Shiore led the Akatsuki squad to an outpost, hidden beneath the bottom of a lake. While it wasn't anything uncommon by Akatsuki's standards of hideouts, the fact that it was natural is what took the rogues off guard.
"These have become home for many refugees and wounded alike," Shiore explained as they walked past the sick and homeless. The younger members of Akatsuki looked on with sympathy and pained eyes. "We've been trying to get the civilians out of the country, but we have nowhere to take them. Our countries are surrounded by Alliance grounds, and even with this war on two fronts, the Alliance patrols make it nearly impossible for us to sneak people across the borders."
"We know the borders well enough we can get them across," Nagato replied. "Though it may have to be a little bit at a time."
"We're running out of time," Shiore snapped angrily. "If you're going to get our people out, we have to do it all at once. There's no more time to waste!" Nagato remained silent, knowing that there was no point in arguing with the woman.
"Shiore, welcome back." All heads turned forward to see a young man with long, dark hair, black eyes, wearing light armor colored green, and grey pants. "Who are these shinobi?"
"They're Akatsuki shinobi, and they've offered to help us evacuate our civilians," Shiore explained. "Nagato-san, everyone, this is Shibuki, the leader of Takigakure."
"It's an honor to meet you Shibuki-san," Nagato greeted, shaking the man's hand. "I'm sorry that war had to come to your country..."
"As am I, but it was inevitable," Shibuki replied. "I'm very grateful for your assistance."
"You're awfully trusting towards a group of rogue shinobi," Izumi pointed out. "I'm a little surprised to be honest."
"The people here, solider and civilian are desperate for any type of help we can get. I am as well to be honest. I can't afford to be picky. Besides, I've heard of Akatsuki. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?"
"I suppose that's right," Izumi replied.
"How many civilians can you take at a time," Shibuki asked, turning his head to Nagato.
"I can only take so many across the borders without drawing attention Shibuki-san, I'm sorry..."
"No need to be my friend, just take all the people you can at a time. Any help is appreciated, as I said. Just let me gather all the civilians and wounded from the other outposts before you start moving."
"We don't have time," Shiore stated. "Each minute we spend, the Alliance gets closer and closer to wiping us both out! We've got to get our people out now Shibuki!"
"Those refugees at the other outposts deserve the same chance the others do Shiore," Shibuki stated angrily. "Besides, Takigakure is the best place to move our people from."
"Are you crazy," Shiore screamed. "Your village has been compromised since Suien has been seen with the enemy! And that has been confirmed now by the Akatsuki rebels!" Shibuki stared at Shiore for a long moment and finally sighed.
"Suien sensei..."
"Sensei," Izumi repeated with a whisper. "Your sensei is working with the Alliance?"
"If Suien is the one in the Alliance, then yes."
"Why would he join the Alliance," Nagato asked. "Would he have any real reason to?"
"The Hero Water," Shibuki stated. "It's a legendary water that when drank, it increases a person's chakra levels immensely."
"You had a weapon like that and you haven't been using it against the Alliance," Naruto exclaimed in disbelief. "What's wrong with you all?"
"How dare you speak to Lord Shibuki like that," one Taki shinobi shouted.
"Stand down," Shibuki ordered. Shibuki turned and looked at Naruto, "The Hero's Water...when it's drank, it increases your chakra levels to surpass that of even the Kage, but after drinking the Water...you die shortly afterwards." Silence lingered in the air for a long moment as everyone contemplated Shibuki's words. The leader of Taki shook his head and motioned for the others to follow him as he began walking. "We have several underground channels throughout the country to help us hide and plan counterattacks. Recently though, we've been using them specifically for hiding out civilians or wounded, and to help them get across the border."
"How many civilians and wounded are we talking about evacuating," Nagato asked. "Even this many people in this outpost would be a stretch to move them all at once."
"There are thousands of wounded, and even more civilians," Shibuki murmured, but loud enough for Nagato and the others to hear the drop in his tone. "I'd be surprised if we even had a thousand shinobi left in our country."
"You're joking," Kiba exclaimed with disbelief. "You were a hidden village right? That means you should've had enough shinobi to counterattack right?"
"The Alliance, even with a small portion of their power could have wiped us and Kusagakure off of the map. They sent more than enough to 'clean us up' quickly." The younger shinobi in Akatsuki scowled, Izumi included, while Nagato and Hidan remained stone faced. They knew well enough what the Alliance was capable of. "That's why we've all resigned ourselves to our fate, and now we're just giving the Alliance as much trouble as we can. But we have a plan for them soon. I just need permission from the leaders of Kusagakure to start our plan."
"I wasn't informed of this plan," Shiore snapped quickly. "Don't you think as your advisor I should be up to date on any plans you send to command?"
"You were out and about making new friends Shiore." Shibuki grinned while the Kusa kunoichi simply scowled at him. "The plan is to take our remaining forces to Takigakure, and use the Hero Water on all of our shinobi, and then take out what forces from the Alliance we can." Everyone's eyes lit up with alarm at Shibuki's daring plan.
Shiore swung her arm out to the side and put her foot down, "I refuse to accept this plan! There's no way we're going to kill all of our own people like this!"
"We've all resigned ourselves to death, Shiore. It was your higher ups that said we should start wearing paper bombs under all our uniforms to take the enemy with us when we die." Shiore scowled furiously as her fists began to shake. She was against that plan too when the Kusa leaders assigned it. "If we can take out even a hundred Alliance shinobi, that's a hundred less that the Union, or that Akatsuki will have to deal with. And with the Hero Water, each shinobi should be able to take out at least a hundred Alliance ninja on their own."
"That's if this stupid water works," Shiore shouted. "All I've been told about the damn thing is that it's special according to your legends! What proof is there that it works!?"
Shibuki stopped along with his escorts, the Akatsuki shinobi, Shiore, Karin, and the other Kusa shinobi. All eyes waited on him before he slowly turned around and looked directly at Shiore.
"I use to be a coward, believe it or not. Growing up, I was afraid of the littlest things, and I was always afraid when I would have to take over in my father's place. That day came very soon, when Alliance troops showed up to try to take over our country for their own strategy in the war. They sent a small platoon to our country, and slaughtered anyone who didn't immediately bend to their will. My father met this platoon of shinobi and faced them down alone. He didn't want anyone to interfere, and he said he'd handle it himself. He drank from the Hero Water, and wiped out a large number of shinobi. The only one he couldn't kill immediately was their platoon leader: Orochimaru."
