Declaimer: I own nothing in this fanfic, but my created characters they abilities and Jutsu and that is about all I own "Goes to corner and starts crying"
Writing: Italic: thought, Bold: Bijuu or summoning speaking.
"I will not stop, no matter what the cost, I will not stop. Even if the world should end and crumble into darkness. I will not stop walking for I do not fear the darkness because I thrive in darkness." -Unknown.
"War does not determine who is right only who is left..." - Unknown
Naruto awoke to the sound of someone banging on his door. Getting up, Naruto walked towards the locked door. Opening the door, Naruto found himself staring into the distraught face of Mikoto. "Sasuke is gone," tears fell out of her eyes as Naruto's mind comprehended her words.
"Gone, what do you mean gone," Naruto questioned still half asleep.
"He left the village," Mikoto wailed as more tears fell. "Sakura came to the Hokage and told him what happened. The Hokage believes it has to do with Orochiamaru." At the sound of the snake sannin's name, Naruto was dressed in his shinobi gear. Leaving Mikoto behind to watch over Tayuya, Naruto headed to the Hokage's office As Naruto arrived at the Hokage tower, Naruto bumped into Shikamaru.
"Watch where you're going Naruto," Shikamaru growled out. Taking a quick glance at Naruto attire, Shikamaru smiled. "So I guess you heard didn't you, about Sasuke leaving Konoha." As Naruto nodded his head, Shikamaru let out a deep sigh. "Naruto I was just about to come and-." Before theNaracould finish, Naruto ran past him. "Never mind." Following slowly, Shikamaru took his time going back up the steps.
XXX
"I want to be on the team sent to retrieve Sasuke," Naruto stated the moment he entered the room. Sarutobi wasn't surprised, in fact that was the main reason why he sent Shikamrau to go and get Naruto.
"Yes, and you are going to be," Sarutobi stated as he stared at the Chunin. "Mikoto can watch Tayuya, but I want you and Shikamaru to pick three others and retrieve Sasuke."
"Understood," Naruto stated as he turned on his heel on left with that. Narrowing his eyes, Shikamaru followed after the blonde.
"You took the mission without asking any questions about who we might be facing," Shikamaru questioned as the two descended down the stairs. "So I have a question for you, why are you so determined to help Sasuke."
"It has nothing to do with him," Naruto growled out. "I'm doing this to help Mikoto. She has lost everything and my brothers taught me that family is more important then anything else. That is why I'm doing this."
Thinking it over, Shikamaru nodded. "So who are we recruiting?"
"Well, we already have power and brains," Naruto gestured at the both of them as he said this. "So we need a good tracker, a spy, and someone who can mix in with all of those."
"Well, Kiba is from the Inuzuka Clan, so tracking is kind of their thing," Shikamaru added. "A spy could be two different people; Shino, but he left on a mission or Neji."
That was when, Naruto's grin returned. "Okay, we are going to take Neji and Kiba, but I have someone else in mind for a spy," Naruto told Shikamaru his plan, before departing in search of their final team member.
"But we can't be too sure about how much power we should have," Shikamaru thought as he headed to collect their sixth member.
XXX
Looking around, Naruto finally found the person he was looking for. "Sai," the black-haired boy looked up from his drawing and saw Naruto heading his way.
"Yes, what can I help you with," Sai asked in his monotone of a voice.
"You are coming with us to help retrieve Sasuke," Naruto stated, but Sai looked hesitant. "What's wrong?"
"I was trying to find a way to calm Sakura down," Sai stated holding his drawing for Naruto to look at. "But it's hard to figure out what would calm her."
"So, you've been out here trying to draw her something," seeing Sai nod his head, before returning to his drawing, Naruto placed his hand on his shoulder. "You want Sakura to be happy?" The boy nodded his head once more. "Then help us retrieve Sasuke and return him to the village." Sai stopped drawing for a few seconds, but then gently closed the book and stood up.
"Tell me where you want me."
