Kaibunkage
Arc II
Chapter VI
"Those who turn their hands against their comrades are sure to die a terrible death."
- Uchiha Itachi
The cold atmosphere was something that seemed to unnoticed by one Hatake Kakashi. But for Might Guy, he was literally shivering.
"C-Couldn't they h-have place this in S-S-Suna?" questioned the taijutsu mastered.
"That wouldn't be a neutral area and even so you would complain about being too hot." Guy gave Kakashi a glare as the masked man casually read his treasured Icha Icha.
Why did he have to be so hip?
"Okay you two, that's enough." Tsunade said. "We're here."
Kakashi pocketed his book before addressing Tsunade.
"Lady Hokage," Tsunade glanced at him. "If the other kage agree with your plan, you do know the chances of Naruto agreeing to them are slim, right?"
"I know how to deal with him. Let's just begin the meeting. We're late." Tsunade responded as they moved to the guarded entrance.
Minutes later, Naruto also came across a guarded entrance with Kazudan in tow, as well as Sumaru and Doki.
"Lord Kaibunkage, Lord Hoshikage, we've been expecting you." one of the knights said before stepping aside. "Please enter. The others are in the conference room."
Naruto gave a nod before leading the other three men into the large palace. Since he and Shion never did marry, it went straight to Shiori, no questions asked. He figured she could use it for a vacation home.
"You seem tense." Sumaru told his friend.
Naruto's eyes scanned the walls. "I don't have a lot of faith in their security, especially here of all places."
"The Demon Country's knights do their job. Aku just got into the inside. Used your trust against you." replied Sumaru.
"It bugs me to know that she had to know." Sumaru frowned at the comment. "Like her mother, Shion had to forsee her own death in order to try and prevent it. Yet, she didn't. And now…"
"This has something to do with Sakura, doesn't it?" the Hoshikage questioned. When Naruto did not answer, Sumaru sighed. "Naruto, at the moment, she should not even be on your mind. She's just another jonin of the village doing her job. And like her, you have a job to do."
Naruto's blue eyes moved to meet Sumaru's brown ones.
"My current job and Sakura's current job is one in the same. Protect Shiori." Naruto said. "Now, let's go do what we came to do."
Sumaru nodded. He figured Naruto had been through a lot lately and was a bit grumpy. Either that, or he really had a grudge against the knights of Demon Country and he did not want to outright voice it. Whatever the case may be, Sumaru knew that this was going to be a long meeting.
Sakura watched as the fourth team of students went to hide in their picked hiding spots. The goal of the lesson was simple: What to do when you cannot contact your jonin sensei in the face of an opponent. Sakura knew from personal experience that things did not always go as planned at that the squad leader was a valuable asset to the team. She fully understands that if Zabuza had killed Kakashi, she would have been dead a long time ago. Fortunately, Sasuke and Naruto had thought of a plan to rescue Kakashi. And now, these students had to rescue Ranmaru from Sayuri while Sakura watched.
With Sayuri's pent up frustration, this should be quite the show.
The area was quiet as the students who tried, and failed, earlier watched along with the groups who had not tried yet. Sakura stood with her arms crossed, her green eyes looking for the slightest movement in the trees and bushes around them.
"Alright come on out." Sayuri said. "I don't think Ranmaru can take another cut."
True to her word, Sayuri had told every team that came up that she would began to use her dirks against her former teammate and she had. While Ranmaru was in no mortal danger, his arms had several thin cuts on them.
"I'm starting to countdown." Sayuri stated revealing her dirks again.
Ranmaru sighed heavily. "Please don't-"
A thick plume of smoke covered the area. Sakura knew this as the Ninja Art: Smoke Hide Jutsu. From what she knew, the move was C-ranked and was mainly used by chunin and jonin. She knew that the user could use this attack to escape using the smoke or set off poison bombs without being noticed. For an academy student being able to use it was nothing short of amazing.
"Oh please…" Sayuri muttered to herself as red lightning danced around her body. "I hope you brats know a doctor on hand…" Sayuri paused. "Next to Sakura that is."
Small lines of lightning shot from Sayuri's body, heading in all directions. It was a smaller version of Gyaku's All Direction Lightning known as the Demonic Lightning: Paralyzing Flash. While Gyaku's attack could kill someone, Sayuri's version would only paralyze her opponent even if she hit them directly. Perfect for training like this.
The smoke soon cleared with Ranmaru still standing in his place, none of other students seen.
"I know that they were here…" Sayuri said before doing a smirk a certain Snake Mistress in the Hidden Leaf would be proud of. "Oh well. I guess I can cut Ranmaru somewhere else."
Sakura watched as Sayuri spun towards Ranmaru, using the force of the spin to kick her former teammate square in the jaw. The teen flew through the air before vanishing in a puff of smoke, a student replacing him.
"If you can save your sensei, don't put yourself in his place," Sayuri said to the down boy. "Especially after he caught some of my Demonic Lightning."
Sakura was impressed. Any given enemy would have fallen for that, safe for those who were experts in tracking chakara. This plan would have worked on a bandit and possibly some seasoned veteran who just underestimated them.
Moving towards the boy, Sakura kneeled and began healing his wounded face.
"That was nearly perfect, safe for a minor flaw here and there." she spoke before looking at Sayuri. "You shouldn't have kicked him so hard, you know. They aren't used to having someone track them by chakra alone."
Sayuri shrugged. "Yeah, well Naruto-sensei was not easy on us so I'm not going easy on them. If you want to transform into someone, at least get their basic physiques right. That was the wrong shade of red for his eyes."
