Disclaimer: I do not own any wrights to Naruto or Shadow Skill. I merely use their characters and themes for entertainment purposes.
When Naruto opened his eyes this time he was not enveloped in complete darkness. This time he was in a dimly lit cavern with just a half dozen torches for lighting. He was still bound to the flour and could hardly move, but he could move his head well enough to look around. Naruto saw that he was in a chamber surrounded by eight stone spheres. It was easy for him to detect the primal energies that were locked into each one. "So this is what they did with the Tailed Beasts," Naruto said. "And since there are eight of them then that means that the Garra no longer has his either."
"Correct," a voice said in the direction of Naruto's feet. "You former vessels are interesting. You seem to retain bits of the Demons' that were housed in your body once they are extracted. You for instance retained the Fox's healing ability and immense chakra supply, and Garra retained his ability to control sand. We had to put him down for we was still quite dangerous."
"What did you do to him?" Naruto demanded.
"He is still alive that I can assure you of," Aoba said stepping in to the light.
"Why are you keeping us alive?" Naruto asked. "What possible use can we be to you?"
"You will be needed to bring the Nine Tails back," Aoba said. "Garra, we are keeping for much more Earthly purposes. We have learned that he was next in line for Kazekage."
"You're keeping him alive for money?" Naruto asked with total surprise.
"I could careless about money," Aoba said, "But some of the others still have desire for it. And as long as their desires do not interfere with my ambitions I do not care what they do."
"And what is your ambition?" Naruto asked.
"I have no reason to tell you that," Aoba said.
"Well in any case let me tell you this," Naruto warned, "If you think you can control the Tailed Beasts you're wrong. It's impossible to do. I was only able to get that damn Fox to cooperate because he was given a way to go back to the demon world once my training was complete." Aoba made no reply and just turned and left the chamber.
When Aoba left he was greeted by Jubei, "The Kugi and Zetsu have left to deal with Orochimaru. It will take them three days to get there and another three to return. Factor in about a day of fighting we have another week until they get back."
"Good it will take at least that long for me to make the proper runes," Aoba said.
In Konoha several people were making final preparations for the targets of Akatsuki they were to fight. At the private training area in the Hyuuga compound Neji was practicing with Raijin. He was lucky that after he became a Chunin he decided to broaden his own skills past Gentle Fist. With the help of Tenten Neji was able to learn a bit of Kenjutsu. Now he was getting pointers from her father and learning to adapt them with his Byakugan with the help of Hiashi.
Neji was currently facing off against Tenten's father in a sparring match with practice swords and loosing rather badly. Tenten's father made a quick dash to the left of Neji's swing and dodged the attack then countered by hitting Neji in the ribs. After which Neji dropped to his knee and Tenten's father placed the practice sword to his neck. "You loose again Neji-san." Neji nodded and stood back up, "However you have progressed very well for such a short time."
"Have I progressed enough to beat one of the Seven Swordsman of Mist?" Neji asked.
"With the performance you displayed now," Tenten's father answered, "Absolutely not; even I could not beat them. With your Byakugan activated however, I would say you have the best chance out of anyone to defeat one of them."
As the two finished speaking Hiashi moved to join them. "Keep on your guard Neji. Kisame was known as the most ruthless of the Seven Swordsman and he will show you no mercy."
"He has a member of our Clan," Neji responded, "I will not show him any either."
In another part of the village, Lee and Gai had fully recovered from their injuries and were practicing at their old training fields. "Gai-sensei who is our target again?"
"Our target is the one known as Deidera," Gai answered. "According to all the reports we have of her fighting she has never come in close combat. That would mean her Taijutsu is low. Making us the best choice to face her."
But Gai-sensei," Lee objected, "We do not have many distance attacks that puts us at a disadvantage."
"That is why there are two of us fighting her," Gai replied. "Givers her more targets to focus on and our speed also make it hard for her to keep track of us." Lee nodded in understanding and went back to his training.
ON the Hokage Monument Kakashi was taking with Jiriaya. "I still do not agree with my target. Without Sasuke, I am the only one that can fight Itachi's Sharingan."
"You are the last person to fight Itachi," Jiriaya said. "Your Sharingan is no match for his. Just focus on Jubei. His mixing of elements makes him tricky, only someone with the brains, skills, speed, and arsenal can fight him. That means you." Jiriaya then faces away from him. "Besides the best person to fight a Sharingan is someone that it has no effect on. A style that it can't copy or counter."
"That means one of the Saville's," Kakashi said, "But which one?'
"Isalia," Jiriaya answered, "Apparently she is the best at Open Skill. And from what I heard she is quite deadly."
At the hospital Hinata was reading through several scrolls. Her focus was primarily on artificial limbs and poisons. Her reason, she was selected to take out Sasori. She had the best chance because of her familiarity with the human body and poisons. "Hinata, are you sure you wish to do this?" Shizune asked.
