The Pantheon of Nine

By: Finn Mertenz

A/N: biginferno - I'm glad.

Genesis09 - That was my mistake, they were talking about the 8 tails in that conversation, so I accidently grouped him with Saiken. By the time you read this, that mistake will be fixed.

I appreciate you catching that, thank you. I'm glad you put so much thought into your review.

Guest - I know canon Ino and Sakura are just a bundle of walking memes, but that's because Kishimoto can't write female characters. This aspect of his writing is so bad, that a main character like Sakura is completely useless.

Because of this, Sakura has to be compared to Sasuke/Naruto, instead of Ino, Tenten or Hinata. Canon Sakura has no arc, unlike Naruto or Sasuke, Sakura doesn't even get her own screen time.

This is where I'm different from Kishimoto, because I actually value strong female characters. Devoting an entire chapter to Ino vs Sakura might seem like a meme-fest, but deep down, it establishs a baseline for character progression.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO. I DO NOT CLAIM TO OWN NARUTO.


Chapter 105: Choji: You're A Sage!? Butterfly Vs Beast.

Saturday 3:32pm, July 24th 58SSP.

"What can you see?" Raiga spoke out, illuminated by sunlight.

After Raiga spoke, the white outline of Hinata's Byakugan came into view, empowered by bulging veins. This Genin was crouched behind a dense bush, accompanied by team Asuma and team Kurenai.

These traveling shinobi were huddled in a forest, glancing out across a dirt-filled road, encompassed by rivers. This narrow road paved the way towards an isolated bounty house, devoid of customers.

"There's an entire cave below ground..." Hinata mumbled, squinting both eyes.

"But I don't see anyone..." As Hinata spoke, she held one hand in front of her mouth.

Hearing this statement, Raiga replied with a stern groan, rubbing his chin with one hand. After several moments, a flying beetle soared through the tree-line, landing atop Shino's collar.

"My insects found the secret entrance... But something feels odd." Shino cut in.

"I can see it too, there's a strange chakra in the air." Hinata remarked.

Suddenly, the orange mask of Tobi phased out from the ground, giggling like a school girl. However, this laugh was quickly dampened by Raiga's lightning fast reflexes, unsheathing his twin blades of Kiba.

Surging forward like a bolt of electricity, Raiga swung each of his sacred blades through the air. Accidently phasing through Tobi before running into a tree, Raiga was briefly humiliated.

"Hiii!" Tobi cheered like an autistic child, waving both hands.

This strange appearance caused each of the nearby shinobi to gasp, leaping back onto a distant tree branch. Losing his new friends, Tobi downcast his face with a depressed groan.

Before long, Tobi's hair began to rustle under a chakra-filled breeze of blue lightning, radiating out from Raiga. This elite shinobi was engulfed by various arcs of electric chakra, rippling across his body.

As Raiga's chakra continued to swell, a barrage of lightning erupted from his ancient blades, striking the ground. This static shock created a rock-filled crater around the 5th Taikage, shrouded by dense pillars of chakra.

"Oh no... You look mad, I hope I didn't do that..." Tobi muttered, holding both hands in front of his mask.

Tobi was met by a stern glare from Raiga, allowing his shoulder-length hair to waver in the breeze. For the first time in his life, Raiga was fighting for someone other than himself, he was fighting for his home.


Meanwhile.

The sound of splintered wood could be heard, crushed under the weight of Choji's blue chakra. Soon, this chakra completely overwhelmed Choji's headband, blowing it loose.

What's going on? Where did he get all this power? Kakuzu grumbled internally.

After groaning, Kakuzu was muffled by the sound of Choji's ear rings, cracking under his chakra. Despite his low rank as a Genin, Choji was displaying chakra far beyond Kage-level.

"What's wrong? You were so confident before." Choji interjected, allowing his wings to rustle.

"If you're not going to attack... I will." As Choji spoke, his ear rings abruptly shattered.

Choji's words were soon magnified by a gust of chakra, radiating out from his transparent butterfly wings. This wind battered against the sleeping outline of Ino and Kiba, inspiring Akamaru to growl.

Before long, the youthful face of Ranmaru could be seen, staring at Choji with pure shock and awe. Throughout his short life, Ranmaru had never seen such a vast display of chakra, even from Raiga.

