Welcome to the next chapter.
joharasbel; Thanks!
Arondight888; Thanks! Yeah, Pakura's going through some stuff, Ryouta's gonna help her. Maybe it is for her yeah~
ShadowUzumaki55; Ryouta is yeah, he's doing his best~ It was yeah, Pakura's going through quite a bit. Maybe Yukine can do, we'll have to see~ Garaga was yeah, they were quite close. Ryouta is yeah, he'll support Pakura.
Silver crow; Yeah, quite emotional stuff. Pakura went through quite a lot. Seems like he is yeah. Yeah, Pakura couldn't do as she still hoped Maki would be alive. Their relationship shall be dived into more as the story goes on. Because Pakura's strong, she could have done serious damage if she turned on him, and say teamed up with Konoha and other things like that. Kushina and Yukine were close friends yeah. That's the point, Baki isn't thinking straight, he's only focused on getting his revenge. Yukine asked Garaga to watch over the scroll for her. For One Piece, yeah he'd be strong when first shown, not the strongest, so he'd have room for improvement, but he'll be strong. Yeah, One Piece does move locations quite a bit. Yeah, sounds cool for Trihexa. Yeah, it's pretty interesting in Fairy Tail. For Fairy Tail, he'd be quite strong, S Class similar to Erza, Laxus, and Mirajane, but like them room for getting stronger. I can't spoil it yet, but at least Itachi and Izumi will be there. Ryouta will be acknowledged for what he's done during this. Yeah, could be like that for Robin. That's a cool team for Fairy Tail. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Maybe she could grant that. Yeah, he could meet Konan there, would be cool.
Guest 1; Glad you liked it. Yeah, Garaga really looks up to Yukine quite a bit. Pakura tried her best, and she was screwed over by Orochimaru. I'm glad you liked their goodbye.
Skull Flame; Orochimaru did yeah, he is quite evil. Garaga definitely is yeah.
Guest 2; Yeah quite fitting huh~? She is yeah, she's quite skilled in sensing. Yeah, Maki and Pakura have gone through quite a bit. Yeah, Pakura's too strong, if she turned on him, then there's a good chance she could have done some serious damage and maybe even more. Satsuki certainly will, as for Gaara, we'll soon see~ Karin will be able to support Anko to the best of her ability. Yeah, Yukine was trusted with quite a few secrets, and vice versa. Yeah, Garaga really does look up and respect Yukine, even viewing her like a son would a Mother. Yeah, Ryouta's got some stuff from Yukine now, and yeah, he's still got that, we'll see what's in that as well. Baki and Yugao's fight will be shown this chapter, how it goes~ Thank you very much, yeah there's things settling now that have been set up, and things being set up now that will pay off in the future. Thanks for the harem suggestions! Yeah, if he did that with the Kusanagi, it would be pretty bad ass~ The Kusanagi could choose him yeah. No worries at all, I really enjoyed reading it~ Yeah, that would make sense for a blade like Kusanagi.
Hinata fan; Yeah, it was very emotional between them. I can't say, we'll see what happens with Yukine here. Pakura has done yeah, Ryouta's gonna help her. Thanks for the harem suggestions.
dreadix; Whatever happens to him, it's going to be something that he'll be surprised by.
LordofWaves; Thanks! Yukine's up to something~ Yeah, part 2 I will. Thanks for the harem suggestions!
TheGreatGodzilla; No worries, it can be rather tough, I hope you and your family make it out okay. They don't need the Kazekage's permission if they wanna marry Ryouta. Yeah, we'll see how they come into contact. Thanks for the harem suggestions. Yukine did yeah, she understands love and compassion can be a strength, an amazing one at that. I can't say about Hiruzen right now, we'll see as the arc goes on.
JustAFan; Thanks! Yeah, he'll show some cool stuff in the future. Yukine's got some plan yeah~ Yeah, quite the tear jerking moments. Thanks for the harem suggestions.
Guest 3; Being a werewolf would be pretty cool yeah. Those situations would be cool if he did that. Luna is pretty cool yeah, thanks for the suggestions!
War Sage; Thanks! Hehe, I guess lol. She did yeah, Ryouta will learn a trick or two from this. Yeah, Baki isn't thinking straight right now. Mikoto's more leading the battle part of it, fighting on the front lines and coordinating those around her, others are doing their part too. Yeah, if he figures it out he'll tell Naruko about it. We'll see what happens~ Thanks for the suggestions!
Andrew123456; It was yeah~
Ninja shadow; Thanks! We'll see how it goes~ Thanks for the suggestions. If they wanted, his children could do.
Guestninja; Haha, guess so lol. Thanks, and thanks for the suggestions.
Guestforce; Thanks very much, I try my best. That comment with Karin's shall be brought up later into the story. Maybe he is~ Thanks for the suggestions.
Windlord23; Thanks very much! Yukine's left some valuable stuff behind for Ryouta. Danzo's schemes shall be revealed soon. Baki is yeah, he's really not thinking straight. Thanks for the suggestions!
Shadowfigure; I'll probably have it split between two. He did yeah~ Yeah, Ryouta's Susanoo could do~ Thanks for the suggestions!
With those reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!
Pakura's heart
As Ryouta had left, Orochimaru's cold eyes went towards him, then gazed at Yukine and Hiruzen, the former just scowled at him.
"So, why did he leave? You managed to keep me out of the loop."
"My son isn't needed here, he has a village to protect."
"There's more to it than that."
Hiruzen stepped forward.
"The boy doesn't concern you, he's been sent away so you can't get your hands on him, should we fail here."
Hiruzen said with a strong will.
Yukine nodded.
"As I said Sensei, you're not getting your hands on him, if it means I don't get to see him anymore, I have to protect my son from you."
Orochimaru showed a dark scowl.
"I went through all of the trouble of bringing him here, and he isn't going to witness the Hokage's death."
"You think you're gonna take out the Hokage, do you?"
Hiruzen's eyes glanced at Yukine, seeing that she had a serious expression on her face.
"Confidence is what I have now Yukine-chan."
"Arrogance is what you have, not confidence. Imagine Grandpa Hiruzen and myself together, we'll be quite strong, right Sensei?"
