(And here begins the battle for the village.)
The morning after Naruto and the four chosen dragons felt that chilling feeling the night before, they met at the Namikaze mansion. Naruto stood in his armor with Hun at his side, Ino on his other side wearing her own armor, Zabuza, Guy, and Kushina behind him, while off to the side were Hinata, Chouji, Lee, and Shikamaru wearing their own armors. They all stood before the other Foot ninja, along with Neji, Tenten, Misumi, and Yoroi wearing their elite garments, along with Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, Jiraiya, and several other Jonin and Chunin, "Welcome to this emergency meeting of the Foot clan, as well as the Konoha officials," Naruto declared as he stood before them, "I call this meeting on a matter of an event that I as well as the four chosen dragons have sensed last night."
"What did you sense master?" Yoroi asked curiously.
"Last night we all felt as if a great evil descended upon the land." Lee answered for his master.
"I hate to think of the possibilities, but the Tengu Shredder has obviously been reborn." Naruto explained.
"What?" Kiba gasped, "You mean to say Sasuke found the final artifact after leaving here?"
"That's my hunch, Kiba." Naruto answered.
"Master what will we do? If the legends are true, the Tengu Shredder has the power to destroy the very ninja land." Haku feared.
"Yes. That is why I along with my four chosen ones have trained for this moment," Naruto started, "Only the five of us are capable of fighting the Tengu and the heralds."
"So what should we do Master Shredder?" a Foot operative asked.
"You along with whatever Konoha ninja will fight against whatever forces the demon will bring with him," Naruto began, "The Foot ninja will follow the orders of Mistress Ino and any other higher operative in the foot," He motioned to Ino, Hun, Zabuza, Kushina, and Guy, "But should they be incapable of giving any orders at any time you will follow the regular Konoha Jonin or the Hokage."
"Yes Master Shredder." The Foot bowed their heads.
Tsunade approached, "So Naruto being the expert you are on this Demon Shredder what can we hope to do to stop him?"
"Those trained in the art of the Ninja Tribunal stand a chance of fighting the Shredder head on," Naruto told her, "The regular ninja here best do battle against any army he may conjure up, even if they are demons, they won't even be half as hard as trying to fight the original Shredder."
"I understand," Tsunade nodded and turned to those present, "All right then, as Hokage I want all Jonin to be on full alert in case of an attack. The first one to spot any sign of invasion are to report to me and Naruto."
"Hai!" The Jonin replied.
"Very well this meeting is done." Naruto announces and the Foot ninja go back to their posts while Ino, Hun, Zabuza, Kushina, Guy, and the new four Dragons remain behind.
"Master if the Demon Shredder has joined the field, what of Sasuke Uchiha?" Hun asked Naruto.
"I'm not sure. The Demon Shredder was a manipulative one. After all the Tengu itself managed to manipulate Saki in the past, so who knows what it would do to Sasuke." Naruto explained.
"Well whatever the case we do have to be prepared because both their powers combined would be devastating." Zabuza noted.
"Well until we receive word from anyone we'll just have to be on guard." Naruto ordered as he dismissed everyone else. He sighed removing his helmet.
"Are you ok Naruto?" Ino asked removing her helmet.
"I'll be fine. I'm just a little on edge," Naruto answered, "The greatest evil in history is on his way here and I am responsible for leading them to victory. If we lose it'll be all my fault."
"We won't lose Naruto," Ino put a hand on his shoulder, "You are a great Shredder, and a strong leader. We will get through this together."
Naruto smiled, "You're right, we can do this we just have to remember teamwork is the key."
Meanwhile not too far from Konoha, the Tengu Shredder and the mystics were heading for the village blasting down trees to clear a path for them, "Konoha is not too far from here master." The Fire mystic explained.
"Good, we're getting closer to my prey." The Tengu replied with eagerness.
Meanwhile watching from a Konoha lookout tower was Aoba Yamashiro, who looked in the distance seeing trees being toppled down making a path for the village. He lengthened the distance of his binoculars to get a better look, and when he did he saw the heralds with the Tengu Shredder up front leading them, "They're back, and that's the Tengu?" he gasped but knew he had to report this to Tsunade.
At the Hokage office Tsunade was busy filling some stuff out, with Shizune putting up more papers, until Aoba crashed in, "Tsunade-sama!" He called while panting.
"What is it Aoba?" Tsunade asked seeing him trying to catch his breath.
"It's the mystics my lady. They've returned and it's as you and Naruto said, the Tengu Shredder has been reborn." Aoba explained.
Tsunade's eyes widened as well as Shizune's' eyes, "Alert all the Jonin and Chunin and whichever Foot ninja you see to relay the message to Naruto."
"Hai!" Aoba replied as he hurried off.
"Tsunade-sama." Shizune looked to her teacher who looked out the window.
"The greatest ninja war yet has begun." Tsunade said to Shizune.
Naruto was at his mansion in his room sipping tea while wearing his robe until Hun burst in, "Master emergency!" Hun called.
"What's going on Hun?" Naruto asked standing up.
"The Tengu Shredder and the heralds are heading right for the village!" Hun called.
Naruto's eyes widened, "Sound the alarms, summon all the Foot ninja, go! Go!" he ordered and Hun took off to warn all the Foot ninja. Naruto walked over to his armor and sword, "The war is on." He declared while looking at his armor.
Soon enough, all the Konoha ninja were getting into position with numerous academy instructors showing all the academy students and civilians to shelter, while the foot ninja were manning their stations, until a blast was shot at the entry way of the village resulting in a cloud of dust. The Foot ninja led by Hun, Zabuza, Guy, and Kushina stood ready as the dust cleared revealing the Tengu Shredder and the heralds, "It's him." Hun gasped.
