Naruto looked ahead; his eye locked with that of the man whom he had clashed with before. A damp fog had settled on the town minutes earlier. Not enough to block their sight. But enough to give the ruined town a sinister look. To make matters worse, exhaustion had taken hold of his body.
Glancing over his shoulder he saw an equally weary Micheru in between the ranks of their army. She had various bruises and scratches adorning her face. Her gaze settled on his as she noticed him watching. He smirked at her as his eyes started glowing red, a dark aura enveloped his entire body as he once more let his demonic chakra flood through his system.
Shinobi around him shifted nervously as they watched his transformation, feeling the heavy pressure that came along with the dark chakra.
"You really shouldn't overdo it, Naruto" Itachi said as he took his place next to the blonde. He too had a weary face and dried up streaks of blood across his face.
Naruto ignored his close friend and instead turned his sight back on the man he would kill. Lasting.
"By the order of the Godaime Hokage, leader of Konohagakure! We order you to stand down and surrender!" Shikaku's voice echoed through the square, which was soon followed by laughter erupting from the other side.
"You overestimate your capabilities!" Lasting barked back as he took a couple of steps forward.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "You are repeating the same thing over and over again. Your invasion force is taking a beating. Your victories mean nothing if your army dwindles with every engagement, Lasting."
"I refuse to listen to an imposter…A fraud!" Lasting bit back before turning to his men. "You know what to do."
The army of Shifters, triggered their own demonic powers before lowering themselves in a stance, preparing to charge their foes.
Jiraiya voice barked from behind. "Take them down!"
Both groups charged at one another, jutsu and kunai flying overhead as they clashed at the centre. The first row of bodies of both shinobi and Reaver slammed into one another, barely enough room to swing their swords or kunai.
The shinobi at the front engaged their enemy but instantly found that this foe was superior in every way imaginable. The chunin in front got cut down within the first seconds, making way for the second row of shinobi.
Naruto tried to unleash a wave of red chakra but regretted it instantly as his opponent slashed at his appendage, leaving a gash that ran up to his elbow. Using his uninjured hand, he grabbed the man's outstretched arm and threw it in the crowd behind him, encircling the man by dozens of shinobi.
Sidestepping another attack, he reached for a kunai and started hacking away around him, inching forward ever so slightly.
Glancing to his right he noticed Kisame jumping above the clashing armies and weaved through a set of hand signs. "Suiton: Suidanha!" A stream of pressured water spewed forward, cutting through dozens of Reavers, slicing them in half.
Before any more damage could be inflicted, Lasting slammed into the Akatsuki agent and away from the engagement at the city square.
The blonde hammered his foe away and formed a set of hand signs as well. "Katon: Gōryūka no Jutsu!" Gritting his teeth, he put as much chakra in the attack as he could, significantly draining his remaining reserves.
Another Reaver instantly took his place and resumed the clash. Kunai and shuriken flew overhead, some being blocked by projectiles thrown from the opposite side.
With a grunt he sent out a front kick to his opponent, enhancing the attack with chakra. The Reaver in return held up his arms to block the incoming leg but got pushed back instead.
The Hunter used the newly created space to flick a couple of kunai around him, wounding a few. He straightened his back and was about to flick through more hand seals when his opponent came crashing into him, sending him away from the clashing army and into one of the buildings to the far left.
Naruto stood back up with a grimace and patted the dust and wood splinters off his outfit. 'Let's even the playing ground.' He weaved through hand signs once more before slamming it on the ground. "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" From the smoke three hawks dashed into the sky and instantly targeted the opposing army. Naruto mounted on top of one of the summoned creatures.
"Nodin, I want you to nosedive into the enemy amassed below us."
"Like we practiced?"
"Good to see you've been paying attention!" Naruto patted the creature who swiftly gained more altitude. "Jiraiya, notify Shikaku to prepare the back line to jump over the clash at the centre! I'm opening up this fight!
He didn't listen to a response and instead steeled his nerves.
