Chapter 11-Akatsuki's Fall
"Is this accurate? The first two Hokages are alive again?" questioned Pein with the people in the room looking nervous now.
"So it would seem. Shao Kahn brought them back to life and altered the Edo Tensei so they would have all the strength, but none of the weaknesses of the Jutsu," said the white half of Zetsu.
"The same with that Uzumaki Mito woman too!" said the black half of Zetsu with some of the "older" members of the Akatsuki looking nervous.
"Shit. That's just great. The woman was a pain in the ass back in the day and is no doubt even worse thanks to Shao Kahn," said Kakuzu since he had fought the Shodiame and heard stories of his wife being on par with him.
"They tore up Orochimaru's bases. Every single one has been destroyed by those three powerhouses," said the white Zetsu with Hidan cursing since he couldn't sacrifice them in the name of his God and Kakuzu couldn't collect the bounties.
"Enough! We must focus on the task at hand. Hidan! Kakuzu! Go to Kumo. Find the two-tailed Jinchuriki. Capture her. With several of the rings destroyed, the draining process will take longer, and we do not have the time to wait much longer. Do not screw this up!" commanded Pein with the two nodding and they left.
"What do we do about the resurrected Kages and Uzumaki woman? They will no doubt be stronger then ever thanks to Shao Kahn," stated Itachi while being nervous at facing someone that could go toe to toe with Madara.
"We leave them alone for now until a proper plan of attack can be formed. If necessary, I will step in, and fight them. As strong as those three are, I doubt they can stand up against the power of the Rinnegan," said Pein with the others nodding.
'So the brat actually brought back Hashirama. I wonder if he has the power to handle me?' thought Tobi in thought before going back to playing the fool.
(Kumo-Weeks Later)
"I hate this one target only shit. We should just kill some high ranking Kumo Shinobi to collect their bounties before going after the Jinchuriki," complained Kakuzu with Hidan scowling at him.
"Shut up! All you care about is fucking money. Pleasing a deity like Jashin-sama with the countless sacrifices of blood brings greater reward then your fucking monetary value ever could," replied Hidan with Kakuzu scowling at him.
"If you love your precious Jashin-sama so much, why don't you go find the son of a bitch, and blow him before taking it up the ass?" questioned Kakuzu with Hidan getting ready to lash out at him.
Before being hit by a massive wave of water.
As for Kakuzu himself, he was pinned down by the sudden appearance of tree branches that came out of the ground. The man formerly of Taki looked to his right to see the once late Senju Hashirama standing beside his brother Senju Tobirama. Looking to his left, the money handler of the Akatsuki saw Kumo Shinobi along with both Jinchuriki, and A the Raikage from the village ready for a fight.
"You never knew when to keep your mouth shut Kakuzu. Even back when you tried to kill me, it was your undoing because of your constant obsession with money," remarked Hashirama with Kakuzu now glaring at him.
"Fuck you! Money is the only thing that matters in this world!" exclaimed Kakuzu before deciding to go all out given his current situation and used Earth Grudge Fear with all of his masks.
"He's all yours brother. His partner is mine. Given what Shao Kahn-sama was able to tell us about these two Missing Nin, the follower of Jashin might be far more difficult to kill," remarked Tobirama before he was took off after Hidan with both Jinchuriki from Kumo doing the same while the Raikage stayed.
"I'm going to enjoy ripping out your hearts. I've always wanted a Kage's heart as my own. I don't know if I can get yours Hashirama. Considering you are a revived body, the odds of me having it will be slim, but I do know the Raikage's will be a nice silver medal," said Kakuzu with his masks on dark shapely figures while getting ready to fight the two very deadly Kages.
"You've changed your appearance since we last fought each other Kakuzu. Let us see how much you've changed in terms of skills," said Hashirama while A brought out his lightning armor.
"Enough talk! Time to give this guy a shock of a lifetime!" exclaimed A while hearing the sounds of battle not far from them with Tobirama, Yugito, and Bee fighting Hidan.
(Elsewhere)
"Fucking asshole! When I get a hold of you, I'm going to kill you in the name of Jashin-sama!" exclaimed a very angry and very wet Hidan, who threw off his Akatsuki robes before bringing out his scythe.
