Chapter 14: Victory in Defeat
Kakashi was furious. He ruthlessly slaughtered any of the unidentified invaders that got in his way, the blood of his victims painting his attire. He had seen Orochimaru and the Hokage fighting on top of the arena, and he wanted nothing more than to rip the Sannin's head off of his body. Not only had the snake almost killed Kakashi's Genin charges, but now he was leading an invasion against the Leaf. Every cell in Kakashi's body was calling for Orochimaru's death, and not even an army would stop him from getting the Sannin's head.
XxX
Naruto and Shikamaru charged forward, only to be sent tumbling backwards by Sasuke's body. They collectively groaned as Sasuke rolled off of them.
"You are weak Naruto Namikaze! Fight me with your full power! I want to feel alive!" Team 7 collected themselves and stood up.
"Damn he's strong..." Sasuke murmured, rubbing his side.
"Naruto...can you use the fox's power?" Shikamaru asked quickly.
Naruto's head snapped over to Shikamaru with wide eyes. "What? Why would I-"
Shikamaru interrupted him, "This kid is a Jinchuriki too. He's obviously using his Tailed Beast's power. The only thing that can compete with a Tailed Beast is another Tailed Beast."
"There is no time for talk! There is only time to kill!" Gaara sent a barrage of Sand bullets at Team 7, forcing them to scatter. "Stop running!" A grin full of insanity spread across Gaara's face. "If you won't come to me, I'll have to make you!" He turned around then, and with a great leap he disappeared over the crumbling arena wall.
"Where's he going?" Sasuke shouted.
"He's going to wreak havoc in the village. It's like he said, he's making us come to him." Shikamaru explained. He turned to Naruto. "Can you do it?" The blonde sighed and looked down.
"I don't know how." He said dejectedly.
"What about in the Forest of Death? You used it there right? So try and remember what that felt like." Naruto looked up at his friend. Shikamaru nodded at him, and Sasuke did the same. The blonde stood up straight and closed his eyes, thinking back to the day in the forest. He remembered the rage and fury he felt when Orochimaru had branded Sasuke with the Curse Seal. He remembered seeing crimson and he remembered the murderous thoughts that had rampaged through his mind. He remembered seeing his Uncle's blood on his hand. Then he thought of Gaara, and the threat he posed to the village. The blood-thirsty maniac was on the loose, and Naruto had to stop him.
'Kill...'
Red chakra started to seep out of Naruto's body, causing Sasuke and Shikamaru to take a step back. The chakra formed into a sort of armor, and as it fully formed, there was no mistaking the shape of a fox. The pointed ears, the claw like hands and the single, fiery tail waving behind Naruto; Shikamaru had no doubt what was happening. Naruto let out a thunderous roar before vaulting over the wall after Gaara. Sasuke and Shikamaru looked at each other, before nodding and chasing after their teammate.
XxX
Hiruzen's eyes went wide as he dodged one of Orochimaru's snakes. He felt a massive explosion of chakra from the arena, and he had recognized it in an instant. How could he not have, when he had faced that vile chakra face to face so many years ago. Not just him, but so many valiant Leaf warriors along with him. The chakra of the Nine-Tailed Fox was burned into the memory of everyone who survived that day. Hiruzen could only hope that Naruto was mostly in control, for this was the worst possible time for a Jinchuriki to go on a rampage, let alone two. But there was nothing he could do at the moment, because his former student was just as much of a threat.
"Fire Style: Flame Dragon Missile Barrage!" Hiruzen inhaled a great amount of oxygen, before exhaling a giant stream of fire that split into five blazing dragons. They twisted and whirled through the air, going straight for Orochimaru.
"Summoning Technique: Rashoman!" A giant, demonic looking gate sprang out of the ground in front of the Sannin just in time to intercept the fire attack. The Rashoman caved in from the impact, but held firm in the end.
"My my Sensei, that was quite a powerful attack. You really are going to kill me this time. Well, you'll try."
Hiruzen scoffed, "It's overconfidence like that that will get you killed Orochimaru!" The old Hokage shouted back.
"Overconfidence? I've already won this battle Sensei. In fact, I think I'll show you why." Orochimaru flashed through hand seals and slammed both hands onto the ground. "Summoning Technique: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Hiruzen's eyes widened, "This technique...Sensei..." Two coffins rose out of the ground beside Orochimaru.
