Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto nor any of the characters, beside the main OC. All credit for creating this amazing series goes to Mr. Kishimoto
Author's note: Thanks to everyone for reading! Answer to the reviews are at the bottom.
With last chapter I have officially hit the 200 hundred reviews. I love you guys, you are amazing! =) One of the reviews reminded me it's the story one year anniversary. I can't believe it has already been a year. =) I really enjoyed writing this fic, especially knowing some people out there enjoyed to read it as well. THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, EVERY ONE!
So here it is next chapter, which I tried to fill with lots of ass-kicking. Let me know if I was successful or not. =) I hope you enjoy
PS: I am not satisfied with the title. I hate giving titles. If you have any suggestion feel free to share.
PPS: I didn't really edit this chapter carefully. So a ton of mistakes possible lies ahead. =) Sorry =P
GAARA VS NARUTO: JINCHŪRIKI'S CLASH – (PART 2)
Or: didn't it used to be a forest here?
"Kuchiyose: Kinu Shibari no Jutsu! [Summoning: Art of Silk Restraints]"
Kankurō wasn't about to wait idly and see what that technique did, so he leaped away as soon as he heard Shino starting it. A nice escape attempt, but not good enough.
The butterflies arrived from every direction, that piercing annoying sound echoing again in the otherwise quiet forest. Without really wanting to do it, but unable to control himself, Kankurō let out a small scream. 'Stupid butterflies!' Then the accursed insects flew around him just like the ones from before did to his beloved puppet.
'I will never look at a butterfly in the same way.' Kankurō realised, as he felt himself being covered by a strong, tick substance. Soon, he was bound in an iron grip. "Silk?"
"Yes, silk." there was a certain amount of amusement in Shino's voice. Which made him even scarier than usual. "The softest of fabrics, but also extremely strong... if imbued with chakra. You are in a cocoon, Kankurō-san, and you are not coming out anytime soon."
The butterflies flew behind Shino, almost caressing him, then disappeared. The Suna nin had his eyes open wide. "How... how did you find me? And how did you get me so easily?"
"I hate to explain the same things twice. You got rid of my tracking insects at the start of our fight. Very smart." Shino fixed his sunglasses. "Of course I sneaked them on you while Naruto was distracting you. But then again, we later engaged in a taijutsu exchange, didn't we? There is a female on your forehead protector. That's how the butterflies found you."
Kankurō cursed. He should have expected it. "Those butterflies..."
"Amazing creatures. You found them ridiculous and lowered your guard, that was enough for them to cast a genjutsu on you. More over the ones who attacked you the first time were covered in hallucinatory pollen and poisonous spores. They get them through their symbiosis with plants. Fascinating."
Kankurō gulped.
"It slowed you down enough for me to be able to capture you."
"And the genjutsu didn't let me realise I was being poisoned." Kankurō realised.
"I admire a intelligent opponent." Shino nodded. "This is why the poison wasn't lethal."
"Why capture me alive?"
Shino raised an eyebrow and extracted a kunai. "We are in war. You are convinced you will conquer our village, yet you are mistaken. You are the Kazekage's son. You are more valuable as a prisoner." he lifted his weapon. "But you are also less annoying while unconscious."
And Shino hit Kankurō on the head, knocking him out. Then his shoulders fell and he looked tired. "That poisoned mist was truly tricky." he murmured.
His Kikai suddenly were alerted by a incredible spike of chakra further into the forest. He would bet his money on Gaara. Shino frowned in worry. 'It will be a while until I can back up Naruto. I hope Akimi had an easier time.'
Chōji and Ino were waiting in a hidden interception between one of the lower roofs and the higher ones. They were quite anxious. After all, they were simply expecting to enjoy the finals and other people fighting, but they were now stuck into war.
It was a miracle they actually had their fighting gear on.
And the constant creepy sounds of metal clashing or screams of pain didn't help. They didn't even know what they were supposed to do, if not that they were to back Akimi up. Things got worse after the small dog left.
Ino would never admit it, but the animal did gave her a certain amount of confidence. You could actually see he knew his stuff and was a veteran. He got them safely in that hidden spot and spoke word of advice somehow... wisely. However, just after a strange whooshing sound followed by a blinding light, Pakkun left, looking for Akimi.
Problem was, it seemed that the barrier coming down didn't catch only the dog's attention. Dozens of enemy ninja approached to see what happened to their leader. It was basically pure luck that kept them hidden so long.
Chōji was almost trembling, frustrated because he couldn't vent his nervousness eating. The crunching of chips would be an huge giveaway.
"Don't!" Ino exclaimed, when the boy actually couldn't restrain himself anymore and munched one chip. "Oh, shit!" the girl realised that the noise, plus her own exclamation were enough to expose them. More than enough.
"Look who we have here. Two cute Konoha genin. Are we lost?"
Ino actually counted how much time passed before the two Sound ninja appeared. Thirty seconds. She glared at Chōji. "Let's deal with this." she said, determined. There was no use in whining, after all. And Chōji was a good ninja, if only he realised that.
Ino only needed enough time to use the Shintenshin no Jutsu [Mind Body Switch Technique] on one of them and then they could easily dominate the battle. "Come on, Chōji!"
"I like a determined kunoichi." Pakkun suddenly jumped out of nowhere, landing between the Oto nin and the two genin. "And your shampoo is quite lovely... wild flowers if I am not mistaken?"
"What the hell! A speaking dog!" the Oto nin on the right exclaimed. He was the same who had talked before. He was obviously the lowest in rank, because his comrade, besides being taller and wearing different clothes, looked quite more serious and menacing.
Pakkun thought the talkative one was at most a newly promoted chūnin. Orochimaru must really have been desperate.
"Yes and I will be the last thing you see." the dog derisively said.
"I am not afraid of a small doggy" the other nin spat, his voice hoarser and stronger.
Pakkun licked his pawn. "Oh, it's not me you need to be worried about." he casually observed. "It's her."
