Author's Note: I know the last chapter's not that great… in fact, I was actually predicting the negative reaction, but thanks guys for not really criticizing that much haha… I needed a prelude for this chapter no matter how much I want this in the last chapter, but yeah… The last one has a bit of weird things going on, but now its much more defined.
Regarding to those who are asking if I'm redoing the first few chapters, yes I am, the first chapter's been rewritten and posted already, and I'm currently working on the second and third in tandem with the following chapters. I will most likely rewrite up to at least the fifth chapter and possibly up to the eighth if I'm dissatisfied with the work there, but that depends on the time availability for me.
Don't forget this is after a 2-week timeskip!
By the way, since Nagato's going to be in this Chapter, I'm going to separate his paths with a N. in front. So Nagato's Deva Path would be Path or just , while Naruto's going to be just Deva or something similar. Meanwhile, I've posted the six paths to make them easier to identify, and to make it so that I don't strain myself explaining and confusing you readers:
Naruto: Deva Path and Outer Path (But I'm just going to call him Naruto)
Minato's Body: Human Path
Tobirama's Body: Animal Path
Sakumo's Body: Naraka Path
Hashirama's Body: Preta Path
Sarutobi's Body: Asura Path
Chapter 33: Invaded
Naruto was anxious as he watched the coastline, looking at the gigantic group of ships that were stationed. He knew what it had meant when the ships began reappearing, some damaged, and some still pristine – the Admiral had lost as he had predicted against the Orc forces, but he did not expect the Horde to take that long to begin their push. Something else was going on…
His thought were interrupted as Lina came up behind him and latched on, leaning over his left shoulder.
"There you are!" Lina chirped happily as Naruto hoisted her up so that he was carrying her piggyback style.
"What brings you here?" Naruto asked as Lina tried to shrug.
"Absolutely nothing," Lina replied as she giggled lightly, "Do I need to have a reason?"
"Do I?" Naruto asked before turning to her and nuzzling into her, embracing her. Lina shook her head as she giggled more, "It's always calm when one of you are around…"
"What happens if all of us are around?" Lina asked curiously.
"No idea, never seen all three of you together at once except in Konoha... usually Jaina-chan's too busy trying to setup Theramore to live in, and you're too busy trying to establish the connections with the Night Elves, to form the Alliance once more. And even when you're back it's usually only two of you at once," Naruto replied.
"I want you all to myself if I could," Lina offered as Naruto looked down.
"I'm sure of that," Naruto replied lightly before pulling her down so that she was sitting on his lap, "But I like this better."
There as a horn in the distance once more as Naruto looked, before sighing.
"How come good things never last…?" Naruto asked himself as he got up, taking Lina with him, still holding onto her gently, "Hold on."
Then, in a bright yellow flash, tinged with red, they disappeared, leaving the indent as the only evidence of them being there.
Theramore Castle
Naruto strolled in as Admiral Proudmoore looked up.
"Naruto," Daelin said, a little coldly, as Naruto bowed.
"Admiral Proudmoore… may I inquire as to the war status?" Naruto asked.
"The Orcs defeated us…" Daelin sighed before turning, "Though I do not like you for your… attractions to your women… I've heard from Jaina that you are an excellent tactician… if you were me, and right now they have control over the continent, what will you do against them?"
"I'm honored that you would consult my advice, Admiral, but I am not a naval tactician… in fact most of my strategies are on the go, made up a few seconds before they are actually implemented. However… if I were you, I would place my troops directly in Theramore, while staging escape routes for the civilians, and position more troops in strategic positions to take out any troops that come along, preferably with multiple cover. Urban warfare is different… adaptations must be made. I would not station ships out there; I would instead leave them closer to the harbor so they cam bombard the enemy as they land on the island, which makes an island nation much more… promising prospect than one situation inland. With that, not only can the risk of having your battleships sunk, you also get a gigantic boost to your firepower with which you can devastate the enemy with. Provide that they manage to get in, with the smaller entrances and positioning of the troops, I estimate that only ten percent of their forces will be ever able to go into Theramore itself, not counting any… leaders or heroes such as the Warchief, who is very powerful in his own right," Naruto replied.
"Yes… I agree with you and Jaina that this Warchief is… different…" Daelin replied after a brief moment of silence, "He's smart and uses strategies instead of brute force… but his deviousness only cause me more wary…"
"He's not the same as the Warchief of old, Admiral," Naruto tried again to reason, "I know him… somewhat, from negotiations… as well as the battle to destroy Archimonde. His forces fought slightly less than ours but nevertheless they have understood us, if even for that fleeting moment…"
"Archimonde… the name still strikes into my soul…" Daelin sighed, "Tell me, how did the battle go?"
Naruto began describing the battle to him in detail, though he skipped over a few descriptions as to avoid revealing sensitive materials, most notably his ability to summon Phoenix, as it was a trait known exclusively by Kael. After his retelling, Daelin looked at him.
"If I were to ask how powerful you are, and to be brutally honest with your abilities, what would you say?" Daelin asked as Naruto looked back.