"Yes this is the technique the Second Hokage created. But I have perfected it. Beg for your life Sensei." The coffin doors dropped, and Hiruzen gasped. "No..."
A foot stepped out of each coffin, and the zombie-like figures emerged. "Huh...how am I alive? Sensei, is that you?" The first man asked.
"Well I'll be damned. This sure as hell ain't heaven. And why are you here Sensei? Don't tell me you croaked too." The second man rambled.
Hiruzen growled, "Orochimaru! You go too far!" Orochimaru cackled, and both of the resurrected looked back at him.
"Orochimaru...you bastard!" The second one spat in disgust.
"Jiraiya...is that anyway to greet me. I've been grieving for you, my old teammate."
Jiraiya snarled, "What have you done?" He looked over at the other summon. "Sakumo...is that you?"
"It is my old friend. It is. So this is Orochimaru's doing? And here I thought this might be another one of your pranks."
Jiraiya laughed hollowly, "If only." Jiraiya turned to Hiruzen. "So what now?" Orochimaru stepped forward.
"Now I get to watch as you two kill the Hokage. Quite an interesting turn of fate no?" He approached the two and slapped seal tags on the back of their necks, the tags glowing and then disintegrating. "Normally, I would kill their personalities and turn them into mindless killing machines, but I think leaving their souls intact would be much more agonizing for you Sensei." Jiraiya and Sakumo's skin turned from pale to normal, and their bodies seemed to brim with vitality. "Now then...shall we begin?" Jiraiya and Sakumo charged in at Hiruzen, but both of them were sent flying away. Hiruzen was surprised to see Zabuza and Kakashi standing next to him.
"What are you doing?" He asked quietly.
"I cannot stand by and watch as that monster uses my father's soul like a puppet! He has to die!" Kakashi exclaimed passionately.
"I'm just here for the challenge. My leader is going after the other Jinchuriki." Hiruzen nodded.
"Your aid is appreciated." Orochimaru growled at the turn of events.
"It doesn't matter how many of you there are. I'll still take your life Sensei. Now come!"
XxX
Yagura followed the two Jinchuriki into the village after they left, deciding he could be more useful here than against Orochimaru. He saw Naruto land in front of Gaara, who was holding a woman in his giant claw. For now, Yagura decided he would observer, because a third Jinchuriki would only make things worse at this point.
XxX
'Kill Gaara...kill Gaara...' The whispers echoed through Naruto's head, filling him with bloodlust and murderous desire. But he wasn't going crazy. His target was Gaara, and Naruto's only desire was to kill Gaara. Finally, his heightened senses picked up on Gaara's scent, and he rushed to the source. He found his target in the middle of the street, a young civilian woman gripped between his giant claws. Gaara looked over at Naruto and howled in glee.
"Yes! Now you are using your power! Feel the bloodlust! Fight me to the death!"
Naruto roared in fury and dashed at Gaara. He swung his arm at Gaara, and the red chakra claw around his arm extended, slamming into Gaara. The woman fell from Gaara's arm and scrambled away in fear. Gaara clasped his hands together and swung them around before bringing them down to crush Naruto like a nail under a hammer. Naruto held his arms out and his claws extended to catch the deadly attack, and he threw Gaara over his head. Gaara crashed through a shop, but he quickly jumped out and swung at Naruto. Naruto was sent sliding across the ground, but the blonde easily recovered. Naruto's chakra claws dug into the earth and came out with a huge chunk of earth in each hand. He hurled them both at Gaara, who jumped over the first and smashed the other one aside, sending it into another building. Hundreds of tiny clumps of sand rose from the ground around Gaara.
"Sand Shuriken!" The clumps of sand formed into shuriken, and they shot at Naruto, slicing into him in every part of his body. He didn't seem to notice however, or he just didn't care, and he let out a feral roar as a pulse of red chakra exploded from him, knocking the rest of the projectiles away. Gaara jumped into the air and sucked in a large breath.
