Yo, sorry for the wait, for this new chappy.

But... I can officially tell you, it is the longest chapter I have ever wrote, in any of my fanfics!

Anyway, I have 2 give a special mention to a friend, Ka Fatty, for a bit of help in this chapter, especially with some of the Naruto stuff.

Hope you enjoy! And don't 4get to review, or I might just stop writing (hehehehe)

Here's Chapter 6!

Chapter 6

Naruto sat alone in his dorm room

Naruto sat alone in his dorm room. Carefully he wrapped his fists in white bandages, before slipping on a pair of black fingerless gloves. He pulled on a sky blue cloak and strapped his two Zanpakutous across his back. He stood up to his feet and gazed out of the window. Earlier that day, they had been told that they had their practical examination for the academy graduation would be later that day. Renji and the others had already left for the designated meeting point, as Naruto had taken a little longer to wake up.

Naruto opened the window, before reaching for the ledge and hoisting himself up on it. He jumped up so that he could reach the edge of the roof and climbed up onto it. He took a moment to gaze out, taking in the view before him. The sun was setting, and the sky was painted blood red. A few of the taller buildings as well as the Sokyokou Cliff sculpted a beautiful image for his eyes.

Shaking himself out of his daze, he set out, jumping from roof to roof, landing and leaping with a panther-like grace. He stopped on the edge of one of the roofs, and peered down surveying the sight below him. Thirty of his fellow year mates stood bunched in groups, all chattering excitedly about the impending exam. Naruto threw himself of the roof, and quickly pulled some reiatsu out of his gravity seals, causing him to glide down to the ground, caught by the wind, landing in the midst of his fellow students. Renji and the others strolled over to the blonde.

"Showing of with your flashy entrances as usual, eh Naruto?" Renji said, grinning

"You know me well enough, besides, no need to be jealous, just because you can't do it," Naruto said smirking.

"I can too. Watch! From now on, my entrances will be the best," Renji said, his fist shaking in front of Naruto's face, rising up to the challenge.

"I'd like to see you try," Naruto shot back.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the students, as a Shinigami from Godei 13 approached the group. From the 69 tattoo on his face, Naruto could tell this was Hisagi Shuhei, Lieutenant of the 9th division. Flanking him was the rest of the 9th division. The group of Shinigami halted a few meters away from the group, Hisagi at their head.

"Every single one of you gathered here, have been deemed worthy to take this exam by your academy instructors. But... of the 30 gathered here today only around 5 are likely to pass," he stated calmly, his arms folded across his chest. Gesturing behind him, he pointed to a blue opening in a doorframe. ""You will enter this Transposition Gate and be teleported to an enclosed area in the real world. You will enter three at a time, in the three man cells you were designated earlier today. Throughout the exam you will work and remain in these cells," he explained. Naruto caught Renji's and Rukia's eyes, and they grinned at one another. They had been designated one another as teammates.

"The rest of the squad and I will be positioned at intervals within the area and bordering the area. We will be analyzing your skills and teamwork, we will not get involved. You will be fighting virtual hollow, but even if they're only virtual, they can still pack a punch, so watch out. Do your best. Now line up in your three man cells! Get to it sharpish!"

A quarter of an hour later, Naruto, Rukia and Renji found themselves on a roof, collaborating over their cell's formation.

"Rukia, I think you should take the back, because your Kido skills make you a powerful long range fighter, and your control will let you detect hollow we can't see quickly. Renji, you should take the front, because your Zanjutsu's your strongest skill, and your Kido clearly sucks. I'll take the middle, and cover our sides. Everyone agree with that?"

"Hai!" Renji and Rukia both said, nodding in unison.

Suddenly thunder sounded and lightning followed momentarily afterwards. The skies suddenly darkened above them.

"Hmph, looks like the virtual hollow are here, but I think they went a bit too far with the lightning effect," Naruto said, unsheathing his Zanpakutous from his back, as he gazed up to see hundreds of hollow in the sky above the enclosed area. Renji and Rukia followed his actions, as they drew their blades too.

