Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, all rights go to Kishimoto.
ITALICS: thinking
BOLD: demon talk/jutsu
Arc One: A Warrior's Path
Chapter Four
The sky was dark, and rain began to fall on the blood soaked ground. Soon, a clap of thunder was heard in the distance whilst a flash of lightning illuminated a figure in a tattered Iron Country samurai outfit. A figure, whom held his katana out to the side, looked down at the fallen opponent by his feet with a sneer on his bloodstained face.
"I am the master now, and nothing will stand in my way of revenge. I will be the one to change the samurai, I will be the one to conquer the Elemental Nations. No more Bushido, no more peace…the valleys will run red with the blood of my enemies, and the sky will weep as they realize the sins they have caused."
The figure spat on his opponent as another flash of lightning illuminated the two. The one that stood victorious had long blond hair which was set in a top knot, and cold blue eyes.
"Goodbye Harumasa, I do thank you for teaching me all you know, but alas I could not save myself from the darkness within."
Naruto suddenly woke with a gasp and a cold sweat. He immediately palmed his face and took a few deep breaths to calm his heart rate before he got out of bed and went to the kitchen for a glass of cold water.
"Aw, did someone have a bad dream?" Kyuubi taunted at the same time Yami laughed evilly.
Naruto's face was set in a scowl as he gulped down the water. Completely ignoring the fur ball inside of him, Naruto set the cup down on the counter and headed to his meditation garden in the attempt of emptying his mind of the horrid dream he just had.
"Oh, so the silent treatment" Yami said with an evil grin as he tried to insert more nightmares.
Naruto took a deep breath which managed to keep them at bay. An act whixh made Yami scowl in disgust.
"I don't get you my other half, why not take revenge on those who treated you harshly? Don't you want the blood on your fingers, to taste that oh so lovely coppery taste?" Yami smiled, showing his large canines. "C'mon…deep down you know you want it."
Naruto opened his eyes with a sigh and stuck out his right pointer finger as a butterfly went by. Sensing Naruto's calm aura, it gently landed on his finger, an action which made Naruto smile warmly. However, a short while later the butterfly had other plans and calmly flew away. With this, Naruto went back to meditating.
"In order to feel freedom, a butterfly must stretch its wings and learn to fly." Naruto said out loud, but it was enough for his two tenants to hear.
The silence in his mind made Naruto smile and have an easier time focusing on the task at hand. All the while, Yami and Kyuubi simply looked at each other in confusion as they pondered at what those words truly meant. Although they didn't make much sense to them now, in the near future they would return full force. A future where the Kyuubi would have to make the biggest choice of his life.
As Naruto meditated, he thought about what has happened since he had that dinner almost six months ago. It involved a lot of training, particularly in the Seiza sword stances, and a lot of D-rank missions so that he could further seek the answer to the phrase "know thyself." One such event, which Naruto dared not forget, happened last month on his birthday.
Flashback – October 10, Naruto's 8th Birthday
The bell jingled above the door as it was opened and, as Naruto stepped in, he saw his master fixing up an old set of samurai armor. Seeing Fukui so busy made Naruto think twice about introducing himself like usual. Instead, Naruto simply walked up and eyed one of the essential pieces of what makes a samurai. The armor, consisting of 10 pieces, were all constructed of bamboo, cloth, and metal which was painted red.
There was the helmet which had metal plates that hung off the sides. These were called the nape guard. Next was the chest piece, or the cuirass; multiple tassets hung from the bottom which consisted of more red, metal plates. There was sleeve armor which had hand guards, greaves or shin guards, a thigh guard which was half cloth, half metal plates, and lastly was the shoulder armor. (1)
Fukui smiled as he saw Naruto looking over the armor, "I see this outdated armor has caught your fancy, my student."
Naruto nodded while he returned the smile, "Hai Master, but I thought I wouldn't get armor until I finished my training?"
"You are correct my student, but this armor is special." Naruto cocked his head in confusion. "This armor was mine when I was your age."
Naruto's eyes widened as he knew what day it was; his birthday.
"I can't take this as a gift…it's yours, you earned it not me!"
