Last time, the invasion of Konoha has begun. As the Sandaime and Orochimaru prepare to square off, Konoha was fighting off against both Suna and Oto shinobi forces. As this was happening, Naruto was moving as fast as he could to catch up on Gaara, along with his siblings, and Ko in order to not only stop them from killing each other but to also try and save them from the darkness that they both have.
Roof
As the battle in the stadium continue to escalate, Sarutobi looked at Orochimaru to see tiny amount of tears falling out of his eyes. The old hokage acted amused where he question Orochimaru about his feelings on destroying Konoha, his former home, was such a joy to him.
Orochimaru used the kunai that he held against the Hokage's neck to stab his other hand.
"Ah, much better." Orochimaru said as his blood ran down his stab hand. As everyone, who paid attention to what Orochimaru has done, he wipe away the tear in his eyes, "No… I was just tired. I yawned and a tear leaked out, that's all." Orochimaru simply stated
Once the little show had ended, Orochimaru stepped away from the old man and giving each other some space. As Orochimaru stepped away, Hiruzen question his former student on why he was doing this. Orochimaru's answer was simple yet insane since he just wanted to create events to see what would lead up to. With that being said, both former master and student prepare for their battle.
Audience
As the konoha shinobi worked on taking out the oto and suna nin, Sakura was wondering on what to do. It was then that Kakashi appeared in front of her and told her that he's giving her an A-rank mission with both Ino and Shikamaru as part of a 4 man team.
"In this kind of situation? Wh-what kind of mission is it Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura wondered
Kakashi looked back at Sakura, "Ko is in pursuit of Gaara and the other members of the sand team. Along with that, Naruto is also making his towards them. Sakura, you are to release Ino and Shikamaru from the genjutsu, track Ko down to provide support." Ordered Kakashi as he cut a small wound on his thumb.
Sakura asked if she should get more to help out, which Kakashi explained to her about the possible situation going around Konoha. He told her that a large team will attract the suna and oto forces that are already attacking Konoha. He finished his explanation by summoning a dog, stating that this is the fourth member of their team.
Sakura understood the Kakashi's explanation, where she quickly went to wake up Ino and Shikamaru, who came up to them after watching the last match to see from a safe distance the three way battle that was going to happen.
After reviving both of them and explaining a bit on what's happening, all four of them left to go after Ko and give him support. As they left, they were unknowingly seen leaving the area by two groups. One was Shino, who decided to follow, while the other was the fake anbu agent along with his team of oto nins.
Roof
Sarutobi and Orochimaru stood a nice distance from each, where they discard their robes to reveal their battle uniform. No sooner they removed their robes, they stared at each with narrow eyes as they increase their chakra levels against each other.
The entire area was engulf with power from the two individuals that parts of the roof tiles were beginning to crack and break from the sheer pressure that both were releasing. Outside the barrier, all the shinobi that were close by could feel the intensity that coming from inside the barrier. The only people that weren't affect by this was the Raikage and Mizukage, as the rest were sweating a cold sweat from the sheer force.
Once both, Hiruzen and Orochimaru, reached their maximum chakra levels, the battle began. They both run towards each other, performing their individual hand signs.
Hiruzen pulled out 2 shuriken and threw them at Orochimaru, "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu." He thought where the two shuriken multiplied several times to becoming a barrage.
Orochimaru didn't show any worry as he performed his jutsu, "Edo Tensei." He thought as he put both his hand down on the roof. It was then two coffins appeared in front of him where it became shield for him from the shuriken strikes. Sarutobi knew what this jutsu was where he immediately performed several hand signs to stop a third coffin to appear which it didn't.
"Hmm, the third one didn't appeared. Oh well… with these two it would still be quite interesting." Orochimaru thought as he saw through a gap from behind his summoning.
Hiruzen relax a bit from stopping the third summoning from appearing, "I was able to stop the third one, but now things are going to be difficult. Of all people, he summoned those two…" thought as the summoning that Orochimaru performed starting to manifest themselves.
From outside the barrier, Konoha Anbu, along with A and Mei with their guards, saw the coffins open up to reveal what was inside it. When they saw what was inside, several of them gasp in shock while a few wondered on who they were.
One of the summoning that had white hair looked at Hiruzen, "It's been a long time, eh monkey?"
"Ohh… it's you Sarutobi. You've grown old haven't you." Said the second one with long black straight hair.
The Sandaime look with both fear and sorrow at what he about to do, "I would never have thought that I would have to fight you two brothers. It is regrettable, but please… prepare yourselves to be defeated…" Sarutobi announce as he looked at both men.
