a mass of threads to burst through his mouth that pierced the attacking ninja through his outstretched leg and chest. Smiling around the threads Kakuzu managed to say, "You shouldn't have gotten involved, you will make a nice payday after I leave here." Kakuzu was literally shocked when in the middle of gasping his dying breath the ninja turned into a mass of lightning that surged through his earth based tentacles electrifying him as he stood in the middle of the field paralyzed, open for a devastating move. He heard birds chirping and couldn't react as he felt something pierce his water natured heart and a heard a voice yell "Raikiri." Kakashi leaned in before whispering, "And you shouldn't have underestimated me."

Kakuzu fell forward pretending to be dead while thinking, 'This isn't going my way, I'd better shut down for a couple minutes before moving out and taking the hero water, I can feel it relatively close.' As he was lying there preparing to halt his chakra flow a voice echoed in his head, "We shall meet in person in two days at the main hideout." Shutting off his chakra after receiving the message his organs and body systems stopped functioning and Kakuzu literally died waiting for Jiongu to revive him in a couple of minutes.


Kakashi looked down at the body as he double checked the pulse and felt the dying electrical signals. 'I'm definitely making sure that all my opponents are actually dead from now on. Still I wonder who he was, all I know is he was from Taki and apparently him and this girl are over one hundred years old. I wonder if they were lovers and he cheated with another woman and had to run away and from her Jinchuuriki fury abandoning the village. He then found a way to become immortal to one day return to his true love and beg forgiveness. Maybe I should write a book, I bet I could give Jiraiya-sama a run for his money, intense fighting leading to intense fucking. I would definitely have to put in a cat-fight leading to some loving, or maybe a cat-girl fight, oh the possibilities.' Shaking his head before he got to deep into his scary mind… again, Kakashi got back to the real issue at hand. 'I wonder why he was never reported a missing-nin, someone able to use all five elements should be in the bingo book somewhere. I wonder why Taki never listed that man. Oh well I can think about that later with more information for now I have to check on my students, those two explosions were definitely Naruto, I really have to stop giving him ideas involving explosives.' Turning to the green haired woman he said, "Thank you for stopping him when he was attacking us, but I have to get to my students and once we regroup we will find you and help scour the rubble for survivors."

Not getting any response from the girl as she appeared to be staring at him and thinking something, 'gotta be the mask.' Jumping off towards the area where the explosions came from Kakashi resisted the urge to pull out Icha Icha, 'just a little longer precious.' As he was traveling to meet his students he realized the Jinchuuriki was following him and would hopefully continue to do so back to Konoha. Landing near the trio he saw Sakura standing near a shirtless and bandaged Naruto, his seal was barely visible from all the chakra use, but it appeared she was too busy fussing over him to notice. Sai was looking at the other two with a strange expression on his face, it seemed thoughtful with something else in it besides the usual blank look. He saw the kunoichi and one of the uniformed rain-nin tied up and the ringleader lying dead. Walking up to the three who were eyeing him and the woman curiously he coughed and began, "Report in team."

The pinkette stopped her mother hen act on Naruto and responded professionally. "We trailed them through the city and after calculating their path we set up an ambush outside of the city. Two were quickly disabled and the others quickly followed. Naruto was injured during the battle protecting Sai and according to the clone we sent with Pakkun to investigate their trail Shibuki was killed in a hollowed out tree with some kind of altar."

Looking at the two prisoners Kakashi pondered what to do before wiping some blood on his hand summoning a bull mastiff that was the size of Fuu's preying mantis, "Alright team here's what we'll do. Bull here will bring these two prisoners back to Konoha, so Sakura if you please put them under, it will take him around twelve to fourteen hours to get to Konoha so dose accordingly." Standing up and reaching into her pouch to follow her sensei's instruction, she drugged them with her most potent sleeping poison. Bull lifted the two tied up shinobi by the ropes and leapt off towards the wall. "Alright, Fuu was it, could you please explain what these people wanted."