Naruto shook his head and put his hands up in a 'no' gesture as he spoke then went behind the counter to pick up the armor he wore before. As he was reaching, Harumasa grabbed Naruto's hand which made the samurai in training look into his master's eyes. They were filled with happiness and warmth.
"Please Naruto, you have far surpassed my expectations and I want you to wear this proudly like I did so many years ago."
After another glance at the armor, Naruto acquiesced and accepted the gift which made Harumasa smile. But the retired samurai was not done. He reached under the counter and pulled out a new set of clothing. It was a light blue hakama (pants), and a dark blue hitatare (robe) which had spiral like patterns on it with tan highlights at the end of each sleeve, the bottom of the robe, and up the middle.
Naruto was astonished. So surprised, in fact, that he took the articles of clothing with shaky hands and tears of joy in his eyes. After giving the boy a moment, Fukui ruffled Naruto's hair with a small chuckle and told him to change. Once done, he helped Naruto put on the armor which took about 15 minutes to do. Afterwards, Naruto went to the back room and looked in the mirror with a smile.
"I hope you are looking at me dad, mom…I bet you would be proud of what I have become."
Fukui couldn't help but let out a few tears of his own as he saw his old armor in use again.
"Take good care of that armor my student, as we will be travelling to Iron Country in less than a year. Perhaps sooner, depending on how the wind of change blows."
Naruto's eyes turned cold as he faced his master then nodded sternly as he knew of the approaching storm. Although slightly nervous, he was prepared to do what he must to ensure his village would stay safe.
"I may lose my innocence, master, but in order to know who I really am, it must be done."
It was this statement which made one Fukui Harumasa certian that his student was ready for the long trip ahead, and the final leg in his samurai training.
Flashback End
As Naruto paused in reliving one of the memories he has had over the past six months, he noticed that multiple butterflies had landed on him. Naruto chuckled to himself and assumed that the calm aura he exuded, thanks to his Ki, was the meaning of this. After another fifteen minutes, Naruto opened up his eyes and looked at the butterflies that were on him as well as some which fluttered about. As Naruto waved his hand to shoo them away, he thought of the words he gave his tenant and dark half.
"I am not ready to learn to fly, my wings are not developed. My glass is half full. Much more must be done before I can take flight."
Naruto stood and arched his back, which made it crack in several places, then headed inside to put on his armor. There was a certain aura in the sky today, one which was foul and made Naruto want to retch. However, he held his stomach and went to his armor rack and began to put the pieces on. As he did, he thought back to the aura and couldn't help but frown as he knew that today would be the day that all innocence would be lost.
Once his armor was secure, and his bokken firmly affixed to his right side, Naruto headed out to the place where the aura was the strongest. Although the sun began to rise over Konoha, it would bring no warmth as the icy grasp of the Shinigami hung in the air.
Uchiha District
Fugaku, who had just woke up and was about to fix himself some coffee, heard a knock on his door which made him grumble something under his breath. As he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes, the knocking came again.
"Just a moment!" He yelled, not happy at not having his morning cup of joe.
Once the clan head opened the door, he blinked in shock at the sight in front of him.
"N-Naruto, is that you?"
Naruto nodded and smiled, "May I come in Fugaku-san? I have a few questions to ask, if you don't mind."
Seeing Fugaku allowing him inside made Naruto bow. Once the door closed, he was motioned to the kitchen table.
"Please sit, Uzumaki-san. Would you care for some coffee?"
Naruto was about to respond when he felt multiple signatures heading this way; each had very cold and dark Ki. Hearing no response, Fugaku looked back and was taken aback at Naruto's cold eyes. Eyes that no eight year old should have. As the clan head was about to speak, Naruto held up a hand as he stood.
"Raise the alarm, enemies are heading this way."
Fugaku raised an eyebrow than waved the threat off. "I'm sure those are just some clan members practicing early in the morning. There's nothing to worry about."
Naruto looked at the clan head stoically. "If you value the life of your clan and this village, you will heed my words, Uchiha-san."
Without warning, four shuriken crashed through the nearby window which Naruto blocked with his bokken. Fugaku got his answer and quickly rushed outside and blew a massive fireball in the sky.
