INTRODUCTION

Welcome back to the End of Innocence. As always I like to begin by stating that I do not own Naruto.

THANK YOU

A special thanks to all those who reviewed my previous chapter: FoxSage19; Gravenimage; xDARKNESS; airnaruto45; The FlyingLion; Diamond Man; charles cdv; Kushina's Truth of Hell; PJ Hatake; Mudcake; Exor and goldone5.

RESPONCES

FoxSage19 - Thanx. Sakura has a role to play just as many others. hopefully you'll like what i do with her.

Gravenimage - Thanx. i hope you like his little plan that i cooked up for him.

xDARKNESS - I hope you like what I do with Shikamaru in this chapter. I was off the week prior as it was Holloween in the states so fear not I don't plan to die any time soon. I agree that the manga is starting to get back on track and I hope Kishi will keep it up.

airnaruto45 - You'll see.

The FlyingLion - Maybe. But Madara is waaay to strong. It would be complete pwning.

Diamond Man - Thanx DM.

charles cdv - Thanx.

Kushina's - So are you saying my last few chapters haven't been good? Lol! Anyway, your review didn't suck and I hope you love how I handle things.

PJ Hatake - Nah, I had a little interest in law but I'm a marketing major. I'm just using the bits and pieces I've learned from the many mystery books and movies that I've come across to craft some of my story. Hope i can create good enough chapters to keep your reviewing my friend.

Mudcake - I hope you think so once her KG is revealed. I have an interesting idea for it and I hope it works. Sakura will have a bigger role quite soon.

Exor - Glad you liked the chapter. Something tells me that Sakura may get some new skills soon in the manga. But perhaps that's just my blind optimism.

Goldone5 - So your first review was longer than this? Hah! Sorry to hear that. You should write your work on a blank work page and then paste it. that may work better. My inspiration for Shikamaru is part Sherlock Holmes and part Jack Sparrow with his usual laziness sprinkled in. lol! Seriously that's how I see the character. I'm really having fun writing him.

So you think you've figured out Naruto's plan huh? We'll see. I will admit that his plan...well, it's the biggest most ambitious thing I've ever attempted to write. i look forward to seeing if I can make it work. We'll see if it doesn't dissapoint.

MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR

Well, here is chapter seventeen. I hope you enjoy. So you know I will not be releasing a chapter during Thankgiving Day weekend. Which means I will release a chapter next week and then there will be no new chapter the week after. Thanks. So please remember to review this chapter.

Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book III: End of Innocence

Chapter XVII: Assault on Iwagakure

Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage, stood in the center of his large private tent. Before him was a large oak table with a large map of the Land of Lightning before him. He was, as he'd been doing for quite some time, studying the landscape for any weaknesses he could exploit. For the most part things had gone quite well for him. With Kumogakure engrossed in a conflict with both Konoha and Suna, they were ill prepared for Iwagakure's attack and they were able to deliver a decisive opening blow against them.

Things began to turn against them for a while once the Eight Tails Host appeared and began to assault there squads. The bastard was able to defeat four entire battalions within a day and if things kept going that way, Onoki himself who have had to intervene.

Luckily it never came to that because as Madara promised, a member of Akatsuki, the man called Kisame Hoshigaki, arrived to deal with the Eight Tails. Onoki had an eerie feeling when around this man Kisame. Death followed him like a cherished lover and the stench of death permeated the air when Kisame was around.

Onoki willingly allowed Kisame to pass through into the Land of Lightning and as promised, Kisame returned a few days later carrying the weakened body of the Eight Tailed Host called Killer Bee. Onoki offered to allow Kisame time to rest but Kisame declined, stating he had no time for such things and he moved on.

Most likely Kisame knew better than to trust a man like Onoki who likely would have used the opportunity to take the Eight Tails for his own. And the thought had occurred to him many times. But in the end Onoki thought better of it and allowed Kisame to leave without incident. His next mission was now to hold Kumogakure and not allow them to pursue Killer Bee's kidnapper.

