Yo!!! I'm back, and dropping another chapter of Tales of a Boy and His Dog. Things begin to take a turn for the worst, and Koji is tested in ways he never thought he would be! Can he survive the upcoming trial? Find out!!
Chapter 28: It begins! Sand Takes on the Association!!
Koji was feeling like something really bad was happening. He told the Kazekage everything he knew, but still felt that something was off. He looked to the stands, and noticed something that made his blood run cold. Sakura wasn't there, and neither was Shinji or Mist.
(Outside of Sand Village)
"Oi, Xin-sama. Is everything ready?" Blade asked, as Xin smirked. "My Beast Spirits shoud be enough to handle the Village Hidden in the Sand. Just in case, tell T.K and Sidestep to ready their weapons and beasts as well." Xin said, and Blade nodded. "So, how sure are you about this?" Blade asked.
"Sure enough that once this is over, your squad can take over while I settle things in that alternate world." Xin said, smirking. "You mean that world that we recently discovered? Isn't it uncharted?" Sidestep asked. "That's the reason me and my squad is going." Xin replied.
"Where are the other 3 worlds?" Blade asked. "DeepSpace's Squad has Mahora, DeathScythe's Squad is in Elibe, and MasterMind's in the Seiretei (sp?). He will have some kind of time there." Xin muttered.
"Though they are in the midst of staying in the human world, I figure they will have to travel to the Spirit World to save his friend. Hope that orange haired boy knows what he's doing." Xin muttered to himself, amused. "Whatever. Time to rock!!" Blade said, and he and Xin disappeared in their portals, while the undead warriors stalked towards the Sand Village.
(Sand Stadium.)
"Hey Koji, you okay?" Sanosuke asked. Koji didn't look his usual cheerful self. He looked like he was anticipating something. "Ryo for your thoughts?" Sanosuke asked. "If things go the way I think they will, it will cost more than a ryo." Koji replied.
"So, what's your bet on Naruto and Sasuke?" Sanosuke asked. "If they could finish, it would be one hell of a battle." Koji said. "Huh?" Sanosuke asked, before he noticed that the crowd was fairly small. Then, they all felt it. A fierce kind of dark wave.
"What was that!?" Sanosuke asked. "The beginning." Koji muttered, as Gaara appeared in the center, along with Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Shiro. "Eh!?" Koji said, surprised.
"You didn't think he would leave us out of the loop, did you?" Koji turned, and saw Naruto, along with the Konoha 12. "Don't expect us to stand back and do nothing." Shiro said, as the entire Shadow Blades appeared behind him. "And we aren't alone." Gaara said, and smirked, when all the people in the arena dropped their Transformation Jutsus, and showed the entire Sand ANBU and Jounin.
"No way!" Koji turned to Gaara, and smirked. "Seems like something is going down. Let it be our honor to fight for you." Kakashi said, and Koji's smirk broadened. "Let the war begin!" Koji screamed, and thrust her fist into the air.
(Inside the Village)
Xin walked all through the Sand Village. It was oddly quiet. (Seems like people are either hiding, or they have been evacuated.) Xin mused to himself. "You! With the black robes!" Xin turned to look on top of a building, and saw Koji and Yami standing there, smirking.
"Hm. It seems the little boy has come to me instead." Xin muttered, as Koji and Yami appeared in front of him. "Listen, Dark Robes. I'm what you want, correct? Well, here I am!" Koji said, smirking. "You would come to see me?" Xin asked.
"No. I come to kill you!" Koj whipped his Chakra Staff out, and charged. Xin merely smirked, and one of his Chakra Sabers shot out, blocking the electric staff. Koji the swung again, and Xin blocked it without even moving. Koji got pissed, and began to swing faster and wilder.
Xin still stood where he was, and blocked all of them. Now Koji was feeling quite ticked. (Bastard!! I'm going to crush him!!) Koji jumped back, and made his seal, as Yami turned into her human form. "Ready?" Koji asked, smirking, as Yami's chakra claws extended from her fingers.
"Let's get him!!!" Yami screamed, as they both disappeared from view. Xin merely sighed, and pulled out the other blade. Without moving from his spot, he was moving his blades all over the place blocking attacks from both the nin and his partner. Both finished when Koji attempted a strike on Xin's calves, but he extended his blade, and blocked it by having it trail along his back. Koji and Yami hopped back, and both looked ticked.
"Damnit! He didn't even move, and he blocked our attacks!!" Koji said, and Yami growled. "This guy. He isn't some run of the mill villain. This guy's skills must be pretty good to be able to joke around with us like we are nothing." Yami said. "I know that!" Koji replied, his eyes white.
"Amusing that you would wish to continue, but I will not be your opponent." Xin said, and Koji gave him an emotionless look. "Who will be then?" Koji asked. Xin pointed towards the right, and Koji looked over that way. His eyes widened in shock. "S-Sakura!?"
