Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or gain or will gain any profit from using the franchise's chars, they belong to Kishimoto.
A/N:
1)OMG, I actually posted another chapter! I can't believe I actually finished this. It's rather short in comparison to other chapters, but I wanted to begin the final arc with some suspense and action – so I hope you all approve.
2)I've decided to postpone rewriting old segments until I've finished this story, then I will streamline it to whatever point in canon the manga will reach once I'm done.
3)As usual, the next update's arrival is sporadic and random, I hope it'll be soon but don't count on it; life's getting pretty hectic for me as the test season draws near.
4)Read, Review and enjoy, I hope you enjoy the installment and if you don't and have suggestions on improvement please feel free to offer them either in a review and PM and I may consider fixing it once I rehaul the story's beginning later.
Japanese Word glossary
"Kekkai Gekkai – Bloodline limit
Mokuton – Wood Element
Raiton: Lightning Release
Yanagi no Mai – Dance of the Willows
Tsuchi Bushin – Stone Clone
Suna – Sand
Ame – Rain
Konoha – Leaf
Godaime – The Firth
Iwa - Stone
(At the same time Neji and Sakura approached eachother, undisclosed location, Konohagakure's administrative district)
The snake-sannin patiently bided his time. He sat silently in the semi-darkness, his eerie yellow eyes glowing faintly in the dim candlelight. He was clad in a casual ensemble of gray and brown robes, the long fabric concealing an almost nostalgic battle garment. He was clad in black pants and a black robe with long sleeves all complimented by the battle armor with the sound insignia her wore above it – a slight bastardization of his old leaf uniform. The final twist to his old appearance were arm guards and leg protectors with seal constructs; a ninja art he didn't particularly enjoy but found useful enough to delve into it anyway.
The small room was the basement of a house right in the middle of Konoha's administrative district. He and the 'cogs' in his plan had infiltrated Konoha several days ago, using the constant flow of tourists and citizens to conceal themselves and their preparations. While Konohagakure had no doubt spread their reconnaissance forces thin trying to find the initial breach on the outer walls, they were looking in the wrong place.
Orochimaru had carefully controlled and supervised what information 'slipped' out of the Rice field Country and especially what information he fed his subordinates; making sure only what he wanted to be revealed would be exposed whereas only he kept all the cards to himself; even Kabuto, Karin, Juugo and the Sound five only learned of their part in his plan when they arrived in the Fire country.
His old home was in for a nasty surprise since they were seeking an attack from the outside. But little did they know that the snake had already crept through the grass right into the cradle of their home.
Orochimaru usually didn't prepare for battle but his near death at Itachi's hands several weeks ago had taught him a lesson in humility. Even if he was set to battle his former teammates whom he knew like the back of his hand, any battle with an S-class ninja was potentially a battle to the death and he would not lose just because of arrogance, not a second time. At least not until he decoded and unlocked the sharingnan – then he would be unstoppable; but in the meantime he would have to do with some caution.
Months of meticulous planning were about to come into fruition. All the pieces were in place and as he glanced at the clock on the wall his lips widened into a grin, "Kukukuku…soon all that I seek will finally be in my grasp!"
(Back in the Arena, Konoha's administrative district)
Neji glared at Sakura with icy eyes, the gleam within those silver orbs eerie to say at the very least. Sakura stifled a shiver as the Hyuuga stood calmly several feet away. "Shit…he looks pissed, Sakura-chan…don't forget to keep your distance…"
She glanced at the proctor, the unremarkable looking jounin's only distinctive feature being the grey helmet that framed his skull. He spoke in a calm and neutral manner, "My name is Yamato. You two are free to use all the tools and jutsu in your arsenal. However, if I feel an opponent is unable to continue or that the fight is over I will call it and the victor will cease the battle immediately; Are we clear?"
Sakura assented with a nod and small sound and watched Neji nod once. She tightened her grip on the cool surface of the chains wrapped around her arms and palms and silently prayed to whatever Kami that was willing to listen to her.
The jounin named Yamato signaled the match to begin and leaped backwards. She leaped backwards while whipping her hands into her weapon pouches. She had no chance of defeating some of Neji's caliber in an outright taijutsu match; he was a freaking Hyuuga and the most talented one in to be seen in a generation if there was any merit to the rumors.
The shuriken she unleashed gleamed in the sunlight; whistling towards Neji. She was not surprised when the Hyuuga simply shifted his limbs and neck accordingly; dodging them with ease; all except one projectile which he intercepted and captured within his hand.
