"You bastard!" Kankuro hissed, glaring at Kabuto at with contempt.
He couldn't bear the thought of losing his sister—worse, he'd be left with just Gaara. His younger brother scared the crap out of him. Temari didn't seem to mind. But Kankuro could do without any threats of death. He'd lost his father already. Another family member wouldn't die if he could do something about it. He was nonetheless, mindful of his limits. This is what made the situation a little more frustrating.
"You brought this upon yourself," Kabuto said with a shrug. "I don't like using such methods, but if you'd done as promised, none of this would be happening. Act quickly, because time is ticking away."
"Why are you just standing there?" Kankuro glared at his younger brother. "She is going to die and you're just standing there! She is the only person who gives a shit about you and has always defend you!"
For Kankuro it was more about his frustration at his inability to do anything. Gaara was always the stronger. If he could put his mind to it, he could save Temari. But he just stood there, like a pole. It infuriated him that he was willing to cast his fear aside.
It was all noise, and Gaara was restraining himself from wrapping Kankuro in his sand. Who did he have? Gaara thought he was alone. He'd always been alone. His siblings were teammates. Everyone who has gotten close to him has always ended up trying to kill him, even family members. These two haven't but if they got the order, what would they do?
In his heart, Gaara couldn't trust them. He'd been betrayed too often by people he thought loved him.
"Save her if you can," Gaara said, a bit out of anger.
How could he save her in in this situation? He didn't even have his gourd with him and Kabuto was holding a hostage. One fatal move and Temari could be killed.
"I wouldn't be talking to you if I could."
"Then shut up." Gaara stared at Temari. Even if he couldn't really trust, he wasn't going to just let her die. He was feeling a little frustrated anyway. "I just have to let Shukaku take over," Gaara said to Kabuto. It was a question more than a statement.
"Yes… that is—" Kabuto trailed off when Naruto suddenly flashed behind him, his left hand holding a long black rod and his right holding a sword.
How had the blond even gotten so fast behind him? And what was with that cold look? Sure he had robbed his parent's grave but was it something to be this angry about? Kabuto would have thought Naruto would be happy to see Konoha destroyed.
He didn't let go of Temari but flashed his right hand toward Naruto, still holding the kunai. His backhand attack was an attempt to keep the blond from attacking, but the blond simply ducked under his wild swing while raising the rod. It pierced through the right side of his torso. The sword was swung in an upward swing. It was swift, and deadly. His outstretched arm was severed from the shoulder.
Kabuto quickly let go of Temari and them leapt away before Naruto could even touch the ground for another attack. The blood from his shoulder had gushed all over both Temari and Naruto. He was let out a cold breath as he landed, with Naruto not attacking him. He grabbed the rod and pulled it out of his body.
He gritted his teeth while trying to stop the bleeding. He could do nothing now—he'd failed at his mission. He had to go report to Orochimaru that using the One-Tail had failed. He knew a smoke bomb toward Naruto and disappeared without a word.
Naruto managed to catch Temari before she fell. He stabbed the sword to the ground, not minding the blood on his face. He gently laid her down and then shot a murderous glare toward Kankuro who was making a move. Gaara seemed to be ready to attack him as well, Naruto released his killing intent.
The second the killing intent crashed into him, Kankuro thought he witnessed a thousand ways in which he could be killed. His knees trembled as a nauseating wave of fear beat his heart into submission.
He wasn't the only one struck, even Gaara who normally was fearless and the object to be feared was on his knees, eyes wide as he shivered.
The feeling died as soon as it came. When it disappeared, Kankuro laboured to breathe. He felt as if he hadn't breathed for a minute. What the hell was that? He thought. Jinchuriki were really fearsome people and it seemed there was a difference between One Tail and nine tails.
His senses returned and he glanced toward the blond in fear of his sister. But he breathed naturally when he saw that the blond was applying medical Ninjutsu. He let out a long breath, managing to smile knowing his sister would leave this village. They would all leave with their lives intact.
"Lousy," Naruto said to himself as his medical Ninjutsu was being exposed for its mediocrity. "I could only learn this much thanks to the Sharingan's ability to analyse jutsu," he said mildly. "It's a good thing your injury is not that deep. You'll be fine."
Temari was little shell-shocked. This person had rescued her. The second he let her go, she wanted to flee toward her brothers but she did nothing. Her body felt numb. It was the whirlwind of emotions that coursed through her body rather than any physical impairment.
She glanced toward Gaara and smiled sadly. He'd been willing to turn just to save her. He really was her brother.
"Leave this place. You should be safe, for now. I'll catch up to you in the desert," Naruto instructed without emotion. "I'm going to kill that damn snake…"
"Why?"
"I'm a nice person," Naruto replied innocently.
Despite everything, Temari rolled her eyes. She was certain he was even worse than Gaara. Her brother was just misunderstood and failed to see certain things. He sometimes acted on impulse as his defence. But Naruto was calculated. She was certain everything he had done so far was with reason. And the contempt in his eyes when he stared at Kabuto was something nobody could miss—it was just pure unadulterated hatred that had made her spine ache with discomfort.
"Thank you nonetheless…" she managed to say through gritted teeth.
"Oh, you know how to thank someone?"
"I thanked you… what more do you want from me?!" Temari shouted at him. She was more embarrassed she had to say those words to him of all people. She'd thought of killing him some moments ago after he knocked out Gaara.
"You're that kind of person. How sweet." He leapt away after saying those words.
Kankuro was upon her in a second. He picked her up without permission. "We have to go," he said in a hurried tone. He didn't even turn around to face Gaara. "Don't just stand there… we have to leave… and hopefully, get some help for her."
Without saying a word, Gaara followed.
Kabuto smiled wearily when Naruto found him. He should have known it wouldn't be so easy to escape. But Naruto couldn't have tracked him down unless he was a sensory type of shinobi. Either way, in order to escape he had to either fight or negotiate with the blond. Given the cold expression on his face, Kabuto thought the negotiation would need his master's powers in order to be fruitful.
He wasn't panicking nonetheless. He'd been in this situation and with far more terrifying opponents with limited abilities. There was still a way out of the situation.
