thegrison: It was ok at best. Some parts were really weak but good try.
Response: Such as? How can I improve?
skg1991: Your OCs are too confusing. While they are fun for an author, you have to understand that in between your 2 chapters, your readers would have read a 100 stories and would have forgotten each and everything about your OCs. For a reader, OCs are the worst because to remember who they are, the reader has to go back several chapters or read from the start everytime you update.
Response: This seems to be a complaint against OCs in general rather than mine specifically. But I mean, the OCs already exist, I can't exactly remove them from the chapters they're already in. There won't be like blocks worth of OCs, just at times when someone recommends an interesting character idea that I think can add to the story or I need to insert one (like in the case of Orochimaru), due to the fact that there aren't significant villains. Characters like, for example, Aiko, are not main villains in the same level of the Akatsuki or Orochimaru or Danzo, and that's about the level my own inserted villains will be. Almost every other significant villain comes from the anime or from a filler that I particularly liked.
Requiescat1nPace: Forcing a rift between Naruto and Sasuke by giving Naruto private tutors for the same exact reasons Sasuke is denied private tutors? Your Third Hokage is a dumbass.
Response: It wasn't exactly a rift I would say but I can see your logic.
Demon and Skeleton
Naruto looked at Kimimaro, worry on his face despite his proclamation. He was no fool. He knew that he couldn't handle the man in a one-on-one fight, even with this boost from the Kyuubi. But still, he had to know just how far ahead Kimimaro was against him in battle for him to be able to set up an effective strategy. Naruto frowned, red chakra swirling around him as his eyes narrowed around the bones coming from Kimimaro's body. He had to avoid those.
Naruto shot forwards in a burst of speed, appearing before Kimimaro, hand cocked back and ready to attack, yet Kimimaro swerved away, although he did seem more pressured than beforehand. Naruto's eyes widened as he turned, attempting to stop Kimimaro's counterattack, the bone coming from the man's palm towards his chest, yet he knew he wouldn't make it in time. Even with the Kyuubi's chakra Kimimaro too heavily outclassed him in speed.
Naruto panicked, his three chakra tails moving as he turned, managing to wrap around the bone blade just as it pierced his chakra cloak, digging slightly into his skin. Naruto groaned, using the chakra tails to fight against Kimimaro attempting to push the wepaon deeper. However, the man seemingly gave up on this attempt, creating another spear of bone from his other palm before thrusting ti forwards, forcing Naruto to leap away, barely avoiding being speared through.
Naruto landed far away, watching Kimimaro carefully. 'He's stronger and faster than me even with the Kyuubi assisting me. Getting in close won't work. But my wind scratched him before. Maybe if I can use that as a distraction.'
Naruto roared, a shorkwave being sent forth from the power behind it, forcing Kimimaro to steady himself. Naruto took that as an opportunity, weaving through handseals. "Ressenpu (Gale Fan)!" The violent blast of wind carved forth, shredding the ground as it made its way to Kimimaro. The man frowned, bracing himself for the oncoming storm, however his eyes widened when it hit. The last time he had been hit with the attack he had been only cut slightly from the move, barely enough to draw blood. This time it was very very different. He likely should have known that from the damage it caused the ground.
The wind tore into his body, deep cuts forming on his person, even as he attempted to create bones that would weather the storm. It was futile, the bones covered with multiple lacerations, some even being completely destroyed. As the storm ended Kimimaro glared at Naruto, blood falling heavily from his wounds. "You are stronger tahn expected," he muttered. "However, I will not fail Orochimaru-sama. You will fall to me here and now."
Naruto snarled at Kimimaro and his declaration, his chakra tails twisting together before they shot forwards, extending, in an attempt to spear through Kimimaro. Kimimaro snorted, raising his arms once more, this time taking the precaution to cover them in his bones as the chakra tails smashed into them, attempting to drill their way through his defenses. Kimimaro cursed, the force behind the attack sending him skidding backwards, however he weathered the storm, discarding the destroyed bones as Naruto retracted his three tails.
