Hello again, man….my update periods are getting longer and longer. I don't think anything I could do to apologize except to write and post as soon as possible. I've typed and retyped this particular chapter over and over again. It was so nerve wrecking! I actually deleted one whole page feeling it was just off. There's an important announcement at the end of this chapter. I GREATLY APOLOGIZE to all those who had sent and those who had angrily waited for me to update.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Never did, never will. Masashi Kishimoto does.
Haruno Sakura narrowed her eyes. "You're not after Tsunade-shishou or Konoha! You're after Orochimaru! And…and…you're using Sasuke-kun as bait."
Hoshigaki Kisame. Uchiha Itachi. Akatsuki.
She had finally figured out the name of the organization that Sasuke's brother had joined. The missing piece that she needed in figuring what everyone was so concerned about. About wanted powerful shinobis, Kisame and Itachi being her only clue, and the fact that they had been around walking in Konoha as ANBU Sand-nins. Sakura had been busy trying to find anything that could relate to Sasuke and Naruto, when she and Kakashi were only members of Team 7 left in Konoha. She didn't knew, that she slowly but surely began to concentrate on studying her medical jutsus and spend less time in searching, when Sasuke had found half alive in front of the Konoha gates.
If she continued on researching, she could have found out the vital piece that could connect Akatsuki to Naruto.
Pakkun had to look up to the pink haired kunoichi, a bit flabbergasted by the sudden revelation. But that still didn't have any sort of effect on the shadow clones, thinking they'd just kill her and be done with it. Sakura clenched her two fists tightly, feeling the fingernails as if they were trying their way through her black gloves. She tried to look as strong as she could, glare through one of the shadow clones that were standing in front of her.
"Get out of my way." said Sakura warningly, overlooking whether if he's an S-Ranked felon or not.
Still no movement from any of the shadow clones. Sakura wasn't going to put up with this, and the shadow clones knew it. Her green eyes had more determination than ever.
"Pakkun, climb onto my back and hold on." said Sakura without looking down at the brown shinobi dog. "Or you could just go. I don't want to accidentally hurt you."
Kakashi's summoning understood hearing the utter seriousness of Sakura's tone. He'd seen what the kunoichi could do with those hands of hers on their missions over the time when Team 7 started receiving missions again. Kakashi had told to stick by their side in checking the ANBU Leaf-nins, and he done just that. Sticking by her side right now would prove to be a hindrance, and Pakkun didn't want that.
"You may be right, just be careful. " Pakkun gave a few last words of thought before exploding into smoke.
Tsunade's apprentice slammed down the floor without warning, trying to catch the shadow clones by surprise. Nearby shadow clones had to jump in the air while those at the back backed away a few steps. Sakura swiftly took a piece of the shattered concrete floor, and hurled it through the mid-air shadow clones. Naruto's shadow clones from the side path of the hurling stone concrete pulled the other shadow clones out the path by their cloaks. They all landed, with the crackling sound of the thrown piece of concrete at the end of the corridor wall that turns right. Not a single one were unharmed, and were still surrounding Sakura, with none of them appeared to be leaving this or any time around.
'Damn, since they couldn't move in mid-air, the other just pulls those out of the way.' scowled Sakura inwardly.
Sakura still glared at them, not expecting that things would just easily turn out like this. These were just shadow clones of what she thought was an Akatsuki member, and she couldn't lay a finger on them. They were toying with her, thinking she was weak. Not to being able to handle only one shadow clone. Now, Tsunade's apprentice was gritting her teeth, hating this feeling.
"I'm warning you," hissed Sakura through the gritted teeth. "Get out of my way."
They could see growing determination, and then one of the Sand ANBU captain's clones stepped forward.
Sakura had long decided to become a kunoichi that didn't just sit at the sidelines, while everyone else fought hard. That was way back when she faced the three Sound-nins in the Forest of Death. That wasn't enough. She was determined more than ever, when she felt how weak she was when her teammates, close friends, left one by one three year ago. Naruto. Sasuke. But the young Uchiha had come back, unknowingly against his will, and she was grateful. She remembered how right Tsunade was.
"You never know what you have until you lose It." said Tsunade sagelyAll she needed now was another teammate of hers to come back.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Way." Sakura gritted her teeth, giving her last warnings. The Sand-nin standing before must have studied all the things they can about her, knowing that she's the apprentice of a Legendary Sannin that was at the same time a Hokage. She didn't expect that they'd follow her words because the shadow clones retreated to the sides. They fazed into the wall, actually turning back into shadows and disappear. It was all too easy until she saw one Sand-nin shadow clone remained behind.
The shinobi sandals slid partly on the ground and making a stop as the Naruto clone blocked the pathway Sakura was heading to. All the other shadow clones melted and reverted back into shadows before completely disappearing from view.
"Don't underestimate me, ugly." called Sakura to Naruto behind the demon mask. She hated a lot of things, and one of them was someone underestimating her. Looking down at what women are capable of, not considering them a threat. Weak.
The clone stood quite, complaining inwardly. 'I'm not, but I would say that I have overestimated you, bitch.'
The Naruto clone was deep down complaining, why out of all the other shadow clones he was the one left to handle the pink haired annoyance. Everyone would think that he would use the real Uchiha Sasuke as bait. Asami and Kisame thought he was, since he didn't want to badly beat the Uchiha hard on the night spar last night before dinner.
Nobody else knew this except Kyuubi, but Naruto got the idea in luring out Orochimaru using a transformed Uchiha Sasuke came from fishing. He met Lady Chiyo once in some special underground room where there was actually a well, and she and her brother were fishing. His curiosity got the better of him when he saw what the two elder Sand-nins were using as bait. He never did have any idea what fishing was, just saying that it looked just plain boring. Just sitting and letting time pass. He thought fishing was just tying a worm as bait to a line and threw it into the water hoping that any fish would come by. His first time seeing a fish bait led him to an interesting activity that he would occasionally in spending his spare time with the two elder Sand-nins once in a week.
There were no people to come and bother them. So Naruto was fine with that activity.
"Don't expect me to be surprised or scared when I heard you call by my full name, whoever you are." said the young Konoha kunoichi.
Recalling the very first day where Team 7 and the Sand ANBU elite team on the streets of Konoha. Everyone was left frozen in fear when this demon masked ANBU released his killing intent. How he said something loud enough for only her to hear. The status of someone she thought was a stranger knowing her name didn't confuse her. Sakura was well known as Tsunade's apprentice through out Konoha, and he being a Sand-nin knowing her name wasn't that hard to figure out. Temari probably told several Sand-nins about her in Suna.
The clone really wished that the real Naruto out there somewhere was going to call him off. He got his orders. The clone was glad that he could finally vanish out of existence rather than to be spending another second with his former teammate.
"Whatever. I'm off, " the clone retreated back into the wall he came out from, his features melting back into shadows.
The clone sounded both bored and glad, Haruno Sakura couldn't believe what she just heard. She lunged forward with her fist. A fingerless gloved hand grew back out from the wall and snatched the wrist before the knuckles could touch anything. The grip tightened to a point that Sakura couldn't attempt another attack, bending down slightly.
"Don't, " warned the Naruto clone coldly as his head lowered, "Apprentice or not, whether I'm only a clone or not, I don't care. Don't push your luck against me, especially when you very well know that your mentor is the famous 'Legendary Sucker'."
The clone let go of the hold, the hands backing away as if he had touched something foul. He was grimacing and bored a moment ago, and now he was fuming madly when she had tried to attack him just he had left her a clear passage way.
Only the very red demon mask and hood hadn't disappeared into the wall as a shadow. "Why don't you go into the arms of your precious Uchiha? Instead of wasting your time here. Believe me, I don't want to spend my time with you just as you do. The feeling's mutual. Go look for the real Uchiha Sasuke, that is if you have realized Sa-su-ke-kun earlier was only bait."
Sakura's left hand glowed in green charka, healing the lingering pain at her wrists. She was wondering why she was trusting every word the shadow clone. She was pleased when she heard and understood that Sasuke he saw down earlier wasn't her Sasuke. She got up, the pain was gone. But panic and worry ensnared her heart and mind once more, where was the real Uchiha Sasuke? Is he hurt? Had they captured him, putting him away for her to search like it was a sick entertainment for them?
"Where's is…." Sakura didn't finish, realizing she was now all alone at the corridor.
Naruto walked slowly towards the rectangular barrier, with Asami and Kisame following not too far behind. The Sand-nins and Anko watched from the top box as their ANBU elites appeared like they were just strolling their way leisurely with no worry. Including with the fact that there was Kakashi and the two groups of ANBU Leaf-nins waiting close to the barrier. They would meet, sooner or later.
