Normal speech
Thought
Nine-tails/Other big voices
InnerSakura
A/N:
Disclaimer
I do not own Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely for my, and hopefully everyone else's, enjoyment. Thank you!
Recap:
Kankuro: *shudders* …I'm getting chills just from the memories… The first time I saw it, I wasn't able to eat for a while… since it looks…
Sasuke stared intently at the sand shell and the hole he had made. Suddenly, he was startled by what appeared to be an eye, of the likes he had never seen before. Immediately after they locked "eyes", a deafening howl was heard…
Naruto: This… There's something wrong… What's this feeling?
The shell of sand soon began to crack and soften back into regular sand, and revealed Gaara who was now nursing a wound in his right shoulder. With a crazed look, Gaara glared at Sasuke intensely…
Sasuke: No, it wasn't those eyes… What was that… thing that was looking at me before?
Kiba and Akamaru had caught up to the ANBU that had helped Hinata. Now that she was no longer having coughing fits, her father decided to take her home to rest properly. Kiba's reasons for finding this guy was to thank him, and also to figure out why Akamaru said that they knew him…
ANBU: No, you're right… you do know me…
The mysterious ANBU operative instantly punched Kiba in the gut with a glowing hand. As Kiba fell unconscious, the ANBU began to cycle through seals. Once done, feathers began to drift from the sky and many people were starting to feel drowsy, namely…
Naruto: Huh… What's… (yawn)… this?... (yawn)
Sakura: Huh… This is… genjutsu!
As many drifted off to dreamland, a few of the Leaf shinobi realized what it was and dispelled the technique…
The Kazekage eerily looked over to the Hokage who then looked back. Before anything could be said or done, a smoke bomb went off and enshrouded them in a thick layer of smoke. Soon smoke blanketed the village signaling the beginning of… the invasion…
The Invasion Begins
A giant three-headed snake was summoned and began to wreak havoc on the outskirts of the village. The shinobis in position tried to turn back this onslaught, but… it was no use. Nothing could be done…
Members of the ANBU moved in to protect all they could but before they could get to the Hokage, they were cut off by four young shinobi with Sound headbands. As the Kazekage grabbed the Hokage and jumped to the roof the four Sound-nins quickly put up a barrier. The ANBU dare not come any closer, otherwise they would burst into flames…
3rd: For the Sand to betray the Leaf… An alliance is only useful as camouflage to make the enemy relax his guard…
Kazekage: The stupid fighting games end here… From here, things change…
3rd: You want to start a war? We should avoid solving things through force, and work out our differences through negotiation… There is still time.
Kazekage: Heh… Do we become peace loving fools when we age… Sarutobi sensei?
3rd: You…
Team Sand jumped down to aid Gaara who was having more than enough trouble trying to stabilize himself…
Temari: I knew it… He's experiencing the side-effects of trying to completely transform. It's impossible to go through with the plan now.
Kankuro: THEN WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO, DO IT WITHOUT GAARA?!!
As Gaara continued to groan in pain, the Sand Team's sensei, Baki, told them to abort the plan and get Gaara to safety. This way he could recover and continue with the plan from that point. The two did as they were told and immediately retreated over the stadium wall. Sasuke was told to pursue by Genma, seeing as the Chunin Exams was now over…
Orochimaru: *watches Gaara & Sasuke leave* …So Gaara was useless… Heh heh heh…
3rd: I see… So that's it…
Orochimaru: Your feebleness has caused the Leaf to fall further and further behind… I've won.
3rd: Heh… It's not over 'til it's over… I thought I had taught you that… Orochimaru! I thought this day would come, eventually… but you won't get my head so easily…
Orochimaru: I told you… you should have hurried and picked the Fifth… because you will die here… Old man!
More Sound-nins arrived on the scene next to a suspicious ANBU operative. Also, along the gates of the Leaf Village stood Sand shinobi. The invasion would soon be felt in full force…
Kakashi: A large number…
Gai: It's not just that… the situation is more dire than that… Look at the roof of the central watchtower…
Kakashi: *looks over* …That's a barrier ninjutsu…
Sakura: What's going on here?
Gai: Kakashi, look within the barrier…
Kakashi: … Orochimaru…!!
Sakura: Orochimaru…!!? Why is he here? Is he here for Sasuke again?
She looked to the arena but Sasuke was gone. Before she knew it two Sound-nins had converged on her. She pulled out a kunai to defend herself, but by the time she did, she had already been rescued by…
Sakura: Naruto…!? You… Huh…? Naruto?
The two Sound-nins picked themselves up but were knocked out, this time by Kakashi…
Kakashi: Sakura, stay here for a bit, while I even the odds a little.
