AN: I will try and get this story finished for you readers but finals are coming soon for college so updates will be slower than normal. I will make this my main focus for now on so don't worry. Hope you enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

ITALICS – Thinking

BOLD – jutsu

Chapter 14: The Sage Awakens

Team Guy, Kurenai, and Kakashi was all jumping through the Forest of Death; they had five days to gather the correct scrolls and arrive back at the tower. Team Guy had an Earth Scroll while Team Kurenai and Kakashi had a Heaven. All three teams were spread out a ways yet close enough to help each other if need be; Naruto and Gaara kept their mind-link active to keep tabs on what was happening in the Forest as well as possible intruders. Naruto had this weird feeling inside of him, a feeling that wanted to escape, to be free. He had no idea what this was but wondered if whatever this feeling was the missing link to his element combination problem. He puts these off to the wayside as Naruto hears Gaara asking a question.

"Naruto, my siblings and I are trailing the Oto group we saw in the first exam and Kabuto seems to be planning something with them. Do you want us to get close to hear what they are saying?"

"Go ahead, I seem to have no connection in this forest for some odd reason; it is like the Forest of Death speaks true for me, a dead zone."

"Will that be a problem? Will you be alright?"

Naruto mentally shakes his head "No, I can still control nature around me but the trees, animals, and I cannot seem to make a link like the ones outside this area…use force if you are found out and let Nature be your guide."

Gaara smiles "You as well my brother."

Sakura looks over at Naruto whose eyes are glazed over and wonders what he was doing and like Naruto was listening answers her question.

"Sorry Sakura, I was having a chat with Gaara; it seems like Orochimaru is making his move and I fear that one of us in this massive group might be bait."

Sakura and Sasuke pale slightly but then smirk "We outnumber him nine to one; he has no chance." Sasuke proudly states making Naruto chuckle

"That may be the case but one wrong move on any of our parts will be disastrous. Yes I can have Kurama go full power if I wanted but that would bring unwanted attention."

Both nod and continue forward while Naruto checks on the other teams.

Hinata hears Naruto coming and smiles "Naruto, I see you were conversing with Gaara earlier; so what's been happening."

"Other than Orochimaru is making his move, nothing much; keep on guard you three, it might be the first day but you never know what might happen."

Akamaru yips making Kiba laugh "Akamaru says no worries."

"My hive does not sense anyone around Naruto, will we be stopping for camp soon as I believe it will be wise to set up an ambush situation."

Naruto looks at Kurama on his shoulder "It's a good idea, what do you think?"

Kurama nods "With the amount of teams left and having Orochimaru coming after us possibly I would make camp and stay there until teams come in thinking they have the drop on us."

Hinata interrupts "And that means more scrolls for us."

Naruto nods "Alright, I will tell this to the other teams; Shino, good plan."

Shino nods and fixes his glasses as Naruto goes and tells the others what the plan is. Within the next three hours all three teams make camp but they decide to sleep in the trees hoping any enemy will think that the camp is occupied; Shino decided to make a couple bug clones to sleep in the tents to help in that regard.

With Gaara's Team and Team Dosu

"What did Naruto want Gaara?" Temari asks

"Keep a close watch on that Oto team and Kabuto as well as attempt to see if we can get information out of them."

Kankuro gulps "Why does this whole thing have bad written all over it?"

Gaara looks over at Kankuro and smiles "And to think I was the only one…grab my shoulders, I am about to become one with the earth."

Temari and Kankuro groans as they hate the feeling of what Gaara does but it was necessary in this situation in order to gather intel; they do as told and sink into the ground and get close to the team as they were conversing about a topic.

"Kabuto, what are Orochimara-sama's plans for us?" Dosu questions

Kabuto fixes his glasses "Lord Orochimaru wants you to kill the Guardian known as Naruto but there is a certain female he has grown attached to. Lord Orochimaru will deal with that problem first; I will contact you again when the time is right to attack."

"This Guardian won't stand a chance against our might…I will bring Orochimaru his head!"