"Don't look them in the eyes or better yet, just close your eyes." said Kakashi. "Rely on your other senses."
All the ANBU Leaf-nins understood what he meant, as an Uchiha could be one of them, in countering any illusionary skill. The most powerful of genjutsu and mental attacks such as killing intents are mainly achieved through eye contact. Three ANBU Leaf-nins drew out their katana that hung from their backs. Kisame quickened his pace, cutting ahead Naruto while showing Samehada.
The ANBU captain wasn't going to waste his time meddling with some ANBU Leaf-nins when he had Orochimaru just waiting right in there. Naruto released his killing intent, trying to paralyze Kakashi and the rest of the Leaf-nins in fear. They found themselves mustering all their energy in trying to move. Asami and Kisame were a bit apprehensive with the huge amount of killing as they always do. All thanks to a departed Akatsuki member, Fuusetsu Raetsu, that was the only known Snow-nin to ever be registered as an S-Ranked felon in the bingo book. Uchiha Itachi was charged for the massacre of the Uchiha, while Hoshigaki Kisame was charged for killing some important landlords and planning to destroy other countries. Asami's father was charged too, for a higher offence.
The Uchiha killed his clan, however the Fuusetsu killed almost every single Snow-nin in the northern country. Itachi spared only his little brother, while Raetsu spared only a few academy students. Kisame only planned, but Raetsu actually did it. A Snow-nin who taught Naruto about freezing let it be water, emotions, or as to what was right now: the enemies. Kakashi and the Konoha ANBU had managed to block a part of the killing intents' effects. To find themselves struggling in moving like their entire bodies were dragged down by weights, they could put on a fight.
The tall Sand-nin brought up Samehada in level with one of the ANBU Leaf-nin's neck, teasing as how completely vulnerable every one of them were. Naruto was about to take a step when he remained in his place. Asami and Kisame did the same, seeing as the sudden interruption in the air. Green leaves were falling out suddenly; the nearest tree on the field was meters away, and began to blow in a circular motion in mimicking a small faint twister. Of all the Leaf-nins right now…the Kyuubi vessel would rather face anyone else but her.
'Tsunade-obaa-chan...' presumed Naruto.
Back in the top box, the young Sand-nins were wondering as to what exactly was going on down there. They couldn't figure out why the ANBU Leaf-nins doing nothing while the three Sand-nins were walking past them.
Hirami looked around for any sign of her other teammate, "I was wondering, where's that Takagi? It'd be a shame if he's not here."
"He's probably still in the infirmary, or may be he's unconscious along with the Leaf medic-nins that didn't realize the incoming genjutsu. That or may be the Leaf-nins got him, torturing and interrogating him as we speak." suggested Chiro.
"May be he had beaten all the Leaf-nins that were in his away." suggested Takagi. The tired Sand-nin was leaning against the wall, and was enjoying seeing Chiro's annoyed face.
"Eh? I thought you were brought to the infirmary." said Hirami.
"And here I am, not in the infirmary." replied Takagi.
"Don't tell me you really beat some Leaf-nins on the way here," pouted Chiro. He realized something after a moment. "Wait, how did you know to go here in the first place?"
Takagi thought that Chiro would've assumed the obvious, but said it anyway. "The same way all of us did, you're not the only Sand-nin that got escorted by Oni taicho's shadow clones."
"How bad did that Waterfall-nin hurt you?" asked Hirami, seeing all the blood stains that were on her teammate's Chuunin vest.
"Nothing too serious. Oh, by the way, thank you so much for that blood pill." turned Takagi to Kabuto.
"Glad to help," replied Kabuto.
"So we're about to see a public execution?" asked Chiro, grasping upon the idea that Naruto was at least after one of the shinobis at the field.
"You should pay more attention, the monster that's going to die down there was the one that killed Sandaime Kazekage. The monster would be that Grass-nin standing in front of the Uchiha." answered Baki.
Kabuto felt a bit blameworthy since he was there when Orochimaru and Kimimaro killed the Kazekage.
"So I faced one of the Legendary Sannin back in the preliminary matches?" caught on Chiro.
His face showed that his brain was slowly processing the appropriate idea in response to the sudden fact. Hirami and Takagi look forward to seeing him fainting anytime soon, after walking out alive from the missing-nin that had took the life on their Kazekage.
"Then my match wasn't counted! There's still hope for me to pass the Jounin exam, right?" cheered Chiro.
The young Sand-nin was going to Anko, but Baki pulled him back by the collar of his Chuunin vest. A swirling of sand informed the surrounding Sand-nins and Anko of the arrival of the Kazekage. Gaara soon materialized right in the middle of the top box, between the disheveled broken chairs. He was no longer garbed in the blue and white formal robes, but in very dark maroon shinobi clothing. With smaller sand brown leather, identical a Sand ANBU's own, strapped front and behind of his chest. Two fastening straps each on his sides, while only one went over his left shoulder. Under the armor like leather was his turtle necked dark maroon shinobi, trailing down and splitting like Morino Ibiki's own. The long pants were the same, average black and his sandals were dark blue. Of course, his get-up wouldn't be complete without his trademark. The large gourd completely made out of sand that was on his back.
He was in his typical pose, his hands crossed over his chest.
"Kazekage-sama." acknowledged the Sand-nins. Only Anko didn't do anything.
Gaara soon became aware of the recent changes that had taken place when he was gone off in explaining to Tsunade. There was a trail of wrecked seats, a decimated wall and ceiling to the left side, fallen debris from the crater like crack in the wall, and Anko's presence among the Sand-nins. He didn't need to fill on what the wreckage was all about, truth to be told he expected they'd be more damage.
He kept his eye on Anko, to which Kabuto explained. "Our taicho (captain) had to bring her out before that shielding jutsu could be performed."
"You don't want to be down there?" said Gaara.
Anko heard him, continue on looking at the Grass kunoichi that was Orochimaru who still hadn't made a budge. She had most of her attention on Orochimaru, while the three young Chuunins look fiercely at her since she was being rude by not replying.
Gaara stepped to the front and immediately had his eyes on his three elite Sand-nins. He knew that the Fifth Hokage was going to teleport down in between the ANBU Sand-nins and the Leaf-nins.
"You told her everything, Gaara-sama?" asked Kabuto.
"The most important matters," answered the Shukaku vessel, making out the small whirling leaves in front of the ANBU Leaf-nins in which Tsunade was teleporting herself. "There were a lot of events that he felt it was best if he and the hermit told her in person. I explained what we both thought was the most important at hand, which was the current status of Akatsuki. "
This caught Anko's interest, she turned her head in letting them know that she also curious as to what was going on.
"You," stated Gaara as he side glanced to the Leaf kunoichi, "are coming down with me to your Hokage. She would want that."
"Does she know? Someone as her caliber would easily figure out our dear captain's identity." guessed Kabuto.
"...She knows, " nodded Gaara.
Kankurou winced, "Oh boy, that doesn't sound good."
"Things could get much worse." added Temari.
"And it is, Jiraiya-sama is heading down there as we speak." said Kabuto.
The said Sannin could already be seen jumping down from the stairs of the stadium with only Shizune following by his side. Kabuto and Gaara thought that they should go down too. Three ANBU Sand-nins came out forward to Gaara, but the Kazekage just slight held out his hand.
"There will be no need." gestured Gaara.
"We better be quick, Gaara-sama," said Kabuto.
Hearing that, Gaara, Kabuto, and Anko disappeared into explosions of smoke.
More shinobis had arrived when Naruto, Asami, and Kisame in front of the ANBU Leaf-nins led by Kakashi. The Fifth Hokage was the first to come out of nowhere by using the Shunshin no Jutsu (Body Flicker Technique), between Naruto and one ANBU Konoha shinobi. A flashy move in announcing one's arrival just like Sasuke and Kakashi did in the Chuunin exam just before Sasuke was going to fight Gaara. First, she saw the large violet rectangular barrier that meant Orochimaru was inside and Gaara was right. If that was right, everything else he said must have been true.
Being a very smart and talented kunoichi, she understood a lot of lessons and events in her life. And there were a few events in her life that she didn't quickly accept. It was the deaths of her little brother, Nawaki, and lover, Dan. Presently, she could accept the possibility of knowing that Naruto was wearing that demon mask. Doubting, this person before her couldn't be him. He was tall, to grow this tall and built like a young adult was the first argument she could think of. Tsunade didn't do anything else except staring right at Naruto from the instant she was there before Naruto. Naruto himself was doing the exact thing, knowing that this day would come. Kisame turned between the two blondes, the Kyuubi vessel would truly hurt him if the Samehada wielder said anything. He still had the sharkskin sword close to the ANBU Leaf-nin's neck, and apparently Tsunade was too focused on Naruto.