"Such language. If I had soap, I would stuff it down your throat, and then drown you in water," remarked Tobirama with Hidan growling at him.
"Fuck you asshole! Your fucking death at my hands and your blood will appease Jashin-sama!" stated Hidan, as he charged at Tobirama, but was struck from the side by Yugito's usage of the Nibi's chakra, and followed up by Bee striking the tendons of his limbs.
"Take that fool. You can't match the skill and power of number eight and two," rapped Bee with Tobirama sweat dropping.
'What is it with Kumo and their Shinobi wishing to rhyme every so often when speaking?' thought Tobirama, as he remembered how Kumo's first Kage was like that at one point.
Or something similar anyway.
"Fucking Kumo. Heretics all! I'm going to enjoy sacrificing you all to Jashin-sama. I don't care if two of you are Jinchuriki. We will just have to wait until your Biju reform themselves. Pein-sama will be angry at me, but we've waited this long. I'm sure we can wait a little longer," remarked Hidan while standing and readying himself for a fight despite his injuries.
"No. You won't. 'Suiton: Suidanha!'" said Tobirama before going through hand signs and channeling chakra to his stomach.
The next thing Hidan saw was Tobirama shooting a high pressure stream of water right at him with such strength that it cut through the man's scythe and himself. The Jashin priest found himself cut literally in half by the Jutsu and now cursing up a storm.
"Someone shut him up. Its bad enough I have to hear Bee rapping all the time. But I don't need to hear this foul mouth prick," commented Yugito with Hidan glaring at her.
"Screw you bitch. When I get my hands on you, I'm going to fuck you up!" exclaimed Hidan before he found his head sliced off his shoulders.
And yet he was still alive.
"It seems Jashin really did empower this man with Immortality. However, if the God had been smarter, he would have granted this priest strong regeneration based properties. It's hard to be the disciple of a God when you are just a head without a body to function and perform your duties to a deity," remarked Tobirama with Hidan ranting and raving about how he was going to kill them all.
"Enough of this!" exclaimed Yugito impatiently before using her Biju's chakra and set Hidan's head on fire with Bee letting it drop to the ground while it melted into ash.
Not even Jashin could save Hidan now.
"Come on. We need to see how my brother is doing against his own opponent," replied Tobirama after crushing the ring on Hidan's dead body before the group heading to see the fight with Hashirama and A.
(With Hashirama, A, and Kakuzu)
"You have indeed gotten stronger Kakuzu. It seems all the long years have not slowed you down," commented Hashirama, as he fought the man in Taijutsu, and finding the Missing Nin was just as skilled as ever.
To the side, A along with his Kumo Shinobi were fighting the four masks holding each heart the man held outside of his own.
"I can say the same for you Hashirama. Your skills are just as good. I wonder who will pay for your body once I end your life this time," replied Kakuzu before getting a palm thrust to the chest and was sent back roughly 15 feet while skidding the entire time.
"Even if you did defeat me, my brother, and Mito-chan in battle, there is still Shao Kahn to contend with. He doesn't need to kill the hearts you have in your possession. Just rip out your soul," replied Hashirama with Kakuzu narrowing his eyes at him.
"He has to get close for that. Something my masks and my skills can prevent," replied Kakuzu before moving at incredible speed at Hashirama, but at the last moment directed himself at A in a surprise attack.
"Mokuton: Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu!" exclaimed Hashirama, as he turned his arms into trees, and shot the branches out to catch Kakuzu.
"Liger Bomb!" exclaimed A, as he grabbed one of the "bodies", leaped into the air, and powerbombs it into the ground while covered in lightning.
"That's one Kakuzu," remarked Hashirama with Kakuzu struggling to move.
"Fuck you Hashirama. You'll need to do more then that to kill me!" exclaimed Kakuzu, as he kept struggling, but found it impossible to escape the Senju's power.
"Lariat!" exclaimed Bee, as he charged forward seemingly out of nowhere, and destroyed another body before it could focus on A's exposed back.
"Suiton: Suiryƫdan no Jutsu!" exclaimed Tobirama before a giant water dragon formed around him and shot toward the remaining two "bodies" and annihilated them.
