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Chapter 59

Muramasa


(Two Days Ago)

Hashirama was quite confused when at one moment he was at complete bliss until it all went dark. The next time he regained his senses, he was quite taken aback to see Tobirama standing before him in a small room.

"Is this a dream?" he asked outloud, only to see tears visible in his brother's eyes alongwith some guilt.

"It's good to see you again, Elder Brother"

"Tobirama...what is this?" asked Hashirama hesitantly, as he realized the unnatural feeling binding him to something. It wasn't actively trying to suppress his thoughts but it was lurking just around the corner of his mind.

He looked at the state of his body and a sinking feeling arose in his heart as he gained a faint idea of what had happened.

When he looked back at his brother in shock, Tobirama couldn't meet his eyes.

"I failed, Elder Brother. I couldn't protect our legacy and brought you back because I need your help" confessed Tobirama hesitantly,

"Edo Tensei? I told you not to finish this abomination! And you used it on me of all people? What were you thinking?'' asked Hashirama angrily,

"Let me explain"

As angry as he was, Hashirama knew his brother never did anything without good reason. His decisions usually were always based on facts and not emotions. He wouldn't have resorted to such desperate measures if Konoha or their clan was not in grave danger.

So he listened to a tale that would forever change the reality he had always known and believed right until his death years ago.

It started from the moment Tobirama was asked to be the Second Hokage after his death, to his actions in the continuing war, his capture and subsequent rescue at the hands of the same Spartan Captain who had saved Hashirama's life years ago in an exactly similar situation.

Talk about history repeating itself again.

"The boy became a fine shinobi despite all the pain and sacrifice he underwent because of me. To think, he went on to become such a fine spy in an enemy nation and rescued you as well..." praised Hashirama honestly,

"There is something about him that you don't know, even I didn't until sometime back" said Tobirama nervously,

"What is it?" questioned Hashirama carefully, and was taken aback when he saw pride, sadness alongside disappointment and regret arrive in Tobirama's eyes all at once.

"He is my son"

Hashirama took a step back and looked at his brother in complete disbelief, so Tobirama explained the truth and how he came to know about it himself during his stay in Kirigakure.

He couldn't help but be speechless when his brother told him of how Naruto got another Senju clan head and a Hokage back home, about his love and loss with a fellow Konoha kunoichi serving in Kirigakure, the alliance he negotiated between Kirigakure and Konoha against the oppressive might of the other three great hidden villages, how Hiruzen and Danzo tricked his nephew with the truth of his wife's death, the civil war in Kiri and his rise to the title of Fourth Mizukage.

If that wasn't astonishing enough of a tale, he was amazed and terrified at the same when he heard about the conquests of Naruto-The Great.

The more he listened to his conquests of Kumogakure and other smaller villages, of how he was a brilliant Kage and military genius who single handedly started changing the destiny of the war ridden shinobi world Hashirama created...

"You must be proud, Brother. A shinobi like that is born once in an era" congratulated Hashirama,

"I was until he ended up joining Madara"

"WHAT?"

Hashirama's outcry was everything Tobirama had expected so he explained everything starting from the circumstances leading to Madara's survival, of how he used Naruto's love for his fallen family and friends as well as his bitterness towards the Hidden Leaf to fuel his hatred, of how he filled the boy's head with an imaginary tale of a threat from an alien race- the Otsutsuki and how humanity had to be forcefully united if needed to stand up to them.

Reluctantly, Tobirama detailed the tale of the disastrous Kage Summit and how the Fire Daimyo alongside Hiruzen and his supporters and even the Earth Daimyo and Tsuchikage hatched a plan to finish Naruto since they all viewed him as a common threat after his conquests and toppling of feudal dynasties alongside hidden villages.

Of how Naruto tried until the very end to convince them of the Otsutsuki threat peacefully until they all turned against him...

"That was the moment I lost my boy" said Tobirama in despair, as a lone tear slipped from his eye.

Hashirama had never seen his usually composed brother looking so heartbroken and he understood the man's regret when he heard of what Naruto and Madara did in retaliation of such treachery, the destruction of Iwagakure itself leading to so many innocent deaths, the capture of all Jinchuuriki by those two including Mito.

When he heard of what Madara's plan was, Hashirama could not help but agree with Tobirama as well as the rest of the shinobi world's resistance to it.

"Naruto threw in with the very kind of people who wants to destroy our dream. I admit, it has a lot of room for improvements and hold Hiruzen, Mu and the Fire and Earth Daimyo responsible for pushing him into this abyss. My student and Mu already paid for that mistake with their lives, the Daimyo's will also be held accountable once this war is over. But because of those actions, we have united the entire shinobi world barring Kirigakure and Uzu under a common banner of the Allied Forces. Winning this war will not just help us stop Madara but also perhaps create a respectable unity among nations" explained Tobirama seriously,

"Now I understand why you need my help" said Hashirama regretfully,

"Madara is someone that nobody can beat except you. More importantly, Naruto has managed to revive his Spartans and has an army of strange humanoid monsters. Despite everything he has done, I cannot deny my son's prowess in warfare or those of his Spartan comrades. Hell I could also change the course of this war if I had a company of those special forces fighters under my command. The Spartans probably have more warfare experience of all kinds than anyone in our ranks, they are tactical fighters with deadly skill and synchronization. Under Naruto's command, they are not an enemy I would like to face if I could help it" explained Tobirama,

"Madara is the creator of this plan, but it's your son who is the heart as well as the mind of that army. And I agree with you completely on the Spartans for I haven't seen such a professional and elite shinobi unit in all my years of war" agreed Hashirama, earning a nod from his sibling.