The ninja looked confused, then he lowered his head as a swishing sound was heard. The Oto nin turned and clashed with another small genin, kunai against kunai. The girl moved her right hand and the Fūma Shuriken from before came back. The taller nin jumped back while the other one finally decided to intervene – yes he was really quite dumb.
Akimi raised an eyebrow. "Housenka no jutsu [Phoenix Sage Fire Technique]!" she shouted, sending just two small fireball out to distract him. Then she turned back to the most dangerous opponent. Pakkun winked at her and she smirked.
She threw a dozen of kunai as a distraction, while calling back her Fūma shuriken and unfolding it to have a melee weapon. As her and the other nin jumped towards each other for a taijutsu brawl, Pakkun jumped and chewed at the enemy's leg with unexpected strength. Moreover his grip was tenacious and he wouldn't let go.
The Sound ninja screamed in pain, trying to get the bloody animal off and giving Akimi a perfect opportunity. She slashed at him with ferocious force, effectively disposing of him.
She turned to the remaining nin and narrowed her eyes, getting out another dozen of shuriken. He looked around, then at his commander body, and soon decided to run away like a scared bunny.
"How impressive." Akimi snorted, then she gave a thumb up to the small dog. "Nice job, Pakkun-kun."
"Likewise, Akimi-chan." Pakkun said. "Although that bastard's leg was quite disgusting."
"Here, have a cookie." Akimi smiled and then waved at Ino and Chōji. "Hi."
"Hi." the two looked quite puzzled by the whole series of events.
"I know you must be confused. I'll explain on the way." Akimi said. "We need to hurry. Pakkun, they headed towards the forest, north-east of here. Think you can find them?"
The dog gave out a woof, after happily chewing the cookie the girl gave him. "Piece of cake. Let's go."
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
Naruto felt more confident once he was surrounded by clones: he was ready to fight with everything he had. Part of him stopped to wonder why this fight bothered him so much: he was even more nervous than when he faced Orochimaru, which made no sense. However, it wasn't exactly the best moment to indulge in such a contemplative mood.
Gaara let out another crazed scream, charging forward with such speed Naruto could barely react in time to escape. The red haired genin slashed around with his monstrous sand arm, which besides being able to destroy tree-trunks with a light touch, happened to lengthen and shorten at will as well. Naruto couldn't have possibly been able to attack or defend.
"I thought you weren't afraid of me!" Gaara shouted, crouching on the branch among the smoke left by the four dispelled clones. It made him look even more fearsome. "Why do you hide?"
Naruto, from behind a nearby tree trunk, breathed heavily. 'Taijutsu would be suicidal move against him. He has became too strong.' he thought, a little shaken by his clones' feedback.
Thank the Kami he was used to always create a back-up clone hidden away, so he could switch places with him with Kawarimi should the need arise. He was glad some of Akimi's paranoia had brushed off him.
"Why do you hide?" Gaara bellowed again. "You are not getting away!"
"Wasn't planning to..." Naruto murmured, getting some shuriken ready. He wasn't sure how to proceed in that fight, so for now he could only improvise and see what happened. But after all, according to Akimi and both of his sensei, that was what he did best.
Naruto created a handful of normal clones as a distraction to save chakra – the beauty of having Kage Bunshin as signature technique was that everyone thought his clones always were solid, which made them always fearsome if his opponent knew about his fighting style. He carefully watched as Gaara disposed of them, destroying half of the trees around in the process, too enraged to actually realize they weren't solid. When he did, he became even more furious.
In the middle of that devastating display, Naruto propelled himself forward and attacked Gaara from above. "Fūton: Reppushou [Wind Release: Gale Palm]" he murmured, giving more kick to the projectiles. He landed to a high branch and waited to see his opponent reaction.
"There you are" Gaara simply lengthened his sand arm, using it as a shield. The shuriken were absorbed into it, despite being empowered by Naruto's wind jutsu, making the blonde's attempt fruitless.
"Damn it!"
"Let me give them back!" Gaara laughed, waving his monstrous arm towards him. The shuriken were propelled out of the sand at such speed they actually became ignited.
Naruto cursed again, unsheathing his tantō to parry the attack. 'It would have been too easy. But my wind did get through his sand before. So I can do it again.' he thought. Of course he couldn't use fire to put pressure on Gaara's defence like before, because this time the sand wasn't covered in oil so he doubted it could work. Moreover, Gaara was tapping into Shukaku's power now. 'I gotta try, dattebayo!'
The blonde genin jumped again, together with two clones appeared out of nothingness, his tantō ready and pointed at Gaara. He took a deep breath and focused chakra flow on his blade. Behind him, his clones knew exactly what to do.
Gaara looked up at him, grinning maniacally. His mouth, half fanged and half normal, was quite the tremendous spectacle. He crouched again, preparing to leap.
One of Naruto's clones grabbed the original and actually tossed him towards Gaara, while the other moved through handseals and shouted: "Fūton: Onbin Oshi [Wind Release: Gentle Push]!" A gentle but strong gale of wind propelled Naruto forward even faster. And speed was one of wind release's fundamental components.
Gaara back his arm, gathering strength for his attack, just as Naruto shouted, slashing with his wind imbues tantō. As the two Jinchūriki clashed, the force of Naruto's attack generate such a strong tornado that several trees were uprooted and tossed away for several meters. Gaara roared in anger and, maybe pain, landing on one of the few remaining branches.
Naruto used wind manipulation again to slow himself down, made a mid-air flip and softly landed on the ground. He was panting. 'Damn it.' he thought. 'I am getting close to my limit... soon I will have to call for the fox's help.' He didn't like it, but the alternative would possibly result in Konoha's destruction and all hi friends and Akimi would...
"UZUMAKI NARUTO!" Gaara shouted, terrible and full of rage. "I am going to kill you!"
'It's actually getting old. He says he wants to kill me since the day we met.' Naruto slowly turned to look at the red-haired, half transformed kid. "I am waiting." he screamed back. "I should have been dead for ages according to you!"
Gaara howled again. He was holding his sand arm with the normal one, then he murmured something. "I will..." the genin convulsed and, to Naruto's horror, sand started to swirl around him again. "I will kill you!"
