INTRODUCTION
Welcome back to the Chronicles of the Seventh. As always I begin by stating that I do not own Naruto.
THANK YOU
A special thanks to those who reviewed my previous chapter: ero-sennin56; Cloud Ex-SOLDIER; maliousdei; airnaruto45; charles cdv; Exor; ZeroTail29; Nemrut; theshrewdshrew; perfect beauty; xDARKNESS; SenninClaudio; Sazan; Diamond Man; MyHikari; Kushina's Truth of Hell; XxMusicBlueLoverxX; soccernin19; hothead11; Silver Senpai; Konoha's Crimson Fox; Killa Bee 8 and hideki411.
RESPONCES
ero-sennin56 - Thanx
Cloud Ex-SOLDIER - Hmm, do you think my buildup has taken too long? Pirate leg Yamato. Lol! That wood a bit too cliche...even for me. Lol! You know I concidered Naruto's defeat of Shukaku and I just believe that for moral purposes Suna officials wouldn't let that information known. :shrug:
The Biju wasn't completely devoid of chakra so they didn't disperse. Plus Madara had the statue active so that he could reabsorb them at a moments notice.
I'm glad Naruto's technique went over well. I had two concerns with it:
1. Would it be overpowered and thus hard to believe?
2. Would I be able to properly describe it?
Looks like it worked out. Lol!
maliousdei - Thanx. Let's just say Naruto never goes back on a promise. DATTEBAYO! Lol!
airnaruto45 - Do you want it to end? You sound like you're sick of my story. :(
charles cdv - Thanx
Exor - Thanx. That's high praise, especially if you've read tons of fics. I'll try to keep the action coming! Lol!
ZeroTail29 - Thanx. I'll try!
Nemrut! - Ahhh, my old nemesis Numrut! Glad you're still reading. Why do you feel that way? It seems considering Naruto has been learning all his fathers techs that Hiraishin would be a natural progression. True, i don't really like Kabumaru either, but its a helll of a lot better than Kabutomaru. Lol! Glad to see you liked the addition of Enma. that was a last minute addition on my part and I'm happy to see it worked.
The Biju arn't dead. Not even Naruto is that powerful. They were simply reabsorbed into Gedo Mazo before all thier chakra was spent. Happy to hear you liked the use of Ino. It was my hope to give her a higher value in battle.
theshrewedshrew - One thing I've learned in writing this story is that as the cast increases it is increasingly difficult to maintian focus on the overall story while highlighting the growth of the entire cast. My style has always been better dealing with smaller casts which is why I chose to take on this project. It gave me the perfect opportunity to work on that aspect of my writing.
You should check out my other series "Blade of the Shinigami". It follows less characters (at least for now) and you can see a difference in style.
Yes, I do have a few original works, but nothing I feel comfortable sharing at this time. Perhaps one day i can release a story that is completely my own. But I think I still need to make tons of improvements in my writing before that time comes.
Thank you for your honesty.
perfect beauty - Thanx.
xDARKNESS - Lol! You caught that did you? Yeah, one mistake I've made was pacing the story. In hindsight I would have made this a four Book story. Now the chapter distribution is grossly uneven. The problem is that many of my ideas for Book III kept expending until it's now 30 something chapters. Oh well. But the end is fast approaching. Less than 10 chapters left.
SenninClaudio - I will upload in time! I GIVE YOU MY WORD! Lol!
Sazan - Glad you enjoyed the chapter. INO, action scenes are meaningless unless you can understand the emotion such situations cause the characters. Of course I would thank you. You took the time to review my work. You didn't have to and I thank you for that.
Diamond Man - Yes, we have the Yellow Flash, The White Fang, The Green Dragon and now...The Crimson Tornado. Glad you loved the technique and the chapter.
MyHikari - Lol! Ok, so long as I wasn't offensive Lol! Naruto, I think it's safe to say, won't die...maybe...hopefully...LMAO!
Kushina's - Thanx.
MusicBlueLover - You know I am really happy so many loved his new technique. I was hoping it would work. Glad you loved the chapter.
soccernin19 - Thanx. Glad you loved the way things came together.
hothead11 - No biggy. So long as you're reading and reviewing when you can. :D
I had a feeling people would have forgotten Anko. Which is why I thought this would be a great place to bring her into the story. And what better way than to have her save the day.
Silver Senpai - Senpai-kun! Glad to see you're still reading. Kabumaru's role is well...what you'd least expect. Lol! Is the story moving to slow you think? I've been wondering about that myself actually.
Konoha's Crimson Fox - Lol! i take that to mean you liked it.
Killa Bee 8 - Glad you liked it. Thanx.
hideki411 - Thanx.
