Ohayo, welcome back. This is the third chapter/climax of the sound/mist attack. The boys are now officially in ass kicking mode, but all of the gennin are about to learn a harsh lesson, they aren't invincible. Oh, all the fights are happening roughly at the same time, you just can't write it like that without losing your readers. The final encounter is after it's all said and done.

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-Chapter 19: Demons of Konoha-

All combat in the village ceased for a moment as everyone felt the three powers wash over them. The first was a cold chakra, it seemed to blanket konoha in winter, causing the windows and streets to frost over. The second was violent, an aura of death, so powerful that caused many of the non-shinobi to become sick. The final energy was one that every soul, except the children, of Konoha recognized. Terror, everyone knew this feeling, it was the Kyuubi. The shinobi of Konoha were comforted even at the presence of the nine tail's chakra, though they had no idea why. The mist and sound nin's however realized they had indeed rattled a cage of demons, and that they were now the objects of their wrath.

-Zabuza and Kimimaro-

'perfect,' thought Zabuza as they came upon a clearing with a fairly large pond, "Alright, let's begin." Raising one hand over his head he smiled darkly, "Kirikagure no Jutsu!" (Hidden Mist Technique) As the mist rolled off of the lake the jounin stepped into the fog, disappearing from sight completely. "Eight choices Liver, lungs, spine, jugular vein, carotid artery, brain, kidneys, heart," his voice echoed through the mist covered woods, "Now, which critical hit should I Go after?"

"Attack what you wish," replied Kimimaro, "you cannot defeat me. I am the greatest warrior of the Kaguya clan."

"Kaguya?" questioned Zabuza, "ah, the idiots that attacked Kirikagure like a pack of wild animals. Yes, I remember them, they were slaughtered." After a moment Eight Zabuza clones stepped out of the woods, "Fools," they all echoed. The first two charged and engaged Kimimaro in a kenjutsu match, the white haired man dodged and evaded with grace, then quickly dispatched them. 'He's pretty good,' thought Zabuza as he watched his oppenent destroy his two clones, 'let's try increasing the numbers.' He commanded his remaining six mizu bushin to attack all at once.

Kimimaro pointed his sword at the ground, "Tsubaki no Mai" (Dance of the Camellia) he called out then launched forward, his sword arm a blur. He systematically weaved in and out of the clones, destroying them each in a single blow. Ducking down he avoided the final clone's horizontal swing and dispatched him with an upward slash, "Your puppets are destroyed," stated the Kayuga, "what petty tricks do you hav-?"

"Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!" (Water Style: Water Dragon Blast Technique) came Zabuza's voice from the fog. As the water dragon charged down his unprepared attacker, he prepared to strike. Like he predicted the white haired man lept high in the air to avoid the attack, inadvertantly putting him in Zabuza's attack path, 'I have him,' thought the bandaged leaf jounin. As he brought Sangemaru down on his opponents shoulder, with the intent of cleaving him in half, he felt the blade come to a sudden stop, "What?"

As both men landed Kimimaro glared, "what a troublesome tactic," he said, "I was barely able to create a layer of bone under my skin as I felt your attack." He smirked at Zabuza's confused look, "It is my clan's bloodlimit, we can alter and manipulate the calcium in our bodies." He commanded spikes to portrude from his shoulders, ribs, and legs, "Terrifying isn't it?"

"More like convenient," replied Zabuza as he vanished and reappeared behind the white haired man. "However," he said as he prepared to stike, "everything has a limit."

-Zaiaku and Fantomu-

Fantomu took in his opponent as well as the surrounding area, "You've dropped the temperature throughout the entire village and increased your chakra," he said. As he finished his sentence he felt a presence behind him, "and it seems you've increased your speed as well."

"It's over," said Zaiaku as he brought Shimotsuki into a blindingly fast horizontal swing. When his blade impacted the form of Fantomu, it came to an abrupt halt as the body of his opponent disolved into threads of shadows and bound his arms and legs. "What the hell?" questioned the ice shinobi.

