Chapter 13: Battle on all fronts
A/N: To clarify few matters about the last (AND current) chapter, Naruto is strong. He is. And for some time, he will be way ahead of Ichigo. But let's remember that he was a vice-captain even with his disease and crappy kido control. Now, he is cured, his reiatsu is stabilized, he has full control over his hollowself. These things made him strong. NOW let's add his training with other vizards and lessons from his father and bankai. These lasted over a year. That made him very strong. Even if he doesn't use reiatsu that this mask mostly blocks, he still has three other ways of Shinigami fighting. And these low-level kido attacks don't take much to create. And about the mask, it was designed to block Shinigami powers so Hollow reiatsu should be mostly unaffected so Naruto could easily fire a low-level cero even when wearing that.
A/N: About pairings, I haven't decided yet. I started with Nao/Naruto yes, but then I thought, why he should just be with her even if I started with that. Many must've realized that this fic goes very strongly into Narutos relationships. Most people don't have just one relationship in their lifetime and Naruto isn't an exception. He will have many relationships in this fic. He may get back together with Nanao or start celibacy. How this fic ends, will be the matter of that time.
REMEMBER TO REVIEW!
CHAPTER BEGING
Naruto walked quietly through the rubble. He really had done it now. He had fired a cero in Seireitei. He looked at his work. The pure power was astounding. No wonder they always told students in the academy to pull back immediately at the sight of menos. He quietly scanned the destroyed area. Luckily, no one was caught in the middle of blast. He had made sure to aim it high enough to give everyone a good chance to hit the deck.
He started walking away. He would need to get away before someone serious appeared.
"H-hold right there!" Rangikus voice said suddenly and Naruto turned around. "We're still standing." She raised her zanpakuto.
"We?" Naruto asked when Hisagi landed on his other side. They were both bruised and had obviously got the most of the blast. "You covered others and still wish to continue fighting." He whispered and snorted sadly. "You two were always the ones to give everything for others. I guess that's what I always looked up to in you people."
"Eh?" Rangiku asked confused.
Naruto looked away. "Toshiro-chan is coming. And so are Kyoraku-ossan and Nanao…san. I need to go. Before it's too late." He prepared to leap away.
"Wait right there!" Rangiku screamed. She didn't know why… but she had to see his face. She had to know. She jumped forward and prepared to cut him.
"Santen Kesshun! I reject!" Someone yelled and a triangular glowing shield blocked the attack.
Everyone turned around to look at Orihime who was holding her hands at them. "Are you okay, Urahara-kun?"
"Orihime-chan!" Naruto yelled. "What are you doing here? Where's Ryo-chan?"
Orihime gulped. "We go separated. Then I saw you and…"
Naruto cursed. "Of all times." He quickly jumped front of her to cover. "Are you okay?" He asked over his shoulder.
Orihime nodded. "I just hope Kunieda-san is too."
"I'm sure she is." He nodded and gulped.
"You're bleeding!" Orihime gasped at the sight of Narutos dripping side.
"It's okay." He assured her. "I've had worse. But now, I need you to run away and fast."
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that." A man with flashy pink kimono landed on the area with a spectacled woman holding a book. Kyoraku Shunsui whistled after he looked around. "Someone had fun."
"Now isn't the time for wits, taichou." Nanao corrected her glasses but also scanned the area before they locked with Narutos masks eyeholes. "This is horrible."
"Not as much you first think, Nanao-chan." Kyoraku pointed out like he was talking about the weather. "Everyone seems to be getting on their feet on their own, with slight burns. It seems that our guests had no real evil intentions."
"Matsumoto!" Hitsugaya landed next to his vice-captain. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, taichou, only slight burns." She nodded. "We need to subdue him quickly."
Naruto felt like cursing out loud. And if he wasn't a man from a noble family, he would've used the worse expressions in Japanese language to state his mind. Who cares! He was a bastard son of a candy shop owner. "FUCK!" His voice shocked everyone, from Orihime to Shinigami. "Of all the times!"
"What should we do, Urahara-kun?" She asked quietly looking at the dangerous figures standing front of them.
"Urahara?" Kyoraku raised his sakkat slightly. "As in Urahara Kisuke?"
"My old man." Naruto answered. "I'm his son."
"Kyoraku-taichou, who's that?" Hitsugaya asked.
"Urahara Kisuke was a former captain of the 12th squad who… was convicted and escaped." Kyoraku glanced at Naruto. "I didn't know he had a son."
3rds were starting to stand up again. All his effort was going down the drain.
"Surrender you both!" Hitsugaya yelled. "We will take you in to questioning!"
"Questioning for what?" Orihime asked back.
"Don't bother yourself with them." Naruto said quickly. "And we refuse." He tried to sound confident but he couldn't really think any way out of this.
"Why don't you do it easier yourself and just give up?" Narutos eyes shot wide open when he heard that voice behind him.
"T-taichou!" Kiba yelled when he finally made it back to his feet.
"Kiba, you and others really know how to 'take it easy' like I told you to when I send you to have some time off. " Jiraiya laughed before it quieted down. "Now, why don't we end this masked ball?" He jumped forward and landed right in front of Naruto before taking another step and landed next to Kiba. "What you say, you annoying brat?"
Naruto took a deep breath before he started laughing. The mask was falling around him and the day light was breaking through. All the effort. Useless. If he didn't know better, he would've guessed that his father had designed it to happen… he would really kill his father one day… "This really isn't my day." The half's hit the ground and their sound seemed to echo for eternity. "Right, guys?" Senju Naruto, vice-captain of the third squad laughed whole heartedly.
"N-" Kiba and Hisagi gasped eyes wide from shock.
"Na-" Hinata lost her voice.
"Nar-"Kyoraku whispered not believing his own eyes.
"Naru-" Nanaos knees betrayed her and she collapsed.
"Narut-" Matsumoto cried.
"What an annoying brat." Jiraiya said quietly a dark look on his face.
"NARUTO!" Everyone yelled together when they recognized the man behind the mask. True enough, there he was. The same smirk, same birth mark lines in his face, diamond shaped tattoo in his forehead, same blond hair and same blue eyes. The same, yet completely different.
"What the hell is going on here?" Kiba yelled with other 3rds. "What kind of trickery is this!"
