Noctis Eternum

Chapter Nine: To Prove Oneself

Author Notes: So here's the next chapter. I went back and cleaned up every chapter. Some things are different such as Tsunade now playing a major role, but you won't need to reread the whole story if your continuing from the last chapter. I have not written too much lately, so forgive me if I am a bit rusty.

I was thinking recently why does the Naruto world have daimyos? Like these ninja could just easily overthrow them and we have seen Sasuke take down a 15000 man army early in part 2 with taka, he also took down 1000 ninja without even killing them too. You can't say its loyalty because Kumo and Iwa have both been shown to pursue power by any means at certain points in the show. The only reason I can think of besides 'Plot Convenience' is that there must be some powerful shinobi under their employ who could keep them in line.


A chill wind cut through the crowded streets of a grand and flourishing village obscured by countless white dunes and weathered rocky spires. The telltale signs of winter passed through snow covered roads, and the few leafless trees that lined the streets, swaying the naked branch's to and fro. Frost collected along the windows of the shops lining the bustling roads. It was not just outside the village that was faced with this however, many snow mounds and naked boughs crawled out from the busy buildings dotting the landscape. The sun shone not quite as bright as it had in seasons past, but the cold chill it delivered was still appreciated by all those graced by its presence. And at a time like this, those numbers were many.

Children played in the streets of the sprawling city making snowmen and creating snow angels, made from the pure white substance that covered the landscape like a winter-land dream.

In an everyday situation, this village was never wanton for commerce and trade. The people of this place were always keen and ready to purchase, creating a strong relationship with the merchants eager to sell. However, times recently were rough, as the Elemental nations were entering a time of turmoil, and those brave few willing to venture into the ravaged lands of Water or Fire country were quite few, making trading in those area's a lucrative and dangerous affair.

"Can I see your papers please?" asked the gate guard, in a rehearsed and well tired manner. If not for the fact that it was foreign ninja approaching the village, it was unlikely he would be so alert. As it was he had even brandished his pole arm, giving his full attention to the group of foreign ninja's before him. Wearing nondescript brown robes the assembled group was concealing their identifying features with conical straw hats, lending to a very mysterious and sublime appearance. The guard trembled at the hidden power the group wielded but held fast, displaying his pride in himself and his liege lord. He had also had his brown guard uniform and red underclothes taken special care of so as to not give the wrong impression to very affluent guests that often visited the capital Sapporo.

He quickly set to work on the four small pamphlets set before him, his free hand gripping the a registry book he used to compare the information in the tiny border passes. The studious look in his eyes was intense as he perused each tiny book, "Kakashi Hatake, Elite Jounin of Konoha." he read aloud, looking at his registry book than back to kakashi giving him suspicious glances. He looked at the others of the group before him seeing rather bland and nondescript ninja. The female of the group wore the bland Konoha chunin uniform, which composed of the Chunin flak jacket with her headband tied around her forehead. The younger male of the group had a regal but young face, spiky blond hair and hard gray eyes. The last of the group was rather tall and carried a bandaged sword on his back. Raising an eyebrow he noticed the man was covered in scars and seemed somewhat menacing, Still, he had seen more fearsome rugged looking men do some pretty scary things, so he was willing to let this one pass "Welcome to Sapporo."

As soon as they were given the ok the group calmly walked through the bustling streets before finding their way down a deserted alleyway. With a poof the group was replaced by an ecstatic Naruto and Fu, with Itachi and Kisame lounging in their usual carefree stance. All of them were adorned in the standard Akatsuki uniform which consisted of the iconic black robe with red clouds, black hakama pants, white tabi socks and sandals with a black undershirt.

Fu wasted no time in releasing her pent up feelings. While her team mates and sensei walked, she ran on ahead, stopping to look at the village around her with an expression of utter amazement. "Wow!" she exclaimed, her hair swaying in the winter wind as she tried to take in every possible thing to see. Her green eyes were luminescent in the light of wonder; she had never seen a village quite like this one before. "So this is Sapporo? So cool!"

