Chapter 9: The Assault Begins: The Inhuman Akatsuki vs. the Impregnable Strawhats
"Ah what a good sleep!" Naruto yawned as he woke up in his hotel bed. It was a simple room A balanced by a green carpet against cream wallpaper. It held the essentials of a fridge and a television. The closet was small but perfect for the ninja on the go to pack his things for a night. He was surprised his roommate Luffy wasn't in the bed across from him.
(I guess he's an early bird.) Naruto figured. (I gotta get pumped too. We're so close to Sasuke I can feel it!)
He fixed the white sheets of bed and quickly got dress and left the room. Upon closing the door he noticed Kakashi and Robin were waiting in the hallway.
"Hey Kakashi-sensei and scary Nico-chan!" Naruto called excited.
"Oh Mr. Uzumaki. I'm surprised to see you up so early. Good morning." Robin said with a smile.
"I guess I couldn't wait to get started…" Naruto replied. "Hey wait a minute Kakashi-sensei weren't you bunking with me and Luffy?"
"Well...I lost my hotel key and you guys were already sleeping. So Ms. Nico allowed me to stay with her for the night." Kakashi answered.
Naruto felt the answer was very suspicious but knowing his teacher's straight forward way of talking he decided not to bother delving deeper.
"Speaking of Luffy, is he still sleeping?" Kakashi asked.
"No he was gone when I woke up." Naruto answered.
"My guess would be the dining hall." Robin said.
"Yea, it'd do us all some good if we got some breakfast." Kakashi said.
"Yea I'm starved! Then after breakfast we head out immediately! Don't wanna let Sasuke get too far." Naruto said.
"Lead the way Mr. Uzumaki." Robin said.
With that they proceeded to the dining hall ready to continue their adventure.
"This is the valley of winds, through it is Sunagakure." Sai explained as he pointed to the large sand dune in the distance. A barren wasteland stood in the way, the only form of life to be seen the tiny shrubs dotting the landscape.
"Just a short walk through the desert eh? No problem for this hard metal exterior. Although the skin is cold to the touch inside beats the heart of a man! OW!" Franky said hyped for the trek.
"Great more walking through the desert. Like I didn't get enough of this in Alabasta. There better be some strong people on this path." Zoro said.
"CHA THROUGH THE DESERT!" Sakura said with a fist in the air.
The three boys just stared at her in confusion.
"I mean let's hurry through. We're almost there." Sakura said.
"How much longer do you intend on keeping up this charade?" Sai asked.
"W-what are you talking about?" Sakura said nervously.
"These too may be idiots, but to a normal person it's obvious you're not Sakura." Sai deduced.
"What but that's…not right." Sakura coughed out.
"What! Don't tell me you're that little brat in disguise!" Zoro said enraged.
"AH!" Sakura screamed as she fell back. She disappeared in a cloud of smoke, revealing Konohamaru.
"OK ok, I just wanted to go on this trip so bad."
"The little kid had so much passion; he had to disguise himself as a woman to achieve his dreams. Is there anything manlier than that?" Franky said tearing up.
"Well this creates a problem for us. We have no medical ninja on our team." Sai said.
"More importantly, you forgot my booze kid!" Zoro said.
"Hey it's not so bad. I mean no one really attacked us yet anyway." Konohamaru assured.
"Hey don't ignore me k-." Zoro paused.
He took a few steps, unsheathing his sword.
"…There's…water…underneath this sand." He muttered.
The rest of them looked confused.
Zoro began tracing an imaginary line through a straight path in the sand. The spots he pointed to seemed to be diverting into the ground like a mine river. Zoro closed his eyes, as if he was listening to the sand.
"Someone's here!" Zoro said sternly.
"What?" Konohamaru panicked.
"Franky! Fire your laser beam over there." Zoro ordered pointing to a spot not too far from the group.
"What?" Franky said confused. "OK if you say so." He said as he put his arms in front of himself.
FRANKY RADICAL BEAM
Franky fired a powerful shot of light towards the spot Zoro designated. An enormous explosion and plume of sand covered the area.
Sai and Konohamaru took cover as the cloud cleared.
"That was so awesome. Look it's raining sand." Konohamaru said in awe.
"That's not sand." Sai said. "It's water."
