AH HA HA HA HA! My school holiday has started, and I'll be able to update the chapter back to normal. Let it be that I'll update everything I have typed so far every week or just update when I reach over 15 pages in one chapter. Point is, updates will much faster. THANKS FOR THE REVIEWS!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Never did, never will. Masashi Kishimoto does.
Italics-flashback, or thoughts
Bold-Demon talking
The pieces of ANBU mask fell down to the ground, shocked and wilderment etched upon the faces of the Waterfall-nins and Leaf-nins. Kabuto crossed his arms over his chest, admiring the effect the shocking revelation it had on them. Sakura was mostly confused; Shizune was trying to put pieces together, as Kakashi was again pissed with himself. Why was so unaware of such possibility? The flash of explanations trying to make logic began through Kakashi's mind. Why his own Sharingan couldn't work against him when the both of them achieved eye t eye contact. How that could have explained how the Sand-nin could survive the immense strength of a Sannin or her apprentice. How the impact of an explosion note strong enough to destroy a small chunk of concrete. Walking away like it was nothing more but annoyance.
The ANBU captain walked over the small heap of sand.
He was not human.
Correction. 'It'. 'It' wasn't human. It may look like a human, but it just wasn't. It was a marionette.
"How can that be?" asked Sakura in confusion.
Hatake Kakashi tried to look for the chakra strings controlling the puppets movements, which would trace back all the way to its puppeteer. The chakra threads were very fine, judging by how thin the puppeteer had managed to hide their presence, and he or she must be greatly skilled. A thin wire is hard enough to be detected by the naked eye: a Doujutsu let it be Byakugan or Sharingan would have problems realizing the presence of threads of chakra. Especially when expert puppeteers like the two senior Sand-nins such as Lady Chiyo and Ebizou made them.
It was possible.
Kabuto noted, "From that look of realization on your face, Kakashi-san, at least you seem to know about some of the things going on around here."
"Know about what?" asked Sakura,
The puppet walked back towards its place just before it was sent off flying by Sakura's punch. No Waterfall-nin tried to stop it, either way, since it just hovered over them and continued on walking. Kakashi was finally able to find the source of the chakra threads, which further explained a lot of things. The council member, Lady Chiyo, which was behind Kabuto, was the one controlling the puppet
"It looks like he found out, sister." Ebizou turned his head slightly towards the old woman that was his sibling.
The puppet clicked its mouth several times, its neck made several full turns, before it just cracked and shattered like its own ANBU mask earlier.
Its puppeteer just kept on looking at the son of the Konoha White Fang, "Yes he did. You might as well show them since he's eventually going to find it."
Ebizou complied as he began molding more chakra into his fingertips, thickening the chakra threads that made it easy enough for Kakashi to see them with his Sharingan. Kakashi didn't know just how bad the situation was going to get today. He had never been continuously surprised more than once in one day.
"Which of them is the puppeteer, Kakashi?" asked Shizune.
"Both," The silver haired Jounin tried to remain calm, "The both of them are puppeteers."
"Both?" repeated Sakura, her green eyes on the puppet.
"Our ANBU Sand-nin over here isn't the only puppet here," elaborated Kakashi, he pointed at both the ANBU Sand-nins that were guarding in front of Ebizou.
"You don't mean-" realized Sakura with widened eyes. "Except Kabuto, all these ANBU Sand-nins are nothing more but puppets."
Just then, several cracks could be heard, coming from the masks that were from Kisame's and Asami's own. It was as Kakashi had said; the two of them were puppets just like the ANBU captain. Their mouths chattered like how Kankurou's Karasu would, blades shot out and had cut through their cloaks as they gave a more intimidating look.
Shizune was careful, "Are you sure? Who knows, he could probably be using a henge and change himself into a puppet. There is the small possibility that the chakra strings could be nothing more but a ploy."
"Listen to her, she might be on to something." said Kabuto with a raised eyebrow. The happy look on his face showed this was greatly amusing him. "Of course, the longer you stay here, the situation down there could get much worse than it already is by the passing second."
Sakura, Shizune, and the Waterfall-nins were waiting for Kakashi to make judgment.
Kakashi had to admit it, the glass wearing shinobi could be right. Staying here wasn't doing them anything good. None of them had the slightest idea what the Sand-nins and Akatsuki are up to. 'These ANBU Sand-nins could be the real deal, or just puppets. If these three right in front of him were puppets, then where were the real ones? There isn't a Jinchuuriki right here except Gaara. The idea of Orochimaru somewhere in this place also needed to be taken into note.
"The next move is yours, Kakashi-san." gestured Kabuto as he always like being on the top of things, and clarify them. "Stay here or leave. I'm already done with my part, just as Chiyo-ba-sama and Ebizou-sama have done theirs. All we need to do now is just sit back and watch as to what you and your fellow comrades are going to do now."
"They could really be just the distractions," said Shibuki between his two Waterfall-nins. "The real threat could be down there somewhere, anywhere but here while we could be wasting precious time with them."
Kakashi already knew them, and he thought the ANBU guards that were stationed all around the stadium could handle or at least stall any threat brewing from wherever the real Akatsuki members could be at the moment. However, he remembered how Kabuto alone could just as easily hand a group of ANBU Leaf-nins. Hatake Kakashi looked around at the stadium. All the Leaf Jounins and Chuunins (Especially the remaining Rookie Nine and Team Gai) had surrounded the few ANBU Sand-nins and Baki's team.
But he didn't detect any ANBU Leaf-nins that had been stationed around the corridors or passageways in the stadium. They should have realized the upcoming Genjutsu that Kabuto had just performed and check around what went amidst.
Something had definitely happened to their ANBU.
He had to make a decision. He remembered about Orochimaru and looked for Sasuke at the large battleground below. Sakura followed Kakashi's gaze, and both of their minds snapped upon the idea of a Grass kunoichi. That Grass-nin down there could be Orochimaru just like how he had disguised himself three years ago. Sakura did tell him everything that had happened in the Forest of Death. He needed some confirmations first.
Kakashi bit his thumb, followed by the customary seals needed in summoning his ninja dogs. Seeing as the Sand-nins didn't go to the trouble of interrupting him, Shibuki and his suspicions about them being distractions might be true. With his open palm striking the cement floor, ancient seals opened out like a web, Kakashi said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
'Just about time, the illusion's already coming off.' noted Kabuto. He twirled his kunai playfully at the sight of Kakashi's dog, Pakkun. "Let me save you the time, the real ones you're supposed to be worried about had already right before Sasuke's match had even started."
Kakashi was bewildered, but maintained his composure, getting a grip on the situation.
"There was more than just one Genjutsu performed, and all of you didn't notice when it began or dispelled off." continued Kabuto. "The time was more than enough to perform a switch right under your nose, or better yet. Right before you very Sharingan."
Kakashi wasn't sure if that was possible, but gave out his order. "Sakura! Shizune! I need you to check and alert all the ANBU Leaf-nins that had been stationed all through the staircases, corridors, and passageways. Pakkun here will follow you."