'He's still weathering my blows. Maybe if I try Kitsunebi (Foxfire) I can take him down? No. He'd be able to handle that too, and I still can't precisely control it enough for it to be an effective long range weapon. And I can't get close as he'll beat me in a close-quarters fight.'
Naruto frowned, narrowing his eyes as he watched Kimimaro, the teen glaring back at Naruto. 'Maybe if I-'
Naruto's thoughts were cut off as Kimimaro shot forwards at Naruto wasn't expecting, immediately on the defensive. A series of thrusts and swipes from his bones left Naruto unable to counterattack, Kimimaro not showing any cracks in his offense for Naruto to take advantage of. He was completely on the defensive, especially considering he could break through his chakra cloak. However Kimimaro only increased the speed of his attacks after getting frustrated by Naruto's capability to avoid being skewered once more by his attacks.
"Karamatsu no Mai (Dance of the Larch)!"
Naruto's eyes widened as Kimimaro shot forwards, his speed blinding as he lashed out with his attacks, spearing Naruto through his leg and right shoulder causing him to cry out in pain before Kimimaro smashed his palm into Naruto's chest, sending the blonde flying backwards. Blood shot from Naruto's mouth as he flew away, his back smashing into a tree as he blurry looked at Kimimaro. Kimimaro stood, looking down on Naruto before pain filled his eyes, and he coughed, blood shooting from his mouth. Naruto's eyes widened as the man dropped to a knee, the coughs clearly being the source of serious damage.
"It looks like he's sick," the Kyuubi muttered in Naruto's brain, paying attention to the fight ever since Naruto had drawn upon his chakra. Naruto nodded, slowly managing to return to his feet, the Kyuubi's regenerative properties forcing the bones out of his body and healing his wounds.
Kimimaro eventually stopped coughing, slowly rising to his feet, although he looked much more ragged, almost incapable of moving. Naruto smirked. "It looks like I've hit a stroke of good luck."
Kimimaro snarled, refusing to submit to Naruto's power as contorting lines covered his body, causing him to release an outburst of chakra. Naruto's eyes widened at the display of force, causing him to back up warily.
"How does he still have more power," Naruto muttered underneath his breath, idly noticing as one of his chakra tails dissipated. Naruto cursed, realizing his error. He had used up to much chakra too quickly, and out of the chakra he had taken from the Kyuubi it was dissipating quickly.
"Tch, you still don't know how to properly use my chakra. Your chakra control may help you do much more damage to him, but you're not making effective use of the chakra I'm giving you. That was enough chakra to keep you fighting him straight for a week that you just burnt up boy!"
Naruto ignored the disgruntled fox, clenching his fists as he looked at Kimimaro. "Let's get started!"
Ameyuri growled as she glared at Kisame, the man still standing despite her powerful attack. Kisame turned to look at her, his body moving slightly slower than he desired thanks to the damage the female swords user had managed to inflict upon him. His Akatsuki robe had been blown off of him, as had the shirt underneath, leaving him shirtless in front of his former ally, scorch markings covering his torso.
"How are you still standing?"
Kisame gurgled out a response, the words indecipherable. Ameyuri smirked. At least she had made it harder for him to speak. She had heard enough of that blasted voice of his. Still, for him to just take one of her stronger techniques as though it was nothing was worrisome. She had put quite a lot behind that attack, leaving her with only a third of her chakra reserves remaining.
As Kisame's body began to steam, likely Samehada beginning to heal the man by transferring over its chakra, Ameyuri sheathed her blades, a frown on her face. She knew what she had to do in this situation, despite how much it irritated her. She didn't have the luxury of restoring her stamina like Kisame did, and as much as she wanted to bring the Samehada back to Kiri she knew she had more than just herself to worry about.
Ameyuri dashed away, searching for her separated students.
Kisame finished healing as she got out of sight, causing him to curse in disappointment. It would be hard to track her with her low level of chakra reserves. Samehada wouldn't qualify her as an ample feeding supply. He sighed, placing Samehada on his shoulder, ignoring his blades incessant squirming at its meal disappearing. Kisame cracked his neck, a frown crossing over his face.
