Rise, Son of Rome

Ch.18- Shipuud enim Shipuud

(Blood for Blood)

xXx

Both Hinata and Shikamaru stared at Sasuke in disbelief, their mouths hung open and eyes wide. Had they just heard right?

"Destroy..."

"...the human race?" Hinata finished for friend.

Sasuke nodded before replying. "That's right; she's angry at us for our blasphemy against the gods, and plans to wipe us out and convince her king to start over. She want to recreate humans, but without free will."

"Then she'll need an avatar to act out her will, as no god may directly lay siege to us without the blessing of The One."

The voice that spoke was familiar to both Shikamaru and Hinata, the latter letting out a gasp of worry as well as relief, but Sasuke was confused as to who had spoken. Turning his gaze behind him though, had the Uchiha's onyx eyes widen from incredulity.

Had it not been for the roguish whisker marks to go with his blonde hair, Sasuke wouldn't believe that the man standing before him was really Naruto. And yet, deep inside, the raven-haired youth knew that the robed figure could be no one else. However, there was never any harm in asking.

"Naruto...is that you?"

A snort from a little bit behind the battered blonde drew all eyes to the red-headed Tayuya. "No, this isn't him, it's a guy in a mask. Geeze, where'd you get your deductive skills fuck-head?"

Sasuke's face broke down into a fierce scowl, and he was ready to retort when Naruto's voice cut him off. This time, aiming his words towards Tayuya. "Your harsh words aren't needed hear Tayuya; Sasuke was merely surprised to see me. Isn't that right?"

Knowing better than to be defiant in public Tayuya quickly gave a bow of her head, and apologized. "Of course, Imperator, please excuse my rudeness."

However Sasuke paid no mind to the words that had just been spoken, instead befuddled by the revelation Naruto had just unknowingly made. The young Uchiha male let his onyx eyes turn from the battered blonde, and over to the red-headed young woman beside him.

"You, you're the same girl who was with those Sound ninja three years ago. W-What are you—I thought you died?"

"She's dead to Orochimaru," Naruto answered for his guard, "which will make my next conquest all the easier. But enough about that for now; what's this you're spouting about Luna and a new human race?"

Hinata chose that moment to reinsert herself into the conversation. Although her point of entry had nothing to do with the blonde Roman's question. "He can tell you later, Naruto-kun, right now don't you think you should see a medic about your head?"

The blonde in question quirked an eyebrow at the former heiress in confusion, before his eyes blinked in remembrance of what she was talking about. Reaching up with his right hand, Naruto asked, "What this? There' no reason to worry about an injury like this Hinata; it's already started healing, and should be fine by lunch. Heck all the other, smaller lacerations closed up on my way here."

The injury Hinata had been referring to was a gash along the side of Naruto's scalp. Blood had leaked from the open wound, and stained both his gold locks as well as the loral wreath crown that sat atop his head. But that wasn't the full extent of the damage he'd suffered. All across his once immaculate robes one could see rips and tears, as well as crimson stains from where he'd been cut open.

"The villager's got a bit more uppity than I'd anticipated during my departure, one even managed to land a blow with a brick. Hence the opening in my skull. While it stung for a minute though the pain will be worth it, once Koyuki televises the event of course."

Naruto was about to attempt continuing his discussion with Sasuke, if only to glean what the other young man knew about Luna before tossing him out, when his eye caught the way Hinata's brow creased in ever-increasing concern. The worry for his well-being seemed to radiate from the former Leaf kunoichi's very being. Letting out an internal sigh, the blonde mentally shook his head.

Only a day and she was already making him soft.

"Sasuke, if you don't mind having this conversation in a medic's office, would you please follow me? I'd also be interested to learn more about your armor's origin. It's likeness to my own is...fascinating."

While Tayuya shot her Emperor a quick look of surprise she did not voice her befuddlement. Instead, she fell into step beside the blonde leader and followed him toward where they'd set up the medical facility for Shien. But while the red-head's look lasted only a second, Shikamaru's was still plastered to his face as he numbly began to walk with them.

