Sage of Legend

by Bratja Rasa

I lived my life as a Shinobi and died in battle. I died as a human. Truths were revealed, and I was granted a second life. I suffered, and I lived. I was alone, so scared. However, my family will be my cornerstone, and I live for them. Protecting them. God-Like Naruto, Lemons. Rewrite of Return of the Golden Protector.

28. Sacrifices for a Better, Safer Future

Original Posted On: May 12, 2021

Beta Read by: Heckelman88, Crowfeast, Tachyon99, xhope14x, Neostardustdragon101

Review Response:

SolSparda369: Hm, Kenpachi might, since his sword causes explosions. The Living Forest idea is interesting.

Hawkeyestratos1996: haha… you should temper your expectations.

Eniox27: Thank you.

Guardian of the Inheritance: I will man. I will.

Sheploo: Yeah, she is stupid enough to go to her death, especially it being karma with her killing off her own father.

Calderoneric758: I have thought about having it be Zuko. I like the idea, just need to work it into the story since… well. You'll see. And you have read the original story.

AnimeA55Kicker: Okay, that makes sense. Well, I hope this chapter suits you as well.

Heaven34: Yeah, many people don't think about that. Hell, many people cussed me out for giving Naruto a Byakugan in the original story.

18Andrew: Thank you. I also have a few back up characters in case I decide to, ahem, have some die or retire from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kyoto. You know, generational stuff.

Archangel Xireon Chaos God: LOL, Nice version of 'May the Fourth be with You'. As for Talk No Jutsu, well, you might like what I have.

XenoBlaze: Yes. Thank you, it did take me a short while to get the characters weapons picked, but it was worth the time I spent thinking.

Kirito the Black Battousai: He doesn't know the Tsukuyomi or the Amaterasu. He only has the Susano.

BlackDragonShinigami: May I ask why Nuibari and Kiba be switched between Yoruichi and Erza? Thank you, I try my best to keep things interesting.

Redlox2: Its cool. I know it's not for everybody. That is true, and its very sad that no one is trying to stop this kind of thinking.

Jeremiahkelley93: Thank you.

Ricee: I'm not taking it down. It has over 1600 reviews, over a million views and it is beloved by many, so taking it away is sort of a dick move. Also, it is a bench mark I want to reach again and surpass it. Yes, this story has been stated multiple times to be better than the original, but I know many who still like it.

Asharr101: Oh, boy, I know that feeling. Ghoul of Gremory, Return of the Golden Protector, Werefox of Bael are stories I felt burnt out on. Currently still working on Werefox, but I felt unable to continue Ghoul and was tired from all of the constant bitching people were doing with Protector.

Children:

Yasaka

OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO OR HIGHSCHOOL DXD!

"Hey" = Speaking

'Hey' = Thinking

'Hey' = Memory

"Hey"= Sacred Gear/ Communication link/ Tailed Beast

Chapter 28: Sacrifices for a Better, Safer Future

Compound…

"Get Akasha!" Yasaka ordered as she lay on the ground. "get her now!"

"Yes, Lady Yasaka!" Some of the council ran off to call Akasha in Wallachia as the rest did their best to undo the paralyzing affect on Yasaka.

"I think we need to give her chakra to make the paths open again." One said as they could feel the blocked paths do to the lack of chakra flow. "It's worth a try."

"Agreed." The rest said as all of them put their hands on Yasaka's shoulder and simultaneously inject their chakra inside of her, flooding her system with their chakra and opening her chakra paths, undoing the paralysis.

"Yasaka, what is going on?" Akasha asked as she entered the room.

"We need to go save papa." Yasaka stated as she got up, grabbing Naruto's sword and putting it in her obi to carry it. "Come on, follow me!"

Akasha nodded and the two took off, ignoring the cries of the council.

Meanwhile…

"I see. You two are the leaders of this 'Army'." Naruto replied as he faced them as his eyes became that of a Toad as Nature lent their power to him. "You and your friends are trespassing, so I'll give you this warning: Get out, now."

Azula cackled at Naruto's statement.

"As if our forces would back down because of a threat made by a weak, pathetic human!" Azula stated as she ignored the bloodshed around her caused by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. "We will fight until the very end, even if our blood must soak into the dirt!"