**Celious - A special thanks to Celious who reviewed the last chapter in Book I. Glad to see you're reading the story as you promised and more importantly, you like it so far. I hope you keep reading and catch up to my recent chapters. Start reading Book II as soon as you can Celious. Lol!
MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR
Ok, so here is chapter 31 of Book III. I TOLD YOU I'D POST THIS CHAPTER ON SCHEDULE! LMAO! Please remember to leave a review once done. Reviews are the only payment I receive. Lol!
Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh
Book III: End of Innocence
Chapter XXXI: Watch My Back
******Two Miles outside Konoha's Border******
Danzo fell back to the ground, gasping for breath. His robes were torn and tattered and he bore many fresh cuts and bruises all over his body. He also had a large gaping wound in his chest from which a massive amount of blood poured. Danzo looked about him. His vision was blurred and slowly darkening. All six of his ROOT guards, including Fu, lay dead. Their bodies horribly twisted and mangled. Danzo's gaze fell upon Fu, whose neck had been snapped and twisted in an inhuman way. His eyes lay open and staring back at Danzo in an almost accusing way.
Danzo coughed and spat up blood before saying, "Impossible…how could you have mastered such a technique so completely. Not even Orochimaru….."
"You should know by now Danzo that I have long since surpassed Orochimaru," Kabumaru said. He stood a few feet away. In his hand was Danzo's Hokage hat which he inspected with a bored expression on his face. All of Kabumaru's men were still alive and had surrounded Danzo who seemed to lack the strength to even stand on his own. "So you took the robes and the hat which the Hokage must wear, even as you abandon you're village to torture and death? Did you actually think that you could somehow return and explain away your actions and remain as Hokage?" Kabumaru laughed to himself before tossing the hat aside. "Does you're arrogance know no bounds?"
"No more than yours it would appear," Danzo said as he sat up and stared at Kabumaru defiantly. Suddenly Danzo felt a massive pain in his right arm and it began to grow and twist about. His fingers turned to roots and buried themselves into the earth. No, Danzo thought. I lack the chakra to control Hashirama's cells.
Danzos right arm began to grow into a large tree and began to quickly spread to his shoulder. Damn, Danzo thought as he panicked. If I don't cut free I'll be swallowed hole. Danzo tried to reach for a nearby kunai, but he had been severely weakened by his wounds. He found his fingers unable to function quickly.
Kabumaru stared at Danzo for a moment before looking at one of the masked men by his side and nodded. The man then walked up to Danzo and revealed a sword from under his cloak. The man then raised his sword towards Danzo and sliced Danzo's mutating arm away, and then kicked Danzo back.
Danzo coughed violently as the kick only added to the pain in his ravaged body. Once the pain was manageable he looked up to see the large tree his arm had turned into. He then looked to Kabumaru with a questioning look on his face. "Don't look so confused Danzo," Kabumaru said. "Having you turn into an overgrown log does not help advance my ambitions."
Danzo laughed as he focused on all his remaining chakra and focused it on his left arm. Once he felt some strength return to his left hand he moved quickly to make the necessary hand signs. With another nod, Kabumaru signaled another ninja who raised his hand and several thick strands of black threads shot out from his sleeves and wrapped around Danzo's remaining arm and with a slight twist, broke it at the wrist and elbow.
Danzo yelled in pain and sneered at Kabumaru. "Tch, tch, tch," Kabumaru said. "You were going to activate that pesky Reverse Four Symbols Technique weren't you? I'm surprised someone like you would use a suicide technique."
"That's why you were never an adequate ninja Kabumaru," Madara said defiantly. "A ninja must be willing to give his life without hesitation for the betterment of his village."
"Yet here you were doing everything not to die," Kabumaru said mockingly. "Sneaking away like a little rat."
"Because I must live Kabumaru," Danzo said. "My vision is the only way for the ninja world to survive. Only I can bring peace to the world."
Kabumaru laughed contemptuously. "Peace to the world, peace to the world. You, Pain, Hanzo of the Salamander, Namikaze Naruto…all you ever speak about is bringing peace. And you're all so convinced your way was right. Everyone is always so focused on bringing peace yet none of you have achieved it. Let me tell you something Danzo, do you know why peace will never happen? Because is too boring. That's why man will always look to chaos, because whether they wish to admit it or not, chaos is interesting."
Kabumaru began to walk towards Danzo and said, "Think on that as you travel to the next world."
"Wait, Kabumaru," Danzo said, a look of fear plastered on his face. "I can still help you. Together we can unlock the secret. Anything Kabumaru, I'll give you anything."
Kabumaru grabbed Danzo by the collar and lifted him into the air. He opened his mouth to reveal his fangs and his long tongue that stuck out like a snake. "Yes Danzo," he said. "You will give me what I want."
