Chapter 6 The source the arrival of the unexpected foe
Disclaimer: I will never own Naruto but that doesn't keep me from trying.
Konoha's graveyard
The hooded cloaked figure was watching one of the grave stones that had the name of Uzumaki Naruto looking at the year he was born till the year he died he was a very young to meet such fate, that was the fate of a ninja death at a young age before even realizing his dreams and ambitions. Suddenly his left hand started glowing with a black energy releasing a small blast creating a cloud of smoke, when the smoke clear out a short figure was standing in front of him the hooded figure went to him and took a medium size black stone.
"You are perfect for this task I will entrust you with the stone use it so the undead army can destroy Konoha"
The short figure whose face wasn't being shown didn't say a word while the hooded figure vanished.
Team eight was in one of the toughest positions they have ever been, first they were surrounded by a large group of the undead warriors and second they were exhausted. Hinata who has been using her taijutsu she hasn't wasted her chakra but her fatigue was catching up to her after all they have been fighting for hours, Kiba and Shino were also feeling exhausted there was nothing they could do to defeat the dead warriors. Kurenai knew it wouldn't be long before her team was defeated and eventually kill, her team was one of the things she care for the most next to the village and a certain jounin. Now she along with her team were almost at the point to be defeated they were going to get kill, they still had their lives ahead of them it couldn't like this.
"Kiba Hinata Shino" she said calmly getting the attention of the three genins" you three go I will hold them off"
The three were aware what she had in mind they weren't going to let their sensei to sacrifice herself so she could give them the chance to escape.
"No sensei" Hinata said firmly" were a team if one is down then the rest will be down too were not abandoning you"
"That's an order from your instructor you three will obey me" she said getting upset.
"Sorry Kurenai sensei but I'm with Hinata here were not escaping so you could handle them on your own" Kiba said while Akamaru bark in agreement.
"Right like Hinata said we are team we do things together leaving comrades behind its not the Konoha way" Shino said in his usual calm tone.
The jounin manage to smile as she block an attack from an incoming zombie ninja" you three are disobeying my orders I should be upset but I couldn't have ask for a better team thank you now let's show them what the Konoha ninjas are capable of"
"Yes sensei" they said in unison.
The undead warriors charge at them but suddenly they were cut in half by a powerful force, another group of zombies were cut to pieces by the same power. The team was in awe seeing the undead warriors fall rapidly like they were killed by an army, only to see that it wasn't an army but one person. In a couple of seconds all of the zombies were cut down to little pieces in front of them stood the one responsible for their demise, it was a man who seem to be in his middle twenties holding a long katana with long brown hair tied on a pony tail with blue eyes he was wearing a long white cape with a green vest and a grey shirt with long blue cargo pants and black ninja sandals.
The stranger look back at them with serious expression" stand back"
The team nodded and took their distance from the zombies who were beginning to get back together, the stranger made a couple of hand seals.
"ICE STYLE ICE PRISON JUTSU"
All of the zombies were cover in a huge block of ice the stranger sheathed his sword back into his hostler while gazing back at the shock team.
"Is everyone all right?" he said in a gentle tone completely different from when he finish with the zombies.
"Yes we are thanks to you and who might you be?" Kurenai said in a slight neutral tone she couldn't trust this person her eyes fell to his left arm and that's when she saw a headband with the symbol of the hidden mist village so he was obviously from mist" you're a ninja from mist why are you here?"
"I have come to help you with your little infestation" replied in a cool tone.
"You mean the zombies?" Kiba said while the stranger nodded in return.
"Yes it seems I'm not too late these undead soldiers cannot be defeated I taken you're already aware of this" he said while Kurenai and her team nodded" the only way to stop them is by destroying the source of power"
"And what would that be?" ask the jounin.