In an effort to do so Onoki stepped up his strategic raids on Kumo and it kept them off balance. Things were going well until Sunagakure suddenly called for an unexpected truce with Kumo and Konoha. With Suna no longer in this war Kumo would soon be able to commit more troops to deal with them so Onoki decided the time was right for an all out assault.

Onoki was pouring over maps and information when Kurotsuchi stepped inside the tent. She seemed very excited and quickly bent to one knee. "Lord Tsuchikage," she said. "We've just received a message directly from the Raikage."

Onoki bristled and looked at Kurotsuchi and said, "Knowing that overconfident bastard he's sending a demand to stand down our forces or be destroyed."

"Actually it's just the opposite," Kurotsuchi said, "It's a letter acknowledging their complete surrender."

"What," Onoki said as he slowly shuffled over to retrieve the letter. He quickly read it twice before looking up at his grand daughter with a puzzled look. Onoki then turned and shuffled over to a nearby seat and slowly lowered himself down. "Ahhh," he said as he rubbed his lower back. "War is tough on these old bones."

He then looked at the letter again before looking up and seemed to be in deep thought. After a moment he said, "According to this letter the Raikage claims that his war with Suna and Konoha severely depleted his force. He's also freely admitting that the Eight Tailed Host has been kidnapped and he knows I'm planning a large scale invasion. He wants to protect his people and is willing to surrender if we were willing to spare his people."

Kurotsuchi got to her feet and said, "So you have finally gotten what you wanted. Unless, you think this is just a trick."

"Under normal circumstances I would think it was," Onoki said as he ran his hand through his beard. "But the people of Kumogakure have never been known for their guile and trickery. They find such tactics distasteful. No one more so than the Forth Raikage who's more the heavy hammer type." Onoki once again began to read the letter. "It says here that he is willing to meet with me in a neutral site of my choosing to work out the terms of their surrender," he said.

"So what do you think," Kurotsuchi asked.

Onoki took a deep breath and looked at his grand daughter out of the corner of his eye. Despite her best efforts to conceal her true feelings, Onoki could sense the growing animosity she had for him in her tone and mannerisms. Ever since she had learned that he had sided with Akatsuki things had changed between them. Where once they were fairly close, now there was distance.

"Send word to the Raikage that I will agree to meet with him at dawn tomorrow," Onoki said. "And prepare two battalions of our strongest to accompany me to the location I shall choose. If the Raikage has suddenly become so desperate that he would try to trick me tomorrow, it will be his last attempt."

******Land of Lightning – Dawn, the Next Day******

The sun was lazily rising behind the low mountains as Onoki, Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi and a large battalion of Iwagakure ninja stood as they looked off into the distance. They had arrived about twenty minutes ago and Onoki hadn't wasted any time in sending a battalion into the mountains to hide in case this was indeed some type of trap.

Eventually, through the early morning haze they could see a small group slowly making their way towards them. The Raikage took the lead as a small group, consisting of Karui, Omoi about a dozen of his strongest ninja followed behind him.

Soon the group arrived and the Raikage and Tsuchikage stood staring at each other face to face. A warm breeze blew as dust spun between the two as they silently took stock of the other. "Long time no see old man," the Raikage said. "I see age hasn't dulled your sense of ambition."

"One must seize an opportunity when it presents itself A," Onoki said with a smirk. "Age is not an excuse for inaction in these times. And look what it has gotten me. I must say, I am surprised. I never figured you for the type to surrender anything. I expected I'd have to burn your village to the ground with you in it. But I guess it's true what they say, even a stubborn dog knows when it's bested."

The Raikage clenched his fist and gritted his teeth in an effort to quell his rage. Keep talking you senile old fool, he thought. When this day is done we'll see who is laughing.

******Meanwhile – In a place beyond human comprehension******

Shikamaru was on his knees, his body clenched as he fought to maintain his concentration. His brain was on fire with pain as he fought to maintain the technique. He had never tried anything on this level before and he felt as if his brain was going to explode at any minute.

Standing behind him were several figures covered in shadow. One of them, a female, placed her hand on his shoulder. "Please just try to hold on for a little longer Shikamaru," she said. "We just need to wait for the signal and then we can move."

