Chapter 16: Defection of the Uchiha


July 24th, 64 AFL

It was just a few hours after Naruto Uzumaki's promotion to chunin that the Uzumaki-Namikaze trio found themselves entering the Uchiha's personal hospital room, "Sasuke, Ino, guess what, I made chunin believe it!" Naruto said with a grin, "Yeah it's crazy but our cute little knucklehead really did it. Sasuke, isn't it great, it's only a matter of time before we're all promoted, believe it," Sakura added.

Once the two made their announcement Ino went wide-eyed, 'How the hell did Naruto-baka get promoted before Sasuke-kun and what the hell are they thinking coming here and bragging at his expense,' the platinum blonde thought in worry. Truthfully the pair were not exactly bragging, well maybe Naruto a little but he wanted to impress his friend too. Unfortunately Sasuke was far from happy, in fact he was down right pissed,

'That bastard, first he steals my opponent and then my promotion, I'll fucking kill him,' the raven haired teen thought as he got to his feet, gently pushing Ino out of the way as he stared menacingly at Naruto looking directly into the baka's eyes. Sakura and Hinata shuddered a little and looked at each other, then back to Naruto-kun who was wearing an unreadable look, clearly the boys were having some sort of silent conversation with their eyes that only they could understand.

"Um Sasuke, are you alright?" Hinata asked with concern but Sasuke's gaze never shifted from his rival, "Roof, five minutes and we'll see if you're actually worthy to wear that stupid thing," Sasuke proclaimed as he pointed to Naruto's new chunin vest. Naruto's face remained unreadable as he replied with, "Fine, we've put this off for long enough teme!" he declared loudly and then headed to the hospital roof, Sakura and Hinata close behind attempting to talk him out of the fight that was about to happen.

Sasuke got his gear on and once he was ready, turned around and was quickly enveloped in a hug, "Sasuke-kun, kick the dobe's ass but please don't kill him. I don't know if I can bear hurting Sakura like that and don't forget that you are not Itachi. You'll find your own way remember, I know you will," Ino explained and then looked deep into Sasuke's onyx eyes. Sasuke was scowling at first but when he saw her tears threatening to fall, he was reduced to a small sigh, "I wasn't planning it Ino-chan, like you said I just want to put the dobe in his place. Now come one they're expecting us," he said and then immediately walked out of the room. After recovering from the shock of chan honorific Ino quickly made her way after the unstable Uchiha wondering whether he meant to say Ino-chan or if it just slipped out.

It wasn't a few minutes later when Naruto and Sasuke found themselves facing each other on the hospital's roof, both boys scowling at the other while their soulmates sat on the side watching contently. Sakura and Hinata tried talking to the bossy blonde next to them but surprisingly enough her lips were sealed as she stared intently at the two boys. Eventually though Naruto's scowl shifted into a foxy grin,

"You know Sasuke it's crazy, no matter how many spars we've had in the past you've always defeated me but I think todays going to be different, believe it!" Sasuke's scowl only intensified, "Dobe do you really think you're going to win, you won't even land a scratch on my forehead," he said in anger and then pointed to his face which was clearly lacking his a headband. Now it was Naruto's turn for anger but he composed himself remembering that acting irrationally was no way a chunin should behave,

"You know how disrespectful it is not to wear your headband, especially when you're sparing with a shinobi who outranks you," Naruto replied and only tied his headband tighter. "Shut up you weak, pathetic demon!" Sasuke screeched in anger making the blonde go wide eyed in shock that was quickly replaced by rage, "What the hell did you just say Sasuke?" Sasuke's scowl refused to leave his face,

"I know damn well what you are, a monster and a freak. It wasn't your power that made you a chunin it was that damn fox that's sealed inside of you. Don't think you can brag about using a power that's not even yours!" Naruto sunk his head while Sakura and Hinata looked at Sasuke in shock unable to form words, "Fine be that way Sasuke," was the blonde jinchuuriki's reply.

Without warning the boys charged each other using their taijutsu, Naruto hoped to understand his friend through their fist but the only thing he could sense was Sasuke's jealousy and rage. Finally the two backed away and Sasuke screamed, "Fire Style - Dragon Flame Jutsu!" The Uchiha erupted a large concentrated blast of fire toward the Uzumaki as the blonde thought,

'Crap I don't know if this will work but it's worth a shot.' Naruto ran through hand signs at a remarkable pace and just before Sasuke's flames reached the boy he sucked in the air around him and shouted, "Wind Style - Air Bullet!" The boys jutsus met the other causing a loud explosion at the center of the roof, the blonde's wind magnifying Sasuke's fire.