Hinata, for her part, was pleased to hear her blonde lover consider her feelings. The violet-haired young woman's face settled into a gentle look of thankful affection, before she shuffled up to walk on the right side of Naruto.

Sasuke's response was a simple raise of the eyebrow before bringing up the rear.

As the group made their short trek through the small town those who had never been there, or seen Naruto in three years, watched as the blonde was greeted with reverence rivaling that of a god. The looks of pure happiness, of loyalty, stunned the three former Leaf shinobi. As none of them had ever seen such devotion given to one person before; not even their Hokage. Another thing that surprised them was the fact that, none of the townspeople even made a mention of the blood that speckled their leader. As if it were such a common occurrence.

Tayuya caught sight of their confused looks and laughed. "The Imperator is in constant combat, so if anything it would be strange to see him clean rather than covered in blood. His people have unwavering faith in their Emperor; not even the children worry, as they know there is no foe Caesar cannot conquer."

"Maybe so," Sasuke spoke up, "but how many of those enemies were in the same league as a Sannin? If we're going to be targeting Oto next then the only way to win will be the death of Orochimaru. Are you sure you can handle someone liked him alone?"

The young Uchiha made sure to leave out what Pluto had told him back in his clan's crypt, of how the blonde in front of him cannot be killed in battle, choosing instead to hear what Naruto himself believed.

His answer surprised the Sharingan wielder.

Naruto gave a short chuckle before, shaking his head, gave his reply. "That's where you are wrong Sasuke; I won't be alone. I will be taking that snake's precious village by force with twenty-five percent of my forces. The power of Rome will descend from the heavens and lay waste to any and all resistance. But, to answer your direct question; yes, I will face Orochimaru myself, while my forces bring his to their knees."

"A bit full of ourselves aren't we?" Sasuke jeered.

There was a fire in the blonde's eye, even as his face had returned to calm, as he gave just the barest of looks over his shoulder, and said: "Would you like to find out?"

The glint in the Roman's eye brought memories of their last battle to the forefront of Sasuke's mind. Memories of the power Naruto had possessed at just thirteen, and of the Uchiha's defeat despite his own ferocity.

It shot a chill down Sasuke's spine.

"Perhaps some other time."

Naruto laughed quietly to himself as he replied, "Yes, another time."

By this point the small group had made their way to the building currently being used as a hospital and they entered. Upon crossing the entrance, Naruto was quickly greeted by a young man who looked to be a few years older than he himself. The brunette gave a quick, but deep, bow before asking what he could do for the blonde

"Well Lyander, I was hoping to have someone give me a quick look over. As you can see I found myself in a bit of an...altercation, and would just like to make sure there's no lasting damage. I can't raise our empire from the ashes of history if I'm dead after all."

The newly introduced Lyander gave his Emperor a look that clearly broadcast his confusion, further giving credit to Tayuya's earlier statement, but conceded to the blonde's wishes. The group was lead to a room, and left with the knowledge that a medic would be in to see Naruto shortly.

While they waited the blood-stained blonde finally addressed Sasuke's earlier words, and asked how the Uchiha had come into possession of such knowledge.

"It was told to me by my family's patron; Pluto. The Uchiha built a crypt to house their dead, and I was lead down there by a voice that turned out to be him. When I went down there, I was also introduced to the mother of my clan—the reason for our eyes. Together they explained to me how Luna has grown angry with humans as well as her plot to destroy us for what she perceives to be unforgivable hubris."

"And just how did you manage to speak to these gods Sasuke? I find it odd that only you were able to speak with them when both Hinata and Shikamaru's clans hail from Konoha." Naruto questioned, his tone curious, but edged with the threat of death should he be attempting to lay some sort of trap.

"During its founding, yes, but I'm sure you know that the Nara clan are descended from Marcus Crassus; a Roman. And with the introduction of shinobi, that clan as well as many others abandoned their patron gods in favor of being part of the new world. It would not surprise me if both the Nara as well as the Hyuga have shrines back in their rooted homelands, but as they did not build such centers of worship in Konoha they have no way to connect with their parental deity."