"Looks like you've finished you fight."
Kisame turned, his eyes widening as he noticed Itachi's heavily wounded form. A smirk came over him as he looked Itachi up and down. "Looks like you got yourself into a pretty tough fight. That guy with the glaive tougher than he looked?"
Itachi snorted. He had stopped his rest to search for Kisame, and he had found him. "It's time to leave. We have no purpose to stay here." Kisame raised an eyebrow. "What about the Kyuubi Jinchuriki?"
Itachi frowned, looking at Kisame. "We don't have much of a choice. I'm heavily injured, and you're a little hurt. If the Kyuubi were to go wild in a fight against him right now we would stand no chance of defeating him."
Kisame raised an eyebrow. "You don't think I could defeat the Jinchuriki by myself?" Itachi rolled his eyes. "It's not the Jinchuriki I'm worried about. What about when the beast inevitably takes control, and gets released? Do you truly think yourself so great that you can handle the Kyuubi all by your lonesome?"
Kisame looked like he was honestly pondering the question, causing Itachi to sigh. "You're not Kisame. That's why Pain-sama had us work together. Because the Kyuubi can only be defeated by our combined strength, and I'm not exactly a useful person to have in a fight right now."
Kisame sighed, nodding nonetheless. "That's so disappointing. How did that guy do so much to you anyway? He was strong sure, a suitable meal, but he wasn't on your level."
Itachi was silent, turning on his heel and walking away, causing Kisame to have to rush to catch up.
"Hey! Itachi! What the hell man? Answer me!"
Aiko immediately flexed her fingers as she saw the Nuibari shoot towards her, stopping the blade by wrapping it around in strings. Isshin frowned at the action, pulling against the strings only for Aiko to smirk, pulling back more in the process. The two struggled in a competition in strength, however eventually Isshin won, Aiko's young age not giving her the strength to keep the sword in place.
Isshin caught his blade, a frown on his face as he glanced at Chojuro. Chojuro nodded, forming a hand seal before mist slowly began to cover the entire area. Aiko's eyes widened before they narrowed, her chakra strings floating around her body. She turned slowly, her trying to follow the two Genin's movements, however her eyes widened when she felt a blow land on her back, sending her flying. Cursing Aiko flipped midair, landing on her feet. She immediately wrapped the strings around her body, forming a dense body armor.
"That won't help you," she heard, turning on her heel too late to stop the lance that was the Nuibari spear her through. Aiko coughed, blood shooting from her mouth and staining her chakra strings red as she felt the Nuibari be roughly yanked out of her. Her chakra strings fell to the ground as her eyes grew blurry.
"The Nuibari pierces anything and everything. Nothing can stop it."
Aiko strained herself, trying to hear the words. Groaning she fell to her knees, thinking of how she could keep the fight going, win the fight like she promised Orochimaru.
(-Flashback-)
Aiko sat down on the street, a sign in her hands and a cup to her side. The young girl looked at the people walking by, her face hard as she tried to show her resolve. She had heard somewhere that showing resolve inspired people, made them want to help you. Yet despite that not a single person in the Capital City of Hi no Kuni even spared her a glance, many to preoccupied with the escorts and prostitutes hanging off of their arms.
The young girl could only stare, her resolve beginning to crack and fear showing in her eyes as she looked on at the wealthy people, each apathetic to her struggles. This was her fifth day of sitting on the street, begging for anyone to help her and so far she had only gotten one person to even look her way. If she didn't get money to buy food soon...well...she didn't want to think about it.
The young girl turned around, refusing to let the populace see her tears as she turned to her dying mother who had just started a coughing fit. Aiko frowned, pulling the rags that covered her higher on her body so she wouldn't be cold. She checked her forehead, a frown forming on her face. Clenching her fist she gathered her resolve, holding the sign until night came, however not a single set of eyes even gave her the light of day.
The young girl clenched her fists, placing the sign on the ground next to her mother before she rushed away, finding a local food vendor. She hid behind a taller man, managing to reach out and grab an apple before the vendor noticed, dashing off with a cry of "Get back here you thief!"