"Deception is the life of the Shinobi… never let the others know of them…" Naruto said softly, "That is a saying from my old village, who concentrated on the ability to hide and strike from the shadows… shinobis are our name for soldiers… I believe you have your answer?"
"…Yes… yes I do…" Daelin said as he rose up, "Thank you, Naruto… Had you not been my daughter's… romantic interest… I would have gladly accepted you as part of my family, and I still would do so, yet…"
"Whatever you will say will not change my answer, Admiral," Naruto said, "I love all three of them, and I will never break their hearts by leaving them… that is a promise I intend to keep."
"One that hopefully you can keep…" Daelin replied as he strolled out, his face suddenly grim as Naruto sensed brief flashes of mana, assuming that the Orcs are engaging in battle now, "You are intriguing, Naruto… I will have a think on your opinion… Yet, my men are beginning to engage, and perhaps I will try your opinion before I make anymore decisions… your thought merit credit, we need more men like you."
As he walked out, Naruto suddenly turned to the shadows, "What is it, Jaina-chan? Mei-chan?"
The two walked out, concerned.
"Milord, the Orcs have broke through the Admiral's blockade and is approaching," A recon suddenly appeared as he looked back, grim.
"So, it's starting…" Naruto murmured, "Get everyone into positions… and get them combat ready."
"Yes, milord," the Recon said as he disappeared. Naruto looked at Jaina and Mei.
"We need to start getting the people ready for evacuation," Naruto said as he got ready to leap, "I'm expecting Kabuto… and soon… I've left the meadow barely half an hour ago, looking at the shorelines with dozens of battleships, yet the enemy managed to nearly sunk them all in the little amount of time. What is it though, Jaina-chan, Mei-chan?"
"It's nothing…" Mei said quickly as she looked up, "I sense a great danger coming in…"
"I will get ready for the evacuations… and be careful, Naruto. Thrall's been informed of our decisions, and will respect our wishes, but you still wish to avoid unnecessary risks and evacuate, correct?" Jaina said before she left in a quick teleport and Mei disappeared in a swirl of water, presumably leaving to gather some extra troops, leaving Naruto alone. Naruto sighed as he absentmindedly whistled. Er'ryl came out, hearing his call, and so did Ace, to Naruto's surprise.
"How of Kabuto, Ace?" Naruto asked.
"He's approaching," Ace replied, "You are right, he is considering attacking a few minutes after the Orcs have infiltrated the main castle, through the east side. That was two days ago though as I tried to return as fast as I can. He has also been in the castle for a while though how long remains to be determined."
"Kuso… must be when the Admiral came in as well… that's got me too distracted to detect him, not to mention hi ability at disguise and subterfuge… It will be alright," Naruto said, "Rest now, and join the fight as soon as you can. Though we have no quarrel with the Orcs, Kabuto is bound to summon more than just Manda."
"On my way, Naruto," Ace said before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Naruto turned to the sides, suddenly alert. He threw a kunai which intercepted a thin needle, before Er'ryl suddenly disappeared, and a body fell to the ground, paralyzed from a slash by Er'ryl's claws which had severed his spine and cauterized the wound. Er'ryl's gotten faster… Naruto thought.
"So tell me… where is Kabuto now?" Naruto asked with a light voice as his irises changes to the ripple patterns of the Rinnegan, "I do not wish to kill you, but if that's what it takes to extract the information I will."
"Screw you… you have destroyed the Alliance and all its traditions…" the man rasped out, "Lord Kabuto has promised us that he will restore everything, and he will revive King Terenas back… and reclaim his throne, without you nor that meddling Proudmoore."
"Traditions need to be changed in the face of danger," Naruto replied back as he knelt, "It's a shame, I suppose… I'm giving you one last chance. Where. Is. Kabuto?"
The man did not reply as Naruto sighed and placed his hand on the man's head, who promptly froze as he saw a looming face, surrounded by fire, behind Naruto, as he stared into Naruto's eyes. And, before his horror, his memories began flashing back in his mind. Before his eyes went dark, he saw Naruto dropping him and turning around.
"Thank you for your cooperation… Frederick," Naruto said quietly as the man, Frederick, breathed his last breath, the toll too much for his body as he expired.
Naruto was unnerved after searching through the memories of the man. If it was true, and Naruto knew Kabuto couldn't change the memories of someone, then he had managed to infiltrate the castle, thus confirming Ace's testimony, just like Madara. In that case, Naruto was really worried. There was a sudden commotion as a low rumble came through the walls. The instant that happened, Naruto disappeared in a burst of yellow, reappearing on top of the castle, overlooking the entire island. Quickly scanning the region, he saw the Orc's attempts to enter the city bounds, with Thrall and Rexxar leading the way, and Daelin's forces trying to hold them back. To the south, he saw a few specks, too far away to recognize, and to the east, where there were several chakra spikes…
Naruto's blood ran cold as he saw the ominous clouds.
