Kaibunkage
Arc III
Chapter VI
"Among tomorrow's generation are people that will one day surpass today's. That is why it's our duty to protect and guide them so when the time comes, they will be ready to lead the village."
- Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama
Naruto quietly searched through Shion's collection of books in the library. Many of them were fundamentals of seals, ninjutsu, genjutsu, and other shinobi techniques, especially those used by former priestesses. There were quite a few books that detailed about certain demons, like Mōryō, and others had history in them. Then there very few of these books that were romance novels that Naruto had avoided at all costs, simply because he never cared for them.
But now Naruto was looking for one of those books as it had a message from Shion for him. He knew that whatever it was must have been important for Shion to contact him through their daughter.
Finding the book, Naruto opened it up to a marked page where a folded up note fell to the floor.
"What did you leave for me, Shion-chan?" Naruto asked picking the paper up and unfolding it. "Let's see…"
Reading the note, the Kaibunkage's eyes widened in shock before he began laughing. His laughter grew to the point that Mei, who had been watching over the sleeping Shiori, entered with curiosity. It had been quite some time since she had heard him laugh like this and was wondering what could put the young kage in such good spirits.
"Naruto…?" Mei said slowly.
"It's…!" Naruto attempted to calm himself down, having to sit in the chair behind Shion's former desk. "Oh… This is funny."
"What is it?" Mei questioned.
Naruto took in a few breaths to calm down as he sat back in the chair. Once he was calm enough to look Mei in the face, she was momentarily brought back to the grinning goofball that had come to Kiri to ask her to join Kemuri in the first place along with Gyaku.
"Shion-chan," Naruto began before smiling again. "She actually pulled the greatest prank of all time."
Mei raised a brow. "And what would that be?"
Naruto rose. "Don't worry about it Mei-chan. Sooner or later, I'll tell you." Mei gave a small, questioning nod. "I have to return to HQ to report about the battling here. I'll be back before Shiori-chan even wakes up."
"Sure Naruto." Mei said.
The blond chuckled some more before leaving using Hirashin. Mei only shook her head before smiling herself.
"Welcome back, Naruto-kun."
Udon sighed as he entered the former Uchiha stronghold. His grandfather had once told him that this was where the former Uchiha Clan had devised a plan to overthrow Hiruzen. Now it was where Sasuke went to be alone. Of course, the Otokage was nowhere around at the time, which meant that he could use it for the moment.
"Now to contact the others." Udon said quietly before looking around. "Zetsu!"
"He's not here." Udon was slightly shocked when Suigetsu was sitting at the "throne" in the meeting hall.
"Suigetsu? What are you doing here?" questioned Udon.
"You spied on the allies, right?" Udon nodded. "Then I want to know one thing." Udon was unprepared for Suigetsu to rise quickly from the seat. "Where did they take Zabuza's sword?"
Udon smiled a bit before chuckling. Soon he began laughing out loud. Suigetsu, angered that he was being mocked by Danzo's grandson, quickly dashed for Udon. However, he stopped once he felt something off about Udon. Something he once felt about Kabuto's chakra.
"Haruno Sakura defeated Zabuza. If you want his sword, you're going to have to deal with her." Udon finally answered. "You may be able to absorb her blows, but if she catches you in a genjutsu, there's nothing you can do."
"I've trained with Sasuke for that." Udon raised a brow.
"Do you think Sasuke would be able to break Sakura's genjutsu without his clan's eyes?" The question caused Suigetsu to ponder. "I need you to relay a message to my grandfather. The allies are pushing the Zetsu force away from the shores. We'll need to send the kage there."
"I'm not a messenger. You are." Suigetsu said walking by an annoyed Udon. "I'm going to retrieve that sword. If Sasuke asks, tell him."
Udon sneered but did not follow after the Sound shinobi. His goal was to avoid any and all conflict until he had reunited with his grandfather. He could not make any mistakes now or else it would cost him and possibly tilt the war in the enemies' favor.
With the war going on, Matsuri found the Hidden Star Village to be rather peaceful. Many of the shinobi that were left behind were always running around doing tasks in hope to aid the Allied Shinobi Forces in any way possible, as well as the civilians and children that were left in the village. Her only job was to stay safe and help Chiyo manufacture poisons, which she had already done so and sent them out.
Currently, Matsuri was seated on a bed in the guarded home she was staying in during the war. With the natural defenses that Hoshigakure provided added with the village's relatively unknown location, it was the best place for Matsuri to go to during the war.
Though she missed her home back in Suna.
"It's quiet." Chiyo said as she entered Matsuri's room.
"That's what happens when the battles move away from the village." Chiyo replied. Matsuri nodded in agreement. "Has the Kazekage sent you another letter?"
"No. And that scares me." said Matsuri.
