The Rise of a Warrior: Naruto: Shippuden

by The Legendary Dragon Reaper

Three years have come and gone, and while Tatsu and the ninja of the Hidden Leaf have grown stronger, they'll have a whole new group of enemies to face. The era of Team Dragon has arrived, but can they rise to the challenge? Sequel to the Rise of a Warrior: Naruto, second story in my Naruto trilogy. Please read each chapter until the end and check for notes.

10. Rasehshuriken Unleashed, Master Avenged

Hayate Gekko had fallen at the hands of Hidan and Kakuzu of the Akatsuki, thus making the mission to capture or eliminate a failure.

With this development, Tatsu, Asuma, Dosu, Ino and the rest grimly carried Hayate's body back to the Leaf to report the outcome of the mission.

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Training had been coming along well.

With one Shadow Clone aiding him, Naruto finally formed a fully completed and perfected Wind Style: Rasengan "Alright, I think I'm finally getting the hang of it."

Kakashi raised a curious eyebrow "I see, so that's what you came up with."

"Yeah, after having day's worth of nightmares about Captain Yamato using that creepy face, I decided to go back to my roots."

"...You mind explaining? You've lost me."

"By going back to the roots of the Rasengan, I just reused an old method. Back before I left to train with Pervy Sage it took two of me to produce the original Rasengan. I realized I'd need another set of hands if I was gonna handle the change in chakra nature and the Rasengan's change in form at the same time."

"Alright, well done. Of course, only Naruto has the chakra reserves and the skill to pull this off. I couldn't accomplish that, I bet even the Fourth Hokage couldn't.'

"Now then, let's see if I can push it further."

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At the same time, Hidan and Kakuzu, along with the rest of the Akatsuki, were in the middle of sealing the Two-Tails, which would take three days, and then another three days for sealing the Three-Tails that Deidara and Tobi had captured previously.

When Hidan started complaining like usual, the leader revealed the plans of the Akatsuki to establish a war monopoly while obtaining all 9 Tailed Beasts for their ultimate goal: world domination.

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Tsunade hung her head when she'd heard what had happened "I see…"

"Milady, what about Yugao?" asked Mizuki "Who will tell her?"

Tsunade let out a long sigh "Notify everyone else regarding the funeral services, I will personally inform Yugao-"

"No." Tatsu cut her off "I'll do it. I'd like to tell her myself. I have a message for her from Hayate-sensei."

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By this point, Naruto stood at the center of a deep crater as he collapsed from exhaustion "I think… that's all I… can manage…"

"So it looks like you're good for about two per day." Kakashi noted "Just what I'd expect from a ninja like you Naruto, you're full of surprises. I'm not sure how to say this, but I'm really starting to take a liking to you kiddo."

Naruto fell back, seriously creeped out "Don't say creepy stuff like that out of the blue sensei, you're freaking me the f*ck out!"

"I didn't mean it like that."

"Hey woah you stay the hell away!"

"There aren't words to express how I feel!"

"Back the hell up!" Naruto started backing away.

"What are you two doing?"

Naruto and Kakashi looked to see Ino standing there with Yamato "Ino. What's up?"

"I'm here to bring you a message from Lady Tsunade, she says to call off your training and return immediately."

"Why? What happened?"

Ino let out a long sigh, her face grim "Hayate Gekko…"

Naruto froze, his eyes wide with shock, the same with Kakashi.

"-has been killed."

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Tsunade wasn't surprised to see Naruto barge into her room "I figured this would come."

Naruto nodded "Ino told me what happened to Hayate-sensei. Who did it?"

"It was two members of the Akatsuki. They'd first destroyed the Fire Temple looking for you, so I sent out the 20 platoons. Hayate's team found them first, and this was the end result."

"...What about Tatsu?"

"He's informing Yugao right now, apparently Hayate told him to give her a message."

Naruto said nothing, he just turned towards the door.

"I don't want you going after them."

"This is Tatsu's fight, not mine. I'm heading back to training after the funeral."

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Yugao froze once she heard about Hayate, then collapsed to her knees in tears, leaving Tatsu to comfort her.

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The day of the funeral came.

Yugao placed some flowers on Hayate's grave.

Ino looked around but couldn't see Tatsu among the crowed "Where is he?"

Naruto shook his head "He wasn't at his apartment when I went there, so I just assumed he left already."

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Tatsu was just wandering the streets, his face showing no emotions, other than emptiness.

Ayame saw him when he was passing Ichiraku "Oh hey Tatsu."

"Hey." he stopped, his voice soft.

"Haven't seen you in awhile, you been busy?"

"Yeah kind of, with Naruto's training and all that."

"Well stop in soon, and tell Naruto I say hi, and Hayate-sensei too."

Tatsu froze.

"That reminds me, we've gotta work out Hayate's tab."

"Actually, Hayate-sensei was…"

"What?" Ayame noticed the look in his eyes 'Don't tell me…'

"He was killed in the line of duty."

Ayame immediately wrapped her arms around him "I'm here for you…"

"I know…" he gently freed himself "But I'd really like to be alone right now." and he left.

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After the funeral, Naruto was wandering around 'It's just so hard to believe.'

"Naruto."

He looked back "Sasuke."

"I heard what happened to Hayate and rushed back here. How's Tatsu taking it?"

"About was well as you'd expect."

"I see."

"At times like this, you always feel so helpless."

"Yeah. Let me take care of this."

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Nightfall came.

Tatsu opened his door to find Sasuke standing there "Sasuke."

"Hey." Sasuke held up a hand "You wanna talk?"

Tatsu said nothing, he just led him inside.

"You look a little out of it tonight."

"Whatever." Tatsu just sat down in the living room.

"The Akatsuki. They're strong, aren't they?"

"Yeah."

"So what's your plan?"

Nothing.

"If someone like Hayate couldn't handle them then what shot do you think you'd have?"

Nothing.

"I didn't know him very well but he seemed like a good guy."

"Yeah. He was the best."

"Not so hot at things like shogi or women though."

Nothing.

"You know what you're doing?"

Nothing.

"Well I know you of all people wouldn't do anything stupid, frankly we're all lucky in that respect. Who wants to go to their friend's funeral so young?"

Nothing.

"You've done well for yourself, Kazuma would be proud of you."

Tatsu hung his head.

"You're one of the best there is, you've got great talent and a good heart, you're someone the Leaf can depend on in the future."

Nothing.

"But now, Hayate is dead."

Tatsu finally reached his limit and slammed his fist against the wall "Just what are you getting at here?"

"Only the truth."

"Will you shut up already?! All this talking is making me sick! Say whatever you want Sasuke, it doesn't change the fact that I'm so weak and useless that I let my sensei die! I wasn't even good enough to go on that mission because I'm so pathetic!"

"You're wrong."

"What do you want from me Sasuke?"

"You want to know what I want?" Sasuke stood and looked Tatsu straight in the eye "I want you to let it out."

Tatsu lost his glare.

"All of the anger, the sadness, the fear, the frustration, the despair, everything that's building up inside of you. You have to let it go or else it will destroy you."

Tatsu said nothing, he gritted his teeth and clenched his fists.

"It all starts from there, my friend." he walked out and closed the door just as he heard Tatsu start crying uncontrollably "No matter where I might be, I'll always be there for you. Never forget that." and he disappeared with a surge, for it had only been his Thunder Clone.

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Morning came.

Tatsu was sprawled out across the floor, having cried himself dry several hours before, and heard a knock on his door, and when he went to answer it he found Shikamaru standing there "Shika."

"You know what's gotta be done." was all he said.

"Yeah. You got a plan?"

"Yep." he pulled some things out of his bag, including a shogi board and pieces "I've got it all worked out."

"You don't have to do this you know."

"Yeah, I do. It's my fault this happened to Hayate, and I'm gonna fix it."

"Shika, it's not your fault. If it's anyone's, it's mine for not getting there in time."

"I think whoever's fault it is at this point doesn't matter, what matters is that we're both going to fix it."

"Agreed. I've got some things to take care of, we'll head out in a few days."

"Right."

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After a few hours of training, Tatsu stood at the center of a large crater "That's one thing down, just a few more to go."

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Shikamaru wandered through the streets and found Asuma leaning on a pole "Hey."

"You're gonna go through with it aren't you?" asked Asuma.

"Yeah."

"Then I guess it's time I gave you these." he held out a pair of Chakra Blades "They're just like mine, I think you can make some use out of them."

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Later, Tatsu stopped by the Akimichi compound "Hey."

Choji's mother instantly caught him in a hug "Tatsu."

"Morning."

"It must've been so hard on you, seeing Hayate… there aren't any words. You poor poor boy."

"I've got a few. Is Choji here?"

"Hey." then Choji's father Choza came out "Choji's in the hills out back."

"Thanks." he turned around, but didn't move for a moment "For the record, I'd never put Choji in any danger against his will."

"I know you wouldn't."