What are you doing… Kabuto? Naruto thought as the sounds of fighting reached closer, and Naruto turned his eyes back onto the fighting grounds, where the Orcs have penetrated the first defense lines that the Admiral had erected even as the ships began open firing as Naruto had suggested. Naruto turned his eyes down, before narrowing and flashing through seals. Unseen to anyone, the water beneath the ships began to freeze, turning into thin, long spikes. With naught but a single hand gesture, Naruto sent them smashing through the hulls of the ships, leaving thin holes through every ships' hull, causing them to take in water. Though he did not wished for further casualties, the only way to finish this is through speed, and without the Admiral's ships everything would go smoother.
And as predicted, the ships began a slow descent as the crews realized the compromise of their hull, and began abandoning. The cannon fires began to slow as the Orcs also began to gain ground, and he heard the distinctive roar of Thrall's battle cry, as he too charged in on his easily identified black wolf. This time, a Ghost unit appeared as he turned around.
"Milord, we sensed a spike of power in the eastern front where there are massive storms gathering. What are your orders?" the Ghost asked as Naruto looked.
"Kabuto is trying to thin our defenses further by creating this storm to eliminate our defenses, to make us soft enough that we cannot resist. His intentions are clear; he would use every last men and women for his own experiment, and his primary objective is me. I will disperse the storm; the rest of you get ready to engage anyone that comes in. Divert 75% of all the forces to the eastern front, and station the remaining 25% around the edges. I doubt he will attack from only the eastern fronts… more like that's the real diversion while he infiltrates…"
"Yes, milord," the Ghost said as he disappeared in a burst of speed, presumably to relay the order. There was another crash as Naruto looked back, and saw the fall of the secondary defense line, and the Admiral began retreating with some of his forces. Rexxar gave a loud cry as he twirled and slashed into two men with his axes, killing them even as the Orcs launched blades and bolts of energies into the Kul Tiras troops. Both sides were careful not to hit the buildings, which both sides, once more, tried to use to their advantage by maneuvering around the buildings so that the enemy could not fight as recklessly. At such close ranges, the humans had the advantage in agility though the Orcs made up for it with brute force and tough skins, but the stalemate was not to be.
Even if the Kul Tiras were the elite, they could not stand to the combined might of thousands of the Horde, thirsting for vengeance and retribution. Naruto disappeared once more as he leapt back down onto the main courtyard, where Daelin was conversing with his top lieutenants. Seeing him, Daelin walked over.
"I think it's time you explained a few things, Naruto," Daelin began, "I know there's something you're hiding, or else you wouldn't have those units. Standard units would have been enough to even take on the Scourge, yet you improved them to such a degree that I find disturbing. Even more disturbing are those Recons… you claim they are the police force, the special operations, but I'm calling on that. Their skills border on professional assassination, more so than the average assassin. So pray tell… what is going on that I should know?"
"What you should know? Nothing," Naruto said, "What you don't want to know? Everything. I've received sources that another enemy, a far more dangerous one, is assaulting at the same time as those Orcs. His name is Kabuto Yakushi, one of the most dangerous enemies you will perhaps ever see… his skills revolve around manipulation, whether it is men, medical… or life and death."
"So he's either a Death Knight or a Paladin?" the Paladin asked as Naruto shook his head. Magroth suddenly came in.
"Naruto… snakes have been spotted. Do we attack them?" Magroth asked as Naruto nodded.
"So it has begun… and the Orcs have penetrated your last line of defense…" Naruto said as all the women came in. Sylvanas, Lina, Jaina, and Mei stood off to the side, watching them, "Kabuto will be here soon…"
There was another rumble, this time accompanied by a gigantic roar as Mei looked up, and a Ghost leapt down. Daelin's eyes widened at the man.
What the… was the combined thoughts of everyone except Jaina, Mei, and Naruto, How did he…?
"Milord, we have confirmed that it is indeed the Manda you talked about. What's more, he's approaching from the southern side," the Ghost said quickly as Jaina paled.
"No… that's where I evacuate the civilians to!" Jaina exclaimed, horrified, as Naruto turned. Daelin narrowed his eyes at the sudden commotion even as he directed some of his own troops to assist in the evacuation as wel.
"I'm initiating the Directive now. All Ghosts are to reveal themselves and engage immediately," Naruto said as the Ghost nodded, before disappearing as Naruto bit through his thumb and swiped a smear on his arm. A tattoo appeared as it absorbed the blood, before it glowed.
On the arms of all the Ghosts, similar tattoos glowed, before the number came up as the Ghost dispersed, revealing themselves to the public as they fought Manda. Dragons of water rose as they struck the gigantic snake, forcing it back as dozens of needles of mana were fired at them, disabling Manda at certain points before it fell down, though on closer inspection it was but a layer of skin, as Manda shed just before the needles struck. There was a rumble as the snake burst out of the ground, sending the Ghosts flying as they attempted to stabilized themselves while the Recons were evacuating the civilians.
