Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 63: Naruto Vs The Six Paths
The building under Naruto began to shatter and fly up toward him. "Oh shit... Let's go Baa-chan" Naruto said and he quickly threw a kunai off to the side and grabbing Tsunade's arm flashed away.
Naruto and Tsunade appeared in time to see the large trench through the center of the village form, it had been a very directed blast of gravity that had sent anything in its path flying out of the way.
"Naruto you go, I need to stay and keep an eye on everything with Katsuyu. Oh take her with you, and good luck" Tsunade said from the hiding place Naruto had flashed to before handing Naruto a small slug that crawled into his cloak pocket..
"No sweat Baa-chan, I'm sure the toad's will be here to help soon" Naruto said half confidently.
Not wanting to give away Tsunade's location Naruto decided to sneak out of the area and look to hit Pein with a surprise attack.
Using a building for cover Naruto began searching for the other paths, deciding that the Deva path would be the most difficult to deal with.
(Outside the village)
The other path's had left the village due to the fact that Deva path was about to crush the village with a high powered gravity field. "He has arrived, Konan return to me while I deal with the jinchuuriki" Pein said through the Human path.
"Very well Pein-sama" Konan said.
(With Naruto)
Naruto was following Deva path making sure to keep out of sight, as he walked toward the center of the village. 'Where is he going? He saw me throw my kunai in the other direction' Naruto pondered.
His question was soon answered as Animal path appeared in the sky before summoning the other path's to her.
'Well at least I have found the others now, but how can I hit them. Anything I try will be useless unless I can get in close without being overwhelmed' Naruto thought as he began to go over his options in his head.
Before he could get past option 1: blindly charge in head on. Pein made his move summoning a large bird and several Centipede's along with a large Ox and a Rhino.
Before Naruto could ponder what they were summoned for they began destroying anything in there path. The bird flew into the air and was shooting bombs all over the village causing large fires and massive destruction.
'I need to deal with that bird first' Naruto thought as he took off after the bird making sure to keep out of sight of the six path's that were standing around as if they were waiting for Naruto to attack first.
Naruto followed the large drill beaked bird and climbing up a tall section of rubble he waited. It did not take the bird long to spot Naruto and flew right at the blond. Naruto who had waited for this simply waited for the bird to get closer before jumping on to the bid slamming a rasengan into its back causing it to dispel.
The act of defeating the bird informed Pein of Naruto's location however and soon all the other summons changed there direction and were making there way towards the blonds location.
"Well this is going to suck" Naruto thought as the large Ox came charging toward him.
Naruto created two clones to throw him into the air a second before the Ox bulldozed into the fallen building Naruto was standing on turning it into nothing more than dust.
In mid air Naruto summoned another clone while charging an Oodama Rasengan and used it to launch himself down slamming his jutsu into the back of the Ox causing it to dispel.
He had no time to celebrate however as a building behind him exploded revealing a charging Rhino. Realizing he couldn't get out of the way in time easily, Naruto steadied himself and grabbed the horn of the Rhino and as it pushed him back Naruto focused his chakra into his arm's and legs and threw the large summons into the Air before tossing a kunai out of the area before any more large summons showed up.
"I can't fight them here, I need to get Pein out of Konoha" Naruto thought out loud as he looked over the destruction done to village while the Rhino fell to earth dispelling in the process.
"Very Impressive, You were able to take out three of my summons with ease" came the voice of Pein from behind Naruto.
Naruto spun around and found himself looking at Deva, Asura and Preta paths. "Where are the others. Waiting to ambush me no doubt" Naruto said.
"A good prediction... You have caused me enough problems. Bansho Tennin" Deva path said pulling Naruto forward with his jutsu causing Naruto to be drawn uncontrollably toward Pein.
Naruto had just enough time to fling a kunai off to the side and flash away to avoid being impaled by Asura paths tail blade.
Naruto reappeared to the left and had to quickly duck under a kick from the human path. Naruto knowing he needed to seize this opportunity where he had a single body isolated slipped underneath an attempt to impale him with a chakra blade and in response he jumped jumped up grabbing the head of the Human path and slamming his knees into the paths face crushing the head between his hand and knee.
Naruto grabbed the body and threw it away behind him after making sure it was no longer usable. 'One down' Naruto thought to himself as Asura path showed up sending rockets flying at Naruto forcing the blonde to jump back out of the way and taking a deep breath in Naruto shot a huge gust of wind forward but before it could hit Asura path, Preta arrived and absorbed the jutsu.
