Original Posted On Nov. 28, 2022

Beta Read by: Darklord331

Review Response:

Redmen6blight: Thank you, hopefully I keep that part of the duo's dynamic up. I feel like you might enjoy it in this chapter.

Fenris Silverblood: Sort of a weird place to ask for that, don't you think? Don't worry, its next on my list.

ShadowBloodedge9396: I am adjusting to my meds quite well now. Yeah, his luck will push him into some bad situations. Yeah, their truce is forged in aligned reasons. Yes, I did, last chapter, lol. I hope this fight lives up to the anticipation.

Nathair1: Yep, they can get along, in canon its more of a rivalry because… bird… cat… eye roll. Yes, Kuroka spent two days in the forge. Forging yokai fangs into armor is a delicate process. She used Naruto's fangs, the ones Gato pulled out. Hidan's immortality is actually quite unique, as most media have an auto healing affect, while Hidan's… has NO healing, which is fucking hilarious. In a sense, if you cut the head off, you defeat a jashin immortal.

Norseman: Ooh. That is awesome.

Nicreynard: Who from where?

Borello: Thank you.

PLEASE READ: Short chapters are intentional. The hard part about the Supernova title is how to get it. Naruto will, but not at the moment, they are 13. Maybe when they are 15. Huh, I never considered it.

Clown Exorcist: Dude… I owe you a sandwich. You reminded me of the anniversary and I would have felt like a dumbass. This chapter's length and release are because of you. Thank you.

Harem:

OKAY, LETS READ THIS SHIT! I DON'T OWN NARUTO, ONE PIECE, HIGHSCHOOL DXD OR ANY OTHER ANIME I MAY REFERENCE!

"Hey" = Speaking

'Hey' = Thinking

'Hey' = Memory

"Hey"= Sacred Gear/ Communication link

Chapter 26: Truly Gutsy

Dream…

Naruto was sitting before a large fireplace in a candle lit room, snuggling into Koneko's embrace as they had a blanket over them.

He felt very warm, safe, and happy as he smiled, holding Koneko tightly as a window nearby revealed it was heavily snowing outside, thus the fireplace.

A strip of fire moved out of the fire, turning into a hand, an arm, then a shoulder before a head was revealing it was Ravel.

Ravel pulled herself out of the fireplace, her hair down as she finished returning to her human form.

She crawled under the blanket and wrapped her arms around Naruto and Koneko, her cheeks touching theirs as her naturally heated body made the snuggling more enjoyable for the yokai.

'I don't want this to end.' Naruto thought as his tail wrapped around his two friends.

"Naruto…"

"Yes, Koneko?"

Naruto turned to face her, his heart racing as he saw her puppy dog eyes with her cat ears and tail.

She closed her eyes, puckering her lips.

Naruto's cheeks tinted red, but he steeled his nerves and leaned in…

Koneko belched right in his face, the scent of liquor filling Naruto's nostrils.

Dream End…

Naruto's eyes snapped open, taking the shape of almonds as his lips were tightly closed.

Before him, as he lay in his sleeping bag, was the drunk face of Jabra in the cold winter air showing his breathe as he breathed right into Naruto's face.

Shooting up, fur standing on end, Naruto's warmth was sapped as he fell out of the tent.

It was completely dark, the sun not even up with a few embers of the fire the night before glowing.

'Fuck, it's cold!' Naruto thought as his teeth started to chatter.

Reaching out of his sleeping bag, Naruto entered his hybrid form for the fur to keep him warm as he threw a few logs onto the embers.

Naruto grabbed a nearby knife, and after a few moments of focusing, scratched it against the log, the knife emblazed with flame that ignited the wood.

'Ah, better.' Naruto thought as the heat started to wash over him. 'Thank god it hasn't snowed.'

It was January, so it wasn't out of the realm of possibility that it could snow.

"Morning, Naruto."

Naruto's ears twitched as he heard his name and the movements of the nearby tent opening.

Kaku exited, wearing thick clothing to combat the cold.

"Cold enough for you?" Kaku asked as he looked at the hybrid form teen.

"No, it's actually to warm." Naruto replied sarcastically.

"No need for sarcasm this early, welp." Lucci stated as he exited the tent in his Leopard form.

He looked like a normal leopard… except he wore a suit, had a top hat, and Hattori on his head.

"Morning, Sensei." Naruto answered.

"Make breakfast quickly so we can head out. We will leave the tents and equipment here for now since the two are nearby." Lucci stated as he crept into the tent Naruto had been using with Jabra.

"Yes, Sensei." Naruto said as he got out of his sleeping bag and started making a quick and easy meal as Lucci kicked Jabra.

"FUCK!"

"Get up, you mangy wolf." Lucci ordered.

"COLD!" Jabra shouted as he entered Hybrid form to combat the chill.