"Out here?" Konohamaru said confused.
"What is it Zoro?" Franky asked.
"An enemy." Zoro replied coldly looking at the hole before him. There was a geyser of water spouting from it.
"Oh man." A figure within the water spout said. "And here I thought I had the perfect vantage point to take out the Kazekage." It said as it revealed a large blade.
"Damn it! You'd think after capturing that annoying ass seven-tails they'd give us some kind of break!" A foul mouthed young man said.
"What are you complaining about? I thought you relished the chance to kill another target." He masked partner questioned.
"Death and murder is something that should be savored, if these people are as weak as Zetsu says they will die before I can have any fun." The young man replied.
"This is why you're the worst among our ranks in the Akatsuki. You think nothing of your contract." The masked man said as his green eyes seemed to glow. "Apparently these interlopers are pirates, imagine what kind of bounty they may have to collect on?"
"Don't you mock me you bastard! What does it matter to you anyway? It's not like you even know what kind of stupid jutsu can send you to their world to collect."
"I don't, but I'm sure our unpredictable little friend Madara Uchiha does."
"You really think that annoying little bastard could be someone like Madara Uchiha? You're a gullible dumbass Kakuzu."
"Really? The man who believes some voice in the sky commands him to kill without reason is calling me a gullible dumbass."
"DON'T YOU TAKE THE LORD JASHIN'S NAME IN VAIN!" the young man said wielding his large three bladed scythe. He lunged towards his partner with murderous intent.
Kakuzu suddenly knelt down and touched the ground, leaving his partner to fall face first in the mud.
"It appears our targets are nearby." He said noticing the footprints in the mud. He could hear a faint sound in the distance. It was low, but was recognizable as a song.
"Yo ho ho hooooo yo ho hooo hooooo. Yo ho ho hooooo yo ho hooo hooooo..."
"Hidan, pull yourself together. We have work to do." He said as he continued through the forest.
"THIS ISN'T OVER YOU ASSHOLE!"Hidan yelled back still on the ground and drenched in mud.
*Kouen: Naruto Shippuden Music
"Well it looks like things just got interesting." Zoro said with a devilish smile on his face.
"Whoa. It feels I've been unlucky enough to cross paths with a demon." The figure said.
The mist from the rain began to clear, revealing the creature as a blue man with gills. His whole face was reminiscent of a shark. His body was covered in a large black coat designed with red clouds. The giant sword in his hand was covered in blue spines.
"Oh no, it just looks like some algae got a bit too close."
"Hmph tough talk from a fishman. I've cut down thousands like you in the past." Zoro retorted.
"Fishman? I haven't been called that in awhile. I guess I've killed my prey so fast nowadays, I never get to hear their playful banter."
"Zoro I'd be careful this guy seems dangerous." Franky said.
"That's Kisame Hoshigaki, one of the Akatsuki. He must be after the One-tail sealed in the Kazekage." Sai said.
"Really now?" Zoro said with a gleam in his eye.
"He uses powerful water techniques I'd advise you to be on your guard."
"Relax it's not like I'm a fruit user or anything. You say this guy is trying to get some kind of monster in the village right?" Zoro asked.
"Yes. If the Akatsuki get their hands on the tailed beast they will gain control over the entire shinobi world." Sai informed.
"Then leave him to me. You guys focus on protecting the boy and getting to the village."
"So you must be part of the interlopers Madara and Zetsu keep talking about. I was warned you may get in the way. You're not a priority, and I'd rather focus on the mission, but it seems you're not willing to let me by." The shark man said as he prepared some seals. "You may become dangerous if I let you live."
"You sound confident. Let's see if you have that much to say when my blade has crossed your neck." Zoro challenged.
Kisame smirked and began his attack.
WATER STYLE: EXPLODING WATER SHOCK WAVE!
In an instant, an entire lake began pouring out of his mouth.
"Oh man let's bounce." Franky said grabbing Konohamaru. They ran out of the way as the lake continued swallowing up the baked sand.
"Wait what about Roronoa?" Konohamaru said as he was being carried away from the battlefield.
Zoro jumped into the air to evade the technique.
"He may be right. The opponent is an exceptionally powerful one." Sai said.
"Don't worry Zoro is on the way to being the world's greatest swordsmen. There's nothing he can't cut down to size." Franky assured. "If he says leave it to him, he's going to take care of it."
