Here's the chapter! I think I'll type my stories on my iPad from now on, I run into less problems that way. Yep, I'll do just that! Thank you iPad!
Naruto killed more Oto ninja's as some tried to kidnap him and take him to Orochimaru, which he wasn't particularly interested in doing thank you very much. Having cut down the Oto ninja back at the arena he could feel the emotions of everyone there, from his teammates to his sensei, and everyone else. His classmates were honestly surprised that he took the lives of enemy shinobi and wasn't expecting it-hell they probably weren't expecting to be invaded either but they are. If there was one thing Yamato taught him is that hesitating in battle is a sure way to die a lot quicker and he took it to heart. There's a chance his classmates are shinobi and like it or not they have to kill whoever invades the village and those who live within it.
He snorted, 'I sound like a Jounin.'
"Naruto, focus on the task at hand. Don't get distracted by useless thoughts."Kurama told him.
"Kurama's right, there are enemies everywhere. You don't have time to reflect on hos your classmates feel about you killing for the first time. Focus on finding Gaara." Gyūki agreed.
'I will, wait a minute!' Naruto stopped suddenly sensing an individual was blocking his path, 'Who…?'
The individual before him had pale skin, vivid green eyes, masculine facial features, two scarlet dots on his forehead and shoulder-length white hair, which he wore divided down the middle on his head (distinguished by an atypical 'zigzag' hair parting) with two separate partings on either side of his face. The male also wore a light lavender, loose-fitting, long-sleeved, zip-up shirt, black pants cut off around mid-calf, bandages wrapped around his ankles, traditional shinobi sandals, and a purple, rope-like belt tied in an inverted bow around his waist. He also wore two red, tube-like hair ornaments; one on either side of his head, securing two locks of his silvery-white hair.
Naruto sensed he was far stronger than the rest of the sound shinobi he killed, meaning this guy has to be about Chunin or Jounin level. Great.
"So…you are Naruto Uzumaki. The chosen two of Orochimaru-sama." The male spoke softly yet confidently.
The hair's on the back of Naruto's neck lifted slightly signaling him just how dangerous the person before him was, not only that but his senses were telling him the same thing.
"So he's been talking about me and Sasuke, huh? Too bad I have no interest in joining Orochimaru, will you relay that message for me?" Naruto asked politely.
"I have no intention of passing on that message for you will come willingly." The man stated.
"You sound sure of that don't you, what's your name?"
"Kimimaro Kaguya." Kimimaro introduced himself.
Kurama and Gyūki were silent as the male said his full name, Kimimaro Kaguya. His last name was what got their attention not finding that to be a coincidence.
"Naruto, be careful with this one." Kurama warned.
"He'll be a difficult opponent." Gyūki said.
'I kind of figured that out on my own thanks.' Naruto was about to reach for his blade when his senses went off again and it felt familiar. He relaxed his stance.
"Are you not going to draw your sword?" Kimimaro inquired.
"There's no need for me to." Naruto told him.
Two familiar individuals dropped to the ground staring intently at Kimimaro ready to get the fighting started. They were Haruto and Kagura.
"You two got here quick, where were you the whole time anyway?" Naruto questioned.
"My apologies but I'm afraid we ran into some…problems on our way over here." Haruto explained.
Kagura smiled, "Don't worry Naruto-sama, we've dealt with them."
"I don't doubt that, sorry but do you think the two of you could deal with this guy?" Naruto asked.
"Leave this man to us, Naruto-sama." Haruto said.
Kagura looked eager to fight.
"Thanks, be careful." Naruto warned before taking off again after Gaara and his siblings. Kimimaro was about to follow but Haruto stopped him dead in his tracks sending a punch his way but the white haired male blocked it with his arm and was surprised when he was sent flying backwards. Skidding to a stop he stared at the two analyzing them carefully.
"I see. You are the ones that fought Orochimaru-sama and survived." Kimimaro said.
"Survived? That foolish little snake ran away from us right before we were about to finish him off." Kagura smiled innocently.
"That's right, we will not let that fool do anything to Naruto-sama." Haruto stated boldly, "If you wish to fight us then I suggest you not hold back…Kaguya."
Kimimaro said nothing as he took out a bone from his shoulder pointing it at them, "Very well."
It was silent for a minute as they stared into each other's eyes. The wind moved their hair and the leaves below them began to clear a path as if sensing the destructive battle that was about to occur. As the last leaf was out of sight all three moved.
The battle has started.
Clone Unit #1
Naruto clones were everywhere as they found civilians and brought them to the shelter, which was inside the Hokage tower. The clones said nothing as they simply did their job as get the civilians out of the way, most of them were tempted to just leave them out in the battlefield and leave them to their fate but an order was an order. Some may not know it but unlike other Shadow clone's Naruto's were special. While true that Shadow clones are sentient and act independently from the original, the blonde ninja's clones are not only sentient but feel emotions not just from themselves but from the original Naruto too. As the clones were placing the civilians inside the Hokage tower they began talking to themselves as they guarded the entrance.
"I can't believe the boss is actually ordering us to help these ingrates." Clone #1 expressed his displeasure.
Clone #2 sighed, "I understand how you feel but orders are orders."
"Tch."
"There's no point in complaining about it now." Clone #3 said walking over to them with Clone #4, #5, and #6.
"I know, I know that but…I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE BOSS!" Clone #1 declared with a worried expression.
"Oh, for the love of-! The boss isn't weak you idiot he can take care of himself!" Clone #5 yelled.
"I can still be worried can't I?!" Clone #1 yelled back.
"I'm not saying you can't but your acting like a mother hen its annoying!" Clone #5 yelled back.
"Shut up! I don't wanna hear that from a clone!"
"You're a clone too, dumbass!"
"What was that?!"
Clone #2, #3, #4, and #6 ignored the two idiots as they talked amongst themselves, "It won't be long before those sound and sand shinobi find this place. We need to stay here and eliminate any enemies that might try to infiltrate this hideout." Clone #4 said.
"We'll just have to make sure they don't get in here then," Clone #6 stated crossing his arms, "Remember, boss gave us specific orders to make sure the civilians got here to the shelter. What we need to do now is help him in any way we can."
Clone #2, #3 and 4 nodded in agreement. The original needed them to do their job right now despite their individual feelings towards the civilians of Konoha.
"Stop being stupid and calm down already!" Clone #5 yelled.
"Don't tell me what to do!"
The four clones not invested in the pointless argument sighed at the two idiots that just wouldn't shut up.
"Should we stop them?" Clone #3 wondered.
"Might as well, boss does need all of us to do our part and we can't let these idiots dispel each other." Clone #2 sighed.
"Darn." Clone #6 said.
Clone Unit #2
"Argh!" A sand shinobi said painfully as he fell to the ground lying dead in a pool of his own blood curtesy of one of Naruto's clones.
The second unit was currently in front of the hospital keeping the enemies at bay, preventing them from trying to go inside and killing everyone. So far they were doing well because while the sand shinobi were very skilled, the sound shinobi weren't all that much of a problem. The clones were using Fūton (Wind Style) jutsu's but they made sure it wouldn't put too much strain on the original and used just enough to distract the invaders for a bit before they finished them off.
"They just keep on coming, like a bunch of ants." Clone #7 complained slitting a sound ninja's throat.
"There's no telling how many Oto and Suna ninja are invading us right now and it doesn't matter either," Clone #8 said ducking under an Oto ninja's fist before stabbing the male in the chest.
"Don't stop! We need to make sure they don't get inside this hospital!" Clone #9 told them as he killed another Suna ninja.
"Shouldn't we go inside and make sure Ishida-sensei is okay?" Clone #10 asked sounding worried.
"There's no need for that." Ishida appeared out of the hospital holding what appeared to be syringes in both hands smiling innocently.
"Ishida-sensei! What are you doing out here?!" Clone #10 exclaimed.
Ishida raised a brow, "Did I not tell you? Before becoming a doctor I used to be a shinobi, but decided to resign and pursue a medical career." As if to prove his point the man threw the syringes in his hands aiming right for the Oto and Suna ninja's necks getting a perfect aim as they fell to the ground dead.