The two kunoichi were a bit doubtful. Shizune peeked to the corner of her eyes at the commanding Kakashi. "Are you sure…? I mean, if what he says at least contain a speck of truth, when did that happen? Or how is it possible?"
"Most likely when that ANBU captain help out his hand right in between the matches." theorized Kakashi. Considering Kabuto's ever widening smirk, he must be correct. "We fell right through his trap."
"Time isn't flying on your side, Kakashi." Kabuto reminded. "So let me save you the time and just go right ahead, be my guest." He gestured with a side step. He drew back his kunai and put it back into his weapons pouch that was under the cloak. Even Lady Chiyo slightly moved her fingers and hands, as her puppet took several step backwards.
Both medic-nins wasted no time as they ran to the door as fast as their feet could carry them, Pakkun following beside them. As Kabuto had said earlier, neither one of the three Sand-nins made no attempt to intervene nor anything, as they just watched the Leaf-nins ran past them.
Shibuki offered his services to Kakashi, "Anything we can do to help?"
Hatake Kakashi had decided to go down and call upon several other Jounins or possible present ANBU Leaf-nins as he went down to the battleground. Leaving Shibuki and his Waterfall-nins to watch over the Sand-nins wouldn't do much of a difference. Kabuto, Lady Chiyo, and Old man Ebizou could just handle or even kill any of them without the slightest difficulty. He could tell them to go get help as he watched Kabuto and the two, but that would take time in coming to Sasuke's aid. He can't spend his time only to realize it was a waste, let it be to stand guard of the three Sand-nins that could possibly be a distraction. Either that or in arriving to help Sasuke knowing it was all too late.
"Kage Bunshin!" muttered Kakashi, followed by several explosions of his shadow clones.
He had made eight of them, four on the Waterfall-nin's side with four on his. Kakashi had his leg on the railing, looking back at Shibuki before jumping down. "Go somewhere safe, Shibuki. We'll handle them, and my clones here will watch over them, though I think they wouldn't do any much good."
Shibuki and his two guards looked insulted, since the Leaf Jounin had just told them to flee for safety. Of course, he was probably right in considering the safety of their ally and mention that they could just easily handle the matter themselves. Hidden Waterfall had very limited shinobis in number, something that a life lost could prove to be very grave lost than a village of the five elemental countries. Of course, not that human life was really that expendable. However, the leader of the Waterfall-nins noticed that Kakashi hadn't left just yet. Kakashi's smile, even under the mask, was evident as he continued on. "Of course, you could go help us round up the other Sand-nins scattered all around the stadium.
"I prefer the last option," agreed Shibuki, as he and the two Waterfall-nins followed the real Kakashi down to the battleground.
Kabuto just rested his arm and leaned on the one of the last two remaining seats that had not been destroyed by the puppet, as it had went crashing into the concrete wall several minutes ago.
The male medic-nin smirked, "Do you really think this would work, Kakashi? I mean, shadow clones…? You must really think highly of yourself to even come up with this idea of using several Kage Bunshin to overpower these veterans of Sunagakure."
At the same time, through the passage away, Pakkun's nose twitched several times as he led Sakura and Shizune. The dog had followed the trailing of the scents he had picked up earlier.
"What's wrong?" asked Shizune worriedly.
"There had been three people going through here very recently," noted the small brown dog.
Sakura was relieved that her sensei had made the right decisions, "So Kakashi-sensei's suspicions were right."
Taking in a few more sniffs, "That's odd…I've smelled one of the three scents before…"
"Can you remember who?" continued Shizune.
The dog's nose touched the floor to get a better scent, "No, can't really tell. It's like a mixture; the smell is entwined with another. We should continue, may be we'll find something helpful."
Pakkun didn't need to tell them that they're near one ANBU guard. Sakura didn't have the slightest idea of an ANBU being stationed there as they had walked through here earlier before. They had found an ANBU Leaf-nin laid face flat on the ground with his ANBU mask still on. They quickened their pace and were going to check on the shinobi.
Sakura could sense it, "He's alive."
Shizune dropped to her knees right away, turning the body of the ANBU Leaf-nin around. She was about to check for a pulse, but stopped when she sensed the shinobi's breath.
"Yes, thankfully, he's alive." answered Shizune in relief.
Sakura crouched down a bit, "Someone knocked him unconscious?"
The black haired kunoichi touched the shinobi's forehead, her hand glowing in green chakra. She shook her head, "No, it's Genjutsu. The strange thing is, this genjutsu could have easily been countered by any ANBU."
"She's right. I don't know how one of the three did it, but it seems they just kept going on without stopping."
"Let me try, Kakashi-sensei did say I had a talent for Genjutsu." suggested Sakura in a hurry.
"Should I wait?" asked the dog summoning.
"No. Go on ahead with Sakura. We'll split up. Go check on the other ANBU Leaf-nins; undo the illusion that's on them. We need them awake as fast and as many as possible." ordered Shizune.
"Hai!" obeyed Sakura since Shizune was her superior, and of course correct in giving the orders anyways.
Shizune watched as Sakura and Pakkun disappeared by turning to a corner. 'Worse comes to worse, they're all probably unconscious just as this one. But why would they leave our ANBU alive?'
The Sannin apprentice and Pakkun were surprised once more at the scene that lay before her. As far as the corridor could stretch in her view before turning again, she saw several ANBU Leaf-nins unconscious on the ground. It appeared to be that they all had been knocked out from the very place that they stood. One had his head tilted like he had just fallen asleep, while another was in a rather silly position. Face sideways to the wall, hands outstretched like a frog, with his knees on the floor and rear up high. Someone must have moved him into this sort of position.
One question ran through Haruno Sakura's mind. 'How could they have done this?'
The state between the Sand-nins and the Kakashi shadow clones remained the same. Before any of the Kakashi shadow clones could do anything, one of the four that was near the Naruto puppet just burst into a smoky oblivion. Everyone including Kabuto, Chiyo, and Ebizou were startled. However, the Sand-nin veteran raised a finger. The Kisame puppet shot out its right hand, along with the large wrapped sword in its grip, towards one of the four shadow clones on its side. Its large blade penetrated through the Kakashi clone just seconds before it too exploded into smoke.
Two down, six more to go.
The three Sand-nins didn't seem to making an effort as all four shadow clones were taken out in a single attack. An attack that had actually cut through their torsos, and would probably left pieces of them if they hadn't disappeared. The two remaining clones looked around, trying to find the source of the attacks, as they guarded themselves.
"If you're just the distraction, why bother taking my clones out?" asked the shadow clone Kakashi.
"It's the very presence of the clones that's actually bothering me," countered Kabuto with a push at the bridge of his glasses.
With that, both shadow clones just had their heads knocked together very hard. The pain was hard enough to destroy them, instead of strikes that would actually kill them. It was like all six shadow clones had been attacked by an invisible enemy.
Kabuto looked around, "You there? Kisame? Asami? Na-"
Just right then, the real three ANBU Sand-nins appeared out of nowhere as their genjutsu cloaking techniques wore off. Kisame was standing right behind where the four Kakashi clones had been disposed off just as Asami was behind the last two. Naruto appeared in front of the puppet that had played his position while he was away.
