"Hello again everybody! Magilou here bringing you chapter 22. Please continue to support Warhawk's story by commenting and reviewing."

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material used in the story. All source material is owned by its respective companies.

Tales of the Elemental Nations

Chapter 22: Dark Secrets uncovered! Orochimaru's forgotten research.

Senju residence, evening

Xion, Sakura, Bronya were having a slumber party. Nawaki said he would hang out in his room while they were downstairs which was okay by them and backed by Sakura threatening to pumble him if he decided to peek on them. However, Bronya was disappointed that the young senju would not join them but did however finally give her gift that she wanted to give him. Not wanting to sound rude Nawaki accepted it before going upstairs. Now the girls were watching a very old horror movie called Black Christmas. (He means the 1974 Black Christmas original not the 2006 version)

As the movie finished Bronya stared at the staircase leading upstairs which the other two girls noticed. "Did she really want Nowaki to be down here with us? Maybe I shouldn't have threatened him to stay upstairs, this is his house after all."

"If you're thinking that Nowaki is staying upstairs because of your threat, then don't worry because that's not the reason." Xion said getting Sakura's attention. "He's been spending a lot of time in his room ever since the thing with... Sasuke."

Sakura looked down saddened. "Oh right. I forgot they were close friends when they were young. So Sasuke leaving would affect him just as much... maybe tomorrow I'll ask him how he's been doing since that mission."

Unknown to them Nawaki let someone wearing a hooded poncho into his room through the window.

About an hour later they continued their slumber party by putting in the original My Bloody Valentine which freaked Sakura out given how the pickaxe wielding killer was so brutal in his killing. "What kind of person rips out somebody's heart just to display it?!" Sakura said cringing a bit.

"From my personal observation I would say the murderer sees this dissection of the heart as simplistic. As for his killing, it would seem more as if the Killer is clearly disturbed from most likely a childhood trauma that slowly descended him into madness." Bronya hypothesized looking at the movie less scared.

Just then they heard knocking. "I'll get it. It's probably Ino." Xion went to the door and open it to reveal the rest of their slumber party guests, Ino, Hinata, Tenten, and Jackie. They also had another girl with them who has green teal hair in a twin tail Manor. (We'll get back to that another time. We promise.)

Old Tea House, nighttime (And now we cut back to where we left off in the last chapter.)

Naruto now in his Anjin attire was with Wasabi looking over the crime scene of the drowner's latest victims.

"This is just disturbing. She Stabbed the kunoichi multiple times and drowned only one person. But the last guy was literally ripped apart!" Wasabi said examining the bodies. "You definitely knew what you were saying when you said that the murderess would evolve further as she kept killing."

Anjin stared at the Shinobi who was drowned in a unique way as he was hung upside down over a tub of water while using is Eagle Vision / analyzing contact lenses. "I figured she would try to go for 2 victims, but I didn't suspect she would go for a third. It was most likely that the third person was unintentional and was in the wrong place at the wrong time." Anjin looked closely at how the drowner set up this kill. "She wasn't just killing him, she was interrogating him as well. He most likely talked and after getting the information she needed she left leaving them to finish drowning. Looks like to add insult to injury she drowned him in the tub full of booze."

"I think I found something else!" Wasabi spoke bringing Anjin attention over to her. "I found a kunai with some strands of hair on it, and none of it matches the victims." Anjin asked what color it was. "I would say it's violet colored."

"Violet colored?" Anjin walked over to take one of the strands of hair to get a good look at it and even smelled it. "It's faint, but I can tell that the drowner takes really good care of her hair although it does smell faintly familiar-" Anjin then had a strange thought come to mind and took out his phone to look at the photo he took of the photograph he found on the last victim. He looked at the hair and at a certain someone in the picture before his eyes widened. "Oh my. It can't possibly be her, can it?"

"Can it be who? Who are you talkin about?" Wasabi asked wondering who Naruto was talking about.

"I think I might know who the drowner is. But I don't want to say anything until we catch her, which should be pretty soon." Anjin sniff the air. He sniffed the hair, the booze, and the blood. "With the blood of the victim that was torn in half that splattered almost everywhere and probably on the drowner's clothes, or her animal companion, the booze in the atmosphere that probably splashed on her or probably was just around the fumes, and also the scent of her hair, I should be more than capable of tracking her."

"I see. So the drowner unintentionally left us a trail to follow her." Wasabi said seeing that this could finally put an end to this ongoing case.

"Yes! And as the famous detective Sherlock Holmes would say, 'The game is afoot!' and it begins that away!" Anjin said pointing towards a broken window. Once they got outside Anjin activated Eagle Vision and began following the faint blood Trails as well as the scent trail

They followed the trail which lead them to a forest outside the village and led to a small River stream.

"I can no longer smell the blood or the alcohol, and the hair scent is even weaker now." Anjin said as he and Wasabi stopped near the river.

"She must have washed off the scent in the river, she likely figured someone would track her using smell." Wasabi said knowing she would do the same thing in the same situation.

"So unless we find something else to track her, we'll reach another dead end." Anjin said in thought. As he was thinking an explosion suddenly happened not that far from them getting both their attention. Without saying a word they followed the source of the explosion.

Once they got to where they heard the explosion from they saw in an open area the drowner facing the short but older girl that Naruto met at the Slayer meeting, Nitora Take and on the side they saw a strange-looking creature that look to be the size of a lion but had a monkey face and snake like tail. "What the heck is going on here?!" Wasabi asked out loud.

"I think that's our drowner that we've been looking for, as for the girl who's fighting her, that's one of the Slayer candidates I met at the fire capital! And that monkey lion thing must be the summon creature." Anjin explained the situation as best as he could describe. "Ether way we have to help Nitora."

