Kaibunkage
Arc II
Chapter III
"Wherever someone thinks of you, that's where home is."
- Jiraiya
"Now Ibuse!" Danzo was thoroughly surprised at the site. The large salamander had literally sprung up from the waters with its master. Its tail was seconds away from slapping Manda backwards while its mouth was prepared to unleash its poisonous gas towards him.
"That won't do you any justice!" Danzo shouted before Sakura ignited the gas, using the Salamander Flame Jutsu.
Now Danzo panicked as his Baku attempted to shield itself as much as possible. The flames blasted the large creature backwards, Danzo hopping off at the last possible second.
"So she can summon the legendary salamander?" Orochimaru asked as Manda rose from the crumble building Ibuse slapped it into. "She's grown since I've last seen her."
Manda hissed before diving underwater.
"You insolent brat!" Danzo shouted from atop of a building. "You dare attack the Hokage?"
"What did you do to Naruto?" Sakura asked. "Why did he leave? Tell me!"
Danzo glared at Sakura. "Uzumaki Naruto left on his own accord. He was too weak to become anything more than a foolish child! His fear of becoming the strongest being on this planet is what caused him to leave."
"Lies!" replied Sakura as Ibuse launched the pink-haired kunoichi towards the Hokage with its tail.
Jiraiya wiped the sweat off of his forehead. As much as he hated to think about it, he was getting older and no longer in his prime.
"Jiraiya, what's wrong with you? You sound winded." Gamabunta stated.
"You don't sound so energetic yourself." Jiraiya responded as the eight-headed viper rose once more. "This thing is starting to irritate me."
"Hmm… So this is where you are." Jiraiya gave a glance to his side to see Naruto standing atop of Gamabunta beside his former teacher. "I can't I'm really surprise Pervy Sage. Being in the front of the battle allows you to show-off. And we both know that you love to gloat."
"Should I comment on that or the fact that you're the Kaibunkage first?" Jiraiya asked.
"You can do both. Just leave me with this thing here." Naruto said.
"You're no longer a part of this village Naruto. There is no need for you to be defending it." Jiraiya said.
"I know that Jiraiya. But I can handle this. I just need you guys to get out of here." stated the Kaibunkage.
"Naruto, you're not going to use the Reverse Eight Trigram Shuriken, are you?" Gamabunta asked.
"I am." Jiraiya had no clue on what the Reverse Eight Trigram Shuriken was but from the shudder that the large toad gave, he knew it was serious. "Jiraiya," Now the sage looked at Naruto. "Lead the fight into the village. Tsunade is healing Kakashi at my old apartment. Sakura is…"
A loud boom rang throughout the area. Jiraiya turned to see the large salamander known as Ibuse fight against the snake boss, Manda.
"I'm guessing she's fighting against Orochimaru." Jiraiya said.
Naruto groaned. "Shiori's going to kill me if she doesn't finish that tour…" Gamabunta gave a hearty chuckle. "Ah shut up."
With that, Naruto launched for the eight-headed snake, using the Shadow Clone Jutsu in midair. Jiraiya was surprised that the seven clones that Naruto had created all held a rather large Rasengan above them with one hand before the seven copies and the original slammed the attack into the eight heads of the snake.
"Hey, it's Uzumaki!"
"What is he doing here?"
Naruto rolled his eyes lazily. He clearly did not want to deal with the people of Konoha as well as fighting this battle.
"Come on Gamabunta, let's lead these guys out of here." Jiraiya said before looking at Naruto, who was currently taking on a few of the enemy shinobi. "Do your best gaki."
Sakura panted as she stood on floating debris from a nearby building. Her opponent stood across from her with a calm expression.
"You're a freak…" Sakura said.
Danzo grimaced. "Freak? Do you know who you are talking to child? I am the Godaime Hokage!"
Sakura felt her body aching before she retched into the waters below. Seems as if the poison had not fully left her system and the stress she was putting on it by defending off Orochimaru and Danzo was becoming too great for her.
Speaking of which…
Sakura moved her head back just in time as water splashed into the air. She gasped as she caught a glimpse of her reflection from Orochimaru's blade that shot up from the water. Orochimaru shot up afterwards, now standing on the water's surface in-between Hokage and former Leaf kunoichi.
"You impress me, Sakura-chan." Orochimaru stated.
"You always did have a fetish for the younger generation." Sakura remarked. "Too bad you're not my type."
Orochimaru snickered. "Poor Sakura-chan… I can be any type you wish. Unfortunately… I'm going to have to kill you!"
"Sakura-san, are you alright?" Sakura looked to her right to see Ranmaru standing beside her.
"Ranmaru? What are you doing here?" questioned the pinkette. "I don't need your help. Get out of here."
"Your body isn't in any condition to continue." Sakura felt a bit uneasy as the teen scanned her with his dojutsu. "You need to rest."
"You can't take on two kage!" retorted Sakura.
"…" Ranmary stood silent before giving her a small smile. "My objection isn't to fight these two. It's to get you to a safe place until Naruto-sensei comes for us."
"Ranmaru, get out of here!" Sakura ordered.
Ranmaru revealed the Lightning Fangs. "I'm sorry, Sakura-san. But if I want to become the Kaibunkage, I have to adapt to sensei's lifestyle. Risking my life for that of others is what I must do."
Orochimaru said nothing as he charged at Ranmaru with Kusanagi. The violet-haired teen was able to block the attack due to his dojutsu. Generating some of his chakra into the Lightning Fangs, Ranmaru pushed Orochimaru backwards before running towards the man, lightning dancing around his arms and blades.
"While they're fighting," Sakura gasped. Since when did Danzo move behind her? "I shall end the life of Leaf traitor!"
"A Thousand Years of Pain!" Sakura gaped as Danzo was sent flying into the air before splashing into the water. She then turned to Sayuri, who was currently guffawing in mirth. "Oh boy! Best technique ever! I'm so glad Sensei taught me that!"
The wind began to roar around them as the two kunoichi felt themselves being sucked into the large Baku.
"S-shit! This thing is powerful!" called Sayuri.