As the sounds of fighting and the screams of the wounded and dying started to compound, an explosion was heard in the distance. Naruto knew that place all too well, and he clenched his fists in anger though he heeded Fukui's teachings and quickly calmed himself. His mind, however, was a different story.
"First they dare attack Konoha, and now they have the gall to try and destroy my father's home!"
Naruto, having none of it, quickly became emotionless as he remembered everything he was taught. As he walked out the door, Fugaku couldn't help but shiver at the overwhelming aura Naruto was exuding. It was angry like a storm, yet calm as a gentle breeze. Fugaku didn't need to be told what to do, his family came first and, if Naruto's demeanor was any indication, so did Konoha.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you are to come with us." Naruto looked to the two ANBU to his right who just appeared. "Failure to do so will result in your harm."
"Of course Danzo would want me, but he made one grave mistake." Naruto sheathed his bokken and was ready to fight, but he was slightly nervous as he hadn't gotten to the second set of sword katas yet. "You have attacked my home and, for that, your death will be swift."
"You have attacked my home, and for that, your death will be swift."
Hokage Tower
Hiruzen just got into his office in order to discuss the medic program and what the spy network had picked up with his two students. However, just as they were to sit down and begin, a massive fireball was seen in the sky followed by an explosion at the Namikaze Estates. Hiruzen slammed his fists on his desk which made it crack as did the walls when he exuded raw killer intent which brought the hidden ANBU to their knees; Jiraiya and Tsunade not fairing much better.
"Jiraiya, head to the Namikaze home with some ANBU. Tsunade, make sure the hospital is ready to receive the wounded. ANBU, evacuate the civilians to the shelters and order all available shinobi to two sectors; the Uchiha district and the Root Base." Hiruzen emotionlessly ordered as his eyes hardened like steel. "Any remaining ANBU come with me as Danzo and I have an old score to settle."
Root Base
Danzo smiled as he saw his most loyal agents kneeled in front of him; Torune and Fu.
"The Operation has begun Danzo-sama. Your orders?" Torune stated emotionlessly.
"As a matter of fact, yes." The War Hawk said as he begun to pace the room. "You two will help me burn any evidence and then we will make our escape."
Fu nodded and was about to ask for dismissal when an explosion which ripped through the complex. Not long after, the sounds of fighting was heard which prompted Fu and Torune to protect their master at all costs. However, from the smoke came one person, one which made Danzo clench his fists in anger. It was Sai, followed by a small army of ex-Root members.
"Your days of tyranny are over Danzo!" Sai stated as he pointed his tanto at the elder. "By the end of today, you will no longer be amongst the living."
"You wretched beast! I gave you everything; a father figure, a bed to sleep in, food, and training…AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME!"
Sai's eyes narrowed as he watched Torune and Fu getting ready to strike, then shifted back to his former master.
"Yet you were the one to kill my parents and my brother Shin…some father you turned out to be. I will be glad to remove you from this world. You are but a plague that needs to be eradicated." Sai had said his peace and got in a ready stance. "Come Danzo, let us commence the dance of death."
Danzo didn't hesitate and quickly took out the hidden blade from his cane before ordering Fu and Torune to attack the ex-root behind Sai. Soon, the only ones in the room was master and former student. With a yell, both started their dance.
The rebellion had just begun.
Uchiha District
Naruto dodged the emotionless drones' taijutsu strikes with an elegant grace, the multiple Aikido training sessions were paying off. To Naruto, it was almost like a form of dancing. Parry a blow with the forearm then duck under a kick, back-roll to make some room then jump up and repeat the process. After a minute of this, Naruto decided to go on the offensive. His eyes narrowed and he took a deep breath as he knew these opponents could kill him if he made one wrong move.
Naruto rushed in and ducked under a sword slash while using his armor on his forearm to block the other assailant's strike. Using the anatomy books he read, Naruto slid under the Root agent to his left, turned and kicked the back of his knees which made him fall to the ground. Before Naruto could capitalize, the other agent attempted to stab Naruto in the head. Without a thought, Naruto quickly drew his bokken and blocked the strike.