Everyone nearby listened to the story, whether they knew it already or not, they listened intently to Shibuki's story.
"My father battled with Orochimaru for hours, each one of them never giving any ground, until the affects of the Hero Water caught up with my father, and he started to weaken dramatically, giving Orochimaru the edge in battle. My father lost the battle, but Orochimaru withdrew his forces from our country, and the Alliance never tried to invade again." Shibuki glared at Shiore, his resolve showed through his gaze, "I realized what I had to do after that to lead my people. And don't you dare question if the Hero Water works or not Shiore. It works alright."
Shibuki continued onward, not caring if the others followed him or not by this point. Nagato and Hidan followed first, the latter unfazed by the story. The rest of Akatsuki followed their leader afterwards. Shiore stood in place for a few moments in silence.
Karin leaned her head out and gently tapped Shiore's arm, "Lady Shiore...?" The Kusa kunoichi shook her head clear and smiled down softly at Karin.
"Go on, I'll catch up." Karin nodded slowly and then continued onward. Shiore looked up, her eyes full of doubt and questioning. She and Shibuki were very much alike, in the sense that they were both young, with too much responsibility, and that their fathers were leaders of their respective abilities. Shiore closed her eyes and thought about the responsibility Shibuki took upon himself, 'Would I have the same guts as him...?'
In the heart of the Land of Fire, Orochimaru sat on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the resting military settlement, a bit astounded by the progress the civilians made. Orochimaru's assistant, Kin, approached the Sannin and bowed her head once she was in his presence.
"Do you have something to report Kin, my dear?"
"I wouldn't bother you if I didn't would I?" Orochimaru smiled and chuckled lightly. Kin's nonchalance around her master was a little refreshing from time to time. The black haired assistant unfolded a note and held it out to her master. "Apparently, Suien says that Kandachi is planning to attack Takigakure soon, and that Suien is going to take matters into his own hands."
Orochimaru sighed and then stood up on the edge of the cliff, "What a fool, thinking he can do as he pleases...Kin, how quickly can you get to Takigakure?"
"If I leave now? By midday tomorrow, my lord. Would you like me to end Suien's treachery, or complete his original objective?"
"The latter of the two my dear. Even a droplet of the Hero Water would be sufficient for my experiments."
"Only a droplet," Kin asked.
"Get more if you can, but one drop is all I need. I get the feeling once our forces get into Takigakure, the Hero Water will be in very short supply."
"I'll be sure to make haste then my lord. Shall I bring one of the Yamato puppets with me?" Orochimaru nodded, his back still to Kin. The young assistant bowed her head and then quickly vanished in a swirl of leaves.
Orochimaru stared at the horizon as the sun peaked out from the earth. The Sannin turned around and walked away from the edge of the cliff, heading back down to the settlement.
Naruto listened to Nagato and Shibuki, enraged, as they tried to come up with a plan to evacuate the citizens. The 'best' option so far was the remaining shinobi from Takigakure and Kusagakure would distract all the the Alliance's forces in the area, use the Hero's Water, and while the chaos ensued, Akatsuki would move the civilians out of the country.
While Nagato, and a few shinobi from Takigakure and Kusagakure themselves, voiced that the younger shinobi should be evacuated as well, Shibuki argued that he'd need every available body to fend off the Alliance.
Naruto had voiced his opinion from time to time, and was shot down almost every time. The underground tunnels that they were all in were collapsed very quickly once the Alliance discovered Taki's secret, and when they could find the underground tunnels.
While nobody liked the thought of the remaining Taki and Kusa shinobi throwing their lives away in a final blaze of glory, Nagato understood that arguing with them was pointless when they had already made their choice. While Nagato thought that with enough reinforcements from Akatsuki, that the two villages would stand a chance, he knew that as soon as Alliance command got word Akatsuki slipped behind their borders, along with one of their Jinchuriki, that Danzo and the others would send a full division down to wipe them out.
"There's only one realistic option left Nagato-sama," Shibuki replied with a soft voice. "I know you don't like it, but our lives are going to be forfeit to save our people." Nagato sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He fought with himself to try to come up with another solution, but nothing else came to mind. "In my message to Kusagakure, I asked them to bring all of their people to our village to make our final stand. We'll have the remaining power of Kusagakure and Takigakure with the Hero Water at our disposal."
"Very well...I'll do what I can to get all of your people somewhere safe. I know it's a different climate than they're use to, but I would suggest one of the neutral countries, like the Land of Snow or Iron."
Naruto's ears and head perked up when he heard the former country. "Wait, wouldn't Koyuki be brought into the war if we associate with them?!"
"Neutral countries like the Land of Iron or Snow are usually safe havens for those who wish to get away from wars like this," Nagato explained. "Nobody has yet to persecute one of these countries in a time of war. And besides, we're moving civilians, not shinobi. Even Danzo wouldn't dare to attack civilians when they made refuge in the Land of Iron or Snow."
Naruto nodded as his eyes slowly registered this information. In the back of his head though, he was still worried for Koyuki and her country, but he also trusted Nagato's judgment.
"I'm sure they won't care, so long as they have a safe place to live," Shibuki said with a caring tone. "The remaining funds I have in my village will be given to the civilians for the cost of their trip and to establish their homes in the Land of Snow or Iron. I hope you won't mind if any left over goes to my people instead of to Akatsuki for compensation."
"Getting innocent civilians to safety and out of the hands of the Alliance is more than enough of payment for us," Nagato replied, holding up his hands. "Besides, you all are paying a big enough price for all of us."
Shibuki nodded and gave an appreciative smile towards the band of rogues. For whatever reason, the leader of Takigakure felt as though his faith was soundly placed with the people of Akatsuki.
"MOVE! Make way," a loud voice boomed from the outside. All the heads in the room turned to the sound of murmuring and chatter. A heavily wounded Kusagakure shinobi stumbled into the room, clutching his bleeding side, much to everyone's shock.
"Get this man medical attention," Shibuki ordered.
"NO! I'm dead on my feet," the shinobi growled. "Don't waste your time and energy..." More chatter was heard as Shibuki and Nagato knelt down next to the wounded soldier.
"Where did you come from...what happened," Shibuki asked.
"I...I came from my village, Kusagakure...Alliance attacked in force..." Shocked gasps and whispers echoed throughout the chamber, while Shibuki's eyes widened in shock. Shiore and Karin both listened intently, shocked and worried about what could have happened. "We...we took out a huge number of the bastards...wiped out at least half of the platoon they sent...their numbers nose dived through the ground because of us..."