"Wind Style: Wind Bullet!" He exhaled a compacted blast of wind at Naruto, who just stared at the attack. It collided with him, and a large crater formed around Naruto. Naruto was forced to his knees by the pressure of the attack, but other than that it was as if he never felt it. With a roar he propelled himself off the ground, shooting off like a rocket at Gaara. He flung his chakra claw at Gaara, smashing the Sand ninja down towards the ground. As Gaara crashed into the ground, Sasuke and Shikamaru arrived on the scene.
"Holy..."
"Shit..." The battleground was a complete mess; rubble lined the streets, and buildings were half destroyed. There wasn't even a road anymore.
"Are we even gonna be of any use here?" Shikamaru asked, marveling at the damage to the street. "This fight is on a-whole-nother level Sasuke." The Uchiha grit his teeth.
"I'm not just gonna sit here while Naruto takes on a Jinchuriki by himself. We have to do something." Shikamaru sighed and looked around.
"I don't think we can do anything. Do you think you can keep up with them?" Shikamaru asked, pointing at the raging battle going on in front of them. Naruto and Gaara were pummeling each other with wild attacks, literally shaking the earth with each clash.
"No..." Sasuke whispered frustratingly.
"Then just be patient. We'll figure something out." Sasuke nodded reluctantly. The inhuman-paced battle continued around the two Genin as they tried to follow the Jinchuriki brawl. Finally, it seemed that even they needed a breather, and so the fighting ceased. Naruto seemed completely feral, having only one focus: Gaara. The red-head seemed to be enjoying himself, if the crazy smile on his face was anything to go by.
"I feel so alive! Hahaha yes! Now we shall really see if you are strong Naruto Namikaze! I will bring my wrath down upon you!" The Sand ninja brought his claws together. "False Sleep Technique!" Gaara's head drooped down, and his breathing calmed.
"Is he...asleep?" Shikamaru asked, clearly confused. Sasuke had no time to respond however, as a giant pillar of sand erupted from the ground around Gaara. A high pitched, screeching laughter echoed through the village.
"Gyahaha! I'm free! Wheeee!" The sand shaped into the form of a giant raccoon, and the One-Tail was released into the world again.
"Are you kidding me..." Shikamaru murmured angrily. "That's an actual Tailed-Beast! We are so dead." Sasuke cracked his knuckles.
"That's it. Naruto needs our help. Useful or no I'm going." Sasuke jumped away and into the battle, while Shikamaru stared at the One-Tail in awe.
"How troublesome." He sighed and followed after Sasuke, wracking his brain for a way to live through this.
XxX
Yagura was shocked that the Shukaku was let out so easily, and was about to step in when he realized that it still wouldn't make a difference. This was not the place to unleash his Jinchuriki power, something that he did not have full control over yet either. He cursed as he was forced to sit out lest they destroy the entire village, and he only hoped that this boy would be strong enough.
XxX
As the battle between the Jinchuriki raged on, Shikamaru noticed that even with the monumental difference in size, Naruto seemed to be doing significant damage to Shukaku. But it still wasn't enough.
'He needs to control himself if we're going to beat this thing.' Shikamaru thought, watching his friend slice Shukaku's arm off with his chakra claw. The beast howled in pain before smacking Naruto through a few buildings in retaliation. Sasuke shot a powerful Grand Fireball at the beast, but it seemed to do nothing more than tickle Shukaku. Naruto shot like a bullet from where he had landed and punched a hole straight through Shukaku's chest, which he definitely felt.
"You little bastard! That hurt!" Shukaku screeched angrily, bashing Naruto to the ground with his tail, and repeatedly smashing the blonde's body deeper into the earth. Another burst of red chakra erupted from Naruto, throwing the tail away giving him time to escape. Shikamaru watched from afar, knowing there was nothing he could do besides think of a plan. He looked at Shukaku's head and noticed that half of Gaara's body was protruding from the beast's scalp. He seemed to be sleeping.
"So he is asleep...Sasuke! I think I know what to do!" Sasuke jumped away from the battle and landed next to Shikamaru.
"You were right. We're completely useless."
"Forget about that. Look up there." Sasuke looked up at Shukaku's head and noticed the red-head.
"What is he doing? He's not moving at all."
"My guess is sleeping. And I bet you if we wake him up we can stop his rampage."
Sasuke stared up at Gaara, "How do we wake him up?"