******Meanwhile – Several Miles Away******
Sasuke pushed the two fallen trees away and stood up. Karin was clinging nervously to his coat as she looked about. "Unbelievable," she whispered as she looked at all the broken and battered trees. Sasuke remained silent as he looked around. The last remaining Akatsuki ninja that was with them were all scattered about. They were all unconscious or worse and Sasuke knew that many of them were blown away to who knows where.
Nearby they saw Madara standing perfectly still in the same spot he had always stood. He must have turned intangible during the storm, Karin thought.
"Rrraaagggh," Madara suddenly screamed as he punched a nearby fallen tree and broke it in half. Karin marveled at his strength.
Sasuke stared at Madara as he raged about with a blank look and only after a few moments did he smile to himself and begin walking down the hill towards Konoha. "Where are you going," Madara yelled angrily.
"I gave you an opportunity to defeat Konoha with your little schemes and plans Madara," Sasuke said. "Now I'm going to do what I should have done from the very beginning." Karin stared at Sasuke and then back to Madara who, to her surprise was staring back at her. She couldn't see his eyes but she could feel them boring into her. As if he were staring at her very soul. Nervously she backed away from him and ran off behind Sasuke.
As the two disappeared into the woods Madara folded his arms and smiled. I'm surprised you were so patient Sasuke, he thought. I could feel your anticipation from here. Oh well, I guess I can't wait around anymore myself. Madara disappeared in a swirl of energy.
******Meanwhile – several miles away******
"Amazing," Sakura whispered to herself as she stood atop the highest tree top and surveyed the area. Straight ahead she could see flattened trees and large craters filled with pools of water. To her left was more signs of destruction with burning trees, dozens of craters, some half the size of her village and plumes of smoke. In the distance to her right, more damage. It was obvious to her that the land would bear the brunt of these scars for generations to come.
Nevertheless, she found herself amazed that not only were these creatures powerful enough to cause such destruction but that there was a power great enough to stop them. And that power all came from one man. "Naruto," she whispered as tears welled in her eyes. Her tears were a mix of pent up torrent of frustration, fear, relief and most of all….pride.
"Sakura-taicho," a medic called. "How are things! Is it bad!"
Sakura looked down and was ready to answer when a sudden feeling took hold of her. It only lasted two or three seconds but it seemed like a lifetime. A few months ago, Naruto had performed a technique on her that shared a part of his chakra with hers. Since that day, she could always feel his presence. Since that day, she felt like she was never truly alone. Naruto was with her, if only in spirit. But for those brief seconds, she felt his chakra disappear. For those few seconds she was alone. "Naruto," she said to herself as she quickly looked back towards the direction of the village.
But before she could even attempt to consider what that sudden change could mean, Naruto's chakra returned. It was weak, but it was steady. What was that, Sakura wondered. Sakura then looked down at the medic and said, "Masumi, tell everyone that I want all the patients and gear prepared to move back to Konoha in ten minutes. Any gear that isn't packed will be left behind. Once they're on the move I want the remaining medics to head out and assist any injured and help bring them back to Konoha. Do you understand?"
Masumi saluted and said, "Yes Taicho!" She quickly turned and ran off leaving Sakura alone. Sakura continued to stare towards the direction of the village. Something had gone wrong with Naruto. She had to get back as quickly as possible.
******Konoha – Hokage Mansion – Several Moments Ago******
Naruto's body fell back and hit the ground with a sickening thud. He was so pale it seemed as if all the blood had been drained from him. His eyes were open and lifeless and he remained completely still. Ino screamed Naruto's name as she ran to him and kneeled over him.
"What happened Ino," Neji asked nervously as he stood behind her along with the guards that had been placed to watch over Naruto. "Is he all right? He's not….not…."
"I don't know Neji," Ino said as she placed her hands on Naruto's chest. Her hands began to glow as she began her inspection.
"Well." Neji asked.
"Nothing," Ino said. "Nothings moving."
"What do you mean," Neji asked.
"Just like I said," Ino said. "I feel no chakra from him. Not only that but his blood flow, his heart, his brain, all his organs have just….stopped."
In a panic Neji turned to the guards and yelled, "Don't just stand there! Go get Lady Tsunade! We're going to need her help!"
******Meanwhile – In a place where time holds no meaning******
The Nine Tails growled as it glared down at Naruto and he could see the unbridled hate in its eyes. He knew that if it had the chance the Nine Tails wouldn't hesitate to destroy him. "Stupid human," the Nine Tails said. "When you told me of your little plan to combat my brothers I went along with it! But you never told me you would plan to go this far!"
"It's none of your business how far I go," Naruto responded.