Orochimaru scowled.
"Even in death, you're very dangerous. But don't forget, your son is mine."
"My son will never be yours!"
Hiruzen and Yukine came together, as did Orochimaru, along with his two Edo's that stood beside him, readying themselves to fight.
Having departed his Mother, Ryouta's eyes looked towards Pakura, who hadn't said a thing. It seemed that she hadn't even registered what was going on with her, that she was currently on a giant snakes head.
Ryouta wished he could have helped her, he really did wish that he could.
He could also see that Garaga was being usually quiet.
Though he also felt depressed due to not probably ever going to see his Mother again...he had to march on, he had to do what his Mother had tasked him to do.
He looked at the blade that he had gained from his Mother via Orochimaru, and looked deeply at said blade.
"This is supposed to be able to elongate..." Ryouta swung the Kusanagi out several times. "It's strong, and very sharp, insanely sharp..."
"Kusanagi, it's a very dangerous sword. Your Mom gave you a precious weapon, don't waste it."
Garaga spoke, with Ryouta nodding, his eyes shifting towards the Uchiha Compound.
Using his Sharingan eyes, he could see that several ones he knew were Konoha Ninja were there, which relieved him.
"Something wrong kid?"
Ryouta looked down at the giant snake, shaking his head.
"No, I was just checking on the Uchiha that can't fight, it seems that they're being escorted away safely. I'm sure Mikoto-san made sure they'd be fine."
"Yeah, seems so."
"After getting this mask, I wonder what to do next...I need to go to the place I'd be most useful and as quickly as possible..."
Pakura's eyes lifted, and looked towards Ryouta.
Seeing that despite everything...he was still continuing on, and thinking of others, even though she knew right now, he must be in so much pain leaving behind the Mother he never got to grow up with, in her eyes, he was rather mentally strong, something that she mentally praised him for...
Meanwhile, Anko and Karin confronted the likes of Ameyuri before their eyes. With a dangerous amount of electricity around her, it was a troubling time with what was going on, that she could finish them off in a single blast if they weren't careful.
"By the way, could you point me in the direction of Ryouta-kun?"
"No."
Ameyuri hugged her upper body.
"You're so cold all of a sudden Anko-chan, that isn't nice at all. I think that maybe I'll have to use my powers onto you if you don't tell me..."
Anko rushed forward, and tossed her senbons for her.
But Ameyuri twirled a single sword around and blocked them all, while also releasing a bolt of electricity.
However, Anko weaved through some hand signs, and placed her hands on the ground.
"Earth Release, Earth Wall!"
Earth rose up, and formed a thick wall to protect her.
"Is that really what you're going to do?! Lightning is strong against earth!"
The lightning cleaved through it like a knife slicing through butter, and shot through so completely that it shattered a house, noticing that Anko wasn't there anymore.
Ameyuri looked around to see if she could find her.
But then she felt her feet sinking ever so slightly, so she leapt up into the air, seeing Anko's hands breaking out of the ground, mere inches away from her feet, so Anko allowed snakes to shoot out of her sleeves to give her extra range.
"No!"
Ameyuri sent her lightning forward, breaking through the snakes coming for her, only to see that from the snakes body, flames were travelling up towards them, clashing violently with the lightning and caused the area to become doused in such a strong ability.
Pushing through, the lightning dispersed the flames, and she travelled down towards Anko who tried launching several senbons at the sword wielder. However, Ameyuri twirled around several times, like a dancer, managed to cut down the senbons and launched her only lightning blasts right for Anko herself.
"Sensei!"
Karin called, as Anko replied "I'm fine, stay back!" and flipped several times backwards, which blasted and devastated the ground, as Ameyuri got in close, still spinning like a beautiful dance, and then came in from the right hand side, Anko didn't block as she knew Ameyuri would want that, so she summoned several snakes from her sleeves to grab and bind the enemy tightly.
"No matter what you do, you wont escape me sweet girl."
Ameyuri released lightning all around her, shocking the snakes out of existence, as she thrusted her sword forward.
Anko blocked with a kunai, but the lightning travelled up the kunai, and went towards Anko's arm were she felt an intense throbbing pain begin to overtake her arm, so she pulled away.
"Sensei-chan, I am glad that you're giving it fighting spirit, but I know for a fact that you've been fighting already. All I really want is to find you, and Ryouta-kun. I wanted to see my special people again. The battle on the bridge, and now, I feel like it has been too long since we met one another."
"Yeah, not long enough."
Anko gritted her teeth.
Whether she liked it or not, Ameyuri was indeed more skilled and powerful.
Ameyuri showed a sweet smile.
"I think we should be honest with ourselves Anko-chan, I think we should talk about our mutual love for our adorable Uchiha-kun."
Anko looked freaked out as she saw Ameyuri developing a scary looking smile.
"Sorry, but I can't let you get anywhere close to him."
"Ooh I do, there's only a few people I've ever thought about more than a single time in this world. I want to feel my opponents spirit, and when I came across Ryouta-kun, I was entranced, I loved every moment of it, I couldn't do anything other than feel more and more excitement grow over me. So now if you get in my way, I'll have to end you."
Anko felt a killer intent erupt from her.
It was clear that she wasn't messing around either.
So Anko had to make a move, no matter what was going to happen next...
Back with Ryouta, still travelling towards where the mask was, he noticed that Pakura still hadn't made any kind of movement.
Ryouta's eyes went towards Pakura, seeing her eyes seemed to be near lifeless.
But then her eyes turn towards Ryouta, with sorrow.
"Back there, I brought you to that barrier, I did things to assist in this invasion, those that die here, are going to be a direct response to my actions..."
"With or without you, Orochimaru would have gone ahead, and done these evil deeds. I'm sure that he gets some kind of thrill out of causing others torment and misery."
"Even then...I knew he wasn't to be trusted...but, I had hope. A small amount of hope inside of me that told me that maybe, just maybe he'd honour his words and return her safely to me...that allowed me to push down the pain that I felt at betraying those I had grown to care for...it didn't matter in the end though, because she's dead...all of this was for nothing...all of those I betrayed...Maki would be so ashamed of me right now..."
