Chapter 19: Dumbledore's Farewell
It has been about almost a week since Naruto finally obtained Kurama's chakra. Since the blond Jinchuriki could use Kurama mode, he had been training his ass off every single day to the point where he was exhausted, but even then he still can go at it, despite his summons warning him to know his limits. He even brought Itachi to the summoning world and showed him his new form which surprised and amazed Itachi, to the point where the training got even more intense as both Itachi and Naruto decided to not hold back when it came to using their full potential. With Killer Bee, the Eight Tails Jinchuriki was teaching Naruto how to control his new form and it was difficult at first, but the blond managed to learn it quickly and he didn't disappoint. He also learned to control Tailed Beast Mode, which was basically summoning the Nine Tails except that unlike the actual Tailed Beast, it was instead more as a chakra cloak that resembled Kurama. Naruto decided to test this mode out by fighting all the toughest opponents from Gyuki to even the strongest dragons and wolves the summoning realm had to offer. However despite the one week training being fruitful, there was an incident that involved a shark faced man who was in the Akatsuki and two Jinchuriki along with an ex anbu captain and Akatsuki member.
Flashback
Naruto had just shown off his new form to Itachi, who was summoned here by Brutus. As Naruto was about to train with Itachi, he sensed another presence, something…sharklike."Bee, I'm sensing something here. The presence feels hazy, but sinister and it's coming from your sword!" Naruto exclaimed. Killer Bee soon noticed the presence and threw the sword away, as something was coming out of it. Spikes were coming out of the wrapping and out came a gray man whose appearance is like that of a shark."Impressive, two Jinchuriki with a sensor type. It seems my job here has gotten interesting. Oh is that you, Itachi?" the shark man asked. Naruto was shocked and turned to Itachi, "Wait you know this guy?!" Naruto asked. Itachi nodded, "Yes, he is Kisame Hoshigaki, the Monster of the Hidden Mist. Former member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and is a member of the Akatsuki. He was my partner," Itachi explained.
Kisame smirked, "Oh so you didn't forget about me, I'm touched. It's been six years since you last disappeared, Itachi and even you Nine Tails Jinchuriki. Our organization has been adamant on searching for your whereabouts along with the One Tails Jinchuriki and somehow I find the two of you here. This should be fun, killing two Jinchuriki and a traitor!" Kisame laughed.
"Hold on, didn't I chop your head off fool? You're supposed to be dead!" Killer Bee yelled. "Au contraire, you see the one you and your brother decapitated was just a clone, whereas I hid in the very blade that was mine and now yours. I saw everything and yes I know we are in a new world, a world inhabited by magic," Kisame explained. "Guys let's not waste words with a Jinchuriki killer, besides I have been wanting myself some sharkskin," Naruto stated, getting ready for a fight. "Heh, I like to see you try, kid," Kisame stated, rushing at Naruto. Naruto vanishes quickly and before Kisame could react, Naruto appears behind his back and punches him to the ground. The punch was rather strong, as Kisame coughed up some blood. 'Unbelievable, it seems I have underestimated the Nine Tails Jinchuriki,' Kisame thought. Soon the blade, Samehada, had just left Kisame and went to Killer Bee.
"Damn it, Samehada turned against me!" Kisame yelled, as he was seething."Ha, it seems Samehada prefers me over you, isn't that right?" Killer Bee said, as the rather sentient sword was nuzzling against Killer Bee almost as if it were a puppy. Kisame however escapes into the water, as Itachi notices this. "He's in the water, everybody be on guard!" Itachi yelled. However it seemed that Kisame managed to sneak up on Killer Bee and Samehada and absorb some of their chakra, neutralizing them as Kisame is revitalized. "Damn it! How do we neutralize someone like this?!" Naruto shouted, jumping away from Kisame, who was grabbing him underneath the water. "He is known to be dangerous, when it comes to water based attacks. Be aware of his shark summons as he is known to make a water prison with many sharks inside for his victims," Itachi explained, cutting up one of the sharks that jumped up on him.