The clones blinked, "What did you inject them with?" Clone #8 asked carefully.
"A rare poison I keep in my lab," Ishida shrugged as he pulled out more from his pocket, "I made it."
"I wonder what the boss would say in this kind of situation?" Clone # 7 wondered.
"Damn…" Clone #9 said.
"Close, but I don't think that's what he would say in a situation like this." Clone #7 said dryly.
Ishida chuckled, "Where is the original Naruto anyway?"
"Boss went after Gaara Sabaku, container of the Ichibi and Sunagakure's Jinchūriki." Clone #7 reported.
Ishida looked worried but understood, "I see…I believe he can handle the boy, but I'm still worried. Hopefully he'll be careful." He said noticing how some Konoha shinobi were helping he rest of the Naruto clones deal with some Oto and Suna ninja that were trying to overcome the clones. The man raised a brow, well that was interesting. Konoha's shinobi were actually trying to help Naruto's clones even going so far as to protect them from getting hit. Interesting.
"Ready to fight side by side with a doctor?" Ishida got a dangerous glint in his eye.
"The more the merrier." Clone #7 shrugged.
Clone Unit #3
Iruka stared in appreciation as Naruto's clones held back the Oto and Suna shinobi that were trying to get in the Academy. He and the rest of the Instructors were keeping both sides at bay but that can only last for so long, especially since the instructors were starting to get tired from using up too much Doton (Earth Style) jutsu's to try and keep them from coming through the barrier. Once he saw Naruto's clones appear, some of them had broken off into four groups from what he can tell and the group of four that was with them were in charge of keeping the teachers and students safe.
Clone #11 sighed as he tossed a special tag down at an Oto ninja's feet, "Fūton: Torappu (Wind Style: Trap)." A tornado of wind was unleashed getting three of the Oto ninja, allowing another clone to kill off the three Oto ninja trapped within the whirlwind.
"Damn pests," Clone #12 growled, "I'm getting real tired of this!"
"Deal with it." Clone #13 deadpanned flashing through hand signs, Dog → Horse → Bird: "Fūton: Toppa (Wind Style: Breakthrough)!" gathering chakra in his stomach the clone sent a gust of wind towards the Suna ninja that were trying to break through the blockade allowing Clone #14 to deal with the three shinobi.
Clone #14 used a Henge on the kunai in hand transforming it into the very same blade at the original Naruto cutting the Suna shinobi down without hesitation, "More just keep on coming."
"That's fine, remember we need to make sure they don't get passed the blockade." Clone #11 reminded.
"We got it, boss's orders right?" Clone #13 said.
"Yeah." Clone #11 confirmed.
Clone #12 looked over at Iruka, "Iruka-sensei, you need to stay out of the battle. Chunin or not we can't afford to let anything happen you or the kids."
Iruka smiled, "I appreciate your concern but I'm also a shinobi and it's my duty to protect the children here along with my comrades."
"Stubborn." Clone #11 snorted with a smile.
"I learned that from Naruto." Iruka gave a cheeky smile as he prepared to fight alongside his student's shadow clones. They would protect Konoha for it was their home!
Clone Unit Last Group
Tiger → Ox → Dog → Rabbit → Snake: "Fūton: Daitoppa (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)!" one of the clones performed a wind jutsu that sent some Suna and Oto ninja's flying making them slam into buildings hard enough to kill them.
Ibiki smirked seeing the hundreds of Naruto clones slaughter Suna and Oto shinobi without a hint of hesitation, hell the kid's clones were firing wind and water jutsu's all over the place.
'The kid can count on a promotion after this.' He thought seeing one of Orochimaru's snakes summons slithering its way over here but was more focused on the more hordes of Suna and Oto shinobi coming their way, Boar → Dog → Bird → Tiger: "Kuchiyose: Aian Meiden (Summoning: Iron Maiden)!" he summoned giant iron maneki neko, which appears beneath the Suna and Oto shinobi from underground, split down the middle. The statue clamped around them wrapping them in chains, which dragged them back down into the ground.
Ibiki sighed then noticed a Naruto clone smirking at him, Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram: "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)!" a large cloud of white smoke surrounded the area before fading slowly revealing a huge toad, though like Gamabunta his size is depicted inconsistently; he is generally shown to be taller than buildings and trees. He has an aquamarine skin tone and yellow eyes with grey markings around them and two distinct, circular markings on his shoulders. He also carries two huge katana's on his back, which are his main weapons with an orange sash around his stomach.
All the shinobi present draws drop at the sight of one of the toad summons that everyone knew belonged to Jiraiya, the fact that Naruto has the summoning contract as well means that the toad sage chose the blonde as his apprentice.
"Go, Gamahiro!" the clone ordered.
Gamahiro said nothing as he grabbed both swords and charged at the snake summons slicing them to pieces without hesitation, showing them no mercy he tore through them like cattle. The Suna and Oto shinobi within his path were stomped on like ants as they got in his way, the rest of the Konoha shinobi gave a war cry as they followed the toad's example and charged at the Suna and Oto shinobi.
Ibiki glanced at the clone who kept its smirk, "Toads stomp on them like ants, isn't it fitting?" the clone said.
Ibiki took a smoke from his cigarette, "Kid…I seriously think you should transfer to Torture and Interrogation."
The clone shrugged, "If the boss feels like it, he'll let you know."
Ibiki took a puff, "Suit yourself."
Meanwhile, while Naruto's clones were busy taking care of the Suna and Oto shinobi, Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and A were going up against Orochimaru.
Orochimaru chuckled, "Look at this, Sarutobi-sensei and Jiraiya. All we need is Tsunade and the reunion will be complete."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at his former student, "Orochimaru, I'm going to do what I should have done years ago."
The snake Sannin laughed, "Let me go like you did last time?"
"No…this time I will end your life." Hiruzen declared.
Jiraiya cracked his knuckles, "I wouldn't mind getting in a few hits myself old man."
A took off his robe, "Since I'm already here I might as well lend you a hand."
"You have my thanks Jiraiya, Raikage." Hiruzen thanked.
Orochimaru and Hiruzen had a stare down as the wind blew wildly and the atmosphere became tense. As soon as the wind stopped blowing they charged, with Hiruzen performing hand signs, Tiger → Dragon → Rat → Horse → Tiger: "Ninpō: Kawara Shuriken (Ninja Art: Tile Shuriken)!" Hiruzen remotely controls, levitate and hurl spinning tiles towards the snake sannin.
Orochimaru jumped in the air, "Not good enough! Sen'ei Jashu (Hidden Shadow Snake Hands)!" his tongue transformed into a snake and it lunged at Hiruzen but Jiraiya was already on it.
Snake → Ram → Monkey → Boar → Horse → Tiger: "Katon: Endan (Fire Style: Flam Bomb)!" Jiraiya gathered oil in his mouth and shot a ball of flame at the snake.
A teleported behind Orochimaru covered in lightning cased chakra, "Girochin Doroppu (Guillotine Drop)!" A did a downwards kick, knocking Orochimaru down to the ground watching as he fell down like a bullet crashing into the tiles below. He appeared right next to Jiraiya, "That get him?"
"Hardly, this guys too stubborn to die." Jiraiya snorted.
"Indeed." Hiruzen agreed as the saw Orochimaru stand up slowly through the smoke that soon cleared.
Orochimaru laughed, "Impressive, I expected no less from you Raikage!"
"Keh! Like I'm here to impress you, snake!" A snarled back.
Hiruzen made the Tiger hand sign: "Doton: Doryū Taiga (Earth Style: Great Mud River)!" transforming the surface underneath Orochimaru's feet he watched as the man was carried down stream, Hiruzen wasn't done though, Ram → Horse → Dragon: "Doton: Doryūdan (Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb)!" he created a dragon like head to shoot mud balls at Orochimaru. Hiruzen still wasn't done though, Tiger: "Katon: Karyūdan (Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb)!" Hiruzen exhales a flame breath from his mouth igniting projectiles at Orochimaru. Jiraiya and A both watched as Orochimaru was burned by the flame and washed away by the mud.
"Hmph, looks like I was wrong about the man. He's not as peace loving as I thought he'd be." A commented.
