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Chapter 78: The Strength of Team 7 and the Late Hokages
Normal P.O.V.
Back in the real world, everyone stood still and quiet, despite the sounds of others fighting in the background. In the center of it all, Naruto and Sasuke stood in the same position from before Sasuke entered Naruto's mind. With hitched breaths, every one of their comrades had their eyes glued to the couple, looking for any signs of movement. After a lifetime inside of Naruto's subconscious but a few moments, in reality, tan fingers and orange fox ears twitch sightly. Sasuke's Mangekyō Sharingan was deactivated, and his eyes closed. Both bodies became relaxed as they returned to reality. Shikamaru released his shadow jutsu, allowing himself to relax too.
Red, wild eyes returned to their normal blue hue. Full, tan lips spread into a wide smile. Thin, pale lips spread into their own small smile. Once both were back in their own minds, they look around at their comrades. Cautiously, Neji and Shikamaru moved towards the couple, only stopping when both turned to look at them. With small, gentle smiles, Naruto and Sasuke nodded their heads before turning back towards Madara and their enemies.
"Alright!" Naruto smirks as he slams his right fist into his left palm, "Let's get serious!"
While on top of the Ten-Tails, Madara returned to reality, feeling worn out and carrying the injuries sustained from his fight with Kushina and Sasuke. He stumbled and gripped his head to try and stop the pounding ringing in his ears.
"You pathetic weaklings! I've had just about enough of~" Suddenly, Madara stopped his speech with wide eyes, and his ears flexed. The two small, black triangles on top of his head swivel around until they single in on a certain sound. He listens in and purrs at the feeling of a familiar chakra coming closer. A wide, deranged smile spread across his face before a bone-chilling laugh erupted from his chest. "YES! YES! AFTER ALL THIS TIME! CAN YOU FEEL IT! THIS CHAKRA! HASHIRAMA! NOW THE REAL FUN CAN BEGIN!"
With the same expression on his face, Madara slams his Gunbai into the crown of the Ten-Tails' head. The statue screams in agony as it lets out an ear-piercing screech, causing everyone to stop their movements to cover their ears. Some dropped to their knees as they bled from their ears. Others wanted to rip their ears off to stop the sound from driving them insane. As Madara summoned his Susanoo, the Ten-Tails unleashed a powerful whirlwind attack, creating a strong whirlwind current.
Thinking quickly, Sasuke summoned his own Susanoo while Naruto used the last of his and Kurama's chakra to increase the red chakra around their teammates. As the wind current continued, tornadoes and clouds formed. Lightning bolts struck the ground around them. The Ten-Tails continued to screech as the string of attacks ripped through the battlefield. Most of the Allied Force Shinobis were blown away while others sustained injuries. Had it not been for Naruto's chakra, the damage would have been worse.
Soon, the attacks and the screeching suddenly stopped. The tornadoes, the clouds, the fearsome wind currents, everything just stopped. As the dust cleared and the ringing in their ears slowly died down, the Allied Forces took their time trying to stabilize themselves.
"Damn… We'd all be dead if it wasn't for Naruto," Choji groaned.
Sasuke's scared eyes searched the battleground when he realized that Naruto wasn't inside of his Susanoo. It wasn't until he saw Naruto step out of the remaining cloud of dust. Blood dripped from his right arm and forehead, his jumpsuit was ripped apart, and his fishnet-covered chest was exposed.
"Is that all you got?" Naruto smirked while holding his bleeding arm.
He took one step forward before falling to his knees.
"Naruto!" everyone screamed as they watched.
The chakra covering his comrades disappeared in his weakened state. The extra layer of protection was no longer available for them. However, that did not stop them from continuing their fight. Sasuke went to his mate's side.
"Fuck," Naruto yells painfully.
"It's alright Naruto, we've got you," Sakura smiles as she appears to heal him. She gets behind him and places her hands on his back, "I'm going to heal you. Leave the rest to us for now,"
Just as she spoke, the Allied Forces jumped in front of the former Team 7 members with determined looks on their faces.
"How touching. The weak defending the weak. You all are an interesting lot,"
"We will always fight to protect each other, especially Naruto!" Neji and Hinata shout.
"An even more pathetic sight. Fine then. Rush to your deaths if you so desire,"
Everyone watched as the Ten-Tails opened its mouth wide enough for its jaw to come unhinged. Inside, a large object formed in its mouth and slowly moved until a seed-like object projected from its mouth. Soon, what looked like a blossomed flower and a giant red orb formed.
