This. Chapter. Was. *Hell.*

(And by "chapter" I mean these two updates that go together. (Part II, and III) Well, when I actually get around to the finishing III. Make sure you read both in order! *cough cough* BriEva *cough, cough* (3)) This was by far the most difficult chapter for me to write. EVER. Even though I have been planning these ending scenes for 'bout over a year now. Writing it down after all this time and changes in the story from the original (and shorter) plans was most difficult. Not to mention, it's a heck of a lot of stuff. I mean…this was a serious mountain. Kudos to Kishimoto for being able to plan fights. I'm terrible at it! Multi-layered conflicts like such are not easy!

As for the super mega-long update, besides the level of difficulty competing with my poor level of writing there was, as always, constant work scheduling on top the ending school year and its Senioritis (which is now over! YAY!) . And, for some time, an infected exposed nerve ending and subsequent tooth extraction (Heh heh, under-counter pain medication. Heh heh.) Then ear issues T.T. Anyway, I was too tired for this junk, but I kept telling myself just one more and it's gotta kick butt and eventually my frail and dying muses started humming gently until their sounds became roars. I hope this chapter succeeded. From action to romance (Part III), I tried serving it all. So you better like it!

MY PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BACKGROUND THEME MUSIC:

VOCAL: Fall Out Boy's 'The Phoenix' and 'Just One Yesterday' (Latter cuz I'm naïvingly twisted like that)

INSTRUMENTAL: Youtube 'Hans Zimmer – Time – (Instrumental Core Remix)'

(AN: Whereas Fall Out Boy is extremely catchy, and fits a fight, Time captures the inner struggles more. If you like epic instrumentals, or composers like Hans Zimmer, I highly recommend putting this song on repeat while reading this. All of Part II and the first chunk of Part III was written while I listened to it, way before I'd even heard FOB's songs. Time really fits the mood best, especially if you've seen INCEPTION.)

A GAME OF SHOGI/ TO START A WAR

"Imagine the world as a game of shogi."

"Shogi really ain't my thing…"

So simple an idea…

"Shogi is a strategic game of battle, where both sides are bound by the goal to protect their King. You can liken this to the Five Nations. The King would be the Kage that have the power to wage war against others as they see fit; and in this war, where all the pieces each make their unique moves, lies the power of promotions. And capture."

"You ain't a friggen Kage. Or a god. Just a criminal."

So sure, untested truth…

"Because of how the game operates, it's a cycle of warring that only ends when only one side still stands. But even then, the board's just reset and the war begins anew. That's just how it is. You can't change it. People will always fight for their own selfish reasons, and innocent people will always die as a result. But, put in a new piece to the game, the ultimate weapon, and people will be forced to stop their foolish warring in fear…."

A dictatorship…

"Of course, you can't change human nature so the battles will come again and again, and the weapon simply brought out to repeat the process."

And an insurgent.

"I've not given up, yet. Even in shogi captured pieces can return to the game board. And when I do, I'll change the game up MY way, without more pain."

…

"Your time here is up."

And, so destined, a captured Pawn and King stood seven spaces apart.

_-xXx-_

FINALE-A Game of Shogi II

壱 弐 参 四 五 六

If heaven's grief brings hell's rain
Then I'd trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday
(I know I'm bad news)
For just one yesterday
(I saved it all for you)
Oh, I want to teach you a lesson in the worst kind of way
Still I'd trade all my tomorrows for just one yesterday

…

So we can take the world back from a heart-attack
One maniac at a time we will take it back…
Doesn't it feel like our time is running out?
I'm gonna change you like a remix

Then I'll raise you like a phoenix

_-xXx-_

"I would rather catch the Kyuubi when it's reborn than let this continue. This is my justice. You will die the same death as our sensei. Die knowing your death will bring peace and that my village is worth far more than a Pawn like you."

The weapon pressed against the back of Naruto's head, already hot and ready to shoot.

This is Death.

Fist clenching under their relentless restraints and its clinking chain, the host closed his eyes. So here he was, facing death again. First with Obito, and now Pain. There would be no more Akatsuki bastards to go through after this.

Everything had to change or else, now, right now…

He was going to die.

Eyes closed, he swallowed. His head strangely empty under the hiss of rain. Numb. Maybe he was too injured to care about any of this anymore. To think of why he should. All he knew now was what he felt, and right now that was a rim of heat, bracing the back of his head. All else had become numb. Then, a voice, calling. Waking him. That mournful voice, singing, "Now it's White's turn, Gote of light."

White's turn.

"White…" From the recesses of his memories, he could hear Shikamaru's voice, and subsequently feel his fist squeeze at the memory of Konoha, the metal plate of his band pressing against his rain and blood-soaked skin…

It was after Asuma's funeral: Shikamaru sat in front of Naruto, showing him a worn Shogi game board, quickly going over the significances of different pieces. He held a black piece in one hand, and a smoke in the other.

"You know…Asuma-sensei told me something…" Shikamaru sucked from the cigarette and quickly blew the smoke out. Naruto watched somberly as the team leader then coughed, complaining, "Man this stuff stinks…"

It was his first time seeing one of his classmates smoke, and for the most part, really the only. Shikamaru didn't seem to have much experience either. Asuma used to hold the stuff in longer, smoother, his lungs experienced to this "classy" art. Shikamaru clearly couldn't even stand the stuff, didn't bother inhaling after sucking it in, and quickly blew it out as if to just get it over with. Yet he kept his sensei's habit up, hating it all the while. There was something tragic yet beautiful about it and Naruto was glad when Shikamaru finally got revenge and put the habit to bed.

