Kaibunkage
Arc I
Chapter VIII
"Even after you betrayed me and attacked my home, I don't hate you, Aku. I pity you. For when Naruto gets a hold on you, even Shiori won't be able to stop him. This isn't just a prediction… It's the promise of a lifetime."
- Shion, High Priestess of the Land of Demons
Team Hebi took a small break in the Yu no Kuni, the four sitting around a small campfire.
"So where are we going again?" Suigetsu asked Sasuke.
"We're going to Wave to get some information." the Uchiha answered. "My former teammate, Haruno Sakura, was last seen there and I need her."
Karin huffed. "Why would you need her? She sounded weak from what you said about her."
"Her medical prowess is what I'm after. She can help transfer Itachi's eyes." Karin and Suigetsu both frowned at this, but Sasuke ignored them. "That is why we're finding her."
"Didn't she attack Orochimaru? What if she attacks us?" Karin questioned.
"Then we will force her to do what I need and then dispose of her." Sasuke said. "However, I don't doubt that she can do what I need her to. And if her 'feelings' for me have remained, she will do it without a problem."
Suigetsu smirked. "Well Karin, seems like you have some competition."
"Shut up!" Karin snapped.
Naruto's eyes shot opened. Something was not right, and it was not the strange dream he had about Shion. No. Something else was wrong. Looking around his dark room, Naruto attempted to see if someone was spying on him. He could only sense the ANBU guards outside of his home.
"Something's off…" Naruto muttered as he got out of his bed and moved out of his room. "Something is definitely wrong."
For one odd reason or another, Naruto could practically hear Shion screaming to him to check in on Shiori. And since he has always found her scary when angry, he did. Opening Shiori's bedroom door, Naruto saw the bundle beneath her sheets, like every other day. The young girl did sleep wild and weird.
Naruto went to remove the sheets from his daughter's face before he paused. This was most definitely not Shiori. He would have felt the slight restraint she had on the fox if it was.
Eyes turning red Naruto disappeared from Shiori's bedroom.
Aku, in the body of Jakken of course, ran off with the sleeping child towards Yozora Town. Thankfully, Naruto was a heavy sleeper and would not notice his daughter missing until morning. What was even better was that his body was safe for the moment as he had resurrected one of the knights that died in the battle in Shion's palace to carry it.
"All is going according to plan." Aku said to himself, Shiori's bell secured in his hand.
"Stop right there." Aku slid to a stop once he heard the voice. He saw a shadowy figure step out of the shade from the trees and into the moonlight, his lips curling into a satisfied smirk. "I won't let you go any further with this."
"Well, Haruno Sakura. I didn't think that you would still be here in the Land of Ash," Aku stated. "Not after your battle with the Kaibunkage."
"Drop the act. I already know what you're doing." Sakura said. "I ran into your partner in Yozora Town.
"And yet you're alive…" murmured Aku before speaking louder. "Though, I'm not that surprised. You are the third teammate of Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto, two respectable and powerful men. However, you've underestimated Gyaku. I am certain that he, like Naruto, was toying with you."
"Toying with me?" Sakura's eyebrow had begun twitching as she repeated the word.
"Yes. Toying with you." Gyaku said jumping from a tree branch and landing beside Aku, who was still possessing Jakken's body. "I see that you have the girl. Now, let's kill this bitch and get out of here."
"Take her." Gyaku took a step backwards as Aku attempted to hand Shiori's sleeping body to the former Kemuri Nin. "Her bell is in my hand. She is virtually harmless."
Gyaku created an Apparition Clone to carry Shiori as Aku went to undo his earlier jutsu, and put his mind back into his body. Sakura saw Jakken's body go limp and collapsed on the ground while Aku's body was gently put down by the knight that was carrying it, the former palace guard twisting his neck to hear satisfying pops.
"Now then, we can get down to the real fighting." Aku said as red lightning began to surge around Gyaku's arms.
"You're damn right!" Gyaku said. "Take this!"
Sakura quickly dodged the two beams of red lightning before spotting Gyaku coming at her in a mad dash. Sakura dodged the blade by sidestepping the attack and quickly ducked Gyaku's follow-up swing. The pinkette stuck a leg out and attempted to sweep Gyaku off of his feet, but the Hirameki countered by hopping over her foot. Sakura rolled out of the way before Gyaku could bring his blade down on her and stood up.