"Now THAT was satisfying." said Kisame. The hilt of his Samehada was rested on his right shoulder, still wrapped. "They were nothing but clones, but still."
Asami inspected the headless puppet and looked pass it to get an unobstructed view of the newly formed large hole on the concrete wall. "Pinky did both?"
"Actually, yes." answered Kabuto.
"She seems very promising, the Slug woman must be proud." commented Ebizou. He cut off the chakra strings, and watched his two puppets fall down to the ground before exploding like a disintegrated clone.
"We actually ran pass them along the way, just like the rest of the ANBU Leaf-nins. The pooch accompanying the two must be Kakashi's summoning right?" Asami directed the question to her husband.
"Yeah." Naruto answered briefly and turned his sight to the battleground; Itachi and Orochimaru hadn't made the slightest move since Anko shouted the match to begin.
"This must be the part that I sit down and watch as to whatever is going to happen." sighed Chiyo, now sitting back on her seat.
Kabuto wondered, directing a question at his captain. "So, I take it everything went well?"
----------------------------------What actually had happened---------------------------------------
Uzumaki Naruto held out his right hand in a strangling manner, everyone skip every Sand-nin in the top box had looked at him. His hand to be precise, which was just very much the way he intended how it would turn out to be. The Kyuubi vessel began casting his genjutsu over them with his hand as the activating medium. He didn't need to use eyes like the Sharingan or perform seals to perform a Genjutsu. Naruto backed away, this time none of the Waterfall-nins or the Leaf-nins turned, which meant he had succeeded.
Then Asami and Kisame moved to the back, following their captain as they had planned. The three Sand-nins became aware of Kakashi revealing his Sharingan, but they were in no worry. The silver haired Jounin was staring right through Naruto, Kisame, and Asami. The ANBU captain disregarded his ex-Jounin instructor, and held a finger to the mouth of his demon mask in ushering the two council members to be silent. Lady Chiyo and Old man Ebizou were speechless, the Sharingan hadn't the slightest idea there was a Genjutsu. They weren't there in the night's event when Naruto had sparred with Sasuke.
Naruto knew and could perform Genjutsu. In truth, Naruto wasn't really a Genjutsu specialist.
--Begin Flashback--
"I…I think I finally got it!" shouted Naruto a bit excited with himself, trying to get Kyuubi's attention.
The Nine tailed Fox Demon reacted quite the opposite, "About time, brat."
Naruto had just perfected his control over Kyuubi's chakra, which meant that he would soon be learning Ninjutsu far easier, or at least not as problematic as they usually would. Thus, some of the time that Naruto's teachers had planned in spending to learn Ninjutsu could be added to other things. His teachers were Kyuubi, Raetsu, Itachi, Kisame, and Asami. All together, they had discussed and divided into teaching their specialties for better and faster effect. It had been a strenuous whole month in his mindscape, though in reality it was only ten days.
As planned, he was progressing much better than their own expectations, though most of the lessons were only the basics like chakra control. For now, in the brief period of spending time together, Naruto had finally achieved a form of mutual relationship with Kisame and Itachi. Mutual annoyance, mutual hatred, and off course the mutual displeasure in each other's presence. They annoyed him, and he was annoyed with them.
"So what am I going to learn next, eh, damn fox?" asked Naruto, with a confident look at his current teacher. Thinking that he's going to get the next lesson a bit faster. Kyuubi did say everything would go much smoother if he finally mastered controlling Kyuubi's chakra.
"Watch your mouth to who you're talking to, brat," snarled the Nine Tailed Fox Demon upon the momentary sign of disrespect.
Naruto wasn't least frightened, he was already used to Kyuubi's rather sudden change of personalities. "Hah! Look who's talking! You hypocritical fox! We can go through this over and over, just like we always do ever since you managed to start rambling to my mind. You stop calling me brat, and I'll drop the whole damn fox calling."
"Enough said, we will move on." replied Kyuubi. Thinking up something that could be beneficial for his host, and pleasurable to his eyes. His fangs bore like he was snarling, although he was in fact smiling.
Naruto gritted his teeth nervously, nothing good ever comes after a smile like that. Which had been happening from the time when he started his training.
Kyuubi continued, "Consider yourself a very lucky human. What I'm about to teach you is something that all us foxes have enjoyed doing in ridiculing humans over time and time again."
"Ridicule? All I know is that your form of enjoyment is to destroy." explained Naruto.
His 'teacher' continued without bother to care what Naruto had to say, "Tricking the human mind, or as you humans call it 'Genjutsu'. "
"Genjutsu? You? You're going to teach me Genjutsu?" inquired Naruto with a disbelieving look. "What kind of Genjutsu?"
"An inhuman one," answered Kyuubi in arrogance. "No human, not even with those pathetic red eyes, can do anything. So again, consider yourself a very lucky human in getting the opportunity to learn this."
"But then how come you lost to Yondaime?" asked Naruto in bewilderment.
Kyuubi grunted, "I didn't lose you brat. Considering how I'm just sealed inside your belly while he's sealed inside the Shinigami (Death God), I think we both know who's doing much better. Using too much of it takes out most of the fun in battling, especially when used repeatedly after hundreds of years. Battling that human you call Yondaime, I consider myself lucky to never have played with illusions. No human OR demon ever fought like the way he did."
Naruto was amazed, Kyuubi somehow respects Yondaime, or at least in a very hateful loathing sort of way. Either way, the point was clear, the Fourth Hokage was by no doubt a great man to even gain the respects of a demon. Especially after the soul ripped out of the body, and spending existence in the body of the very type of being he so hated.
"But I've got no talent whatsoever in Genjutsu at all. Back in the academy..." frowned Naruto.
He cursed himself for remembering about that place, about those memories, and especially about those people. "Besides, you were there when Itachi was here last time, he said that I'm better off learning how to recognize or counter Genjutsu attacks. Not how to actually learn it."
Kyuubi didn't like the damn fox calling, and he definitely didn't like that sort of attitude coming from the blonde shinobi. The fox demon was in favorable about Naruto losing most of his idiocy and boisterous attitude, but he shouldn't lose his qualities that made him amusing or entertaining.
"Remember this, brat. Those feeble excuse you call whiskers aren't going to be the only features that makes you my jailor. You WILL learn how to make illusions." The demon stood upright, showing greater difference in size. "That, or how about we just forget about this whole training? Surrender your will, and let me take control. You can just mope around in this mindscape until the both of us die."
Naruto couldn't believe what he just heard coming from the very demon. After all that pain he'd endured through sparring, all the achievements, and satisfaction he felt.
He bellowed in anger, "After all the torturing you call training? NO WAY, you damn fox! No turning back! I don't care how many days it's been! How many days there are left! How many times all of you are going to scare me to death, but WE'RE going to finish this hell you call training! No matter what! Now teach me whatever Genjutsu or fox power thingy you've got!"
Kyuubi burst into laughter, "Good…Good…but I'm still going to 'punish' you .Because if there's one thing I hate about you humans, it's doubt."
"Peh! There are a lot of things you hate about us," replied Naruto. Naruto just realized his fatal mistake, even after hearing the word punish from Kyuubi.