"Are you ready Ghost-sama?" The Hawke asked as he slowly levelled out before dropping towards the ground.
Gathering his remaining chakra reserves in his hands, watching as the ground approached him at a fast pace.
"Now!"
With a puff of smoke Nodin disappeared letting Naruto freefall into the army below, his hands ablaze with red chakra.
"Reddosāji!" The blonde roared as his body came crashing into the ground.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
Hinata and Ino desperately tried to get a glimpse at the clash that happened at the centre. Because of the mass number of men and women gathered in the city square the fighting was mainly in the middle. There were a few of the higher ranked shinobi off to the side, engaged with the stronger portion of the Reaver force, yet it did little to open fight.
In the back there was a shuffle of feet as they slowly inched forward, taking the place of fallen comrades on the front.
"This is not how we are supposed to fight. We're playing right into their hands. They keep us bottled here to make sure we can't use our numbers to our advantage." Shikamaru muttered aloud as his eyes darted across the battlefield, analysing the most crucial part.
At that moment, the earpieces of all team leaders lit up. "Attention all team leaders stationed at the rear! Prepare to go airborne and jump over, to the front!"
Instantly orders were barked as the rear guard lowered themselves, preparing to jump.
"This is crazy!" Ino shouted in Hinata's ear who nervously agreed.
'We're going to die! They are going to see us coming…they're going to slaughter us!' Hinata frantically thought. Yet she followed the order and lowered her stance.
"What is Naruto doing?!" Kakashi asked, looking up into the sky.
The Hyuuga heir, along with her friends followed his gaze and noticed the unmistakable blonde, holding on for dear life as his summon nosedived towards the ground.
"He's going to kill himself…" Hinata softly spoke as her heartbeat increased tenfold, watching her crush fall to his seeming death.
Suddenly with a puff of smoke his summon disappeared, leaving the blonde with apparent glowing arms to crash into the ground.
"Naruto!" Hinata screamed, her shaking left hand covering her mouth in horror.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
"Reddosāji!"
Monstrous waves of red chakra erupted from the ground and blasted many of the Reavers into the sky, leaving them exposed.
The attack blasted the blonde once more into the sky where he quickly managed to regain his balance. Panting heavily, he looked below, noticing the exposed Reavers being cut to pieces by Shinobi. 'Glad to see Konoha is good for something.'
His eye wavered in exhausting, gravity grabbing hold of his body, dragging him back down. He noticed the air being displaced, yet before he could even turn his gaze, a large object connected with his head, sending him crashing to the ground, into the mass of shinobi below.
Waves of pain rolled over him as he desperately tried to get his bearing. His remaining eye tried to focus but failed due to the black blotches covering his sight. "Huh?"
"Naruto!" Are you okay?" A voice to his left said.
The Hunter waved the voice away and pushed himself off the ground, looking at the shinobi around him, asking him concerning question. Questions his mind wasn't able to register. He took a couple of steps before he crashed into the ground.
"Did you see what happened?"
"I only saw the blonde crashing into the ground."
A calming voice reached the blonde's ears. "Naruto, I need you to get up."
With a slow turn of his head, his eyes locked with that of Itachi's. "What just happened?"
"A blunt weapon was thrown at you. Hit you in the head."
A shaking hand slowly reached for the throbbing side of his head. Before hissing as he quickly pulled away. "That makes no sense…I am completely disoriented…I can barely s-stand."
Itachi smiled at his friend. "That's partially the chakra exhaustion. You depleted almost all your chakra. I don't think you've actually had it to this extent before."
Naruto looked at him with disbelief before realization hit him. He never actually suffered from severe chakra exhaustion before.
"Maa, Naruto, now you know what us mortal men have to deal with." Kakashi said as he walked up, grabbing the blonde's arm, pulling him up.
"I don't need your…help Hatake…" Naruto muttered as he tried to pull away.
"Complain later. For now, let's get you away from the fight."
"Just give me some pills. I can still fight." The blonde pressed on stubbornly.
