Welcome back, I'm glad so many of you enjoyed the beginning of the war. Here is the second chapter of the sound/mist attack
Disclaimer - I do NOT own Naruto
-Chapter 18: Sacrifice-
Zaiaku and Sakura were sprinting from rooftop to rooftop, "They're getting more concentrated as we near the academy," said Zaiaku
"Why?" questioned Sakura, "Do they intend to use the children as hostages and force us to surrender?"
Zaiaku shook his head, "No," he replied, "if their attack is unsuccessful, yet they manage to kill the academy students, that would mean a terrible loss for Konoha's fighting force. I would imagine once they are done with the children they would attack the women next." Stopping in his tracks he looked both ways and began releasing his chakra, "It's barbaric, but effective." Flicking his thumb he released the safety catch on his sword, "They're here," he said as a mist nin appeared overhead. Dodging in a blur Zaiaku avoided the strike and drew, cutting the ninja down. Slamming Shimotsuki into the roof he began sealing, "Hyouton: Fuyu Shigure no Jutsu!" (Ice Style: Winter Shower Technique)
Sakura watched as the ice senbon rained down, mercilessly impaling the attackers. A glint of metal flashed in the sunlight, looking she caught a mist nin attempting to attack her partner from the back, "Zaiaku, DOWN!" she yelled
Dropping low he watched as the kunoichi slammed a fist into the nin's jaw, the sickening crack that followed confirmed that she had broken his neck, 'Hime has shed her fear,' he thought. An explosion nearby startled him out of his admiration, "We have to move, we're going to get overwhelmed quickly."
Sakura nodded and followed him, 'Zaiaku is amazing,' she thought, 'he's completely focused.' She was broken out of her thoughts as the academy came into view, "They haven't made it here yet!"
Iruka was ushering a line of children out when he spotted Sakura and Zaiaku approaching, "Thank Kami-sama," he said, "We could use the cover. Let's go, the women and non academy children are up ahead." Iruka lead them around the school to the group of people waiting to be escorted, "Alright this is ever-"
He was cut off by a loud explosion that was very near by, "Damnit," hissed Anko, "We waited too long!"
'Now what?' thought Zaiaku. He noticed several women hugging their children tightly, he sighed and unsheathed his sword, "Go, I'll hold them off."
Sakura froze, "W-what?"
"Are you stupid?" barked a chunnin, "Kami-sama, only knows how many are coming! And you're just a gennin!"
Zaiaku ignored him and looked at Sakura, "It's our mission to make sure that these women and children are protected," he stated, "make sure they get to the safety area, I will delay them as long as possible." Taking off his jacket he handed it to Sakura, she threw him a confused look, "for luck!" he grinned and gave her a thumbs up, "besides, blood doesn't wash out all that easily."
Sakura smiled and put it on, "I don't think it's my color," she replied as she glanced at the iceblue coat. They both let out a short laugh, "I-," she started as she gripped her kunai tightly, "I'll come back with help as soon as we get the civilians to safety."
Zaiaku shook his head, "Get to the arena once the mission is complete," he replied, "I'll meet you there." Another explosion much closer than the first echoed through the streets.
"MOVE OUT!" yelled Iruka, "good luck, Zaiaku-san."
"You too," he replied, then he turned and smiled at the pink haired kunoichi, "Sayonara, Sakura-san."
"Hai," she responded and sprinted off to the group, she cast one last glance at Zaiaku before rounding the next corner.
-Flashback-
"...You'll have a split second to make a decision: Get out of the way and let it pass you by, or stand in it's path and embrace it..."
"How do we know what to do?" questioned Sakura
Tsunade shrugged, "You'll know."
-End Flashback-
"Zaiaku-san," she whispered as she cluched the long coat around her body, 'please don't die.'
Back at the academy Zaiaku was prepairing his assault, 'one of me, unknown number of enemies,' he thought, 'seems familiar.' As he dropped into his iaijutsu stance he felt a very violent killing intent wash over him, "What is this?"
'What a horrible feeling,' added Shiva
"So," came a sickly sweet voice, "I've found you, Zaiaku-kun."
Zaiaku narrowed his eyes as the image of a man garbed in a black and white kimono stepped out of the shadows. "and you are?" he questioned the man
"Oujou Fantomu, Phantom of the Mist Seven," he replied with a flourish. Reaching down he gripped his sword, "This is Kuroi Keiri," he said, "and he wishes to taste your blood."
"You were sent to attack the academy," said Zaiaku, "unforgivable." Holding Shimotsuki out to the side he formed the half ram seal, 'this is serious Shiva-san,' he thought as he began to release his chakra.
'Hai,' replied the Ice queen as she began to mix her energy with her vessels.
"Sugoi," cooed Fantomu as he felt the cold bite at his skin and watched the ground turn to ice. 'Truely a worthy opponent,' he thought, "I suppose it would be an insult not to take you as seriously then."
