DEPARTURE
The wind pulsed slowly through the battlefield.
The flattened land of Amegakure was given a bird's eye view as the result of Pain's Almighty Push was seen. The craters that aligned the various sections of the destroyed village emitted dust to the air as the collisions seemed to have come to a halt.
Right at the center of the village, stood Kuragari and Naruto, with the former sending a sword through Naruto's back.
Placing his left hand on Naruto's shoulder, Kuragari pulled the sword out as he let Naruto fall to the earth. Naruto fell down, face first as slowly, blood pooled right underneath him.
His vision was blurry as he coughed out blood from his lips.
"To think these hands were used to destroy my generation." Kuragari spoke hollowly, looking to his left palm. "I must really be cursed."
He shifted his gaze to a struggling Naruto.
"Your healing factor is not activating. You've noticed that at least." Kuragari remarked, noting the increasing pool of blood. "This sword isn't ordinary, it was forged with this very intention. It drains the life forces of its victims."
Kuragari smiled mirthlessly. "You've used that technique on Kakuzu and numerous targets of yours. It was just modified."
He looked to the trembling skies, noting that rain was about to pour.
"I never intended this for any of you; Kushina, Toshiro. That's the dark price of power apparently. One thing I'll promise you." He assured. "Is that there would be peace. I owe you that I guess."
Kuragari bent down to the earth and stabbed the sword into the ground, before he placed his right palm to the earth and exhaling a bit.
Summoning: Outer Path Demonic Statue.
The earth quaked, vibrating due to the emerging presence on the battlefield. And like it was the beginning of an apocalypse, the earth gave way as the Gedo Mazo slowly emerged from the earth, all its eyes except two open.
"Sabaku Gaara and Fu are the remaining Jinchuriki in possession of their tailed beasts. After this, I'd capture them and complete everything."
He went through a series of hand seals.
Transformation: Demonic Life force.
The Gedo Mazo then glowed green as the chakra within the ten tail's husk began to change.
Naruto who was on the earth, just looked on in silence; his fading blue orbs looking at the statue, unmoving. His skin was slowly turning pale as slow breaths escaped from his lips.
"No…"
xxxxRecollectionsxxxx
Naruto opened his eyes, noting himself to be surrounded by white.
"Where am I?
His eyes widened as a memory opened up before his eyes.
"Wh…at did you do to Miz… uki?"
"Don't stress yourself sensei. You could say… I 'purified' him."
Naruto's eyes widened. This is… from that night.
"We all are human, sensei." Naruto said quietly slowly caressing Iruka's head. "We don't really know what kind of people we are until the moments of our deaths. As we lay in the embrace of death, as death whispers soothing words to us to let go of all things that binds us to this world, we then see our life from a third person's perspective, we judge ourselves at that moment, did I live my life to my expectations... or was my life a failure?"
Naruto looked on in realization.
A new memory passed by causing him to turn around.
He was in the forest of the Hidden Leaf village, concentrating chakra within his palms. He was adjudged to be around the age of seven. His clothes were tattered, torn up at numerous areas.
Sweat dibbled down from his head as he looked forward in determination, trying to stabilize the volatile creation within his palms. Come on! Come on!
A round sphere of chakra, black in color was within his palms as it began to destabilize. The wind pulsed, uncontrolled around him, brimming up like a tempest.
Naruto grunted as a worried expression graced his face. "Damn it."
BOOM!
He gasped as a shock wave sent him crashing to a tree. "Argh!"
He panted as his shirt was completely blown off and multiple burns were seen across his chest. He heaved in and out at the pain that riveted through his body, further closing his eyes as he willed the tears away.
It… hurts!
Slowly, the burns receded, eliciting a gasp from him as he dropped to the floor breathing heavily.
"You were distracted."
Naruto to grit his teeth as he made his way to his feet.
"It's nothing like that. It's just impossible!" He yelled out in defeat, looking angrily to his scarred palms. "I just can't do it In'ei, just teach me something else!"
"You are stubborn to listen to reason, but you give up after so much tries."
"I've been trying this for months!" Naruto angrily vented out. "I'm wasting time on a technique that is just impossible! The chakra is just too much! I don't know why you want me to learn this."
"Concentrating on such an amount of chakra is an important step for you to master. If you can do that, your ability with chakra will increase potentially."
"How?"
"Just trust me on that."
"You are really being secret about a lot of things." Naruto sighed and drew out his hair in frustration. "Argh! What am I not doing? The other techniques were easier to master!"
"They were easier because I was slowly umping the ante for each technique you learn. This though is the pre-requisite for the big guns and as such, if you can't learn it, you would not be able to proceed. That's why even though it takes up to next year, you must finish this."