The teen continued, setting the stick down before pointing his finger to the white King piece. "Before Asuma-sensei…passed, he pulled me close to him, the rain loud and pouring, and he told me…"

Time and missions passed, and Naruto had forgotten it. But now he re-realized it, understanding it, that something about the game Shikamaru and Asuma had played so much. Something important.

And remembering now, the man holding the dead woman, he mustered a grim smile. I suppose it is now. It is White's turn.

Naruto opened his eyes, the blue of it a glow on his dirtied pale face. "Nagato," he said. "You got something wrong."

"Oh, did I? Do tell." He could hear the grim amusement in the child's voice. The child possessed by a man mad and blinded with grief, and past persuasion.

The smoke of the cigarette rising to the sky…The look of the woman as she approached the two boys, hand clasped over her swelling stomach…And Shikamaru, his foot stamping down on the cigarette, smothering it so he could approach his developing godchild, a smile breaking out on his usually indifferent face.

"It's this," he said to Naruto before turning to lead her and her and Asuma's child away, arm wrapped around her protectively.

Naruto would never forget that image.

He spoke, "You said the Kage was the King. He's not. That's not what the King is."

"Then what is the King, Naruto. Tell me. God? The Kage? Duty and honor, or pride? What is one's King? I'll tell you, child. It's nothing but political rubbish."

Nagato wasn't going to wait for Naruto's final answer. So past reason, too upset, angry and too buried in his grief. He pressed the cannon harder, ticking, the weapon roaring, one-half second from blasting away….

"This is my justice."

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

The night crept on slowly to the noises of quiet breathing and the big dark man's snoring. In the moonlight, the white pill gleamed in Suigetsu's pale fingers, the surface of it still tainted with dirt and his blood. The book that hadn't been found too far from it was dirtied in the same way and was in current possession of Karin. Suigetsu sighed, throwing the cyanide pill. It bounced off a tree and smacked into the ground in front of her feet.

The medic was leaning her back against a tree, seemingly asleep with the book clutched into her arms She turned her head toward him, a sad questioning gaze drawing her lips down. The same lips that had―

"Whoops," Suigetsu muttered, glancing down. He wouldn't think about it. Wouldn't think about her. It.

Kami, why couldn't they just both be asleep? It was late! Neither had even been assigned to keep watch that night. That was the bastard's job. She should be dozing away. He should too, but thoughts of earlier events kept him up.

And now, they both knew the other was awake, yet the long silence between them did not abate. It was stifling to the young swordsman.

"So," he finally drawled, rubbing the back of his head, careful to speak quietly else he wake the annoying rapper up. He had heard enough of the annoying rhymes to last a lifetime. Besides, Sasuke had said if Suigetsu got into another fight with Bee they would leave Suigetsu behind. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he didn't have anywhere else to go. Besides, the Hachibi was good Kisame bait! Part of him was just about ready to throw the rapper at the hunter, just to get the Samehade and enjoy a few moments of silence.

"Um." His mind once again began to drift back to what was rendering his night sleepless.

It's just…the pill kept bugging him. He couldn't figure it out. It was the single enigma that kept him looking at the pill instead of destroying it.

"I wonder why he didn't swallow," he admitted. There were obvious trace amounts of saliva on the pill. Naruto's mouth was no doubt the source of the blood found on the pill too. "Considering the consequences…he should have. If I believed in a better place, I no doubt he'd be rocking it by now."

Karin scoffed. "Everything's about rocking it with you."

Suigetsu rolled his eyes, chuckling, "Just how I row, man."

Quiet.

He sighed, not feeling it. "Still…"

"I've been wondering the same thing," she whispered. "Considering everything…"

If anyone knew the hell Naruto would or had faced since his recent capture it would be her. Naruto trusted her with that information more than anyone. She was his medic. Part of her believed if it were to be anyone else in his shoes there would be no recovery. But with him…He was different. Very different.

"But," she said, recalling these truths. "That's not who he is. You know…he only carried the pill on him as a favor to…Leader."

"I never thought about it from that angle. But…" Suigetsu made his way to her, sitting there against the big tree. Not thinking about it, she had absentmindedly began flipping through Naruto's cheesy book. Sensing Suigetsu so close to her, she stopped scrolling through the tarnished pages and squeezed the cover.

Suigetsu couldn't help stare at her, taking into account every movement, every expression, and the cover of that so-beloved book. His finger traced across the blood there.

"With his blood and jutsu…have you tried…?" he began.

She shook her head. "More than you can imagine. It won't work. He's on his own."

Suigetsu jerked his fingers away and began polishing his sword with his shirt, a bitter expression on his face. Not directed towards her, but the circumstances.

"Do you think he's still alive?" he asked, scrubbing forcefully at the thick blade, his shoulders tensed.

"Suigetsu," she said, watching his hands shake. "You're not to blame."

"Am too."

She shook her head. "I want to blame myself too, but I think deep down, he knew it would happen. He acted and talked like it would…but never once did he acknowledge the arrangement would be permanent."

Suigetsu stopped scrubbing.

"He knew it was the only way," Karin continued. "He has things he has to do himself for himself or else he can never safely move on…"

Setting his blade down, Suigetsu glanced up at the sky. "Do himself, huh? But still…how can he just…? Why didn't he swallow?"

"That's who he is."