One of the shadowy figures behind them looked around and shuddered. "Damn this place is scary," he said. Looking around nothing could be seen outside but the empty blackness that seemed to stretch out to infinity. "I always thought your mind was the real thing about you to worry over Shikamaru. To be honest I never considered your abilities to be that worrisome. But this….this is down right terrifying. When did you learn to even do this?'

Shikamaru slowly opened his eyes; he was drenched in sweat and labored to breath. He felt like his body could give out at any moment. He then said, "No….offense…but this….is kinda….hard to do. So….could you…..shut the fuck up please!" Just then a small bit of blood trickled from his nose. Gaara better hurry this up, he thought.

******Meanwhile – In the mountains above the meeting place******

Kaori, the lead ninja of the battalion the Tsuchikage ordered to hide in the mountains was crouched in the bushes. Crouched next to him was his lieutenant as they carefully observed the meeting below. Kaori was a middle aged, grey haired man. He had been a general within the Iwagakure military for a decade and his experience spanned three decades and several wars. There was nothing he wasn't prepared for.

As soon as his battalion arrived in the mountainside, with a few movements of his hand he silently signaled his men where to place themselves and without question they all scattered hiding in the trees and bushes, waiting for their leader to signal them.

The lieutenant stared anxiously as both Kages continued to speak. "What is Lord Tsuchikage waiting for," he asked in a low whisper. "We've already received word that the Raikage didn't bring his army with him. All he has is that small group of ninja to protect him. If he gave us the signal we could easily take them and then Kumogakure would be ours."

Kaori continued to look at the meeting, analyzing everything trying to see anything that indicated a trap. Yet there was nothing. Not the slightest movement. "Perhaps Lord Tsuchikage wants to end this diplomatically," Kaori responded. "Not every war must end in a pool of blood."

Kaori continued to look around searching for any anomaly. He saw the breeze blow the leaves on the ground, trees and bushes and he felt the movement of the sand under his fingertips. Perhaps things would go smoothly after all. It was then a frightening realization slowly came to him as he looked down at his hand. The sand that was moving under his fingertips was moving against the wind, not with it.

Kaori's eyes grew wide as he watched the sand begin to rise, creeping over his body like fast rising water. He looked to his lieutenant and was horrified to see the sand had already completely engulfed his body. Only his face could be seen and Kaori stared in horror at the terrified look etched on his lieutenants' face as the sand covered the last of him.

Kaori turned in an attempt to pull free but there was no point, it was as if he was caught in glue. He began to panic and as he screamed he found his voice suddenly muffled as the sand poured into his mouth and a single tear ran from his eyes as he took his last look at the world and everything went black.

Perched in the trees above Kaori, one of the ninja saw the rustling in the bushes and saw Kaori's final, horrific moments as the sand consumed him and he immediately yelled to all the men, "Shit! Look alive, we're under attack!"

Just as he yelled this, he pulled a flare from his belt and fired it in the air while at the same time to his astonishment he realized the sand wasn't in just that one area, it was everywhere and began to move about as though a large serpent moved about underneath. Before he or any of the other members of the battalion could react the sand shot up high in the sky taking the form of massive columns that stretched higher than any tree in the area. And as the many ninja's began to leap around in a panic, frantically trying to find a way to escape the ninja in the tree remained frozen, knowing there was no time.

Suddenly the columns combined to form a wall that stretched around the entire perimeter to become a dome, encasing everyone within and then the sand came crashing down like a wave from all sides and all the ninja could do was scream as the sand buried them all.

A few meters in the sky, standing on a platform made of sand, was Gaara in deep concentration. Slowly he opened his eyes and raised his hand towards the carnage below and said, "Imperial Sand Burial." The earth below shook as shock waves flowed through the sand crushing the several hundred ninja encased within.

******Meanwhile******

Onoki looked up the mountain with shock as he saw the flare shoot up, followed by the large sand dome that then came crashing down on the entire area. With a look of pure rage he turned to the Raikage who know grinned like a cat about to catch its prey. Onoki didn't bother to waste time asking what happened. He didn't know how anyone from Kumo could learn such a technique, but it was clear that his entire battalion was dead and he had been tricked.

