Author's Notes:
Hello everyone! I hope y'all are enjoying this second story's chapters, characters, and plot. I have received some great reviews and I hope they keep coming. I would like to give two people a special shout out:
Loyal Reader: Thank you so much for your lovely review. I am glad that you have been following since the first story and I hope you keep reading and reviewing. If you would like, I hope you make a profile so that I can personally message you when you review my chapters. If you don't, that's ok too. Regardless of what you decide to do, I hope to keep hearing from you.
Boys-Love-Yaoi: I have already replied to your review and was happy to see that you started reading this trilogy. As I said in your message, I hope you find this story too and enjoy it as much as you enjoyed the first one. I wanted to give you a shout out to thank you for your kind words and hope to keep hearing from you.
I would also like to thank all of you who have been with this story from the VERY beginning, came a little later, and to the people who are just discovering this collection. I love all of you guys and appreciate the love and support. If you send me a review, then be on the lookout for the chapter, you might get a shout out. Also, I would just like to add that I tried answering all the reviews/ messages that I received. For some reason they are not showing up in my messages, so I had to go back through my emails and find them. So, I am sorry if I missed any of your messages/reviews. If you have not heard from me (and you're not a Guest), then please message me again and I'll reply.
Note 2: I know that I just posted a chapter the previous day and had mentioned about doing a Q&A. I am still up for it. So, if you guys have any questions you would like to ask (it can literally be about ANYTHING within reason) then please message me/ review the chapters and I'll be sure to post them in my Author's Notes at the beginning of each chapter. Can't wait to hear from you guys.
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Chapter 15: Dwindling the Akatsuki: An Immortal's Demise
Normal P.O.V.
"How much longer until they reach them?" Naruto asks.
"It shouldn't be too much longer. According to the coordinates that Lady Tsunade gave us, they should be just up ahead," Sakura answers.
"Do we have any information of who Team Asuma is fighting?" Kakashi questions.
"No. All we know is that they are a team of two from the Akatsuki," Sai informs.
"Then, I guess we'll just have to think on our feet when we arrive," Yamato comments.
"If Shikamaru's there, then we'll have nothing to worry about. He has to already have a plan by now. But, regardless, we need to hurry," Naruto commands as he leads the way to save their friends and comrades.
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"Asuma! Hang on for just a little bit longer!" Shikamaru screams.
Currently, Ino and Choji are standing by, suffering from mild physical damage and slight chakra exhaustion. In the center of the two is a crouching Shikamaru using his Shadow Possession Jutsu to restrain their opponent. Off to the side, Hidan's partner: Kakuzu is waiting impatiently as his partner fights off Team Asuma. Despite being low on chakra, Shikamaru uses all of this strength and reserve to execute his plan to save his sensei.
During their fight, Asuma took damage from Hidan's Triple-Bladed Scythe. Because of this Hidan was able to consume his blood, transform into a grim reaper state, and deal sever damage to Asuma. As he lays on the ground, bleeding from the previous wounds inflected by Hidan, Asuma tries to calm his breathing as he, literally, stares death in the face.
In that same moment, Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji had already figured out that, as long Hidan is in the blood circle he created, his ritual to end their sensei's life will continue. Running out of options, Shikamaru is the only one who is able to try and buy his team some time; at least until their comrades arrive.
"Almost got him," Shikamaru says, grunting. "When he is fully out of the circle, be ready to attack,"
"Right!" Choji and Ino respond, nodding their heads.
"Hidan. Looks like the brats figured out your ritual. Don't you think it's time you man up and accept my assistance?" Kakuzu callas out.
"Shut the fuck up! I can handle it! I don't want you interfering, you jackass!" Shikamaru continues to move his feet back, forcing Hidan to step out of the circle. "You little bitch! When I get free from your vexing curse~"
"There won't be an after for you!" Shikamaru interrupts.
While Hidan is being forced out of the circle, Asuma struggles to move into a kneeling position. He waits. And when Hidan is finally out of the circle, Asuma reaches for one of his blades before throwing it at Hidan. The blade only nicked Hidan's ear, but when Shikamaru noticed that that it didn't affect Asuma, he gave the attack order.
