Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the retrieval team taking on the Takumi Ninja and Four Celestial Symbols Men, along with getting a look at Naruto meeting Zangetsu. So, without further ado.
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"You're…Zangetsu and you're actually…sentient?" Naruto said in disbelief and amazement while Zangetsu merely nodded in response.
"I am Zangetsu. You created and imbued me with power far beyond what any other weapon would have, connected with me to try and awaken my power. It is you who chose my name and now I have awakened, Naruto." Said Zangetsu, much to the whiskered ravenette's amazement before he soon grinned widely.
"HA! In those Takumi Losers faces! I created a sentient sword, something I doubt any of them have accomplished! I wonder if I could create other sentient weapons or even be better, sentient weapons that can fight themselves or even turn into a human form, then I would create truly living weapons!" Naruto said, his old-self coming out at learning he did something he doubts anyone else has ever done before, creating a fully sentient weapon on his own.
"Enough! Perhaps you created me, but there is no guarantee you would be able to replicate such a feat as it was the materials and teachings you received that helped in my creation." Zangetsu said sternly, bringing Naruto back to reality, making the Uzumaki stop and cough lightly in embarrassment at losing his composure.
"Right, yeah, I just…didn't expect this to happen. But if you're sentient, then would you be able to help me in unlocking your full power or how I could access it myself?" Naruto asked eagerly for the chance to access Zangetsu's full power much faster, especially so he can escape whatever those Takumi bastards are doing to him.
Rather than respond, Zangetsu suddenly summoned a replica of his katana form and charged at Naruto, surprising the whiskered ravenette before he quickly jumped back avoiding the slash.
'Getting a bad case of déjà vu.' Thought Naruto, remembering when Zen-Aku attacked him when they first encountered each other.
Seeing Zangetsu jump up into the air with his blade held up to be brought down on him, Naruto summoned his own copy of his sword. The Uzumaki then jumped and swung his sword at Zangetsu, the sentient blade doing the same as their blades collided against each other. Before he raised his arm, blocking Zangetsu's kick when kicked his leg at him.
With Naruto then acting fast and grabbing Zangetsu by his ankle, flipping over him and slamming his foot into his face, sending the sentient blade back to ground. Only for Zangetsu to flip in the air and land of his feet, charging Naruto again as he fell through the air. Their swords collided again as the Uzumaki flipping through the air, over Zangetsu. Grunting when he instantly slammed his foot into his back.
"If this is just to prove I have the determination or whatever to wield you, I already did the same thing with Zen-Aku! And I made you, shouldn't that give me a pass?!" Said Naruto in annoyance that he needed to prove himself to his own sword.
Before he quickly jumped back avoiding another slash from Zangetsu, but was surprised when the sentient sword threw his own katana at him. The whiskered ravenette deflected the sword coming at him, before blocking Zangetsu when he summoned another katana and brought it down on him.
"You may have proven yourself to Zen-Aku, but not to me. Being my creator means nothing if you do not possess the resolve needed to wield me. How could you ever hope to wield my full power, when you haven't even fully tapped into the power you inherited from Zen-Aku?!" Zangetsu demanded, spinning his sword around, pushing Naruto's out of the way to stab at him.
But Naruto blocked the thrust by dropping his sword and catching it in his other hand, swinging it through the air and deflecting Zangetsu's attack. With him then flipping his katana into a reverse grip and swung it at Zangetsu, only for him to bend backwards avoiding it. Naruto then took the chance to drop down, delivering a sweeping kick that knocked Zangetsu's legs out from under him. Before he then slammed his foot into the sentient sword's chest, knocking him back.
Only for Zangetsu to once again flip through the air and land his feet as he skidded back, looking completely fine.
"What're you talking about?! I have all of Zen-Aku's power! I turned into him against Ryujin and killed him! I've been training constantly so I can do it on command!" Retorted Naruto, not liking the implication that even after all the training he's done, he still isn't as strong as he believes.
The Uzumaki then gasped in pain when Zangetsu suddenly appeared right in front of him, slamming his fist into his stomach, sending Naruto crashing into a tree. Naruto barely having time to get out of the way when Zangetsu rushed him again, swinging his sword and slicing the tree in half.