Ryouta felt for her.
It was so tough seeing and hearing what she had been through.
It was more than enough to break anyone.
"I don't think Maki-san would be ashamed of you Pakura-san."
"Maybe not...but I'm ashamed of myself, my actions...Suna called me its Hero, but I'm no Hero Ryouta-kun."
"Pakura-san...what happened with your student...I can't begin to imagine everything you've had to go through. But I do know that right here and now, you are still alive. You are still here, you can make a difference."
Pakura's eyes widened.
"A difference...but how can I?"
"You can, by being there for your people now. The Kazekage's dead, you're the one they will look to for guidance now. I've heard of what you've done and your actions with those around you, with how you've treated Gaara-san, the care you had for her, and the others in your village. They'll need you now more than ever."
Pakura was stunned.
Someone that should look at her as an enemy, isn't doing that.
It almost sounded like he was encouraging her to keep going.
Despite everything she had done to him, attacking, indirectly assisting Orochimaru in trying to crush this young man's spirit with the vision of his deceased Mother being used as a puppet (even if she didn't know about that part) she still felt guilt about the actions that she had taken until this point.
"Why are you saying this? Aren't we enemies?"
"We both, Suna and Konoha, have been used by Orochimaru and his evil wicked ways. What we should do is come together, to make sure that we don't do this again. Now with the Kazekage dead...aren't you the highest authority? At least right now in this village."
"...In this village, in this invasion, it was supposed to be Kazekage and then me who shall take command over Suna's forces. But, can I really...I mean...Ryouta-kun, let me ask you something."
"Ask me anything."
"Then...after you've heard everything about me...am I a Hero in your eyes? After everything with Orochimaru..."
Ryouta could see why she thought the way she did, but he saw it another way.
"You didn't have a choice. He took that choice away from you by taking Maki-san and used your love for her against you. No one can fault you for that, because many would probably make the same choice. Where else could you have turned in those days? Who could have helped you?"
"...I don't know..."
"Exactly, you didn't have anywhere to turn and had to do your best for Maki-san. Right here, right now, you can make a choice, a choice that was robbed from you. You can fight for both Suna and Konoha to organize their forces against Orochimaru. What do you want to do Pakura-san?"
She was surprised.
But inside, she felt something pulse through her.
It was a feeling that she felt like she hadn't had for a good while now…
And that was pride.
Pride in wanting to do the right thing.
Something that had been stolen away from her for so long.
"Ryouta-kun..."
"You are a leader Pakura-san, a very damn good one at that. People can have power, but a leader is those that care for those below them, that would go the extra mile for everyone below them. I saw how you did for Gaara-san, for Haku-san and Maki-san."
At that, Pakura's tears shed tears.
Even though he was the enemy…
Even though he was someone that shouldn't be there for her…
He was there for her.
"...Your words are kind, I wish that I could have spoken to you about all of this sooner. But still...I can't erase Maki's death, I can't bring her back...she's gone Ryouta-kun...and that's because of me. He targeted her...because of me."
Ryouta bent down towards her, and wrapped his arms around her.
She was stunned at first.
She hadn't expected it.
But soon, she felt the embrace of the younger man around her, as he did his best to comfort the young woman.
However, as he went to speak, he heard Garaga snarl.
"By the way, at the hospital, it seems that a gang of Oto Ninja have gathered, and their defences are weakened. I can smell it from here kid, the reinforcements must be delayed, what are we gonna do? We got an order from Master, but...knowing her, she'd want to save people too."
"...Garaga-san, turn towards the hospital. But first, tell me is anyone from where we were with Orochimaru following?"
"Not that I can tell."
"I see...then lets do this." Ryouta creates a Shadow Clone. "Garaga-san tell my clone were to go, he'll stand guard for us. If my clone is dispersed then we can go. Though I think Orochimaru right now doesn't have any means to try to follow us, but on the safe side..."
"Smart idea kid, thinking like your Mom there."
Ryouta took that as a good compliment.
"Thanks." Garaga quickly explained, so the clone shot off with incredible speed, as Ryouta's eyes shifted to the hospital. "Lets take care of them quickly."
Garaga smirked.
"That's what I wanted to hear kid! Right, lets go and destroy them!"
"Right. Orochimaru isn't going to win this day."
Ryouta's words caused Garaga to go at high speed, and shoot through Konoha, battering down the enemies that he came across with his large body.
As that was going on, Yugao was being confronted by Baki. The man withdrew a kunai, and wind began to circulate around the blade. Hayate, still being quite damaged, wasn't able to fight him, so she had to do it this time.
"Get away from him."
"This will be my revenge, I have to fight and defeat you."
"No you wont get close to him."
Baki smirked.
"Have you seen outside? We have taken over a good chunk of the hospital, we are going to win this invasion. Even if he did cause us to have this much of a problem. It could only have been him and the Uchiha boy. So after this, I am going to slay the Uchiha as well."
Yugao looked, and saw that Oto Ninja lined the area near the hospital. The Ninja put on to protect were having problems, and were being beaten back.
"I wont let you near either of these kind men anymore. For what you've done to Hayate, and what you tried to do to Ryouta-kun...you shall pay!"
Yugao's sword grip tightened, and then she lunged forward, but Baki danced right and avoided it, where he swung his wind enhanced kunai for her, so she pulled back, only for Baki to blow a blast of air out of his mouth after flying through hand signs.
"I thought I was going to pay?"
She managed to leap to the right, as the winds smashed through the wall, but that seemed to be a distraction as Baki went right for Hayate, his blade aimed right for the man's chest in a bid to take him out quickly.
Yugao pushed herself, and got between them, with her swords flat side acting a barrier between Hayate and Baki respectably, with Yugao feeling her sword shaking as the blade of wind was beginning to dig into the metal.
"You aren't going to be able to get the better of me this time."
Yugao grit her teeth, as she saw her sword breaking more and more, so she pulled out a kunai and slashed for his throat, in a bid to take him out.
But he was fast, and moved out of the way, as she leapt between them, her blade holding out before her to slay her foe, Hayate was helpless, watching on as his lover was dueling his would be killer.