Naruto threw a kunai towards the pair and jumped back as Deva path arrived from above the blond chakra rod drawn. Once again Pein just missed as Naruto disappeared appearing above the other two paths slamming a rasengan into the Asura path causing him to explode in a shower of metal and instead of using a jutsu Naruto used a senjutsu powered kick to send Preta Path flying into a wall.
Naruto was focusing so heavily on Pein he did not notice the small crowd that had begun to gather around at a safe distance to observe the fight.
(With Kakashi and Asuma)
Kakashi was being supported by the wind using Sarutobi while they made there way towards the hospital. They were approaching the area around the hospital when a loud explosion caught there attention.
"What are they doing now?" Asuma asked still clearly exhausted from his previous fight with Deva path.
"It is Naruto... he is fighting all six bodies at the moment. So far he has killed three of them" Katsuyu said relaying what she had witnessed from her other self hiding on Naruto.
"He has managed to kill three of them already, we only managed to take out one, and that was difficult, for Naruto to have taken out three by himself. That is insane" Kakashi said.
"What if he need's help let's hurry up and get you to the hospital so I can make my way over to the fight" Asuma said.
"I would not recommend it, if you interfere Naruto will have to worry about keeping others safe and he needs to give Pein his complete attention at the moment" Katsuyu said.
"We can still go check out the fight, I wouldn't mind seeing how much Naruto has improved since our fight at the chunin exams" Kakashi said standing up for himself, finally able to support himself.
"You're right, that is a fight I don't want to miss, and if Naruto need's help we will need to be nearby" Asuma said.
The pair took off despite Katsuyu's protests that Kakashi was not in any condition to fight against Pein.
(With teams eight and ten)
Wow, did you see that, Naruto is tearing that guy apart" Kiba said from where they were hiding watching the fight.
"Yes Naruto has truly left us in the dust, he is a far superior shinobi than we are" Shino said in a monotone.
"Something is wrong, if Naruto is doing so well then why isn't the other guy looking worried" Shikamaru added.
"Probably doesn't want to show fear" Kiba said eagerly as Naruto and Deva path eyed each other neither wanting to make the first move.
(With Naruto)
"Jiraiya sensei has taught you well. It is surprising that you have been able to defeat three of my bodies but your resistance is useless. You being captured is the will of Kami" Deva path said.
"Yeah you can think what you want but your three bodies down and my cavalry is still on the way" Naruto smirked.
"Is that truly what you think, you cannot defeat a god" Pein said.
"Well I'm not good with being told I cant do something so I guess I'll just you'll just have to force me to believe that" Naruto said scanning the area for the other two paths but couldn't see them anywhere.
Naruto was getting ready to attack the Deva path when the ground under him started to shake. Naruto jumped back seconds before a large centipede burst up from underneath where he was previously standing seconds earlier, and two more came through buildings on either side forcing Naruto to retreat slightly until he could find and opening to take them out.
Ahead of Naruto there was a tall building that was still mostly standing. Using the wall for elevation Naruto ran up the wall and turned around and ran through some hand deals. "Sage art: Suiton Uzumaki Style: Water spear" Naruto screamed turning around and he shot out a thin stream of water from his mouth that cut the head off of the nearest centipede but the others were able to avoid the deadly Suiton jutsu.
The other two Centipede's came in for an attack that Naruto was able to jump out of the way from easily. When they pulled themselves of the ground to look for Naruto for another attack they were distracted by a huge puff of smoke coming from the large area that had been destroyed by Deva path's Shinra Tensei when Naruto first arrived.
"It's about time you guys showed up" Naruto said landing on a nearby pile of rubble.
The smoke cleared to reveal the three giant Battle toads of Myobokuzan along with the two elders and Gamakichi. Naruto made sure Yugito and Jiraiya stayed back so if he failed Pein couldn't get a hold on both him and Yugito.
"It take's awhile to set up a reverse summoning location, and we didn't exactly know why you had left" Shima said slightly annoyed.
"This place is in a bad way, I take it, that it's Pein that's attacking?" Fukusaku queried.
"Yeah I have taken out three of his bodies so far" Naruto said but he was soon forced to eat those words as ahead of him a large head with Rinnegan eyes rose from the ground with the remaining three paths surrounding it.