"And how would you know?" Ranmaru questioned as two students sat him against the base of a tree.
"Because I do!" Sayuri snapped back.
Sakura giggled a bit. "I think we should take a break and let Ranmaru recover. So, I'll give you guys fifteen minutes extra on your lunch break. Use this time wisely."
Without another word, the students scattered. In just three measely days, they have come to understand that Haruno Sakura, as kind as she could be on her best days, did not repeat her orders often. Those who stuck around for whatever the reason would be put through rigorous training. Training that some chunin and jonin shuddered at.
"How did you know his rightful eye color, Sayuri?" Sakura asked.
Sayuri turned away from both Sakura and Ranmaru, her arms crossed.
"Hmph! I doubt you'd understand what it means to know both of your teammates." Sayuri said hotly. "I've just been around him for so long that I know, so there."
Sakura snorted. "Sayuri, I think there's more to it."
"I'm going to go prank the students! Call me when you need me!" Sayuri stated as she stormed off, causing Sakura to laugh.
"Sakura-san," Ranmaru began. "Do you think you can speed up the paralysis? I really would like to get some curry."
"Sorry Ranmaru, but I don't really understand how to counter the Hirameki's bloodline. You're stuck like that." Ranmaru gave a sigh of defeat, knowing it would be a while before he could function well enough to eat. "I could find someone to feed you…"
"I'm fine." Ranmaru said as he thought about the chances of Sakura getting Sayuri. He had already been hit once today by that forsaken red lightning, he did not want to take another blow because of some innocent teasing.
Sakura only nodded before she felt something on her leg. More important, she felt someone hugging her leg. Looking down, she saw the smiling face of Shiori, who had undoubtedly slipped away from Jakken, or so Shiori thought, to find Sakura for lunch.
Again.
"Shiori-chan, what has your father told you about leaving your escorts behind?" Sakura questioned, though she could sense Jakken near.
Shiori pouted. "But you're way funner."
Sakura sighed. "I guess you're right." Taking Shiori's hand into her own, Sakura smiled. "You want ramen, don't you?" Shiori nodded enthusiastically. "Come on, let's get you fed."
"Eh, Sakura-chan, what's wrong with Ran-nii?" Sakura looked at the boy. He appeared to be resting peacefully instead of being paralyzed.
"He's just resting." answered Sakura. "Now, let's get some lunch."
Ē's hand slammed on the table hard.
"Those bastards attacked one of my jinchuriki! Of course I'm pissed!" the man shouted at the old Tsuchikage, Onoki.
"They've captured one of mine as well, and yet you don't see me crying about it." Onoki replied. "Besides, some of us at this table cannot be trusted." Kageno felt Onoki's eyes on him. "Something I'm sure we're all aware of…"
"You're talking about my recent alignment with Orochimaru, no?" Ē's eyes narrowed at the calm Mizukage.
"You joined with that fiend? You're no better than Akatsuki!" the Raikage bellowed.
"My intentions were quite simple. Gaining the Rokudaime Hokage." Kageno spoke. "My plans were stopped by the combined efforts of Hatake Kakashi and Haruno Sakura." Kageno then paused and glanced at the two shadows behind Tsunade, one of which he knew was Kakashi. He then looked back at the Ē. "But my actions could not compare to yours, Raikage-dono."
"What are you talking about?" Ē questioned.
"By sending in a man to kidnap a little girl… All for the sake of her dojutsu." At this, Tsunade's glare went from Kageno to Ē. "And when you failed, you had the audacity to request that the Hyuga sacrifice one of their members and send their body to your village? Tell me, who is the real fiend here?"
"We could spend years talking about what one village did to the other," Gaara said. "But that wouldn't get us anywhere. In fact, we would be put in a worse situation than we already are. Akatsuki is out for the containers, and each of us has something to lose."
"Not all of us…" Onoki said looking at Tsunade.
"Konoha may not house a jinchuriki anymore," Tsunade stated. "But we do house the scroll from my grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, and with it her sealing techniques. Seals that are strong enough to place the Kyubi inside with limited influence over its jailor."
"Typical. Even without a jinchuriki, you still attempt to place your village above the others." Onoki said. "I say that Konoha is more of a burden than an aid."
"Then you are more foolish now than you were years ago." Kageno stated. "Konoha, even without a jinchuriki, is still strong in strength. It's their principles that I question."
"And Suna," Onoki said looking at the Kazekage. "Has named their jinchuriki as their Kazekage. A child with a rampaging biju on a pedestal for anyone to come and knock him off. Have they really fallen so much?"
"Oh quiet you old bat. Kazekage-sama has done nothing but restore his village." Tsunade said.
"You five cannot get alone well enough to form an alliance," the five kage turned to general of Iron Country, Mifune. "If you cannot put aside your differences then you are doomed to fail."
"As true as the statement is," Kageno responded. "Kirigakure has a problem with at least three of the other villages. Kumo for attempting to salvage those from the Yondaime's foolish purges. Iwa, a long time rival of ours that dates back to the reign of the Nidaime Mizukage. And finally, Konoha-"
"What have we done to you?" Tsunade questioned angrily. "You attacked us!"
"Momochi Zabuza was once a member of our Seven Ninja Swordsmen." explained the Godaime Mizukage in a calm fashion. "He was murdered due to a crime lord in Wave Country and shinobi from the Hidden Leaf. His body was never recovered by our Hunter-nin to fully validate his death and his sword was taken from his grave. Zabuza was a Missing-nin, his blade was Kiri treasure. And as petty as it is, we blame your village and the country you're aligned with for losing it."