Seeing the slight hesitation, Naruto took this and parried his opponents' blade then rammed his right shoulder into the agent's solar plexus. As Naruto pondered his next move, he forgot about the agent he kicked in the back of the knees. It was close, but Naruto managed to duck just as the sword passed overhead which made a few blonde locks of hair fall to the ground.
Naruto and the Root agents, one in front of him another behind, stood silently as they pondered their next move. It only lasted a few moments, but it felt like an eternity. Suddenly, the agent in front attacked but used a shunshin to appear right in front of Naruto, his tanto poised to strike the samurai in training in the heart. For Naruto, time slowed to a crawl as the blade came closer and closer. For the Kyuubi, he could only watch with slight fear in his eyes, an emotion he hadn't felt in many years.
"Is this how I die?" Naruto thought then remembered what he was fighting for. "I cannot die here! This is my home, the one my parents gave their life for when the Kyuubi attacked; and now…it is my job to ensure that no more blood needs to be spilled this day."
The Root agents watched with awe as Naruto bent backwards with feline like grace to dodge the blow. The agent behind Naruto was so amazed, that he never had time to dodge his partner's sword which entered his heart. Not looking a gift horse in the mouth, Naruto roared and plunged his Ki enhanced bokken through the chest of the agent that tried to kill him.
Time stood still for Naruto as he realized what he just did. His hands shook, his eyes filled with tears as he looked at his blood stained hands, and his breath shuddered. Naruto played this scenario many times over in his head before this day, but to actually go ahead with the deed was another thing entirely.
Yami grinned as he knew that now was the moment to strike, a grin which he gave the Kyuubi behind the cage.
"Go on Kyuubi, the time is now to take over your host…show him the power which you exude."
Kyuubi looked at Yami, then the state of his container, then back at Yami again. The bijuu's mind was torn. It could either take control of his host in his weakened state, or help the one that reminded Kyuubi of its father; the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. Kyuubi looked Yami in the eyes, and made its decision.
"Maybe I could take over my host, but maybe, just this once, I will help the one that reminds me of the one who gave me life."
"You stupid, mangy, deluded fool!" Yami stormed up to the cage and bashed against the bars. "Can't you see the opportunity in front of you! You have the chance to burn Konoha to the ground like you tried so many years ago!"
"If you only knew the truth of what happened on that night, your thoughts would be much different." The bijuu narrowed his eyes at the peon beneath him, not amused in the slightest.
Yami, although slightly confused, knew that the beast in the cage far surpassed him in power. So, with an irritated growl, he stomped off into the recesses of Naruto's mind. Now that he was gone, it was time to get to work. Kyuubi sighed, still not believing he was doing this, and made a mental link with its container.
"Snap out of it you stupid mortal!"
"K-Kyuubi?" Naruto stuttered, his shock turning into into slight anger. "What do you want…decided to take over me in my weakened state!"
Kyuubi grumbled in annoyance before he spoke in his usual tone, "No, quite the opposite. I will help you, but just this once. You have yet to earn my trust, but do well this day and just maybe I will tell you the truth on what happened the night I attacked your home village."
Naruto couldn't say anything. How could he when the bijuu you were housing for 8 years hated your guts then suddenly decided to help.
"And the catch?" Naruto stoically responded.
The bijuu's eye twitched in anger, but then realized where Naruto was coming from. It was here that Kyuubi showed Naruto a side which not many saw.
Compassion.
"No catch Naruto, just protect this village and this Nation, and maybe show others the path to peace; just like my father tried when he created me and the others."
Naruto's eyes widened, "The Sage of Six Paths."
Kyuubi nodded in its cage, "I will give you a fraction of my power so you can carry out what you were trained to do. Show the others what the samurai are all about."
Naruto saw the fox smile in its cage which took him off guard slightly. However, it was enough for another Root agent to appear behind Naruto, ready to behead him. Just as the tanto made its downward stroke, a red haze started to cover Naruto which made the blade stop in its tracks. The agent watched as her target stood and turned to face her; the sight of which made three words come out of her mouth. It was the name of a legend that had just begun.
"Akuma no Senshi."
