Naruto vs Sakon

Naruto landed on the ground only for shuriken and kunai to come at him from the forest. The Genin, naturally, had his Ultra Instinct flaring by this point giving him the red sheen to his hair and red eyes. He was able to avoid every one of them.

Sakon appeared from the brush now covered with those black line of his curse seal. "Without Ukon, I can't afford to mess around with my opponents. I'm already at an astounding disadvantage due to it."

His skin became red, teeth demon like, a horn grew out of his head, and the right half of his body gained armor over his normal limbs. "I'll take this kid down faster than he can react and end this farce."

Sakon charged Naruto, but all the Sound Shinobi got was a yellow blur. Naruto was moving too fast for him to react to. Sure, his speed was up there to tag the blond Shinobi, but he was ineffective fighting alone. He's always fought with his brother.

Without Ukon, he lacked that capability. The same could not be said for Naruto. His reactions were at their peak. He was dodging, blocking, and nailing Sakon with blow after blow. Eventually, the Sound Shinobi was left with only one choice as he merged into Naruto.

That only caused the Shadow Clone he'd been fighting to dispel. "What? Where's the real…"

The real Naruto, still with Ultra Instinct, sprinted forth from the brush holding a blue sphere which he slams into Sakon's stomach. "Rasengan!"

Sakon screams in pain as he's pushed all the way over a chasm where he promptly falls after the Jutsu dissipates. From the other side of that chasm a kunai is launched with such power it pierces the Sound Four's skull killing him. Naruto sees this and instantly ducks behind a tree.

The Genin patiently observes the area. "Where did that come from?" He waits minutes and moves around to see if someone tries to hit him. "Were they only after the Sound Four? Was it the others?"

With Pakura

Pakura was working her way out of the forest and had made a brief stop to further cripple Orochimaru when the chance presented itself; otherwise, she wasn't stopping until she was out of the Land of Fire.

Akana and Gaara vs Hebihime

Gaara launched sand at Hebihime ensnaring her only for her to dispel revealing it was a shadow clone. Akana brought his wires out behind him and Gaara was wiping up sand.

"I'm not seeing anything in the forest." Akana stated.

"Me neither." Gaara stated.

"That's because I decided to lag behind a bit to cook this up." 3 Hebihime's appeared on branches with finished hand signs. "Fire Style: Great Fire Ball Jutsu!"

The each shot a massive ball of fire into the sky and clouds began to form. Akana used his wires to launch kunai and Gaara sent out his sand at the three Hebihime were now weaving a new set of hand signs.

"Water Style: Wild Water Wave." The Hebihimes declared.

The water shot forth stopping the sand and kunai before moving for the pair.

Akana came to stand in front of Gaara while cutting his palms and weaving hand signs. "Blood Style: Blood Wall!"

He held out his palms and a wall of blood rushed out blocking the water. At that moment it started to rain with a light drizzle. Both Shinobi looked up.

"I'm certain her intent was to weaken Gaara's sand." Akana thought. "This puts us at a disadvantage."

"This storm is just starting." Gaara capped his sand. "This puts me in a bad position, but I refuse to abandon this battle." He drew shuriken. "I'll just have to do the best with what I have."

Two of the Hebihime's dispersed while the original jumped down from the tree coming to face the Shinobi with a smirk.

Akana stepped forward. "Stay on guard and back me up Gaara. I'll take point." He was weaving hand signs. "Blood Style: Weapon Creation."

Twin, pirate cutlasses made of blood appeared in Akana's hands.

"Got it." Gaara noticed his comrade was starting to pale. "The effects of Blood Style. Unless he drinks blood, he will continue to pale and weaken. He should be aware of this and have blood on him. Why isn't he attempting to drink?"

Akana charged while Gaara threw shuriken at Hebihime as the rain really started to pick up. Hebihime ran to meet the Mist Jonin with two kunai. The Sound Shinobi moved like a snake through the swords and wires.

Fortunately, Akana prove the superior swordsman and was able to move his swords into just the right position to block the kunai. With her attention drawn to Akana, mostly, Gaara was able to move around getting the occasional shuriken in. He couldn't hit a vital area though.

Hebihime jumped back and giggled. "Well, you two are something. You're each at a disadvantage, small or big, yet you've managed to push me just to the point that I don't mind showing off." She bit her thumb and wove a hand sign. "Summoning Jutsu."

Gaara had thrown his remaining shuriken and all his kunai while Akana shoved the swords into the ground and wove a series of hand signs. "Blood Style: Ragging Wave."