The Kyubi raised its large paw and slammed it down in front of Naruto. One of its claws came down only inches away from him. But despite that, Naruto didn't flinch. "When you threaten your own life as well as mine then it is," The Nine Tails answered.
"If you want to ensure that I don't die then don't hold back on the power next time," Naruto said.
The Kyubi roared loudly. "Do not presume to order me about like some house pet human," it said. "I may have agreed to work with you but we are not friends. When this is over I will focus all my power towards ridding myself of you once and for all! You and all your kind are weak and pathetic!"
"We're not weak you stupid fox," Naruto said. "We're strong. Stronger than you in our own way."
"Humans are week and fragile," The Kyubi said. "You exist thinking your wants, needs and desires trump all things. When in reality they are insignificant. Your time on this world is insignificant!"
"And that's why we're strong," Naruto said. "Because we aren't blessed with immortality. Because our time is so short it drives us to make our mark on this world. To be remembered. That drive gives us purpose and that's why you hate us so. Because despite all your power you have nothing. Despite your immortality you have nothing. To live forever with no purpose in life. I feel sorry for you."
The Kyubi roared and got to its feet. It raised its paw and swung at Naruto only for its claw to stop inches from his face. "My purpose is the destruction of all things," The Kyubi said. "You included."
"And then what," Naruto asked. "What will you do when all things are gone?"
"I haven't considered it yet," The Nine Tails responded. "I'll think about that when the time comes."
Naruto laughed. "So you act without considering the consequences too huh," he asked. "I guess you and I have more in common than I thought. But we don't have time for this. Return me to the land of the living. I still have several clones there and I need to get back before my connection with them is severed and they disperse. I can't afford to start over having them build Sage chakra."
The Kyubi settled down once more and said, "Stupid boy! Time is meaningless here. I can return you so that only a second or two has passed so that the connection remains."
******Meanwhile******
In a panic Neji turned to the guards and yelled, "Don't just stand there! Go get Lady Tsunade! We're going to need her help!" Just as one of the guards was turning to leave, Naruto suddenly took a deep, gasping breath and clutched Ino by the arm.
Ino nearly leapt back from the sudden movement and gave a surprised scream. "Naruto," Ino yelled. "You're ok!"
"Naruto," Neji said happily.
Naruto opened his eyes and continued to take quick, painful breaths. His body was in pain from head to toe and his head was pounding, like someone was continuously hitting him over the head with a hammer.
"I'm….fine," Naruto said. "Hurting….badly. Keep…..healing,"
"Oh, right," Ino said as she began to heal his wounds. After a few moments Naruto was felling a little better and Ino dug into her tool bag and removed a soldier pill. "Here," Ino said. "This is Sakura's new and improved soldier pill."
Naruto opened his mouth and Ino fed it to him. "Gack," Naruto screamed and seemed to wretch.
"Are you alright," Ino said. "Are you in pain!"
"No," Naruto said as he grimaced. "This soldier pill tastes worse than ever! The woman can't cook! Ugh!" Hearing this made Ino laugh.
Suddenly Naruto felt a surge of energy to all of his muscles and his eyes opened wide. He quickly leapt to his feet and looked at his body, his muscles and his clenched fist. "Wow," he said. "She can't cook but she knows her medicine."
Naruto took a deep breath and then looked out towards the landscape. He could see all the damage out there. He then closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Sakura's soldier pill may have replenished some of my energy but no where near enough, he thought.
Naruto then looked to Shima and said, "Granny Toad, do you mind?"
"Of course," Shima said as she placed her hand on the scroll and another Naruto clone appeared in a puff of smoke. As soon as it arrived Naruto dispersed it and he was suddenly full of power and had the Sage chakra active.
"Much better," Naruto said with a smile. Instantly Naruto felt a disturbance and ran to the edge of the roof and looked down. "No! Damn it!"
"What is it," Neji asked as they ran up.
"Akatsuki forces have made it under the village," Naruto yelled.
"What," Ino asked. "How?"
"I don't know," Naruto replied. "But there are about two hundred individual chakra signatures I'm sensing under ground. Not only that but I can feel the individual chakra of the ROOT shinobi going out one by one. Akatsuki must have attacked them first. They'll make their way above ground soon."
"Alright," Neji said. "We'll notify the Hokage and get the guards ready for them. Let's go Naruto."
Neji and Ino turned to leave when they noticed Naruto was not following behind. Naruto stared at them and then looked out beyond Konoha towards a large dome in the distance. "Naruto," Ino said.
"I can't," Naruto said.
"What," Neji asked.
"I can't go with you," Naruto responded. "There is something I have to do."
"What can be more important than protecting our village," Neji asked. He was clearly getting upset.