Water filled the entire sinkhole that was created with the blast leaving no stone uncovered. Steam visibly escaped from the drowned sand underneath the waves. Zoro could see it take shape. An oasis was created in the desert.
Suddenly he noticed something fire up from the water. Kisame was in the air ready to slam his Samehade into Zoro.
WATER STYLE: GREAT WATER DRILL!
A large spiraling pillar of water covered the Samehade as Kisame sent it straight towards Zoro. Zoro was just able to unsheathe his blades to defend himself when the drill dug into him. Kisame continued to push him into the lake he formed, causing a massive whirlpool to form. Hot water shot up into the air creating a new misty rain into the arid region. The Kisame that greeted the group disappeared into the water, revealing itself as a clone. The real Kisame, satisfied with his crushing of the swordsman, prepared his next attack.
"BROOK!" Usopp yelled. The only response he got was the forest yelling the message back to him.
"BROOK! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Again, there was no answer.
"Give it up long nose. If he could hear you we would have found him by now." Kiba said.
"Oh man Brook really traveled far away from the village." Usopp said getting worried. "I know he got spooked but why would he run this far?"
"Well he's a living skeleton. It's not exactly the most normal thing to see running around. He could've been chased down and hid in this forest." Kiba suggested.
"That doesn't seem to be the case." Shino said. "If you look at his foot prints, you can see that they are very spaced and even. Besides ours, they are also the only ones here. If he had been running they would have been much more frequent and messy not to mention we'd at least see some other trails behind his."
"Yea it looks like he was taking a stroll through these scary woods." Usopp said. "Hey Spirit guy you think you can use those eyes to see how much farther Brook is."
Neji didn't respond. He only reluctantly activated his Byakugan and searched within 50 meters.
"Everything in this forest appears to be dead. With no chakra aura, your friend blends in like camouflage." Neji said finding not even a single sign of Brook.
"Are you sure you're looking far enough? We have his scent down he can't be too far." Usopp pleaded.
"I already told you it was pointless. If the path we followed is what I think it is, then at this point he could have already been captured by the ninja of Amegakure."
"Amegakure?"
"The Village Hidden in the Rain. We have reason to believe it is a base for Akatsuki operations, and its leader recently attacked our village. They've been known to have very strong defenses on their borders, if they see Konoha ninja, they would attack us on sight and we'd be horribly out numbered. We should turn back now."
"We can't turn back yet! I can't leave a crew member behind especially in a situation like this!" Usopp said.
"Can't you understand from what I just explained? It's pointless to continue! Unless of course… you're admitting you're an agent of Akatsuki!" Neji suddenly took up a fighting stance.
"Wha-wha-WHAT?" Usopp said panicking.
"Whoa take it easy Neji! I agree that it'll be dangerous to continue but we have no reason to suspect Usopp." Kiba said.
Akamaru was still sniffing out the trail getting more excited. He suddenly paused when he began to pick up another scent.
"And why don't we? These outsiders just happen to pop into our village from a portal in the sky in the middle of crisis with a secret terrorist organization and we're supposed to just accept it? Then one of them leads us straight towards a base of Akatsuki's operations for his supposed "friend" who's clearly some reanimated corpse from some forbidden jutsu."
"You're crazy who would go through all that! I just want to get my crewmate back!" Usopp said starting to get upset.
"You're really trying to sell us on you being a pirate! After all only a thug of the sea wouldn't expect a careful plot form his enemy." Neji barked back.
"I am a pirate! And I pirate's not just a thug! We're warriors on the sea with the most freedom in the world! On a pirate ship, our bond is more important than anything, even treasure. I couldn't be making all of that up!"
"Well if your claim of friendship is true, then shouldn't you know this Brook's motivation?"
"Get off my back already! All of us are trying to understand why Brook acts the way he does. He's…interesting."
"Then what a disorganized mess your crew is." He lowered his defense and folded his arms. "I originally came because I thought your team was still a threat to this world, but now it's clear to me that you're all a bunch of fools with more brawn then brain." Neji said with disdain. "Of course besides you, who it appears, have a lack of both."
"Alright listen here ponytail!" Usopp said with a sudden burst of passion. "I've had just about enough of you doing nothing but insulting me and my crewmates since we got here."
