Chapter 23
AN: I'm back. Time for some good old fashioned action! I received a ton of reviews this week as well as PM's. Anyways, on to the story, as I have a ton of practicing I need to do after this.
Rooftops of Konoha, with Naruto and Angel…
Two figures streaked across the tiled roofs of Konoha, one an undersized ANBU and the other an oversized cat. Chakra pulsed through their legs and eyes were razor sharp. Around them the roofs were filled with other shinobi, each headed towards their own assignments. The swarms of shinobi thickened as Naruto and Angel reached the far side of the village, towards the forests surrounding the prison. Already the blonde could feel the dark aura of hostiles, his senses augmented to the max by a blood thirsty Kurama; the fox was itching for battles.
Four familiar chakra signatures enveloped around the pair as the rest of Ro joined in, Tenzo taking point. Yugao and Deidara were flanking left and right while Hikaru took the back, Byakugan no doubt active at intervals.
'Mouse- we're assigned the furthest sector to catch any runners and the perpetrators.' Tenzo signed quickly turning to face the team. Naruto nodded in affirmation and moved towards the back with Hikaru while Angel took to the branches above.
'Captain, capture plan?' Naruto signed, coughing to get Tenzo's attention once more. The Hokage mentioned killing and making them hurt, but he had twenty prisoner scrolls just in case. Yugao answered with a blunt remark.
'For prisoners, try to capture unless deemed too dangerous. For the attackers, no survivors unless they surrender when we find them.'
Prisoner scrolls that wouldn't be used, apparently, as more than likely the criminals would attempt to fight back.
'…Understood, sempai.' He dutifully replied. Just then Hikaru clicks to draw attention and signs.
'Six hostiles, three hundred meters to the left on the ground, fleeing in our direction. Four more on the right converging towards us.' Without prompting the five ANBU and hell cat jump higher into the canopy.
Moments later the two groups Hikaru had seen meet up in the middle, amongst a small break of the dense foliage. Naruto strained his eyes as the full moon dipped behind clouds. He could make out the various forms of the ten, the group of six containing two mountainous men.
'On my signal- Mouse' Tenzo signed when the moonlight returned and Naruto instantly produced twenty five clones of various ANBU masks to hopefully intimidate them into surrendering.
Tenzo gave the mark and as one Ro landed in a circle enclosing the startled criminals.
"You have broken out of Konoha's prison in a futile attempt at freedom; surrender or die" Tenzo said monotonously, like he didn't care one way or the other.
Several of the prisoners looked intimidated by the show of force and tone, and two started raising their hands in surrender.
Until a familiar silver haired prisoner spoke up in a soothing voice.
"Fujin, Raijin, remember that Orochimaru-sama has an endless supply of food waiting for you."
"Food." The two now identified giants groan.
"Yes! Food! But- first you must take down these pesky ANBU who would take away your food." Mizuki pointed to the trees. The brothers saw red and roared.
"NO TAKE OUR FOOD! BROTHER!" The slightly bigger one shouts and they charge, uprooting the tree Tenzo was in and swinging around. In the chaos, several clones popped, and the once frightened prisoners gained angry expressions.
"Hey! That there ANBU was just a clone!" One, a man with an eye patch and missing teeth, shouted. A woman next to him sneered.
"Yeah, let's take em- I bet there's only one or two, and I used to be an Iwa chunin. We can take then!" She boldly declared and the rest of the group charged at Ro, who were by then hopping to various trees.
Naruto kicked a branch flying near him away and followed a nervous looking Hikaru to another tree; Tenzo and Yugao were busy seven of the prisoners ganging up on then and Deidara above them.
"Shit. Shit, shit, shit. It HAD to be them." Hikaru cursed. "At your six!" Naruto tilted his head as he made two chains to wrap around the eye patched idiot who had split off from the attack on Tenzo and Yugao, trying to sneak a sword jab at the blonde's skull. Naruto decapitated the man with his sword cleanly. "Those brothers- Fujin and Raijin- are infamous for being almost as strong as Tsunade-sama. They killed their teammates for food right before I made jonin; their capture was what led to my promotion but damn were they horrible to take down." The Hyuga explained.
"So how do we take them out, un?" Deidara inquired, clay bombs bombarding the brothers to no effect. He couldn't resort to more…artistic ones in the forest though. "Because they're coming for us now" he deadpanned and pointed to the two giants jumping up with raised fists.
The trio of young ANBU dodged the attacks. In the air as they spun to land safely, Hikaru spoke his plan.
