Chapter 49: 3rd Division
The 3rd division is busy with six of the seven swordsmen of the mist, Chen, Gari, and Hiruko. Gari is being held at bay by Pakura who is using her scorch release: extremely steaming murder to launch orbs of flame at Gari who tries to counter her with explosion release: Landmine fist. She manages to drive Gari into an area filled with rocks that an Iwa shinobi forms into walls that crush him when the rubble clears away; they find he is slowly reforming so, Maki uses her cloth binding technique to seal him. Once Gari is sealed they move onto another reincarnated shinobi Chen who is defeating the enemy mercilessly with taijutsu. Rock Lee challenges Chen in taijutsu with Lee proving to be a match but Chen pulls out his ultimate taijutsu move the Leaf Dragon God that forms a tornado in the shape of a dragon that decimates the shinobi in the surrounding area. Lee having seen the move once when Chen was alive comes up with a counter using the frontal lotus into the mouth of the dragon causing the twister to disperse. When the dust settles Lee attacks a reforming Chen and kicks him toward Maki who seals Chen with cloth binding technique. With both Chen and Gari sealed, the allied Shinobi focus on the six swordsmen of the mist.
Kakashi confronts Jinin Akebino with his Kabutowari they begin a battle in kenjutsu with Kakashi using Kubikiribocho as his main weapon until Jinin uses Kabutowari to split the Kubikiribocho in half as Kakashi runs lightning chakra through it. But, Jinin backs off as Kakashi charges him however, Jinin uses the hammer of Kabutowari to bat the sword away from Kakashi and uses the axe to try and slash him but, Kakashi manages to dodge in time and performs the lightning cutter jutsu and manages to pierce Jinin with it allowing Sai to use sealing technique: Tiger vision staring bullet to nab Jinin and seal him inside of a scroll.
Kakashi and Guy confront Kushimaru Kunarare wielding Nuibari and Jinpachi Munashi wielding Shibuki. Kakashi attacks with Kubikiribocho against Kushimaru while Guy handles Jinpachi. Kakashi drives Kushimaru back using the Kubikiribocho but, is nearly blinded by an explosion from Jinpachi using the Shibuki to blow the area up as Guy manages to deflect the oncoming attacks with Taijutsu. Guy switches up with Kakashi and handles Kushimaru who attempts to run him through with Nuibari but, Guy dodges the attacks and hits back sending Kushimaru flying into the exploding range of Shibuki causing him to be blown to pieces. Kakashi meanwhile, redirects the strikes of Shibuki into the nearby area to avoid the blasts and eventually slices off the arm holding it. Kakashi then uses the lightning cutter to impale Jinpachi. As the two attempt to reform they are sealed with sealing technique: tiger vision staring bullet and cloth binding technique.
Omoi from the surprise attack division confronts Ameyuri Ringo who has two standard swords that she is wielding against the allied shinobi slaughtering them. She challenges Omoi to a duel since he was brave enough to stand and face her. They battle in kenjutsu and lightning jutsu to a draw. But, Omoi gets a hand up on Ameyuri due to the terrain which is a marsh where he lures her towards. As they battle with Kenjutsu that are charged with lightning chakra they both eventually fall into the marsh and begin to sink. But, Kakashi, Guy, and Sai are there to pull him out. Leaving Ameyuri to sink into the depths of the marsh.
Kakashi along with Guy and Sai confront Fuguki Suikazan who is wielding a standard sword. Fuguki is using Hair needle senbon to attack the allied shinobi, then impales them with Sharp hair spear: Might. He uses his sword to slash and hack away at the shinobi until Kakashi and Guy arrive. Kakashi attacks with Kubikiribocho and slashes away while, using lightning chakra channeled through the blade. Kakashi manages to slice through Fuguki sword and bisects him across the waist splitting him in two as Sai uses sealing technique: Tiger vision staring bullet. With Fuguki sealed the last remaining swordsmen of the mist Mangetsu is taking action to retrieve the swords of his defeated comrades.