Without warning, Choji surged forward with the speed of a collapsing star, shoving Kakuzu through a wooden wall. Utilizing his Sage-level strength, Choji overpowered Kakuzu with one hand, dragging his mask-covered face.

Tightening his grip, Choji casually flew into the air, empowered by his chakra-filled blue wings. This brought attention to Choji's bandage-wrapped hands, partially unraveled under the weight of his chakra.

Soaring above Tani, Choji hurled Kakuzu through an endless stream of water, dripping from the natural gorge around Tani. The weight of this rushing water completely concealed Kakuzu from view.

As Choji hovered in place, the sound of rapid water polluted the air, drowning everything with noise. Because of his wings, Choji was finally able to fly, allowing his silhouette to reflect off the water's surface.

For the first time in Choji's life, he was on the offensive, instead of running away or hiding. Choji finally found the courage he needed, fortifying his Sage-like resolve.

Suddenly, Choji narrowed each of his sparkling eyes before Kakuzu's hand launched out from the water. However, Choji grabbed this approaching hand without flinching, demonstrating his insane reflexes.

Yanking on this detached hand, Choji's right arm was quickly engulfed by swirls of blue chakra. Afterwards, Choji effortlessly sliced the threads on Kakuzu's hand, cutting the stone-like substance with ease.

Dropping Kakuzu's hand to the water's surface, it was quickly followed by an array of loose threads. While this occurred, Ranmaru could be seen in the background, standing on the distant shoreline.

"What's going on over there?! Who could possibly be battling the Akatsuki?" A bandage-covered Chunin spoke out.

These words created an expression of disbelief across Ranmaru's face, gazing up at the floating outline of Choji. After all his failures, Choji finally found his moment, a chance to prove his value.


Meanwhile.

"Oh no!" Tobi squealed, leaping over Raiga's attack.

Dodging the sacred blades of Kiba, Tobi flipped through the air like a cheerleader, landing upside down on a tree branch. Ignoring his surroundings, Tobi raised one hand in front of his mask, saluting Raiga.

"That was a close one... Senpai." While mumbling these words, Tobi wiggled his butt.

After speaking, a swarm of beetles quickly engulfed Tobi's entire body, earning a dramatic scream in response. However, this scream was followed by a childish giggle before Tobi fell to the forest floor.

Devoid of any scratch or wound, Tobi was sprawled across the ground like a dying solider, gasping for air. Before long, a barrage of Kunai soared into view, accidently phasing through Tobi's body.

Unharmed from this recent attack, Tobi grabbed his stomach before rolling across the ground, groaning with fake pain. After several moments, Tobi's personality took an abrupt shift, jumping onto both feet before laughing.

"This really isn't fair at all, I'm harmless." As Tobi spoke, he held one finger in the air.

"You wouldn't hurt an innocent baby, would you?" While speaking, Tobi shook his butt from side-to-side.

"I thought the Akatsuki would be more... Intimidating." Kurenai spoke out, standing atop a nearby tree branch.

These words brought attention to Asuma, holding a pair of uniquely-designed trench knives, worn like brass knuckles. These weapons were known as Chakra Blades, a special type of Bukijutsu that Asuma regularly deployed.

"Don't let your guard down... Black robe with a red cloud, he's definitely Akatsuki." Asuma remarked.

"But more than that, this masked shinobi is special. Sasuke mentioned him in his report." This statement inspired Kurenai to gasp, glancing at Tobi's orange mask.

Despite his childish demeanor, Tobi was a member of the Akatsuki, evidence to his skill and prestige. Infact, throughout his Akatsuki career, Tobi never suffered a single injury, no one could even touch him.

Catching herself at the last moment, Kurenai narrowly avoided Tobi's crimson red right eye, a Mangekyō Sharingan. This level of Doijutsu was extremely rare, even among the Uchiha Clan.

"You're right... Where did he get that eye?" Kurenai muttered.

"I don't know, but don't underestimate him." Asuma replied.

As this conversation progressed, Raiga charged through the background, hacking and slashing towards Tobi. But the ancient blades of Kiba couldn't cut Tobi, they kept phasing through him on accident.