The first of the hollows landed on the roof in front of them. It was a large reptilian beast with wings on its sides. Renji bounded forward to meet it. They clashed as Renji swung his Zanpakutou at its side, feigning to the right before pivoting on his heel and striking its left flank. The creature used one its hardened claws to protect itself from the onslaught, before leaping up into the air, and thrusting its hand out towards Renji. Its palm began to glow red, as Renji's eyes widened in realization of what it was attempting to do. "Shit! Cero!" He called out, remembering that this was the strongest attack in the average hollows arsenal.

"White Lightning!"

"Shot of Red Fire!"

Renji heard from behind him at the same time. The two techniques crashed into the hollow, causing it to disintegrate instantly. He turned around and faced a grinning Naruto and Rukia, Rukia with a finger pointing outwards, and Naruto with his palm thrust out. They did not have time to congratulate one another, as almost a dozen more hollow landed on the roof, surrounding their smaller group.

Naruto reacted quickly, yelling out the first Hado that came to mind, "Hado No. 1 Thrust!" Pointing one of Zanpakutous at one of the hollows, it was propelled backwards. Naruto bounded forward to press home his advantage. He swung his first Zanpakutou in a horizontal slash, whilst bringing the other one to slice at the beast's right flank. The hollow blocked the first blow, but was sliced in two by the second.

A second hollow had circled behind Naruto by this time, and he pivoted on his heel and swung both of his Zanpakutous at its midriff. The hollow beat its large wings and propelled itself into the air to avoid the assault, Naruto bounded up to meet it. They clashed in the air, and Naruto noticed that this one was stronger than the other. Gritting his teeth, he whispered out, "Two Sword Style: Twin Rising Dragons Form!" Pulling some reiatsu out of his gravity seals, the blonde became a whirlwind of destruction as he cut down four of the hollows, just as Renji and Rukia finished a couple more. There was only one hollow left, and the three academy students moved to surround the creature.

Suddenly the ground began to shake, and a huge cracking sound was heard from above. They looked upwards to see a huge crack in the sky, which seemed to be getting bigger and bigger. Hundreds of hollow flooded in through the crack. Suddenly, the virtual hollow which the three had surrounded disappeared, and they met each others eyes in shock.

"What's going on?" Rukia shouted out over the din. Naruto shrugged, but Renji tried to come up with an answer.

"It's probably just another attempt to frighten us with special effects," Renji stated confidently. Naruto wasn't so sure, but shrugged it off, as he pushed off the roof, and floated up to meet the new hollow. Sheathing the blade in his left hand, he formed a rasengan, and tore apart the first hollow he met with it, whilst swinging furiously with his Zanpakutou at a second. Pulling some reiatsu out of his gravity seals, he drew his other blade once more, before disappearing, and striking hollows from all sides with his Zanpakutous, leaving behind an afterimage at the point where he started. The only indication to his whereabouts was a sliver of his blonde hair as he moved from one place to another. The hollows found themselves cut down, their numbers going down quickly. Renji and Rukia were also fairing well, striking hollows on either side of them frantically, calling out Kido techniques every so often. Soon, the rest of the students in the area had floated up to join their battle.

Naruto found himself facing four hollows, and just as he was about to strike out at them, he heard a yell of, "Hado 73: Twin Lotus, Blue Fire Crash Down!" Two large concentrated beams of blue fire crashed into the hollows, incinerating them. As they disappeared, Naruto saw one of the students in his class, called Mosuke, standing there with a grin, panting slightly from the effort of the destructive spell.

"Nice one!" Naruto yelled out to him, grinning. Mosuke grinned back, waving to him. Naruto's eyes widened as a large black shape appeared behind Mosuke, and struck him. Mosuke was cleaved in two, as his decapitated body fell to the earth below, and Naruto felt his knees go weak as he was struck by the sudden demise of his comrade.

