WAR NEVER ENDS – BRAINS VS BRAWN
Clyde's Headquarters
Her eyes are dark, just as her fathers were. It is amazing the contrast between them, many have noticed this, not the least Sakura. Behind Sasuke's eyes there was always an avenger, looking out for his ambitions and his goals. Even when he was brought back to the village by Naruto that coldness was still there, like mechanical calculations were taking place just behind them. Sarada's eyes are similar yet different, looking almost identical and yet showing an almost childish naivety at all times. Fear, concern, hope, expectation, betrayal, the effects of all of them are seen at all times; Uchiha Sarada's eyes are truly the map to her entire life.
"Uchiha Sarada" Sheer acknowledges the new arrival like a friend walking the other way down a street. "What are you doing here?".
What is she doing here? It almost seems like a bad joke, don't they all have a fairly good grasp on the situation? Sarada can see the tears in Hinata's eyes, the desperation in the eyes of the colonels and the complete emptiness of the camp. She also sees the position of their bodies, they were likely guarding the prison from Hinata. There is only one reason she would want to get to it, there is only one person who could be inside.
"I came here to see my master but I'm disappointed to see something else" Sarada explains. "Instead, I have found you ganging up on Hinata, I've found an entire group of you forcing her to the ground. Now, unless I have got the situation entirely wrong, Naruto is inside that prison".
Hinata drags her head to the side to look around the colonels at her would be daughter-in-law. "Sarada, please, you have to get him out of there".
This is a stark contrast to the last time the two of them met. Back then Sarada had been desperate, flailing about in the dark and praying for a Hokage to save her. Hinata had slapped her out of it. Now it is the reverse, Hinata is seeking divine intervention, silently pleading for the help of a Hokage; a Hokage whom not long ago was in a very different state. Previously Sarada looked like a lost child, crying to her parents. Now she looks like what she always dreamed of being, she looks like a leader who protects the village as her family.
"Don't worry, I won't let any harm come to either of you, I am a Hokage after all".
Hinata smiles as Sarada turns her attention back to the captors.
"I still have to ask. Why have you all put Naruto in that prison? You must know that he would help you in your fight. If these new invaders are trying to kill you then you need him".
"You wouldn't understand our reasons" Sheer answers.
"Try me".
"We're not doing this for the reasons you think. We're doing this because we have made an alliance with Naruto".
It's a two-faced argument bar-Sarada, all those present know it. The 7th Hokage had happily entered into an alliance with his former adversaries believing them to be good people who had changed for the better. That may be the case, their intentions may well be good but they have gone against his wishes here.
"An alliance?".
"The general has gone to save your world" Colonel Grace explains. "However, the situation in our world is far worse. We need Naruto to save it! He can't do that right now, he is not strong enough but there will come a day when that changes".
This is Sarada's first time hearing of the issues in the invaders' world. "There are troubles in your world too? Are they so desperate that Naruto cannot help here?".
It seems preposterous. There is a good chance that Naruto's presence in the battle here would change the tide. If he and Sarada were to head there the odds would improve dramatically, probably even to a fifty-fifty chance. That's without factoring in the strength of the other colonels and Hinata. For that fifty-fifty to not be worth betting on, she immediately understands how severely they rate their own problems.
"Like I say, you wouldn't understand" claims Sheer. "For years, everyone in our world has felt trapped, hopeless, like there is no way out. Even the most brilliant of our warriors cannot change things. The heroes of yesterday and the heroes of today were all killed. The heroes of tomorrow were prevented from being born. You don't understand how that feels, that hopelessness, that's why we need Naruto".
Sarada's left fist is clenched so tightly it has gone a bright shade of red. If her entire body weren't numbed by rage she would feel her bones on the verge of breaking and her skin beginning to tear.
"Don't give me that" she growls. A deep guttural animalistic sound. "I don't understand how it feels to lose hope?".
The 9th Hokage steps forward and screams at the colonels. "You made us feel that for years! I know that feeling all too well!".
Guilt.
How can the colonels possibly feel anything else but guilt?
"We fought against you but stood no chance. We lowered ourselves to assassination attempts but there was no hope. We tried running and running and running but there was nowhere left to run! We only had one chance left, one hope and like for you, that was Uzumaki Naruto!".
