Chapter 14

Team 8- Mission: Vengeance

"Revenge is the common urge in the ninja world. But is the blood-for-blood worth it?"- Jiraiya, the Toad Hermit

Two figures were walking through the Dead Forest. The name was very simple really. Before the finding of the Ninja Village, this forest used to be beautiful. Sometimes referred to as emerald. But one day, a battle took place here. Now, it was not like any other battle that took place every day at the time. This fight was incredibly intense. And it was a fight of only two people. Yet the fight was worth six clans clashing. But none knew today who fought here. Some say it was Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara. Others say it was The Hyuga and the children of Muramasa the Tengu, if not the said man himself. Either way, the fight took days and resulted in this once marvelous forest being now dead.

Kakuzu and Hidan were only walking through this forest because it was the fastest way to The Hidden Leaf Village. The masked man wanted to get the bounty for Asuma. They have already lost two days due to Two-tails sealing. And Kakuzu was growing more impatient. Though as they were passing, they got the sense of someone sneaking up on them. And it was true. Shikamaru tried to capture them with his Shadow Possession Jutsu. But the Akatsuki were too fast. Then he threw two kunai with explosive tags, but it did not work. They were still able to dodge. After another minute he threw the next, which in reality were to pin their shadows.

But when he was about to finish the two off, the daggers have been removed. Turned out, Kakuzu could separate his arm, and possibly any part of his body.

"You took a while to analyze what you gathered on us and formulated a plan specifically to deal with us. I must say you know how to use your brain. Unlike my partner." Kakuzu commented, as his arm reattached. "However, even if you formulate strategies for ten possible scenarios, and ten more for each, there is still no way to prepare for every possible situation, even if you were to know everything about us. There are just too many factors for human brain to take into account."

Snarled at the comment. But couldn't argue with the man. There were indeed too many factors he did not take into account. He did not know all the abilities of these guys. Their battle experience. Elemental affinity. Combat style. Experience. Fortunately, Hidan was more predictable, seeing him in action and reaction to Kakuzu's comment. But the masked man was likely still holding back.

Choji was not going to see the extend of the guy's power though. He fell from the tree, using his Human Meat Tank Jutsu, crushing the poor fellow. He would finish the other one as well, but it turned out that Kakuzu survived. And was also very pissed off. He would've killed the young Akimichi breaking his neck, but that was when Ino interfered. She used a scroll-secured lightening jutsu, piercing Kakuzu's torso. The trio was smiling at the sighed, but it was short lived. The man was still moving. And then they learn how.

He had four tattoos on his back. No- these were masks. And they came out of his body, ripping apart his skin, muscles, spilling his blood and veins. Four masks came out, but only three of them were standing. Turns out, the man could split his body into separate living organisms, and also transplant the organs of other people into himself. He was virtually immortal because of that. After all, how do you kill a man who does not seem to have one heart but five?

But perhaps his partner was the greater threat. Shikamaru saw him decapitated just five days ago, and Hidan was still alive. These two were certainly the Akatsuki's most durable team. Real tanks.

And as Kakuzu proved throughout this fight, they were also heavy hitters. But most surprising was the number of elemental jutsu he could perform. Not two. Not three. But all five, and high level at that. And the duo's combat tactics were insane. Kakuzu would perform high level jutsu, which would cause mass destruction, and Hidan, taking advantage of his immortality, would provide distraction. Little to say, if the Dead Forest wasn't dead enough, it soon would become the Dead Plain.

After about an hour of dodging the two's attacks, the team finally separated. Shikamaru caught Hidan with his shadow jutsu and took him away from the battlefield. Unlucky for Ino and Choji, Kakuzu was more dangerous than they thought. At some point, Shikamaru must've executed his plan successfully, as Kakuzu lost another life. But his constructs then merged back with him, not only bringing him back to life but also turning him into a monster.

Which brings us to the present. Choji and Ino were sweating cold, watching Kakuzu stretching his muscles. All four arms, the additional head on their long necks. Tendrils came out from his arms, waving back and forth. He was clearly going to kill them.

"I must admit, no one has ever killed two of my hearts in one fight." Kakuzu complimented the young ninja. "That friend of yours really has a brain. With that forehead protector of yours he reminds me of the very first Leaf-ninja I fought- the First Hokage."