Looking at the three as she sat on the vinegaroon she began, "Fuu thinks they were after the hero water, that is the only thing of real value in the village." Hopping off the bug and walking up to Suien's corpse she searched his packs and pockets before pulling out a strange case and opening it. She held out the strange gourd filled with water, "This apparently increases the Chakra of the user immensely at cost to their lifespan." The mint haired woman looked at the ground creating an awkward silence for a minute or two before continuing, "Fuu would like to return to Konoha with you, there is nothing for her here anymore."

As she finished talking the earth rose up encasing the insects legs in stone and Fuu jumped towards her companions screaming as Kakashi yelled, "Scatter." A large stream of fire moved through their last position killing the seven bugs as a black blur shot in front of Kakashi before slamming into Fuu knocking her out. It stopped revealing Kakuzu holding the hero water and Fuu's unconscious form over his shoulder like a sack.

The strange ninja appeared to be a monster as his torso was split at all the joints as black threads extended out of his body connecting everything together as the many appendages waved wildly around him. "Hatake Kakashi, I give you this one offer. I will leave here and you will stay and give no pursuit. I will take the hero water and the demon container, she will serve as a good substitute for your bounty I am sure Kumo would pay nicely for the container of the Nanabi. In exchange for letting me leave peacefully I will not kill you, I have other business to attend to."

Naruto rubbed his stomach as he stared at Fuu, a motion not lost on Kakashi but thankfully it was to the creature in front of them. As he stared at the scene his visible blue eye narrowed, "Yeah right, there's no chance in hell we're letting you go right sensei?" Silence was his only answer as a betrayed look appeared on his face and he prepared to lift the headband probably to use the mangekyou power they had discovered.

A hand grabbed his before he could reach his headband as his Kakashi finally answered, "Naruto that won't do any good here, this ninja can probably beat me if I go full out, and definitely can if I have to protect you three and fight him." Staring at the monstrous ninja Kakashi answered him, "As much as I don't like it we'll let you go."

His student gave him a hurt look as Kakuzu mocked bowed before speaking around the threads, "A wise decision, but the price on your head is high I am sure we will see each other again."

As he jumped away Naruto's voice reached him, "You better hope we don't meet again because if we do when you finally get to hell it will be a vacation after what I do to you."

Laughing oddly Kakuzu's voice reached them as he disappeared from view, "Get strong and famous boy so I can profit off of your death as well."

Before his student could yell at him Kakashi began, "Naruto just so you know I wish that we could've done something but I'm running low on chakra after fighting him before, and I won't let you three die. It may not have been the morally right decision, but it was the correct one to make in the situation. When you lead missions or become Hokage you will have to weigh all the options before making a decision that is in the best benefit of your team or the village. You may not always like or agree with the decision you made, but if you can't get over your dislike or regret from those decisions you should quit being a ninja because it will break you."

When his students looked like they grasped some of the knowledge Kakashi continued. "Alright guys I know there may be some questions after this mission but they will have to wait till we get back to the Hokage's office. For now I want you to scour the village and find any jutsu scrolls or any other knowledge we could use as well as civilians, we'll meet up here in four hours and set up camp outside the village before leaving tomorrow." Sai drew some ink mice to search while Naruto spammed out a horde of clones that leapt off, but before he could follow Sakura grabbed him demanding to stitch his wound while they had time and it wasn't healing. When she was finished he joined the other two members of squad seven and began searching the scarred village.

As they were scouring the city four shinobi saw the extent of the damage done during the course of the day. After regrouping outside the ruined village team seven agreed that Takigakure was destroyed and the civilian shelters had collapsed leaving a small number of survivors. Most of the Taki shinobi were on missions, but when things returned it would be bleak and they could expect no help from Konoha. Kakashi had a fruitful search finding "ANBU" headquarters and the village file location and sealed all the documents into a scroll before sending a hawk carrying the documents to the Hokage. Sai's mice found several jutsu vault and even though most of them were common there were a handful of high level jutsu previously unknown to Konoha, though Kakashi was sure several of the better ones were stashed away for Danzo.