Naruto knew this moment would come sooner or later. It's just that he wished that the later, the better.
Shizune came in, shouted out. "Tsunade-sama!"
"Tsunade! Wait! Just wait! Hear me out! They're not a threat." called out Jiraiya frantically in arrival. He put one hand on Tsunade's shoulder.
Jiraiya got the impression that she knew about his activities that he'd been keeping a secret for her and any Konoha shinobi for the past three years. She appeared heartbroken. Betrayed. "Tsunade?"
"Why? All this time, why didn't you tell me?" asked Tsunade in a very restrained voice. Her hands tightly clenched into fists, her nails already digging into the skin of her palms.
"Wha…?" Jiraiya didn't fully catch what she meant.
"I'M NOT IN THE MOOD FOR YOUR STUPIDITY RIGHT NOW, JIRAIYA! YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" exploded Tsunade with a few veins popping on the topside of her face.
This startled all the ANBU Leaf-nins, Kakashi, Asami, Kisame, and Naruto himself. For Kisame, this narrowly caused him to accidentally have Samehada nearly graze the ANBU Leaf-nin's neck. Being surprised, the surrounding Konoha shinobis were also wondering what she meant. Kakashi never felt this much confused ever in his life, especially all of this in one day.
'I'm really starting to understand why Naruto likes her.' agreed Asami. The fifty-three year old man was a Legendary Sannin, however he was a super perverted and annoying man nonetheless.
Gaara, Kabuto, and Anko had come into the scene.
'Why don't we just everyone here down since everyone just keep popping up?' thought Kisame in observation.
An angered Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura came out after explosions of smoke behind their Hokage. He was conscious of another Sasuke standing inside the barrier, which confused some of the Konoha shinobi at the seats. There were two of them, one of them being a clone and bait. They were relieved to see that the Uchiha prodigy was still out from Orochimaru's reach. The spectators could make out the group of shinobis of two villages as two sides in a stand off, the Sand-nins easily outnumbered.
Naruto. Tsunade. Sasuke. Gaara. Shizune. Jiraiya. Sakura. Kisame. Anko. Asami. Kabuto. Kakashi was slowly being able to move.
The Shukaku vessel turned on one of his ANBU elites, and decided to relieve the tension a bit,
"Put that away." said Gaara towards Kisame.
Kisame didn't disobey, grimacing slightly, and pulled back the sword safely away from the Leaf-nin. Kakashi, Shizune, Sakura, and Sasuke were astonished because upon what they thought of an Akatsuki member obeying the Kazekage's words.
"I can't believe this. The both of you!" shouted Tsunade once more.
Upon hearing, Kakashi and his two Chuunins would've agreed with their Hokage since everyone just wanted as to what is really going on. For one, Kabuto was on their side and was assisting these people who are Akatsuki members. Second, the idea of the Akatsuki members pledging their allegiance or somewhat working as Sand-nins baffled them. The best idea Kakashi could come up with was that the Akatsuki members were after Naruto. But that was proved wrong when Jiraiya came in. So Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke had presumed that she was referring to Jiraiya and Gaara.
"Tsunade, calm down. Calm down. I know you're pissed and everything, I know I would. But just wait. " said Jiraiya with both hands up to the level of shoulders.
Before Tsunade could start shouting again, Naruto gave a long sigh of defeat. He knew she'd figure it out before Gaara could even tell her. That was a bad idea, what the hell was he thinking when he told Gaara. But if thinking over, it would be worse if Tsunade was still present from the very beginning of the plan, and thought that Suna was up for war.
"I'll tell you, only after this is over. " said Naruto in his usual tone, not stern cold or anything that Kisame would say mimicking Itachi's. Orochimaru was still the top priority.
Kakashi, Sakura, Sasuke, and the Leaf-nins just got more puzzled.
"For now, I don't want any Leaf-nin interfering," added Naruto, just when Tsunade thought he was finished.
Tsunade could feel that Jiraiya was feeling guilty right behind her, and that Naruto had his reasons. Tsunade rose up her left hand, "Everyone, pull back."
"But Tsunade-shishou!" stuttered Sakura in protest.
The only thing the Fifth Hokage did in return was giving a fierce look at her. During the three years of Sakura learning under the Sannin, she'd rarely seen her teacher glaring at her like that. The ANBU Leaf-nins obeyed without a second to waste as all of them retreated back into the stadium.
There was still Kakashi, Sasuke, Sakura, Jiraiya, and Shizune left behind. Tsunade expected that they'd remain behind, since these were the few shinobis that would sometimes ignore her words. One of those times was apparently now.
"Rebelling as ever, eh Sasuke-kun?" spoke Kabuto with a sweet smirk.
"I knew you were still alive after all this time." replied the Uchiha, with his blood-limit Sharingan activated. "But to see you here with the Sand, did you suck up to them like you always do?"
"Before all of us leave," announced Tsunade with a sound of threat, not wanting any of her Leaf-nins to be disobeying her this time, that she and everyone else would be leaving, "I want to be sure of one thing from you."
Naruto didn't say a word in return.
Tsunade knew he was deep down still the same, but she couldn't shake off all the doubts she felt now. "Do you still hate them?"
The still clueless Leaf-nins had their instincts keep telling them that somehow they knew who this person was. It was just at the back of their heads, but they just can't figure it out. Naruto's eyes roamed around to all possible angles without moving his neck, with the inhabitants of Konoha sitting all around. The civilians and few fresh Genins were all still unconscious from Kabuto's genjutsu.
The blue eyes finally stopped on Sakura, he didn't want to lie to her. Not this time. "Yeah, I still do. Old Hag."
Tsunade didn't react the way Sakura, Shizune, Kakashi, or Sasuke thought she would. In fact, she actually raised a smiled with her lips after not hearing anyone call her by that name for a long time. Kisame on the other end was trying to hold back, resulted with only by beaming safely behind the mask. Asami knew that he was smiling, so she elbowed him lightly just above his elbows although she was actually smiling herself.
Sakura was trying to contain herself, but managed to say through clenched jaws. "How dare you…"
Shizune had brought her right hand over her mouth, shocked to hearing and recognizing someone calling her with such familiarity. Why Tsunade actually smiled upon such rudeness. Kakashi was slower, but he caught on.
"We'll talk later, old hag. I mean you've already waited three years, several minutes wouldn't matter right?" joked Naruto in a rapid change of personality.
'He can really change between moods,' Jiraiya rolled his eyes.
"Come on, all of you. Pull back." commanded Tsunade.
Sasuke and Sakura were still oblivious, but they followed anyways with everyone retreating back into the seated areas. Kakashi was now wary of Jiraiya, he was going to confront him right when they stopped. Kakashi confronted the two of the legendary three. Gaara gave a last look on Naruto before he and Kabuto left back towards his fellow awaiting Sand-nins. Temari and Kankurou were probably waiting for him to explain what had just happened. Baki and the rest might be curious too.
The group of Leaf-nins went to one part of the stadium, where apparently Team Gai was assigned to guard that place. Neji, Lee, and Tenten along with other Leaf-nins present there wanted to know the current situation. The split second everyone had landed there, Kakashi confronted the very man that had taught the Yondaime Hokage.
"Care to shed some light about the current status of one of my students?" asked the silver haired Jounin in a not so friendly manner. "Last time I remember, you said that you would take care of him. I left Naruto under your care knowing it was for the best. Instead-"
"I did what I had to. A lot has happened and you might very well get hear every one of them from him." interrupted Jiraiya.
Tsunade was a bit angry with the Sannin herself. However, she knew if she wanted to know the whole story, it would be much easier if she heard from the both Jiraiya and Naruto. Hatake Kakashi still hasn't relinquished his gaze on Jiraiya, one normal eye with the Sharingan on the left against Jiraiya's black eyes. For Sasuke and Sakura, this was one time that they could get some idea as to where as the blonde shinobi.
"He took a turn for the worse, Kakashi, and that's only a mild way of putting It." replied Jiraiya honestly. "I did everything I could to help him. You don't know what has happened."
"And that's why we're having this conversation, so what happened?" asked Kakashi, narrowing his eyes.
Shizune looked apprehensively at the Fifth Hokage, whether she or Tsunade herself would break it up. The Slug summoner just shook her head, waving her hand off dismissively.
