Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be getting close to the end of the Takumi Village Arc, as we see Zen-Aku face off against Seimei, along with some surprises at the end. So, without further ado.
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Naruto gritted his teeth as he swung his sword, which clashed against Zangetsu's own, before the sentient sword twisted his around. Knocking Naruto's out of the way, before driving the hilt of his blade into the whiskered ravenette's chest, making Naruto gasp at the blow.
Before Naruto quickly jumped back when Zangetsu flipped his sword up to slice into him, only for Zangetsu to rush after Naruto, thrusting his sword-self at him. Raising his blade to block it, Naruto held it at an angle, causing Zangetsu's blade to be deflected upwards into the air. With the whiskered ravenette taking the chance to then swing his blade at Zangetsu, with him quickly leaning back to avoid the slash.
Only for Naruto to immediately rotate his sword and swing it upwards back at Zangetsu, surprising the sentient blade a little as he just barely dodged it, seeing the sword slice off a few of his hairs.
Unfortunately, Naruto didn't have time to enjoy managing to finally land a hit as Zangetsu delivered a wide swing at his side, forcing the Uzumaki to move back. Raising his blade to block the following downward slash. Naruto grit his teeth in pain when Zangetsu flipped his grip and smashed his swords hilt right into his face, sending his creator stumbling back.
With Naruto not having time to recover as Zangetsu was on him again, keeping his reverse grip as he began rapidly swinging his sword-self. Forcing the Genin to keep moving back to avoid being cut, using his own blade to block a few close calls.
"What's the point of this?! You say something's holding me back! That I need to embrace what I've become! Well I have! I'm the Duke Wolf now, I'm Zen-Aku! What else is there?!" Naruto demanded, before he jumped up, avoiding Zangetsu's next swing at his legs.
Before gagging when Zangetsu slammed his foot into his abdomen, sending the Uzumaki crashing through a tree. Having no time to recover as he rolled out of the way, avoiding Zangetsu's sword as it stabbed into the tree.
"You are lying to me and to yourself! You might have inherited his title and name, but you are not Zen-Aku! He knew what he was, embraced what he was and never pretended to be anything else! But you continue to lie and pretend!" Retorted Zangetsu, slicing through the tree to free his katana form and rushed the Genin.
Holding his sword up to block the slash, Naruto pushed Zangetsu back and leapt into the air and flipped over the sentient sword. With him quickly spinning around and slashing Zangetsu across his back, only for the attack to be blocked when Zangetsu held his blade behind him. Before he spun around as well, knocking Naruto's sword out of the way while the Uzumaki grunted when he also slashed him across the chest, sending him stumbling back.
"Then I can I at least get a damn hint?!" Said Naruto, bending backwards while narrowly avoiding losing his head as Zangetsu swung his blade.
Dropping into a crouch to avoid getting kicked again by his creation, with the Uzumaki thrusting his sword up at Zangetsu's chest. His eyes widening in surprise when Zangetsu swung his own katana, blocking his thrust. Before the sentient blade spun his weapon around Naruto's own and lunged, making the whiskered ravenette hiss as it cut his cheek.
"You already have all the answers you need. You just refuse to admit what you already know to be true." Zangetsu stated, jumping back as Naruto shot up and swung his sword at him.
"What more do I need to know?! I know who and what I am! How about you just give me an actual answer instead of talking in riddles!" Said Naruto, charging at Zangetsu while rapidly swinging his sword in frustration.
While Zangetsu quickly dodged every strike from the Uzumaki, barely moving as he avoided Naruto's attacks, which only frustrated the Uzumaki more. Until Naruto gave a shout and channeled as much Chakra as he could into his sword. With it soon condensing around the tip of the blade before Naruto swung it at Zangetsu, releasing a massive wave of Chakra.
Though Naruto's eyes widened as before he could react, Zangetsu swung his sword-self faster than he could see, slicing right through Naruto's own sword as he brought it down. Making the Genin look at his broken weapon in disbelief before tensing when Zangetsu pointed his sword at his neck.
"Fear. What holds you back, is fear." Said Zangetsu, with Naruto flinching slightly before quickly glaring at the sentient sword.
"I'm not afraid of anything!" Naruto growled, only for Zangetsu to not waver.
"Yes you are. I know everything you wish to keep hidden away, every secret, every dark corner of your mind, I know it all. And what you fear, is knowing that you are no longer fully human." Zangetsu said, lowering his blade as it vanished.
"You know it as well as I do, the moment you merged with Zen-Aku, a being that wasn't human himself. He was an Org, a breed of Demons. That is the truth you refuse the accept is that when you merged with Zen-Aku, you ceased to be fully human. You became Half-Org, Half-Demon." Said Zangetsu, Naruto didn't say anything, but flinched again at his words.
"If you wish to unlock the full power of Zen-Aku, to be able to turn into that form at will, and to awaken my true power then you must accept what you have become and embrace it." Zangetsu said, the whiskered ravenette shook slightly.
