Alone

Zetsu tried one last attempt. The summoning of Madara Uchiha had failed after Sasuke revealed how well respected the Uchiha became again. This made Madara finding peace with himself and a soul at peace could not be called back to the world of the living with the Zombie jutsu.

Sasuke observed the cave. He and Itachi had their Sharingan active and scanned for their target. Especially for this mission the Akatsuki had been sent out with the BloodSquad to deal with the caster of the Impure Resurrection Jutsu. The only known caster would be Orochimaru but since he needed power maybe Kabuto could also do it. Lauren growled and Catherine patted her fur.

"Easy girl." Her radio clicked and Erik's voice cut through. "We're in position to provide long range precision and area support."

Erik chambered a round in his XM500. McCord readied his AS50 while Kelly and Morgan watched their backs. Armanda had her long bow ready and her elemental arrows were waiting be be called on. He aimed down the slope. Itachi radioed in. "The one rock there. I can see jutsus around it." Catherine held the two Uchiha's back. Erik nodded at the thought she send him. "Hey McCord, let's knock on the door. See if anyone's home." The two fired. They cycled the bolt in quick repetition and put all ten rounds into the boulder. The jutsus had been to repel other jutsu and light attacks but they couldn't deal with the force the twenty Cal.50 rounds released on impact. Additionally they were hollow pointed and dealt a lot more damage to the target. Catherine flicked the boulder to the side and revealed a tunnel. "We're going in." Erik confirmed. "Affirmative. We're keeping watch of the entrance."

McCord spotted a group of white Zetsus. "Incoming right. Four foot mobiles." Erik turned to get them in his scope. "Armanda?" The witch nodded. Pulling the string back she fired her arrow. On impact it set the group on fire. Erik and McCord fired one shot each to take the two remaining Zetsus out. The two snipers proceeded to watch as suddenly half of the mountain blew up. In the crater were two fights: Catherine and Lauren against Orochimaru and the Uchiha brothers versus Kabuto. With a short nod Erik aimed at Orochimaru and McCord at Kabuto.

Catherine grabbed the snake and crushed it in her hand. Orochimaru jumped back and pulled a sword, only to have it shot to pieces. Lauren seized the opportunity and jumped onto his back. With her claws she ripped the remaining snakes apart, but caught a backhanded kunai into her flank. Catherine punched him before he could cause anymore damage. "YOU CAN'T DEFEAT ME! I AM IMMORTAL!" Catherine only laughed at him. "I pity you. Immortality isn't something you get when you want. You are either born with it, or earn it." "How do you know?" Orochimaru shrieked and threw another poisoned kunai. Catherine took it in her stomach and continued walking towards him.

"Cause I AM a true immortal." "Tell me your secret! I will tell you mine." She grabbed his neck and pulled, ripping his upper body from the rest.

"Because I am a vampire." She whispered as she licked blood from his cheek. Spitting out in disgust, she threw him against the wall. "Your days are over." She turned around to walk away. Suddenly a round flew past her and smashed into the stone. Turning around she saw, Orochimaru's hands still locked in a sign. "Rest in pieces." she hissed.

Kabuto had a hard time against the Uchihas. Sasuke and Itachi danced around him with their blades. His summons fled from the fire and he tried to resummon ninja but the coffins were shot to pieces before they were finished resurrecting. His medical knowledge was useless as the two Uchihas read his intention before he even moved. One Uchiha was something the oto-nin could manage, but two with this long-range support was something too much for him. The brothers mirrored each other as they appeared on both sides of him. "It's over." They said as they crossed their blades among the sound ninja.

Their victory didn't last long, as Tobi reappeared. "So you stopped them. No matter. I will still succeed."

He disappeared again and multiple rounds and jutsu hit where he once stood. White Zetsus flooded the area. "RETREAT!" Erik shouted as he and McCord switched to their secondary weapons and Kelly fired the mortar. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura summoned their Vanguard while Itachi called onto Susanoo. As soon as they were moving Erik called in an air-strike: "WARHAMMER, this is Cobra 1-1. Bring the rain."