"Now guys!"
Ino reaches into her pouch and grabs some flower petals. With her quick speed, Ino is able to rush towards Hidan, leaving a trail of pedals in her wake while attacking him with kunai, before returning to Shikamaru's side.
"I got it from here," She says as she slams her hands onto the ground.
By leaving the flower pedals on the ground, Ino is able to use her Chakra Pedal Trap Jutsu to trap Hidan the same way as Shikamaru had. Now that he had a break, Shikamaru releases his shadow enough for him to use his Shadow Sewing Jutsu to deal damage to his opponent's body.
"Damnit! I can't move!" Hidan screams as he struggles to move.
"Then you're a sitting duck for me. Human Boulder!" Choji yells as he goes into his attack.
Ino and Shikamaru is able to hold Hidan long enough for Choji to close in on him. Just in time for Choji to hit his target, Ino and Shikamaru release their holds. Hidan groans as Choji finishes his attack. Hidan lays on the ground, panting and grunting in pain from the damage his took.
"Damn you! Damn you all to Hell!" Hidan screams.
While Hidan continues to lay there, Asuma carries his heavy body over to his opponent.
Hidan's eyes widen as he stares at the slow Asuma approaching him. With his blade raised high over his head, Asuma smirks at his opponent's "defeat".
"It's over for you, bastard,"
And with that, Asuma uses his blade to slice of Hidan's head. Everyone watches in amazement and shock at their victory. Hidan's decapitated head rolls onto the ground while his body falls. Both Asuma and Shikamaru fall to the ground, exhausted from the battle. Ino and Choji rushes to both their comrades' aid. Choji holds a panting Shikamaru while Ino tends to Asuma's wounds.
"Don't worry you guys, we'll take it from here," Choji says as he stands up.
Kakuzu shakes his head in disappointment and boredom. "You brats really think the battle is over? Disappointing," everyone watches as his green eyes turn towards Hidan's disembodied head. "If you wanted help, you could've just asked,"
Confusion turns to shock as where the response comes from.
"You bastard! This is all your fault! You let this happen!" Hidan, the deadly hornet, shouts at his partner.
The aggressive male lion rolls his eyes while crossing his arms. "You honestly think that you: a disembodied head can still boss me around? Fuck you,"
"Fuck you, you retarded lion! Once you reattach my head and I kill these fuckers, you're next!"
As the two continue to argue, the team find themselves still in shock at what is occurring.
"He's talking…? But, I cut off his head…" Asuma pants while Ino continues to heal him.
"I don't understand it. It's almost as if he's immortal or something," Choji comments.
"Actually, I think that's exactly what we're dealing with. It would make sense with all the religious crap he was screaming at us earlier," Shikamaru sighs while massaging his temples.
"So what are we going to do, Shikamaru?" Ino asks.
"Give me a minute. I have to readjust our strategy,"
"Fucker! Reattach my head!" Hidan commands.
"I don't feel like it now,"
"I swear to God. If you don't reattach my head to my body I will~"
"Fine, fine. I'm only doing this to shut you up. Plus, watching you get your ass kicked by these brats is actually amusing," Kakuzu walks over this Hidan's head, picks him up by his hair and turn towards the body. In his other, he holds the suitcase filled with money from his previous bounty. "You know, Hidan. Your head is much lighter. We're needed back at the Hideout anyway. How about I just carry your head instead?" the lion says, smirking.
"That's not the fucking point! Just reattach my fucking head!"
"We can't… let that happen… We have to… do… something…" Asuma says, panting while Ino and he stand.
"Get real," Kakuzu replies, glaring at Team 10's leader.
Asuma and Ino gasp when Kakuzu suddenly appears behind them. Thinking quickly, Asuma pushes Ino out of the way. Taking this opportunity, Kakuzu grabs Asuma's hand and pulls him forward before bringing his foot down on Asuma's right leg to break it.
"Ahhhhhh!"
"Asuma!" his teammates scream.
Without hesitating, Kakuzu continues his attack by lifting the monkey male into the air before slamming him on his front. Asuma gasps as he hits the ground. And right when he tries to get up, Kakuzu jumps onto his opponent's back, breaking it. Everyone watches in horror as Kakuzu finishes his attack before heading over to Hidan's body.