"The undead stone, it's a black stone it has the powers to bring soldiers from the undead the wielder of the stone is the only one who can command them we find the one possessing it and destroy it it's the only way to stop the undead"
"I see I appreciate that you came to our raid Konoha holds a treaty with mist thanks to the third Hokage I'm Yuhi Kurenai and this is my genin team Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino and Hyuga Hinata"
"It's a pleasure to meet you we will have to cut the meeting short the ice won't hold them for too long we better go find the possessor of the stone"
"And how are we going to find that person Konoha is a big place?" Kurenai said.
"I have a talisman that tracks the energy of the stone it will lead us to the one who has it"
"All right let's go" she said while they began to run.
"I just hope we can find him before nothing happen to the others" Hinata said.
"Not to worry they will be fine my team should be helping them as I speak"
"So you didn't come here alone?" Kurenai said.
"As strong as I am I can't do this on my own you said yourself Konoha is a big place so it's better to come with my students they can handle the undead soldiers"
"That's good so by the way you didn't tell us your name" Kiba said.
"My apologies it's Meji Genjuro"
They gasp hearing his name (Meji Genjuro the demon hunter and one of the seven swordsmen of the hidden mist maybe we have a chance against this enemy after all) Kurenai thought.
Elsewhere
"RAIKIRI" shouted Kakashi as he stabs a zombie with his original jutsu.
Sakura was still punching and kicking the others warriors, a zombie ninja charge at her with a punch hitting her sending her out of the roof falling from the building.
"SAKURA" shouted Kakashi as he tried to save her but he was surrounded by the zombies (damn it I won't make it in time)
Sakura was falling she was scare this is it she was going to die like this, she suddenly saw her life flashing before her the times of her childhood when she met Ino and the times when she mistreated Naruto memories that she wasn't proud of. Tears started falling from her eyes she was truly pathetic she barely started her training with Tsunade and now she was going to die, she failed miserably in her mission and she has failed her blond teammate. Now the only thing she could is to face her death and embrace this is how it was going to end for Haruno Sakura, she cry thinking about Naruto the only person who was a true friend.
(I'm sorry Naruto I won't be avenging you I guess I was too weak and pathetic to become a strong kunoichi)
She closed her eyes ready to meet her end, just before she was about to hit the hard ground she felt that was caught by someone. When she realize that she wasn't falling she open her eyes and she was quite surprise, the person who save her was a young teen who seems to be fifteen with spiky black hair and emerald green eyes he was wearing a headband on his forehead with the hidden mist symbol a long blue scarf wrap around his neck a black shirt black fingerless gloves long grey pants black ninja sandals and a sword strap on his back. She blush because a little voice on the back of her head told her that he was attractive and second he was carrying her bridal style, he look at her with a kind smile which made her blush even more.
"You okay?" he said in a concern tone.
She slowly nodded still having the blush on her cheeks" yes…thank you" she gasp hearing the sound of battle up in the roof of the building" oh no Kakashi sensei I have to help him"
"Leave it to me" he said while putting her down.
He quickly started running through the building, Sakura was impress with his speed it matches Lee without his weights. He landed on the roof seeing Kakahsi fighting a large group of zombies he grin as he quickly unsheathed his sword and vanish, Kakashi was shock one minute he was outnumber by the undead soldiers and now they were defeated and frozen solid he gaze at the mysterious stranger who defeated them he took a quick glance at his headband.
"You're from mist"
"And you must be Hatake Kakashi the famous copy ninja pleasure to meet you…"
"Kakashi sensei" came Sakura's voice as she landed on the roof joining the two" are you all right?"
"Yes I'm fine Sakura this ninja save me thank you I don't know why someone from mist would be here but I'm glad you are we could really use the help"
"No problem we were traveling in the fire country when we felt the evil energy coming from Konoha my sensei and my best friend came here to stop the zombies"
"So you're not alone that's good" Sakura said.
"I'm guessing you know how to stop them for good"
"Yes the source of the zombies is a black stone called the undead stone if we find the person whose possessing it and destroy it then the zombies will be gone for good, I have a talisman that detects the energy of the stone with this we can find the person in possession of the undead stone" he show them small orange stone.