Before he was forced to move back when Zangetsu started swinging his sword at him again, with Naruto trying to block his attacks with what's left of his own blade. Only to keep backing away as Zangetsu advanced on him.
"What will be then?! Will you finally accept what's happened, what you now are?! Or will you keep clinging to the lie you've been telling yourself since the moment you put on that mask?! Tell me, what are you?!" Said Zangetsu, wanting to know if Naruto will accept what he now is.
With the Uzumaki grunting when the sentient sword slashed him across his arm when he was too slow to block his attack, before quickly jumping back to put some distance between them. Though Zangetsu quickly closed the distance, bringing his sword down onto Naruto. Which he blocked with his broken swords hilt, gritting his teeth as he tried holding it back.
'You make it sound so easy! But it's not!' Naruto thought, knowing that deep down, everything Zangetsu said was true.
He knew the moment he and Zen-Aku merged, he wasn't human anymore, but he's denied it every time, telling himself he's still the same, that he's still human. But no matter how much he wanted to believe it, he knew it was just another lie he's been telling himself, desperately hoping he'd start believing it eventually.
Naruto just didn't want to admit it was true, that he's Half-Org and Half-Demon now, that everything the villagers said about him would be proven right. Still hearing how they treated him as a monster, a plague, a demon, something that didn't belong. Now he's become what they always said he was, and it's hard accepting it's now true.
"You claim to no longer care what the villagers think of you, yet now it matters. What is it then, do you not care how they see you any more or are you still so desperate to earn their respect and recognition?!" Zangetsu demanded as he pushed his sword down harder, making Naruto grit his teeth.
"Because I don't want to prove them right!" Shouted Naruto as he pushed Zangetsu back, sending the sentient sword skidding back.
"My entire life they hated me, they were scared of me! Whispering behind my back, telling kids to avoid me, looking at me like I was already a demon! Now…now I'm everything they said I was. They…they'll be right, even if I don't do anything, they'll still be right. Claiming they always knew I was a monster, that I'm just showing what I always was… Maybe I'd gain all of Zen-Aku's power and awaken yours, but I'll still end up alone when everyone finds out." Naruto said, starting out angry before it began fading, leaving him unsure and shaken.
He honestly didn't care what the villagers thought about him, but he didn't want to be prove them right about him either, to claim they had always known he was a monster from the start. And more than that, he didn't want to see the reactions of those he actually cares about.
"Kakashi-sensei, Yamato-sensei even with his Mokuton and the fact it was kept secret from me, Yūgao-sensei, Iruka-sensei, Konoka Moegi and Udon, Teuchi and Ayame, Hinata, Fū and…Satsuki. You think it's so easy, but what happens when they find out I'm no longer fully human?" Said Naruto.
He didn't care how the villagers would react, just that he didn't want to see their smug reactions and looks as they that they were "right all along", that he was a demon. But for those he cared about, it's their reactions that he's really scared of seeing.
"You forget, Fū is a Jinchūriki herself, do you believe she would care when she's been treated as a demon her entire life, just as you. Most of them are also old enough to have known you were a Jinchūriki yet they have done nothing against you, before or now. Satsuki and Hinata still accepted you even after learning about the Kyūbi. And do you really believe Konoka, Moegi and Udon will care either? After how they got to know you, how they look up to you?" Zangetsu said, making Naruto clench his fists.
Looking at his broken sword, Naruto saw his reflection in it as it changed to Zen-Aku, feeling as if the Duke Wolf was judging him even now.
"Abandon your fear. Look forward. Move forward and never stop. You'll age if you pull back. You'll die if you hesitate." Said Zangetsu, with Naruto gripping the sword tightly as it began restoring itself before he held it up.
"I'm not human. I am an Org, I am a Demon, if that's what people want to call me, then so be it!" Said Naruto, knowing Zangetsu was right and accepted what he's become.
"Now shout out my name!" Zangetsu said as black and red Chakra erupted from the sword and surrounded Naruto.
"Pierce The Heavens!" Naruto said as the Chakra enveloped him.
*Real World*
Back in the real world, Naruto's eyes snapped open as they glowed gold, while seeing his body had still been trying to break open the metal dome, before he grabbed Zangetsu tightly as his body became engulfed in black and red Chakra, transforming him until soon in his place was Zen-Aku.
"Zangetsu!" Zen-Aku roared slashing Zangetsu through the air, as it transformed alongside him into a much larger sword.
With the dome exploding as he released a powerful blast of Chakra, dropping to one knee for a moment to catch his breath. Feeling power rushing through him, far greater than when he first transformed against Ryujin, making the Duke Wolf feel like he could destroy an entire continent if he wanted.
Before he stood up, lifting Zangetsu up onto his shoulder, knowing he still had the Takumi Ninja to deal with. Intent on wiping them and their entire village from existence, only to pause when he took in his surroundings. Seeing his teammates and teachers on the ground, as well as the other Jōnin, angering Zen-Aku further at the sight. Until he looked and saw Seimei standing across from him, while sensing his own power inside the "Ultimate Weapon". Now seeing just who the Takumi Ninja used him to revive and likely the one who attacked his team.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Demanded Seimei with Zen-Aku regarding the "Ultimate Weapon" for a few moments before pointing Zangetsu at him.
