Chapter 34: The Coming Storm

Deidara and Sasori bolted through the door, the large wedding cake rolling behind them on a trolley. The sounds of swords and screams flooding throughout the Monastery as the monks and Akatsuki clashed, Deidara had nothing but respect for the monks, against all odds they were fighting for their home and god. Sasori was glaring at Deidara in anger, question in his eye as to the reason Deidara had pulled the two of them from the fray with nothing but wedding food. He jabbed a finger into Deidara's chest and sneered

"What the hell, man ? Everyone is fighting and all you do is steal some fucking cake and run ?"

Deidara shook his head grinning "In order to fight these Akatsuki devils ... we need weapons right ?"

Sasori's eyes narrowed "Yeah ... what of it ?"

Deidara pointed to the cake and jumped "THIS WHOLE CAKE IS A FUCKING BOMB ! This is all I need to get started ... now do you see ?"

A small grin crossed Sasori's face "I'm sorry I ever doubted you"

Sasori popped open a compartment in his arm and began to tinker with the devices inside, tubes and barrels extending from his fingers and digging into the cake while Deidara's hands began to mold the cake into a zoo of deadly creations. when they were ready, the Akatsuki would be thrown off their asses like domino's. When Naruto and Nagato asked about Deidara's cake being a mixture of explosives, he had thought they were only joking, he realized now that it was no joke. Thank Jashin for the cake.

The arrow of the Susanoo flew across the room, piercing the stone altar and shattering it like glass. The heat of the arrow leaving burning stone like red-hot coals in a fire. Hinata brushed the hot stone flakes from her dress before it caught alight, rolling behind a stone column and drawing Kunai from her stockings. She flicked the projectiles across the room, colliding with the overhead struts and bringing down hundreds of pounds of cobblestone on the Two Susanoo forms. Naruto and the others leaped from behind cover and prepared themselves for the retaliation attack.

Naruto grinned "They are still alive under all the rock ... its only a matter of time now ..."

Purple and red lights flashed through the cracks of the rubble, ear deafening roars howled as the rubble was torn into confetti by the enraged figures. Itachi and Sasuke burst from the cobble as if it were mere hay, Itachi's blade slicing the floor between them, splitting the chapel in half. Sasuke stood across from Naruto, the large crack in the floor separating them, they looked like the stone statues in the final valley, depicting the battle of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju.

Sasuke pointed his bow and smirked, drawing back the string "You have no where to run, Naruto. This wedding is bust ..."

Naruto slowly crept his hand towards his stomach, stalling for time "Sorry Sasuke ... This wedding was a couples event only ... you look short a girlfriend"

Dual hot rage burned through Sasuke's head, the mention of Sakura sent hot coals down his spine and needles into his feet. His teeth locked like vices, veins bulging from his neck and forehead like pulsating snakes. With a venomous roar, he drew back the bow.

"DON'T EVER SPEAK OF HER AGAIN, YOU FUCKING MONSTER !"

He released the arrow. A wave of purple flames following its wake like screaming furies as it shot towards its target.

Clawed hands closed around the arrow, ceasing its momentum and stopping it dead. A pool of black ink spread across the floor as the Nine tails was summoned into existence. Bones, muscle and flesh covering the chakra outline of the gargantuan creature as it snatched the arrow from the air and snapped it in half like a mere twig. Kurama chuffed laughter at the Uchiha's poor attempt at execution, getting on all fours and locking eyes with the ethereal soldier that hung over Sasuke. Sasuke lunged first, his bow drawing back and firing more barrages of flaming arrows towards Kurama, who climbed onto the nearby column support and leaped towards Sasuke, tackling him over and burying his jaws deep into the Susanoo's neck.

Sasuke rolled onto his back, digging his arms into the flat of the Kyuubi's chest, heaving his strength and throwing the fox off his armor and across the room. He drew a small dagger from the ghostly sheath on his back, swiping it in an outward arc and spinning it between the armored gauntlets of his Susanoo. Kurama roared from across the room, picking up speed as he charged through rows of benches and columns towards Sasuke.

"Come then, little Uchiha ... I've killed Uchiha since the formation of your damned village !"

"It's not my village ... I'll burn it to the ground soon after I burn these lands"

Itachi caught movement from the corner of his eye, his red Susanoo clad in flaming red armor. He turned with sword raised, the two men dived behind cover. Itachi knew immediately who it was and lightly grinned. Two pairs of hands rose from behind cover, no weapons or scrolls to be seen. The two Tensei members stood surrendering, grins also across their faces.

"HEEEeeey Itachi, what's it like to be a traitor n all ?"

He smirked "Deidara ... Sasori, weren't we the first people to become traitors ? I'm only joining back with the old team. There are still some positions available if you want, keep that it mind"

Sasori flipped him off "Fuck you and your Genjutsu, you can come here and kiss my wooden ass, baka !"

Deidara shouted "NOW, SASORI !"

Pointing their hands out towards Itachi, Sasori opened his hand into a barrel, projectiles began to shoot from his limbs like cannons, raw explosives they had devoured like cake. Deidara swiped his hands outward, small pellets of explosives colliding with the flames of Itachi's Susanoo and igniting, creating large explosions that shook the chapel and Itachi like an earthquake. Multiple explosions pushing the Uchiha back towards the windows of the chapel. Deidara formed a flock of explosive doves, sending them flying towards the already off-balance Itachi, Deidara tackled the puppet to the ground and shielded him from the ear deafening explosion that followed, it seemed more bang came out of the little doves than all their previous attacks. the shock wave pushed the large Susanoo out the window and plummeting two stories down to the main courtyard, where more fighting was taking place. Deidara and Sasori jumped down to the courtyard, calling over their shoulders

"Nagato, we will deal with Itachi !"

He nodded "Be careful ! he wont be easy to beat"

Monks clashed with Kisame's blade, screaming curses in an ancient Jashinism language, while many of the others screamed in agony as Kakuzu tore through them with sewed ferocity. Deidara and Sasori landed across from where Itachi was laying, his Susanoo the only thing keeping them away from his throat as he recovered from the fall. His sword still blazing in one hand, his armored gauntlet curling into a iron clad fist. He rose to his full height and swung his sword outward, the power of its flaming fury setting the hay beneath them alight, the fire spreading across the courtyard and engulfing the hooded monks along with it. Sasori's finger spread apart in a wide span and spun like a propeller, extinguishing the flames and protecting the two of them from further harm.

Itachi Lunged forward, emerging from the flames with blade extended, ready to pin the two to the nearest wall. Deidara tackled Sasori down, dodging the blade by mere inches as they cluttered to the floor. Deidara blacked out for a second, opening his eyes only to see Sasori's only inches from his own, their lips touching and crotches a little to close for heterosexual comfort. Pushing him off with lightning speed and strength, Sasori tossed Deidara to the other side of the court, coughing and wiping anything that could have possibly been Deidara in his mouth, whilst the artist himself spat and cursed.

"YOU ASSHOLE, WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU KISSING ME FOR ! THIS IS NOT ART HMMMM !"

Sasori pointed a finger and screamed "YOU CAME ON TO ME BAKA ! I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE A LITTLE GIRL !"

Itachi struck his sword downward, Splitting the concrete and sending a crack through the courtyard towards Deidara, who merely dodged it without breaking his argument with Sasori.

"I SAVED YOUR LIFE YOU LITTLE PILE OF WOOD CHIPS ! THEN YOU KISSED ME AS REWARD I'M GUESSING ?!"

the Sword came down again, inches from Sasori's arm as he side-stepped its path of devastation, sending another loud shout back at Deidara

"WHY WOULD I REWARD YOU WITH A KISS YOU WEIRD ASSHOLE ! I DON'T ROLL THAT WAY MAN !"