For Naruto this explanation made sense, but still did not answer the question of why Sasuke was bringing the news to him. It also raised a new interest for the blonde.

"You mention connection; where would I have the best connection with my patron? Not to mention, why come to me with this information? I assume any normal person would have gone to their Kage in hopes to save their village. Unless your answer has anything to do with why you're dressed in that armor?"

"It does," the raven-haired Uchiha supplied. Taking his helmet from its place on his head, the young Sharingan wielder went on to reexplain the same story he'd told to Hinata and Shikamaru before. When that was finished, Sasuke added in the story of his time in Konoha without his only friend.

"Once I was able to think clearly again, I'd realized how foolish I was to think turning to Orochimaru would give me the power I needed to defeat Itachi. Especially when I learned of how my brother was so much stronger than the Sannin."

"And now you wish to serve under my banner."

It wasn't a question. Naruto knew that Sasuke was attempting to make up for his disgrace by offering his services, his skills, to the blonde on the field of battle.

"Even if we can't be friends, brothers, again I still want us to be comrades. I trust no one but you to watch my back in battle Naruto, I never have."

The others in the room were surprised by the sincerity in Sasuke's tone, as it was far removed from the normal air of superiority they'd associated with the Uchiha heir. In the three years since his attempted defection Sasuke had kept mainly to himself, leaving his compound strictly to perform missions, with groceries being brought to him through delivery. And even then, while on those missions, he spoke only when spoken too while nodding to any order without so much as an opposing suggestion. Choosing instead to improvise if anything went wrong or sometimes even dismissing what had been told to him and performing a task how he saw it best to be carried out.

Sasuke trusted no one, just as he knew none in Konoha trusted him.

In the beginning this caused heavy friction among any squad the last Uchiha was placed on, but after reporting to both the Hokage as well as the Council his own thoughts – and the logic behind his defiance – there wasn't much that could be done.

So to see, and hear, Sasuke now give his trust to someone he had once considered an enemy threw the other former Leaf shinobi for a loop.

Naruto on the other hand had a different reaction.

All eyes nearly fell from their sockets as they watched the blonde Roman hold his right hand out to shake. The look on Naruto's face was unreadable, but his intent could not be more clear as he waited for the armor-clad Sasuke to reciprocate his action.

"In the coming days I'll take whatever aid is offered; if only to spread the glory of Rome more quickly. But know this Sasuke Uchiha, should you at any time cross me I will not hesitate to kill you. If there is even a hint of the old you laying dormant in your mind, I suggest you walk away now, because I do not tolerate insubordination on the battlefield or betrayal of any kind."

The tension in the air could be cut with a knife, as everyone watched to see what Sasuke would do. Whatever they were expecting however was shattered by what the young man himself decided.

In a show of humility, a midst a series of shocked gasps, Sasuke slowly dropped to one knee and placed his closed fist over his heart. Then, with his head bowed, the last Uchiha swore an oath to the blonde looming over him.

"You honor me with this opportunity, mighty Caesar. It is on my own life that I swear to prove I am worthy of the chance you've so graciously bestowed upon me...Imperator."

Cobalt-blue eyes peered down their owner's nose at the figure kneeling before them, and Naruto found himself unable to keep a slight grin off his face as he replied. "Then rise Sasuke, son of Greece, and be ready to spill blood in the name of Rome."

xXx

Once he was cleared by a medic Naruto made short work of the distance between med-building and his command post on Shien. With his small entourage following close behind, the blonde swept into the meeting room with thundering steps of purpose and swiftly greeted all he found waiting for him.

One of which happened to be Konohamaru.

The now thirteen-year-old grandson of the third Hokage stood firm beside the mint-haired Fu, and although Naruto could make out that there was something his protege wished to discuss with him the blonde was glad to see that Konohamaru was willing himself to wait until Naruto himself was done speaking.

