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:
Narutos: HERE WE GO!! BRAND NEW ADVANCED TAIJUTSU TECHNIQUE!! "NARUTO UZUMAKI'S CLONE BODY SLAM"!!
Gaara quickly reacted, grabbing three of the Narutos. One of those free grabbed the other and tossed him at Gaara using the other three for leverage. As he soared at him, Gaara attempted another counter but missed as Naruto created another clone and bounced off of him…
He bounced to the side and created another clone and kept this up all around as he picked up speed. Before he knew it, Gaara couldn't tell which the real one was or where he was…
Naruto: SPIRALING STAR!!!
With an opening, Naruto made his move…
Naruto: TAKE THIS…!! "HIDDEN LEAF ANCIENT TAIJUTSU SUPREME TECHNIQUE…!! 1000 YEARS OF PAIN"!!!
Naruto: ……… Boom…
The explosive tag he had placed on the kunai went off.
The dust from the explosion began to clear revealing that Gaara was still alive, although… he didn't look all that great. The sand covering his body was falling off…
Gaara: Ugh… Who'd have thought… he'd go after the weak point hidden by my tail…?
Gaara: I knew he was strong but I figured that I was stronger still… Seems that I underestimated him too much… I'll kill him right away when I get back to normal…
Sasuke: … Hey… Naruto……You have to save Sakura… no matter what… I know you can do it… Once you've got her get away from her as quick as possible. If it's just for a while, I think I can hold him off… *clinches his fists* … Never again… I already lost everything once before… I don't ever want to watch those precious to me die in front of my eyes again…!
Naruto: Those precious to me…… I get it… Because he was like me… Because he lived feeling the same kind of loneliness and sadness I did… I thought he was strong 'cause he survived that solitude, fighting only for himself… but I was wrong… His strength isn't real… Strength doesn't come from fighting alone… Real strength is not what you have when fighting for only yourself… When you have something special that you want to protect… only then can you become truly strong!!
Naruto began to build and focus his chakra. It was so much and so incredible that it nearly knocked Sasuke off the branch…
Sasuke: What the…?! I don't believe the amount of chakra he's putting out! Is this… really Naruto?
Naruto: I'LL PROTECT THEM NO MATTER WHAT!!
The entire forest filled with smoke and when it cleared… there were red haired, red eyed Narutos covering every inch of the area, over a thousand in all. Temari and Sasuke's jaws dropped at the site…
Gaara began to worry since his regeneration wasn't complete yet and in one motion… all the Narutos waved their monkey tails and lifted their hornless heads in sync and said…
Narutos: PREPARE TO BE ANNIHILATED!!
Gamikichi: I guess he's pretty good, this guy…!
Gaara: Wha… What's this…? The number of clones!?
Temari: Wh… What is this?!
Pakkun: This… This is incredible…!
Sasuke: … You… This… This can't be Naruto…
Naruto: The Star Dragon Goes All Out!!
Naruto: Let's do this… "HORDE MENTALITY: DRAGONS' FANGS"!!!
A/N: I'm not sure what you call a group of dragons but horde just sounds right…
The Narutos pulled out some shurikens and threw them all at the lone Gaara. They all embedded themselves in Gaara's sand covered body, but he could feel a few of them reach and cut the body underneath…
A few Narutos then jumped into action and kicked him into the air followed by a barrage of axe kicks and then uppercuts. As Gaara helplessly floated in the air, the assault continued…
Naruto: SHOOTING STAR SHOWER!!
A bunch of the Narutos drilled Gaara with their bodies and drove him into the ground…
Gaara: Ugh… *cringing in his crater* …Who the hell… is this guy?
Naruto: This is the end! "HORDE MENTALITY: DRAGONS' WRATH"!!!
A/N: "Dragons' Wrath" – A powerful blast of chakra from more than one user. Using a great deal of chakra, the user(s) combine their efforts to obliterate the target…
All 1000 of the Narutos reared back, took aim, and red chakra began to form in their hands as their red hair turned white…
Sasuke: That looks like… his "Dragon Wave"!