Sakura spotted Sayuri losing her footing and grabbed the younger girl's hand. She stared into Sayuri's eyes, actually thinking that the first time the two met they were almost instantly put against one another.
"I'm slipping!" Sayuri said.
True to her word, Sakura was losing grip on Sayuri's wet hand. She felt Sayuri's fingertips slip from her gloved hands before Ibuse spewed its poisonous gas into Danzo's Baku's mouth. The tapir-like creature began to wheeze and grunt as the poison hit began to surge through its body.
Sakura smiled. "Nice timing Ibuse…"
"Get down!" Sayuri tackled Sakura into the water, a large fireball igniting where the two were previously at.
Sakura and Sayuri resurfaced to see the angered Uchiha Sasuke standing in the second stage of his Curse Seal form.
"I'm going to ask this once," the Uchiha stated. "Where is Naruto?"
"Hmph. If those eyes see everything, then that's a question that you can answer." Sayuri remarked standing on the water, followed by Sakura. Sayuri watched Sasuke for a Chidori and smirked. "Is that the best you can do? I'll show you a real lightning show!"
Sakura was forced to take a step away from Sayuri as Sayuri activated her Demonic Lightning kekkei genkai. Sakura's brain went into a temporary overdrive as she searched for the name of the opponent that used it against her.
"Gyaku…" Sakura muttered as Sayuri formed the Demonic Lighting: Beast Incarnation above her.
Sasuke frowned. He had never seen red lightning before, let alone red lightning being formed into a beast. He looked at Sayuri, her loose hair moving a bit as she powered the beast and sent it after Sasuke. Not trusting the thing at all, Sasuke chose not to test whether or not he held an attack that could cut through any lightning and dodged it.
This was also during the same time that Danzo's foot met Sakura's oblivious face.
"You wanted to know why Naruto left," Danzo stated as Sakura pulled herself onto a floating roof that came from a fallen house. "I'll tell you why. He left for three reasons. One, he could never detach himself of those worthless emotions. Two, he couldn't keep his damn mouth shut. And three… Because he was afraid of me."
Sakura laughed a bit. "Naruto? Afraid? Now I know you're senile in your old age."
Danzo opened his robes, revealing a scar on his upper left pectoral.
"Out of fear did he unleash the power of the Nine-tailed Fox before I pushed it back inside of him. That night that you saw him leave, this is what he had done to me hours before. I called to the Kyubi. I now know how to control its chakra, something I didn't quite grasp back then." Sakura's green eyes widened. "Now do you see the power of the Hokage?"
"No… Just didn't think you were that stupid to let my medicine kick in." And with that, Sakura was able to activate her Yang Seal Release. She rose to her feet with a sly smile. "I don't know if Naruto is afraid of you or not, but I sure as hell ain't, shannaro!"
Sakura gave the the water a heavy punch, sending a tidal wave towards the Hokage. Danzo inhaled quickly before exhaling a large blast of air (Wind Release: Vauum Great Sphere). The large bullet of wind shot through the wave with relative ease. Sakura saw the attack coming for her and dodged quickly before running towards Danzo.
Danzo shot a stream of wind (Wind Release Stream) towards the water, causing it splash violently towards Sakura. The pinkette's attack halting momentarily as she looked around. The Godaime Hokage had to be in the area somewhere, she knew that, but where? That was the question she wondered.
"You shouldn't lose track of your enemies!" Sakura was able to dodge the blow from the Hokage, but felt the wind from his blade.
Sakura then made a move for Danzo, using speeds that she could only access with her Yang Seal Release activated. With this new speed and reflex, she was able to go toe-to-toe with a sword-wielding Danzo while she held no weapons but her chakra-enhanced fists.
"You cannot defeat me child!" Danzo said before Sakura was able to swat his sword away.
"Not so tough now, are you?" Sakura asked as Danzo put space between them. Sakura formed a Shadow Clone. "I'll show you power!"
After doing two separate hand seals, Sakura and her clone laucned her Fire and Earth: Magma Covering technique. Danzo saw this and dove underwater as the orange slime spread and solidified above him. Sakura ended her technique before taking in a deep breath.
"Show yourself…" she muttered before Danzo popped up from the depths behind her. "Shit!"
"You could have been a great kunoichi. Maybe even a member of my Root." Danzo said before Sakura's clone moved in on him.
Sakura saw, from the corner of her eye, an opening. She had one chance to do this, even if the window of opportunity was a small one. Turning her head, she planted her lips on Danzo's right hand before the Hokage slapped her away.
"That should do…" Sakura said wiping her lips.
"Why you little-" Sakura jumped back as Orochimaru came with his blade drawn. Obviously, his bout with Ranmaru ended faster than she thought.
"Let's finish what we started, Lord Hokage." Orochimaru said as the two began to fight once more.
Sakura heard a shriek of pain coming from Sayuri.
"Sayuri!" Ranmaru shouted.
Sakura turned to see that Sayuri on her knees, nursing a rather large wound in her shoulder. Sakura assumed that this was the work of Sasuke's Chidori.
"Shit." Sakura muttered as she moved to help the younger kunoichi. Sakura looked to see Sasuke coming to finish his job. "I'm not going to make it!"
Surprisingly, an injured Ranmaru appeared in front Sayuri, his eyes glowing in rage. This occurred seconds before Sasuke plunged his attack into Ranmaru, though the teen only dispelled, revelaing to be a Shadow Clone.
"Rasengan!" the real Ranmaru called, shoving the attack into Sasuke's stomach.
Sasuke's eyes widened. How could he be hit by this technique again? How could Naruto's student defeat him? No. No, he would not lose to this technique again unless Naruto used the move himself.
"Chidori." Sasuke called shoving the attack into Ranmaru's chest.
Ranmaru continued to grind the ball of sphere into Sasuke, trying to ignore the pain that he felt. He felt his heart rate rise and the sweat dripping down his face that had mixed with the rain.
"Get away from him!" Sayuri shouted as she pressed her palm against Sasuke's leg.
Sasuke hissed in pain as the Demonic Lightning surged through his body. The paralysis proved to be a benefactor to his defeat as Ranmaru gave one final push, sending the Uchiha backwards, skipping off of the water.