Tsunade wasn't going to stop the two Leaf-nins. In fact, she thought that she could get some information out as to what exactly happened. Naruto had said that he will be explaining to her, she believed he will, but it wasn't wrong to know hear out anything from their talk.
" Look, it's very complicated. Sometimes I even ask myself why everything that has happened during all time is so messed up. Believe me, if you hear it, you wouldn't believe it. Took me sometime to fully understand it." Jiraiya
"Tell me what exactly happened. Right now." continued on Kakashi.
"You should hear everything from him, not me. So you'll just have to wait, Kakashi." replied the Toad Hermit, not bothering with Kakashi's anger-restrained tone.
The bristly white haired Sannin let out a long exasperated sigh, sitting on the stairs. 'Hasn't this become the most vexing week of my life. You really OWE me, kid.'
Kakashi gave a fleeting look of doubt at the Sannin, wondering this in fact was the real Jiraiya or somehow he had been brainwashed by Akatsuki or something. After what he had experienced today, anything was possible. The idea of Akatsuki members obeying Gaara the Kazekage was absurd, but it had happened before his eyes. As of now, those eyes were keeping watch on the Suna ANBU captain.
Uzumaki Naruto gave a last inspection of the whole battleground, and was actually pleased that Orochimaru's scapegoats didn't take the whole place to put up the Shishi Enjin. As demanded, there were no Leaf-nin anywhere around. There were only three ANBU Sand-nins, Itachi, Orochimaru, and the four wandering shinobis. Kisame and Asami were waiting for Naruto to start up his recently created Jutsu; the one that took him the longest time to complete. The fact that it was supposedly to be only a side project, something that he would only spent his time on whenever he was extremely bored.
He no longer suppressed his own blue chakra, and the usual effects came in. The rush of wind blew the surrounding loose dirt around him for only a moment. All the Hyuuga shinobi within the stadium that had activated their Byakugan shut their eyes from the sudden burst. Kisame and Asami decided that they might as well give all they got in fighting Orochimaru. The Leaf-nins and Sand-nins felt as if the air from the field was pushing against them with what felt like inhumane chakra quantities.
"Their chakra reserves are far higher than Naruto's," mentioned Neji. "So this is Akatsuki."
Naruto's chakra reserve was what he knew as the highest out of everyone he met since his first sitting of the Chuunin exam.
Asami and Kisame observed the tall violet barricade, and they would've followed Naruto on if he didn't signal his hands to stay put. Two of the four rogue shinobis got to see him while the other two faced the opposite sides. To say that they weren't the least disturbed from the time he gave out the killing intent to the Leaf-nins would be a lie.
At this point, Naruto had the attention of the spectators in the stadium. The attention he had once used to crave from back then. Then was then, now was now. Right now, he just wanted to kill off his target and be done his business with Konoha. Naruto threw back his sand brown cloak over the back of his shoulders, mimicking a cape, leaving him with unobstructed mobility of both of his hands. His action of biting his thumb to give out some blood had the Leaf-nins and the Sand-nins above at the top box confirmed that he was going for a summoning technique.
Almost all the viewers thought that his further actions would only leave him with two probabilities. He was probably going to summon an animal or an object. Asami, Kisame, and Kabuto's theory was narrowed down to the last one.
The demon masked ANBU spread the splotch of his blood onto the end of all his fingers. Instantaneously, he no longer suppressed his normal chakra and in turn shocked all the Hyuuga Leaf-nin who still had their Byakugan activated.
Naruto didn't slam both palms out wide onto the surface of the earth, being he wasn't going to summon only one thing. He brought his two hands together, much like how he used to practice performing the third level Rasengan in practice. Both of his thumbs were closed together, while the other fingers opened out. He dug all nine points of blood deep into the ground effortlessly, like it was nothing more but sand.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning technique)."
The writings that would usually form out like a web began to spread out through the edges of the large circular battleground. Ending with the smoky explosions at every point where the trail of writings ended at the edge of the battleground. Soon enough, the earth beneath shook to the point that the spectators could feel the concrete floor beneath them tremble. They could hear it out loud but barely see large shadowy figures from inside the smoke erupting from the ground all around. The smoke of debris coming from the various points swept through out the battle arena, now totally obscuring Orochimaru's line of defense and the ANBU elites from view.
Tsunade watched in anticipation, just like everyone was, as the bothersome hindrance cleared. All of them could slowly make out the silhouettes of several large figures now surrounding the Shishi Enjin. They didn't know what it was until all of the smoke was gone. The Leaf-nins were left speechless thinking their heart just skipped a beat, whereas others just stared in astonishment as to what now stood still like pillars.
There were all statues of the tailed beasts.
All nine perfectly arranged around the battleground, looking like huge tombstones, and they appeared that they were made out of stone.
Each and every one of them grandly stood only fifteen feet tall, facing the seats of the spectators. It was just like the sanctified statues of all the previous Kazekage that were placed in the council meeting room. It was the place where the current Kazekage, council members, jurists, and head clans would occasionally together. In front of the Kazekage statues, no disrespect was to be shown and everyone was allowed to voice their opinions as to what to be best for their home.
"Kakashi, is that what I think it is?" asked an ANBU Leaf-nin who had the opportunity in working the man of a thousand Jutsus.
Jiraiya looked nervously at Tsunade, who was already looking at him in waiting for him to explain. He was sweating, giving a nervous smile. "Uh…he decided to get more in touch with his inner self? Aha ha….."
The large head had a feline look, more of a cat; with its lower jaw opening out wide like it would simply break. The whole statue was comprised with bloodcurdling looking features. Its bony muzzle, large tethered sculptured ears, with huge eyeballs bulging madly from its sockets, and large tongue out to the side of its mouth. Its tongue sticking out and crossed eyes made it appear like it was insane, but at the same time dead. The two tailed, or Kyuubi would call recognize as the twin tailed, was a cat. Nekomata, known for its deathly characteristics was a cat that looked like road kill. The bony skeletal cat structure was standing out on an altar with its hind legs. Lines upon lines of intricate seals could be seen at the altar.
"It's one of the tailed beasts." confirmed Kakashi in looking down.
"Like Kyuubi?" asked Sakura.
"A tailed beast." repeated Tsunade. She knew there were other statues like this one, all nine in total no doubt. "Large demonic monsters that contain massive amounts of chakra. They're nothing like monstrous summonings you've learned about in the academy. Each one has a different number of tails, and there are nine of them in total.…I don't think I have to tell you that Kyuubi is one of them."
"Nine of them…." dreaded Tenten.
The Sand-nins were more occupied in watching the Shukaku statue that was aligned between Nekomata and Kyuubi. The statues weren't exactly big enough in reaching all the way for the audiences to get a close look. Chiro leaned forward over the railing, Baki grabbing by his Chuunin vest once again to stop him from falling. He had never seen the real exact form of Shukaku before. Silly caricatures in storybooks or the blank inky painted illustrations in scrolls.
Hunched slightly, small pointy ears, bigger lower jaw, large long clawed hands, short hind legs, a bulging stomach, and one large tail. This was the demon of the desert, Ichibi no Shukaku. Well, a statue but certainly life looking. The nine tailed fox demon took a good look on his statue through Naruto's eyes. Some of the people screamed from where the Kyuubi statue was facing towards them.
'You've got my looks down well. But don't think I'm praising you brat, because you didn't get my good side' said Kyuubi to Naruto.
For Naruto, that was the best praise he could get from the demon fox.
Shikamaru on the far side ran to the side so he could get a better view of the whole battlefield below. The conscious spectators panicked while others tried to remain calm. These were just statues, and Shikamaru really thought it was dumb for them to act like this. Luckily, the al inexperienced civilians still lay unconscious in their seats. The Shadow binder ignored the rest and kept his eyes on the very shinobi that had started all of this. The ANBU captain was currently clasping his hands together, now releasing out chakra everywhere.
The electric blue chakra being released was being discharged, shooting out towards the Shukaku statue. The stream of chakra didn't stop there as it then rebounded of the one tailed beast, and traveled to the second. Third. Fourth. Fourth. Fifth. Sixth. Seventh. Eight. The chakra finally reached the Kyuubi statue and returned to the Shukaku statue, making a complete ring around the field. The bright energy then suddenly ricochets off the nine statues into the sky, over the Shishi Enjin, now making a dome shape. The vigilant Leaf-nins, Sand-nins, and few Waterfall-nins watched as the chakra began to travel haphazardly.