"Such a thing you could only do after receiving help in awakening Zen-Aku's power within you! And what progress have you made in being capable of transforming on your own?! You think the power you used against Ryujin is truly the peak of Zen-Aku's power?! I have sensed it the moment I was completed and you have only scratched the surface of what you could be capable of. And so as long as you continue to hold yourself back, you will never be able to call on that power on command!" Said Zangetsu while speeding towards Naruto and delivered a slash to his neck, making the whiskered ravenette raised his sword and blocked it.
"What're you talking about?!" Naruto said, wondering how he could be holding himself back when he's been trying to transform into Zen-Aku ever since they returned to the village, as well as the entire he and Yūgao had been traveling to Takumi Village.
If something was holding him back from being able to transform at will, then he'd gladly get rid of it so he could continue his training.
"You must let go and embrace what you've become!" Zangetsu stated, making the Uzumaki growl in annoyance at the cryptic response.
Before he jumped away from Zangetsu and then charged at him again, intending to beat the answers out of the sentient sword if he had to.
*With the Kunoichi*
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Anko said, launching multiple snakes out of her sleeves towards Ryūgan who swung his Garian Sword at them, extending the three prongs to slice through the snakes.
"You really need to try harder if you want to beat me." Said Ryūgan with a taunting smirk before channeling Chakra into his sword, turning the extended prongs into three dragons that lunged towards Anko.
"Then how's this! Fire Style: Dragon Fire Jutsu!" Said Anko, going through handsigns before releasing a stream of fire at the dragons, only for the dragons to lunge through the fire forcing the purplette to use a Substitution to get away.
With Ryūgan smirking at the sight of her running to escape his dragons, only for his eyes to widen when tree roots began growing from the ground and ensnaring him. Before soon an entire tree had grown around him, binding the Takumi Ninja to it.
"You should also be more aware of your surroundings." Kurenai stated as she emerged from the tree, thrusting a kunai towards Ryūgan's neck.
But before she could finish the bluenette off, one of the other Takumi Ninja threw a spear at the Genjutsu Mistress causing her and the tree to burst into petals. Using another Genjutsu to cover her escape before the spear could hit her.
"Why don't you take your own advice, Ninja!" Ryūgan said mockingly, only to be forced to jump out of the way when several snakes burst out of the ground below him.
"Nah, a brat like you needs it more than us." Said Anko with a smirk with her hands on the ground as snakes emerged from her sleeves burrowing into the ground.
Though the Tokubetsu Jōnin's eyes widen when a sword burst through her chest as another Takumi Ninja charged at her from behind and stabbed her while she was focused on Ryūgan.
"HA! That's one of you wor-AH!" The Ninja said, smirking at killing one of the Konoha Ninja only to scream in pain when "Anko" suddenly dissolved into dozens snakes that all lunged at them, biting and injecting a large amount of venom.
"Why don't you tell your friends to mind their own business!" Said Anko, jumping out from a tree towards Ryuga before throwing several kunai at him.
"Why?! Are you scared, knowing you're only delaying the inevitable!" Said Ryūgan while swinging his swords extended wires deflecting the kunai, which exploded into flower petals that began swirling around him.
"It seems you're the one scared to face us alone. Does that mean you know you'd lose without backup?" Kurenai asked tauntingly while jumping out of the flower petals to stab Ryūgan in the back, only for it be blocked as one of the sword prongs turn into a dragon, forcing her to jump back when it lunged at her.
"How about you just shut up and stop running!" Yelled Ryūgan, scowling that they think they could defeat him with or without help.
Before he swung his sword, blocking another kunai that Anko threw at him, only his eyes to widen when he noticed the Explosive Tag attached to it. With the tag detonating before he had time to dodge, throwing Ryūgan back, grunting from the explosion and crashing into the ground.
The bluenette didn't have time to get up when a large snake then burst out of the ground and wrapped around him, much to his anger as he tried breaking free.
"I suppose not answering is enough of an answer, anyway." Anko said, smirking down at Ryūgan while spinning a kunai around her finger, before throwing it him.