"Yeah, the old man hasn't changed." Jiraiya agreed as he spotted movement from the tile.
A chuckle gave them a warning, "Very nice…" he complimented coming completely out of the tiles, "Really, I've been grossly underestimated. Did you think you could kill me with just that level of jutsu? Isn't it about time we stopped playing around? This isn't an Academy class, so…"
Hiruzen hummed, "You have a point." He tossed his hat and robes in the air.
"Did you foresee your final moments?" Orochimaru said.
Hiruzen was now wearing a black jumpsuit, mesh segments over the lower portions of his limbs, and a green gauntlet that covered much of his right arm. He also wore an armored hood with a bandanna-like forehead protector over this, tied with two long straps.
Jiraiya smirked, "Old man just got serious."
"About time." A grunted.
Orochimaru also shed his fake Kazekage rob in favor of his traditional Oto shinobi robes. The atmosphere was thick and heavy as their killing intent was enough to shake the tiles into lifting off the ground.
"I won't go easy on you just because you're doddering." Orochimaru smirked.
"I look forward to it." Hiruzen countered.
And like a speeding bullet they were off.
Naruto could sense he was close to Gaara's location provided he wasn't stopped by anyone else, 'I'm getting close.'
"Naruto, I think one of the brats siblings is up ahead." Kurama warned.
Gyūki saw it was the puppet user, "The puppet user, huh?"
Naruto stopped, standing on a tree branch, "So you stayed behind to stop me, huh?"
Kankuro didn't want to go up against the blonde shinobi knowing it could only take one swing of this kids blade and he'd be dead. But, he volunteered so he might as well do what he can to buy Temari some time in letting Gaara escape. Taking Crow off his back he slammed it down on the tree branch he was standing on, "Sorry, but it looks like I'll be your opponent instead."
Naruto didn't even bother to pull his blade out sensing familiar chakra signatures coming right towards him, "Really…they didn't have to come here too."
Kankuro raised a brow wondering what the hell the kid was talking about when it suddenly clicked as he saw two of the Genin from the Chūnin Exams show up beside the blonde making the situation even more complicated.
Naruto sighed, "Why are you two here? More importantly, how did you know where to find me..." he trailed off then deadpanned, "Beetle?"
"A female one, the male beetle tracked her scent and here we are. We are here to provide assistance." Shino stated.
Naruto frowned, "You don't have to…"
"But we want to," Shino interjected, "There is no point in arguing about this, Naruto."
Hinata gave Naruto a pleading glance making him unable to say 'no' but there was something else he was curious about, "Where are the others?"
"They stayed behind to deal with some Oto shinobi that were following you, while Sasuke and Sakura went off after Gaara," Shino informed standing before the blonde as if blocking his view from Kankuro, "I was robbed of having to fight him during the tournament, therefore I would like to fight him now."
"I'll give Shino support, for now go after Gaara, Naruto-kun." Hinata assured him with a smile, her Byakugan active.
Naruto still wasn't sure but relented anyway, "You guys are just too damn stubborn you know that? All yours." He took off leaving the two of them to deal with Kankuro as he went after Gaara and Temari.
"Now then…" Shino removed both hands from his pockets revealing insects, "Shall we begin?"
Hinata got into her Jūken stance ready to give her friend support.
Kankuro smirked, "Let's get this party started."
Hiruzen made hand signs as did Orochimaru, Ox → Dog → Dragon → Rat → Dog → Boar → Snake → Tiger: "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu)!" what was once four shuriken now became more than one as they shot off towards the snake sannin.
Orochimaru did hand signs that looked familiar to Jiraiya, Tiger → Snake → Dog → Dragon → Clap hands: "Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei (Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation)!" two coffins emerged from the ground.
A narrowed his eyes, "What kind of jutsu is this?"
"Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei (Summoning Jutsu: Reanimation)," Jiraiya said, "Bastard intends to bring the dead to life and join the fight."
"What kind of sick people are you raising in this village?!" A exclaimed.
"Heh, got me. I'm one of the good ones." Jiraiya joked.
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes as he saw a third one pop up, "I must stop the third one at any cost…!" as the shuriken's hit the coffins Hiruzen was able to prevent the third one from rising.
Orochimaru smirked, 'It looks like the third one was no good. Oh well…' the coffins opened slowly.
"He summoned those two of all people…" Hiruzen said.
The coffins opened fully revealing the bodies of the Shodaime and Nidaime Hokage, just like Hiruzen figured. Jiraiya clenched his teeth and fists while A held his ground, "Those two…if I'm not mistaken."
"They're the Shodaime-Hashirama Senju and Nidaime-Tobirama Senju." Jiraiya informed.
"Yeah, I figured." A said.
Orochimaru placed a kunai with a red tag on it through within the Shodaime's head, doing the same thing to the Nidaime as Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and A could do nothing but watch. The snake sannin stepped back as both the Shodaime and Nidaime moved towards the three.
"I've got the Nidaime!" A volunteered charging at the Nidaime that ran on the rooftop above them.
Jiraiya got ready for the Shodaime, "Looks like you and me get the Shodaime then, old man."
"I know." Hiruzen said as he engaged in a taijutsu battle with the Hashirama Senju while the Raikage dealt with the Nidaime. Jiraiya then got into the mix, while A was doing the same with the Tobirama.
Ram → Horse → Snake → Dragon → Rat → Ox → Tiger: "Katon: Karyū Endan (Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb)!" Hiruzen exhaled sending a torrent of flames towards Hashirama.
Snake → Dragon → Rabbit → Tiger: "Katon: Ryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu)!" Jiraiya breathed fire along a cord heading straight for Hashirama watching as the flames engulfed him.
A meanwhile was still having a taijutsu battle with the Nidaime before he got some distance before getting serious. He lifted up the Nidaime, "Raigā Bomu (Liger Bomb)!" lifting him high up in the air then smashed him head first into the ground.
The smoke cleared as both fire jutsu's reached and engulfed Hashirama, as the smoke cleared Hiruzen and Jiraiya saw he was relatively unharmed. As A backed away from the Nidaime he saw as the Edo Tensei version of the man appeared to be fine too as he got up slowly his wounds disappearing but slower than Hashirama's.
"Should've known a double fire jutsu wouldn't be able to take him down." Jiraiya said nervously.
"Looks that way." Hiruzen said eyeing the Nidaime, "The Raikage looks like he's holding up just fine."
"Good for him, but not so much for us." Jiraiya said.
Meanwhile outside the barrier all of the Jounin were taking down the rest of the Suna and Oto ninja with Kumo helping out, slowly but surely their numbers were dwindling and Naruto's shadow clones were helping out too.
"YEAH!" Killer Bee shouted as he took down more Oto shinobi with his blades.
Kakashi and Gai were back to back as they took down more enemies, "50 for me, what about you Gai?"
Gai grinned, "I have 60!"
"Mm."
Zabuza hefted his blade over his shoulder, "69!"
Haku smiled having just finished off another Oto ninja, "Nicely done, Zabuza-sama."
Kurenai sighed as three Oto shinobi fell to the ground lifeless, "I can't tell if their numbers are dwindling or not."
"Who knows?" Asuma said wiping some blood off his blade.
Yamato kept some prisoned with his Mokuton, he then turned his attention towards the purple barrier up above with a frown, "Hopefully Jiraiya-sama and Raikage-sama are enough to handle what's going on in there."
"Yo! Brother strong, not going down without a fight, fool ya fool!" Bee rapped.
Yamato sweat-dropped, "Right…"
Back up at the tower Darui and Shi were observing the battle that was going on inside the purple dome. Their Raikage told them not to interfere and to simply help out with the invasion, after killing some Suna and Oto shinobi with ease they headed back up towards the tower and decided to observe the battle rom within the dome. They would wait until the battle was over because they have faith in their Raikage, Jiraiya, and the Hokage.
"I can sense them! They're close!" Naruto said as he jumped from branch to branch before he stopped, "What is this…?" he sensed something malicious and borderline insane, "Is this..."
"Shukaku…just what happened to him in Sunagakure for him to turn out like this?" Gyūki wondered.
