Chapter 41
Ryota had nearly arrived at his destination, but his mind still was in conflict with his soul. One part of him told him that all ninjas caused him suffering, but another told him that there were good ninjas in the world and that he should start over again. But every time the idea crossed his mind, it was cancelled out by the hatred and sorrow in his inner self. He then returned to his normal composed look, which was once filled with uncertainty. The sky was filled with his negative feelings as he drew closer to the end.

Shikamaru turned to his team of five and began his lecture.
"All right… you all know the plan and you all have to be prepared to die for this mission… Understood?" His team nodded forcefully as he turned to Ryota's definite shape in the sky, "Okay…let's go… Kakashi and Gai may have failed, but we'll perform at 200% to overcome that!"
Ino stood on the field alone, secretly surrounded by Asuma and Kurenai on either side, preparing to ambush Ryota as per the plan.
Ryota stood only a few feet away from Ino as she took a kunai and cut a long burst of her hair away, holding it in her hand. Ryota laughed and pointed to the hair in Ino's palm.
"You…you can't be serious…I know of your strategy that you used against Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka-sensei… Please…surrender and leave…or I will kill you…"
Ino threw the hair at Ryota, who dodged it easily, but felt a strange presence behind him. He turned and saw a single strand of hair strike him in the forehead, initiating the transfer of minds. He suddenly saw his body across the field and grimaced at the sudden realization of his own foolishness. But he knew that his berserker's soul would save him.
Ino was afraid at what she would find in the depths of Ryota's disturbed mind, but saw only emptiness…nothing threatening or dangerous… But she stopped at a sound behind her. She saw Ryota at age ten, his clothes still bloodied. Ino smiled and realized that this was just a memory of Ryota's. She comforted the child and felt that Ryota had truly changed now.
But the change wasn't apparent as the cherubic Ryota stuck a kunai through Ino's throat. Suddenly snapped back into her own body, Ino was amazed at Ryota's mental prowess. This presence was stronger than even Sakura's inner soul, simply called the Inner Sakura. This was…menacing…
Ryota seemed to teleport to Ino's position as he struck her aside, waiting for the next set of ninjas for him to defeat.

Asuma and Kurenai nodded as they unleashed their ninjutsu: Asuma projecting chakra through his knuckle weapons and Kurenai unleashing her special brand of genjutsu. Ryota wouldn't know what hit him.

