Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 79: A Race to Catch Danzo!
The Kage and their bodyguard's just stood there completely shocked. It was not every day that you find out someone who should have been dead over a hundred years ago comes back and declares war on the free world.
"Well it is obvious what needs to be done now, we can no longer discuss this amongst ourselves we need to form a shinobi alliance" Garra said.
"It seems no harm has come to my brother, so my initial reason for calling this summit is no longer relevant. But I will not let the Akatsuki have there way any longer. We will form a shinobi alliance and settle this war as quickly as possible" A agreed.
"Raikage-sama we must make arrangements right away to track down Killer Bee. And if the Akatsuki's targets are the remaining Bijuu then the Akatsuki already has a head start in locating him" Shee said.
"You're quire right. Select a search party and contact the village so they can begin the search at once" the Raikage ordered.
"We should let team Samui know about this too, Karui and Omoi were seriously down about all this" Darui suggested.
"In order to stop Madara from succeeding in his moon's eye plan, we must not let him get his hands on the Nibi, Hachibi, or Kyuubi. It seems to me the best course of action would be to locate the remaining jinchuuriki and hide them away so Madara cannot find them" Mei said.
"What! You expect me to just sit around and do nothing, while people are fighting and dying in order to save the world! No chance in hell" Naruto said angrily.
"The power that the six Bijuu he already has is beyond imagining, to not use the jinchuuriki in the war would be a misuse of military power that we will need if we are to even stand a chance" Oonoki said.
"I have to agree, to not allow Naruto and the others to fight would greatly reduce our chances of winning this war. The Six Bijuu that he already has have made him confident enough to declare war on us all, so we need to use our own Bijuu to combat them" Tsunade added.
"Unthinkable, I am sorry Naruto, Tsunade-dono, but I cannot agree. The Bijuu are Madara's sole targets in this war, so it is of vital importance that they are kept safe" Garra said.
"This is insane, you are expecting me not to fight? How can you expect me to allow that" Naruto said.
"I am sorry, but that is my position on the issue. I suspect the reason Madara has decided to start this war using the six Bijuu he collected... Is because in his current weakened state, and with the few Akatsuki members remaining, it would be too difficult for him to capture the remaining jinchuuriki. And even if he succeeded the risks would be too high. He may be planning to use this war to lure them out" Garra theorized.
"I can certainly agree with that conclusion" Mei said.
"I agree with the Kazekage as well! Considering what it may lead to, we cannot possibly place the remaining jinchuuriki out there on the front lines for Madara or any remaining Akatsuki member to take whenever they feel like. At any rate, my brother, the Hachibi's jinchuuriki, is not the kind of man to follow any strategies we might prepare. Who knows what he might end up doing" the Raikage added.
"Look I can understand all of that, but I am sure we can come up with a compromise" Naruto said.
"What would you propose, let you out one at a time. Risking adding to Madara's strength even a little bit would be suicide" Garra said.
"Maybe, but I have the ability to travel anywhere in an instant, we could be used to defend area's that come under attack, or to help on the battleground's for small periods of time, just long enough to give our army's the edge then I take all three of us back to where ever you plan on hiding us" Naruto suggested.
"I don't know it still seems rather risky" Garra said.
"This is a war, we need to be able to take calculated risks, if we don't we will loose this war. I am sure any Nara will tell you the same thing" Naruto said.
"I agree, it seems like a good compromise, have select members of the alliance carry Naruto's marked kunai and if they need help with a battle he is there as instant backup. It gives us the element of surprise over the enemy as well, they will have no idea where or when Naruto and the others will show up" Tsunade said.
"It certainly seems like a good course of action, but I would like to put in the condition that any battle that Madara is seen at Naruto and the others not be allowed to be summoned" Mei said.
"I suppose I can live with that. It will work out great, while we are not doing anything we can always train to become stronger, after all I was thinking it was about time I learned how to deal with this stupid fox" Naruto said.
"I would like to support Naruto on this, I saw the way he dealt with Danzo's forces, if there is anyone who would be able to swing the tide on a battleground it would be him" Ao said confidently.
"He has my vote, I trusted him almost a year ago to protect Yugito-chan and he has not failed me, so I will believe in him now" A said.
"Last one Garra, come on, I wont let myself get captured. I wont die, not until I become Hokage" Naruto said confidently.
"Very well, we will have to think up some battle strategies that will incorporate the abilities of the jinchuuriki then" Garra said.
