INTRODUCTION

Welcome back to the Chronicles of the Seventh. As always I like to begin by stating I do not own Naruto.

THANK YOU

A special thanks to those who reviewed my previous chapter: Exor; NarutoBigFreak; aej1085; InARealPickle; EmpKaylenatye; ZeroTail29; MyHikari; Ben Vilhaven; Kushina's Truth of Hell; Diamond Man; Konoha's Crimson Fox; Cloud Ex-SOLDIER; tdwtfan1899; charles cdv; hothead11; Elena Cullen Blye Winchester; Narutokurosaki; Sazen & musguian.

RESPONSES

Exor - Glad you enjoyed the chapter Exor. Yes, Sakura may not be the strongest but she gets by with her skills.

NarutoBigFreak - Glad you liked it. I'll try to keep things going! :)

aej1085 - Thanx.

InARealPickle - LMAO! You know I find it strange. When I go a couple chapters with no action I get readers asking me when am I gonna get to some fights. And when I have a couple chapters with fighting I get readers asking me when are they gonna end. LMAO! Now I know what Kishi goes through. ;) I will say that you should expect the fighting to go on for a while. This is great showdown of good and evil. I can't rush this.

EmpKaylenatye - Thanx.

ZeroTail29 - Thanx.

MyHikari - LMAO! Damn you figured me out! I a quite pervy. Madara's interest in Sakura has been partially revealed if you think about it. But a full explaination will be revealed soon. Glad you're happy with the Sasuke vs. Naruto showdown so far.

Ben Vilhaven - Really? Thank you for those letting me know of those errors. Actually the idea for the Kunai clone jutsu comes from the the Movie The Lost Tower. In that movie, Minato uses that jutsu and he called it Kunai Clone Jutsu. But maybe you are right.

You know I love my cliffhangers. You should expect one in this chapter too. Lol! Have you read Blade of the Shinigami, BTW? What did you think?

Kushina's - I actually introduced the idea of using rubber kunai way back in Book 1. Glad you like the chapter.

Diamond Man - Perhaps killing a former friend isn't as easy as one would believe. But don't underestimate Naruto. He has some tricks up his sleeve.

Crimson Fox - Thanx.

Cloud Ex-SOLDIER - Glad you enjoyed the chapter. I did consider using the japanese names but decided it would be to difficult to find the proper translation for the new techniuqes I created. And I didn't want to run the risk of getting it wrong.

tdwtfan - Glad you're enjoying the story. Sasuke can use shadow clones because the Sharingan can copy techniques. He can't use it to Naruto's level though. Everyone else is re-grouping while Naruto and Sakura are fighting.

Charles cdv - Thanx.

hothead11 - Glad you loved the Sakura vs. Kisame fight. i really wanted to show a bunch of techniques she could use that could realistically give her a chance against him. If you liked the Sauke vs Naruto fight so far then you are in for a treat. Those two are only getting started.

Elena Cullen - What indeed! i think I will surprise quite a few people with what I've come up with for this chapter

narutokurosaki - Hiraishin requires Naruto either place a kunai with the seal near Sasuke or he mark Sasuke with the seal. Naruto does not know how to mark with the seal yet and most of the kunai he made were given to the captains so he could destroy the Biju. Though he does have a few of the kunai on him he has to be selective in its use.

Sazan - Thanx.

musguian - I love having international readers! And I'm honored you think so highly of my work. And I'm glad you've enjoyed the bit of realism I interjected into the NejixIno pairing. I will say that everyone should find my next chapter interesting for crack pairings. I will be introducing another pairing I think people may find a good one. :)

As for my writing, it's not that people don't enjoy my writing. Most people who read my work, whether it be poetry, short stories of others, like my work. It's that I'm so critical of my work I never let people read it. The reason I chose to do this fanfic was to force myself to just put my work out and see how it's received. Though I believe I still have a long way to go I have really enjoyed the process of improvng my skills. Glad you enjoy my writing. You should check out some of my other stories and let me know what you think.

MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR

Ok so here is chapter 34 of my story. Please remember to leave a little review to let me know what you think. Thanks.

Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book III: End of Innocence

Chapter XXXIV: Resolve

******Land of Fire******

Sasuke stood stoically as the watched as his technique, Kirin, crashed into his once and great friend. From the very beginning of the fight Sasuke had planned on setting this technique up. Despite all his talk about wanting to kill Naruto he knew that he couldn't. Naruto was the host of the Kyubi after all. To kill him would be counter productive to the overall plan. So after releasing volley after volley of his Great Dragon Fire technique it was just a matter of stalling Naruto until the atmosphere was properly charged.

Naruto's hesitance proved the best route to do so. Despite Naruto's anger and ferocious attacking style Sasuke knew Naruto couldn't resist speaking to him one last time. That gave Sasuke the time he needed. Kirin, if used on a lesser person, would kill them easily. But not Naruto. Sasuke knew Naruto would at least survive but it would definitely incapacitate him.

Sasuke shaded his eyes as the thunder clouds disappeared and the sun streamed in. Taking a deep, almost exhaustive breath he then looked to the massive cloud of dust and dirt that enveloped where Naruto had stood.

As the dust began to settle Sasuke stared into it as a silhouette began to take shape. What the hell, Sasuke thought to himself as the figure began to come into view. Sasuke was shocked to see that the figure in the smoke was at least three stories tall and had what looked to be tails wagging back and forth.