"Damn it!" exclaimed Kakuzu before he found himself staring at Yugito with her body covered in Biju chakra.
"No. Damn you," replied Yugito before she slashed at Kakuzu like a cat, even showing her nails extending greatly for that cat like appearance, covering them in Biju chakra, and ripping right into the Missing Nin.
"Impressive control," commented Hashirama while watching the woman let out a long sigh at having used her Biju's power like that.
"Years of training paying off. A few years ago, I would never have been able to do that to such a degree," replied Yugito with Hashirama nodding.
"Two members down. Four more to go," commented A while his Shinobi secured the scene.
"Without the rings, the Akatsuki's ability to drain a Biju from a Jinchuriki is greatly reduced," said Tobirama with A nodding since Shao Kahn had made that fact known to the alliance.
"Itachi and this new comer named Tobi are next. Who is fighting them?" asked Yugito with Hashirama smirking now.
"My wife and Shao Kahn. Considering they are both Uzumakis, it seemed fitting to have them work together," said Hashirama knowing those two were hunting that pair for a very specific reason.
To take down the real leader.
(With Itachi and Tobi)
"We are being followed," commented Itachi, as he and "Tobi" were on their way to Iwa for the two Jinchuriki there.
"So it would seem," remarked Tobi, who decided not to play the fool since there was no point with Itachi.
"One of them is Shao Kahn," added Itachi with "Tobi" stopping and turning around to wait for their target.
"We'll capture him first. The two Jinchuriki from Iwa can wait," commanded Tobi before they saw Shao Kahn appear in front of them with a confident smirk on his helmeted face.
"Hello Itachi. We meet again," commented Shao Kahn with his arms crossed in front of him.
"Where is your partner? I sensed another with you," commented Itachi with Shao Kahn smirking.
"She's behind you," replied Shao Kahn before Tobi turned and his one eye widening in shock.
"Uzumaki Mito. The Shodaime Hokage's wife herself," whispered "Tobi" with Mito not looking calm and dignified despite wearing her Shinobi attire that was similar to what the other members of the Uzumaki Clan wore.
"Uchiha Itachi. Your emotions betray you deeply. You may try to hide them, but I sense much sadness in you. Such contradiction. Torn between duty and family. It must have been difficult to balance your priorities," commented Mito with Itachi's eyes widening in shock and his body tensing.
"You know nothing," replied Itachi emotionlessly.
"I know many things. I know the truth about that night years ago. I know the truth about Konoha's corruption. I know you are a spy for Konoha. I also know you hate what your brother had become because of your actions," countered Mito with Itachi glancing at "Tobi" who was unmoving and gave no indication he was shocked by this news.
'He knew I was a spy,' thought Itachi to himself.
"Why do you serve them? Why do you protect your brother, who has done horrible things that would make him worthy of being called the next Uchiha Madara? Why have you not killed him knowing the darkness that resides in his heart?" asked Mito before vanishing in a burst of speed when Tobi appeared behind her to pierce the woman's back with a sword.
"Fast. Just like Hashirama," commented "Tobi" before seeing Mito was to his left and closer to Itachi.
"You speak as if you knew my husband," commented Mito with "Tobi" looking at her with his spiral mask and one eye aimed at her direction.
"That's because I did. I am Uchiha Madara," replied the newly proclaimed Madara while Mito just stared at him.
"Hardly. You are no more Uchiha Madara then Itachi here. You are just a carbon copy. A fake. A boy trying to fill his Forefather's sandals," commented Mito, as she sensed the man was similar to Madara, but did not have the man's potency in chakra, and negative emotions.
'As I first thought. Madara is dead and this man, another Uchiha with one eye, has taken up the name to inspire fear,' thought Itachi while glancing from Mito to Shao Kahn while wondering why the demonic giant just stood there watching with amusement.
It was like the man was waiting for something. But what?
"That's a bold statement. Yet you can't prove I am not him," replied Madara with Mito smirking.
"I met the man personally. I know things only he, my husband, and myself would know while sensing his power. You are not him. You're close, but there is still a wide margin between you two that I can clearly tell the difference," remarked Mito with the masked man remaining silent for a second before removing his spiral mask and letting it fall to the ground.
"You would be wise not to underestimate me," said the fake Madara with Mito cocking her head slightly to the right.
