(Welcome to my next chapter. Hope you guys are ready to meet a couple more familiar faces of the Avatar universe.)
In Orochimaru's underground compound, Orochimaru brought Kabuto into a chamber lit by torches. Standing before them were five prisoners that were under the influence of the paralysis jutsu. Kabuto looked at his master curiously, "Lord Orochimaru, just what is it that you found during your travels that can help us against Naruto and the Akatsuki?"
Orochimaru turned to his right hand man, before reaching into his pouch pulling out five vials of blood, "Everything we need is all in these vials, Kabuto."
"So you're bringing some people back to life?" Kabuto crossed his arms.
"Not just some people. But people that will prove to be very valuable in our plan," the rogue shinobi explained, as he started the procedure. The reanimation jutsu markings appeared on the floor with the five prisoners in place. Orochimaru poured a single bit of each blood onto the spots connected to the individuals, "And now to bring forth my new army," he started hand signs, "Summoning jutsu; Reanimation!"
Suddenly the five prisoners started getting covered with ash and dust molding their bodies into different forms. Kabuto watched wondering who his master was bringing back. Soon the corpses gained color and standing before Kabuto and his master were five resurrected figures. Kabuto got a good look at them and became shocked, "Lord Orochimaru, these people..."
"Oh, you recognize them, Kabuto?" Orochimaru asked amused, "Good. Because that's exactly who they appear to be," he began introducing him, "We have Ozai, former Lord of the Fire Nation and self proclaimed Phoenix King. Next is Noatak aka Amon, Leader of the Equalists and Bloodbender Master. There's Unalaq, former chief of the North Pole and Dark Avatar. Zaheer, Leader of the Red Lotus, and Airbending master. Finally we have Kuvira of the Earth Empire, known to all as the Great Uniter. These are some of the most despicable and evil Benders in the history of the world. Truly the best."
"These were the only ones you could find, my Lord?" Kabuto inquired, "I mean I won't deny their worth, but the Avatar has had many enemies in it's different lives. Why these specifically?"
"Because most of the remains of former enemies of the Avatar from long ago are not so easily found. I was lucky enough to find the remains belonging to these five individuals. But they may be all we need. Their unique styles of combat and bending are just what we need in our ranks." Orochimaru explained.
"But my lord, as feared and powerful as they were, they were defeated by the Avatar before. Even if they almost had them." Kabuto reminded him.
"That's because they fought the Avatar individually and lost on a whim. But with their combined powers, Naruto and the Akatsuki won't stand a chance. Especially since this time they cannot be killed."
"But Naruto's ability to Energybend will remove the souls from the corpses." Kabuto noted.
"They will not let Naruto get a chance to use that ability. I can make sure of that," Orochimaru promised, "But now, it is time we got acquainted with our new allies." he formed a hand sign, and the five resurrected benders suddenly woke up and took notice of their surroundings.
"What, where am I?" Ozai asked in confusion.
"Oh, my goodness," Kuvira gasped, "Fire Lord Ozai!" Kuvira gasped in shock.
Ozai looked at Kuvira, "Who are you? In fact, who're all of you?" he looked at the other three.
"I am Amon, the leader of the Equalists!" Amon began, until Unalaq spoke.
"You're not as threatening without your mask, Amon." Unalaq mocked.
"Well, you're no nightmare yourself." Amon argued.
Zaheer rolled his eyes, "Leaders are all the same with their big egos."
"Welcome back to the world of the living, everybody." Orochimaru greeted them.
"Who're you?" Kuvira asked.
"I am Lord Orochimaru. I am a shinobi of the ninja land gone rogue."
"A shinobi?" Ozai asked, "They're still relying on the assistance of your kind?"
"Only in the ninja lands." Unalaq sighed.
"Each of you has been long since dead, but I have resurrected you back to life."
"I don't feel truly alive." Amon noted the cracks in his body.
"Yes, sadly the jutsu I used doesn't bring one back flawlessly."
"So we're each zombies?" Zaheer inquired.
"Precisely." Orochimaru confirmed.
"And why, Orochimaru, have you brought us back in these undead forms?" Ozai inquired.
"Because I require the assistance of each of you."
"Assistance?" Amon asked.
"Yes. This may come to a shock to you all, but the Avatar still lives."
"What?!" Ozai shouted.
"There's a surprise." Unalaq grumbled.
"I know you all have history with the Avatar. Aang for you, Fire Lord. And Korra for the rest of you."
"Unfortunately." Amon replied.
"Consider this a second chance for revenge," Orochimaru explained, "Another shot at the Avatar for humiliating and defeating you all."
"No!" Kuvira called, "I've learned my lesson not to mess with the Avatar. I refuse to face Korra's next life."
"As for me," Zaheer added, "Being locked in jail gave me a chance to see the fool I had been. You can count me out of this plan of yours."
"If anyone's going after the Avatar it is me." Unalaq answered.
"Get in line." Amon argued.
