A/N: Many thanks for all the wonderful feedback. So far, this story has had over 8,000 views, which is simply great because I never expected this story to be such a big hit! Thank you to all who took the time to read the story and review. It really means a lot! :D
Journey of the Jinchuriki
Chapter 10 – Jinchurikis vs. Akatsuki
He ended up stalking him for just over an hour until he finally stopped. Naruto held his breath, wondering if he'd been detected, when suddenly two guys appeared out of nowhere. The first thing he noticed was that they wore exactly the same cloaks as Sasori and Diedara. He tensed, hearing the warning bells ringing in his head.
"Kakuzu," the silver-haired one spoke, "it appears we've finally found him." He wore a Yugakure headband around his neck and what looked like a triple-bladed scythe strapped to his back.
"Stating the obvious, Hidan, like always," Kakuzu replied coldly. He wore a white hood and a black mask, revealing only his eyes. On his forehead he wore a Takigakure headband.
"It took you long enough," the stranger retorted calmly, like he'd been expecting them.
"Don't worry about this brat, Kakuzu," Hidan removed the scythe from his back. "I want him for my ritual. He deserves to be punished for making us search this long."
"Very well," Kakuzu responded, moving to one side, "but don't get careless. We need him alive."
Naruto silently observed as the stranger pulled his hood down, revealing his short, auburn hair. He undid the cloak he wore and tossed it aside. Underneath his cloak he wore a simple black top with grey combats. Out of nowhere he pulled out a scroll and a gourd appeared. He lifted it easily and attached it to his back.
"Let's get this over with," he muttered, removing the lid from the gourd. "I don't have all day."
Naruto observed the sand drifting out of it with interest. It circled the air almost threatening.
Hidan gripped the scythe in his right hand before leaping forward, heading straight for the auburn-haired guy. Sand suddenly shot forward to block the attack, again surprising Naruto, whilst the target stood unfazed. He tried to get a closer look at the guy's face, but didn't want to risk revealing himself. Glancing over at Kakuzu he couldn't help but frown. There was definitely a bad vibe coming off the guy.
Meanwhile the fight had pretty much started. Hidan delivered countless attacks and each of them was blocked by the sand. The auburn-haired guy didn't even move, letting the sand defend him from all sides, not letting Hidan get close. Eventually he lifted a hand and the sand shot forward to attack. Hidan barely dodged it.
"It seems you're having trouble," Kakuzu pointed out, causing Hidan to flip.
"I'm just getting warmed up," he cried out, clearly aggravated, "This Jinchuriki is no match for me."
"Well, get a move on then," Kakuzu responded brusquely. "I have a bounty to catch."
"I've had enough of you and your stupidobsession with money," Hidan glared daggers at him.
"Pay attention, you fool," Kakuzu replied. "Otherwise, I won't hesitate to kill you myself."
Naruto frowned as they continued to bicker. Somehow Hidan was managing to fight at the same time, indicating this wasn't the first time they'd fought and verbally abused one another simultaneously. No matter how many times he tried to get close to him the sand would prevent him from doing so. It soon became apparent that Hidan was losing his patience.
"How long are you planning on keeping this up, Jinchuriki?" Hidan muttered, avoiding another swift attack from the sand. "I don't have all day, you know."
"The name's Gaara. I'd suggest you use it," Gaara's tone was as cold as Kakuzu's.
"Gaara, eh?" Hidan sneered. "It doesn't matter what your name is. By the time I'm finished with you we'll be dragging you from here."
"That's it! I've had enough," Kakuzu lost his cool, moving forward. "Back off you amateur. Let me deal with this."
"No way, I'm taking him," Hidan argued, gripping his scythe tightly.
"You're pathetic!" Kakuzu mocked him.
Hidan growled in anger and launched at him with his scythe. Kakuzu grabbed hold of it with ease and pushed him back. Gaara observed with a frown.
Naruto, deciding he'd heard enough, leapt down from where he was hidden out of sight.
"You know this is getting really annoying," he called out mockingly. "I'm beginning to get a headache from just listening to your crap."
All three sharply turned to face him, surprise evident on their faces.
"Who the hell are you?" Hidan called out, making him chuckle.
"That's for me to know and you to find out," he answered in amusement.
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes with interest, wondering how he'd managed to stay hidden so perfectly. Even he hadn't detected his presence.
"What are you doing here?" Gaara demanded.
Naruto turned to face him, finally getting a look at his face. The first features he noticed were the green eyes, which were surrounded by black eye rings. He had no eyebrows and there was a kanji on the left side of his forehead, which read 'love'.
"I followed you," Naruto answered nonchalantly.
"Why?" Gaara asked, his tone lacking any emotion.
"Don't know," Naruto replied, with a casual shrug of his shoulders. It was true, he'd only just felt the urge to follow him and that was it.
Gaara just stared back at him, looking confused.
"That's it! I've heard enough," Hidan cried as he rushed forward.
Naruto instantly made his move, throwing two sets of Kunai attached with paper bombs. Hidan jumped out of the way of the attack just as Naruto appeared in the air before him and lashed out with his sword, separating his connection with the scythe.
"YOU BASTARD!" Hidan yelled in anger.
