The Fox And The Tiger

The Journey: Live Combat

What will you do when you are facing someone stronger than you? Will you rise up and find a way to win by any means necessary? Or will you cower and accept that you've lost?

In a large, grand dinning hall, sat a few people. There was a massive breakfast set out on the table and there were smiles all around the table. It was not every day that it is your birthday. Today was July 24th, it was the blonde girl's birthday. She was happy but also seemed ever so slightly sad.

"Happy Birthday, Yugito! You're Thirteen now! It's been great to get to see you grow up thus far and continue to get stronger!" Ay said smiling and held her hand from where he seated at the end of the table. She was to his left, Bee to his right and Darui to Bee's right.

"Thank you, all of you. I'm happy as can be, with all of you! You've always been there for me." She looked to the vacant spots beside her then back to them, "I hope to continue to make you proud."

"Just keep working yo, reach levels never seen befoe' yo!"

Shaking his head, Darui chuckled "Yes, just keep doing what you're doing, Yugito. You're becoming stronger everyday."

Again there was a glance to the vacant spots and this time, she couldn't hide the frown. "I know you are worried for them..."

"My parents never have been gone this long...Normally they'd have returned by now. And..."

"What is it, Yugito? You know you can always talk to me." Ay said and his voice wasn't boisterous nor loud, just low and assuring.

"Well, I'm not used to them being gone, and I would have liked my team to be here...but things are getting bad...Naruto is traveling alone in enemy territory...and then I can't stand Rin..."

Internally Ay laughed because it was ironic how it was once Naruto she couldn't stand at all. Now he was the only one of her team that she actually liked being with. But he also wasn't a fan of Rin, what he was doing was something that angered the man

That kid was just causing trouble. Spreading around lies and rumors that were all false, solely to raise his status and popularity. It angered him that the boy would use Yugito like that and if it wasn't illegal to kill him, then he'd have done it already.

"Keep your head up, Yugito. It'll be alright, I'm sure they'll be back soon, as for Naruto. Everything is going to be fine."

"Yeah...I'm sure it will." She smiled and they went on with the breakfast.

Once everything was done and the table was cleaned up, they gathered out in the training ground that was in the backyard. Darui walked forward and took a stance in front of her. "It's time to take your training to another level."

"Oh? What about the others?"

"Well Rin is training in his family's techniques. And you really think Naruto isn't learning anything while on his journey? I guarantee that he will come back with some new techniques." Darui said with a smirk. "You wouldn't want to fall behind now, would you?"

He smirked even more when a fire was lit within her eyes and she settled into a stance of her own.

-Konohagakure-

"Sandaime-sama, there's been sighting of Uchiha Itachi back in Fire Country."

"Is that so?" Hiruzen placed his hands to his chin in thought and gazed upwards. "What could he be doing here? After all this time? Why now?"

"That's not all."

"What is it?"

"He's seen with some unfamiliar boy. We don't have much intel regarding him at the moment but all we know is that he stands 4' 8" and is with Uchiha Itachi."

"I see. Dispatch a squad of Jonin, they are to see what the two are doing. Under no circumstances, are they to engage Itachi...if the two seperate, get the boy, bring him here, we'll find out what he knows."

"Hai!"

"What are you up to? Itachi."

-Northern Forest, Fire Country-

Din sat across from Naruto, the scroll that held the recreated Fireball Jutsu beside them. A kunai in a tree with the tag that released water to counter the Fireball. Their gazes had not been broken and they just looked into the other's eyes. Each boring into the other's soul, a small smile came on Din's face and he sighed.

"Does you knowing if I am an Uchiha matter that much?"

"It will show that you can trust me with your truth, and who you are. You would be willing to face your fear of the incident that happened a few years ago. The fear of what would happen should you be known. It will let me know that I too could truly trust you. And that is something I don't have with anyone. It will also mean...that you can really be my friend..."

Din closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "I see. Naruto, your answer, regarding my heritage..."

-Lightning Country-

"Are you done being a retard, Omoi?"