"Chibi-kohai; I've seen you make a ton of chains before. Channel Kurama and strengthen them, binding them to the trees or ground. Pyro-kohai?" He looked at Deidara as they landed near an irritated Tenzo who was kicking two of the escapees away. Deidara turned his mask. "…After I block some of their pressure points, blow them to pieces, and we'll put out the fire afterwards." Truth was Hikaru wouldn't take the chance of anyone getting hurt by the bastards that killed one of his genin teammates before Hikaru could take them out, mostly due to their orders to capture alive and them drawing the battle out. They needed to die, as there wasn't any way to control them, not with their 'leader' of sorts that promised them food already escaping according to his Byakugan. No, Hikaru decided, they'd take out the brothers before chasing down Mizuki and Angel, who was on his tail.
"With pleasure, un!" Deidara cheekily responded.
Naruto made the chains, but they were batted away.
"Hehe. Brother, this is fun." Fujin clapped. Raijin gave a grin in response.
"Of course it's fun- Mizuki said this would be!" Raijin said while taking a Rasengan with a finger and flicking Naruto away.
Naruto, cursing, had thirty clones poof into existence and mob the brothers. This time the chains easily wrapped around the pair as they were slow juggernauts and were focused on the other blondes weighing them down. His eyes glowed red as Kurama let his chakra seep through slightly, turning the chains a sickly purple and strengthening them.
'Glad that idea worked' Naruto sighed in relief at Kurama. The fox huffed.
Of course it work- I, the great Kyubi said it would. My chakra augments your puny human chakra. Naruto had argued that Hikaru's plan would fail, but Kurama had vehemently argued it would work.
Ignoring the boasting, Naruto focused on maintaining a struggling tangle of chains.
Hikaru dived forward, gentle fists aimed for paralyzing points throughout the body, enough chakra in his palms to kill most normal shinobi. In a flurry the genius Hyuga hit twelve points on the brothers simultaneously, before jumping back a safe distance.
"Hehe, that tickles, brother" Fujin giggled as various spots were hit, though with his size the meaty man was only partially paralyzed. "These ropes are hurting me- lets throw them!" And the massive man pushed against the chakra chains, before grabbing them, Raijin doing the same. They spun in a whirlwind, the chains becoming a purple and red tornado.
Naruto yelped as his chains- and subsequently him- were yanked forward with such a force and he was flung through the air. Immediately Naruto summoned multiple clones that encased around their creator. As he landed into some tree tops amongst the clones, his first thought was:
'Last time I'm letting Hikaru pick the plan!' He groaned, already feeling his cracked rib healing. Inside Kurama snorted.
Nice move there! It looks soooo great on you to be defeated by two numbskulls! Kurama mocked sarcastically. Naruto rolled his eyes as he jumped down gingerly, intent on making it back to Ro, who were bound to be nearby. Instantly, Kurama became serious.
A vile chakra is near, charging right- KIT! Was the only warning Naruto got before crystals of various sizes erupted from the ground. A woman with a dull blue or purple pony tail sneered at the ANBU as he back flipped several times to escape the path of crystals. On her back was an all too familiar scroll.
"I hope you give me a better fight than your comrades." The kunoichi mocked. "Their blood didn't sate me." She flared her suffocating killing intent and chakra, baring her teeth.
Naruto ignored the mocking and stared at her through his mask with a mixture of determination and nervousness.
'Kurama'
I know; this one is powerful. Don't go easy or you'll die.
'I know…ready for one hell of a fight?' He asked his furry partner, vicious grin in place. Kurama sent a matching mental one back.
You know it, her strange abilities are nothing compared to the great Kurama.
"Crystal style: crystal needles!" Was all Naruto got before facing down a volley of pink crystals glistening as they raged towards him.
"This is going to suck" Naruto muttered and prepared to use all his prowess to survive and retrieve the scroll, red cloak surrounding him.
With Mizuki…
Mizuki grinned evilly as he ran deep into the forest and away from the two idiots he tricked into stalling the ANBU black-ops.
Soon I'll be in Otogakure with Orochimaru-sama! There I'll be recognized, not as an outcast but as a hero. Stupid demon brat, making me rot, I'll come back to kill him and-
Pain wracked the traitor's body as life left him via enormous jaws wrapping around his jugular.
"Hah- puny human that hurt Naruto. I hope the Shinigami eats your soul a thousand times over" Angel spats down at the body of Mizuki. She knew who he was from Naruto, and killing the one who betrayed her partner was satisfying in a euphoric way.