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Tatsu made his way to the hills in the back 'Okay Tatsu, no need to sense out Choji's chakra, just follow the growling stomach noises.' he wandered around for awhile until he found Choji in a deep hole "I don't know, you think it's deep enough?"

"Tatsu!" Choji perked up, then fell back once his stomach began growling.

"Just saw your folks, brought you a little something." he dropped it into the hole.

Choji caught it and began pigging out "So when are you gonna do it?"

Tatsu was caught off guard by that.

"You are doing it right?"

"Me and Shika are doing it alone, I've got a more important job for you."

"I'm listening." Choji leapt out of the hole "I'm happy to help you out in any way I can."

"I'm glad." Tatsu stared him dead in the eye "I want you to protect my Kings while I'm doing this. I've only ever trusted Lee with this mission."

"I promise."

"Thank you."

"Just be careful."

"Right."

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Ino met Shikamaru outside the Yamanaka Flower Shop "Shikamaru!"

'Crap.' Shikamaru let out a mental groan "Hey."

"You're gonna do it right?"

'And she knows. Perfect.'

"I want in."

'And now Tatsu's gonna have my head on a pike. Alright."

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Later, Tatsu made his way to Hayate's grave "Forgive me, I know I'm late. I'd ended up losing myself, but a certain someone helped me find it again. I'm about to try something really really stupid, so please, just keep watching over all of us alright?"

"Here."

Tatsu looked back to see Ino holding some flowers "Thanks." he placed them on the grave and bowed his head "Hayate-sensei."

Shikamaru and Ino followed his lead.

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It was the middle of the night.

Tatsu met Shikamaru and Ino at the gate 'So they came. This is your last chance to back out, after we leave there's no going back."

"I thought we made it clear, no way we're backing out." Ino told him firmly.

"Fair enough."

"So are you ready?" asked Shikamaru.

"I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."

"Let's go."

"Right."

"Hold it."

Tatsu looked back to see Tsunade standing at the gate "Crap."

"You going somewhere?"

Tatsu turned back and looked her in the eye, unfazed and unwavering "Your mission directive still stands doesn't it? A new team has been assembled, and we're going ahead with the mission."

"Not without my approval you're not. You will be assigned to a troop of my choosing, and only when we have a solid plan of attack in place."

"You think I'd go unprepared? The three of us have already worked out our own strategy-"

"I've heard enough!"

Tatsu didn't flinch, even though Shikamaru and Ino did.

"Hayate is dead, there's only three of you."

"That's where you're wrong. Hayate-sensei is still with us."

"You're after vengeance then aren't you? This isn't like you at all. Are you so eager to die?"

"We're not stupid, we have no intention of running straight to our deaths, and like I said before I never go unprepared. It's just…"

"Well? Just what?"

Tatsu clenched his fists "I wouldn't be able to live with myself, and they volunteered to help of their own free will. That's why we're going."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed "You need to grow up, the shadow of death hangs over us all. Some deaths may be harder to accept than others, but unless you can get past that there can be no future."

Tatsu looked at the sword on his back "Carrying a sword around, it's almost like Hayate-sensei is still with me, guiding my stroke and guiding me to victory, like he's watching over me. I truly feel that. Until I've closed the book on this, I carry his sword at my side."

"Face reality, there's only three of you okay? A full squad has-"

"A full squad has four, then it's alright isn't it?"

Tatsu looked looked to see Asuma standing by the gate "So you came after all Asuma?"

"Team 10 is my squad after all, just put Tatsu in place of Choji and we've got the full squad. Fair enough?"

Tsunade looked rather incredulous "Asuma, what are you-"

"Face the facts, they're gonna go no matter what you say." Asuma put away his cigarettes "I figure I might as well go with them to keep an eye on them and stop them from doing anything stupid."

"He's right you know." Tatsu pointed out "What you say doesn't matter, we're going no matter what."

Tsunade stared for a moment, then sighed "Alright, as you wish then."

"Glad we're on the same page."

Asuma stepped forward "Alright then Team 10, let's move out."

"Right. And Asuma? Thanks."

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Morning came.

Lee's head snapped up "So Tatsu went with Team 10 to find the Akatsuki?"

Tsunade nodded "That's right, and he requested that we wait at least 24 hours before sending backup."

"I see."

"Tell me Lee, how's Naruto's training coming?"

"From what I understand, he's grasping the principles and should only require a little more time to get it."

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"Okay Shikamaru, let's hear this plan of yours." said Asuma.

"Actually I'd like to tweak it a little, now that you're with us." Shikamaru told him.

"No problem, go ahead."

"I'll break it down into pieces with all the variations, so listen carefully everybody and be sure to memorize it."

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Naruto's head snapped up "Wait, so Tatsu went with Shikamaru and the rest and went after the Akatsuki?"

Lee nodded "That's right, they left before sunrise."

"And what did Grandma Tsunade say?"

"That me, Dosu, Zaku and Kin would be sent as a backup squad within 24 hours."

"So I'm not going?"

"She doesn't want to risk it at least until you've mastered this jutsu. Tatsu already has, so the same issue doesn't apply for him."

"Oh." Naruto started forming a Rasengan "Then I guess I've just gotta get to work."

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Shikamaru handed Tatsu a capsule "So that's the plan, use this when you get a chance and hold onto it until then."

Tatsu nodded "Got it, and nice work figuring out all of his from just one encounter."

"Well the other guy's powers are still a mystery, this is the best strategy we've got based on our limited information. Once you've got it clear in your minds run through a mental simulation of it at least three times."

Asuma stood "Okay, let's do it."

"Right. Now the first thing we have to do is pick up their trail."

"So what, you're saying we'd be able to pick up their scent and footprints from the collection office?" Tatsu guessed.

"Well I don't know about that, I'm not sure that's the easiest way."

"Well either way, we should give this a shot."

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The Akatsuki finished sealing the Two-Tails, killing Yugito, and Kakuzu and Hidan decided to go to the Leaf, receiving a warning from Deidara about how powerful a select few were, mainly Naruto, Tatsu and Lee.

Kakuzu decided to take a different route to get to the Leaf in order to avoid walking right into an ambush.

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In the Forest of Dead Trees, a dead lifeless forest in the Land of Fire, Tatsu looked for any signs of tracks, but found nothing "I figured as much, the rain has wiped out any trace of their tracks. What should we do now?"

"We can't do anything until we find them." Shikamaru pointed out "So that's still our first order of business."

"I doubt they'd be stupid enough to actually go back to the collection office, but I've got Hiryu and a bunch of my Shadow Clones watching the place in case they do."

"The loud mouth guy doesn't bother me so much, it's the masked one I'm worried about. I'm betting they'll take a different route, but their destination will remain the same. Whether they're after the bounty on Hayate-sensei or someone else or Kurama inside Naruto, their targeting the Leaf."

"There are lots of approaches to the Leaf Village, so that means we have a lot of territory to cover." Asuma pointed out "How do we find them."

"Let's see…" Shikamaru looked up to see a bird flying overhead "Up there, that's how."

Ino smirked "I'm on it."

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Hidan and Kakuzu were making their way.

Once possessing a bird with her Mind Transfer Jutsu, Ino quickly tracked them down 'There they are, heading straight for the Leaf just like we thought.'

Then Kakuzu suddenly extended his arm and made a grab for Bird-Ino, intent on strangling her to death.

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Ino's eyes shot open "Woah…"

"You alright?" asked Tatsu.

"Yeah, but that was way too close."

"Did they spot you?" asked Shikamaru.

I think we're okay, they're taking a different route just as we thought. We'll run into them if we head northeast, it'll take about 10 minutes."

"Then let's move." Tatsu stood.

"Right."

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Kakuzu retracted his arm after letting the bird go 'Was I imagining it?'

"What the hell was that about?" asked Hidan.

"It was nothing, nothing at all."

"Well then let's keep moving."

"Right." they kept walking for about 10 to 15 minutes until they noticed a shadow suddenly creeping up behind them "Hidan."

"I know." they dodged, then deflected some kunai, only to see paper bombs attached "What?"

"Paper bomb!" Kakuzu's fist turned black as he caught it, only to be caught in the explosion.

Hidan escaped, the chain attached to his scythe being broken "Kakuzu!"

"I hardened my arm, I'm fine!" Kakuzu emerged unharmed "Just watch out for the shadows."

"Right." they dodged the shadows "We won't fall for that trick again."

"Hidan, above you!"

"What?" Hidan looked up to see Shikamaru fire off his chakra blades with paper bombs attached to them.

"More paper bombs, Hidan look out!" they both dodged, only for the bombs to be duds.

'It didn't detonate.' then Hidan realized something.

"We've been had."

'Dammit!'

Shikamaru leapt down and smirked "Shadow Possession Shuriken Jutsu, achieved."

'I can't move! Little jerk, how did you do it when I dodged your shadow?"

