Youko no Kage
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it.
"Talking"
Thoughts
Kimimaro
~ Konoha (prison) ~
In the interrogation block, the sound four were each individually seated in separate rooms as circular seals glowed on the floor with tags wrapped around their heads.
Leading the information extraction were Ibiki, Anko, some specialized Anbu, and members of the Yamanaka clan to assist.
For this was a very time sensitive event. Inside their heads were the locations of Orochimaru's secret bases. There was no doubt that he had a lot of them stashed all over the country and quite possibly in others.
Though they knew of his sensitive state, if worse came to worse he could transfer into another body and make a run for it. So they had to pin point his location fast before word got back his elites were captured.
Now for all intents and purposes Konoha under it's many leaders were big believers of human rights. That was also including those who were prisoners as they deserved humane treatment regardless of whatever wrongs they may have committed.
However they did not have the luxury this time for nice and easy. But if it could be helped they would avoid any overly cruel acts or unnecessary actions.
So starting first Ibiki, Anko, and the other Anbu would wear them down weakening them both physically and mentally. Once they were sufficiently vulnerable, it would make the Yamanakas job easier in extracting the necessary information they needed.
In no time at all, they now knew the rat hole the leaf traitor was hiding in. Knowing Orochimaru, his base was designed like a labyrinth filled with dead ends and traps. Thus to heighten their success they needed to know as much as they can to improve their odds.
Pulling all they could from the sound four a report was instantly on the Hokage's desk as Kushina was now reading through it.
"God this is going to be a pain" as her eyes moved back and forth reading line for line. She had to give it to the snake sannin when he designed his base. Bottlenecks down every hall. Traps on every corner. Few entry points, and plenty of exits. It was going to be difficult to siege while covering all their bases. In addition they had to remember the layout precisely as every second mattered in this invasion.
"Your options are not looking good" said Tsunade. "We simply don't have the man power. Taking into account those who are out on missions and those who are needed to stay in the village, our numbers are too slim to storm an entire facility".
"I know" Kushina grumbled. "Too many holes for that snake to sneak out of. Even if I joined the mission with my sage abilities it's still not enough".
Remaining quiet, the old medic had a way to remedy the situation. Though it was a plan the gingered Uzumaki was not going to like. "With what jonin and chunin we can spare including ourselves we have enough to go in. But for covering the exits . . . ." At saying that Kushina knew what she was going to say as she felt her anger spike a bit.
"I won't do that" said Kushina as she turned away to look out the window. Right outside were children both civilian and ninja alike as they played joyfully on the street. There were plenty of teenage and adult genin, but to cover all their bases they would need all hands on deck. That included her own son and his friends. Giving a sigh, she was honestly tired of getting children involved with adult affairs. It had happened too many times during the ninja wars. She herself having to participate, she honestly didn't know how many of her generation never made it home. On the fields of war, it was grow up fast or die. But now during this time of peace she just wanted kids to be kids.
"It's your call in the end" said Tsunade. "But for this mission to succeed we need everyone to do their part".
". . . . I know". Kushina was hesitant as she was weighing out the pros and cons of the situation.
She didn't want the genin involved. But if she didn't do something about Orochimaru, he would eventually build up another army to attack them again. So it then came down to a fact of dealing with the snake traitor now at his weakest or later once he has gotten stronger. If he managed to escape and consolidate his power he would eventually become a threat to her son and the children of the village. With these difficult options, she made her choice. Tracing the layout of the base she started putting placements on the map.
"This will be our entrance points here, here, and here as we start moving inwards. The older and more experienced genin will be stationed at the most likely exit points. They should be skilled enough to stall Orochimaru if he tries to make a break for it. But to make sure we got all our bases covered the others will be stationed at the least likely escape routes. Now have all units mobilize as we'll brief everyone as we go".
"Understood" said Tsunade as the orders were under way.
Gearing up jonin, chunin, and genin equipped themselves for a big battle.
As they jumped from tree top to tree top their orders were given with how this mission would proceed.
"Ugh this sucks" said Naruto. "We're not going to be seeing any action".
"Truthfully" said Hinata shyly, "I'd prefer it".
"Though I would have to agree" then said Kiba. "We're going after one of the biggest bad guys in the villages history. Who wouldn't want a piece of that action!"