"You shouldn't worry child. Kazekage Gaara has surpassed his father in terms of strength. He has the power to subdue the demon inside of him with just his will." Chiyo stated as she sits in an empty chair. "In my opinion, there is no stronger kage."
Matsuri hummed quietly. Chiyo was telling the truth when she said that Gaara could restrain Shukaku with just his will. But it took Gaara years to do so and he had still not fully tamed the tanuki. Plus, there were the rumors that Matsuri's unborn child could have some of Shukaku's chakra with him or her. The couple did not want to know the sex of the baby at the time, finding a surprise much more suitable. As strange as it sounded, Gaara actually liked surprises.
Chiyo looked at Matsuri. "Have you eaten anything today?" Matsuri shrugged, more concentrated on her thoughts than Chiyo's question. "Then let's get you and that child of yours fed. We wouldn't want Kazekage Gaara to hear about you starving yourself."
"Sure." Matsuri murmured.
Tsunade and Ē watched as Naruto took in a few deep breaths. Neither said a word but they could somehow both feel the pain radiating off of the young Kaibunkage.
"Are you alright?" Tsunade finally asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah… But I had to use…" Naruto paused. "A very strong technique and despite me using it time and time again, it still hurts."
The Raikage grunted. "That wouldn't have happened if you would've stayed here and worked on the seals as you were ordered."
"Your brother's alive as well, by the way. No thank-yous necessary." The youngest kage present said. Ē let out a low growl at Naruto's tone and statement. "I'm going to move my studies into the palace in Demon Country. Our forces took a heavy hit there and I doubt Sumaru will be able to break through in time to save them incase of another attack."
"You think that you can stand up to an army alone?" Naruto smirked at Ē's question.
"I just did."
The bold, yet honest, answer had caused Raikage and Hokage to look at one another before back at Naruto. Shikaku and Mabui, two of the few people that heard Naruto clearly, were stunned as well. Akane, however, was not as she had witnessed spars between the Kaibunkage and Hoshikage. And while she would like to think that her kage is the greatest of the seven allied kage, she knew that the strength of the Kaibunkage was a terrifying sight to behold.
"Since there's no point arguing," Tsunade said. "Allow me to make sure that you're alright."
Naruto sighed. "Sure Baa-chan, but hurry up. Our forces are heavily damaged in Demon Country and I'm the only one that can get there fast enough to-"
"We just received word from Hoshigakure!" The statement caused the three kage to tense. "Sasori has been seen near the village!"
Ē grunted. "What does he want in that village? The biju are-"
"He's not after them." Naruto quickly interrupted. "He's after someone else."
"Who?" Tsunade asked.
"Matsuri." Naruto's words caused the others in the room to tense up. "What is Gaara's location?"
"He's nowhere near Hoshi." Shikaku stated.
"Who's closest?" Naruto asked.
"At the moment, the quickest support we can provide is from Demon Country." Shikaku explained. "However, moving them will only damage-"
"Doki!" Naruto called. The large man appeared in the room, his battle axe ready in his arm. "I'm sending you Hoshi. Track down Sasori and if he has Matsuri, do so without hurting her."
"Hai, Lord Kaibunkage." Doki replied with a bow.
"Are you sure he is capable of taking on someone like Sasori?" Ē questioned.
"Just as Kazudan is my enforcer, he is Sumaru's. And if Sumaru trusts his powers, then so do I." Naruto answered. "Besides, I need someone who can navigate safely through the canyons of Hoshi."
"He's right. Doki knows the terrain of Hoshigakure better than anyone else, sans Akane, and we need her here." Shikaku added.
"Then do it." Ē said.
"Doki, my marker within the village is behind Sumaru's desk. From there, you'll have to find Sasori fast." Doki nodded at Naruto's instructions. "Once you're in Hoshi, find Matsuri and return her to her safe house. You will be station there until I can have Nori send someone there to relocate her."
"Hai Lord Kaibunkage." Doki said.
Konohamaru watched as the beast returned to his human form.
"His scent goes into there." Marashu informed his two teammates and Konohamaru. "But there are others inside there."
"Sayuri, how many do you think you can take out?" Ranmaru asked.
Sayuri shrugged. "I don't know. All of them maybe?"
"Why did I ask…?" The red-eyed teen questioned.
"Are you positive Udon's in there?" When all three members of Team Naruto nodded, Konohamaru's eyes narrowed. "Then stand back. I'll take care of them and Udon!"
"Hey, we have to do this by the book." Sayuri said, causing Konohamaru to stare at her. "There's an art to sneaking into places. Do you think we just barged into Konoha when we were looking for Tsunade?"
"Sayuri's right." Ranmaru said before gripping his blades and pulling them from their sheath. "That's why I'll distract the others while you find Udon."
