Chapter 49
The ground shook every time the metal juggernaut took a step forward. The massive moving mountain of metal scared not only by it's size, but also by it's lack of anything human. There was no hesitation, no emotion, there would be no mercy. Such an opponent knew no fear, no fatigue, it couldn't get hungry nor did it require water. It was cold and empty and that void threatened to swallow those opposing it.
The two genin prepared to unleash their most powerful techniques against the metal monstrosity, but it showed no sign of even noticing that. Instead the metal beast moved forward with a clear intention of crushing the ninjas with it's massive fists.
"You go in from the left, I'll go from the right." Sasuke offered, figuring that such an attack would be most effective as one couldn't fend off an attack from two sides.
"Move!" Naruto leaped to the side when a metal fist sank into the ground at the spot where he was standing a moment ago. The metal juggernaut despite weighting several tons was fast and it's mass alone made any strike lethal.
Sasuke went while maintaining the chidori and frowned as the metal limb sailed over his head. The creature of metal swung it's massive hand once more, but this time Sasuke had an opening. Without waiting any longer Sasuke smashed his chidori into the creatures gut, avoiding the strike. His had sliced through layers until it got stuck. The worst part was that the metal monster didn't even seem to notice the damage and moved it's hand together trying to crush Sasuke between the massive palms.
"Rasengan!" The metal creature stumbled forward when the ball of blue chakra was smashed into it's back. The chakra began drilling into the metal until Naruto finally lost control and allowed the sphere to explode in a violent torrent of chakra. The blow gave Sasuke an opportunity to finally pull his arm out and jump away as the metal creature fell down to one knee.
"Aghh!" Sasuke clutched his hand that was now covered in deep cuts from the metal edges. In some parts the skin seemed to be almost torn off and now blood dripped on the ground. It was either this or getting crushed.
"I am fine, I ….. " Sasuke bit his lip from pain when Hinata without a word began applying her salve to the most serious of wounds. It wasn't going to provide any substantial healing, but at least would help stop the bleeding and prevent infection. It also somewhat numbed the pain.
"All that and the thing doesn't even care." Naruto landed next to his teammates watching as the juggernaut once more raised to his feet.
"That chakra source is still intact." Hinata said not looking up from Sasuke's injured arm.
"Then how do you suggest we get rid of it? Even our most powerful techniques lack the force to penetrate that deep." Sasuke scowled.
"We'd better think of something quick." Naruto created several clones trying to buy some time, but the metal monster smashed it's fist into the ground creating a shockwave that took out the clones and blew the genin off their feet.
"Oh shit!" Naruto cursed when their unusual foe ripped a tree out of the ground and threw it at the genin like some crude, but enormous missile. The trunk exploded to pieced from impact with the ground and a piece smashed into Naruto's chest, making the genin cough out blood.
"Can't .. .lift it ….. " Naruto struggled to pull the piece of the tree trunk off of himself, but was barely able to move it and his position didn't allow him to get a good grip. One of his hands was also trapped so he couldn't even make a seal to create shadow clones.
"Of all the situations you could've gotten yourself into, you got trapped under a tree." Sasuke appeared over Naruto trying to lift the stubborn piece of wood, but it wasn't enough. The metal juggernaut seemed to notice that one of his targets was trapped and made it's way towards Naruto.
"Hurry up, teme!"
"I am trying, but …. Hyuga?" Sasuke watched as Hinata stood before the metal monster and by the looks of it she wasn't about to move away. Instead she remained in place her hands spread as if she was trying to embrace the metal creature.
"Hinata, No! Get away from there!" Naruto desperately pushed the tree with his only free hand and then punched it in desperation.
"You protected me, in a way you always did. At least this once, allow me to return the favor."
"I don't need people sacrificing themselves for me."
"I am not. I am showing my strength. Watch me." Hinata's byakugan came to life and the girl began moving her hands in a complex manner a trail of chakra following her every gesture. Soon her whole figure was covered by a shield of swirling chakra, but it wasn't like Neji's kaiten. It was a completely different technique one never used before. Hinata was replicating the outside layer of the rasengan using it as a shield instead of a way to contain the chakra. That allowed her to concentrate all the chakra she had into this one layer that perhaps had no power attack, but that was now a barrier that protected the girl whose form was reduced to a glimmering silhouette in the middle of her technique.
The metal creature raised it's fist and smashed it against the barrier of swirling chakra, but the blow bounced off and the creature stumbled back trying to regain balance.
"Whoah." Naruto muttered, but the metal monster didn't share it's amazement as it brought up both hands together slamming a hammer blow against Hinata's technique. The girl inside yelped feeling the strain, but didn't move an inch, her hands maintaining the swirling barrier. The metal juggernaut repeated the blow and Hinata nearly collapsed her barrier barely withstanding the amazing force that could've leveled a building. Soon enough the third blow came and Hinata fell to her knees. Her technique was depleted as was her chakra. It was all she could do and she really hoped it was enough. As the creature raised it's hands for the finishing blow she looked back noticing that Naruto was still trapped.
