Hey everyone, Happy new year! I hope you all had a great new years!

We're back with semi short chapter, but an interesting one, I think! We're barreling through the last chapters now and are on approach towards the finale!

Progress has been slow, as it has been for the last year, unfortunately, but I am writing the last chapters. Hang in there, folks!

The site is still doing the same old same old, but a big shoutout to everyone who took the time to add this story (or me) to their alerts/favorites!

Reviewers:

Stalker1: Thank you for your kind words! I hope the story will continue to live up to it!

Nithi velu: I appreciate the continued support, Nithi! Enjoy.

Reedz22: Give Naruto a gun?! That be something ;)

Omegaoof: Glad to hear that I kinda nailed it with the 'won yet lost' vibe. This chapter will focus more on their next course of action.

AS for the Otsutsuki part. I'm sorry for the misinterpretation! It's a difficult question because we've strayed a bit in terms of power levels. But I would like to think that Kenpachi would be able to kick Kaguya and Momoshiki's ass. Naruto and Sasuke were stronger than the kage at that point, and by a decent margin. Kenpachi is faaaaar stronger than the kage. If we compare it like that, Yeah Kenpachi would win.

Edo tensei is an interesting concept which I've considered. Unfortunately, Orochimaru is in the wind!

Enjoy the chapter!

: I hope some more stuff got clarified along the way. But that was the entire point, to make Naruto feel like he's not overpowered. To make him grow as the story progresses.

Gamesdean1: Are you secretly reading my notes?! SSH!

Roswell: NaruHina is a safety pairing. It makes sense in most stories and people tend to enjoy those. I'm glad Micheru is well received. They've been together since the beginning of this whole thing, and I like to think ( ^^ ) it wasn't too forced. Enjoy the chapter!

Andrew: And thank you for your kind review! I wish I could tell you everything about the story, it's making my fingers itch…to just tell someone!# $ but have patience! We're getting close to the end and all your answers!

Thank you all so much for your continued support! Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 54: What now?

Naruto's feet dangled over the edge of the rooftop he sat upon. Coincidentally it was the same building he used to live in. It had been cleaned up and now represented a proper living quarter for its inhabitants.

He had a dark cloth wrapped around his face, covering his eye socket. The bandages he wore had been reduced over the last 24 hours, though the ones on his chest remained.

He had been unconscious for most of his recuperation, but the moment he woke up, he needed to be alone. The thought of Pein sacrificing his life for him, it didn't sit right with him.

It felt wrong, like he wasn't supposed to be here.

Regardless of it all, he pushed those thoughts away, and instead focused his mind on what lay ahead. Their final bout against their mortal foe.

He knew that he would have to face Kenpachi again, it was inevitable. He just didn't know what he could do to defeat him. He had hoped Pein would be able kill him, if he himself couldn't. It was unfortunate that he had been called to deal with the army marching upon them.

His thoughts rolled back to his fatal stabbing. He glanced down at his bandaged chest, which he didn't manage to hold, he quickly looked back towards the people down on the streets.

Killing Kenpachi was becoming more and more difficult. As the amount of high tier fighters were dwindling.

"Naruto?"

Looking over his shoulder, he saw Itachi standing there, looking better and better as the days went on. A small smile appeared on his face. "Is it time?"

"It's already taken too long. They want to debrief." Itachi closed the gap and held out his hand towards the seated blonde.

He stared at the offered hand for a moment before grasping it. Itachi pulled him to his feet and together they headed towards the Hokage tower. It had sustained moderate damage but wasn't anywhere near what it could have been.

"How are you, Naruto-kun?"

"Everything considered, as well as can be…just thinking."

"About Kenpachi?"

He slowly nodded. "With Pein gone and Kisame dead, I don't know."

"I have a feeling that we'll be called upon again." Itachi spoke his thoughts.

Naruto let out a chuckle that was full of resigned bitterness. "That's what I was thinking."

They slid past a group of samurai, walking past one of the major medical hubs. With the hospital in ruins, they had to set up more medical hubs.

"Hey Naruto!"

