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Virtue and Venom: Chapter 38
With Naruto and the others
Kakashi rushed towards Kakuzu with a Raikiri in his hand; Kakuzu seeing Kakashi rushing towards him and got ready. Kakuzu went through hand signs and slammed his hands onto the ground.
'Earth Style: Mud wall' Kakuzu created an earth wall between him and Kakashi but Kakashi didn't slow down; Kakashi plunged his raikiri into the mud wall shattering it and breaking through the other side.
As he went through the wall Kakashi was greeted by Kakuzu who using earth chakra hardened his body; Kakuzu cocked back his fist and threw a punch at Kakashi who ducked under the oncoming fist.
Kakashi countered with a kick to Kakuzu's midsection sending him skidding back a few feet; Kakashi ran in and began to trade blows with Kakuzu. Kakuzu blocked a punch from Kakashi before he grabbed onto Kakashi's arm and pulled him towards himself; Kakuzu proceeded to kick Kakashi in the gut making him cough up his breath and sending him into the rubble of the mud wall.
"Hmph… is that all you got" Kakuzu said as Kakashi got up from the rubble on shaky legs "i swear the quality of Konoha's shinobi has been going down since Hashirama was alive" he said and Kakashi groaned as he stood back up.
"I get it; your old as dirt" Kakashi said cracking his neck "but just know this; every generation is stronger than the last, and my students are going to be stronger than me one day" he said confidently.
"What about the blonde kid getting his ass kicked" Kakuzu said pointing to Naruto who was getting pummeled by the earth heart.
"…Goddamn it Naruto" Kakashi said with a sweat drop.
With Naruto
Naruto got punched in the chest by the earth heart into the wall of the cave; Naruto slammed into the wall "ow" Naruto said as he got back to his feet and cracked his shoulder. Naruto saw the earth heart open it mouth and sand, rocks and other debris began to form near it's mouth "oh crap" Naruto said as he jumped out of the way as the earth heart fired it's earth projectiles at Naruto.
The projectiles hit the wall cracking and denting it and Naruto swallowed hard 'damn it, why didn't i pick the lightning heart' Naruto thought as he charged his trench knives and ran towards the heart. Naruto closed the distance and slashed at the earth heart but before his blade could connect a earth pillar appeared and Naruto hit it; the heart countered by swinging at Naruto but Naruto ducked under the attack and used his trench knife to cut it's arm off.
The heart' jumped back and Naruto smiled "Ha, take that; you think you're bad, well I'm badder than you" Naruto taunted. The heart began to groan as it's severed arm reformed like nothing happened and Naruto's bravado faded "oh come on; that's so unfair" Naruto shouted in protest.
The heart looked at Naruto and slammed it's hands into the ground sending earth spikes towards him; Naruto seeing this went through hand signs and took in a deep breath.
'Wind Style: Great Breakthrough' Naruto fired a powerful wind jutsu towards the oncoming earth spikes; when both jutsu's hit the wind jutsu destroyed the earth spikes and Naruto huffed.
"Ok ugly" Naruto said gripping his trench knives "time for round 2" he said.
With Ino and Mamushi
Ino was fighting the water heart while Mamushi was fighting the fire heart; Ino was running on the ceiling of the cave as she took out several kunai with explosive tags. Ino threw them towards both the water and fire heart down below and both hearts looked towards her.
The water heart swelled up it's body and then fired a large volley of water bullets towards Ino and the oncoming kunai; the water bullets hit the kunai making them explode before continuing towards Ino.
Ino seeing this jumped off the ceiling down to the ground below; as she did she smirked as she saw that her plan worked.
"Haha" Mamushi laughed as she rushed up behind the 2 hearts "got you" she shouted; Mamushi with a single swing of her scythe cut the water heart in half killing it. The fire heart turned around and saw Mamushi; the fire heart opened it's mouth and a small flame appeared and Mamushi's eyes widened.
Mamushi at the last moment jumped away at the fire heart launched a stream of fire towards her; Mamushi landed a few feet away "wow that was close" Mamushi said. Ino landed behind Mamushi and went wide eyed.
"Mamushi! Your ass is on fire" Ino shouted.
