INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to Chronicles of the Seventh. As always I start by saying I do not own Naruto.
THANK YOU
Thanks to all those who reviewed my last chapter: theshrewdshrew; iiDarkness; GravenImage; charles cdv; Sasuke K; Silver Senpai; FallingRock; Kushina's Truth of Hell; PJ Hatake; Mudcake; goldone5 and GreedO3114.
RESPONCES
theshrewdshrew - yes, I did consider giving Krolik a bigger part to play but tbh I think it would just be too much to add to an already large story. So I decided to keep his story small.
So my titles worry you? Lol! Good! Don't concern yourself with Naruto. He's plenty grown up and has a reason for the things he does now. I think you'll be pleased. I also understand your thoughts about him keeping the Uzumaki name. But to me the fact remains that his fater is Namikaze and so is he. Most poeple outsiide Konoha don't know about the Uzumaki bloodline. But everyone knows the legendary Minato Namikaze. Thus the name carries more weight.
iiDarkness - Thanx. Itry to give a complete story from beginning to end and I have to say things are coming along better than even I had hoped.
As for the amount of chapters i plan to write the answer is 13. Just kidding! Actually even though i have planned out the entirty of my story I never confine things to a certain amount of chapters. So TBH, I don't know how many chapters. It will likely be more than 20. But i can't say for sure. i just go with the flow until the story is told.
GravenImage - Thanx. I'm glad you're still enjoying it.
charles cdv - Thanx.
Sasuke K - Thanx dude.
Silver Senpai - i think so too. Thanx.
FallingRock - Glad you're enjoying the story. Well, i can't say if Konan will take a part in my story. I'm still considering it. i have no issue with adding or removing characters/scenes so long as it makes sense in the story I'm crafting. So stay tuned to see if she makes an appearance.
Kushina's - Ok, fine. Praise away! But I warn you, you may end up creating a monster. Lol! I checked your page out BTW. You are pretty busy yourself. You have quite a few stories there. I plan to take a look soon.
PJ Hatake - Well, I wanted people to feel like they understood Krolik a bit. I didn't want him to be a completely flat character to be used and disposed of. So I'm glad you liked it.
Mudcake - You don't want him to be sent away forever or killed huh? Even though his actions resulted in the death of Koga and the start of a war that cost many lives? Very forgiving of you Mudcake. Lol!
Goldone5 - LOL! Glad you liked the fact Sakura survived. You didn;t really think I'd kill her did you? Lol! I'm glad my cliffhangers are driving you all crazy. it means I'm doing a good job. Stay tuned for my cliffhangers are going to get bigger and better.
Greed03114 - You know original plan was to have the courtroom scene encompass 2 chapters. But I decided that it was best to keep it to one as i felt I had waited long enough to get to this point. I just felt it was time to move on. Don't worry, I want honest opinions even if they're not always positive. Bring em all on I say. :)
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
Ok, so this is you're reminder that there will be no new chapter for two weeks. That's right folks Ramen is going on vacation. I'll be laying on a beach for a while so the next new chapter will be on Sunday October 3rd. But there is some good news, as punishment for making you wait, I pushed myself to write another double sized chapter. That's right, chapter twelve will also be extra long. So please remember to review this chapter and I'll be back with a new chapter in two weeks.
Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh
Book III: End of Innocence
Chapter XI: The Legend of Rock Lee
******Underneath Hidden Village near Otogakure******
Neji sat in the familiar darkness in silence. Somewhere nearby he could hear Kiba and Lee speaking to each other in a low tone. As he always did, Neji spent his time in deep concentration and meditation as he considered his situation and how best to get out of it. It had been a month since he and his comrades had been captured by Akatsuki forces. And for the past four weeks it had been an unending cycle of pain, starvation and darkness.
At first Neji's assumption was that Muramasa had held back and allowed them to survive so that he could get information from them. Back then Lee was still severely hurt and was falling in and out of consciousness. To be honest he and Kiba weren't in much better shape either. The both had broken bones, internal bleeding and bruises. And Kiba had lost his left eye. Their captors hadn't come to tend their wounds, not that he expected them to, so Neji and Kiba did the best they could to stabilize whatever broken bones and lacerations they suffered and treat Lee.
As for food, it was scarce. Once a day a plate of dry bread and water was delivered for each of them. Neji had no doubt that this food had been spat upon and god knows what else. But they were in no position to turn it down. So they ate.