"Wow, this place is amazing" Naruto spoke breathlessly, as he gazed at the wondrous and massive city before him. He grinned like a Cheshire cat. Carved from the summit of a mountain the city Sapporo was several times bigger than Konoha or Amegakure. Marble white stone pillars rose thousands of feet in the air like ancient hands, reaching for the heavens.

Naruto took in the sights as he strolled through the active and bustling city. Fu by his side did not stray far as they held hands and sent each other furtive and mischievous glances.

Kisame sighed in exasperation from further back in the group.

The city gleamed in the sunlight overhead. Naruto had gotten used to fighting in high altitude by now from his training with Fu so the thin air didn't bother him too much.

The young duo's excitement however was not shared by their sensei's, though Kisame did smile at their enthusiasm. While he and Fu stopped behind to look the village over, Itachi and Kisame continued on walking, looking over the village, creating escape plans and identifying weak spots in the city's defenses. Kisame chuckled seeing the young couple playing the part, apparently the fearsome shark nin had a weak spot for his students, if word got out he would never hear the end of it. Itachi sighed at his team antics, why couldn't they understand this was a S-ranked mission and they needed to be inconspicuous?

Kisame seeing Itachi's annoyance decided to play his part as the gruff taskmaster, chuckling his fingers tightened into a fist that soon collided with Naruto's gut, causing the loud prankster to cry out in shock and pain. "Focus Gaki, we are on a mission." he said, his cheery mood not at all affected by his action or his students reaction.

"Kisame-Sensei what the hell?!" Fu bewilderedly asked, shock and rage twisting her face.

"Haha, it's alright I had that coming." Naruto defended, smiling weakly and raising his hands in an attempt to maintain peace. He had been too busy ogling Fu when he should have been thinking of the mission.

Fu visibly deflated at his remark, now looking glum that she would need to partake in the mission, "Fine...but your mine later." She said possessively, giving him a lustful twinkle

Kisame seeing his students compliance gave a cheerful nod to Naruto who was busy nursing his aching head. "Now that you lot are paying attention start by taking note of your surroundings. Look for escape routes, weak points, and possible guard patrol routes."

Naruto and Fu looked at each other, Fu unfolding her arms, "Understood." Fu said in a rare and serious tone. Walking down the road Naruto spotted three Iwa nins. One of them was rather large muscled and had a thick jaw line, with a red Iwa bandana covering his head. Wearing the red undershirt and brown jounin flak jacket of Iwagakure dimly he recognized Kitsuchi of Iwa, a famous ninja who had earned his place in the bingo books.

Following him were his two children, Kurotsuchi, and Akatsuchi. Akatsuki was a big boned boy in his late teams who wore a permanent grin. Looking over at the female of the group Naruto analyzed the lone female. Appearing as a petite woman with short cut black hair Kurotsuchi gave the blond a cocky smirk.

He returned the smirk in equal fervor, not even embarrassed at getting caught. The girl blushed and stopped in the road as the two groups closed the distance, "What's with the look blondy?" The girl demanded scarlet red.

Kurotsuchi had been traveling with her father and brother dumb teammate when she spied a hot Blondie drinking in her features. Initially she blushed hard thinking the admiring blond was a stud, when she remembered she was here on a mission.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Just admiring the scenery of the capital, yah know?"

Kurotsuchi scowled and her father and teammate decided to stay out of this one. Briefly Kitsuchi noticed the shady pair of individuals wearing black cloaks and red clouds, with straw hats concealing their features. 'Akatsuki' He thought.

Fu stepped forward, "Hey what's the idea here?"

Kurotsuchi turned to the lime haired girl with a glare, "Your friend here was staring at me."

Fu gasped and looked at Naruto with a raised eyebrow. "Wow wow wow I was just looking around and spotted them. I wasn't singling anyone out." He defended quickly.

Kurotsuchi put her hand of her hip and gave the blond a queer look, "Oh really?" Her mocking tone clear indicated she didn't believe him.