"Looks like you still have some of that problem of talk first, think later," commented Kyuubi.
Naruto closed his eyes shut, "Okay…fine…let's…let's…let's just get this over with."
The demon's shadow loomed over Naruto, a wide sadistic grin.
---End Flashback--
He had to agree, the demonic genjutsu did add more fun. In addition, he could pull pranks that even Itachi's Sharingan can't see through. He took great pleasure, and the most recent proof he had was the surprised faces he got after he had transformed to and from into a burning log on the night he sparred with Sasuke.
Lady Chiyo and Ebizou continued jut as they had read the scrolls given to them the night before. They took out their scrolls and summoned their puppets that would replace the three Sand ANBU elites. Kisame was astounded by the appearance of the Kisame puppet which grasped the handle of the sword identical that to Samehada. All of this was happening right under their noses
Lady Chiyo waved her hands off, telling him to get on his way. "Don't worry too much. We know what to do. Now you kids go and finish this."
Naruto jerked his head to the direction of the door, in which then Kisame understood and followed immediately. The Sand ANBU captain was in the lead, with an invisible coating genjutsu all around him and his two comrades following behind. Since Uzumaki Naruto's body contained two different minds in them, he could actually do two things at once if Kyuubi was in the mood. The demon maintained the invisible coating illusion as Naruto making hand seals. The three shinobis ran down through the corridor with incredible speed, passing right through any unsuspecting not so well hidden ANBU Leaf-nins.
"Magen: Kokoni Arazu (Demonic Illusion: Fake Surroundings)." whispered Naruto as they approached one ANBU Leaf-nin that was hiding himself against the wall.
Genjutsu is technique that controls all five senses of the target, so they didn't have to worry if the ANBU could see, hear, smell, or feel any of them. Like the ANBU wouldn't actually taste them…but Naruto had it covered just in case. He didn't know, but he just did. After leading each ANBU into a sense of false security, Kabuto's Genjutsu would take care before they could even sense what was going on. Naruto, Asami, and Kisame's primary mission for now wasn't to take out the guards.
"Itachi should be grateful, you're going to save his brother's sorry ass for the third time. Isn't that right?" asked Kisame, he had his sharky grin under the mask as they quickly passed another stationed ANBU.
Soon enough, Naruto, Asami, and Kisame had reached to the waiting area where Sasuke should be standing just right near the railing. They would replace Sasuke with a shadow clone as a decoy, however they did expect that Orochimaru would recognize the fake Uchiha Sasuke. By the time he would realize he was the one being set up, it would be all too late. The Snake Sannin's own protections would soon prove to be his very own destruction. Asami and Kisame stopped to find that there were two Uchiha Sasuke, and one of them just had been knocked out cold and fell down to the floor.
"Is he one of ours?" asked Kisame, looking at Naruto.
Asami asked a better question, "Who's under the henge?"
The still conscious Sasuke didn't hear a single word what Kisame or Asami had just said, since he just squatted down and repositioned the other Sasuke into a more comforting position. Naruto already saw as to whom was this shinobi impersonating the Uchiha clan successor. The blonde shinobi had another ability courtesy of Kyuubi. Since he had faint traces of the demon's chakra flowing through his chakra system, he didn't have to bother to ever being affected by any Genjutsu ever again. Earlier said, the illusionary technique is performed when the caster controls the chakra flowing through the brain. As one control chakra over the brain, he or she could simply manipulate or trick the brain in handling the five senses it receives from the receptors: eyes, ears, mouth, or any part of the body.
The idea of even performing a genjutsu on a demon for control was absolutely impossible. They can't create any technique strong enough to control a tailed demon's flow of chakra in its brain.
But Naruto had Kyuubi's chakra flowing in him, no one can control it except him or Kyuubi. If his normal blue chakra was controlled, the faint red chakra is more than enough to help him in being conscious of the whole situation. He could then just replace all of his normal chakra, and just switch to just using Kyuubi's own.
In other words, any shinobi can just forget about casting a genjutsu on him.
The conversion of appearance between a person to another person is to place an illusion coating over a shinobi's body. A henge into an object was a different thing, there is a limit in size such as Naruto transforming into a Fuuma Shuriken when he and Sasuke tagged against Zabuza.
Naruto saw right through it, and dropped his own invisibility jutsu. The other Sasuke reflexively held out a kunai that somehow appeared out of nowhere, and drew it right at Naruto's neck.
"Whoa…you might want to put that down, Itachi." said Naruto without the slightest worry, not caring the sharp end of the kunai a few millimeters from his jugular vein.
"Itachi?" Asami appeared behind Naruto.
The elder Uchiha got his first glimpse of the bloody demon mask, he wouldn't have known if he didn't hear his ex-pupil's voice. He had only taken up one student, and it seem he was currently right in front of him. Itachi lowered the kunai, still in the form of his little brother. "Naruto?"
"Today just keeps on getting better and better." chuckled Kisame as he too made his presence known.
Itachi hadn't seen them for over a year, he didn't really expected seeing them as they were right now. Recognizable only by their voices and the hilt of the large Samehada, Uchiha Itachi didn't anticipate meeting them like this.
"What are you doing here?" asked Asami.
"Watching over you just in case you make the biggest mistake in your life." answered Itachi, right at the Sand ANBU captain.
Kisame sneered, "Yeah right,"
"If you're here, then Erro Sennin must be around here somewhere." Naruto didn't see the perverted hermit so far.
"Yes, Jiraiya is here." replied Itachi, not caring the word Erro Sennin in calling the Toad Summoner. "He's really pissed that you came here without telling him."
"So how you got here so fast? Naruto sent that super-pervert to fetch you right when we left Suna for a mission." wondered Asami, trying to figure out.
"This isn't the appropriate time. We'll talk later," replied Itachi. He could see that the second match was about to start, and had transported himself to the stadium in a puff of smoke.
(Don't worry! I got the explanations! Well, I'm not going to explain it right now.)
Kisame crossed his arms over his chest under the cloak, "Wasn't this a waste of time? Coming all the way here for nothing."
Asami was keen to watch what would happen between Orochimaru and Sasuke. "I wouldn't say that."
"Since this is already taken cared of, let's go back." noted Naruto in lead.
-----------------------------Explanation End-------------------------------------------------------
Naruto answered Kabuto's question without being go to the trouble of seeing face-to-face, "A slight change of plans."
"Oh? Something bad happened?" asked Kabuto further on.
"Nope, even better," corrected Kisame.
Uzumaki Naruto got the full view of everyone there down at the spectator seats; every Sand-nin was surrounded though none of the Leaf-nins have made a single move yet. The Sand ANBU captain made his trademark hand seal: the index and middle fingers of both hands making a cross.
"Kage Bunshin (Shadow Clone)." murmured Naruto, loud enough for only he himself to hear.
During time interval after the explosions and Naruto's return to the top box.