"Just as you would be wise not to underestimate me...Uchiha Obito," remarked Mito with Obito's eyes widening in shock.
"You've never met me. How did you know?" demanded Obito before he turned to look at Shao Kahn.
"My Father knew. He knew from the start when you first appeared to take the fox from my Mother. The fool used you," remarked Shao Kahn with Obito frowning.
"Impossible. My goal was to use Kushina's pregnancy to rip Kyuubi from her and have it attack the village. He couldn't have possibly used it to his advantage like you claim," said Obito with Shao Kahn laughing.
"And yet he was alive. In hiding with his wife and second child while his first born rotted in Konoha. You provided him with an excuse to create two new Jinchuriki. One to be the village's punching bag, the other being himself, and using it how he saw fit. You gave him an opening...and he took it. I have his memories. I also have Jiraiya of the Sannin's memories. Both of which show me you played into their hands. They already planned to put Kurama in one of their children regardless, but you gave them an excuse to do it in a way that would allow the people of Konoha to abuse me, and even altered their plan so my so called Father could obtain power that never his to have in the first place," replied Shao Kahn with Obito glaring at him with his Sharingan now active.
"You killed my past. Now I will claim your future for myself," replied Obito before the ground beneath him glowed and he saw a sealing array underneath him and Itachi.
"Uzumaki Clan Sealing Art: Chakra Draining Seal!"
"Don't be so sure of that," commented Shao Kahn and saw Obito trying to escape using his ability to teleport, but it failed miserably.
"What?!" said Obito before falling to his knees and feeling his strength fading with Itachi doing the same.
"Unlike the standard version of this seal, which just about any Shinobi can use, this is the Uzumaki version of it. In which case, this seal spreads over an area as far as the user wishes, targets everything in the range of the seal, not just the intended target, and drains them dry of all their chakra. It neutralizes bloodlines and their abilities. Inside that seal, you are just a simple ordinary man with no power Uchiha Obito," replied Mito with the Uchiha on the ground, his Sharingan Eyes going back to normal, and it was clear he was in agonizing pain.
"How did you even know we would be heading this way?" asked Itachi with Shao Kahn smirking though the younger Uchiha of the two caught in the sealing array couldn't see it.
"Your little plant of a spy named Zetsu should have known better then to spy on me when I have so many sensor based Shinobi around," remarked Shao Kahn with a knowing look on his face and Obito stiffened in realization.
'He took Madara's soul from Zetsu. He knew where we were going and prepared this in advance,' thought Obito before turning his head to look at Shao Kahn with a heated glare.
"Once you two are gone, your puppet leader is next, and once I do that...my eyes will get a nice upgrade," remarked Shao Kahn with Obito's eyes widening in horror.
'If Shao Kahn gets the Rinnegan he would be unstoppable!' thought Obito before finding himself face first on the ground and it getting difficult to breathe.
"You've been busy Obito. Your chakra levels are most impressive. Normally, this seal drains people of their chakra within a few seconds. But yours...clearly you trained to the point where you would be Kage level," remarked Mito while seeing the man go deathly pale.
Itachi was already there and seconds away from dying.
"Save...Sasuke. He can...be saved if...if you try!" pleaded Itachi with Shao Kahn snarling angrily at Itachi.
"Saved? Your stupid brother doesn't want to be saved. He wants to plunder, kill, rape, and butcher everyone that stands in his way. He is beyond saving," replied Shao Kahn with Itachi now crying in despair at hearing this and knew deep down the words spoken were true.
It still hurt Itachi knowing he turned his little brother into a monster and was too weak to stop it.
With that being said, the slayer of the Uchiha Clan died not with a bang, but in silence. Not even a whimper was let out by Itachi, as his chakra, his strength, and his health had all left him.
'I need to escape. I need to try,' thought Obito while trying to focus what strength he had left to his eyes and form a Kamui.
Only to find like Uzumaki Mito first said, the seal had sapped his chakra, and disabled his Sharingan like it was designed by the woman. Inwardly cursing all those of Uzumaki Clan blood, Obito tried to crawl out of the seal, but found his life was now fading out of existence. With the last seconds of life in him, Obito saw Rin looking at him, smiling, waving, urging him to follow her, and join team 7 for a day of simple relaxation after so much fighting in the last war.