"My own version of Kage Bushin," came the voice of the mist swordsman from behind him, "It's the result of mixing Kuroi Keiri's Chakra with my own for jutsu. I now see that you are a master of the basics, but when it comes to wielding your blade in its full form you are naught but a novice." Holding out the scythe infront of his body he released his grip on the weapon, it however did not hit the ground. Instead it simply hovered in mid air, then after a moment began to spin, "All you can do is blindly swing it in hopes that her amazing abilities will overwhelm the opponent. You have no real control." Raising his arm over his head, he commanded the ebony scythe to ascend into the sky, "this is control," he said and dropped his arm. This caused Kuroi Keiri to descend on the form of Zaiaku, Fantomu smiled darkly as the weapon embedded itself into shoulder of the white haired boy, causing him to scream. The sickly looking blood oozed from the scythe's blade and ran into the deep wound on the ice gennin's shoulder

"I'll...kill...you," gasped Zaiaku as he tried to recover from the weapon being ripped out of his body. 'Can we use our chakra to break these strings Shiva-san?'

'It is worth an attempt little one,' replied the ice queen

'Do it,' he commanded as he gritted his teeth and began pushing his chakra out. The tethers of shadow began to frost over and eventually burst into shards of ice, 'that was the easy part.' As he attempted to lift his sword he felt his arm go numb, "What the?"

"The blood that flows from the blade of Kuroi Keiri is a numbing poison," replid the Phantom of the mist, "like the air around your sword, it cannot kill, but it is quite effective at disabling an opponent." Charging forward Fantomu swung his scythe at his opponent. Zaiaku responded by leaping back and countering with an overhead attack.

As Kuroi Keiri and Shimotsuki met in a battle of their masters will, the ice shinobi began to notice the numbing feeling creeping beyond his shoulder, 'Damnit, what am I supposed to do about that?' His temporary lapse in concentration allowed Fantomu to break free and bring his scythe across Zaiaku's chest, only grazing it. "Shit," hissed the white haired teen as he recovered from the attack. Charging forward with his blade raised, Zaiaku attempted to pin down the mist swordsman in a blur of strikes and thrusts. It seemed to be working, Fantomu was only barely able to avoid the attacks through parries and nimble dodges, 'Shimotsuki's chakra is disabling him as well, he's becoming sluggish.' Hefting his ice blade onto his good shoulder the snow shinobi smiled, "You're getting slower," he said, "Oujou Fantomu."

The mist swordsman let out a dark laugh, "Hai," he responded, "However if you had more control and knowledge of your weapon, I would be long dead." Raising his scythe above his head he smiled, "You have a natural talent that I've only seen in a few," stated Fantomu, "However, natural talent is no match for experience!" Slamming the blade of Kuroi Keiri into the street his eyes went black, "Gyouchi, Kuroi Keiri!" (Seek Blood, Black Executioner) The ground began to rumble and crack as sickled blades ripped out from the earth.

Zaiaku forced his chakra into his legs and began to sprint from spot to spot, "it's following me," he hissed. 'Too fast!' he thought as the sprouting weapons closed on him, finally a blade pierced his legs causing him to faulter and cry out in pain. 'my muscles are becoming stiff?' he questioned himself, 'the cold shouldn't be affecting me.'

'I'm slowing down your blood so that you do not bleed to death little one,' responded Shiva, 'It's creating atrophy in your muscles due to the slowing of the oxygen exchange in your lungs. This is the limit of what I can do though, any slower and even YOUR heart will stop.'

"I'm going to end your life now," said Fantomu as he pulled his weapon from the ground and prepared to charge, "thank you for the beautiful battle, Zaiaku-kun."

'Shiva-san, put everything into this next attack,' thought Zaiaku

'You can't wield Shimotsuki anymore little one and if I stop concentrating on your blood flow you will bleed to death,' replied the ice queen

Zaiaku smiled darkly, 'it's fine,' he replied, 'we can't let this man go, there is no further discussion necessary, just do it Shiva-san.'

'Hai,' responded Shiva

Zaiaku blanched as his blood began to freely flow from his shoulder, 'not much time.' "I hate this technique," he stated as he began sealing, "but I'm at my limit and I can't have you killing any more people." As he continued sealing the wind began to swirl behind his body, "This is...my strongest attack," he gasped as he finished his preperation. The wind ceased and from the ground the ice began to collect and resemble wolves, "Hyouton: Rouga Senmetsu no Jutsu!" (Ice Style: Wolf Fang Annihilation Technique). "It's so much... like my...father's, but...to kill you...I'll use it," said Zaiaku. Fantomu watched in horror and slight admiration as the pack of ice wolves charged at him.

'So much heart,' thought the mist nin as he attempted to cut down the dogs. As he slammed his scythe into the first one, another lached onto his shoulder. After several attempts he was completely overwhelmed.