"I am Zen-Aku. And I'll be the one sending you back to the Pure Lands." Zen-Aku declared, making Seimei scowl as the two stared each other down.
"Really? You think you can send me to the Pure Lands?" Seimei said, confident he can kill this creature just as easily as he'll kill every Ninja that gets in his way.
"I don't think, I know by the end of this, you'll be begging for death." Said Zen-Aku, which only angered Seimei further.
"What is that thing?! Where did that stupid kid go?!" Kujaku said, wondering where the Uzumaki went and what this wolf creature was.
"That must be the brat, it's probably just some Shinobi trick to make him look scary. Seimei-sama won't even need to try to kill him." Said Ryūgan, believing their leader can handle some brat that's trying to act tough.
Unknown to everyone, Satsuki groaned as she began waking up, only for her eyes to widen when she saw Zen-Aku standing across from Seimei. Her shock growing when she felt his Chakra and how similar it felt to Naruto's own. Before the ravenette remembered what he told her, Hinata and Fū about the mask, what it did to him.
But now seeing it for herself and sensing just how powerful Naruto was in this form, the Uchiha couldn't help but be amazed.
"Naruto." Satsuki muttered in awe and concern given while she can sense how strong he is, she was worried on whether or not it'll be enough to beat Seimei and his weapons.
"It seems no matter the time, Ninja will always be arrogant! The only ones that will be sent to the Pure Lands are you, your comrades and every other Ninja alive! Peacock Whirlwind!" Seimei said, having one of his dragons unleash a powerful gale of wind, while another shot out a stream of fire.
With the two combining together into a massive inferno that rushed towards Zen-Aku, only for the Duke Wolf to vanish in a burst of speed.
"You'll die trying!" Said Zen-Aku, reappearing above Seimei before bringing Zangetsu down onto him, only for the third dragon head to lash out and bite down on the sword, draining Zen-Aku's Chakra as it did so.
Feeling this, Zen-Aku used a Substitution, reappearing right behind Seimei and stabbed Zangetsu into the ground, spinning around it and slamming his foot into Seimei's back. Sending the "Ultimate Weapon" flying through the air, before he created a whirlwind around himself stopping in midair.
"Wind Cutter Jutsu!" Said Seimei, swinging the Soaring Shortswords at the transformed Uzumaki, releasing dozens of razor-sharp wind blades at him.
Jumping out of the way as the wind blades were launched at him, Zen-Aku channeled Chakra into his sword before leaping into the air at Seimei. Giving a shout as he swung Zangetsu, releasing a wave of Chakra at the "Ultimate Weapon", only for the dragon heads to open up and absorb the wave.
"Thank you for the power, now burn!" Seimei said, smiling wickedly as he absorbed the Chakra before having all three dragons unleash waves of flames that engulfed Zen-Aku.
Only for Seimei to cry out when Zen-Aku appeared above him, slashing Seimei across his arm before flipping Zangetsu around and bringing it back up to cut his chest open.
"Peacock Whirlwind Formation!" Said Seimei while quickly creating a whirlwind around himself that blew Zen-Aku away.
"You can't run forever!" Said Zen-Aku while channeling more Chakra into his sword and swinging it, releasing multiple Chakra waves at the "Ultimate Weapon".
"I don't run from anything, let alone some arrogant Ninja! Great Vacuum Cannon!" Seimei said, scowling in anger at the insult, before having the dragons fire dozens of blasts of wind at the Duke Wolf.
Seeing the wind blasts coming at him, Zen-Aku used a Substitution, with the log being ripped apart by the blasts while he appeared back on the ground.
'Okay, so he can absorb Chakra through those dragons, as well as having control over fire and wind. And from the look of his injuries, he can heal, not sure if that's from the power he stole from me or another ability of those weapons. Let's see what else he can do then, as well as what limits he has.' Zen-Aku thought, sheathing Zangetsu on his back.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Zen-Aku said, creating twenty clones, which actually surprised Seimei before he smirked eagerly.
"So, you can use Tobirama Senju's Shadow Clone Jutsu and to be able to create so many, yet you don't even look winded. Once I take the rest of your power, I'll truly be unstoppable! Rotating Ferocious Wind!" Seimei said as the dragons roared, releasing a powerful whirlwind towards Zen-Aku and his clones.
Using another Substitution to dodge the whirlwind while the clones all moved out of the way, before five charged at Seimei. All of swinging their swords, releasing waves of Chakra at the "Ultimate Weapon" only for them all to be absorbed by the dragons.
"You're only giving me more power!" Stated Seimei eagerly as the clones kept launching Chakra Waves at him.
"Then let's see how you like this!" Said a clone as five more suddenly appeared behind Seimei, rushing him and swinging their swords.
"Peacock Whirlwind Formation!" Seimei said, creating a whirlwind around himself that blew the clones away.