"Yes," Hinata said not looking up from her scroll, "I will not loose Naruto-kun." She went back to the scroll totally ignoring the person behind her.
Asuma sat smoking his cigarette looking at his partner that had come from Suna. He was that kid Garra's elder brother Kankuro. The two of them had been selected to take out a guy named Zetsu. Grass had sent information on him and his ability to use plants made Asuma a good choice. With his calm attitude and ability to increase the strength of bladed weapons. Kankuro was selected also because his puppets could carry a verity of weapons and poisons of all kinds, such as defoliants. "So why are you here kid?"
"Suna's here because the Kazekage sent us to help," Kankuro said. "If you mean me, I am here to rescue my brother."
"Think you can?" Asuma asked, "Way I heard it Garra was the strongest in your village and he couldn't stop Akatsuki."
"I don't care," Kankuro said, "I'm getting my brother out of there."
"Fare enough," Asuma said. "Just be sure to watch my back and I'll be sure to watch yours." Kankuro nodded and started to clean his puppets.
"Why did you volunteer to go Daisuke?" Kurenai asked.
"From the information from the Sound-nin that was captured," Daisuke answered, "We found out the last members of Akatsuki. The one called Kugi, I have my own score to settle with him."
"Then why was I selected?" Kurenai asked.
"He is Genjutsu master such as yourself," Daisuke answered, "You are the best choice."
Sakura had just come from getting a little sparring match with Lee. She wanted her skills to be at their best when she fought the bat like person the she had been informed of. His abilities were mostly unknown but two things that were known about him were that he had excellent skills in Air based attacks and his ability to fight in dark places. Sakura was chosen because she was second only to Shikamaru when I came to using her head in a battle, and she was much stronger than Shikamaru physically making her better as a field operative. She was especially known to be able to fight in nearly all situations without loosing her cool. Combined this with her Suna partner's wind attacks and her own tactical ability, they were the best to fight Isamu. "Hey Pinkie," Temari called out, "You done training with two with the thick eyebrows?"
"Yeah," Sakura answered. "I'm finished but they said they were going to keep going."
"Good," Temari walked up to Sakura, "Those two act a little two weird for my tastes." Silence passed the two for a few minutes until Temari spoke again, "This kind of feels weird teaming up."
Sakura nodded, "Its not every day two villages team up the way we are. And I've never heard of anyone using people that were not even part of a shinobi village."
"Desperate times I guess," Temari said. "Just know one thing. I am getting my little brother back."
Sakura nodded, "And I'm getting Naruto back. They should be in the same place so we have a mutual target and goal." Temari nodded understanding what Sakura meant. They were not friends just allays and partners, but had agreed to work for the benefit of both.
Sasuke was still hanging against the wall of his cell. He had been awake for days know waiting for just the right opportunity to escape. Sasuke was able to stay focused and alter because of Anbu training but even that was starting to waver. "If something does not happen soon I will have to try on my own," Sasuke thought. His thoughts were interrupted when he felt a vibration coming from the wall. "What's going on?"
His answer came from a figure stepping in front of his cell. "I am afraid your time is up Sasuke-kun," Kabuto said.
"Does it have anything to do with attack that's taking place," Sasuke was going out on a limb here by his guess but right now he did not have much choice.
"Yes it is," Kabuto said. "Apparently Orochimaru's associates do not want him alive any longer. The Sound Four are holding them off but Orochimaru-sama will need your body now."
This was what Sasuke was waiting for two days for. "I don't think so," Sasuke said finally completely the last one handed seal calling out, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" slamming his palm into to wall pushing large amounts of chakra into it. A burst smoke filled the room, then the roof burst open clearing out the smoke. When the smoke cleared Sasuke was being held gently in the mouth of a giant silver dog. "Thanks Jenin," Sasuke called to the dog.
"Think nothing of it Sasuke-san," Jenin reply. "This place smells like snakes and death."
"Yeah I know," Sasuke said. "But right now we need to get out of here." The dog nodded positioning Sasuke on his back running off away from the area."
Back on the floor Kabuto was healing the broken leg he sustained by the falling ceiling, "How did he summon?" Kabuto wondered. "Orochimaru will not be pleased with his escape."
With the speed of the dog boss Jenin Sasuke was several kilometers from Sound in a matter of minutes. He was not ready to relax just yet but was grateful to finally feel the fresh air once again. Suddenly Jenin stopped in his tracks causing Sasuke to ask, "What's wrong?"
Jenin's answer was, "That." The dog gestured ahead as a giant Anaconda burst into existence in front of him with a person with long black hair and yellow eyes on it's head. "Manda," Jenin answered Sasuke's unasked question.
"Orochimaru," Manda said, "You had better have a good reason to summon me."