Enemy Shuriken stapled the wall around Deidara as he flipped from obstacle to obstacle, screaming back at Sasori

"YOU SHOULD FEEL BLESSED TO OF KISSED AN ARTIST LIKE ME ! I DON'T LIKE MEN ANYWAY !"

Sasori snorted "SAYS THE PRETTY PRINCESS WITH THE PONYTAIL !"

Itachi was beginning to grow tired of their argument, it was if they hardly knew was there, or they either did not care.

'I think I'm going to have to actually take this fight seriously ... damn"

Kakashi locked blades again and again with Nagato, the silver haired man snarling with every strike. In his mind the bloody image of Anko cradled in his arms as her blood ran thin across the grass, powered Kakashi with boiling rage and mindless ferocity that had changed his fighting style completely. Had his teachers seen his new style of fighting, they would have been disappointed at the mess he had become. Kakashi's precise and swift attacks had become more brutal and near suicidal as he threw himself at his enemy, with no concern for his own safety

'My wife and child are dead ... I have no reason to be careful anymore'

Mimicking one of Sasuke's moves he called aloud "Katon: Gōukakyuu no Jutsu !"

The large fireball rolled across the room, burning the carpets and setting the wooden seats alight as it rolled towards Nagato. With one palm strike, Nagato sent the whole wave of fire spiraling back to Kakashi, its own power turned back on its master. Opening his eye and releasing his Chakra, Kakashi activated the Kamui and sucked the flames into a pin point in the air only inches from his own skin, pulling the flames in like water down a plug, sweat covered his back as he strained his power in order to stop himself from being cooked alive. The flames dispersed and he stood, huffing and puffing in exhaustion, but now after viewing Nagato's attacks, he figured out a plan

'I hope this works'

He lunged away from Nagato, acting as if retreating, waiting for Nagato to take the bait. Nagato used his Gravitational pull and jerked Kakashi back towards him, this is exactly what Kakashi was waiting for, He put all his weight into his sword and raised it upward, lunging forward like a projectile. Nagato only barely dodged Kakashi's reckless attack, a deep cut slicing through his side and spilling blood across the floor. Nagato curled over, clutching the wound and pushing Kakashi away to the other side of the chapel. Using the technology of the Asura path, Nagato's index finger popped open and a small flame sparked to life, clutching the two folds of skin together between bloody fingers, Nagato ran the bare flame along the wound, the blood crystallizing and cauterizing the wound shut from bleeding. He let out a cry of agony as the flame burned at his blood and skin, but when he was done the wound was closed and sealed. tearing the tie off his suit he wrapped the wound in the makeshift bandage and got back up, wincing at the sharp pain in his abdomen.

Kakashi laughed "Pitiful ... your own attack was used against you. How can a user of the Rinnegan, the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths fuck up so badly ... YOU ARE PATHETIC !"

Nagato brushed the hair from his eyes and coldly stared "I would say the same to you, the great Kakashi Hatake of the Sharingan ... reduced to a mindless barbarian puppet of the Akatsuki ... If what you say is true, you have disgraced your wife and child"

Kakashi lunged, screaming his defiance "DON'T TALK AS IF YOU ARE ON THEIR SIDE ! YOU PEOPLE KILLED MY STUDENT ... KONOHA KILLED ME WIFE AND CHILD ... I HAVE NOTHING BECAUSE OF YOU PEOPLE !"

Nagato nodded "Your pain has made you stronger ... but your thirst for revenge makes you blind, I will end you now and ease your stress"

Kakashi wiped the bloody Kunai across the sleeve of his cloak, the red stain dark against the black fabric. He placed the Kunai in his mouth and drew two more Kunai, one in each hand. He remembered seeing Zabuza, swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, doing the same stance 3 years ago during their mission to the Land of Waves before passing away next to his subordinate, Haku. Charging forward he slammed into Nagato, knocking him to the ground as he swung blindly, knifes stabbing and retracting from Nagato's chest as Kakashi stuck the Uzumaki until blood covered his arms. Smiling at the carnage, Kakashi began to chuckle at the ruby pool surrounding them.

A voice called from behind him "Your thirst for revenge truly has made you blind ..."

The body of Nagato dissolved into a pile of sludge, the substance was white and felt like sap, in truth it was a substitution method created by Orochimaru using the cultivated cells of Zetsu, allowing a clone to take perfect shape and form of the user and take the attack instead, fooling the attacker longer then a normal shadow clone or Genjutsu. Kakashi swiped the sludge off his arms and turned, wincing as fresh pain flared from his abdomen. Nagato had struck whilst Kakashi was busy slaughtering the fake.

Nagato nodded, gesturing to the wound festering in his stomach "I admire your cause Kakashi ..."

Kakashi cupped his hand over the bleeding wound, the blood running through his fingers and down his cloak onto the tiled concrete, Kakashi's vision was growing blurred, the colors growing less vibrant and gray as if it were night. He coughed blood and doubled over his knees, the wound had cut through arteries and nerves.

Nagato continued "Which is why I have not killed you yet ... You will survive from that wound if you are treated quickly"

Kakashi was shivering, his skin growing pale. He coughed out near inaudible words "W...Why ..."

Tensei's leader took a knee and lifted Kakashi's face. Their eyes locking, Nagato's in pity, Kakashi's in hatred and pain.

Nagato coldly said "If you want revenge ... If that is the festering wound in your heart you wish healed, then Konoha should have been your first stop"

Without saying anything further, Nagato lifted Kakashi, the gravitational force locked around his throat as he floated mid air. Then without remorse, Nagato flicked his hand to the side, as if bemused, Kakashi's body went hurtling through the glass pane of the chapel's interior window. Kakashi felt vertigo take over his body as he drifted in free fall towards the carnage of the courtyard. the world then suddenly became fast and loud, his body hitting the concrete with a muffled crack, his vision blurring then falling to darkness completely, unconscious but not yet dead.

The flaming blade came down, Kurama's teeth locking onto the blade inches from a fatal decapitation, With dual claws the Kyuubi swiped outward, cutting into the Susanoo and tearing layers of clothes and skin from Sasuke. With all the force he could muster, Sasuke punched the Kyuubi in the side of the head as hard as he could, forcing it to release his blade. Bringing the blade upward, the blade pierced Kurama's shoulder, he writhed backward roaring in agony as blood poured from the wound. Sasuke flipped backward clutching his chest which pulsated with intense pain, the foxes claws had dug in deep.

Sasuke assessed the situation between harsh breaths 'I can't hold onto this Susanoo for long ... It's eating to much Chakra, I need to heal'

Across the room Naruto was also consoling the Kyuubi 'Switch back with me, Baka... You wont heal fast in this world ... I'll take over'

Kurama rolled his eyes 'If you insist ... but be careful, it may look like he is at his end also ... but he has something planned'

'So do I ...'

The Kyuubi shrunk in size as fur, skin and bone fell from the Chakra shaped fox, like old fossils. The form of a man becoming more predominant and visible. A Grinning Naruto emerged from the pile of dissolving materials, the thin cloak of fox Chakra still surrounding him like bubbling water, The shoulder wound already closing and healing up from when Sasuke stabbed into the Kyuubi. Naruto stepped closed, the grin across his face only bringing more pain and anger to Sasuke

"I'm back ... Sasuke. You are as defenseless as I am"

Sasuke released his Susanoo form, the purple warrior's shell crumbling around him and vanishing. Sasuke was left bare without any armor protecting him.

Sasuke smirked "Pathetic fool ... I am a whole level high than you, Tailed beast or not ... you won't survive"

The curse mark on the back of his neck began to grow larger and spread cursed symbols scurrying across his body, burning and healing him at the same time. He doubled over in pain, his eyes aching as the Iris's turned black with the growing darkness that encompassed him. Hand-like wings tore from his shoulders and grew their span wide, flexing and fluttering as it merged with his bone structure. His hair growing wild and long, he grinned as his curse mark form was revealed. Naruto had last seen it during their fight in the Valley of the End, two years before this battle.