Kin growls at Zaku "You dolt, have you read his Bingo Book profile?! He could easily wipe us out."

"Which is why Lord Orochimaru will be attacking first." Kabuto interrupts with an evil smile "I will be reporting back to you but until then; do whatever you wish."

Kabuto poofs into smoke signaling a Shunshin out of the area; Gaara, his siblings, and Shukaku watches as Dosu and his team grumble off into the forest most likely looking for something fun to do. After they were out of sight and earshot Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro emerge out of the ground.

Shukaku, whom was on Gaara's shoulders, puts his input into the situation "This is not good, it seems Orochimaru is after Tenten and if she is hurt I can only fathom at what an enraged guardian could do."

Kankuro scoffs "How bad could it be?"

Temari wonders the same but before she could ask Gaara interrupts "Bad, very bad. The Bijuu were the original guardians and their power went off of how many tails they had. Naruto having Kurama makes him the Guardian Leader whereas the ones below are subordinates or followers in a sense."

Temari gulps and nervously laughs "So you're saying that Naruto is nine times more powerful then you?"

Gaara shakes his head "No, he is beyond that number. Let me put this in perspective, if Naruto was to realize or unlock his true calling, his true potential, he could beat the Guardians underneath him even if they come all at once. Granted this is all speculation and rumor based on Shukaku's findings as Kurama never got to realize his true calling before Madara controlled him and ended up being sealed into Mito Uzumaki and eventually Naruto's mother."

Kankuro and Temari pale and simultaneously state "Glad he is on our side."

Shukaku nods "I may be a crazy tanuki but I am not one to face a fully powered Guardian Leader; whatever war is coming I hope Naruto unlocks the rumor soon."

Everyone nods hoping this is the case and decide to find a place to make camp for the night; while this was happening, Gaara sent Naruto the grim findings.

Following Day

Team Kakashi, Kurenai, and Guy are all awoken by a whistle coming from Hinata whom is making hand signals that was taught in the academy; she signaled that a massive enemy force was headed this way.

Tenten sees this and signals back "How many, affiliations?"

Hinata signals back "Cloud and Iwa both have two teams; they seem to be working together."

Naruto sees this and signals "They are still pissed at me taking out their patrols; stay on guard everyone."

All three teams nod and get into position around the camp ready for the four teams to come into the camp. Speaking of the four teams, they are having a nice chat with one another.

"Can someone please tell me why we have to work with these Cloud assholes?!"

"Love you to asshole!" A Cloud nin responds back making others chuckle

The leader of the Iwa teams growls "We were both tasked to take out the Guardian per our Kage's instructions as well as kidnap a certain Hyuga who slipped our grasp many years ago. Stop bitching and let's get this over and done with. The Guardian may be strong but with four teams coming at him, he stands no chance."

Everyone nods and continues forward; within 20 minutes they arrive at the camp which is set up in a defensive situation ready to chase off attackers. The leader smirks and signals for his team to go tent to tent killing anyone left sleeping as it was still early morning. The Konoha teams watch from the trees ready to strike and carry out the plan they discussed late last night. A scream of two men rushing out of separate tents makes the leader look over to see them covered in bugs and then take an arrow to their skull killing them instantly. Suddenly kunai laced with explosive tags rain down upon the teams.

"AMBUSH! EVASIVE MANEUVERS!"

The teams dodge the kunai and realize that they are laced with explosive so the Iwa nin act quickly and all rush through hand signs.

Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall

A massive stone wall erupts from the ground surrounding and protecting the four teams from the explosions but that does not save them from what was about to happen next. Naruto turns his eyes brown and with help from Tenten, wills the earth beneath the nin to lift up making their enemies exposed. Kiba acts next to split them up and nods to Akamaru; they turn into a grey cyclone and rush toward the group.

Fang Passing Fang

The Cloud and Iwa Nin scatter just as the attack demolishes the earthen structure they were standing upon. All get into defense positions but it wouldn't help matters any as all three teams worked with each other's strengths and weaknesses; they were dead the minute they entered the camp. Everyone jumps from their position in the trees and takes on an opponent; the battle to ensue would be quick and decisive.

