Alright, i come bearing gifts! but first, my beloved reviewers :D
Gravenimage - well i am happy to say that it did not take me long to post this update ;) so thanks for the review and hope you like 46
JDog335 - Thanks for the review, 4 tails is his maximum, his body would not be able to survive any more power, i believe i said something about that when he made the deal :) anyway hope you like 46
crsstlk - ah yes, i was wondering where you had gone, its all good, we all get busy ;) i am just happy to know your still reading :D and i hope your still enjoying the story, so thanks for the review, and hope you like 46
RSfan - well thanks, i am always afraid that my battle scene will come out short or too rushed, but if they are alright, then i am happy :) thanks for the review and hope you like 46
Chi-Neko - And i enjoy ending my stories like that ;) Thanks for the review, hope you like 46 :D
RairyuuBlade - thanks, and wow, i knew people liked my story, but i had no idea that it was almost as good a storyline as the cannon stuff, but i feel really happy knowing that people are getting really into the story :) so thank you very much for the review, and i hope you enjoy 46
xzavx - Thank you for you continued support and reviews :) i hope you enjoy 46
blackmoon124 - thanks for the review, yeah, the plot is coming together nicely, sadly though, this story is coming to an end soon, i don't know how many chapters are left, but it is coming to an end :( however, i may make a sequel if you guys want me, who knows :P, well i hope you like 46
naru-ca-titan - yay your back! I hope you did good on your tests, i also hope you had fun at six flags :D yes, i killed Naoto, it was hard for me to do, because i really love Naoto's character, but it had to be done, also, i had a feeling that some people may have known that she would be killed in the story, however, i knew NO ONE would have expected her to die by Naruto's hand, that was a twist that i very much enjoyed seeing people review about ;) anyway thank you so much for your continued support and reviews, hope you enjoy 46
Sintar07 - Indeed, Naruto has almost lost everything he holds dear, remind you of someone? ;) Sasuke lost his entire family and loved ones, Naruto never had anyone to lose in the first place until began forging his bonds, that were all taken away from him by Ichigo, if he is unable to return to the past, who knows what kind of person he would turn into after this battle, if he were to survive it, anyway thanks for the review and i hope you enjoy 46
Well then, now that i have responded to my loyal reviewers, its time for chapter 46!
This chapter was revised on June 5th 2017. Most grammar errors should have been addressed (Hopefully :P) I did a few enhancements and changed a few things around but the story remained unchanged
Saving old bonds
Chapter 46 (Revised)
Itachi woke up, his head was still hurting from being slammed into the building. He slowly got back to his feet feeling slightly dizzy. He was looking around and saw that the resistance had just about won the battle. Konohamaru ran up to him "Itachi, are you alright?" the young ninja asked him
"Yeah, I should be fine" he said while rubbing the back of his head
Sakura had spotted them and ran towards them "Itachi, what's going on? I thought you were suppose to be with Naruto to fight the Kurokage" she asked him
"That was the plan but Hokage Sama decided he wanted to beat him on his own first"
"Itachi… I have some horrible news for you…" Sakura told him with a sad tone "During my battle with the medical captain I heard a large explosion coming from Sasuke's location. Once I was done my fight I went to investigate… I found him dead, most of his body was burnt. He must have died instantly. One of our ninja's who witnessed the battle said that the captain he was fighting lost the battle and in a final desperation move he blew himself up while holding onto Sasuke"
Itachi couldn't believe it, his little brother had been defeated? A tear was starting to form. Konohamaru had never seen Itachi show any kind of emotion other than the occasional smile or grin. But he had never seen the older ninja shed a single tear "He died fighting for his people…" he finally said
Screams of anger and the sounds of blades clashing together captured their attention; They turned around to see Naruto fighting ferociously. His attacks were relentless, his sword strikes were so fast that Ichigo did not have the time to counter attack, even in ban-kai mode. All three of them were in awe at Naruto's attacks "Hey, isn't that Naoto's blade?" Sakura asked wondering when did Naruto got a hold of it
Suddenly Itachi remembered trying to stop Naoto from getting in the way of the fight. He began to run towards the location where Naruto and Ichigo were fighting when he was knocked out. Sakura and Konohamaru followed him not knowing his reasons for suddenly taking off. Itachi was the first to see Naoto's motionless body but it didn't take long for Sakura and Konohamaru to see what Itachi was looking at
Sakura began to run towards her daughter with tears running down her face hoping that she was just knocked out, but she could see the large amount of blood from her chest even from a distance. Itachi and Konohamaru ran after her. Once she reached Naoto it didn't take long for her to realize that her fears were confirmed. Naoto was not breathing and had no heartbeat. Sakura held her tightly as she began to cry "WHY! WHY DID MY BABY HAVE TO DIE!"