They both seemed to let out a soft sigh, both knowing how crazy and stupid and miraculous Naruto could be. "And…I think he'll be alright," Karin said, opening the cover of the book again. Some of the passages were circled and highlighted.

Suigetsu nodded, noticing the care of book and smiling to himself. "The fool. I wonder what he'll manage to do this time."

The mystery before them, and the wonderings of the future, the two eventually fell asleep there, leaning on the other. Just casually, but all the more special.

Neither had noticed the shadow that had hovered over them, or how it silently crept away when their conversation was over.

Before disappearing completely in the night's darkness, the shadowy stranger paused, listening to the fading sounds of the four sleeping shinobi. The stranger soon knew he wasn't the only one who had listened into their conversation. A lone watchdog and fifth shinobi sat reserved from the others. He sipped quietly from a bottle, unheard thoughts heavy on his lips.

After a moment the shadow took its leave, a black crow perched on his shoulder.

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

The weapon was one half second from blasting. Whether what happened next was fate, or some grand mistake like the chains having accumulated rust from the rain or his blood, or just so much strength unnaturally built up in a desperate survival mode or something else, Naruto would never figure out. He only knew that the next instant he was howling, his arms pulling with all his might until there was a sudden loud crack and clatter of metal and all of a sudden he was whipping around, twisting the arm of the child around until the up-turned weapon's oncoming explosion shot towards the Pain behind them, blowing the Naraka's head clear off.

The head flew through the air. Both Naruto and the two Pains stared at it in surprise as it sunk in the dark waters, and disappeared in the sea, its waves lit only by the flickering lights of the city and the cloud-covered moon. The child turned his face towards Naruto's, eyes widened in shock, and its twisted arm twitching. Only one word came through its young lips. "Impossible."

Naruto panting and unbelieving of what he had just done forced himself to focus on what had just happened and what could now that his hands were, for the most part, free.

'Holy smokes, Kurama!'

The fox chuckled.'It's amazing what built-up emotions in you humans can do. Although I suggest making another move before Pain recovers. Actually, notice that you took the Pain out that can revive the others. Now Nagato won't be able to quickly restore his puppets, not to mention he's extremely low on chakra.'

''Oh yeah, I forgot about that!'

'Yes, Naruto, he's low from his toils, so this may be your only opportunity to finish this before he finishes you. You must take out the five left now! No, six, with Nagato's real self, Naruto. You have to take them all out or its game over.'

'I know! And there's only one way of doing it!'

'And your plan...? Hurry, Naruto. You only have a few seconds before he gets his bearings and you lose this window.'

'Destroy the seal. Now. That's the only way I'll be able to stop him.'

'What?'

'Don't act stupid, Kurama,' Naruto snapped, more severely than he meant to. 'The seal was made to suppress my chakra control completely. But the seal's not perfect. Remember how my dad and mom's chakra worked, and even other people could move it for me, like with Juugo and Mamoru? You're even greater in that regard, and we're linked together more deeply. You have the power so burn it down! It can't hold the power of a Bijuu back!'

'But Naruto, the process could destroy you, and that's even if it works.'

Naruto mentally sighed, his heart filled with what felt like thousands of emotions. 'I trust you Kurama.' And he did. With the exception of Hinata, he trusted the fox more than anyone right now. 'And if I die, then I just die. But this way, he can't have you. I'll never let anyone touch you again, even if it takes me dying to buy you time. I swear that to you Kurama…Though dying is the less preferred way to go about it. I'd much rather we do this together. We can't hold back on him anymore.' He swallowed. 'If I don't put my life entirely on the line I'll never get through this. It has to be all or nothing.'

There was a great pause. Even Kurama knew there would be no talking him out of this. He had hoped Naruto would come up with some grand and clever scheme. Not one so risky as to guarantee him a painful death. But, Naruto's decision was resolute. Naruto's life was in his hands. Or claws rather.

Weeks ago Kurama would have sniffed it out in a millisecond if given the chance like he was now. But things had changed. The fate of not only his freedom as a Bijuu, but the others, could only be in Naruto's hands because Naruto was that…special. Indeed Naruto had handed him something beyond precious and irreplaceable.

'Understood...Just try not to die, kid.'

Naruto brought his attention back outside, staring at his hands as he held them face up. He'd managed to break the chain so the silver links now hung limply from the buckled shackles still on his wrists. They weighed his hands slightly but they would have to remain until he found a way to pick the locks later. For now, at least he could move them freely.

Closing his eyes, he set his hitai-ate down on the broken concrete, swearing he would pick it up later. After what the Rain just went through, and with Danzo as the Hokage, it would be unfitting to wear it when confronting Nagato this final time. I think I can do this now…

Kurama must have been ready to burn the seal, because after a reluctant minute hot waves of power began to swim up Naruto's back, trickling lowly, and charging. Before it could overwhelm him in a full blast he glanced at the two Pains around him, taking note of their positions and figuring out how best to attack them.

Seeing Naruto's sudden resolve to fight back, the child narrowed its all too young eyes, hissing, "You're still going to die, host. No trick or surprise can save you now. We all have to grow up in the end."

It lifted its other arm, the limb already beginning to shift into a weaponized unit of flesh and mechanical gears. Mechanics with the power of a cannon of war. "I will have my justice. I'm god. I'm the King."

Stinging pain, fire, exploded in Naruto's body, and he let out a groan, gnashing his teeth together. The world around him flashed white then became black, and the sound mute. The burning harshly intensified, and he become lost in the mesh of its pain. He barely registered the outside as the child took advantage of Naruto's condition and slammed into the ground―or did he just buckle himself? He couldn't tell. The pain was too great to focus on the outside.