"Sounds pretty damn troublesome" Shikamaru answered back dully. "Why in the world did they have to call me of all people? I would have preferred to stay back at the village".
"That's because all available chunin were called to assist" Shino replied.
"So stop complaining" Ino continued. "It's part of your duty".
Chouji could only sigh. "I would have also preferred to stay at the village. I was in the middle of lunch ya know".
"But don't you find it strange?" asked Sakura. "Of all the available genin, why was Sasuke-kun asked to stay behind? He is easily the best among us" to which at that comment the blond Uzumaki gave a sour face.
Though he didn't want to admit it, Naruto knew Sasuke would definitely be an asset. So why wouldn't his mother want to bring him along? He knew it wasn't for some half baked shallow reason like him being the 'last Uchiha' or some absurdity like that. But he did have to wonder exactly why.
Running for what seemed like miles, they finally arrived to their destination.
"I'll be taking the first team in" ordered Kushina. "The second team will be led by Tsunade and the third by Kakashi. Genin group, you have your assignments. I don't want to lose any of you today. So don't be a hero. Just stall them if they reach your area and notify everyone of your location so we can converge on it. If you cannot hold them I will not look down on you if you choose to retreat. For what we're up against is Orochimaru one of the three sannin of Konoha. Regardless of his weakened state he should be considered very dangerous. So does everyone understand?"
"Yes Hokage-sama!" they all chanted.
Getting the genin groups to cover the exits, Kushina had one last thing to converse with the invasion force. "Although we have the element of surprise our foe is a very tricky one. So assume he knows we're here and proceed with caution and follow the routes we have mapped out. But above all else as your hokage as my one definitive order to you all, I order you not to die on this mission. We all have friends, family, and things to get back to at home. I really hate to write condolence letters as that will leave a creak in my wrist. Understand?!"
"Yes hokage-sama!" they chanted.
"Good" Kushina smirked. "Now let's go bag us a snake".
Each taking their own paths, the plan was to pincer attack the target from all sides and hopefully catch him off guard once they were all in position. Courtesy of the intel they received from the sound four, they were all careful as they made their way in not to trip any alarms.
More then half way through the compound they were successful so far. But that was the key word, 'so far'.
Running his duties like a diligent little drone, Kabuto cared for all his patients while also managing the security. But looking over the camera feed, something was terribly off or at least that's what his gut told him. So deciding to investigate one of the halls he spotted an invasion force. Seeing their headbands, "Konoha is here! We must escape from here immediately!" He didn't know how many of them there were or how many were waiting outside. All he knew was Orochimaru held the highest priority and needed to escape now.
Thus he needed to make quite a hand full of arrangements to stall for time as well as hopefully wipe out those that would chase after them.
Making his way to one of the rooms, he quickly looked around to the many men and women that were around. Then spotting the one he was looking for, "yes you'll do" as his hands lit up green to the surgery he was about to perform.
~ secret base ~
Proceeding in smoothly thus far, they looked around for the places Orochimaru would most likely be. Discreetly looking in some rooms they communicated to the other parties of his absence as they moved on.
Arriving to what looked like a medical room, "I've spotted him" said Kakashi. "He's in the north west area".
"I hear you" said Tsunade. "I'll be in your area shortly".
"I'm moving my platoon now" said Kushina as her group was now on the move.
But as he continued to watch from around the corner, ". . . . Something doesn't seem right". In his head everything checked out with nothing out of place as he sensed no traps or illusions at work. However he felt it in his gut that something was wrong. Yet he couldn't put his finger on what it was exactly. But after years of war, you generally developed a sixth sense when something was off.
Arriving through their own doors Kushina and Tsunade agreed as well.
"This definitely stinks something awful" said Kushina. "He's too unguarded. No way it can be this easy to corner him like this".
"Well we have only two options" Tsunade continued. "We've already searched the compound as this was the only sign of him. So we either retreat or proceed on with the mission".
". . . . Alright, continue with the mission. But proceed carefully".
The three groups then blitzed in. But once they were all in that's when the trap was sprung. From the ceiling, enemy ninjas dropped in on them from every angle. However they were out of their league against the best Konoha had to offer. Wasting little time they were dealt with just leaving Orochimaru to be taken in. Though noticing something was wrong Tsunade checked him over.