Zaiaku ignored him and cut his finger on his sword, "Itsuru, Shimotsuki!" (Freeze, Frost Moon)
The mist swordsman only smiled darkly and mimiced Zaiaku by cutting his finger on his sword's blade, "Tosatsu, Kuroi Keiri!" (Slaughter, Black Executioner) As Fantomu finished his sentence his sword began to emit a black aura and shift shapes. After several moments it was no longer a katana, but a large ebony scythe. The most distressing thing about the new weapon was that blood constantly flowed from the blade. "Let's begin, Zaiaku-kun!" said Fantomu as he charged
Zaiaku was frozen in shock
-Flashback-
"...your sword, Shimotsuki, it's sentient isn't it?" questioned Zabuza
"In a way," replied Ziaku, "it's part of me."
"I know another sword like that."
-End Flashback-
'This must be the sword Zabuza was talking about, Kuroi Keiri,' thought Zaiaku as he launched himself forward to meet Fantomu
-Gaara, Hinata, Neji, and Kurenai-
'Zaiaku has found a strong opponent,' thought Gaara as he simultainiously dispatched three sound nins, 'I hope he is unharmed.'
'I wish we could find a stronger opponent,' sighed Shukaku, 'You don't even need me for this trash.'
As Shukaku finished his complaining the sound nins ceased their attacks and vanished, "What's going on?" questioned Neji, "why would they simply stop attacking and retreat?" He strained his eyes to their maximum
"Can you see anything?" questioned Gaara.
Neji shook his head, "No, they have retreated beyond my sight."
"S-something's coming!" yelled Hinata as she pointed to the west, "It's h-huge!"
Gaara, Neji, and Kurenai turned their heads to the indicated direction. After several agonizing moments a very large snake came crashing through several buildings. 'I believe you were seeking something a bit more challenging?' thought Gaara as the snake raised itself to it's full height. "I will deal with this," said Gaara as he began to channel his chakra. Slamming his hands on the ground he called forth a tidal wave of sand, "Sabuku Nadare!" (Desert Avalanche)
"Can you beat that thing?" questioned Kurenai
Gaara ran through several seals, "My options are limited," he replied, "However at this point you three will only be in the way, please retreat to a safe distance. If you do not, I may harm you unintentionally."
"There are more enemies coming," said Neji as he motioned to the east, "We will leave this to you Gaara."
"Be careful Gaara-san," said Hinata
The redhead nodded without taking his eyes off the serpent. After the three had left out of sight Gaara released more of Shukaku's chakra, causing his eyes to take on their yellow appearance and star shaped pupils, "Sabaku Kangoku!" (Desert Prison). As the snake charged two large chains of sand restrained it, one around its head and the other on the tail, "NOW SINK!" commanded Gaara as he slammed his hands onto the ground. The huge serpent struggled against the bindings as it began to be submerged in the sand, "Now to finish you," said the redhead, "Sabaku Indou!" (Desert Requiem) After several shockwaves were sent through the ground Gaara ceased his attack, 'Now to get to the-,' his thoughts were cut off as two more serpents came crashing into the sand covered street, 'how relentless.'
'I said I wanted a challenge, but this may be a bit much,' added Shukaku dryly
-Naruto, Temari, Lee, and Gai-
"It seems Gaara-san and Zaiaku-san are being challenged," said Hakumei as he stood beside Naruto
'Challenged might be an understatement,' thought Naruto as he slammed a knee into a mist nins back, breaking the enemies spine.
"GAI-SENSEI!" cried Lee as he pointed to a large wave of approaching sound and mist ninja
"Damnit," hissed Temari, "Now what?"
"Now," said Naruto, "I get serious." Jamming Kubikiri Houcho into ground he began to channel Kyuubi's chakra, 'right now one will do kyuubi, we can't let anyone get hurt.'
'Alright, kit' replied the Fox Demon as he began to channel one tail.
Ahuge pulse of chakra rolled off of Naruto causing Temari and Lee to fall down and Gai to stagger. "Kyuubi," whispered the jounin, "Naruto-kun?"
Naruto turned crimson slitted eyes on him, the ethereal form of a fox encompassing him, "It's fine Gai-sensei," he replied. Leaving his sword in the ground he crouched and extended his clawed hands to his sides, "Now! for attacking Konoha!" he yelled as the nins came into range, "I'll show you terror."
"Naruto," whispered Temari as she felt the violent aura come from him, 'what are you?'
Naruto vanished as he charged, reappearing in the middle of the attacking nins, "Die," he growled. As the mist and sound attackers registered that he was in their midst he lashed out with a clawed hand, disembowling a particularly frightened jounin. The first to recover was a sound nin who leaped in the air and began sealing. Naruto responded by swinging his right arm in an arc causing a red ethereal claw to close the distance and tear into the attacker. "You're nothing but trash!" yelled the enraged vessel, "I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU!"
"We should change locations," said Hakumei as he watched his master go into a frenzy, "Naruto-sama is capable of handling this."
"What's happening to Naruto-kun?" questioned Lee
Hakumei narrowed his eyes as they moved to engage another group of nins, "There are two sides to Naruto-sama," he replied, "right now he is using the second side to assist him in combat, at this point we would be a hinderance to him."