An echoing cheer from all the surviving members of the rebels resounded far and wide through out the valley, making Naruto sigh in sadness.

Azula smirked as she gathered nature energy within herself, creating sage mode.

The lower parts of her cheeks were covered in a red marking resembling flames as a small fire shape mark appeared on her head.

"Now, we can…" Azula started to say before a large battle fan was held out before her, making her narrow her eyes as she glanced at Kamatari and Temari's backs. "And what do you think you're doing?"

"This fight is ours, Azula." Temari stated shakily.

"He killed Gozu, so it is our responsibility to kill him ourselves." Kamatari finished as he opened his fan.

Naruto's eyes narrowed as Azula shrugged and stepped back.

"So, you are using them." Naruto muttered as he could feel massive negativity wafting off of Azula.

"Saying your last words?" Kamatari asked as he and Temari entered their sage modes.

Naruto didn't say anything, not entering a fighting pose as Temari drew one of her scythes.

"What's wrong? Afraid of killing us?" Kamatari spat as he prepared himself to fight with Temari. "It was not an issue when you killed Gozu, but it is with US?"

Naruto looked at them, his face soft and holding a sad empathy and disappointment.

"Is this all because you hate humans?" Naruto asked.

Kamatari and Temari were confused.

"Of course, it is!" Temari shouted as she gripped her weapon. "Our parents… and now our brother is dead because of humans!"

"And are you sure that by killing me…" Naruto stated as he took one step forward, making them feel pressure from the power of nature he had. "Will take away your hatred? Are you sure your nightmares will vanish with my death?"

Temari faltered, eyes wide as she felt her heart race in a panic.

"O-of course!" She said as she shook.

"We know… we know it will take our hatred away!" Kamatari declared.

Naruto stopped four feet before them and grabbed Temari's scythe, putting it around his neck, glaring at them with an intensity that sent chills down their spines.

"IF YOU ARE SO SURE THEN KILL ME!" Naruto shouted, expelling his sage mode outward (Causing it to end), hitting all of the Swordsmen and the rebel army members, making them stop and watch. "I'LL SHOULDER ALL OF YOUR HATRED! I WILL TAKE IT ALL AWAY! SO, KILL ME!"

Kamatari gripped the scythe with Temari, both of them shaking as they frantically thought about killing Naruto.

'Will it take away the nightmares? Will my anger vanish if he dies? Will I be able to move on after this?' The siblings generally thought as their throats became parched and scratchy, eyes became watery as they could hear their hearts beat loudly in their ears.

Slowly, their fingers released the scythe, the weapon dropping to the ground with a dull thud.

"I… I can't…" Temari shuddered as she collapsed. "I can't…"

Kamatari could barely stand, taking a knee as he gasped for air.

Naruto sighed in relief.

"Damn, he stopped this whole fight with words alone." Kenpachi groaned in aggression, Shibuki tapping his shoulder.

"Well, only a few people died, so that is a plus." Inuyasha stated with a sigh of relief as he helped Yoruichi stand.

"Thanks, I didn't expect that last guy to get the jump on me." She chuckled in pain, her right hand gripping her two swords.

Erza stood beside Bankotsu and Domamaru, all of them putting their swords aside and helping some of the rebels.

Zuko, however, glared at Azula, who seemed unphased by what had happened.

His eyes widened when he saw her enter fighting stance, index fingers extended with lightning arching around them.

"GET DOWN!" He shouted as he jumped before Naruto, arms out to protect Naruto, Temari, and Kamatari.

"Don't worry," Naruto said as he appeared before Zuko, Rinne-Sharingan open as he held out his hand. "I got this, Zuko."

As the lightning struck his hand, it was absorbed, making Azula smirk.

Naruto lurched, eyes widening.

He gasped, blood gushing out onto Azula's arm as she impaled him, her entire right fist in his chest cavity gripping his heart, feeling its pulse between her fingers.

"Good job, Zuzu, you did your part as distraction perfectly." Azula stated with a cocky laugh as she squeezed Naruto's heart, making him grunt in pain.

"WHAT!" The rest of the Swordsmen shouted as Zuko looked shocked.

