Chapter 6: A Battle Of Old Enemies
Looking at Kurotsuchi now able to move Jin-e could only deduct the reason on how the Hyogi spell was broken. Mako Uchiha had used her Sharingan to copy the technique. Picking up his katana he holds it in front of him in an attack position. ''So..the true battle now begins! Welcome back to the third shinobi world war. Mako Uchiha, Konoha's Mistress Of All Five Elements! I must say Genin, your sensei is quite the kunoichi.'' The Kumo Jonin laughed. ''Sorry Mako, but this is going to be our fight.''
Turning to face the Genin who were busy tending to whatever injuries they had he performs the Shin no Ippo on them stopping them in their tracks.
''Urg..what the...'' Genma groaned as he struggles to move.
''Not this again...'' Kurotsuchi grunted.
''Fuck..'' Naruto said.
Glancing at her Genin Mako goes to activate her sharingan but before she could she feels a blade pressed against the back of her neck.
''Don't try anything Mako, perform the sharingan and I'll just shunshin over there and kill all your students right in front of you. Your attention will be one-hundred percent focused on me, I've used the regular Shin no Ippo merely paralyzing where they stand. Now, let's fight like and pretend this is the third war again.'' Jin-e said coldly.
Mako attempts to perform a 180 degree spin attack on the Kumo ninja only for the man to jump back dodging the attack completely. Then they both rush forwards and exchange blows at an insane pace that her Genin weren't able to keep up with her. Blow for blow were they able to match each other sending the sounds of steel colliding with steel echoing throughout the graveyard.
''Mako sensei..is good.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Tell me about it.'' Naruto seconded.
''I've never seen kenjutsu on such scale before.'' Genma quipped.
The incredible sight of two Jonin, masters of kenjutsu and two war veterans from opposing nations fighting was something out of this world. The two Jonin continue to exchange blows and were still unsuccessful at landing a hit on the other. Jin-e however decided to play dirty and took out another wakizashi. Kicking Mako away creating some distance between them he then goes in for a high speed spin attack. The velocity of the attack sends him flying straight towards Mako.
''That move is not new to me Jin-e.'' Mako said as the Kumo Jonin comes within reach of her.
She quickly jumps into the air with a very elegant looking spin and comes back down. Sticking her leg out she then pins the wakizashi to the dirt which inadvertently sends Jin-e slouching forward in an awkward position.
''Well goddamn.'' Jin-e thought in frustration as Mako uses her free hand to reach out and grab his katana.
With a quick twist of her wrists she successfully disarms the Kumo Jonin leaving him completely defenseless. Stabbing his katana into the ground she then shoots her knee out and strikes Jin-e dead on the chin with enough force to send him flying upwards.
''Gah!'' Jin-e cried out in pain as he lands on the ground with a thud.
Clutching his chin he looks up and sees Mako descending upon him with her wakizashi pointed downwards ready to impale his heart. Rolling out of the way he manages to avoid death and quickly gets back on his feet. Performing a hand seal he quickly closes his eyes and then opens them.
''Ninja art: Shin no Ippo!'' He shouts hoping to catch Mako in the paralysis jutsu.
The attack goes flying at Mako and before she could react the jutsu manages to paralyze her. With this chance Jin-e dashes for his katana and lunges for the Uchiha prodigy.
''I've got you Mako!" Jin-e shouts in glee as he swings his katan horizontally hoping to bisect the woman.
''In your dreams.'' Mako said under her breath as she activates her sharingan and in an instant the Shin no ippo casted on her is broken through. ''Don't think so!"
With the technique broken through Mako swings her wakizashi and intercepts Jin-e's attack. The two Jonin become locked in a test of strength as they struggle to overpower each other.
''Such strength, I know I can't beat him alone. He's more experienced than me I've got to get them out of the Shin no Ippo.'' Mako thought through gritted teeth.
''Huh, for someone of smaller stature she possesses immense physical strength.'' Jin-e thought with a grin.