Itachi and Kakashi ignored the blonde and pushed through the mass, away from the fight.
xXx
Itachi gently eased the blonde against a partially collapsed wall before turning back to the fight. "Kisame?"
Moments later his earpiece came to life. "What is it?"
"Have you killed their commander yet?" Itachi asked as he activated his sharingan, twirling in his eyes before glancing to his left, noticing a series of suiton jutsu being fired one after another.
"He's a slimy little one!"
Itachi focused his gaze back on the clashing forces, narrowing his eyes before sighing in defeat. With a clenched jaw he poured more chakra in his eyes, activating his trump card. The Mangekyo sharingan.
Wasting little time, he instantly focused his gaze on the army of Reavers who were recovering from the powerful attack that had left them exposed earlier. Before there was a clear front of Shinobi and Reavers, now there were swathes of shinobi intermingled, wildly slashing and attacking their disoriented foe.
"Amaterasu!" Black flames erupted, setting ablaze groups of Reavers, who weren't prepared in the slightest.
A trickle of blood poured out of his eyes and down his dirt covered face. Yet the Uchiha didn't relent and created more flames, catching Reavers with his double edged 'blade'.
Kakashi watched Itachi with wide eyes as he recognized what jutsu the Akatsuki agent was using.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.
With a grunt Kisame came to a skidding halt as he used his momentum to push himself upright and into a slightly disheveled yet ready defensive stance, using his blade Samehada to block the incoming fire attacks.
A smoke plume formed in front of the blue skinned man, blocking his vision. His blade shuddered in excitement, and he knew what was about to happen. Heaving his blade upward, preparing to slam it down.
The smoke cloud parted, giving way to a dark form that attacked him head on. With a grin he slammed his massive, scaled blade down, ripping apart the man in front of him.
His victory was short lived as a second foe came from his blind side and created a deep gash from the palm of Kisame's hand, all the way to his shoulder, destroying the fabric along the way.
Kisame grimaced but retaliated accordingly and discarded Samehada, forming a fist instead, crashing it into Lasting's face.
As Lasting stumbled back, Kisame used the momentum of his swing to make a twirl, grasping the handle of his weapon with his offhand. Whilst twirling he slammed Samehada into Lasting's exposed side, ripping it open.
With roar of pain Lasting fell to the ground, clutching his shredded side. Kisame didn't let up and grabbed the Reaver by the ankle before throwing him against a broken-down wall, right next to Naruto.
"Here brat, a present."
With a heavy grunt the blond pushed himself off the wall. "Considerate of you." He glanced to the Reaver who lay crumpled on the floor. "Look at your men, Lasting. They lost. Your desperate final stand failed."
Lasting in turn glanced around. His men, his loyal battalion of hardened Shifters were dying left and right. Yet despite the chaos that ensued in their ranks they continued to fight…They continued to kill. "It doesn't m-matter." He struggled to get to his feet, panting heavily. "I'm going to take you with me...!" He dashed forward, grabbing Naruto by his throat before they both disappeared in a flash.
Kisame dashed forward, trying to grab the blond but failed and stood with an outstretched hand. "The brat better kills him…" He muttered before heaving his massive blade, letting it rest on his shoulder.
xXx
Both Lasting and Naruto came to a crashing halt, dirt covering their already dirty and damaged outfit.
Panting heavily, they both stood up and glared at one another. Naruto looked at his tattered outfit before tearing off the robe, revealing his dark sweat ridden short sleeved shirt. Reaching for his kunai pouch, palming one in each hand. "Tell me this, Lasting. What is the reason you wipe out continent after continent?"
Lasting gave a pained smirk. "You wouldn't understand."
Naruto in turn snorted, reversing his grip on his kunai. "Try me."
Lasting looked down at his hand. It had returned to its normal form. His body couldn't sustain the demonic power any longer. "Humans are a plague. The moment we came into existence we have been at one another's throat. We scar our world with attacks that devastate landscapes. Kill everything that used to roam and live there. We use forbidden techniques to prolong our life. To increase our strength…No matter the cost."