"My knew body was about to escape," Orochimaru answered, "And with it I will become even more powerful thus making you stronger."
"You had better prepare my food for this," Manda told.
While Manda and Orochimaru were talking Sasuke asked, "Can you beat Manda?"
"No," Jenin answered, "Manda is like boss of the Toads and Slugs its one of the Legendary Summons. I cannot match his power."
"Then what do you suggest?" Sasuke asked.
"Take out Orochimaru if you can," Jenin stated. "If you can take him out Manda may just leave. If not it will provide enough distraction for me to run. Manda won't be able to keep up with us for long."
"In that case," Sasuke focused chakra into his eyes, "Sharingan." He then increased it's level to the four point star, "I know it's risky but you have to get a little closer so I can it him with my white flames." Jenin nodded and dashed forward.
Manda seeing the other Boss Summon charge towards him laughed and called out, "Jenin you know you cannot defeat me!"
"That's why I'm going to try!" Jenin returned as he jumped into the air, "Sasuke do it now." Sasuke for his part leaped off of Jenin and rocketed towards the giant snake's head, or to be more specific Orochimaru.
Orochimaru hearing Jenin's call could not help but look at the projectile that was Sasuke coming right for him. Unfortunately for him this was Orochimaru's mistake as he was caught directly in Sasuke's gaze. Orochimaru suddenly felt his entire body go numb, and then every muscle in his body contracted freezing him in place. Sasuke was now close enough to see the four-point star of Sasuke's Sharingan and thought, "In stead of putting the person in a Genjutsu like Itachi. Sasuke's Sharingan overrides the bodies muscle control with hypnotic suggestion." He tried everything he could think of even using his tongue, "Nothing works!"
Those were his last thoughts as Sasuke came with a meter of Orochimaru doing several seals saying, "Katon: Karyuu Endan!" White flames shot out of Sasuke's mouth at point black range towards Orochimaru. Even if Sasuke did not still have all of Orochimaru's muscle's under his control Orochimaru would not have been able to dodge the white flame in the shape of a dragon coming after him.
When smoke cleared Sasuke was standing before the charred remains that was once Orochimaru. Sasuke's attack was so powerful that it burned the Snake Sannin's body beyond recognition. Unfortunately that was not all that was burned, "That hurt human!" Manda had also been burnt by the attack and was now furious at Sasuke and began to shake him off.
Sasuke not having time to react fell from the snake's head impacting the ground rather hard. Wincing to stand back up he was scarred to see the giant mouth of Manda coming at him. Just as he was about to be eaten Sasuke was saved by his own summon. Jenin clamped his jaws on the back of Manda's neck just before he reached Sasuke. Manda screaming in agony through his head back causing Jenin to loose his grip. But that point did the task. Manda was too injured to remain and disappeared into burst of smoke. Jenin was also too injured to stay but before he left he addressed his summoner, "I'm sorry I cannot take you back to Konoha Sasuke." With that he disappeared as well.
Sasuke winced again as he stood up. He felt his sides and determined that he had at least two cracked ribs and several bruises all over his body. He started to make his way south as he knew that Fire Country was south of Sound village when someone dropped in front of him. "Going somewhere Sasuke-kun?" Kabuto asked.
"Shit!" Sasuke thought. With his injuries, low chakra and fatigue from lack of sleep he was in no condition to fight.
Kabuto turned to the black remains of Orochimaru, walked over to it and using chakra scalpels cut the head off. "You might want this when you return to Konoha."
"Why are you letting me go?" Sasuke asked.
"I really do not like Konoha," Kabuto said. "Don't ask why. But I loathed Orochimaru. I was just never strong enough to kill him myself. And besides you need to return to deliver this message to your village. Akatsuki are close to summoning the Demon Fox again and their base is at Ryo Temple at the Stone Boarder with Cliff Country." Kabuto then turned and left Sasuke alone. Not wanting to miss the chance for escape Sasuke picked up the head and continued south.
Two days later the guards at the gate were very tense. The entire village was tense with just waiting for any kind of news for the location of the base of Akatsuki. All their spies and allays were on the look out, even Jiriaya's but no one found anything.
One Guard had just been repromoted back to Chunin a few days ago and went back to Gate Duty today looked at the tree line and saw a person stumble out of the forest and collapse onto the ground. It was clear even at this distance the person was very banged up and needed medical attention, "Call the Medic-nins at once. There is an injured person down there. Also call the Anbu incase it is a spy." The other Guards nodded and jumped away. Then the Guard jumped down to the injured person when he got to the person and rolled him over he was surprised by who it was and what he was carrying a severed-charred head, "Sasuke!"
Sasuke hearing his name looked up at the voice and saw the Konoha forehead protector on the man's brow, "Akatsuki is at Ryo Temple," just before he passed out.