The Hyuuga spoke coolly, his finger glowing with chakra which coated the chakra conductive shuriken as well. "Haruno, usually I wouldn't waste my breath on talking to trash like you. But I feel obliged as a genin of the leaf to offer you a chance to forfeit while you're ahead."
She sneered at him and her chakra spiked as her hands ran through some hand seals. "Don't patronize me, Hyuuga, if you recall Tenten gave me a similar ultimatum. My answer hasn't changed since then – I don't quit."
Neji's icy face shifted just a bit; a slightly darker gleam filling his eyes but it was his expression that worried her even more; he was smirking. His eyes shifted into hollow white and the veins around his eyes bulged just before his hand snapped and he shot off a chakra propelled shuriken at her.
"Cocky bastard! I don't care what kind of kekkai gekkai you have! I ain't going down with a fight!" Sakura vowed; ducking beneath the projectile as she finished her seal sequence with a ram seal. Her fingertips crackled with electricity before she thrust both of her hands forward; 'Raiton: Ketatamashiiya.'
A concave pulse of energy surrounded her palms before a soft whooshing sound signaled the unleashing of a high velocity strike of lightning. She didn't wait for him to react; racing in a half circle around him while making more hand seals.
She cursed inaudibly as Neji rolled sideways, evading the attack despite its speed; obviously having predicted its trajectory while she still summoned it. Her eyes widened when he rose from the ground, spinning his body halfway while snapping his arm forth.
She couldn't see what he did; but she knew no gesture he made would be a faux one; so she crossed her arms across her body and glued her feet to the ground with chakra. She grunted as an invisible force smashed into her body; the full brunt of the 'Hakke Kuushou' hitting her; dispelling her gathered chakra along with the air in her lungs.
"What the fuck? I thought Hyuuga were all about keeping close!" Sakura felt increasingly nervous as Neji resumed his traditional Jyuuken-fu stance. His expression was more stone cold and she had a feeling his tactics would soon turn from defensive to offensive.
Neji's lips twitched faintly, "You're wondering, how it is that I have a long-ranged ninjutsu? Did you honestly believe the Hyuuga clan became the strongest of the leaf based on Taijutsu alone?" He then did something Sakura sure as hell didn't expect; he started running through hand seals.
Sakura panicked and threw both of her hands forward, the chains around her arms shimmered as she directed them at Neji. The Hyuuga smirked and somersaulted upwards and forward. "He tricked us!" Sakura lamented as realization hit her. A moment later Neji landed on her chains and before she could react yanked on them; throwing her off balance and pulling her towards him.
Sakura grunted in pain as both of his palms smashed into her upper body. Pain wracked through her as she was propelled backwards in a stumble. She coughed and gasped for air; knowing he could've easily killed her had he wanted to; but he was obviously gunning for a promotion so he had no intention of killing her – that was good.
Her eyes widened as he launched himself forward; causing her to react with all the viciousness Anko had taught her. Her chakra flared angrily; lightning crackling around her arms as she spun around lashing her chains at the Hyuuga with intent to maim or kill.
Neji's seemed undeterred much to her chagrin as he kicked off the ground; his arms spread at his sides and his body spinning like a top. Sakura cursed audibly as his chakra exploded as well; a palpable blue hue forming around his spinning body; the chakra's force knocking her chains asunder.
He smashed into her body, driving her backwards with incredible might. She was knocked off her feet; hitting the ground awkwardly with her left shoulder; she rolled on the ground several times. She recovered quickly; her body now aching as she rose to her feet. His blows hurt like hell, but they weren't as hard as Anko's, at least she assumed that's how that how things would remain while he held back the full brunt of his Jyuuken.
Neji spoke calmly as he looked down up her. "Stand down, Haruno. Your fighting style revolves around genjutsu, Raiton ninjutsu and a bastardized form of the snake taijutsu stance. Your illusions cannot fool the Byakugan; the level of ninjutsu you use is inferior to my precognitive abilities and your taijutsu stance is full of holes I can easily exploit…"
Every word was like a blade in her gut, driving more and more rage and hatred into her veins. "Don't…underestimate me…you son of a bitch!" Sakura shouted angrily. She hadn't intended on using it on him in the beginning; as her trump card was risky. But nobody looked down at her like that and lived to see another day. "We were only going to fight until we lost fair and square. But we've changed our mind, now you're going down…you blasted prick!"