With tears forming in his eyes, Obito embraced his end, and headed toward the girl he loved in the hopes that despite everything he had done...a part of him was still worthy of her. Of her love and affection for him. That piece of his soul that wasn't tainted by pain and loss could break off before flying to the heavens to be with Rin.
When the seal array died down, the two Uzumaki walked toward the bodies, checking them for life, and found none to be found.
"You could have taken his soul. Why didn't you?" asked Mito with Shao Kahn frowning slightly at the question.
"I saw my Father's memories of him. Of Kakashi's memories of him. They both thought of Obito as a waste of space in being a Shinobi. They only tolerated him because of his use as a form of cannon fodder. Just like me. They knew who he was from the start when making Kurama attack Konoha after ripping the fox out of Kushina during the pregnancy. Who else could match my bastard Father, except those close to him, and knew how he would act in a fight. Another way to identify someone when they are masking their true identity is in the way they fight. Namikaze Minato knew how Obito fought and knew it was him all those years ago. They knew why he was acting this way. They knew he knew what they did in letting his dear childhood crush and teammate die the way she did. They knew it would push him down a dark path," explained Shao Kahn with Mito frowning.
"I don't understand," said Mito with Shao Kahn looking from Itachi to her.
"During the Third Shinobi War, Kiri turned Rin into an unstable Jinchuriki with faulty seals to be used against Konoha in the hopes the three-tails would cause a rampage there much like what Kurama did to Konoha the night of my birth. However, we both know my Father if not Jiraiya could have used their own knowledge of sealing to fix it. A simple Hiraishin back and forth to Konoha would have given them ample time to fix the seals or alter them to make it stable. Even if they failed, they could have had Kushina simply use her chakra chains to contain the three-tails with ease. They let her die. They chose the easy way out because they knew that Rin was not one of them. Just like Tsunade's false lover Dan. Just like Senju Nawaki. Rin would not get with the program when the time came and they felt it was in their best interest to use the incident as an excuse...to kill her. After all...the three-tails would simply reform in a few short years. Such information was worth more then the girl's very life in their greedy eyes," remarked Shao Kahn with Mito frowning.
"So Obito was a pawn with the Akatsuki. And the piece of Madara's soul told you that much?" questioned Mito with Shao Kahn nodding.
"I saw as much from the memories of Madara. He made sure Obito was his pawn just as much as he was Konoha's from the shadows. Madara makes Obito his student, his pawn to form the Akatsuki, and Konoha uses Itachi to gather information on it before using what they know to eventually take over when the time is right. I was going to be key in that regard before everything spiraled out of control for Konoha's higher ups," said Shao Kahn with a small chuckle.
"What do we do with them now?" asked Mito before seeing Shao Kahn go through hand signs for a Fire Jutsu.
"Simple. We burn the bodies. I won't have Konoha finding them and possibly extracting anything of use from the corpses. The Uchiha Clan has always been known for using Fire Jutsus. Its only fitting these two die at the hands of one," answered Shao Khan before he burned the bodies and watching them turn to ash.
"All is left if Konan and Uzumaki Nagato," remarked Mito with Shao Kahn nodding.
"From what I know from Madara's memories, he had the Rinnegan. Something Madara made sure Obito gave Nagato to use knowing his Uzumaki blood would make it work. deal with him. You and Tobirama-san will deal with the woman and her origami like powers," commanded Shao Kahn with Mito nodding.
"While you and my husband deal with Nagato," surmised with Shao Kahn nodding.
"How is Karin taking her knew found freedom?" asked Shao Kahn while they decided to head to Iwa to inform the Tsuchikage and its two Jinchuriki of being safe from the pair of Akatsuki members.
"Good. Suigetsu is the same way. He's itching for a fight and Zabuza's sword was a nice way to give him incentive to fight Konoha. Jugo is still having problems with his fits of rage, but I think having him channel toward Konoha will help. From what I've seen, his body needs to release it from time to time due to the nature chakra he absorbs into it. The more Jugo holds back, the more his anger, and psychotic tendencies become increasingly difficult to hold back," remarked Mito, as she had been using chakra seal limiters to keep the amount of nature chakra Jugo absorbed at bay, but it only went so far, and she didn't know the ramifications of blocking it off in its entirety.