"He's been surgically altered. He's a decoy!" the old medic growled. Before long loud creaking sounds could be heard as pebbles and dust began to fall on top of them.
"The base is about to cave in! We need to escape now!" Kushina shouted. Trying to run to the door it slammed shut in front of them. With their area about to be buried by several tons of rock and dirt the gingered Uzumaki entered sage mode as she gathered as much wind as she could to form a barrier around herself and her ninjas. "Damn this is heavy!" Kushina cringed as she felt like she was lifting a mountain.
"Oh this does not look good" Shikamaru nervously sweated.
"If you got time to talk and gawk then start doing something productive!" then said Kakashi.
"We need to break out of here soon" shouted Tsunade. "She won't be able to hold it for long" as the ninjas got to work to try to dig them out.
~ secret base ~
Elsewhere Kabuto and Orochimaru were escaping.
Activating all their test subjects, they proved useful in buying them time to get away. But the self-destruct of the base served a duo purpose of hopefully killing their pursuers as well as destroying any vital data they might have gotten there hands on.
But anticipating more enemies outside Kabuto brought along their most powerful asset as he took point in front of them.
"I will protect you with my life Orochimaru-sama" said Kimimaro.
"Yes, see that you do" as the snake sannin gave a dry cough.
Kimimaro was a rare find of a blood line limit user. An individual who was truly the last of his kind. Amongst his peers he was the strongest whose power even out-stripped the sound four put together. For what made him unique was his power to manipulate his bones creating a variety of effects which made him formidable. Of all the test subjects, he was one of the top candidates to be Orochimaru's replacement if the time ever came. But that was no longer possible anymore as the bone ninja was suffering a terminal illness in which there was no cure. Thus the only purpose he had left was whatever they saw fit of him.
"We're almost there" said Kimimaro. "The cave in has destroyed most of the exits. So this is the only path we have left. But worry not. No matter what awaits us outside I will deal with it giving you the time to escape". Now outside they were confronted by what appeared to be three children.
Moments earlier all the genin teams were waiting patiently for news of Orochimaru's capture. Some hoped everything went smoothly as they wouldn't have to fight. Others were eager, not that they were doubting their hokage, for something to happen so they could see some action.
But all at the same time a low rumble vibrated through the ground which soon proceeded by which could only be described as an earthquake. Right before their eyes the entire area imploded as rocks smashing together permeated the air leaving behind massive dust clouds.
With wide eyes and gaping mouths, the teams outside couldn't believe what they were seeing.
"Oh no, the hokage-sama!" Hinata gasped.
"This can't be happening!" as Sakura felt breathless.
". . . . No" Naruto breathed out. Feeling his stomach sink as a cold chill echoed through the very fiber of his being, it felt like his heart was being squeezed as his eyes were wide in shock. "Mom!" he screamed out. With his first thought to start trying to dig the other team out, the exit point they were guarding had suddenly opened revealing the person they were after.
"It seems we have company" said Kabuto. "Take care of them and any other pursuers. Do not fail us".
"I live to serve" said Kimimaro as he got into fighting stance.
Seeing their target right in front of them, Naruto was too distracted to think straight. As a ninja he needed to fulfill his mission in not allowing Orochimaru to escape. As a son he was desperate to know if his mom was OK and try to dig her out immediately. But as a human being he was angry that this man had tried to kill his friends and family. Unable to hold himself back, "you bastard!" as he ran straight at them.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata shouted.
"That idiot!" Sakura exclaimed as they had no choice but to follow right behind them. They were not supposed to engage them as they were supposed to stand their ground, send up a flare, and wait for backup. But with the massive dust cloud and other distractions going, she doubted anyone would see it let alone respond to it. "So I guess it's all on us then. But first of all, we need to do something about Naruto".
For the young blond had already left his team behind as his eyes were red in rage. Being attacked by the white haired ninja, he blitzed pass him as he went straight for the man he was after. "You're going to pay for this!" Naruto shouted as his attack was going right for Orochimaru.
"Such bad manners you have to ignore the rest of us" said Kabuto countering Naruto as he grabbed his arm easily throwing him aside. "Now do your job properly" as he looked to Kimimaro. "It shouldn't be that hard to deal with these brats".
