Hello guys, sorry about the wait . Let's go.

If the Hokage building erupting had admittedly caught Konoha off guard. The explosion at the Hyuuga Compound however made them realize all that it was, was a distraction. So with that in mind Konoha's clans to began mobilize . One such clan right now was the Inuzukas.

"Ok. Is that all of them?!" Tsume asked finished putting her gear on.

"Yeah, that's the last of them. All active Inuzuka members are ready to move. Now we just need to get Kiba and Akamaru to the hospital." Hana replied back.

"Great. We'll divide the clan into two teams. You take one half to towards Kakazu, I'll take the other half to reinforce Shizune!"

"Got it." Hana shouted back with a nod.

Tsume nodded herself and dashed off toward what remained of the Hokage building with several Inuzuka ninjas, each accompanied by their canine companion.

"That bastard isn't escaping this time! We are going to make sure of that!"

The others nodded or shouted in agreement and continued after her towards the Hyuuga Compound.

Hana turned back towards her companions.

"All right. The rest of you with me we're gonna tear that walking string doll to pieces!

There was a roar of anticipation from the Inuzuka and their canines alike.

"That's what I like to hear! You guys go ahead and get a head start towards Kakazu. Remember, Might Guy is still engaging him so don't jump in right away. Wait for the right moment."

"Understood!" Was the universal reply before dashing off towards their enemy.

With them gone, Hana raced into her clan's compound to Kiba and Akamaru's room.

"Ok you two, Let's get you to the….."

When she looked over towards the bed expecting to see the pair, all she got was empty bed and an open window.

"If they don't die out there, I'm going to kill them!"

Kakazu was getting annoyed now. Not because of the amount of attention he was getting. No, that he enjoyed because that meant more bounties and potential hearts if he needed them. What was annoying him was that he wasn't getting the big fish like Kakashi Hatake, Jiraiya, Tsunade, or Asuma Sarutobi. Instead of those he had been settled with worthless chunin and one jonin who refused to die. That's what was annoying him.

"You seem like you're getting annoyed Bounty Hunter." Guy observed as he launched a kick into Kakazu's chest.

"I am." Kakazu grumbled having been thrust back a few yards. "You're still alive."

"I believe that's your fault and not mine." Guy said with his signature grin. "You've been too focused on fighting me physically but lacking something important."

"Is that right?" Kakazu asked before launching himself at Guy yet again only for him to dodge and send another kick to him and send him hurling back once again.

"Yes… You lack spirit."

"And what spirit is that?"

"The spirit…Of Youth!" He said making a strange pose.

Kakazu just stood in response unable to what contemplate what the man was doing before grumbling again.

"I've had enough of this. If physical attacks won't kill him, let's try something else."

He then decided it was past time to wrap this up and began to swell the chakra in his chest.

Guy put his guard back up when Kakazu's body began to convolute around the chest and back area beneath his Akatsuki cloak before three figures erupted out of his back tearing his Akatuski cloak to pieces and spreading out around him. These beings were entirely made of the strane threads that held Kakazu together save for the different color masks each more.

"Well then Green Beast. Here's something a little different."

Kiba was never one to sit idly by and do nothing. He would be the first to tell you that. Sitting around just wasn't his style, especially with Konoha in a state of chaos like it currently was. Injury or no injury he was going to do his part to help and right now he could think of no one else who needed help then his female teammate.

He had been worried about Hinata ever since they came back from getting Naruto, having a massive explosion over towards her home was more fuel to the worry fire. Seeing as how the rest of his family was mobilizing, he figured it would be a good time to head over there and check it out for himself. So while Hana and Tsume were outside, he grabbed his coat and gear and headed towards the Hyuga's home.

"Hey buddy. You at hundred percent yet?" He asked down towards his closest friend.

Akamaru replied in a semi tired but still hopeful "Arf Arf!"

"Yeah. Me neither." Kiba said breathing heavily. "That two headed bastard did a better job than I thought!"

"Arf!"

Kiba had hoped to leave Akamaru back at the Compound to rest but he then remembered Akamaru was just as stubborn as he was. There was no way in hell one was ever going to fight without the other.

"Hana's going to kill us for this isn't she?"

Akamaru once again barked in agreement.