Kakashi jumped into action along with many other Leaf Jounins. Naruto had stormed off into the fray as well and Sakura couldn't help but worry and be amazed. He appeared to be sleeping and yet… he was currently fighting with the enemy. Not just anyone that was unfortunate to get too close but the actual enemies…
Sakura: How is he doing that?
Kakashi and Gai were fighting back to back when they were surrounded. Suddenly, a sleep-fighting Naruto came to their aid and gave them the chance to make a few moves of their own…
Gai and Sakura watched in astonishment as Naruto cracked heads, broke bones, and with the flick of his scaly tail sent his foes crashing to the ground below…
Gai: … Uh… Kakashi… what's that? *points at a sleep-fighting Naruto*
Kakashi: Huh…? Oh, that's just Naruto. He may look a little different than normal but he's just using his "werebeast" form.
Naruto was up and about, but it looked like he was in some kind of trance…
Gai: No, what I mean is… he's fighting in his sleep. So how is he able to accurately decipher friend from foe?
Kakashi: He has the ability to sense chakra signatures… Since he's probably been around most of the Leaf shinobi, he probably remembers their signatures. Him being fighting while asleep must be due to some technique the Hokage used to see that Naruto could protect himself if vulnerable. As long as he keeps it up, there shouldn't be anything to worry about… if I'm right about it that is…
Gai: That's good! The "Power of Youth" is strong with that one…! I'm proud to fight alongside such a youthful spirit… *closes eyes & unknowingly knocks a few Sound-nin over the railings*
As he opened his eyes, he realized what he had done…
Gai: *sweat-drops* …Uh… Oops! Sorry about that… *looks at the watchtower* … Now I'm concerned about the Hokage…
Kakashi: Let the ANBU handle what's going on above, besides… the Hokage isn't someone to be taken lightly… After all… he is the Hokage, the strongest ninja of the Leaf Village…
3rd: I know you're not the type of man to act solely on vengeance… You have neither goals nor reasons…
Orochimaru: Hmm… Perhaps… but I do have a goal… Well… you could say… I enjoy watching things in motion. It's very dull when things are at a standstill, isn't it? A stopped windmill isn't worth watching… though… sometimes it's good because of the anticipation, you see… Anyway, right now I want to make that windmill spin again… with the "crumbling of the Leaf" as the wind!
3rd: Heh… You're the same as always…
Kakashi took a break from the fighting to inform Sakura of the new A-rank mission she would be taking part in. He then told her to release the genjutsu on Shikamaru as he grabbed Naruto darting by. He quickly cut down a Sound-nin before releasing the genjutsu on Naruto. As Naruto came to and he reverted back to normal, Kakashi explained what they would be doing…
Kakashi: Sasuke is in pursuit of Gaara and the other two from the Sand… You're to track him down and get to safety.
Sakura: But for something like that… shouldn't I wake up Ino and Chouji, then all of us…
Kakashi: Most likely shinobi from the Sand and Sound have already infiltrated the village. With more than the basic four man squad, you lose speed and it'll be harder to remain hidden…
Sakura: Four people…? Who's the other person?
Kakashi cut his finger and used a summoning jutsu…
Kakashi: This guy, Pakkun, will be able to track Sasuke down by his scent. Since there may be too much distance between you now, Naruto's ability may not be of any use in this…
Sakura: Wait a minute, is the last person… this little doggy?!
Pakkun: Hey, missy! Don't call me a cute little doggy!
Sakura: But… I never said cute…
Sakura cautiously made her way over to Shikamaru with Naruto and Pakkun behind her. When she reached him, she found something unusual about the situation…
Sakura: Shikamaru… your not… What are you doing?
Pakkun bit Shikamaru on his leg and quickly got a rise out of him…
Sakura: You were able to repel the genjutsu too…!! Why were you playing possum!?
Shikamaru: Bah! I didn't want to be attacked… *shaking off Pakkun* …not that it matters much now. I refuse to go on this mission! Who cares about Sasuke?
Pakkun bit Shikamaru and his cry attracted the attention of one of the many Sound-nins. The Sound-nin appeared behind Naruto and was about to take his head, but he was stopped by Gai…
Gai slammed the Sound-nin into a nearby wall with one blow and with the second… punched him through it. The three genin and Pakkun made their way through the newly formed hole and set out to find Sasuke…
Gai: Will they be alright by themselves?
Kakashi: Pakkun's with them so, they should be fine… as long as they don't get in too deep…
The Hokage, now free, removed his garments to reveal a black battle uniform. He had been prepared for something like this apparently…
Orochimaru: So, you have your funeral shroud prepared… Heh heh… To be able to fight you again… it's very nostalgic!