He slammed his palms onto the swords causing it to become liquid and gain mass from the blood within his body. A ragging wave of blood then rushed at Hebihime. Her summon kicked up so much dust and air that the blood and weapons were repelled.

When the smoke cleared, a white snake was wrapped around Hebihime's waist and merged into her. "Is it time summoner?"

Hebihime smirked. "If you got the Chakra stored, do it."

"Very well." The snake stated.

Gaara and Akana were about to rush in when a change began to happen. White, snake scales tore through the sleeves of her shirt and her eyes became snake like.

"Not perfect yet but more than enough to defeat you." Hebihime moved faster than Akana could keep up with. "Yes, it should do."

The Mist Jonin punched a now completely pale Akana in the stomach winding him before kicking the Shinobi into the air. Gaara jumped and caught the Jonin before landing only for Hebihime to be on him in an instant.

She smiled before Gaara decided to shoot forward all his sand at her. "Sand Coffin." It was quickly dampening, but it had done its job surrounding the Sound Shinobi. "I have to do this." The Sand Genin held out his hand and clenched it tight. "Sand Burial!"

Blood flowed forth from the sand falling to the ground along with the sand which was too heavy and compact for Gaara to control. The Jinchuriki then took a deep breath before jumping back into cover and setting the unconscious Mist Jonin down.

"He needs blood." Gaara thought.

He began looking for packs among Akana's things and managed to find a couple only for his attention to be drawn towards Hebihime who shockingly began to heal and stand. "Shame on me for being overconfident." She looked at Gaara. "I won't underestimate you again."

She prepared to move only for Zabuza's voice to ring out. "Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

The rainy day suddenly gained a thick blanket of fog, and the next thing anyone heard was the chirping of birds.

Kakashi, with his Sharingan revealed, charged through the fog straight at the Sound Shinobi. "Lightning Blade!"

The elite thrust his arm forward only for Hebihime to dodge and catch the arm. "Copycat Kakashi and Demon of the Leaf Zabuza." The swordsman appeared behind her with his sword drawn. "It's an honor to meet you two."

She whirled around and threw Kakashi at Zabuza who dodged out of the way allowing Kakashi the chance to catch himself. The Sound Shinobi jumped back facing them both.

"Guess you were right Kakashi." Zabuza firmly stated. "There is Sound activity in the Land of Fire."

Kakashi was focused on the Shinobi before them. "Zabuza, this is a threat like the Akatsuki. That's Sage mode she's using. I've only ever heard of it, as two of our Shinobi can do it, but it's dangerous. The best we can hope for is to hold her off until the time runs out."

"As much as I'd enjoy that, I believe I've done my job." Hebihime chuckled as she vanished in flames. "Either Kimimaro will have Sasuke or he won't."

She was gone.

"What do we do now Kakashi?" Zabuza asked.

"Something big is going down." Kakashi turned to Gaara. "I get the feeling you can tell us exactly what's happening."

Gaara looked at him. "It must be brief because last I checked Sasuke, Daichi, Naruto, and Lee were facing off with Sound Shinobi…"

Sasuke and Daichi vs Kimimaro, Same Time…

Daichi and Sasuke stood across from Kimimaro and wove the same hand signs before letting a Jutsu off at their opponent. "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu."

The two balls of fire formed together becoming a larger ball of fire that washed over Kimimaro. Once it was gone, it was revealed that only his skin was burnt showing off the bone underneath. What did he care for injury when he was going to die anyways?

"If this is your real answer, so be it." Kimimaro declared.

He produced bones from his palms and charged the Chunin. Sasuke drew a kunai and Daichi a sword. That engaged in blades with Kimimaro who was unreal. Sasuke and Daichi were doing nothing more than tying with the Sound Shinobi.

Kimimaro's movements were practiced, fluid, and graceful every step of the way. Once he had them lulled, the Sound Shinobi extended bones from his knees. The Chunin saw this and attempted to dodge by jumping back.

The bones pierced their stomachs enough to make them bleed. The Sound Shinobi then made those bones recede. Even though that hurt, The Chunin continued fighting. A bone protruded from Kimimaro right shoulder.

"His bones are tough and can protrude from his body." Sasuke thought. "What else does he have up his sleeve?"

"We'll have to tread lightly with this guy." Daichi thought. "We can't afford to make mistakes."

Kimimaro grabbed the bone and produced a sword. "You two are about to experience what my Bloodline Limit grants me." The black lines spread forth from his chest. "Allow me to demonstrate a blade harder than steal."

He rushed them.

"Daichi, his Chakra just shot up." Sasuke warned as he crossed his arms. "Gate of Opening, open."

