Yo! So, this is going to be the conclusion for the Shiganshina District Arc.
Guest: Haha, thanks for that but I don't see myself as a good writer but thank you. Maybe I could make an epilogue/bonus scene of Naruto and Mikasa's wedding? And possibly a lemon. I'm glad you liked the chapter!
Beastyd22: Thanks for the feedback!
DidHeJustNut: I'm sorry but the story won't go that far. I intend to end the story a bit after this arc. Thanks for the review!
Guest: (Are you planning to write into season 4 of AOT or do you plan to end it at season 3 with an epilogue?): Unfortunately no, I've never planned to write past season 3. I might make an epilogue but that will take place many years later for Naruto and Mikasa's marriage. This is not guaranteed as I'll make a poll if my readers want to see that happen.
Anyway, please read until the very end.
"Speaking"
'Thinking'
Enjoy.
It was their last gamble. Stuck between the wall and the Beast Titan that was throwing projectiles at them. They had nowhere else to go except stay put. If they left? All the horses would die. If they attacked back? They would surely die. Morale was down and no one had a plan to defeat the Beast Titan. Everybody was at a standstill in their mission and had no way to get past that.
"There will come a moment when we learn the truth about our world...and I must be there for it."
"Is it that important to you? More than humanity's victory?"
"Yes."
So, once again, Erwin designed a plan. To bring everyone's morale higher to ensure victory against the Titan. Giving up on your dreams was a hard choice but the only one. The countless pile of bodies he stood over will only increase. The regret and lives of his comrades were his faults because of his selfish goal. But now, he had to abandon that dream. To never truly know about the Titans. Those questions plagued him ever since his father's death.
One last speech, one last charge, and one last order. To charge the Beast Titan with their flares in hopes of distracting it enough for Levi to kill off. None of them were going to live, not even him. But they wouldn't do it if he wasn't there in the charge.
'Thus, I fooled my comrades. Saying they should give their hearts to humanity. For the sake of mankind, to lead us to victory. Fooled myself...and upon a mountain of their corpses...I now stand.'
"Does that mean life is meaningless?"
"No, it's not! It's us who gives meaning to our comrade's lives! The braven fallen! The anguish fallen! The ones who will remember them...are us, the living! We die trusting the living who follow to find meaning in our lives! That is the sole method in which we can rebel against this cruel world!
As they rode on with fear stabbing at their hearts. The massive Titan that stood far ahead with a devilish smirk. They didn't stop, they continued knowing they wouldn't make it back. Their faces were terrified but yet; full of determination.
"This moment! This battle! The survival of humanity depends on it! Give your hearts! My soldiers, rage! My soldiers, scream! My soldiers, fight!"
The screams from the Survey Corps were truly an astonishing thing. Pouring every ounce into that scream, to show their bravery. They had come so far and now, here they stood. Their last charge to help humanity thrive. Many years of training brought them here. The choice to give their lives to humanity. So, here they charged.
"Now!Fire!" Erwin shouted, shooting off the first flare which was followed by many more. It was an amazing sight, the flares shot forward with the sky in the background. In hopes of decreasing the accuracy from the Beast Titan. This was their only option now. Oh how much they would have wished to become a cloud. To simply float all day without any troubles.
'We're both hoping for the same thing. To settle it here once and for all. Humanity or Titans?'
Erwin was struck in the hip during the first bombardment, collapsing alongside many others.
They watched in horror as Erwin collapsed. Presumably died from the impact, but they didn't flee. They continued with everything on the line. Aiming into the sky and shooting the second round of flares. The Beast Titan in turn threw a shattered rock. The second bombardment eliminated nearly all the rest of the recruits, leaving just three alive on their horses. A third and final bombardment eliminated the three recruits left, completely stopping the charge.
The Beast titan smirked at the state of the Survey Corps. He had slaughtered every single one of them without remorse. Now, they needed to finish off those inside the walls. Victory, he could feel in his reach. It was satisfying knowing that they managed to come this far. Although, he felt something odd. The Titans on his right had fallen. Was it during the charge? It was quite hard to see because of smoke that lingered in the air.