She reached into her weapon's pouch and popped a small capsule into her mouth before lunged at him, ignoring the way his stance shifted and the certainty ringing behind his voice. "You are within the range of my divination." Sakura charged right into the eye of the storm that was the 'Hakke Ryoukushou Yonshou.'
The Haruno grit her teeth and took blow after blow, feeling her body slowly beginning to shut down with every accurate blow. With the last vestiges of her chakra she wrapped one of her chains around his waist and pulled herself straight into the final blow. Her body convulsed but despite the raw agony and exhaustion she shocked everyone in the crowd; including Neji when she suddenly planted her lips against his own in a firm; violent kiss.
Sakura slipped the capsule in her mouth into his throat and watched with satisfaction as he swallowed it due to his shock and surprise. Then her body collapsed against him. She could feel him tense against her despite the horrible pain throughout her body. "You're…dead…you son a bitch…"
The last thing she saw was Neji's agonized face as she slipped to the ground, a satisfied grin on her face as she heard his coughing and gagging.
The crowd gasped and murmured angrily as Neji started gagging, clutching his throat. Yamato reacted instinctively; having seen similar tactics used by assassination kunoichi. He pulled Neji's head back and then jammed two fingers down his throat.
The Hyuuga's face contorted oddly and Yamato stood back as the genin vomited harshly. The former ANBU looked up at the Hokage's box and saw Tsunade; now wearing a rather displeased expression, make a gesture with her hand. Shizune and a pair of medical landed in the arena and approached Neji before they evacuated him out of the Arena.
The Mokuton user frowned as two ANBU materialized beside the unconscious Sakura; they picked her up 'gently' before they vanished in simultaneous puffs of smoke. He knew his quick thinking may have saved Neji's life and that it's likely he would be administered the appropriate anti-venom and be fine. But would he be back for the rest of the finals or the invasion if it really occured?
He hid a smile several moments later as he heard the speakers call out the next match. 'Uzumaki Naruto versus Kagami Sumiko'. His dark brown eyes scanned the arena briefly before they narrowed a bit as he watched the Ame kunoichi leap down in the arena; followed suit by Naruto.
But they weren't what he was worried about, he couldn't feel or sense where the massive Ame Jounin-sensei was.
(Ten minutes earlier, Outside ANBU's reconnaissance and intelligence headquarters; detection barrier control chamber)
Kimimaro's green eyes glanced at his feet, the bodies of three Konoha ANBU bleeding all over the dark marble floor. He looked to his right and left before motioning with his hand; signaling his partner; Juugo to approach.
Their mission was a simple one; neutralize Konohagakure's secret detection barrier by all means necessary and they had around ten minutes to do it. They had spent the better part of the last two days studying the ANBU's patrol routes with Karin; that had been spirited out of Konoha to lead and signal the invading forces when to strike and to avoid ANBU detection until then.
The Kaguya's usual attire was concealed by long black robes; his face concealed by a hood with only his lower face visible. Juugo was clad in a similar manner though he had pulled his hood back where he now stood at Kimimaro's left. "Juugo, use the 'killer mode', I will back you up and help you awaken."
The berserker's eyes flashed with something akin of fear and hesitation but Kimimaro knew how to subdue him despite his stammered; frantic pleas. A subtle surge of chakra and an unflinching glance later the source of the curse seal's body contorted. Kimimaro sported a calm face though the sound of breaking and mending bone and tearing flesh was unsavory to say at least.
Kimimaro sighed and extended his forearm bones partially out of his body, initiating the preparations for the 'Yanagi no Mai' taijutsu stance. He shifted his glance to Juugo's that growled in an animalistic manner. His eyes were an eerie black with yellow cornea, a wild look blazing within them right before he pounded his fists against the door.
Kimimaro watched as the steel bent inward and flew into the room; a gurgled gasp signaling the death of someone within the room The Kaguya waited a moment, hearing Juugo's deep, sinister laugh belay his temporary insanity.
He waited thirty seconds before he slipped into the room; his speed blurry. He didn't need to scan the room as the sensation of spiking chakra was self explanatory. He leaped across the room, surprising an ANBU in mid hand seal sequence, silencing his life with an accurate slash that sliced his throat open.
He guessed Juugo was doing fine when he heard an agonized scream and the sound of tearing flesh. He pushed out his elbow bone, creating a blade. He then shoved it backwards, straight through a Jounins' eye socket when a ninja materialized out of the shadows behind him in a sorry attempt to sneak up on him.