Wishing to move his plans along quickly Naruto jumped right into his plan for Oto. Laying his hands down firmly on the map before him he said, "As you can all see my trip to Konoha went as planned. By now Koyuki is sure to have broadcast the footage taken from the camera we set in my loral crown, and thousands across the nation have seen the brutality of the Leaf. While this in itself is a great victory for us the road before us still remains heavy with opposition; the next of which is here."

Naruto's pointer finger singled out the plot on his map that detailed Sound's location. "Oto, the base of operation for Orochimaru. I made sure to have Centurion Verinus travel ahead before I chose to return to Konoha, and had him assemble our forces for attack. Once we're done here we'll be heading out to the edge of Mount Toyotaru and begin the siege."

"And what is the plan of attack, Imperator?"

The blonde in question looked over at who had spoken and let his gaze settle on Sasuke. The Uchiha heir was standing just to the right of Naruto with his arms folded over his armored chest, and his eyes trained on his former team-mate.

"...The first phase of attack will be—"

"Hey wait!" Konohamaru shouted in alarm. "You're Sasuke Uchiha; Naruto what in the world is that traitor doing here without..."

Konohamaru's outrage died, along with his voice, when his surrogate older brother turned a harsh glare in his direction. Never before had the young brunette ever seen his idol look at him with such ferocity, and at that moment Konohamaru hoped he never would again.

The look in Naruto's eyes was a mix of anger, disappointment, and something else the young teen couldn't place. Although he quickly understood where it had stemmed from as he remembered where they were, and what he had just done.

"Legionary Uchiha is here to fight, to aid in further expanding the Roman empire. A goal you seem to have forgotten soldier, as well as your place if you believe yourself to be in a position to question me in front of my men. If this is what I can expect from you today out on the battlefield then perhaps it's best if I send you off to the camp. Or have you managed to regain some sense?"

Despite the lump that had lodged itself in his throat at hearing Naruto dress him down in front of the others in the room, Konohamaru managed to keep it together enough to bow low and choke out an apology. The thought of being left behind, while his big brother went on to fight without him, being all the incentive need for the pony-tailed brunette to get the words out.

"I have Imperator, and with it I beg forgiveness for my childish outburst as well as my blatant disrespect of you. I am a soldier under your command, and I will make sure to remember that, so as to never repeat this offense."

After a nerve wracking ten seconds of silence Naruto spoke. "...See that you don't. As initial punishment, you will serve directly under Sasuke Uchiha until I say otherwise. I will give further thought to your punishment after Oto is taken; so I suggest you do well on the field today if you wish to minimize it. You may rise."

When the grandson of the deceased Hokage straightened everyone in the room could see the tears he held back, as he attempted to school his face in an effort to hide the shame he felt at being scolded like an academy student. They could also see the pain in his onyx orbs at being forced from his brothers side in the coming battle. Naruto saw it too, but knew there could be no favoritism shown.

So, although it pained him to do so, the blonde ignored the pain on his protege's face and returned to answering Sasuke's question.

"As I'd been saying Sasuke, our first phase of attack will be an areal assault from the ridge of the mountain. We'll be using catapults, as well as a new device produced by Snow country known as the 'turret'. This weapon allows for rapid fire kunai assaults; launching one-hundred rounds a second. It's a prototype design, but I've seen them in action before and have been pleased with the results."

Sasuke nodded his understanding, and couldn't keep the intrigue from showing at the prospect of the turret. "And from there I'm assuming we'll begin a ground assault once their numbers have been thinned?"

"No, we're going to force them to choose. Because while the firestorm rages from above, the men will blow a hole through Oto's wall and push their way into the village. With his already limited numbers, no matter how strong they may be, Orochimaru's army will be forced to either face my legionaries with everything they have while dropping to the storm or split his forces and simply lose the village that much faster."

"But what about the curse mark?" Sasuke reminded the blonde beside him. "You remember its power, and know that if even only a handful of Sound ninja possess it then your plan could run into a problem."

Naruto's response was to nod before voicing his counter to such a possibility. "That's what I'm bringing both Fu, as well as my Centurion Seven for. They should be more than enough to quell any uprising brought on by the use of Orochimaru's little poisonous love bite."