Missing each of his attacks, Raiga accidently cut a large tree in half, forcing him to jump backwards. At the same time, Tobi casually phased through the falling tree, poking his head out like a mole.

"Why aren't you listening to me!? I'm super cereal!" Tobi complained with a childish tone.

Scoffing in protest, Shino rushed across the forest floor, partially engulfed by a swarm of beetles. This approaching Genin was met with a dramatic groan from Tobi, jumping atop the fallen tree.

"Forbidden Art: Monkey Grabs Peach!" As Tobi spoke, he weaved through the Monkey, Horse and Tiger Seals.

After speaking, Tobi rushed forward, reaching out with his right hand before grabbing Shino's groan. Squeezing down, Shino squealed like a pre-pubescent girl before Tobi hurled him against a distant tree.

"Come on, let's test your style against mine!" These words were magnified by Tobi's wide butt, erupting into a dance of ballet.

This declaration filled each of the nearby shinobi with an expression of disbelief, glancing at one another. Growling with rage, arcs of lightning quickly sprawled across Raiga's body, rushing forward.


Meanwhile.

Waves of water were crashing against a grass-covered shoreline, soaking the ground and a wooden dockyard. Also, a handful of boats were violently rocked under these intense waves.

This crashing water was empowered by gusts of chakra, radiating out from the hovering outline of Choji. As his transparent wings continued to flap, Choji's blue hair was rustling in the breeze.

Drifting in place, Choji was glaring at the endless stream of Tani, plummeting into a wide lake below. Before long, an enraged Kakuzu slowly emerged from this rushing water.

"That actually hurt." Kakuzu mumbled, rubbing the severed wrist on his right arm.

After speaking, Kakuzu's arm began to bulge and throb, causing a bundle of wet thread to rupture into view. Protruding into the water below, this thread quickly reattached Kakuzu's severed hand.

"Some colored skin and a new hair cut, nothing changes this outcome." While grumbling these words, Kakuzu's hand was casually sewn into place.

"This is the end for you." As Kakuzu spoke, he narrowed each of his discolored eyes.

Undaunted by these words, Choji continued to hover in the air, propelled by his transparent blue wings. Without fear, Choji tightly clenched his bandage-covered hands, causing the fabric to unravel.

"You're right..." Choji admitted, earning a gasp in response.

"This is the end!" Screaming these words, Choji abruptly surged through the air, soaring towards Kakuzu.

As Choji approached, the water below was disturbed by his flapping wings, turning the tranquil lake into a roaring ocean. These hostile waves effortlessly swallowed distant houses, capsizing several boats.

Soon, these waves became so hostile that Kakuzu struggled to stand, floating atop the water's surface. Hardening his left arm, Kakuzu raised his hand at the last moment, catching a powerful punch from Choji.

This impact created a fierce explosion of water and chakra, leaving a brief crater across the thrashing lake. But this cloud of water was soon dispersed by Kakuzu, hurled through the air like a ragdoll.

Flipping and skidding across several waves, Kakuzu slammed against the water's surface before sinking from sight. Without hesitation, Choji clapped both hands into the Tiger Seal, creating a visible aura of blue chakra.

Suddenly, dozens of transparent blue butterflies fluttered into view, flapping and drifting around Choji. Grouping into a swarm, these butterflies surged into the lake below, sparkling like jewels under the water.

These gems illuminated the sunken outline of Kakuzu, weaving through a collection of Hand Seals on the lake floor. Afterwards, Kakuzu exhaled a torrent of chakra-filled water, the result of Water Style: Liquid Bullets.

As these projectiles rushed towards Choji, they were all blockaded by a swarm of blue butterflies. Colliding with Choji's technique, Kakuzu was met with an eruption of Senjutsu-filled chakra, draining the chakra from his own attack.

Left speechless from this revelation, Kakuzu's failed technique dissolved into a cloud of rain. Grumbling under his breath, Kakuzu swam to the water's surface, exposing his soaked mask and outfit.

At this moment, Kakuzu gasped as dozens of butterflies erupted from the water, swarming mere inches from his face. Before Kakuzu could react, these transparent butterflies ruptured into a chakra-filled explosion.