"We are in a race against time, Brother. I need your help in not just rescuing Mito but stopping Madara! Can I count on your support?" asked Tobirama seriously,

Hashirama looked at his sibling and fellow Hokage for a long moment.

"Tobirama...are you prepared to kill your own son for the sake of Konoha, our family and our dream? For this war cannot be won until Naruto falls in battle, you must know that" asked Hashirama sadly,

"It's a regret I will live with for the rest of my life, Elder Brother. Nor will I ever be able to forgive myself for not being able to save my son from ending up on this path...but there can be no turning back now. Naruto understands that and I must do the same if we are to win this war" confessed Tobirama miserably, despair evident on his heartbroken face.

The Second Hokage blinked when he felt the cold hands of his brother wrap himself in a comforting hug which was something he didn't think he had needed for so long. Only Hashirama could understand and be allowed to do that among everyone except Mito.

"This is a cruel world, Brother"

"And yet we must fight it till the end for the sake of our village and family" agreed Tobirama reluctantly,

Hashirama gently patted him on the back before breaking the hug as Tobirama guided him towards a nearby table where he had a map of the shinobi world. He was quite surprised upon discovering that Madara was holding the Jinchuuriki in the area known as Mountain's Graveyard.

Although Kirigakure and Uzushiogakure's decision to stay out of this war was along expected lines. Except the water nation was sending the Seven Ninja Swordsmen after their former Kage, while the island nation of Uzu had only allowed the Spartans and its new Kage to take to the battlefield while holding the rest of their army for their homeland's defense.

"We must rescue the Jinchuuriki in more or less a week or the war is lost. I already have Iwagakure and other Kages of our alliance heading a large formation from here, while our nation alongside the Samurai are marching from here. We outnumber Naruto's forces more than 2 to 1, perhaps even slightly more. Except for the Spartans, Inoue and Madara, the quality of his remaining forces is sub-standard. But he has chosen a well defensive terrain in the Mountain's Graveyard" explained Tobirama seriously,

"How so?" questioned the First Hokage,

"In a normal battle, you would usually need twice the number of men a well fortified enemy has to overrun them. But in mountain warfare, that ratio is 10 to 1 for the enemy is at a superior position, has prepared traps, the rugged terrain will be difficult for the young and inexperienced among our coalition. More importantly, the Spartans are probably the finest Mountain Warfare Specialists I have seen so far apart from Iwagakure shinobi. You would know that too, Elder Brother"

Hashirama nodded for he couldn't help but recall Operation Thunderbolt where those Uzu fighters had executed a daring rescue mission in similar terrain against overwhelming enemy presence and suicidal odds.

"Then we need to hit them from three sides. From land, air and sea" proposed Hashirama, earning a nod from his sibling in agreement.

"Most commanders would be defensive, but Naruto is different. He knows once ours and Iwa's group join together, his defeat will be expedited. So I have a feeling he will hit the Tsuchikage's group with all his might to destroy atleast one of our battle groups" said Tobirama, as he pointed at the position of their allies.

"Then we must stop that" voiced Hashirama,

"Already on it. Before we parted to rally our respective forces, I gave a scroll with one of my teleportation markings to Ohnoki. We'll have a Quick Reaction Force made up of some of our finest fighters from the Uchiha and Senju clans ready to answer as soon as they are attacked. I want you to lead that rescue for even Naruto cannot match your power" said Tobirama in detail,

"Madara may also be there. He is not someone who will sit out of all the action" warned Hashirama, only for Tobirama to shake his head in denial.

"He is crucial for the success of their plan and the sealing of all the Jinchuuriki at the earliest. Naruto will convince him to stay at their hideout, until he remains there I cannot launch a surprise attack from the sea to outflank them. We need Madara on this battlefield alongside Naruto for that to happen, our primary objective is rescuing the Jinchuuriki and tailed beasts to win this war" replied Tobirama frankly,

"How will you make him come there if Naruto won't let him?" questioned Hashirama seriously,

"If your presence isn't enough to entice him, I have also revived his brother-Izuna with Edo Tensei. No force on earth can make Madara stay back once he comes to know of Izuna's presence on that battlefield. He'll rush in to save him" said Tobirama cunningly,

Hashirama loved his brother dearly, but even he was left speechless by the cunning yet inhuman violation of the soul of his best friend's beloved younger brother.

But then again, Tobirama was forced to fight and most probably kill his own son.

Which was worse?

"War is hell" lamented Hashirama, which made Tobirama clench his fist bitterly and nod.