Naruto bit his lips and looked to his scarred hands. For some reason, no matter how his body kept healing, his palms were the only ones scarred. Doubt still crossed his face.
In'ei sighed. "It's just like how you had to learn how to hide your chakra signature before beginning the technique, it wouldn't do for the Hokage to learn of this arrangement of ours."
Naruto clenched his fist and bit his lip in contemplation. Sighing in resignation he acquiesced.
"Alright."
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
"I've been coming to check up on you but I haven't been seeing you." Hiruzen spoke in concern as he looked at Naruto, noting the hesitation in his eyes. The two were seen in Naruto's apartment, sitting across each other with a round chipped wooden table between them. "Are you alright?"
Naruto widened his eyes at the concern he could see within Hiruzen's orbs. A longing expression was visible on his face as he bit his lip in contemplation. He quickly looked to the ground in conflict with himself.
"It's fake, it's all fake… He doesn't care about me, he's just like the rest of them."
Hiruzen noted Naruto's hidden expression and reached out to him. "Naru-"
"I'm fine old man." Naruto smiled, scratching the back of his head. "I've just been at the Ichiraku's most of the time."
Hiruzen smiled. "I see." Hiruzen sighed closing his eyes in weariness, knowing that his smile was a little forced. "How has your day been?"
"It's been okay." Naruto smiled, squinting his eyes. "I can't wait till when I'd enter the Academy to become a shinobi y'know."
Hiruzen chuckled. "Well you could enroll now."
"R…Really?" Naruto's eyes widened and wanted to accept but-
"No." In'ei cut him short. "Not yet, you are not ready."
"But I want to wait a bit, it's okay right?"
"Of course." Hiruzen smiled. "The later the better to be honest."
Hiruzen smiled and muttered. "Spend the money wisely. I might come sooner than later to see how you're doing. We are getting smothered up with a lot of village matters, but I'd find time to come see you. Is that okay?"
"Sure thing. Thanks a lot old man."
"Of course."
Hiruzen walked out and the room darkened.
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
"Why In'ei?"
Naruto muttered looking to the skies in the forest, it was night time and the forest was glowing under the vibrant moonlight.
"Why what?"
"Why did you choose me? Why did you want to help me?"
"Because no matter how one looks at things, we are alike Naruto."
Naruto blinked, looking puzzled. "How?"
"We are alone."
Naruto's eyes widened slowly. "Alone? Where are you?"
"Do you really want to know that?"
"I wonder." Naruto muttered hollowly. "If you… need a friend."
"Friend? You really are naïve aren't you?"
Naruto looked to the ground beneath him in sadness. "Is it that bad to want a friend, someone that understands me?"
"And if I were to promise to be your friend, till the end, what would it yield?"
Naruto didn't reply.
"They are nothing more than crutches, unnecessary attachments, that would only cause you harm, and make you more vulnerable."
"What are you planning to do with me?" Naruto asked.
"Hmm?"
"What do you want with me?"
"You want to know that badly?"
"I just need to know what exactly, is the point of all this? Your lessons, your teachings, your… guidance."
"Remember you asked."
"What are yo-?"
Naruto lurched forward in shock as images of death and destruction completely dominated his mind. His eyes were dilated completely as pain, hatred completely clouded his mind.
A searing migraine pierced through his skull as he yelled out in pain. Panting in complete fear.
"Argh! Make it stop! Please!"
And it did.
Naruto shivered in fear, his eyes unable to comprehend what he had just seen. He looked to his palms which trembled involuntarily. Words could not escape from his opened mouth, only fright visible on his features.
"That… was war."
Naruto's eyes slowly closed up as he passed out.
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
His cerulean eyes opened staring at the white colored ceilings. He made no attempt to move or look around just staring blankly upwards. All that was on his mind were the images In'ei had sent him, his full expression was observed.
His eyes looked lost, and broken as the images replayed over and over again. In'ei's last words before he passed out, rippling through his memories.
That… was war.
W…ar?
He slowly shifted his gaze to look beside him to see Hiruzen sitting beside his bed fast asleep. His eyes slowly widened. Old… man…
The images flashed again, the cruelty of the entire nature of mankind observed by his naïve young mind.
In'ei's voice crept in.
"Friends kill each other; families murder each other, and enemies fight till the entire land is destroyed. And the Kage of the villages, although knowing that all war would lead to is nothing but death still proceed to fight."
Naruto looked at Hiruzen as he seemed to sleep peacefully.
"What you saw, rivets through his mind every single day. He remembers everything; when he fought in the Second World War, and led Konoha to the third."
Tears seeped out from his eyes. As the bright blue orbs began to lose its luster.