"You're turn to burn!" A clone said as the remaining ten clones jumped into the air above Seimei, channeling Fire Chakra into their blades before the clones began unleashing waves of fire down at the "Ultimate Weapon", causing his whirlwind to turn into a fiery vortex around him.
Only for the vortex to suddenly explode out, engulfing and destroying the clones while showing Seimei was uninjured.
"Do you see now?! There's nothing you can-" Seimei said, only to cry out when a clone burst out of the ground, swinging its sword and slashing his abdomen.
Scowling in anger, Seimei immediately had one of his dragons lash out and bite the clone to absorb its Chakra, dispelling it in the process.
"Now take this!" Said a clone as six more appeared, each of them swinging their swords, launching blades of wind at Seimei.
"Wind Return!" Said Seimei as he swung the Soaring Shortswords, causing the wind blades to be redirected right back at the clones as a hurricane, destroying them as well.
Only for five more clones to burst out of the ground around Seimei, with all of them immediately unleashing sonic howls straight at him. Making the "Ultimate Weapon" cry out and cover his ears from the sound, while being forced down to his knees from the force behind the howls.
Five more clones then appeared and rushed forward, jumping into the air above the other clones, channeling Wind Chakra through their blades. Before firing multiple wind blades at Seimei, only for the dragons heads to lunge out and absorb them.
"Peacock Whirlwind Formation!" Seimei shouted, creating a large and powerful whirlwind around himself, sending the clones flying and destroying them.
"Enough games! Why don't you face me yourself, instead of hiding like a coward?!" Seimei taunted while trying to find the transformed Uzumaki.
"Says the weakling that needed to steal power just to revive himself." Said Zen-Aku before sending out ten more clones.
"This power was mine for the taking! It's what you Ninja owe after looking down on Takumi Village for so long, but now you see just how weak you are against us! Great Vacuum Cannon!" Said Seimei, having the dragons fire several blasts of wind that destroyed the clones.
Before gritting his teeth when a clone rushed him from behind, slashing the "Ultimate Weapon" across his back before one of the dragons bit down and dispelled it.
"Let's see how you like lightning, next!" A clone said swinging their sword, shooting a blast of lightning at Seimei, making him scoff.
"Peacock Whirlwind!" Seimei said, with the dragons firing gales of wind that disperse the lightning and destroyed the clone.
"Yes, a village full of weaklings that rely on weapons to make them strong rather than growing and training themselves, using a power that's not truly their own. Perhaps because you all know deep down; just how weak you truly are." Zen-Aku stated, angering Seimei further.
"Silence! Takumi Village has the greatest blacksmiths and artisans in the world! Every one of you Ninja were always begging to get weapons made there!" Seimei yelled as he had the dragons shoot blasts of fire, burning away the trees to try and find Zen-Aku.
"Yet it wasn't long before the Hidden Villages started getting better at making their own weapons, leaving your entire village obsolete. None of you have any use, so now you're trying to act big and powerful when you're really nothing but parasites. Desperately trying to get any power you can, no matter where it comes from. You say Ninja are weak, but the only reason you're as strong as you are is because of power you took from a Ninja. That seems like you know Ninja are powerful, otherwise why would you seek to use the power of one." Said Zen-Aku, with the "Ultimate Weapon" breathing heavily at how enraged he was.
While the rest of the Takumi Ninja were also enraged at the insults to them and their village, wanting nothing more than to tear Zen-Aku apart. The only thing stopping them being the confidence they had that Seimei would make the Duke Wolf regret daring to challenge them.
"You're not an ultimate anything, all that you are is a broken tool." Zen-Aku said, causing Seimei scream in pure rage.
"I'LL KILL YOU! Peacock Whirlwind Formation!" Seimei yelled, as the dragons released sonic roars and jets of fire, before he created a massive hurricane around himself that turned into a burning inferno the moment the wind touched the flames.
The "Ultimate Weapon" being intent on reducing everything around him to ash until Zen-Aku appeared or he saw his charred corpse.
"Yet you can't even tell when someone's behind you." Stated Zen-Aku, making Seimei immediately whirl around, only to not see anyone behind before crying out when he was slashed across his back.
Making Seimei turn again to see Zen-Aku, roaring in rage as he had his dragons lunge forward and tear him apart, with his anger only growing when it revealed to just be another Shadow Clone.
"Or under you." Zen-Aku said as he suddenly burst out of the ground, swinging Zangetsu and slashing Seimei right across his chest as well as the Infinite Armor and the Fire Sword.
"NO!" Screamed Seimei in horror as the Infinite Armor was cut in half, leaving him unable to absorb Chakra or heal his injuries.
Gagging in pain when Zen-Aku slammed his foot into his chest, shattering the remains of the Infinite Armor, sending the "Ultimate Weapon" flying back and crashing into the tree.
"Thank you for giving me all the information I needed. Now it's time to die." Said Zen-Aku as he pointed Zangetsu at Seimei while his eyes glowed menacingly.