(With the Konoha 12)
Sasuke was trailing the rest of the Konoha 12 as they were heading towards the gates where Gaara was stationed. All of a sudden, both Jiraiya and Tsunade stopped, and held Sasuke back.
"Go on ahead without us." Jiraiya said in that tone that meant no arguing. Everyone left, except Naruto, who called his 'sensei's' bluff. Jiraiya and Naruto held a glare, before Tsunade thwacked Jiraiya on the head.
"Forget it! It can't be helped." Tsunade said, and Naruto and Sasuke gave her a confused look. They were about to ask her what she meant, before Orochimaru appeared next to a building.
"Orochimaru!?" Naruto screamed. "It's nice to see you to, Naruto-kun." Orochimaru said. "Why the hell is he here!?" Naruto screamed. "He's here for Sasuke." Jiraiya said. "WHAT!?!? Are you old bastards off your rocker!?!?" Naruto screamed.
"It can't be helped. Currently, there are two evil organizations after this continent. Akatsuki is one, and these nin calling themselves Association 15 are ready to try and take over. Hell, their leader nearly killed all three of us!" Jiraiya said, and Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened.
"You mean one guy had the power to take on all three Sannin, and nearly win?" Naruto asked. "Sadly. I have a few more things I wish to teach to Sasuke. It is for the future of this world. Even I am smart enough to put a grudge on hold for something like this." Orochimaru said. "He better come back on his own accord." Tsunade said. "You have my word." Orochimaru said, taking off. Sasuke had no choice but to follow.
(With Koji)
"Why? Why is Sakura here?" Koji asked. "Funny. I ran into her earlier, and decided to have her join my cause. Nothing more amusing than watching two friends fight to the death." Xin said, smirking evilly. Koji glared viciously.
"Whatever the hell you did, let her go now!!" Koji screamed, scowling very fiercely at Xin. "Sorry, maybe you can remember what she used to be like with her old shirt." Xin said, as he a balled up piece of cloth to Koji. Koji unballed it, and was surprised to see the green shirt with 'Gamble' written on the back.
"She truly is under your control, isn't she?" Koji asked. "I would stay and watch, but there are other matters I need to attend to." Xin said, as he disappeared in his portal. Koji looked on, in silent thought. "Hey. If you don't think of something, we may have no choice but to-"
"Don't. Finish. That. Sentence." Koji muttered. Yami looked at him confused, as he slid his black overcoat off. "Take this shirt to Shiro. Tell him it means either me or Sakura will come back for it." Koji said. "Why?" Yami asked. "Because I will break whatever it is that has a hold on her." Koji said, and Yami smiled.
"Headstrong fool. Don't die." Yami said, as she ran away from them. "Arrogant dog, making me keep promises I'm not sure I can keep." Koji then used an Enlargement Jutsu, so he could pull Sakura's green shirt over his green tank top.
"A little girly smelling, but I've worn worse." Koji said, as he glanced to Sakura. "Sorry Xin, but when everything is said and done, Sakura will be free. She'll survive at least." Koji muttered.
(Northern Sand Gates)
At the gates that lead Sand to Sound, Kabuto stood, waiting. "What's taking Orochimaru-sama so long?" Kabuto muttered. He turned, and adjusted his glasses, as Sasuke and Orochimaru appeared.
"Okay, what's the meaning of all this!?" Sasuke demanded. "You know that there is a new gang looking to take over?" Kabuto asked. "I'm aware." Sasuke said. "Then the reason for this is because we are getting to a point where we can't be careless. If not even the Sannin can stand toe-to-toe with these guys, then maybe the protégés can." Orochimaru said.
"You mean me, Naruto, and Sakura?" Sasuke asked. "Yes. Now, we must leave. You won't be ready for some time." Kabuto said. They were about to leave, but there were 20 of those Archangel warriors with black wings that Xin summoned.
"Hn. Fallen Angels." Kabuto said. "You know of them?" Sasuke asked. "That's what Xin called them." Orochimaru said. "Looks like we get some exercise on the way." Kabuto said, as he pulled out one of his curved kunai. "I suppose." Orochimaru said.
(With the Kazekage)
"So, this is what we are up against?" Gaara asked, Shiro was standing next to him. "Three more are in the village, but my crew can handle them." Shiro said. "I hope your right." Gaara said. Shiro then went silent, and glanced into the village. "Someone's calling me." Shiro said. "Huh?" Gaara asked. "Don't worry. It's time for two of the Kumo Sannin to meet." Shiro said, disappearing.
(Akatsuki)
"Seems like things are going pretty bad, yeah." Deidara said, glancing at the approaching army. "Things look like they are going to get fun. If only we didn't have to stand at the sidelines and watch." Kisame said.
