A sharp left turn, another, a right turn, a small jump, a left turn, a circle and then a u-turn. Around the stump, around another, over a log, under the branches, another stump, another log, lower branches, another log. Circle once, twice, three times, break off, jump and into a tight right turn, then a straight run. Faster, faster, as quickly and silently as possible, just run. Then, final hurdle. Higher this time, shoulder height and no room for error. Faster, pick up speed, split second decision, perfect timing… now.

Shoji immediately jumped, tucking his legs under perfectly and landing with precision over the near ten foot tall propped up log. The landing was rough for me, but I had grown almost used to it at this point, Shoji being kind enough to give me some pointers on how to adjust my body while he was jumping so that the landing wouldn't be as difficult. As I turned him around though, sweat dripping down the side of my face and down his body as well, I frowned as the log slowly rolled its way off the stumps I had gotten it on.

"Dammit." I cursed, wiping the sweat off the side of my face. "We tapped it just enough…. How's your legs?"

Shoji panted, pawing a hoof in the dirt. "I can go again. It hit the pads on my hind legs, so no damage."

I nodded, breathlessly, steering him back towards the beginning of the make shift obstacle course and taking a short rest before preparing for one more run; namely me putting the huge log back up where it was. Climbing back up on him and lying low on his back, I gave him head way, and off we went again. We managed to clip the log a second time, though it didn't fall and I deemed that good enough, rolling off Shoji's back and plopping on the floor with a groan.

"Ugh."

He nudged me with his nose, sweat and dirt smearing on my face as I lazily shoved him off.

"Hey, I want to rest as much as you do. Now get this stuff off me."

I begrudgingly got up and removed the saddle, bit and reins, armor, and protective padding and weights from Shoji, hanging them on a thick branch to air them out and allowing him to move into the shade and lie down next to my things. I too, headed that way and began rifling through my bag to find the notes I had from Jiraiya on Pein, and leaning against Shoji as I tried to figure things out.

"What do you think, Shoji? There's six bodies with different powers each and he can revive himself. Then the code Pervy sensei gave us says 'the real one isn't in them'. Yet he was able to land physical hits on them without them disappearing like clones and vice versa without a Genjutsu revealing itself. Do you think it's like Kakuzu? Where each body is another 'heart'?"

The horse let out a long sigh through his nose, upturning the corners of my pages. "If that were true, there would still be bodies missing when he revived. The code is more interesting. Is he saying there's a seventh?"

I frowned, closing my eyes tiredly and leaning my head back against him. "I dunno. Like a mastermind or something? Are the bodies, puppets then?"

"If they were, he wouldn't likely care about reviving them. Replacing is easier."

I let out my own sigh. "You're just shooting everything down."

He snorted. "Humans are complicated and simple at the same time. Horses are easier to understand. Coming up with answers to your problems is not such an easy task. The only problems we have are territory, mares, and food."

I scoffed. "You have it easy then."

Shoji seemed to smirk for a second, before closing his own eyes and lying his large head across my lap, the two of us too exhausted to really think or argue much more. We both started to drift off, though our senses remained alert as always, but we needed our rest after everything we'd been doing since we saw Naruto off days ago.

Shoji and I had been running this same obstacle course every day for hours on end, though we had toughened it up at times when it became too easy and too routine. Then, I'd usually look over Jiraiya's notes and try to come up with something on my own before running the course again later, after we took a break. Once that was through, I brought whatever suspicions I had about the code and weaknesses to Shikamaru and Sakura for further ideas and getting rid of the impossible and went to go train with my beast.

All of this had me returning home completely exhausted and leaving me collapsing usually on the floor somewhere or on the couch, if I was lucky. I suppose I shouldn't complain though, because I was luck and occasionally woke up in my bed despite having fallen asleep on the ground. I suspected Kakashi had something to do with it, though I hadn't yet had a chance to thank him for it. I had just been too busy.

Shoji alerted me to someone coming over and I peeked open an eye to find the person I was just thinking about, walking over with a grin.

"Aw, I was hoping to watch you sleeping a bit longer. It's cute~"

"Well, you're out of luck." I muttered, though my cheeks were tinted a light pink. "I'm already awake."

He chuckled as I got up and stretched, before catching sight of the small bag he had with him.

"That for me?"

He held it up with a closed-eye grin. "Only if you share."

"Mm." I hummed, watching as he pulled out some mochi and a handful of carrots, passing me the mochi and giving the carrots to Shoji, who took them eagerly.

"Why can't you be this nice?" He complained as Kakashi chuckled, snatching a mochi from the container he gave me.

"Because too many carrots will make you fat." I said bluntly, chewing the mochi and reaching for another one just as I heard something, making me stop and frown as I looked over to where the village was not too far off.

"Shi?" Kakashi asked, immediately knowing something was up. "What do you hear?"

"Nothing good." I muttered, trying to listen for the sound again, only to quickly stuff a mochi in my mouth and shove the rest into my never-ending pouch. "Explosions. In the village. We need to hurry."

He nodded, all fun and games gone as seriousness took its place, and I quickly dismissed Shoji, before grabbing Kakashi.

"We'll show up at my place first and split up from there. I'm going to need a few things before I can fight."

He nodded, wrapping a hand around my waist as I focused my chakra and we showed up at my apartment. I went to walk into my place, but Kakashi suddenly whipped me around and pressed his un-coved lips to mine in a haste kiss, pulling away with a grin as he pulled back up his mask.

"Be careful."

I kissed him back lightly. "I will… Hang onto this…" I passed him one of my marked kunai. "…Just in case."

He nodded and then hurried off to go help in whatever was going on as I grabbed a few things and went to go as well. I jumped up on the roof first though, checking for anything that would warrant my attention first and spotted the perfect opponent. A giant centipede. Perfect. And right by the library too. I smirked and quickly flashed to the library kunai I had and then built up my chakra and let my beast out, shaking out my fur and charging over towards the giant centipede summon. I was just in time too, a kid had fallen right in front of it and just before it could do anything, I was able to grab the centipede in my jaws and rip it in half. I found it odd though. My jaws were ringing.