A few more minutes would go by and neither were still able to gain the advantage. Mako then reaches for her tanto blade which was strapped to her right leg and quickly takes the blade out and at such a fast speed flings it at Jin-e catching the man in upper thigh drawing his blood.
''Urgh.'' Jin-e grimaced in pain clutching the wound with his free hand.
With the split second opening she created, Mako glances at her Genin from the corner of her eye and activates her sharingan only for Jin-e to recover from his earlier wound and grabs Mako by the throat.
''Ah!'' Mako cried out as Jin-e proceeds to punch her in the gut several times before taking his katana and slices her in the chest leaving a gash which goes down from her shoulder to her navel. Ignoring the pain She continuously attempts to pry herself free from his grasps but was unable to due to his incredibly strong grip.
''Take this!"
Jin-e then holds Mako out in front of him enough to where he can kick her dead in the gut sending her flying away a few meters and landing hard on the ground with a thud knocking the wind out of her.
Jin-e, again clutching his wound laughs at the beaten Mako laying on her back having taken several powerful blows from the Kumo man. ''Still the pathetic and scared little girl from fourteen years ago Mako. No way you will win this battle so get ready to say hello to your comrades.''
Raising his katana he steps forward ready to charge Mako and finish her off before she can get up.
''I'VE WON THIS.'' He shouts in glee.
''Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique!"
''What?"' Jin-e looks out the corner of his eye and spots that same technique from the Iwa Genin making it's way towards him. ''This again.''
Jumping into the air he effortlessly dodges the attack. ''Nice try girl but the same jutsu won't work on me twice!"
Just as he said that Genma appeared behind him. Sensing the boy's presence Jin-e swings his sword around behind him only for Genma to spit a senbon from his mouth aimed at the man's scarf. The senbon pierces through the scarf and the force of which Genma had fired the senbon sends Jin-e flying down to the ground.
''What in the world!?''
Colliding with the ground Jin-e attempts to quickly get back up on his feet only to be pulled back down. Looking to his side he sees his scarf pinned into the ground, the senbon being the reason he couldn't get up.
''Grr. I'm so killing you brats!" Jin-e shouted in irritation. Taking his katana he cuts through his scarf and as he gets back on his two feet Naruto comes flying in with a flurry of swings with his ninjato. ''Tch, pesky blonde boy.''
Naruto and Jin-e engage each other and just like his brief fight with Mako Naruto matches him move for move. Too focused on the blonde Jin-e parries an attack from Naruto which creates an opening in his defense and before he could thrust his katana forward the blade was intercepted by Kurotsuchi's katana.
''Grrr, the Iwa brat.''
Jin-e, seeing this go nowhere forces his katana upwards and seeing this Naruto and Kurotsuchi quickly jump up and place their feet on the Kumo Jonin's katana which inadvertently sends them flying away like a catapult. Controlling their landing they land beside Mako who was currently being helped up by Genma.
''Well that looks fun.'' Genma joked.
''Why not try it out for yourself?'' Kurotsuchi said as they and a now recovered Mako get up and stand tall with their weapons held in front of them protectively facing Jin-e.
Jin-e just eye the Konoha shinobi with an amused grin. ''So, you three got free from the Shin ni Ippo? I guess I should've known that Mako would succeed in breaking it. Oh well, it's no matter. The more the merrier!" Jin-e declared.
''Everybody, Manji formation.'' Mako ordered giving the man a death glare.
Complying with their sensei's orders the three Genin then stand in front of their sensei in a defensive formation.
''Oh, that little formation of yours takes me back. Remember that night Mako?'' Jin-e said in an almost teasing like voice.
Mako's eyes went wide hearing the Kumo ninja say those words.
''What..what is he talking about sensei?'' Kurotsuchi asked noticing the thousand-yard stare look Mako was giving.
''Sensei?'' Naruto said looking at the Jonin.
FlashBack
Third Shinobi World War, 14 years ago.
