Konoha vs Suna

Sai made the first move by throwing three shuriken toward Gaara however his sand easily blocked it and formed a sand clone; Sai then charged towards Gaara whose clone shot forth a blast of sand that Sai leaped into the air to dodge it. The sand clone threw back the shuriken that it caught and Sai countered it with six ink birds, three of which deflected the shuriken, the other three headed straight for Gaara but again his sand blocked it.

"That sand is quite troublesome." Sai said as he kicked the sand clone's arms off and swung his sword at the clone which trapped his sword; Sai then punched the clone in order to free his sword. With his sword now free, Sai attempted to stab Gaara but once again his sand came up however, Sai turned into ink and reappeared behind Gaara managing to slash Gaara's arm although his armour protected him from being injured.

The crowd watched the fight with intense interest as it seemed Sai had figured out a way to outsmart Gaara's defence by constantly having a single ink clone bring up the sand barrier on one side and have another clone attack before it reacts although, not all Sai's attacks succeeded, enough of them got through to let the crowd believe Sai stood a chance. Baki paid close attention to the fight specifically Gaara hoping that he doesn't lose control and let Shukaku loose just yet.

"Well, Kakashi you trained your student well but don't think that-" The Green Beast of Konoha Might Gai was saying before Kakashi interrupted him.

"Huh? You were saying something Gai?" Kakashi said closing his book momentarily.

"OH MY GOD!" Gai screamed while clenching his head and Kakashi just shrugged and reopened his book.

'Sai is doing well,' Kakashi noted 'he's using that hole Naruto made during his match as an underground channel for his ink rats while still keeping Gaara and the crowd distracted so they won't notice him.' Kakashi once again turned his attention to his book.

Sai sent in two more ink rats into the tunnels at this point and Gaara- becoming quite annoyed with Sai's tactics began to encase him in a ball. Sai saw this as an opportunity to finish this match then and there if he was fast enough. As Gaara's Absolute Defence was completing itself Sai charged forth sword at the ready but before he could reach the opening Gaara was sealed inside and Sai was impaled by sand spikes protruding from the sphere.

The crowd gasped at Sai's impalement but collectively gave a sigh (no pun intended) of relief when he turned to ink, Baki on the other hand was looking around nervously first toward Gaara's siblings then to Itachi who locked eyes with him. Baki acted unmoved and slowly stepped into the background in the next instant he felt a kunai pressed against his throat. He turned his one eye to see who held the kunai and saw the proctor Itachi as the holder.

"What are you doing?!" Baki whispered loudly Itachi just tensed the kunai.

"Call it off." Itachi said.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"It's pointless to lie to me. I've been watching you since Hayate's murder."

Sai appeared on the other end of the arena holding his sword in front of face.

"Call. It. Off." Itachi said.

Sai's sword became charged with lightning.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

Sai charged forward.

"Don't lie to me."

Sai drew closer to the sand sphere.

"It's too late now." Baki said in a almost sadistic way.

Sai's lightning charged sword pierced through the sphere and seconds later Gaara let out a scream then a giant claw shoved Sai's sword and Sai across the arena.

Itachi's eyes widened as a few spectators lost consciousness Baki used this momentary distraction to elbow Itachi in the gut and make a quick escape for the arena where he ordered Gaara's siblings to get Gaara away from the area but Itachi already shot a fireball at Baki and the Sand Siblings.

Gaara's sand formed a sand wall to protect them while Itachi checked on Sai who had just recovered from being flung across the arena. The Sand Siblings grabbed Gaara and left while Baki stayed to fight Itachi who -after making sure he was okay- sent Sai after the siblings. Itachi and Baki were about to begin their battle when a big purple barrier came up where the Third Hokage and Kazekage were seated it was at this time that Genma arrived next to Itachi.

"Itachi!" Genma called out.

"Genma." Itachi said.

"I'll handle this murderer you go help the Hokage."