Despite herself, Tsunade realized that Kageno had a strong point. Then again, if Kiri really wanted the blade, that would have been out there seconds after the death of Zabuza, possibly before he died.
"Mifune-sama holds a point. We can never join forces if-"
"Join forces?" Onoki interrupted Gaara.
"Why would I want to join forces with any of you?" Ē spoke. "You've all worked with Akatsuki in one way or another." The other kage looked at Ē suspiciously, except for Kageno who smirked a bit. "There's no reason for smirking, Mizukage. Your predecessor was claimed to be controlled by Akatsuki!"
Kageno's manner became more serious.
"You speak as if your village is filled with saints, Raikage. But I know for a fact that the container of the Nibi is not native to your village. Your father was a bigger hypocrite than you are." Ē grew angry, breaking the desk in front of him. This action caused the guards that accompanied their respective kage to spring into action. "Ao, Kiyohime, stand down. I doubt the Raikage will be foolish enough to attack. Am I right, Raikage-san?"
Ē growled. "You are a treacherous man, Kageno! To call my father a hypocrite when-"
Kageno waved his hand, a sheet of ice freezing around the guards' ankles, including his own and the two samurai guards at the door. This startled even Mifune as a kage had no right to use any form of jutsu in this room.
"You are too rash." Kageno said as the guards struggled with the ice. "All of you are, except Tsuchikage-san."
"Explain yourself, Mizukage-sama." Mifune stated.
"We are here due to our fears of Akatsuki, whether we want to admit it or not." The other kage looked at one another. "Yet, three of us are so rash and unfit for the title kage that we go into a blind rage when one mentions our father, or in Lady Hokage's case, our grandfather." Now it was Tsunade to growl. "If we are to join together, even for a split second, then we must remain… Cool."
As Kageno said the last piece, a thick mist came from his lips, melting the ice that trapped the guards.
"I am not here to start a war. I am here merely to here suggestions. Preferably good ones." Kageno finished.
"Well," Onoki said. "I suggest that we handle Akatsuki on our own terms. An alliance would be more trouble than its worth."
"I second that." Kageno stated.
"I object." Gaara replied.
Onoki scoffed. "Of course the child would."
"You don't know what you're up against. I do." Gaara said. "The sad truth is, whether or not I die by Akatsuki's hands or by one of yours, my people are safer than any of yours." Kageno, Onoki, and Ē frowned at this. "While you are each down to one or two containers, my alliance with Kemurigakure no Sato gives me three, one of them being the Nine-tails."
"The Kaibunkage…" Kageno spoke quietly.
"Our combined forces along with Bear Country and Demon Country, will be enough to at least heavily damage Akatsuki." Gaara continued. "Whereas each of you, sans Konoha, will only have yourself to depend on. There are members in this group that knows where your village is located and how to infiltrate it," Gaara then looked at Ē. "And as we know, even without a Missing-nin within their ranks, they can still attack at any given moment."
"That is a pretty irrational thought, Kazekage." Onoki said.
"Unlike you, Tsuchikage-sama, I listen to those who are a part of my village. My two guards are not just my siblings, but my advisors. If it weren't for them, Shukaku might have taken control of my body a long time ago." Onoki frowned at Gaara's words. "The moment you brought my despicable father into this…"
"What is your point?" questioned the Tsuchikage.
"Being a kage does not make you the voice of your people… The voice of your people is what made you a kage." The statement caused those who heard it to look at Onoki. Onoki only sat quietly as Gaara continued. "If you don't listen to them, all of them, then you aren't fit to hold the title. None of us are if we ignore them. My people fear Akatsuki, so I must do all that I can to protect them. What about yours, Tsuchikage-sama?"
Onoki looked at his granddaughter, Kurotsuchi, and jonin, Akatsuchi. Both only stared at the old Tsuchikage silently, but he could tell from their eyes that Gaara spoke the truth. His people did fear the chances of Akatsuki attacking.
"And for your information, Tsuchikage-sama and Mizukage-sama," Gaara added. "Lady Hokage does house a jinchuriki. The second most powerful that would be in this alliance if Kemuri refuses to join."
Onoki's brows furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"He's right. We are still aligned with Taki, who houses the Seven-tails." Tsunade explained. "So we are all in this problem together. An alliance will give us the power to wipe out Akatsuki once and for all."
"There is a problem," Kageno stated. "You and I are on opposing sides, as well as, you, I, and the Kaibunkage."
Ē snarled. "The pseudo-kage shouldn't have much of a say. He is a jinchuriki and therefore under our law."
"Agreed. Who does he think he is to deny the power of the Gokage?" Onoki stated. "Provided we do work together that is."
"He is Uzumaki Naruto, the Shodai Kaibunkage." Tsunade answered. "And knowing him, whatever we do with the jinchuriki, he will most likely hear about."
"This Uzumaki Naruto," stated Mifune. "Would it be possible for him to work with us in protecting the jinchuriki?"
"He has already denied an alliance with Konoha, and being the son of the Yondaime Hokage, he is weary of Iwagakure." Gaara explained.
"The son of the Yondaime Hokage? Consider him an enemy in my book as well." Ē said.
"We can not afford to make him an enemy now." Tsunade announced. "Not only has he proven himself strong enough to use a great amount of the fox's power, but he has also shown to use senjutsu and jikukan ninjutsu, something his father was known for."