"This is valuable information I must report this to Hokage-sama Sakura go with him and help him find that stone" he then left.
"Well let's get going oh that's right I haven't properly introduce myself my name is Suijin Seiryu nice to meet you"
"Haruno Sakura" she said with a smile.
He smiled back" Sakura that's a pretty name cherry blossom it goes well with your hair"
She blushed suddenly at the complement but she erased it as she followed him in search for the black stone of the undead.
Team ten have been running for hours now before they stop to catch their breath, they knew running away was futile and fighting was the only solution. After defeating the undead army over five times they have become exhausted, Shikamaru was panting while Chouji was in the same condition Ino look like she was about to collapse and Asuma was trying to ignore the feeling of that he exhausted. He saw it clearly the same with his team they couldn't fight any longer, they were going to die Asuma wanted at least to smoke one last cigarette or one final kiss to Kurenai he will have to think twice since it won't be happening. He felt sorry for his team he never wanted this to end like this, he had high hopes that someday they will achieve the rank of jounin and become dedicated ninjas of Konoha, but it seems that wasn't going to happen. He took down a couple of dead soldiers when suddenly one a zombie amurai charge on Ino she look back at shock, since she was too exhausted there was nothing she could do.
"INO NO" the three shouted.
As Ino saw the undead samurai raised his sword to her he was stab by a couple of arrows, the team saw more arrows were shot hitting every single zombie. Ino saw someone jumping next to her it was the person that just saved her life, he was around fifteen with short silver hair and black eyes wearing a mist headband around his forehead holding a long bow and a quiver of arrows on his back with a sword, he was wearing a blue shirt with long white cargo pants and blue sandals. The silver hair teen saw a couple of zombies charging at him and he quickly took them down shooting more arrows, he look at the group while Ino was stun gazing at him and felt herself blush at how attractive he was.
"Hey you all right?" he said with a smile making her blush even more.
"Yes I'm fine thanks" she said while erasing her blush.
"Don't you hate it when your village gets infected by zombies I'm telling you maybe you should buy a zombie spray to get rid of them?"
She chuckle at his sense of humor while the rest of the team.
"Were grateful you help us but that won't be enough to stop them" Asuma said.
"Yeah I know so let me take care of this" he said while watching that they were getting back up he perform hand seals.
"ICE STYLE ICE PRISON JUTSU"
The zombies were frozen solid in the ice cage holding them for a while.
"We have to hurry that won't keep them for too long we have to stop them for good"
"So you know of a way to defeat them" Shikamaru said.
"Yes believe me one person is causing all of this with a stone that brings the undead to life if we destroy that stone then all of the zombies would be gone"
"And do you know where this person is?" Asuma said.
"Not exactly but I have something that will help us find him"
"All right then lead the way" Asuma said" by the way I'm Sarutobi Asuma and this is my genin team Nara Shikamaru Akimichi Chouji and Yamanaka Ino"
"Nice to meet you the name is Ozoki Ryo one of the demon hunters from mist" he said with a smile.
"Were very honor to meet you Ryo" Ino said happy to know her savior of course she took the opportunity to check him out and she like what she was seeing (nice very nice indeed).
"Asuma sensei I'm very tire I don't know if I can go on any longer" Chouji said while panting
"Can't blame you Chouji we have been fighting for hours it's very troublesome to fight those things when they will keep on getting back up" the lazy chunin Shikamaru said.
Asuma smirk" Chouji I promise if we win this battle I will threat you to all you can eat bbq pork"
Hearing this Chouji's eyes widened in pure joy" YEAH ALL YOU CAN EAT BBQ PORK LET'S GO"
Ryu was impress (wow just like that he gets all the energy to go on I guess food is the right motivation for his case)
"Looks like Chouji is back to normal" Shikamaru said with a smirk.
"Let's go lead the way Ryo" Asuma said while Ryo nodded.