Naruto listened as the man continue his explanation. Eyes full of disbelief and disgust.
Lasting straightened his back. "We are here to cleanse this world. To let it start all over again. Without humankind to taint it."
Naruto shook his head and looked around him. "You are a hypocrite! Your war against us is causing destruction on a scale unimaginable! Yet you point fingers at us?! Blame us for all this?!"
"After this the world can heal. A small price, yet it will yield peace, rid of the plague that it used to be contaminated by."
"And what will happen when you actually manage to 'cleanse the world'? You'll still be here. Over time new generations will undo what you have done."
"You still haven't learned anything."
"i've learned enough. Your conquest will ends here." Naruto snapped back.
"Your shinobi arrogance will be our prevailing factor."
Naruto gritted his teeth and charged forward. He knew they were both in a bad shape. Both without their demonic power and both barely standing. Throwing one of his kunai he was pleased to see Lasting side stepped it. He threw his second kunai which was dodged as well. Lasting's mistake was his stance.
'Ghost' swung his left fist forward, scraping Lasting's forearm, barely blocking it. Naruto didn't let up and started a barrage of punches along with an occasional kick and slowly but surely managed to push Lasting back, bruising both of the Reaver's arms who was still on the defense.
A low sweep with his leg caused Lasting to fall to the ground, but before Naruto could clasp his hands around the man's throat his wrist got grabbed and he fell as well, tumbling down the hall before coming to a halt as both of them continued to swing their fists at one another.
With a roar Lasting used his lower leg to push the blonde away. He used his momentum and kicked his opponent square in the face, who in turn let out a shout of pain.
Throwing down a smoke bomb, he used the momentum to push himself off the ground and into a defensive posture, his eyes darting around for a possible flank. Two small blades erupted from the smoke, but were narrowly dodged by the blonde before Lasting once came charging in.
Sidestepping Lasting's fist, he retaliated with his own, slamming his fist into his enemy's bruised and exposed side.
Lasting kicked Naruto away and pressed his hand on his side, hissing in pain. "Even if you win here today, I'll make sure you die!" He dashed forward, exchanging blows once more, both saving up as much chakra as possible.
Naruto's head jerked back as it got hit by a hard blow. Spitting up blood he looked at Lasting. "Your master couldn't do it. You'll fail too."
Lasting threw his last throwing knife at the blonde but sneered when managed to deflect it with a kunai. Once more he charged forward, ignoring his bruised body. Exchanging blows once again before Naruto managed to get past his defense and land a crushing blow to the side of his head.
The blonde watched as the Reaver crashed into dirt. He had been saving up what chakra he managed to gather, but he knew Lasting was as well. He had been stalling for time ever since they both had run out.
'But what jutsu should I use? I could go for a katon jutsu, but it either needs to be my finishing blow, or give an opening to finish him of. I can't afford to prolong the fight any longer.'
Reaching for his pouch, he was pleased to feel a piece of paper. An exploding tag. He pulled it out, along with two kunai and his last smoke bomb. 'First this!'
He threw his smoke bomb, obscuring Lasting's line of sight and completely covering the Reaver in smoke. He tossed his kunai first and immediately followed up with his second one, an exploding tag attached.
The first kunai met flesh and Naruto could hear a grunt of pain as Lasting dashed out of the snow, exposing himself to the second kunai.
The area shook as the explosion seemingly enveloped the Reaver. Only to be blasted away with a wave of red chakra.
He looked at the clone he created and nodded, letting his doppelganger charge forward.
Panting heavily, Lasting instantly noticed his aggressor and fell into a defensive stance, preparing himself to clash once more.
Only to have the clone dissipate in front of him. "What?!"
"It was a good fight." A voice sounded behind him. His shoulders slumped and let his head hang in defeat before cold metal pierced the skin of his throat, ripping it open in one quick motion.