"I wish I could explain but there's no time," Naruto said. "But don't worry. I won't leave you alone. Granny Toad, please summon all except for Gamakichi."
"Right," Shima said as she bit her thumb and made several hand signs. In several large puffs of smoke everyone found themselves standing in the shadows of several large toads. Gamabunta, Gamaken, Fukasaku, Gamahiro and Gamatatsu.
Gamabunta looked down at Naruto and the others and blew smoke from his pipe. "Hey boy," he said. "Is this where we'll be fighting Madara."
"Actually there's been a change of plans," Naruto said. "I need you all to remain here and help guard the village. There are about two hundred ninja making their way up from underground. You have to stay and help fight them off."
Again Gamabunta blew smoke. "How insulting," he yelled. "This was to be my last, glorious battle before retirement! I expected to be part of the battle between you and Madara, not some of his sheep!"
Naruto bowed. "I'm sorry Boss Toad," he said. "But this will have to do. I'll have to rely on your son for help with that."
"Hmmm," Gamabunta said. "Taking down Uchiha Madara as his first mission as Chief of the Toads? Hmmm. Not bad! Alright boy, that will do!"
"Thank you Boss Toad," Naruto said with a bow. Shima wrapped the scroll up and returned it to Naruto who strapped it to his back. Shima leapt into his jacket packet as Naruto turned to leave when the two masked guards appeared in his way.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun," one of them said. "But we are under express orders by the Hokage to not let you leave the village."
Naruto stared at the two guards for a moment and then said, "If Danzo wanted to keep me here he should have sent someone stronger to guard me." Naruto took a step forward and both ninja began to draw their weapons.
To their amazement Naruto began to glow bright red and then took another step forward. This time both of the ninja took a step back. "Can I ask you something," Naruto said as he slowly continued to walk towards them. "I've never understood how a person can allow themselves to follow an order that goes against all common sense."
Both ninja seemed to pause and look at each other. "I guess I've never been wired that way," Naruto said. "I mean, look around you. You're job, above all others is to protect your home, your comrades and the people you care about. And yet, Danzo wants you to watch over me…fight me if need be….when all I want is to protect our home. Does that make sense? Are you really going to follow that order while your friends and family are threatened?"
The two ninja stared at Naruto and then each other before they stood aside in silence. Naruto walked passed them, patting them both on the shoulder as he did so, and looked up at Gamatatsu and said, "Gamatatsu, I need you to send me over there."
Gamatatsu looked off to the dense patch of trees and the large dome that covered it Naruto was pointing to and then looked to him and saluted. "Sure thing Naruto-kuuuun," he said is usual jovial manner.
"Naruto," Ino yelled. "That technique you used before….it was…incredible….amazing…..it was impossible."
Naruto smiled and said, "Impossible huh? No Ino, that wasn't impossible. You haven't seen impossible…..not yet." Suddenly Gamatatsu shot his tongue out and wrapped it around Naruto and pulled him into his mouth like a fly.
Ino and Neji recoiled in disgust at seeing this and Ino said, "Ugh! Just when I thought he was cool he goes and does something so disgusting!'
They watched as Gamatatsu's mouth moved around and after a few seconds Gamatatsu reared back, aimed for the location Naruto had given him and said, "Water Release: Human Water Cannon!" Gamatatsu then fired a massive blast of water high into the sky and soared over the land.
Once he was high enough Naruto's voice came from within the water. "Wind Release: Wind God of the Sky!" Suddenly all the water fell away as Naruto released two powerful, sustained blasts of air from each fist that allowed him to hurtle through the air.
Ino and Neji stood on the roof watching as Naruto flew further and further away. "Wow," Ino mumbled. "He really is something."
"Yeah," Neji said with a half smile. "We should get down there and prepare for the enemy."
'We," Ino asked. "We aren't doing anything. You are headed back to bed. I'll go and help the guards."
"There is no way I'm leaving you to fight while I go lay down," Neji said.
"But…" Ino replied.
"No buts," Neji said. "I'm going to help. My Byakugan may not be fully healed but it will be strong enough."
Ino sighed deeply. Knew Neji was far too proud and pig headed to give up this fight. "Fine," she said. "But you have to stay nearby to me at all times. If you start hurting I'm pulling you out of the fight."
Neji stood staring at Ino as she began walking to the exit. "Marry me," he suddenly said to which Ino pause in her tracks.
"W…What did you say," Ino asked as she slowly turned around.
"You heard me," Neji said as she walked up to her. "I….I love you….and…..I want you to marry me," Neji said.
Ino shook her head in confusion and said, "Stop playing around Neji. You and I both know your family arranges marriages. You, yourself have been promised to someone. This thing we have, it was temporary and you know it."