Some of Shino's bugs flew back to their master after scouting the area.
"I admit my crew may not be as fancy or as sophisticated as you shinobi are, but we have something that neither you nor any ninja in the world could ever match!" Usopp continued pointing at the Hyuuga.
"And what would that be?" Neji questioned with a somewhat smug stare.
"The will to dream! We've gotten as strong and as far as we have on almost nothing but that alone. If that's not good enough for you then you can go to hell for all I care! But I'm not leaving my friend behind!"
"Ambition alone isn't enough to make things happen! You have to have the skills to back up those goals!" Neji said growing irate again. "You have no idea what you'd be up against if we get caught out here! If you want to be a coward now is the time."
Kiba and Akamaru slowly backed away as the argument became more and more fierce. Shino appeared to be conversing with his insects on what they discovered.
"We've faced threats like your stupid Akatsuki thousands of times before! If he's been caught I'll rescue him just like he'd do for me!" Usopp retorted.
"I'd imagine your crew has just gotten lucky on your voyage. It's shameful to think we had any trouble dealing with you on your arrival. What do you even intend to do if he has been captured? You know you're too weak to do anything of use!"
Now Usopp was shaking with anger.
"IT'S OVER FOR YOUR FRIEND AND IT'LL BE OVER FOR US TOO IF YOU DON'T GIVE UP THIS IDIOTIC QUEST!" Neji yelled.
"I WON'T GIVE UP UNTIL I FIND HIM, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU BASTARD!" Usopp erupted, madder than he had ever been before.
The two butted heads, prepared to attack at any moment. The heat of their anger was strong enough to fill the dead forest with energy.
"We're not alone here." Shino said.
Usopp and Neji suddenly snapped out of their rage to take notice of Shino's words.
"Are you sure Shino?" Kiba asked.
"Yes my insects appear to have found an incredible chakra source. It also seems to be approaching fast." Shino said.
"You see I told you! We've probably been spotted already." Neji said.
BYAKUGAN!
This time he used his Byakugan to see much farther. Now he could see the edge of Amegakure as well as two bodies.
"There are two men, and they both have a large amount of chakra. But one has enough for at least five people." Neji as a cold sweat drop slid down his neck. "The Akatsuki are always paired. We've already been targeted!"
"If it's just two guys it can't be all that bad. Even if their strong the five of us together can take them." Usopp said confidently.
"Don't you understand? One of their members was able to topple our entire village in one attack. We have no idea what their strengths or weaknesses are. We could fight them off or just as likely die for no reason." Neji explained.
"Then that's just a chance we have to take!" Usopp said standing tall.
"When the hell did you grow such a backbone long nose?" Kiba said impressed with his valor.
"The pirate's code of honor is we don't turn our backs on our comrades." Usopp said. After closer inspection they could all see his legs trembling.
Usopp suddenly began running away.
"What the hell?" Kiba said as they all watched him take off.
"But there's no point in going to them if they'll come to us!" Usopp said as he ran.
"That fool. If they catch him he's going to get killed." Shino said.
"We have no reason to protect him. I say we should let fools be fools." Neji said.
"Hey he may not be all that bright and kind of cowardly, but I don't think I could sleep tonight if we didn't at least try to get him back. He kinda trusted us to get his friend." Kiba said. "I don't want another failed rescue mission under my belt. I'd be a pretty crappy ninja if let him die like this."
Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Come on Akamaru!"
With that Kiba and Akamaru continued on the trail now side by side.
Shino stared at Neji intently. There was a mixture of both empathy and disappointment in his gaze.
"Perhaps they are all brash fools who don't understand the intricacies of our world." Shino began. "But it's not about what they believe or how they act. It's about our job as ninja of the hidden leaf. We are regarded as the strongest military power bearing the ninja's with the most potential. What does it say about us to turn our back on the people who trust us as shinobi?"
Neji refused to respond.
"The pirate's code may be confusing and foolish to us, but the shinobi's code is quite clear. He has his expectations and we have ours. We can't afford to forget that."
Shino let his words stew inside of Neji. When he was certain his job was complete, he left the young ninja alone in those dead woods, with nothing but his own thoughts and skepticism to comfort him.