Naruto gasped in realisation. This was the reason for the sinking feel he had been feeling throughout this exercise. These hollow were real! He glanced around him, and saw several other students fall to the hollows. "I have to do something before more of these people die!" He whispered to himself.

Without giving it a moments thought, Naruto released all of his reiatsu. His whole body began to glow a blinding gold, as the whole area was enclosed in his aura for a moment. His aura retreated, returning back to him, but still encompassing the students and hollow around him in a basking glow. The students and hollow alike were so shocked that they paused from their battles, and looked over at the breathtaking sight for a moment. Naruto's hair was standing up, as his cloak billowed behind him, seemingly caught by powerful winds.

The hollows found themselves enticed by the huge amount of spirit energy, and, as a single body, they all rushed Naruto. Naruto looked around him; there were literally hundreds of hollow coming toward him. He realised he had no chance with these odds, but understood he had to hold them off until help arrived, hopefully in the form of Godei 13.

These thoughts in mind, Naruto gritted his teeth in determination. Settling into the Wraith Style stance, he pulled some reiatsu out of his gravity seals. He let out a roar of pure unadultered, primal fury, just before he phased out of existence, bounding forwards to meet his foes. I'm sorry I couldn't help you Mosuke, but I promise you, not another one of our comrades will fall to these hollow under my watch!

Naruto's eyes narrowed, as he clashed with the first line of hollow, ripping them apart with a set of clean, ruthless slashes. His blades seemed to be glittering phantoms in the night sky, as he struck down opponent after opponent without pause, leaving a beeline of destruction in his wake. The only trail he left was a wisp of gold and silver, as he moved, bringing his iron clad fist of fury down on the hollow.

Seeing his display of ferocity, the other students were struck out of their stupor, as they too joined the skirmish. With Naruto acting as a distraction with his reiatsu, the students were cutting the hollows down with practiced ease. Naruto had begun to slow down slightly, he had a multitude of cuts across his body, and his cloak was basically shredded, but still he went on, furiously pounding the hollows down.

Suddenly a sharp voice cut through the sound of battle, directly beneath Naruto. "Academy students, fall back! We'll take over form here!" Somewhere in the back recesses of his mind, Naruto recognised the voice to be Hisagi's, but blatantly ignoring the order, he continued to fight the hollow. A number of the students were pulling out, as Hisagi and six of his squad members were racing up to take control of the aerial battle.

Naruto felt someone grab his shoulder, and turned to see Renji and Rukia, both tired to the bone, with minor cuts and bruises decorating their features.

"Didn't you hear the man, Naruto? He said to fall back!" Renji shouted out over the din.

Naruto turned away from their expectant gazes, his own look, one of determination. His aura flared slightly as he settled into a stance. "You guys go," he said. "I've got some unfinished business to take care of."

"Naruto no baka! This isn't the time to act cool!" Rukia said.

Renji started to speak, "Ye-"

"Shup up!" Naruto yelled out, cutting Renji short. Both of his friends froze, they had never heard Naruto take such a sharp, angered and steely tone with them. "You think I'm trying to act cool?" He growled at them, his eyes flashing red. "Maybe you're willing to abandon your comrades on a battlefield, but I will never do so. Look around! There are a few hundred hollow here, are you so deranged that you actually think that seven Shinigami could actually hold up against these. These men are condemning themselves to death, to help us. They're sacrificing themselves," Naruto yelled out, accentuating each word with a blow of his sword against the oncoming hollow. Renji and Rukia flinched in realisation.

"Do you guys know what it feels like to lose a comrade on the battlefield? I know what that feels like. The hollow feeling inside, the pain, and the guilt knowing that maybe, just maybe, you could have saved that person," Naruto whispered, his eyes clouding over in pain, as he remembered. "I won't allow myself to feel that pain and despair again, and I will never abandon a comrade when he clearly needs my aid! That was the oath I took years ago, that I would carry on walking forwards, never turning back... the past is too painful to face. Part of that oath was that I would never back down. Even know, I will stand true to my pledge, I could never turn back, knowing these men were dying. You go, but nothing you say could ever make me back down," Naruto made out, furiously wiping at his eyes.