There was chaos all around, only amplified when a sudden cloud of smoke appeared, and out came a gigantic hydra. The crowd, however, cheered as they saw Mei standing on top of the center head, even as the two summons roared as charged at one another, smashing together with tremendous force even as Mei leapt off and, with pinpoint accuracy, spat globules of poison and lava at the weak points, a total of twenty five which smashed into the body of Manda, before the Hydra roared and head butted Manda.
On the other side of the battlefield, the Orcs and the humans stopped their fighting, watching the other fight unfold with wide eyes. They saw the hydra as it spat out a thin mist that coated the snake before mud was spat from another head, and all three combined to fire a gigantic blast of lightning that took the gigantic snake down. Meanwhile, however, Thrall, Rexxar, Cairne, and Rokhan sneaked into the gigantic castle of Theramore Isles, intending on taking down Admiral Proudmoore once and for all, before the consequences were set in.
"Naruto…" Daelin began as yet another roar went on, "What exactly would go on, and who are you, really?"
Before Naruto had a chance to reply, there was a sudden roar as Naruto leapt back, launching a wind blast that knocked the Admiral back as well as a snake burst out of the ground, and Kabuto finally showed himself.
"Hello, Naruto-kun," Kabuto hissed as he stood up to his full height, the snakes hissing as well as Naruto narrowed his eyes, his Rinnegan rippling into existence as Daelin looked on, surprised, and the Horde leader stopped his strike force of four.
"Yakushi Kabuto, S-ranked nuke-nin of Konohagakure no Sato. By orders of the Godaime Hokage, Senju Tsunade-sama, you are apprehended for traitorous actions, selling out Konoha's secrets, allying with Orochimaru, indirectly causing the death of the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and for the experiments you have done. Your final sentence is death, and I am your executioner," Naruto declared as he stepped forward, eyes sudden changing once more as the crystal activated. Kabuto laughed.
"You forgot one, Naruto-kun. The assassination of the Godaime Hokage," Kabuto said with a smirk as Naruto's eyes widened, "Meet baa-chan, Naruto… Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei."
And before Naruto's eyes, several coffins came up as Naruto hurriedly moved, sending a hail of shuriken that multiplied and embedded into several, only for them to split apart to reveal… nothing, as the seven coffins came up. They opened, to reveal people Naruto never wanted to see again, even if he could take them on.
"Uchiha Itachi… Hoshigaki Kisame… Kakuzu… Uzumaki Nagato… Konan… Tsunade-sama… Hinata-chan…" Naruto whispered, before his face blossomed into a smile, "Hi, Hinata-chan."
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked before seeing him, and looking down, "I've been summoned by Kabuto, haven't I?"
"Yes, but it doesn't matter, trust me," Naruto smiled as Jaina walked up.
"So that's Hyuga Hinata? She's prettier than those pictures," Jaina commented as Hinata smiled.
"I'm glad you moved on… Naruto-kun. What's your name?" Hinata asked.
"I'm Jaina. Jaina Proudmoore. They're Lina Inverse and Sylvanas Windrunner," Jaina replied as the aforementioned came up, greeting. Hinata greeted them all, before turning to Naruto.
"Naruto-kun… your going with the act?" Hinata scolded as Naruto shrugged, "Not really. Sylvanas-chan here's um… I don't know, a friend?"
Everyone got the hidden question as Kabuto smirked.
"Even as touchy as this is, I'm afraid the reunion would have to end," Kabuto said as Naruto and even Tsunade smirked despite being dead, before Naruto called out.
"Ten… nine… eight… seven…" Naruto said as Kabuto watched.
"You didn't think I would just leave her DNA there would I?" Naruto asked as the counting reached five, "I corrupted the DNA before you had a chance to retrieve it."
"What!" Kabuto yelled as Naruto looked at Hinata.
"Sayonara… Hinata-hime…" Naruto whispered as Hinata smiled, before disintegrating into dust, and the body of the man that was used to revive her reappeared.
"How…?" Kabuto asked as Naruto shrugged.
"You seriously didn't think I would not research your technique did I?" Naruto asked as he looked at Tsunade, "But for your final treachery… you shall die."
"Naruto…" Tsunade said, "I'm sorry…"
"Life is unpredictable, Tsunade-sama…" Naruto said quietly, "I'm sorry too. Kabuto, you have crossed the line for the final time, like I said. But, I have a little surprise for you as well."
Naruto flashed through seals, slamming his hand onto the ground, "Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei!"
"So you've resorted to summoning those as well?" Kabuto smirked but abruptly stopped as the bodies of the Shodai, Nidaime, Sandaime, and the Yondaime emerged, "What the… they're in the belly of the Shingami! How could you have summoned them?"
"Easy, remember furball?" Naruto asked as the four turned.
"Naruto…" Sarutobi said as the four gazed at Naruto's eyes. Minato, in particular, widened his eyes.
"My son…" Minato whispered as Jaina looked at him in shock.
"Why, Naruto?" Sarutobi said sadly, "Why would you summon us. You know the costs if you did this."
"To think yet another had summoned us…" Tobirama said sadly, "Truly the shinobi world has fallen far… I've labeled this a kinjutsu for a reason."