'He is progressing in his transformation.'
A long spiked tail of sand, covered in those strange – and somehow disturbing – blue marks formed on Gaara's back, just below his gourd. Naruto sighed. The fight had just gotten even tougher.
Gaara jumped, his speed magnified since moments before. Naruto braced himself, for now he had another sand limb to worry about. This time he couldn't escape, he realised, as Gaara used his tail like a rope to anchor himself to a higher branch to charge at him. 'Time to polish those old protective seals 'mi-chan made...' He crossed his arms over his face, activating said seals.
The strength of the impact still knocked the air out of him. It wasn't pretty... but Gaara would need much more to keep him down. As Naruto felt the red-haired kid attack again, he Sunshined away, looking for a higher ground and some sort of advantage.
"GAARA!" an alarmed call came from the south in that moment, from where the forest was still untouched – more and less.
Naruto and Gaara turned at the same moment, seeing a breathless Temari arrive on the field of battle. The kunoichi stopped at the edge of the hole in the trees the two Jinchūriki had created, opening her mouth wide in surprise. It was quite the terrifying but yet awe-inspiring spectacle.
"Gaara, what... what are you doing?" Temari asked, even though she stammered a couple of time. "Don't you remember the mission? You can't transform here... you..."
"SHUT UP!" Gaara shouted, almost piercing Naruto's eyes. When did his voice become so shrill? "Shut up! Rest out of this, Temari!"
"But..."
Gaara just roared in response and jumped towards her, with murderous intent. "I told you to shut up!"
Ibiki was starting to sweat. He knew since the beginning that his job would not be easy, the line on the walls of Konoha was where most of the enemies would concentrate their efforts. And while the head of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation's division wasn't surprised to see giant snake summons attack – he knew very well Orochimaru was on the move – he didn't thought either that the blasted animals would be so difficult to kill.
But the snakes were enormous, fearsome and three-headed, besides being very fire-resistant. Basically none of the offensive jutsu his men threw at them could stop them. They lost the wall already and soon enough would be forced to retreat even more.
'Damn it, I hope the retaliation starts soon, or half of the village will be destroyed.' he thought, watching as one of the reptile slithered forward, destroying half a dozen of buildings in the process. A squad of chūnin tried to block or delay the animal's advance, but were rather unsuccessful. A couple of them were tossed away, crashing several hundred meters away, further into the village.
Ibiki mentally cursed. 'I hope they are all right.' he thought. "FALL BACK!"
A desperate looking chūnin landed behind him. "Sir, we can't stop them!"
"I know." the black-clad man curtly answered. "I am going to request back—"
"Kuchiyose: Yatai Kuzushi no Jutsu [Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer Technique]" a booming – and quite amused – voice echoed out of nowhere in that moment.
Ibiki raised an arm to cover his face from the raising dust the technique caused, smirking a little. 'I heard he had returned... and this explains why Hokage-sama was so serene about everything.'
One of the snake had been mercilessly crushed by the colossal mole of a brown skinned toad, with two katana on his back. On top of its large head, a tall figure was standing proud, arm crossed and long white hair floating in the wind.
"That is..." the chūnin from before babbled. "... Jiraiya-sama."
"YES!" the tall man boomed, starting to execute a sort of curious dance, composed by various katas. With his arms opened he continued: "In every sea and land I'm known as... the great and gallant Gama-sennin, Jir—"
"I don't see why Akimi-dono actually respects you." a small, mocking voice interrupted him. "You look more like a buffoon than a shinobi."
Jiraiya stopped dead on his tracks. "You ruined my posing!" he whined, pointing his finger at the small purple tiger. Then he frowned. "What are you doing here, furball?"
The small feline trembled. Just like Akimi, all tigers hated impoliteness. "Apparently the snake fellow has summoned two dead Kage using Edo Tensei and now Sarutobi-sama and ANBU are fighting them, but can't kill them because the bound soul keeps reforming the body. They need back-up." Jinsoro explained.
Jiraiya looked startled, any trace of amusement disappearing from his face. "He what...?" he asked. "Damn it!"
The Sannin looked around. It paramount to get rid of those snakes to optimize the wall's status. "Gamahiro, destroy these snakes for me. I am needed elsewhere." Jiraiya ordered, disappearing with a swift Sunshin.
Jinsoro mewled in approval. "Oh, all right. The pervert isn't that bad after all."
Temari watched, frozen in fear and shock, as her little brother charged at her, his features blemished by Shikaku's gruesome features. She was helpless to stop it. Part of her felt sorry for Gaara, for the life he had... and wondered if thing would have been different if she somehow showed him affection. Deep down, she cared for her little brother. A lot.
Gaara slashed at her with his sand arm and... just before his claws could reach her, a black and slightly orange blur came into view, kicking the red-haired kid away.
"It's me, Gaara." Naruto shouted, panting. He was covered in dust. "You are fighting me!"
Gaara crashed against a nearby still standing tree, roaring in ager. "Why! Why did you save her, Uzumaki Naruto? Who is she to you?"
"I..." Temari was speechless. She couldn't understand. "I am your enemy. Why?"
"One." Naruto said. "Temari cares for you, Gaara. You shouldn't attack her. Two, enough blood has been spilled. And three, I don't like killing. You won't touch anybody else, friend or foe, as long as I still breath. Sabaku no Gaara."
Temari gaped even more. "You..."
"Now get out of here." Naruto commanded to Temari. "Things are going to get worse."
The blonde kunoichi was still speechless, but mechanically nodded, jumping away with faltering leaps. Gaara was now to focused on Naruto – again – to actually even notice it.
"Uzumaki Naruto!" he shouted. "You fool... I shall destroy you. Suna Shuriken! [Sand Shuriken]"
Gaara waved his sand arm and several small projectiles shot out of it. Their speed was so impressive they actually caught fire once again. Naruto didn't even flinch. "Kaze no Tate! [Shield of Wind]"
Wind and sand clashed and annulled each other with a new small explosion..