She notices that he was favouring one side, most likely from the injury that he had due to the combination of Ryouta and Hayate working together, so she swung her sword towards his weakened side, his reaction time not being what it was beforehand, and sliced across his torso as he pulled back, having blood drip down his body.
He winced at the feeling, but then aimed his hand for Hayate, Yugao noticing what he was doing, but still moved in the direction of Hayate, protecting him as a blast of wind came out, her katana formed a crack down the middle due to a combination of what he did beforehand, and how finely sharp the wind was.
Baki paused, and adopted a smile.
"You'd do anything to keep him safe, even endanger your own life which shall end now."
Yugao needed to be there and be the wall that protected the man she loved, as she knew he'd do the same for her each and every time.
"Maybe you're right, maybe I wont be able to win against you. Even if it is futile, I will protect those I care about!"
Hearing her words, Hayate felt a pulse from his heart, how she truly was a kind and strong willed Ninja.
Baki looked on, perplexed.
"Your words, it seems that you're an honourable warrior. I shall give you such a death befitting such a warrior."
Yugao was surprised to hear that, it seemed that despite his actions, Baki did have honour, even if it was misplaced.
"Haaaah!"
Crossing the distance, she swung her sword in different ways, confusing the enemy. It seemed the swords blade was weaving through the air in different places at the same time, almost as if it was an illusion, yet it wasn't any Genjutsu.
He went to retreat, when he felt a slice across his face. He saw the blade coming in, yet he still couldn't dodge out of the way in time and felt the cold steel of the blade damage his flesh in such a manner.
Wind gathered around him, creating an air current that blasts Yugao towards the window, shattering the remaining glass that was around it.
"Be gone!"
She was almost blown out of the window as another blast of air came for her, but she embedded her sword into the wall, and held on as the winds swept around her.
She felt the winds cutting into her flesh as Baki moved his hand again and again towards her.
"How does it feel to know that you're going to watch your lover die before your eyes?"
"Haven't you caused enough damage to him?!"
Yugao angrily said, with Baki showing an annoyed look.
"Because of him and the Uchiha, we could have swept through this village. We would have been having a much easier time. But not only that, the Uchiha has swayed Gaara, turned her side towards his own. Away from what we had planned, we cannot allow that to continue on."
Yugao pulled herself back in, as Baki allowed the winds to stop cutting her for a brief moment, and then she got towards Baki, her sword inches from his neck, and kept going to try and cut through said neck…
He released a blast of wind, cutting through her skin, she let out a cry and was sent flying backwards.
But not alone this time, as she hooked her legs around his frame, and dragged him out of the window, where she twirled as they fell from the air, and shot him down towards the ground like a speeding bullet, the ground broke as his body smashed into it, he coughed up blood as a result.
She managed to land safely on her feet, she looked around and saw that it was a warzone the area she was in...
Back with Anko, and Ameyuri, with Karin off to the side, Anko felt her options were limited, and that she didn't have a good chance of one upping Ameyuri in a straight one on one kind of fight due to how much she had fought already compared to Ameyuri, so she made her move.
"You want to fight so bad, lets try this!"
Anko summoned many snakes from her sleeves. Spinning rapidly around her more and more, they released from their mouths that they received from Anko flash bangs, that created a blindingly bright light that swept through the area, including Ameyuri's eyes who was surprised.
But Ameyuri didn't let the blindness stop her, and she released a stream of electricity to protect herself.
Blinding Ameyuri for a brief moment, she rubbed her eyes, ridding herself of the blindness that she had as quickly as she could, and then saw the snakes, so she shot off a heavy duty thunder bolt, which ripped right through the area.
Destroying the snakes, she saw Anko was gone.
"Tch, another little trick to evade detection, that's cute."
She shifted left and right and behind with her eyes.
But she was nowhere to be found.
All she could see was Karin looking on with nervousness, so electricity began to flow through her blades.
"Hmmm, it seems you can vanish very quickly Anko-chan. Are you really that worried to fight me that you immediately leave me all alone?" Her eyes shifted to Karin who looked worried. "But your student is still here, that's a curious thing to see. Maybe I should target her instead. What do you think darling?"
Karin pulled back.
"My Sensei will be back, and she will finish you off."
"You can sense, can't you? I remember, your skills are outstanding. So tell me, where is Sensei, if you tell me, I wont electrocute you."
Karin didn't say anything.
Ameyuri laughed.
"Alright, it seems that you don't want to tell me anything at all. I guess I'll have to..." As she spoke, she saw a shadow move from the right, so she turned, and rammed her blades right through Anko's torso. "I'm from the Seven Ninja Swordsmen! Do you think you can sneak up on me sweetie?!"
Anko spat out some blood, while Ameyuri smirked.
"You..."
"Don't worry, I'll take you to the afterlife now, and then you'll finally be able to see those that had left you behind. Say, when you get there, why don't you say hey to Kushimaru for me? I know that he's a pain in my ass, but at least let him know that...he really did piss me off constantly."
Anko glared at her when Ameyuri noticed something.
Anko's body...was turning into snakes.
Her eyes widened, and turned to see Karin moving abnormally fast for her, faster than she thought Karin would be able to move, and as she did, she saw several stones were flying towards her, each having paper bombs attached.
"Not bad, so she was able to form these kind of plans. This is their own home turf, so I'm not too surprised. However, it seems that red head is someone I did underestimate, I didn't want to do that, but I had in the end."
Ameyuri was enjoying it at the same time because she was fighting Anko, someone that she did rather like, someone that she found to be a good fight, beyond the fact that she wished to fight Ryouta as well, so she didn't want to die at this moment in time.
She looked at the Karin on the ground, who burst into a cloud of smoke and saw that it was really Anko.
"Heh, so that's what your intentions were all alone. You wanted to make it impossible for me to use my blades."
Anko jumped up, going through the spaces between the stones, and then got up high.
"Fire Release, Dragon Fire Jutsu!"
Anko releases a mass of fire in a straight line, which she moved her head as she did, setting off the intense explosions. Ameyuri was going to pull away, when she noticed that below her, there was some kind of seal.
