Ch.35 Rendezvous Point: The Hyakuhekitou

Well folks. I'm updating today because I don't know I can keep going in weekly. I may be forced to finish this before either a) My internet gets cut off or b) I go to live in Gainesville. For now rest assured that I'm going try to rush this a bit due to life issues that have suddenly come to fruition!

So that's the latest in the news folks! I believe I've said enough about the matter.

Without further adieu.

Let us begin shall we?

Last time

At a white lotus facility where Tsunade had taken Naruto stood a giant pillar with a strange symbol with the words "Protectors of our future." The symbol itself was a four semi circles with a line this ran horizontally through the two semi circles on each end of the line.

"What is that gramma Tsunade?"

"It's the symbol of the Senju Naruto. There's a scroll that prophesied a dark evil that would take the world on fire."

"Set the world on fire?"

"It was referring to the attacks on the four schools and the dark evil was Shiba'i." She pulled a lever next to the pillar which allowed a stone compartment to open. Inside the scroll was the very prophecy that Tsunade spoke of. She pulled it out and showed it to Naruto.

"Here..Read it for yourself."

"...Okay." He proceeded to read the details to himself aloud. "A great darkness will sweep the lands and cover them in flames. When a champion rises to take on the evil he will not succeed. Only through the help of a hundred souls will be triumph over the darkness and bring peace once again...Help of a hundred souls...What's that got to do with me?"

"Do you know what it's talking about?"

"No clue.."

"A hundred souls Naruto..Think about it." Naruto placed his hand on his chin for about ten seconds before he shruged. "Nope...Nothing."

"Oy...This kids like his own mother."

"What? What're you talking about?"

"The prophecy spoke of this Naruto Uzumaki.." In came Gakushin Bunken and Ino Yamanaka with Gakushin holding a longsword with etchings of fire and dragons all around the handle and tang.

"Ino..Gakushin! How ya doing?"

"Not good Naruto...Rakuyou and the other school were completely destroyed. It was Shiba'i..She's using Nagato's puppet technique."

"I know.I saw it on the news..." He frowned a bit. Ino took the chance to take him in her bosom and pat his head. "It's alright Naruto. I know you can do it if you try. We all believe in you."

"Thanks Ino.." He smiled hugging her back. "What are friend for Naruto. Besides that face is too handsome to be sad. I like you better when you're smiling! It's cuter."

"Aww geez.." He blushed. Gakushin then approached him with the sword placing the handle to him. "Naruto. This sword is known for carrying the souls of a hundred warriors in here. It took me many a year to try to lift the blood stained curse but it's cleansed steel is ready to cast justice. It's the last of it's kind Naruto. The Hyakuhekitou...The hundred souls sword. This Jian sword was the last of five different swords which were scattered throughout the globe. This one was found by a monk in China and through the years, it passed on until it came to me solely for this day. This one is made with the symbol of the horse. It will provide you with the power to defeat Shiba'i."

"...So this is what that scroll meant. I have to beat her with this weapon...How can I use it? I don't know how to?"

"That's why I'm here Naruto." Spoke Ino. "I know someone who can teach you."

"Who?"

"Hey Naruto..It's been a while." Naruto turned to his surprise meeting face to face with his dear old friend. Tenten..."

"Tenten! No way! You're going to teach me?"

"It wasn't long before Ryoshuuu got wind of this. Hinata's scared stiff about you. It took Lee and Neji and ultimately Kansui to calm her down. We're all scared for you. But as long as I can do something to help you I will. I'm gonna teach you all about how to use a sword now Naruto. We won't have much time so we'll try to cover as much as we can before we set up the "turnover."

"Turn over?"

"We're setting a trap for Shiba'i. You'll fight her at the bottom of Mt. Chi-bi."

"Oh..So that's what you meant by turn over. I get it now. This was all a setup. You knew this was coming one day didn't you?"

"Of course Naruto. It was all part of what was said in the scroll. It's all up to you now. I know you can do it. I'll try to by as much time as I can. You'll have to learn quick okay?"

"Right..." He grabbed the sword and gave it a good swing before turning to Tenten. "Let's do it!"

To Naruto's training

It'd not been even an hour and Naruto was already having a bit of trouble with his newly acquired weapon. He never thought he'd be able to master the sword fast enough to be able to beat Shiba'i in time. Tenten had pushed him as hard as she can with no time for breaks which sat well with him. In the midst of his training he suddenly had a thought about his sword.

"Hey Tenten."

"Yeah?"

"I just realized something."

"What?"

"Is this the same sword that was supposed to be the prize for the tournament?"

"The funny thing about that. You see it was all a trick by Kentei for some unknown reason. When we were interrogated one of the students after the attack it was clear that his intentions were to plan a coup 'de tat with Shiba'i to overthrow. He was just using the Jinchuuriki as bait to lure the headmasters out. The real Hyakuhekitou was secretly stored away and recovered by Gakushin alone."