Eventually the flames died down and the Uchiha growled out, "So you copied that other monster's jutsu, you're lucky you had an affinity to wind otherwise you would be a barbecue right now but let's see how you handle this!" Sasuke backed away to the otherside of the arena and all of the roof's inhabitants looked at him in shock with the exception of the blonde shinobi staring him down.

Naruto backed away as well creating two clones and before anyone could blink their jutsus were ready. "Chidori!" "Rasengan!" they two boys shouted as they charged the other. It was like they were in a trance but before their attacks met they heard Sakura scream, "Please stop!" They looked over and saw Ino and Hinata holding her back and then looked to their hands finally realizing the foolishness of attacking with such lethal force but it was far too late to stop.

Sasuke and Naruto tried to pull back and before their attacks could connect they were grabbed by their sensei and thrown to opposite corners of the roof. "What the hell is wrong with you two!? Were you really trying to kill each other in front of them no less," Kakashi said as he pointed to Sakura, Hinata, and Ino all of whom had varying expression but most noticeably for Naruto, tears running down Sakura and Hinata's cheeks,

"I'm sorry sensei, I let my emotions cloud my judgment." Naruto got to his feet and walked over to his soulmates, "I'm so sorry for making you two cry," he said but Sakura and Hinata only embraced him in a tight hug. "It's ok Naruto-kun, Sasuke was acting strange so you're not the only one at fault," Hinata replied. "She's right Naru-kun but please I really care about both of you and I don't know what I'd do without you guys. You're both my teammates and even though I know you're my true love I love Sasuke like a brother so please try not to scare me like that again, please," Sakura almost begged.

Naruto petted the crying pinkette, his hand running down her back getting lost in her long cherry blossom locks in an effort to calm her down, "I'll try Sakura-chan, I promise, I feel the same way, he's my brother too after all, you know," he replied. She looked at him and smiled her tears finally stopping, "Thank you Naruto-kun." Hinata smiled as well,

"Naruto-kun I think Sakura needs you a bit more right now then I do so I'm going to go take care of a few things," she said without much warning. The Uzumakis looked at her in confusion but she waved them off, "It's fine, like I said I have a couple of things I need to take care of and Sakura needs some one on one Naru-kun time," Hinata giggled and then left the rooftop using the door and proceeded to the hospital's lower levels.

Naruto and Sakura turned to the Uchiha clan and saw that Ino had vanished as well while Kakashi sensei was leading Sasuke over the rooftops for an unknown reason. Naruto and Sakura looked at each other and they shared a kiss before leaving the rooftop themselves wondering what the hell was wrong with Sasuke but pushing those thoughts to the back of their minds, deciding to spend the day celebrating Naruto's promotion.

As the Uzumakis went off to enjoy the day Sasuke Uchiha was stuck being lectured by Kakashi, "What were you thinking Sasuke? Did you really want to kill Naruto? Did you not listen when I told you about my teammates or when I told you what the Chidori is used for?" The jonin questioned but Sasuke only replied with his usual scowl,

"You don't know what it feels like to have your entire family butchered before your eyes, to be forced to acknowledge that a loser like the dobe is stronger than me because he was lucky enough to be born with overwhelming power. In fact you don't know anything about me!" Sasuke screeched causing the gray haired jonin to sigh,

"Look Sasuke, I lost my father, then my teammates but we have both been blessed by having people in our lives that truly love us. I'm begging you Sasuke, let it go and focus on being happy, please. You don't realize it yet but every decision that you make affects the people that care about you and by following this path you're only causing them to suffer," Kakashi tried to explain,

"Just think about it ok," he finished and then disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Sasuke looked down solemnly reflecting on Kakashi's words while Ino hid behind a tree but as she got ready to come up and comfort him she stopped seeing four unknown nin surround the last Uchiha. She noticed they had sound headbands which frightened her at first but she listened contently to every word they had to say to her Sasuke-kun.

"It's time Sasuke Uchiha, Lord Orochimaru is ready for you and as promised you will have Karin Uzumaki handed over to you as well as guarantee the safety of your teammates and your other girlfriend," one of the nin explained. "That's right Sasuke if you want to control that power...," another nin pointed to the curse mark on Sasuke's neck, "...and have the training and skills needed to kill Itachi meet us outside the village gates tonight.

Oh and if you're thinking about trying to betray us our Lord promised he would come and ensure the death of all of you. After all he did kill the Third Hokage and I'm sure the Fifth would fall just as easily." Were the sound nin's last words to the Uchiha before they departed and left Sasuke to his thoughts. Ino looked on in worry but chose to leave him be for now in order for him to make his own decision.