"Well...I guess that's enough complaining. let's do this!"

Akamaru barked in agreement once more, as the pair made a massive leap through the air.

While not having speed of Lee or Guy, Kiba was one of the fastest ninjas of his age so using this advantage to it's full effect, the pair arrived at the outskirts of the burning compound pretty quickly.

Using his heightened senses tried to sniff out if any of his friends were in the scorched area.

"Damn it. It all just smells like….Buddy?"

Akamaru didn't respond and instead started whining and shivering while huddling closer to Kiba.

"Akamaru what is it? You haven't acted like this since…."

The recollection came to Kiba almost instantly. He began Remembering his encounter months ago in the Forest of Death, with someone else who caused his usually fearless friend to act this way.

"Not again…..What am I missing? I didn't smell any…."

He then caught the origin of whatever was causing Akamaru to tremble. The chakra amount it was giving off was huge but it didn't compare to the killer intent it was emitting. Kiba couldn't see what it was but he saw the trail it was making towards what looked like the epicenter of the explosion.

"Ok…..So either it's the Sand bastard again or…."

Before Kiba could finish his thought he caught a much less strong scent coming from the direction of the creature. It was faint but still recognizable.

"Naruto?"

How and Why Naruto were questions for a later date, all he knew was Naruto was giving off some very strong killer intent."

"Maybe that idiot's fighting whoever caused that explosion, I wouldn't put it past him." He reasoned to himself.

"There are two others out there and Naruto's closing in on them. He's going to need some help."

Akamaru was still slightly shaking but gave a small "Arf" in agreement.

They began to head towards Naruto until something came out of the ground and launched themselves at them. He grabbed Akamaru and threw himself into some nearby rubble away from whatever it was and saw that it was heading straight into the sky.

Neji considered himself a powerful ninja. He had mastered several high level Hyuga techniques while genin. He had sparred with and trained under taijutsu masters who could access the Eight Gates. He even went toe to toe with one of Orochimaru's highest ranking soldiers and came out the victor. So with all these details combined, one can imagine how annoying it was for him to try and chase after Naruto and Hinata but having to constantly slow down to catch his breath allowing to get further and further away.

Neji cursed himself as his side once again spasms of pain all through his body causing him to collapse against one of the still standing walls of the Hyuga Branch Compound with his hair falling down in front of his face.

He looked down to make sure his wound hadn't reopened and took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. He knew he wasn't Shikamaru, but he still considered himself an adept strategizer. So he began to assess the situation.

"Ok. Think this through. Naruto's gone into a rage because of Itachi and has activated some of the Kyubi's chakra. Probably much stronger then the time he used it against me and Hinata's gone after him and might be able to calm him down, but that might not work. So force may have to used."

Neji looked down at himself again and saw just how bruised up he was.

"Even at my best I couldn't beat Naruto, and I'm nowhere near my best now. Perhaps if Hinata helps me…."

He kicked that idea from his head the moment he thought of it.

"She loves him. She won't be able to do what's necessary."

He remembered what he told his mother about help.

"That explosion would have alerted everyone in Konoha. In a few minutes they'll be here for back up."

"But what if they don't come? Itachi's smart. He'll have thought of some sort of distraction. So it might just be Hinata, Naruto, myself, and the old man he was fighting if he isn't already dead.

"If he's half as powerful has I've been led to believe then it's going to require every able ninja to bring him down including me."

He looked down towards his hands and contemplated using a certain technique he himself had created for fighting powerhouse opponents.

"I'm not sure I have the strength to use that technique, but it's my one shot if no one arrives to help. I just hope I don't have to use it on Naruto as well."

Neji took in one last deep breath before standing up straight, tying his hair back behind his head and continuing on after his cousin and friend. Or rather he would have if something hadn't erupted from just a few yards away from him.

"That's right every available ninja is to join Shizune at the Hyuuga Compound!" A jonin screamed into his microphone.

Shizune nodded at him and then turned to another set of ninja that had joined her. She decided to talk to the first one who wasn't from a clan.

"Lady Shizune, message from the Civilian Councilmen."

"Speak."

"All of the civilians in this half of Konoha have been moved to safety."

"Good. Tell Kenta and the others good work."

"Understood." The ninja said before disappearing.