XXX
At first Naruto was confused about bringing Choji along, but after Shikamaru talked to Naruto about the skills that Choji could bring, Naruto agreed. As the six man team met up at the gate, Naruto heard footsteps approaching them. Turning towards the sound, Naruto saw Sakura, Hinata, Mikoto, Tayuya , and even his team standing there. Sakura headed towards, Sai, but the boy just stared drawing quickly. Mikoto expressed that she was thankful for Naruto going and that she hoped he returned safely. His team wished him the best of luck, but couldn't go, because of accepting another mission before this happened. Hinata stared at Neji for a few seconds, but the boy just smiled slightly at her. "I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Neji assured with his eyes closed. After the Chunin exams, Neji had changed a lot. He became friendlier to the other Hyuga's, especially Hinata. Hinata thanked her cousin; before turning to Naruto. "Please be careful," Hinata asked as Naruto finished placing an arm guard on his left arm. Staring at the girl, Naruto just chuckled.
"You know me, Hinata I may get knocked down and tore up, but I will always-," taking by surprise, Naruto stopped when the girl latched on to him. Looking around, Naruto saw some people smiling at them, while others turned their backs to hide their chuckles. Returning the hug, Naruto gently pried the girl off of him. "Hinata, I promise I will be fine. We will all come back, as fine as can be." As he passed by, Naruto saw a slight tear form in her eye. Feeling something pressed into her hands, Hinata looked down and saw Naruto's pendant in her hand. "I will be back and I expect you to be ready to hand that back."
Wiping the tears away, Hinata gave Naruto a brave smile. "I promise."
Nodding his head, Naruto saw Sakura trying to get Sai to talk, but he was to busy drawing, that he didn't even seem to be paying attention to anything. Shaking her head, Sakura wished Sai good luck, but when she turned to leave, Sai ripped his drawing out of his book. "Here, I'm not good with words," Sai explained as he handed the girl his drawing. It was of Kakashi, Sai, Sakura, and Sasuke together with smiling faces. "I don't understand sadness, but I know it doesn't feel good. So, if bringing Sasuke back will make you happy then so be it." The picture was a very touching thing Sai did. As Sakura grabbed the paper from Sai, tears gently fell from her green eyes. Before she could say thank you, Sai had turned and was walking to the Sasuke retrieval group.
"Alright, let's move out," Shikamaru announced with the same tired voice. As the five traveled through the trees, Shikamaru noticed Naruto moving towards him. "What is it, Naruto?"
"Cut the crap," Naruto's voice was ridged, but it had the note similarly to a father proud of his son. "I know what the Hokage has you up too." Shikamaru's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't say anything. "You can't trick someone who was trained by Kinkaku and Ginkaku. They trained me to tell ever twitch and ever motion anyone made and make calculated assumptions on how they act. Your muscles, even if you don't mean it, get tense whenever I am around."
"Plus, you eavesdropped on us," Shikamaru guessed, but only got a chuckle out of the blonde. "The Hokage only wanted me to observe and make sure you weren't a danger to yourself."
"I told you I was fine."
"You lost two people who were the closet thing you had to family, you can't be fine."
Naruto's eyes darkened slightly has he grabbed the gold and silver pendants tied to his neck. "I may not be a hundred percent, but I'm not going to kill myself, if that is what you guys are worried about." Shikamaru didn't try and continue the conversation, but stopped when Sai grabbed him.
"Stay low," Sai whispered, urgently. Looking behind him, Shikamaru noticed Choji, Kiba, and Neji where also hiding.
"What's wrong," Shikamaru stared at Sai with a questioning glance, but Sai only held up a scroll. Looking to the sky, the group watched as a bird made from ink flew towards them. Aiming for the open scroll, the bird disintegrated into ink and printed itself on the scroll. Laying the scroll on the ground, everyone watched as the ink moved and squirmed until it formed a map.
"I made that bird to scout out the terrain for us and to map the position of the enemy," Sai stated as he held the map for Shikamaru to look at. As theNarastudied the map, Choji, Neji, and Kiba went over to join them, but Naruto stayed back. Instead, Naruto seemed to be twirling the blade of his shuriken his brothers made for him. When the five of them agreed on the plan that was when Shikamaru saw Naruto. Placing the blade back in his pouch, Naruto stood up and took his position in the line.
"Did you hear-," Shikamaru was interrupted by Naruto.
"I heard the plan, so don't worry about me," Naruto stated as he pulled out two kunai. TheNaranodded his head. As they leapt through the trees, none of them realized the shadow trailing after them.