It wasn't an hour later when Hinata made her way into Neji's room with Tsunade close behind. Neji looked at his cousin with a look she had not seen on him before, "I'm so sorry Hinata, I was... so wrong," was all he said before turning his head away. Hinata and the Hokage smiled at the Hyuga before Hinata walked up to her cousin and forced him to face her,

"It's ok Neji, I brought someone here to heal your legs," she said with kindness. Neji only nodded and Tsunade started her examination, "Clean brakes you're lucky I'm here these would have taken months to heal naturally, now let me see here." The sannin began her legendary medical jutsu and after just fifteen minutes she wiped the sweat off of her forehead and smiled,

"Well you're healed and you can leave, you'll be cleared for missions by tomorrow so be ready we need every active shinobi that we can get at the moment. Now I have to go get ready for Lee's operation so if you two don't need me anymore I'll leave you alone." Tsunade said, "Thank you Lady Tsunade," Hinata replied quickly but the Hokage just waved her hand and left the room leaving the two Hyuga's alone.

"I'll walk you home Neji or at least as far as I can," Hinata said with a smile. Neji nodded and got to his feet and was surprised to feel that his legs felt better than before. He then decided, "Actually Hinata I think I'm going to wait and see how Lee's surgery goes," Neji explained again with a look Hinata hadn't seen from him before. Hinata simply smiled again, "Alright I have another errand to run anyway so I guess I will see you later then cousin," she said happily and then left Neji alone in his hospital room to gather his thoughts.


Late that night it was foggy and looked like it might rain but Naruto and Sakura were sharing a bowl of ramen nonetheless, culminating their celebration with their favorite meal, completely unaware of what they were about to lose. Sasuke Uchiha was slowly making his way to the gates outside of the village but was surprised when he saw a girl he knew all too well was waiting for him,

"Are you ready?" she said in the bossiest and most irritated voice he had ever heard the platinum blonde produce. Sasuke looked at her with an unreadable look at first that quickly evolved into anger, "What the fuck do you mean there's no way you're coming with me!" Sasuke barked out. His demand was met by a forceful kick to the groin by the platinum blonde causing him to fall to his knees.

He looked up using his usual scowl and their eyes met, "You don't understand, I don't want you getting anywhere that freak. I don't want you to have to abandon your friends and family just for me, that's why you have to stay," the last Uchiha tried to explain but that was met by a backhand feeling the ring he had given her just a few days before scratch his cheek,

"Look at me Sasuke!" Ino yelled and for the first time he looked at her with his jaw wide open, "I am Ino Uchiha! Uchiha!" she screeched in his face. "I am not an emotional train wreck like Sakura, I was trained in a shinobi clan just like you and can control my emotions. I'm not going to cry and beg you to stay and you know that. I've made my choice and found my resolve and I'm going with you whether you like it or not," she stated and then finally released his collar.

"Oh and one more thing I'm wearing my god damn cloak!" she said and then spun around allowing Sasuke to see the purple cloak, like his it had no designs but centered on her back was the Uchiha symbol displayed proudly on her back. She reached down to grab his hand and help him up, "So stop wasting time and let's go already befo…" She never got to finish her sentence as she was tackled to the ground by Sasuke but before she could do anything she felt his lips pressed tightly against hers.

He had kissed her and in that kiss he poured all of his affection, care, and appreciation. As quickly as it happened the moment ended and Sasuke got to his feet before helping Ino, "You're right, I guess I almost forgot how much I need you in my life," he said. Ino blushed, "Of course did, dumb ass," she teased but before they were outside the gates another presence reveled itself.

"Ino, Sasuke, where are you going?" The pair turned around quickly and were surprised to find Hinata Hyuga standing there with her Byakugan active. The Uchiha were dumbfounded at first until the Hyuga princess started, "You know I've been watching Naruto-kun for a long time and if I know anything it's that there are only two people in the world that matter to him as much as me," she said and then pointed directly at Sasuke,

"And one of them is you!" "Hinata please just listen," Ino started but Hinata directed her anger filled gaze at the blonde instead making her stop, "And you Ino, you're Sakura's best friend, you share a bond with her that I may never even know and can only ever dream of having," the hyuga princess sighed before finishing, "And I know you two are only probably only doing this in order to save Karin but…"

Hinata looked up to face them once again, "But I know even if I was trapped and being tortured that I would never ask Naruto or Sakura to risk their lives or even worse betray the village and everyone else they love!" she finished. Ino and Sasuke looked at each other and Hinata tried to take advantage quickly trying to use her Hyuga taijutsu to block the Uchiha's chakra points unfortunately for her Sasuke was able to dodge using his sharingan.

Hinata decided to at least try Ino but when she made contact she dissolved into water, 'Crap, water clone,' Hinata realized. Suddenly Sasuke hit her with a kick sending her backward and before she could counter Ino was behind her, "I'm sorry Hinata," was all the blonde said before hitting her with a strike of her own. Hinata coughed up a little blood but got to her feet,

"I'm not done," but before she could blink Sasuke was behind her, "For what it's worth, I'm sorry too Hinata," was all she heard before she lost consciousness, Sasuke quickly chopping her neck and knocking her out. The Uchiha laid her on the nearby bench and then the pair made their way out of the Leaf as fast as their legs could carry them. It was only a short while later when the Uchihas found themselves before the sound four and after a short argument Sasuke readied himself for the final steps in unlocking the full potential of his heaven curse mark.