"Ranmaru-kun…" Sayuri stated as the swordsman fell through the surface. Sayuri grabbed his hand and pulled him above the water levels before embracing his head. "You baka… I've told you about saving me."
Sakura grimaced. This was too much like her thoughts with Naruto. So instead, she turned her attention towards Orochimaru, who had found and was currently battling, Danzo.
"My, my," Sakura then froze. That sick voice could only belong to one Yakushi Kabuto. "What have we here? Smoke Nins aiding a fallen Leaf? It would make one question if Sakura is the mysterious Kaibunkage." Sakura glared at the man. "But, we both know that you wouldn't be able to handle the stress that comes with the job."
"What do you want Kabuto?" Sakura hissed.
"I have what I came for. I think her name was Yamanaka Ino? You faced her at the Chunin Exams, remember?" Sakura now growled in anger.
"What the hell do you want with her?" Sakura shouted.
"Come and find out." Kabuto said leaping away, Sakura quickly chasing after him.
Sayuri sighed. "She's crazy…"
"Sayuri…" Ranmaru said, gaining the girl's attention. "Can you get my face out of your breasts?"
"Baka." Ranmaru splashed into the water after being shoved by the blushing kunoichi.
Naruto looked around. The Leaf shinobi had finally gotten into the village. That was a good thing. The fact that it had taken so long and he was currently getting more tired by the seconds, that was a bad thing.
"Here we go," Naruto said before revealing four eight-pointed shuriken from his pockets. "Time to end this you stupid bastards."
"We have you outnumbered! Surrender now Kaibunkage!"
Naruto tossed the shuriken towards the large group of men as he did a few hand seals. A black orb began to surround each shuriken before the darkness expanded which created a large sphere of shadows that swallowed the men and their screams. Naruto felt the suction from the attack and braced himself, making sure to keep the the bird hand sign together (Reverse Eight Trigrams Shuriken).
When Naruto felt that those who were in front of him were gone, he released his hand seal and the orbs dispersed, revealing four shuriken in the ground. The area around said shuriken had become a crater.
"Damn… That took me out of Sage Mode." Naruto said to himself as he moved to collect his shuriken. "Mei-chan was right. I do need to stop eating so much ramen. It's becoming unhealthy."
"Naruto-sama," Kazudan said appearing behind the blond kage. "We have a problem. Ranmaru has been injured and Haruno-san has vanished."
"Kazudan, I need ten minutes." Naruto stated. "Retrieve Ranmaru have have Marashu track down Tsunde. She should be in my former apartment. She can heal Ranmaru."
"And what about you?" Kazudan questioned.
"I have more things to do. Just go." Naruto said before Kazudan dashed off. Naruto sighed as he placed his hands on his knees. "Kinjutsu… Always so damn hard to use."
Mei sat in a state of mixed feelings. She wondered if she should have been the one out their battling instead of handling the paperwork that came from a few missions as well as one Uzumaki Shiori. Currently, the dizzy girl lied in the middle of the floor as her world spun around her. While the scene was clearly heartwarming to the former Mist kunoichi, she knew that Shiori would hop up soon and be ready for another game.
Mei silently cursed Shion for picking Naruto of all people to create this little bundle of joy and energy.
"Lady Mei!" Chojuro called running into the room. Thanks to his training, he was able to completely dodge Shiori's immobilized body on the floor, her blonde hair spilling everywhere around her. "We just received word from Inari from Wave!"
Mei frowned. "Calm down Chojuro and just tell me what's going on."
"Dōsame is attacking the country!" Chojuro exclaimed.
Mei's eyes hardened. She never did care for the old warhawk. He was like Danzo in many ways, except for Dōsame's natural kekkei genkai.
Mei rose from her seat. "Round up the jonin and chunin and have Guren come to me personally." Mei's eyes then fell on Shiori, who sat up from her seat. The girl stared at Mei with worried purple eyes. "And have Shiori-chan taken to the Kurama Compound."
"Where are you going Mei-chan?" Shiori asked.
Mei knew that the little girl was probably tired of always been sent somewhere in times of emergency. Between Naruto and Shion, Shiori has been bounced around enough as it already is. It pained Mei to know that the always exuberant girl would not be able to have the happy childhood that she should have had, but emergencies like this sprung up every other day.
"I have to go to help out somewhere. Don't worry Shiori-chan. I'll be back as soon as it's done." Shiori only nodded sadly.
"Okay…" the blonde stated.
Mei cringed on the inside. Truthfully, she would allow the entire nation known as the Land of Waves to crumble if Shiori's life was in jeapordy. Hell, if the girl's life was in any immediate danger, Naruto would be here to send a horde off to Wave in his place.
But since it wasn't, Mei had a job to do.
"Maybe it's best if you stay." Mei looked at Chojuro. The boy, never one to speak out unless questioned, noticeably flinch under her gaze. "J-Jakken-san could lead-"
"Chojuro," Mei stated. "I'm placing you in charge of the squad. Now go round them up."
"But-"
"Go!" Chojuro left via Smoke Shunshin. Mei then looked at Shiori and smiled. "So, what else did you want to play?"
"Baa-chan," Shiori said. Mei saw the stare the supposed next priestess of Demon Country gave her. It was a blend of a curious Shion with a stubborn Naruto stare. "Where did Daddy go?"
"Uh, well, he went to…" Mei's brain paused before an idea flashed in her head. "He's gone to see Sakura-san."
Shiori's eyes lit up instantly. "Is she coming back? She promised to show me Konoha!"
"I don't know. He will probably be back soon." responded Mei. "Now, I must go tell the squad what their mission is."
"Can I come? Please?" Shiori asked.
"Shiori-chan, I can't allow you to come." Mei answered.
"Please!" Mei cringed again. There was that accursed dojutsu again. The Puppy Eyes… "I don't want to be alone…"
Mei dropped her head. "Come on Shiori-chan."
Damn Shion for ever showing Shiori that trick. It worked every time.
Sakura continued to pursue Kabuto until he stopped. She stopped a few feet away from him, looking around.
"Where is she Kabuto?" Sakura asked. The two were currently in the forest of Konoha, away from the main battle.
