I don't own Naruto!
Chapter 25
"S-s-sakura!" said Naruto, confused and surprised.
"And Tenten as well," observed Shino.
Sure enough, the two women were there. Their bodies had been reanimated, and they stared ahead lifelessly, waiting for orders.
"What's going on here?" demanded Sasuke.
The girl glared at him. "This is the gift my master told me to give the Hokage." She turned back to Naruto. "You will find that they have been brought back using the Death Reversal Jutsu that was created by Vallen during his attempt to take over the world. Once you use the same jutsu you used on the Uchiha, they will be yours again."
"You would dare to bring them back like this?" screamed Naruto as red chakra surrounded him.
"You misunderstand. I am only here to bring them back to you. Go ahead, hug her, use your jutsu and bring her back to you."
Naruto looked to Shikamaru and Gaara. Shikamaru was still standing there with his mouth wide open, while Gaara simply nodded, sending a small amount of sand to Naruto in order to protect him.
Naruto walked up to Sakura, took her hand, and channeled his own chakra in. The effect was instant. Light returned to her eyes as she instantly became Sakura again.
"N-naruto?" she asked, not believing her eyes.
"Y-yeah, it's me, Sakura."
Tears fell freely as the two embraced. It had been so long since they had been together. Naruto couldn't believe it. He finally had Sakura back. He finally had his Sakura back.
Naruto released Sakura and turned to Tenten. He repeated the process, and she, too, was back to normal.
"Why?" asked Naruto, directing his attention to the girl who still stood at the door.
"I told you. My master said."
"Why does he want to give me this 'gift?'"
"Let's just say that my master doesn't want you to lose this war. Think of this as an incentive."
That said, the girl was engulfed in green flames and disappeared. Soon after, the other kages and White Ops left, leaving Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, Tenten, and Sakura.
"Tenten, I'm sorry. I never should have used that jutsu. Your death has haunted me every night."
"I forgive you, Lord Hokage," said Tenten. "Now, if I may, where is Neji?"
Naruto winced and told her that he was currently in the hospital having his wounds tended to.
"He nearly died?"
"Yes, if it hadn't been for that Caged Bird Seal, he would be dead."
"Is it…?"
"Yes, it's gone. Go see him, Tenten. He needs you."
"Yes, thank you, Lord Hokage."
She turned and left, leaving Team 7 by itself.
"Well, here we are, all back together again," said Kakashi, breaking the awkward silence.
It was at that moment that the group performed an action that had never happened before in the history of Team 7. They shared a group hug. They were now truly reunited. The New Sannin were together again, and they were going to end this war.
On the battlefield…
Kakashi and Tai stood together in front of the Alliance forces. They stood right where Lee and Neji had been before. They had a different mission, however. Once the barrier fell, which would be in about two minutes, they would charge in and search for any kage that they could find. On the other side of the barrier, the enemy had already prepared themselves and stood waiting, just as the Alliance.
"Ready, old man?" Tai asked, using his nickname for Kakashi.
Kakashi continued reading his orange book. "Let's not forget that I am the one who trained your sensei. I can use the Thousand Years of Death, if you want…"
"Never mind, Kakashi-sensei."
"I thought so…"
The barrier turned purple, then shattered. Shinobi from both sides clashed. Kakashi and Tai slashed any who came near them, forming a clear path straight through the middle of the gathered ninja. As they neared halfway through the assembled force, they split apart, going their separate ways to search.
Kakashi flanked to the left. He cut down any ninja who stood in his way, searching for the leader.
"You're quite the shinobi," said a man who appeared to be Kakashi's age. He was bald and had brown eyes. His bald head was covered in scars like Ibiki's. He wore a chainmail suit and leather boots and gloves. The man had a seemingly aged quality to his features, as if he'd seen his share of battles. In his left hand was a spear with its butt planted firmly in the ground.
"I take it you're a kage?"
"Yes, I am the Yarikage of the Spear Village."
"Well, let's get this over with," said Kakashi, raising his headband to reveal his Sharingan.
The Yarikage grinned as he raised his spear above his head and began to twirl it. He used the weapon to block Kakashi's punches and kicks, and occasionally used it to strike back, testing Kakashi. Kakashi successfully blocked the first few strikes, but the fifth managed to cut his arm. He jumped back, checking the wound.
"I expected more," said the Yarikage.
"I'm just warming up," replied Kakashi as he charged back into the fight.
Kakashi dove back into the fight, his kunai slashing at every opening with precision. The Yarikage was struggling to keep up with Kakashi's speed. Kakashi jumped back, threw his kunai at the Yarikage's head, then began forming hand signs. The Yarikage blocked the weapon, but was then met with Kakashi's Fireball Jutsu. He jumped back, but Kakashi was ready.
Kunai met spear head in a flurry of sparks. Kakashi's Sharingan stared directly into the Yarikage's eyes, and Kakashi knew it was over. His genjutsu successful, he jumped back and watched as the Yarikage fell over dead.
"What a weakling."
Kakashi replaced his headband and began chopping down other enemies. Kakashi was met by a single man, however, who held both a sword and shield. The man wore ancient armor all over his body. The visor on his helmet made it impossible for Kakashi to see his face.
"I am the Kishikage of the Knight Village. I challenge you."