Fu stepped forward, "I believe my boyfriend. You're just jealous." Fu sent the dark brunette a death glare telling her to keep away.

"Ahem, as much as this confrontation is amusing these are our clients and we must be professional." Itachi interceded

Naruto Perceptive as he was quickly deduced that if the Tsuchikage's children were involved this must be serious. He took note of Kitsuchi's demeanor. The man occasionally twitched his fingers sporadically, and seemed to never stand still for too long.

'Anxious my Iwa friend?' He glanced at his companions seeing Fu give him a knowing glance. It seems he was not the only one to notice their new allies were very nervous about this mission.

Kitsuchi bowed deeply, "It is with warmest welcome I greet my Akatsuki friends. My father sends his highest regards."

Itachi in usual stoic manner held out a scroll. Kitsuchi quickly took the scroll and unraveled it. Rapidly reading its contents the man then threw it in the air, where it ignited and turned to ash. "When do we begin?" He queried

"The operation starts at sundown." Kisame quipped in with his gruff boisterous voice.

Kitsuchi visibly sagged in relief, "If that's the case let us retire for the time being and prepare."

Itachi nodded, "Acceptable" Naruto was busy appraising his newest allies when Itachi finished speaking. He had hoped they would keep chatting so he could get a good gauge on them.

Fu elbowed him in the side. "Ow." Rubbing his side he glanced over to his girlfriend and gave her WTF look. Fu sighed, "Naruto you need to be more discreet with your staring." That statement had Naruto pause in his thoughts, noticing now that Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi were glaring daggers at him for his blatant intentions.

"I guess I really need to work on my intelligence gathering...haha," a statement that made Fu pause in her admonishment, "Sorry if It seemed like I was checking that girl out. You know I only have eyes for you," Naruto said, trying to comfort Fu who looked somewhat bitter about the incident earlier.

"It's ok..." She sniffed.

Fu stiffened when she felt rough hands grab her in a hug, and relaxed feeling Naruto's warm and inviting chakra against her. Fu relaxed into his arms as his calming and seductive chakra soothed her muscles. She attentively responded by wrapping her hands around his shoulders and embraced him, her chakra meeting his own in a spiritual embrace that conveyed so much more than mere words. Looking down at her his eyes softened.

"Ahm"

The two glanced over at a laughing Kisame and a gossiping crowd of bystanders, "I told ya Gaki, there's a time and place for these things" Women had hearts in their eyes at the couples romantic gesture, while men muttered about a 'lucky bastard.'

"Yeah...Well how about we get ourselves some privacy Fu, maybe a nice quiet hotel room?" Naruto supplied in a knowing tone, his eyes filled with mischief.

Fu blushed red at the connotations of his statement. Men were developing Nose bleeds and women sighed in envy wishing they had a real man, unlike the perverts around them. Fu was about to rebuke her boyfriend when she saw the mischievous look in his eyes, quickly understanding what he was trying to do she returned the look, "Well...It all depends on what you have in mind...you know I like it when you give me those deep back massages." She said in a sultry manner, putting a sway to her hips.

Men in the crowd hooted and Itachi sighed. So much for staying under the radar. The speechless Iwa Nin simply gaped.

Naruto gave a Cheshire grin, "Oh course my Angel, I know you like it when I give you my special back massage with my Kage bunshin, we get every angle. We know how you like my 'special' technique that reach's all those 'sensitive' spots."

Scandalous gasps echoed around them making Fu flush crimson, "Oh you know I like my massage 'deep' and 'hard', I love it when your Kage bunshin really go all out." She said with a dreamy voice, making the crowd go wild.

Whatever was about to be said next was put to a stop when Itachi grabbed the two and all disappeared in a poof. "Aw" The crowd collectively groaned. The women glared at the shameless men while quite a few secretly wiped their nosebleeds away.

III

The Earth Daimyo paced around restlessly as a man in light brown robes with a white obi sash and dark black sandals leaned against his throne, "I don't understand?!" The daimyo screamed.