"Wh-what information?! What did you do?!" Seimei demanded while glaring at the Duke Wolf murderously.
"You didn't think those clones were just to fight, did you? They were just to gather information and data on your abilities, or should I say the abilities of your weapons. I originally thought those dragons were what allowed you to absorb Chakra, but it was the armor while the dragons just acted as conduits. The same with the fire and wind, you used the dragons to channel the power of the other weapons. But now you can't absorb Chakra or generate fire." Zen-Aku revealed, which only fueled Seimei's anger.
"I can still cut you into pieces with wind! Great Vacuum Cannon!" Said Seimei, having the dragons fir blasts of wind at Zen-Aku.
"Like that'll save you." Said Zen-Aku while channeling Chakra into Zangetsu, only to be surprised for a moment when it was engulfed in flames despite him not using Fire Chakra.
'That's interesting, but I'm not complaining.' Zen-Aku thought holding he sword and lifting it up.
Giving a shout, Zen-Aku swung Zangetsu, unleashing a massive wave of flames which only grew bigger and more intense when it hit the wind blasts. With Seimei's eyes widening in panic as he created a whirlwind around himself, flying up into the air to avoid the flames.
"Didn't I say you couldn't run!" Said Zen-Aku, appearing behind Seimei, swinging Zangetsu slashing the Soaring Shortswords into pieces.
"NO!" Said Seimei as the whirlwind vanished as he crashed into the ground while Zen-Aku saw that Zangetsu soon had a swirling gale of wind wrapped around it.
A whirlwind that soon surrounded him, keeping Zen-Aku in the air.
'Hmm, so it looks like Zangetsu is capable of absorbing and assimilating the powers of his weapons, and since I destroyed that armor it should also be able to absorb Chakra. Perfect.' Zen-Aku thought before looking down at Seimei.
"Great Vacuum Cannon!" Said Zen-Aku as he swung Zangetsu and unleashed a wave of wind blasts at Seimei, making the "Ultimate Weapon" cry out as they crashed into him.
"Peacock Formation!" Zen-Aku said as he began spinning Zangetsu around, creating a whirlwind he launched at Seimei.
With him having no time to get out of the way, crying out when the whirlwind slammed into him and lifted Seimei up into the air.
"Now for the last one!" Said Zen-Aku as he held Zangetsu tightly before launching himself forward at Seimei, much to his now growing fear.
While the Duke Wolf gave a shout and swung Zangetsu with Seimei desperately having the dragons lunge at Zen-Aku, hoping to have them grab and tear him apart. Only to scream in horror when Zen-Aku flew up over the dragons with Zangetsu held above his head.
"Off with your heads!" Zen-Aku said, bringing Zangetsu down and decapitating the dragons heads, destroying the Garian Sword as well.
"N-no-no-NO!" Seimei screamed in horror at losing his last weapon, before he crashed into the ground.
Zen-Aku landed on the ground before seeing the wind around Zangetsu disperse as the sword began changing as the black part became blue and patterned like dragon scales. Along with seeing segments along with, giving Zen-Aku an idea of what it did.
"Now then, you have something that belongs to me!" Zen-Aku said as he channeled Chakra into Zangetsu and swung it at Seimei, causing the sword to extend out and be engulfed in Chakra that soon shaped itself into a dragon.
The dragon roared as it shot forward and wrapped around Seimei before biting down onto his abdomen, causing the "Ultimate Weapon" to scream in agony. His screams only growing louder as he felt the dragon begin absorbing his Chakra and transferring it back to Zen-Aku.
"You thought you were some Ultimate Being by stealing power? Let's show you what you really are!" Said Zen-Aku as he retook the last of his power that Seimei had before the Duke Wolf swung Zangetsu up, lifting Seimei into the air and slammed him into the ground, causing the "Ultimate Weapon" to gag and cough up blood.
The dragon soon retreating as Zangetsu returned to normal, revealing Seimei's now crippled, mummified body.
"Seimei-sama!" A Takumi Ninja said in horror at the sight of their leader as some rushed forward to try and help him.
"Rotating Ferocious Wind!" Zen-Aku said, swinging Zangetsu at the Takumi Ninja, releasing a powerful whirlwind that sent them crashing back, along with the rest of the Takumi Ninja.
Turning back towards Seimei, Zen-Aku saw how he groaned and coughed in pain, unable to even move with all his power taken away. Making the Duke Wolf growl lowly before holding Zangetsu up, channeling a large amount of Chakra into it. With it condensing around the blade before moving to the tip.
"You wanted this power, so badly? Let it be the last thing you ever see!" Zen-Aku said, grabbing Zangetsu with both hands.
"Getsuga Tenshō!" Zen-Aku exclaimed while bringing Zangetsu down, unleashing a massive slash of black and red Chakra in the shape of a crescent moon straight at Seimei, much to his horror and fear at the sight.
The "Ultimate Weapon" tried getting out of the way, only to have a moment to scream in pure agony as he was engulfed by the blast. His screams ending as his body was instantly vaporized, leaving behind nothing but a carved path of pure destruction. Much to the horror and devastation of the Takumi Ninja at the sight of their leaders death.