"Not if I bypassed it," Naruto smirked, "Sorry, tou-san, I can't get kaa-san's DNA. But back to the point. Edo Tensei relies on our connection to the Pure World, as you know. But unsaid in there, is the fact that if I have a connection with the other world I can summon them as well. With the Shiki Fuin on my belly, I'm connected intimately with the Shingami, allowing me to find their souls. What's more, remember the Rinnegan, and in particular the abilities of Gedo? I can bypass the restrictions imposed on life and death, but in return I must provide chakra to sustain their bodies, but not their chakra. Considering I can summon nearly four thousand clones now, the equivalent of sustaining eight would not matter. Though it's a kinjutsu for you, Kabuto, and for everyone else, those with the Rinngan like those of the Uzumaki clan would not consider it kinjutsu considering the direct bypass of the main reason."
"Ingenious…" Tobirama said, "To take my technique so far… For once... I'm glad my horrors were wrong."
"I'm glad then, Naruto…" Hiruzen said as he smiled, "How is Konoha?"
"I've left…" Naruto admitted, "My life belongs to Theramore, and to those I love."
"Not exactly what I had in mind but…" Hiruzen said, "If you feel happy here… then I'm happy for you too. One last question, how did you get our DNA?"
Without so much as a summoning seal, he summoned his paths, "I'm a user of the Rinnegan, your bodies are my paths… um… sorry."
"Tsuande…" Hashirama said sadly as he gazed at his granddaughter. Tsunade stared back sadly as well as Kabuto began sticking his special kunai in.
"To have to fight once more… sorry, Naruto," Nagato said before his will was taken away, as Naruto moved forward as well.
"Not sure if this hurts, but…" Naruto began as Minato spoke up.
"Do it," Minato urged as Naruto stuck the kunai in.
"You still have most of your free will in you, your personality, this seal only binds you to me and regenerates your body," Naruto explained, "I would have loved to give you a bit more freedom but this is as far as your seal allowed me to go, Nidaime-sama."
"More than I have imagined," Tobirama admitted as the kunai slid in, "Better than Orochimaru's at least."
Naruto watched as the enemies began to ready themselves, color returning to their face, even as Nagato summoned his paths.
"So Edo Tensei allows you to heal your own path as well…" Naruto wondered before it as completely silent. There was complete silence before chakra fueled winds began picking up. The wild winds soared throughout, sending the curtains flapping around even as the wind tore through everyone, causing them to have to hold on just to stay standing.
"That's his powers…" Daelin whispered as the rest watched. Kabuto turned to Jaina.
"I've heard that you were the apprentice to Antonidas, correct?" Kabuto asked before another coffin rose up, and out came Antonidas, only…
Antonidas was very badly hurt.
"What the…?" Kabuto gasped at the conditions his summons were in, "Impossible… how?"
"Jaina…" Antonidas said, "I'm sorry I didn't listen to you… but where am I?"
"Theramore… you are summoned by Kabuto to fight us without your will," Jaina said as she tried to stabilize herself. Seeing the mentor did not bode well for anybody, as his mana capacity far outstripped her own, and was approaching almost the level of her own and Lina's combined.
"So, Theramore…" Antonidas said, "Please, stop me. I've been weakened by Kael'Thas already, please end this."
"Kael?" Naruto asked as he looked over, "What do you mean?"
"My spirit's been in the dungeon since my death, Naruto," Antonidas said, "Yes, I know of you, I heard you as you rampaged, fought, and narrowly defeated Fenix Skywalker. As for Kael… let's say the Blood Elves have been betrayed by Garithos."
"Garithos…" Naruto growled, "I'm starting to hate that man… Kael was right to be wary of him despite my hopes… I will… pay a visit to him when this is all over. It is a pleasure to meet you, Antonidas. Jaina-chan has told me much about you."
"If this can be over," Antonidas said, "And my pleasure as well. Treat her well."
And finally, the final seal was secured, as those that were commandeered by Kabuto leapt into action, followed almost immediately by twin flashes as Itachi and Kisame were sent flying back, with Minato and Naruto back-to-back. It was then that everyone noticed their similarities.
"Dear Kami…" Hiruzen breathed out, "The saying has never been more true…"
"Like father, like son?" Tobirama asked as Hiruzen nodded.
"So you know how to use the Hiriashin no jutsu as well?" Minato smirked as Naruto gave a smirk in return.
"The entire land is covered by a giant seal array," Naruto suggested as they disappeared once more, only to end up slamming Itachi and Kisame against each other even as Hiruzen sent a gigantic fire dragon at Konan, who dodged swiftly, before creating multiple paper shurikens and launching them at the Sandaime Hokage, who retaliated with his own shuriken. Hashirama stood, watching Kakuzu, before both launched their attacks at each other respectively even as they closed in to attack each other with taijutsu. Tsunade surged forward, intending on taking out her uncle with a single attack, only for him to twist and narrowly dodge Tsunade's attack before unleashing a monstrous water dragon out of thin air to slam into Tsunade. All that happened within seconds, leaving the spectators slack-jawed.