"True, which is why we cannot give the enemy any quarter for they shall give us none. We must destroy them here once and for all, no matter the cost. Ambush them instead of getting jumped, are you prepared- Elder Brother?" questioned Tobirama seriously,

"I will do what's necessary for Mito and our village's sake" agreed Hashirama reluctantly,

"This won't be an easy battle, Elder Brother. The Spartans are a force to be reckoned and Naruto has never been defeated in battle. He is better than me, which is why there can be no mistakes or holding back from us. We must kill the Spartans here or they'll unleash a river of blood in the Mountain's Graveyard" warned Tobirama,

"Naruto-The Great, huh? It's a tragedy I have to face my own nephew in such a way" said Hashirama remorsefully,

"As am I" replied Tobirama sadly,


(Present Day)

As Hashirama launched his attack upon arriving on the battlefield, he couldn't help but remember his brother's pain and knew he had to spare the man from killing his own son.

Their comrades joined him in the attack, so did the Edo Tensei form of Izuna Uchiha currently being controlled by Tobirama completely.

Looking at the state of their allies camp, the former Hokage realized they were hit with brutal force.

Shock and Awe.

It was the motto of the Spartans and they had lived up to it completely.

Setting aside his own regret and guilt for taking up arms against those Uzumaki fighters who had once saved his life, Hashirama remembered the face of his wife, brother, countrymen and dream which these warriors were trying to destroy.

His response was unleashing his full power which the sent the first of the Spartans flying away and hundreds of their Zetsu allies to be torn to shreds.

As the Uchiha and Senju fighters charged in, the Spartans rallied once again under Kushina and the newly arrived Nagato's command. The female redhead engaged in a brutal melee with her comrades against the Uchiha and Senju warriors, while Nagato and a squad of Spartans took up positions against Hashirama and Izuna.

"We meet again, Spartans" said Hashirama sadly,

"Doesn't surprise me your brother went to such desperate lengths. But then again, Konoha and its leaders have never learned to value honor, their allies or their sacrifices" taunted Nagato,

"I will ensure you are given a fair sentence if you surrender and hand over the Jinchuuriki's. It's the least I can do for all of you for saving my life in the past" offered Hashirama sincerely, earning a bittersweet smile from Nagato.

"It's too late for that and you know it, Hashirama"

The First Hokage heavily nodded in response before steeling his resolve once more and looking back at his enemies with an iron will present in his hardened gaze.

"So be it"


"They'll pay for this"

Naruto frowned upon hearing that angry promise from Madara and saw the man immediately begin preparations to arrive on the chaotic battlefield. He threw several smoke bombs to obscure his position from the three Kages currently hunting for him and knew he didn't have more than a few minutes before he was engaged in combat again.

His men were in the fight for their lives and the enemy had started turning tables upon them.

"Stand down!"

Madara was taken aback by that order as his furious eyes landed upon Naruto who stood his ground and looked back at him coldly.

"Don't fall into the enemy's trap. Apart from sending a strong force to aid their crumbling allies, this is a clear tactic on Tobirama's part to draw you out in the open to neutralize you or delay our plans at best. It is crucial for you to stay at the base and ensure the tailed beasts are sealed as soon as possible" explained Naruto,

"That's my brother out there! Being used by the man who killed him- do you expect me to let that happen?" yelled Madara furiously,

"I know that! But don't react to the enemy's move without thought! Turn your own strategy to make them do what we want!" advised Naruto honestly,

"Stop talking in riddles! You're the tactician and I'm the fighter! Do you have a plan to get us out of this mess or not? Your answer will determine my action" warned Madara frankly,

"We have already dealt a severe blow to the Rock Brigade by inflicting huge losses and scattering their hastily assembled forces in multiple directions. To further weaken this alliance, I need to kill all Kages or atleast some of them before pulling back-"

"You don't have that much time! You can't stand against Hashirama and more reinforcements will be there soon" countered Madara,

"Agreed, so hear out my plan"

Madara controlled his anger and listened to the entire strategy which his comrade and leader of their army wanted to carry out. He could not help but see clearly in that moment that Naruto was Tobirama's son for his thoughts and mental state of mind were quite similar to that of the Second Hokage.

If this worked, then they could still accomplish their mission to a respectable degree and limit their losses from escalating further.

"I'll take care of your brother, but at the same time I am also responsible for our men. Trust my judgement" asked Naruto sincerely,

Madara still looked hesitant but was quite surprised by his comrade's next words.

"I plan to mark The Terran Federation's first military victory on this battlefield, no matter the odds!" revealed Naruto confidently with a smile,

"Terran Federation?" asked Madara curiously,

"The Allies call us warmongers who only seek destruction. I want to show the world and humanity that we are nothing like that. Terran Federation is an idea of mine which includes all of humanity with all its unity and divisiveness where each nation-large or small will have a voice. One that shall safeguard mankind's future on Earth and beyond" said Naruto hopefully,

"You just came up with that, didn't you?" asked Madara with a smirk,

Naruto grinned sheepishly in return which reminded Madara of a moment from his own past when he ended up giving a name to his and Hashirama's dream- The Hidden Leaf Village.

When he looked at the young commander, he couldn't help but see how he had the dreams that Hashirama once had as well as the iron will like Madara's own to fulfill them.

He also couldn't deny that he actually liked the idea to an extent as it gave not just their supporters but also the world a clear goal for which this war was being fought.

