Note: Perspective back to Cael.

DBNG

The First Guardians of Earth

"That boy…" awed Sakura. "...he..."

"Yes," replied Kakashi. "He single-handedly accomplished what we, an entire division, could not. Perhaps the rumors are true after all. The power of an entire division in a single body...the power of a Guardian."

"Everyone stay where you are!" warned Suigetsu. "He'll soon regenerate."

Soon enough Mangetsu started reforming again in front of Suigetsu. "Hmmm, so little brother has finally rose above and even toppled the great pillar he lived his life to climb;" said Mangetsu. "and you did it all while fighting for others. It also seems like that the other swordsmen have been defeated already. To think that your arrival would change the tide of battle this much..."

"That's right." replied Suigetsu. "Someone helped me realize what true strength is. When I lead the Next Generation of Swordsmen hidden in the Mist, I will lead and teach them in the ways I have been taught."

"The Next Generation Swordsmen of the Mist fighting for others? How laughable;" scoffed Mangetsu. "and yet, maybe that's the reason why we ended up they way we did. I'll admit, you beat me. I would have kept a closer eye on you had I known you had 'that' sword."

"'That' sword?" asked Suigetsu. "You mean the Z Sword? Yeah, pretty awesome isn't it?"

"Unbelievable." thought Mangetsu. "He doesn't even realize what that sword is."

"Suigetsu," spoke Mangetsu. "you don't know what that sword is, do you?"

"Of course I know!" yelled Suigetsu. "I just said it was the Z Sword!"

"Never mind." sighed Mangetsu, face palming. "You'll figure it out one day. Just know that you have more of Father's power than you realize." he smiled.

Mangetsu then walked up to Suigetsu and grabbed his sword. Suigetsu knew he was done fighting and let him take back his blade. He sheathed Yamato and summoned away the rest of the Seven swords back into his scroll. He placed the scroll and his blade in his arms and offered them to Suigetsu. "These are for you, Suigetsu. As the leader of the Last Generation Swordsmen, I entrust these, and our future, to you."

"Thanks, big bro." thanked Suigetsu, taking Mangetsu's gift. "I'll take good care of these, and the future."

"Be careful with Yamato. I noticed that you fight in a fairly calm manner, much like how a Rain Guardian should fight. However, Yamato will influence you to become ferocious; the complete opposite of your fighting style. It grants immense power, but it might also have a negative impact in your future battles."

"Thanks for the warning, but I'll do just fine."

"As cocky as ever, you always surprise me." grinned Mangetsu. "Keep the family tradition going strong. With no other sibling of ours, your offspring will be the next leader of the Swordsmen." Mangetsu's body began to fade away just as Kisame's did. His feet were the first to disappear, then his legs. "It's time for me to go, goodbye Suigetsu." We connected fists one last time as he vanished. "I'm proud of you, little brother." With his last words the remains of his body completely vanished.

Suigetsu's legs gave way as he fell on his back in exhaustion.

"Sakura, he's exhausted." said Kakashi. "Go on and heal him."

"Right!" Sakura rushed over to Suigetsu and knelt down to heal him.

"You are amazing Suigetsu." commented Kakashi. "Because of you, we managed to defeat and seal the remaining Swordsmen. You are every bit as powerful as I imagined a Guardian to be."

"Of course I am!" laughed Suigetsu. "I'm the Rain Guardian after all hahaha!"

Meanwhile, Naruto and Killer Bee still rampaged through the forest.

"Tsunade, let's go!" yelled Raikage. "If our forces can't stop them then we'll just have to go!"

"Hold it you two;" I said, raising my hand. "this is what we've been waiting for. This way Madara will definitely come out of hiding."

"Caelum," started Tsunade. "we understand that you want to put a stop to Madara and the war as soon as possible, but it's just too dangerous to let them do as they please. I'm siding with Raikage on this one."

