Gods and Legends

Chapter 10: Asura

Team Seven walked out the west gate and headed west towards the borders. Things were pretty mellow on the way to the village. As Kakashi explains, it was important to find out what the bandits wanted and where they come from. The villagers would have information without even realizing it. As they were most likely going to be fighting bandits with the possibility of fighting some shinobis, they came prepared. Bringing with them a large number of shurikens and kunai's.

With the village getting insight, team seven was getting ready to get some rest. That was until Kakashi suddenly stops causing his students to stop as well. They looked at him and Kakashi looked very serious.

Kakashi sniffs the air and he narrows his only visible eye.

"There are dead bodies up ahead." Kakashi suddenly said.

Team Seven looks at Kakashi as if wondering how he could be so sure.

Naruto closes his eyes and focuses on his sensing skills. There was no one in the village. There was no indication of chakra inside the village.

Kakashi rushes forward to check the village. Team Seven follows behind, trying to keep up with Kakashi's speed.

When Team Seven reached the edge of the village, they stopped at a sickening sight. Villagers laid dead all around the streets and inside their homes and shops. The men were cut apart and children showed signs of being mauled. Crows were pecking at their bodies.

The worse was the women. The women in the village from teenagers to adults showed signs of being raped and ravished. Many of them were naked. Few had clothes on but it seemed all the women received the same treatment. It appeared that during their rapes they impaled them with swords before doing the same with another woman.

Kyoko stares at the scene in front of her. The dead filling the streets reminded her too much of the Uchiha Clan Massacre. The bodies inside the homes and shops were too much to bare. The difference was, Itachi had been more merciful. He didn't violate their bodies in any way. He just killed his clan. It was unlike the current scene of the violated women who laid dead before them.

Kakashi stops and inspects the body carefully.

"They've been dead for over a day," Kakashi said. "We have to bury them," Kakashi said to his team.

Team seven nods their head but tried to hold their stomach. They all felt the urge to vomit at the sight of the countless dead.

Naruto created a couple dozen Kage Bunshins as they began to work with carrying the bodies where some of his clones began to dig graves.

Naruto sat on top of the roof observing the work. He honestly couldn't believe people would do that to other people. He thought he had it tough but he's never been violated before. Naruto closes his eyes and tries to sense his area.

He could sense the wind blowing and a sudden feel of chakra to the east. In Konoha's mountain inside a cave. Judging by their chakra's, he had no doubt these were the bandit's that attacked the village.

Naruto gets up and takes off heading towards the bandit's hideouts.

Kakashi summons his ninken and they all gathered around him.

"Kakashi, it's been awhile since you summon us? Not since your fight with Zabuza. Want to tell me what is going on?" Pakkun stated.

"Well, I'm sure with your noses that you can already tell what happen here and why I need you. I need you to sniff out the enemy and tell me their location." Kakashi said in a calm voice.

"The smell of the dead is terrible Kakashi. So what happened?" Pakkun asks.

"Apparently a group of bandits raided this village and killed its residents. I need to know where they went." Kakashi said.

"Alright, we'll sniff around and attempt to give you a trial," Pakkun said as the ninken began walking around the village.

Barely five seconds past when Pakkun returns.

"Kakashi, I found their scent. However, another person scent is heading towards them. Judging from the person scent, I would have to say it's Naruto." Pakkun said.

"Naruto?" Kakashi said in surprise. 'Is Naruto sensing skills so adept that he can sense the bandits from long distances? He's not even reached maturity yet with his chakra. Naruto will become a powerful shinobi one day. I have no time to think, I must get to him.' Kakashi turns to Pakkun. "Pakkun, lead the way. I have to reach Naruto first."

"Understood, follow me," Pakkun said as he turns and takes off.

Naruto was running so fast he could feel the wind blowing in his face. he didn't stop, all he could think about was killing the bandits that killed all those people. The images of the dead filled Naruto's eyes.

Naruto got close and drew his tantō. He could see a large number of them gathering in the cave around a fire. They all seemed to be in good spirits and were drinking sake. Many were cheering and laughing as they were starting to become too drunk to stand straight.

Naruto holds his tantō in front of him and running at full speed shoves the blade into the closest bandit within his reach. The blade sank into his flesh with ease. Naruto lands on top of the now dead body.

"Who is that?" One of the bandit's shouted as everyone turns to the commotion. Naruto stands up and withdraws his blade. He looks at them carefully.