"I told you to pack warm clothing." Kaku called out as he helped Naruto pour water into the pot.

"Stuff it, Long-Neck!" Jabra chided as he sat down, his head in a maelstrom of a hangover.

Kaku's round eyes narrowed.

'Just… just ignore him, Kaku, don't lower yourself to his level.' Kaku thought as Naruto put the pot over the fire.

"What is for breakfast, kid?" Jabra asked as his fur and the fire warmed his body.

"Oatmeal." Naruto said as he pulled out a box of instant oatmeal packets. "Brown sugar, green apple, strawberry, Apple and cinnamon, cinnamon and spice…"

"Give me brown sugar." Jabra demanded.

"I'll take Strawberry." Kaku asked.

"Green apple." Lucci replied.

Naruto nodded and prepared four packets as the water slowly started to boil.

Meanwhile, Phenex Mansion…

"I'm off, mom, dad." Ravel said as she prepared to leave the mansion with Danjuro.

Ravel wore… something her parents never thought she would wear.

She wore cargo shorts, a loose yellow and orange tie-dye t-shirt that had a flame-kitsune on it with sneakers.

The most casual thing they have ever seen her wear.

'Being friends with Naruto was a good idea after all.' Jonathan thought.

He was happy she had friends her age that weren't all about 'clan this, clan that' and would help balance Ravel.

"Have a good time, sweetie." Layla said as she hugged her daughter.

"Be on your best behavior." Jonathan told her. "We don't want the Bael clan to think you are misbehaved."

'A little late for that.' Danjuro thought with a light chuckle.

"I will, father." Ravel said with a sweet smile.

"Don't make me an uncle just yet." Sabo blurted out jokingly.

"Sabo, that isn't…" Layla started to scold her second oldest son as Ravel's cheeks went red.

'Children…' She thought.

An image of her and Naruto as adults with children, playing with Onimaru and Loona.

Ravel violently shook her head.

'AAAAAAAAAAAAGH, STOP, STOP, STOP!' She mentally screamed as she did her best, and failed, to get the image out of her mind.

Sabo laughed as Layla laid into him verbally.

"Your brother is an idiot." Kisara said as she drank a cup of coffee nearby.

Ravel nodded.

"Our King truly is brave." Justin spoke loudly as he smiled, touching his chest with one hand. "Oh, I pray that I may be brave like our King."

"Lady Ravel, the car is ready." Danjuro said as he approached his King.

Ravel hugged her dad.

"I'll be back before dinner." Ravel promised before she left, heading toward the Bael Mansion.

Thirty Minutes Later, Gremory Mansion…

Koneko stood before her mirror, discarded clothes all around her.

'Well, this is good enough.' She thought as she slung a bag over her shoulder before she looked in the mirror once more, where she adjusted her hat once more.

She was wearing a gray flat cap over her head, giving nice contrast to her white hair. In addition to this, Koneko had a small amount of eye makeup and lip gloss. She wore a white blouse with a denim skirt with a pair of sandals.

She planned on casual day out, no training for the day.

But it didn't stop her from bringing her tanto.

Walking out of her room, Koneko headed toward Rias's room.

Koneko knocked on her King's door.

"Come in."

"Rias," Koneko said as she entered, seeing her King and Queen wearing bathrobes, hair wrapped up in towels, having just gotten out of the shower. "I am heading out."

"Oh, look at you, all dolled up for Naruto." Akeno spoke.

"He is not going to be able to take his eyes off of you." Rias stated as she walked up to her Rook, giving her a supportive hug.

Koneko smiled and hugged Rias back.

"Enjoy your day, Koneko." Rias said as Koneko went to leave.

"I will." Koneko said with a cheeky smile as she shut the door, a Teleporting seal appearing as she did.

Within a second, Koneko appeared outside the Bael Mansion gate.

Koneko opened it, and walked to the door.

"Oh, if it isn't the little Rook of Gremory." Gandoma said as he turned the corner, watering can in his hand, as he was watering the garden.

"Hey, Gandoma." Koneko called out to her fellow Rook. "Also, stop calling me 'Rook of Gremory'. My name is Koneko Toujo."

Gandoma smirked.

"Alright, Koneko…" He said, before he grinned. "Rook of Gremory."

Koneko playfully pouted before heading inside… and getting pounced by Loona.

"LOONA!" Ravel shouted as she ran up behind her familiar, who was assaulting (Licking) Koneko's face, her hat having been flung off, her make up smearing.

'Great, an entire morning's work down the drain.' Koneko thought in irritation as Loona was pulled off of her, trying to get back to Koneko as Ravel struggled to hold her back.

"Sorry about that, Toujo, Loona is just overly excited since it has been a while…" Ravel tried to say before Loona slipped out of her grasp and the hellhound bound back to Koneko, this time just jumping her and snuggling, no licking.