"About what? That Iwa isn't kowtowing to your demands?" The man in brown robes mocked.

The daimyo swirled around so fast his neck crackled, "Watch your tone Guardian Miramoto!"

The now named Miramoto chuckled and gave the man a withering glare. The daimyo felt a chill run up his spine and shivered, "Just...tell the Tsuchikage if he wants his village to continue being funded he best well agree to the marriage proposal."

Miramoto sighed, "We've gone over this Sire. He won't let you have his granddaughter."

The daimyo slammed his fists against a table rocking it violently, "I am the daimyo, my word is law! Now go and carry out my will."

The man gave his Sire a tired weary gaze before bowing. Once the heavy doors to the palace throne room had closed, the man known as the earth daimyo grinned wickedly, before reaching up and peeling the flesh from his face."

Eyes of the most baleful evil watched from his throne with glee. His plans proceeding on course. Soon he would have two additional bloodlines in his possession.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" Sinister laughter echoed throughout the daimyo's palace.

III

The four Ninja stood outside the daimyo's palace. Two of the group were calm as the sea, while the other two treaded forward with trepidation. Naruto and Fu were henged into the form of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki respectively. For their mission to be a success they needed to successfully frame Konoha for the daimyo's demise, and of everyone in Akatsuki these two had the right abilities to successfully impersonate them.

"Do I really have to pretend to be the yellow bastard?" Naruto complained glumly, his eyes filled with distain and loathing for the man who he appeared as.

"Yeah why do I have to be Kushina? Can't Kisame be Kushina?" Fu supplied in a whine.

Kisame laughed, "Sorry Gaki's but you two fit the profile. Uzumaki here," He pointed at Naruto, "Is the only one who can use the Rasengan besides the fourth and the toad Sennin, and red hair here, "He pointed at Kushina's form, "Still has remnants of the Kyuubi's chakra in her, making her a psuedo Bijuu, so you're stuck as the only other one who can fit the bill." He explained.

Naruto blinked, "That actually makes a surprising amount of sense...are you really Kisame-Sensei?"

"Brat if I didn't know better I would think you're implying something I wouldn't like..." The shark nin held threatening undertone that promised pain if the blond so much as insinuated what he thought he was.

"OHHH snap, you're gonna get it now Naruto." Fu teased.

"Bah, I would never call my fishy sensei stupid." Naruto gave Kisame a nice guy pose, wearing a stupid grin and flashing his teeth like a certain green spandex wearing taijutsu master. To complete the picture a sunset rose behind him illuminating the aspiring ninja.

"ugh...never do that again." Kisame gagged.

"Quiet" Itachi commanded.

Everyone fell silent knowing the mission was about to begin. Ninja's jumped across the rooftops near the Daimyo's palace with Samurai patrolling the grounds below. Even as the sun disappeared behind the horizon people continued their business, for this was the capital of earth country and the city never truly slept.

Naruto shuffled himself into the Seiza position, getting himself as comfortable as possible. Since Kisame had admonished him he had worn a serious look, his focus going towards analyzing his immediate surroundings. There were several things he needed to confirm before things started getting hairy. He turned his eyes towards the daimyo's palace. It was time for him to utilize the chakra sensor training he had received from Tobi and Pein. He wasn't all that good, yet.

"First things first." he thought, closing his eyes to concentrate. For the longest time he remained silent, his eyelid twitching from the soundless effort he was exerting. He was searching for the daimyo, but this was his first time trying this technique on a mission. Eventually the blank darkness of his mind gave way to techno colored opaqness, opening his mind to the true essence of the world. In his mind he envisioned the palace; like a bird unfettered by restraints he let his mind's eye wander into the 3D representation of the palace. He began to develop a headache as a result of his focus. "Looks like he's near here."

If the daimyo was anywhere nearby, Naruto would find him. His mind's eye entered the palace and phased through the walls like a specter, invisible to all as he sensed the fighters and servants that laid within. He sensed a total of twelve A-ranked ninja and one S-ranked samurai, but his target laid within his personal chambers sleeping. "Got you." he told himself, as another smirk appeared on his face.