"Wait… No, I am not…" Zuko said in a panic before Naruto's cry of pain silenced everyone.

"What… do you… want…" He stated before he slumped over, his hearing starting to fade as his eyes started to feel heavy. 'So, this is what a slow and painful death is like?'

"Now, I, Azula, am the Empress…" Azula stated before she stopped, glancing around Naruto's chest. "Where is it? Where is the White Lotus pin? WHERE IS IT!"

Naruto slowly smirked in defiance with the last amount of his strength, victory in his eyes as he laughed in Azula's face.

"Where…" He gasped weakly, coming out a gargled whisper. "The… True… Empress…"

Azula's eyes widened as she connected the dots.

Her fingers gripped his heart.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Naruto screamed as his back started to glow.

"PAPAAAAAAAAAA!"

Naruto could not turn, but knew Yasaka and Akasha were there, being stopped by Erza and Domamaru.

"Y…Yasa…" Naruto started to speak before his back began to become malleable as blue fire burst from his back, shooting outward as it set his clothes ablaze.

Yasaka, Akasha, Domamaru, Kenpachi, Inuyasha, Bankotsu, Yoruichi, Erza, and Zuko watched as Naruto's body was burned, the bones becoming ash in a pile of bubbling fat, black smoke and the heavy smell of burned flesh spread through the large group.

Azula gasped in rage as she turned her gaze to Yasaka.

"So, the princess is here." She said before she noticed the White Lotus Pin. "Oh, 'Sorry', I meant the 'Empress' is here."

Akasha and Yasaka's worlds went black and white.

'Papa…' Yasaka thought as her life flashed before her eyes. Every memory with Naruto, every conversation, every moment, every argument.

'Uncle…' Akasha thought as she couldn't believe what she saw. 'Impossible…'

She was hyperventilating as she looked at the remains, or lack their off, before Azula and Zuko.

"Stay back!" Zuko shouted as he held Hiramekarei between him and his sister.

"Cute, but I have no time for you, Zuzu." Azula stated as she fixated on the pin stationed on Yasaka's chest.

Zuko gave a battle cry, tears in his eyes as he swung his sword.

'Damn it. He died protecting me!' Zuko thought in anguish, Azula avoiding Hiramekarei's blade and punching Zuko in the stomach, sending him flying into a tree. 'Damn it… damn it…DAMN IT!'

He hit the ground, his sword dozens of feet away from him.

"Princess?" Domamaru called out as he saw Yasaka's face. "Don't, you aren't trained yet!"

Disbelief, sadness, and unconscious acceptance showed on her tear covered face as she subconsciously started to pull in nature energy.

Her hair broke free of its binding, letting it flow in the air as the earth started to shake and crack beneath her feet as tribal markings partially appeared on her face, arms, hands, legs and feet.

"Amateur, absorbing that much nature energy is bad…" Azula started to say before her face got grabbed by Yasaka. Her feet were whipped off the ground as she was spun around three times before being thrown into the air. 'DAMN!'

Getting her bearings straight, Azula produced flames at her feet and hands, stabilizing her midair and allowing her to project herself forward with her blue flames.

A pink blur appeared beside her before she was elbowed into the ground by a tearful Akasha.

"YOU BITCH!" The vampire princess cried out with her fangs bare to see as she punched Azula. "HOW DARE YOU!"

Azula grunted, a pillar of flames pushing Akasha away.

Yasaka broke through the fire, parts of her kimono burning in the process as she ignored the burn injuries she sustained, grabbing onto Azula's arms and neck.

"SHIT SHE IS FUCKING CRAZY!" Azula shouted before Yasaka sank her teeth into the kitsune's shoulder. "GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Azula thrashed around before she raised her hand, posed to impale Yasaka.

"HYAAA!"

Azula's arm stump sprayed blood across the ground and Yasaka, Inuyasha's feet touching the ground before her severed arm did, Kubikiribocho soaked in her blood.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!" Azula screamed in pain as she kneed Yasaka off of her, jumping several feet away, her eyes wide as she was getting backed into the metaphorical corner.

She saw a massive shadow behind her, jumping out of the way before a massive explosion pushed her off balance.

"Damn, in my rage, I missed." Kenpachi stated angrily at himself as he lifted Shibuki off the ground.