A grapple shot through the smoke. He turned towards the direction in confusion. The smoke broke open and allowed him to see the last remaining Survey Corps member. This quickly angered him at the fact that he went past his defenses unknown.
Unleashing an ear-piercing scream and reaching out to snatch the person. Levi quickly unattached himself and spun around the arm while cutting it, flying past the Titan. The Beast Titan looked in surprise at the skill this person had. No one had ever done that to him.
'Huh?' Not a single second later, his arm exploded in pieces. Memories of Reiner telling him to be very cautious about someone, Captain Levi. 'Is this Levi?' He asked himself.
His thoughts were interrupted when something was attached to his neck. 'My nape!' Using his arm to cover his nape and turning around. Another shower of blood erupted as Levi sliced the Titan's eyes, effectivity blinding him.
'What? I can't see anything! Did he take out my eyes too?"
Levi didn't waste a single moment and instantly dove down. Holding both blades and readying them for his next strike. Sliding against the floor and cutting the Titan's Achilles. His opponent fell due to the inability to stand. Before he could drop to the ground, Levi used his body to swing himself in the sky.
"You sure were enjoying yourself back there!" Levi remarked. Blood covering half of his face and holding his blades in a reverse grip.
The Beast titan looked in shock as Levi dove down towards his neck. 'Harden!' The inside part of his neck started to become like a crystal. "No, I won't make it in time!" He thought, raising his arm to stop the descending super-soldier.
"Let me help you have some more fun!" Levi yelled, his eyes were fierce. Spinning in circles to gain more speed in his strike and cutting apart the Titan's hairy hand. Landing smoothly on his nape and sent a barrage of strikes. The Beast Titan yelled in pain and frustration at his plan being completely ruined by this person.
Levi slid back to stop himself. Swinging back one more time but with all of his strength. Hot smoke burst out from the cut, alongside a man without arms. The man let out a yell and turned around in shock. His shouts were silenced as a blade was put inside his mouth and brought to the ground, threatening to kill him if he moved.
"Every time you transform, you use a lot of energy and need to wait before transforming again, am I right?" Levi asked, taking the chance to take in the person's appearance. He is a tall, broad, well-toned body with gray eyes, shaggy platinum blond hair, and a matching mustache that descends into his beard. 5 scars ran right under each eye and ended at his beard. He looked down the blade before locking onto Levi's eyes.
Levi plunged the sword further into his mouth and caused more blood to squirt out. "Hey, answer me. You sure are rude." Levi said, ignoring the man's choking sounds. "I can't kill this guy yet. Is there someone anyone, anyone left alive. Even a soldier. As long as they're alive, we can use the injection to turn them into a Titan. Then they can eat this guy and take the power of the Beast Titan. If we can save even a single soldier by doing that…' Levi thought, an image of Erwin popping in his mind.
His thoughts were interrupted when the ground started to shake. Looking up and trying to locate the nearby sound. He didn't even have the time to turn around when something broke through the smoke. Barely having a glance at what this thing was and identified it as an Abnormal Titan. It's a massive mouth opening up to show its tiny yet sharp teeth.
He wouldn't have feared for his life if it was going to rescue the user of the Beast Titan user. No, this Titan was heading for him. It's mouth ready to chomp down his bones. He closed his eyes, awaiting the inevitable death...but nothing came. The sound of flesh and bones being crushed caressed his ears. Opening his eyes to see a massive hand inside the jaw of the Titan. Shakily looking up and widening his eyes.
'Annie?'
Annie looked down at him as if he heard his thoughts. Grabbing him with her other hand and jumped away from a good distance. Levi looked in shock as the realization hit him. The Female Titan had saved him from dying.
From the corner of his eye, he saw her hand had ripped off, probably from escaping the jaws of that Titan. Then, he locked eyes with her. They both didn't trust each other but Levi couldn't simply forget that he was saved by her. Quickly being placed onto the ground and immediately fell in exhaustion.
The Female Titan looked off in the distance. Deeming the Cart Titan long gone. They won't come back, especially that she was here now. Her identity was now revealed to Marley but that was the least of her worries.