But before the kunai could hit him, another Takumi Ninja deflected it, giving Ryūgan enough time to channel Chakra into his sword. Turning the prongs into dragons that ripped the snake apart, allowing him to quickly get up.
"I'll enjoy feeding you to my dragons!" Ryūgan said, swinging his sword and launching the dragons at Anko before pink mist began appearing around them as Kurenai charged at the bluenette.
Meanwhile, Satsuki and Hinata were having their own troubles with the Takumi Ninja, with the two Genin having managed to take down only a few of them before being pushed back.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!" Said Hinata, creating several balls of lightning and launching them at the Takumi Ninja.
"Try harder you little brat!" One of the Ninja said, swinging a large fan and releasing powerful gusts of wind that dispersed the lightning.
"Okay, Fire Style: Fox Fire!" Hinata said, going through handsigns and creating ten blue fireballs she launched at the Ninja with the wind gusts empowering them, making them larger and faster.
Seeing the fireballs coming at them, three of the Takumi Ninja quickly jumped out of the way, only for them to cry out when Hinata threw several lightning-infused senbon at them. Not needing to aim at any of their pressure points, with the lightning causing their bodies to become numb where they were hit.
Giving Hinata the chance to rush towards them and begin striking the Ninja in their Tenketsu, adding more Lightning Chakra to her strikes. Making them drop to the ground as their bodies became paralyzed from the hits.
'That's three more dealt with.' Hinata thought, before her eyes widened as she saw two more Takumi Ninja charging at her from behind.
But before they could reach the Hyūga or she could counterattack, they were taken out by two arrows stabbing through their necks from Satsuki. Looking towards her friend, Hinata saw another Takumi Ninja leaping at her with an axe. Making the Hyūga quickly pull out a few senbon, channeling Lightning Chakra into them and threw the needles at the Ninja.
With Satsuki turning towards the Ninja just in time to see them fall to the ground, unable to move from the needles hitting and paralyzing them. Though the ravenette quickly separated her bow into her swords, gritting her teeth as she used them to block another Takumi Ninja's sword.
Only for Satsuki to gasp in pain as something slammed into her side, sending her flying through the air before crashing into a tree. The Uchiha grit her teeth in pain as she quickly stood up, only for her eyes to widen at seeing she dropped her swords. While seeing that what hit her was Takumi Ninja wielding a large hammer with her swords lying on the ground after she lost them.
Before she watched helplessly as the Ninja slammed their hammer down onto her swords, shattering them into pieces.
"What're you gonna do now without any weapons, little girl?!" Said the Ninja tauntingly, making Satsuki scowl and glare at them.
"I'm gonna use that hammer to smash your head!" Satsuki said before throwing a handful of shuriken at the Ninja.
Only for the Takumi Ninja to deflect them with their hammer as Satsuki charged at them and jumping into the air when they swung their hammer at her. The ravenette slammed her foot into their face, before being blown back when another Ninja with a fan released a blast of wind at her. Sending Satsuki crashing into the ground, with her being forced to roll out of the way to avoid an axe cutting her in half.
"What's the matter brat?! You were talking so tough earlier, but now you're running away!" Taunted the axe-wielding Ninja, with Satsuki about to attack only to have to jump out of the way of a bo-staff, grunting in pain when it still struck her leg.
"Ninja really are just talk, after all! Too afraid to fight without anything to protect themselves with!" Another Ninja added, with the ravenette scowl before throwing multiple shuriken around her at the Ninja.
"Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!" Said Satsuki, going through handsigns and releasing several mini-fireballs that covered the shuriken.
Only to cry out when a Ninja wielding a trident released a wave of water that extinguished the fireballs and stopped the shuriken before focusing the water onto Satsuki. Sending the Uchiha flying back and crashing into a tree with them keeping up the water blast only to gasp in pain when Hinata rushed them from behind, delivering a palm strike to their back. Making the Ninja fall to the ground, freeing Satsuki as she fell to the ground as well.
Satsuki coughed up some water before once against being forced to jump out of the way when Ryūgan took the chance to launch one of his dragons at her. Having gotten an opening as his allies kept Kurenai and Anko busy.