It wasn't until two days after their capture when an Akatsuki ninja came to their cell and took them away one by one, to a room for interrogation. Lee was the first, but he was quickly returned. No doubt they found that he was still in no shape to give them any information. They quickly threw him to the ground and took Kiba, who tried in vain to fight them off.
While alone with Lee, Neji used his Byakugan to inspect Lee to see if they had done extra damage to him. He was surprised to find instead that they had treated his wounds. Kiba however, was not so lucky. When they returned with him more than an hour later, he was barely conscious and bared fresh bruises and cuts on his face, back and chest.
Before Neji could go to him the ninja's grabbed him and dragged him out of the cell. They quickly blind folded him, as if it mattered, and took him to a room many doors down where they strapped him to wall, chest first so his back was exposed and then removed the blindfold.
In the low light Neji could see a bloodstained table with many blades and razors of different sizes and serrated edges. Most were stained with dry blood and a few had fresh blood on them and Neji knew those had just recently been used. Neji then heard a ninja walk up behind him and using his Byakugan could tell ninja had a whip in his hands.
Neji then heard the ninja's sinister laugh and the crack of the whip and braced himself for what he knew was to come. When the first stinging hit him Neji nearly passed out. He gritted his teeth and held back his scream. He wasn't about to give this bastard the satisfaction. Unfortunately this only pushed his torturer more as the each hit came faster and harder. But Neji refused to scream or whimper.
Twenty minutes had gone by before the ninja stopped his punishment. Neji was hanging by the chains on his wrists, too weak to stand. His back was on fire and he could feel his warm blood trickling down his back.
"Nice work," a man said behind him. Through hazy vision Neji was able to look back and he could see Muramasa standing behind him. He was hooded and bandages covered part of his face. And Neji could see that he appeared to be wincing. Neji wasn't sure but he knew something wasn't right. Muramasa was in visible pain.
Neji fought through his own pain and concentrated his Byakugan further and could see a dark, sinister chakra leaking from random places on Muramasa body. This wasn't like before however. This chakra was coming out involuntarily.
Neji then said, "I guess….this is the point….where….you try to get….information from me? Don't…..bother. I won't tell you a fucking thing."
To Neji's surprise, Muramasa nearly doubled over and looked as if he was about to throw up.
"You don't look so good Muramasa," Neji said.
Sweating, Muramasa stood up and gave that same insane smile that made Neji's skin crawl. "You shouldn't talk," Muramasa said. "I look much better then you will." Muramasa then nodded to the ninja and the ninja took up a liquid from the table and splashed it along Neji's back.
The pain was indescribable. Neji lost all sense of control and screamed pitifully as it felt as if his back was being melted away.
Muramasa closed his eyes, his face for a brief moment held a look of pure ecstasy as he listened of Neji's screams. "Ahhh," he said. 'Like sweet music."
Finally as the pain subsided, Neji said, "I won't….tell you a thing!"
Muramasa turned to leave and asked, "What makes you think you have any information I want?"
Neji eyes grew wide as he heard that response and suddenly he felt the sting of the whip once more. It was nearly another hour before his unconscious body was thrown back into the pitch black cell where Kiba was able to treat his wounds. And so it went from that day on. Once per day one of them was taken and for an hour, tortured. In time Lee had healed some from his fight with Muramasa and it was then they began to torture him as well.
It didn't take long for them to come to a realization. That each time they were taken they were never asked any questions. They were merely, whipped, beaten, cut and burned and then thrown back into their cell. They were tortured just enough so that it didn't kill them or give them enough time to heal. They were given just enough food so as not to starve and enough water not to dehydrate. And every time, Muramasa was there, smiling, and usually never saying a word. And they finally came to a sick realization. They weren't being tortured for interrogation, but for sport. The sick bastard was doing this solely for his own entertainment.
And so it went for the next week, month, and year. In this dark pit they couldn't tell how long it had been since they were taken. And as much as they wanted not to Neji could tell they were losing hope. Perhaps in the end this is what Muramasa wanted. He wanted not to break their bodies but their spirits.
It wasn't until they were sitting in the darkness, doing their best to keep their spirits up, that they heard a different noise to the ones they had grown accustom to hearing. A noise that emanated from above. It was the sound of an explosion. Something was happening.