As the last of the smoke cleared Sasuke saw Naruto standing where he had been and above him, was the Kybui. The Kyubi glared menacingly at Sasuke. It's eyes were full of hate. Naruto, himself seemed shocked as he looked up to see that he was standing directly underneath it. "Kyubi," Naruto whispered. "You….?"

It shielded him, Sasuke wondered. The damned fox somehow came out and shielded him? The Kyubi suddenly roared a deafening roar forcing Sasuke to shield himself, before the creature suddenly turned to energy and was reabsorbed back into Naruto's body.

Naruto remained wide-eyed and almost frozen in shock. Slowly he calmed himself and addressed the Kybui. Inside his mind Naruto was now in the room filled with water with the large cage holding the Kyubi. "Hey Kyubi," Naruto said angrily. "What the hell was that! How did you do that?"

The Kyubi growled. "I thought it was customary for you humans to thank someone when they save your miserable life," The Kyubi said.

"I asked you a question," Naruto asked impatiently.

"I simply used the connection that we established to bring myself to your world momentarily," the Kyubi said.

"You….you can do that," Naruto asked, clearly shocked.

"Of course," The Kyubi said. "You underestimate me far too much human. You created the connection so that you could easily tap my power. Well, why would you assume that the connection works only one way? I do however need certain requirements for me to do such a thing. And I can only do it once and only for a few seconds at a time. So don't expect me to save you again human!"

Naruto gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as the Kyubi continued to talk. "Are you angry," it asked. "Well, this was your fault. You need to focus boy! I won't let you die and take me with you simply because you lack the will to do what's necessary! You need to stop holding back and kill that human already! It's clear that he can't be saved from his hate! So kill him and let's move on! Because unless you have forgotten, Madara is the real threat here! He's the one with the ability to remove me and complete his plans to bring back the Jyubi! And if you look up you can see the moon is almost in place. The damned solar eclipse will happen soon! So get your fucking head out of the clouds and move your ass!"

"Hey Kyubi," Naruto said calmly as he reached out towards the large beast. "Come here." Suddenly the Kuybi felt as he had been yanked by the throat by some invisible force that pulled him down to the ground in front of Naruto. "Let me explain something to you," Naruto said. "This body that we share is mine. It is my home. You are an unwanted guest. But you are a guest I am forced to live with. But I make the rules here, get it? Never….do that….again! Because if you do, Madara will be the least of your worries. Do we understand each other?"

The Kyubi growled and stared at Naruto harshly but remained quiet. Naruto turned and began to walk away. "I'll take that as a yes."

******Meanwhile – Back in the Real World******

Naruto and Sasuke stared at each other for a moment as Sasuke tried to analyze the situation. Where did that power come from so suddenly, he thought. It almost looked like a partial transformation. I've never heard of that before. Tch, well whatever the case, the power is gone now. Sasuke looked up at the sun and moon. Time's running out, he thought as he reactivated his Mangekyo Sharingan. I need to end this.

Again Sasuke created his fully formed Susanoo as Naruto began to glow bright red. Naruto suddenly saw a black substance coming at him from Sasuke's direction and quickly dodged just as the flames struck where he was standing. So he's finally decided to use Amaterasu, Naruto thought as he dodged another blast.

Sasuke remained standing in the center of his Susanoo and continued to fire blast after blast of black flames. As Sasuke continued his relentless onslaught he laughed slightly before braking into raucous laughter. Yes, he thought. The power! I never imagined it would be like this! There was a time I couldn't possibly maintain both Susanoo and Ameterasu like this!

Naruto flipped and rolled out of the way as he dodged another blast of black flames. Before he knew it he found himself surrounded on every side. Damn, he thought. He's pinned me in.

"I've got you," Sasuke yelled as he fired another blast that struck Naruto head on and knocked him back and to the floor.

"Heh," Sasuke said. "I'll let the flames do its work for a while and then extinguish it before it kills him."

But then much to his surprise he saw Naruto kneeling on one knee and as he got to his feet a blast of wind shot from his body, knocking away the flames. Naruto glared at Sasuke as he got into a defensive stance.

Damn, Sasuke thought. It's that shield of his again. He must have increased it's strength and kept the flames from hitting him. Naruto then slowly raised his hand in the air and kept it there for a few seconds before lowering it. "What the hell are you doing," Sasuke asked. All Naruto did was grin in response.

Some distance away, in the woods just past the clearing, Shima was hidden in some bushes. She held Naruto's large scroll as well as two small ones. "That's the signal," she whispered as she opened one of the small scrolls and wrote on it. She then made several hand seals and a barely visible vapor rose from the scroll and spread out towards the clearing.

"What the hell," Sasuke whispered as he saw the vapor surround all of the black flames and absorb it. The vapor then floated back into the trees on the far side and entered the scroll.

Shima rolled the scroll up and made several hand seals and it disappeared in a puff of smoke. "I better get moving before that Sasuke pinpoints my location," Shima said before leaping away.

Sasuke stared at the area where the vapor trail led. So Naruto hs back up, he thought. But who ever it is, their chakra is so low I can barely track them. Who could it be?

"Pay attention," Naruto yelled as he appeared in the air on Sasuke left. Susanoo turned to face him and swung its bow striking Naruto and knocking him to the ground. Much to Sasuke's surprise, Naruto disappeared in a puff of smoke. A clone, Sasuke thought as he heard Naruto behind him.