"But that doesn't make sense?" He rubbed his head. "So that means the title and sword were just a ruse to lure us out? And the sword was here the whole time but no one except Gakushin knew? Why didn't she tell us? Could've saved us a lot of trouble."

"Except she was sworn into secrecy, never to tell a soul about the existence of this blade before now."

"Oh I see. To protect the blade from would be thieves right?" He said, swinging the blade. "I guess I understand." He nodded. Naruto was in mid swing before Tenten noticed his posture was all wrong. "Hold on Naruto. This is wrong."

"What is?"

"Your elbows should be closer to your body and feet a little further apart."

"Huh?"

"Oy!...Look." She went behind him, using her hands to clasp his elbows together and using her feet to spread his legs a little further apart. A sudden chill of excitement started crawl up his spine. This was getting a little awkward.

"Now follow my lead and remember this carefully. A bad posture leads to a bad swing with little power. You need to be able to use all your might when you want to cut something. This is the basis for all sword fighters. You need to let your mind free of any inhibitions. You are going to cut something with this sword."

"...Got..it." He replied, His face getting a bit red. Slowly she paced his arms and legs to follow her movements and slowly swung downward. Naruto was getting more and more aware of Tenten feminine figure. It wasn't until the end of the downward swing when Naruto felt something on his back. ""Oh god..I think I feel something soft on my back..." Him looking back had him blushing and looking forward again.

"Hey Naruto! Focus! This is important."

"Sorry sorry." He stuttered a bit. Tenten never paid attention to her rather well developed chest on his back which quickly reminded him that he still was a young lad. It was Naruto's flustered behavior and reddened face which caught her attention. "What's wrong Naruto?"

"Nothing..Nothing at all." This made Tenten only want to tease him a bit. She remembered the position she currently is with Naruto.

"Something on your mind?" She whispered? Pushing her chest on his back with a little more gusto. "Maybe something's got you a little flustered?"

"No No! Nothing's wrong I promise. Let's try this posture thing again."

"Oh? But your face is red. Clearly something's bothering you." She smiled. She had him right where she wanted him. All she needed was one more push. "We could stop if you want Naruto. You could use a break!" One flick his her finger on his earlobe had him jump right from her. "GAH! What the hell?"

"Hahahahahahaha. Sorry Naruto! I couldn't help it! It was funny seeing you all flustered. I see Ryofu's got you noticing girls now huh?"

"Ha ha ha! Very funny Tenten. Way to lead a guy on!"

"Oh you know I was only funnin' with ya! Besides it's your fault for being a pervert."

"And your fault for being a damn tease!"

"Alright alright. I'll admit I was a bit surprised you were noticing the opposite gender. I guess Ryofu's really changed you."

"..Yeah...I guess she has. I never used to think about things like love. I always wanted to be strong and try my best cause that's what my dad and mom taught me. No matter what happens. Don't let anything distract you from your goal and always become stronger than you were before. But with Ryofu I guess I was able to get a feeling of being wanted by someone. I mean I've had experienced love once. Now with Ryofu I've managed to learn something about myself. What my parents really meant when they said that to me. If you have a goal or something you want to protect. Don't let anything else take that away from you. It's your strength and courage that'll make you stronger. Don't ever stop being better at it or else it'll be gone forever."

"You really do care about her don't you?"

"Yeah...I guess about to...But it's not just her."

"What about Kan'u Unchou? Do you feel the same with her?"

"Well when Kan'u I guess it's more of a meaningful relationship. We're alike on so many levels but at the same time we're not. She sees me as someone who she can count on when the time comes. I know I can always rely on someone like that. Our time together was always spent wondering about how we got the point we're in right now. But she's always given me faith when the chips were down. I know she's the one person I can run to whenever I needed to sit down and talk."

"But you have Ryofu. Shouldn't you be doing that with her?"

"I do..Don't get me wrong I do. But our relationship is more fun and active. With Kan'u I can relax and be myself. With Ryofu there's always a new excitement to be had. She's always keeping me on my toe.

"Two halves of the same whole, A ying yang. Every thing Ryofu isn't Kan'u is and it's same for the inverse. They both compliment each other and cover certain things that fit just right for you. You know I'm kind of jealous that glad that they're with you."

"Really?'

"If only I found a guy like that."

"What about Neji?"

"Neji? Please that stiff's always going to be about being honorable and self serving. All he ever talks about his how someone should remember their place in life. He lives like a trained house dog."

"So you do like him."

"No way!" She blushed. "That high class uptight lifestyle isn't for me. Though I can't say the same for his sister. It's a shame you two never hooked up. Who knows what might've been. You know she's still in love with you."

"I know. But we're happy with the way we are right now. I just wish her the best of luck in life. Who knows, She might even move on."

