A.N – First to my long time readers: I am so sorry for the delay of this chapter. I had a bad case of brain freeze and could not coax a lick of words on screen, had to go back and watch a whole bunch of anime and read a ton of manga to even psyche myself up for it…and still nothing. Fortunately I've piece this together and can only thank you guys for your patience.
To everyone, new readers included - welcome to the show and the penultimate chapter of this part. Soon I will start work on the Shippuden series, again skipping out most of the filler arc stuff and following the main manga story plot...ish.
I also want to give a special thanks to sabyashiv – the wait is over, hope you like it.
As usual your comments and critiques are gratefully received, they keep me honest.
Onwards to the chapter
Uchiha Compound, Konohagakure
Hours before his defection…
Sasuke could hear nothing but the sound of his own breathing and the drumbeats of his heart, pounding away in his chest. His hands were braced firmly the mantelpiece before him, home to the plaques bearing the names of all his kin lost in the massacre.
The final resting place of his people….and he could not bear to look on them with his own eyes.
Would they approve of his choice? He could not say.
Would they condemn his actions? He hoped not.
Still….
"I have made my choice. Whatever else may come, my heart is clear and my mind is sure. I will fulfil my duty and end this torment."
"I pray to you, my family, my ancestors, and my kin….please do not think less of me."
He pulled away from the mantelpiece and headed slowly for the door. As it opened under his touch a gentle breeze blew by causing the flame stand outside to flicker, just enough to illuminate the Uchiha for a split moment.
Under the wavering light Sasuke's cursed seal danced with menace, writhing as if alive and in rapture.
As quickly as it shone it disappeared, and the cursed markings receded.
He had said all he wanted to his kin….now he had to act.
His journey towards the gates was quiet and deliberate. Each step brought him closer, ever closer to the point of no return.
Then he stopped, suddenly weary and alert, and his Sharingan flashed
"Your Genjutsus have improved multiple layers and subconscious suggestions. Hints and whispers, designed to tie your opponents in knots, or more deviously lead him down a specific route in the midst of all the chaos."
Sasuke's Sharingan analysed and the tore the illusion to shreds. He tilted and glanced towards a tree by the side of the road, his eyes straight up in its branches
"Sakura"
Naruto snapped awake as what felt like a faint cry rang out to his senses. Adrenaline pumped in great lumps through him and his heart thundered within him. He scrambled upright and tried to make sense of what he was feeling, instinctively aware that something was very very wrong.
N-naru-t-t-to…..
"Sakura!" Naruto called out, softly and in shock. Even as he said her name he could practically feel as her life and chakra tricked into nothingness, like a candle in gale winds she flickered dangerously, on the verge of being snuffed out.
Naruto wasted little time and honed in on her position. With her presence fixed firmly in his mind his chakra surged and he moved into a high speed shushin. His body protested the brutal treatment, however with three back to back shushins he was right beside her.
The sight of her stopped his heart cold.
Her face was extremely pale and she was barely moving, with only the lightest fluttering of her chest to tell she was alive. His attention was fixed firmly on the kunai sticking out of her chest and his emotions bubbled under the surface.
He knelt beside her and quickly looked her over for further injuries. His hand ghosted towards the kunai and wound when he felt a largely faded presence, but that light the fire on his anger.
SASUKE!
As if drawn to his rage, Sakura's eyes fluttered open and she gazed on her other teammate. The details were not clear but she just knew it was him.
"S-sorry Naruto" she coughed harshly and Naruto tried to soothe her. "I tried to stop him. I wasn't strong enough. I've never been st-strong enou-"another cough broke through.
Naruto did his best to keep a lid on his fury, Sakura needed him clear headed and he cursed his impetuous move, he left his puppets and tools back in his home, along with his shoes and decent clothes.
Gently picking her up and securing her comfortably Naruto flexed his chakra and took to the roofs. With every step he moved faster and faster, his chakra slowly tinged red around the edges and his eye held a fey light, the iris slowly elongating.
Otogakure
Orochimaru-Sama's private chambers – several hours after Sasuke's defection
Orochimaru's brow burned with fever, but his eyes remained ever alert, anticipating his coming prize. His dead arms lay prone on the armrests of his chair, but despite the pain it was of little consequence to the snake Sannin.
Steady footfalls echoed outside. Orochimaru looked up as his door opened, Kabuto, his loyal assistant walked into the room, his form half hidden by the flickering candle light.
"Uchiha Sasuke has left Konoha, earlier than was originally anticipated." Orochimaru leaned back into his chair, a ghost of a smirk on his face mirroring that from Kabuto.
"Tsunade has been on quite the warpath recently. Several of our agents are lost, I'm almost positive that much of what is left is fully compromised." Orochimaru mused. Silence reined for a time as the candles slowly burned away.
"Where are the sound four?" Orochimaru asked all of a sudden.
Kabuto's smirk grew wider.
"They left for Konoha, yesterday." Orochimaru's eyes lit up in delight.
"Ever the diligent one, aren't you Kabuto? Still, Sasuke is coming home; we had best be ready to welcome him."
Sensing the dismissal Kabuto turned and made his leave. As his fingers wrapped around the door handle Orochimaru called out to him, halting his motion.
"Kabuto…nothing must be allowed to impede Sasuke's journey. Nothing"
By the time Naruto got to the hospital, dawn was fast approaching. His chakra was flaring wildly and Kyuubi's presence was becoming more and more manifest. He burst through the doors, sending the midnight shift into turmoil.
