Yo..
It's been sometime since we have seen a certain element of this story, and this chapter is going to bring those memories back.
Since this story is in an alternate universe (AU), and this arc seems a little similar to Cannon Kyuubi attack (Only a little). But it isn't...
You'll see what I mean in this chapter...
Enjoy the chapter...
Chapter 87
Attack on Kyuubi
Hiruzen gritted his teeth in anger when he saw the giant nine tailed fox being summoned right in the middle of his village. More than that, his gaze narrowed at the masked man standing atop the Kyuubi, his Mangekyo looking at everyone in Konoha as if they were mere pests.
"GUAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
Kyuubi's ferocious roar sent giant shock waves destroying several buildings in a flash, the evacuation of civilians was still going on and the sudden attack had definitely killed at least 100 people, including ninja who were in close proximity with the beast.
"Sensei, I need time to activate my Sage mode..." said Jiraiya in urgent voice, but the anger was clearly visible in his eyes.
Before Hiruzen could answer, Kakashi arrived beside them carrying an unconscious Kushina in his arms. The Sandaime and his student immediately rushed towards him...
"Is the Kyuubi extracted from her?" asked Hiruzen quickly, but was surprised when Kakashi shook his head.
"Negative, Hiruzen-sama. She still has a part of the beast within her, what is going on?" asked Kakashi worriedly, and even Jiraiya agreed with the copy ninja while looking towards his teacher for further answer.
"Baku" thought Hiruzen in realization,
"So, that was Madara's true plan. He was one step ahead of us..." said Hiruzen bitterly, his fists clenching tightly on seeing several Anbu trying to suppress the Kyuubi...only to fall before the beast's power.
Seeing the destruction caused by the Kyuubi sent shivers down Hiruzen's spine, his gaze shifted towards the redhead Uzumaki who was nothing more than a live bomb right now.
"Kakashi, you did a good job in securing her. I want you to take her to the secret base, we can't let Madara unleash this remaining Kyuubi on the village..." ordered Hiruzen,
"I'll protect her with my life..." promised Kakashi, gaining a firm nod from Jiraiya.
"I'll hold you to it...Jiraiya and I will handle things here" said Hiruzen seriously, and Kakashi gave a light bow.
But before he could move another person arrived on top of the Hokage tower, and one look at the man's face or rather his mask sent alarming bells ringing in the Konoha ninja's hearts.
"I'm afraid I can't let you do that...Kakashi" said Madara in a very calm collected voice, but smiled when he saw Kakashi giving him a cold murderous gaze.
However, Madara narrowed his eyes when Jiraiya stepped between them, his body covered in chakra and a confident look in his eyes.
"Oh, the great Toad Sage himself. I'm honored...but shouldn't you be helping your people who are getting slaughtered like rats by my pet?'' asked Madara mockingly, and chuckled when Hiruzen saw the truth in the sentence as another platoon of Hyuga and Uchiha's were crushed by the Kyuubi's tails.
"Don't underestimate the will of fire...they'll lay down their lives to protect this village. You worry about yourself, Madara" warned Jiraiya, and prepared himself when the older Uchiha glared his Mangekyo.
"If that's your wish, then I'll slaughter all of your ninja. Witness the true power of Kyuubi..." said Madara in a malicious tone, while clasping his hand in "Bird" hand seal.
Seeing Madara engaging himself, Kakashi utilized the moment to grab Kushina and shunshin out of the area. At the very least, he could delay the devious Uchiha from unleashing another Kyuubi on the village.
"Run, Kakashi...it's all you're good at" mocked Madara, he could not afford to chase the man.
Despite having the upper hand, he could not afford to give Hiruzen and Jiraiya any chance. Both these ninja were strong enough to fight against the Kyuubi, and with Jiraiya's fuinjutsu skills there was a significant threat to Kyuubi's rampage.
He had to hold them here at all costs...
Hiruzen gulped slowly, when he saw all 9 tails of Kyuubi rising in the air. After a few moments, the beast's body started glowing with red chakra which slowly started to take the form of several medium sized foxes.
When the transformation was finished, there were 15 mini Kyuubi's glaring at the defending Konoha forces...
"It can't be..." said Jiraiya in shock, as he witnessed the foxes tearing his forces while the giant Kyuubi reduced a little in size.
However the strongest Biju didn't stop there, as it started forming a tailed beast ball from it's mouth...
"Watch as your Konoha gets destroyed..." said Madara victoriously, as a panicked Hiruzen ran forward to stop the attack.
BOOM!
Madara was confused when the entire ground shook violently, he looked behind and was shocked when he saw the Kyuubi being bombarded with hundreds of exploding bombs that continuously rained from the sky.
SLASH
Hiruzen was completely shocked when Madara's left arm was severed from his body, and the man was given a strong kick knocking him several feet away.
"You're annoying..." said Rangiku coldly, while gracefully landing on the Hokage tower.