"What will you do if we achieve this dream and survive?" asked Madara curiously,

Naruto's reply was straight forward and without hesitation.

"I'll retire"

Madara blinked in surprise once again and couldn't help but ask a question that was lingering in his heart.

"Then who will lead this Federation?" asked Madara seriously,

"You will, Madara. We will need a strong leader like you who is not just powerful, respected and feared; but one who also understands the threat humanity faces" explained Naruto,

"You don't want to be the leader?" questioned the Uchiha, knowing a similar situation from his past where another Senju wanted him to lead and ended up betraying him by succumbing to pressure from Tobirama and others.

"I've had enough of war and politics for this life. If I survive this, I'd like to live a simple life with my family and children. Might even take up farming" joked Naruto,

Madara couldn't help but laugh boisterously as he imagined that scenario but nodded when he saw Naruto didn't waver.

"I wish there were more men like you, Naruto" praised Madara,

"There are no men like me, Madara. Just me" replied Naruto, only guilt and shame visible in his gaze.

He saw the blonde gaze's harden and realized the Kages were closing in on him, so Madara gave him a nod as his consent towards this strategy. More importantly, he decided to act upon the voice within his heart.

"Then as leader of The Terran Federation, my first official decree is to make you its First Marshal of all its armed forces. Lead us to victory in this war"

Naruto's eyes briefly widened in shock and Madara's next words touched something within his very soul.

"I want you to be the man you were always destined to be, Naruto. To protect all that we hold dear and our dreams, to fight back against this cruel world and the rotten ways of the shinobi, be the devil they always feared"

A firm Spartan salute was the answer he received alongwith a battlecry from the blonde.

"For Earth and Humanity"

Madara blinked in surprise upon hearing that, and could not help but want it to be the motto of this Federation they now wanted to build.

As the connection came to an end, Naruto took in a deep breath and quickly contacted his comrades over their shared communication channel.

"Spartans, tighten the circle. Zetsu's get out of here first, implement an organized retreat" he commanded,

"We can take them, Elder Brother" protested Nagato,

"No, we can't. Not Hashirama, I'm also sending you my personal guard as you need the help. Obey the chain of command" ordered Naruto harshly, as the Spartans protecting him went out towards Nagato and the others to carry out those orders.

"Very well" relented Nagato, although his tone seemed far from content.

"Nagato, lead the fight in the inner perimeter against the Rock Brigade forces. I'll hold Hashirama and Izuna in the outer perimeter alongside Konoha's forces" advised Kushina,

"No way, Ghost! I'm fighting him now! I can handle this!" protested Nagato once again,

"I'm better at delaying tactics with my Fuinjutsu and chakra chains. Your kind of combat skills are more required in the inner perimeter from boxing us in even more than they have now! You also have a mother waiting for you back home, one of her sons is already facing three Kages...I will atleast send her other son back home safely" answered Kushina fiercely,

"What about you, Kushina?" asked Naruto hesitantly,

"You know I'm the only one who can do this. I'll retreat alongside you, Minato. I'm with you Till the End, or have you forgotten our promise?" questioned Kushina seriously,

"No, I haven't"

Naruto gave his consent to the suggested plan of action much to Nagato's chagrin and Kushina's elation as the three Kages appeared before him when the smoke cleared.

"Don't die on me. Survive and we'll all go home together this time" was his final order,

"Wouldn't have it any other way" replied Hayate,

"Let's kill some more! agreed Kasumi,

"Fine. Let's do this" relented Nagato,

"Be careful out there, Minato. Don't get that ugly face of yours banged up even more" teased Kushina,

"I'll get you all back home, no matter the cost"

Naruto terminated the connection even as he ignored Kushina's warning to not endanger himself.

But it was already too late.

Their enemy was prepared to use everything, even the darkest arts of summoning the dead to fight their battles, all for the sake of victory.

They would not stop at anything...and neither could he.

The three Kages appeared before him as the smoke vanished and they watched Naruto grab his infamous sword- Muramasa in his right hand. There was no hesitance in his hardened gaze unlike many times before when he wielded this weapon in battle.

For there was no morality left to fear, to save humanity from its demons...

To save all those he loved and his dream.

He allowed himself to become the devil he had always feared.

Darkness and something foul crept into his soul as the cursed blade was set free from the chains of its master who allowed its power to truly merge with his own.

Ohnoki and the other Kages stepped back when a cold chill blew past them and they saw Naruto's red eyes glowing even more brightly as if he was the devil incarnate as dark energy unleashed from the blade swept all across his body and soon enough spread in every direction in a frightening charge to consume.

It didn't discriminate and the tendrils of dark energy sunk into everything that came in its path.

Living and Dead.

Man and Beast.

The power flowing through his body was unlike anything he had ever experienced in his entire life - limitless and haunting.

He had always known his was no ordinary sword, none of the the Seven Ninja Swordsmen held any weapons that weren't unique.

But he had never feared any of those monstrous weapons, unlike his own whom he had used very little or under strict self control over his self in the past.

For there was something evil inside the blade and it wanted something that would terrify many.

Everything.

