A/N's will be at the bottom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.
The Valley of End
Dead silence reigned. The wind blew and the crowd of people stared at each other intensely. Representatives of each of the great villages stood in the clearing. Only the sound of the roaring waterfall kept them company.
A with Yugito, Bee, and Darui as his representatives stood impatiently. He eyed all of them as he would the enemy. He had no doubts he would be the one to take the blonde's head with him back to the village.
"Well, where is he?" The giant of a man demanded.
"Yes, I do agree. Where the hell is this runt? If he's pulled a stunt he will surely come to regret it." The Tsuchikage piped up. Behind him his granddaughter Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi stood silently by his side. Kurotsuchi's pink eyes were narrowed in frustration.
"Just where the hell are you Arashi?"
"Now, I believe we should be more worried about the fact that the Raikage seems to be carrying along a few extra helpers no?" Mei the Mizukage spoke smoothly. Her head tilted to the side in question while her bodyguards Aoi and Choujiro stared hard at the Kumo group.
"Exactly why do you have an extra man with you Raikage?" Tsunade asked defiantly. Her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "After all I do believe you heard the rules just as I did…" Sasuke and Kakashi were quick to step up to her side.
Yugito scoffed at the other villages. She had known they would make a big deal about this. If only A had just decided who he was going to bring.
"Who I bring is none of your business Hokage," A seethed. "But when the time comes we will fight fairly to the rules. Kumo does have honor unlike the rest of you."
Tsunade stepped up and glared at the man. "That's rich coming from you. You're a damn pom—"
"Enough." Gaara's voice cut clear through the area. The bickering among the Kages ceased as momentarily all eyes were on him. "He's arrived."
The wind picked up around them. Howling, it seemed to twist and turn in the clearing. The cool air nipped at their skins as all the Kages were silenced. Each respectively went back to their own groups.
"Earth. Fire. Lightning. Water. Wind." The voice was smooth. It followed the gale on its journey, whispering on the edge of the cliff. "All five of the great villages once again gathered."
"There…" Mei nodded over to the top of Madara's statue head.
The wind gathered on top and a mini-hurricane erupted. The wind ripped and tore creating a cyclone so vicious the winds whipped at everyone. Yet just as soon as it started it stopped. A man materialized in its place.
The area was once again silent.
Naruto sat mutely on the stone. His legs crossed, he stared hard at the crowd in front of him. His long blonde hair was open for everyone to see. It swayed giving it a wild look. Long gone was the black cloak and mask. In its stead was the ruthless killer no longer hiding.
He wore pure white Anbu armor on his top. His arms sleeveless showed a chiseled physique with battle scars marking his shoulders and back. Both of his forearms were marked with a strange tattoo that snaked its way around his arms.
Black tape wrapped his hands and wrists tightly. On the bottom he wore the simple black Anbu style pants with standard black shinobi sandals.
On his back lay a sheathed long sword while at his hip hung a much shorter tanto. The finishing piece to all of it was the white headband found around his neck. On the clear silver metal no insignia was engraved.
"The name is Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze." Blue eyes stared intensely without waver and without doubt. "And I'll be your executioner… nice to make your acquaintance again."
The silence broke out into a crowd of roars.
"You little shit!"
"The arrogance of this one…"
"Are we going to fight?"
"Naruto…"
Naruto ignored it all for the most part. It wasn't like it mattered to him anyway. He had come here to do a job. He would finish it no matter what the cost. Nothing else really mattered.
Sasuke stepped up his hand already on the handle of his own sword.
"Sasuke!" Tsunade reprimanded but the raven paid no heed. A smile curved at the edge of his lips yet his eyes remained cold, driven with excitement.
"So it is you…" His voice was soft. Naruto glanced at him momentarily. He hadn't changed. Not at all. Sasuke Uchiha was the same bastard he was five years ago.
"Fight me dobe!" The raven bit out louder.
"Tsunade I would prefer you keep your dogs on their leashes and restrained." Naruto smiled wanly and cocked his head. His eyes flew right past his old friend and straight to the kage.
Sasuke laughed. "Dobe, you really haven't changed have you? Still the same Uzumaki. Always hiding behind that tough guy façade right?" The sharingan user took a step forward while his hand drew his sword.
"Let me just finish what we started five years ago." Sasuke said with ease. His voice cool and calm the rage that hid beneath it was missed by all but Naruto.
"Even now, you still have not found the right path Uchiha. I'll have to remedy that at some point."
The blonde truly was disappointed to see that the man he had given up everything for had not seen it yet. He still had not seen the salvation that Naruto saw, the one that Itachi once saw as well.
Sasuke took another step forward his face a mask of indifference, his eyes a flurry of excitement. Naruto flicked his wrist and frowned.
"I don't have time to stroke your ego right now Uchiha…" A rush of wind swept past Sasuke. Strong and fast it clawed at him like a beast. The raven flew back towards Tsunade and landed promptly on the ground.
Sasuke cursed. He attempted to get up only to be grabbed by Tsunade.
"I am your Hokage," Her grip tightened on his shirt. "And you will not make a mockery of our village with your petty arrogance." She dropped him and watched Sasuke glare at her before going to stand back in line.
Kakashi who had been watching silently stared at Naruto. He looked just like his father now.
"At one point he held his mother's smile and laughter too…" He mused.
He knew that was long gone though. One look at this man and Kakashi knew. The Naruto he knew was long gone. Still he had to hope. He had to hope that underneath it all a part of the boy he knew still lived inside the man.
"…Naruto…" Kakashi said his name before he even had time to think.
The blonde still sitting directed his pointed gaze to Kakashi. He didn't smile when he looked at his old sensei. There was nothing to smile about. This man meant nothing to him.
"Kakashi." Naruto said mockingly. "What a pleasure to find the man who taught me nothing again."
Kakashi looked ashamed. He wanted to apologize, but facing his student now he didn't know how.
Naruto seeing that the talking was over nodded his head. Clapping his hands together the blonde spoke again, "Well, now that greetings are exchanged..."
He climbed to his feet and jumped over to the clearing. He walked to the very center quietly before stopping.
Looking over his shoulder he called back," It's not my job to decide who fights first. The only thing I have to do is win so however you plan to decide on an order do it quickly… and preferably before I lose my patience. "
After that speech Naruto proceeded to sit back down and close his eyes. If anything he figured it was going to take them a few minutes to actually get anywhere. He had time to get his thoughts together.
The Kages stared at each other. They all wanted a shot at him.
"Kumo will fight first." The Raikage declared.
Onoki scoffed. "Like hell they will. Iwa will start off."