An odd thing to say, of course, but it was similar to your head ringing. It was actually the only way I could describe it and, as Sakura showed up to help the kid, I tried to figure out what it was that made my mouth feel odd like that.

"Shi! What are you doing?! Stop sniffing and go help!" Sakura shouted at me, but I had just figured it out.

This rod… "It's a chakra receptor." I said, catching her attention.

"Huh?"

"I felt something odd earlier when I attacked it." I said, pinning the centipede down and using my mouth to rip out the black rod in its head. "This. It's a chakra receptor. I think that's how the Pein's are revived. Someone's sending chakra to keep the bodies alive."

Sakura's eyes widened, before she grew serious and nodded. "I'll send someone to tell the Hokage. I need to get to the hospital first."

I nodded, dropping the chakra rod and spotting another large summon over by the interrogation building. "Okay. I'm off to get the other giant summons."

Kakashi frowned, having just sent Iruka off with an injured shinobi, but didn't have time to think before being forced to duck as the Pein he was fighting swung a kick at him. Kakashi slammed his hands into the ground and brought up an earth wall, but that did little to stop Pein from stabbing him in the shoulder with one of his black metal rods. Kakashi hung onto it though, keeping Pein where he was as he launched a Lightning Blade at the man, but he felt something odd before the man dodged it. What… was that?

"Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja… It's an honor to meet you. Where's the nine-tailed beast?"

"That's a stupid question." Kakashi said, jumping back and making another Lightning Blade. Before he could even hit, though, he was launched back into a building, being buried under the rubble. He managed to get back out though, but he was beginning to feel worried. What… was that move? It didn't feel like a shockwave… What was it?! Everything around him was blown away. He frowned, before using another jutsu, a large dog made of lightning running towards Pein, only for Pein to repel it. So it repels both physical attacks and ninja techniques… Impressive… Now what should I do? Just then, another Pein showed up behind him.

"Another one, eh?"

Kakashi was one step ahead though and tried to hit him with a Lightning Blade, but the man dodged, surprising Kakashi. He was still facing forward! He then spotted the other Pein and remembered something Fukasaku told him. Their eyes are linked! They have a shared field of vision.

"The trick to fighting Pein is to always take him on one-on-one. Each body can only use one power. Finding out which he's using is key."

Did Jiraiya really take on all six of him? Kakashi wondered, feeling slight worry for Shi and wondering how she was doing, but he knew he needed to focus. There's definitely something fishy about him… Unexpectedly, the new Pein pulled off his cloak to reveal, not only four heads, but six arms and a poison tail. Kakashi didn't have too much time to think about him, before the other Pein held out a hand and Kakashi was being pulled towards the tail. I'm being drawn in… I get it… so that's his power… Kakashi said, realizing what he was dealing with and pulling out a weighted chain and wrapping it around a building pillar to keep himself from being impaled.

Pein, if I try to fight them alone, there's no way I'll win. I've got to call for reinforcements… I've got to let them know his power! I'll do as much as I can myself and I always have Shi's kunai if I need to get out of here. Just then, the tugging sensation grew and he lost his grip on the chain, flying forward and being impaled by the tail. Thankfully, it was only a lightning clone and reinforcements had arrived; two giant hands coming down to hit the two Peins, though only managing to crush one.

"That's one down, Kakashi." Choza said, the real Kakashi popping out of a hidden trap in the rubble.

"I was prepared for this… but I'm glad I can store my chakra."

"Are you okay, Kakashi?"

"Somehow."

"Kakashi, how's your chakra level?"

"I used a Lightning clone so I only have about half my chakra left. Honestly, fighting this type of opponent for a long time will be tough. However, I think I've worked out a little of his ability."

The Pein was on the move then, and Choza's group went to attack, only for everything to get repelled. Kakashi spotted something though and launched a smoke kunai, so he could update the others.

"What did he do?" Choza asked.

"He deflects attacks. He has the ability to pull and push things from his center. It seems he controls gravity and repulsion forces. He doesn't seem able to use it in quick succession though. There seems to be an interval before he can use it again."

"Everyone was floored by the last attack." Choji said. "If he can deflect everything, how can we beat him?"

"The interval is short, we can't get close to him." Choza agreed, both of them doubtful.

"But we have to aim for that. I have an idea. Can I count on you guys?" Kakashi asked, before quickly explaining and then moving underground while the smoke screen was still up.

Kakashi quickly launched himself up with a kunai, but Pein used his gravitation to knock him back.

"You move well." Pein said, pulling out another metal rod. "You also have an array of jutsu. Failing to kill someone like you would mean trouble for me in the long run."

Now! Choza and Choji immediately came out of nowhere, in giant spiked boulders, but Pein stopped them.

"Too slow."

What he didn't realize were the chains that they used to tighten around him, having been placed underground by Kakashi earlier. Kakashi took his chance and thrust a Lightning Blade forward, but the other Pein got between them. Kakashi desperately pushed forward, hoping to cut through him and into the other Pein, but they were too late and he pushed them all back, collapsing buildings and trapping Kakashi in the rubble.

"Seems like you really can't move." Pein said. "Seems like you're not a clone either. Now I'll have you die. This is the end. Know Pein."

Pein picked up a nail and, Kakashi resigned himself, knowing that he couldn't dodge it. Shi… I'm sorry…

As I hurried off towards the summons, I suddenly felt a deep sinking sensation in my stomach and turned my head towards where I had seen fighting earlier. Something was wrong, very wrong. This was the same feeling I had when Asuma had died and now I was worried if someone else close to me had died. Please be okay, Kakashi… I thought, turning back and running towards the interrogation building. A rather large earth-based pig landed on the three headed dog I had spotted, but that didn't stop it, so I hurried over there and grabbed a hold of it by the neck, tugging it away from the building with a bit of effort as I tossed it into a building nearby; already knowing that the civilians in that area were evacuated.