"Now..." hissed Zaiaku as he extended his right arm, commanding the ice to cover Fantomu's body, "..it's over." The mist swordsman had a look of grim satisfaction as his body became fully encased in ice. After a moment Zaiaku fell to his hands and knees,he coughed as his blood poured onto the ground. 'Never expected this,' he thought as he let out a soft chuckle, his arms gave out and he hit the ground flat, 'S-sakura-h-hime...'

'Little one!' cried Shiva in his mind, 'please hold on!' She quickly realized that her chakra reserves for Zaiaku were spent, anymore and she would do more damage than good to his body.

'Shiva-s-an...' he smiled a little as he faded into darkness.

-Gaara and the Snakes-

'Zaiaku and Shiva's chakra has ceased,' stated Shukaku

Gaara narrowed his eyes, 'it means his battle is concluded that is all.' Jumping high into the air he dodged the head of one charging serpent, the second however was on a hard collision course. Spinning his body he slammed his tail into the snakes head, "You are beyond troublesome!" he yelled as the snake crashed into the ground. Landing on the roof of a building he glared at the first snake as it prepared to charge again. As the serpent neared its target Gaara began to channel his chakra, 'I said I would kill you and I will.' Reaching up the gripped the snakes top and bottom jaw with his two claws, "Fuuton: Renkuudan!" (Wind Style: Steroid Blanks) He released the attack into the snakes face, with the creatures mouth forced open, the chakra blast caused it's head to explode.

Shukaku squealed in glee, 'That's more like it!'

Gaara landed on the ground and took in a heavy breath, 'my broken ribs are putting pressure on my lungs,' he said to himself. Turning his head he saw a huge tail swipe into his side, causing him to let out a cry of pain. Pivoting his body in mid air he drew his arms back, "Suna Shuriken!" (Sand Shuriken) he called out and swung his limbs out. The shuriken bounced harmlessly off of the snake, "His skin is too thick," he assesed. Landing on the street he looked up to the large creature, "let us test that armor of yours." Small mouths appeared all over his body, they simulatainiously inhaled as the snake charged, "Fuuton: Mugen Saijen Dai Toppa!" (Wind Style: Infinite Sand Cloud Penetration) The wind combined with the sand ripped at the serpents skin, flaying it in several places. The creature jerked it's head back and let out a hiss, Gaara seized the opportunity and lept into the air. As he neared his target he transformed the end of his tail into a spear head, "Now die!" he cried as he jammed the point into the snake's eye, penetrating it's brain.

'That was good, but you have to wait a while,' stated Shukaku, 'you recieved several hard knocks there, you have more than just a broken rib.'

As the sand began to fall off his body Gaara slumped back against the arena wall, 'be quick, there are more enemies coming.'

"Gaara-san!" cried a voice from the east. Looking up he saw Hinata, Neji, and Kurenai approaching quickly, "a-are you ok?" She questioned.

Gaara nodded as he gripped his side, "I have three broken ribs and I only have minimal chakra left," he replied.

"What was that form?" questioned Neji

The redhead closed his eyes and leaned back, "It was my strongest jutsu," he responded, "It condenses my sand around my body and gives me that form, it increases my strength, chakra, and resiliance."

"The suna shinobi have just arrived and the mist and sound nins are being pushed back," stated Kurenai, "let's get you inside so that you can get treated."

Gaara nodded as Neji helped him up, "None of you are injured?"

"N-no," replied Hinata, blushing as she helped support him, "I can't believe y-you beat th-those monsters."

-Naruto and Yajuu-

"Th-the kyuubi?" stammered Yajuu, "is that possible?"

Naruto shook his head and gripped his sword, "It's not really important," he replied. He charged at the stunned mist swordsman, ripping up the ground behind as he approached. Yajuu recovered quickly enough to bring up his clawed hand and grip the blade of Kubikiri Houcho, stopping it abruptly. Naruto went wide-eyed, 'how did he stop that?'

"Don't look so surprised," said Yajuu as he grinned, revealing his rows of sharpened teeth, "I'm using the chakra of Tsume (Talon) to enhance my strength." Reaching to his ninja-to he smiled darkly as he whipped the blade out and attempted to impale Naruto. The blonde recovered and lept away. "You're fast," stated Yajuu as he vanished and reappeared behind the leaf gennin, jamming his claw into his back, "but I'm faster."