"Raikage, Tsuchikage I believe I have a better solution." Gaara said while his eyes casted over both men with an eerie calmness.
The two elder Kages looked at the younger man. It was Onoki who spoke first," And exactly what would that be?"
Gaara held out his fist. Opening his hand it revealed strings of grass. "Simple. We draw for the spots."
Tsunade looked over thoughtful. "I agree. This is probably the only fair solution will come up with. Mizukage?" She questioned looking over at her fellow female.
"I say we draw as well. It's only fair…right boys?" She said eyeing A and Onoki. The two men hesitated before grunting and looking away.
Mei smiled. "I'll take that as a yes." Gaara closed his fist again.
"So long as it is an agreement Suna will not draw because we will participate last." He let the phrase hang while his siblings looked on in shock.
"Gaara!" Temari whispered angrily. Going last was going to guarantee failure. There was just no way Naruto was going to get through four villages. She thought it'd be lucky if he got through one.
Gaara didn't give her any recognition as he stared questioningly at the other kage.
"It's fine with me." Mei spoke first flipping her hair.
"With me as well." Tsunade spoke second. After all this would just save her the worry of not being last. She had confidence that Naruto would pull something out of his sleeve, but even he would only last so long against the kage.
"I could care less." Onoki said flippantly. The Raikage A was quick to follow as well.
"Alright then." Gaara held out his fist with blades of grass poking out. "The shortest one will fight first and that with the longest will go last. So, who wants to pick first?" He asked raising an eyebrow.
Mei quickly stepped up to the frustration of A. Shooting the burly man a smile she pulled a blade of grass and quickly hid it. A went up after and yanked his blade of grass out quickly. Onoki followed and finally Tsunade pulled the last blade of grass.
The Kages stood in a small circle with their bodyguards spaced out behind. Each of them were anxious to find out who would fight first against the blonde enigma.
"Ready?" A said. They each put their hands out and opened them unceremoniously. Tsunade frowned, while Mei just grinned. Onoki grunted and A proceeded to smile arrogantly.
"Looks like this will be over faster than any of you thought." He laughed.
"Stupid blades of grass…" Onoki muttered.
Naruto in the distance shouted at them. "It seems you have figured out an order I presume?" It was Tsunade who stepped up.
"Yes. It will be Kumo, Iwa, Kiri, then Konoha, and finally Suna will end it."
"If you make it that far boy" Onoki said quickly behind her. Naruto simply smiled before standing up.
"You'd be surprised at what I'm capable of." His blue eyes were piercing and the Tsuchikage looked away.
"Well, let's get started! I'm going to beat your ass and then go home." A declared loudly popping his knuckles.
"Wait!" Onoki cleared his throat. A looked back impatiently. "What?"
"I do believe you have a decision to make…" The elderly man said nodding to A's three escorts.
Yugito, Bee, and Darui looked at each other. It was true. It was against the rules they agreed on that four would fight. It was two escorts and their Kage. No more than that.
"It's fine." Naruto said all of a sudden. "So long as everyone is an agreement I can make the exception." Naruto grinned showing his canines. Tsunade thought his eyes looked a lot darker than she had ever seen them.
"After all, the result will not change." The blonde said confidently.
The Raikage looked back at the other Kage with head bowed. Looking he saw four hesitant nods across. Giving his own thanks he motioned towards his escorts.
"Alright then! Let's end this quick boys!" Yugito coughed. "Err and girls." A amended.
Naruto simply waved them towards their area. "Yes just give me a minute. My partner should be arriving any second now."
A spluttered. "Partner?" Anger quickly lit his face. "There was no mention of a partner!"
Naruto bit back just as fast," There was no mention of a third escort being added in either yet here we stand." A was silent at that.
Naruto looked out to the forest. The bushes began to rustle and everyone could hear something. Twigs snapped and what sounded like an animal screamed.
The high pitch squeal rang through the clearing before disappearing. Many of the shinobi tensed their hands already inching towards their weapons.
"What the hell?" Yugito said quietly speaking the thoughts of those around her. Out of the forest stepped a creature as large as a horse. With five tails waving behind it orange-red fur glinted in the light. In its jaw a rabbit lay lifeless with blood seeping to the ground from its neck.
"You've got to be kidding…" said Onoki.
"Am I late? I got a little hungry." The giant fox threw the rabbit in the air before catching it and swallowing the creature whole. It stalked over to Naruto and waved its tails.
"No, not at all Kurama. In fact you're right on time." The blonde responded. Using his hands he motioned to the fox," I'd like you to meet my partner, Kurama."
"Naruto… is that?" Tsunade said eyes wide. Her fingers shook. She had been there during the attack. She remembered.
"That dumbass let it out!" Sasuke sneered stepping up. Kakashi was quiet staring at the scene before him.
"Ah!" Naruto said whisking his finger at Sasuke. "I believe you're fourth in line to speak Uchiha…" He said eyes narrowing dangerously.
"This is my partner. You will not question me about it. Especially since we have two Jinchuriki here," He said nodding to Yugito and Bee. "An ex-Jinchuriki," pointing at Gaara "One of the best swordsman who ever lived," Glancing at Choujiro. "An Uchiha and the infamous copy-cat ninja. Do I really need to go on?" Naruto questioned dangerously.
"You're correct. The end result will be the same either way. Kumo will win so your partner doesn't really matter." A finally settled on the matter. The bear of a man was confident in his team especially since he outnumbered his opponent two to one.
Naruto bit his lips and smiled, "Not exactly the phrasing I would have used but acceptable none the less."
"Then let's get started. We're wasting daylight."
"By all means. I'm just dying to rip your throats out." Kurama said cheekily crouching low to the ground.
"Yes. Just need to finish one last thing." A clone sprang behind the other kages and before they could even react the blonde replica went through a series of seals faster than the eye could see.
"Barrier!" The clone slammed his hand on the ground and a clear wall rose around the other Kage trapping them in a small dome.
Sasuke, Kurotsuchi, and a few others seethed. Tsunade kept calm though, "And what is the meaning of this?"
Naruto waved his hand flippantly. "To ensure that we have no…interruptions. And it will act as a mean of protection for you in case things get a little out of hand."
Tsunade nodded reluctantly in acceptance.
"Well I'm now ready for you Raikage." Naruto said gesturing with his arms wide. "All you have to do is step up to the plate." A grunted and began to make his way towards the center of the field.
Yugito and Bee were quick to follow. Both were eyeing their opponent with interest. Darui was last to follow, but stopped. The blonde enigma he had come to know as Naruto was staring at him intently.
Darui looked and the blue eyes pierced his skin. The man was smiling. Darui decided something was off about him.