'ARGH! Too much! I'm going to die!'

A barrage of attacks.

'Naruto you have to hang in there!'

Hot and cold liquid running down his skin.

'Aahh! I can't!'

'Shut up or I'll kill you myself!'

Bitter salt.

The fox snarled, the hair on his back spiked in anger and frustration. This was bad. Very bad. He mentally cursed at Naruto for even suggesting this crazy suicidal scheme.

Naruto didn't know it was possible, but the pain became worse. His back might as well been melting off his spinal column. His insides writhed as the power shot through his chakra veins. His limbs were also rendered immobile, leaving him paralyzed. The child in its barrage of attacks continued to shout something he couldn't make out, the only thing he could figure was that he was going to truly die right there and then…

Fear of death consumed him with the pain―Pain's voice echoed in his mind cruelly: You're time here is up.

NO!

But then it was over.

Just as a hot blast flew towards him, a combination of blue and yellow charka rushed through his body, enabling him to roll, knocking the child off of him. The chakra rush didn't end there, but quickly centered into legs, to his soles, helping him to jump out of the way of Pain's instinctive retaliation strike with flawless speed and height fit for a Kage.

Surprising Pain again, Naruto focused on attacking, leaping towards the child, the Rasengan in his hand glowing yellow. The chest of the child was buried in his thrust, and dissipated, along with its screaming voice.

The corpse fell to the wet ground, lifeless as it should be. Its small body hadn't had a chance. Naruto's gut twisted as he kneeled down to pull Pain's chakra receivers from the young body. Under normal circumstances Naruto would have never before even considered aiming such a dangerous jutsu at such a young being's heart. But this was different, and that child no child at all. Hopefully without the chakra receivers the little boy could rest, free from possession.

After throwing the receivers into the pitch sea, he stood back up.

Two down, and the third soon coming. The huge adult frame of the third Pain that had surrounded him wouldn't be as weak or caught by surprise as the child had. Pain now knew Naruto was braced and up. The real fight was just beginning.

Naruto glanced around. The tall figure of the Human Path stood a few meters away, staring at him as the rain continued sliding down its face and cloak in torrents. Its ripple-like eyes narrowed dangerously. Naruto fought the oncoming shudder, not feeling much of anything else. Perhaps from the rush of chakra or pure adrenaline...Whatever the case this needed to be settled before his injuries came back to haunt him.

"Why do you insist on fighting," the Human Path asked. "Your death can be quick. My villagers...Not all were granted even that."

At the mention of the villagers, Naruto winced. "I'm sorry..." he said, and he meant it. "I really am. I'm so sorry. I mean this has got to be the worst day in my entire life, and yours, and theirs, and I totally plan on making it up to your people, but right now either you let me talk to the real you, Nagato, or I'll push my way there. I mean, really, there's no point in us even wasting our energies anymore. We're both exhausted. Just let me have a real talk with you. That's all I ask."

"I won't let you near me," it replied, its voice and tone Nagato-like even though its voice-box belonged to the corpse.

Naruto held his fist up, showing the puppet just how he planned to precede. "Unlike you, I can't afford or let myself stop fighting. Yeah it's hard but I have to keep going, and really you could have too, but you've chosen your path. And now you're in my way. I won't die yet but you're going to have to. I have to protect the King."

The long-haired puppet curled its lips in a cruel downward sneer. "There you go again—it's all just childish delusions!"

'Careful, the Human Path can suck your soul out,' Kurama warned quickly. 'And he will, and try to take me with it.'

'I know! And what's the deal with the yellow chakra?'

The fox grinned.'Well, you obviously need my help.'

Why couldn't they have gotten along with each other like this earlier? But there wasn't much time to reflect on this. The third Pain was coming in fast, hand already outstretched and glowing, its eyes lit with fury.

'Let's show this one what we can do!' Kurama exclaimed with excitement, his fangs flashing. The only thing stopping him from coming out and ripping the Pains to shreds himself was the seal. True Naruto was planning to soon tinker with it later in hopes of expanding the fox's freedom but he needed Kurama to put his Bijuu abilities to use elsewhere right now.

Naruto shook his head. 'Focus on the others, Kurama. I'm going to need them if I'm going to go up against the other Pains.'

The fox growled in annoyance. 'Those losers can wait. Let me at him.'

Naruto rolled his eyes. 'You may wish to settle some personal grievances against him but I need to settle mine first Kurama. Besides there's just something I need to do before you try to finish him off. Anyway, I think the others will need this too.'

The fox was quiet. Finally: 'I understand, but are you sure?'

'I'm a big boy.'

They didn't have time to say anything else.

The third was upon him.

Without Kurama's side help this time, Naruto focused his body entirely on defense, locking his muscles just as the tall Human Path thrust his glowing fingers forward.

"I'll finish you in one blow!" Naruto boasted, ducking down the last second. In the same movement he shoved his fist into the thing's stomach with as much chakra centered into it as possible. And….

Nothing. The Pain just stared at him for a moment, unaffected.

"That the best you can do?"

'Just because a fragile mouth-breathing human like you can't handle a gut shot, it doesn't mean a CORPSE that doesn't even need to breathe can't! Must you be so stupid, Naruto!?'

'SHUT UP KURAMA—And get the others! Gwah!'

Naruto rolled away from the puppet, seething in annoyance. 'I've had like no sleep, no food, I'm low on blood, and all kinds of stuff, and I still have drugs in my system!—excuse me for making a mistake along the way!'