"Hey!" Naruto barked out, causing the noise to die out. With considerable effort he restrained his chakra and ground out as non-threatening as possible. "I have an injured teammate. She's been like this for a while and we need help. Please."
A pair of Med Nins stepped forwards, on catching sight of Sakura they switched from cautious to professional. Seconds later Sakura was out of Naruto's hands and on a gurney, a soft pulse of chakra running over her cold frame. Some colour returned to her cheeks and the Med Nins began moving her, barking orders and demands as they retreated further into the wards. Naruto made to follow but one of the nurses held in back.
"I'm sorry Uzumaki-San, but we need you to stay here" Her soft voice and empathy pierced through his haze and anger, calming him significantly. He's worried gaze followed the medics until they disappeared around the corner. A gentle hand gave his arm a light squeeze and he turned back to the face of the nurse, her calm warmth soothing his agitated state.
"I know enough that you will worry, regardless of what assurances I could possibly give. But we will do everything we can to make sure Sakura-San survives." Naruto took a deep breath and nodded in thanks. The nurse merely smiled then her features went serious and professional.
"Apart from the obvious, did you note anything else? Any other injuries or conditions that seemed out of place?" Naruto shook his head at each query. As the tension bled from him he suddenly sagged and staggered. The Nurse squawked in an undignified manner as she tried to hold his weight. At the very last moment Naruto caught himself.
"Sorry, I don't know what happened there" he said as he regained his bearings.
The flustered nurse slowly regained her composure, her hand pulsed chakra as she ran it over his frame.
"Just a case of mild stress, dehydration and tiredness. All of which are understandable." Naruto paid little attention to her words, his mind slowly focusing on the feel of her chakra. It was soothing; much like her personality, but something else about it drew him. There was almost and edginess to it, lurking out of sight….
Naruto was about to push deeper when his ears picked up her comment, and suddenly his fury returned.
"Naruto-San, I said do you want us to get in touch with Hatake-San and Uchiha-San. They are part of your team are they not? Sakura-San will be under care for the next eight to twelve hours, just to be safe."
"…Yeah, I'm going to go home and get changed. I'll send word to our sensei and we'll be back later for a prognosis." Naruto stepped round the nurse and headed for the exit, next moment he on the rooftops, sprinting for his apartment.
With a flex of his chakra, two clones materialised beside him, their faces just as grim and orders fixed clearly in their minds.
Check the Uchiha District, then find Kakashi and explain what we know.
Get to the Hokage Tower; inform Tsunade-Hime what has transpired.
At a junction the clones split off in opposite directions. Naruto increased his speed, his thoughts focused on one thing.
He glanced downwards at the little slip of paper, flapping away at the high speed winds. His fist clenched tighter, crinkling the paper but he already committed the contents to memory.
It was the same paper he found, bloodied in Sakura's hands. The one she held tight and only relinquished once she was firmly in his arms.
The slip she had taken from the teammate, noting his route away from the village….and his designated meeting point with Orochimaru's agents.
Sasuke….i will find you, and make you answer for this.
Naruto pushed even harder. First he'll get geared up. Every single puppet he had up and running. Every single seal and support material he could pack in ten minutes. And then he would be out of the village in fifteen.
Sasuke had a whole night's head start, and Naruto was not going to let the lead increase.
Sasuke slowly washed his hands clean by a stream, deep in Fire Country's forest. It was also easier for him to look upon his image in the clear waters.
There can be no going back….
Finishing the last of his jerky he refilled his flask and popped it back into his pack. Then he took one last drink before dunking his head under the currents. He pulled his head free, allowing the rivulets to trail down his head and face, not minding the dampness. From there he stood up and pushed off the ground into the trees. His hand wandered to the strap, where his map and notes should have been but were missing. Either way his Sharingan had helped him memorise everything on the paper, he knew where he was headed and it wouldn't be long before he reached the meeting point.
Konoha had given everything he needed at this point. But as with all things change was necessary, Orochimaru had given him something Konoha could or would not give him. And as an avenger he needed to use every opportunity, every asset, every single means to achieve his goal.
Above all else, the Uchiha were guided by their pride in their skills, their family and kin, and their oaths. Oath-Breakers and Kin-Slayers were an anathema to them, his father always said while a personal oath may fail, an oath given on the Uchiha name could never be broken, none from the clan would think of such dishonour.
Sasuke committed those words deeply to heart….and now he was fulfilling his oath.
The meeting point bordered on the edges of Fire Country's forests, after that it was a clear landscape before coming up to the edges of the territory. At a steady pace one could make for the last landmark of Konoha and Fire Country, the place that oversaw the titanic battle between Hashirama and Madara
The Valley of the End.
Sasuke paused in the trees and settled for a brief wait.
"Orochimaru-Sama was certain you would take him up on his offer" He turned around to locate the voice, but it was being projected from all directions.
"We were expecting to meet you at Konoha, offer more convincing opportunities to join with our master."
Four figures burst from the shadows and foliage. Sasuke's Sharingan lit up and he tracked their trajectories, until they came to a stop on the ground below.
"We are Orochimaru's guard. And now your subordinates." Sasuke watched impassive as all four went on their knees before him. He dropped from the trees and slowly moved closer.