"What I threw at you were chakra blades, not only do they absorb the chakra nature of whoever wields them but they complement and augment his jutsu."

"What the hell is this kid talking about Kakuzu?"

"Will you shut up you idiot?" Kakuzu growled.

Shikamaru continued, ignoring them "In short, having absorbed the user's chakra the chakra blades become an extension of his jutsu. So you see I wasn't trying to hit you, I was aiming for your shadows the whole time."

'So these paper bombs are fakes, just ordinary pieces of paper. Now I see, the first set of paper bombs on kunai knives were meant to mislead us to make sure we would try and elude the second set attached to chakra blades. He then distracted us again by drawing our attention to the ground with his shadow play so we wouldn't notice his attack from above until the last minute, by allowing us no time to think he was able to pierce our shadows and paralyze us. Quite the little tactician, this one.'

"Alright then, it's time to finish this."

"Hey what's wrong with you, why are you so quiet all of a sudden?" Hidan demanded "What the hell were you thinking letting yourself get caught too huh? Hey you know what I think, things aren't looking too good for us that's what I think!"

"Yeah you're right, as a matter of fact by my calculations it's all over for you to right about now." Shikamaru formed a hand seal and his shadow extended and attached itself to Hidan's, then the shadow picked up the chakra blade.

"Hey what's going on now, what the hell are you doing?"

"I just want to get it right, don't want to make the same mistake as last time. I need to be sure not to mess up our order of attack again, this time I'm gonna see to it that we finish this once and for all." controlling Hidan's movements, Shikamaru began backing up.

Under Shikamaru's control, Hidan backed up and grabbed his triple-bladed scythe "I never forget a face kid, someday I'm gonna find you and I'm gonna kill you."

Shikamaru began running in a sideways direction, forcing Hidan to do the same "Oh man, you really don't get it do you?"

Hidan found himself forced to attack Kakuzu while he was paralyzed "Kakuzu, duck!"

With one swift movement, Kakuzu's arm shot out of the ground and grabbed the chakra blade, freeing him and allowing him to duck just in the nick of time, surprising everyone in the Leaf group as it reattached itself to his body 'There.'

'I never expected his arm to function independently from his body.' Shikamaru noted 'But how, and when did he-? Wait, that's when he did it. When I attacked him with the paper bombs he must've hidden his arm in the ground under the cover of the smoke. It's such a drag the way each of the Akatsuki has unique powers.'

"I guess it's not quite all over yet is it? As you can plainly see my abilities are countless, you'd be wise to retreat and plan your next move. That is, if you're smart unlike my partner here. Just remember, all the battle plans you make mean nothing when the situation on the ground doesn't go as calculated."

Then Hidan thought of something "Kakuzu! What did you mean "Unlike my partner here", huh?!"

"Just what I said you idiot."

Then Hidan suddenly charged forward, swinging his scythe at Kakuzu against his will, due to being controlled by Shikamaru "I can't control my body! Do something Kakuzu, do something!"

"What's wrong with you?"

Shikamaru gave a nod 'Now Asuma, now!'

"Flying Swallow!" Asuma charged downwards from above, slamming down on Kakuzu with his chakra blades. He then retreated back to join Shikamaru "So what do you think's going on?"

"I knew it, it's just like Tatsu said before. He's got some sort of jutsu that allows him to harden his body, that's his special ability."

When the dust settled, Kakuzu emerged unharmed, his skin suddenly turned black but slowly returning to normal "Good eye. Yes it's true, physical attacks are virtually useless against me."

'I thought I'd made allowances for the extent of their powers but not this, if we can't use a direct attack then what can we do?'

Kakuzu looked over at Asuma 'So that's the other member of the Guardian Shinobi 12. Note to self, be sure to cash him in later.'

Hidan let out a maniacal laugh "Be afraid, be very afraid you ignorant heathens! Kakuzu enough chit chat, let's counterattack. Come on, hurry up and undo this idiotic jutsu already."

"Right." then Kakuzu suddenly cried out in pain, much to the shock of everyone, and he looked back to see Tatsu stabbing him in the heart, the Dragon Blade emitting a large amount of lightning style chakra "But-But how? I didn't even sense you approach…"

Tatsu smirked as he drove the Dragon Blade deeper "I would say I'm sorry, but the thing is that I'm really not."

"Hold on a minute Tatsu, how'd you get behind him?" asked Shikamaru.

"I saw everything, including that jutsu you were using to harden your skin. Judging by the hand signs you weaved, I figured it was some sort of earth style jutsu."

"You were able to read and determine my signs so quickly." Kakuzu noted "And that sword you carry. Wait, that's it. You're Tatsu Kamikaze, that Leaf brat carrying the Dragon Blade."

"Earth is inferior to Lightning, not your lucky day, especially since you two scumsuckers were the ones who killed my sensei. You're a dead man walking, and your partner is next."

"Leave it to you Tatsu." then Shikamaru hunched over slightly.

"You at your limit Shika?" Tatsu subtly put his capsule away and retracted the Dragon Blade, causing Kakuzu to fall to the ground "And now…" he summoned a Shadow Clone and began forming a Rasengan.

"Sucker punch to the heart?" Hidan sounded incredulous "You're through? I can't believe it, just like that?!"

Tatsu held up his Elemental Rasengan "That's right you filthy swine, and now you're next."

'Dammit, I still can't move!'

"This ends now! This is for Hayate! Wind Style: Rasengan!" Tatsu charged in.

That is, before Kakuzu suddenly kicked him through several trees "Sorry, but it's not over just yet."

Hidan snickered "And after all that tough talk, well who's done for now huh?"

"F*ck you." Tatsu spat out some blood 'What the hell is going on? I know I got him right in the heart, but it's like I didn't hit him at all.'

"Alright, let's get this over with shall we?"

"That's the plan." Kakuzu ripped off his Akatsuki cloak, revealing his true body, held together by several stitched thick black strings, along with four masks on his back, one of which was destroyed. Then Kakuzu's back opened up, revealing four creatures from the masks that burst out of his body.

Shikamaru realized his Shadow Possession had reached its limit "Dammit, my Shadow Possession's had it."

"Okay, let's recap." Tatsu muttered "This guy has surpassed Kimimaro for weirdest ability I've ever seen, he's spewed four gigantic monsters out of his back, and he's still not dead after I stabbed him with Genryu-lightning chakra. So the question here is, what the f*ck?"

Shikamaru withdrew his shadow "Who knows? After going head to head with these guys, there's nothing that'll surprise me anymore."

Hidan stretched somewhat "There that's more like it, I can finally move again."

Tatsu finally stood up again 'What the hell are those things though?'

"Now then, shall we let the slaughter begin?"

Kakuzu nodded "Oh yes."

"Look Lord Jashin, behold your servant! I give myself body and soul to the carnage to come! In your name I will rip their guts out!""

Then one of Kakuzu's creatures, the one with the broken mask, suddenly collapsed and dissolved into a puddle of goo.

"Hey Kakuzu, what the hell was that? You put on this big show and then one of them drops dead before we even get started? Come on, that's pretty lame if you ask me!"

'One of the creatures that emerged from the big guy's body collapsed.' Tatsu noted 'That must be the one I stabbed with the Dragon Blade just now. If my hunch is right, and it usually is, then we might actually be onto something here.'

"Hidan just stay back, I've got this." Kakuzu told him.

"No way!" Hidan barked "No way in hell I'm staying out, I want in on this action! I'm sick of watching us get pushed around by these losers! So then, let's go with the usual."

"Right." Kakuzu formed a hand seal.

"Now then, let's begin!" Hidan charged in with his triple-bladed scythe.

'He's fast!' Tatsu drew the Dragon Blade and began clashing with him, being pushed back by the relentless attacks.

Then Kakuzu sent one of his monsters behind Hidan.

'Crap.'

"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" taking advantage of Hidan's immortality, Kakuzu's mask hit Tatsu dead on with a tornado-like blast, sending him flying through several trees.

Asuma and the rest braced themselves "Guys, brace yourselves!" he got behind Shikamaru right before they got hit by the shockwave "Tatsu! That guy shot through his own teammate, probably to take advantage of his partner's immortality.'

"Asuma-sensei! Shikamaru!" Ino rushed down to join them.

"Ino, be sure not to let your guard down."

"Right."

"Lightning Style: False Darkness!" Kakuzu unleashed a blast of lightning from the mouth of one of the creatures in the form of a lightning spear that shot towards them.

"The hell you will!" Tatsu suddenly appeared in front of Asuma and the others, his gi torn about halfway revealing his bare chest, and managed to deflect the lightning with his bare hands, but just barely "Okay, that was fun."

"Are you alright Tatsu?" asked Ino.

"I'm still standing, what about you guys?"

"We're all fine."