Naruto looked at Rasting as he fell to the ground, clutching his throat as his blood poured between his finger and down on his already ruined clothing.
Naruto crouched down next to him. "Kenpachi's next."
Lasting tilted his head, a smile appearing on his face. He lowered his hands, letting it rest in his lap, his life force quickly fading. He shook his head before it slumped forward.
Naruto stood back up, looking at the body of his opponent with an unreadable expression. He glanced down at his own blood-soaked hands, trembling from exhaustion.
Turning around he slowly made his way back to the ruined village where the sounds of battle slowly started to die out. He was fairly confident that their side won. His surprise attack from the sky had caused disarray within the ranks of the Reavers.
He came to a slow halt as he leaned against a tree to his right, panting as he tried to urge his body forward.
His eyes drooped but despite his exhaustion his used his hand to push off the tree, leaving a bloody imprint on the bark of the tree.
He took a few more steps before his body gave out and he fell forward, his eyes closed. 'Kuso…'
Before he could hit the ground however, he was caught.
"You know…when you're suffering from chakra exhaustion, you really shouldn't continue fighting."
The blonde slowly opened his eyes, noting spiky silver hair. Kakashi had caught him. "What are you doing here?"
Slinging his arm around his shoulders, Kakashi started carrying him back to the village. "Fight is all but won. I came across Kisame and he told me what happened. So, I came to find you."
"I don't need your help."
"I didn't say you did."
"Then why were you looking for me?"
Kakashi sighed. "Because despite what you may think of us, we still care for you…You were my student, Naruto."
The blonde tried to free himself from Kakashi's hold, but he merely tightened his grip. "I…I am not going to talk about this anymore. We can keep digging in the past, but it's never going to change what happened."
The Jonin turned his head to the left, catching Naruto's gaze with his own. "I have said things that I shouldn't have. But you have to understand. I t was a moment of frustration and anger. We all make mistakes."
Naruto looked at his former sensei for a brief pause, before looking away, his eyes unfocused.
A puff smoke appeared in front of them, revealing it to be one of Kakashi's summons, Paku.
"Kakashi, the Reavers have been defeated. The last remaining stragglers have surrendered and are holed up at the square."
In response, Kakashi gave a nod, a small smile on his face. "You did good. You've earned your rest."
Paku turned his head to the blonde. "Naruto? I heard you showed up. Good to see you're still running around."
"I have a knack for popping up at random places."
"How does it feel, being back here? The dog asked, whilst tilting his head, scratching his ear with his paw.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"Kakashi never told you? We were searching for you in this area. Back when you uh…left?
Naruto narrowed his eyes and glared at the jonin. "Unsurprising."
"You're a shinobi from Konoha, of course we would be looking for you." Kakashi responded in a light tone.
Before the blonde could offer a retort, Kiba came dashing in atop his hound.
"Kakashi-sensei, we've taken control of Nami-no Kuni. All the remaining Reavers have surrendered.
Paku turned to the newcomer. "Too late, kid. I beat you."
Naruto snorted at the remark smirking at the Inuzuka. Something which didn't go unnoticed.
"You have something to say, traitor?"
"Keep it moving, mutt. You're not wanted here."
Before the insults could continue, Kakashi cut them off and suggested they continue their trek to the village.
Eventually they reached the ruined village. Naruto nodded to Kakashi and started walking on his own strength once more, limping and struggling as he did.
Around them, wounded shinobi were being treated by medical-nin or carried elsewhere. Overall morale was high and cheers and laughing could be heard around the town.
Naruto ignored them and he headed to the square, where the remaining Reavers were holed up together. Chakra suppression seals applied on their bodies. Kakashi and Kiba lingered behind, discussing what to do next.
At the front Shikaku, Jiraiya and various of high ranked shinobi we're conversing.
Before the blonde could march over, he got blocked by an outstretched arm.
Turning his gaze to the right, he noticed it was Kisame. "Why are they still alive, Kisame?"
Kisame grunted, his face one of annoyance. "These pacifists are unwilling to kill unarmed prisoners."