Polluted by the blue aura of Choji's chakra, Kakuzu's entire body was scorched by bright light, obscuring him from view.


Meanwhile.

Grunting with exhaustion, Hinata's chakra-covered palms came into view, thrust towards Tobi. Guided by her bulging Byakugan, Hinata missed each of her attacks, unable to hit or harm Tobi.

"Why is everyone picking on me?" Tobi mumbled, phasing through Hinata's body.

After Tobi spoke, Asuma quickly appeared in front of him, slicing his unique trench knives through Tobi's mask. Phasing from existence, Tobi leapt over Asuma's shoulder, drifting towards a nearby tree branch.

As Tobi approached, he abruptly squealed as Kurenai blocked his path, clapping her bandaged hands together. Moving with Jounin-level speed, Kurenai weaved through the Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse and Tiger Seals.

Kurenai then exhaled a torrent of chakra-filled flames, spewing out from her mouth like a geyser. Engulfed by these flames, Tobi shrieked with panic, phasing through Kurenai's technique.

Protruding into view, Kurenai staggered backwards, allowing Tobi to trip her at the last moment. Pushing Kurenai to the forest floor, Tobi landed on a tree branch before stretching.

"Whew... That was close." While stuttering these words, Tobi scratched the back of his head.

Soon, various arcs of lightning quickly sprawled across Tobi's tree branch, continuously zapping his feet. Erupting into a panic-filled dance, Tobi struggled to save himself, jumping, wiggling and hopping onto another tree.

Barely able to rest, Tobi's tree branch was cut in half by Raiga, demolished by his twin blades of Kiba. Swinging these ancient weapons through the air, Raiga unleashed a chakra-filled shockwave of lightning.

Undaunted by this approaching attack, Tobi phased through this lethal technique, giggling like a school girl. Rushing forward, Tobi unleashed a crushing bear hug on Raiga, knocking the wind from his lungs.

Hugging the life out of Raiga, Tobi chuckled with an innocent tone, acting like nothing was wrong. However, Tobi was soon disturbed by a barrage of Shuriken, dropping Raiga to the forest floor.

"Oh!? Nice try!" Releasing a deep laugh, Tobi raised his butt into view, phasing through several Shuriken.

As the sound of metal piercing wood could be heard, Tobi busted into a dramatic dance, humming with joy. This carefree expression instilled great confusion in the nearby shinobi.

"He can't be serious... He's just playing with us." Kurenai complained.

Grinding his teeth together, Raiga rose to his feet, gripping the sacred blades of Kiba with both hands. This exposed a splat of mud across Raiga's outfit, staining the 5th Taikage's attire.

"Are you done?" Raiga spat out.

After speaking, Raiga's outfit was engulfed by an aura of electric chakra, frying the mud on his attire. Before long, this mud began to crack and flake, crumbling to the ground.

"Mmm... I don't know." Tobi mumbled, beating his stomach like a drum.

Interrupting this conversation, a buzzing cloud of beetles surged through the tree line, concealing everything from view.


Meanwhile.

Rippling water and crashing waves partially obscured the silhouette of Choji and Kakuzu. As these battling shinobi stood atop violent water, Kakuzu's burnt outfit could be seen.

Faint pillars of steam radiated from Kakuzu's hardened arms, revealing the scorched fabric of his Akatsuki robe. This exposed a vast array of stitches across Kakuzu's arms, drawing attention to his steam-covered face.

Pulling his mask loose, Kakuzu's chest-length brown hair fell into view, draped across both shoulders. Also, Kakuzu's mouth was stitched together at both ends, giving him a glasgow smile.

"Good thing I hardened my body..." Kakuzu muttered, dropping his mask to the water's surface.

Suddenly, Kakuzu's back began to bulge and throb, allowing four distinct masks to rupture from his back. These masks tore the fabric from Kakuzu's Akatsuki robe, tearing the iconic red clouds from his body.

Protruding into view, these masks were each covered with a unique color and facial expression. However, one of these masks was shattered and hollow, painted with a pale coat of brown.

While his natural affinity was water, Kakuzu's collection of hearts allowed him to preform all five chakra natures. Using the hearts of fallen shinobi to enhance his own power and prestige.