"Good. These two are way stronger than I thought they'd be, especially the one with the mask and those weird things. Normally someone can't use such high level jutsu unless they're compatible with their own chakra natures, and yet the masked guy has already displayed earth himself, and wind and lightning from those creatures. And if the patterns on the mask are anything to go by, the one I destroyed was water and the last one should be fire. So the question is, what the hell is going on and how can he use all five elements? I myself would only be able to use three without the power of the Genryu or being able to copy jutsu like Sasuke or Kakashi can with the Sharingan, so how does this guy do it?'

Then Hidan stepped up "That was very impressive, you're the first one who's ever survived that little one-two combination of ours Tatsu Kamikaze."

"So you actually know my name?"

"Kakuzu's been idling your picture in the Bingo Book for months, apparently you're an up and coming A-rank he's hoping to get some huge bounty for."

"Is that right?"

"You saw through the jutsu with such ease, but what about this next one?" Kakuzu formed a hand seal as the red masked creature inched forward and opened its mask.

"Well f*ck. Guys, just stand back and let me handle this."

"Fire Style: Searing Migraine!" Kakuzu unleashed a massive blast of fire from the creature's mouth.

'Yeah, knowing my luck that seems about right. I doubt my water style is good enough to stop that, so I guess option B should come into play.' Tatsu formed several hand seals "Earth Style: Great Mud Wall!" he slammed his hands into the ground and summon a large wall made of earth and rock.

The fire slammed into it and created a scorching explosion.

Tatsu found himself skidding back, but he held his ground "Shika! Ino! Asuma! You guys alright?"

"We're fine!" Asuma called.

"Good, cause I'm screwed." Tatsu drew the Dragon Blade just in time to fend off Hidan's attacks with his scythe, being forced on the defensive, going up one of the scorched trees.

Hidan eventually broke away after dodging a few thrusts from the sword "Boy, you really are good."

"I learned from the man you killed, now I'm going to avenge him."

Asuma and the rest joined up with him "Tatsu, you alright?"

"Don't worry about me, I'm fine. Problem is, I'm probably gonna have to rely on my new jutsu if I want any hope in hell of taking these guys out. The only thing about that is that it takes up way too much chakra to use recklessly. I can't let this drag on.'

"They're good, they work seamlessly together." Ino noted.

"Yeah but I stabbed him right in the heart with lightning chakra from a Genryu, by all rights he should be dead already, but instead I took down one of those weird creatures that sprang up from his back. My best guess is that it died in place of him."

"Probably, just look at the way he dodged my Shadow Possession Shuriken." Shikamaru pointed out "He detached his arm with what looked like a beating heart, and it was moving all on its own."

"So what does that mean?"

"Best guess? Those dark figures with him, not to mention the masked guy himself, all have separate hearts, and yet all five of them were his."

"One less though, thanks to my attack from earlier. So to take him out for good, we've gotta destroy his other four hearts."

"Fraid so."

"Good eye once again." Kakuzu noted "Each of these hearts belonged to a shinobi that I faced in battle and got the better of. They can easily be replenished, with your hearts for example."

Tatsu clenched his fists 'Now it makes sense, he's tapping into the separate chakra natures of each of the stolen hearts, allowing him to incorporate their chakra natures.'

Then Hidan stepped up "Oh by the way, you Leaf ninja, you bury your dead or what? It'll be a real hassle if you do, knowing Kakuzu he'll totally want us to go digging for that cash cow of his. He was already a downer though. Seriously, that guy with the sword went down like it was nothing. Where the hell is the fun in that?"

"Big talk coming from the man who got his head chopped off." Kakuzu pointed out.

"Kakuzu, shut the bloody f*ck up!" then he turned back to the Leaf group "So anyway, I know you're looking for revenge but I think you're out of your league here. You guys are just pups and that bearded guy is a chump, and the chump in the front must've been his student or something right? That's what you said isn't it? Well with a loser like that guy teaching you, you're pretty much screwed."

"Don't you DARE insult Hayate-sensei." Tatsu's voice was a low snarl, filled with malice and hatred.

"Oh, a loving bond between teacher and student. What a load."

"That's strike 2."

"What, you're really that bent out of shape over a worthless piece of crap like that?"

"YOU SON OF A-" Tatsu was about to charge forward in a rage.

That is, before Asuma caught him in a full nelson "Tatsu stop, don't egg you on. Besides, you're not the only one who's out for revenge here."

Tatsu paused, trying to calm himself.

"Don't forget that they killed Chiriku, he was like a brother to me. I felt for him what you feel for Naruto, Sasuke and Lee, but I'm not allowing myself to be lost in my anger. That's not what Hayate would want."

Tatsu took in a long deep sigh "Sorry. Oh and Asuma, you wanna take a shot?"

"I wouldn't be against it."

"Good, because he's right in front of us." Tatsu leapt back.

Asuma looked and saw Kakuzu right in front of him 'Tatsu, you little-!' he thrusted his chakra blades forward.

Kakuzu caught them with ease, and pummeled Asuma lightly before sending him tumbling back into a tree and kicking him right through it.

"Asuma!" Tatsu attempted to rush to his aid.

Hidan appeared in front of him "Oh no you don't." he went on the offensive.

Tatsu ran away from him up a tree, dodging all of his attacks as well as attacks from Kakuzu's masks.

"Gotcha!" Hidan dropped down on him.

Tatsu dodged Hidan's attack, but found himself cornered by a combination attack from the three masks, though he managed to escape 'At this rate…'

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Kakuzu dragged Asuma out of the tree and activated his Iron Skin jutsu "Time to die."

"Water Style: Raging Waves!"

Kakuzu looked to see Ino fire off a blast of water and dodged it "Little brat." then he noticed Shikamaru trying to capture him by his shadow and sent his lightning mask after him.

'Dammit!' Shikamaru was forced on the evasive.

'Persistent brat.'

"Shikamaru!" Ino cried out.

Kakuzu caught her in a chokehold with his extending arms, then did the same to Asuma and began strangling the life out of them "Pathetic little worms, just die."

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'Dammit!' Tatsu formed a hand seal and rushed behind a tree trunk only to get bombarded with small fireballs, leaving him lying on the ground.

"So long, nice knowing ya!" Hidan slashed through Tatsu with his triple-bladed scythe.

Tatsu disappeared in a puff of smoke, revealing that it'd only been a Shadow Clone.

"HUH?!"

'Perfect!' the real Tatsu took off running on the ground "Shika, now!"

"Right!" Shikamaru summoned a scroll, formed a hand seal, and stomped his foot down on it, revealing a large pool of water. He then dodged a blast of lightning from one of Kakuzu's hearts, unintentionally using the water as a conductor.

'Dammit!' Kakuzu was electrocuted and cried out in pain.

"There!" Shikamaru fired a kunai with a paper bomb attached.

"Water Style: Water Wall!" Kakuzu dropped Ino and Asuma and formed a Water Wall, protecting him from the explosion.

"Tatsu!"

"Right!" Tatsu charged in and carried Ino to safety.

Shikamaru carried Asuma to meet up with them.

"Nice plan."

"Had to think fast on the fly."

"Only you could that fast." then he turned to Ino and Asuma "You guys alright?"

Ino coughed slightly "Yeah, more or less."

Hidan leapt down to join Kakuzu "That was pitiful, what happened there buddy?"

"You should talk, I wasn't the one who fell for a Shadow Clone."

"Oh yeah right, you saw that?"

"So Shika, what's the plan from here?" asked Tatsu.

"First things first, we have to get them on their own." explained Shikamaru "We've gotta tackle them individually."

"Agreed."

"Once their combo attacks are off the table we can focus on destroying the big guy's last four hearts."

"Alright, but for that to work one of us is gonna have to get rid of loudmouth mc scumf*cker over there. That rules me out, the one with the mask is clearly the stronger of the two and you've gotta stay to take him out. With all five elements at his disposal, you're the only one who can take him down. Asuma is the strongest aside from you so you'll need him to back me up, and Ino going is too risky since her water style isn't effective enough to hit him at mid or long range and her Mind Transfer Jutsu is way too risky. I'm gonna do it, I'll get him with my Shadow Possession Jutsu and then head off with him."

"You sure about this? How do you plan on trapping him?"

"What do you think I was doing while you were finishing up that new jutsu of yours?"

"Fair enough, but we'll still need some kind of diversion."

"Well I know you don't wanna risk Ino and Asuma's combat style involves head on attacks and that's definitely the wrong way to go here." he stood "I'll get ahold of him, you guys can stay out of it. And as for the diversion, that'll be me. I've got this."

"You sure?"

"Very. You want to avenge Hayate and so do I, so you take the masked guy out while I get the other one."

"...Alright, if you want it so badly then I'll trust you." he handed Shikamaru something "Here, you'll need it."

"Right."

"Shikamaru." Asuma handed him his lighter "For good luck."

"Thanks." Shikamaru stepped forward and thrusted forward his shadow.

"Not that again." Hidan dodged easily, the same with Kakuzu "Are you scared of my scythe and abilities?"

