The next chapter of Vessel of The Demon King. Byako makes his presence known as Team 7 reunites in a most unexpected way.
Chapter 6: Reunion
The battle between Sakura and Sasuke continued. Their weapons clashed against one another as The Land of Grass was the setting for their fight.
Sakura's Sabres struck against Sasuke's Chokuto, holding her own as she glared at Sasuke who stared at her with a neutral look on his face.
Reaching into her pouch she threw out a pair of small orbs that Tsunade gave her for this mission. They exploded hitting the ground emitting blue gas like substance but Sasuke quickly backed away as they would have knocked him out if he had inhaled them.
Shikamaru looking on knew this was personal for Sakura, but he was fearing as well that she was letting her emotions guide and control her. He knew she had long been waiting for this day, and was concerned that she would not think logically in this moment and fall prey to a trick.
(If she lets her emotions control her, then she's going to lose and possibly die.) He thought to himself. (Sakura ever since I knew her back when we were Genin always had a problem with her emotions controlling her, whether it was being rivals or exchanging remarks with Ino.) Shikamaru thought. (I don't doubt that Sasuke has remembered that and will exploit it if the opportunity arises)
(There's also Orochimaru and that servant of his.) He noted as he hadn't forgotten about them. (They've not done anything yet, but they are just waiting to get involved.) Shikamaru thought to himself. He had never faced or confronted Orochimaru before, but the man's reputation was both dangerous and well deserved and it would take all they had just to survive if he decided to take action. Luckily if he did, Shikamaru had as Shino would say, an Ace in The Hole. His family's secret Summon Jutsu beyond their Shadow Technique.
(But where the heck is Sai in all this?) He questioned as he was still nowhere in sight.
Sasuke swung his sword looking to cut Sakura down who avoided it. She gripped the handles of her swords and slashed at him. He blocked the attack as they were in a deadlock, with neither gaining the advantage.
Sasuke's free hand then dropped down and his palm struck her in the chest area, knocking Sakura backwards. She kept her balance staying on her feet as Sasuke performed hand symbols.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball." He said and inhaled before he blew out a giant fireball, the trademark move of his Clan.
The Jutsu came at Sakura and it hit her only for to suddenly be replaced with a log.
"The Kawarimi?" Sasuke said off guard that she would use such a basic technique against him.
He looked for her and his eyes widened as he looked up and saw her leaping from a tree down at him preparing to strike him with her fist. Not able to counter in time, he instead leapt out of the way
Sakura's fist hit the ground, causing it to shake and rumble as cracks formed from the impact of her punch as all around felt the power of her blow. Sasuke steadied himself, keeping himself upright on his balance as he would've been knocked out if that had hit her.
"Impressive." Kabuto noted whilst Orochimaru was seen his arms folded across his chest unbothered by her attack.
"Reminds me of Tsunade-hime's younger days." He noted with a smirk. "But like her, she'll has the same temper and will make the same error." The Snake Sannin said as Sasuke gathered his bearings.
Sasuke would admit, he was impressed. He may have been dismissive of her when he had saw her, but only a fool would ignore her improvement. Sakura had gotten far stronger than he had imagined that she ever would. More than once he had to get on the back foot to avoid a hit. Recalling the annoying fawning girl she had been before when he had first met her, it was a surprise that she was giving him a challenge right now.
(No matter, I've not even tapped into using my Sharingan or Seal yet.) He thought to himself. He just needed an opening and for her to make a mistake and he would end this and be rid of the last remnant of his tie to The Leaf Village.
Sakura gripped her swords as she lunged at Sasuke swinging them. Steel clashed as they fought, clanging against each other.
"This is for Naruto!" Sakura shouted as she brought her swords back. "Water Style: Piercing Swordfish!" She shouted and a swordfish formed out of Water appeared it's nose aiming to skewer Sasuke.
"Fire Release: Flame Barrier: Sasuke said and a dome of fire surrounded him. Creating it which blocked the attack and her Jutsu turned to steam having evaporated.
Seeing it, Orochimaru grinned as there it was. Now for Sasuke to finish this.
Sakura was surrounded by steam which blocked her view, she turned her head and body looking for where Sasuke had disappeared too, as he had vanished into it, leaving no trace of it.
"Where is he?" She said as she gripped her Sabres. She quickly took a deep breath and composed herself as panicking was the worst thing she could do.
She then heard a faint sound, a sound that many would not have heard. The slight sound of foot stepping onto grass.
Just in the nick of time, she arched her body and avoided being pierced through the spine from behind by Sasuke who had just missed her as his sword left a small cut on the fabric of her outfit, a inch closer and he would have skewered her.
She had just avoided it when Sasuke went on the attack, lashing out at her with powerful swings and blows, forcing her on the backfoot as she blocked and defended herself, leaving her unable to attack or fight back.
"You took too much belief in your Water Jutsus." Sasuke bluntly said to her. "Thought it would have been enough to defeat me.
