Chapter 9
Four years later.
"It's time for us to give him the green signal."
"Are you sure he will be ready by now." The man with blue eyes stared at the figure standing in front of him. There was a table between them with the map of elemental nations lying on it. There was a lantern hanging just above their heads which was providing enough light to see each other clearly. The blue-eyed man stared at the map with a frown. His eyes staring at the village hidden in Mist.
"Terumi Mei is becoming desperate Minato. Their resources are thin and they don't have much manpower. They have been fighting for more than four years now."
"I know what you are saying but I'm worried about him. I know he has been a spy for the rebel and us ever since he'd left this village. He is ready but…"
"It's the only option we have. We must conquer this now Minato." The commander of the Konoha forces stabbed his kunai at the point which was showing Mist village.
"Do you really believe that he will be able to kill Yagura? The man who can fully transform into his Biju without losing control." The plea that Minato was showing was irritating the commander now. In the last four years, Minato had done a very good job by defeating Kumo and Iwa in every battle. He'd never seen Minato so desperate and doubtful before.
"Shikaku? If something happens to Naruto then Kushina will not forgive me, ever." Shikaku sighed and rubbed his temple.
"Women are troublesome I know that but Minato this is war people die in this." He reasoned as he continued. "Naruto understood it too. That's why he took this job. Have faith in him." Minato turned his eyes towards the map again. His eyes tracking the route, from Water Country to Wind country.
"I still can't believe that you're suggesting this. This is madness Shikaku." Minato looked at the commander disbelievingly. He shook his head from side to side as he thought about the plan Shikaku had presented.
"In the last letter, Naruto had said that he'd suspicions. Let's just assume that his suspicions turned correct. Then what will you do? You will lose Kiri Minato. This is a golden opportunity to ambush that bastard and take him down."
"Sacrifices is what we need right now. You have two choices. You can either send Naruto to kill Yagura before he agrees with Raikage's and Tsuchikage's plan. If you choose this, then you will save many precious lives.
Or you wait and let the things unfold. Let our enemy plan and send what they would have planned towards us. But in this case, we'll lose many shinobi." Shikaku leaned in and started in his leader's eyes.
"Chose Hokage!" His voice was filled with coldness. Minato closed his eyes and took a deep breath. What to do? Send Naruto after Yagura or not? The boy who had sacrificed everything for this village. The boy who had been risking his life every day ever since he'd left this village. Would he be able to digest his death? Minato shook his head. He can't think like this. He should trust Naruto. Naruto had never failed a mission that was assigned to him.
Shikaku was right. If Naruto might die in this mission, then he will not die alone. He will take Yagura with him as well. Minato was sure of it. Years had passed since he'd seen Naruto face to face. He doesn't want to see his dead body now. He wanted to see him alive. He wanted to see him grow and conquer the world.
"Proceed with the operation." Minato opened his eyes and stared at Shikaku with hardened eyes. The hesitation and the fear of losing Naruto had been replaced with determination and stubbornness. A will of fire could be seen burning in the eyes of the fire shadow.
Shikaku nodded his head as he saluted his leader before placing another file in front of Minato.
"Itachi and Shisui were able to track down the bases of Orochimaru in Otogakure. The Intel from Jiraiya-sama was correct. They have been using that base for experiments and for other operations. They were responsible for the attack on Naruto, Kakashi, and Yugao. They were responsible for it." Shikaku opened the files and stared at the photos that were taken by Itachi and Shisui.
"So, those shinobis were from Otogakure. Were they able to find out if they are allied to our enemies in any way?" Minato flipped through the pages. His eyes drinking every word that was written on them.
"No. But they were able to find out about Orochimaru's right-hand man. His name is Kabuto Yakushi." Shikaku grimaced when Minato cursed under his breath.
"The son of…"
"Yes." Shikaku nodded his head.
"Anything else that can't be discussed in front of the whole council?"
"Well, there is an issue that comes up during Root training." Minato closed the file and waited for Shikaku to speak. Not even a single complaint has been reported to him ever since the program has been started.
"It's about Nawaki and Sasuke." Minato blinked his eyes and nodded his head, motioned for Shikaku to continue.
"They have been inseparable ever since they come to know each other. You know as well as I do that how much they are alike and how much they are different from each other." Shikaku paused and collected his thoughts before speaking.
"Sasuke is a genius and a prodigy, just like his brother. He won every match that he fought against Nawaki. Losing to a best friend gave Nawaki the determination and the boost that he needed to work harder and surpass his best friend.
And now Nawaki always win the match." Shikaku took a seat and relaxed in it before signing. His eyes traveled towards the lantern as he stared at it.
"I don't know but I've my suspicions. He is changing Minato. Losing to Nawaki every time is making him bitter. He doesn't want to admit that but he considers Nawaki as not only his best friend but a rival as well. He'd started training more vigorously. He'd stopped spending time with Sakura and Nawaki, his two best friends. Nawaki is obvious to everything but I think Sakura knows it and trying to change him by forcing him to go with him wherever he goes and drags him to lunches and dinners." Shikaku trailed off as he stared at the wall behind Minato. There was complete silence in the room until Minato spoke.
"The curse of the Uchiha?" Minato muttered under his breath.
"Sasuke and Itachi are brothers and Sasuke love his brother but they both are very different."
"Itachi will always prefer family over everything but Sasuke will prefer power over everything."
"That's a very bold statement Shikaku. Are you certain of it?"
"The attitude that Sasuke is showing? With this attitude, he might be turning into another Orochimaru."
Minato sighed and rubbed his temple. "The rivalry of Nawaki and Sasuke might turn into…it'd would be like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara again." Shikaku shook his head in disapproval.
"I don't think someone with the power like Hashirama-sama and Madara will come again."
"This war will turn something else for Konoha if Sasuke and Nawaki turned against each other."
"And what about Naruto?" Shikaku looked confused, the silence was the answer that Minato needed.