Sasuke jumped upward, his wings fluttering and holding him mid-air "I have the advantage now, Naruto ... shall we take my powers for a spin ?"

Sasuke swooped downward, his clawed finger digging into Naruto's shoulders and lifting him off the ground as Sasuke flew towards the ceiling. Naruto tried to fight off Sasuke's grin but the vertigo and intense speed they were flying made Naruto's movements feel like iron weights. Sasuke crashed through the tiled rooftop, carrying Naruto into the sky. Hinata screamed after them

"NARUTO !"

Konan tackled her over as Kisame swung Samehadda over them "HE WILL BE FINE ! FOCUS ON THE FIGHT !"

They rolled to their sides as Samehadda came down again, it's bandages exposed to reveal a snarling row of teeth which began snapping at the two women. Scuttling away from the beast sword, they left the main hall out a back passage, Kisame and Samehadda following close behind

Naruto felt cold air force its way into his lungs as he flew upward, Sasuke still holding onto him with a tight grip as they rose into the sky, Naruto flailing about trying to break free from his grip. Sasuke slowed his accent, hovering hundreds of meters in the air, lifting Naruto by the scruff of his cloak, face to face. He grinned than drove a fist into Naruto's jaw, repeatedly punching and striking Naruto as he flailed at the end of Sasuke's grip, unable to fight back.

Sasuke laughed "Look how pathetic you are now, Naruto ... Unable to break free and unable to fight back, Pathetic"

Naruto spat a mouth full of blood at Sasuke, he recoiled back and cursed. "You're not the only one with tricks ... Sasuke"

Sasuke, wiping the blood from his cheek stared coldly "I told you ... you would suffer for Sakura's death. Look below you ..."

He pointed down to the Monastery below, the battle looked tiny from this height. From hundreds of meters above, the world looked small and pathetic, nothing stood higher than they did. Naruto could spot the red glow of Itachi's Susanoo and the explosions from Sasori and Deidara surrounding him, Naruto prayed for his friends safety and victory, the smell of death was pungent in the air. Sasuke pointed to the tiled roof below, the closest thing to their vertical accent.

He continued "If I dropped you from here, you might survive ... but you will be in a lot of pain. I will be sure to savor every little second of your agony"

Naruto chuckled, catching Sasuke off guard "Sakura did not tell you did she ? ... Of course she didn't, she wanted to look strong in front of her dear man"

Sasuke's teeth showed as his breathing became heavier "I'll fucking kill you, speak of her again and I'll make you watch as I burn your broad to ashes"

Naruto only laughed wildly, cackling towards the sky "In the moment I killed your little pink haired beauty, I saw all the fear and weakness in her soul"

Sasuke tensed, a growl sounding in the back of his throat as his rage began to boil over.

Naruto continued "All I saw in her weak little soul was fear and despair ... she wanted to marry you and have kids. Looks like I win the marriage race, buddy"

Sasuke screamed "MARRY IN HELL YOU PIECE OF SHIT !"

Sasuke threw Naruto down toward the ground, sending Naruto hurdling hundreds of meters to the ground to a possible death. Sasuke wanted him to suffer so badly for what he had done and said, he wanted his screams to fill the air then cut off as he drew in his last breathes. Sasuke wanted the pleasure of seeing his worst enemy perish, he needed to see it. Naruto's world was spinning, his body traveling at such a high speed he was unable to move properly, he relaxed his mind and got to work on his plan. Sasuke, flying at full speed, began to form hand signs.

he paced through the steps in his mind 'Relax ... You were taught how to do this ... Use your Chakra ... Slow your speed and control Chakra flow'

The ground was growing closer, ready to meet him head on

he continued with his lessons 'Control wind flow ... loop the chakra around something and pull ... Wind and air are my tools ... slowly'

He yelled "SHINRA TENSEI !"

Naruto's own modified version of Nagato's Gravitational Jutsu blasted out from his palms, the force of wind, air and chakra slowing his decent proportionately he braced himself for collided with the angled roof, sliding down it's surface as tiles chips off and broke under him as he gained speed, he dug in both hands and slowed himself down only inches from the edge of the roof. his hands blistered and cut from the sharp tiles. He looked up at Sasuke with a humorous expression. He grabbed his eye lid and pulled it down, sticking out his tongue in mockery of Sasuke. The Uchiha shivered in anger, swooping down for another attack. Sasuke's attack was ready, he roared aloud

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu !"

Multiple fire balls sprouted from Sasuke, spreading out like a burning flower, ready to engulf Naruto. the fireballs collided around Naruto, as he rolled and flipped back up the roof, tiles sliding off as he sprinted up the building, his eyes darting over his shoulder as a new fireballs were launched. Sasuke was drawing closer by the second, he had to act quick.

Naruto grinned wider 'The dumbass is taking the bait'

Shooting forward, blade extended ready to slice out Naruto's throat, Sasuke descended. Naruto focused his Chakra again, wrapping the tethers of wind chakra around the approaching enemy like a snare, waiting for him to get close enough. Sasuke was only meters away from him when Naruto released another blast of air, sending Sasuke off-balance and spiraling towards the earth. Leaping off the roof, Naruto leaped onto Sasuke's falling body and slashed at him twice, the Kunai cutting his belt and sheath off his body, the second blow sliced deep into Sasuke's shoulder, spurting blood as the two fell to the ground.

Sasuke collided with the concrete at high-speed, sending a wave of broken tiles and concrete in all directions. The impact blew wind and blood from Sasuke's lungs as lay writhing on the ground, gasping for air. Naruto climbed out of the crater, his own body cut and bruised from the impact, but he knew Sasuke had been hit harder than him. stumbling over to a dead monk, he grabbed the sword from its still hands and stumbled back to the crater where Sasuke lay writhing.

"Now then buddy ... shall we finish this ?"

Sasori Launched another barrage of Condensed C4 through his barreled arms, his fingers and palms splitting like caps off a tooth paste container and streaming attacks of explosive death, The projectiles flew across the courtyard towards Itachi, who met their deadly payload with his sword extended, slicing the explosives and letting them explode before they got any closer to the outside of his Susanoo shell. Sasori ducked and rolled as the sword came crashing down next to him, sending shards of concrete and roaring flames in all direction. He looked over his shoulder, checking on Deidara's progress on his secret attack.

'hurry your ass up Deidara, I can't hold him for long'

Across the courtyard behind a stone column, Deidara was hard at work, hand and mouth molding and forming rows upon rows of small animals, insects and birds. His hands rapidly moving from Explosive pouches to the make-shift work bench he had made from a downed pillar. No two animals were alike, but all were packed with enough explosives to level a tall building. He felt something at the back of his heart however, as if something dark was coming to meet him, he knew today might be his last day, call it paranoia or intuition. He wanted to go out with a bang either way.

He gazed at his creations and marveled "I'm done ... this is going to be my best work of art yet !"

He turned to the fight raging on behind him, Sasori was getting tired and Deidara could see it, he had to act fast. Forming and hand sign, the hundreds of little critters sprung to life, chirping and crawling onto Deidara, ready to explode anything their master deemed a threat. Deidara felt almost a paternal bond with each one of these scuttling explosives, he had brought them into the world and he would send them out of it into a world of explosive art and dead enemies. Deidara charged forward onto the courtyard, the swarm of critters following close behind. Deidara screamed to Itachi, Sasori rolling out of the way

"HEY ASSHOLE !... WELCOME TO DEIDARA'S ZOO YOU SON OF A BITCH !"