They both looked up and saw Temari running over. She, along with a few of Suna's shinobi had been the only survivors of the military might of Sunagakure. Gaara was still alive as well but had been actively helping with fortifying Konoha's defenses over the last couple of days.

"Temari. I heard you made it through."

She gave him a cheeky grin, one that lessened when she looked down at his chest. "I heard you didn't, but somehow did. If that makes any sense."

"A long story."

Ahead the Hokage tower loomed, and they could spot the guards refusing entry to anyone but those who had been invited.

Temari jabbed with her thumb over her shoulder. "I was going to ask if you guys wanted to get some food, but…I see that you've been invited."

Everyone in the village knew that the leaders of the remaining elemental nations were about to convene and talk about the inevitable. Their next and final plan of attack. It was something that wasn't a secret and rather common knowledge, something that had been solidified by the announcement from command that over the next few days more information would be brought forward, on what they were going to do next.

And that moment was now.

"Afraid so. Maybe later, okay?" Naruto asked with a polite nod.

"Sure…" Temari looked at him strangely. "Are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Naruto and Itachi resumed their trek to the tower, leaving Temari behind.

"Itachi, Naruto. You're late. The others are waiting." The Anbu guard droned and stepped aside, letting them pass.

They barely gave the guard as much as a glance, instead they headed inside, and went up the first set of stairs.

It was eerily quiet. It was normally filled with administrative personnel, or chunin running around, carrying stacks of papers.

They made their way to the Hokage office, one of the remaining rooms that had remained fully intact.

Naruto and Itachi looked at each other before the former knocked on the door. It was opened a mere second later.

Hanabi Hyuuga stood next to her older sister, patiently waiting for the final members to arrive. After the death of their father, during the battle for Konoha, Hinata had been appointed the next leader of the Hyuuga clan, unsurprisingly.

What had surprised her was Hinata's question to help her lead, becoming her right hand 'woman'. They had butted heads for years, regardless of the fact that they loved one another dearly. She had assumed that Hinata would get back at her for all the times she had kicked her into the ground, literally and figuratively.

That's what she would've done. Yet her older sister hadn't. It had put things in perspective for the teen Hyuuga.

She quietly activated her byakugan, looking towards the door. She spotted the approaching figures and cleared her throat. "They're here."

A, let out grunt. "Finally." He moved to the door and opened it just as they knocked on it. Hanabi watched as the leader of Kumogakure remained in the doorway, obviously trying to come across as intimidating. There was no secret that he held little love for rogue shinobi. His animosity had cost him his country.

"Move." Was the response. The voice sounded incredibly tired.

A, slowly stepped aside, glaring daggers at the two newly arrived, giving Hanabi her first chance to properly see Naruto for the first time.

She had heard the entire story, regarding their missing nin. It had been quite the debacle, something that had been a difficult situation for Hinata in particular.

Taking in his features, it was obvious that it was Naruto had ordered the Raikage to move. His entire posture screamed exhaustion. She saw bandages sticking out from underneath his shirt and sleeves, as well as bandages wrapped around his head, covering one of his eyes.

Despite his wounded and exhausted state, she could practically feel his strength emanating from him, even with all the powerful fighters in the room.

Her pale eyes settled on the bandaged chest. She had heard of his brush with death, it was something she had never heard of before. Transferring someone's own life force to bring the dead back to life.

A terrifying, but intriguing concept. Looking at the weary blonde, she doubted he felt the same.

"Good, we're all here. Everyone, take your seat." Tsunade said.

There was a shuffle as most went for the seat, while few remained standing in a corner. Her gaze lingered on Naruto, who remained standing, leaning against the wall with crossed arms, Itachi next to him.

"We're all aware why we've called this meeting," The Hokage started, her hands folded and laying on her desk. "To discuss what our plan is."

"What can we do? We're heavily outnumbered, at least four to one." Kitsuchi's heavy voice rumbled as he spoke his thoughts.

"Our only chance to survive, is to dig in and hope we can weather their onslaught." Gaara said, his advisors nodding in agreement behind him.

There was a murmur of agreement from the majority of the inhabitants, and Hanabi herself glanced to Hinata, who seemed conflicted.