From the mouth of the large statue the fully resurrected bodies of Asura, Preta and Human paths walked out. They didn't look like they had even been scratched in a fight.
"That wasn't in our note's" Fukusaku said shock evident on his face.
"That must be the real power of the Naraka path, it summons that statue that controls must be able to heal his other bodies. That must be what the Diary said was called the Outer Path" Naruto said equally shocked.
That same shock was shared around the watching crowd who now had serious doubt's if Naruto could win.
"I need to get that one first. If he is taken out Pein can't regenerate his body's" Naruto whispered to himself.
Naruto acted first taking out several kunai and throwing them all in a large Arc so they would land all around Pein's bodies, but before they landed Deva path repelled them, forcing Naruto and the toads to shield themselves from several kunai that were sent flying back in there direction.
Animal path acted next summoning a large three headed dog to charge along with the other two centipedes that had attacked earlier.
'Well long range is not going to work, I am going to need to get in close' Naruto thought as she charged forward. He created a Oodama Rasengan and just as the dog went to crush Naruto he sent the beast flying into the air with his Rasengan and Gamabunta jumped up to take the fight off Naruto's hands. Gamaken and Gamahiro were preoccupied with the other summons.
Naruto didn't stop his charge after the mammoth summon was deflected, he kept his direction and ran straight toward the six path's.
Pein reacted by sending Asura Path out to meet him. Naruto went for a blind side attack but Asura easily avoided it. 'Damn that's right, all of there eyes are connected well its time to use some attacks that they cant see' Naruto thought as he threw a punch straight at Asura path who avoided it by simply moving his head to the side. The moment Naruto's fist passed the path's face however Naruto used his Frog Kumite to send Asura path flying.
All of the path's eyes widened at this because they were sure they had dodged the attack. Naruto kept up his charge, so this time Deva path stepped forward along with Preta and Human. They all charged at the same time surrounding Naruto.
Naruto was faster but the Paths were still highly skilled, in close combat three on one Naruto was evenly matched.
Naruto went for a leg sweep only to have Human path vault his legs and drop a leg in an attempt to kick Naruto in the chest. The blond managed to roll out of the way but only to arrive with a charka rod sent straight into his shoulder from Deva path.
Naruto couldn't help but smile as the chakra rod pierced his shoulder and pinned him to a wall only for him to disappear in a puff of smoke.
"Shadow Clone!" Deva path cursed.
"Rasengan" came the voice of Naruto from behind the other paths and jumping from a nearby building Naruto crushed the Nakara path beneath him.
Animal path who was rather close to Naruto but had no real form of Taijutsu jumped away to the remaining four paths before summoning a large Lobster who shot a jet stream of water at Naruto.
"Sage Art, Fuuton: Wind compression Barrier" Naruto yelled and a large invisible barrier formed sending the water jutsu out in different directions destroying large parts of the city.
Naruto dropped the barrier just in time to avoid a large claw coming down on him from the crustacean. Where he rolled to however was not so fortunate. A large chakra rod came shooting right for him but he managed to break it before it could pierce his shoulder. However he missed the second attack that came from behind. And the thin chakra rod extended out from his leg.
Below him hiding under some rubble was the Human path, and Naruto's distraction led to him being able to stab Naruto with one of there unusual blades.
Naruto snapped the blade off and before Preta, Animal or Deva paths could react slammed his fist into the face of the Human path crushing it from the power of Naruto's attack.
"Bansho Tennin" Deva path said hoping to take advantage of Naruto's injured leg. However Naruto had other plans and was able to toss a kunai to get away.
'Damn this thing, I can feel Nagato's chakra inside of me. Wait I can use that to find his real body' Naruto realized and began searching with his senjutsu. "There he is" Naruto said to himself as Fukusaku and Shima arrived to help Naruto remove the black metal rod from his leg.
Naruto had just removed the rod when the large lobster made itself known again crushing what was left of a nearby building with it's claw. "Damn it, where is boss toad and the others. Although it wont matter much seeing as I cant get anywhere near the one who controls gravity" Naruto whined.
"Sorry Naruto-chan, they are busy dealing with the other summons" Fukusaku said as they jumped away from the large crustacean after another swing of its claw.
"I may have a solution Naruto" Katsuyu spoke climbing out of his pocket for the first time since the fight started.