Kabuto smirked. "A promise is a promise." Kabuto snapped his fingers and an Oto Nin appeared, an injured Ino in his hands. "Are you ready to hear my offer?"
"Offer? Why would I want anything from you?" growled Sakura as a small salamander slid down her back and dug into the ground to give Ibuse her location.
"Because what I need is something only you can provide." Kabuto replied. "And in return, your parents and this blonde survive. Deal?"
"What do you want?" Now, Kabuto's smirk grew.
"Well," the man said pushing his glasses up with his middle finger. "There are rumors about the last Uzumaki. A contact of mine told me that she… Well, she's different. And you know what I mean, don't you Sakura-chan?" Sakura felt herself growing sick again. This time, it was because of Kabuto's greed for Shiori. "I don't need much. Just a lock of her hair and a sample of her blood. I'm sure a competent medic like you could do that easily."
Sakura stared at Ino's body. "I…"
"Or," Kabuto continued. "Is your love for Naruto too great and you can't do it? If that's the case, I'll just find where the little one sleeps and take her for myself."
"Why do you need her?" asked Sakura. "What does she have that you want so badly?"
"Imagine the power to stop a full-raged biju with just the snap of your fingers." Kabuto said. "The power to seal a demon's chakra with the blink of an eye. Having the ability to take a Chidori to the heart and live to tell the tale. One would be invincible… Immortal…"
Sakura gasped a bit. "H-how do you know that?"
"I did my research on her mother and grandmother. While Shion's body is no longer at the palace, Miroku's is. Imagine all the ways I could use her…" Kabuto's words trailed off as his eyes fell on Ino. "And thus she becomes unimportant."
Sakura looked at the ground, her wet hair blocking her face from view. Her parents and Ino were really all she had left in Konoha outside of Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi, and Kurenai. They were more than just friends, they were family. But how could she do that to Naruto? How could she betray Shiori? She had seen first hand on how Shiori's bell worked around those that attacked the wearer. Shiori must have trusted Sakura a lot for the bell to have never been used against her, safe for when Shion had it.
But that was Naruto's family, not Sakura's.
"Fine… I'll do it." Sakura mumbled.
Kabuto raised an amused eyebrow. "That's it? No threat?"
"Why would I care for Naruto-baka's daughter anyway?" Sakura said glaring up at Kabuto. "The Akatsuki will soon have her one way or another. You having a strip of her hair is the least pain she'll experience."
"That's heartless Sakura-chan, even for me." Kabuto said. "But, as promised, your parents are free to go."
"And what about Ino?" Kabuto looked at the blonde woman before smirking at Sakura.
"Just incase you change your mind about-"
Kabuto's words were interrupted by the large salamander coming from underground, taking the shinobi that held Ino into its mouth, careful not to swallow the top half of the man's body in fear of consuming Ino as well.
Kabuto snapped back into reality quick enough to dodge Sakura's blow.
"Stay away from my family." Sakura said as lightning flashed. "Or I will find you and kill you."
Kabuto smirked. "Good luck getting them to believe you."
"Them?" Sakura suddenly felt herself trapped. She tried to look at her legs but felt it impossible. "D-damn Sh-Shikamaru… You've… G-g-gotten pretty s-s-strong…"
"Call off your salamander." ordered Neji.
Sakura gave the smallest nod possible before Ibuse spat the man out of its mouth in two halves, Ino's body perfectly save sans the mud and scars.
"L-let m-me go now…! He's…"
"Shut up! You were going to exchange Naruto's daughter for the sake of your own selfish need!" Sakura grunted. How in the hell did Kiba get here too? "And what the hell is he doing here?"
"F-fuck you…" was Sakura's response. The plan was easy. Have Kiba attack her, causing pain to Shikamaru as well. Shikamaru would either have to release her before Kiba hit or take the pain as well.
And her plan did not fail as Kiba launched a Piercing Fang at her. However, everything else in her plan took a different twist.
A miniature explosion erupted when Kiba hit something hard. Neji and Shikamaru were forced to shield their eyes, Sakura doing the same due to Shikamaru's hold. When the smoke cleared, Naruto held Kiba's hands, the Kaibunkage's features showing the feral ones of the Nine-tailed Fox.
"Naruto…?" Sakura heard Shikamaru say.
"What the hell is your problem? I was giving this bitch something she deserved!" Kiba growled.
"Why are you three attacking her?" was all Naruto said.
"She's-"
"Kiba," Naruto spoke with such malice that Sakura shivered through Shikamaru's control. "I'll give you ten seconds to get away." There was a silence before Kiba was released of Naruto's grasp and moved towards Neji and Shikamaru. "Now, what's going on?"
"She was talking to Kabuto." Neji explained. "Her deal with him was her family and Ino were to be left alone as long as she provided him a sample of your daughter."
"…" Sakura swore that if she had any worse luck, she would soon take Tsunade's nickname. "Leave us. Now."
Kiba glared. "Just who the hell do you think you are bossing us-"
"I don't think now is the best time." Neji interrupted as he moved to grab Ino. "Shikamaru, we should report to Tou-san."
"Right…" Shikamaru replied releasing his technique. Naruto gave them all one final glance before they left the area.
"Is that true?"
Sakura had heard a hint of sadness in his voice, unlike the first two times that they had spoken. It was as if his façade had completely cracked.
"I was buying Ibuse time to get here. I would never gamble with Shiori's life like that." Sakura responded. She felt a flare of chakra behind her and turned to see a mixture of Sage Mode and his Jinchuriki Form. "…I'm serious. I would never risk-"
"I'm going to send you to Kemuri." Naruto interrupted. "Once there, you will find Mei and Mei only. You will tell her to send a message to Tsuchigumo Jin. I need his clan's kinjutsu for this."
Sakura frowned. "Why not do this yourself?"
"Because after you've done that, go get some rest." Sakura placed a hand on her hip.
"I'm not some child Naruto! I know when I need to rest and right now-"
"This is not up for discussion." Naruto said before biting his thumb. "Summoning Jutsu!" Sakura frowned when she saw a pair of small toads, both of them appearing to be quite elderly. "Ma, Pa, I need you to use the Reverse Summoning Jutsu on Sakura. I need her to be summoned in Kemuri."
