Chapter Summary: Naruto prepares for the Kaggath, gathering allies from his homeworld Estea, while Merken prepares his forces to kill the young blonde. Both are angry, but only one will survive.

Chapter Three - The Kaggath

"Naruto?"

The blonde looked at the brown-haired teenager with a smile. The boy's hair was done in a ponytail, his tight band making the hair spread out to make his head look like a pineapple, and his dark eyes looked back in surprise. He wore a mesh shirt under a grey short-sleeve jacket and black pants. He had a black necklace, his dead father's, and an earring. He looked healthy, so the Sith must be treating the prestigious clans well. Though, it looked like everyone was doing well in all.

"Hey, Shika. Can I come in?"

Shikamaru shook his head quickly before nodding. "Of course, come in. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes please, with honey." Naruto smiled and sat in the living room, Kory sitting next to him while the Imperial soldier waited outside the door and to alert them when the others arrived.

"Of course," Shikamaru chuckled, pouring the tea and handing the small jar of honey. He watched as his friend, and comrade, made his tea before asking the question. "What are you doing here? And who is this with you."

"Oh," Naruto smiled as he forgot to introduce his friend. "Shikamaru, this is Kory. Kory, this is my best friend Shikamaru Nara."

"Hello," Kory smiled kindly and shook the Nara's hand.

"Charmed," The boy smiled back before turning to Naruto for the answer to his other question.

Naruto stared for a second, gathering his thoughts, before answering. "Shikamaru, I was sent to the Sith Academy on Korriban, where I met Kory, and I have found a few things. There's not much different from their society from us except they are more advanced, but they follow a kind of code of honor. You know me, I don't take well to insults especially with all I've been through in my life."

Shikamaru nodded, understanding the boy's words so far.

"Well, they have this duel called a Kaggath. It's where two Sith settle differences, one challenging the other. Well, it goes that the challenger, me in this situation, may choose a field of battle be it a single place, a whole planet, or multiple, and then it starts. We use everything we have at our disposal to defeat the other. Whoever loses dies, and all of his possessions are given to the winner. Now, I know you already figured out the rest in your head, am I right?"

Shikamaru nodded before breaking it down. "So, you picked this world where you are familiar with the surrounding areas and can use our abilities as ninja against your enemy. You are looking to me to help you as one of your 'assets' to fight this man's army. Am I right so far?'

Naruto nodded. "But you're not the only one. I figured that I can call in a few favors and if I win, I become one of the Empire's Lords. I will get things in return and I will see if I can obtain rights to our planet, and possibly train all of you in this Force. Are you in?"

"Who are the others?"

Naruto laughed nervously at the thought of one blonde kunoichi from Suna. "Eheh, well, you see. I'm calling in all favors. Not just from Konoha…"

Before the blonde could go any further, the door opened to show their escort. "Estean, the others you requested are here."

"Send them in!" Naruto grinned before standing up. Looking at the door, he was glad to see the four people enter.

First to enter was Kakashi Hatake. The man's hair was cut short, his right missing eye being covered by a patch and his lower face was still covered. He wore the Imperial infantry armor, the red and black oddly looking good on him. Next was Neji and Hinata. Neji's hair was cut too, and he wore the Imperial armor while Hinata wore a gold-green-black robe, and her eyes that usually glared at everything around her softened upon seeing him. Lastly was Choji, who wore a large red and brown robe that looked just as expensive as Hinata's.

"What have I missed?" Naruto smiled at his group of friends, receiving the same back.

"Neji and I were enlisted into the Imperial military. We are stationed here until the events from the occupation three months ago calms down before being put on a, um, 'battlecruiser'." Kakashi smiled under his mask as he explained to his old apprentice. "While that happened, all of the clan's that haven't opposed the Empire, i.e. Hyuga, Akimichi, Nara, and Aburame, have been treated with more royalty than when a separate planet. We are slowly being introduced with technology from the rest of galaxy, as well as trained to use their 'blasters'."