July 25th, 64 AFL

It was early the next morning when Hinata awoke to the sound of Naruto and Sakura's voices, "Hinata-chan, where have you been? Why are you out here? Why weren't you at Sakura's house last night, we got really worried, believe it!" Naruto explained. Last night's events flowed through the girl's mind and then quickly looked at the pair of Uzumakis standing before her nervously before saying,

"We have to get Lady Hokage now!" Naruto looked at her in worry but nodded nonetheless and it wasn't long before the trio found themselves standing in front of the Hokage. Hinata quickly informed them of the Uchiha's defection and two teams were assembled to go after the pair. At the village gates stood Team Uzumaki which consisted of Naruto, Sakura, Hinata and Neji as well as Team Nara whose members were Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and Akamaru.

"Do you think we could use anyone else Shikamaru? I mean my team does have an extra person," Naruto questioned his fellow chunin knowing full well Shikamaru would have the best strategy. The Nara heir was just as shaken as Naruto and Sakura by the defection of his teammate, Ino was his oldest friend after all and losing her was devastating to both Choji and himself. Although he was upset the chunin was able to clear his mind to the best of his ability.

"No, we've already wasted enough time so I'll make this quick. Ino and Sasuke are our teammates and our friends. I'll go through hell and back to save them. That is the way of our Village and our way of the shinobi," he finished. "Couldn't have said better myself Shika, now let's get moving! Sasuke, Ino, we're coming to save you, believe it!" the blonde chunin declared and Team Uzumaki quickly vanished into the trees, Team Nara following close behind,

"Neji, Hinata, take turns scouting ahead with your Byakugan," Naruto ordered, "Right!" they echoed. "Kiba, you and Akamaru use your noses and try to pick up Ino's scent," Shikamaru ordered as he handed the dog boy one of Ino's kunai that he had gotten from her parents before starting their mission. Kiba replied with a nod and It wasn't long before Kiba found her scent and Neji spotted something.

The teams made their descent into a field but they were quickly trapped inside of an priosn made of solid earth that was slowly draining their chakra, "Stupid Leaf ninja you'll never get out of here," the sound nin known as Jirobo taunted. "That's what you think," Shikamaru," replied, "Yeah it's not very smart to underestimate us, we have two of the strongest members of the Hyuga clan in here after all, believe it," Naruto added.

Jirobo went to retort but Choji suddenly screamed, "Human Boulder!" Before his very eyes his prison was shattered and Choji was standing proudly, "Don't worry, I'll handle this guy, Go on and save Ino and Sasuke," he said with a fire in his eyes that the others hadn't seen before. Naruto and Shikamaru nodded and left Choji to do battle but before getting too far ahead they stopped at a tree. The leaf nin all left the Akimichi a kind message before heading off once again and it wasn't long before they met up with another sound nin.

"Neji can you handle this one?" Naruto asked the same boy he had defeated and crushed just a month prior. "Don't worry I've got this one, you just focus on protecting Hinata and saving Sasuke and Ino." Neji replied and got ready for battle against the sound nin known as Kidomaru. "Be careful Neji," Hinata said with concern as she continued forward with her friend in order to catch up with the remaining nin.

Like before it didn't take long but when Shikamaru asked Kiba to take Sakon he simply shook his head. Shikamaru wanted to argue but Kiba whispered something in his ear that caused the Nara to sigh, "Seriously, what a drag, fine I'll deal with this guy, Kiba you're under Naruto's command now." The Inuzuka simply nodded with a grin, "Thanks Shikamaru, I owe you one. Come on let's go Naruto."

"Hey I'm the chunin remember, now come on dog boy and try to keep up," Naruto said and with that their two teams had been reduced to only one, the blonde jinchuuriki, Sakura, Hinata, and Kiba. They finally reached the final sound nin but as they went to retrieve the container that Sasuke was in, he suddenly emerged his chakra flaring higher than ever before. Ino helped him to his feet and the pair looked at their friends before bolting full sprint toward the sanke's hideout.

"Kiba this is your fight right?" Naruto asked causing the Inuzuka to smirk, "Believe me I wish it wasn't but someone gotta knock some sense into this girl and who better than me," he grinned while the sound nin only scowled. "Alright, Hinata, Sakura let's move!" The blonde ordered and with that the Uzumaki-Namikaze trio left their friend to his desperate battle.