The camera's view changes to a small forested area in Yugakure. The area is quite except the sounds of nocturnal animals making so much noise that it would almost sound like music to anyone when suddenly four figures are seen hopping through the tree tops. This is Kushina Uzumaki's team consisting of an eight-year old Mako Uchiha, a male named Ken who was around twelve and the other female of the team was a girl named Asuka. Accompanying them was one of the best medic nins Konoha's medical team had to offer. His name was Takeda Takahashi who was a Jonin.
In short, Mako and her Genin team were instructed to escort Takeda to a Konoha military compound where they are short on medics, since Kushina was wounded in a battle against Kumo she was unable to lead her Genin team and has entrusted Mako as the temporary leader due to her possessing a natural skills for one.
''Mako, we've been hopping for a few hours, we're not going to make it to the rendezvous point anytime soon.'' Ken said out of breath.
''Yeah, we might as well take a break because we need to energy. I don't want any Kumo shinobi to get us while we're tired. So let's rest for a bit.'' Asuka said.
''I agree with your teammates Mako, let's rest okay?'' The Jonin medic nin said.
Sighing in defeat, the four Konoha shinobi jump into a small clearing, turning to face her teammates and the medic they're suppose to escort Mako gives them all a look. ''Alright, Ken, Asuka, you guys win. We'll rest for tonight.'' Mako said as they all set up a small fires and their sleeping bags.
''I'll take first watch.'' Mako volunteered.
After setting up the fire and their sleeping bags the four of them decided to eat some of the MREs in their packs. All goes well when suddenly the sound of a twig snapping catches the attention of Mako.
''Guys wait, do your hear that?'' Mako said.
Stopping what they were doing the others perk their ears up listening intently to their surroundings. Their was one thing that was very obvious. The animals have stopped singing their nocturnal tunes.
''What the heck? Why is it so quiet all of a sudden?'' Ken asked.
''I don't know...I get the feeling that we're being watched.'' Asuka said drawing a kunai.
''Shit...maybe we should've kept on going.'' Takeda said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.
''Sh!'' Mako shushed the others before listening again. ''Look out!"
Turning around the three Genin spot in the darkness several shuriken and kunai flying their way and with extreme skill they all block the projectiles. The weapons swatted away like nothing.
''Alright, who the hell is attacking?! Show yourselves!" Mako said as she and her teammates get into a Manji formation around Takeda.
The surrounding area was eerily quite except a few breezes that would blow. Several minutes would pass until a figure shunshins in front of the Konoha ninjas via lightning strike frightening them. As the smoke from the lightning's impact on the ground subsided the four of them spotted a figure standing before them. A tall man about 6'4'', black straw hat, the standard Kumo Jonin vest and wavy hair.
''Who are you?!" Mako shouted angrily.
''Hm hm. Watch your tone little girl and speak to older and higher ranked ninja with respect.'' The man cackled. ''I hope you realize who you're dealing with too.''
''Dear god...It's...him.'' Takeda said with fear in his voice.
''Huh? Who is he Takeda sensei?'' Mako questioned.
Before Takeda could answer Jin-e draws his katana and charges forth towards the Konoha ninja. Reacting quickly the three Genin dash towards the Jonin and intercepts a swing of Jin-e katana with their kunai knives. Mako ducks and spins under Jin-e's sword and tries to bring her kunai to stab into Jin-e's stomach only for the man to quickly let go of his katana and backhands her away before making quick work of her teammates with a roundhouse kick.
''Ah! Dang it!" Mako cried out in pain rubbing her sore cheeks.
''Gah!" Ken and Asuka yelped.
''Mako! Ken! Asuka!'' Takeda cried out and upon recovering from the hits they took the three Genin turn to see Jin-e holding Takeda hostage. The katana pressed against his throat.
''Make one move Genin and I'll slit this medic's throat and let him bleed out like a pig. This medic is coming with me. He doesn't have to die.'' Jin-e snarled with an evil look in his eyes.
''J-just let him take me children, worry about yourselves.'' Takeda said hoping to persuade the Genin to abandon him so they could save themselves.