"Yes. It is a shame Guren was the least cooperative of the group. Though playing on the woman's ambitious nature in serving the winning side helped gain her loyalty," remarked Shao Kahn since the Shoton bloodline user wanted to be on the winning side of this war and had stayed with Orochimaru for that reason since she knew he had been siding with the Leaf.
And the Leaf until recently had been slowly winning the war against the allied Shinobi forces.
Of course, unlike with Konoha, and Orochimaru to that extent, Shao Kahn had informed Guren that her loyalty to his side would be rewarded. The former Emperor of Outworld had seen enough of the memories and thoughts of his enemies to know that Guren would not be one of those that enjoyed the spoils of war should Konoha win. The woman was going to be used as breeding stock to bring out her bloodline in vast number.
They knew how the woman was and wanted to make sure the children they made her produce were totally obedient to their Masters while Guren was kept away from her offspring. All the children would be lied to saying their Mother died in childbirth or abandoned them while making sure each child was told the same lies yet with differences to it. This would be done to ensure they would each think they all had different Mothers with the same kind of power and were eventually brought together under "shocking circumstances" before making them an official clan under the supervision of a high ranking Jounin acting as their "Godparent". In truth, the assigned individual would be observing the Shoton bloodline, and the progress of the next generation of this newly formed clan.
Once Guren found out what Shao Kahn told her by showing the woman the memories of those aiming to achieve such goals, the Shoton user gladly pledged her loyalty to him. Granted, she also did it because his was the winning side, but the incentive of knowing those that planned to do that were either dead or soon would be in the coming battle was a great help.
A woman scorned with ambitions made a good ally when you aren't the one to cause the former and promised something of the latter.
"The Sandaime Tsuchikage is going to have a heart attack when he sees me again after all these years. Onoki was so easy to shock and scare when he was just a simple Genin, who would have spontaneous shouts with people during conversations," commented Mito with a hint of amusement.
"I hear his back has gotten worse recently. Old age is catching up to him," remarked Shao Kahn with Mito smirking.
"He was having back problems long before that. I should know...I gave them to him when he was a young Chuunin," remarked Mito with Shao Kahn smirking and looking amused by her statement.
You're right. The old man might have a heart attack after all," commented Shao Kahn before letting out a laugh.
(Ame-Underground Base)
"The Akatsuki is destroyed Pein. We are the only two left," commented Konan, as she learned of the death concerning the other members of the organization.
"I know. My health is failing me Konan. I had hoped to bring about peace and end all opposition before the end. Now...now all hope of that is lost. Konoha has started an all out war with the other Shinobi villages, the Biju are nearly out of our grasp now, and Shao Kahn is no doubt heading here to end us both," replied Pein with his real body looking frail from years of abuse.
"We could ask for mercy. Maybe he will grant it," offered Konan with Pein shaking his head.
"I doubt it Konan. A man like that...we have nothing he wants to that would make him even consider the notion of showing mercy," replied Pein before coughing heavily.
"Nagato," said Konan worriedly.
"Its a shame you can't use those eyes of yours to heal your own body," commented Shao Kahn, as he along with Hashirama, Tobirama, and Mito appeared in front of them.
Konan instantly went on the defensive and prepared to defend Nagato.
"Take another step. I dare you," said Konan coldly.
"Ironic, isn't it Nagato? Your eyes can do so many things, including saving others from death. But in the end...you couldn't save yourself," added Shao Kahn with Konan's eyes narrowing at him while Nagato just looked at him with the Rinnegan.
"You've come to end us," stated Nagato knowing it was true.
"Yes. But it looks like time has done half of my job for me," commented Shao Kahn, as he saw how poor Nagato's real body was, and was a bit surprised even someone who is an Uzumaki could endure this state.
"But not to me," replied Konan with her origami paper moving around her.
"I believe you two were talking about asking for mercy?" questioned Shao Kahn with Konan narrowing her eyes further and more paper moved around.
"We did, but I know we don't have anything you would want to even consider the option of showing us mercy," said Nagato with Shao Kahn letting out a chuckle.