"Light String Formation!"
Karin announced, Ameyuri's eyes widened, she hadn't expected something like that.
The explosive force ripped right through the area, as Anko grabbed Karin to make it a safe distance away.
"Sensei, is that going to be enough for her?"
"I do know that it will at least cause her some damage."
Anko let out a small pant, as she had been fighting off other Ninja, and now fighting Ameyuri was a tough deal.
However, as the smoke died down, they were in for a shock.
Around Ameyuri, there were thick black stingers that seemed to act as walls around her.
They looked like they came off a giant bee.
And connecting between them, was her lightning from the blades she wields.
"No...she summoned her bees in such a short amount of time...incredible."
"Sensei, she protected herself, she must have done that so quickly."
Anko nods.
"Ameyuri is strong and deadly..."
She paused when she saw Ameyuri come out of the large stinger like fortress around her.
She saw that Ameyuri did in fact get some burned skin and was bleeding from her forehead, but otherwise looked fine.
"Nice work ladies, I have to commend you for a good job, attacking like that really was a good time in my life. I thought for a moment that I could have suffered too many wounds, and that I would have died without having my romantic battle with Ryouta-kun~"
Karin sharpened her gaze, gritting her teeth to a good degree.
"You crazy hag, thinking about having a romantic battle with Ryou-kun!? I forbid it!"
Ameyuri's eyebrow twitched.
"What did you just call me?"
Anko gave slightly bemused eyes that Ameyuri didn't like being called a crazy hag.
"I always thought you were suspicious, but now with the fact that you're after Ryou-kun for some weird love death thing!? Not if I have anything to say about it you crazy hag!"
Ameyuri gave a faux smile as she felt angry about the hag comment, but then a real one emerged, as she wanted to have some fun with Karin.
"Did you just say you always thought I was delicious? Wow, interesting. But I have to say sorry, I ain't interested, find someone else to love, maybe Orochimaru?"
She laughed out in a clearly joking tone, but it was freaking Karin out with the way Ameyuri ran her tongue across her lips, while Anko suppressed a laugh.
"No, I said suspicious! Not delicious! Ryou-kun is delicious! Not you! Never you! Never Orochimaru either! You're both evil! And crazy!"
Ameyuri snickered while Anko thought "Geez, these two really are oddballs...but it's really funny to watch them going at it." as she watched the two play off one another, Ameyuri being playful and Karin being fuelled by her anger at the red haired swordsmen.
"Well, I can't argue there on both fronts haha~ That boy is a treat, right Karin-chan~?"
"Oooh, I really dislike you with every fiber of my being..."
Karin chewed out her words angrily.
Ameyuri giggled at the anger on Karin's face.
"Either way, I don't mind, but I'm not going after you anymore. I've always wanted a cute younger boy to have a final battle with. I mean, I'm kinda bored with you now, so..." She snaps her fingers, and summons several people to come towards her, Anko and Karin grit their teeth. "I think I've tried you guys out enough for me to begin making waves somewhere else, I wonder if Ryouta-kun will think I'm delicious red head."
"Stay away from him!"
"Nope, that boys mine, he's so delicious~"
Karin cupped her hands over her mouth.
Ameyuri then turned around, beginning to walk away.
"Goodbye ladies, have fun."
"Wait!"
Anko charged, but Ninja got in her way, blocking her path completely to her irritation, and could only watch as Ameyuri skipped away, leaving them to deal with the enemies.
From a small distance, Danzo's lone eye looked upon Anko and Karin, and thought "Looks like it is my time to begin, eh Hiruzen?", his devilish thoughts only being something he was aware of currently.
Back with Yugao, she began cutting down some Ninja as Baki recovered from being smashed into the ground, his hand went out, and he sent off a blast of wind for her, which she dodges towards the right hand side.
But didn't have anytime to rest as another Ninja came for her, and tried to cut her down, only for her to expertly dodge, and cleave through his body with her blade, making sure he couldn't do anymore than that.
However, that left her open to an attack from the now bleeding Baki, who blasted his blade of wind at her. Slicing through her body, she winced as he dashed closer, and angled his foot for her torso, slamming it into her body.
"Gwaaah!"
She tried to use her sword to defend, but Baki managed to blast the sword away with a wave of his hand and wind releasing, then his foot had managed to embed deep within her body, sending her flying into the hospitals wall, cracking the wall around her body.
"After I'm done with you, I will be coming for your boyfriend, and I'll put him in the ground next to you."
Yugao growled, as she pulled her blade to stab him.
But Baki manages to cleave through her cracked katana with his wind enhanced kunai, dropping the half of the blade onto the ground.
His hand went towards her, but felt his blood dripping down onto the ground from the attacks Yugao gave.
She looked at her half broken katana, and didn't know what she could do...
As his hand was going to release a burst of strong winds, suddenly there was a loud noise, followed by a "Yugao-san!", Yugao turned to see Ryouta riding on top of Garaga as they came crashing through the area while taking out the enemy, and throwing his blade he acquired from Orochimaru towards her.
Baki jumped back, as Yugao reached out, and caught the blade, her eyes seeing that Garaga was swinging his large body around and sweeping through the enemies, as Ryouta himself took out his own sword, and began cutting down some enemies around the hospital, and began guiding the remaining ally Ninja to fight in special ways to overcome the enemy forces, something she was impressed by.
"He came here...and thanks to him, the tide of this battle is shifting in our favour. Okay, I have to do my part too, if he's fighting then I will as well."
She then turned to Baki who shook.
"That kid, I wont let him live!"
Baki concentrated the winds around him, and took aim for Ryouta who was busy cutting down the enemies, so Yugao held the sword in her hand tightly, and felt like it was rather special, so she dashed forward.
Getting before Baki, he gasped and turned his hands towards her, shooting off a blast of compressed air…
But she substituted herself with a log, and came up from behind.
He heard her footsteps, so he took out his wind enhanced kunai, but she was already swinging from his damaged side, so his speed was already slower due to the pain shooting through him.