"I never intended to show you this, even though you had doubts about who the man in front of you was. And even though he might be a person of good intentions, what you should know is that when the time for a fourth war comes, he would not seek to find peace. No, he would go head first, and sacrifice hundreds and thousands of lives that was pledged to him. And as an after effect, your parents died at you birth."
Naruto closed his eyes in resignation as In'ei continued.
"The sanctity of life is one that should never be handled so carelessly, but we live in a world where the very opposite happens, like it's the norm of the day. This world is already a broken version, of what I intended to be."
Naruto looked to the ceiling his expression completely hidden.
"I will ask you this again, what is your goal, Naruto?"
"You are awake." Hiruzen looked at him in worry. "What were you doing? The ANBU found you in the forest on the ground. What happened?"
Naruto just muttered. "I… can't remember."
Had Hiruzen paid more attention, he would have noticed Naruto's darkened countenance but so consumed with worry muttered.
"Don't worry, you'll get better soon."
Naruto gave a ghost of a smile.
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
The memory faded as the night he left Konoha with Iruka flashed by again.
"I don't have any regrets." Iruka said with a straight face. "As you said we are all human, we learn by mistakes we make and continue to evolve to try and avoid making that same mistake."
Then he saw himself surrounded by white and in his front was Naruto looking at him smiling truthfully.
"Those are just words Iruka Sensei, words that don't depict reality. Evolve you say, but some might say evolution is impossible in this world, but I say it is possible. This world exists because of war and this world would be destroyed because of war. This world feeds on war. This world hasn't evolved one bit. They haven't learnt one single lesson from their actions. Greed for power is the reason why there's been a first, second and third shinobi world war, which is also why Jinchuuriki exist."
"And who told you that?" Iruka asked. "These words does not seem like they should be coming out of a child like you."
"I had a… friend." Naruto spoke. "I don't know where he is, but he left after a while. He taught me all I needed to learn about this world. He showed me that my loneliness was a strength, not an affliction. That I should wear it with pride. That this village was underserving of me. He taught me…" Naruto looked down wistfully. "Everything."
Naruto continued. "No matter how small our existence is on this world, this night would determine the reason the entire shinobi world went to war, the day the nine tails mysteriously vanished from the Hidden Leaf Village. This puts Konoha at a very huge disadvantage. And I guess you know why sensei…"
Naruto looked at Iruka's shocked face. "Every village thirsts for power and they would stop at nothing to achieve that landmark as the strongest Shinobi Nation by destroying Konoha."
"What do you mean by 'the day the nine tails disappeared' Naruto?" Iruka asked, his eyes narrowed "Are you trying to run away to bring forth another war which would tarnish the small peace already existing, are you trying to destroy the power balance in the world?!"
Naruto scoffed. "Power balance? Please, Konoha got the greatest share from all the tailed beasts" Naruto declared with all seriousness "This war would be different. If everything goes into plan, this world wouldn't need to fight any other war."
Naruto began chuckling "Just the mere thought of going to war would send shivers down the spines of even the strongest of shinobi once they remember the Fourth Shinobi World war. Evolution would be possible then."
Naruto then looked forward in conviction, "…and I'll make sure it happens! Whether I'll have to manipulate the people I might love at the end."
Teuchi and Ayame crossed his mind as well as an unidentified woman. "Even I would have to make sacrifices. Someone has to change it."
"What are you planning, Naruto?" Iruka looked worried. His eyes widened as the surroundings were suddenly restored to its original landscape with Naruto over Iruka's dying body.
"It's time, sensei" Naruto said simply his hand rising glowing black this time. "It's time for you to evolve."
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
"Han!"
Materializing there with his sand, Gaara looked Naruto who placed his palm on Han's chest. "What's wrong?"
Naruto, looking at Han with his widened eyes spoke, "His seal! It's has a life attachment."
Gaara's was stunned as he shifted his gaze to Onoki's dead body. Don't tell me.
"Onoki tied his life to that of Han. Of all the seals, it had to be this one!"
"Why, can't you disable it?"
"I… can't!"
Naruto looked at Han who smiled through his bloodied lip, "It's no worries"
"But!" Naruto spoke worriedly
"I accepted that I would kill Onoki no matter what happened to me. I made peace with that a long time ago."
"But… you just got free. It's not fair."
"Unfortunately, nothing in this world is ever fair." Han spoke softly. "But you said you wanted to create a world that all this wouldn't repeat itself. No useless hatred for Jinchuuriki, wars and the rest of that crap. So Naruto, I want you to promise me, you will ensure the world is a free place."