They were catching up slowly but Sasuke and Ino were fast and as they reached an open field they spotted Kimimaro. Without saying a word they ran past the man and reentered the trees, just a few miles short of their destination. Naruto and his soulmates landed in front of the sound nin but before the blonde could engage,

"Naruto-kun, this one's mine," Hinata turned to Naruto and Sakura with a solemn expression, "Sasuke and Ino are your best friends, you two are the only ones that have a chance to get through to them," the Hyuga princess elaborated. "Thank you Hinata," Sakura said and gave her counterpart hug before Naruto embraced her in one of his own,

"Be careful my sweet moonlight and I promise we're all coming back together, believe it." He quickly pulled Hinata into a deep kiss before separating and the Uzumakis went off to face their closest friends and greatest rivals alone.


Meanwhile Choji Akimichi had delivered several brutal blows to his opponent caused by the increase in strength that his clan's food pills provided. As he threw his opponent to the ground he laced himself with kunai and used his Human Boulder Jutsu to try and finish his opponent. Jirobo used a mud wall in attempt to stop him but Choji broke right through,

"You're not going to stop me! I know Naruto and Sakura are going to save Ino and Sasuke and I won't let you get in their way!" The Akimichi cried while striking the sound nin with his Spiky Human Boulder Jutsu. Jirobo was forced to use his curse mark finally escaping the Akimichi's attack and knocking him back. Choji huffed and used his second food pill, with that the battle began once again, "I'll kill you fat ass!" The sound nin screeched as he threw Choji to the air but that was a mistake,

"Super Expansion Jutsu!" The Akimichi grew to a size rivaling the chief toad and tried catching the Sound nin forcing him to push his curse mark to its second stage. Unbelievably the transformed nin was able to hold Choji up and eventually threw him to the ground when his jutsu dispersed. Choji knew he had no choice, 'Ino, Sasuke and everyone else this is for you!' He took the last food pill before the sound nin landed a devastating blow and the effects immediately showed,

"How?" Jirobo gasped in shock that this fat ass had blocked his brutal punch with just one hand. Blue chakra wings were swirling behind the Akimichi heir and the fat on his body had all but vanished, "Because I'd do anything to protect my friends and now thanks to the chili pepper pill ill I'm 100x stronger!" Choji shouted while landing his own brutal blow to Jirobo's solar plexus. The force was so strong that his fist went through the nin's body with little resistance ending his life instantly.

The Akimichi sighed as he watched his opponent fall to the ground and even though he knew his own life would soon end soon tried his best to catch up to his teammates. He stopped however when he saw something carved into the side of a tree. He examined it closely and what he saw brought him to tears, all of his friends had left him a message the cherry blossom of Team 7 for example,

"Catch up quick and do your best, cha!" and the Byakugan princess from Team 8 adding, "We know you can win so hurry up but be careful." After the Akimichi heir read the last message he fell to the ground in tears of joy but slowly shifted into a state of unconsciousness.

Around the same time Neji Hyuga was busy dodging the spiderwebs that were flying from Kidomaru's mouth eventually though the Hyuga was pinned to a tree, "Die, Ninja Art - Spider Sticky Gold!" He shouted, a gold colored substance erupted from the boys mouth but Neji was able to escape the sound nins attack. The Hyuga got in close, 'In order to repay Naruto and Hinata for opening my eyes,' he thought as he found himself in perfect striking distance,

"I will defeat you, Eight Trigrams - Sixteen Palms, Thirty-two Palms, Sixty-four Palms!" Unfortunately for Neji the sound nin with six arms used his Spider Sticky Gold as armor blocking his strikes. Kidomaru used his first stage curse mark and shaped his sticky gold into kunai and launched the various objects but Neji's defence blocked them without fail.

Kidomaru sped up his assault adding other weapons with his kunai trying to take the genin down but Neji speed increased as well displaying his mastery of his clan's taijutsu styles. He managed to increase his sixty-four palms up to one hundred and twenty-eight palms but eventually blow after blow hit the genin in the back forcing him to the ground. When Kidomaru went to end the battle by dropping a giant spider on the genin but Neji got to his feet and managed to slay the insect. The sound nin snickered and took his curse mark to its second stage.

The now transformed sound nin used his sticky gold to form a bow and arrow taking aim and firing at Neji. The hyuga managed to avoid fatal blows taking them to the arm and shoulder instead. The sound nin thought about it for a moment before realizing Neji's Byakugan had a weak spot and moved to the perfect position. He fired the deadly shot using his chakra and aiming for a fatal blow but Neji managed to redirect the attack away from his vital organs.