Temari: It can't be… When Gaara's in that state… how can he…
Gaara: NO WAY, I CAN'T LOSE…
As the Narutos continued gathering chakra, Gaara exploded with a wall of sand. As it rose it managed to destroy quite a few clones before it finally stopped and took form…
Temari: No way… It… It can't be… It's finally here?!
Sasuke: Wha… What is that…?
Gamikichi: Wow… the enemy's pretty good too!
Temari: It finally came out… his… complete form!
Naruto: This is the monster inside of him… It's gigantic!
Gaara had turned into a gigantic replica of his previous form. Immediately, it began searching for and destroying any Naruto it could find. It rampaged until, finally, there was only one left. Naruto tried to get away but because he was beginning to run low on chakra, he was caught. Sand began to surround him and Naruto had no choice. Hopefully this time it worked how he wanted it to…
Sasuke: NARUTO!!
Gaara had him right where he wanted him and tried to crush him. However, Naruto got it right and summoned a giant toad… the "Toad Boss" Gamabunta!
Bunta: What's with you…? Whatcha want?
He looked before him and there stood someone that would definitely give him a challenge. It was no wonder the kid had summoned Gamabunta at a time like this…
Bunta: That's… if I remember correctly… Shukaku of the Sands…
Naruto: Hey boss! Fight with me, would ya!! I'm counting on you! *huffing & puffing*
Gaara: This Naruto Uzumaki guy… Just who is he…? He amuses me to no end…
Sasuke: Naruto, you… What in the world…?
Bunta: Nope!
Naruto: Huh?! But why?! You said you'd make me your underling last time! A boss is someone who's supposed to help out an underling when he's in trouble, isn't he?! THAT'S WHAT THE WAY OF THE FAMILY IS… AIN'T IT?!
Bunta: Sure I said I'd make you my underling… but we ain't even sat down over drinks yet… Why should I have to do something for the sake of this guy… a big pain in the ass…?
Naruto: BUT… I'M NOT EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO BE DRINKING ALCOHOL YET!
Kichi: Now don't be sayin' that and listen to the guy, would ya, pops!? *hops onto Naruto's head*
Bunta: Why are you here, Gamikichi?
Kichi: I was bored so I came out to play… but never mind that, that guy over there tried to bully me, and the kid helped me out!
Bunta: SAY WHAT!!? …Tell you what kid, I'll recognize you as my underling! And I'll show you all about the way of the family! *looks at the offender* …It's payback time, you hoodlum!
He reached at his side and drew his giant blade…
Bunta: Hold on tight now!
With that, Gamabunta charged the giant lumbering beast and cut off one of its arms with his...
Bunta: "TOAD BLADE SLASH"!!
Though he ripped through him, it was tough doing it. He wasn't even able to keep a hold of his blade as it hurtled through the air. The force of it and Gamabunta's landing caused a massive breeze of air to flow over the surrounding area…
Naruto: Hey, boss! Sakura's over there on that side so try not to go over there!! Lure him this way, would ya!!
Bunta: Who's Sakura and why should I care?
Kichi: It's his main squeeze pops!
Naruto: *slight blush* …We have to defeat him, or else we can't save her!
Gaara: You're fun! This is fun…!! Naruto Uzumaki!!
From the giant monster's forehead, Gaara popped up…
Bunta: … So that's the medium, huh…?
Temari: Oh no! This is bad! He's gonna…! …At any rate, I have to get out of here…!!
And so she did, as quickly as possible…
Gaara: Thank you for keeping me entertained so far… Now I'll show you the true powers of the Sand Demon!
Bunta: That medium show signs of insomnia, probably from being possessed by Shukaku… Take a look at those bags under his eyes. I could give him competition… Those possessed by the badger demon, Shukaku, become such that they can't even have a single decent night of sleep. It's because of the terror! If they sleep, their personality is eaten away by Shukaku, bit by bit, until they disappear!! Because the medium suffers from a lack of sleep, their personality tends to be unstable. But… as the medium is usually awake, Shukaku's real powers are suppressed… but if that medium were to fall asleep on his own, then…
Gaara: "Spell of False Sleep"!!