As the remaining Rookie Nine, Team Gai, and many Jounins were guard, all of them notice something wasn't right. It was quick for Team 8 to become aware of it. Yuuhi Kurenai, Shino, Hinata, Kiba, and Akamaru had found themselves an ANBU Sand-nin a few feet away. The instant a smoke grenade had blew up and cleared, its perpetrator hadn't fled or showed any sign of hostility. Akamaru could actually smell chakra covering the floor of the stadium. The white dog didn't know what to do in response, but to whimpering a little to let Kiba know that something was troubling him.
"What's wrong, Akamaru?" said Kiba in worry. Of course the young Inuzuka would worry, being his dog hardly gets scared of anything since it grew up big and strong.
Hyuuga Hinata closed her eyes, opening them again with veins popping out around her eyes. The blood-limit Byakugan was activated; seeing the flow of chakra around or the chakra systems, magnifying and penetrating capabilities, lastly with almost perfect three hundred and sixty degrees of vision.
"There is chakra, and they're…everywhere." Hinata stuttered. Not in lack of confidence, but in slight of fear.
The sudden change of behavior in all of Shino's Kikai bugs confirmed her statement. The Aburame Jounin never felt this before, the sensation of his insects being a bit restless. If he could ask his father about this ever happening, Aburame Shibi would say that this sort of feeling was only felt once back fifteen years ago. When the Nine-tailed Fox Demon crossed the Konoha boarder and was several kilometers away from Konohagakure.
Kakashi sensed it too, having reached Team Gai who also had cornered another ANBU Sand-nin in their area.
"Gai!" called Kakashi in urgency.
"What are you doing here, Kakashi?" asked the Taijutsu specialist at his rival, "You should be by Hokage-sama's side."
"She's fine. There are other important things we also have to worry about." continued Kakashi about the situation.
"What would that be?" asked Gai.
"Orochimaru, he's right down there with Sasuke. And there are three Akatsuki members somewhere around here."
Rock Lee heard that name before, just like everyone else and the public in Konoha, from the time when Sasuke had defected and returned, along with the news of the Hidden Village of Sound's destruction. "Orochimaru?"
"How is Hokage-sama?" asked a nearby ANBU Leaf-nin.
"She's with Gaara at the moment. Don't worry about her, there's no sign of them fighting up on the roof. The real problem that we should handle for now is Orochimaru and three other Akatsuki members. Something happened to our ANBU backup." answered Kakashi quickly.
"So? What do you think we should do?" asked Gai, waiting if Kakashi had better plans. He was sure to believe what Kakashi had just said about Tsunade's condition. The last time he said that Sandaime Hokage would be fine when he faced Orochimaru, they found him dead when the treacherous snake had retreated.
"Take several Jounins and look for the Akatsuki members, I'll have several ANBU handle Orochimaru." directed Kakashi.
Neji decided to speak out, "If you mean the shinobis with very high chakra that's channeling chakra all over the stadium as we speak, then those should be them right at the top box."
"What!" reacted Kakashi, turning back to see to the place he had just left. He had sensed that his shadow clones were long gone, but didn't know who did it.
Just then, eight ANBU Leaf-nins ran out from a close by door, feeling aggravated after waking up from a Genjutsu and hearing a short explanation from Sakura.
Kakashi came up with a new plan, "Alright, the eight of you will follow me. Gai, you take the other ANBU and some Jounins, probably better if Kurenai and Asuma was along, to deal with the Akatsuki."
The newly present ANBU Leaf-nins couldn't argue, they knew of Kakashi's reputation. His achievements at a very young age, the few missions they know of when he worked in ANBU, and the fact of him knowing over a thousand Jutsus.
The Green Beast of Konoha left with the said ANBU and three nearby Jounins towards Naruto, at the same time as Kakashi and the two team of ANBU towards Orochimaru. Leaving behind Neji in charge, a very curious Tenten, and an even higher motivated Lee to watch over the ANBU Sand-nin. The ANBU Sand-nin was paying more attention to the chakra all around the stadium than towards all the Leaf-nins.
The circumstances were much better for the place where Team 10 was stationed. Asuma didn't need to lift a finger since his three Chuunins already had the situation perfectly under control. Shikamaru had restricted an ANBU Sand-nin from any sort of movement with his Kage Mane no Jutsu, (Shadow Copy Technique) and was interrogating him. Chouji decided to help out with his Bubun Baika no Jutsu (Partial Muti Size technique), a huge fist ready to smash the captive if the two shadows would somehow disconnect. Ino seemed triumphant, though she letting the two boys, or probably young men, doing all the work.
"Last chance, tell us what are you Sand-nins up to," questioned Shikamaru.
Nara Shikamaru might be lazy at most of the times, but he always took his missions seriously. Anything was possible, the likelihood of anything turning the situation. One thing could totally mess up and be fatal. It was his first mission acting as Chuunin three years ago that had taught him that. Just when he and Naruto thought that they had Sasuke for good, Kimimaro's sudden appearance and interference had messed up his calculations and plans. However, he considered himself lucky when the possibility of turning the situation in favour of them was present. The Sand sibling's had came and leveled the odds. He considered himself luckier that nobody died, and the mission proved to be a success when Naruto came back with a heavily beaten Sasuke.
He was hard of himself, actually blaming himself. How everyone was admitted into the hospital with severe cases of injuries, and he only had a broken finger. He came up with a resolution.
Shikamaru never took things lightly.
This ANBU Sand-nin still remained quiet, as he had been since he was outnumbered and got caught.
"Fine, then we'll just have to go through that mind of yours." continued Shikamaru. He turned to Ino, the Sand-nin mimicked the same thing. "Ino, if you don't mind."
As to the word mind, Ino held out her hands and aimed at the Sand-nin. Just then, Asuma and the rest detected footsteps coming from the nearby opening from the corridor. It was a Sand-nin, more specifically, Temari who came out with a smug look she always had. Three Jounins, four Chuunins, and Asuma were prepared and yet inquisitive as to her clear confidence.
The Sand kunoichi crossed her arms, leaning to the frame on her left side. "I'd let him go if I were you."
"And what in the world should we do that?" asked Ino, a tone of dislike towards the blonde kunoichi.
Temari raised an eyebrow to the agape Leaf-nins as they watched their own shadows unexpectedly rose up from the floor or walls. This was also the first that Temari and the ANBU Sand-nin see Naruto perform his other variant of clone. Being a ninja always full of surprises, they weren't as taken aback as their allies. The shadows separated from the Leaf-nins' own shadows, like they were a part of it. Some crept out from the shadows of the seated unconscious spectators.
"Shikamaru, please tell me that you're doing this." said Ino.
The shadow binder just slowly shook his head, "Sorry, wish I could."
The shadows each shaped themselves into a particular silhouette of an ANBU Sand-nin that wore a blood red ANBU mask. Details of the cloak, boot sandals, and clawed hands soon followed. Then, their black color began to change; mimicking the real masked Uzumaki Naruto that was presently standing at the top box. A Jounin tried to stab his own shadow with a kunai, but it just grabbed the wrist of the Leaf-nin without any difficulty.
"Now this is what I would call a real shadow clone." noted Temari.
Despite the upturn, Ino decided to make a snide remark to her teammate. "You sure have a nice taste for women."