The very earth where the ring of chakra was seen began to crumble, as it seems that the chakra began to dive right into the earth. It rocketed out from another point of the statue before diving down, gaining speed each it shot again. Soon, the chakra was swirling around in a rapid pace forming what visibly should be a sphere.
"I can't believe it…no wonder he…" murmured Jiraiya in amazement. 'He actually finished it.'
Tsunade turned to the long whit haired shinobi, "Could that possibly be what I think it is?"
Jiraiya didn't give a nod or shook. He was just surprised as she was.
He thought this was another one of Naruto's most preposterous ideas. Naruto told this one would work just like his other seal inventions. Jiraiya knew better that Naruto had surprised him over and over, but for him to achieve such feat. It was impossible or takes a much more considerable amount to come up with something like this. He had done it once again. The whole thing was actually a shell what could be a gargantuan Rasengan, right before his eyes, performed by the help of the intricate seals written on the nine statues. The shell was just the outer part of the Rasengan, always retaining the force and power of the continuous spiraling chakra. Right now, he was using it to act as a barrier, Jiraiya considered this to be a far better blockade jutsu than Orochimaru's own.
Kakashi, Sasuke, and the Hyuuga shinobis could see the sphere shaped chakra with their Doujutsu (Eye Technique). For everyone else, they would be only the half part of the sphere since the other half was underground.
'Why? Why is it that you have all this power?' cursed Sasuke with jealousy inwardly. He knew even without using Kyuubi, he had seen just got a brief demonstration just how high his chakra was without the demon. Right now he didn't care why Naruto was the Sand-nin or going with Akatsuki, he only thought why Naruto just keep on far stronger,
Performing the Rasengan only needed an amount of chakra where everything else was control. The molded chakra is spun, powered, and retained. They were the reasons why Jiraiya said the technique was stronger than a Chidori (Thousand Birds). Kakashi's technique needed a lot of chakra focused to point into cutting, but the Fourth's technique gets its more destructive power from the control of chakra, to retain the grinding power.
Both Jiraiya and Naruto could just as easily perform the Rasengan multiple times to what Kakashi or Sasuke could ever do their Chidori.
"It's another barrier jutsu."
"They decided to make their own little confinement since they're going to destroy through the first wall?" said a newly recruit ANBU Leaf-nin.
Another ANBU Leaf-nin just crossed his arms, "They really don't want anyone to interfere,"
Kakashi knew better, "Barrier techniques serve only two purposes; to block anyone from coming in and to block anyone from coming out."
"Their main purpose is to not let Orochimaru running away." figured out Sakura. "What's going to happen after they're done, Tsunade-shishou? I mean…just who you were talking to back then?"
Tsunade couldn't fully Naruto as to why was he was behaving all that time before he left. She, Shizune, and Jiraiya noticed something was wrong with Naruto after he returned from retrieving Sasuke. Shizune was the first to realize it, when he was cleared from the hospital. The Kyuubi vessel became withdrawn and subtle, which was unlike him. That was when she talked with Jiraiya and Tsunade.
Shizune gave a fleeting look at Kakashi, fully absorbed to the action. She did tell Kakashi if he also had noticed something was wrong which he did. But he was focused on Sasuke, who wouldn't, he had to give a lot more talking with him after that escapade. Hatake Kakashi did find him, after a hard time of finding him since Naruto was avoiding him, and half-heartedly agreed when Jiraiya said he'd take care of Naruto. Back then, Akatsuki was still a problem.
Kakashi was wondering as to who was the other unknown Akatsuki member. He had checked the bingo books yesterday and there was no clear evidence of an S-Ranked wanted Snow kunoichi. There were the possibilities she gained power through out the years, Fuusetsu Raetsu had a daughter or student, or she just wasn't registered in Snow Country's bingo books. Of course, it could be all of them.
Sasuke and Kakashi watched on, with their Sharingan at the prospect below. Jiraiya gave a pat on the sliver haired Jounin's back. "Don't waste your chakra, Kakashi, you very well know it's pointless."
"What's pointless?" asked Shizune.
"That barrier renders the Sharingan and the Byakugan useless," answered Jiraiya, knowing the few features Naruto said if the seal was successful.
Uchiha Sasuke heard him, but kept on looking with his Sharingan.
Haruno Sakura looked him suspiciously, "How do you know?"
"Explain in detail. After what you've done for the past three years, I want to hear you speak everything in detail from now on." commented Tsunade.
"How do I say this…well, that wall is purely made of chakra, in which what Byakugan and the Sharingan being the Doujutsu (eye technique) that are able to see. I don't think I have to explain further that, Tsunade." said the Toad Hermit.
Jiraiya waited for Tsunade to process the idea and figure it out. She always had been cleverer than him since they were under Sarutobi. She was impressed, Naruto was still cunning and resourceful as ever.
The Fifth Hokage explained it further for those who didn't understand, "You can't see chakra behind a wall of chakra. Simply enough, that chakra flowing out there is the exact chakra you would see inside the chakra circulatory system. It's not converted into any other form, as its completely raw, and just having its flow controlled around. Identical to the Hyuuga clan's Kaiten so to speak."
Raw chakra is as the name states, in which they are basically unrefined, not converted. The chakra isn't changed into the elements of fire, water, wind, etc.
"But I thought everyone has their own distinct chakra, so the Sharingan and Byakugan should be able differentiate them, right?" asked the nearby Tenten.
"True," answered Jiraiya, whoever this girl was. "But the minor difference doesn't change much. To put it simple, if minor change was possible or significant, it's like a drop of water into a small puddle."
"Or finding stars during the day. Or may be a Leaf-nin in a crowd of his or her own shadow clones. Or a grain of sand in a sand box. Or-" barraged Lee enthusiastically, trying to help his teammate understand better.
"Lee, shut up already! I get it!" stopped Tenten.
"He's right, Tenten, I can barely make out their chakra paths." agreed Neji, even after using his blood-limit to zoom in. He didn't see Kyuubi's red chakra in the Sand ANBU captain since Naruto hasn't draw out any out of the fox's own limitless chakra reserve.
Sasuke still had his Sharingan activated, hoping that he could at least copy their moves.
"Tell him not to waste his time or chakra, Kakashi. Since you're looking at the works of a shinobi that resents the Sharingan." advised Jiraiya.
"You know quite a lot of things. Especially since you've react like you've seen this technique the first time. " commented Tenten, never seeing the Sannin before.
"Well of course, I'm the great Legendary Jiraiya. A master of seals. Live and travel as long as me, you will learn a lot." recovered Jiraiya perfectly.
"Jiraiya?" repeated Sakura, she turned her head between Tsunade and Jiraiya repeteadly, "Then where's Naruto?"
Lee was eager, Neji were curious as well, however Tenten only looked mildly interested as to the where abouts of the loud mouth blonde Genin. They heard he had gone to travel and train with the Sannin, Jiraiya. Logically, If this man was standing right here, he had returned to Konoha along with him.
'Not one of your best moves, Jiraiya.' spoke Jiraiya to himself in his mind. Tsunade was also waiting as t how he was going to answer this one.
The Leaf-nins were still waiting for an answer.
"Naruto? He's actually right here in this stadium, said something about giving a surprise. See if anyone of you can find him, though I don't think it will be easy. That boy has grown so much you know, he's hardly recognizable." answered Jiraiya frantically. 'He did age ahead by three years...'
All in all, he didn't say a lie. The Kyuubi vessel is in the stadium, standing right below to be specific, but in the stadium nonetheless. He would be making another great surprise, probably in appearance just as the Toad Hermit thought. Jiraiya knew he would, 'A great entrance always makes a good impression, you can use it to attract all the chicks around you. You can also scare your enemies half to death.'
Jiraiya perfectly remembered Naruto, Asami and Kisame bursting into laughter in return, where as Kabuto chuckled in seeing their antics. The Toad Hermit just somehow wished he could forget that.
"You have to admit, these Sand-nins look strong. Same like Gaara." commented Lee seriously.
Tsunade got a hunch that Jiraiya had most likely helped Naruto in creating the jutsu.. With her womanly instincts, she tried to figure out just what Naruto was doing with Akatsuki members. She knew the tall one was none other than Kisame and Naruto was behind the demon mask. The only fact she knew about Asami was that the Sand-nin was female shinobi, duh, she was fast, and could use ice type techniques.
Who as disguising as Sasuke?
"You call all of this a side project?" inquired Asami with a slow three hundred and sixty turn, observing each and every tailed beast pillar-like statues.
'If this is a side project, just what in nine hells does he have for his main projects?' thought up Kisame. He had to think about that later since Naruto had begun to move towards one corner of the Shishi Enjin.