Asuma quickly jumped into the fray to prevent Kakuzu from coming to Hidan's aid, engaging him in hand to hand combat "You're dealing with me right now."

"I don't think so!" Hidan began dodging Shikamaru's shadows "A covert attack from a distance? How pathetic!" he went up a tree to dodge.

"Think so?" Shikamaru had his shadow throw one of his chakra blades.

Hidan leapt off and dodged it 'He threw the blade with his shadow?'

Shikamaru did so again.

Unable to dodge it in mid-air by himself, Hidan wedged his scythe into the tree and jumped off of it, managing to dodge the blade just in time "You wish kiddo, as long as you watch the shadows this jutsu's worth-"

"Gotcha!" Shikamaru ran across the tree and thrusted a fist forward.

Hidan caught it.

Shikamaru retreated, using his Shadow Possession to connect their shadows due to making direct contact "Now who's pathetic? I don't hide in the shadows, I become them!" they both landed on the ground "Shadow Possession Jutsu, complete."

"You stupid little…"

"Shikamaru, get going!" Asuma blocked several punches by Kakuzu "Leave the rest to us, just do what you have to do!"

"Right." Shikamaru forced Hidan to drop his scythe "Come on pal, we're gonna go for a little stroll." and they both ran off, Hidan unwillingly."

'Shikamaru, we're counting on you.'

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Hidan wasn't keen on being forced to follow "Where the hell are we going kid? Splitting up me and Kakuzu isn't gonna save you! Damn you!"

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Kakuzu had his masks close in on Tatsu and Asuma "Was it wise for the kid to go alone? He's underestimated Hidan. He did show a lot of promise though, he would've commanded quite a bounty down the line but today that boy dies. However, you were correct about one thing. I am strong." black threads burst from his arms in several locations "The gap between our respective battle experience is vast. Those headbands you are all wearing remind me of the very first Leaf shinobi I ever did battle with… the First Hokage."

"...How old are you?" Tatsu asked after a moment 'Well it's official, he's definitely the weirdest guy I've ever fought. So what then, does that mean you really are immortal like your partner?"

"No, there's no such thing in this world. I've just managed to prolong my life by stealing and stocking up on others' hearts before mine can stop from old age."

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Shikamaru finished setting up various kunai, wires and paper bombs throughout the forest, effectively trapping Hidan 'That should do it.'

"You think I'm gonna run?" Hidan looked down and saw the Shadow Possession wear off "Your shadow jutsu, it lasts about 5 minutes as I recall, and it's just the two of us now. You made this one easy for me boy!" he pulled out his retractable spear and charged forward like the maniac he was, apparently cutting Shikamaru's cheek.

Shikamaru fell back, the cut on his cheek now dripping with blood.

Hidan licked the blood on his spear.

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Tatsu looked at the masks and saw something very unsettling 'The Fire and Wind masks, they're merging into one.'

"If you're counting the original, my body holds up to 5 hearts." Kakuzu told him "Thanks to you though, I'm now in need of a replacement. That's why I'll be taking yours boy."

"Just come and try it you pathetic old fossil. Come on already Shika, I'd really love for that plan of yours to come through already.'

"If you insist." Kakuzu formed a hand seal.

'Over there!' Tatsu shoved Asuma out of the way and dodged a False Darkness by the Lightning mask from behind, causing it to blast a hole through the scorch (fire and wind combined) mask.

However, the mask quickly regenerated and fired a combined fire and wind blast.

"Water Style: Water Whip!" Tatsu formed a whip made of chakra-infused water and pulled himself towards a tree and out of the way of the blast, then leapt out of the way of the second blast and hid behind a tree 'He must be trying to force me out into the opening so he can try and shoot me down.'

"You call that hiding?" Kakuzu had the heart fire a blast of wind, shooting right through the tree several times over.

Tatsu tried to dodge by going up, only to be hit by a fireball, but then he disappeared and was replaced by a log.

'A Substitution jutsu. You did well this time boy, but do you have the courage to show yourself and stand before us like a man?"

"What do you think? Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" Tatsu pulled the Lightning mask down into the ground, then burst out into the open and charged at the scorch mask with a barrage of slashes.

The masks opened their mouths.

'Not again, and I'm not as proficient as people like Dosu or Naruto.'

The masks fired off a combined fire and wind blast.

"Water Style: Supreme Tsunami!" Tatsu leapt back and slammed his hands together, forming a massive barrier of water, only for it to be evaporated into steam 'Dammit, I guess my water style alone isn't enough to put out fire enhanced by wind style.'

"Got you!" Kakuzu thrusted his threads out from atop a tree and they latched onto Tatsu's chest and bound his arms and legs, allowing him to throw Tatsu around. Then he attempted to use his threads to bore a hole into Tatsu's chest to take his heart and pounced on him "You took your eyes off of me, an unfortunate distraction. And now, your heart is mine."

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Hidan let out a maniacal laughter and stabbed himself in the hand, causing it to drip with blood, which he then used to form the diagram on the ground "The preparations are complete! Oh how I've been waiting for this! DIE!" and he stabbed himself straight through the heart, relishing in the pain "How about that? Pain can be so addicting can't it?"

"D-Dammit…" Shikamaru collapsed forward, Asuma's lighter falling from his pocket.

"How worthless, Jashin must be disappointed that it's already over. Well then, I'm sure Kakuzu must be wrapping things up now too." he was wrong.

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Kakuzu suddenly clutched his chest in pain "Wh… What… did you do?"

Tatsu breathed a sigh 'I really owe you one Shika, looks like you pulled it off just in the nick of time.'

"But… But how?"

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The forest went quiet.

Hidan's skin reverted back to normal "Time to go."

"You sure about that?"

Hidan turned just in time for Shikamaru to slash at his neck, destroying his spear, knocking off his headband and sending him to the ground, but his head didn't come off.

'Not deep enough!' Shikamaru then activated his Shadow Strangle Jutsu and trapped Hidan with it.

"Damn you… Why are you still alive?! You shouldn't be standing… how?!"

"It's simple, I fooled you. You thought you killed me, but you were dead wrong." he wiped the blood from his cheek, revealing no cut "And all that blood dripping off your weapon, it isn't even mine. That's right, it's your partner's blood."

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Kakuzu gripped his chest even tighter "It's not… possible…"

Tatsu smirked "That's where you're wrong. You know that ritual of your partner's? Sorry to tell you this, but- Oh wait, no I'm not. He used your blood for it. You see, Shika knew that the scumf*cker's powers utilized the blood of his opponent so he planted blood capsules in advance just to be on the safe side."

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"What the hell are you saying?" Hidan demanded.

"It could've been anybody, if an opportunity ever presented itself then one of us had to get a sample from Kakuzu." explained Shikamaru "See, this capsule came in quite handy."

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Kakuzu collapsed to the ground "It can't be… when could you possible have had the chance?"

Tatsu sat up "When I stabbed you through with the Dragon Blade back before you unleashed your creepers, at that exact moment I took the opportunity to take a small sample of your blood."

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"That's when I nabbed it." Shikamaru continued "My job was to trap you. Anyway, that's how our little strategy played out."

"You little rat…" Hidan snarled.

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"No way… that lousy kid… planned that far ahead?" Kakuzu got out.

Tatsu ripped the threads out of his chest "That's about the size of it. You should've been more careful, this time you misunderstood your opponent. My master Hayate Gekko gave his life to leave behind that information, there's no way he of all people was going to let it go to waste. You people take hundreds of innocent lives without hesitation, there's no way you could ever understand the depth of what I feel."

Kakuzu fell still and silent.

"Good riddance, burn in hell you pathetic old relic."

Ino and Asuma rushed over "Tatsu, are you alright?"

"Somehow, but I'll be fine so don't worry." he untangled himself from Kakuzu's threads 'I still can't believe he invaded my body that much in such a short amount of time, if Shika and I had taken any longer then I most likely wouldn't be here right now.'

"Tatsu, what about that?" Ino looked at the wound at his chest "Here, let me treat you with my medical ninjutsu."

"I told you I'm fine, and besides that'd have to wait anyway. Get ready guys, those last two creepers are coming back for more."

Asuma stepped up and put away his trench knives "Stand back guys, I've got this." he got into a stance, the spirit of the Thousand-Armed Kannon appearing behind him 'This one's for you Chiriku. Raigo: Thousand Hand Strike!" he launched a barrage of one thousand fists, quickly subduing them.

"Alright Asuma, way to go."

Asuma looked to see threads shooting towards him, but he quickly retreated 'Then again, Chiriku always was better at it than me.'

"Good try Asuma, points for effort."

Then the fire/wind mask creature appeared and shot out a blast of fire.

"Dammit!" Tatsu grabbed Ino and shot out of the path of fire.

The lightning mask suddenly absorbed itself into Kakuzu's body.

"Okay then, that's bad. Ino, get ready."