"Nothing to worry about, we didn't come here to start a war. He just wants you to let his teammate go." Temari pointed her thumb to the still bound ANBU Sand-nin.
"No negotiations," briefed one of the Naruto clones, this one came out from Temari's shadow. An eerie aura was released around him, as he had a kunai pointed straight at Asuma. "Let go and step away."
"Who are you to think that we'd simply comply?" bellowed a Leaf kunoichi, trying to ignore the fact that it was now their turn being outnumbered. "You were the ones that started this whole thing with the genjutsu attack and the explosions!"
"Be quiet! Unless you haven't notice, they have the upper hand both in numbers and hostages." Asuma contemplated his choices.
He made the female shinobi look at the still appearing shadow clones. There were now over dozens upon dozens of completed shadow clones, whether standing at the ceiling, perched on the railings or unoccupied chairs, or standing right among the Leaf-nins. The mix of kunai and shuriken in each hand of the clones meant that anyone of them could just as easily kill ten unconscious spectators in one go.
Hatake Kakashi reached the battleground, an odd scene laid him since he had left Shizune and Sakura's side. Orochimaru and 'Sasuke' had been standing there doing absolutely nothing, while Anko was finally snapping out from the temporal paralysis technique.
Anko heaved a sigh, catching a kunai that launched out from her long sleeve. "Finally."
Kakashi and Anko were worried that the Snake Sannin had already begun his body transferring technique. It was like both Orochimaru and Sasuke had been caught in an entrance or some sort. She lunged and was about to thrust her metal gray kunai towards Orochimaru's heart in no hesitation.
Of course, the kunai never made it halfway.
She was shocked, when all of a sudden, when she felt someone held her tight around the waist. In that brief time, she felt something that she had never felt before in her entire life.
Mitarashi Anko was gone.
Every single ANBU and the man of the Thousand Jutsus couldn't comprehend what just happened. In one moment, the Sand ANBU captain was there, he had stopped Anko's attack. Then, in another moment, both of them were gone. It all happened in a flash. Most of the ANBU Leaf-nins had never seen anything like it before. If anyone blinked the moment he or she saw it, they could've totally missed it. Only one out of the eight ANBU members had seen it before. He was twenty years old when he saw the Konoha Yellow Flash came in aid for the war against the Rock. Now, he was already forty-five and his retirement was anytime next month. He had seen the technique that was fifteen years ago, and he just got the chance to see it once more.
He could never forget it.
"That was-" stated the veteran ANBU to Kakashi, who he knew that the silver haired Jounin had seen that attack before just like he did before the Kyuubi attack happened.
"Hiraishin no Jutsu……..(Flying Thunder God Technique)" Kakashi spoke softly in disbelief.
There was no doubt about it, in a flash and they were gone just like that. It was right in front of their eyes.
Then, Anko found herself being surrounded by Sand-nins. Asami along with Kabuto standing on side, while Ebizou and Lady Chiyo were on the other. Kisame gripped Samehada, its sharp scaly blade very close to Anko's head.
"Move a muscle, and our tall guy over here will chop you in half." warned Asami.
The special Jounin Leaf-nin was confused. Very confused. Anyone would, if they were in one place and then suddenly found themselves in another.
Naruto loosened the hold around Anko's waist, backed away, and moved to the front.
"Lucky you, holding a woman when you could just have grabbed her hand." teased Kisame.
"I might risk ripping her arm off if I did that. We're not here to harm anyone except that bastard." replied Naruto in a stern tone. The blonde shinobi clasped his fingers, finishing his technique.
"I wonder how are they're favoring against your clones," Asami got the wide sight down below.
Each of the shadow clones began to radiate the freakish killing intents, warning every single Leaf ninja that they were dead serious. They were now all over the stadium, possibly outnumbering every conscious ninja twenty to one. It was like they were out for nothing more but pure destruction, and the only thing stopping them was the moment a Konoha shinobi would attack. Nobody had ever seen this many clones made entirely from one person.
In a particular corridor, Naruto's shadow clones on both the front and backsides were now surrounding Shizune and several other awakened ANBU Leaf-nins. This time, the circumstances were different since there's no hostage to be dealt with. The Konoha shinobis were free to fight the various shadow clones without interference. All the ANBU shinobi drew out their katana blades from their backs.
An ANBU Leaf-nin was the first one the make the move.
"Kanashibari no Jutsu (Temporary Paralysis Technique)!" She then ran with her sword ready to slash several clones, which had been paralyzed, in one slash. In case of other shadow clones were coming to interfere, she knew that her comrades would cover that.
She slipped. She couldn't believe she slipped. The ANBU kunoichi fell on the floor, but it didn't hurt as hard as she thought it would. It felt soft, or fleshy to better describe. Everyone realized that all of the walls and ceilings all the way as far as the eyes could see had been changed into a fleshy, red pink color. The smooth surface was now a squishy wet fleshy texture, it was the esophagus of a Toad to be precise.
It could only mean one thing.
'Erro Sennin.' thought all the Naruto clones.
All the clones were linked to the real Naruto that was far upstairs, but they all knew what was happening. The shadow clones that had blocked the path, where Shizune and the ANBU were going, gave way or looked at their back. The tall Sannin with long spiky white hair could be seen squat down with both of his palms of the wet muscles that are the floor.
Shizune would recognize that man anywhere, and was actually relieved to see the pervert after a long time. "Jiraiya-sama!"
The name helped a small number of ANBU Leaf-nins recognize just who this weird looking guy was. One of the Legendary Sannin, the Toad summoner, Jiraiya.
"Nice to you see you too, Shizune. Don't worry. It's just my Gamaguchi Shibari (Frog mouth Bind)." responded Jiraiya to his name call.
Shizune sighed in relief.
Jiraiya stood up, clearly the tallest one there, though his frog technique was still in use. The flesh didn't immobilize the feet of the shadow clones or any of the Leaf-nins. He walked casually towards the group of Sand-nin duplicates, both slightly scaring and amazing Shizune and the ANBU Konoha shinobi without the slightest the fear.
"Jiraiya-sama! They're-" warned one of the ANBU Leaf-nins.
"Not here to start a war or pick a fight." finished Jiraiya, carefully looking at Naruto's clones. It was evident since none of them did anything but just stare back at the Sannin.
The leader of the ANBU group, wearing a red rodent like mask, wasn't entirely convinced. "But…."
Jiraiya heard him, but the ANBU just trailed off into silence since they were no longer sensing the feeling of aggression coming from the shadow clones.
"I never thought you'd go to something as far as this." said Jiraiya, a hint of disbelief in his tone, knowing the real Naruto could hear him.
The Naruto clone remained silent.
Jiraiya knew that there were far more shadow clones inside the stadium, "What's with the clones?"
"Tell them to back off, and settle down." The Naruto clone turned to the Leaf-nins.
Jiraiya wasn't going to delay, having the ability to get through and negotiate with his ex-apprentice. "And you will call of every single clone."
The Naruto clone remained silent again, no nod or anything.
Knowing him, Jiraiya always took it as a yes.
