A/N: Semi-important message at end of chapter!

Ch.21 A Leader and his will

The battle picked up intensity faster than Kenshi could have predicted. Everyone was acting according to the plan but the loss of their leaders did nothing to change the Sound's spirit in battle. They fought for nothing but still tried to win. The group of ninja he had sent out were long gone by now. Kenshi was now moving forward, towards the sounds of fire and blades clashing. In the far distance he could see the separate battles taking place. Ai and Naruto were working together effectively; he could barely make out Jiraiya helping them. Midori, Kasai, Yoru, and Hi were making quick work on the east side of the battle, almost unstoppable and fueled by the battle. Making his way towards the center he was a blazing blue monstrosity. Eliminating every ninja that dared crossed his path, leaving none with their lives. The single tear that had fallen from the blade turning blue was the only that would fall this battle. Anger beyond him flowed through his veins. Memories of his father passed through his mind. Bad or good times it made no difference; he just wanted to remember him. Killing was the only thing that ran through his mind, it was the only thing that kept the anguish from taking over.

Dodging a quick shuriken from another unknown ninja he drove the blue blade into his neck, dying without a final word. Quickly recovering he slashed apart three more before ending with his foot on a pinned ninja's neck. On ground level, he held the ninja as he stared into the distance, finally able to see the two his was looking for. Itachi Uchiha, the man who single handedly killed his clan. Dark eyes, solid black hair like his brother Sasuke, which hung infront of his proctor and ran slightly infront of his eyes, a short pony tail by his back. The rogue Leaf proctor hung on his forehead, his Akatsuki robe still in good shape but with a few slashes, showing his mesh undershirt. Fair skin, a scowl painted on his face, and two thin lines from his eyes running past both sides of his nose. He was a handsome man and deadly to a fault. Why he is now fighting against the group he had worked with for years is beyond him.

The other man then came into view, fighting well over ten at once and barley breaking a sweat, even looking like he was barely paying attention. Sora, the economic part of the village, before the Uzu saved his life from being taken by angry villagers he worked as a forger, best Genjutsu artist in the eastern lands better than probably Itachi. He cheated a lot of people, a lot of angry people. So the village bailed him out in return for his services, he has been here ever since. Sora has never really said what village he is from, how old he is, or where he even came from originally.

The man dresses strangely for a ninja. A light brown suit jacket with similarly colored dress pants. His jacket is unbuttoned, showing a white undershirt that is. Missing any ninja tool pouches and seal holders he seems always dressed for business. The man also sports a five pointed star enclosed by a circle on his neck. Weapon of choice is a cane that can quickly compress into a blade with the same twisted hilt. The same blade he is now using to deftly defend himself against ten powerful ninja without looking like he really cared. His hair is a shade of silver and is spiked and slicked back, skin tone was dark, close to Ay or Bee's. His face is young and without harm of any kind, although his facial features are not strong his eyes are a piercing gold, irises and pupils combined something unheard of in the world. His nose is small and lips are compressed into a thin line, he could pass for twenty but Sora says he is thirty, although his wisdom betrays him, plus there is something else.

Blocking a kunai, Sora drove the twisted blade into the chest of a ninja before turning his hand to another, his voice imposing and deep "Earth Style: Rising Pillar!"

The effect was immediate and a spiked rock rose from the ground entering the ninja's skull. Pulling his cane away he blocked two more strikes from separate ninja holding kunai and slashed across both of their chests in two motions. Then grabbing their kunai threw them into the skulls of two more unlucky ninja behind them, their minds barely registering the movement until it was too late. Three more felt brave and charged the man. His hands already moving at a fast speed "Earth Style: Piercing Rock!"

The jutsu cast, the three stopped in their tracks as the earth rumbled beneath them. Then in a flash of movement over twenty pillars rose from the ground and pierced the ninja in multiple places along their bodies, not enough to kill but to let them suffer and bleed to death, their cries of pain unheard by the ninja surrounding the area. He smirked, twirling his cane-blade while skipping slightly in mockery. His celebrating stopped with a kunai rushing past his arm, cutting the jacket he wore slightly. Turning, Sora's eyes blazed at the ninja behind him, the ninja already regretting what he did. With his free hand he pointed towards the cut sleeve "do you realize how much this cost?"

His smirk wore off into a scowl as the ninja slowly reached for his kunai holsters, already knowing what he was going to do, Sora placed his cane tip down onto the ground and spread his arms out wide "I know what you are thinking, and I would not do it. But, since you are going to ignore me, I will give you the opportunity. Go ahead, what are you waiting for?"

With a battle cry the ninja unleashed hell with kunai. Driving each blade into Sora, his body becoming a literal pincushion. The man only stood, with his arms outstretched as the ninja continued, his throws becoming less and less powerful with each kunai, a sign of his weakness showing. Sora made no move to counter, his eyes closed and not showing any sign of aggression within it. The ninja stopped, his pouches empty and Sora full of the kunai. The ninja's eyes widened in shock and horror, Sora simply hung his arms at his sides and rolled his shoulders "like I said, do you realize what this cost?"

The ninja simply stopped as the man approached, his cane ringing across the stone floor. He dropped to his knees, seeing the man-demon standing above him, some of the kunai falling from Sora's body and healing instantly, leaving no scar. Sora leaned in close, ripping one of the kunai from his body as the ninja whispered "what are you?"

"I…am a gentleman."

With that the kunai slashed across the ninja's neck, sending blood across Sora's jacket and face. Lifting his hands up in despair, the rest of the kunai fell from his form leaving the jacket in shreds. Before returning to battle, he quietly muttered to himself "how long is this going to take to fix?"

Kenshi smiled at the man, still the same as he ever was. 'Well, time to join the fight.'