Zoro opened his eye to see the glimmering sun at the surface far away from him. The water was still warm from the sand, but far from boiling. Some scorpions and desert rodents could be seen floating in the depths.
(This guy is more of a pain in the ass than those new fishmen pirates. Maybe I'll finally be able to not hold back.) Zoro thought to himself.
*Karakuri Tower Defense, Transform! One Piece Music
5 blots appeared to disrupt the light at the top. Zoro had to squint in order to make out the pack of sharks that were charging towards him. He quickly prepared himself for the onslaught.
SUMMONING JUTSU: SHARK PACK!
Kisame had his hand against the water where the sharks had just been released.
"Too easy." He gloated.
Konohamaru suddenly appeared, attempting an aerial assault with a kunai.
"Spunky brat! Get out of there!" Franky called realizing he disappeared from their vantage point.
He was easily evaded and found himself being choked for his troubles.
"Konohamaru!" Sai called out.
"Come on kid, you're not even a factor in our operation. Why don't you run along home to mama? Or maybe I can send you straight to hell with your samurai friend." Kisame threatened the boy.
"You first." Konohamaru replied revealing an explosive tag on his palm.
(A clone?) Kisame realized too late.
The blast sent him back a good distance but did not faze him. Konohamaru however, had 2 clones grab his arms before he could react.
"Eat this you bastard!" The real Konohamaru said tossing 3 kunai at his opponent.
"You really don't know who you're dealing with kid." Kisame said with a vicious smile.
A water clone emerged from the lake and grabbed the kunai before they made contact. With a swift wave of its Samehade, a rush of water enveloped the young ninja. The real Kisame easily dispatched the 2 clones with a punch to each. He then noticed the water begin to converge at a certain point in the lake. He turned around in shock.
SANTORYU: BLACK ROPE DRAGON TWISTER
A tornado of water erupted from the lake and began sucking everything inside it. Kisame fought against its pull, jumping back across the lake as far as he could. He could see his sharks cut into pieces inside the updraft. He quickly put his hands together to make seals.
WATER STYLE: GREAT WATER WALL!
A wall of water defended Kisame from the pursuing cyclone. The 2 bodies of water collided; causing another, larger, mist to form. A lot of the water had been dissipated revealing a few stones from beneath the waves. Kisame was standing alone in the mist, looking for the swordsman in every direction but to no avail.
*IITORYU…
He didn't even see it coming.
LION SONG OF DEATH!
Zoro appeared in a literal split second, slicing the top half of the shark-man clean off. The body quickly fell onto its knees and then into the water.
"Alright Roronoa!" Konohamaru said still standing on the water.
Water rained down as Kisame's body seemed to vanish beneath the waves.
"Ah that food really hit the spot." Luffy said patting his belly.
"Man you can really put that food away." Naruto said.
"I still don't know how we managed to pay off that bill." Kakashi said.
"Hopefully being full doesn't slow us down." Robin added.
They were walking down a long road that seemed endless. The trees along the sides of the road were tall enough to guide the light of the sun directly on the path. It was unnaturally quiet. Even the birds and squirrels in the trees didn't seem to be having any conservations. The only noises the winding whipping away. After a while Naruto suddenly gasped and then walked in front of them.
"Hey Luffy, maybe this is good time to show me how to do some haki stuff!" Naruto said
"Haki?" Kakashi said.
"Oh yea!" Luffy said remembering their deal.
"Yea I wanna learn how to make my attacks hard as steel and be able to sense everything around me." Naruto said getting excited.
"It appears Luffy and Mr. Uzumaki have made some sort of agreement." Robin said.
"Right let's do it!" Luffy complied. "Uh…how do I begin?" Luffy said clearly overexerting his brain.
"You trained with a teacher right? Just tell me what your teacher taught you." Naruto suggested.
"Ah Old Man Rayleigh!" Luffy said remembering his time training with the Pirate king's first mate. "He said everyone is able to learn haki, that it's the natural energy and awareness we all have and using it as an extension of yourself." Luffy quoted.
"Natural extension? Like Nature energy?" Naruto said. "Then maybe it's the same as when I enter sage mode. Although I don't remember any part of me turning hard as metal using sage energy." Naruto said.