"… Shodaime-sama!" looking at the black hair one, then at the other one, "Nidaime-sama!"
Everyone outside the barrier now look in sheer awe and horror as the Shodaime and Nidaime Hokages were going to be force to fight against the Sandaime. Once things were set, Orochimaru prepare to let loose the two brothers against Hiruzen.
Outside the barrier, the Raikage and Mizukage watch closely as they, as well as everyone near them, are about to witness the battle of a Hokage battle royal.
With Naruto
Naruto was giving chase, moving through the trees at top speed as he followed Gaara and Ko's trail that led away from the village. As Naruto moved along, he felt like something was wrong. He slowed down his pace for a moment to widen his sense of hearing, with his chakra, to hear who was following.
About a couple of hundred meters away, he heard the sounds of several people, heading towards his location. He didn't know who it was, but he guess it must be a group of shinobi from how fast they're moving. He was going to see who it was but then heard a very faint sound coming from behind them. He focus harder to hear several more shinobi were following the other group, except it was a lot more of them than the first group, as well as bigger given how hard they step.
Naruto stop his focus, return his hearing back to normal as he guess that the first group must be Konoha shinobi, genin from what he can tell. The group behind them could be allies but doubt that since in this type of situation a half a dozen or more shinobi would be plain stupid. He figured that it could be enemy shinobi hunting them. Naruto guess that Gaara's bijuu transformation is a key component for this invasion, given what the Nibi told Yugito to tell him on how the Ichibi works.
Against his better judgment, he decided to give the Konoha shinobi a bit of a hand as well as earn a favor from them.
With Sakura
Sakura, along with Ino, Shikamaru and Kakashi's summoning, Pakkun, were racing through the trees to try and reach Ko to give him some support against Gaara and Naruto, as well as Gaara's siblings.
As they moved, Pakkun took a whiff of something bad behind them, which he told the genin about since it was getting closer.
"From behind, two squads with eight, no... One more, nine men are chasing us!" Pakkun stated getting bad reactions from them.
They quickly started forming a plan, where Ino and Sakura agreed with an ambush tactic. Unfortunately, it was shot down by Shikamaru who began to explain the problems with the ambush plan on how it wouldn't work against the enemy since they're enemy was trained by a former Konoha shinobi.
"Even if we ambush them, the chance of it actually working is too low since there are a lot of undecided factors involved! To begin with, the enemy's a ninja squad that's been organized for this plan, where we only have…" Shikamaru explained as he looked at his current team members.
"A bossy loudmouth blonde kunoichi…" Ino glared at him
"… Another kunoichi with no special abilities…" Sakura narrowed her eyes at him.
"… A dog…" Pakkun looked deadpanned while having a tick mark on his forehead.
"… and the best guy at running away, me!" Shikamaru lamely finished explaining.
It was then that Shikamaru explained that the best plan in this type of situation is a decoy where one person stay back giving everyone else a chance to go help Ko against Gaara and Naruto.
"But there is one problem with the plan. The one that stays back will probably…" getting everyone's attention, "… die!" Shikamaru stated
It was there that Shikamaru volunteered to be the decoy since he is the only who can pull it off since he is the only who can use Kagemane no Jutsu to paralyze an enemy and delay them long enough for the rest to get away.
As they were finishing discussing the situation to them, Pakkun notice that the last branch that he jump on had a hidden wire trip that Ino triggered. He sweated a bit but wondered on why nothing has happened.
With the enemy sound nin, the fake anbu and this team saw Sakura and her group leave the stadium. The fake anbu ordered this team to track them where they were about a hundred meters away from reaching Sakura and her friends when one of them notice a shinobi wire that was almost hidden pretty will. They all soon guess that the area in front of them was trap for them. They decided to spring it where it would make Shikamaru and his team believe that their plan succeeded.
When they trip it, nothing happened as they waited for a bit. It was then that figured that the trap was actually a decoy where it would slow them down. They quickly went forward where it wasn't long before they spotted three more trip wires where they did the same thing, where nothing happened.
"Damn it! I can't believe these childlike tricks are delaying us so much. I bet that's what they're doing since setting these trip wires was just too fast." Said one oto nin
"I'm going serious make them beg me to kill them." Said another
"Look another trip wire!" pointed the third oto shinobi
"Forget about it, just keep moving." Said the leader, where he just stepped on it.
Like the last time, nothing happened. As most of them leapt pass the last trip wire where it was then that they were suddenly caught in a giant flash.
Shikamaru, Ino, Sakura, and Pakkun continue to leap forward a bit till Shikamaru stop on a branch.