"You've forgotten that Water may douse Fire, but when made hot enough it evaporates and becomes steam." Sasuke said to her. "And I've learned Fire Jutsu strong enough to melt even the coldest ice. As well as my Lightning attacks that will destroy them." He told Sakura only for her to smirk.
"And you forgot that in our mission to Wave, that Kakashi almost died because of this: Water Imprisonment!" Sakura shouted
Sasuke suddenly found himself inside a sphere. Encased in a sphere made out of water that had trapped him. He tried to move but found himself unable to as his arms and legs struggled against the pressure as he shut his mouth to conserve oxygen.
Sakura looked on as she had her hands in the sphere, using The Water Imprisonment Jutsu. The same technique Zabuza Momochi had used against Kakashi on Team 7's mission to Wave so long ago she was now using against him. Sasuke was trapped and unable to move or break loose despite his efforts as the water compressed him as he held his mouth shut. She had him now! At long last she had gotten him in an opening
"I've got him!" Sakura shouted as Sasuke was trapped in the water prison. "Now's our chance!" She called out to the others. "We need to knock him out and cage him now!" She said to Yamato and them as this was their opportunity to take him now that he was immobilized
"Oh no you don't!" Orochimaru called out and he lunged in the air at her and held out his hand. "Striking Shadow Snake!" He shouted and a green snake shot out of his arm it's fangs bearing at her neck.
Sakura was forced to move to avoid it, but in doing so had to break the Jutsu thus freeing Sasuke from it. "Damn!" She shouted as he was now loose. They would've had him if it weren't for Orochimaru intefering, they were so close!
"I've enjoyed this little game long enough, but I will not let you be taking my new body." Orochimaru said annoyance on his face as Sasuke regained his breath. "I'll dispose of you pests myself." He told them
Sakura gritted her teeth when Yamato stepped in front of her. "Sakura you have done well but Orochimaru is a foe you are not ready for. I'll handle him and buy us time to escape." He informed her. "This is the reason I was sent on this Mission."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow as recognition appeared in his eyes. "Ah, the sole survivor of my Shodaime experiments, I thought I recognized you." He said with a twisted smirk. "Fortune appears to continue to favor me." He told Yamato with a laugh. "Not only will I have The Sharingan, but the fabled Wood Release as well. But I suppose I'll show you a little surprise. Sai, come out now!" He shouted.
To The Leaf Nins surprise, Sai then appeared standing beside Kabuto
"What?! You Traitor!" Sakura shouted at him. Sai said nothing as he wordlessly looked on at them.
"Danzo and I have made a deal." Orochimaru said with glee. "In exchange for helping him kill and weed out those who would get in the way of him becoming Hokage, he lends me some of his finest soldiers." Orochimaru said with a cackle as this was a trap all along.
"You bastard! I knew it was all a lie!" Sakura shouted at Sai who did not look her in the eye. As though he could not bring himself to.
"Allow me to deal with the rabble Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto said as he approached. "Wouldn't be fair for you to fight by yourself." He said with a smirk.
"I never did like you Kabuto, always thought you were slimy, even when we first met in The Exam room." Shikamaru said as he stepped forward as Kabuto smugly smiled at him.
Shikamaru getting out a weapon scroll summoned a pair of Iron Fans. Holding one in each of his hands as he held them. The edges were sharp as Shikamaru brought them forward.
"Hmm, the Tessen, a weapon that requires a lot of training to use. Most unexpected choice for a Nara." Kabuto noted intrigued
"I'm as lazy as the next one, I'll admit." Shikamaru told him. "But people don't realize that whenever one of my Clan decides to put their minds to it, we can achieve a week's worth of training in just a day!" He said and he then flung them at him. The spinning fans flew at Kabuto who dodged them, the fans spun and the edges cut through a pair of trees, making them fall over as they spun around and returned to Shikamaru and he caught them.
Kabuto's amusement had been replaced with a frown as he reached into his pouches and pulled out his scalpels which began to glow, being infused with his chakra as well as laced with poison.
"That won't be necessary Kabuto-kun," Orochimaru said. "Sai, show me your expertise, help me dispose of them."
"As you wish." Sai said and pulled out a scroll. Unveiling it he showed on it a painting of a giant black bear which then emerged from the scroll having come to life. The drawing reared up on it's back legs and let out a roar opening it's maw.
"Dispose of my enemies." Sai commanded it. The beast obeyed and stomped towards Sakura and the others.
Just when it looked like it was going to attack them, it then suddenly turned and attacks Orochimaru, just missing biting him.
"What?! Traitor!" Orochimaru hissed in fury his eyes glowing with rage.
The bear swiped at him it's razor sharp claws forcing Orochimaru back. Yamato took that opening to attack.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears!" He shouted firing off an attack. Creating several spears from the ground, they lunged at Orochimaru. Hastily he created a clone of himself which took the hit and then exploded destroying them but Yamato followed up.
"Wood Release: Great Forest Technique!" He then held out his right arm and it transformed into multiple branches with sharp points at the end as his arm extended.
Orochimaru dodged it irritation on his face when the Bear that Sai had created lumbered towards him, only for it's head to suddenly be decapitated from it's body.