Ryota gasped at what he saw before him. All the victims from the past seemed to call out to him from his mind.
This…this is…some sort of illusion…But…but it feels so real…and…I have been bothered by this driving desire to repent for my sins… Could this be…lamentations for the fallen?
Ryota shook his head and noticed the chakra lines heading towards him. He struck them away and located Asuma, striking away his knuckle-dusters, immediately crushing his ribs with a single punch. Kurenai threw a series of shuriken at Ryota, who held out a hand, freezing them in their place, returning them to their mistress in a single motion. Kurenai fell from the tree, shurikens lodged in her body everywhere. Ryota was still disappointed at what he was seeing. But it was true. He saw three Shinos…
"So…two bug clones…instead of one…"
Shino thrust out his hands, sending the attack wasps flying towards Ryota, who took them, releasing a chakra burst that destroyed them in seconds. He then rushed forward, sending the kikai flying in every direction as the first clone was destroyed. He then faced the two remaining clones, unleashing his new technique, as two bolts of Mental Chakra struck the clones. Ryota waited a few moments and then grinned at the sudden realization.
So…three clones…But where's the real Shino? Ryota thrust out a punch that caught Shino's face, ending the conflict in only thirty seconds.
Shikamaru was shocked at what he saw. Such perception…it was as if he could see through every strategy…not just every illusion. And with the Byakugan as well…he had 360 degrees of defense. It was up to him to hold him off for the time Neji needed to build up his chakra. Shikamaru burst from the trees, speaking to Ryota with his same lazy demeanor.
"Ryota…it's time to meet a true ninja…"
Ryota grinned and thrust out two more Mental Chakra bolts, Shikamaru dodging them effortlessly as he performed the handseals for the Shadow Copy Technique. Ryota dodged the protruding shadow as he saw Shikamaru pull out a small orb and threw it into the air. A blinding flash of light extended the shadow, which Ryota still managed to dodge. Shikamaru grinned and threw out another flash bomb, the shadow extending another few inches, catching Ryota by surprise. Ryota turned to glare at Shikamaru, who maintained his blank stare.
"You…you tricked me again…"
"That's a ninja's basic principle…the unknown… And it's basic science…when light strikes an object with greater intensity, the shadow becomes larger as well…besides…I used this to make my shadow bigger." Shikamaru finished as he held a blue pill in his hand, motioning to his bulging sides, "It was a risk I had to take. And now…" he said as his sides deflated, returning to their normal stick width, "It's time to meet your new opponent!" The Shadow Copy relinquished its control over Ryota, who turned to see two blinding white eyes glaring at him.
"So…it's finally my turn…I've been going crazy just waiting to fight you…"
Ryota stared unconsciously at Neji, who then fell into the Jyuken fighting stance, rushing forward to strike, but stopping at the last moment, instead kicking into Ryota's face. Ryota was stunned at the new speed Neji had gained, but he also was blinded…literally. Neji had used Jyuken to block out the chakra flow to his ocular ninjutsu, now effectively defeating his Taigan Duality powers for the time being. But Neji also knew that Ryota could fight with no senses, relying completely on his chakra control, which was prodigious. By simply extending out chakra through his holes, which he could see even without the Byakugan, he was able to mimic the senses of touch, sight, and hearing with powerful results, which was noted as he blocked Neji's follow up techniques.
Ryota blinked, his eyes now gray and useless as he stepped forward.
"Interesting…you've innovated far beyond what I thought you were capable of… But even with the added support of Shikamaru Nara's Shadow Copy technique, I can still defeat you both. And soon…my chakra flow will return with even greater intensity… And when that happens…you'll see why even the Kage fear me…"
Neji grinned and flipped back, replying with unusual courage, "We'll see…who's feared by the Kage…after you see my new strategy…"

Chapter 42
Jiraiya was confused. The children had been meditating for nearly an hour, and no end seemed to be in sight. Hitomi's eyes glowed golden as Minoru and Jotaro struggled to keep their chakra flows even, as they had drastically different opinions on how chakra was to be used. The conflict could almost be felt as the rivals fought within their own meditation.
Jotaro…calm down…
Shut up, pretty boy… You think you're so good…
Guys…let's just focus on using this technique…
The three students were silent again as Jiraiya sat in an adjacent tree, sipping sake as he always did when he was waiting…