'Damn oni nearly killed me!' Azula thought before she avoided Bankotsu and Erza by jumping into the air, lightning cracking around her remaining hand. "JUST DIE YOU PEONS!"

She shot her lightning, only to be blocked by Samehada and Domamaru, who 'devoured' the lightning chakra and absorbed it into his body.

"You aren't taking anyone else today!" Domamaru declared as he wept for the loss of his friend.

Azula landed on the ground, outnumbered, tired, and bleeding heavily.

'I can win. I can win.' She mentally chanted as she lost more blood. 'My dream is nearly in my grasp! I can win as long as I get that pin!'

Azula turned back to Yasaka, who was being held back by Akasha.

"YASAKA, CALM…" Akasha gasped tearfully, just wanting to let loose herself as she saw the woman who took Naruto's life. "Calm down…"

Yasaka's eyes were no longer gold yellow, but a vibrant red that resembled an animal who had snapped.

Akasha relented, letting Yasaka go due to a lack of will and the desire to see Azula die.

Yasaka raised her arm, hand open as she created a Rasengan.

Azula kicked the air four times, sending waves of fire towards the injured Empress.

Yasaka roared as she thrust the Rasengan into the flames, causing them to contort to its spin and dissipate.

Azula grunted in pain, her vision blurring before she ducked under Yasaka's Rasengan strike.

Using her only hand to hold herself up, Azula spun around and tripped Yasaka.

"GO TO HELL!" Azula shouted as she jabbed Yasaka in the stomach at point blank with lightning.

The concentrated plasma shot through Yasaka, burning her further.

"YASAKA!"

'No, not her too!' Domamaru mentally shouted as he couldn't bare to see Yasaka die as well.

"I WIN!" Azula declared as she hit the ground.

"HNhahahahahahahahahahahahahnnnnnnhannnnnnhannnn." An unheard, yet very familiar voice chuckled. "We shall see about that."

Nature's dark side walked past Azula, umbrella under his arm, moving his hat with one hand as he snapped his fingers.

Azula, meanwhile, attempted to turn to the others, only to get grabbed by Yasaka.

"JUST DIE ALREA…" Azula started to say before she was shocked stupid before getting headbutted, nose broken and a few teeth cracked, being grabbed to keep her from moving.

"RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" Yasaka roared as the markings on her body were more detailed than before, her eyes completely red.

'Oh shit…' Everyone thought before Yasaka raised her hand again, creating a second Rasengan.

"NO, STOP!" Azula shouted as she tried to break Yasaka's grip. "STOP! THIS ISN'T HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO GO!"

Yasaka slammed the Rasengan into Azula's chest, the double-enhanced Rasengan ground through her chest, killing her instantly.

Yasaka let Azula go, her body limply hitting the ground.

Her anger wasn't stemmed.

Her anger grew.

The markings on her body darkened and thickened, making Nature laugh maniacally as it felt like it had won.

A hand gripped her wrist.

Yasaka snapped her head and saw Akasha, wincing in emotional and physical pain as her hand started to burn from the chakra oozing from her body.

"Yasaka…" She stated in a cracked, yet calm voice. "It's okay. It's over. Let… Let's go home."

Yasaka took many gasps, her chest going up and down as she calmed down, the sage mode markings vanishing. As they did, her eye lids became heavy, and the pain the shroud numbed hit her full force, making her collapse into Akasha's arms.

"Papa…" She muttered, trying to turn to look for Naruto. "Where… is papa…"

Akasha bit her lip so hard she started to bleed as she put her hand on Yasaka's head, keeping it in her neck to keep her still.

"He… he is sleeping." Akasha replied as she forced herself to keep it together as she shook.

"Hm, quite a shame." Nature said as he gripped his umbrella in his hand and used it as a cane as he walked away, unseen by all.

Domamaru sighed in relief as the two girls sat down on the ground.

"What did we do?" Temari questioned as she saw this, self-loathing and hatred settling in.

"You caused death." Domamaru stated as he stepped up, clearing his throat. "THIS IS OVER! THE REBEL ARMY HAS LOST! LAY DOWN YOUR WEAPONS!"