"I understand, Loona." Koneko said as she ran her hand through Loona's fur. "I miss him too."

Loona whimpered as Regulus entered the foyer.

Koneko hugged Loona, pressing her face into the top part of Loona's head.

"Oh, good, you got her to calm down." Ravel sighed in relief. "She has been running amuck since we got here."

"She misses Naruto, so being in his home, where his scent is strongest must have set her off." Regulus said as he knelt down and petted Loona.

Loona whimpered more as she got off of Koneko and sat on her haunches as Regulus continued to shower her with affection to help her cope.

"You okay, Toujo?" Ravel asked as she extended a hand to Koneko, who took said hand.

"Yeah, just my make up is ruined." Koneko replied in deadpan as she grabbed her hat.

Ravel's breath hitched in irritation.

"Ju-Just go wash up and I'll meet you in the lounge." Ravel scoffed as she stomped off, Loona following her as Koneko went to the bathroom.

Ravel stormed into the lounge, a tick mark on her forehead.

'The nerve of that girl…' she thought angrily as Loona entered, Onimaru laying before the open fire.

"Oh, well, if it isn't the little Phenex."

Ravel spun on her heel as Loona sat before the fire, looking at the owner of the voice.

"Coriana, you startled me." Ravel said as she sighed.

Coriana giggled into her book, closing it as she finished, showing of her shifty grin.

"Sorry, didn't mean too." Coriana said as she adjusted her sitting position in the lounge chair.

The door opened once again, this time Danjuro entering with a cart with tea and pastries.

He was shortly followed by Koneko as he was setting the table up.

"Ah, Ms. Koneko." He said politely as he poured the tea, pulling out a slice of chocolate cake, specially made for her. "I didn't forget."

Koneko had stars in her eyes as she accepted the cake and tea.

"Thank you, Gentle." Koneko thanked as she started to eat.

Danjuro smiled, bowing before he left with the cart, leaving the familiars and trio of females alone.

"So, you two like Naruto romantically, right?" Coriana asked to break the silence.

"PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!"/*CRACK*

Ravel spat tea out of her mouth and nose, causing her to cough, as Koneko broke her tea cup in her hand, scolding hot tea covering her hand and lap.

"Why would you ask us that!" Ravel nearly shouted in shock, making Coriana's smile get bigger.

'God, I love fucking with people.' Coriana thought as she leaned into the arm rest of her chair. "Well, Koneko," She turned her attention to the hidden nekoshou. "You and Naru have known each other since birth, probably goes without saying you see him more romantically than family."

Koneko turned her head, blushing at this accusation, but not refuting it.

'Wait, she and Naruto have known each other since childhood?' Ravel thought, wracking her brain to see if she remembered either of them mentioning that.

"You, Ravel, you have been attached to my li'l bro's hip for the last three years, so it is obvious you are attached to him, more than just friends." Coriana continued.

Ravel pulled her pigtails to cover her face, avoiding Coriana's gaze.

"You girls want to know Naru's erogenous zones?"

Red faced, both teens looked at Coriana with wide expectant eyes.

"No, why would I need to hear such personal things?" Ravel tried to argue.

"Yes, tell me." Koneko asked, abandoning all forms of restraint.

She wanted to know Naruto's weak spots, she wanted to make him happy in ways he would never see coming.

"Toujo!"

"Alright, you don't need to twist my arm, Koneko." Coriana said as she stood up. "But since Ravel is against it, you and I will go to another room so she doesn't hear the juicy details of Naru's pleasure spots."

Koneko started to stand, but was stopped when Ravel's hand grabbed her arm.

"Tell me…" Ravel demanded, red and embarrassed.

'Hook, Line, and Sinker.' Coriana thought as she sat back down, her smirk so damn big you could swear her head would fall off. "Takes notes, you two, I am not going to repeat myself."

Ravel and Koneko leaned forward, interest showing in their eyes and faces.

"Naruto's got three spots that make him horny." Coriana told them as she held up one finger. "First, the base of his tail." She held up a second finger. "His ears, specifically the base." She held up a third finger. "His cheeks, where his whiskers are."

Meanwhile…

"AAAChooooo!"

"You've been sneezing a lot recently, are you sure you're not getting sick?" Kaku asked as Naruto wiped his nose as he, Kaku, Jabra, and Lucci ran through the woods, following Lucci's lead.

"Yeah, I am fine." Naruto said with concern in his tone.

Bael Mansion…

"The base of his tail, ears, and his cheeks." Ravel and Koneko repeated.

Koneko shifted her legs.

Images of Naruto red in the face, glossy eyed, and naked with her on top of him as she licked his cheeks caused various tingling sensations go up and down her spine at the thought of seeing Naruto like this.