"That doesn't make any sense," Nagato murmured. "The Alliance is powerful sure, but without reinforcements there's no way any sane commander would dare such an assault."
"I don't care what their reasons were!" The Kusa shinobi coughed up more blood, clutching his chest. Naruto watched in silence, remembering the similar situation where the Taki shinobi arrived to Akatsuki and recruited them to help. "We kicked their asses and sent the lot of em to hell! But...our village...Kusagakure is wiped off of the map..."
Silence hung heavily in the room. Nobody knew entirely how to comprehend that an entire village had just been wiped out.
Nagato lowered his head, his eyes narrowed as he tried to think the Alliance's actions through. Nothing made sense in this rather bold, and successful move. Granted, Kusagakure took a major blow, but the lives lost in the sacking of Kusagakure? There's no way even Danzo would agree to such brutality if the casualties would sky rocket.
"Our leaders got the message just before they attacked..." The shinobi looked up at Shibuki, a strange glimmer in his eyes. "They gave you approval for your plan. All of our shinobi are at your command, and you have the former leader's permission to use every last shinobi you want for the Hero Water."
Shibuki nodded as his head spun. Despite the heavy burden suddenly bestowed upon him, Shibuki kept a straight face, "Thank you soldier..." The shinobi nodded before he fell forward with a soft groan as his wounds finally weighed down on him.
Two medics quietly walked forward and picked up the body before carrying it off. Soft murmurs filled the room once they departed before Shiore quickly cut through the crowds and confronted Shibuki. Silence once again filled the room immediately as everyone watched and waited for Shiore's response.
"My father...may have put you in charge, but I still have say about what you do to my people Shibuki!"
The leader of Taki nodded once with a soft smile on his face, "I never intended to take command...while I appreciate the trust your leaders bestowed upon me, I fully trust your judgment on the battlefield, and what's best for your people." Shiore was shocked to say the least. She expected at least a little bit of an argument from Shibuki, despite the fact the Taki leader was a bit of a pushover. "I've discussed this plan with all of my shinobi beforehand, and each and every one of them are ready to throw their lives on the line to show the Alliance dogs that their choices carry consequences. Your people's choices, will be left up to you."
Shiore nodded slowly before turning around to face the mass of people before her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before looking out into her people. "I understand that a lot of you...may not respect me for much more than the fact my father was the leader of Kusagakure. I know there are many of you who are older, wiser, and more experienced than I am...but our time on this world...is drawing to a close. Kusagakure, our home...may be wiped out, but our way of life continues on, so long as at least one of us lives. Our people will live on, and we will come back to take our revenge on the Alliance pigs who dared to challenge us!
"Shibuki and his people are ready to end it all here and now...I however, refuse to let any of our younger shinobi participate in the coming battle. You all...the younger generation, my generation, is responsible for carrying on the Kusagakure way of life. The rest of you, older, veteran shinobi will have the choice to leave with our civilians, or fight with me and the people of Takigakure. I won't force anyone to do anything, but if we have enough shinobi from Takigakure and Kusagakure both, that means that Akatsuki can aid us to attain the Hero Water. I know many of you doubt the capabilities of a handful of rogue ninjas, but I've seen the talents of even their youngest shinobi...and how capable they are to take down three Amegakure Jonin. Aiding the civilians, also gives Akatsuki the chance to strike against the Alliance, and you will not be judged or persecuted against if you choose to carry on our way of life. All I ask is you make your choice now."
Mere seconds went by before several hands belonging to shinobi of Kusagakure went up, as nearly every veteran shinobi volunteered. Shiore smiled with a grateful look in her eye before she raised her clenched fist, "We will continue as we always have! Hiding in the grass, waiting and biding our time to strike and finish off our enemies! That is the way of Kusagakure!"
Shinobi of Kusa and Taki all cheered in unison at Shiore's words. The current leader of Kusagakure smiled with pride at her people. 'Father...I hope you're watching from above...' Shiore turned to Nagato, "If the younger generation of Kusa shinobi choose to follow Akatsuki to strike back...will you accept them?"
"We never turn away potential allies," Nagato replied with a soft smile. "They're also allowed to take refuge in the Land of Snow or Iron."
"I'll be sure to let them know."
Shibuki stepped forward and looked between the Kusa and Akatsuki leaders, "I'll also make the offer to my younger shinobi as well. I...I may have jumped the gun when offering everyone the chance to fight back, including our young. They may want to join Akatsuki for all I know, or take refuge." Shiore and Nagato nodded before the latter started to walk towards his team.
"I'll prepare my group to help out however we can," Nagato stated. "You two get your shinobi ready. Tell them they'll have a permanent ally in Akatsuki after this is said and done." The two village leaders nodded while Nagato gave them a confident smile before walking off.
Kandachi slammed his fist onto the table, breaking the thick wood as his eyes bulged in rage. "DAMN IT! Who the hell ordered the assault on Kusagakure?!" An Ame shinobi, who was currently regretting his choice of deployment, nervously shook in front of his commander.
"S-sir, I-I think it was Suien's doing..." Kandachi screamed and slammed his fist through the table again. The soldier in front of him jumped again in surprise.
"Damn that man...I knew he'd betray us sooner or later! What about Fu and her team?"
"U-um...Hisame, Kirisame, and Murasame have all been um...killed in action sir...w-we haven't heard from Fu and Aoi since they left the camp..."
Kandachi's face turned red and his blood boiled with rage. Anything and everything that could have went wrong, went horribly, terribly wrong. Kandachi clenched his fists, breaking the skin in his palm and causing himself to bleed. This whole campaign he was stuck with, and all of the people he had to work with, Suien, Fu, Aoi, and the others, were all people Kandachi requested to Hanzo personally he didn't want to work with.
"Inform everyone that's left, send a message to all our scout parties I'm in command of! Suien has gone rogue, and anyone seen taking orders from him will have to deal with me! Send a message to command as well that Suien is a criminal to the Alliance!"
"What's this about a criminal," a deep voice questioned. Kandachi and the other Ame shinobi turned their heads towards the entrance, seeing a masked man wearing a trench coat entering the tent.
"Kakuzu the Immortal," Kandachi questioned, a heavy tone of anger in his voice. The mercenary nodded as he crossed his arms over his chest and watched Kandachi. "I'm...surprised you got here so fast..."