"Is this the best you can do?" Naruto mocked. "Come at me with something better, Sabaku no Gaara!"
Naruto created two clones just as Gaara jumped, using his tail again to propel himself higher, and braced himself for another deadly clash. He nodded at his clones, then checked if their footing was stable. He raised his gaze just in time to see Gaara's arm approaching its claws opened and ready to slash at him. Naruto activated his protective seals and one second later the impact made him shake in pain, it was so powerful he trembled all over and risked to fall down.
What Gaara wasn't expecting was his foes grapping the sand arm like a sole man, basically rooting him in one place. He roared in anger, pulling furiously to free himself. The three Narutos clenched their jaws and resisted. Then, they suddenly smirked.
Another blonde genin was jumping behind the crazed red-haired kid, half a dozen of kunai in each hand. He threw them with a decisive and fluid movement.
Gaara turned his head in time to see the surprise attack and laughed. "This isn't enough to stop me!" he shouted, lazily waving his tail and waning them off. The projectiles were absorbed into the sand immediately. Then his tail flickered forward, hitting the Narutos who were holding him square in the chest. "Didn't you learn your lesson before?"
The pop of Kage Bunshin revealed that all of them were clones. .
"Oh, trust me... I believe I have." the true Naruto exclaimed, landing quite far from him. He smirked again. "Ka-boom."
"What the hell was that?" Ino asked, from her place in the rear of the formation, stopping for the surprise.
The load, deafening sound of an explosion had echoed in the woods just moments before, startling them. As if Akimi telling them they were chasing after a genin containing a Tailed Beast wasn't shocking enough.
"Quite possible Naruto-kun." Akimi replied, continuing to leap. She was being uncharacteristically impatient. "Kakashi-sensei should have never thought him how to make explosive clones."
The word explosive and Naruto in the same sentence did make Ino shiver a little as she hurried to catch up with the rest of her companions. She swallowed . "So we are getting nearer?"
"No." Pakkun replied, from his place at point. "The Bunshin Daibakuha [Clone Great Explosion] is so full of chakra that ninja can hear its explosion from very far away. That, and the kid tends to overpower it."
"Hai." Akimi nodded. "He had to go very far from the village to try it, because I have yet to devise a protective seal strong enough for our training ground."
Pakkun frowned. "We are, however, approaching another fighting site."
"Who?" Chōji asked worriedly. He didn't like the idea to fight... and was even more concerned about his comrades.
To make him come along without too much complainings, Ino had to bribe him with the prospect of food – lots of food – after the battle and Akimi profusely assured him he would only have to support her and her team. Besides, she said, they needed to regroup with Shikamaru.
The words were the trick, because Chōji's gentle wish for peace was quite weaker than his friendship with the lazy genius. His loyalty was unwavering.
"There are several chakra signatures ahead. The battle has been a stall." Pakkun replied. "I don't seem to recognise any smell, so it isn't Shino-kun or Naruto."
"Shikamaru, then." Akimi said. "His fighting style is quite stationary. He is a Nara."
The dog nodded. "They must have sent a couple of squads to stop them from reaching Gaara." he mused. "And this Nara fellow stayed behind to delay them. A decoy."
Chōji and Ino gaped in worry and fear. They both knew that, in the ninja world, a decoy was very likely to be severely hurt or... worse.
Akimi stayed calm, halting. "How many?"
Pakkun stopped as well and sniffed the ground. "There used to be at least twelve signatures. Here I can smell Naruto and Shino-kun as well... and your little pest."
"Kaera isn't a pest." Akimi replied dismissively. "Can you tell how many are there now?"
Pakkun sniffed harder. "I didn't feel this before, but ahead there is also some familiar scent. Naruto's, definitely, but it's extremely weak..."
"... a clone then."
"Yes, yes." Pakkun nodded. "And six others."
"So five enemies." Akimi stopped and turned to look at Chōji and Ino. "Try to calm down. I am sure Shika is fine."
Ino and Chōji nodded without much energy nor conviction. The Akimichi, especially, looked ashen white.
"A shadow clone is with him so that means we have time to reach him and get rid of the enemies." Akimi said, determined. "Surprise will be on our side, so we can make it very easy. You need to tell me exactly what you can do."
"And you will devise a strategy." Ino replied, raising an eyebrow in what was half a statement, half a polemic question.
"Oh, no." Akimi shook her head. "We will devise a strategy. Together. And you of all people you should understand the power of teamwork, no?" she smiled. "Thus, I am quite certain it will be a successful one."
The forest was shaken by a flash of intense light, as an ear-splitting, loud noise echoed around for several miles. It was pure devastation.
Gaara howled in pain and confusion. 'It was too powerful to be a couple of simple explosive notes... who the hell is this guy?' he wondered, realising even his arm had been partially destroyed by the sudden and deadly explosion.
Let's not talk about the trees. Poor, poor trees... there was only little more than sawdust left in place of their once majestic and tall trunks. And there was even more annihilation waiting for the few survivors.
Naruto was painting heavily. The two Bunshin Daibakuha he had thrown at Gaara had almost exhausted his chakra reserves. He had hoped this last attack would be enough to knock him down, but apparently that wasn't the case. Then he needed to...
"UZUMAKI NARUTO!" howled Gaara, holding his head in his hands. Sand started to swirl around him, which meant his monstrous body would be soon rebuilt. "You are strong! I will defeat you! And destroying someone so strong he could hurt me three times and taking take away everyone he cares for in the process will give me a stronger sensation of life. Make me feel, Uzumaki Naruto!"
"Don't you dare..." Naruto seethed in his own, blinded fury. "Don't you dare touch them!"
"Or else?" Gaara looked up, his wild gaze almost seem to go past Naruto. It was terrifying and the blonde felt the blood freeze in his vein. It had already happened the day before, when he learned the truth about his opponent.
'Those eyes... are so sad.' Naruto thought, his comeback dying in his throat. 'So lonely. I used to have the same eyes.' His lowered his eyelids, remembering a time when he was ignored by almost everyone, when he felt unworthy and desperate, when he wondered why, why on earth he existed if no one wanted him. For a second, he felt desperate like then, thinking how close he had been to become like his red-haired opponent.