"Will you be using the same attack formations I saw when Tayuya and her men rescued Gaara?"

This question came from Shikamaru, who was already calculating how such a tactic would be ill-advised in such a situation as the one Naruto was planning.

Something Naruto himself had already accounted for as he responded. "No, and from the look on your face I can tell you also understand why. Some of the other men couldn't grasp it at first, but when I explained to them about the size of Oto as well as the scale of difference between fighting in open space compared to the streets of a village they understood better. We will enter that way, yes, but quickly break into smaller contingents upon breaching Sound's walls."

Shikamaru nodded his understanding, as well as agreement with such a plan before speaking again. "What are your primary targets once inside? Which facilities will you be taking first?"

"As Orochimaru doesn't care much for his shinobi's safety I don't believe he'll have a hospital for us to take hostage, nor an academy of children to abduct as he wouldn't worry about them either. So instead our aim is simple; smash and grab. We hit them hard and fast, and try to end this as quickly as possible. Orochimaru won't surrender, so I'll need to reach him before he retreats so that I can take his head. Once I have that, much of his forces will be so demoralized that they won't be mentally capable of fighting back. The shock and worry will be too great."

Sasuke listened intently before speaking again. "What about his lab? Wouldn't we want to make that a target?"

Naruto was shaking his head before the last Uchiha could finish speaking. "Tayuya has already informed me that her former master has a number of laboratories spread throughout different parts of the Elemental Nations; he won't risk being captured or defeated to save just one. And also...his lab is something I hope to take for myself once the siege is over. Because while Orochimaru may be a psychotic maniac, he is also a genius. There's no telling what sort of research he has in those labs, and we can't rule out that there might be something we can re-engineer to further aid the empire."

The Uchiha heir let out a hum of understanding before nodding to let Naruto know that he was finished with his questions.

With neither he nor Shikamaru voicing any other concerns Naruto was free to close out the meeting and direct everyone present to where they would be heading out from. "Any of the refugees from Konoha that were brought here the night before will now be moved directly to the camp stronghold; let them know that once Oto is taken that is where they will be sent, and I will meet with them personally then."

The order was relayed to a Centurion on the opposite side of the table before Naruto exited the war tent. Joining the entourage now were Konohamaru and Fu, with the mint-haired beauty quickly sliding up beside her blonde leader.

"You weren't in Konoha very long Imperator, did you miss me that much?"

Before Naruto could answer though a snort found its way from Tayuya's nose. "Doubt it Miss mosquito bites, not when he had his pet Hyuga princess to keep him company."

At this Fu finally took notice of Hinata's presence, yet while the mint-haired young woman's face sank into a jealous scowl she had no time to complain as Naruto finally did speak.

"Lat I checked Tayuya, who I spend my nights with is my choice. Unless you're trying to say that my bedmate is pre-chosen by you and Fu?"

"Of course not, my Emperor, who you bed is at your discretion. I was merely..."

"Enthralled in jealousy," the blonde finished for the red-head beside him. "Something I will not tolerate. We are about to head into battle Tayuya; please do not force me to remove you from my side too. I very dearly wish to keep you close during such a hard time...unless you wish for something else?"

Tayuya's hazel eyes turned down and away, her face shifting from discomfort to wounded. The former member of the Sound Four captured her lower lip between her teeth as she mumbled out an apology.

"I thought not," Naruto relented. "After all, it was you who I'd chosen to aid our newest recruit in severing Kabuto's head from his shoulders."

That bit of news not only lifted Tayuya's spirits, but raised a curious brow from the still pouting Fu. "New recruit Imperator? When did you have time to meet, let alone screen one of those?"

Naruto smirked devilishly as he answered. "I inducted her during my time in Konoha, and she'll meet us at the battlefield. In fact, I think you especially will like her Fu, the two of you are both fond of...dynamic entrances."

xXx

Sickly, slit, yellow eyes were narrowed in concentration as their owner reached down with a pair of tweezers. The gloved hand belonging to Orochimaru of the Sannin then proceeded to pluck a dark, rotted fragment of bone from its set place along the third rib of one Kimimaro Kaguya.