Sasuke, having recovered cleaved through the bear's head, destroying it as ink splattered on the ground. His Sharingan was now active as his eyes were red and the tomoe were seen.
Sai made his way towards Sakura who had caught her breath. "Are you alright? Here take this." He said offering her a soldier pill but she batted it away her eyes narrowing.
Sakura grasped Sai by the shirt. "Damn it! Tell me now!" She ordered him. "No more games, no more mysteries. Who's side are you on here?" She demanded him or else she would smash Sai's face in.
Suddenly all those there then felt a presence, an unknown presence that none of them had ever felt before.
A dark and ominous presence that alerted all of them, and was getting closer.
The sound of footsteps was heard on the ground as a figure was seen approaching. Slowly, all of them turned to look on confusion on some of there faces at what was happening as the being came into view.
The figure walked forward as he approached the battle scene. The only sound coming from him was the sound of his boots hitting the ground as he stepped forward and came into view.
"Who is this?" Sakura said in confusion as she saw the armored being approach. His dark armor covered all of his body protecting him and leaving no part of his body exposed as a helmet covered his face hiding his features.
He walked forward, stepping past and paying no attention to Sakura or Sai who Shikamaru noted was shaking and seemed like he was actually afraid. Shikamaru himself felt uneasy as well, even moreso than when Orochimaru first appeared.
(This...This guy, he's powerful.) He said in his thoughts as the mysterious being continued to walk. (Like he could wipe us all out in an instant if he wanted too. And worse, he knows it too.) He said as he could feel the killing intent coming off of him. That which was being aimed directly ahead.
As he walked he continued to look ahead, staring at one figure, not turning to glance at or register The Leaf Ninja, Kabuto or Sasuke. Instead he continued to step forward until he was right in front of the person that had his attention.
"At last I've found you," He said to Orochimaru. "After killing everyone in your base and tearing it asunder, I've finally found you." Byako said to Orochimaru as the scene changed to Orochimaru's base, all the inhabitants were shown dead having been slain by him and it was seen having been destroyed with nothing left in it.
Orochimaru glared at this upstart who dared to stand before him. Did this fool not know who he was doing with?! "Who the hell are you, and what do you want with me?" He demanded to know as he narrowed his eyes. "Do you not know who I am? I am Orochimaru: The Snake Sannin, The Master of Snakes, The Lord of Otogakure and Killer of Hiruzen Sarutobi!" He shouted at them.
Byako stood there impassively as he showed no fear or concern on his person. His gaze was on Orochimaru paying no attention to anyone else.
"I am Byako:" He declared. "King of The Demons, Conqueror of all before me, The True Ruler of The Elemental Nations!" He proclaimed to them all there. "Single handed slayer of over Ten Thousand Humans. What I have come for is your head, so to decorate above my throne." He announced as a dark aura surrounded him as he reached out and drew his sword.
Orochimaru sneered a look of disdain on his face. "Fool! I shall enjoy feeding your corpse to my pets!" He shouted and then bringing his arms out, shot out dozens of long snakes at him from the sleeves of his outfit. The reptiles hissed as they lunged at him their fangs bared seeking to bury them into him.
Byako's hand gripping his sword slightly shifted.
The next thing any of them knew, the heads of the snakes' were shown on the ground, having been decapitated, their headless bodies were shown squirming and thrashing about before coming to a stop.
"W-What?!" Kabuto said in alarm as Byako was shown with his sword, having delivered a slash that had beheaded all of them.
"I...I didn't even see him attack." Sakura said as she hadn't seen anyone ever move that fast. Sasuke looking on was silent as even his Sharingan wasn't able to track his movements.
Orochimaru sneered not impressed at his display. "Try this then!" He said bringing his hands up forming a seal. He then held out his hands and they transformed into snakes. Opening their wide maws, they then fired flesh melting acid at him.
Byako wordlessly lifted up his shield raising it against the attack. The foul smelling acid sprayed against his shield but it held, withstanding the attack showing no signs of damage.
"Is that all?" He stated unimpressed. "How disappointing." He said to them. "Allow me to show you what a true Jutsu is like." Byako said to Orochimaru as he held up his shield which began to glow.
A demonic head shot out of the shield and went right at Orochimaru it's mouth wide. Orochimaru moved out of the way before it could hit him as it was seen destroying several trees and foilage in its path. The Sannin narrowed his eyes and glared back at him but saw that he wasn't there.
"Where'd he go?" He demanded as he had vanished from sight. His cruel gold eyes looked around trying to find where he was hiding as he couldn't see him anywhere.
Unknown to him, from behind, a figure was starting to rise up from the ground.
"Behind you Lord Orochimaru!" Kabuto's voice called in alarm. Just in the nick of time he moved avoiding a slice that would have decapitated him.
