Welcome to the next chapter.
Freddy8712; That would be interesting.
joharasbel; Thanks!
TheGreatGodzilla; I can't say either way, it would be spoilers. As Ameyuri said, she's getting money from Danzo to do so, we'll see more of their partnership, and how it came to be as the story goes on. Yeah, it seems that he now has a weapon thanks to his Mother gifting it to him. Yeah, we'll see different fights if they're relevant or forward some story stuff for now or later on in the series. I couldn't say about Yukine, would spoil some stuff, as for Danzo, Ryouta might have some stuff to deal with when he finds out about that. Ameyuri's important to the story, is all I can say. Ryouta and Kurotsuchi will meet in a fun way.
ShadowUzumaki55; Thanks! Glad you liked the stuff between Mother and son. Yukine does yeah. Yukine was quite strong when she was alive, and even in death she's showcasing her strength. Ryouta's gonna get some good use out of that sword. We'll see about Pakura, and her situation pretty soon.
HolyKnightX; Thanks! I'm glad you like Yukine! Yeah, she really knows how to get under Orochimaru's skin. Ryouta has yeah, he'll be using the new sword in some fun ways.
dreadix; He was arrested.
Guest 1; Yeah he could duel wield the blades now~ Danzo will get what he's deserved in time. Thanks very much! They'd be cool yeah.
Silver crow; Glad you liked it. Yeah, he'll learn how to use the blade. Danzo's gonna be up to some stuff while he's out. They don't know about how they'd act, and they still believe Suna is fighting Konoha, so that's why they chose to fight. Glad you liked the moments between Mother and son. Yeah, Sakura and the others had their mission and went off to go and do it. Yukine does yeah, she knows Orochimaru very well, and knows what buttons to push. We'll see what Danzo intends to do. Maybe Ameyuri will be like that when they meet one another. Maybe one day as he learns more about the past he could have such conversations with Hashirama and Tobirama. Maybe in one of the fights he'll have he'll demonstrate something. If I did a Trihexa story, he'd be one of the strongest beings in DxD, his journey wouldn't really be about gaining power. If I did a Leviathan oc, they'd stll be pretty powerful like how Haruki is, and such. If it was a Phenex story, he'd be able to do it with his natural powers, and what he learns along the way, maybe even get power ups in some fun ways. That would be cool for One Piece. Maybe Ryouta will, I'm sure Hiruzen will let others know, somehow, that Ryouta did very well and assisted them quite a bit during the fight.
Guest 2; Thanks very much! Satsuki is yeah, she's showing some leadership skills, and tactically speaking. Yukine surely did master it to a good degree, she's quite a smart one, and that could be how she did it~ We'll soon see if that's the case. She did yeah, she's got some useful support abilities as well as attacking abilities. Kagami's eyes, I wonder if they'll show up again...? Yeah, target her child or anyone or anything she loves, and she will go after that person, and because she knows Orochimaru quite well, she knows what buttons will make him slip up. Yup, Yukine gave Ryouta the Kusanagi, seems Orochimaru isn't too happy about that haha. The animes version is pretty cool, I didn't really specify so anyone can pick what design it has, whichever they like best. Ryouta could re-apply that for himself yeah. He'll make good use of the Kusanagi. It was Danzo yeah, who was supplying Ameyuri. The 'she' that was spoken about, will be fully explained this chapter. Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Guest 3; Thanks, it wont be much longer.
Guest 4; Yeah, that would be a pretty cool idea to do, thanks for the suggestions!
Hinata fan; Yukine did yeah, she's pretty strong. Glad you liked the Temari vs Haku fight. Danzo's freedom for the moment will be necessary for what I've got planned after this arc and during. Glad you like it! Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Skull Flame; She did yeah, now Ryouta's gonna be using that blade. Yeah, that persons identity shall be shown this chapter. Ameyuri is yeah. He wishes to gain some if not all, and even more of the hold he had on Konoha before what happened with the Uchiha's took place.
synode; Thanks. Yeah, one day.
War Sage; It really is yeah~ Glad you liked the fights! Yeah, he held his own pretty well. Ameyuri's merely there for the money, plus Ryouta and Anko. As for Danzo, we'll see what he's up too pretty soon. Thanks for the harem suggestions!
Pinkflamingwarriorofjustice; I can't reveal about that just yet with Twice and such. All I can say is that Yuki and Tomura will have a few meetings throughout the story.
makotoxvalerie; That sounds pretty interesting. The powers sound good to me. Thanks for the suggestions. I wouldn't know, it would depend on the series and what motivations such characters would have.
dreadix; Possibly, and yeah, that will be fully explained as the story goes on~
Giant's Shadow; Yeah, I guess it could be considered quite like that~
JustAFan; Thanks! Yeah, Ryouta and Yukine had a small moment together. Glad you like it!
Andrew123456; Maybe one day yeah.
Fanfic6; Thanks! Yeah, it's quite sad to hear your friends and loved ones have died. Glad you liked seeing the others! He'll definitely get some promotion out of this. Ryouta does yeah~ We'll see what Ameyuri, and Danzo will be up too pretty soon. Thanks for the suggestions.
Guest 5; It wont be much longer. Thanks for the suggestions.
With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter.
Pained hearts
With the First and Second back on the scene, Yukine moves towards Hiruzen and Ryouta. The young man clutches the sword in his hand tightly, the one that he gained from Orochimaru.
Pakura stood off to the side, she didn't move, something that Orochimaru was beginning to question more and more. Why she wasn't doing as she had been instructed, why she wasn't fighting to the best of her ability.
"Now, lets do this Ryou, Hiruzen be ready."
"Yes Mom."
"Right."
However, before Orochimaru could do anything, Yukine weaved through some hand signs, and fired off a combination of fire and lightning at the same time. With the fire being wrapped around with lightning, the destructive force of the blast was something that even he was feeling ill about, so he slammed his hands down.
"Summoning, Rashomon!"
