And I'm back! Here to give you the latest chapter in IWBG. With the current state as to how the story is progressing, and how many chapters still need to be written, I am rewriting certain chapters so I can fit in more per chapter (if that makes sense). Normally most chapter have between the 4000 and 4500 words. I always found it to be a tad bit too short. You can expect this change as soon as the next chapter. Another reason is to cut down the number of chapters still coming. The story already has 35 chapters, which is a substantial amount.
A big thank you to all followers, favorites and reviewers, you are amazing! Unfortunately, for some reason I no longer got any notification until today but looking back in the statistics…Let's just say, I was blown away by the amount! I appreciate it!
One last thing. If you see a reference that you find strange, it probably has this marker next to it *. If you scroll to the bottom, at the author note, there will be an explanation.
Alright, let's get to it!
Chapter 36: Facing your fears
"Hey, Micheru."
In an instant she closed the distance and slammed into him, causing them both to fall to the ground. Yet she didn't let up on her embrace and instead hugged him tighter." Don't you ever do that again! You hear me?"
Naruto chuckled weakly while returning the hug. "I'm sorry about that."
She looked down and took in his body. "How did you survive that fall?!"
"My demonic power softened the impact. It still hurt like hell though." His voice changed back to normal as his claw turned back into a human hand.
She laughed but suddenly stopped when her concern seeped in. "Are you alright though?"
"I'll live. Are you okay?"
Her lower lip trembled slightly, looking away. "I thought you were dead."
"Is that concern I see, for me?" He joked lightly
She tried wiping away a lone tear sliding down her face. "Please, don't leave me. You promised, remember."
He wrapped an arm around her once more, pulling her close again. "I'll protect you; don't you worry Michu."
'It's not that…' Micheru thought as she embraced the hug, a big smile on her face.
After a moment they pulled away and slowly got back to their feet. His eye darting between her eyes and her lips before stepping back. "Let's get back to the others."
By now the cleared section was being flooded with Suna reinforcements once more and from what they could see, their force primarily consisted of chunin and just a few jonin.
They made their way back to Kakashi and Itachi, trying to ignore the bodies that were being pushed over the edge, in an effort to clear the walls faster.
Clashes of metal at the front brought them out of their train of thought and they swiftly pressed onwards.
In the distance he could see Kakashi's silver hair sticking out like a sore thumb. Hatake's confession had changed his perspective of his old teacher, even if it was minimal.
An overwhelming amount of relief flooded his mind when he noticed Itachi standing beside the Konoha jonin, seemingly taking a short break.
Increasing his pace, he closed the gap and couldn't help but joke. "Why is it, every time I leave, I see you lazing about?"
The duo turned around; surprise clear on their face. Naruto grinned and embraced Itachi in a brotherly hug. "Good to see you're still alive, Itachi."
"But how?"
"Haven't you figured out by now? I'm unkillable."
Itachi couldn't help but snort at the remark. "Baka…"
Naruto gave Kakashi a nod as he stepped back, not comfortable enough to put in more effort. "So," turning his attention to the front. "What's been going on?"
"They've started their assault on the passageway. As we know, there are several defensive walls before they reach the gate," Kakashi sighed and motioned them to follow him as the moved to a quieter part where they could see over the edge. He gestured to several siege equipment. "Those siege ballistae are what's been harassing the passageway.
Ballistae was one way of calling it. It was almost four times the size of theirs. It was spitting out massive bolts that constantly crashed into the first walled section of the passageway, making it crumble bit by bit.
"It's only a matter of time." Naruto murmured as he watched with dread at the harassment.
"We have one advantage."
"Which is?
"Deidera"
Naruto couldn't help but smirk. Deidera in his eyes was an eccentric idiot. However, Deidera had the capabilities to lay waste to entire armies. The blonde Akatsuki agent was doing just that. He was killing Reavers by the hundreds and the Reavers seemingly let him.
"Deidera, you know what to do."
"Hn!"
Another white flash could be another of his bombs exploded, killing hundreds of Reavers in a single attack.
"I'm heading to their Ball-" Deidera's sentence was cut short as a large red sphere flew from the ground and crashed into him, creating a massive shockwave.
"What the?!"
Naruto cursed loudly. "It was only a matter of time before they would be able to take him down."
Itachi's expression was unreadable. He reached for his headset and changed his frequency to that of his fellow Akatsuki member. "Kisame,"
"What's up?" came the response after a moment
"They got Deidera, he's dead."