Hinata ducks under a slash of a kunai and palm thrusts the Cloud nin in front of her sending him into two others behind him; she takes out her scimitar and backflips while slicing in the air. As she lands on the ground, an Iwa nin's beheaded body hits the ground with blood spurting out of the neck hole. Hinata smiles and rushes forward intent on killing off the rest.

Tenten watches Neji take a Cloud nin out with his Eight Trigrams 64 Palms, the last hit striking the heart. Not wanting to be outdone, she adds lightning mana to her hands as she ducks under a kick from an Iwa nin then use her forearm to block another. Seeing that the nin was now open Tenten shoves the kick aside making the nin tumble and follows up with a double palm strike into the chest of the female nin. She convulses as pure electricity rushes through her body and foams at the mouth. As Tenten was watching the female die in front of her she hears the cracking of a tree branch behind her and looks to see a branch impaling another Cloud nin; Tenten finds Naruto with his green eyes glowing and his staff outstretched with a smile.

"Thanks for the save Naruto!"

"Anytime my weapons mistress!"

Sasuke turned on his Sharingan and smirked as the two nins in front of him attempted to strike him down with various kunai and jutsu but all of them were dodged making them mad.

"Uchiha scum, fight us like a man!"

"Heh, it seems he can only dodge…what a weakling; so much for the almighty Uchiha."

"Yah, I heard that they were all killed by one man…I think a pity party is in order."

Sasuke, in this moment, did something he vowed never to do but with Itachi back in his life he snapped and a bluish aura of chakra burst from his body making everyone halt their fighting. Naruto, seeing this, knew that Sasuke was about to erupt and calls to his comrades.

"Shit, Sasuke's snapped and he's going to do THAT, get behind me now!"

All three teams nod and get behind Naruto as he sets up an earthen dome protecting them as Sasuke seethes and increases his chakra which is now reaching Jonin level.

The remaning nins looks over in slight awe and fear; they were about to rush in but Sasuke started to rush through hand signs as he spoke his peace.

"You dare talk about my clan and about my brother whom was framed! The Uchiha may be cursed but there are a select few like Itachi and I that vow to show that the Curse of Hate is in the past." Sasuke smirks "You're the first to witness a jutsu of my ancestor and may it be the last thing you pathetic mortals see…BEGONE FROM MY SIGHT! Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique!"

The chakra that erupted out of Sasuke's body suddenly got sucked in and then expelled out in the form of multiple fire dragons making the remaining nins pale and they attempt to dodge or run away but it was to no avail. Sasuke moved his hands about controlling the dragons as he laughed a dark laugh as the dragons found their target turning them into ash.

"Holy shit, run like a bitch no jutsu!" A cloud nin screams out and attempts to dodge a dragon but one comes from his right side and hits him in the gut; there was no time to scream as his body was incinerated.

Two minutes passed and Sasuke released the jutsu knowing that everyone was dead; he falls to his knees and pants heavily as the jutsu almost took his entire chakra reserves. The earthen dome recedes and everyone looks on in awe at the destruction; not only is the enemy gone but the camp and surrounding forest is charred as well.

"YOSH! WHAT A MARVELOUS DISPLAY OF THE FLAMES OF YOUTH!"

Everyone snickered at this as Naruto walked up to Sasuke and healed him with a gold glow which slightly refilled his chakra.

"Thanks Naruto and sorry about that, I couldn't stand for what those nin said about Itachi and I."

Naruto pats his back "It's alright, now I would search the ashes and hope the scrolls are still there if they had any."

Everyone nods and searches, within five minutes four scrolls were found; two Earth and two Heaven. Everyone had the scrolls to pass and decided that with the display of power Sasuke put out that they would need to find a new area but before they could do that everyone hears Tenten's worried plea.

"G-guys…help please."

Everyone turns to see Tenten wrapped up by snakes as well as a person behind her; he had a pale face and two golden like snake-eyes.