With the civilians out of the way, Shizune focused on the Nara and Yamanak before her.

"Shikaku, Inoichi, your clans managing?"

"Yeah, Most of my clan has gone over to help with Kakazu. They'll be with Guy in a few minutes." Shikaku replied. "I figured I needed to be here."

Shizune nodded. "Inoichi?"

"Mine's spreading out around the Hyuuga area along with the Aburames. He's not going anywhere.

"Damn right!" a new voice chimed in.

Shizune looked behind her to see Tsume coming up to the group.

"Lady Shizune, Hana took the others to fight Kakazu we're here to back you up."

"Thanks Tsume."

Tsume smiled in response as they landed on a roof top just a few blocks away from the blast area.

"So what you got for us Shikaku?" Tsume asked the Nara."

"It's safe to say that Hiashi would have moved most of the Hyuga out of the Compound when he heard that Itachi was here, but let's not take any chances, Take a squad and begin searching the Compound for survivors."

"Got it."

"Lady Shizune!" One ninja exclaimed alerting the rest.

"What's going on?" Inoichi asked.

"Something's rising out of the ground!"

It was true the group looked down and saw what looked like small plants rising out of the ground.

"What the hell?" Tsume asked aloud.

"Flowers?" Shikaku said turning toward Inocihi.

"Not like any I've seen." Inoichi responded.

Just then a low cackle seemed to echo around the group. On its own it would have been creepy enough but it had a strange echo with it and the echo had a different voice.

"Another enemy?!" A Chunin asked taking out a kunai

"How long have they been planning this?!" another ninja asked also on guard.

"Stay calm." Shizune ordered them.

The voice then spoke a series of words that made them freeze from shock.

"Mokuton: Shinde Iru Jukai Koutan!"(Dead Great Forest Awakening)

The budding flowers that had been poping out of the ground suddenly erupted out at specatacular speed transforming themselves into massive trees.

"How the hell?!"

"We don't have time for that it's sealing us off!" Shizune yelled to the group.

She was right. The blocks leading to the Hyuuga compound were being sealed off at an astonishing rate. Soon it would be completely enclosed.

"Move It!"

A few unfortunate chunin tried to make a rush through it but it didn't make it far. The erupting trees stretched its branches out toward them faster than they could get out of the way leaving only a bloody mess.

Shizune and the others ran with all their might with Tsume in the lead towards the quickly closing opening to the only to be sealed off by the time they got with within jumping distance.

"Back off!"

Shizune and the others leaped back several feet as the trees kept rising into the sky. Now having grown to at least a few hundred feet, going over it wasn't a good idea. Even more so that it seemed like the trees could lash out if they sensed anything close.

The forest itself looked different from any other forest she had ever seen. What would have been healthy brown bark was instead rotten to almost pure black but still insanely tough, its branches were filled with razor sharp thorns capable off ripping through the best armor, It gave off a decaying aroma that unnerved almost everyone around it, and finally and perhaps most obvious the ground where the trees had erupted from was quickly drying up and dying with it as well.

"What….What exactly are we dealing with?" Tsume asked Shizune as she stared at the forest.

"Whatever it is…It's not human."

Zetsu smiled to themselves as they rose out of the ground. From where they were standing, they had a pretty good seat to see they're handiwork.

"I think things aren't going quite the way they planned."

"You're easily amused aren't you?" Black responded but still not hiding a smile of his own.

"Maybe….You're happy about this aren't you?"

"I'd be happier if we could get a little revenge on those children from the forest." Black Zetsu said with a low growl.

"When are you going to get over that? All they did was surprise us." White reasoned with this his other half.

"And besides, I'm pretty sure they're dead from all the chaos by now."

"Perhaps, or perhaps they're closer than we think." Black replied, excitement evident in his voice.

White was confused for a second before sensing very familiar chakra signatures through the walls of the building he was standing on. One was still regular in condition but the other was in bad shape. And the best part, both seemed to be together.

"I wonder what happened to her? Did she get caught up in the explosion?"

"It's not going to matter soon enough is it?" Black asked with an evil glee as the pair sunk back into the ground.

"No, I guess not." White agreed as the two vanished back into Konoha Hospital's walls.