"Ranmaru-"
"Naruto-sensei gave us each a specific part when we were first put on teams, remember?" Ranmaru said, stopping Sayuri from saying whatever she was going to say. "Marashu was used for brawling because of his strength and 'tough skin'. You were used to scout out the area to find the target before reporting back to us. And I, the kid that didn't like bloodshed or fighting, was used for diversions so we could escape."
"Yeah but…" Sayuri said, looking at Marashu for support.
"We'll clear them all out. Together." Konohamaru was shocked when Marashu spoke. The guy had hardly said anything all trip long. "Ranmaru, you're better suited with Sayuri. I'll make a direct path to Shimura-san."
Ranmaru nodded. "Fine. Sayuri, let's go!"
"Hai!" Sayuri called using her Mayfly Technique and burrowing underground.
Ranmaru took off at high speeds. Konohamaru just watched closely. This was Team Naruto in action. They were to Kemuri what the Sannin were to Konoha. And as he ran behind Marashu, he knew that it was actually a pleasure to see them working together.
"Stay behind me!" Marashu called to Konohamaru.
Konohamaru nodded before he spotted three Ishi shinobi coming for them. While he wanted to jump in front of Marashu and dispose of the oncoming threats, he honored his word to the Smoke Nin and stayed behind him. And judging from Marashu's pace, the shape-shifting shinobi was not worried at all.
"Mine!" Konohamaru nearly tripped once he saw three versions of Sayuri spring up from the ground, surprising him and the Stone Nins. "Eat this!"
Marashu zoomed by as Sayuri's clones shocked the opposing ninja with her Demonic Lightning. Konohamaru could not help but to watch as Sayuri's clones dispelled into a puddle of water afterwards. The grandson of the Third Hokage turned his attention in front of him.
An ambush appeared on Konohamaru's right, a barrage of kunai coming for Konohamaru and his escort. Konohamaru's speed deterred as he prepared to dodge the attack to the best of his abilities. However, Ranmaru quickly appeared between Konohamaru and the kunai, using his Black Tornado Technique to counter the blades. Konohamaru, who had nearly stopped completely, turned his attention to see Marashu run inside of the Uchiha Compound. He pushed to catch up with Marashu until Marashu stopped completely.
"What's wrong?" Konohamaru asked.
Marashu didn't answer, standing still while there were battles going on around him. Konohamaru wanted to do nothing more but jump in and fight anyone, but he had given his word that he wouldn't.
"He's on the move." Was Marashu's response before he took to his left sharply.
Konohamaru only had a second to respond to Marashu's sprint and followed as closely as possibly. Ranmaru and Sayuri joined them at Konohamaru's sides, running around the building now.
"He's sensed us." Ranmaru said.
"I told you he would." Konohamaru replied.
"Hey, it's not like we could've done all of that back there without using some chakra. And you're welcome." Sayuri angrily said.
"Sayuri," Ranmaru said. "Let's go ahead and stop Shimura-san from getting too far."
"I think you just like holding my hand." Ranmaru glared at Sayuri, but moved to her right side to grab her hand. "Alright, we'll see you on the other side Marashu."
Before Konohamaru could blink, a large black rose sprouted from the ground and closed around both Sayuri and Ranmaru before going underground. Konohamaru was slightly shocked that Sayuri could carry people with her technique but kept focused on his surroundings.
"Sarutobi, keep up." Marashu spoke.
"I…" Konohamaru stopped once Marashu had leapt into the air, transforming into a brown wolf and took off. "I'm starting to hate that."
Doki bolted out of the Hoshikage's Tower, running passed several downed shinobi, Hoshi and Suna alike.
"Doki-san!" Doki stopped at the sound of Hokuto's voice.
"Lady Sutayouji," Doki said nearing Hokuto. "Sasori. Where is he now?"
"He left." Hokuto said. "Chiyo has been injured and there are casualties near the third training ground." Hokuto's eyes saddened. "He has Matsuri."
Doki grunted. "Lord Kaibunkage thought that's what he was here for. Which way did he go?"
"Near the canyons. There's no way that Matsuri can survive the gases down there. Not her and her baby." Hokuto said.
"I need to hurry then." Doki said."
"Wait!" Doki paused in his depature, spotting an injured Chiyo nearing the duo. "I have to go with you."
"Chiyo-sa-"
"I have to go." Chiyo interrupted Doki, stopping the man from rejecting her offer to travel with him. "We need to hurry. The Kazekage's child is at stakes."
Doki looked at Hokuto who nodded.
"I will fly ahead and see if I can't find him." Hokuto announced releasing some of her rainbow-colored chakra. "Doki, Sasori had spies amongst those from Suna. If you can, find them and eliminate them."
"Hai." Doki said before Hokuto used her Mysterious Peacock Method: Wings and flew off. "Lady Chiyo, are you ready?"
Chiyo gave a small nod and the two took off, Doki slowing his speed down to stay with Chiyo.
