Chapter 06

The dark night

People were leaving their homes. The majority didn't know what the reason was. Though there were some who had the idea. 'An exercise' was what they heard. But the elder of the civilians knew well enough that was not true. The ninja must've been expecting an attack. These few who could see through were afraid. But they knew it was for the best if they stayed silent.

So far everything was going well. Hiruzen knew that if the Death ninja were to attack now, the civilians would be save already. He looked ahead, towards the North Gate. He was experienced enough to tell there was evil far in the distance. The Death ninja were near. The shinobi of the Leaf were all mobilized. Fully armed and prepared to give their lives for their home. They were also nervous- afraid to fight. The reputation of the enemy preceded them.

"Lord Hokage!" an ANBU with a bird mask appeared in front of the elder man. "We can see the enemy! They are gathering at the East Gate!"

Hiruzen thought about it. So the enemy was about to strike. "Send unit 1, 2 and 5 there!" He ordered. Then he turned to another ANBU, who was wearing a raccoon mask. "Inform the evacuation units to join the battle as soon as they're done!"

The two masked ninja nodded and disappeared. 'So, it is about to begin.' Third Hokage thought.

And it started.

A huge explosion took place at the East Gate. The less experienced shinobi were starting to panic, while the others were ready to move out. The units at the place of the explosion were waiting, watching from a save place as the dust was falling. They could already see some movements. The ninja dressed in black uniforms with some armor were appearing. This was their cue. The Leaf ninja were throwing kunai at the enemy. The majority was able to easily deflect the projectiles, while there were some who fell dead. This was how the fight started. Soon the air filled with the sound of clashing metal. The Leaf came out of hiding when some jutsu were hitting the buildings. The yells and cries of the shinobi were all one needed to know how much terror there was. The smell of blood could tell what massacre it was. And the explosions could describe the power. Death was the only thing one can think.

Minato and his team were at Lord Third's side, waiting to join the battle. Why? Kakashi wondered? They knew who the enemy was. So why weren't they sent to the gate? Their comrades were there. Dying. He was about to move and fight the Death ninja.

"Kakashi! Stay at your post!" Minato said with a commanding tone.

The teen looked at him. "But, sensei… our comrades are dying. We should help them."

"Help them?" Kuromaru asked him. The silver haired boy hated whenever he spoke, since the guy only provoked him. "Are you actually thinking things through? Are you considering the possible scenario? What good are you going to be out there if you just use up all your strength before the main wave follows? Are you just going to kill yourself to prove how strong you are?"

"Shut up!" Kakashi yelled at him. "You don't know these people out there! You're not even from this village! So don't talk to me as if you care!" He was about to continue, wanting to shut the young man up. But Minato grabbed his shoulder, surprising him as well as getting his full attention.

"Kakashi. He's right." the Yellow Flash said. "We can't engage them with our full force, since it might not only make it harder for the wounded to fall back. It may also provide the enemy with a chance to wipe out the majority of our forces. Beside, think about them. If you enter the fight now, you may make them think you doubt in their dedication to protect this village. This is also their fight. Let them do their job."

Kakashi looked down in shame after he took in the last words. He thought of Obito. Is this how he felt at the similar situations? When he protected him, taking his opponent on himself, was it like crushing his pride? He looked at his sensei, to find there was pain in his eyes. Yes, it is painful. But he must stay at his post. He must be ready to fight when the right time comes.

"Besides, Sloth-face, there is something else." Kuromaru said, catching Kakashi's attention again. "Our scouts failed to find their boss. And from what I could learn, it would appear that only one general is there, while there should be all three. Meaning…"

"There is at least one more group ready to attack." Kakashi deducted.

And that was a cue. An explosion took place. Everyone waiting to join the battle looked to the west to find smoke rising. There was no question about it.

The enemy attacked from the only side where there was no entrance.

"Clever bastards." Izo murmured. "Minato-sensei! Should we go?" he asked. Minato looked at him for a second. Then he looked at Hiruzen, who was about to give an order.

"Minato! Take your unit along with unit 4, 6 and 7 to the west wall!" he ordered. "And don't worry! The Enforcers will be sent to assist you!" Minato looked at the man before he nodded. The blond signaled everyone to move out and they all disappeared. The Third Hokage felt disturbed. Their forces were actually poorly prepared for the attack from that side.

Then something caught his attention.

At the West Wall there was a huge pillar of flames. The flames so hot that the kunai melt as they neared them. The Leaf ninja could only wait for the flames to extinguish. But before that happened, something horrifying hit them. Something akin to black ghosts dashed towards them, whirling around each man and woman, making them all cry in fear and pain. In time they died. And as the last person standing fell, he came out. The man known as Shinikage entered the Leaf Village. This was ill news.

"Send seven squads out there and hold them!" Hiruzen ordered. And seven squads moved out towards the West Wall. Amongst the people were Kakashi and Rin. Minato wanted to join them, but the Third Hokage stopped him. "You might be needed here more than there, Minato. The rest of the enforcers is on the way."

The blond looked at the man with slight fear. He was worried for his team. But he knew he had to stay here. He nodded and turned to the gate, where the battle continued. Now the enemy was breaking through the lines. It was time to join the fight.