He tried to take a step forward, but found he couldn't. His body wouldn't move. He looked up to find his A, but he was gone. Darui looked around and saw no one. They were gone. All that was left was white.
Was he even in the Valley of End anymore? It didn't look like it.
"I'm stuck." Darui looked up for help. Naruto stood no more than ten feet in front of him. He was still smiling. The man's canines poked out from his lips.
"Where am I?"
"Hmm…" Naruto mused. "Where aren't you?" Darui narrowed his eyes in anger. Fear planted rooted in his stomach but the man refused to show it.
"Will make your death much more painful than it has to be…"
Naruto's smile dropped. "You still don't understand do you?" Falling apart the white world seemed to crumble on top of itself. Red smeared the area and screaming pierced Darui's ears.
It was horrifying.
Blood curdling the scream didn't seem to stop. Everything around him bled red. Darui looked around for someone he recognized. What was this? A genjutsu maybe?
His eyes settling back on Naruto; the blonde in question took a step forward. A weight crashed down on Darui making his legs buckle. He had never felt such a killing intent as this.
Naruto took another step forward. Darui fell to the ground on his knees and struggled to breath. It felt as if his lungs were going to burst.
"Stay away from me." Darui said defiantly even though the fear in his stomach was growing. What was this man? Naruto's shadow extended from him and grew ten times its size.
"War is coming." Naruto said darkly. Bending down Naruto whispered into the darker man's ear. "What are you going to do when it comes Darui of Kumo?"
"Darui! Darui what are you doing? Come on get ready!"
Darui opened his eyes and saw he was back. Back from where he wasn't entirely sure, but he was happy none the less. Sweat fell down the sides of his face. The fear was still rooted in his stomach. It would not be wise to cross this man.
"Was it even real?" He glanced back to the blonde and found he still stood unmoving.
"Darui, let's go." Yugito's voice snapped him out of is trance. "What the hell is up with you?"
The Kumo jonin didn't answer. All he could remember was the killing intent pressing down on him choking him of air.
"War is coming." The warning rang through his head and in that instant things became clearer.
Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze had shared something with him. He had shared a part of himself so that Darui understood him. If not just the tiniest bit.
"We can't win." He said softly.
"What!?" Yugito seethed.
The man looked at her with a calm and bored expression as he always did, "We can't win." Then just as that Darui walked ahead to prepare with his kage.
"You've got to be kidding me." Yugito swore to herself. Her nails dug into her palm and she looked at her opponent. Something was off. She could just feel it.
"Be careful kitten. He's not as weak as you think." She heard the two-tails speak. They didn't talk often and Yugito knew when the stubborn beast decided to talk it was for a purpose. She did nothing without a reason.
"Are you ready Kumo?" Naruto called out standing up.
A said nothing. He walked directly across from the blonde and smiled before settling in his stance. Fists up and feet spread the Raikage just chuckled. Yugito, Bee, and Darui soon followed his suit.
"I'm to take the short one?" Kurama asked Naruto in his thoughts. The fox crouched low letting the hairs on his back bristle. He bared his teeth in a feral grin.
"Yeah, he shouldn't be too hard. Darui already knows the outcome of this battle. Plus he's the only one I don't really need to talk to either." Naruto replied calmly. Kurama laughed.
"You always get the best fun." The fox said finally before cutting off their mental connection.
"A Raikage, a kitty, an octopus, and a short man…" Naruto cracked his knuckles, "This will be some fun indeed." The Raikage just snorted in response.
The rest of the Kages and entourage watched on from the dome. They couldn't hear anything, but they could see their mouths move.
Temari in particular watched Naruto. He really had changed. He wasn't the same, not at all like he was five years ago. She could just tell in the little things he did. Even when she looked at Gaara she could see the worry he tried to hide for his friend.
Faintly she recalled what her younger brother told her and Kankuro before they left.
"What makes you think we actually have a chance to beat Naruto?" Gaara said over his shoulder.
Temari and Kankuro were taken back. Did their younger brother imply that they were weak? It was Kankuro who was first to challenge, "Gaara just what the hell do you mean by that?" He asked slightly offended.
"What I mean is," Gaara stopped and turned around to fully face his siblings. "Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze is on an entirely different level than all of us now. He won't be beaten. Not by any of us."
In that moment Temari's interest in the blonde enigma rose. She wanted to see this battle. She wanted to see what Gaara believed was his strength. Looking at those around her she saw she wasn't the only one.
Everyone was anxious, just no one wanted to admit it. Sasuke - she noted - watched empathetically at the battle as if he didn't care, yet she saw the way his gripped his sword. Even the mighty Uchiha was excited to find out more.
Temari looked back to the battle. The Kumo team and Naruto still stood staring at each other. Bodies tense and arms raised they were waiting. They were waiting for the right moment to begin.
Naruto felt that all eyes were on him. Stepping into his wide stance a gust of wind blew by all of them and a single leaf floated directly between the teams. It was soft and light as it danced through the air. Ever so slowly it was falling to the ground.
The blonde caught A's eyes and nodded. They were in agreement then.
"Three…" Naruto watched the leaf inch closer to the ground. "Two…" He could hear Kurama start a low growl the rumbling in his throat showing his excitement. "One." The leaf had fallen.
The Raikage sprang to life. Already in the air he came crashing down at Naruto fist raised. Out of the corners of his eyes he saw his entourage of three form a triangle around him.
They were trying to trap him. It wasn't going to work.
Everything slowed down for Naruto. He could see it perfectly and while everyone else was moving in slow-motion Naruto felt completely in control.
Kurama gave a quick glance to the blonde for good luck before leaping off to his part in the battle. The fox went straight for Darui. Caught off guard Darui barely had time to put his hands up before Kurama dove into him blasting the man back ten feet.
Kurama ran off for the chase. Their battle would take place out of Naruto's realm. It was of no concern to him. Naruto knew Kurama would wrap his battle up within the next ten minutes and let Naruto handle his part.
Steely blue eyes focused their attention back to his own battle. Putting his weight on his back foot he pivoted out of the way towards Yugito dodging the Raikage who came crashing down. Naruto felt the gust of air pass his face when the fist smashed.
The woman in question immediately went in for the punch. Taijutsu was her strength. Unfortunately for her, Naruto was better.
Dodging his head out of the way Naruto caught her wrist and spun her around. Bee on his back - who had meant to sweep out Naruto's legs - swept out his partners instead. Yugito fell to the ground easy and Naruto pushed her away from the battle.
"Fuck!" He heard Bee curse. Under the shadow of his hair Naruto smiled.
Going on the offensive Naruto twisted out of the flurry of punches Bee threw before using the man's shoulders to jump over him. Twisting in mid-air Naruto turned and began to go through hand seals faster than the eye could see.