"No tricks, you idiot. I'm here. Alive and well." Naruto laughed.
"You can't be! You died!" Hinata joined.
"You never found my body." Naruto pointed out, keeping up the happy charade. "Yet you declared me dead, which I am thankful. This last year was a blast."
"What do you mean?" Shikamaru whispered. The only person, who he didn't expect to see, stood right there like he had always been there.
Suddenly, Rangiku appeared right front Naruto and tried to cut him down but he used his wakizashi to block it. "Who are you! You're not Naruto! You bastard hollow! Naruto didn't have a zanpakuto like that!" The man she loved was dead! Her man didn't know how to use cero! He would never use such a technique against his own squad. This must be some kind of trick used by a hollow of a sort or something.
Naruto forced her back and sighed. "I told you that last year was a blast." He told before lowering his voice for a moment. "Be ready." He whispered to Orihime.
She looked confused but tried to prepare herself to whatever was happening.
"If you really were Naruto…" Nanao whispered. "Why didn't you come back until now?"
Naruto smiled sadly and pulled out his fan without really noticing it. "Because until now, I would've been happy if you all had just moved forward and forgot about me." He looked at everyone. Ran-chan, Nao-chan, Kiba, Hinata, Shikamaru, Hisagi, Yugao, Kin, other 3rds, Kyoraku, Hitsugaya and lastly Jiraiya. "Person like me has no place in Seireitei, not anymore."
"What' ya' mean?" Jiraiya asked quietly and stepped forward.
Naruto raised his hands and everyone instinctively reached for their weapons but no one drew anything. "Look at this." He pointed at things around. "This is what I am now. Not a Shinigami. Not exactly a hollow but a close enough. I only came here for one reason." He turned around. "I will save Rukia-chan and then, return to my home, to my dad. Let's go Orihime-chan."
Orihime had followed the confusing confrontation but didn't say anything.
"Wait!" Ran-chan screamed tears in her eyes. "I said wait!" She charged forward. "I will capture you and bring you back and do what I have to! You will tell me the truth!" She prepared to attack when a yell interrupted her.
"Hado #4! Byakurai!" And a white lighting struck between them. Matsumoto jumped back and everyone looked at this new figure that had landed between her and Naruto. "Who dares to point their blade at my master won't be forgiven! Even you, Rangiku-sama. You were alive… I knew it!" Haku turned around and bowed and lowered his head. "Naruto-sama! Your servant stands ready."
"Haku…?" Naruto asked. "Is that you? What's with that getup?" He looked at the uniform that was very similar to those of onmitsukido wore.
"I'm currently on the service of the second squad! But that's only so I could gain an access to the real world and find you!" Then he quickly turned around reached for his zanpakuto. "Naruto-sama, please escape. I will protect your back."
"Kiri! What the hell you think you're doing?" Hitsugaya yelled. Everything was so confusing like a dream.
Haku didn't even flinch. "I'm doing what a loyal retainer of the Senju family has to do! Protecting his master!"
"Do you really think that guy is Naruto?" Rangiku screamed. "You think this…" She pointed at everything around her. "is something my Na-chan would do!"
"Rangiku-sama, I don't know what you think, but my gut tells me that Naruto-sama is back and I don't care about anything else! I'm prepared to die for you, Naruto-sama." He glanced over his shoulder when he grabbed it and threw him back. "Naruto-sama?" He had a startled look on his face as he landed on his back.
"Take that girl somewhere safe!" Naruto yelled and faced everyone else. "I trust my friend in your hands, don't screw it up."
"But Naruto-sama-"
"Haku!" Narutos voice snapped. "Are you my loyal servant?"
Haku gulped and nodded. "HAI!" Then he quickly grabbed Orihime and started running away.
"Wait! Urahara-kun! Wait! He's still there! Let me down! Urahara-kun!" Her voice disappeared into distance.
"Wait!" Hisagi yelled and tried to run after them but Naruto quickly blocked him. "Naruto." He whispered.
"Long time no see, Shuhei." He smiled to his senpai. "You wouldn't mind just standing there quietly."
"I don't know what happened to you after you left," He reached for his zanpakuto. "but you're obviously disturbing justice and peace. I shall cut you down!"
Naruto sighed. "I guess I have no choice." He scanned at captains, vice-captains and squad members. "I guess I really have to do this." He tucked his fan into his shirt and reached his zanpakutos and placed them on his waist. Then, like many times before, everyone had seen this, he used one hand to take a tight crib around the scabbard and other hand reached for the handle of his katana.
"I will tell you that I have no desire to fight anyone of you. I only wish to do what I have to do." He started radiating reiatsu. Everyone felt a sudden power coming out of him. Only Hitsugaya, Kyoraku and Jiraiya could stand unaffected. Hisagi had taken a good blast of the cero before and landed on his one knee. Rangiku was the same but managed to stay standing when she struck her zanpakuto on the ground and took support. She started panting hard. Nanaos legs had already failed her and she couldn't stand even if she wanted to. Kiba and other thirds felt too weak front of him and fought to stay on their knees.
"That's some pretty awesome reiatsu." Kyoraku praised amazed. "You must've done some serious workout."
"You have no idea." Naruto smirked but didn't change his stance from iaido. "So, who's first?"
Hitsugaya was about quickly step forward when Jiraiya flew forward, his zanpakuto pulled. "Jiraiya-taichou, eh?" He whispered when he pulled his zanpakuto out of his scabbard. Jiraiya block the attack and they joined in a block. "Long time no see, Ero-taichou!" He gritted his teeth but forced a smirk.
"I've told you hundreds of times to stop calling me that." Jiraiya shared his expression. He jumped back and Naruto sheeted his sword. "I see that your iaido has become ever more impressive."
"I've done my homework." Naruto answered proudly and took a breath. "Shall we?"
Jiraiya smirked. "I guess its captains duty to whoop their subordinates back to their places when they go astray." He looked over his shoulder at others. "No one is to interfere. Understood!"
"Taichou!" Kiba yelled.
"Don't even think about it, Kiba." Jiraiya started radiating reiatsu. "This is my duty." He took his stance. "PULL!"
Naruto leaped forward and pulled Ginha out of its scabbard and they clashed.
((A))
"What a crazy reiatsu." Ishida whispered as they looked at the direction where the great red flash had appeared.