"So, it was still ….. not enough." The girl lowered her head, blood dripping from her nose from the stress.
"What?" Sasuke noticed something pink dash past him and he immediately recognized his teammate that leaped over the tree that was pinning Naruto down. Sakura tossed two kunai at the metal creature. At first it seemed stupid, what could two little metal knives do against a moving mass of metal, but then Sasuke's sharingan saw the metal wire connecting the two weapon and that wire was covered with explosive tags. The two kunai sailed past the creature's raised hands that were still locked together for a final blow. A moment later the wire was wrapped around the massive metal wrists and Sakura formed a seal required for detonation.
The blast covered the creature and Sakura took the moment to scoop up Hinata and jump away.
"At least the Hyuga bought you two some time." Something white was rammed into the space between the tree and the ground and the genin recognized Toero's bone spear that it's wielder was now using as a lever to raise the tree allowing Sasuke to pull Naruto out.
"So …. I did it …. I held out." Hinata smiled while trying to regain her breathing.
"Sure, that was an awesome technique." Sakura settled the young Hyuga down.
"That was amazing. The metal thing was barely able to get through it."
"It was … impressive." Sasuke agreed with a sigh, but he could admit what was true.
"If you are done wasting time, we still have a job to do." Toero rested his spear on his shoulder as his bow was clearly useless against a foe made of metal. His spear wouldn't be of much use also, but it did at least provide him additional options in close quarters.
"Tsk, still moving." Sasuke agreed when the smoke from the explosion cleared, but Sakura's attack the very least did some damage. The creature was now missing both hands from wrist down and the remains of it's palms were now on the ground as useless piles of metal.
"What was your plan before we arrived?" Toero asked.
"Hinata saw that it is powered by a source of chakra in it's chest, but we couldn't blast our way through to dispose of it." Naruto said while glaring at the metal juggernaut.
"That tactic will get us nowhere. That source of energy is clearly the best protected part of that creature. Bu it seems it's joints are the weakest link. See, Sakura's attack did enough damage to blow his wrists apart.
"Then what do we do?" Sasuke asked.
"Before we aim to take it out, we have to make it vulnerable, weaken it."
"Right, remember what Toero said about explosions. Place a tag at the correct spot and it can bring down a fortress." Sakura easily understood what Toero had in mind. "I bet his legs are under a great amount of stress from moving all that bulk. We have to make it loose mobility, that thing will be far less dangerous if it can't move around."
"Yes. I will distract it and create an opening for you two. Uchiha, Uzumaki, once you have the chance attack."
"I'll stay with Hinata for now." Sakura agreed.
Toero charged at the his enormous foe without another word and quickly rolled to the side when the metal monster trying stomping on him. Even lacking it's fists the massive metal arms were still dangerous as the metal creature kept swinging them trying to hit an elusive target that kept dodging without actually attacking.
"Left, left, right, jump, roll." Sasuke muttered while watching Toero move through his sharingan. His eyes were picking up every detail, every aspect of Toero's fast and precise style of fighting. The spear Toero was holding so far found no use until the archer suddenly used it as a pole to jump over the two massive hand, launching himself towards the creature's ugly head that resembled a crude face of a bearded man. He ended right on it's face, the two glowing blue eyes looking at him without any kind of emotion.
Metal met metal when the creature actually nailed itself in the jaw trying to get Toero off it's face, but even through the ninja kicked away from the metal surface avoiding the blow, the metal juggernaut remained partially blinded his eyes covered by two identical explosive tags that were already releasing smoke detonating a moment later. The blast caught Toero in the back and the archer sailed through the air falling face down behind the metal creature.
"Now!" Sasuke saw how the metal monster turned away from them. It's crude face showed clear damage, but one of the eyes somehow survived, to it wasn't blinded.
"CHIDORI! ONE THOUSAND BIRDS!" Sasuke's hand sliced right through the creature's knee, but that was only the first part.
"RASENGAN!" the ball of chakra was rammed into the other knee until the metal finally gave in exploding into a rain of metal shards as Naruto hand finally went through. The two genin slid on the ground ending up next to the prone Toero while glaring at the metal creature that seemed unable to keep balance. It's badly damaged legs seemed incapable of withstanding the enormous weight of the rest of the metal body and eventually gave in, the creature falling down on it's back with a force that knocked everyone around off their feet.
"I guess it is true." Naruto coughed from the dust while sitting up.
"What is true?" Sasuke dusted himself.
"The bigger they are, the harder they fall."
"Tsk, dobe." Sasuke shook his head with a smirk being slightly amused by the joke.
"Oh come it was funny, admit it."
"It wasn't awful."
"Who made you a critic?"
"Enough." Toero got up and then rubbed his head feeling dizzy.