It wouldn't do to have the boy's illness return when he was returned to the land of the living.

Orochimaru recalled having Kabuto recover the young man's body after feeling his connection cut abruptly. After all, with the last of the bone-pulse users gone, it gave the snake Sannin infinite time to study what caused the boy's untimely demise. What the seemingly immortal rogue ninja found though was truly the ultimate irony.

The bone-pulse it seems is a bloodline introduced through a cancer that forms in the bone; creating a powerful weapon, at the cost of the users life. As the more the ability is used the fast the cancer spreads.

However, Orochimaru, being the genius he is had finally found a way to separate the power from the curse. And in doing so, created the ultimate warrior.

'Just in time too it seems,' the snake Sannin thought with morbid enthusiasm as the room around him was abruptly bathed in the harsh blare of the village alarm system. Licking his serpentine tongue over his lips, the pale mad scientist called to his right hand and ordered Kabuto to assemble their forces to repel the invasion.

"What about you, my lord?" The bespectacled teen questioned with a raised brow.

"I'll be along shortly," Orochimaru laughed. "Once I wake our young friend here."

xXx

It was with a loud crash that a section of the wall surrounding Oto crumbled under the fist of Rome, and granted entry to a force of battle-hungry legionaries. Astride his magnificent white stallion, Naruto's cobalt eyes flared with the desire for blood. Smoothly pulling his gladius from its sheath, the armor-clad blonde raised his arm high before slashing down with a cry of charge.

And charge they did.

Wave after wave of shield-bearing Roman soldiers marched their way through the gaping hole, to be followed swiftly by their Imperator. Naruto never being one to sit back while his men forged ahead.

Beside him, atop their own horses, were his highest-ranked officers...and Sasuke. The Uchiha rode atop a black stallion of his own, while Tayuya and Fu rode Clydesdale of differing colors. One grey, the other a chocolate brown. And while the two women were unhappy with the addition of the Sharingan wielder to their ranks, neither was foolish enough to make the same mistake a grounded Konohamaru had made.

It was Naruto's call for his arches to claim posts along the wall that focused the women's thoughts. They could brood later. Now it was time to fight.

While Sasuke was sent to cover the eastern most section of the village, Fu roared with excitement as she swiftly followed her usual order to cover the west. At Tayuya's confused glance, as she was normally sent eastward in battle, Naruto elaborated on his plan.

"I have no doubt your target will not stray far from Orochimaru in this conflict, so you and Anko will stay with me as I move towards the tower."

And indeed there was, in the very center of the village, a tower from which a large bulk of the enemy forces were quickly pouring out from in waves. At Naruto's call, the men around him formed into smaller, grouped phalanx and rushed to meet them. Roman shields met Oto steel, and the armor-clad blonde grinned as he watched his men bowl over the first wave before unleashing their short swords and engaging the rest in close-combat.

Taking a moment to relish in the sight of his enemy's blood, Naruto was soon pulled from his reverence when a soft voice beside him spoke up.

"N-Naruto-kun, what about us?"

Turning his eyes away from the bloodshed, the whiskered young Roman peered down at the armored Hinata that stood beside him, Her face was etched in worried confusion. The battle had only just begun, and already she worried for his safety?

Naruto internally sighed at the sight of this. While he may love her, the future ruler found her timing for sentiment to be a problem. Something he would need to deal with once the day was won, but not before. So, with a quick adjustment to his cape, Naruto actually hauled himself down from his horse before making a clone to take his place.

"My clone will act as a beacon for the men, give them something to look to, while I fight down here with them. My men know I would never ask them to do what I am unwilling to myself; that includes risking my life on the battlefield.

My next order Hinata, is for you, Tayuya, and Anko to stick close to me as I carve my way to Orochimaru. Watch each others backs, and make sure I'm covered. It wouldn't do for the army's leader to fall, now would it?"