Orochimaru whipped around having saved himself and glared at Byako who stood there having sunk underground and traveled behind to ambush him. "So, I'll admit you have some skill." He said with a hiss and a sneer on his face. "But it won't save you!" He said and performed a Jutsu. "Fireball Jutsu!" He said and then followed it up with a second combo Jutsu. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" He said and created a giant gust of wind which made the fireball go faster and stronger
The burning orb of fire slammed into Byako who did not move. His entire being was engufled in flames which were shown being reflected off of Orochimaru's evil eyes as he grinned. No one could take an attack like that head on.
The smoke and debris soon cleared and to his surprise Byako was seen, having taking the Jutsu at full force but was shown to be unharmed as his armor showed no signs of damage.
"Child's play." Byako said as he reached up and undoing his cloak, tossed it aside. "Demon Release: Skeletal Hands." He said.
Rising up from the ground were a pair of large green pale hands, hands that had no flesh on them as they then lunged at Orochimaru, attacking him. The Snake Sannin dodged and avoided the attacks. The two hands clasped themselves together and raised up went to smash him underneath. Orochimaru extended his arms up to grasp a tree branch to pull himself out of the way, he then kicked the tree hard with his foot, knocking it down and crushing the hands.
"I've had enough of this!" Orochimaru said with a snarl.
Orochimaru opened his mouth wide and then regurgitated a Long Sword out from it. He clasped the legendary Blade, Kusanagi by the handle. He then lunged at Byako and it clashed with Byako's own Broad Sword. Sparks emitted and the sound of steel echoed across the area as the swords were shown in a deadlock. Orochimaru had a look of madness on his face as he used all of his strength against him but couldn't push Byako back.
He broke the deadlock and swung at his head to decapitate him but Byako blocked it with his shield. Orochimaru grimaced as the shield withstood the attack. (Impossible, Kusanagi should've cut through that like a knife through butter.) He thought to himself as Kusanagi was forged and crafted out of the strongest materials in the land. He swung once more and Byako blocked again with his shield and swung with his own Sword which Orochimaru avoided.
The two battled and fought. Orochimaru did a spinning chop to him which Byako ducked under and lunged at him with his sword which he avoided. Byako blocked his attacks with his shield as the onlookers watched on.
Sakura knew that she and the others should leave now as things were getting out of hand but she found herself ingrained to the spot, looking on at the battle. Wondering just who was this mystery man? Sasuke it seemed as well was caught up in watching it as he hadn't moved either.
Byako thrust his sword at him which Orochimaru blocked. Gripping Kusanagi with both hands, he brought it up. "Fire Release: Flaming Sword!" He shouted as Kusanagi then became on fire, hot burning flames as he then swung it.
Only to be countered and blocked by Byako's own sword. "Fire Release: Flaming Sword. Byako proclaimed as his own blade lit up, surprising Orochimaru as he used his own technique as dark flames surrounded Byako's weapon.
Byako swung on him as both swords emitted burning heat that would've seared the flesh off of a person's body. "Your sword is no match for Muramasa." Byako stated as he attacked, going on the offensive, driving Orochimaru back. Orochimaru gritted his teeth as his skill with the sword was as great as Sarutobi's skill with the Staff but he was being on the defensive here. Small flames latched onto his clothes but he paid them no mind.
"Summoning Jutsu!" He shouted and opened his mouth and three snakes shot out of there and wrapped around Byako's neck, before sinking their fangs into his head, their poisonous teeth piercing through his armor!
Orochimaru grinned thinking he had him only for cracks to appear on his body as he then shattered apart, making Orochimaru realize that it was a Clone.
Whipping around he was then met with a strong uppercut as Byako emerged from the ground, the force of the punch whipped his head back as a deep bruise was shown on his in midair he landed on his feet fury in his eyes.
"Demon Style: Tomb of Earth!" Byako shouted and the ground around Orochimaru rose up surrounding him on all sides with no way to leap out or escape. The four sides then slammed into him, crushing him into paste.
"Is, Is he dead?" Shikamaru said daring to speak up as they looked on.
He got his answer when a large snake emerged from the ground a distance away, on top of it's head none other than Orochimaru.
Saying nothing he leapt off of it. "Kusanagi Extend!" He shouted and his sword did so. Tripling in length as it looked to impale Byako.
Byako moved out of the way and charged at Orochimaru who retracted his sword. He wasn't fast enough though as Byako attacked.
Kusanagi was seen flying through the air as the blade hit the ground as Orochimaru was disarmed and seemingly unable to defend himself
"Now you shall die." Byako told him.
Orochimaru suddenly smirked. "I don't think so!"
The ground suddenly turned to mud beneath Byako's feet as he began to sink, falling into quicksand as he sank to his knees unable to pull himself out. The ground then hardened again at his waist leaving only his chest, head and arms exposed.
"And just like that, you're trapped!" Orochimaru said mocking him as he prepared to kill him now that he was helpless.
Before Orochimaru could deliver a killing blow, Byako's sword levitated up out of his hand and then attacked, swinging and slashing at Orochimaru who blocked the attacks. Orochimaru was forced to on the defensive caught off guard
Muramasa, Byako's Broad Sword that he had forged and crafted ages ago by Oni, attacked on its own, defending it's Master having sensed his peril. Orochimaru was caught off guard as the blade attacked him, wielding itself forcing him back. The enchanted Sword could react and would raise to protect it's Master whenever he couldn't.