Now into the fight Nitora was clashing with the drowner, her secondary weapon short katana to the drowner's scythe while being wary of the Beast that was circling around them waiting to pounce at a moment's notice. The drowner jump back so the Beast could charge at her. Take used her weapon to hold the Beast off as the drowner use this opportunity to run. She would have chased after her if it wasn't for the Beast holding her at bay. Just then Wasabi and Anjin leap Into the frey with wasabi using Tiger Claw on the monster with enough to force it to pull back. "What the?!" Nitora yelled out.

"I'll handle this Beast! You go get the drowner!" Wasabi called-out as she and Take ready themselves to fight the summon. As Anjin ran after the fleeing assailant the summoned Beast roared at the two girls as it charged at them only to get shot and pushed back by Take who used a focused Ki burst shot.

"I don't know why you two decided hlep, but if your serious about helping me take this thing out then you better be ready because here it comes again!" Nitora said preparing the fight again.

"I know!" Wasabi talked back. She then began to glow green he got heard Natural Energy for some reason. "This looks like the perfect opportunity to test out the new form again!" Wasabi's tail suddenly split into two and the fur changed to green with a white tips and she gained actual cat ears as her eyes glowed green.

Anjin ran into the woods after the drowner able to keep up switch her pace and can tell she was scared by the rate of her heartbeat. She stopped and turned around swinging her size at Anjin who blocked it with his forearm thanks to his cloke's endurance he was not hurt and quickly grab the scythe and shaked it out of her grasp disarming her before tossing it aside. The drowner try to run again but Anjin grabbed her cloak forcing her to remove it revealing that she was wearing a sleeveless backless purple shirt and purple Shinobi pants and had long purple hair, bright skin, and purple eyes. On June was silent before he finally spoke. "...Ami. So it really is you."

The drowner now identified as Ami did not respond but instead pointing her fingers at Anjin in a gun motion and fired water bullets at him. But to her horror Anjin brushed off the attack like it was nothing even after several water shots Anjin was not fazed. Having enough of this Anjin grabbed her wrist and applied pressure forcing her to kneel as she used her other hand to try to break free. "Nue! Help Me!" Ami said calling out to her summon only for it not to come. See no other she used her only free hand and slammed it on the ground summoning muddy water which splashed on Anjin making him let go. "I didn't want to involve people that have nothing to do with this, but you forced my hand!" Ami put her hand on the water puddle and formed it into and ice sword and began striking at the hooded vigilante who used his four arms to block.

Anjin kept using his four arms to block the sword thanks to the coats strong fiber. He soon saw an opportunity to grab the blade with his hands and crush it shocking Ami in the process "Sorry, about this Ami." Anjin apologize to Ami before using a sleep spell causing the purple haired murderess the fall asleep as he caught her. "But you're not getting away this time."

He soon walked back to where Wasabi and Nitora were with Wasabi holding the summoned Beast now much smaller and unconscious. "So is that the drowner?" Anjin nodded yes. Wasabi then got a good look at the drowner and gasp. "Is that, Ami?"

"Yes.."

"Ami? You mean my younger brother's teammate?" Nitora suddenly spoke up.

"Younger brother's teammate?" Both Anjin and Wasabi said surprised.

"Yeah. She was the teammate to my younger half-brother Hibachi." Nitora answered. "I heard that he and his teammates were killed during the Invasion a few months back."

"Hibachi had a sister?!" Anjin was shocked inward. "I'm sorry for your lost."

"Thank you for saying that. We weren't that close, and hibachi made it clear that he didn't much like me, but he was still my brother and I did care about him. I just wish he knew that." Nitora said somewhat solemnly.

"It's no problem miss. How can someone that's nice and respectful as her be Hibachi's sister?!" Naruto wondered in his thoughts remembering his encounter with Nitora in the fire capital. She was very kind and courteous unlike hibachi who is rude and smog. Nitora asked what they were planning to do with Ami in which Anjin replied they were going to take her to the Hokage. He asked her what she was doing out here at this time of night. It turns out that she likes to hunt on nights like this.

Considering she didn't see this as any of her business she decided to go on her way. With her gone Anjin told Wasabi they were actually going to the temple base wanting to interrogate her first before handing her over.

Senju residence

Nawaki was in his room sitting on the carpet polishing his stone collection. He never knew why but he always had a fascination wait different kinds of rocks even though he can never recall ever having such a hobby back in his old life. He could hear some girly screams from downstairs that follow the with girly laughter being no doubt their reaction towards the movie they were watching. (Its the black Christmas film so this is pretty much Nawaki's point of view.)

"Geez! Is practically 30 minutes past 8, when exactly are they going to go to sleep?!" Nawaki said looking at his alarm clock. He then heard some knocking at his window and saw someone wearing a hooded poncho. Nawaki opened the window to let them in. "Hello again. Sveta right?"

The person wearing the poncho took off their Hood to reveal it is Sveta. "Yes. Do you still have trouble fully remembering me?" Sveta asked taking off her Poncho and setting it down somewhere.

"Sorry, you and your name feels familiar, but I just can't remember where and when I met you." Nawaki replied. When he was released from the hospital nawaki noticed a letter stating that someone from his past wanted to meet with him and that they would meet him that night when they knock on his window. Later that night that person being Sveta came as promised with Nawaki letting her in and was immediately shocked when the wolf demi-human jumped on him hugging and kissing him telling him how she missed him for so long. However, Nawaki although feeling some familiarity with Sveta couldn't remember completely to the point of knowing who she was to him in the past. This almost made Sveta cry until Nawaki told her that he has been having problems remembering his past for a long while now letting her know that it's not just her he's having trouble remembering.