"Do you think Naruto's okay?" Sado asked. They were both dressed in Shinigami robes. They had taken them from a couple of patrols they had run into. Or, they had taken Ishidas robes from first people they had found. Sado's was a bit harder to disguise when he was almost two meters high. At best, his ankles were flashing from the robes which made him look pretty ridiculous.
Ishida shook his head. "I have no idea. But he seems to be always on top of things."
There was another loud bang. "What should we do?"
Ishida looked over his shoulder. "We're here to save Kuchiki-san. Urahara-san knows that." He closed his eyes. "I think we should take advantage of the situation and head towards the place they are holding her."
"We can't just abandon him!"
"I know." Ishida nodded and looked at the tower. "Kurosaki is starting a fight too."
"Ichigo is?"
Ishida nodded. "You go and help him and I will help Urahara."
Sado nodded.
Right then they both sensed someone coming and turned around right on time to see Orihime being carried away by some guy… or a girl.
"Inoue!" Sado and Ishida gasped. "We need to go and save her!"
Right then, former vice-captain of the 2nd squad, Omaeda Marechiyo stepped from around the corner, grumpy as ever. Munching senbei. "Damn that Kiri bastard first taking my job and now my prisoner." Then he noticed Sado and Ishida. "Who are you two?"
"New recruits, sir!" Ishida hurried to explain. They needed to get away from here. "We were doing our rounds."
Omaeda narrowed his eyes. "Really? What squad are you from?" He asked suspiciously.
"We're from…" Ishida tried to explain when Sado ripped his robes off. "Sado-kun!"
"Save Inoue-san." He whispered and activated his armor around his arm.
"Sado-kun!" Ishida yelled. "This guy isn't a weakling! You will need my help!"
"Don't worry. Save Inoue-san." He raised his thump confidently. "I will catch up with you."
Ishida bit his lip. The big guy, (big, fat guy) was reaching for his zanpakuto. This guy wasn't a pushover but they needed to save Inoue-san! He cursed and turned around. "I will save her and head towards the tower they are holding Kuchiki-san. We will see you there." Then he used Hirenkyaku to run after Haku and Orihime.
"So, couple of ryoka strolling around." Omaeda laughed confidently as he raised his zanpakuto. "Consider yourself lucky to able to face all mighty Ore-sama! From the great Omaeda clan, rich and powerful… 3rd seat Marechiyo-sama will take you in and perhaps then taichou will see who really should be her second!" He laughed confidently to his abilities.
Sado didn't wait for further introductions but charged forward and managed to send a very hard hit right into Omaedas gut. "I'm sorry." He whispered as he fell to his knees, withering from pain. "I don't have much time."
"You… commoner!" Omaeda screamed and forced himself to stand up. "I will teach you what happens when you punch me like this!"
"You're tough." Was all that Sado said. "So far I've managed to defeat all my enemies with the first blow."
"Of course! If that upstart asshole Kiri hadn't taken my place, I would be the vice-captain of the second squad! Watch me! Buttsubuse! Gegetsuburi!" He released his zanpakuto and it transformed into an oversized spiked ball with a chain. "Now, I will kill you!"
Sados arm started gathering reiatsu. "I'm sorry. But I can't let you do that either."
((A))
Ishida tried to keep up with Inoue-sans captor but it was difficult. That person was fast. Even when holding a captive in his arms.
"Damn." They kept running and everywhere around him his friends were fighting. Urahara in the centre of those strong reiatsus. Kurosaki against that ridiculous strength deeper inside enemy headquarters. Now Sado-kun was left facing against that guy. And when he moved around, he could feel Kunieda-san's reiatsu little further away from all this. She was fighting also. And not against any weakling either. That could explain why and how Inoue-san was captured by this obviously fast person. It felt like everyone was fighting against someone amazingly strong opponent.
And he was about to get his own.
((A))
"Let me go! Urahara-kun is still there! We need to go save him!" Orihime struggled against Hakus arms but they didn't give in.
"Silence you insolent!" He snapped finally. "How long do you plan call my master so casually! Do you have any idea who he is!"
"Urahara-kun? My classmate?" Orihime asked little confused. "Do you know him?"
The question was so sudden and so unexpected that Haku missed a step and fell. He was trying to gain his balance but accidentally let go of the girl. When he reached for her, he lost his balance again. They both fell to the ground.
"I apologize," Haku cursed in his mind but quickly forced himself on his knees. "it was my fault! Are you… okay?" He looked at the Orihimes body lied there, unnaturally curved. Then he noticed the blank look in her eyes. "Ojou-sama?" He asked and gently shook her.
"Not so hard…" She mumbled quietly before she felt silent again. Her chest raised and lowered regularly. She was alive at least.
"I see my master first time for a long time and this is the gratitude I show him?" He whaled. "I'm such a disgrace! I have to take her quickly before anything else happens!"
It was right then that Ishida caught up with them. Haku and Ishida looked at each other for the moment and each of them misunderstood the other. Ishida was wearing Shinigami robes, making him look like a possible pursuer some of the captains might've sent after him. He was, after all, a traitor for disobeying captain's orders. He didn't have time for anything else so he pulled his zanpakuto that was placed behind his waist, like most in onmitsukido did and lowered his stance to be able to protect his master's friend from an attacker from above.
Ishida on the other hand didn't see this as a possible ally or anything like that. He only saw a Shinigami standing over unconscious Inoue-san. Genius or nerd or… book smart or whatever it was, Ishidas primal logic overruled everything and told him that he was defiantly an enemy who was likely trying to take an advantage of his unconscious prisoner. Ishida activated his Quincy bow and aimed it down. "Step away from her." He said with voice that was full of hostility.
Hakus eyes widened. Being only a servant and not really interested in ancient history he didn't know about Quincys. He only saw a Shinigami activating his unheard zanpakuto and aimed it at him.
"No." Haku said back and raised his blade. "I don't know who you are or who you think you are but on my honor, I will not give this woman to anyone!"
Ishida appeared behind him and shot an arrow. Haku managed to dodge it and repositioned himself between Orihime and Ishida.
"I will say this one more time." He continued. "Step away from her."
Haku ignored him and stabbed the ground. "Kakeru wana! Hizoumaru! (A/N: Trap them, Ice statue)"
Ishida jumped back, ready for anything when large mirror appeared out of nowhere. "This will be the end." Haku jumped backwards into the mirror.