Naruto took in a large breath of air, "Fuuton: Reppushou!" Blowing out a large gust of air the wind went ripping towards Bee. Cursing the man began to quickly draw chakra to his arms. Naruto watched unsurprised as a large tentacle replaced his arm and acted as a shield to the attack.
Sensing another chakra presence behind Naruto turned. The blonde grimaced seeing the Raikage coming at him fists raised.
"Shit." Naruto muttered under his breath. There wasn't going to be any time to move. Forcing all the chakra to his feet in a matter of seconds A's fist connected with his face. Naruto felt his neck snap back and his feet slide in the ground.
The Raikage just watched. Surprise lit his eyes. That punch would have sent any other man flying. It should have sent Naruto flying.
Yugito and Bee were quick to their Raikage's side while A kept his eyes trained on Naruto. The first few punches, the first few minutes had only been a warm-up. The Raikage knew that. Naruto and he were still just testing waters.
"Darui?" He asked quietly to his teammates.
Yugito shook her head, "We can't sense him. I think he's with the fox."
A just nodded, "That's fine." He said gruffly. "He can take care of himself."
Naruto snapped his head back and glared at the Raikage. "That hurt." He said plainly. Feeling blood pool in his mouth Naruto spit it out.
The man glanced at the Kumo team just waiting. He knew the Raikage was giving him a minute. They were still warming up after all and though Naruto knew A wouldn't ever admit it the blonde had impressed him. Even if just slightly.
Expanding his senses Naruto found Kurama and Darui easily. Kurama has masked the area with his chakra knowing only Naruto would be able to find him. Darui was doing well. Better than either of them had probably expected.
"Good for him." Naruto thought. It didn't make a difference either way. The blonde could still steadily feel the doubt and weariness that was growing the black lightning user.
"Are you ready?" The Raikage prodded.
Naruto grinned. You should never give your opponents time. That was Kumo's mistake. There can't be mercy on the battlefield. Not with an opponent like him. Not with a monster like Naruto.
Standing back to his full height, Naruto went through another set of seals.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Mist Jutsu" Naruto said quietly. A fog overtook the area. Slow and quiet it settled over the battlefield with a thickness that thinned the air for breathing.
The Raikage angry at the new development called out, "What is this?" He said angrily. "Are you too much of a coward to fight us out in the open?"
He looked for Yugito and Bee who had momentarily been at his side only to find them gone. A cursed to the heavens. This was not good.
A voice came from behind him. "It doesn't make me a coward to use an advantage I know will work Raikage-san, it simply makes me smarter than you."
"You little shit!" A turned to find no one. "Show yourself!" His voice echoed but no one responded. This was going to be a while.
Naruto watched from a safe spot the mass scramble of the Kumo team. He could see perfectly through the fog. It was just one advantage he found to being Kurama's Jinchuriki. His eyes shone a maddening red in the eerie light and his pupils had taken on slits.
He could see the chakra signatures of the Bee and A through the fog. Both were searching around madly for him. They hated cowardly tactics. It was in their nature as strong men. Naruto on the other hand had no problem with it.
Wordlessly two clones appeared beside him. "You know what to do I presume?" They both nodded their heads in affirmation before taking off into the mist.
Both sent to fight their respective opponents. He needed to fight each of them separately. They needed to buy him time. He watched as they disappeared into the mist.
"Are you going to come out now?" Naruto asked a loud. Yugito appeared from behind the tree. She said nothing as she stared at him. "I should have known Matatabi would have given you a little help."
"Matatabi?" She pressed.
Naruto stared at her curious. "So even now, you still don't know your bijuus name…" He took a step towards her. The woman didn't move. She had questions about this man. She felt as if he would give her answers.
"I thought that would have changed after our last encounter." Another step towards her. A small smile was on his face and his blue eyes looked softer to her. Her body tensed.
"I've never encountered you before until now you stupid man." Her words were laced with insult yet she couldn't find herself to attack him. Not yet at least.
"Don't tell me you've forgotten me kitty-chan?" Yugito's eyes narrowed. Now she understood things.
"It's you."
He was right in front of her. Lifting his hand he flicked her forehead. "It's me."
Flashback
"I'm not going to make it." Yugito thought bitterly. Blood seeped from the corners of her mouth. She lay beaten and broken on the ground.
She had given everything she had. She was sure she could have handled it. She had been dead wrong. Even in full-bijuu mode it hadn't been enough.
The Akatsuki.
"I feel like killing her Kakuzu. She has angered Jashin! He calls for blood." The silver-haired man whipped his scythe around. The edge glinted in the moonlight. The area around them was in ruins. Nothing remained standing and if it did it was burning in flames.
"Shut up fool. Leader would kill you and while I would love a new partner I don't feel like dragging your dead body back." Kakuzu was gruff. He hadn't even had to lift a finger to help defeat the weak Jinchuriki.
"Get up you foolish human. Run!" Yugito heard the two-tails cat call out to her. It was too late though. Yugito couldn't move. The blonde woman didn't even know if she could stay awake. She watched through blurred vision as the two Akatsuki members came towards her.
"I'm done." She said to herself.
"Not quite yet kitty-chan" Yugito saw a man step in front of her blocking the Akatsuki.
"Who the fuck is this?" Hidan called out. "Jashin will spill your blood for interrupting."
"And just who are you?" Kakuzu asked ignoring his partner. His interest was piqued. He was irritated with the new man, but interested nonetheless. Not many would step up to challenge them so carelessly.
The cloaked man laughed. "I'm your executioner." Those were the last words Yugito heard.
When she woke up again she was warm. A roaring fire next to her the heat seeped into her skin. She was groggy and her head pounded, but at least she wasn't dead.
"You're finally awake."
Yugito sat up slowly and saw the cloaked man. "Where am—"
"Safe. You're safe. And the Akatsuki? They're dead." The man turned and picked something up. When he turned back around he held two severed heads in his hands. Yugito recoiled for a minute and she was shocked when one of them spoke.
"You motherfucker! Did I say you could pick my head up shithead? Put me fucking down!" Hidan spoke bodiless.
The cloaked man laughed. It wasn't warm or kind. Cold and harsh the sound was hard on Yugito's ears. It sounded like it didn't belong to him.
"It figures he would be immortal, but I buried the bodies so he shouldn't actually come back."
"Who are you?" Her voice came out weak and hoarse. She almost didn't recognize her voice. Looking down she found herself covered in bandages almost from head to toe. Had she really been messed up this bad?