His brow rose in quiet surprise as he sensed the repulsive aura the man emitted, it wasn't natural by any means. The man's eyes opened and he gasped as he was violently repelled from the palace. He bit back a scream as liquid fire raced through his head.

"Naruto are you ok?" Fu asked in worry.

He tore his gaze away from the palace to meet the worried eyes of his beloved Angel, "I'll be ok."

"Do you have his position?" Itachi cut in like steel, the man was in full mission mode.

"Yes, just let me know when to proceed and me and Fu will go in full force."

"Good now me and Kisame will keep anyone from interfering in your fights, just know we are working on a time table and you must be out before reinforcements from Iwa arrive." Itachi supplicated with a commanding voice.

"Understood!"


In the center of the city, there stood a building larger than the rest. It was a huge castle fit for a king. Large ivory towers extended up into the clouds giving the observant viewer rein over the skies. Loyal guards marched their rounds throughout the beautiful courtyard, ever vigilant of the day when a threat presented itself; there would always be a threat to their lord that they had sworn themselves too.

Beautiful golden and gem inlaid doors marked the main entrance to this vast abode. There stood in place two vigilant guards. Both of them were identical in uniform. The red and brown decorative dress that denoted their place as guards of the most esteemed daimyo. They held brown ceremonial handled Katana's more suited for welcoming wealthy guests than fighting, finally they wore the dark red obi belts placing them as the daimyo's men resting proudly on their torsos, with black handkerchiefs tucked visibly underneath their belts. The two looked more suited for a welcoming party, but they were proud Samurai, and upholding their duty with utmost security.

Naruto and Fu stalked towards the front gates of the Daimyo's Palace. Their Akatsuki uniform no different from that of Itachi swayed in the cold winter breeze. Their henge may have obscured their new attire but Naruto admitted they looked badass. Naruto wearing the stereotypical form of the Yondaime Hokage gulped. He anxiously look at Fu for support "You ready?" He asked with slight anticipation.

Fu huffed, "Ready as ever. Let's show these guys who's the best!"

"You want first dibs?"

"Don't you know it." Up high above, on one of the tall round buildings surrounding the daimyo's palace, there sat Itachi and Kisame respectively, obscured by the shadows, legs crossed as they viewed the Jinchuuriki duo below.

Kisame held Samehada in a lazy pose over his shoulder. He glanced at his partner with amusement in his beady pupils, "Hey Itachi."

"Hn?"

"What do you think their odds are?" The swordsman beckoned to the duo below approaching the two guards without any regard for stealth.

From underneath the man's black locks came a pale red glimmer. "Decent."

Running forward the duo sliced the guards lining the front gate in half. They then ran into the palace not even bothering to conceal their movements. Voices shouted in alarm as the dead guardsmen's screams roused the entire palace into action. Hundreds of guards turned into thousands that swarmed into the courtyard flanking them on all sides. Fu gave the cannon fodder a blood thirsty grin, "I'll give you all one chance to live, leave now or die."

None of them listened as the men yelled battle cries, "Tsk, well I gave them a chance. " Fu quickly formed a Rasengan before seemingly disappearing at high Jounin speeds. The group of guards were wholly unprepared when Fu appeared, ramming a Rasengan through a man's chest in a gory spray, before disappearing and once again dispatching another man.

Naruto leisurely weaved in and out of enemies attacks, killing and maiming men with a standard Chokuto. "Sigh, I expected more." After only several moments he had taken out almost a thousand guardsman using just basic kenjutsu and his speed.

Suddenly a large conflagration of fire and slicing winds raced towards him. He began moving already sensing the attack, "Oodama Rasengan!" A giant orb of rotating energy blocked the combined assault with ease. Dust and ash kicked up into the air obscuring his vision, but he didn't need it. Pein had taught him how to sense chakra. The six standing before him were worthy opponents.