He then turned to the ninja squirming below his foot, choking on his own windpipe as it was being crushed. His mind did not debate, he didn't think, his foot only twisted and sounded the crack of the ninja's neck. This was the battle now. This was the only thing that mattered. Nothing would stand in his way, and live for that matter. Every one of these ninja would pay. Smoke filled the air, water covered the village, and lightning struck each building that was still standing. The village was a warzone, almost nothing was left, besides what was in the center of the village, still protected by the makeshift headquarters. The village would be saved. By his life Kenshi would not let it fall. His thoughts drifted back to his father, what would he have done? It mattered not for now. What mattered was ending this. With the final thought he charged into the fight, already seeing the blue skinned individual that was his prey.

Itachi blocked another quick swipe from Kisame and sent a few kunai of his own, sending the shark-skinned ninja back. Kisame gripped Samehada, the shark blade, in his hands ready to kill his former friend. The Uchiha's expression never changed from stoic as the battle continued, he seemed to care not at betraying the Akatsuki. It was unplanned, uncalled; even himself didn't see it coming. Itachi just did it, for a reason he didn't know of. His brother wasn't here so what was? In another time he would have joined Itachi but now he didn't see anything to fight for. So now he is fighting against his friend, partner, and ally, for reasons beyond the both of them. He stopped as Itachi began to speak, his voice the same monotone it always was "Kisame, I give you this chance. Stop, you can join me in assisting the Uzu and they will accept you, I have friends here."

The blue skinned man grinned, showing his razor-sharp teeth "I have no friends Itachi, apparently not even in you. I am with the Akatsuki, if you are not, then don't get in my way."

"Then I am sorry friend, but it will not be me who kills you."

"Then who?"

"Me."

Kenshi leapt down, crashing into the shark sword and sending a wave of chakra through his own blue blade. Making the contact explode and sending the shark-man flying back, his sword in his hands. Kenshi twirled his sword and sheathed it, evaluating Kisame. The man's skin tone was entirely blue, gill-like markings on his neck, and razors for teeth, a sign of being one of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist, formally. His Akatsuki robe was torn slightly from the battle but mostly intact. His hair was also in the same shade of blue and spiking upwards. The rouge Mist proctor hung on his forehead, and finally his eyes were round and white, his entire body resembling a shark. His weapon of choice was his sword Samehada, wrapped entirely in bandages, wide and tall. It wasn't made of steel but of a being almost. It was also in the same shade of blue and scaly, sharp and using for tearing apart individuals. The top of the blade was missing the bandages and reviled the being's mouth, razor sharp teeth and tongue flicking furiously. The handle was small and yellow in color, a skull was attached on the end for the final decoration. It was a strange blade, able to do more than tear individuals to pieces; it took and absorbed ninja's chakra from their bodies as it struck. Truly a deadly blade, one fit for a Seven Swordsman.

Kenshi turned towards Itachi and true to Honoka's word, the Uchiha stood before him. His Akatsuki robe intact and defending the village "what are you doing here Itachi?"

"Can I not assist an old friend?"

"That was a long time ago Itachi, I don't know if I should trust you yet but after all of this is finished I will find out what to do with you."

"I will take what I can get."

"Still here Itachi!"

Kisame leapt forward and crashed between the two. Kenshi already gone in a flash while Itachi backed away. Now above the man Kenshi held the blade tip down and dived towards the shark, but a quick swipe redirected the blade away from Kisame's face. However he used the force of the hit to twist his body midflight and continue his assault, raining down blow after blow from several feet above the ground. Kisame's only defense was the shear width of his blade, without it he may have been struck time after time again. As Samehada and the crystal blue blade clashed, Kisame was able to take a greater look at his enemy "huh, what is a sword like that doing in an amateurs hands? May be pretty, but it doesn't come close to Samehada."

Kenshi's eyes glowed bright red and pushed against the blade with only one hand. Kisame held his ground and grunted in frustration but he was losing ground quickly. Taking a look back at Kenshi he saw something else, power and anger "this blade is special to me. Its power, comes from me and me alone."

"Really does it have a name?"

"Not one worthy of your ears!"

In a burst of speed he teleported back, then struck the blade, repeatedly again and again until he was nothing but a red blur. The blows grew in strength and power with each hit. Shockwaves blasted from each hit as Kisame tried to keep the Uzu ninja from getting to him. Each of these hits could have killed him instantly, his survival was now thanks to his blade. Suddenly as fast as they came, the blows stopped. Looking back from his blade, Kisame never dropped his defense. His eyes widened however when he saw a red flash teleport infront of him, glowing with a red veil and blade glowing sky blue "Zantetsuken!"

Raising his sword infront of him it stopped the killing blow, but didn't stop Kisame from flying back into the form of Itachi already weaving handsigns "Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Kisame could already hear his blade cry out in protest but he had to do it. Turning midair, he spun upside-down and towards the fireball heading his way. Raising his blade, he swung upwards and into a vertical spiral. The two connected, the fireball giving way as the sword cut into it. Cutting it in half, he continued towards the caster in the spiral of blue. But before he could the sword was stopped by another. Upside-down, he looked into the rage of Kenshi's eyes pushing his blade into the ground. He had failed however to see Kenshi's other fist traveling towards his stomach. Hitting him square on and with a lot more force than what was thought the man could manage. It took all of his might to hang on to Samehada as he flew back and crashed into rubble, groaning to stand up. This was defiantly going to be a fun fight.

Itachi looked back at Kenshi as he sent Kisame flying. He wasn't the same as before, something was wrong. But even with that, he was different in a good way. Stronger, faster, and now leading this, he showed no fear in battling Kisame and that was a feat. Itachi knew that the man was already in pain, from what the village was doing to him and from the death of Kushina and Minato. He too felt loss but not in the way he did. As the blood red eyes turned back to him he felt something familiar in his chakra, dismissing it he returned to the battle. "I could have handled that."