Shikaku, the Hokage's advisor moved to a screen at the corner that had been placed there prior to the meeting, just in front of the large bookcase. "Kitsuchi-san is correct. We're heavily outnumbered, and that's not discounting our genin or our non-frontline fighters."

He tapped on the remote and a bunch of figures and statistics were shown. "As you can see, at the start of the invasion, the Reavers held a force, of well over two hundred thousand men. An absolute staggering and terrifying number." He moved to the next screen, showing the comparison of both armies. "Two years of fighting, and we've managed to reduce their army to half of its original size. A lot, but not enough to even the odds."

The Tsuchikage gave an annoyed response. "We already know this, get on with it!"

Shikaku stared at the oldest kage in the room with disinterest. "Conventionally, we won't win this. Nor will they attack straight on. Both the battle for Sunagakure and Konohagakure showed them we are a much tougher opponent than they had expected when it comes to our defensive posture."

Hanabi's heartbeat beat rapidly as she listened to Shikaku's assessment.

"Then what do we have to do?" her sister's soft voice spoke up, causing the occupants to turn their heads towards her.

"Evacuation won't help. They've got a fleet that's far superior to that of Konoha and Kirigakure. At this point there's three options as far as I can see," the Konoha tactician said, holding up three fingers. "We start hitting them guerilla style. Try and take them out by attrition…We can dig in around Kirigakure and hope that they eventually decide to attack…Or charge them head on and hope for a miracle."

"None of them are options." Mei said, her face showed visible frustration at this point and Hanabi couldn't blame her, because she was right. "We don't have the economy for a long war. We can barely feed the civilians as is! Winter is approaching, which will slow our food production. This war needs to end…NOW."

"Then what do you suggest, Mizukage-sama?" Gaara spoke up from the far corner.

Mei stared at Gaara and shrugged. "I didn't say I had a solution; all I'm saying is that we can't prolong this war."

"It beats annihilation!" Rome said as he joined in the conversation, heated by the conversations that were going back and forth.

The Raikage started rising to his feet, but was shoved back down by Naruto, eliciting a gasp from one his advisors, as well as gaining the attention of everyone in the room.

"You punk!" He growled and was about to climb to his feet, but was kept firmly in place by Itachi, who had quietly appeared behind him, keeping a tight grip on the man's shoulder. "Who do you thi-"

"A. You have no input in this conversation, I don't even understand why you are here. Your ego and lust for glory only dug our hole deeper, not to mention the death of the people you swore to protect." Naruto's cold voice rang through the room, giving Hanabi chills, he turned to others. "There's only one thing we can do, we have to kill Kenpachi."

"Kenpachi isn't the problem, his army is." Danzo Shimura spoke from behind Tsunade.

Naruto let out a frustrated sigh. "When are you people going to listen to me?"

"I tend not to listen to traitors, especially not our rogue Jinchuuriki." Danzo bit back.

Naruto's eye flashed red. "I have surprisingly little patient left, Danzo. Don't test me."

Tsunade gave Danzo a frightening glare and he reluctantly backed off. "Kenpachi's a threat, we know…But he's not the priority, he needs to be occupied, we can kill him with our numbers after we deal with his army."

Naruto rubbed his face and his gaze turned to Micheru and Kakashi, who in turn gave him a questioning look. "So…I might have gotten my hands on some information."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes, as did Mayu and Rome. "What do you mean with that?"

"I can't believe I'm saying this…" He shook his head before walking to the center of the room. "You undoubtedly recall my…request for any and all notes on the Shinigami, made by the Sandaime Hokage?"

Tsunade slowly stood up. "Are you implying?"

"I am. I managed to contact…it."

Mei had been quietly watching the conversation broke out in laughter. "Oh please! There's no such thing!" waving with her hands to dispel the ludicrous subject.

"There is…Where do you think these demonic entities come from?"

"The same way Bijuu do! They are a part of our world." she gave him a cheeky grin.

"Glad to see the rank of Kage doesn't require above average intelligence," He bit back, earning a snicker from Hawke in the corner, who was subsequently shushed by Mayu.