"Who the hell are you talking about, Karui? I'm just saying that Samui has become finer than you."

"WHAT?"

"You've got time, maybe you'll catch up to her growth."

"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU, OMOI!"

Samui shook her head as she watched Karui begin chasing Omoi around the training field. It was amusing to watch and she couldn't help but smirk at the sight. The two began their constant banter a little after their was formed, it had become a usual occurrence. At first it was annoying and made them look stupid, but it also became amusing. Well...it was better than Bee rapping but it was something she'd never say out loud.

"Enough, you two. We need to get ready, Sensei should be arriving soon."

Upon hearing her, the two stopped their chase and stood respectively as they waited. All three had a sword. Omoi had a chokuto that he had on his back, it was a red handle but had white rope tied to it, forming the grip and was tied to that it looked like it was a white handle that had red diamonds. Karui had a katana on the left side of her waist and it was the same handle design. Samui however had a tanto where her back and waist met, it was parallel to the ground and the handle was to the right side, same design as her teammates.

"Samui, do you know why we are meeting later than normal?"

Shaking her head Samui sighed. "Not sure. Whatever it is, I'm sure he's got a good reason."

"Or maybe...this is but a start of something bigger...something that will be a devastating new problem. We might face a big situation that we aren't prepared for and lead to either our downfall or we will provail. Leading to some tournament to increase our shinobi status..."

"Are...you ok, Omoi?"

Omoi broke from his trance and looked at Karui while moving the lollipop to the left side of his mouth. "Yeah, why do you ask?"

Both Samui and Karui shook their heads and in that moment, Bee appeared in a puff of smoke. "Yo, the mighty Killer Bee has arrived! Feast your eyes, on the Hachibi Jinchuriki, Yeah!"

"Uh...ok...so why did we meet later than usual?"

"Don't worry about it Karui, let's go train and see where we are, hopefully, y'all ain't disappointing me, yo!"

They arrived to the training ground and noticed Yugito there, she seemed to have already been training and was lightly panting. Across from her was Darui, looking just fine. Omoi looked at her wide-eyed and was stunned by her looks. She really was looking pretty good and it had been a while since he saw her himself. Karui smacked the back of his head to get him to stop staring and he chuckled nervously at being caught by her. Yugito looked around and was confused.

"When did we get here?"

"I brought us here, you will be doing a conjoined training with team 9."

As if on cue, team 9 had appeared and she looked over to them. They all looked to be matured and have gotten stronger since they last were all together. It would be interesting to see where they all compared.

"Hello, Yugito. Been a while."

"It has Samui. I see you all seem to be doing well."

"Yes...but you won't be so easily dominating us anymore."

Yugito tilt her head to the side in amusement and disappeared from sight, appearing with her arm across Samui's shoulders from the front as she stood to her right. "Is that so?" Samui went wide eyed in Yugito's show of speed. "After all this time, you guys must have been training, no?"

"S-so fast...I didn't even see her move!" Karui thought.

"Oh man...I just knew that today would suck. Oh well, let's see if I can atleast enjoy this show...maybe get to learn about Naruto." Omoi thought as he moved the lollipop to his right side.

"We haven't even said to begin, Yugito. You're as jumpy as ever." Darui said scolding the blonde.

"Sorry, Sensei. I just got excited to see my friends is all."

"So us three against Yugito?" Karui asked and got a nod from Bee and Darui.

"Oh man...why do I get the feeling that this really isn't as fair as it sounds?" Omoi said with a sigh and shake of his head.

"Still the same as always, I see."

"No, Yugito. I used to have confidence, but that was because I had Naruto on my side. Your team may have been undefeated if it weren't for him...granted that was if he gave a plan or hand. Still...the odds were always better with him present."

Yugito turned away and scowled. He practically made it sound like Naruto was her weakness in fights...She had no weaknesses damnit! Would damn well beat anyone's ass, who's trying to get some smoke.

"Could you have some confidence, in us?" Karui said.