As Muramasa attacked, Byako reached into the ground and punching through it, pulled himself free. Freeing his legs and body as he emerged from it.
"Demon Style!" He shouted preparing a Jutsu as Muramasa returned to him. "A Thousand Attacks!" He said as he did one of his most powerful attacks and then swung his sword.
A slice of energy appeared from it which then multiplied, becoming two, to four, a dozen until numbering in the hundreds.
"Summoning Jutsu! Triple Rashomon!" Orochimaru shouted as he realized this attack was too powerful to take head on or try to dodge. He summoned in front of him, three giant gates shaped in the faces of Demons. His Ultimate Defensive technique, that which would stop any attack from harming him
The barrage of attacks hit the gates seemingly without end. The first one began to show cracks into it before it then crumbled and then attacked the second one.
"Im-Impossible!" Orochimaru shouted in alarm and disbelief at what he saw. The second gate began to show the same signs of damage before it too was destroyed leaving him with only the third one.
The attacks continued on not letting up before they broke through it and Orochimaru was struck multiple times. He was hit by them and he was knocked off of his feet from the barrage as he was seen being sent a distance away crashing through trees as the attacks finally stopped. One thousand in total there had been, a move designed to take out entire armies.
"And now, I shall claim your head as a trophy as I promised." Byako declared as he prepared to step forward.
Suddenly before he could, he sensed an attack as a scalpel slashed at him, hitting against his shield as Kabuto was shown, having attacked.
Kabuto slashed at him with his glowing scalpels, infused with his chakra to kill him. Byako easily avoided them as Kabuto attacked. He pulled out several poison senbon and threw them at him which he deflected easily. Kabuto then did hand symbols as he performed a Jutsu as he got several scalpels and attached to wires spun them around like a buzzsaw of surgical death.
Byako dodged the attacks avoiding the slashes and cuts before he went on the offensive. He sliced and cut through the wires easily, disarming Kabuto of his arsenal who had alarm showing on his face. Before he could react or try to defend himself, Byako swung Muramasa
Kabuto could be heard crying out in pain, as an arm was shown having been sliced clean off.
Sakura covered her mouth in shock as she saw the limb hit the ground, as it had been cut off with no mercy.
Kabuto clutched at the stump of his left arm, from where his missing arm used to be as he was on one knee. He grimaced in pain his face contorted in agony as he saw it was cut off from the elbow as blood dripped from it.
"Let that be the price for your idiocy." Byako warned him as he slammed his foot into Kabuto's chest knocking him down. "You are not the one I'm after." He said as he paid him no mind.
He felt a presence behind him and turned and saw Sasuke Uchiha standing there. The last Uchiha looked on at him but did not back down, despite having seen his power.
"What is this power that you have?" Sasuke demanded to know. "Who are you? How did you obtain this level of strength to best even Orochimaru?" He said to him. "How is it possible to achieve such power?"
"My powers are far beyond your capacity boy." Byako said to him. "No human can match my strength."
"Perhaps, but I've been watching your battle." Sasuke said as he had been the whole time. "I've seen you move, know which way you attack." He said as he brought a hand to his sword.
"Another witless dog protecting his Master." Byako said as Sasuke scoffed at him.
"I do not work for or call him Master." The Uchiha replied with a sneer at being called that. "But I need him as he's the only one who can give me what I need!" He said and his Cursed Seal activated as markings appeared on his body.
Sasuke threw multiple kunai at him laced with Lightning Chakra. Byako deflected them with his sword batting them away but that was only a decoy for Sasuke's real attack.
"Chidori!" He shouted as the chirping of birds was heard as he unleashed his signature move. He thrust the attack at him, aiming to pierce through his armor and into his chest.
Byako created a Chakra Shield which blocked the attack, surprising Sasuke that his attack was not able to penetrate it. Bringing his shield up, he then fired another Skull projectile at him. Sasuke countered with a Great Fireball Jutsu which destroyed it.
Sasuke then followed it up by slashing at Byako with his sword. Byako blocked the attacks with his own sword. Blocking and parrying them, but he did not seem to be putting the amount of effort into doing so as he had done with Orochimaru.
As though, he was toying with Sasuke.
Sasuke realized it as well which angered him, making him draw even more from the Cursed Seal as an aura surrounded him.
His body began to undergo a transformation as his skin turned grey and a marking appeared on the center of his face. Wing like appendages sprouted out of his back as he underwent the Second Level of The Cursed Seal.
Looking on, Sakura gasped whilst Shikamaru grimaced, recalling how his battle with The Sound Kunoichi had went a similar path.
Sasuke attacked him, his attacks stronger and powerful now. "You are only the second person I have used this against!" He informed Byako as he attacked.
"Then I shall be the last to do so, once I end your life." Byako informed him. Sasuke snarled at him as he attacked, alternating between hand and sword combat.