"If you're here to piss off every Kage, you're well underway, brat." She hissed dangerously.

"Quiet down and listen to what I have to tell you, afterwards you can do whatever the hell you want!" He bit back.

"Naruto, I thought you said he didn't have a solution?" Micheru asked, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"I didn't lie…not really," He slowly began.

"What do you mean?"

"When I spoke to it…I…Maybe it's better if I show you." Naruto turned his gaze to Inoichi, who in turned looked towards Tsunade for approval.

She gave a quiet nod and he reached for the wires attached to the monitor, beckoning for Naruto to come closer.

With reluctance he moved over, sitting down in the empty chair beside the monitor.

Hanabi leaned towards Hinata. "You think it's true?"

"I do…After our mission in the Taoreta Mori, I don't doubt it."

She had heard of her sister's assignment to Yuki no Kuni but hadn't been privy to the details of it all. What she did know, was that Hinata had returned jittery and hadn't slept for days after.

They both turned and watched as Micheru Sun crouched down in front of Naruto, whispering something to him. They couldn't hear what she was saying, but Naruto gave a smile along with a nod.

"Are you ready?" Inoichi asked him.

"Let's get this over with."

The monitor flickered on and at first there was nothing but darkness.

Naruto's memory

He looked around, a dense waist high fog surrounded him. He couldn't see far as the darkness seemed endless, starting just a few feet away from him.

Despite the darkness and the fog, he knew he wasn't alone. There was an ominous presence that filled his mind with fear.

Naruto slowly stepped forward, his heartbeat pounding rapidly, still shocked that his summoning jutsu had worked.

"Uzumaki, Naruto. Born on October 10. Parents were Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, both deceased." A low slithering voice said.

Naruto looked around but couldn't see anything. "Where are you?!"

A soft light appeared ahead of him. He tried focusing his gaze on it, but the light disappeared almost as fast.

"Show yourself…" he tried ordering, his voice faltering.

The light appeared once more, but this time the shadow of a large figure could be seen. "It's not often someone appears before me before their date of death." The figure seemed to float in the air and was slowly closing the distance between them.

"I…I need information."

"Do I look like I'm a source of information to you?"

The pressure he felt, increased tenfold, causing his knees to buckle. "I'm desperate."

"I know you are. I know everything about you, Hunter Ghost. The question is, do you know who I am?"

"Y-you're the S-Shinigami…the god of d-death."

"Then you realize that the only way souls can see me, is when I am about to consume them?"

"I…I -K-know."

"You shouldn't have come here."

The figure was inching ever closer and had now crossed half of the initial distance between one another. Naruto could feel his teeth chattering. "I…I…We need help"

"I know you do. Daghar has been holding up his end of the deal."

"Daghar?" Naruto asked in confusion, slowly climbing back to his feet.

"The one you know as 'Kenpachi'."

"Is…Is there any way to stop him?"

"You're asking the wrong question."

"Is there a way to break his deal with you?"

"There is."

"Why are you helping him?" Naruto pressed, watching in fear as the hovering figure, known as the Shinigami, came closer and closer, his appearance still shrouded in darkness.

"He is willing to give back what Kami stole from me."

"Y-you mean, souls?"

"Exactly."

"w-what changed that he's- he's able to give you souls?"

"Souls tainted by demons won't pass on. They end up here."

Naruto could help but gasp. "What?!"

A terrifying chuckle echoed all around him. "I've consumed all those who have been killed by demons. It's like a handprint, condemning one's soul to me."

He slowly shook his head, his eye wide with despair and shock. "You…That's not possible."

"If Kami won't give me what I seek, I'll find other ways."

"W-what happens t-t the souls you consume? Do they cease to exist?" Naruto asked, feeling a cold shiver crawling up his back.

"No…They still exist…deep within me."

Naruto could scarcely believe what he was hearing. "What happens to people who die of…other causes?"

"They are enveloped by eternal darkness."

The amount of information he was receiving was staggering. "Can we kill Kenpachi?"

The light behind the figure disappeared again, enveloping them both in darkness. "He's mortal."

"T-that doesn't answer m-my question." Besides overwhelming fear, he could feel a tinge of anger bubbling.