She then had an idea. Aside from being a wind adept Sveta also had some psychic abilities one of them being Spirit sense that allowed her to read others Minds. She decided to help Nawaki get his old memories back. The first time they did this it did not seem to work completely as he only got bits and pieces. "Then are you willing to try again, Nawaki?"

"Yeah, of course I'm willing." Nawaki replied. "But first. Is there anything else you can tell me about my past?"

"Not really. We played a lot together but we were just in a room while doing it. But." Sveta while thinking she began to recall something. "You had a caretaker that you said was your mother, and she taught you how to fight using something you described as a... a big laser pointer or something?"

"A laser pointer?" Nawaki said confused while also envisioning him fighting with a laser pointer which didn't make any sense to him. He then recognized the mother part. "You said this caretaker was like my mom? What was she like, and what did she look like?!"

"I afraid I never saw her so I can't tell you. Maybe if we can succeed in going further into your memories we can possibly see who she is." Sveta suggested.

They both sat on the carpet in an Indian motion and held out their hands so they would touch intertwine with one another. They both close their eyes as Sveta did get thing and Link their mind and spirits to each other. Flashes of Nawaki's memory came flashing in their heads from recent memories to memories further back but once they reached past the memories of when Nawaki reunited with Tsunade the memories became jaded with only clips and pieces until they both saw a brief glimpse of a purple character sigil then suddenly their focus was broken breaking their connection.

"Did you just see that?" Sveta asked. She also took this time to look at the clock I saw that an hour has passed

Nawaki was blushing. "Wow... I just saw my first kiss. And it was with you." Nawaki said on his back with his arms holding him up.

This cause Sveta to blush. "I was actually talking about the weird sigil that broke our concentration when we were about to get through the memories of before you turned eight."

"Oh t-that. Now that you mentioned it I did see that weird symbol thing come out of nowhere. Why would that be there in my mind, and why did it block us from seeing more of my memories?" Nawaki asked now wondering about the sigil.

Sveta took a moment to think on it. "I'm not completely sure, but perhaps that was a seal that's primary function is to keep those memories from resurfacing."

"Wait a minute there? Are you saying someone deliberately sealed away my memories?" Nawaki asked getting a 'it appears so.' as a reply. "Why? And how do we get past it?"

"I... I don't know?" Sveta replied. "As to how we could get past it, we may have to go inside of your inner world and let our spirit forms explore your mind and remove the seal. I was able to deduce that the seal was a mental seal."

"Good, let do that!"

"But I should let you know that this could take awhile and since there's a slumber party going downstairs I feel it may be best if we go somewhere more secluded where they'll be less chance of someone walking in all of us."

Nawaki thought about it for a moment. "I think I know a good place to do it at."

Cinnabar town.

The Jonin were exploring the Mountain Base seeing that there was advanced equipment around while the ceiling and upper walls were cave like with red rocks. Although amazed by the scenery they were beginning to wonder why they haven't encountered any enemies yet.

"So much for a welcome party. Where the heck is everybody?" Asuma wondered out loud.

"Probably hiding if this place has bunkers installed." Kurenai said. "Knowing Koharu she's probably cowering away in one of them."

"Now, I wouldn't go assuming things just yet." A voice on an intercom spoke putting the four Elite Ninja on guard. "As for you're welcome party? He should be with you very shortly."

"Who are you?! Show yourself!" Guy demanded.

Soon enough one of the slide doors opened to reveal Zaku AKA Shockblast wearing his metal mask. "And who might you be?" Kakashi asked while taking out a kunai.

"The guy who's about to wreck you guys!" Zaku said as he fired is a vibration blast at the Jonin who quickly jumped out of the way. Then a whole bunch of people wearing the same type of uniforms as the people from the museum Heist in the land of lightning came in shooting

"Looks like we get our welcome party after all! Everybody spread out! We can't let them swarm us!" Kakshi ordered.

The four Jonin spread out to deal with the small army each in their own way. Kurenai used her knowledge of genjutsu to distract her five opponents by making each attack an illusion of her. She then revealed that like Sakura she can make mental images too choosing to create tendrils and swatting them away similar to a certain villain from the movie Iron Man 2. (He means whiplash.)

Asuma was fighting 5 opponents with one of them having the solar sledgehammer. He first used his burning ash Jutsu to keep the sledgehammer wielder from getting close as well as give him cover from the others who were wielding power nightstick batons. He then used his chakra blades to strike them hard enough to cut through the armor and managed to take down two of them. The one with the hammer try to slam it down on him but he quickly jump back and to their surprise open his palms to unleash a powerful Air Blast knocking two of them away and out leaving the guy with the hammer. Said Hammer minion charged up his hammer for a most likely powerful attack, to counter this Asuma used his wind chakra blades in conjunction with his airbending abilities to unleash a powerful air slice cutting through the staff of the hammer and hitting its owner straight in the chest killing him. (Heck! Why not! I mean he trained with temple monks, and in ATLAB monks were considered air nomads.)

Guy was facing six guys with either power batons or blasters. Due to Guy's Superior speed he was able to dodge the gunfire and knock out the tree gunman with solid hits before do using a powerful Leaf hurricane a jump motion kick to take out the 3 baton men. (To those who have dedicatedly follow this story from its beginning to right now should already know is that guy is most likely a chi user so there's no need to show case it yet.)

Katashi was dealing with five minions including zaku who tried in vain to hit him. Kakashi for the five minions used lightning beast running Jutsu which was lightning in the shape of a wolf which chain shock them. For zaku he used to the former sound Ninja's surprise earthbending to summon some Earth from the ground to incapacitate his mechanical arm and force him on his knees. "The Hell?! The Intel on you in the Bingo books never said anything about you being an earthbender!" (Just to let you all know Warhawk has been brainstorming on the many side Energies he could give Kakashi. But a while ago he settled on a few and heads up Kakashi still has some more tricks up his sleeve!)