Above them Spectre 5-0 readied its weapons. "You heard him! Firing one oh five shells." While the large howitzer targeted larger groups the 25mm and the 40mm picked smaller groups.

Under the cover of the gunship Erik and his team began to pull back. Running through the forest, they were scooped up by the Vanguard and hurried out of the area.

As soon as they saw them heading off, the gunship crew ceased fire and two men manned targeting stations. "Dropping GBUs now." The guided bombs detached from the wings and changed directions. On impact several area-affecting jutsus were released by the destruction of the storage scrolls. "Package delivered, we're heading home."

"This was too easy." Sasuke muttered. "Sometimes they do." Erik admitted. Suddenly, the Vanguard collapsed and they landed in an open field. Obito summoned the body of the Juubi. However, Naruto only smirked. "Anytime, Shikamaru!" he yelled on the top of his lungs. A large cloud appeared around them and when it was gone it revealed the complete Shinobi Alliance.

Gedō Mazō changed its appearance. It turned into a beast with the rogue ninja on top of it. Naruto stood ready with Sakura on his side. Bee stood behind them while Yugito stood on the other side of Naruto. Each called upon their sealed companion and soon the fox, the cat, the bat and the half bull, half octopus opposed the Juubi. With a war cry, the fox launched itself at the monster. Tearing into it the cat followed suit. Juubi tried to escape by jumping upwards, but the bat was already there and dove at it. Claws left gashes in the large beast and the Hachibi attacked with its horns. It looked like the four beasts would win, but then, the Juubi released a massive wave of chakra.

Erik braced himself, but the shock-wave threw everyone down. He and Shikaku nodded at each other. The Iwa-nin jumped forward and sunk the ground around the Juubi, trapping it. Kumo used a light-circus jutsu to blind it while Mei along with fellow stone and fire users filled the pit with magma. Sand ninja added sand to it and then a large amount of water was dropped to cool the mix down. The concrete grave of the Juubi made it immobile. Erik looked at his platoon. "Deploy FOX-2!" he ordered. The explosives imploded together and tore the Juubi apart. The pit began to cave in and buried the remains in it. Then suddenly bright lights began to open around them. They merged together and showed another plane of existence. Erik looked up. "Looks like our time here is over."

The kage surrounded them. "Is that what your problem was?" Tsunade asked. Erik nodded.

"We are an alternative future of you. Where chakra hasn't developed. Our universes affect each other. The Juubi was this world's guardian before it went crazy. Had it regained its original strength, all worlds would have been doomed. Now that it is defeated, our purpose here is gone."

"So you cowards leave us alone to fight this war?!" A exclaimed. Mei silenced him with a gesture. "I understand. You were here to help us when we needed it most. We should be able to deal with the rest." Gaara nodded. "I agree. You helped us uniting everyone. You taught us that strength doesn't come with power or fame. It comes with trusting each other. Maybe even loving someone. I learned through you and Naruto what it feels like to be a protector."

Erik nodded at the praise. "You all got another chance. Don't waste it." He turned towards the Konoha 13.

"It's my turn to leave. Good luck. You are the new hope of this world." He shook each ones hands. When he came to Itachi he whispered: "Yugito isn't going to wait forever, you know?" Itachi turned red, which was not missed by his little brother.

Naruto looked at Erik's retreating form. The Ranger along with his fellow soldiers began to walk towards the bright glowing portal. Their time had come. Erik turned around one last time. Snapping to attention, the ninja gave the Rangers a salute. "We are Legion, for we are many! We do not forget! We do not forgive! Sua Sponte!" Erik returned the salute. "I am honored to have fought on your side. Win this war and honor your friends. Keep the peace they payed for with their lives." The Kage, even A saluted, too. "We will. The children will be taught the Legend of the Cobras. Those who united. Those who protected. Those who went beyond their duty." Tsunade promised. Erik nodded and turned around. Walking into the light he gave them a thumbs up. The portal swirled and closed.

Naruto looked back at the alliance. "Now I'm going to kick some butts. Who is with me?!"

Sakura was the first to shout: "I AM!" The remaining ninja followed suit. "Then let's go, dattebayo!"