"I can't use Ibuse right now." Sakura said, her eyes glancing at Shiori's body in Gyaku's clone's hands. "So I'll have to beat you without him." Sakura activated her Yin Seal Release for the third time of the day. She knew her muscles would be sore tomorrow, but at the moment, it did not matter. "I need to find a weakness in their teamwork and then work from there."
"That plan would work, Haruno-san," Sakura turned her attention slightly towards Gyaku's left to see Aku and four other people. "But we are more than just two people. We are more."
Sakura looked at the four people that Aku had somehow summoned behind him.
The first was a man with dark green hair and grey eyes. He wore a high-collared sleeveless black top with a dull orange trim. Beneath that, his upper torso and arms were wrapped in bandages. He wore light grey pants as well.
To his left was an odd man. His skin seemed to be a grayish color with white hair, his eyes covered in black trimmed orange glasses. He wore a purple, orange-trimmed cloak that hid his arms from view as we as purple pants.
On the green-haired man's right was a blonde woman dressed in a large long-sleeve yellow jacket over a white shirt that stopped midriff. Her pants were also a bit baggy, but red. Her arms and hands were covered in her jackets sleeves and her eyes were currently closed.
Finally, Sakura noticed Kinuta Dosu from Orochimaru's Sound Trio. He still looked like he did when they met during the Chunin Exams years ago, but Sakura figured that he had died during the invasion. How could have grown?
"Why'd you waste your bodies on these four?" questioned an annoyed Gyaku. He figured that Aku would use the four unconscious knights to resurrect four of the strongest shinobi, not four random nobodies.
"Watch." Aku said.
Shiori's pink bell began to float in mid-air before going to the blonde woman, who grasped it and put it around her neck. It did not take Sakura more than a millisecond after this before she realized just who this woman was.
"Sh-Shion." Sakura stammered.
Shion's purple eyes opened and stared at Sakura for a moment. Neither woman said anything, prompting Gyaku to attack Sakura. He figured that she was pretty occupied with Shion to see him and slashed her body in half, only for it to be replaced by a log.
"Where'd she go?" Gyaku asked, looking at Aku.
"I can sense her. She hasn't left the vicinity." responded Aku. "Seems as if she is willing to stick around to save Lady Shiori after all." Aku pointed to a tree branch. "There she is. Kihō, take care of her."
The glasses wearing man revealed an arm from beneath his cloak, revealing his wrist launcher. He aimed to where Aku was pointing at before firing several smoke grenades at Sakura's location (Dark Smoke Sphere). Sakura was forced to move from her spot, her analyzing interrupted by the attack.
Gyaku went to move for Sakura before he felt Aku's hand on his shoulder.
"What're you-"
Aku simply pointed to four shinobi that landed in front of them. The four were Mei, Chojuro, Ranmaru, and Naruto. The Kaibunkage's red eyes glared at Aku and Gyaku.
"Treachery. Treason. Theft. Kidnap. Murder." growled the Kaibunkage. "I vow to you that you two will not live to see the sunrise for these crimes. Now, where is Shiori?"
"Why, Uzumaki-san, she is over there with Jakken." Aku said pointing. Naruto's eyes turned to see Shiori and Jakken sleeping against the base of a tree, the knight that once carried Aku's body standing in front of them protectively. "Of course, five on six will make this a lot harder for you to reach her. And considering the fact that she is no longer in possession of that cursed bell…"
"Naruto, as much as we want Shiori back safely, we have to play smart. They can all touch and harm her now." Mei said.
"Right." Naruto said closing his eyes. "You know something Aku? I never really liked you in the first place."
"Good. Then this won't hurt as much." replied the former Demon Country guard. "Shion, destroy your friend."
Naruto stood quietly as the blonde woman stepped beside Gyaku and Aku, her eyes never leaving Naruto's.
"Naruto-kun, I'm sorry." Shion said before her bell shot a powerful pink laser towards the Kaibunkage and his team.
The four went in different directions, Shion causing the laser to chase after Naruto only.
"Ranmaru, go for Shiori now!" Mei ordered.
"Hai!" Ranmaru said going for the young girl that he had looked at as a sister. However, before he reached her, he was forced to dodge a ball of lightning, his red eyes turning to the attacker. "R-Raiga."
Kurosuki Raiga gave Ranmaru a grin. "So you've grown up and learned to fight? I guess Naruto has changed you after all." Raiga revealed the Lightning Fangs at his sides. "Let's see what he's taught you."
Ranmaru tightened his black gloves up before releasing the three blades at the knuckles.
"Sure, Raiga-san." Ranmaru said.