Then all at once, the hundreds of creatures sprung from their location or flew towards Itachi, colliding with the Susanoo and throwing Itachi off his feet, cracks and shell fragments falling off his Susanoo as the explosion broke his defenses and threw Itachi back, his Susanoo shattering into pieces and disappearing as he was knocked unconscious by the blasts. Sasori turned to Deidara grinning cheek to cheek, raising his hand for their special little high-five

"HIGH FIVE YOU AMAZING SUNAVA BITCH !"

they slapped hands, Deidara accidentally pulling Sasori's hand right off the arm. Looking at each other in an awkward silence they both broke out into fits of hysterical laughter, Sasori screwing his hand back on and slapping Deidara on the back, their friendship has grown ever since Naruto had joined the Akatsuki. They had gone from being bitter comrades to a bubbly couple, Deidara found himself laughing, not knowing this would be the last time they laughed together like this. They approached the still body of Itachi, his Susanoo depleted and no where to be seen.

"You sure got him good, Deidara"

"We got him good ... don't knock yourself out of this, partner" slapping Sasori on the back

"Wanna check if he's dead ?"

"You can do it ... I'll give you the honors haha"

"Sounds like you are just lazy ... you baka you ..."

Sasori approached Itachi's body, his blade extended ready to cut out any resistance the Uchiha still had left. He saw no movement or breathing, he could hardly sense any chakra emitting from the body, only faint residue of Itachi's former power. He looked more dead than Orochimaru's stare, Sasori chuckled and kicked the body. His eyes growing wide as his foot phased right through the corpse like fog or murky waters. He turned around and screamed

"DEIDARA ! GENJUTSU !"

Just as Sasori turned, A blade pierced through Deidara's chest, Itachi holding onto the blades hilt, his face bleed and bruised. Deidara froze, blood streaming from his mouth as the blade cut through bone, arteries and his right lung. Itachi pushed the blade further in, its red steel sticking further and further out of his chest. He slowly crept his hand into his pocket, even in his last moments Deidara was a stealthy Demolition expert. A smile crossed his bloody face. Sasori screamed

"NO !"

Deidara looked over his shoulder to Itachi "N...Nice party trick you got there ... Itachi"

Itachi nodded "Had you two joined the right side, you would have avoided all this pain and suffering"

Sasori snarled "I'll fucking kill you ... UCHIHA SCUM !"

Deidara chuckled "S...Sasori ... Looks like .. you won the bet. Feel...F..Free to take the Ryo from my account, just don't waste it on hookers, okay ?"

Sasori shook his head, unable to create tears bur still able to cry "W...We were just starting to have fun ... you and I"

Deidara nodded "We had more fun then any of those Baka's ..."

Itachi rolled his eyes "Have you said your last goodbyes ?"

The dying bombardier snarled "NO ... HAVE YOU !"

Deidara Grabbed Itachi and pulled him close, the sword piercing even more through his body as he pushed Itachi closer. Pulling two hand fulls of raw C4 and slapping them together, pulling a match from his sleeve and popping it alight with his thumb nail. Itachi tried to pull away but Deidara would not let go. He kicked his legs behind him and tripped Itachi up, landing on his chest and pinning him there. He looked up at Sasori and screamed

"RUN PARTNER ... ART IS AN EXPLOSION !"

He pushed the lit match into the C4 and laughed as white light took them both.

Nagato was thrown back from the window as the explosion shook the entire building. A fireball as tall as the Konoha gates shot upward into the sky, shaking tiles and shattering glass in every window. Hidan caught Nagato as he held back, Hidan's face was black and highlighted with the shape of a skull, it seemed he had also been fighting. They stared at the smokey cloud covering the courtyard, worried for the people caught in it, he was sensing confused Chakra all over the Monastery. He turned to Hidan and nodded

"You activated your Ritual Jutsu already, who were you fighting?"

Hidan rolled his eyes "I was fighting Kakazu ...but it's impossible to do the ritual if fucking asshole barely has any blood to begin with ... fucking strings"

"Where did Kakazu go then ?"

Hidan bit his lip "You're not going to like this but ... He picked up that Kakashi guy and retreated, probably sewed the guy up and is treating him"

Nagato sensed the pain in Hidans mind "I figured as much ... It's fine. How are you feeling ?"

Hidan rubbed the back of his head "More than half of my monks were slaughtered ... some have deserted the Monastery. I guess we are not ready for a Jashin temple in the world ... not yet anyway. When this battle is over, I am swearing my allegiance to you ... so long as you TAKE THESE FUCKERS DOWN !"

clapping sounded from across the empty chapel. Slow but powerful claps of bemused mockery, they turned to see who it was, Hidan clutching his scythe with a furious sneer across his face. The unmasked face of Obito smiled back at them, Hidan went to lunge but Nagato held him back, curiosity in his eyes, but caution none the less. Obito raised his hands, no weapons or scroll to be seen in hand or down sleeve, appearing harmless apart from his infuriating smile. he pointed to the two of them and spoke

"I find it funny ... the two of you discussing whats going to happen after this battle, as if you will survive to see another day"

Hidan cursed "YOU ASSHOLE ... SO YOU DECIDED TO STOP PLAYING DRESS UP AND FINALLY TOOK OFF YOUR FUCKING MASK EH ?"

Nagato placed his hand in front of Hidan, stopping him from Charging "Hidan ... He is my opponent, will you do me favor ?"

Hidan looked skeptical at first but he nodded "Of course ... what is it ?"

Nagato pointed down the hallway "Find Konan and Hinata, Kisame went after them ... you can find your fight down there"

He grinned "My pleasure"

Hidan charged down the hallway, gripping his scythe and hooting like a blood crazed loon, which technically is correct. Obito payed no attention to his departure, his eye was fixated on Nagato. He picked up a dented goblet and drinking what was left of the wine then tossing it aside like a mere trinket. Obito took a seat in front of Nagato, gesturing for Nagato to likewise take a seat, as if they weren't enemies. He whistled in admiration, taking in his surroundings before turning back to Nagato

"You really outdid yourself here, such a beautiful location brought to the edge of war ... what a shame"

Nagato smirked "And who is responsible for that ? You came after us ..."

Obito shrugged "I'm only supervising this little attack ... Sasuke and Kakashi are the driving force behind it, I have nothing personally against you Nagato"

"Except the fact you want me dead and without any eyes ... correct ?"

Obito laughed "I'm not going to lie ... your eyes would be nice to have ... but all I really want is Naruto and his Tailed beast to finish our goal"

Nagato rolled his eyes "We won't give him up ... what of the other beasts ? how many do you have left to capture ?"

"The Kazekage's Ichibi and the Hidden Clouds Hachibi ... And Naruto"

"I will kill anyone who dares harm my nephew ... he is more than just a Jinchuriki to me and the others. He is a Kage in the making ... a new leader"

Obito stood up and brushed the dust from his cloak "Then I suppose our talk is over then ..."

Nagato nodded and thumbed his blade upward from his sheath "As opposing leaders we are expected to fight ... prepare yourself, Obito"

Obito threw back his head and laughed "I'm afraid you still have unfinished Business with one of my forced subordinates"

"Forced Subordinates ?"

The floor between them began to shake and crack, the tiles beneath them splitting and falling into what looked like a sink hole. Nagato to feel and sense strong Chakra rise from the earth, something big was burrowing to the surface. The large dark wood coffin spring from the ground, rising to its full height then halting all movements, standing still like a wooden monolith. Nagato's eyes widening and for the first time in a long time he felt true fear. he had thought this battle was finished, not to be repeated. The lid of the coffin slid from its hinges and fell off the coffin, clattering to the floor and filling the room with a light fog. The figure stepped from the Coffin and flexed his muscles

Jiraiya turned to Nagato surprised himself "Nagato ... what's going on ?"

Nagato could not meet his eyes "You are still under Kabuto's Edo Tensei ... we will probably end up fighting soon"

Jiraiya nodded, it was obvious how this would all end "What about Naruto ? Is he okay ...Is he alive ?"

