A/N Hello all.
Here is the next chapter. Next chappie will have more Sakura Sasuke but this is necessary to the plot. Any mistakes will be fixed with next upload. Hope you are all up to date with the manga xP
Anyway, ENJOY!
Disclaimer – I do not own Naruto
THE MISSION DURING THE WAR – CHAPTER TWENTY
BATTLE RAGES ON
Last Time -
"Teme! Glad you could join the party." He greets, as ninja sandals land sturdily on the earth, unsettling the dust around.
"Thought you could use some help." Sasuke's deep voice finally responds, as raven hair whips in the wind and Sharingan gleam with anticipation.
"Right on!"
There is no more time to think, as the Ten Tails barrages the area with one firm blow.
The real fight has only just begun.
xxx
Grains of sand fly through the air as the battle field remains perpetually dark. The weather is growing cooler by the minute as Naruto and his team, as well as Sasuke, prepare one last attempt to destroy the Ten Tails Beast. Over yonder, a mile or two away, tells a less heartening story.
The gigantic Sasuno clones dissipate into nothing, leaving the forms of the nations most important leaders sprawled across the earth. The battle was long and hard leaving the enemy victorious. Madara is on another level of combat to almost all human beings. Hopefully Naruto is the exception that the world needs.
Gaara, the Kazekage and one of Naruto's most trusted friends, lies unconscious upon the cold hard earth. His chest rises and falls softly, though, blood leaks from the young leaders mouth with each out-take of breath. The other Kage are in the same state however, it is not possible to know if they are alive.
The night previous proved interesting and deadly for the leaders of the shinobi villages. Tsunade of the leaf is no exception to the chaos that has reigned victor.
Not six hours before, the blonde Hokage was diligently healing as many ninja as possible, along with her partner Shizune. Now, the woman lies beneath large pieces of debris, her form severed, with chances of survival minimal.
When Madara's Sasuno clones were about to land their final blow that would bring certain death to all the Kage's. Tsunade felt that it was her duty to protect everyone, even if the loss of her own life resulted from her actions.
Lying there, beneath the heavy object, with body apart from itself, Tsunade does not regret a thing. She would do it again if given the chance. If it were not for her Strength of One Hundred jutsu, everyone would be dead. Even her.
Now the Hokage has one last mission for herself. Save the surviving Kage with her Chakra release stored upon her forehead and wait for death. Tsunade does not need to question if the shinobi world will be fine. For a long time, the woman has betted on Uzumaki Naruto. She is certain he will save the world and rightfully take her place as the village leader. The blonde kyuubi container has grown in strides since their first meeting, and the dying Hokage is certain Naruto will make her proud from the heavens, along with Minato, Kushina and Jiraiya.
With the last ounce of strength within the woman's body, Tsunade lifts her hand to the blood pooled around her severed middle. The Hokage has managed to stop the blood flow to a certain extent with her healing prowess, but it is only a matter of time. With one sluggish movement, Katsuyu is summoned to this world from the blood her of cheek and leaking wounds.
"Kuchiyosi no jutsu." The blonde whispers before the slug comes into view.
In a whirl of other worldly smoke, Katsuyu towers over Tsunade. Surveying the scene quickly, the summons determines that she must save her master.
"Tsunade-sama!" The slug leans down to her long time friend, worry laced throughout her tone.
"Katsuyu. Can I ask you something?" The raspy voice of her blood bonded sounds quietly.
"YES! I'll put your body in two so you can heal." The summons replies quickly, assuming that her masters wishes are for own well being.
"No. The blood flow of my top half has been stopped, you can think of my body later." The dying woman makes light of the situation. For now you have to..." There is a brief pause as Tsunade wracks in a ragged breath, coughing blood onto her chin as she releases the cool air. "Bring the Kage, to where I am." Closing her eyes, the injured woman tries not to look at the female slug above her. She can feel the disapproving aura that releases from the blue and white creature, but this must be done.
"I can still save them Katsuyu. Please, do this for me..." The Hokage implores, trying not to use too much energy with words.
There is a tense silence as Katsuyu looks upon her master once more. She hopes dearly that Tsunade will survive this, but if the woman is planning on doing what she thinks she will...Hope is scarce.
"As you wish. Hokage-sama." Katsuyu says strongly. There is still much to be done, orders must be completed.
A puff of smoke later and Tsunade of the Leaf is all alone once more. The pain of being torn in half is not present, but the numbness scares the woman even more.
Just one more duty to perform...
Then it's Naruto's turn.
With a shuddered breath, the Hokage whispers to the sky, "I'm betting on you Naruto."
xxx
"Kakashi. Heads up!" Sasuke yells to his old mentor as a giant tail heads for the copy nins small cell of ninja. He is immersed in his own fight though, with three Zetsu coming his way.
Gai and Kakashi bound from the earth with one chakra laced jump, followed quickly by Lee rolling to the side to narrowly miss the gigantic weapon.
The entire being before them is a weapon, everything about it. From the top of it's head, to the swirling eyes and the many tails that protrude from its ghastly form.