Shikamaru had awoken almost as soon as they got to the hospital. Much to Ino's annoyance he refused to be looked at and insisted that the busy nurses focus on Sakura. Though willing to argue about almost anything, Ino couldn't argue against that. She then carried Sakura into the hospital's lower levels leaving Shino to explain the events to him.

"Sakura took him on by herself?!"

"Correct." Shino replied finished with his explanation of the previous events.

"That troublesome woman. I guess Naruto rubbed off on her more than she thought."

Shino simply nodded in response.

"Hey guys!" Ino called out to them running to them from down the halls of the hospital.

"So?" Shikamaru asked worry evident in her voice.

"They're crammed pretty tightly in the underground shelters right now, so they had to put her on what of the surface level rooms but they're looking at her."

As she said this Ino let loose a breath of relief she didn't know she was holding.

Shikamaru looked relieved as well while Shino looked the same.

"So we gonna go back to help Lee right?"

"Not necessary. While rushing here, I noticed that Lady Hokage was closing in on Lee and Kisame. He'll be in good hands."

Shikamaru and Ino couldn't help but smile a bit at the thought of the Hokage beating the paste out of that bastard.

"Great…... So we're going to the Hyuuga then. That's where that explosion came from. Hinata and Naruto might need our help.

"Agreed. Odds are Lady Shizune is leading a squad of ninja over to that area. Probably with our dads accompanying her. Shikmaru said with a nod.

"Then that's where we go next." Ino said opening the door to the outside.

"Unless you're planning to get knocked out again." She continued giving Shikamaru a stare.

"Troublesome blonde."

As the two made their way out the exit they noticed Shino had stayed behind.

"Shino?"

"It would be best if I stay here." Shino said to them staying inside the Hospital. "I'll be of little use in battle the way I am now."

"No worse than Shikamaru here." Ino replied pointing at him.

"Will you let that go woman?" Shikamaru asked to his teammate before looking back at Shino and noticing that he was still on edge. He couldn't tell what it was but something was definitely off.

"And besides, official orders are for all genin to stay at the hospital. I don't think my family would appreciate me going against the Hokage twice."

Shikamaru thought for a moment before responding.

"Ok Shino." He replied. " Look after this place."

"Understood."

"Ready Ino?"

"When you are. " Ino said with a nod.

The two then made a mad dash toward the Hyuga Compound.

"Was Shino…trying to be funny with that last comment?" Ino asked her pine apple haired friend.

"I'm not sure. You can never really tell with that guy. Why?"

"Oh…..Just wondering."

Shikamaru was curious about her response but immediately was reminded about a much more important topic. The Hyuuga Compound was now completely surrounded by colossal rotting trees giving off a very evident odor.

"Ino…..What do you make of those trees?"

"I don't know. I've never seen anything like them before. "

"Great." Shikamaru replied sarcastically before going back into silence and continuing their run.

Meanwhile back with Shino. He closed the hospital exit door and walked down the halls towards Sakura's room. He was glad Shikamaru hadn't pressured him to come with them. Not that he didn't want to. He would have gladly gone with them condition be damned to help Hinata had they're not been another threat somewhere in the hospital. A threat that had the same disturbed chakra he had felt when they found Naruto.

"Zetsu."

Without a word and all alone, he went to confront this threat.

If anyone were around to see the spectacle of Tsunade vs Kisame, it would have been among one of the most awe inspiring fights that had occurred in Konoha for a long time. Every move each made to the other was countered almost as fast as they had thought of it forcing them to think of new ways of attacking. Not easy when you consider both specialize in simply wailing on the opponent until they lose their strength to stop them. Tsunade had to respect that about Kisame. He was almost as good at beating his opponent into the ground as she was.

"Excellent." Kisame replied holding her fist with one hand and wielding Samehada with the other.

"You're every bit as powerful as I was led to believe." His spoke with a smile.

Said hand wielding Samada was currently closer to the ground with Samehada actually in the ground under Tsunade's heel.

His smile proved not to be contagious as Tsunade still had look of rage in her face.

"Not very talkative are you? Well what can I expect right? She wasn't much either."

"Shut up." Was her reply sending more force down upon his sword pushing it further into the ground.