Ryota truly was blind to whatever attacks Neji threw at him, but he still dodged them, also managing to stay away from Shikamaru's sneak attacks. He was able to not only see the maximum distance Shikamaru could stretch the shadow, but also in the same instant, be able to realize the vector of Neji's attacks, which became stronger and stronger. Ryota's eyes still showed no sign of light as he grasped Neji's arm, stopping his attack cold. Shikamaru stepped back, but bumped into another body behind him. He turned around to see Ryota's right eye and the Sharingan semicolons within them. A scream shook Neji from his unexpected nap. He shook his head and rubbed the bruise on the back of his neck. Shikamaru was nowhere to be found, but neither was Ryota. Neji then heard a scream behind him.
"You won't need to investigate, Neji Hyuga of the Branch House of the Hyuga Clan… Your friend is incapacitated for the moment. It's very ironic…his son was also trapped in my special illusion attack. And it seems…that my Byakugan is regaining its power even as we speak." Ryota then grinned, grasping Neji's head, even as the chakra began to flow in a spinning motion, the vortex threatening Ryota, but not affecting him at all as he struck into Neji's Byakugan, also preparing to end it all in the worst possible manner. His Byakugan flashed, as did the seal on Neji's head, which caused the white eyed ninja to scream out in unimaginable pain, the seal working its powers on his mind, slowly burning away any chance of recovery or counterattack.
"Yes…you feel that pain again…you feel that unmistakable hopelessness and despair that you felt when your father died…I know this because I am Ryota of the Taigan Duality…but also because I am truly the strongest ninja in existence…" He finished with a sadistic grin, leaving Neji paralyzed with pain on the ground. A snap of the finger released Neji from the pain, but also without any chakra to use.
Ryota then sighted the Sannin team only a few meters away, unaware of his fight with Neji and the others. Slowly walking towards the end of his mission, he sensed a great presence of energy behind him. Kakashi and Gai stood behind him, Kakashi ready to unleash a Chidori, Gai flowing with the power of the five chakra gates, with more control than Lee had possessed and more danger behind his fists.
Holding out welcoming hands, Ryota began to perform his handseals, but stopped as he saw through the illusion, turning around in just enough time to take the Rairiki full force and then to be pummeled by Gai's full strength Lotus attack, enhanced by the strength of the five chakra gates, the true limit of the taijutsu art.
Ryota slowly got up, injured, and his chest heaving, but still preparing to attack. Gai laughed and responded with another confident gesture.
"You think you can win, Ryota? You've fought across the Five Countries and you just took a blow from Neji Hyuga…There's no way-"
"That I could be alive?" Ryota said, wiping the sweat from his face, the bruises healing, "The fact is, Maito Gai, that nobody has been able to draw blood on me, not even you or Hatake. So…unless you cut my face…you'd better prepare for death…"
Gai and Kakashi flashed their usual glares back at Ryota, whose eyes began to flash a great radiance from them, a truly epic battle beginning and ending all at once…

Ryota stood waiting for Kakashi and Gai to move, holding his hands loosely by his side, seemingly not ready to do anything. Kakashi whispered to Gai through the mind.
Be careful…he's tricky…we've figured that out firsthand…and we're weak as it is…I can only do one more Rairiki before I risk death…
Don't worry, Kakashi…I'll let you siphon my chakra to power your strongest Chidori yet… That'll take him by surprise… I will weaken and he'll let his guard down as you strike him from behind. You may be able to actually draw blood…
…Okay…let's go…
Gai closed his eyes and let the chakra flow from him and into Kakashi's palm, the power beginning to alter to Kakashi's original plan, crackling azure and white. Ryota looked quizzically at the new strategy, but simply performed the necessary handseals behind his back, waiting for their "secret" strategy to be implemented.
Gai pantomimed weakness, calling out to Kakashi to help him as Kakashi glared at Ryota, preparing the second ninjutsu behind his back. Ryota laughed as Kakashi rushed at him. Performing the seal of the cat, Ryota unleashed the attack at Kakashi, the clone disappearing just as Ryota had predicted. Turning to face the true Kakashi, he laughed even harder, performing the handseals again at rapid speed, unleashing the attack again. Kakashi attempted to dodge, but was struck by the attack again from behind, the beam seeming to split in two. The attack also struck Gai as Ryota sat down and waited for the show to really begin…

Hitomi was exhausted as Minoru and Jotaro continued to babble.
Guys…we really need to focus…
I would…but the dunce over here isn't focusing correctly…
Hey, I would love to help…but I'm totally in the dark about what Minoru's thinking!
…I have an idea…Open your minds…and let everything die down…
Minoru and Jotaro decided to follow her advice, as she was Kakashi's daughter. Everything was quiet...quieter than usual. Everything seemed to die down all at once and even Jiraiya's breathing seemed empty. Suddenly…the Four Taigan power unveiled itself…though it wasn't at full power. The right and left Taigans seemed to gravitate towards one another, at the same time matching up with the Taigan Duality orbs. Hitomi was truly Kakashi's seed, as she had given birth to the true power within all three of them. Even Minoru's normally calm visage seemed disturbed by Hitomi's insight. The Taigan Trio again began meditation, the same deathly silence engulfing the area. The power seemed to come easier now. Jiraiya was in shock…
That was faster than I ever expected them to take. And at least two days ahead of schedule. So…they saw the truth in each other. With that single moment of silence… an illumination set inside their minds, a lantern of hope seeming to blind their pride and individual wants… Now…they are truly in sync…and no power in the Five Countries…not even the Taigan Duality of Ryota…can stop them now…