The three Genin gave each other worried looks except Mako who had a look of pure anger and determination plastering her face. She and her team were ordered to escort Takeda to a Konoha military camp that was short on medics and had severely wounded shinobi in need of treatment. While her teammates were thinking of fleeing, Mako was thinking of fighting Jin-e to save Takeda which in turn saves multiple lives of wounded Konoha shinobi.
''Mako?'' Asuka asked noticing the Uchiha girl just standing there.
''We're not leaving Takeda sensei behind, we have a mission and we're going to finish it. Dead or alive.'' Mako stated with determination in her voice.
''But Mako! We can't take him!'' Ken protested.
''Fine, you guys can leave if you want but I'm staying here. I'm not abandoning a comrade no matter the odds.'' The Uchiha girl said before turning her attention back to Jin-e.
''Wha..What are you doing Mako? Get out of here! That's an order! Listen to your superiors!" Takeda shouted.
''Heh heh, he's right little girl, listen to your superiors.'' Jin-e mocked before closing his eyes momentarily. After a few seconds places his katana in front of Takeda in a way that allows the medic to see his reflection.
''Ninja art: Hyogi spell!"
Takeda tried to speak only for him to slowly reach up with his hands placing them on his throat as if gasping for air. ''K-kids...'' He muttered in what sounded like pain.
''What the? What did you do to him!'' Asuka questioned in rage.
''I casted a jutsu where I paralyzed his lungs, so you Genin can try to save him by killing me, but then again you can risk dying yourselves considering you're just Genin going up against a Jonin like me. Either way you lose hahahahaha!" Jin-e cackled evilly before tossing Takeda aside like he was a piece of trash.
''Shut up you freak!" Mako, Asuka and Ken charge towards the Kumo man with their kunai ready to save the medic nin.
The view then goes dark and we hear the sounds of Asuka, Ken and Takeda all screaming in terror.
Flashback end
''Mako sensei? You there?'' Naruto said trying to snap his teacher out of her apparent daze.
''Naruto, that look she has..I think it's the thousand-yard stare.'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Sensei!'' Genma shouted as he goes to shake Mako trying to snap her out of her stare to no avail.
Jin-e could only laugh evilly at the scene.
''Aw, did I bring back painful memories Mako? I thought the stories of you becoming one of Konoha's strongest Jonin were true. Look's like I was wrong. You're still the same scared little girl who would let a memory like that faithful night hinder your performance in battle. I'm sure when I slaughtered your teammates you learned that the world of shinobi is unforgivable.''
The three Genin then turn to face Jin-e.
''Alright, what are you talking about asshole?'' Kurotsuchi demanded.
''Hahaha! I'm just merely reminded your sensei of our first run in years ago and by the looks of it she's letting the emotions that come with those memories get the best of her.'' Jin-e explained.
Kurotsuchi turned to face Mako and saw the look on her face. ''Mako sensei! Snap out of it!'' she said getting in the Uchiha's face.
This finally snapped Mako out of her daze, shaking her head she places a hand on her head. ''What the..what happened?'' The Jonin asked confused.
Before Naruto could explain Jin-e performs a series of hand seals with sufficient speed. Seeing this Mako activates her sharingan and quickly moves in front of her Genin as if to protect them.
''Huh? Sensei?'' The Genin asked in confusion, they then see their Jonin performing hand seals in sync with Jin-e.
''What's with sensei's eyes?'' Naruto asked confused.
Seeing the sharingan user's eyes Jin-e just smirks as the two veterans perform the hand seals in unison. Completing the seals they both take their swords and finish it off with the final hand seal.
Then what the Genin saw surprised them. Both their blades become enveloped in lightning looking as if they were actually made of the element.
''Woah..that's cool.'' Naruto said.
''Mako-sensei can use lightning?!'' Kurotsuchi exclaimed in surprise.
''Looks like.'' Genma added.
''I need you guys to help me, I won't give you specific orders because Jin-e will be able to dodge any attack you throw at him. So attack him when you three see an opportunity.'' Mako said earning nods from her students.