Bunta: Shit!!
Gaara's body went limp and there was a moment of silence. That was until he woke up…
Shukaku: HAHAHA!!! I'M FINALLY FREE, AND THERE'S ALREADY SOMEBODY I WANNA TO KILL!!
Shukaku took a deep breath and shot a round of air at Gamabunta. Being the natural that he is, Bunta avoided it by jumping into the air. While in the air, he launched a similar attack, but of water, at Shukaku. The exchange between the two continued on as Bunta attacked and moved until…
Naruto: OH NO! THERE'S STILL ONE LEFT!!
There was a big explosion in the air and Shukaku couldn't help but celebrate. A bit too prematurely as Bunta soon emerged from the smoke and dust kicked up by the explosion.
Naruto: What are we gonna do? If I had enough chakra to make a bunch of clones like before, I could probably sneak up on him and blow him away with my "Dragons' Wrath" attack…!
Bunta: Only thing we can do right now is to rough up that medium, kid… that way, the spell will break. We'll get close and stop that badger in his tracks! We'll do it when his guard is down!!
Naruto: Ok, but how are we gonna do that!?
Bunta: I'm just a toad, so I don't have any fangs or claws to grab onto him with! So, using a transformation, I'll change into something that does… though, I'm no good at transforming so you'll have to take care of that part. I'll lend you my chakra and it'll be a combination transformation… Here we go!!
Naruto: Something with claws and fangs… Umm…! Umm…!
Gamabunta charged…
Naruto: Something with… CLAWS AND FANGS…!!
A cloud of smoke filled the air and from it emerged…
Sasuke: A fox!?
It wasn't just any fox. This fox had big wings and it quickly latched on to Shukaku with its jaws, claws, and 9 whip-like tails. From the Ninetails jumped Naruto, which then caused the fox to turn back into Gamabunta…
With one solid punch, Naruto rattled the sleeping Gaara to his core. He awoke and Shukaku was suppressed once again. Though he was awake, the giant body of sand was still present. Outraged that his jutsu had been broken, Gaara tried to make the one responsible pay…
Naruto's feet began to slowly sink into the body of sand but he was saved by Gamabunta. A wave of sand tried to crush him but Gamabunta used his tongue to shield Naruto from it. He then tried to pull Naruto free but it wasn't working…
Bunta: Not good…! Both Naruto and I have already used up most of our chakra…!
Bunta was being forced back, in the direction of a still unconscious Sakura.
Gaara: You will all be killed by me…! My existence will not disappear…!!
Naruto closed his eyes and focused on gather chakra from his inner demon. In doing so, Naruto freed himself and blew off his headband and ripped open his already shredded jacket. He reached for the staff on his back and charged…
Gaara: DIE!!
Naruto zigged, zagged, and bashed every bit of sand that tried to grab him while twirling his staff. He jumped into the air to deliver a blow to Gaara but was caught by his tail… He could feel himself getting weaker as his hair began to phase from white to yellow and back and forth. Desperate, he brought his staff down on Gaara's head in one swift motion…
This got results as the giant body of sand soon began to crack and crumble. The sand lost its form and dropped to the ground…
Sasuke: *speechless* … Did… he win!?
Bunta: Not bad… I don't know how he got himself into this mess, but he showed that he could get himself out of it. I never expected him to create that much chakra in that situation… Although I've never seen such a knucklehead, it's been a while since I've seen someone this strong!
Naruto and Gaara were falling to the earth…
Bunta: What a shame I won't be able to see the end of this battle… but, I'm already kind of at my limit… Gamikichi, let's go home!
Kichi: Sure thing pop! GOOD LUCK TO YA NARUTO!