"Huh what? I have been looking for a weakness in that jutsu since the fight started" Naruto said disbelievingly.
"I am in many places at once because I can divide myself, I heard Kakashi Hatake and Asuma Sarutobi talking. The Gravity user needs at least five seconds to recharge his jutsu" the slug said.
"That's not much time but it's at least something to work with. I need to get rid of the Animal path, if she is taken out the summons will be too, then I can worry about the other two" Naruto said before grabbing the claw just before it could crush Naruto and the two elder toads. Using all of his might Naruto whipped the large lobster around and sent it soaring into the air.
"You have surpassed Jiraiya sensei, that much is obvious. But you should give yourself up, your death will achieve peace" Deva path said as the three remaining paths casually walked into view from the side of a large pile of broken buildings.
"Peace, Jiraiya sensei told me your plan to create a weapon, that is not peace. You have been tormented by your own pain until you came to the point of view that massive destruction is peace. What is peaceful about this, look around you, nothing but death. If this is peace, then I don't want it" Naruto spat out.
"So it seems you now understand a little something about pain. The world is in a circle of hatred that spirals onward, I can end this, by letting the whole world know pain. If everybody feels the same loss and pain that I know, the world will be at peace" Deva path said.
"It will be peace forced upon them due to fear. That is not true peace" Naruto declared taking out several smoke bomb's from his pouch subtly.
"It does not matter how it's done. Loss breads hate, hate leads to war, wars create more loss. I will end all wars there will be no more loss after I am done" Pein said.
"Well you are going to fail" Naruto declared and he slammed the smoke bombs into the ground.
From inside the smoke there was a loud bell like screech and from the smoke the large disk of the Rasenshuriken flew.
Feeling the power behind the jutsu Preta path came forward to absorb the powerful jutsu. Then from another angle a second Rasenshuriken flew toward the three, realizing the danger Deva path used his gravity jutsu to stop the Rasenshuriken.
Then flying down from above the three paths looked up to see Naruto flying down clearly aiming for Deva path with rasengan in his left hand.
Naruto was just about to crush the momentarily defenseless Deva path when Preta finished absorbing the first Rasenshuriken and jumped in the way.
Preta path began to absorb the rasengan but he didn't notice the three pronged kunai in Naruto's other hand. Flinging the sealed kunai into the ground Naruto flashed away appearing behind Animal path his rasengan still formed he slammed it through the back of the summoners body sending her flying away.
Unsure of how long he had left Naruto went for another kunai but before he could reach was sent flying by Deva path with a Shinra Tensei.
Naruto flew uncontrollably away from where he was standing unable to reach one of his kunai due to the extra force Deva path put into the jutsu.
Naruto landed with several spikes protruding from various parts of his body and blood started to trickle out of his mouth. He had landed in some exposed scaffolding and it took most of his weakening strength to pull himself free and remove the large pieces of metal from his body.
Naruto lay trying to catch his breath, which was hard because he had a punctured lung, while Deva and Preta path's slowly approached. Naruto struggled to a stand while Deva path split off from Preta and drew his chakra rods.
Still dripping blood everywhere Naruto was just barely able to make out an object lying on the floor at Preta paths feat. His kunai, and it was still active. 'I need to keep going, I cant give up' Naruto thought desperately as Deva path raised his hand to stab Naruto with his chakra rod.
He found himself hitting nothing but a chunk of cement however as Naruto disappeared in a flash only to re-materialize to the side a Preta path, who despite dodging the attack was blown away by Naruto's extended range while in sage mode.
Naruto collapsed onto a knee from his injuries after he defeated the second last body. 'Damn I need time to recover, and I should at least try to lead him away from the village as well' Naruto thought as he coughed up some more blood from his lungs.
"You can no longer fight me, give up" Pein said flatly.
"I have a better idea, why don't you go fuck yourself. It's probably really easy with seven different bodies after all" Naruto said before spitting out more blood.
"So you figured out my secret, Konoha really has some amazing ninja after all" Deva path complimented.
"Heh, I guess so. Well what are you waiting for, I'm quite helpless" Naruto laughed out.
"This is true, you were a worthy opponent, Naruto Namikaze" Deva path said as he walked up to Naruto his chakra rod's ready to incapacitate the blond.