He tried to block her, but the sword was able to cleave through his weapon, and also how Yugao was wielding it, allowing the blade to continue on, and she managed to fully cut down Baki.
The blade ripping right through the man's body and he ended up falling to the ground, bleeding heavily from the strike.
Yugao looked down towards him, seeing that he was gazing back up at her.
"That was for what you did to Hayate and tried to do to Ryouta-kun."
Yugao's words caused Baki to glare hard for her, as blood loss soon took over him.
She watched as his eyes closed, so she pulled back.
As she did, she saw Ryouta managing to finish off the remaining enemies together with Garaga, and then began ordering an evacuation of the hospital for those that remained, having those that could work assist those that couldn't, and making sure that they were able to make it to the evacuation area, and for those that couldn't, he was directing them towards the safest parts of the hospital, and even helping out with healing some of those that were injured with Medical Ninjutsu.
What Yugao witnessed was something amazing.
Pakura also witnessed how hard Ryouta was going.
How far he was going for those that needed his help.
Big or small, it didn't matter to him.
He was someone that was fighting for the peoples safety, and she knew those that he had saved wouldn't ever forget the heroism that he was displaying at this moment in time, making her recall the days that she was hailed as a Hero.
Yugao went over towards him, and held out the sword as Pakura watched on from the top of Garaga's head.
"Thank you for letting me borrow this. What is this blade anyway?"
"Apparently it's a very strong sword, it used to be Orochimaru's until I was given it."
"Orochimaru...I see." Ryouta was given the blade back from Yugao. "Ryouta-kun, what's going on in the village?"
"From what I've seen, the enemy is being pushed back. How is Hayate-san? Safe?"
"Yes, he is safe. It was touch and go...but, I managed to fend off Baki long enough for you to gift me this blade."
"I'm relieved that he's okay. But I've got a mission from my Mom to do, so we need to secure this place as soon as possible."
That confused her, since she thought that Ryouta's Mother was deceased.
"Your Mom? But she's..."
"Long story. Suffice to say, that Orochimaru brought her back from the dead, and she's on our side now. I was asked to do a mission for her, but saw that this area was in danger, so had to come. To make sure you both, and the others remaining here were okay."
Yugao adopted a smile.
"You are a kind boy. But if you've got a mission to do..."
"Yes, but what about the others here? I couldn't leave until I know this area is as safe as it can be."
Pakura listened in and what she heard…
She couldn't help but adopt a small smile.
Even now, he thought of others safety.
"This boy...he's taken on a lot of things, he's fighting so hard...it's clear right now that this boy is doing his best. For the sake of his village...for the sake of innocent people...and yet he's hurting so much. His Mother is back there...he never even got to know her, yet had to leave her behind to do a mission...to continue his life as a Ninja...that was one of the bravest things that I've ever witnessed. Age doesn't mean anything when it comes to real struggles. And that boy, despite his age, did what was the best for everyone, and not for him personally...Maki, all this time, I was trying to save you, but it was a losing cause...it was something that I couldn't do in the end..."
Pakura thought about Maki.
She thought that she had failed her.
Being unable to do what she wanted to do, and save her…
But here was Ryouta, unable to be with his Mother, never having a chance to know her, and had to lose his chance of getting anything from her for the sake of the people in his village, it was an act that she couldn't describe as anything other than truly beautiful.
"Maki...I failed to save you, I'm so sorry that I couldn't...save you. But, I have a chance to do good here...I can save others now. I can end this conflict with Konoha...Ryouta-kun said it best...this ends now, Orochimaru might have taken you away from me...but, not your spirit, not your heart. It is still beating here...in my chest. You were the future...and now that you're gone...I have to carve a different future...this boy before my eyes, he is the new future. The kind future that I had always envisioned. Ninja, coming together, and fighting for the sake of all people."
Pakura was hurting.
She was in deep emotional pain.
But she also knew that she had a future to go towards.
She had to do her best right here, right now.
So she leapt off of the giant snake, and went towards them.
Yugao held distrusting feelings on her face, but Ryouta placed his hand out.
"It's okay, Pakura-san wants peace, like we do."
"But she's fighting with Suna..."
"Trust me Yugao-san, Pakura-san is one of the biggest victims in this thanks to the devilish ways of Orochimaru."
If he had trust in her, then Yugao would too.
She trusted Ryouta's judgements.
"Okay, if you think that, I will go along with it."
She finished off as she peered towards Pakura.
Pakura looked on, bowing her head.
"Ryouta-kun, leave this place to me. I'll make sure that it is safe, and when it is, I'm going to go and stop this invasion. On Suna's side, and fight against Oto myself. This...has gone on for far too long, and I want to make up for the things that I have done."
"Pakura-san, I..."
When he tried to deny such things, Pakura shook her head, knowing that she'd have to confront it head on.
"I know what you're going to say, and I am grateful for your kindness, but I do. Regardless of my reasons, I also have caused some of this, so let me do my best right here and now. This war needs to end Ryouta-kun, and you need to do what your Mother asked. I can only do this...because I watched you, and your bravery. Thank you, for saying what you did...and thank you for being there for Gaara, I don't know what she's doing now...but after your mission with your Mother is finished, please go towards her, I know she'll need you now. And I don't know what their plan is, but I know Orochimaru's got something planned to unleash the One Tails might, and I know it involves you somehow, directly or not."
She was worried for Gaara.
She'd go herself.
But she knew Ryouta would be able to quell her now.
"I see...Orochimaru you bastard."
"Now go, leave this place to me. And Ryouta-kun?"
"Yes?"
Pakura bows her head.
"I am...I was called the Hero of Suna, for my actions for my village. I haven't felt like a Hero in such a good long while...and I don't know if I deserve such a title again, but I will end this war on Suna's side. And whatever happens...if relations can be built between Suna and Konoha after this...Ryouta-kun, I want to say right now if I don't have another chance to tell you. Hero's aren't the titles they're given, they aren't always recognized, because true Hero's are those that do their best for those around them regardless if they're recognized or not, and what I saw back in that barrier...with your Mother, and Orochimaru.…everything you've done for Gaara..."
She couldn't finish, as she felt emotions bubbling up, threatening to spill over.