"Says the oversized bloodthirsty shark, yeah." Deidara said. "Zip it!" Kisame said. "Guys! We shouldn't be arguing with each other! We're all friends and teammates!" Kanzaki said. "In your world, maybe we are." Kisame said.
"We have company." Itachi finally spoke, as a shadow stood above them. "Who is that?" Deidara asked. "Association 15." Itachi said. "Ah. That group that has been gaining power." Kisame said. "What group?" Kanzaki asked. "If you would pay attention in our meetings, you would know, yeah." Deidara said.
"Stop picking on her." Itachi said. "You sticking up for her!?" Kisame asked, amazed. "No. She's too out there to fend off someone like Deidara." Itachi said. "Hey!!" Deidara screamed, his eyes had turned white. "Akatsuki." The Association nin said, and the four members turned their attention to him.
"So, he thinks he can openly talk to us like we are his buddies or something?" Kisame said, smirking as he grabbed the handle of Samehada. "No Kisame. You three stay back." Itachi said. "And why is that!?" Kisame asked. "This boy's chakra, it isn't normal. I can't say even I can win." Itachi said calmly, and their eyes widened.
"Don't joke like that, Itachi." Deidara said. "I don't joke." Itachi said. "We'll hold you to that." Kisame said, as he jumped to the top of the building, along with Deidara and Kanzaki. "T.K." The Association nin said, pulling his hood off to show orange spikey hair. "Itachi Uchiha." Itachi said, as he unbuttoned the top two buttons of his Akatsuki Cloak, and let his left hand rest there. He discarded the hat they all wore, and tossed it into the air, so Kisame could catch it.
(Shadow Blade 5)
"So, Kimimaro, what's the deal with these guys?" Sakon asked. "Association 15 are said to be 15 nin with no alliance to any village. They are S-Rank nin, and are quite powerful." Kimimaro said.
"So, why does Shiro-sama know so much about these guys?" Jirobo asked. "That might be because our leader knows Masamune personally." They all turned, and saw Sidestep there, smirking. "Hey, it's disco freak." Sakon said, and Kidomaru actually looked serious. "I wouldn't underestimate this weirdo. He's stronger than he looks." Kidomaru said, and Tayuya sneered at him.
"Is that because you are weak as hell?" Tayuya asked, and Kidomaru glared at her with white eyes. "Okay bitch!! Think you're so tough, you kick his ass!!!" Kidomaru screamed, glaring at her. "Fine!! I will!!" Tayuya turned to Sidestep, who was standing there, smirking.
"Little girls shouldn't fight." Sidestep said. "And faggots shouldn't either." Tayuya replied, and Sidestep closed his eyes, as a mushroom shaped sigh escaped his lips. "Foul mouthed and bitchy. Not a good combo." Tayuya glared fiercely, and she pulled out her flute.
(With the Mist nin)
"So, the wheels of fate have begun to turn." Shinji said. "So it seems. We should get out of here. Those Association guys will waste no time in trying to off us." Zabuza said. "Oh how right you are, Zabuza-san." The Mist Three turned, and saw Blade, with a senbon needle in his mouth.
"Hn. It's Blade." Zabuza said. "He's the one who has a mastery of Kenjutsu." Haku said. "So you know of my skills? I'm flattered." Blade said, smirking. "A ninja always knows who he is associated with." Zabuza said.
"And you know what happens to traitors. You didn't think I would let you leave out of the mission with your lives?" Blade asked, flipping the senbon in his mouth. "I actually was shooting for 'never meeting you bastards again.'" Shinji said. "Wit won't get you anywhere during this brawl, boy." Blade said.
"Who the hell are you to call me 'boy'? You look the same age I am!" Shinji said, smirking. "But the difference in our power is that of an adult and a boy." Blade said. "We'll just have to see who is the boy then!" Shinji said, as he pulled a Water Katana out of his water bottle.
(Elsewhere)
(It's finally time we met, my old rival.) Two nin thought, as they walked towards the Kazekage Tower. (You were always the one who stood in my way. Always the one I wished to beat.) They both used the rooftops to hop along towards their destination.
(And now, it's high time for a showdown!) Both nin appeared, and held their airs of power. Shiro Masamune and Xin were finally face to face.
ShadowRonin: It has begun! The Association-Allied Element Ninja War begins now! There will be matches upon matches. Hell, there will be matches inside of matches. But most of all, Association 15 has made their intentions known. Let's see if the heroes can pull a victory out.
Next Chapter: Things are just beginning, and already they look grim. Koji is forced to fight Sakura, without killing her or himself in the process. Can he save her from Xin's grasp, or will he die trying? Find out on:
Chapter 29: Showdown!!!!! Part 1: Saving Sakura!