"My apologies" the bone ninja bowed. "He will not get by me a second time". Getting in front of the three genin, Orochimaru and Kabuto started to make their escape.
"Get back here!" Naruto screamed out once more as he tried to run after him only for the bone ninja to stand in his way once more. "Move aside!" as he flew in with a punch.
Kimimaro wanted to end this quickly. Part of his job was to get rid of any pursuers which meant all the genin here. Thus he didn't want to waste time unnecessarily. For the sooner he was back at his master's side the better. But he also had the balance how much effort he outputted as he body could only endure so much stress before breaking. "He's definitely someone I'll need to try harder with". For some low class ninja wouldn't have been able to get by him so easily.
After a few exchanges, his opponent was quite fast and strong for his young age. However extremely hotblooded and undisciplined. From his actions, the young blond was only interested in getting by him to go after his master. That made it easy for him to anticipate his next action. Pulling bone swords from his arms, he waited for his next moment to deliver the killing blow.
"Get the hell out of me way!" Naruto shouted out. For the battle was pretty back and forth as it was taking everything he had to keep up. But the more time he spent with him the further away Orochimaru was. Jumping up evading his bone sword, he landed on it attempting to kick off to get by him.
Feeling him trying to recoil off, it was time to make his move. Timing it to just the second, Kimimaro released his blade just as Naruto was about to jump leaving him unbalanced as he hung in the air. Getting him right in position, "die" as several bone spikes protruded from his arm as he was about to gouge him.
As the bone spikes closed in on his chest, Naruto still had a little luck left on his side.
"Naruto-kun!"
"You idiot!"
Approaching on opposite sides of the two, Hinata was first to intervene. Managing to squeeze within the last possible moment, she parried Kimimaro's arm away just as she pulled Naruto towards her. Going in at her top speed, Sakura jumped flying through the air as she only had one shot to get this right. Passing right by, she grabbed Naruto and Hinata as her forward momentum threw the three of them a safe distance away. Up till then, the plan she conceived with Hinata was working. However the one thing she didn't quite plan for was the landing.
Hitting the ground, the three genin rolled for a bit as they were now a pile of bodies.
However he had to act quickly as he lifted them both to dodge another of Kimimaro's attacks. As they fled from him, he started shooting his bone projectiles.
Thinking quickly, the three of them scattered as not to give their enemy an easy target. But before they separated, Naruto created four clones so that he can communicate and protect his teammates as they ran.
"You know how much danger you put us in with that little stunt!" as Sakura was quite peeved.
"You need to be more careful. You could've been killed" said Hinata worriedly.
Naruto gave a sharp exhale as he calmed himself down. ". . . . I'm sorry".
Sakura sighed. "I get it. We're all worried for the hokage. But we need to hold it together".
"We need to think carefully Naruto-kun" then said Hinata. "This man is too dangerous to try to take alone. We need to work together or else . . . ."
"Yeah yeah I get it" as Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "But this guys a walking fortress. I managed to land a few clean hits. But it feels like I'm punching metal as his bones kept protecting his vitals. If he could grow bones like that out his arms, I'd imagine that he has quite a few other tricks hidden all over his body. But also" as he recalled what he saw. "He has a strange tattoo on his body".
"So?" Sakura asked.
"Didn't Kushina-sama say something about it?" said Hinata.
It was only a brief clip note as the gingered Uzumaki talked about what they might have to expect. After fighting the sound four she explained that they were able to use some sort of pseudo-version of senjutsu. This in turn enhanced all their parameters improving their ninja arts on an entirely different level.
Of what the bone ninja has displayed so far, he was going to get a whole lot more dangerous if they don't deal with him soon.
"I think I might have an idea" said Naruto. "Hinata and I will deal with close combat. Hinata's jyuken might be able to slow him down while I move in with the beat down. Sakura-chan will provide support and cover us if something comes up".
"Well that's great and all" said Sakura. "But you already said you couldn't hurt the guy. So what's different now?"
"That's simple enough" as Naruto's clones went to go take cover. "It's time to go sage mode!"