He glanced through the street. The sounds of battle were dying. Suna retreated far quicker than he'd expected. And Konoha wasn't giving the chase. Most likely naïve orders of the Sandaime Hokage. The snake summons had been dealt with—only fires and smoke bellowed in some sections of the streets. He was a wanted man. If Konoha shinobi saw him, it would be the end of him.
He moved into an alley, and leaned against a wall. He'd already stopped the bleeding. But he was still a cripple. His arm was gone. A replacement could be found nonetheless—with limitations. But maybe he could have one that is modified.
"It is not funny now, is it?" Naruto said, his footsteps slow, holding a long sword that was creeping through the ground, making an eerie sound. "I told you I would murder you."
Kabuto let out a short cold chuckle. "I didn't think you'd make it this far," he admitted frankly. "Then, why so mad about it? You never knew them, why would you be so angry?" He asked with genuine curiosity.
"The fact that you can ask me so curiously sickens me," Naruto sneered with contempt.
"You don't have to be like that, Naruto-kun. We're not enemies, are we?"
Naruto held back a snort and then placed his sword on his right shoulder. His Sharingan shifted in the Mangekyo and he stopped walking.
"We're certainly not friends," Naruto replied.
Kabuto and Orochimaru butchered innocent people wherever they went. How many cried and suffered in the hands of a worm like this? They spread dread and suffering. He was doing the shinobi world justice by killing them both. Konoha should have taken the responsibility but like all Great Nations—they didn't care what their former shinobi did, as long as it didn't affect them. It was because of this attitude that many found the world unbearable.
Naruto thought maybe removing such people from the shinobi world would make it liveable. There would be less suffering. But if the arrogance of the Great Nations not stomped upon, nothing would really change. Children like him would be born. Hopeless characters like Madara and Nagato would be created.
"The notion offends me."
Kabuto's voice echoed through the alley with mirth. "You're a member of the Akatsuki," he revealed. "You're part of international criminals. Should you really be offended?"
Naruto shrugged. "There is no guilt when association is by force. When we willingly choose to associate and partake in cruelty, there is a difference."
"At the end of the day, we all do cruel things."
Naruto ignored this. "How do you know about my membership to the Akatsuki?"
"There is nothing Orochimaru-sama doesn't know." Kabuto said confidently.
Naruto let out a cold laughter. "Well, I can see where the arrogance came from. Still, he must know a lot not to have seen that his plan to invade Konoha would only end up in failure," he said with sarcasm. "It is the same arrogance that had him running away from Itachi. Pitiful and to think his sensei was the Sandaime Hokage."
Naïve, and senile with pacifism like Itachi, but to question the Sandaime's genius was foolishness. Maybe being too powerful and being blessed with genius that comes once in a generation causes people to develop bloated arrogance. But a student of a man hailed as 'The Professor' shouldn't think adding mixing fire with fire creates lava.
"Can we talk about this? There would be great benefit in keeping me alive," Kabuto said in a serious tone.
Naruto scoffed. "I need nothing from you," he said. "The journey ends here, Kabuto Yakushi."
Before Kabuto could reply, he was hit by black flames all over his body. He gnashed his teeth, as the pain engulfed him all over his body. Everything started to slowly burn, including his clothing.
Orochimaru had told him about the eternal black flames. The flames that never died down and couldn't be extinguished. These flames could continue to burn until there was nothing left of the target. So, until he was reduced to ashes, they would continue to burn. It was laughable. Of all things could end up killing him, it would be these flames. The flames of a doujutsu his master desired the most.
Fire does burn after all.
Was this how his story ended? A rather cold journey with nothing to show. He ended up not achieving even the greatest thing his master wanted.
Naruto was upon Kabuto in the blink of an eye. He stared at the man who looked resigned to his death and then frowned deeply.
"Pathetic," he said, swinging his sword. It cut through Kabuto's left shoulder, severing the rest of his arm. Naruto avoided blood this time. He didn't stop there, another swing and his sword dismembered Kabuto in half. He moved back to avoid the splattering blood. By the time the rest if Kabuto's body hit the ground, he was already dead.
Naruto glanced at the sword, noting it had caught the flames. He closed his left eye, and focused on the flames, cancelling them. If Konoha took Kabuto's head and went through his head, they would know he was a member of the Akatsuki.
He took a step forward and then stabbed the sword through Kabuto's head. Thinking it was not enough, he channelled chakra into his right foot and removed the blade before brutally stomping on Kabuto's head with all his might. The skull was crushed, blood splattered along with the brain.
Satisfied Kabuto was dead, he turned around, leaving the sword behind.
'That was just nasty. You humans do some horrible things to each other.'
'You say that like you didn't swat around a few humans some time ago.'
'I'm the Kyubi. You're human.'
'He deserved far worse. He was worse than trash. I should have made him experience it all in Genjutsu to break his mind and then dismember him.'
'You'll receive worse as well.'
Naruto shrugged indifferently. 'But I wonder what my mother would've said to see her young child committing such acts,' he said with a smile. 'Most likely some kids would throw up seeing that scene.'
He was truly robbed of a chance to experience beautiful memories filled with love and warmth. Some part of him truly wanted to experience it, in some way, even in such a chaotic world. He was too young to be filled with the same hopeless as Madara. He wanted to crawl, run and fail. He simply couldn't just give up because of a little kick from behind.
'And yet, you didn't bat an eye.'
'I've seen worse.'
Jiraiya felt a range of indescribable emotions. His heart thumped in the chaos, yet, his body remained motionless. Within the rooftop, surrounded by trees made by a reanimation of the Shodai Hokage, his sensei lay there—dead. He'd gone out in the way he chose, not because Orochimaru killed him, but the same way Minato chose to die. The Sannin felt contempt for the Uzumaki for brining the dead-demon consuming seal. Without a jutsu, they he'd have both his student and his sensei.
Now he has no one. Once more, he was lonely, just as he was before he became a Genin. If Tsunade was here, it would make things better. Maybe the old man might not have died. He wasn't blaming his once teammate. He was the one who failed to protect his sensei and student.