But Ryouta understood very well what she meant.
"Pakura-san...thank you."
Bowing to her, he took off on Garaga, with Yugao looking on. Seeing how he was growing, she really did smile. Thanks to him, Hayate still lived, and now, it seems that he has truly affected Pakura, and has renewed her sense of justice.
Meanwhile, Satsuki kept going after Kabuto, and Gaara.
The latter she didn't really care for since in this moment she didn't have any problems with Gaara since it seemed that she also wished to help Ryouta out as much as possible which was a plus in her books.
But for Kabuto...if he did have Ryouta, then she would do all she could to stop him in his progression, she wouldn't allow him to get very far.
So she picked up the speed, and it helped, her training, as she was able to see them again, and saw something astonishing.
She saw sand going around Kabuto with the fake Ryouta, as Gaara stood above him, with sand being aimed right for Kabuto, who took out several kunai's and launched them for Gaara, only for the young girls shield of sand to appear.
Paper bombs were attached to the kunai's and they exploded.
Blocking Gaara's view, Kabuto tried to use it as a chance to escape…
But Gaara growled.
"I knew you'd do that!"
Gaara created a massive wall of sand, large, and grew outwards so Kabuto couldn't jump around it either, and created several shurikens of sand out of said wall of sand, shooting them right for Kabuto himself…
But stopped when Kabuto held out the fake Ryouta.
Gaara's hand shook as Kabuto began chortling.
"Gaara, the monster of the sand, brought down due to feelings for this Uchiha. It really is something that is quite poetic. The monster soothed by the Uchiha."
"If you don't drop him, I will kill you."
The threat was real.
Gaara was truly angry right now.
But she was able to keep Shukaku at bay.
He wouldn't be coming out of her that day.
As they did that, the pair of them were ignoring the likes of herself, so she hopped onto a nearby tree, her eyes going towards Kabuto, as she tried to sneak up on him.
Moving as quickly and quietly as she could, she managed to get behind him.
Withdrawing a kunai, she took aim for the young man to kill him...
But Kabuto had noticed her due to his excellent detection skills.
"Are you going to try and ambush me Satsuki Uchiha?"
Satsuki paused.
Kabuto gave her a sinister gleam from his eyes.
She hated him.
But she also knew that she had to be calm, or Ryouta was going to be killed…
"Release him now."
Satsuki ordered.
Kabuto looked up, and smirked.
He held a blade towards the seemingly unconscious Ryouta.
"One step, and this child dies."
Gaara's anger was being pushed more and more, as she felt her hands going towards him…
But stopped when memories of Ryouta flooded her mind.
If she made one false movement, then she could hurt the person she cared for.
The one that cared for her.
Satsuki gritted her teeth.
She had to play smart, or Ryouta could die.
At least, what she thought was Ryouta.
Even if she had suspicions, she couldn't deny that if she was wrong and this was Ryouta, and she got him killed, she wouldn't be able to forgive herself, it was a classic stand off between the three of them...
But both Gaara and Kabuto were making it quite difficult at that moment in time.
Eventually, Ryouta and Garaga arrived at a shrine that Ryouta knew he didn't recognize as it was on the outskirts of the village and he hadn't come this way before, with it being rather damaged from what he could see. He also saw that there was swirls on the entrance, with reminded him of the flak jackets that most Jonin and Chunin wear that had on the back.
In the middle of Ryouta inspecting the outside of the temple, Garaga turned to Ryouta.
"Use a transformation on me and make me smaller. I've got to guide you."
Ryouta did just that, and caused Garaga to shrink down to around his size.
Garaga then began making his way inside, so Ryouta followed him.
Down a long corridor, Ryouta looked all the way around.
"It seems people haven't been here for a good time."
"Probably."
Garaga replied as they continued on.
"Mom said something about a mask, what is that exactly? What relevance is this mask? Why does she want it hidden?"
"Master is going to do a Jutsu that only this mask can reverse if one is to wear it, they'd be possessed by the Shinigami. She's thinking about the future, and is making sure that no one but you hold the power to release the Jutsu."
Ryouta was more curious as to what this Jutsu truly was.
"This Jutsu must be powerful if it is connected to Shinigami, and needing this special mask to get rid of it. Did Mom..."
"She didn't invent it, but she does know of it thanks to the friends that she had. I heard the Fourth knew the Jutsu that Master is going to be using, either her or the Hokage, not sure what her intentions are, but we've got a mission to do. She trusted us with this, we can't let her down now."
Ryouta understood that.
"Even Fourth-sama knew this Jutsu. It must be a Kage level ability then."
"It does take a lot of skill to use such a Jutsu, I am told. She entrusted me with knowledge of this years ago, in case anything like this ever happened. She couldn't have known that she'd have to use it when she was dead."
Ryouta could see his Mother doing that.
From the short time they were together, his Mother did seem like someone that thought about things from all angles.
"Mom really did trust you. I can see why you said that she was a loving and kind Master. Without meeting her, I couldn't have guessed how warm and bright she is. She really must have been amazing with snakes."
"She was. She's the best person that I could ever ask to have beside me in any situation. And...she was like my Mother, one of the only humans I ever felt like I could trust. Well, I didn't know fully at the time that you were her son, so it makes sense that you have a good connection with snakes. Your brother always seemed nervous around snakes though."
Ryouta snorted, wondering how Shisui truly was.
He remembered that he did seem to be a little nervous around snakes, but it seemed Garaga had more intimate knowledge.
Ryouta continued on until they enter a hall.
Going inside, they saw attached to a wall, were many masks, they all looked very similar to Ryouta's eyes.
All were pale white with horns protruding from the top of the head.
"Geez, which one is it? They all look so similar..."
"Yes, that's why your Mother asked me to come with you, the real one is amongst these. Let me see..."
Garaga slithered across the ground, while Ryouta eyed each and every mask that was hung to the wall.
He also saw again nearby the swirling pattern, and thought about it, knowing it must have come from a clan, or at least a group of people that had intimate knowledge of this kind of technique, either way it seemed to be rather important.
The young man continued, until Garaga stopped at one of the masks.
"This one kid."