"Beats me, wait I think I sense…" Kurama trailed off.
"Naruto-san." Yugito appeared taking him by surprise.
"You! You're with Killer Bee-sensei!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Killer Bee-sensei asked me to assist you in any way I can, also Matatabi wanted me to do this." She placed a hand on his stomach slowly transferring some of Matatabi's chakra making his eyes widen.
"You..." Naruto didn't know what to say.
Yugito smiled, "Matatabi says that since Gyūki trusts you then so will she, use her chakra well."
Naruto felt the tingling sensation stop, then heard another voice but a lot more feminine.
"My, its been a long time, Kurama, Gyūki." Matatabi greeted.
"You look good, Matatabi." Gyūki said.
Kurama looked away, "Yeah, yeah, nice to see you too." He greeted sarcastically.
Matatabi giggled, "Well now, looks like being sealed inside this boy has made you softer."
Kurama scoffed.
Gyūki snickered.
Naruto sighed, "Matatabi seems like the teasing type."
"She has her moments." Yugito confirmed her eyes drifting over to Gaara's half Biju form, "Now then, we have Shukaku's host to deal with."
Naruto gripped his blade, "I can sense Sasuke and Sakura, I'll get them to safety then confront Gaara."
"Would you like assistance?" Yugito asked.
"That would be helpful thank." Naruto said as he appeared before Sasuke sensing something was wrong, 'I can feel that dark chakra again. Must have something to do with the curse mark.'
"UZUMAKI!"
Naruto brought his attention to Gaara, he couldn't see him but he felt the red heads chakra had increased from what it once was.
'Hey guys, can you describe what's going on with Gaara.' Naruto asked.
"His whole body is covered in sand, but I feel Shukaku's chakra mixed in with it. He looks like a mini-Shukaku." Gyūki explained.
"Damn brat's still in control but he'll lose it soon." Kurama eyed Gaara.
"Shukaku...what happened to make you this way?" Matatabi expressed her sadness.
Naruto unsheathed his blade, 'Me and Yugito will handle Gaara together, but if he gets too out of control I'll deal with him myself.' There was a grunt behind him, 'Sasuke must be conscious then, but he probably can't move.'
"S-Stay back...I can handle him...!" Sasuke grunted as he forced himself to stand.
"You can barely stand, so no you can't handle him alone." Naruto stated, "Me and Yugito will handle Gaara, where's Sakura?"
Sasuke grunted again, "Trapped in his claw...she passed out as soon as she slammed into the tree..."
'She must've been trying to help Sasuke. First time she's tried to protect him all on her own.' He thought.
"Stay here." Naruto said jumping down from a branch, "Let's do this, Yugito-san!"
"I'm ready to assist you in any way I can!" Yugito was right by side.
Gaara charged at the two sending his giant claw at them, but Yugito was faster, "Byōen Hōka (Cat Flame Roaring Flame)!" She sent a giant fireball at the boy watching as his body was covered in flames and had to dodge out of the way quickly to avoid his claw from hitting her. Landing on another tree branch she stared at Gaara, 'Even though his body was covered in flames he only got off with slight burns.'
Naruto created a shadow clone giving it his blade, "Hold that until I say I need it."
"Got it, boss." The clone said, "Don't over do it."
Naruto's limped twitched in amusement, "I won't." He assured. Gaara's bloodlust was increasing making his senses go haywire again, just like with Zabuza. Taking a deep breath he prepared himself, "Kurama...are you ready?"
Kurama smirked, "Heh, show Shukaku your stronger than his host!"
Gyūki chuckled, "This should be interesting."
Matatabi smiled, "Do your best, kitten."
Naruto closed his eyes before he was surrounded in Kurama's chakra cloak, opening his eyes back up he got ready to fight his fellow Jinchūriki, "Come, Gaara!"
Gaara's malicious grin grew wider, "THAT'S IT! THAT POWER! MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE!"
"He's coming!" Yugito announced.
"I know!"
"Fūton: Renkūdan (Wind Stye: Drilling Air Bullet)!" Gaara took a deep breath before shooting a highly compressed air ball from his mouth.
Bird → Hare → Serpent: "Mokuton: Jukai Heki (Wood Style: Tree Wall Barrier)! Countless wooden branches emerged from the ground preventing the wind jutsu from reaching Naruto. He sensed Gaara was above him about to punch him with his clawed arm, but Naruto was waiting for that opportunity. With a smirk he used a new jutsu that he'd been working on, "Rasenkyūgan (Absorption Rasengan)!" Using his chakra arms he formed a big rasengan in his hand, then used his other arms to grab Gaara and smash the jutsu into him sending him backwards giving Yugito an opening.
"Yugito-san!" Naruto called out.
"Already on it!" Yugito transformed her arm into Matatabi's claw and attacked, "Daibyō Sōgeki (Great Cat Claw)!" She delivered a solid hit with her right claw sending Gaara flying.
Gaara readjusted himself and counterattcked, "Fūton: Mugen Sajin — Daitoppa (Infinite Sand Cloud — Great Breakthrough)!" Inhaling air from his mouth and all over his body, and blows it out along with a chakra-coated sand cloud.
Rat → Dog → Tiger: "Mokuton: Mokujōheki (Wood Style: Domed Wall Jutsu)!" A wood dome appeared protecting Naruto as he felt the wind jutsu slam into his dome making cracks appear but it didn't fall apart.
'That was a strong Fūton jutsu, but then again I shouldn't be surprised.' Naruto thought as he had a part of the dome go down seeing Gaara coming at him again, "My turn now," Clap hands together: "Mokuton: Hotei no Jutsu (Wood Style: Laughing Buddha Jutsu)!" Hands erupted from the ground grabbing Gaara's arms and legs preventing him from reaching Naruto, he struggled but found he was unable to break free no matter how hard he struggled, "Your turn!" He was talking about Yugito.
Yugito wasted no time, "Byōen Hōka (Cat Flame Roaring Flame)!" she sent another giant fireball at Gaara's helpless form watching as the flames consumed him once again, but this time screams were heard.
Yugito appeared next to the blonde, "How much chakra do you have left?"
"Enough to fight some more, Kurama will lend me a hand in case I get too tired." Naruto said.
"I see." She said.
Meanwhile, Sasuke was watching the whole thing and couldn't undersatand how Naruto could have all this power? Before the blonde showed up he was barely able to handle Gaara himself, then his curse mark started acting up leaving him incapacitated. And to make things worse, Sakura stood in between them clutching a kunai in her hand only to be slammed into a tree.
'How...' he clenched his teeth, 'How can he be this strong?!'
Naruto's senses went off again, "Something's not right."
"What do you mean?" Yugito questioned.
"Kitten."
"Matatabi, what are you sensing?" Yugito asked.
"Shukaku's consciousness is stirring, both of you be prepared." Matatabi warned.
"I will." Yugito said.
"Naruto...I sense Shukaku's about to awaken." Kurama warned.
"I can tell...I'm gonna have to use your full form in that case." Naruto said.
Kurama grinned, "Sounds good to me."
The smoke cleared revealing a grinning Gaara making them both nervous, was he going to do it? Awaken Shukaku? Judging by that smirk the answer would be...yes.
Gaara made the Ram hand sign, "Tanuki Neiri no Jutsu (Playing Possum Jutsu)!" He forced himself to go asleep.
And was then that they knew things would go to hell.
With Shino, Hinata, and Kankuro
There was an epic stare down between Shino, Hinata, and Kankuro. It was already decided Hinata would provide backup, while Shino took the offense.
Kankuro clapped both hands together, 'Kugutsu no Jutsu (Puppet Master Jutsu).'
Shino got into position as Kankuro revealed his puppet once again, hinata already had her Byakugan active ready to assist in anyway she could. Shino's bugs were ready to attack, Hinata was ready, and Kankuro was ready to sick his puppet on them.
"I am a member of Konohagakure no Sato's Aburame Ichizoku," Shino introduced, "When we fight, no matter how puny our opponent is...we don't mock them. We face them at full strength."
"I am a member of Konohagakure no Sato's Hyūga Ichizoku," Hinata introduced this time, "I face my opponent with confidence and full strength, never holding back."