Just as he turned Naruto had a shuriken shaped ball of energy in his hand. "Wind Release: RasenShuriken!" Naruto threw the ball of energy as Sasuke who tried to turn Susanoo to use its shield but he was too slow.

The attack struck Susanoo and it was engulfed in light. When the light faded away, the armor on its arm and side had been stripped away but quickly began to regenerate. Naruto gritted his teeth and sprinted at Sasuke. He made a hand seal and said, "Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto created dozens of clones that each created a Rasengan and attacked Sasuke from all sides.

Suddenly black flames began to engulf Susanoo's entire body as Natuto's clones crashed into Susanoo and were destroyed. "Tch," Naruto said as he gritted his teeth. "Nothing's working."

"You need to stop holding back and let me out," the Kyubi yelled.

"I don't need to do that," Naruto said. "If I do I may not be able to control it. I can beat him on my own."

"The only thing you can do on your own is die boy," the Kyubi responded angrily.

"Enough," Naruto said. "I've made my decision."

Just then Susanoo raised its shield and it transformed into a bow. With its other hand it created an arrow made of pure chakra and loaded it into the bow. "Shit," Naruto said as Susanoo took aim.

"It's over Naruto," Sasuke yelled as Susanoo fired the arrow. Naruto quickly sprinted to his left and leapt to dodge the arrow as it crashed into the ground and exploded launching Naruto forward and crashing to the ground. He actually dodged it, Sasuke thought. Well, let's see if he can dodge this. Susanoo reloaded his bow as Naruto got to his feet.

Susanoo fired another arrow forcing Naruto to run. He quickly leapt just as the arrow struck the ground and exploded. Naruto's body was thrown forward and he quickly flipped and landed on the ground just as another arrow was fired. "Damn," Naruto said as he leapt straight up and over the arrow that exploded as it hit the ground behind him and pitched Naruto forward and landing hard on the ground.

Naruto grimaced in pain as he looked up to see Susanoo taking aim yet again. Naruto quickly made a hand seal and created a shadow clone as Susanoo fired its arrow. The clone quickly grabbed Naruto by his arm and threw him out of the way just as the arrow crashed into the ground and exploded. The force of the explosion sent Naruto flying and tumbling to the ground. As he landed he clutched his right arm in pain. The sleeve was burned away and his arm was covered in burns.

"Boy," The Kyubi yelled. "What the hell are you doing! You need to kill that human! Why are you holding back!"

Naruto was gasping for air and was drenched in sweat. "I….I know," Naruto said as he stared at Sasuke who glared with a cold and evil grin at him. "It's just...that…."

Naruto looked up to see Sasuke's wicked smile and the bloodlust in his eyes. He began to remember a time when Sasuke's smile held no such malice and his eyes were kind. There was a time when Sasuke would smile at him, if even just a little when they greeted each other. They were like brothers. No. They were not like brothers. They were brothers. They teased each other. They fought each other. They looked out for each other. Despite the rivalry. Despite the animosity. They were always there for each other. They were Team Seven. How? How could it have come to this?

"Boy," the Kyubi called frantically. "Move you're ass!" Jarred from his thoughts Naruto looked up to see another chakra arrow hurtling towards him. Naruto pushed himself up off the ground and leapt straight up and over the arrow that exploded as it hit the ground knocking Naruto to the ground. It was then Naruto noticed black flames burning the edges of his coat.

"Shit," Naruto said as he quickly removed the coat and threw it to the ground. Looking at Sasuke he saw Susanoo had already reloaded but this time the arrow was engulfed in black flames.

"He's coating the arrows with those black flames," the Kyubi said. "The resulting explosion will ensure you're hit with them. You need to cut loose Naruto! Let me out! It's our only chance now!"

"I….," Naruto said as Susanoo fired the flame covered arrow. Naruto suddenly vanished before Sasuke's eyes and re-appeared some distance away. Sasuke, Naruto thought as Sasuke turned to face him and Susanoo once again reloaded its bow. Why, Sasuke!

"Now is not the time to second guess yourself boy," The Kyubi yelled as Naruto drew one of his special kunai and threw it to the other side of the clearing. "Let me out and we can finish him!"

"If I do that I may not be able to control the power," Naruto said. "I….could end up…."

Sasuke stared at the kunai Naruto threw as it landed on the ground. So, Sasuke thought. You are using that jutsu, huh Naruto? Madara warned me that you could learn it, but I never imagined…. Alright then.

Sasuke then looked at Naruto and fired a blast of Amaterasu. The black flame launched at Naruto who disappeared instantly. Sasuke quickly aimed Susanoo towards the kunai and fired an arrow just as Naruto appeared. "Shit," Naruto yelled as he realized his error.

The explosion struck Naruto head on and his body, engulfed in black flames, was thrown out of the blast and crashed hard to the floor. For a while the body merely burned when suddenly it disappeared in a puff of smoke. "What the," Sasuke said. Just then he heard Naruto yelling behind him. Sasuke turned to see Naruto throw another RasenShiruken at him. The blast nearly forced Sasuke back but he poured more chakra into Susanoo and withstood the attack.

Naruto was gasping for breath as he watched the smoke clear around Sasuke and he saw Susanoo still standing there. The reddish, orange pigment around his eyes as well as his golden horizontal pupils faded and returned to its normal blue as Naruto fell to his knees in exhaustion. "Hah…hah…It's no use," he said. "Even Rasenshiruken can't break through. And now I've lost Sage Mode."