"Did you guys hear that," Lee asked.
"Neji can you see what that was," Kiba asked.
Neji activated his Byakugan and scanned up above. He could sense the chakra of dozens of people. They were fighting. It was then Neji isolated three familiar chakra signatures. "I don't believe it," Neji said with a smile.
******Meanwhile – In another room within the underground base******
Muramasa sat in a large stone chair in the middle of the large room. In front of him sat several ninja pouring over computer panels. One ninja stood watching over them as they continued to work. Muramasa's head was buried into his right hand as he fought through the pain. It had begun just after his fight with the three ninja from Konoha. At the time it was mild by comparison but now it was nearly unbearable.
Muramasa then looked to the ninja standing above the others and yelled, "What's the status!"
Clearly nervous the ninja said, "Everything appears to be ready Lord Muramasa. All we need now is the final command."
"And what about the ants scurrying about up above," Muramasa asked.
"Our last report was that they're ninja from Konoha ANBU," the ninja responded. "Three have been confirmed but there may be more."
Just then another ninja ran into the room and bent to one knee. "Lord Muramasa," he said. "I have more intel regarding the intruders. Currently right now two squads have engaged the enemy. Unfortunately they are proving difficult to defeat. It appears to be only two females and a male. The male, remarkably appears to be a user of Wood style Jutsu while one female summons snakes and the other has incredible strength."
Muramasa laughed deviously. "God these Konoha ninja are fun," he yelled. "Are they all this strong? We wonder if these will be more entertaining than the last ANBU we've faced! We snapped their limbs off without much effort!"
Muramasa suddenly became wild-eyed and began looking around as if speaking to someone yet no one at the same time, "Wait….what did you say? Yes…yeeeeesss that would be delicious! You're right! We should be the one controlling things not that weak bastard! We're the one with the power. Yyyeeeeessss!"
Everyone looked at each other nervously as Muramasa continued to talk to himself. They had heard the stories about him. Muramasa, the mad member of Akatsuki that had wantonly slaughtered nearly all of his comrades while attempting to defeat three Konoha ninja that were now being held prisoner down below.
They had heard that he was quick to insane bouts of rage but over the last few weeks he had seemed to losing his grip on his very sanity. And his skin had begun to peel away, forcing Muramasa to cover himself with a cloak and hood. Now it was not uncommon for his men to watch as he had entire conversations with himself and they would remain in fear that he would suddenly lash out and slaughter one, or more, of them.
Suddenly Muramasa looked towards the lead ninja and said, "You said this place was ready and operational correct?"
"Yes," the ninja said nervously.
"Then do it," Muramasa said with a smile. "Let's show those bastards up there that they stand no chance against Akatsuki. I want Konoha reduced to rubble by noon!"
Everyone looked to Muramasa in silent shock and fear. The lead ninja looked around as every one silently looked at Muramasa then back to him. The ninja took a deep breath and swallowed hard then said, "With all due respect Lord Muramasa. We were told that we were to wait for Lord Zetsu's command. Perhaps you should contact him before….."
Before the ninja could finish his sentence Muramasa punched him through the chest. The ninja was skewered on Muramasa's arm as Muramasa gripped his still beating heart in his hand. "We hate having subordinates with weak hearts," Muramasa said. "It's so disappointing." Muramasa then dropped the heart and slipped his blood drenched arm out from the ninja's body causing it to slump to the floor.
"Let us explain something to you all," Muramasa said as he addressed the terrified ninjas who sat staring in shock. "The only word that matters is ours! The only law that matters is ours! And the only one to fear is us!" Muramasa then pointed at another ninja with his bloody hand and said, "You! You know how to work this thing correct!"
"Y…yes," said the ninja.
"Good," Muramasa said as he peeled some of the flesh from his face. "Then you are now the new Operations Commander. Congratulations. Now….let us begin, Commander."
******Meanwhile – In the cell******
Neji got to his feet as he spoke to his friends. "These guys are fighting with someone up above," Neji said with a smile. "There's got to be twenty Akatsuki up there fighting about three opponents."
"Are they from Konoha," Kiba asked.
"I think so," Neji said. "In fact their chakra seems very familiar. I'd say one of them is Sakura and the other Yamato. I can't recognize the third."
"All right," Lee said. "It looks like the rescue party has arrived."
Suddenly they were rocked to their feet as the entire room began to shake and a loud, metallic groan came from different areas.