"Maybe you can practice on Luffy. As a rubber man he normally isn't affected by physical attacks, but haki allows one to hit ability users like normal humans." Robin suggested.
"Whoa really? That ok with you Luffy?" Naruto asked.
"Yea that's a great idea! Give me your best shot Naruto!" Luffy said.
"Alright." Naruto said.
He dropped to floor and sat Indian style, much to Luffy and Robin's confusion. Naruto began meditating silently.
"What's he doing?" Luffy asked.
"He's entering sage mode. This is how he gathers natural energy that is used in sage jutsu." Kakashi answered.
Suddenly Naruto winced as if he had gotten hit in the stomach. The birds flew into the sky as if they felt the same shock Naruto appeared to.
"What's wrong?" Robin asked.
Naruto slowly opened his eyes. The iris was now a lime green and the pupils were straight lines.
"Someone…is here with us." Naruto said.
"What? Who is it and where?" Kakashi said preparing for battle.
Luffy looked into the air and saw the birds begin forming a V shape.
"I think they are two people but I'm not sure. There's a lot of energy from both of them." Naruto said.
Luffy also noticed a large amount of insects by his feet. The birds in the sky began flying lower to the ground. Luffy stared straight ahead of himself and suddenly had a vision of everything exploding around him.
"EVERYONE GET OUT OF HERE!" Luffy yelled as he stretched his leg.
*Hundred Thunderclaps remix-Naruto Shippuden Movie 4
Before the others could react they had been kicked into the neighboring forest. Luffy jumped atop a tree seeing the insects begin to swell. Soon the ground burst into flames, kicking up dirt and debris with multiple explosions.
"What's going on?' Naruto said confused and rubbing his head. "What the hell Luffy?"
"Someone's ambushing us." Robin said rising to her feet.
"We have to move." Kakashi said already standing. "Otherwise we're just sitting ducks."
They were all just in time to see the birds in the sky come crashing down one by one. On closer inspection, they noticed they were completely white with no feathers to speak off.
Luffy vanished from the tree as the first one crashed into it.
Naruto and Robin escaped the small forest as the tree came toppling down. Kakashi jump over the falling tree and began running. A bird crashed at their spot narrowly missing them.
Luffy was easily evading each bomb as it shot towards him leaving an explosion in his wake. The first one he ducked. The second one he swiftly dodged to the left. The third, he leapt to the right.
Naruto leapt high into the air.
SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!
The clones began tossing shuriken at the flock of death causing explosions across the sky. Some of the birds escaped and crashed into some of the clones lessening their number.
Kakashi unmasked his sharingan eye and ran through the trees trying to locate the enemy. He simultaneously had to evade the birds crashing down, and threes that would topple afterwards. Kakashi jumped atop on such tree. And saw the chakra auras below him.
(More mines?) He thought surprised at the amount of danger right under their noses.
WATER STYLE: RAGING WATER WAVE!
Kakashi released a fast stream of water from his mouth to cover the field of mines. They still exploded causing the water to pop and eventually disperse across the forest. Kakashi was able to land in the scattered mud pile he had created.
A trio of birds flew towards Robin in a straight line.
OCHO FLUR
Robin sprouted arms on the one in the center. Just as quickly she dragged the other two bombs towards it, the arms vanishing with the motion. The birds collided and exploded instantly.
Luffy was still running from the pursuing creatures, jumping from explosion to explosion. He eventually stopped in his tracks and stared at a certain spot in the woods. A large bird appeared seemingly out of nowhere and set its sights on Luffy.
GUM GUM…
The bird flew straight towards Luffy like freight train.
NET!
He stretched his fingers to form a net that captured the bird before it detonated, allowing Luffy to redirect and chuck it into the location he pointed out to himself before. The ensuing explosion toppled one of the trees creating a chain reaction of falling trees clearing a small portion of the forest.
*Naruto, Robin and Kakashi caught up with Luffy, getting a front row seat to see the destruction before them.
"Wow that was amazing Luffy!" Naruto congratulated.
In the span of a few short minutes, the entire path was wrecked. The large scale explosion made a small clearing in the trees.
"Deidara, I thought I told you we're not supposed to kill the nine-tails." A deep voice revealed itself in frustration. A large reptilian looking creature said. It had five strands of hair on its otherwise bald head and had a long skeletal looking tail. The point was extended and charred slightly, assumedly from deflecting the blast.