Gaara nodded. "As well as being the container of the most powerful of the biju. If Akatsuki gets him, we are most likely to fail."
"Akatsuki currently has one biju, and that is the Five-tails from Iwa." Kageno said. "We are all-"
"Doomed." the Gokage, Mifune, and their guards all tensed as the masked man appeared in the room, hanging upside down on the ceiling.
"Akatsuki!" Ē shouted.
"Shit! How didn't we sense him?" Kankuro questioned Temari.
"Calm down. I am merely here to talk." the man said.
"I think we've talked enough… Tobi." Tsunade turned towards Kageno.
"You've spoken to this man before?" she questioned angrily.
Kageno sighed heavily. "Such insolence from someone so well respected… I have spoken to him before. Back when the Yondaime was in charge." The others in the room felt the spike of chakra rise from Kageno. "And while I may despise every single one of you in this room, including one of my own guards, I literally hate this man!"
The other kage stared at Kageno, Ao giving Kageno a critically look with his visible eye. It was no secret that Ao was once a supporter of Mei, but time has changed. Mei left the village the moment the opportunity presented itself, Chojuro and a few others following. Even the Tsuchigumo Clan followed. Ao may have not liked Kageno as much as Mei, but he was still loyal Kirigakure and his Mizukage.
The man, Tobi, only chuckled as he crossed his arms.
"Well, well," he spoke. "The real assassin is now Mizukage. What a turn of events?"
"What do you want to talk about?" Tsunade questioned.
Tobi pointed towards Gaara. "What belongs to me, the nine jinchuriki. I want them all."
"I'm curious, for what exactly?" Onoki said. "Surely you understand that you couldn't be able to control them. The Kazekage is a stubborn child and the biju he carries is harder to retain."
"Since I have you all in one place at one time, I will tell you." Tobi said. "For my Eye of the Moon Plan. I plan on gathering all the pieces of the ultimate being and then using said being to place the world in an infinite genjutsu that will ensure peace. A world where I'm in control of every living person."
"A world where you control everyone? That's not peace. That's a worse world than we are in now." Gaara stated.
Onoki snorted. "As much as I hate saying it, but I agree with the Kazekage."
"If you think we're just going to hand over the jinchuriki, then you're dead wrong. We will stop you at any cost!" Ē proclaimed, thought Tobi only laughed.
"You? You'll kill each other before you could touch me." the guards guarding the kage looked at one another, knowing that the tension caused by the Raikage and Mizukage had yet to leave the atmosphere. "Besides, my men are already heading to each of your respective villages in search of the others. Soon I will have my pieces and in six months… The final piece will be ready. A child more powerful than the Sage of Six Paths himself! My son!"
"Your son?" questioned Kageno.
"Yes! The perfect creation!" Tobi said, his voice now sounding more maniacal than anything. "With the DNA of an Uchiha, a Senju, and Uzumaki Shiori…"
"You bastard! What did you do to Naruto's daughter?" Tsunade shouted.
"I haven't done anything. Yet." Tobi said. "I will give you five minutes to come up with a solution. You can either give me your jinchuriki and submit yourselves to me… Or I will begin taking the biju, one by one."
There was a moment of silence as the kage looked amongst each other.
"My offer still extends to all other villages." Gaara stated. "I cannot defeat Akatsuki on my own."
"Hmph, this is unheard of. A kage asking help from the other villages." Onoki said before Tsunade slammed her fist down on the table, shattering it.
"Damn it you old fool! They have already brutally beat two jinchuriki, both of them escaping on a whim! Now is not the time to be stubborn!" Tsunade shouted.
Ē crossed his arms. "The Hokage is right. One of those jinchuriki belonged to me." Kageno's eyes narrowed slightly. "Despite how we acquired her."
"Are the five kage in concurrence? Will there be an alliance amongst the five villages?" Mifune asked.
"Even if we did… Which one of us would lead?" Onoki asked.
"…" No one spoke before Ē opened his mouth. "My village has no relations with the Akatsuki whatsoever."
"Tch, you? If your 'brother' were to get attacked, you'd be in more delirium than the Slug-hime." Onoki said.
"Well we don't need some man with chronic back pains leading us." Tsunade remarked, causing Kurotsuchi to snicker.
"The Raikage holds a strong point," Gaara said. "All of our villages have aligned themselves with the Akatsuki at one point of time or another, one of us being the kage at the time of said alliance." Onoki only looked away at the statement. "I give my vote to the Raikage."
"If that's settled… Then I have an old score to settle!" Kageno shouted before throwing several needles made of ice towards Tobi with a wave of his hand.
"Heh," Tobi said as the needles went straight through him. "You're mad."
Kageno instantly jumped up and leapt for Tobi. Tobi sat still before a blast caused Kageno's body to slam into the opposing wall, followed by laughter.
"Art is an explosion, yeah!"
Gaara's eyes widened. They were after him again.
"Uzumaki-san, it seems as if we've come to an agreement." spoke one of the men on the Demon Country Council. "If you can find a priest or priestess willing to give an heir with a valuable asset like Lady Shiori's then we will accept them into the lineage."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "You don't want a priestess. You want power!"
"Forgive us, but you must understand. Our country has little contact with the other shinobi villages. In case of an attack, we would be defenseless. The best example would be…" The words never left the man's mouth as Naruto's eyes narrowed. "We need someone who can defend us in time of need."
"I will speak to the countries of Moon, Sea, and even Fire to see what they can provide." the council all nodded at this. "But… Despite this, Shiori will still undergo her priestess training and when she has achieved the rank of a jonin, she will be entitled to do missions here in her home country, as duty of the rightful heiress."