"Ino I appreciate you think that my butt looks good but-" Mamushi began until Ino spoke again.
"No you idiot; you're on fire" Ino shouted; Mamushi turned her head and saw that her kunai pouch was on fire.
Mamushi screamed as she dropped her scythe and began to unbuckle her web belt "get it off, get it off me" Mamushi shouted as she unbuckled her belt and threw it away. Just as she did that both Mamushi and Ino looked up and saw that the fire heart opened it's mouth again and a small flame appeared "you're turn Ino" Mamushi said and Ino nodded as she began to go through hand signs.
'Water Style: Water bullets' Ino fired a volley of water bullets towards the fire heart as it continued to charge up it's jutsu; the fire heart fires a volley of fireballs at Ino and Mamushi.
The water bullets and the fire balls collided creating a steam cloud blocking both Ino and Mamushi's vision; suddenly out of the steam the fire heart came charging out towards both Ino and Mamushi.
Ino jumped back just as the hearts fist collided where she previously stood; Mamushi however wasn't as fast and was punched full force in the chest. Mamushi was sent flying across the cave and into one of the hand statues before falling to the ground; Ino seeing this expected Mamushi to get back up and saw some funny punch line but she didn't.
'Wait… don't tell me' Ino thought worried as Mamushi laid there motionless on the ground.
Mamushi mean while was looking up at the ceiling as everything was shifting and colors danced across her vision 'pretty colors' she thought in her daze.
'Oh shit' Ino thought before she looked and saw the fire heart charging up for another attack 'oh shit' Ino thought as she dodged a stream of fire.
With Sasuke
Sasuke was fighting the lightning heart and so far was on equal ground; Sasuke was using his sword which was covered in lighting and was clashing with the heart which electrified it's arms.
Sasuke slashed at the heart but it raised up it's arm blocking his sword before taking a swing at Sasuke who jumped away to avoid the attack. Sasuke did hand signs while in the air and when he landed he finished and took in a deep breath 'Fire Style: Fireball jutsu'.
Sasuke launched a large fireball towards the lightning heart who looked at him and opened it's mouth which began to crackle with lighting; the lightning heart fired a stream of lighting towards Sasuke's fire ball in order to stop it.
Both jutsu collided and resulted in an explosion which Sasuke decided to exploit; Sasuke decided to use the smoke to flank the heart and try to sneak up behind it. Sasuke's gamble payed off as he was able to get a clear shot at the heart; Sasuke closed his eyes before opening it revealing his EMS.
'Amaterasu' Sasuke thought as he launched the black flames towards the lighting heart; the lighting heart was hit directly and became engulfed in the black flames. The heart began to flail and swing itself side to side as it tried in vain to put out the flames.
Sasuke smirked as he saw the heart fall to the ground and burn into nothing but a pile of ashes 'well that's that' Sasuke thought as he looked around; Sasuke saw Naruto, Ino, Kakashi and Sai still fighting their opponents. 'I should help out Kakashi' Sasuke thought as he ran to help his sensei.
With Sai
Sai ducked under a swipe from the wind heart and jumped back taking out his scroll and ink brush; Sai quickly drew 3 ink tigers and made a hand signs bringing them to life from his parchment.
The 3 ink tigers all ran towards the heart with the first one attacking; the tiger jumped and sunk it's jaws into the arm of the heart. The heart began to shake it's arm in an attempt to throw the tiger off; meanwhile the second tiger approached and junk it's jaws into the hearts leg to keep it immobile.
The last tiger was closing the distance and Sai waited in anticipation for it to deliver the final blow; however before it could the wind hearts mouth opened and a orb of wind formed in it's mouth and began screeching. Suddenly the orb exploded in all directions launching wind blades destroying all 3 tigers as they splattered onto the floor; Sai cursed as his plan failed but he became concerned when the hearts chest began to swell.
The Wind heart launched a powerful gale towards Sai who jumped to the side as the wind blast collided into the wall behind him 'what power' Sai thought as he took out his short sword. 'I must find a way to defeat it' Sai thought as he got ready to fight.