"SEIMEI-SAMA!" Kujaku screamed, falling to her knees in despair.
"H-he-he-he…he's…dead…our weapons…gone…" Muttered Ryūgan, collapsing to his hands and knees that they've lost their leader and their weapons.
Though the Takumi Ninja then saw Zen-Aku turn towards them, his eyes glowing wickedly as he pointed Zangetsu at them, much to their growing fear.
"Don't worry, you all will be joining him in a moment." Zen-Aku stated, causing the Takumi Ninja to begin crawling away from the Duke Wolf.
"Wa-wa-wa-wa-wai-wait! Pl-pl-pl-pl-pl-ple-pl-please! We'll do anything you want!" Begged a Ninja, not wanting to be killed by this monster.
"We'll give you our weapons! All of them!" Another pleaded, willing to give Zen-Aku anything if it meant he'd spare them.
"We'll make any weapon you want! Just name it and we'll make it for you!" Added another Ninja, hoping the promise of getting any weapon he desired would stop the Duke Wolf.
"You can even have us as your slaves! All of Takumi Village will serve you! Just please, mercy!" Kujaku begged, horrified as Zen-Aku kept approaching.
"Dying quickly…there's your mercy. Getsuga Tenshō!" Said Zen-Aku swinging Zangetsu again and firing a wave of Chakra at the Takumi Ninja.
None of the Ninja had time to scream at their instantly incinerated by the blast, with only Ryūgan crying out as the attack hit him. The bluenette having been slowly sneaking away, hoping the Duke Wolf would be distracted by the others, giving him the chance to save himself. Only to be sent crashing into the ground by the Getsuga Tenshō, whimpering in horror as he felt his right leg and arm were broken from the attack and impact. Before Ryūgan looked at Zen-Aku in complete fear when he saw the Duke Wolf approaching him.
"You're even worse than the rest of those parasites. Trying to save your own pathetic life rather than die with your allies." Said Zen-Aku, looking at Ryūgan in disgust that he'd really trying abandoning his own comrades.
"Pl-p-p-pl-pl-pl-ple-pl-pl-p-ple-please." Ryūgan stuttered as he cried in terror at what Zen-Aku would do to him, while desperately crawling back away.
Unfortunately, Ryūgan didn't get far when he felt himself bump into something, making him whimper in fear that he was trapped. Only for his eyes to widen when he saw that he actually bumped into someone, making him look up. With his terror reaching its peak when he saw Satsuki glaring down at him with her Sharingan, while holding one of the Chakra Saber hilts over him.
"Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-w-WAIT-!" Screamed Ryūgan, only to be silenced when Satsuki activated the Saber, causing the red blade to extend down, piercing Ryūgan's head.
"Told you I'd kill you." Satsuki stated while deactivating the Chakra Saber and putting it in her pouch along with the second one.
The Uchiha then looked at Zen-Aku as her Sharingan deactivated and her expression softened, going over to the Duke Wolf.
"So…this is what that mask did to you." Said Satsuki, looking Zen-Aku up and down, while he inclined his head.
"Yeah. It…turned me into something not entirely human and lets me transform into Zen-Aku, the Duke Wolf." Zen-Aku replied, with Satsuki simply nodding in response.
Before Zen-Aku was surprised when Satsuki suddenly lunged forward and hugged him, tightly.
"Do you have any idea how scared I was?! First we had to deal with going to the Fire Temple after it was attacked, seeing everyone there dead! Then learning you were captured and being used to revive that bastard, Seimei! That they were taking your Chakra, that you could've died?! I…" Said Satsuki, burying her face in his chest, shuddering at everything that's happened.
Having to see the massacre at the Fire Temple then learning how Naruto had been kidnapped by the Takumi Ninja, how she could barely do anything before her Sharingan awakened. It only relieved her now that it was over and seeing her friend/crush was safe.
"I…I'm really sorry Satsuki. But it's alright now-" Said Zen-Aku to assure her everything is fine, while filing away the part about the Fire Temple for later.
"No it's not alright!" Satsuki shouted, interrupting the Duke Wolf.
"Our first mission outside the village nearly got you killed, then you go out to get a weapon and are nearly killed again! That is the farthest thing from being alright! I'm not even going to be surprised if something like this happens again! And I'm not going to wait for it before telling you I love you!" Said Satsuki, breathing heavily as she finally admitted her feelings, while Zen-Aku looked at her in shock.
"You…what?" Zen-Aku asked, not believing what he just heard.
"I said I love you okay! I have for years, ever since you were too stubborn to abandon me after that night! Even after everything I said to try and make you leave so you wouldn't get hurt, you still stayed around, never leaving me alone! Making me still feel like there was still some light in my life rather than just darkness and revenge! You were my first friend and stayed with me through everything… But Kami there are times when you make me want to bang my head against a wall, but there were also times where I'm thankful to have you in my life! I…I love you, Naruto Uzumaki. No matter what you are or whatever stupid things you do that drive me crazy, I love you, always." Satsuki said while getting it all off her chest, placing her hand on Zen-Aku's face, while the Duke Wolf looked at her in disbelief.