Nagato nodded, not knowing what else to say to his Sensei "Yeah ...He's fine"

Jiraiya looked as if hundreds of pounds of stress had been lifted from him "Good ... that's all I needed to know. You have to destroy me Nagato, end this"

Nagato took a fighting stance "I will ... Sensei"

Jiraiya's eyes turned black, all the control he once had vanished as Kabuto began to pull the strings of his newly acquired puppet. Jiraiya lunged forward, swiping his fist across Nagato's jaw sending the him sprawling backwards down the aisle of his own wedding. Flipping back he landed on all fours and charged back, grabbing Jiraiya by the waist and driving him into a nearby pillar. Lifting his palm, Nagato pressed it to Jiraiya's chest and and shouted

"SHINRA TENSEI !"

The force of Gravity and Chakra blasted Jiraiya through the stone pillar across the room, a large ragged hole in his chest began to heal itself as the Edo Tensei regenerative powers kicked in. Nagato knew this was going to be more than just a simple fight. He needed to find a way to seal Jiraiya or make the Edo Tensei effect negated so that he could be completely destroyed. Across the room, Jiraiya had climbed back up and was pacing towards Nagato.

Then the idea Dawned on Nagato "The power of the human path ... Of course !"

Hinata and Konan approached a dead-end, the raging battle had caused the halls archway to cave in on itself and block them from the outside, they could feel Kisame drawing closer, seeking out their chakra like a shark senses blood in a deep ocean. They both drew their Kunai and awaited the arrival of their opponent. Hinata's mind was drawn to other pressing matters however, what was that explosion ? Why couldn't she sense her friends Chakra ? Was Naruto okay and how would they get out of this situation ? Konan sensed her distress and focused her

"We can find out what we want to know as soon as we beat this guy ... It's two on one and I know his tricks, keep focused Hinata"

She nodded "Yes .. I will"

from across the hallway, soundings footsteps grew louder. Kisame strolled through the adjacent doorway and grinned, rows of shark-like teeth shining in the dark corridor, his great blade Samehadda purred at the taste of their delicate chakra, getting excited and thirsty for their blood. The Hidden Mist swordsmen pointed to the two trapped Ninja

"Look what I found ... Two cowering warriors at their life's end, Samehadda will enjoy this a lot"

Konan drew a handful of Shuriken, tossing them across the room toward Kisame. With a swing of his large sword, the Shuriken rebounded off the steel fish scales like mere pebbles, clattering to the ground next to his feet. He charged forward, his speed incredibly fast for someone carrying an alive shark sword. The two women lifted the Kunai to block the sword, the two of them straining against the incredible force of the beast. Kisame applied pressure and cut through both of their Kunai, leaving them with nothing but the stubby handles of the shattered blade. Konan felt around her leg, she had used up the last of her Kunai and was also out of Shuriken. Hinata tossed her a spare Kunai, grabbing one for herself in the process, she was also down to her last weapon.

Konan said through harsh breathes "This is where your Hyuuga Taijutsu comes in handy ... Hinata"

Hinata nodded, Concentrating her chakra and activating her Byakugan. Her eyes turning milky white and the chakra veins around her eyes becoming more visible. Samehadda purred at the sudden appearance of advanced Chakra, it would go down a treat for the beastly sword. Kisame grinned, jumping from a fallen table onto Hinata, sword extended. Hinata meet him face on, driving her palm into the chakra point in his chest, slowing his torso movements enough to phase behind him them land a palm strike at the back of his elbow, cutting off all Chakra flow and rendering his right arm useless until it recovered. Kisame took a knee and grunted, shifting the sword to his left hand and cursing

"Bad move girl ... When I use Samehadda one-handed I trade precision for speed and flexibility ... Want a taste ?"

He swiped behind him, The scales of Samehadda digging into Hinata's stomach and tearing off as she flew to the back of the hall, small trails of blood dripping as the multiple puncture wounds opened. Konan snarled and jumped at Kisame, catching him while he was distracted. Wings of paper sprouting from her back as she flew towards him, In her wedding dress with white wings she truly looked like the angel the Hidden Rain thought her to be. Driving all the force into her feet, she collided with his jaw. Kisame's jaw broke in two place as he flew into the concrete wall, cracking and crumbling its old stone on impact before falling unconscious to the floor. Konan did not have the time to finish him, she ran to Hinata instead

"HINATA ! ARE YOU OKAY !?"

Hinata coughed a few times then smiled "Just a few scales in my chest ... but I can get Sasori to tear em out later"

Konan patted down her friend, checking for more wounds "how about the bleeding ?"

Hinata shook her head "I sealed the open wounds with what little medical Jutsu I know ... That was one hell of a kick. YOU ROCK !"

Konan folded her wings back into her body and grinned, blushing "you really think so ?"

"Now you kiss and get naked right ?" the humorous voice called from across the hallway

They turned to Hidan, a distasteful sneer on both of their faces. The priest slapped his knees laughing like a loon, but they could tell he was disappointed. He looked as if he too had been caught up in a life death battle, not that death was possible for a guy like him. He walked over to them, lowering his large scythe when he saw that the room was empty, he first checked on Hinata before asking the questions.

"How bad are your wounds ?"

Hinata shook her head "Nothing bleeding or anything bad ... just some of those damned fish scales in my chest"

Hidan cocked an eyebrow "So you did fight Kisame ? Where is the bastard then ?"

Konan pointed then trailed off "He's ... shit"

Kisame's body was nowhere to be seen, no blood or beastly sword anywhere. There was a small hole in the wall that had not been there early, a trail of water pooling at its base. Hidan moved to the pool of water and spat in it, turning back to the others with a disappointed look on his face.

"He used his water transportation technique ... damned Hidden Mist bastard just love their fucking water..."

Hinata grinned "He won't be back for a while ... Konan broke his jaw !"

Hidan grinned cheek to cheek "FUCK YES ! Gimme five you brides !"

They slapped him five then stopped, Hinata felt like crying all of a sudden "I never really realized ... Our wedding ... It's kinda screwed ?"

Hidan patted her on the back "I can marry you guys in a few minutes any time of the day ... you already did the formalities and had the beautiful venue"

Konan shrugged "So long as I can say I do ... then I don't give a shit where I do it"

"We can figure this out later, you girls gotta come with me, Nagato wanted me to check on you"

Konan rolled his eyes "He's such a softy ..."

Hidan chuckled "I'd rather say he's such a pussy pahahaah !"

Konan's fist connected with the back of his head and sent him sprawling across the room, Hinata giggled, her mind still dwelling on the thought of Naruto.

Obito stepped over the bodies of the dead and dying monks, their moans like a sadistic music to his ears. Resting against the doorway was Kakazu, his red and green eyes staring hundreds of yards past Obito, as if not seeing him at all. In his right hand he held a large sack filled with something heavy, in the other hand he held a golden goblet decorated with gems and Ivory from sacred animals. Obito chuckled

"Looks like you found their treasury room like I suggested ... was this attack worth it now ?"

Kakazu nodded "All expenses paid ... you are a man of your word, Obito"

Obito shrugged "What can I say ... I'm a business man of sorts. Gimme a status update on our comrades"

Kakazu grunted "Itachi is down, critical damage done to his chest and legs ... I stitched him up as best I could. It was a mess ... Deidara went Kamikaze"

Obito bit his lip "A pity ... are his Sharingan's still intact ?"

"Yes ... they are still intact"

He sighed then smiled "Phew ... I thought I was going to lose the only important thing about him. What else do you have for me ?"

Kakazu continued "Kisame escaped but is recovering from a shattered jaw ... he was spitting out teeth all over the place"

Obito nodded then grinned "Thankfully sharks have multiple rows of teeth eh ?"