Killer B, now recovered from his earlier battle, clenched his fists, "B. You hearin' me?"
"Yeah, man. I hear you,"
"Listen, man, that damn Ten-Tails is transforming into its final form. We can't let that happen, or else we've lost, ya feel me?"
"Loud and clear," B said as he turned to face his companions, "Yo! Y'all need to listen to me! That damn Ten-Tails is trying to take on its final form. We can't let that happen or else we're done for, fools ya fools,"
"B's right. We need to~ shit," Naruto started as he tried to get up, but failed and fell back on his knees.
"Oh no, you don't. You will sit your ass here and rest. You've done enough," Sakura's voice trails off with a smile. Short-lived, with strong determination on her face, Sakura commanded the Allies Forces, "Alright everyone, listen up! We've come too far to lose now! We've poured too much into this to have it blow up in our faces! Naruto has put his life on the line to make sure that we're successful! Now it's our turn! He said that we all are his comrades and he meant that! From the bottom of his heart, Naruto values our lives just as much as he does his own! Let's thank him by showing him our united strength! While I heal him, we have to do all that we must to win this battle! And if we must die, then lets at least put up the fight of our lives!"
"Sakura-chan is right. We must show Naruto what our united strength can do!" Lee cheered.
"Alright! Let's do this together!" Shikamaru said as he took charge, "Ino, please connect me with the others," Ino nodded before she ran towards him and placed her hand on his shoulder. Once the connection was created, Shikamaru closed his eyes and focused, "I need all earth style users to the front! Show us, non-earth-style users, an easy jutsu to use as a shield. Right now, we just need to focus on stopping that thing's momentum. Even if the walls are weak, it will still do more damage than just focusing on one powerful one," The earth-style users cheered at the command. Shikamaru smirked before communicating with Killer B,
"Master B. While the others are building walls and barriers, I need you and your Tailed Beast to bombard that thing with your Tailed Beast Bombs. We have to stop that thing at all costs,"
"You got it, fool ya fool," B smiled as he and Gyūki united and started their attack.
At the same time, the other shinobi formed the barriers Shikamaru commanded. Immediately after, the Ten-Tails unleased its own attack. The bombs from Gyūki and Killer B didn't stand a chance against the larger bomb from the Ten-Tails. Gyūki managed to get out of the way in time to miss most of the damage before it hit the barriers. As if they were thin paper, the larger Tailed Beast Bomb sliced through the barriers. Until nothing was left. Everyone held their ground as the attack continued to rip through the battlefield. However, things seemed bleak as they realized the amount of power they were up against.
Naruto, still in recovery, watched painfully as his comrades battled in his place. Being an active person, nothing ate him up inside more than watching everyone fight to their fullest strength and he can't do anything to help. The only thing he can do is close his eyes, sit back, and watch. Sensing his mate's distress, Sasuke placed a comforting hand on Naruto's board shoulder.
As the attack got closer, everyone readied their defenses. Gyūki stepped in front of the bomb to try and stop it. However, before it could reach them, the bomb disappeared before their eyes. Confused, everyone looked around and gasped when they saw a lone kunai with writing on the handle. Soon, the owner of the special kunai appeared in all his former Hokage glory.
"It can't be…" Sakura gasped.
The figure picked up the kunai and stood tall with his back towards the former Team 7 members, "I hope I'm not late,"
Naruto smirked, "Nope, you're right on time… dad,"
"Are you? You can't be?" Sakura stutters in shock.
Minato turned around and smiled at them with his hand raised, "Hello, I am Minato Namikaze, the late Fourth Hokage. Also, you might want to brace for impact,"
Before anyone could question anything, a loud and powerful blast exploded behind them. The blast was so powerful that it blew most of the Allied Shinobi backward while the others found something to hold onto. It didn't take long for the attack to finish before everyone could make sense of their current situation. After the dust cleared, the Third Hokage appeared beside Minato.
"Is everyone alright?" Hiruzen asked.
"I think so, sensei. Deflecting the attack was a success," Minato smiled as he gave them a thumbs-up.
"Lord Third? What are you doing here?"
Hiruzen turned towards Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, "Oh, Sakura. It's great to see you again. My oh my, you've grown into a fin, beautiful young lady," he smiled.
"Where is everyone else?" Sasuke asked as he stood up.
"We're here," Hashirama said before Tobirama and he appeared, "I take it that the attack was a success?"
"Did you guys find the other Hokages and Grandma Tsunade?" Naruto asked.