Root Base
Danzo shot out an Air Bullet which Sai expertly dodged. Before the War Hawk could get another attack off, Sai drew a tiger and made it attack his ex-master. Sadly for Sai, Danzo sliced the beast in half turning it into ink once again. For the first part of the fight, both initiated an intense taijutsu bout with both not gaining any ground. Now, it was an anything goes. Sai, however, knew he wasn't strong enough to defeat his old master so he resorted to the underhand tactics which he was taught. Before the fight, Sai had made many ink clones. Some were mixed in with those fighting while others hid in the shadows. These would be used to his advantage in the hope that he could kill the War Hawk in front of him. After dodging another Air Bullet and a swipe of the cane sword, Sai took a page out of the Seven Swordsman's playbook by using his Ink Mist Technique to cover the area. Thanks to this, the ex-Root agent switched with one of his hidden clones just as Danzo started to hacking away at anything that Sai threw at him.
"Do you honestly think this cheap trick will work?!" After some hand signs,"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
As the wind started to disperse the ink cloud, the clone rushed in from behind ready to stab Danzo in the heart. However, the Root leader wasn't a Kage for nothing. He expertly dodged the strike and smashed his right elbow into the clone's nose which made it disperse. Another clone rushed in soon after, but drew a massive amount of animals just as the other hidden clones and Sai were doing the same.
They all finished at the same time.
"Super Beast Imitating Drawing!"
Multiple tigers, bears, wolves, and other predatory creatures attacked Danzo which made the man scoff at the feeble attempt. Although old, Danzo dodged and slashed with precision. However, once a couple tigers managed to draw blood, he had had enough and quickly summoned Baku.
Sai cursed mentally as he saw the strange beast, even more so when he and his clones creations started to get sucked in. Using this, Danzo unleased his Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves which cut anything it its path. Sensing the danger, Sai tried to switch with a clone from the outside but was too late. As the artist was sucked towards Baku, he was sliced deeply by the attack. The screams of pain made Danzo turn and look upon his subordinate with an evil smile.
"Sai, Sai, Sai…I am deeply disappointed in you. Attacking me all alone? I thought I taught you better than that?" He taunted and poised his hidden blade to end Sai's life.
Sai looked up but couldn't speak. The pain was too much, and the amount of blood loss he was experiencing made him understand that death was around the corner. As Danzo raised the blade, Sai closed his eyes and waited for the end with a smile on his face.
"I'm coming home Shin, mother, father."
A clang sound interrupted his thoughts which made Sai open his eyes to see what had happen. To his surprise, he saw the Sandaime Hokage with 20 ANBU at his disposal. The blade that was going to end it all was held in Hiruzen's hands thanks to hardening his skin with earth chakra. Danzo traced his eyes up the arm and into Hiruzen's cold eyes which made the elder flinch.
"Some of you take Sai to Tsunade ASAP. The rest of you, help the rebellion. Danzo and I have an old score to settle." Hiruzen harshly said, his cold stare bored into Danzo's demented one.
"Ah Hiruzen, how nice to…"
"Cut the shit Danzo" Hiruzen interrupted in a veteran like tone. "I have been lenient in the past with your actions, but no more. It ends today, our friendship is officially over."
Hiruzen released the cane sword which made Danzo sigh, then he stepped back so as to give his old friend some room before they started their bout. As the Sarutobi summoned his good pal Enma, Danzo had one last thing to say before all hell broke loose.
"This was a long time coming old friend…out of all the opponents, I respect you the most even though your actions in the past were questionable at best." He sighed at the end and held his cane sword at the ready.
The Sandaime nodded at Enma who transformed into an Adamantine Staff.
"Truer words have never been spoken Danzo…shall we begin?"
Danzo dismissed his summon and decided to fight like the past when he and Hiruzen would spar. The two now enemies let out a battle cry as they attacked.
A fight between two Kage level shinobi had begun.
Uchiha District
The Root agent shook in fear at the figure in front of her. He had blood red eyes with a black, feline pupil, elongated canines, and an aura that screamed death. Naruto looked at his blood soaked bokken then at the tanto on the ground nearby. He flicked the blood off his training sword, sheathed it, and picked up the weapon that was used against him not so long ago. Again, Naruto started into the fear filled eyes of his attacker and, with a voice that sounded like a mix between his own and Kyuubi's, Naruto said his decree before he vanished in a blur.