Susanoo fired another arrow at Naruto. Realizing he wasn't fast enough to dodge without Senjutsu, Naruto quickly made several hand seals and said, "Wind Release: Living Tornado!" A massive Tornado encircled him just as the arrow collided with it. The resulting explosion knocked Naruto into the air and crashing to the ground before tumbling to a stop. Naruto clutched at his injured knee. "Shit," he said. "I think it might be broken!" Naurto tried to stand only for an incredible pain to shoot through his leg causing his knee to buckle and for him to fall to his knees.

"You need to let me out boy," the Kyubi yelled. "You're hesitation will kill us both! How much more do you need to see of the Uchiha to know that he does not care about you! He has been engulfed by hate! It's like you said, he has gone too far now! Why do you hesitate?"

"Because," Naruto said as he looked in Sasuke's eyes. "Somewhere in there, I can see the pain. I could feel the turmoil in his chakra. I know that somewhere in there is the real Sasuke!"

"Foolishness," the Kyubi yelled. "I thought you had moved on from such childishness! At this rate he will kill us both, don't you understand that!"

"I….I know," Naruto said as he slammed his fist into the ground. "I know that! But…..I realize now….that I…..I can't do it! I can't just…kill Sasuke!"

Now frantic the Kyubi began to think quickly. Fuck, the created thought. If only I could exert my will on him like I used to this would not be an issue. But perhaps I'll have to just appeal to his humanity. "What about the humans you call your friends," the Kyubi asked. "What about all those bonds you talk about! Will you really let them die just for that piece of filth!"

"Shut up," Naruto yelled as he looked to Sasuke. Susanoo had once again reloaded its bow. "I know what I said. But, I….I can't do it. I just….can't…"

"You can't," the Kyubi roared. "You pathetic human! What do you mean you can't! If Sasuke defeats us he will go on to kill your friends!"

"No," Naruto said. "Even if I die here Sasuke will never defeat them. They are strong. Perhaps stronger then me because they can do what I can't."

"What about the girl," the Kyubi asked.

Naruto paused as he thought of her. "Sakura," he whispered.

"What about that promise you made to her," the Kyubi said. "I've had to listen to you prattle on and on about your stupid promises and how you never go back on them! Are you truly going to do so now!"

Naruto tensed up as the memories of last night flooded back to him. For that brief moment it was like he was back in that room. He could hear Sakura ask him, "Then what do you plan to do?"

He could hear his response, "Sasuke wants the destruction of not just Konoha but the whole world. I have to stop him, even if it costs me my own life."

Naruto could remember the look on her face. How terribly sad she seemed. In that moment he believed the pain on her face was for Sasuke. Until she said, "I wish you wouldn't say things like that. You can't just sacrifice yourself like you do. If something were to happen do you know how much it would hurt the people you leave behind? Naruto, if you want to stop Sasuke then you have to do it without dying, or else I'll never forgive you!"

Naruto could remember after their brief nap together, her touch and her smell as she held on to his waist. She seemed so small to him in that moment. So fragile. "I don't want you to die," she said. "Promise me that when this war is over you will come back to me. Don't die." Don't die, that was the promise he made to her. Don't die.

Sasuke aimed Susanoo's arrow at Naruto who remained on his knees and lost in whatever thoughts dominated his mind. Sasuke could see the injuries Naruto had. His right arm was badly burned and his left knee appeared to be broken. This is it, Sasuke thought. "This is the end Naruto!" Susanoo fired the arrow directly at Naruto as Sasuke smiled.

But suddenly Naruto reached out and Sasuke stared in amazement as he witnessed what he believed to be impossible. "What," Sasuke mumbled. "I…Impossible!" Naruto had caught the massive arrow in both hands.

A stunned Sasuke looked on as Naruto began to glow bright red and massive gusts of wind began to emanate from his body. Sasuke then saw the massive image of the Kyubi standing above Naruto, glaring down at him before releasing a deafening roar that could be heard for miles. The image then began to shrink as it was absorbed into Naruto. The ground began to shake violently all around as the winds surrounding Naruto increased in its violence.

Naruto flexed, squeezing the large chakra arrow and destroying it as chunks for rock ripped free of the earth and began to float all about him. Using his Sharingan, Sasuke quickly scanned Naruto and saw that a massive chakra was whipping about his body. "Is this the full power of the Kyubi," he whispered. "No, this isn't just the Kyubi's chakra. It's Naruto's. Somehow….somehow both chakra are merging into one!"

Sasuke then saw the image of nine individual tails wagging about behind Naruto as he seemed be covered in a golden shroud that resembled the silhouette of the Sage of the Six Paths. Naruto slowly got to his feet as Sasuke marked that both Naruto's right arm and left knee had healed along with his other injuries.

"Sssssasssuke," Naruto said as he finally opened his eyes. Naruto's retina's were like a foxes but golden instead of red. Sasuke suddenly recalled the last time Naruto had used the Kyubi's power. He was like a miniature Kyubi. A wild animal. A force of nature unto himself. But this time it seemed different. Despite the power Naruto was using he seemed….calm. In control.

"Sasuke," Naruto said. "Earlier you said I lacked the resolve to kill you. And you were right. But I do have a different kind of resolve. I made a promise. A promise that I would not die, not matter what. So my resolution isn't to kill. My resolution is to live!"

"The resolution to live," Sasuke asked as he shook his head disapprovingly. "I'm disappointed in you Naruto. As someone who has tasted the kind of crushing loneliness I have known, you should know that such a selfish resolution is meaningless! Why tell me such a thing!"