Naruto smiled. He was happy his planet was doing good. He guess that after the civilian council and elders were killed everyone started seeing the benefit of the occupation. Funny, no one would really see any good in an invasion but people had to accept the facts. As a single planet, they focused on fighting each other. Now, with a large Empire, they benefit with new sciences and species they have never seen. If anything, it'll help the movie industry, technology industries, and manufacturers.

"Good. As I explained to Shikamaru, once I was in the Sith Academy I was shown a different world from ours. However, I was insulted and that never goes well with me." They all laughed at the truth. "So, I challenged him to a Kaggath, which is an Sith duel. I, as challenger, was able to choose where we fought. I chose here, where I have the advantage of knowing our geography. This is also where I have allies I can trust, and be able to put our ninja talents against theirs. It's a plus that you also learned to use their weapons."

"Are we all?" Kakashi asked, receiving a shake of the head. "Who else?"

"I'm calling in a lot of favors from everything I've done. That means with hope we'll have Zabuza, Haku, Mei, Chojuro and Kisame from Kiri; Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi and Deidara from Iwa; Gaara, Kankuro and Temari from Suna; and Hidan and Kakuzu if they're available." Naruto listed off his hopeful assets. "But we have to get going now because the Kaggath is supposed to start as soon as we're ready."

"Well, let's not waste any time and get going." Choji smiled and opened the door to leave.

Naruto smiled and grabbed Kory's hand before leading her with his group to the ship. Next stop, Kirigakure.

Meanwhile

While Naruto was gathering his friends, Merken was at his make-shift base near the mountains of Lightning Country - as the locals named it. With him is Xerde, Frysus and Anlin. Xerde was a male Sith, Frysus a female Lethan Twi'lek, and Anlin a male Human. Before them a total of 2500 troops gathered and prepared the transport ships and Walkers. It looked as if it was a beginning to a large-scale battle, yet it was only against one slave.

"He will regret humiliating me!" Merken growled to himself, gripping the hilt of his lightsaber. "I will kill him as painfully possible! But I'll torture all of those he chose to help him right in front of him! Then, I will allow him to die!"

"Calm down, Merken," Anlin muttered to the furious Sith. "No need to lose your head over a slave's words."

"What do we know of him?" Xerde asked Anlin.

"The slave is from this newly-discovered planet named Estea. Their military uses the tactics of stealth, sabotage, and espionage to the fullest degree naming themselves 'ninja'. All of the ninja are trained at eight to be the most lethal soldier possible. However, this slave was different."

"Different how?"

"Different as in that by ten he had killed a grown man. By thirteen, he was already in a war and had killed two hundred and fifty-two confirmed people. At fifteen, he had allied ninja within every country and effectively got them into positions of power before ending the war. The country we are in now is the only one that was destroyed in the war as none trusted outsiders. He was the perfect weapon, and was in retirement when the Empire invaded."

"So, we are dealing with the most perfect assassin this planet can create?" Frysus whistled, a smirk on her lips. "You might have just angered the wrong slave, Merken."

"Shut up, you insufferable alien!" Merken spat back, his eyes glaring at the snarling Twi'lek.

"What did you just call me?" She yelled at him, getting ready to cut the man in two with her lightsaber.

"Enough!" Anlin shouted at the two, his patience waning to their end. "We are not here to fight each other but a slave! You both will get along and when this is over leave each other alone! Understood?!"

The two nodded, though Merken was the only one to feel his pride be hurt because he was a Sith being yelled at by an apprentice. That doesn't matter. All that matters is teaching that slave a lesson! "He'll most likely stay near his home village as it is the place he'll know best. If he's not there, we'll use our radar and try tracking the Esteans that have tracker chips in them."

21 Kilometers South of Konohagakure

Naruto hopped off the ship, waving to their pilot. "Thanks for the ride!"

Naruto turned back to the group he brought with him. He was able to get all those he trusted, making his group to nineteen people. It was easy convincing Haku and Gaara, although it took some persuading for the others. Luckily, he was able to tickle each of their sweet spots with bribes and promises if they win.