Yugito felt herself falling back to sleep. The cloaked man became blurred and her vision was darkening. She was still to weak. Her body just couldn't support itself
He walked over to her. Kneeling down she saw a mask placed over his face. She wasn't going to be able to stay awake much longer.
"We'll meet again someday." He said. He lifted his hand up and brought it to her forehead. All she remembered before blacking out was feeling him flick her head softly.
"Night kitty-chan"
End Flashback
Yugito looked at him. She had mixed feelings. Pumping chakra into her hands her nails grew to claws. Then she rammed her hand right through Naruto's stomach.
She never acted well on mixed feelings.
She felt her nails pass through his warm flesh and come out the other side. Her skin was coated in his blood.
"Kumo will not fail, no matter who you are."
"Kitten you are making a mistake." The cat said to her.
"Shut up!" Yugito cancelled their connection. She wanted nothing to do with the beast.
Naruto eyes hardened again. Blood trickled from his mouth and he spat at her face. His blood trickled down her cheek.
Yugito snarled and twisted her claw inside of him only to be surprised when he poofed out of existence. "A clone?"
She felt cold steel press firmly into her neck. Turning her head slightly she met with blue eyes once again.
"You're still not listening to her Yugito. She'll help you, but you have to want to be helped." Yugito snarled and Naruto just sighed.
Dropping the knife he chopped the back of her neck swift and firm. He heard Yugito gasp and begin to fall forward. He left her with one last piece of advice.
"Listen to her Yugito. Listen to Matatabi or you will never grow stronger." The blonde caught Yugito before she fell and placed her gently against the tree. Holding the ram sign he focused chakra around her placing a genjutsu so she wouldn't be seen. So she wouldn't be hurt.
Naruto looked out into the mist. That was one down and only two more apes to go. He could imagine how the other clones were doing against their opponent.
"I'm out of chakra." Naruto mused. "Guess my turn is up." With that the blonde poofed out of existence.
"Yo! Come out and fight me foe" Bee rapped. "Unless you're scared then I can get you a…chair?" Bee took out his notebook and started writing.
"That was terrible fool. Is there really nothing better that you can think of?" The eight tailed ox asked.
Bee pondered for a minute. "Nope!" Then the man proceeded to laugh at himself. Even his bijuu smiled. His container may be an idiot, but Bee was his idiot.
Unworried, the man stood in the fog. He knew all he had to do was wait. Naruto would come to him.
"He's here." That was all the warning the eight tailed fox had time to give him before Naruto came. His long blade was raised.
Wordlessly the blonde brought his sword down. He was aiming for the head. Those were nasty shots. Bee quickly pulled out one of his own swords and blocked the attack.
Locked together the two men stared at each other. Using his free hand Bee got another sword. He went to stab his leg. Naruto flipped back. Quickly making three clones they circled Bee while the original just watched.
The clones glanced at him and Naruto nodded. The first clone went in sword raised. He brought his blade down into a backswing challenging Bee. Bee was pushed back on his heels blocking each strike.
The next clone came in from behind. Bee spun off and then used his leg to kick the clone into the other. Confused and dazed the two blondes didn't recover fast enough.
Grabbing a small third sword, Bee threw it at the stumbling clones nailing them right in the back. They poofed out of existence.
"Too easy." He thought.
Turning there was only one clone left waiting.
Bee didn't charge. He had the advantage where he was. The clone, impatient, came in with a foreswing and followed with a backswing. Bee kept light on his toes never staying still.
The sound of the metal rung in his ears, it reminded him of the hours of training he spent learning kenjutsu. It was no easy feat. Naruto fought with a grace and brutality that Bee had never seen anyone else use.
The clone sidestepped and pivoted on its back foot. He aimed for Bee's back. It would have cut cleanly through had Naruto not stopped. Instead of the blade of the sword the back of Naruto's elbow drove into the small of Bee's back.
Bee fell forward and lost his grip on the sword. From the ground he cursed his inefficiency.
After the attack the clone hopped backwards waiting for Bee to gather his bearings. He would not go in for the kill. The original stood watching silently. His blue eyes mocking.
"Focus Bee. You're a better swordsman than him." The eight-tailed said calmly.
Gripping his two swords, sweat dripped down Bee's chin. The man ran in and raised his tanto to attack. The clone waited to block. Bee retracted the blade at the last second in feint.
Pivoting like the clone had done to him Bee changed directions. He used his forearm to bring the sword down and swung hard to his right. With his left hand he brought a second sword down in a arc.
The clone caught the top sword with his forearm and grunted. The sword sank deep into the skin. It couldn't have been pleasant. He then used his sword to parry Bee's weapon.
Caught at an impasse Bee then used his legs to kick the clone square in the chest. Sent sprawling to the ground, the blonde replica was helpless.
Bee quickly acted and took his sword in both hands. With all the power he could muster he slammed the blade into the clone's chest.
The blade passed cleanly through like water. The final clone popped and the smoke covered Bee. When it cleared the man put his swords away and stared at the original.
"You've gotten better octo-pops." Naruto commended.
Bee smiled and in all seriousness spoke, "Looks like whatever the hell you're planning is coming together finally huh?" The man wiped the sweat from his brow.
Naruto silent glanced to the side. Bee had a feeling that's where his bro and the other Naruto were fighting. "Yugito is farther behind than I thought she'd be. You told me you and Hachibi would help prepare her."
Bee looked sheepish. "We tried yo. But little kitty is stubborn kinda like you and nine-o." Naruto scoffed at that. He and Kurama were fine.
"She's strong, but not strong enough. Keep pushing her. Try harder." Naruto bit.
Bee stepped up and adopted a serious look. "She'll be ready. I promise. You've told me a little of what's to come. I won't let anyone from my village suffer."
Naruto glanced back at the man and slipped a small smile. "Don't worry. I won't let anyone in my power get hurt. We will get through this Bee, the ninja and the bijuu."
Silence reigned between the two. Bee knew Naruto was never one for conversation. He said what he had to and then didn't speak again.
"So," The ox Jinchuriki popped his knuckles. "Now that formalities are done you wouldn't mind helping me test something out?" Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Bee began to summon his chakra. "Ready eight-o?"
"We don't want to alarm anyone, but Naruto will probably try to mask our chakra best he can. I can't give you too much Bee."
"That's fine, I just want to give Naruto a little smack down. Payback you could say."
Bee was quick to change into a mini bijuu cloak. Dark chakra began to cover his body and three tails popped out.
Naruto glared at the man. "You jackass" he cursed. The blonde thought that he wouldn't have to fight Bee. They were just supposed to talk and then Bee gives up.
The Kumo jonin laughed and appeared behind Naruto. Naruto went flying through the mist when Bee shot a chakra arm at him. Then the man stood waiting for Naruto to get back up, but was surprised to see nothing.