"Lady Mei," Chojuro began. "The other two? What should we do with them?"
"Buy Guren and Gozu some time with that wall. We can't afford for Gyaku and Aku to get out of the area of their wall." Mei said. "I will take on those two by myself. Worry about Gyaku."
"But-"
"Chojuro." Mei said in a calm but stern voice. "You are a Smoke shinobi now. Your duty is to defend and protect the village. Right now, our leader needs us. Defeat Gyaku."
"Hai." Chojuro said grabbing his blade, Hiramekarei.
Mei gave a smile as Chojuro went into battle, pursuing Gyaku away from a smirking Aku. Mei looked at Dosu and Kihō, taking in their physical appearance and weapons before moving in to attack them. She had to push them far enough so that she could use her Lava and Boil releases without worry about her comrades.
Aku smirked before moving for Naruto's location.
"All is going according to plan."
Naruto slowed to a stop as the laser stopped firing. He looked over his shoulder and saw Shion stepping towards him, a sad smile on her face.
"You know," said the reanimated priestess. "This would have never happened if we did get married. I would have moved here to Kemuri and everything would have been perfect."
"Shion-chan…" Naruto murmured, his eyes now their natural blue color.
"But, I've seen Haruno Sakura. She cares for you." Naruto's eyes narrowed a bit. "Have you stopped caring for her, Naruto-kun? Wasn't she the reason why we never wedded? It took you longer to get over her than it did for you to create Rasenshuriken."
"Shion-chan, please, forgive me." Naruto said.
Shion smiled. "Always the apologetic one. That's one of your better traits, Naru-baka." Naruto gave a weary grin. "Please, forgive me for diverting your attention."
"Wha-" Naruto looked over his shoulder to see Aku descending on him, only seconds before Sakura's fist connected with the man, sending him flying through several trees. Sakura landed on the ground, her back facing Naruto. "Sakura…"
"Shiori needs the bell for protection, right?" Sakura replied before giving Naruto a smile. "Good thing it was only us who retrieved the bell from Kakashi-sensei, right?"
"But… I could never hurt Shion-chan. Not physically, at least." Naruto said.
"Baka…" Sakura muttered. "I understand that she's the mother of your daughter, Naruto, but at this moment Shiori needs you. If you can't at least subdue her, then all would have been lost."
Naruto glared. "Why do you care? You just want me and Sasuke to go back to Konoha for Kami knows why."
"We'll talk about that later." Sakura said as she eyed Aku coming for her, several of senbon needles in his hands.
Naruto was going to reply until he saw Shion launch another blast at the duo. Naruto spun around and grabbed Sakura before tossing a kunai into the air. The two former Leaf shinobi vanished before reappearing in the air, safe from Shion's blast.
It took Sakura a few seconds to shake off the daze, but she soon did hand seals and inhaled before firing a fireball at Shion (Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu). Naruto winced as he saw Shion barely dodge the attack as he and Sakura landed on a tree branch.
"That's enough." Naruto said, forcing Sakura to end her technique. "Worry about Aku."
"Hai." Sakura said as she lunged for Aku.
Naruto looked at Shion before closing his eyes.
"Shion-chan, no matter what I do to you, I want you to know that I do love and I will protect Shiori-chan with my life." Naruto opened his red eyes. "But I have to defeat you now."
Shion smiled. "Sure, Naruto-kun."
Sayuri knocked on the door once more before frowning. She was currently in the Kurosuki compound, which was not far from her clan's small compound, looking for Ranmaru. Her eyes narrowed as she thought. There were ANBU jumping around the village, not attempting to be discreet about it. Neither Naruto nor Mei was able to be found, and now Ranmaru had vanished.
"He got a mission." Sayuri muttered before turning around, preparing to leave the compound via her Mayfly Technique. However, the sound of a small explosion caught her attention. "They went to the training grounds without me? Jerks!"
A large black rose encased Sayuri and then sunk into the ground as the Smoke jonin began to head towards the battle. She would give her former sensei and former teammate a piece of her mind once she got there.
Mei was able to move further away from Dosu, the ringing in her ears slowly coming to an end. Mei did a few hand seals before firing lava from her mouth into the air in an arc (Lava Release: Melting Apparition Jutsu). Dosu watched as it the lava began to descend down on him. The deceased Sound Nin moved backwards, dodging the attack, only to be covered in a thick cloud of steam.
"Now's my chance." Mei said to herself before several smoke bombs ignited around her. "How'd I let my guard down for his attack?"