"Don't worry, runt! Once I deal with your friends I'll finish you off, personally! If I'd even want to waste my time on a weakling like you, anymore!" Ryūgan said with a wicked smirk before having to block multiple snakes from Anko.
'Damnit!' Satsuki thought, scowling at the insults as she had to dodge a sword strike from another Ninja, hating how Hinata and Anko both needed to save her from being attacked.
Even more so that despite her convincing Hinata to follow the Jōnin to save Naruto, she's barely taken down any of the Takumi Ninja. While Hinata's not only saved her, but incapacitated several of them on her own. With Kurenai and Anko fighting off Ryūgan, as well as taking out the Ninja that kept interfering in their fight. Yet she's only taken out a few, before being left basically helpless when she lost her weapon.
Despite how she and Hinata might seem to be equals, Satsuki fully knew that Hinata has quickly become stronger than her now that she's found her confidence. Not only with her Dōjutsu already being unlocked, letting her use her Jūken's full strength. But also supplementing her skills with Ninjutsu and Senbonjutsu while even learning and creating new techniques for her Taijutsu, further improving her abilities.
Though Satsuki knew she wasn't stagnating in her own abilities and training, but despite being strong and well-rounded, she wasn't getting any stronger when compared to her teammates. Knowing there's a barrier holding her back, keeping her from really reaching her full potential.
'Why can't it just awaken already?!' Satsuki thought as she pulled out a kunai to block a bo-staff that was swung at her head while seeing her reflection in it, making her glare at her still onyx black eyes.
Before she grunted in pain when the Ninja instantly pulled their bo-staff back and slammed it into her chest, sending the ravenette skidding across the ground. Satsuki quickly stood up straight and prepared to defend herself, only to see several Takumi Ninja closing in on her. While seeing Hinata, Kurenai, and Anko kept trying to move towards her, but kept being stopped and having to defend themselves.
'Damnit! Why does this keep happening?! Why can't I ever be strong enough?!' Satsuki mentally screamed, hating how she's holding back her teammates, that they're trying to come and save her, leaving themselves open.
Which only made her think back to the massacre, how she'd been left helpless and unable to do anything, that the only reason she's even still alive is because Itachi didn't consider her worth killing. And now it's happening again, being left helpless only this time there's nothing she can do to save herself.
'How can I protect those I care about, when I can't even protect myself?!' Thought Satsuki, wondering how she'll even be able to prevent what happened that night from happening again when she can't even save herself.
It made Satsuki's mind begin racing, thinking back to the massacre, the fight she had with Naruto, then their first C-Rank Mission. How she was overwhelmed by Lycan and Ryujin before being captured by the latter. And both times Naruto took on the burden on himself to save her, with it nearly getting him killed while fighting Ryujin.
*Flashback*
Satsuki sat along with Hinata and Fū within the tent Naruto was currently laying in, with the bluenette and greenette both looking at him in worry. With them having returned to town after carrying Naruto back yet the Uzumaki hasn't shown any sign of waking up.
"He's going to be fine." Satsuki stated, making Hinata and Fū look at her, seeing the ravenette didn't look the least bit concerned.
"How can you be so sure? You saw the destruction where they fought each other, it's a miracle Naruto's even still alive, let alone in one piece." Said Fū, worried and even afraid that her first friend, outside of Shibuki, and fellow Jinchūriki could have died.
"Because I know Naruto and he wouldn't have let some failed experiment like Ryujin defeat or kill him. He's going to wake up and be perfectly fine, you'll see." Said Satsuki, with both girls feeling some comfort at her words and the belief she had.
"Y-ye-yeah, Naruto-kun is really strong, I'm sure he'll wake up soon. He's probably just really tired and will need plenty of rest." Hinata said, feeling better and more confident that Naruto will wake up soon.
"Yeah, he'll be fine if he was able to take out Ryujin." Said Fū, with Satsuki nodding at them.
Though neither of them were aware that on the inside, Satsuki was feeling just as worried and afraid that something could've happened to Naruto. Along with intense feelings of guilt, self-loathing, and failure that this happened. Believing there's something she could've done to keep them from getting captured. That she would've been able to help rather than leaving Naruto, Fū and Lycan with the burden of saving them and defeating Ryujin.