However, her satisfaction was short lived as a burst of a familiar chakra filled her bones.
"Naruto!" the young hell cat gasped and charged full speed in the direction of the chakra's origin, leaving a mutilated ex-chunin in an undignified heap on the forest floor.
With Ro…
Hikaru cursed himself as he not only felt his kohai/best friend's chakra in a quick burst, but also grimly took out several shinobi with various headbands. Deidara was back to back with him, waves of various clay bombs creating holes where hearts used to be. His captain bound another three effortlessly.
"Dance of the Crescent moon!" was called behind him and Hikaru's Byakugan witnessed seven escapees being sliced to pieces.
Fujin and Raijin were among the now piles of dead, victims of Hikaru and Deidara unleashing an overkill of exploding shadow clones and a lightning coated kunai. Hikaru rarely used his only chakra conductive kunai, but seeing the monsters who threw his kohai half a mile away scream when the knife penetrated their skulls was well worth it, claims that he was cruel for it be damned.
"Wolf, Fox- go get Mouse and meet at section 5-B!" Tenzo ordered as he ran through hand seals, summoning an 'earth tsunami' that drowned three missing ninja. Hikaru nodded and the duo took off, Deidara creating a clay bird on the fly.
With Kakashi…
Kakashi was not in a forgiving mood; the squad of missing shinobi that lay dead at his feet were proof of that fact. Three of the prisoners who had fled cowered near a large oak, their light garbs torn in multiple places.
Kakashi sent them an eye smile radiating malice.
"I don't suppose any of you are thinking of running, ne?" The cyclops jonin asked. All three shook their heads furiously.
"N-n-no." A reed like man stuttered. His portly friend started crying.
"That's good to hear," Kakashi praised, "Now, how would you three like to march back to prison like the adorable criminals you are?"
"We'd like to go back to our cells now!" The three chorused as they started walking back towards the prison. Hayate coughed a chuckle from above as he followed them in the shadows. Kakashi watched them go before sending a flare in the air to signal his area was clear, then turned to the other member of his temporary squad.
"Maa, Genma, I think we're done here." Genma snorted as his leader attempted to take out a familiar orange book.
"Nope; we're to head back and get another zone." Kakashi gave a long suffering sigh but followed his comrade.
However, the cyclops became deadly serious when he felt it. Sending a quick prayer for Naruto's safety and a mental promise to chat with Tenzo about endangering his little brother once the ordeal was over, Kakashi picked up the pace.
With Tenzo and Yugao…
Moments after sending the younger members away, Tenzo focused on a spot in the trees.
"You can come out now; hiding from a Byakugan is quite an accomplishment, especially for one so young and not raised with the clan. But hiding in a tree means I can see you. However, you should be proud, Sai."
Stepping out of the shadows was a pale faced boy, hands in the air and fake smile plastered on his face.
At Tenzo's nod Yugao used a shunshin behind the intruder, placing a kunai at his throat. Sai didn't even flinch.
"Tell me, what's a Root agent such as yourself doing out at this time of night?" Tenzo asked. Sai met his hidden gaze with unfeeling ones.
"I'm not here to speak with you, kitty, but with one above you."
"Who?" Yugao demanded and pressed the kunai deeper, drawing a trickle of blood.
"That's enough you two; I think my little spy has been spooked enough." A disembodied voice echoed from above.
Back with Naruto…
Akira hit a tree hard before dispelling back to the clan. Naruto had summoned his Panthers and Tigers to provide the back up, but his enemy was able to bat them away like flies. The last one standing, Hisoka landed next to him in a crouch, silent question in the eyes.
"I know, Hisoka. It's those pesky crystals- they've even made a dome. Stand back for now." Naruto ordered and reached for two of his chakra conductive kunai.
Naruto darted forward in a zig zag like pattern, summoning a hundred clones that wove around him, creating a confusing mass so that the woman in front of him couldn't pick him out.
"That won't work- Crystal style: Tearing Crystal Falling Dragon" she called after forming two hand seals. Rising from a tree and connecting to crystals in the area, a ferocious dragon roared, diving into the mass of ANBU clones.
Naruto smirked from behind his mask as he vaulted off of a clone's shoulders.
You know this is insane right? Kurama commented. Naruto grunted.
'Yeah, yeah, just send me more chakra' Naruto shot back. Landing on the dragon's snout, three tails waved proudly in the night as Naruto dived the kunai into the eyes, hoping to disperse it like what happened to his water dragons.
Instead it just ticked the chakra beast off as the kunai became stuck and made crystals form on his shoes before he could jump away.