One of them had greyish hair and another head sticking out the back of his neck, and seemed to be the lead spokesperson for the group. The one to his left had black hair, and six arms. On the right was a large orange haired Nin and the final member was a female red head.
"You are of no use on your knees, and I have little desire for further command. Orochimaru has offered me the power I crave, for me that is enough." As he spoke he walked passed them, almost dismissive.
The Sound Four rose to their feet and circled around him.
"From here it is two days to Orochimaru-Sama; at pace it should only take us one. Once there you will undergo the final procedure" Sasuke glanced at each of them, cautious.
"Final procedure?" The air around him seemed charged with their anticipation and amusement, but Sasuke didn't let himself look weak.
"Yes, your cursed seal is incomplete. As it is while substantial it is difficult to manage and nowhere near ideal. Once it is fully unlocked you will find your power and control greatly increased."
Sasuke unconsciously reached for the cursed seal and his thoughts wandered. Already he knew how much better the cursed seal made him, the thought that it was still incomplete filled him with mild trepidation, overshadowed by overwhelming need and desire for the full power.
"I see you understand" The lead member of the sound four intoned softly, the early rays of sunlight bringing his features in stark relief. "If you are strong now, how much more so when the curse seal is at full power."
Sasuke dropped his arm and straightened, looking from each member of the sound four. Resolve was clear in his eyes and he opened his mouth to speak-
A strong sensation ran through Sasuke and his words stilled before they could even form. His heart pounded deep within his chest, slowly his head turned away from the sound four. His eyes focused deep into the forest.
Naruto…..
"We have to move" His voice echoed eerily to his mind, perfectly flat with zero inflection. His sudden change of mood sent the sound four on alert.
The sudden activation of Sasuke's cursed seal however caused their tension and chakra levels to spike.
"Jirobo! Kidomaru!"
Immediately the two members responded. Jirobo, the larger member ducked to the ground and placed his open palm on the earth. Meanwhile Kidomaru, the six armed Nin took to the trees. With a quick glance at Sasuke he oriented his positon, facing towards Konoha.
"Anything?"
Jirobo's face was tense as he tried to listen through the earth. Kidomaru remained perched scanning the forest lines for anything.
All the while Sasuke stood tense, his whole body reverberating. He knew, even if he couldn't sense it, he just knew.
"Move!" Sasuke called harshly as he sprang forwards. Jirobo reared back alarmed. Kidomaru started in shock as a rope connected to his arm, he traced the connection back to Sasuke. Sasuke gave a sharp tug, pulling the sound Nin from the trees, just as sharp winds tore through the branches. An ominous rumbling emerged from the dense forest.
Suddenly a large red paw shot into the clearing, startling the Sound Four. Instinctively the leapt backwards and activated their curse seals. Sasuke however darted in-between them and the paw, his Sharingan analysing and cataloguing the chakra signals perceived. Then with a pulse of chakra his hand caught swung out and tore apart the illusion Naruto set up.
The paw disintegrated, leaving just the forest, however Sasuke remained alert. Two figures darted from the bushes, moving at speed. A loud report echoed, Sasuke's eyes widened as he identified the object. He cursed loudly and ducked low, closing his eyes just in time
Flash Bang
The forest lit up in white light blinding in its intensity, and all other noise was immediately drowned out. Sasuke blinked rapidly as he tried to clear his vision, the images were blurry but the Sound Four were equally in disarray. Then another figure appeared in their formation, before anyone could act Jirobo took a hard blow, sending him flying backwards. Without slowing the figure spun round and Sasuke could just make out a kunai in his hand. The figure darted again, this time for Kidomaru. Kidomaru gasped as the kunai found purchase in his stomach. He launched a reflexive strike, forcing the figure to abandon the weapon, but then he lost control and fell on his back.
Sasuke's eyes spun as he again traced the environment. Then his hands moved into action.
Fuma Shuriken – Kage Fuusha.
Three windmill shurikens left Sasuke, arcing gracefully in the air as they bore down on the new entrants. As the shurikens were dodged Sasuke pulled his arms back sharply, thin wires glinting in the light. The shurikens diverted and headed straight for a tree. Just before they could hit the branches ruffled and the air displaced. All eyes focused on an invisible opponent, only noticeable due to motion blur and background distortion.
The distortion landed on another tree and paused, and then the jutsu dropped revealing the blond puppeteer.
All else disappeared, for the two of them the world might as well not have existed. Their complete focus was on the other.
"Sasuke" The tone sounded cordial, but all present knew it was anything but. Naruto's eyes were both red and seemed to be glowing with the promise of violence.
"Naruto" Sasuke was equally cordial; the Uchiha scanned his teammate, noting immediately the new addition his gear. His Sharingan eyes twitched and his stance shifted almost imperceptibly.
"Congratulations to your promotion Naruto. I assume this brings you one step closer to your goals." Naruto frowned. He had noticed the shift in Sasuke's eye and posture, and yet the compliment had been sincere. There was no mocking in the Uchiha's chakra, resentment and envy yes, but the usual disdain and mockery was absent.
It irked him that Sasuke seemed to be completely at peace.
"How is Sakura?" Naruto snarled at the query and his chakra rose in response
"You don't get to even breathe in the same room as her, much less speak her name. Not after what you did. I always knew she was too good for you, what she saw in you I'll never know, and I if don't like the answers to my questions we never will." The threat was ominous, but yet Sasuke remained impassive.