Taking the chance, Antonidas fired a bolt of freezing energy at Jaina, knocking her back even as Lina stepped forward to combat Antonidas, sending a fully charged Laguna Blade right at him, blasting into the chest and out, dispersing half a meter after it broke through the entire body. Antonidas stopped as the wound began to regenerate, even as Lina watched the display in astonishment. Jaina walked forward weakly, still slowed from the freezing effects, and handed Lina an orb.
"A soul gem?" Lina asked curiously as she looked at Jaina, "What's this for?"
"To seal Antonidas' soul away in order to defeat this technique," Jaina explained as she sent her own wave of ice shards at Antonidas, who dodged instead and caused the shards to blow a hole in the middle of the main hall, "Oh dear…"
Meanwhile, Kakuzu began to create his combination technique once more, and, seeing that, Naruto hurried and bashed Kisame against the wall while dodging Nagato, before flashing forward in front of the attack even as Kakuzu readied it in front of him.
"Futon: Atsugai! Katon: Zokukku!" Kakuzu roared as the gigantic fireball soared at Hashirama, who quickly erected a water wall that was punched through almost immediately, before Naruto spun in front of him, his Rinnegan eyes flashing.
"Shinra Tensei!" Naruto shouted in return as the shockwave wiped out the inferno, before stepping down and forming seals even as Hashirama sent a giant boulder at Kakuzu.
"Futon: Reppushu! Katon: Karyuu Endan!" Naruto shouted as he sent the blast of air right at the boulder, disintegrating it and then igniting it with the insane powers of the violet fire dragon. The Sandaime paused as he saw the fire.
"It couldn't be…" the Sandaime murmured, "I have not seen that color of flame in such a long time…"
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Kabuto yelled as several snakes came out, "Kill them all."
Wasting no time, the snakes launched themselves like spears at the multiple leaders and heroes, intending on killing them all. Thrall blasted four away with his Chain Lightning even as Daelin smashed through several with a blade of water that extended from his sword, even as Sylvanas speared one through the head and Rexxar sent his axes soaring through several more. Naruto, meanwhile, leapt forward and engaged in combat, Rinnegan vs Rinnegan.
"No point in using the Kekkei Genkai, Nagato. You gave me all your tricks – there's nothing you can do to stop it or stop me from countering them," Naruto replied as tried to unleash a Shinra Tensei, only for Naruto to rebound it back with his own. Tendo leapt back as another path tried to intercept him, only for Naruto's own to engage. It was complete chaos as each side tried to overpower each other, and deadly blazes roared through the place, lightning everything in a hellish yellow and blue even as Naruto tried to keep the damage to a minimum. It was then that Mei returned and saw the beginning of the fight.
"Kuso!" Mei whispered to herself as she leapt in as well, clashing blades with Kisame even as she slid under and delivered a vicious uppercut, "Don't you dare hurt Naruto-kun!"
Kisame, while sent skywards, angled back down and opened his mouth, as a giant torrent of water came blasting down, preventing Thrall or anyone from using lightning techniques for fear of electrocution. At least, that was what everyone thought.
"Chidori!" Naruto screamed as he slammed the blade of electricity into Kisame, sending Kisame skywards again. Naruto reappeared on top of him as he gripped his arms.
"Omote Renge!" Naruto shouted as he sent both himself and Kisame spiraling down, only to hit Konan in the wings as she was busy dodging the multiple mud shots that Hiruzen fired. Naraka Path launched a white beam of light from the saber, sending it right at even as it dodged. came close to Naraka Path.
"Shinra Tensei," whispered as the blast wave tore through the building, cracking the support structures and blasting open doors, allowing the water to drain out even as Naruto disappeared and moved in front of , punting him with a massive amount of force sending him flipping back over back out into the courtyard, where Naruto disappeared and moved right in front of , gripping on the Akatsuki robe. Human Path, on the other hand, flashed right beside Minato and punted through Itachi, sending him flying back to crash into a retreating Kisame while Minato swerved around his old body to kick Path away.
"It feels so weird to fight with my body..." Minato commented as Asura Path shot a dragon of fire along with Hiruzen.
"You're telling me," Hiruzen said as he looked at the body.
"Shinra Tensei!" Naruto whispered as well as the wave of energy blasted, point blank, into the path's body, blasting it back by more than it had imagined, before Naruto dodged a strike intended for him from Itachi, who flashed through seals as well even as Naruto followed it, seal for seal.
"Katon: Goukakyou no Jutsu!" Naruto and Itachi shouted as identical balls of violet fire emerged and impacted against each other.
"Violet flames…I understand now…" Hiruzen said as he finally understood what it was, "Most impressive, Naruto… most impressive."
"What are violet flames, Hiruzen?" Minato asked as Hashirama replied, while punting Kakuzu into the courtyard as well with a powerful swipe of a tree branch.
"If I'm right, Hiruzen… that boy can summon the phoenix, correct?" Hashirama commented as Minato turned back, shocked, before his face blossomed into a smile even as he teleported away and slammed his Rasengan into Itachi's body, sending him crashing into the wall, before Minato proceeded to kick him hard through the wall and into the courtyard.