Temari thought about it for a moment, 'two sides?'
-Flashback-
"What the hell did you do to these people to make them hate you so much?" questioned Temari
Naruto scratched his head, "You could say that Gaara, Zaiaku, and myself have a lot in common," he replied
-End Flashback-
'Naruto, Zaiaku, and Gaara,' she thought, 'they're all the same.' Tears threatened her eyes as she remembered how Gaara was always treated, then she thought about the vibrant blonde in all those same positions, 'Naruto-kun.'
Naruto was mercilessly ripping through the terrified ninjas. As he thrust his hand through a jounins chest he sensed someone appear behind him, turning his head he only caught a small glimpse of a metal clad fist as it slammed into his head, "I will deal with this," growled Yajuu, "kill his companions."
The blonde skidded to a stop next to Kubikiri, reaching out he gripped the handle and ripped it from the ground, "YOU WON'T TOUCH THEM!" he yelled.
-Hokage, Kazekage, Zabuza, and Raidou-
Raidou hit the ground with a dull thud, "Pathetic," said the Mizukage, "Konoha's shinobi are getting weaker by the day!"
"I think," said the Hokage, "that your farce has gone as far as it needs to, Orochimaru."
"I should have known that trying to trick you would be pointless," said the Mizukage as he ripped the robes from his body, "It's good too see you, Sarutobi-sensei." Then he ran his eyes over the form of Zabuza, "Deal with him."
Zabuza caught a glimpse of white flash through the trees. Reaching to his back he unsheathed Sangemaru as a man with shoulder length white hair came into view, "Hai, Orochimaru-sama," said the unidentified person. Pulling down the left side of his jacket and leaning his head to the right, he ripped his own bone from his body. "I am Kimimaro," he stated as he pointed the bone sword at Zabuza, "I will bathe the path to Orochimaru-sama's dream in your blood."
"Really now," replied the Demon of the mist with a cocked brow, "We'll see then won't we." He vanished into the forest, Kimimaro quickly on his heals, 'I have to get away from the area, Sarutobi and the Kazekage are going to need a lot of room.'
Meanwhile Orochimaru was smiling, "Have you considered my proposal?" he questioned, "Kazekage-sama?"
"I have," replied the leader of the sand, "and my response is this." He ripped off his robes and revealed his battle gear, "The suna shinobi will be arriving shortly," he stated, "Konoha has given my son peace and been a great ally to Sunakagure. For that I will always be indebted to them, as a father and a leader." Casting a glance to Sarutobi he smiled, "I stand by you, Hokage-sama."
Sarutobi smiled, "Well then," he tore off his robes to reveal he too was prepared for battle, "let us deal with my spoiled student." As all three prepared to clash they felt the chakra of Kyuubi, Shukaku, and an unidentified power. "Your over zealousness has no bounds Orochimaru," said the Third Smiling
The Oto leader frowned, "What are you talking about you old fool?"
-Zaiaku-
The white haired teen slumped over and coughed up blood, 'Shit! he's so fast I can't even see him!' Standing up he narrowed his eyes, "Now you die!" he cried as he began channeling as much of Shiva's chakra as his body could handle. His white hair began to streak blue, while his eyes shown with an ubridled intensity. "Remember this Fantomu," he said as he resumed his fighting posture, "people always comment on how beautiful winter is, but reality is this. She brings all into death, plants, animals, and even people die by her chilling hand. Even the scorching sun of the hotest desert is humbled in her presence, she is the goddess of destruction."
"And are you like the winter, Zaiaku-kun?" questioned the taller man as he smiled
Zaiaku turned his cold blue gaze on him, "I am her vessel."
-Gaara-
The form of the black clad shinobi slammed into the side of the arena and winced painfully as he felt a rib break, 'I cannot continue in this manner.' Landing on the ground with a crash he glared at the two snakes, "Blasted things," he hissed, "My options are now down to one." He began to release the remaining percent of Shukaku's chakra, 'let us end this Shukaku.'
'Hai,' replied the Sand Raccoon as he shoved as much chakra as his vessel could handle into his body
As a snake charged a large clawed hand of sand slammed it forcefully into the ground, "I will kill you!" cried Gaara as the sand began to converge on his body, giving him the compact form of the one tailed demon. "Now come!" he commanded
-Naruto-
"Goddamnit," he hissed as he held his sliced shoulder, 'I'm going to die at this rate. Alright Kyuubi, release the next two.'
'Becareful that you don't lose yourself, kit,' replied Kyuubi
As two strong pulses of energy rolled off of the kyuubi vessel, Yajuu watched in horror as the boys fangs elongated, and his claws did the same. "What are you?" he growled as he noticed the red energy surrounding the boy grew two more tails.
"I am the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsune," replied the blonde, "and as of now, I am the end of your existance."
-Hokage, Kazekage, and Orochimaru-
"What I mean," replied Sarutobi, "is that in your haste you have awoken the demons of Konoha."
End Chapter 18: Sacrifice
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