"You are but one of many. Begone!"
The next thing the Root agent saw was darkness as her head was cleanly severed from her shoulders. Naruto appeared behind his opponent with his tanto outstretched, no blood was present on the blade. As he vanished to other parts of the District, Fukui watched in curiosity and slight fear.
"Hmm, so has Kyuubi decided to help my student, or will it use this to help gain ahold of Naruto so that he can be taken over in the future?" After a brief moment, Harumasa smiled. "I am simply overthinking, my student will prevail."
"Halt!" yelled a Root agent as others ran behind him to intercept.
The retired samurai simply vanished and reappeared in front of the 20 Root agents. The one behind Fukui suddenly fell forward without a head which made said agents back away in fear. Seeing his opponents back away made the samurai hum an eerily happy tune as he walked towards the group without fear. As he did this, he grasped the umbrella on his back and opened it once it was raised above his head.
The agents were now confused.
"Nice weather were having. Did you know it's going to rain today?"
"What are you on about, there's not a cloud in the sky!" One of the agents responded, but soon got his answer by an explosion that rained down blood and body parts.
Once the storm passed, Harumasa closed the umbrella, and suddenly skewered one of the agents in front of him. Before the Root agents could react, the elder samurai drew his katana in a blur and slowly sheathed it as he walked away. Once it locked into place, the rest of the agents fell into bloody chunks. Like when he advanced towards the agents, Fukui walked away still humming that eerie tune. For the ANBU that appeared beside him, such a tune did not sit well with their gut and began to wonder if Fukui was sane at all.
"Um, Samurai-san, did you have to be so messy?"
"Did you know that we are in a war?" Harumasa quipped, his smile still present.
The ANBU cleared his throat, "Right…sorry samurai-san, but seeing you in action for the first time is impressive to say the least."
Said person simply nodded then watched as a red blur shot by which made him chuckle.
"Ah Naruto, I wonder how your mind will be after this day is done. Perhaps I will have to talk to your darkness myself to ensure that our trip will be uninterrupted."
With Naruto – Earlier
Naruto appeared beside Fugaku and Itachi whom looked at the red aura around him with slight fear as they thought the Kyuubi took over.
"Is that you, Naruto, or the Kyuubi?" Fugaku asked then took a few steps back as Naruto turned to him and smiled to show off his fangs.
"This is all me Fugaku-san…Kyuubi has been helpful for once in my life."
Naruto suddenly ducked under a punch, then grabbed the offending appendage and brought it down on his knee. It broke with a sickening snap. Naruto threw the broken arm to the side which made the assailant stumble, something which Naruto capitalized on. He thrust his fist into the opponent's stomach, but instead of stopping, it went straight through. Naruto blinked in shock then took his hand out with disgust written on his face.
"Yuck." Naruto bent down and wiped his bloody hand on the person he just killed then stood and looked towards the two Uchiha. "Well, are you going to join in on the festivities or are you just going to sit there catching flies?"
Naruto chuckled at the end due to seeing the jaw-dropped expressions Fugaku and Itachi was giving him. After no response, Naruto calmly walked to a nearby clearing, and sat in a seiza position as he sensed incoming enemies. As he waited, Itachi shook his head in mirth.
"Just eight years old and he already can kill ANBU…and with impressive speeds nonetheless."
"But how will his mentality be after today?" Fugaku responded, a sigh escaping his lips.
Itachi winced knowing how he was when he first killed; it took a week before he came to grips with what he did. Before he could respond, more enemies shunshined in which prompted another fight to break out. While they fought, they saw Naruto surrounded by five Root agents and began to worry. That worry, however, turned into shock as Naruto snapped open his eyes and bifurcated the agent in front of him, his sword being but a blur. Naruto then finished his Seiza kata by stabbing the enemy to the right, ducking under an attempt to behead him, then slashed upwards at the Root agent that was coming in front of him. Sadly, that's when the good news ended.
The remaining two Root agents managed to stab Naruto in the back, barely missing his spine. As Naruto roared in pain, the red aura around him grew stronger to the point where the village could start to feel it. Luckily for Jiraiya, he was done at the Namikaze Estate. Without warning, the two agents were killed with a punch to the back of the head, and a seal was slapped on Naruto's forehead which made Kyuubi's aura vanish. Before Naruto passed out, he looked at his Godfather's face with a smile and uttered a few words.