The invasion was effectively over as it began. Orochimaru fled—at least with what remained of him. Konoha had lost something. Something that could never be replaced—a grandfather, a leader and a teacher. He wasn't the only one who stood, watching the Sandaime with sadness. The shinobi would not move, nobody dared touch the body of the old man. He'd led this village with respect and the shinobi had loved him. Everybody had loved him.
But like his predecessors and successor, he lay dead in service of the village.
Jiraiya glanced into the eyes of the shinobi. The sadness masked the hatred they felt. It was most likely reserved for Orochimaru. The Sannin would not have anywhere to hide. Jiraiya would hunt him down until he found him and then drag him back to this village, to face the consequences of his actions. Hiruzen had done nothing but love that slithering snake.
He shook his head; he couldn't allow anger to swallow him. He couldn't allow himself or anyone else to start another cycle of hatred. Perhaps in this situation, he would finally find the right way to move forward and an answer to years long unanswered question.
The Toad Sage glanced back seeing the shift along the shinobi gathered around. He frowned deeply and nearly lost the colour in his face when he saw Danzo. The War Hawk was not alone—he was being accompanied by Koharu and Homura. Without the Sandaime and a named successor, they were the highest decision makers. And as much as he was loath to admit, even Danzo ranked higher than him. The shinobi would listen to the command of the village Council—even if they didn't agree with it.
Could the situation become any worse than what it was?
"This isn't time to wallowing, Jiraiya." Koharu said to Jiraiya in a cold tone.
"Hiruzen is dead and the man responsible for it has escaped, why are not going after him?" Danzo demanded from the Sannin. His lone visible eye glanced around coldly before resting on Hiruzen's corpse. He sneered disdainfully.
This was the cause and effect of being naïve. Even in his death, Hiruzen failed to kill Orochimaru. At least he took measures that protected the village but he had failed. He could do nothing wrong. His reign lasted long enough and brought the Hidden Leaf into its knees. Had he been chosen as Hokage, none of this madness would have happened. Had they weakened so much that even Orochimaru thought he could destroy them?
They would be the laughing stock. No, they were already a laughing stock.
Jiraiya glared at Danzo. If the Sandaime wasn't dead, he'd be asking who'd died and made the man Hokage. "Who made you leader all of the sudden?" He demanded in a firm tone, standing proudly to show the lackeys behind Danzo that he would not be intimidated. He was the strongest shinobi in the village. No one was going to act recklessly against him.
"The village Council has sat and decided to make Danzo leader… for now until the Feudal Lord arrives. But he will merely rubber stamp our decision," Homura.
Jiraiya felt like he was experiencing a second death of his sensei. Hadn't these people offered him the position before? Jiraiya would rather go hunt Tsunade and beg her to return home to become Hokage rather than allow Danzo to lead the village. Nothing but chaos was going to ensue as long as Danzo was Hokage.
"Him of all people? He is a cripple who cannot even command shinobi. A strong leader is needed for the position of Hokage!"
"And who do you think he is qualified?" Danzo asked calmly.
Shinobi were listening. Danzo was going to win a political game. Besides, he knew there would be some loyalty toward Hiruzen. He needed these people to be dedicated to fight on.
"Tsunade is more qualified than you."
"That she is," Danzo allowed Jiraiya to have this one. "But where is she? Where was she when tragedies fell on this village? Her sensei now lies dead… where is Konoha's greatest medic?!" Danzo shouted, loud enough for even passing by shinobi to stop and listen to him.
Inwardly, he smiled. Nothing was going to stop him now. He would become the Fifth Hokage and lead Konoha to the same unrivalled greatness it once held during the reigns of the Second and First. Tobirama had made many right decisions but he had made the wrong one by making Hiruzen Hokage. Danzo was going to correct all the wrongs.
"You know exactly where she is." Jiraiya said through gritted teeth, holding down his anger.
He wasn't going to debate Danzo. There was nothing he could say to justify Tsunade's absence in Konoha. Silence was the best medicine and he could only solve it by bringing her back. As long as she wasn't around, he'd only sound pathetic in trying to defend her.
"Somewhere out there. Gambling and drinking instead of protecting the village her grandfather founded." Danzo spat with scorn. "The Shodai would be disappointed to know that the only living Senju has abandoned the village he found. She is only a disappointment to her clan."
"I will not allow you to blemish Tsunade's name, Danzo." Jiraiya said in a threatening tone. "Tsunade has fought for this village… in the Second and Third Wars… she was fighting for us. She has certainly done more than what you have. You have no right to question her work."
"And her loyalties?" Danzo asked.
He wasn't going to try to alienate the Sannin. Without question he would admit the Sannin was currently Konoha's greatest asset. But it would soon change. He would turn Sasuke into the next powerful Sannin. For now, he needed Jiraiya's strength and knew the Sannin would never betray Konoha. He was different from both Orochimaru and Tsunade who were only motivated by their selfish desires.
Without waiting for Jiraiya to respond, Danzo spoke once more. "The best thing you can for now is go after Orochimaru. We will mop up here. Orochimaru cannot get away with what he has done. This village is seething, not only at him, but as the Sound and Suna. Especially Suna… we considered them our allies and they betrayed us. They must pay."
The worst possible thing Danzo could have said. Jiraiya dreaded those words. Without question, it was obvious, Konoha would soon be launching attacks on both Suna and the Sound.
"I'll track down Orochimaru," Jiraiya said and then turned around. He disappeared in a blast, leaving a huge hole on the roof.
"Hiruzen was kind. But it was his kindness that allowed Orochimaru to roam free. Still, we cannot forget this. We must avenge our Hokage… Find all shinobi of the Hidden Sand and kill them. Only if they are within the village. Nobody is to leave the village unless I give an order." Danzo instructed to the shinobi moving around.
"Hai!"
"Take his body." Danzo ordered his guards as he turned around. Along with his two advisors, they were on the streets.
"What are we going to do about Suna?" Koharu asked.
"We need to secure the village first. I have already sent a team after the Kazekage's children. The village will look to them for leadership. We will hold them hostage and examine our losses before deciding what to do." Danzo replied sharply. "I'm hesitant to send men to the Sound as it might provoke the Cloud."
"A small team then?"
"Yes. But we will first study the situation." Danzo said. "What worries me is the Kyubi's Jinchuriki. He is Minato's son, but the Kyubi must be brought back at all costs."