"I hear you Sasuke." Daichi quickly wove through the hand signs. "Lion's Will: 15%."

The two Chunin ran in brandishing their weapons. They moved to strike Kimimaro, but he cut clean through each blade and both Chunin just barely managed to jump back in time avoiding the blade slicing into them.

"Enough playing around." Daichi stated. "Lion's Will: 25%."

"Agreed." Sasuke crossed his arms. "Gate of Healing, Open!"

Kimimaro was happy with their power. "Yes, you two will make fine bodies for Lord Orochimaru. So young yet this strong. You can be the bodies I cannot be due to my illness." He started coughing up blood. "Wonderful."

The curse mark accelerated to the second level. Kimimaro's skin turned a rusted red, he grew a tail, and all along his back there were bone spikes. He was sprinting towards the two of them in an endeavor to end this fast while preserving the life of potential hosts.

"That must be a second level." Daichi thought.

Sasuke made the hand signs. "Sharingan."

Kimimaro rushed in and punched Daichi sending him skidding across the ground. The Sound Shinobi they rammed into Sasuke pushing him back. The Uchiha dug his feet into the ground giving him just enough of a standing to pivot around Kimimaro.

Daichi came at Kimimaro from the front. The pair then started striking at their opponent with punches and kicks. The Sound Shinobi moves to strike at Daichi who draws his remaining blade and held it up. Kimimaro punched clear through the blade, but it gave Daichi valuable seconds.

The Fusion member does not waste them as he hammers his free fist into the Kimimaro knocking him into Sasuke who spins and kicks their opponent away. The Sound Shinobi flips to his hands catching himself only for Daichi to stab one of his broken blades into the shinobi's gut.

Kimimaro doesn't let this stop him. With the blade in his gut, he spins on his hands kicking Daichi. He then springs to his feet and elbows Sasuke in the back of the head before following up with a knee to the gut sending a winded Uchiha flying.

Kimimaro begin panting and coughing up more blood. "These two are beginning to run my time down. I need to end this now." He clapped his hands together and slammed his palms on the ground. "Dance of the Seedling Fern!"

Bones began to rapidly rise.

"Daichi! Get over here!" Sasuke bit his thumb, wove the hand signs, and slammed his palm on the ground as Daichi sprinted to him. "Summoning Jutsu!"

The smoke puffed up around them as bones continued to rapidly fill the field. Kimimaro was lying in wait as Sasuke and Daichi were just above them atop a golden phoenix big enough for two people.

Kimimaro coughed up more blood and began panting. "Orochimaru." He looked up determined. "I will see the truth of this world you spoke of." At this point, Sasuke and Daichi were worn out and their respective abilities shut down. "Orochimaru will gladly take one of you!"

They both saw Kimimaro launch up into the air after them as his left arm was covered by a large, bone lance

Sasuke addressed the phoenix. "Ascend now!"

"I will show you Sasuke Uchiha! I will show you the power he offers by killing your comrade!" Kimimaro shouted as he continued climbing after the phoenix.

As if on cue, at that moment, the Sound Shinobi's heart gave out mere inches from the phoenix. While it and the Leaf Chunin rose, Kimimaro fell into the bone forest below.

With Orochimaru

Orochimaru, bandaged after taking a new body, sat in a throne with Kabuto nearby.

"Can it be?" Kabuto questioned. "Kimimaro…"

"He is of no further use to me." Orochimaru angrily stated. "On this day, Sasuke Uchiha escapes my grasp, but I will have him. The Leaf Village cannot protect him forever."

With Naruto

After a good amount of time with nothing happening, Naruto came out of the brush. "I'll just have to tell Tsunade later." He ran up a tree to the branches above and started off in the direction of his friends. "In the meantime, I'll head this way in case the others need help."

With Kankuro

Kankuro had just finished off a small squad of sound Shinobi that had jumped him. He now rushed onward.

With Daichi and Sasuke

The two Chunin looked down at the bone field and spotted Kimimaro's dead body

Sasuke looked at Daichi as a question came to his mind. "That man killed your mother. The one who was everything to you, right?" He remembered Kakashi's words. "Does seeing him dead leave you with nothing?"

Daichi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Seeing him dead does nothing for me Sasuke." He smiled and patted his teammate's back. "Having comrades that mean everything to me is what motivates me."

Sasuke simply nodded. "What happens now?"

At that moment, Naruto showed up from the south while Zabuza and Kakashi came in from the west.

Daichi smiled. "We join them, make sure our comrades aren't in trouble, and return home."

Sasuke looked at the phoenix. "Take us down."