Konohamaru and Itachi felt horrible, they both knew that Naoto was the only reason Sakura had not given up on life twenty years ago. Toshiro hearing Sakura's cries quickly ran up to them. Once he saw Naoto's bloody body in Sakura's arms he knew that she was no longer of this world. For the first time since his parents had been killed he began to cry uncontrollably as he joined Sakura and held both of them
"Why did she have to die Toshiro? Why? She was an innocent, she had done nothing wrong. Tell me, why did she have to pay for our war?" She cried at him
"Sakura…I am so sorry, this is my fault. I have failed her yet again. I was supposed to keep her safe" he said as he cried with her
"It's all that Kurokage's fault!" she said as her sadness turned into anger "He must have done this to her! Toshiro, I want him dead…"
"Sakura, I know how you feel. I never thought that Ichigo could do something like this. He was my best friend and I thought I knew him better than this. If that was an option open to us I would kill him myself. But you know that we need him. Naoto still has one last chance and we need Ichigo"
"No…That's not true, twenty-five years ago I saw a medical ninja bring back someone from the dead… I have since learned that technique, I could use it on Naoto"
"Wait a second Sakura; are you referring to when Chiyo saved Gaara's life?" Itachi asked her
"Yes, how did you know about that?" she asked him
"It was the Akatsuki who took his life away… Once we found out he was alive again we did an investigation and found the truth. But you cannot be thinking of using that technique!"
"And why not!?" Sakura demanded
"Because, you are exchanging your life for hers!" Itachi answered her
"So what? Do you think I can go on living with her dead?"
"Sakura, once Naruto goes back to his time she will be unharmed" Toshiro told her
"I don't care, I want my little girl back now…" she said crying
"I know but we have to trust in Naruto, you know him better than any of us. He will make sure to defeat Ichigo and return to the past where Naoto will be born once again. But this time with both her parents" he said with a warm smile trying to comfort her
A large explosion caught their attention, Ichigo had been sent flying through multiple buildings
Ichigo got back to his feet as his wounds were beginning to show "What power… I cannot find any openings. It's almost as if he was possessed" he thought to himself as he stood up but he didn't have the time to catch his breath as Naruto came flying in. Ichigo barely had the time to bring his blade up to protect himself. Naruto swung his blade with fury and power. Ichigo was able to block multiple strikes but just barely. Even Ichigo's speed was no match for Naruto's power in his current state
"IF YOU DON'T SEND ME BACK NOW, YOU WILL DIE!" Naruto said in anger
"I WOULD RATHER DIE THEN SURRENDER TO YOU!" Ichigo answered back "KILLING ME GETS YOU NOTHING! YOUR DAUGHTER WILL STILL BE DEAD AND THE NIGHT WILL EVENTUALLY CRUSH YOUR RESISTANCE!" he added as he tried to mount an attack on Naruto who had lowered his blade finally giving Ichigo the opening that he was desperately searching for. His blade was aimed at Naruto's neck as he wanted to end the battle with one swift attack
Naruto didn't even try to raise his blade, instead he simply grabbed Ichigo's blade with his free hand. Ichigo tried to push as hard as he could and slice right threw. Some blood was coming out of Naruto's hand but Ichigo was not able chop it off as Naruto raised his head and stared into Ichigo's eyes, his blood red eyes were burning with hatred while Ichigo's yellow and black eyes were filled with fear. Naruto used his head to hit Ichigo's forehead shattering the white mask into pieces. A bit of blood began to drip from Naruto's forehead but it was healed quickly by the fox's powers. Ichigo's eyes returned to normal as his powers got weaker, Naruto then swung his blade at Ichigo's neck. Ichigo shut his eyes expecting the blade to slice his head off. He felt the blade puncture his skin but it had suddenly stopped
Naruto had the blade at Ichigo's neck and held it there as some blood dripped from the minor cut
"You have lost Kurokage, your captains have been defeated your men have been killed or have surrendered and I hold your life in the palm of my hand. I demand you send me back to my time" Ichigo began to laugh "What do you find so funny?" Naruto asked him
"You" Ichigo said with a grin "You know, you really had me going. I really thought that you were going to kill me but you're not going to. How could you kill me? I am the only one who can send you back to your time. No matter how tough you try to act that fact will never change. I refuse to send you back and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it!" he said as his laughter got louder