"In the hands of an enemy, it could have devastating consequences for us. I agree, we must have it." Koharu said. "Wouldn't it have been fruitful to send Jiraiya after him?"
"I doubt Jiraiya would have succeeded. Loyal but he is too emotional."
Orochimaru was seething; his damn hands were gone. And the dumbs that remained hurt like hell. He'd never experienced this much pain before. But it was what happened when you got your soul's hands cut off.
He may not have succeeded in destroying Konoha, but the Sandaime Hokage was gone and he would recover from this. It was a pity that Suna's Jinchuriki didn't do as expected. And he was now being forced to flee while being helped by his Sound Four. It was a shame things had to end this way.
But maybe he'd made a slight miscalculation.
"Where the hell is Kabuto?" Orochimaru demanded. His number two had suddenly disappeared. He nonetheless had complete trust in him to evade capture by the Leaf.
"Butchered," Tayuya replied, following from behind as they hopped through trees, running away from a failure of an invasion.
"Someone murdered him in an unpleasant way," Kidomaru explained in a cold tone. "I thought you knew, Orochimaru-sama."
"How would I know when fighting?" The Sannin hissed angrily.
To think he would lose even Kabuto. And he was certain Danzo had made his move now. The War Hawk would make things difficult for him but maybe he could work out some deal with his former partner in crime. If Danzo saw value in them working together, another fruitful partnership could be developed. But Sasuke, the man wouldn't let him have. He would have to work another way to obtain the Sharingan.
And to think the Kyubi's Jinchuriki had it too. It was ridiculous but also made him a person of interest. Orochimaru wanted to cut him up and see what made him use the Sharingan in such a manner. Kakashi had his always hidden, but Naruto had both eyes and didn't seem to struggle. It was either he did some experiments or he had ridiculous amount of chakra levels. The latter was likely.
"Someone is up ahead," Jirobo said, coming to an abrupt halt. They landed in the ground along with Orochimaru. The shades of the trees hid them from the full view of the sun.
"Who is it?" The Sannin demanded, not seeing the person was blocking their path.
They were surrounded by trees and could easily be ambushed. But this person did not make a move. He seemed to show clear confidence in facing them or maybe he wanted to talk.
"How the mighty has fallen," Naruto said with amusement, stepping out of the shadows of the trees, holding two long swords, covered in black flames.
There were five people. He did well by not facing Gaara earlier. Perhaps he shouldn't even have faced Lee. If he engaged here and Konoha ends up arriving—he would be forced into another battle. The only way forward here was to be ruthless, and quick. If he wasn't so, he would be forced to exert more power than he should and that would leave him exposed.
In this world, you couldn't show weakness. There could be someone lurking in the shadows and the second he dropped to one knee, exhausted, they could make a move.
"Naruto-kun," Orochimaru hissed disdainfully. It looked the blond was here for just one reason only. "You're here to kill me."
"Naturally. I know people in your cages will celebrate. Perhaps I'll even make the effort to throw a huge party in celebration of your death."
Despite the situation and the immense pain that made his hands ache, Orochimaru laughed. "Why do you sound so hateful? Have I done something to you?"
Naruto shrugged. "Just the fact that you breathe."
"Is that so?" Orochimaru glanced around. He was too tired to fight and there was no need. If he got held around here, Konoha's people could arrive and he would be finished—especially if Jiraiya was the one to come. "Did you kill Kabuto?"
"Yes." Naruto said, his expression cold. "First cut off his right hand while he was trying to get Gaara to transform. He escaped but I hunted him down. Cut him in half and then crushed his skull… just to make sure he stayed dead."
Orochimaru didn't like the sound of it but he still smirked. "I wanted to see you alive but maybe I can watch how you go from here."
Naruto shrugged indifferently. "I'm okay even if you flee. I won't waste time dealing with your guards. But if you think you can, you can take an escape… but I'll find soon enough, dismember you and then stick your head on a stick for all to see."
Orochimaru cracked a cold chuckle. "Big words."
"Not as big as your arrogance." Naruto said in a mocking tone. "Look at you? Running with tail between your legs after your failure. What possessed you to think you could destroy Konoha? Does being a Sannin make you think you've become God? Have you not faced humiliation enough?" His gaze turned to the guards. "Be ashamed of yourself… to follow such a man."
"Fuck off brat!"
"Foul language… but then again, you're all trash and I'll see to it that none of you escape." He stared at them coldly.
Guards of the Lord of doom deserved a beating. He had no time for humiliation. If Orochimaru trusted them to guard him, they had to hold some strength. Still, the Sannin overstated his abilities. Then surely, he would overstate the abilities of his subordinates.
"Prepare yourself."
"Handle him together. I don't care if he dies. But be careful, he is Jinchuriki." Orochimaru moved away from the grasp of his guards and slowly moved toward the trunk of a tree, leaning against it. He could try to leave now, but there was no hurry. The sound four had cursed seals to counter the Kyubi's power.
"Such a brat killed Kabuto?" Tayuya laughed. "And thinks he can take us on?" She sneered toward the blond.
"If he killed Kabuto, he certainly is skilled," Jirobo said in a calm tone. "Don't take—"
He was cut off when Naruto suddenly appeared in front of him, the Sharingan twisted around in a hypnotic manner. The blond was above the ground, his upper body leaned forward, the sword on his right arm swinging toward him in a blur.
Jirobo opened his right palm, driving his hand forward in an attempt to grab the blond by his face. But the sword struck in a flash. It cut through his arm around his wrist. Before he could even let out a cry, his body froze, finding himself in the grasp of nine-tailed beast. Was it Genjutsu? The beast crushed him slowly. He struggled with futility in attempt to escape its grip. Its deathly giggles made his body cold as his heart began to thump. Was this really a Genjuts? The answer never came as the Bijuu squeezed hard. Like a bottle cap, his head popped out of his shoulders.
"Wha—?"
Jirobo was surprised as his vision blurred, blood spraying around, his view of the world around upside down. Wasn't it supposed to be a Genjutsu? He was certain, he was in reality now. His thoughts slowed, as death overcame him before his head even hit the ground with the rest of his body.