"Well, this is my stop. You guys keep moving forwards. I'll catch up with you guys later on. Hurry up and go!" Shikamaru stated
"Shikamaru…" Ino muttered
"We'll be depending on you!" Sakura stated
"Yeah, yeah…" Shikamaru stated as he wave them good-bye
As Sakura, Ino and Pakkun were about to leave Shikamaru alone, they were caught off guard when all of sudden, they felt and saw large explosion where the enemy shinobi were following them.
Everyone wondered on what happened with the enemy shinobi that was tracking them. It was then from behind that they heard someone say, "You better be grateful that I decided to help you four out a bit."
They turned to see Naruto, leaning against a tree with his arms crossed around his chest. They saw that Naruto had a serious look on his face as he looked at the four.
Pakkun was wondering on why he didn't even smell him, where he got his answer as Naruto said, "So I was right. You did have a dog. Probably using him to track Gaara, Ko, and me. Too bad his nose wasn't able to trace this little plant's scent since I bet you anything that it was going to make him sneeze a bit." Where Naruto blew on the plant fragments in his hand directly at Pakkun, where he panic a bit since he knew that this particular plant will make him sneeze or have a stuff up nose.
All four of them looked at how calmly Naruto looked at them. It was then that Shikamaru decided to be the first to talk.
"So then… Naruto, right? What are you doing here? This situation doesn't involve Kumo at all, and yet…" narrowing his eyes, "… your helped us by taking out the hunting party against us. Why did you do that?" questioning Naruto
Naruto didn't look phased by Shikamaru's look, "I did it since I don't want anyone to interfere on the battle royal that is going happen in a bit. And with you guys following our scent and leading a squad of the invasion force to where it was going to be it wasn't the ideal strategy for me on dealing with since I'll be focusing on Gaara and Ko." Answering Shikamarui's question
"W-what do you mean? Battle Royal?" Ino asked while still glaring at Naruto
"Currently, Gaara in an unstable condition because of the injury that I gave him." Naruto started to explain
"Isn't that a good thing? With that, Ko and all of us will be able to take Gaara out easily then… as long as we take care of his siblings first." Sakura stated
"True, if this was any other type of shinobi. Unfortunately, in Gaara's case… the darkness that is sealed inside Gaara is starting to unleash when I pierced him, which resulted in a very dangerous state. The darkness inside him is getting close to the bubbling point where he'll truly have the upper hand against all of you." Naruto explained where the others were wondering on what he meant. Before they can question it Naruto continued on.
"Also, with Ko… he's still under his master control where you all believe that he's somewhat weaker than Sasuke, right?" looking at the other genin, "… while in fact, he's actually stronger where he may also become just as big of a threat to everyone around him." Naruto stated as everyone gasp on what they were hearing.
"I won't be surprise about it since I bet there wasn't explanation to Ko's mysterious life. Now that you know, all of you stay away since I'm the only one of a few individuals that can handle the situation." Naruto said as he was ready to leave.
Before Naruto could leave, Shikamaru stated out, "So, that's the reason why you're going where Gaara and Ko are. Man, Neji was right. Kumo is nothing but low in doing something like this." Getting confused looks from Sakura and Ino, while Pakkun understood as Naruto turned his head back to hear what Shikamaru was talking about.
"I get it now… the reason you're tracking both Ko and Gaara is not to join the battle, but…" getting everyone's attention, "… to kill them." Sakura and Ino both glared at Naruto. "Kumo knew how dangerous both Ko and Gaara really are and decided the best way to deal with the situation was to take care of them in the chunin exam since killing in the exam is not illegal. Now with Konoha at war against Suna and Oto, Kumo is going to take this opportunity to take of the threat ones and for all, like he did with Sasuke." Shikamaru explained while everyone took a battle stance against Naruto.
Naruto chuckled a bit, getting everyone there a little nervous, as he looked back at them, "… my, my… and here I thought you were a genius. Unfortunately for you, you're wrong Shikamaru. I have no intention on killing both of them." Naruto stated
"Then why are you going after them?" Sakura question out loud
"I'm going to save them." Naruto simply answered
"Save them? Save them from what?" Ino asked curiously
"I'm going to save them from themselves. From the darkness that both Konoha and Suna place inside them since I can understand on what they went through. Only someone like me understands on what they went through." Naruto explained, getting confused looks from everyone.