"The Bingo books say I'm an Earth user which most people know I'm an earth style user, so the information is there, it's just no one ever figured that I knew more than one style of Earth manipulation." Kakashi explained before turning to kurenai as the others regroup. "Kurenai, is there any chance you can use your tendrils to restrain him? I'm going to use my Sharingan to extract information from him."

"Sure, it should be no problem, but is your eye capable of using such an advance Uchiha technique?" The genjutsu mistress said using her psychic tendrils to restrain shockblast.

"Since my run-in with Itachi I've been training my Sharingan more. I'm not sure if it's as strong as a pureblood Uchiha's, but I'm sure I'm more than capable of getting information out of him." Kakashi said as he made zaku look in his Sharingan eye and instantly put him under hypnosis. He asked him what all he knew about this base and where Koharo is. The hypnotized Enforcer revealed a few key points of interest in the base including a place he believed was the archive room. As to Koharo's whereabouts he give the location of her office which was in a different location. He also asked who was the voice on the intercom and his answer was koharu but zaku said it with a nervous sweat. After getting the information he needed Kakashi put zaku to sleep.

"So what's our next move, Kakashi?" Guy asked.

"We know where Koharu is so now is the time to arrest her, afterwards we can check out that archive room."

They follow the directions given to them and soon found themselves at the center of the volcano which turned out to just be an open field of grass, trees, and some ponds with a house at the center. As they approached the house they sensed a strong chakra signature and looked up to see on the balcony was Koharu. "Hello children. I'm happy you manage to find your way here."

"Who are you?" Asuma asked.

"I'm the person you all came to capture, remember?" Koharu said revealing her identity to the four people who did not recognize her.

The 4 elite Ninja were completely shocked and confused of the Elder's new appearance. Kakashi with the first one to break his chain of shock. "Elder Koharu! By the order of the fifth Hokage we are here to take you in for the murder of the previous daimyo and for years of illegal criminal activity go out the fire country!"

Koharu did not look the least bit concerned as she positioned herself to now sit on the balcony. "I didn't have that old fool killed. Poisoning him was danzo's job, so that's his screw up."

"Even so, you are still under arrest for using konoha Shinobi to commit criminal acts around the fire country!" Kurenai spoke up but did keep a mental note of what she said as it could be used against danzo later.

"Are you all sure you want to do that?" Koharu challenged. "I mean I'm just following the last instructions given to me by the Second Hokage. I'm keeping crime under control. Without me wannabes and amateurs would go to war trying to replace me as well as actual threats coming in to move in on my turf. What I do is as necessary as what the Hokage does."

"No! What you're doing is Evil! You shame the very name of konoha with your crimes! So we are here to put an end to your un-youthful acts before your actions destroy the very Foundation of the leaf!" Guy protested.

"Destroy the foundation of the leaf? I kept the foundation afloat for years! It was my money that paid for almost everything! Renovations, reconstructions. Believe it or not the money that you guys use everyday once belonged to me. So watch who you're talking to!" Koharu said back.

"Well that's no longer going to be the case. Almost all of your people have been arrested and accounted for. So you might as well come quiet and maybe lady Tsunade and Unohana may give you an easier sentence." Asuma coerced.

To their surprise Koharu just laughed as if everything they said didn't bother her at all. "Hahahahah! You really think you four got me cornered?! You think you have every person that works for me?! Hahahaha! You think that I'm afraid of Tsunade and Unohana?! Oh Kami! I could die of laughter!"

"Stop laughing Koharu! It's over, you've lost!" Kurenai yelled.

This actually made Koharu stop laughing although the grin on her face still remained. "I've lost you say? Oh my dear delusional children." Koharu jump and floated down gently. "This is only the beginning." Koharu with great speed she lunged towards them with her fist glowing yellow. Their instincts told them to dodge and so they did before their attacker struck the ground causing a crater and a dust cloud.

"She has deadly strength just like lady Tsunade! But that energy that surrounded her hand, it felt like-" Kakashi was interrupted from his thoughts as Koharu appeared in front of him and kicked him in the stomach back onto the ground.

Two yellow orange orbs appeared in Koharu's hands and fired them at kurenai and Asuma who nearly dodged them but the impact got them and sent them landing hard. Guy managed to land on his feet just as Koharu landed as well. "You attacked at the others so quickly! Why did you not aim for me as well?!" Ask Guy.

"Because I don't want have to deal with the others possibly interfering while I'm getting rid of the most dangerous variable of the group. Be flattered Guy. I consider you more of a threat than Kakashi." Koharu taunted.

Not liking her comment, Guy went charging in fighting Koharu hand-to-hand and delivered a dynamic injury to Koharu's chest launching her back at the house hitting the wall. Guy then opened V gate of closing then focused Chi to his hands and released a powerful Chi pulse at her destroying the house and bring it down on top of her. Guy took a breath of relief and went over to Kakashi. "Kakashi, are you all right?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. She just caught me off guard." Kakashi said as Guy helped him up. "Where's Koharu?"

"Over there under what remains of that house. That should keep her down for a good few minutes-" guy couldn't finish his statement as he was blasted in the back and sent flying pass Kakashi who was shocked until some random metal launched at him and pinned him to the ground once again. He was at least able to look up to see that Koharu was now back up and didn't have a scratch on her.

As if lightning fast she quickly made her way over to Guy who was struggling to get back up. "You should know this by now, Guy. Never take your eyes off an opponent unless you're sure they aren't getting back up again." Guy got up and try to punch koharu with his right fist only for her to grab it and elbow jab him in the stomach sending him winching back. "Oh, and I'm about to make you hurt for literally demolishing my house."