Orochimaru did the same, revealing the very same outfit he wore when he was disguised as the Grass-nin.
The ANBU outside the barrier began to worry as the four that had put up the barrier keeping them out had put up another on the inside. This one was to ensure that the Hokage couldn't get out until they chose to release it. The only way that would happen would be by some stroke of luck that one of the four was unable to maintain it, the Hokage could break through it, or… one or both of the two inside died.
3rd: Heh… Looks like I won't be able to escape easily…
Orochimaru: As if you would've tried to… You'd rather have no one get in the way, right?
The 3rd smiled at this. This worried the ANBU even more as the two stared into each others' eyes. Before anything else could be said… they charged…
The 3rd quickly pulled out a single shuriken and tossed it. As it was airborne both combatants cycled through hand seals…
3rd: "Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu"!!!
In an instant, the single shuriken multiplied and became many…
Orochimaru: "Summoning: Worldly Resurrection"!!
He finished his seals and before the shurikens could strike, something from the ground blocked the way. A second quickly popped up as well and right away the 3rd did all he could to stop a third from appearing…
3rd: To use a summoning as a shield… And these are…
Orochimaru: Oh… the third one didn't seem to work… Oh, well… that's fine…
3rd: I was able to stop the third… but things get tougher now… Of all people, for him to summon those two…
The two caskets slowly creaked open. Once fully open, they revealed two men in similar attire to the 3rd, one in red battle armor and one in blue.
"It's been a while, eh, 'monkey'?" the one with white hair and blue battle armor stated.
3rd: I would not have thought I would have met you two brothers again in a situation like this… It's regrettable… Please make your preparations to be defeated… 1st Hokage! 2nd Hokage!
2nd: "Edo Tensei", huh… This youngster is the one who summoned us with the "Forbidden Jutsu", huh… He's quite something.
1st: If that's the case, then Sarutobi… I guess that would mean that we would have to fight against you…
Orochimaru: Why don't you catch up later… and get started, why don't you?
1st: No matter how the world changes… there is always fighting…
Orochimaru approached the two former Hokages and placed kunais with special tags in their bodies...
Naruto and the others were leaping through the forest in hopes of catching up to Sasuke. As they were, Pakkun picked up on enemy ninjas that were in pursuit of them. If they didn't hurry, it may be far too late to save Sasuke or themselves…
They began to talk strategy of the best way to rid themselves of their pursuers. The best option seemed to be a properly executed ambush, but…
Pakkun: It's no use… They're subordinates of Orochimaru, a former Leaf shinobi…
Shikamaru: Sheesh… I thought we might have been able to pull it off, but I guess not then…
Sakura: Huh? Why…? That has nothing to do with it, does it?
Shikamaru: You just don't get it… Ok, sure an ambush is a basic tactic that's very favorable to the user but there are two necessary conditions that must be met…
Naruto: And they are…?
Shikamaru: The first is that those doing the ambushing must move without making noise and discover the enemy first! The second is to quickly locate and quickly conceal themselves in a place and position where you can take the enemy by surprise and ensure that you can cause a great deal of damage. Only when both of these conditions are met, will the ambush become effective. Though the first isn't so hard to clear as long as we have Pakkun's nose… and even with second condition, it may seem that we would be able to secure the best position to surprise them since this is our home and we're quite familiar with the landscape… but this plan wouldn't work against the subordinates of a shinobi formerly of the Leaf Village! They're probably ninjas who have mastered the "Art of tracking and hunting"… Hunters who will have been taught the lay of the land and practiced for this very situation… Even with that, the ambush could still prove favorable to us but there are too many undecided factors involved! To begin with, the enemy's a ninja squad that's been put together for something like this, whereas all we have are… an overzealous idiot… *looks at Naruto, then at Sakura* …a kunoichi with nothing special to offer… a dog… and the best guy at running away, me!
Naruto: Who you calling an idiot…!?
Sakura: He picked at our weak points, but said that he actually said that he was the best at something… Just like a guy…
Shikamaru: Battle tactics… It's how to come up with the best plan after fully grasping the combat ability available in a given situation, and so, after that analysis, there's only one thing that we can do now…
Sakura: One thing!?
Shikamaru: We need to create a diversion that looks as if we're going to ambush them… One of us will have to remain behind and delay them by faking an ambush… If they're stalled, they won't be able to locate the other three… If we do this, we should be able to lose the trackers… but the one who stays behind will probably… die.