"I promise!" Naruto spoke with a defeated voice
Han smiled. "Why the sad face? Besides, I'm dying a free person. To help you with your dream, I will give you a gift. Thank you for existence, Uzumaki Naruto." Han muttered through his bloodied lip, earning a shocked look from Naruto. "Because of you, we can dream of a better future."
Naruto closed his eyes as a lone tear seeped out.
"It's hopeless, isn't it?"
Naruto widened his eyes as he turned to see Han looking across to him.
"You..."
Han smiled as the landscape changed to show the battlefield of Konoha. "You have really come far haven't you?"
Naruto smiled a bit and looked to the landscape. "Yea, yea I have."
"What are you going to do now?"
"I… don't know."
"You haven't given up, have you?"
"He's stronger than I am." Naruto muttered. "And right now, I really don't see a way out of it."
"Till your heart stops beating." Toshiro's voice echoed causing Naruto to turn in shock. "You must never give up."
Naruto looked around, not seeing Han be his side anymore.
"My mind is playing tricks on me huh." He laughed mirthlessly. "Who knew dying sucked?"
"Think what you want." Toshiro spoke. "But, Gaara, Fu, Haku and Iruka are alive and are counting on you to win, is that a trick?"
"Although the Shinju, or Kaguya tried to suppress your chances of making a connection, you did, no matter how. Even though it's limited to one person or two or ten. They are your companions." Toshiro looked to Naruto who had a stunned expression. "And so when you die, make sure you die in pride."
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
Cold mist escaped from Naruto's lips as he placed his hands on the earth, pushing himself upwards.
"You…" Naruto hoarsely made out.
Kuragari who was in front of the Demonic Statue turned with his sword in his right hand and saw Naruto, panting slowly. "You choose to stand and face death right in the face huh." He smiled. "Just like your mother."
"I… I am not…" He gulped. "…going to give up that easily." Naruto was pale, his top drenched in blood as his eyes looked blearily. But deep within those tired eyes was a fire, a fire that seemed unquenchable even in death.
Kuragari declared. "Just lie down in peace."
Dark chakra surrounded Naruto as he burst forth for one final attack, the earth quaking at the speed with which he left the earth.
But Kuragari followed his motions clearly.
He swiftly shifted his head sideways, evading a right hand punch that was covered in dense wind chakra, and with a swift motion stabbed the sword straight through his heart.
"It's over…"
Naruto gasped slowly as he smiled a bit, looking tired. Kuragari removed his sword as Naruto rested his chin on his shoulder.
Kuragari shifted his pupils to his blond locks. Nothing Naruto's steadying breath.
Naruto kept his smile as he made out. "Thank… you."
"Hmm?" Kuragari's eyes narrowed at the strange comment. Sensing a foreign chakra, his eyes widened and shifted his head to see Naruto's right palm on the Gedo Mazo, as the bloodied blond muttered.
Spirit Absorption.
Kuragari couldn't move, couldn't react, only able to widen his eyes in shock as Naruto was pulled into the Demonic Statue.
"No." Kuragari murmured out as cracks emerged all over the statue, the Uzumaki legend looking in horror.
"No…" He roared out. "Noooooo!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!
A huge explosion shook the core of the entire battle field as Kuragari, who was at the closest proximity to the explosion was sent away from the sheer force of the shockwave. He crashed to the earth numerous times, bouncing with each collision.
Quickly trying to regain his bearings, Kuragari sent his sword deep into the earth to stop his motion. He stopped abruptly.
Nngh! Damn it!
He grunted as he felt his right shoulder dislocate completely. He staggered a bit as he stood up, his right hand hanging limp, from his shoulder joint. Looking to it, he frowned, and used his left hand to quickly put it back in place, looking impassive as the joint was reestablished. He reached for his sword which was embedded deep in the ground.
Sighing a bit he shifted his gaze to note the epicenter of the blast, observing a mushroom cloud in the distance.
I was really blown back huh. He tricked me.
Narrowing his eyes, he sped forth, reaching the region at a very quick speed. Looking around, he could note, that the husk of the ten tails was destroyed to little parts; from the head to its limbs and torso, they were seen across the earth blown apart by the shockwave also.
Kuragari shifted his gaze to the epicenter of the blast, noting the dust mushroom cloud slowly dissipating. Narrowing his gaze, he looked on, spotting a silhouette pushing himself up.
He had impressed expression on his face as Naruto was revealed, the dust cloud disappearing completely. Naruto was seen with his bloodied cloth, his skin tone returning to its original color.
He brought his palm to his line of sight watching it as it glowed blue after a while.
It's been a while, hasn't it, Naruto?
Naruto smiled closing his eyes in resignation. It seems you can never be gotten rid of that easily, eh Kurama?