Summoning a giant gate that had a Demon's face, Yukine's Jutsu smashed deep into it, and began tearing through it.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
Ryouta added to his Mother's technique, and increased its overall destructive force, while Hiruzen began running forward.
The flames and lightning combined into a truly devastating missile like barrage which shattered the barrier entirely, so Tobirama leapt into the fray, and created a massive wall of water to block off the attacks.
But the water couldn't suppress all of the power, so it went through the water, and nearly swept him alone, if Hashirama didn't summon his wood as a barrier to defend, but even then, the duos power was able to cause the wood to even to begin breaking, allowing Hiruzen to slide through their defences, and come after Orochimaru.
Orochimaru pulled away as Yukine and Ryouta suppressed the other two with their Jutsu's.
"Sensei, I'm honoured you want to fight me!"
Orochimaru brought out a sword, since Ryouta now had his Kusanagi, he had to go with a regular sword, that he swung for Hiruzen, but the elderly Hokage ducked out of the way, and came at Orochimaru with a kick to the face, but the snake like human expertly dodged, flinging his hand forward, and summoning a snake from his sleeve to try and wrap around Hiruzen.
But Hiruzen spit out flames, and burned through the snake, but Orochimaru wasn't done, and summoned many snakes from his mouth. Slithering on the ground, the dangerous amount of snakes all went for Hiruzen.
"Try that Sense-"
Before he could finish, he saw from up above, a wave of acid was raining down, from Ryouta leaping up and doing just that, washing through the snakes, and caused them all to melt out of existence, allowing Hiruzen to keep going as Ryouta opened a path up for Hiruzen to go onto via using Susanoo to propel him over to Orochimaru.
"That's it my boy!"
Hiruzen yelled, and got in close to Orochimaru, but Tobirama weaved through some hand signs, and fired off a stream of powerful water to try and cleave through Hiruzen, but Yukine used her mastery of Jutsu to create a barrier around Hiruzen at the moment of impact, along with a seal that ran up through his water from the barrier, trying to stop Tobirama all together.
But before he could, a tree grew through the water, cutting off the connection between Tobirama and the seal running through the water, so Ryouta charged forward, and swung his new blade towards the tree, slicing right through it, and then continued on for Hashirama.
"Sorry First-sama!"
Ryouta got in close, when the First readied his Jutsu to try and cast it upon Ryouta, but Yukine recognized what he was going to do from her time in reading up on many Jutsu, so she slammed her hands down, casting a Jutsu that protected Ryouta from a large thick tree branch that would have skewered right through Ryouta's body otherwise.
Ryouta turned to his Mother, who nodded, so he turned towards Tobirama, and weaved through some hand signs.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Jutsu!"
As he did that, Yukine weaved through two hand signs herself, two different elements, and released a burst of wind, which mixed with Ryouta's fire, and created a massive ball of flames along with some lightning that wrapped itself around the flames, causing even more destructive force to be sent towards Tobirama.
Tobirama tried to block with his water, but the trio attack broke through his own and continued for him, so he had no choice but to create a barrier to defend himself with, but even then, as the flaming lightning wind enhanced attack shattered the barrier due to the level that Tobirama was at currently, and bathed him in the destructive form of the attack.
"I got this son, go and help Hiruzen!"
Yukine sent off several barrage of attacks for Hashirama, who combatted by summoning many trees, allowing Ryouta to go and lend a hand to Hiruzen.
As they did, Hiruzen got in close to Orochimaru, and brought up his kunai to slash, but Orochimaru blocked, and pushed the old man back, and brought his sword down to Hiruzen to cleave him in half, only for the elderly Hokage to manage to slide his leg towards the right hand side, kicking Orochimaru's leg with enough force to make him lose balance for an instance, giving Hiruzen the time to double kick Orochimaru in the face, sending him flying.
However, when he did, the Orochimaru he kicked turned out to be a mass of snakes that fell down to the ground.
"So he's..."
Orochimaru came bursting out of the ground, with a snake that had deadly poison around its fangs, going for the elderly Hokage, only for Ryouta to come in and use his own new blade, clashing with Orochimaru's own once slicing through the snake using Kusanagi.
"That's mine."
Orochimaru growled, Ryouta shrugged.
"My Mom gave it me."
Orochimaru showed his teeth, and extended his neck to wrap around the pair, when snakes came from down below, wrapped around the pair, and tossed them high into the air, allowing Ryouta to rebound off of the ceiling of the barrier and came down like an arrow for Orochimaru's neck at super high speeds.
Orochimaru brought his neck back in, but Ryouta's blade sliced some of his neck, causing him to wince, giving Hiruzen time to get in close.
"Gwaaaaah!"
Managing to land a sharp blow to Orochimaru's abdomen, at the same time placing a paper bomb on his body, which erupted in a powerful explosion that had enough force to send Orochimaru flying back.
Doing that, Ryouta saw Yukine having her hands on the ground after performing a duo Jutsu of an Earth Release that created four pillars, and then a sealing Jutsu on top of it, sealing Orochimaru's movements for a few moments.
As he did, Ryouta opened his eye, and released a stream of acid that went for Orochimaru.
Orochimaru couldn't escape.
Ryouta thought maybe this was it, that he would be finished off…
But that wasn't the case, as Tobirama, half burning from his attack beforehand, protected Orochimaru as a human shield, something that made Hiruzen feel anger for the snake like human, as he had Hashirama get him out of the seal via his Wood Release.
"No matter how good we are, he has two human shields, we have to deal with them. And damage isn't doing anything to them Mom. While we, flesh and blood will become even more tired, while they wont tire at all."
Ryouta said to his Mother as he, Hiruzen and Yukine met back up.
"Yes...that's right my boy, this kind of fight is tricky. Logically, our options would be to seal those two so they didn't interfere. But as they are, and as we are right now...Orochimaru might be a lot of things, but he is strong, he isn't a Sannin for nothing, he can be very annoying to fight off."
Hiruzen mentally agreed, and wondered what they were going to do.
Orochimaru on the other hand had something else in his mind, as his eyes went towards Pakura.