The information shocked the two. "W-what? Impossible!" Ino protested.

"That's right!" Choji cut in. "There's no way you could be this old!"

"Because I can transplant and substitute parts of my body on the tissue level, I was able to extend my lifespan to this day. My heart used to fail, I just replaced it with new one. My liver gave out, I just changed for a healthier one. My muscles were giving out, changed them." Kakuzu explained.

"You make it sound like you were changing your body into that of a teenager." Ino joke out of nervousness.

"That is one way to put it." Kakuzu said. "But this is still far from immortality. Which is nothing but a myth. After all, if even the gods can die..." He finished, giving them a creepy smile. At least The two believed it to be a smile.

"Well enough of that. Time to finish you off." Kakuzu said, making his two heads aim at both Choji and Ino. "But you should feel proud. You stood this long against someone like me. Fire Style: Wave Incineration! Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" He called, and the heads shot their respective jutsu, which merged into one, destructive force, heading towards the two members of Team 10.

"Ino! We need to take cover!" Choji shouted.

"Even if the rocks shield us from the blast, the heat will still kill us!" Ino analyzed, as she could already feel her body heating up, despite the jutsu was still a fair distance away. In short, they were already dead.

"Wind Style: Rasengan!"

"Water Style: ripping Torrent!"

"Typhoon Water Vortex Jutsu!" two voices shouted. And an attack came towards the one Kakuzu launched. When they met...

"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"

"Earth Style: Gravity Bunker!" Another set of voices called, creating a massive protective wall, over which the blast of colliding jutsu washed. Ino looked around to find a big group of people around her and Choji. She was shocked at first. But just like Choji, she eventually smiled full heartily.

"Guys..." The Akimichi cheered, as the stone wall collapsed. Around them were two teams. To their right were Team 12, and to the left were Team 7, though a certain blond stepped ahead of the whole group.

"Sorry we're late." Naruto apologize, glaring at Kakuzu. "We got a little side-tracked." He said, gesturing towards Sakura with his thumb. When the Yamanaka and Akimichi looked to the pink haired kunoichi, they saw her supporting someone.

"Shika!" Ino cried, racing towards him.

"He's fine, babe." Ryu commented with a cocky smile. "He's just exhausted mentally. Typical."

"You can joke later, wimp." Kuromaru growled. Then looked at the two conscious members of Team 10. "And you two..." he said, effectively stopping them in place. "You can talk to your comrade later. We've got an Akatsuki horse-ass here. So tell us what you know."

'Horse-ass?' Choji thought of what kind of weird name was that.

Ino began to explain Kakuzu's abilities. His elemental affinity, body manipulation, tactics.

"Did you get that, Naruto?" The Brute of the Leaf asked.

"Oh yeah." The blond answered.

"W-wait!" Sakura protested. "You heard what Ino said about this guy! And you're letting Naruto do this?"

Kakashi thought for a moment. "She's right, Kuromaru. Maybe I should go? Or better yet, we all should get him."

"You? Get me?" Kakuzu asked as if hearing a joke. Which was confirmed by his laugh. "You got to be kidding me. I used to find Uchiha Madara. The First Hokage. Their siblings. You guys are nothing but children next to me. The only chance you'd have to be a challenge to me would be if you guys were the champions of the Naraka Arena." He commented, causing everyone's eyes to widen.

The Naraka Arena. That place was known throughout the shinobi world. Nearly a legend. The most brutal fighting arena to ever exist. A hell on Earth. With barely anyone ever earning the title of arena's champion. According to legends, the arena had had only two people to ever earn the title- the first being Hyuga Hinata 300 years ago. But the rumors were that those who earned the title were the strongest shinobi in existence.

Kuromaru smiled sadistically. "Then I'm over qualified." He said. "I am the second Champion of Naraka." He said proudly, cracking his knuckles. "But then again, I think Naruto needs more exercise than me. Go get 'im, brat." He ordered.

"Rigth." Naruto said, stepping forward. Kakuzu took a closer look at the blond. Naruto was whole covered in dirt and bruises. And his cloths were torn.

"You want to battle me, kid." Kakuzu mockingly asked, before he snorted. "Puh-lease. You're all worn out. Why don't you go back to mommy, eat your veggies and go to bed? Leave the fighting to the real manly men."