With Kakashi
Kakashi got punched in the face by Kakuzu breaking his nose and tearing his mask slightly; Kakuzu followed up with a punch to Kakashi's stomach making him cough up more blood.
Kakashi now stunned was then swept off his feet by Kakuzu and was sent to the ground; Kakuzu raised up his foot to stomp on Kakashi's head in order to either kill or knock him out. However before he could Kakuzu heard the sound of chirping; Kakuzu looked to his left and saw Sasuke approach with a chidori in his hand.
Kakuzu leaned back as Sasuke's hand passed his head narrowly missing; Sasuke's eyes widened as he realized his attack failed. Kakuzu proceeded to uppercut Sasuke making before kicking him away as he skidded across the ground; before Kakuzu could do anything he felt a sharp pain in his leg and he looked down.
Kakashi using a lighting coated kunai stabbed Kakuzu in the leg before pulling down on the blade; Kakuzu shouted in pain before kicking Kakashi in the face with his other leg sending him skidding across the ground.
Kakashi coughed up more blood as he looked over to Sasuke who was on his knee rubbing his jaw "Sasuke, you beat your opponent already" Kakashi asked and Sasuke nodded.
"Yeah" Sasuke said as he spat some blood onto the ground "it looked like he was winning so i came to help" Sasuke said and Kakashi nodded.
"Well I'm glad you did" Kakashi said as he got to his feet "that cut to his leg tore through several muscles and arteries; soon enough he'll bleed to-" Kakashi began but both he and Sasuke saw something that made their stomachs turn.
There were dozens of black threads come out of Kakuzu's leg wiggling like tendrils; the threads began to stitch up Kakuzu's leg as hit arteries, muscle and flesh was repaired. Kakuzu's threads stopped and revealed a fully stitched up wound.
"Much better" Kakuzu said brushing off the pain like it was nothing.
"You've got to be shitting me" Kakashi said with a groan "ok, lets try this again; Sasuke, would you like to lead the way" he asked and Sasuke smirked as he gripped his sword.
Sasuke's sword began to crackle with lighting as he charged his chidori through it "my pleasure" he said.
With Naruto
Naruto ducked under a swipe from the earth heart and went in with his trench knives; Naruto slashed the earth heart across it's body. The earth hearts threads then shot out in an attempt to attack Naruto; however Naruto jumped back and make a hand sign.
"Shadow clone jutsu" Naruto shouted as he created a dozen shadow clones "lets go boys" Naruto shouted as he and his clones all charged the heart at the same time. The earth heart seeing this slammed it's arms onto the ground; earth pillars began to shoot out of the ground as Naruto and his clones began to try to dodge the pillars shooting out of the ground.
Naruto dodged to the side as a stone pillar shot up and nearly hit him; Naruto looked to his side and saw 2 of his 12 clones were destroyed by the pillars. 'Damn it' Naruto thought as he and his other clones closed the distance; the earth heart then dug it arms into the ground and began to pull.
The earth heart proceeded to pull out a large boulder and held it above its head; the earth heart began to run it's threads through the rock and began to tighten it making cracks appear. The boulder then exploded in all directions sending shards of earth at high speeds at Naruto and his clones.
Naruto put his hands to protect himself as the earth shards came towards him; Naruto's arms and legs were hit by several shards cutting his cloths and his flesh. Naruto then saw the flashes of memories from the 6 clones that were destroyed; Naruto put his hands down and saw he and saw he and his clones have gotten close enough to begin their assault.
'Ok freak show; lets end this' Naruto thought as he and his clones charged their trench knives with wind chakra; Naruto's first clone attacked from behind slicing off one of the hearts legs. When the earth heart raised up it's arm to attack it was swiftly cut off by Naruto's second clone; Naruto's third clone went in from the side and cut off the hearts other arm.
Naruto's last clone went in and sliced off the hearts final leg leaving the the heart immobile and defenseless as Naruto charged in head on "ok buddy… TAKE THIS" Naruto shouted as he crossed his arms in front of him. When Naruto was directly in front of the heart he attacked by slashing with both blades at the same time; the earth heart was sliced into 4 pieces as a giant 'X' cut appeared in the middle of it's body.