Kakashi, Guy, and Asuma begin to attack Mangetsu Hozuki who fires his water gun technique at them forcing them back. As Mangetsu crosses the battlefield he picks up Kabutowari, Nuibari, and Shibuki. Mangetsu then splits himself into four using the fission technique and begins attacking the 3rd division with the swords he reacquired. Kakashi fights the one with the Kabutowari and fights with Kubikiribocho but, the blade is knocked clean from his hands into the hands of the 4th Mangetsu who begins slashing the nearby shinobi to draw blood to repair the damaged blade. Kakashi uses earth release: hiding like a mole technique to burrow underground and attempts to use double suicide decapitation but, Mangetsu simply turns into water. Kakashi then tries to use wind release: air bullets against Mangetsu who simply liquifies and reforms and begins to try and hit Kakashi with the Hammer and then the axe. Kakashi then uses lightning release: lightning dispatch against Mangetsu who is stunned by the attack long enough for Sai to use his sealing technique on him. Guy is facing the Mangetsu who is using Shibuki and is nearly blasted into pieces but, Guy manages to land a blow against Mangetsu causing him to lose his grip on Shibuki just as the exploding tags on the blade are about to explode blowing Mangetsu apart he slowly reforms from water and takes shape but, Maki uses the cloth binding technique to secure him. Asuma meanwhile, faces off against the Mangetsu with Nuibari and weaves and dodges the attacks from the longsword that tries to pierce him and cut him with string. But, Asuma uses wind release chakra flow into his chakra knives to parry the stabs of Mangetsu and counters with wind release: whirlwind fist that sends Mangetsu flying along with Nuibari toward Maki who uses her cloth binding jutsu. Leaving just the Mangetsu with Kubikiribocho that confronts the allied shinobi and he attacks but, is countered by Sasame Fuma with Chakra knives with wind chakra running through them. As she holds Mangetsu at bay Kotohime uses Chakra knives attached to strings to attack Mangetsu who simply reverts to water. Kotohime and Sasame are back to back waiting for Mangetsu to reform. They roll away from a slash from his reformed body as Kotohime performs the hand signs for fire release: fireball jutsu against Mangetsu who counters with a water gun attack. Mangetsu's hand holding Kubikiribocho is severed and the sword is kicked away by Sasame who uses wind release: Gale palm to send Mangetsu flying toward a waiting Sai who seals him. With all that is remaining of the reincarnated shinobi being Hiruko who summons back up in the form of another edo tensei this time it's the white fang Sakumo Hatake.
"It's been a long time Kakashi." Sakumo says
"Yeah it has Dad." Kakashi says
"It seems I've been resurrected." Sakumo says looking at his body
"Yes you've been resurrected to serve the enemy in the fourth shinobi war." Kakashi says
"I see then, you know what you have to do son." Sakumo says as he draws his white light chakra sabre.
"Yes I'll stop you for the sake of my comrades." Kakashi says as he prepares to fight
"Good I'm glad you have value in your comrades." Sakumo says
"I just want to say I'm proud to be your son." Kakashi says as he charges Sakumo with a kunai in hand and blocks the Sabre as it comes down. Kakashi nearly buckles from the blow but manages to push the sword back and attempts to stab Sakumo who simply blocks the attack. The two shinobi clash and are pushed back into the forest as the rest of the allied shinobi confront Hiruko who is using storm release: laser circus to kill anyone who gets near him. Asuma and Guy follow Kakashi and Sakumo to assist Kakashi in his battle against his father.
Meanwhile, Naruko's shadow clones finally arrive on the scene of the 3rd division and begin taking the fight to the zetsu. While, one of the clones assists with dealing with Hiruko alongside Neji and Lee.