"It's just a kid. I thought we killed all of them. Seems we missed one." Another said with a smug look on his face. They started pulling out weapons but many were too drunk to stand properly.

Naruto moved in on the attack. He cuts through the bandits and started moving like a blur.

It was clear most of these bandits never fought a shinobi before. Or at the very least, didn't know how to use chakra.

One bandit, however, seemed to have finally realized that Naruto wasn't an ordinary kid. He suddenly charged forward with such speed Naruto was forced to bring his tantō up to block the hidden dagger that would have punctured his skull.

"You're not from the village." The bandit said in as he looks at Naruto. "You're a shinobi from Konoha. It seems the little fucks sent out a call for help to the great and mighty Konohagakure. You're a Genin. It doesn't matter, you can't defeat the Gonzo Bandit's." He said as he kicks Naruto sending him flying out the cave. Naruto skids across the ground before coming to a stop. Naruto quickly stands up and looks analyze the situation.

There was a total of five of them left. Naruto could sense for of them couldn't use chakra and were cheap thugs. The one in the middle who was calmly walking out and pulls out a sword from his back steps forward. Naruto narrows his eyes as he looks at him. There was no mistaking it. This guy was a former shinobi.

"I'm surprised a Genin like you are as talented as you are. You're fast for your age, however, you're not fast enough. I fought in the Third Great Shinobi War. I was a former Jōnin of Iwagakure. You're out of your league kid. Though you can't be here alone. I take it your team is back in the village and you came alone because your anger got the best of you. It doesn't matter." He said before he disappears.

Naruto eyes open wide as the nuke-nin slices him through his torso.

The guy had a grin on his face knowing believing he killed the genin.

That was when a puff of smoke appeared revealing a log. His eyes open wide and he quickly looks around him for Naruto.

Naruto was high above and quickly pulls out his shurikens and launches them at the remaining bandits. They never saw the incoming projectiles and quickly fell before the unseen shurikens.

Naruto raises his blade and swings, hoping to hit the nukenin but as he swung, the nuke-nin vanished and reappeared behind Naruto.

"So predictable." He said as he shoves his sword through Naruto's heart.

Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Kage Bunshin!" he said just as a blade enters his chest and pokes out. The nuke-nin eyes were open wide as he turns back to Naruto.

"Gonzo will kill you for this." He said as Naruto places his hand on the blade and cuts through his chest.

Naruto stood over his now corpse not even carrying that his opponents blood had splattered itself all over him. It even got in his hair and it slowly drips down. Naruto was going to need a bath.

Naruto turns to walk away but suddenly his senses went on high alert.

Naruto turns and brings his blade up to block a punch. The sound of metal hitting metal echoed in the area. Naruto quickly realized the attacker was wearing brace knuckles. He also had a nasty look on his face as he looks at Naruto.

Naruto turns to see a punch from the person's left fist was coming right at him.

Naruto couldn't block it. He had only one choice.

Naruto closed his eyes and began to focus. It was a technique he practices so much but has never truly perfected. Naruto quickly gathers his chakra and just as the punch was about to hit him, Naruto shunshin's (Body Flicker) away on a boulder a good five meters away from his attacker.

His attack had his fist up as he missed to hit. Then he stands up and looks at Naruto. He dressed like a bandit but it was clear he was highly skilled and experience.

"You are no ordinary genin. I have killed hundreds of genin's and none of them have ever dodged my attacks." He stated slowly. "My punches are normally one-hit-kills. You did well to recognize the danger. I see you rely on speed. Most impressive, however…" he said as he vanished. Naruto looks up and sees he was right above him.

Naruto shunshin's away just as the punch hit the boulder. Naruto lands on the ground back to the original spot. Naruto watched in amazement that the boulder was shattered immediately upon impact.

'I can't take a hit from one of those punches. Judging by his speed alone, he is more than capable of moving faster than me. I won't have time to use any ninjutsu or genjutsu either. Kage Bunshin is also out, as he would simply destroy them quickly. That means I have to use Kawarimi (Body Replacement) no Jutsu and Shunshin. I have to use these two techniques to create an opening…'

Naruto couldn't think anymore, for at that moment, Gonzo attacked him with high speed.

Naruto was quick and quickly uses the Kawarimi just as Gonzo hits him and quickly shunshin's behind him.

Gonzo turns and block the blow with his metal bracers and quickly punches Naruto. Only for Naruto to disappear in a puff of smoke and log to appear in his place. Gonzo quickly jumps aside as Naruto shunshin's in an attempt to cut through his abdomen. Gonzo knees Naruto in the gut only for Naruto to again disappear in a puff of smoke and a log appeared with an exploding tag.