"You're funeral."
Kakashi now went toe to toe with the Kishikage. The two moved fast. Kakashi punched toward the kage, but he either evaded or blocked. Kakashi changed tactics and tried kicking from above, but his opponent was fast enough to move the shield to protect himself. Kakashi soon realized that the shield was going to be trouble. If Kakashi was to avoid the sword, he would have to attack the side with the shield, and the shield was repelling all of his taijutsu.
"Alright, guess I'll switch to ninjutsu!" Kakashi formed hand signs and spat fire toward the Kishikage, who channeled chakra into his shield, blocking the attack.
"Your ninjutsu is useless."
"We'll see!" Kakashi formed more hand signs and uncovered his Sharingan. "Amaterasu: Kakashi Style!"
The beam of black fire erupted from Kakashi's eye. The Kishikage used his shield to block the attack, but it caught fire and he had to throw it away. He charged Kakashi and swung his sword. Kakashi dodged and jumped back. The Kishikage continued his offensive swinging his sword. He brought the sword down, then back up, then slashed left, then right, each move fluidly connected. Kakashi had to use his Sharingan to dodge the moves because of their speed and fluidity. The Kishikage brought his sword down again, and Kakashi blocked it with his kunai. The weapons met for only a moment before the kunai gave and was sliced in two.
"You cannot defeat me," said the Kishikage. "I have never been defeated."
"Well there's a first time for everything!" Kakashi replied as he dodged another stroke.
Seeing that the Kishikage was winded from his offensive, Kakashi took advantage and pulled another kunai, slashing at the Kishikage. The Kishikage parried Kakashi's first slash, then his second, and then his third. Kakashi jumped up and threw the kunai at his enemy, who deflected it with his sword. He formed hand signs and spat more fire at the Kishikage, who dove out of the jutsu's path. Kakashi formed even more hand signs, this time deciding on a different jutsu.
"Chidori Cloak!" Lightning engulfed Kakashi, similar to Naruto's Nine-Tails' Cloak. This Chidori was constant, and shot out in all directions. The Kishikage attacked Kakashi without heeding the new jutsu, which proved to be a mistake. Before he could get within two feet of Kakashi, the Chidori had shot out and struck him, blowing him back and disarming him.
"Sorry," said Kakashi, "but with this jutsu, you won't get anywhere near me."
Kakashi flexed his fingers and jumped toward the Kishikage, the chakra around his hand focusing itself into a Lightning Blade. Kakashi brought his jutsu down on the Kishikage, effectively killing him by piercing his chest. Kakashi, his chakra reserves running low from the fire jutsus and the Chidori Cloak, then replaced his headband and left to find Tai.
Meanwhile, with Tai…
Tai had already killed the kage of the Axe Village, and now he was facing the Kenkage of the Sword Village.
"I won't even need my sword."
"We'll see!" Tai ran forward and punched the Kenkage in the face, but was shocked to feel his fist find nothing but air.
"Looking for me?" asked the Kenkage, who now stood behind him.
Tai swung his left fist out to hit the Kenkage, but once again found nothing but air.
"Pathetic!" said the Kenkage as he dodged each and every one of Tai's punches. "I hope you've got more than that."
Furious, Tai jumped back and formed hand signs. "Fire Style: Dragon Breath!"
Fire spewed from his mouth. The Kenkage only grinned. "Water Style: Water Dragon Flood!" he shouted, and a geyser of water shot out of the ground.
"How do you know our jutsu?"
"I had a teacher from here. He taught me many of your jutsu. Like this one! Earth Style: Fist of the Giant!"
Tai jumped back as a giant fist of stone emerged from the ground below him. He dodged again as the fist tried to squash him from above. Tai formed hand signs and used his Dragon Breath Jutsu to melt the giant fist.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Flood!"
The geyser rose from the ground again, but this time, the Kenkage formed more hand signs and molded the water into an actual dragon. The dragon rocketed toward Tai, striking and sending him through a nearby oak. Tai got back up and felt his abdomen.
'Great! Four fractured ribs and two broken. That's going to hurt in the morning.'
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Jutsu!" said Tai, forming hand signs. His hands flew to his mouth and he exhaled fire. The fire formed into a dragon and rocketed toward the Kenkage. The Kenkage jumped out of the way, but the dragon followed him. He formed a single hand sign and the water around him rose up to create a wall. The dragon crashed into the Water Wall and fizzled out.
"You're annoying. I'll need to make this quick."
The Kenkage drew his sword, a thin silver blade on a simple black handle. The sword glowed for a moment before the Kenkage vanished. Tai searched for him, but couldn't find him. The Kenkage then reappeared behind Tai, delivering a slash to his upper back. Tai fell forward, but disappeared from the Kenkage's view. He reappeared to the Kenkage's left, preparing to slam a burning Rasengan into his face. In a flurry of movement that Tai couldn't comprehend, the Kenkage's sword found its way into Tai's chest. Tai used what strength he had left to stop himself from impaling himself anymore. The Kenkage kicked Tai off the blade with disdain.
"Is that all you can do?" asked the Kenkage
"Tai!" said Kakashi as he jumped onto the scene.
"Careful…old man…he's tough," said Tai before falling unconscious.