Ravel, meanwhile, subconsciously start to heat up the room as she thought of Naruto before her, horny and begging her for release causing her to turn up the heat more as she felt aroused herself.

Coriana could barely hold in her excitement.

'These two are cute.' Coriana thought as she fanned herself, as the temperature started to increase as Koneko and Ravel withdrew deeper into their fantasies.

Kamabakka Queendom…

"Iva, I need you to go give these to Naruto to give them to Shirone." Kuroka said as she held out a box to the Queen.

"Why me? You can go and sneak it into your sister's bedroom." Iva replied as he did some paperwork.

It wasn't all fun and games as leader.

Especially when Inazuma was enforcing it.

"Because it looks suspicious if it just appears in her room, not go give it to Naruto!" Kuroka urged as she pushed it onto Iva's desk.

Iva sighed.

"Let me finish my paperwork, and then I'll go, but you are coming with me."

"Fine, but I am going to be disguised in my cat form." Kuroka told him.

Iva rolled his eyes.

'Why me?' He thought.

Meanwhile, Shigure's Home…

"You sure you did a good job?" Hidan asked for the umpteenth time that morning as he and Kakuzu prepared to leave.

His new stitching on his body felt better than anything Kakuzu did, but it felt off.

"Just give it some time, you'll get use to it." Shigure answered as he ate breakfast.

"Thank you, Shigure." Kakuzu thanked as he walked out of the room he had used. "Hidan, are you ready?"

"Yeah, I am." Hidan replied as he grabbed his scythe.

Shigure stood up, leading the duo to the door.

As the trio exited, Shigure's brow furled.

"It seems we shall have some company." He stated as he grabbed his Rinka Enreki-tō.

Kakuzu quirked a hidden eyebrow, Hidan was about to ask what he meant, but got his answer as Jabra, Kaku, Naruto, and Lucci landed before the house, Hattori in a nearby tree.

"Oh, fuck, now I see." Hidan answered, but instead of being angry, he smirked. "It doesn't matter, because I get to kill."

"Ugh, you are annoying with that god crap." Kakuzu stated as he and his partner stepped off of the balcony.

"Well, I never would have expected you to house criminals, Shigure." Lucci called out.

"Criminals? I was just letting a friend stay and recover." Shigure answered as he stepped off of the balcony.

"These two have killed their King, so these Strays must be put down." Kaku replied as he drew his two swords, holding them in reverse grip.

"Naruto, you take Shigure." Lucci ordered.

"Wait, what?" Naruto questioned. "I thought you said I wasn't…"

"I know what I said, but the situation has changed." Lucci said as Jabra used Soru, closing the distance between himself and Hidan, punching the immortal hard enough to send him flying through the air and away from the group.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaahahahaha, hold on for me!" He called out as he used Soru again, starting his transformation into his hybrid form.

Kakuzu didn't blink as his partner basically left the vicinity, raising his arm to block Kaku's swords.

"Nice technique, but can it block four swords?" Kaku asked as he kicked Rankyaku point blank.

Kakuzu blocked them with his other arm, but was pushed back, Kaku staying in the air with Geppo.

"Fight Shigure, think if it as a test for the last few years since I last tested you." Lucci told his student.

"That is your student?" Shigure asked as he looked at the thirteen-year-old. "He doesn't look like much, but if you wish him to die, then I will oblige."

'Die?' Naruto thought as he felt an ache in his shoulder and back.

Where Samehada had cut into him all those years ago.

Naruto reached into his frog wallet, pulling out Shigure and Yubashiri.

"I understand, Sensei." Naruto shakily replied as he entered hybrid form.

"Hm…" Shigure hummed as he saw Naruto draw Yubashiri. "I see you are also a swordsman, then I shall not hold back."

Naruto felt nervous as he could feel the difference between himself and Shigure.

'He is a master swordsman.' Naruto thought as he swallowed a lump in his throat as he took his stance, holding Yubashiri with one hand. 'I have to focus on using Rokushiki to survive here the most.'

Meanwhile, Kaku entered his hybrid form, his neck telescoping into his body.

"KIRIN HODAI!"

Kaku's neck shot out like a bullet, his nose striking Kakuzu, sending him backwards.

'Damn, I guess I have to start getting more serious now.' Kakuzu thought as he hit several trees before landing, using his hands to push himself to his feet, tossing off his cloak.

Kaku coated his hands and feet in haki, his blades turning a black/purple hue.

'Okay, get serious.' Kaku thought as he closed his eyes.

He side-stepped a long-range attack from Kaku's arm, revealing wires within the man's body as his flesh was covering part of it like a flesh-scarecrow, slicing it upward before kicking the air twice, sending two Rankyaku blades toward the man.