Hokage's office
Tsunade was still moving back and forth in her office like crazy beside her was Shizune and TonTon who were getting dizzy from her movement; it has been hours since the attack of the undead soldiers begun and she still hasn't heard a report from an AMBU or any jounin or chunin. She was beginning to think the worst what if they were all kill they couldn't defeat the undead army they were dead and they couldn't be kill no matter what they do, did she lose all of her forces already maybe she needed to take action now and take the remaining people out of the village. Her thoughts were erase as soon as she saw Kakashi appearing in a cloud of smoke, she immediately grab him by his collar shocking him a lot.
"Kakashi what do you have to report please tell me its good news is everyone all right?"
"Actually I do have good news Hokage-sama allies from mist have come to help us against the threat"
Her face lit up hope reflecting in her hazel eyes" really that's good at least we won't lose this battle so easily"
"And also" Kakashi said getting the attention of Tsunade ad Shizune" they know of a way to stop the zombies permanently"
Her eyes widened" are you sure Kakashi?"
"Yes according to one of the mist ninjas he said that the source of power that brings the zombies is a black stone he also says that there must be someone in the village who possess it if we find that stone and destroy it then the zombies will finally be defeated"
"I see then I want you to find every ninja you can find to help and support them search in every corner of the village until you find that person"
"Yes Hokage-sama" he said before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
Shizune smile at her while Tsunade took a sip from her glass of sake.
"These are good news indeed" Shizune said with a smile.
"Yeah looks like we won't have to leave the village after all we are lucky please Shizune tell those old farts in the council of Kakashi's report"
"Yes Tsunade-sama" she said while leaving the office with TonTon.
Tsunade sighed as she look at the Hokage mountain faces (ninjas from mist eh? Well there's only one ninja I could think of who can handle this task)
Seiryu and Sakura were jumping from the roofs of the building they were following the trail of the black stone using Seiryu's talisman, of course it would be too easy if they find it without running into trouble. While jumping they were greeted by more zombie ninjas Seiryu sheathed his sword while Sakura threw a couple of kunais, he cut them in half while freezing them with his sword that's when Sakura realized that his sword must have the power of ice every time it touches something it freezes it. Seiryu didn't bother looking back they were eventually going to get back up, unless they find the possessor of the black stone of the undead. They left the buildings reaching a long path in the streets, it was path that Sakura was very familiar with since she was from Konoha and she knew the village better than anyone.
Seiryu check his talisman" the energy trail of the black stone is coming from straight ahead"
"This trail" Sakura said pointing to straight ahead" the one who has the black stone is in this direction?"
"Yeah why you ask is there something about this direction?" Seiryu ask in curiosity.
"I guess that's the direction towards the graveyard"
Seiryu smirk" the graveyard eh I guess it's a common place for someone to hold the black stone of the undead let's go Sakura"
She nodded while following him to the path that leads to the graveyard hoping to find the black stone.
Elsewhere
Genjuro and team eight were still running the streets in hopes of finding the black stone, they meet up with more zombies but in a blink of an eye they were cut down to pieces. The team were in awe at the speed of the mist swordsman he just kill over ten zombies in one sword attack, his skills were definitely very sharp it didn't surprise Kurenai since he was one of the seven swordsmen of the mist. They reach another turn into the streets meeting more zombies, they charge at them but once again Genjuro have killed every single one with one attack of his long katana. After a couple of minutes they reach the center of the village, they saw Gai's team fighting more of zombies Neji and TenTen look like they were ready to collapse and Gai and Lee were cover in sweat from head to toes but they didn't look tire at all. Genjuro step in and kill cut them down with his sword, shocking Neji and TenTen Lee and Gai.
"Gai are you all right?" Kurenai said.
"Are you kidding I haven't felt this good in years fighting this zombies have been one good workout I can feel my flame of youth rising" he said with a thumbs up and a sparkling smile making Kurenai and her team sweat dropped.
"Yosh me too Gai sensei this is great way for training"
"Were glad you guys came" TenTen said with a smile.
Neji who was pretending that he wasn't tire nodded in agreement.