Gaara wasn't surprised to hear Naruto answering his threat with one of his own. It had become sort of a regular pattern when they were concerned. What he found weird, though, was seeing his opponent becoming lost in the past, as his eyes were covered by a sadness to match his own. However, he wasn't going to waste such an opportunity to prove his existence.
Gaara charged forward, his power and speed once again magnified by his strong desire to defeat this opponent. Not that he actually needed it. Naruto was still in his strange trance, a still target even too easy to hit.
Naruto screamed in pain as he was smashed against one of the few standing trees, after a flight of several hundred meters. Gaara was looming over him, imprisoning him with his sand limbs. With a startle, the blonde's gaze reacquired focus and he was bewildered to be looking into two yellow eyes.
'He has completed a sort of partial transformation. Sure, he isn't as giant as Shukaku is supposed to be, but he looks like a miniature Tanuki already.' Naruto mused. 'And he has gotten even stronger.'
"This is it, Uzumaki Naruto?" Gaara roared, his sharp fangs one millimetre from the other genin face. "Is this how you are going to stop me? To prevent me from touching the people you care for?"
Naruto didn't answer, but clenched his fists in rage.
"Are you afraid of me now, Uzumaki Naruto?" Gaara continued. "You are exhausted and I am going to kill you. And you will die with the knowledge of what I will do then. You are weak, because you don't fight only for yourself."
Naruto laughed, causing Gaara to widen his eyes in surprise. "I feel sorry for you." he rasped. "You don't understand what true strength is."
"You are within my grasp!" Gaara thundered, tightening said grip. "You have reached your limit and you are helpless to stop me."
"Am I..." Naruto said, suddenly pushing his enemy aside and throwing him back. He was panting from the strain. "... helpless?"
"ARGHHHHHH"! Gaara shouted. "I will bathe in your blood and then I will kill everyone in your village, starting from your precious teammates! UZUMAKI NARUTO!"
Naruto closed his eyes, trembling from rage. Gaara thought it was either tiredness or resignation. "You will make me feel, Uzumaki Naruto, and your little girlfriend next!"
"NO!" Naruto shouted back. "NO, you won't!" For a split second his features were maimed by something feral and primal, as his eyes became... red.
Gaara instinctively stepped back, feeling small even though he was half transformed in a fearsome demon.
"It is when you fight to protected someone you love you become truly powerful." Naruto said, regaining control. He smiled, remembering how the small hell his childhood used to be, became a bright, happy place.
A small beacon of light in the darkness: the Sandaime smiling at him, giving him a house and a place in the academy, a hope for the future and a goal to reach. Iruka-sensei scolding him with an annoying and yet caring voice, then offering him Ramen, trying to get him to stop pranking. Ayame and Teuchi smiling gently at him and closing an eye when he couldn't pay for ramen. Then Akimi, teaching him what friendship was all about, changing his life and helping him become the proud shinobi he now was. And that had only been the beginning... soon the people he cared for and that cared for him in return had multiplied: Shino, Kakashi, Ero-sennin. And then Shikamaru, Chōji... all the rookies actually. Konohamaru and his brats friends... and who knows how many more would there be in the future. He felt a part of the village, now, and he would not let a crazed kid destroy it.
"Let me show you..." Naruto crossed his fingers in the ram seal. "... what true strength is."
Gaara was like frozen in his place by the quiet power in Naruto's voice and his serene, unfaltering confidence. 'Who is this kid?' he thought.
Naruto frowned in concentration, the effort of whatever he was trying to do making him groan. Then Gaara was forced to cover his eyes because of sudden brightness, as Naruto became literally surrounded by a blazing blue alone of chakra that made his clothes and hair float.
'Where did he took all that chakra from? He was exhausted!' Gaara thought, gaping. 'I was certain of it... who is this kid?'
"I will certainly protect everyone until the end, dattebayo!" Naruto shouted. "Tajū Kage Bunshin no jutsu!"
Shikamaru's face was strained as he struggled to keep his hold on the Oto-nins. Naruto's clone had just took out one of the remaining enemies, but there were still five to think about.
While Kagemane (Shadow Imitation Jutsu) created a weaker connection with its victim that Shintenshin (Mind Body Switch Technique) no jutsu, it still was painful and dangerous for a Nara if a trapped enemy was hit while the technique was active.
This is why the Ino-Shika-Cho formations required flawless teamwork to be effective. The Akimichi needed to hit trapped enemies a second after the Nara released the technique, but if too much time passed, said enemy would escape. Perfect timing was necessary.
Considering he and Naruto had never practiced before, the blonde had done an excellent job, Shikamaru thought, knowing he would be already dead weren't it for the Kage Bunshin his friend had left behind.
But now things were going for the worse. He was at his limit. Shikamaru panted and looked at Naruto, who nodded. 'Let go.' the other genin mouthed.
Shikamaru released one of the weaker enemies, having care of keep his hold firm on the captain, who was very likely at jōnin level. Naruto moved swiftly and cut his throat with his tantō. Another one down, four to go.
'That knucklehead has already gotten better than last time at this. He is truly amazing.' Shikamaru thought. Naruto kicked this enemy and looked at another one, nodding to Shikamaru.
Then it happened.
"Oh shit!" exclaimed Shikamaru, as the clone popped out of existence without any clear explanation.
"AH!" the Oto captain exclaimed. "Now it's just a matter of time, brat, then I will cut your throat."
Shikamaru gulped. 'Damn it. He is right.' The following minutes were pure tortures, as he desperately tried to maintain the technique, knowing he couldn't last for long.
'I was supposed to have a normal, tranquil life... become a chūnin, then marry, have two kids... a girl and a boy, then peacefully die in my bed. I guess it is too much to ask, with me being a ninja and everything else...' he thought, raising his head to the sky. At least he wanted to die looking at his beloved clouds. He smiled and let go.
What followed he should have expected – but he was never very optimistic – Naruto told him back-up was coming, no?