Fukasaku looked at the pinkette. "Naruto-kun, you know that in order to do this, she must be able to summon toads or else it won't work."
"Take her to Mount Myōboku. From there, I will send one of my clones to the Kaibunkage Mansion and dispel it." explained the sage. "Hirashin should allow me to do that."
Shima gasped. "But with all that natural energy surging at you at one time, along with the unbalanced Kyubi's chakra, you will risk your own health."
"I know. But so long as the clone doesn't dispel, I'll be safe. Though if it does…" Sakura was now surprised. She had not known of the disadvantages of Sage Mode and was shocked that Naruto would go through great lengths for, not only her, but Konoha. "But nothing went wrong with the Kurama Clan so maybe-"
"Baka! You weren't using Sage Mode prior that!" Shima chastised. "If you continue to stress your body then-"
"I think he knows that." Fukasaku interrupted before sighing. "Alright Naruto, we will do so." Fukasaku then looked at Ibuse. "Er… What are we going to do with that?"
"Oh, sorry." Sakura said before giving Ibuse the command to dispel.
"Sakura," Sakura looked at Naruto who held something out to her. "This will only get in my way. Take care of it for me until I return."
Sakura saw the necklace that Tsunade had given to Naruto before her green eyes met his blue ones.
"I will." Sakura said before taking it. Fukasaku and Shima then hopped onto her shoulders. "Naruto…" Naruto raised a brow. "Don't die."
With a nod, the two toads clapped their "hands" together and Sakura vanished with them in a puff of smoke.
Naruto closed his eyes. "Are you ready fox…? It's time for you to get your revenge!"
Konohamaru watched in awe as the humanoid werewolf known as Marashu blasted Jugo with another blast of chakra from his mouth. The Sound Nin rolled on the ground as Marashu slowly reverted to his human form, panting heavily.
"I can take it from here," Konohamaru said. "Take a rest."
Marashu looked at Konohamaru. "Why?"
"You are the Boss's student, right?" Konohamaru said. "Well, I was too at one time. When he was a Leaf shinobi, that is." Marashu nodded only because his transformation took a lot out of him. "Besides, those Sound bastards took my grandfather away from me."
"Thank you, Sarutobi-san." Marashu said.
Konohamaru nodded as Jugo began to rise slowly. Konohamaru looked at his tired and injured opponent.
"Alright," the Sarutobi said. "Let's finish this up."
"You will be lead by Chojuro." Mei said to the large number of shinobi in front of her. "Fuuma Sasame, Miyukazi Saito, Tsuchigumo Nori and Kamizuru Genko will be second in command. We will use-"
"Lady Mei!" Mei was a bit pissed about being interrupted, but gave the rat masked ANBU her full attention. "Haruno Sakura has entered the mansion!"
Mei's breath hitched. It was confusing to know what Sakura's main goals were. Sure, it was plain to see that Sakura wanted Naruto to return to Konoha, but to what extent? How far would she go to get Naruto to return? Mei had once thought that Sakura would destroy all Naruto's ties with Kemuri to do so. That would mean killing Mei, his former team, destroying the village, and, possibly, turning his daughter against him.
And Shiori was currently within the Kaibunkage's Mansion.
Without another word, Mei took off, showing her excellent speed to the jonin and chunin there. She knew that Chojuro would follow without a word, a duty he has been doing prior coming to Kemurigakure.
Bursting through the doors, Mei spotted a tired and bruised Sakura sitting in the middle of the floor. Her wet clothes and hair clung to her body and face. Her green eyes focused on an imaginary object on the floor with fever.
"What are you doing here?" asked Mei.
"Naruto needs Tsuchigumo Jin… Kinjutsu…" was the pinkette's response.
Mei's eyes widened. The Tsuchigumo's kinjutsu was by far the most devasting thing she had ever witnessed with only three members of their clan being able to use it, Hotaru, Jin, and Kano. If Naruto was asking for that, it was clear that he was going to wipe out the entire village or at least most of it.
"What…?" Chojuro gasped, also frightened and confused at Sakura's statement.
"Go! There isn't much time!" Sakura stated.
Mei nodded. "Chojuro, take Tsuchigumo Jin to Naruto's sealing chamber. Make it quick! We don't know when Ranmaru will attempt to summon him."
"Hai!" Chojuro said before leaving.
Mei looked at Sakura. "He must be rounding them in one spot. Why else would he send you here?" Sakura's eyes cut towards Mei. "However… He trusts you."
"What do you want?" Mei watched Sakura stand on weak legs as she spoke. "I didn't ask for this! He nearly forced me to be here!"
"He did huh?" Mei spotted Shiori coming into the room. "Shiori-chan, you should be resting."
Shiori's eyes focused on Sakura as the pink-haired medic looked at the young blonde girl. Without so much as a word, the young Uzumaki threw herself to Sakura, hugging her legs tightly. Sakura was not a stranger to affection, her parents had nearly smothered her with it growing up, but this was strange. She hardly knew Shiori and Naruto would probably make a fuss if he saw this. Still, with sore arms, Sakura lifted the girl up and embraced her.
"…" Mei contemplated the scene. It sounded much like how Naruto said Shiori's dream went. "Sakura, watch over her. I have something I have to do."
"Are you sure?" Sakura asked, really wishing she didn't have to.
Mei smiled. "I know she'll be safe with you and Jakken."
"But… My injuries and-"
"Rin will soon be in the village. I'll have her come here to check on you. She is the best medic in Ash Country." Sakura nearly groaned. She really did not want to go from fighting against Orochimaru to fighting Shiori to take a nap.
Without another word Mei left the home.
"I'm scared Sakura." Shiori stated.
Sakura released a small breath as she attempting to find Shiori's room in the large mansion. After failing to think of where the young princess slept, Sakura returned to the guest room she once occupied.
"It'll be okay Shiori-chan. I promise." Sakura said soothingly as she sat on the bed. Since Shiori's grip had done nothing but tightened since she sat down, Sakura only began rocking slowly. "Just go to sleep, okay? Your dad will be here soon."