Aiko cried as she pushed her legs, each step requiring monumental effort just to pull off because of her hunger. As she ran she clutched the apple to her chest like a lifeline, every step reminding her of her heart pounding furiously in her chest to keep her going. When she finally got away from the man she stared at the apple, wanting no more than to eat it, but she knew that she couldn't do that. She would last another day at least without food, but her mother. She wouldn't.
Aiko returned to where she left her mother, offering her the apple to eat. Her mother smiled gently but shook her head, refusing to eat until Aiko had. Aiko frowned, looking for anything to split the apple so her mother would eat but coming up empty. She cursed, clenching her fists.
"Oh, what is this? Are you okay child?"
Aiko turned, her eyes wild as she saw the man. Orochimaru.
He stood before her, his eyes kind. "You look severely malnourished. Do you need help?" Aiko glared at the man, suspicious. No one ever gave her attention, and she wasn't begging currently. This man was suspicious.
"Don't talk much do you," Orochimaru said, a smile on his face. "And that look in your eye...I like it. Like a cornered animal fighting for survival."
Aiko's stomach growled, and as if that was her cue she shot forwards, eyes hooked on the kunai at the Sannin's belt. However the man easily grabbed her hand, smirking as she struggled for the kunai.
Slowly Orochimaru reached towards his waist before he handed her the kunai. "Here. Take it."
Aiko's eyes widened before she took it with a nod, rushing off to feed her mother. The next day she had to steal again, this time managing to cut the apple with the kunai she was gifted by the strange pale man. She continued this cycle, her mother slowly starting to regain her strength for a week before tragedy struck.
She got caught.
Finally one of the vendors she stole from called the guard, and she was caught and thrown in jail for a week, despite her begging. When she was finally let out she immediately ran to where her mother should have been but was horrified at what she saw. Her mother...her mother was dead...laying there on the street...forgotten by the world.
Aiko ran towards her mother, uncaring of the rain that pelted her from above due to the thunderstorm, her tears covered by the rain on her face, her screams of agony hollowed out by the thunder. She stood there for days, just sitting there, unable to move, eventually growing quite ill due to being stuck in the rain. She lay there on the street, staring at her mother's dead face, the look of fear plastered on it.
"Your mother I presume."
Aiko didn't even bother to turn. She didn't care who it was. It could have been death for all she cared, in fact, she hoped it was death. She wanted to join her mother again.
"Such a shame, to die so young. I presume she was a prostitute and couldn't find work after choosing to have you. Such a shame. Illness likely set in after your birth."
Aiko didn't bother denying the truth in the person's words. She knew it was true. She had become a burden on her mother.
It was her fault her mother had died.
"It's okay child," she heard. She almost laughed. How was this okay? Her mother was dead and she did nothing to stop it.
A hand rested on her cheek, and unwillingly she leaned into it, craving human contact. "I'll take care of you now." Aiko slowly turned, barely able to find the strength to move before her eyes widened as she saw the pale man from before.
"My name is Orochimaru," he stated. "What's yours?"
She opened her mouth.
(-Flashback-)
Aiko.
That was her name, that was what she told him. The name her mother had given her, before she had gotten sick, and everything had spiraled out of control. Aiko growled, thinking of everything she owed Orochimaru. He gave her another reason, a way to continue her family name. She had to pay what she owed him back. He gave her a new reason to live once her mother died, he fed her, gave her a home, cured her of her illness.
And he didn't ask for anything in return but her happiness.
Aiko snarled, her chakra strings releasing her body, realizing the lack of purpose they would serve with that blade on the field. So she would forgo any form of defense whatsoever and just fight.
Fight for herself.
Fight for her mother.
Fight for Orochimaru.
With a cry, Aiko charged into the mist, her chakra strings shooting out at random, looking for the two Kiri Genin. Isshin and Cojuro frowned as they heard the chakra strings lash out in random directions, the chakra strings becoming thicker and thicker, more cord-like as Aiko pushed more chakra into them. The duo frowned, nodding to themselves before they merely stepped out of the mist, sitting down to wait until the young girl tired herself out.