"I'm being realistic here. First off, she's rookie of the year, if that doesn't mean anything to you...remember the fashion in which she did it. Records on top of records, in a category all to herself and no one coming close. Now let's talk about us, I was number two physically overall, top of the boys, you two were second and third for the girls, being third and fourth overall respectively." Omoi crossed his arms and sighed. "Even though our team is three of the top five... we don't have as much of a chance as you would think. Lastly, the real reason...none of us even saw her move earlier!"

Karui nodded with a slight chuckle. Her right hand ran through her hair as she tried to think of a counter argument. "I guess you've got a point... What makes you think Naruto would give the better chance of winning this time? When in Taijutsu, she won every time."

Yugito had a smirk as they were saying how unbeatable she was. It was a good boost to the ego and confidence. Then they were bringing Naruto into this...

"Well, simply put, this battle is not limited to Taijutsu..." Eyes went wide all around with that realization. "Here in this setting, Naruto has complete freedom. The entire training ground at his disposal and free reign to do as he pleases. I would be willing to bet that given the time, he could find a way to best anyone. He's quite unorthodox as you know and can create some killer strategies...you'd never realize you were falling in his trap until it was too late."

Everybody could only nod. You could not out smart his cunning. The only way to beat him, was by overpowering what he had to offer, which was rare because he forced things to go as he wanted. Or be able to get him into Taijutsu where it isn't his strength but he also isn't a slouch. Yugito knew he recently got to a level where he can place seals with touch and his chakra, so knowing that, she knew he'd find a way to implement his Fuinjutsu in fighting eventually.

"So...it's great, knowing Naruto's capability to potentially win here...what about us?" Karui said with minor annoyance. It was true that Yugito was a tough opponent, but they needed some sort of edge.

"Eh...I'm glad we aren't fighting Naruto. I know we lost this fight but it would be worse against him. Especially because he probably wouldn't be trying most of the time. Yugito will atleast make it quick because, although she is strong, her ability to strategize out a long complex plan is not her forte. And if the two were together, it would definitely be a wrap...if they can work together well."

Now that she thought about it, they really didn't ever fight together. Naruto just sat lazily until he took over after her and Rin did their thing. He would tend to analyze, then fight alone. She fought alone for the most part...but atleasttried to work with her team, Naruto just stayed solo. Going so far as to block her with his Fuinjutsu the last time they all fought Darui.

"So...what...no plan?"

"Karui...when have I ever made the plan? It was always Naruto. Now Samui fills that role."

"What, me? I never made us a plan before!"

"You do now, congratulations."

"If this is how they're acting now...it might be an easy fight..." Yugito thought as she watched the three.

-Northern Forest, Fire Country-

Din took a breath and slowly opened his eyes. Naruto immediately noticed the change in his eyes, no longer were they black. Instead, they were blood red with three black tomoes on a ring around the small black pupil.

"The Sharingan. You are an Uchiha."

Din nodded slowly. "Uchiha, Din..."

"Well Uchiha Din, I am glad to know you trust me with your heritage. I won't endanger you by spreading your existence."

"I appreciate it, Naruto." Smiling lightly Din, deactivated his eyes making them return to black. "I am sorry to still be lying...but you're a friend now...what would you think if you knew the truth? Would you still be a friend? Or foe?"Naruto sighed with a pleasant smile.

"Now, to show you my most complex seal...my trump card."

"I am curious as to why you're so confident in it being unbeatable."

"The answer Din, is because it's a Spacetime Jutsu." Din went wide-eyed in shock and couldn't believe what Naruto said. He created a Spacetime Jutsu at so young? "As you've said, in my style, this was first made as a Defensive Jutsu...but it didn't work as I expected and became a two part Fuinjutsu Technique. The second part is what made it the offensive side, the reason it became unbeatable when used correctly."

"What was wrong?"

"To this point, Din, all my seals had an absorption quality. That's good in all, but as you've noticed, it leaves me open to attack. So I wanted to create a Spacetime Jutsu to make it instantaneous. So I can defend and get back in the fight or move. I created the seal and was happy...but quickly learned that it was flawed. It would activate but wouldn't take the Jutsu or attack away, it froze mid air, or would lead to it not working at all. I realized it needed a second component...a destination."