Dosu ran towards Mei's location and swung with his Melody Arm. His fist hit the former Mist kunoichi before her body splashed into a puddle of water. Dosu stood confused for a total amount of three seconds before Mei landed a spinning kick that sent the teen flying out of the smoke cloud.
Dosu stood up. "Kihō, your smokescreen is having limited damage on her."
The man said nothing, giving Dosu a small nod before firing a stream of smoke that took the shape of dragon (Smoke Dragon). The dragon flew directly for Mei's position, only for the woman to dodge it, holding a single hand seal. A thick sheet of mist covered the area around the trio (Hidden Mist Jutsu).
Mei smiled as she stared at her opponents. After minutes of learning their different fighting styles, she was finally ready to finish this.
Ranmaru blocked Raiga's swords with the claws from his gloves, generating lightning around his hands to block Raiga's Lightning Fangs. The two separated before coming at each other again, ending in yet another standoff.
"I see he's taught you well." Raiga said before kicking Ranmaru in the stomach, the teen sliding backwards.
"Naruto-sensei has taught me more things than just the art of battle." Ranmaru answered. "He has giving me a home and a better reason to live."
"He's a weakling like you are!" Raiga called before crossing his blades above his head. "And I'll show you how weak you are!"
Raiga created a ball of lightning before flinging it at Ranmaru (Lightning Ball). Ranmaru dodged the attack with ease before spinning at high speeds, transforming himself into a large black tornado (Black Tornado Technique). Raiga was shocked at the strength Ranmaru currently possessed, but began backtracking for fear of being shredded by the younger shinobi. Raiga combined his twin swords, surrounding himself with electricity (Lightning Strike Armor) as Ranmaru continued to come towards him.
The two met with Raiga sliding back a few inches before digging his feet into the ground. Ranmaru's technique ended and the teen was nearly thrown back onto his back by his own force. He slid on his feet before his eyes caught Raiga coming for him. Raiga's assault came to a halt as he saw several other shinobi around him. More importantly, shinobi and civilians that he had once killed in his past.
"Wha-what is this?" Raiga asked as he looked around. He began slashing the slowly moving deceased with his twin swords. "Get away from me! Stay back!"
Ranmaru's eyes continued to glow as he held Raiga in his Demonic Illusion: Ghosts of Past genjutsu. While his former master and friend battled the "ghosts" that were around him, Ranmaru thought about the other battles. If this did not end soon, Shiori could be lost for good.
Naruto flipped backwards as his blow could not pierce Shion's shield. He shook his hand slightly before he was tackled to the ground by Sakura, who had saved him from Shion's attack.
"Now is not the time to be sensitive." Sakura chastised as she got onto her feet. "My punches aren't hurting Aku. Why?"
"I don't know." Naruto said standing as well. "But I can't get to her bell. Shion has mastered how to use the bell's abilities, meaning as long as she wears it, she can instantly fire beams or put up shields. A shield that makes Gaara's sand look easy."
Sakura produced a kunai. "And I remember how that was first broken." Naruto saw Sakura prepare one of her Chidori. "I got this one!"
"Sakura! Don't!" Naruto called as the pink-haired woman ran towards Shion with extreme speed.
The undead priestess just stood with a small glare before a pink shield appeared around Shion. Sakura jabbed the kunai forward in hopes of breaking the shield. However, the priestess proved to be the stronger one as Sakura was then flung onto her back by the light, her kunai falling on the ground.
"I told you not to." Naruto said before he spotted Aku doing hand seals. "No you don't."
Sakura watched as Naruto combined a sphere of fire and wind before thrusting a palm forward, a dragon made of white flames charging for Aku (Fire and Wind Release: White Dragon Flame Bullet). Aku dodged the attack, the tree he was in igniting in white flames instantly.
"You're still the faster one, Uzumaki-san." said Aku. "Too bad that I am the smarter one."
"We'll see." growled the Kaibunkage.
Chojuro blocked Gyaku's strike with his own sword. However he was beginning to grow weary from the battle. Chojuro could not continue to shape his chakra round Hiramekarei for a long period time, especially considering how fast Gyaku was. Chojuro knew that he needed to use his energy to defend himself from Gyaku's blows.
"You're almost down. I'm surprised that you lasted this long." Gyaku said as red lightning began to dance around his body. "See ya in hell!"