"Will you hurry up?! I don't have all day!"
"Shut up already," Kakuzu says, groaning as he stitches Hidan's head back on. "There. Now, would you like some assistance now?"
"Fine. But, it's only because I want revenge on that damned monkey. Have fun playing with that deer, pig and bear,"
"I'll tear them apart," Kakuzu replies, growling in pleasure.
"Guys, we need to save Asuma and retreat. We can't win here," Shikamaru announces quietly to them.
"Yeah but how are we going to do that?"
"Choji, you and I will distract this rag doll of a lion. Shikamaru, you try and save Asuma-sensei,"
Choji and Shikamaru nod at Ino's plan. The three of them ready themselves as they rush towards Kakuzu. The male lion jumps into the air, allowing for Shikamaru to slide under him. Having his attention focusing on the deer sliding under him, Kakuzu do not see Ino and Choji aiming for his sides. Both teammates used their kunais to hit his body. One of them hits him in the heart while the other one landed on his side. Pushing through his pain, Kakuzu releases the clasps on his stitched arms and uses the tendrils in his arms to wrap around both Ino and Choji. They plummet into the ground, confused as to why the stitched lion didn't die.
"What… the hell… is this guy…?" Choji gasps as the tendrils tighten around his body.
"I… don't know… but it seems… we're out matched… here, Choji…"
"Ino! Choji!" Shikamaru yells as he sees his teammates fighting for their lives.
"Don't worry… about us… Shikamaru…"
"Yeah… save… Asuma-sensei… Hurry…" Ino chokes out.
Conflicted on what to do, Shikamaru feels himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, he had his teammates that are currently trapped by Kakuzu. On the other hand, a severely wounded Asuma hangs in the balance as the hornet: Hidan lingers over him. Either way, Shikamaru knew that he is going to lose some of his comrades today. Finally making his decision, Shikamaru rushes towards Hidan and Asuma.
"If I can at least get Hidan's head off again, then maybe I can save Ino and Choji too," Shikamaru believes.
With his plan in mind, Shikamaru powers through his pain to get to Hidan. The problem currently presenting itself is that Shikamaru is all out of chakra and energy. Only the rush of adrenaline is keeping him from passing out. But not even that is enough. Stumbling over his feet, Shikamaru falls to the floor just behind Hidan. He lifts his head to see that, not only is Asuma bleeding heavily from another wound Hidan delivered to his torso, but that Hidan is back in his ritual's circle. It is all over. There is nothing Shikamaru can do. His friends will die. Asuma will die. And, if they bother to, he will be their final target. All of Team 10 will perish here and Shikamaru believes that it is all his fault.
"No! No! It can't be! This is all my fault! If I had just planned a better strategy! If only I could have predicted our predicament better! Why didn't I see this coming?! How could I not be paying attention?! Asuma is always giving me important advice and information! How could I not listen?! I should have been better! And now, I'm going to lose my teammates because of my carelessness! It's all my fault!"
Watching helplessly from the ground, Shikamaru watches in horror as Hidan goes for the finishing blow.
"Now you worthless monkey! Perish!"
Hidan pulls out his retractable sword and brings it to his chest; only stopping when he hears someone call out to him.
"HEY! UGLY BUG! PREPARE TO GET SWATTED!"
"What?!" Hidan questions before he gets hit in the face.
The fist that connects with his face sends him flying backwards into Kakuzu. The two Akatsuki men grunt as they collide with each other before finally hitting the ground.
"Get off of me, baka," Kakuzu says, grunting as he rolls the hornet off of him.
"What the hell just happened?" Hidan asks as he rubs his head. Both males look up to see a pink haired bunny standing where Hidan was just standing. "Who the hell are you fuckers?"
Team 10 smile at the arrival of Team 7 minus Kakashi.
"Sakura!" Ino screams in excitement.
Ino struggles to stand on her feet before making her way over to Sakura. When she gets close enough, Sakura catches her and holds her up.
"Ino? Are you alright?"
