The Stranger stood out in the open, all the guards could see him. But he did not move towards them. He made no threatening moves. He just stood there. Waiting. Demanding.
Naruto Uzumaki would come. He just knew he would.
Genma approached the jōnin in charge of the current guard shift. "What's the situation, Neji?"
Neji looked towards the lone man standing in the open. "About fifteen minutes ago, that man came into our view. He posed no threat or showed no means to be a threat. But I noticed his Iwagakure headband with my Byakugan. But that's not all. His chakra levels are through the roof. I've only ever seen someone with that much chakra is…"
"Naruto." Genma had feeling that's where Neji was headed. His suspicion was confirmed with a simple nod. "Yeah, thought so." He sighed. "Has he said anything? Or just decided to be statue in our area?
Because if he was sent to be a scout, he isn't doing a very good job."
"He hasn't said a word. I'm not allowing anyone approach him as a safety precaution. My eyes don't lie, sir. He's strong."
"Large amounts of chakra does not necessarily equal to a strong shinobi. But I'll heed your warning,
Neji."
Genma had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Following the trend of the day, and the clues that were presented before him, Genma had the inclination to believe that his man was a jinchūriki.
It would make sense, considering all things. Then, Naruto is gonna be needed up here.
"Naruto? What are you doing here?"
Genma silently scoffed. Of course. He's got some extra sense, I think.
Naruto approached the two with Ino and Sai in tow. He looked over the field and saw the stranger. Is that him?
"Yeah, it's him. That's Rōshi, the jinchūriki of the Four-Tails. He's not a push over. Don't underestimate him."
Naruto couldn't help a silent chuckle. You almost sound scared of a lower bijū, high and mighty NineTails.
The Kyūbi did not take kindly to the comment. "You must be ill if you think I'm talking about the beast inside. The man outside…is a different story." What are you talking about?
"He's a different breed of man. Much like Madara Uchiha. Heed my warning."
If the Kyūbi was issuing a warning for a single man and comparing him to Madara Uchiha, then Naruto wasn't a wise man to not listen. He couldn't recall a time where the Kyūbi ever said something so foreboding. This guy must be really something.
"Come on down! There's no use delaying this!" Rōshi called out. "I know who you are! And you know who I am! Let's go already!"
There was no to speculate who the man was calling out to. It was Naruto. The others dared not to speak for him.
"Do you actually know him?" Neji questioned.
"Nope." Naruto stated. "But I know what he is. He's figured it out too."
"Jinchūriki, I knew it." Genma sighed. "Better get down there. It's your duty to deal with them." "Them?"
A poor choice of words. "You know what I meant. Go."
Jumping without another word, Naruto landed some distance away from Rōshi then slowly approached him until they were face to face. There was strong tension that began to emit from their seals.
"Huh, you looked taller from back there."
"I was thinking the same thing. I thought you'd be bigger." Rōshi had to physically look up at the teenager, slightly infuriating him. He hated when opponents were taller than him. "Long way from home, aren't you?"
"What do you want?"
Rōshi chuckled. "Oh, I think you already know the answer to that. This doesn't have to get bloody."
"You're right, it doesn't. You should move on."
"Hahaha. And here I thought Konoha shinobi were always itching for a fight. But here you are, telling me to leave…like a coward. Your bijū must be ashamed to have you for a jinchūriki."
Naruto's face darkened. "You do not want this fight."
Rōshi stroked his fire red bread. "Oh, I'm pretty sure I do." With swiftness, Rōshi backhanded Naruto across the face. There was no real strength put behind it. Naruto took it on the chin and barely flinched. "Leave…this…place…now!"
Naruto cocked his fist back and slammed it against Rōshi's face, forcing him down to the ground. There was much more strength put into Naruto's attack.
"…You would not listen. Leave now, before this gets any worse for you." Naruto pulled Rōshi up by his arm, preparing to give him another punch.
"No no no no no." Rōshi whispered to himself. He pulled his arm free from Naruto's grasp. "It's only going to get worse…for you!"
With a violent uppercut, Naruto was sent high into the air. He braced himself for the impact to the makeshift gate of the base. With a single punch, Rōshi had bruised, and possibly broken, some of Naruto's ribs.
Such strength!
"I told you not to underestimate him."
I wasn't! I didn't even see that punch coming. He's fast.
Rōshi jumped up to the gate and was quickly surrounded by the guards. Konoha and Suna shinobi had quickly circled the intruder in.
"You're now a prisoner of this post! Surrender now and no harm will come to you!" Neji's voice was fierce and demanding. A normal shinobi would, no doubt, give in to his orders.
But Rōshi was not a normal shinobi.
"How disappointing. You insult me with this many shinobi? Big mistake."