"I get around. So, what's my mission? Destroy Takigakure?"
"The mission has become more...complicated...at least a third of our troops are either killed, or followed a rogue who attacked Kusagakure."
"Numbers don't matter to me...except in the case of money."
"You'll be paid mercenary," Kandachi shouted. "Just do your job of following my orders!"
"Your orders seem to be rather...faulty if a third of your regiment is dead or under someone elses command. It'd be a miracle if you still held the same rank by the time this is over with." Kandachi scowled, his eyes widening with fury. Kakuzu simply held up his hand and turned a little bit. "Control yourself. I'm only here because I was offered a handsome payment. Tell me when you're ready to strike and I'll lead you to Takigakure, where I'm sure Suien and the rest of your resistance will be hiding."
With that said, Kakuzu left Kandachi's tent in silence. The commander screamed and then threw his table across the room and pointed at the increasingly nervous soldier. "GET WHATEVER MEN WE HAVE LEFT BACK HERE NOW! I want to be ready to strike down Takigakure immediately with that fucking mercenary leading the assault!"
"Y-yes sir!" The soldier, now grateful, quickly scrambled out of Kandachi's command tent to round up the troops.
The next day, after news of the Sacking of Kusagakure, Naruto, Kiba, and Neji were all wandering around the forest for 'scouting' purposes. Naruto knew it was really to get rid of him and his two partners in crime, so they wouldn't cause problems. Half of the day went by and Naruto felt like he couldn't do a thing to help anyone.
Kiba and Neji both, knowing Naruto as long as they did, realized what was bugging their blonde companion. They also knew that nothing they did could cheer him up, since the higher ups just tossed Naruto out to keep him from causing problems. Neji and Kiba knew that when the action started, Naruto would be knocked out of his funk.
"It's always the preludes to battle that get him so quiet," Neji whispered to Kiba. The young Inuzuka boy snickered and nodded in agreement.
Naruto scowled, knowing that his friends were whispering about him. He chose to ignore it, but was still irritated that he wasn't helping the war process at all right now. The blonde put his hands behind his head and looked up at the sky, remembering a conversation he had with Jiraiya before being sent out.
Naruto panted heavily as he was bent over, his hands on his knees and sweat pouring from his face while Jiraiya stood up, arms crossed over his broad chest, without so much as a scratch on him.
"Let's call it a day kid," Jiraiya offered. "There's no point in pushing yourself this far."
"I can't yet!" Naruto threw off his Akatsuki cloak, now wearing only a mesh short sleeved shirt with his orange pants before rushing forward.
Jiraiya sighed as his pupil sprung up and threw his fist forward. With incredible speed for a man his age and size, Jiraiya side stepped as Naruto landed on the ground. The blonde sprung back and cried out throwing a kick. Jiraiya stepped back, narrowly avoiding the attack without so much as batting an eye. Naruto growled as he moved to continue, but collapsed on his hands and knees with exhaustion.
Jiraiya stood over Naruto for a few seconds as the boy groaned and panted with fatigue. The white haired Sannin stepped next to his god-son and knelt down next to him. "Don't push yourself so hard Naruto. Especially not when you have a big mission coming up soon. You're going behind enemy lines remember?"
"I remember pervy sage! But if I want to be able to help out at all on this mission, I've gotta be stronger!"
Jiraiya laughed his usual hearty, loud laugh, "And you think you'll be able to go toe-to-toe with the Alliance's top brass by training in one night?" Naruto scoffed and turned his head away from his teacher. Jiraiya sighed with a smile on his face and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Look, I understand you're eager, and that you want to help us win this war, but it's no that simple. We've all gotta start out small and work up to something big." Naruto nodded softly, his heart still weighing down with guilt, and an urge to take action. "In this war, we've got to start off slowly. If we do anything to rash or too severe then we're going to be in big trouble from the get-go."
"Then what're we doing all of this for if we're not going to do any damage to the Alliance?! While we're sitting around waiting and biding our time, they're getting stronger and stronger and making our job more difficult!"
Jiraiya sighed with a smile on his face. He admired Naruto's passion and drive, on the other hand he knew that he was only a boy and didn't understand the more sensitive issues in this war.
The Sannin sat down and motioned for Naruto to get in closer. The blonde sighed and sat down next to his teacher with a stubborn look on his face. Jiraiya crossed his arms over his chest, matching Naruto's posture. "You understand that the Alliance isn't the only threat here, right?"
"Yeah, the Union sees us as a group of rogues who are terrorists, and blah, blah, propaganda." Jiraiya laughed and shook his head, only irritating Naruto.
"Not only that, but if the Union wins this war, they also run the risk of becoming as oppressive and dangerous as the Alliance."
"Nobody would want a second Alliance," Naruto shouted furiously. The idea that the world would have to go through the same thing again was baffling, and Naruto didn't believe at all that major leaders of the world would be so stupid. "If the Raikage and Mizukage were going to try to take over the world, then people would rebel and...oh..."
Jiraiya nodded his head with the same smile on his face as realization washed over the young blonde. "Our job as Akatsuki, isn't to overthrow the Alliance...it's to preserve balance, and establish peace. We're trying to make the world a better place, one where people don't have to be afraid, where they don't have to conform to the oppressive ideals of a power-hungry man. Killing off Danzo and the Alliance leaders without leaving A or Yagura in check leaves the world at risk for another half a century or so of oppression."
Naruto nodded as he accepted Jiraiya's words. The blonde sighed and lowered his head, "Has it really been so long...living like this...?"
"Danzo became Hokage at a very young age. Why, he wasn't much older than you Naruto."The blonde's eyes lit up in shock as he stared up at his teacher. "When the Second Hokage was killed on the battlefield, he evidently instated Danzo as the Third Hokage. The Second Hokage, along with Danzo's teammates, were all killed, with Danzo and two others who are now Elders in Konoha. Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane." Naruto, again, nodded to Jiraiya. He knew those names very well, as all members of Akatsuki had to know all of the Alliance leaders. Jiraiya stared out into the horizon, lost in his own thoughts.
Naruto stared at the ground, and went over Jiraiya's words in his head. 'Peace and balance...preserving both...' Naruto looked up at his teacher, "Hey, pervy sage?" Jiraiya looked down to Naruto. "How...how do we make peace? I mean I've looked at the history of Konoha, and even before then...before the Hidden Villages, ninja clans of all sorts just warred with each other until Konohagakure set an example, with the two strongest, rival clans uniting. So I mean...if the world has never been at peace...and...and nobody really knows what peace is...how do we bring about peace?"