"I doubt that but then again. She's full of surprises these days."

"Really?"

"Yeah..but enough about the past Naruto! It's time for your training. Breaks over."

"Right." With his little pep talk from Tenten Naruto's usual vigor returned. He resumed his training with Tenten this time as a sparring partner. They spent many hours together with Naruto showing certain signs of improvement. Ino had been watching him whole time behind the scenes hearing what Naruto had said to her about Ryofu Housen and Kan'u Unchou.

"You're not the only ones jealous Tenten. Makes me wonder what I missed out on. Oh well that's one down. It's good to see at least one of my handsome boys happy. There's always Sasuke anyway!" She thought smiling to herself.

Ino had always been teasing the both of them without really knowing who she was wanting to be with. It was hard to choose between two halves of her happiness. She at least had a piece of mind knowing that even though it wasn't with her, Naruto would always be happy. That was something she'd really wanted to see.

"Ino. Lady Tsunade requests your presence."

"Huh?" She said turning back, Gakushin had come in from the door behind her. "I see you're watching Naruto's progress."

"Yeah..He's gotten better."

"There's still room for improvement but I believe those words Ino."

"That wasn't what I was talking about." She smiled heading towards Tsunade. This left the impression on Gakushin as she turned around seeing Naruto try to strike Tenten with little success. "...Perhaps you're right. Naruto Uzumaki has changed from when you once knew. It doesn't take a psychic to figure that out. One glimpse into his past and I knew how far he's come. Naruto Uzumaki...I'm placing my hopes and prayers onto you. May the gods bless you a thousand times over."

XXX

Tsunade sat inside her chair with her hands folded on the stable. Her thumbs twiddling together in anticipation. Rikuson had stood next to her trying to place the source of her serious demeanor when Ino walked in.

"You wanted to see me Lady Tsunade?"

"Yes. How's Naruto progressing with his training?"

"He seems to get the gist how swordsmanship. He still needs time to perfect it."

"It's not enough time. We've received word of Shiba'i next target."

"Where is going to strike next?"

"Ryoshuu academy. I've sent word to all available fighters for evacuate the others. We can't afford any more innocent casualties in this war."

"War?"

"Whether you realize it or not Ino. She's declared war with the entire regions. All seven schools are banding together to put a stop to this madness. Even minor private schools are at risks. We cant afford to make this get out of hand more than it already has. That why I want you to send word to someone. You're going to be my messenger to a certain someone."

"Who?"

"Her name is Guren. She's someone I've come to trust over the years. She's the one I entrusted Yagura Shigen to."

"Huh...The three tails?"

"Yes. ..Oh I never told you did I? I was the one who placed the boy in the orphanage. It was due to Gakushin's prediction of Yagura's guardian partner that I placed them. He was there solely for Houtou to find."

"You never told him this?"

"He shouldn't know. His adoptive parents were better off with him not knowing who his real parents are."

"Who are his real parents?"

"His mother went by the name Shinpatsu Genshiki. A strong woman who I met during my travels before Jiraya died. His father I met through some unscrupulous dealings with the underground. They both had died trying to stop someone from killing Yagura."

"Who's his father?"

"A man named Ryo'sui Kansaku."

"You mean the legendary "turtle arm" of Kyushu?"

"One in the same. The same man who had Yagura's Magatama. He was keeper of three tails before Yagura."

"Wow. He's got a lot of greatness behind his family."

"Yes. But Guren's the one he see as his real mother. That's why he loves her so much. She also loves him like a son."

"So what about Guren? What does this have to do with me wanting to see her?" She asked.

"Yeah Lady Tsunade. I wanna know too." Rikuson added.

"You're to bring her to me Ino. Guren's expertise on quick training methods will help us with Naruto. She's the one who taught Yagura how to fight."

"I see. That's why you said all those things. She really wanted to make sure he knew how to protect himself when she wasn't around. That's good surrogate parenting I think." Rikuson commented.

"I see. That way he can use the methods to learn faster and make sure he's ready."

"Right. Bring her before me and make sure she gets here as fast as she can. We can't afford to lose any time here."

"As you command Milady!" She saluted before walking out.

"Rikuson. Go with her."

"Huh?"

"Go with Ino. She could use the back up."

"..Oh...But what about you Milady?"

"I'll be fine. I'm a legendary dragon sanin remember?"

"But!"

"Go now Rikuson. That's an order."

"Right...Right! By your word Milady?" She ran off to join Ino on her mission to Guren's orphanage. "Let's just pray she's willing to do it."

XXX

The hustle and bustle of the halls of Ryoshuu wrought the wretched stench of panic. Shiba'i had announced to the entire area that her next target was Ryoshuu academy. Kansui and the others were getting ready for her attack when someone came towards Kansui. She was a rather wall dark skinned woman with crimson red hair which was rather spikey. She was accompanied with a blond woman who was taller than her and a bigger bust size. Her breasts were overlapping her blouse and bounced when ever she took a step running.