"You would allow your daughter to come here unprotected?" questioned a second man.
"I would allow a top jonin of my village to do a B-rank mission without worry." Sumaru understood what Naruto was trying to do. He was trying to please everyone. The only problem the Hoshikage saw in that was the number of missions Shiori would probably receive in the nearby future. The poor girl would never get a break.
The three men and two women on the council began to whisper amongst themselves, Naruto standing in the middle of the floor confidently. His blue eyes spoke volumes on how he was not going to allow Shiori to live here without him being here. But he had kept his anger out of his voice, for the most part. Now it was time to see if he would either walk out calmly with an agreement or if he would actually release some of his pent up anger.
"We agree." Naruto never understood how all five spoke in unison when it came to the verdict, but if Shion never questioned it, than neither would he.
Too bad he knew Shiori would.
"Thank you." Naruto said with a bow.
"We will send Lady Shiori's teacher to Kemurigakure in a month's worth of time." the lead man spoke.
"I will send someone to escort them." Naruto said before turning for the door. "Thanks again."
As Naruto neared the door along with Sumaru, Kazudan, and Doki, he felt something amiss.
"Kazudan… How many chakra signatures are behind this door?" Due to him not being in Sage Mode, Naruto was quite unsure he felt what he was feeling. Kazudan held up his index and middle finger on his right hand. "I thought so…"
Sumaru smirked. "So, I finally get to fight, eh? It's about time." Sumaru looked at Doki. "Knock it down."
Doki took his battle-axe from his back and held it firmly in his hands. A rainbow-colored chakra was seen surrounding the blade before he slammed it into the door, shattering it instantly instead of just chopping it in half.
On the other side of the door stood two men who Naruto was actually hoping he would run into again. He did owe them for their first meeting.
"Uzumaki Naruto…"
"Uchiha Itachi…"
The two men stared at one another before a smirk came onto Naruto's face.
"Well? Are we going to do this or what?" questioned the Kaibunkage.
Temari and Kankuro stood back to back in the hallway, Temari's fan opening in front of her while Kankuro's two puppets, Ant and Crow, in front of him. On either side of them were hundreds of Sasora's puppets.
"How does he control so many?" Kankuro questioned.
"I don't know, but if we don't hurry, Gaara could be in some serious trouble." Kankuro nodded at his sister's response, though he doubted if they could be his idol.
The wall next to them cratered and an angry Tsunade appeared from the hole. Her hand reached into the rubble and pulled out a strange looking man that neither Kankuro nor Temari had ever seen.
"Alright Zetsu," Tsunade said angrily. "I'm going to give you one more opportunity to tell me. Where is Naruto?"
No one moved before an explosion shook the building.
Explosions ranged throughout the air as the Gokage Summit had been interrupted by Deidara and Sasori, Kageno and his team pursuing Tobi. For the Kazekage however, his job was simple. Push the fight out of the building and survive.
"Katsu!"
Gaara heard and felt the explosions behind him. Deidara had been a pain in the ass when they fought in the desert and Gaara was surrounded by his element. Now the Kazekage was trying to get out of the building to make sand without the drawbacks of destroying the summit.
However, Deidara was doing a good job at that.
"Come on Kazekage-sama! Don't you like my art?" Deidara questioned.
Gaara only raised his right hand, sand forming around it. Soon, his right arm and hand resembled that of Shukaku's and with that, Gaara was able to punch the air in front of him, his arm extending to the wall at the end of the hallway and smashed it.
Using the smoke and debris as temporary concealment, Gaara slipped into the next room. It was much wider with higher ceilings than the hall he was previously in. While not completely suitable for his battle with Deidara, it was better than nothing.
"…" Gaara stared at the clay-user on his clay bird. "Your arm… It looks to be barely attached."
Deidara looked at his left shoulder, seeing the black threads that Kakuzu used to stitch his shoulder up. He growled at the memory of Naruto's attack before glaring at the Shukaku container. Deidara was going to attack, but Gaara's sand arm shot for the Akatsuki member. Dodging to the left, Deidara smirked.
"You're such a pathetic Kazekage. You can't use the deserts sand out of the desert, yeah." Deidara said as he created several of spiders with his explosive clay.
Gaara knew what was coming next, and sent sand from his gourd to raise him into the air. While he did this he took in a deep breath, drawing on some of Shukaku's power, and fired a sphere of compressed air towards Deidara (Wind Release: Drilling Air Bullet). Gaara was taken for surprise when the attack landed, but the Akatsuki member and bird exploded. Sand rose to Gaara's defense, but he was still pushed backwards.
Gaara's eyes caught a vine stretching for him and quickly maneuvered to dodge it on his floating sand platform.
"What is that?" mused the Kazekage before spotting Deidara forming more of his clay creations.
"I got this one Zetsu." Deidara told the other Akatsuki member. Gaara saw the blond on another clay bird. "I'll show him what true art is, yeah!"
Gaara held a hand in front of him, palm facing upwards. A small sphere of sand appeared and began to rotate at a high rate of speed. Soon, smaller spheres of sand shot from the larger one, heading directly for Deidara (Multiple Sand Bullets). Deidara was able to dodge the orbs of sand that shot into the wall behind him. The Kazekage was preparing to attack again until he caught something crawling up the wall behind him.
A series of small explosion erupted behind Gaara, the sand from his gourd coming to protect him the best it could.