XXX
Stopping in an open field, Kimimaro dropped the circular casket he had tied to his back. "We have company," the Kaguya stated with a deep monotone in his voice. Just as the words left his mouth, a barrage of shuriken was thrown at the four, but none of them made any motion to dodge. As the kunai drew closer, Kimimaro noticed the explosive tags. Grabbing the coffin, Kimimaro jumped away. The other three stayed where they were. Explosions rocked the landscape as Kimimaro landed with Orochimaru's prize, but just then noticed a blur pass by him. Turning around, Kimimaro saw Naruto, sliding across the ground and kunai raised, lunge at him. Scoffing at the blonde, Kimimaro turned his attention back to the giant dust cloud. This raised alarm bells in Naruto's head. The white-haired boy didn't look at all threatened by, that was when Naruto noticed the something white poking their way out of his skin. Catching himself, Naruto narrowly avoided being impaled by the bones sprouting from Kimimaro's back. "Impressive, in that split second you noticed my bones and stopped yourself from moving further." Naruto's eyes widened as the boy spun in a fluid motion, almost as if he was dancing, and went to stab Naruto with a bone protruding from his palm.
"He is not an amateur by any means," was the only thought that ran through Naruto's mind. Raising both kunai up, Naruto blocked the bone, but saw one of his blades broken completely and the other cracked.
"Surprised," Kimimaro's green eyes seemed to burrow into Naruto's own blue ones. Using the momentum from the impact, Kimimaro brought his leg around and delivered a kick into Naruto's stomach, but at that same moment a bone shot and impaled him. Swinging Naruto's limp body off the spike, Kimimaro returned his attention back to the smoke. As it slowly lifted, Kimimaro saw the other members of his group had already fully recovered from the blast. "The others are hiding in the trees. Show them what happens-." Kimimaro ducked as Naruto swung his wind sword at him. Kimimaro's eyes looked at the wound he inflicted on Naruto, but saw nothing, but neat hole dug into the boy's vest.
"Surprised," growled Naruto. As Kimimaro went for a kick, Naruto grabbed his leg. Feeling something wrapping around his outstretched leg, Kimimaro looked at it. Chains made from yellow chakra had snaked their way up the entirely of his leg. Spinning, Naruto swung the Kaguya into his team. Taking a stand next to the coffin, Naruto just stared at it, but soon returned his eyes back to the others. Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba, Choji, and Sai soon joined Naruto, but Naruto soon recognized the other three of the sound group. "Fuck, we might be in trouble."
"Why do you say that," Kiba asked while he gave Akamaru a pill.
"Because I've already killed those three," Naruto stated as Kidomaru finally noticed the blonde staring at them.
"Look here guys, it's the bastard that killed us," Kidomaru stated with a cold voice. Jirobo's ears perked up at that and he looked at Naruto with pure rage in his eyes. Sakon smirked at the blond as he stood to his fully height.
"So, we get to retrieve the next body for Orochimaru and kill this piece of shit."
Naruto quickly created another wind sword. "I want you three to get as far away from here as possible," Naruto's statement brought a surge of arguments to come from the others, even Akamaru joined in.
"I promised Hinata that I wouldn't allow you to do anything stupid and I think this falls under that," Neji argued.
"We are a team and we will fight like a team," Kiba countered as he got down on all four.
"I won't abandon you," Sai and Choji stated together. The only one who didn't fire back a comment was Shikamaru. Naruto looked from one serious face to another, but stopped on Shikamaru.
"Look you know I'm right," Naruto said with a steady voice. "I killed these guys once before, I can handle them and this knew guy, but I need you guys and that coffin out of here." With a sigh, Shikamaru made up his mind.
"We have to go," Shikamaru stated, getting angered looks from everyone, but a smile from Naruto. "Look Naruto has a point, only he understands the powers that each of these guys posses, but we need-."
"Oh, before you continue I would like to say something," Sakon said with a satisfied smirk on his face. Naruto just glared at him in response. "You do remember my power, correct." Naruto nodded his head, getting confused, but then saw what he was talking about. "So, you finally noticed. If I'm here, where is my dear brother at?" Just then a shadow loomed behind everyone. Turning his head around, Naruto saw Ukon in the air, hand outstretched towards Shikamaru's head. Shoving theNaraout of, Naruto delivered a chakra layered punch. Ukon grabbed Naruto's wrist, before he could fully be launched away. Seeing this, Naruto realized the trouble he was about to be in, but before Ukon could active his curse mark, Naruto sliced the boy's hand off. Landing on the ground, Naruto saw Ukon's hand reform from what appeared to be paper.