Seething with rage Onoki yelled, "Damn you A! You think you can defeat me! I'll have your head for this!" Onoki began to float as Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi also prepared for battle. At the same time the large battalion behind Onoki began to run towards them in the defense of their Kage. "Kill them," Onoki yelled at the Raikage and his small group. "I want all of there heads!"

******Meanwhile - In a place beyond human comprehension ******

Shikamaru remained kneeling in deep concentration. His entire body was shaking violently now as he fought to maintain the jutsu. Suddenly the entire area began to shake as if a massive earth quake had just hit. "That's it," the female yelled. "Shikamaru that was the signal! Release the jutsu!"

Shikamaru suddenly opened his eyes and said, "Release!" Within seconds all that was shadow returned to the light.

******Meanwhile******

Just as Onoki and his army was about to attack they saw something that caused them all to stopp in their tracks. Rising out of the shadows of every tree and bush and even from the shadow cast from the mountain itself, were several thousand ninja from both Kumogakure and Sunagakure, ready for battle.

The entire army of Iwagakure stood frozen in shock and that moment left an opening as the Suna / Kumo alliance instantly attacked without hesitation, cutting down several of the Iwa ninja before they could shake themselves free from the initial surprise.

Rising out of the shadow of a large willow tree was Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro and several Suna ninja. As soon as they rose out of the shadow Shikamaru toppled over as his body began to go into convulsions. "Shikamaru," Temari yelled as she opened her large fan and drove into the ground to create a shield between them and the ever escalating battle happening around them.

"Shikamaru," she yelled as she pinned his shoulders to the ground to stop him from snapping his own back. "Damn," she yelled. "He held the jutsu too long! He pushed it beyond even his capabilities! Shikamaru!"

"Give me the needle with the medicine Kankuro," Temari yelled.

Kankuro pulled the needle out of his pocket and handed it to Temari who swiftly stuck it into Shikamaru's arm.

Suddenly Shikamaru stopped shaking and went limp. Temari stared at him in disbelief and for a second she began to assume the worst. She reached out to touch his cheek and said, "Shika…"

Suddenly Shikamru's hand flew up and caught hers just before she could touch him. It was cold and clammy but still full of vitality. Shikamaru's eyes opened slowly as he took deep breaths and he said, "I guess….Naruto…..isn't the only one…..to push things…too far sometimes huh?'

"Don't ever do that to me again," she said angrily as she quickly looked to Kankuro and yelled, "Kankuro you need to get Shikamaru out of here so he can rest!"

"Right," Kankuro replied as he picked Shikamaru up and slung him over his shoulder. He then turned and leapt away. Just then two Iwa ninja ran towards Temari who quickly pulled her fan out of the ground and kicked one of them in the stomach and used the fan to knock away the other.

******Meanwhile – In the heart of the battle******

Onoki blasted away several ninja and looked to Kurotsuchi and Akatsuchi and yelled, "There are too many of them and they have us surrounded! We need to take to the air! Onoki quickly touched them both and they began to float. "Let's go," he said. "Once we're high enough I can pick off these bastards one by one!"

Just as they began to fly up in the sky, several large bodies of sand flew at each of them. Onoki quickly dodged one and then the other. "Shit," he said. "It's more of that sand that took out my men on the mountain! Whoever is controlling it is trying to keep us from flying!"

More and more blasts of sand began to fly around them, attacking from multiple sides as they desperately fought to avoid them. Finally one blast hit Akatsuchi causing him to yell out in pain and plummet back to the ground. "Akatsuchi," Kortsuchi yelled as she flew back down to him where he struggled to get up.

Just then two Suna ninja closed in on the fallen Akatsuchi when Kurotsuchi yelled, "Water Release: Water Trumpet!" A large jet spray of water shot from her mouth striking the ninja and knocking them away.

Confident that Akatsuchi would be fine, Onoki put his attention back to the sand swirling about him and again tried to ascend. Once more the sand attacked but this time Onoki was ready and said, "Earth Release: Aggravated Rock Technique!" Suddenly all the sand that struck Onoki was instantly turned to petrified stone and crumbled to the ground.