The battle has been raging on for hours now and the Juubi seems to have insurmountable energy and strength. The regular shinobi have fallen back long ago upon Naruto's orders, and the special shinobi of the nations release assault after assault upon the large beast.
Madara has evaded all attacks and seems to be merely observing. It is obvious the man thinks he is toying with the ninja upon the earth...Maybe he is.
Obito has been locked into battle with Kakashi and Gai for some time now. Rock Lee injects himself every so often to deflect a blow the elder ninja are too busy to see. Neither have figured out how to touch the Uchiha but Kakashi has got a fairly good idea.
Ordering Gai and Lee to handle a Tai Jutsu assault, the silver haired man lands on the ground watching on for clues to prove his theory.
Much like Minato, when he faced the so called 'Madara', the copy nin has managed to find a flaw in his old comrades technique. In the beginning, the Jonin had trouble seeing his once dead friend, (whom he prayed for each day), in front of him. Though, this is war and personal feelings must be put aside. Kakashi will not let his comrades come to harm because of his pained heart!
"Remember Lee, don't look in his eyes." Kakashi calls out to the younger shinobi, as green flickers through the darkness.
It is almost impossible to see Maito Gai and Rock Lee soaring through the 'night sky' with the speed of their entire hearts. The orange weights adorning the nins forms have been discarded long ago, and it seems even Obito's sharingan is having trouble keeping up with the onslaught of movements.
Obito flashes in and out of their attacks though with relative ease. With a swirl of his dangerous eyes, Kamui is activated. Without a seconds notice, Lee flies straight through the enemy shinobi wielding space and time.
With a smirk, Kakashi sees his opening. Just as he assumed, the jutsu Obito uses is similar to that of the Legendry Shisui. Though, Kakashi only had a few occasions to see the dead shinobi fight, this information has become invaluable.
"Keep going!" The copy nin orders, as Lee swivels around in mid air. Both members of Team Gai have activated the fifth gate at this point and the heat is beginning to affect Obito's zetsu form.
A large 'boom' later and his team mates hit the ground at an ungodly rate. Gai is quick to jump up, yelling about camaraderie and the flame that burns within, while Lee lags behind just a little.
Obito chuckles deeply, the dark tone sending a chill down Kakashi's back.
"Give up Kakashi-kun." The Uchiha gazes directly at the copy nin but does not pull the man into his spell. Instead it seems as if he is looking at the Sharingan...Obito's own eye. A foreign expression crosses his face as the man flickers towards his old friend. As Kakashi forms chidori, Obito counters quickly.
"Kamui." The raven hair nin flickers through the charged ball of electricity easily. Kakashi flies throughout the air as his lightning barrel is pulled out swiftly. As Obito lands upon the earth behind him, with a laugh that is too victorious, a smirk crosses the copy nins masked features.
In the next second the chidori is pushed through the lightning barrel with so much concentrated energy that it shocks his own hand. Gai and Lee manage to leap into the air just in time as Obito is shocked momentarily, proving Kakashi's theory correct.
Turning to face the Uchiha, about ten meters apart, there is silence. Eyes narrow once more as the raven haired man says again, "Kamui." The smirk does not leave his face, as if to say, 'Do better.'
The Kusarigama flies throughout the air, as Obito calls out, "I will not fall for that trick twice. You are too much like our sensei." His eyes turn to slits at the look of satisfaction upon Kakashi's face. It is too late though, as the copy nin springs from the earth below with chains of electricity coming from his hands. In the second the Uchiha is vulnerable, Kakashi becomes victor.
The clone across from Obito puffs away as the Uchiha growls loudly.
"How?! How did you do that. I should have seen." Why can't he ever beat Kakashi. He thought for sure that this was the day.
"You were looking for something flashy." The silver haired Jonin focuses his swirling Mangekyo on the man chained before him, the shocks of electricity keeping him from de materialising. Closing his obsidian orb, Kakashi refuses to be caught in an ocular jutsu. "You did not notice, but Gai managed to hit your tenketsu in a particularly vulnerable place making you unable to distinguish my chakra patterns correctly. It is your own fault that you did not suspect a clone, you should have known me better."
With a pained expression, Kakashi stands before the captured nin. He does not want to do this, but there is no other way.
"I'm sorry Obito." The Jonin says with lowered voice...He is going to kill him.
"All I wanted was to be with you and Rin. Madara was going to help me reunite us, Kakashi. Do you hate the two of us that much?!" The Uchiha screams as tears begin to fall down his crushed face.
Emotion flickers across Kakashi's face and he looks like he would rather kill himself at this point in time. "No Obito. You are wrong. I love you both very much and it is because of what you taught me that I'm the man I am today. You got lost and manipulated...I'm sorry." Rearing back, the copy nin moves to sever Obito's head from his neck, when a strong hand stops him in his tracks.