He ducked low all of a sudden, dodging fatal injury as a pinkish red laser flew over his head and tearing through an ANBU that was inches away from striking at Kimimaro. The Kaguya didn't even blink at his being denied his target or nearly dying and instead he spun his body before thrusting his right hand forth. He launched his replicated forearm bone at a jounin that had just reached a radio transmitter; impaling him against it in a spray of crimson, sparks and shrapnel.
The duo cleared the room in a manner of minutes, a pile of dead ANBU and elderly looking ninja in white robes left broken and bleeding all over the place. The Kaguya sighed softly, knowingly preparing for the upcoming nuisance as Juugo charged at him as Kimimaro was now the last living creature in the room.
He drew the monstrous ninja's laser fire, drawing it towards the intricate machinery in the room. He gracefully weaved, somersaulted and leaped all over the place, making sure every last piece of the surveillance equipment was demolished.
He then sighed as the berserker lunged at him physically, his limbs transforming. At least phase one was complete; the barrier was down; soon phase two would begin. He had to hand it to his master; his creativity and strategic planning were impressive. Now all he had to do was calm Juugo down and prepare them for the true objective. "Calming him down may take a while…but I guess it can't be helped."
(Back in the Arena, beginning of the match between Naruto and Sumiko)
Naruto eyed his opponent coolly; wondering if he should test her or wait for her to come to him first. When Sumiko and Shino fought in the preliminary matches she was content to lay back and ensnare the Aburame in her various genjutsu while dancing around him with the Doton element; and element he realized was damn useful when wielded properly.
Yamato-sensei explained the rules of engagement to them both before he stepped back. His mother in the scrolls she left him mimicked his own personal preferences, use your clones to pressure the foe until weaknesses are revealed and then strike for the jugular so to say. The fact he shared Kushina's ruthlessness and immense chakra capacity was only an added bonus.
He made a single hand seal, summoning two shadow clones at his sides. Each doppelganger rushed around Sumiko. He remained stationary and one of his hands reached behind his back and slipped into his weapon pouch.
He had learned over the last couple of months that if he mentally strategized what he intended to do and summoned enough shadow clones they would automatically run through the motions of his last thoughts without verbal commands; a trick that definitely fit the lesson Jiraiya kept on drilling into his head 'Don't get cocky, don't project or shout your intentions, dumbass!'
Sumiko's eyes remained locked on him as she stomped her left foot against the ground. Naruto's eyes widened a fraction and he cursed under his breath. He literally felt her life force flash and then submerge into the earth that started rumbling defiantly. He substituted with branch of one of the trees in the arena as the earth splintered around his foe, rushing outward suddenly.
One of his clones was buried beneath the wave of stone whereas the other managed to leap and narrowly dodge the upcoming attack. The Jinchuuriki had paid extra attention to Sumiko during the preliminary exams and she had utilized purely mud based ninjutsu and used hand seals to activate them her abilities were nothing nearly as advanced at this.
His respect for the femme had just rose and with it his caution regarding her. It was extremely cunning of her to downplay her abilities during the early exam. She most definitely had a kekkai gekkai of some sort; well wasn't that just dandy? His lips twisted into a small grin "You're pretty handy with earth element, aren't you Sumiko? That's a shame for you…Stone is ill equipped to stop wind"
The Ame-nin flashed a cocky little grin and quirked her brow at him. The Jinchuuriki saw her leg shift and her hands weave through hand seals. He reacted by making five hand seals of his own and took in a deep breath. He exhaled, bombarding the Ame-nin with multiple high velocity air bullets via the 'Fuuton: Shinkugyoko'
Sumiko seemed to realize the air bullets would not be stopped by stone or mud and stopped her seal sequence. Her apparent survival strategy was weaving through the deadly jutsu only to be intercepted by a well aimed kunai courtesy of Naruto whom predicted her possible escape routes like Kakashi and Yamato had taught him.
Naruto's eyes narrowed knowingly as the blade ran right through, her body shimmering and vanishing, "Genjutsu…" He shut his eyes briefly and pulled on some of the Kyuubi's excess youki within his chakra system. It had taken him a while, but he and Kakashi had trained during the last month amongst other things on how to distinguish between his chakra and the Bijuu's power with the assistance of the sharingan.
He had learned that if he flushed enough of the noxious energy through his tenketsu he could disrupt most low to mid level genjutsu as the foreign energy disrupted his own chakra flow. It wasn't perfect, as he could only pull small portions of the youki without incurring the Bijuu's wrath and attention.