Kakashi and Gai stood up, seemingly fine as Ryota sat calmly nearby, only a few feet away. Gai was the first to attack, Ryota holding out a finger as Gai collapsed on the ground, his eyes pale and his body heaving with asphyxiation.
Kakashi glared at Ryota, not making a move otherwise as he spoke.
"What did you do to him?"
Ryota smiled and responded with a finger to Kakashi's ear, Ryota's true form behind him.
"It's simple…the attack is called the Requiem of the Fallen. You both are exhausted and the only way you're even fighting now is by pure will. The attack simply drains your soul of all will and determination…as well as chakra… Now…you're completely gone… And with your chakra gone completely…you'll die in minutes… You jonins know of how to control chakra, but now…I hold the cards…and you have no choice but to fold…" Ryota began to laugh, first a chuckle, then an outright mocking tone, and then an insane cackle, slowly escalating to where everyone could seem to hear the manic bliss of a child manipulated by demons.
Kakashi's vision blurred, as did his other senses. Much like Taro, Kakashi began to expire. But Kakashi knew how to die with dignity, as did Gai, who slowly recovered from the shock of losing his mettle. Both ninjas closed their eyes and imagined the greatest memory they could. The loss of senses died down as their subconscious took over. Now…the two masters passed on with valor and courage…not the convulsing cowards they had been before. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura looked on with a mixture of horror and respect, Kakashi and Gai's souls seeming to float away into the skies, Kakashi's a yellow tint surrounded by black, Gai's a forest green mixed with black as well.
Naruto looked up and spoke, his eyes calm and calculating, much juxtaposing his usual ambitious eyes, "So…they're gone…"
Sasuke nodded, pulling out a scroll surrounded by black and gold markings. Sakura followed suit, hers yellow and rose tinted. Naruto's was green and red, mixing the shades of blood and foliage perfectly. Sasuke and Sakura ended the conversation, Sasuke beginning and Sakura following. The two seemed to be able to read each other's minds as their musing went on.
"But now…"
"We're the ones who have to end this…"
"And the only way we can…"
"Is by using the gifts of the Sannin before us…"
"Manda…"
"The Black Snake…"
"Katsuyu…"
"The Rose Slug…"
"Gamabunta…"
"The Crimson Frog…"
"And in this moment…"
"We are the new Sannin…"
"And we will…"
"Save the Five Countries with our lives…"
"If it means our children will live…"
"In a better world…"
The three summon techniques were performed in flawless synchronization, three burst of multicolored smoke revealing the three lords of the ninja summoning gambit.
The first was a snake carrying a kunai in its mouth. It was nearly a hundred stories tall and seemed as passive as Sasuke, who stood on Manda's head with his arms crossed, looking towards Ryota.
The next was Tsunade's summon, now taken on by Sakura. It seemed as quiet and pensive as when Tsunade had summoned it. No weapons were on its form and Sakura was just as quiet, sitting on the slug Katsuyu's head, looking strangely serious and yet flirtatious at the same time.
Naruto's summon was the towering frog from his battle with Kakashi. It pulled its two shortswords out and glared at Ryota with a frightening pair of yellow eyes, as did Naruto, who seemed eager to end this…but also eager to fight…
Ryota was the last to do anything, as he summoned his own monstrosity, which was a melding of various summons he had found, ranging from Konohamaru's Leaf God to Minoru's Taigan Flame Dragon. It even had various aspects of Kakashi's dogs, Naruto's frogs, Sasuke's snakes, and Sakura and Tsunade's slugs…thought he didn't tell them that. To them, it looked like a swirling mass of colors, a myriad of music coming forth from it. Ryota was happy as he spoke to his greatest foes
"Your masters are gone…and you attempt to mimic them even now… Well…meet my summon… I call it Genkai…short for Sea of Illusion…I think you'll see why I made it especially for you…"
Ryota again laughed his insane laugh, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura looking on unafraid as their greatest threat lay before them in the throngs of bipolar bliss.