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
Naruto looked at the smoke cloud where Deidera used to be. A drop of sweat made its way down his dirt ridden face but heeded it no mind. "This isn't good."
A slightly less dirty Itachi gripped the battlement tightly. "That is a slight understatement. Deidera was causing disarray. Now that he's gone, the Reavers will be better organized."
Looking at her watch she bit the inside of cheek, which she caught herself doing more and more the last couple hours. "It's only three in the morning. They are inflicting too much, too fast."
Kakashi had to agree with the huntress and nodded. "Little we can do about it. We expected a heavy force heading this way, but not this."
Naruto reached for his canteen when the Reavers started chanting once more. And this time it was clear what they were saying.
"Kenpachi!"
"Kenpachi!"
"Kenpachi!"
"Kenpachi!"
"Kenpachi!"
It was then he sensed the intense demon chakra humming out there in the sea of Reavers. His canteen slipped from between his fingers and fell with a clang to the ground.
'No no no no…"
"Silence."
As if on cue the chants stopped altogether. The Reavers on the wall stopped their advance and retreated off the wall.
In mere moments, the entire army of Reavers reformed into their formation, standing ready to receive the order to continue their onslaught.
A lone figure emerged from the humanoid/demonic sea and looked up at the wall. "My name is Kenpachi. I am the leader of this army." Kenpachi paused as if in thought what to say next.
Naruto's lone red glowing eye looked down at the dark figure, only the red glowing eyes he could make out.
Kenpachi in turn noted the lone glowing eye as well, narrowing his momentarily before continuing his ultimatum. "We are here to right your wrongs, cleanse this world and start anew. You are in our way."
He paused once more before continuing yet again, this time the volume of his voice nearly doubled, echoing throughout the valley in which the village was hidden. "Surrender and we will grant a few of you the chance to join our ranks. The rest we will give a merciful and quick death. I will give you an hour to decide."
Kakashi shook his head in near amusement. "The fact he gives us this ultimatum gives me the feeling he has done this before."
It was Micheru who spoke up. "They did…And people surrendered. They were tired of the fighting and hopelessness was all that remained. The Centurions*…They just wanted it to be over."
"Commanders meet up at the command center. Kakashi, bring your squad along as well." Gaara's voice crackled over the radio.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
Naruto and his squad entered the building where the other commanders were already waiting.
"Everyone's here, let's swiftly get this started." An anxious Temari said noting the newcomers.
"Just to be clear. We're not surrendering. This is not what this meeting is about. I thought this was a good idea to have a quick update about our situation." Gaara said as he eased himself in his chair, looking at his commanders one by one before letting his gaze rest on Naruto.
"For now, all our sections report a full troop placement. But despite that, our reinforcements are finite, and it won't be long before we reach the point that it starts to show." Baki's heavy voice reverberated through the large room.
"Order our escort to return to Sunagakure. I only want two anbu squads to remain behind and cover the civilians."
"Above all else. The wall needs to hold. There isn't a fall-back point." Gaara said, his voice weary and tired.
"Kenpachi is going to be a massive problem." Naruto spoke up from the group.
Baki looked at the blonde with disbelief. "I doubt that one Reaver can cause more trouble than their entire might. You overestimate his abilities."
Naruto's lone eye twitched. "There are only two people on this planet who survived a fight against him. One is currently lying in a hospital bed, unsure whether he'll ever walk again. No one else has lived. That should tell you something about his capabilities."
"Don't underestimate, Kenpachi. His strength is unmatched. He barely if ever intervenes, or even attend a battle. To have him here…We should be very careful." Micheru said. Outside of Naruto, she had the most experience with the Reaver, or with the invaders in general.
"who's the other survivor?" A tactician asked, his eyes locking onto Micheru.
"He is." The way Kakashi said it motioning towards Naruto.
The blonde felt slight unnerved by the sudden shift in the room. "Obviously, the army is our number one concern. But Kenpachi is in a league of its own. There is no stopping him."
"What do we do if he interferes?" Temari had already known of Naruto's clash with the man. What she didn't know, was just how dangerous he was. A cold shiver made her way down her back, one that had little to do with the temperature.
"You leave him to me. I'll take care of it." He didn't want to say those words. He really didn't. the fear he felt for the man was trying to shut down any form of coherent thought. But he knew there were none that could stand against the man and live. If Kenpachi was allowed to move freely…he would create chaos and destruction. It would break their defense entirely.