Rukia and Renji felt ashamed and sad. Ashamed that they had even considered questioning their friend like that, ashamed that they had ever thought of leaving comrades to die. But, above all, they felt sorrow and sadness that their friend had been through so much, that there was a part of his life that they could never share, and he would never share with them.

Without a backward glance, Naruto pushed forward to clash with the next wave of hollow, but before he did so, he said one word, "Leave." Naruto was a tornado of fury and pain, as he struck the hollows. He no longer gave a concern for his own body, intent on protecting his fellow students, and the Godei 13 Shinigami. He paved a path, which took him to the Shinigami, who had formed a tight pack formation, to protect themselves. They were receiving injuries quickly, but were dispensing hollow rapidly too, as they fought valiantly, hoping the students got away, and that back up would arrive soon.

The hollow were beginning to overpower the Shinigami, and break down their defence. A concentrated attack on their barricade, caused one of the Shinigami to lose concentration on his reiatsu, and fall from the air, cascading down towards the Earth below. His eyes widened in terror, as he frantically attempted to compose himself. The hollow roared in victory, as a few broke of from the main body, charging down the falling Shinigami.

Naruto reacted quickly, pulling all his reiatsu from his gravity seals. He disappeared and reappeared in front of the hollow, blocking their path to the Shinigami. With several well placed strokes, he dispensed of the hollow swiftly. He turned around quickly, panting from the strain on his body, to see the Shinigami falling, his shrieks of terror filling the night air. Naruto disappeared once more, and reappeared behind the Shinigami, catching him in his arms.

"You all right?" Naruto grunted out.

The Shinigami opened his eyes in wonder, obviously wondering how he could have been saved. Seeing the dishevelled blonde cushioning his fall, he began to thank him repeatedly. Naruto waved him off, before letting go of him, and allowed him a moment to regain his reiatsu control, before smirking at him. Without further ado, he disappeared, and reappeared in the thick of the battle once more.

Naruto was facing off the hollow with the Shinigami, after a moment or so, Hisagi noticed him. "What are you doing here?" The vice-captain roared out, as he continued battling furiously. "I told you to pull back!"

"Hmph, Namikaze Naruto listens to no one. Besides, you should be happy- I'm pretty much- saving your - butts here. So – why – don't you just - shut – up, and help!" He made out, as he slashed left and right blindly with his Zanpakutous. Shaking himself for a moment, he settled into a stance, before Roaring out "Two Sword Style: Wild Redemption Form!" Holding his blades out in front of him, forming an X-shape, he smirked at his foes, before unleashing his wrath upon them. This form was just as much about the reiatsu, as it was the blades. He had been taught by Janza, that one could use pure reiatsu as a weapon. Naruto had been sceptical of the idea at first, but had soon discovered its uses, and was now unleashing the full power of his spirit energy on the hollow. The form required specific reiatsu control, and relied on flowing, fast movements.

Naruto struck down hollow after hollow with vertical, horizontal and diagonal blows, and with each of his movements, if he concentrated enough, he could cause his golden aura to spike outwards and strike hollows. Naruto's reiatsu aura seemed to be doing just as much damage to the hollow as his own blades were doing.

The Shinigami looked on in a mixture of shock and awe, as Naruto tore into the hollow like a beast. None of them had ever seen a Zanjutsu style like this. However, Hisagi was reserved. He could see that Naruto was dispatching the most hollow of them all, yet he also saw the effect it was having on the blonde's body. Naruto was sweating profusely, and panting. His body and clothes were torn up with cuts, his bare chest showing.