Gonzo opens his eyes wide just as the log let out a huge flash of light, momentarily blinding him.

Naruto reappears and attempts to cut through Gonzo's neck. Gonzo's eyes quickly adjusted to the area properly and see Naruto's blade aimed at his neck. His years of experience quickly recovers and brings his arm up to block the blow.

He quickly brings his hand and grabs Naruto by his head. he raises Naruto up high before slamming Naruto down on the rocky ground. Naruto was bleeding as he looked up to see Gonzo standing before him.

"I was right, you're not ordinary genin. You almost had me. You have impressive speed. I would say you're nearly at a Jōnin fighting level. Impressive for a boy your age. You would have been a great shinobi had you simply stayed away. What's your name boy?" Gonzo asks.

Naruto said nothing as he looks at Gonzo with unblinking eyes. He showed him no fear.

"Can't speak. No matter, I'll make sure to finish you off before you can feel a thing." Gonzo said as he reaches back and throws a fist at Naruto.

Before his fist could make an impact, Gonzo's eyes went wide with shock as a blade was shoved into his throat. Gonzo falls to his knees choking on his blood and from his wound.

He reaches up and grabs Naruto who was behind him. Gonzo holds a tight grip on Naruto's head trying to squeeze it. Naruto said nothing as he was squeezed when it finally became too much to handle, Naruto dispels in a puff of smoke.

Naruto places his hand on the ground and stands up. He staggers a bit before he successfully climbs to his feet. Naruto calms his breathing and looks at Gonzo.

"I already knew I could never defeat you in a one on one fight. After my flash tag exploded I had a Kage Bunshin hid as I attacked. I didn't counter knowing the only way you would lower your guard, and for my Kage Bunshin to strike you from behind. It meant I would have to deal with some damage, but it was the only way to defeat you. Had I used my Kage Bunshin, it would have been a waste of chakra. You're right, I'm no ordinary genin, I'm the shinobi, who will claim the title Hokage." Naruto said as he brings his blade up.

"Asura," Gonzo said as he looks at Naruto. These were the last words he spoke as Naruto blade decapitates him. Separating his head from his body.

Naruto looks at the dead bodies and knew he had to return to his team. He had wasted half his chakra and taken a heavy blow to the head. He was going to need a lot of rest to recover from this.

Naruto senses again went off. Warning him of incoming danger.

Naruto looks up and sees something head towards him. It almost appeared like water. Like a wave of water heading towards him. Only it was very bright red.

Naruto shunshin's away, not trusting himself to get hit by the incoming attack.

It was a good thing too, the moment the strange red liquid hit the rocky terrain, everything started hissing and being melted.

Naruto lands on a boulder and survey's the damage.

'It's not acid. But it does… melt whatever it touches. Lava. That means it's a Kekkei Genkai ability.'

Naruto looks up and sees a girl not much older than him looking at him. She was wearing a red outfit with a lapel that covered her right arm.

"Oh, you dodge that well. Are you a sensor-type?" the girl asks.

'What is a Stone Shinobi doing all the way out here? Why did she even attack me in the first place?' Naruto as he looked at his current predicament.

She smirks as she looks at Naruto. She quickly forms hand seals and jumps up. Launching more lava from her mouth at Naruto.

Naruto forms his own hand seals and releases a jet of water from his mouth. "Suiton: Mizurappa!" (Water Release: Raging Wave)

Naruto's water hits the lava slowly it's trajectory as it lands on the ground and starts steaming.

The girl lands on the ground but Naruto quickly shunshin's to her and strikes hard. She was forced to bring a pair of kunai's out to block Naruto's attack and to prevent his blade from taking her head.

Naruto was about to kick her when suddenly he senses another presence. He turns to see another Stone Shinobi, a Jōnin by the looks of it, prepared to strike him down with a sword.

At that very moment, just before the sword could pierce Naruto. Kakashi appears with a lightning enhanced kunai and cuts the sword. Kakashi lands on the ground and before the Jōnin could register what just happen, Kakashi spins and kicks him in the stomach. Sending him skidding backward.

"Kurotsuchi!" He shouted as the girl nods her head and jumps to him.

"Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said as he stands up.

'Kakashi? Hatake Kakashi?' The Jōnin said as he took the time to realize who his opponent was.