He lowered his gaze in time to see Akimi punch the Oto captain as he was charging forward, then grabbing him in a deadlock and turn towards the trees. 'What the hell?' Shikamaru thought.
"Shintenshin no jutsu!" a female voice shouted from the hidden shades, as the familiar gleam of his teammate's jutsu flew through the air.
'Ino!'
Akimi let the jōnin go and turned to the other tree enemies, getting through handseals. She took a deep breath. "Katon: Kouen Tora no jutsu! [Fire Release: Flame Tiger Technique]" she shouted, releasing a blazing flame shaped like a tiger and unleashing it towards the startled looking Oto nins.
They obviously jumped to avoid it, but didn't expect the technique to actually change direction and only two of them manage to escape.
One of them was taken by surprised by his captain, who suddenly attacked him from behind and knocked him down. The other one jumped away, confused.
"What has gotten into you, sir?"
"Your captain is out of service, at the moment." the jōnin replied with a very Ino-like smirk.
Shikamaru found himself chuckling at the display.
The remaining ninja was still gaping, when two hands shot out below him, grabbing his ankles. "Doton: Shinjū Zanshu no Jutsu! [Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation Technique]"
"Pakkun, now!" Akimi shouted, jumping out from the ground. She knocked the ninja out just as a small dog approached the captain with amazing speed, attaching a small paper tag on his back.
"Fudou no Fūin [Seal of Immobility]" Akimi said, crossing her hand in the ram seal. Shikamaru saw Ino getting out of the captain body in that exact second. "Activate!"
The jōnin was released from Ino's grasp on him, just to find himself paralysed by Akimi's seal. And it wasn't over...
A oversized Chōji, who obviously was using Baika no Jutsu [Multi-Size Technique] already, got out from the woods – where probably had just been busy looking after Ino's body.
"Nikudan Sensha [Human Bullet Tank]" Chōji shouted.
The Oto captain could only watch in shock as the huge and deadly human bullet charged at him, unable to defend himself. 'Oh, shit! If these are Konoha's genin I don't think my comrades are having an easy time!' he thought, before being run over.
Shikamaru sighed in relief. "What a drag." he murmured.
"I am impressed, lazy ass." Ino's mocking voice said from behind him. "You fought against twelve enemies!"
"Well done." Chōji exclaimed, running towards him. He offered him an opened chips packet. "You need to eat something."
Shikamaru chuckled, accepting it, then turned his gaze to Akimi, who looked quite troubled.
"I knew you had it in you, Shika." she said. And her using a nickname was proof enough he had gained her respect. She smiled a strained smiled. "Good job."
"Something happened to Naruto's clone." he said. "He disappeared suddenly without any reason or forewarning."
Akimi frowned so deeply, the Nara couldn't help but gulp from worry. Then she closed her eyes without saying anything else. Somehow that was more alarming that any word she could have said.
Gaara was quite impressed. He also was slightly worried and very, very angry. His existence had never been threatened in such a way before. Who was that kid? He was starting to getting used to him popping clones out of nowhere, yes, but never in such a great number.
Dozens of black and orange clad genin were surrounding him, the same cold, angry expression on their faces. Gaara didn't even bother to try and count them, but they were a lot. Was it even possible to create that much clones?
Evidently yes.
Naruto was angry. He never liked when people threatened his precious friends. Gaara had done that since the first day they met, but somehow he managed to control his anger. During their long and quite vicious clash, Naruto knew he had been somehow restrained by his wish to save and change Gaara. Sympathy and his desire not to rely on Kyūbi had prevented him to going on a rampage. But now Gaara was a blood-thirsty monster ready to kill everyone he cared about... and he wasn't going to allow that. He would stop only short of unleashing Kyūbi. Everything else would go.
"Let's go!" Naruto shouted.
A small army of blonde genin jumped at the same moment, surrounding Gaara from every possible angle, then unleashing a barrage of shuriken on him.
"Fūton: Mugen Sajin – Daitoppa" the red haired kid shouted, releasing a mighty tornado full of sand over his enemies and effectively sending back the projectiles.
But the small horde of tantō wielding Narutos used chakra flow with the same element to parry the offensive, so only few of them were dispelled. Then, they were close enough to use taijutsu on Gaara.
The Suna Jinchūriki was able to destroy a couple of them with his powerful sand limbs, but was soon overwhelmed by their sheer numeric superiority, so he found himself flying, propelled upwards by a volley of fierce punches and kicks. Gaara wasn't given respite, as was met by other Naruto high in the air.
"Let me show some serious Wind manipulation, oversized racoon!" the blonde shouted, as he and his clones finished a long hand-seal sequence. "Fūton: Namikadou. [Wind Release: Wave Vortex]"
Now, one of the B-rank jutsu was already devastating enough, imagine the impact a dozen or more could do. If Gaara hadn't been covered by chakra-imbued sand he would have been ripped to pieces, as he was slashed by powerful wind vortexes, a deafening howl in his ears and dust in his eyes.
The red haired kid crashed on the ground, sprawled carelessly, the air knocked out of him, his true body exposed to the world. He opened his eyes to see one Naruto rush towards him, one hand opened and an glowing orange seal on each finger. 'What the hell?'
"Gogyō Fūin [Five Elemental Seal]" he shouted, hitting him square on the belly.
Gaara felt a strange feeling wash over him and he completely lost control on the partial transformation, returning to his normal, human form. Naruto sighed and smiled slightly. His clones had dispelled, obviously having used all their chakra to overpower the wind technique.
'Akimi-chan was right, of course.' Naruto smiled. 'The seal has been enough to stop the transformation'
"Now that you calmed down, we can talk." Naruto calmly said. "But most importantly, you won't touch any of my precious people."
"You...!" Gaara hissed. "You won't kill me!"
"You know, you shouldn't assume everyone wants to kill you. It's a little excessive."
"My existence will not be erased!" thundered Gaara.
It was clear that while the Five Elemental Seal had been enough to made the Bijū's chakra regress, Gaara's mental breakdown was still in progress. Delightful.