Meanwhile…

"I'll slaughter you, wolf, and sacrifice you to Jashin after I skin you alive!" Hidan shouted enraged as he slashed Jabra with his triple-bladed scythe.

It failed to cut him.

'WHAT IS HE MADE OF, PURE METAL!' Hidan thought in irritated confusion as Jabra laughed off his attack.

"You're little Jashin 'sacrifice' techniques mean nothing to the master of Tekkai-Kenpo." Jabra boasted as he held his clawed hands together, his fingers making a circle. "Jusshigan!"

With ten 'Finger Pistols' Jabra closed the distance, breaking through Hidan's defenses, impaling him with all ten fingers.

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" Hidan screamed in pain as he grabbed a telescope/collapsible spear, unfurling it before stabbing Jabra in the head.

Jabra's body hardened, but was coated in armament haki, protecting him further as the spear broke upon contact.

"Useless." He laughed as he removed his fingers from Hidan's torso, blood covering his claws.

Meanwhile…

Naruto held Yubashiri tightly.

He could feel sweat pouring from his skin.

Shigure felt relaxed, unphased at the idea of a fight to the death.

Naruto's heart pounded in his ears and body felt every pulse.

Lucci stood behind Naruto, arms crossed and a serious look on his face.

Naruto shifted on one foot, his large fox tail swaying as he prepared to move.

Shigure shifted, heaving his Rinka Enreki-tō over himself and held it as if he was going to throw it.

"You are hesitating." Shigure said as he released his sword, sending it through the air, the sound of the sound barrier being broken being heard loudly.

'Soru.' Naruto thought as he barely dodged the high-speed flying blade. 'He is defenseless…'

Naruto closed the distance, propping Yubashiri to be pointed at Shigure.

'Hagan: Oren!" Naruto shouted as he thrust his arm back and forth, with Yubashiri substituting for his finger for his Shigan technique.

Lucci smirked at Naruto's personalized variation, but it was fleeting as Shigure avoided all but ONE stab of the Oren.

Leaning back as if he was doing Yoga, Yubashiri's tip sliced into Shigure's forehead, blood pooling over his face.

"Not bad, but your hesitation is going to cost you." He said calmly as a familiar whirring sound returned.

'TEKK…'

Naruto was struck from the back, the Rinka Enreki-tō breaking through his Tekkai enough to saw into his side, the force breaking two ribs as well as cut his flesh before it pushed off and landed safely in Shigure's hand.

"Your technique was based off of the Rokushiki Shigan. Impressive that you know such an advanced technique for your age." Shigure solemnly praised as Naruto took a knee, holding his aching side.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck…' Naruto thought as his fur stood on edge.

His fight just started, one attack each has been exhibited, and he was already on his knees.

'Defense… I need to focus on defense…' Naruto thought in a panic, his survival instinct kicking in, the high rush desire of wanting to flee burning in his gut.

Naruto blinked as he realized Shigure had looped his sword around him, his right hand holding the blade as it encroached upon his chest.

Naruto bent like paper, avoiding the attack with Kami-e, canceling the technique when he was within the ring as he exited his Hybrid form and entering his normal form, being small enough to stand within the ring sword with Shigure.

'Offense!' Naruto thought as he arched his right arm with Yubashiri. "Ittoryu: Sanjuroku Pou…"

Shigure pulled his blade back, the interior hitting Naruto, messing up his footing as he was pulled toward Shigure.

A fist hit his lower jaw, his teeth nearly powderized from the force as he let go of his sword, it clanking on the ground as he was punched out of the Rinka Enreki-tō.

At the same time…

"Rankyaku: Shuriken!" Kaku shouted, back in his human form as he kicked several Rankyaku, spinning fast enough to take the shape of Shuriken.

Kakuzu grimaced as he backhanded the 'shuriken' aside with his hardened arms.

"Hm, those arms, they are difficult to cut…" Kaku mentioned as he used Soru to get in close, clashing with him again. "But it isn't haki."

His second blade slashed the soft part of Kakuzu's arms, then with the ease of a master, he kicked two blades into Kakuzu's unguarded chest, splitting it open in a violent gory fashion.

A look of shock was etched into Kakuzu's eyes as he hit the ground.

Kaku landed on the ground, tired, but not exhausted as he was happy, having gained vict…

"I can't believe I lost a heart to the likes of you." Kakuzu grumbled as he stood up, his wound sealing shut with wires. "I guess I'll take yours to replace the one I lost."

While this was going on…

Jabra couldn't help but smile as he savagely pulled back his soaked hand.

"Rankyaku: Lupus Falls!" Jabra shouted as he kicked four wolf-shaped Rankyaku blades.

"YOU CAN'T KILL ME, SO WHY TRY THIS!" Hidan questioned as he cockily took all four blades, which exploded upon contact.