You know it.
Good. Now… Naruto then shifted his gaze to Kuragari who looked at him in contemplation.
Kuragari then closed his eyes and chuckled a bit, looking to him. "How do you feel?"
Naruto looked at him, clenching his fist. "Why don't you come over here and find out?"
"I have to admit, you surpassed my expectations Naruto Uzumaki. I never expected that attempt. I do not expect to throw you around as I did before. So, I guess, I'm going full out."
The seals on Kuragari's left hand began to glow as Naruto's eyes narrowed. He's coming at full power huh.
Kuragari exhaled heavily as he felt a huge stress leave his body as his full chakra potency was released.
The entire village began to shake as Kuragari's chakra gained a dark coloration, covering the entire village in its darkness, enveloping Naruto from view.
From a bird's eye view, a huge dome of black chakra was seen as dust billowed around the unrestrained matter of energy. Naruto looked across the earth to note Kuragari looking at him.
"I've had lots and lots of time to study and discover abilities that this power of ours is capable of doing. And I'd tell you, its possibilities are endless."
Naruto looked around as the Kuragari's chakra waved died down slowly. The Uzumaki Clan head slowly shifted into a stance.
"Now come on Naruto Uzumaki! This is our final battle!" Kuragari declared as Naruto slowly walked forward, his expression hidden from view.
"I…" Naruto began as he moved towards his ancestor. "I am going to do it, Han, Jiraiya, Toshiro... Your deaths would not be in vain."
Naruto roared out as pure blue chakra exploded from his body as soon as he sped forth. Kuragari could only see a blue streak of light coming towards him as he braced for impact.
And what an impact it was.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
"Wakey wakey."
Fu yawned, before blinking and looking upwards to see Iruka, Haku, Gaara and Sakura looking at her.
Sakura looked bewildered. Was she just snoring?
"What?" She asked with her eyes half lidded. "Is it over?"
Iruka just chuckled a bit. "No, Naruto is currently engaging Kuragari in the village."
Fu looked to the direction of the village, feeling the tremors on the earth and smiled. She then scowled, turning to Iruka, "Then why did you wake me?"
"Well I-"
"I was having just the sweetest of dreams then you decide to wake me at the best part. Why does that always happen?"
"Uh-"
Fu sighed in disappointment, before blinking, noting Sakura's presence. "Why's the Hokage with you?"
"I came across her when I was heading to Haku and Gaara." Iruka replied folding his arms.
"And the other Kage?"
Sakura grabbed her left arm in thought, remembering their fates.
Fu looked at Sakura's sad expression, detecting what happened. She winced. "Oh." She muttered awkwardly as an uncomfortable silence dwelt between the five shinobi.
Haku looked at the crater made by the tailed beast bomb and muttered. Ýou really didn't hold back did you?
Fu scowled as Haku smirked. She protested. "He was really strong you see. I had to ask for Chomei's help or I would have died."
"Yea I understand." Haku smiled to which Fu looked on with hope.
"Y…You do?"
"Yup." Haku nodded, I also understand you making a bet on whether or not you were going to use Chomei's power."
Fu grimaced. She was really bad at gambling. She blinked. "What about you, Gaara? Did you use Shukaku?"
Gaara smirked. "What do you think?"
Fu just sighed in resignation. "Fine"
Sakura just looked puzzled at the entire scene. What the hell is happening here?
Feeling another tremor on the earth, Sakura looked towards the village where a huge explosion emerged to the atmosphere. She looked awed. That chakra!
And just like her, the visual conflagration attracted the attention from each of them, looking seriously to the ongoing battle between the two Uzumaki.
Sakura turned to Iruka. "Aren't you going to help him?"
"We could." Iruka spoke as he looked on. "But, we would just be in the way."
Sakura looked at them, noting their expressions, before turning towards the village, pondering on the current situation. For you to gain such an amount of truth and confidence. She smirked. Make sure you win, Naruto.
Xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx
The wind picked up.
Naruto placed his palm forward, as a huge lightning spear attempting to rip a hole in his body was blocked. The ground caved in as Naruto narrowed his gaze in concentration, forcing it to dissipate into fragments of chakra.
Kuragari sped on after him, only to note a huge incoming cascade of water heading towards him. He quickly placed his palms to the earth, summoning a humongous earth wall that received the full brunt of the wave.
While in concentration, Naruto slowly controlled the wind around him, slowly levitating him to the skies. He rose his palm to the air and muttered silently.
Ying Yang release: Cataclysm.
The sky began to tremble with chakra, as red lightning went through the skies; the entire land was illuminated in a beautiful shade of crimson.