Sasuke leapt up into the air, preparing a Jutsu. He pointed his sword down and let loose with several lightning attacks from it, firing bolts at Byako. Byako brought his shield up and deflected the attacks, batting them aside.
"Chidori Spear!" Sasuke shouted and let loose with an attack, which took the form of a Spear that dove down at Byako. He was counting on him blocking or try to deflect it with his shield, when it did, the Jutsu's true attack would be unleashed.
But to his surprise, Byako leapt up, leaping over his attack into the air. Before Sasuke could react, he found himself face to face with The Demon King.
"I grow bored of this game."
Byako then reached behind his back and grasping the wings, ripped them right off! Sasuke screamed in pain as they wore torn painfully off of his body, no longer able to stay in the air, he then fell down to the ground.
He hit the ground and rolled on the dirt in pain at the searing feeling from his back. Forcing himself to stand despite the pain he was now in, he saw Byako and swung his sword.
Byako caught the sword with his gauntlet covered hand, catching the blade. Sasuke tried to pry it loose but was unable to break the grip despite his efforts. Byako then tensed his hand up and applied pressure to his sword
To Sasuke's shock, his sword was shattered to pieces, having been broken apart into multiple fragments. He staggered backwards holding only the hilt of what was once his weapon disbelief on his face that it had been destroyed. He did not have time to worry though as he was struck across the face by Byako, who's hard fist smashed against his face, breaking his nose as he staggered backwards leaving himself open.
Byako swung Muramasa, his sword hitting it's target. Sasuke cried out in pain as he felt the weapon cutting through his shirt and into his flesh as he reverted back to normal.
A deep cut was shown on Sasuke's chest, from where Byako had slashed him, blood poured from the diagonal cut as he fell backwards onto the ground falling unconscious. He laid there on the ground not moving.
Byako glared at him behind his helmet. "For that you shall now die." He stated as he prepared to end his life.
Suddenly, a voice called out before he could.
"Stop!" Sakura suddenly shouted. "Don't kill him!" She shouted at Byako.
"Sakura stop!" Yamato yelled out to her but she did not. Either bravely or foolishly she spoke up.
"Listen, I don't care if you kill the other two there, but leave Sasuke alone!" She told him. She could see Sasuke's chest raising up and down faintly, he was alive but heavily wounded, perhaps fatally if not tended too soon. "I need him alive, until we take him back to Konoha." She called out to Byako.
Byako ignored her and continued to approach Sasuke.
Sakura, her feet thinking before her head, ran towards and placed herself in front of The Demon King before the others could stop her. "I said, that's enough!" She said stretching her arms out determination in her eyes.
Byako's posture seemed that of amusement that a Human Girl would defy him. "You dare to try and stop me?" He asked and it seemed like he had to hold himself back from laughing behind his Helmet at her audacity.
Sakura glared at him. "Sasuke is coming with us." She informed him. "We are taking him back to The Leaf Village, so that he can stand trial for what he has done."
"Foolish girl, begone from my sight." Byako ordered her but Sakura did not move. Standing in front of him in defiance.
"Look, I don't know if you're this so called Demon King, or whatever you are calling yourself, but Sasuke must face justice for what he has done. I...I have had thoughts of wanting to kill him myself for what he has done, but this isn't the right way for it to be done." She told Byako who scoffed.
"Justice? What a foolish notion you humans have come up with. You say you wish to kill him, but forsake the chance to do so even though all you would have to do now is turn around and put your foot on his throat if you wished to end his life." Byako said to her.
Sakura said nothing as she knew he was right, Sasuke was unable to defend himself and would be so easy to kill him.
But she knew that this wasn't what Lady Tsunade or Kakashi would want her to do. Nor would Naruto be wanting her to do it.
"Move or I shall cut you down." Byako ordered her but Sakura stood her ground. Despite the peril in front of her, she refused to back down.
Suddenly, a wall of logs surrounded Byako on all sides, cutting him off as he was trapped in a cell of wood that had a roof on the top of it. Trapping him with no way to escape.
"Sakura!" Yamato called out to her getting her attention. "Get Sasuke! We are taking him back to Konoha." He instructed her as he had constructed the cell to hold Byako in there. Logs made out of Red Oak and laced with his Chakra for added defense. "We'll stabilize his wounds once we are out of here."
"Right." Sakura said and turned around walked over to Sasuke. She looked on seeing the blood on his chest as his body was turning pale from the loss of it, the deep cut from his wound he had received would give him a scar.
Approaching him she bent down to pick him up off the ground.
"Oh no you don't! Sasuke is mine!"
Suddenly before they could react, Orochimaru having regained his bearing stretched out his arms which extended and grasping Sasuke's unconscious figure, pulled him towards him, retrieving his potential body placing him next to the ground.
"No!" Sakura shouted as the opportunity to get him had been lost
Orochimaru snarled at them all. "This day I will never forget. I shall see to it that you are all dead by my hand!" He vowed as Kabuto was with him having retrieved his amputated limb. "Kabuto, we go!" He shouted and then a giant snake emerged from the ground and swallowed the three before burrowing underground and disappearing.