Sakura focused on treating the injured civilians that Naruto's clones brought back along with supplies recovered from the hospital. Naruto and the rest of his clones had the best haul of all. He scoured the village leader's office as well as the elder's and clan homes saying 'That's where all the cool jutsu would be.' He returned with several clan jutsu, a scroll of forbidden techniques and seals, and perhaps most fortunate for him were several scrolls with the Uzumaki symbol that Naruto was eyeing with a keen interest. After telling his team to set up camp Kakashi summoned another bird and stored all of the jutsu scrolls into a sealing scroll before sealing it into the messenger bird's scroll and then releasing it to Konoha following a different route than the other. His duty done Kakashi opened his orange book for some well deserved reading after a really long day, "Why do I always have to be right?"


The weary Hokage eyed team seven through his crystal ball as they arrived at the gates after their second consecutive C turned A-rank mission, 'I have a feeling this might be a regular occurrence for Naruto.' After Kakashi's summon Bull showed up holding two bound and unconscious prisoners the Sandaime was prepared for paperwork and a headache, but not the size of the one he received. Ibiki managed to find out that team Suien was hired by an anonymous benefactor that gave him the value of one S-rank mission pay up front and promised another payday ten times the size if he received the hero water along with a precious diamond thought stolen almost a decade ago, and though an unknown rogue that is after items of power with wealth in his hands isn't anything to ignore it wasn't the biggest news.

No what was really disconcerting was discovering that Salamander Hanzo was defeated by the leader of a rebel faction in Amegakure with a strange doujutsu, and the Sandaime felt the light throbbing in his head turn into a migraine knowing he will have to call a full council meeting for important international news like that, and he will have to get someone in Amegakure to verify it. He then learned that their allies in Taki weren't very loyal and helped massacre the Uzumaki along with several other off the book moves that would've been against their alliance when they later received a messenger bird with a written report and classified documents from Taki as well as jutsu scrolls. After scanning the scrolls and paying close attention to the scrolls with the orange spirals the Hokage properly distributed them to safe areas while taking two out of the Uzumaki scrolls before putting the rest in his vault in the Sarutobi compound. The ones sitting on his desk contained two beginner Uzumaki chakra control exercise and a couple C and B rank water jutsu.

The Sandaime knew he was about to have a long conversation with his grandson and was wondering how to fill the talk with enough half truths that Naruto wouldn't ask too many questions. Bracing himself as he heard a knock on his door the Sandaime focused in and called out, "Enter."

The team walked in mostly unharmed much to his relief and Kakashi began his report, "Hokage-sama the mission to escort Shibuki to Takigakure was a success, but upon arrival it became apparent that the village was under attack and I told Shibuki for the cost of a separate A-rank mission we will assist in the defense. We made contact with the enemy after Shibuki presumably fled and hid somewhere. We eliminated four quickly before being surrounded by the eight other ninja. After a combination jutsu eliminated four the remaining fled as a rogue, presumably S-rank ninja, interrupted the fight trying to claim the bounty on my head, but the Nanabi Jinchuuriki interfered. After sending my students in pursuit of the four with Pakkun, sure they would handle the situation correctly, I helped the Taki Jinchuuriki after learning of a black op that went against our alliance to try to get her to defect to Konoha. We won and rendezvoused with my team and after retrieving the hero water and she professed the desire to join Konoha. However the S-rank nin that we thought we killed ambushed our group taking both the hero water and the Jinchuuriki presumably for profit. We then evacuated the civilians left alive and combed over the village for jutsu and other information after confirming it could no longer continue its existence."

The aged Hokage puffed on his pipe as he stalled for a little more time. "Excellent job Team Kakashi, I am very proud that you were able to respond brilliantly in this adverse situation after the tragic events of your last major mission. You are dismissed and will receive pay for both a C and A-rank mission with commendations going in your record next to the completed missions. Naruto and Kakashi could you please stay."

Feeling slightly better at the concerned look Sakura was sending towards the blonde the old man waited for the door to close before addressing Naruto, "I know that you undoubtedly have questions and I will answer them to the best of my ability. I don't want to lie to you Naruto, but I can't tell you your whole past yet, however I can explain some so ask anything my boy and I shall do my best."

Taking a deep breath Naruto locked his lone blue eye onto the Hokage's and he winced at the hurt revealed in the blue orb. "Old man, is it true? Were the Uzumaki a clan, and how am I related to them?"