"Naruto…how is Sakura?" Naruto was ready to lash out when he truly caught the look in the deserter's eyes. He focused deeper and felt the conflicted emotions warring in the Uchiha.
"When I left she was in intensive care. She burned a lot of chakra to keep herself going, but the wound itself was care for and with luck she'll be fine." Naruto kept vigilance on Sasuke's emotions; he felt some of the conflict wane and fade away, leaving behind a resolve. Naruto's eyes narrowed at the new direction of the emotions.
"I will never forgive you for what you did to Sakura, regardless of what happens here or not. She loved you and you almost killed her"
"I know, and not a moment since then goes by when it doesn't haunt me." Sasuke intoned softly. The cursed marks on his skin began pulsing strongly and as his chakra levels grew, so did his voice. "But if I had to it again I would. I will allow nothing to come between me and my duty, my oath, my goals." As he spoke his head rose and his gaze locked with Naruto's.
Just in time to reveal a fully matured Sharingan.
Naruto blinked in shock as the full tier doujutsu spun lazily, the left eye seemed particularly blurry, as if trying to shift forms some more….but then reverted and started again.
Naruto felt the web of lies the Sharingan attempted to weave but his mind was iron clad and his perception threads were already countering the doujutsu.
"And so you will betray the village. Betray the legacy of your clan and kin, the very founders of our home alongside the Senju. Yours is the actions of a coward and a hypocrite, how different are you from Itachi now, both betrayers of Konoha, no you are worse. You are joining Orochimaru, the very man that killed the Sandaime, another betrayer of Konoha. How do you rationalise that Sasuke?"
"I don't…" the simple reply stopped the blonde short.
"Don't mistake my hatred and desire for vengeance to be blanket. My anger is fixed on the singular, Itachi. Whether others have been betray or not does not concern me. Who has betrayed or not does not concern me. I have never sympathised or empathised with others like me. All that matters, all that I care for is that Itachi betrayed me and my people. And I will go anywhere, do anything and everything to kill him" Sasuke's fist lit up in flames.
"I have only ever wanted one thing. And the moment I had it, it was bittersweet. And then it was violently taken from me. I will never get that back, and for that Itachi must die. If I have to go to Orochimaru to achieve this, not even you will stop me".
The flames roared with intensity at Sasuke proclamation.
"We'll see about that Sasuke." Naruto's tone oozed with menace.
Then, the world seemed to restart, before he could move Jirobo blurred into action. The big orange haired Nin gave a thunderous palm strike to the tree, shattering the base and knocking it over. Naruto jumped from the falling tree, cursing himself for forgetting about the Sound Nins, still at least there were only three now, not counting Sasuke-
His senses screamed out a warning and he turned to face the threat. Naruto's eyes widened as Kidomaru proved to be very much alive. Kidomaru smirked as his hands came together in a seal chain and his chakra flexed.
Kumo Shibari!
With a quick breathe Kidomaru spat out a large spider web. Naruto was caught out in mid-air with nowhere to go, he brought his arms together in defence and the web caught him, sending him sprawling to the ground and trapped.
"You are faster than I anticipated, still if that's all I'm rather disappointed." Kidomaru mocked with a smirk on his face. He reached for the kunai still stuck in his clothes and pulled it free. Naruto watched and saw gold like sediments break off from the tip. The same material crawled over the exposed areas of the sound Nin, before breaking off and falling on the ground.
"Kumo Nenkin, always useful" Kidomaru commented as he pulled free another piece, Naruto quickly processed what had happened; his kunai had been stopped by the gold material and the six armed Nin played dead. His focus had been so much on Sasuke and the two standing Nins he completely missed the other two, and now he was paying for it.
Naruto stretched his senses into the web and felt the chakra still running through it. Strong, however Kyuubi's was much stronger.
Before the sound Nins could say anymore Naruto seemed to swell in power and the web strained under the Biju's chakra before snapping apart. Naruto rose to his feet with chakra swirling around him.
His gaze trailed from each member of the sound four. The girl had a flute out and ready, none of the others seemed to use more than the standard weaponry, however the six armed one, Kidomaru seemed to create some substance that hardened, either for defensive armour, or offensive weapons like he was beginning to showcase now.
All of them, including Sasuke, were now sporting cursed seals.
Kyuubi….lend me you wrath.
The chakra storm around Naruto grew with intensity, bubbling menacingly and growing denser. Naruto's features sharpened and shifted, causing his opponents to rear backwards in apprehension. Thick strands of chakra strings surged from Naruto, straight for his puppets.
The two wolves jerked as the chakra engulfed them, gears spun and plates clicked as they began prowling, and to the shock of everyone deep rumbling growls echoed from the puppets. Byakuya was similarly engulfed; the shield and sword arms immediately came off and were swiftly replaced with the four arm variant, each sporting a telescopic sword. The digitigrade legs bobbed as if in anticipation.
The forest stilled, a stray leaf caught in the wind twirled away. It crossed their field of vision…
Then they acted.
Byakuya struck the first blow. Naruto's primary puppet rapidly covered the distance, panels opened along its torso and spun on a full three-sixty, while the legs propelled it forwards. Darts and shrapnel fired off, scattering the sound formation.
"Tayuya!" Naruto turned to the female that had been called. Her weapon of choice appeared to be a flute and she had it raised to her lips.
Meanwhile Byakuya had Sasuke and the leader of the sound four in sights. The telescopic blades carved into the air with swift flourishes, keeping both Nins on the defensive. Sasuke's eyes spun as he managed to read the actions and evade the strike.