"If you're trying to disarm me, you're going to have to try harder." He said laughing. He then roared as he lifted Samehada back out of the ground launching Tsunade into the air.

Tsunade straightened herself out and landed back on the ground gracefully and stopped another swipe from Samehada with her hands.

"You know, keep touching Samehada like that, she's gonna start to think you like her."

"It can take all the chakra it wants, Kisame. It's going to need it after I peel you of off it's handle one bone at a time."

"Ooooh. Now that's intimidating. That's what the kids lacked. The power to back up the talk."

Kisame then pulled Samehada back ripping into Tsunade's hands and charged at her again. Tsunade not noticing the wounds had already began to heal did the same.

The echoes of the punches that began erupted from their confrontation managed to wake the only person close by. A still very dazed, pained, and pissed off Rock Lee.

Despite the destruction that had occurred around them, Danzo and Itachi were calm as the engaged each other. Both knew that the slightest slip up would likely mean their end and both had no intention of dying here.

Itachi sidestepped a chop from Danzo and replied with a kick to the face. The kick made contact but did little to stop Danzo continued assault. Danzo continued to push closer sending more swipes toward Itachi who once again managed to dodge them all but was not able to counter attack in time and instead caught Danzo final chops with his own hands.

No words needed to be spoken between the two as each stared into the cold, uncaring eyes of the warrior in front of them.

Danzo was first to break the stalemate sending a kick to Itachi's stomach. Itachi began to dodge but suddenly coughed up blood that he had been holding down and was unable to make it in time. Itachi was sent flying across the area and into what remained of a Compound wall. Before he could recover, Danzo was on him again, Kunai in hand. Itachi summoned a kunai of his own and redirected the strike just enough to miss his head. Danzo didn't seem to care before Itachi began to make some familiar hand signs at a speed that any other shinobi his age could only dream about.

"Katon: Goukakyu no Jutsu!"

Danzo jumped back immediately intending to counter with a jutsu of his own but the fire ball was already on him again. Only by the narrowest of margins did he manage to get away from the brunt of the attack, only gaining severe burns on his body. …

Itachi however had no intention of letting him rest as he leaped toward Danzo and the two once again became locked in a fierce stalemate, where every blow was countered by the other at the exact right time.

At this point each other's clothes where in ruins. What little remained of Itachi's Akatsuki cloak was swaying in the wind and much of Danzo's bandages and upper white robe had been burned to ash.

With a sudden burst of energy Itachi appeared in front of Danzon faster than he expected and pinned him against a wall with it's eges on Amateratsu fire. Danzo was going to break free before a strong punch and knee to his stomach destroyed that thought. Itachi kept his ice demeanor as the old man before him tried to breathe back in the air he just lost.

"It's over."

In his struggle to get back his breathe, he didn't notice a hand come straight at his eye and pull back almost just as quick. What followed was unnatural pain and blood.

"You will not defile them any further Danzo." Itachi told him as he his blood covered hand crushed Shisui's eye leaving only a red mess.

Danzo didn't say anything as he tried his hardest to block out the pain of the attack. Instead with his only eye left he gave Itachi a look of pure hatred.

Before Itachi could finish the job however, a massive gust of wind blasted through their battle ground knocking both of them back several feet away from each other.

Itachi recovered first and gazed toward the origin of the gust. His eyes locked on to a figure in the dust as loud roar echoed through the area and a figure came into view.

"Itachi….." Naruto growled through his red armor toward the last Uchiha.

"Naruto…" He replied still in his usual ice cold tone.

Danzo knew this was bad. He had hoped Naruto would stay far away from this fight not end up right in the middle of it, if Itachi knew….

"Naruto, Get awa-AHH!"

Itachi turned his gaze from Naruto back to Danzo the moment he had h opened his mouth to speak and quicker than almost anyone else on the planet, leaped towards him and shoved a kunai into his chest. Danzo yelled in pain but kept his eyes on Itachi. Itachi let his demeanor slip with a smirk as Naruto roared in rage and charged toward the pair.

So that's that. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Also I created that certain Mokuton jutsu so let me know if it doesn't sound right or something. I think it's english definition is

(Dead Great Forest Awakening)

Anyway, if you could maybe possibly leave a review it would be appreciated. Every bit of feedback helps.

See ya guys later.