Jiraiya only stared at his student in silence for a long moment. The white haired man lifted his head up and stared into the sky as birds flew overhead. Naruto looked up at the sky as well, as if to read his sensei's mind. More time passed as they sat in silence, Naruto wondering what Jiraiya was thinking.
"I'm not sure to be honest Naruto," Jiraiya finally stated. "Hatred is spreading faster than we can even try to counteract it." The Sannin's smile never wavered before he lowered his head and beamed towards Naruto, with a surprisingly optimistic smile. "But I believe the day will come when everyone understands one another!" Jiraiya raised a single finger and winked at his apprentice, "And if I can't find a way to do it, it's up to you Naruto, understand?"
Naruto huffed, a smirk crossing his face as he nodded and saluted his senior, "Yes sir Jiraiya sensei!"
The two spiky haired rogues shared a laugh, Jiraiya's booming and proud, while Naruto's was softer, and with a sense of relief. The blonde stared up at the sky as his teacher had done, and grinned happily. Inside, he was filled with hope, and determination to bring about peace.
Naruto sighed softly as his arms dropped back down to his sides. The boy reminded himself he had to keep fighting for peace, as Jiraiya stated was Akatsuki's purpose. 'But how do I know what I'm supposed to be fighting in order to obtain peace...?'
Neji gasped softly before stopping, causing Naruto and Kiba to stop as well. The Hyuga clansmen reached into his pouch and pulled out a small, black rod that vibrated gently in his hands. "That's the chakra receiver Nagato gave us," Kiba stated. "What's it doing?"
"Nagato said it reacts to his chakra," Neji explained, "and when he gave us the signal, we were to head to Takigakure after the shinobi of Taki and Kusa who weren't participating left with the civilians towards the ports." Neji looked up at his two spiky haired companions, both of whom nodded to him. The boys then rushed in the direction of Takigakure, having known where it was thanks to Shibuki revealing its location.
Naruto took the lead, eyes hardened with determination as the wind blew through his hair and cloak, 'I may not have all the answers right now, but people need me here and now! So watch out Alliance, Naruto Uzumaki is comin for ya!'
Suien scowled as he threw a potted flower across someone's house in a rage. He stormed out of the abandoned house where a group of Alliance soldiers waited for him. They had searched the entire village of Takigakure, and they had yet to find a trace of the Hero Water.
"Lieutenant Suien, sir, shouldn't we regroup with the rest of our regiment to take Takigakure," one soldier asked. "After the attack on Kusagakure, if we were to get attacked by Taki and Kusa shinobi now, we'd surely get taken out with ease."
"I could fight off an entire army if I had that damn Hero Water," Suien muttered angrily. "But where the hell is it?!"
"Lieutenant," a second shinobi shouted. "Someone has infiltrated the barrier." Suien walked towards the soldier kneeling down holding a hand sign.
"Where are they headed?"
"They're headed towards...that giant tree I think..." Suien looked up at the tree far across the village's large lake. The rogue grinned to himself, knowing he had found his goal.
"Lieutenant, sir!" Suien and the other Alliance shinobi turned their heads towards a Suna shinobi standing at the entrance. "We've got Alliance reinforcements headed our way to back us up!"
"All of you stay here and wait for reinforcements, I'm going to secure the Hero Water for the cause..."
"Sir!" Suien shot towards Takigakure's famous tree as the fools who still believed he worked for the Alliance were left behind to deal with their commander's punishment.
'The Hero Water...is within my grasp at last!'
Outside of Takigakure, Kandachi grew increasingly aggravated as he and his entire regiment walked towards their destination with Kakuzu leading them. The second of Amegakure didn't understand why Kakuzu decided to walk to Takigakure when they needed to get there immediately. They had spent the second half of yesterday and the first half of today walking, when they could have covered the ground in half the time. Not only that, but the mercenary didn't seem to care that Kandachi grew increasingly impatient and angry with him.
"How much longer," the Alliance commander snapped finally.
"We're getting closer," Kakuzu replied calmly. Kandachi growled angrily and stormed upfront and cut off Kakuzu in his path. The masked mercenary stopped, along with the rest of the army behind him, looking rather calm.
"Listen here, we're paying you to help us! You're going to help us! I need to get to Takigakure right now to stop Suien!" Kakuzu stared at the commander and then walked past him, still at the same pace. Kandachi scowled and then grabbed the man by his shoulder forcefully. "WAIT DAMN YOU!"
Silence hung heavily in the air, as did the tension. Kandachi, unafraid, glared at the back of Kakuzu's head. The mercenary turned his head and then faced the Alliance commander and met his gaze eye-to-eye.
"Don't touch me again. That's your only warning." Kandachi's fury grew in his eyes as he clenched his fists, and veins protruded from his forehead.
"You DARE threaten me!? I'm Kandachi, second-in-command of Amegakure, and the right hand of Hanzo the Salamander himself! And you have the gal to threaten me!"
Kakuzu raised a finger up to the man's face, looking him dead in the eye, "Only one warning..." With that reminder, Kakuzu turned and continued down the trail towards his former home village. Behind him, Kandachi's anger boiled his blood before he stormed off behind the mercenary.
Kakuzu stopped for a moment and narrowed his eyes a little. Kandachi stopped next to him and glared, "What now?"
"Hm...looks like the village has already been infiltrated..."
"Say what," Kandachi shouted furiously. Kakuzu continued to stare ahead in silence, only furthering Kandachi's rage. Kakuzu, having kept tabs on his old home village throughout the years had seen forced signs of infiltration on the side of the mountain that housed Takigakure. Anyone else who didn't come from the village, or who didn't know where it was could have easily overlooked that detail. In his rage, Kandachi grabbed Kakuzu's shoulder again and forcefully turned the masked mercenary towards him. "Answer me when I talk to you!"
Without warning, Kakuzu's arm shot up and gripped Kandachi's throat. The man's face was immediately replaced with one of fear as he shook and writhed as Kakuzu lifted him off of the ground as his feet kicked wildly for the ground.
"I warned you, didn't I?" Without pause, Kakuzu broke Kandachi's neck, killing the man instantly, much to the Alliance shinobi's complete and utter shock.
Kakuzu tossed the body to the side like a rag-doll before looking up at the mob of leaderless shinobi before him. Half expecting them all to attack, Kakuzu's eyes shifted down as a figure landed between him and the Alliance shinobi. A young woman with light green hair and dark skin smirked up at the Alliance shinobi, as a man with unusually spiked, darker green hair stood next to her.