"Don't be so sure my long lost kinsman," replied Shao Kahn with Nagato narrowing his eyes at him.
"And what do you want from us?" asked Konan with Shao Kahn looking from Nagato to her and then back to Nagato again.
"You know what I want Nagato. I can tell you already know," replied Shao Kahn while ignoring Konan entirely.
"The Rinnegan. You want me to surrender my eyes to you," replied Nagato with Shao Kahn nodding.
"And your soul," added Shao Kahn before he was attacked by a barrage of razor sharp papers from Konan.
"You stay away from him!" stated Konan while the papers bounced harmlessly off his energy shield.
"Enough Konan! Stop!" commanded Nagato and saw the woman obey...though with a great death of reluctance on her part.
"Nagato?" questioned Konan while keeping her eyes on Shao Kahn and his three Kage level Shinobi behind him.
"Let's...let's hear them out," replied Nagato with a heavy sigh.
"What?! Why?! They want to kill you Nagato! They want to take your soul!" protested Konan with Nagato sighing.
Had you asked Nagato a few months ago about his beliefs, the man who named himself Pein, and a God for his Rinnegan Eyes would have told you he believed the Akatsuki would win. That peace was within his grasp and all his enemies would submit or die by his hands. Now however, the man was weary, tired, and just plain dried up inside from the effort it took to run the organization after losing so many of his forces against Shao Kahn. And as it stood, the enemy was standing before them, outnumbered, outclassed, and in a situation where there was no option but to discuss terms of surrender.
"While that is indeed true Konan-san that I would take his soul, he would not be alone in a sense. Countless souls of the Uzumaki Clan reside in me. His kinsmen. Our kinsmen," stated Shao Kahn with Nagato and Konan staring at him in shock.
"Where did you get those souls from?" asked Nagato since the Uzumaki Clan was broken and scattered to the world.
"From Whirlpool. Those that would not crossover. Those who were betrayed by the Leaf. They called to me. They screamed for vengeance and justice. I promised it to them. And an Uzumaki always keeps his promises," answered Shao Kahn before walking toward the two while signaling his subordinates to stay behind.
"So I would be...with family," stated Nagato with Shao Kahn nodding.
"They know of your past. Of your pain. Jiraiya's memories provided me much and the rest I got second hand from other various sources. For the record, the dead Sannin knew you were an Uzumaki. If it weren't for the fact you were in a war torn country being so closely watched, he would have taken you to Konoha to be used as a possible Jinchuriki candidate," replied Shao Kahn with Nagato frowning.
"And what of Yahiko? Or myself?" asked Konan with Shao Kahn looking at her.
"Those Leaf Shinobi that attacked your home Nagato? They were sent there by Jiraiya to flush out your parents since he knew they were Uzumaki and take you with him. But the ensuing chaos you had caused messed up his plans and took him longer to find you like he had hoped. Hence why he couldn't take you when found near Ame in its war torn state. By that point, you met Konan, and Yahiko with your shared orphan like status forming a bond where neither of you would separate from each other. Jiraiya saw this and tried to secure all three of you by "training" you in the Shinobi way in the hopes you would be tempted to follow him for more. After three years of training with him, you three refused to budge, wanting to help others around Ame, and Jiraiya knew with your eyes he would be pushed into a fight that would draw the attention of Ame's leader to him. Something he didn't want. So he made up some excuse for you to follow the way of peace and left for Konoha to report his findings to the Sandaime, who ordered Shimura Danzo to that region, and observe your overall progress," explained Shao Kahn with Konan and Nagato narrowing their eyes at Danzo's name.
"Danzo supported Hanzo in betraying us when we were told we would be welcome into Ame to forge a new era of peace," remarked Konan with Shao Kahn nodding.
"I know. From what memories I have of the souls of Root Shinobi who were there, the man wanted the Rinnegan for himself, allied with Hanzo in order to take it, kill Yahiko, and use you Konan for breeding your origami powers into the next generation of Shinobi. But the plan backfired as you all well know and his ambitions to take the Hokage seat were denied that day. So he had to resort to being a second in command to the Hokage and working his Root from the shadows as an ANBU Commander. After his failure and omitting some things in his report, the Sandaime decided to ignore what was happening in Ame with the Akatsuki in the belief with one of its main leaders dead, it would soon dissolve, and a potential future threat to Konoha would be no more," replied Shao Kahn with Konan feeling herself being filled with rage while Nagato.
