Iruka and Kakashi follow Rain outside, and stand on the temple veranda. Kurama's Guards, the Order of Jashin, Wind and the kids are standing on the veranda and stairs staring at the approaching army. The army of strange white beings is popping up out of the ground like zombies. Sliding across the grass in front of them is Zetsu: half black, half white and encased in a plant.
"That's a lot of Zetsus," says Wind, drawing in a shuddering breath. "At least they can't get past the barrier."
Namiko latches on to Iruka's leg and holds on tight. "How long will it take before there's no food left?" she asks.
"Never," says Iruka, patting her head reassuringly. "There is a seal in the temple that leads to a massive garden. That garden has everything we will need to survive indefinitely."
"I saw that seal," says Naruto, nodding. "I have one of those seals in the back of my wardrobe. The one in the Temple is called Narnia, but my one is just my relic vault."
"Where is this seal?" demands the High Priest of Jashin. "I've never seen it."
"It's that painting at the back of the cupboard in the bathroom," says Iruka. "It's hidden because it is also a final retreat if things go badly. However, the seal can only hold people inside it for a total of 24 hours. That's 24 hours divided up between each person inside the seal, by the way. If all of us went in there, we would only be able to stay a few minutes. But we won't need to resort to that. Our enemy cannot breach the barrier."
The Zetsus are closing in, but they are all headed for the stairs. Everyone inside the barrier could easily escape from the back door. What is Zetsu thinking?
Finally, Zetsu reaches the barrier. "We will give you one chance," he says. "Surrender the scrolls and the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura. If you do not, we will kill you."
"No," says Iruka, pulling the finger at Zetsu. "Get lost."
"Then you will all die," says Zetsu and walks towards the barrier. As he approaches the barrier wavers and then parts to let him through.
The Order of Jashin immediately pulls out their weapons and charges forward to attack Zetsu and his army. Kurama's Guards start herding Naruto and Sasuke away from the step and away from Zetsu.
"Madoka," says Kakashi taking charge of the situation. "Take Namiko and go back to the Leaf for help."
"Take the five trainee priests with you, 'tebayo!" yells Naruto.
The five trainee priests leave the battle against the Zetsus and run back up the stairs. Namiko and Madoka join them. "Follow us," says the trainee priests, and lead the two genin around the back of the Temple.
"Naruto, Sasuke, get over here!" Iruka yells over the sound of his mind screaming 'F***, F****, F***!' on repeat. "Bring the sacred scrolls!"
Naruto drags Sasuke over by the wheelchair. The scrolls are sitting on Sasuke's lap. "Iruka sensei, what are we going to do?" asks Naruto, excitedly. "Do you have an awesome plan to fight back?"
"Don't move," says Iruka, weaving hand signs. Then he turns his back to Naruto and Sasuke and slaps his hands on the ground. "Crimson Lion!" The red, box-shaped barrier explodes out of the ground, surrounding Iruka, Naruto and Sasuke. "You two need to learn that jutsu NOW."
"But I want to help fight!" protests Naruto. "It's not fair, 'tebayo!"
"Naruto, this is how you can help fight!" says Kakashi coldly. "Quit whining and learn that jutsu!"
"Yes Kakashi sensei," says Naruto, hanging his head in shame at his behaviour.
From his position, Iruka can see the battle taking place on the Temple Stairs. Kuaram's Guards are fighting Zetsu himself, however, they are struggling to keep up with Zetsu. Iruka suspects that the only reason they managed to beat Zetsu back last time they met was because all ten of them were present and Zetsu was caught off-guard. However, ninshu is not meant for fighting, and Zetsu knows that. While Zetsu attacks relentlessly, the Guards do their utmost to negate his jutsu.
Beside them, the Order of Jashin fights back the oncoming hordes of white zetsu clones. Kakashi, Wind and Rain join the fight, but the zetsus are coming faster than they can be cut down.