Jirobo's chakra rose in challenge and his hands formed rapid seals.
Doton: Iwadeppo no Jutsu
With the seals finished Jirobo spat out, multiple rock projectiles sped through the air bearing down on Naruto. As they flew the rocks increased marginally in size, going from pebbles to football sizes. Jirobo kept a steady stream of projectiles as his teammates moved into the assault.
Naruto eyed the projectiles with disdain and pulsed his chakra. His pack immediately tore open and the Shiryu sprang free, ready to act. Immediately Naruto transferred the chakra strings to the Shiryu and ran through several handseals.
Ryuujinheki
The earth around Naruto rumbled and shifted, before rising and curling around him. The rock projectiles slammed fruitlessly on the as the structure to shape forming a long earth oriental dragon. Naruto shifted his handseals and the earth dragon rumbled to life, circling him twice before facing Jirobo. Its maw opened and immediately began firing shards of earth.
Jirobo cursed and slammed his palm into the earth, his chakra pulsed and the ground cracked and groaned. A giant slab of earth pulled free and stood erect, blocking the earth shards. The dragon swayed its head and the other exposed ninjas fled from its line of sight.
Suddenly melodies sounded around him. Soft tones that gave him pause. Naruto turned back towards Tayuya and noted her playing. His eyes narrowed as he felt the chakra laced into the sound, attempting to bind him in her illusions.
Naruto snorted. One of the Shiryu swung in her direction and its mouth opened. A torrent of flames emerged, speeding for the shocked sound Nin. Seconds later a figure blurred in front of her, with Sharingan spinning wildly. Sasuke eyed the flames and his arms lit up in response. He brought his arms together in scissors and spun, just as the flames came into range he pulled them sharply apart. His chakra and flames reached into the incoming fire, overtaking it and splitting it apart in opposite directions. Tayuya gulped at the display and quickly backed away from the wayward flames before biting her thumb and running handseals.
Sasuke remained focused on keeping control of the flames. Once they died down he straightened up and looked at his former teammate with a frown. He could see the chakras of everyone around and they were not insubstantial. Still Naruto was comfortably keeping pace and in some cases setting it against five opponents.
Sasuke gave a quick glance to Kidomaru, who had his hands full trying to evade and disable the wolf puppets. The two canines were coordinated and seemed almost too aware for puppets. The webs used by the six armed Nin fell against the sharpened blades and chakra of the puppets. Sasuke's' eyes scanned deeper and noted the red chakra, acting through the puppets, like it was giving it life and revelled in its power.
Glancing again at the rest of the field Byakuya again was chaos in action. Always moving and never in one spot for too long, changing opponents with little rhyme or reason, and yet constantly setting up for the next attack, the next trap. It too was surrounded by the red chakra, lending a strength and resistance that was simply unreal.
So far Naruto seemed content to engage him minimally, likely aware that the biggest issues were the sound four. And yet he also knew the blonde's eyes and senses constantly monitored his position, and the fact was even if he tried to run Naruto was wily enough to slow him down.
Sasuke instinctively dodged the earth shards that the dragon was still firing on occasion, envy at the heavy usage of chakra from Naruto. It seemed the blonde was in no mood for his usual subtlety and decided to go straight for the sledge hammer approach. Sasuke briefly noted as Sakon bypassed Byakuya, taking only a glancing strike before tearing down for Naruto. As the sound Nin ran his cursed seal seamed to go into overdrive and his skin turned a deep tan. Sasuke watched with fascination as Sakon's chakra grew to greater levels, the sound Nin growled as he came upon the earth dragon and lashed out with a solid blow. The limb blurred but Sasuke could make out multiple arms not just multiple strikes, for all intents and purposes Sakon had punched with three arms instead of one.
The earth gave way, and Sakon's fist sunk deep. As the dragon fell apart Sasuke saw the sound Nins fist stopped in its tracks by Naruto's palm. Seconds later the Shiryu reacted and left a glancing blow on Sakon. Sakon ducked and backed off, Sasuke frown at the expression on his face; it was one of glee and relish.
It took a few more seconds to note that the extra head on Sakon's neck was missing.
Naruto grunted as he felt the chakra backlash from his earth dragon failing. Another grunt escaped his lips as he caught the sound Nins blow, halting it in its tracks. In a flash his Shiryu acted, forcing the Nin away, getting a lucky blow as he fled. Naruto frowned at how easy the Sound Nin seemed to give ground, and the smirk on his face wasn't feeling him with reassurance.
He gasped harshly as his vision doubled; he staggered slightly, barely catching himself and deflecting a blow from Jirobo. Putting some space between himself and the sound Naruto struggled to understand what was wrong with himself.
"Hey brat," His eyes widened and he glanced sideways; attached to his neck was another head, smirking with dark relish right at him.
"Meet my twin brother, Ukon" Sakon cocked his head with smug assurance, his cursed seal level two gifting him a more demonic appearance. "He doesn't like to act much, but when he does its never good….for the enemies involved."
"I hope you don't mind sharing your body with me, either way it ends here for you." Ukon spoke up again, meanwhile Naruto could feel a faint tingle going through his body; he glanced at his hand, surprised to find it shaking slightly. Ukon followed the gaze and his smirk grew even wider.
"That tingling running down your spine; that is me tearing your body apart, down to every last cell. I am told that the pain is quite excruciating."