'Focus, Naruto!'

'I am!'

'Good Kami. We're going to die.'

Even though the comment was made with sarcasm, Naruto's temper flared. "JUST SHUT UP ALREADY!" he screamed, throwing another fistful of chakra at the Pain. This time, he went for the arm. If this one relied mostly on pulling the essence from its opponent to essentially kill them, Naruto would need to cripple its arms and hands.

The problem with doing this solo, though, was Naruto's chakra usage was still weak, and the power of it started flickering as it had done in the past. NO! Don't do this on me! Come on! Gritting his teeth, Naruto summoned all his natural strength that he could muster and focused it into grabbing the Human Path's arm before it could him. He latched viciously to it and twisted himself so they were both locked into place. The man's full grown body may have been superior in strength but Naruto's small frame had better agility.

The stiff corpse's arm snapped.

Grinning, Naruto twisted himself around so he was latched onto the other, giving it the same treatment. The dead arm now hung limply, and before the third puppet could do anything Naruto put his hands together, forming the seal for his Bushin jutsu. It was such a daily trademark to him that even with his slippery chakra control he managed to conjure at least one clone, and together they rammed a Rasengan into the puppet's chest.

The third was done.

The clone disappeared and Naruto collapsed to the ground in exhaustion. Three down. Whoo. There was four more to go now, and he could feel his body wanting to remind him of the current state it was in. Come on, hang in there, he mentally begged as he began picking the small chakra rods from the latest body out. He didn't wish to put up with it again.

Finishing and throwing the rods to the water, his sight blurred. It took him a moment to realize it was from the hot liquid pooling down his face with the cool.

Uh-oh… Pain's mechanical arm. I remember…He struck me with it….

Naruto wiped his face, and quickly washed his hands in the water, not allowing himself to see all the red that he knew was there. Just three more…Scrubbing, he tried to think which three the next Pains would be, plus Nagato, and what he needed to be prepared for because they would be coming for him now.

He had no doubt about that. Nagato was aiming to finish the job, and so was Naruto.

Um, crap, which were they though—there's the head one, which Nagato will save for last, and um, one that could summon…and um. Oh. It can summon. Naruto felt his strength melt just thinking about it. These Pains weren't going to be easy compared to the previous three he took out.

Oh, yeah, the other one, now what was it…?

'NARUTO BEHIND YOU!'

The warning came too late.

The ground cracked under his body, the attack and weight of his opponent violent. Cold fingers wrapped around his neck like a vice. Breathing became lost to him but that wasn't the greatest loss he was feeling.

'Argh! My chakra! Kami-He's sucking my chakra!'

Again, the world around him blinked black and white. The sudden loss of his strength and breath was deafening and the weight of the heavy Pain too great.

'Naruto-'

'I told you to get the others!'

'I can't focus on them and you too.'

'THEN LEAVE ME! Ugh, just let me figure this out…The others are more important.'

Kurama blinked. Was the kid…really serious? Just who was this kid?

He grinned when he began to sense a foreign chakra seeping inside the boy.

Sage Mode.

Same trick won't work twice, kid…

Nagato, realizing Naruto was trying to use his sennin chakra against the Preta Path as he had before, trying to turn it into stone and render it useless, halted sucking the chakra, but did not loosen the grip on the boy's neck.

The bad thing about this arrangement was the boy still came out with his Sage Mode activated. Using its boost of power, he rolled free from the heavy body's iron grip.

Nagato cursed. Sage Mode could be a problem. And not only that, Naruto's perfection of it was greater than Jiraiya's. He could see it in his young defiant eyes, the now yellow orbs surrounded by a bright crimson and still flawless skin.

Getting to his feet, the boy grinned and cracked his knuckles. He only had Sage Mode for so long, time to use it. Besides, with it activated he was temporarily free from the majority of the superfluous pain previous gained. He needed this advantage as much as possible.

Not to mention he could now pack a punch that would actually have results.

"Rasenshuriken!"

The attack ripped through the Preta Path's meaty flesh like a flaming knife.

The massive puppet, with its thick limbs, and heavy build tumbled weakly into the splashing waters.

"Okay," Naruto croaked, rubbing his neck. "This is going a lot easier than I'd thought…" Oh yeah, pull the rods. He once again purged a Pain body of the metallic pieces. While doing so, his mind raced.

Pain's chakra may be low…but I don't know long I'll hold up either. He friggen sucked what was left of my chakra…I only have Sage Mode now. Better hurry up then. Come at me you bastard. Let's get this over with.

Heavy thump sounds and vibrations in the ground almost made him regret his wish.

The summoner.

Okay, he could do this. So what it could summon big massive creatures? From hell, he mentally added. Seriously, I don't know what the lot of them are even supposed to be.

The oncoming crashing sounds became louder, nearing him.

Yup. They're coming.

Naruto fought a shudder, recalling the huge monsters, and how there was now more than one coming for him, each big enough to squash him like a bug. Still, size didn't matter when he had Sage Mode. Not to mention he didn't necessarily have to take them out one by one, just the summoner. Take the girl out, and the others would disappear.

"Come on."

He closed his eyes, directing his focus towards finding the corpse, rather than the beasts coming towards him. The city's crowded structure was the only thing buying him the time to do so. The monsters couldn't rush on him when buildings were in their way.

Okay, so far so good. He could feel that unique chakra registering close by. But there was one problem with hunting her down. A big beast with massive chakra was shielding her while the others were getting closer to him.