"Pest."

But where's the summoner? I heard a crash then and turned to see something half stuck inside the interrogation building, making me mentally curse as I headed over to yank it out. I managed to grab it by its back ankle and pull it out, but the building was already unstable and collapsed, making me worry. Thankfully, Tsunade's familiar slug summon was there and helped protect the people inside.

"It's a strong summoning. Everyone be careful!" An Anbu shouted to them, and I gave them a pointed look, now that the Rhino summon was beginning to get annoyed about me hanging onto its leg.

"Oi, I'll take care of the summons. Find the summoner!"

Ibiki mentioned he was going to take care of that, but I had to give them one last bit of information.

"One more thing! The rods are chakra receivers!"

Shizune nodded. "We know that already!"

"Think!" I scolded, being forced to release the rhino as it tried to impale me with its horn. "The rods could be how he's able to revive! Take out the rods and it should just be a body! And the code, Shoji gave me an idea. There may be a seventh! A mastermind behind the six Pein's! Now hurry!"

Her eyes widened, but Ibiki quickly shooed her and Inoichi off as his group decided to go after the summoner. I kept the dog preoccupied and tried to get the rhino's attention on me too, but Ibiki was making that difficult. I was distracted for a moment though by the rhino and the dog took that opportunity to knock me back, tossing me all the way to the Hokage building. As I shook my head and got the dirt and rubble off me though, I caught sight of Tsunade looking at me. I didn't know what it was, but there was just something in her eyes telling me that she knew something I didn't. And that whatever it was, I wouldn't like it one bit. I frowned, eyeing her warily, searching for any clue it could be, but she just ducked her head and turned around as Choji suddenly appeared to give her more information; something I listened in to as I hurried back, my hearing more than able to keep a hold of a conversation as long as I was within a certain distance.

"Hokage! We figured out one of the enemy's powers!"

"Tell me."

"This one is male, about 25-30. He has six nose piercing and seven in his ears. He uses some sort of power that's like gravitation and repulsion! He can draw anything towards him and he can repel any attack."

"Repel anything?" Someone else said, a voice I didn't recognize.

"Yes! But there's about a five second interval after he uses his powers before he can use it again!"

"Only five seconds…"

"Thank you for letting me know! We'll lose a lot fewer people now. Use Katsuyu to tell everyone else!"

"Right!"

I struggled to listen in to their conversation as I got further, but I was already well out of range and missed whatever they said next as I tackled the dog once more and fought tooth and nail.

"Behind you!" An Anbu shouted, as the Pein Kakashi had been fighting landed on the roof where Tsunade was. "Six piercing in his nose and seven in his ears… It's him…"

"You…" It can't be…

"Long time no see, Tsunade." Pein said. "You're the only one left of the three ninjas. I've wanted to talk with you."

"You're… that kid…" I can't believe it…

"Looks like you remember me."

"Do you know him?" An Anbu asked.

"A little."

"Who is he?"

Tsunade stayed quiet, but Pein was more than willing to give them an answer.

"The God who will restore order."

"He's not an ordinary ninja, that's for sure." Another Anbu replied.

"Where is Naruto Uzumaki? Where is the nine-tailed beast?"

"Who knows…?" Tsunade said, knowing that she can't give up Naruto's whereabouts.

"I've captures almost all the hosts. The ninja villages have lost the equilibrium of the tailed beasts. It's no use hiding the nine-tailed beast. The fighting will start soon. The embers of war are already smoldering, and we will control the war. If you cooperate, I'll be willing to help you. You must be aware of the situation… of our power."

"Don't underestimate the 5th Hokage!" Tsunade shouted, sending a quick glance at where she saw Shi fighting a giant summon. I can't let him realize the other beast we have. "You're just a bunch of terrorists trying to destroy the stability our forefathers worked for! Whatever you say is meaningless!"

"Don't be so haughty." Pein said, glaring and showing them just how much power he had. "Your peace results in violence towards us."

"I'm not saying everything Konoha has done has been right! But I won't accept your way of doing things!"

"Watch what you say. This is your last warning from God. Tell me where Naruto is."

"We will use everything we have to fight you! That is all! And you're wrong about one thing… You'll never get what you want most!"

"If you think Konoha's ninjas can protect Naruto forever—"

"That's not it!" Tsunade smirked at him. "Naruto… is strong."

"Then perhaps I should take that other beast you are protecting." Pein said, glancing over at Shi. "They're not even showing half of their true power."

Tsunade frowned. "Then you'll know that you couldn't possibly take them."

He turned his gaze back to her, but then closed his eyes. "Looks like Naruto isn't here. Myobokuzan… That's the frog village, isn't it? Looks like there's no reason to hang around here anymore."

How?! How did he find out?! "You bastard." Tsunade growled.

"Tsunade…" An Anbu spoke quietly. "We should let him go and use that time to strengthen our protection of the village."

"Damn."

"And one last thing." Pein said. "The chakra in your feet… is that to guard against my technique? I guess that means you know all about my powers. Everything in meaningless in the face of overwhelming power. You great nations have proven that."

"You…"

"You think you're the only ones who matter. You think you can pull off death, but peace has made you foolish and thoughtless. If you kill someone, someone else will kill you. Hatred binds you together."

"Enough of your nonsense." Tsunade spat.

"War brings pain and injury to both sides."

"The great nations have suffered too! I've had enough of your accusations!"

"Don't make me laugh." Pein said, climbing up onto the edge of the roof. "I want you to feel pain, to think about pain, to accept pain, to know pain."

Does he still have something up his sleeve?! Tsunade thought, concerned. He better not be going after Shi too!