Letting out a large cloud of smoke the weary elder answered, "The Uzumaki were once the ruling clan of the island nation of Uzu no Kuni. They excelled in Suiton ninjutsu, lived long lives, and had large chakra reserves, but the true specialty of the clan was fuuinjutsu. The art of fuuinjutsu is complicated and obscure. Not much is known about it except for the fact that it is incredibly powerful and the potential of the art is almost limitless. Your clan was incredibly feared because of their prowess in sealing techniques and what they could do with them. That one clan was powerful enough that it could change the balance of power in a heartbeat and some nations didn't like that idea so they were wiped out by a secret alliance starting the second great ninja war. How you came to be in Konoha is not related to that incident though. You see your clan is loosely related to the Senju clan, the founders of Konoha."

Sarutobi saw the look of disbelief on the teen's face and waited for him to process the surprising information, "As a sign of faith and friendship the Shodaime married the first born daughter of the clan head at the time, Uzumaki Mito. As she neared her death the Uzumaki sent over another ninja to help us with fuuinjutsu as part of the alliance your mother was her grandniece Uzumaki Kushina. She was a strong kunoichi, and one of the most powerful shinobi of her generation. One day she was rescued after being kidnapped by your father and their relationship grew after that. She loved you very much and was so excited when she was pregnant. She died during the Kyuubi attack and you remind me a lot of her. She had a fiery personality and temper with a large heart and a lot of compassion. She wanted to be the first female Hokage and loved playing pranks as well. Very few shinobi know of your heritage because of their relationship to your family like Kakashi and Gai and they were informed not to tell anyone, though they managed to help you without raising suspicion. Gai was on your mother's genin team and is teaching you the taijutsu style of your clan that he was taught by your mother when he was your age."

Naruto looked shell shocked, "What about my dad ji-chan? Who was he?"

Sighing at the question he knew was coming the Sandaime began, "I'm sorry Naruto I can't tell you. Your father had more enemies than your mother and that is one of the reasons why you have her name. I will say your father was a very powerful ninja and loved you as much as your mother. In fact I've never seen him happier than when he found out his mother was pregnant with you. I know this is a lot to take in so you can come by and talk to me at any time and I'll tell you some stories of your mother and give you some pictures, I don't see enough of you these days Naruto. Now go home and get some sleep, your sensei will inform you when you have your next training session. Also while I wouldn't advertise that you are the last Uzumaki, mainly because you don't look like one, you can discreetly tell close friends if you make sure they know to keep it under wraps."

Naruto turned and trudged out the door while mumbling goodbye to the old man as he was turning to speak to Kakashi. "This is two A-rank missions, I expect to see them in the upcoming chuunin exams, they have proved they are more than ready for it."

"Yes Hokage-sama they have all grown immensely since they joined my team, especially Naruto. You know, I've been thinking that Naruto has shown enough maturity to hear about his father. He hasn't told anyone about his Jinchuuriki status, and I expect he would be able to keep this a secret as well, we don't have to tell everyone right now but Naruto should know about his whole family."

"Perhaps you are right Kakashi, I have seen his growth over the years, especially since you took over the role as his teacher, but a part of this old man still wants to shelter the boy. I don't want to cause him any distress when he learns that it was his father that caused him so much pain by sealing the Kyuubi in him. And then after he overcomes that because I have no doubts that he will, there will be an unbelievable pressure once he accepts that he is the son of one of the strongest ninja to ever live, I don't even know if I could've beaten Minato in my prime and he was not yet in his when he passed on."

Kakashi was surprised to see the usually strong and unshakeable man actually look his age. The Sandaime always projected an aura of experience, wisdom, and power making you forget that he was in his sixties. The old man in front of Kakashi looked so weary and fragile, like he was carrying a heavy burden all his life and was exhausted from the tremendous effort. Kakashi really didn't know what to say, but he had faith in Naruto and his student deserved to know of his father. "Hokage-sama, I believe that Naruto has earned the privilege of learning of his true heritage. Minato-sensei trusted him with the fox, and I believe that he is ready to learn why. Give him his full legacy and watch him shine, he already wants to surpass the fourth and be the greatest Hokage ever, learning that his father, his hero and idol, entrusted the fox to him with the belief that Naruto would one day surpass him will only spurn the boy to new heights."