Asami and Kisame gave chase, hearing Naruto's orders by time they caught up with their leader. Naruto had his eyes on the Rock-nin, his right hand's index finger was pointing to the right. Then he pointed both the index and middle finger out to the left. Kisame walked on to the right as Asami walked to the left.
"So it's decided then?" Kisame rotated and left to the pointed direction.
Naruto hadn't been specific, stirring Kisame further on, since that meant he was allowed to kill. Casualties that were either heavily wounded or plain dead were his favorite choices.
Kisame reached the other corner, finding himself a Mist-nin that was holding out on this side of the crook. He could see that the Mist-nin was trying his best to retain a confident and calm look. The nervous expression he now had was all due to the sudden appearance of the pillar-like demon statues.
"Well what do we have here?" smirked Kisame upon recognizing the insignia on the shinobi's forehead protector. "A Mist-nin."
The said shinobi tried to maintain his composure, trying to ignore the large sword user by shutting his eyes tight. Kisame took out Samehada, and slammed it into the ground deep enough for it to stand on its own. He turned between Samehada and the shinobi, "Do you recognize this sword?"
The asked shinobi gave a peek, and observed the large dark scaly sword with one eye. Realizing that he was safe as long as the wall stays like Orochimaru told, the Mist-nin decided to act tough. He replied. "You think I'm scared of you? What about it? If you actually called that piece of kitchen knife a sword."
"Oh…? Kitchen knife you say?" Kisame was going to savor the very short moment in killing this runt before him. "You came from Kirigakure?"
The shinobi retorted, "Isn't it obvious, you imbecile?"
Hoshigaki Kisame was really going to enjoy this day. He glanced at the shinobi's crotch and in a flash back at the face. "Last question, have you been circumcised?"
The shinobi thought that he heard what he just heard. "What?"
"No matter," Kisame seeing that face was amusing as it is. The shark ANBU mask began to change into crumbling sand, finely falling down like in an hourglass. Slowly, but surely, the Mist-nin could recognize what appeared to be gray skin. Then the eyes, frenzy looking as red blood capillaries crept out to the pupils, in which each had the three distinctive gill markings. The gill-like markings waved down over the cheekbones, with the last grains of sand gone. The serrated shark teeth exposed in the wide grin were the final feature that made him inhuman.
The Mist-nin was appalled. "…Who…what…are you?"
"Silly me, I should've introduce myself," chuckled Kisame, "Hoshigaki Kisame, former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. Right now, I'm going to be the man that's going to put an end to your miserable life."
The Sand-nin wasn't done yet, pulling the hood down, and then opened out his hand to Samehada. The 'Shark Skin' moved on its own into its owner's open hand at the same time cutting through ground. It began making its crunching sounds, "My Samehada is going to take pleasure in shredding and cutting you down in half."
"Samehada…?" trembled the Mist-nin, watching the mysterious sword seemed to be vibrating and crunching.
"You sound like you've never heard the name before," replied Kisame in a not so disappointingly tone, "I'm starting to doubt if you really are from Kiri. Oh well, I was just going to cut off your arms and legs."
"Forget I said that…I was going for the hands…. Nah…. just playing, I'm going to cut you in half one-way or another. Right from your left shoulder all the way down to the little birdie of yours." Kisame brought his Samehada down into a practicing motion millimeters off the barrier.
"Once Orochimaru-sama is done, he'll kill all of you." Mist-nin tried to sound brave.
Kisame laughed out loud, startling the Mist-nin in response. The Sand-nin recovered from his laughter, and pressed the receiver tied around his neck with his free hand. "Kabuto, you heard that? He said that snake's going kill all of us."
Yakushi Kabuto wasn't giving the response that Kisame hoped for. "I heard that. However, if you haven't notice, taicho's already been waiting for you to finish. So-"
"Be done with it already!" interrupted Asami in the line, being direct.
Kisame was waved off the anger being directed to him. "Keep your pants and panties on. I'm almost done here. Our taicho haven't said a word."
This was another event that was possible and sometimes occurred when Kisame would have his way with his preys. Naruto, Asami, Kisame, and Kabuto would always put up with each other's rather annoying and sometimes disturbing habits. Kabuto had his issue with dead bodies, jutsus in manipulating them. He used to be the right hand man to Orochimaru…Asami and Naruto had theirs, where either one would control or try to break the other's bad habit. Kisame had the so-called 'chopping enemies to death' problem in which, with great difficulty, manage to be tone down a bit. He enjoyed scaring people half to death and sees them in pain.
He was doing it, right now, terrifying and playing his prey.
So far, Naruto didn't say anything through the receiver, which meant he still had time. Unfortunately, the Mist-nin wasn't scared as he had hope for since the three's little chat through the communicators.
"A member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist? What a joke," smiled the Mist-nin in return. "No wonder each one of you left one by one. You can forget about laying a finger on me as long as this jutsu stands."
"This little wall? Let me tell you how things are going to happen the moment this wall disappears. How all four of scapegoats are going to die." Kisame now brought his face dangerously near the wall.
The Mist-nin was scared once more.
He jerked his head to his left, the direction where Naruto was facing a bald lanky Rock-nin, "Your friend over there will be breaking the jutsu. Then, YOU will be the quickest one to die as I shred you in half."
Kisame pointed his thumb to the right direction, where Asami was, "Right there, I'd say that shinobi there is going to have the least painful way of dieing."
Kisame couldn't really guess how Naruto was going to kill the two shinobis, may be he was going to use that flashy jutsu of his. 'He kills the most, and says I'm the lunatic swordsman, Bah!'
That was, until he saw another Naruto exploding into existence next to the real one. However, this one wasn't exactly identical because it already had clawed hands and was slouching like some caveman. He found what he was expecting to see pass behind the Mist-nin, another Naruto on the far side with a shinobi.
"Scratch that, the one far behind you is going to drop the jutsu. The one earlier will the last one to die. The last one and most painful way of dieing." corrected Kisame.
Asami's voice could be heard from the communicator, hanging down with only one earphone in Kisame's right ear. "You done talking! Because we're not got wait any longer."
"Okay, I'm done." replied Kisame cheerfully.
The renegade Mist-nin knew that this tall shinobi standing before him wasn't lying.
So they did, all four of them, cast the barrier on their rear to protect themselves from any attack coming from inside. Kisame held up his sword up high, ready to slice through the Mist-nin's body as mentioned.
Naruto made the chain of hand seals in a blur, then held out the final hand seal towards the middle aged Rock-nin. A hand seal that looked nothing similar to any of the twelve animals in the zodiac. Seeing such thing wasn't much of a surprise, since many other jutsus usually finish in some odd shape. Some just needed the very hand seal only. The few well recognizable examples was the famous Kage Bunshin, and the Yamanaka clan's Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transfer Technique).
Asami, Kisame, and Kabuto would know this one.
The large crowd of Leaf-nins and group of Sand-nins were anxious. The eager looking Sand Chuunins were waiting, and Baki was aware of it.
"I hope you three are prepared for this. Right now, you have two choices. Look or don't look." said Kankurou.
The young kunoichi and her two teammates didn't understand, true she had never killed another shinobi in any of her missions so far. She had seen her Jounin instructor killed a few shinobis, so what was this Jounin worried about?
"He's right. You might want to consider as to what is going to happen down there." advised Baki, "Killing is inevitable when you're an out-field shinobi. And I know you haven't killed anyone yet."
Hirami didn't understand.
"What you're going to see might be a bit disturbing." explained one ANBU Sand-nin. He recalled how those three perform their kill.
Another ANBU Sand-nin snorted, "A bit disturbing? That's a mild way of saying it."
"Believe him, kid. If there's one thing we're sure of, it's that things are going to get messy." confirmed a Sand-nin seriously.
The young Chuunins kept watch, but still hearing and wondering as to whom the ANBU Sand-nin was talking about. Anko watched along with them, totally forgetting that she was the only Leaf-nin there when Kabuto said about Orochimaru's execution.
Back down, the Mist-nin had been keeping his eyes on the Rock shinobi fearing that he will stop performing the jutsu. Once one of them stops, the whole Shishi Enjin jutsu falls off. He didn't want that. Nobody in his position would.
He shouted to the very limits of his voice box. "KAZAMA! FORGET ABOUT THAT! THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO SCARE US! SO YOU BETTER NOT STOP OR I WILL KILL YOU!"
"Scared?" goaded Kisame in satisfaction. Anytime now, the shield would be gone, and so would this shinobi before him.