Other than Ryo, a healthy heart was the most valuable commodity for Kakuzu, storing four extra hearts inside his body. Storied inside his strange masks, Kakuzu used these hearts as a limited version of immortality.

Without warning, these masks violently spewed from Kakuzu's back, expelling hundreds of grey tendrils and threads. As these masks fell to the water's surface, Kakuzu's back was sewn up by several dozen threads.

Twitching atop the water, Kakuzu was soon surrounded by three masks, held together by hundreds of grey tendrils. These detached masks were the product of Earth Grudge, a Forbidden jutsu from the village of Taki.

Utilizing this technique, chakra-filled thread was weaved throughout Kakuzu's flesh, held in place by countless stitches. Because of this, Kakuzu was capable of sewing up any injury he suffered, even fatal.

"Consider yourself lucky... I'll add your heart to my collect, before I sell your corpse." Groaning under his breath, Kakuzu struggled onto both feet.

As Kakuzu spoke, harsh waves thrashed underneath him, soaking his feet and ankles with water. These waves also crashed against Kakuzu's detached masks, resembling a gelatinous blob of ooze.

Kakuzu's words brought attention to Choji's spiky blue hair, contrasting his snow-white skin. Also, Choji's transparent wings were pulsating with dense chakra, engulfed by a blue aura.

Hovering above the thrashing waves, Choji was propelled by his radiant wings, flapping in unison. After several moments, Choji's sparkling blue eyes could be seen, the legendary eyes of a Butterfly Sage.

"I hope you're done talking." Choji spoke out, clenching his bandaged fists.

"Because I'm going to finish this." Hearing this statement, Kakuzu grumbled in protest.

Fueled by angry thoughts, Kakuzu clapped both hands into the Tiger Seal, causing his severed masks to bulge. Briefly cracking, these masks unhinged their jawline, exposing thousands of grey tendrils inside.

"Forbidden Art: Mask Blast Flames." Spitting these words out, Kakuzu grinded his teeth together.

This declaration was followed by flickering embers and a swirling vortex, rippling out from Kakuzu's fire and wind masks. Before long, these lethal techniques were merged together, erupting into a flame-filled vortex.

Surging across the water's surface, this vortex effortlessly cut through several waves, spraying steam in all directions. As this fiery tornado approached, Choji didn't even react, casually hovering above the water.

At this moment, Choji's silhouette was completely swallowed by the fiery vortex, concealing his entire body from view. At the same time, Kakuzu scoffed with triumphant, walking in front of his masks.

"I left Taki almost sixty years ago... No one has ever survived this technique." As Kakuzu spoke, the water became calm and tranquil, disturbed only by his foot steps.

"I just hope your body is still in one piece... I need a new heart." While speaking, Kakuzu approached a scorched cloud of steam and smoke.

This lingering cloud polluted the water's surface for several minutes, covering Choji's previous location. Enthralled by his lack of patience, Kakuzu reached out with one hand, piercing the steam-filled cloud.

Before Kakuzu could react, a pair of transparent wings extended out from the dense cloud, dispersing it with ease. Also, these wings overwhelmed the veteran Kakuzu, knocking him backwards across the lake.

Catching himself with one hand, Kakuzu maneuvered onto both feet, creating various ripples across the water's surface. Without a moment of rest, Kakuzu's fire, wind and lightning masks all charged forward, bubbling mounds of grey tendrils.

"I already told you..." Choji spoke out, forcing the nearby water to boil.

"I'm going to finish this." After speaking, Choji instantly disappeared from view.

Choji's speed instilled a vast level of disbelief upon Kakuzu, stunned that someone so young could move so fast. This shock quickly morphed into panic as Choji appeared mere inches behind Kakuzu.

Wh-... What!? Kakuzu stuttered internally, glancing over his left shoulder.

He slipped past all three of my masks!? Stunned by Choji's display, Kakuzu was almost speechless.

That wasn't a Body Flicker... Who is this runt!? As these thoughts raced, Choji's right arm was engulfed by an aura of blue chakra.

Moving with speed far beyond Kage-level, Choji punched a hole through Kakuzu's chest, impaling his heart. Spewing a mouthful of blood, Kakuzu was hurled against a distant dock, cracking the wood.