"Damn!" Shikamaru shouted in anger as they had vanished
"No!" Sakura shouted chasing after them but was too late. "No! No!" She shouted falling to her knees and pounded the ground with her fists in anger. They were so close! They had him! He was right in their hands and he had slipped away!
"We've got to go after them!" Sakura shouted at the three. "We can't let him escape!" She continued to shout at them as she continued to pound the ground. "Stupid! Stupid! I'm still just as weak! Just as hopeless, just as pathetic, as I've always have been!" She shouted cursing her weakness.
"Sakura," Sai's voice spoke up, speaking calmly. "It's alright." He said in a soft tone to her just now. "It's not your fault." He said to Sakura who looked over at him.
"I've come to understand your emotions." He told her. "And why you are so determined to get Justice for your friend, Naruto." He said to her. He wasn't faking it like he had before, he was speaking geniunely to her.
Suddenly, a smashing sound was heard
A fist smashed through the wooden cell, tearing through the red oak wood. Smashing through it as they looked on in alarm and saw Byako emerging from the wooden cell that could no longer hold him. He let out a roar of fury as he broke the wood, stunning the group at what they saw as he broke free.
The four looked on in shock as Byako tore himself free, smashing his way through the logs as though they were paper. Ripping and pulling them off of the ground as his killing intent filled the entire area, that which was aimed at all four Leaf Ninja. Hoisting one log above his head, the Demon crushed it with his bare hands shattering it into splinters as he freed himself.
Byako snarled in fury as he fully emerged, looking on he turned his attention to The Leaf Ninja as murderous intentions was coming from him. Even the battle hardened Yamato took a step back at what they saw before them.
"You Leaf continue to stand in my way! I will show no more mercy!" He shouted as he stomped towards them. "I'll kill each and every last one of you and tear every building apart down to the last hut!" He vowed
Sai was the first to regain his composure and getting his pad hastily summoned several scrolls that had lions drawn on them. They came to life and emerged and lunged at Byako. But despite their life like fangs and claws, they were easily destroyed by Byako who swatted them aside as ink splattered on the ground.
"Annoyances!" Byako said and he brought his hand up and closed it into a fist.
All four of them were knocked off their feet and into the air by the burst of energy that emitted from him alone. Knocking them down and scattering them apart from one another. Shikamaru and Sai hit a tree and fell to the ground whilst Yamato landed on his back.
Sakura was knocked away as well and felt the impact as her stomach hit the ground. She strained to pull herself up as she placed her hands on the ground as she struggled as she fought to get up.
She got herself up to her knees when she felt a gaze upon her. Liftting her head, She looked up and gasped.
Byako stood over Sakura glaring down at her beneath his helmet. Sakura looked upward at him as she felt fear clutching around her heart like a hand made of ice. Fear that prevented her from moving as she felt his killing intent aimed directly at her.
"Sakura!" Shikamaru shouted as he tried to move.
"Die." Byako said and brought up his sword.
Byako raised his sword up, bringing it overhead as he prepared to cut her down. Sakura looked on as there was nothing she could do, nothing she could that would stop the sword from killing her as he begin to bring it down as she shut her eyes and brought her arms up over her head knowing it would do no good as she was now going to die.
But just as he did, he suddenly stopped. He stopped and paused his swing in midair. He was frozen in the spot he was standing in, not moving. As though he had lost control of his body. Sakura dared to open her eyes as she gazed upward. Sakura and them looked on as confusion was on her face at what just happened.
He was going to kill her, he was a second away from doing so and there was nothing she could have done to have stopped him only for him to stop.
The sound of heavy breathing came from Byako as it seemed like he was in pain. As though he was struggling to move as something had taken hold of him. Sakura looked over thinking it was Shikamaru's Shadow Grab had taken hold of him but it wasn't, he wasn't doing anything as he was confused as well by what had just happened. Sai and Yamato also had looks of confusion at what was happening.
Byako continued to stand there, his body not moving a muscle as he was immoblized it seemed like. Sakura was too petrified to move away as she looked on at him as The Kunoichi stared up at him. She stared upward at Byako who although she couldn't see his face behind the helmet, it seemed as though that he was in great pain just now. Strained breaths escaped him as he struggled to keep hold of his weapon
Although her body was telling her to move now that he had stopped, she kept looking on upward at him staring at the sight.
Byako stood in that spot before he tilted his head down to look at her. His eyes despite covered up by the helmet she felt were staring right at her
"S-Sa..." He said unexpectedly as if trying to speak to her. He then spoke out a name.
"Sakura-chan."
Sakura's green eyes widened at what he just now said. She hadn't been called that in years. She was speechless at what she had just heard and he had called her just now.
Byako put his sword away and then turned and ran suddenly. Fleeing as he ran away.
"W-Wait!" Sakura called out to no avail as she saw him disappear. Leaving without a trace and none of them were able to stop him
"Sakura!" Yamato shouted as he and the others ran up to her. "Are you alright?" He asked and she slowly nodded her head that she was fine.