"And what makes you think he's interested in you?" Kankuro asked as he pushed himself past the crowd and joined the conversation.
'Hands dripping with blood, Kane's blood. Not knowing he had just killed the son of the most powerful being in the world. He turned around and left the interrogation cell, leaving a stunned Anko behind.'
"Because I killed his son. I suspect he already knows I'm here. I'll make sure he comes to me." His hand unconsciously adjusted the cover on his head, lingering around the wound the Reaver had inflicted at Kumo.
A heavy silence fell on the room. Kenpachi was a mysterious man, and not a lot was known about him. But from what they just heard unsettled them more than any many should have. And to know that the blonde Hunter was on his radar. You could practically feel the pity ooze off the group.
"I'll help you." Itachi softly spoke as he gripped Naruto's shoulder, giving him some reassurance, for which he was incredibly grateful.
Naruto gave his close friend a nod along with a small smile. "See? Problem solved."
"For now," Micheru muttered under her breath. She knew exactly who Kenpachi was. The man was a monster, leaving death and destruction in his wake. She was happy beyond belief upon seeing Naruto alive. But knowing Kenpachi was coming for him, it was the same as a death sentence. 'His last fight nearly was the end of him. There is no way he'd survive another bout.'
"Then it's settled. Naruto and Itachi will distract lord Kenpachi. I want all support Chunin in the reserves. Genin need to pick up their tasks, we can't afford to keep them as support any longer."
"What happens when their numbers dwindle too?" A young man, no older than 24 asked.
"I think you know the answer to that one, Neito." Spoke Kankuro with a near inaudible voice, yet it was heard by all and understood as well.
The genin would fight sooner or later. It was inevitable. Micheru's quivering hand tried to smoothen out her outfit while coming to the realization of what was being said.
"Everybody, head back to your stations. Good luck." Gaara nodded at the group as they slowly headed out onto the street where dozens of other shinobi were conversing amongst themselves. Chatting about their tasks or handing out supplies. Amongst them were genin, who were still running back and forth, stacking supplies onto the elevator, to be brought to the top. Their gazes settled on them as they left the building.
"Hey Naruto!"
The blonde turned around and noticed Temari running up.
"What is it?"
"Your last fight, did you even stand a chance?"
Naruto nodded; his mind flooded with memories of his fight with the Reaver. It was a lie, and a blatant one. It would do her little good if he told her the truth. Ignorance is bliss.
"Be careful, okay? You only need to steer his focus away from the wall." She worriedly said, trying to sound more confident than she actually felt.
The blonde gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry Temari. I'll be fine."
Naruto turned around and walked away, refusing to show the fear that was threatening to make its way to the surface. Kenpachi still terrified him. It was something he would have to come to terms with, and fast.
x.X.x.X.x.X.x.X.x
A silence descended upon the village as the defenders once more awaited the onslaught. Their numbers had taken a hit, there was no denying that. But Suna's defense once more proved just why it had withstood multiple shinobi world wars. The Reavers had taken heavy losses in trying to take the wall. Not enough to make them retreat, but enough to make them rethink their strategies.
Naruto's glowing red eye peered over the battlement and down below. He could easily make out Kenpachi, the wave of enemies parted upon his arrival.
"Your time's up. What have you decided?"
Naruto silently thanked the demonic chakra that put a dampener on his emotions. His voice echoed through the valley. "I think you know what our answer is."
"Ghost."
Naruto barely had time to blink before Kenpachi suddenly stood in front of him. His broad tall figure, looming over him. Naruto's head barely came to his shoulder.
Shinobi around him instantly jumped back and created a wide circle around the two, scared and unsure what to do next.
Even with his demonic taint he could feel his fear roaring from the depths of his stomach. Swallowing nervously, he did his best to mask his emotions. "Kenpachi."
The spiky haired man looked at the blonde with interest, his head tilted as he took in the battle worn figure in front of him. He found the blonde to be very intriguing.
Naruto in turn looked up, noting the faint electric discharges around the imposing Reaver. The defensive seal had done little to stop the monster in front of him.
"You're still alive, A problem I'll rectify shortly," He placed a hand around the edge of Naruto's neck and shoulder. "Are you the representative of this village?"
Naruto restrained his fear as best he could. Instead, he straightened his back in defiance. "I am. Are you the representative of that meagre army down there?"