Chojuro's eyes widened as Gyaku came for him with the full intentions of slicing him in half. He weakly attempted to raise Hiramekarei only for someone else to intercept the attack. Standing in front of him was Hirameki Sayuri, her dirks blocking Gyaku's broadsword.
Gyaku jumped back. "Well, if it isn't my dear sweet sister, come to safe her fellow shinobi. I must ask why you died your hair purple."
"That's none of your damn business!" hissed Sayuri. "You killed our parents in order to gain our sacred dirks. You stole Dad's sword Onikiba. You've made my life a living hell! And for that, I'm going to kill you, right here, right now!"
"You seemed to forget that I have been and will always be the stronger one." Sayuri growled at the statement. "Besides, without our parents or any of the older councilmen alive, you can't use our Demonic Lightning kekkei genkai."
Chojuro felt Sayuri gather up a large amount of chakra before red lightning was seen around her body as well.
"How is this possible?" Gyaku shouted.
"You should know that from the ashes of the older generation, the younger generation shall rise and thrive." Gyaku did not know what he was pissed at more. His sister learning their bloodline limit or his younger sister restating Naruto's words. "Die brother!"
Chojuro watched as the two Hirameki came for one another, their blades shrouded in the red lightning. His eyes then caught the knight that was resurrected, lift Shiori and began to carry her away.
"I must protect Shiori." Chojuro said before chasing after the knight.
Dosu and Kihō rolled on the ground before looking up at the auburn-haired beauty known as Terumi Mei.
"Your skills are quite admirable. I can see what Orochimaru saw in you two." Dosu ran for Mei. "Still, that doesn't mean that you're going to win this fight!"
Dosu threw a punch that landed on the woman's gut. Mei hunched over and Dosu heard the satisfying, yet disgusting, sound of her vomiting. He originally believed that his attack had injured her greatly, until he felt a burning sensation that caused him to backtrack. Mei stood up and wiped the corners of her mouth with a finger, a smile etched onto her face.
"You won't be using that anymore." Mei said with a smile.
Dosu stared at his arm that now had hardening lava on it. He then turned to glare at Mei, only to meet her fist that sent him stumbling backwards. Kihō launched two Smoke Dragons at Mei, but the woman easily dodged before releasing a spray of mist from her mouth (Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique). Kihō stood still for a moment, believing that this was another diversion like the Hidden Mist Jutsu. Instead he felt his skin melting on contact with the mist. He began moving as far backwards as he could. Kihō watched as the trees began to fall as the corrosive vapor made contact with the bark.
"This is the end!" declared Mei.
Naruto and Sakura stood back-to-back as Aku stood in front of Sakura and Shion stood in front of Naruto.
"You need to use that other chakra that you used against me." Sakura said to her former teammate. "Sage Mode, right?"
"I can't." Sakura gave Naruto a glance over her shoulder.
"She's already dead Naruto."
"Shut up! I know that already!" snapped the Kaibunkage. "I have to put my daughter to bed every night with that very thought!"
"You can't use Rasenshuriken without it Naruto-kun." Shion said. "That's the only way to successfully kill Aku. That's the only way I'll rest."
"Shion…"
"Naruto," Naruto looked at Sakura. "If you don't defeat her, you'll lose her, yourself, and Shiori. Is that what you want for your daughter or the village?"
Naruto looked at Shion once more, her hair now gently down her back.
"Too slow!" Aku called moving for Naruto and Sakura.
Sakura instantly moved out of the way while Naruto turned and grabbed Aku's hand. The former guard looked on frozen as his golden eyes met the sage eyes of Naruto.
"Bastard!" Naruto hissed before his punch landed flush on Aku's cheek, the guard soaring through the air.
Sakura saw Naruto move to follow up with the punch, but Shion beat him to Aku. Sakura was now gaping at Shion's appearance. She appeared to be an angel of some sort with white wings coming from her back. She was wearing a yellow one-piece suit revealing red markings on her arms and legs. The former priestess emitted a white glow that lit the darkened area.
Naruto stopped instantly before changing directions, attempting to move around Shion to get to Aku. However, Shion pressed her palms together as if she was praying and the shield, this one white, grew around her and Aku, stopping Naruto's pursuit.
"This has gone on long enough." Sakura said as she activated her Yang Seal Release. She coughed a bit as the strain was already kicking in, but brushed it aside. "Just a little bit longer."
Once Shion dropped her seal, Sakura immediately ran for the blonde woman. Shion caught this and flew into the air, forcing Sakura to hop into the trees to keep up with her ascension. Once Sakura had reached the top of the tree she was previously climbing, Shion looked at her with disdain.