"Genma I-"

"No time to argue besides you'll be a bigger help than me...Now GO!" and Itachi left.

Itachi reached the barrier which already had a couple of shinobi present.

"What's the situation?" he asked and one of the ninja replied,

"There were four ninjas here that summoned the barrier. By the time we arrived however they had a good lead on us so we stayed and have been trying to figure how to undo the barrier."

"Maybe our escaped shinobi know... which way did they go?"

"The main entrance, senpai."

"Alright I will go after them and force this barrier down you all stay here and assist the Third when the barrier is down."

"But senpai we can-"

"I am not arguing." with that said, Itachi turned into a swarm of crows and went toward the main gate.

"Come on we're almost there." Kidomaru said as the four of them made their way to the Konoha forest.

"There's someone coming and they're coming fast." Tayuya said.

"How far?" Sakon asked.

"They're gone."

"What how did you lose them?" Jirobo asked.

"I didn't lose them you fat bastard."

"Let's just keep moving." Sakon said and they continued.

The Sound Ninja Four continued on their way when they came across a lone figure in the distance which caused them to stop.

"How do I shut the barrier down?" the figure said.

"And who the hell do you think you are trash?" Tayuya spat.

"Uchiha Itachi. Now tell me how to shut down the barrier." Itachi said then Jirobo came at him. Itachi closed his eyes and sighed once he opened his eye Jirobo fell to the ground. "Tell me what I want to know or you're going to get hurt."

"Screw you!" the girl spoke out again.

Sakon summoned Rashomon and the Sound ninja split up from behind it's cover and surrounded the Uchiha who just stood there not even attempting handsigns. Sakon made the first attack going for a direct attack while Tayuya summoned her Doki and Kidomaru stood back and readied his kunai and spiders.

Sakon attacked Itachi with a barrage of punches and kicks and Itachi seamlessly dodged everyone of them even when Sakon split in two, revealing his twin brother Ukon, and attacked together, Itachi just seemed untouchable. Seeing that his teammate couldn't land single blow on Itachi; Kidomaru sent his spiders forth to rain down on Itachi who kicked both twins in the face and blew a fireball that stopped the spiders. When Itachi landed Kidomaru shot his most powerful and accurate arrow which cut through the air at an incredible speed; Itachi just sidestepped the arrow like it was a drunken punch. All the Sound Ninja stood shocked.

"That's impossible." Kidomaru said stunned.

"He's not human." Sakon said.

"He's a monster." Ukon said.

Tayuya kept quiet and just had her Doki attack Itachi; who just stood there as the three giants attacked him. There was a thick cloud of dust and once it settled Itachi laid there- dead.

"Got him!" Tayuya exclaimed.

"Got who?" Tayuya froze at the sound of Itachi's voice coming from behind her she then turned around and saw no one.

"What's wrong?" one of the twins asked her.

"You guys didn't hear that?"

"Hear what?"

"That Uchiha bastard just spoke to me?"

"What do you mean his right there." Kidomaru said pointing at Itachi's mangled body that disappeared and the world changed to black and white with a red sky.

"What the hell-" Sakon started but before he could finish he and his brother were shackled to a cross surrounded by an army of Itachi's each carrying a sword and one by one they impaled both of them.

"Sakon." Tayuya said then the ground where she was standing began to rise and at its height she was set on fire.

"NO!" Kidomaru called out and he began to sink into the ground as the sun came crashing into him.

Itachi stood there and watched the Sound 4 disable the barrier they created while under his genjutsu. Once they were done an ANBU ninja appeared and at the same time Shukaku emerged. Itachi turned to the ANBU and said:

"Stay here and make sure these four don't get away, I plan on interrogating them further." the ANBU nodded in response and Itachi made his way towards Shukaku. The ANBU then killed the Sound Ninja 4 and made his way back to the village.