"Heh, if sharkboy here loves himself some water, I know a perfect counter-additive to it," Naruto stated, as he brought out his wand. "Everybody get out of the water now!" Naruto ordered, as Itachi and Killer Bee jumped away, before Naruto fired a lightning spell at the water. Kisame noticed this and before he could react, it was too late as the spell hit the water, frying Kisame to a crisp. Kisame got out of the water, but it seemed that the lightning spell managed to weaken him as he still felt shock. To add even more insult to injury, both Naruto and Killer Bee jumped him, as Itachi managed to put his former partner under a genjutsu. The two Jinchuriki gave Kisame a good beat down, before Naruto used his gunblade to cut off Kisame's limbs in order to prevent the man from making any hand signs.
Kisame was now a limbless shell of a sharkman, as he lies flat on the ground with Naruto, Killer Bee, and Itachi pointing their blades at him. With his arms gone, Kisame could only sigh and yield towards the three. "Talk. What has been happening back in our world?" Naruto asked. Kisame reveals what had happened over the past six years from how the Akatsuki had been searching for the Jinchurikis of the One Tails, Eight Tails, and Nine Tails, as they had already captured the other Jinchurikis. He even revealed the status of the whole world such as the death of the Third Hokage who sacrificed his life to save the village from Orochimaru, conflict that was stirring between the five great nations over the disappearance of its Jinchuriki, and how the masked man claiming to be Madara was watching Sasuke with great interest, which shocked Itachi, as this was the last thing he wanted, since he didn't want Sasuke to know the truth about him coming from the man responsible for the attack on the village that resulted in the death of many including the Fourth Hokage and his wife.
"Who is the masked man claiming to be Madara? Don't lie as there is no way Madara somehow lived for that long, and trust me I'll know if you are lying," Naruto threatened. "The masked man claiming to be Madara is…Obito Uchiha," Kisame stated. "Obito Uchiha? Isn't he one of my father's students? He should've been dead ever since the Third Great Ninja War, from what my dad told me," Naruto stated. "Heh…you better believe it kid, I'm not the type of guy to be lying as it's not in my interest to lie," Kisame quipped. Itachi nodded, "It's true Naruto, he may be many things, but he isn't a liar. Besides, I already took a look into his memories and I can confirm what he said is true."
"Heh, how typical of you to do that in a situation like this. No wonder I find you so interesting," Kisame stated. "Who is the leader of the Akatsuki? Why are they after the Jinchuriki?" Naruto asked. "The leader of the Akatsuki is a man by the name of Pein. He claims to be some kind of god and frankly with those purple eyes of his, I don't see why. Oh and the reason why they are after the Jinchuriki and their tailed beasts is because they believe it would create a weapon of peace, but that isn't the only reason. The man claiming to be Madara was influencing Pein to be going after the tailed beasts for something else entirely, which was his Eye of the Moon plan. Frankly I supported the man only because I saw some interest in it given how the world truly was a twisted joke," Kisame explained.
After much more explanation, Naruto sighed as he looked at Kisame. "I've heard enough and frankly even though I have no interest in going back whatsoever, I won't allow my parents' killer to get away so easily and enact this plan. The Akatsuki have been hunting down the Jinchuriki for long enough. I'm going to stop them, and oh I will because I'm gonna find…and I'm gonna kill…every last one of them," Naruto stated coldly, before he sliced up Kisame to pieces and burned the chopped up pieces as a safety measure. "That was pretty dark, fool," Killer Bee stated, as Naruto sweatdropped. "Naruto…are you really going to go through with this?" Itachi asked. Naruto turns to Itachi with a serious look, "Itachi, you told me the Akatsuki are nothing but a bunch of S-rank missing nin and criminals. To me they are just like the Death Eaters, terrorists who commit horrible atrocities and serve an evil purpose. As such, they should be annihilated and wiped out once and for all. So Itachi, help me take down the very organization you chose to spy on, please?" Naruto asked. "Very well, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know on how to beat them and I'm going to increase your training so that you will be ready to finish them off," Itachi stated, as Naruto nodded.