In response, Naruto made about three shadow clones and had them scatter. Each tried to attack Kakuzu from a different side. One clone tried to strike from above using kunai. But the Akatsuki's Wind Head launched the pressure bullet. The other tried to flank him, but Kakuzu engaged him and quickly vaporized him. Then the third tried. He had his chance, but then the man's tendrils popped out and killed it.

"Was that the best you could do, boy?" Kakuzu mocked. "I didn't even had to separate my body."

Naruto just stood there, watching closely. "This guy..." Naruto murmured.

"Naruto? You okay?" Kakashi asked with concern, certain that the blond was scared.

"I sure hope this guy surrenders." Ganju commented. "I sure want to do some experiments on him."

"C'mon, Naru. Talk to us." Anko pleaded.

"THIS GUYS GOT THE LONGEST ARMPIT HAIR I'VE EVER SEEN!" Naruto panicked with disgust. Haven't that guy heard of hygiene.

"THIS IS NO ARMPIT HAIR, YOU IDIOT!" Kakuzu yelled back, obviously pissed.

But while he was fuming, Naruto was thinking. Thanks to the shadow clones, Naruto now gained their experience from fighting him. Now he knew about Kakuzu's reflexes and tactics.

"Alright. Let's do this." The blond said, making three clones. One stood ahead of the group, while the other two gathered next to Naruto, helping him with something.

No one knew what was Naruto doing until they felt it. The wind was becoming stronger and stronger. The electricity in the air was charging everyone's hair. Ino even stiffen a bit when something snapped her. Ganju's eyes widened at the reaction of the surroundings. It was as if a storm hit the place.

'Such raw power.' Kakuzu thought. 'I cannot allow myself to be hit with something like that... or I'll die for sure.'

After about another thirty seconds, the clones stepped aside, and Naruto lifted what appeared to be a powerful glow in an orb of raging storm clouds, moving around the light. Electricity was coursing through the clouds as well as channeling between the orb an Naruto's arm. The blond looked at Kakuzu with his eyes, which now had not black but yellow pupils.

"Storm Style: Rasendama!" he called. It took him a while, but he finally managed to create a storm style jutsu that did not require him to enter his Raiju Keitai form. Although, it was weaker like this.

"Get him." Naruto whispered, causing the clones to charge at Kakuzu.

The man managed to snap out of it just in time to kick one Naruto clone, who was rushing head-on. Two other clones tried to hit him from both sides, but the elemental heads were fast enough to intercept them. They did not last long. But where was the last one? Kakuzu turned around to find him approaching him. Naruto was about to hit him. There was no way Kakuzu could dodge this.

Apparently he did not need to. The jutsu dispersed.

"Damn it!" Naruto cursed out loud, before he stopped and started to jump away. The Akatsuki member realized what must've happened. The jutsu was either still incomplete or had a time limit. He whipped his tendrils towards Naruto, planning to catch him. Fortunate for the blond, he was faster.

"Damn it. The Leaf's most Unpredictable Ninja strikes again." Kakashi commented, face-palming. "I'm going in."

"Stay your ground, Kakashi!" Kuromaru said with authority in his voice.

"Are you kidding?" Sakura screeched. "That guy's going to kill him! Naruto failed again and you want us to stay put?!"

"I agree with Pinky, sensei!" Anko yelled. "Naru's in danger! We should help him!"

"And then what?" he asked with a growl. "You think that jumping in will actually help?" he asked, confusing everyone. "Sure. The kid's facing a guy more experienced in combat than him. But this is Naruto's battle. This is also his pride at stake. If we interfere just because his attack failed before actually hitting the target, we will hurt his pride. And for some warriors it is far worse than any physical wound. Besides, he's been travelling the world for years, no doubt still facing opponents years stronger than him. And without any of us to help him."

"But now he's here with us." Kakashi said. "He was always fighting alone because his team failed to be there for him."

"That's not the point, Kakashi. Even if you haven't failed at that, you can't be always there for the kid. There will be times when he will have to fight without you to back him up anytime soon. You only taught him that sooner than later. Now let him do this fight." The brute finished, leaving no room for further discussion. Kakashi narrowed his eyes in frustration. He wanted to set things right with Naruto. And now Kuromaru pointed out the sad truth of all battles- there are battles, when no one will back you up.