Standing atop the water's surface, Kakuzu's blood was dripping from Choji's bandaged hand. However, this brought attention to Choji's chest, leaking blood his own heart, staining his outfit.

Suddenly, Choji erupted into a harsh fit of bloody coughs, falling to both knees on the water's surface. As this occurred, Kakuzu was approached by his wind mask, merging with his dead body.

Sprawled across a floating array of wooden planks, Kakuzu's body began to twitch, partially enveloped by grey tendrils. These threads soon revived Kakuzu, pumping a new heart into his chest before sewing up the wound.

"That hurt." Kakuzu spat out, grabbing his chest.

Reinvigorated by these words, Choji crawled onto both feet, wiping the blood from his mouth. Ignoring the pain in his heart, Choji surged forward, allowing his transparent wings to pulsate with chakra.


Meanwhile.

Crumbling rocks fell from a narrow tunnel, hidden inside an underground cave and lined with faint lights on the wall. Soon, Shikamaru, Hinata and Shino came into view, running through the tunnel.

"We're almost there." Hinata proclaimed, guided by her Byakugan eyes.

"Good, this is gonna be a drag." Shikamaru cut in, traveling with his group of friends.

"I left a swarm by the entrance... No one will follow us." Shino spoke out.

Running for several minutes, this group of shinobi entered a small cavern, defined by a large statue in the center. This massive silhouette belonged to the Gedo Mazo, possessing nine eyes but only three were opened.

"Nice... Let's set the tags." Shikamaru sighed, cleaning his ear with one finger.

Nodding with agreement, Hinata and Shino pulled a handful of explosive tags into sight, yanked from their satchels. These Genin were quickly followed by Shikamaru, revealing another handful of tags.

"We're not supposed to confront the Akatsuki... But that ship already sailed." As he spoke, Shikamaru continued to clean his ear.

"So after we blow this, we'll just bail." Speaking with an exhausted tone, Shikamaru leapt atop a stone finger.

"But... What about Kurenai sensei, and Asuma?" Hinata interjected, spreading an explosive tag across the Gedo Mazo.

"They'll be fine... The 5th Taikage is with them." Shikamaru mumbled in response.

"I just hope Kiba is feeling better." Shino muttered, reaching towards the Gedo Mazo.

Suddenly, the bombastic squeal of Tobi could be heard, phasing through the ceiling before falling to the ground. Landing on his butt, Tobi leapt up before rubbing it with both hands, groaning under his breath.

"My butt is gonna be sore after that..." Tobi chuckled, kicking Hinata to the ground.

Scoffing in response, Shino unleashed a swarm of beetles from his sleeves, jumping next to Shikamaru. However, these beetles accidently phased through Tobi's body, unable to hit him.

Releasing a muffled giggle from behind his mask, Tobi promptly gasped after Hinata appeared behind him. Defined by her prominent Byakugan, Hinata thrust her chakra-covered palms forward.

Instead of hitting Tobi, Hinata fell through him, hitting the Gedo Mazo's stone finger before falling to the ground. Comforted by her teammate, Shino inspired Hinata to stand up, glaring at Tobi's orange mask.

"Where did he come from? I thought the entrance was sealed?" Shikamaru complained.

"Silly boy, nothing keeps me out." Tobi protested, shaking his butt.

Tch… I just have to play for time. Shikamaru calmed himself, reaching into his satchel.

Whoever this guy is... He's a terrible shinobi, he doesn't understand the element of surprise. As these thoughts raced, Shikamaru revealed a silver lighter.

This lighter was a gift from Asuma, handed down from the 3rd Hokage himself, covered in dents and rusty stains. But more than that, this lighter allowed Shikamaru to create shadows where none existed.

Flicking this metallic object, Shikamaru was engulfed by a shadowy aura, standing like a giant. Reaching out, Shikamaru's shadow extended beyond its natural boundary, surging towards Tobi.

Phasing through the Gedo Mazo's stone hand, Tobi fell to the ground before Shikamaru, Hinata and Shino all ran away. This revelation earned a brief hum of confusion from Tobi, before erupting into a loud cheer.