As Ukon spoke Naruto's puppets slowed and came to a halt, the chakra controlling them cutting out. The sound contingent began to relax; Kidomaru scoffed and gave a thunderous kick to one of the wolves, sending it into the bushes.
Tayuya swore out as she spoke "You couldn't have done that earlier? Waste of space."
Ukon ignored the scoff while Sakon merely smiled dismissively at Naruto before turning to Sasuke.
"This is the strength of Orochimaru-Sama. This is the power he has gifted us and note this, your seal is an order of magnitude greater than ours." Naruto had dropped to a knee and his head was bowed.
Sasuke kept his eyes trained on his former teammate, so he spotted it first.
Then Naruto's chuckles echoed around them. Ukon shifted from assured victory to confusion. Then his confusion turned to horror as fierce and wild power overtook him.
"Really, is that the best you have to offer" Naruto tutted as he rose to his feet, almost completely covered by raw chakra. "I admit, you caught me off-guard with that move. Tracking so many enemies of my level, and with your twin sharing similar signatures with you, one slipped through the net."
"Still-"Naruto stood straight and all could see the strain and abject fear on Ukon's exposed face "-invading my body as you did, very unwise move."
"After all, you just don't know who has first claim."
Kyuubi, I leave him with you….
Ukon stood before an abyss, to where he knew not. Nothing seemed make sense, he had been fighting and then pain….and now he was nowhere.
Just him and the abyss.
"Have care…if you gaze too deeply into the abyss….the abyss will gaze back at you."
Power and wrath slammed into Ukon without warning. He flinched and raised his arms to ward against the effects but it was useless. To his horror he felt himself shifting and moving close to the dark space. He tried to stop or slow himself but it was in vain.
His fear only grew as two large eyes appeared in the abyss.
"Now, I believe you were wondering about the pain of ripping apart from the cellular level. Allow me to give you first-hand experience."
Ukon gave one final scream as red chakra wrapped him tightly and pulled him deeper into the abyss.
I accept this gift in the spirit it was given, Naruto.
Ukon's screams filled the air as Kyuubi's chakra ripped him apart.
"Sakon! Help me!" He cried out to his brother as he was pulled apart, unravelling inside Naruto. His curse seal receded to level one, not long after that also failed and his exposed skin began to flake and tear in strips.
"Ukon!" Sakon cried out in rage and terror. He darted forwards, trying to get to his brother.
Naruto's finger flicked and his chakra pulsed. Kyuubi's chakra coalesced around Ukon's exposed head and imploded. At the same time Byakuya appeared, blocking Sakon's approach. His chest plate opened, revealing several vibrating cones. Byakuya's eyes flashed and deep bass notes thrummed from the cones through Sakon. Sakon was unprepared for the assault and took the full force of the sonic blast, his eyeballs rolled and his ears ruptured. Blood poured from his nose and for a moment he floundered.
Byakuya quickly took a step forwards and his four blades flashed, putting Sakon out of his misery.
"That's one down" Naruto coughed out, spitting blood to the ground. His arm still tingled slightly but it was of little consequence. Quickly he looked over the remaining sound Nins and Sasuke, a dark smirk at the various degrees and anger thrown at him
"Three more to go. Sasuke, you can come back under your own power or in a body bag. It's up to you"
Konoha
Tsunade could feel her facial muscles twitch and her fury grow with each passing second. Her fist lashed out against her would be attacker, sending the broken body into a nearby building. Her other attackers charged heedlessly causing her rising fury to spike even further.
Her day started with a clone of Naruto, reporting that Sakura had been attacked and she was in the hospital. The clone had then stated that Sasuke was the likely culprit and he had abandoned the village. As if that was a signal a series of blasts occurred around the village. The village immediately went into lock down and ninja's scrambled to secure the threats.
Tsunade had just left her office when she had been attacked.
It didn't take long for her to finish off the remaining opposition and then she took to the rooftops. The village hadn't taken a bad hit from what she could see, and the skill level of the attackers was nothing the average chunin couldn't handle.
So why stage an attack that was doomed to fail?
Back at the borders of Fire Country and with the deaths of Sakon and Ukon, the battle had only escalated.
Sasuke was sporting a full body curse seal take over, while the remaining sound Nins had powered straight to their level two seals. Tayuya had also summoned her three golems to bolster their numbers, while Jirobo used a combination of taijutsu and earth based jutsus. Kidomaru had managed to evade the wolf puppets and was hiding in the trees, using his companion's attacks to stage his long range strikes with his bow.
Naruto however was pushing back even harder. Kyuubi's chakra had completely shrouded him, and a single energy tail trailed behind him. Also his puppets were similarly shrouded by the Biju's energy making them more resilient and more instinctive to control, like they were extensions of himself.
Jirobo fell victim next; the large Nin had been locked in a dead heat with Byakuya, Naruto had been keeping track as best as he could and sent a quick signal to one of the wolf puppets. The two wolves kept up the pressure on Tayuya before quickly scattering; Tayuya had become familiar with the tactic and thought little of it. Meanwhile Naruto fished out several sealing tags and prepared for his moment.
Fuinjutsu: Rikujokoro
Naruto let the tags loose; straight for Jirobo's exposed back. Tayuya snapped at a late warning as Jirobo pulled away from Byakuya. The sound Nin then turned, desperate to evade the seals but knowing it was futile.