Kankuro scoffed, "Bring it on."
All three got into position, the first to attack was Kankuro who sent his puppet at Shino.
Hinata intervened, "Hakke Kūshō (Eight Trigrams Air Palm)!" She sent a compressed air palm towards the puppet sending it flying back towards Kankuro, "Be careful, Shino."
"What do you mean?"
"I saw it, for a split second I saw it...poison." Hinata told him.
Shino got the picture, "I see, then its a good thing you reacted when you did."
She nodded, "I'll try and see if I can give you an opening, when you see it, attack."
"Right."
Kankuro sent his puppet at them again but Hinata intercepted it using her gentle fist making sure not to get hit with the poison laced in the blade hidden inside the puppet, 'I was right, the blade's tipped with poison,' she got some distance between herself and the puppet, 'Not only that, but he can use it as both an offense and defense. Getting close to him will be difficult.'
Kankuro smirked, "Not bad."
Hinata threw two kunai's at the puppet only for it to dissapear and a log took its place making her eyes widen, 'Kawarimi?!' She sensed the puppet was behind her and reacted, "Jūkenhō Ōgi: Kaiten (Gentle Fist Secret Art: Palm Rotation)!" Spinning around a purple dome surrounded her preventing the puppet from getting close and sending it away from her, 'That was close!' She stopped the rotation.
Kankuro tsked, 'She's quick on her feet,' he eyed Shino, 'Waiting for an opening, huh? Well, that's not gonna happen.' He sent the puppet after Shino this time making Hinata's eyes widen, "Shino!"
'Too late!' Kankuro smirked as he made the puppet send two needles at the Aburame getting him in the head and chest, 'Got him.' The smirk was soon wiped off his face as he saw the boy disintegrate into bugs, 'Those damn bugs again!' Looking to his right he saw Shino was right next to him about to punch him in the face but he ducked down in time and jumped away.
"You made a clone out of bugs, then snuck up behind me, not too bad." Kankuro complimented.
"It was simple really, I can tell from your jutsu that your strength is long range attacks, not close combat," Shino observed as Hinata landed next to him, "Furthermore, you have to focus your chakra and attention into manipulating that puppet of yours, and that of course leaves an opening in your defenses."
"Thanks for the dissertation, but I'm just getting started here. Don't worry, if you really wanna see how deadly my ninjutsu can be then your in for a real treat." Kankuro said moving the puppet again, "You haven't seen half of what Crow can do, so far he's been playing nice!" Opening the puppet's arm something shot out of it.
Hinata got in front of Shino again, "Hakke Kūshō (Eight Trigrams Air Palm)!" She sent another air palm at the object sending it in the middle to go off noticing purple smoke she covered her mouth, "Poison Smoke Bomb!" She and Shino jumped back as the purple cloud came near them.
Shino used his sleeve to cover his lower face, "Using a poison smoke bomb he can use it to conceal himself, while still being able to use it as an advantage in attacking us because we can't see."
'I'll use that move again, but I need to be careful and not overdo it,' she thought, "Jūkenhō Ōgi: Kaiten (Gentle Fist Secret Art: Palm Rotation)!" She spun in the opposite direction hoping the smoke would drift away from them and it did thankfully. The two teammates jumped up away from the smoke, standing on a higher branch, Shino wobbled a little and got down on one knee.
"Shino, are you okay?!" Hinata crouched down.
"Must've inhaled some," he wheezed, "Meanwhile, he hides waiting for the poison to take effect."
Hinata surveyed the area with her Byakugan and found exactly where Kankuro was hiding, "I see him. You're right, he's lying in wait to see how long the poison's effects will take."
Shino kept panting but spoke anyway, "Hinata...I have a plan."
"What is it?" She leaned in closer to hear his plan.
Kankuro was watching them from behind and thought for a second the girl might have spotted him but then shrugged it off, 'The poison's spreading slowly through his system. Now to finish it.' He made the puppet creep up behind the two and stabbed them from behind but Shino dissolved into bugs, while Hinata was replaced by a wood log.
'What?! More bugs?! And that girl, she used Kawarimi! He shouldn't even be moving with that poison in him!' He thought looking around trying to find them, he saw some bug drop from a tree branch and saw Shino with Hinata next to him and smirked, 'Let me put you out of your misery,' he tried to move Crow but it wouldn't budge, 'What the? Wh-What's going on?! What the hell's wrong with it?!' He then noticed why it wasn't working, there were bugs clogged in, 'No!'
'It's no use, he can't move now. My friends have borrowed into every one of its joints, he's kindling now.' Shino thought, his arms covered in insects.
'So that's what he was after, he wanted me to attack so he could get his creepy-crawlies to infest Crow's body!' Kankuro observed, 'Now they're going after my Chakura no Ito (Chakra Threads)! Why?' He then remembered, 'Oh, right. I forgot these things eat chakra.' He saw the bugs were getting closer, 'My threads are leading them right to me.' He disconnected the threads.
Shino's eyes narrowed, 'He severed his chakra threads himself.' He saw as the puppet went limp but then all of a sudden the head went off flying. Shino followed its movements as it come right at him.
Kankuro smirked, 'Hehehe, what a sucker. He doesn't know I can re-establish control over my puppet in a blink of an eye! Its part of what makes me an expert puppet master! And so what if Crow's body is out of commission, I don't need his body! Every part of him is a lethal weapon!' he opened Crow's mouth revealing another blade that was tipped with poison, 'Looks like you underestimated me, bug boy...for the last time! There's enough poison on that to drop an elephant, so...your dead!' Just as the blade was about to reach him, the head off the puppet stopped dead in its tracks before falling to the ground. Useless.
'What the hell?!' Kankuro moved up, 'But how?!'
"You seem to have forgotten that I was here." A female voice said from behind making Kankuro tilt his head slowly in her direction, which was from behind him. He stared right into the Byakugan eyes of none other than Hinata Hyūga.
'Shit!'
"You are in my field now," she got in her stance, "Jūkenpō: Hakke Sanjūni Shō (Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Thirty-Two Palms)!"
"Ni Shō (Two Palms)!"
"Yon Shō (Four Palms)!"
"Hachi Shō (Eight Palms)!"
"Jūroku Shō (Sixteen Palms)."
"Sanjūni Shō (Thirty-Two Palms)!"
She hit his tenketsu, sending him flying until his back collided with the tree he was hiding in. He tried to move but froze and looked down when he saw bugs on his hands, 'These bugs! They ate my chakra threads at the source! Now only that, but I forgot the Hyūga girl was here too!' He tried to get the bugs off him but he ended up falling on his side instead, "But how, I don't get it?! I was sure to cut the threads before they could find me!"
Hinata was by Shino's side, "And there's your explanation, you were so worried about them approaching from the front that you failed to observe the swarm of beetles coming at you from behind," he panted, "All this time they've been slowly closing in on you, drawn to your headband."
"Huh? To my what?" Kankuro wondered it he'd heard right.
Shino elaborated, "When I swung at you earlier I only pretended to miss, what I really wanted was to plant a beetle on your headband."
Kankuro flashedback to when Shino tried to take a swing at him but he ducked and ended up missing him...or so he thought.
"But, that doesn't explain where the rest of them came from!" Kankuro insisted.
Shino sighed, "I hate having to explain the same thing twice."
Kankuro thought back to how the rest of the bugs showed until he remembered when the blonde was here earlier.
Naruto sighed, "Why are you all here? More importantly, how did you know where to find me..." he trailed off then deadpanned, "Beetle?"
"A female one, the male beetle tracked her scent and here we are." Shino stated.
Kankuro's eyes looked up at his headband, "So then...this bug crawling on my forehead..."
"Is a female, yes." Shino confirmed, "I also figured you'd use my somewhat vulnerable situation to try and finish me off that you'd completely forget about Hinata. Once she saw you were distracted, she acted."
Hinata deactivated her Byakugan, "You've lost."
Kankuro cried out as he fell off the branch he was on, plummeting to the ground covered in Shino's bugs. Shino's panting got worse but Hinata was by his side, "Shino, try this. Its an anti-poison I've been working on." She gave him a pink liquid to try, which he took grateful and drank its contents.