Flashback End
Ever since Naruto vowed to hunt down the Akatsuki and Obito, he had been increasing his training in order to defeat four people on his list that he wanted to kill, which were Menma, Voldemort, Orochimaru, and Obito. It was a good thing Itachi filled him in on the members, as the ex anbu captain showed the boy what each member was known to do and how they fought. Besides that, Naruto had also gained some of Gyuki's chakra inside him, so now he had two tailed beasts in his mindscape. Yeah, the two tailed beasts bickered at each other, much to Naruto's irritation, as it did get pretty annoying at times. Right now, Naruto had been training with the dragons, when all of a sudden Naruto felt something ominous. "Guys…I'm sensing trouble and it's coming from Hogwarts," Naruto stated, as he went into sage mode. He sees that a battle was taking place at the school as the Death Eaters are already there, along with Menma as an all out battle was taking place. "Shit, the Death Eaters are here and my friends are in trouble!" Naruto exclaimed. "Come on then, let's go back," Itachi said, as he put on his anbu mask and gear. "I'll join you two, come on, let's kick some ass!" Killer Bee stated, as Naruto nodded. Soon the three arrive in the real world and join the fight.
An Hour Ago With Harry
Harry was having a rather tough time, as he was busy fending off the Inferious, while defending a rather ill Professor Dumbledore. Yeah, Harry and Dumbledore had begun their Horcrux journey as their first location was a cave by the sea. When they entered the cave, they had to take a boat to cross the lake as a small island was in the center. The Horcrux was in the basin filled with a strange liquid. Now of course Dumbledore drank the liquid, as it was the only way to get the Horcrux. As he drank it, he felt ill as he was close to dying from the rather poisonous liquid. Harry continued feeding him it, as Dumbledore requested Harry to do so earlier. Soon Harry got the locket and was about to get some water for Dumbledore, when a horde of Inferi came out of the water.
"Sectumsempra! Stupefy!" Harry shouted as many spells as he could to protect Dumbledore. He fought an endless wave, but even then it was too much for the boy. "Holy shit! Get away from me!" Harry shouted, kicking and punching them away. 'Man where is Naruto when you really need him?' he thought, as Harry really could use some back up right now. One of the Inferius grabs Harry and drags him to the water. Harry is struggling to break free from the Inferi as they latch on to him and try to drown him. As Harry was almost close to drowning, up on the surface there was an orangish red light as the light came into the water and wiped away the Inferi that were trying to drown Harry. Harry swims back up to see that it was Dumbledore who cast a powerful flame spell as he waved it around against the Inferi who were starting to retreat. It looked as if there was a firestorm raging or rather dancing around. Harry gets back to the small island, as both professor and student make their escape.
The two arrived back at Hogwarts, as they were rather winded after that whole fiasco involving the Inferi. "Professor…are you alright?" Harry asked, checking up on Professor Dumbledore. "I'm alright, after all I am with you," he said, assuring the boy that he is fine. However it seemed that the two didn't notice a bunch of dark clouds swirling to the castle in the night sky. Menma was watching the castle atop of a hill, as he saw the other dark clouds arriving. He smirked before vanishing, as he has a feeling his rival will eventually come as he intends to finish what they started.
With Draco
Malfoy was in the Room of Requirements, as he was there to pick up some allies. The Vanishing Cabinet opens up, revealing that the Death Eaters have stepped out of the closet. Among the group was Bellatrix Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback, as they smirked knowing that the time had come. Now Draco was rather nervous about this, as he is about to take a life and become a Death Eater knowing that there is no going back given that his family's life is at stake. Nevertheless he had a job to do and he mustn't fail so he joined up with the group.