"Heh," Naruto laughed with a grin. "A selfish resolution? I guess you're right. For the first time perhaps I am being truly selfish. But that's not why I'm telling you this." Naruto raised his fist to his face and looked at it as he clenched his fist tight. "I'm telling you this so you understand. I've never used this power in battle before. I don't know if I can fully control it. But my resolve dictates that I have to. So please…forgive me….if I kill you by accident."

Sasuke's eyes grew wide as he saw, for the first time, true murderous intent in Naruto's eyes. He gritted his teeth as his entire body seemed to tense in anticipation. He could feel his sweat turn cold as he felt a mix of excitement and apprehension for what was to come. "Kill me by accident huh," he said. "As if you could ever do such a thing!"

Sasuke sent the mental command to Susanoo to fire the bow aimed at Naruto and just as Susanoo fired Naruto seemed to vanish before Sasuke's very eyes and appeared crouched atop the arrow at the very instant it was fired. "Impossible," Sasuke whispered as Naruto leapt off the arrow as it sped by and punched Susanoo squarely in the chest. Sasuke was shocked when Susanoo was pushed back several feet from the force of the blow and its armor on its chest cracked.

Before Susanoo could react to Naruto's attack he disappeared again and appeared behind it and punched it again, pitching Susanoo forward. Sasuke tried to turn Susanoo around but Naruto was again gone in an instant and appeared to its left and punched it once again. This speed in incredible, Sasuke thought. I can't even track him with my Sharingan!

Sasuke desperately tried to pin down Naruto's location. But Naruto would keep vanishing before Sasuke could react and strike Susanoo before Sasuke could even locate him. Naruto was striking from all sides with such power that Susanoo's armor was shattering and with such speed that it didn't have time to regenerate it.

I have to get him to back away, Sasuke thought. Suddenly Susanoo's body was again covered with the black flames of Ameterasu and Sasuke smiled as he believed this would force Naruto back. But much to his surprise, Naruto reached out and grabbed Susanoo's shoulder and though there was steam rising from his hand, it did not burn. Damn it all, Sasuke thogut. His cloak is actually powerful enough to protect him from Amaterasu!

Naruto continued to pound away at Susanoo from all sides before he leapt back and as his feet dragged in the dirt. "Ssssasuke," he yelled as he crouched down. Naruto roared like wild animal as Sasuke quickly commanded Susanoo to take aim at Naruto with an arrow covered with black flames. "I am going to crush Susanoo! And I am going to defeat you!"

"Dream on you pathetic loser," Sasuke yelled as he fired a blast of black flames, striking Naruto head on. Susanoo might be too slow but Amaterasu isn't, Sasuke thought. Sasuke smiled quickly turned into a gasp of shock as he saw Naruto standing unharmed amidst the black flames. In each hand Naruto was creating two Rasenshirukens that both glowed bright red.

Quickly Sasuke's expression went from shock to rage as he tensed and poured more chakra into Susanoo. Susanoo began to grow even larger as it's tattered and broken armor repaired itself and got even bigger and more imposing with large spikes protruding from its shoulder pads and arm guards. "Give it up Naruto," Sasuke yelled. "You'll never get around my Susanoo!"

"Around it," Naruto asked as he reared back. "I'm not going to go around it!" Susanoo raised its bow and fired an arrow just as Naruto threw both Rasenshurikens. Susanoo's arrow connected with one of Naruto's Rasenshiruken's but much to Sasuke's amazement, the Rasenshiruken sliced right through the arrow before both slammed into Susanoo. Sasuke raised his hand to shade his eyes as he and Susanoo was engulfed in light.

A few moments went by as the effects of the blast died down and Sasuke opened his eyes. Susanoo's armor had been blasted away and it's skin surrounding it's arm and torso and been stripped back down to the bone. "Incredible," Sasuke said. "He almost…"

It was then Sasuke saw a large shadow coming towards him through the smoke. As the smoke cleared he was horrified to see it was a black ball of dense chakra that was easily as large, if not larger, than Susanoo itself. "What the fuck," Sasuke yelled.

With the large ball of chakra in his hand, Naruto leapt towards Sasuke and yelled, "I'm not going around Susanoo, Sasuke! I'm going through it! Great Tailed Beast Rasengan!" The massive Rasengan slammed into Susanoo and shattered its already weakened arms before crashing into its chest. Sasuke yelled as he desperately fought to push more chakra into Susanoo but it was in vain as he saw Susanoo's rib cage crack and then shatter before the large Rasengan slammed into him.

Sasuke screamed as the Rasengan slammed into him and he experienced a level of physical pain he had never felt before. And then suddenly everything went black.

******Meanwhile Elsewhere*******

"Tch," Madara said as he looked off into the distance. "Damn it all Sasuke. To think you would let that happen." Madara sighed heavily before looking down at Sakura who was still sprawled out on the floor. She was glaring back at him as she kept taking labored breaths. "Now what should I do with you?"

Much to Madara's surprise Sakura leapt up into the sky and threw a punch directly at his face. Madara quickly turned intangible so that her fist passed harmlessly through him and quickly turned solid, intent on grabbing her while she was off balance.

But Sakura was ready, she quickly reached into her pouch and pulled out her last kunai and swiped at Madara, stabbing him in his upper shoulder. She then spun to face him and punched him in the face and the force of the blow launched his body into the air and back into the trees in the distance.