"What the hell was that," Kiba asked as he got back to his feet. Before anyone could answer they began to feel a deep rumbling under their feet that only grew in intensity until it felt like they were standing above an explosion. Again the room began to shake causing them to loose their balance. But instead of a temporary rumble it remained constant.
Lee grasped his still broken arm in pain and hobbled to his feet. "What's going on," he asked.
"Damn it," Neji yelled in frustration. "I can't believe they've got this place up and running! We have to get out of here! We have to stop them or at least get to Konoha to warn them!"
"I don't get it," Lee yelled over the booming sound. "Are they destroying their base?"
"Damn it Lee didn't I explain this to you already," Neji yelled. "Remember those markings we found when we first got here! They were the sign of the Sky Country! Years ago, during the Second Great War, Konoha was directly attacked by the Sky Country. Several of their ships, including a Great War Ship was able to reach Konoha's border before being brought down by the Third Hokage and others!"
"So," Lee asked. "What does any of that have to do with these guys and what their doing in this base?"
"No Lee," Neji said. "This isn't a base at all!"
******Meanwhile – Up above******
Sakura ducked as a ninja aimed his kunai at her head. She quickly grabbed him by the wrist with her right hand and punched him in the elbow with her left, dislocating it. She then quickly kicked him away as another ninja closed in. Nearby, Anko and Yamato were locked in heated combat of their own when they felt the ground below shudder and crack.
The ground began to rise as a deep and loud rumble grew from below. Sakura leapt back as the ground opened large fissures around the entire village. The buildings began to shatter and fall as the ninja that were still conscious began to scatter and run as if they knew what was happening.
Confused Sakura, Yamato and Anko looked at each other and around as they tried to understand what was happening. Again the ground began to crack and rise as they finally realized that something below them was rising up.
Sakura looked down and saw inside a nearby hole that there was stone flooring as it slowly rose from the earth. A large pillar pierced through the ground underneath Anko forcing her to leap clear. While Sakura standing on the uneven ground could see the stone facade of a mans face etched into the stone.
All around her was chaos as the ninjas leapt of the edge of the structure while others caught in the dirt and rocks that were sliding off were thrown clear.
Suddenly the ground underneath Sakura truly began to rumble, then shatter under the force of the artificial earthquake emanating from below. The ground began to slide to the side and off the top of the rising behemoth as it continued to violently tear away from it's earthbound prison and ascend into the sky. Sakura suddenly fell and found herself sliding towards the edge. Before she could fall off Sakura grabbed hold onto a recess in the rock structure.
"Sakura," Anko yelled and Sakura could see Anko had summoned a large snake and was standing on its head signaling her to jump. Sakura climbed up so she could get her feet onto the wall and then pushed off, leaping through the falling debris before landing on the snake.
"What the hell is that thing," Sakura asked as she and Anko stared in awe as the structure continued to ascend.
Finally the structure's base broke free of the ground like a bird leaving its nest and it left a gapping hole, the size of the entire village, nearly a mile across and nearly a half mile deep. Sakura and Anko couldn't believe their eyes as the structure, despite not being connected to anything, continued to rise.
"Impossible," Sakura whispered.
"Nothing seems impossible to Madara Uchiha," Yamato said as he landed on the head of Anko's snake.
"You know what this is," Anko asked.
"Yes," Yamato replied, "Although this was just before our time; that must be an old airship from the Land of Sky! Madara must have found it and had his people working on repairing it. Damn it! This was the great weapon they were talking about! And it's heading straight for Konoha!
"We have to stop it," Anko yelled as the ship began to move forward.
"Impossible," Sakura yelled. "Look how fast it's moving! It's too fast and too high up for us to catch it now! We should send a messenger bird to Konoha to warn them!"
"That thing is moving too fast," Yamato yelled. "A messenger would never get there in time!"
"Then what do we do," Anko yelled.
Suddenly the ground underneath them began to crack and fall into the large pit causing the hole to get larger and larger. The snake they were on turned and fled back as the hole expanded. Sakura quickly looked of to the west and remembered the underground cave nearby. "We need to go rescue the prisoners they have locked away in the cave underground," she said
"But what about Konoha," Anko said. "That damned ship could destroy our home we need to follow it and do whatever we can to stop it."