"We'll see about that!" Guy said gaining his footing back. He disappeared right before Koharu's eyes and started attacking her with strong punches and kicks in a ricocheting motion. Koharu's eyes suddenly glowed and Guy felt himself frozen in place. Guy tried to will himself free until koharu walked up to him as a yellow energy like blade came out of her right knuckle and stabbed him in his left leg causing him to scream which ended when koharu took the blade out and punch him to the ground.

"That's the most annoying one down. So who's next?" Koharu taunted looking at the others.

"GUY!" the 3 remaining Jonin called-out. Asuma and Kurenai got back up and charged in. Kakashi seeing this began to struggle to get out of his restraints.

Their first order of business was to get Koharu away from Guy so Asuma used his airbending to repel himself towards her and deliver a strong wind knuckle punch straight to Koharu's face launching her a good few feet before she used her psychic powers to stop herself and land. Then from the ground psychic tendrils emerged and grabbed Koharu by her wrists and legs and look to see kurenai with her hands on the ground. "She caught! Let her have it Asuma!"

"Right!" Asuma said as Guy got up.

They decided to use this opportunity for a combo attack as Guy entered the six gate of joy and from a distance use the burning peacock while Asuma use a Rapidfire of air punches and aim them all at koharu who is now being bombarded with multiple attacks creating a large dust cloud. After a minute of this they finally ceased their attack as guy's body turn back to normal as he was now completely exhaust. "Think that last attack got her?" Guy said Breathing heavily.

"Maybe? But I'd be surprised if anyone could walk out of that unscaved." Asuma said. Just as he said that he was lifted up off the ground. Guy would have helped but he was suddenly targeted by a strong yellow projectile. he used a chi technique called iron body and braced himself as he got hit and was now unconscious. (He used both the fifth and sixth gate so he's really exhausted to move at high speed.)

"Asuma, Guy!" Kurenai yelled out until she was lifted off the ground as well and was levitated over next to her boyfriend and friend.

From out of the smoke came Koharu who was still unscaved. She then jumped up and delivered a 2-foot downward push kick on both Jonin with such great force that they made a big impact when they hit the ground as Koharu stayed levitated above that. She then created with her psychic abilities small yellow projectile rocket that appeared above her. "Any last words children?"

"Do your worst, you witch!" Kurenai challenged.

The Rockets fired right at the two as they brace themselves for the pain only for it to never come. They open their eyes to see they were surrounded buy a protective barrier. Behind them was Kakashi who finally freed himself from the restraints. This also freed them from the psychic hold.

"That was magic. I guess I shouldn't be surprised given your old Team knew Semiramis, Kakashi." Koharu said.

"Thanks Kakashi, I literally thought we were sitting ducks there." Asuma thanked.

"No problem, but I need you two to do something. I need you to take Guy and get out of here. I'll hold Koharu off here while you two escape." Kakashi said unsealing his Sharingan.

"What?!" Both Asuma and Kurenai said shocked. "You have to be kidding Kakashi?! There's no way we can leave you to fight her all by yourself!" Asuma protested.

"He's right! She's just too strong to fight one on one!" Kurenai chimed in as she and Asuma got up on their feet but still quite disoriented from the last attack they received.

"I know! But someone needs to get back to the Village and worn lady Tsunade of koharu's power!" Kakashi said taking out a kunai. "We've been set up! Someone leaked out our mission, which confirms we have a traitor that we've overlooked! The others needs to know this!"

"Then let's attack her all at once. Even if it doesn't damage her it would at least push her back and give us a chance to escape." Asuma suggested.

"No. I doubt that would slow her down long enough for us to get away. The best chance for you three to get away is for me to use my earthbending to keep her occupied, and allow me to fight from a distance that's why I have to be the one to do this." Kakashi explained while also noticing that their opponent has not made a single move to attack them yet. It's most likely that she's waiting for them to make the first move again.

As much as they didn't want to admit it Kakashi's abilities were best suited for this situation. "Fine! Just make sure you don't die on us Kakashi! Guy and Yoruichi won't forgive you if you die here to her!" Kurenai stated while Asuma wish him luck and told him to give her a hard-hit for him.

"Don't worry, I will." Kakashi said as he used his earthbending to levitated rocks off the volcano wall and launch them at Koharu. (Just to remind you all they are at the center of a volcano that has dried up of lava or better yet the lava is just so deep that these guys sealed It Off with lots of water Jutsu which hardened the crust beneath them.) Koharu only response was to use her telekinesis to stop the rocks with ease. From the corner of her eye he could see Asuma and Kurenai speed their way to guy and then make a run for the exit. She just, to Kakashi's surprise turned her attention back to him. "Your not even going to try and stop them?"

"No I'm not. right now I'm interested in you not them, I could go after them anytime I want. Besides, they won't get far. I'll have them cornered by the time I'm done dispatching you."

"I won't let you!" Kakashi said making his move as he began to throw Boulders from the ground at Koharu.

Koharu didn't need to Dodge and just stood there and used her hand blade to cut the boulders away. She then summoned more yellow missiles and aim them at the copy Ninja who thanks to his Sharingan was able to dodge them as he threw more boulders at her in response. Kakashi then created 4 Shadow clones and all five of them surrounded koharu who only raised an eyebrow as she landed. Kakashi then levitated the Earth beneath all five of them making them stand above her.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

"Wind Style: Devastation!"

"Water Style: Water dragon Jutsu!" (He's using water from the pond that's been made in this area.)

"Lightning Style: Lightning Beast running Jutsu!"

"Earth Style: Mud dragon Jutsu!"