"Alright I knew you would come through for me, way to go Garra" Naruto said giving the young Kazekage a friendly pat on the back.
"These things can all be discussed in a meeting after we inform each of our villages about the war, we will need to gather out information about the strength of the ninja force from each village so we can see how strong our joint ninja army will be" A said.
"The Land of Iron will help as well, Madara is not just a threat to the Shinobi world. He will not leave us samurai free if he succeeds in his plan's. We want to fight too" Mifune said firmly.
"Very well, I say we head back to our villages and begin the preparations for war, I will inform everyone on the status of Killer Bee, if and when we find him" A said.
"Naruto where is Kakashi?" Tsunade asked.
"He is chasing after Danzo. Sai is helping him" Naruto said.
"I see, well we better go catch up to him then" Tsunade said with a smile.
"Alright let's get going Baa-chan" Naruto said before they left the room to make there way to the exit of the complex.
(Elsewhere in the Land of Iron)
Danzo was running followed closely by Fu, Torune, and the five surviving Root Anbu from the fight with Naruto.
"Danzo-sama, we are being followed" Fu said.
"Who is it?" Danzo asked.
"I believe it is Kakashi Hatake, and Sai" Fu informed the group.
"We need to hold them off, you five stay behind and stop Kakashi" Danzo ordered.
"If Sai is with them, we can no longer go to our hideout we planned to. Sai will know all of the current local bases we will have to keep going until we get closer to the Land of Fire" Torune added.
"We will need to pick up the pace, Kakashi Hatake will not take long to deal with those men. They are skilled ninja. But the Copy Ninja is far superior" Danzo admitted.
(With Kakashi and Sai)
"So what can you tell me about those two bodyguard's of Danzo's. I can deal with his thugs but those two bodyguard's are much stronger" Kakashi said.
"Well as you know Torune is a member of the Aburame clan, he has a special type of beetle that no other Aburame can use. Fu on the other hand is a highly skilled member of the Yamanaka clan, he is an expert trap maker and you need to avoid any doll's you find, they are more than likely trap's" Sai said.
"Is that all?" Kakashi asked.
"No Fu is also a highly trained sensor type, not at the same level as Naruto but if we get close to them they will without a doubt attempt to stall us. In fact, I'm surprised we have not run into any traps or the five remaining Root Ninja yet" Said replied.
"Do you know where they are heading?" Kakashi asked.
"The initial plan was to fall back to a small cave half way out of Iron country, however if they suspect us to be following them they will not risk going there in case I told you where they were heading" Sai said.
"Why is it you can tell me this? Isn't your seal supposed to stop you from giving away information on Danzo or Root bases?" Kakashi asked.
"Oh I can't, the meeting place was never a Root base so it was not effected by the seal, and it only prevents me from talking about Danzo, specific members of Root wont effect the seal as we need to inform other ninja of our skills if that is necessary for a mission" Sai informed Kakashi.
"I think we are getting close, they will most likely have sensed us by now, get ready for a fight" Kakashi said seriously.
(Unknown location)
Sasuke woke up in a weird location. It looked like it went on forever and the only land sources were large pillers that seemed to stretch out over vast area's. He eventually stopped applying pressure to biting Karin's arm.
"Sasuke-kun you're safe, thank kami. Karin said.
"Damn it, I had to be saved again, those damn Kage, I will make them all pay for this humiliation" Sasuke seethed.
"Oh forget them, you are forgetting that you let your main target get away" came the voice of Madara from behind them.
"What do you want" Sasuke spat.
"You failed me again, although I guess I was able to salvage something from it. Your ocular powers have really improved. Not quite at Itachi's level, but in time you might just impress me" Madara said.
"Shut up! I need to get out of here so I can find Danzo" Sasuke Replied angrily.
"That wont be that hard, I will take you right too him. Once you are properly healed of course. You owe me a thank you though. I had to step in to stop the young Namikaze and Kakashi Hatake from killing the old schemer themselves" Madara said.
"I am ready, take me too him" Sasuke ordered.
"Patients Sasuke-kun we need to time your arrival to prevent any unwanted interruptions. Just wait a little longer, then I promise you can have your revenge without any interference" Madara assured the younger Uchiha.
"What about Juugo and Suigetsu?" Karin asked.
"What about them, they were nothing more than a means to an end. If they get captured or fall behind they are of no more use to me. In the end they are expendable" Sasuke said flatly.