"So this Jutsu can teleport an attack to another location?"

"Yes and no. I need a marker, and it isn't instantaneous. The distance makes the difference in time. Pretty much, the seal acts as a door way to a portal through space, the marker is the other side...it enters a sort of hall and comes out the other marker. It is unbeatable because I can do this."

Naruto took out a kunai and threw it just behind Din. "I see...you can leave the exit just behind or near your opponent...hitting them with their own Jutsu. It is quite the trump card if you time it properly and as you said is unsuspected."

"Yeah...still, if it was truly instantaneous then it would be truly unbeatable...but-"

"Every Jutsu has a weakness...and yours is time."

Naruto nodded "That is why I can't use this seal unless absolutely necessary or if I have the complete drop on someone. Once it's seen, you can counter it. Either by getting me farther from the marker, or by paying attention and avoiding it. My range is twenty meters, for that time, the delay is only one and a half seconds. After that, it exponentially gets longer."

"I see. What can you use it against?"

"Amy Jutsu within the seal. I've never tried people...not sure what will happen. Want to see it in action?"

"Yeah, could be risky on a living being. I'd like to see it...if you are willing."

Naruto nodded and stood up. "Make a small fireball, I will place a marker over there so I am not caught in a loop...honestly, it never happened yet and I don't know if I want to find out how that will go."

Din chuckled lightly with a nod of agreement. That would definitely suck to be caught like that. "Isn't this a marker? Why not just use it elsewhere?"

"I didn't place the corresponding seal on it. That's just a basic kunai." Din nodded and watched as Naruto grabbed another kunai and this time held it to his chest before flicking it out, landing behind a tree. Ok, now just stand in front of me and send your fireball. Once you see it go through the seal, turn around."

With a nod, he went through five signs and brought his hand to his mouth, blowing out a considerably smaller fireball than previously. Naruto quickly took out a scroll and opened it up, the fireball came and hit the seal. For a second it remained in place before disappearing. Din turned around and noticed a glow then the fireball hit the tree.

"Wow...you really did it...you teleported the fireball..."

"Yes. Now imagine that being a fireball you used to try to kill me at full power, and no tree there to protect you..."

"You have a point. I'm guessing that you also don't need to use a kunai, and even if you did, based on your timing, it wouldn't matter." Din stood up and immediately glanced over to the left. "So they know I'm here...what are they trying to do?"

"Yeah, Din, where will we head to from here?"

"You will be going southeast. There is an old Uzumaki shrine within the forests there. Maybe it can give you a clue on where to go next."

"Me...what about you?"

"I must go elsewhere to find what I'm searching for. I wanted to help you get headed where you needed to go before I had continued on my journey...I am sure we will meet again."

Naruto nodded sadly and extended his fist. Din looked rather confused for a second before he smiled slightly and extended his own fist. The two bumped and Din looked Naruto in the eye with a smile. "See you, my friend."

Naruto watched as Din burst into crows and was gone. "Cool...but not as cool as Kira's lightning." He gathered his things then began on his way. Now with a direction, he had a smirk knowing, he was closer to his objective. Still...it would have been nice if Din remained, they were finally becoming better friends. It would have been fun to try working on seals while having him to help test them. But then he might have gotten too distracted.

-Kumogakure-

Yugito stood in the center, serious as can be, but a massive smirk on her face. Around her was Karui, Omoi, and Samui on the floor. They all looked badly beaten, while Yugito looked more or less fine. Omoi slowly started getting to a knee and using his katana for support, stood back up.

"I'm...not done...yet." Omoi said breathing heavily.

"Sure about that?" Yugito said with a smirk and was beginning to charge to take him down again when he went through four handsigns and held his hands outward.

Between his hands, lighting sparked and formed a sphere that he immediately launched at Yugito. "Lighting Style: Lightning Ball Jutsu!" several more spheres of Lightning left his hands and went towards her. They weren't massive or anything, a little larger than shuriken, but if hit, had a paralyzing component and the pain of the electricity going through your body.