Hinata silently agreed with her blonde love, but outwardly only nodded in acceptance to the plan as she unsheathed her own pair of swords before settling into her stance. Atop her horse Tayuya brought her flute to her lips, ready to play, while Anko...remained staring at Naruto.

It was only for a moment though, before her face broke out into an excited and bloodthirsty smile as she too turned towards their enemies. "You are way more fun than those fossils at the Leaf ever could have been. This is gonna be fun!"

Naruto, with his own sword poised parallel to his face, only gave a wolf-like smirk in response before ordering them to attack.

With her Byakugan active Hinata was able to see nearly 360 degrees in every direction without turning her head. This came in handy as she sliced down one enemy, because it allowed her to see a second attempting to skewer her from behind. Snapping her leg back, the former Hyuga heiress watched as her kick broke the center most ribs of the Oto ninja's cage before the force sent him flying back. Then, without missing a beat she threw her blades up to block a third enemy's katana, before pushing it aside and spearing him in the throat with the sword in her left hand.

Blood spattered against the Hyuga girl's normally perfect, porcelain skin. But through years of intense training Hinata didn't even let it register in her mind. No, the only thought in her brain was to prove to Naruto and the rest of his army that she belonged there. That trusting her again was not a mistake.

Tayuya watched those thoughts make their way across the Hyuga girl's face, while she herself set her fearsome Doki on the fools below her. Because while her sword skills may be great, the red-head's true talent would always be her use of her flute. Changing the melody, Tayuya's three monsters were quickly transformed into a number of ghostly serpents. Those dragon-like specters swiftly weaved through any opposition, tearing souls from their homes and dropping enemies like flies.

Or at least, those that hadn't already fallen to the archers above or the missiles raining from the mountain.

Tayuya allowed a small smile to her lips as she played, thankful that her Imperator, her lover, had expanded his archery unit and heeded her advice about the turrets. As she had no doubt they would be paramount to their victory today.

A victory, she gleaned, that would come soon if the rapid decline in their enemy's numbers was any indication.

Anko found the dropping number of opponents to be both a blessing and a curse however, as she felled her third foe in as many minutes. On the one hand it meant they were winning, but on the opposite end it meant her fun was almost over.

'Oh well,' she thought as the former apprentice to a Sannin slit another Sound ninja's throat. 'At least I get to look forward to killing that freak Kabuto.'

While the three women continued to add more bodies to their counts, Naruto himself had already doubled each of their scores. The blonde warrior moved like lightning; none of his enemies having their slightest chance to raise their defenses. And those attempting to attack, were swiftly countered and cut down. Ducking under a hastily thrown attempt to cut off his head, Naruto lifted his leg and battered down his enemies' rib cage. Feeling the bones practically crumble under the weight of his attack Naruto knew the man wouldn't be getting back up; ever.

Grinning in animalistic pleasure the blonde Roman turned his attention towards his next victim. This time though, Naruto was forced to twist his body so as to avoid being engulfed in flames. It was a narrow escape, yes, but Naruto had no desire for the secret of his armor to be discovered before he was ready. 'But this is good, it means the real fun has finally begun. Which means it's only a matter of time before you show yourself.'

As if to punctuate his statement, Naruto gleaned the increase in Fu's chakra that indicated her use of the Seven-Tails. Orochimaru had sent out the big guns; his cursed warriors.

This did nothing to curb the blonde's enthusiasm however. Instead, it caused his heart to race in excitement, and with new life rushing through him Naruto picked up the speed of his assault. Spinning on the ball of his foot the young Emperor dodged a hail of kunai before leaping over a bullet of compressed water that followed as an attempt to catch him off guard. Coming down from his hang time, Naruto struck true with his gladius, and ran another Oto shinobi through before pulling his sword free. It was when he saw a large number of enemies coming at him in a group, hoping to overpower him with numbers, that unleashed his first jutsu on the battlefield.

"Wind-style: Great Breakthrough!"