"Pakura, during that encounter, you did not once step into resolve anything. If you had, then we could have prevented losing Yukine to their side. It is like you don't care what happens to her at all. I guess the Hero of Suna is heartless."
Pakura's head bowed down.
Pain etched itself onto her face, while Ryouta raised an eyebrow.
"Orochimaru, what have you got over Pakura-san?"
Orochimaru showed a disturbing smile.
But then saw that Yukine glared so he stopped with the sinister looks that he had.
"That my boy, is a secret between Pakura and myself."
Yukine scoffed.
"Always like this, aren't you Orochimaru? Even now, still the same evil monster you've always been. Using people, targeting the innocent when you could have been so much more, but you've always been someone that slithers on the grass, someone that never soared in the sky, that's the difference between you and others that come before and after you. You might control Kage, but you don't know what it means to be a Kage in the slightest. No wonder you were never chosen."
"Your words are cold for a former student of mine Yukine-chan. I expected more manners."
"Manners for someone like you, don't make me laugh with such drivel."
"Drivel?"
"Yes, because of how you really thought you'd be able to get your own way." Yukine turned her eyes to Pakura for a small moment, seeing the conflicting expression that she had. "By the way, Hiruzen. Who is their Kazekage?"
"The current one is Rasa, with Magnet Release who uses Gold Dust."
"Magnet Release with Gold Dust huh. So he's the...Fourth or Fifth?"
"Fourth, but it seems that Orochimaru was impersonating him. I'm not sure where the real one is, if he's out fighting in the village or what. Why do you ask?"
"I'm just checking something, that's all."
Yukine closed her eyes, while Orochimaru weighs up his options.
Yukine opened her eyes after a few moments.
"Sensing the village quickly, I can't sense anyone like him being around here. If Orochimaru is impersonating him, then perhaps something is either in their plan, or..."
"He's killed him."
Ryouta added, Yukine nodding, as she gazed at Pakura.
"Yes, that's a very good conclusion to have, otherwise he would have turned up by now, wouldn't he?"
Pakura's eyes went towards Orochimaru who snickered.
"If he's dead, alive, does it make a difference?"
Orochimaru offered with his sinister tone.
Yukine eyes went towards Pakura, seeing pain in her eyes, it seemed she hadn't been aware of the Kazekage's death.
Ryouta overlooked her, it felt like more and more was coming to connect in his mind, but he kept wondering who this girl that Pakura was fighting for was. If it was Gaara...or someone else.
Meanwhile, as that was going on, Satsuki and Shino were travelling together towards their destination, they could hear the yells of Gaara in the distance, it was clear that she was truly giving into more and more anger.
"As we discussed, get that Kankuro out of the way, then I'll do my best to get Ryou."
"Right, leave it to me."
Shino replied in his monotone voice, so they rushed forward.
Getting in close, they saw Kabuto dodging again and again a barrage of sand attacks, but one cut his leg, causing him to wince at the feeling, so Satsuki watched for her moment to strike, her eyes going towards the fake Ryouta.
Shino saw Kankuro stood off to the side, so he made his move.
Sending out his bugs, Kankuro saw them shooting for him, so he let out a small irked sound, and avoided the attack while Satsuki rushed for Ryouta in Kabuto's arms, only for Gaara's sand to get in the way at the same time as she attacked, repelling one another's attacks.
"Why did you get in the way?!"
Gaara snapped, Satsuki saw then she formed shurikens out of sand and launched them at her, so she skillfully shot back across the trees, and used them as protection as she hid behind a large thick tree branch to block the incoming barrage of sand shurikens, all the while Kabuto used this chance to make his escape once more.
When she took a look back out, she saw that Kabuto had begun escaping and Gaara was giving deadly chases, she did the same thing, glancing back at Shino, seeing that he was stll fighting off against Kankuro, so she left the fight to him and continued going over fake Ryouta and the others.
Leaving Kankuro and Shino, the bug wielding youth turns his eyes towards Kankuro, who brought out his puppet.
"I am Shino, from the Aburame clan, we do not underestimate our opponents. I shall certainly not waste a lot of time fighting against you either."
"Puny insects, they wont be able to put up a fight against my Crow puppet."
Shino saw that Kankuro looked annoyed.
"Puppet user, I shall not be losing this fight."
"We'll see!"
Kankuro sent out his puppet for Shino, who avoids it by jumping to another tree, only to see that senbons were being fired off from its arms towards Shino, so he kept leaping back to avoid the attacks all together.
While doing so, Shino saw the needles piercing some trees, and a strange liquid was leaking from said needles, so he knew that they were laced with poison.
Shino pulled out some shurikens, and threw them at the puppet, only for Kankuro to weave his fingers to move the puppets arms, deflecting with the blades, as Shino hid behind a tree.
"You can't hide from me!"
The puppet managed to pierce right through the thin tree with its revealed blades, and stabbed right into Shino's torso. The poison leaking off of the blade went into Shino's body…
Only for Shino's body to begin dissolving as if it wasn't made out of flesh, but bugs themselves.
"Damn, a bug clone..."
Kankuro looked for the real Shino, only to see a shadow moving from his right.
Seeing Shino, he tried to move out of the way, but Shino's fist smashed into the man's face, sending him flying backwards.
"Taijutsu isn't your forte, so you always have to keep your distance from us."
"Perhaps, but I wont be beaten by the likes of you!"
Kankuro once more sent the puppet shooting for Shino.
While getting close, the puppet opened up its arms and reveal some poison smoke bombs that fired off for Shino.
He went to make a retreat, when he felt as if he couldn't pull his feet off of the tree branch.
"What the..."
He looked down and saw that there was something sticky, it was binding him to the tree branch.
Kankuro had planned for him to land on the tree branch and bind him fully.
"Damn it..."
Gasping, he used his bugs to get himself off of the tree, but by the time they did, the poison smoke bombs landed near him, and as he got his way out, he felt the poison entering his body.
Inhaling and exhaling, Shino felt the poison running through his system.