"How do you feel?"
Shino took a deep breath before his breathing slowly got back to normal, "The poison's still there, but not as much as before. I won't be able to fight anymore."
Hinata smiled, "I've exhausted myself too with two Kaiten's and the Eight Trigrams: Thirty-Two Palms. I'm at my limit, too."
Shino sat on the branch instead of on his knees, "Looks like its up to Naruto to finish things..."
"Yes." Hinata agreed silently praying for Naruto's safety, 'Be careful, Naruto-kun...'
A sudden chakra surge was felt by both of them, looking up they saw what appears to be a giant tanuki.
"What is that...?" Shino stared.
Hinata gripped her chest, 'Naruto-kun!'
With Kagura, Haruto, and Kimimaro
Kimimaro avoided another hit from Kagura as he moved to attack but was kicked away by Haruto in his side, but aligned himself.
"Impressive...I can understand why Orochimaru-sama had a hard time with you." Kimimaro observed.
"If that is your way of complimenting us then thank you," Haruto thanked, "However, let me give you some advice. If you keep holding back you won't last for very long."
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes, "Holding back?"
"Aren't you?" Kagura teased.
Kimimaro let his robed shirt down, "Very well...if you want to fight me at a higher level, then I'll oblige."
Kagura giggled, "Finally getting serious are we?"
"This should prove to be interesting." Haruto said.
Bones started to protrude from Kimimaro's back and arms, Haruto's eyes narrowed, "I see...Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse)."
"This just got more fun." Kagura smiled in anticipation.
Kimimaro pulled out one of his arm bones, creating a short bone-hilted bone sword. He got into position, "Tsubaki no Mai (Dance of the Camellia)." He started to stab chaotically and continuously at Kagura who simply moved out of the way each time with a calm smile.
'Fluid movements, most impressive.' She observed twirling around avoiding getting stabbed, "This truly is a dance, isn't it?"
Kimimaro didn't respond and instead analyzed the girl, 'Her movements aren't restricted, they're fluid and clear like water. The way she avoids my bone blade, its almost as if she's dancing. And I'm dancing to her tune.' He suddenly blocked a kick with his other arm, seeing it was Haruto he was about to attack him but a foot to the face prevented that, sending him skidding backwards.
Kagura giggled, "Two versus one. Don't get distracted."
Kimimaro got into another stance as they got ready to go at it again when they felt a sudden surge of chakra. Looking in the direction where they sensed it from they saw a giant tanuki emerge from the forest.
With the Other Genin
"Bakuryūgeki (Dragon Bomb)!" Tenten opens one of her scrolls and releases a large flaming dragon that exploded once it came into contact with Oto shinobi.
Shikamaru yawned as he was surrounded by enemies on all sides but before they could do anything they found themselves unable to move making the ponytail haired boy smirk, "Ninpō: Kagemane no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Shadow Possession Jutsu) successful," he made some hand signs, Dragon → Tiger → Rat: "Ninpō: Kage–Kubishibari no Jutsu (Ninja Art: Shadow Strangle Jutsu)." A shadow hand crawled up their bodies and began to strangle them until they were unconscious. With that done, Shikamaru released the jutsu and yawned, "Troublesome."
Choji took a bite from his chips before putting them in his back pocket, Ram → Special Seal: "Baika no Jutsu (Expansion Jutsu)!" He started rolling in place, "Nikudan Sensha (Human Boulder)!" He started rolling the enemies down without mercy.
"Gatsūga (Man-Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang)!" Kiba and Akamaru spun at ferocious speeds drilling into the enemies until they went down not getting back up.
Neji waited patiently as the enemies came at him, activating his Byakugan he got into his stance, "Jūkenhō: Hakke Rokujūyon Shō (Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms)!"
"Ni Shō (Two Palms)!"
"Yon Shō (Four Palms)!"
"Hachi Shō (Eight Palms)!"
"Jūroku Shō (Sixteen Palms)."
"Sanjūni Shō (Thirty-Two Palms)."
"Rokujūyon Shō (Sixty-Four Palms)!"
He sent them all flying in different directions, "The Hyūga's are the strongest clan in Konohagakure no Sato." He declared.
Ino made a specific hand sign, "Shinranshin no Jutsu (Mind Destruction Jutsu)!" The enemies around her suddenly decided to attack each other instead of Ino, 'Good thing I asked dad to train me right after I lost to Sakura.'
Soon enough the enemies around them were rendered unconcious leaving only the Genin's standing there staring down at the motionless bodies.
Tenten wiped her forehead, "Whew, looks like we got them all."
"Looks that way." Neji agreed.
Choji looked into the forest where Naruto and the others ran off to, "You think the others are okay?"
"They went after Naruto, right? Something tells me they're fine." Shikamaru rubbed the back of his head thinking back to Gaara's form back at the arena and how he was giving Naruto those hungry eyes, 'That Gaara guy...he gave off too much bloodlust for a normal person.'
"You think we should go after them? They might need our help." Tenten wondered.
Before they could even voice their opinions on the matter they sensed a massive chakra burst making them turn their heads in the direction where it came from and saw a giant tanuki emerge from the forest.
"Wh-What the hell...is that...?" Kiba's eyes were shaking as Akamaru whimpered.
"So much chakra...it's unbelievable!" Neji stared.
Shikamaru got a bad feeling about this. Just what the hell is going on over there?!
'Dammit, Naruto!'
With Hiruzen, Jiraiya, A, and Orochimaru
Edo Tobirama clapped his hands together, "Suiton: Suishōha (Water Style: Water Shockwave)!" A spiraling vortex of water was sent right towards A.
A used his lightning incased chakra cloak to teleport away from the water quickly appearing next to the Nidaime, "Raigyaku Suihei (Lateral Bolt of Pain)!" With a simple backhand chop against the Nidaime he snapped the man's neck, but since it was an Edo Tensai version on the Nidaime that didn't take him down.
Tiger → Rat → Horse → Snake → Dragon → Hands clap: "Suiton: Suidanha (Water Style: Severing Wave)!" After gathering chakra in his stomach and converting it into water, Tobirama spews it out as a high pressure stream that almost got the Raikage had he not tilted his head out of the way in time.
'I don't have time to waste on this guy, time to end it!' A thought as he charged at the undead man at inhuman speed, "Raitoningu Sutorēto (Lightning Straight)!" Sending a fist to his face the Nidaime was sent flying as his face was a mess, right when he was about to reanimate the Raikage appeared before him slapping a chakra suppressing seal on the man's head preventing Tobirama from using any chakra or move for that matter.
"Looks like it worked." A said recalling how he got the seal.
A looked down as Jiraiya gave him a piece of paper, "What's this?"
"A chakra-suppression seal, it'll seal away a person's chakra and also keep them from moving." Jiraiya explained, "It should work on an Edo-tensei body too."
A hid the paper, "I'll slap it on his forehead when the time's right."
The Raikage went and joined the Hokage and Jiraiya since the Nidaime was out of commission. Now all they to focus on was Hashirama.
"So the seal worked, now we just have Hashirama to deal with." Jiraiya said.
"Yes." Hiruzen kept his eyes on Hashirama.
Tiger → Snake.
Hiruzen's eyes widened, he knew those hand signs, "This is bad. This is a Hidden Jutsu of the Shodaime!"
Jiraiya and A tensed.
"Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan (Secret Wood Style Jutsu: Deep Forest Emergence)!" Trees began to grow from the surface, easily creating a dense forest all around them.
Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram: "Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)!" Smoke surrounded them just as the trees reached them, surrounding them on all sides. When the smoke cleared Orochimaru saw all three were protected by what looks to be an Adamantime barrier of some sorts.
"Kongō Rōheki (Adamantine Prison Wall)!" Hiruzen announced.
Jiraiya released a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Good timing, old man."
A looked around, "So, this is the power of the Shodaime."
"Don't get too impressed because he's about to come at us again." Hiruzen warned.
Orochimaru chuckled, "Things just aren't going as planned are they? Oh well...things have finally gotten interesting." He pulled something out of his mouth much to A's disgust.