Madara managed to re stabilize himself, but saw his entire left arm was gone courtesy of a pissed of Rangiku Matsumoto's tanto. What the Uchiha couldn't understand was the fact that she got the jump on him?
No normal ninja had that much speed except Minato, and perhaps Naruto and Tobirama. It only suggested the girl had some special power that increased her speed tremendously
Jiraiya smiled in relief when 120 Blacklight landed on Konoha's rooftops, dressed in their combat uniforms with their 3d gears hanging on their thigs...the sight of these soldiers brought the confidence back in the defeated Konoha forces.
Iruka and Mizuki gulped in fear, when they saw two giant foxes staring at them. Their animistic growls making the two ninja wet in fear...
"What a lovely bunch..." said a new girl in a calm impressed voice,
"What?" asked Iruka and Mizuki in shock, but one look at the girl's face made them realize just who she was.
Shizune, Hana, and Izumo quickly landed beside Mikasa who was looking at the two giant foxes ahead of her. The former Blacklight could be seen wearing her old uniform, and so were her comrades. The only thing they didn't have were their masks, as they were not officially a part of Blacklight anymore.
But for tonight, they were a unit again...
"The 1st company..." said Mizuki in a relived voice, perhaps now his life could be saved.
"Never thought I'd be wearing this uniform again..." said Izumo bemusedly, gaining a smile from his girlfriend.
"It's good to be back..." said Hana happily, even Shizune seemed relaxed which was completely surprising the poor academy teachers (Mizuki and Iruka).
"One on the left...two on the right. Shizune, take care of the wounded in this sector, Izumo and Hana kill that fox on the left. I'll clean up on the right..." ordered Mikasa without any hesitation,
"Still bossy like old times..." mumbled Izumo with a small pout on his face, but regardless jumped towards the fox clone on the left with Hana on his side.
Iruka was completely mesmerized when Mikasa fearlessly walked towards the two giant foxes who were 30 feet taller than her. Her hands tightly gripped two small tanto's in her hand, as she gave the foxes as a cold glare.
One of the foxes tried to crush her with his giant paws, a futile effort as Mikasa had already fired the hooks of her 3-d gear in the beast's neck. Swiftly using the gas to propel herself, she swinged high in the air reaching behind the beast's back and effectively sliced of his head in one single strike.
The creature dispersed into streams of chakra, as Mikasa saw the remaining fox jumping towards her. Without any hesitation she threw her 2 tanto's straight in the beast's eyes blinding him.
Gracefully jumping on top of the blind fox, she cleaved the 2 weapons right from the blind creature's eyes while giving him an annoyed glare.
"Stay still, or I'll make this even more painful..." said Mikasa in a cold furious voice,
Just as promised, she killed the creature by severing his head off making it disperse into streams of chakra. Iruka was left speechless when the same result could be seen when Izumo and Hana killed the fox on the left.
He saw Shizune performing a set of hand seals before slamming her hands on the ground...
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)"
Hundreds of small slugs were summoned in the entire district, the creatures quickly latched themselves to all injured civilian and ninja, and started healing them with medical chakra.
"Shizune, Tsunade-sama is managing the casualties arriving at the hospital. She has ordered you to handle the ones stuck in the field..." said a small Katsuyu clone,
"I'll do my best..." promised Shizune confidently,
All the Konoha ninja could just watch as hundreds of Blacklight started flying in every district, every street, every corner. The Kyuubi fox clones that were previously hunting humans like animals, suddenly found themselves being hunted mercilessly and killed on spot courtesy of kunai launchers fired in their brains.
"YAHOOO!''
Kurenai was surprised when a extremely enthusiastic Anko landed in front of a giant fox, her sadistic smile clearly directed towards the mindless creature.
"I won't hurt you...much!" said Anko mischievously, and the beast didn't seem to like her tone as it tried to crush the former Blacklight.
But Anko being the playful bitch, easily evaded the attack and sliced the fox's neck in half.
"See, it didn't hurt much..." said Anko a little too happily, and Kurenai couldn't suppress a chuckle on seeing the girl's antics.
"You blacklights are crazy..." commented Kurenai jokingly, and smiled more when Anko just gave a wink.
"Proud to be crazy..."
Asuma Sarutobi coughed up some blood, he was in severe pain as a large building's wall had collapsed right on top of him brutally breaking his arms and legs. And seeing a rampaging fox heading towards him made him more tense,
The Sarutobi heir was surprised when the fox was hit by several kunai all over his body making it collapse on the ground, several Blacklight surrounded the wounded beast as a tall Blacklight wearing the "Commander" uniform ended the beast's life with a swift swing of his sword.
Genma had just finished killing the last fox clone, when his eyes shifted towards the injured Asuma. Appearing beside the injured man, he quickly removed the debris and signaled a nervous chunin hiding in the shadows to take him to the hospital.
"Thank you..." said Asuma gratefully, but the masked Blacklight just gave a nod.