Shiori only nodded, though she refused to let go. Sakura wondered if the girl even knew that Naruto was off at war right now or was she just worried because of the commotion going on within the village. So, Sakura began to hum to Shiori in hopes that it would soothe her. And maybe, Sakura thought, her hums would console her too… Oh how she just wished this day would end already.
"Sakura-san," Sakura looked to see the man she healed in the forest, Jakken. "I've been instructed to watch over your injuries until Rin gets here. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Sakura looked down at the sleeping Shiori. She was shocked that sleep only made Shiori's grip that much stronger. Figuring that removing Shiori would be near impossible, she looked back up with Jakken.
"I'm a little hungry." Sakura said.
"Right away." Jakken said before leaving.
Sakura sighed as she looked out the window.
"Naruto…" she muttered before resuming her humming.
Statistically speaking, Naruto should have been on the brink of death itself. Jiraiya knew that from the sheer power that was coming off of the young kage. And not just any ordinary power. This was the mixture of two harmful forces, the Kyubi's chakra and natural energy. Separate, overusing one or the other was potentially fatal to the user. Combined and one would assume that the cost of using such power would be like opening the Gate of Death. While it gave the user immense power, the user would inevitably die.
And Jiraiya did not want to see his godson dying for a village that had shunned him.
"Rasengan!" Jiraiya watched another pair of Mist shinobi fly off due to Naruto using one of his father's signature techniques, one sphere in each hand.
"Damn that kid makes me look old…" Jiraiya muttered to himself amusingly. He then turned his head to see Tsunade healing Ranmaru. "Hime, you should really take a break. I'm sure he can bounce up from that."
Tsunade gave Jiraiya a tired look.
"I know…"
The statement slightly confused Jiraiya until he realized just what Tsunade must be doing. This had nothing to do with Ranmaru's wound. It was more about repaying an unpaid debt to Naruto. The kid that fought for her against Orochimaru years ago. He had knocked himself out due to chakra exhaustion just to learn the Rasengan and win Tsunade's bet. And had recently saved her from Sasuke's attack.
Turning his attention back to the battle outside, Jiraiya noticed a large red tail of chakra sprouted from Naruto before the blond slammed it into the waters created by Kageno. This created a large tidal wave that washed several Leaf, Sound, and Mist Nins alike away from Naruto.
"I'm going to help him push them out." Jiraiya said.
"Shizune… I need Shizune." Tsunade stated. Jiraiya gave her a nod before leaving through the window.
Kazudan ducked under a punch before pushing the attacking ninja with a kick towards a group of Mist Nin. Doing swift hand seals, Kazudan held his hands in front of him before firing multiple cannon-sized fireballs at his enemies (Fire Release: Rapid Fireball Technique). While each ball of flames did not kill the target, only one or two of them missed completely.
"You're that Smoke Nin from the meeting." Kazudan glanced at Asuma. "I gotta say, I wasn't expecting to see you guys down here helping. Least not after what happened between Mei and Koharu."
Kazudan took a kunai and flicked it. The blade whizzed past Asuma and landed directly in a rising Sound shinobi's forehead.
"I am merely doing my mission." Kazudan stated.
"To protect the village?" Kazudan grunted at the statement, his face becoming more serious than it was earlier.
"Destroying the Sound and Mist." Kazudan said before doing more hand seals. "I suggest you leave this area."
Wihtout another word, Asuma left Kazudan to be.
"What a Kakashi…" Asuma thought aloud as he thought about how uptight Kakashi once was.
Danzo and Orochimaru separated from one another. Orochimaru hated to admit it, but with Danzo's two implanted kekkei genkai, he had proven to be a tough opponent. Then again, Orochimaru was not considered a prodigy for nothing. He knew that taking on Danzo would be difficult.
Danzo held up his hand, shuriken spinning on each finger. He blew wind chakra on each shuriken before sending them towards Orochimaru (Wind Release: Wind Enhanced Tools). The leader of Otogakure was able to dodge the five shuriken before doing hand seals of his own, executing the Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
"You dare use wind against me?" Danzo asked as he weathered the attack. "You're even more foolish than I thought!"
Orochimaru saw Danzo use the Wind Enhanced Tools on a kunai, extending the blade as the Hokage ran towards him. Taking Kusanagi, Orochimaru blocked the attack before blocking the next one. Orochimaru easily spun around Danzo and drove his blade into the Hokage's back.
"You leave much to improve on, Lord Hokage." Danzo smirked.
"You must've forgotten the power of the Sharingan." was Danzo's response before Orochimaru realized that he was caught in genjutsu.
Orochimaru dispelled the genjutsu, but was soon blasted by a bullet of wind that knocked him into the remains of the Hokage Tower.
"I'm not as weak as your belated sensei, Orochimaru. You can't defeat me that easily." Danzo said.
Orochimaru snickered. "And people say that I have a large ego…" Danzo watched as Orochimaru stood and grabbed his lips. In a sickening display, Orochimaru stretched his lips as if he was trying to swallow his face.
"I'm not letting you rejuvenate!" Danzo shouted as he ran towards Orochimaru. His pursuit was stopped by two Sound jonin who moved to protect their leader. "Get out of my way!"
As Orochimaru began to shed his skin, Danzo did battle with the two jonin. Danzo attempted to end the two as fast as he could. Unfortunately, when he had landed the killing blow on the second Oto shinobi, Orochimaru had left his spot.
Using his Sharingan, Danzo spotted Orochimaru leading him away.
"You will not get away from me." Danzo said as he took chase.
Sakura lied in the bed with the sleeping Shiori. She had just eaten quite the meal and was now tired, though she could not sleep. Jakken stood at the door as a guard should.
"You should rest." Jakken said to Sakura.
"I can't." responded Sakura. "…" She looked at Jakken with tired, yet curious, eyes. "You're originally from Kemuri, right?"
Jakken nodded. "I was one of Naruto-dono's guards before he assigned me to Lady Shion and Lady Shiori."
"Why didn't they get married?" Sakura questioned.