Kuragari's eyes narrowed as in a feat defying Nature, the sun was slowly being covered by the dark clouds. Suddenly, a gold illumination emerged from Naruto's palm; a large beam of light that split the atmosphere, heading towards the skies, and pierced the clouds, illuminating it brightly for miles in an aesthetic view of orange.
Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!
Then Naruto brought his palm down; the large sword of light following, aiming to obliterate Kuragari in one destructive move.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM!
The shockwave was gigantic, proven further by the way the technique collided and intended to carve itself deeply into the earth. The length of the newly formed crevice was proving to be larger than the diameter of the village.
Naruto's eyes narrowed. He's resisting.
Right on the earth Kuragari was observed to be covered by a huge dome of chakra as he gritted his teeth in defiance, opposing the attack.
Naruto looked stunned. Unbelievable.
He was further shocked as the stalemate between the two techniques continued for an elevated duration of time.
RAAAARGGHHHH!
Kuragari roared out and pushed upwards and with a superior use of chakra deflected the sword of light to the earth.
Still on the offensive. Naruto simply placed his palm to the earth.
Seismic Breakthrough!
The earth caved in rapidly as the foundations of the village was heavily mutated.
Kuragari's eyes then widened as he felt the effects of the technique.
A huge earthquake ran through the earth. The earthquakes began to dig deep into the village as the entire forest in front of the walls collapsed. Just as Kuragari was destabilized on the earth his eyes widened as he looked to the skies.
JIGOKU!
Tornados emerged from the sky and dug into the earth as flood emerged from the ripped earth making Kuragari to quickly create huge earth pillars the stand on and maneuver. Suddenly he looked stunned, seeing meteors coated with fire descending from above.
Naruto grinned.
"This signifies the beginning of my new world! Vanish!"
Kuragari looked at him and smirked. "You talk a lot for someone who was about to die a while ago!"
Making multiple hand seals, Naruto placed his palm on the ground and immediately the earth caved again, destabilizing the pillars and making them to crumble to pieces. Kuragari frowned, as he jumped to the air noting Naruto's expression.
He's not giving me anytime to mount a counter attack huh. I need to attack while defending against his techniques.
Sword's Graveyard!
Multiple white blades rose up in an attempt to skewer Kuragari as soon as he landed, but Kuragari smirked and clasped his hands.
I have the perfect answer to that.
Representation of One's Spirit!
Going through a series of hand seals, a dark chakra enshrouded Kuragari as a gigantic humanoid construct, the size of a mountain morphed out of the air. It was colored pure black as all the elements surrounded it completely. A dense matter similar to Toshiro's armor began to cover it completely, resembling the Sussano of the Uchiha clan.
Naruto's eyes widened in thought. That is…
"This is the Creation of all things at its apex!" Kuragari declared standing on the head with a grin. "You think you know power?! You don't! You were saved because of a ditch move but you know, when we fought, there was no way to beat me! And this newly acquired power of yours does not do anything to remedy that! I will win!"
Naruto looked at him clenching his fist as Kuragari continued.
"No matter what you intend to do, you only have chakra at your behest, and none of your techniques would come close to this! It took Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara their greatest to try and beat this, and even then, because of some cowardly act, they managed to win!"
Naruto slowly dropped to the earth as Kuragari looked at him from above in a disdainful manner. "You will never win this, Uzumaki Naruto.
"It seems you don't truly understand your position." Naruto muttered before glowing as a red coloration cloaked his entire body. Kurama!
Feels good to be back!
The Nine Tails? Kuragari looked on with a grin as Naruto was completely enveloped by Kurama's chakra, before the tailed beast was summoned out.
"Is that it?"
Kurama looked at Kuragari and grinned, its titanic form equaling Kuragari's creation in size.
"I'll be glad to crush you, you little brat!"
Kuragari just scoffed and his chakra construct went into a stance sensing an incoming attack.
Gathering chakra at its maws, Kurama let loose a titanic tailed beast bomb that shook the earth, splitting it apart at it sped forth towards Kuragari. Clenching his fist, Kuragari willed his chakra construct to use its arm to deflect the strike, sending it to the earth in a humongous explosion that further shattered the foundations of Amegakure.
Using one of its tails, Kurama went to sweep the creations feet, to send it to the ground but the creature kicked the tail away and willed a humongous lightning sphere to gather in front of it.
Lightning's Behest!
A wide arc of lightning emerged from Kuragari cutting through the air at brilliant speeds as it aimed to engulf the tailed beast.
Wind Release: Heavenly Palm.
A much larger effect of the technique emerged as the two nature attacks collided, the wind dissipating the lightning. Naruto looked in thought.