"Do you really think Naruto will allow Konoha to suffer by the hands of Nawaki or Sasuke?"
"Minato its very naïve to place so much trust in him. It would be foolish to think that Naruto will help Konoha if Nawaki or Sasuke…"
"Shikaku, Shikaku." Minato shook his head and smiled thinly. There was something that flashed through his eyes, an emotion that Shikaku had never seen before in Minato's eyes.
"I'm the only one who knows Naruto the most. Let me tell you something about him…Naruto sees this world as a board of shogi. He considers himself as a king and us as pawns. The future generation like Nawaki, Sasuke and Sakura are knights." Shikaku eyes widened slightly as understood the hidden meaning behind Minato's example.
"He already has influence in this village. That's why he moved to Kiri. And now it's almost time for him to move to the next stage. Naruto is a shinobi who doesn't need sword and jutsu to win battles of heart. His sweet tongue is his only weapon, and it is working flawlessly. Kushina loves him like a son. Mikoto likes him as well. Itachi and Shisui are his best friends and they will do anything for him. Kakashi is like a good comrade to him. Yugao is like a sister to him. Now Sasuke, Nawaki, and Sakura they are his best friends. Aren't you seeing the pattern? He is making his own army. A small army filled with skilled and prodigious Shinobi and Kunoichi." Minato finished. The surprise, the pride and the admiration towards Naruto was obvious.
"And you also like him." Minato nodded his head.
"I can't wait to see what he'll do next." Minato laughed slightly as he saw still shocked Shikaku blanched in his seat.
Yugito Nee was in the presence of the Raikage for another mission again. It was always like this now, mission after mission. It's not because of war. It was always like this even before the war. Mission after mission. She knew the Raikage doesn't like her as much as he like the other Jinchuuriki, Killer Bee, the Raikage's brother.
Yugito had worked hard to earn the spot that she had now in Kumo. Though the people of Kumo still looked at her with hate and contempt. They had been always like this. Killer Bee, the hero of Kumo had told her that a time will come when they will look at you with respect and love. A time, when it will come, she doesn't know. Looking into the future, it looked as blank as the paper that was resting on the Raikage's table.
She could complain to Raikage. Jinchuuriki or not, even they need rest. Even they have emotions. Even they have feelings. But the Raikage doesn't know that or he doesn't care about her feelings.
"I've received some intel. Apparently, Onoki has acquired the service of Akatsuki again. He wanted to use that group to attack the base that is situated on the Kannabi Bridge." The Raikage paused as he took a parchment and locked his eyes on it.
"Why aren't he using Iwa forces to destroy the base?"
"I don't know and I'm not interested to know about it as well." The Raikage paused and looked at Yugito. His eyes looking at her, scanning her, judging her.
"Mercenaries are only after money. Once we deal with Konoha then we'll deal with them as well…what I fear is…Onoki using them against us after dealing with Konoha." Well, it doesn't matter. If Onoki has some cards to reveal than he has his cards to reveal as well. Onoki maybe old but he was still the crafty old man who loves to play a game of hide and seek.
"What is my mission?"
"You will go there with C and observe the Akatsuki deal with the Konoha base. You will not interfere unless the Akatsuki members die and fail in the mission. After the mission, go to Mizu no Kuni. There you will meet Killer Bee. At the same time, I'll be with Mizukage in a meeting. You, Bee and I will return to Kumo after that."
A simple mission but with a lot of risks. She looked at the assignment with a frown. Nevertheless, she, as a Kumo Jounin will be able to complete it just fine. Not that she'd any other choice. She'd not be the only Jinchuuriki in the times of war who'd be sitting around enjoying the rays of the sun. A normal life, for a Jinchuuriki? She doesn't think it's possible, especially in this time of war.
She just wanted to live her life like a normal person. A person loved by others.
Lost in thought as she arrived where she thought she'd find C. She saw him sitting with friends and others enjoying the rare moments together. Blinking several times and swallowing the lump in her throat she spoke.
"C?" He turned around and his smile faltered slightly. He excused himself from the company of his friends and headed towards her.
"It's time already?" He questioned as he looked at the setting sun. "You looked tired." He saw her exhaustion clearly as day.
"I know but I don't have any choice." She replied without any emotion.
"Let's go." They both sunshined away.
A week earlier
It was an odd feeling the Raikage felt as he stared at the old Tsuchikage who was coming towards him with his eyes locked on his form. A secret meeting with him, they had used letters before to communicate. To see him in front of him in the times of war when the village was in need of its leader. The recent actions had made Konoha weaker but it had also made things difficult for them. In the times of war, you have to do everything no matter what to make sure your soldiers and your country comes first in the battlefields.
"What's so special about this meeting Onoki?" The Raikage grunted with annoyance as he folded his arms across his massive chest, his eyes glaring at the tiny Kage standing in front of him.
"Madara." The simple word was enough to ring bells in his ears.
"What does he want now?" Raikage was on guard now. Obviously, Madara was the one, the reasons behind the war that was going on right now, everything and every news related to Madara guy, in a simple word, troublesome.
"I'm sure you're not talking about me." The Kage's heads turned around and their eyes locked on the figure that was standing on the tree branch looking down at them.
"Now, I understand this meeting is supposed to be a secret but you can't keep these little meetings secrets from me in which you discuss me, now can you?" Madara disappeared as reappeared beside them.
"I understand that you guys have a lot to discuss and that's why I'll not take much time. Time is precious these days, with the war and all." Madara said nonchalantly as he was talking about the weather.
"What? No response? Cat got your tongue?" Madara's single eye stared at them behind the orange mask with a swirl pattern.
"I've been encountering a problem in Kiri. Someone is leaking information to the rebellions. They have won many battles because of this, and if this continued then they will gain control of the whole Kiri. I don't want that." Madara paused as he looked at them sternly.
"I want you to find out who is behind this."