Deidara laughed. "Still the weak kage that you were months ago. You should give up and save me-" Deidara was cut off when a large hand of sand shot from under the rubble and came for him. The former Iwa Nin was able to maneuver on his clay bird to dodge it. "So you've made more sand, hm? Well let's see if that saves you from my art, yeah!"
Gaara only moved through the hole in the wall that Deidara had created. He was now outside of the building, the cold air reminding him of just how far he was from home. Gaara looked over his shoulder to see Deidara right on his tail until the sound of a small explosion was heard. Gaara moved out of the way from falling chucks of stone walls, before the Raikage landed in the snow, his tense glare towards the Akatsuki member.
"Raikage-sama…" Gaara spoke.
As Ē activated his Lightning Release Armor, he took his kage robe off, Shi and Darui now behind him.
"Our top priority is to save the jinchuriki. That would include you, Lord Kazekage." Shi said.
Gaara could only nod briefly. His mind settled on another problem that would present itself in the future. Kemuri, Konoha, Iwa, Kumo, and Kiri working together.
Naruto came for Itachi, his red trench knives coated with demonic chakra. Itachi was able to dodge the blows that came from the Kaibunkage before the clone that appeared behind him. Mentally, Itachi applauded Naruto in learning how to summon Shadow Clones with a simple hand seal and create the clone somewhere other than next to the blond. This gave the illusion that Naruto could appear in two places at once, and in reality, one was a clone.
With enough space, Itachi was able to run through hand seals quickly and flawlessly before exhaling a large orb of flames towards Naruto (Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu). The flame seemed to hit its target, though Itachi's eyes picked up on three clones of the blond above him, each with a Rasengan ready. Itachi appeared to be frozen in fear as the first clone struck him before his body exploded, dispelling all three clones.
The real Itachi stood atop of a nearby tree, his eyes watching the battle below.
"So," Itachi looked at a tree a few yards away where Naruto stood at. "Are we going to get serious now or are you going to put up a worse fight than Sasuke."
"You should have more worry for your friends. Kisame isn't easy to beat." spoke Itachi calmly.
"Sumaru isn't Hoshikage for nothing." Naruto said with his arms crossed.
"And are you sure that you can take me on by yourself?" Naruto chuckled.
"If all else fails, not even the Sharingan can save you from oblivion." Naruto said, catching Itachi's fingers move slightly. He knew that the Uchiha was preparing for an attack.
"Very well." Itachi replied, his eyes morphing into those of the Mangekyo Sharingan.
Naruto felt his heart rate climb. While he has learned of ways of not using the fox's chakra, the thought that just one glance could detain his chakra was a frightening thought. But now was not the time for his small fear of the evolved Sharingan to show. Now was his time to see if his abilities could match a master of those cursed eyes.
Simulataneously, both men fired a powerful flamethrower at one another, Itachi's flames being a bright blue while Naruto's were a searing white. The two attacks met at the midpoint between he two, a heatwave surging through the air. Naruto glanced up to see an array of shuriken and kunai falling down on him. Mentally cursing the genius that was Uchiha Itachi, he quickly flicked a three-pronged kunai in a general and safe location before using the Hirashin to get out of harms way.
Blue flames topped the trees now as Itachi looked for his opponent. He soon caught two large Fuma shuriken headed his way. With his skill, he grabbed each shuriken with the circle in the center and prepared to launch them back at the blond until they turned into clones of Naruto.
"Rasengan!" the two clones shouted as they shoved the attack into Itachi. However, the Uchiha's body just disintergrated into a flock of crows.
"You're kidding me… How did he even have time?" Naruto questioned himself before bringing his arms up to block a kick from Itachi before the Uchiha moved away. "Damn he's pretty quick."
Naruto watched as Itachi landed safely amongst the blue flames before pointing towards the blond, his left eye closed.
"Amaterasu!" Itachi shouted.
Ao kept up with the swift Mizukage as best as he could. Beside him was the swordswoman, Ichigo Kiyohime, the Siren of the Hidden Mist. She was only an inch or two shorter than Ao with dark red hair that looked almost black without sunlight hitting it, flowing behind her effortlessly. Her bright blue eyes stayed focus on her mission in protecting the Mizukage, being as serious as Ao in the situation. She wore a light grey short kimono over her long sleeve black mesh top and black pants. On her back was a pair of sickles, both blades a dark shade of purple.
"Ao-san," spoke the young woman. "Do you have a sight on the man?"
"Hai. He's up ahead at the Samurai Bridge." Kiyohime gave a stiff nod, her hands moving for her blades.
Kageno ignored his two guards for a moment. He would never forget seeing the Mizukage, the best of all kage, being used as a mere puppet. That enraged him, even if Kageno was not always in Yagura's good graces. Kageno was still loyal to his village and would personally end anyone's life who attempted to use them.
Besides, his anger towards Tobi was personal.
"Mizukage-sama," Ao said. "Shouldn't we take more precaution? This man is beyond that of your normal S-rank shinobi."
"This isn't time for statistics Ao." The statement alarmed both Kiri shinobi. Kageno was always about statistics and data, thinking and re-thinking situations five-times more than the normal person did. To seem him act without thinking meant something serious was wrong. "I know this impostor well enough."
"Impostor?" questioned Kiyohime.
"Don't think that I willingly joined with Orochimaru just for the sake of an accomplish medic." Kageno said snidely. "I've learned through one of his guards, Suigetsu, that Orochimaru has the real body of Uchiha Madara as well as Sarutobi Sasuke. When he will use it, I figure sometime soon. There are greater powers rising and he will need every advantage just to survive against his own men, let alone me."