"If I let you have my soul and the Rinnegan, can you promise me Danzo will pay for his actions? That you will avenge not only the Uzumaki Clan, but those of the Akatsuki from before it was corrupted?" asked Nagato with Shao Kahn nodding.
"Of course," answered Shao Kahn before walking right by Konan and stood in front of Nagato's dying body.
"Nagato," whispered Konan since she didn't want him to die.
"Don't worry Konan. I will still be around. I'll just...be in another form of sorts," replied Nagato while giving her a gentle smile that made the woman cry.
"Are you ready?" asked Shao Kahn with Nagato nodding.
"I am. I've always wanted to me my kin," said Nagato with Shao Kahn smirking.
"And now you shall," remarked Shao Kahn before taking the man's soul out of his body and absorbed it into his own before doing the same to the Rinnegan.
With the act done, Shao Kahn let go of Nagato slowly, and saw the man's body slump down with its purpose in life coming to an end.
"What will happen to me?" asked Konan while glancing from Shao Kahn to the others he came in here with.
"I would think that would be obvious at this point," stated Shao Kahn before turning to face her.
"I understand. I accept that I am now your prisoner and my life is in your hands Shao Kahn-sama," said Konan with Shao Kahn frowning.
"Prisoner? Now why would I imprison my newest subordinate?" asked Shao Kahn with Konan looking surprised by this.
"You aren't...going to imprison me? Why?" asked Konan with Shao Kahn smiling at her before walking over to the woman and putting a large hand on the side of her face.
"Because you don't deserve it. Out of all of the Akatsuki, I see you joined for the purest of reasons. Love. You fight fought for your friends and loved ones because they were precious to you. I give you this chance to fight for me for that same reason and give you a chance to end the tyranny that plagues the world," replied Shao Kahn with Konan looking up into his eyes, seeing the Rinnegan now, and how it shined with a purplish glow as well as a slightly reddish outline surrounding the edge of the eyes.
"Can you bring peace to the world?" asked Konan with Shao Kahn nodding.
"Konoha is the source of this war. Once it falls, peace will come to the world, if only for a time, but it will happen. Peace is not eternal Konan. Every so often a war will break out, but its what we do during our time fighting that determine how big the war will become, and how long it will last. I cannot promise an everlasting peace, but I can promise a time of peace will arise, and you will get a chance to see it," stated Shao Kahn with Konan now crying slightly since he sounded so much like Nagato to her before he became Pein and Yahiko died.
"I am yours to command now Shao Kahn-sama. All of Ame will follow you," replied Konan in a whispered tone knowing she could easily get the Shinobi of Ame to join the Shinobi Alliance.
"Make the necessary preparations on your end. I have to make some final ones on mine," commanded Shao Kahn with Konan nodding.
"As you command Shao Kahn-sama," replied Konan, as her tone became stoic once more when she served Nagato, and she vanished in a swirl of paper.
"How does it feel to have the Rinnegan?" asked Mito with Shao Kahn letting out a sigh.
"Its feels...like I am finally whole inside. As if it was always meant to be mine," replied Shao Kahn since the new wave of power was incredible in his mind.
"Given the nature of the prophesy surrounding you that it is a distinct possibility," said Tobirama with Shao Kahn smirking at him before becoming completely serious.
"Inform the others in the Shinobi Alliance of what has happened. Tell them to prepare all forces for battle. We're taking the fight to Konoha and we're going to run over everyone in Fire Country that stands in our way," commanded Shao Kahn with Tobirama nodding before he was gone using his own version of the Hiraishin no Jutsu he created years ago.
Konoha and all of Fire Country were going to know one final time on WHY he was called Shao Kahn: The Conqueror of Realms.
(A/N: YAY! An update. Hope the fights were to your liking. It was a bit difficult to do since I wanted to have this over and done with before focusing on Konoha's downfall. Something I know you all want to see and it will happen in the next chapter. Trust me. Until next time...PEACE!)