The dust settled down revealing six of the guardian Ninja's, though the one leading them did surprise him. The captain of the force had spiky, light-brown hair and prominent jaw-lines. He had verdant green eyes that glared at him intensely. Adorned in the standard Iwagakure flak jacket and the guardian twelve belt around his waist with a single-sleeved shirt underneath, leaving the entirety of his right arm exposed except for the presence of his forehead-protector, wrapped around the upper portion of the arm. He also has the traditional lapel hanging from the right side of his pants. Naruto knew this man from the bingo books, Gari of the explosion release.

Gari cackled seeing the shock on Naruto's face, "So what do I owe this visit from the infamous Yellow Flash?"

Naruto schooled his features remembering he wore the guise of the Yondaime and he needed to act the part, "Quite simple...I'm here to take over this shithole country and I'm starting by killing the daimyo." Naruto sneered evilly in his best impression of the yellow bastard.

Gari frowned, "Taki go get the general. We will hold him off until he arrives." The man's grim tone beckoned no arguments as the aforementioned girl took off to alert the one man who might stand a chance against their nations greatest enemy. Naruto let her go remembering that the yellow flash was arrogant and flashy, preferring to crush his enemies at their full strength to inflict despair upon them.

The two adversaries stood still in a silent battle of wills.

Fu moved through the guardsman like a swathe of destruction and carnage. Men laid on the ground bloodied and dying as she swung Shizen, severing heads and limbs carelessly. Suddenly a gout of earth and fire erupted underneath her sending her flying. She spun through the air before green ethereal wings sprouted from her back. With a great gust of wind she righted her trajectory and floated mid-air. "Mhm, who did that?"

"That would be me!" A voice said in a stentorian tone.

Fu looked down at the man standing in a tight knit circle of six below her. Floating hundreds of meters in the air she could easily discern that this man was the S-ranked iwa nin Miramoto. Flanking him were five of the earth guardian twelve. Each of them sported their own unique abilities that marked them as superior shinobi.

Her wings started fluttering excitedly, "It seems one of us is at an unfair advantage..."

Miramoto chuckled, "Girl I suggest you surrender, of course we will execute you afterwards. " The man gestured to the thousands of dead guardsman that littered the courtyard like a field of rotting flowers, "My men cry for justice...Surrender and I promise you a quick death."

Fu glared darkly, "Don't underestimate me." Sea green markings appeared on her face and under her eyes similar to eyeliner while bar like lines appeared on her cheeks. Green energy burst to life within her pupil turning her eyes into a brilliant mix of amber orange and dark green."Sage Mode!" quickly she brought Shizen to fore.

Shock appeared on Miramoto's As the petite girl seemingly teleported at Kage level speed. Miramoto tumbled backwards as she scythed through two of the guardians. "Fire style: Flame bombs" Horse sized fire bullets spewed from one of the four remaining guardians. Fu slashed her sword severing the firebullet and the man behind it in two.

"Gah, What the hell?" One of the men screamed. Fu sliced through another man lowering the number of remaining enemies to three. Miramoto bit his lip before running through hundreds of hand-seals lightning fast, "Earth style: Diamond armor!" Opaque samurai armor grew around Miramoto encasing the man.

Floating mid air Fu looked down at her opponent with caution. What was this new ability her foe displayed. 'It looks tough.'

The armor finished forming and the man held out his hand, where a diamond spear grew from the palm outward. Fu whistled, "That's a neat trick you have there."

Miramoto radiated murderous intent, "You should have attacked me while I was transforming, now I am invincible!"

"Invincible? Don't make me laugh." Fu mocked. She looked around her taking stock of the bloody battlefield. Her head tilted watching the explosions and flash's coming from Naruto's direction.

Noticing her eyes pointed towards the other fight Miramoto laughed madly, "Worried about your boyfriend?" Fu looked down at the man below and snorted, "Me? Hell no, my boyfriend is more powerful than you think."