"Like I said," He heard a voice above him. Looking up Naruto came flying down with a giant rasengan. "You're a jackass!" Bee raised his arms into an 'X'. Naruto slammed his rasengan into Bee. Grinding his teeth he forced more chakra into the jutsu.
The blonde felt Bee begin to buckle. The ground beneath was breaking under the force. Naruto was surprised when Bee began to push back though.
Then Bee got smart. With his tails waving behind him he shot one out at Naruto. Eyes widening at the incoming attack Naruto immediately cancelling his technique and hopped away.
"Shit" he muttered. The tails kept after him striking the ground where Naruto would land. Deep craters were scarring the land. Naruto doubled back trying to dodge the merciless blows.
Naruto grunted as he was grazed by the burning chakra. He dove to the side as the chakra seared his skin black.
With two of his tails buried in the ground Bee used it like a sling shot. Flinging himself forward he rammed straight for Naruto.
Naruto quickly noticing the threat began spamming clones like no tomorrow. Placing them as a shield in front of him the original Naruto forced chakra to his fingertips. He wrote a single seal on his hand. It would make sure his hand wouldn't be blown off in the process of this.
"This is going to hurt." Naruto thought. Once the seal was set he focused chakra to the palm of his hand. He imagined his chakra spinning and ripping through itself. Then he pulled on his darker chakra and slowly mixed it in. "Kurama might feel a little drain, but I think his battle is already over."
Dark red chakra seeped into the ball. All he had to do was compact it. He felt sweat drip down his face. His hand burned from the heat of chakra. The ball of chakra was shrinking smaller and smaller. It was meant to resemble the Tailed Beast bomb on a much smaller scale.
Finally the ball was ready. The blonde looked forward. His clone shield was almost gone. Bee was tearing through the clones like they were nothing.
"Hn," Naruto grunted. "Bee really has become strong." Naruto charged forward with the mini beast bomb. It wasn't the real jutsu he had created off of Kurama, but it was similar. He had made it smaller so not to hurt Bee. Plus Naruto still hadn't mastered the original jutsu yet. Not without completely blowing his arm off.
Bee came through the last clone only to see Naruto grinning with his arm outstretched. When Bee finally felt the pain it was unbelievable. It felt as if his insides were being ripped apart.
After that all he remembered was flying through the air and then hitting something hard. Things were blurry and he felt his body ache. Naruto came up to him put out his hand which was burnt and bloody. It looked like the jutsu had its drawbacks.
"You did good Bee." The Kumo jonin laughed. Even now Naruto was still trying to pretend that Bee had actually presented a challenge to him. Bee knew. Bee knew Naruto was stronger than all of them. There was no one that could beat Naruto if he put his mind to it.
"Hurry up and go knock some sense into my bro" The blonde watched the man promptly pass out.
Naruto stared at the man for a moment before making another clone. "Heal him so he's not in any danger, but no more." The missing-nin said firmly. The clone nodded and got to work.
The real Naruto walked towards where he knew A was. He already sensed that Kurama had finished Darui. The beast was already dragging the man back. Naruto would have to wrap things up quick especially if he wanted to dodge Yugito waking back up to fight.
Naruto felt a rush of memories hit him. The clone that had been keeping A busy finally died. Not too nicely either.
"Well, this'll be fun."
The Raikage had just decapitated the last clone. He had long since figured out that the original was not among them. Somewhere else he figured Naruto was trying to pick them off one by one.
He had thought the clones would be easy, but they proved more of a challenge than he previously believed. It only excited A that much more. It would be thrilling when he destroyed the man that much more.
"Three down one to go." A heard a voice call out. From the mist of the fog another Naruto walked out and this one wasn't a clone.
Blood was on his face and A saw that the man's hand was burnt to a crisp. He wondered if Naruto could even feel it now. There was a gaping hole in his side where it looked like something huge had rammed through him.
"Bee."
"Are they safe?" The Raikage repeated.
"They're safe. You really should be worrying about yourself though."
"I commend you. You're much stronger than I gave you credit for. At least kage level…" A was a stubborn man, but he recognized raw strength when he saw it.
Naruto gave a small bow and looked up with unamused eyes, "Glad to know you don't underestimate me any longer."
"Your winning streak will end here though."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Let's see you try." Naruto phased out of existence.
Appearing behind him Naruto raised his fist, but the Raikage turned around faster than he expected and landed a right uppercut. Naruto went flying. The Raikage was relentless and followed behind. Grabbing the man by the shoulders Naruto could do nothing as he struggled.
A smiled. "Raiton: Jibashi" Naruto's eyes went wide as electricity surged through him. His body felt like it was burning him from the inside out. Pain filled his senses.
Grinding his teeth Naruto focused chakra to his lungs. "Fuuton: Goukuuhou" The Raikage caught by surprise was blown back by tornado winds. He went flying through the air before crashing to the ground.
Naruto gasped for breath. His hands were shaking uncontrollably. Electricity still surged through him.
"I can't mess around." Naruto thought. "If I make another mistake like that he'll destroy me."
"Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze." Naruto looked up and saw the Raikage stand. "I'm not playing around anymore. Raiton no Yoroi!" Lightning surrounded the burly man. His muscles bulged and his arms looked like tree trunks.
Naruto stood up and breathed. "Finally…" This is what the blonde wanted. The lightning armor. Now he just had to figure out a way to deal with it.
Naruto forced chakra to his fingertips and drew a seal in the air. "Release!" A burst of air erupted around him. Naruto rolled his shoulders. He felt so much lighter now and this would try to even the playing fields.
"He was wearing gravity seals?" A narrowed his eyes. "Are you ready now boy?"
Naruto showed a feral smile. "Let's go wild." Naruto and A disappeared. Meeting in the air they let loose a flurry of punches. Naruto grinned. Even with the Raikage in this state it still felt as if he was in control.
The blonde phased out of sight. The Raikage glanced around furiously. "Show yourself!"
"Okay." He heard Naruto to say.
Circling around him a crowd of Naruto's stood. The Raikage's fists clenched at his sides. His body was already starting to feel the effects of the lightning armor. This was the last thing he needed.
"You think clones will work on me again?" The giant man flashed to one of the Naruto's and swung only for his hand to pass right through. The Raikage was shocked. He did the same to the next one and the same process happened.
The next Naruto he punched smiled at him and caught his wrist. "Not clones A, but I guess you could call them afterimages."
The Naruto holding him disappeared. Another one reappeared in its place.
"Which one is real damn it!"