"To think," spoke the revived priestess. "It all began with a simple promise. The promise to bring back the man who could care less about your well-being. You've done nothing your entirely life but make Naruto's more difficult."
"You don't know anything!" Shion snorted at the response.
"I know everything." Sakura's eyes narrowed at the statement. "I even know what your future looks like. When you will marry. When your first child will be born. Even when you die." Shion's glowing purple eyes glared into Sakura's emerald ones. "It only sickens me that you remain like this for the rest of your life."
"I'm tired of you!" Sakura shouted as she slung a kunai at Shion. Shion moved her head slightly, the kunai whizzing over the crook of her neck. "Damn…"
"You-" before Shion had the time to finish, Naruto appeared behind her, his hand ripping the bell from around Shion's neck before he vanished again. Shion's body quickly reverted to its former self.
Sakura smirked. "You should've predicted that."
Shion gave a small gasp as she began descending towards the ground, her body picking up speed as she fell. Sakura watched with mixed emotions. She felt bad that Naruto had to experience losing a loved one, but the blonde was mocking Sakura since the fight began.
Unsurprisingly though, Naruto caught Shion while a clone went to give Shiori the bell. The blonde woman gave him a tearful smile.
"I want to see it…" Shion whispered to Naruto. "Please."
Naruto nodded before sitting Shion against a tree. He turned his attention the the injured Aku. Naruto held his left hand into the air, a Rasengan forming in his palm. Adding his wind chakra into it, the sphere was surrounded by four points, now taking the shape of a large shuriken.
Shion glanced at Aku. "I told you it would happen."
"N-no! This isn't how this ends!" Aku said.
"This is for the Uzumaki family." Naruto said coldly before tossing the attack towards Aku.
Sakura watched in fascination as the attack flew towards Aku with amazing speed and accuracy before expanding in front of him. Instead of a look of pain, Aku gave Naruto a smirk.
"We will meet again, Uzumaki-san." Aku said before he was engulfed in a sphere of chakra.
Sakura could only watch as sphere spun at great speeds before dispersing, Aku's body laying on the ground, though his hair was now white.
"Beautiful…" Shion said as her body began to deteriorate.
Naruto ended his Sage Mode and began walking away from the scene. Sakura thought about following him before she moved to Aku's remains. She realized that Mei's and Rin's description of the attack were accurate.
"Wow…" was the only thing the pinkette could say.
Sakura ended her Yang Seal Release and began coughing heavily. Again, the usage of this technique took a lot out of her. That plus the injuries she received from her bout with Gyaku earlier took much out of her.
"Sakura," the woman nearly jumped as she turned to see her blond former teammate. "If you're in need of help come on."
"Thank you, Lord Kaibunkage." Sakura said before the blond dispelled. She frowned after realizing it was a Shadow Clone. "Baka…"
Sayuri rolled on the ground, her long purple hair out of the ponytail that she previously had it in. Gyaku jumped into the air in an attempt to slam his sword into his younger sister, only for Sayuri to roll out of the way. Sayuri hopped onto her feet and clapped her hands together, her Demonic Lightning surging out of her body as she made two Water Clones.
"You're dead!" Sayuri shouted as the three clones began to spinning rapidly, performing the Black Tornado Technique.
Gyaku watched as the three tornadoes spun around him before forming one giant twister with him in the eye of the storm. Gyaku saw his sister's dirks coming for him, both blades enshrouded in red lightning. Gyaku was able to safely duck the blades before he saw the same two blades coming for him again. Gyaku continued to dodge them until he eventually got fed up.
"This bores me Sayuri!" Gyaku said before rotating his arms, gathering his red lightning. "Let's see you beat this!"
Gyaku fired several of lightning bolts out of his body, Sayuri's technique was abruptly stopped and the girl was flung on her back (Demonic Lightning: All Direction Lightning). Sayuri attempted to stand, but realized that her brother's technique had paralyzed her.
"You are still worthless." Sayuri glared as Gyaku raised their father's sword above his head. "Time to send you to your parents!"
Sayuri wanted to gut her older brother right then and there, but her paralysis stopped her. She was seconds away from screaming a string of obscenities to make her feel a little better about the whole ordeal, but a foot met Gyaku's gut.
"Ranmaru…" said Sayuri as Gyaku stumbled backwards.
The violet-haired teen stood in front of his down teammate, his back towards her. In his hands, he was gripping the Lightning Fangs that Raiga once wielded.