Sakura heard his body slam into trees and intended to give chase. But she stopped and nearly doubled over in exhaustion. That last maneuver cost her the last of her usable chakra. "Impressive," Madara said as he stood unharmed behind her. Sakura gasped in surprise and quickly tugged on a thin string that was tied to her wrist.

The line was attached to the handle of her axe. Sakura pulled the axe to her and grabbed it. She quickly spun hoping to strike Madara but he was too fast as he grabbed her by the wrist and wrenched her arm. Sakura gave a little scream from the pain he was applying. "All of that before was an act wasn't it," Madara said. "Knowing I have the Sharingan you purposefully reduced the amount of chakra you were using to make it look like you had none left to use. And that little stunt with the rock was only to make it look like you were desperate. It was all an act to get me to get closer and drop my guard. Impressive."

"Impressive," Madara said as he applied pressure and twisted his hand causing Sakura's wrist to snap. "But it was also, futile." Sakura screamed in pain and fell to her knees as the she was forced to drop the axe. Madara used his free hand to grab the axe out of the air and hold it up to her neck.

"Sakura-sama," Kotetsu yelled as it tried to come to her aid. "Don't worry Sakura-sama! I'm almost at the first checkpoint! I'll send help!"

Sakura opened her eyes as she grimaced in pain. "K…Kotetsu," Sakura said. "D…don't send the back up here. Send them…to….Naruto."

"But Sakura-sama," Kotetsu protested.

"I am giving you an order Kotetsu," Sakura yelled. "Naruto's safety takes priority! Do as I say!"

Before Kotetsu could respond Madara moved the axe from Sakura's neck and threw it at Kotetsu. The small slug vanished in a puff of smoke as it was struck by the massive weapon.

Turning his attention back to Sakura he said, "A ninja is supposed to put the mission over their own lives. And the mission is to protect Naruto. Very good Haruno Sakura; very good. But as I said, it is futile. Naruto's fate was sealed the moment he became a Jinchuriki. Sasuke will defeat him and bring him to me. And then the world as you know it will cease to exist."

Madara reached down and grabbed Sakura by the neck and lifted her off the floor with one hand. "It's a shame you will not live to see my glorious vision."

Madara slowly began to squeeze tighter and tighter as Sakura desperately clutched at him with her one good hand. But her strength had left her and her vision began to darken as her body got weaker and weaker. Naruto, was all she thought as her eyes began to close.

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

Sasuke was drenched in sweat as leaned with his right arm onto a large boulder. Blood poured from the large wound on his chest as he gasped for air. His clothes were ripped and tattered and his legs shook violently as he tried to stay on his feet. Sasuke coughed up blood as he quickly tried to clear his thoughts and assess the damage done to his body.

Moments ago Naruto had used a massive ball of chakra to blast through Susanoo and struck him head on. He had never felt such pain as he felt ribs break and flesh tear. Sasuke could feel his body be involuntarily thrown back for what seemed like forever until he slammed back first into a large boulder that nearly broke from the force of impact.

For a brief period Sasuke wasn't sure if he was alive. But he had to be. There was no way he was dead and be in this much pain. Sasuke opened his eyes to find that his body was crumpled against the boulder like a pile of discarded trash. His body armor was all but obliterated.

Not only that but he was clearly no longer in the large clearing where he and Naruto had fought. The blast and thrown him across the open area and deep into the woods. Every tree and rock in the path of the attack had been upended and destroyed and there was a large ditch carved into the ground leading from Sasuke's body back to where he had stood.

Damn it all, Sasuke thought. After everything I had done. Naruto is still stronger than me. Damn it! It was then Sasuke recalled Madara's words.

******KiriGakure – Akatsuki Headquarters – Several Weeks Ago******

"Damn you Madara," Sasuke yelled as he gripped his eyes in pain. "It doesn't surprise me that you'd betray me eventually! But why now!"

Madara chuckled and said, "Betray you? Why my dear Sasuke, I have done nothing of the sort. No, in fact you should be on your hands and knees thanking me."

"What the hell are you talking about Madara," Sasuke asked.

"Just what it sounds like," Madara responded. "I haven't betrayed you. What I have done in fact is given you the power to overcome your previous limitations and defeat all of your enemies."

Sasuke yelled, "Limitations! What limitations! I have the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan! I have all the power I need to….!"

"To what," Madara yelled. "To destroy Konoha! To destroy this ninja world? Damn Sasuke you are so naïve! Do you really think that the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan alone is enough to achieve all your goals?"

Sasuke sat quietly, unable to respond. "Sasuke," Madara said, "if having the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan was enough to destroy Konoha and this ninja world I would have done it long ago. I've tried….many times…..and every time…..I failed. But you Sasuke….you are not as weak as I am. You have the strength to overcome the limitations of the Uchiha bloodline and transcend all expectations."

******Land of Fire – Now******

Sasuke couldn't help but smile to himself. Damn, he thought. That son of a bitch has always been a step ahead. No matter how much I resisted he knew I would need to rely on that power.

Some distance away was Naruto slowly walking down the path created by his attack. As he continued to walk the cloak covering his body began to fade. "Good work boy," The Kyubi said. "Now we can focus on the true threat! But I warn you, you used too much of my chakra in one go. It will take some time before I can give you the cloak again."

Naruto remained silent as the last of the cloak disappeared and was instantly struck with nearly over whelming fatigue. Naruto doubled over and began gasping for air as he fought to maintain his composure. Just then Shima leapt out of the nearby trees with the large scroll in hand. "Naruto-boy," she said as she came up to him. "Are you alright!"