'He is coming along perfectly, the more he fights and the more he is frustrated the further into darkness he becomes, soon I will be able to convince him to take Sasuke's eyes and then I will have another key weapon for this war. But it is just like you say Sasuke-kun, the moment you are captured or are no longer of any use to me, I will have no hesitation in getting rid of you' Madara thought in glee as he could almost feel Sasuke's chakra darken.
The same feeling came over Karin but she rather than enjoy the sensation like Madara couldn't help but wince away from it. 'Sasuke-kun, what is happening to you. You're different now, so dark and getting darker. Are you lost forever? I thought this would be over once you killed your brother and then we could relax somewhere. For you to just abandon Suigetsu and Juugo, I may not have liked them in the begining, but we were a team, and in the end, friend's' she thought.
(Outside Kage Summit Complex)
Naruto was sitting in a meditative pose recharging the senjutsu seals that he was forced to use in his battle with the Root army.
"How long is this going to take gaki, we don't have all day! Kakashi and Danzo will be getting further and further away as we speak" Tsunade said.
"Sorry Baa-chan, but if I am going to find them then I need to have sage mode, and I want to be prepared for the fight" Naruto replied.
"Well just hurry it up already, if he gets away he could become a threat to the joint village alliance" Tsunade said.
"He wont get away, Madara wont let him" Naruto stated.
"What do you mean, 'Madara wont let him'?" Tsunade asked.
"He wants Sasuke to kill Danzo to give him a small taste of the revenge he wants to get on Konoha" Naruto said.
"What are you talking about? Why would Sasuke want revenge on Konoha!" Tsunade asked shocked.
"It is something to do with the truth behind the Uchiha clan massacre. You would be better off asking the elders, he blames them most of all" Naruto answered.
"So you're telling me he wants to kill my advisers and Danzo? I am tempted to allow him to succeed" Tsunade said with a small smile.
"Unfortunately, that is not all Sasuke want's. I think it is his goal to completely wipe Konoha from the map, and kill every man woman and child that lives there" Naruto said a small hint of disgust in his voice.
"You're kidding right, I mean sure he is a bit twisted but wiping out the entire village and everyone who lives there is insane" Tsunade said.
"Are you forgetting who the puppet master is. Sasuke has become nothing more than a tool for Madara to use, albeit a brooding emo tool, but a tool non the less" Naruto said.
"So if we find Danzo, we find Sasuke" Tsunade surmised.
"Exactly, and I don't plan on making the mistake of letting him live again. This ends today" Naruto said, and he stood up having entered sage mode after all of his seals were full.
"Well where is he?" Tsunade asked.
"Well Danzo is out of range, but I can still just sense Kakashi sensei and Sai. It seems they are heading back towards the Land of Fire" Naruto said.
"Well what are we waiting for let's go!" Tsunade ordered.
Naruto didn't need telling twice and he took off at the same speed as Tsunade.
(With Kakashi)
Kakashi stopped still. Sai seeing this followed his lead.
"What is it Kakashi sensei?" Sai asked.
"Sensei? It has been a long time since you have called me that. We are surrounded, there are five shinobi hiding in the trees" Kakashi said.
They five root members must have heard Kakashi, and they wasted little time in attacking, a large hail of kunai and shuriken shot out of the trees, along with two large Katon jutsu.
"Jump!" Kakashi yelled to Sai and they both narrowly avoided the on coming barrage.
(With Danzo)
Danzo and his remaining two bodyguard's jumped out of the tree line and came to a large bridge.
"Danzo-sama, Kakashi Hatake has been intercepted by our men" Fu informed his leader.
"Good, that will buy us enough time to escape" Danzo said flatly.
Unfortunately for Danzo, someone had other idea's and when they made it half way across the bridge they heard a voice.
"So where do you think you are going? You're not leaving so soon are you? Sasuke would be so disappointed" Madara said from atop a large pillar.
"Akatsuki? What do the Akatsuki want with me?" Danzo asked coming to a stop.
"We can get to that later. First allow me to introduce myself. I am Madara Uchiha, the leader of the Akatsuki" Madara said in a friendly tone.
"Madara Uchiha? Impossible!" Danzo said.
"Oh I assure you that is who I am, but regardless it matters not. I have someone with me who would like to talk to you" Madara informed Danzo.
"I do not have time for this, perhaps we could do this at a later time?" Danzo said.
"Ah you are referring to Kakashi Hatake and your little prodigy that are chasing you. Well I doubt you will be loosing them, so this is the only chance we have to get this done" Madara said sitting down and crossing his legs.