"We must go," Levi said and Annie nodded in agreement. She ran off in a sprint and Levi jumped onto her shoulder. The two soldiers hoped everything was fine behind the walls
Kurama flinched as a massive electric dragon bit down on his neck. The bolts running through his body made his muscles spasm before stopping. Narrowly dodging under the sword of Sasuke's Susanoo and striking him with one of his tails. Sasuke raised his sword which sliced through the tail, not stopping and bringing it down on Kurama, he created a bijuu bomb and deflected the sword.
Naruto and Sasuke jumped back from each other and glared at each other. "It's time, Kurama," Naruto said and his partner nodded. Two more Kuramas' appeared next to him. They started to spin around the original until forming one. He regrew half of his body and gained 4 extra arms, alongside 2 faces. The power of Sage Mode ran throughout his body. Two massive rasengan-shurikens started to form. In the meantime, Sasuke pushed most of his chakra into his Susanoo. Electricity shot out from the creaks of his armor, a purple bow forming in his hand.
Naruto and Sasuke glared at each other. Memories of their times together popped into their minds. Fighting against Zabuza and Haku, Chunin exams, Sasuke's retrieval, and fighting in the war against Madara. All these moments only to end in a death match between the two. So similar yet different ideologies.
Both of their attacks brighten in intensely, signaling they were ready for the last clash. Brothers and enemies. It was truly a remarkable thing.
"NARUTOOO!"
"SASUKEEEE!"
BOOOOOOOOOOM!
The two attacks collided together, a small red sphere appeared that sent out a strong wave. Moments later the sphere grew in size and everything turned white…
A yellow and purple dot appeared from a distance. Descending to the floor without any intention of stopping. A large storm floated above them, thunderous sounds were heard and lightning shot out from it.
The two dots hit against the ground, forming a cloud of dust. The cloud disappeared to reveal a tattered Naruto and Sasuke, both were equally exhausted from their latest attack.
'Our attacks weren't so powerful due to Sasuke not having the Tail Be-'
"Amaterasu!" Sasuke yelled, blood leaking from his rinnegan. Naruto used his right arm to tank the attack, using Kurama's chakra to shed his arm.
"Shinra Ten-" Sasuke clutched his head in pain. Overestimating his chakra reserves and Naruto took note of this. Naruto appeared in front of Sasuke and kicked over the jaw, making him raise into the air. Two other Narutos' rushed his side but Sasuke kicked them away. Forming a chidori in hand and piercing through 4 clones. The last clone had enough chakra to tank the attack and grabbed him, securing him in place.
The original tried to punch Sasuke which ended in him being sent to the ground. Quickly kicking the clone into a cloud of smoke and sat on the original Naruto. He unleashed a barrage of punches to Naruto's face, bruising him up and his teeth flew out.
The punches stopped coming as Sasuke got too tired, holding his arm in punching position but trying to inhale oxygen back into his lungs. Naruto rolled to his right harshly which resulted in Sasuke face-crashing with the ground.
With Sasuke's back facing him, he formed a rasengan in his hand and rushed him. Being a couple of feet away only to be stopped short. Sasuke threw three electric-shuriken and struck Naruto in his arm. Due to the effects of the element, Naruto's rasengan was canceled.
They continued to trade for blow and blow. Completely exhausted and used only taijutsu to save chakra. Their attacks were slow yet strong. Blood flowed out from many cuts and bruises roamed their bodies.
Naruto and Sasuke stared at each other as they stopped from fighting. Naruto looked down in surprise as Sasuke's arm was coated in his chakra. With this chakra, Sasuke formed a chidori and tried to attack the blonde. Naruto managed to recover fast enough to avoid the deadly attack and undercut Sasuke.
Sasuke impacted into Wall Maria with his body making a crater. He glared outside the hole in anger and stood up. Looking down at Naruto like he was a commoner compared to him.
"Just give up and let me cut you down!" Sasuke yelled in frustration, repeatedly smashing his fist against the wall. Using the rest of his chakra to make his final chidori.