Hisagi was taken out of his daze, as he heard a huge roar from behind him. Turning quickly, he saw a huge hollow, bringing its razor sharp claws down on him with a vengeance. Oh shit! He realised he had no chance of blocking in time, but still attempted to protect himself, by turning, knowing he as pretty much lost. He waited for what felt like a millennia, but still no pain came, he felt nothing. Opening his eyes, and turning, he saw the hollows claw was being blocked by a pair of Zanpakutou. Opening his eyes fully, he saw a red headed boy, and a black haired girl, defending him, both clad in Academy student attire.

"Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Rukia at your service, fukutaichou!" The redhead roared out, as he pushed the hollow backward, and destroyed it with a slice at its midriff with his Zanpakutou. Hisagi was shocked. Why was everyone going against his orders today?!

"I'm not going to try to get you two to pull back, because if your anything like that blonde, you'll say no," Hisagi sighed. "But know that, when we get back to Seireitei, I will be punishing you for this blatant in subordination! Now, get into the tight pack formation now, maggots! Jump to it!" He yelled out, causing them to salute quickly before complying, both grinning madly.

Naruto could physically feel himself slowing down, he was sure he could not keep up any longer. He was beginning to sustain some major injuries, with his bruises and slashes decorating his body. There were only around 50 hollow left, and Naruto realised he had to hold on until they were killed.

Trying to think positively, he thought to himself, "Well the sooner these 50 are done, the sooner I can sleep, so I might as well finish this off quick!" With that thought, he engaged the hollow with renewed vigour.

Cutting down a line of hollow, Naruto found himself face to face with Renji and Rukia, he took a moment to smirk at them, as he said, "Doesn't it feel good that you followed the great Namikaze-sama's advice, and stuck around for the party." Naruto was panting heavily, as his arms sagged by his sides.

"Hmph, Namikaze-sama my ass, more like Naruto no baka!" Renji said, although he smiled.

Rukia, on the other hand, was taking in Naruto's appearance, "Naruto are you alright? You look like you could pass out any second!"

"I won't pass out till the fighting's done, I'll battle on, " he said, giving her a reassuring smirk, "Besides, if I left now, you'd all probably be run over in seconds by those hollow." Renji scowled, whilst Rukia smiled at him, shaking her head slightly.

"Hey! Look, those Shinigami are cleaning up without us! Like I'll let them take all the glory, after I did all the work!" Naruto growled out, as he bounded off to finish of the enemy hollows. Rukia looked around, and saw that there were only around ten hollow left.

"Hey Rukia lets go," Renji called out, beckoning to her, as he ran ahead. Rukia took a moment to reminisce, before taking off in his wake.

A few minutes later, the Shinigami and the three Academy students stood, all dead tired, but filled with the euphoria of victory.

"Know that's how you kick some butt!" Naruto made out, as he panted heavily, his exhaustion clear.

One of the Shinigami looked him over, clearly worried about his physical state. "Are you sure you're okay Namikaze? I'm a registered field medic, I could help you out if you need it," she said to him.

Naruto waved her off saying, "I've had worse than this and lived through it!" Taking a moment to gaze up at the sky he frowned, before pointing up, "What I'd like to know is why that crack in the sky hasn't closed up yet!"

Hisagi's eyes widened, in realisation. Looking up, he froze. "Oh shit!" He gasped, as the group looked towards him in confusion. "If the cracks still open, it could only mean one thing... Menos Grandes..." The Shinigami and Rukia gasped, whilst Renji and Naruto simply looked on in confusion.

"Ano, Hisagi-san," Renji said, "What's a Menos Grandos?"

"Grandes," Hisagi corrected. "Menos are what happens when a hollow thirsts for its own kind. When a hollow cannibalises enough of its fellow race, it evolves, and becomes a Menos. The Menos are of a completely different level to an average hollow. The average Shinigami can maybe just about face off against a Menos, and Vice-captains could probably take on several, but in my current state of exhaustion and injury, I doubt I could even take on one."

Renji's eyes widened in terror, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's get out of here!"