Naruto chuckled. So Pain was starting to put up a little defense. "Still coming for ya, Pain. Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"

Five clones appeared. "Stay around me," he commanded. "And keep the other summons off my back."

They nodded and rushed around him, setting up a protective barrier of clones, at least half of them already having glowing Rasengans in hand.

The tower the Animal Path was waiting outside was near the center of the city. The puppet sat, buried in the shadow of the crumbling and broken structure. Calm and collected even though Naruto had found it so quickly. No fear whatsoever from Nagato that the body would fall victim as the others had. Of course, why would he? A fucking mutant dog was lying in wait. How fitting. A literal guard dog.

Naruto glanced up at it. The multi-headed hound stood, fur spiked and teeth exposed in a snarl.

"So," he said, and for some reason mentally comparing the hound here to Akamaru in his multi-headed mode and wondering which hound was stronger. "You plan to sit there and let your dog finish me?"

The Pain gave a sneer. "Die."

The roars that proceeded from the many fangs were deafening, and sent powerful bursts of air billowing through the rainy air. Naruto soon figured they weren't the only ones. Another jolt of energy and movement came from behind him. A centipede-like creature was speeding his way through the streets and towers. With its leaner body, it figured this one was able to navigate through the towers to get to him faster.

Positioning himself to intersect the latter, he pushed his sennin chakra to his hands and latched onto the bug's head. With a howl, he flipped it towards the rushing dog. The result was a ground-shaking tremor of steel and concrete and rubble. And centipede guts.

The bug twitched, and soon its spasms stopped altogether. And the dog, the heads that had been struck by it went limp in the same manner. The others barked furiously, though. Naruto leaped back with inhuman height as the beast retaliated, swinging its massive tails around.

Shouldn't it be dead completely?

He was about to make a boast when all of a sudden more barking erupted. Okay, he thought. There are definitely more heads than there was before…. He hissed. "Really? Just die already!"

Screaming he leapt up, round house kicking the underbelly of the beast. The dog lurched back, snarling. The head closest to him snapped its jaws, earning it a well placed punch to the nose.

A whimper—now was his chance to try to finish it!

Preparing to attack, he braced himself when suddenly the power flowing through him came to a sudden halt—his Sage Mode! FUCK!

The heads not whimpering raised its claws, the black nails aiming to kill. Naruto's heart stopped. Flying, he was sent flying back by a tail. Landing against a wall of brick, he fought for his Sage Mode to return. Come on—don't do this on me! DAMMIT! He had to do this! He couldn't be cornered like this! Flashing red…The following wave of fear was immeasurable, the fatal blow nearing and—"NO!"

He blinked, and….

Nothing. Nothing but a dull thump sound.

Naruto blinked, trying to figure out what just happened. He was still alive. Surrounded by a wall of something, a gritty substance…Oh what was it? Yes, he knew what this stuff was. Wet sand. After a moment the sand crumbled and formed a slush of mud around his feet.

"Huh?"

'Well,' a strange old voice said. 'It's been some time, huh punk? And durn this rain. I never did do so hot with water….'

'Shukaku!'

The beast laughed through the frail link. 'You could use some help brat.'

He smiled. 'Man am I glad to have you around again…can't believe I'm saying that.'

'Hah! Durn right, lil punk. Although…I don't see myself being much of more help in these conditions.'

'Aye, but you're not the only one, now are you?'

They didn't need to see each other to sense the other's smile.

'Nah, ya weird kid. I'm not.'

Naruto felt a new wave of relieve wash through him. He officially had backup. Nine of them, or was it eight? Remembering his request, he pointed his attention to his closest bijuu. 'Thank you Kurama.'

'Oh, hush pipsqueak. If it weren't for me you'd be dead.'

'I know—now let's kick some ass!'

'Well as much as possible,' the fox opined. 'We can only do so much like this.'

'Yeah but it's more than enou—'

Another voice interrupted. 'Will you two just shut up! Damn that human's talking never ceases!'

And another. 'Oh dear, you never did-'

'Can we just get back on topic here, the nasty's coming!'

'Ahhh!' Naruto shouted, uselessly planting his hands over his ears. Sounds screaming, head exploding, prickling pins. For a moment he thought he was back Downstairs where he didn't know the voices as anything but figments of a hallucination. 'Don't all talk at the same time! I can't handle all the voices!'

Kurama intervened again, this time with authority. 'The kid's right. There's no guarantee the link will stay. Focus on me only. The different affects of drugs are still in him so I'll do the work and mediate the chakra…'

(And voices, both Naruto and Kurama finished to themselves.)

Before anything else could be arranged, the dog readied itself to launch another attack.

Naruto found himself trembling again. But not out of fear this time. Power he was unfamiliar was surging through his body. For a moment he instinctively stepped back in its unfamiliarity.

'It's okay, little one,' a female voice spoke, its tone graceful. 'Use this chakra. You'll find it better than yours.'

Unsure exactly how this would work out he focused it to his system, and in a matter of seconds a blue fire was spinning in his hands. Powerful flames and a different kind than what he was used to. Already control of it was slipping from his grasp.

With a scream he met the dog head on before the new found power was lost to him. The hounds screeched, heads lit by the strange ghost-like flames. The body trembled and toppled over. Still not dead though.

He rolled his eyes, seeing the beast trying to get back to his feet. He had to find the Animal Path again. The dog would just keep playing Hydra if not.

Well at least he could use the cool blue-

The feline's power came to a sudden halt.

(Okay, the gods totally hate me.)