"But how are we going to find him? I mean, you were unable to find out the spy in the village and…"
"Are you questioning my abilities, old man?" Madara's Sharingan rotated lazily as he stared at the Tsuchikage. Without expecting any answer from the kage he continued.
"I have got a plan for this." Madara turned his attention to the Raikage who nodded his head after listening to the plan.
"Now I know why you fear him Onoki." The Raikage stared at the spot where Madara was standing not too long ago.
"We can't do anything against it. Why is he not using Akatsuki members to eliminate him? I don't know."
Raikage snorted and shook his head. "Isn't it obvious old man? He doesn't want to risk them in the fight. Yagura is a Kage and a Jinchuuriki. He knows Yagura can kill the Akatsuki members. So, instead of sending them, he asked me to send my Jinchuuriki, a Jinchuuriki against Jinchuuriki. But the question is, why is he saving the Akatsuki for?" The small Kage shook his head as he thought hard about what his fellow kage has said. His wrinkled face twisted into a snarl as he clenched his fists.
"That shit. Who does he think he is?" Tsuchikage growled under his breath.
"Madara Uchiha." The Raikage said amused. "And don't forget he was the co-founder of Konoha."
At the same time in Konoha
Root headquarters
Nawaki planted his right foot on the ground on Sasuke's right-hand side; his right foot raised high aiming for Sasuke's temple. Sasuke who was in the crouching position turned right still in the same position and tried to block the kick with both of his hands. The kick connected and the force behind him dragged him back.
Nawaki stepped back and waited for Sasuke to stand up and face him again. Sasuke, with his head, bowed remained in the same position for a moment before standing up and turning around facing Nawaki again, his best friend.
Senju Nawaki, his childhood friend and the only guy he considered his rival. There were many other ninjas in training like Neji and Lee who would love to have a training spar with him but he only fought with Nawaki unless their sensei would ask him to fight another guy.
Sasuke stared at the grinning face of his friend.
'He is strong, even stronger than me. I'm willing to admit that but he is still a goofball.' Sasuke thought as Nawaki opened his mouth to speak.
"What's so funny?"
"When we were younger, you were stronger than me. You always beat me in our spars. But now, things have changed. I worked hard and become stronger than you Sasuke. You always said to me that a genius will always win against a hard worker but what now? I know I'm not a genius like you or Neji but I'm a hardworking person, and the result is in front of you." Nawaki grinned as he rushed towards him to end the match. He ignored the seething look that Sasuke shot at him but he was unable to hide that look from Sakura who was watching their sparring session.
Sasuke activated his Sharingan and ducked the punch that aimed for his face. His fist connected with Nawaki's stomach who stumbled back. Sasuke straightened and jumped in the air and rolled, his right foot connected on Nawaki's left cheek.
"What now?" Sasuke said, satisfied as he stared at his best friend who was on the ground with a small smirk on his face. Nawaki stood up with a bruise on his cheek, blood dripping from it.
"So, you're taking things seriously now." Nawaki wiped the blood from his face and rushed towards Sasuke again.
It was the small field in which they were sparring. A small forest in which stood 500 people in different rows. They were wearing all the same uniform on their bodies. They were none other than the 2nd trainee corps of "Midnight" forces of Konoha, a secret root branch that was created just for war.
They were all children, all around the age of eleven to thirteen. They were all wearing black pants and red shirts. A dark brown jacket was on their chest. A black piece of cloth was tied around their foreheads with a glaring Konoha symbol carved on it.
There was pin drop silence, not a single trainee was speaking except Nawaki and Sasuke. The eyes of everyone was staring at them as they fought.
"Katon: Gokakyu no jutsu (Fire Style: Great Fireball)." Sasuke released the fireball towards Nawaki with his Sharingan eyes glaring at him.
"Suiton: Suijinheki (Water Style: Water Wall)." Nawaki released water from his mouth, a tall wall of water formed and absorbed the fireball. The mist erupted around them. Sasuke took out a kunai and deflect the incoming projectiles with it. His eyes trying to find Nawaki in the mist. He jumped just in time to avoid large roots that erupted from the ground where he was standing.
"You can't hide in the mist forever Nawaki," Sasuke said, his eyes scanning everything around him.
"I'm not hiding." Sasuke turned around sharply, his kunai aimed for Nawaki's neck.
"Clang." Their kunais clashed as they stared at each other, then they jumped backward, they threw kunai at each other before taking out their katanas. Sasuke rushed forward and slashed Nawaki with his sword. Nawaki sidestepped the attack and moved his left foot to kick Sasuke in his stomach. Sasuke pushed chakra into his left palm and blurred his hand towards the incoming foot and grabbed it. Nawaki tried to pull back but couldn't.
Sasuke gripped his sword that was in his right hand and aimed for Nawaki's left arm, the sword connected.
"A clone." Sasuke looked around to find the real Nawaki.
"Katon: Karyudan (Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb)." Sasuke released missiles of fire all around him. The training ground lit with fire as the mist disappeared around them. Sasuke saw Nawaki standing calmly with a concentrated look on his face.
"Like I said before, I'm not a weakling anymore." Nawaki said with determined look before rushing towards Sasuke again. He channeled the wind chakra in his blade and aimed for Sasuke's head. Sasuke channeled his lightning chakra into his sword and blocked the strike with his own.
"Lightning element is weaker than the wind," Nawaki smirked as he pushed more chakra into his blade. The lightning chakra around the sword begun to disappear, Nawaki looked at Sasuke and saw him smirking at him.
"Too arrogant, are we?" Sasuke shocked Nawaki when he released his sword and rushed forward. Sasuke hugged Nawaki.
"The real shock will come now," Sasuke whispered in Nawaki's ear before he activated his jutsu.
"Raiton: Hiriaishin (Lightning Style: Electric-needle spark)." After coming in contact with his opponent, he raised his arm into the air and generated a powerful bolt of electricity that traveled through his body and transferred it to his opponent. Sasuke was expecting Nawaki to scream but he growled when the Nawaki in front of him revealed to be a clone.