"Yo Kansui Bun'yaku! Where are you?" She screamed. "I must speak with you!"

A figure from emerged from the group revealing herself to be a girl with a pretty good body and a brunette color pony tail. "What do you want with big bro?"

"We have to get everyone out here? We've come to warn you!"

"We already know she's coming. We're not going to leave our school to crumble like the others. Even Rakuyou and Nanyou fell because their precious Jinchuuriki and Uchiha treasures hid like cowards. Big bro won't let her leave this place alive."

"You fools! You can't beat her." Spoke the dark skinned girl.

"Is that so?" Spoke a voice. From behind the girl came the leader the two were looking for. "You two were from the tournament in Nanban. Who are you and why are you here?"

"I'm Karui, And yes I was a spy sent by my organization to infiltrate Nanban's inner workings. My associate's name is Samui. We've come to get you out of here. Shiba'i powers are not something you can take on. We have a way to defeat her and if you come with us our leader will give you safety."

"So you'd rather want us to rely on someone else to do our job of defending our school? I don't think so. How ever strong she is I know I can take her. I was able to take on the nine tails. How can she be any different?"

"Don't be so naive Kansui. You cannot hope to defeat her. She's possesses both the Rin'negan and Sharingan. Her powers easily put the nine tails to shame. You must come with us. We can ensure the safety of your fellow comrades and we can come together. The headmasters have convened to form an alliance between the seven schools. We need all the power we can get and if you throw your life away like this we won't know if we can muster enough power to counter attack. We need you and your fellow students to come with us."

"...Is that so? ..Sorry..I can't fathom this precious school being destroyed. It's a principle of mine to fight for a reason. This school is my home. I can't let someone take that away from me."

"You fool! Listen to reason!" pleaded Samui.

"KANSUI! KANSUI!" A student ran towards. "WE'VE GOT TROU-" he stopped mid sentence with a look of complete and utter fear.

"What it is? What's wrong?"

"...Look behind you..." When he turned he noticed a tall man with black hair up to the nape of his neck. One eye had a series of concentric circles around the pupil. The other was an eye Kansui knew all too well. He also took note of his facial feature to be resemblant of Sasuke. "...Itachi Uchiha. I heard he was dead."

"He is." Spoke another voice. This time it was feminine in nature. He turned around seeing a long black haired woman with the same eyes as Itachi's. "Kaku Bunwa? What in the hell happened to you?"

"The same thing that will happen to you if you don't tell me where Naruto Uzumaki is." Spoke another female voice. When Kansui turned the entire school took a defensive phalanx formation around him. "It'll do you no good to face the bull. You'll only get the horns."

"Well I'd rather take a horn or two to keep you from leaving this place alive." He spoke. His eyes soon dawning the famous sage eyes. "I see you've learned the sage mode from Master Fukusaku."

"This will be the power I will use to destroy you." He shouted before taking a stance against her. Soon two more people came from nowhere with the five other paths encircled around the students. "I will say this only once. Surrender and become my servants. I will guarantee your service with my sparing of your lives."

"Like hell I'd bow down to you freak. We'll fight to our last breath."

"...Is that your final decision?"

"What do you think?"

"I see. Very well then. I'll kill you all and make examples of you. Anyone who defies me will perish with no remorse." She said. Kansui was the first to attack with his sage chi charged left hook. As if he hit nothing but air he stopped only seeing Shiba'i raise her hand as well as the other pains. "What the hell?"

"Last chance before I destroy everything you hold dear."

"What the hell? I know I hit her. I know I did!"

"Too late." She smirked.

"No!" By the time he came to swing at her again. Blood had already splashed the outer wall the school. "NOOOOO!" He shouted. Some invisible force was crushing the bones and bodies of everyone in the circle of the six paths. To his horror she didn't stop there, Each of the paths were taking out his comrades one by one with very few survivors. Everyone had tried their best to fight them off but no one single blow was struck on any of the six paths. Before long it was the path Itachi Uchiha was that dealt the blow on Kansui by using his brute strength to crush the students who tried to escape. A select few toushi which included Neji, Hinata, Rock lee, Karui and Samui. Were able to hide and watch in horror as their fellow toushi die before their very eyes.

"Now for the peace de resistance!" She managed to gather enough power to lift herself in the air causing the other paths to temporarily cease movement and fall.

"I hope you've said your prayers Kansui Bunyaku. You'll be joining your kinsmen soon enough!"

"Shiba'i! NOOOOOO!" He used a great deal of sage energy to jump up and stop her before used her next attack. What he had seen next nothing short of despicable.

"SHINRA TENSEI!"

...

Next 36. Horror: The Great Toushi War

See ya next time ^ ^.