"I know."

"What happened, why is Eiyu not leading the defense?"

Kenshi's look changed, his eyes reverted from blood red to blue, the beings power returning to the gate inside of him. Shaking his head, he looked back towards Kisame and held his blade closely "he is gone."

"I'm sorry."

"I know you can't express emotions like you used to so I will take that in force. Now, let's get back to this."

Itachi nodded as he drew a kunai from his cloak, his Sharingan starting to blaze from his eyes glaring at Kisame. Kisame properly responded by clasping his hands together and launching a giant water shark at the duo. With one slash from Kenshi the water shark exploded across the small makeshift arena. Itachi charged through, clashing with Kisame head on. Pouring his chakra into the kunai was the only way for it not to be completely destroyed by Samehada. The tearing blade slashed again and again at Itachi, both ninja were surprisingly at the same pace in battle, although Itachi thought he was the faster one it seemed Kisame was hiding his full amount of strength even from him. This thought cost him as the shark blade cut through his midsection.

The body of Itachi however became a murder of crows, enveloping Kisame and brushing past him. He swiped at each bird, missing each one but at a final swipe the crow sliced open to reveal Kenshi with his blue sword blazing and aimed for his chest, piercing through his body and coming out the other side. Kisame's white eyes widened for a moment while Kenshi smirked, blood flowed to the tip of the blade on the other end. Light laughter came from Kisame, the swordsman looked up to see the sharkman smiling with one hand on his own blade the other on his "is this supposed to kill me?"

Quickly teleporting away, Kenshi dodged a swipe from Samehada that could have cut the man in half. Kenshi couldn't understand, that sword went through the man's lung; he should at least be breathing heavily. But he barely looked like he had been scratched. The man was relishing in the pain. 'Alright, so he has above average stamina, big deal I hit him, he gets back up, I'll hit him harder.'

Kisame felt the hole in his chest, it had cut deep but went through. Although he was running on one lung he could still fight, if his heart was beating he could still fight. Gripping Samehada, some of its chakra passed into him, empowering him with new strength. Placing the blade on his back he was surprised to see Kenshi charge again, but felt a second presence behind him as Itachi also made a move. Placing Samehada on his back, he blocked Itachi's kunai strike and with his free hand grabbed Kenshi's blade stopping it but getting a deep gash in his hand. Itachi immediately moved into crows past Kisame and above him while Kenshi continued his assault with the shark ninja now able to use Samehada, matching him strike for strike. Above him Itachi quickly unleashed fire jutsu after fire justu, Kenshi going into synch and leaping around Kisame as the fire jutsu reached the two, evading it and having Kisame shoot up a water wall to block the jutsu and still match Kenshi's sword strokes. As Kenshi landed he was quickly kicked away by a powerful blow from Kisame. Then turning to Itachi he barely blocked another fire ball and sent a water shark towards Itachi, turning back into the murder of crows landing onto the ground without a scratch. The shark man shook his head while placing Samehada on his back, also noticing that Kenshi was recovering from the kick "I am really starting to get irritated by that crow thing."

"You could die or give up, make things easier."

"Oh when have I ever made things easy?"

With another smirk Itachi launched forward and into the air. Kisame stared after him for a moment before his eyes widened at the next jutsu's name "Amaterasu!"

Raising his blade upwards, he expected the shriek of Samehada from the heat and the eternal black flame to strike but it never did, that worried him. Quickly looking back he saw Itachi activating the jutsu, but not looking at him. His pale eyes widened as he turned seeing Kenshi charge towards Kisame, his blue sword now entirely black and covered in the flame. In a flash however he vanished. Looking around Kisame found no sign of the man. Feeling a force of wind below him he looked down to see a foot traveling towards his face. Launching him into the air, he was met with Kenshi already in the air, his eyes bright blue and black sword in hand. In another flash he vanished, but now on ground level, kneeling and his sword still enflamed. Still with this, he couldn't move. Not one of his muscles responded when he dropped Samehada, the blade clattering on the ground. Hovering in midair Kenshi's sword traveled towards his sheath, the tip resting in the entrance to it. Uttering one word caused a wave of panic and fear shot through Kisame, even the name itself resonated power "Oblivion!"

The pain that ran through Kisame's body was immense. Fire, pain, and the searing sting of a blade cut through his form. Kenshi sheathed his sword slowly, making every one of his slashes count. Each hit exploded with flame and Kenshi's own chakra, making the shockwave's black in color. The first thing to go was a finger, then his right hand, left leg, right arm starting at the shoulder, then through his entire midsection in one final slash exploding the area around them, sending a major shockwave through the area. The now blue blade reentered the sheath, now devoid of flames and his eyes in their natural blue color. Kenshi turned back to the decimated form of Kisame, somehow alive even though his body had been scattered throughout the area. Blood came from his stomach and arms, half-conscious and barely breathing. Itachi walked next to his former parter, he was defeated there was no honor in striking him down and one look to Kenshi told him not to try anything. Kneeling, he saw Kisame try to speak but couldn't produce the words. So moving closer, he heard "…Samehada."

He understood what he meant, reaching towards the sword he did hesitate knowing the blade may fight against him. After a light touch though the blade resonated in his hands allowing him to pick up the blade. Holing it by the hilt, Itachi placed it next to Kisame allowing his left hand to touch the blade himself, absorbing the last of his chakra "…Suigetsu…Hozuki…Samehada…new…owner."