Shikamaru sighed, "I don't know. This would be easier if Naruto could control himself. We'll just have to rely on him to distract the damn thing. Do you have exploding tags?" Sasuke nodded. "Good. That's the only thing in our arsenal that might hurt that thing."
"Do you have a plan?" Sasuke asked.
"Run up there a punch him in the head." Sasuke chuckled.
"Fine with me. Let's go." Shikamaru and Sasuke ran at the towering figure, running up his legs using their chakra. Tiny tendrils of sand slithered out of Shukaku's skin in an attempt to stop the two Genin, whipping at them and trying to grab them. Sasuke flashed through hand seals and his lightning blades sprung from his hands. He slashed and hacked his way through the tendrils as he made his way up Shukaku's body. Shikamaru weaved through every tendril as he wrapped three exploding tags around a kunai.
"Jump!" At Shikamaru's command, Sasuke leapt straight up as the Nara flung his kunai at the creature's knee. It exploded on contact, and the combined force of the three tags blew Shukaku's knee off. He roared in pain as he crashed to the ground, unable to keep his balance. Naruto capitalized on this, launching a barrage of attacks at the beast. Sasuke and Shikamaru wasted no time in running to the head, where Gaara lie unconscious. As they closed in, a dome of sand started to form around Gaara in an attempt to protect him. Sasuke leapt forward, cleaving the dome into pieces with a cross slash, and Shikamaru followed with a vicious kick to Gaara's head. There was a resounding crack, and Shukaku screamed in fury.
"No! How can three children defeat me? Damn you! I will kill you all!" The body started to crumble until there was nothing more than a large pile of sand. Gaara stood slowly; now back to his normal form. He looked at the members of Team 7 with something akin to fear on his face.
"No...how could...how could I have lost?" Naruto growled and crouched as if ready to pounce. "Stay back! I will not let you erase my existence!" He screamed defiantly and pillars of sand erupted around him. Sasuke and Shikamaru took a step back, but Naruto dashed forward, charging a Rasengan in his hand. The Rasengan was a crimson red, and it seemed to almost drip with malevolent chakra. The pillars of sand twisted around each other and surged toward Naruto, forming into a large, ornate-looking spear. Naruto's attack clashed with the spear, and a brilliant flash of red and yellow exploded over the area, sending shockwaves of red and yellow chakra in every direction. Sasuke and Shikamaru were blown away by the intense explosion, even though they were farther away. When the dust finally cleared, there was a larger crater wider than the street. Any building within thirty feet of the explosion was no more than a pile of rubble now. The area was destroyed. Naruto lay on the ground at the center, his eyes focused on the clouds. The chakra from the fox was gone now, and Naruto felt like someone had taken a sledgehammer to every part of his body. He was aware of what had just happened; he saw every second of it. But he hadn't been in control for a moment of it. All he remembered were the frenzied, chaotic, sinister screams that had reverberated through his head.
'KILL KILL KILL KILL!'
It had become his mantra, his one purpose for living. To kill. It was as if he didn't have a conscious...just instinct. The instinct of a killer. He would have shuddered if he could, but he was still in way to much pain to move. He heard movement to his left, and he willed himself to tilt his head slightly. He could just see Gaara out of his peripherals. He too seemed to be paralyzed with pain. Naruto let out a soft sigh.
"Is that what it's like...for you? To hear screams of murder and death?" Naruto asked quietly.
"...Yes." Gaara answered after a moment. "He never stops...not until now."
"I'm sorry. I understand your pain. I…didn't know who I was." Naruto stated sympathetically.
"I've never known who I am. My existence is to kill. I am death in human form. Evil in spirit and mind." Gaara admitted hollowly. "Hated by all and loved by none."
"I don't hate you." Gaara's eyes widened. "I couldn't hate you. You are the same as me, brother. We are the power of the sacrifice."
"You..." Gaara was at a loss for words.
"Let's be friends Gaara. I'll help you. And I know others will too. Your brother and sister. They may be scared of you, but they don't hate you." Naruto said softly. Gaara looked at Naruto with wide eyes. A tear of blood dripped from his eye.
"Naruto Namikaze...we will be...friends." Naruto smiled.
"That's good." Naruto heard the sound of footsteps.
"Are you okay?" Shikamaru asked, appearing above him. His clothes were charred, and ash covered his body. Sasuke was in a similar state.