"Those who don't know pain can never know peace." Pein said, jumping up into the sky and making the other Peins retreat, leaving Tsunade to chase after him, not knowing what he was going to do.

Just then, the dog and the rhino summon left. What? I looked around, but the summons were gone. Even the other area where the other Pein's should have been, they were gone. There was just one left and I watched him from down below, cautious. What is he doing? Did he take all the Pein's back? And if so why? I suddenly had a thought and my eyes widened in a panic.

"Oh no… Get back!" I shouted, desperately. "He's going to do something big! Get back!"

He's taking all of them out of the fight so that he can use them! If he can gather the chakra of all six Pein's together, then he's preparing for a massive-scale attack! I looked around, knowing that he was going to hit right below him and spotted a couple of children running for their lives with their elderly grandmother stumbling behind them. I had merely seconds and quickly spun around, dashing over and grabbing them in my jaws, putting them on my back, and carrying them away just as Pein launched his devastating attack.

I could feel the damage as rubble was launched up into the air and battered my body, but as I ran, I picked people up. More and more people, placing them on my back and telling them to hang on as the destruction nipped at my heels. Finally, I knew I wasn't going to make it completely into the safe area, so I grabbed everyone from off my back and covered them with my body, protecting them as buildings crashed down on top of me. I must have blacked out at a point, because when I awoke, all I saw was darkness. I heard soft crying though and felt a wave of relief rush through me at the group of people protected under me. The heavy weight on my back though, reminded me that I couldn't relax just yet though.

"Move as close to the center of me as you can." I told the group. "I need to get the rubble off and I don't want you getting hurt if it should fall under me."

The group was hesitant, most of them civilians, but a few shinobi that I had grabbed nodded and began moving everyone as I struggled to get my paws under me and lift the heavy concrete off me. It was difficult and I nearly crushed everyone at least once; just barely managing to catch myself before I fell. Luckily though, I managed to get it all off and ordered the shinobi to take the civilians somewhere safe as I looked around for others. Kakashi… I transformed back into my usual self, hoping to conserve energy for now and spotted one of Tsunade's slugs nearby, crawling off of someone. I quickly headed over and helped the person, doing what first aid I could before making a clone to get them to safety, before looking over at the slug.

"What's Tsunade's status?"

"She's okay, but running low on chakra."

I nodded, looking around. "And the status of ninja overall?"

"Many casualties, but I was able to protect everyone I was attached to. The majority of civilians have been evacuated, so their number of casualties is significantly lower."

I nodded again, that pit of worry filling up in my stomach. "What about Kakashi? Is he safe?"

The slug went quiet, making me frown.

"Is he safe?" I repeated.

"I… protected his body as well, however, Tsunade has ordered me to keep his condition secret from you."

My fists clenched tightly at my sides and it glared at the slug. "You tell her, I will not tolerate secrecy about his well-being if she wants me to obey any future orders of hers." I growled, before focusing my chakra and flashing to Kakashi. What I found did not look good. A couple more of Tsunade's slugs were there, but they immediately backed off at my appearance.

I spotted Choza nearby, but quickly turned my gaze back to Kakashi. "How is Choza?"

One of the slugs spoke. "H-He will be alright with some medical treatment."

I nodded, creating a clone to take him to safety as I knelt by Kakashi's side. I went to brush his hair back, but my finger came into contact with something and the nail I saw protruding from his forehead had pure rage billowing up inside me. I felt tears pricking my eyes and I stood, not bothering to turn towards the slugs behind me.

"Who did this to him? Which Pein?"

"I-I believe it is the one with gravitational powers, but s-shouldn't you wait for Tsunade's orders?"

I glared over my shoulder at the slug, grey chakra beginning to cloak my form and I turned back around as I walked off. "If she wants him dead, then I'll gladly be the one to end this."

Tsunade grit her teeth in anger now that she had a full view of the destruction Pein had caused. The other five Peins were summoned then, and Tsunade wasn't about to let them come near Naruto now that they'd shown up.

"I am the 5th Hokage, and I will never forgive you… for trampling on the treasure, the dreams of those who came before me! As Hokage, I will put a stop to you here and now!"

"Looks like you understand a little of my pain now… but… I have no use for you." Pein replied, launching the Demon Pein at her. "The one I want—"

"Is me, right?!" Naruto shouted, having gotten in front of her and slamming the Pein into the ground, before speaking to Tsunade. "There's no need for Konoha's Hokage to deal with the likes of these guys. You just go enjoy a nice cup of tea or something."

"Naruto…"

"Naruto Uzumaki…" Pein murmured.

"Let's settle this once and for all!" Naruto shouted, as the Peins split up into a formation.

"Gamakichi!" A large frog landed behind him. "Take Tsunade to safety."

"Roger!"

"Granny… leave this to me! Tell the villagers not to interfere! It'll just make it harder to fight if I have to protect them at the same time."

"All right. Then take Katsuyu with you." She said, holding out a slug. "He should be useful. He has intel on them."

"Ah! Wait!" Katsuyu said, looking worried and giving Tsunade a worried look. "I-I've come into contact with Shi… She found Kakashi…"

Tsunade cursed as Fukasaku snatched the slug and landed on Naruto's large scroll on his back, telling Katsuyu to hide in Naruto's pocket.

"I won't be able to stop her, Naruto. Kakashi is…"

"I get it..." Naruto said. "Go, Gamakichi."

Said frog jumped off as the Animal Pein summoned the rhino, which charged at Naruto, but he just stopped it and threw it up into the air. The dog and a bull were summoned next, but the two elder frogs did an attack, stopping them in their tracks as Naruto made two clones and began making Rasengans. The two clones then hit the summons up into the air with Giant Rasengans and Naruto's summoned frogs attacked them. As the real Naruto charged headfirst at the Peins, Katsuyu gave him information.

"Naruto! Ninja techniques won't work on this Pein. He'll absorb any techniques you use."