With speed and strength that none of the shinobi had come across, Rōshi had taken out four shinobi in a blink of an eye. But Neji was quick to counter.
"Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!" (Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms)
Neji moved in close with great speed of his own and began rapidly striking all of Rōshi's chakra points. Through his countless hours of training, Neji was now able to hit all sixty-four points in just under two seconds. He wouldn't allow someone to dodge his attacks like Naruto did.
A strong final strike, Rōshi was sent back. He felt the instant chakra exhaustion and fell to his knees. But the flow returned just as quickly. And Neji could see with his eyes.
"Impossible…" It's just like Naruto back then.
Rōshi chuckled as he rose back to his feet. "That was good. Stopped my chakra for a moment. But it didn't work. Disappointing."
With perfect timing, Gaara's sand yanked Neji back before Rōshi's fist went through Neji's chest cavity. The Kazekage had already pulled the remaining shinobi back to safety with his sand. Rōshi stood atop of what remained of the gate, staring down at them all.
"Just give me what I want, and I'll leave peacefully. It's a simple thing." "And what is it you desire?" Gaara responded, his voice echoing.
"The precious cargo you stole from that encampment and are now harboring here. She's on trial for serious crimes committed against Iwagakure. It's been my duty to return her back to our village."
Feeling skeptical, Gaara pressed further. "What heinous crimes did she commit?"
"That is none of your concern. Just hand her over and I'll leave this place. No more harm will come to any of you."
"But aren't we at war with your village?" Genma questioned. He, too, was suspicious. "How do we know you won't just turn around and attack us once we hand over the girl?"
"This petty war between you lot does not concern me or my mission. All I want is the girl." Rōshi smirked. "You'll just have to trust me."
Gaara and Genma were unsure of what to do. They had to consider the possible collateral damage that could take place if they didn't comply. Was Gaara confident they could defeat this man? Mostly. Was he willing to risk the lives of everyone on a gut feeling? Not likely. But he couldn't just hand over another jinchūriki, a child no less. And he could tell that Naruto felt the same.
Sai quietly approached the Kazekage from behind, leaning into whisper into his ear. "Lord Kazekage, I believe this man is lying."
"Do tell. I'm rather torn on what to do here."
"Once Ino and I intercepted the Iwa shinobi that was trying to escape with the girl, he tried to plead with us. Telling us that this girl has some importance to the world. And that she needed to be kept safe from someone. We assumed the shinobi was talking about the Akatsuki. But, seeing this man before us, I'm thinking this is who he was referring to."
Gaara nodded. "And where is this shinobi now? Why didn't you bring him in for questioning?"
"Because Naruto killed him, sir. Stabbed his sword through his chest without a second thought." Watching and waiting, Gaara could only wonder what was going through Naruto's mind. He, obviously, was not himself. But Naruto's mental state was not the priority here, the safety of these shinobi was.
Genma leaned over. "Kazekage, I think I can speak for everyone; we shouldn't give her up."
"Are you prepared to risk their lives for this girl?"
Genma smirked. "I wouldn't have said that if I wasn't. Besides, I'll die before I let any of them die."
The Kazekage nodded. "Very well."
Rōshi was getting bored. And antsy. Not a good combination for him. "Well? You gonna give her up willingly or am I going to have to take her by force?"
Genma stood tall, speaking for all the shinobi in the base. "Me and my men have been itching for a good fight. Bring it on!"
There was a slight spark of the long-forgotten rush of battle. The excitement sparked in his numb body.
"Finally…"
But Naruto appeared before him, unleashing the fury that was contained within him with a single fist.
Rōshi rocketed back towards the ravine, creating a pit as he slid to a stop.
"Someone's got some anger to let out, don't they?"
"You aren't getting her!" Naruto shouted. He glanced over at Gaara. "He's mine. Get everyone outta here. I'm not trying to fight with everyone getting in the way." He leapt off towards the enemy.
Naruto continued his assault, flying in with strong punches and kicks. Rōshi took all the blows with ease, hardly reacting from the sheer power that was behind each strike. Countering in every movement, Rōshi dealt his own harsh and powerful punches.
These two juggernauts were throwing haymakers, uppercuts, and hooks without any regard. Each hit echoed and the resounding shockwaves rocked the ground beneath them. Dark and heavy bruises formed all over their faces and bodies, showing the absolute power they were displaying.
Shooting low, Naruto came up with a kick so powerful that shot Rōshi into the air. Naruto created clones that had already jumped higher to intercept for one immense attack
"Uzumaki Barrage!"
The impact formed a crater so dense and deep the real Naruto had to jump away. There was no holding back any of his strength.