"The Kaibunkage sent you, didn't he?" Doki nods at Chiyo's question and the elder smiled a bit. "The Kazekage's trust wasn't misguided then."
"Not at all." Doki replied.
Standing not even a full twenty yards from the Uchiha Hideout, Udon was impressed. Not only did Team Naruto prove to be great fighters, as well as tacticians, but they had found him while he was suppressing his chakra. And while that was a feat of its own, they had done so while making it appear that they were lost. They truly lived up to their hype.
"Alright Udon," Konohamaru said stepping in front of Ranmaru. "I'll ask this once. Give up now or else."
Udon chuckled darkly. "Or else what?"
"What the hell is wrong with you?! Can't you see that there's no way that you'll win!" Konohamaru growled.
"What's wrong with me? I'll tell you." Udon said. "The Nidaime Hokage, Senju Tobirama, overlooked my grandfather to pick yours as the third. Who was it that helped our relations with Ame? My grandfather! Who helped us in every major battle we had? My grandfather! Hiruzen was nothing more but a patsy!"
"Udon…" Konohamaru muttered.
"And now look at us. The same as they were." Udon continued. "You're loyal to your clan, so why can't I be loyal to mine?"
"Because your grandfather was a traitor!" retorted the Sarutobi. "He died as a traitor to his village! He was working with Orochimaru this entire time!" Konohamaru's anger doubled when Udon snickered. "What's so damn funny?!"
"You. You were always so quick to jump to conclusion." Udon answered. "The Godaime Hokage… He is still alive." Udon then smirked. "Which is more than I can say about you four!"
Konohamaru barely saw the beast made of red lightning coming for him. He had heard of Gyaku's fatal Demonic Lightning: Beast Incarnation, it being used to destroy several civilians and shinobi in Water Country during Gyaku's search for the Rokubi. So caught up in the attack, he missed Sayuri moving in front of the attack to take it.
"I see that the students of Naruto-san are just as impulsive as he is." Udon said as Sayuri dropped to her knees. "Even a full-blooded Hirameki such as yourself can't take Gyaku's attack without repercussions."
"That does it!" Konohamaru called, only for Ranmaru to place a hand on his shoulder. "What?! What are you doing?!"
Ranmaru's response was a simple point at his kneeling teammate. The girl's body seemed to be completely paralyzed for a moment before small sparks of red lightning was seen coming from her. Soon the teen Hirameki rose to her feet, her purple hair covering her face like her brother's. Slowly, Sayuri pressed her hands together.
"Hajime."
The males around Sayuri watched as her hair turned to its original black color. Gyaku was the first to sense the spike of chakra coming from his younger sister and prepared himself for a battle unlike the previous ones that they had. And when Sayuri pushed her hair from her face, his presumptions were verified.
"Whoa…" Konohamaru let out as he saw the bright red hooks beneath Sayuri's eyes.
"Not this time bastard!" Sayuri shouted as her body was engulfed in her Demonic Lightning similar to Ē's Lightning Release Armor. "This time I'm going to force you to take me seriously!"
In a flash of blood red, Sayuri was gone from her spot. Udon could not believe what he had witnessed and had less time to try to as Sayuri was now beside him . Gyaku's large blade had stopped Sayuri from piercing Gyaku with her dirks, the younger Hirameki disappearing again with a simple Body Flicker.
"Sarutobi-san, now!" Marashu ordered.
Udon snapped out of his thoughts as his former teammate ran towards him quickly, though not as fast as the Smoke kunoichi battling her older brother. Udon, not taking any chances, flew threw a small set of hand seals and inhaled. Calculating Konohamaru's speed and predicting Konohamaru's likely direction to dodge, Udon released his Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.
Konohamaru stirred left, being hit in his right shoulder and leg. Not taking the pain into any consideration at the time, Konohamaru countered with by spewing a large fireball at his former teammate. He knew that Udon was a Wind-user, so any ninjutsu Udon knew would only backfire. He was not counting for the large stone owl to erect between Udon and the attack, taking the fireball for Udon.
With his Guardian of the Forest technique in play, Udon tossed two kunai in Konohamaru's direction. The Sarutobi steered left until a blinding light came from the missed blade projectiles, taking away his sight temporarily. However, Konohamaru got around this by creating a Shadow Clone that stopped Udon's pursuit.
"Clever…" Udon muttered as the kunai in his hand met the kunai in the clone's hand. "Very clever."
As his vision came back, Konohamaru could see Gyaku fighting all three members of Team Naruto in the distance. Konohamaru then turned his attention to his clone and Udon. Udon was currently retreating backwards while throwing digging into his pockets. Konohamaru's clone chasing after Udon with malicious intentions.