The earth heart fell to the ground at it began to twitch and shake until it fell still; Naruto dispelled his clones and was breathing heavily "finally over" Naruto said wiping his brow.
With Ino
Ino dodged a fire ball from the fire heart and then did a back flip over a second one before landing on her feet; Ino reached into her pouch and took out several kunai and threw them toward the heart. The kunai hit but did not cause any significant damage as the heart refocused on Ino and charged towards her at breakneck speed; Ino seeing this got ready got ready at it neared her.
The heart took a swing at Ino who dodged to the side at the appendage made of threads missed her by only a foot; Ino however wasn't fast enough to dodge the second attack as she was knocked away being sent into the wall.
Ino was dazed but still got back up even though she was seeing double and saw the fire heart preparing to launch another fire attack; Ino's vision began to steady as she made a hand sign "Shadow clone jutsu" Ino shouted as a single shadow clone appeared.
Both Ino and her clone began to go through hand signs until they stopped 'Water Style: Water Cannon' both Ino and her clone fired a combined stream of water at the fire heart hitting it before it could launch it's attack.
Ino seeing this took out 2 kunai with explosive tags and her clone did the same; both Ino and her clone charged in as the fire heart was still recovering from the attack. By the time the fire heart recovered Ino was within striking distance; the fire heart took a swipe at Ino at her clone but missed.
Ino jumped over doing a flip while her clone slid underneath; both Ino and her clone plunged their kunai into the hearts body and Ino ran to gain some distance. Ino made it about 15 yards until she stopped, turned around and made a hand sign; all 4 kunai exploded both blowing the heart apart and setting it alight.
Ino was on her knee and breathing heavily as he brushed the stray hair from her face 'I-I did it' she thought with a smile before getting up 'now then to Mamushi' she thought as she ran over. Mamushi was still in the same spot looking up at the ceiling but her eyes were closed; Ino leaned over her and checked to see if she was still breathing 'she's breathing; thank goodness' she thought.
Ino saw a cut on the side of her head and then opened up her eyes to see her pupils 'crap, she has a concussion' Ino thought as she took out some bandages and began to wrap Mamushi's head 'don't worry Mamushi; I got this' Ino thought as she began to register first aid to her friend.
With Sai
Sai slashed the wind heart across it's body severing causing a massive gash to open up but not killing it; the heart swung at Sai nailing him on his left side making him cough up blood as he was sent skidding across the ground.
Sai got up with a groan but heard a 'pop' from his left side; Sai looked and saw that his arm was broken as his arm was bent backwards at a 45 degree angle. Sai's eyes widened until he heard the sound of wind being collected and looked over to the wind heart; the wind heart was gathering up wind into a concentrated ball.
The wind heart fired the ball towards Sai and he was hit in the chest and coughing up blood; Sai fell to his back as his vision began to fade. Sai in a moment of final desperation opened his scroll vertically and grabbed his brush and began to paint; the wind heart seeing Sai on the ground began to walk forward to finish him off as Sai rushed to finish his creation.
'Almost there, almost there' Sai thought as he put the final touches just as the heart was now directly in front of him 'Done' Sai thought as he made a hand sign. The wind heart was about to finish off Sai when the drawing came to life off of Sai's scroll; a giant spiked ink snake wrapped around the wind heart and began to squeeze it.
The heart struggled as the snake squeezed the heart as much as it could as it began to struggle; the spikes from the ink snake stabbed into the heart as the snake squeezed tighter and tighter.
With one final squeeze the ink snake shredded the wind heart cutting it up into dozens of pieces and killing it before turning into a puddle of in. Sai smiled and chuckled as he finally won.
'That was exhilarating' Sai thought before he passed out.
With Kakashi and Sasuke
Sasuke slashed at Kakuzu who ducked under his sword and countered with a kick to the chest; Sasuke blocked the kick and grabbed his leg pulling him closer. Sasuke sent a stab towards Kakuzu's head but missed as all it did was cut Kakuzu's mask.
Kakuzu jumped and performed a spinning kick hitting Sasuke on the side of the head sending him to the ground; Kakuzu's relief was short lived as Kakashi came in with his lightning covered kunai and attacked.