Yugito immediately jumped back and accessed her options. She then ran through handsigns and took a deep breath "Fire Style: Fire Breath Jutsu!" As she blew out, flames left her mouth and collided into the small spheres of lightning. Mini explosions rang out and when the smoke cleared, Omoi appeared with his katana ready to slash a killing blow.

Her eyes widened and she couldn't believe that Omoi still had this much energy. She was thoroughly impressed with the boy. He managed to surprise her, something only Naruto did. He really did pick good friends didn't he? Still, it wouldn't be enough, not yet atleast. She quickly whipped out a kunai and deflected the sword just in time and in the same blow, sent a punch to his gut with full strength. Omoi leaned over her arm and coughed up blood as he dropped to his knees.

He trembled in pain and slowly and shakily began to stand up. "You don't know when to give up, don't you?"

Omoi smirked. "Would he? Can't be his best friend if I can't share that quality...he doesn't befriend quitters."

"No...but you won't have any chance of winning."

"Don't get arrogant Yugito. I almost had you. Now, tell me. How strong has Naruto gotten?"

She smirked and chuckled. "Honestly, I'm not sure. He shows something new all the time. He focuses mostly on his Fuinjutsu though, and managed to get a seal on Sensei through his kunai skills."

Omoi smiled. "Good to hear. Now, my last Jutsu." He went through five signs and infused his chakra to his hands and faced his palms towards her. "Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" Lightning surrounded his hands and then a wave that spanned 15 feet wide and ten feet tall of lightning was launched at Yugito.

"You have this much chakra still?" She jumped back and it continued following her, as she backed up more, she hit a tree and began to look away from the wall off lightning coming to her. Just before it hit her though, it dissipated. She sighed in relief "A range of only ten meters...well, it's been fun, but it's over." Immediately she came at his face and sent a punch to his jaw, knocking him out finally. "Still, I'm impressed, you did better than I ever thought you would."

"Good work, Yugito. There's still room for improvement but otherwise, you are doing great."

"Thank you, Sensei."

"Now go enjoy your birthday."

She smiled and nodded as she went to go wake her unconscious friends.

-Northern Forests, Fire Country-

Naruto sighed as he came to a very small clearing. The Forest had gotten very dense and trying to walk through the trees, bushes, and vines were getting annoying. Luckily though, it seemed to open up slightly and he noticed an old statue that had overgrown vegetation over it. The statue was more of a symbol, it was a swirl and had pillars on the sides as if holding it up.

A place for candles was in the front and back. Wondering what this could mean and what it's purpose was, he got on his knees and sat on his heels, thinking.

"What's the point of having this out here? It doesn't seem to have any purpose..."

Naruto was puzzled beyond anything he ever knew before. Then he sighed and decided to try to touch it, maybe that would somehow tell him something. To understand one, you must connect with one...right?

Placing his right hand on it, he noticed the faint makings of a seal. "A guide...reacting only to Uzumaki blood? So...what now?" It finally dawned on him and he but his thumb and spread the blood throughout his hand. "Please, work."

He pressed his hand to it again and this time the entire seal appeared and glowed. A sort of beacon like light emanated and from the center of the swirl shot out towards the south east.

"But that's the ocean in that direction isn't it?"

"It is said that the village was in it's own space...perhaps it meant that it was just an island off in the distance."

"Perhaps...SHIT!" Naruto snapped his head over to the right and jumped back as a barrage of kunai came at him. "Man...why can't I ever get some peace and quiet. I'm always being attacked by some damn kunai."

"This is literally only the second time..."

"Man shut up, Kurama!"

Kurama laughed as Naruto narrowed his eyes in the direction the kunai came from. Again, he was outed as a shinobi from the jump. Then again, they are targeting him now...so they had to have known. He began to notice that leaves were rustling and branches in the trees were shaking all around him.

"They're... in the trees?"