The attack still pierced his body though but it gave Neji the opening he needed as he grabbed the arrow and redirected his chakra through the golden substance that led right back to his opponents mouth. Once the chakra reached the transformed sound nin he started falling to the ground in pain while Neji ripped the sticky gold from his body and ran toward the sound nin,

'I can not and will not lose!' he thought as he got in close, "Eight Trigrams - Sixteen Palms, Thirty-two Palms, Sixty-four Palms!" He shouted sending the sound nin to the ground motionless. Neji stood proudly, "I did it now it's up to the rest of you," where the Hyuga's last words as he collapsed to the ground.


Shikamaru stared down his opponent, 'What a drag, well at least I'm not fighting a girl this time,' he thought as he examined his surroundings as well as his opponent. "What's wrong aren't you going to attack me," Sakon said, "Yeah are you scared of us," Ukon added. Shikamaru snickered, "No I'm just lazy as hell," he added a yawn for emphasis, "I just prefer my opponents to come to me."

"Fine!" The brothers echoed as they charged the chunin but he quickly put his hands together, "Shadow Possession Jutsu!, well that was easy now play along," he said while he used his hands to grab several kunai from his pouch and the brothers who were still in one body mirrored the action. Finally Shikamaru threw the kunai directly in front of his opponents but the Nara's had one huge difference, at the end of his kunai where paper bombs and before the sound nin could scowl they exploded forcing the nin out of view.

Shikamaru turned around unharmed having released his jutsu at the last second and went to return to his comrades but unfortunately for him the brothers were still alive showing off their first stage curse mark. Shikamaru tried to counter but they were too fast and they grabbed him using all four of their hands, "What is this? What are you planning?" he asked the sound nin. The brothers laughed coldly,

"We're combining your body with ours, it's quite an unique jutsu but in just a few moments there won't be a trace of you left," Sakon explained. "Yeah that's troublesome but what if I do this," the chunin started as he grabbed another kunai and lunged it into his body. "Are you insane you're willing to die just to kill us," Sakon asked. Shikmaru snickered, "Thanks for the info now I know this will be worth it," he reared his kunai again for another blow.

"No!" Ukon screamed and together the two brothers exited the Nara's body and he stopped his attack a few inches short of its target. The two looked at the Leaf chunin with disdain and transformed into their second state, now holding nothing back. Shikamaru prepared to defend himself but then he heard a voice he knew shout, "Wind Scythe Jutsu!"

The brothers were blown against the side of the small valley while the sand kunoichi landed right in front of the pony tailed chunin. She looked back to him and simply said, "Don't think I came here to save you little boy I just got the troublesome task of being your backup." Shikamaru sighed,

"So I can assume your village is done attacking mine then Temari." She turned to face the sound nin who were slowly getting to their feet, "That was a mission just like this dumb ass, now stand back I'll finish them myself." The sand kunoichi said as she pulled out her fan and bit her thumb drawing blood. She quickly wiped the red substance on the blades of her fan and as she reared it she shouted,

"Summoning Blade Dance Jutsu!" Suddenly a weasel with white fur carrying a sickle appeared in a puff of smoke and shot straight for the enemy. Before the brothers could move they were cut down leaving them in far more parts then when the battle started. Temari looked back to Shikamaru wearing a smirk while the young chunin had on a look of fear that quickly shifted into annoyance,

"How troublesome, you should have gotten here from the start. Then at least I could have slept through this mission." he said. Temari snickered, "Come on let's go find the rest of your comrades and make sure their ok little boy." A vein appeared on Shikamaru's forehead but he only huffed and followed the sand kunoichi deciding it best to check on Neji and Choji first.

While his comrades batted the other enemy nin Kiba Inuzuka was busy staring down the only female member of the sound four. The pair said nothing at first but when Tayuya went to grab her flute it was suddenly pulled out her grip by an all too familiar canine, "Damn you Akamaru!" She screeched managing to get a hold of the pup and taking her flute back while sending her enemy to the ground.

Akamaru got up quickly enough and rejoined his master on a branch, "It's alright Akamaru you tried and now we know she knows who we are at least," Kiba elaborated. Tayuya said nothing instead she summoned her trio of Doki and began her deadly melody. Her warriors went in hard but Kiba and Akamaru were able to dodge her barrages albeit with difficulty using their speed in conjunction with Fang Over Fang and forcing the red haired sound nin to use her curse mark.

Tayuya's monsters increased in speed and strength, and slowly but surely the genin and canine pair were being worn down, "Tayuya enough! We don't have to fight each other! I know what the snake freak did to you and your friends. Please let's stop this and talk," Kiba barked out. "What do you think you know mut! Please I've seen the cosy life you and you're pathetic comrades lead. You can't imagine the horrible shit we've been through!"

Tayuya replied in anger while Kiba and his closest friend continued to avoid her attacks, 'Damn him, Kiba and his dog are so fast, I'll have to rely on my genjutsu,' she thought when Kiba finally replied. "Tayuya please, maybe we can help you and your friends but we have to stop this now before they all kill each other!"