"What was that?" Shikamaru said as it didn't make any sense for him to stop his attack. He had her dead to rights. For all intents and purposes, she should be dead now as there was nothing any of them could have done to save her.
Sakura got to her feet as she looked on at the spot where he had just been. Her mind going a million miles a minute at what had just happened as confusion filled her mind.
She was going to be dead just now, he was about to kill her but only to suddenly stop. As if something was preventing him from doing it. And what he had said, there was only one person who ever had called her that.
An image then appeared in her mind. That of a young boy clad in orange with blonde hair and warm blue eyes with a wide smile on his face.
"Naruto?" She whispered to herself in disbelief.
Byako was shown running, running as he put distance between him and the humans back there.
He burst through the trees and foilage, not stopping as he continued his pace. There was no chance that they could follow after him in their current state as he ran.
Miles he put behind him as he ran, not looking back or stopping for anything. The surroundings becoming a blur to him as he did not stop, he continued to run.
He continued to run for several minutes until he had exited The Land of Grass and came to a stream. He fell to his knees as he breathed heavily. Recalling what had just happened with them there.
"What happened back there?" He said as he panted. He reached up to his helmet and yanked it off, exposing Naruto's sweat covered face and tossed it aside. "Why? Why was I not able to do anything?" He said not understanding why he had stopped what he was about to do.
He was about to kill those humans from Konoha, starting with the Pink haired girl. But when he was about to strike her, he suddenly lost all control of his body. Finding himself unable to move or do anything, as if something was taking a hold of him. Preventing him from hurting her, as though there was a force that was keeping him from moving. Fighting against him and keeping him from doing so. Having grasped his hand it felt like and was stopping him from attacking. Holding him in place. That which he could not struggle against. Never before in his life had such a thing happened to him.
A force greater than his own it seemed had prevented him, grabbing him by the wrist and keeping him unable to attack. That which was holding him back as he could not move a muscle.
He had also said the girls' name. He had never known the girl, a mere human. Yet it felt like he had known her all his life.
Breathing hard, he looked over at the stream of water and saw his, no, he saw Naruto's face there staring back at him.
He looked on at Naruto's reflection before his eyes narrowed and he snarled as his fangs were shown in his mouth as his confusion was replaced with anger.
With a roar he smacked his hand against the reflection, and stood up as the aura of a Tiger surrounded him as rage and fury eminated all over his body at what had happened just now.
"You continue to resist me?!"
A/N: That's it for this chapter. Review please.
And now, for a special treat, the opening to the story set to the theme song Akeboshi from Demon Slayer.
Naruto's body is shown, lying down on the ground as a pool of blood emits from him. He lies there on the ground as is blood is shown seeping towards three statues seen.
The statues began to crack as their eyes lit up before flashing
The scene changes to Naruto's figure falling into the darkness, showing him surrounded by images of his past deeds. Becoming a Genin, forming Team 7, fighting Haku and battling Gaara as his body continues to fall.
As he falls his eye slowly opens as black armor surrounds him as Byako is shown standing upright his face then covered by the helmet.
A hand is then seen emerging from a pool as The Venom Five emerge from it and behind them are represented by their poisonous animals
The scene shifts as we saw Suza flying through the air, she raises her arms up a wicked smile on her face as flames surround The Phoenix Demon. Seiya is then shown as The Dragon Demon is seen with three wolf like creatures as he swings his massive axe and opens his mouth and fires out lightning. Gebu is last shown as a tornado engulfs him that rips apart the surrounding area.
Konoha is then shown as Tsunade is seen looking on at Jiraiya who is lying on a futon his back to her not paying any attention to her, somberly shaking her head as she walks away wishing that Jiraiya would come back to normal.
Sasuke is then seen in walking through an underground base, torches on the wall as he walks as Orochimaru and Kabuto are seen in the background as he walks with no remorse.
Iruka Umino lays a bouquet of flowers in front of a gravestone tears in his eyes as he reads the name on it.
Sakura is then shown swinging her sabres surrounded by a vortex of water as she attacks an unseen foe.
Rock Lee is spotted twirling his Meteor Hammer overhead knocking down several Jiang Shi.
Shikamaru is lastly seen, riding upon a Reindeer before leaping and throwing his Tessen at a pair of Tengu as other Leaf Ninja as well as Gaara and his siblings are shown in battle, facing off against Demons.
Kakashi is seen smiling beneath his mask at Sakura when he suddenly senses a presence. Narrowing his eye he charges the Raikiri as snow falls on the ground and a spear made out ice lunges at him wielded by a masked being.
Naruto is lastly shown at Ichiraki's, with The Konoha Twelve and on top of The Hokage Monument shouting at the top of his lungs.
Sakura is then lastly seen running towards Byako, who is a distance away running as fast as she could towards him trying to get to him. She stumbles but reaches out with her hand to him as he looks on at her with no emotion.
Part of his helmet then chips away revealing Naruto's blue eyes before he fades into darkness.