'He intends to finish this with one last blast. Although he mastered his rinnegan to a point he could steal my chakra while attacking.' Naruto thought, watching Sasuke's attack have a tint of black. 'I'm not sure where you are, Kurama, but I'll come back!'
Both life-time rivals jumped towards each other, intending on meeting in the middle. Naruto held out his hand as a rasengan started to swirl in his hand. Glancing at it in interest as he felt the energy of his friends helping him. Mixing senjutsu with his attack. He looked forward and noticed Sasuke's eyes flinching, taking in senjutsu without any training can lead to unsolvable issues.
"Ahhhh!"
Naruto and Sasuke collided with their signature attacks. A sphere-forming around them like a protective barrier. They struggled for dominance, thriving to beat their rival without a care in the world. Everything went white once again…
(Line break)
He opened his eyes in pain, his body felt exhausted from his brawl. Looking up in the sky to see it was still bright outside. Hearing soft groans from his right and turning his head in that direction. His eyes widened in slight surprise at Sasuke's missing arm.
'Wait…' He tried to move his right arm only to feel nothing…
Sasuke's eyes opened to show his rinnegan in all its glory. Since he was so close to up and able to inspect it. The abnormal pattern and color interested him. Then, it hit him. His purpose for getting those eyes. To free his people but he needed those DAMN eyes!
"What? You're hesitating?" Sasuke's voice broke him out of his thoughts, his rinnegan glaring deeply into his eyes. "We're both going to die. No medics could save us right now, Sakura and Tsunade are in a different world. Even if I want to be saved, I don't have enough chakra to teleport. So, here I lay, hearing your pathetic breathing." Sasuke said, his tone lacking emotion.
Naruto didn't respond. How could he? Both of them were going to die and if not, they would fight again! He looked at his left arm subconsciously. Closing his hand as if he was forming his signature jutsu. 'I'm sorry, Mikasa...Eren...Armin, I broke my promise. The sound of whooshing alerted him, locating the sound to see a small rasengan. It was small...but strong to kill someone weak.
He glanced at Sasuke, his eyes shut, accepting his fate. His eyes hardened, removing all emotions and his goal was restated in his mind. Slowly standing up and walking over to Sasuke. His body casting a shadow over his body, shielding it from the bright sun up above.
"You're pathetic. We're still going to die, and yet you still can't kill me. Just how a shame everyone must feel about you." Sasuke said, his voice started to rise in volume and emotion. "You have one simple goal; kill Sasuke Uchiha and retrieve his eyes. Naruto Uzumaki is truly a LOSER. You're NOTHING! But someone who fails to bring back the-"
The sound of flesh and bones crushing will always hunt him. He didn't want to do it, but there was no other choice. His emotions pushed him enough to kill Sasuke Uchiha. Opening his eyes as tears leaked from it. Blood coated his friend's body with a hole in his chest, where his heart once laid and pumped blood.
His legs started to wobble in exhaustion. Staggering forward and trying to regain his breath. Tripping over a rock and falling forward. Closing his eyes and waiting for his body to crash but instead, landed on something soft.
"Good job."
That voice was mellow to his ears, 'I know that voice…' He thought and cracked his eyes open. Most of his sight was just the person's silver hair. Looking at the guy's face who in turn gave him an eye smile.
"Kakashi-sensei…" Naruto said in a low tone.
"Just lean on me." Kakashi's smooth voice once again gave chills down his spine. He felt Kakashi crouch down to leap forward.
"Wait." Naruto's raspy voice managed to stop Kakashi. "Sasuke's...eyes." He whispered.
Kakashi gave him a sad look, turning around to see Sasuke's corpse on the ground. He cringed at the sight. Knowing why Naruto would request such a thing. Sasuke had visited him and Sakura multiple times, threatening them and Naruto. He had no way to return so the best option was to use Sasuke's rinnegan. He bent down and took in his apprentice dead's face. He had trained him only to be betrayed. Reaching out and extending his two fingers alongside his thumb. Wincing slightly at the squishy sounds before sealing them away with his body.
"There," Kakashi said, glancing at Naruto to see him asleep peacefully.
"Hakate!"
He quickly turned and found Kurama standing not too far.
"K-Kurama?"