"You know, this seems really anti-climatic," Chojuro stated meekly. Isshin snorted. "I completely agree," he muttered. The two glanced towards the nearby forest, before turning, their eyes wide as they heard a loud crack and whistle.
A cord-like chakra string shot towards them, Chojuro barely putting up Hiramekarei to block the attack, but the force of the attack sent him flying, slamming into a tree with a thud.
"Chojuro," Isshin cried before he snapped his head towards the mist, Aiko rushing out, sweat pouring down her face as her chakra coil-constructs shot forwards. Isshin frowned, gripping the Nuibari tightly before he let fly.
Naruto dodged underneath a spike from Kimimaro, shooting his fist forward at the opening he saw. Yet Kimimaro smirked, bones shooting from his rib cage, causing Naruto to pull back his fist, a frown on his face. But Kimimaro kept up his assault, his knee rising in an attempt to knee Naruto. The strike landed, sending Naruto flying upwards, but not before he grabbed Kimimaro's shoulders, spinning midair to slam him into the ground. Kimimaro coughed up blood for the strike, causing Naruto to smirk before he sent his fist rocketing towards Kimimaro's face. The servant of Orochimaru tilted his head, letting the blow harmlessly hit the ground before he swung his feet upwards, bones spearing from the bottom of his feet in an attempt to hit Naruto in his shoulder blades. The Konoha Jinchuriki caught the attack, however this allow Kimimaro to push off of his hands, spinning before flinging Naruto away, or at least attempting to. Naruto's body moved towards the trees where Kimimaro flung him, yet chakra hands still connected him to Kimimaro's ankles, pulling the Kekkei Genkai user towards him. Naruto smirked, sending his twin tails of chakra flying spinning towards Kimimaro, smashing into his back as he let go of the teens ankles, sending him flying. Kimimaro managed to spin in midair however, landing on his feet.
"You're stronger than I thought," Kimimaro stated, a frown on his face. Naruto nodded, blood trickling from his mouth despite the Kyuubi's healing properties. "Is it weird that I'm enjoying this?"
Kimimaro merely smirked before he glared at Naruto. "Unfortunately for you I am ending this battle here. Orochimaru sent me here for a reason, and losing to you is not one of them."
Naruto smirked, however that smirk was quickly whipped away as he saw Kimimaro's arm bulge, bones spreading from every angle. Eventually a large bone object was wrapped around his arm. "Tessenka no Mai: Hana (Clematis Dance: Flower)!"
Naruto's eyes stared at the large protrusion, his eyes wide. 'No way! I can't beat that! I have to dodge.' Kimimaro tensed his legs, a smirk on his face before he shot forwards, his speed blinding. 'Shit! He's even faster than before! He must be using chakra to enhance his speed!' Naruto frowned, realizing he couldn't dodge before thinking of the one technique he could use that might be able to defeat the Kekkei Genkai user.
"Don't fail me now," Naruto muttered before he shot forwards to meet Kimimaro, hand open as he started to gather chakra. 'First rotation,' Naruto thought as Kimimaro neared him, blood trickling from the teenagers face. Chakra began to swirl in Naruto's hand. 'Then power.' The chakra in Naruto's hand became volatile, the amount of power within begging to be released. Kimimaro was close now, only a few steps away. The duo would strike in just a moment.
'And then,' Naruto thought. 'Containment.'
Naruto was prepared to struggle while creating the jutsu, however his eyes widened as he found the container to be much easier to make than before. 'It must be the Kyuubi's chakra cloak providing a pre-made container of sorts,' Naruto thought his eyes wide. However, the blonde had no time to ponder his mixed bag of success and failure with the technique before he shot the orb forwards to clash with Kimimaro's jutsu.
"Rasengan (Spiralling Sphere)!"
Tsunade frowned as she followed Orochimaru towards the clearing where she could sense Naruto's chakra, his hands bound behind his back by one of hers. The blonde woman could only stare ahead, hoping that what Orochimaru said was wrong. The blonde so far was alright, clearly, as she could sense his chakra despite how far away they were from each other and she was no sensor. Then again, the predominant trait she was getting from the chakra was vile, a likely indicator that he was using the Kyuubi's chakra.