"I…I…I love you too. Though I…can't really say I even know what love is exactly, what I do know is that you were my first friend as well as my best friend, you became someone I cared about more than anything. I didn't care about anything you said back then, because I wasn't going to lose the first friend I ever had, no matter how much you tried pushing me away. Even if you just ignored me, I still wouldn't have left you. Being around you makes me happy, pushes me to be stronger so that nothing happens to you, to keep you safe. So…I think I can say I love you too, Satsuki Uchiha." Said Zen-Aku while grabbing her hand, making Satsuki look at him and smile brightly, not even remembering the last time she smiled like this or felt this happy.
"You…really have no idea how happy I am to hear that." Said Satsuki while looking him up and down again.
"For the record, I think you honestly look pretty attractive like this still." Satsuki stated, catching the Duke Wolf off-guard, not expecting.
"Seriously? Is that you admitting you're secretly a furry?" Questioned Zen-Aku, half-joking and half-serious, while the ravenette's smile turned into an amused one.
"Depends, can you also turn into a Kemonomimi? Cause I don't think I'll be able to control myself, then." Said Satsuki, half-joking and half-serious as well.
"And you call me weird and crazy." Zen-Aku stated as he turned back into Naruto, causing Satsuki wrap her arms around his neck.
"I suppose I prefer you in this form, if only because it lets me do this." Satsuki said before pressing her lips against the whiskered ravenette's.
With Naruto happily returning the kiss, putting his hands on Satsuki's hips and pulling her close, the two feeling everything else around them fade away, only seeing each other. Making it so neither of them saw the rest of the retrieval team groaning as they began waking up, only to look around in shock and disbelief at the destruction around them.
"Uh…what…what happened?" Asuma asked while slowly standing up along with the others, with Kakashi and Yamato having to support Gai due to the damage to his body from the Eight Gates and the blows he took from Seimei.
"I…think that Naruto must have defeated Seimei and the rest of the Takumi Ninja. And got the girl too, apparently." Kakashi said while looking around, before seeing his students who were still in their own world.
"Hahaha! Your students' Flames of Youth are truly burning brightly, Kakashi!" Gai said with a grin, only to groan in pain at feeling his torn muscles and even some fractured bones.
With the sudden shout snapping Naruto and Satsuki back to reality before seeing the rest of the team was now awake, making them blush that they were making out in front of them.
"HAHA! Good for you brats, great job taking out those assholes! Girly brat, did you kill that short loudmouth asshole?" Anko asked while looking at Ryūgan's body, the only one left.
"U-uh-uh-uh…yeah, I stabbed him through the head." Satsuki replied, making the purplette grin.
"Good, someone needed to shut him up. And by all means, carry on, I could use a good show." Said Anko, much to their embarrassment.
"Before you do that, Naruto, could you tell us what happened to Seimei and the other Takumi Ninja?" Yamato asked, not seeing any bodies besides Ryūgan's.
"There aren't exactly any bodies left, but I'm sure the ashes are still lying around…I think." Said Naruto while looking at where the Takumi Ninja once were, while the retrieval team was shocked by this.
"I see…then well done Naruto, you were able to stop Seimei and his allies. I'll be sure to get you a complete set of those guides I offered earlier; it seems now you'll finally need them." Kakashi said with an eye-smile, with the Uzumaki looking at him dryly.
"I seem to be doing fine without them, but by all means get another for yourself Kakashi-sensei, you probably need all the help you can get." Said Naruto, making the Copy Ninja look like he'd been struck again.
"C-Congratulations Naruto-kun, Satsuki-chan. Th-though if you're together now…when we get back to the village, do you promise not to be too loud? I wouldn't want to be woken up." Said Hinata as she smiled at her teammates, making Naruto and Satsuki blush brightly while looking at her in disbelief, along with Kurenai that Hinata actually said something like.
"Or you can be loud as you want, as long as you give me the details afterwards." Hinata added, whispering it to Satsuki, causing the ravenette's blush to intensify along with her disbelief, honestly not sure if the Hyūga was joking or not.
Before Kurenai pulled Hinata off to the side, looking at her in concern and seeing if the bluenette was alright.
"Hinata…are you alright, really? Since I know how you…I just want to make you're fine that it's not you." Said Kurenai, knowing about her crush on Naruto and wanted to see if she's alright now seeing he's with Satsuki, her own teammate and best friend.
"I'm fine, really Kurenai-sensei. As long as Naruto-kun is with someone he loves and loves him, then I'm happy for him. A-and besides…um….Satsuki-chan and I…kind of…agreed to share Naruto-kun already." Hinata admitted, blushing at telling someone she planned to share Naruto with Satsuki and likely other girls.
While the Genjutsu Mistress looked at her with wide, surprised eyes, not believing what she just heard. That Hinata and Satsuki planned to share Naruto.