"You all are going to follow my orders now that Kandachi is dead, understood?" The shinobi, out of fear and respect of Fu, nodded in agreement. The Jinchuriki grinned to herself before turning towards Kakuzu. "We can always say he died on the battlefield can't we?" Kakuzu, undaunted by the girl's forward attitude, nodded once. Fu nodded back before motioning for the mercenary to lead the way. The masked man turned around and did so in silence.
Though sudden, many of the Alliance shinobi murmured to themselves about the very abrupt and sudden change of command. However, most of them knew Fu had more than enough power, politically and physically, to easily take command in Kandachi's 'absence.' What most of them were terrified of was if Hanzo or the other Alliance higher-ups found out that Kakuzu killed Kandachi and they all just stood by and watched as it happened. And even worse, that they just went along with it.
However, at the present time, they were all much more afraid of all the terrible and gruesome things Fu could, and would, do to anyone who would disobey her orders.
Naruto, Neji, and Kiba arrived inside of a cave, via the instructions Nagato had sent the three boys. Waiting in the cave for them, was Izumi who smiled happily as she saw the boys. "Bout time you three got here. Nagato, Shibuki, and Shiore all have already infiltrated Takigakure."
"Are things really that bad that we needed to rush so quickly," Neji asked.
"Apparently there are already some Alliance troops in the village, with more on the way," Izumi explained. "We need to secure the Hero Water as quickly as possible for the people of Taki and Kusa to have a chance."
"Are they all going to throw their lives away, or are some of them going to help Akatsuki," Naruto asked. Neji shot Naruto a disapproving look, feeling as though his friend could have a little more tact.
"Our job is to secure the Hero Water for Shibuki and Shiore. The shinobi and civilians are heading to the harbor to head to the Land of Snow. Any shinobi who decide to help us will be waiting at the harbor, which we'll swing by on our way back home." Naruto nodded at Izumi's explanation and then clenched his fist.
"Well let's go kick some ass them!" Izumi nodded to the boys and then pressed down on a certain rock. As she did, the wall began to move to the side, revealing an entrance.
"All the conventional entrances were blocked off, but thankfully Shibuki knows all the hidden ones too," Izumi explained as she entered through the door. "Nagato also stated that he sensed some people heading towards the location of the Hero Water, if Shibuki gave us an accurate location. Just be ready for anything boys, okay?" The three young rogues nodded as they walked through a dark cavern, following Izumi.
After a few minutes of walking along a wall, due to the zero amount of visibility, Izumi and the three young Akatsuki boys managed to get out of the cave, and joining with Nagato, Shibuki, Shiore, and the rest of the resistance. They were all thankfully shielded by a cluster of trees, which gave them an excellent view of the village, including where Shibuki witnessed his former teacher having entered the tree where the Hero Water was.
"Alright, Nagato, can you and your team distract the Alliance group over there," Shibuki asked, pointing towards the houses where the actual village was.
"Consider it done."
"We're going too," Shiore spoke. All heads turned towards her as she stepped forward casually, "The Hero Water is something that belongs to Takigakure. As such, it should be used by the people of Takigakure." Shiore looked to Shibuki, "You have more than enough people on your side right now to take down an army with the Hero Water. However, revenge is still in the minds of my people right now, and we're all eager to take it out on those dogs over there." Shiore pointed to the village where the Alliance shinobi were stationed. The Kusa leader turned her head forward, narrowing her eyes, "Don't deny us this...and if there's enough Hero Water to spare, then, well maybe you could share."
Shibuki sat in silence, just staring at Shiore before nodding and looking towards the giant tree, "Thank you Shiore..."
"Just make it count Shibuki."
With that said, Shiore shot out of the trees first, quickly followed by all of the Kusa shinobi with her. Nagato motioned to his team and they all rushed out as well, leaving Shibuki and the Taki people heading towards the tree.
The assault began when Alliance shinobi first noticed the incoming Kusa shinobi. A few Iwa ninjas quickly performed a quick jutsu that raised up a wall between them and the Kusa group. Shiore, as well as a few other Kusa shinobi, tossed forward several kunai with paper bombs attached, which stuck into the rock wall and exploded, destroying the defenses the Iwa shinobi set up.
After that, the small Alliance group charged towards the surprisingly larger Kusa group. As the group quickly clashed, they had the unfortunate luck of realizing that Akatsuki shinobi were also mixed in, which gave the otherwise weaker Kusa shinobi the advantage.
Nagato deflected projectiles and ranged jutsus alike with his Shinra Tensei, along with Neji and Izumi who helped with defense as they charged forward. Haku's speed allowed him to draw attention from the enemy to several different directions, giving the Kusa shinobi many openings, while Ranmaru's kekkei genkai allowed him to help advise his allies on what they were doing. Kiba and Hidan helped push the enemies back once they and the Kusa shinobi got into the front lines, and Naruto's band of shadow clones added even more numbers to their group.
Nagato looked back to see that Shibuki and his team made it to the tree. After a quick sigh of relief, he turned back to the action, only to be stopped by a thunderous booming sound from the other side of the village.
A sizable hole in the wall was formed, and at the bottom of said hole several silhouetted figures stood in it. At the head of the large batch of Alliance reinforcements, Kakuzu, Fu, and Aoi stood, staring down at the group which was paused due to the interruption.
"That little rabble gave the Alliance so much trouble eh," Kakuzu questioned as he let his arms fall to his sides.
"They were a lot bigger at the beginning of this little campaign," Aoi stated with a smile, though still musing as to how they gave the Alliance so much trouble.
Kakuzu huffed as he scanned the crowd, noting the familiar dots of black and red on the battlefield. His search was rewarded when he saw a patch of spiky blonde hair at the top of a black and red cloak.
At the same time, Naruto had also saw Kakuzu, his heart skipping a beat out of fear as he trembled a little. "Oh...crap..."
"There's one leader of Akatsuki here," Kakuzu stated. Fu looked at him suddenly and narrowed her eyes. Kakuzu pointed to the crowd, "The one with the red hair. His uniform matches an Akatsuki leader's I fought once. Kill him, and I'm sure you'll get a sizable reward."
"Not like you to turn down such a prize," Fu pointed out.