He felt hatred and despair like never before deep within his heart as many happy memories started disappearing from his mind one after another. He felt as if a crushing wrist bearing down upon his soul and choke it until he screamed like never before.

"Arise, Black Flash" it whispered,

As the pain subsided and his vision cleared once again, he felt a strange calmness- something which was far from anything his enemies felt. Even the twisted Kakuzu and calm Hanzo Salamander ran for their lives when they saw everything within two hundred feet of the enemy commander get attacked by the monstrous weapon's energy.

It consumed living and dead, men, women, children, even dead animals or wounded summoning creatures of several shinobi.

The dark energy twisted them and their screams made even the most battle hardened shinobi shiver.

It also broke the soul of the once proud warrior as well, his bloodied honor already beyond repair due to his past sins now sank into the deepest pits of hell.

Alas, it was the cost of war and the price for protecting one's family.

Ohnoki blanched in horror when hundreds upon hundreds of his own men now deformed with the twisted energy joined around Naruto Namikaze. As did many more from the ranks of the other Kages beside him.

It included many who had even died...

"What kind of sorcery is this?" asked Hanzo Salamander in barely contained terror,

"Now I understand why they call it a cursed blade back in Kirigakure. Tobirama raised the dead to fight our battles, his son has now answered in kind" replied Kakuzu warily,

A cold and merciless Naruto Namikaze stared at them even as he gestured his newly formed horrors to attack. To the horror of the survivors of the Rock Brigade, their former comrades fell upon them without any hesitation and for every warrior that fell, a new one was added to the ranks of the forces of the dead.

The dark energy swirled around Naruto before he vanished in a dark flash only to appear directly in front of a stunned Kakuzu. Before the minor Kage could react, he gasped in pain as Muramasa was plunged deep into his heart.

The guttural scream that followed made his surviving Kage comrades take even more steps back as the same twisted energy consumed the doomed man.

In his final moments, Kakuzu understood the true abomination that was the cursed sword as it consumed everything in his flesh, his mind, his memories and even his very soul itself.

It had a hunger unlike anything he had ever known and would not rest until he had it all.

"So this is what you had kept at bay all along, Naruto"

Even as he felt the darkness consumed everything he had, the dying Kage mustered the last of his strength and will to look at his terrified fellow Kage's.

"Run"

Kakuzu's final whisper was heard by his comrades before he was sliced in half from head to toe as Naruto's gaze turned upon the two cowering Kage's next.

"Particle Style: Atomic Barrage!"

Despite his fear, Ohnoki lead the counterattack making Naruto raise his left hand towards the approaching beams.

"Ash Release: Lance!"

The former Mizukage unleashed his own dark energy filled attack that clashed against enemy's attack fiercely. The battlefield was marred in the shadow of light and darkness as the two powers clashed and for the first time Ohnoki saw a power able to stand up to his Particle Style fueled by support from Muramasa's growing energy.

Naruto narrowed his eye when he felt something slimy and invisible wrap around his waist before pulling him off his feet violently.

As he was flipped in the air, his red eyes saw the silhouette of a camouflaged Salamander- Ibuse.

Hanzo stood on top of his nearly invisible battle partner, appearing to be floating in mid air to the naked but not to eyes of the former Mizukage who swiftly threw Muramasa straight towards the beast's head.

The Amekage reacted swiftly and unleashed his scythe to intercept the incoming cursed sword, but Muramasa sliced clean through the battle hardened yet ordinary metal and lodged itself into the summoned creature.

Ibuse's cannibalistic scream hurt something deep inside the Amekage's heart but he got no respite or chance to save his battle partner of decades as Naruto teleported himself using the Hirashin marking on Muramasa and wrenched it clean off the dying creature's head before leaping straight towards Hanzo with murder in his eyes.

Realizing the danger, Hanzo resorted to desperate measures and removed the mask he always wore upon his face at the very last moment.

Naruto was mere inches from the leader of Amegakure when the man released a cloud of poisonous smoke and even as he teleported away, he could not save himself from inhaling some of the poison most had died from for decades.

He coughed violently and fell to one knee as he landed a few feet away, his body was on fire even as Muramasa thirsted for more blood to feed upon.

Seeing his chance, Ohnoki launched a swift attack while Hanzo tried in vain to save his dying summon while also injecting an antidote to save himself from his own poisonous breath.

Something which a struggling Naruto saw and decided to act upon as he rushed once again towards the older blonde, ignoring the pain consuming his body.

The Tsuchikage roared in anger when the twisted bodies created by Naruto sensed the danger to their creator and launched suicidal attacks upon their former Kage to buy precious time. He cursed when he saw Naruto charging towards Hanzo once again but his hands were already tied with the hundreds of enemies in front of him.

Hanzo picked up twin swords from many of the dead nearby and channeled fire laced chakra into them to give them a fiery glow. He raised them both with all his might and Naruto's first strike, and relieved when the chakra powered weapons held firm instead of being shattered instantly like his scythe.

He could see Naruto was dying slowly due to his poison but to his astonishment, the man fought bravely than anyone he had ever faced save Mifune of the Samurai.

"Do you truly think all this bloodshed is worth this dream of yours?" asked Hanzo, even as he blocked a strike that would sliced his legs off.