"Orochimaru!" the three Konoha Teams chorus

"Ku, Ku, Ku…this is great I have all that I need right here but first, Dosu would you and your team kindly leave Naruto and Tenten to me while you deal with the others."

Team Dosu jumps from the trees "At once Lord Orochimaru."

"Naruto, what do you want us to do?" Hinata asks worriedly

Naruto clenches and unclenches his fists "Go and deal with the other team but be careful while I deal with Orochimaru."

"No, you can't possibly take him alone!" Kiba, Sakura, and Sasuke yell out

"GO! I will be fine; this fight is personal."

The rest nod and motions for Team Dosu to follow to another area to do their fight in which said team follows them. Naruto glares at Orochimaru then looks at Tenten and smiles discreetly signaling to act; she nods and does so.

"What are you smiling at boy…I have your precious mate in my hands and…GAHHH YOU BITCH!" Orochimaru screams out as Tenten expels lightning mana from her body shocking her captor then sinks into the ground reappearing beside Naruto.

"Go to the others, I will deal with this my hime." Naruto kisses Tenten on the lips which she returns

"Be safe Nature boy…I have faith in you." Tenten breaks away from the kiss and runs into a tree melding with it using the root system to catch up with the others.

"It is time, awaken what you were meant to be…close your eyes, feel the pain of the entire world and awaken your true calling." The mysterious voice calls out

Naruto doesn't question the voice and does as told; as soon as he does that he finds himself looking over the entire Elemental Nations feeling the pain of the entire world as well as the location of the other Guardians. It was hard to bear but Naruto sucked it up and felt a warm sensation within him; he grabbed hold of this and attempted to pull it out when the voice comes back.

"Good, take that pain and make a promise that I failed many years ago when I split the Juubi into nine parts; you are my descendant Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze. You may not have my eyes but your power will soon far exceed what I was capable of in time."

Naruto gasps "You're the Sage of Six Paths…but what about the others outside, I need to help them."

"Indeed I am young Sage, but fear not as time has not passed in the real world. This power comes with great responsibility and you must vow to protect this Nation and promise not to use this power for darkness and ill intent. Do you Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze accept this burden that will be placed upon yourself?"

Naruto sighs and nods "I do accept this responsibility and I promise to gather up the remaining Guardians to help show the world what true peace is like. Help me great Sage, help me become what I was truly meant to be."

The Sage smiles "I will not be here to help you master your powers young one, as that is for you to figure out. You have great promise Naruto and I will awaken the power that lay dormant inside ever since you became the Guardian at the tender age of seven. Good luck my boy and may Nature be at your side."

Before Naruto could respond the warmth spread across his body and he found himself back out in the real world. Kurama jumps off of Naruto and runs to a safe distance as a multicolored aura burst from Naruto and lifted him five feet into the air. His hair whips about and his eyes are pure white without pupils; the aura explodes again then Naruto arches his back and screams to the heavens as the final explosion takes place which is felt all across the Elemental Nations.

"Who are you Naruto Uzumaki?" Orochimaru whispers in awe

"It has come, the true Guardian rises." Kurama gasps

Rivendell

Elune snaps open her eyes and gasps "The true heir rises…our savior has arrived."

Alverior rushes into Elune's chambers "Is that who I think it is Elune?"

Elune nods and stands "Come, it is time to gather the forces and open the chamber that has been locked for centuries; our true test awaits us, the prophecy has come true."

Alverior gasps "Are you sure Elune, that chamber holds the secret to the one that brought Chakra into this world?"

Elune nods "Come Alverior, it is time for the creatures of lore to rise against the one that dares bring darkness into this world."

With the Centaurs

Chiron smiles as he hears multiple others rush towards his chambers asking multiple questions; he raises his hand silencing them.

"Has the time come father?" Pholus asks

Chiron nods "Yes my son, the true Guardian has awaked and the world will soon know of our presence. The time has come for the creatures of lore to rise up against the darkness; come my son we must open the forbidden chamber."

Everyone gasps and Pholus pales but nods "At once father."