She let out an exasperated groan, and apologized, the link dying completely.

(It's okay…Matatabi.)

Trying to figure out how to proceed with the others and not waste their energies like hers Naruto ran, his being filled with rigor and energy, the gritty city his playing grounds, and not Pain's to dominate. He wasn't alone. Not anymore.

'Hey, this building over here, his chakra.'

'Gotcha, um…You, Sora's…?'

'Saiken.'

'Right. I'll remember. Saiken'

'I seriously like this kid.'

Kurama growled. 'Shut up, and focus.'

The new beast coming his way fell to him quickly, as did the next. Each fell helpless to the wielding of such strong chakra bound and messed together, for the first time in centuries.

The assaults left Naruto's body shaking, his mind and focus becoming shot.

He couldn't keep this up much longer. Panting, he jumped from the nearest ledge, landing in front of the girl.

"How is it," she began, "that even in your state, you manage to rebel so much?"

He stood there, hand gripping a steel rod he'd managed to pick up. It was lit aglow by chakra.

"Maybe because it's meant to be," he said.

It threw back its head in laughter, a terrible desperate laugh. It's long hair soaked. Limp. "To have the audacity to say such foolishness! Meant to be!?"

"The deaths, no, Nagato," he quickly said. "But everything else…The Bijuu, the will left behind by others, all of it. None of its yours to take away! That's why I have to pick up what I can."

It was only a matter of minutes until the already dead body was finished. Unfortunately, the borrowing power of the Bijuu was too. Naruto collapsed to the ground, throwing up and shaking a lot more than was safe.

He felt like his body was being torn up from the inside. His nerves that had been replaced by all the here-and-not-here energies were now dead.

'Kurama!' he moaned. 'I can't feel them anymore!'

'Thank the Gedo. Looks like Nagato managed to tighten the binding power…Not to mention you're not in the best of state for us to go deeper to do something like that again….'

'Wait, we can go deeper?'

'You're not prepared for something like that yet. Especially your body. You just got chakra back, you can't handle more than that so soon. It's not normal for a single human to control all our chakra.'

'Tell me about it,' he groaned.

'Just one more, Naruto. Hang in there. Well, one and his real self'

Naruto grimaced. 'You know who the last one is…He won't let that one go down easy. And frankly, I…I….'

He didn't finish.

'Naruto…I think it's time to break the seal.'

'So soon?!'

'Not in the way your thinking of.'

The area around the great Kyuubi was darker than ever. Naruto approached the bars, staring up into the big red orbs of the fox.

'Then in what way….Kurama?'

The fox took a deep breath. 'You…You have given…a lot. A lot of sacrifice.'

Naruto blushed, and the fox snorted. 'So, geez…So in return…When you undo the seal, I will not kill you. I can give you my chakra in a much…purer way than before.'

'Purer?'

'It won't be that of possession.'

'So we're really gonna work together? Even when the seal's gone? It won't kill me removing it like this?'

The fox nodded and pointed its eye at the tearing piece of paper. How many times had he desired the kid to rip it off so he could in turn rip his soul up? To be reborn?

He still wished to be reborn, there was no denying that…But he also wished for the kid to remain alive.

Naruto figuring the same thing, stared up at the paper, swallowing nervously. After all this time, the warnings….

His dad.

He placed his fingers on the seal and chuckled. The fox blinked.

'I think,' he said, 'this is why my dad sacrificed himself…and me. And everything….I think…he knew this day would come. Man…I'm happy he did it. I can't believe I'm saying this.'

Grinning, he ripped the seal.

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

Pain.

He sat, waiting. Cold fingers drumming against the edge of his throne-like perch. Sensing a vast chakra heading his way. He scoffed.

This story was still going to end with the host dying.

And he would do it with Yahiko's hands. How ironic.

Like sensei and those stupid childish hopes, he has to die. For Konan. For Yahiko. For the Rain. Pain is the path to true understanding. To peace.

Peace….and chaos.

Chance, regret. Solace.

All ripples in an ocean of life.

Pain flicked his eyes toward the tower's entrance at the sound of thunder clapping.

He was here.

The boy stood erect, his appearance completely transformed. Stronger, confident. Lit aglow with power and light. Pain could see that it was chakra, but not just any chakra, the Kyuubi's.

How had he managed to control it? No matter.

Pain stood. "Host."

"Nagato," he said, in an air of indifference. He crossed his arms.

"I wish no disrespect to Yahiko. Get out of the way or I'll have to destroy that body too and I don't want to."

"Your plight ends now. There's no point in such a venture. Everything that's needed to be said has been said, did you not say that, Uzumaki Naruto?"

He smirked. "That's Namikaze-Uzumaki. I'm the son of the fucking Fourth Hokage. Get that in your head. And you're right….I did say that, but that was because I forgot to tell you who the real King is."

They were circling each other, eyes not leaving the others for a moment. With each step and word the air became thicker, deadlier, and more stifling

"I don't care."

"Yes you do."

"Die."

Naruto halted. "You're still going to make me do this, aren't you?"

Not needing a verbal answer, the boy sighed exaggeratedly. "Okay…I warned you."

"Shinra Tensei!"

What should have thrown him off the ledge, only made him fly off until a great wisp of chakra caught him in the air, supporting him, and gave him the power to swing forward, a massive jutsu in hand.

Five second rule. The attack failed, but had enough power to shatter the entire ledge of the tongue. And the tower.

They were falling. Hundreds of meters in the air.