"I don't care," Neji said. "I'm not going to marry that girl. I don't love her. I don't even know her. I want you. If you don't love me then just say so."
"It's not that," Ino replied. "It's just that this is so….sudden. I mean what brought this all on?"
Neji walked up and gently Ino's cheek and said, "Always live you're life without regret. A friend taught me that. This war has taught me how precious life is. How precious happiness is." Tears began to well in Ino's eyes as she placed her hand over Neji's. "Well," Neji said. "Will you marry me or not?"
Ino leapt into Neji arms and kissed him deeply and stayed in his arms for wait seemed an eternity. Only when they heard the opening sounds of battle did they separate. "They're here," Gamabunta yelled as he drew his massive sword.
Ino wiped the tears from her eyes and laughed. "Alright lover," she said with a sudden fierceness in her eyes. "Let's go put an end to this war. And let's make it quick! I've got a wedding to plan!"
"Don't you mean we have a wedding to plan," Neji asked as he ran behind Ino.
"Ha," Ino laughed. " You think you're actually going to help! Ha! You're so cute!"
******Meanwhile******
Far below on the ground Shikaku and the remainder of the surviving ninja were slowly making their way from the battlefield. Konohamaru, who was being helped along by Enma looked up as he heard a strange sound in the sky. "What in the world is that," he asked.
"Look," another ninja yelled as he pointed to the sky.
Konohamaru's eyes widened in shock as he saw Naruto wiz by overhead. "Naruto-niichan," he whispered.
"It's Naruto," another ninja yelled as everyone broke out into cheers. Iruka smiled as he looked at everyone around him cheering. Go get em Naruto, he thought.
As Naruto flew overhead he could hear the growing cheers coming from everywhere as more and more people saw him flying by over head. But Naruto wasn't concerned with that. He was focused solely on the dome straight ahead.
Tsunade and the others all gathered by the window as they stared, transfixed at what they were witnessing. Just then a ninja barged in and yelled, "Lady Hokage! Naruto has….!"
But Tsunade waved the ninja off. "I already know."
"We should stop him Tsunade," Homura said. "He's playing right into Madara's hands. You know it as well as I."
"True," Tsunade responded. "But just how do you suppose we do that?" Tsunade began to recall her first meeting with the brash blonde boy. His pride and his strength. His vulnerability and his unwavering loyalty.
Tsunade smiled and said, "Besides….all heroes have that moment where they must face the darkness. The moment when they must go from being the shield for those they love to being their sword. It is what places them above all others. It is what shapes them. I believe Naruto's moment has come. All we can do now is believe." Naruto, she thought. You've always been like a grandson to me. And I know your mother, father and Jiraiya are as proud of you as I am. Please come back alive.
Gaara sat down gingerly against a tree as a medic from Suna looked him over. Temari, Kankuro and Shikamaru stood over the medic as he worked. "You really are an idiot Gaara," Temari yelled. "What if you had died! You're lucky Naruto was able to save your ass! What would I have said to Matsui?"
"Look at that," a nearby ninja yelled as he ran pointing at the sky. Everyone looked up to see Naruto fly by.
"Was that," Kanakuro said dumbfounded. "Nah….couldn't be. Could it?"
Gaara smiled to himself and remained seated as all around, his people cheered Naruto on.
"He can fly," Shikamaru asked. "He can fly! He made me walk through a damned desert when he could fly?"
"Wow," Temari said. "Every time I think he can't get any better he surprises me. Incredible."
Shikamaru looked at Temari and then back up at Naruto as he got further and further away. "He's going to get an incredible ass woopin the next time I see him."
About a mile away, the large group of medics cheered as they say Naruto fly passed over head. "Did you see that," one medic asked another.
"Incredible," a female medic gushed. "He's just incredible."
Hinata sighed in relief. Be careful Naruto-kun, she thought.
Everyone cheered and called Naruto's name, except for a certain pink haired kunoichi who stared with a blank face. So, Sakura thought. You wouldn't do anything rash huh Naruto?
"Masumi," Sakura yelled.
"Yes Taicho," Masumi answered as she ran up.
"I need you to finish leading everyone back to the village," Sakura said. "There's something I need to do."
******Meanwhile******
"Rrrrrrr," Kisame said as he stared at the face of the Kirigakure ninja. The ninja's eyes were open but had rolled in the back of his head as Kisame held him by the neck. "Dead already," Kisame said. "Hah! And you were so boastful. What a shame."
Kisame let the man go who began to float away and then looked around at the dozens of bodies of Suna, Kiri and Konoha ninja that floated bout in his water dome. Several minutes ago he was leading a division of three hundred through the woods towards Konoha. The mission Madara had given him was simple: Use the distraction the Biju were providing to lead a squad right to Konoha's gate. Naruto would either go out to face the Biju or remain and be forced to face Kisame and his squad.