That may be problematic, especially with her lack of expertise in the field of sealing. If the blonde was out of control she would have to forcibly put him down. That wasn't a fight she was particularly interested in. The blonde Sannin brushed some foliage out of the way with Orochimaru's head, taking car to smash his head against the side of a nearby tree as she did so, smirking vindictively. Her eyes widened as the foliage uncovered Naruto's position, her eyes widening as she saw the blue, spherical orb in his hands as he rushed what she could only presume to be Orochimaru's student.
Her eyes could only widen as the massive bone construct collided with the Fourth's secret technique.
"Impossible," Tsunade muttered. "There's no way he managed to learn how to use that technique. He's just a brat, and he had almost no time to practice during this mission. The stress of battle can do many things, but even it can't have someone magically master a jutsu in the nick of time!"
The blonde stared at the resulting shock wave that occurred as the two techniques collided, sending the Kyuubi-cloaked Jinchuriki flying away from the epicenter of the blast, the white-haired Kekkei Genkai user grunting and sent skidding back from the force. As the situation calmed she could only stare in shock, the white-haired Kekkei Genkai user dropping to his knee, blood shooting from his mouth as the markings on his body disappeared. The bone construct onhis arm, cracked and shattered, fell off of him, the boy not having enough chakra to maintain the jutsu any longer. Tsunade turned her eyes to Naruto, was lay in a heap, unconscious, the Kyuubi's chakra receding.
"That boy actually did it," she muttered, staring at the blonde. The blonde Sannin could only stare, her eyes quickly deceiving her as she saw a much older blonde laying there, a scorched hand lifted in the air in victory. Tsunade shook her head, ignoring it as a trick of the light.
"That sickly boy," Orochimaru stated, a smirk on his face. "My protege. Heal him!"
Tsunade growled, slamming Orochimaru into the ground. "Do not order me around," she hissed, only to garner the attention of Kimimaro. The Kekkei Genkai user narrowed his eyes at Tsunade, rage crossing his features. "Let go of Orochimaru-sama," he hissed, bones slowly appearing from his skin. Tsunade's eyes widened but she smirked. "You're suffering chakra exhaustion, I wouldn't recommend attempting to fight someone on my level. You will die."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, looking from his perilous situation to Kimimaro's. He had not been anticipating this. It was clear to him as soon as Tsunade had said it that Kimimaro was exhausted, likely to exhausted to give the blonde Sannin much of a challenge. He himself was bound, due to Jiraiya's seal restricting his ability to use chakra to the level he was used to.
It was unlikely he would walk out of this situation with what he wanted. "Kimimaro!" Orochimaru hissed, only for his head to be smashed into the ground. Still, the teen knew what Orochimaru wanted and quickly dashed towards Naruto, grabbing him by the throat, a bone in hand as he pointed it at Naruto's neck.
Tsunade frowned. A standstill. Both of them had a hostage, and admittedly both of them were extremely valuable. "Now Tsunade," Orochimaru said, a smile on his face. "How about we do a little exchange!"
Tsunade glared at the snake man in her grasp, her grip on his wrists becoming so tight that she shattered him causing him to cry out in pain. Kimimaro immediately took his bone and stabbed it into Naruto's thigh, causing her eyes to narrow. This boy was not playing around. She could reach him before he killed Naruto, or could she? He was a good distance away, and she was by no means the fastest shinobi around. In fact if she was being honest Naruto in a straight on fight from what she had heard may be able to outstrip her in speed.
The blonde Sannin stared at the boy before her before looking at Orochimaru.
"What do you propose?"
Orochimaru smiled deviously. "As I'm sure you can tell from Kimimaro's injuries he isn't well. An accomplished medic such as yourself could likely deduce that." Tsunade frowned, nodding. "Yes, he is seriously ill. But I'm not surprised he's here, battling, despite his injuries. You have a habit of brainwashing people."