Tayuya didn't respond instead she hid behind a tree and pushed her curse mark to its second stage and began her powerful genjutsu. Unfortunately for her Kiba foresaw this desperate attack coming and took necessary precautions before the battle had even begun, "Akamaru hide, I don't want to take the chance of her going after you first," Kiba said. His partner nodded and hid in the bushes behind the trees and just as he vanished from view Kiba seemed to be caught in the sound nin's spell and Tayuya appeared in front of him.

"Sorry Kiba it looks like you lose," she grabbed a kunai from the Inuzuka's own weapon pouch and reared it back, "For what it's worth, I am sorry," she went for the kill but was stopped by Kiba grabbing her hand with his own claw like fingers keeping her weapon in place while using his other to grab her flute shattering it with his intense grip. "How!?" She asked in shock causing Kiba to snicker,

"I knew you're jutsus were all based on sound and I knew your flute was controlling your Doki as well as your genjutsu. After all I saw your memories remember," he grinned proudly. "That doesn't explain why you didn't fall under my genjutsu!" Tayuya replied in aggravation. Kiba scratched his head with the hand that had shattered her flute and put his ear facing toward her,

"Sorry I can't really hear you," he explained. The sound kunoichi saw at once that the Inuzuka was wearing plugs in his ears blocking all outside noise from entering his senses. Kiba faced her again, "I knew I might have to fight you one day, although I never thought it would be like this. Regardless I've been preparing for this since the day I first saw you," he explained. "Then how the hell where you talking to me before, damn it the fucking mut," Tayuya said as she scowled at her opponent.

"Yes, Akamaru was acting as a communicator between us. Even if I can't hear him I still know him well enough to know what he's saying just by his mannerisms." Kiba sighed and then continued, "I wish the circumstances could have been better but hopefully after we bring you back to the Leaf we can talk it out," the Inuzuka finished calmly. "Screw you, you're not taking me alive!" Tayuya screamed.

Kiba released his grip and she backed away but before she could reach another branch she fell into what appeared to her be a wooden coffin. "Hehe looks like you fell into my puppet," Kankuro said happily and then looked to Kiba, "I take it you don't want me to kill this one." Kiba sighed, "No, at the very least she may have information on Orochimaru and maybe her friends will surrender if they see we captured her and she's at our mercy."

"Alright, Alright, let's go and find the others then," Kankuro replied. "Just let me grab Akamaru and we'll be on our way," Kiba went and picked up his pooch who was now sleeping peacefully in his arms. With that the boys made their way through the trees the sound kunoichi trapped in Kankuro's puppet too weak to escape and wondering what the hell was going to happen now. While she cried out profanities and insults toward the leaf and sand genin Kiba sighed and petted the sleeping pup in his arms, 'I hope the others are having better luck than I am," were the Inuzuka's thoughts as he sped through the trees.


At the same time Hinata Hyuga was doing her best to battle the leader of sound four Kimimaro, 'He's using his bones as weapons what a disturbing ability,' Hinata thought as she dodged another strike from the sound nin's bone sword. She tried to block his chakra points but when she stuck it felt like her hands had suffered more damage, "I'm sorry but I can use the bones in my body in a very unique way making my entire body a shield."

Hinata backed away and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" she summoned two clones and together they tried to charge in but they were quickly slashed apart and Hinata was forced back again, 'I have no choice my only option left is the Rasengan but I've never been able to perform it alone and if I fail I'll be too weak to dodge his attacks," the Hyuga heiress thought. Kimimaro looked at her with a solemn expression,

"I honestly don't want to kill you but I have my orders from Lord Orochimaru so I'm sorry but prepare to die," the sound nin said as he pulled out another sword from his body. 'Crap,' "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" she and her clones put thier hands together but the sound nin was coming too fast. Hinata closed her eyes and braced for the attack but it never came and she heard a familiar voice shout, "Leaf Hurricane!"

Hinata opened her eyes again and standing before her was the bushy browed genin she knew all too well. Lee looked to her and gave his classic nice guy poise, "Don't worry Hinata-san we'll defeat him together!" Hinata rose to her feet and stood beside her comrade, "Are you sure you're ok Lee, you only got out of surgery yesterday," she said worry evident in her tone. Lee grinned just increased even more, "Of course and now I will prove just how splendid of a ninja I truly am!" he proclaimed with fire in his eyes.

Hinata sighed but eventually smiled, "Alright Lee lets do this," she stated with a new sense of confidence but as their battle resumed, just a few miles away, in the Valley of the End another confrontation was about to begin. On one side of the valley stood the statue of Hashirama Senju the First Hokage and upon his head stood Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze and Sakura Haruno Uzumaki. On the opposite side Sasuke Uchiha and Ino Yamanaka Uchiha both sat calmly on the head of one of the most powerful members of their clan in shinobi history, Madara Uchiha.