"Phoenix? I thougth that contract has been lost for ages…" Minato replied as Hiruzen shook his head, even as he forced Konan out of the room as well.
"Itachi managed to receive the Phoenix Contract, and hasn't Jiraiya told you?" Hiruzen asked, "Gamabunta was a personal friend of Hikaru, the Phoenix boss summon."
"Really?" Minato replied back, surprised, "No, he didn't tell me."
By then everyone was outside, Antonidas needing room to cast his more powerful spells and everyone else being punted out in one way or another, as they stood on opposite sides, looking at each other. There was silence before Naruto was hit by an arrow of water, shot by Kisame. Naruto turned instantly into lightning as he teleported forward, reappearing behind Kisame in a shower of electricity as Naruto kicked him in the back, sending him forward only for a clone to hit him with a Rasengan. Meanwhile, tried to send a wave of energy at Naruto but was forced to unleash it in close proximity as Mei launched a bolt of lava right at him, threatening to end him immediately as the lava hit the cloak, setting it ablaze even as pulsed to rid itself of the flames.
"This is so damn confusing," Naruto growled as he ducked under a kick from Itachi and swiped his feet out, before sending a blade of air at Nagato, only to be blocked by his path which absorbed the chakra, dissipating the blade, "Kuso… I need to take some of them out first…"
Before anyone had time to react, Minato disappeared in several yellow flashes, bashing every single one of the Akatsuki members as well as Tsunade, before reappearing back with Naruto. There was silence as Kabuto clapped his hands.
"I can see why you were so feared in the Shinobi War, Yondaime-sama… but that will not suffice," Kabuto said as the Akatsuki got up. There was a pregnant pause as Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"What made you think otou-san only bashed them around?" Naruto asked before they detonated simultaneously, "Well… I didn't expect that. I was expecting you to have already wrestled control over them already."
"Not exactly," Minato admitted, shrugging, "I don't have time to analyze the seal in the middle of the battle, even if you were to give me a whole day I still can't considering how complex it must be."
"Good point," Naruto replied as he dodged a whip of water that was countered by another whip, sending vibrations through it that split apart Kisame's and impaled him. Mei pulled her own back, tearing it out of Kisame, even as Tobirama sent a bolt of lightning right into the wound, searing it shut and cauterizing it preventing it from healing easily as it could be considered healed in that state. Minato disappeared in a yellow flash once more as he reappeared on top of Itachi, his heel digging into Itachi's head as he disappeared once more and reappeared right beside Tsunade as he punched her while avoiding her own, which crashed into the ground as a result of her unbalance and tore it up completely, reducing the area to rubble.
"Such power…" Daelin whispered before turning to Jaina, who just managed to blast Antonidas away with the help of Lina back several feet, and frozen in place, "Explain. Now. Who is he?"
"You really don't want to know, father," Jaina replied, "This isn't the pinnacle of his power yet."
Meanwhile, seeing no other alternative, Naruto turned to his father.
"Gamabunta don't like seawater does he?" Naruto asked as Minato shook his head.
"You can summon here?" Minato asked as suddenly several monsters appeared, crushing the terrain, all with Rinnegan eyes in them. Naruto turned to Minato, "Never mind. You have the Toad contract as well?"
"That's not the only ones," Naruto replied as he leapt back, "Cover me while I summon them."
With naught but a single mental acknowledgement, the four former kage charged as the five paths retreated to act as secondary cover for Naruto who was busy drawing seals on the palm of his hands, weaving through seals at a rapid pace.
"He's summoning them…" Jaina said in awe, "He's summoning all of them."
"Summoning? What? Who?" Daelin finally decided to ask, still in shock over the destruction caused by twelve men and women alone. Not one to waste time, however, he slashed at Antonidas with such speed that Antonidas could not escape, as he was severed by the waist, one half toppling down, only for him to begin regenerating once more, "That's… disgusting…"
"He's summoning all his contracts. With the Phoenix, the Toad, the Dragons, and recently the Tigers of Lightning," Jaina explained as Sylvanas looked over.
"That's the contract I hold isn't it?" Sylvanas asked, "I thought it was just tigers."
"No, you've seen tigers before, these ones are white in their fur," Jaina explained as Lina stunned Antonidas with a powerful array of fire, before whistling. Hikari appeared as Jaina whistled as well, and Hirameki appeared as well.
"Take them down!" Jaina ordered as the two disappeared only to reappear above as Hikari prepared a fireball while Hirameki prepared a blast of wind. Together, the two unleashed a small inferno right down on Antonidas, who returned a powerful wave of frost right at the inferno, locking it in a deadlock. At least, that was until Er'ryl intervened and sent a powerful roar at Antonidas, sending a shockwave of air that tore up the ground as the supersonic waves slammed into Antonidas, disrupting his spell, and allowing the inferno to crash into him. Er'ryl leapt into the inferno promptly, and waves of air and fire stormed out of the still blazing inferno. That continued for a while before Er'ryl was blasted out of the inferno, landing on the ground with minor burns as he growled menacingly at the figure coming out. Antonidas moved, with twin balls of fire on his hands, before throwing them. Er'ryl intercepted them immediately as he roared once more, sending another shockwave of air.