"I have a personal grudge to settle," Kakuzu replied as his eyes shifted back to Naruto. "Besides, the price for a Jinchuriki will be a substantial enough reward." Fu's eyes lit up before she looked over at Naruto. The two Jinchuriki's eyes met for a moment before Fu huffed with a slight smirk on her face.
"Well...this is quite interesting indeed..."
The shinobi of Takigakure followed their leader to a wooden door inside of their village's tree. Shibuki signaled for his men to stop, to which they obeyed. He knew if Suien was inside, he would have to confront his former teacher alone, especially if it was for the possession of the Hero Water. Shibuki stepped forward and slowly opened the wooden door and entered the room before closing the door behind him.
He looked over at the floor and saw a large puddle of blood, streaming from the body of a familiar older man with spiky grey hair. Shibuki gasped in shock before looking up at the front of the room, seeing a strange man in a Konohagakure uniform, standing next to a young woman with long black hair, pouring some water into a small vial.
"Stop right there," Shibuki shouted. The brown haired man stepped between Shibuki and the girl, who ignored the Taki leader and filled up the vial about halfway.
"You're Shibuki, right," the woman asked. Shibuki gasped that the woman knew who he was before she lowered the jar of Hero Water to her side. "Suien informed us of you, and that you were Takigakure's leader. He came to my lord for help, but it seems that all Suien knows is treachery."
"Is that why the Alliance invaded us," Shibuki angrily questioned, clenching his gloved fists. "Because Suien fed you all those lies that Takigakure and Kusagakure were forming a treaty to join the Union?!"
"Actually that was a lie my lord told Danzo," the woman said. "Suien just told us about the Hero Water, and it's capabilities. While he knew Danzo and the other Alliance leaders wouldn't have believed the rumors of the Hero Water, he knew my master would."
Shibuki narrowed his eyes as his mind was sent reeling with the possibilities of anyone who would be crazy enough to believe something as fabled as the Hero Water. Realization struck as his expression changed to shock, "Orochimaru..."
"That's correct," Kin stated. "Orochimaru also wanted the Hero Water, as he knew the after affect of the Water, having encountered it firsthand. Suien evidently didn't know this side effect, which is why the fool was so eager to betray Orochimaru."
"Why are you telling me this," Shibuki asked. "Aren't you my enemy?" Kin tossed the jar towards Shibuki, who in a shock barely caught it without losing a drop. Shibuki looked at the jar in disbelief before looking back up at Kin.
"Orochimaru only needs a bit of the Hero Water. The rest is yours. You have one of two options." The woman lifted up her finger and held it out in front of her, smirking as she did. "You can warn Akatsuki and the Alliance soldiers out there that Orochimaru fabricated the story that Kusa and Taki were going to attack the Alliance, thus crippling the Alliance even further than you already have. The drawback is that you all would have to flee, as you couldn't win this battle, leaving Takigakure and it's Hero Water in the hands of the Alliance."
"The men Suien brought won't be enough to stop our group," Shibuki shouted. A loud explosion rumbled and gently shook the tree. Shibuki looked up, wondering what was happening while the woman only smiled.
"They brought reinforcements, being led by Takigakure's former Jinchuriki, Hanzo's second-in-command, and Kakuzu the Immortal, an S-class ninja, also from Takigakure. All and all, without the Hero Water, you all don't stand much of a chance, now do you?" Shibuki scowled while Kin chuckled as she corked the vial of Hero Water. The woman lifted it up to eye-level and swirled the liquid around. "Option two...you and your men drink the Hero Water, giving you all the edge in this battle, and ensuring that your Akatsuki friends can get away with one of their leaders, and a Jinchuriki originally belonging to Konohagakure. The drawback to this option is that while you will more than likely win this battle, you and your people will die due to the effects of the Hero Water."
"You heartless bitch," Shibuki growled.
Kin laughed mockingly before placing the vial into a secure holding on her belt, "Make your choice quickly, oh-great leader. I'm not sure how much longer Akatsuki and Kusagakure can last without your reinforcements. Wouldn't it be so tragic if their sacrifice meant nothing though?"
Shibuki growled angrily and scowled at the woman who smiled at him. The Taki leader then looked at the jar of Hero Water in his hand, clenching it tightly, and desperately.
"Father..."
Another explosion went off outside as Naruto, his Akatsuki cloak now tattered and his hair disheveled, slid out of the smoke covered in sweat and panting heavily. He looked up and saw one of Kakuzu's strange black creature flying overhead as it rained down a series of fireballs on the young blonde. Naruto spun around and started running as fast as he could along the water as the fireballs exploded behind him on the water's surface.
Kakuzu himself was walking on the water slowly behind Naruto, revealing himself as the smoke blew away in front of him. The blonde looked back over his shoulder, seeing the masked menace stalking behind him slowly.
The blonde turned back around just as a foot connected with his face, throwing him to the side and causing him to bounce across the water like a stone. Naruto landed on all fours and skidded across the water before looking up at his green haired attacker. Fu smirked as she slowly descended and landed on the water, beaming at Naruto.
Across from Naruto on the other side was Kakuzu who was now staring at Fu, "I told you I'd handle him."
"He's a fellow Jinchuriki," Fu stated with glee. "The chance to fight a fellow Jinchuriki is too good to pass up. You'll still be given a substantial reward for capturing him Kakuzu, I'll make sure of it."
Kakuzu huffed and turned to Naruto, his green eyes narrowing furiously, "Just don't get in my way..."
Two of Kakuzu's creatures, along with Fu, shot towards Naruto. The blonde immediately created a mob of shadow clones to slow his attackers down, which did very little. Kakuzu's creatures, one spewing lightning and the other spewing wind from their masks, torn through the clones, while Fu blazed through, punching, smacking, kicking, and head-butting past all the clones, leaving a trail of smoke behind her.
Fu sprung forward, blowing past two clones as she sneered wickedly, spun around and lashed out a long chakra limb. Naruto cried out and dove to the side as an odd scythe-like chakra limb came swiping down next to him. The blonde sighed to himself as he dodged Fu's attack, but before he could gain footing again, a hand shot through the water and gripped his throat with a cold, iron clasp. Naruto gasped for air and was then pulled across the water towards Kakuzu.
The hand reattached to Kakuzu's arm as he held Naruto up in the air, glaring at the boy as he flailed and kicked to try to break free. "You've caused me some pain, little boy..." Naruto gasped again, looking weakly into Kakuzu's eyes. "I just have to return you alive, but they said nothing about me not being able to give you a little grief."