"Yes. We lent them some of our strength and they're currently healing themselves. They'll be joining us shortly," Hashirama answered.
"You four are awfully late. And where the hell is Orochimaru and the rest of my team?" Sasuke glared.
"You should know your place, Uchiha brat. After all, it doesn't seem as if you have things handled here," Tobirama said with his own glare and arms crossed.
"Excuse me for being so bold, Lord Hokages. But I am quite unclear about what is going on. How are any of you alive?" Sakura asked.
"Forgive me, Sakura. You all deserve an explanation," Hiruzen said before taking a deep breath, "With the help of Sasuke and Orochimaru, we were reconstructed. Now, we're here to help you win this war,"
Their talk was interrupted by Madara's arrival, "Hashirama! I've been waiting for you!"
Hashirama turned towards Madara with a glare and pointed at him, "I'll deal with you later. There are other more pressing matters I must attend to now,"
A disappointed and shocked expression appears on Madara's face as he watched Hashirama turn towards the Ten-Tails, "After all these years, you've never changed,"
"Lords Second, and Third, please stand behind me," Minato says as he entered his own Tailed Beast Sage Mode.
"I never thought I would need to lend my powers to Minato," Kurama said.
"I told you my dad is awesome!" Naruto inwardly cheered.
"Please, I knew that better than you,"
Naruto rolled his eyes at Kurama as he continued to watch the sight before him. Minato placed his hands on Tobirama and Hiruzen's back, causing them all to disappear. Within a second, they reappeared in front of three of Minato's Flying Thunder God Kunai. With their hands together, the four of them performed their next attack.
"Ninja Art: Four Crimson Ray Formation!"
A large, red barrier appeared and enclosed the Ten-Tails inside. Immediately after, Hashirama entered his Sage Mode and used his Sage Art: Gracious Deity Gates attack to bind the beast. The Ten-Tails screeched as it realized that it was trapped with no escape in sight.
"It won't be able to move so freely now," Hashirama smirked before throwing a look over his shoulder, "Naruto, Sasuke, you're up,"
"Right!" both boys shouted.
Naruto stood up, dusted himself off, and threw a smirk over his shoulder too, "Thank you, Sakura-Chan. You go ahead and rest now. We'll take it from here,"
"Oh no you don't," Sakura glared as she stood up straight and walked towards her former teammates, "You're not leaving me behind this time. This time, you're going to be the ones that'll be watching my back,"
Both Naruto and Sasuke smirked at her words as they stood together.
"Alright then! Sakura, Sasuke, let's go and show them what the power of Team 7 is made of!"
The three of them leap towards where the Ten-Tails is concealed. They stood tall and confident as they watched the Ten-Tails unleash another bomb. The barrier held up against the attack well enough to piss off the beast. The beast roared in frustration as it tried its hardest to escape its prison. Ready to attack, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto prepared to jump in headfirst.
"Wait!" Hashirama called out, stopping their movements, "Allow me to offer my assistance," he said as he summoned several wood clones, "I'll make entry points on all four sides of the barrier. This will allow shinobis to go in and out as they attack it from below. Everyone! Follow me!" Everyone did as they were told and followed the First Hokage into battle. With everyone concentrating their attention on the Ten-Tails, Hashirama went to battle his old rival, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Madara,"
"Hashirama, this will be the sweetest battle you and I have ever fought. I intend to make this our final one,"
"Funny, because I felt the exact same,"
Both had the same smirk on their faces as they stared the other down. Both have been waiting for another opportunity to fight the other. And now, both will get the chance of a lifetime. Madara tightened his grip on his weapon as Hashirama summoned his kunai. Sweat dripped down their foreheads. Their palms became sweaty. However, their breaths and exterior demeanors were calm. In sync with the other, they leaped towards the other with their first attacks. Neither were ready to claim victory over the other. However, despite everything that occurred today, both knew the determined outcome.
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As Hashirama and Madara battled, the other shinobis busied themselves with the restrained Ten-Tails. Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke took the main lead. Seeing that it was surrounded, the Tailed Beast's pores opened and miniature versions of itself spilled out. Sasuke used his sword to slice through the ones in front of him while Naruto mostly used taijutsu, his clones, and Rasengan to fight off his opponents. Sakura followed her teammates into battle. Using her chakra control and fists, like when she fights her other opponents, Sakura Haruno demonstrated her true strength in front of everyone.