"Shut up," Kurama said and jumped onto Kakashi's hair. "Go that way! I'll explain on the way but hurry!" He said, pointing inside Wall Maria.
Kakashi nodded and disappeared from the area.
After a hard-long fought battle, they've won. Managing to defeat the Armor and Colossal Titan but at a high price. The majority of their squad had died off with only nine survivors, not including Naruto. Armin was in critical condition after risking his life to defeat the Colossal Titan. Capturing Bertholdt and Levi readied to use the Titan Serum on Armin, not until Floch and an injured Erwin arrived. Seeing this, Levi changed his mind but Eren and Mikasa didn't agree.
"Do you idiots, have the faintest goddamn clue, what you're doing? You want to leave Erwin, the commander of the Survey Corps, to die without lifting a finger?" Levi's stone-cold voice said, his face almost covered in blood.
Eren and Mikasa stared between Armin and Erwin with tears in their eyes. Levi originally chose Armin to use the Titan Serum only to switch it up?
"We don't have time for this. Get out my way." Levi said and tried to step forward but was stopped by Eren.
"Eren, set aside your feelings."
"My feelings? Why did you hesitate to give me the syringe earlier?" Eren asked in anger.
"I was thinking about how Erwin could still be alive." Levi answered calmly.
"There was no way you could have expected Floch to carry Erwin here in critical condition." Eren countered, his tone never changing.
"That's true, but now that Erwin is here, I'm using it on him." Levi said and smacked Eren away.
Mikasa widened her eyes in shock and let out a scream. Charging Levi and tackling him to the ground, holding her sword to his neck. Levi managed to grab the handle before Mikasa could kill him, struggling against her due to his battle with the Beast Titan.
"Hey!" Floch yelled.
'He's weaker than usual. I can take it by force' Mikasa thought, eyeing the container.
"You guys should understand perfectly well. Erwin was always there to lead humanity against Titans!" Levi said.
"He's right, Mikasa. Stop this insanity already." Floch encouraged but stepped back in fear when Mikasa glared at him
"It's Armin that Humanity needs." Eren said and shakily tried to stand up on his feet. "Isn't it obvious? The only reason we were able to block the gates at Trost, or find out who Annie really was, or learn to travel through Titan territory at night because of Armin! And it was only because of Armin that we found Riner's hiding place, and that we are able to defeat Berthholdt in the first place! The commander and I aren't the ones who'll help save humanity!" He yelled, blood falling from his mouth. "Right, Mikasa?!"
Mikasa looked back at Levi with more determination in her eyes and started to slam Levi's hand against the roof. "Give it to me, please!"
"Commander Erwin is the one who will save humanity." Floch said.
"Shut up!" Mikasa said.
"Not a chance! Don't act like you're the only ones suffering!" Floch yelled in frustration and raised his arm. "I'm sure this is news to you, but there isn't a living soul on the other side of the wall. They were all torn to pieces by the Beast Titan's stone artillery. I was sure every single one of us were going to die. Commander Erwin was the only one who thought otherwise. Even in a bleak situation, he came up with a plan to defeat the Beast Titan, and it worked. We were shredded by rocks, just like he planned. I'm sure the most of them felt it...was pure fear." Floch said, remembering all of those who died by the Beast Titan and looked through the many corpses to find someone alive.
"When I found the commander still breathing, I thought about finishing him off right there. But it occurred to me that killing him would be letting him off too easy. He still needed to be put through more of this hell. That's what I figured out. The only thing that could destroy the Titans was a demon! And it was my duty to bring the demon back to life! It was, for this reason, I was left to live after that massacre! So stop interfering!" He yelled and charged at Mikasa.
Mikasa raised her sword to cut Floch down.
"Stop!"
Two arms wrapped around Mikasa from behind, revealing it be to Hange.
"Hange!" Levi said in surprise.
Hange firmly gripped Mikasa before pulling her back.
"What? This can't be happening." Jean said in shock, taking in the sight of Armin and Erwin's body.
"No way!" Connie said with wide eyes.