"Damn you Nawaki. Stop sneaking around."
"Doton: Tobi Tsubute (Earth Style: Flying stones)." Sasuke wasn't fast enough to block all the stones that headed towards him with greater speed. He tried to sunshined away but got hit in the process. Sasuke grunted in pain and looked at Nawaki who was grinning at him. He scowled and stood.
"Alright, that's enough." Their eyes turned towards the guy who was standing with the Hokage. Their sensei, Baku was looking at the students that were trained by him.
"The second batch of the Midnight." His dark black eyes observing each and everything with a critical gaze.
'Too young to be on a battlefield.' His observations came to a halt. Those so-called children were the best soldiers that Konoha had to offer, of course, they still need experience and they still need to know the feeling of killing and smell blood in the heat of battle.
He, himself had been through two wars. He'd fought beside Sandaime Hokage. That's why Minato had assigned him to this assignment, the sensei, the teacher, whatever they would like to call him.
Sending them in a war was crucial but they had done something more crucial than that. The war supposed to do that. It had to be done. They were shinobi and it was supposed to be done. It was the reality of the world in which they lived anyway.
Baku stopped when his eyes landed on the brown-haired boy who was looking nervous, his eyes looking everywhere as if he was expecting to be attacked. Then Baku stepped in front of a girl and glared at her. The kid saluted the officer.
'A Hyuuga.'
"Who are you?"
"Hyuuga Hinata, sir." Baku blinked stoically as he saw how she was trying to sound brave.
"What are you here for?" Baku barked, his voice carried the authority and coldness that was needed to set the children like her in a mindset.
"To fight for Konoha, to kill all the enemies of Konoha." Hinata swallowed as Baku snorted disapprovingly. He grabbed her by her collar and lifted her off the ground so he could look into her eyes.
"The only one who is going to die is you Hyuuga." He threw her straight on the ground.
'You're as crafty as Hiruzen was Minato. You told the council lies. If they would see these children going to war and what they would go through, they will have your head.' Baku's eyes landed on Minato who was looking at him knowingly as if he'd an idea what he was thinking about.
"The time has come…" Minato began as he stepped in front of the trainees and paced back and forth in front of them. His hands folded behind his back, "for you to make your place in this world. The time has come to show who you truly are. The time has come to defend your clan, your family and most of all your village.
Young soldiers, today I'm standing in front of you not as your kage, but as a soldier who will do anything to defend and protect the nation that is Konoha." Minato stopped and faced them with determination blazing like a fire tornado in his eyes.
"The enemy is getting stronger day by day. The only thing that is standing between them and our nation is YOU."
"Come and join me and show them what we really are." Minato's calm voice heard by all as everyone roared.
Later
"Our lives are going to change from tomorrow," Sakura said as she picked the cooked piece of meat with chopsticks. "I still can't believe that we're all ninja now." She smiled excitedly, "I can't wait to go outside of this village."
"I'm not sure if you should be excited or not, we still don't know what we're going to face." Nawaki said.
"It's so naïve of you thinks like that Sakura, Nawaki. Life of a Ninja is not a bed of roses." Sasuke said calmly, his eyes glancing towards Sakura to see her reaction.
"You think I'm stupid. You think Sakura Haruno, apprentice of Tsunade Senju is stupid." Sakura glared at him while Nawaki ignored Sasuke, he swallowed the retort that he was going to give to Sasuke.
"And that's what I'm saying exactly. Feeling high and mighty because you're Senju's apprentice." Sakura's eyebrow twitched as she clenched the chops sticks tightly before she smiled thinly.
"You know what Sasuke-chan, you are feeling jealous. You would think an Uchiha like you…"
"Shut up." Sasuke glared at Sakura as she waved her chopsticks in front of his face with a grin.
"Oh, now what Sasuke-chan."
"Don't call me that." Sasuke glared intensified.
"Don't call you what." Sakura grinned and placed the barbecued piece of meat in her mouth.
"You know what." Sasuke almost shouted annoyingly.
"What do you mean by that," Sasuke growled, he was about to lunged towards Sakura when Nawaki placed his right hand on his left arm. Sasuke looked at Nawaki who was shaking his head.
"Really?" He looked at Sakura and rolled his eyes. "Guys please, I'm too tired to listen to your bickering. We have got a mission tomorrow remember." Nawaki glared at Sakura when she was about to say something to Sasuke. Sakura pouted and turned her attention towards her meal.
"I'm going; I don't feel hungry anymore." Sasuke stood up abruptly, placed his money on the table before leaving them alone. Nawaki and Sakura looked at him with confusion before shrugging their shoulders.
"What's up with him?" Sakura glanced at Sasuke for the last time before turning her green eyes towards Nawaki.
"You shouldn't have said that Sakura. You know he is sensitive and he don't like it when you call him like that." Nawaki frowned. Sasuke's cold attitude towards him and Sakura, spending time alone, training hard as ever. It was like there was someone who was influencing him from the shadows.
"Maybe he is going through the typical Uchiha fever," Sakura suggested with an innocent look.
"Be that as it may, it's so irritating to see him brooding like that."
"Al least we're not going through the Uchiha fever." Sakura and Nawaki laughed.
Hokage Office
"The first mission as Midnight soldiers." The Hokage looked towards the young soldiers that were standing in front of him. Sasuke Uchiha, Nawaki Senju, Sakura Haruno, Hinata Hyuuga and Neji Hyuuga. All of them were wearing black pants and dark brown chunin jackets with black shirts underneath and black boots. They were wearing a dark blue piece of cloth around their foreheads as a Konoha protector.
"You all have special abilities, that's why you were chosen in operation Midnight. This is your first mission and I know you are all waiting for this moment for quite some time now."