Konoha: Hospital, Later…

Every injured Shinobi was brought in for treatment should they need it. Understandably, the Sand and Mist were pretty much fine except for Akana. In the end, he just needed to drink some blood before he was good to go.

Kakashi was leaning against a wall when he was approached by Tsuande. "Kakashi, you said you wanted reports on Leaf Shinobi injury?"

Kakashi nodded. "What are we looking at?"

Sakura Haruno was severely Chakra Exhausted and had a few broken ribs. Fortunately, they're quickly on the mend given her Senju DNA. Kiba Inuzuka had mild injury and was Chakra Exhausted. He simply needs rest.

Sasuke Uchiha and Daichi Ryu were a little injured and have been treated. We'll be keeping those two until tomorrow just to be certain. Shino Aburame, Naruto Uzumaki, and Rock Lee had slight injuries. We treated them and will release them in an hour or two."

Kakashi sighed. "It's good to hear that no one was put into critical condition."

Tsunade nodded. "I don't have the reports yet, but based on the battlefields, it seems as though their mission was a success."

With Sakura

Sakura laid in bed staring at the celling when her door opened. Kurenai and Yamato, who stayed back, entered.

"I just heard what I could from Shino." Kurenai nodded. "I'm very proud of you Sakura."

Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Kurenai Sensei." She turned to look at the adults. "I may have done alright, but I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. I must make up for wasting my time in the academy. Will you both help me?"

"Don't worry." Kurenai brushed the girl's hair out of her face. "If working hard is what you want to do, then I'll put my all into helping you."

Yamato nodded. "I take my missions seriously. I'm ordered to train you, so I will do so to the best of my ability from here on out."

Sakura smiled and closed her eyes. "Thank you…"

She was fast asleep.

With Kiba

Kiba and Akamaru were both lying in bed as an older woman attended to them. The woman in question has animalistic features, like Kiba, long, untamed brown hair, vertical slit-like pupils, and elongated canine teeth and nails.

She also has the clan fang markings on her cheeks as well as markings over her eyes and a dark shade of purple lipstick. She wears the standard outfit of a Konoha shinobi consisting of flak jacket, a black suit underneath with the sleeves rolled up, and bandages around her legs.

Kiba thought back to Kidomaru and Pakura. "I could have easily died if Kenjo hadn't come around. Then there was Pakura who was in a league higher." He looked at his mother. "Mom, Akamaru and I are nowhere near strong enough. Can you train Akamaru and I to be stronger?"

Tsume chuckled. "You're so much like your father. He two had to go out on a dangerous mission before he got his butt in gear." Tsume gained the sort of evil grin only a mother could give. "Okay pup, we'll increase your training once you recover.

Tsume was leaking killer intent scaring Kiba and Akamaru. "Now I'm starting to wonder if I've made the right choice."

Front Gates of the Village

Team Akana stood before the gates leading out of the village.

"This mission was one to remember." Akana stated. "I think we got a few Shinobi to add to the Bingo Books."

Kanja looked at him. "We haven't forgotten what we heard Sensei."

Akana looked at them. "I don't know…"

"Sensei, refused to drink the blood our village gave you when you needed it." Kenjo interrupted. "It'd have been one thing to fall to a powerful Shinobi. It's another to refuse to drink blood because you think it makes you uncool.

Akana sweat dropped before starting to run.

"Damn it, Sensei!" Kanja shouted as she and Kenjo ran after him. "We're not done talking about this!"

With Naruto

Naruto was looking out the window when Hinata entered the room. "Naruto, you're okay."

Naruto turned to her and smiled. "Hey Hinata." He nodded. "Don't worry, I'm fine." He noticed the Ichiraku Ramen in her hands. "Is that…"

Hinata smiled and walked over. "I figured I couldn't be there for the mission, so the least I could do was get food for everyone who went."

Hinata passed him one of the boxes.

Naruto smiled big. "Thank you, Hinata! I love you!"

Hinata blushed a crimson red. "D-Did Naruto just say he loves me?"

Naruto had a mouthful of ramen when he noticed Hinata blushing. "What's…" He realized what he'd said making him blush. "Hinata I…" Naruto couldn't deny she was pretty, but he wasn't exactly over Sakura to think of a girl in that light.

"I didn't… I don't think… It's not that I don't think your pretty… I mean come to think of it did I… did I ever love Sakura? I don't know, but that was a slip of the tongue. It's not like… I didn't mean…"

Suddenly, Naruto's words hit Hinata and she realized that he hadn't meant it. Even though she didn't want to feel this way, she was sad.

