Chapter 31
Enishi flipped back as Tsunade pushed him away with her tremendous strength gained from training as a child. Tsunade then performed another set of handseals, unleashing a huge dragon-shaped flame towards Enishi. Enishi performed the seal of the dog and unleashed an equally powerful dragon-shaped burst of water. Tsunade cursed her luck and then unleashed a special move that she had developed. Thrusting out the nodachi, she then performed handseals, the nodachi multiplying into clones. Enishi thrust out his daikatana, knocking away all the clones, which were all real, thanks to Tsunade's technique. His eyes glowed violet and his hands were in the seal of the rat as he blocked out the illusion.
The 5th Hokage was realizing the danger of her situation as she saw Enishi perform the seals of the snake and rabbit, reappearing behind her with one of the gems, the symbol for the snake on it. Enishi then became completely unseen, as the gem's powers began working.
"Hehehehehe…afraid Tsunade? You can't see me, but I can see everything you do."
Tsunade grinned and unleashed an old technique she had used once before. A great burst of mud spewed from her mouth and splashed across Enishi's form, revealing him once again. She then thrust out the symbol of the bird, performing the Body Freeze Technique on Enishi, who countered with the seal of the monkey, leaving his daikatana frozen in the air by Tsunade's technique.
He then showed her the seal of the dragon and began to assault her with his physical power, which seemed three times stronger than even Kyoji's power. Tsunade was barely able to keep up, but her techniques were many and she knew one that would throw off Enishi for a time.
Tsunade closed her eyes and they snapped open as she unleashed a cloud of poison that struck Enishi, causing him to gag and cough up blood, ceasing his attack. He then performed the seal of the horse, a green light engulfing him. He stood up and spoke again, still grinning his sardonic grin.
"Tsunade…the Zodiac Clan is the strongest because the leaders of the clan know the 12 Styles of the Zodiac. This gives us the perfect balance of techniques. There may only be 12, but for all your variety, you can't find one move that can defeat me…"
Tsunade then ripped out a rather large scroll while pulling a shuriken from her side. She drew blood and began the ritual for the Summoning Art. The necessary handseals were performed like second nature and with the amount of chakra used, Tsunade only hoped Katsuyu could aid her in every possible way. She knew she had other techniques, but this was desperation. She had only used this once before and that was against Orochimaru.
Enishi emerged behind Tsunade again, motioning to a second gem, the horse symbol engraved upon it. The green chakra now surrounded his body like an aura of protection. Performing the sign of the bird again, he seemed to float off the ground and grasp his daikatana in midair. He looked up and was truly impressed at the marvel of the Summoning Technique.
Katsuyu was a slug, towering at nearly ten thousand feet high and took up the entire arena with her girth. She opened her mouth and unleashed a burst of goop that struck Enishi. He screamed out at the sudden pain.
Acid…
The horse gem's power healed his scars and he resorted to trickery again, but stopped when Tsunade held a nodachi to his throat. He grinned and without even a thought, performed the seal of the rat and appeared behind her, grasping the gem of the monkey, now able to use one of his favorite styles to its full power.
A pebble floated through the air and Enishi disappeared, leaving Tsunade afraid of where he might strike next. Enishi's daikatana pierced through her again and the Genesis of Rebirth worked its powers, but Enishi grinned and pulled the daikatana upwards, nearly splitting Tsunade's body in two. She lay there, barely able to think through the pain, but her body slowly repaired itself.
Katsuyu slowly worked itself over to Enishi, who now held three of the twelve gems. He thrust his hands down, performing the three corresponding seals, becoming completely invisible, invincible and intangible. Tsunade panicked, but unleashed one of her strongest illusions, permeating an aura of darkness around the entire stadium, leaving Enishi stunned at her gifts again, but confident that he could acquire the other gems through touch. He swam through the darkness, which seemed to try to swallow him and grasped another gem, this time the rooster. He smirked and leaped through the darkness and, while closing his eyes, struck out with fire ninjutsu through the sign of the tiger.