"Then I'll just use frog katas!" Naruto said, throwing a punch and apparently missing, yet the Pein was still hit and thrown back. "I'll put an end to this right now with my new move!"

Now that the summons were gone aside from one, Naruto felt he had the advantage and created two clones.

"I see, so you've become a sage, just like Master Jiraiya."

"Master Jiraiya?" Naruto questioned.

"I studied under him too. He was my old master." Pein explained. "I'm your fellow pupil. We both studied under the same master. We should be able to understand each other. Our master longed for peace.

"Don't make me laugh!" Naruto shouted, a huge Rasen Shuriken held high above his head. "Look at what you've done… How can you call this peace?!"

"You can't see the forest for the trees." Pein said. "You don't understand the meaning of peace. Come quietly. Your death will lead to peace."

"I said… don't make me laugh!" Naruto shouted, throwing the Rasen Shuriken and expanding it at just the right moment.

Another summon was thrown out this time, a large bird, but Naruto dodged it.

"Deidara was right. You can't be reasoned with." Pein said.

The dog summon that had been under Naruto's frog split in half then, attacking the other two frogs. Doing a last ditch effort in order to stop the use of the Rinnegan eyes that Pein had, Naruto was 'eaten' by one of the frogs along with the Animal Pein, where he quickly and easily defeated it. Unfortunately, Naruto had used up his sage mode and already, he could sense Shi closing in.

"Now's my chance." Pein said, but Naruto had one more trick up his sleeve.

As Gama went an attacked Pein, Naruto ran off with the scroll he had. Pein had blocked his way though.

"Dammit."

"Over here, Naruto!" Fukasaku said. "Give it to me! I'll do it!"

Naruto tossed him the scroll and began fighting Pein without his sage mode. Gama wanted his share of fighting too though.

"Get out of the way, kid! I'll do it!"

"I'm going to use sage mode! You guys stand back! I don't want you getting caught by the Rasen Shuriken!"

"No more bravado!" Gama said, slamming his hand down as Naruto's clone was finally summoned.

"I've got him! End the technique!"

The clone poofed away and Naruto regained his sage mode, much to Pein's surprise as he was kicked across the clearing. Naruto then quickly summoned two more clones and made a Rasen Shuriken, throwing it at Pein, only for the Hungry Ghost Pein to absorb his technique. Him?!

"Oh yeah… he can absorb any technique." Naruto's clone said.

"But I thought he was dead."

Naruto spotted the third Pein then, with some kind of object beside him.

"What's that?!"

"Looks like that Pein is the key." Katsuyu said.

"The one gramps said could revive the others?"

"That's probably him."

Hm… "That's why when they were in formation, that Pein was furthest back. And the ones on the left is the one to watch out for… He can repel any attack and draw anything towards himself. He hasn't used his powers yet… That's strange… Maybe there's a reason he can't use his powers right now." Naruto groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wish Shi was here. She'd know what's going on."

As he did this, he began forming two Rasengans.

"Either way, I've gotta get that one in the back first! Smoke bombs together! Okay!"

He slammed a Rasengan into the ground as his clones threw two smoke bombs. He then had a Rasen Shuriken aimed for the Pein, only for it to transform into Naruto, who tackled the man to the ground. Behind him, was a real Rasen Shuriken, but before it could hit, the God Pein repelled it.

"My strength has finally returned."

Naruto wasn't done though and covered the Hungry Ghost Pein's eyes, just as a Naruto clone fell out of the sky with Double Rasengans, taking out the Hell Pein. With only two Pein's left, Naruto and his clone went to finish them off, but God Pein repelled them both. Thankfully, Naruto was uninjured and his frog summons went to attack God Pein, as he tried to think up something.

"Dammit! What the hell is that technique?!"

"It looks like the main Pein's power is back." Katsuyu said. "It was probably his power that destroyed the village. Probably the more power he uses, the longer he must wait before he can use that technique again."

"So that's why he couldn't use it until just now… What should I do? I can't uses either ninja techniques or physical attacks on him" Naruto paused, sweat forming on his brow as he turned to look over to his right. "And Shi's nearly here…"

Fukasaku raised a bushy eyebrow. "Isn't that a good thing? She can provide a distraction."

Naruto scratched the back of his head with a frown. "I don't think it'll be that easy. Shi just found out about Kakashi-sensei and… I don't think there will be any rationalizing with her." Naruto winced, turning back to face ahead. "And she's definitely pissed."

"Ah!" Katsuyu said, bringing Naruto's attention back to it. "Choji said there's about a five second interval until Pein can use his technique again. You'll just have to aim for that interval."

"Only five seconds…"

"I guess we'll have to use an illusion." Fukasaku said. "Just like before!"

"But how? I can't do illusions!"

"I'll do it!"

Naruto suddenly paled, looking back over to his right. "W-We might not need to."

"Hm?"

Naruto's three frogs were suddenly launched back, but before even Pein could react, a huge grey beast came out of nowhere and attacked. Pein barely managed to get out of its jaws before they snapped closed, ripping off the end of his Akatsuki cloak as the beast swiveled in the dirt with a low growl.

"T-That's…"

Naruto nodded to Fukasaku. "Shi… is not happy."

"I'd better do the illusion right away." Fukasaku said. "It'll need a lot of sage chakra. In other words, it'll take a while before I'm ready."

"I'll help Shi and go for the five-second interval. You create the illusion as soon as you've got enough sage chakr—"

Naruto was cut off by a deafening howl and turned around to see Shi attacking Pein relentlessly. There was something he noticed though; despite the icy glare she was giving Pein, there were tears at the corner of her eyes and the howl she had let out earlier was one filled with despair. Shi… Naruto could practically hear her crying out at Pein.

You killed him! You killed him! How could you?! Bring him back to me! Bring him back!

Pein managed to launch her back then, slamming her into the crater wall. Naruto glanced over at her, but was slightly reassured when she stood and shook her fur off, growling once more at Pein.