"Don't worry about me. We need to get to Asuma-sensei. He's dying,"
Sakura adjusts Ino to a comfortable position before they hurry over to their dying comrade.
While the two girls use their Mystical Palm Jutsus to try and heal Asuma, Naruto rushes over to Shikamaru and Sai over to Choji.
"Naruto? What are you guys doing here?"
"We're the reinforcements that Grandma Tsunade sent. Are you guys alright?"
Shikamaru coughs up some blood before answering. "Yeah, we'll be fine. A little beat up," Shikamaru answers, chuckling a little bit. He looks over to where Asuma is laying while Sakura and Ino try healing him. "Will he be alright?"
"Sakura and Ino got him. Don't worry, we're gonna finish this battle, so you guys rest up," Naruto says, smiling before he moves Shikamaru over by Asuma.
Sai does the same with Choji. Both of the men bring Team 10 together to rest up away from the battlefield.
"Yamato, can you send for Medical Nin squad?" Naruto asks.
"I will send a clone while I stay her and help the others," Performing some hand signs, Yamato summons a clone and gives it orders. Once the clone leaves, he turns and tends to the wounds of the rest of Team 10. "Ino, would you like some healing?"
"No. I want to focus more on Asuma. I'll worry about myself later,"
"As you wish,"
"Alright Captain. We'll take it from here,"
"You guys be careful. That guy with the scythe: Hidan, has this weird ritual he uses to kill his opponents. But, it'll only work if he gets your blood and stays in that circle over there," Shikamaru explains while pointing in the circle's direction.
"Got it, thanks,"
Naruto and Sai turn away from Sakura, Yamato, and Team 10 to face their two opponents.
Pounding his fists together, Naruto glares at both Hidan and Kakuzu. "Alright, which one of you tried to kill Asuma-sensei?"
"That can't be~"
"The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki? Yes it is," Kakuzu confirms as he stands up.
"Well I'll be damned. Looks like today is going to be a good day after all," Hidan says, smirking with his scythe raised in his hand. Hidan gets into position to attack, but is stopped by Kakuzu. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"
"I want this,"
"But~" Hidan's eyes widen when Kakuzu stares at him with a deadly intent. Sighing in defeat, Hidan lowers his scythe and dismisses his ritual. "Fine, I'll go back to the Hideout. I'll just tell them you got… held up,"
"Here," Kakuzu suddenly says as he holds out his bounty's payment. "Take this back to the Hideout. But, if there is any missing…" Kakuzu returns his deadly glare to Hidan. "I'll make sure that you and your body will NEVER be reunited,"
"Whatever," Hidan agrees as he takes the case and leaves.
"Hey! He's getting away!" Naruto announces.
"He won't get far,"
Sai pulls out his scroll to draw a lion and a giant bird. With his hand, Sai commands the drawings to chase after the retreating Hidan. Kakuzu is the one who intercepts them by using his tendrils to defeat them.
"Your target is me now,"
"So you want to take us on alone? Fine then. Let's rock," Naruto says, smirking. "Sai, let's go!"
Naruto and Sai rush towards the rag doll lion. Sai takes out his tantō and uses to defend him against Kakuzu's tendrils. Naruto on the other hand grabs onto the tendrils that were aimed at him and uses them to lift Kakuzu while forming a Rasengan in his right hand. With the Akatsuki member in the air, Naruto slams him onto the ground. Kakuzu grunts as he cracks the ground. As he opens his eyes, a loud gasp is let out when he sees Naruto above him landing his attack.
"AHHHHH!" Kakuzu screams.
Thinking he won, Naruto jumps away and turns around. "Too easy,"
While Naruto is turned around, he almost misses the oncoming attack.
"Naruto!" Sai yells.
The blond turns around to see Kakuzu close to him. The male lion tries to impale Naruto, but his attack stops when he becomes the one impaled. Behind him, Kakashi's Lightning Cutter can be seen piercing through his chest.
"What the~ I didn't even sense you coming," Kakuzu gaps.
"Sorry about that. I guess I should have warned you," Kakashi says, smirking before pulling his hand back. After Kakashi backs away, he is shocked to see that Kakuzu is not going down. "What the~"
"Did you think it would be that easy?"