The man taken aback looked amused, "You should worry girl. My master is more powerful then you know. "

"I think I'll take my chances." She replied with amusement. Forming hand seals Fu cast "Hiding in Scale Powder technique" Sparkling white powder spewed from her mouth blinding Miramoto before she Shunshined in for the kill. Gathering verdant nature chakra along her blade she slashed at the man's chest. Miramoto crossed his arms blocking the blade, only to be surprised when his impenetrable armor chipped and cracked at the blades contact.

"What?!"Miramoto muttered in shock. The cracks began as hairline fractures that soon grew into large cracks before the man rolled sideways. Fu's blade impacted the ground sending fissures hundreds of meters long in all directions. The man looked at her in fear, "How?"

Fu gave the man a savage smile, "Sage mode empowers all of a shinobi's abilities, and since I hold the Bijuu of nature I can control much more Nature chakra than anyone else." Fu demonstrated by swiping her blade to the left demolishing a nearby guard tower. Nature chakra obliterated the guard tower and the large stone wall behind it. The man looked at her in terror, "I can also gather Nature chakra while moving, unlike others, my Bijuu Chomei gather's it for me, removing all the drawbacks of the technique." Pride dripped from Fu's voice like honey.

"Why...are you telling me this?" The man stuttered.

Fu's expression darkened, "Because you won't be making it out of this alive."

Naruto stood proudly in front of the assembled warriors. General Itsugawa stood front and center with Gari beside him. The other five earthen guardians behind them gripped their weapons with whitened skin. The general gave Naruto a tough glare, "You lot have killed thousands of my men, prepare to die scum."

Naruto gave the man a look of indignation, "Oh? You think you can take me? Bring it!" He crowed mockingly. Coal gray chakra rose from his form surrounding him in a sinister aura. The grass beneath his feet withered and turned to ash.

Gari and Itsugawa gawked, "What the hell are you?"

He flashed them his canines, "I'm Minato fucking Namikaze!" He formed a Rasengan-Flail and swung it at terminal speed towards the group of enemy warriors. "Scatter!"

The group dispersed as the rotating orb of destruction impacted their previous destination, kicking up dust and creating a 300 meter wide crater. A shadow clone formed for each enemy nin. The warriors screamed in anger as the shadow clones engaged them in a fury of kicks and punches. The gray chakra cloak forming a barrier against the physical attacks launched against them. Naruto engaged the general in a fast paced Taijutsu match.

Rotating around a low kick from the general Naruto leaned back, before bringing his leg down in a sweep, only for the general to jump above his leg. "Your wide open Namikaze!" The general aimed a punch at his exposed throat, to which he leaned back and fell onto his upper back, throwing his legs upwards. "UMPF" The general hacked as his legs plowed into the generals gut, throwing the man into the air and rendering him immobile.

"Fire Style: Grand Fireball Jutsu" Naruto launched a house sized ball of blue fire towards the airborne Samurai. The man's eyes widened to dinner plates before he roared in fury. A blinding orange light illuminated the battlefield briefly, temporarily blinding those not covering their eyes. "AHHHHH" Naruto screamed holding his eyes. "Fuck it's like needles!"

A loud explosion and the sound of something heavy impacting the ground caused him to open his teary eyes, only to gasp as a giant dragon touched down. The dragon was of European make, with a large imposing body the size of a boss summon with hind legs and the upper torso resembling that of a human. It was covered in immaculate glowing golden scales. It had two twisting horns rising from its head. The dragon gave him a twisted smile.

"Fear me ningen, this is my true form." Naruto gawked unbelieving. "How are you a dragon?" He trembled slightly before masking his brief moment of weakness.

Red obsidian orbs eyes curled in malice, "I am a proud descendent of the dragon clan. My clan was cursed by the Sage of Six path's to take on the form of a human, only our greatest warriors can transform into our true forms, like the one standing before you." The dragon breathed out white hot flames that melted the stone pavement below.