"No point in trying to convince you I guess." I got up and stretched my arms. "Hey Itachi, I'm going to go out and get them. When I get back put them in a Tsukuyomi and explain everything to them."

"Everything?" asked Itachi.

"Well, leave out the unnecessary info of course."

"Will do." replied Itachi.

"Alright then, here I go!" I placed my fingers on my forehead and searched the warzone for Naruto and Bee. "Ah, there they are. Be back soon." I then disappeared from the room.

Naruto and Bee were dashing through the trees when I suddenly appeared right in front of them. Both of them stopped in their tracks and stared at me.

"Who are you? And where did you come from?" asked Naruto frantically. "I didn't sense your presence at all! It's like you just appeared out of nothing."

"You guys are coming with me." I pointed.

"You are one crazy looking Akatsuk—i," rapped Bee. "but you are never gonna capture the Killer—Bee!"

"Yeah, that goes for me too!" agreed Naruto.

"Oh well, I tried to do this nicely." I teleported behind them, placed a hand on both their backs and disappeared with them back to HQ before they could react. "Now Itachi!" I yelled.

Naruto and Bee then instantly fell to the floor. After a brief moment both of them started regaining consciousness and got up.

"I've told them everything they need to know." said Itachi.

"Great!" I exclaimed. "Hey there," I said kneeling to meet them. "my name's Caelum. But I'm sure Itachi's told you that by now. Nice to meet you Naruto, Bee."

Naruto stared at me kind of blank-faced before speaking. "You, saved Konoha." he said.

"Oh right, yeah I guess I did." I replied.

"You guess?" yelled Naruto. "If it wasn't for you my village would've been destroyed...again!"

"Haha, relax Naruto. Really, it was nothing."

"I disagree with this Sky Guardian!" complained Raikage. "I'm glad that you brought them here, but putting them under a genjutsu is out of the question!"

"Look Raikage," I sighed. "if you really have a problem with how I do things then why don't you just fight me over it? After the war of course."

"After this war is over, I will show you what happens to those who anger me!"

"Let's just let them handle this Raikage." said Tsunade. "they seem to know what they're doing. He did bring Bee and Naruto here and bring them up to speed on things. Just let them be."

Back at Suigetsu, Sakura had finished healing him back to full health.

"Ahh, much better." stretched Suigetsu. "Thanks Sakura. Well guys, I'm going to head back to HQ. Good luck with the rest of the war."

"Before you go Suigetsu, I have a question." said Kakashi. "When the Swordsmen first attacked you, I noticed that you allowed your body to liquify. Correct?"

"Yes, that's right." he replied.

"Then why didn't you use that same ability when fighting your brother?"

"Oh right," said Sakura. "you're of the Hozuki clan right? Then you should've been able to liquify yourself."

"I would never use the Hozuki Clan's Hydrification technique during a sword-fight. In my opinion, it's kind of a cowardly move to use against another swordsman. The only reason I used it in the beginning was because I was just playing around. When I get serious against a swordsman, I mean business."

"I see." nodded Kakashi. "Well thank you Suigetsu. This battle could have gone on much longer without your help."

"Sure thing." Suigetsu placed the Z Sword on his back, Yamato on his hip, the scroll across his back, and then took off. "Later!" he yelled.

"Hey Kakashi," said Guy, watching as Suigetsu flew off. "that boy Suigetsu and his brother. You don't think they were descendents of him, do you?"

"I was skeptical at first," replied Kakashi. "but after seeing their fight there's no doubt about it. Suigetsu and Mangetsu: The Descendents of Sparda."

"Sparda?!" yelled Sakura.

"You've heard of the Legend of Sparda, right Sakura?" asked Kakashi.

"Of course." she replied. "His legend is on par with the Rikudo Sennin's. I used to hear stories about him all the time. The legend says that Sparda was the greatest Demon who ever lived." she explained.

"Correct." said Guy "Have you heard the rest of the story?"