Within a moment, Kakuzu stood once more "Not quite yet." he then absorbed the fire and wind creature into his body, giving him a more monstrous form.

"Now his primary body is becoming a monster too. And I thought he couldn't get any more ugly or disturbing.'

"Not one of my hearts, but two. Hasn't happened to me in a very long while."

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Shikamaru was unnerved 'This isn't good, I've got a bad feeling about this.'

Hidan let out a menacing chuckle "You know I'm not all that bright but even I can see through you. You've used it so many times now, after seeing you do it so much any idiot could figure out the ins and outs of your jutsu."

"What did you say?"

"I can tell your jutsu isn't as strong as it was before, it hasn't even been 5 minutes and I can already move again." resisting the jutsu, Hidan reached for his retractable spear "The thing is, I realized the power and the duration of your little jutsu gradually weakens each and every time you use it. Pathetic kid, the longer you use the jutsu the more feeble it gets until you have nothing left. I'd even venture to guess you're approaching the limit of your chakra, ain't that right?"

Shikamaru fell to one knee.

Hidan slowly ventured towards him and raised his spear.

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"This time, there's no escape." Kakuzu got into a stance.

"Asuma, Ino, get ready." Tatsu found himself bound by threads, along with Ino and Asuma 'He's so much faster than before, and now we can't even defend ourselves. This is bad.'

"Boy, I had intended to replace the hearts I lost with yours, but I've changed my mind. After all, I can find more hearts anytime I please." Kakuzu summoned the fire and wind masks out from the threads "Now die!" he unleashed a fire blast and a wind blast, enhancing the fire blast immensely.

'This is bad!'

"Wind Style: Leaf Dragon God!"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

"Hurricane Dragon Jutsu!" a massive water and wind dragon appeared and batted away the enhanced fire vortex, both attacks disappearing in a massive cloud of steam.

From within the steam, four figures appeared "Sorry we're late Tatsu, but better late than never right?" the steam cleared.

Tatsu breathed a sigh of relief "Lee, Dosu, Kin." then he frowned when he saw the last of the four "Ayame?"

Sure enough, Ayame stood between Dosu and Lee, clan in a chunin vest "What's the matter Tatsu? You disappointed?"

"More like pissed. What are you doing here? You know how I feel about you fighting."

"And you know how Kazuma would feel if anything would happen to you. I promised him I'd look after you."

"And I promised him I'd protect you."

"Enough!" Lee finally shut them both up "Look, Ayame worked it out with Lady Hokage and she's coming out of retirement and becoming a kunoichi again."

"What?"

"Look Tatsu, I know you want to keep your promise to your brother, but you can't just coop her up and expect her to do nothing."

"I know, but…"

Ayame let out a sigh "I understand Tatsu, believe me I do, but this is what I want. Besides, I'm not going back to the ANBU. That emotionless lifestyle doesn't agree with me."

"So what then? Jonin?"

"No, I'm gonna take my time earning that title back. For now, I'm a chunin."

"Good to know, the last thing I need is to go to my brother's grave and tell him that I let you go out on an S-rank mission and get slaughtered. Anyway, thanks for that save guys."

"Anything for you, though you look like you've seen better days. I've never seen you so disheveled."

"One of those weeks, my sensei gets killed and I'm fighting two freaks of nature working for the Akatsuki."

"Where's Shikamaru?" asked Dosu "I thought he came with you."

"He's off dealing with the other guy on his own back in the forest. Dosu, Kin, you guys are a combat specialist/sensor type and medic so you head over to back him up. Knowing the guy he's up against, there's a pretty good chance he'll need you."

"Right." and they both headed off.

"Okay, that leaves this guy."

Kakuzu smirked "Ragtag bunch of misfits, you people are nothing but potential heart replacements for me."

Tatsu sheathed the Dragon Blade and stepped forward "Alright ugly, from here on out I'm doing a solo act."

"Tatsu, look at what this guy did to you before we got here. You're strong but even you can't win in a straight up fight." then Ayame felt realization hit her "Wait, don't tell me… you've perfected it?"

"Sorry but no, unfortunately it only works about ⅔ of the time. But you just watch, I've come a long way from that annoying little brat I was when we first met." he stepped up and formed a certain hand seal "Just stand back and watch the show, but feel free to cover me if I end up in any trouble."

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With his typical maniacal laughter, Hidan raised his spear and inched forward "Hate to break it to you, but I can still move."

"Dammit!" Shikamaru swore.

"If only you believed in Jashin then you'd still have a chance, he could step in and save you right now. It might not be too late to convert though, to change your ways." then he gave a wicked smirk "Nah just kidding, you're dead kid!" he thrusted the spear forward.

Shikamaru stopped him by holding out a hand "Thanks anyway, but I can save myself."

Hidan found himself caught by the wires and shadows throughout the area "What the hell?!"

"Shadow Pull Jutsu!" Shikamaru closed his fist, summoning all of the paper bombs in the area together at once and binding Hidan with them.

"You… You little…"

"Well well, I guess I'm not quite out of chakra after all. Go figure, am I right?"

"You're kidding right?"

Shikamaru threw a kunai at his clan's crest on the ground a little ways away.

"Kid, what the hell are you doing?!"

"See for yourself." the ground broke apart from the crest on the ground to where Hidan was trapped, leaving a deep gaping hole directly underneath him.

"What?!" Hidan looked down at the deep gaping hole "What is this?! When the hell did you set this up?!"

"A while ago, way before we caught up with you and your partner."

'No way! He didn't just randomly separate me and Kakuzu, he lured me here deliberately, which means this was all part of his calculations!'

"When you curse someone, you dig your own grave. You know why, don't you pal?"

"Enlighten me!"

Shikamaru held up Asuma's lighter "If you curse someone and take them out then you'll also be defeated in retribution, and that's why you end up digging your own grave. I may not have known Hayate very well but Tatsu's a good friend of mine and he considered Hayate to be like a father to him, and he entrusted me with taking you out, so I can't just let you keep living and running around free." he fired up the lighter "That's your grave you're hanging over."

Despite the situation, Hidan let out a maniacal laughter "I won't die, even if you dismember my body and bury the pieces 6 feet deep I'll just chew my way out and come seeking your throat!"

"Is that right?" Shikamaru looked off to the side.

Hidan looked and noticed something "What the- deer?"

"These woods are a special place in the Land of Fire, only members of my clan are allowed in here. Anyone else is forbidden. Once you set foot in here, we can watch you for eternity." then he felt a hand touch his shoulder, and looked to see Hayate's spirit beside him "Hayate…"

"You did well here Shikamaru, now I entrust my mission to you. Take care of Tatsu for me, keep him out of trouble." then he disappeared.

'Sure thing. It's the Will of Fire, to protect our village. That's what makes us different." and with that, he tossed Asuma's lighter towards Hidan, igniting the paper bombs and unleashing a fiery explosion.

It was over.

Shikamaru had won.

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Tatsu formed a hand seal "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he summoned two clones "Alright, you guys know what to do." and the two clones rushed forward.

'A simple head on attack using Shadow Clones? He must be getting desperate.' Kakuzu wiped both clones out with ease "Shadow Clones, really now? You'll never win that way."

'Based on his new assault speed and battle style, I'm going to need three Shadow Clones for the diversion itself alone.' Tatsu formed a hand seal "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" he summoned three clones.

'Another set of Shadow Clones?'

Using two of the clones, Tatsu began forming an Elemental Rasengan 'I don't have any time to waste on secondary natures, I've gotta go for the big one or else all of this will have been in vain.'

'Interesting, now what?'

The jutsu was completed, emitting a massive amount of chakra.

'What is that jutsu? I can't let it hit me or I'll be finished.'

Summoning a massive gust of wind, Tatsu held up his new advanced jutsu "Wind Style: Rasenshuriken!"

'That jutsu… he must have been saving it to act as some sort of trump card.'

Tatsu sent his Shadow Clones to the front "Alright, here we go. Let's finish this!" he sent the clones to charge forward as he himself turned to the others "Everybody stand back, if you get caught by this jutsu then you will die." and he charged.

'So this is the power of the boy who's tamed the Genryu themselves, well the jutsu certainly befits the beasts I suppose.'

Tatsu leapt into the air with the Rasenshuriken while the clones charged at Kakuzu from different angles.

Kakuzu thrusted his threads out and opened his fire and wind masks, dissipating the clones with ease.

"Now!" Tatsu charged from behind with the Rasenshuriken.

'What?!'

"Gotcha!" Tatsu aimed the Rasenshuriken directly at Kakuzu's chest, only for it to dissipate at the last second 'Dammit, it failed.' he leapt away.

Kakuzu caught him by the threads and pulled him towards him.

'He really is full of surprises.' Asuma charged forward "Ino!"

"Right!" Ino formed a hand seal "Water Style: Water Whip!" she shot a whip out of her hand.