All five of these attacks collided at the center where koharu stood and made a very large explosion when they met their target it was so strong that it actually pushed back Kakashi and dissipated his clones. Kakashi managed to land on his feet and took a knee while breathing hard considering that attack took a lot of chakra. After a few more huff's Kakashi looked at the smoking crater. "I'm not going to let my guard down like guy did, so you might as well come out."

After those words were spoken koharu walked out of the explosion with a yellow aura surrounding her. "Oh well, I didn't think the same trick would work twice anyway. But I should commend you Kakashi. If it wasn't for my Aura barrier, I don't think even I could walk out of there without a scratch."

"A barrier huh? You must be the type of person thet doesn't like to get her hands dirty or her hair accidentally moving out of place." Kakashi mocked stalling for time.

"I wouldn't be so quick to assume that. I've actually began to find this fight interesting" Koharu began. "I mean, it's not often I dirty my own hand with this sort of grunt work. There's always a certain amount of satisfaction I get out of doing it myself. But enough talking." Koharu positioned her arms in an X motion and out came a yellow energy blade from each hand. "It's time to put you in the dog house."

"Sorry, but I've been there many times, and it's not pleasent!" Kakashi closed his Sharingan eye and a few seconds later opened it to reveal a normal eye. He then took off his vest to show around his neck was a Fang necklace. The necklace glowed and suddenly Kakashi was covered in a white suit model to look like a white wolf. (think of Hunter's white wolf costume from Avengers Assemble a Panther's Journey.) The next things that happened was that 3 Guardian spirits appeared around Kakashi. A wolf, an alligator, and a hammerhead shark. Each of these Spirits entered Kakashi's suit and clothes of Pacific color before it died down as Kakashi pulled out his father's old blade.

Koharu was not only surprised by the costume change and the guardian spirits, but was surprised by the fact that Kakashi turned off his Sharingan."He turned off his implanted Sharingan?! Impossible, unless." Koharu analyzed Kakashi to see what this new development was. She saw that Kakashi was no longer using chakra but was Now using Spirit energy. She soon recognized the suit as Sakoma Hatake's white wolf armor that was given to him by king Adewale, however he died before he ever got to wear it. "Well I figured as much that you would inherit your father's Guardian spirit, but I never thought you would bring yourself to wear the suit he never got to use. What are the alligator and shark for?"

"Why don't you come and find out for yourself." Kakashi said holding his saber in his right hand as it glowed white and extended.

"I see." Her look of surprise then turn to one of excitement. "Well then! let's see what you're really made of Kakashi!"

Temple ruins

Naruto and Wasabi brought Ami back with them to the temple to interrogate her. However, this proved very difficult considering she refused to talk and sat in the corner facing the wall. In attempt to make her feel more comfortable wasabi gave her back her miniature salmon which work to some avail ashy at least turned around but still wanted them to keep their distance.

Anjin then approach and ask her straight up why she did what she did. "They deserved it. Every ninja I killed where criminals in some extent. I was doing this country a favor by getting rid of them." Ami answered.

Anjin's next question was about her summon Beast. "His name is Nue. The last time I went to my house I found a Summoning contract scroll. It was a present my father was going to give me for my 13th birthday. After what happened to me, Nue has been my only true friend."

Anjin then asked the very important question. What happened to her to make her like this. Ami explained to them on what happened to her after the preliminary rounds, how she was tooken and imprisoned for her less than satisfactory performance during the exams. She was to remain there until her punishment was decided but it would have been avoided if her father umara managed to complete a mission which would spare her from a cruel fate. However her father failed in that mission making her fate sealed. For her punishment she was forced to be a guinea pig and test the capabilities of the arrangement pod on a second time user. Ami was shaking as she began explaining the horrible experience she went through while in that machine on how she felt her mind was being beaten by a shock-baton, how her mind went numb, and after she woke up she felt like an entirely different person and how her mind became twisted. She would have continued on and on if Anjin then put his hand on her shoulder telling her that was enough. "Please, enough. I get it. It's okay now. After we take you back to the Village I'm sure the Hokage will-"

"No! NO! Don't take me Back!" Ami screamed as she pushed herself back into the corner petrified. "I..I don't want to go back. Please don't take me back."

"...Alright. You can stay here, for now." Anjin said getting up. "LIke I said. Everything's okay, Your safe."

"Are you sure about that? I'm a dangerous killer, you know? I could snap at any time and go on another killing spree." Ami said.

"If you go berserk again you won't get far. This place is sealed off and I'll make it snow you won't be able to leave this area, and vice versa no one who doesn't already know of this place won't be able to come in either." Anjin reassured. Ami did something completely unexpected and got up to hug Anjin telling him thank you. "Its no problem. Hey, Cat? You don't mind helping her get settled in, do you?"

"No, I don't mind." Wasabi said as Anjin left the room as she turned her attention back to Ami. "You probably want a bath after that's scuffle you had with Anjin back in the forest." After showing her where the hot spring outside was she gave her a towel and some sleeping clothes and left her to bathe. Wasabi then went to find Naruto who was at his work desk where he likes to craft things with his item constructing Magic. "I gotta admit I didn't expect that Ami girl to be the drowner."

Naruto sighed. "Well neither did I. She disappeared literally right after the preliminary rounds and no one has seen her since. I was beginning to think she either died in Orochimaru's invasion, or was taken just like hibachi and the sound team to continue working for Koharu. But this is way worse."

"Say, Naruto?"

"I mean, I know Ami wasn't the nicest person in the academy. She was just another one of Sasuke's many fangirls and just a typical mean girl bully, but she's never did anything to deserve getting her brain fried." Naruto continued.

"Naruto." Wasabi walked over to sit next to him. "Don't do this to yourself. This isn't your fault."