Kankuro managed to get around to his back, and the same for his puppet, completely out of sight.
So he moved his puppet towards the back of Shino as well, silently as the puppet revealed a blade from its mouth, and shot for Shino, piercing through his heart…
Or so he thought, as it was another bug clone.
"With that poison, he shouldn't be able to move...so where did he..."
Suddenly, as he spoke, he felt something on his shoulder.
He looked back to see that it was Shino, who was breathing hard.
"What the..."
"The first attack you sent at me...with the puppet spinning rapidly, I attached some bugs to your puppet, and allowed them to go down the chakra threads, and left some insects on you, so I can track you with my others."
Kankuro tried to pull away, but Shino allowed his bugs to erupt out, and encase all over the man's body.
He tried to recall his puppet.
But he saw the chakra threads had all disappeared thanks to Shino's bugs devouring the chakra they were made out of.
"N-No! No! It can't be!"
Kankuro was helpless as his bugs overtook his body and dropped him down to the ground.
Shino collapsed onto his knees.
Though it was a brief battle, the poison was working its way through his body…
Sakura and Naruko along with Pakkun was continuing their efforts towards their intended target. Sakura looked back, as Pakkun said "I think that boy had some help come for him." which brought relief to Sakura.
"That's good, I was getting worried. Say, you can smell far, right? Can you tell us if there's any split off from the groups before us?"
"Hmmm, I can smell the ice girl has split off to fight another what smells like a girl. And recently, the boy with bugs has split off with another boy."
Naruko scratched her cheek.
"Then Gaara is fighting Haku!"
Sakura gave a soft smile.
"I wouldn't have thought so."
"Eeh? Why not Sakura-chan?"
"Gaara-sans siblings, Temari-san and Kankuro-san, seemed to be those that would want to stay behind. Even back at the stadium, you didn't see, but she was adamant about getting Ryou-kun back, and if there's only two people, including Haku there, then it wouldn't be Gaara, she wouldn't stay behind."
Pakkun nodded.
"The girl speaks sense. I can smell the Uchiha boy, or rather the fake one that's being carried by someone up ahead. He isn't with the ice girl, and the female Uchiha is also still up ahead, chasing after the others."
Naruko let out a small laugh.
"Wow Sakura-chan, you're so smart!"
Sakura looked slightly embarrassed by that, but at the same time was glad that she was right.
"If they've divided their fights, then maybe it means that they didn't have the luxury of all fighting together. Maybe it would be best if one of us goes to make sure that the others are okay..."
Naruko also thought the same thing, and didn't know what she was supposed to do.
She thought about it long and hard, while Sakura exhaled.
"I'll go Naruko. You'd be more of an asset towards the others."
"A-Are you sure?"
"Yes, we have to rescue the others, so it would be best if I went to go and make sure our friends are okay."
Sakura wished to go and help.
But she also knew that she did have a job to do and that was to go and save help her comrades in their time of need.
"If that's what you want to do, then I'll tell you their general locations."
"Yes, thank you."
Sakura got the locations, before she stopped, and perched on a tree.
Her eyes went towards Naruko and gave a strong smile.
"Go and back up Satsuki, okay?"
"Right, leave it with me! See you soon!"
Sakura nodded, and took off in another direction, knowing they both had their duties to do in this fight.
Back with Ryouta and the others, Pakura stared at Yukine as she was speaking, she couldn't get out of her mind what she had said, and what was implied as well.
"Orochimaru...where is she right now?"
Orochimaru's cold gaze fell upon her.
"I told you, she's safe."
"I'm asking you were she is...you said she would be safe if I helped you…."
Pakura feared the worst, something Ryouta saw, and felt for her.
"I did, and I will keep my word. Now go and kill Sarutobi-sensei for me, and I'll give her to you."
"...How can I trust you now? Seeing what you've done...how you've tormented this boy...I hated that I had to side with you before...but I didn't know how truly evil you could be. So tell me...what is it that you've been doing this entire time with her…? Tell me she's safe...tell me where she is! I fulfilled my end of the bargain! Didn't I?!"
Pakura became more emotional.
Seeing the pain in her eyes, Ryouta wanted to do something, anything to help her, but he didn't know what he could right now.
Hiruzen could see that she was a tortured soul right now, someone that didn't have much she could go along with.
"Indeed you did, this couldn't have gone off so well if it hadn't of been for you and what you did for us."
"...The Kazekage, he's dead, isn't he? Did you kill him...?"
"That doesn't matter-"
"It matters to me!"
Ryouta hung his head down, seeing how Pakura was truly going through so much.
"It shouldn't, as why would it? I have told you already you're working for me-"
"You took her...you said that her safety would be assured if I did as you asked...but it was a lie, wasn't it? Trusting you...I had no choice but to place my hopes into you despite knowing how truly evil you are..."
Ryouta felt that blow from Pakura, like the air escaped his lungs from how heavy Pakura's words felt.
All this time…
She was trying to save someone from Orochimaru's clutches.
"Pakura, your words wound me. Do you believe that I wouldn't keep my word?"
Yukine didn't believe what Orochimaru was saying and felt disgusted.
"How can I after witnessing this...they bring up a good point...the Fourth Kazekage, you killed him...how could I...not feel as if you'd...if you had taken her out..."
Yukine looks towards Pakura, and adopts a sad expression on her face.
"The person that you're worried for, what name would that be?"
Pakura's eyes shift towards Yukine.
"...Why?"
"Because I can tell you if that person is being used in this Jutsu that he's done with me and the two Hokage."
Pakura's eyes widened, while Orochimaru growled, gritting his teeth.
"Her name is Maki...she's from Suna..."
"Okay, Maki-san...let me see."
Yukine places her hands on the ground and releases some of her chakra, it seemed to be scanning herself, and the other two.
She then pulls her hands up, and bows her head towards Pakura, an empathetic look appearing on her gentle face.
Pakura's face turns as white as a ghost, as despite not saying anything, Yukine's face said more than words ever could.
"No…! No! It can't be! M-Maki is..."