'What is he planning? What is his ability?' He kept his bow ready. Then all of a sudden his opponent came out of the mirror with staggering speed. It was so fast that Ishida was almost caught in it but he managed to move away when he felt a blade cutting his hair.
"You did well to dodge that one." Haku said quietly and from top of a wall. "This time, I got you." Ishida turned to face him. Haku stabbed the ground again and another ice mirror appeared. Then he jumped backwards into the mirror. And again he leaped out with incredible speed and again Ishida felt a blade cutting his clothes.
"Damn!" Ishida yelled and shot an arrow at Haku who created another mirror and backed away. This mirror was little bit further away. Ishida shot an arrow at a mirror Haku was in. The arrow just simply bounced off.
"My mirrors are made of thickets and smoothest of ice." Haku smirked inside his mirror. "No matter what kind of attack, it will be brushed off like water. He jumped out of the mirror again and tried to cut Ishida but cut through layers of clothing.
"If you think you can merely overpower me with speed and random attacks, you're wrong." Haku yelled back and shot an arrow that nearly hit Haku before he could create another ice mirror and jump back in.
To his surprise Haku smirked. "It's already too late."
Then Ishida felt it too. He was cold. Too cold. He looked at his side. The third cut. It was covered in ice. His arm, the second cut the same. He touched the side of his head.
"It seems that you have figured it out." Haku smirked.
"You use these ice mirrors to lure your enemy's attention away from yourself and from these cuts that obviously try to… trap me inside this ice." Then he suddenly threw off his disguise and hoped that the ice hadn't reached for his body yet.
"That works." Haku admitted approvingly. "But what about the cut in your head? You can't just skin yourself, can you?"
Suddenly, Ishida sent an arrow up his forehead, skinning himself in the process.
"You're crazy for to do something like that." Haku admitted. "But you should already know that you're destined to lose."
"I don't care what you think," Ishida raised his bow one more time. "I will save her."
"Save?" Haku asked. "What do you mean 'save'?"
At the same time, Orihime regained his consciousness. "Ow ow ow ow. That really hurt. Ah! Ishida-kun!" She waved her hand happily and stood up. Then she noticed the cut and gasped. "What happened? Let me heal you!"
"Inoue-san! Stay away!" Ishida yelled but Haku was already on the move. He sprung out of the mirror, attempting to capture her and run away. No matter what the situation, he needed to fulfill his master's orders.
But Orihime had no idea that Ishida and Haku were fighting with each other and kept running towards the bleeding Ishida. He responded, thinking about very same thing as Haku did.
So they all crashed with each other and it hurt. It hurt like hell.
"What's going on…?" Orihime asked confused.
After quick explanations and her starting to heal Ishida face, it was time for introductions and a bit longer explanations.
"This is Urahara-kuns friend." Orihime introduced Haku. Then she appeared to remember something. "But I thought you were with that small woman?"
"I'm her vice-captain." He nodded. "But that's only temporarily."
"Inoue-san, what happened? Could you start… from the beginning?"
Orihime told her story.
Kunieda-san and I had made it through Seireitei without bigger incidents. It was mostly Kunieda-sans hard decisiveness to save Kuchiki-san first. Before any of the boys. Especially Urahara-kun.
They had passed one plaza when they had been suddenly stopped.
"Halt right there!" Small petite woman with angry eyes glared at them. "Surrender now!"
"And what if we refuse." Kunieda-san had asked.
The walls around plaza were filled with ninjas glaring as madly as that woman did.
"Do I need to repeat myself?" Soifon had smirked confidently.
Kunieda-san had stepped forward and I called her name.
"Stay behind me, this won't take long." She had smirked equally confidently as that woman before and red flames had coated her legs.
Then… I don't really know what happened. It all was so fast. But it seemed that Kunieda-san managed to beat all the big ninja guys. Then she landed next to me, slightly winded. "How's that?" She had asked.
But the woman only smirked and jumped forward. She was so much faster that I couldn't keep my eyes in her at all. She punched Kunieda-san into her tummy, sending her flying hard. I screamed her name but she only brushed me off and forcibly stood up. "Go." She told me. "Be sure to save Kuchiki before the guys do, okay?"
After a while of hesitation, I did so. Then I became to the scene when this woman almost attacked Urahara-kun so I instinctively used my Santen Kesshun to protect him. Soon after that, Kiri-san appeared and Urahara-kun told him to take me. Then he accidentally tripped and I hit my head.
"I see…" Ishida gulped. "But I still don't understand why you did something like that? Aren't you a traitor now?"
Haku didn't even flinch. "I'm Naruto-samas servant first and foremost. Nothing else matters. I only became a Shinigami to get to the real world in order to find him." Then he stood up. "I came to the scene where this Kunieda fought with Soifon-taichou. She told me to find her." He nodded at Orihime. "Then Naruto-sama told me to get her safe. I trust you will take of her. So I will leave her with you."
"Where are you going?" Ishida yelled after him.
"Save my master, of course." He disappeared.
Ishida watched him go. "Good luck." He whispered. Kurosakis reiatsu had disappeared sometime ago and so did Sado-kuns. Urahara-san seemed to be alive for now but what about Kunieda-san? He couldn't feel anything from her direction either.
((A))
Meanwhile back at the 'ground cero', another clash banged.
Naruto panted slightly but hadn't loosed his smirk. "You're tough as ever, you old pervert."
"Heh, you might've learned few moves but you're still the same, you annoying brat." Jiraiya shot back and gulped. He too was winded so far.
At further away, all witnesses were still there. "They've been at it for some time now." Hitsugaya pointed out. "Shouldn't we intervene?"
"You heard him, Hitsugaya-taichou." Kyoraku who was sitting in the ground pointed out. "You would only be in their way."
There was another clash and yells back and forth.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata whispered. "What happened to him…?"
"That's why I'm telling you, that's not Naruto!" Kiba barked angrily. "He might've been an idiot but he always put his squad before anything else. He would never attack us like this."
"I don't know, Kiba." Shikamaru said quietly. "If he isn't, then how you explain the way he defeated all our strategies?"
"You think Naruto would be able to shoot a cero at us? Cero! Only Menos can do that and he isn't one! He can't even use simples kido spells!"