"Are you sure about that? I'm the one that killed Umara."

"To protect yourself and Kairi! He would have killed you two without a second thought, you had no choice." Wasabi proclaimed not wanting Naruto to blame himself for what happened to Ami.

"You weren't there Wasabi! There was a choice!" Naruto said in a loud voice luckily not loud enough for Ami to hear from outside. "The professor already shot his arm off with the globe he was using to blast us. If I wanted to I could have captured him and had him brought back to the Village as a criminal, but instead in order to avenge mr. Moris I seize the opportunity and stab that bastard in the cast. I didn't do it because there was no other option, I did it because I wanted to! And because of that Ami got punished for it. Whether we admit it or not I had a hand in turning Ami into the drowner!" Naruto's eyes unknowingly turned Dragon like again.

"No you didn't!" Wasabi yelled back pushing Naruto down and leaning over him. "Koharu did this too her! She didn't need to be punished at all, but koharu decided to do that to her. For all we know she might have still did it. Koharu is responsible for turning Ami into this, not you." Wasabi said looking down at Naruto and noticed his eyes.

Naruto just looked up at her and was about to say something until he heard his phone ring. He quickly excused himself and went upstairs to take the call. "Hello?" Naruto asked as his eyes turn back to normal.

"Hello whiskers! Miss us?" The creepy voice of Sin said on the other line.

"What the? Sin, how did you get my number?" Asked Naruto.

"Not telling! Anyway. Yuyake whats the talk to you tomorrow. Where your usual costume and meet me at the site where it all began." Sin instructed reading to Naruto to ask what costume. "The one you're currently wearing right now."

Despite his shock Naruto quickly recovered. "Okay! How on Earth do you know that?! How do you and Yuyake seem to know a lot of stuff that goes on in my life?!"

"~That's for me to know and for you to find out tomorrow!~" Sin teased. "And remember. Unless you don't want your little leaf friends to get hurt, don't bring them." Sin warned before hanging up.

After Sin hung up Naruto looked at the time on his phone and saw that it was 11:43 almost midnight. Completely exhausted Naruto decided to turn in for real this time. And went into his Temple room, take out his futon, change his clothes and finally turned in. With his enhance hearing he could hear stuff going on down below with wasabi showing Ami where she can sleep tonight. A few minutes later wasabi came into the room also changed and entered his futon. It was silent for a bit before Naruto spoke. "Sorry about that, I got a call from Sin. She wants to bring me to Yuyake tomorrow. She says to meet her where it all began."

"Where it all began?... She must be talking about the orphanage. It's still there, burned but The Remains are still there." Wasabi said. "I'll come with."

"You don't have to." Naruto said.

"I want to. They're my orphan siblings too." Wasabi said before hugging Naruto from behind. "Hey, about what I said earlier-"

"Thanks for saying that, Wasabi. I let myself feel guilty for what Koharu did." Naruto thanked Wasabi.

"No biggie, but you're eyes back there. Your puberty is getting more noticeable. Is everything all right?" Wasabi asked.

Naruto respond as he thought about the dream he had involving himself killing Leaf Ninja in a burning and destroyed Leaf Village which has been a recurring dream lately, and remember the times he let his Dragon Qi out. "Hey, Wasabi? Mind if I tell you something? It's about a dream that I had a few months ago then I haven't really told anyone since having it."

"Sure. I'm all ears.

Cinnabar town

The battle between Kakashi and koharu was raging on. Kakashi was using his extended sword The Clash with her yellow blades.

Koharu levitated backwards to fire a yellow beam a Kakashi who's left arms Cloud green as a shield that look like alligator skin blocked the attack and then stomped on the ground as an Earth pillar came from the ground hitting Koharu's blasting hand Kakashi then charged at her at his right hand encased itself in purple lightning and took the form of a hammerhead shark.

Koharu took out her blades again and slashed her left hand a Kakashi who blocked with the lightning hammer breaking the knife and then swung his right arm and nailed koharu right in the face hitting her right cheek and then pulled his arm back and delivered a gut punch which send her back a good few feet a she actually lost her footing and rolled on the ground before stopping. Koharu got up holding her stomach and noticed her right cheek was actually cut.

She actually laughed a bit as she wiped away the blood from her cheek. "All that for a drop of blood." She said as the cut disappeared and she got up still having her smug look. "You really are your father's child and Minato's student. Your father was more than an exceptional Ninja that rivaled the sannin, and Minato was the only person that I knew of the had three Guardian spirits." (by now you should all know what Guardian Spirits she's talking about) "You fused the wolf spirit will yourself and had the alligator and the shark fuse into your suit. The alligator giving you extra defense while the hammerhead shark give you extra attack strength. If I wasn't a steel humanoid that attack would have took my head clean off."

"Well that was the plan. She's already figured out my suit's abilities, I won't have the element of surprise anymore. I should expect nothing less from an elder of the leaf Village." Kakashi thought inwardly. "Your using solar energy, just like Nowaki. And that body of yours. You use the old forbidden method of Kato Danzo who turned herself into a doll."

"My my. How well you remember your Japanese culture history lessons. Yes, just like how Kato became a living weapon through Mage craft I turned myself into a weapon through chakra and Tech that I found many years ago. You should know I've had this body for many years now but in order to keep this Secret I've been using lifelike puppets to fool everybody." Koharu admitted.

"How did you even get the technology to do this?!" Kakashi questioned figuring this is the best time to get some answers.

Seeing that Kakashi was intrigued she decided to continue. "Years ago a few years after the second great Shinobi War I discovered the wreckage of a warship that crashed into this very Mountain years ago and have been slowly integrating the designs into the land of Fire. The introduction of the other Veil Nations gave me good cover to do so. My guess it came from the Third Vail Nation."