"Ambush!" Ao said as his Byakugan picked up four men attacking from nearby trees.
Before Kiyohime or Ao could react, Kageno had already sprung into action. With one spinning kick, he sent three of the four attackers away. He completed his spin by palming the fourth man's face with his right hand, his left hand holding a hand seal.
"Mizu Kinjutsu: Scorch Execution." Kageno said.
Kiyohime and Ao watched as the man's body began to shrivel up. Kageno then pulled his hand away, a large amount of water floating in his palm, the man's dehydrated body hitting the ground. Kageno then used the water gained from the deceased to form a Water Clone.
Ao saw the shock on Kiyohime's face but kept his face neutral. Kageno was a master of water and he was only getting better as the years went by. Ao then looked at the last three attacking shinobi, seeing that they were once a part of Kusagakure, as seen from their forehead protectors with a slash through the emblem.
"S-Sasori-sama has placed a price on the heads of the Gokage." one of the men said.
"Which one of you is the weakest?" Kageno asked. Two of the shinobi looked at one another before pushing a teenage brunette towards Kageno. "Hmm… You do look weak."
"I-I'm a sh-shinobi f-from Kusagakure. D-Don't underestimate me!" the teen said.
"Have you seen the power of the Mizukage before?" Ao crossed his arms before Kageno raised his hands into the air. The snow and ice beneath the two older Kusa Nins shot up and pierced them, their bodies hung on two ice peaks. "Run to your leader and tell him of what you saw."
The boy nodded furiously before turning and running off. Ao closed his visible eye before Kageno's clone chased after the boy.
"Let's go. My target is ahead." Kageno said.
"Hai." Ao and Kiyohime said in unison.
Sakura eyed the children carefully, as well as the adults in the area. She has come to know the routine in such a short time. Then again, she has to. Just one detail missed and Shiori was gone, again.
"Haruno-san," Sakura's eyes hardly moved to see Jakken and to an untrained shinobi, they would believe that she was still busy watching the students leave. "Lady Shiori has been accompanied home by Ranmaru-san and Sayuri-san."
"Hai." Sakura replied, knowing that her day was only half-way done. She still had to put in hours at the hospital before returning to her new apartment set up by Naruto.
Sakura gave Jakken a small bow before a badger-masked ANBU appeared using a Smoke Shushin in the area.
"Haruno-san," the woman said. "Yukimaru is being attacked in Uzushio by Akatsuki member, Hidan. Lady Mei has ordered you to head there immediately."
Sakura nodded before taking off quickly. The badger-masked ANBU then turned towards Jakken.
"What are your orders, sir?" she questioned.
"Secure the perimeter around the Kaibunkage Estate and prepare the seals. We will not fail in protecting her again." Jakken said confidently.
"Hai."
Sumaru glared at Kisame. His pride kept Doki from interfering at the moment, as well as Naruto's kept Kazudan sidelined. They needed to prove that they were kage and well suited to sit among the elite. And what better way to do it than against Hoshigaki Kisame and Uchiha Itachi?
"Well… You're not so bad after all." stated Kisame. "Your chakra reserves are pretty damn high considering you're using that cursed chakra from the star."
Sumaru smirked. "My body has done more than gotten used to this chakra. It reproduces it naturally."
"Go ahead. Samehada will absorb every ounce of chakra you have, normal or not." Sumaru's grin only widened.
"Let's find out." Sumaru said as a lavender-colored shroud of chakra surrounded him.
Kisame smirked as well before heading towards Sumaru quickly. Sumaru held a hand seal before leaping into the air. Kisame leapt after his target, but was surprised when Sumaru sprouted a pair of chakra wings. With one huge flap, Sumaru caused a large gust of chakra-infused wind to blast Kisame backwards (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough). Kisame flipped himself right-side up before sliding backwards, growling all the way.
"Bastard." Kisame muttered as Sumaru landed on the ground.
Sumaru did a few hand seals before inhaling deeply. He tilted his head and fired a blast of white flames into the air. Kisame braced himself as the flames took the shape of a phoenix. The phoenix glared down at Kisame before diving towards the ground at a high speed.
Sumaru grinned as his Fire and Wind Release: White Phoenix Bomb seemed to work when the bird creation hit with pinpoint accuracy, white flames dispersing around the area.
"Didn't think he'd be that easy." Sumaru stated before he heard a startling sound. Turning his brown eyes to see a large tidal wave headed in his direction. "I should've known."
"Lord Hoshikage! Get out of there!" Doki warned.
Sumaru began to build his chakra, spotting Kisame riding the wave created by the Exploding Water Colliding Wave technique. A small sphere of chakra formed at the tip of Sumaru's index finger as he aimed at the wave.
"He can't be serious." Kisame chuckled to himself before a large blast of the Star Shadow's chakra shot for the wave. "He is!"
The blast of chakra (Mysterious Peackock Method: Star Bullet) shot through the wave as if it was melting butter. Kisame lost his balance as the water splashed around the area violently. Doki took safe haven on the top of a nearby tree that did not get knocked over. His trained eyes canned for his leader, fingers gripping the battle-axe on his back. That was until Sumaru shot from the water, staying airborne with chakra wings.
"I wonder if Kazudan has this problem with his stubborn kage." Doki muttered to himself.
Itachi was actually impressed with Naruto. The Shodai Kaibunkage was able to dodge attacks without ever making complete eye contact with the Uchiha, making Tsukuyomi null and void. In fact, the only time Itachi could see blue was when a clone looked at him. And the more he destroyed, the more that came, each more intelligent than the last.