"You bet old man, I can't wait to go outside and show them…" Nawaki shouted with the largest grin on his face.
"Nawaki, don't give me a reason to kick you out of this program." Minato looked at his son sternly who gulped and looked at everyone with a sheepish expression.
"You mission is to get into the Mizu no Kuni. Someone will contact you once you will reach there. But before you go there, I want you to go to Sunagakure, meet the Kazekage and give him this scroll. Whatever he will give you take it to Mizu. The person who will meet you there will know what to do…understood?"
"Hai Hokage-sama." The soldiers responded. The soldiers left the Hokage's office in a sunshine, Minato turned his chair towards the window and spoke.
"I hope he knows what to do now? Now that we've given him the signal." Jiraiya of the sannin appeared from the window and leaned his back against the wall, he folded his arms across his chest and nodded his head.
"You shouldn't have chosen an inexperienced team Minato. You have experienced and powerful shinobi in Midnight. They are young as well."
"Because they are the only ones who knew Naruto more than anyone. Sakura, Nawaki, and Sasuke were his friends, sort off. While Hinata and Neji will become his friends when they will meet him. I've no doubt about that. I know they don't have much experience in the field but I think it's the best mission for them to start their career." Minato paused, waited for his sensei to argue but he remained silent.
"Were you able to collect information about Akatsuki?"
At the same time
Kiri
A young boy in his pre-teens was standing on the part of the village that had seen better days. The smoke was rising from buildings, trees were torn apart, and he could see flies, eagles, crows chewing on the human flesh that was dead. He could smell the burning of coal, the smell of rotten flesh and feel the heat on his body. All in all, it was not a good sight.
The port the town had where ships would normally be bustling in and out were non-existent with their port destroyed. He remembered the day when a Konoha messenger eagle came with the signal.
He was sitting outside of the bustling crowd and village, outside of the prying eyes when the eagle threw the scroll to him. Naruto re-read the scroll and burned it with a quick Katon jutsu before disappearing and reappearing in his small apartment. He changed his clothes, black anbu pants with red full sleeve shirt with black boots. He wrapped a red cloth around his forehead with Konoha Insignia on it.
Almost prepared, he placed several seals around his apartment before disappearing from the sight. Naruto walked swiftly towards Kiri gates, hiding in the shadows before appearing in front of the guards standing there. His Sharingan eyes activated and it took only a glance for him to place all of them into a genjutsu.
Naruto came to a halt when he sensed an army of shinobi hiding not too far away from him. Naruto sent a fireball towards the sky, a signal, after a while he saw a water ball. He nodded his head and started walking towards the assembled army. His form was covered in a black cloak. He stopped when he saw two shinobi, one wearing glasses with a sword in hand and another one with a patch covering his eye staring at him.
"Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto introduced himself.
"Let him come in Ao." A female voice spoke. The shinobi hesitant before leading him towards the tent. He entered the tent and saw a woman with auburn hair sitting in a chair. Naruto could feel several shinobi hiding in the tent, ready to strike. The two shinobi stood behind him.
Naruto revealed his face and saw Mei eyes slightly widened before she smiled slyly.
"Uzumaki Naruto." Mei guessed.
"Mei-sama." Naruto bowed before standing up straight. "Uzumaki Naruto at your service."
"How are things in the village, my little spy," Mei said sweetly as she stood up and waved her hand towards the two shinobi who escorted him here to get out of here.
"They are unprepared; our attack will be unpredictable. I'm hoping to launch an attack as soon as I can. The more we wait the more time we will give them to get themselves into action."
"They don't know you're here do they?"
"Yes, they don't know. But I don't think it will last for forever." Naruto took out a scroll from his storage seal in his wrist and opened it before placing it on the table.
"Mei-sama, if you don't mind, would you please call your commanders to come here. I wish to instruct them." Mei nodded her head. Naruto stood there waiting for everyone to come and relax in their seats before responding.
"There are three gates. North, south, and east. There is a hidden entrance on the west side, underground, that will lead us to the heart of the village, but it is highly guarded.
On every gate, you will see, sense anbu teams high on alert with one sensory ninja in them. The West area is the most difficult one. There are shinobis, Jounin level guarding this place and I believe the Mizukage will be here because of its high security." Naruto paused here and waited for someone to ask a question. When no one did he resumed.
"Be careful though, this place is covered in traps. So I suggest you should send a team who can take down every obstacle in no time. Now the other reason this place is highly guarded is that of prison."
"How would we know that it's a prison? I mean there will be lots of buildings there, in this area."
"You don't have to look for it. You have to hear it; you will hear screams. The building will be dirty as well." Everyone grimaced. The tent went deathly silent. Everyone glanced at each other hesitantly. But the most shocking thing was how the child had said it with the straight face. It was as if he was used to it.
Many commanders in Mei's army doubted Naruto's abilities when they saw him for the first time. But seeing how he has planned everything and how mature he looked, it seemed to them that living in such a harsh place for years had turned him into what he was now. It's not the age that mature a person, its experience one gain in its life that tell their maturity. Age doesn't matter in their world.
For the next hour, Naruto instructed them and answered their questions. It was late in the night, almost half an hour before they would launch an attack on the village. He was sitting outside of the tent seeing the stars in the sky. People all around them were talking and joking, but he could feel the nervousness in their voice, fear, and anxiety. They were all eating and drinking.
He sensed someone approaching him and heard the rustling of clothes when that someone sat down beside him.
"How old are you." Naruto glanced at the rebel leader before thinking how to answer that question.
"Why? Do you want me to ask you out on a date?" Naruto could feel Mei smiling at his comments.
"You're too young for me kid." She mocked before he heard her whispering. "If you would have been a couple of years older." He heard Mei sighed.
"I'm twelve," Naruto answered.
"You've done what many grown shinobi were unable to do." She commented, praised him.
"The battle is not over yet Mei-sama. You can praise all you want after we will win the battle." Mei chuckled bitterly.