"You really think so? ITACHI!"
Itachi suddenly appeared by Naruto's side "Yes Hokage Sama?"
"He thinks that there is nothing that we can do to make him send me back…Please show him otherwise"
"It would be my pleasure Hokage Sama" he said as he stared into Ichigo's eyes "Mangekyo Sharingan" Itachi shouted as his eyes turned to the famous and feared Mangekyo style of the Sharingan
Itachi found himself standing on the side of a building, yet he was not falling even though he wasn't using any chakra to stick himself to the building. The building itself was huge. Itachi looked around and saw that it was one of the largest cities that he had ever seen in his life. Larger even then Konoha in its prime. He was also confused, he was supposed to be in control yet he didn't even sense Ichigo anywhere. He did sense another presence. A man was standing on the top of a pole sticking out from the side of the building. He seemed to be wrapped in a large cape that was flapping in the wind
Itachi began to walk towards the man wanting to get answers as to where he was. As he approached the man he could make out that he was wearing lightly tinted sunglasses, his clothing was entirely black and they seemed to be ripped just like how Ichigo's are when he is in his ban-kai mode. The man lifted his head and looked at Itachi "Welcome" the man told him
"Who are you?" Itachi asked "You're not Ichigo and where is this?" Itachi added.
The man smiled at him "My name is Zangetsu and this is Ichigo's mind" said the man
"If this is Ichigo's mind, then where is he?"
"He is somewhere safe where you cannot reach him" Zangetsu answered
"What are you talking about? No one can escape my Mangekyo" Itachi said surprised, but that's when he realized something "Zangetsu? Isn't that the name of his blade?"
"Yes, I am Ichigo's Zanpakuto"
"But how is that possible, you are nothing more than a sword"
"Really now? I would have thought by now that you would have learned that a Night ninjas Zanpakuto is much more than just his weapon. We all have a soul of our own, we form a bond with our partners and I will protect him from your psychological attacks. In this world, you do not control anything. I suggest you give up your attack"
"So what happens if I take you out?" Itachi asked him
"You can try but in this world, I control everything"
The world suddenly began to shake as the building that Itachi was standing on began to crumble. Itachi began to fall down, he had to act quickly or else he would fall to the ground and he had no idea what would happen to him or his mind if he were to die in this world. He quickly jumped on the falling debris and when he got the chance he jumped onto the next building where Zangetsu was already standing
"As you can see you would not have much of a chance fighting me in this world" he said with a smile
Itachi knew that he was not bluffing. He could also tell that Zangetsu was not an evil entity. He could have continued to make the buildings collapse giving Itachi no hope of surviving "I am sorry but I cannot leave here until my mission if completed" Itachi answered him
"And what is your mission exactly?" Zangetsu asked him
"To make the Kurokage realize that the right thing to do is to send Naruto back to his rightful place in time. You should know that the only thing holding Naruto back from killing the Kurokage right now is the fact that he is the only one who can do that. However, he is gambling his life on the chance that Naruto will not kill him due to the fact that he is the only one who can send him back. Naruto just lost his only daughter and there is no telling what he will do if he is denied to be able to see her again" Itachi told him
"I was saddened to see her fall, Ichigo really liked her. Though he had no idea she was his daughter, he had high hopes for her. She was his responsibility and he felt horrible to see her die right in front of him" Zangetsu answered him "However, I don't know if he will ever send him back, he is a prideful man"
"If that is the truth then I fear that he is also a dead man. What do you think Naruto will do if I leave here and tell him, sorry, I wasn't able to do anything? Do you think he would simply let him go and walk away? No, I can assure you that the blade that is currently lodge in the Kurokage's neck will slice completely trough, and you will be left without a partner. Can you truly continue to exist knowing that you allowed that to happen?" Itachi asked him with a serious tone
Zangetsu seemed to be thinking "You bring up a good point, I could see the fire of determination in his eyes during his battle with Ichigo, I believe that what you say is true"
"Then help me convince him, you are his partner are you not?"
