Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor do I own Bleach.
Exiled Whirlpool
Chapter36: Chosen Path
Fire Country: Hokage Monument / Prison Area
He couldn't believe it; he, Uchiha Sasuke was thrown in a prison cell for clearly ridiculous reasons. Not only that but it was Sakura that had gave the order; ridiculous! That annoying woman frustrated him to no end; she was always so clingy when they were younger and now...now she acts as if he no longer concerns her!
She had beaten him; him! True she was pushed to her limit but she still won; and the dobe...the dobe beat him in a matter of minutes and he was playing from the start! Sasuke couldn't stand it; the Uchiha Clan prided themselves in being the best, and he would be the best...one way or another...
"It seems like you've landed yourself in quite the pickle...Uchiha Sasuke," a voice spoke from the shadows.
Sasuke looked over at where it originated, "who are you?"
"Me? Why I'm your new best friend of course," a figure stepped out of the shadows wearing what he knew was an Akatsuki cloak. He wore a distinctive orange mask, "how about we have a little chat, shall we?"
Fire Country: Namikaze Compound
His dad's old place counted more as a house then a mansion like the other Hokages had; it seemed like it was built to house a small family but nothing like a clan or anything. The surrounding area could be used to expand though if that issue ever need addressing. Naruto and Yugito had used it for their stay and made sure to go through what was in it.
Naruto cursed his father for the seals he placed everywhere; seriously they were everywhere. I mean there were even a few in the bathroom; when he found them Naruto fully believed his father was a bit paranoid. He actually managed to find a photo of his parents which now lay beside the king-sized bed he shared with Yugito.
Yugito had also been the one to find his parents' 'armoury'; it was massive to say the least. Below the house was a network of tunnels reinforced with several sheets of metal and was filled with hundreds of different weapons and seals. There was thousands of Hiraishin Kunai in storage just waiting to be used and the seals...to be honest he wasn't even sure what half of them did.
Well Namikaze Minato was a seal-master so it didn't really surprise them...
Knock Knock
The two looked over at the door; they both frowned, neither of them had sensed anything. No chakra signature, no sound, not even the rush of air from the impact where the knock would have originated. Their weapons flashed into their hands as Naruto approached the door cautiously...
"Who is it?" Naruto called as he clutched the sword in his hand.
"Who do you think boss?" came the voice he knew instantly. Naruto opened the door to reveal a grinning Konohamaru with Hanabi, Moegi and Udon in tow. "Yo boss, it's been awhile".
"How the hell did you get passed our senses? Better question: how the hell did you get passed all the traps and seals we setup around the house?" Naruto asked his former apprentice.
"There were traps?" the young Sarutobi asked in surprise and looked around.
"..." Naruto remained silent, unable to find a response to that.
Yugito decided to step in, "would you close the door? You're letting the cold in!" she called from the kitchen.
"Oh sorry," Konohamaru said sheepishly and closed the door behind him. Naruto led them to the kitchen as his sword flashed away again surprising them slightly.
"Hello you must be Naruto's old students; it's nice to meet you," Yugito said with a smile. To them she was absolutely gorgeous; tall, had everything in the 'perfect size' that 'mattered' and gave off an aura that practically screamed 'power'.
"I wasn't his student Raikage-sama," Hanabi corrected simply.
Yugito shook her head, "its fine you're still welcome". She turned back to the oven, "dinner is almost ready".
"Take a seat," Naruto gestured to the kitchen table and they sat down. "So how have you been?" he asked once they were seated.
Moegi was the one who answered, "we've been great boss. It's been boring lately though; ever since Pein attacked and the civil war things have been quiet".
Naruto smiled at that, "that's good to hear. It means no one is really bothering Konoha at the moment...why are you here anyway? I doubt it's a social call; you want something?"
Konohamaru swallowed and nodded, "yes I...I want to challenge you to a fight. One on one...just like we were going to do before...everything happened".
Naruto shook his head, "sorry Konohamaru but I can't do that. I'm the commander of the alliance military; I can't risk an international incident over a spar".
"I see...what about Sasuke then?" the young Sarutobi asked trying not to show his disappointment.
Naruto just grinned, "he's...different you could say".
"Oh...I shouldn't be surprised I guess...what about you bro? What have you been doing? Have anymore adventures since the last time you were here?" Konohamaru asked wanting to know.
"A few," Naruto said with a chuckle.
"Yeah the idiot married me after beating up my grandfather," Yugito said with a pout.
"You can't blame that on me Yugito; he was the one that wanted to fight me not the other way around," Naruto shot back.
"I swear your both so stubborn that it's not even funny," the Raikage said with a groan as she remembered the tournament.
"Congrats Nisan," Konohamaru said.
"What about you? You dating anyone these days?" there was a reason Naruto was the Kitsune-Sennin.
"Erm—well—I-I-" the young Sarutobi stammered as a blush spread over both his and Hanabi's cheeks.
"Oh he and Hanabi have been dating for four months now; you should have seen them on their little date a month ago to the new restaurant on 4th street," Moegi spoke up and winked.