"What?" as Hinata and Sakura looked to the young blond in disbelief to what he said. Within moments his irises became toad like as orange coloration appeared around his eyes. Feeling the energy radiating off him they couldn't help but feel faint at how overwhelming his power was as " . . . . Wow" was the first thought to cross their mind. Senjutsu was not something anyone could learn as only the very special few were capable of it. But of all of history, only a small handful has been known to be able to use it. Yet here was this bottom of the class kid from the academy who had achieved something that was even beyond the reaches of a prodigy level ninja.
"Is this really the same Naruto?" wondered Sakura.
"Naruto-kun . . . . You've become so incredible" thought Hinata.
"Let do it!" as the three raced forward.
~ secret base ~
"Would you hurry up!" Kushina shouted. "This isn't getting any lighter!"
"We have to time this to the exact moment" said Shikamaru. "If we miss this by even a fraction of a second then we're all going to get buried alive".
"Get ready everyone!" as Kakashi weaved his seal quickly teaching everyone what to do. "We're going to punch through this in one move!"
"We're ready when you are" said Tsunade looking over to Kushina.
"About god damn time!" Reshaping the barrier into a cone, Kushina started waving her arms into a circular motion spinning it into a drill. Since they were underground she was limited to the wind she had at hand as she needed to focus all she had in maintaining the barrier and breathable air. So Kakashi having the right technique in mind taught the others so they could move the ground beneath them up. It didn't need to be perfect nor powerful. They just needed to go up allowing Kushina to focus on drilling. However they were not going fast enough. "We need to hurry! I'm almost out of wind here to use!"
"We're almost there!" Shikamaru exclaimed. "Just a little more!"
But Kushina was doing all she could as the air was growing thinner resulting in the barrier growing weaker. At this rate they were going to come up a bit short.
"That's why we have a plan B!" as Tsunade began condensing all the chakra she could into her fist. Kushina was pushing herself hard to keep them safe. Thus she was her backup. With how deep they were buried in relation to what was on top of them, she needed to give this hit all she got in one go. With the barrier on it's very last legs, it had to be close enough. "Ahhh!" the old medic shouted in war cry tightening her muscles as this punch would need to pierce all the way to the top. With the barrier now about to fail, the old medic jumped up as she delivered one of her legendary punches. The moment her fist hit the rock she created a powerful shockwave as the vibrational force of her attack annihilated everything upwards.
Seeing a glimmer of light above them, "there's the top!" Kushina shouted. But it wouldn't last for long as there was about to be a second cave in. Quickly she pulled wind from the outside as she blew them all up pushing them to the surface.
~ secret base ~
"Damn this guy is tough as hell!" Naruto exclaimed.
The battle had been an extremely difficult one with no clear end in sight. With his enhanced abilities, Naruto had tipped the battle to his favor. Pummeling him all over the place, not even Kimimaro's bones were strong enough to withstand his attacks.
That changed once the bone ninja released his heaven's seal as his skin became darker as a tail sprouted from his back. As such they were back to square one as the young blond's attacks were ineffective again.
But that's where Hinata came in as her jyuken proved extremely effective. Looking over his body with her eyes, his chakra channels were all over the place as she couldn't lock it down with his constantly growing bones. However it didn't stop her from attacking his nerve endings increasing his sensitivity to pain as this gave them a way to injure him.
Though with how vicious Kimimaro's attacks were Naruto was busy stalling him. Sprouting chakra chains from his body he ensnared the enemy ninja slowing him down as the projections were reinforced by his sage energy. But other then that, he couldn't do anything else. It was taking all his concentration to restrain him as that's all he could do right now.
This was was where Sakura was able to assist. As Hinata would create a weak spot she would follow up behind her striking the area shadowing each of her movements. More so she had to act quickly as the enemy would replace the damage with new bones. Though with his constantly shifting skeletal structure it inhibited his movements as it slowed him down which was a plus for them.
". . . . Nuisances" Kimimaro thought. He was having trouble dealing with these children which was rather insulting to say the least. But putting so much effort into this fight, his life force was slipping away as he was now on the edge of death. Exerting himself so heavily in this fight he knew the land he stood upon would be his resting place. Thus he regretted not being able to return back to Orochimaru's side. But if he were to die this day, then let it be glorious as he would guarantee his master's safe retreat.
Going in for another strike, Hinata's hand rebounded off surprising her. "What? Something going on with his body". Right before her eyes, he began to shift color and texture turning a rough pale white as he seemed to have been getting bigger.