"Kaka-sensei. Don't do this!" Naruto yells to his former teacher. Obito's eyes widen at the resemblance Naruto has to his father in this moment. "Seal him Kakashi. Konoha will remove or seal his eyes so he will no longer be a threat." There is a pause as blue meet onyx and sharingan. "Remember sensei! In the shinobi world, those who break the rules are scum...But those who abandon their friends are worse than scum!" The blonde leader quotes to his mentor. "A wise man once told me that. Do you know who it was?"
Kakashi lowers his gaze to the ground, the blade in his hand falling limp at his side. It is as if the battle around them is no longer there.
"Me...I said that." His voice is low and ashamed, but he is still not sure if his old comrade is too far gone.
As if reading his mind Naruto says, "If he is too far gone we can handle it with execution." Hailing the sealing team over the blonde orders, "Seal this man so he cannot create any more disturbance. Use the transportation jutsu to send him with the other living sealed." Ripping off a piece of his shirt, Naruto moves closer to Obito.
The sealing team begin their work as a loud rumble is felt through the earth. As Obito's body is covered by the jutsu, two old comrades meet each others gaze and something akin to understanding flickers...before it is gone. Naruto ties the material around the Uchiha's eyes before the seal covers the man completely.
With one Uchiha down the Kyuubi container and copy nin turn to the commotion. The Juubi is struggling against the Eight Tails with Naruto down on the ground. Nevertheless, the blonde could not let his sensei do something he would regret.
To the right it is plain to see Hizashi and Hinata preparing a chakra tenketsu assault on the Ten Tails with all clansmen available. Every special technique is being utilised to the biggest effect. Dark long hair whips through the air as Hinata fearlessly releases her gentle step twin lion fist on one of the tails. Each Hyuga executing similar jutsu, aiming to take out the Jubi's movement. As six of the legs crumble under the assault, Killer Bee stabs the Jubi directly through the eye with both horns of the eight tails. Releasing pent up chakra through the boned appendage, a shock is sent through the giant beast making it cry out in a loud echoed screech.
As Naruto jumps through the air to join his friend in battle, he notices another enemy to the left.
It is a scary sight. Sharingan vs. Sharingan. Avenger against secret tormentor.
"You are the reason they are all dead!" Sasuke cries, blade in hand surging with electricity. Madara will die if it is the last thing he does!
Stab Madara through the heart that is black. Echoes continuously through the young Uchiha's mind as a surprising strength flies through his form.
In the next second, a tai jutsu battle begins. Uchiha against Uchiha, as Sasuke lunges for the evillest person he has ever come across.
The outcome is yet unknown.
xxx
All kage are lined up against the long wood that Tsunade's form is trapped upon. Blood covers their bodies as the leaders remain unconscious.
"Good work Katsuyu." The Hokage commends her summons before turning her gaze to the fallen Kage.
"Tsunade-sama. You aren't planning on -" The slug is cut off by her master quickly.
"You know exactly what I am going to do Katsuyu. I must be quick before we lose these people forever." Tsunade's voice is strong despite her condition.
"But-"
"Silence!" A hand is raised as it reaches the blondes forehead. "I still have enough..." The Hokage whispers to herself. "Katsuyu. You know what I need you to do." The slug nods in response.
It is just as Tsunade healed all of Konoha. The woman voices, "Yin Seal:Release. Creation Rebirth." As the seal begins to glow and change colour.
As her eyes slide shut, the kage come to life, sputtering for air.
Lurching forward first, Gaara surveys the dire scene before him. The Hokage is dying! How is he alive?
Without thought, the nin stands on shaky legs and yells, "HELP! SOMEONE HELP US!" It is not wise but he does not care. The Hokage will not perish under his watch!
The other kage have yet to rise but the steady rise and fall of their breath shows life.
As if by some miracle a loud voice suddenly responds to the almost hysterical man. A loud familiar voice.
"WHERE ARE YOU? I CAN HELP." The feminine cry sounds back.
"OVER HERE! PLEASE, SOMEONE IS DYING." The red head is beyond battle sense. Too bad if it is an enemy.
Just as he is second guessing himself, a flash of vibrant pink comes into view.
"Sakura!" Gaara exclaims rushing towards the edge of the large branch. "Here." His arms wave at his friend as the woman flies through the air at an ungodly rate.
"Gaara. Are you okay?" Her face is not yet distinguishable but he is sure it is her.
"I'm fine. You need to help her Sakura." Blue eyes meet emerald as the pinkette lands before him, embracing the Kazekage in the strongest hug he has ever felt. It is a great comfort to the young man.
Turning her gaze to the ground, Sakura gasps.
"Tsunade-shishou!" Ripping out her medical scroll, the pinkette tosses it to the side of her mentor and gathers chakra into her fists.
Suigetsu and Juugo land upon the wood, standing further back from the scene. This is not their area of expertise. They watch their new leader with admiration as she places her hands on the heavy burden covering her shishou.
Once Sakura removes the gigantic object, she will save the Hokage.
It is a mission she will not fail!
A/N That's that until next chapter :)
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MerinxD