CHAPTER 17: What Now? They Arrive

As the demonic beast disappeared into thin air, the crowd stood eerily as no one knew what to make of the prior events. But soon enough of course, the great demon known as panic made its way into the hearts of the people, striking fear in the minds of every villager. As the villagers scrambled to get out of the arena, to try and save themselves from what may come in the future, Tsunade stood speechless her eyes wide with awe and horror. As a breeze picked up she snapped back to her senses and a single tear fell from her cheek as she slowly wiped it away with the back of her hand. Using her tremendous strength, she stomped her foot to the ground creating a maddening rumble and small cracks to flare out from the epicenter of the strike. Looking to the surprised leafs she cleared her throat.

"My fellow leafs!" she screamed, trying to bring the peoples mind to ease. "What we have witnessed is something new, and possibly something tragic."

"Possibly?" Kamaasu stared. "Its POSSIBLY something that's gonna get us killed…" He muttered shuffling backwards.

Tsunade gave a look and turned back to the crowd. "There is no need for fear or alarm. We are the Konohakagure and we have triumphed over greater things than our current predicament. We'll have the ninja get together to sort this matter out. Now, please return to your homes; this exam is over."

Naruto stumbled forward in shock. "Wha-WHAT!?" He said bewildered. Rushing over to the 5th he grabbed her by the shirt and pulled her closer. "HOW CAN YOU CANCEL THE EXAM!? HOW! WE CAN KEEP GOI-" Unfortunately Naruto couldn't finish his question as a hand, Tsunade's of course, immediately smacked him into a nearby wall.

"Look. This situation is far bigger than our chuunin exam." Tsunade said sternly, giving Naruto, "the look."

Soon, the crowd had left the stadium, but those who had been in the arena floor stayed to talk about what to do next, what to do after this happening. "Well…it seems we have a tiny problem on our hands, doesn't it?" Tsunade said, shaking her head out of stress.

"You could say that." Kakashi said, giving Kamaasu a dirty look.

"Well Kamaasu, I think you owe us a better explanation of what just happened!" Tsunade screamed, punching Kamaasu across the arena slamming him into a wall.

"Was that necessary Tsunade-sama?" Naruto asked, looking at the dazed Kamaasu who had just gotten back on his feet.

"Probably not…" Tsunade replied. "But it felt damn good."

Kamaasu shuffled back over to the others and fiddled with his jaw, snapping it back into place. "I know, I know, I deserved tha-"

"Damnit Kay. WHAT THE HELL DID YOU DO!? Who were these guys? I heard them but I couldn't make any sense of it…"

Kay sighed as he looked up to the sky. "To begin, My family has been charged with protecting the gate that contained that monster of a man, Memnoch."

"I got that much." Tsunade said impatiently. "He has been able to escape every now and then during the last millennia. I was developing a kinjutsu to allow myself to actually become shadow…and by doing so, I somehow weakened the gate holding Memnoch prisoner. And thusly, he escaped. This was about 6 months ago."

"So. You tried to defy mother-nature and for it you were punished." Kakashi said crossing his arms.

"For a lack of a better reason, yes." Kamaasu chuckled. "Evidently in Oblivion, the realm where he was locked away, he managed to figure out a way of taking over the great beasts. We've seen it in the way he captured your Hyuga and you're the Gaara boy. Also it seems he enlisted the help of two former pupils of mine, Uzika Sonari, who's strength surpasses almost every ninja of my village, an Jamshu Dragano, who is they key to making sure Memnoch doesn't become what he could become. He is becoming more powerful by the minute, no the second!"

"And what the hell are we supposed to do about it?" Naruto asked with Sasuke concurring.

"I….I don't know." Kamasu replied, stamping his foot on the ground. "I jus don't know! His chakra control, power, speed, EVERYTHING is to his advantage, and how he's got the sand shukaku. Seeing as he performed some shadow moves I'd assume he's obtained the other great beast the shadow was in control of, the Knightmare."

"So we're just gonna sit and let him wipe out the world!?" Naruto screamed, punching a nearby wall. "You're a bunch of cowards. Kamaasu you released him, you gotta put him back where he came from! I'll help, he'll pay for what he did to Konoha."

Kamaasu chuckled, and ruffled Naruto's hair. "Listen kid. I never said I wouldn't do something. That bastard's gonna pay for everything he's ever done. We just need a plan…" The group all looked over to Shikamaru who received the look a tad startled.

"M-Me?" Shikamaru whined.

"Yes, you." Tsunade smiled. "You are one of our greatest strategists. Get to work on a plan. Kamaasu-dono, you help him out. You know the most out of all of us."

"Right." Kamaasu replied, taking Shikamaru to the academy for a quiet place to think.

:And Now…" Tsunade sighed. "We wait."

While the Konoha and leaf began to sort out a plan to conquer the evil beast, that same creature was winding his way through the Konoha forests with his Demonic trio in tow, trying to find another to help them in their quest. As they sped through the trees Sonari sneezed, breaking the silence they had kept since leaving the Hidden village.

"Master?" Sonari inquired, dodging a branch.

"What is it Sonari?" Memnoch replied giving a tired look.

"Well to be blunt master, do you really think that he's going to help us? He left the Akatsuki for fear of us and that silly Uchiha."

Memnoch smiled, his glistening jaws reveling in his attitude of power. "You see my boy," Memnoch began. "As strong as he thinks he is, that snake of a man fears death. He fears losing. He fears strength. That is why he ran from the Akatsuki, from that Uchiha, and from me. When I find him, he WILL help me. He will have no other choice."

"Well this guy really be that much help?" Jamshu questioned listening to the others speak.

"But of course. He is one of the world's leading ninja in Ninjutsu technique and knowledge." Sonari replied.

"But why do we need such help in Ninjutsu is my question." Jas replied sounding a bit irritated.

Memnoch laughed as he responded, "Why do you think we would need someone that excels with Ninjutsu?"

"I dunno." Jas answered trying to entertain his master. "Because we need to blow up the enemy?" He received a quick punch to the head from Sonari as they took a quick rest on a branch.

"No, you idiot." Sonari remarked. "We need someone that excels in Ninjutsu because we need someone to help Master Memnoch." The gang soon picked up speed, going back through the forest.

Jas took a good luck at the monster they called master. "Why the hell would he need help?"

"Simple minded fool…" Memnoch grinned, ruffling the young boy's hair. "While I simply absorbed the Knightmare and the host containing the Shukaku, it will be very difficult to strip the Kyuubi from that Naruto boy. I need someone good with Ninjutsu in order to help me find a better way to absorb my prey. Simply biting them won't help me, will it Domen?"

Domen gave a blank look as nodded his head in agreement. Jas looked to Domen and back to his master again. "What'd you do to him anyway?"

"I made him my mind slave. In other words, by biting him, I sent his soul to Oblivion, my haven. Now I simply control his body like a puppet. He is my killing machine. Ah we're here." He finished as they had finally arrived at their destination: Orochimaru