Knowing if it hadn't been for the late experiment's help and sacrifice then Naruto would have actually been killed by Ryujin. It terrified Satsuki at just the thought, making her swear that something like this wouldn't ever happen again.
*End Flashback*
'But it did happen again! Except now, Naruto's the one who's been captured! He was almost killed trying to save me and now I can't even return the favor?!' Thought Satsuki, hating how now that their situations are reversed, she's unable to save him despite her words and resolve from before.
Satsuki was forced to jump out of the way when the hammer-wielding Ninja charged at her, swinging his hammer at her head. Before she had to block the axe-wielding Ninja as well when they jumped into the air after her, blocking their axe when they tried burying it in her chest. Only to grunt in pain when a gust of wind knocked her through the air. With the bo-staff-wielding Ninja then jabbing their staff into her chest, sending her crashing into the ground.
Gritting her teeth, Satsuki got up and glared at the Ninja around her before briefly looking back at the others, feeling a strange yet oddly familiar sensation in her eyes. Her mind once more going back to that night, the moment just before Itachi fled.
*Flashback*
"There is no value in killing the likes of you…my foolish sister…if you want to kill me…curse me! Hate me! And live a long and unsightly life…run away…run away…and cling to your pitiful life. And then some day, when you have the same eyes as I do, come before me." Itachi said, looking over his shoulder at Satsuki with his Mangekyō Sharingan.
With Satsuki looking at him in shock, despair, and pain at everything that's happened, feeling herself growing lightheaded before falling forward. Though rather collapse to the ground, Satsuki managed to catch herself, falling onto one knee panting heavily. Before her head snapped up and glared at Itachi, revealing her eyes turned crimson red with one tomoe in them each.
The sight of his sisters Sharingan awakening not seeming to phase Itachi, at least on the outside as the on the inside he was slightly surprised. Before the older Uchiha quickly jumped up to the rooftops, knowing it won't be long before the Anbu arrive.
"No! You won't get away, Itachi!" Satsuki shouted, getting up and running after Itachi, grabbing some of the scattered kunai as she did so.
Jumping up to the roof, Satsuki leapt into the air once she saw Itachi and threw the kunai at him, refusing to let him escape. With Itachi looking back in surprise that she'd actually try attacking him before drawing his sword and deflecting the kunai. Only to flinch when the last one actually collided against his forehead protector, knocking it off his head.
Unfortunately, Satsuki panted heavily and fell to her knees with her Sharingan deactivating, having used what little energy she could muster in her attack. Before the ravenette began falling forward, the last thing she saw being Itachi retrieving his headband and looked at her with tears in his eyes.
*End Flashback*
"Time to die, brat!" Yelled the staff-wielding Ninja as they rushed towards Satsuki, intent to drive their staff right through her chest.
Only to be shocked when Satsuki weaved out of the way of the staff, grabbing one end of it before flipping over the Ninja. Slamming her foot into the back of their legs, bringing them down to their knees before grabbing the other end of the staff and forcing it against their throat.
Then before the Ninja could try breaking free, Satsuki grunted and pulled the staff back and gave a sharp twist, accompanied by a snap of the Ninja's neck as they went limp.
Not stopping there, Satsuki rushed towards the hammer-wielding Ninja with the staff in hand, with the Ninja shouting in anger.
"You little bitch! I'll turn you into pas-AH!" The Ninja screamed charging Satsuki with their hammer, only to scream in pain when Satsuki ducked under their swing and stabbed the staff right into their eye.
The sudden pain and loss of their eye making the Ninja drop their hammer to try and pull the staff out, only for this to be a mistake as Satsuki turned and grabbed the hammer out of the air. Giving a shout as she spun around, using her momentum to slam the hammer right into the Ninja's head. With the force of the blow cracking their skull open and sending their body flying across the field.