"Yes, I am his partner and he has been listening to this entire conversation. Ichigo, what do you think about all of this?"
Ichigo suddenly appeared next to Zangetsu "I find this conversation disturbing my friend" he answered him
"Kurokage!" Itachi screamed out "Why can't you see that sending Naruto back is the right thing to do!"
"Because, that would be admitting defeat and I cannot do that" Ichigo answered
"So you would rather be defeated and die, then admitting defeat and living to continue leading your people?" Itachi asked
"I will die either way, if I refuse to send him back he kills me. If I return him to the past he kills me in the past for attacking his village. Even though he will have forgotten everything that has happened since he had come to this time and we will both be weakened. My final attack against him was the last of my chakra, meaning that I would be at his mercy" Ichigo answered him
"You don't know Hokage Sama very well if you are thinking that. He is not the type of person to hold a grudge nor is he able to hate someone for any long length of time unless you have hurt someone close to him" Itachi told him
"Really now? That's not what I saw during my fight with him, that look in his eyes…"
"That is because of everything you took away from him. You ripped everything he cared about away from him. His love, seeing his daughter grow up, his friends, his village and country. However, if you send him back…He will have forgotten all of that since it never would have happened. Trust me when I say that sending him back is the only way that you can survive this. Is the occupation of the fire really worth it?" Itachi asked him
Ichigo let out a large sigh "So you want me to put my hopes that he will spare my life twenty years ago"
"It's not like you have much of a choice, refuse and Naruto kills you where you stand" Itachi told him
"Ichigo, I believe that he speaks the truth" Zangetsu told his partner
"I hate to admit it but you may be right. Alright Uchiha Itachi, I accept" Ichigo said as he disappeared leaving Itachi alone with Zangetsu
"Tell me one thing, if all night ninja have a connection with their blades why is it that twenty years ago my brother was able to reach the mind of that red haired captain?"
"Simple, not every night ninja develops the type of connection with their Zanpakuto as I have with Ichigo. That rookie captain used his Zanpakuto as a weapon, as a tool. But never as a partner. had you attacked Ichigo this way twenty years ago you would have succeeded" Zangetsu answered him
"I see, well, I am just happy that we were able to talk some sense into him. It was an honour meeting you Zangetsu" he said before he released his Mangekyo Sharingan
Naruto's blade had not moved an inch. He was waiting for a reason to just cut threw. He was worried because it had already been ten minutes. It should have barely taken five seconds, but finally Itachi's eyes had returned to his normal Sharingan "Well?" Naruto asked him as he resumed putting more pressure on the blade
"Tell him" Itachi said while looking at Ichigo
"I have agreed to send you back…
End Chapter 46
And finally, Ichigo has agreed to willingly send Naruto back, but is he serious? or does he have one more trump card saved up like he did twenty years ago?