"Kyuubi…helped…me…"
Jiraiya sighed as he lifted his godson bridal style, then handed him over to Fukui as he appeared.
The samurai bowed, "Thank you Jiraiya-san, I will ensure that my student gets plenty of rest."
The Toad Sage nodded with a smile, "He did good out there, but the fact Kyuubi is now helping Naruto is troubling to say the least."
"Hai." Harumasa said sternly, "But I will be checking on my own to see what its true intentions are." He paused then spoke again, this time in a calm, sage like, tone. "And don't worry about my student's injuries, they will heal soon enough; scars are what make a boy become a man."
With that, master and student disappeared which left Jiraiya and the others to finish fighting which wouldn't take long to do. By afternoon, all the fighting was done and whispers of Naruto's talents soon spread across the village and into the Elemental Nations.
Root Base
The rebellion was basically over as the remaining loyal Root eventually surrendered, but that didn't stop the ones who started it with Sai, however. They stayed to watch the fight between their old master and their Hokage as witnessing one of these was rare. In fact, the fight left them speechless as they had no idea that a shinobi could become that powerful. Booms could be heard on where the blows landed, but those who fought would be all but a blur. Suddenly, the group watching had to disperse as the Sandaime launched a Fire Dragon Bullet towards Danzo. Thanks to the War Hawk having almost complete mastery of wind, he was able to snuff the attack out and use the built up wind to launch a massive Wind Sphere at Hiruzen. Like a true Kage, he never flinched and calmly raised an Earth-Style Wall to block the attack. Once the dust had settled, Danzo and Hiruzen met in the air as they jumped.
The Sandaime tried to slam his staff into Danzo's stomach, but the Root leader managed to use it as leverage. However, Danzo forgot one thing; the staff was a transformed Enma. The Monkey King made his hand come from the staff, and caught Danzo by the leg. It was here, that Hiruzen and Enma coordinated their attacks. While Enma threw the Root leader in the air, Sarutobi smashed the staff on his mid-section which made Danzo cough and wheeze. Shortly after, said person smashed to the ground below in a loud crash and kick-up of dust. The two were not Kage for nothing though, as Hiruzen suddenly ducked under the swipe of Danzo's cane sword. The Hokage used Enma as a pole vault soon after to make some distance, but instead of attacking like Hiruzen thought, he watched as his old friend started to undo his arm bandages.
"I applaud you, Hiruzen, and am thankful to see that old age hasn't caught up to you. But alas, you will fall here while I become the next ruler of Konoha."
The Sandaime scowled and was prepared to attack, but that is when the bandages fell to the floor. There, on Danzo's shoulder, was the face of Hashirama Senju.
"Dear Kami Danzo, please tell me you didn't do what I think you did." Hiruzen softly stated, his mind in shock.
Danzo simply smirked and ran through some hand signs before unleashing a jutsu not seen since Hashirama was alive.
"Say hello to Sensei for me. Wood Release: Nativity of a Sea of Trees!"
The group spectating suddenly evacuated as they felt the ground shake beneath their feet, tree saplings starting to pop up. Meanwhile, with Hiruzen, he looked at his old friend in disbelief at how far he had fallen, but when the ground started to crack, Hiruzen knew what was about to happen. With a yell from Danzo, who pushed more chakra into his trump card, the saplings exploded outward and upward into trees. Some breaching the ceiling overhead. Enma changed back to his true form as he and the Hokage dodged to the best of their ability. However, the Monkey King knew that he would be needed later so he jumped to what he thought was a safe spot and decided to wait in the shadows. As more and more trees burst through the ceiling, Hiruzen knew it wouldn't be long until the whole base collapsed.
"Stop this Danzo, you're going to kill us both!" He yelled out in the hopes his old friend would stop this madness.
All Sarutobi got in return was an evil laugh followed by more trees blooming from the ground. Suddenly, the entire ceiling collapsed as well as sections of the base. This, of course, made parts of the village collapse. Luckily, most of these were abandoned buildings in the Red Light District.