"Brainwashing? Why that's quite cruel Tsunade-chan. I haven't brainwashed him, I've merely persuaded him to follow me."
"If it talks like a duck," Tsunade muttered. "What are your terms snake!"
Orochimaru smiled. "Why I'm sure you know what they are already. Heal my disciple and you are free to leave. With the Jinchuriki." Tsunade frowned. "Even if I were to say yes you would just double-cross me."
Orochimaru laughed. "Why would I do something like that? My wrists are broken and I can't use much chakra. Kimimaro himself stands no chance of defeating you, even with his illness healed. More so," Kimimaro inched his bone blade closer to Naruto's throat. "Do you really have a choice?"
Tsunade smiled, leaning in to whisper in Orochimaru's ear. "Really? Because if I remember correctly one of us has quite the fear of death with their lust for immortality. I can heal a slit neck if I get there fast enough, and, well, you said it yourself, that Kekkei Genkai user will not be capable of stopping me."
Orochimaru growled, rage filling his eyes. "I have more than just one subordinate on this island!"
"If I'm correct she's currently preoccupied. Last time I saw her she was fighting those Kiri Genin."
"Kiri Genin are not enough to defeat Aiko! Her potential is far to great to be eclipsed by some newbie Swordsman of the Mist!"
Tsunade frowned, recalling Genma's injured body as he was rushed into the E.R. The man had survived, but from his words he had fought Aiko. If she had amanaged to defeat someone on Genma's level Orochimaru was likely right that she would handle two Kiri Genin, unless they had some weapon that could turn the tides in their favor and very, very good knowledge on how to use their techniques.
Tsunade growled, smashing Orochimaru's head into the ground, leaving the man stunned before she stood, walking over to Kimimaro. "Your illness," she stated. "What is it?" Kimimaro frowned. "I've been told that it is some form of muscle degeneration due to my unique Kekkei Genkai. My clan rarely had anyone who could use this Kekkei Genkai, and they all died early, likely because of this illness."
Tsunade frowned. "So it's some form of illness linked to your ability to use your Kekkei Genkai. In that case it would be impossible for me to heal it unless I took away your ability to use your Kekkei Genkai, something even I am incapable of doing. The best I could do would be to recommend medicine that may be able to reverse the effects of the disease, slow it down at best."
Orochimaru frowned as he recovered from Tsunade's attack. "Such as?"
Tsunade shrugged. "Dunno. I'd need more time to analyze the disease, something I don't have now."
"Well find time," Orochimaru hissed. Tsunade stared the man before a laugh burst from her mouth. She quickly grabbed Kimimaro's hand before punting him, sending him flying through several trees. Orochimaru hissed, causing Tsunade to smirk before she stared at him.
"Looks like I have a snake to kill now don't I!"
Tsunade crackled her knuckles, walking towards Orochimaru, panic on the snake Sannin's face before a dark smirk took over it. Tsunade frowned, turning to see Naruto, impaled through the heart with a chakra construct. Tsunade could only watch on in fear, frozen at the sight as she saw a small girl, weaving her hands as the spear ripped itself from Naruto's heart in a wet SQUELCH before smirking. Tsunade glared bloody murder at the girl, her killing intent suffocating before she dashed towards Naruto, leaping into the forests with the blonde's body. Orochimaru turned towards Aiko.
"Good work, Aiko!" Aiko nodded, a smile on her face before she dropped to the ground, unconscious. Orochimaru laughed, standing. "Well this is quite the predicament."
(A Few Moments Earlier)
Aiko leaned backwards as the Nuibari lunged forwards, flexing her fingers as her chakra strings swirled, wrapping around the sword with pinpoint precision. Isshin's eyes widened before he tried to pull back the blade, but Aiko would not let it let the blade go this time, forming a blade made of chakra strings and launching it at Isshin. The young boys eyes widened as the blade careened forwards, moving to fast for him to dodge.
'You're kidding! She should be drastically hurt and yet she can come back and do things like this!'