"Naruto's apprentice…" Gyaku muttered before smirking. "This will be-"
Ranmaru and Sayuri were both thoroughly shocked as Gyaku simply vanished. Ranmaru gave the area a thorough scan before turning towards Sayuri. Sayuri then spotted the cuts and gashes in Ranmaru's arms and one across his midsection.
"That technique of yours is kind of unique." Ranmaru told her. "Even though you caught a full strike of his Demonic Lightning, the worst that you've received from it was paralysis. Had that been me or anyone else, paralysis would have been a lucky break."
Sayuri blinked, trying to understand why he was saying this to her. All members of the Hirameki Clan knew that Demonic Lightning could be used to shield one from a bolt of the red lightning. Heck, even Ranmaru knew this. Yet here he was, telling her this as if she had actually done something remarkable.
"Kind of amazing that you even added it to your Black Tornado Technique without dispelling or disrupting your Water Clones." Ranmaru continued. "I guess you can count this as a victory, right Sayuri-chan?"
Sayuri continued to stare at Ranmaru with confusion before it dawned on her what he was trying to do. She smiled slightly.
"Yeah… I've finally gotten one over you." Ranmaru grinned before Chojuro returned with Shiori safely in his arms.
"Mission accomplished." Chojuro said to the two teens. "Where are Lady Mei and Lord Kaibunkage?"
"My guess is scanning the forest." answered Ranmaru before he glanced at Shiori's tired eyes. "Shiori-chan… You slept through the entire thing?"
"Slept through what Ran-nii?" the child responded while rubbing an eye and yawning.
"Shiori-chan!" the voice of Naruto came as the Kaibunkage, along with Mei, Guren, and Gozu, came to the others. Shiori squirmed out of Chojuro's arms and shot for Naruto who instantly scooped her up. "Thank Kami you're alright."
"What happened?" the girl questioned.
Naruto smiled. "Nothing." Naruto caught Shiori's eyes land on something on his shoulder. "What is it?"
"Mommy's hair." Shiori said picking the long lock of plantinum blonde hair off of Naruto's shoulder. Shiori looked at Naruto with hopeful. "Was Mommy here?"
"…" Naruto remained silent as he contemplated on what to say. Of course, the obvious was telling Shiori no but he did not have an excuse as to where the blonde hair came from. Sighing, Naruto decided to make-up as he went on. "No, she wasn't."
"Oh…" Shiori said. "I miss her…"
Naruto glanced at Chojuro. "Find Sakura and Jakken. She's working on him near my personal training grounds." Chojuro nodded. "Gozu go with him." Gozu gave a nod as well before the two dashed off. "Ranmaru, take Sayuri to get that treated. I know first hand that there is more wrong with her than we see."
"I'm fine Naruto-sensei! Really! That-"
"Sayuri," Naruto said sternly. "This isn't a time for your pride. I know you're not strong enough to take on Gyaku in his normal form. If he used the souls that he has acquired, even I would have trouble defending the different ninjutsu and taijutsu that he has acquired."
Ranmaru saw the look in Sayuri's eyes and smirked.
"That's because Naruto-sensei is getting old Sayuri. We both know that." the male teen said, gaining a grin from his former teammate.
"You're right."
"What do you want me to do?" Guren asked Naruto.
"Retrieve Aku's body." Naruto said. "I'm going to return home. Maybe I'll…"
"Naruto," now it was Mei who spoke. "Even if you used that jutsu, there will be complications as well as you having to make more lies. I don't know why the Nidaime created such a jutsu and I don't know why you learned it, but using it for your own personal gain is misusing a jutsu. You know that." Naruto opened his mouth. "Even for a little while, even for Shiori-chan. It's still bad."
"Daddy I'm tired." yawned Shiori.
Naruto gave everyone a nod before he vanished, leaving behind a thin line of smoke (Hirashin).
Tsunade gasped as she sat back in her seat. Shizune wearing the same shocked expression on her face as the Toad Sage leaned against opposite wall, grinning.
"Kaibunkage?" Jiraiya nodded at Tsunade's statement. "But…"
"How'd Kakashi-san give you this information?" Shizune questioned.
Jiraiya grinned. "Well, normally I like to send a toad with people I trust so I can basically gain information without leaving. It's like using a Shadow Clone without putting out that much chakra." Tsunade nodded at the concept. She used Katsuyu for that purpose as well. "Either way, he's in Kemuri. That's where I'm headed."