"This… is the first time in a long while since I've fought with these two. For years, I've had to watch and hear about their success. Naruto and Sasuke have always been an inspiration to others when it came to their strengths and abilities. Both were always bound for greatness. No one ever expected anything amazing from me. That's why I worked so hard to get where I am today. I didn't have any special chakra, genjutsus, demons, etc. All I've ever had was my own strength, chakra control, and intelligence. However, I've had the Fifth Hokage's leadership to sharpen my skills. Naruto, Sasuke-Kun. I've always had to watch your backs as you left me in the dust. But, no matter what, you've always been there to protect me. And now… Now it's my turn to protect you,"
Sakura cocked her right fist back before thrusting it forward and hitting one of the Ten-Tails' clones. Just as she makes the connection, the Strength of Hundred Seal appeared on her forehead. With a wide smile on her full lips, her confidence increased.
"I'm sorry, but this seems to be the end for you and your kind. I finally reached my full capacity. And now, I'm going to unleash it. Farwell, you ugly beast,"
She added more chakra into her fist and sent the beast flying several yards backward. Impressed with her own strength, Sakura continued her advance by charging forward. When she got enough distance, Sakura jumped as high as her body would allow. As she descended downwards, Sakura cocked her fist back again.
"Take this, scum! Cha!"
She slams her fist into the ground, making it split and crumble beneath her. Naruto and Sasuke stared at her in amazement at her increased strength.
"Damn. And here I thought she couldn't get any scarier," Naruto chuckled nervously.
On the outside, Hashirama chuckled to himself, "What monstrous strength! So, this is the famous pupil of my granddaughter!"
"It seems Sakura has truly become a spectacle. She might even be stronger than Tsunade," Minato smirked.
"Now that is a scary thought," Hiruzen inwardly cringed.
Seeing her display of skill, inspired the others to begin their own attacks. Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru use their Ino-Shika-Cho attack. The other original Konoha 11 members attacked together as their individual teams. Even Sai attacks from above using his Art Style. Together, they tear through the battlefield and the Ten-Tails clones. However, there were just too many and soon they became overrun.
"What are we going to do, Naruto? There are too many of these things to keep taking them head-on," Sasuke asked as he used his Sharingan to scan the area.
"Just give me a moment. Let me think for a minute," Naruto said while thinking.
"It's no good. We need to mow down the larger ones and get through to its main body. However, without your chakra, we'll likely all sustain heavy casualties," Sai informed.
"Don't worry about it, Sai. Just hang on tight to me," Naruto said. Sai did as he was told and moved closer to Naruto. However, the slight jealousy radiating from Sasuke wasn't helping, "Sasuke, Sakura!"
"Right!" Both team members shouted as they all bit their thumbs.
They slammed their hands onto the ground in unison. Together, each called forth their own summons. Each member stood on top of their summons' respective heads. Gamakichi, Aoda, and Katsuyu stand just as tall as their masters.
"Milady Sakura. It's so good to see you again," Katsuyu said gleefully.
"Lord Sasuke, what do you desire from me?" Aoda hissed.
"Yeah, why do you three need us, huh?" Gamakichi groaned.
"Yeah, you see that big ugly guy over there?" Naruto pointed, "We must defeat it before it's too late,"
"Aoda, I need you to advance forward," Sasuke ordered.
"Lady Katsuyu, we have a lot of injured allies. Please divide yourself and care for them,"
"Gamakichi, we're gonna tear that thing apart!"
"Whatever you say, boss!"
Together the pair advanced forward. Gamakichi and Aoda moved to attack while Sakura and Katsuyu attended to the wounded. Sasuke and Aoda took care of the clones while Naruto, Sai, and Gamakichi advanced towards the Ten-Tails. The Allies watched in amazement as the three most powerful shinobis demonstrated their prowess. As the clones of Katsuyu crawled on them, Sakura tried to calm everyone down while she worked on healing them.
On top of Aoda's head, Sasuke summoned his Susanoo for protection. Sai used his Art Style Jutsus to assist in their attacks. Naruto entered his Tailed Beast Sage Mode and summoned his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken Jutsu.
"Sasuke! Help me out!" Naruto shouted.
Sasuke used his Amaterasu jutsu and added it to Naruto's jutsu. The once white jutsu turned black from Sasuke's flames. With the two jutsus combined, Naruto hurled his Wind Rasenshuriken and hit the Ten-Tails' main body, tearing through some of the clones along the way. When the attack landed, the beast screamed in pain as the black flames and wind release tore through its body.