Elsewhere

When the invasion started Dairuko had met with Natsuki during the confusion who told him to watch over the hospital because it was the most vulnerable area although Dairuko complained about not being part of the counterattack he knew his sister was right and made his way to the hospital. On his way to the hospital he came across a young girl he had seen in the hospital a couple times being chased by some enemy ninja. Dairuko intervened by punching the ninja leading the chase.

"Now why don't you guys pick on someone your own size." he said and took his fighting stance.

"Listen here Konoha scum our mission is to get the girl and leave. If you value your life you'll walk away especially since the odds aren't in your favour... admit it to yourself. Its over, just walk away." one of the ninja said.

"Sorry all I heard was blah blah blah blah-" before Dairuko finished he punched the ninja who spoke last. "Anyone else wanna waste time talking or are any of you jokers gonna fight me?" the ninja all looked at each other and then charged toward Dairuko. Dairuko took out a kunai then stabbed the fist ninja repeatedly in the chest before jumping over him and stabbing the second one in the head; Dairuko punched the third into the air and when he landed stomped on his back breaking his spine. The last one tried to retreat but Dairuko summoned a giant shuriken.

"Overly Large Shuriken of Doom!" and he impaled the runner; he turned to the girl "Hey uhm...Hyuga." he blurted out because he forgot her name. She looked at him in acknowledgement all the same though and he extended his hand which she took.

"T-t-thank you."

"Listen, you need to get back to the hospital. You're in no condition to be out here."

"G-gomenasai." she said and bowed her head.

"Come on let's go." Dairuko carried her on his back until he saw a giant snake moving towards the hospital.

"Look!" the girl called out.

"Oh. Come. On. Are you serious!" Dairuko sighed then turned to the girl "what's your name?"

"Huh?"

"Your name."

"Uhm H-Hinata."

"Alright Hinata I need you to hold on as tight as you can." Dairuko said and Hinata closed her eyes and tightened her arms around him.

Dairuko put his hands together and said "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence." a giant branche shot out from the ground and wrapped around the snake then began to pull the snake down. Dairuko slammed his hand on the ground and a wooden spike emerged from the ground but fell just short of impaling the snake in the head. "Kuso! Hinata you still holdin' on?"

"Hai." Hinata nodded and Dairuko ran up the length of the spike and leaped over the snake's head. Dairuko clenched his fist and brought it down on the snake's head forcing it's head through the spike but it began pulling away just as quickly. Dairuko, not allowing that to happen, punched it again and again forcing the spike through the snake's head; Dairuko continued punching until the snake stopped struggling. Dairuko then dropped off Hinata at the hospital.

"W-w-what is your name?" Hinata asked while playing with her fingers Dairuko just looked at her.

"Dairuko."

"Arigatou Dairuko-senpai."

"No problem... Hinata." Dairuko noticed that the counterattack has began and left the hospital.

Natsuki parted with Dairuko after lying to him and saying that the hospital was a target as a way to avoid him complaining about not being part of the counterattack and being on babysitting duty. Natsuki knew that if anyone was capable of protecting the Hyuga heiress without knowing it; it would be Dairuko.

Once the invaders were in the middle of the village Natsuki along with Nara Shikaku launched the counterattack. As Natsuki and the other ninja forced the invaders into a retreat she was attacked by an ANBU ninja mid-jump and- with everyone else distracted with the invaders- no one noticed.

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" she exclaimed as the ANBU stepped back.

"Don't be angry, my dear. He is just a shell of his former self." a man appeared who looked about the same age as her; same height as Dairuko; with long, straight white hair and pale skin. He wore a specialized version of the traditional Oto-nin ensemble, consisting of a black, loose-fitting, long-sleeved, zip-up shirt, black pants, black finger-less gloves and traditional shinobi sandals.

"Who are you calling "dear" you white-haired bastard, and just who the hell are you?"

"My name is Ren."

"Well Ren you attacked me, so I'm afraid I'll have to kill you." she said and drew her katana.