Naruto kept dodging the tendrils, the jutsu. Eventually, he hid behind a rock-like tree to catch a breath. He had to admit it. This Kakuzu was relentless. The blond took a few moments to take a breather, when he felt an uneasy feeling. He jumped to his left just in time to dodge a pressure bullet. Naruto looked at his left arm. The bandages were torn off, revealing his deformed, demonic arm. He growled. And looked up to find Kakuzu eyeing him, shifting his body into a new form. Now he appeared to have tentacle-like bat wings instead of second pair of arms. The heads relocated onto the sides of his head and the tendrils swapped on his back like countless tails.

"Now you are dead, boy." He said. "This is my strongest form. I can easily crush you." He said, before dashing at Naruto. "Who do you think you are to challenge me?" he threw a punch...

...which was easily caught by Naruto. This shocked Kakuzu. No one ever managed to do so when in this form. How was that possible? After a second, he noticed Naruto's body getting bulkier.

"Raiju Keitai." The blond whispered, as he activated his genetic ability. Then looked into Kakuzu's eyes with his own, which caused the man to feel fear. "I am Uzumaki Naruto. The shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village. Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tailed Fox. And..." he paused, as a devilish smirk formed on his face. This caused Kakuzu to feel uneasy.

"I am the Third Champion of Naraka!" he shouted, delivering a powerful blow to Kakuzu's midsection, sending him flying into the trees. Kakuzu not only got out of the debris, but shot out towards the blond, roaring all the way. And the two started to exchange blows. They both looked like blurs. After a minute, Naruto jumped onto the tree to catch a breath.

'I land more blows on him, and have definitely more stamina and endurance.' Naruto thought. 'Then again, this guy had more experience than me. I can't beat him like this.' The blond jumped down and created about five clones, two of which soon dashed towards Kakuzu.

"You think you can catch me with that jutsu?" Kakuzu figured. "Well guess again." He leaped upwards. Then shot his tendrils towards the group of three, shocking them. And they all got hit. Kakuzu smirked at the sight, only to be shocked by seeing all three were shadow clones. "What the fu...?"

He never finished. Behind him, three Narutos jumped at him, preparing the jutsu. But the Akatsuki member was not going to get himself hit. "Don't take me so lightly!" he yelled, using his wings. He destroyed the two clones, piercing the third. "Got you." Kakuzu smiled sinisterly.

Only for Naruto to smile back. "No." he said, grabbing the tentacle in an iron grip. "I got you!" he shouted, pulling the man with all his might. Kakuzu was shocked.

"He allowed me to hit him, ensuring I won't be able to dodge." Kakuzu analyzed. And got hit with the orb. When it hit him, it seemed to be spreading over his chest, until it vanished. Then Naruto kicked him away and, upon landing, ran away towards his friends.

Kakashi sighed. "Really, Naruto?" he said. "And here I was expecting your jutsu to actually do some damage. Guess you're not that much stronger than..."

EVERYBODY HIT THE DECK!" Naruto shouted, confusing them all. Kuromaru and Kakashi both started a hand-seal sequence, calling forth a stone wall.

"You truly think this pathetic wall is going to stop me?" Kakuzu asked, as he was approaching them. "This stone will fall like everyone who ever challenged m..." he was cut off by a strange sensation.

Kakuzu looked down at his arm. It felt numb. After a few seconds, an electricity ran between his fingers. Then a cut appeared on his stomach. Another numb. And this continued, until finally the feeling of discomfort got replaced by a different feeling: pain. Kakuzu shouted in pain as his body finally appeared to be engulfed in a vortex, which seemed to originate from him. This lasted for about a minute at least. Then things quiet down, allowing the two jonins to drop the jutsu. What they saw caused them to whistle.

"I can't believe the devastation." Ryu commented.

"Aww, I wanted to dissect that guy myself." Ganju whined.

Ino and Choji approached Naruto, the former using her medical skills to heal him, and the ladder supporting him.

"Gotta admit it, Naruto, you are a force to reckon with." Ino commented.

"Yeah. You may not be as smart as Shikamaru, but not too shabby." Choji commented, causing Naruto to chuckle.

"Don't compare me with him. It's unfair." The blond joked.