While still in mid-air, Naruto glanced to his right. Sakon flashed in front of him, lifted his right leg and kicked out toward him. He crossed his swords in front of him and Sakon's foot crashed into the blades, catching the black flames. The force behind the kick sent him flying backwards.
While flying, Kidomaru appeared above him, hands held together and slammed them down toward him. Once more, Naruto angled both swords as a defensive shield. The attack collided with his swords and then sent him crashing to the ground. He crashed heavily, getting buried in a human sized crater.
Kidomaru landed on the side and took a step, placing left foot on his chest.
"To think someone of this level killed Jirobo so easily," Kidomaru looked down at Naruto.
The blond smiled for the first time. "How insulting," he said and then his expression turned cold once more. "But stupid."
"Don't touch the swords. Those flames wont go out!"
Kidomaru wasn't listening to Sakon. The blond was under his foot with nowhere to go and Orochimaru was still present. He stared down at him with a smirk. What more was that to fear? The battle was over.
"Is this the best?"
"I would Genjutsu you and then sever your head from your neck, but looking down on me like this is insulting. You have six hands… then I shall also make it, and rip them apart." He said those words in a casual manner, but there was enough menace in them for Kidomaru to make his hair stand.
Kidomaru quickly jumped back when he sensed a build up of chakra from Naruto. While still on the ground, the blond was surrounded by crimson chakra.
"We may have to use our cursed seals," Sakon said. It was because the blond was tapping on the power of the Kyubi. Not to mention, his right leg kept burning. The flames wouldn't go away. This rate, he was going to lose a foot. "We sho—"
He was cut off by an explosion of chakra and then Naruto was gone. The blond disappeared from the ground in a blur. He had stood up and lunged straight at Kidomaru, but the speed in which he moved seemed like he'd just teleported in front of the shinobi.
Kidomaru didn't have time to react as six large chakra arms spread from Naruto and then grabbed his. He gritted his teeth and started shouting when the blond started to slowly pull them. The hold was like an iron grip. Struggled as he could, the arms didn't budge; they just kept pulling and pulling that his heart started to race. Reality dawned on him and he started to panic.
"Help me!" He shouted at Tayuya who had yet to make a move since Naruto started attacking.
It wasn't Tayuya who moved but Sakon. Naruto didn't move away. He was going to do as promised. Who cared if he burnt some chakra along the way? By was using the Kyubi's chakra. He have the stamina to flee toward the River country.
Sakon landed on his right side and then tried to punch him. But chakra formed around him, creating a rib cage structure around him. Sakon's punch landed on the Susanoo and failed to even move Naruto. When hands started to form, the Sakon fled.
Through it all, Kidomaru was screaming in pain.
His loud shriek caused birds to fly away as Naruto ripped off all his hands at once. Blood gushed out in a rain. He threw all six arms away without care before one of the hands drove through Kidomaru's chest, creating a hole. The Sound nin gasped for air as he coughed blood. His energy was leaving him. He was feeling disoriented.
It was only then that he became quiet.
Naruto turned to Sakon and then glanced at Tayuya through the corner of his eyes. They seemed prepared to activate their cursed seals. He closed his left eye, and focused on Sakon.
"Amaterasu."
"Ahh!" This time, Sakon made a cry as his body engulfed by black flames. They were burning much faster than the ones he'd touched from the sword. He fell to the ground, rolling ain a futile attempt to put out the flames. Ukon separated but he too was engulfed by the flames. Their cries filled the area.
Naruto turned away from them and faced Tayuya. She had already transformed into her cursed seal. He frowned at his slow actions.
"How cruel, watching your subordinates drop like flies."
"They are simply fulfilling their roles," Orochimaru said with a shrug. "Take care of it Tayuya…" Orochimaru would admit, the best option was to quickly retreat it Naruto had full access to the abilities of the Mangekyo.
"Run, Orochimaru. Run… but you'll not get far. Run… I'll be behind you."
Orochimaru thought he was being baited into staying behind but he didn't buy it. He was in a weakened position and Naruto seemed to have the stamina for a drawn out battle. Orochimaru didn't have that in him.
"Go, Orochimaru-sama… I will deal with this trash," Tayuya said confidently. "He killed my teammates… I will ensure he is dead."
"I'm counting on you, then." Orochimaru crumbled into mud and then he was gone.
Naruto shook his head and glanced toward the direction of Konoha with a deep frown. He could sense a powerful chakra presence coming along the way. And multiple others. He didn't have the time.
He turned his eyes toward Tayuya and then spoke.
"This has been quite disappointing," he said. "But you're still just trash," he said pointing a finger toward Tayuya. "Amaterasu." He didn't cast huge flames to conserve his chakra. He just did enough to burn her flute.
Tayuya dropped it as soon as it caught flames and leapt backwards.
"Bastard!" She swore at him.
The flute was her main weapon—her method of fighting and he had just burnt it. She wasn't going to attempt to use it while those black flames burnt. She'd seen Sakon and Udon—there was no putting them out. How was she going to fight from now on?
"You have dished out a level of despair onto others. Then it is only fair you experience it yourself and perish." Naruto said in a voice. "Kill others, expect to be killed. Torture others, expect the same torture."
The Susanoo had already dispersed, but more chakra of the Kyubi wrapped around Naruto. The more he poured out, the more it darkened and his frame disappeared. He released four tails worth of chakra. It had covered him, turning him into a miniature tailed beast. The explosion of chakra occurred, his form taking shape.
Looking at him, Tayuya felt something in her heart—fear. The only other person who made her experience this feeling was Kimamaro and not even Kabuto. That was no longer a human in front of her and those crimson eyes had become demonic. It frightened here to the core that she took an unconscious step backwards.
Naruto didn't look amused. The chakra simply dispersed—he just wanted to scare her a little. And the desired effect had been achieved.
"Don't be afraid now. I'm not using the Kyubi's chakra against you… even with your cursed seal…"
Sakon, still apparently alive, but looking worse, staggered to his feat.
"Well, the flames are slow burn," Naruto said, unsurprised.
"F—find a way to a—attack…" he said to Tayuya and then mustered all the strength he could, darting toward Naruto.