He caught a glint of steel out of the corner of his eye and spun around halfway while ducking, avoiding a decapitating swing by her naginata. He used the motion to pivot his body and smash his heel into her gut, pushing her back only to watch her explode into shards of rock. "Tsuchi Bushin won't help you…"
The Jinchuuriki grinned widely while running through another rapid hand seal motion. He glanced over his shoulder and watched his foe's eyes widened his earlier shadow clone's hands burst from the ground, it having used their earlier scuffle to hide underground with the 'Shinju Zanshu no jutsu' as soon as it landed from leaping over the wave of stone.
Naruto exhaled harshly, unleashing a screeching sphere of wind, utilizing the Uzumaki ninjutsu known as 'Fuuton: Kaze Rensei Bakudan'. His was neither nonplused nor hesitant by his attack as she ran through a hand seal motion of her own; finishing it with the tiger seal.
The Jinchuuriki's eyes widened in surprised and he noticed Yamato-sensei's eyes widened as well as she unleashed a massive fireball out of her mouth, unleashing a perfect 'Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu'. Naruto however didn't let shock deter him as he leaped sideways; avoiding death by becoming barbeque and observed his foe once more with suspicion and confusion.
He glanced upwards at his godfather and Tsunade whom wore serious expressions and frowned. "She's genin level like I'm a kunoichi but then again; I'm no regular genin either. Looks like it's time to kick this up a notch!"
(Meanwhile, Undisclosed location outside Konoha's cityscape; Woods on the route to ANBU holding facility)
Yakushi Kabuto glanced around him from the protection of his ANBU mask. His disguise was immaculate; his ANBU gear and stolen face that of one Dango Sousouke, a sensor ninja whom specialized in reconnaissance and assassination. Unlike last time he had harvested sweat and pheromones from Dango and concealed his scent just in case.
"These year-old records from Danzou's truly are perfect, though I suppose there is a hidden catch to using this identity for too long considering he framed me for murder…" 'Dango' was currently shadowing his 'partner' another nameless ANBU as he carried Haruno Sakura towards the hospital. "Stop, I sense something!" Kabuto said with urgency, lifting his hand.
His ANBU partner paused in mid leap and gazed at him over his shoulder. They exchanged no words but the medic nin/spymaster knew he had gained said ninja's attention. He motioned the ANBU to come closer and they met halfway, signaled three and pointed over the ANBU's shoulder. "Unluckily for you, you are no sensor; otherwise you'd know I'm not your partner…"
The black ops agent assented with a grunt and slowly lowered the immobile genin in his arms, the moment her body touched the ground Kabuto's hand shot forward, two fingers coated with chakra as he gouged at the ANBU's eyes; sending lethal chakra straight into his brain.
He kicked the ANBU's body and knocked it aside. He then knelt beside Sakura and made some hand seals. His hands glowed with green energy before he placed them chest. He then slapped Sakura once across the face, hard.
The genin sputtered and struggled to knock him away instinctively. He shook his head lightly and took a step back while removing the ANBU mask from his face; letting the flustered teen recuperate and recognize you. "That was a reckless move, Sakura. I knew I could count on you to fluster the political spheres enough with your decisions."
Sakura blinked at him and looked around her, bewildered before she seemed to realize what he meant. She stammered in confusion and Kabuto motioned her to be silent.
"Yes, I used you and no, there's nothing you can do about it. I am a man of my word, if you do as I say and we survive this day I will escort you out of here and you will be free to live your life. But for now we have little time as Danzou will no doubt send his operatives to 'silence' you for all the trouble you've caused him."
Sakura's face shifted to an expressionless façade; her lips pursed and eyes narrowed. She spoke in a clipped manner. Her reaction amused him as she finally realized out of all the manipulators that played with her life he was the one that truly pinned her to the wall once and for all. "What do you want me to do, Kabuto-san?"
He grinned and chuckled darkly, "What else could I want from a genin like you, Sakura-chan? I want you to be bait..."
(Back in the Arena)
Sumiko spoke in a snide manner, a dark smirk plastered on her lips. "Uzumaki-san, I sincerely hope you have more up your sleeve than just kage bushin and futon ninjutsu. As the last of your miserable clan I was expecting a bit more…"
Naruto's eyes narrowed and his grin widened a bit. So she wanted to talk trash, did she? Well that suited him just fine. "It's your funeral! Don't come crying when I kick your ass all across this arena."
The Jinchuuriki crossed his fingers and summoned six kage bushin. Three of them charged at Sumiko at high speed whereas two flanked Naruto and started making individual hand seals sequences. Naruto bent down slightly and spread his right hand to his side. Said palm shifting into a claw like position, his digits locked tightly in position. The last clone leaped off Naruto's back and made three hand seals.