AN: First things first I'm sorry this chapter's a bit shorter than the previous ones but it was either this or make the chapter ridiculously long and rushing through the most important fights of this arc which is something I don't want to do so the extra time is needed, please understand.

My reviewers: Everyone should Read! If you actually read the AN lol

Gunner - Like always glad to hear enjoyed and thank you

Mike - I assume your "nice" means you enjoyed lol and thank you

Acronym - I actually always planned on having Ino leave with Sasuke from the very beginning at that's why I said it would have been a nightmare to have Sakura with Sasuke really because having Sakura leave derails the plot to such an insane extent that it would fall into complete chaos. Also Ino is a much bossier and tends to get her way and will not put up with all of Sasuke's crap if she says she's going she's going deal with it lol.

Also you've given me some ideas for Sasuke, Ino, and Itachi that should be fun to write out but I don't intend to for Itachi and her too be intimate. I did establish that Ino also felt the same love toward Itachi that Sasuke did in chapter 3 so you'll all just have to wait and see. I like Suikarin myself as well actually and love SasuIno but that is biased to an extent on my part because I really didn't get into it until I started writing them together myself, lol.

However everyone needs to remember that Karin has had such a derailed past in this continuity already being found by the snake much earlier than in cannon. She we'll not be a fan girl but she we'll be strongly attached to Sasuke because he stopped her entire lifetime of torture by the snake just by coming there a boy she didn't even know was real until she sees him for the first time in person. With three years together fan girl Karin will be gone but she will be more submissive basically Sasuke's version of Hinata if you will just more likely to let him get away while Ino will tell his ass off lol.

However she will still be witty and funny and I promise there will be a at least a couple scenes between suigetsu and Karin and I will laugh my ass off when Karin punches him for being an assshole but it don't faze him and then Sasuke's just hits him with Chidori senbon either for simple jealousy or for insulting Karin. No one's development we'll disappear please don't think that and thank you for your review.

King of Konoha - You're absolutely right Naruto and Sasuke haven't really gotten stronger physically yet because I honestly wanted to focus on their mental development during part 1 especially and I'm sorry if I didn't communicate that very well but I gave Naruto a piece of Sakura brain lol and Hinata's calm demeanor to make him more of an even mix between Minato and Kushina rather than being dominated by Kushina traits like he was in part 1.

Having Sakura means she forces him to study and really think and learn while being with Naruto makes her focus on her earthly qualities you know, Heaven and Earth. I figured I would just power him up with extra abilities during the time skip and I've hinted on what he's going to picking up don't want to spoil and the main thing that held Naruto back from being a chunin in my opinion was he was just to immature mentally he did not qualify even with his defeat of Gaara this version of him isn't lol.

As for Sasuke just really wanted him to appear more human and open up a little. I gave him more than just one reason to abandon the village so he could be a bit more relateable and wanted him to be more than obviously good and redeemable.

General AN - Yes I healed Neji and he was ready to go considering how bad Lee was injured and still made his way to the battle even after his surgery and I'm sorry the Neji and Choji fights are the same but I couldn't just skip them because both characters need to shine and their skills really haven't changed much so I can't just give them a bunch of new techniques hell Neji was in the hospital until yesterday. However their motivations are slightly different and it should be interesting to see how Ino's defection affects Team 10 in general

I hoped you like the Shikamaru battle and then Temari just coming in and saving his ass we'll have them interact more before the end of part 1 so we can get a sense on how they will develop through the time skip

Yeah Kiba and Tayuya mentioned their was another soulmate in Otogakure and she was it, enjoyed writing their fight even though I made Kiba a bit OOC but I think it fit well here and like every other ship this was been planned since the beginning and he's definitely going to have a hard time getting through to her, will have another scene with them before the time skip

Next time we will see the fights between Lee, Hinata, and eventually Gaara vs. Kimimaro as well as Sakura and Ino's rematch as well as Naruto and Sasuke's battle with all the wrap up afterward as well as the departure and I've changed my mind once again we are going all the way until the end of Naruto without splitting this into books mainly because I just decided lol

Yeah I added Genkai's line from Yu Yu Hakusho to Kakashi's speech to Sasuke, you know the, "Every decision that you make affects the people that care about you," really love that line and thought it fit well here and of course Sakura still cares about Sasuke deeply that was never going to change but it is a brotherly love in this scenario, no one will ever cheat on their partner just wanted to make that absolutely clear.

As always thank you all and I hoped you enjoyed and again sorry I couldn't get the entire arc done in one chapter but I all hope you understand taking my time is better than rushing it and we'll result in a better final product so see you next time and as always hopefully within the next two weeks.