Cheering for several minutes, Tobi fell silent after hundreds of explosive tags were exposed. These pieces of chakra-filled paper were sprawled across the nearby wall and ceiling.

"Wai-... Wait!?" Tobi stuttered, unleashing a fierce vortex from his Sharingan eye.

Growing in strength, this vortex managed to swallow the Gedo Mazo, pulling the massive statue into Tobi's Sharingan. At the same time, the entire cavern was illuminated by the fiery light of explosions.

Obscured by the outline of falling boulders, Shikamaru, Hinata and Shino all escaped at the last moment. These shinobi eventually reached the narrow entrance of a tunnel, saved from the collapsing ceiling.

"Quickly! We need to get out of here!" Asuma spoke out, followed by Kurenai and Raiga.

Rushing through the quaking tunnel, this group of traveling shinobi disappeared from sight.


Meanwhile.

Craters of crumbled earth were sprawled across the shoreline of Tani, littered with debris. This brought attention to a trembling pebble, crushed under the weight of dense chakra.

Without warning, Choji and Kakuzu leapt into view, embroiled in fierce display of hand-to-hand combat. Despite his rotund size, Choji moved with the grace of a butterfly, evading multiple attacks.

Catching Kakuzu's hardened fist with one hand, the nearby ground shattered on impact, spewing dust in all directions. Also, Choji's feet eventually sank under this heavy collision, cracking the earth.

"Where did you get all this power?! Just a few minutes ago, you were a coward!" Kakuzu argued.

After Kakuzu spoke, his fire and lightning masks could be seen, standing behind Choji in the background. Sewing their thread-covered hands together, these bulging humanoids weaved through several hand seals.

"Lightning Style: False Darkness." As Kakuzu spoke, Choji held him in place.

This declaration was magnified by an electric beam of pure chakra, protruding out from Kakuzu's lightning mask. Shocking the earth as it approached, this lethal technique was partially enveloped by crumbled dirt.

Undaunted by this elite technique, Choji didn't even turn around, he was too focused on Kakuzu. Instead, Choji's transparent wings began to flap, engulfed by a sparkling aura of blue chakra.

Dispersed on impact, Kakuzu's jutsu was completely drained of chakra, allowing Choji's wings to double in size. Staining a large portion of the earth, Choji was impervious to this blast, saving Kakuzu from his own attack.

Raising his right hand into the air, Choji thrust his fist towards Kakuzu, parried by dozens of grey tendrils. These chakra-filled threads protruded out from Kakuzu's fire mask, towering over both shinobi.

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine..." Whispering these words under his breath, Kakuzu was illuminated by fiery light.

Erupting from Kakuzu's fire mask, this geyser of spewing flames created a gigantic fire-storm. Scorching the earth, this technique forced Kakuzu and Choji to jump backwards, separated by a wall of flames.

"That's the difference between us..." Choji interrupted, earning a gasp in response.

"You fight only for yourself. But I fight for my friends." While speaking, Choji was surrounded by dozens of butterflies.

Before long, rabbits, squirrels and birds all flocked to Choji, hiding under the fabric of his outfit. Also, orbs of chakra were soon drained from nearby trees and blades of grass, funneling towards Choji's wings.

Absorbing this radiant chakra, Choji's wings grew more prominent with each second, draining all the chakra he could find. After several moments, distant trees began to crack before dying, falling to the ground.

Wh-... What kind of technique is this!? Kakuzu stuttered internally.

Left utterly speechless, Kakuzu stared at Choji's pale-skinned face, partially obscured by hundreds of chakra orbs. This display of chakra forced the air to become heavy and dense, shattering the earth around Choji.

Suddenly, the transparent silhouette of the Blue Butterfly Sage came into view, resting atop Choji's nose. This youthful Sage perfectly matched the color and tone of Choji's eyes.

"You're running out of time. You need to finish this." Speaking with a tranquil voice, the Butterfly Sage earned a quick nod of agreement.

Pressing both hands together, Choji weaved through the Dog, Ram, Monkey and Ox seals, engulfed by blue chakra. At the same time, surrounding orbs instantly shattered into blue dust.