He shut his eyes partially and concentrated hard, forcing his chakra into his right palm. His muscles started throbbing and his skin burned lightly as he thrust more and more life force through it. His palm glowed faintly in a blue before he pulled his hand backwards.
Meanwhile the clone on his left exhaled a long tongue of flame whereas the clone on his right fired off a long cone of liquid. Sumiko watched him coolly and knelt to the ground, thrusting her hands into the earth. The ground quaked violently as a massive wall of earth rose in front of her before it rushed forth like an angry wave.
Naruto's attack elemental ninjutsu collided angrily, a shroud of steam hissing forth. His charging clones all fired off spheres of wind, punching holes into the wall just before they were either buried alive or burned by the steam. Naruto grinned as the wisps of burning hot vapor slipped through the crevices.
He let his clones landed on the ground while his airborne clone fired off high pitched sphere of wind at the reforming Sumiko. She dodged it narrowly, but gracefully spun halfway through her leaping dodge. A flash of metal was the only prelude to the dispelling of the clone when its blade slammed into its throat.
Naruto didn't even bat an eyelash and he and clones charged at her. She made some hands seals right before the Uzumaki found himself dodging through a storm of explosive fireballs as Sumiko unleashed the 'Housenka no jutsu' upon him.
The Jinchuuriki traversed the fiery maelstrom, one his clones knocking him lightly off course a fireball nearly killed him and another leaping in front of him to become a spring board for him and his final clone so they could avoid a deadly trap of rising stone spikes from impaling them.
Before his two clones sacrificed themselves they pelted Sumiko with high precision shuriken and kunai to prevent her from using any additional genjutsu and ninjutsu; forcing her to dodge and watch her step.
He heard the crowd gasp and watched Sumiko look at him with true bewilderment and maybe a bit of fear as he landed several feet in front of her. The liberating sound of his chakra spinning behind him was invigorating as he pushed the fully formed Rasengan towards Sumiko's gut.
The Uzumaki shouldn't have perfected the ninjutsu so quickly but luckily kage bushin came in handy for more than just reconnaissance and combat. Their most effective was by far ninjutsu and chakra control training and so he had spent a large portion of his month on that ninjutsu. With Jiraiya's guidance and some useful tips from Kakashi he mastered the required chakra control exercises much quicker than he would have on his own.
Naruto wanted to show off his father's signature ninjutsu; not to mention its deadly effects were awe inspiring and would be sure to leave quite the impression. He shouted the name of the infamous A-class technique at the top of his lungs, quite assured this battle was his.
However, he apparently wasn't the only one with an ace up his sleeve; he heard Sumiko whispered a word that chilled him 'Namikaze…' before he grunted painfully. His clone had smashed into his shoulder, knocking him away as a massive rush of heat nearly engulfed him.
Naruto dispelled the deadly ninjutsu while stumbling on his feet. He turned his glance to his side and gaped in shock before he replicated himself quickly as a wave of molten earth just nearly devoured him alive.
"You're a NAMIKAZE! You're HIS son!" Sumiko's voice screeched in a wild manner. She laughed hard, waving her arms wildly, her motions causing the burning magma to rock and shift. "Hahahaha! This is wonderful! This makes my victory in killing you all that sweeter!"
"Shit, what the fuck is this?! Who is she and what does she want from me?!" Naruto hissed under his breath as he watched Sumiko glare at him with such hatred and malice he would've dropped dead for sure if looks could kill. The ground around her was broken and bubbling. He heard the crowd react vocally and cursed under his breath, this was bad.
He started running as fast as he could as a wave of lava rushed towards him; he leaped onto the arena wall and avoided certain incineration, hounded by her vicious, yet breathy tone. "You can't escape my wrath, Namikaze!"
Naruto sprinted as quickly as he could, his legs glued to the arena wall. He pulled his head back, looking upside down at his opponent that seemed winded and weary; the multiple ninjutsu obviously having started to take their toll on her chakra pools.
Naruto grinned to himself and reached into his weapon's pouch, grasping the cold surface of one of his shuriken. A cold satisfaction filled him as he realized what Sumiko really was. There was no doubt about it with that look of utter contempt and rage, the use of Doton ninjutsu, the fabled Youton element and the way she gunned for him first as an Uzumaki and then as a Namikaze.