"I'm great. Never better. I can't move though."
Shikamaru sighed, "We'll carry you. We're going back to the arena."
Naruto's eyes widened as Shikamaru lifted him and wrapped his arm around his shoulder, "Gramps..." They were about to jump when Naruto stopped them. "Wait! Take him too!"
Sasuke looked at him in shock, "Are you serious?"
"Just do it! It's not his fault." Sasuke looked at Shikamaru, who just shrugged. With a sigh, Sasuke hoisted Gaara up, and the four of them made their way to the arena as fast as they could.
XxX
Orochimaru growled at his former sensei. He had not expected Hiruzen to have been in such good shape in his old age. He was still a shadow of his former self, but Orochimaru knew he wouldn't have been able to take on the God of Shinobi in his heyday. The traitorous Sannin had been counting on Hiruzen's skills to be dull, but it seemed that was not the case. And to make it worse the Mizukage had stepped in. Fighting two Kage, even with his resurrected summons, was not favorable.
"Watch out Sensei!" Orochimaru scowled at Jiraiya's warning. It had been a mistake to keep Jiraiya and Sakumo's personalities intact as well. They had been a hindrance almost as much as a boon. Hiruzen easily dodged the Earth Dragon Missile thanks to Jiraiya's warning. Orochimaru was furious. He needed to end this now.
"That's it!" He shouted angrily. "I'm tired of this game! I will show you my true form!" Orochimaru's jaw seemed to unhinge itself, and it literally dropped to the ground. A large, white-scaled snake jumped out at Hiruzen. He jumped over it as it crashed through the roof where he had stood.
"You are no longer human my student. You are an abomination..." He turned to see Sakumo flying at him, white chakra saber poised to kill. Kakashi intercepted him at the last moment with his own white chakra saber, and kicked him down to the roof. Kakashi then flashed through hand seals and his hand erupted with lightning.
"Raikiri!" He sped towards his father through the air, Raikiri in one hand white chakra saber in the other. Sakumo leapt off the roof with blistering speed. He formed a Wind Blade in one hand and brandished his own blade in the other, clashing with Kakashi mid-air. Kakashi was knocked backwards and he fell to the roof with a thud. Sakumo begun a string of hand seals, but was forced to stop when Zabuza appeared in front of him. He blocked his slash with his blade and knocked him back down to the roof. He landed next to Jiraiya, and both of them charged at Zabuza. He clipped his sword on his back and blocked each of their attacks and engaged them in a Taijutsu battle. He easily kept up with the two of them, in strength and speed, something that impressed both of them. Jiraiya and Sakumo jumped back and both started forming hand signs.
"Fire Style: Flame Dragon Missile!"
"Wind Style: Heavenly Gale!"
Jiraiya spewed a large fire dragon from his mouth, while Sakumo exhaled a stream of sparkling wind. The flames converged with the wind, and they superheated, turning a silvery-white. The dragon burned with the intensity of the sun as it sped towards Zabuza. He started to blur through hand signs.
"Water Style: Super Water Colliding Wave!" Zabuza spat out an unreal amount of water that rushed towards the flaming dragon. The dragon left a trail of steam as it tore through the wave, finally dissipating only a foot from the Mist ninja. Kakashi dashed past Zabuza, a streak of white light shining behind him. He kicked Jiraiya away and slashed at his father, who barely leaned under the blow. The roof started to rumble, and Orochimaru crashed through the roof from behind Sakumo, diving down at Hiruzen, who had been going through a long string of hand seals. Hiruzen cursed, and dove out of the way. He appeared behind Sakumo with the Body Flicker Technique and smacked him away with a spinning kick. He hopped next to Kakashi.
"I need you to hold them off. I can get rid of those...imposters, but only if I have time!" Kakashi nodded and turned around.
"They're not imposters...that... is my father."
Hiruzen sighed, "I'm sorry Kakashi. For what happens now, and what happens after this." Kakashi's eyes widened, and the Hokage nodded.
"I will protect you with my life, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen smiled, "You don't have to call me that anymore."
Kakashi's hands lit up with a Raikiri in each, "Thank you, Lord Hiruzen."