With the Fairies

Maruelle gasps as she feels a presence not felt in many years "It is time; the creatures of lore will rise again and extinguish the darkness that threatens to plague the land. I must tell the others."

Takigakure

Fu, who was meditating in the massive tree in the middle of the village, suddenly opens her eyes. "Chomei, is that who I think it is, has the time finally come?"

"Yes Fu, our leader will come soon asking for your help. We must begin preparations. There is no doubt the others have felt the same aura."

Fu nods "At once Chomei, it seems that Nature has taken a turn towards a most wondrous future."

Kumo

Killer-B and Yugito are sitting side by side meditating underneath a tree when both suddenly open their eyes and look at each other making a mental link.

"I see that it is that time Eight-O."

"Matatabi, I assume that B is correct? Has the time finally come?"

Both beasts nod their head and Matatabi goes first "Yes, the true Guardian has risen and he will soon come asking for help."

"B, Yugito, we must prepare and if possible find a way out of the village as this Guardian has made enemies with our village. I don't doubt that other Jinchuriki's are doing the same thing." The eight tails, Gyūki, states

Yugito and Killer-B nod and break then link; they fist bump and begin the long process for the Guardians to meet again.

Iwa

Han and Roshi are sparring with each other when they suddenly pause and find themselves in their mindscapes looking at their beast.

"Has the time come Son Goku? Has our Guardian found his true calling?" Roshi asks

The massive monkey nods "Yes, and we must find a way to meet as he has made an enemy with our village. Time is of the essence, hurry now my boy."

"So, it has come to this…we must prepare then." Han states

"Yes, and like Son Goku told Han, we must leave this village and meet him. The time has come for the nine to join up once again." Kokuō, the five tails, responds back.

Kiri

"What is this feeling…hmm no matter. I wonder if I should order another attack on my village…that sounds lovely!"

Inside Yagura the three tails thrashes about hoping to catch the attention of his host "Dammit Yagura break out of it! The Guardian has awakened and calls for us…YAGURA! Son of a… Come soon young Guardian so that you can break my host out of this genjutsu."

Somewhere in the Elemental Nations

Utukata halts his walking and links up with his tailed beast "So, our Guardian has awakened; hmm it seems I must meet up with him at once."

"Yes and I cannot wait to meet my brothers and sisters again!" Saiken, the six tails happily states

Forest of Death – Gaara's Team

"Naruto's done it, his true self as awakened…the nine will meet once again!" Shukaku shrieks out making Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro chuckle

"It seems so, and I wonder why now…do you think Orochimaru has something to do with this?" Gaara asks

Shukaku shrugs "Might be, hey want to watch the ass kicking?"

Temari and Kankuro laugh and simultaneously proclaim "Hell yah!"

Back with Naruto

Naruto screams start to die down and his physique has changed again; he now stands six foot tall and has a more muscular frame yet still retains a partial athletic build, his bones harden into that reminiscent of that of a Kaguya's. Naruto descends back to the ground and he opens his green eyes that have specks of the other colors that his eyes change to when accessing other elements. In a deeper voice then before Naruto speaks out as he stretches his new body.

"Ah, at last my true calling has awakened…come Orochimaru, let me show you what the next Sage of Six Paths can accomplish."

Naruto points his staff at Orochimaru which glows bluish green and red then, without warning, a massive plume of white hot fire shoots out toward the snake.

Orochimaru's eyes widen "Such power..."

He lets the fire engulf his body hoping that Naruto would fall for his trick but alas that was not the case. Naruto charges earth and water mana into his right hand and punches the ground making it buckle and turn into quicksand; Orochimaru quickly surfaces and pants with an angry glare on his face. Kurama can only watch in wonder at this new power.

"You hope to defeat me boy, you are severely mistaken; I am immortal…nothing pales in comparison to me. You are just cannon fodder so be a nice sacrifice will you."

Orochimaru runs through a couple hand signs and screams out his jutsu "Summoning Jutsu: Manda!"

A massive purple snake comes out from the plume of smoke; Kurama was about to jump in but Naruto tells him to hold.