"You're still predictable!" Udon said before retrieving three shuriken. Konohamaru watched as Udon infused his Wind chakra into the blades, making them spin on his fingers. "Let's see you dodge this Honorable Grandson!"
Udon launched the shuriken before employing the Shadow Shuriken Clone Technique with the original technique. Konohamaru's clone was dispelled instantly while the real one began to move backwards as fast as he could in attempt to get out of the range of the blades' range. However, when Konohamaru believed he was out of range, he found himself standing on something sticky. Looking down he noticed that it was one of Udon's Syrup Bombs something that they had used as pranks in the past.
"Damn it!" Konohamaru grunted.
Udon charged for Konohamaru, a kunai in the teen's hand. The grandson of Hiruzen thought quickly going through another set of hand seals. Udon's eyes narrowed slightly before Konohamaru unleashed another Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, this one large than the first. Udon moved left to dodge, still heading for Konohamaru.
It was only when Udon was near striking range that he saw something in Konohamaru's hand. And that particular "something" was something that caused him to roughly jerk left as Konohamaru thrust his hand forward.
"Rasengan!" Konohamaru called.
Udon was able to dodge the attack safely, though he mentally berated himself for forgetting Konohamaru's strongest attack.
Konohamaru watched Udon stop a few paces away and looked at his feet. Normally, spraying water on the syrup will liquefy it and lessens the adhesiveness. Unfortunately Konohamaru did not know any Water-style ninjutsu so his only hope was to dry out the sticky substance to the point that he could break free. And he had to do this without burning himself, something his chunin years were all about; misusing Fire-style techniques and burning himself.
Udon watched as Konohamaru created two Shadow Clones and grimaced. He could never spar against Konohamaru one-on-one, he figured. Still he smirked. He was no Nara, but he could still be considered a tactical genius.
This battle should be over real soon.
Sasuke watched as Tobi stared into the raining clouds of Amegakure, lost in thought. He was not the only one staring at the mask man. Both Danzo and Konan were also doing the same thing. Tobi appeared too far in his mind to even notice them.
"You seem worried." Danzo voiced. Tobi slowly turned to him. "This war is going exactly as we planned it, except for Matsuo's death."
"You shouldn't worry about anything. Once the biju are captured and Naruto is dead, the war will be over." Sasuke added.
Konan watched Tobi's lone eye move from Danzo to Sasuke and finally land on her. She refused to admit how futile this was. Her men and women of Ame were dying for nothing. Naruto defeated Nagato one-on-one. In her mind, that made him as strong as a god. None of the men in the room would be able to defeat him alone, and together their separate egos would get in the way.
"There is something that you should know," Tobi said. "Something that Itachi did."
Sasuke frowned. "What are you talking about?"
"As reported by Konan," Tobi continued. "Naruto can create Susanoo."
"The dobe doesn't have the Sharingan. He doesn't know how to-"
"He does. But you're missing the big thing Itachi did." Sasuke, and Danzo, were both quiet with frowns marring their faces. "When Minato sealed the Kyubi into Naruto, he sealed its Yang chakra. When Itachi gave Naruto Susanoo, he gave Naruto his Yin chakra. And Naruto himself knows how to enter Sage Mode."
"I don't get it. They're all basically the same thing." Sasuke said.
"No, they're not." Danzo stated. "True, they can all give Naruto a chakra cloak that protects him. But one of them is a creation of his imagination, the other is life, and the third being made of natural energy. In simpler terms," Sasuke grunted at the phrase. "Naruto has all three pieces of-"
"The Sage of Six Paths." Konan's eyes went wide at Tobi's words. "If he somehow learns to perfectly mesh the three, he will be able to fight against the Jubi, whether the beast is fully revived or not."
"Added with the power of Shiori and your plans may fail. Severely." Danzo added. "So what are you going to do?"
Tobi sat silent for a moment, his attention back to the clouds above the Hidden Rain Village. After a minute or two, he turned his attention back to those in the room.
"We wait it out." His words received a combination of expressions from the others. Konan simply raised a thin brow, Sasuke merely snorted, and Danzo appeared amused. Tobi looked back outside, a smirk coming on his masked face. "Like the rain in Ame, Naruto will soon tire and have to take a break before returning full force. And just like the children takes advantage of the breaks from rain in the village to play," Tobi glanced back at his temporary comrades. "We will take advantage of a tired Uzumaki Naruto."
"Hn." spoke the Otokage. "Just as long as I'm the one that kills him."
"As promised." Tobi replied.
Sasuke only nodded, though he mentally disagreed with everything he had just heard. There was no way possible that Naruto had grown that strong in the last decade. When they fought years ago at the Valley of the End, Naruto had relied on the chakra of the Nine-tailed Fox and when they battled in Konoha months ago, Naruto had used the fox's chakra and Sage Mode. If one was to take away one of those elements, the biju's chakra being the easiest to restrain, then Naruto was nothing more but another weak kage.