White eyes then turned to Kenshi, his blue blade in hand "get the blade…to him…you're not so bad…actually…he will allow you to hold…him for the short time. Don't disappoint me…save him…he is the last I hold dear…in this lie of a life. Remember that…life…is a lie…"

With that the final breath left Kisame, the tailless beast was gone from this lie. Samehada must have felt the master leave this world, it seemed to almost cry, leaking water and making the bandages wet while making small whimper sounds. Sighing, Itachi closed his partners eyes, allowing him to rest. Turning back to Kenshi, he moved towards the shark blade "he chose you to keep it, I suggest you give it to Suigetsu when the time comes, you will not live to regret it."

"He isn't going to make me regret it is he?"

"No, it will be me. Now let's make sure I still have something to fight for."

Kenshi nodded and moved towards the shark blade. He knew of the blade's backfire capabilities and hesitated, but with a deep breath clenched the blade, feeling some chakra slip from him and hearing a new voice in his head "your chakra is dark, mixed with another who once belonged to the light. I will stay with you for the time being, but Suigetsu is my true owner now, don't expect me to unleash my true power with you."

'Thank you Samehada, I will serve you to the best of my ability.'

'You, serve me?'

'You are your own being, I will make sure no harm comes to you as long as giving you a taste of battle, and in the end I will give you to Suigetsu. But I need you to help me.'

'…fine.'

The blade became silent and with it a power rushed through him, a minor one but powerful in its own right. Placing the blade on his back it seemed to stick to the metal of his armor. It purred with the pulsing of Kenshi's chakra as it also anticipated battle. Looking forward, he could still see Sora tearing through ninja after ninja eliminating all in his path, but even he was slowing down by the sheer number of ninja he had to deal with. He would need help. Turning back to Itachi, Kenshi placed the glowing blue blade in its sheath before speaking "if you are truly with me Itachi, then help me reclaim the village. I will need a friend in the near future, but I need to trust you. Can I do that?"

"Yes."

With a nod Kenshi's slight worry was relieved. Replaced by the anxiety of battle. With his friend he launched himself towards the battle, Samehada in his left hand, his own blade in his right. But his eyes were blue, shining with power. He was done using his power, the rest of this battle would be won on his own. He won on his own with Kisame, mostly, he could do the rest on his own. No longer would he use it, that he promises now. With that final thought, he tore apart the first ninja with Samehada with a slice to his midsection. Only one in the massacre to follow.

If fear, power, and courage had a name in this fight, it would be Kenshi. Naruto could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the man in battle, fully enveloped the man was a machine. Wielding what looked to be Samehada and his own blade at the same time. Naruto had arrived with Ai, the woman rushed off into the battle and he had reached a rooftop to recover from the Sasori fight. There Naruto saw the two groups of ninja collide. The Sound was trapped as the two Uzu groups clashed from the sides, enclosing them within their own ranks. It was too late to figure out that Orochimaru was nowhere to be found, possibly dead along with the rest of the Akatsuki.

The plan went perfectly, Naruto could see victory in the fight. Kenshi was handling more than at least ten at once, each one defeated was replaced by another. He didn't stop, he didn't quit. Naruto stopped his train of thought as he saw Midori and Kasai land next to him. They didn't look better than he did, Midori's mask was ripped and both of them looked like they had been through a lot. He could tell something had happened between them, it was in their chakra's but he didn't say anything, it wasn't the best time and it wasn't really his place. Naruto was a friend and a teammate, but this seemed more personal. He could talk to Midori or Kasai later, whoever seems easier to talk to at the moment. They all turned to Kenshi, fighting alone. He destroyed anyone and anything in his path. And in the middle of all of it he was also giving orders to different squads of makeshift ninja that had been rounded up in moments of the battle or teams that had been. One thought ran through all of their minds, almost at the same time but Naruto was the first to say it "has he been holding back when he trained us?"

Midori nodded "it seems like it, but why?"

Kasai twirled her ponytail, trying to sort this out "maybe he thought he would hurt us?"

"By the chakra he is showing he could still take on all of us at the same time, even if you two were in your modes."

Kasai shook her head "mine is not complete yet remember, I haven't finished it yet."

Naruto quickly shook his head from this train of thought, "we need to return to battle, we have friends that need to be saved."

They nodded and took off into battle, each already having their weapons unleashed.

Midori had already started throwing swords into the crowd before he even hit the ground. Sticking away from Kasai and Naruto he went to work against the sound ninja. The last thing he needed now was to be near the woman on his team, Naruto couldn't really understand what was happening with him. Hell he could barely explain it to himself. The thoughts drifted to the woman, smiling. Damn it, he couldn't be rid of her. Her infection destroyed his mind when she was near. He couldn't stand it but he wanted more. He was addicted, to the pain, stress. She was special, he just needed to find out in what way, but he was already pretty sure in what way.

Throwing a sword into another ninja's neck he quickly clasped his hands together and summoned three of his signature golems. Each thrashed around the battlefield, throwing around ninja as if they were nothing. The other swords around him went to battle around the ninja surrounding the man. Striking vitals quickly and efficiently, quickly dealing with ninja then moving on. Five leapt down at once, hoping to surprise the man with kunai's and swords in hand. Seeing this however he raised the summoned swords to block the incoming ninja. However this stopped the swords from doing damage. Pushing against the ninja did nothing as his concentration was also on the golems. Teeth grinding, he was already weak from Deidara he didn't need this.

The resistance stopped however as shuriken entered the ninja's backs and throats, ending their lives. Midori looked up in time to see a man with black hair, a slashed Leaf proctor, and the Sharingan blaze past with more shuriken in hand. Before continuing, he thought to himself 'this does not make us even Uchiha. Your clan still has to answer for what they did.'

Kasai vented her anger upon the ninja around her. Why couldn't he just let go? It seemed forever ago but he couldn't let go. Midori blamed it upon himself for her capture. It wasn't his fault though, it wasn't his fault she was captured, what they did if she remembered anything at all, it wasn't his fault for the pain he received for it. Although she was the one that was 'hurt' she couldn't help but feel like he was the one who was hurt. Midori kept it hidden, well she might add. He never really showed his true emotions, what he really thought. But when he did, that was when she really admired him.