"Fufufufu, I understand that Master Sasori. But I just had to test how much our new friends would appreciate my art!" A more effeminate tone cackled behind the creature. He appeared to be a normal blonde man with one of his eyes covered by his long hair. He licked his lips eager to continue his exhibition.
Zoro was standing on a stone in the lake. Somewhat disappointed with the conclusion of his battle. Little did he know his expectation was soon going to be met.
"You think I'd leave myself open like that?" Kisame's voice could be heard.
HIDDEN MIST JUTSU!
A mist began to cover the battlefield.
"Not this mist again. Damn ninjas!" Zoro said.
"Oh no Roronoa get out of there! You won't be able to see him in that fog." Konohamaru yelled out from a distance.
"What's the kid still doing here?" Zoro said frustrated.
WATER STYLE: WATER SHARK BOMB JUTSU!
*Beni Soubi-Naruto Shippuden
Before he could respond, a section of water emerged as a large shark and raced towards Zoro. He turned around and without a beat arranged his three swords in a peculiar stance.
SANTORYU: CRAB GUILLOTINE!
He split the water shark's liquid jaw, separating the torrent behind it.
Right after it was Kisame ready to swipe with his Samehade.
ONIGIRI!
The 2 swordsmen clashed creating a wave of power that parted the waters. This left a circular patch of land inside a cylindrical wall of water and beneath the veil of the mist.
"It looks like your senses are sharp samurai. Not just anyone can react to an attack within the hidden mist." Kisame said. "But these are still my waters and I have the advantage as the top predator."
"Top predator huh? Then let's see you use those instincts to fight." Zoro said.
"Whoa! It's getting intense!" Konohamaru was pushed back by the wave of power from the clash. He eventually fell completely away from the water. As he gathered himself, Sai and Franky approached him.
Kisame separated Zoro's blades with a heavy swing. Zoro evaded his next attack and swiped with his Sandai Kitetsu across Kisame's neck. Kisame ducked out of the way of the attack and evaded the next swipe from Shuusei by jumping over the cut. He prepared another swing but was blocked by a dual side slash from Zoro.
NITORYU: NIGIRI!
Kisame sent the samurai flying into the air as the water collapsed into the patch of land. Zoro flew straight through the falling waves still in his Nigiri stance. Kisame, now standing on the water, sent 2 waves of water towards Zoro with a couple of swings from Samehade.
TOROU!
Zoro cut through the wave like butter.
OTOROU!
The second wave dispersed.
HIRAMEKI!
Zoro charged towards Kisame who blocked with Samehade. Zoro pushed him back with enough force to split the water once again, this time creating a cave of water. Kisame eventually stopped his movement and summoned 5 water clones from the walls of the cave. Each clone prepared an attack for the swordsman.
STREAMING WOLF SWORDS!
Zoro ducked under the first swing and cut the clone. He then gracefully rolled his body over the second attack and sliced through that clone. He cut the next clone before he could make impact and sidestepped the next clones thrust, ending it with a cut from the Wado Ichimonji between his teeth. In what seemed like a single motion, every clone was cut and returned to puddles. With one Kisame left and the walls of water preparing to converge again, Zoro arranged his swords like arrows aimed directly at the shark-man.
BULL DEMON: COURAGEOUS TALONS!
He immediately shot past Kisame like a bullet, slicing him from the chest to the belly with enough force to send him sky high. The waves before him parted as the burst shot through them.
ITTORYU:
Zoro said taking aim as the water was collapsing inches away from his face.
360 CALIBER PHEONIX!
Zoro sent a huge air cannon straight towards Kisame. It cut through the tower of waves with ease and showed no signs of slowing. With no defense Kisame took the brunt of the attack being cut grievously across the torso.
The others could see Kisame's body fly above the mist.
*Zoro was engulfed by the waves. Kisame plummeted back into the ocean of his own creation, seemingly defeated.
"Did he win?" Konohamaru wondered.
"Your samurai he is quite skilled to be able to best one of the Akatsuki." Sai said seemingly impressed by the showcase.
"Ow! I told you! Zoro is unstoppable!" Franky applauded.
Once again under water, Zoro opened his eye.