Gyaku brought his broadsword up to intercept the strike from Ranmaru's Lightning Fangs. His Apparition Clone stood with its back against his, attacking the quicker Sayuri.
"Not good enough." Gyaku said as he kicked Ranmaru in the chest, the teen toppling backwards. "Naruto should be ashamed! You are all nothing!"
Gyaku fired a blast of his Demonic Lightning towards Ranmaru, only for Sayuri to sprout from the ground and absorb it. He grunted and ended his attack, realizing that his sister had somehow learned how to absorb their kekkei genkai without any drawbacks.
"Eat this bastard!" Sayuri called as she redirected Gyaku's attack in the form of her Demonic Lightning: Beast Incarnation.
Gyaku sent his clone to intercept the attack as he moved backwards. He barely had time to catch Marashu's attack coming for him and shielded himself in the nick of time.
"Damn…" Gyaku said sliding backwards.
"Take me seriously!" Gyaku's eyes caught Sayuri and he brought his blade up to protect him from her dirks. The red sparks that flew off of their respective weapons caused him to mentally congratulate his younger sister for her prowess. "Stop bullshitting and take me seriously!"
"You want serious?" replied the former Smoke Nin. "Let's see you handle it bitch!"
Ranmaru watched as Sayuri quickly darted backwards, regrouping with him and Marashu. Gyaku stood with a sinister smirk hardly seen on his face due to the black curtain of hair draping from his head.
"Gate of Death…" Gyaku muttered. "Open."
The power that surged through Gyaku caused Team Naruto to grow tense and worried.
"How is this possible?" Marashu questioned.
Ranmaru's eyes were slightly narrow as he tried to decipher how Gyaku could use such a risky technique at will.
"It's his Reihando." Ranmaru looked at Sayuri as she explained. "Gyaku has eaten several souls and has taken their abilities with them. While his body will be in extreme pain afterwards, he will ultimately live this move by removing one of those souls from himself."
Ranmaru nodded. "I see. That's why Naruto-sensei warned us about going against him. He can practically-"
"Steal your dojutsu." Sayuri interrupted. "Which is why," Ranmaru and Marashu feared what Sayuri was going to say next but remained silent. "I have to fight him alone."
"That's impossible." Marashu said. "Even with your new speed and strength, you would not be able to defeat him alone."
"Marashu is right." Ranmaru added. "None of us would be able to-"
Ranmaru barely caught Sayuri's fists embedding themselves in his and Marashu's gut, sparking them both with her Demonic Lightning.
"S-Sayuri…" Ranmaru groaned as he fell to the ground paralyzed.
"I'm sorry." Sayuri muttered before staring at her brother. She gripped her dirks tightly. "Alright… Let's do this!"
Neither Ranmaru nor Marashu caught Sayuri leaving the area, her speed nearly doubled in the last few seconds.
"Y-you have to admit…" Marashu struggled to say. "She's as fast as Naruto-sensei now."
Ranmaru did not respond, trying to override the paralysis. He would not have Sayuri die in this war, no matter if he had to beat Gyaku or the paralysis from theHirameki Clan's Demonic Lightning. He would protect his precious people no matter what.
"Bastard!"
Udon dodged Konohamaru's Rasengan, watching the tree behind him be knocked to the ground. His plan to tire Konohamaru was starting to become more and more of a challenge with each passing second.
Using the Great Breakthrough, Udon watched as his former teammate struggle against the force of the wind before ultimately losing and flying backwards. Not wasting any time, Udon prepared another trap for Konohamaru, this one using explosive tags and his Syrup Bombs. If he could get Konohamaru stuck this time, then it would most certainly be the last.
Konohamaru brushed himself off as he rose. He realized that Udon had stopped pushing him backwards, meaning a trap was being set. Konohamaru was not the brightest, but he sure wasn't completely dumb.
"Where is he?" Konohamaru asked as he scanned the area. "This would be so much easier with Hanabi." Konohamaru saw two small sparks of red appear suddenly in front of him. "Damn!"
The teen fell backwards to avoid what was Sayuri and her brother fighting at high speeds. He could not see them, or sense them, just spotting to flashes of red and the sound of metal clanging together a few minutes later.
Swiftly getting to his feet, Konohamaru spotted Udon moving towards him. Thinking quickly, Konohamaru executed the Ash Pile Burning. He knew that Udon was trapped in the cloud and thought about setting it ablaze right then and there. However, thoughts of his friend being killed by his hand made him hesitate which was more than enough for Udon to send one large ball of wind chakra into Konohamaru (Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere).
"You couldn't do it, huh?" Despite the pain, Konohamaru was able to sit up and watch Udon walk towards him with a smirk. "Just like your grandfather. He couldn't kill Orochimaru, so Orochimaru did us all the favor and killed him."