Sarada finally calms, his cheesy smile popping into her head. "We succeeded, mostly thanks to him. Not his genius or his fighting ability but the sheer brilliance of his spirt. So if you want to claim that I don't understand how you're feeling, you should think of a better joke".
Hinata wasn't there but has felt the scar in the fabric of the village. She has felt the pain caused by tens of thousands of deaths. She has seen the effect of those left behind of all the dead, the difficulty and the poor conditions with which they have had to survive. She has run with the villagers when only Naruto and Hashirama could possibly turn and fight. She has felt it, that reliance on nothing but hope, the hope of Uzumaki Naruto.
"Sarada… please… don't let it happen again… please".
Things have changed since then. Hope had propagated in many different directions. With the increasing powers of Hashirama, of Boruto and of Sarada. The most powerful of shinobi had begun to understand the power of the invaders. Divine energy.
One week ago, hope was not the talent of one man, it was the potential of many. Circumstance has conspired against them though, putting all the pressure back on a single person. That, however, is the beautiful thing to her. If he lives, so does hope.
"Free Naruto" the Uchiha orders.
"I can't do that Sarada" Sheer responds.
The black naïve eyes change to a circular purple pattern.
"I will fight you if I have to".
"… yes… very well, let's fight".
The battle for hope – against the odds as it always is – begins.
The Battlefield
The quiet purr of Minato's chakra cloak fills the void. After overcoming the initial lack of cooperation, Minato managed to do what Kurama's two previous hosts proved incapable of. He made peace with the nine-tails.
With the deep orange chakra surrounding him he bends both his knees, spring loading them for an eventual reaction he is certain will require speed. Fortunately, as a shinobi, that is something he does better than anybody else. Even against the like of Naruto with his control of 'life' Minato could compete in a competition of speed. It matters little if someone is twice as powerful as yourself, if you dedicate four times to moving quicker you could be at least on par with them. This assumes a lack of talent. Minato does not lack talent in the least.
He pulls a kunai from his belt and focuses his gaze on the two invaders before him. Martin and Georgia. Colonel and General respectively. Poisonous both by element and by nature.
Georgia raises her head, looking down her nose at Minato. He even positions himself like a monkey.
"One of the monkeys wants to fight me" she says, her voice full of disdain, "As if he is worthy".
Martin now has a clear picture of his history with Minato. "Sister, this man was nearly killed by my poison once before. He is hardly worthy of fighting you. I will enjoy making him suffer again".
"Then I shall leave this monkey to you".
Minato takes the situation in. It looks like a promising start. They seem to be underestimating him, confusing him with the disabled man he was three years ago. Three years is a long time.
Martin activates his 'poison' divine cloak and the 4th Hokage takes this as his cue. His legs uncurl, starting with a powerful stride from his right foot, within three steps he is moving than any shinobi that he has ever seen.
Martin must acknowledge this speed. It is superior to his own.
He isn't too concerned though, he has battled people with superior speed in his time at the academy, a standard part of the training all members of the military receive. He is confident of his own superiority in terms of power. That is a mistake.
A howl of wind sounds despite the lack of air movement. Martin initially wonders where it is coming from but quickly realises. It is Minato. The shinobi's fourth step is even quicker than his initial three. The difference isn't marginal, not the effect of a gradual increase in pace, it's a sudden raw boost to the force driving him forwards. It is the wind. Minato is controlling the wind.
Georgia starts. She wants to save her brother from this attack but realises it is too late. Minato's speed is too superior for even her to intervene.
The yellow flash runs right up to Martin, a rasengan formed in his hand, nobody able to offer any resistance. He slams the rasengan into the chest of his enemy.
Martin screams as he is knocked back off his feet, his only saving grace the arrival of his sister to catch him.
Georgia quickly begins her analysis, this will be a battle against an opponent with superior speed. The attack was weak, not able to kill Martin, he will likely struggle even more to kill her. However, perhaps on Clyde and Lara would be capable of keeping up with such a man. She draws the simple conclusion. Minato is a freak, a champion of speed who should be an inspiration to warriors also walking the path of 'wind'.
"That's impossible" Martin concludes while grasping at his aching chest. "Just what sort of speed was that. There is no way a local could be so fast".