Kakashi eyed the destruction for a little longer. 'Such destructive power. That jutsu seemed to enter the opponent's body and began causing the damage from within. Even my sharingan could not tell what was happening.' Then turned to Naruto, who was trying to shake Anko off, before she could strangle him to death. 'He pressed forward even when facing an enemy he should have no chance with and did not give up until he found a way to land the blow. Naruto...' he paused, before smiling under his mask, 'You may have beaten me by luck on that day. But today I can admit it with pride. You have surpassed me.' He paused again, looking towards the sky, seeing the storm clouds gathering. 'Sasuke? Do you feel it?'

Kakashi stopped his musing and walked towards where he believed the remains of Kakuzu laid. What he found, was a still living husk of the man.

"H-how... can it... be...?" Kakuzu asked in disbelieve. You could tell by his voice he was barely alive and suffering. He was someone who'd be better off finished off, for mercy's sake. "F-for... me... t-t-to... to be... bea-ten... by-y... a... ki-d..."

"It is only natural for the next generation to surpass the previous." Kakashi said, activating his raikiri. "it is the way of this world. A relic of the past like you should have accepted that years ago." He said.

The landscape echoed with the sound of piercing.

Rain Country

Two weeks. That's how long it's been since the death of Kakuzu and Hidan, thought the former was believed to be still alive. But his body was never found. Even Zetsu couldn't find it, though he confirmed it was not in the clutches of the Leaf. The man with orange hair, numerous piercings and grey, ripple-pattern eyes looked down at the village he ruled. Things got complicated. But to make things interesting, people were talking. Apparently Sasuke killed Orochimaru and was now on the hunt for Itachi.

"What troubles you, Pain?" a feminine voice asked. The man looked back to find a blue haired woman approach him. Like him, she was dressed in the Akatsuki robes.

"I am awaiting the good news, Konan." Pain answered. Nothing more. Nothing less.

"Then you will wait a long time still." A dark, powerful voice spoke. Both Pain and Konan turned to find the familiar silhouette standing in the shadows. "Zetsu just reported to me everything. Even the death of Deidara."

"Deidara was one of our best operatives." Pain said. "To lose him was a strong blow to the organization."

"I must admit, Sasuke has proven to be dangerous if he was able to beat Deidara." The man commented. "That or Deidara to the very end did not take things seriously. Tobi on the other hand..."

"It's not like Tobi can be killed so easily." Konan commented. "You should know."

The silhouette chuckled. "Of course. Yet Uzumaki Naruto is also a great concern. He has created a powerful jutsu that killed Kakuzu. And he has gathered powerful allies. Capturing him will be no easy feat."

"Do not fear about that." Konan spoke, stepping forward. "Pain will capture him when the time comes. He has never lost a fight."

"Very well." The man commented. Then grabbed a cloak and wrapped it on himself. "I must attend to other things. Make sure things are going as planned. Inform the others to hurry with their Jinchuriki."

"Of course." Pain answered, as stoic as ever. And the figure moved towards the big 'hole' in the wall, towards the platform from which Pain watches the village.

"Soon. Soon all our goals will be achieved." He said passing between Konan and Pain. "And when they are, everything will be as it should be."

The rain started to fall, creating a light mist around. The thunders struck, illuminating the darkness that came before the night. The man stopped at the platform, as the wind waved his cloak, with the symbol of the Seven Lucky Gods Trading Guild wave. The man turned around, once more showing his face wrapped in bandages to Pain and Konan. Then, Lord Arata, the man believed to have been killed spoke.

"The true power of the sharingan. Which belongs to me, UCHIHA MADARA!" he said. A thunder struck again, covering Arata's, or rather Madara's form in shadows. And his right eye now blazed in a familiar blood red blaze. But the pattern then changed. It seemed more detailed.

Before another lightening could strike, Madara disappeared. Konan looked up at the clouds. "The heavens weep." She commented, before looking at Pain. "Pain? Are you...?" she never finished. Yet the man never stopped looking at the spot where Madara used to stand.

END

A.N.: I know, I know. But the latest chapters are really making me feel down. So I'll skip straight to the Pain Arc. I just don't feel the Itachi Hunt arc really. So I'm skipping to the next one while I still feel the fire for it. And yeah, I know Kakuzu's powers are different, but that's because they disturbed me for some reason. So please don't kill me... too brutally. Well, cya next time, I guess.