"I'll take care of this one, you idiot," Kakuzu quickly informed his partner, turning to face Naruto.
Hidan shot him a dirty look before turning his attention back to Gaara, who'd already sent his sand rushing forward.
Naruto stood his ground whilst Kakuzu ran towards him, waiting for the right moment. As soon as Kakuzu had neared him he leapt into the air with his sword. Long spikes suddenly lashed out from Kakuzu's sleeves and encircled him. There was a poof as Naruto disappeared and in his place was a substitution. Kakuzu whipped around, sensing movement behind him and separated his arms, jumping out of the way of the sword.
Naruto effortlessly dodged the spikes that were released from both arms and created an army of shadow clones. Kakuzu seemed taken aback and instantly lashed out with his spikes. He was so preoccupied he didn't notice the powerful jutsu slamming into his back until it'd connected, hitting a vital spot.
"KAKUZU!" Hidan yelled, seeing his partner fall to the ground.
Naruto landed on the ground a few metres away, silently observing the motionless figure in front of him. "You can get up now. I know you're still alive," he said.
Kakuzu's eyes whipped open in shock as he stood back up. "How did you know I was still alive?" he demanded, unable to contain his curiosity.
Naruto smiled mysteriously underneath his mask. Narrowing his eyes in anger Kakuzu unzipped his cloak and tossed it to the ground, revealing a body stitched together like a rag doll. There were four masks covering his back, one destroyed where Naruto's jutsu had connected.
He leant forward as his back began stretching itself, as if something was trying to get out. Unexpectedly the threads holding his skin together snapped and something burst out. Seconds later four monstrous bodies with those very masks for faces appeared and stood around Kakuzu. Naruto frowned, feeling the evil chakra radiating off them.
A groan sounded from the body with the broken mask as it dropped to the ground and quickly deformed. Kakuzu, in the meantime, had his stitches replace themselves, making him whole once more.
"Let's begin, shall we?" Kakuzu announced.
Naruto created an army of shadow clones once more, scattering them all around as the remaining three masked bodies began to drift towards him.
"Wind Style: Pressure Damage."
One of them released a powerful attack, getting rid of more than half of the clones. Gaara frowned, moving out of the way of the approaching attack as Hidan laughed maniacally. Trees surrounding them were quickly torn apart, causing loud sounds of eruption.
Eventually the attack faded away and everything stilled once more. The remaining shadow clones stared at Kakuzu and his masked bodies, waiting for the next assault.
"Kakuzu, that was simply amazing!" Hidan commented eccentrically. He stood next to his partner, completely unharmed.
"Just sit back and let me take care of this," Kakuzu replied.
"No way!" Hidan retorted.
Naruto looked towards Gaara, feeling his presence close by.
"It seems we'll have to team up here," Gaara concluded, acknowledging him with a nod.
Naruto nodded back at him, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Let's do this," he responded wholeheartedly. "You can have the immortal psycho and I'll take care of the other freak show!"
Gaara's lips lifted somewhat, much to his delight. It looked like the guy rarely ever smiled.
"Very well," he replied. They turned their attention back to their opponents, quickly noticing one of the masked bodies step forward.
"Lightning Style: False Darkness."
Instant lightning shot out and headed straight for them. Gaara's sand created a sand barrier big enough for the two of them, preventing the attack from hitting them.
"I'm surprised you managed to survive those attacks. However, let's see you dodge this," said Kakuzu, already forming rapid hand signs.
"Fire Style: Searing Migraine."
A large wave of fire was released, aimed directly at them. It quickly spread far and wide, leaving them no choice but to jump out of harm's way.
Gaara appeared in the air, his sand rushing forward to cut off Hidan's attack.
Naruto turned his attention back to Kakuzu, frowning at the guy's powers. How on earth could he use Earth, Wind, Lightning and Fire Style? It didn't make any sense. On the other hand, at least he'd figured out the enemy's weakness.
"One heart down and four more to go, eh?" he called out.
"You're very perceptive," Kakuzu commented. "That's exactly right. I took each of these hearts from shinobi I once fought. I can always replenish my stock…with your heart."
Blue eyes narrowed thoughtfully. It all made sense now. By connecting his Chakra Network to the other hearts he incorporates their chakra natures as well. This enabled him to use several different natures.
Kakuzu suddenly appeared in front of him, launching an impressive punch. He ducked low, spinning around to deliver a roundhouse kick, which Kakuzu blocked with both of his palms. Already anticipating such a move his other leg shot forward, sending Kakuzu sailing through the air. Not giving him the chance to recover, he dashed after him. Thus began their battle of taijutsu.
He noticed, in between dodging and attacking, one of the masked bodies heading towards Gaara while two were headed his way. Leaping into the air he created an army of shadow clones to distract them and continued to fight with Kakuzu…
A couple of miles away a small group of shinobi hurried towards where they could sense a fight was taking places. Judging from the loud explosions it was intense…
A/N: So, did you like it? I hope you did!
Thumbs up to all who guessed the hooded figure was Gaara. Though, it was pretty obvious. I hope you improve of all the action and getting the chance to see Naruto and Gaara kick ass together.
Please review! Until next time...