''Ready to settle the score Mako? Because I sense a strong desire to kill from you.'' Jin-e mocked.
''Shut up, by the end of the night you'll be dead.'' Mako said coldly.
''Now that's what I love to hear! There's no point in using my Shin no Ippo or hyogi spell because you'll just copy it with that sharingan of yours. How about we do lightning versus lightning?''
''Then if you're so eager to die then hurry up and prepare for death.'' Mako growled.
The two of them then rush forwards with their lightning infused blades. The two Jonin come within arm's reach of each other and exchange blows. The sounds of their lightning infused blades colliding with the sounds of metal combined with static echoing throughout the area.
The three Genin watch on as the two war veterans continue to exchange blows at a speed that matches the Gods.
''We need to find an opening to help Mako sensei.'' Kurotsuchi said performing a series of hand seals with Genma following suit.
''Yeah right! With the speed they're going at it that'll be nearly impossible.''
Genma was seen performing a hand seal for a fire jutsu. Placing his index and middle finger close to his mouth. Meanwhile Mako dodges a horizontal swing from Jin-e and spins around to where she can see her Genin. Seeing Genma's position she quickly lunges forward and delivers a powerful knee strike at a near superhuman speed hitting Jin-e straight in the gut.
''Ugh!" Jin-e cried out from the sudden attack knocking back closer towards the Genin.
''Fire release: Fire ball jutsu!"
''Lava release: Ash stone seal!''
''Grrr, what the!?'' Jin-e turned to see a large ball of flames and some weird substance coming his way. Still recovering from the knee strike from Mako he weakly leaps to the side to avoid the ash stone sealing jutsu but unable to dodge the fire ball attack. The fire had burned his left arm. ''Agh, dammit.''
Jin-e gets on one knee clutching his burnt arm, Luckily for him it wasn't his sword wielding arm. Looking up he sees Kurotsuchi and Naruto charging him with their swords in hand.
''Take this freak!" Kurotsuchi performs a diagonal swing while Naruto goes in for a horizontal one.
Responding, Jin-e manages to raise his good arm and block the attacks with both his swords. He follows up with a spin maneuver that sends the two jumping away to avoid losing their heads.
''You Genin are so annoying, if only your sensei wasn't here I'd dispatch you three easily.'' The man boasted sensing a presence behind him. Turning around he spots Genma in the air with his tanto blade.
''I got you!" Genma declared. Jin-e goes to raise his katana to intercept the blow but two sword handles strike him in the side.
Grunting in pain Jin-e was unable to recover enough when Mako ran up to him and delivered a hard punch to his face knocking the man on his ass.
''Nice!''
''We got him!'' Kurotsuchi and Naruto exclaimed in joy while Genma just shrugs.
Sitting up, Jin-e groans in pain while rubbing the part of his face where Mako's fist connected. ''Damn, that really hurt but felt so good.'' Jin-e muttered through gritted teeth. Now standing up the Kumo Jonin takes his katana and holds it in a way where he can see his reflection.
''It seems that your teamwork easily overwhelms my sheer battlefield experience Mako Uchiha. Since I most likely can't overcome the flawless teamwork of you four I'll have to resort to my secret use of the Shin no Ippo.''
Looking into his reflection in his sword he then casts the jutsu on himself. The flashing light that appears from Jin-e's sword temporarily blinds our characters as they hold their hands in front of their eyes. After about a minute the blinding light finally subsides giving our characters a clear view of Jin-e. They all look at him with surprised looks. Jin-e was much more muscular than before.
''What the hell?'' Kurotsuchi said out loud.
Hearing the girl's reaction, Jin-e just sports a wicked smile on his face. Taking his katana he walks up to a tombstone, turning the sword to it's blunt end he then swings down onto the tombstone completely obliterating it.
''I am unbeatable! I am invincible! I...am the strongest ever..'' Jin-e declared holding his sword in an attack stance. ''Are you surprised Mako? This is the hidden use for the Shin no Ippo, by casting an illusion on myself I increased my physical strength and speed maximizing my full potential.''