"That hole is expanding Anko," Sakura said. "If we leave those people here they could be caught when the cave collapses. I'm not going to leave them to die."
Anko was about to protest when Yamato intervened. "Sakura's right," he said. "Besides we won't be able to keep up with that thing so following won't do any good. We should focus on what we can do and pray that our comrades back at home can bring that thing down."
"Fine," Anko said reluctantly as she guided the snake towards the mountain side.
******Akatsuki Airship – several minutes ago******
Neji, Kiba and Lee were thrown about the room as it shook violently. It felt as if they were rising into the sky and with nothing to hold onto they were at the mercy of the turbulent ascent. Suddenly they could hear the sick groaning coming from nearby and suddenly light streamed in from a nearby wall.
"Look," Kiba screamed as he made his way to find the source of the light.
"Hey," Kiba said excitedly, "This wall is breaking due to the vibrations. One good hit should do it."
Unfortunately they knew they were all too severely injured to do so. For a while they remained quiet as they each considered how to break free.
"It's alright," Lee said. "I'll do it. I was conserving my chakra as best I could for this and this may be our only shot." Lee then closed his eyes and concentrated. After a few seconds he opened his eyes and they were intense. "First and second gate," he said. "Open!" Lee began to glow as chakra flowed from his body. Lee felt rejuvenated and then crouched as he prepared to strike the wall. He quickly punched it causing it to shatter and crumble. Light streamed in from the large hole that was created and it took a moment for their eyes to adjust.
Eventually they realized they were in an adjoining hallway and Neji quickly activated his Byakugan and scanned the area. "Ok," he said. "For the last few weeks I've been scanning this place and marking out where everything is. From what I can tell the main weapons room is two floors directly below us. And the engine room is one floor above. Damn!"
"What is it," Kiba asked.
"The engine room is surrounded by twelve guards," Neji responded.
"That won't be a problem for me," Lee said.
"True," Neji replied. "But the room adjoining the engines is a large room with another ten ninja there and judging by the thick, evil chakra, the guy in the middle of the room is Muramasa. Even with your gates released we wouldn't stand a chance against those odds."
"Then what do we do," Kiba asked.
Neji considered his options for minute. He and Kiba were in no shape for any sort of fighting. And Lee's enhanced abilities were temporary. Lee will eventually have to close the Gates and then his injuries would return perhaps worse than before. Whatever they were going to do it had to be quick.
"Ok," Neji said. "We destroy their weapons room. It'll disable their ability to use the ships' weapons. Then we find an escape ship and get down and warn Konoha."
"Right," Kiba said. "What about Akamaru?"
"I've already spotted him Kiba," Neji said. "We can pick him up on the way. Let's go."
Neji, Lee and Kiba ran through the hallway until the reached stairs heading down. Just as they reached the second level below Neji quickly signaled for them to stop. "We've got three enemies coming toward us from around the corner to the left," he said.
"Not a problem," Lee said as he sprinted around the corner and directly at the shocked ninja. Before any of them could react Lee kicked one in the jaw and punched another in the gut. Both crumpled to the floor unconscious. The third ninja punched Lee in the chest just as Lee elbowed him in the chin knocking him out.
Kiba and Neji came out and Kiba said, "Nice work Lee."
Neji then said, "This way." And they continued down the hall.
As they ran Lee grimaced in pain. The punch the ninja was able to land hurt him, his breathing was becoming more labored and his other wounds were beginning to hurt as well. Damn, Lee thought to himself. My chakra is dropping. I'm going to have to open another gate. Lee suddenly closed his eyes in concentration and thought to himself, Gate of Life, Gate of Pain...Open!
Kiba and Neji immediately stopped and watched as Lee exploded with power and his skin turned red. "Lee," Kiba said. "Why the hell are you increasing your power?"
"Just in case we come across an enemy I want to be able to finish them quicker," Lee said. "We don't have much time we have to keep moving." Lee then continued to run on as Kiba and Neji followed.
Lee, Neji thought to himself. You really are pushing yourself. You may act like you just need the extra power but I know better.
After a few minutes they came to a large door and Neji stopped. "Here," he said, "Akamaru is in this room."
Lee quickly punched and smashed the lock and Kiba opened the heavy iron door and peered into the darkened room. "Akamaru," Kiba asked and heard Akamaru bark weakly. Akamaru then slowly limped into the light; one of his front legs was broken. "Akamaru," Kiba yelled with joy as he hugged his dog. "C'mon boy," he said as the group continued on.