As the trees stopped growing, and the dust settled, a cracked earthen dome could be seen. One which quickly collapsed back into the ground to reveal an unharmed Hiruzen who sighed in relief and began looking for Danzo. However, that was when pain ripped through his chest and he coughed out blood. As he looked down, a small, thin blade covered in blood could be seen.
"H-How?" Hiruzen coughed out as he saw Danzo holding his cane sword behind him, a massive victorious grin was on his face.
Danzo, however, was not in the healthiest state. Blood poured from various cuts and where chunks of his skin was missing. The bandages over his one eye was stained red, the old wound opened once again.
"I simply merged myself with one of the trees I built." Danzo paused to cough out some blood. "Too bad it got crushed by a piece of falling debris. But it matters not, as you will be meeting the Shinigami soon."
The injured Sandaime suddenly smiled then started laughing, a deep booming laugh, which caught Danzo off guard.
"One word Danzo…boom!"
The War Hawk's eye widened before his whole body was engulfed in a massive explosion. Up in the trees, Enma help Hiruzen stand as a piece of debris managed to land on his right leg. If not for the Monkey King, the Sandaime would have likely died.
"Thank you Enma, you have saved me once again." He said tiredly then grew saddened by what he had to do.
Enma patted his summoner's shoulders with a smile, "You did the right thing my friend, his tyranny is now over and Konoha can once again be at peace."
The Sandaime nodded, but a lone tear managed to come out one of his eyes. Quickly wiping it away, he told Enma to take him to the hospital. With a plume of white smoke, the two vanished from the area, the trees that bloomed would forever be a reminder to the battle that took place.
Harumasa's Emporium
Fukui placed Naruto on the cot in his office which resided in the back of the store. Once there, he checked his student's wounds and wasn't surprised to see that they were fully healed. With a sigh, the old samurai grabbed a nearby chair, placed it near the cot, and sat down. He then placed his right hand upon Naruto's forehead, closed his eyes, and concentrated. Soon, Harumasa found himself in front of a massive cage with its contents staring right at him.
"So, the master decides to pay a visit…humph, how quaint." The Kyuubi replied in an agitated manner.
Fukui simply sat down and looked the fox in the eyes, a stare which Naruto gave not so long ago.
"Tell me Kyuubi-san, did you help my student for his own gain or for yours?"
"For both, if the mortal dies, I do as well…nothing more, nothing less." Kyubbi let out a small growl of annoyance before he laid down in his cramped cage. I still don't know why I am telling you this."
Fukui shrugged, "Perhaps that hate filled shell of yours is finally starting to crack."
"Doubt it, I am a beast of destruction. Such a shell never cracks." Kyuubi said, now wanting this man out of the mindscape. "I won't help the mortal again, it was a one-time deal. I feel he is strong enough to take care of himself."
The retired samurai shook his head with a sigh. "You are contradicting yourself Kyuubi-san. On one hand you said that helping Naruto was for both your gain and his, yet, you say that you will not help again.
"Kyuubi might be sucking up to the boy, but it is I who will not allow such a thing to happen, Harumasa. Yami interrupted to make his presence known. "It is I that will show Naruto that darkness is the right way to go, and that Kyuubi's power is the only way to bring justice upon those who have wronged him."
"I know all about my student's nightmares you have been giving him for the past six months. With today's events, his mind will be fragile once he comes to grip with what he has done."
Yami seethed at the calm tone the samurai was exuding, but suddenly smirked.
"A weak mind is a strong one for me…easy to manipulate, easy to conquer, easy to enact revenge."
Fukui sighed once more, then stood and brushed the imaginary dirt off his kimono.
"I don't doubt your intentions Yami, but as a test to you, Kyuubi," He stared the beast in the eyes again. "You will have to make sure your container does not fall off the cliff. Like you said, if he dies, so do you."
With that Harumasa disappeared which made Yami and Kyuubi stare at each other.
"So…what shall it be my furry friend?" Yami posed the ultimate question. "Will you help me take over, or will you prove that your hateful shell has been cracked."
1. Think the "Last Samurai" movie.
Edited: 5/15/15