The Hokage had a warm expression on his face as he regarded his fellow disciple in the Shodaime's philosophy. Kakashi was a something of a great grand-student of Hiruzen. Kakashi was a student to Minato, who in turn learned at the feet of Jiraiya who was Hiruzen's pupil at one point, and when the Sandaime was a young genin all those years ago he was a student of the Shodaime and Nidaime. All of the successors to the Hokage title came from this line of teaching, and despite Kakashi's lack of desire to become Hokage he was still a good man and a better ninja, 'perhaps a worthy advisor along with Shikaku'.

"Your sensei taught excellent students as you yourself are doing now." Taking a deep breath the old man continued, "I think you are right Kakashi, Team Seven shall enter the Chuunin Exams and if Naruto proves chuunin material then we shall tell him of his father, but for now let him think and learn about his mother. Thank you for the council Kakashi it was most appreciated, you are dismissed."

As Kakashi walked out the door he couldn't help but feel he signed up for more work outside of preparing his team for the exams, but he couldn't figure out why. Disregarding the strange sensation he thought to himself as he walked into the afternoon sun pulling out Icha Icha, 'I'll have to up the training for my cute students before the exams, we still have about two months to prepare… I also need to step up my own training a bit. I lost a step or two since my ANBU days and my chakra levels haven't risen because of my lack of training, I'm stagnating. I'll have to step it up a bit, maybe get some weights and train with Gai once a week, month… once in a while on special occasions. I need to start raising my chakra before I get too old, maybe I should start working on some of the better jutsu I copied with my Sharingan too. Oh well, it's been a long three days I just want to kick back and read some Icha Icha.'

The Sandaime watched as Kakashi walked down the street while thinking about his blonde student. His musing was interrupted some time later when a young chuunin was let in by his secretary carrying a message from the bird tower, "Hokage-sama we have just received a message from Suna bearing the Kage seal."

Opening his desk he pulled out a carved stone before grabbing the scroll and placing the design into a gap in the seal before channeling some chakra. He dismissed the young chuunin while opening the scroll.


Kakuzu stood outside the entrance to the main Akatsuki base with the Jinchuuriki's hands bound behind its back by rope with a leash coming off held by the Akatsuki member. There was a chakra-sealing collar around its neck attached to a long pole held in Kakuzu's other hand. The Jinchuuriki was actually very cooperative when he told it that they would extract the demon and leave a cold lifeless husk behind. The demon container appeared hopeful upon hearing death was a result of the sealing. Since then they traveled at high speeds arriving at base earlier than expected. When he entered only the orange haired leader with multiple piercings through his nose, lips, and ears along with Konan, his blue haired partner were in the base. The strange ringed eyes of the leader took him in and scanned the girl that he was holding closely. "Why have you brought a Jinchuuriki? We are not ready to begin extracting the beasts or for the attention the movements would garner. With all your partner's deaths and now this, I might have to kill you for being more trouble than you're worth."

Bowing his head in deference to the powerful man Kakuzu answered, "I made sure that there would be no link to Akatsuki at all. I removed the cloak and told the witnesses that I planned to sell her to Kumo or another village. They should believe it because I told the copy nin that I was going to collect his bounty when we fought. I had to make a side trip to my home village it was unavoidable. When I entered much to my surprise and pleasure it was already being torn apart so I added to the carnage. The village is in ruins with almost no chance of reforming and there was nobody that can identify me, I never had an entry in the bingo books because Konoha would've recognized my abilities after I fought the Shodaime so that won't be any help either. The way I see it the Jinchuuriki would've been taken by the Hidden Leaf making it that much harder to get. Besides when I told her she would die she started getting cooperative."

Letting his killing intent ebb away the leader answered, "Very well, if you are sure then we shall extract the beast while discussing our next moves, mainly replacing Fuki and finding a ninth member."

Grunting Kakuzu answered, "I know that we don't recruit by the books, if there is some way to get Hatake Kakashi into Akatsuki I would recommend it."

The man spoke up while rubbing his chin, "The legendary Sharingan no Kakashi, interesting."