"...I'm really sorry, he used her in this Jutsu."
Pakura remains motionless, as tears flow from her eyes, she understood what that meant by the look Yukine was giving.
Running down hotly from her eyes, staining her cheeks, the tears couldn't stop.
She collapses to her knees, and openly sobs "Maki...I'm sorry Maki..." as her tears leave her face, and fall to the ground like rain.
Her voice even failed her, it was too hard to do anything other than to silently cry while Ryouta stared at her with sorrow for her.
Using Pakura, promising her all of this…
And then using her in such a demonic ritual to hurt others like Ryouta and Hiruzen with people from their pasts.
It was breaking Pakura.
All she had done…all of the things she had to do that she hated to do, she thought...she hoped...she pleaded that it would be the case where she and Maki would be reunited, that she could save her, even a small chance, and this kind of blow...was too much.
Ryouta's eyes went towards Orochimaru, gripping the sword in his hand tightly.
Doing this to Pakura, putting her through this much, dangling hope before her...then it being ripped away...
As that was going on, Anko and Karin went through the village together, as Karin was pinpointing the location of Ameyuri. She had to be stopped, and that was something Anko was going to do no matter what was going to happen.
"Anko-sensei, according to what I can sense, it seems that Konoha is marching ahead of the others, we are winning right now."
"Yeah, that Mikoto is sure a good leader. In times of crisis, she's able to organize us very well."
Anko had to admit that was the case.
Thanks to Mikoto, they all were dispatched in the best ways, she came up with sound plans to fight off the enemies, despite the superior numbers.
Karin continued leading them away, as Anko felt something wasn't right.
The location they were going towards, she knew which way it was.
Towards the area that Danzo lived, many thoughts ran through her mind as to why she was there.
As they ran, suddenly Karin stopped Anko, and turned towards the right.
"She's hiding there."
Anko scowled, and placed her arm out, as a giggling could be heard coming out of the alleyway.
"My, so it isn't my precious Uchiha-kun, but my Anko-chan?"
"Ameyuri, it has been a while since we've seen one another."
Ameyuri came out of the shadows fully. Her twin lightning swords danced between her fingers. Sparks of electricity shot off from the blades, and ran across the ground. But Anko held her ground and stared deeply at the sight before her.
"I know, and I really did miss you Anko-chan, I have thought about you. But, I want to have a romantic battle to the death with my one and only Uchiha-kun. So you know, we will have to make our battle quick." Her eyes went towards Karin and waved. "Nice seeing you, are you going to be interfering with my battle as well?"
Karin pulled back, while Anko showed a dark stare.
"It's two on one, you can't fight the pair of us, not this time. I know of your bee summon now, you can't surprise me with that."
"Surprises aren't my forte today!"
Lightning surged through the swords, and shot around her. Raining down onto the ground, the blades emitted enough power to cause the area to shatter, electrifying the air to the point that even Anko could feel it tingling on her skin.
Gritting her teeth, Anko knew this could be a potentially tough battle.
So she would have to put her all into it, no matter what else would happen.
Karin also would do her best to back up her Sensei, she had to fight as hard as she could do.
Back with Ryouta and the others, with the situation looking dire, and being in a battle like this where neither side seemed to be claiming victory, both in Yukine's, and Hiruzen's minds, they knew where this was heading, and neither wished to say it in front of Ryouta, they didn't want to cause the young boy to worry.
Yukine especially could see how this was weighing on Hiruzen's consciousness.
The same for herself, and seeing her sons eyes.
She didn't want him to suffer anymore, he had been using his eyes to fight for them.
He couldn't allow him lose his eyes light, not in this battle.
Ryouta himself watched Pakura, who was in a near catatonic state.
Like all life had been drained out of her…
Pakura truly was breaking.
"Pakura-san...Orochimaru is evil, he truly is a monster. All she wanted...was to save that person she cared for...and he destroyed her, with never giving her even a slither of hope. Pakura-sans suffered so much...because of him..."
Ryouta glared at Orochimaru, who looked right back.
"What's wrong Ryou-kun?"
His slimly voice made Ryouta's skin crawl.
"You cause pain, and misery to everyone, even those like your former Sensei...Orochimaru, you are truly the definition of evil, one that wont stay forever, even if you keep switching bodies, you will be gone one day."
"My, powerful words. I am excited to see how far you'll come Ryou-kun."
"If it isn't today, I will become strong enough to take you down. For using Pakura-san...killing someone she cared for, despite having her do things that tore her up inside, trying to save someone you stole away, for everything you've done to me, to my Mother, to this village...you will pay."
"Haha, I see. I did do that to Pakura, and not just her, I'd do it again and again to anyone that would give me the advantage, so I can get what I want."
Ryouta went to take a step forward, when Yukine placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Not yet Ryou."
Yukine felt the same way about Orochimaru, but knew they had to play it smart.
Yukine eyes shot for Hiruzen.
"Hiruzen, even in their diminished capacity, at your age, and my current status, plus with how the regeneration of this ability works. there's a few options we can do. Then there's Orochimaru, the bane of my existence." Her strong eyes shot for Orochimaru who looked afraid as Yukine glared at him, before shifting eyes back to Hiruzen. "So you have to weigh up options, and I'll give my own thoughts as well. But I'll say that even if we kill Orochimaru, it doesn't undo this Jutsu." As she said it, her eyes went towards her son lovingly. "So, what are you thinking about Hiruzen?"
"Yes, I know what you're thinking about as well…"
Yukine's eyes shift towards her son.
"Ryou, I have a special task for you, something I trust you with completely."
"M-Mom? What is it?"
"I need you to go to get a special mask for me, and hide it."
Ryouta was confused.
"A mask? Why is it special?"
"It's the only thing that can release this special kind of Jutsu. As we are, we're not going to win this battle without the possibility of you or Hiruzen suffering death without doing anything to them. If I was alive, then...but as it is, I don't have the power, and Hiruzen's age is affecting him..."
Orochimaru questioned what Jutsu it was that Yukine was referring to.