He would've shouted something but he was too focused on preserving his life and thinking on how to stop the now homicidal Iwa kunoichi. He knew how to end this; his eyes flickered with rare malice as he shut his eyes while he kept on running, reaching deep into his life force. "One or two more ninjutsu…and that little Iwa bitch is mine. Revenge ain't my thing, but since you're so eager to kill me and my family off it's only fair I return the favor!"
(Back in the undisclosed location, Konohagakure's administrative district
Orochimaru's eyes snapped open as an alarm clock went off. His lips split into a wide grin as he stood up and flexed his arms. He walked up the stairway and into the house the cellar belonged to. He slipped out of the residence and then climbed onto the roof.
He didn't sense any ninja around him so he glanced up at the Hokage Mountain. "Sarutobi-sensei, It's a shame you won't get to witness my great plan come into fruition." He chuckled lightly to himself. He reached to his side, removing a walkie-talkie and spoke into it, "Jiroubou, Tayuya, Sakon, Ukon and Initiate phase two …"
He heard four affirmations echo back at him and he chuckled lightly to himself. He then turned towards the arena, hearing the roaring crowdsbefore he blurred and rushed towards his destination. "Tsunade, Jiraiya…soon we shall meet again…"
(Back in the Arena)
Naruto suddenly stopped running across the wall and instead started climbing upwards. The Lava tried to follow him but he knew he would outrun it due to his sudden shift in direction. In that brief lapse he unleashed a hyper fast wind coated shuriken at Sumiko.
There was no way she would stop it in time, of that he was certain. Then before he could comprehend what was the earth exploded beneath Sumiko and a blurry form blocked it's trajectory; knocking the projectile aside.
The Ame jounin, or more like the Iwa Jounin stood protectively in front of her. He spoke quietly but Naruto could still hear his lasts words. "…Sumiko-hime, that's enough. Rest and let me deal with the rest…"
Yamato reacted immediately, capitalizing on the lapse of attention, blurring forth. Naruto noticed that several ANBU that were spread through the crowd reacted as well. The Iwa Jounin didn't even flinch and made a single hand seal. The air around him suddenly swirled angrily, heating up as a massive pillar or burning steam expanded around him.
The ANBU all stopped their charge while Yamato used Mokuton jutsu to try and apprehended the titan and his charge. The wooden limbs hit nothing but air as the Iwa ninja was nowhere to be seen; most likely already melding into the earth.
The crowd was in an uproar and he caught Tsunade rose from her feet barking orders to ANBU and ninja in the arena while is godfather glanced down at him. The sannin nodded at him and shut his eyes, it seemed their fears would soon become reality – Konoha was under attack and like it or not he was its weapon and shield so it was time to step up and prove his mettle.
Naruto's spine crawled and he looked towards his left, "I can feel him." He could feel the fox's youki licking against the edges of his mind; it's deceptively calm voice booming in his mind. "He isn't far, Ningen, we can still catch up…if you hurry…"
The fox's help was enough to garner suspicion on his own, but the fact it could sense that Iwa nin was even more reason for apprehension. He hesitated before he followed his gut instinct, having a feeling he'd regret it if he didn't. "You told me to do what it takes, Kakashi-sensei…so help me Kami, I'll put my life on the line for everyone!"
He rushed out of the arena, throwing caution in the air as a bad feeling filled him. He glanced over his shoulder briefly, catching sight of Yamato moving to follow him. He shouted over his shoulder, "Yamato-sensei! I got his trail!" The former ANBU nodded and moved to follow only to pause and wait along with everyone in the arena.
Naruto couldn't wait too long or he'd lose his trail, so he did the only thing he could do, he grasped some slivers of the Kyuubi's youki and rushed off at blurry speed; knowing his part-time sensei enough to know that he would watch his back when it really counted.
He ignored the cacophony of shouts, curses, gasps and explosions and missing the spectacle of the ninja and civilians in the arena all standing still and observing their surroundings as massive quakes rocked Konoha.
"I have a really bad feeling about this…" his spine crawled once more, this time even stronger and the fox laughed in his mind. A foreboding feeling settled in Naruto's bones and back. Something bad was coming and he only hoped he could live up to the responsibility his father had given him and justify his mother's sacrifice.
(At the same time, Several Miles outside of Konohagakure)
Karin stood alone in front of a massive army of ninja. Her eyes were shut tightly as she spread her senses outwards. She stood at the forward most position, at the very edge of Konoha's detection barrier that had fell as Orochimaru had planned and promised not too long ago.
Then the massive flashes of chakra she waited for erupted and she lifted her arm. The Sound four had finally detonated the special explosives they had planted under buildings and in trash cans around the city in the last couple of days.