All of a sudden the group of blonde men began going through hand seals. One Naruto called out to the Raikage, "Which one of us is going to perform the jutsu Raikage-san?"
Raging the Raikage screamed. "Raisō: Ikazuchi no Utage" Gathering lightning in his hand he slammed his hand down into the ground. Electric currents flickered in the ground traveling through the mist. The circle of Naruto's screamed in pain before fizzling out. None of them were real.
"Too late. Fuuton: Joushou Ryuu!" A giant tornado erupted around the Raikage. Naruto poured all his chakra into it.
The Raikage screamed in pain. Tiny slashes of wind cut him repeatedly. The man tried to break through the walls of wind but was only blown back. He blasted electricity to try and break the wind but it failed uselessly.
"You're weak." Naruto said walking through the wind in front of A as if it were nothing. The two people were enclosed in a whirling cycle of ripping wind. A felt as if his ears were going to explode the roar was so loud.
A charged Naruto fist raised. Naruto caught it with one hand. "How?" The Raikage seethed. He felt so weak. He could feel his body giving up on him. He shouldn't be this weak. Not now.
"You haven't noticed yet?" Naruto twisted the man's arm painfully. The Raikage grunted. His eyes nearly bugged out when he saw a tag on his arm.
"What is that?" He demanded.
"That is what is known as a chakra draining seal." Naruto said matter of factly.
A's eyes lit up. "Right after I shocked you with Jibashi…" Naruto snorted.
"Yeah. All I had to do was wait. You kept forcing your chakra out as fast and as much as you could that you didn't even notice it draining you."
A was silent.
"You've lost A. You had lost before this fight even began." Fury lit up the Raikage's face.
"Don't act like this is ov—"
Naruto phased in front of A and grabbed his shoulders. Bending his knees lightly the blonde man picked up A and threw him over into the ground. Naruto walked back up and placed his foot on the A's chest.
"It is over." Naruto demanded. Pressing his foot harder the Raikage broke the ground beneath him. "I want to hear you admit it." A glared at Naruto.
Naruto sneered. "Say it!" The Raikage was silent and glared at Naruto.
"Fine." Naruto spat. "I'll make you." The blonde snapped his fingers and next to him Kurama appeared with Darui unconscious on his back.
Naruto picked up Darui and held him by his throat. Kurama just barked in laughter before leaving.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!" The Raikage roared. The giant man struggled and fought to get up, but Naruto's foot would not move. It felt like a boulder resting upon his chest.
"Say it. This is the last time I'll ask." Naruto warned.
"Put him down!"
"Raiton: Jibashi" Darui's eyes flew open and a scream was ripped from his mouth. Electricity jumped from his body.
"I'll kill you! I'll fucking kill you!" The Raikage screamed. A kept struggling over and over. Naruto summoned two more clones who quickly drew seals on the chest of the man. The blonde stopped and Darui slumped over barely awake.
"I believe you know gravity seals right?" Naruto raised his free hand in a ram sign. A gasped. He felt himself pulled into the earth. His body felt like lead. He couldn't move his arms or legs.
"Raiton:Jibashi" Darui came alive again. Screaming bloody murder the Kumo jonin writhed in Naruto's hand. His blue eyes stared apathetically. This was nothing to him. Just another game to play.
Naruto stopped shocking Darui. The man started begging for Naruto to stop. He was begging for the man to just let him go.
If looks could kill Naruto would have died ten times over. The Raikage wanted to skin him alive, but he had to do this. Naruto had to.
"He'll die A. Your shinobi, your friend will die because you can't admit you lost."
Naruto waited for the man to speak. All he got in reply was silence.
"One more time then." Naruto said. Darui started to plead.
"No! Please, Raikage-sama no!"
"Raiton: Jiba—"
"Stop." A said softly. "Just stop."
Naruto stopped and glanced curiously. "Why?"
"Because I've lost. I give up."
Naruto grimaced and dropped his hold on Darui. The body didn't make it to the ground before it poofed out of sight.
A's eyes widened. "A clone?"
Naruto nodded. Anger lit up the Raikage's face once again. "Explain. Before I kill you." He demanded from the ground.
The blonde forced more chakra into the gravity seal. A gasped for air. He could feel his lungs being crushed. "I wouldn't anger me right now."
The Raikage just glared at him in silence.
"You're stubborn. It makes you weak." Naruto said. "It makes your village weak." A growled. When he was able to move again he would kill this son of a bitch.
Naruto grit his teeth. He was getting nowhere with this man.
Finally the blonde knelt down so his face was right next to A's. "You're still fighting me!" He shouted. "Listen! Listen because I want to help you." By the end his voice had trailed off.
Naruto could hear his voice echo through the mist like a shadow crawling through the darkness. His voice was harsh and rough. Through the years it had lost the hope he had once held as a child.
"How in the hell could you want to help me?" A asked sternly. He didn't need help. A never needed help. When he needed something, he took it.
"I want to help you prepare."
"Prepare for what?"
"War." Naruto said pointedly.
"You can't be serious." The Raikage said in disbelief. "You're doing all of this for war? A war that I apparently don't know exists? You're stupider than I thought. Kumo is ready for anything."
A looked at Naruto and for the first time since he had met the man he saw emotion in the his eyes.
Desperation.
It took him back. He was so used to seeing the eyes of a man strong emotionless man yet here in front of him there sat a boy.
"You're not. None of you are ready for what is going to come." A was silent. And for the first time it wasn't of anger.
It was of shock when he looked at this blonde man now he saw it. He saw the connection between him and Menma. This really was the same boy who had come to his village years ago.
"Kumo is without a doubt one of the strongest hidden villages I know. In power and strength you are almost unbeatable. In tactics you're brilliant, but the entire village is stuck." Naruto sat staring at the Kage.
"Do you know why?" He finished quietly.
The Raikage looked at Naruto and he felt as if he was seeing him for the first time. There was no mask on this man, no façade. The burly man felt anger bubble up in the blonde man.
"It's because you're so stubborn and you have that damn pride!" Naruto shouted. "You're so worried about your own fights that you refuse to ask for help. You refuse to admit when you're wrong, when you've lost."
"Your village will follow you anywhere Raikage-san. Anywhere. Because those are the type of people that Kumo has raised and with the right leader you will be unstoppable. But until that right leader is found your village will be lead like lamb to a slaughter."
"…I won't let my ninja suffer." The Raikage said more to himself.
"The Fourth Great Ninja War will destroy everything. You have to be ready for it. You all have to be ready for it."
The Raikage felt the pressure on his chest leave. The gravity seals were gone. He got up slow and easy. His arms ached and his chest was on fire. A looked at Naruto. Naruto stared right back.