Ignoring the boy's oath-filled exclamations, Pain focused his chakra to where he was levitating. The boy was still falling, to, Pain was sure, death when all of a sudden there was a great clatter—chains!—and Naruto rammed into the side of a tower, saved by a long length of the unnatural chains that he hung from.

Pain raised a brow in question.

"Don't forget," he called. "I'm not just the Fourth's son. I'm still an Uzumaki! Both of their bloods run through my veins!"

On that cry he swung toward Pain, again supported by the strange chains.

"Tailed-Beast Bomb!" he shouted, a power Pain recognized as being formidable charging in his hands. Of course, Pain had taken many of the Bijuu out before, this would be no different.

Just as Naruto threw the jutsu, Pain launched a rod. The jutsu missed by millimeters. Pain had had better luck than he.. The metallic spike struck the boy directly in his bad shoulder, causing him to let out a scream. Again the descent began.

He landed in a huge puddle of water, groaning against the concrete. His light was flickering.

Another rod would end it altogether.

There was no hesitation. Pain raised his hand, the rod in it glinting.

"Nagato don't!—"

Pain grabbed him by the shackle on his wrist and swung him to the ground, further collapsing him there. Anger swelled possessively up in Nagato as he thought of his village, the people, the innocence. He saw the Konoha symbol missing on the boy's forehead and furry over took him to the point he blacked out. The controller became lost in his scream as he had done in the past in times of peril, the puppet swinging his rod and limbs as it had done to Hanzo, his family, his servants, and the people who had tried to hurt his friends. Cutting, cutting, cutting, crying. Crying. Blood flicked from the beaten Jinchuuriki everywhere, including Yahiko's body. He was covered in it completely when Nagato seemed to regain his senses back.

There was no need to torture his vent out on the boy. The child's intentions had been good. He wasn't Danzo, or Hanzo, or one of those pillagers. Just a sacrifice. And like a sacrifice he would die. Quickly.

A rod went through Naruto's hand, pinning him down. The boy screamed, limb shaking.

"This is it," Pain growled, watching the last of the light die with groan-filled writhing.

"No!" The boy grit his teeth, trying to pull his hand free from the impaling rod. "NO!"

For peace. For everything. Die.

He pulled forth the last rod, and aimed it above the boy's heart.

Their eyes met, the boy's suddenly and freakishly calm even though he was covered in his own blood. Pain glared.

"Sorry Yahiko," he whispered.

Then he was gone.

Pain blinked at the empty space, the only thing there, blood and water.

"You have got to be kidding me," he growled.

The towers around him started exploding. Rubble fell, and the corpse was buried.

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

Nagato was not amused. This Naruto could clearly see as he wobbled towards the sad state the man was in. Machinery clinking, breathing raspy.

Before he could reach him, cradling his shattered hand, his knees buckled and he was throwing blood up. Shaking.

"You're on your last legs, host," the man spoke. Naruto kept his gaze down, noticing how he was leaving a trail of crimson behind him.

"I am," he replied, shaking his head. "You're killing me. You really are…but before I go down…I'm taking you with me. All the way. You'll see things my way, you'll see…."

The man blinked. "Is that so?"

"Yes…this…between me and you…"

'Naruto…'

'Shush, Kurama. Shhhhhhh.'

Panting. Covered in sweat, rain, and blood, he made to his feet. "You kept asking me who the King is," Naruto said. "But deep down I think you know already, or did I just underestimate your denial? Think Nagato. Think of why even after creating the Akatsuki you still stay planted in your village, unable to leave it behind. Think why you would risk killing me and all your plans when your village was attacked. It's because you know that even when the Akatsuki and everything else melts away in war and trials, the King will still be there and all that is left!"

He was closing in. A shing sound came. A sharp rod glinted, held protectively at the front of Nagato's machine. With no jutsu, no chakra, Naruto was limited to his own self, his own body, and right now he was at the mercy of his health. And…

There would be no getting close enough to destroy Nagato's heart without going through that fatal rod. It just wasn't humanly possible.

'NARUTO, JUST GIVE ME A MOMENT!'

Naruto had his own weapon brandished already.

'DON'T YOU EVEN THINK OF IT! WAIT!'

He closed his eyes. Acceptance.When he opened his eyes for the last time, the blue of it was clearer than it had ever been. "The King is the future! Deep down, you've always known that was it but you were too focused on your grief to focus on saving it and you gave up on your King! You gave up your future, the children, and theirs and how many generations left of a war-plagued war like this is left—but I won't give up! Give on trying to make me give up!"

'STOP NARUTO! NO!'

And he ran, out of time, out of chakra, and strength, the rod coming towards his vitals with each footfall as he aimed his knife straight towards Nagato's heart.

"IT'S OVER!"

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

NEXT TIME: FINALE-A Game of Shogi III

The shadow, the final blow, and the last request, that one solution.

THE MARJORITY OF THE VERY LAST FINALE CHAPTER IS ALREADY WRITTEN! IT WILL BE POSTED IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.

And hee, I once again ended on a cliffhanger XD

Next part will pick up exactly where I left you hanging…

Any predictions?

Reviews?

Be gentle, poor souls, be gentle!

And seriously, I would love some predictions for what might happen next

It always amuses me.

_-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx-_

*Hums* "can and will be held against you…just another yesterday"

Man it's so good to be back on track to my original plans. This stuff over a year old. Whoo!

And yeah, I could have done better with the Bijuu…but this was hard, lol. Next chap should better, and filled with a variety of fun surprises! I guarantee it!