"Do you really think we will win this battle? You know deep down in your heart how difficult it would be for us to win this war."
"You're their leader, just imagine what they will do if they find out what you are thinking now. Now that you're only one step away from achieving your goal, you shouldn't give up."
"A win that I have a very thin chance to see it. I don't think I'll be able to celebrate our win, if we win that is."
"You fear death, that's not surprising because even the death angel fears death. If you don't want to fight for yourself then don't. At least fight for those who are standing behind you, fight for future generation." Naruto stood up from the ground and looked at Mei.
"I fight only for myself but I'll fight for those who want me to help them in their battles." Mei was about to say something when someone approached them.
"Your orders Naruto-sama?" Naruto came out of reverie when he saw shinobi standing in front of him. He turned his eyes towards Mei who was watching the exchange.
"Go to your leader, she will instruct you what to do," Naruto said without breaking eye contact with Mei. She stood up and gave a thankful nod to Naruto.
"I work alone. If you send your men to me then they will only produce distraction for me. I won't be able to fight properly." Naruto saw Ao opened his mouth to speak or retort. He knew that man doesn't trust him much.
"Okay. What will you do?" Mei accepted his reasoning.
"I'll take the west area. I'll first rescue the prisoner than blow up the empty the building. This will be a signal for you to send your first unit behind me." Mei nodded her head again and turned towards her commanders.
"Now then, I'm going." Naruto nodded towards Mei then towards Chojuro before heading towards Kiri village. Naruto appeared at the gates of Kiri and released the guards that were under his genjutsu before disappearing. He walked around the village and nodded towards every shinobi who walked passed him. His senses on high alert as he walked around the village like it's a normal day.
Naruto appeared in front of the highly restricted area. There were fences covered with lightning chakra around the area. It's the west wing, there he could hear screams coming from the building, and there was a hospital and the largest building, the Mizukage's quarters.
He suppressed his chakra and activated his invincibility seal. He activated his Sharingan eyes and scan the area. He saw several traps lying around the area. Shinobi were walking on the walls that were twelve feet tall.
Naruto took several exploding tags from his seal and placed them around the entrance. He was about to place another seal on the fence when…
"Hey." Naruto turned his head sharply towards the voice, his heart thumping in his chest, he shivered but sighed in relief when he saw two men holding a stretcher making their way towards him. Naruto stood up and stepped in the shadows.
"Open the gate." One of them shouted and Naruto's eyes widened when a man materialized out of thin air on the other side of the fence.
"Camouflage!" Naruto cursed under his breath. "That man is dangerous. Thank God he didn't sense me." He saw the man stood up, a cigarette in his mouth as he placed his hand on the fence. The gate opened whilst Naruto activated his invincible seal. When the last man was about to enter the gate, Naruto jumped in. He landed swiftly and silently not too far away from the guard who became invincible again after closing the gate.
Naruto remained in his crouched position, thinking how to take that guard down without making any noise.
"Hey," Naruto whispered. He saw no movement for a while until the man revealed himself with kunai in his hand and looking around.
"Show yourself." Naruto took out a senbon from his seal, channeled wind chakra in it, and aimed it. The man fell on the ground with a thud. The senbon was so fast that it passed right through his neck. Naruto took out a scroll, sealed the corps and then placed the seal on the fence. The seal glowed and sucked the lighting chakra from the fence. When it was done, Naruto started deactivating the traps all around the area without making any noise.
After half an hour, he was ready to rescue prisoners. Naruto entered the building, closed the door and locked it. He took out his katana and started killing every shinobi that crossed his path. He followed the screams until he entered into a large hall with small cells all around it. There were three shinobi patrolling the hall. Naruto tossed the kunai lased with wind chakra at the closest guard whilst disappearing and appearing in front of the guard who was at the end of the hall. With one swift strike, the guard was down. He turned around and saw the last guard looking at him with wide eyes before turning around and running towards the exit. Naruto tossed the kunai at the last guard, the kunai struck him in his skull. He fell on the ground dead without making any noise.
Naruto created several shadow clones who destroyed the cell gates.
"Everyone don't panic. I'm here to rescue you. We don't have much time." Naruto's clones started sealing people into scrolls.
"Who are you?"
"There is no time for introductions…"
"We can help. I'm Zabuza Momochi." Naruto stopped what he was doing and turned towards the man. He was standing with a girl around his age. Their clothes were dirty but they were in good condition to fight.
"And this girl?" Naruto glanced at the girl who was staring at him with an emotionless face.
"She is my apprentice, she can fight. I assure you." Naruto nodded his head and took out two swords from his storage seal and gave it to them.
"Here take these soldiers pills as well."
"Thanks."
"Don't worry about it. I'm going to blow this building into pieces. This is a signal for them to attack the village."
"Who?"
"Mei Terumi." Naruto glanced at the shocked face of Zabuza before sealing all the scrolls into his storage seal.
"Come on, we don't have time. We only have ten seconds." Naruto yelled as he threw exploding tags everywhere.
After exiting the building Naruto came to a halt when he saw a shinobi standing in front of him. The shinobi was about to scream to alert his fellow shinobi when Naruto saw two needles made of ice struck him in his throat. He turned around and stared at the girl.
"Nice aim." He acknowledged her before leaving the area through the way he came.
"Well, here goes nothing." Naruto made a Ram seal.
"Kai." He yelled and there was a boom. And at the same time, Naruto saw the first rays of sun shining behind the clouds.
"Hey, Naruto." Naruto came out of his reverie when someone called his name, he turned around and saw Zabuza waving his hand in front of his face.
"That was one hell of a boom." Naruto nodded his head again. He could feel Mei chakra approaching them.
"Damn, you took the hospital down too."
"I don't care about that. My mission was to rescue prisoners and take down soldiers as much as I could and I did. But I think I still have some energy left to face Yagura." He muttered the last part under his breath before turning towards them.
