Author's Note:
I would just like to thank everyone for their reviews for the previous chapter and your congratulations! I love getting notifications that people are still reading and hanging in there with me. For those of you still hanging in there and staying with me, you're almost done with the Pain Arch! I know everyone, especially me, is excited to get through this big part of the story to see what's instore for everyone, especially NaruSasu. I promise, it will all be worth it.
Also, I wanted to let everyone know that the reviewer contest will resume this month and a new winner will be chosen in April! So, keep the reviews coming and you could be the next person to get a request in this story. Any questions just ask! Alright, y'all, let's get to it!
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Chapter 48: Pain's Assault Part 1: Leveling the Battlefield
Normal P.O.V.
Blood pounded like beating drums in Naruto's ears. Every hair and fur stood on end as Naruto proceed the news Killer B just announced.
"They went to neutralize the Akatsuki without me?! They purposely sent me here so they could start the war without me?!" Naruto screams in his head, forgetting about the resting demon.
"Naruto just calm down. No need to freak out," Sasuke says with his arms crossing, refusing to meet Naruto's twitching gaze.
Killer B went to poke the younger boy in his head, "Yo, I think ya boi is broke,"
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"
"There he goes," Sasuke sighs with a hand over his face.
"So, both of you knew all this time and wasn't going to say shit?! What the absolute fuck is going on?! It's like no one listens to a damned thing I say! I swear you people are going to send me to an early grave! Not the war, not the Akatsuki trying to take the Nine-Tails from me, you people!"
"Naruto, you've got to calm down,"
"That's easy for you to say. You're just following orders as my "babysitter". What? Did they tell you not to tell me anything? To keep me in the dark until it was all over? Then what? Were they going to come get us afterwards?"
"Pretty much," Sasuke shrugs.
"And you're ok with this, B? You don't want to participate in the war?"
"You have to understand something, son. We are the vessels for the Tailed-Beasts. We have been used as weapons in the previous three Shinobi Wars. I don't know about you and yours, but we're tired of wars. We're tired of being used as weapons only to be stored away for later. My big bro and your village don't want use to have to feel obligated to fight because of our demons. We're more than just weapons of war. We're people too, dog,"
"We're also shinobi. And I don't know about you two but when I put this headband on, I am a soldier for my home, my family, and my mate. If that means that I must be used as a weapon to end a war or die so everyone else may live, then so be it. Stay here if you want to, I'm going back home," And with that, Naruto turns on his heels and walks towards the exit.
The air between B and Sasuke becomes thick and awkwardly silent before Sasuke breaks it, "Tsk. I hate when he gets like this. Naruto wait,"
"Don't try to stop me, Sasuke," Naruto says without looking back.
"I'm not. I'm coming with you,"
Naruto stops to throw a look over his shoulder. Sasuke catches up to him, standing tall with a proud smirk and height different of 3 inches.
"So, you're not going to give me a speech about how I should follow the rules and stay behind and out of the war?" Naruto asks with a raised eyebrow.
"Not as long as you don't give me an inspiring lecture about your duties as an alpha and becoming future Hokage,"
"Deal," Naruto smiles.
"Damn son. You really know how to touch someone. Right here too," B says with tears rolling down his cheeks and his fists hitting his chest.
"So, you'll come with us?" Naruto asks hopefully.
"Hell no. I'm still on vacation. But I'll definitely be seeing you on the battlefield. So don't go getting yourselves killed, ya heard me,"
"Alright B. See ya around,"
Naruto and B fist bump each other in the air before Naruto and Sasuke make their way to the out of the temple and to the teleportation station.
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Back home in Konoha, Tsunade is being ushered to the underground bunker. Outside, every able body shinobi is either fighting off the attacking Pain clones or Konan or they're helping the remaining civilians get to safety. The last thing Tsunade knew when she woke up this morning, she had a pounding hangover, a slight memory of her discussion with Jiraiya the night before, and a missing mate. Shortly after, before she could Shizune could finish scolding her, Konan began her attack on the village. Then Pain sent his other clones to assist in the attack. Soon Konoha was leveled and hell broke loose. Everyone was in a state of panic. People were dying. The only other fact Tsunade could say was that Jiraiya was doing his best to save to hold off the real Pain.
"Lady Tsunade, what are we going to do?!" Shizune shouts while she holds their trusty pig: Tonton.
"There's not a whole lot of anything I can do from in here. I need to be out there!"
"But Milady, you can't! You have to remain save," the owl ANBU says.
"While my village is leveled? How am I supposed to be Hokage without a village?" she snaps back.
Trying to calm her nerves while the war rages outside, Tsunade paces. Thoughts and regrets of sending Naruto away on that island filled her head. She tried to shake them, but nothing worked.
"For once, I should have just listened to that damned brat and let him stay here. Oh Naruto, we need you,"
As if on que, the door opened to revile an angry Naruto and a concerned Sasuke.
"Naruto? Sasuke? What are you~"
"So, this was a better plan than leaving me on that island? Hn. I'd say job well done," Naruto says while giving a slow clap.
"Not now, brat. You weren't even supposed to find out," she says while rubbing her temples before looking at Sasuke, "And you weren't supposed to tell him,"
"I didn't. I told you not to underestimate him,"
"We're here to help. And rather you like it or not, we're going to fight," Naruto says determined to stand his ground.
"Good, because we're going on the battlefield," Tsunade replies fiercely.