Isshin cursed, trying to leap away but he frowned when he realized he wouldn't make it. He would have to take the hit, just in a non-lethal area. The young Genin closed his eyes only for him to her a strange swinging noise. When he realized he wasn't dead Isshin opened his eyes, surprise on his face as he saw Ameyuri standing there, wounded but still alive. "We're retreating," the woman muttered, lightning crackling along her blades before she shot a bolt of lightning at Aiko. The young girl tried to dodge, but was too slow, screaming out in pain as the lightning struck her, the Nuibari dropping from her grasp. Isshin was quick to yank it back over to his position.
Ameyuri turned to him, a frown on her face. "Let's find Haku and get out of here." Isshin frowned. "But what about the mission?" Ameyuri rolled her eyes. "We have Kisame Samehada here, along with Itachi Uchiha, Orochimaru, and Tsunade Senju. Fuck the mission. One of them I might be able to handle, but combined? I am not strong enough to handle that. I'd need backup, and you are not back up."
Isshin frowned, grumbling under his breath, but quickly grabbed Chojuro and leapt into the trees to follow his sensei.
Tsunade stared down at the wounded Naruto, her hands moving as fast as they could. "Come on, come on," she changed, frustration on her face as sweat poured down her brow. Healing such a severe heart injury required lots of speed, and a lot of precision. Frankly speaking on the field even she wasn't sure if she could pull it off. Ifthey had the supplies the Konoha Hospital had it wouldn't be too difficult. Challenging, but not nigh-impossible.
Lucky enough for her she wasn't the only one working.
As she tried to mend Naruto's literally broken heart she felt it's power. The Kyuubi. The beast was flooding Naruto's body with his power like a beacon, his body covered in a toxic red aura, the Kyuubi's chakra. It burnt her hands to try and break the aura and assist, but if burning her hands was what she had to do than she would do it. The blonde Sannin frowned, blood staining her hands as a spurt of blood shot from Naruto's chest. Shaking the blonde briefly froze, seemingly irritating the Kyuubi as more if its chakra poured forth.
"Blood," she muttered, fear crackling through her eyes as Tsunade could only relive the memories of her lost loved ones. Dan. Nawaki. Her grandfather. So many people had died, and she had been unable to save them. Either to weak or to slow. As the Kyuubi's chakra exploded she could only hear her own insecurities coming back to haunt her.
She would again lose someone due to her own ineptitude. Another family member, distant he may be. And all because she couldn't handle the sight of blood. Because she was too weak.
Tsunade bit her lip tight, blood dribbling down her skin as the Kyuubi continued to keep Naruto alive by a hair's length. It needed Tsunade to help finish the job. Or at least that's what she thought.
'I won't lose him!'
Tsunade dove her hands into the Kyuubi's chakra, ignoring the raging burns she felt on her skin as she tried to heal Naruto again. He would not be like Nawaki and Dan and Hashirama! If this boy could learn the Yondaime's technique, then she damn well could save his life. She was the best medical ninja in the world. She would not fail like this. Not again. She wanted to institute a mandate on having iryonin on the field, well now was her chance to prove that idea's merit!
Tsunade could only watch in wonder as she lay back on the ground, chakra exhausted from the procedure, as Naruto's heart slowly began to mend itself. She had only managed to fix it to a semi-damaged state, despite her claims beforehand, but it was enough, the Kyuubi had done the rest. It took but a matter of moments, before the beast had fully mended Naruto's heart, his muscle, bone, and skin being put back into place slowly through his regeneration.
Tsunade reached out, placing a hand on Naruto's throat, a smile on her face.
"He's alive," she whispered as she felt his pulse before she collapsed, a smile on her face. "He's alive," she breathed, forgetting about her blood covered hands.
I hope you all enjoyed my New Year's present. I personally don't. This chapter seems cut short to me, mainly because I only envisioned two end points for it. This one, and one that would have ended with Sasuke's return to Konoha and the beginning of Tenten's personal arc but I'm just saving that for the next chapter. Due to that it feels kinda rushed to me but I wonder what it feels like to y'all. Have a nice New Year! What are your resolutions?