"Sage Art: Sparkling Shockwave." Choji spoke out, magnified by a wave of dust.

Propelled through the air like a spewing geyser, this twinkling wave of Senjutsu-filled chakra rushed towards Kakuzu. Pulling chakra from the air itself, Choji's technique continued to swell and grow.

Stunned by the power of Choji's display, Kakuzu staggered backwards, barely able to move. After briefly hesitating, Kakuzu was blockaded by his fire and lightning masks, irradiated by Choji's sparkling chakra.

At this moment, Choji's technique erupted into an bright explosion of blinding light, obscuring Kakuzu from view. While this occurred, Ranmaru ran through the background, evacuating civilians with the help of several Chunin.

Without rest, Choji walked forward, revealing a severe limp with each step, struggling to stand. This brought attention to the Blue Butterfly Sage, clinging against the bridge of Choji's nose.

"I don't know your name. I don't know your family and I don't know anything about your home..." Straining to speak, a stream of blood was pouring from Choji's heart.

As Choji spoke, his transparent wings began to shrink and wither, losing chakra with each second. But Choji continued to advance, enthralled by the sacred oath his once took.

"But I do know my vow as a shinobi... A ninja of Konoha." As Choji spoke, Kakuzu's limp silhouette came into sight.

Soon, the cracked outline of Kakuzu's fire and lightning masks were exposed, sprawled across the ground. Stomping atop these porcelain objects, Choji eventually towered over Kakuzu, glaring down at the elderly Shinobi.

Struggling to open his discolored eyes, Kakuzu and Choji became embroiled in a brief staring contest. Unable to move, Kakuzu's body was polluted by staggering levels of Senjutsu-filled chakra.

I barely remember my own name. I barely remember my family. I barely remember my childhood home... Kakuzu panted with each thought.

But I can remember the importance of money. We collected it every day, and I never lost. As these thoughts raced, Choji placed his right foot atop Kakuzu's chest.

Money... It's the only thing I can remember about the life I had before Sakaku's death. Thinking these thoughts, Kakuzu's face was illuminated by Choji's wings.

Since then, I have experienced a lifetime of combat. Throughout eighty years of war, I've always known my fate... Crushed by his own hubris, Kakuzu finally reached his limit.

Not since his battle with the 1st Hokage has Kakuzu been pushed this far, brought to his breaking point. Shrouded by Choji's shadow, Kakuzu was stunned by his young age, defeated by a mere child.

As Choji erupted into a blood-filled fit of coughs, the Blue Butterfly Sage abruptly dissolved into blue dust. Ignoring the pain in his chest, Choji tightly clenched his teeth, barely able to breath.

"I'm going to finish this with one attack..." Choji panted with a dramatic gasp, raising his right hand into the air.

"With all my chakra... Into one hand!" Shouting these words, Choji's wings promptly dissolved into dust.

Swirling around Choji's right arm, this dust accidently scorched his bandage-covered hand. This chaotic display of chakra forced Choji's knee-length scarf to violently rustle in the breeze.

I've always known that someday, I would die in battle... But now that my time is here, now that death stands before me... I find I am not ready. Kakuzu's thoughts were magnified by the memory of Sakaku.

Clinging onto life, Kakuzu didn't even notice the hazy silhouette of Tobi, hiding among the distant tree-line. This elite Akatsuki member was studying Choji with his Sharingan eye, humming with interest.

"So... They do exist." Tobi mumbled, speaking with a voice that wasn't his own.

"This changes things... If I get involved now, even I would die." Talking to himself, Tobi was soon engulfed by a vortex from his Sharingan, disappearing from sight.

Some day... You might even become a hero. The faint memory of Sakaku could be heard, resonating through Kakuzu's mind.

Inspired by this memory, Kakuzu snarled his teeth as Choji thrust his chakra-covered fist through the air. Shrieking with a victorious war cry, Choji's punch hovered mere inches away from Kakuzu.

"In a world without gold! I would've been a hero!" Kakuzu screamed with vigor, dissolved by a blinding light.

Colliding his fist with Kakuzu, the impact from Choji's attack forced the nearby earth to rupture. Spewing chunks of debris and dust into the air, these battling shinobi were concealed from view, hidden by an array of rocks.