Kazama, the Rock-nin, looked around still unsure that he was safe with the jutsu now in front and behind. He swore that he began to hear his own heart beating from the very time he faced the incoming red blood demon masked ANBU. He saw with his own eyes how the shinobi summoned all the large demon figures and finishing it with a far bigger barrier all by himself. All that chakra, all that power, and Kazama felt all that killing intent until a voice through the Sand-nin's receiver made him move. As of now, sweat drops of fear trailed down his face, he was going to die. And he knew it.
Naruto made a set of hand seals in a blur, and pointed out the final hand seal to the Rock-nin. The prospects of seeing the final hand seal unlike the twelve animals of the zodiac didn't really bewilder the Rock-nin since some technique have their own significant seal to perform. Such examples was the well known Kage Bunshin and the Yamanaka clan's proud Shintenshin no Jutsu (Mind Body Transfer Technique).
Asami would have recognized it faster than Kisame and Kabuto if all three of them had seen it. It was special since if anyone else performed the technique, it wouldn't have worked. The technique was for now exclusive to only her and Naruto in spite of this not being a type of Hyouton (Ice Release) Ninjutsu technique. Kyuubi mentioned it to be just one of the hereditary abilities they'll pass down through generations. Of course, to make it, certain conditions have to be met.
The Rock-nin felt the mild blowing air rushing to his face, and thought that he must be dreaming. There was a slowly widening rift in the air behind Naruto, and the scenery inside it was totally distinct in comparison. An overcast forest, were massive trees towering up high, looming atmosphere, gloomy dead leaves littered all over the floor, and few rays of sun light reaching down. Naruto stepped backwards, never leaving his sight on the Rock-nin, into the distorted vortex in which it soon closed instinctively. The soon to be dead shinobi heard his instincts yelling inside him.
'Run! Run you fool! Forget this! You're going to die! RUN!'
Again, Kazama the Rock-nin felt the same mild blowing air however this time it came from his back. He turned back slightly, all four of Orochimaru's pawns now grasping upon another of their own biggest mistakes ever. They should've brought up the wall encampment from the rear that should be protecting their backs. Kazama now saw the exact rift now behind him, and a rushing attack already struck him just before he was about to cast the barrier on the backside. He felt his chests now being slowly constricted, relishing him from breathing normally, with hands and feet were rendered immobile. However the Rock-nin felt a furry sensation at the same time, and tried to register what in the world has happening to him.
A furry red hand, claws in the end, held the Rock-nin tight in its grip as it can be traced back coming from the opening portal. Kankurou, Temari, Kabuto and the rest of the ANBU Sand-nins knew as to what the clawed hands were connected to. The only idea that the Leaf-nins could think of that it must be some sort of summoning. Baki's three Chuunins were mesmerized when the hand and the Rock-nin slowly began to retreat back inside. The Shishi Enjin was long gone when the hand held the shinobi in its grasp. The Mist-nin that had his sight on Kazama, turned to the horror of the incoming sharkskin blade. The sharp scales that covered the blade shredded its way down through the flesh and bones, just like Kisame wanted.
Everyone watched the gruesome prospect down below, how Kisame had ended the shinobi's life in such simple way. Hirami didn't know what to say or how to react for that matter, as she just saw a man cleaved down into two. She was alone, as still innocent graduated Leaf-nins like the Konohamaru Corp that were left stunned. Ebisu had bent down and shield Moegi from watching such scene, knowing she was still not ready. The other Leaf-nins, mostly experienced Jounins, had heard about it and just seen such demise. The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, known and recognized with their large swords, were infamous in killing perfectly with only one slice. As that wasn't enough, a chilling scream resonated from inside the gaping hole wondering the audiences as to the horrifying end of that Rock-nin.
"OROCHIMARU-SAMA! ORO-"
The shout just came to an abrupt stop, making it more disturbing. He didn't sound like he was out of breath or his cries got muffled or anything. The Sand ANBU captain walked out, without a single blood drop on his cloak. If anyone was close enough, they could here the repeated chewing sounds. The Kyuubi vessel's sibling had once commented that they what like about eating humans were that fact they were deliciously crunchy. They wouldn't choke on such a small chewed pulp, just the problem of having some stuck between the fangs.
Naruto could already see that Kisame was done, with a bloody Samehada, and was reaching to his receiver using his free hand.
"What took you so long?" chimed Kisame through the line, in happiness because he was always the first one to draw out blood.
The two bloody parts of the Mist-nins were apart on the ground, with Kisame observing the recently made bloodstains that were on his sand cloak. The Sand-nin took the cloak off, just letting it drop over the small heap of sand that was his mask, and walked off. Holding Samehada, its hilt was resting on his shoulder, thus Kisame continued on towards the still standing Orochimaru and Itachi. Pass between the two, he saw a Cloud-nin was solid stiff falling flat to the ground while Asami soon stepped over it. The Naruto clone by far was holding the wrists of the renegade Waterfall-nin, who was still pretty much alive.
"You're weak, utterly weak." whispered the supposed clone the split second he grabbed the Waterfall-nin's hands.
The shinobi heard the voice that didn't the slightest sound anything human. The blood red eyes were definitely not human since the first time he laid eyes on it. He could feel it burning into his soul. Only he was left, he knew the other were dead when he started hearing the yells and sound of aghast audiences from around the stadium. Kyuubi noticed that his victim was petrified to the point that he was pissing in his pants. Which caused the demon was chuckling.
"Do try to last as you can. I'm going to relish every moment of your demise." whispered Kyuubi through the Naruto clone's mouth.
The searing pain began to burn through the very skin where Naruto's clone gripped onto the Waterfall-nin's wrists. Spectators all around could hear the second cry of pain, this one coming from the Waterfall-nin, as his efforts of trying to break off the clone's hold were futile. Next, the shinobi along with the watching spectators were much thunderstruck when the clone turned into fire. They've seen clones disintegrating into sand, splash down into water, or explode into a puff of smoke. This was their first time seeing a clone turn into fire. At this time, the fire was like alive, unexpectedly latching onto the doomed Waterfall-nin, and then began to consume him. Kyuubi's link with the clone was gone, with the fox now looking through Naruto's eyes upon his work.
The loud cry of help and pain continued for several seconds, a small number of Leaf-nins couldn't help but felt pity for the shinobi. Naruto, Asami, and Kisame watched as he continued to flail around madly not to far away. They thought it seemed a bit cruel, he was being tortured, toyed around in a slow painful death. Subsequently, the run away Waterfall-nin dropped flat to the ground and rolled around wildly trying to extinguish the fire. The hollers never stopped, nor did the fire. The bizarre occurred when the fire blazed even wilder than ever upon every fruitless attempt. It wasn't work, so he thrashed all over while lying on the ground. Quite a few Leaf-nins had seen enough, closing their eyes and looking away how in the world could the three ANBU Sand-nins down there could stand and basically watched.
The Waterfall-nin rolled, wriggled, and thrashed several moments more. Stop. Roll. Stop. Roll. Stop. Stop. Stop. Stop. He didn't move anymore. It was now nothing but charred remains with gray smoke coming off of it.
Tsunade, Shizune, and Kakashi gave a look of doubt and worry at Jiraiya. This couldn't be their beloved young obnoxious Genin, they couldn't believe he was capable of that.
Back on the field, Naruto lingered for a minute.
'That never ceases to bore me. ' chuckled Kyuubi comically for only Naruto to hear.
With that finished, Naruto approached the missing-nin that had been on the run since he tore the Hidden Sound apart. Now Orochimaru was still surrounded, still unconscious of his surroundings, as the four shinobi that were linked to Akatsuki were now surrounding him. Itachi was probably waiting, while mentally torturing the Snake Sannin, for Naruto to break off his illusionary technique on the Sannin.
Naruto gripped the apparent Grass kunoichi by the back of the head, taking a good hold on the hair with only one hand. In one immediate move, the Sand-nin lifted Orochimaru up and then rammed the back of his head hard down into the ground. The genjutsu was finished as Itachi, still in the Sasuke disguise, blinked and was a fully sentient shinobi once more. The technique the Uchiha had performed took half of his consciousness as the time flowed in his own made up world was the same in reality. Itachi, Kisame, and Asami didn't interfere as Naruto brought the snake Sannin up once more and dunked the head into the ground easily like it was only water.