"You are underestimating me, I can escape the Copy Ninja" Danzo said.
"Perhaps, but I can assure you that Tsunade Senju and Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze will soon be joining them. Do you really think you can escape that rather annoying boy, he has already put a large dent into my plans, how long do you think you can escape him?" Madara stated.
"Then what do you want?" Danzo asked.
"I already told you, there is someone with me that wants to talk to you" Madara said.
"Then who, I don't see anyone?" Danzo queried.
"I believe you know of him well. Sasuke Uchiha!" Madara said and then warping from around Madara's eye Sasuke and Karin appeared.
"There as promised Sasuke-kun. Go enjoy your revenge" Madara said.
"Danzo! Prepare to Die!" Sasuke roared a chidori coming to life in his hand.
"Fu, Torune hold him off while I remove the holdings on my arm" Danzo ordered.
(Just Inside the Border of the Land of Iron)
Shikamaru's team were jumping from tree to tree at top speed and just landed in a clearing to begin to run on foot when Kiba stopped.
"Kiba what is it?" Shikamaru asked.
"It's Sasuke, I have found him!" Kiba said.
"What where!" Sakura asked taking a step back in surprise.
"I don't understand it really, he just sort of appeared out of nowhere! He is about one and a half miles north west" Kiba said.
"Yosh if we have found him then this is our chance. Although it saddens me it is time we do away with Sasuke-kun once and for all" Lee yelled.
"Agreed, let's go" Shikamaru ordered.
But the moment he turned in the direction to lead towards Sasuke he felt something move behind him.
"What the? Smoke bombs?" Kiba said.
"Sakura what the hell?" Shikamaru asked as they went off.
"I'm sorry this is something I have to do alone, Sasuke was on my team and I loved him. I have to do this" she pleaded apologetically.
"What have you done to us" Shikamaru said as he felt his legs go weak.
"It is a sleeping poison, you will be out for around two hours as long as nobody wakes you up" Sakura said before she turned and left her fellow Konoha ninja to collapse moments later.
(With Kakashi)
The two loyal Konoha ninja had been dodging attacks for awhile now and Kakashi was fast becoming sick of it. "That's it, Sai use your ink we need some cover" Kakashi ordered.
Sai complied and quickly drew several ink lions before creating a large Eagle to carry both himself and Kakashi high above the battleground.
"Now what?" Sai asked.
"We fight back" Kakashi said uncovering his sharingan and jumping down from the eagle he charged a Raikiri in mid air and shot it forward into the leaves of a tree as he landed back in the center where he had left from.
Seconds later a Root Anbu fell from the tree Kakashi's lightening blade was fired at. He had a large wound over his heart. It was clear even from a distance that the man was dead.
"Well, shall we continue?" Kakashi asked, quickly eying the locations that he knew the remaining Root members were hiding in.
Their response came in the form of four Katon jutsu all fired at the same time. This time Kakashi did not move to get out of the way this time, instead he ran through his own set of hand seals. "Suiton: Water Encampment Wall" Kakashi said.
Fortunately for the Copy Ninja, there was quite a lot of melted snow from all of the Katon jutsu that had been fired, that supplied his jutsu easily with enough water to protect him completely.
It was at that time Sai took his chance and from upon the Eagle where he was perched he drew several large Ink birds and sent them into one of the trees to attack one of the root members.
He fell from his hiding location at the same time as the other jutsu dropped. Kakashi seeing his opportunity didn't waste it. He quickly launched several kunai at the exposed ninja, each attack hitting a vital organ.
Kakashi didn't stop there and again began running though several hand seals. "Suiton: Violent Water Wave" Kakashi yelled and a thick stream of water shot from his mouth. Kakashi didn't drop his justsu and spun around knocking all the remaining Root ninja out of the tree's.
Not letting them have any time to counter Kakashi charge the closest ninja first and with a kunai in each hand used one to slit his throat and the other to impale his heart killing him instantly.
The last two Root Anbu knew they had run out of luck and this would most likely be where they died. They did not want to fail Danzo however, so they both prepared a kunai in each hand and charged forwards.
Kakashi, with his Sharingan uncovered and superior skill and speed easily maneuvered himself out of the way of the on coming attack's. Still there constant barrage of stabs with there kunai or kicks made it hard to counter. That was until Sai once again got involved.
Two large lions bowled over one of the attackers just as Kakashi ducked under an attack from the other. Using this opening Kakashi quickly charged a Chidori and ran his hand through the chest of the Root member while Sai's lions made quick work of the other.