Georgia releases her brother, making sure he is safely on his feet. She then begins to walk slowly towards Minato. If he doesn't take this is a cue to begin an attack then it is to her advantage. The closer she can get the more chance she has of hitting him, that is to be the nature of this speed-based fight.
She is attacked in a way unfamiliar to her.
Minato's right arm lifts from his side to be parallel with his shoulder, his hand opens half way through the motion, sending a kunai hurtling towards the 'poison' general.
She of course dodges it with ease, who wouldn't dodge such a simple throw at this level.
With a flash of gold, Minato disappears and reappears behind Georgia, his hand wrapped around the kunai. Upon arriving he has distinct advantage. A surprise attack combined with superior speed, that is almost a water-tight plan. He lands a heavy kick into the rear of Georgia's right calf, sending her down to one knee.
The general begins to panic, a monkey has never made her fall to one knee before. How dare he. She turns and attempts to punch him.
Minato dodges to the side of the first punch, quickly returning a jab of his own. He does it again. And again. And again!
Four solid punches in a row and Georgia finally changes tactic, opting instead to reach out to grab Minato. If she can't win a contest of strikes she will grapple with him.
As she reaches for him he disappears, reappearing at a kunai he left in his starting position.
In that exchange Minato landed five solid attacks. Georgia landed none.
"Did you see that" one shinobi yells. "That speed was incredible, I could barely see him".
"That's the 4th Hokage for you" another one agrees.
Amongst the onlooking shinobi is Minato's wife. A feeling of pride rises within her, knowing how far Minato has come since arriving in this world. 'Minato, you're incredible'.
Even Martin is taken in by the display. By his account, the captained-six contest went on longer than it had any right too. The locals were far more talented than he thought possible back then. Incredibly though, this man of such high talent wasn't even well enough to fight back then. He wonders just what is wrong with this world? Why is it so different to all the other pocket worlds?
Georgia, unlike everyone else, seems relaxed.
"Everyone seems happy for you monkey but you surely realised the truth from just one exchange. You will continue to get slower and my counter to your movements will continue to improve" she explains. "I am stronger than you so you won't be able to land the killing blow. I will win this fight eventually".
Minato grins. "Can't land the killing blow, huh?".
He continues. "I admit that you are strong. Very strong. Stronger than me no doubt. I also admit that it's going to take something special to land that killing blow… so let's find out just how good I am".
Georgia has an ominous feeling, like an insect crawling along her skin. For a moment she is certain that he is not bluffing.
Elsewhere on the Battlefield
Blackburn stops his attacks momentarily, allowing Kakashi and Tobirama some respite. His eyes have been caught elsewhere and he is jealous. The guy fighting against Georgia seems really strong to him, very entertaining. It doesn't matter that his speed vastly outstrips his power. It's the uniqueness that piques his interest. That is why this world is great, the locals are fantastic. There ingenuity and crazy abilities greater than in any of the other worlds he has seen.
Kakashi steadies his breathing. "Minato sensei is doing well against the poisoner and his sister".
"Yeah. He didn't fight during the captained-six contest. Now that he is fighting his speed is remarkable". Tobirama goes on to admit that while he is the founder of the flying thunder god he cannot compare to Minato in the use of it. In terms of speed, he is inferior.
"Minato sensei's talent is fighting quick. Your talent is fighting smart" Kakashi counters. "It's time to combine our smarts to win, don't you think?".
"Yes".
Kakashi takes one last deep breath through his ever-present mask. He shivers slightly and despite the sweat dripping from his head, notices the bumpy texture of his skin. He spoke with Tobirama about this previously. About the series of counters they could use, about the attacks at their disposal that could actually beat Blackburn. They could do it, brains could defeat brawn but only if they were lucky with one combination. All the eggs are in one basket.
"I don't know that this attack will work. If it fails we will probably die here".
Tobirama extends a fist to his side. "I believe in you Kakashi".
The 6th Hokage bumps fists with his predecessor. "No matter what happens Tobirama, I am glad that we became friends in this future".
"Yes".
Their divine energy and chakra flare up synchronously.
On the left is the 'lightning' of Kakashi.
On the right is the 'water' of Tobirama.
Blackburn's attention is drawn back to the battle, the grin on his face showing excitement renewed. "So you two are finally going to go all out? In that case, come at me with everything you can think of".