With Menma
Menma had sneaked into the castle as he saw that the place was rather quiet. 'That Draco brat better not fail, as I have far more important things to do other than assassinating an old man,' Menma thought, as he didn't care about killing Dumbledore. He sees the other Death Eaters were there, waiting for him as he was tasked to lead this group. "Lord Menma, what is your command?" one of the masked Death Eaters asked. "Spread out, keep an eye out for anyone who tries to tamper with our mission. If you see Naruto Uzumaki or rather any of his allies, do not kill them as I want them brought to me, as leverage do you understand?" Menma ordered. "Sir!" the Death Eaters shouted, before splitting up. 'Soon Naruto, you will die by my hands,' Menma thought, as the Dark Nine Tails laughed.
With Harry and Dumbledore
Harry and Dumbledore arrived at the Astronomy Tower, as it was rather empty for the night. "Sir, we need to get you to the Hospital Wing. Madam Pomfrey can treat you, please?" Harry begged. Dumbledore notices the dark clouds on the night sky and turns to Harry, "No. Severus... Severus is who I need... Go and wake him...Tell him what has happened…Speak to no one else... I... I shall wait here…" Dumbledore stated, looking rather serious. Harry tried to object, but soon he relented, "Alright, fine. I'll do as you asked." Harry was about to leave when he noticed that Dumbledore was muttering wearily as he gesticulated with his blackened hand. "Sir…are you praying?" Harry asked. Dumbledore faintly smiled, "No Harry, I don't pray. Rather I was just closing the window, the one that allowed us to apparate," he said.
Harry nodded and as he was about to leave, footsteps could be heard and Harry drew out his wand. Dumbledore notices this and turns to Harry, "Hide yourself below. And do not speak or show yourself without my permission. No matter what," Dumbledore stated, with a serious tone. Harry was reluctant, but Dumbledore tells the boy to trust him. Harry sighed and proceeded to do as told, hiding underneath the stairs, watching what was about to unfold. Dumbledore turns to see that Draco Malfoy was there, standing with his wand pointing at the old man. "Good evening, Draco. What brings you out on such a fine Spring evening? Or is it Summer?" he asked nonchalantly, as if the boy was here for some advice.
Draco was rather suspicious, as he eyed the room carefully. "Who else is here? I heard you talking to someone," Draco stated. "I often talk aloud to myself. I find it extraordinarily useful. That which sounds sane at a whisper can seem utterly mad when said for all the world to hear. Haven't you been whispering to yourself, have you, Draco?" Dumbledore retorted, as Draco was looking rather uneasy. "You're not an assassin, Draco," Dumbledore stated, shocking Draco. "How do you know I am?! Who told you this?! Was it Potter?! Uzumaki?! I've done things that would shock you," Draco nearly shouted. "Like cursing Katie Bell and hoping she would, in turn, bear a cursed necklace to me? Like replacing a bottle of mead with one laced with poison. Forgive me, Draco, but these are attempts so feeble I cannot help but question if your heart has been really in them. I'm curious. When Voldemort gave you this task, when he asked you to kill me, was it in a whisper?" Dumbledore unintentionally mocked.
"The dark lord chose me!" Draco spat, showing off his Dark Mark as Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Well then, allow me to make this easy for you," Dumbledore said, slowly taking out his wand. Malfoy of course disarmed the old man, as the wand Dumbledore owned fell to the ground. Harry was watching this, as he was getting pretty nervous as to what was happening. "Impressive, Draco. However, when it comes to killing, it isn't as easy as you think," Dumbledore stated. Now Malfoy was really nervous, as he looked at the old man, the clouds, as well as the stairway. "You aren't alone, are you? How did you bring in the others?" Dumbledore asked. Draco explained how he used the Vanishing Cabinet and managed to fix it, connecting it to Borgin and Burkes.
"Impressive, most impressive. I once knew a boy years ago who made all the wrong choices. Let me help you, Draco," Dumbledore offered. "You think I want to escape from this?! There is no escape from this! I have to do it! I have to! If I fail, he's going to kill me and my family," Draco stated, sounding rather desperate. Dumbledore watches the boy, noticing how he is trembling to even point his wand at him. Draco really was hesitant to commit this action, despite being told that it was his job. As Malfoy was about to lower his wand, the other Death Eaters arrived and amongst the group were Bellatrix Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback. "Well now, look what we have here. Dumbledore. Wandless and alone," she mocked. "Well done Draco, you managed to corner the old man in his very own castle," Lestrange stated, complimenting Draco.