"hehe...I can see this won't be easy." Naruto admitted. He needed to come up with a plan to deal with that dragon. If legends were true the dragon would have an extremely tough hide, something Fu might be better at dealing with as she had more piercing power. 'No matter I'll just keep pounding it until it stays down.'

"I am the sovereign guardian of this land. I am the one who instills fear in that old fool Onoki, and keeps those filthy ninja's in line. " Itsugawa boasted. The dragon took flight cratering the ground below. Naruto quickly formed ethereal red dragon wings that lifted him towards the sky. He blitzed towards the golden reptile.

"Shadow clone jutsu" Over a thousand clones materialized forming Rasengans. Naruto and his clones flew towards the Giant reptile with a cry of fury. The general roared sending white hot flames towards the army of approaching ninja. "Take this!" The clones held out their Rasengan's absorbing the wall of flames. The flames warped into the spheres turning them into miniature suns.

"1000 Uzumaki Rasengan-Barrage" The dragon roared in pain as a thousand Rasengan's impacted it at high speed. The Rasengan's then destabilized exploding in a fiery conflagration that lit up the night sky.

Fu weaved through the various stabs and thrusts from Miramoto. She was about to deliver a jab at his helmet when she suddenly rolled to the left. An explosion destroyed her previous position sending rocky shrapnel flying in all directions. She brought her wings forward shielding her from the shrapnel. "Who the hell?" She muttered.

A man with brown gravity defying hair and explosive green eyes landed beside Miramoto. Miramoto turned to the new arrival with surprise, "Why did you break formation?"

The man gave a chilling glare, "That bastard Yondaime killed the others with shadow clones and now he's fighting the general in the sky."

Indeed the explosions and roars that shook the earth testified to that statement Fu thought. 'Chomei we need to finish this and help Naruto.' Thoughts of her blond lover being hurt sent her into a frenzy. That dragon looked intimidating.

'I will lend you my chakra, finish this fast Fu' Chomei concurred.

"Explosion Release: landmine fist!" Gari bellowed punching the inert Fu. Gari grinned madly thinking he had won. His glee turned to despair when the smoke cleared up revealing an uninjured Fu.

The girl turned to him with glowing Amber green eyes and a red shroud surrounding her. Two tails formed behind her. "That is the last mistake you will commit." She intoned in a stentorian manner.

Gari was given no time to react as Fu grabbed him. Gari froze unable to move. The man gasped as his arm turned to stone at the point of contact, followed by his shoulder and torso. "No please! HELP SOMEONE HELP!"

Miramoto watched aghast as his friend transformed into a statue. Fu turned her eerily glowing eyes to the man and a shiver went down his spine. "Maybe...we can talk this out?" The man stammered in fear.

Fu looked at the man stoically, "No"

The word was uttered with such finality Miramoto knew he was going to die. Fu blasted towards the man at near imperceptible speeds. Her chakra cloak quickly vanished, having transferred to her sword which started making a high pitch keen.

The Iwa guardian blinked.

Fu sheathed Shizen. The two halves of the S-ranked Iwa nin flopped onto the ground. 'So much for his impenetrable armor.'

'Fu you need to help Naruto. He can't tap into his bijuu yet.' Chomei said in worry.

Fu concurred looking up at the epic fight between Naruto and the ridiculously large golden dragon. 'On it' She replied.

Itsugawa roared in anger as he felt his subordinates perish. "You damn ningen!"

Naruto flew around the rampaging beast sweating. How long had he been peppering this thing with jutsu, only for it to shrug it all off? Too damn long if you asked him. He looked in surprise as Fu appeared next to him. "Hey?" He asked befuddled.

Fu stood a protective stance, "I took care of the others. Now we just have to take down this oversized toad and the daimyo's all ours." She declared.

Naruto squinted at the dragon through the heat and billowing smoke, "Easier said than done. It's hide is too thick to pierce." It had pained him to admit but nothing in his arsenal could take the general turned dragon down. His barrage of Rasengan only seemed to enrage the beast.

Fu sneered at the dragon. "I have a plan."

Naruto perked up, "I'm all ears."