Jakken adjusted his glasses. "You." Sakura's eyes narrowed. "Lady Shion had once predicted that you would come to Kemuri in search for Naruto. In her prediction, there was something that ignited a romance between you two."
"Oh…" Sakura said quietly.
"You are the one thing Naruto-dono feared." Jakken stated.
"Feared?" parroted Sakura.
Jakken nodded. "Yes, feared. You must understand, Sakura-san, Naruto-dono is not a true believer in predestined fate. He believes that one makes their destiny. But when Lady Shion told him this, it was evident from his reaction that it might come true." Jakken's eyes moved to Shiori's sleeping form. "He was caught in a hard place. He wanted to keep his promise to Lady Shion, but at the same time, he doubted if he could change his fate. If he could ever stop loving you."
Sakura glared. "He sure has a weird way of showing it." Now Jakken frowned. "He nearly killed me himself before sending me to find Sasuke." Jakken hummed in thought before Sakura continued. "He isn't the same Uzumaki Naruto I once knew. He's different."
"…" Jakken only looked at the pink-haired kunoichi before giving a small smile. "He's doing the best he can."
"Doing what? Ignoring me?" Jakken's smile did not falter at the hurt and harsh statement.
"No. Redemption." answered Jakken.
"Redemption?" Sakura questioned.
Jakken nodded. "Yes… Naruto-dono puts a lot of focuses on his failures. He has told me a few, such as his incapability of marrying Shion, bouncing Lady Shiori from place to place, failing to stop Gyaku, and failing to return Uchiha Sasuke." Now Sakura was completely silent, wanting Jakken to explain more. "The meaning behind his quoted statement about the history of Kemuri is not what many people think. It really has nothing to do with him being a former Leaf shinobi and now Kaibunkage of the Hidden Smoke."
"Then… What is it about?" Sakura asked.
"Growing up…" Sakura frowned, remembering her first talk with Mei at Naruto's training grounds. "Defeat and failure are part of the journey. Naruto-dono learned that the hard way. Those failures plagued his mind, created smoke if you will. But, from that smoke, he formed a new will. And from the ashes of his own defeats, failures, and losses," Jakken's eyes trailed back to Shiori. "New life was formed. That is the true meaning behind his words."
Sakura sat silently as she absorbed the knowledge. She remembered her talks with Kakashi after Naruto left, learning about his childhood in the village. It was not what one would call a happy childhood. He fought to be recognized and respected due to not having a family, and when he grew a family-like relationship with his team, fought to keep it.
Feeling Shiori snuggle into her, Sakura looked at the blonde girl. Shiori's birth had given Naruto a new, more vigorous will to protect. The life that began from the ashes was not just village, no, it was his daughter. She was his will from smoke, life from ashes, and tree of new beginnings. Shiori was his reason for letting Sasuke go… His reason for growing up.
As Sakura contemplated this, her eyelids grew heavier and she laid her head on the pillow.
"Thank you, Jakken." Sakura said before dosing off.
Dozing off, Sakura thought about her conversation Jiraiya. Home is where someone was thinking of her and there was at least one person who always thought about her. With Naruto, Sakura would always have a home…
Ranmaru let out a gasp as he fell back. Due to his exhaustion and injuries, summoning someone from Naruto's key seal to their location was terribly painful.
"Oh get up. Crybaby…" Ranmaru glared at Sayuri, who was now rubbing the bandages over her own wound.
"Lord Kaibunkage has sectioned off the village." Kazudan told the newcomer. "There is where we'll contain the explosion."
Tsuchigumo Jin was a well-built man with disheveled dark red hair. On his upper left arm was the Smoke insignia, while on the same position on his right arm was the Tsuchigumo Clan's emblem. He wore a standard Smoke jonin outfit with his hitai-ate tied around his waist.
"We should hurry then." Jin said.
Kazudan nodded before looking at the former Team Naruto.
"Sayuri, you will go make sure that no one messes with the checkpoints. We don't have time for you to battle everyone that comes your way, so just paralyze them and keep moving." Sayuri nodded at the orders and left with her MayflyTechnique. "Ranmaru, stand on the roof and scout the area. Make sure that no one runs into the area." Kazudan then looked at Marashu. "Protect Lady Tsunade at all costs. No one enters here without her or Lord Kaibunkage's word."
"Understood." Marashu said.
"What about me?" Konohamaru asked.
"Stay out of our way." Kazudan said before he and Jin left with Smoke Shushin.
"How do you like that? I help them and that's all he has to say." Konohamaru stated.
Ranmaru let out a small snort of laughter.
"That's Kazudan for, good job now take a rest." Ranmaru said nearing the door. "Trust me. The less you hear from him the better."
As Ranmaru left for the roof, Tsunade and Shizune looked at Marashu. The teen stretched his body before turning into a timberwolf in front of their very eyes. Their shock was only amplified when he lied down near the window.
"Naruto-kun has some interesting students…" Shizune murmured.
"Interesting doesn't begin to describe these brats." Tsunade said, earning a low growl from Marashu.
"How the hell can he be so fast!"
"I don't know… But I'm getting out of here!"
Naruto grabbed both men before twirling and tossing them to another group of the enemy. He saw sparks of red from the corner of his eyes and glanced to see Sayuri using her Demonic Lightning.
"Alright," Naruto said to Jiraiya. "It's time to clear the area. Get all the Leaf Nin away."
"Naruto, they're not out of the village yet." Jiraiya said.
"I know." Jiraiya frowned at this. "I'm going to warn you… This is going to get ugly. Stay if you want but…"
"I'll do it. Sheesh, you're about as bossy as your old man was." Jiraiya muttered.
"Sensei, all posts cleared!" Sayuri said, popping up from the ground in her black rose. "Now, can I please just do one itsy thing? Pretty-"
"I'm ready, Lord Kaibunkage." Jin said.
Sayuri pouted. "Aw man… Ranmaru's going to win again!"
Jin raised a brow. "Sayuri… Doesn't he always win in your little games?"
"Shut up! No one asked you! Spider loser…" Sayuri said.
Naruto sighed. "Why me…?" Naruto then looked at Kazudan. "Secure the area."