"Mom, I'll make up for that...my Mangekyou, I'll use it to protect you all. I know I'm not Kage...but, I wont let him win this fight."
It brought her happiness that he was able to do this with such strength and kindness.
"That's the thing though sweetheart, as you use your eyes, they'll diminish in light and leave you blind. I'm thinking about the future, your future my son, and the future of this village. You're destined for great things, you'll be able to make great changes in this world, so you'll need all of the tools at your disposal that you could possible have. That's why, I want to do this for you."
"Mom..."
He didn't fully understand, but it was clear in his Mother's face, and reflected in her eyes, how much this meant to her.
"My time has passed now, so I have to do everything I can to protect you, and as long as those two Hokage are still around..."
"Mom...what are you going to do?"
"Don't worry about that, just remember I love you, okay? I didn't get to see you long...but I got to see you as a strong young man...one that really has a beautiful soul. When I died...I worried about you and Shisui, I didn't want to leave you...but, seeing you now, before my very eyes...you're okay, you're more than okay, you're an excellent Ninja, one I am immensely proud of."
"Mom..."
Tears filled his eyes.
It felt like he was saying goodbye to her.
He had so much he wished to say to her.
So much he wanted to know.
Yukine exhales, as she peers into his eyes, and then looks towards Hiruzen.
"Okay...now it's time to summon a certain snake, he'll know where to hide my things." She bit into her thumb, drawing blood, and began going through some hand signs. "Here we go, Summoning Jutsu!"
Slamming her hand down, a large area of smoke erupted forward.
A large hulking snake erupted around them.
Surrounding the barrier, the giant red snake looked down towards Ryouta, who looked back up to see Garaga who was looking at him with a somewhat tired expression.
"Did you summon me kid..." Before he could finish, he saw Yukine stood there, and his eyes began to water. "MASTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"
Ryouta blinked in surprise seeing the giant snake suddenly calling his Mother Master, and how happy he was, even crying about the fact was something that he hadn't expected at all, and watched on with anticipation on what could happen next.
As the big battles were going on outside, Yugao stayed with Hayate. Because of the large scale attack, she and the others were being protected for those that couldn't be moved out of the hospital, which included Hayate at this moment in time.
"Don't worry Hayate, we'll be safe here."
Yugao murmured, with Hayate looking at her comfortingly.
Her eyes went out of the window, and she could see the carnage that was going on. Though it seemed to be more on the Oto and Suna's side since Konoha had mounted great defences, she still wasn't all that pleased with what was going on right now either.
She held her sword beside her, waiting for anything to come.
She hoped that it wouldn't…
But it wasn't meant to be as she saw the glass shaking and rattling from something.
Widening her eyes, she pulled away as the glass completely shattered at the same time, so she got into position.
As she did, someone came flying into the window, and his blade tried to reach Hayate, but Yugao got in the way, and stopped him completely, pushing him away and revealed it to be Baki who had appeared, his eyes intensely staring at Hayate.
"It's thanks to you that our mission isn't succeeding, that we're being pulled back, and thanks to your handiwork that I got this sword wound. But no more, I shall have to take you down, and kill you. I never let a target get away, and I don't intend to start now."
Yugao grit her teeth, she couldn't let anything happen to Hayate.
Meanwhile, Satsuki was still hot on the trail of Kabuto, and could see the devastation that Gaara had left in her wake. Trees were shattered, broken down and laid on the forest floor. The sand itself was scattered everywhere around, she could see that Gaara wasn't holding anything back, and she saw some blood as well, she hoped that it wasn't Ryouta's blood.
She kept going when she noticed two people were following her.
It seemed that they were trying to hide their presence amongst the trees, but it didn't fool her Sharingan eyes.
She turned right, as she saw one Oto Ninja come for her, shooting off some Wind Release, so she ducked down and shot down towards the ground, when she saw the other manipulating some tools with wire, and was firing them off right for her body.
"Damn."
She gritted her teeth, as she pulled out a kunai.
Using her Sharingan to help with the predictability of where the next attacks were going and how her own attacks would affect things, she made a move, throwing her kunai right, and bounced it off of one of the weapons coming for her, sending it into the path of another, then another, like a domino effect to the point all but two of the weapons were taken care of, giving Satsuki the time to pull out two more kunai's, and stabbed down as she got towards them, hooking her own blades through the holes in the shurikens coming for her.
"What the hell?!"
The man yelled out, as Satsuki weaved through some hand signs.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Shooting off flames from her mouth, they ran down the wire that the enemy was using and burned his body as he let out a scream, falling out of a tree that he was standing on.
"No! You damn Uchiha!"
The enemy turned towards Satsuki, and fired off several bullets of Wind, so Satsuki shot backwards, elegantly flipping back several times, landing on a few tree branches as she did so.
As she flipped, the enemy fired off a kunai, powered by a wind blast from his mouth, going extremely fast for the flipping Uchiha.
Her eyes managed to catch the movements of it, and with a single movement, she tossed out a shuriken, parrying the attack, then she landed, rocketing herself off towards the enemy.
Landing on several trees, the enemy fired off more wind blasts to stop her.
But Satsuki proved to be too fast, and got in close towards the enemy.
"Lions Barrage!"
Using the Taijutsu she had invented during the Chunin Exams, she kicked the enemy up high, and then got behind him, delivering a series of strikes which ended with Satsuki's leg embedding into the man's upper body, firing him off down into the ground, where he smashed his head into said ground, stopping him completely.
She then growled.
"Damn Kabuto trying to stall me...he wont get far..."
Satsuki turned back to where she could see the destruction Gaara had left, and propelled herself through the air to get towards Ryouta as soon as possible, even though she right now had some doubts that it was, she couldn't take the chance that this was the true Ryouta and leaving him now would spell his end, so she had to go with the belief that it was, and hoped for his sake, that it wasn't the real one right now, and the real one was safe and sound.
Back with Ryouta and the others, as the giant snake bent down and nuzzled against Yukine's face who giggled, Ryouta stared at Garaga with saucer like eyes, it was so shocking to see Garaga acting in such a manner, it seemed totally different to how he usually was.