"Your heart belongs to me now." Kakuzu ducked, causing the whip to only go through the threads in his back.

"Lightning Style: Jade Thunder!" channeling lightning into his trench knives, Asuma brought them down and severed the threads, freeing Tatsu from Kakuzu's grasp and allowing Asuma to get him to safety.

Kakuzu then ducked out of the way of Ino's Water Whip until it dissipated 'Dammit, he got away again.'

"You alright Tatsu?"

"Yeah…" Tatsu let out a heavy sigh "Sorry guys, I guess I blew it."

"I'm kind of surprised though, when you said the technique was called Rasenshuriken I figured you'd try to throw it or something. I never expected you to try and smack him head on.

"The term Rasenshuriken is misleading, it's meant to be a direct frontal attack which explains the need for the accompanied diversion. In this case, me mustering out whatever Shadow Clones I can. The problem is that the jutsu burns too quickly, it only lasts a few seconds."

"There's no way we're gonna be able to hit him that quickly, he's way too fast."

'It appears the boy's jutsu is useless so long as I keep my distance.' Kakuzu noted 'So I just have to avoid close combat, don't let myself be distracted by the clones, and keep my eye on the original. Alright, that should be simple enough.'

Tatsu got back to his feet and stared long and hard at Kakuzu "Alright then, let me give this one more shot, now that I know what I'm doing."

"Tatsu he's an Akatsuki, if you repeat the same move then he'll just dodge it again." Ino pointed out "It won't work, he knows what to expect now. Let's work together and take him down. Right now we're 5 against one, there's no need for us to cross any shaky bridges."

"I know, but… Asuma, do you remember what Kakashi and the rest told me during training, back before Naruto returned?"

Asuma took a moment to figure it out "Something Kakashi, Hayate and I all agreed on."

"You guys all said I was the only shinobi who could surpass my brother, like how Naruto is the only shinobi who can surpass the Fourth Hokage. You all meant what you said, didn't you?"

'Tatsu…'

"Believe me Asuma, I know how important teamwork is better than anyone, but right now I need to cross this bridge and I need to cross it alone no matter how dangerous a bridge it turns out to be. If I can't cross this bridge alone and make it to the other side, if I can't avenge my master myself, I'll never be anything more than a worthless little brat who will never amount to anything, so please, don't take away my chance to prove that all of my training for the past 7 years hasn't been in vain."

"...What do you say guys, should we let Tatsu have his chance?"

Ayame grinned "Well Asuma I have to admit, I'm eager to see exactly how much Tatsu has changed."

"And there you have it."

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Dosu led Kin onwards through the forest 'Shikamaru, as much as I hate to admit it you're smarter than even me. If anyone can beat this guy, it's you.' then he heard an explosion in the distance "They're close, let's hurry."

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Hidan lay at the bottom of the hole, having literally been blown to bits by the point-blank explosion.

Shikamaru looked down at him 'It's over.'

Then Hidan's eyes shot open and he began laughing maniacally "How dare you, look at this! Just look at the state you've put me in! Jashin will have his vengeance! He'll punish you, just you wait! You will suffer the most terrible judgement ever imposed by the way of Jashin!"

"You and your God don't frighten me." Shikamaru pulled out a kunai with multiple paper bombs attached to the end "You see, you and I believe in different things. Do you want to know what I believe in? The Will of Fire. Right now, the God you should be worried about isn't your stupid Jashin or anyone else. It's me, because I'm the one who's about to pass judgement."

"You fool!"

Shikamaru threw the kunai and the paper bomb detonated, causing the hole to begin caving in.

"Don't say I didn't warn you! The day of retribution will come and the Way of Jashin WILL punish you! And then I'll be the one passing judgement! My teeth, that's all I'll need you'll see, AND I'LL TEAR YOU TO PIECES!" and with that, he was buried alive underneath the rubble.

Shikamaru noticed one of the deer kicking up dirt, revealing Asuma's lighter, which he promptly picked up "Thanks, I can't have Asuma chewing me out for losing this thing."

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Dosu led Kin to the edge of the forest and saw Shikamaru come out "Shikamaru."

"Oh, hey." Shikamaru stopped in front of them "Reinforcements huh? Sorry, but you're just a little late."

"Wait, so you really defeated one of the Akatsuki by yourself? I thought you were good, but that's insane."

"Yeah, well…" Shikamaru stuck Asuma's lighter in his bag "I had a feeling this was something important I had to do on my own, and I need to figure out something in the meantime."

"Fair enough, so did you figure it out?"

"Yeah, I think I did. So what's going on with the others?"

"No idea, we made a beeline here the moment we met up with them. We should get back to them though, it couldn't hurt to give them some backup."

"Right." and they raced off to rejoin the others.

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Tatsu tightened his headband and stepped forward 'Keep watching over me Hayate-sensei, this one is for you.'

Kakuzu studied him intently 'So he's going to try again is he? Well then, I'd better shift to a long range attack style.' he then let his tentacles extend spread out, taking on a disgusting long range octopus-like form.

'That's not like any ordinary transformation, the level of his chakra just exploded. He's preparing for my next move.' Tatsu formed a hand seal "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" three clones poofed into existence, one of them helping Tatsu form the Rasenshuriken.

'Here we go…'

"Alright guys, now!" the clones charged in first, with the original right behind them.

Kakuzu leapt directly above them and went straight for the original 'I can ignore the Shadow Clones, they're only a distraction. Aim for the head and the rest will fall, once I diffuse his jutsu I'm home free!' he charged at Tatsu and impaled him, dissipating the Rasenshuriken "It is done."

Then Tatsu disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What? Just a Shadow Clone?!"

"Gotcha!" Tatsu appeared above him with one final Rasenshuriken 'He can't escape from this one and I made this using every ounce of my chakra I have left, this is gonna end it!'

'I see, he hid himself in the crowd so he could catch me in a spot where I couldn't avoid it!'

"This is for the Leaf! THIS IS FOR HAYATE!" and with that, he slammed the Rasenshuriken into Kakuzu's back, pushing it harder and harder as it grinded into Kakuzu's back until a wind dome was formed from the impact, the force sending him flying away and tumbling back once he hit the ground.

"Watch out, the shockwave is about to hit!" Asuma and the rest braced themselves.

Kakuzu felt the attack destroying all of his black threads and obliterate both of his hearts, causing him to scream in pain. With all of his hearts destroyed, Kakuzu fell to the ground and laid at the bottom of the crater, and he wouldn't be getting up again.

Asuma watched in awe, the rest following 'The number of separate attacks must be almost infinite, at this point I doubt even Kakashi would've been able to follow them all.' he looked back to where Tatsu lay on the ground 'That jutsu is just unbelievable, I can't think of any other word to describe it… Tatsu… well well, you finally…'

Tatsu held up a weak thumbs up "Alright… that was awesome…" he felt a hand on his shoulder and looked to see the spirit of Hayate kneeling down beside him "Hayate-sensei…"

Hayate gave his usual kind smile as he helped Tatsu to his knees "You did well here Tatsu, I'm proud of you."

"Thank you sensei."

Hayate looked up at the sky, then down at Tatsu "My Will of Fire, I entrust to you now. I'm proud of you, and I will always watch over you." and with that, he disappeared.

'I accept it sensei, I will always treasure it. The Will of Fire, the strength of will to protect our village and everyone in it. Farewell sensei, and I will keep my promise to you no matter what it takes.'

"Tatsu!" Ino and Lee came running over.

'My friends… they're here…'

"I've got you." Lee helped him straighten up.

"Thanks…"

"Hold him steady Lee, just like that." Ino got to work healing him, her voice going soft "You really haven't changed at all… you're still so reckless…"

"Sorry…"

"I'm just impressed you could pull the Rasenshuriken off three times in a row like that, you barely managed to do it twice before." Lee pointed out.

"Yeah… and look at me now…"

Asuma watched the scene from afar 'Such confidence, and the whim to turn failure on its head and quickly plan his next move. You've become strong Tatsu, truly strong. Jutsu that were beyond Kakashi or even the Fourth Hokage are well within his command. I guess the time has come for us to finally pass the torch. He's surpassed me, he's surpassed all of us. Can you sense it? You're the one who's always before his eyes, inspiring him and pushing him to keep going even further than anyone thought possible. It's you who makes him strong, you who pushes him to be a better person, a better shinobi. You know that, don't you Kazuma?'

"Asuma." said Ayame "I think it's time we get the others and head back."

"In a second, I've just got one last loose end to tie up." he made his way to the bottom of the crater.

Kakuzu was still alive, but he was unable to move "Defeated… by a pack of brats… incredible…"

"You did fight the First Hokage, it's no wonder you see us as brats. But that cuts both ways, to our eyes you're nothing more than an old geezer whose time has long since ended. And here you are, dying and hugging the earth like a worm." Asuma drew one of his trench knives, jade green energy crackling along the blade as he activated his Jade Thunder "One by one the new generation will catch up to you, and in the end they'll surpass you." he then brought down the blade, and the crackling electricity could be heard around the area.