Ryouta walked closer, and took the mask off of the wall, and held it to his face.
As he did, he felt something weird go through him.
Like some kind of ghostly presence that made him shiver.
"I feel...its really weird. It doesn't feel exactly evil...but, I can tell that there's some presence coming from this mask, even if right now it isn't fully here...it's hard to describe."
"Yeah, now I'm going to take it away. Keep this well hidden."
"Wait, I don't know where Gaara-san is, can you help me find her? Pakura-san said she could be in danger, I want to go and help her."
"Geez kid, I'm already very emotional today, I am suffering from information and emotional overload!" Ryouta cringed, as Garaga sighed. "Well, whatever, I'll point you in the right direction at least, lets go outside first."
Ryouta did that, and held the mask in his arms as he looked over the others.
He and Garaga then moved outside, were Ryouta returned Garaga to his original size.
Ryouta waited for Garaga to pick up where Gaara was. Not as good as the dogs that Kakashi could summon, nor as good as someone like Karin, but still he did have a detection ability that would come in handy.
He waited for about a minute, until Garaga exhales.
"Alright, found her. Towards the west from here, still in the forest. I can also feel the likes of that other Uchiha girl that's with you being there. So is that guy that attacked you guys back in the forest...wait, that's strange."
"What is it?"
"You're also over there."
Ryouta's face drops.
"What?"
"I don't get it either, but I can smell you over there as well. That shouldn't be possible..."
"Could this be what Pakura-san warned...that damn Orochimaru, he's using me to awaken The One Tail...Garaga-san, I have to go." He presented the mask to Garaga who took it into his mouth. "Garaga-san, I'll trust you with the mask."
"Heh kid..."
"Yes?"
Garaga looked quite like a tsundere in a friend kind of way that was reluctant to admit that he cared, as he turned his eyes away from Ryouta.
"Though you aren't Master, you should probably be careful."
Ryouta couldn't help the smile that he was gaining as he stared at Garaga.
"I'll be careful."
"W-Well, do or don't! I don't care! Hmph, I'm going!" Garaga turned his head away, but then stopped and glanced sideways at Ryouta. "...Don't die a pointless death, and make sure you stay alive, you are Master's child, so in a sense...we're brothers."
"Garaga-san...that's so sweet..."
"Don't get the wrong idea! I'm going!"
Garaga vanished in a poof of smoke, leaving only Ryouta behind.
Inhaling and exhaling, Ryouta activated the Body Flicker, and then shot off towards the area Gaara was in. He had to make it to her no matter what, before Orochimaru got his way and Shukaku was released from its prison.
"There's no end to them!"
Anko yelled, as she cut down two Ninja, Karin grimaced as she was charged, so she pulled back, and then threw a shuriken at the enemy, but they deflected, however they gave enough time to allow Anko to jump in, delivering a sideways kick to the face, smashing the enemy into a building.
However, it was clear more and more enemies were coming, it was like they were appearing out of nowhere, and seemed deadly focused in on them.
Anko grit her teeth, feeling her energies draining more and more. She had taken out over twelve members, but still more came. Even some of them were Suna, not just Oto Ninja, it was rather difficult for her to do it.
"Sensei, there's so many, they're converging in on us. I can feel some more coming."
Anko clicked her tongue, as she released snakes from her arms, wrapping two Ninja's up, and then fired them off away from her, going at high speeds for a wall, which crumbled in around them, taking them down for the moment.
Karin placed her hands on the ground to release a seal to stop some movements, and managed to capture one, which Anko then delivered a very swift kick right to the face against, and sent the young man flying away.
However, some more Ninja's came into attack her, causing her to move to try and deflect them…
"Wind Release, Vacuum Wave!"
From up above, a wave of wind began to slice through the enemies, one by one, they were taken down.
Anko widened her eyes, and looked to the person who did it…
She was in for a shock of her life, when she saw it was Danzo.
"Danzo...what the hell are you doing…?"
She knew he was supposed to be confined, but this unexpected turn of events…
He was helping her.
Danzo then leapt down, and did a swift kick towards an enemy, sending them flying away.
"Anko, it seems that you have grown, it has been a few years."
She still couldn't fathom why Danzo was before her, what his intentions truly would be.
"There's a good reason you haven't seen me, you're supposed to be confined."
"I was, but my guards were killed and I saw the village was in danger, so I had to come and help."
"Rich, coming from you."
Danzo kept his single eye composed.
"I might have done things in my past, but I have always had the welfare of the village as my number one priority."
"...But still, if you're out now, what are your true intentions?"
"To defend this village, like all Konoha Shinobi."
She didn't feel like it was something she could trust, even if he did save her.
But as she went to question it, Danzo leapt up into the air, landing on top of a house.
"I have to go now. There's much that needs to be done."
"Wait Danzo!"
Anko went to move, when Danzo vanished from sight.
She grit her teeth, while Karin tilted her head.
"I haven't seen him in years, but that was Danzo-sama, from the council, formerly, right?"
"Yes...that's right, but he shouldn't...something isn't right about this..."
Anko worried for what Danzo was going to do, but he had hid his movements well enough that even she couldn't fully track him down.
End chapter!
So, a good few things happened this chapter, with Ameyuri vs Anko, and with some assistance from Karin, managed to cause some injuries onto her, but after she parted, it seems Danzo is beginning to use this to his advantage, saving those that are being attacked, though Anko doesn't trust him.
Meanwhile, Yugao and Baki confronted one another, after he came to Hayate, but thanks to Ryouta's timely arrival, he briefly gave Yugao a sword that helped her defeat one of the people responsible for Hayate's condition.
Ryouta also began inspiring Pakura, who after receiving such a tragic blow, realizes that there's still things that she can do, even though her heart right now is in tatters from the fallout of the Maki revelation, she's trying her best and has regained new strength from Ryouta.
Satsuki's also arrived and is now in a threeway deadlock together with Gaara and Kabuto, as Ryouta and Garaga have secured the mask Yukine wished for the to get, and then at the end, realized there's another Ryouta out there, so the real has gone to go and help Gaara, and Satsuki.
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, Pakura,