Though Satsuki didn't stop, slamming the hammer into the ground before spinning around the handle, dodging the axe-wielding Ninja's attempt to hit her from behind. With the ravenette pulling out a kunai and driving it deep into their shoulder. Making the Ninja scream in pain and drop their axe before Satsuki rolled across the ground and grabbed it, swinging it at their neck.
With the last thing the Ninja saw being crimson red eyes with two tomoes spinning around the pupil, glaring at them before their head went flying away from their body.
Before the fighting momentarily came to a halt when Satsuki threw the axe, burying it in the back of a Ninja that tried attacking Kurenai after she dodged Ryūgan's dragons. Making everyone look at the ravenette, only to see her now crimson eyes looking at everyone with Hinata smiling at seeing her friend awakened her own Dōjutsu.
Only for one of the Takumi Ninja to charge at Satsuki with what looked like a blue sword made of pure Chakra coming out of a silver hilt. Though the moment they got close enough, Satsuki ducked and spun around their slash, grabbing their arm holding the sword and snapped it in half at the elbow. With the Ninja screaming in agony only to be silenced when Satsuki grabbed the sword and stabbed it through the back of their head, before tossing their body aside.
The sight of another of their comrades dying and how quick it was made the remaining Takumi Ninja flinch in fear. Even more so as the Chakra Blade turned from blue to red, casting Satsuki in a crimson light before she pointed it at Ryūgan, making the bluenette pale and unconsciously step back.
"You're next." Satsuki said before she charged at Ryūgan.
"What're you waiting for?! Kill her!" Shouted Ryūgan, feeling some panic at seeing Satsuki running at him after effortlessly cutting down four of his followers.
With several of the remaining Takumi Ninja running at Satsuki to protect their leader with Hinata using the opportunity to take out a couple more close to her with Jūken strikes to their arms and legs.
While Satsuki slid underneath a Ninja that tried striking her with a club, nearly slicing them in half at the waist with her Chakra Saber. Before rolling across the ground, avoiding a Takumi Ninja's scythe, taking them out with a kunai thrown through their neck. With a third Ninja jumping at her with another Chakra Saber held up to cut the ravenette down.
Only for Satsuki's head to snap up, locking eyes with the Ninja and trapping them in a Genjutsu as they froze in midair for a moment. The ravenette instantly jumped up, slamming her knee into the Ninja's jaw before flipping over and snatching the second Chakra Saber from their hands, with it turning red as well. Before she then stabbed both blades into the Ninja's back, jumping off them before they hit the ground and continued towards Ryūgan.
"How can two brats be this strong?!" Ryūgan said, his confidence fading away at seeing how Satsuki and Hinata were now taking down his followers, one after another, only to look at Anko when she began laughing at him.
"You…you mean you seriously couldn't tell?! Oh Kami, you're even dumber than I thought!" Said Anko, not believing he didn't figure it out.
"What the hell are you talking about?!" Demanded Ryūgan, angry and nervous at what she meant, with Kurenai smirking at him.
"Those two aren't just regular Genin, they're from the Hyūga Clan and Uchiha Clan. And you just helped Satsuki unlock her Sharingan, or reawaken if those two tomoe are anything to go by." Kurenai revealed, causing Ryūgan to pale in terror at this revelation.
As despite Takumi Village looking down on Ninja, they've also heard of the reputations the Hyūga and Uchiha Clans both have. Especially the latter with how they were considered one the strongest and most feared Ninja Clans, with it even taking one of their own just to wipe them out.
"W-well, let's see how long they last after I kill both of you!" Ryūgan said, covering up his fear at going against two Ninja like them, believing they'll be demoralized if he killed Anko and Kurenai.
"You'll die trying. Many Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Said Anko, unleashing dozens of large snakes from her sleeves that lunged at Ryūgan.
"You're the one that'll end up dead!" Retorted Ryūgan, channeling a large amount of Chakra into his sword, unleashing the three dragons at the snakes.
Though the moment his dragons began tearing through the snakes they burst into flower petals, with Anko soon bursting as well. Making his eyes widen upon seeing that it was a Genjutsu before he saw the flower petals launching themselves at him. The sight making Ryūgan move to jump away, only to find himself rooted in place.