"The Tengu Shredder." Zabuza said gripping his sword tightly.
The Tengu Shredder looked at his surroundings snickering a bit, as he walked forward into the village, "Well what a very peaceful village. I will be sure to change all that when it becomes my own," He said as the heralds snickered. The ninja stood their ground, until the Tengu spoke, "Now where is he, where is the usurper so weary of life that he takes the name of the Shredder… My name in vain?"
"You want me…" Naruto's voice heard as the Foot ninja make way as Naruto in his armor carrying the sword of Tengu on his back approaches with Ino in her own armor and Hun at his sides, "You got me."
The Tengu Shredder eyed Naruto, "So you are the one who dares to call himself the Shredder."
"Far better Shredder than you, that's for sure," Naruto answered. The Tengu growled but did nothing as Naruto spoke again looking around, "Mystics, where is Sasuke?" he asked and Ino realized Sasuke wasn't with them anymore.
"The Uchiha boy had accomplished his first task by securing the artifacts for us." The Fire mystic started.
"It was then he accomplished his new mission," The Water mystic continued, "By becoming the vessel to our master."
"No!" Naruto gasped hearing about his old teammate's fate, until he noticed Sharingan in the Shredder's eyes realizing it's true.
"Yes, your ex-teammates body has such wondrous abilities." The Tengu Shredder said.
Naruto raised his right hand pointing it in the direction of the Tengu Shredder, "Your doom is at hand demon!" he declared, where in a flash he appeared behind the Tengu and tried to slice him with his blade gauntlets, but the demon spun and deflected it with his own gauntlet.
"Restrain the usurper!" The demon ordered his minions as they try to attack Naruto.
"Inazuma Lighting!" a voice called as lightning struck the area around the heralds forcing them to back up.
"What?" The Tengu asked looking up seeing four silhouettes which were of the armors of the original four dragons. "No it can't be! You four come to haunt me from the great beyond?"
"Not necessarily." Chouji answered.
"What, you are not my old comrades!" The Tengu shouted finally seeing right through them.
"No we're not." Shikamaru replied.
"Allow me to introduce to you Tengu the new heirs to the Tribunal!" Naruto declared.
"It matters not, because in the end your fate shall be theirs!" The Tengu Shredder declared to Naruto about his friends as he blasts the four with red magic blasts.
"Guys!" Sakura called.
The four didn't move from their spots, as Shikamaru and Hinata held out their palms and the blasts deflected off them, "What? Impossible!" The Tengu shouted.
"We learned from the very people that defeated you years ago." Chouji said landing on the ground.
The Tengu chuckled, "So that's how you are able to perform your moves. Nevertheless you are still acolytes."
"Acolytes or not, we will still bring you to your knees!" Hinata warned him as she and the others got ready.
"Hold it everyone!" Naruto declared and they looked at him, "This man is mine!"
Tengu Shredder turned to Naruto, "Very well then if you wish to meet your end at my hands, I shall be happy to oblige! And just so your little minions do not get bored, I shall leave them with something to play with!" The Tengu raised his fists up conjuring dark magic and suddenly rising up from the ground were zombie like ninja, demonic ogres, and dragon creatures, "Now come and face your doom!" Tengu ordered Naruto as the two Shredders engage in combat.
The two started jumping around the area, trying to strike each other. Naruto was leading the Shredder demon away from the others, further into the village to the training area where no one would get hurt. The mystics looked to the Foot and Konoha ninjas, "While our masters do battle, we shall fight on their behalf!" The Metal mystic declared.
"That is fine with us," Ino drew her sword and turned to Hun and the Foot ninja, "Foot ninja attack!"
The Foot ninja and the Konoha ninja attacked the zombie ninjas and the minor demons conjured up by the Tengu Shredder. As they attacked with their Jutsu and strength, they destroyed the minor demons only to have them be conjured up again from their remains. Nevertheless they still fought. The heralds looked ready to join the fight, until a large boulder flew right for them courtesy of Hinata's earth manipulation from Chikara's training, "Your fight is with us heralds!" Hinata ordered.
"Yes, as the Tengu's loyal henchmen it only seems right you fight the four new Dragons." Lee added.
"Very well if that is your wish, we shall accept it!" The Wind mystic called as the eight go on the attack.
Meanwhile the two Shredders fought their way all the way at to the training ground, with the Tengu using his demon magic blasts at Naruto who managed to avoid them for fear of getting hit by it. The Tengu Shredder who had been able to keep up with Naruto's moves, knew full well no mere mortal as talented as they are could stand a chance against a demon like himself. The two launched each other back and they stood on opposite ends frowning at each other beneath their helmets, "What are you boy?" The Tengu demanded, "How do you know how to fight like this?"
"I learned this art from my master Oroku Saki." Naruto answered getting back into a fighter stance.
"I would never teach a lowly dog like you." The Tengu barked.
"Make no mistake Tengu it is not you I am referring to," Naruto answered, "I am talking about someone much greater than you are. One with honor, dignity, and heart. The Oroku Saki I am referring to is the predecessor of your own flesh and blood. The predecessor of your brother."
The Tengu's eyes tightened, "Nagi."
"I see while being fused with a demon you still recall your previous bonds." Naruto said getting ready to attack when the Tengu would strike.
"I have severed all my bonds for true power. Power I could never acquire from mere training!" The Tengu Shredder barked.
"You sound just like my old comrade," Naruto replied, "And just as how his own hatred and lust for power drove him to his fate, it will drive you to yours!" he drew the sword of Tengu powering it up.
"We shall see worm!" The Tengu Shredder replied drawing his dark sword, powering it up with dark magic and the two jumped at each other ready to deliver a strike.
(And so the battle wages on now.)