A thrust of his open palm saw the entire attacking force knocked clear off their feet, and bowling over a number of their comrades in the process. And while those men attempted to scramble to their feet, the original targets were left laying in the dirt; their frontal skeletons crushed under the force of Naruto's attack.

Smirking in perceived victory, Naruto was surprised to hear a voice shout out from the crowd before him...and even more astounded that the voice belonged to a man willing to tear through his own village to achieve his violent promise.

"Get outta my way! This little blonde puke is MINE!"

Azure eyes watched as man with orange hair literally rocketed towards him. Naruto quickly took in the fact that his newest foe looked to be a member of Orochimaru's cursed regiment; easily making out the mutated arms, and crazed look in his eyes. One of the man's arms was bursting with chakra, funneling it through what looked to the blonde like exhaust ports, and propelling him forward.

It was only a matter of time before the new arrival cleared the distance between them, but Naruto didn't mind. Instead of ducking away he met the challenge head on. Bringing up his braced forearm, Naruto blocked the large, disfigured fist that was meant for his head. The impact resonated a loud 'clang' that reverberated through the immediate area, and astounded both the Oto ninja as well as the new legionaries who had yet to see their Imperator in true combat.

Hanging in mid-air, his insane glare settled on his opponent, Jugo was also caught by surprise. Only one person had ever been strong enough to directly block one of his attacks! The knowledge that this seemed to no longer be the case however sent a new rush of fury coursing through the orange-haired monster's veins. With a roar like some primal animal, Jugo tightened his large fist and poured more chakra into the attack. He was determined to break the tie.

Keeping it was proving to be a bit much for Naruto however, as his arm began to shake under the weight of the newly added pressure. The blonde knew he was strong, but also understood his physical limits. Deciding to let this small battle go, the young Roman swiftly ducked while pulling his arm away. With his enemy left with no opposition, the beast of a man quickly found himself hurtling towards the ground.

There was a huge cloud of dust that kicked up from the impact; one that instantly worried Hinata, as she couldn't see her blonde love anywhere within. But that anxiety soon turned to joy and pride as her Byakugan quickly spotted him up in the air. This was more than enough to lay her concerns to the side and return to battle.

Tayuya, still perched high on her horse, watched the battle with a small nugget of concern. While she had faith in her Imperator, the red-head knew the man he was up against. She knew just how dangerous Jugo was.

Up in the air, Naruto watched the large cloud of dust like a hawk. The blonde refused to be caught unaware. His sharp gaze caught movement in the cloud, and Naruto quickly sheathed his sword to weave through a series of hand-signs. Building his chakra, the armored warrior waited. It was when his opponent rocketed from hiding that Naruto unleashed his next attack.

"Wind-style: Vacuum Air-Bullet!"

In quick succession a trio of compressed bullets of air launched from Naruto's lips. The blonde watched however, as his foe showed an unthinkable level of dexterity by using his arms to zigzag between the three incoming missiles. With the scrub-clad man now in his face Naruto ducked under an incoming right-hook, before catching his opponent's knee his his open palm. The blonde briefly compared it to stopping a large boulder. His enemy was sturdy, if nothing else.

With his free right hand, Naruto quickly went for his sword, and unleashed a powerful battojutsu. The horizontal slash was beyond anything his enemy had clearly seen before, as he was unable to avoid it, but Naruto found that where there should have been gash deep enough to put down an elephant...lay only a fissure as if the man had been cut with a knife.

This moment of shock gave Jugo more than enough time to throw down his elbow though, and smash it into the back of Naruto's helmet-covered head.

The blonde mentally cursed as he plummeted to the earth, berating himself for his carelessness. But was surprised to find that his rapid descent was cut short...by a battle fan. Azure eyes widened a fraction before Naruto rolled himself over to look upon his savior. Her four sandy-blonde pig-tails and sea-green eyes gave her away immediately, but the smirk that was etched into her lips reminded the young Emperor of their first night together a year ago.

It was Temari.

xXx

A/N: I...have absolutely no idea what to say here after so long o.0

I guess, just...let me know what you guys think of this chapter?