"You're both very strong." Pein said. "No one's ever given Pein this much trouble before… but… that's enough."

Pein pulled Naruto towards him, something unexpected, and Naruto was grabbed by Hungry Ghost Pein, unable to get away for now.

"Don't worry, I won't kill you. You're one of my precious hosts, after all." Pein said, as Shi suddenly came out of nowhere and went to kill him.

He jumped above her, crushing her into the ground with his power.

"Shi!" Naruto shouted as Pein landed on top of her, slamming into her stomach.

"I don't know about this one though. It could prove useful."

Naruto frowned. "Don't underestimate me in sage mode and don't underestimate Shi either! Now it's my turn—" Naruto cut himself off as he realized that something was wrong.

"You're right." Pein said, calmly. "That would be troublesome."

Naruto's chakra was being sucked out of him and he was powerless as he lost his sage mode.

"The nine-tailed fox has been captured."

"Not yet." Naruto said. "It's not over yet."

"You sure are persistent."

Naruto closed his eyes for a moment, focusing on gathering sage chakra and it was then that Pein realized that something wasn't turning out as he planned. Hungry Ghost Pein was turning into a frog.

"Natural energy is difficult to control!" Naruto shouted, before breaking through the frog statue that Pein had turned into. "Shi!"

Shi suddenly snapped her head up, grabbing a hold of Pein's arm and throwing him across the crater. As she stood, she stumbled a bit, some blood dripping out of her muzzle as the aftermath of being crushed earlier. The grey chakra around her flared though, showing that she was nowhere near being beaten yet.

"Now you're the only one left." Naruto said, but Pein disagreed.

"Hm, not quite."

"What do you mean?" Naruto questioned, and Shi—surprisingly enough—answered.

"There's a seventh Pein. A mastermind controlling these like puppets."

Suddenly, Pein threw his arm out to the side and Naruto's eyes widened as Fukasaku was pulled towards Pein.

"I've had enough of your illusions."

Naruto desperately tried to save him, as did Shi, but it was too late.

"You were a worthy opponent." Pein said, throwing the frog at Naruto as he got up and went to hit him.

Naruto caught him, but Pein pulled Naruto forwards, slamming him into the ground and pinning him there with one of his metal rods. Pein didn't have a chance to do much else though, before Shi went after him in her rage, only for him to easily knock her down and stop her movements as well; a rod through her muzzle and one in each of her limbs. Pein then knelt down in front of Naruto, a hand on the metal rod in his hands.

"Are you going to come quietly now, nine-tail?"

"Who the hell are you?! What the hell do you want?! Why are you doing this?!"

"Why? Everything happens suddenly. The reasons only become clear later… Now that I have you here and your friend over there tied down… Yes, let's talk a bit."

As Pein spoke to Naruto about his ideas of peace and war, Shi struggled to get up and remove the rods. Pein had used his rods, not to pin her down like Naruto—thanks to her massive size—but just to stop her mobility. The rods prevented her joints from moving the way they should and because of the rod in her muzzle, she was unable to use her mouth to remove them. Shi was forced to watch as Pein used more rods to pin Naruto to the ground and threw the remaining elder frog aside. What was worse, was Shi couldn't move while watching Hinata come down to help and her getting stabbed by Pein just as she confessed her feelings for Naruto.

He killed her… He killed Hinata… No… No, no, no, no! Rage built up in her and with Naruto suddenly breaking free of the rods and going Kyuubi, the rage only grew. Kakashi… Kakashi, Kakashi, Kakashi! Bring him back! Bring Hinata back! There was so much hatred within her, that she finally just let it all go. Shi had been holding back before, still worried about what would happen if she let go. Worried about the people she would hurt. But now… Now things were serious.

Naruto had grown six tails, bones covering his form, but Shi… Shi wasn't a tailed-beast. And yet, she had grown five of her own tails, grey chakra surrounding her beast form as she thrashed wildly. At this point, she was just as dangerous, if not more so, than the Kyuubi. She was, after all, supposed to be a jinchuriki killer. Pein was mildly surprised by her state, but spoke to them calmly.

"Do you hate me?"

Of course I hate you! Shi mentally shouted, paws clutching her head as they took on a more hand-like shape, though the claws remained. You killed them! You killed them!

"Do you really think people can understand each other like this?" Pein continued to question.

Shi couldn't think anymore. All she could do was feel pain, agony ripping through her chest. Through her head. She didn't have anything to stop herself this time. There was no Yamato, no Jiraiya, no necklace like Naruto's. There was nothing to stop the beast that had been chained up inside her, from breaking through. Pein had killed someone she loved; an emotion she didn't believe was possible for her after everything that had happened. And now that Pein had killed him and even went as far as to kill the one person willing to jump down and help her and Naruto, Shi lost it. All rational thoughts were gone and uncontrollable rage replaced everything.

"Grraaaaaahhhh!" She yelled, muzzle facing towards the sky as huge tears rolled down the side of her face.

Dark red armor formed over her shoulders, arms, legs, and chest as devilish looking horns sprouted out of her head and her chakra spiked to an immeasurable amount. Even Pein seemed a bit phased by this, having expected her to be more like the nine-tailed beast in front of him on all fours, yet here she was in all her rage standing up erect and laying icy grey eyes on him. His body shivered unconsciously at her stare and the long, slow sounding of metal leaving its sheath echoed through the crater as she pulled a pitch black sword out of seemingly nowhere.

Pein glanced over at Naruto, but there seemed to be something tying him down, so he focused his attention on the beast just in time to dodge her huge sword from crushing him into the ground. Right as he landed though, he was forced to use his Shinra Tensei gravity attack to push Naruto back. The only problem was, the nine-tailed beast had used said tails to keep himself in place, then used the attack against Pein to fling him back. He was just about to hit the ground, when the grey beast showed up and swung the sword once more, hitting him in the stomach and throwing him even harder into the wall; though he was lucky to have protected himself with another gravity attack or he'd be cut in half.