Ok, he thought. First thing is I need to get rid of who ever the Raikage has using this sand technique. And considering that some of those ninja down there belong to Sunagakure I can only assume that person is….

Just then Onoki looked up towards the sun and there, standing on a platform of sand, was his target. "There you are," he said. "You think you could just stand there and comfortably take me down you brat!"

Full of rage, Onoki flew directly towards Gaara and as he did so he realized that a large wall of sand had completely surrounded him and was extending as high into the sky as he himself was. But before Onoki could get to Gaara, the sand closed in forcing him to halt his advance sealing Onoki, his men and everyone else inside a large dome of sand that was near a half mile in diameter.

Onoki grinned. Stupid brat, he thought. As if something like this could hold me. Onoki took a deep breath, prepared to blast away the top of the dome when several arrows whizzed by, narrowly missing him. Looking down he saw the Raikage standing on a small bluff with several ninja with bow and arrows surrounding him.

The Raikage was pointing at him and glaring. "Fire again," he yelled over the sounds of battle all around him. "A thousand pieces of gold to the man who puts an arrow through his black heart!"

Again the archers fired at Onoki who took a deep breath and yelled, "Dust Release: Dust Wall!" Onoki blew out a large winding blast of dust that instantly pulverized the oncoming arrows to nothingness. As the dust disappeared Onoki stared at the Raikage who stood staring back. Slowly the Raikage raised his hand and signaled Onoki to come to him.

Onoki grimaced and then said, "Alright you bastard. This is been long over do! Today I finally rid the world of you! Earth Release: Piercing Nail Technique!" Onoki spat out a large amount of dirt that suddenly surrounded him and took the shape of a large spear with the sharpest end below him. The dirt then hardened to stone and plummeted towards the ground aimed directly at the bluff the Raikage was standing on.

The Raikage and his men scattered as the missile struck the bluff they were standing on pulverizing it into a pile of rubble leaving the area covered in a cloud of dust, rock and dirt. Somewhere in the center of the cloud was the large earthen missile, buried half way into the ground. The missile began to crack and shatter as Onoki stepped free from the remnants of his technique.

Floating in the center of the of the dust cloud, Onoki looked about him and then he heard the voice of the Raikage coming from somewhere just ahead of him. "I don't know why you joined sides with someone like Madara," the Raikage said. "And personally, I don't give a damn. This time you have gone too far. You threatened the safety and lives of my people. You have killed many of my men. And thanks to you, my own brother is now in the clutches of that madman."

Onoki tried to locate the Raikage but with the loud sounds of battle, death and killing all around him it was hard to place him. Suddenly the Raikage's fist pierced through the cloud of dust aimed at Onoki's head. Onoki quickly dodged and put more space between them.

"Tch," Onoki said as he clasped his hands together and then said, "Dust Release: Tiger's Claws!" Suddenly two claw shaped blades formed, each connected to his fists. He then screamed and spread out his arms and an unseen forced pushed away the entire dust cloud that was around him.

Onoki now floated above the shattered remains of the bluff he had destroyed. There were two broken and twisted bodies nearby. They were two of the Kumogakure archers near to the Raikage earlier who obviously weren't fast enough to dodge Onoki's attack.

All around Onoki could see his ninja locked in a battle to the death with the ninja of this new Suna and Kumo alliance. Suddenly Onoki went from being in a position of total control to being outnumbered, cornered and dare he say, even desperate. Even if he were able to somehow defeat the Raikage, the Kazekage still remained outside the ominous sand barrier that loomed over them.

As the last of the cloud blew away Onoki saw the Raikage standing amid the broken rocks, his body tense in the anticipation of what was to come. "Old man," he said. "As I've said, you've gone too far this time. I don't care about honor, right or wrong. I don't care what it takes or how far I have to go or what I have to sacrifice."

The Raikage began to walk towards the Tsuchikage and said, "Your long life ends today."

End of Chapter Seventeen

Next Time: The Fall of the Tsuchikage