The two disappeared in a giant explosion of smoke, the likes of which blew Naruto and Gaara into treetops. All that was left behind was Gamabunta's giant blade. Naruto and Gaara landed in the treetops and stared each other down…
Naruto: … I'm really getting tired at this point… It must be the same for you…! We're very alike, but let's end this now!
Naruto held his staff in his hands and looked at how it was broken in half. It was a very special item, the staff that was secretly given to him by his "honorary grandfather", but now it was done…
He placed it in its holder as he and Gaara stood ready to put an end to this battle once and for all. Bunta's blade disappeared in a giant poof and the two charged across the treetops and leapt at each other…
The Leaf Jounins stood victorious in the stadium but they didn't feel that way as they were helpless to aid their Hokage. He was still in an epic struggle with Orochimaru within the barrier…
3rd: It seems that… I have no more strength to pull out your entire soul…
Orochimaru: Could you die already, please… Sarutobi sensei?
3rd: I may die here… *strains* …but… your ambitions will end here!!
Orochimaru: … "My ambitions will end here?" You dare say that when backed into a situation like this…!? You dare to say those words…!? My ambitions will never stop and you will certainly die here!!
3rd: Ugh… I won't let your ambition influence this village any longer than it already has…
Orochimaru: As the old man you are… do you have the strength to save this village? Look around you… I ordered my subordinates, along with the Sand shinobi, to attack this village. Your Leaf shinobi… and even the women and children will be completely annihilated… THE LEAF'S DESTRUCTION WILL HAPPEN HERE!!
3rd: Orochimaru, you don't seem to understand… you should never underestimate this village's shinobi…
Gaara had landed a punch right to Naruto's face. This punch triggered something in him as his hair turned from blonde to red and his irises from blue to red as well…
Naruto: RRRAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!
Naruto came back with a crushing blow of his own to Gaara's face. The devastating punch sent Gaara careening through the trees of the forest where, when he hit the ground, he bounced across it for a few more feet.
The leaves rustled as Naruto soon came crashing down as well. Gaara watched in horror as Naruto, blonde hair and all, staggered to his feet and walked towards him…
Gaara: W… Why…?
The sand holding Sakura began to weaken. It wasn't long before she began to fall but Sasuke saved her in the nick of time. That's when Asuma and Shikamaru showed up. Sasuke left her with them and went after Naruto…
Gaara: Why… is he this strong!?
Naruto slowly made his way over to Gaara with a look of determination in his eyes…
Gaara: *terrified look* …MY… MY EXISTENCE WILL NEVER BE EXTINGUISHED!! THERE'S NO WAY I WOULD LET IT DISAPPEAR!!
Naruto continued…
Gaara: DON'T… DON'T COME ANY CLOSER!!
Naruto: *stops* … The pain… of being alone… isn't easy to bear. Your feelings… Why is it… that I can understand your pain? But I already have many people who are important to me now. I won't let you hurt those people important to me… even if I have to kill you!!
Gaara: … Why… Why do you go so far… for other peoples' sake?
Naruto: They saved me from the hell of being alone. They acknowledged my existence, that's why they're all important to me…
Gaara: …… Love… that's why he's so strong…?
Naruto stopped as Sasuke and Asuma appeared before him. They informed him that Sakura was now safe and that he didn't have to go any further…
Asuma: It seems like Naruto's becoming as wise as he is strong…
The rest of the Sand Team arrived to retrieve Gaara. As they did, Gaara decided that there was nothing more to be done, but apologize…
Gaara: Someday… even I will…
When they left, Naruto got a bad feeling and sat down to focus. He charged himself with chakra and concentrated on his feeling of dread. He picked up on it and rose up. He tried to hastily head towards the village, but his condition was catching up to him as he cringed with every step.
Naruto: Rrraaahh!
Letting out a small primal roar, Naruto ignored the pain and exhaustion and picked up the pace, bolting from sight and leaving behind Sasuke and Asuma to wonder what that was all about.
The Leaf was still being decimated by Sand and Sound shinobi. It seemed as if they were nearly done. It was that way until… the Leaf shinobi fought back!