"Hai." Kazudan said doing hand seals. After he was finished, he slammed his palms onto the ground. The ground began to shake as a large wall of metal rose within the village (Summoning Jutsu: Great Iron Curtain). "It's done!"
"Jin, I leave it up to you." Naruto said before taking Sayuri and vanishing with Hirashin.
"I'll do my best…" Jin said.
Suigetsu looked at the village from atop a hill.
"They're done for…" Suigetsu said.
"So it seems." Suigetsu revealed his blade, only to meet the eyes of Kageno. "You are a part of Team Hebi, are you not? Why are you here when your leader does not seem like the one to retreat?"
"One of those Smoke bastards had a kekkei genkai that would have paralyzed me if it touched me. I couldn't risk dying. The mission was a bust anyway." Kageno nodded.
"Very perceptive of you…" Kageno stated. "You seem to have a lot of potential. Potential that I could use."
Suigetsu frowned. "And why should I work for you?"
Kageno raised a brow. "Your brother was Mangetsu, right? I have in my possession his scroll, something that I'm sure he would want his brother to have." Kageno then glanced at the Decapitating Carving Knife. "You already have one blade in your possession."
Suigetsu highly doubted that Kageno could have known that his dream was to create a new generation of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, but brushed it aside. His own greed would get the better of him, to hell what Sasuke or Orochimaru would do or say if they found out.
"So what do I do?" Suigetsu asked before the two heard the loud explosion coming from Konoha, debris and blinding light washing over the area.
For the first since his childhood, Orochimaru showed fear as he picked his body up from the ground. He barely made it out of the targeted area. The pursuing Danzo was not so lucky. Orochimaru recognized that as the Tsuchigumo's kinjutsu, something that was once feared by his late sensei.
"Lord Orochimaru," Orochimaru turned to see a bruised Kabuto. "I think it's time we retreat."
Silently, Orochimaru fled with Kabuto. He would have to remember to heed Kageno's words next time. Ishi's blockade could not stop the Kaibunkage from breaking through. Worst of all, the Kaibunkage was someone who Orochimaru had once deemed useless.
"Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto stated. "I figured out where Shisui's other eye is, but getting to it is will be quite difficult. Especially considering who's guarding it."
"Who?" Orochimaru questioned.
"Uchiha Itachi."
"Don't worry, it was just Danzo." Naruto said to Ranmaru as he put a hand on the teen's shoulder, reassuring him that this was not a failed mission. "Now, we must return."
"Wait!" Konohamaru said. "What about Konoha? What about Iruka-sensei and-"
"Konohamaru," Naruto interrupted with a grin. "There is a great chance that I will be back. I see now that Sakura was slightly right. This village is in shambles with Danzo running things. As a rogue from this village, I won't be able to visit as much as I like… But as a kage, I will see how many meetings I can have within the village."
"Like an alliance?" asked the rejuvenated Kakashi.
"…" The Smoke Ninja present knew the answer by Naruto's facial expression. It was the same one he used on Shiori whenever he did not want to tell her no out front. "An alliance with this village isn't something that neither I nor my council wants at this current time. I'm sorry…"
Tsunade smiled. "What is there to be sorry about? You just saved the village."
"Eh, isn't it time for you to end your Sage Mode?" Jiraiya asked.
Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head.
"Actually… I can't." Jiraiya frowned at the statement. "You see, I had to use the Reverse Summoning to get Sakura to Kemuri… And because I was already in Sage Mode when I dispelled another clone, I kind have too much natural energy within me which we both know is potentially harmful. So I have to go blow some steam off… Or be turned into a giant toad."
"Again…" muttered a smirking Sayuri causing Ranmaru and Marashu to snicker.
"And because I'll be stuck like this for a while," Naruto said before eying his former students. "I'll have to find three unfortunate teenagers to spar with since I don't want to burden Mei-chan." The team paled as their snicker immediately stopped. Naruto then gave them a deadly grin that Mei would be proud of. "Again."
"Lord Kaibunkage," Jin said. "Before my departure, there had been a disturbance in Wave Country. Chojuro-san was to lead a group into the country."
Naruto nodded. "We should hurry then. I'll deal with it there." Naruto then eyed Tsunade, Shizune, Konohamaru, Jiraiya, and Kakashi. "As Kaibunkage, I take responsibility for the portion of your village that was destroyed due to Jin's kinjutsu. I will help fix that. However, the moment someone attacks me for the death of Danzo, I leave for good."
"Understood." Jiraiya spoke as the Smoke Nins gathered around their leader.
"See you later Shizune-nee, Konohamaru, and Kakashi-sensei. I hope Granny and the old perv don't cause too much trouble." With that, Naruto left the area with Hirashin.
"Heh, that gaki is still as annoying as ever." Jiraiya said with a grin.
"The next time I see him, I'll show him who's old!" Tsunade threatened.
"So… What do we do now?" Konohamaru asked.
Kakashi sighed. "We will rebuild the village." Kakashi then looked out of the window to see the damage. "Oh boy…"
"Yeah." Konohamaru said.
The village was near completely destroyed, far worse than the Oto/Suna Invasion years ago. While buildings near the Hokage Monument were standing, the Hokage Tower was completely destroyed. The streets were flooded with water, blood, bodies, and debris from fallen homes. Towards the western part of the village was a large crater that was draining the water from the village.
"Well hime, ready to take the job we brought you back for?" Tsunade looked at Jiraiya. "A deal's a deal after all."
"…" The blonde stared at her former teammate before glancing at the others in the room. "Round up the council."
Dōsame walked into a clearing in the forest where a dragon made of pink crystal landed.
"You came with only three shinobi? You Kemuri kunoichi are as ignorant about war as the civilian women." he stated.
Mei glared at him with Guren, Yukimaru, and Gozu behind her.
"You shouldn't underestimate the power of Kemurigakure, men and women alike." Mei spoke. "Your men are as good as dead. And so are you."
"Really? How are you so sure?"
Mei only smiled and pointed. Dōsame looked to see a huge cloud of smoke covering, what he assumed, was the entire village and maybe the entire island.
"You will regret the day you challenged Kemurigakure no Sato." Mei threatened.