Mako just gives Jin-e a cold look. Sheathing her wakizashi she performs a few hand seals before she raises her right hand up, placing her other hand on the wrist she turns to look over her shoulder. ''You three stay behind me. With that little trick of his he's way too dangerous for you. Let me finish this fight.''
Turning her head back to look at Jin-e she gives him one final glare. ''Hurry up and prepare for death.''
Jin-e took notice of her stance, going wide-eyed he knew what jutsu she was going to use.
''That stance, it's the lightning blade technique. I've heard stories of a certain Konoha Jonin who mastered this technique and I wouldn't have guessed that it was her. She is a true prodigy. I have only one chance at getting her which is to dodge the incoming attack...but can I do it? I can! My reaction speeds are superhuman so if I can dodge it by a fraction of a second..that's all I need. With this technique the user will be able to fly straight at their target at literal lightning speed.''
What the Genin saw next completely surprised them. In a split second Mako had gathered up a huge supply of chakra into her hand forming a concentrated ball of electricity to flow from her palm.
''Woah! What the heck is that?'' Naruto asked.
''Her..chakra is so strong it's visible!" Kurotsuchi thought in awe.
''Well...this is unexpected.'' Genma muttered.
''Lightning blade.'' Mako said as the attack continues to roar to life.
Jin-e only grinned in amusement. 'Heh heh, looks like Mako knows the lightning blade technique. Well then, I guess I'll use my lightning sword technique in return.'' Performing a hand seal Jin-e's katana then becomes enveloped in lightning. ''Let's finish this! Too bad your friends won't be here to see you die!''
''Shut up.'' Mako said.
''Mako sensei, we believe in you.'' The Genin thought.
The two veterans then charge straight for each other. Jin-e holding his lightning sword in front of him while Mako had her lightning blade imbued hand extended and locked in front of her.
Flashback
Mako was seen in a fetal position laying against a tree crying her eyes out. Several feet from her position lay the dismembered corpses of Ken, Asuka and Takeda. The blood staining the ground a sickening red which shined with the sun's bright rays.
While she was crying hard she senses a presence from above. However, she was too weak and tired to try and fight off any potential danger that may come her way now. Just then four figures land in the opening.
''Oh my god..What the heck happened?'' A woman with spiky, untamed brown hair and red, fang-like markings on her cheek asked in shock. Beside her was a large dog.
''This...is...frightening to see..'' Another figure said. This one was a man with spiky red hair and was a plump.
A third person, a man with spiky, blonde hair slowly walks up to the corpses. Kneeling down he places a hand on one of the bodies. ''These two...are from Kushina's team..'' The figure said before the woman's dog lifts his head up sniffing.
''Kuromaru? What do you smell?'' The womana asked before sniffing the air herself. ''We've got company.''
The two men draw their kunai and assume a defensive stance. Kuromaru, the woman's dog runs towards the tree where Mako was laying. Seeing the wounded girl he whimpers.
''Kuromaru what's wrong?'' Asked the woman as she and the men run over.
''Who is it? Who's scent is it?'' The plump man asked joined by the blonde haired man.
Seeing the wounded girl the blonde man quickly scooped up Mako. ''It's Mako Uchiha!''
''What? She survived this? Let's head straight for the medical compound right away!" The woman declared before they hop away.
''We'll get an ANBU team to retrieve the bodies, right now Mako needs medical attention.'' The plump man said.
Opening her eyes Mako sees her rescuers. ''Minato..Tsume...Choza sensei...'' She said weakly before falling asleep in Minato's arms.
The two Jonin zoom towards each other at a fast speed. Both having looks in their eyes reminiscent of killers. The two of them then come within arm's reach of each other. Mako pushes her lightning bladed hand forward for Jin-e's heart and seeing this Jin-e quickly sucks his belly in narrowly avoiding impalement.
With the attack successfully evaded he goes to bring his sword down to slice Mako in the head.