"Hey, nicely done. That metal thing looked like an idiot trying to kill a fly with a club." Naruto grinned, but then looked curiously at Toero. "You alright."
Instead of answering Toero reached back and the looked at his hand that was covered with blood.
"The blast, he was hit by shrapnel." Sasuke rushed up to Toero who used the Uchiha as support.
"I can't see how bad it is." Toero spoke calmly, which was quite a feat in his situation, but taking into consideration his level of pain tolerance that wasn't that much of an achievement. He glanced at the metal monstrosity they brought down, but it seemed unable to move, though the only remaining eye still glowed.
"Two, no wait, three deep founds and only on your back. The metal shards are still inside." Sasuke replied.
"Someone will have to pull them out eventually, but until then I can't help you." Naruto and Sasuke helped Toero get over to where Sakura and Sakura were and helped the archer lie face down.
"Hyuga, activate your bloodline and look if the metal shards have hit any of the vital organs." Toero instructed.
"Yes, of course." Hinata somewhat recovered in the brief time and activated her bloodline. "They are deep, but no organs were hit. Major arteries are fine too, but you are still bleeding badly."
"Haruno, cover the wounds. Others, do you know who Sarutobi-san is fighting?"
"Some guy with a shield that can reflect ninjutsu and genjutsu or basically any chakra based attack." Sasuke reported.
"Then take the Hyuga and go help the jounin. Uzumaki, stick with your clones. Uchiha, use your sword. Try to support Sarutobi-san. If anything try to outlast that rogue ninja. Also take the Hyuga with you."
"But Hinata is tired after performing her jutsu."
"I …. I can fight." Hinata looked up.
"No, Uzumaki is right, you are too drained for active combat and your attacks are based on chakra. But your eyes can see chakra. Stay hidden and try to figure out a way to counter that shield."
"Yes, I understand."
"Guys, I left most of my medical supplies with Shino and Tenten." Sakura remembered.
"I can spare some." Hinata reached into her pouch pulling out a couple of rolls of bandages and a fresh jar of her salve.
"You want help with that, Sasuke?" Sakura noticed that her crush was trying to bandage up his own injured hand, but it proved a difficult task.
"You take care of someone who needs it." Sasuke replied making Sakura turn back to Toero who simply observed the scene with a neutral expression. "Help out, dobe, you are the only one doing nothing."
"You know there is a word for this. Heard of it? People usually say please." Naruto ranted while covering Sasuke's arm in a layer of bandages. His work was a bit sloppy, but did the job fine.
"I am not in a mood."
"You are never in a mood, teme."
"At least I don't grin for no apparent reason like some clown, dobe."
"I bet you just have rotten teeth and you breath stinks."
"I brush my teeth everyday! You are the one who stinks!"
"I bathe regularly!"
"Like what, once a month?"
"No, I…"
"Enough." Toero spoke harshly. "Hyuga, locate Sarutobi-san and his opponent and lead these two there. After that proceed with the plan. That is an order, so this is not up for a discussion."
"Alright, just don't bleed to death here." Naruto stood up.
"Your concern is noted, Uzumaki, now go."
"Tsk, lets go dobe." Sasuke checked the bandage. Hinata seemed to stare in the distance until she deactivated her bloodline.
"I found them. Asuma-sensei is still fighting and has a decent amount of chakra left. I can't say more from this distance."
"Good enough for me. Lets kick that guys ass!" Naruto punched his palm with a determined look.
….
"To be honest I expected a bit more from a shinobi of your reputation, Sarutobi Asuma."
"Sorry to disappoint you." Asuma spatout what remained of his cigarette.
"Simple mockery, is that all you have left?"
"No, I just really hate you. Don't think too much of yourself. You shield is an impressive piece of gear that allows you to counter all of my jutsu, but even without them you never managed to land a solid blow on me."
Asuma once again lashed out with a strike from his trench knives, but without the wind chakra channeled through them his weapons lacked the ability to cut high quality steel that the shield was made of. But Asuma was an excellent fighter in close quarters and the rain of his blows rarely gave his foe a chance to counter that. With some effort Asuma managed to push his opponent back, finally creating some room between them.
"Anything else?" the rogue ninja smirked, but his smile vanished when out of nowhere four identical blonde ninja came sliding on the ground.
"U-"
"Zu-"
"Ma-"
"Ki-"
"Gahh!" the missing nin was thrown into the air by these unexpected kicks, but in the air he came face to face with the sharigan
"Lion's barrage!"
Sasuke used his whole body to gain moment and even through his strike met with the metal surface of that shield, his enemy still was thrown down to the ground, landing roughly on his back.
"You should know one thing about us leaf ninjas." Sasuke landed next to Asuma and Naruto with the clones standing in front of them as the first line of defense.
"Yeah, you fight one of us, you get to fight us all." Naruto grinned.
"Hmmm.I guess the will of fire burns brightly with the newest generation of ninjas." Asuma shook his head and lit another cigarette.