"Naruto, you're so focused on the battle you failed to notice what's around you. Take a moment to see who is here." Kakashi stated.

Naruto did so and he quickly registers the chakra's around him. A squad of Stone shinobis was around him.

Kakashi narrows his eye as he looks at the Jōnin in front of him.

"So, what are Stone shinobi's doing in Fire Country? You are aware of the treaty between our two villages." Kakashi called out.

The girl, Kurotsuchi made to say something but the Jōnin holds his hand out in front of her prevent her from speaking.

"We apologize for attacking your shinobi. We believed he may have been a part of Gonzo's gang. You see, Gonzo is a former shinobi of our village and we've been sent to either capture him or kill him. As Gonzo is a from our village, I trust you'll allow us to collect his body as it contains many secrets." He said.

This was clearly a loud of bull if Harry has ever heard it.

"Very well," Kakashi said. "Come Naruto."

Kakashi said as he turns to walk away. Naruto follows.

The moment they were out of earshot Naruto spoke.

"They're lying Kakashi-sensei."

"I know. However, unless we want a war with Iwa, we can only accept their answer. We'll inform Hokage-sama of this and see if we can put some diplomatic pressure on Iwa." Kakashi said.

'By the looks of things, these bandits were paid by Iwa to raid our borders.' Kakashi realized.

It took a week to bury the bodies. Afterward, Kakashi had the village burned down as no one would be living here. Then came the march back to Konoha. Naruto quickly cleaned himself and was wearing his spare clothes. As his clothes were covered in blood.

They reached back to Konoha and Kakashi turned in his mission report.

The Sandaime listens carefully to the report.

"Kakashi, remain behind. Team Seven you're dismissed and allowed to rest." The Sandaime Hokage said.

Team seven walks out and leaves, leaving Kakashi with the Third alone in the office.

"What else has happened?" The Third asks.

"It is most likely these bandits were being funded by Iwa. After the bandits were defeated, Naruto was attacked by a Stone shinobi. Had I not intervene Naruto would have been injured, or worse… dead." Kakashi stated.

"Their reasons for being in our territory?" The Third asks.

"The claim the Bandit leader was originally from their village. They were sent to capture or kill him. They asked to collect his body to protect their village secrets. My guess is, they didn't want to fight me once I arrived on the scene." Kakashi said.

The Third takes a puff out of his pipe before blowing it.

"Is the Sandaime Tsuchikage… test our borders and our response?" Kakashi asked.

"Most likely. Ōnoki was sour about losing the Third Great War and was forced to accept my peace proposal or else face the annihilation of his army. Then he would have face usurpers and enter a state of civil war. If he thinks he could rekindle the flames of war again, then he could start by testing our borders. However, our intelligence suggests Iwa doesn't have the manpower to start a war." The Third said.

"The timing couldn't be worse. The Chūnin Exams are upon us." Kakashi said. "I know. We also face the military disarmament act. We do not have the men to repel an attack if Iwa decides to restart the war. However," The Sandaime Hokage said.

"Iwa also doesn't have the force to launch a successful invasion either. They're still recovering from the Third Great Shinobi War. The losses they took from my sensei, was too much for them to recover. However, we really don't have anyone that could damage Iwa and keep them at bay from our borders. Sensei really worked over time in keeping Iwa off balance and in full retreat. I still remember the made a thousand Iwa shinobis fled upon his arrival on the battlefield." Kakashi said.

"Minato was a gifted shinobi. Finding someone like him will be hard to come. On that same subject, how is Naruto?" The Third asks.

"He's growing. Faster than what most kids go through. He'll be Jōnin in a year. I want permission to grant him some special training. I feel he's ready. It will be tough, but he needs to be trained to handle situations soon. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up in Iwa's bingo book. He did fight Kurotsuchi to a stand still and was able to fight a group of bandits on his own."

"Kurotsuchi? You referring to Ōnoki's granddaughter?" The Third asks.

"Yeah, she was there," Kakashi said.

"She's already a Chūnin and is one of Iwa's rising kunoichis. Naruto manages to fight her on even terms. Most impressive." The Third said.

"Her team was about to intervene in the fight when I made my appearance. They quickly back off once they knew who I was." Kakashi stated. The third turns around to look out the village. "Naruto is already leaving his mark in the shinobi world. Make sure you prepare them for the upcoming shinobi exams." The Third Notes

Author Notes: I hope everyone enjoys. The battle was a bit violent but in times like these, bandit's do horrify things to other people.

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