"Naruko I see you've arrived on time." Neji says
"Yes your flames of youth are shining brightly." Lee says
"I'm happy to see you guys alive as well." Naruko says
"It seems this opponent will be a troublesome one." Neji says
"Yes he has lasted to the very end." Lee says
"That isn't much of a surprise since, it took me and Kakashi both together to bring him down when he was alive." Naruko says
"So, any idea how to defeat this opponent." Neji says
"I'm not sure if his weakness remains being an edo tensei but, his right side was exposed and provided me an opening to finish him." Naruko says
"Yosh with his weakness known to us he'll surely fall." Lee says as he charges at Hiruko who uses boil release: unrivaled strength to catch the blow from Lee and send him flying. Neji attempts to hit Hiruko with eight trigrams 128 palms but, Hiruko uses his steel release: impervious armor to block the blows. Naruko launches a tri pronged kunai at Hiruko who dodges it and Naruko hiraishin's behind him to hit him with a planetary rasengan sending him flying. But, Hiruko comes out of the forest that he was sent into looking none the worse and charges toward Naruko who uses wood release: wood dragon jutsu to attack Hiruko with his impervious armor and sends him crashing into the ground. Neji and Lee jump by Naruko's side as Hiruko breaks free of the wood dragon and charges toward them using storm release: laser circus the three manage to dodge the attacks but, when Hiruko comes close he uses boiled release: unrivaled strength to send Naruko flying through the trees and kicks away Lee but, Neji dodges and manages to hit Hiruko's right side with a vacuum air palm sending him flying back. As Hiruko lands a rain of tri pronged kunai comes down on him with several Naruko's using big ball rasengan's to hit Hiruko who uses his dark release: Inhaling Maw to absorb the Rasengan's and returns them as a ultra big ball rasengan to the clones blowing them to pieces and scattering the tri pronged kunai. Naruko uses earth release: double suicide decapitation jutsu on Hiruko pulling him into the ground and surfaces. Naruko tries to use wind release: wind cutter technique at Hiruko's head but, he activates his impervious armor blocking the attack. Hiruko gets out of the hole and is about to punch Naruko with unrivaled strength but, Lee does a drop kick on the extending hand as Naruko thrusts a Kunai at Hiruko channeling wind chakra through the blade but, Hiruko uses impervious armor to block it and the kunai is deflected off his body. Lee throws a punch at the armored Hiruko and is stunned by how hard his defence is. Neji reappears and uses the vacuum air palm again at Hiruko sending him skidding away along the ground coming to a stop a distance away. Lee charges Hiruko with Neji right behind him. Lee tries for a kick but Hiruko uses unrivaled strength to catch it but, Neji appears from behind Lee and unleashes the eight trigrams 128 palms that strike at Hiruko's Tenketsu sealing his chakra temporarily. Lee wraps Hiruko in bandages and uses the frontal lotus on him sending Hiruko into the ground. However, Hiruko uses his impervious armor to strengthen his body to absorb the blow and gets up. Naruko uses wood release: all creation to bind Hiruko in roots as Lee and Neji begin to group up. Hiruko uses unrivaled strength to break free as Lee begins to open three gates and charges at Hiruko hitting him so fast he can't activate the impervious armor in time. Lee begins to open three more gates and attacks with the morning peacock against Hiruko's body that has activated his impervious armor but, it can't stand up to the blows and shatters as Lee attack ends and Hiruko begins to fall Neji uses both hands to perform the vacuum air palm sending him flying toward Naruko who has a Ultra big ball rasengan ready and hits Hiruko with it as he flies toward her and manages to hit his right side blowing away the right side of his torso and is sent flying into the ground. Maki being nearby the fight activates her cloth binding technique to seal Hiruko. With Hiruko sealed Sakura tends to Lee's use of the gates while Neji goes off to assist his fellow shinobi against the zetsu's as Naruko runs toward the direction of Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy who're still fighting Sakumo.