Naruto's surprised expression vanished as he reached back and gripped the mist nin's hand, "Really? you're not too bright though." Yajuu looked over to his right in surprise to see Naruto standing there grinning, "Bakuretsu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" (Exploding Shadow Clone Technique) The explosion sent the mist swordsman skidding into the dirt, as he recovered he blanched, there were kage bushin everywhere, "Taijuu Kage Bushin no Jutsu" (Mass Shadow Clone Technique) said Naruto casually. Each clone pointed their blade at the beast of the mist, "You lose."

Yajuu let out a manaical laugh, "You think you have ME?" he barked, "don't you know better than to corner an animal!" Reaching out he bit his thumb and spread the blood over his claw, "Hanto, Tsume!" (Hunt, Talon) After his command the gauntlet emited a dark green aura, "I hate to steal your line kid," growled Yajuu, "but you lose," taking a step back he vanished from sight.

Naruto began scanning for any sign of the man, 'he disappeared?' As he finished his question twelve of his clones poofed into smoke, "there!" he cried and commanded the clones forward. As they came to the area another group of clones exploded on the opposite end of the battle field, Naruto narrowed his eyes, "No one is that fast."

"I am," came a voice from behind him. Spinning around Naruto lashed out with his sword, only hitting air.

'How the hell am I supposed to catch him!' he yelled in his mind as he lept back into the crowd of bushin to hide his presence.

'Think kit,' replied Kyuubi, 'You can't see him moving, but you know he is. The question is then, how?'

'How,' echoed Naruto, focusing his chakra to his nose and ears he scanned the area, 'I can't smell anything.' After a moment he heard a slight cracking, then five more clones exploded, 'That noise,' he thought. After several more moments the same thing happened, 'I can't smell him and I only hear that cracking sound. It kind of sounds like.' The ground began to shift underneath his feet, "Like someone is digging a hole!" he cried as he inverted Kubikiri and slammed it into the pavement.

"So," came echoed Yajuu's voice, "you've figured out how I attack, but can you catch me?" As he finished his sentence more clones exploded.

As Naruto ran through as many possibilities as he could in his mind, his clones were being ripped apart, 'that's it!' Sending one of his Kage bushin out of the group he used another to begin manipulating the chakra that was collecting in his palm, "If you want to catch an animal, then you use bait." Concentrating on his hearing again, he waited for the signature cracking sound. After a moment he heard it, then he overloaded his Kage Bushin, "Bakuretsu Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" (Exploding Shadow Clone Technique) The explosion succeeded in sending Yajuu flying through the air, as the beast began to recover he saw Naruto appear in his flight path, a glowing ball of chakra in his hand. "Heh," chuckled Naruto as he slammed the attack into Yajuu's gut, "Rasengan!" (Spiral Blast) The beast of the mist attempted to block it with his gauntlet, but it was ripped apart along with his arm, while he was sent spiraling into a tree. Naruto stepped up to his crumpled form, "Remember this in your next life," stated the blonde as he drew back his sword, "Konoha is home of the strongest shinobi in the world."

Yajuu glared as he watched the blade of Kubikiri Houcho near his neck, "Che."

Naruto wrenched the sword from the tree as he ceased releasing the Kyuubi's chakra. "That wasn't too bad," he stated, "but I can hardly feel Gaara's chakra and I don't feel anything from Zaiaku."

'The cold that washed over the village was his chakra,' replied Kyuubi, 'He might have encountered a fierce opponent.'

"He had better be ok," said Naruto as he sprinted towards Gai, Lee, and Temari. As he neared them he noticed that there were suna shinobi fighting along side them, "Hey, the good guys are here!"

"Naruto!" yelled Temari as she ran at him, "Are you ok? You're not hurt right? We felt your other chakra come from where you were, we got worried."

"She became worried," added Hakumei as he approached, "The other two fools were making proclaimations about your flames of youth burning brightly."

Naruto grinned, "You were worried, Temari-chan?"

The sand kunoichi huffed, "Maybe a little," she replied, "Naruto? I need to talk to you about something when this is over."

"YOSH!" cried Lee, "They're retreating!"

Gai struck his nice-guy pose, "Let us move into the arena, I believe the battle here is won!"

As the four entered the arena they noticed that Tsunade had turned it into a make shift treatment center, "Oi! Gaara!" yelled Naruto as he spotted his companion, "You look kinda banged up."