"Moegi!" Konohamaru said indignantly.
"Don't be so embarrassed Konohamaru," Naruto waved it off before a smirk slipped onto his face. "Just make sure you two are careful; I don't want to be an uncle just yet," at his words Konohamaru and Hanabi developed a new shade of red which put even Hinata's to shame.
"Nisan!" the young Sarutobi shouted again as he tried to fight down the blush which had captured his face.
It was then that Yugito smacked Naruto upside the head, "please don't mind my idiot husband. He means well and besides I think it's cute that you two are together".
"Alright I won't tease them...at least not all time," Naruto grinned as Hanabi sent him a glare. "Don't give me that look; besides it fun to-" he stopped midsentence and turned towards the door.
"What is it Nisan?" Konohamaru asked when he saw Yugito tense at her husband's side.
"The seals outside just picked up Inari...and he's bringing friends," Naruto said standing up.
Yugito was already at the door by the time they heard the knock...
Knock Knock
Yugito opened the door to reveal Inari and Team Samui standing outside on the doorstep.
"I found them at the front gates of Konoha; you're grandfather sent them Raikage-sama," Inari stated with a worried look.
"What happened?" Yugito asked, completely losing her kind aura.
Samui was the one who answered, "two days ago Kumo was attacked...or should I say Storm Cloud Ravine was attacked...by Akatsuki". The two Sennin narrowed their eyes at that, "I'm sorry Raikage-sama but..."
"What happened Samui?" Yugito asked as he eyes flashed purple.
"Hoshigaki Kisame fought and captured Kirabi-sensei. We were sent out to rescue him along with Rikiya-sama but...we were too late...the Hachibi was removed from Kirabi-sensei...he's gone," the normally cold Samui tightened he fist as she spoke the final words.
The two Sennin stood stock still at that; neither knowing what to say and both of them looking at the team with disbelief.
"That's impossible; Kirabi-sensei was damn near unstoppable even for me. How the hell did he lose?" Naruto asked them knowing how powerful the man was.
"Kisame used some kind of jutsu which allows him to drain chakra from his opponents; not sure how or why but he seems to be able to transform too. He was able to regenerate after taking an Imari from Kirabi-sensei," Karui answered while trying to keep herself calm.
"How did Akatsuki even manage to extract the Hachibi in two days? It takes about three-four days with nine members; how did Madara manage to do it in two days?" Yugito asked as purple flames started to dance across her arms.
"Kiri...he probably got some of his new subordinates to help out with the sealing," Naruto answered for them.
"They'll pay for this...Madara and Kisame both," Yugito said with a voice of steel.
Naruto held her close as she let out a sob, "yes they will...yes they will".
Kirabi's funeral was held in Kumo three days later which had given enough time for Naruto and Yugito to attend. Naruto used Hiraishin no Jutsu to teleport them there and back once it was over. It was a small ceremony where only Rikiya, Yugito, Naruto, Darui, Shi and Team Samui attended. Through it all Yugito swore she would make Kisame pay for what he'd done and Naruto was torn between his feelings for his wife and the ideals he gathered from his experience with Nagato a year ago.
All in all it was a terrible situation...
It only got worse with the knowledge that Madara now had seven of the nine Biju at his disposal and would no doubt use them to their fullest potential. His insane plan of releasing the age old demon: Juubi had become one step closer leaving only the Kyuubi and the Nibi remaining in the world of the living.
On a lighter note however Inari had returned to Wave Country with (surprisingly for Naruto) Moegi; the two really hit it off well after they were introduced. Well wonders ever cease?
A month had passed since the funeral and the situation in Konoha seemed to be getting worse. Naruto knew that at the rate they were going then Konoha would run itself into the ground despite Sakura's best efforts. Then there was Sasuke...
Fire Country: Konoha / Hokage Tower
The Rokudaime Hokage: Haruno Sakura was sitting at her desk facing the enemy of every village leader in existence: paperwork. The seemingly unstoppable foe which no matter how many times she defeated it, it just kept on coming back with greater numbers. At least she understood why Tsunade drank so much...
Knock Knock
"Come in," the pinkette sighed and looked up at the door. It stayed closed causing her to frown; it was then that she heard the distinctive sound of a lit explosive tag. 'Oh crap,' her eyes widened in surprise as the room was engulfed in flames.
Explosive tags detonated all across the Hokage Tower; some in the walls, some on windows and even some on the support beams. The building crumbled under the pressure and those that were still inside screamed as the ceiling came down on top of them. The villagers who had been watching stood numb as smoke drifted off from the debris that was once the Hokage Tower.
Sakura crawled out of the rubble and fell back onto what looked like a dining table albeit it was burned and was missing one of its corners along with its legs. Blood flowed from a wound on her arm and she quickly healed it with her knowledge of medical-ninjutsu. Once that was done she checked around her and saw that no one else was there.
No Anbu, no Shinobi, not even the civilians; nothing moved except the loose piece of wall that somehow remained intact as it started to give way also. She struggled to stand and tried to sense any chakra signatures in the area. None of the Anbu she assigned as her personal guards were there; in fact she couldn't find a trace of them.