All of the rebels did as they were instructed by laying down their arms and surrendering, even Temari and Kamatari didn't resist arrest as they were hauled off of prison to wait trail.

Next Morning…

Yasaka lay in her futon, covered in bandages and ointment as she blankly stared at her ceiling.

She just… stared.

A few minutes felt like hours.

A few seconds felt like minutes.

Micro-seconds left like eternity as Yasaka processed the information she had bore witness two the day before.

Naruto was dead, nothing left of him except ash that had been collected for a funeral that would be held in a few days when Yasaka recovered from her injuries.

"So, you going to lay there like a dog or are you going to get up?"

Yasaka jumped at this sudden proclamation, whipping her head around to see Ophis standing before her.

"You…" Yasaka said as she recognized Ophis. "I… I thought you were a figment of my imagination."

Ophis, whose face was neutral, stepped forward and flicked Yasaka's head.

"Ow." Yasaka yelped as she clutched her now aching forehead.

"That real enough?" Ophis asked as she tilted her head. "Now, are you going to get out of bed and lead your people, or are you going to waste away in here?"

Yasaka scowled, choosing to lay down and cover herself in her blanket.

"None of your business." She stated as she started to ignore Ophis.

Ophis stood in patient silence for Yasaka to face her again.

"I guess I have a stubborn granddaughter." She sighed.

Yasaka's ears perked up at this.

"Grandmother? Please, Granny Marco died decades before papa was even born." Yasaka stated in irritation as she turned over, blanket covering everything but her face as she pouted.

"You forget, Marco and Iroh were from your Mother's side of the family." Ophis stated as she sat down, staring into Yasaka's eyes. "I am from your paternal grandmother, Ashura's mother."

Yasaka deadpanned.

"Papa's name was Naruto, you liar." Yasaka accused.

"True, but when I gave birth to him, I named him Ashura. It was after so many generations, he was given the Name Naruto Uzumaki." Ophis explained in irritation at Yasaka's stubbornness.

Yasaka shrugged, only to gasp in pain when Ophis grabbed her ear.

"OWOWOWOWOWOW, STOP THAT HURTS!" Yasaka shouted in pain.

Ophis let her go, and shoved her closed hand in Yasaka's face.

Yasaka blinked, before giving Ophis a questioning look.

"What? You have something in your hand?" She asked.

Ophis nodded.

Yasaka held out her hand and Ophis opened hers, placing a small, glowing orb that had a wisping tail on top, making Yasaka's eyes widen.

"This… no it can't be…" Yasaka said shakily as she started to cry, a drip of snot poking out of her nose.

"It is as you think." Ophis replied as she looked in Yasaka's eyes. "That's Ashura's soul."

*Snort* "How?" Yasaka asked as she made a futile attempt to wipe her nose.

"Well…" Ophis said.

Flashback…

"Y…Yasa…" Naruto started to speak before his back began to become malleable as blue fire burst from his back, shooting outward as it set his clothes ablaze.

As his body, bones, muscle, blood, and other parts were charred black, his soul separated from his body at a speed unseen by all who were present.

All except Ophis, who flew through the air fast enough to catch Naruto's soul.

End Flashback…

"You were there?" Yasaka asked as she heard Ophis's words.

She grabbed Ophis's outfit, pulling her close.

"THEN WHY DIDN'T YOU DO ANYTHING TO STOP IT!" Yasaka shouted, collapsing when the pain from her injuries spiked.

Ophis did nothing but stay calm, though she was irritated.

"I didn't do anything, because it isn't my place to intervein when my son is going to come back." Ophis stated clearly, holding her hand up to keep Yasaka silent. "Let me tell you a story. Of a boy born into the world, shunned and hated.

Chapter 28, DONE!

Well, I am prepared to get yelled at… again. Why do I say this?

Naruto didn't 'defend' himself because he was still absorbing the lightning. Every time we see the Rinnegan Absorbing technique, the user is stationary and open to physical attacks. If this explanation is not acceptable, then I won't waste your time.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the chapter and will return for the next chapter, because I may either do something interesting, or piss you guys off even more.

Also, new drawings on DeviantArt, please check them out.

If you enjoyed the chapter, please review. If you hated, please review and let me know what I did wrong so I can become a better writer.