Kenpachi let out a low horrifying sounding chuckle. "I see I haven't beaten the humor out of you. How unusual."
Micheru stood off to the side and looked at the exchange with wide fearful eyes. Watching as Naruto stood tall and defied the fearsome Reaver.
"What's your answer?" Kenpachi demanded, dark red aura started to ooze off his body.
"We're not like your previous conquests. We're shinobi. We are born for war," He could feel the grip of Kenpachi tighten, yet he didn't let up and continued. "We'll fight to the last man."
"Admirable. I'll look for you on the battlefield." Kenpachi released his grip.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Naruto answered.
"you'll wish you did." And with that, Kenpachi disappeared as quickly as he had appeared.
Naruto's shoulders slumped, trying his best to hide his trembling hands, but failing miserably. "I think that got his attention."
Micheru noticed and she was fairly sure the rest did as well. His words from before echoed in her head.
"I'm just as scared as you are. I just know how to hide it well."
He hadn't been lying back then. He wasn't being nice or trying to ease her mind. An enormous amount of pity and sympathy bubbled in her chest. 'He's absolutely terrified of Kenpachi.'
Micheru reached for his hand and squeezed it in comfort. "Are you sure you're up for it?"
He returned the gesture and gave a reassuring nod. "I'll be fine."
Her gaze lingered a while longer, biting on her lip, a byproduct of her worries. 'No, you won't be…and you know it.'
once more, the chanting started, filling the defenders with dread as they waited for the inevitable.
"Morogosh!"
"Unta!"
"Morogosh!
"Unta!"
"Morogosh!"
"Unta!"
"Morogosh!"
There was a shift in the sea of enemies. Regular Reavers moved to the back and made way for a wave of Shifters and holders.
Naruto looked at the enhanced enemy and knew this was really it. They had weakened their defenses enough and now it was time to break through. He looked towards Micheru with sadness and remorse.
It was Kakashi who spoke up. "Let the world know we didn't bow like the others. That we decided to take a stand."
One by one, they slowly started tapping their chests, in sync with one another. Some were giving each other brotherly hugs and others were writing notes before pocketing it while starting to tap along.
"Naruto?" Micheru said with unease, turning to the blonde.
He too was tapping on his chest, nodding to Itachi and Kakashi. He glanced at her and gave her an apologetic look. 'This is a lament for the dead…A goodbye... But why now?'
She looked at Kakashi questioningly. "Why are they doing this now?"
"Because there won't be an after, Micheru." Kakashi said solemnly, his eyes were staring into the darkness, his mind slowly drifting off, as he too started tapping his chest.
She desperately looked to Naruto who mouthed something.
"I'm sorry…"
Realization struck her and she felt a cold sweat break out as she finally realized what they meant. 'We're going to die here.'
A quivering hand rested on her chest. She swallowed nervously and joined them, softly tapping on her chest every couple of seconds.
The sea of Reavers below started marching once more, rows upon rows of siege towers edged closer.
"This is it!" the Suna commander in charge of the wall defenses roared. "Long range, Fire!"
The catapults started spewing out chakra enhanced stones at a faster pace than before. It either crashed into the marching army and killed swathes at a time or destroyed various siege towers that were unable to put up defenses in time.
Kunai launchers, archers and ballistae joined the ranged attack and started spitting out their projectiles at an increased speed as well, wounding or killing the Reavers, large numbers at a time.
Naruto watched as the tower in front of him slammed its drawbridge on the battlement. Glowing eyes could be seen from the darkness. They poured onto the wall, the first group died instantly by a well-placed wind jutsu, courtesy of one of the Suna-nin.
The rows of enemies behind took the place of their fallen comrade, stepping over their bodies as they charged forward.
Naruto dropped his enemies one at a time, giving assistance to Micheru who was fighting next to him. His arm ached in protest as he swung his fist. He ignored it and killed the Reaver with a quick stab.
"I'll take care of the hunters!"
A large figure emerged from the tower and exchanged blows with him, sparks erupting as they continued to deflect one another's attack.
Naruto snapped his head to the left, narrowly evading a fist before countering with one of his own. Realizing his mistake too late, his outstretched limb got grabbed and was dragged into the crowd of attackers.
Blasting his demonic chakra outward, he managed to keep most at bay, but the large Reaver came up from behind and grabbed him by the back of his head and slammed it into the battlement repeatedly.