Kurama was able to reform in time, I don't know of the other tailed beasts. I'd have to stall for time. He looked deep in thought. Even without a tailed beast, for him to amass such power, he's unbelievable.
I'd be fooling myself if I underestimated his strength.
How are the other tailed beasts doing Kurama?
They are reforming, but at a slow rate, I have traces of my chakra here, that's why I was able to detach myself quickly from the others, Kokuo would be here soon enough. Until then though, we must either kill him or keep him occupied. No matter his resilience, he will fall.
Kuragari grinned, seeing his attack repelled. He clasped his hands, as the construct did the same, the clap resounding over a great distance.
He's coming!
DIVINE ART: EYE OF THE SUN GOD!
Naruto widened his eyes.
BBBBOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!
A bright white light encompassed the entire region as a resounding explosion that shook the earth to their very foundations was heard. The explosion took the shape of a huge dome of light as it continued to expand with Kuragari at the epicenter.
Cracks appeared around the walls as the explosive dome got closer to them before they got disintegrated as the light enveloped them completely.
The wind pulsed as the village of Amegakure was removed from its map.
A huge dust billowed to the skies as the dome dissipated into light. Kuragari looked forward in observation, narrowing his gaze as Kurama had protected the two with its tails wrapped securely around each other.
That could compare to a tailed beast's blast.
Naruto just smirked as the clone beside him dissipated to wind, transferring Nature energy towards his body.
Kurama's chakra construct pulsed as its destroyed tails slowly regenerated back and Naruto outstretched his two hands.
Unlimited Spiraling Ring.
Similarly, his avatar followed suit, as multiple coalitions of chakra surrounded his arms as the elements mixed in together, creating a gigantic attack that dwarfed his 'Great Spiraling Ring.'
Kuragari braced for impact.
"Let's move, Kurama." Naruto declared and jumped to the air, causing Kuragari to go into a stance – his avatar doing the same.
Naruto roared as he threw the first spiraling dense mass of chakra causing Kuragari to move to deflect it only for his eyes to widen as he thought.
That wasn't meant for me!
The attack collided with the earth before him, elevating a huge amount of smokescreen to the skies covering Naruto from view. He quickly moved, jumping up and into the air, through the smoke screen only to see no one.
Widening his eyes he turned back to see Naruto in his avatar right behind him.
RARGGHHH
With a roar, Naruto connected the attack to the back of Kuragari's avatar, sending him away.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
A huge distance away, the explosion resounded for miles as it dug even deeper into the earth.
Amegakure was not going to be able to be rebuilt. The two combatants contributing in that aspect.
Naruto quickly sped forth as Kuragari staggered upwards, shards of his armor collapsing to the earth.
Kuragari grunted as he felt a huge migraine hit the side of his head. He heaved in and out as he held his head in slight pain.
Damn it! Sensing an incoming chakra, he widened his eyes as he saw Kurama coming down for a punch.
Gritting his teeth, he fought through the pain as he willed his avatar to will its arms up to block the attack.
The earth caved in, with Kuragari grunting at the sheer strength of the Nine tails.
"I am not alone, Kuragari, you are." Naruto declared as Kuragari was sent deeper into the earth, trying to still hold his ground.
Kuragari roared out. "That… is my strength!"
He pushed back as he forced himself back to his feet, straining under Kurama's strength. Naruto was stunned completely at his determination, noting as Kuragari's eyes burned with a fire that showed him standing for his ideals.
And that moment, Naruto was awed. And was more motivated to win.
Kuragari's avatar went for a stamp kick, only for Kurama to stop it with one of his tails. He gritted his teeth as another tail swept him of his feet, causing him to fall to the earth in a huge shockwave. Kurama's other left hand twitched and a huge spiraling chakra formed on it.
Holding him down, Naruto shared a brief glance with Kuragari who looked back him with defiance.
Even when you fall huh…
Naruto smiled mirthlessly as Kuragari's earlier words came rushing in.
"You choose to stand and face death right in the face huh." He smiled. "Just like your mother."
Kurama roared out as he collided the attack straight into Kuragari's avatar.
Maybe, I didn't get it from her after all…
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
In a point blank range, the integrity that Kuragari's avatar had failed, unable to withstand two of such attacks from Naruto.
A huge explosion that occurred dug into the earth and sent Naruto away in his tailed beast state.
Midair, Naruto's cloak dissipated as he bounced across the earth, grunting with each collision, before coming to a stop after rolling for a bit, leaving huge skid marks on the earth.
He groaned at the pain that he felt before he felt his bones realign, causing him to sigh in relief. He pushed himself to his feet, staggering a bit as he could still feel the after effects of the blast. Shaking off the sharp pain to the side of his head, he sighed.