"I am not going to..." Naruto tried to say, but stopped suddenly.
Gaara had formed the ram seal. "You are going to see the true power of the reincarnation of the desert. Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu [Feigning Sleep Technique]"
Naruto saw his opponent's eyelids fluttering and decided to execute a small tactical retreat. Akimi told him what would happen if the Jinchūriki of Shukaku happened to fell asleep. And it wasn't going to be pretty...
His Sunshin took him on the edge of the woods, right before the huge hole his fight with Gaara had created in the forest. Naruto looked with wide-eyed eyes as a huge Tanuki was formed, big enough to fill said void in the trees. The body was formed by what must have been oceans of sands... Once again, though, the most startling thing were the yellow eyes, now as big as an human head, and glowing of an unnatural light. "Oh, holy shit!"
"YES! I AM FINALLY OUT!" the beast shouted, its voice ridiculously shrill but still terrifying. "WHO CAN I KILL?"
Pakkun explained that Akimi was probably trying to communicate with Kaera, the small tiger, who was supposed to on the site of Naruto's battle.
"A Shadow clone may dispel if the original is severely hurt." Pakkun gravely said. "And Naruto is tough. Something big must have happened."
So him and Team 10 was waiting patiently to hear if she had any news.
Shikamaru was eating Chōji's chips, after Ino had checked him over. He was fine, simply exhausted. Chōji was eating as well, while Ino was pacing nervously. The dog was still, listening and smelling the air, ready to detect any enemy closing on them. A few minutes passed and the three kids were startled by a sudden and powerful wind lashing at them.
"It was full of chakra!" Ino exclaimed, since she was a fairly good sensor. "How...?"
"Naruto." Pakkun said. "That kid is truly a powerhouse."
"How is it possible?" Ino asked. "Naruto already fought two matches in the arena... and we pretty much know he has been severely hurt. He shouldn't be able to that. Nobody has that much stamina..."
Shikamaru's eyes widened. 'Fight fire with fire... and the stronger one will win. Shit, Naruto... is this why...?'
"If Akimi though Naruto were really in danger, she would have already reached him by now." Shikamaru said. "She would not be still, trying to contact her familiar."
"Correct." Pakkun said, spotting the look of realisation on the kid's face. He wondered what the Nara would do with that knowledge. "Although she is giving us the chance to respite, I believe. She also needs rest probably. I don't how much energy she used to get that barrier down and..."
The dog stopped suddenly, wincing a little.
"What is this?" Ino whispered, feeling a vicious and powerful pressure washing over her. She trembled in fear. Her teammates followed suit.
Akimi opened her eyes. She was ashen white, her eyes widened in worry and fear. Then her expression became determined. "I must go."
Pakkun jumped in front of her. "It happened then?"
Akimi nodded. "I am worried about Shino, too... he stopped to fight Kankurō, Gaara's brother. A puppeteer."
"A devious opponent."
"Hai. Will you...?"
"We'll take care of it." Pakkun said. "GO!"
Akimi nodded and turned north, crouching down and preparing to jump.
"Wait!" Ino shouted. "What is this thing?"
Akimi sighed. "This, Ino-san, is the killing intent of a Tailed Beast." she said, with finality, before disappearing with a blur of speed.
JUTSU NOTES: would you like me to mark which one are canon techniques and which ones are original?
Kuchiyose: Kinu Shibari no Jutsu! [Summoning: Art of Silk Restraints] B rank, supplementary, short to mid range. The user summons several small butterflies that create a very resilient and tick cocoon of silk around the target. The binding is reinforced with chakra for maximum resistance.
Fūton: Onbin Oshi [Wind Release: Gentle Push] C rank, supplementary. An expert wind manipulator creates a strong but gentle gale of wind that doesn't hurt but propels the target forward or jump higher at a greater speed. The power of the technique is magnified if it used when the target has already jumped.
Kuchiyose: Yatai Kuzushi no Jutsu [Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer Technique] B rank, offensive, all ranges. This techniques uses the giant moles of toad to unleash a deadly dive against the opponent. Skilled users can summon the toad right upon the opponent to maximise damage with the help of gravity.
Bunshin Daibakuha [Clone Great Explosion]: A rank, offensive, short range – this techniques creates a shadow clone that can be detonated at will. The amount of chakra poured into the technique determines the size and power of the explosion
Suna Shuriken [Sand Shuriken]: B rank, offensive, mid to long range. This techniques creates a barrage of small, deadly sand bullets that fly against the target at an extremely high speed. The amount of chakra imbued in the shuriken determines the exact offensive power of the technique.
Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu: Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, A rank, supplementary, all ranges (kinjutsu). This is a magnified version of normal Kage Bunshin. Only extremely powerful shinobi can use this technique effectively and without the risk of dying because of chakra being repeatedly divided among clones.
Fūton: Mugen Sajin - Daitoppa [Wind Release: Infinite Sand Cloud - Great Breakthrough] B rank, offensive, mid to long range. The users blows out air along with a chakra-imbued sand, creating a deadly tornado strong enough to knock trees down.
Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu [Feigning Sleep Technique]: C rank, supplementary. This techniques causes the user to fall asleep. However, they will wake up if suffering a direct blow strong enough. If used by a Jinchūriki of Shikaku, this techniques becomes quite deadly because it releases the beast (S rank).
REVIEW ANSWERS:
Unmei Ryu : thank you so much for reviewing. I am glad to hear from you as well, since you are one of my oldest reviewer. =) I am glad you liked the chapters and hope this one didn't disappoint. =)
Iyuubi: thank you for reviewing! First thing off, please don't apologize for a long review. I love reviews in any form, actually, but long ones hold a special place for me. =) I always feel elated when reviewer tell me they read the story nonstop! I am still working the details of the Tsunade arc in my head, but it will be interesting to see Akimi's struggle. She'll feel obligated to treat her with respect because she is the most famous kunoichi in the world and one of the Sannin, but will simply HATE her guts and her behavior. And let's remember: alcohol is highly inflammable. (wink, wink). Interesting suggestion for Asuma, I planned to have him teach Naruto later on, so he will definitely get in contact with Akimi too and who knows? I hope you liked this chapter as well.
azfaerydust: thank you a lot for reviewing! So I looked Fire Storm Rasengan up and I found it was a combination technique of Naruto and Sasuke (basically Rasengan + Great Fireball technique).