Creepy bastard.
"That's one of his swords...Kusanagi no Tsurugi (Grass Long Sword)." Hiruzen stared at the blade.
"What now?" Jiraiya questioned.
Hiruzen had his summons Enma turn into a staff this time, "I'll deal with Orochimaru, the two of you fight together against Hashirama."
"He's all yours." A said.
"Watch your back old man, you're not as young as you used to be." Jiraiya pointed out.
"Neither are you." Hiruzen shot back charging at Orochimaru, both weapons clashed, fighting for dominance.
Jiraiya and A meanwhile engaged Hashirama in a fierce taijutsu battle, while Hiruzen dealt with his former student. All three froze however when they sensed a massive amount of chakra coming from the woods and saw a giant tanuki emerge.
"Is that..." Hiruzen stared in disbelief.
"The Ichibi-Shukaku." Jiraiya said.
"That crazy brat unleashed it?!" A exclaimed.
Orochimaru chuckled, "Do you see it now? You can't possibly hope to win old man. This village will fall along with you." He was surprised however when the old man chuckled himself.
"This village will never fall, because there are those who still carry the Will of Fire." Hiruzen smirked.
Orochimaru sneered at him.
"Also...I believe in Naruto!"
With Naruto, Yugito, and Shukaku
Naruto stared at the massive entity in awe, his first time having seen a Bijū up and personal before. Kurama doesnt count because he's sealed inside him and isn't outside to stretch his limbs. If Shukaku was this big then that means the others are too.
"So that's Shukaku..." Naruto said, as Kurama described the giant tanuki.
"Yeah...ugly looking isn't he?" Kurama commented.
Naruto sweat-dropped, 'Seriously...?'
"Now's not the time to be making jokes right now, Kurama!" Gyūki scolded.
"Shukaku...I feel a lot of hatred coming off of him. There's no telling what Sunagakure no Sato did to him." Matatabi expressed her sadness.
"We would have turned out the same if it wasn't for our partners." Gyūki said.
Kurama and Matatabi said nothing, but knew Gyūki was right.
Sasuke couldn't help but fear the power he was feeling coming off of Gaara, Sakura was still unconscious pinned to a tree by sand, and Temari was staring up at her brother with tears in her eyes.
"Gyahahaha! I'm finally free!" Shukaku cackled.
"This is bad! Fighting a full on Bijū is dangerous! We need to throw everything we've got at him!" Yugito said.
Naruto clapped his hands together, "Just what I was planning to do!"
Shukaku looked down at the two, "Keh! Two victims for the taking!"
"He's coming!" Naruto warned, "Kurama, when I give the signal, do it!"
"I got it!"
Shukaku made the first move bringing his fist down upon Naruto and Yugito who jumped out of the way in time. Naruto made the Snake hand sign, 'Hope this works.' He thought, "Mokuton: Mokujin no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wooden Dummy Jutsu)!" an enormous statue-like creature made out of wood emerged, the humanoid creature had an oni-like face with a dragon wrapped around its neck. It stood at the same height as Shukaku, Naruto jumped on top of its head as he got ready to fight Shukaku.
Yugito was impressed by the sight, "He's going all out now. We can't lag behind now can we, Matatabi?"
"Of course not!" Matatabi agreed.
Yugito gathered Matatabi's chakra transforming fully into the Bijū, a two-tailed bakemono covered completely in cobalt blue and black flames. The eyes were heterochromatic, the right being yellow and the left being green.
"Two becomes one! Matatabi and Yugito!" Yugito/Matatabi spoke in unison.
"Come, Shukaku!" Naruto challenged.
Shukaku obliged, "Fūton: Renkūdan (Wind Style: Air Bullet)!" Shukaku took a deep breath and then pound its stomach to apply external pressure, the power of which it uses to shoot a highly compressed air ball from its mouth.
"Go!" Naruto commanded the wood human as it moved to block the wind jutsu with both hands, holding its ground as it threatened to push it back a little.
"Byōen Hōka (Flaming Cat Roar)!" Yugito in Matatabi's form shot a huge fireball at Shukaku getting him in the side, while Shukaku was disoriented the wood human used that opportunity to attack, punching him right in the jaw sending him flying back. Shukaku rolled before coming to a complete stop.
"Nice punch." Yugito/Matatabi complimented.
The wood human merely grunted as Naruto kept his eyes on Shukaku watching as he got back up and caught a glimpse of something, "I see Gaara! He's passed out sleep on top of Shukaku's head!"
"If we wake him up then Shukaku will go back!" Yugito/Matatabi connected the dots.
"I'm gonna try something but I need your help." Naruto told her.
"What is it you need of me?" Yugito/Matatabi asked.
"I need you to distract Shukaku long enough for me to do what I need to do." Naruto told them.
"Leave it to me!" Yugito/Matatabi charged at Shukaku who used his tail to try and smack her in the face but she jumped out of the way before it could hit her.
"Daibyō Sōgeki (Great Cat Claw)!" Yugito/Matatabi clocked Shukaku in the jaw again, giving Naruto that opportunity to use another jutsu.
Snake → Ram → Hare → Dog → Snake "Mokuton: Mokuryū no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu)!" A dragon made out of wood emerged heading straight for Shukaku, wrapping around his body restricting his movements giving Naruto the opportunity to wake Gaara. As Shukaku was held back for the time being, he approached Gaara about to wake him up when sand appeared making him jump back as Shukaku got free from the dragon by having his tail whack the head clean off.
Naruto clicked his tongue, "Didn't work, no choice then. Let's do this Kurama!"
Kurama grinned, "About time!"
Naruto channeled Kurama's chakra fully before his appearance changed into Kurama's form, but unlike Yugito Naruto's form was still a fierce orange that radiated power.
"Bijū Mōdo (Tailed Beast Mode)!" Naruto declared.
Yugito/Matatabi were very impressed, 'This feeling...its the same as...'
Sasuke stared up at Naruto's Bijū Mōdo (Tailed Beast Mode) with wide eyes, "This power..."
Hinata and Shino saw the giant golden fox and felt both awe and fear staring at its form.
"Is that...the Kyūbi?" Shino stared.
Hinata felt her heart pounding in her chest as she felt the massive chakra and prayed for the blonde's safety, 'You can do it, Naruto-kun!'
Kagura and Haruto smiled seeing Naruto in his new form, "He is very interesting, isn't he?"
"That he is, brother." Kagura agreed her eyes wandering over at Kimimaro, "So? Still wish to fight?"
Kimimaro looked a little winded having fought them longer than he had expected, and against his better judgement he fled from the two.
"Awww, he ran away." She pouted.
"He is no longer our concern, we've done our job." Haruto stated.
"True."
The other Genin saw the giant fox and couldn't believe their eyes! This was the Kyūbi?!
"This is the Kyūbi...?" Choji stared.
"You feel that? That...power?" Ino shivered.
"I can feel it, even Akamaru." Kiba said as Akamaru didn't shiver and instead simply stared.
"This chakra...it feels like Naruto..." Neji said.
"Naruto?" Tenten looked at him.
Shikamaru turned his head sharply at Neji, "You serious? You really feel Naruto's chakra mixed in with the Kyūbi's?"
Neji nodded, "Yes."
Shikamaru then thought back to the conversation Naruto and Kurotsuchi had before they started fighting, 'Naruto said so himself, you can't kill a Bijū. Then that can only mean...'
Jiraiya felt pride once he saw the giant fox, the Jounin, Chunin, and other ninja's gathered saw the golden fox but didn't feel anything malicious coming off of it. Yamato smiled as he saw his student use the Kyūbi's chakra, Killer Bee grinned and started rapping like a maniac much to the annoyance of Yamato. Kakashi's eye widened as he saw the blonde had complete control of the Kyūbi's chakra and wondered how that happened.
Hiruzen smiled at the sight, 'You've done well, Naruto.'
Orochimaru's eyes widened having not expected this, "He has complete control over it? I didn't foresee this!"
"Naruto's just full of surprises, isn't he?" Jiraiya grinned.
Orochimaru glared.
"You will never manipulate him over to your side!" Hiruzen declared as he got ready to attack again.