She bit her lips and prayed hard as the crowd of Suna Shinobi all charged silently, accompanied by an army of ninja wearing camouflage armor and masks – their destination: Konoha.
(Back in the Arena, Kage Box above the battle grounds)
Tsunade growled and turned to Jiraiya, "Stay here and guard the Kazekage and our ninja, ANBU with me!" The Godaime then leaped from the kage box, climbing to the very edge of the wall and glanced over at her home and her blood boiled. "Orochimaru…"
She didn't wait for him to reply and rushed off. Her home, the place she both cursed and loved at every waking moment was burning. Her eyes caught the flashes of explosive charges going off; knocking down buildings in clouds of raging scarlet.
Worst were the gaping holes in the wall, the ninjutsu nullifying seals becoming useless as the walls were knocked down from the inside out. The last of the Senju shut her eyes briefly; her fears had been realized; war was back and this time she was at the center of it all; oh what a snarky, sarcastic bitch fate was in regards to her.
She turned towards the arena and shouted, "The enemy is at our doorstep, now is the time to fight, for our homes, for our families!"
The crowd of civilians in the arena stood up at once, some genjutsu clones dispelling and other henge and concealing jutsu being removed. There stood dozens of chuunin and jounin whom looked up at her and cheered once, before they all vanished; leaving the arena to scramble the invading enemy.
They were all so certain Orochimaru would be arrogant and knock down the walls from the outside that she kept her ninja at a backwards position, preparing them to trap the enemies in kill zones. Jiraiya and Danzou both said all the bits and pieces they got both from Kabuto and their various operatives all spoke the same.
That snake proved he was as cunning a tactician as ever, feeding his own men false information to confuse everyone. The chaos his initial attack and terrorist tactics unleashed would likely ruin the orderly plan she had devised – at least partially.
One of her ANBU spoke quietly and urgently. "Godaime-sama, central control isn't replying to our calls, we have no communications with the ninja spread out in the field."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed as she felt a familiar presence nearby. Her lips pursed and she waved her hand. "You four, split up and move out. Two of you go and coordinate our defense forces, rally the men and hold the lines. The other two go to the backup communication center under the Hokage tower, get the comm. link back online and coordinate our defenses as soon as possible!"
They hesitated and she glared at them coldly, "I am Senju Tsunade, Godaime Hokage and I'm guarded by Jiraiya of the sannin, you four will only be in the way if you stay here anyway! NOW GO!"
They obeyed and several moments later Tsunade frowned as she felt Jiraiya and the Kazekage join her. A nauseatingly familiar voice spoke from their left. "Fufu, Jiraiya, isn't it wonderful? It's been so long since I've seen you!"
She turned and glared at the monster that now wore her former comrade's skin as it rose from the very concrete of the wall. Her chakra spiked as she charged at him at blurry speed. "I'm no sucker for nostalgia, snake-face. So why don't you cut the crap and just die!"
Behind her she heard Jiraiya curse and felt Nori's chakra spike. So the worst-case scenario had come true, that much was not false in the various intelligence reports Suna was in on Orochimaru's plan.
She cursed colorfully, she would pay the Kazekage and Suna for their treachery with interest and as for her former teammate; she closed in on him at break neck speed; quite eager to smash the smug expression of his grinning face.
Ninjutsu list:
'Raiton: Ketatamashii no Myaku' - Lightning Release: Piercing Pulse – A mid level lightning technique which unleashes a concentrated blast of electricity.
Hakke Kuushou – Eight Divination Palms: Air palm – An advanced Jyuuken technique where the Hyuuga will unleash a fierce wave of invisible chakra to knock their opponent backwards.
'Hakke Ryoukushou Yonshou' - Eight Divination Signs, Sixty-Four Palms of the Hand
"Fuuton: Kaze Rensei Bakudan" -Wind Release: Drilling Wind Bomb - mid level wind jutsu, the user unleashes a condensed sphere or rotating wind, the closer the target, the deadlier the jutsu
'Fuuton: Shinkugyoko' - Wind release: Vacuum sphere – Mid-level wind ninjutsu, unleashes a rain of high velocity wind projectiles at the target that look like small comets.
Shinju Zanshu no jutsu -Double Suicide Decapitation Technique- Mid-level Doton ninjutsu. The ninja will travel through the ground to appear below their target. They will then surprise their target by then pulling them into the ground. Once in the ground their target is thus immobilized.
'Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu - Great Fireball Technique