"Yes." continued Sakura. "Unlike every other Demon, Sparda was the first to fight for the human race; and like the Rikudo Sennin, he also had two sons. Each son shared half of their father's power, just like the sons of the Rikudo. All swords, swords styles and sword techniques can be traced back to Sparda. Essentially, Sparda did for swordsmen like what the Rikudo did for ninjutsu."

"There's more to the legend." continued Kakashi. "It's also said that Sparda and the Rikudo fought alongside each other multiple times. Together, they were able to take down foes which threatened humanity and the planet itself. Relatively speaking, the Rikudo Sennin and Sparda were the first Sky and Rain Guardians of Earth; The God and the Devil. However, in order to save Earth, Sparda sealed himself along with every other evil demon."

"So the 'Second Coming of the Demon';" continued Sakura. "was that in reference to Sparda then?"

"Both Suigetsu and Mangetsu hold the title of 'The Second Coming of the Demon.'" replied Guy. "It's only a legend of course, so nothing concrete can be established. But it is a possibility; Suigetsu was after all about to Devil Trigger during his fight."

"Devil Trigger?" asked Sakura.

"It's supposed to be the most powerful form of the Demon." explained Kakashi. "I saw it too, but just for a moment. I saw him almost transform while wielding both his brother's blade and The Z Sword. Suigetsu's inner Devil must have stirred in reaction to wielding both of those blades. If he had actually Devil Trigger'd..." Kakashi paused.

"Then what?" asked Sakura worriedly. "What Kakashi?"

"...then we might not have been left alive," continued Kakashi. "by the carnage that would ensue."

In the meantime at HQ I leaned back in my chair with my arms behind my head and my eyes closed, waiting and sensing for Madara.

"Tch, look at our mighty Sky Guardian!" stated Raikage. "At least the Rain Guardian is out there fighting while you're here sleeping!"

"Quiet Raikage!" silenced Tsunade. "He's obviously looking for when Madara will strike."

My calm, meditative state quickly changed into a serious, fiery look as I opened my eyes.

"Is something wrong Cael?" Asked Tsunade.

"No…this is what we've been waiting for…" I replied.

A large warp hole appeared as Madara phased through to Naruto and Bee. Before he laid a finger on either of them a powerful shockwave sent him crashing through the wall and far out into the battlefield.

"…Nagato…" said Madara as he landed on top of a tree.

"Sorry about the wall," apologized Nagato. "but I had to get him away from those two."

"He sure did take his time." I said stretching while getting up. "Hey Jessica, would you mind staying here and being my eyes at HQ? I need someone on the inside to communicate with and who can inform others about us."

"Alright." she nodded.

"Great, thanks."

The rest of us got up and headed for the opening in the wall Nagato created. Madara stayed in his position analyzing us. "One, two, three, four, five, six..." counted Madara. "…six Guardians? Where is the…" Madara turned and quickly phased as Suigetsu as he swung his Z Sword through him.

"Sorry, just coming through!" called Suigetsu. "Not gonna block me this time eh? Ha! I'm too good!"

"...7th Guardian." sighed Madara.

Suigetsu flew down to us and landed next to the opening in the wall.

"About time you got here," I told him. "we were gonna start the party without you!"

"Hah!" replied Suigetsu "As if this party would get crazy without it's main attraction!"

"Whatever," I smiled. "at least we're all gathered. Let's go."

"Cael, wait!" Jessica got up and called out to me.

"What's wrong?" I turned around and looked at her. She had a worried, uncomfortable expression on her face. Soon, though, it changed into a warm smile as she looked at me.

"I Believe In You." she said.

I smiled back and teleported in front of her. I put my hand on her head and kissed her forehead, and then rested my forehead on hers.

"Thanks Jessica. That means a lot to me. After this is over, I'll make it up to you. I promise."

I teleported back to my previous position and walked to the edge of the canyon, staring at Madara. Itachi, Nagato, Suigetsu, and Deidara stood side by side with Zephyr and me in the front. Our year training in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber was all for this battle: The fight that would change the world.