"I don't know… let's watch and see what happens." Shikamaru whispered.
Kiba bit his lip but didn't say anything else.
There was another loud clash they jumped apart.
"Come!" Jiraiya yelled and Naruto charged forward. Their wooden swords clashed together. Then Jiraiya simply sidestepped him and landed a blow on his back.
"That hurts!" Naruto yelled.
"Get used to it." Jiraiya had smirked. "Because I won't be satisfied before you either block that or fall down."
"Those were the days." Naruto muttered as he took a step back and blocked another attack.
"Yeah, those were." Jiraiya said back and took another forceful step forward. Naruto countered by diving under his blade and turned around with force. Jiraiya blocked the attack and kicked Naruto on his gut. "Naruto, I think this is about enough." He flew further away, hitting few rocks before he managed to land on his feet.
Naruto stood up and scratched his head. "Already? I was just getting into it."
"Don't you have bigger worries now?"
Naruto looked around. "Well, it seems that Ichigo and Chad are done already. I won't be able to help them even if I wanted to. And besides, they are strong and will manage." Then he looked into another direction. "Uryuu is looking after Orihime-chan. And Ryo-chan…" He narrowed his eyes before he sighed. "I have to believe in her, don't I? You always said that I should always concentrate on one enemy and that's the one who is standing right in front of me."
"I did, didn't I. Jiraiya shrugged. "But these guys…" He pointed at Shinigami standing and watching them. "Won't have patience forever. So, what you say, we start to get serious."
Naruto flashed his confident smirk. "Sure." He took Kinha and placed it on the other side. Then he sheeted Ginha.
"Wha-" Jiraiya asked when Naruto came with force and speed and pulled both his blades out. "Tatakai tame hogo, hogo kara tatakai! Ginha kitsune! Kinha momiji!" He released his zanpakutos and Jiraiya was covered with deep flock of momiji leafs. Razor sharp momiji leafs. "Fifth art. Prison of autumn."
"What happened?" Hisagi asked.
"Taichou!" Kiba and other thirds yelled.
"Wait, Kiba." Jiraiyas voice came out as he shot a kido blast out of his palm and made it through. His clothes were full of cuts but he himself was in one piece. Then he landed little further away. "That's some strength you got there." He laughed so relaxed that it shocked everyone else. "You've taken your arts further back. I was surprised why you had two blades but I guess it makes sense."
"Taichou! That's not Naruto! Stop treating him like he is! Naruto's zanpakuto wasn't like that!"
Jiraiya ignored him. "You know how this is going to end, don't you?"
"I do." Naruto nodded. "But before that happens, since you already made me reveal myself to everyone, I could use this to see…" He took his stance. "the distance between you and me." He jumped forward.
Jiraiya smiled. "It's not that big anymore, and you know it." He jumped forward and they clashed one more time.
((A))
While Naruto fought with his former captain, Ichigo was being carried away by Yoruichi for the first time, Ganju and Hanatarou were almost at the Senzaikyu and Sado was captured by second squad men. He had managed to reach a tie with Omaeda but that wasn't enough. They had collapsed next to each other and rest of seconds had taken him away. Ishida and Orihime tried to continue their way back but Narutos fight was too noticeable and lots of more people came towards it.
When all that happened, Ryo was facing Soifon. Or rather, getting owned by Soifon. It was a battle of speed and ruthlessness and experience. And Soifon had all the advantages. It was short battle but surprising how long it did take.
She had trained with Yoruichi and she had thought she was fast. And every fight so far had only supported that belief. But this petite woman right in front of her was definitely on a whole another level.
Normally, cruel and cold Soifon would have killed her many times now, but not this time. At some point, she recognized Ryos fighting style and compared it with her own. The result was obvious. They had the same teacher. And dead people couldn't talk. So now she just had to find out everything this girl knew about her former master.
"You're as fast as she is…" Ryo whispered finally as she forced herself on her feet while leaning to the wall.
"So, you're feeling like talking now, do you?" Soifon crossed her arms. "Tell me everything I want to know and I will promise to make your end quick and painless."
Ryo smirked tiredly. "Sure… what you want to find out? That I'm a fool? That I should give up? That I probably shouldn't have come here in the first place. That I'm such an idiot!"
Soifon blinked. "Well, I don't care about your personal problems. I just want to know-"
"That if he just hadn't had that stupid cough one day, I wouldn't have handed over that health mask and we would've never started dating!" Ryo took a breather. "If we had never started dating… I would've never…" She sighed and glanced at the direction she felt the Narutos reiatsu. "I have to be honest. I don't really care about Kuchiki-san. She and I haven't changed more than few words during that time she was in our school. I didn't even really notice her disappearance nor my life would've changed too much in any case. I just wanted to have a normal life. You know? Get through high school years. Win as many races as possible. Get a scholarship into a good university and get a good life. Maybe date a decent guy. But nooooo!" She laughed sadly and stood up wobbly. "I had to fell for a guy like that? You know? Good for nothing. Mysterious delinquent who liked to read! That's the type I had to fall! Ramen maniac? Of all the guys in the world, I had to fall for him. Guy who won't even give me time of the day even when I did all this for him!"
Soifon tightened her jaw. "What this has to do with anything relevant?"
Ryo smiled sadly. "Because I'm not strong like Orihime-chan. She can head forward with a smile towards the unknown without a word of discomfort. I'm not like that." She shrugged. "He even said so himself, that I snap like an axe when I get angry. And that's one of my charm points."
Soifon pressed the bridge over her nose. "This is getting us nowhere! Do you have information about Shioin Yoruichi?"
"Yoruichi-sensei?" Ryo blinked. "Sure. What of her?"
"Where is she!" Soifon twitched from excitement and long sleeping anger. Soon she would be able to get her revenge.
"How should I know?" Ryo answered and stepped forward for the last time. 'I just hope that everyone will manage okay.' The thought was in her mind when her flames turned into deep blue and she charged forward.
"As you wish then." Soifon bit her lip and pulled her zanpakuto. "I don't need shikai to deal with you." She jumped forward and with incredible speed, cut her right in the middle.
"N-n-naruto…baka…" Ryo whispered with her last breath and fell on her back. 'Ryo-chan, you cheetah.' A lone tear fell down her cheek as the darkness took her.