He looked at the beacon in his hand. Supposedly, once the Kaggath started it would begin to blink red before deactivating.

"Okay," Kakashi started, holding a VL-10 ST Rifle. "We have the forests. While you were out in every village I was looking up a little on our Sith friend."

"Oh?" Naruto laughed, "Leave it to you to have information on a target."

Kakashi smiled, "Yes. This Merken is a Sith who had just been promoted from apprentice a two weeks ago and is not liked among his peers. It says that Merken is disrespectful and is becoming stagnant in his progress to Lord. Because he hasn't secured a strong enough base, he has yet to be given any ships and soldiers of his own from the Empire. Therefore, this is coming from his old master, Overseer Harkun."

Naruto grinned evilly at the mention of the Overseer. "Oh, this makes this ever more sweeter."

The group looked ready for war, though to them this was nothing less. From the pulls Kakashi was able to make, he was able to get a bunch of weapons secured for the group. YV-26 Blaster Rifles were given to Mei, Shikamaru, Hinata, Kurotsuchi, and Kankuro; Kory was given and RK-6 Blaster Pistol; Neji had an RH-34 Assault Cannon; Chojuro and Kakashi had VL-10 ST Rifles; Choji and Akatsuchi had Corellian Bunker Busters; and Temari carried a JM-29 Assault Cannon while Haku had an MR-37 Sniper Rifle. Zabuza was already made a Corellian Butcher Techblade, reminiscent of the one he once had, Kisame with a Predator Techblade, and Hidan with a Techscythe. They all carried thermal grenades, concussion grenades, or smoke grenades. Deidara had the most out of all of them.

"Let's go blow up some idiots!" Deidara shouted happily, gripping a grenade with an excited glint in his eyes.

"Hold on, Deidara," Naruto smiled as he stopped the blonde man from running off. "We are outnumbered, so that means we need the element of surprise." Before the older man could complain, Naruto continued saying, "But, I know of a way to make a huge artful explosion."

Deidara gasped and grinned. "Really?"

"Uh-huh," Naruto smirked. "Now, I say we walk to the major road that leads to Konoha, as we are expected to be there the most. We can plant thermal explosives on the road and on the side so that once they start coming through, we'll blow most of them to bits! We have enough for a very long stretch so whatever number they have will count for nothing!"

Deidara grinned and hugged the young blonde while jumping excitedly. "I want to do it!"

"Are you sure they'll take the main road?" Shikamaru asked.

"Shika, some of the Sith aren't exactly smart, nor have they faced ninja before. We are trained for stealth and guerilla warfare. They are not. We have the ability to move silently, they don't. We are few, they are many. We will be able to spot them long before they notice us."

Shikamaru sighed but nodded. "You spent time with them at their home. I can't doubt your knowledge of them."

"Great! Now, let's get there quick!" Shouted Naruto before he sped off in the direction they wanted.

1 Hour Later

Naruto grinned as he stopped at a 4-way road junction eleven kilometers outside of Konoha. Each of the four roads led to another country. One road went north where it would split to go to either Lightning Country or Iron Country, another went west to Iwa and Ame, the other going south to Wind Country, and lastly the road going east went to Konohagakure and the coastal port to Water Country. This is the junction that everyone took to get to a village. Without knowing the terrain of the planet, you'd easily get lost in the forests the covered Fire Country. Unless Merken brought a map, his forces would take this route to where he needed.

Nodding to himself, Naruto turned to his group. "I want most of our explosives set along the road to Konoha with at least five clustered into the junction. We're going to give them a nasty welcoming!"

"Hai!"

"Kory, Haku," Naruto stopped the girls, who both looked at him. "I want you to come with me. We'll set up false traps that they should notice. This way, they'll be on their guard for the wrong things."

The two nodded and followed the blonde down the road to Lightning country. Haku nudged Kory when they were away from the bulk of the group. "So, how'd you get to being with Naruto-kun?"