I understand your point about legacy, but I think that Naruto, both in canon and especially in this fics, loves to share with the ones he truly cares about. Hence why he taught Konohamaru. In a way it is a way to honor his sensei and his hero ( he doesn't know the Yondaime is his father.) I am opposed to the idea of him teaching the techniques to a lotof people, but a few chosen ones would do. Besides, Akimi is not a powerhouse. She won't go around throwing Rasengans in all directions every time soon. =) Besides, I've got several idea for amazing Rasen-teamwork between her and Naruto and I prefer to follow this idea. =)
Skeleus: thank you a lot for reviewing. I hope you liked these fights then =)
NATSUxERZA 123456: thank you a lot for reviewing. I am glad you liked the butterflies and their genjutsu. =) I hope you enjoyed the chapter. =)
DarkNamikaze: thank you a lot for reviewing. I hope you liked the chapter. I am always glad to listen to my reader's suggestions and meet them when possible. Next chapter should have a Naruto-Akimi moment, if not the one afterwards will be the one. =)
mg4of6: thank you so much for your review. I hope you liked this chapter. I know, right, Shino and scary butterflies are awesome. And I did have a few laughter while writing that part.
pe26: thank you for reviewing. I hope you liked the chapter. =)
nice update, waiting for next event and battle..
ExecutionerKain: thank you for your review. I am extremely glad you liked Akimi and thank you for remind me of the anniversary. Somehow, I completely forgot XD. I hope school wasn't too harsh XD =)
xsanoxx: thank you for reviewing. I am glad you liked the story and how I tried to balance Naruto's being stronger but not too much and also that you appreciated teams arrangements. I hope you liked this chapter.
NeitherSaneNorInsane: thank you so much for reviewing. I am very glad you seemed to enjoy the butterflies' debut. I actually laughed a lot while writing that part. =) I hope you liked how the Akimi and Naruto sections developed in this chapter as well. Yes, a Fire Rasengan may be in Akimi's far future (well into Shippūden). However I have in mind some good Rasen-teamwork for her and Naruto to perform together. Your comment about my story having a good plot made me smile and encouraged me to write, so thanks! =)
FlyingLinguineMonster: thank you so much for reviewing. You are right and since myself hate how some great stories are unfinished (as I do read my good share of fics myself) I will never let this story unfinished. I hope I can keep my word just like our Naruto does. The Chūnin exams were quite overwhelming to write, true, but I also enjoyed it. Naruto and Gaara's fight in canon is one of my favorite part ever in the whole story. =)
I am very glad you liked how Akimi pierced the barrier and the butterflies. I know the idea seems strange, but it suits him in the end. I always appreciate someone complimenting my English so thanks... it does make me feel more confident. I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well and the writer block is under control for now so let's hope it stays this way. (wink, wink)
Guest: thanks for reviewing. I am very glad to read you don't Akimi is a Mary Sue, it makes me feel relieved, cause sometimes I am afraid she looks like one. =) I hope you liked this chapter as well.
Thank you very much for updating:) I enjoy stories with OC but to have an OC that is not a Mary Sue, has a positive impact on Naruto's development, becomes part of the Rookie 12 and is generally a well-balanced person amongst all of the ninja insanity? It's a rare and very much appreciated example of a fantastic fan-fiction story!
Guest: thanks for reviewing. I am not sure what you mean... maybe to tag an OC in the character list? Let me know.
shootingcuz: thanks a lot for reviewing. I will think about it, because I don't want this arc to become too long. I am going to promise you a spin off story if I don't insert it in the main one. =) I hope you liked this chapter.
CHAPTER NOTES:
Here we are. This chapter became much longer than I intended. Gaara vs. Naruto has always been one of my favorite part in the whole story ever, so I know the episodes by hearth and writing it with my own twists has been both strange and exiting. I hope you liked the result. Was the ass kicking believable and satisfying?
About the title: I wanted to make clear that Gaara and Naruto literally devastated the section of forest they were fighting it. I also imagined Konoha's ecologist association (if they have one) going on a rampage and ambushing poor Naruto. XD
Let's talk about serious things now. About Naruto'schakra reserves. In canon he summons possibly a thousand clones AND then Gamabunta without using Kyūbi help. He also had created several clones and some red chakra during his battle with Neji. Here he fought more, used more techniques but way less clones, so I think the thing was balanced. Besides, he is more powerful than he was in canon at this point. And he saved Temari. That is just how Naruto thinks... =)
About the Five elemental seal, I think it's logical enough to deduce that any ninja would be destabilized by this seal, especially if a Jinchūriki. Hence why Naruto was able to temporarily make Gaara's transformation regress.
About Kagemane hurting the user too, it's a long shot I know, but I needed to made Shika's battle longer and more difficult. And I am sadist. =) I hope you found it believable.
Jiraiya made a cameo in the chapter. And tigers hate him cause he is a pervert. They may even start to call him Ero-sennin like someone we know. By the way, do you prefer Gamahiro to be brown skinned (like in part 1) or blue skinned (like in part two?) I personally found him a little ridiculous in blue, so I chose brown, but let me know.
And last but not least the EPIC BATTLE between three Kage and one Sannin, plus an handful of ANBU. I am unsure whether to write it or no. It would be cool, sure, but I have almost zero idea on how make it really epic. So any suggestion is more than welcome. Please PM me if you have ideas! Then there is the problem of the colossal length of this arc. I want to move on onto Tsunade story. =) I do promise I will write the epic battle as a spin off or flashback later on, though, so sooner or later you are going to read about it.
So after this kilometric note (and I really do admire you if you read it all), I am going to say hello. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Until next time!
Next time up: everything draws to an end... and titans clash. (poor forest)