Meanwhile, everyone felt the sudden surge in power as the entire group stopped, looking at the source. A ring of chakra surrounded Naruto as he weaved through the seals, before the surge intensified, forcing everyone to their knees.
"I thought you were kidding when you said he contained more power than Antonidas…" Daelin said dryly, "You forgot to mention he probably has more than ten of him combined…"
"Well, I never seen him exhaust his supply before except once, and that was a while ago when he summoned an enormous amount of clones... around four thousand or something at half supply. It took all I've got to make around ten, so you can imagine how much he has," Jaina replied as Naruto finally slammed his hands on the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Naruto shouted as Kabuto's eyes widened at the absolutely huge runic circle that accompanied it. Without delay, he also swiped the summoning tattoo on his arm and unleashed dozens of snakes that reared back to engage in Naruto. A giant smoke cloud enveloped the entire field, and through to the forest behind them.
After what seemed like an eternity, finally did it smoke disspate, and all those that are witnessing the battle, even Jaina, Lina, and Sylvanas, had their jaws dropping open in shock.
For in front of them was the major players of each summon: Hikaru and Ichigo of the Phoenix, Ryusei and Ryuhi of the Dragons, Gamabunta, Gamakichi, Gamatatsu, and Gamahiro of the Toads, and Byakku, named after the Goddess by Naruto, of the White Tigers of Lightning. All are rare contracts to be seen in the wilds (I'll dedicate a chapter to this some day... or just explain it next chpater).
"Incredible…" Hashirama breathed out, "And this is summoned with only his own chakra. Truly the next generation is destined to improve upon us."
Fukasaku hopped over to Naruto as he turned around in surprise.
"Pa!" Naruto exclaimed, "What are you doing here?"
"Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei…" Fukasaku observed, looking at them, "I'm here to give you one last gift from me…"
As Fukasaku said that, he shed his cloak.
"On here, three years ago, Jiraiya gave me these codes. Imprinted with them, is a fragment of his DNA, whole and complete," Fukasaku said, "I know your ability to summon without the need for sacrifices… and with your massive chakra output felt from even in the summon realm, I know you will need this, especially as you have summoned the past Hokage…"
"How do I… extract those DNA?" Naruto asked as the summons began battling, sending jets of fire, wind, lightning, and whatnot everywhere. Toads, dragons, and phoenixes combined to launch devastating infernos that the Akatsuki tried to dodge with little success, being burnt in the process.
"It's embedded onto my back. To do so you must do a surgery to remove his skin… It is fortunate that my skin protected his DNA from corruption," Fukasaku replied.
"Won't it hurt…?" Naruto asked as Fukasaku shrugged.
"Against them you need everything you've got," Fukasaku replied as Naruto nodded grimly, before kneeling down. With a sharp and thin blade of air, he gently pressed it against Fukasaku's body, just cutting away the skin but leaving everything intact. With his eyes, he saw every little detail, every little scar, and with care, he finally found the thing Fukasaku said. Dried blood was on the dark tendons of Fukasaku's body, and Naruto, very carefully, picked up a very small piece as he finally stood up. Fukasaku turned when he sensed Naruto's movement.
"Is that all you need?" Fukasaku said as Naruto nodded solemnly.
"This will be all I need," Naruto said simply as he took out a scroll and whipped it open. In it held the seals for the Hokages as well as Naruto smeared a bit of the crusted blood on the scroll, and a seal appeared out of nowhere, liquefying the blood once more and multiplying, before the kanji for the first of Jiraiya's name appeared. Naruto sighed as he rolled the scroll up.
"So now, the Sannin shall join the battle once more…" Naruto said quietly as he flashed through seals once more, and another coffin rose, this time with Jiraiya's full name. Kabuto's eyes widened as the coffin's doors fell, and Jiraiya stepped out.
"Whaa…?" Naruto!" Jiraiya said in surprise, "What of you gaki…?"
"I've summoned you to help me, Ero-sennin," Naruto said as he gestured at the battle, "I've already summoned the Toads, the Phoenix, the Dragons, and the White Tigers, but I'm afraid that it won't be enough. I need your help."
"You better explain everything to me gaki," Jiraiya said, "Now give me cover."
Fukasaku stepped up, "I'll gather senjutsu chakra for you, Jiraiya-chan."
"Pa?" Jiraiya inquired before he smiled a bit, "So, let's get the party started!"
Naruto turned back to the front as he looked at Kabuto.
"For your deeds, you shall die, Kabuto," Naruto said as his paths appeared beside him, "This shall be your last battle, and you shall not escape your destiny to die by my hands. I promise that!"
Cut! The chapter's going to get way to long if I continued this. The second part of the battle will come soon, I promise… though it might take up the next chapter to finish completely.