"So, it is that jutsu from the invasion," Naruto thought as the hope this was a strange illusion was torn away. "So, now they have us surrounded." This remark didn't fit well with the others. Watching the sound nin slowly encircle them, Naruto knew they were in for a fight. "So what's the plan, Shikamaru?" Turning to theNara, Naruto found him in a weird position, but eyes still opened. Not able to take it anymore, Jirobo soon initiated his curse mark into its second stage.
"I'm going to kill you," Jirobo's roar shook the very earth around the group! Running towards the source of his anger, Naruto just pulled out his cracked kunai. Putting his wind chakra into the blade, Naruto disappeared into a blur. Kimimaro's eyes narrowed as the Uzumaki sliced at Jirobo's neck. Hearing the snap of the metal blade, Naruto pushed more chakra into the hilt. Slicing through the thick neck, Naruto knew it wouldn't keep Jirobo down for long. Grabbing the man's shirt, Naruto threw him at Kidomaru who simply sidestepped the thrown body. Stepping on the head, Naruto watched as it disintegrated into paper once more and flew towards the body. Seeing the body slowly stand up, Naruto growled deep down, knowing only one way to defeat an Edo Tensei corpse; sealing it up. Unfortunately, Naruto, and to his knowledge, no one here knew sealing techniques.
"I don't suppose any of you know any sort of sealing jutsu," Naruto asked, knowing it couldn't hurt. To his surprise, Sai nodded his head.
"Yes, but it takes a while for too prepare and it uses up a lot of chakra." Sai pulled out a storage scroll. Opening it up, everyone saw why it would take so long; Sai had to draw on a giant scroll, almost the size of him. "I'm sorry, but with my current chakra levels; I will only be able to capture one."
"That's fine, so long as one of them is disposed of."
Turning his attention once more to the opposition, Naruto saw Jirobo already fully restored and angrier then ever. "No matter what it takes, I will end you!" Charging once more, Naruto sighed as he slammed his palm to the ground. Chains erupted around the giant, wrapping themselves around him and pinning him to the ground.
"That should hold you for-." Naruto stopped when Jirobo's fingertip touched one of the chains. The chakra chains that once held him were soon gone; absorbed by him.
"That's right you killed me before I could show you anything," Jirobo smirked as he stood up once more. "Well, allow me to tell you. I can absorb chakra and turn it directly into my own." Jirobo launched himself towards the group with murder in his eyes. Kidomaru soon turned into his own second stage, but Ukon, Sakon, and Kimimaro stayed out of it; watching how it would turn out. Naruto braced himself as he turned his eyes towards the group.
"Keep Sai safe until the seal is ready," Naruto screamed as he caught the brute's fist. Digging his feet in, Naruto went for his own punch, but was caught by Jirobo. As the Jirobo smiled at him, Naruto got worried.
"Naruto, you need to move!"
Turning his attention to the voice, Naruto saw Neji running towards him, Byakugan active. The cause for the Hyuga's concern became apparent when a gold arrow spiraled through Naruto's stomach, right below his chest. Looking down, Naruto felt blood drip from his mouth as Jirobo picked him up with one arm. "Not so tough now," Jirobo sneered, but only received a Rasengan in the face for getting too close. As Naruto was dropped, Neji intercepted the falling boy, just in time to spin; avoided yet another arrow. Kidomaru smirked at his foe. Jumping back to his team, Neji laid an already healing Naruto next to Sai.
"I'm fine," Naruto stated. Looking down, Naruto saw just how close he was to death. Even though Kurama could heal almost any wound, having an eternal organ ripped to pieces was probably out of his power.
"You alright, kit," Kurama asked with a worried note in his voice.
"Yes, but this isn't going to be easy," Naruto said back. "Even with Sai knowing a Fuinjutsu, he still can only use it once." Kurama didn't respond at first, but Naruto could tell he was thinking it over.