"Burn away," Sasuke growled.
"It's not over yet, Sasuke. Stay ready,"
"Don't worry, Dobe. I'm always ready,"
"Don't be so cocky, babe," Naruto teased, making Sasuke's eyebrow twitch, "Anyway, when enough of the Ten-Tails' body burns off, release your flames,"
Sasuke nodded as they stood back and watched the spectacle before them. Suddenly, a swirl of black appeared and Kakashi and Obito came out of it.
"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto called out. "Sasuke, we have to go save him,"
"Right! Go Aoda!"
"Yes, milord,"
Gamakichi and Aoda advanced forward. Sai leaped off Gamakichi's head and landed by Kakashi's limp body. After Sai grabbed Kakashi's limp body, Naruto extended his arm and grabbed them. With his strength, he pulled the two on top of Gamakichi's head.
"Kakashi-sensei, are you alright?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah… just really weak…" he answered weakly.
"Gamakichi, Sai. I'm trusting Kakashi-sensei to you. Please take him to Sakura-Chan," Naruto commanded as he jumped onto Aoda's head with Sasuke. The couple watch as the two leaves with their sensei, "Sasuke, we need to defeat Obito. He's the key to both the Ten-Tail's full recreation,"
"What do you suggest?"
Naruto smirked as he punched his left palm with his right fist, "Beat the shit out of him,"
Sasuke chuckled at Naruto's simple plan, "I expect nothing less. Aoda, advance,"
"Yes, Lord Sasuke,"
Naruto and Sasuke hold on tight as the large, purple snake slithers toward the beast's main body. However, as it advanced, his body was captured. Naruto and Sasuke jump of Aoda's head as Sasuke dismissed him. The couple ran towards Obito. Sasuke tried to use his Amaterasu jutsu, but part of the Ten-Tails took the hit and saved him. Not letting this stop them, they continued forward. Sasuke summoned his Chidori, and Naruto summoned his Rasengan. Sweat dripped down their foreheads as they continued their sprint. When they finally got close enough, both boys unleashed their attacks. But once again, their attacks were intercepted by another part of the Ten-Tails' body. However, this part managed to land a hit and fling them backward. They flew backward several yards until they hit the side of the barrier.
As they fall to the ground, Naruto was the first to recover. He extended his arm again and caught Sasuke. He held Sasuke tight as they fell to the ground, using his body as a shield between his mate and the ground. Sasuke shook his head as he sat up.
"You alright?" Naruto groaned.
"Yeah. How about you?"
"I'll be ok. Hurt, but ok," Naruto answered as Sasuke helped him stand. The two of them faced their opponents with grim expressions. Naruto reached up to scratch his head and sigh, "Well, this is a shitty situation we're in,"
"And it looks like things aren't getting better either. We need to figure something out before it's too late,"
"I'm all ears, babe," Naruto said.
"I was actually hoping that you'd have one,"
"We're fucked," Naruto groaned as he roughly rubbed his face.
"Maybe I can be of assistance," Minato said as he appeared beside them.
"You've got something, dad?"
"It seems that Madara is using Obito as a makeshift Jinchūriki. However, it doesn't seem that the ritual isn't complete. Unfortunately, it looks like we don't have as much time before that happens. I hate saying this, but we need to kill Obito,"
"Fine by me,"
"Sasuke?! You can't just accept this so easily!" Naruto yelled before turning to his father, "Dad, are you sure there isn't any other way?"
Minato shook his head, "I'm afraid not. If there is no host, then the ritual cannot be completed. This is the only way we can save everyone. I just want to make one request. You may not know this, but Obito and Kakashi were once my students. During a mission, Obito, Kakashi, and my other student: Rin, ended up in a comprising situation and only two of my students came back; neither of them was Obito. I thought he died; we all did. Little did we know, he survived all these years. The least I can do is be the one to put an end to his life,"
Sasuke and Naruto nodded. Minato nodded back as a "thank you". Together, the three of them planned their next attack. Once they formed their plan, the three of them went to execute it. Naruto and Sasuke took the lead as the distraction. They charged forward, readying themselves for what came next. Neither wanted to use their most powerful attacks, so they substituted them for minor jutsus. When they got close enough, the Ten-Tails' body reacted and tried to block their attacks. They managed to leap around and break through its defenses. Until they were closer to Obito. The three came face-to-face. The moment was intense. And before anyone knew what was going on, a shower of blood and a deafening silence washed over them.
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To Be Continued…