"Yes, it does."

"How did he become so strong?" Naruto knew he was pressing his luck, but he needed to know.

"A man who spent over a hundred and fifty years fighting, will develop abilities you could only dream of."

Naruto's eye widened drastically at the revelation of Kenpachi's true age. "Y-you j-just said he's m-mortal."

"He is, I just gave him the gift of everliving."

He was breathing heavily, trying to let all the information sink in. Kenpachi could be killed, but he couldn't age. This was the reason why he was as powerful as he was…He had spent decades upon decades perfecting his craft. "Is…there a way to-to stop him from wiping us out?"

"Why should I deny myself souls?"

Naruto's eye darted everywhere, trying to find a reason. "Because…Because if he wipes u out, sooner or later you'll run out of souls."

"Then I will savor what remains."

The darkness descended on him once more. Naruto looked around fearfully. "Please help us!"

There wasn't an answer, just deafening silence. Gritting his teeth, he pushed regardless. "IS THERE EVEN A WAY?!"

"There always is."

His eye widened drastically. At the very least there was a solution to this. He could try and ask and delve deeper into the question, but he knew that there wouldn't be an answer. The vague response he got was all he would get out of it.

Naruto looked back up; his heart was beating at an incredible rate. "I-I k-know there's nothing else you'll help me with…But why bother yourself with this, if-if you're going to consume me…"

"I don't need to. You'll be back soon."

Naruto shook his head. "W-what do you m-mean?"

The terrifying voice suddenly sounded behind him, and he could feel a hand gently grab his shoulder. Looking down at it, he saw a large rotting pink, monstrous hand resting on him.

"I know when you'll die."

His heartbeat, if it was even possible, started beating even faster. "o-oh? A-and when is that?"

He felt the other hand on his shoulder, almost enveloping his entire shoulder and a large portion of his left chest. "You truly wish to know?"

His mouth felt dry, but he gave a slow nod regardless.

"You're going to die on January 16th at 11:15 of this year. Your soul belongs to me, whether it is now, or in the coming weeks."

The figure let go of his shoulders, and instead he felt a gentle touch on his arm. "M-Micheru…"

The darkness almost instantly disappeared, and he collapsed forward, covering his face in his arms. He could feel that dark goo dislodge itself from his hand.

"Naruto! Are you okay?!"

He could feel Micheru slide her hand over his back. "Please tell me you're, okay?"

Slowly he sat back up and stared at Micheru, his finger reaching for her face. "I'm…I'm okay."

"Did it work?"

Naruto slowly looked at Kakashi, who he only now seemed to recognize. "It worked."

"What did it say? Did you find out anything that will help us? He could hear Kakashi say.

Instead, the same words could be heard, echoing over and over again in his head.

"You're going to die on January 16th at 11:15"

"No" he quietly said his mind in a complete turmoil. 'I'm going to die in two weeks…'

Naruto watched as the group stared at him with something akin to shock. Terumi Mei in particular was slowly shaking her head.

"That's not possible…"

"You…you knew?" Micheru asked, her trembling hand on his.

Naruto slowly nodded his head.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"H-how could I possibly tell you?" he whispered, his head slowly shaking.

Tsunade turned to Shikaku. "Is there a way that this could be a false memory, a dream or something?"

Naruto narrowed his eye in anger. "You think I'm lying?!"

Tsunade looked at Naruto with a worrisome gaze. "No…But anything is better than the alternative."

Inoichi cleared his throat, causing the inhabitants to await his answer. "This is a real memory. I couldn't see anything that indicates this is tampered with."

A slowly moved over, his towering figure looking down on the seated hunter, who in turn looked up at him, with a wary look. "Bee is in the Shinigami's stomach?!"

"I'm afraid so." Naruto said, the look on his face shifted from annoyance to mild sympathy.

"This…changes everything." Gaara said quietly.

"We still don't know anything about how to stop him!" A. pressed with a growl; his hands formed into fists. He felt what hopeless anger, undoubtedly as did the others.

Naruto looked at Micheru, his lips parted as if he wanted to say something. She returned his gaze with a questioning one of her own. She tilted her head in a questioning manner.