"Oh, well," Kory looked at the blonde leading their way down the road, "it was when we were being gathered onto a shuttle to Korriban. I was being beaten by another slave from Balmorra. Naruto killed him in defending me, and on our way to Korriban he had me next to him. I won't deny that his presence his assuring and calming, although the way he handles himself is threatening and scary."

Haku smiled as he watched the blonde's back. Sounded like typical Naruto. "Yes, that sounds like something Naruto-kun would do."

"How about you?" Kory asked, gaining the girl's attention. "How did you come to know him?"

"Ah, yes, we met in a small village to the south-east; Wave Village. While I and Zabuza-san were hired to kill a bridge-builder, Naruto-kun was hired to protect the man. He was already a name to fear at the time, him being thirteen and solely winning a battle against five hundred insurrectionists."

"Actually, it was two hundred and twenty two, not including Grass Country's governor." Naruto interrupted from a branch above the road where he set up a trap, spooking Kory as she thought he couldn't hear them.

"I'm sorry, the numbers are much higher when others recount it." Haku giggled before turning back to Kory. "Anyway, Zabuza and I were deciding whether to continue or abandon our mission. However, Naruto was tasked by his village leader to kill our employer, who ran closed-door operations such as slavery, murder, extortion and even sold supplies of weapons to the insurrectionists. That was the reason Naruto had to kill him, since all who were involved with the uprising were to be hunted and killed."

"It was also one night that I heard Gato's bodyguards talk about how they were going to kill Zabuza and enslave me. So, we did what mercenaries usually do when being betrayed on a deal. We lent our services and skills to Naruto-kun to help kill Gato and his forces, only that in return Zabuza wanted to have the pleasure of killing the man himself. It was just chance that we kept working together, leading to him helping us and our allies defeat the old Mist Village leader."

"Wow," Kory muttered as she looked at Naruto make another trap.

"I've done more for the others who have joined our group. Gaara used to be a deranged child because his father tried to recreate a weapon after me. I was able to save the boy's sanity before it was broken beyond repair. However he doesn't hold his Force-Beast because it was stolen, and he survived by sheer luck and the sacrifice of an old shaman woman. Kurotsuchi I helped her grandfather when he fell ill and when he was kidnapped by rogue samurai. Hidan, Kakuzu, Deidara and Kisame are most of the only one's from a mercenary organisation I was able to convince that their leader was crazy. Their fake leader Nagato and his girlfriend Konan helped me defeat their crazy leader who was trying to rule the world."

Kory was shocked speechless. This boy held a hand in everything that happened in his life so far, even changing tides of a war simply by his personality. For someone who seemed so helpless in his early life he was very in control.

Standing up, Naruto smiled at his handiwork before turning to his companions. "Let's head back to the rest of the group. They should be nearly done with setting the explosives."

As the three made it back down the road, they were surprised to see the whole group looking at them expectantly. Naruto grinned. "You finished faster than I expected."

"We don't mess around, Naruto!" Zabuza laughed before pulling out his large techblade. "How about we get into position before that 'Markin' Sith gets here!"

Just as the man finished speaking, they all felt the ground tremble slightly. Then again. And again. Each time it got deeper and harder.

"Doesn't feel like we'll have to wait long." Neji spoke while readying his assault cannon.

"No we won't!" Zabuza laughed again before he and Kisame disappeared into opposite sides of the road.

"I think that's our clue to get off the road." Naruto chuckled before taking Haku and Kory into the side Zabuza disappeared into.

Once he settled into a bush with Haku going into the trees for a better view of the army, he looked at his hands silently. A smile tugged at his lips even though he was thinking hard on what Spindrall said.

"Where others create the Force through will or feeling, you simply commanded it. You wanted lightning to cover your arms...and it served you."

Naruto smirked before looking up when metallic thumping interrupted him. He saw a machine walking on two legs, heavy guns at its nose and missiles at the side of its 'head'. There was a line of them, and a lot of imperial soldiers surrounded the road. I command it.

Naruto's eyes scanned the lines of soldiers until he found what he was searching for. Merken. He grinned. I command it!