The required five seconds passed, and he used that to hit Naruto in the face and knock his Tailed-Beast Bomb off. Pein was surprised at just how much power Naruto had in this form, but he didn't have long to think before the grey beast let out a furious wail, before launching a paw out to attack him. It's fast! He barely managed to dodge, though one of the claws cut deeply into his right arm. Taking a chance, Pein ran off towards the forest and the two beasts followed behind him. It took a moment, but his God Realm was finally able to work and he clapped his hands together.

"Chibaku Tensei!"

He threw a black orb into the air and it began pulling up the ground and trees around it, clumping them together in one giant mass. It was only a matter of time before Naruto and Shi were dragged up into it as well. What happened next, shocked everyone who was watching.

The nine-tailed beast slammed its way partially out of the giant rock, eight tails sticking out and its body being nothing but bones and muscles tied together. What was worse, was the grey beast that managed to do even more than that and completely pull itself out of the rock, slumped over and growling with chakra so dark that it almost looked black. Just looking at the beast had Pein on his knees in fear, something he hadn't known he still had, and the only thing he could think could cause him this much fear, was that he was seeing the devil himself.

"Come here… Pull this seal off."

Naruto, stomach ripped into a bleeding hole, slowly got up and began walking forwards, reaching up and moving to take off the seal holding back the nine-tailed beast, when a hand grabbed his wrist and stopped him, before the man yanked him back away from the paper.

"Grrrr! You!"

"The fourth… Hokage…"

"The seal is set so that if eight tails are released, I'll appear within your consciousness." The man explained. "I didn't want that to happen… I never wanted to see you again… nine-tails. But… I looked forward to seeing how my son had grown… So I guess you could call it even."

"They both broke out of the Chibaku Tensei… I can't believe how strong he is, let alone, that other beast." Pein muttered to himself, sweat sliding down the side of his face as he locked eyes once more with Shi. "I'll have to make a bigger one…"

The grey beast let out another wail and used its sword to push itself up into a standing position, making Pein swallow thickly. I'll need to make it quickly too.

"Grrrrr! Fourth Hokage! Come here! I'll rip you to shreds!"

"Saying you're going to rip me to shreds isn't going to make me come closer." The fourth quipped. "Just the opposite, right, Naruto?"

"…Naruto?… That's my name… How…"

Naruto didn't know what to say. He'd never personally met the fourth Hokage. All he knows about him is the stories, the legends he left behind. So… how could a man he never met know his name?

"Huh?! 'Cause I gave you the name, of course. You're my heir, after all."

"Heir? Then… you mean…"

"Grrrrrooooorrr!" The nine-tailed fox growled, absolutely furious that the fourth had stopped him from finally coming back.

The fourth smile. "Yeah! Just what I said. You're my son."

It took Naruto a moment, but soon enough, he began to smile and tear pricked the corners of his eyes as he chuckled.

"Grrr! Fourth!"

"He sure is a noisy one, isn't he?" The fourth chuckled, gesturing back at the fox. "Let's go talk somewhere else."

The man snapped his fingers and they left the darkened area where the fox had been and showed up in a white expanse where Naruto brought an arm up to his eyes as he cried and chuckled.

"I guess the third didn't tell you anything. He probably wanted to keep everything about the fox a secret." The fourth said. "If people knew you were my son, there might be trouble… I'm sorry, Naruto."

"Dad…" Naruto suddenly launched himself forward and punched the fourth in the stomach. "Why did you seal the fox inside your own son?! Do you know how much trouble it's caused me?! I don't know whether I'm happy or pissed off!"

Naruto began crying, thoroughly upset and it took Minato a moment before he could collect his thoughts.

"Naruto… how old are you now?"

"…16..."

"16, eh? It… must have been hard… Naruto. I'm sorry." Minato lowered his head. "I've done nothing but cause trouble for you… So maybe I shouldn't try to act like your father now when I'm apologizing."

Naruto did his best to dry up his tears. "It's… okay… I'm the son of the fourth Hokage… so I can deal."

Minato smiled lightly, before answering Naruto's question. "The reason I sealed half the fox's chakra inside you is because I believed you could use it… because you're my son. And there's another reason too… When the fox attacked 16 years ago, I realized something."

"What?"

"There was someone controlling the fox when it attacked the village."

Pein was struggling to keep the Chibaku Tensei together. Not only was his real body crumbling under the pressure, but the grey beast was almost completely free of it and only needed to find a way down. And if it gets loose, I won't be able to hold this together any longer, thus releasing the nine-tails. Though at this point, I'm beginning to think that the nine-tails is the least of my problems… Just what is this thing?!

A resounding howl echoed across the white expanse that Naruto and Minato were standing in and they both looked around in worry.

"That's not good."

Naruto began to panic. "T-That's Shi. It has to be, but…"

Minato frowned. "She's lost control."

Naruto spun around in shock. "You know Shi? Agh!" Naruto messed up his hair. "That's not important! Shi's totally pissed! She just found out about Kakashi-sensei and she could be attacking the village!"

Minato nodded, muttering under his breath. "Kakashi, you've definitely found yourself a troublesome woman…"

Minato flexed his hand a moment and took a deep breath, before looking over at Naruto.

"Naruto, I think I might be able to get us into her subconscious, but only for a little while. You'll have to be able to convince her to somehow get control back or else we could have a pretty dangerous situation on our hands."

"What? How?"

"You'll have to figure something out. I won't be able to go with you, because I need to use the last of my chakra to restore your seal." Minato said, moving in and doing just that. "I can sense just a little bit of the nine-tail's chakra in her, so I can connect with that and get you to her, but be careful, Naruto. Whatever Orochimaru has done to her all those years, it's much stronger than you, me, or anyone else realizes."

Naruto looked a little worried, but Minato smiled.