Anymore she couldn't be rid of the man. He was in her dreams, always innocently but predominantly there. It was always about him. He was a sickness that she couldn't cure. The kunai he had made still rested in her pouch, his chakra pulsed through it. That was when she truly believed that he cared for her. But she still couldn't explain what this was, she would figure it out later. Knocking away another ninja, another tried to attack her with a kunai. He stopped by a slash across his chest then knocked away by the blunt end of the staff. She realized then that they started to surround her, around twenty in all. Scoffing, she knew that she could handle them all but something stopped her and drove her over the edge. Something she heard one of the ninja say "hey you hear the bald guy got killed?"

"Tragic."

If she had looked over, she would have noticed the blue form of Midori but now it was covered by the battle and it clouded her mind. Her chakra and body went into overdrive and the ninja could already feel that they wouldn't live to regret it. It wasn't true, she knew but the thought raced through her head, of him lying on the ground helpless. Dying because of her. She couldn't let that happen, she wouldn't let him be alone again. Pulling chakra from around the area, it fueled her, empowered her, made her stronger than before. The chakra intensified around her, but only one eye had a horizontal slit. 'I know it isn't true, but they cannot speak of him like that. I can't finish the Sage Mode, I can't do it. I will have to deal with what I have.'

With her right pupil horizontal and shaded blue her chakra was almost twice what it was. The Sound ninja gulped audibly, this was going to end bad for them.

The first one's life ended in a flash when the blunt end of her spear crack his jaw and entered his nose bone into his brain. The spear end was pointed towards the group behind Kasai so when the water dragon shot out it took three along with it. Three more charged, trying to avenge their comrades. One was cut down quickly, then recovering she slashed across the second's chest and knocked him away with the blunt end. The third was quickly ended with a blow to the temple with the blunt end.

They were starting to get scared and she knew it, twirling her staff in an imposing fashion. One decided to be brave enough to challenge her, he wouldn't live to regret it "what are we waiting for her, get her!"

They all charged now, it didn't matter; she would kill them all for even thinking of taking him. She felt power course through her arms, they started to move on their own, and instinct was in full effect. The seals came to her in an instant and the words flowed from her mouth "Afterimage: Time's Edge!"

Her form glowed blue, a small chakra cloak enveloping her. She felt powerful, like she couldn't be touched. Something was different though, everything was moving slower than normal, including herself but not at the speed they were moving. Kasai could hear, see, smell, and feel at levels she could never before. Every sense was heighted to heights beyond her. She could see what they were about to do and move to intercept them. Quickly redirecting one kunai it entered his friends chest. While both were shocked she turned to the one's behind her, slashing across one's chest and decapitating the other. Then slamming down the staff, the blunt end hit the uninjured shocked ninja's jaw, cracking it. Grabbing the far end near the blunt end she turned into a full circle, slashing across three more ninja's chests before turning to the final one. His eyes bulged, the girl had killed all of his comrades within a second, they didn't have a chance. Quickly in a form of mercy he placed his kuani down, sticking his hands into the air "please."

Without a second thought she cut his throat. The anger left her along with the slight Sage Mode. Kasai marveled at the power she had, this was something she would have to flesh out later. Turning back to the battle, she noticed the enemy ninja were thinning out. Less and less fighting for their lives, and Kenshi leading the assault. Smirking a little, Kasai charged back into the battle fury within her.

It didn't matter to Naruto if there was five ninja left or five-hundred, he needed something to vent the anger. Sure, Sasori helped, but the anger still flowed through him. It wasn't for Eiyu or Hiashi anymore, it was for was for his friends, the ones that had stood by him and one in particular Hinata. He couldn't get rid of the thought of her pain out of his head. It stuck to him, infected and destroyed his mind from the inside.

There was one that stood out. Her smile, wide, filled with hope, midnight colored hair flowing with the wind. Hands near her lips, biting them slightly in nervousness. The paleness of her eyes struck him, they were so full of life it was unnatural. Naruto remembered her at a younger age, he thought of her as a friend, one of the best he had ever had. He had liked people like her, determined, nice, and able to be trusted. She had lacked self-confidence but made up for it in so many ways. Naruto would be there, she would never be alone. No matter how far, that is when he realized what he felt for her. The things he was willing to do for her that he wouldn't do for others.

The dream continued, he would approach her and she would look down shyly, not knowing what to do. Smirking a little, Naruto ran his hand through her hair while placing the other on the side of her face, cupping it. The other hand found hers, holding each other. Her eyes eventually met his and Hinata smiled. For this moment he was happy, more than what he could ever be.

She coughed then and something landed on his face. Touching it, he pulled back, it was blood. Stepping back, his eyes widened, seeing a sword plunged through her chest. She was still smiling, full of hope. Behind her, holding the sword was none other than Sasuke Uchiha, something was different though, his eyes were stars. A new power flowed through him, none that Naruto had felt before, he was afraid. The sword left Hinata, letting her body go limp. Catching her, Naruto let the tears flow. Her face was still smiling as she spoke in Sasuke's voice "don't worry teme, there was nothing you could have done. You were already too weak to save her, what makes you think you deserve her?"

He screamed. Naruto's screams filled the arena as he tore through ninja faster than what Kenshi did. Even the fox inside of him was starting to get worried for the kid. Naruto's screams turned into laughter, insane laughter. It drove fear into the Sound ninja, the fox had cut all chakra from the kid he didn't want him going into a rampage from it. The power that had run through Naruto had started to exhaust but he was still going strong. Nothing would stop him; in no world would he let Hinata go like that. In no way would he ever let her go. With that thought he continued to destroy, his laughter going so far as to drive the Uzu ninja with fear. Placing his hands together three clones stood by him, with the same bloodlust in their eyes and he charged.