The Hyuga turned away from her crush before the tears could start. "I'm sorry Naruto. I should…"

Naruto smacked his forehead because he didn't want to hurt Hinata. She was a great friend and, now that he thought about it, maybe she could be more. He jumped out of bed and grabbed Hinata's shoulder before she could leave.

Kakashi sat on a tree branch outside the window intending to enter and check on his student when the scene before him began. "Ask her out. Ask her out. Ask her out."

Naruto turned Hinata around and saw the tears. "Hinata, I'm not going to say I meant to say what I did, but I don't know. You seem really hurt, so I'm kicking myself because it seems you feel the same way about me that I felt about Sakura. Maybe you'd like to do something some time."

Hinata froze before happiness overcame her and she hugged Naruto. "Yes. Yes. Yes."

Naruto blinked. "Huh, it does feel nice not getting punched by a girl."

"That a boy Naruto." Kakashi thought. "Your dad would be proud, but your mom likely would have had this all happen earlier if she were here."

With Shikamaru and Temari

Shikamaru was worried for his whole team even though he'd heard no one was in life threatening danger. The worst of them was Sakura who had broken bones, yet she'd heal.

Temari, who sat across from him, said, "There's no point in making yourself crazy. I mean, don't you remember your psychological training? With every mission there is the possibility for sacrifice. Your mission ended up a success with practically no injury. Cheer up already."

"Training and reality are two different things. I made mistakes that no platoon leader should have. If only I…" Shikamaru began.

"You can only account for so much as a leader. The enemy had many variables that even a genius like you couldn't have possible accounted for. Staying put was the best option because any battle we could have joined would have been long over." Temari stated.

Shikamaru stood up. "You say that, but I know there has to be more I could have done to ensure their safety." He clenched his fist. "It's all my fault that the men under my command got hurt."

"Think what you like, but I don't believe you were the only Chunin out there. Even then, you're getting worked up over nothing." Temari stated.

Shikamaru sat back down, still clenching his fist, as he thought back to the mission. He went over every detail again while taking Temari's words into consideration.

"You say I didn't make a mistake, but I made many. They depended on me and Daichi to see them through this mission safely. I feel as though I failed. There were things I could have accounted for but overlooked. Next time, I won't miss a thing."

Village Hidden in the Cave

Neji was furiously training to further his Byakugan and gain new abilities. It's what he's been doing ever since waking up. All around him were stone buildings with the Uzumaki symbol and colors everywhere. Due to their being practically no one around, the village was silent.

Shun walked into the training field. "Neji, I have an interesting plan. One that will help you grow stronger to advance your goals and further my own."

Neji looked at him. "What is this plan?"

"Recently, Orochimaru has tried to get Sasuke Uchiha. He failed and had to take a new vessel. It's a way for him to theoretically have eternal youth. Now, it will be years before he can use Sasuke's body. That's why I'm planning on offering you up to Orochimaru.

The Yonnin can train you to become so much stronger than you are. Strong enough to destroy the Leaf and Cloud. Not to mention the surplus of Shinobi with interesting talents he has. Search out those who aren't loyal to Orochimaru and you can put together a team."

It did not take Neji long to have his answer. "Fate once again provides what I need on the path to my ultimate destiny." He walked over to Shun. "I will go."

Shun smiled and wove some hand signs before putting an arm around Neji. "Very good Neji."

They vanished.

Forest

Neji and Shun appeared before stairs leading down into the earth.

As if on cue, Kabuto came up. "Shun Uzumaki? Lord Orochimaru hasn't asked for you." He focused on the prodigy. "That' Neji Hyuga. I had heard he'd left, but my scope on the Leaf Village has been limited with recent affairs."

"My information on the Leaf is quite accurate, and I'd heard of the failure to get Sasuke Uchiha." Shun smiled. "That is why I offer a possible vessel to Orochimaru." He put a hand on Neji's shoulder. "Neji Hyuga. Hyuga Clan prodigy with a desire to see Konoha crushed."

Kabuto looked at him. "Is that so?"

"I want Konoha wiped from the face of the Land of Fire. The only other village that has earned an equal desire is the Hidden Cloud. I've heard from Shun that Orochimaru grants the request of his vessel. Mine would be to see Konoha and Kumo devastated." Neji stated with calm anger.

Kabuto smiled. "I think Orochimaru may just like you, but I can't say for certain." He turned back to the stairs. "We'll see what he has to say. Do mind your manners. Orochimaru isn't happy with how events transpired."

"I'll keep that in mind." Neji stated.

Shun and Neji followed Kabuto inside.