Tsunade cried out and the illusion died away as she collapsed. Enishi grinned, holding the four gems in one hand, one between each finger, leaving only his left hand open. He located his daikatana and grasping it, he saw Tsunade again, who took a finger and struck him across the face, sending him crashing into the wall. Pulling himself up, he held a fifth gem in his hand.
"When one door closes, another opens, Tsunade. Don't be so confident in your abilities. With the boar gem, you can't hurt me like that again."
"However…" Tsunade replied, "You still don't know the extent of my powers." She thrust a finger out, Katsuyu following her example, unleashing another burst of acid, which Enishi took full force, erupting from the sizzling liquid unscathed, his daikatana melting away as he performed the sign of the ox, sending a tremor through the stadium, sending Katsuyu's colossal form skyrocketing into the air, crashing down with such force, the arena split, leaving Tsunade and Enishi on opposite sides.
"You see, Tsunade…the Zodiac Clan's earth ninjutsu is stronger than even your own. Your summon has been defeated and I hold nearly half the gems. With six of the gems, I'll be one step closer to defeating you." Performing the seal of the tiger again, he unleashed his own burst of fire, penetrating through Katsuyu, crashing into Tsunade. The smoke cleared and Tsunade stood, steam rising around her.
"But…how?"
"Simple…" Tsunade replied, "I used a technique my great uncle developed. It protects me with a wall of water"
Enishi laughed again, now ready to gain the sixth gem and unleash the first forbidden technique. Performing the sign of the rabbit, he appeared behind Tsunade, dashing his fists into her, as she stopped them with a single finger, countering with a burst of chakra that turned into acid that scorched Enishi's face, but was healed in an instant. He unleashed the hare's speed again and reappeared with six gems in his possession, now prepared for the technique that would seal his victory.
Firstly, he thrust the gems into the air and performed the six symbols, stopping for an instant on each symbol, focusing a large amount of chakra into each one. He then snatched the gems out of the air and blew out air from his mouth, air that was now saturated with new power.
Tsunade gasped at the sudden realization of what was happening. As if she wasn't weak enough, Enishi's kinjutsu now sapped her strength and speed, even a small amount of chakra from her frail form, siphoning it into his own. Enishi's body seemed ready to explode with energy, but it died down and he thrust out a hand, completely incinerating Katsuyu. Tsunade looked up with now tired eyes as Enishi grinned sardonically at her.
"Prepare yourself, Hokage the 5th! The Zodiac Clan Master is now at full power. And soon…you'll be dead."
Tsunade simply smiled and pulled out a new scroll, performing the necessary handseals and another burst of smoke revealed Katsuyu, returned to life with new power.
"…But…this…this can't be!"
"Oh, it can and it is, Enishi… I used my stored chakra and now…Katsuyu has a few new tricks up her sleeve…I mean slime…"
Enishi giggled to himself and struck the ground, leaving a trail of energy that pierced through Katsuyu, but stopped as Tsunade held out a hand, stopping the attack with her shield techniques.
"This…battle…is just beginning…Enishi…" Tsunade said, obviously at less than half her chakra levels.
Enishi knew this and smiled back, replying confidently, "Oh, it's over, Tsunade…. You just don't know it yet…"

Chapter 32
The tension was growing in the arena as Hitomi, Basho and Minoru watched on as everyone else had ran into hiding.
"So…" Minoru spoke first, "Is it possible that Tsunade will be killed?"
"And what if she is?" Basho inquired, "Who will replace her?"
"Kakashi-sama…" Hitomi, "…or Naruto-san…"
"Both have potential, but they'll have to have a battle…to decide it…" Minoru commented.
Basho and Hitomi nodded and Hitomi spoke, still confused about Kakashi's meeting from before, "Guys…do you…do you think Kakashi-sama…is related to me?"