Kenshi drove his blade into the next ninja, his face was stoic and his form was covered with blood. Looking forward he saw the battle beginning to end, the enemy ninja were small in numbers now and barely fighting. It was time to end this. Removing the blue sword from the ninja's form, Kenshi crouched ready to charge when a hand entered his vision. Quickly moving Samehada it almost tore through the ninja's neck when he recognized the face "don't do that to me Ai."

"Good to see you to."

Placing both blades away, he turned to the small battle ahead of them. The final enemy ninja were being rounded up and quickly destroyed. The ones that weren't fighting were resting against the rubble with their teams. Some were trying to find out what to do next, others were grieving fallen members of the squad. If the village had not fallen before, it was now. Back near the center the only standing building was the Kage tower. Nothing else had really survived. But we had won, they were attacked and had survived, but at what cost? There was so much ahead, Kenshi couldn't truly do this alone, father guide him. Turning back to Ai, he had noticed that two more people landed next to them when he lost the train of thought. One had solid black hair and the Sharingan, the other was missing footwear "Itachi, Honoka, are we almost done here?"

Honoka nodded, first looking at Itachi "can he be trusted?"

With a nod from Kenshi she pulled out a small clipboard, writing something down "the last few are being rounded up, I know that you said none alive but a group did capture one, they didn't know what to do. She was fighting for them."

Kenshi crossed his arms, his eyes piercing the woman "she?"

With a slight hand signal three Uzu ninja landed with a girl in their arms. She wore glasses that were smashed beyond repair, face used to be fair but was now bleeding and bruised to the point where her face was swollen. The lavender uniform that she had on was torn to shreds, along with a shuriken still in her side. The only reason she was still standing was the force of the ninja holding her up. The thing that surprised Kenshi, was her red hair, the same color as an Uzumaki's. One of the ninja holding her turned to Kenshi "she claimed she had no idea of her clan being here, that she thought they died. But we personally saw her disable the seal on the gates allowing the Sound in. I silenced her so she cannot speak unless I allow her to. Do you want me to release it?"

Kenshi nodded "and let her go to, rest up, you three look like hell. Find a medical ninja, thank you."

With a slight hand seal, the girl took a deep breath, seemingly gaining the ability to have air in her lungs. The three ninja bowed quickly before dashing off behind them. Itachi glanced at the girl before turning to Kenshi "her name is Karin, yes she is an Uzumaki but she did let us in."

Karin's crimson eyes turned upwards towards Kenshi, his own seemingly piercing into her. With a breath she muttered "please, don't."

"There is no mercy for traitors."

Her eyes widened as Samehada cut her down, absorbing her chakra and ripping apart her side. Falling to the ground, her life left her. Placing the shark sword back on his back Ai nodded approvingly "I would have done the same, there was no use for her as a prisoner."

"In any case she doesn't deserve to live, she was the reason for all of this."

Far away he could hear cheering. The four turned, seeing the remainder of the Uzu ninja still standing cheer at victory, no Sound ninja stood. They had every right to cheer, they had survived another destruction. One that hadn't come to pass. Hearing a few more footsteps he had turned to see the rest of the council land next to the group, along with Jiraiya, Naruto, Midori, and Kasai. Each looked as if they had truly been through war. But they were all alive, that was what counted. Kenshi first turned to Jiraiya, as exhausted as he was answers were needed "did you kill Orochimaru?"

"…he got away before I could finish him."

With a silent curse, he returned to the rest of the group "we will have to move out soon, I doubt we can hold out in this place."

Ai spoke next "wait, what do you mean? Leave the Uzu, after all we did?"

"No, our home is where we make it. I would like to stay as much as you, but we cannot hold against the full force of the Leaf and Cloud. We were lucky enough as it is to stand against the Sound…we need to leave. Pack up what we have and move out."

Yoru turned away from his brother and towards Kenshi "where will we go? We don't exactly have a destination."

"Anywhere is better than here."

Hi crossed his arms, already seeing a fact most overlooked "what makes you think I will follow you?"

The group turned to him as if he were slightly crazy but continued "last I checked you weren't the Kage. Now I am grateful for your leadership during this but Eiyu is the Kage, I follow him…by the way where is he?"

"That scroll on your side, it seems to have the same chakra he has, use it I think it might answer our question."

Kenshi turned to Sora with a little confusion in his eyes, how could the man have possibly known? Did he know? How could he have? Kenshi dismissed this and touched the scroll at his side, at the touch it shook and pulsed with chakra. Picking up the scroll and opening it, it shook violently and launched itself at the ground. It was small but covered with the black seals of Eiyu. It moved towards the front of the group. As suddenly it stopped shaking and the seals started to move upwards, creating a form resembling a human. It grew into more detail, gaining black armor, and what looked like long hair, finally with eyes it seemed to resemble someone familiar.

The seal began to speak with a metallic and deep voice "this is the final log of Eiyu Uzumaki, Kage of the Hidden Whirlpool village. Updated August thirtieth. If you are reading this, or rather seeing this then the village has been recaptured and Kenshi has saved the village. The Leaf, Cloud, and Sound have attacked us, starting here and at the Chunin exams. When we tried to escape we were saved by Hiashi Hyuga, leaving behind multiple of allies inside the Leaf. The Sand, Mist, Stone, and Rain do not seem to want to participate in this battle. But seeing as Danzo has captured the Cloud he may not hesitate to try to capture the other villages, that may be his plan. He has already tried to capture the Whirlpool and failed.