"Yes Granny Toad," he said. "I'm fine. Please bring one of my clones back."

"Alright," Shima said as she unraveled the scroll, made several hand seals and said, "Summoning Jutsu!" A clone, fully charged with Senjutsu appeared in a puff of smoke and disappeared just as quickly.

Naruto, now in Sage Mode, quickly got to his feet. "Thank you Granny Toad," he said.

"No problem Naruto-boy," she replied. "But remember, you only have one more clone left."

"I understand," Naruto said. "You should find a place to hide now." Shima nodded and leapt off back into the woods.

Naruto turned and began to walk down the path through the heavy smoke left from his attack. A few minutes passed before Sasuke came into view. Sasuke was leaning against a large boulder and was badly wounded. Naruto walked up and stopped a few feet away. "You're still alive," Naruto asked. "Good. For a while there I thought I had over done things with my last attack."

Sasuke continued to cough and spat up more blood and Naruto watched him impassively. "It's over Sasuke," Naruto said after Sasuke finished coughing. "I will bring you back to Konoha now. We'll heal your wounds and then you will stand trial for your crimes. I'll do everything I can to make sure you don't receive the death penalty. But you will remain in prison. Hopefully in time you will learn how wrong you were. And then you can find some sort of redemption."

Sasuke laughed slightly as he pulled himself up a bit more. "You really aren't the same Naruto. All this big talk, heh, damn you really are full of yourself. Do you really think this is over? You think you've proven that your power is greater than mine?"

Naruto's eyes widened as he watched Sasuke. What the, Naruto thought as he took two steps back and his body tensed. His chakra is increasing incredibly fast. It's more than when we fought before! What's going on?

Sasuke slowly raised his head to look at Naruto and what Naruto saw made him gasp out loud. "Sasuke," Naruto said. "Y…Your eyes are…?"

Sasuke's Sharingan had changed from red and black to grey and black with black ripples leading out from the irises. "These are the eyes of true power Naruto," Sasuke said. "Eyes that have not been seen since The Sage of the Six Paths walked this world. And with these eyes, I can see your death! This is The Eternal Mangekyo Rinnegan!"

A vision of Pain flashed across Naruto's mind as he looked into the eyes of Sasuke as Sasuke raised his hand towards him. Suddenly Naruto felt his entire body hit with a crushing invisible force and he was thrown back down the path and crashing hard into the ground back in the open clearing.

Sasuke was dumbstruck by the amount of power that flowed out of him and he looked at his open hand in shock. He then aimed his hand towards the area right next to him and the large head of an apparition began to rise out of the ground. It's mouth was wide open and its tongue shot out and wrapped itself around Sasuke's body and pulled him inside. A few moments later, Sasuke stepped out. All his wounds were healed and even his clothes and armor was repaired. Incredible, Sasuke thought.

Some distance away Naruto slowly got to his feet. He was coughing violently and spat up blood. "Damn," Naruto said. "How the hell did Sasuke get that power? This fight is going to be way more difficult than I thought. Hey Kyubi, I'm going to need your power!"

The Kyubi growled and said, "My chakra still hasn't replenished from the last use. I need more time. You're on your own for now human!"

"Of course," Naruto said.

"Just try not to get yourself killed," The Kyubi said.

Naruto wiped the blood from his mouth and then noticed a shadow just in front of him. When he looked up he saw Sasuke, perfectly healed, floating above him, glaring back. "That might be easier said than done," Naruto said as he readied himself.

Sasuke raised his hand and again Naruto was struck by an invisible force then knocked him back. When his body came to a stop Naruto slowly go to his feet again and spat up more blood. "Damn," Naruto said. "His power feels greater than Nagato's! This is bad!"

Sasuke remained floating and then suddenly flew down and slammed into the ground, creating a small crater. He then placed both open palms on the ground and said, "Summoning Jutsu!" Four blasts of white smoke appeared in front of Sasuke and as it cleared Naruto saw that he had summoned a Giant Drill Beaked Bird, a Giant Multi-headed Dog, A Giant Ox and a Giant Rhino. Naruto took a deep exasperated sigh. "Of course," he said as he prepared to fight.

The giant animals immediately took off towards Naruto who quickly created two clones as he ran towards them. Naruto quickly created a Giant Rasengan in each hand and handed one to each clone. Just then the Rhino closed in on him. Naruto leapt and grabbed it by its horn and flipped it on its back. One clone moved in and hit it with the Rasengan causing the Rhino to scream in pain.

Just then, Naruto heard a loud screech behind him. He looked back to see the Drill Beaked Bird swooping down on him. Naruto gripped the horn of the downed Rhino tightly and swung it like a bat. The sharp beak of the bird pieced into the Rhino and was simultaneously slammed and both animals went tumbling to the ground, before they disappeared in a puff of smoke.

Naruto then heard a loud grunt and turned to see the Ox galloping towards him. Naruto leapt high into the sky and flipped onto the ox's back. He then ran towards the ox's massive head leapt into the air and came crashing down with a massive punch that knocked it straight to the ground.

Naruto then leapt to the ground in front of the Ox, made several hand seals and said, "Wind Release: Living Tornado!" A large tornado formed under the Ox pushing it up into the air leaving it unable to move. The other clone then moved in and leapt up and hit the Ox with the massive Rasengan, destroying it.