"All part of the service, now get going. The zone is about to get hot..." warned Genma, as his Blacklight soldiers came beside him.
The Yondaime Taichou's gaze shifted towards the Hokage tower...
"It's up to you...Rangiku"
(Namikaze Clan Compound: Outer District)
Mikasa hurriedly arrived in the outer district but freezed immediately when she saw several bodies in the street. Her heart shattered to a million pieces when she saw Naruto and Mikoto hugging a badly wounded Itachi.
She had arrived here to get Naruto to the front lines, after all he was a crucial player in their strategy...
But she also knew that for Naruto the life of his little brother was more valuable than that of the village. Besides there were many other ninja to protect Konoha, and she understood why he had no will to fight.
After all, his brother was dying...
She saw Genma and several other Blacklight preparing to push the Kyuubi towards the forest outside the village, and sensed Rangiku's presence on the Hokage tower. Everything was going as per plan, if only...
Mikasa felt extremely sad on seeing the heart broken look in his eyes, when Itachi coughed up blood from his mouth. Mikoto was trying hard to heal his wounds, but the younger's Namikaze heart was pierced leaving slim to no options to save him. And judging from the other internal injuries he had suffered, surely due to beatings from a strong ninja...if the boy was moved, he would instantly die.
"(cough)...I...can...still...fight..." said Itachi weakly, making Naruto smile weakly.
The elder Namikaze helplessly looked towards his mother, who just gave him a defeated look with tears freely flowing from her son.
"Kaa-san, do something..." begged Naruto, but the helpless mother only got more sad on hearing the futile request.
Itachi's weak vision showed him the giant figure of Kyuubi trying to rise up, the beast was determined to destroy his village. Their home...
"Nii-san, Kaa-san...I'm sorry" said Itachi sadly, as Mikoto caressed his cheeks.
"You don't have to be sorry for anything, my sochi (son)" replied Mikoto in a gentle yet broken voice, unable to hold the tears in her eyes.
Naruto sensed his brother's heartbeat slowing down, and with every passing moment his own heart started getting heavier. And watching his dying brother look at him as if he was some hero, made him feel more miserable and useless.
"I've (cough) always...tried...to...follow...you. All of you..." said Itachi tiredly, as his vision stared to darken and if not for Mikoto's medical ninjutsu he would have collapsed long ago.
"Why?" asked Naruto patiently, trying his hardest not to show any tears. Even Mikoto grasping one of his hands did little to sooth his pain.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san, Nii-san...all of you are heroes of Konoha. (cough) Growing up watching you...made me want to be a ninja. Not for the village, but for all of you..." said Itachi honestly, gaining a proud smile on his mother's face.
"Is that why you dyed your hair blonde?" asked Naruto jokingly, trying to make his brother comfortable before...
"(chuckles) I thought I might look cool..." said Itachi sheepishly, making Naruto chuckle albeit just a bit.
"Regardless of your hair color, you're still more handsome than your scarecrow like brother..." said Mikoto teasingly, and was satisfied when Itachi laughed all the while giving Naruto a small playful wink.
"I guess I win this time, Nii-san. Even if you are a scarecrow...you'll always be my hero" said Itachi happily, making Naruto clench his fists tightly while trying to prevent the dying Itachi from seeing his tears.
"Itachi, I-"
"I'm sorry for not living up to your expectations...guess I was just failure in the end, the black sheep among our family" said Itachi regretfully,
Naruto immediately shook his head vehemently while grasping the dying boy's hand gently...
"You're better than me. I always lose sight, always lose hope and become depressed. But you never lose faith, not in me, not in the village, or in this corrupt ninja world. I admire you, Itachi...and if anyone is a failure than it's me, and not you." explained Naruto, his voice full of regret and guilt as a small tear slipped from his eye.
"Nii-san...you're a liar" said Itachi in a kind gentle voice, while Mikoto stroked his spiky blonde hair.
"Huh?" asked Naruto, confusion clearly evident in his dark red colored Mangekyo.
"You lied, right?...saying that you don't believe in us? That you don't love us anymore?" asked Itachi pleading tone, his last ounce of energy was used in asking that question.
And it didn't go in vain, as a bittersweet smile came on Naruto's face, as he gently embraced his brother for one last time...
"I see...you saw through my lies. You're indeed my little brother..." said Naruto sadly, and Mikoto helped Itachi return the embrace as the younger Namikaze saw Mikasa walking towards them.
"That's...right...I...know...everything...about...you...Nii-san"
Itachi's body fell limp in his arms, and in that moment the dam of tears broke from his eyes. Everything became null to him, nothing mattered to him anymore. He could see explosions occurring in around Konoha, Mikoto had tightly hugged her younger son and Naruto saw the tears falling from her eyes, but just couldn't hear any of her wails.
His heart fixed on only one thing, as he tightly embraced his brother...
"Your brother loves you very much"
Author's Notes: To be continued...