"It's been a long time my adorable Garaga-kun~"
Yukine stroked the top of Garaga's head, while tears of absolute joy erupted from his eyes.
Ryouta was shocked, seeing this new side to Garaga when he was usually so rough and tough, he looked like a little kid that hadn't seen his Mother for a long time.
"Ooh Master, I knew you'd not let death stop you and you'd return to me!" Yukine laughed awkwardly at that. "I'm so glad that you're alive Master, now we can go off together, and live a secluded life!"
"Ooh Garaga-kun, first of all, you're so dramatic, it's adorable."
Garaga stuck out his tongue.
"I'm sorry Master, but I missed you so much!"
"Aah, I missed you too~ But, I'm not back from the dead, or rather, I'm not technically living again~"
Laughing it off, Yukine showed a wide smile that Garaga really did find infectious.
"Ooh Master, I've missed your humour and your kindness. Also, I guess he's your son, isn't he?" Yukine nodded. "I thought I smelled something familiar about him, I've become his summoned partner Master."
"That's fantastic, but Garaga-kun, I need you to go and protect the village for me. While I beat down that creepy bastard over there." Orochimaru placed a hand on his mouth showing he was scared of Yukine as she pointed at him dangerously. "I'm sorry that I haven't been able to speak to you, but I'm glad that you're doing so well, and that you've grown to be so big and strong. And thank you for accepting my son as your summoned partner, I know that must have been difficult."
"No Master, he won my allegiance, and showed the same kindness that you did to me all those years ago. Maybe there are good humans. Orochimaru sucks."
"Yes he does." Garaga snickers, as he coils back. "Now Garaga-kun, I've got a special task for you, and that's to take my son towards the shrine with the special mask, okay? You know what I mean. And afterwards, hide it in our special place, okay? No one will find it there."
Orochimaru looked on, trying to hear what she was saying.
But all he could hear was a loud wind like whistling sound.
He presumed it was Yukine's doing since it was so loud.
"...Master, if you're using the mask, then that means..."
Yukine bows her head, as Hiruzen looks towards Ryouta, who seems confused.
"Yes, that's right. That's why, I have to ask you to do this for me. You know where it is, take my son with you, and hide it in that special area. And if my son ever needs it, then I want you to give it to him, alright? But not anyone else."
"I know Master...I will do as you have asked."
Yukine bowed her head.
"Thank you."
Garaga's sad eyes went towards her, and took a good look at her.
Burning her image into his mind as he wanted to remember her always.
"Master, will this be our last meeting?"
"I can't be sure if this is the last time we'll see each other. But even if it is, remember I know deep within you, you've got immense kindness, even if you can be a bit of a rough and tough guy." Garaga laughed openly at that. "So go, and do your best. Support my son to the best of your abilities, become stronger Garaga-kun, live your best life, and I love you like you were my own child."
Garaga gained large tears by his eyes, and nuzzled Yukine's face once more.
Garaga then pulled back, and peered at Yukine, before bowing his head.
Yukine then turned to Ryouta.
"Ryou, can you do me a favour, and make me a clone? It has to be from you, one from me wouldn't work right now."
Ryouta didn't get it, but did as he was asked.
He made a clone as Yukine took a strand of hair from behind her back, before she allowed it to wrap around the clones finger.
She then produced a scroll via a snake she summoned, and then laid it out, smearing some of Ryouta's blood onto it that she gained it from his bleeding body, then she did some hand signs, something that Ryouta copied with his Sharingan eyes.
She then placed a hand onto the clone after she finished going through some hand signs, then she placed a seal on top of it, before she sealed the clone into the scroll.
"Mom, what was that?"
"Maybe...just maybe, I can undo some of the evils done here today." Ryouta wondered what that meant as she adopts a smile. "Garaga-kun, give my son the scroll of my Jutsu's, all of my knowledge that I have, I left it with you for my sons, remember?"
"Yes Master..."
Garaga tearfully spoke up.
Ryouta could see how hard it was for Garaga to do all of this.
But the care he had for Yukine, showed through his words, and his actions.
Even though he wished to stay, he wanted to do the final task that Yukine was giving him.
Yukine's eyes then went towards Ryouta who she offered a smile towards.
"My son is worthy of having the knowledge, maybe some will be very useful." She places her hands on Ryouta's face, giving his face a gentle loving strong that made Ryouta adopt a sad smile on his face. "Ryou, take Pakura-san with you. She isn't an enemy anymore, and if she stays, she could be killed. No more bloodshed needs to happen for someone so kind. She's been through too much, what she needs now, is support."
Ryouta understood her thoughts as well.
But he knew that if he left now…
That was it.
He wouldn't see his Mother again.
He didn't know her plans, but he knew deep down that she was up to something that would take her away.
"...Okay Mom, I'll take Pakura-san with me. But Mom...I...I wont...see you again...will I? As Garaga-san said...this is the last time...I'll see you, isn't it?"
Though his heart was aching right now...
His Mother had given him a task, one that he had to fulfil for her.
To protect those he cared for…
He had to do it.
Yukine felt the sadness and pain that was deep inside, so she wrapped her arms around him tightly. Wishing she never could let him go, Hiruzen looked on from the side, and felt his heart ache, knowing how hard this must be for the pair of them.
"We might not see each other anymore, but I'll always be there in your heart, and now in your memories. One day, we'll see each other again, I swear we will. I wish that we had more time...I want to say things to you as well, I know you've got so many questions...that's why one day, I know you'll see me again, when the time comes, the scroll Garaga-kun has, that's the gift I can give to you. Seeing the smart kind of boy you are, I know you've got what it takes to Master many things in this world, and make real differences."
"Mom..."
He became overwhelmed with her words.
It was something bittersweet.
The last words he'd hear from his Mother, were also some of the first due to how she had been taken away from him before he could even have any memories of her.
These were the memories that he'd have of her.
Even if they were brief, they were something that he'd cherish for the rest of his life.