Before they could question it, Naruto shush them as he closed his eyes and concentrated on his hearing. Naruto focus a bit as he stated, "There are four different heartbeats coming from the destroy area that I place… No… wait… Three heartbeats. One is slowly stopping. Two of the other ones are breathing rapidly, guessing that they're trying to calm themselves from the explosion as well as injuries. The third one is perfectly fine given how calm his heart is beating. I'm guessing that only three survived my little surprise while everyone else is dead."
Everyone was surprise to hear that while Pakkun sniff the air to confirm that Naruto was right since he smells the burned and charred skin of people. Naruto looked at them, "Well, even though I would love to stay and continue to chat with you. I have other things to deal with. You guys should stay here and take care of those other one's since the last three might continue with their mission. See yah." Naruto said as he puffed into smoke
"A Kage Bunshin! That kid is really good. Not only did he took care of our problems by setting that trap to take care of our enemy. He also delayed us by getting us to chat. Whoever that kid is, one thing is for sure. If you guys where to fight him, it's obvious that he is going to win." Pakkun stated, where Shikamaru, Ino and Sakura looked at the dog with surprise. Shikamaru mentally agree since Naruto was more cunning than some jounin that he knew. With that, Shikamaru suggested that they get ready for the possible enemy since they are now more cautious and such were they could probably have the advantage in ambush attack because of Naruto's explosion tactic.
With Naruto
Naruto was moving through the trees as he got the mental memory of his Kage Bunshin that stopped not only the enemy shinobi but also against Shikamaru and the other genin with him.
As he moved, he couldn't help but second guess himself since he was wondering if he could actually take on both Gaara and Ko since this is going to be very dangerous.
"I hope I know what I'm doing since this is going to be rough." Naruto thought as he moved even faster to get to both Gaara and Ko.
Arena
Outside the barrier, after watching the battle that Hiruzen was fighting in, where he is now inside a forest like structure because of the Shodaime Hokage's mokoton, the Raikage and Mizukage began to make their own moves.
Mei was watching how the battle progress until her and shinobi guard notice Haku and her teammate appeared next to them. Both genin asked their Mizukage would want them to do. Mei thought about it for a bit, where she gave them the order that they'll be assisting Konoha in the invasion, after they secure their Daimyo. After that, both Haku and her teammate left to give Zabuza her orders.
Mei's bodyguard, Ao, looked her with some skeptical look since he question her decision. He explained his concern about her orders, where Mei gave him her explanation.
"This is a good opportunity for us. Don't forget that we're not just hear to watch our genin compete in the chunin exams. We are also here to discuss a peace treaty with Konoha because we are still recovering from our civil war. Not to mention that Orochimaru is an S-rank shinobi wanted in every country, including our own. We can benefit from this where Konoha would want to have a peace treaty with us along with bringing in a wanted criminal to justice." Mei explained
After hearing Mei answer, Ao couldn't help but agree that Mei's plan would benefit Kiri. With that, Mei and Ao left to meet up with Zabuza to begin their involvement with Konoha against both Suna and oto forces.
The Raikage and Dariu looked on at the battle, where Cee returned to them as he delivered Yugito assessment on what is happening where he then asked on what are their orders.
A thought about it for a moment before looking at C, "Go and tell Bee and Yugito to be ready to get our Daimyo to safety, where we'll meet up with them in a bit. Once he is secured, we'll leave Konoha since this doesn't involve us." Ordered A
Cee acknowledge the order where he was about to leave, but then remembered something else. He told A that Yugito informed him that Naruto has left to go after Suna and Konoha's jinchuriki. A growled at what Naruto has done, "What is that boy doing? I know that he isn't the type to fight a meaningless battle as that, so why did he go." Wondered out loud
"From what Yugito said, he wants to go and try to 'save' them." Cee answered
A growled at it, but then just swallowed his anger since he got more important things to do at the moment. He looked at Cee, "Continue on with the mission. We'll have to let Naruto do what is doing since there isn't much we can do at the moment. Plus, he has summoning to help escape Konoha. For now, let's just worry on what we can do and trust that he'll return." A ordered, where Cee nodded in acknowledgement
Once Cee left, Darui heard the Raikge growl again, "And when he comes back. I'll give him the Iron Claw for doing something so reckless without my permission." Said A as he showed his hand going into a claw form grip of sort. Darui sweat a bit as he hope Naruto was ready for his punishment later on, but hope that Naruto would be alright against Gaara and Ko.
With Hiruzen
In the beginning of his battle to the death with Orochimaru, Hiruzen faired pretty well against him and the two revived Hokages. It wasn't till the Shodaime Hokage unleashed his mokoton abilities that it changed when the Shodaime unleashed a wave of his power where dozens and dozens of tree branches grew to create a forest within the dome.