'This son of a bitch truly is immortal.' Jabra thought as the smoke cleared to show the still alive Hidan, his clothing damaged, his hunting instincts in high gear as he entered another stance for his Tekkai-Kenpo. 'Best Prey Ever!'

The smoke settled completely as the two lunged at each other.

"DIE, YOU MANGY DOG!"

"SUCK A FAT ONE, YOU DEVIL BITCH!"

Nearby…

Naruto collapsed, his head swimming in pain and panic.

'Think, what to do!' He thought as the Rinka Enreki-tō came down upon him again, slicing into his shoulder before he puffed into nothing.

'A clone?' Shigure thought as four Naruto's appeared behind him with two more Naruto appearing above him with Geppo.

"Numbers won't help against me." Shigure as he channeled magic into his sword, flipping it so he was outside the ring. "As a surgeon, I am able to move at one seven-hundredth of a millimeter, making my precision…"

Shigure gave his sword a spin, making it rotate to the point the handle vanished before using the stored magic to direct it like a laser pointer, destroying the clones.

"Unmatched and my swordsmanship unparallel." He finished as he grabbed the still rotating sword, grasping the handle as if it wasn't moving.

"A thing about foxes…"

Shigure looked above, seeing Naruto above him with Yubashiri held high.

"WE ARE OPPURTUNITY HUNTERS, SO WE TEND TO SHOW OUR FANGS WHEN CORNERED!" Naruto shouted as he used a combo of Soru and Geppo, building speed as he entered hybrid form. "Ittoryu…"

"Land or sky, I'll cut you down." Shigure stated as he got into a throwing stance. "Now die with honor, little kitsune!"

"Hiryu: Kaen!" Naruto shouted as a dragonic aura surrounded him, taking the form of blue flames across his sword as he swung it.

Shigure grunted as he heaved the full weight (While putting his own weight into the throw) arched his arm as if he was throwing the blade, but Yubashiri and the Rinka Enreki-tō clashed once more, a bright light enveloping them, forcing the only onlooker, Lucci, to close his eyes, deciding to use Obervation Haki to feel out what happened.

As this Clash happened…

"Damn, another heart taken…" Kakuzu growled as he hunched over as he was impaled by Kaku's foot.

"What the hell are you, immortal?" Kaku asked as he pulled out his foot.

"Yes…" Kakuzu droned out as his wires shot outward from his wound, hitting Kaku's chest, nearly breaking his Tekkai. "I'LL TAKE YOUR HEART AS PAYMENT FOR THE ONES YOU DESTROYED!"

Meanwhile…

Jabra was gasping hard as he punched Hidan's scythe aside.

'Damn it, I got too involved and I blew my stamina like a whore.' He thought as he was still safe from the Jashinist's ritual with his Tekkai-Kenpo. 'I'll end this now.'

"I'LL WEAR YOU LIKE A SKIN SUIT!" Hidan screamed as he desperately stabbed at Jabra with a second collapsible spear.

'Geppo.' Jabra thought as he took to the air, putting his hands together. 'Gekko Jusshigan!'

With the angle he was 'standing', Hidan's vulnerable back was struck with the heavy wolf's attack, his spine breaking in multiple areas, specifically, one of the clawed fingers severed Hidan's spinal cord.

Hidan's eyes went white, the pain to much for him as he lost the ability to move.

"Your form of immortality…" Jabra stated as he stood above the immortal. "It doesn't heal you, so you aren't going anywhere."

Hidan didn't reply, but Jabra took a deep breathe.

"You sure it is okay to let your guard down?"

Jabra turned, spooked he didn't sense anyone behind him.

"WHO THE…"

Fine sharp steel sliced through flesh and a splash of blood.

At the Same Moment…

Kakuzu backed as the tension of the wires were cut, removing the remains of his shirt, exposing the stitching all around his body.

"Joingu." Kakuzu stated as he hunched over, revealing four masks stitched into his back.

'What the hell?' Kaku thought as he watched two of them detach from Kakuzu's back, before fusing to his shoulders with wires, before Kakuzu's body was turned into something similar to that of a rag-doll, held together by hundreds of thick black threads.

"I didn't think a mere Yokai would push me to this…" Kakuzu raggedly replied, speaking clearly even with a mouth full of thread.

Kaku jumped back, doing a flip to land on one hand.

Kakuzu quirked an eyebrow as he watched as Kaku started to spin, his long neck following his body's spinning.

"If you are trying to make me dizzy, it won't work." Kakuzu mentioned as he prepared to attack.

"Well, then why don't we put that to the test, Wired Beck!" Kaku replied as he picked up speed quickly.

Kakuzu ran toward Kaku.

"AMANE DACHI!" Kaku shouted as he kicked a 360-degree Rankyaku with both feet.

Kakuzu's limbs and wires were shredded leaving the man to collapse, not dead, but unable to move.