The water broke behind Kakuzu as he snapped his head around. A boy with white, pupil-less eyes and long brown hair glared at the mercenary before he spun himself around, "Rotation!" A chakra barrier quickly erupted around the boy as the rotating chakra tore through Kakuzu's coat and into his back. The mercenary cried out in pain as he dropped Naruto, who fell to the ground and started coughing and gasping for air before someone grabbed him and sprung away from Kakuzu.
The mercenary roared in fury before he swung around, his arm tearing through Neji's barrier and stopping his rotation as the boy was forced to block. Neji and Kakuzu glared into one another's eyes for a prolonged moment before Neji was thrown to the side. The boy skillfully bounced across the water on his feet, flipping and jumping back to slow his momentum.
"Are you alright," Haku asked Naruto. The Jinchuriki coughed and rubbed him reddened throat.
Fu stood next to Kakuzu and smirked cockily as the older man's back smoked from the chakra grinding against his back. The mercenary groaned and looked over at Neji as he rejoined Naruto and Haku. "Are you alright big guy," Fu mused with a smirk on her face. "Didn't know a boy could give you so much trouble."
"Shut up," Kakuzu snapped. "These Akatsuki brats...they never know when to quit..." Three black creatures stood behind Kakuzu and started to merge into his back, but their heads stuck up out of his back. "I'll show them hell itself..." Two of the heads, wind and fire, combined their elements together, turning a spark into a roaring flame before they unleashed it towards the three Akatsuki boys. The third mask, the one of lightning, shot out and fused with the roaring inferno.
'Combining wind with fire so that it doesn't cancel out the lightning,' Fu realized as she watched Kakuzu's attack. 'Impressive elemental combinations...'
The boys stood in terror as a fire and lightning storm came blazing at them. A figure jumped in front of them and held out his hands, narrowing his rippled eyes as the attack hit him directly. The fire and lightning combination was pulled completely towards Nagato harmlessly as he absorbed the attack until nothing remained. A few cinders flew in the air, showing Kakuzu the one who thwarted his attack.
The mercenary scowled and clenched his hands, "Alright...now it's Akatsuki in general that's getting under my skin..."
'What's taking Shibuki so long...' Nagato looked around at the battlefield, seeing Alliance shinobi easily overpowering the remaining Kusa ninja, as well as Izumi, Hidan, Kiba, and Ranmaru. "We won't hold out much longer like this," Nagato murmured.
Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, focusing on Nagato before folding his arms over his chest as the three creatures in his back fused down into his body. "Well...the Rinnegan. That explains so much about him."
"The Rinnegan," Fu asked as she turned her head to Kakuzu. "There's no way! That dojutsu...it's just a legend!"
"It's far from a legend my dear," Kakuzu stated. "That power he displayed, was the Preta Path, the path that symbolizes unquenchable thirst. To fit it's symbolism, the Preta Path ability can absorb any chakra based jutsu, or attack." Fu scowled and turned her head to Nagato, refusing to believe the Rinnegan was true. Kakuzu lowered his arms to his sides, "Regardless of his powers, even he can't save all of these people." Kakuzu groaned as two of his creatures came out of his back with much strain on the mercenary. The masked man looked up at Nagato as his creatures flew apart.
Nagato's eyes followed one of the creatures as it unleashed a powerful gust of wind onto the Kusa shinobi, throwing most of them back and cutting a few across their bodies. The sound of nearly a dozen men and women crying out in pain caught Nagato's attention. The three boys next to their leader turned to the other side as the fire creature landed in the center of a group of Kusa shinobi. At first, the shinobi were unsure of what to do before they all charged at once. The creature flew into the air and unleashed a powerful ball of fire that exploded in the center of the group. As the smoke cleared, a couple of bodies flew out from the smoke, while other mangled, charred, and smoking bodies floated in the water's surface.
Nagato growled and glared at Kakuzu, "Damn you..." Kakuzu only huffed under his mask as his gaze met the redhead's.
"Everyone stay away from those black creatures," Shiore shouted as she saw her people being killed effortlessly by them.
Kakuzu's eyes drifted towards Shiore, "A wasted effort..." Three more black creatures broke out from Kakuzu's back, making a total of five.
Naruto glared at the masked man, "Five of them...just like last time..."
Kakuzu lifted up his arm, sending the other three creatures out to attack, "Kill them all!"
Alliance soldier roared a furious war cry as they rushed the Kusa shinobi, all of them ready to end their pissing contest of a war. Before anyone could attack, a colossal tornado of water erupted upward, around the Akatsuki and Kusa shinobi, either sweeping the Alliance shinobi up in the waters, or ensuring that they couldn't attack.
"What in the world," Kakuzu murmured as he watched the swirling tower of water. The whirlwind fell, causing the water to rain down around the whole village and for the water's surface to bounce, unsettled by the large-scale jutsu.
"Step away from our allies," a voice called out. Kakuzu, Fu, and all Alliance heads turned around, followed quickly by the Akatsuki and Kusagakure shinobi.
Coming from the giant tree in Takigakure, led by Shibuki, was a small army of ninjas with visible chakra swirling around them, marching towards the battlefield. The soldiers of the Alliance all stared in awe while Fu and Kakuzu seemed unfazed.
"The Hero Water, eh," Kakuzu questioned.
"Did they all drink that shit," Fu snapped.
Shibuki focused his eyes on the enemy as he marched forward with the will and anger of his people, literally, behind him.
So...yeah, how bout that. An update that you didn't have to wait forever for! Crazy right? I hope you all liked this chapter. The original draft I had to delete the second half of it because it felt rushed...and well, it still feels kinda rushed. I apologize for that though x( But the whole Kusa/Taki Uprising Arc thingie, well that's gonna end next chapter. As for the next arc...well I don't have a clue as to what I'm gonna do. Probably focus on the actual war for a change. So all you Sakura haters, brace yourself, the next chapter or two may be Sakura heavy =O
Again, I apologize very much for the chapter being rushed. I know there are a few instances where there seem to be plot-holes in this chapter, like Kin saying Kandachi is fighting despite Kakuzu killed him. The reasoning behind that is that Kin didn't know Kakuzu had killed Kandachi and all. And there was another one I think...don't remember what it was though, but oh well.
Naruto gets his usual Naruto-moment next chapter, cool stuff happens, yada yada, basic actiony stuff. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. I'll work on the next one as quickly as I can. Thanks for reading! Sorry if it feels rushed and all that!