(What the-?) Zoro thought as he saw the new hideous form of Kisame.
*Difficult-Shichibukai OP
The sharkskin blade disappeared and before him was a man size creature with large fins across each arm from the elbow to the shoulder blade. It bore a sharp toothy smile that hungered for flesh. The creature had a slick and scaly tail that swayed side to side. A large dorsal fin stretched across the head to the tail.
"You're a lot tougher than you look. Samehade seems to think so anyway." The new Kisame said to him.
Zoro braced himself for the new challenge.
"Come on I'm sure he went this way!" Kiba said running.
"Be wary we don't want to give away our location." Shino who was close behind him said.
"Yea? Tell that to long nose." Kiba said searching his surroundings as he ran. "Besides, after coming all this way, I could use a little action. "
Suddenly Akamaru stopped in his tracks. He began sniffing the ground as furiously. Kiba not paying attention tripped right over Akamaru and slammed his face into a tree.
"Akamaru…why." Kiba said as he slid down the trunk.
Akamaru began drooling a waterfall, yelping and barking uncontrollably. He immediately began running in a completely different direction.
"Where is he going?" Shino asked perplexed.
Akamaru dodged every loose branch in his path, cleared every stump. Nothing was going to stop him from reaching his goal.
"Do you hear that?" Shino said. He could hear a faint murmur in the woods.
"What?" Kiba said pulling himself together. He eventually heard the noise too and realized it was very melodic. A low tone that repeated itself.
"Gather up all the crew, time to ship out Bink's brew. Sea winds blow to where who knows! The waves will be our guide…"
"Could that be?" Kiba said. They shot each other a look and pursued Akamaru through the thicket.
Akamaru, who was farther ahead, had his tongue hanging out of his mouth leaking like a broken pipe. It fell lower and lower as he got closer. While he could certainly hear the unmistakable humming, it didn't concern him. Eventually he found his prize in a small clearing, or as clear as this forest could appear.
"YO HO HO HO! HAS THE LOVELY MAIDEN RESCUED ME?" Brook shouted in excitement having finally being discovered.
Akamaru immediately pounced on his bones licking none stop.
"Yohohoho. I'm glad to see you know how nutritious bones are." Brook said pleased with the dogs affection rather than annoyed.
"Finally we've found you." Kiba said reaching the clearing. Shino walked beside them as they greeted the Soul King Brook.
"Ah welcome friends, it's been so long since I've laid my eyes upon another human. Although I don't have any eyes. YOHOHOHO!" Brook said rising to his feet and spinning around.
(Is this freak of nature really a pirate?) Kiba and Shino thought to themselves.
"Tel me what has brought you here?" Brook asked finally calming down. Akamaru still licked on his shins.
"We could ask you the very same. We were asked to come looking for you by your friend Usopp." Shino answered.
"Yea but we kinda lost him in these woods." Kiba added. "Wait! If he's not here with you then he must still be lost we gotta find him!" Kiba said realizing the situation.
"Oh I wouldn't worry about him. Your friend has been found and is in good hands." A dark voice told them.
They all turned to see they had been discovered. Standing before them an anxious Kakuzu.
"AHHHH!" Usopp cried as he ran for his life in the forest.
A three bladed scythe was launched towards him cutting one of the trees, but just narrowly missing the sniper.
As he ran the scythe pursued him further and further into the darkness.
"Come on! Just embrace your death already!" Hidan ordered s he pursued him.
"DAMN IT! I KNEW THERE WERE FOREST DEMONS!" Usopp yelled to the heavens. "BROOK! WHERE ARE YOU?"
Sorry it's a couple of days late but I think it's worth it. I hope not too many of you thought that was the end of Zoro vs Kisame. A little fun fact, by the time I posted chapter 7, I had already finished writing that fight from start to finish. Will we see the end next chapter…only time will tell. Either way I know you guys will love it. I'd also like to ask that people seriously review. Hell even if it's a quick "good job" or "you suck", just let me know you're really reading. I appreciate all comments so keep em coming. Chapter 10 should be out soon. I pretty much wrote it with this chapter so once again it's about working out the kinks. Then there will be a hiatus as I work on finals. Then over winter break I'll have a ton of free time and get to the really exciting parts of this story. The parts that inspired me to write this story in the first place. Keep on reading.