Blood erupted from a large cut that stretched from his forehead to his ear. Dazed he tried to look around and noticed the Reavers closing in.
Spitting out a mouthful of blood, he aimed both hands at the Reavers around him and let out a chakra blast, clearing a path. Dashing away he tumbled onto the walkway behind still spitting out blood.
Looking around he could barely make out a blur. Wiping the blood from his face he noticed Micheru walking up before being obscured by his blood once more.
"Jezus, Naruto…"
"Yeah…He got me good."
She reached for her pouch and pulled out a small first aid kit, before cleaning up his face. "You lost your eye cover."
He absently reached for his face and noted the lack of fabric. Shrugging, he reached for his canteen and used it to rinse his mouth and clean his face. He let go of the demonic power, his claw reverting back to normal. The strain he felt disappeared almost instantly.
Micheru wrapped a piece of cloth tightly around the wound, earning a hiss from the blonde. "That should hold for now." She looked away uneasily.
Naruto noted and looked at her questioningly. "What is it?"
"I don't like seeing what he did to you. Seeing you like this; makes you look less than you really are." Gesturing to the gaping hole where his eye used to be.
Naruto opened his mouth to respond but found that he couldn't and instead turned away from her.
"It's not your fault Naruto. I always see you with a cover, I just need to get used to it." She gently placed her hand on his face and turned him back. "Don't worry, okay?
"You know there's a war on? Might wanna focus on that, you lovebirds." Kitase said, carrying a crate of kunai to the back.
Naruto snorted. "Have you looked at my face? It's a mess."
The wall shook as multiple bombardments started hitting the wall to their left. "Kami! What are they doing?"
Naruto narrowed his eyes and ran to the front, creating a wave of red chakra, and sent it towards into the Reavers at the front, catching them off guard and sending them flying off the wall. He quickly peered over the edge and noticed the seal glowing bright blue. "They are harassing our seals. They want to break through."
"They won't get through. They will strain it at the most Unless…"
"Unless what, Hatake?" Naruto barked back, never taking his eye on the outer wall.
"Unless they strain it purposefully."
Naruto looked at the army and noted a lone figure gathering a massive amount of chakra. "That's not good."
The figure let out a roar and sent forth a massive red wave that impacted against the wall, causing massive shockwaves.
Struggling to remain upright, he looked at the seal and noted it cracked before it spat apart, creating an exposed section of the wall.
The figure dropped to the ground, and was dragged of, only to be replaced by another just as broad. His hands crackling with red chakra.
"Get word to command to fix the seals!" Not wasting another second, he urged his body forward and disappeared with his signature move, ignoring the strain that was being put on his chakra coils. The blonde appeared behind the figure, blood spurting everywhere as he effectively cleaved the man in two. Sheathing his blade, he looked over his shoulder to the fallen figure before disappearing once more.
He looked at the body from the top of the wall where he had returned to, a grim look on his face. He reached for his headset and opened a frequency. "Commander, how are the seals progressing?"
"They are being restored as we speak, but it's still in a frail state. For now, it will stop anyone from going up on the wall."
"I doubt that he was the only one capable of such a technique." Itachi mused, looking at the cleaved body being dragged off.
Time seemingly slowed down as he saw Kenpachi emerging from the crowd, creating a massive surge of dark red ominous energy. He sent it charging to the wall where it clashed with the hastily repaired seal.
The dark attack was sent upwards and into the night sky, lighting up the area.
"Did it hold?!" Micheru shouted in surprise as she looked at the wall of chakra.
Before any could respond, the seal spat apart. And the attack broke through.
Naruto grabbed Micheru and sprinted away, as fast as he could, creating as much distance as possible.
The exposed wall blew apart, upwards as well as into the village, destroying a portion of it in the process.
In one last, desperate attempt he threw her against the battlement before covering her with his own body, letting chakra blast outward before their world went dark once more.
*Centurions - Centurions were the military force of Mirarca. Mayu, and Rome were both part of it. Micheru always felt, that in her heart she was one too, instead of a shinobi.
I don't know why, but I remember having a lot of difficulty writing this chapter. Enjoyable, but difficult.
As mentioned above, the chapters will increase in length. Expect at the very least a 50% increase per chapter (as long as the flow of the chapter allows it)
The coming chapters are, without a doubt the most fun I had while writing the story. I'll see you next time!