"That took far longer than I anticipated. They were well organized" Sai said.
"Yeah, more than likely we will need Pakun to help us catch up to him now" Kakashi said, covering his sharingan.
"Perhaps, but I suggest we keep going, there is only one easy way to cross the main river up ahead, a bridge, if we have lost him after that then I agree we summon your ninja hounds" Sai said.
"Agreed, I do not want to waste anymore chakra needlessly" Kakashi replied.
They did not get far before they felt a massive burst of chakra and a explosion. "What was that?" Sai asked.
"I don't know, it came from the bridge? But I don't think Danzo-sama would stay behind to destroy a bridge, it wouldn't slow us down at all. He is far more calculated than that, perhaps he placed a seal on the bridge and it misfired. That is more of his style" Sai said.
"Sai, you just talked about Danzo's skills, how is that possible?" Kakashi asked.
"You are right, I did. But that could only mean... That Danzo is dead!" Sai said.
"Are you sure?" Kakashi asked.
"Positive, but I do not know how it is possible" Fu and Torune were his most loyal men, they would never betray him" Sai said.
"Sasuke, it has to be. Madara must have gotten his way!" Kakashi said.
"Do you think he could have overtaken us so easily?" Sai asked.
"I don't know, the only way we are going to find out is if we get to that bridge before he leaves" Kakashi said.
(With Sasuke)
Sasuke was standing on the bridge looking over at the massive area Danzo's last attack had destroyed of the bridge. The fight had thoroughly frustrated Sasuke. He saw the fact Danzo had so many sharingan as a personal insult. And every time he came back to life his anger grew.
In the end he had no problems sacrificing Karin to help finish him off for good.
"Congratulations Sasuke, how do you feel now that you have gotten the first part of your revenge?" Madara asked.
"I feel... I feel... Amazing his death was like a weight off my shoulder's and it will feel even better to see the people of Konoha scream and die at my feet" Sasuke said with a twisted smile.
"The girl, if she is no more use to you then I suggest you kill her. She knows too much about us already" Madara said.
"What do you mean 'us' there is no 'us'" Sasuke said.
"If you say so, anyway I have a war to prepare for. But I will be watching you" Madara said before disappearing in a spiraling void.
"Sasuke... … Please he-hel-p m-m-me" Karin said her words slurred by blood that was pooling in her mouth and pouring out when she spoke.
"You got yourself captured, you are useless. If you are no help to me, I do not need you, nor do I want you around" Sasuke said flatly.
"Sasuke-kun!" came a voice from behind the ever brooding Uchiha.
"Hello Sakura... May I ask why you are here?" Sasuke said.
"I came because... because I want to join you, I want to help you in your goals what ever they are" Sakura yelled trying to show Sasuke she was serious.
"Really? You don't even know what it is I have planned" Sasuke said.
"I don't care, I want to be with you!" Sakura replied.
"My goal is to destroy Konoha, and kill every last living thing inside it's walls. Knowing this are you still willing to join me?" Sasuke asked.
Sakura was no doubt shocked to here that was Sasuke's goal but she didn't want to show the Uchiha how hesitant she was. "I don't care, I will help you. I am a good medic, one of the best in the world behind Tsunade" Sakura said.
"Very well, I may accept if you prove to me you are capable of helping me. First kill her!" Sasuke said pointing at Karin.
The red headed kunoichi's eyes went wide in horror when she heard what Sasuke said. "No please Sasuke-kun don't" she begged but his eyes held no forgiveness or kindness anywhere in them.
Sakura slowly approached and took out a kunai. But before she could get near either Sasuke or Karin two more people arrived at the bridge. "Ka-Kakashi sen-sei... what are you doing here?" Sakura stammered.
"I could ask you the same thing" Kakashi asked eying the pink haired medic.
Sasuke just started laughing uncontrollably. And his laugh was not that of joy but more like a twisted anger. "Hahahaha would you look at this, the old Team Seven, back together again. I did not see this coming, but it does give me a chance to kill you sensei" Sasuke said before activating his sharingan.
End Chapter!
Again I skipped Sasuke's fight, it was more or less the same as the cannon so I decided to go with Kakashi's fight against the Root Anbu on account of the fact I don't hate Kakashi, and I just couldn't be bothered writing out a fight that I really thought added nothing to the story, apart from stalling Sasuke long enough for Sakura to show up, and do her standard weakling useless character routine.