Kakuzu raises his foot and kicks Kakashi away from him. The silver fox flying in the opposite direction of the fight.
"Kakashi!" everyone yells.
Having landed in a nearby tree, Kakashi grunts as he tries to stand. "What in the world just happened? I know I hit his heart,"
"I've had enough of this foolishness," Kakuzu yells before he removes his cloak. "It's time for the slaughter to begin!"
With the cloak removed, everyone gasps at the sight before them. On the stitched lion's back are four white animal masks with one of them shattered. Kakuzu growls loudly as he releases the stiches holding his back together. When the stiches are removed, the masks come flying out of his back to form three large, black entities and a shattered mask on the ground.
"What… What the fuck are those?" Naruto asks.
"Now, would you look at that? You've gone and broke one of my hearts. I guess I'll just have to replace it with yours," Kakuzu says, chuckling evilly.
"One of your hearts? You have more than one?" Kakashi questions in shock.
"Why yes I do. I can hold up to five hearts at a time. The good thing about these hearts too is that they hold the native Chakra Element of the user whose heart I stole. Here, allow me to demonstrate. Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
One of the masked entities leans forward and unleashes a strong wind pressure onto Kakashi, Naruto, and Sai. Naruto tries to embed his claws into the ground to hold him steady. But, just like the rest of the guys, they are sent soaring into the sky before plummeting to the ground.
"Ouch. That hurts," Naruto says, groaning as he tries to get up from the ground.
"You can whine about your pain later. We need to figure out how we're going to defeat a guy with four hearts,"
"Look," Sai says while pointing to Kakuzu.
"What are we looking at?" Naruto asks.
"The guy said that he has four hearts now, right? Well, what if they're connected to those entities over there?"
Looking closely, Kakashi comes up with a plan. "Sai might be right, but we have to test his theory. We need to destroy one of those other masks to find out,"
"Alright. Seems simple enough. As long as we can find an opening on that bastard,"
"Right. Well it seems that he's native Chakra Element is water. I might be able to use my lighting to~"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
"Everyone, get behind me!" Kakashi orders before jumping into action.
Kakashi puts his hands up and uses his own lightning to counter attack Kakuzu's. The attack forces Kakashi back slightly, but he holds strong until the attack finishes. Panting, Kakashi bends over and places his hands on his knees.
"Damn,"
"Kakashi-sensei? Are you alright?" Naruto questions at his sensei's side.
"I'm fine. Just confused,"
"Yes. It is troublesome to know that this… person… is able to use multiple Chakra Elements without using any hand signs. It would appear that the hearts stolen were that of users of all five Chakra Elements,"
"Damn, how are we going to find an opening on this guy when~"
"Fire Release: Searing Migraine!"
"He keeps ambushing us!" Naruto yells as they dodge the fireballs hurling at them.
The three of them take cover behind some boulders while the attack pursues. After a few moments the fire balls stop.
"What's the matter? Don't want to fight anymore?!"
"We have to do something,"
"I think I can hit him with my lightning again if you two can find me an opening,"
"Would you like a bit of water to help you out?"
"Excellent idea, Sai,"
"Alright then. I'll create a distraction so you guys and can light his ass up," Naruto steps out from behind his boulder waving his arms. "Hey ugly lion dude!" Kakuzu turns his attention to Naruto. "I'm the one you want, right? Then," Naruto turns around and starts spanking his butt to taunt Kakuzu. "Why don't you come get me!"
"You insolent brat! I'll destroy you!"
Kakuzu sends his entities towards the dancing fox. Seeing that his plan is working, Naruto starts playing with the entities. He jumps, flips, and dances around as all three entities try to attack him with their elements. The more Naruto keeps taunting him, the worse Kakuzu's temper becomes.
"Hold still!"
"That all ya got, ya overgrown rag doll!"
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
As Naruto continues to distract Kakuzu, Sai and Kakashi wait for the right moment to strike. When Naruto gets the entities to follow him further away from their wielder, Sai uses his earth Chakra Element to conceal himself within the ground and sneak in close to Kakuzu. When he is close enough, Sai uses his water Chakra Element to wet the ground around Kakuzu's feet.