"Third Vail Nation?"

"New Foundation. It's a world that is light years ahead of ours in technology. Orochimaru grew obsessed with it when I introduce this technology to him." Koharu continued.

Kakashi was confused on why she mentioned Orochimaru until a thought came to mind. "Were you the one funding his experiments?!"

"Well no, I did one time ask him to come work for me, but he refused. But after he left the village I took an interest in one particular project he was failing at. He wanted to revive a soul completely."

"Revive a Souls completely? Who was this person he wanted to revive?" Kakashi continued to question. (Pay close attention people this is important.)

"I won't give any names out but let's just say that Orochimaru wanted to bring back a child who died during the second great ninja war and was willing to do whatever it took to do it. The problem was that if he used reanimation the child would be nothing but a zombie. So I gave him a solution. I introduced the idea of artificial intelligence. With the DNA of the deceased he was able to create a data soul completely identical the person he wanted to revive." Koharu explained. "One of my scientists Even, created an artificial clone embryo of a jinchuriki that I decided to carry in my own womb and give birth to in order to give him my abilities. But unfortunately the child although powerful lacked a soul. It had a functional body but didn't have the proper conscience." (Wait? She said carry in her own womb. So wouldn't that make that child her's?)

"So you gave Orochimaru this clone's body so he could put the soul in it, giving the soul a proper host!" Kakashi figure the rest out. "Who was it? Who was the child that you revived."

"I think that's enough Questions & Answers. If you want to find out beat me and maybe I'll tell you." Koharu gripped and balled up her right fist as it glowed bright yellow. "As fun as this fight has been, I'm a very busy woman and I need to get back to what I've been doing before you kids intruded. So this will be my last attack."

Kakashi even from where he was standing could feel the immense power coming from her fist and in response formed another lightning hammer in his right hand. "So be it. It's time to end this fight for good!"

Without saying another word the two Shinobi charged at each other with their attacks in hand. From outside the Mountain Base a large explosion of pink and purple energy could be seen coming out of the volcano to those from a distance.

Back in the area of the fight the battlefield was a mess and there was a large crater at the center. In that Center was koharu who had a few scrapes and bruises coming out of it what an unconscious Kakashi over her shoulder. Once out of the crater she placed him on the ground. "That was some final attack Hatake. I could have used someone like you on my payroll." She then turned her attention towards the exit where she could hear someone approaching. "So how far did they go before you caught them?"

The person that walked in was an exact copy of Koharu who was levitating Guy, Kurenai and Asuma. "Not far at all. I made sure incapacitate them as quickly as possible." The second Koharu said walking over to the first one and dropping the unconscious ninjas next to Kakashi. "So what do we do with them?"

"Let's have them thrown in the brig and we'll decide what to do with them later. Right now we have a grass Village to destroy. Let's fuse back so we can get things ready for the final strike." The first Koharu said.

The two steel humanoids place to hand on each other and glowed before merging until one person. "Ahhhhh. Good to be a complete being again. Fissure Jutsu really put the strain on the body." (To those who are confused right now, the evil witch here used fissure Jutsu which is another clone Jutsu but instead of creating a copy of yourself you are splitting your body in two which Cuts your power in half. So yeah, koharu was fighting them at half strength.)

Senju Clan compound

Nawaki and Sveta were at the old Senju clan house knowing it was mostly deserted. "So why exactly did you choose this place?" Sveta asked.

"It was the only place I could think of that I knew no one would be around." Nawaki said leading her to the backyard where there was a small piece of land at the center. "This is where I would usually meditate back when I still lived here in my old life. So this feels like the perfect spot to do this."

After reaching the center of the pond they both got into a meditation stance and had their fingers intertwined with each other. "Are you sure you want to do this? You might not like what you find." Sveta said wanting to make sure he was ready for the things he might see.

"Yeah, I'm sure. I need to know how I came back and why it is that I can't remember." Nawaki said completely committed to doing.

"Okay. But before we get started there's something I want to do first." Sveta said leaning in to kiss Nawaki. "This is for luck." Sevta said beginning to process.

End

And here chapter 22! Happy late New Year's everybody! I know it's been a good minute since the last update but this took a lot longer than I originally thought. Times when I can write are sometimes short or just have writer's block.

Just to recap, I just revealed how Nawaki came back to life. The truth is... he didn't. This Nawaki what's an artificial intelligence just like how Alice and Eugene from Sword Art Online. The body he's using was a clone Naruto that grew in Koharu's new body's womb giving him the ability of solar energy manipulation. When did they the data soul and the Clone body merge they took the appearance Nawaki but Koharu named him Nowaki. In the next chapter while also continuing with the story I will give you all the flashback origin of Nowaki. How do you think he'll handle it? Let me know in the comments.

As for Kakashi and his white wolf suit. I watched Avengers Assemble the panther's Journey and saw t'challa's adopted brother Hunter and he loved his costume and character. I wanted to make Kakashi strong to let you all know the him and the other Jonin aren't the same as their Canon counterparts. And yeah I gave him Guardian spirits based on the wild Zords from the lunar wolf ranger. What? It seemed like a good idea!

Also regarding Koharu's new body. I wanted to make her a memorable villain and the serious threat. I also watched beatless and saw Method and I loved her as a villain so I combined the two and use the fate version of Kato Danzo as the example to explain it.

Lastly, there's Ami. I'm not sure whether or not you all figured it out or was just waiting for the drowner to be revealed. But I did leave some Clues that would help you figure it out. So what did you think of this little mystery that's been ongoing since the beginning of the story? Has your opinion of Ami changed? What do you suspect I'll do with the character next.

Anyway, let me know your thoughts in the reviews.