Hisagi shook his head, "We can't do that. If a Menos got through to this world, he could easily break down the barrier we've erected to enclose this area. If the Menos got through, souls and the living alike would die in masses. It's our duty as Shinigami to prevent that from happening, even if we are set up for failure."

Just as he said that, there was a large groan heard from the sky. The group looked up to see pure white hands grasping the sides of the crack in the sky, and pulling it open further. After a moment, a head pulled through. The head was huge and it peered down at them. Within seconds, the Menos was fully out of its enclosure, and stood in front of them in all its glory.

"Fall back! None of you can go up against this thing. Especially in your current state, I'll hold it off! Even you Namikaze, you're the worst hurt of all of us!" Hisagi roared, as he bounded off to meet the Menos.

The Menos took one glance at the oncoming Shinigami, and held out both of its huge arms. A red orb began to fizzle in between them. Hisagi's eyes widened in terror, as the hollow shot a huge Cero at him. In his current state he stood no chance of dodging the high speed beam, and no Shinigami below Captain-class had blocked the Menos' ultimate Cero, the Death Beam, to date. Sticking his blade up, he awaited the inevitable.

He heard a roar pierce through the night sky, as he turned in time to see Naruto in front of him. The blonde held both his blades in front of his body, throwing all his body weight behind it, as he pushed against the Death Beam. "I won't let you get through!" He grunted out, his body convulsing and shuddering irregularly at the strain the effort was putting on him.

"No! You fool, move!" Hisagi roared out, but even as he said it, his eyes clouded over in guilt. Naruto was a great soldier, with amazing potential, yet he was to fall here, all for this?

"I – won't – let – you –get – passed! I've got too many dreams and ambitions, too many people to protect to fall here," he roared out, as his aura flared about him, encompassing the whole area, as it completely shrouded the red and black beam. He pushed against it, all his muscles taut, as he deflected it skywards.

Without pause, the blonde disappeared, with a yell of, "Two Sword Style: Decimation Front!" He reappeared in front of the Menos, and his blades flickered in the pitch blackness around them, as they moved to fast for the eye to see. His rapid series of blows shredded the huge hollow, which roared out in pain, as it attempted to swat him out of the sky.

"Allow me to bring salvation to your tainted soul, abhorred hollow!" He gasped out, as the Menos disintegrated into fine dust, which fluttered away with the wind. Without a moment to spare, Naruto slumped down, feeling darkness beginning to envelope him, as he fought back, his resistance futile.

Suddenly another groan was heard from the sky. Naruto looked up in horror, to see more hands push through, as more hollow pushed through. There was not one, not two, but three hollows this time. He tried to push himself to his feet, but fell down, his body dead with the strain, no longer willing to respond to his commands.

"Damn you, don't stop me know, I need to fight for a little longer," he made out, as he cursed his body for letting him down.

"Don't worry, rest, we'll take it over from here. You did well young one," a voice whispered in his ear. Naruto turned to see a brown haired man with glasses, and a grey haired man standing slightly behind the brown haired one. He faintly recognised them to be Sosuke Aizen, Captain of Squad 5, and Gin Ichimaru, his vice, but did not pay any attention to it.

Naruto's eyes widened slightly as he saw two of the Menos bearing down on them. As he made to warn Aizen, the man simply stuck out his right hand, and a huge blast of blue reiatsu was fired from his palm, incinerating the two hollow instantly, just as Ichimaru leapt over them, and finished the last hollow with two powerful strikes.

So that's how I should have done it.. was Naruto's last thought, as he drifted out of consciousness.

Aizen looked down at Naruto. Namikaze Naruto, eh? You could either become a huge asset, or a huge obstacle to my plan. You will be an interesting milestone for me when the time comes, Naruto-san...

Hope you enjoyed that.

I think things are beginning to spice up a bit, don't you?

Anyway, I decided to include a huge speech from Naruto, cause he always gives huge cool speeches which tend to sway the views of other characters in the anime, so I hope I didn't kill it too bad.

Remember to review,

Satansrogue