During the battle, the old Hokage summoned the monkey king, Enma, to assist him. As they continue try and defeat the legendary Hokages. That was taking a toll on Hiruzen as Orochimaru remarked it.
Orochimaru chuckled at Sarutobi's struggling form, "It's so pitiful, you know. He who was hailed as the god of the shinobi cannot defeat old age." Where he put his hand on his face and began to pull his face off.
Hiruzan, and everyone who paid attention to the battle, saw Orochimaru pull his face off to reveal a young woman was standing their but with features similar to Orochimaru, skin and eyes.
As everyone saw the young woman started to laugh and beginning to wonder on who she is, Hiruzen and Enma were able to figure it out.
"No… it couldn't be… he even master that 'jutsu'!" Enma stated
"My, my… even though you guess it, I can still see you have some doubt. But it's true, it's me… Orochimaru." The young woman stated, getting everyone" to be stunned about it.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes on his opponent, "So, you have master that kinjutsu." He stated
Orochimaru began to explain that after he left the village, he continued to work on the jutsu that he was force to stop long ago.
"You vile fiend. You're no longer human. You're a demon." Hiruzen stated with venomous tone voice, "… this is one of the reasons I didn't chose you to be the Yondaime. It is because of your twisted ideology." Hiruzen explained as he remembered the day, over ten years ago
Orochimaru smirk at Hiruzen understanding on what he has tried to complete back in konoha, over ten years ago, "This immortality jutsu is a spell where you anchor your spirit to this world forever. In other words, it's a reincarnation spell where you find a new stronger body to inhabit you spirit in." He explained
As he looked upon his former sensei, he began to explain his reasons on why he master his immortality jutsu.
"You will die here and even though things didn't go as plan. I will take my time and obtain a younger, more beautiful, and stronger body… once he recovered." Orochimaru stated, where the old Hokage understood on what he meant.
"Uchiha Sasuke, huh! He is your next vessel." Hiruzen stated
"Yes… that's exactly it… Uchiha Sasuke of the Uchiha clan. I full intend to possess Sasuke-kun after he grow up a bit more to my tastes, hehehe." Orochimaru responded
"So, beside the possibility of Sasuke, how many bodies since you left this village have you possessed?" Sarutobi question
"Oh, I say that this is my second one." Answered Orochimaru, as he sighed, "I had hope to have my subordinates take young Sasuke-kun during the commotion between him and Gaara. Unfortunately… even I couldn't predict that the kyuubi brat, that was said to be killed by Konoha, was able to survive and even more… defeat the Uchiha heir. If it wasn't for the fact that he holds the Kyuubi in him, he would make a very promising candidate for my immortality jutsu." Orochimaru stated
The old hokage narrowed his eyes at Orochimaru as he continued to hear his former student's rant, "However, we all don't what we wish. Because of his injuries, by the kyuubi brat, I can't risk on abducting him since he could die without proper medical care. So for now, I will take pleasure on killing you while you mourn at your life regrets." He stated, while putting back on his disguised face. At that moment, the Shodaime unleashed his full mokoton powers to cover the dome in trees, blocking everyone's view.
Enma protected the old Hokage, as he mourn his past mistake. After a moment or two, he snapped out of it with new determination as he knew what he needed to do, "It' is time that I correct my mistake and kill you now!" Hiruzen stated
Orochimaru didn't take the threat serious as the Shodaime and Nindaime Hokages fought against the Sandaime. As he defended himself, he explained to Orochimaru on the roll that the Hokage means to the village and that this village is his family, even to the ones that were betrayed by this village lack of knowledge (thinking about the Yondaime Hokage and Naruto as he knew that his village betrayed his wish for Naruto and that Naruto was betrayed by never been told anything on why he was despised).
"Orochimaru! I'll show you a jutsu that even you don't know about! Fuuin Jutsu: Shiki Fuujin!" the Sandaime Hokage yelled as he finished the seals.
Till Next time
P.S. The poll for Naruto's harem for "Elemental Master" will end on Midnight this Sunday. Right now, five of the six girls are finally decided. The sixth place has yet to be decided where it may be decided by either vote or flip coin, depending on what happens on Sunday night.
Currently for six place (by/between 3 to 4 votes)
1. Medaka from Medaka Box
2. Tearju Lunatique from ToLoveRu
3. Shizuka Marikawa from HOTD (Highschool of the Dead)
4. Kanu Unchou from Ikki Tousen
Also, I'm currently working on other stories, such as my newest one, Kitsune of Mahora ver 2. So my updates for my other stories will be slower then I usual.