"What the hell?!" Ryūgan said, looking down only to find multiple snakes emerging from the ground and wrapping around his legs, hissing at him before lunging forward and biting him, making the bluenette cry out.
His cries growing louder as the flower petals hit him and actually began cutting into his body, making Ryūgan panic that it was more than just a Genjutsu and there were weapons hidden in it. Raising his sword to slice through the snakes and free himself, Ryūgan cried out when a larger snake lunged up from underground and bit down on his wrist, keeping his arm in place.
Gritting his teeth, Ryūgan tried channeling Chakra into his sword to release the dragons, only to cry out when the snake bit down harder on his wrist when he tried. Making the bluenette panic that if he tried using his weapon, then he's likely to lose his hand.
His panic and fear growing when he saw Satsuki now had a clear path and was running straight at him!
"You should be lucky, I'm wasting my time to personally kill a weakling like you!" Satsuki said, jumping into the air and bringing both Chakra Sabers down onto Ryūgan to finish him off.
Unfortunately, before her attack could connect, Ryūgan used a quick Substitution Jutsu to switch places with a Takumi Ninja, leading to them being cut down by Satsuki instead.
"You're all dead when Seimei-sama is revived!" Ryūgan shouted before he quickly channeled Chakra into the Garian Sword, teleporting away in a green flash back to Hōki and his Fire Sword.
With the Kunoichi being annoyed at seeing he managed to escape before they quickly began moving to finish off the remaining Takumi Ninja. Managing to make short work of them due to being demoralized at seeing how much stronger they were and then their leader abandoning them.
"Well, I gotta say you brats are way better than I expected you'd be." Anko stated once the remaining Ninja were dead, looking at Satsuki and Hinata with a grin, feeling impressed at their skill with Kurenai nodding in agreement.
"You both did handle yourselves rather well, even against such superior numbers. And since you've managed to awaken your Sharingan, Satsuki, how would you like it if I helped you with your Genjutsu training. Whether you want to train with my team or separately is up to you." Kurenai offered, smiling at the two Genin, impressed and proud to see for herself how far they've grown, especially Hinata.
"Thank you, I appreciate the offer Kurenai-sensei." Replied Satsuki, smiling in thanks at the offer, knowing with her Sharingan she'll be able to start training in Genjutsu.
"And I can help with your training, brat!" Said Anko, wrapping an arm around Hinata's shoulder, making the bluenette let out a surprised "Eep!".
"Re-re-really?" Hinata said, not expecting the sudden offer.
"Yeah, why not! I saw how you were using senbon against these guys and how you were channeling Lightning Chakra into them, I can help you get even better at throwing them and teach you the perfect spots to hit to cause some real pain. I've also heard you've got a Fire Affinity, same as me, which will be plenty of new Fire Style Ninjutsu. I'm also pretty good with making poisons along with having an immunity to most of them. So I can definitely teach you lots of new things and ways to make your enemies hurt." Anko said, grinning at the Hyūga.
"Are…are you really sure you'd want to train someone, Anko?" Questioned Kurenai, feeling hesitant and having plenty of reservations of Anko training Hinata.
The image of the normally sweet girl smiling sadistically with snakes wrapped around her and licking a kunai honestly terrified Kurenai, not wanting to imagine Hinata becoming a mini-Anko.
"Oh relax, Kurenai, I won't break the shy brat…much. Just enough to build her up even stronger." Said Anko while smirking wickedly at Hinata, who couldn't help but gulp.
"U-u-uh-uh…i-i-i-if y-yo-you're sure, I'd really like that…Anko-sensei." Said Hinata, not denying the chance to learn what Anko could teach her, making the purplette grin.
"Glad to hear it! Now let's keep moving, there's no telling how many more Ninja they have here, if they'll be able to delay the others." Anko said before turning serious and focusing back on the mission, with the others nodding in agreement as they took off towards where the others went.
*With Retrieval Team*
Meanwhile, the rest of the retrieval team continued moving through the forest towards Takumi Village and the ritual site. Though it wasn't long before they were forced to stop and jump out of the way when a powerful whirlwind blew past them with the wind being sharp enough to cut through the trees.