But it seemed someone in the Alliance had half a brain and anticipated this move. Kisame and his squad were ambushed and forced into battle. Kisame wasn't sure how many of his men died. Perhaps they all were. He really didn't care. All Kisame cared about was fighting. He wasn't one for sneaking about. And when he came across so many Alliance ninja he decided to really cut loose and transform into his shark form. The Alliance ninja didn't last much longer after that. It was like shooting fish in a barrel.
Kisame looked outside his dome and noticed that he couldn't see any of the Biju anymore. The last thing he saw was a sudden storm and several large tornados that appeared to be actually attacking each beast. And then, just as quickly as the storm came, it vanished and each Biju was gone.
Oh well, Kisame thought. Nothing left to do now but continue on to Konoha. Just then Kisame noticed something in the sky. At first it looked like just a speck. A lone bird, he thought. But as it got closer the shape of it seemed wrong for a bird. And not only that, but there appeared to be a large blast of wind trailing behind and it appeared to be heading this way and it was closing in much too fast to be a bird.
Huh, Kisame thought. What is th…. Before Kisame could finish his thought the object crashed into his dome and all Kisame knew at that point was pain. Something had hit him in the face. It hit him so hard that he felt his jaw crack and dislocate. In that moment his entire world was turned upside down as he felt his body hurtling uncontrollably through the water and then, surprisingly, out into the open air. I'm moving so fast even my water dome can't keep up, he thought.
Kisame felt his body crash into nearby trees and rocks before limply coming to stop. His body was wracked with pain. His legs and arms were both broken. As was his jaw, ribs, pelvis and skull. More importantly, Kisame couldn't breath. He had been knocked out of the water dome and, still in his shark form he was without water for his gills to function.
Rapidly losing consciousness Kisame commanded Samehada to separate from his body and once it did, Samehada immediately began to give Kisame all the chakra it had stolen from all the ninja they had killed.
It took a few moments but Kisame could feel himself healing. Bones began to snap back into place. Muscle began to reconnect to muscle. Blood began to flow through his body properly. Eventually, darkness turned to light and Kisame's eyes opened. Kisame groaned and he rubbed his mended, but still aching jaw. "Good thing you absorbed so much chakra Samehada," Kisame said. "I probably would have died with out it. But what the hell was it that hit me?"
At that moment he heard the unmistakable sound of a small branch snapping under someone's feet. Looking up he saw a blonde, blue eyed man standing before him. "You there," he said. "Kisame Hoshigaki am I right? My name is Namikaze Naruto. I've been looking for you."
Kisame smiled. I guess things aren't going to be so boring anymore, he thought.
"You're the one who hunted down Killer Bee right," Naruto asked.
Kisame got to his feet and placed Samehada on his shoulder. "So you actually came to me," he asked. "Wow! I heard you were a brash idiot but this is just too easy." "Were you the one who hunted Killer Bee," Naruto asked again which caused Kisame's grin to be even wider.
"Yes," Kisame said proudly. "I'm the one who took him down." Suddenly Naruto appeared inches from Kisame ready to fight. Kisame was just able to put his sword in front of him allowing the sword to absorb the punch. Kisame then quickly kicked Naruto in the stomach launching him back and to the ground on the other side of the small clearing.
Damn, Naruto said. What I heard of the swords abilities is true. I tried to attack faster than the sword could react but it was still able to absorb enough of my chakra to weaken my punch.
Just then Naruto heard the bushes rustle behind him, followed by a familiar female voice. "Well, well. How disappointing. Here you are supposed to be the inspiration of the entire ninja world yet look at you. Sitting on the ground like that isn't very inspiring."
Naruto looked up to see a soft hand reach for him. Smiling he grabbed the hand and got to his feet. "Hey Sakura-chan," he said. "What are you doing here?"
Sakura's eyes remained locked on Kisame who merely stood, smiling. "What am I doing here," Sakura asked. "I'll tell you what I'm doing here." Sakura turned to Naruto with a fire in her eyes and punched him in the head causing Naruto to pitch forward and almost fall.
"Ouch," Naruto yelled as he began to rub his head. "What was that for!"
"That's for lying to me again," Sakura screamed. "You promised me that you would stay in the village and let us protect you! But the entire time you had this plan! Not only do you leave the village but you leave by flying in the air! I mean never mind the fact that you shouldn't even be able to do that but doing something like that brings everyone's attention to you! You might as well hold up a sign saying 'Hey Madara, I'm right here, come and get me!' I mean what is wrong with you! Can't you just sit still?"