Despite his cool appearance, Naruto was mentally rummaging for any attack that could take the Uchiha by surprise. From what he knew, the Sharingan could only see one hundred and eighty degrees, so attacking from behind constantly was the way to go. But, Itachi was more than the Sharingan and the plan was thrown out earlier. Naruto did not want to use his sage chakra too early in fear of Itachi pulling something out of his hat and countering it. Plus, the kage did not want to use his tenant's power in face of the Sharingan.
But what chose did he have?
Itachi sent an array of shuriken towards Naruto. With the Nine-tails's chakra surging through him, Naruto was able to flip and dance around the blades. Once the last blade fell to the ground, Naruto turned his head towards Itachi and fired a sphere of wind towards him (Wind Release: Compressed Shockwave). It did not surprise Naruto when Itachi dodged the attack, a burst of dirt and debris appearing where his attack missed.
Naruto turned to see Itachi had created two Shadow Clones. Holding a hand seal and taking in a deep breath, Naruto used the signature technique from his village and released a heavy plume of smoke that blanketed the area (Ninja Art: Smoke Hide Jutsu).
"So you're attempting to blind me with your smoke?" Itachi spoke calmly. "A likable move."
"I'm guessing it's too late to ask what you're doing here, huh?" the voice of Naruto reached Itachi and his two clones.
"I came here to retrieve the Kyubi. Nothing more." Naruto chuckled at this.
"Well, he doesn't want to go. He says while he hates me, he hates the Uchiha just a little more." Naruto replied. "And while I would love to actually see the fight between you and Sasuke, I can tell how one-sided it would be. Sasuke would wipe the floor with you."
Naruto was shocked when Itachi smirked.
"My little brother couldn't amount to the power that I have." Itachi spoke. "And I will show you just exactly what I'm capable of!"
Naruto took in a sharp breath as a large body exo-skeleton that looked to be made of pure chakra formed around his opponent. He had never seen or heard of such a technique.
"Oh boy…" murmured the Kaibunkage.
From a safe distance, Konan watched the battle between the two pseudo-kage and Itachi and Kisame. Her eyes narrowed once she saw Itachi use Susanoo. There plan was to defeat Naruto, not kill him.
Her eyes then turned to the large sphere of water a few yards away from Naruto and Itachi's battle. Kisame had trapped the Hoshikage within his Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave. She was slightly interested that the leader of such a small and weak village could force Kisame to use such a technique. Kisame was not one to show-off for no reason, so this Hoshikage must be a decent fighter.
Konan then moved to Itachi's battle when she saw something a bit startling.
"Don't kill him." Konan muttered.
Naruto, now in a mixture of his sage and jinchuriki form, watched as the large exoskeleton threw some form of shuriken at him. To Naruto, it appeared to be three tomoe linked together on a ring of some sort (Yasaka Magatama). Doing two hand seals, Naruto channeled a large amount of his chakra and raised his hands. Absorbing the attack took more out of him than he thought.
"No…" Itachi said to himself before he saw the same attack tossed at Naruto being sent towards him.
Itachi positioned the Yata Mirror in front of him while mentally congratulating Naruto. Whether the blond knew it or not, he had caught Itachi off guard. Itachi thought that Naruto would use Hirashin to dodge the attack, not send it back to him using a Space-Time Barrier. As the attack hit the mirror, Itachi felt his body grow weaker. The force was a lot greater than he had expected. But little by little, it began to be sealed away into the mirror.
"Rasengan!" Itachi's eyes widened as he turned his head. His decaying Susanoo was already attempting to seal its own attack. Now there were hundreds of blonds raining down on it, each with a well-sized Rasengan in hand.
"Dammit!" Itachi cursed as he forced the right arm of his guardian, swinging its blade to clear the clones and hopefully the original.
A large explosion of dust covered the area, debris flying everywhere. When the smoke cleared, Itachi stood in his original spot, his Sharingan now showing three-tomoe. He searched the area for the real Naruto before spotting the Kaibunkage standing a few feet away with his arms crossed.
"You're tough." Naruto said. "Too bad you don't have the chakra to continue with whatever that was."
Itachi smirked. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Ditto…" Naruto said as he did hand seals. "A few years ago, I might've taken this time to chat with you and find out why you're doing this. Now… I just don't care."
Naruto inhaled before firing a Compressed Shockwave. Itachi dodged the attack swiftly, throwing several of kunai at his opponent. Naruto, now in his altered form, moved quickly and came for Itachi. Itachi dodged a punch by Naruto, spotting the red trench knife on his fist, before feeling a slash across his cheek. He hardly had time to process this as a clone of Naruto appeared in front of him, readied with a kick. Itachi brought his forearms up to block the kick, yet the power of it sent him flying backwards.
Naruto dispelled his clone and turned to see where Itachi landed.
"Huh… Maybe I should've tried that earlier." Naruto said to himself.
Itachi slowly stood up. In such a short time, he had wasted so much chakra and he had yet to do what he wanted to. Now that his Sharingan was inactive, he could conserve some energy. He could not out-power Naruto in the chakra department, but he could out wit him.
"Here we go!" Naruto said coming for Itachi again.
Itachi held his arms forward, several of crows flying for Naruto. The blond braced himself, making sure to not to lock eyes with Itachi. However, when Naruto turned to look at the ground, a flash of red caught his eye that made the hair on the back of his neck raise.
He was now staring directly into the Mangekyo Sharingan of Uchiha Itachi.