Gaara currently had his arms in the air and was being bandaged by a giggling and blushing nurse, all the while Hinata was glaring at said flirt. "I am fine," he replied, "three broken ribs and internal bleeding, it is healing quickly though." Then he scanned the arena, "Zaiaku hasn't come in yet."

"His chakra went way beyond thirty percent right before it completely vanished," added Naruto, "It has me concerned." Sitting down on a cot he cocked an eyebrow, "So what made you go all raccoon?"

"S-snakes," replied Hinata, "Giant snakes, th-three of them."

Gaara nodded, "Summoned monsters," he added, "They were not too much trouble though. What constituted the release of three?"

Naruto shrugged, "One of the Mizukage's guards," he replied, "The one that looked more like an animal than a man."

"NARUTO!" cried Sakura as she ran to them, Zaiaku's blue coat blowing out behind her.

Naruto and Gaara smirked, "Nice coat, Sakura-chan," said Naruto

The kunoichi blushed, "Zaiaku-san gave it to me to hold," she replied, "He had to stay behind so we could get the women and children to safety." Scanning the area she frowned, "I-I don't see him, he said he would meet me here." Naruto and Gaara were on their feet in a flash, "Where are you going?" questioned Sakura

"To find our friend," replied Naruto as he reattached his sword

"We're c-coming too," interjected Hinata as Shino, Kiba, Temari, Kankuro, Shikamaru, Ino, Tenten, Neji, and Lee stood up

Lee struck his nice-guy pose, "Let us seek out Zaiaku-kun."

After several nods they set out towards the main gates, as they approached, the doors were kicked open and the blurred form of Jiriaya blew by them, "TSUNADE!" he cried, "THIS ONE'S BAD!"

-Kazekage, Hokage, and Orochimaru-

The Third let out a hearty laugh, "The sand has arrived," he said, "and you are now greatly outnumbered."

"The destruction of Konoha has failed," added the Kazekage, "We will kill you if you remain, even a sannin is no match for two Kage."

Orochimaru glared inbetween them, "Konoha will burn, old fool. Mark my words, and Suna will join her," making several seals his body disolved into mud.

After several moments Zabuza came from the woods, "I expected it to look like a warzone here," he said to the two kage. "His subordinate retreated a moment ago," he added, "Looks like it's over for now."

"He was always power hungry," replied the Third, "but he was never an idiot, he realized his forces were out done, and decided on a quick retreat." Turning he gave a deep bow to the Kazekage, "Arigato Kazekage-sama, I can only imagine what would have occured to our village if the sand hadn't come and if you would not have stood beside me."

The Kazekage returned the gesture, "It was an honor Hokage-sama."

-Arena/Medical Area-

"I need as many hands as I can get!" yelled Tsunade as she inspected the form of the person Jiriaya was carrying, "NOW!"

After several people came and took the person off on a stretcher towards the medical room Naruto stepped up to Jiriaya, "Oi, who was that?" The sannin didn't respond, he only turned and handed something to Naruto, "N-no," whispered the blonde as he shook his head and stepped back.

"What is it Naruto?" questioned Gaara. Naruto turned around and revealed what he was holding, it was a sheathed Shimotsuki. As he took in the gravity of the situation a pink and blue blur shot past everyone's sight, "Go save him, Sakura-san," said the redhead

'I'm coming,' thought the pink haired girl as she ran down the hallway to the medical room, 'please hold on Zaiaku-san.' As she kicked open the door she spotted the older woman working ferverently on the bloodied form of Zaiaku. "I'm helping," said Sakura as she removed the coat and pulled her hair back. She swallowed a soldier pill and formed several seals, 'I won't let you die,' she thought as she placed her glowing green hands on his shoulder.

Tsunade smiled inspite of the situation, 'so you've decided to embrace him, Sakura.' She was broken out of her thoughts as a monitor sounded, "His blood pressure is dropping! Get those wounds closed up!"

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End Chapter 19: The Demons of Konoha

Read and Review! - I didn't do the Kazekage/Hokage/Orochimaru fight simply because I am trying to keep Orochi in character and he was never one to rush into a situation without thinking. I don't believe he is stupid enough to clash with two Kage, no matter how powerful he thinks he is. Trust me when I say that there will be an epic clash with Orochimaru, but it won't be now.

Preview Chapter 20: Departure