Jiraiya commanded the squad of awakened Konoha ANBU shinobi. "Everyone. I want you all to go and tell the rest to do what he just said, and the clones will withdraw once its done. Just do it, and nobody's going to get hurt under my watch. I'll answer to Tsunade once all of this is over."
The ANBU Leaf-nins obeyed directly, taking his word seeing as the Sand ANBU elite clones exploded into puff of smokes just like a Kage Bunshin would when destroyed or called off. They didn't doubt the Sannin for a second, they were convinced that he had the situation under control. Shizune still remained there, worried, along with Jiraiya and the only still remaining ANBU Sand-nin in the very corridor. It gave a last look at Shizune before it too exploded into smoke.
"Jiraiya-sama! Where's Naruto! You have to get him out here! The Akatsuki! They're here!" Shizune panicked.
"Whoa. Whoa. Slow down. Calm yourself, Shizune." advised Jiraiya. "There's no need to worry about that. Naruto's safe. Right now, we have other pressing matters to attend to."
"What's over?" pondered Shizune. "What other matters?"
"Just follow me. We must stop this condition before it worsens by itself." replied Jiraiya. The pink fleshy walls disappeared as the Sannin finished using his technique. The normal cold hard concrete floor, walls, and ceiling could once again be seen.
'We've got a long of explaining to do once this is over,' feared Jiraiya, thinking about what's going to happen to both him and Naruto.
Jiraiya and Shizune went off.
Back at the area where Team Gai took charge.
"Neji, all of them are real?" asked Lee to the Hyuuga in command.
"Every single one of them." answered Neji in dread. "They're no different than Naruto's Kage Bunshin. The chakra is evenly divided, they have flowing chakra circulatory system like the real one, but it's different than the normal chakra system we have."
"We can take them." assured Lee, his hands out ready for a brawl.
"Not without risking everyone here," stopped Neji. "They haven't done anything yet."
True, they could try to fight the shadow clones head on. Neji could destroy all the ANBU clones around him with a Kaiten, with the rest of the Leaf-nins taking care of the clones. Then again, these were clones made from a single ANBU Sand-nin, and he could tell even these clones could simply handle a Chuunin or just kill off a spectator without a doubt.
Several more of Naruto's special Kage Bunshin appeared on the ceiling, as more just rose up from the very shadows of the shadow clones. Their number just doubled, making a small number of the Leaf-nins wonder how in the world could a single shinobi could keep on making clones upon clones to completely occupy an entire stadium.
"What are you?" Tenten faced the demon masked ANBU.
Naruto paid no attention to Tenten's question, the clones took out their kunais and rounded against the Leaf-nins that surrounded their comrade.
They all said in unison, "Back off."
"What?" Lee heard and understood the two words, but said it anyways.
"We're not playing games, weirdo. You heard him, back off." replied the trapped ANBU Sand-nin. He was surrounded by Leaf-nins, but now Sand-nin shadow clones in between surrounded him.
A Naruto shadow clone neared the Sand-nin, "Go to Chiyo-ba-sama's side, it's the top box where the Kage would seat. The others are on their way."
"So we're just going to let him go away?" asked a Leaf Chuunin. "The bastard-"
He decided to shut hi mouth when he began to felt glares coming from some of surrounding shadow clones.
"Is that it? You pull something like this, and think you're just going to get away like nothing happened?" questioned another Leaf-nin.
Neji frowned as to why everybody couldn't keep their mouth shut and let him settle this.
"No." replied a shadow clone, however, he was talking to Neji. "No one is going to pretend like nothing happened here."
"You've already got back your teammate," reminded Neji.
Naruto's duplicate gave the last order, "Then sit down and just watch."
Either Neji or all the Leaf-nins needed to clear out their ears, or they just heard what they think they heard.
"Sit down, and nobody gets hurt." stated the same clone.
It was an odd request: to go back to their seats, sit down, and watch?
"Just do it, everyone. They're dead serious, and so far nobody's even got a scratch yet." succumbed Neji to logic.
They really thought things just couldn't get any bizarre, but they all complied as they sat back on their seats. Those who were stationed or posted on guard duty gave a questionable look at the nearest shadow clone. The clone just signaled them to sit on the concrete floor or staircase.
"Stand up, and we'll be back. No negotiations." warned the ANBU captain as the rest of the variant Kage Bunshin ebbed into the floor and back to the shadows.
"Just what are we suppose to watch?" asked Tenten at the remaining Naruto clone in that very area. Everyone there, except Neji, were trying their best to calm themselves and some Jounins looked at Neji for instructions. The Jounin Hyuuga gave a glare to just remain as they were.
As the head was a few feet away from sinking into the ground, the last clone answered Tenten's question.
"An execution."
As it finally disappeared, a Jounin kunoichi shifted in her seat. Whether she was just adjusting her seat or made some sort of them, it didn't matter. Dozens upon dozens pairs of hand crept out from the surfaces of the stadium, let it be pillars, ceilings, the back of seats, floors, as long as shadows were present. Hyuuga Neji gritted his teeth, clenching with the Byakugan eyes, with a hand signal to tell everyone to not move.
In another corridor, Sakura and Pakkun were hindered by the sudden appearance of Naruto shadow clones. Unlike everyone, she didn't need to worry about the hostage issue. So the Naruto clones were going to fight on with the Fifth Hokage's apprentice. However, she demanded answers in which neither of the clones expected.
"What exactly are you after?" demanded Sakura, after contemplating and recalling back her thoughts. She had done nothing but that since the clones showed up. "There is no way you're after Sasuke-kun. Come to think of it, Sasuke-kun did suspect something about Orochimaru being afraid of …."
She recalled Sasuke saying about his brother joining an organization, but he never mentioned what the name was. Since anything that was related to the Kyuubi and Naruto's seal was to keep a secret, and that included Akatsuki, to anyone that wasn't a Jounin. Her eyes widened when she realized what the word Akatsuki must have meant when she heard it last night after Sasuke's spar.
"Orochimaru is afraid of you. You and your group. That group of yours is called Akatsuki, isn't it? Sasuke-kun was right!"
She was talking and asking like anticipating any of the shadow clones to talk back.
"You're not here after Tsunade-shishou or Konoha! You're after Orochimaru! And…and… you're using Sasuke-kun as bait!" realized Sakura.
Pakkun looked up to the kunoichi, the dog was surprised too.
'Still clever as ever, but a little bit slow on the uptake. Then again, who else isn't? Still can't stop saying Sasuke-kun, Sasuke-kun, Sasuke-kun.' thought every shadow clone.
Elsewhere, Maito Gai and the ANBU members that followed him never made it to their designated place. They tried to ignore all the shadows that were somehow growing everywhere, and focused more in reaching the top box. But they came face to face with dozens of clones already waiting for them. Gai wondered how was his rival doing.