A soft voice carried across the cave, "The copy-nin is a dangerous man, it would be foolish to attempt to recruit him"

All three figures shifted in surprise and turned to face Uchiha Itachi as he glided into the cave wearing a kasa followed by Kisame. Konan spoke for the first time to address the newcomer, "Itachi you were part of Konoha, what can you tell us about this so called legend."

Removing his kasa he revealed his sharingan eyes and began to speak, "I served with Kakashi during my time in the ANBU. He was my captain and taught me many things before becoming the ANBU commander. He is a genius of the highest levels and he would thwart any attempt to coerce him to join us quickly and efficiently, most likely with devastating results. And if he joined the ranks of Akatsuki he would bide his time until he could bring us down or escape easily and then make his move. He is generally underestimated, but that is one of his strengths. Behind the lazy facade lays a ruthless ninja capable of outwitting even the cleverest of ninja. I myself would have trouble beating him without using my mangekyou, and if he didn't have students then it is possible Kakuzu wouldn't be here after confronting the man. Whenever we would spar I would think I was dominating the match and about to win until he would pull off a gambit and escape before defeating me. When I asked him how he was able to pull victory from the jaws of defeat so easily he replied, 'Who says I was on the ropes, the way I was looking at it I had you where I wanted you the whole time."

After hearing what he had to say the man with ringed eyes ignored Kakuzu's scoff at Itachi's advice before replying, "We shall not pursue that option and will keep a wary eye on him when we are hunting the Kyuubi. The Akatsuki meet in person tomorrow for the first time since Orochimaru betrayed us, find your rooms and rest. Kakuzu give the Nanabi to Konan she will seal it into a room till we are ready."


There you have it the waterfall arc is complete. For a short little three chapter arc a lot got accomplished. Sai learned about bonds and drew a different picture because holding hands and smiling… and besides I think it reflected the whole fight to protect bonds thing. Shibuki was introduced and killed off along with Fuu. I was intending to do this from the beginning and it was tough because Fuu really grew on me. I was considering having her take the place of Hidan, but I flipped a coin and went original which I think is a good thing, but since Kishi breaks all of his own rules I may bring her back. All this was just to set the stage and get everyone ready for the meat and bones of the story so hopefully the best is yet to come. The next update may take a little longer because I want to finish a detailed outline of the Chuunin Exams before I begin to write any more chapters.

-Operaman Bye Bye


Jutsu list

Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone) C-rank-The user creates a clone made of water. It has one tenth the strength of the original and is unable to perform ninjutsu or genjutsu

Suiton: Hahonryu (Water Release: Tearing Torrent) B-Rank-the user gathers large amounts of water compressing it into a ball in their palm before letting it unleash itself in a torrent of water

Raiton: Jibashi (Electromagnetic Murder) C-rank-Sends out a large amount of electricity in a wide pattern. Not very strong or useful on its own, but useful in collaboration jutsu with water

Katon: Karyuudan (Fire Dragon Bomb) B-rank-The user gathers chakra in their lungs before exhaling and igniting it into a concentrated stream of fire at the enemy

Collaboration Jutsu: Wrath of the Fire Dragon (Original) B-rank collaboration (different ranking than individual jutsu)-Exhaling a concentrated Daitoppa Naruto fuels the Karyuudan increasing the size, heat, and speed of the attack. Need a B-rank Collaboration jutsu of wind and water, bloodline skill, or S-rank water jutsu to counter

Raiton: Gian (False Darkness) S-rank-the caster launches a concentrated spear of lightning at the target able to pierce stone. The bolt is controllable and can branch out increasing the spread of the jutsu

Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu (Great Waterfall technique) A-rank- The user summons up a large amount of water, the more chakra the larger it is, and sends it spiraling towards the target like a large drill. The jutsu packs enough force to easily crush its victim and massively alter the landscape.

Collaboration Jutsu: Poseidon's Wrath (Original) Originally all four members of team Suien contribute with Kirisame contributing with a Jibashi of his own giving it an A-Rank collaboration status, but without him the power is reduced to B-rank. Combining two Hahonryu to create a large spray of water similar to Daibakufu except more condensed Murusame charges it using a Jibashi increasing the damage done to the victim.