Waiting for the 'art' to happen, he was glad to see that it didn't take long. Even from his spot away from the road he felt the gust of air being blown away from the explosions, and he saw as one by one each of the Walkers toppled over. He searched for his target once more as his whole group started firing into the smoke where they heard grunts and screams of pain as their wild shots hit their targets. As the smoke cleared his stomach filled with glee as he found the Assistant Overseer and his three companions. He saw the human's lightsaber, one that was black and a crystal can be seen in the middle powering it.

That's a nice lightsaber. I want it! Naruto extended his hand and almost on his command, the lightsaber flew from Anlin's belt into his waiting hand. He pressed the button he saw all Sith press to activate such a deadly weapon and was awed when a red beam of light sprung from the hilt. Waving it in his hand, he loved how light it weighed. It would do well for quicker attacks.

Naruto looked at the three and grinned. Thrusting his hand forward, he shouted in his head, Lightning!

In a continuous streak of electricity, purple lightning raced at the three and it struck the human whose lightsaber he stole. The man gave a toe-curling scream, his skin slowly turned black and wrinkled, before falling to the ground as a smoking corpse. Despite letting out lightning, Naruto felt no harm done to his own hand. It was like the Force wouldn't hurt him, and he hoped it was that way.

Now to deal with Merken!

With a mad laugh, the blonde sprung forward and cut off the arm of one of the soldiers before commanding the Force to launch the man back. He cut into a few soldiers on his way to Merken and the two acolytes, the Force following his demands as he carved a way to his target. As he came upon the three as they grabbed their lightsabers, he made the Force launch the Twi'lek back and into a thick tree that Choji came running past with a ferocious battle cry. With his free hand, Naruto sent a torrent of lightning at both of his targets, his changed orange eyes shining in a ferocious amusement.

"This is what I am Merken!" He laughed as he forced more lightning at the two. "In the face of battle and honor, I become the perfect weapon! Someone who has earned a name to fear on his planet! And now, you will too before you die!"

As soon as he stopped his release of lightning, he slashed evenly coordinated at the two, keeping them on the defense and giving no room for them to get on the offense. The more he attacked the more he felt Merken being pressed into the ditch one of the explosions detonated from. Getting annoyed with the Sith acolyte ruining his one-on-one he kicked the man's leg before slashing deep into his back.

The scream was short, or just drown out as Naruto went back into pressuring Merken into the ground. "What happened, Merken?! Where's that superiority you had when speaking of me being a slave, huh! Not fun when you're pressured into your rightful place, right?! I can sense right now that your soldiers are being dwindled to nothing while I suffer nothing! Don't you?!"

Merken shouted a roar before he started pressuring his own sloppy attacks that were dodged and parried easily by Naruto. "I am a Sith, not some slave! You are not able to stand against me or breathe the same air! You deserve to be in the toxic mines of Kelleth!"

Naruto laughed at the pathetic attempts to hit him. "You cannot compete with a soldier like me! I have fought my whole life, and you have but four years of being a Sith! We are incompatible!"

With a ferocious swipe, he sliced Merken's lightsaber in two and half his right hand before completing it with lunging the red blade through his stomach. Pulling the gasping man close, he stared deep into the man's dark eyes that stared in shock and fear. Naruto sneered before pushing the man back into the dirt where he died. He turned quickly before running up to his friends and launching himself at the first soldier he saw.

"We surrender!" A man shouted as he and the surviving soldiers hold up their weapons. "Merken is dead, we surrender!"

Naruto grinned before pulling out the beacon that was deactivated. He pressed one of the buttons, exerting a beep from it, before the form of Marr appeared. "The Kaggath is over, and my honor is retained. Your Sith Merken is dead."

"Then that means you, Naruto Uzumaki of Estea, have won the Kaggath. I want you and your assets on the first flight to Korriban. A shuttle has been dispatched to your location."

"Thank you, Dark Council." Naruto answered with a grin before shutting off the device.

So, Imperial classes are now finished, and the winner is: Sith Warrior! Now, vote for the Republic classes as well. R&R!