"I'll be… That brat still lived his dream, even after leaving the village." Tsunade said. "I just wished that Sakura…"
Jiraiya knew Tsunade's feelings towards Sakura. The girl had become so obsessed with her own dreams and wants that she grew rebellious and deceitful. It got to the point that Tsunade grew worried that Sakura's pent up anger and depression would drive the girl off the deep-end. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on one's view, Sakura merely gave Ino a few healable bruises and left the village to find her former teammates.
"Maybe Naruto-kun knows where Sakura-chan is." Shizune said hopefully.
"You really think so?" Shizune gave Tsunade a curious stare at the statement. "If I had to make a bet, Sakura went after Sasuke first."
Jiraiya smirked. "You're really bad at betting hime. Sakura did go to Kemuri. Kakashi was not given a lot of information about that, but from what I can assume, Naruto and Sakura did meet. What happened there is a mystery to all of us."
"You don't think Sakura-chan attacked him, do you Lady Tsunade?" questioned Shizune.
Neither of the remaining Sannin answered Shizune, thinking the same thing. If Sakura did attack or offend Naruto, then she was as good as dead.
Orochimaru opened his eyes and glanced at Kabuto.
"No word on Sasuke yet," stated Kabuto. "But Dōsame is prepared. The siege of Konoha will begin in a week. Long enough for Sasuke to return and Lord Mizukage to set up as well."
"And what about the news of this Kaibunkage? I don't want him interfering." Orochimaru replied.
"Dōsame has created a brigade to border the area around the Great Naruto Bridge. If Kemuri wants to interfere, we will stop them." Kabuto said.
Orochimaru smiled sadistically. "Excellent…"
Sakura saw the large mushroom cloud rise into the air as she stood atop of the Kaibunkage Tower. The red glow that washed the forest also died out with the cloud.
"You should get out of here." Mei said. Sakura did not even care to spare the older woman a glance. "He's not in a forgiven mood. You'll just add to the anger."
"I want to talk to him." Sakura stated.
"Give him time to relax." replied Mei. "He has been real stressed since Shion's death. Akatsuki is after him and his daughter. Gyaku and Naruto were once friends and now Gyaku is a part of Akatsuki. He has just met up with a team from Konoha." At this Sakura looked at Mei with questioning eyes. "And then there's you, Sakura. His personal life is beginning to overshadow his duties as the Kaibunkage."
"…" The pinkette just turned her attention towards the forest once more, hearing a feral shout and another cloud rise into the air. "Is he always this angry?"
"You've known him longer than I have." Sakura's lips twitched slightly at the statement, though never growing into a full smile. "Leave Kemurigakure no Sato, Sakura. At least for a few days. I don't care where you go and I don't care what you do. Just give him some time to calm down."
"You care for him, don't you?" questioned Sakura.
Mei smiled. "If he was sixteen years older, we wouldn't be having this conversation and Shiori would probably be my daughter." Sakura giggled lightly at the comment. "But, he is your age and your former teammate."
"Yes, he is." Mei gave Sakura a warm smile and placed a hand on her shoulder. "What?"
"I've seen pictures of Uchiha Sasuke," Sakura's shoulders jumped at the name, but her face became unreadable. "He is attractive. Or at least he was when he was a kid. I can see what you saw in him. But," Sakura saw Mei's visible eye turn towards the area Naruto went to release some anger. "I can tell that you like Naruto as well. Whether he was your best friend or more, I don't know. But I do know what I see."
"Whatever." Sakura remarked as she moved her shoulder away from Mei. "I'm going to leave like you said. And Mei?" The older woman raised a brow and Sakura's eyes hardened into a fixed glare. "This never leaves this roof."
Mei chuckled. "Sure Sakura."
"I will be back in three days." Sakura said before taking off without another word.
Mei began to head towards the door that led back into the building before Naruto appeared at her side.
"How are you?" she asked.
"Better. Sakura?" replied the Shodai.
"Gone. She says that she will be back in a few days but…" Naruto nodded. "What are you going to do about Akatsuki?"
"I'm meeting with Gaara soon." Naruto answered. "Then I'm going to hunt them down. One by one until I've gotten them all." Mei cast Naruto a worried look. "My daughter nor my village will be threatened by them any longer. I promise."
"Sure. How about you get to bed? You have a big meeting tomorrow with the Kurama Clan."
"You're right."Naruto then frowned. "What were you and Sakura talking about?" Mei only smiled as she walked into the building. The blond's frown deepened. "Women are so troublesome…"