His movements were slow and staggered. He looked like a drunk man. But then again, he probably had no hope of hitting but simply to create an opening for Tayuya. Naruto was fine with it. He could wait for Tayuya to attack and then counterattack. He would stomp on her and show her what power was, before putting her on a Genjutsu.
The chakra would protect him for the black flames but Naruto felt no need to you use his claw like hands. He dropped one sword to the ground, seeing it was likely toward its end already.
He didn't move a muscle as Sakon reached him, swinging his right punch toward his temple. As gracefully as he could, Naruto's feet danced a bit, avoiding the wild swing before waving his sword toward the outstretched arm. The sword cut through around the elbow. Blood gushed out like a fountain as Sakon's arm dropped to the ground.
The man didn't stop, but attempted a roundhouse kick. The attack was slow, but Naruto still bothered to dodge by twisting around, while sidestepping it. He fully turned on the right side of the Sound shinobi and mercilessly swung his sword in an upward swing, raising toward Sakon's high leg. There was no resistance as the blade sliced through Sakon's leg just above his knee.
This time, he let out a pained grunt, and without balance, started to fall backwards and as more blood flowed out of his body through the unclosed taps. Naruto made an attempted to dismember him while he was falling but Tayuya flashed behind him in a blur.
He smirked.
"Predictable," he muttered, twisting around in a blur before Tayuya's high foot could even reach him. He caught the kick with his left hand, gripping it tightly around the ankle. He strengthened the grip, slowly crushing her bone.
A pained cry escaped from Tayuya's mouth.
She lifted her other foot and then attempted deliver a heavy attack on his shoulder. But Naruto lazily swung his sword, cutting her leg above her knee.
"Son of a bitch! Fuck you!" Tayuya swore loudly. "Arrrg!" She cried when crushed her leg. The sound of her bones snapping sent a shiver, complemented by immense pain down her spine.
"Arrrg!" The horrors were not over. A tail pierced through her abdomen. It caused her to spit out blood. As she was falling, instead of swearing, she spat a mouthful of blood toward him. The blood splattered around his chest, but was burnt off by the Kyubi's chakra.
The chakra around him disappeared, and he held himself. He felt a little weary but he could still fight even Jiraiya if the Sannin demanded a fight—he would nonetheless not engage in that battle if he had a choice.
He took a step toward Tayuya the Mangekyo Sharingan slowly spun anti-clockwise. "Know despair as you breathe through your wounds."
She screamed, her hands on her head. Whatever remained of her, she was screaming, rolling around the ground.
'I'm nothing compared to you.' Kurama said with a cold laughter. 'You're taking your anger on the wrong people.'
Naruto didn't reply, not because he didn't want but because Jiraiya had suddenly landed. He turned around to face the Sannin.
Jiraiya had seen worse scenes. But this scene sickened him. The sight of a girl rolling around while clutching her head, both her legs severed from her body was just gruesome and unnecessary suffering. She was eventually going to die due to blood loss, why make her suffer like that?
He stared at Naruto. The blond wore a cold expression Jiraiya had not seen before. None of that mirth that existed before. It was just a frightening coldness.
"Was this necessary?"
Naruto sneered. "I have no mercy for people who walk around causing pain and suffering to others. They were trash produced by your former friend. It offends me that you'd have pity for them."
And he really did seem offended. "You were not like this at the exams. Brutal, but not this murderous."
"Time and place," he shrugged with indifference. "Besides, you don't simply kill people for the sake of killing them. The exam was a different setting. But these people were trash. I was merely rooting out waste from the face of this world I want to love."
Jiraiya chose not to pursue the subject. He'd mot thought the blond was innocent. But he now knew, he was capable of the unspeakable, even if it was directed to certain kind of people.
"Where is Orochimaru?"
"Up ahead… fleeing."
"I'll deal with him." The Sannin said confidently. "You leave here. Danzo has taken the reigns in Konoha. It is only a matter of time before he comes to you to turn you into his weapon." He smiled bitterly. "And I'm afraid, you'd fit in just perfectly."
Naruto's only reaction was a raised eye brow. "We had a deal. I stopped the Jinchuriki from transforming and even killed Kabuto for you. Now, I can go after Orochimaru."
"If it was the Sandaime, you would be free, but this is Danzo. I can only tell you to flee and avoid capture until I ensure he doesn't stick around in the old man's office for too long." The Sannin then glared. "But in the event you turn on Konoha, I will correct things myself."
Naruto's cold expression finally broke—he smiled. "Loyalty to ones village is truly remarkable. I would commend, but for a man who desires peace, you're still questionable."
"What do you know about that?"
"What is peace, Jiraiya-sama?" Naruto asked in a casual tone. "The people around me desire it more than anything else. It is amazing what some people are willing to do for their ideals… even at the end of the day, it is all just misguided and an act of selfishness."
Nagato was willing to wage war and turn the shinobi world into a bloody place for the sake of his ideals. You could teach people pain without making them suffer. And to avoid this world, Madara thought to enslave it. People were just not good. They were all motivated by greed and selfishness. And for the sake of village, they did anything. Naruto wanted no part in a village that would slaughter even children for the sake of its peace.
A part of him did think he could thrive in this chaos. After all, in the chaos, you saw people's real expressions.
"It doesn't matter though. Go ahead, find Orochimaru and kill him. But once you're done, go to Otogakure. See in his hideouts, the evil things he did… and maybe one day, tell me if there is any peace in it. You claim to be a lover of peace, and you and your sensei allowed Orochimaru to do the things they did," Naruto turned away from the Sannin. "When you see them in the cages, chained up begging to be killed while being starved, know that it is your fault. Orochimaru fled Konoha, started a village. You all knew why he left Konoha. You knew his base. You got rid of him because of his crimes. But were quite content to let him do as he pleases, as long as it was not your people. So when you see it, ask yourself; are you a man of peace or a hypocrite."
An hour later
It was predictable that Jiraiya would be after him. But with Naruto on his tail, Orochimaru had considered that perhaps things would turn out differently. With Naruto, he could manage, but his fellow Sannin was a different animal altogether. When he'd felt his chakra presence, Orochimaru had stopped running. He was just wasting energy he could use to stop Jiraiya. He didn't need to kill his former teammate, just keep him from following him by any means necessary. As confident as he was, he was certain he wouldn't win if he decided to face Jiraiya head on given his current state.