"Don't worry." Soifon glared down to her body. "I won't kill you, yet. Not until I get exactly what I want." She turned away. "Take her away! Make sure she won't die."
Couple of her bodyguards appeared out of nowhere and took Ryo away.
((A))
"Did you felt that? That reiatsu disappeared." Jiraiya pointed out.
Naruto bit his lip and forced a smirk on his face. "Really? Didn't notice."
"Liar."
"Second art!" Naruto swung his blade and used shunpo to get behind Jiraiya.
Jiraiya dodged leafs and swung at him. Naruto blocked it but the force of the attack slammed him in the ground. "Hado #43 Kage Sokatsui!" He shot a blue ball of energy at him. Naruto watch above when it suddenly multiplied several times into a rain of blue fire balls. "First art!" The wall covered him and took all the bombing. "You think that would even hurt me? "Skebe!"
"I've told you stop calling me that!" Jiraiya landed and slashed the wall, making a dent to it. Naruto appeared from around and stabbed his side. Jiraiya dived under him and kicked him into his gut. "Getting tired of this! Heki kara! Shinkama! (A/N: Slash through, Heart Sickle.)" His zanpakuto turned into a chain-sickle with toad markings all over it.
Narutos eyes shot open when a chain tangled around his leg. "Got you!" Jiraiya smirked and pulled. Naruto was pulled at him until he was right under him. Jiraiya stabbed below, right through Narutos chest.
"Naruto!" Rangiku screamed suddenly. Everyone had followed this fight that seemed like hours.
Narutos eyes shot wide open and he started twitching. "Y-y-you really stabbed me…" He whispered.
"Naruto-" Jiraiya gasped.
"JUST KIDDING!" The clone dispelled into hundreds of momiji leafs that impelled Jiraiya.
"Taichou!" 3rds screamed when he fell on his back and Naruto appeared right on top of him. "Teme!" People reached for their weapons.
"Wait!" Hitsugaya stepped forward. "I will be his enemy." He reached for his own.
Naruto ignored them and kept glaring at Jiraiyas withering body. "How long do you plan on playing dead?" He asked annoyed.
"You got me!" Jiraiyas voice smirked as 'he' faded into a long trail of chain that was tangled all around, vaguely to remind a person. Then a quick pull and the chain quickly flew into Jiraiyas waiting hand.
"He's okay?" Hinata sighed.
"Of course!" Kiba smirked confidently. "Taichou isn't a weakling who would fall for something like that. "
"You were practically crying just two seconds ago." Shikamaru muttered. "But this is something…" He looked at his captain who was playing with his sickle. "This is first time I've seen Taichous shikai."
"It's been awhile for me too." Kyoraku had sat down and followed the fight. "Jiraiya must really be enjoying himself right now."
"What do you mean, taichou?" Nanao asked quietly.
Kyoraku closed his eyes. "That there is no doubt that he is fighting with young Naruto."
This brought silence into the audience.
But on the whole another note, Jiraiya and Naruto kept looking at themselves. "How did you know I wasn't just really careless? People tend to do that."
They were ignoring all around them, concentrating everything they had on their opponent. This wasn't anything different from those long hours in dojo. "If you had been that easy, I would've never looked up to you much as I did."
Jiraiya started swaying the sickle around leisurely. "Have you figured it out yet? My zanpakutos ability."
"I don't need to." Naruto answered smugly to Jiraiyas confused expression. "You wrote it down in your personal logs."
Jiraiya smiled and sighed. "What a blunder. And here I was hoping to be able to give you a lesson or two." He charged forward and Naruto followed his example, throwing his blades into air and offering his scabbards to them. They landed right into their own places and he tucked them to his waist. Jiraiya threw the ball-end of his weapon at Naruto but he dodged it and prepared to draw his blade when he noticed the chain coming from behind. It had arced behind him and was about to get him.
Naruto stopped abruptly and leaped backwards over the chain and quickly stuck his blade into the ground and pointed his finger. "Hado #4! Byakurai!" A white lighting came out of his hand and almost made another hole in Jiraiyas head. He dived under and almost managed to cut Naruto with the sickle-end but Naruto pushed himself higher and the blade cut the air harmlessly and Jiraiya dived between the gap.
Naruto landed on top of the hilt, balancing on top of it. "A kid still needs his naptime?" Jiraiya taunted him.
"Says a guy who can't even get it up." Naruto countered and they collided again.
People, who were watching this, couldn't help but start facing the truth. Naruto was alive.
Shikamaru looked at them darkly. Had it really come to this? "Naruto." He whispered.
Shikamaru was sleeping in the academy when he felt something dripping on his head. "Wha…" He looked up. On a seat behind him, Naruto was sleeping and drooling quietly. "Oh man!" He whined and jumped up. "This is disgusting!" He tried to clean his head into his hands.
"Even as it may be," Teacher of the class interrupted him. "the kido is one of four fighting styles."
Everyone snickered around him. Shikamaru glared at Narutos sleeping figure that twitched slightly before continuing its quiet breathing.
Kyoraku sat there quietly, fondling his kimono absentmindedly.
"Get better soon." Kyoraku said farewells to his friend, Ukitake. "Don't strain yourself."
Ukitake smiled. "Thank you, Kyoraku."
He was about to walk away when he noticed a small boy walking towards them, looking around curiously. "Who're you, little boy?"
Naruto looked up to him. "Drunk." He said quickly and walked around the shocked Kyoraku.
"D-drunk?" He tried to laugh it off when he noticed that the boy walked into Ukitakes bedroom.
"Naruto-kun!" He heard his friend to greet the boy. "Did you come and see me today too?"
"Candy." The boy asked bluntly.
Ukitake laughed. "I can't give you anymore, don't you remember? Your mother told me not to feed you anything without her permission."
"I want candy." The boy had argued stubbornly. "Pwease."
"Fine, I understand. Since you said 'please'." Kyoraku could imagine his friend tucking his hand into his sleeve and pull out something sweet when the young boy dashed away smiling happily. "Who was that?" He asked quietly.
"That's my 'sick buddy'." Ukitake answered. "He visits me when I'm stuck here."
"What a strange boy."
Hinata whimpered quietly, not sure what she should do. "Naruto-kun." She whispered.