Only for a series of fireballs to burn the tags before they could hit. All eyes turned to Sasuke, his stance tense. Jirobo smirked then nodded. Sasuke replied in kind, only to freeze in shock. Jirobo was confused for just a brief moment, when his heart thudded wetly in his chest. He felt dampness all over his outfit and glanced downwards, only to find several holes going through him.
Behind Jirobo was one of the wolves, its rear launchers disengaging as it slowly shifted from its prowl. Seconds later several hi powered arrows sunk into the wolf, pinning it in place and damaging much of its internal workings.
All this was lost on Jirobo, who fell on his knees then on his face, his vitals slowing until it gave out. Then it was just Naruto, two of his puppets against Sasuke and the two sound Nins left.
Sasuke couldn't help the feeling of apprehension, steadily growing in the pit of his stomach. Everything was going wrong. He had known someone would be after him, and he wasn't naïve to imagine they would let him leave quietly, not without 'insistence' on his part at least. What he had not expected was for one person to come and hold him up for this long, one person to take out the support Orochimaru had provided.
It seems he had underestimated the true potential of a Biju and its Jinchuriki.
After his confrontation with Naruto weeks back, Sasuke had noted down everything he considered strange about his teammate, and then gone about trying to work out what was odd about him. It didn't take him long to notice the behaviour of the villagers around Naruto. From there, through careful eavesdropping and subtle applications of his Sharingan he uncovered the truth, and by that time he had already made his choice.
Still, Naruto was a Jinchuriki, THE Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi, the greatest of the nine. And here he stood, blocking Sasuke from his chosen path.
Another feeling grew alongside his apprehension, one he was all too family with, and absolutely hated with every fibre of his being.
Powerlessness….
Powerlessness...I will never feel that again.
That was all that was on Naruto's mind as he stood determinedly in Sasuke's way. The Uchiha's defection threatened to undo everything Naruto had worked for, everything he had sweated and bled to accomplish. If Sasuke left the scrutiny on team seven would be unrelenting, Naruto would be questioned on every action, his steps closely monitored, and his progress stifled…all to protect the integrity of the village.
For Naruto there was little difference between that and a jail sentence.
Maybe it was paranoia speaking but frankly Naruto would rather be a cold corpse than let the Uchiha leave, even better Sasuke could be the corpse. He'd make his excuses and justifications once he returned to the village, along with the bodies of the sound Nins to vindicate his actions.
He had been powerless once, a long time ago. And recently when he was left to flounder by his sensei. He would not allow Sasuke's selfishness to jeopardise his own goals.
"Sasuke I will bring you back to Konoha. How alive you have to be means very little to me"
Both Sasuke and Naruto were locked in gaze. A thousand tales, ten thousand curses and myriad more passed between them without a word. Neither was going to give in; all that was left was to see who would give out first.
Sasuke shuddered and dropped to a knee, his body aching under the strain of the curse seal. To his dismay Tayuya had run out of luck and got capture by some of Naruto's seals, Kidomaru too then succumbed to the strain of his curse seal, Byakuya and his wolf puppets wasted little time in disabling the six-armed Nin, the bent and clearly broken arms showing Naruto's method of choice.
Sasuke's dismay reached its peak as his Sharingan disengaged and the world became less detailed, less refined. The terror only continued as Naruto staggered closer towards him, his defiance could only do so much against the determination of his blonde teammate.
"Give up Sasuke, your coming back to Konoha….you will not ruin this for me…or team seven" Naruto panted out, exertion clear in his face.
Sasuke couldn't help his sneer
"You're no different from me, your goals, your dreams. No matter what I want-"
"Save it!" Naruto snapped back. "My dreams do not mean betraying Konoha. My dreams don't involve attacking my comrades and leaving one for dead. And my dreams don't involve compromising everything my team has worked for." Naruto reached out and grabbed Sasuke, roughly bringing them to eye level.
"I told you back in wave, you were not worthy of team seven, or to lead it. And You go ahead to prove me right in the most spectacular of ways. I've never trusted you, I was just waiting for you to stab us in the back, congratulations."
Sasuke glared hard at Naruto, never breaking eye contact. The bitterness in Naruto's voice was slightly off, as time ticked by Sasuke understood, and a smirk grew on his face.
"No…you started to trust me, maybe even like me, not just respect my skills. And now you're worried about the repercussions you'll face. If I leave scrutiny will fall on you…and we both know why." Naruto twitched visibly and suddenly his emotions
"That's what this is, just you saving your neck at the expense of mine, my dreams."
Sasuke felt weightless and the air rush by, before slamming hard into the ground and tumbling a few feet. Despite the pain he chuckled loudly, the angry growl from Naruto was like music to his ears. He slowly sat up, hissing gingerly, only to be jerked again in Naruto's strong grip.
"Pack it in. We are going back to Konoha."
Sasuke smirked again, his lips bloody and eyes dead.
"Over my dead body."
Movement fleeted on the edge of their vision. Suddenly a great mass slammed into them, Sasuke tumbled again and gasped as his shoulder dislocated. His vision blurred but with sheer desperation he kept himself from going under.
Once his vison came back he looked over at Naruto and his eyes widened in shock.
One moment all Naruto could feel was anger, hurt and contempt.
The next moment his world was awash with pain and agony. Not since Kisame had he been knocked around so hard. His back slammed into a tree and his body seized up from the pain. Next he was moving sideways, this time the pain predominantly on the left side. Abruptly the connection to his puppets cut off and Kyuubi's chakra wavered dangerously.