"How dare you taunt me like an idiot!"
"Hey Kakuzu! How about you focus on me!" Kakashi says as he prepares to attack him.
Defending himself, Kakuzu summons one of the masks to protect him. Kakashi uses his lightning Chakra Element to strike the ground below Kakuzu and also destroy the fire mask. Kakuzu yells as lightning runs through his body. With the attack, the mask shatters and now there are only two entities left. Realizing that he's been fooled, Kakuzu calls back the remaining entities to his side. Panting from the force of the attack and his anger, Kakuzu no longer wants to keep the battle going.
"You three… are pissing… ME OFF!"
"We need to destroy those other hearts before we can finally kill him," Kakashi analyzes
"I want you two to fight off the remaining hearts while I distract him."
"Do you believe that you can truly win on your own?" Sai asks.
"With my new technique? Yeah, I got this,"
"Naruto please be careful. You just learned it and haven't had time to perfect it yet. If it doesn't work, it might cause damage to you too,"
"I will Kakashi-sensei,"
"Alright Sai, let's do what we can,"
Sai pulls out his scrolls and ink to draw more monsters. Using a combination of fire, water, and Sai's drawings, they began their assault. While Sai and Kakashi fight the entities, Naruto stands proudly in front of the Akatsuki member.
"Looks like it's just you and me, monster,"
"Hn. How ironic. The monster calling someone else a monster? It almost makes me want to chuckle,"
"What's the matter? Scared of the power for the Nine-Tails' vassal's power?"
"Actually, I'm excited," Kakuzu says before running towards Naruto.
The blond fox puts up his defenses. When the stitched lion is close enough, he unleashes his tendrils. Naruto ducks under them and uses his tails to wrap around them. Surprising Kakuzu, Naruto uses his fist to uppercut him. Not letting up on his attack, Naruto adds some of Kurama's chakra to his and uses it send the lion flying a punch. Going after him, Naruto summons four Shadow Clones. One runs ahead of the group to punch Kakuzu in the face before letting the real Naruto jump off his back. While the real Naruto jumps into the air, the other Naruto's use their feet to kick him into the air. Cursing himself for letting Naruto get the best of him, he Kakuzu is too distracted to see the real Naruto flipping above him.
"Uzumaki Barrage!"
The kick plummets Kakuzu towards the ground, cracking it when he lands. Keeping his Shadow Clones to help him form his Wind Release attack, Naruto looks around. Kakashi and Sai had both finished off the other hearts. Returning his attention back to the lion riving in pain from having his hearts destroyed. Seeing this sight before him brings a smile to his face.
"I don't understand… How did… a few brats… like you… managed to… defeat me… I've fought others… from the older generation… who were stronger… and better…"
"You're wrong, Kakuzu… We're better," And with that, Naruto unleased his newest technique. "Wind Release: Rasengan!"
The attack lands dead center of Kakuzu's chest, killing him instantly. As the attack continues, Naruto start starts screaming from the pain shooting up his arm. He looks down to see his Wind Rasengan deforming. The attack ends and Kakuzu is dead, but pain doesn't stop. Naruto grabs his arm as he falls to the ground. Sakura runs over to him as the fox continues screaming.
"What's wrong, Naruto?"
"My arm… feels like… it's on fire…"
"Here, let me take a look at it," she looks at it carefully. "It looks bad. That jutsu you used might have caused a lot of damage to your arm. We need to hurry back to the village. Here, I'm going to heal it while we travel back,"
"But, what about Asuma-sensei?"
"He's stable. At least until we get back to the village. The Medical Nin squad is here. Is everything finished here?"
"Yes. We are ready to leave. Tell the Medical Nin squad that we need to take Kakuzu's body to back to Konoha with us," Kakashi orders. "I'm pretty sure Lady Tsunade can use him to examine,"
Everyone gathers around each other and prepares to head home. With all the Medical Nin helping out, it makes it easier for everyone to travel. But, even with this victory hanging over their heads, everyone can feel that it will be short livid.
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To Be Continued…