"You foolish Ninja won't be taking another step!" Said Kujaku as she descended from the air on a whirlwind, smirking at the Ninja, eager for the chance to kill them.
"A Wind-User, huh. Looks like it's my turn then. Kakashi, Gai, Yamato, you go on ahead, I'll be sure to make this quick." Asuma said, taking out his trench knives with the three Jōnin nodding before rushing past Kujaku, the greenette letting them pass as she scowled at Asuma.
"Don't even think this will be an easy fight, Ninja! I'll cut you into pieces!" Kujaku said, angered at Asuma's words, believing he's looking down on her abilities.
"Look lady, no offense to you or anything, but recently I've lost one of my best friends, learned something I really didn't want to know, and now a bunch of upstart blacksmiths want to play Ninja by attacking my comrades. So sorry in advance, but this isn't a fight, it's me letting off my steam." Asuma said while narrowing his eyes, having been wanting to let loose after what happened to the Fire Temple and learning Kazuma is alive.
With what Takumi Village did simply being the perfect excuse for him to hit something that can hit back.
"How funny, this isn't it a fight for me either, it's simply killing an arrogant Ninja! Great Vacuum Cannon!" Said Kujaku, only feeling angrier that he didn't consider this a fight before firing small, powerful and near-invisible blasts of wind at the Jōnin.
"Just remember, you asked for this. Fire Style: Ash Pile Burning!" Asuma said, releasing a cloud of Chakra-infused gunpowder before igniting it with the flint in his mouth, unleashing a fiery explosion.
*With Retrieval Team*
The remaining Jōnin kept moving through the trees before noticing someone standing on a tree branch ahead of them, wearing armor and carrying a large mace.
"Leave this one to me!" Said Gai before leaping forward and spinning through the air.
"Dynamic Entry!" Gai said, delivering a flying kick to Suiko with the Takumi Ninja grunting as the kick impacted his Infinite Armor, sending him flying back even with it absorbing the Chakra from the kick.
Skidding across the ground as he landed, Suiko narrowed his eyes as Gai landed in front of him, getting into his stance while Kakashi and Yamato rushed past them.
"You're strong." Suiko stated, not expecting the physical strength behind that kick, while Gai flashed him a grin.
"And you certainly seem like a durable fellow to remain standing after that kick! I also take that is the Infinite Armor. I could feel it drain the Chakra from me, even with that brief contact." Said Gai, with Suiko holding his mace tightly.
"You'll be feeling a lot more once I'm through with you, Ninja!" Said Suiko as he lunged at Gai with his mace held up, the Jōnin narrowed his eyes in preparation for the battle.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto's meeting with Zangetsu, before being forced to defend himself as the sentient sword attacks, as while Naruto proved himself to Zen-Aku, he still needs to prove himself to Zangetsu. With Zangetsu criticizing Naruto for holding himself back, that he'll need to embrace what he's become if he ever hopes to awaken his full power he inherited from Zen-Aku, as well as wield Zangetsu's own power.
Then we go to the Kunoichi fighting Ryūgan and his followers, only to have some difficultly due to the Takumi Ninja interfering in Anko's and Kurenai's fight, keeping them from gaining an advantage. While Hinata and Satsuki are having trouble going against so many enemies, with it getting worse when Satsuki's weapon is destroyed and she's slowly overwhelmed. Only for this to trigger her PTSD and make her remember the massacre and what happened to Naruto after his fight with Ryujin.
With this helping push Satsuki far enough to reawaken her Sharingan and start taking the Ninja out, even killing two and taking their Chakra Sabers (the same ones that appear in "Boruto" only red instead of blue), while moving towards Ryūgan to finish him. Only for Ryūgan to escape before he's killed, using the Fire Swords ability to summon the other weapons and armor to teleport away, leaving the Kunoichi to finish off the remaining Ninja. With Anko and Kurenai being impressed at Satsuki's and Hinata's abilities, offering them further training which they accept before they keep moving.
Finally we see the retrieval team with Asuma staying back to fight Kujaku and Gai staying back to fight Suiko, while Kakashi and Yamato continue on ahead to save Naruto and stop Seimei's revival. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out