Naruto stopped his tornado technique and was about to turn around when he was slashed across the back by the claws of the Giant Multi-headed Dog. Naruto yelled from the pain as his body crashed o the ground. The two clones he created immediately attacked the dog but were easily knocked back and destroyed.

Naruto slowly got to his feet and looked at the Dog as it thrashed about. He was hunched over in pain as the claw marks across his back ached. The Dog then turned and faced Naruto as it reared back and growled. Naruto smiled as he drew one of his special kunai. "Here doggy," he said as the dog ran right at him. Naruto waited until the beast was right on him when he threw the kunai right into its mouth. The Dog swallowed the kunai and immediately leapt to bite down into Naruto when he suddenly vanished.

The dog stopped and began to look about when it suddenly began to inflate like a balloon before exploding in a blast of light. Standing at the center of the explosion was Naruto with a fading Rasengan.

Naruto took a deep sigh before he was hit with another blast of invisible force that sent him flying. He crashed hard into the floor and tumbled to a stop. Grimacing in pain Naruto looked up to see Sasuke slowly walking towards him.

Naruto slowly got to his feet as Sasuke created two clones. He can use jutsu without creating a hand seal, Naruto thought. The two clones leapt into the sky as Sasuke again fired a blast of force towards Naruto who leapt up and over the blast, intent on reaching Sasuke.

But one of Sasuke's clones appeared behind him and grabbed his arms and pinned them behind him. Naruto and the clone fell to the ground and Naruto could feel his chakra being drained. Damn, Naruto said. He gave this clone that ability?

The other clone landed a few feet in front of Naruto and created a chidori and ran right at him. The clone buried the chidori directly into Naruto's chest but Naruto transformed into a log. The chidori ripped right through it and struck the other clone, destroying it instantly.

Naruto then appeared behind the final clone and destroyed it with one a punch. But again he was hit by a blast of invisible force from the real Sasuke. As Naruto crashed to the ground Sasuke struck him again and again. Naruto limply tumbled to a stop and remained motionless for a brief time. Damn it all, Naruto thought as he slowly opened his eyes. "Hey Kyubi, I could use a little help," Naruto said.

"Sorry human," the Kyubi responded. "My chakra has not replenished yet. I need three more minutes!"

Looking at Sasuke who was now only a few feet away Naruto said, "I don't think we have three minutes!"

Sasuke slowly raised a hand towards Naruto and blast of lightning shot from his hands, striking Naruto who screamed in pain. Sasuke paused before hitting him with another blast and another. "Naruto," Sasuke said. "Madara needs you alive so that he can extract the Biju. However, his desires are not necessarily my own. You will die here. By my hand and you will be just another of my victims."

Sasuke hit Naruto with another blast of lightning causing Naruto to scream in pain. Smoke rose from Naruto's body as he could smell his own burnt flesh. Naruto hunched forward and gasped for air as he felt the last of his Sage charka disappear. Shit, he thought. This is it. This really is it!

Just then Naruto heard a man's voice that seemed to come from in his own head. "Ah," the man said. "It looks like this is as far as you can go." The man sighed wearily. "I guess its time for me to act after all."

"Who," Naruto asked. "Who's there?" Suddenly the world around Naruto began to blur and fade away to darkness. Naruto suddenly found himself in complete darkness, standing on a large body of water. "Who's there," Naruto asked. "Where am I?"

Naruto then hear d water drip behind him and as he turned dozens of crows flew at him forcing him to cover himself as they flew by. As the last crow passed Naruto saw a faint light and the silhouette of a man walking towards him. As the man came into view Naruto's eyes grew wide and his jaw went slack. "You," Naruto said in shock at the man facing him.

"I'm sorry to have to do this Naruto-kun," the man said. "But you have done all you can for Sasuke. The Kyubi's chakra prevented me from interfering before. But its chakra is too low to do anything now. It's time I deal with Sasuke myself."

The man slowly raised his hand and said, "I'm sorry but what I'm about to do is unavoidable and well, it's going to hurt….alot." With almost incomprehensible speed the man stuck two fingers into Naruto's eyes and Naruto screamed in pain.

Sasuke paused as he saw Naruto grab his eyes and scream. Naruto screamed and screamed as Sasuke stared in confusion. After a few moments Naruto quieted down and remained hunched over. "Tch," Sasuke said as he created a chidori. "I'm not sure what that was all about but it doesn't matter."

Sasuke reached out and grabbed Naruto by the collar and pulled him up towards him and said, "Your fate is...sealed…Na…ru….to." Sasuke's voice trailed off in shock and confusion as he stared in Naruto's face.

Naruto was staring back, but to Sasuke it wasn't Naruto he was looking at. It was as if Sasuke was staring at a ghost. Sasuke expected to see Naruto's usual blue eyes, or perhaps red fox-like eyes. Or ever his Toad eyes. But these eyes. He couldn't believe it. Each retena was now red with a black three pointed pinwheel.

"I…Impossible," Sasuke said. "T…that's Itachi's….Mangekyo Sharingan?"

Sasuke suddenly felt the whole world around him change. The moon turned red and cast a red light everywhere. The ground turned black and the sky cloudy. Sasuke found himself strapped to a cross unable to move. "What," Sasuke said as he looked about. "How is this possible! What's going on?"

Sasuke then heard footsteps and as he looked in the direction they came from he gasped in shock. Standing before him was his brother, Itachi, smiling. "Hello little brother," Itachi said. "We need to talk."

End of Chapter Thirty Four

Next Time: Legacy of Itachi