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Tsunade nodded in approval towards the group before her "Well done everyone, but it's not time to celebrate just yet, not when there are still more of the Akatsuki at large. Tatsu, those wounds of yours…"

"I can endure some pain." Tatsu assured her "I know you want me to head straight to the hospital, but I've got something to do before then."

"Alright then, and as far as the rest of you are concerned I order you all to take a few days off. Give your minds and bodies a rest, got it? Dismissed."

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Yugao stood staring at Hayate's grave 'Hayate…'

"Should you really be up and about right now?"

Yugao looked back to see Tatsu standing behind her "Tatsu, you're here…"

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." Tatsu pulled out a scroll and summoned Hayate's katana, which he then laid on the grave.

"You've lost your role model haven't you? Hayate loved you like a son you know that, you must miss him too."

"Of course I do." Tatsu let out a long sad sigh "When I begin to think of all of the things Hayate-sensei taught me over the years, some things being more important than others, things like Shogi and Kendo were relatively minor. I'd be lying through my teeth if I said that I didn't miss him, but I'm not a little kid anymore and I'm expected to act my age right? I'm not allowed to wallow in my own self pity when I've got so much responsibility on my plate." he let out a small smile "I used to whine all the time about everything, I made a lot of mistakes because of that, and every time I did Hayate-sensei came to my rescue. He was a kind and honest man with a good heart, with great wisdom that I found hard to figure out at first, and the way I see it I wouldn't want anybody else in the world as a role model." then he stood "Well then, looks like I'm finally going to get my turn now."

Yugao's eyes widened, then softened as her hand unconsciously trailed to her stomach "So you know…"

"It was Hayate-sensei's final request of me. When that baby arrives, it will finally be my turn to act as its guardian and teacher. I still have a lot of growing up to do before then don't I?"

Yugao smiled softly "Thank you…"

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Later, Tatsu sat in his hospital bed, wondering one thing 'How do I let myself get dragged into crap like this?'

"You're way too reckless, that's your problem." Ino scolded 'Abrasions, contusions, nothing very serious there. The real problem is his left arm, it's broken in several places.' she placed her hands on the arm and began healing it 'His body just isn't up to using this jutsu.'

"Hey Ino?"

"Yeah?"

"Hayate-sensei taught me a lot of things, but if I were to pick one out of all of them then it would have to be not to go out with any regrets. I figured I'd take care of one of my regrets right here and now." he took her into his arms and kissed her full on the lips.

'No regrets, right…' Ino took a moment to process what was happening, before she returned the kiss in full.

'No regrets.'

"Is this a bad time?"

"Kind of-" Tatsu paused when he saw Shikaku standing in the doorway "Oh hey Shikaku, how's it going?"

Shikaku sat down on the edge of the bed "Ino, you mind giving us a minute?"

"Sure, I guess." Ino stood and made her way towards the door.

"I'm sure your dad's gonna want a word with you."

"...Crap." then she ran off.

"Inoichi's gonna lose it."

Tatsu chuckled "Probably, so what's up?"

"I'm sorry about Hayate."

Tatsu looked out towards the window "To be honest, before the past week or so happened I thought I'd never be able to make it without Hayate-sensei guiding me, but I know that I've gotta move on and step up. After all, sacrifice can't be avoided when you're living as a shinobi. Take the Climbing Silver for example."

"Like how you sacrifice the pawn to protect your king."

"If the Leaf were a game of Shogi then I'd probably be a knight."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing, just something Hayate-sensei and Asuma mentioned to me a couple of times awhile back."

"Oh is that so? Good old Hayate, I guess he really knew you inside and out. So then, who's represented by the King."

Tatsu took a good long pause before he spoke "The next generation, the children who carry the future of the Leaf on their shoulders, they are the King."

"You do get it don't you? Very good, but you're not quite good enough at protecting the King. You're gonna need to work harder."

"Yeah I know."

"By the way, Lady Tsunade wanted me to give you this." he handed Tatsu a letter.

Tatsu looked at it, his expression being unreadable 'Tatsu, if you're reading this then the worst has happened on this mission and I died at the hands of the Akatsuki. I know I most likely told you this in my final moments, but just in case you weren't there I wrote it down here just to be safe. You remember our talk about the King back before Naruto returned? Well I think it's about time I tell you who the King is. The Kings are the unborn children of the next generation who will be given the task of protecting the Leaf. Yugao is carrying one. She's pregnant with our child, but if anything happens to me then someone needs to protect it. Please, protect my King with all of your strength. I hereby entrust you with this task. Please, make me proud to say that I was your master.' tears slid down his face 'I will sensei, I promise I'll make you proud.' then he thought of something "Hey Shikaku, I feel like I should tell you."

"Tell me what?"

"To put it bluntly, I told your son about the Kyuubi back when we were in the Academy."

Shikaku slowly looked down at him "I see. And what does he think?"

"He found it a drag, but he said it takes real strength to be able to hold in something like that, not to mention take all of that crap from the villagers, like that one shopkeeper guy."

"You mean the one you got sent to Ibiki for almost letting it slip about Naruto right in front of him and Yugao took him away?"

"Yeah, what happened to that guy anyway?"

"Nobody's seen him since that day and whenever anyone asks Ibiki he just laughs and walks away. It's rather unnerving, even to me."

"Tell me about it. You know Shikaku, you, Inochi and Choza are probably the only parents to didn't make their kids treat Naruto like he was the plague or something. That's one of the main reasons why, out of all of the jonin in the village, aside from Hayate I definitely respect you the most."

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Tsunade stood over Kakuzu's corpse with Kakashi and Asuma "The examination isn't complete yet, but we've already found out something about this new jutsu Tatsu and Naruto learned."

"What is it?" asked Asuma.

"The damage this man sustained didn't just come from a barrage of individual blows no matter how many there might've been."

"What do you mean?" asked Kakashi.

"As impossible as it may seem, his entire chakra network has been severed."

"His chakra network?"

"Yes that's right, I know it's difficult to imagine but it's true."

"I didn't know the Wind Style: Rasenshuriken could be so thorough."

"The effect on the body is more like a poison than a physical trauma, it's an incredibly precise attack doing its damage on a cellular level. I believe it shapes the wind chakra into a blizzard of miniature swords that systematically attacks every cell in the body."

"Some jutsu. Poison indeed, so it would be more accurate to speak in terms of concentration rather than in number of attacks. So what about Tatsu, what about the one who used the jutsu in the first place?"

"Well there lies the problem."

"I see."

"Listen Kakashi, no matter what happens, don't let Tatsu try to use Rasenshuriken again and don't let Naruto use it either."

"It's that serious?"

"I saw those same symptoms in Tatsu's left arm, not as severe but the same. If he keeps using that jutsu then he'll lose it, the ability to wield chakra."

Asuma frowned and thought back to when Tatsu hit Kakuzu with the Rasenshuriken 'It's a powerful jutsu, but it comes with risks.'

"Once any cell in the body has become disconnected from the chakra network it's beyond my ability to heal it even with my medical ninjutsu. Make sure they understand that."

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Once Shikaku was gone, Tatsu, now with his left arm heavily bandaged, was reading a book when he heard a knock at the door "It's open."

Then the cavalry came in "Hey Tatsu."

"Hey Naruto, Lee… Sasuke."

"So you heard about this new jutsu?" asked Naruto.

"Yeah, not even for a last resort or we're f*cked for life. I've got it, don't worry." then he turned serious "Now then, on to important matters."

Sasuke nodded "Orochimaru's body is beginning to reject him, we've got about 6 weeks at the most. I've already picked out a few faces, the minute Orochimaru comes after my body I'm gonna take him out, then assemble my squad and go after Itachi."

"We're all gonna be training like crazy until then too."

"I'm gonna learn some new wind water and fire jutsu." Naruto told them.

"I'm not going to stop until I open the seventh gate." Lee promised them.

"Alright, let's end this one on a high note. Let's do the thing." Tatsu held out his right hand, with the rest of them following "As we approach the decisive battle grounds, believe that the blades of our hearts and souls will not shatter! Believe that our resolves will never waver! Though our paths may diverge, our iron hearts will remain as one! Swear that even if the land itself may break asunder we will return alive and well! Scatter!"

"Right!" Naruto and Lee burst out the door, and Sasuke's Thunder Clone disappeared with a surge.

'And I'm still stuck in here for another week.'

A/N:

I've read various fics about Ayame being a former ANBU and I thought it was a fun idea so I decided to expand on it.

For the reader R who wanted to know about Naruto's dream and his reaction to the apples, those weren't meant to be anything big, just a few jokes to lighten the mood before the tragedy occurred. As for the quiet one, we all know who he ends up with. Like the old saying goes, it's always the quiet ones.