"Be the leader I know you can be… Raikage-sama" Naruto bowed lowly in a sign of respect.
"…Thank you Uzumaki." Naruto smiled from his position.
"I guess this battle is finally over." Naruto brought his hand together in the rabbit seal and cancelled the hidden mist jutsu. The Raikage looked around him and saw the air clear. The sun shone through and he had never been so happy to see it.
"Raikage-sama!" He heard a girl's voice call out. Looking over he saw Yugito supporting his brother Bee as they walked. "Did we win?" She questioned glaring at the blonde beside him.
A saw Naruto glance at him. "No. Not this time, but Kumo will be ready next time. I swear it." Yugito looked at her Kage as if he had gone crazy. Her Kage seemed a little off kilter.
Bee – who was being supported by Yugito – smiled. "Big bro finally got it through that big head of his yo."
"They both look like they got their asses beaten to hell and back." The Hachibi said. Bee only laughed at his friend.
"Darui!" Yugito called out. Kurama walked up with the Kumo jonin on his back from the woods.
"He's fine just unconscious… and a little burnt." The fox said flaring his teeth. "He put up a decent fight."
Naruto interrupted, "I believe it's time for the next battle. The other villages seem a bit peeved." A glanced at Naruto and saw the emotion gone from his eyes. He was a robot once again.
Naruto waved his hand and A saw the barrier around the other Kages drop. They looked pissed. Naruto and the rest of the Kumo team walked up to the waiting crowd.
Kurotsuchi was the first to speak, "What the hell!"
Temari backed her up. "We didn't see anything you asshole. That's cheating!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Cheating? I don't believe there were any rules about how I fought."
"How do we know you fought fairly?" Sasuke countered.
"For all we could know you could have had ninja waiting to attack once the mist went up." Onoki said irritated. He had wanted to see the youngster fight. He had wanted an edge to if he would have had to fight him.
"Wait. Who did win?" Mei was the next to ask. Confusion clearly marred her face.
"Naruto did. Isn't that right Raikage-sama?" Gaara said coolly.
A stepped up and swallowed hard. "The boy won. The Kumo team has lost."
"Well, now we know he cheated." Onoki said.
"I would watch your mouth Tsuchikage. Naruto could very well have won with his own strength." Tsunade stepped up to defend her once ninja. She glanced at Naruto hoping he would at least look at her. She was disappointed when he acted as if she had said nothing.
"Nine-o didn't cheat. Kumo lost this round fair and square yo." Bee said weakly from Yugito's side.
"We're wasting daylight and unless you want to call it quits I believe Iwa is next." Naruto said staring at Onoki.
"You're only rushing your funeral boy." The elder man said with narrowed eyes.
"Raikage if Kumo would retake their spot with the other groups. " A nodded and Kumo went to stand with the rest of the villages.
"Naruto you look worse for wear, can you actually go another battle?" Tsunade stepped up to say. Naruto cocked his head when he looked at her.
"Yeah, I guess I should fix that huh?" Naruto pulled out a kunai and gripped it tightly.
"Hey, what are you-?"
Naruto stabbed himself in the chest with the kunai twisting it in. The ninja in attendance stared at him in astonishment. Then as quick as it had happened Naruto popped into a column of smoke.
Yugito stared. "There is no way that was a clone. It would have popped sooner. They can't take damage like that."
"You're right." Yugito snapped her attention towards the tree where Naruto jumped down. He was completely fresh and new as if he hadn't fought a battle at all.
"It wasn't an ordinary clone. It was a blood clone I made a few weeks ago."
"That's a forbidden jutsu Naruto from Konoha." Kakashi said. His lone eye shine with worry. There were reasons those justus were never to be used.
"Not for me." He said cracking his neck.
"So we fought a clone the whole time?" Yugito said with rising anger.
Naruto stretched his arms. "Well yeah, don't be offended though. Blood clones are identical to the user in every aspect. There is almost no difference in strength between me and that clone. In fact I had planned on it lasting me two battle rather than just one."
"If this is your idea of an apology or something it sucks."
"It's not an apology so much as a statement and I do commend Kumo for their strength. You were much more of a challenge than I first believed. "
"Let it go kitty-cat, nine-o ain't lying" Bee said next to her softly.
"Fine." She muttered.
"Then let's battle. I'm tired of talking." Kurotsuchi finally said walking towards the center of the arena. She noted just how wrecked it was.
Craters littered the field. Whatever happened during that fight, she would have to be careful.
The rest of Iwa followed in suit. Naruto stared at the rest of the group. "Any last questions?" It looked like Aoi planned to step up.
"Actually—"
"None? Good. Carry on then." He said walking away. "Clone, barrier." The clone that sat silently behind them raised the barrier around the kages. Things were in place once again.
"The Kumo battle went all according to plan." Kurama said opening the telepathic connection.
"Yeah. It did. The Raikage will have them ready when the war is to begin. I trust that." Naruto ran a hand through his hair. They really had beaten the shit out of his clone though. That motherfucker took a beating and receiving its memories hadn't been too pleasant.
"What do you have in mind for Iwa? Would you like me to take the fat one?" Kurama asked eyeing the Akatsuchi. "He'll provide me some amusement."
"No. I think I'm going to need your help, will fight together. At least for until I see an opportunity otherwise."
"This'll be fun." Kurama grinned. "It's been a while since we've fought together."
Naruto looked back at the other waiting villages. He saw the Raikage's eyes meet his. The burly man nodded his head at him. Naruto chuckled mirthlessly.
"One down, four to go."
"Raikage-sama," Mei asked quietly next to him. "What happened in there?" Her eyes were questioning. Something was off. The Raikage seemed different.
A grunted and glanced at her. "Trust me. When it's your turn you'll understand. Have… patience." He finished hesitantly.
Mei raised her eyebrows at the man. "Patience hmm? That's surprising from you."
"I know."
A/N - So what did you think? Good? Aight? Bad? It's my first fight scene and I know its a little shoddy, but its a work in progress. I can work on it a little bit more try to add a little bit to it and you guys can give me advice. Teamwork see? But honestly drop a review. It would really help me. it doesn't have to be a sunshine and rainbows review it can be one where your giving me a critique. I don't mind.
On to other things I'm sorry for the wait. I know I'm slacking, but hey surgery does that to you. And let me tell you crutches are a first class bitch. It is what it is though so I'll leave it at that.
Whelp. I'm tired...so yeah. I'm outie. Leave a review and I really do hope you enjoyed the chapter. Iwa will be coming up next and I can tell ya that it is gonna be fun.
Thanks!
Iron Legends13
P.S This is my longest chapter yet. Fuck yeahhh!