Minoru shook his head, while Basho propped his head on his hand, watching the battle unfold before them…

Tsunade felt weaker by the second as Enishi continued to grow stronger. He had gained another gem since his attack and he looked to be able to find the next gem. Already, he possessed the Snake, Horse, Monkey, Rooster, Boar, Horse, and now had gained the rat, assaulting her mind with illusions, which she didn't bother to waste chakra on. She still had Katsuyu ready to battle, but Katsuyu was too slow to catch up to Enishi. It was best if she used the slug as a shield, but it would only stand against a few of his attacks. She knew she didn't have the stamina to summon the Soul Seal Jutsu, but she had to do something to weaken him before she undoubtedly passed on… Most of her strongest techniques had been spent and Enishi would predict them the moment she unleashed them.
Katsuyu unleashed the Acid of 1000 Fangs again, which Enishi took without fear as he returned with his own series of attacks, combined with his new ability of unlimited flight, he seemed unstoppable. She hadn't thought ahead for this and now she was paying for it. She had to think of something quick…before this ended in vain…

Minoru stood up and his Taigan Left flashed yellow
"I'm going to help Tsunade…any way I can… You guys with me?"
Hitomi nodded, as well as Basho, who began calculating ratios and developing countermeasures. The three then disappeared; ready to unleash all the power they had to help Tsunade develop a strategy in her now decrepit mind.

Enishi procured the eighth gem and now possessed unlimited taijutsu power, which he used to destroy Katsuyu indefinitely. He turned to Tsunade, who still lay on the floor, crying out in inner pain, even as she desperately sought for a way to escape.
"So…this is the true power of Hokage the 5th… I'm not even registered as an ANBU in my own country, or anything of equivalent nature, and yet, I'm crushing you into the ground. We truly are stronger. With the Uchiha clan gone, you have nothing but its bastard spawn. How pathetic you must feel… Alone…without any friends…Orochimaru is dead…Jiraiya is a wandering vagrant with a perverse mind, and you…you're a gambling addict, temperamental, and still hold that survivor's guilt from the deaths of your brother and friend…
I really am disappointed… I expected so much more and now…this is what you've become… An old fool with nothing to comfort her but the past… And no friends left to aid you…your summon is destroyed, unable to be summoned again…and your students…they've abandoned you as well…Prepare to die… I'll find the other four gems later…I can finish you off now…" Enishi raised a hand and struck air. He turned around to see Minoru with Tsunade over his shoulder. Feeling a sharp pain in his side, he saw Basho, two katanas lodged in Enishi's chest. He flung Basho away, who simply laughed and disappeared in a burst of Mental Chakra.
Enishi was confused… He thought those brats had left…but three of them had survived…three because there was a third hidden somewhere. Hitomi appeared behind him, both Taigans at full power. She flung out a hand and regained one gem, now acquiring the power of improved taijutsu. Enhancing it with her Taigans, she the pummeled Enishi, who was shocked at her new gifts.
She didn't have these powers before… Unless… He eyed Basho, who grinned still and flung out ten chakra lines, two who lanced through Enishi, distrupting his ties with the gems. But Enishi flung away Hitomi, lunging at Basho. He crushed the ground before him into pieces and followed Hitomi's path, intercepting her and regaining the dragon gem. He then sighted Minoru, who stood on top of the roof. He thrust out a hand, flames bursting from his palm, which consumed Minoru and Tsunade. He faced Hitomi and Basho, who rushed him with kunai raised. Enishi laughed and activated his rabbit speed, knocking both children unconscious. A kunai slashed through his throat, healing with the horse gem. He saw Minoru, unscathed, Tsunade next to him, untouched as well. She pulled out a scroll, unleashing her newest attack. The scroll disappeared and a shuriken flew towards Enishi and multiplied into real clones. Enishi took the attack full force and reacted by fighting Minoru, who kept up very well, his entire body engulfed with the flames from his battle with Basho. This seemed to enhance Minoru's strength fivefold and Minoru managed to knock away Enishi's attack, slamming a fist into Enishi, who fell back onto the ground, seemingly exhausted.
Tsunade's body lit up with a great new power, her Genesis of Rebirth restoring what power she had lost, but nearly killing her in the process. She then began pulling the very air from around her, pulling it into her palm.
"What…what is that, Tsunade?" Minoru asked as he faced Enishi, prepared to fight again.