Kakazu nodded, not taking it as a joke or taking any interest in it "Kakashi is also down ... he was near death before I stitched him up, he is unconscious"

Obito felt a little regret but continued "And his Sharingan ?"

"Still intact ... is that all you care for ? If I may be so bold"

"You may ... Sharingan's are perhaps one of the most sought after things on this earth ... Is there a problem with being cautious with them ?"

Kakazu shook his head "No ... securing your financial assets is the key to success. Is there anything else you need me to do ?"

Obito nodded "Sasuke's chakra is dim ... he is probably dying like the rest of these useless fools ... fetch him before he meets his demise would you ?"

"Roger"

Kakazu flipped the sack of gold and gems onto his back and phased outside, sprinting to Sasuke's location. When Kakazu departed, Obito punched through the wall, his anger overflowing like a boiling pot. All of his subordinates had failed him and were dying because of their stupidity and weakness. He wanted that damned Kyuubi and he could care less for the lives of his Uchiha compatriots. The only people he truly cared for were Kakashi and Rin. When his Genjutsu world was complete, he could rebuild his clan and become the Hokage of a new peaceful world, why should he care for Uchiha lives now when the world was rotten as it is. He felt some remorse for tricking Kakashi into joining his side, but Kakashi will live with his wife and child again in Genjutsu. He keyed the button on his collar, the chakra emitter transmitting to Kabuto

"Are you listening ?"

Kabuto transmitted back "Yes, it's getting cold in this cave Obito"

Obito ignored his retort and continued "Are the charges set to blow ?"

"Yes .. they are ready"

"As soon as Jiraiya is defeated, which I'm sure he will be ... Blow the church apart, bring the roof down on them all"

"with pleasure ... Tobi"

"You're quite the Comedian ... just do it"

He removed his finger from the transmitter and headed to the rendezvous point to check on his wounded subordinates.

Naruto grinned as he stared down at his writhing enemy. The hatred and blood lust of the Kyuubi was beginning to take over, he had been in the Chakra cloak of the fox for too long and now he was about to truly let loose the inner psychopath known as Kurama. His eyes grew wild and sharp, the eyes of a feral fox. He chuckled, pointing his blade at Sasuke, imagining all the ways he could make him suffer, all the ways he could finish his old friend once and for all. Sasuke glared back in hatred and a little fear, his Chakra had been spent on the use of his curse mark and he had little to fall back on, his Mangeyeko Sharingan had drained his chakra and his physical exhaustion too.

Naruto tapped his blade on Sasuke's chest, standing over him like a crow ready to swoop in "Now ... where should I begin"

Sasuke spat blood at Naruto "You can start by sticking that blade through your rotten heart ..."

He laughed, wiping the bloody spittle from his cheek "I think I know where to begin ... those eyes really piss me off ya know"

Sasuke recoiled from the threat, true fear growing inside him "Get fucked Naruto ... take your dead clan and your whore of a wife and go to hell"

Naruto kicked Sasuke's stomach, he doubled over wheezing for air. Naruto ducked down to Sasuke "You know what this blade did ?"

"Cut your stomach open when you had a little suicide cry ... dirty piece of shit !"

Naruto rolled his eyes "That was a Kunai ... I think ...no no no my dear friend ... this blade killed your little girlfriend ? Look familiar now ?"

Sasuke writhed in rage and fury "GET IT THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME !"

he shook his head and whispered "It's about to get a lot closer ... Sasuke-kun"

Sasuke's fear ran rampant "No ... okay ... please Naruto ..NO !"

Naruto held out his palm, releasing forced pressure of Wind chakra, holding Sasuke still and pinning him to the earth, no chakra rods were needed, Sasuke was weaker than an infant. He knelt down, bringing the blade closer to Sasuke's face. He began to whistle merrily, using his thumb and index to peel open Sasuke's shut eyelid. He was shouting now, ordering Naruto to either leave him alone or kill him. Naruto peeled the eye lid back and stared at the frantic eye that stared back. Lowering the blade next to the bulging socket he stopped. He removed his cloak and shirt to avoid any blood getting on his clothes, he stood bare-chested and proceeded to grab something from his pocket

"I'm not such a bad person ya know ... here, bite on this" pulling a Konoha headband from his pocket and placing it between Sasuke's teeth

He lowered the blade and whispered gently "One down ... one to go"

A loud pop sounded as he pulled Sasuke's right eye from its socket. Sasuke screamed in agony, the sound heard throughout the monastery. Battle hardened Monks cheered and whooped as Naruto rolled the eye on the ground and crushed it under his fist. One of the earths most valuable eyes turned into mush in mere seconds like garbage. Naruto had no use for the eye and he did not want Sasuke or the enemies benefiting from it either. Sasuke was screaming from the top of his lungs his head rolling to either side, shaking and flailing about as blood and what was left of his tears pour down his face. Naruto peeled the left set of eyelids open and lowered the blade, another pop, scream and roar from the monks, who treated this as a blessing from Jashin. Sasuke's face was a bloody mess as he flailed about screaming

"I CAN'T SEE OOH FUCK OH FUCK AAAAHH YOU FUCKER !"

Crushing the other eye under his boot, Naruto wiped the sweat from his forehead "That was brutal ... I feel a little sick myself"

Sasuke writhed on the ground, his mind in disarray at his now black world "Kill me ... just kill me now Naruto ... you win you sick son of a bitch"

Naruto nodded "How many fingers am I holding up ? ... oh shit ... sorry. Well I guess I'll move on to the grand finale"

He raised his sword, ready to strike it down into Sasuke's skull, the monks around him cheered and leaned forward in anticipation for the killing blow. Naruto recalled all the battles, pain and hardship between the two of them and spoke

"I'm sorry it had to end like this Sasuke ... you came back to Konoha and lied to everyone, had me tossed out and made me the most miserable person alive ... I sunk to the point where I was lying in my own shit and blood ... now the debt must be repaid. Fair well old friend ..."

He swung the sword down and collided with empty earth. Tangles of thread like tendrils swooped Sasuke up from the crater and hoisted him across the courtyard to wear Kakazu stood. His cold glare gazed upon Naruto with distaste. He grabbed Sasuke and peered into the bleeding eyelids he kept shut. Then looking up at Naruto he shook his head in disappointment. Naruto was turning red, his eyes wild and hateful that his prize had been snatched away from him yet again, Kakazu coldly called out to Naruto

"Sharingan's are a priceless item ... you are a fool to destroy even one. You could of bought a village with just one of those precious eyes"

"GIVE HIM BACK YOU STITCHY ASSHOLE .. IT IS RUDE TO INTERFERE WITH A PREDATORS PREY !"

He only shook his head "I'm afraid Sasuke is needed elsewhere, as ordered by Obito ... I will take my leave now"

Naruto roared "YOU WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE UNTIL YOU GIVE ME BACK MY TROPHY !"

Kakazu turned his back "You won't have it today ... old friend"

He screamed to the monks "GET HIM ! FOR JASHIN'S SAKE ! GET THE BASTARD !"

but it was too late, they were gone. Naruto kicked down a stone pillar and screamed, his rage and fury unleashed yet again. He wanted to release Kurama but he knew it would be pointless, the enemy would have already disappeared by the time he transformed. He rested his forehead against the smooth stone and relaxed. Soft hands reaching around his bare chest and smooth lips caressing his naked back. He relaxed to her touch, his breathing becoming slower and smoother. Tears softly rolling down his cheeks he murmured

"I thought you were hurt ... or worse ... Hinata"

She kissed each shoulder-blade and shook her head "I'm not going anywhere Naruto-Kun ..."

"He got away ... again... I feel to helpless if he keeps escaping from us"

Hinata turned his head from the wall and kissed his chin "Don't let that worry you now ... we need to go. Konan told us to meet her in the Chapel"

"Why's that ?"