"What in the world?" Sakura questioned. "His entire body is turning into bone".
"We need to get out of here now!" Naruto then shouted. Alarm bells were ringing in his head. He had no idea what was coming, but even if the ground he was standing on was dangerous he had to trust his senses. So regrouping with his team, he projected a giant platform beneath them reinforcing it several times in preparation to what was coming.
Within moments it happened as a forest of bone spikes emerged from the ground. Hitting the platform one after the other, Naruto placed his hands against it giving his all to keep it in one piece. But it wasn't easy as he was about at his limit with sage energy nor did he have any clones deployed to gather anymore. Though after a while it finally stopped as Naruto was breathing heavily extremely exhausted as the platform they stood on was fractured about to come apart at any moment.
"Are you OK Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked worriedly seeing the state of her friend.
"My god that was close" said Sakura. "Hopefully the other teams didn't get caught up in this mess. But I guess we can't do anymore can we". Being so high up she saw exactly what Kimimaro had done. In his defiant act, a massive barricade of bone spikes blocked them off in the direction of where Orochimaru had made his escape. From what she could tell, the forest of bone extended as far as the eye could see as she couldn't tell if there was an end in sight. But either way there was no way they could go over it, around it, or through it with much ease. But getting her mind back on the here and now, "Hinata, can you look around? Where did the enemy ninja go?"
Making sure Naruto was OK, she nodded activating her byakugan as she looked around. Sifting through all these spires of bone, she couldn't make heads or tails of anything as it was all a giant chakra network. It was like trying to find a needle in a haystack with all the energy she was seeing.
But appearing on a spire nearby, the enemy emerged as a giant bone spear had formed on his arm. "You and your village has caused my master enough trouble!" said Kimimaro. These children had cost him what little precious life he had left. Treasured time to be at his masters side to serve him. But if this were to be his end then he was going to take these three down with him. With the chakra platform being the only thing between them and certain death, it was killing three birds with one stab as he jumped out to finish them before they could react.
"Not good . . . ." as Naruto sensed that Kimimaro was coming right for him. There was nothing he could do about it. It was taking all his concentration to maintain the platform while also trying to keep himself in sage mode. He could not let up on either as they would all end up falling to their deaths. He highly doubted he could project anything that would stop him. But if the enemy was only aiming for him, then he needed to get Hinata and Sakura to safety. Concentrating, he generated a pathway for them to take. "You need to go! I'll hold him here!" Though he said that, the Hyuga heiress refused as she took up a defensive position in front of him. "What are you doing?! Get out of here now! It's not safe!"
But upon spotting the enemy as he lunged forward to attack the young blond, Hinata's body had moved before she even thought about it.
"Hinata! Don't!" Naruto shouted in desperation. "Get out of here!"
Closing in Kimimaro was one move away from ending them. Using the bones to propel him he was going to rid himself of these children. Within distance, he raised his spear ready to stab.
Not being able to put up a defense in time, Hinata stood bravely in front of Naruto as she would protect him with her life.
For that moment in time, everything seemed to have stood still.
". . . . Hinata" Naruto spoke out staring with wide eyes as his breathing was shallow.
Kimimaro had died as his body turned into a solid mass of bone stopping just mere millimeters away as the tip of his spear was right in front of Hinata's face.
"Hinata, are you OK? Hinata!" the young blond shouted in concern.
With the near death experience settling in, Hinata had collapsed to her knees shivering at how close she was to dying. But looking back to her blond friend seeing how concerned he was for her she would have done it all over again. "It's OK Naruto-kun . . . . I'm OK . . . ." as she gave him a soothing smile.
Giving a strained chuckle, Naruto sighed in relief. " . . . . Thank goodness".
Although the mission was a failure, everyone followed the commands their hokage ordered of not dying.
Tired and dusty from dirt, Kushina's invasion party were safely back on the surface.
The other genin teams outside managed to stay clear of the implosion who at worse suffered a few scratches and bruises here and there.
Though Orochimaru had gotten away, it was fine for now as they were all able to go home that day.
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: Hope this was an OK chapter.
Don't really have much in notes.
If there are any questions or concerns feel free to ask to which I'll do my best to answer.
So thank you for reading and I further extend my gratitude if you can review as well.