"Aaargh!" Naruto screamed and rubbed his hair frustrated. "Why can't I win!"
"It's because you get too impatient, Senju-fuku-taichou." Hinata smiled after a game of reversi. "Something bothering you?"
Naruto blinked. "Kiba is being lynched by our female members, Shikamaru is sleeping somewhere, captain is making himself a laughing stock, half of our squad is in sick bay for eating bad food and I've just found out that I don't have a birthday present for my mother who's big day is tomorrow and you're asking me, if something's bothering me?"
Hinata blinked. "I'm sorry… Senju-fuku-taichou but… if it's that bad, should you be doing something about those things rather than spend time playing with me? Not that I don't enjoy the company, Senju-fuku-taichou."
"Stop that." Naruto shot a glare. "And I didn't say it bothered me that much."
Kiba pressed his fingers into fist. "Why did this happen?"
"Eeeeeh! This guy is going to be our new vice-captain?" Kiba asked when Naruto was introduced to the third. "I remember this guy from academy! He can't even use kido."
"Inuzuka 4th seat! Refrain!" Former 3rd seat of 3rd squad, Kira Izuru snapped quickly. "We're sorry, Senju-fuku-taichou. I'm Kira, 3rd seat. If you need my assistance, feel free to ask."
Naruto looked at the gathered people of the third squad and took a deep breath. Then he bowed his head to them. "My name is Senju Naruto. I will protect every single one of you from this moment onwards. Yoroshiku ogenaishimasu!" Then he flashed his happiest smile that seemed to blind everyone. "Now, who has the biggest zanpakuto in the house?" He smirked as he took a hold of his own.
Hisagi gulped as he saw Narutos amazing dodge and excited look on his face when he had almost lost his neck to his captain's blade.
As two vice-captains got to know each other, they became friends as time went by. But even as friends, they were guys and guys always had to find out one more thing about each other. Who had the biggest… sword.
They used bokkens to see who was stronger. It ended with Hisagis narrow victory. "You're good." He had appraised him.
"Damn! Why couldn't I beat you!" Naruto pouted childishly. "I was sooo sure I had you!"
"You don't fear your sword." Hisagi explained.
Naruto titled his head. "What?"
"Tousen-taichou told me once that those who don't fear their swords don't have a right to carry one." He looked at Naruto. "Do you understand?"
Naruto tilted his head again. "Nope. Not at all. I just think it's cool to be able swing it around."
"And that's why you fail." Hisagi walked away.
Hitsugaya bit his teeth, while trying to remain calm as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"You're Hitsugaya? The famous genius?" Young Hitsugaya looked up from his food to a smiling boy. "Hi."
"Hi." He answered little cautiously.
"Just wanted to congratulate you of your new record." Naruto gave a friendly smile. "Everyone's talking about it." He nodded at some direction behind Hitsugaya who instinctively turned to watch.
"Really?" He mumbled not really sure what he was supposed to look. "It was nothing."
"And so modest!" Naruto laughed loudly. "Well, I see you around." He rushed away quickly leaving confused boy alone to eat his dinner. Seven minutes later, that boy sprinted through corridors in search of a toilet as fast as his bowl allowed him to.
"D-d-d-damn him!" His voice echoed through the academy.
Nanao had a blank look on her face. She didn't know anything anymore. Her boyfriend was dead… then who was this man who looked like him, acted like him, even smiled and laughed like him.
"You want me to try contact lenses?" Nanao asked flatly from her boyfriend. "Why? Don't like women with glasses?"
"Not at all," Naruto hurried to correct his mistakes. "actually, I think glasses make you, you. The beautiful, smart woman you are. And that look only highlights it."
"That's sweet." Nanao smiled and raised her chop stick. "Hurry up. Open up." She fed him their lunch. "So why should I try contact lenses then?"
"Because I think you look more beautiful when you smile."
Nanao blinked. Twice. "What… wh-what… what that has to do with… anything with the contact lenses? Or spectacles for that matter?"
Naruto smirked impishly. "You will find out then." Then he opened his mouth wider. "More."
Nanao giggled. "You're like a child."
"But I'm your baby." He leaned forward.
"Shouldn't it be the guy who calls his girlfriend, 'baby'?" She leaned closer as well.
He could feel her breathing on his face. Smell of her shampoo filled his nose. "Nah… too old fashioned. 'Babe' suits you much better." He pulled his fan and flipped it open and hid their faces.
Rangiku was still using her sword for support. It was a struggle to stay standing up even if the pressure was off her shoulders. Her Na-chan… her Na-chan… her Na-chan… her Na-chan… where was her Na-chan? The one person she had waited. Patiently, waited for him to see her, to smile her and say the words 'I love you' quietly into her ear.
"Hmhmhmmmhhmmhmmhmmhhmm…" Rangiku was humming some tune quietly as she browsed through a magazine.
"Would you stop that!" An annoyed bark stopped her abruptly. She glanced at her side. Young boy was sitting by his desk, doing writing exercises. "I'm trying to finish my homework here!"
Rangiku shot a glare. "So do it. I was gracious enough to come and keep you company."
Naruto, dressed in a white kimono coughed slightly. Then he coughed little louder and then louder again. Rangiku was about to go over to him when a door opened and a maid rushed in. "Waka-sama, please, you should stay in bed. It has been very cold lately." She quickly hurried to carry him on the futon and then closed the open window. Then she turned over to Rangiku. "Matsumoto-sama, maybe you should let waka-sama rest-"
"I stay!" She stated loudly and glared at the maid. "Go."
It took a lot of self-control from the maid not to smack the insolent girl around the head but she restrained herself. She was young masters, wakas, best friend after all. "I shall bring you some warm tea, waka-sama." She smiled to the boy and quickly left the room. Rangiku knelt before Naruto who smiled up to her a tried look on his face.
"You should go… I (cough cough) can't play right now…"
"I'll stay." She smiled and leaned closer. "Someone has to keep you company or you will cough your lungs out."
"That (cough cough) would (cough) be awesome." He laughed but they turned out to be only coughs.
Rangiku giggled and turned her head. "Why were you up to this time of the day in the first place? Shouldn't you be resting?"
Naruto smirked. "It's a secret."
The door opened and young boy with black hair stepped in. "Naruto-sama, Umietsu-san asked me to bring you this." Haku placed the plate next to him. "It should ease your throat." He bowed his head. "Do you wish anything else?"