"As to my whereabouts…I elected to stay behind and finish off multiple members of the Akatsuki and save Kenshi, Naruto, Midori, Kasai, and Jiraiya, already knowing that they could save the village. I am dead, it is the truth plain and simple, I am sorry. As my final act, I leave to Kenshi the gift in this scroll, showing a place that may be a place to hide while the village sorts out what to do, the main village may not be safe, among one other thing. Then…I cast my vote as Kenshi to be the new Uzukage, in my mind there is no one more qualified. I did first consider Ai but I am sorry, I feel as if he is more up to the job, she shall be needed most as the new leader of the Uzumaki clan. Sora, Hi, Yoru, Ai, and the rest of the village, I hope you accept my choice in Kenshi. Good luck, we may need it more than ever. Goodbye."

The group stood there for a moment as the seal rewrapped itself. As the rest of the group collected themselves Kenshi picked up the scroll and attached it to his side. Turning back, his eyes widened a little to see the rest of the village behind the group, every ninja that had fought, some civilians, they all stood shocked at the info they had been showed. A loud clapping sound could be heard as Hi clasped his hands together, finally able to speak "well…that was something, if he thinks you are up to the job then I agree. Eiyu has never really been wrong."

Yoru nodded "I agree with my brother."

Sora gave a slight movement with his cane and shrugged "I am…indifferent."

Finally he turned to Ai, the woman gazed at him, her brown and blue eyes fighting against his own piecing colored eyes. A mental battle seemed to go on between the two of them. She evaluated everything she had known about the man, what he could do, what he had done, what he still had. After a strange silence, she sighed already slightly hating what she was going to say "all hail Kenshi Uzumaki, the Sandaime Uzukage!"

The group infront of him was the only one to respectfully bow. The rest stood in shock, the man they had tortured, abused, and more so was now Uzukage. Some then respectfully bowed, others cursed his name. He didn't care, all he cared about now as the safety of the village, even if they didn't care for him. The weight of the swords came to him along with many other things. His mind felt heavy along with is body but managed to produce the words "I…I know that you don't think I deserve this, hell I don't think I deserve this. So I will say this, after all of this, if you still want me gone, I will accept your decision. But for now, collect anything you hold dear and gather your gear. Genin, help the civilians move about the village, this place is a bit difficult to move around. Chunin, collect the scrolls in the library, we won't lose our history again, then move to help the Jounin. Jounin, collect the rest of our supplies, we will all need to move by dawn."

"Where will we go?"

"What are we going to do?"

Kenshi held the scroll in his hands, feeling the familiar power of his father through it. Sadness, anger, regret, they were still there but less now. He looked towards the sky, seeing it darken and light flash through it. He silently cursed the sky as the first raindrop hit his armor. "Where we are going I don't know, what will happen I do not know, but as of now…we are at war with the Leaf."

With the final word, it had begun to rain…and how he hated it.

Lighting struck outside the Fourth Hokage's home. Rain poured alongside the house more and more violently. Kenshi hated rain, he hated every part of it. Turning back to his sister, she was on the bed, slightly crying. Minato had been late, he had been gone for a month, weeks ahead of when he was supposed to be back. Only a week he had told Kenshi, that is when he would be back. But now he stood with his sister, she had been brave but with no word, the village is almost about to claim him missing. How fast they were wanting to do it was insane. Probably just another reason to get to Kushina, if only he could reveal himself, they would not touch her. But, for now he continued to curse the rain, finally Kushina rose from her seat, her long hair flowing as she reached her brother "Kenshi, why do you hate rain?"

The question surprised him a little but without turning he replied "every time you cry it seems to rain. Every time you are sad the sky reflects it."

"Maybe it is a coincidence?"

"I doubt it."

"When do you think he will be back?"

That is when he turned back, his sister was heavy in heart. But before he could speak, a yellow flash blazed the room and a man with yellow hair, soaked with rain landed in the middle of a room a giant grin on his face "sorry."

Eiyu breathed heavily against the strain. Metal black poles stuck from his back, a huge hole was where his heart used to be, now the only thing that moved his blood was seals. One eye was now back to its white color while the other was still holding the Rinnegan. The seal sword hung useless at his side and the left hand was gone, replaced by a seal-like replacement. But it wasn't as bad as what the Akatsuki had been through. The entire area was gone, a large crater spanning several miles. The entire Leaf village and more could fit in it. Kakuzu, all of his hearts were destroyed, his body obliterated, no part of him was in this physical world. Hidan, the only reason he was alive was because of his healing factor, his body was slowly reconstructing himself, cell by cell. All the forms of Pain were dead, Deva was the only one that could be seen but his head and body were two different things. The only one who stood now, was Konan.

Her paper body was almost out, she had used all of her paper bombs in a half-hour long explosion assault but it still didn't stop the man, he just kept coming. Planetary Devastation did nothing, Hidan's counter jutsu didn't affect, even after his heart was stolen by Kakuzu he continued. Even now he still stood, ready to fight. Her left arm raised up, sending a paper shuriken towards the man, but with a flick of his wrist sent the shuriken away. Slowly walking forward, Eiyu sent fear towards the woman. Trying to back away did nothing, Konan's legs gave out, making her fall to the ground. Eiyu rose over the woman, his face was scared, vision was almost non-existent. Reaching behind him, he pulled out one of the many metal poles sticking out of his back. Fear struck Konan, death faced her as Eiyu raised the pole "finally…I end this."

"It will end, but not with her death!"

Eiyu couldn't dodge, he couldn't move, he could only watch as another metal pole struck through his back and along with the man pushed the several poles already in his back deeper and deeper until he was pinned to the ground, bleeding out. Slowly, Eiyu's head turned to see his attacker was a man, with bright red hair, shirtless and barely standing on his own two legs. One word was breathed by the blue haired woman, he guessed it was his name "Nagato."

Eiyu chuckled "an Uzumaki, what irony."