The invasion was now being turned back as the shinobi of the Leaf jumped into action. Sand and Sound shinobi were being defeated in great multitude…
After seeing to his daughters', and nephew's, safety, Hiashi set out and was surrounded in a clearing by countless enemies. In one instant moment, all were defeated by his "Rotation". With the rubbish clear here, he decided to move on…
Chouza, Chouji's dad, used his "Multi-size jutsu" to increase his size dramatically. He became as big as King Kong and wiped out countless enemies of his own. As he went to town, Shikaku, Shikamaru's dad, and Inoichi, Ino's dad, used their clan's techniques to eliminate many enemies as well.
In the forest, still affected by the poison, Shino laid. His father, Shibi, soon came to his rescue as he used his insects to break down the poison in Shino's body. It seemed that he wouldn't be dieing today.
Back in the Leaf Village, "clean up" was still being carried out. As more and more enemies were being defeated, Kiba's mother, Tsume, and his sister, Hana, arrived to take out a few of their own. Using their ninkens (ninja dogs) they made short work of any remaining Sand and Sound shinobi. While all of this was happening, the inhabitants of the village were making their way to safety…
3rd: In order to protect the village, all of Konoha's shinobi… risk their lives and fight! In this society, true power is not attained from mastering all the world's jutsus… This is something I have already taught you! When there is something important to protect… a shinobi's true strength emerges!!
Orochimaru: You're speaking gibberish you old fool...! A ninja's strength comes from the jutsu they possess...
3rd: For one obsessed with jutsu, I have an appropriate punishment for you… I'll completely take all of your jutsu!!
Orochimaru: What did you say!?
The 3rd pulled back and in one swing of his blade, the Death-god cut off the arms to Orochimaru's soul. Right away the 3rd sealed it away within his body, leaving Orochimaru incapable of performing hand seals and ninjutsu…
Orochimaru could no longer move his arms. They soon turned a grayish color signifying this as they fell to Orochimaru's sides, like stone. He was livid about this and tried to give the 3rd a great piece of his mind as he sweared and cursed his name… but it fell on deaf ears as the 3rd slowly faded away…
3rd: We will meet in another world, my apprentice… where the leaves dance… and the fire burns… and… a new leaf sprouts…
Naruto arrived just in time to see his "grandfather" topple over. He rushed to check on him. He got to him just in time to see Enma pull out the sword that was in his back and the one responsible fleeing…
Enma: … I'm sorry, Naruto… I… couldn't save him…
Enma soon left, leaving Naruto's "grandfather" in the care of him and the ANBU. Orochimaru and his four barrier shinobi leapt away as quickly as they could. Naruto ran to the edge of the tower and charged his chakra. His horns began to grow, his tail transformed, and his hair flashed, as did the entirety of his eyes. The ANBU were astonished as he reared back with a great deal of red chakra in the palms of his hands and…
Jiraiya: Whoa!! Hold it Naruto!
Naruto: *holding his form & attack* …Why should I?
Jiraiya: This isn't your problem… The 3rd saw to it that Orochimaru would no longer be a threat to this village…
Naruto: What are you, blind!? That bastard is still alive, and he will be unless I eliminate him here!!
Jiraiya: Like I said, this isn't your fight… If things get out of hand with Orochimaru, I'll step in and put an end to it…
Naruto stopped his build of chakra… not really because he wanted to, but mainly because he had very little left. As he began reverting, he turned his back to Orochimaru and his escorts and walked towards Jiraiya…
Naruto: If you're gonna handle this problem, then you better… because if I ever see that bastard Orochimaru, I'll see to it myself that he's no longer around! *hair turns blonde, eyes blue*
As he tried to walk away, Naruto could feel his strength leaving him. He took one step past Jiraiya and… blacked out from chakra exhaustion.
End of chapter...
The invasion is brought to an end, as well as many of the Leaf's shinobis...
The Leaf pays its respects to its fallen, and a surprise guest drops in...
Next chapter: The return...