"It's called the Rasengan. It's my strongest offensive technique… I learned it from Jiraiya, who is a master of it. I hope it'll hold off Enishi long enough." Enishi simply laughed, holding two more of the gems, the tiger and dog, now allowing him nearly full power over the elements and the battle. He turned invisible, activated the powers of ultimate speed, taijutsu, physical invulnerability and healing, as well as flight. Minoru was suddenly pummeled from out of nowhere, Enishi now taking the advantage. His opponent was unconscious in seconds as he then faced Tsunade, who still grinned at him, as the Rasengan was nearly at full power. She thrust out a hand, releasing the huge burst of energy. It struck Enishi, seeming to pierce through his body. He crashed into the press box, high above the battlefield.
He stood up, still laughing as insanely as he had when the battle began. He held all 12 of the gems in his hand and pulled out a huge scroll, similar to when Tsunade had summoned Katsuyu. Throwing the 12 crystals into the air, he opened the scroll and spilled his blood across the symbols, performing them all as he did so. The gems lit up and the 12 spirits of the zodiac appeared, their ethereal bodies shifting through the new plane slowly and towards Tsunade, who was unable to do anything as they struck her chest one by one. Enishi then called out a single word, which sealed the bargain with the gods.
"Kai…"
Tsunade gasped as a light burst forth from her body, growing brighter by the second. The 12 animals dragged a radiance from Tsunade's chest, her spiritual essence now fading as Tsunade collapsed to the ground, slowly turning old and decrepit, her body finally fading into dust and blowing into the wind. The animals returned to their lord, the power surging within him before it even arrived. He had won against a Kage…he was supreme…he was…in pain?
Ryota stood behind him, all twelve gems strapped to his belt. He held out his hands, performing the seals quickly for the Nocturne of Guilt, following up with a new power, which he called the Judgement Hymn. He thrust up the crystal he had held before into the air and it exploded with power, striking Enishi. The soul of Tsunade dissipated into the air, the light fading away and Enishi left with nothing… He looked up, grimacing at Ryota, who stared nonchalantly at him, the gems still glowing. Enishi roared out, now rushing at Ryota full force.
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Enishi struck at Ryota's face, the force exploding all at once, shattering the spectator's section into rubble.
Ryota simply looked up at Enishi, who towered over his five-foot tall frame at eight feet tall, enhanced by the powers of the Zodiac Clan. He held out a hand and snapped his fingers. Enishi gasped at a new form of pain, striking at his soul.
You feel that, Enishi? That is guilt…those are memories…this is my ultimate power, now that the seal has been cracked, and my techniques are nearly free. Now…feel the Symphony of Pain and perish…
Enishi screamed out, his body warping and distorting as it tore itself apart from the inside and the energy he had acquired began to erupt all at once, nearly tearing him apart. But Ryota held out a hand, ceasing the attack's full power.
"I'll just let you suffer for a time…then, judgment will be exacted…"
Enishi grimaced and held a hand out, barely able to move at all, when the power reached its zenith, collapsing his tangibility, a burst of music and chakra all at once, destroying the rest of the stadium.
Ryota looked down at his hands, untouched and yet still covered in Enishi's lifeblood… He was finally happy…after all the suffering… He then touched a hand to each of the gems, each of them shattering at a finger's glance. It was instantaneous, the power he acquired. He quieted his soul and finally saw the memories he had wished to see for all this time. But…this was not what he had expected. All that pain he thought had gone…returned all at once, striking at his mind. He wrenched his hair and screamed out, the new power erupting into the sky, a maelstrom of energy splitting heaven in two.
The clouds settled and Ryota was reborn. His body was now free of the seal, now at its full height of 6'2", and his powers were restored. For ten years, he had hidden in the guise of a ten year old even as he aged to twenty. Now…they would all pay…
Minoru and the others saw Ryota leap into the sky, flying as Enishi did with the powers of the rooster.
Great…more bad news…
Ryota…he's…he's an adult?
I guess this is one of those secrets they couldn't tell us...