They stopped as they took all of this in. As they did, Shikamaru continued by asking if there were any volunteers…
Shikamaru: The only one that's really needed for this is the dog so that we can track Sasuke's scent, in which case…
Naruto: Ok! I understand I'll…
Shikamaru: I guess I'm the only one…
Sakura: Shikamaru!?
Naruto: Why you?! I'm a natural when it comes to ambushes, and…
Shikamaru: It's better than being annihilated isn't it? Besides, if you think about it, the only one that can fulfill the job of decoy successfully and be the most likely to survive then… I'm the only one in this bunch that can do it.
Sakura: He's doing it again, making it seem like he's the best one qualified… not that I'm complaining in this situation…
Shikamaru hopped to a branch in the distance behind them. This way, if either Naruto or Sakura had any objections, it wouldn't matter because he was already in place.
Naruto: Are you sure you want to do this? I'm more than capable of handling myself in a situation like this…
Shikamaru: Of course, because… the "Shadow Possession Jutsu" was originally a jutsu used as a delaying tactic… *looks at the clouds* …Well… I'll catch up with you later on so hurry up and go already…! You're wasting daylight…
Naruto: *nods* …Shikamaru… we're counting on you!
He, Sakura, and Pakkun wasted no time in leaving…
Sakura: Was Shikamaru a guy that you could depend on like this?
A few minutes later…
The squad of Sound-nins was gaining on their targets quickly. Pakkun noticed that their pursuers were still gaining ground…
Sakura: He couldn't have run away, could he?
Naruto: He's a bunch of things, a lazy bum, a smartass… but one thing he isn't is someone who'd betray you!
Shikamaru was looking up at the clouds again thinking of how he managed to escape on his own. He would have been fine deserting his comrades to save himself, but something was eating at him…
The Sound-nins found more tracks and followed. Before they knew it… they were caught in a trap. Shikamaru had caught them all in his shadow jutsu.
Sound1: Would ya look at that… It's just a kid…
Sound3: To think we'd be caught by the likes of him!
Sound1: This must be the famous "Shadow Bind Jutsu", huh?
Shikamaru: That's a really old fashioned way of saying it. Times are changing… Now it's called the "Shadow Possession Jutsu", old man! Oh man! I won't last much longer now. Like Naruto said, I did have a little more chakra than I let on, but… everything that's happened from the genjutsu to the running around must have depleted that little bit.
Shikamaru counted the number in his possession and remembered that Pakkun had said that there were nine shinobi on their trail. He only counted eight and concluded…
Shikamaru: Like I thought, the ninth one's duties are to lay in wait and protect the others from a potential ambush. He keeps his distance and would react to any enemy attacks… All I need to do is find out where he's hiding…
Shikamaru pulled out eight shurikens and kunais in total. He quickly tossed them at his captives only to have them knocked away with foreign ninja tools. Shikamaru discovered where they had come from and tried to capture the ninth in the tree with his jutsu as well, but… it wouldn't reach because he was nearly out of chakra.
Shikamaru: Looks like this is it…
His hold on the Sound-nins began to weaken and the jutsu was released…
Sound1: Looks like… you're at the end of your rope… *chuckles* …I hope you're prepared…
Shikamaru looked up at the clouds for what might be his last time and went over his "goals". He didn't want to do much, just be a so-so ninja with the equivalent amount of income, marry a regular plan girl that was neither ugly nor extremely beautiful, raise a family of his own, and retire once his daughter got married and his son became a man of his own. Once all that was done, all he wanted to do was play Shogi and Go for the rest of his relaxed and easygoing life until he died a natural death… Was that so much to ask for?
Shikamaru: What was I thinking trying so hard? For it all to end like this… What a drag. I don't understand what could have made me like this…
Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun were still following Sasuke's scent when Pakkun discovered that the ones that had been tracking them had stopped…
Naruto: He did it! I told you he would… Now all that's left is to get Sasuke! Shikamaru, you'd better catch up to us later!
Sound1: Hey… How's about coming out now? And while you're at it… pop this kid's head off too!
There was a rustle in the treetops and a figure crashed down right behind Shikamaru. For unknown reasons, Shikamaru's head was still attached. That's when he turned to see…
Asuma: I finally caught up with you…
Shikamaru: … Asuma…? Why…?
He had the ninth Sound-nin under his arm, unconscious, and soon got to work on the other eight. It was no contest as he made quick work of them all. Shikamaru was relieved that his part was now over, as far as he knew…
Asuma: You did good Shikamaru… You should take it easy while you can…
End of chapter...
The invasion of the Leaf Village kicks off...!
The chase continues & Sarutobi's battle begins...
Next chapter: Chaos!