As they continued to run Neji looked down and said, "Damn!"
"What is it," Kiba asked.
"Down below in the bottom level," Neji said nervously. "I can't believe I didn't see them before."
"See what," Lee asked.
"There are about two, maybe even three hundred ninja armed for battle in a large room," Neji said. "From what I can tell they are just sitting around waiting."
"For what," Lee asked.
"Isn't it obvious," Kiba said. "The plan must be to use the weapons on this ship to weaken Konoha. And then send those guys in to finish off any survivors. This isn't good. We need to destroy those weapons now!"
As they came to an intersecting hallway, Neji signaled for them to stop. "Ok," he said. "The door to the weapon control room is right around this corner. But we have five guards. And one of them is standing right by a lever I can only assume is an alarm. We need to take them all out before they get to it or we're done for."
"Leave it to me," Lee said as he sprinted around the corner and at the stunned ninjas who tried to reach for their weapons but was overrun by Lee. Lee first targeted the ninja closest to the alarm and slammed his head into the wall knocking him out cold. In one fluid motion he leapt into the air and delivered a spinning kick into another ninja's jaw, landed on the ground and back kicked another ninja in the face.
The fourth and fifth ninja looked at each other and came to a silent decision. One ninja sprinted at Lee while the other ran to pull the alarm. As the ninja closed in on Lee he attempted to punch him in the face. Lee easily ducked it and punched him hard in the sternum knocking him out cold.
The fifth and final ninja came inches away from the alarm when Lee grabbed him by the wrist and elbowed him in the side of the head. The force of the blow launched him airborne and down the hallway where his unconscious body came to a stop several feet away. "All clear," Lee said as his allies came around the corner.
Lee then punched the solid iron door sending it of its hinges and flying into the room. As the group walked the looked around at the large machines. "Right," Neji said. "This is the weapons control room. This is where they power the miniature laser."
"Ok," Kiba asked. "So how do we blow this place up?"
"With these," Lee said. Kiba and Neji looked to Lee to see that he had gathered the explosive kunai from the unconscious guards. Seeing this caused them to smile.
A few minutes later Lee, Neji, Kiba and Akamaru were running down the corridor as fast as they could. Neji then yelled, "We have to keep moving! We should hit the escape exit soon! There are small ships that we can use to glide down." Suddenly they heard several large explosions in the distance and they knew the explosive tags they had set on a timer had finally exploded. Neji couldn't help but smile. Take that you bastards, he thought to himself.
Neji then looked to Lee and could see that he was laboring under the strain of opening the gates. We have to hurry, Neji thought to himself. Lee's chakra is flaring wildly and it's putting too much of a strain on his already damaged body. I never should have allowed him to open the gates in the first place in his condition.
******Meanwhile – In the airship control room******
"What the hell was that," Muramasa yelled as the multiple explosions when off.
A ninja sitting in front of a terminal then responded, "Sir! All of our weapon systems just went off line! The laser won't work."
"Get a status report from the guards," Muramasa yelled angrily.
"They're not responding," the ninja said. "I've sent others to check on them."
"Damn it," Muramasa yelled as he slammed his fist into the arm wrest of his chair, shattering it. "This is unacceptable! This is supposed to be our moment of triumph!"
"Sir," one ninja said, "I've just received word the guards put in place to guard the area were attacked and defeated. We've also received word that the ninjas from Konoha have escaped their cell."
At first Muramasa chuckled lightly then burst into raucous laughter as his men looked on in confusion. Then, finally his operations manger said, "My Lord. Without our weapons functioning properly we should strongly consider turning back. We have no way to attack Konoha or defend ourselves."
"Turn back," Muramasa asked. "Are you mad! No, no, no, no! We can't turn back now! Not when we're so close! So close, so close, too close now!"
Nervously the operations manager stepped forward and said, "Sir? What are your orders?"
"Orders," Muramasa asked. "Orders huh? Alright, increase speed to maximum thrust!"
"What," the ninja said as everyone burst out in nervous protest. "Lord Muramasa, why would we do that?"
"So we can ram this ship directly into the heart of Konoha of course," Muramasa said with a smile. "Think of the carnage! Think of the blow we'd land against them! Konoha would be crippled! You say we don't have any weapons left? You're wrong! This ship is all the weapon we need!"
