Chapter 15: The Fury of a Wolf
Naruto took action immediately and shouted, "Everyone! Scatter!" The small group spread out across the open area and kept their distance from Katsumi. Kakashi said, "Yamato, take Sai and bring these wounded back to Sakura and Ino for healing." Yamato and Sai then went to retrieve the wounded ANBU only to find themselves blocked by Katsumi.
Tenten used her barrage of kunai and other weapons to deter Katsumi from attacking them. Katsumi turned away from Yamato and Sai. She then leaped into the air and swatted all the weapons away with her large wolf tail. Choji activated his Super expansion jutsu and used his large hands in an attempt to restrain Katsumi after she landed on the ground. Katsumi used her long claws to puncture Choji's hands and stop his attack.
Shino used Choji's attack as a distraction for his insects to surround and envelop Katsumi. However, Katsumi's heightened sense of hearing alerts her to the danger and she evades Shino's repeated attacks. Naruto shouts, "Choji! Tenten! Yamato! Sai! Shino! Go outside with Sakura and Ino! Block her escape from the front entrance! Kazuki, Kiba, Kakashi and me can handle her!" Naruto activated numerous shadow clones as a cover for the others to retrieve the wounded and leave the area. Katsumi ripped through the clones with her sharp claws at an amazing speed. The four Leaf ninja soon found themselves alone against the fury of this unknown jinchuuriki.
Akamaru saw Kurami lying on the ground away from Katsumi against the wall. The black nin-dog was severely beaten and whimpering in pain. Akamaru alerted Kiba and he ordered Akamaru to keep Kurami save. Kiba then prepared himself for a fight by activating the Four Legged technique. Kakashi asked Kazuki, "Did you know that she was a jinchuuriki?" Kazuki replied, "Can we talk about this later, Kakashi? Maybe when we are not avoiding being torn apart?"
Naruto activated his Nine Tails chakra mode and said, "We should restrain her before she escapes and does damage to the village." Kazuki activated one of his special ninjutsus: fire and lightning armor. Flames covered his body with streaks of lightning pulsating from it. Naruto noticed and thought : it looks similar to the Raikage's lightning armor. Kiba asked, "Is that armor really necessary?" Kazuki replied, "You saw what Katsumi was capable of on her own. Now imagine that ferocity tenfold or more."
Kiba nodded and understood the situation. All four of them charged at Katsumi and then split into two groups. Naruto went with Kazuki and Kakashi with Kiba. Katsumi's attention was divided and lashed out whenever they came too close. She then created a pack of wolves from her chakra and unleashed them at Kiba and Kakashi. Kiba called for Akamaru and they used Fang over Fang together. Kakashi used his taijustu skills and a kunai to defeat the attacking wolves.
Kazuki activated Spiraling Flames and blew a ring of fire around Katsumi. This ring of fire constantly moved and prevented Katsumi from escaping. He used wind nature to make the flames stronger. Katsumi countered the trap by digging underground. She reappeared next to Kazuki and held him by the throat one-handed. Naruto came from behind with his numerous chakra arms and grabbed her arms and legs. Katsumi viciously head-butted Naruto, causing him to let go of her. Kazuki quickly realized what he had to do. He teleported over to Kurami, picked her up and ran back to Katsumi. Naruto repeated his earlier attack but kept Katsumi at a distance.
In their connected subconscious, Naruto asked, "Why are you doing this?" Katsumi replied, "I just got so angry when they hurt Kurami… Please, you have to let me leave… Naruto said, "Why should I let you leave? You came willingly as our prisoner. Now you want to escape?" Katsumi said, "My secret mission was to disable the ANBU headquarters and then return back to the hideout. You don't understand. I have to go back otherwise… they will kill my family."
Naruto felt compassion for Katsumi and hugged her as she sobbed. Katsumi cried, "They forced me to join their ranks by taking my family hostage. I had no choice but to fight against the Leaf." Naruto said, "I did not know that. Calm down and we will rescue your family." Katsumi looked at Naruto with green eyes filled with tears and said, "Thank you".
Kazuki saw Katsumi return to her normal form and brought Kurami over to her. Naruto let go of Katsumi and she embraced her beloved nin-dog. Kakashi and Kiba also came over after finished dealing with the chakra wolves. Kakashi asked, "Is she a threat anymore to the village?" Kiba looked at the two of them and said, "No. She is just a kunoichi who would go to hell and back for her ninken."