Kaku pushed upward with his arm, landing on his feet, gasping for air.

'Thank god that worked.' Kaku thought as he walked over, prepared to kill Kakuzu.

Kaku stopped, his ears picking up the sound of something flying toward him.

Turning, Kakuzu saw a man zipping toward him, making hand signs.

"Summoning Magic."

Six Minutes Prior…

Shigure looked above, seeing Naruto above him with Yubashiri held high.

"WE ARE OPPURTUNITY HUNTERS, SO WE TEND TO SHOW OUR FANGS WHEN CORNERED!" Naruto shouted as he used a combo of Soru and Geppo, building speed. "Ittoryu…"

"Land or sky, I'll cut you down." Shigure stated as he got into a throwing stance. "Now die with honor, little kitsune!"

"Hiryu: Kaen!" Naruto shouted as a dragonic aura surrounded him, taking the form of blue flames across his sword as he swung it.

Shigure grunted as he heaved the full weight (While putting his own weight into the throw) arched his arm as if he was throwing the blade, but Yubashiri and the Rinka Enreki-tō clashed once more… only for Naruto to puff into smoke, revealing it to be a Shadow Clone.

Shigure's eyes widened slightly as Naruto, while he was still air born, kicked the Rinka Enreki-tō downward, Yubashiri still ablaze.

Naruto sliced diagonally toward Shigure's neck.

Shigure grunted, his muscles bulging as he forced his weapon upward, pushing Naruto off of it.

Naruto lost his balance, barely able to regain it before the Rinka Enreki-tō was between his legs.

Without hesitation, Naruto kicked the blade, his foot being sliced off in the process, but Shigure was open.

"YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Naruto cried out in bloodlust as he used as much strength as possible in his one leg to push against the air.

With the distance between them nonexistent, Yubashiri slashed Shigure's chest and left arm open.

Blue flames sparked to life.

'The sword cut fire?' Shigure thought as he felt it spread across his body as Naruto hit the ground behind him.

Naruto dropped Yubashiri, the fire encroaching the blade vanishing as it hit the ground, and grabbed his foot… foot stump, trying to stop the bleeding as he reverted back to his human form.

His usually tan skin was very pale.

"A fitting end." Shigure said calmly as he dropped his Rinka Enreki-tō, the flames consuming him.

Naruto, sweaty and feeling sick, turned and watched as his opponent burned to ash.

'It… luck…' Naruto thought as his adrenaline still ran high.

Realization… hit him like a ton of bricks.

'I took a life…' Naruto thought, shaking from this and blood loss. 'I killed someone…'

Naruto lurched, his stomach pumping its contents out of it, as vomit geysered from his mouth.

"First kills are always hard." Lucci said as he approached Naruto, holding the fox's foot. "Close your heart to it. Your enemies will not hold the same sentiment."

Naruto heard Lucci's words before he passed out, shivering as cold sweat covered his body.

'Such a drama queen.' Lucci said as he knelt down, putting Naruto's foot back where it should be, pulling out a bottle of Phenex Tears.

The drop healed Naruto's injuries, his foot reattaching itself.

As the color returned to Naruto's skin, his breathing evening out.

"Wake up!" Lucci stated loudly as he slapped Naruto awake, his cheek swelling to the point it covered his right eye.

"OWF, FENFEI!" Naruto screamed with a swollen face.

"You'll be fine, I just…" Lucci said before he turned, entering his hybrid leopard form, fur standing on end as Kaku and Jabra hit the ground, rolling on it before they jumped back to their feet.

"DAMN IT!" Jabra screamed in anger as he wiped the blood off of his mouth.

"MOTHER FUCKER!" Kaku screamed uncharacteristically as he shook off a concussion.

Before them was a GIGANTIC Bison and Rhinoceros, and four people.

"HOLY SHIT!" Naruto shouted as he drew Shigure and grabbed Yubashiri.

Kakuzu, who was barely awake, and Hidan, who was unconscious, were at the feet of two men.

One had long red-orange hair, both had multiple piercings around their bodies, and they wore the same uniform.

But it was their eyes.

Their eyes had a ripple pattern to them.

"We have what we came here for." The smaller red-orange haired man said in a dull tone. "Get me back, and I'll return you three there."

Nodding, the bald companion picked up the smaller man, throwing him through the air like a baseball.

"HOLD IT!" Lucci shouted as he charged toward the remaining man.

He smirked as the Rhinoceros and the Bison charged forward.

Lucci jumped into the air, using Geppo, and when he 'stood' before the animals at eye level, he held out both hands, index fingers bent behind his thumbs, his hands covered in Armament Haki.

"Tobu Shigan: Bachi, Double!" He shouted as he flicked his fingers, sending projectile Shigan into their eyes.