Kakashi slashed Kakuzu across his back causing come damage as his lighting style negated Kakuzu's earth based jutsu; Kakuzu grunted in pain but did not waver as he spun around and threw a back fist towards Kakashi.
Kakashi ducked under the fist and proceeded to jam his kunai into Kakuzu's elbow effectively making his arm useless; Kakuzu was not dissuaded as he proceeded to stomp down on Kakashi's knee.
Kakashi's knee broke as it was bent backwards with the bone sticking out making Kakashi scream in pain as he clutched his broken leg; Kakuzu enraged brought up his fist to punch Kakashi but was stopped when his arm went cold.
Sasuke who recovered got back up and used his lighting covered sword to cut off Kakuzu's arm; Kakuzu was snapped out of his shock and used his other arm to try and hit Sasuke. However Sasuke using his sharingan was able to see the attack and in a swift motion proceeded to cut off Kakuzu's other arm.
Sasuke knowing this was his only chance charged up a chidori in his left hand and sent it towards Kakuzu "Chidori" Sasuke roared; Sasuke plunged the Chidori into Kakuzu's chest piercing to his back.
Kakuzu coughed up blood from behind his mask and looked at Sasuke "h-how" Kakuzu said weakly "I survived fighting Hashirama Senju; how can i lose here" he said and Sasuke smirked.
"I guess experience isn't everything" Sasuke said as he pulled his arm out of Kakuzu and let him fall to the ground; Sasuke looked at the corpse of Kakuzu for a few seconds until he snapped out of it "Kakashi" Sasuke said as he ran over to his injured sensei.
"I'm fine" Kakashi said as he took out a tourniquet and began to tie it around his leg "get Ino over here" he ordered and Sasuke nodded.
"INO" Sasuke shouted as he looked over his shoulder; Ino was walking over with Mamushi over her shoulder while Naruto was walking over with Sai over his.
"I"m coming, I'm sorry; Sai and Mamushi are hurt too" Ino said as she put Mamushi down and ran over to Kakashi and looked at his leg "this is bad; I'm going to have to reset it or else there will be permanent damage" Ino said as she took out a scroll and opened it revealing medical supplies.
"Kakashi" came the voice of Anko as she and Chiyo ran into the cave "I heard a lot of- what the hell happened here" Anko asked as she looked around. Anko saw a couple of thread, monster looking things, Gaara unconscious on the ground and Kakashi along with the rest of the squad either injured or tending to the wounded.
"Long story; we- AH SHIT" Kakashi shouted as Ino began to splint Kakashi's leg.
"I'm sorry Kakashi sensei; just bear with me" Ino said as she tried to help the injured jonin.
"Let me help dearie" Chiyo said running over and kneeling next to Ino "I've set more than a few legs in my day" she siad as she began to assist Ino.
Naruto looked around and took accountability 'Me, Ino, Sasuke, Anko and Granny are good, Gaara, Mamushi and Sai are unconscious, Kakashi is wounded and Hanabi is back in Konoha' Naruto thought before he got the brightest smile on his face.
"Hell yeah! Mission accomplished, and no one died, this calls for ramen" Naruto cheered and Kakashi, Ino, Sasuke and Anko all looked at him with death glares "after everyone is better… geez" Naruto said rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ok done" Chiyo said as she stood up "we should get back to Suna as soon as possible; Naruto dear, seal up the Akatsuki's body, Anko carry Kakashi here, I'll take lord Gaara" she said as she began to walk over to Gaara.
"You heard the lady" Anko said getting to her knees and showing her back to Kakashi "hop on scarecrow" she said and Kakashi groaned.
'Great, a piggy back ride from my girlfriend; how undignified' Kakashi thought as he crawled up and got onto her back.
Sasuke went over and picked up Mamushi in a bridal carry as Naruto finished sealing up Kakuzu's body; when everybody was situated they all gathered up and Anko spoke up.
"Lets head out" Anko said and everyone nodded.
Naruto and the others all began to walk out of the cave to head back to Suna as their mission was now complete.
Ok another chapter done; I hope you all enjoyed it, if you did please like comment and share with your friends. And until next time bye.