"Nagato needs our support in his fight against Jiraiya ... I'm sorry Naruto. Kabuto played his dirty trick again"

Naruto nodded "I know ... I sensed his chakra earlier ... let's go finished this"

"Together ?"

"Together ..." he replied, taking her small hand in his.

Nagato leaped backwards as the spray of oil and fire from Jiraiya's mouth, setting the floor alight in a blaze of toad flames. Repeating his technique with Kakashi, Nagato fired a wave of of force towards the flames, sending them back at their user. Jiraiya caught fire, not seeming to care or register the damage to his body as he strode forward. towards Nagato, his hair and skin growing back rapidly sue to his reanimation. Nagato was running out of options, he had to use the Human Paths ability of Soul removal to pull Jiraiya from his encased body and set him free.

someone called from above "Nagato !"

"Konan ?!"

Konan flew down from the overhead balcony and landed next to him, checking him for wounds then smiling as she found no such problem. Seeing Jiraiya sent chills down her spine, seeing her Sensei technically alive and fighting felt surreal to her. She felt it was her duty to likewise help put her master to rest as a former student. Gripping Nagato's hand she nodded

"Let's do this ... I'll hold him down, you seal him some how ... you do know how right ?"

Nagato nodded "I have a method, I'm going to use one of my Path abilities. But while I do that I won't be able to fight him with my Gravity or wind Jutsu"

"You can only use one path at a time ?"

"Exactly ... It's risky, but it's the only way we can seal him"

She smirked "You don't need to ask me twice, follow my lead"

Extending her wings, Konan launched herself behind Jiraiya, gliding on wings of paper. Nagato charged forward, forcing the reanimated Jiraiya to choose a first opponent. He chose Nagato as the main threat, exactly what he wanted him to choose. Konan flung her arm outward, streams of paper wrapping around Jiraiya like thin pythons, bandaging his arms together at his side, now he would not struggled so easily. Nagato moved in to release his soul with his right hand, but the Edo Tensei was fighting against it's sudden binding. Jiraiya stretched his arms out wide, The red lines on his face growing wider and linking up to his tear ducts, looking as if he were crying blood. Nagato recalled hearing of the technique before

"Sage mode ... Get back Konan, he is much stronger now"

Jiraiya tore free from the ties and turned around to Konan, picking her up by the throat and holding her mid air, squeezing her neck tighter and tighter. Nagato screamed and leaped at him, stabbing into his arm and stomach, but the hulking warrior did not flinch an inch. Desperately trying to set her free, Nagato began to cut into Jiraiya's hand. With a swing of his left arm, he sent Nagato sprawling back into a pile of rubble. Konan clutched his hand, trying to pull it away from her throat. She wheezed for air and kicked at the hulking being. But it would not budge.

Loud charging footsteps were the last thing Konan could hear before she blacked out "RASENGAN !"

The ball of spiraling Wind chakra tore into Jiraiya and pushed him off his feet, dropping Konan and stumbling back across the room as the Rasengan burned into his chest. Naruto snarled at his former Sensei, his eyes as black as coal. Jiraiya collided with the pillar and struggled. Hinata ran to Konans side and began to heal the light bruises on her neck, taking her hand into her own. Nagato ran to Naruto's aid. Activating the powers of the Human Path, ready to snatch his soul out

Naruto winced at the damage he had caused to his Sensei "I had to use the technique you taught me ... Sensei"

"NARUTO HOLD HIM STILL, HE IS NOT THE SENSEI WE ONCE KNEW !"

Naruto shook out of his light paralysis and realized Nagato was right. His eyes went wild as the Kyuubi told a little control, 3 tails of orange chakra sprouting from his backside. The tails wavered then stabbed themselves into Jiraiya's two palms and his chest, pinning him to the pillar like a mouse in a trap. Jiraiya struggled but there was no use, Nagato placed his palm on his forehead and pulled blue energy, Naruto realized it was his Sensei's soul. He pulled the soul out of the reanimated body and sighed as the body crumbled and fell apart like dirt.

Naruto could not grasp the reality of what was happening "What happens now ?"

Nagato shrugged "I let go and it floats off to the afterlife ... I guess"

Naruto held his hand down and shook his head "Can I say a few things first ... "

He nodded, embracing Konan as she came running over "Of course .. go right ahead"

Naruto stared at the blue aura of energy and chuckled "I'm not sure how I talk to a ball of energy ... but I guess here it goes. Jiraiya ... Pervy Sage... you were the closest thing I had to a father, you meant the world to me and I wont forget the day Konoha took you away. I love you ... goodbye"

Nagato released the blue aura, it floated up to the ceiling and passed through the stone roof like light fog. Jiraiya was now gone and it would take Kabuto years to find a way of bringing him back. Naruto was about to embrace Nagato ... When the ceiling erupted in flames and explosions.

The explosive rigged along the roof of the Chapel ignited upon Jiraiya's defeat. The sight would have made Deidara weep, The explosion tore apart the stone foundations holding the roof up, pulling them down like stone rain. Nagato screamed for them to move, stone the size of melons fell from the ceiling, what was left of the wooden framing was set ablaze, they dodged as whole parts of the roof collapsed. Hidan took lead and urged them to follow him outside, if anyone knew the Monastery best it was him.

"THIS WAY ! MOVE MOVE MOVE, LOOKS LIKE THOSE FUCKERS LEFT A SURPRISE !"

They were about to pass through the safety of the outside Archway when Naruto dropped back, collapsing to the ground as a large rock collided with his head, sending him to the ground with a large thump. Hinata screamed, but Nagato ran past her. Seizing his nephew by the waist and hoisting him up, placing his arm over his shoulder and limping him to the exit. Konan screamed and pointed upward as the last of the ceiling came down. Nagato had no time to act, it was either them both or just him. He threw Naruto through the exit and prayed it was enough.

They all turned to him and screamed "NAGATO !" as the roof came down on their leader.

Sasuke was lying on the gurney in screaming agony, Kakazu had stuffed a thick rag in his mouth to muffle his cries as his writhed about in rage and despair. His face cleaned of all the blood, but his two empty sockets were more than enough to spell out his doom. Kakazu held his wrist down and gently inserted the needle, injecting the thick serum into his veins. The thick anesthetic coursed throughout his body, numbing his nerves and shutting down his mind into a deep sleep state. Obito approached the bed and frowned.

"Status..."

"Eyes are ..."

Obito cut him off in furious shouts "I KNOW HIS EYES ARE FUCKING GONE ! ... other wounds"

Kakazu nodded "Apologies ... He sustained minor injuries, but his chakra is significantly lower due to being eyeless, He will be useless in a fight with replacement eyes"

Obito shook his head "Not just any old eyes ... Sharingans will boost him back to normal, correct ?"

Kakazu stared at Obito, curious "Of course ... but we don't have any Sharingans that are capable Sasuke's former ability"

Obito pointed the adjacent bed, grabbing the medical chart "Give me a status on Itachi's condition"

"His legs are hardly functioning ... shrapnel cut deep into his tendons and severed nerve endings ... his arms are no better, but in weeks I can fix him and replace damaged tissue and nerves"

Itachi opened his eyes and coughed "You have your solution then ... O..Obito ...Give Sasuke my eyes"

Obito cocked an eyebrow "Is that what you really want ?"

Itachi nodded "I know where to get more Sharingans ... I can settle for a standard pair"

Kakazu shook his head "There aren't anymore Sharingans ...the last of this earths are in this base with you, Obito and Kakashi"

Itachi chuckled, ending in a coughing fit "Think for a second ... During the Uchiha massacre that I carried out. Who was in charge of science and medical pursuits in Konoha ... Who then went rogue leaving with hundreds of forbidden techniques and equipment ?"