Crystals continued growing until the blonde unbuckled them and tossed the shinobi sandals aside. He hit the tree opposite of the dragon and pushed off it, landing near the Kunoichi.
The crystal dragon curled tightly around the woman before shattering and reforming as two crystal spears. She smirked at the ANBU and made a 'come at me' gesture.
Naruto used three shunshins to appear before her, his sword pressing down with kyubi laced wind chakra. The crystals shattered and Naruto clicked his tounge when he managed to graze the woman's shoulder as she dodged.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk; those crystals can't handle some chakra?"
With Guren…
Guren growled at the kid in front of her. She wasn't expecting the Kyubi Jinchuuriki to be the one she had to fight. From what she knew of his kind, even a child was dangerous, if the bubbling on her shoulder was to be believed. She had to kill the brat now though; to let him live could spell trouble for Orochimaru-sama.
The two combatants locked eyes, Naruto summoning a purplish Rasengan and Guren slamming her fists into the ground, crystals spiking out once more.
End! So, I have the rest of the chapter almost done, but it won't be ready until this weekend at the earliest. So, I had to cut off at an awkward place, mainly because I'm also editing what's keeping Deidara and Hikaru away. Also, fight scenes are really difficult so I wanted time to go back over the climax of the Naruto v. Guren scenes. Also, I had a treat for y'all that has a deadline of tomorrow:
Omake: An ANBU Halloween!
Konoha, day before Halloween…
The streets of Konoha were decorated with leaves and decorations. Naruto walked down the street in a henge, carefully darting his eyes from each passerby. He had even sent Angel to hang with Tora to further throw off his pursuer.
'Gotta make it to the tower, ask for leave, and run far away from HIM' Naruto thought to himself.
I happen to quite like that scarecrow's idea. Kurama sniggered.
'S-shut up!' Naruto stammered and continued his flight.
Meanwhile, Kotetsu and Izumo were at a nearby dango shop, stumped.
"Kooootetsuuuu. How can we be the coolest villain trio without a third member?" Izumo moaned. Kotetsu sighed.
"I don't know." Naruto's ears perked at the mention of needing a third member and used a shunshin over, dropping the henge.
"Yo, what's the problem?" He asked with a masked grin full of hope. Kotetsu groaned.
"We're supposed to be Team Rocket for the chunin and ANBU Halloween parties, but"
"WE HAVE NO MEOWTH!" Izumo finished.
"So, got anyone in mind?"
Naruto thought hard. He was tempted to volunteer, but a brilliant idea struck.
"Oh? I have someone in mind." He sniggered.
With Deidara and Hikaru…
The destructive duo were lounging in their teammate's apartment, Angel and Tora nearby in sunbeams.
"My, two of my subordinates lazing around? Boo" Dragon said from behind the pair.
Hikaru and Deidara squealed in fright, jumping up and latching onto the ceiling. Dragon tsked.
"I need to run more situational awareness classes."
"D-dragon-sama! What are you doing here?" Hikaru asked. Dragon just reached up and pulled Deidara down from the ceiling.
"Just grabbing my Mini-me; Kakashi-baka will cry with envy when he sees how MY Mini-me project succeeds when his failed. Mwhahahaha" Dragon chuckled and used a shunshin to take a still stunned Deidara away. Hikaru stared forelornly.
"Well, at least chibi-kohai left some noodles in the fridge."
"Too bad you'll be too busy to eat them." Tenzo chuckled from the doorway, grabbing the Hyuga and dragging him away.
When all the humans left Angel opened an eye.
"Want to go terrorize some genin?"
"…meooow."
"Ooh, your mind is truly devious."
Halloween night, chunin party…
"…you can't be serious, Naruto. I thought you meant Angel- not…this!" Izumo gestured wildly in front of him.
Tora yawned at the foolish humans in front of her. Naruto had assured her they'd feed her fancy tuna though, so she'd play this…Meowth character. As she pawed her forehead, hitting the strange orb, Tora began wondering if it was worth it.
Naruto patted Tora on the head and placed her on a frozen Izumo's shoulders.
"There- now be sure to feed her, Jesse!"
"S-S-S-S-sure thing, Naruto." Kotetsu stuttered and they turned to the party.
"Ahh, now time for phase two: hiding in the forest of death till dawn!" Naruto clapped his hand, only to freeze when a familiar hand clamped down on his shoulder.
ANBU/Jonin party…
Various ANBU agents were mulling about in a diverse range of costumes.