"B-but sir," the ninja said, "What about all the people aboard this ship?"
"A necessary sacrifice for the good of Akatsuki's goals don't you think," Muramasa responded. "Now do as I have ordered!"
The operations manager paused as he stared slack jawed at Muramasa. "S…sir," he said. "I….I….can't…..I can't…."
"So," Muramasa said. "You lack the resolve to give your life for Akatsuki? You all do is that right? Well…..I must admit…..we find this….disappointing."
******Meanwhile******
The emergency exit door slammed open and fell away as Lee stood in front of it. He was breathing even harder now and was drenched in sweat. Lee stood aside as Neji, Kiba and Akamaru stepped out into the open air. They found themselves on a makeshift landing pad where a flying lifeboat sat idle.
Lee then screamed and the chakra glow around him faded and he collapsed to his knees, clutching his ribs. "Damn it," he said.
"Kiba," Neji said, "Help Lee to his feet and carry him to the boat. I'll get this thing going." As Kiba reached under Lee's shoulders and helped him to his feet Neji scanned Lee's body. Damn, he thought to himself. Just as I thought. Opening the gates put way too much stress on his already injured body and has actually made his injuries worse. We need to get him medical attention.
Neji and Akamaru jumped into the life boat and Neji held out his hands to help Lee in when suddenly the ship shook wildly and increased it's speed to an incredible pace forcing Kiba to lose balance and both he and Lee to crash to the ground.
Lee landed hard on his brittle left arm and broken ribs and yelled in pain. "Damn it what the hell is going on," Kiba yelled.
Neji looked about and then said, "No way! He couldn't be doing what I think he's doing! That psychopath!"
"What," Kiba said as he again helped Lee to his feet.
"He's speeding up the ship," Neji said.
"Why the hell would he do that," Kiba asked.
******Meanwhile******
Muramasa, covered in fresh blood, stood in front of the ships blood stained controls. The lever that controlled the ships speed was pushed forward to maximum then snapped off to ensure it could not be reversed. Muramasa laughed wildly as he stared out of the large bay windows. "This is going to be glorious," he yelled excitedly. He then looked about the blood stained room at the scattered remains of all the ninja under his command.
"Such a shame you lacked resolve," he said with a smile. "You all could have stood with us as we witness such a glorious moment." Muramasa then sighed deeply and giggled as he walked back to his large chair.
In the seat was the bloody, severed head of his operations manger. Muramasa picked it up and tossed it up in the air a few times as though it were a ball and then looked at it in the eyes. "Hmmm," he said. "Perhaps you can stay with me and see my triumph." Muramasa then placed the head down, facing the windows and sat next to it. As he pealed a large piece of flesh from his skin, revealing blue fur beneath he said, "We always hate waiting for the boom. So boring."
******Meanwhile – just outside the ship******
"We have to go back," Neji said as he stepped out of the boat.
"What," Kiba asked. "Why!"
"That bastard Muramasa," Neji said. "He's increased the speed of the ship. Without weapons he must realize his plan won't work. So he's probably decided to just ram the ship into Konoha instead."
"What," Kiba yelled. "Shit! I knew the guy was a bit crazy, but this is just nuts! He'll kill himself along with everyone on the ship!"
"We have no choice," Neji said. "At this point we've got fifteen, maybe twenty minutes before this ship gets to Konoha! We have to face Muramasa again and beat him!"
"How," Kiba asked. "We're all in pretty bad shape as it is thanks to their torture! There's no way we can stop him now."
"I don't know," Neji said. "But even if it costs us our lives we have to stop him."
"Neji," Lee said. "Can you hold this for me? I don't want to lose it."
Lee handed Neji a small scroll, wrapped neatly with a red ribbon. On it was written the word "Tenten".
"What is this," Neji asked.
"Something for Tenten," Lee said.
Suddenly Lee slid out from Kiba's grasp and pushed him into the life boat and before Neji could react Lee kicked him in the chest, launching him back into the boat as well. Lee then quickly kicked the lock keeping the boat in place causing it to roll down the ramp towards the exit.
"Lee," Neji yelled as he got to his feet.
"Lee what the hell are you doing," Kiba asked.
As the life boat slid off the ramp and into the air Lee just stood smiling as his friends soared into the sky.