But Rōshi slowly rose from the rubble, brushing off the dirt from his shoulder. "You bore me."
Infuriated by the lack of drive in his voice, Naruto slammed hands together. There was always strength in numbers. "Tajū Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
Clones by the hundreds surrounded Rōshi like a pack of hungry wolves, try to pounce on their prey.
Rōshi could only smirk as the spark of excitement returned.
There it is.
It was amazing to witness, Rōshi handled the continuous waves of clones well. He dodged and dispelled so many of them that he lost track.
And that was the point.
Bursting through the crowds, the real Naruto tackled Rōshi and violently threw him over the edge of the ravine. In the moment, Rōshi realized that Naruto had changed. His eyes were no longer the same and his chakra signature had exponentially increased to new heights that he only thought was possible with a Tailed Beast.
It felt nothing like a bijū. It was something just as powerful.
Ah. The fabled senjutsu…Sage Mode.
Rōshi free fell down the ravine, watching his opponent create a jutsu unlike anything he had ever seen. A spiraling sphere of concentrated chakra that began spinning rapidly with four shuriken-like chakra blades that let loose a deafening screech.
Did he just fucking throw that?
The chakra shuriken was lasered in. Direct impact was imminent. Rōshi only had one option. Enveloping his entire body in lava-like armor, the extreme heat began to melt the rocks as he fell. The Rasenshuriken impacted Rōshi directly in the stomach and exploded in a blinding light.
As his sage mode timed out, Naruto used a kunai knife to stop his descent further into the ravine. The explosion was so powerful that he had trouble hanging on. Once the smoke cleared, there was nothing
in sight.
Rōshi had been defeated.
Pulling himself back up, Naruto sat on the edge of the ravine to catch his breath. Drawing in natural energy so quick and to expel it just as fast took a tremendous toll on Naruto, physically and mentally. He needed a moment a regroup. He wiped the sweat from his face, surprised by the small puddle in his hand.
Why am I sweating so much?
That's when he noticed the heat. The temperature around him had risen exponentially. It was like Naruto was sitting on top of a volcano.
"Did you really think it would be that easy?"
Snapping back, Rōshi was alive and coated lava. Like it was some kind of armor. But it was damaged. The Rasenshuriken certainly did not make it easy for him to survive.
"How are you not dead?!"
"Oh, if it wasn't for my lava chakra mode, then I would be. That's a strong technique you have there, a normal shinobi would never be able to survive that."
Naruto chuckled, sweat dripping off his face. "As if normal was ever something we could have."
"…That, dear boy, is something we agree on."
The heat was unbearable. The air was boiling from the extreme heat that was radiating from Rōshi's body. How could something like this be achieved? Or even feasible? Lava covered his entire body and acted like a suit of armor. Not even the Rasenshuriken caused him catastrophe damage.
Getting up close and personal isn't gonna work anymore. That lava will burn me alive. And if the
Rasenshuriken didn't do much to him, I don't have many options except for Tojin…
"Draw in more senjutsu." The Kyūbi spoke up. "Use that power in tandem with Tojin's power."
Do you think that'll work? Can I even use Sage Mode with Tojin like that?
"You have before, during the battle with Matatabi. In the final moments before your senjutsu ran out,
Tojin trapped her in the net. How else did you think you were able to hit your attack?"Frankly, Naruto hadn't thought about it. Everything about that battle was still a bit of a blur. But that didn't matter now. Alright. But I can't use clones for cover to gather natural energy. He's seen through that already. He glanced over his shoulder to gauge how far he was from the edge of the ravine. One step and he would plummet. That should give me enough time.
"We can stop this now. We don't have to keep fighting. Just hand over the girl and this will all be over with."
"Why do you want her so badly? What's she so important for?"
Through the thick lava, Rōshi's expression softened slightly. "Have you ever considered what life would be like if you weren't a jinchūriki? If you weren't burdened with this weight?"
No reason to lie. "Sometimes, I suppose."
"I think about it every day. Not a scenario or moment goes by that doesn't make me question 'what if'.
It's been forty years since I was branded. I'm…tired of this life."
"Yeah, I'm tired of it, too. But you get over it and move on. There's no reason to dwell on something like that. It's depressing."
"Oh, it's very depressing. It's ruined every good thing I've ever had in this life." Rōshi could go on and on about everything he's lost, but it wouldn't change anything. Not anymore. "That girl…she's the one of the last pieces of the puzzle. The few that are left anyway. I…just want to protect her from the
Akatsuki."
Something felt off about that. "If that were true, why didn't you start off with that? I want the Akatsuki dead more than anyone else right now. Why fight over her when we could work together to protect her? That doesn't make any sense."