"I…I see…th-that's um…good that…you'll both be happy then." Said Kurenai, still reeling at the fact the formerly shy Hinata was going to share the guy she likes.
"Alright! We can talk about Naruto's and Satsuki's relationships later, but right now we still have a mission to do!" Kakashi said, getting everyone's attention, as they turned serious at the reminder of why they're here.
"Right. The Four Celestial Symbols Men and Seimei are dead. What's next?" Asuma said, knowing their part was done and the Anbu would be moving in to deal with Takumi Village for good.
"Now we rendezvous with Tōtōsai to pick up Yūgao, I already sent ahead my Ninken earlier to inform them where to meet. Along with contacting the Anbu that they can begin moving in to exterminate Takumi Village and secure their secrets." Said Kakashi, knowing that by now the Anbu should be arriving at Takumi Village to begin eliminating any threat they pose for good.
'Good riddance.' Naruto thought, pleased to hear Takumi Village is being wiped out after everything that's happened.
"Once we meet up and retrieve Yūgao, it'll be time to head back to the village." Said Yamato, with the others all nodding in response and prepare to head out to meet Tōtōsai and Yūgao.
Though Hinata stopped for a moment when she spotted one of the few non-destroyed weapons left behind by the Takumi Ninja. Before going over and grabbing it, looking it over in amazement.
With it looking to be a trident crossed with a bishamon-yari and a ji with a crystalline appearance. Like a ji, it bears a horsehair tassel, although it is blue instead of the traditional red; similarly the two side blades are straight with concave edges as opposed to the usual crescent blades of the bishamon-yari. The end of it turns into a corkscrew/drill shape.
Remembering seeing some of the Takumi Ninja using tridents, Hinata spun it around while channeling Chakra to it, smiling as water began flowing freely from both ends of it. Giving it a test swing caused a wave of water to fly out and crash into a tree, amazing the bluenette when the tree was knocked to the ground.
"I take it you're keeping that." Naruto stated as he and Satsuki looked at Hinata, with the Hyūga nodding with a smile.
"Yeah, I think I'm going to keep it." Said Hinata, knowing how useful it'll be to go with her Lightning Style Ninjutsu and learning Water Style Ninjutsu.
Plus Satsuki had her new Chakra Sabers she's claimed and Naruto had Zangetsu now, making the bluenette want a weapon of her own.
"Are you going to give it a name?" Satsuki asked as they caught up to the Jōnin, while Hinata strapped the trident to her back.
"I think…Nejibana is a good name." Said Hinata, making her teammates/friends nod as the team went to retrieve Yūgao next.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto in his mindscape continuing his battle against Zangetsu, starting out even, until Zangetsu starts getting the advantage given he's wielding himself and Naruto's growing frustration at not getting a straight answer from the sentient sword. Before he's overwhelmed and Zangetsu finally tells Naruto that fear is holding him back, fear of the fact he's no longer human after merging with Zen-Aku, now being Half-Org Half-Demon.
With Naruto not wanting to prove the villagers right that he's a demon, nor does he want to see the reactions of those he cares about when they learn he's not human either. Only for Zangetsu to give him a pep talk, encouraging Naruto to embrace what he's now become, to abandon his fear and look forward, allowing Naruto to gain access to Zen-Aku's full power and awaken Zangetsu's.
Before we see things pick up where the last chapter left off as Zen-Aku emerges and declares his intentions of killing Seimei, while also showing Satsuki being the first to wake up and witness the battle. Showing Zen-Aku and Seimei are about even, until Zen-Aku sends Shadow Clones to begin gathering data on Seimei and his weapons. While the Duke Wolf also taunts the "Ultimate Weapon" and Takumi Village, making Seimei lose his composure.
Allowing Zen-Aku to move in once he has everything he needs, destroying the Infinite Armor and Garian Sword, while Zangetsu also shows the ability to absorb and assimilate their abilities, due to being made with fragments of Tessaiga and inheriting some of its abilities. Which let Zen-Aku also retake the power Seimei stole before wiping him out with a Getsuga Tenshō.
Something that destroys the Takumi Ninja's arrogance and leaves them shattered, begging for mercy from Zen-Aku, only for his mercy to simply be to kill them quickly. With only Ryūgan managing to survive, giving Satsuki the chance to kill him herself.
Which leads to a tender moment between Zen-Aku and Satsuki as they both confess their feelings to each other, while Satsuki admits she still finds him attractive as Zen-Aku, making half-jokingly wonder if she's a furry. Before Zen-Aku turns back into Naruto, allowing them the chance to finally kiss as well.
Finally we see the retrieval team waking up and learning what's happened, leading to some teasing, with even Hinata jumping in on it. With Kurenai being surprised when Hinata reveals she and Satsuki agreed to share Naruto, not expecting the formerly shy Hyūga to be willing to share. Before Kakashi gets them back on the topic of their mission, with their main objective complete now they just need to pick up Yūgao. Though before they leave Hinata gets her own weapon in the form of Nejibana. 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