"ICE STYLE ICE PRISON JUTSU"
They all saw as Genjuro froze the zombies solid.
"I'm guessing that he's an ally of ours" Neji said.
"Yes this is Meji Genjuro from mist he has come to help us with this threat" Kurenai said.
Gai's eyes along with his team widened in shock they have heard of him he was very famous in the ninja world known for his speed and amazing swordsman's skills, Gai and Lee went to him their eyes haad stars.
'It is a honor to finally meet you Genjuro-sama we have heard a lot from you were glad that you're helping us" Gai said.
"Yosh I will like to have a spar with you Gejuro-sama" Lee said.
"Perhaps someday we will" Genjuro said with sly smile.
Akamaru started sniffing the ground and Kiba nodded" looks like Akamaru has sniff more zombies straight ahead"
"BYAKUGAN" both Neji and Hinata and Neji shouted.
"Kiba-kun is right they are a few kilometers from our position" Hinata said.
"And they are a large numbers of them" Neji said.
Genjuro took his talisman and small orange stone was glowing" we have no choice but to take this path the energy trail of the black stone is ahead"
"Then let's go the sooner we stop the zombies the better" Kurenai said.
They nodded while running straight ahead.
(I just hope Asuma is all right) she thought.
In another part of the village team ten with their new ally Ryo have been stopping zombies from every corner in the village; Ryo was using his talisman to locate the position of the black stone. Asuma cut another zombie with his blades while Shikamaru, Chouji and Ino were using their kunais to cut them, as they took another turn in the streets they were meet by more zombies Ryu decided to play hard with them he took unsheathed his sword and unleash a powerful wave of water. The team gasp seeing the wave taking the entire group of zombie soldiers, they continued running Ino then trip while running she didn't saw the zombie samurai that charge at her. The samurai was cut in half Ino turn to see Ryo standing next to her, he offer her hand with a smile.
"Watch your step there you were about to become zombie lunch"
She chuckle at his comment" sorry I'm just a little tire I have used a lot of my chakra already"
"Don't worry we'll stop this little problem soon" he said while checking his talisman (were still a little far from the location)
"Ino Ryo let's go there a couple of Konoha ninjas in trouble straight ahead" Asuma said from the distance.
The two teens nodded while joining the group Ino took a quick glance at him and blush slightly (that's twice that he saves my life)
Ryo scold while looking at his talisman (damn the black stone is still far from our position I hope sensei and Seiryu have better luck)
Konoha graveyard
Sakura and Seiryu arrive at the large graveyard field, Seiryu look at his talisman and it was glowing brighter than before he smirks no doubt they were very close to the target. They started running following the talismans glow, until they were surrounded by a large group of zombies warriors Seiryu unsheathed his sword they didn't have time for this they are very close to find the black stone.
"Sakura go find the one who holds the black stone I will handle these guys"
"Are you sure they are too many of them?" she said worry.
He chuckle" looks like you don't know me too well I can handle them now go I know you can do it you're stronger than you look is just straight ahead"
She nodded while running the zombies charge at her but Seiryu use his sword to cut them" sorry but you're fight is with me"
Sakura continued running ahead until she saw a familiar gravestone she couldn't forget this region this is the part of the graveyard where Naruto's grave is located, she took a few steps seeing his gravestone she didn't have time to pay her respects to him she has an important task at hand. She glare as she sense someone behind her she tightened her glove hands and turn around to meet her enemy, she then gasp in pure shock not believing what she was seeing. Tears started forming on her jade eyes thinking that she was dreaming, she gaze at the one person she thought she will never meet again looking at him she felt so much sadness but happiness at the same time she broke into sobs as she whispers.
"N…Na…Naruto"
To be continued
Evil cliffhanger truly an evil one but wait a minute there is no such thing as a good cliffhanger because all cliffhangers are evil, anyway what will happen next remember to review. For those who don't know who is Genjuro and Seiryu read my other story the power of one Ryo is the only new character in this story, farewell until next time.
Next chapter: To fight for redemption