"Anyway, if you wish to go back then you can. I'm sure the rebels have already taken down the east side. You can go there." Naruto said before he ducked to avoid the kunais that headed his way. Naruto turned around and saw his sensei standing there with blood stain clothes.
"I never thought I'd see you in this form Menma." Naruto frown deepened, "I went to your apartment to inform you that the village is under attack but I found your apartment empty, I found nothing except traps."
"My name is not Menma sensei."
"I'm not surprised. You were a spy, from the start. It's my duty as a Kiri shinobi to end you." The man took another kunai in his hand.
"You go Naruto. Leave him to me." Naruto looked at Zabuza who before glancing at the girl.
"You sure?"
"Yes. Haku and I'll be able to deal with him."
"I'd love to fight with you, sensei but I have got a bigger fish to fry." With that said Naruto disappeared from the sight.
"Enemy forces are approaching, prepare your kunais." Naruto was standing on the large building from where he could see Mei shouting orders to her soldiers. He looked around, Yagura was nowhere, and only Kiri soldiers were fighting. The West had been captured as well as the east and north. This means he was standing on the south side, the shinobi academy area.
"ON MY COUNT…1…2…3…FIRE."
It happened too fast. Five hours ago everything was fine, the night was calm and time was passing like every night until they heard the boom. The night and the dark sky lit with fire on the west side, the most difficult side to penetrate and the most guarded place in the village. The explosion was so great that the whole village felt earth trembling, they saw cracks appearing on their buildings, windows shattered, and it was the sign, they knew that the village was under attack.
Kerai was one of the Jounin and Academy teachers for many years. He was in his apartment when he heard the explosion. He quickly got up and exited his apartment and headed towards his favorite student's apartment. He saw how the village was on fire, how shinobi were fighting with each other. The west side had been crumbled almost. It was chaos, the screams. He knew the rebels had attacked the village. But the most astonishing thing was that how they'd done it, so silently and quickly. It was almost like an inside job.
He came out of his thoughts when he reached his destination.
"Menma." He yelled, hoping for him to open the door. He shouted his name again but got no response. Kerai stepped in front of the door and banged the door. Then he saw seals glowing all around the apartment.
Boom
The apartment exploded and felt several pieces of wood and glass penetrating his skin. But he was still in a good shape to fight. Kerai headed towards the west side and when he approached he saw Menma standing there with Zabuza and girl around Menma's age.
"My name is Naruto Uzumaki." And then he knew it was Menma who was a spy, who leaked information to the rebels.
'Uzumaki? I should have known.'
"Who would have thought that you would be the one behind this, we were looking for you, for how many years? Four?" Naruto glared at Yagura who was standing between corpses of Kiri shinobi.
"And who would have thought Mei Terumi would be able to destroy Kiri and its forces so easily." Yagura mused. His eyes glanced at Mei who had her fist clenched tightly.
"You killed my mother, you killed my father and you killed thousands of innocent people YAGURA." Mei spat venomously. Lava dripping on the ground from her hands.
"They were all monsters," Mei growled and tried to attack Yagura, but Naruto stopped her by grabbing her arm.
"And are you not? You, who killed thousands of innocent people, people who begged for mercy, are you not a monster?"
"I don't care what you say Uzumaki. It's time I kill you for good. You have been a thrown at my side for four years, spying and giving information to the rebels. But rest assured, I'll kill every Konoha shinobi after I'm done with you and the rebels." Naruto stepped in front of Mei.
"You're injured and out of chakra. You are in no way fighting a Jinchuuriki. I'm a pseudo-Jinchuuriki, at least I have a chance fighting him. Go." Mei took a deep breath and nodded her head.
"Be careful. I want you in one piece handsome." Naruto smiled at her and nodded. He heard Mei barking orders to her soldiers.
"A pity that you're not what I presumed you to be Menma."
"I don't think you felt pity, a man who killed innocents, and a man who take joy in killing people." Naruto's emotionless tone was colder than the wind blowing around them.
"Joy? I take no joy in killing humans, boy. I kill only those who are tainted so that I can preserve the pure blood of humans."
"You? Who have Biju sealed in him taking about blood purity?" Naruto mocked.
"Everyone stay on alert and do not engage in their fight. I repeat, do not engage in their fight. They are Jinchuurikis." Mei yelled loudly to the assembled army around her. The village was under their control and so does the prisoner that Naruto had rescued. They had lost many shinobi but they have freedom. Just one obstacle in their way…
"Do you really think the kid would be able to hold his own against Yagura." Mei glanced at Zabuza before locking her eyes at Naruto's form.
"If he was able to survive for four years as a spy in this village then I believe he will be able to survive this battle as well." Zabuza raised an eyebrow at that.
"Survive? You don't believe that he will win?"
"He fight for survival, not for win." Mei said simply and glanced at the Zabuza's slightly surprised face.
In the far vast sea, two people were standing facing each other. One was just a twelve-year-old boy and other was a man, a Mizukage, one of the strongest ninja amongst the hidden villages.
Naruto casually stared at the short child unbelievably, though there was no emotion on his features. It was still hard to believe that this was the Yondaime Mizukage, the 'tyrant'.
Everyone is a tyrant in their own way, always trying to impose their ideas on others. Some would do anything to establish their tyranny. And Yagura was one of them. He killed so many innocent people that Naruto thought was this man a man or not? Maybe a monster in the form of human.
But what about him? He, who killed hundreds…Naruto shook his head and stared at his opponent's appearance. Despite looking like a child he was a grown male, with messy light-grey hair, pink pupil-less eyes and stitched like scar running from under his left eye. A gray sleeveless shirt with Kiri forehead protector. Short sleeve meshes armor over which he was wearing a green poncho along with a turquoise sash around his waist, paired with a green apron over his pants. He was also wearing a pair of brown boots. He carried a staff-like pole weapon with uneven sized hooks with a green flower on the end.