Definitely not a good idea to do that. Kurama, are you there?
I'm here… Apparently, returning to your body doesn't mean we get to fuse as normally as we did before. We are lucky we managed to score a crucial hit, before it ran out.
Naruto looked to the distance, towards the mushroom cloud.
Besides, I don't think he is going to be getting up after that one.
Naruto, using a huge amount of chakra, blasted himself to the air as he sped forth to Kuragari's location.
Landing at a close proximity to the blast, he looked around, noting the results of the battle across the land.
"It's unbelievable, isn't it?"
Naruto widened his eyes as he looked to the crater to note Kuragari lying on his back, looking to the skies.
"That such power dwells in human hands."
"You're alive." Naruto commented, noting the broken black shards of the armor around his body.
"Which are you? Happy, or Angry? I can't tell with that expression on your face."
Kuragari grunted, as he tried to shift his body, only to sigh in resignation. I can't move, huh…
Naruto slowly walked towards him, stepping into the crater and overlooking his body.
"Is it wise?" Kuragari asked. "I might just be fooling you."
"You aren't like that." Naruto spoke. "And besides, your pride wouldn't do for an enemy to see you lying on your back. You just can't move."
"Heh." Kuragari exhaled. "Not everyone has the unlimited chakra output you got from the Demonic Statue."
The edges of Naruto's lips twitched up a bit. "I lost the battle, you know that."
Kuragari didn't answer, he just stared at Naruto, observing him.
"In'ei… no the Shinju, no Kaguya told me, bonds were useless, that had I set off on my own, just consuming all in my path, my strength would have been unrivaled. Looking at what you've achieved, I couldn't help but muse on her words."
"Do you regret it?" Kuragari asked prompting Naruto to arch an eyebrow. Kuragari elaborated. "Forming bonds with them."
Naruto sighed and slowly sat on the earth next to him, before exhaling a bit in exhaustion. "No." he smiled. "Not one bit."
Kuragari mused. "You say you lost, because I overpowered you on bare strength alone. You resorted to use the Gedo Mazo and in extension the Nine tails, and you see it as a loss."
Soft chuckles emerged from Kuragari's lips before it emerged to pure laughter. Naruto blinked in surprise. "What are you laughing at?"
"You are so much like me, it's uncanny." He gained a smirk. "During battle, we want to use our full strength before we resort to other means, huh. Let me tell you something, Naruto."
Naruto looked to his ancestor who looked at him. "Strength does not come from wining. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength, and that is true victory."
Kuragari sighed, looking at the trembling skies. "Using that analogy, I lost ages ago."
Naruto looked at him, "Why then, did you do all this?"
Kuragari just gave a mysterious smile and pointed out. "You know, taking chakra from this world will do nothing in stopping the wars that are to come. They will keep fighting and fighting, until all they are fighting with at the end, would be sticks and stones. At most, you could say, that when you take chakra from the world, it would sustain peace for the longest time, but, not forever."
Naruto looked ahead in thought, not commenting.
"But that's not what we wish for is it?" Kuragari sighed. "I guess even with our strengths, we are still naïve, just because of this world. I want to know something."
"What?"
"Why did you choose to go along this route, why did you wish to fight for peace, even though most of what you've been met with, is hatred?"
Naruto smiled and looked to the skies, "I wasn't the most well liked person in this world. The people I managed to form bonds with, could be counted with these two hands. But with each meeting, and each bond, I managed to see how precious it was."
Kuragari shifted his eyes to Naruto noting his countenance.
"Never being the recipient of friendships and love, I found those I formed to be priceless, first was Tsunami, then Tazuna, then Iruka…" He looked down in sadness. "And at those moments, I figured that what was so precious to me, people took for granted out there. People who love you, who would give their lives for you, are unfortunately forced to make that decision because of what this world is."
"They are so quick to throw bonds away for materialistic pleasures, for power, for lust?"
"Heh…"
"Kaguya showed me what war was. To think we could be that depraved, is unbelievable to me. So, even though the people I loved hated me for what I became, I'd accept it. I just, I just want them to live in a world where they wouldn't have to live because of predators coming to capture their villages, losing one's parents because of rage, forced to be ostracized by ones parents, and people, and forced to have a failed life. I just wanted to end it."
Kuragari looked to him. "Just for a small number of people huh…"
His breath slowed down as he smiled truthfully, with his vision becoming bleary. "That's…"
Naruto looked to the skies, a lone tear coming from his eyes.
"…really great."
CHAPTER END
Epilogue: Next Chapter.
So guys what do you think? Please share your thoughts as to how has the story been to your liking. I'd really appreciate it. Thanks for you immense support!