"What?!" everyone gasps.
"Lady Tsunade, you can't~"
"I've made up my mind. There's no turning back," she interrupts the rabbit ANBU member without looking at anyone other than Naruto and Sasuke. "I've made too many mistakes as Hokage. Lost too many people. My alpha and village are out there fighting while I'm hiding like a coward. No more. I am the first female Hokage, but I will not be remembered as the first Coward Hokage. Naruto, Jiraiya is fighting the original Pain somewhere near the village. I can use my mating link to locate him, but I'm worried we won't make it in time,"
"Don't worry, leave that to me. I can also use my Sage Sensing abilities to guide us. I'll lock onto Pain's chakra if need be," Naruto grins with a thumbs up.
Tsunade nods before turning back to Shizune and the other ANBU. "I need you all out there too. Shizune, I you're in charge of helping the other Mednins out there. The rest of you are to guard her. If anything happens to my niece… then no god will be able to save you from me, got it!"
They all nod nervously to the threat. When Tsunade is satisfied, she turns back towards her grandsons, "Let's go,"
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Once they are on the battlefield, dust covers the land, but they can see the destruction and death of the village. It brings tears to Tsunade's eyes as the onslaught in front of her continues. Naruto places a comforting hand on her shoulder. She nods, ready for battle. Naruto was getting ready to summon Kurama but smacks his head in realization that the fox hasn't recovered from their battle yet. Sasuke smacks his mates, calls him an "idiot" before summoning his Susanoo. Purple chakra and a samurai form surround them and levitates them off the ground. Tsunade closes her eyes to search their mate link.
"Oh no," she gasps, tears threatening to fall in the corner of her eyes.
"What's wrong?" Naruto asks.
"I can barely feel him. Our connection is breaking. He's dying, Naruto! He's barely hanging on!" she screams.
He grabs her and tries to calm her down, "Don't worry. I'll use my Sage Sensing ability to lock on. As long as he's alive, I can sense him. Just stay strong," she nods before moving away and letting him concentrate. After a few moments, he pinpoints Jiraiya's location and points in the direction, "There! Sasuke, go!"
"Right! Susanoo, go!"
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Across the battlefield, Jiraiya had given everything he had left in him. He was almost out of chakra, his right arm was ripped from his body, covered in life threatening injuries, and almost out of time. He could feel his life slipping through his fingers. Even though he fought valiantly, there was nothing else he could give. This was the end for him. At least, he gave it all he had.
"Sensei… it looks like… your time… is almost up…" Pain says as he walks towards Jiraiya.
"He's right Tsunade. I'm sorry but looks like there won't be a tomorrow for us. Please, take care and don't forget me, my love,"
"I can still fight, Pain. Don't count me out yet," Jiraiya pants as he tries to stand.
"Defiant until the end. Just as I remembered you. Hn. You always did try to be the hero. But those days are over. Now die!"
Pain held out his hand to summon a final attack on his sensei. Jiraiya closes his eyes, ready to embrace death's sweet embrace. He hears the launch of the attack, but nothing ever comes. When he opens his eyes, three familiar figures stand before him surrounded by a purple chakra samurai figure.
"Hey Pain, why don't I give you a taste of what real pain is like!" Naruto yells with his arms crossing over his chest.
"Naruto? Sasuke? Tsunade? What are you three doing here?" Jiraiya says weakly.
Sasuke releases Susanoo and Tsunade rushes to his side, "I'm going to kill you for this,"
"I told you not to come,"
"It's a good thing we did. You're pretty much dead," Sasuke says, throwing a look over his shoulder.
"What were you thinking going into battle by yourself, Pervy-Sage. I'm going to kick your ass for this later,"
After assessing the damage, Tsunade immediately started trying to heal some of the more major wounds, "You sure are one resilient person. Anyone else would have died from wounds like this. You're damn sure lucky you didn't. You should have let me come with you. We could have stopped him together," she glares.
"I don't think we could have, Tsunade. His strength is unlike anything I've ever seen before. It's almost godlike. He's out of our league. We need to retreat back to the village," Jiraiya warns.
"There's no point. This monster's clones and partner leveled the village. They destroyed it, Jiraiya," Tsunade announced, almost in tears.
"No… How many…"
"We don't know yet. But for right now, we need to worry about healing you first," she says before summoning a few smaller versions of Katsuyu and placing them on his major wounds and standing up. "That should work for now. Now, hold still and let them work while I handle things from here,"
"What do you plan on doing? You can't fight him! Tsunade, Naruto, Sasuke, you need to run!"
But Jiraiya's warning fell of deaf ears as the three stand against his opponent.
"I see. The Third Hokage, the youngest Uchiha Heir, and the Nine-Tails' vessel is going to take me on? How pitiful for all of you to want to understand true pain today,"
"The only one that is going to understand pain today is you. On behalf of the Leaf Village, we are its protectors and we will stop you!" Tsunade said with determination in her voice.
The air is silent but loud with both side's determination to win the battle. In front of the three stood the strongest enemy they have faced so far, but they knew that there were more out there. If they couldn't defeat this one man… then they had no hope of winning the war that is to come. And all the training both Naruto and Sasuke put themselves through will have been for nothing.
Their hearts pound with anxiety, determination, and a mix of fear in there, but they knew they had to come out of this battle alive. What remained of their village depended on it.
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To Be Continued…