"No." Naruto shook his head tiredly as he bent his neck to take a zip of tea. "You may go."
Haku bowed and quickly left the room.
"Must be nice." Rangiku sighed envious. "Having all these servants and people just waiting your command to take care of you like this."
"I would take better health without servants if it's up to me." Naruto grumbled as his throat eased up a bit. Then he sat up. "Would you open the window?"
"But that old hag just said-"
Naruto smiled tiredly. "Momiji leafs are the most beautiful right now."
Young Rangiku looked into his eyes, those poor, puppy dog eyes, with that innocent blue glow and happiness and expectation. She sighed defeated and slid the window open. The beautiful scene of a momiji trees surrounded lake opened to them. Wind was rustled leafs gently. "It is beautiful." She whispered.
They sat there, quietly looking at the scene when she felt a weight on her shoulder. She glanced at her side to see that Naruto sleeping there soundly.
Young Matsumoto smiled sweetly and snuggled closer to him.
Naruto blocked another attack with Kinha and was about to slash down with Ginha when the chain wrapped around it.
"You're pretty good." Jiraiya smirked his forehead was glittering of sweat. "Almost as good as me now."
"I'm sorry. You must be mistaken, I'm far beyond you!" Naruto yelled back when pulled Ginha back and struck Kinha forward. Jiraiya shifted his body in a way that his chain wrapped around it too. Then he jumped forward and landed right next to Naruto, while trying to cut him in half with the sickle.
Naruto jumped forward but too late. The sickle struck right into middle of his chest. His eyes widened in shock.
"NARUTO!" Everyone screamed shocked and for Nanao, it was simply too much. She fainted. Rangiku almost jumped forward, her sword ready when Hitsugaya stopped her by stepping front of her.
She was about to jump over him when Naruto jumped backwards, his swords free. "That was dangerously close." He muttered with angry voice. "You're really trying to kill me, aren't you?"
Jiraiya didn't answer. Just raised his zanpakuto and took a step forward. "I think we're both ready to end this, aren't we?"
Naruto took a deep breath. "I guess." He quickly leaped back and sheathed his swords. When he was done he raised his finger and started to support his right hand. "Last time I was holding back and aiming higher. Now, I'm going to use all the power I can and aiming right back at you." He grinned angrily. "You really tried to kill me." He started gathering reiatsu into that small point.
A red glow alerted everyone. Hitsugayas, Kyorakus and Jiraiyas eyes widened in shock. "That's really a…"
"Lleno Cero. (A/N: Full Hollow flash)." He fired.
Everyone hit the deck.
"Soten ni zase! Hyorinmaru!" Hitsugaya pulled his zanpakuto out.
"Katen Kyokotsu!" Kyoraku followed suit.
They and Jiraiya together used their reiatsu to block the cero and control the explosion that followed it.
Then it became quiet and the dust settled.
Naruto was gone.
"Some serious power." Kyoraku said impressed. "It would take several menos to blow a similar blast."
They sealed their swords quietly.
Hitsugaya knelt and touched the ground. "For a Shinigami to have something like this…" He said and stood up. "What do you think this means?" He looked at Jiraiya who didn't say anything. Just looked at the place where the blast had clearly started. Then he turned away.
But when he did, he was face to face with Rangikus murdering eyes. "Something you got to say, Matsumoto-fuku-taichou?"
"Nothing." She muttered angry. "Absolutely nothing, Gamaken-taichou." She placed nice emphasize to the word.
CHPATER END
CHAPTER EPILOGUE
"And that's when I used my cero to escape." Naruto told his story to Yoruichi who in her human form was carrying unconscious Ichigo. She had just had a little face-off with Byakuya and now promised to train Ichigo strong enough to beat him. Now running they had crossed paths and were heading to the same direction.
"I see…" She muttered. "So everyone else is pretty much caught expect Ishida and Orihime?"
"I think so, yeah." Naruto nodded, feeling sting of guilt and despair, when thinking Ryo.
They arrived at the hide out. "What now?" He asked as they placed Ichigo back to his place.
"We rest." She stated. As they waited Ichigo to wake up, she took his mask that she had found inside his clothes.
"You have one too?" Naruto asked.
"What do you mean?"
Naruto showed his own copy of the mask. "It's obvious. He's…"
"We will deal with that when the time comes." She snapped quite harshly at him. Then she closed her eyes and rubbed them. "Sorry. I'm a little tired after using my powers so much after so long. But for now, we must concentrate on getting Ichigo stronger. The rest can wait."
Then the silence landed between them.
"Wanna play twenty questions?" Naruto asked.
Yoruichi groaned very loudly. This was going to be a very long day.
SHINIGAMI GOLDEN CUP
Haku landed on to the scene. "Naruto-sama, I'm ready to d…" It was quiet. Nobody was around. "Naruto-sama!" His voice echoed through Seireitei.
SHINIGAMI GOLDEN CUP
In the human world, Vizards were… bored.
"I spy with my little eyes something beginning with… t." Hiyori sighed.
"Breakfast!" Mashiro screamed excited.
"What?"
"My breakfast always with tea, then I have some toast and little juice." She explained.
Hiyori sighed. "We're so lame. Hey, dickhead! Your turn!"
"I have one." Hirako said quickly. "What begins with 'come here' and ends with 'auh'?"
"I don't know." She shrugged.
"Come here." Hirako waved his hand and Hiyori complied. When she was close enough, he punched his face.
"Auh!" She screamed and turned away." You bastard!" She jumped and slapped his face with her sandal.
SHINIGAMI GOLDEN CUP
"You want to give this… statue as collateral?" A man asked from Tsunade.
"It's a family heirloom." She wept. "I understand that I've been so unlucky and that I have to pay my debt to you… so I give you this." He handed the a clay statue of a woman holding a pig. It was very life-like.
"I guess… I can use it as collateral for… fifty thousand." The man shrugged.
"Thank you sir!" She smiled thankfully and turned around. "May I… say good bye to it? For old times sake?"
Man shrugged. "Sure."
Tsunade leaned closer to the statue. "Wait until you're alone. Then come for me."
There was quiet mumbling inside statue… where Shizune and Tonton were hiding. For what they did for their mistress.
To be continued…