"So be it." Ren laid down a scroll "Dead Soul jutsu." and two ANBU ninja appeared and attacked Natsuki.

Natsuki deflected both the ANBU ninja's attacks with her sword which she was highly skilled in using. She managed to dispel them by slicing one in an upward slash across the chest and a downward slash on the other. Almost instantly there was a small army of shinobi- Sand and Leaf alike.

"Perfect." Natsuki sighed.

"So many bodies I could just send these things until you tire out." Ren smirked.

"You're way too arrogant for a soon-to-be dead man."

Ren sent his army towards Natsuki who took her stance as the first one attacked. She impaled him then kicked him to the others with an explosive tag attached to him that blew up soon afterwards; taking out a few of them. Natsuki went on the offensive as she cut down the reincarnated shinobi, she threw her sword into one, ran up and kicked another in the face, brought out her wakizashi then stabbed him and as he fell she spun over his back, then punched another in the face grabbed his sword and bisected the closest one, she then deflected an oncoming attack and stabbed him in the back, she ducked under a wild swing then broke the attacker's neck. Two more came at her and she dodged one so that it impaled the other, she delivered a headbutt (courtesy of growing up with Dairuko she knows non-technique, rag-tag taijutsu) to the survivor to stun him while she deflected another attack by blocking his attack at the arm then gave him an uppercut that knocked him into the air as well as disarming him, she grabbed the sword and stabbed him once he landed, another one attacked where she grabbed his arm and turned it on himself, she dodged another wild swing and got to her sword which was in the middle of the crowd, she gave a devious smile and said "Hidden Mist Jutsu." the last thing Ren saw before she disappeared was her picking up her sword and what followed was puffs of smoke from the dispelled army.

"I see... she threw her sword in the middle of the crowd on purpose then, once she reached the middle activated the Hidden Mist since I control them and I can't see her they will remain dormant... impressive." Ren said then he saw ten sparks of lightning each surrounding him.

"There's no escape for you now." Natsuki said as they charged Ren.

"That is where you are wrong. Chakra Dissection Blade." Ren said as he got down on the ground and spun around with a chakra blade extending to reach Natsuki, Ren dispelled nine of the ten but one managed to jump over the sweeping blade and was about to kill Ren with Lightning Cutter but he created a second blade and impaled her instead. Ren suddenly jerked forward then looked down to see a sword through his chest. "You used the mist to cover your movements and used the lightning to muffle your advance. You are... impressive." Ren then disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"What the-" Natsuki started.

"Good job, Natsuki. I see why Orochimaru wants you as a vessel but I also see why I can't let him have you." Ren said standing behind Natsuki who swung her sword at him but he caught her arm. She was surprised by how strong he was. "I truly wish we had met under different circumstances but this is how it has to be."

"How did you survive that? I never m- ." Ren broke Natsuki's arm and she fought the scream.

"You took your eyes off me. It's simple really, I was never there in the first place it was just a clone." Ren stomped on Natsuki's leg this caused her to scream in pain Ren quickly covered her mouth. "Ah... glorious, but we can't have another scream like that." Ren placed his hand on her ribs and broke a few puncturing her lungs. The pain caused her to fall unconscious.

Ren slung Natsuki's limp body over his shoulder and made his escape over the wall and into the forest on his way toward the Final Valley.

Dairuko grabbed a Sand ninja and slammed him through a wall when all of a sudden, he heard Natsuki scream and Natsuki don't scream unless she's in serious pain or if she sees a cockroach, either way she needed him or Itachi; so Dairuko ran as fast as he could to where the scream came from.

Itachi arrived at the place where Shukaku and 'Kyuubi' were fighting to find Sai and Sakura badly injured. Sai was losing blood fast and Sakura was trapped by sand that was constricting her. Itachi activated his S'usanoo and freed Sakura he then carried the two of them through the forest where he found a man with white hair.