With Kakashi, Asuma, and Guy they're fighting for their lives as Sakumo creates two shadow clones to deal with Asuma and Guy. Guy begins to attack the shadow clone that weaves and dodges the punches and kicks from Guy who has opened one of the eight gates. The clone attacks with it's sabre and manages to knick Guy who jumps back. The clone then, goes through the hand signs for fire release: flame bullet firing it at Guy who jumps away and avoids a volley of shuriken that came out of nowhere from the shuriken shadow clone technique. Guy turns to confront the clone that is on top of him and he counters with leaf whirlwind to the clone's chest sending it sliding back as it goes through hand signs for lightning release: Overdrive sending lightning chakra through its body and attacking. The clone manages to slash at Guy who takes the slash in order to use the frontal lotus against the clone sending it into the ground. The clone explodes on impact sending Guy flying away, but Guy gets up and heads toward Kakashi. With Asuma and the shadow clone he is matching the wind enhanced chakra sabre with his wind enhanced chakra knives. They trade blows as the blades clash and they parry each other's blows. Until Asuma receives a slash to the shoulder and jumps back and performs fire release: Ash pile burning causing an explosion but, the clone has jumped back and fires a water release: water bullet at Asuma who dodges and fires a wind release: air bullets at the clone but, the clone counters with a wind release: drilling air bullet flying toward Asuma who counters the attack with fire release: flame bullet that overcomes the drilling air bullet and is sent flying toward the clone but, the clone ducks underground. Asuma quickly jumps away as the ground beneath his feet gives way as the clone jumps out with his Sabre pointing up into the air. The clone turns and launches a wind release: vacuum blade against Asuma who blocks it with his wind enhanced chakra knives. Asuma then, uses wind release: Verdant mountain gale against the clone that dodges the oncoming assault. Asuma runs toward the clone and uses fire release: flint yagura placing a wall of flame in front of the clone and then, Asuma uses wind release: whirlwind fist into the flames creating a twister of fire that hits the clone that explodes. Asuma is caught up in the blast and is sent flying back hitting himself against a tree he slowly gets up and heads toward the direction of Kakashi. With Kakashi he is doing everything to keep himself from getting killed as his father launches several vacuum blades from his blade toward Kakashi who dodges and launches several shadow clones toward Sakumo but, he effortlessly deals with the shadow clones as Kakashi fires a fire release: fireball technique at Sakumo who counters with a water release: water bullet as the steam begins to clear Kakashi uses the hiding in mist technique along with silent killing to attack his dad but, Sakumo dodges the blows and counters with his wind enhanced chakra sabre easily slicing through the kunai Kakashi is using. Kakashi forms the hand signs for earth release: earth flow spears launching spikes of earth toward Sakumo who counters with lightning release: lightning burst forming a barrier of Lightning. Kakashi then, forms the hand signs for wind release: wind cutter and launches it at the barrier that it goes through but, Sakumo is revealed to be an earth clone as the real Sakumo appears from the mist and slashes at Kakashi who jumps and uses fire release: dragon flame jutsu to launch a dragon made of flames toward Sakumo but, he dives into the ground with hiding like a mole technique and attempts to use double suicide decapitation on Kakashi pulling him underground. Sakumo rises from the ground and attempts to stab Kakashi stuck in the ground. He succeeds but, Kakashi turns to lightning and stuns Sakumo as Kakashi appears behind Sakumo with a lightning cutter but, Sakumo counters with a wind release: gale palm sending Kakashi flying back. Sakumo gets into a ready stance as Kakashi keeps his guard up.
"You're doing great son." Sakumo says
"Great but, not good enough to stop you." Kakashi says
"I was known as a rival for the sannin after all." Sakumo says
"Yes I know but, it doesn't help me much knowing that fact." Kakashi says
"True but, remember even the mightiest of shinobi can fall when they make a mistake." Sakumo says
"True but, you don't have any openings and you haven't slipped up yet." Kakashi says
"Survive long enough and I will as everyone does eventually." Sakumo says
"Surviving you isn't easy, dad you're downright scary and it's taking everything I have to keep up with you." Kakashi says
"Just keep at it I know you can do it." Sakumo says
"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Kakashi says as Naruko, Asuma, and Guy appear on the scene.