"I don't know what the future holds, but if there's ever a time you need me...you'll know where to find me. Until then...never forget...you're loved. Your Father...me, and Shisui, we all loved you with our last breaths. I know definitely both Shisui and Kagami did. As for me...as I died, my thoughts were only of you, and Shisui. I loved you, until the moment my last breath left my lungs...I thought I'd not see you grow up and it tore me up inside as I was dying, that I'd never get to hold my new baby...but, this has given me the chance to see you, to see how kind and strong you are, and I got to hold you, you might not have been a baby...but I held my son once, and that meant the world to me."
"Mom...I'm sorry...things aren't...different..."
"Me too...but you know...this world can be dark, it can be unforgiving, it can be downright cruel with how it messes with you, what it takes from you...but never lose sight of who you are, be kind and strong always, like a Dragon. I know you will accomplish many things in your life...so keep living...keeping loving, and most of all...be happy."
Ryouta's tears rolled down his eyes, nodding strongly.
Yukine pulled back, so Ryouta did the same thing, both reluctantly so.
He then walked towards Pakura, Ryouta placed his arms around her.
"Pakura-san..."
He called out to her.
She looked at him, and offered a tearful "I'm so sorry..." but Ryouta shook his head.
"You don't have to apologize to me, Pakura-san. This isn't your fault, Orochimaru caused this, and I promise you, he wont get away with this. I'll take care of you now."
As he said it, Pakura was stunned, despite all she had done, he didn't look at her with anything other than kindness.
That kindness she didn't expect...but she truly did appreciate how kind Ryouta was, and how he'd even stay with her now.
His eyes shot for Orochimaru who looked back coldly.
"If you don't die this day, you will one day, for all you've done. You'll never get what you want, I'll make sure of it you bastard."
Orochimaru was taken aback, and for a moment, it felt like how Yukine would say the words, and it did cause him to pause in surprise.
Ryouta took Pakura in his arms, and leapt onto Garaga's head.
Placing Pakura in a sitting position, he looked back at his Mother who gave a kind smile, and nodded, so he did the same thing and pulled back with Garaga.
Yukine then opened a hole in the barrier, to the amazement of Orochimaru, as she openly smiled.
"Orochimaru, you do know that I know the ins and outs of how to break it."
Orochimaru hung his head while Garaga left the barrier to go together with Ryouta and Pakura.
Ryouta looked back at his Mother, who smiled and waved in his direction.
Not wanting the last view of him to be one of sadness or him crying, he wanted to show her how much she meant to him. Even if he didn't get to know her that well...for her to bring him into the world…he wanted to show her the love he felt for her.
So he adopts a smile, the biggest smile that he could muster up and waves towards his Mother.
"Goodbye Mom! I love you!"
Yukine could feel her emotions taking a hit at that.
"Goodbye Ryou...I love you, forever."
Yukine watched as her son, Garaga and Pakura vanished from sight as they made their way through the village.
Once out of sight, she broke down in tears.
She didn't want to show pain in front of her son, but now he was gone…
She couldn't keep it together anymore.
Orochimaru smirked.
"Enjoy that last moment I gave you with your son?"
Yukine's annoyed eyes went towards him.
"Go to hell."
Orochimaru flinched at the annoyed stare followed by the words.
Hiruzen gave a concerned look for Yukine, seeing the pain in her eyes.
"Yukine..."
Yukine glances towards Hiruzen, and adopts a soft smile.
"It's okay...that boy has done me proud."
"Yukine, Ryouta-kun might have grown up without his blood family...but, he grew up with his adopted family, this village. And what a fine young man he is, everything he's done for this village...he truly is remarkable. He is exactly like you, Kagami, and Shisui. His Will of Fire burns so bright, you never have to worry about him falling to any anger, the Uchiha's curse wont take over that boy, I know this child's kindness and his heart."
"Thank you, Hiruzen."
Hiruzen bowed, as he saw a glint in her eyes.
"Yukine...what else have you got up your sleeve?"
She pulled out her tongue.
"A Ninja never reveals her tricks Hiruzen, you should know that by now~" Hiruzen adopted a small smile. "I am supposed to be long gone from this world. But while I'm here...I will protect my son, and this village that...that gave me the chance...to find Kagami...that sweet goofy lovable idiot..." Hiruzen chortled at that. "...Through him, I gained a family, my precious sons...I didn't get to experience my sons growing up...while it breaks my heart Shisui is gone...to know my other son loves this village as much as I, and is so kind and strong...I am grateful. So while I'm here, lets make some good happen in this darkness."
Hiruzen nodded.
As he did, Yukine wished...things could have been different.
That she could have stayed alive, and raised her son…
But she also knew that he was strong, he was independent, he was powerful, and from what she had seen…
He was kind, and loving.
In a harsh world…
She knew that being kind, wasn't a weakness. Loving wasn't a weakness.
It was a strength, they both were strengths, and her son displayed both qualities.
Whatever his future held, she knew he'd be shining like a star.
Now she was going to do her best, to give him the best possible future while she was still around.
End chapter!
So this chapter focused on Ryouta and Yukine having to part from one another, as he was given a task by her. Though it was really difficult for the pair of them, Ryouta had to do what his Mother had wished, and left her behind, knowing that could be the last time he'd get to see her, while she has something up her sleeves, even Hiruzen isn't entirely sure so we'll see what happens with that! Garaga also appeared, and got to speak to Yukine, his Master, and showed how close they were to one another. Shino and Kankuro also had their fight, and fights with Anko and Karin vs Ameyuri, along with Yugao vs Baki being set up to have them in the next chapter. Pakura also heard the revelation of what Orochimaru has done, but now she's gone with Ryouta, who might be able to help her after suffering such a shock to her system.
Well, until next time, thanks for reading!
Ryouta; Satsuki, Sakura, Naruko, Hinata, Gaara (fem), Ino, Haku (fem), Kurotsuchi, Karin, Konan, Mei, Anko, Samui, Hanabi, Mabui, Temari,