He sent the younger warrior on the defensive with multiple strikes, thankful for his larger frame and better strength.

"It is" answered Naruto in a rasping voice, clearly struggling against death that kept creeping slowly towards him.

The blonde launched a horizontal slash towards the leader of Ame which the man swiftly parried with his twin blades, only to receive a brutal kick to his groin which took the breath out of him. Naruto used that momentary lapse to overpower his enemy and managed to slice off his left arm completely before Hanzo jumped away to get some distance.

To the older man's credit, he didn't scream but was brought down to his knees as the foul energy of Muramasa entered his body through the gaping wound.

The pain was all consuming and his vision was getting blurry, but he still tried to get back on his feet only to see Naruto had teleported away. His eyes widened when he felt a piercing pain and looked down to see Muramasa stabbed through his chest from behind.

Looking back, he saw a saddened Naruto glancing at him even as the blonde quickly took one of the healing potions from the leader of Amegakure's pouch quickly and drank it in a blink.

Hanzo fell to his knees once again and coughed violently even as Naruto now arrived in front of him.

He watched Muramasa now being placed upon his neck even as he heard a struggling Ohnoki screaming for him distantly, but too occupied with the twisted creatures that were once their own men.

"I...truly...hope...you...bring...peace...to...this...world" whispered Hanzo, making Naruto's eyes widen in surprise.

"I am your enemy" he replied hesitantly,

"Our...ways...are...different...but...I...too...wish...for...peace...for...this...world. It's...all...I..ever...wanted...but...failed...to...achieve" confessed Hanzo sadly, as he lost his remaining strength and fell flat on his back.

To his surprise, Naruto knelt by his side and grasped his only remaining hand gently.

"I swear to you that I will bring peace to this world. No matter the cost, for all our people" promised Naruto sincerely,

"Our people?" asked Hanzo with a faint smile, earning a nod from the blonde even as a lone tear fell from his eyes.

"For Humanity"

Hanzo smiled weakly but those words gave him much needed assurance even as he faded away into the afterlife.

Naruto respectfully closed the eyes of the fallen Kage and gave him back a sword in hand.

"We will meet again someday, Hanzo Salamander. This time as friends" he prayed sincerely, even as he offered a parting salute to the only Kage who managed to achieve true respect in his eyes.

His hardened gaze turned towards the last remaining enemy Kage on the battlefield and as he charged towards him, a squad of Iwagakure Anbu Blackops and Jounin's got in his way.

Naruto raised his cursed sword and the melee began the next moment.


Nagato and Kasumi led a counterattack in the inner perimeter with the bulk of the Spartan forces behind them.

Together, they held the line even as hundreds upon hundreds of Zetsu's started disappearing into the ground to retreat from the battlefield.

"Nagato, we're being overrun!" informed Kasumi,

"How much longer?" he asked frantically, even as he and their men desperately tried to hold the line against the thousands of enemy forces trying to swarm them from all directions.

"Five more minutes. If we leave the wounded behind, we can go now!" informed an injured Hayate,

"Out of the question! No wounded Spartan or Zetsu gets left behind, that's an order!" countered Nagato fiercely,

"There are too many, Nagato! We can't hold them for that long! If our rear falls, then we are fucked!" warned Kasumi,

"Trust Ghost. We will hold the line, Kushina won't let us down!" reassured Nagato, even as he countered a hail of Earth Style spears launched at him by Iwagakure fighters.


Kushina grunted in pain when one of the wooden spears created by Hashirama emerged from the ground suddenly and speared through her left arm.

She continued firing from her kunai launcher taking down a dozen more Konoha fighters much to Hashirama's sorrow.

In rage, many more enemy fighters charged towards her to get revenge going against Hashirama's warnings. She smirked and allowed them to get closer before biting her lips and summoning her special powers.

Dozens of chakra chains emerged from her body and speared clean through each of the enemy fighters vital areas killing them instantly. Their lifeless bodies tumbled all around her and for the first time she saw anger in Hashirama's eyes.

The former Hokage looked across the battlefield and saw most of the men from Konoha's Quick Reaction force that came with him lay dead, only a handful weary veterans managed to survive so far but not unscathed.

But it had come at a cost as he watched the lone and badly wounded female Spartan commando panting harshly.

He had been held back alongside Izuna upon Tobirama's will, but as Kushina fell to one knee the order to move forward was issued.

Izuna rushed forward first only to smash against a solid red colored barrier created by the lone Spartan commando.

Kushina coughed blood when Izuna attacked with his Susanno and Hashirama made several wooden spears emerge from the ground beneath her feet which pierced clean through her withered armor and lodged deep into her chest.

But the barrier held.

Hashirama used the full might of his power as the chakra of his seeping inside the dying woman tried to overpower her own will and fading strength.

And yet she didn't fall.

Tears fell from Kushina's eyes as the pain was simply too great, as four of Hashirama's wooden clones emerged from the ground around her, even she used her chakra chains once again to strike them down mercilessly.

"Why go so far?" asked Hashirama sadly, even as Izuna tried to break the barrier with all his might.