"I can't just do nothing while my friends die for my sake," Naruto yelled.
"But if you get captured then they would have died for nothing Naruto," Sakura replied. "And that is worse!"
Suddenly Kisame appeared above them with Samehada at the ready. "Hah!" he yelled as he readied his attack. Sakara reacted quickly, pulling one of Naruto's special kunai from his belt and throwing it at Kisame's head while Naruto grabbed her by the other arm. Kisame moved his head slightly and the kunai whizzed by the side of his head and embedded in a tree on the opposite side of the clearing. Kisame swung his sword down only for both Naruto and Sakura to vanish before his eyes.
Kisame landed and looked around. "What the hell," he said in a state of confusion. Was that speed, he thought. No. No one runs that fast. Where are they?
"Looking for us," Naruto said. Kisame looked behind him to see both Naruto and Sakura standing next to the tree where the Kunai was stuck in.
Kisame stared at them for a moment and then smiled. "Flying Thunder God huh," Kisame asked. "I'd heard of the technique. I thought only the Fourth Hokage knew that one. I never imagined he would pass it down to his kid."
"You should get out of here Sakura," Naruto said. "I don't want you to get hurt in this fight."
"I'm stronger than you think Naruto," Sakura said. "I'm not going anywhere. I didn't come here just to leave you to fight alone."
"Yeah, she should stay" Kisame said. "Besides, I would love to have her watch you be defeated. Just like I had others watch when I took down the Eight Tails."
Naruto glared at Kisame. He could feel his anger rising every moment he was in Kisame's presence. "Kill him Naruto," said the Nine Tails. "We can feast on his bones and get drunk on his blood! We'll make him pay tenfold! Let me out! I can help you!"
Naruto could feel the cloak beginning to cover him and his eyes began to have both the Nine Tails and Sage look to them. Just then he felt Sakura's warm hand on his cheek and it was like a cold splash of water to his face and he began to calm down.
Naruto looked to Sakura who smiled but said nothing. It was then he realized she didn't have to. Everything that was needed to be said was done with her touch. "Alright," Naruto said as he walked ahead of Sakura. "I'll start the fight. You can follow my lead and together we can…"
Naruto then felt Sakura's hand on his shoulder and stopped as she pulled him back. "No Naruto," Sakura said as she walked passed him. "You misunderstand. I didn't come here to fight this guy with you either. I came to fight him for you. I want you to go. I will fight Kisame alone."
"What," Naruto yelled. "No way! Sakura are you crazy! This guy took down Kirabi-sama on his own! Not only that but in Sage mode I can feel how much chakra this guy has and its insane! There is no way I'm going to….!"
"He's waiting for you Naruto," Sakura said. "About a half mile back in the direction I came from. But you already knew that didn't you."
Naruto looked down as one name came to mind, Sasuke. Yes he felt his chakra. It popped up about the same time he arrived to face Kisame. Sasuke was releasing a massive amount of chakra. Just like the last time. Sasuke was calling out to him. Just like the last time.
"Naruto," Sakura said. "Do you remember what I said to you this morning? I meant it. I want to be with you. Only you. I want to share your happiness and your burdens. But that can only happen if you have faith in my strength. For years all I could do is stand aside and watch your back as you fought. Now, I want you to watch mine."
Naruto stared at Sakura. Despite her abilities and training, to him she has always seemed so small, so….delicate. She was a fragile, precious treasure that needed, had to be, protected. But now, for the first time, he understood what she had been trying to tell him these past couple of months. For the first time, he truly saw her strength. And he was in awe.
Naruto smiled to himself and turned from her. He knew now that giving her any words of praise or saying good luck would be meaningless. Leaving her now was enough for her to know how much confidence he had in her. "Naruto," she said without looking back at him.
"Yes Sakura-chan," he answered.
"Don't forget you're promise to me," she said.
Naruto laughed and scratched his head. "Right Sakura-chan," he said.
"Oh and Naruto, just call me Sakura," she said as she looked back at him with a smile.
Naruto smiled and began to walk away. He only stopped for one more moment and saw Sakura glaring at Kisame. Taking a deep breath he turned and ran off.
"Hey," Kisame yelled towards Naruto. "Where the hell do you think you're going!" Kisame turned to chase after Naruto and yelled, "If you think I'm going to let you….!" Before he could finish his sentence Kisame saw an object flying towards him with incredible speed. He came to an immediate stop as a kunai whizzed by, barely missing his throat, before it pierced cleanly through a nearby tree.
Kisame looked at the clean hole the kunai made into the tree and then back to the woman who threw it. "Didn't you hear what I said," Sakura said. "I said I am your opponent."
End of Chapter 31
Next Time: The Cherry Blossom Blooms