"No Kurama, I wish to test these new powers of mine; your father had faith in me and I shall show him that I am worthy of these powers."

"A most worthy sacrifice Orochimaru; stand still and be a good morsel."

Naruto smirks "A snake skin wallet is something I have always wanted…come you overgrown garden hose!"

Manda seethes and hisses in revolt "How dare you insignificant pest! DIE!"

Naruto dodges Manada's incoming snout and jumps on his head; the snake shakes around hoping to dislodge Naruto from his head; he holds on and channels wind and lightning mana to the butt end of the staff ready to finish the snake off in one move. He raises his staff and plunges it downwards.

With Team Kurenai, Kakashi, and Guy – moments before

Just as the teams were about to battle, they all pause at hearing Naruto's screams as well as feel a calming yet overpowering presence in the air.

Tenten, who just arrived, clued them in "It seems Naruto-kun got an upgrade…sucks for your leader. I hope he brings home a snake skin wallet for me…maybe a nice purse as well."

Zaku growls "How dare you disrespect Lord Orochimaru! Extreme Decapitating Airwaves!"

Zaku raises his arms and pulses out a massive stream of air turning the surrounding trees into toothpicks; everyone stands calmly as they knew Tenten would handle this. Sure enough a massive stone wall blocks the blast which hits it resulting in a massive explosion. Zaku snarls then pales as he sees the three teams jump over the wall and rush toward his small team.

Shino sends his chakra eating bugs at Zaku hoping to drain him; he runs back towards Dosu and Kin hoping that would help but it just made things worse.

"Hidden Mist Jutsu!" Sasuke screams out engulfing the area in a thick mist; he was lucky that a small pond was nearby to do this jutsu

Sasuke makes some Water Clones and pulls out a kunai and pulling a line from Zabuza.

"Eight points to strike. Larynx, Spine, lungs, liver, jugular, subclavian artery, kidney's, heart. Which to choose…oh which to choose."

Sakura shivers "I hate it when he does that."

Zaku, Dosu, and Kin look around in slight fear wondering when they will strike and they get an answer in the form of Lee.

Leaf Whirlwind

Lee bashes Dosu in the back of the head making him fly forward; he rights himself and looks around to try and pinpoint someone else in this mist then gasps as Sakura plants a Tsunade strength punch to his stomach making him crash into a nearby tree.

Kin finally breaks from her fear and uses the mist to create her illusion; soon everyone hears the tinkling of bells and sees the place around them change. Hinata, with her improved reflexes and senses dodges a senbon then breaks the genjutsu hoping to pinpoint Kin's location. Her scream is heard by everyone and the mist lets up as Sasuke is running low on chakra. Hinata looks 10 meters to her right to see Sasuke crouched behind Kin with one of his kunai in her center back; Kin falls to the ground alive but paralyzed.

"Kill the rest but we are keeping her has a prisoner…GO!" Sasuke states and is soon blown away courtesy of Dosu

Resonating Echo Drill

"Do you like, I can disrupt any one of your senses with this baby; goodbye Uchiha."

Dosu walks up to Sasuke ready to use his jutsu again when he ducks under Sakura's kick and uses his metal arm to smack her in the chest making her tumble on the ground; he then uses his melody arm to block a Strong Fist from Lee. He winces in pain and finds that his arm is dented. He was about to charge at Lee but feels pin pricks on his body then screams at seeing many bugs from Shino crawling about his body.

Tenten hears wind coming their way and raises another stone wall to block Zaku Decapitating Ariwaves again. Zaku, being arrogant and not thinking through things before attacking, attempted to run up the wall Tenten made but that's when he felt multiple earthen spires puncture his body. He looks down to see a spire through his heart, his left lung, and one in his stomach.

Coughing out blood, he says his final words "I have failed you Orochimaru-sama."

Tenten drops the wall and spires letting Zaku's almost dead body hit the ground. Walking up to him, Tenten closes Zaku's eyes.

"Become one with Nature and rest in peace." Tenten makes tree roots grab Zaku's body and pull him into the ground never to be seen again

"Zaku!" Dosu screams as he sees this as he squirms around trying to dislodge the bugs

Team Kurenai, Kakashi, and Guy all surround Dosu and start talking about his death like it was the weather.