West Wall

A smoke as black as the night engulfed the wall. The fire turned the shards to ashes. The black army marched into the village borders. But it was actually just a group. One lead by one of the generals: Suffering. His steps were strong. His confidence unbound. His lord would be no doubt victorious. And no one would stand in their way. Now was the time to claim the prize.

"Spread out!" the general ordered. The soldiers jumped into the trees. But before they could reach them, some of them were taken down. This surprised Suffering. But not enough to make him loose his focus. He noticed three shuriken and two kunai coming his way just in time to block them with his gauntlet. "It would appear they sent more then we anticipated." He commented, seeing about a dozen ninja land before him. But Suffering was not worried. For he and his group had someone with them.

And that someone scared all of them.

"Do not let these pests disturb you, general." Shinikage said. They are little more than a distraction to us. Dispose of them." He ordered, as he dispersed into a black sludge. Then the general ordered his men to attack.

East Gate

The battle was long and bloody. People were being killed, forming piles of corpses. Agony and Decay entered the village, pushing everyone aside. With them here, the Black Army advanced a bit further into the Hidden Leaf Village.

Minato could see things going bad. "We have to go in." he said. Then someone's hand grabbed his shoulder. As the blond turned, he found a man about his age, with long, green hair and a goatee, wearing a haori over a black gi with a Niigetsu clan crest.

"And we will, Minato." Yamamoto said. "But we are not doing this without a plan first."

"That's right, sir." A new voice said. The newcomer was a young girl, 17 years old.. She had brown hair reaching down to her wait and was wearing a standard jonin suit and no sandals.

"Hitodama. You should stay out of this one." Minato said. But the girl growled at him.

"No way. I'm a member of the Shinobi Enforcers of the Burning Leaf. My duty is to protect the village right now and I will."

"Then you have a chance to prove yourself." Another voice said, which belonged to a very tall, muscular, elderly man, whose sharingan was blazing like stars in the cloudless night. As soon as Hyuga Hiashi, another man in Minato's age, joined them, he continued. "The Hyuga are set to defend the line, While the Uchiha will come in as back up. But we will handle the generals as of right now." He instructed them.

Then they jumped down and engaged the enemy army, breaking through the horde and reaching the two generals. The group was fighting madly, and the two Death ninja were able to hold their own against them. Minato tried on many occasions to hit them from behind, but they seemed prepared specifically for his flying thunder god jutsu. He jumped back away as they launched a strange fire style jutsu. Then the muscular Uchiha stepped in and launched a fireball jutsu at them.

"Lord Gin…!" Minato leaped towards him, as the Uchiha elder fell on his one knee. The man grabbed his shoulder.

"I'm… alright, Minato." He said, breathing heavily.

Minato was about to object his claim, when a Hyuga entered the battle field. "Lord Gin! Emergency!"

"What happened, Hitashi?" Minato asked.

"It's the Hokage Tower. There's been a break in. A group of Death ninja managed to enter the village and are now in the tower. Lord Hokage went there to stop them, But I fear the Shinikage is amongst the enemy group." He explained. Minato had a fearful expression on his face.

"Minato! Use your flying thunder god jutsu and transport us there." Gin said.

"But…" Minato tried to object.

"I'm about to die any day, anyway, Minato. So at least… let me die protecting this village."

Minato's eyes were filled with tears. The Uchiha with him was more to him than just a friend. Uchiha Gin was his mentor on occasions. An family figure. He remembered how he used to help him after his clan got attacked. Half his clan murdered, Minato was wounded and tired. As a kid, Minato escaped and was wandering the forest for days, before he was found by Gin. The man took him in and took care of him, before Third reported the blonde's grandparents and aunt had survived the attack. But even then, the blond and the Uchiha grew close. It was painful to the Yellow Flash to fulfill his dying wish like this.

But he respected his wish.

The two vanished.

"Looks like The Yellow Flash of the Leaf and The Priest Warrior of the Leaf decided to leave." Decay commented, as Agony smiled.

"What a pity. And here I wanted to have some 'fun' with the handsome one." She said, pulling out a katana. "Oh well. Guess these guys will have to do."

"Do not underestimate us, foul ones." Hiashi said. "We will chase you out of our village."

"Try all you can. It is futile." Decay warned them, building up chakra.

Hokage Tower

Minato and Gin appeared inside the tower, to find the place wrecked. As they looked around, they found the Third Hokage on the floor, beaten and bloodied. They examined him. Luckily, he wasn't seriously wounded. The old man would live. But disturbed them more was what he managed to whisper into their ears. The Shinikage was alone. And he beat not only the kage, but also the ANBU who were with him. Minato could not believe anyone could be this powerful. Even the Legendary three would have trouble fighting the hokage and his personal ANBU squad. His power was truly out of this world.

"Minato, come. We must stop him." Gin said.

"R-right." Minato nodded. But then he was stopped by Hiruzen's hand.

"M-Minato… wait." He said. "The man… who came with you… then, Ku… romaru… he was here… earlier. H-he's after… the ene-my…" he lost consciousness.

Minato's eyes widened in horror. The young man thought he could take on someone this powerful? The two hurried down the hall, hoping to reach the leader of the Death ninja. And to their horror, the trial of destruction lead to the vault. But not just any vault. This one held all kinds of maps and documents. They needed to hurry.

Whatever was this man after, could make him unstoppable.

To be continued…

A.N.: I know this chapter is rather short. And I was a bit down, so sorry for the late upload. Anyway, enjoy.