Iruka looks back over his shoulder at Naruto and Sasuke, who are reading their scroll. They both look miserable. They are too young to shoulder the fate of the world. Iruka sighs and turns his attention back to the fight.
One of the zetsu clones breaks through the defence and throw itself at the barrier. The barrier shudders, the zetsu stumbles backwards and Rain appears behind the zetsu and cuts it down. "How long can you hold that barrier?" Rain asks.
"Hours if no one touches it," says Iruka, honestly. "But if those zetsus attack the barrier too much, I won't be able to hold it for long at all."
"Right," says Rain, and plants himself between the barrier and the attackers, ready to cut down any that get too close.
Madoka follows the five Jashinists around the Temple. Namiko, who is running just ahead of Madoka, stops suddenly and looks back.
"Keep moving!" says Madoka, stopping to shoo the little kid on.
"I want to stay with Daddy," says Namiko. "I'm going back."
"No, you're not," says one of the Jashinists, grabbing Namiko and hoisting her over his shoulder. "You have to come with us. Those are our orders, kid."
"Aw," whines Namiko, pulling a face. "Daddy…"
They continue on around the Temple and soon exit the barrier. The Jashinist holding Namiko moves her onto his back, and they set off at the fastest pace they can go. Madoka estimates that they will reach the Hidden Leaf in two and half hours. He hopes that his allies can hold the Temple until reinforcements arrive.
The small group makes good time through the forests of the Land of Fire. After ten minutes of running, Namiko says, "I want to walk."
"Can you keep up?" asks the Jashinist.
"Yes, plus I'm heavy and you can't carry me all the way back to the Leaf," says Namiko pointedly.
The Jashinist lets Namiko down, and rubs his shoulders. "You are heavy, kid," he says, pulling a face.
"Why is the ground shaking?" asks Namiko, as her feet touch the grass.
"RUN!" yells Madoka, grabbing Namiko's wrist and dragging her onwards. The five Jashinists follow after them, pulling out weapons. White Zetsus begin to rise out of the ground, popping up like daisies. Madoka estimates about 40 white zetsu clones and feels a cold chill of fear. They are hopelessly outnumbered.
The zetsus have no trouble keeping up with Madoka's group. Madoka can hear them laughing and calling things like "Slow down!" "Why don't you fight?" and "Come here, kiddies!"
Madoka glances over his shoulder and sees one of the zetsus grab at Namiko. Madoka, acting on instinct, lets go of Namiko's hand and punches the zetsu into the ground. Then he turns and runs on, grabbing Namiko's hand on his way past and pulling the little girl along.
One of the Jashinists stops and turns to face the oncoming horde. "Keep going," he says. "I'll hold them for as long as I can."
"Don't die," says one of the other Jashinists.
"If I do, I will join Lord Jashin!" screams the Jashinist and charges the attackers.
The rest of the group charges on, none of them voicing the fact that that Jashinist will probably die.
The Jashinist faces the attacking hoard with no fear in his heart. He will take as many with him as he can!
"Feeling brave?" asks one of the zetsus, grinning.
"YES!" roars the Jashinist, cutting the zetsu in half with his flaming sword. He cuts down another zetsu, and then another.
Then a zetsu grabs him from under the earth and starts draining his chakra. The Jashinist swings his sword and, with the last of his strength, cuts down two more zetsu clones as his body turns to a lifeless husk.
One moment, he is in excruciating pain. The next moment, the Jashinist is in a strange grey world.
Lord Jashin wacks him on the head. "Why didn't you kill more of them?" he demands. "You're better than that measly five!"
"I am sorry, Lord Jashin," says the Jashinist. "I did not expect one of them to grab me like that."
Lord Jashin sighs. "Oh, whatever. Go play hide and seek with Hidan. I told him I would, but I really just wanted him to hide. I'm not going to look for him, he talks too much."
"I will make it my duty to keep him out of your hair," says the Jashinist, bowing. He heads off to go find Hidan, trying not to laugh.