"Lee," Neji screamed. "Lee! We have to go back! We have to go back to help him!" Neji frantically looked around at the controls. "Damn it," he said. "I have no idea how to even control this thing. You?"
Kiba shook his head with a look of utter despair on his face. Neji then looked at the scroll Lee had placed in his hand and then said, "Lee…why are you doing this?"
Lee stood and watched as the air boat vanished in the clouds before taking a deep labored breath. Damn, he thought to himself. My body is so torn up I don't even think opening five gates at this point will get the job done.
Suddenly Lee heard footsteps coming from the corridor they had past through earlier. I guess they've finally found us, he thought. Oh well, time to get to work. Lee suddenly exploded with power as he opened six gates. Just then twelve ninjas ran though the door just in time to see Lee running right towards them.
******Meanwhile******
"God this is boring," Muramasa said as he stared out the window. Looking at the severed head next to him he asked, "Don't you think so? Yes! Yes! Yes! So boring! Oh how we wish this thing could fly faster! We can't wait to get there! It'll be so much fun! Do you think that one, that blonde one that humiliated us will be there! We hope so!"
"Ack," Muramasa screamed as he spat blood. "How disgusting," he said as he pealed even more skin from his face. At this point more than half his face was peeled away leaving bloody, blue fur underneath. Muramasa then tore off his cloak and threw it to the ground, revealing his bald, boil infested head. The large boils on his head were filled with puss and blood and there were random signs of his skin peeling away.
"Damn it," Muramasa yelled as he knocked the head away. "How long must we wait!" Suddenly Muramasa stopped and sniffed the air. Suddenly his mouth began to bleed and his jaw began to snap as it stretched and twisted out and became elongated. His teeth began to grow into fangs giving him a more feral look.
"Aaahhhh," he said in a low animalistic growl. "It seems we have a guest who has come to witness our triumph." Turning towards the exit Muramasa saw Lee standing in the door. He was breathing heavily and seemed on the verge of collapse.
"My master…once told me," Lee said. "That in the end…..evil will always find its truest form. It seems….you are finding yours monster."
"You," Muramasa said as he tore the last bit of flesh from his head revealing himself to now resemble more a large blue cat. "When I heard you and your friends escaped I had a near orgasmic lust to feel your bones snap in my jaws. I'm glad you at least were brave enough to come. But it seems you are in no condition to give me the challenge I seek."
"Don't underestimate me too soon beast," Lee said.
******Konoha – One Year Ago******
Standing in an open meadow Lee stood at attention as Guy addressed him. "Alright Lee," Guy said, "You trained hard all these years and I'm proud of all the hard work you've done."
"Yes Guy Sensei," Lee yelled.
"And today," Guy said. "I give you my final lesson. After this I will have nothing left to teach you. You will no longer be my pupil, but merely my comrade. Do you understand?"
"Yes Guy Sensei," Lee yelled.
"Alright," Guy said grimly. "But there is a reason I waited to teach this to you for last. For it is a technique that you can only use under the strictest of laws!"
For a moment the two men stared at each other with only the sound of the crisp spring breeze flowing by. "Lee," Guy said. "It is my wish that you never have to use this technique. But if you must, then you may only use this technique for the ultimate reason. And that is because this technique requires you make the ultimate sacrifice."
"Yes Guy Sensei," Lee said.
Guy took a deep breath and said, "And the only reason you should use this technique is…"
******Akatsuki Airship – Now******
Lee stared at the creature before him and knew what must be done. Closing his eyes he recalled the words of his teacher who on that day said, "….the only reason you should use this technique is…."
It was then Lee recalled the words, " …to protect my home and the people I love."
Muramasa stood in growing shock as the man before him began to glow bright green and the wind began to spin around him. Machinery, nailed to floor, began to rip away and was thrown across the room as the wind picked up. Muramasa, grabbed hold of the floor to prevent himself from being blown away as well.
Looking up Muramasa stared at the face of this man, who only a moment ago, seemed at the verge of death yet now displayed a power he'd never seen. Suddenly, Lee's eyes opened and Muramasa felt a sense of fear inside him as he saw that this man had no pupils in his eyes. Only power. A power and an intensity that one only found in the fiercest of animals.
"The Eighth Gate," Lee yelled. "The Gate of Death….OPEN!"
End of Chapter Eleven
Next Time: Konoha's Green Dragon