The ANBU Leaf-nins and Jounins didn't anticipate the 'Akatsuki' members treating the treacherous Sannin in such way. Those who weren't aware of Orochimaru disguising as the Grass-nin didn't know as to why these ANBU Sand-nins were doing this to the kunoichi. Naruto lifted the head, not noticing that the skin mask over Orochimaru's face was beginning to peel off over the forehead and across nose. Three more times Naruto repeated, and lifted him up where he threw Orochimaru at Asami. The red haired kunoichi just kicked to the Snake's chin, and sent him up high into the air. He fell back down as gravity played its part, landing directly into Kisame's Samehada. The sharkskin had cut right through Orochimaru's ribs, as he was laid limp like skewered fish.
The ever observing Leaf-nins and Sand-nins couldn't believe just how easily they were beating and killing the notorious Sannin that troubled Konoha. The senior, experienced shinobis know all too well that it couldn't have been that easy. They were proved right; the limp Grass-nin slowly changed into chocolate brown and melted into mud. Of course some of the mud fell onto Kisame.
"Come on, Orochimaru, there's no where to run. So just come out so we can kill you." announced the former Mist-nin.
All four of them could detect the charka coming from under the ground several feet away, and Orochimaru knew that they sensed him. The Sannin came out into the open, rising out from the ground like it was mud. The skin mask was completely peeled off, as it dangled from his face. They say the familiar pale white skin, yellow slit eyes, and the purple markings over the eyes. He didn't look pleased or amused as he usually had; instead there was a minor frown just over the corner of his lips. Even after all that beating, he had spilled a single drop of blood.
His plans were crumbling; it always has when it's too good to be true. It happened when he thought killing Sandaime (The Third) Sarutobi was going all too well. He had failed to destroy Konoha and almost lost his ability of using all his Ninjutsu. Again, when he thought Tsunade was about to heal his hands. Again, again, and again. Retrieving Sasuke was too slow; he had to quickly change into a new body, having to wait until this time. When he had Sasuke in his grasp, he hadn't thought that Akatsuki would meddle with his plan too soon. They should be busy with collecting their Jinchuuriki. He had lost Sasuke and his main village. The following months after that, each and every one of his base were being destroyed. So he decided to go into hiding, and wait for this day.
What was so wrong in to become the ultimate human? To become immortal? To learn every Ninjutsu there is?
He grabbed the hem of the light green long sleeve shirt he wore, throwing it away like a magician as he was now fully clothed in his usual attire. The light gray short-sleeved clothing worn over his long coal black sleeves, the purple tied around his waist, and the usual pants and sandals. The Sannin assessed his chances and plans; he was completely over powered in fighting four against one. Orochimaru could survive all of this if he could somehow play his cards out right. He really needed his small army.
The sixteen Kages, and he needed every one of them to be sure. Then that will type of four against one match in which he'll gladly fight in.
"Let's just cut to the chase and fight shall we? I'm not here to hear you blabber like you always do." stated Kisame with his large sword pointing out to Orochimaru.
Orochimaru finally changed that grimace into a light devious smile, the Sannin recalled how most of the Akatsuki members were simply excessively confident. "Very well,"
The battle had started.
Naruto held out both hands in a scarecrow manner as Orochimaru brought his thumb to his mouth and bit it. The two katanas, Rikimaru and Kirimaru, had exploded into existence in the hands of the Sand ANBU captain. Orochimaru began making hand seals with the bloody cut out his thumb. The Fox knelt down on one knee thrusting both of his blades into the ground at the same time the Snake slammed his hand onto the ground. Only the Sannin declared the name of the recognizable technique where all the shinobis knew the instant he bit his thumb. Another summoning technique.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
The explosions of smoke obscured the whole battleground once more from the ever-growing anxious audiences. The mist-like hindrance began to disappear, nonetheless the sitting ninjas of the different villages had heard nothing yet. There was nothing happening, it was if the fighting shinobis down there were waiting and going to let the spectators watch.
It was a battle zone.
On one side of the fighting field was Orochimaru, surrounded by what could be over thirty of his summons. The Snake Sannin was standing on the head of the summons, a safe distance away from the four shinobis. He was in the middle, from what was a horde of them. The spectators could make out that they were nothing animal like, as they all stood on two feet and looked human. Besides Orochimaru, only Kabuto and a certain Leaf-nin had seen such summons before. The Leaf-nin tightened his grip on the railing he currently holding on, and watched on. Nara Shikamaru already had it bad fighting against the three of them and Tayuya of the Sound Four.
The summonses were what Kabuto would call as Doki, Angry Demons, as they are nothing of the usual animal summoning. Each of the ogre-like monsters had some sort of material in closing their eyes. Bandages, messy long hair, or they had been sewn together shut. No two of them were similar, one had only the right hand, and one had the left, so on and so forth. Each one equipped with weapons ranging from clubs, swords that are far bigger than Samehada, scythes, and claws over the arms.
Orochimaru hoped these pawns would give enough distraction to them and enough time for him.
He wasn't completely sure if that plan would work after what he saw on the other side. Asami, Kisame, and Itachi felt as if they were standing on would seem to be a land ravaged by war. Copies of the pair of katanas struck into the earth were covering everywhere on their side of the ground. The entire field was wide for what should be only two shinobi fighting out for the Jounin exams. Now, it was entire occupied by the new appearances. The people should know by now that the great number of summons and multiplied copies require tremendous amounts of chakra.
Tsunade and Jiraiya could relate such scene with what would be the front line of the great shinobi wars. There were remains of weapons everywhere, in dead bodies, in the ground, and some on the trees. Decimation wherever the eyes turn to.
'Tajuu Katana Kage Bunshin. (Multiple Sword Shadow Clone)' thought off Naruto for the recently performed technique.
Kisame, Itachi, and Asami were going to let Naruto handle this one since he already decided and had made the first move. Still down on one knee, Naruto unbuttoned and opened the kunai holster on both of his thighs simultaneously. Both the right and left hand grabbed upon the desired item easily since it was the only different object beside the harp kunais in them. There were tags with seals written on them, much like explosion tags, and then he flicked the two pieces of tags between his fingers. The two tags were flicked on between Naruto's fingers, flying and sticking at the handles of the original set of his katana.
Kisame turned his head slightly to the shorter Uchiha who still hasn't dispelled his transformation. Uchiha Itachi was short; however Uchiha Sasuke was still shorter than his brother. The younger of the Uchiha sibling was only fifteen turning sixteen years old.
'That's right, Itachi doesn't know that Naruto could perform the Hiraishin (Flying Thunder God).' noted Kisame, looking at the top head of Itachi.
Naruto swiftly pulled out only one of the two of them had the tag sticking at the handle. He took two steps, randomly picking one of the copies out. He left the other original pair of katana still imbedded in front of Itachi, Kisame, and Asami. It would seem utterly ridiculous for the watching shinobis above, one shinobi against the mass number of summons. The Sand-nins tried not to blink as much, not wanting to miss anything happening. The Kyuubi vessel was about face one of the angry demons that stood several feet away. In an instant, the cloak flew back as being carried by the rushing air against it.
He disappeared in front of all their watchful eyes once more.
The next place Naruto could be seen, he had stabbed using both of the katana in his hands deep into someone's flesh. If Orochimaru or any the people of the Five Country had seen an elephant before, he'd see what the wounds puncture by two tusks could be compared with. The puncture had caused the ogre looking demon to move back, Orochimaru also felt it, and looked down. A wild yellow haired shinobi wearing the same demon mask stood there, purposely not moving just yet so that Orochimaru could see him. When the Sannin had turned and saw him, Naruto disappeared once. The surrounding demons were to slow. Only the swords and one other thing remained there from where the Kyuubi vessel once was. The blood red demon was left in the air momentarily, before falling down to the ground.
If Orochimaru knew what the technique was, he would've look far over the heads of the summons. Jiraiya, Tsunade, Kakashi, and the vigilant Sand-nins did what Orochimaru wasn't. Keeping their eyes on the other half of the battleground, not on the demons, but on all the swords from the moment Naruto ran forward. They hardly saw it.
Another two of the katanas had disappeared.
The great Bahamut Slayer uses the Hiraishin to instantly end another chapter. Man, I'm good or what? I understand if I don't get as many reviews as the last one since I totally lied about posting sooner and everything. I'll try to make up for that. Somehow…
IMPORTANT NOTICE: VOTES ARE NEEDED in posting the next chapter.
Do you want me to just post whatever I've written every two weeks or just wait for me to update when I've typed a satisfying length? (Note: I update after writing ten pages or more )
Is the rating of the story still under the T category or M category? (I mean I don't think it's that blood gore or that violent is it?)
Do you want Itachi to be part of the fighting between the Sand-nins and Kage?
I feel so timid and ashamed to ask this, most probably for not keeping word, so...RATE AND REVIEW, PLEASE?