Harry was watching this, as he was pissed off seeing Bellatrix here. He still hasn't managed to avenge Mad-Eye Moody and he failed to kill her back at the Ministry during his fifth year. Of course Dumbledore greeted them all without a care, as he still looked at Draco carefully. Bellatrix goes up to Draco and tells him to kill Dumbledore right now. Malfoy however was still hesitant to do so. Harry was about to aim his wand at them, when he noticed that Snape was there. He sees Harry and motions him to keep quiet, as he goes up with his wand out. Harry was watching this with a lot of interest, as he wanted to know what Snape was really going to do.
"Heh, looks like the Malfoy brat doesn't have the balls to take a life. Figures, just like his father, a filthy coward. Here let me finish this, in my own way," Greyback stated sadistically. "No! The Dark Lord was clear. The boy's to do it. Go on, Draco. Now!" Lestrange ordered. But before Draco could commit the crime, Snape stepped in, as Dumbledore eyes Snape. "Well, look who's here. Hogwarts' own Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher. Come to see the slaughter?" Lestrange asked. "Severus…please…" Dumbledore said to Snape. "I gave my word. I made a vow…" Snape stated, knowing what he must do even if he hated it. "Avada Kedavra!" Snape shouted, firing a bluish green version of the killing curse. Harry was shocked, as he saw Snape kill Dumbledore. But soon his shock turned into pure hate and anger, as he wanted to kill Snape once and for all. Snape however was feeling a lot of guilt and hate towards himself. 'Naruto…Harry. You have to finish this mission, stop Voldemort and Menma. You two are the only ones who could,' he thought before he escaped with the others.
As Dumbledore was falling to his death, his last thoughts were about Naruto and Harry. 'You two will be the ones who will bring change to this world, I have full confidence in you two.' He dies with a smile on his face as he plummets to the ground. Soon Dumbledore wakes up to find himself in a white room, looking a lot like his teenage self. He saw that his parents and sister were waiting for him. "Mother…Father…Ariana," he said, looking surprised to see them. They smiled and nodded, as Albus walked towards them. He is soon brought into a group hug, as he lets out tears. "Hello big brother, it's great to see you again," she said. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…for everything. I should've been a better brother, I shouldn't have gotten you killed," Dumbledore berated himself. "I never blamed you for what happened, what's done is done and you didn't mean for my death to happen. I'm just saddened that you and Aberforth didn't reconcile after I was gone," Ariana stated, showing that she never blamed Albus. Dumbledore nodded and turned to his parents. "Mother…Father…I wanted to apologize to you guys. I should've done more for my siblings, you have every right to be angry. Especially you father, I wanted to apologize to you for thinking that you were no good," Dumbledore stated. "Son, I'm not angry at you at all. If anything, I wanted to apologize to you for burdening you at such a young age. It was foolish of me for not thinking straight, so if anything you and Aberforth had every right to have anger towards me," Percival stated. "None of that matters, you guys are my family and I'm glad I can finally see you all again," Dumbledore said, sounding grateful that he can finally make peace with them. "Come on Albus, let's go. I'm sure you have a lot to tell us," Kendra stated. Soon the four walk into the light, as they fade away.
Note: Hey guys, so I have a feeling that you might ask why I didn't have Menma and Naruto fighting in this chapter, so please allow me to explain. I wanted to have them fight in the next chapter, as I didn't want to make this chapter too long along with me planning it out. Besides I also decided to add something such as when Dumbledore dies, he is greeted by his family and in a way he could finally make peace with his dead parents and sister, along with the idea that when Dumbledore dies and is sent into some white plane of existence, he is looking like his teenage self instead of his old man appearance. Anyways hope you guys like this chapter and feel free to review