He smiled bitterly, his sensei had done the worst thing possible to him. There was no worse punishment for a person like him than being unable to use all the Ninjutsu he learned all his life.
He turned around when Jiraiya finally arrived at his location. He smirked, "Took you long enough, Jiraiya."
"There was no rush," the Toad Sage said with a slight shrug. "Given your state, it was obvious you were not going far."
He wasn't heading to the direction of the Sound. It would have been suicidal to go to the same place where they would first look. It was something, just saying that, considering Orochimaru was the same overconfident person who thought he could destroy the Hidden Leaf, only to drop to the ground and slither away in humiliation.
"You have fallen low, Orochimaru. Attacking the village that made you? Sensei was always kind to you. He treated you like his son and you thank him by killing him?" There was anger in Jiraiya but no hatred. He figured it was the same way with their sensei.
"I didn't seem favourite to him when he passed me and gave Minato the Hokage position. Even you would have been considered."
"You never deserved the position. Should have known you were twisted from the go… but in our love, we thought we could change you?" the Sannin shook his head with disappointment.
Orochimaru didn't engage Jiraiya on this. "I expected you to come here angry. You'd always loved sensei more than us. Always the loyal dog. We all left but you remained…"
"Such tricks only work on children, Orochimaru. You should know better."
Orochimaru let out a cold chuckle and then hissed as he replied with hidden contempt. "Let us get this over with," he said. "But where is Naruto?"
Orochimaru didn't want the blond to suddenly appear behind him. It would be disastrous for his health.
"He went on other way," Jiraiya said. "I'm going to end you and do something that Sensei failed to do."
Orochimaru laughed darkly. "Can you Jiraiya? You seem to specialize in failure."
Jiraiya had failed in many things and that was a sore spot for him. He didn't think he had the legacy some people thought he had. He should have protected Minato. But he failed. He failed to protect Naruto and now, his sensei was gone. Worse, he now stood in front of someone he once considered a friend, having failed to turn him into the good side. He was indeed a failure.
But Orochimaru shouldn't be the one to say.
"Look at you? You went to Konoha with a right hand man, personal guards and army, you've lost all of it."
"They can be replaced," Orochimaru shrugged. "I am unlike you, Jiraiya," the Sannin hissed the past part.
"Indeed." Jiraiya closed his eyes. "That is why I must take responsibility and stop you here."
Konohagakure
Kakashi thought it was maybe karma or just some twisted logic of how things functioned in this world. Danzo was the same man who tried to have him assassinate the Sandaime Hokage. He was loyal and blew the whistle. And yet, the Sandaime did nothing against Danzo. He should have been hanged for treason, but Hiruzen kept it a secret.
Kindness, but the Sandaime failed to do what was needed and maybe, in his wisdom, had doomed the Leaf. And not just the Leaf, but the entire shinobi world. Kakashi had worked with Danzo long enough to know the man's operations.
Even if he ultimately ratted the man out, there was no fear of being killed or Danzo trying to sabotage him. If anything, his days of leisure would come to an abrupt end. Danzo wouldn't try anything to get him out—as long as he did his job and stayed out of politics.
"You have done well in one month than you have the entire time you trained Sasuke," Danzo said without emotion, sitting behind the Hokage's desk.
Kakashi thought the man was already comfortable and would likely pull all strings possible to remain in this position.
"I wish you could've done better before. We would have had a powerful tool," the acting Hokage continued. "There will be no more of the lazy attitude you adopted. You will of course not return to teaching duties. Your main duties will be to the village where your abilities will be best used. That is not going to be a problem..?"
"No, Danzo-sama," Kakashi replied in an easy going tone.
"Good." Danzo nodded. "I have a mission for you. I have already sent Jiraiya after Orochimaru and I expect him to return with his head. You will lead a team of Anbu to capture the Kazekage's children. They have yet to cross the desert. I sent a team to go after them and they are keeping tabs on them. The team is not strong enough. You will also be taking Sai with you."
It was just the hell Kakashi expected. Suna would either be forced to bow to Konoha or be destroyed. But with Gaara's abilities with the sand, Danzo wouldn't want to launch an attack. It was best to remove him before anything. Such actions would no doubt attract the Hidden Stone.
There would be no more peace, it would just be chaos and blood. The return of those bloody days. And there was nothing he could do. To do anything would mean a civil war. He pitied Sasuke. The young Uchiha would be forced into eternal hell. He would gain the power he wanted but it would come at a cost.
"I will prepare to immediately leave."
"This will be very important for future relationship with Suna. And it decides how we move. If we get the children, we force them to move without a fight. But if you fail, we will have to fight them."
"If they have reached the desert by now? They left much earlier."
Kakashi didn't want to get blamed for failing something he had no chance of succeeding in the first place. Danzo was capable of just anything. He didn't want to end up like this father.
"Nothing can be done if that is the case."
"I'll leave immediately."
Danzo merely nodded.
Konoha couldn't afford to lose the likes of Kakashi or precisely his Sharingan. If the Jonin started to misbehave, Danzo was going to get him killed and give the sharingan to someone loyal. For now, the Jonin's abilities were needed. He was a useful asset.
The only problem now was Amegakure. He couldn't boldly move without the Kyubi. Unless he first eliminated the other Bijuuu. But a risky business. He had to manage Ame. Hanzo was dead—and whoever was leading it had to be powerful.
Sai was in the office as soon as Kakashi left.
"You're going to observe Kakashi during this mission. You'll write a report and tell me how he behaves. Whether failure or success, you're to head to Amegakure." Danzo took out a scroll and handed it to Sai. "Show them this letter. I know infiltration using normal means is difficult. If they allow you in, you're to find out who the leader is and see if we can safely extract Naruto. If we can't get him, take measures to silence him. If they refuse you entry, just gather the information and return immediately."
"Hai."
Wind Country
Baki was relieved that the children were safe. But still sad the Kazekage was dead—because this was going to be a tough time for the Hidden Sand. They had betrayed an ally. Although they could claim they too had been betrayed as Orochimaru killed their Kazekage, he doubted anything would be fruitful for negotiations. At least, invading Suna was an difficult job. Once you got to the desert, anything could happen. Villages rarely made the attempt to assault—but how long would they last with them becoming Konoha's enemy?