Kakazu shook his head, unable to piece it together

Itachi grinned "None other than your former comrade ... Orochimaru"

Obito nodded "He performed most of the postmortem after the massacre ... it makes perfect sense"

Itachi peeled back his eyelids and gestured "Yank em ... and help my kid brother. That is my duty as an older brother ..."

Obito smiled "With your eyes they will become eternal Mangeyeko Sharingans ... his power will increase drastically and he wont suffer the lack of vision he used to ... this may be the power he needs to defeat Naruto once and for all ..."

Itachi smiled "I'm counting on it"

The room was filled with dust and smoke as the roof explosions stopped. Naruto was on the ground coughing as he came to, one minute he was running for dear life then the next minute he woke up here, did something hit him ?. Konan was freaking out searching through the fog as if looking for someone, but who ? Naruto had no idea what had happened and why his head ached. He sensed around for Nagato but could only faintly sense his chakra. His cold voice trembled as he called for Konan

"Konan ...W...where are you ?"

Naruto used a gust of his wind chakra and cleared the smoke and dust, wishing then that he hadn't. Nagato lay flat on the ground, the remains of the stone roof crushed against his mid section. He laid in a pool of his own blood, his lips ruby-red as it poured down his chin. He gestured to Konan, coughing and wheezing as the stone dug into his already broken ribs. Konan shrieked diving down to her fiancée's side, her face wrecked with tears and devastation. Nagato was pinned under hundreds of pounds of rocks, his hair sprawled out behind him and his purple eyes looking dim. Naruto crawled to his side and cradled his hand, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. Nagato shook his head and tried to smile between bloody lips.

"N..No need for crying ... we won the fight, right ?"

Konan was in hysterics "NO no no no Nagato ... please ..you can't do this to me now !"

Nagato looked to Hidan and snickered "H...Hey...Big guy, marry us while I still got time, yeah ?"

Hidan nodded, his own face cast with despair and growing unease "Anything for you Nagato"

Nagato lifted his hand and pulled Konan close "Let's finish our vows ... You look so damned sexy in that dress"

She laughed through teary eyes "So you decide to be cheeky now ... Baka"

Hidan continued "Do you Nagato, take Konan to be your lawfully wedded wife. Through sickness and health,till death do you ...Till death do you meet again ?"

Nagato grinned, nodding "I do ... I will wait until the end of time just for her ...what little time I have left I want to spend gazing at her beauty"

Hidan smiled "Do you Konan, Take Nagato as your lawfully wedded husband. Through sickness and health,till death do you meet again ?"

Konan sniffled and tried to laugh "Yes ... It would be fucking awkward if I said no now hahaha ... I love him so much ...YES !"

He caressed the Jashin symbol around his neck "In the eyes of Jashin ... and in the power invested in me I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride"

Nagato grabbed Konan and pulled her down, locking lips and slipping in his tongue for the last passionate kiss of his lifetime, he could not be any happier. At the result. He felt drowsy, he was losing a lot of blood and fast. He turned his neck to Naruto and gestured for him to come closer, his eyes pale and lifeless almost. He coughed out a mouth full of blood and whispered

"Our clan is in your hands ... Nephew. I have one last gift for you ... May your love with Hinata outlive this wretched world"

Naruto wiped his eyes "What is it Nagato ... Uncle, what would you give me"

He coughed and pointed to his eyes "When I pass away ... Have Konan transplant my eyes into you ... I give you my Rinnegan... Please accept it"

Naruto stared wide eyed "You want me to have the Rinnegan ?!"

Nagato nodded "You will become the god of this world ... You will change this worlds ruthless ways and bring a new age of peace ... please"

"Of course ...I...I love you Nagato. I lived my years alone for so long I never knew I had family ...I love you and Konan so much ... I DON"T WANT YOU TO DIE NAGATO !"

Naruto slammed his fists down, his tears spilling over his cheeks and onto the floor. The last of his family smiled back and caressed his cheek, Naruto felt so weak and alone in that small moment, he felt like the world would split under him and swallow him whole. Hinata and Hidan pulled him away and whispered encouragingly. Konan embraced Naruto and whispered into his shoulder

"I won't leave you alone after this is through ...Please stay strong for him"

Hidan spoke softly "Buddy ... Let's leave those two alone and go find those other two. Konan will come get you when she is ready for the procedure"

Konan nodded "I will call you when ...when ...Oh god.." She broke off into tears

Nagato called to Hinata "Look after Naruto ... I trust him to you... you were like a sister to me, please be strong"

Hidan and Hinata walked Naruto out of the room, tears in the corner of their eyes and Naruto hoisted around their shoulders as they turned away from their leader, the last time they would see him smiling and well again. They stumbled outside in search for Sasori and Deidara, leaving the couple alone until his final breaths

Konan had fetched Nagato a pillow and blanket, rest the blanket over his chest and lying down next to him, their faces only inches apart, their lips pressing together multiple time as if each kiss would be their last, awaiting the actual final kiss they would share as a couple. He brushed the hair from her face, taking a lock of her blue hair and smelling it's rich scent, the one thing he wanted to bring with him to the afterlife was her scent. She fluffed his pillow and pecked his cheek, wanting to begin a conversation but not know where to begin, her eyes still raw with tears

Nagato began "Remember how optimistic Yahiko was about becoming God ... He was so sure of himself"

"He was the most optimistic out of the three of us ... yeah, you will be seeing him soon"

Nagato nodded "Yeah ... I'll tell him you said hi"

She chuckled "Is that all you will say on my behalf .. Jeez. I can't wait when we all meet up ... when I go"

Nagato shook his head "I want you to live as long as you can ... no short cuts young lady"

She pouted "I won't handle living without you in between me ... if you catch my drift"

He snickered "Even in my last moments you are a dirty girl"

"Would you have it any other way ?"

"Nope ... I love you the way you are"

" I love you too ... Remember when we had to dress up as frogs for Jiraiya's lesson ... we looked so ridiculous"

Nagato coughed laughter "Yahiko hated it the most ... we were learning about the flip tiles right ?"

"Yeah ... I suppose you will be seeing him soon also"

Nagato turned his head back to hers, their eyes locking and for split second, she imagined the two of them lying side by side in a warm field of grass, no blood or shattered stone, no war or devastation. She wish that would be the true reality and this would just be a nightmare, but she knew that only fools tried to wake themselves up these situations. She caressed his cheek and pulled him in, her tongue caressing his own as his own tears fell. His skin was growing pale and his warmth was fading, there was little time left. maybe only minutes

Konan continued "What were we going to call our kids ?"

He whispered "Konato ...Nonan ...Ko... Naruto.."

She giggled "You are terrible at naming you know that ... how about Koruto or Nago ... they seem nie

He did not reply "..."

Tears spilled from her cheeks "If I ever adopt ... I'll name him after you ... Nagato"

He did not reply "..."

Konan covered her eyes with her forearm and tried to think of more names "Then ... We could have a dog and call him Chibi... like the old days right ?"

He did not reply "..."

"Right ?"

He did not reply "..."

"You're gone huh ... Goodbye ... M...My love"

She kissed his forehead and slid his still eyelids closed. falling back onto her back and crying louder than ever before. Hinata, Hidan and Naruto tried not to listen or notice the loud cries registering from the chapel, Naruto began to cry himself.

Authors Note:

RIP NAGATO ... My favorite Character of all of Naruto and this Fanfiction ... he was a good man and I miss him. I found myself tearing up at the end of this fic and also finding myself cracking open a few bottles of Asahi to mourn.

Sorry for the long Hiatus between chapters. I took a bit of a holiday and only finished this chapter hours ago ... I'm back on track and would love your support by reviewing this chapter and sharing your feelings :)

What do you think ? Rinnegan vs Eternal Mangeyeko Sharingan ?

REVIEW !

I love you all and I'm afraid this Fic is on it's last few chapters ... I would be surprised if it makes it past 40 :P

~Phillip