The animals reared back in pain, allowing Lucci to see the bald man grab onto all the pieces of Kakuzu and Hidan.

"Until we meet again, Leopard." He stated with a grin as he hunched forward, the back of his shoulders warping and molding into two more arms, one pulling the wrist of the other outward, revealing ballistic missiles.

Lucci's eyes widened as they were fired toward him.

'They are real!' Lucci thought as he could smell the materials in the missiles.

The man smirked as a magic seal appeared under him, Kakuzu, and Hidan before the three of them vanished in a puff of smoke.

Lucci started to descend, the missiles closing in.

'I wo…'

"Nitoryu: Nanajuni Pound Ho!"

"Rankyaku: Koro!"

"Rankyaku: Kiri Shigure!"

"Rankyaku: Gaicho!"

Naruto, Jabra, Kaku, and Lucci's attacks (In that order) struck and destroyed the incoming missiles, their collective explosions pushing Lucci to the ground faster, allowing him to do the superhero landing.

Naruto braced himself for impact, Jabra shrugged, and Kaku covered Naruto.

The shockwave of the explosions hit the four of them, shaking the ground before it calmed.

Lucci's hands gripped and shaking in anger as the Bison and Rhino got back up, enraged in their pain and from the deafening sound.

"Rankyaku: Lupus Fall!" Jabra shouted as he kicked four wolf shaped Rankyaku, slicing into the Rhino's tough hide before they exploded.

"Rankyaku: Rodan!" Kaku shouted as he jumped forward, landing on his hands, partially rolling until his feet were aiming at the Bison's throat.

With both legs, Kaku kicked a fang shaped Rankyaku, which soared through the neck of the animal.

The Rhino wailed in pain as chunks of its skin and flesh were blown off as the Bison collapsed dead.

The rhino started to run but soon fell, dying as it's blood spread from its wounds.

"Wow…" Naruto said in awe as he saw Kaku and Jabra work.

However, his awe was replaced by memories of his first kill, causing his ears to droop.

Kaku and Jabra gasped for air as they reverted to their human forms.

"Lucci…" Kaku asked as he looked at his leader.

"Mission…" Lucci growled, his fangs grinding against each other. "Failed."

Kaku looked at the ground as those words set in.

'We failed.' He repeated.

"Fuck…" Jabra cursed as he too realized what it meant.

They failed to retrieve Kakuzu and Hidan for questioning, or kill them to prevent anymore murder.

Kaku turned to Naruto to see the poor boy shaking as he sheathed Shigure and Yubashiri.

"Hey… hey, Naruto…" Kaku said in concern as he made his way over and knelt down to look at him. "Naruto, what's wrong."

"I… I killed the ring sword dude…" Naruto blurted out, his breathing beginning to pick up its pace. "I… I never… I never killed… I didn't… I wanted to… it was luck…"

Naruto felt dizzy as he hyperventilated while the adrenaline he felt wore off.

He wasn't in anymore physical pain thanks to the Phenex Tears, but his mental health was not well as he leaned into Kaku, gripping the man's arm tightly as he shook.

Kaku slowly put his arms around Naruto.

"First kill is always the hardest." Kaku told Naruto. "It will… get easier. Slowly, of course."

Jabra stayed uncharacteristically silent.

"Naruto." Lucci said as he pulled Naruto out of Kaku's grasp. "A great general stated this, 'Close your heart to it. Your enemies will never show you the same'. You can't show mercy or weakness to your enemy. Today, you showed true guts and killed your opponent who most certainly would not have held back just because you are a child."

Naruto shook under Lucci's cold gaze.

Lucci closed his eyes as Hattori perched on his shoulder.

Sighing, Lucci walks over to the Rinka Enreki-tō.

"You earned your first trophy for your first mission." Lucci said as he walked over and handed the massive ring sword to Naruto. "Enjoy it, you can earn plenty more where that came from, my student."

Naruto didn't understand but accepted said 'trophy' as Lucci headed back toward their camp, ready to go home.

'I want…' Naruto thought as he saw images of Koneko and Ravel, holding the Rinka Enreki-tō. 'Yeah, I want their company… I need my friends.'

Chapter 26, DONE!

It is the One Year Anniversary chapter, so I put more effort into it. Yes, it not Super Long chapter, but with last week being Thanksgiving, I am worn out, so it was all I could muster.

Can anyone guess who the general Lucci Quoted in this chapter?

This chapter was a blast to write, the even fight between Jabra/Hidan, the deadly precise fight Naruto had with Shigure, along with Kaku vs Kakuzu.

I know, they didn't accomplish their mission, but Hidan and Kakuzu are good opponents and I wanted them to be used later on.

Bench mark and a yard stick.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.

If you did, please leave a review, if you disliked it, leave a review anyway as it helps me become a better author.