"Too slow" Naruto taunted before disappearing in a flash over landing back on the destroyed hokage tower at the end of the large trench of destruction they had been fighting in and around.
Pein didn't show any outward signs of frustration and was about to chase after Naruto when all three of the larger toad jumped trying to land a killing blow on Deva path but Pein was able to show off the strength of his jutsu and sent the three gargantuan toads careening out of the village like they were nothing.
"You want me. Come and get me" Naruto yelled from where he was standing and began to run as fast as he could in his injured state out of the village after using a kunai to flash up to the top of the hokage monument.
(With Kakashi and Asuma)
Asuma and Kakashi had been watching the fight from a safe distance along with most of the shinobi who had remained in the village rather than enter the underground tunnels with the civilians like most of the genin and chunin were ordered to. There were several people who disobeyed this order. Konohamaru for one along with the other rookies from Naruto's graduating class refused to leave when there friend was in such a dangerous fight. Shikamaru had wanted to help Naruto from the start but he had broken his leg just after Naruto had arrived in Pein's initial attack on the blond that destroyed a good portion of the village.
"We need to help him, he is in no way to continue this fight" Asuma said
"You're right, but we will have to be careful. Naruto is leading Pein into the forest so he will most definitely be setting up trap's" Kakashi said as he stood up feeling a lot better after a short rest.
"Come on let's go we will still have to find them" Asuma said before jumping off in the direction of the Hokage monument.
"I don't think that will be that hard" Kakashi admitted.
"Huh why not?" Asuma queried.
"See for yourself" Kakashi said pointing to an area behind the hokage monument where a huge dust cloud and trees were being ripped from the ground.
"I see what you mean" Asuma said before picking up the pace.
(With Naruto)
Naruto was running setting up traps as he went. 'I need to figure out a way that I can ambush him, it is the only hope I have, especially with all this blood that will lead him right to me' Naruto thought in desperation as he set up another elemental seal trap.
Naruto knew his traps wouldn't work thanks to Pein's gravity defense but Naruto just hoped to slow down the Deva path long enough to come up with a plan.
Naruto had paused to catch his breath, running was rather difficult with a punctured lung and multiple stab wounds after all. Catching his breath turned out to be a bad idea because it was at that moment that Pein decided he was sick of playing hide and go seek with Naruto and completely obliterated the trees around him sending his seals flying.
Naruto went to grab a kunai from his pouch to escape but just before he could throw the kunai he was hit full on in the chest by an uprooted tree completely knocking the breath from the blond sending him into unconsciousness.
When he began to wake he was pinned against a tree at the side of a huge clearing by the same tree that had knocked him out.
The most ironic thing that came to Naruto's mind was for the first time in his life there were no log's around for a Kawarimi.
Standing in the center of the clearing slowly making his way over to Naruto was Pein. "You cant move. And can no longer fight me. This is over but just to be careful I am not going to approach you" Pein said drawing one of his chakra rods and lifting it above his head threw it towards Naruto like a spear.
Naruto knew it was all over now and was just about to close his eyes in acceptance when the air in front of the chakra rod rippled and it completely disappeared. At the far side of the clearing stood Kakashi and Asuma.
"There is no way I am letting you take him" Kakashi said but having just used his Mangekyo Sharingan all of his fatigue from his previous fight came back tenfold and he had to lean on Asuma for support.
"Reinforcements?" Pein said in mild shock.
Kakashi struggled back to his feet and got into a battle ready stance. "If you want Naruto then you will have to go through us. He is a comrade and a very good friend to me" the copy ninja said.
"I agree, Naruto saved my life so I couldn't live with myself if I just let you take him" Asuma added.
"So you still wish to die. Very well, I have no more use for either of you anyway" Pein said drawing another two black metal rods. "Bansho Tennin"
Kakashi and Asuma couldn't stop themselves and in a large empty clearing they had nothing to brace against to prevent them from being pulled toward Pein.
As the pair arrived Pein simply drove the sharp chakra receivers through the chest of both jonnin before throwing them to the side.
Naruto couldn't help it anymore and in an explosion of anger a large black dome formed around the blond as a demonic scream filled the air.
"Well this will be interesting, looks like he is forced to use the Kyuubi" Deva path said as he looked on at the black dome as a thin pillar of black smoke rose into the air.
End Chapter!
I hope the fight was believable.
And sorry for another cliff hanger.