He stared at the glorious sun and quickly looked away when its brightness torched him. Temari was fine. Her wound wasn't that deep. But he didn't know what awaited them in the Sand. Others were moving in behind, but the leaders would surely sacrifice his students to save themselves.
"This was a disaster," he said with a shake of his head. They were moving slowly, heading toward home with the peace of mind that they were already within the Land of Wind.
"Gaara was planned to make a huge difference," Temari said, glancing at her brother who'd remained silent throughout the journey.
They'd relied too much on his power. They'd even spent months preparing him before making a decision. Without question, if he had transformed, he would have given Suna an edge. But things turned into a disaster when it turned out Orochimaru had betrayed them. Either way, they would be known for their humiliating defeat.
"Yeah," Baki nodded. "That planning was for nothing. And to think Orochimaru would end up killing the Kazekage," he shook his head with disappointment.
But it was on them. They had chosen to trust a traitor. Of course, he would betray them at any moment. Baki thought Orochimaru did it because Rasa may have decided it was too dangerous to attack Konoha. Maybe Rasa had been dead through this time and never agreed to anything. He didn't know and it didn't really matter at the moment.
"Why do you think he did it?" Kankuro asked.
"Who knows?" Baki did not express his thoughts. "At any event, a tough road waits you three, especially you, Temari." Gaara wouldn't have it easy either. Nobody in the Sand really liked him for all the times Shukaku went on a rampage. And his own attitude as well.
But people generally feared him. At first instant, the Village Council was likely to offer Gaara to Konoha as a peace offering because they wanted to get rid of him. They couldn't really do as they wanted when be was around because of the fear of the power inside of him.
Temari smiled bitterly. As the Kazekage's daughter, she'd always known things could get difficult for her. For all her confidence and arrogance, what would she get? A reality check and a brutal destiny that she dared not even think about.
"Without a leader, it is just going to be chaos. Those who dared not make a move against us will now do it because our father is dead," Temari said bitterly. She was the older sibling but was powerless to protect her younger brothers.
"We will see what awaits us when we get there but this might just get blamed on us," Baki said and glanced at Gaara. "How were you able to keep Shukaku at bay despite being asleep?" He asked the burning question that made him jump into the finals stage when Gaara got knocked out.
It took a couple of seconds for Gaara to reply. And the response came without emotion. "He used Genjutsu on Shukaku."
"He can do that?"
Gaara didn't say anything but Baki thought he shrugged. It was the Sharingan. But Shukaku was inside a host. If Naruto could do that directly to the Bijuu inside of Gaara, it meant he could enter Gaara's mind. The visual prowess of the Sharingan was certainly frightening.
They travelled for about an hour without anything happening. Baki didn't worry about an attack because the desert was Gaara's home, anyone trying to attack them would simply become nourishment for the thirsty sand.
Their guard was only up when they sensed a powerful chakra speeding toward them.
Baki had the siblings stand behind him, but Gaara refused. He stood beside him, also taking guard and ready to attack whoever was coming toward them.
Naruto stopped in front of the group with a huge wave of sand behind him. He was sweating heavily and looked out of breath but the thing that stuck out was the dry blood all over him, including his face. The last time Temari had seen him, he also had blood in him.
"You…" Baki stared at the blond. "What do you want?"
Naruto smiled weakly. "I helped you people and you act this way?"
"There is reason to be cautious," Baki defended his actions.
"Well, of course, you can't trust a shinobi. You trusted one and he ended up murdering your Kazekage…" Naruto waved his right hand, speaking with an air of indifference. He closed both his eyes and kept them shut. Overusing Amaterasu really put a strain on them. If not for the Kyubi, he'd be lying under a tree somewhere. Bless being Uzumaki. But he too has limits. "I'll be joining you back to Suna. I think I'll stay in your village for a little while."
"Why? What do you want and why did you help us?"
"Questions for when we reach Suna," Naruto replied with a shrug. "There was a team of masked men keeping track of you. I assume they kept following you and were waiting for a team from Konoha. They also told me something interesting…" he then smiled.
It creeped out Temari because he was smiling like that, eyes closed. The dry blood on his face and all over him. It made her feel itchy.
"And don't mind the looks. I had to get a little dirty." He said, and let out a long breath. "I'm tired and not sure I can survive another day of this."
Baki frowned. If there was a team after them and they didn't know, it meant Konoha was indeed not going to lie down. Since he helped them, Baki loosened his guard—Gaara did not.
"What did they tell you?"
Naruto joined the group and started to walk slowly. He felt weary. Upon arrival, he was going to get some much needed sleep. He was sure he would be fine by tomorrow.
"Would they just willingly tell you?" Temari asked, glancing at him through the corner of her eyes.
"Well, I had to make them," Naruto said with a smile. "Danzo has taken charge of Konoha. And he wants the siblings captured. He's fine with two getting killed but as long as he acquires Gaara, he won't complain. The Team they were probably waiting for was with a heavy hitter. Anyway, they wont cross the desert."
"It is worse than I feared."
"Konoha will declare war on Suna." Naruto announced. "But don't worry, you have me. You asked me what I wanted. It is simple; I'm going to make you, Baki, the next Kazekage until one of them is able to take the position. Not Temari though… I'm going to marry her off to the Feudal Lord to get him to support Suna."
Naruto felt a killing intent from Gaara but ignored it.
"Like hell I'm getting married off. Who are you to even make that decision?!" Temari was shouting, glaring at Naruto.
"You don't have to take it so serious," Naruto replied with amusement. "I said the last part in jest. But as to who I am? Does it matter? I'm just a child who wants to understand why there is so much pain and suffering in this world and if it can be changed."
Baki felt he should ask.
"And if it can't?"
"Well," Naruto's smile became mysterious. "Who knows? Maybe things are fine that way and it is how things should be."
End of chapter
Obviously, the rods Naruto was using were just normal rods.
Thank you for your reviews.
Don't know when I'll update. I've got exams coming up next month. So, I probably won't update until Nov.
The Omnipresent Sage