"I...abandoned...my...friends...once...I...should...have...died...with...them...that...day. Yet...I..lived...and...they...died, I got my revenge, saw my homeland and clan once again, spent a brief yet priceless time with the man I loved and got to fight beside my brothers and sisters once again...I have no regrets" confessed Kushina weakly,

"You will die here, child. Give up and I will spare your life" urged Hashirama,

"What are my clan's words, Lord Hashirama?" asked Kushina tiredly,

"Family. Duty. Honor"

As Hashirama whispered his wife and the Uzumaki clan's motto, he saw a fearsome glint in Kushina Uzumaki's eyes that startled him for a moment.

"The lone wolf dies...but the pack shall survive"

The barrier fell and Izuna impaled the dying Spartan with his Susanno blade only for Kushina to stab his body in return with a three pronged kunai before using her chakra chains to sever the blade from the Susanno's body.

The next moment Izuna vanished from the battlefield much to Hashirama's shock.

"Did you get him, Lady Inoue?" asked Kushina in a whisper, as her vision started to fade even as she saw Hashirama charging towards her.

The Second Uzukage's voice came on the communication channel bringing relief to dying kunoichi.

"Naruto's plan worked, Ghost. We teleported Izuna here and Madara has restrained him, he will be able to reverse the Edo Tensei soon. Now get out of there, our attack is already on its way!" warned Inoue Namikaze over the communication link,

Kushina bit her lip erecting a final barrier trapping herself, Hashirama and the remaining Konoha fighters in it, with the First Hokage being encased in an additional barrier all around him. She doubted it would hold him back for long, but Kushina used Earth Style to elevate her position into a small hill even as the Konoha forces swarmed towards her.

Using her kunai launcher, she started her delaying action.

"Negative...we...need...to...stop...Hashirama...here...I...am...surrounded...and...badly...wounded...I...won't...make...it...and...I...can't...hold...them...off...for...too...long...Lord...Uzukage...drop...the...air...strike...on...my...position...it...will buy...our...forces...time...to..escape" requested Kushina,

"Absolutely not! I am pulling you out of there with my Hirashin marking on your armor, you are not dying there!" declined Inoue furiously,

"If Hashirama reaches our surrounded troops, more Spartans and Zetsu's will die. Naruto is already fighting the other Kages...please...my...lady...this...is...the...end" begged Kushina, even as she shot two Konoha chunin trying to charge up the hill.

"I am diverting reinforcements, we are not leaving you behind!"


Naruto had been about to engage the last surviving Kage fighting against the remaining monstrosities of Muramasa when he received an urgent communication from his mother on the astral channel.

She had also connected the remaining Spartan officers on the line making him realize something had gone wrong.

"Kushina is surrounded and badly wounded. We need to rescue her right now!" ordered Inoue,

"Our forces are pinned down, mother! There are still many hundred wounded Zetsu's to evacuate and we are all pinned from every direction! Elder Brother, can you do something?" asked Nagato worriedly,

"I have Ohnoki in my sights! But I'll teleport Kushina away" assured Naruto swiftly, and was about to make the hand sign when his childhood friend called out to him.

"You...pull...me...away...from...here...and...Hashirama...alongside...his few...Konoha...fighters...will..overrun...my..position...instantly..and...crush...the..rest...of...our..troops. If you try to come to my rescue, then Ohnoki will attack them in your absence, a shadow clone of yours will not be enough to stop either Kage. It's already too late for me, Minato" whispered Kushina, even as she dissolved into a coughing fit and the sounds of battle near her position intensified over the channel.

"Screw that! We can handle ourselves, go rescue Kushina!" replied Nagato defiantly, earning support from Hayate and Kasumi as well.

"Don't be stupid, Nagato! The loss of one Spartan is nothing compared to all of us dying here! The war will be lost!" pleaded Kushina,

"That's it! I'm coming on the battlefield!" declared Inoue,

"You can't make that long off a jump, not at this distance. Only Naruto can. Even if you managed to do it, you'll be nearly out of strength and become an even greater liability on the battlefield. They will overrun my position in less than two minutes, drop the air strike on my position or we will all die here!" begged Kushina,

"Minato...please..."

The former Mizukage clenched his fist bitterly when Ohnoki finished the last of the monstrosities and stood before him defiantly. He knew a shadow clone of his would be quickly finished off by this man if he went to save Kushina, and then the Tsuchikage would wreck havoc upon the trapped Spartan force with his Particle Style.

"It is time, my love. Let me go..."

He had known the cost of war, more than most men ever had. Tears arrived in his eyes as he thought about his oldest childhood friend, his first love, and their solemn promise to each other.

He had sworn never to let the past tragedy repeat itself, to get them all back home.

Had that been a lie all along? Had he been fooling himself?

The warrior and general in him knew what was the right choice, the necessary action to save more lives. But the man inside of that shinobi could not help but remember every moment she had stood by his side.

He could hear Nagato and many of his comrades pleading with him even as they fought for their lives as the deathtrap closed around them.

The odds were simply too great against them and it was time to make a choice once again.

The future of humanity or the ones he loved.

"Is...my...no...our...lives...more...important...than...our...war?" asked Kushina tiredly,

"Yes"

"More...than...humanity's...victory?" she asked once again,

"Yes"

Inoue alongside every Spartan were stunned by that confession even as Naruto clenched his jaw bitterly.