"Good looks like you'll get some help." Sakumo says
"Backup is always welcomed." Kakashi says as Naruko forms the hand signs for wood release: all creation to bind Sakumo but, he simply cuts the roots as they appear. Asuma fires a fire release: dragon fire bullet at Sakumo who counters with water release: wild water wave causing steam to spread out. Guy jumps in and engages Sakumo in taijutsu with three of the gates active and manages to knock the blade out of Sakumo's hand. Sakumo manages to dodge the more serious blows and counters with taijutsu of his own sending Guy flying back. Asuma charges toward Sakumo using his chakra blade: straight line technique to slash at Sakumo but, he avoids the more serious damage with nothing but, a graze to his arm. Asuma tries to channel fire chakra through his blades and slashes with the heated blades but Sakumo catches his arms and kicks Asuma away as Naruko attempts to hit him in the back with a ultra big ball rasengan. Sakumo uses substitution to avoid the attack and launches a earth release: earth and stone dragon at Naruko but, Kakashi uses the lightning cutter to destroy it as Naruko forms the hand signs for wood release: beams and launches them at Sakumo who slices them to pieces with wind release: vacuum waves. Sakumo goes through hand signs for his jutsu wind release: gale piercer and charges toward Naruko and Kakashi but, Kakashi forms a rasengan and charges to match the gale piercer and the jutsu's clash sending both Sakumo and Kakashi flying back. Naruko seeing a chance uses wood release: wood dragon jutsu and launches it toward Sakumo and hits him but, it turns out to be a lightning clone. As Naruko is pulled underground by Sakumo who surfaces and begins to attack Asuma who has returned to the fray as Asuma is about to attack with whirlwind fist Sakumo counters with Gale piercer piercing Asuma through the chest after overpowering the whirlwind fist. Asuma grabs hold of Sakumo with the jutsu stuck through him as Kakashi takes the opportunity to run through his father with a lightning cutter piercing his chest. Naruko finally out of the ground hits the stunned Sakumo with an ultra big ball rasengan as Asuma is pulled away by Guy from the blast of the rasengan burrowing into Sakumo. Sakumo is slowly beginning to reform as Sai arrives and activates his sealing technique to capture Sakumo inside a scroll. With Sakumo sealed the group gather around a dying Asuma.
"Why did you do that?! You knew his Gale piercer outclassed your attack!" Kakashi says frustrated
"It was the only way to make an opening for you to use the lightning cutter against him." Asuma says as he coughs up blood.
"You fool he would have slipped up eventually and we could have had him then." Guy says sadly
"We were going to make a mistake first before he did you both know that, that's why I took the initiative and took the blow." Asuma says weakly as he exhales smoke from his cigarette.
"There still could have been a better way." Kakashi says angrily
"You know your father he wouldn't have left an opening unless someone made one." Asuma says taking a deep exhale.
"It was reckless of you to gamble on him making an opening." Guy says irritated
"Perhaps...but it worked and we won, didn't we?" Asuma says faintly
"Yeah it did thank you for what you did." Kakashi says somberly
"I knew you would have made the choice if I didn't." Asuma says drawing weak breaths
"You've been a great comrade one I won't ever forget." Guy says as tears start to fall
"Thanks guys...Just one thing...Win this war...Alright." Asuma says as he takes his last breaths and his cigarette falls from his mouth.
"You have my word my friend." Kakashi says faintly
"Goodbye Asuma" Guy says as he clenches his fists
"Thank you Asuma sensei I promise your sacrifice won't go to waste." Naruko says with tears in her eyes. Kakashi seals Asuma's body in a scroll and returns to the shinobi of the third division to keep up the fight against the zetsu with the reincarnated shinobi out of the way. Naruko presses forward into the battlefield taking the lead as she takes the fight to the enemy.