She suddenly felt a presence behind her and rolled to the side just as a blade she recognized swung down on where she was standing just a moment ago. She rolled to her feet and responded with a kick to the ground which sent chunks of debris up into the air, catching her assailant off guard.
"What do you think you're doing Sasuke?!" Sakura shouted when she identified her former team-mate.
It was then that she got a good look at him...he was wearing an Akatsuki cloak.
"You lied to me...you all lied to me!" bellowed Uchiha Sasuke as he charged once more.
Sage Mode Activated
Sakura's skin seemed to become as white as a ghost as seals spread over her arms and face. She disappeared from sight the moment Sasuke struck only to reappear above him and land a downward kick to his head.
"Tsūtenkyaku!" she called out as her foot connected with his face. Dust was blown upwards as Sakura back-flipped high into the air onto the Hokage Monument above, "what's this about Sasuke?!" Sasuke stood below, encased in some kind of yamabushi which looked different then when she had faced it a year ago.
"Konoha murdered my family! For that I'm going to kill you and destroy it once and for all!" the Uchiha shouted back with a crazed smile.
'He knows...I'm sorry Sasuke...I can't allow you to do that,' Sakura thought sadly.
Some kind of chakra arrow shot out from the yamabushi and forced her to jump away. The attack exploded against the face of the monument but the seals that were put in place absorbed the impact just as it did during the Kyuubi attack years ago. The shockwave that accompanied it cut her arm but it healed in moments thanks to her Sage Mode allowing her to use it without any problem.
"Hold still so I can nail you just like you've always wanted," Sasuke sneered and swung the massive chakra sword which the yamabushi held.
Sakura looked disgusted at the comment and jumped over the weapon as it was swung at her. She vanished while in midair and appeared high above as nothing more than a speck of light. She shot down, her arm glowing a mix of green and blue as she descended.
"Ōkashō!" the Hokage exclaimed as her attack struck from above. The rubble was suddenly blown upwards as a blinding light consumed the village; after it died down Sasuke could be seen without his Susanoo activated and holding Sakura above the ground by her neck.
Sage Mode Deactivated
"Nice try Sakura-Chan but I won't fall for that trick again," the Uchiha smirked as she tried to pull away. His arm held however, "don't bother trying to struggle. I've already corrupted you little Sage Mode and my chakra is keeping yours suppressed so you're super strength is useless also". He enjoyed it as she squirmed, "how does it feel? To have everything you know and love crumble around you and disappear? Hurts doesn't it? Don't worry; by the time I'm through with Konoha no one will remember this backwater little village". The Kusenagi Sword was already in his free hand, "with you out of the way Konoha will surely fall".
He swung down only for it to be intercepted...
"You know Teme; they say when you hit rock bottom you can't go any lower. But I think you just did," Naruto said from the side. The Whirlpool Sword in his hand and extended between the two, preventing the Kusenagi Sword from striking Sakura.
"Naruto," the Uchiha growled under his breath. His Sharingan blazed, "Amaterasu".
"Futon: Rasenken," Naruto whispered as the black flames consumed him.
Yugito came in from the side and connected a punch to the Uchiha's face. The force behind the blow was enough to send him crashing through the wall that surrounded the remains of the Hokage Tower. Sakura coughed, she'd been let go during the confrontation and she stood once more. Naruto 'shredded' the black flames and levelled his sword at where Sasuke had gone.
"Did you get him?" Naruto asked, not taking his eyes off where Sasuke had crashed.
Yugito shook her head, "he put up that thing to deflect the bulk of my attack just now".
The dust cleared and revealed Sasuke to be nowhere in sight...
"He's gone; damn it I need to get my shinobi after him," Sakura said and jumped away.
"Chakra Nami," a large but weak shockwave was expelled from Naruto which spread out over the village and continued for another five miles. "Found him; he's outside the village walls," the Taiken stated.
"He's running," Yugito nodded as they took off after the Uchiha.
"I think I know where he's going too...at least judging by the direction," Naruto continued.
"Where?" Yugito asked when she saw the frown that was now on his face.
"The border between Fire Country and the Former Sound Country...the Valley of the End".
Author's Notes:
Let's face it Kisame would have defeated Kirabi in the manga had it not been for his brother's intervention; I know Kirabi was defending the music guy with the bear but I just can't see him winning against Kisame in a full on battle. In related news Kishi has apparently created another bogus jutsu for the Sharingan and Danzo has some fucked up cells from the Shodai...WTF?!
Translation
Kitsune = Fox
Neko = Cat
Sennin = Sage
Taiken = Supreme Leader
Imari = Menacing Ball
Tsūtenkyaku = Painful Sky Leg
Ōkashō = Cherry Blossom Impact
Susanoo = He with the ability to help by all means
Futon: Rasenken = Wind Release: Spiralling Fist
Chakra Nami = Chakra Wave
Please Read and Review.
P.S. Double post with Naruto: Rinnegan Chronicles
See Ya Later...