That is exactly what they intend to do. For Minato's strength is speed yet theirs is brains.
Blackburn leaps up into the air and coats both fists in 'earth' ready for what he assumes is one final desperate barrage.
Kakashi activates his kamui power, tearing a hole between dimensions several meters above Blackburn's head. From that hole appears a marked kunai.
Blackburn has fought them for long enough, he is prepared for this. The coating on his fist is not just for short range attacks. He throws his fist upwards using an uppercut motion. The power and speed of the strike is such that the 'earth' mould flies from the end of his hand. It flies towards the kunai he presumes to be the Hokages' destination.
He proves right.
With a flash Tobirama and Kakashi appear at the kunai, each with a hold on the other's wrist.
As the fist-shaped 'earth' flies towards them Tobirama pulls as hard as he can. He twists his hips and manipulates the duos combined centre of gravity as a pivot point. Spinning them around, he times their swap in positions perfectly so that in the midst of the turn the fist-mould flies past their heads.
In Kakashi's right hand is Tobirama's left wrist. This gives him only one hand to attack with but that is all he will need. He draws 'lightning' into that left hand and grunts with what little energy he has left to summon. "It's up to you now, Tobirama".
Tobirama too begins to gather divine energy, a blob of 'water' appearing around his left hand.
That initial attack from Blackburn, in spite of its power, was not a one off. The man not only boasts enormous muscles but enormous divine energy. He fires off the 'earth' fists in quick succession, requiring only a second's break between firing them.
Kakashi has prepared for this. He links the two dimensions using his kamui and instantly knows that he has aimed perfectly. A dozen shuriken drop from the sky, gravity as their propellant. Each clip one of the fists on the edge, catching the ultimate knuckle. Of course the collision is not enough to stop the stony projectiles but it is enough to defer their course away from the two Hokage.
Blackburn is running out of ideas, now turning to the conventional spear taught in the academy, an easily fatal and powerful attack with great speed. With the golden 'earth' spear in hand he throws it up towards his two assailants.
Kakashi deliberately spins about the duo's centre of gravity, placing himself in the path of the spear. Initially it seems suicidal but of course he has a plan. He uses Obito's Mangekyo Sharingan, letting the spear pass through him.
"I'm done" Tobirama yells.
"Then do it!".
Tobirama throws his hand forward, combining his chakra and divine energy into an enormous 'water' dragon, three sizes larger than any he has created previously. As the dragon flies down towards Blackburn, a sudden injection of additional power increases its ferocity.
Kakashi unleashes the power of 'lightning' he has stored in his hand. As it combines with the 'water' dragon the full attack they have been betting their lives on is complete.
The 'water-lightning' dragon is here.
The dragon drives down towards Blackburn from above, the latter creating a thick golden 'earth' shield in an attempt to stop it.
He is finally forced down into the ground.
Tobirama and Kakashi are in no position to hold back now. They give all the reserves they can, both chakra and divine energy to increasing the power of the dragon.
The dragon bursts through Blackburn's shield, forcing him to catch it by the jaw. Now it is a direct struggle between the two.
Blackburn shouts in frustration as he tries to use raw strength to push the dragon back away from him.
His shout is countered by one from the two silver-maned Hokage. As their last vestiges of energy empty into the dragon it wriggles free of Blackburn's grip, finally driving the behemoth's back into the ground below.
A scattering of dust, 'earth', 'lightning' and 'water' obscures the battle momentarily as Kakashi and Tobirama land on the ground.
The 2nd Hokage begins to fall onto his back but is caught clumsily by his partner-in-crime.
"It may not be over yet" Kakashi says, though he is so out of breath he couldn't possibly fight any more.
As the dust clears there is no movement from the enemy general.
He lays on the ground motionless, unconscious.
A cheer goes up from the shinobi and captains behind the Hokage.
They have won.
Previously overwhelmed by Blackburn's sheer power, this time the two Hokage have scored a win.
The first key confrontation of this battle has gone their way.
"Now it's OK" Tobirama says.
"Yeah" Kakashi agrees, this time letting Tobirama to fall to the ground. He quickly follows himself.
The leaf's four mightiest warriors are not present. Those who everyone pinned their hopes on are elsewhere. Yet in the face of great adversity, these two have prevailed.
"Hashirama… Naruto… we won!".