The Hunter narrowed his eyes in anger and pushed past him. "I'm going to need your support here, sushi."
Kisame didn't respond but fell in stride beside him regardless.
Once they got closer, he noticed the Reavers were being put in a line and were slowly getting marched towards the bridge. "Jiraiya, what do you think you're doing here?!" Naruto shouted.
The group of shinobi turned to the newcomers. Neji, who was softly talking to his comrades, Hinata and Shikamaru looked up and watched with interest.
"Naruto?"
His lips pressed together in a thin line; he pointed his finger at the prisoners of war. "These Reavers are too dangerous to be left alive. You know what you need to do!"
"You can't suggest-."
"I damn well do!"
"This isn't even remotely up for discussion. "These are prisoners of Konoha. We are going to treat them as such, according the Hashirama accords." Shikaku spoke up, his arms crossed, an aura of anger and intimidation oozed off him.
Holding out his hand, Kisame handed him his katana, which he had been safekeeping. "This isn't up for debate. We know what they are capable of. They will abuse your mercy and escape, but not before they go on a killing spree!"
"We're not killing unarmed people, kid. The fact you're even suggesting it..." Jiraiya barked, his eyes filled with worry and disdain.
Naruto took another couple of steps forward. "I don't care what you think, old man!"
Kisame heaved his massive blade and let it rest on his shoulder. "Get out of the way. Last chance."
Hinata and the others came running over. "Naruto you can't be serious! Stop this madness."
"Stay out of it, I won't ask again." The blonde snapped back angrily.
At this point Hawke and Konan appeared as well, standing off to the side. "What's going on here?" Konan demanded.
"They want to keep these Reavers as a prisoner of war. We all know what we need to do here!" Kisame said, tightening the grip on his blade.
Despite Hawke's internal conflict, he agreed with Naruto and Kisame, letting his eyes dart between them and Jiraiya. However, it was Konan who acted.
From underneath her sleeve, dozens of paper planes flew out, and darted towards the prisoners. Before either party could react, the planes attached themselves to the prisoners.
"Don't you dare-."
A series of small explosions shuddered the area, killing all the prisoners instantly.
Absolute chaos ensued.
"Akatsuki scum!"
"You fucking assholes!"
"War criminals!"
Konan looked at the enraged shinobi with a cold gaze. "I expected more from you. After everything that has been happening…You still aren't willing to do what needs to be done.
Naruto locked eyes with Kisame who gave a nod.
"Naruto, I can't believe you condone this kind of action!" Sakura covered her mouth with her hand in shock as she looked at the mangled bodies.
"Be quiet."
Hinata stepped in between her eyes narrowed and angry. "You can't expect us to be quiet, Naruto. What she's done is unforgivable!" She pointed at the purple haired Akatsuki agent.
More shouts and insults were thrown across and both sides were lining up to fight. Hands inching towards their weapons.
"What's going on here?!" Kakashi's voice boomed over the others. His gaze settled on the dead bodies and his eye narrowed.
Naruto slowly sheathed his blade and started to walk away, Kisame and Konan followed moments later.
Naruto! Stop!" Shikaku barked from behind.
"We don't take orders from you." He bit back without so much as slowing down.
"Don't make me ask again! Stop it right now, all of you!"
Before either of them could respond. The blonde got tackled from his blind side. Crashing into the ground, his forehead split open by a sharp protruding piece of stone.
Darkness descended.
I want to thank you once again for the support you're all giving me! I hope you've enjoyed this chapter too.
I keep getting a lot of questions regarding to Naruto and Konoha and whether or not they will be best friends and what not. All i'll say is this. Naruto having a conversation that doesn't include insults or yelling etc. DOESN'T mean he's best buds. You'll get more answers and something of a resolution next chapter.
Next chapter wraps up the Nami 'arc', if you can call it that. I think that you'll all immensely enjoy the upcoming arc. It's by far my favorite one. Might give a preview in the next chapter.