With Mikasa out the way, Levi was free. Opening the container which revealed the syringe and a small bottle. Grabbing the syringe and inspecting it. His concentration was broken when something firmly grabbed his ankle.
"Captain. Do you...remember what Naruto...said about the sea. No matter how far you look, it stretches past the horizon." Eren said, the separation in his voice and tears falling from his eyes.
"Hey! Cut it out!" Floch said, grabbing Eren.
"But... that was our dream since we were little, and I forgot it long ago! Avenging my mom... killing the Titans... The only thoughts in my head are full of hate! But... he's not like that! Armin cares about more than just fighting! He has dreams!" Eren cried out, his voice cracking and tears spilling his face.
Levi looked away in shame, "everyone gets out of here! I'm going to have Erwin eat Bertholdt!
Levi ordered everyone present to leave the area while he gave Erwin the injection, but once he was alone he began to have second thoughts. Realizing that Erwin had already given up on his dreams and accepted death while Armin still had dreams to live out with his friends, he chose to save Armin's life. After receiving the injection, Armin transformed into a Titan and ate Bertolt, who cried out for help in his dying screams. Armin left his Titan from fully healed, and Erwin died of his wounds
They reformed on the same roof and helped Armin from his Titan form, fully healed from his past injuries earlier.
"Is that them?"
"Yes."
Kakashi watched as they hugged the passed out blonde teen. He himself was quite surprised by Kurama's story. In a world full of "Titans" trying to kill humanity. There was so much to be told but he was told of the important parts. Jumping forward and landed on the same roof and a soft tap of his feet landed. His footsteps alerted the ground of his presence. They looked at him cautiously until noticing Kurama laying on the man's silver hair. Their eyes widened at what the person was carrying.
"Naruto!" Mikasa yelled and ran towards him.
kakashi's eyes harden at Mikasa, taking out a kunai.
"Now, wait," Kakashi said.
"It's fine, Kakashi," Kurama assured.
Kakashi hesitated at first before lowering his weapon and putting it away. He dropped his shoulder to softly place Naruto on the ground. This action caused everyone to gasp in shock.
Mikasa dropped down to her knees, covering her mouth and tears started to form. Eren's eyes widened in shock, standing by Armin. Naruto was the strongest person he knew. Those injuries were even worse than Erwin and Armin combined.
"Naruto and Sasuke are my students... I never knew this would happen but their deathmatch ended minutes ago, with Naruto ending it but not without a price." Kakashi said, his eyes full of regret. He tried so hard to stay calm. One of his students already died and now a second one? Just how much could he have fucked up?
Mikasa instantly appeared by his side, planting her face on his bloody shirt and screamed. She cried, cried, and continued to cry. Her heart feels like a void, the light disappeared and it was replaced by darkness. Naruto's slow heartbeat in her ear, it was getting slower by the second. Levi looked away and shut his eyes, hoping for Mikasa's desperate shouts to go away. She never hoped this would happen but it always lingered in her mind. To see Naruto's body so injures was beyond belief. All their time together will be nothing but something to cherish if Naruto died. Her heart shattered into a million pieces as sadness took its place.
Eren's face was completely stuck, his mouth agape and wide eyes. As if his body shut off from the world. His eyes were emotionless and if you looked inside them. You would see a 10 year Eren in a white empty universe, sitting down with his legs tucked into his stomach. Tears freely flowed down as the world around him became dark. Naruto had also helped them no matter. Now, he was nothing but an almost dead man on death's door
Kakashi starred in sadness as Mikasa cries over Naruto. They had nothing to help him with. This universe didn't have ninjas...they were simply humans. Nobody can heal or at least sustain the injuries, all they could do is watch Naruto die in pain. He felt something land on his shoulder. Glancing up to see the darky gloomy clouds in the sky. Holding out his hand and saw a few raindrops land on it. Clenching his fist in anger and looked up, his hair overshadowing his eyes.
"I'm sorry, Minato-sensei, Kushina...for I've failed you once again…"
And done! Kakashi and Annie did make an appearance in this chapter. Later on, I'll explain how Kakashi managed to find Naruto. Hope you liked this chapter and leave a review on your thoughts! Until later, stay safe!