He noticed the slight shock in the man's eyes and smirked "don't take me for a fool…I know one of my own when I see one."

Nagato moved towards Konan, she already noticed his Rinnegan was blazing, much like Eiyu's. "How can you walk?"

"Danzo helped."

He slowly lifted the blue haired woman up, her robe was torn beyond repair as she tightly hugged Nagato's side. Nagato's eyes moved towards Eiyu as the life slowly left the elder man's eyes "what makes you think you can win against us? Even now your village is being destroyed."

"Because I have hope, the one thing you don't have. Now I rest, you have made a mistake Nagato. In killing me, you have lost. You just don't know it yet."

Nagato's eyes widened as Eiyu's form glowed. At first he thought the man was going to detonate but stopped as his body began to dissipate into dust, flowing into the wind. Eiyu seemed more at peace than what he had ever been even as he died. Finally as the last of Eiyu left, the dust blew into the wind leaving the area. Nagato turned back to Konan and what was left of Hidan "let's collect him, then return."

"What about what that man said, about us already losing?"

"He was an old man, his mind may have left him. Now let's go, we have a lot of work on our hands."

Kenshi looked through the map in the Kage tower. It was heavily encrypted and detailed. The seals on the front would stop any normal ninja and the ones after that would stop anyone besides a Uzumaki or even himself he wasn't too sure. It detailed a forest near the Land of Iron, he remembered a friend around there who owed him a favor. Maybe he could help them in this war, he would need all the help he could get. Although they stopped a large majority of the Sound army, the battle killed around fifty of the village's ninja. Hearing a knock at the door the familiar voice of Naruto came through "we are ready; they collected the Akatsuki members bodies as well as the supplies. They…they have already buried the dead outside the village, everyone is ready. We will be at the gate. Come on or you'll be left behind."

Kenshi chuckled slightly at this, even with the battle his sense of humor still came intact. That still begged the question on how he was going to save the allies within the Leaf. But that would be for a different time. Sighing, he groaned and rolled his shoulders, this day had been more than tiring. He was on the brim of dropping from exhaustion. Turning to the table to his side, he glanced at the gift Eiyu had left him. The man had a sense of humor, always wanted Kenshi to be like him. With a slight movement, he touched his shoulders, loosening the straps that held his chest piece. Then he moved to his armor leggings, removing them with practiced grace. Removing his chest piece, he placed the armor on the table, then with another movement, placed a scroll next to the armor absorbing it within the scroll. In his mesh shirt and dark pants, he felt the scars and marks on his arms and body, some were fresh from the battle that took place.

Kenshi then moved along the table and picked up the gift, placing it on his body, the straps fit perfectly around him. Finishing quickly he turned to the window looking at himself, it was dark now but he could still see himself within the refection, chuckling slightly he could only imagine how closely he resembled his father. The black armor of the Uzukage suited him, flowing with seals that were made by his father. Maybe he would study the sealing technique more, see what these things did. The armor felt a little stiff but still fitted well. With this he felt power, the power that had passed through him and others before only twice, the power of a Uzukage. He would not disrespect this gift, he promised he would use it well.

Traveling towards the wall, he collected his two blades, Samehada and the blue blade, attaching one to his back and the other to his side. Samehada had been refitted with new wrappings as it had asked. Turning back his face turned into a solemn look, knowing that this would be the last time he would visit the village. Opening the door he exited the office, the black armor heavy on his form and his mind set. Kenshi knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.

Danzo turned to the new person inside the Hokage's office. Taking over the village had been easier than what he had intended. The ninja respectfully bowed before beginning "the Sound and Akatsuki attacked like planned but…Eiyu killed off most of them and the ones inside the Whirlpool have been reported as dead. The only ones to survive were Nagato and Konan. Orochimaru has returned sometime prior and showed the area where the Whirlpool was."

"Was?"

"Yes, it seems they have…destroyed their own village. Buried it back into the ocean within the mountain. With no bodies or well anything left, we concluded that they left before it was destroyed or they did it themselves."

Danzo nodded "thank you, tell Orochimaru to ready the rest of his troops and ready the reanimation jutsu of his. I have a few people that may be of use already. Now leave, I wish to be alone."

The ninja nodded and quickly left, allowing Danzo to be alone. With a deep sigh he released the arm he kept within his jacket, covered in robes and a gauntlet. Removing the gauntlet allowed him to gaze at his pride. His arm shimmered with the Sharingan he had implanted, the eyes scanned the room within his arm. With a wave of his other arm, the shades of the office closed, allowing the room to become darkness. He chuckled slightly "hello Sasuke, I didn't expect you this quickly."

He turned, seeing two Sharingan in the distance of the room, already in the Mangekyo state the blood red color shined within the darkness. Danzo couldn't see his form but he could feel his chakra brimming with killer intent, and that was all he needed "I will have fun adding your Sharingan to my collection."

The only thing that could be heard next, was screams.

End of Part I

A/N: Well…what did you guys think? Over three-hundred followers, two-hundred and fifty favorites, and over a hundred reviews. I really wasn't expecting this much of a reception from this story. I know this chapter and the one before it was a little Kenshi-centric but I will return to Naruto at some point, Kenshi is a severe part in this story. I have so many things I need to sort out for the next part so I am calling a break. I will pick it back up later. I would also like to go back and fix a lot of the things I had done in the past chapters. Some things might be changed but only minor things, nothing major will change I promise you. I will add more character thoughts, details, and the like. When the next part starts up I will give a little summary if I changed anything. Like I said I have so many things I need to sort out for the next part, so many plot points…so little time. I may work on some short things but I will not abandon this, no matter what this is getting to good to quit. I would like everyone to review if there is anything I can improve on or if you just plain liked the story so far. This thing really continues by your words. So until I am done with the major revisions, The Hero of The Found out!