He stared for a moment longer until he broke the gaze and stood up resolutely. "If we kill Kenpachi, he will lose his hold on the demons in our world."

They stared at him for a moment before everyone broke out in loud chatter. Surprisingly it was Hinata, with the help of Hanabi who managed to shush the rest.

"Naruto…Nowhere in your memory did the Shinigami say that Kenpachi would be the solution." Hinata asked, looking at him with worry.

He drilled his gaze into hers, staring at her for a few tense seconds. "He is the key…to everything."

"Why are you so sure?" Tsunade asked him.

Naruto's eye darted left and right, as if he was trying to find the answer. "I…I just do."

"Enough of this! We can't base our decision on the feelings of a man whose primary source of intel is questionable at best!" Mei yelled as she stood up, her advisors joining her at her side.

"IT'S THE ONLY INFO WE HAVE!" Naruto yelled back, his hand gripping the side of his head, feeling a headache coming up.

"Shikaku…You're the smartest man in this room. What do you think we should do?"

He looked at the occupants of the room, quietly mulling the question over. " In theory, Naruto's plan is the only one we have-"

"This is idiotic!"

Tsunade slammed he fist on her table, silencing Mei instantly. "Don't interrupt my lead tactician!"

Shikaku cleared his throat, dipping his head, grateful of his leader's outburst. "We have 30.000 men left…We can't afford an all-out attack, nor can we prolong the war," His eyes darted to Naruto before continuing. "We need an end to the war, now. If Kenpachi's death achieves that, we should aim for that."

"But we can't risk everything on the 'visions' of a rogue nin. What if he's wrong?" Danzo interjected, earning him a few nods and murmurs of agreement.

"Then we're dead." Gaara spoke up, "But we will be regardless. What Shikaku says is true, we all know it."

Raikage slowly rose from his seat and walked forward, towards Naruto. "I…stand with the brat."

Naruto's eyebrow rose slightly before giving the man a nod.

Kitsuchi's heavy voice rumbled through the room. "Kenpachi will never allow us to attack and kill him. If their weakness is his death, he will never fall for it."

Naruto couldn't help but agree with him. "We need to lure him in."

"With what?" Tsunade asked.

"Me." The blonde said almost immediately.

Micheru jerked her head towards him. "What?!"

Naruto sighed and slowly stood up. "Kenpachi has an interest in me. I've killed his son, fought him twice and survived…And our final engagement, he succeeded in killing me…" He trailed off, his hand clutching his chest, right where the wound was. "If he sees me alive, I'm sure he'll come for me."

"And then what? He's far too strong for you." Mayu asked, before her daughter could speak.

"He's too strong for any of us."

"If…there was one here who stands a chance, it's you Naruto. You're more powerful than any of the kage here, and you have experience against him. "Gaara murmured.

"But he won't be enough!" Micheru said, her gaze worrisome, darting between the members of the group.

"Micheru is right," Itachi emerged from the corner, shadowed by Sasori. "That's why I will volunteer once more."

"It's still not enough though!" Tsunade pressed, in agreement with Micheru."

"Then I'll help you." A. said as he stared towards both rogue shinobi.

"And it's still not enough!" Tsunade yelled, her mind a blur of memories, recalling her experience against the Reaver. "Kenpachi fought Naruto's team, Rome's team, Kakashi, me and our most experienced anbu team, and he still lived! NOT TO MENTION, PEIN!"

"Against Kenpachi, you'll need three shinobi that have the power beyond that of a kage." A voice rang through the room, heavy and intimidating.

The room fell quiet and looked to each other, confused. Naruto narrowed his eye and answered. "I'm one…Itachi is the other…"

"And I'll be number three." A man dressed in Akatsuki robes slowly stepped through the wall. He had dark spiky hair and his face was obscured by a red mask.

"Who the hell are you?!" Tsunade barked as she stood from her seat, her hands raised, ready to strike, as did almost every person in the room, save for Itachi and Sasori.

"My name is Madara Uchiha."

You all didn't think I forgot about our boiii?

Until next time!