Kakashi tapped on the cover of the latest novel by Jiraiya. He characteristically watched the older man and asked, "So, it wasn't a late prank?"

Jiraiya leaned a hand on his cheek, glancing away. "Sadly, no," he said, "I was unmotivated and drank way more than I ever have. I hadn't drank in a while, either. It gave me a push, but... Well, the results were... Honestly, I can't believe I didn't pass out. I've done so for less."

Kakashi picked the book pack up and thumbed through the pages. He brought a teacup to his mask with his other hand, and somehow made it work. "Well, it's certainly an improvement," he said, "though, I still think it's not what your readers want. I mean, you write smut. What is this, all of a sudden? Going back to finish a story fourteen years old? Why?"

"I need a legacy that'll change the world."

"I don't think you need a book to do that, sensei. You've done so much as it is. Just give your readers what they want. There is nothing wrong with smut. It's just entertainment, like everything else. If it brings joy to people, then you've done all you could. But this? I just don't understand."

"What do you mean?"

"Like, why is everyone bisexual, for starters? It seems really farfetched."

"Have you visited the nation of the samurai?"

"Okay, sure, but that's not you," Kakashi said, "I find it hard to believe you wrote this." All of a sudden, Kakashi's free eye dropped down to look at the hand of the older man atop his.

Jiraiya felt his cheeks get red. "S-sorry, you're probably right. Writing this has done something to my head, I think. B-but, anyways, it's not like I'm charging anyone for it. This one... This one is just for me, and anyone who will listen, I guess."

"Well, you know what they say..."

Jiraiya found himself stroking Kakashi's hand again. "What do they say, kohai?"

"Erm, Jiraiya, are you gay?"

"Me? What!? No! It's... It's..."

Just then, Jiraiya looked around. Chaos. He could hear nothing but a harsh ringing rattling his inner ear, piercing his thoughts. Are those some limbs? Anbu? Tsunade? Ka..Kakashi? Not gay, Jiraiya thought, shaking his head. But it was no time to be happy about being out of that nightmare. There was a new one to deal with.

He stood up, stumbling over to Shizune who was over the body of Ino. A flash came up to his side and threw back a fist. Bone snapped under his backhand and a loud crash his the tunnel wall. They needed to get out of the jailing area. It was too advantageous for Danzo and his organization. How could the third have let this happen?

"Just go, I'm fine," a voice said.

"R-right, Sasuke. We're not leaving without you, though."

"Sakura."

Jiraiya turned to see the young ninja standing up. To her side was Sasuke, around his eyes dried blood stained, and a blindfold over what Jiraiya presumed to be empty sockets.

"Hey, you pervy sensei!"

"Naruto?" Jiraiya asked. Bodies. Fighting. Something touched his leg. Naruto wasn't looking too good, but he crawled to his feet. Heat rose within Jiraiya. Finally, he felt sober. "Enough!"

His fingers came together in the form of seals and barrage of fireballs lit up the air. Danzo turned just in time to be set ablaze. After the flames settled, he stood unharmed. What happened? Jiraiya thought. Another illusion? No, he was certain he caught Danzo off guard, so then why?

"He just won't stay down," Naruto said. He had one hand on the ground and the other on his knee. His palm slid off his pants and stumbling back down. He reached up, grabbing Jiraiya's hand and finally made it to his feet. "Sharingan on his right arm, sensei. For some reason, one keeps closing from time to time."

So, it is a genjutsu, Jiraiya thought.

There was thunder, then dust billowed up. Tsunade stood where Danzo had previously been. Purple designs were running down from her face. It had already gotten that bad. Just how long was Jiraiya under genjutsu? And what had been used on him? Those thoughts could wait—he noticed another eye closing. Nothing had hit Danzo, though, so it could be that it wasn't in reaction to anything in particular. It appeared there were still four open, but Jiraiya couldn't be certain Danzo didn't have anymore tricks.


The feeling that made her want to turn and run was quickly replaced by rage as her eyes met Danzo. Who even was she, Ino wondered. No, it didn't matter. She was just sick of it all—all the fighting. But she went over to Naruto. Her hands began to glow green.

"Thanks," he said.

"You're alright?"

"Yeah, but..." What was that look? Concern? Anger? "I'm just about out of chakra..." His teeth clenched. "Damnit! I want to do more!"

His shoulder shook against Ino's palm. "Naruto, c'mon," she said. "We've done all we can. Leave the rest to the adults. You've worked hard enough." Despite herself, she felt a smile tugging at her lips. It didn't appease Naruto, though. His eyes went tight and he shook his head.

"It's all his fault... All of this is because of him!"

"Naruto?"

"He took Sasuke's family!"

"Naruto, it's more complicated than that!"

"I don't care!"

"Naruto, calm down," Sasuke said. Ino shifted. Blind, slowly moving forward, he looked a mess, but managed to stand straight.

"Sasuke?"

"I want him dead, Naruto, but this isn't your fight. Or theirs."

"Sasuke, you can't be serious," Ino said.

"I told you before: I will have my revenge."

"Damnit, Sasuke! Are you out of your mind?!" Naruto said. His eyes were red and got up in his former friend's face. Sasuke didn't flinch. Sure, he was blind, but being a ninja of his level, he surely was aware of what was going on. "I'll take care of this for you. Because I'm your friend, damnit!"

"Cut that crap out, Naruto! You don't know the first thing about me!"

"I do, you idiot! I know so much it hurts! I might not be good with words, but I know, Sasuke! I know so much, don't think I won't hit you just because you can't see! I'll hit you until the skin on my knuckles is gone, if that's what it takes! I'll hit you until my bones shred! Because you're my friend! What do you think this all is? This is what happens when you try to do everything on your own. You weren't strong enough to stop us, you weren't strong enough to stop him, you weren't stong enough to do anything on your own. Don't you get it by now?"

"Naruto! Shut up!"

"That's enough!" Sakura's voice rang. "Both of you! Sasuke, if you want to stop us, then just try it."

Sasuke's head fell a bit, then a flash came over his face and Ino noticed his canines. Some blood trickled down his chin. "I give up," he said.

"Huh?" Naruto asked.

"I can't stop you now."

"That's right," Sakura said. She was walking over and fixing her gloves. "Just leave the rest to us."

"Naruto," Sasuke said. He was baring his teeth at the ground again.

"What?"

"Take my chakra."

Naruto's face slowly changed, not that his friend could see. He placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder. "Yeah," he said, "alright."

"Hey, Sakura," Ino said. Somehow, the world seemed dimmer. "When'd you get here?"

"Katsuyu contacted me."

"Are you in any condition to fight?"

"I should be asking the same of you."

"Yeah..." Ino knew what had to be done, but couldn't find the energy. She tried her hardest to smile at her friend, but everything felt empty. "Where's Hinata?" she asked.


"64 palms!" Hinata shouted. Panting, she watched as the masked ninja collapsed. She followed suit. I... I did it, she thought. It hurt to smile, to take in air, but she couldn't suppress the fire within. The Byakugan ate up the last of her chakra, then disappeared along with her vision. All the lights in the area had been destroyed during the fight. Elsewhere, she could here the chaos continue, but she was satisfied with herself. Faith in the others let her rest her eyes.

When she could see again, Sakura was over her, their fingers locked. "Hi-Hinata" Sakura said, "I was getting worried." Those lips she loved turned into that smile.

"What's going on?" Hinata asked.

"Everything is going to be alright," Sakura said, "Things got crazy for a bit, but Danzo... Well..."

"He's dead?"

"Yeah..."

Hinata's eyes felt heavy. "I'm so tired," she said.

"Rest."