Another barrage of kunai was sent at him, however, now from two sides. He flipped away and looked up to see a kick coming right at him. Connecting with his chest, he was sent fifteen feet back, into tree. He sat against it, groaning in pain.

"Damn...they're fast and coordinated..."

Naruto rolled over to his right and stood up with the support of his arms and the tree. He looked back to the guy that had kicked him and blinked as five people now stood there. "Well, I better get serious otherwise this is it. They're faster, have more knowledge of the area, and are stronger with more experience...I can't make any mistakes moving forward."

"What you gonna do kid? We're Jonin of Konoha!"

"Konoha, huh?" Naruto hid his emotions and just looked at them in utter seriousness. The bright blue eyes became cold and he conveyed the look that he would not hesitate to kill. The look that almost assured he would win. They were taken aback by this for a second before laughing. They were Jonin...why be scared of a kid?

He reached into his bag and immediately began throwing scrolls all around them. Then began to infuse his chakra and once he built up enough, brought his right hand in the half ram seal. The scrolls all glowed and each of the five elements were unleashed from every direction at them.

Naruto watched and when it died down they all laid on the ground. He sighed and before he could turn away, they all poofed in smoke and he was kicked in the gut, coughing up blood. He noticed logs in the place of where they were and he got picked up and thrown against the stone statue.

"Nice try."

"But we're Jonin kid!"

"Not some Genin!" One said spitting to the ground.

Getting up, he grabbed a really small scroll and opened it. In a puff of smoke, his katana appeared and in another puff, a larger, three foot scroll appeared with a strap. His bag puffed away, and he slung the scroll onto his back. The brown cloak and beanie disappeared and he was in his normal attire of the navy blue short sleeve hoodie/sweats, and long-sleeved sky blue shirt.

"What's the plan kid? You have no chance!"

"Tell us what we want."

"Maybe we'll let you live."

"What were you doing with that traitor?"

"Traitor huh?" Naruto held his katana infront of him and looked at them. Taking out a kunai, he threw it into the group and they saw the seal on the handle and gasped. Normally it required a tag...

BOOM! The five were split up having to avoid the explosion and Naruto set his eyes on the closest one. He charged and went for a slash that got blocked and was pushed away. Rather than let it get the best of him, he spun with it to the left and did a spinning heel kick with that momentum. It hit the Jonin in the ribs and made a popping sound.

"RAAAH! YOU LITTLE SHIT!" The Jonin disappeared from Naruto's vision and grabbed him from behind, slamming him into the tree.

Naruto dropped to the ground. He was bleeding from the right side of his forehead and right side of his lips. Struggling to get up he was kicked in the ribs, making a crack be heard as he groaned in pain for the second time.

With his vision blurring, he struggled to even bring his upper body up with his arms. He was leaning against the tree and looked towards the attackers and was seeing double, even triple for a few moments. Clenching a fist he barely managed to stand, breathing heavily, he narrowed his eyes to focus his vision.

"They still want to get intel...its why I'm still alive..."

"And you can't use my power otherwise many more of their Shinobi will come looking for you. You might need to really go all out, the surrounding area will become destroyed...but it's the only way you win this."

Naruto looked around and sighed. "Oh well."

"What brat? Finally going to talk?"

"Not quite." Naruto went through 40 handsigns in a rapid rate that shocked them. They barely could see the sequence and it wasn't one they recognized. Naruto slammed his hands to the ground and in an instant, circular arrays spread from his hands. Then they glowed and in seconds, shot outward towards the five. Three immediately jumped away and into a tree, while two were caught by the array of seals that had spread.

"W-WHAT?"

"I-I-I CAN'T MOVE!"

"Fuin." Naruto said and the seals glowed. A bright white light flashed, making everything not visible, when it died down, nothing remained of the two. The groaned was broken up, burnt and all life, where the seal was, was gone. Just black and death remained. He Bagan panting and took deep breaths to control his bleeding. "I had hoped to get all of you..."

"WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST DO!"

"Brought Hell on Earth."