I've won this fight Mako!'' Jin-e declared victoriously bringing the sword down to slice Mako's head in half but as soon as his blade connects with the Uchiha she turns into a flock of ravens.
''What the!?'' The Kumo Jonin shouted in confusion before a shadow looms above him. Looking up he spots Mako coming down with her lightning blade infused hand pointed straight at him.
''Die!" Mako shouted shoving the lightning blade straight through his chest. The sound of blood splattering being heard.
''Ugh...'' Jin-e said weakly as he coughs up blood. The precious red liquid splattering all over Mako's face.
''This...is...for Ken...for Asuka...and for Takeda sensei..you die here you murderous ogre.'' Mako said with coldness in her voice.
The three Genin just stare at the two veterans. Jin-e, Kumo's nightmare warrior was defeated by their sensei.
''She..beat him.'' Naruto got out still surprised.
''That's.. awesome.'' Kurotsuchi added.
''Well..I'm surprised myself..'' Genma said with a shocked expression.
''Heh...why are you three surprised...your...Jonin is...a prodigy after all..'' Jin-e said before Mako pulls her hand out of Jin-e's chest letting the large man fall over with an earth shattering thud, a hole visible in his chest where his heart would be.
''Those flock of ravens you saw..was the result of my unique shunshin. I can perform a hand seal where if you hit me I automatically turn into said flock leaving you open for an attack. No way you can copy this technique or see right through it.'' Mako said looking at Jin-e who only smirks.
''To think...that Kumo's nightmare warrior...falls to Konoha's Mistress of the elements..I must say...that's an accomplishment in my book...for me...I'll see you in hell...Mako..Uchiha.''
Jin-e then takes his last breath before going limp as the blood from his wound seeps through his body staining the ground.
With that the three Genin then walk up to Mako who kneeled down and scooped up Jin-e's blade, tears flow through her eyes sobbing as she held the very blade that took her comrades' lives.
''Mako sensei?'' Kurotsuchi said.
''Yes..Kurotsuchi?'' Mako said between sobs.
''What...happened between you and him?''
Wiping the tears from her eyes Mako only gives the young Iwa girl a warming smile. ''It's nothing Kurotsuchi, just bad memories is all.'' The Jonin said earning an unsure nod from Kurotsuchi.
Kurotsuchi and her teammates decided not to say anymore. If it was a personal thing they wouldn't but in on it. The four of them then turn to look at Jin-e's corpse. His face sporting an evil smile with a trickle of blood in the corner of his mouth.
''So what do we do now sensei?'' Naruto asked as the breeze picks up speed and intensity.
The following morning..
After contacting the Yu police force the four Konoha shinobi assist in bringing Jin-e's body to the morgue, after many thanks from the police the four of them are seen back at the graveyard. Since her comrades had died in Yu those years ago Mako decided to take her team to visit the graves of her comrades to pay their respects. Currently they were looking at three headstones before them.
Here lies Ken Aomori, Asuka Kizama and Takeda Takahashi.
Three brave shinobi from Konohagakure no Sato who gave their lives to protect and liberate Yu from Kumo's invasion.
The people of Yu are truly grateful for your sacrifice and you will never be forgotten.
''So...they're buried here huh sensei?'' Kurotsuchi asked.
''Yes, we didn't have the time to get their bodies back home because Kumo ninja were infamous for attacking medical supply lines and everything of that nature.'' Mako answered with a frown.
''So...what now? We've got Jin-e taken care of, we aren't scheduled to return to Konoha until tomorrow.'' Naruto said.
''Then we'll just have to wait it out until tomorrow I guess.'' Genma said using his senbon as a toothpick.
''You're right. Let's go back to the hotel and rest.'' Mako ordered as they begin to walk away. Mako stops however and turns to look at her comrades' graves. She walks up to them and takes out a scroll. Gathering some chakra into her hands she unseals a bouquet of flowers and gently places it on Asuka's grave in the middle.
''I hope to see you guys in heaven some day.'' Mako said holding a cry.
Getting up, she then walks back to join her Genin as they walk into the sunrise.