"I rank higher in power than all of you!" Ozai declared.
"Enough!" Orochimaru snapped, grabbing their attention, "I don't think you all realize the positions you are in. I resurrected you all as my puppets. Meaning you cannot act on your own. Only I can give you the orders to go after the Avatar."
"We'll see about that!" Amon was about to Bloodbend Orochimaru, only for the Sannin to use a hand seal making Amon freeze in place, "I can't move my body!"
"As I stated, this jutsu has you bound to me. I can make you do anything I desire. I can even send you back to the afterlife. But then I wouldn't have as much fire power then."
"You sadistic evil..." Zaheer began, only for Orochimaru to bind him the with jutsu like Amon.
"This is not a matter of choice, I'm afraid. For you will all follow my orders whether you like it or not. Plus think of this as a chance to destroy the Avatar once and for all."
"Tempting, but how can I when I no longer possess my ability to Firebend?" Ozai inquired.
"You underestimate my talents, Ozai. For I have ways of restoring to you your Firebending. That is, if you trust me." Orochimaru smirked.
"I'll accept what you have to offer so long as I can crush the Avatar."
"Not that we have a choice in the matter, but I'll take my chances." Amon added.
"Wise decision, Amon. And here. For you." Orochimaru tossed Amon a mask just like the one he used to wear.
"Perfect." Amon dawned the mask.
"I do not care to be used as a puppet," Unalaq said, "But as Amon said, there is no choice in the matter."
Orochimaru nodded before turning to Kuvira and Zaheer, "And I can plainly see you two would never follow me even with free will."
"Never." Zaheer replied.
"I'd rather stay dead than serve a mad man." Kuvira added.
"What a shame for you. Because you two will prove most useful along side the others," Orochimaru looked at them all, "Well, time to wrap the pleasantries up. I'll call you back when I am in need of your services." he formed a hand seal and the five were suddenly sealed inside coffins that sank into the ground.
Kabuto spoke to his master, "Do you intend on blocking their personalities when you send them out? Specifically to fight Naruto?"
"Actually, keeping their minds the way they are will be perfect. Imagine all the psychological taunts and belittling words they will inflict upon poor Naruto." Orochimaru snickered.
"So should we go after Naruto right now?" Kabuto asked.
"Let's not push our luck. We'll take out the Akatsuki first, and then we'll go after Naruto. And I have just the target to send them after first. Itachi Uchiha." Orochimaru smirked. Kabuto was surprised at Orochimaru's choice in first target but said nothing to avoid showing doubt in his master's plan.
Watching from outside the room was Gochi the spirit gopher. He had been secretly watching the whole scene play out, and upon hearing Orochimaru's plan left a frightened look on his face, "Oh, no-oh, no-oh, no!" he quickly burrowed into the ground and headed off.
Meanwhile far from Orochimaru's lair, Itachi was busy resting by a stream, until Gochi popped up, "Itachi! Itachi!" he cried.
Itachi was startled by the spirit's appearance, "Gochi, what're you doing here?"
"Oh, I got terrible news, Itachi! It's bad! It's so-so bad!"
Itachi held the spirit, "Calm down, and tell me what's wrong?"
"Orochimaru. He's done the worse possible thing anyone could imagine."
"What's he done now?" Itachi asked knowing it had to be serious.
"He's used that reanimation jutsu of his to bring back enemies of the Avatar!"
"Enemies of the Avatar? Who?" Itachi wondered.
"There's Fire Lord Ozai, Amon the Bloodbender, Unalaq the Dark Avatar, Zaheer of the Red Lotus, and Kuvira the Great Uniter! And what's worse, Orochimaru's sending them after you!"
Itachi looked worried, "This is not good. Reincarnating enemies like that as immortal zombies will be challenging, especially if they cannot be destroyed. But wait, does Orochimaru intend on sending them after Naruto too?"
"I'm afraid so," Gochi sighed, "Fortunately, he's being sent to the Land of Lightning to train with Killer Bee and Yugito to master his full tailed beast chakra."
"Good. He'll need that in order to match the skills of the resurrected benders." Itachi said.
"What do we do now?" Gochi asked.
"If Orochimaru is coming after me then it's time I met my end by the hands of the one who's destined to bring me down."
"Sasuke." Gochi said.
"Yes. You must find a way to make him seek me out now."
"But what about Kisame? If whoever Orochimaru sends after you doesn't stop them he will." Gochi warned him.
"Don't worry. Just do what you need to do, and the rest will play out."
"If you say so." Gochi left.
Itachi sighed, as he looked into the scream seeing the reflection of his kid brother, "Sasuke, our destined fight is upon us. I hope the victor will be you." he shed a tear.
(And there's the chapter. Five enemies of the Avatar have been reincarnated, and Orochimaru intends on pitting them against the Akatsuki and Naruto. Will Naruto get his tailed beast training done in time, or will his friends be forced to face them alone? Don't miss next time.)