"BULLSHIT BRAT!"

"Guy, it's just what the Jutsu is called man. You know damn well that a name to a Jutsu doesn't always mean what it does." Naruto looked around his surroundings and shook his head. "There will be no chance to set up...they will be on to me."

"You're Uzumaki Naruto, Damnit! Live up to the name. Fuinjutsu is your heritage, you know damn well there are many ways to do a seal."

Nodding, Naruto immediately darted into the trees as fast as he could. The Jonin were following but they were up in the branches, traveling with less impeding them, and just being faster in general, they were gaining on him.

Naruto wasn't just running though, as he ran, he threw kunai into the trees, seemingly blindly. The Jonin dodged when they had to, or watched as they flew past. They had wide smiles when they jumped in front of Naruto when he turned around.

"Done running?"

Naruto said nothing and held two kunai in his left hand and one in the right. Naruto stood directly centered between two trees and had an emotionless face. He flicked his left hand to the left tree and right tree, making the two kunai land in the trunk. The kunai he had in his right hand he was twirling.

"The hell you doing?"

"Were you so overconfident as to not notice the running pattern? Or perhaps how my kunai were thrown? No matter."

Looking around, they noticed, the kunai around were I'm a massive circle. They had gone in a circle? Naruto stopped twirling the kunai and took a deep breath as he dropped it down, the blade landing perfectly, piercing the ground as it stood. Finally his hand was in the half ram seal. All the kunai handles glowed golden and the Jonin all went wide eyed. Just who was this brat?

"You never had me beat...not yet...I wasn't just standing here twirling a kunai, you see...it hid the fact that I was doing single handed seals. Now, to finish this."

The kunai glowed brighter and a golden ray shot from the kunai in the ground and bounced off every kunai in the trees, connecting eachother. At that point, a wall and dome was made around them in an instant.

Once the barrier was formed, he dropped down on his left knee, wincing in pain from his injuries. He took deep breaths and began coughing.

"What is this? LET US OUT!"

It's just an imprisoning barrier. I don't want to kill you, then again, I will have to. It's the only way to stay hidden."

"The hell could you do, you dumb brat?"

"Dumb? I just caught you three." Naruto winced again. Suddenly one of the burst into bugs. "Shit..."

"Brat, you need to stay awake!"

"I'm, trying...""KIT! KIT! RESPOND NARUTO, MOVE!"

Naruto heard the last one be behind him. The pain became too much as he collapsed forward onto his hands and his vision faded.

"Time to pay, you'll be interrogated and executed."

The barrier dropped and they all stood around Naruto. Just before they left, one looked to the distance then froze. They looked confused to him until he dropped to the ground, dead.

"The hell?"

The one who used the bug clone turned quickly to the right. "W-What? YOU LEFT!"

"No...I noticed your presence..."

"We need to get out of here!"

Naruto tried getting up but couldn't. He was wonder why he hadn't been taken yet. Then one if the bodies dropped.

"Uchiha...I-Itachi..."

Naruto then passed out, puzzled on the name of Itachi but didn't get to think much on it.

Hey y'all, how's it going?

So, yeah, aged that entire group down slightly. Especially Yugito and Samui. Yugito because she's the obvious eventual ship, based on title, won't be very soon, but eventual. Regardless, I didn't necessarily want to have written a situation where she likes a kid...and the entire relationship is built with a 15-20 year age gap...seemed odd...maybe it isn't but I didn't want to do that. It is understandable that that be an issue but I thought that it was obvious that her actual age was the reason I went for aging her down...I hope you can be cool with it. If not, I get it.

Shadowclones are on the table, will it be picked up? I don't know. I might do something a little different. Using clones is something I'd need to figure out how to use well...in my head it seems difficult to write a fight with a thousand clones...but...this Naruto has more going for him so maybe he wouldn't spam...further thinking will be done. For sure, next chapter will have the answer I come up with because that will most likely close this little part, and make way for the next section. But it could very well take a second chapter, depends on if I wrap this section up in the next.

Well, see y'all next time.