Naruto gritted his teeth as he stumbled across the open space, using his momentum he came back to his feet, only to find a shadow cast over him. he doubled over a knee, close to blacking out and vainly tried to mount a hasty defence.
A flash of movement countered his actions; Naruto was awash with intense pain and felt his body jerk, sent sprawling again once more. This time he smacked again a tree and laid there, Kyuubi's chakra spent and his body protesting against the abuse. Across his exposed arms and face he felt wetness, his uniform was also growing damp, and pain was the only constant.
Most trouble however, was the lack of sensation, in his right arm…
Naruto cast a blurry eye to his right side, noting detachedly the increasing redness on his clothes…and the mangled remains of his right arm. Calling it an arm was generous, the forearm was completely missing, and what was left was jagged bone splinters and muscle strips.
His delirious gaze turned to the figure that fixed itself in front of Sasuke.
Whoever it was tall, definitely older and by all accounts much stronger than the sound four. He was also garbed in Oto colours and for the clincher, was sporting a fully awakened curse seal level two. His skin was a dark tan, and what seemed like bone sprouted from the Nins back and arms, finished by a long tail with spiked bone running down its length.
"Kimimaro!" Tayuya gasped out in shock and a hint of fear. The newly named sound Nin glanced at her and she shivered. Still she pushed through the fear.
"Why are you here? How are you even moving?"
Kidomaru struggled a few feet away. Kimimaro glanced at the down Nin and then blurred. Seconds later a wet gasp sounded out. Kimimaro appeared again, a bone blade dripping with blood. Down at his feet laid Kidomaru, his body still and eyes unseeing.
"Pathetic, the entire lot of you. Held down by one solitary Ninja, you allowed this farce to continue. Have you forgotten your purpose? Orochimaru awaits his chosen and you squander his patience with games. By rights none of you deserve to live." Kimimaro's tone was soft; however his voice held a fervour and steel that made it clear his intent. He turned towards Sasuke, watching as the Uchiha struggled to his feet, then the trees rustled as several more Oto Nins turned up.
"Uchiha-San, these men will escort you directly to Orochimaru-Sama. Your ascension awaits you; I will remain here and ensure nothing delays you further."
Sasuke stood silently before locking gaze one final time with Naruto.
No words were said; none were needed.
Sasuke turned around and stumbled towards the Oto Nins. One of them stepped closer, running a soothing palm of chakra over him, several hisses in alarm and Sasuke was bathed in more healing chakra, just enough to ensure he would make the trip.
Soon he was gone, his entourage in tow.
Kimimaro then glanced back at Tayuya, his hand snapped to her direction and small bone darts sped straight for her. She flinched, expecting immediate death, only for the bone darts to shatter the seals holding her in place. She moved gingerly to his side backed by a few of the Oto Nins that remained with them.
Kimimaro then turned back to Naruto. Casually he pulled out another piece of bone from his body and held it forwards.
"I am impressed, that you held all five for so long. Your puppets were an impressive collection" Naruto glanced over at the broken pieces before looking back at Kimimaro, defiant exhaustion in his eyes. Kimimaro however was unmoved by the display,
"Orochimaru-Sama has won, take comfort in the knowledge that you will not live to feel his victory." Kimimaro then stabbed forwards, the white bone blade glinting in the light ready to pierce Naruto through.
Naruto refused to look away, though his vision was almost lost. The air whistled and every second brought him closer to his death.
A soft jingle cut through the silence….a series of rattles following soon after.
Naruto blinked and looked around blearily.
Kimimaro, Tayuya and the sound Nins were gone…
He blinked again and just barely made out a shape, or maybe two shapes? One hunched over, both wearing long coats or robes…..he wasn't sure anymore.
The ghost figure stepped closer to Naruto but he was too far gone.
His last sight was red hair, a featureless face. And the eyes….
Naruto surrendered to the darkness.
A.N – great ride so far for me and I hope for all you readers. Couple of things I wanted to clarify and comments to address.
Sabyashiv & dead for life – thanks guys glad you enjoyed it so far, we've to the end so one more before Shippuden. So much to do so little time.
Jojo - ….. I know (cheeky grin), I finally see why fic writers love doing it mwahahahah.
Waldo – As per ANBU I thought so too, but with watching and reading everything again plus other Shonen Jump notes it seems ANBU really only work two ways; internal T&I (very rare) and external actions. They don't operate within Konoha's walls, hence the military police….Uchihas, who are all dead, and they never specified if this setup was replaced. My guess people assumed the position was cursed and no clan wanted responsibility, plus the Sharingan made them good at policing other ninja. That probably why Danzo was so upset half the time and made his own root who funny enough run a lot of internal missions it seems.
Jayley – Sasuke lives in a world of absolutes, still there are times when he does show a side that would have been a worthy confidante, partner and friend. That scene pays respect to that part of him, which sadly will be no more….maybe.
DeathCrawler – Against Naruto, if he felt it served a purpose, so almost always no. With Sasuke, just plain no. Sasuke will not play games with her, not when his freedom is at risk. And Sakura, while she still has feelings is smart enough to realise what kind of situation she was in. still she had to try and now she knows exactly where she stands against her two teammates.
Scarease – Wish I could accommodate, but just didn't pan out.
Thanks again all, see you on the final chapter.