"This is trouble, but all we have to do is make sure to immobilize those four," Kurama stated with calm natured tone. "So all your friend has to do is seal away the one that absorbs chakra, and then you can use your chains to restrain the others."
Naruto didn't think it would be that easy, but still it was the best they could do. "Alright, Sai when you get done, I want you to seal away the big guy," Naruto stated as he tore his ruined vest off. "Choji, I need your help." Choji at first was nervous, but stopped as he looked at Shikamaru. "Don't make Shikamaru wrong about you. He said you stronger then you appeared, well time to prove it." Nodding his head, Choji dropped the bag of chips he had and pulled out a small case. Looking at it, Naruto saw three different colored pills.
"The first is the Horengan (Spinach Pill)," Choji mumbled as he crunched down on the green colored pill. Everyone felt the small burst of chakra as Choji got ready.
"That was a pretty nice increase in chakra, but it's still far from being a snack," Jirobo stomped his foot on the ground. Grabbing the earth with both hands, Jirobo lifted up a huge chunk of earth above his head. "Now, this is power!" Throwing the oversized boulder, Jirobo smiled in triumph, but that soon stopped as the boulder was not only stopped, but split in two. Standing in front of Choji, was Naruto cloaked in Kurama's chakra.
"No, that's just a pathetic attack," Naruto stated as the chakra slowly faded. "Now come here, let Choji and me show you what real power is." Letting out a roar, Jirobo charged towards the two. Creating a rasengan, Naruto forward as Choji expanded himself and began to roll towards Jirobo; like a boulder of sorts, but before Naruto could get near; Kimimaro jumped in front of him.
"I don't think so." Naruto's eyes widened as bone spikes shot towards him.
Ukon noticed, Sai drawing as fast as he could on the oversized scroll, along with the other members of the group standing by as protection. "So whatever he is up too is pretty important." Ukon thought with a grin as he jumped towards the four. Seeing this, Kiba jumped to intercept.
"Tsūga (Passing Fang)," Kiba shouted out as he began to spin in a giant drill-looking funnel. Ukon dodged just as Kiba stopped his rotation. "You want to get to Sai, you are going to have to get through Akamaru and me." The dog barked in agreement as it got ready for the fight.
Shikamaru sighed as he looked at Sakon, who was slowly approaching the boy. "You don't look that big of a hurry to finish this," Shikamaru stated as Sakon chuckled.
"It doesn't matter, either way you guys are all going to die, might as well make it enjoyable," Sakon grinned at the boy with malice in his dead eyes. Neji stared at Kidomaru who was reloading another arrow into his bow.
"I hope you are good at dodging," Kidomaru announced as he pulled his bow back. Neji didn't respond only dropped low to the ground. "I like my prey when they fight back." Letting the string go, Neji could barely follow the golden arrow. Ducking, Neji felt the arrow wiz past his head by mere inches, but that was all he needed to try and close the gap. Kicking off where he was, Neji charged towards the spider ninja. Seeing the approaching Hyuga, Kidomaru knew he didn't have time to make another arrow. Instead, he swung the bow in front of him, blocking a chakra infused palm of Neji. Neji took one glance and saw nothing, but excitement in Kidomaru's eyes. Pushing Neji away, Kidomaru inhaled before spitting up a web of golden thread. Seeing this, Neji spun imitating his chakra into a spinning dome. As the spinning stopped, Neji noticed that Kidomaru already had an arrow made and loaded. "I guess you weren't that good." Firing the arrow, Neji realized just how much trouble he was in. He had just his rotation and was now recovering from it. Using his only leg still on the ground, Neji tried to get away from the arrow, but noticed a thin strand of golden thread. "Bye." Throwing his head in the direction Neji went, the Hyuga watched as the arrow changed direction. The arrow stopped a few inches away from, Neji's chest. As the Hyuga fell to the ground he saw the source of his savior. A layer of sand had enveloped the arrow and stopped it dead.
"No one is going to hurt the allies of Sunagakure," That voice brought memories out of Naruto. Turning to the source, Naruto grinned as he saw Gaara, Temari, and Kankuro ready for battle. But going unnoticed by everyone was the small amount of smoke seeping out of the casket that contained Sasuke.
Well, hope you guys enjoyed and I'll see you in the next chapter.