"Don't talk about my grandpa like that!" Konohamaru threatened.
"Or what?" Udon questioned. "I know every move you have at your disposal. I know every move before you make it."
Konohamaru only stared at Udon as the teen grabbed a kunai and blew some of his Wind chakra on it, extending the blade.
"Don't worry," Udon said. "This will be over soon."
Konohamaru closed his eyes and held a hand seal.
"You don't know a one-handed jutsu except for your pathetic clones." Udon said before looking at his feet. "What the-"
Using the Earth Release: Earth Flow River, Konohamaru pushed Udon farther backwards. The teen Shimura felt his back slam against a tree and glared as Konohamaru rose to his feet.
"You don't know everything about me." Konohamaru replied as he stepped onto the muddy ground between himself and Udon. He held the same hand seal again.
Udon watched as Konohamaru glided towards him on a small wave of mud. He quickly leapt into the tree his back had previously rammed into. Unsurprisingly, Konohamaru followed him quickly. Udon kept his attention in front of him, only reading Konohamaru's moves from Konohamaru's chakra alone. He knew that Konohamaru would eventually catch up to him, especially since they were moving through the trees, a Sarutobi forte.
But that was all a part of his plan.
"Give up!" Konohamaru ordered as he neared Udon.
Udon smirked before stepping on the wire to start the entire the series of explosions he had set up. As soon as he heard the first explosion and felt the tree begin to tumble, he leapt into the air and completed a set of hand seals.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Konohamaru watched as his friend flew off on a rather large owl as he fell to the forest floor, being buried with the trees Udon caused to collapse. He vowed that he would not die here. He would beat Udon once and for all, whether he had to kill him or not.
Gyaku smirked as he watched his younger sister struggle to stand on her feet. Despite his thoughts of killing her and taking their clan's sacred dirks that she possessed, he was actually proud of her abilities. Enemy or not, she was still his baby sister.
"Get up," Gyaku said. "Get up and die fighting just like your pathetic parents." Sayuri stood completely, her dirks tightly in her hands. "That's it. Show me that you're just as weak and spineless as they were!"
Sayuri put both of her dirks in her right hand as she held her left hand out towards Gyaku. The former Smoke ninja was highly amused at Sayuri's empty palm, especially when she inhaled and closed her eyes.
"Magnet Release," she muttered. "Repulsion!"
Gyaku frowned when he felt a strange feeling surge through him before he was literally thrown backwards from an unseen force. His body rolled on the ground, the strange feeling becoming lesser the farther he was away from Sayuri. Finally, he was able to stand to see Sayuri still standing in her spot.
"That was good," Gyaku growled angrily. "But let's see you do that again!"
Flaring his chakra, Gyaku headed for Sayuri. His movement could not be tracked by the average eye, being nothing more by ghostly blur as he charged for the Kemuri jonin. His fist cocked back, he threw a heavy haymaker for Sayuri.
Only to find that he missed.
"Wha…?" Was he could get out before his body was sent away from Sayuri's again. This time he was able to stay on his feet, sliding several of yards away from Sayuri. "What was that? Did she move?"
Sayuri dropped to her knees, coughing heavily. She had to thank Sakura for her new bloodline, but the price she paid to use it to stop something as powerful as a blow from Gyaku was different from pushing away a few small shuriken or kunai. That took more chakra than she could have guessed.
"So that's it?" Sayuri's eyes went wide as Gyaku was now behind her. "I'm disappointed." Sayuri bit her lip to stop a scream as her brother gripped her by her hair and yanked hard. "Then again, you were always a disappointment to your pathetic parents. The clan looked at you for the disease that you are!"
"I know I'm not the genius that you were, but I have something that you don't." Gyaku frowned at the teen's words. "A team."
Gyaku was further confused until he witnessed a large wolf shoot from beneath the ground and tackle him. With Sayuri now free and Gyaku's blade knocked out of his hand, Gyaku easily tossed Marashu off of him before getting back onto his feet.
Looking up in time to dodge the two falling toads, Gyaku was now thoroughly pissed. He thought that Sayuri had paralyzed her teammates and that they would be unable to interfere. Yet, here they were, fighting as a team once more.
"Ranmaru!" Sayuri called.
Gyaku attempted to cover the distance between himself and his sister, but was unable to beat the boy who he deemed as Naruto's protégé from getting to Sayuri first. And like a typical shinobi from the Hidden Smoke, Ranmaru covered the area in a thick cloud of black smoke.
"Foolish child," Gyaku grunted. "Don't you know that I am a Smoke Nin? I've learned this trick years ago!"
However, when the smoke cleared, none of the teenagers were there. Gyaku found that they had all escaped, just like chunin of Kemurigakure were told to use the technique for. Yet, Gyaku was not angry. He wanted things to be interesting and knew that they were all at their limits.