Recovering from the blow of seeing the ANBU Sand-nin grabbing Anko, Kakashi and the eight ANBU Leaf-nins closed in on the disguised Orochimaru and Itachi. Four figures broke out from the battleground, already forming a complete rectangle formation with the two shinobis inside. They were rogue shinobis, undoubtedly believed Orochimaru's every word when they heard that they could a get a chance to be a part of his plan in destroying Konohagakure. A Rock-nin, Cloud-nin, Mist-nin, and a wanted Waterfall-nin. The Sannin had only taught them the barrier jutsu, which was all he needed them for. He no longer had any Sound-nin in his command, and they were just the pawns he needed. Getting followers proved to be difficult, and they didn't seem worthy to receive his Cursed Seals. The chance of them surviving was low, and he didn't want to waste him time.
"Sorry, but no one's going to interrupt Orochimaru-sama's plans." called out a middle aged shinobi with a Rock head protector.
Obviously none of them had noticed Naruto's short appearance and the absence of Anko.
A kunoichi, wearing a Cloud head protector, probably no older than Shizune wasn't going to delay. "We should hurry."
"STOP THEM!" ordered one of the ANBU.
They never had the chance, as all four shinobi did what Orochimaru had told them to. "Shishi Enjin (Four Violet Flames Battle Encampment)!"
The violet walls joined at the front of the four shinobis, forming a huge rectangular barrier between them and the Konoha shinobis. One ANBU would've touched the surface of the barrier if it weren't for Kakashi holding him back. The ANBU Leaf-nins were once again stopped, unable to provide any help. They might as well go back and face all the numerous shadow clones. Naruto and Asami didn't seem to take the existence of the box-like barrier as a hindrance. Kabuto was indeed inquisitive as to which Jutsu that Naruto would use to get pass through it.
"Don't tell me," said Kisame with his eyes still on Anko. "His scapegoats just came in."
Kabuto nodded.
A skinny, bald Waterfall-nin turned his head to catch a glimpse of how his master was doing. Unknown to all four of them, the snake summoner would've called off the plan if he could snap out of the genjutsu. Orochimaru cursed as his plans were being ruined. He never expected this to happen; Akatsuki to appear right in front of everyone just like he had came up with.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRGH!" shouted the Snake Sannin in great pain, his body twitching and turning as what would be his twenty-fifth time.
Twelve feet away, Itachi had done nothing except standing there and saying the same thing every time Orochimaru yelled.
"Consider yourself fortunate that I'm not using the Mangekyou Sharingan." commented Itachi.
The treacherous ninja already heard that when he was tortured for the first time.
Orochimaru panted heavily again before the same thing that had been repeating itself, ever since he laid his eyes on Itachi's Sharingan, was about to happen again. A snake the size of an anaconda burst out from his stomach, with blood spluttering down all over. He let out another yell as another great pain coursed through his body. It wasn't going to stop there; the snake began hissing on loudly with Orochimaru closing his eyes in dealing with the pain. The long slithery reptile struck and had quickly sunk its fangs into the flesh and bones that was Orochimaru's body.
Another sickening yell resonated into the illusionary world that was Orochimaru's mind.
The sky was black; with no source of light anywhere, but Orochimaru could clearly see everything around, himself, and Itachi. A sight of never ending barren land, it was all bathed in crimson red.
"Consider yourself fortunate that you're not going to die here." commented Itachi.
This one, Orochimaru had heard after he had heard the phrase about him not using the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Under all that pain, he could still feel the cold-blooded animal's venom coursing through his veins, arteries, and capillaries. It was burning him from the inside, right under his skin. The long snake disappeared, after Orochimaru opened his eyes once more. Another snake was going to burst out of his body somewhere, but he didn't knew where. Not that it really mattered. He was going to shout out loud once any second soon. It did. This time, the snake burst out from his shoulder like he was growing another head.
"Consider yourself fortunate that all of this will be nothing more but a painless memory." commented Itachi.
Hearing that for the first time, the Sannin was curious as to what would was going to happen when Itachi would stop his Genjutsu. The Uchiha knew that Naruto wanted to give his own version of punishment. Orochimaru wasn't going to die that easily, and he never deserved that. He was going to realize that his foolish ambition was nothing but a waste of time.
The snake delivered the bite, its fangs twice the number and length.
Orochimaru was going to hear something that he wasn't really looking forward to.
"Consider yourself unfortunate that this is only the beginning." commented Itachi with the same cold eyes.
Time was progressing just like in the real world, since Itachi wasn't using his Mangekyou Sharingan. But the torturing had begun since Orochimaru made eye contact, and he wasn't going to stop until Naruto, Asami, and Kisame would be there to stop him.
Back in reality, Kisame thought that it was about time that they make their move.
"So taichou (captain)…," stuttered Kisame upon calling Naruto captain. Calling the spiky blonde shinobi by his rank was just as infrequent as calling Gaara with the word Kazekage. "Shall we make our move, then?"
Naruto answered Kisame's question by jumping over the railing, down towards all the shinobi on the battleground. Asami followed behind, and Kabuto expected Kisame to trail behind last like he always does.
"She's all yours, Kabuto." The tall gray skinned shinobi leapt over a railing, going to catch up with the two younger Sand-nins.
Anko didn't know what was going on apart from Orochimaru being the Grass kunoichi. Kabuto decided to fill her in anyways since it was about start.
"This is the best view anyone could get from the entire stadium, isn't that right?" inquired Kabuto. "Sit back and just watch."
"Watch what?" asked Anko, though she had a feeling that it had something to do with Orochimaru.
"The public execution of the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru."
Just then, Baki, Chiro, Takagi, and a very relieved looking Hirami entered. The total of six ANBU Sand-nins came in one by one, they were pretty much satisfied with themselves.
Chiro confronted the ANBU Sand-nin that had talked to him at the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant last night. It was the ANBU that didn't have eyeholes on his mask, more like vertical spaces like a knight's visor.
"You think there's any chance of him showing some of his really powerful techniques?" wondered Chiro.
"Just watch. All three of them. " answered the ANBU Sand-nin.
The young Chuunin asked further, "But after performing all those clones, you think he still has enough chakra left...?"
The older Sand-nin watched on, "Don't worry, they still plenty more where that came from. We've never seen any of them tire out, so they don't exactly know just how much chakra each one of them have."
"We could only tell from how much each of them eat. You saw them ate dinner last night." added another ANBU Sand-nin.
Anko knew that these three shinobi were related to Akatsuki, and the Sand-nins probably knew too. But hearing from them, it sounded like they were proud and adored the three Akatsuki members.
Down below, on one side, the Sand ANBU elites set their eyes on the very 'monster' behind the violet barrier. The S-Ranked felon that they've been going after for over a year, from the time when they decided to destroy him along with his Sound-nins.
'There's no escaping this time, you snake bastard.' thought up Naruto.
CRAP! YOU'VE REACHED THE END OF THIS CHAPTER…WHAT A BUMMER. You probably hate me right about now, don't you? I know I would. It's very ironic really. Readers love the author in the beginning of an update, and then hates them when they reach a really good cliffy. Like this chapter for example. Well, you know the drill, RATE AND REVIEW. Wah ha ha ha ha ha ha! I think I finally crossed the 100,000 words mark.
Sneak Peek for next chapter:
Uzumaki Naruto's ANBU mask comes off, and the battle begins.
(Now that's over, I can finally move the best part I enjoy writing! The fighting!)