Kakashi jumped into the air as Orochimaru dove at him. As they came together, Kakashi spun his body around and slashed the giant snake across the eyes. They both fell to the roof, but Kakashi jumped up again over Orochimaru's head. The Snake Sannin was blind to his final moments. Kakashi dropped down straight on Orochimaru's head and punched both of his Raikiri through his skull. He landed on his head and slashed his hands outward, flaying the Sannin's head. He ripped his blood soaked hands out of the skull and looked over at Hiruzen, who had two Shadow Clones next to him. He completed a long string of hand seals with a tired look on his face.
"Sealing Technique: Dead Demon Consuming Seal!" Kakashi's eyes widened. The two Shadow Clones jumped over to Jiraiya and Sakumo and took hold of them.
"It looks like our time is up." Jiraiya stated, smiling at Hiruzen. "Too bad it's come to this Sensei."
Hiruzen nodded wearily, "Yes Jiraiya, I'm truly sorry for what Orochimaru had done to us. It is my fault as his teacher, and I will bear the burden."
"Don't blame yourself Sensei. He did it to himself. We never blamed you. Tsunade acted like she did, but she blamed everything. I would have let him go too."
Hiruzen chuckled, "Thank you Jiraiya. You know, I always did say you two would be the death of me." The bodies of Jiraiya and Sakumo started to lose their color.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble Lord Hokage. This is like nothing I could have imagined." Sakumo stated grimly.
"It's over now Sakumo. We can all have peace at last." Hiruzen replied. Kakashi walked up to his father as the Death God started to extract his soul. At the same time, Naruto, Sasuke and Shikamaru landed on the roof. Naruto, despite his injuries, ran up to Jiraiya.
"Uncle Jiraiya!" He collapsed in front of him looking up at him with wide eyes. "What..."
"Stand up, boy. Let me see how you've grown." Naruto pushed himself up and stared at Jiraiya.
Jiraiya smiled, "You look just like him...it was good to see you again kid." Jiraiya tousled his hair and his arm started to crumble. Sakumo looked at Kakashi.
"There is much I wish I could say to you son...but I'm out of time."
Kakashi shook his head, "It's fine. I just want you to know, that I...what you did, was the right thing to do."
Sakumo smiled, "I'm grateful to hear that. I'm just so sorry for leaving you on your own. But you turned out okay, huh?"
Jiraiya and Sakumo's bodies crumbled as their souls were sealed. Hiruzen smiled. "I shall see you soon boys."
The Death God sealed Hiruzen's soul, and his body fell over, lifeless. Kakashi walked over to him, knelt down, and shut his eyelids. He stood and turned to the Zabuza.
"Thank you for helping. Your actions today will not be forgotten." Zabuza nodded.
"Just following orders. If it means anything, he died a fitting death for a Kage."
Kakashi looked down at the Hokage and nodded solemnly. "Yes, but there will be time to grieve later. First, we clear these vermin out of my village." Zabuza nodded as a team of ANBU appeared on the roof.
"Captain Kakashi!" One of the men shouted as he ran up to him. "Lord Hokage..." He murmured, seeing Hiruzen's body. Kakashi sighed.
"He did it for the village. Tell me how are we faring?" Tenzo stared at the Hokage's body for a moment before snapping to attention.
"The invasion has failed. By some miracle we won. Prisoners are being sent to ANBU headquarters now. We'll know everything by tonight. Teams Gamma and Beta along with five medic teams are sweeping the village now, looking for injured and KIA."
Kakashi nodded, "Good work. We have a long day ahead of us, so you better be ready."
Tenzo saluted, and Kakashi returned the gesture. The village may have been damaged, but the Will of Fire was burning brighter than ever before.
XxX
A/N: That's the end of the invasion. The aftermath is next with plenty of good stuff to follow. I tried to make Orochimaru's death gruesome, so I hope you all pictured it right. The fight with Gaara was fun too; I like trying to build off of wild fighting styles. I'm curious as to whether my fight scenes are good or not, it's hard to tell. So next chapter soon. No more action for a little, although I may throw a torture scene in there. I'll give you a warning; I'm going to try to make that as fucked up as possible, so if any of you who are uneasy about a torture scene, I recommend you skip the scene. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and a big shoutout to my beta Senjuto. Till next time, peace!