So now began the fun part. Tracking down a tracking team and killing them before they could restore their chakra and defend themselves.
"But first, I need to find the daimyo." Gyaku muttered with a sadistic smile. "Then my sister and her friends can die."
Konohamaru stared at Team Naruto. They were all pretty banged up, not that he was in any better condition. His eyes landed on the only female of the group and stared. He wondered just what internal battles she was currently having after fighting her brother. Despite him and Udon not being related by blood, he felt as if he had just done the same.
"We need to devise a plan." Marashu spoke.
"I agree." Ranmaru responded. "Gyaku is far stronger than we imagined. Naruto-sensei was right to say that we could not take him on by ourselves."
Marashu nodded. "He is. And with the souls he possesses, he can counter everything we throw at him."
"We will beat him." The three males looked at Sayuri as she continued. "I don't care if I have to do it by myself. Gyaku will pay for what he has done to me, my clan, Naruto-sensei, and the village! I will not let him make it to the end of this war!"
"Sayuri-chan," Ranmaru began. "Even if we were to corner him, he-"
"I don't care." Sayuri stated. "We are a team. We can beat him if we just think about it."
There was a silence amongst the four before Ranmaru spoke up.
"You're right, Sayuri-chan." Ranmaru said. "So, how do we defeat your brother?"
Sayuri's eyes showed her surprise. "Y-you're letting me lead? Don't you remember the mission in Tea Country? I-"
"Your expertise in your clan's kekkei genkai, plus your knowledge of your brother makes you the most suitable in devising a plan." Marashu interrupted.
"That," Ranmaru said. "And we might as well get used to taking orders from you if you want to be Kaibunkage."
Sayuri looked at her teammates before grinning widely.
"Alright! It's time for Kemur's Black Rose to take the lead!" she cheered.
Konohamaru only grinned. Naruto must have rubbed off on all of them in a way. He only hated the fact that Naruto was not there for him during those years, though he did not hold anything against the Shodai Kaibunkage.
"Oi, Monkey Boy!" Sayuri said, snapping Konohamaru out of his thoughts. "Are you listening? We're going to get your friend first. But you're going to be the one to bring him in."
"Just tell me what your plan is and leave the rest to me." Konohamaru declared.
During his lifetime, Sasori has only heard of a child obtaining physical traits of a biju twice; Gaara's eyes and Naruto's whiskers. Yet, both children were made jinchuriki as a baby. Side effects like that were bound to happen. However, he had never heard of a biju preserving itself within the child of the container it held unless the jinchuriki was a woman. Never has it been heard of that a male jinchuriki passed his traits of chakra beast he held to his unborn child. Yet, there were rumors that Gaara had done just that and that the unborn child of the Kazekage would have some of the tanuki's abilities or physical traits.
And that made Sasori curious as to the full capabilities of a biju.
However, he doubted the child would actually live now. He had taken Matsuri through the poisonous canyons that surrounded Hoshigakure no Sato, and the woman looked extremely pale and weak now. In his mind, he figured that no unborn child, jinchuriki or not, could live from such extremity. Though he hardly cared. His job was simply to bait Gaara out and extract Shukaku, nothing more and nothing less.
Stopping outside a dense forest that separated the ravine from the rest of Bear Country, Sasori sat Matsuri down and stared at the woman clutching her pregnant stomach.
"I… Hate you…" Matsuri spat.
"I don't care." Sasori responded before looking up at the sky. "I need you alive to get Shukaku to come to me."
"I hope he kills you!" Sasori looked at the woman with an unamused look.
"He won't." Matsuri would have replied before her unborn child decided to kick her painfully and she doubled over. "Don't worry. I don't your child will be alive for much longer."
Now crying, Matsuri glared at him. "Is this worth it? Killing me? Killing Gaara? Kill our baby?! For what?!"
"I don't have a reason other than it's my mission. I am a shinobi." Sasori's words caused Matsuri to glare up at him. "You should know. You are a shinobi of the Suna, aren't you?"
There was another unsettling silence that fell between the two before Sasori leapt backwards, five shuriken burying in the ground where he previously stood. Landing three feet where he once was, the redhead turned his attention to the three shinobi that had chased after him.
"So, you've come." Sasori said, staring directly at Chiyo. "I've been waiting for this for far too long!"
In that instant, Sasori was able to summon an army of puppets prepared for battle. Hokuto watched as Doki gripped his battle axe tightly, his eyes scanning the area while Chiyo only let out a "humph" under her breath.
"Remember," Hokuto said. "We need Lady Matsuri to be alive and unharmed."
Doki only nodded. The shinobi of the Hidden Star had a very strict code when it came to completing missions, being very similar to Suna's. If Doki died here against Sasori's puppet army, then he would die knowing that Matsuri was safe.
But he would not fail.