"So, who does the honors?" Kiba asks "All I did was punching the guys around a couple times."

"I'm low on chakra so I'm out." Sasuke states

"So unyouthful to be deciding this man's death."

Hinata sighs at Lee and everyone's bickering; she takes an arrow from her quiver, walks up to a squirming Dosu and plants the arrow into the back of his skull severing the brain stem ending his suffering.

"You people disgust me, if you are to take a life you do it without hesitation and with a sense of honor. Tenten, would you do the honors?"

Tenten nods at Hinata and wills the earth to suck Dosu's body into the ground. Before anyone could respond Hinata breaks out in a quick elven prayer; everyone listens to the strange language spoken and in five minutes it is over. As the decided to see how Naruto was doing a massive explosion is felt and everyone sees an eight headed snake rise up in the Forest of Death.

"I hope Naruto is alright…that is one massive snake." Tenten worriedly states

Hinata places a hand on her shoulder "He will be fine, let Elune help guide him."

With Naruto – as the Konoha Teams were Fighting

Naruto slams the staff down onto Manda's head making the electrified wind pierce through and exit out the bottom of his mouth making him hiss in pain and dispelling. Naruto safely lands on the ground smirking at an enraged Orochimaru.

"You damn brat! Take this! Formation of Ten Thousand Snakes!"

Orochimaru lays on the ground as thousands of snakes with swords coming out of their mouth rush out towards Naruto whom just stands there in a bored fashion. The snakes get in within five feet and Kurama yells out to Naruto.

"Do something Kit!"

Naruto turns and smiles to Kurama and stomps his right foot on the ground making stone spires erupt from the Earth impaling the snakes but Naruto was not done. Naruto slams his hands on the ground and a wave of fire incinerates the rest.

"Are you going to at least do something to entertain me Orochimaru?"

Orochimaru smirks "Very well." A vomit sound is heard as he pulls the Kusanagi from his mouth and gets in a stance

"That is nasty." Naruto states as he blocks a sword strike with his staff and pushes it away attempting a jab at Orochimaru's stomach.

The snake jumps back and attempts to bisect Naruto whom wills a tree branch to block it and then whip Orochimaru in the face sending him stumbling; Naruto follows up with shooting a wind enhanced fireball which connects and seems to incinerate the body but Naruto knew better. Spinning around quickly he blocks another strike from the Kusanagi then kicks Orochimaru in the knee making him grunt in pain and lose his grip slightly; it was enough for Naruto to strike the sword out of Orochimaru's hands. Naruto followed up by sending a wooden spire through his heart.

As Orochimaru's body slumps Naruto sighs and breathes in relief that it was over but a gurgling sound is heard and Naruto sees a new Orochimaru come from his dead body.

"Oh come on, how many times do I have to kill you?!"

"Ku, ku, ku, I told you, I am immortal and nothing can kill me."

"Nobody is immortal; I will end your reign here and now as you disrupt the cycle of life and death." Naruto angrily states

"Combine all the elements my young sage, and unleash an attack similar to that of a Bijuudama."

"If you insist Great Sage."

Orochimaru cackles as he sees Naruto close his eyes "Giving into fate already, well how about I oblige you."

Orochimaru rushes in and starts thrashing Naruto around the forest who grunts in pain as he gathers his mana; getting beat around like a ragdoll hurts but it was necessary for what he was about to do. Meanwhile, Gaara and team just arrive by Kurama to see Naruto getting his ass handed to him.

"Why is Naruto letting Orochimaru beat on him…it makes no sense?" Gaara questions which Temari and Kankuro nod in return

"I sense a buildup of energy from Naruto but I don't know what it is?" Kurama states

Naruto gets slammed into a tree and coughs out blood as Orochimaru stands back and watches then laughs "See, I can do this all day; don't worry when I'm done with you your mate is next."