Rōshi sighed heavily. "You just don't understand. Either hand her over now or be burned to ash." He pointed his palm towards Naruto and began to build up chakra. He was going to fire a chakra blast baked in the molten earth that coated him. "Which will it be? One or two?"
Naruto smirked, taking a slight step back. "I like option three." And he fell back, disappearing into the deep ravine.
Closing his hand and depowering from his lava form, Rōshi approached the edge to see how far he dropped until he stopped himself.
But he wasn't there. Completely disappeared.
Rōshi's senses scanned the area, trying to find where the kid suddenly vanished to. In an interesting move, he was right behind him. In the quickness of a snap, the lava armor returned to intercept the incoming slice from the sword with a tail of lava. The attack carried strength that put Naruto's punches to shame, easily.
"Natural energy again." Rōshi had always wanted to see what the fabled Sage Mode could truly do.
"Guess I can cross this off my bucket list."
Naruto disengaged before Tojin could possibly melt from the molten lava. He held the sword in a defensive stance. "Don't get used to it."
"I don't intend to."
-Inside Gateway-"Fortify the gate! Get those beams back upright!" Genma shouted orders left and right, doing everything in his power to get the defenses back up. "Get the wounded to the medical tent! We have to be ready incase something goes bad!"
Gaara left the hasty rebuild to his fellow commander, he decided to take a step back and solve the mystery around the girl they were going to defend. To try and make it make sense.
"Leave us. Go support the others." The Kazekage told the guard as he walked passed them into the conference room. The guards did not want to argue with him, fearing to anger him more.
"It's you again…" Fū still wasn't sure if she could trust him like she could with Naruto. It just didn't feel right.
"I apologize for my sudden entrance, but it seems we have come under attack."
"It's a jinchuriki, isn't it?! I knew it!" Fū literally jumped out of her seat. "Naruto told me to stay here but if he's fighting another jinchuriki, I want in!"
Gaara immediately extended his arm, telling the girl to stop. In preparation for the worst case scenario, small particles of sand lazily floated around his arm. "Wait! Before you go anywhere, you and I need to speak about something."
"Huh?!" Fū's mood changed as quickly as the wind direction. "Talk about whaaat?"
"Why does another jinchuriki hunt for you?"
"He's been hunting me? I guess that explains why Ansem had us move a lot."
"Us?"
"Just the camp he was in charge of. I got to know a lot of those guys! They were super cool!"
"Do you have any idea why he has been hunting you?"
Fū shook her head. "Uh uh!"
"You've never committed any crimes against Iwagakure? Or in Iwagakure?"
"I've never even been there! How could I have do anything wrong?!" Fū was growing more anxious by the second. She was itching to spring into action for the first time. "Can we go now?!"
She's telling the truth. She's so young and innocent. I can't even picture this girl as a jinchuriki. How could anyone want to cause her harm?
But that begged the question of who? The clear culprit were the Akatsuki. But Rōshi was a jinchuriki himself and hunting this innocent girl. Why? What demented reason could a jinchuriki be hunting down another jinchuriki? And this innocent girl, no less?
The ground shook with the power of a mighty earthquake. The battle was beginning to escalate further.
And Gaara could only imagine what kind of jutsus those two juggernauts like them could be using.
"Fū…before we leave this place and enter the battle, I must ask you something."
"Anything! C'mon, we're gonna miss all the fun!"
"Can you speak to your Bijū?"
The energetic personality shifted to one that was more serious, foreshadowing the heavy nature of Fū's answer. Gaara's thought immediately dwelled on his past and how he was extremely influenced by the Shukaku.
"Only once. Chōmei doesn't like to talk."
Taken back, Gaara could barely hide the surprise on his face. "Chōmei? It has a name?"
"She has a name. Chōmei doesn't appreciate that. And neither do the rest of them. They have feelings too."
Fū was extremely defensive. So much so that Gaara was second guessing his line of questioning.
"My…apologies. I was unaware of the fact that Bijū had names."
Fū nodded. "Uh huh. They all do. That's why I wanna go fight another jinchuriki. I wanna learn all their names!"
Stooped, Gaara couldn't fathom the idea. Learn the names of the Tailed Beasts? What kind of normal person could think of these mythical creatures as something other than that?
But it was clear to Gaara that Fū wasn't a typical girl. She had learned to somehow befriend her Bijū to the point of learning it's name. Something Gaara never considered, especially with his past experiences with his former Beast.
And she was so young. Younger than himself and Naruto. And at this point in their lives, they are considered experts of Bijū to their respective villages. And they knew nothing.
The ground violently shook again. The battle between jinchuriki began to escalate even further.
"We can discuss this later. For now come with me, Fū!"
"Right behind you, tomato hair!"