Hayate and Yugao became a shinobi version of Bonnie and Clyde…
Lizard had risen from his records tower to depict a mummy, complete with a tomb.
And Hikaru? The Hyuga was trying to hide behind the concession table, gripping the sides with his teeth as his arms were…hidden.
…Too bad Tenzo was stronger.
"Come on, quit being a baby, Mini-me!"
"Mini-me my Byakugan- I refuse to be humiliated." Hikaru shot back. Tenzo sighed and raised a leafy hand to his face.
"I can't be Sudowoodo without a Bonsai- you should be honored. Now let's go- the costume contest is soon!" Tenzo scolded. In all his glory stood Tenzo in a Sudowoodo outfit, his face sticking out with his head band- engraved with a Pokeball.
Having no arms free to grab onto something and teeth being too far away from any table, Hikaru was dragged towards the stage of ANBU fighting their laughter at the pair.
With Dragon and Deidara…
"Are you sure about this?"
"Of course- trust me, it makes life worth living. Now, follow my lead."
At the chunin party, all activity stopped as two dark figures appeared in a flash and smoke, dark chuckling following. As the smoke cleared, a black clad man and a teenager with green tights, red shirt, and black face mask appeared.
"To protect the village from devastation" The black clad one started.
"Psst- that's the wrong fandom" The red shirted one whispered, much to the onlookers confusion.
"Shut it and just follow the script or else Konohamaru duty for a YEAR."
"To unite all shinobi in our nation." Here the duo pulled out night shade flowers.
"To denounce the evils of paperwork"
"To extend our reach to…every quirk."
"Dragobat man"
"Robin boy"
"Team Dragon shunshins off at the speed of light."
"Surrender now or prepare to cry." The teen finished lamely.
As the crowd stared, Deidara wished he could cry in a hole. Dragon wore his traditional robe, only his mask had monsterous horns along with tall bat ears. Overall, terrifying in the dim party lights.
But Deidara? Deidara was in spandex.
"Hey! You stole our gig, bastards." Izumo cried. "Go- Tormeowth! Attack!" And Thus Deidara was used as his commander's human shield from the demon cat of Konoha.
With Naruto…
"I hate you."
"I love you too."
"I hope the Shinigami curses your soul."
"Thank you for the blessings!"
"…Curse you."
With the Hokage and Konohamaru…
Hiruzen Sarutobi watched in pride as his grandson went door to door collecting candy in his adorable puppy costume that Hiruzen picked out himself. The pout on the youngsters' face was just a bonus.
His good mood ended as one foolish villager handed out apples.
"Hold it in the name of the Hokage! Unpackaged treats are banned for safety!" Hiruzen yelled, much to a young 'honorable grandson's' embarrassment.
"S-sorry Hokage-sama." The random villager no one would ever think about again apologized.
And Finally, back with Naruto…
"And now from the top."
"…My, grandkashi, what a big eye you have. And do we really have to do this in the middle of Konoha?"
"Better to see you with, my dear. And of course! That's what makes it fun."
"Fun to who? And grandkashi, what tall locks you have"
"The correct term is 'fun to whom?' And all the better to practice braiding, my dear."
"Bastard; And grandkashi, what big…kunai you have? I can't see your teeth." Naruto deadpanned. Kakashi waved his kunai in the air.
"I'm a lady, little red fishcakehood, and ladies are not 'bastards'. And all the better to murder you, you my dear!"
The crowd that had gathered around sweat dropped at the sudden dark turn, including a sighing Tenzo with a gagged Hikaru.
"Those two, I swear! Why can't they just do a normal duo costume?" He asked aloud, ignoring Hikaru's deadpan look.
Meanwhile, A Kakashi dressed in wolf ears and silver tail chased a screaming Naruto in a red riding cloak, red and white dress, and picnic basket around the stage.
End, again! Sorry, but this idea came from a conversation with my pen pal of sorts and I wanted to get it out before Halloween! I've been on a Pokémon kick so that's where most of the costumes came from.
Anyway, a few things to wrap up:
Mizuki's death is owed to a random fan who attends my college who I met today! I don't know their screen name, but their recommendation was pretty great.
I know I rushed a couple scenes, they'll be flushed out in the coming chapter. Fujin and Raijin's death that way was planned, promised, as I never understood why criminals unable to be contained were kept alive.
College is really busy, mainly because of practicing, so again don't expect another update for awhile.
Finally, if anyone is really great at writing action scenes, help would be appreciated for one of mine. I can't get one part in the next chapter to work right.
Have a great week everyone!