Naruto laughs and black energy surrounds him "Wrong thing to say Orochi-teme." Naruto snaps his eyes open which are pure white making Shukaku gasp

"I hope he isn't using what I think he is."

Everyone watches with bated breath as the black energy surrounds Naruto's staff and starts to form a ball the size of a basketball. He grips the staff with both hands as Orochimaru rushes in for another Naruto beat down but he doesn't come close as Naruto swings his staff like a baseball bat launching the black ball at Orochimaru.

"EAT THIS! Almighty Wrath of the Gods!"

"Is that a Bijuudama?!" Kurama screams

"Close enough…get clear!" Shukaku responds back as Gaara wraps a protective barrier around them as the elemental ball hits its mark

Naruto sees the ball fly and sinks deep into the ground to protect himself from the ensuing explosion. Orochimaru is too close to dodge and the black ball hits his stomach and explodes with massive force. Wind blades are sent outward slicing any and all trees in its path, waves of fire are sent outward torching anything, water whips are sent flying dousing the flames, electricity sizzles in the air, and earth was the one to bind everything together. A massive mushroom cloud rises in the air alerting the Hokage and everyone in Konona as well as the forest; the crater left behind is 8 feet long and 8 feet deep, nothing should have survived.

Naruto rises from the ground and whistles at the destruction; Gaara and crew do the same as the protective barrier is dropped.

"Holy crap…what an attack, there is no way Orochimaru survived that." Kankuro stated

A roar is heard and the ground shakes; soon a massive eight headed snake raises from the Earth making Naruto ground his teeth in anger while Temari, Gaara, Kurama, and Shukaku sweat drop and simultaneously deadpan:

"You were saying?"

"Alright, this snake is pissing me off!" Naruto yells out as he dodges the acid spit of one of the heads then hears it hiss in pain.

Naruto looks to see an arrow in one of its eyes; he looks over to his right to find Hinata notching another arrow in a tree about 50 feet away; it fires off and hits the other eye of the acid spitting snake. Hinata follows up by running up the backside of the Hydra like creature, taking her scimitar and impale the head she targeted. With her elven nimbleness and fineness, she grabs the hilt and swings around the neck taking the blade with her; she flips twice in the air as the head falls off making the creature hiss in pain. Still in the air, Hinata puts the scimitar away, notches three arrows and fires them off blinding another head while the last one hits the snout of another. Naruto and the others look on in awe at what Hinata could do and even more so why she lands without noise and effort beside Naruto.

"Well, that's one head; we got seven to go. To make it worse I am running out of arrows." Hinata states as both she and Naruto dodge the strikes of a couple heads

"I'm working on something here…give me a moment."

Tenten decides to act and summons as much mana as possible; she knew this was a bad idea but had to try it anyway.

Looking at the scared looks of the three teams beside her "Everyone, you might need to catch me as I am about to expel as much mana as I can to help Naruto. Sorry to say, this is a battle that you cannot interfere with."

Everyone nods while Kiba responds "Don't worry, we got your back."

Tenten nods "Stand back a bit will yah."

Everyone does so and sees brown energy erupt from Tenten then slamming her hands on the ground. A rumbling is heard and a massive earthen spike erupts from the ground impaling the stomach of the snake making it writhe in agony and hiss in anger. Tenten holds it making sure the mana construct will hold; she coughs up a small amount of blood and passes out.

"Be safe my Naruto, I hope this helps."

Sasuke catches Tenten and lays her underneath a tree as Sakura goes over to run a diagnostic scan hoping she is alright. Soon a cry of an attack goes out alerting everyone that Gaara joined the fight.

Hades' Inferno

A wave of white hot flame envelops the beast making Naruto and Hinata jump away from it landing near an incoming Gaara.

"So, can anyone join in on this party?" Gaara amusingly asks

Naruto laughs as Hinata giggles "Sure, why not." Naruto responds

"Orochimaru will fall this day and soon the Guardians of the Elemental Nations will gather once again to fell the darkness that threatens to cover this land." Hinata finishes

All three nod and rush up to the Hydra creature and proclaim together "FOR KONOHA!"