He remembered their bodies at Rezang La, the way he had left them behind to die no matter the reason, the guilt he had lived in for nearly a decade, the way his Uzumaki comrades had looked at him, the countless dreams of horror he had lived every night after.

All the lives he had taken- guilty and innocent, all the sins he had committed- in the name of justice or revenge...

He had lost everything and everyone except for his Spartan brothers and sisters.

He had grown up with them, trained together, fought side by side and even nearly died together.

When the entire world turned against him, Kushina and these Spartans came to his aid knowing he was doomed, knowing they would die defending him.

Looking around the carnage he had wrecked and the way even the dead had been defiled by his own hands...

If anyone deserved to die then it was him, and not a good friend like Kushina- the woman he had loved.

His decision was made.

"I'll get you all home alive this time, no matter the cost. Even if it's the last thing I do in this world" swore Naruto fiercely,

"Spartans, touch as many Zetsu as you can. Form a link, we are getting out of here. I'll teleport everyone away first including Kushina from the battlefield, then mother you pull me away with your Hirashin for I will have barely any chakra left after such a move. The air strike shall happen seconds afterwards when the enemy feels they have won. We have done as much damage as we can, I am not losing any more lives and Kushina I will not leave you or anyone else behind. Till the End, remember?" asked Naruto with determination,

"Why go so far? Why risk yourself like this?" asked Kushina in a tearful voice,

"Because we're family. You are all important to me, I want you to have long and happy lives in peace and for that I would give anything" confessed Naruto with a faint smile,

Inoue heard Kushina give a sob even as she wheezed in pain, but no words could describe the endless pride she felt within her heart for her eldest son.

"You have become a strong man in my absence, Minato"

It was perhaps the first time she saw the true character of her son, always the first step on the battlefield and the last to step off of it. Never hesitating in facing impossible and suicidal odds to protect the ones he loved and under his command.

No wonder there were shinobi willing to walk through hell for him, knowing he would do the same for them or even more.

Naruto dodged several attacks from Ohnoki and moments later received a confirmation from Nagato that the preparations were done as per his orders. Channeling the remnants of his chakra, Naruto teleported away his surviving forces including Kushina.

However such a drastic action severely drained his dwindled chakra reserves and jolted his entire system, his vision darkened for a moment which was the golden opening Ohnoki had been waiting for.

The Tsuchikage launched a deadly attack with his Particle Style directly at his enemy's head.

The shields of Naruto's chakra armor absorbed the blunt of the attack but shattered nonetheless, the titanium alloy helmet took in the rest of the damage as Naruto barely managed to fall sideways to save himself.

He screamed in pain as the shards had pierced clean through his eyes rendering him blind as he fell on his back.

Before Ohnoki could launch one more fatal attack to end his enemy, Naruto vanished eliciting a furious roar from the Tsuchikage.

His outrage and the survivors of the Rock Brigade alongside Hashirama and his survivors didn't get more than a few moments to rejoice as they all saw a blinding light engulf them.


(Mountain's Graveyard)

Inoue Namikaze blinked in surprise when she saw the Spartans and a horde of Zetsu teleported back inside their base. One moment there had been silence in the area and now it was filled with with the cries of the wounded, the dying and the ones trying to save them.

She watched Madara in another corner, having reluctantly sealed away the Edo Tensei form of his brother if only temporarily inside a coffin which she had blocked with a binding seal.

Her eyes widened when she caught sight of an extremely pale and minced Kushina Uzumaki being administered emergency medical aid...judging from her wounds, her life was in the hands of the gods and the medics they had.

Many other Spartans were wounded including Hayate, but none life threatening. The chakra armor had proved its worth in gold and perhaps was the only thing that had kept Kushina and her comrades alive so far.

The same could not be said for the Zetsu's who had no such protection...

From the 30,000 that went with Naruto, she spotted less than half had returned. Most of the survivors were wounded in one form or another, many were dying in agony, and only a few hundred stunned ones remained standing.

She quickly teleported her elder son using the Hirashin marking of her own on his body...while sending the scroll holding their last "Nova Bomb" to the battlefield as per Naruto's plan knowing it would cause more losses to the shattered enemy and sealing their victory.

But looking at the state of their own force, it didn't feel like one at all.

Her feelings were proven right and many were horrified when a motionless Naruto Namikaze returned covered in a river of blood.


Author's Notes: End of Chapter.

Hope you guys liked it.

Really sorry about the delay in update, started a new job and been really busy because of it. I've also been going through a tough time these past few months. I haven't talked about it before, but my planned marriage in May went bust before it could take place due to differences, I'm lucky to have family and friends around me alongside making enough money to live a decent life...

But I feel this emptiness within me that I can't describe, can't say I'm depressed- nothing that huge, just sadness even if I laugh and appear normal on the outside. I'll get through it and am not one to give up, but it's tough.

Sorry for rambling but I wanted to explain why the updates are slow.

I've already written the ending of this story and I am working on the 2 or max 3 chapters before that. I can't promise how soon I can finish this, but it won't be long and will be completed.

Your Reviews are appreciated as always.

Until Next Time,

Blackwolf501