"So you say, but the heart is a fickle emotion...it can easily be swayed." Orochimaru smirked.
"Naruto's special." Jiraiya stated.
"That he is." Orochimaru said licking his lips.
Jiraiya was sickened and attacked along with Hiruzen and A.
Naruto punched Shukaku right in the face sending him back while Yugito/Matatabi grabbed his tail, clamping down on it with her mouth and swung him away making him land hard on the ground.
"We'll handle this, Yugito! Just be support!" Naruto told her.
"All right!" Yugito/Matatabi said.
"Here we go." Naruto said.
Shukaku used some of his sand to try and get Naruto but he had other plans, Tiger → Snake → Rat → Snake → Tiger: "Ninpō: Suiton: Suijinheki (Ninja Art: Water Style: Water Wall)!" Naruto/Kurama formed a water wall around them as the sand slammed into it rendering it useless, 'No more fooling around, lets see how you like this!' He thought, Tiger → Ox → Monkey → Rabbit → Ram → Boar → Ox → Horse → Monkey → Tiger → Dog → Tiger → Snake → Tiger → Ox → Monkey → Rabbit → Bird: "Suiton: Daibakufu no Jutsu (Water Style: Giant Vortex Jutsu)!" A large scale of water surges from the ground and shoots towards Shukaku sending him back once more as his sand shield failed to protect him.
Naruto was grateful Zabuza taught him some water style jutsu's when they were training, it really did come in handy just like he said it would.
"I think its time we end this, don't you agree, Kurama?"
"Just what I was thinking." Kurama smirked.
Shukaku got up angrily, "I've just about had it with you, you pest!" He opened his mouth revealing a positive black chakra ball forming.
"He's using Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bomb)!" Gyūki exclaimed.
"What a coincidence, we were about to do the same thing. Naruto!" Kurama said.
"Already on it! Synch with me, Kurama!" Naruto said mentally from inside his partner placing both hands in front of him.
"Hell yeah!" Kurama opened his mouth forming the ball of pure black chakra just like Shukaku.
Yugito/Matatabi stood back and simply watched, 'This will determine the final battle. Who will be victorious?'
Both balls finished forming as they were unleashed, "Bijūdama (Tailed Beast Bomb)!" Both attacks were sent towards each other clashing as they met in the middle swaying a little, fighting for dominance. Naruto closed his eyes thinking about his precious people in the village and refused to let this attack reach them and let out a ferocious cry.
"GOOOO!" Naruto cried as their Bijūdama overcame Shukaku's swallowing him whole as they heard him cry out in pain and a large explosion could be felt around the village. There was a white light that blinded those who were near the area, and those who saw it in the village simply stared on in fascination. When the light died down, the once giant tanuki they saw was no longer seen...
Naruto looked down at the huge crater that was created and saw a barely conscious Gaara in the center of it on his back not moving an inch, "Kurama..."
"I know."
Naruto got out of his Bijū Mōdo (Tailed Beast Mode) almost falling to the ground as he wobbled over to Gaara who was watching his every move like a hawk.
"Don't come any closer! Stay away!" Gaara yelled out of fear.
Naruto ignored his cry, still moving towards him at a slow pace. Once he finally reached the red head he crouched down and...smiled. Gaara gave him a confused look, why is he smiling?
"Its painful," Naruto spoke softly, "To have your very existence ignored, to have scornful words said behind your back, to walk around everyday seeing those hateful expressions..."
Gaara said nothing as Naruto spoke, "I know, I've been there." Naruto brought his hand up towards his eyes, just now noticing his black sash had gotten lost somewhere, "Before I went blind, I was forced to see their scornful looks wishing I was dead every single day. When the looks weren't working, they decided to ignore my existence completely...but that didn't bother me."
"Why...why would you sacrifice so much for them...?" Gaara questioned.
"I do it for the people who see me for who I am...Naruto Uzumaki, not a demon." Naruto smiled.
"People who see you...for who you are..." Gaara muttered.
Naruto placed his hand on Gaara's stomach, "There are people who I want to protect, and who want to protect me in return. They're the reason why I fight...they are my strength."
Gaara closed his eyes, "I see...you protect them...because you love them..."
Naruto took a deep breath, "You should have this seal looked at...I can't do anything, but Jiraiya can. Once this seal is fixed you can finally sleep."
Gaara opened his eyes, "Sleep..." the red head found himself being lifted off the ground, one arm placed over Naruto's shoulder as the blonde slowly led him out of the crater.
"You know...they care about you, too." Naruto said.
Gaara gave him a questioning look prompting Naruto to elaborate, "Temari and Kankuro, their fear and love for you is obvious. But, their love and concern for you...is starting to overlap their fear."
The red head looked down thinking about his siblings and how at some point they did express their concern for him over time, but he brushed it off with indifference believing it to be only temporary. Maybe...he could change and start to care about them, too? He eyed Naruto who kept his eyes forward, 'Maybe someday...I can become like you, Naruto Uzumaki.'
Naruto and Gaara finally got out of the crater and were greeted by Yugito who got Gaara's other arm, "How are you feeling?" She asked.
"Tired..." Naruto snorted sensing his clone appear next to him, "Sorry, think you can take Gaara? I'll use my stick to walk."
"All right." Yugito said taking Gaara off Naruto's hand as he took his stick from his shadow clone who disappeared promtply.
"Speaking of which," Naruto dispelled his clone one by one instead of all together. Dispelling shadow clones all at once was garaunteed to give a monster headache, something he didn't want.
Yugito spotted Gaara's siblings, as well as Sasuke Uchiha and their teammate who was still unconscious on his back. Gaara's siblings looked ready to attack but Gaara shook his head, "No...its over."
Temari and Kankuro backed off immediately seeing Gaara's tiredness, which was a first for him. Yugito gave him over to them with a smile.
"Temari...Kankuro...I'm sorry..." Gaara apologized.
Temari and Kankuro were surprised their younger brother would apologize to them, they noticed he looked over at Naruto who looked just as tired as him and wondered if the blonde had something to do with their brother's changed behavior.
"Don't mention it..." Kankuro finally said.
Temari gave the blonde a grateful look, 'Thank you...'
"Naruto-kun!"
All of them turned their attention towards the rookies, or in Naruto's case heard them running towards them. Naruto let out a huff, 'I'm too tired to even speak...goodnight.' He leaned forward only to be caught by Shikamaru who grabbed both his shoulders.
"He's out cold." Shikamaru stated.
Hinata rubbed the blonde's golden locks with a smile, 'You did it, Naruto-kun!'
Neji volunteered to carry Naruto on his back, the sand siblings and Yugito followed the Genin as they all went back to the village. This invasion was over.
They've won.
Orochimaru clenched his teeth as he saw Shukaku was no longer present, looking back over to his opponents he saw the reanimated Shodaime had the same seal placed on his forehead too.
"Things not going as planned?" Jiraiya teased.
Orochimaru closed his eyes, "No...but there are always set backs..." as he said that the barrier keeping others from entering or leaving dissapeared as four Oto shinobi surrounded Orochimaru. He smirked, "Until next time, but by that time...both Naruto and Sasuke will be mine!" And with that he dissapeared along with the four Oto shinobi.
The shinobi in the area looked around for a few more minutes before they began to cheer their heads off. They had won the invasion.
Hiruzen sighed as he sent Enma back and relaxed, "Its unfortunate I was unable to kill him, but at least he'll think twice about attacking the village again."
"Yeah..." Jiraiya stared at the spot where he dissapeared from.
A put his robe back on just as Darui and Shi appeared next to him, "You've got a lot of work to do." He eyed the village's damage, "But, we'll stay for a little while and help."
"I thank you, Raikage." Hiruzen gave him a grateful smile.
"You've also gotta deal with the Tsuchikage and his assassination attempt on Naruto, sucks to be you right now." Jiraiya grinned.
Hiruzen gave him a playful glare and vowed to pass this job off on Jiraiya one way or another, an idea struck him and smirked evily as his student, "Not necessarily..."
Jiraiya blinked in confusion, "Eh?"
Next Time: Search For The Senju.