"Come on. Don't look so worried. You're good friends, right? You can do it."

Naruto nodded, confidence growing and Minato said his goodbye, before the white expanse disappeared and Naruto found himself in a long dark hallway, similar to the one he used to see back in his own encounter with the Kyuubi.

"Shi?" He called out, starting to walk and feeling the pressure in the air grow denser the further in he went. "Shi?! It's me! I'm trying to help!"

Finally, he reached the room where the energy was the densest and when he entered, he grew worried upon seeing no Shi, but just a huge grey beast and the remains of broken chains lying around on the floor. Is this what would've happened if I had pulled off the seal with the Kyuubi? Naruto wondered in concern, freezing in place as the beast laid eyes on him, ice seeming to swim through his veins at the mere sight of it.

"Boy…" It spoke lowly, smoke drifting from its mouth as it seemed to frown at him. "You shouldn't be here. This is not your place."

"I-I, um…" Naruto swallowed thickly, before gathering the courage his father had given him and taking a step forward. "I'm here to help! What have you done with Shi?!"

The beast chuckled, turning its body to face him and dragging a chain still wrapped around its ankle across the floor.

"So clueless, little boy… Shi is a part of me as much as I am a part of her."

"That's not true!" Naruto shouted. "Shi wouldn't do this! Shi doesn't hurt people like you do!"

The beast stepped closer, placing a hand on the ground in front of Naruto in order for it to lean down and bring its muzzle closer to him, smirking.

"You really believe that, do you? Heh, such a clueless moron you are. Stupid human child. You know nothing of this woman, yet why do you care so much?"

"Because she's my friend!"

The beast laughed, moving just a little closer; the fog drifting from its mouth brushing over Naruto's body as its eyes bore into him.

"Friend? Would she still be a friend if you knew of the things she's done? The lies she's told and the people she's killed?" The beast smirked. "Look there. Insecurity. You, child, know nothing. And nothing you can do will be able to bring her back now that she's let go of it all."

"T-Then show me!"

"Hm?" The beast frowned, not sure what to make of Naruto's statement.

Naruto swallowed again, though stayed confident. "Show me! Show me what Shi's done a-and if I still want to be her friend, then let her go!"

The beast stood back with a laugh, on that shook Naruto to the very core.

"You dare challenge me?! Try to make a deal with me?! Are you really that stupid?!" The beast stopped laughing then, reaching out quickly and grabbing Naruto in its fist. "I could crush you right now. I was made to destroy you. You, and all the other little tailed-pests. Yet you have the gall to try and make a deal with the devil?"

Naruto cringed as the beast tightened its hold on him. "I-I want Shi back! I don't care about you or what you can do or whatever! Just bring her back!"

"Bring him back! Bring Kakashi back!"

Those words bounced off the room now, and the beast scowled as it looked up.

"Just doesn't know when to give up, does she." It grumbled, as Naruto began calling out.

"Shi! Shi, can you hear me?! You've got to snap out of it! Please! You could be destroying the village! Hurting people!"

"Like it matters." The beast scoffed, turning its gaze back to Naruto. "We were made to do this. Made to kill jinchuriki like you, boy! What do we care about some buildings or civilians?! They mean nothing!"

"Please… Please, bring him back…"

The beast growled, dropping Naruto and spinning around, stomping off a little ways before spinning round in a circle, as if looking for something. That's when Naruto realized it.

"She's… not here, is she?"

The beast glanced at him, eyes narrowed in disgust. "She's hidden herself. The last of her sanity is tucked away somewhere and as soon as I find it, I'll have no more need for her anymore. I'll finally be free of all these stupid chains." The beast growled and began prowling around, searching the room, despite there being nowhere that Shi could hide, but that one lonely chain tied to the beast's ankle caught Naruto's attention and—in a leap of faith—he rushed forward and grabbed a hold of the end of it.

"Shi! Shi! I know you can hear me! Please, you have to stop this! Stop this… this thing from destroying everything! I thought you liked Konoha! The people in it! Guy and Shikamaru and that crazy snake lady and Tsunade! Everyone! So you have to stop it!"

"Bring him back! Kakashi is… I loved…"

Tears pricked Naruto's eyes as the beast turned around and glared at him, teeth peeking out from under its lips in a snarl.

"I-I know! I really liked him too! H-He was my sensei and I'm upset too, about what happened, but you need to stop this! Kakashi-sensei wouldn't want you doing this! He wouldn't want you destroying the town or hurting people! He'd want you to have fun! To smile a-and laugh and make jokes and excuses about why you're late." Naruto chuckled lightly, though tears slipped down his face. "What're you going to do i-if all his favorite bookstores are gone?"

"You brat! Stop it!" The beast growled, spinning around and reaching for Naruto.

Said kid shut his eyes, expecting pain, but after a moment, he opened his eyes again to find the claws of the beast mere inches away from his nose, being held back by a chin that had risen up from the floor.

"I-I suppose… I'd have to rebuild them. Exactly how they had been." A voice said, making Naruto turn to look behind him with a small smile.

"Heh, but then you'd have to fill it up with all those pervy books you guys read."

"Yeah well… They have a good plot." Shi quipped, though her eyes still looked sad.

"You pest! You're never going to beat him without me!"

"No." Shi said, giving the beast a dull look. "I may not, but I don't technically have to fight him, to beat him. And even if I did…" She stepped forward and lazily lifted a hand, more chains rising up from off the ground and wrapping the beast up as it wailed. "…If I can't fight him with my own strength, then how will I ever be able to face Kakashi?"

"Foolish woman!" It shouted, pulling uselessly against the chains as they bound it to the ground. "I am a part of you! You are me! And I will make sure you experience all of your nightmares tenfold! You will go mad and beg for my power!"

"Sorry." Shi said, as her and Naruto turned to leave. "But even if I go mad, I will never beg to you."

"Grrrrraaaaaa!"