"We all make mistakes and that determines how we will be remembered by our people." Naruto looked at the Mizukage surprised.
"Is this the answer of killing innocent people of your own village? Is this the answer for justifying your actions?"
"You don't get it, do you? You're a child. Just give up, you can't defeat me."
"You look confident. Because of this child, your forces are down and your village is in this state." Naruto's answer brought a scowled on his face.
"Enough chit chat." Yagura pulled his staff from his back. A large wave of water erupted from his side and rushed towards Naruto.
"Suiton: Hahonryu (Water Style: Rapid Crasher)." A large wave of another water erupted from Naruto's side and clashed with Yagura's.
'I've to play this game very calmly. He is the Jinchuuriki of the sanbi, which means his strongest element would be water…maybe even stronger than mine.' The water fell on the ground, soaking the earth as it disappeared underneath.
"So you have a water element as well." While Yagura was busy trying to rile Naruto, Naruto was busy taking his gravity seals out.
'If I've to play this seriously then I need speed at my disposal. He is a long range fighter, judging from his staff. Which means I should use Taijutsu…genjutsu is out of the question.' Naruto thought grimly, as he felt the heavy weight on his body disappeared. He stretched slightly before disappearing in pure speed.
Naruto appeared in front of Yagura, his fist aimed for his mouth. His eyes locked on Yagura's surprised ones as he stopped the attack with his staff barely. Naruto rolled around, his right foot aimed for Yagura's head. The Mizukage jumped backward and pointed his staff at Naruto.
"Impressive speed you've got their young one." Naruto sensed chakra building in Yagura's body. He took a deep breath before releasing hundreds of bullets of water at Naruto.
"Doton: Doryuheki (Earth Style: Earth Wall)." Naruto placed his hands on the ground, a large wall erupted that stopped the incoming bullets, though some passed and hit him on his chest. Naruto grimaced. He felt earth rumbling slightly before his earth wall shattered and a fist covered in Biju's chakra connected with his face. The force behind the punch was so great that it pushed Naruto several feet's backward.
"First blood," Yagura smirked when he saw Naruto spat blood.
"You're taking me seriously now?"
"Your speed is impressive. I've never seen someone move so fast without using any technique and besides you are a Jinchuuriki as well." Naruto wiped the blood from his lips, his heart thumping in his chest. His blood boiling as he felt smile appearing on his face. He hadn't felt so much excited before.
"Suiton: Suiryudan no jutsu (Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique)." A large tidal wave formed by Yagura and from it another water dragon emerged from the bottom giving it the shape of a Tsunami monster that has the head of the dragon, and it quickly rushed towards Naruto. And Naruto was ready for that. He formed a single seal and puffed his chest.
"Katon: Goka Mekkyaku (Fire Style: Great Fire Annihilation)." Naruto took a deep breath and released the largest flame that Yagura or anyone who were watching the fight had seen.
"Amazing." It was the only word that Mei uttered when she saw the flames. They were so hot that even she could feel the heat.
Yagura wasn't expecting something like this. The flames roared and engulfed water dragon before rushed towards the surprised Yagura whilst Naruto released the seal and disappeared and appeared behind Yagura with his sword drawn.
Slash.
Naruto saw a deep cut appeared behind Yagura's back. He disappeared as flames engulfed Yagura. Naruto waited for the flames to die down. There was a large crater where the water dragon and flames had clashed. Yagura was in a three tails Jinchuuriki form. He disappeared and Naruto crossed his arms just in time for Yagura's fist to come in contact with it. Naruto slided back as Yagura tried to push more power in the punch. From the corner of his eyes, Naruto saw Yagura's left fist coming for his head. He jumped back slightly and found Yagura behind him.
'His speed has increased as well. Would I be able to avoid that punch?' Naruto turned his head backward and ducked, avoiding Yagura's punch. But Yagura's knee connected with his back and forced him to stand up. Yagura grabbed Naruto's left hand with his left and smashed his right foot on Naruto's back. Another same attack but this time aimed for his head, Naruto took a crouch position whilst he grabbed Yagura's right foot.
Yagura tried to jerk his foot away but Naruto's grip was strong.
"You release my arm and I'll release your foot." Naruto glanced at Yagura who stopped before releasing Naruto's left arm.
"Big mistake," Naruto said before grabbing Yagura's leg with both of his hands and smashing him on the ground. A big crater formed due to the force of the impact. Naruto grabbed his right wrist with his right hand and gathered chakra. There was a sound of chirping birds.
"Chidori!" He exclaimed and tried to connect his hand on Yagura's chest. But the transformed Jinchuuriki was fast and escaped.
"How many elements does he know?" Haku questioned in a voice full of amazement and wonder, a question that was on everyone's minds.
"Only wind is left." Some shinobi replied.
"You're a remarkable shinobi Uzumaki Naruto." Yagura's deep voice growled. "But you won't be able to stand against this attack." Naruto ignored Yagura's rant and took out his sword, coated it with wind chakra before rushing towards the Mizukage. He was about to reach Yagura when he opened his mouth and fired Biju dama at him. Naruto instead of sidestepping the attack rushed towards it. His left arm transformed, it grew bigger and wider, red chakra appeared around it. Naruto's claw-like hand connected with Biju dama, and it was a mistake. The Biju dama exploded.
Yagura fired another Biju dama at Naruto when he saw a bleeding Naruto in a crouched position. Yagura fired another, then another and then it was Yagura chasing Naruto while firing Biju dama.
"Damn it." Naruto cursed as he saw Yagura firing another Bijudama. He formed a seal, two shadow clones formed and sunshined away.
Naruto's two clones appeared behind Yagura before going through hand seals.
"Katon: Gorykua no jutsu (Fire Style: Dragon Flame jutsu)."
"Futon: Daitoppa (Wind Style: Great Breakthrough)."
The fire and wind technique mixed and it formed a large twelve feet tall dragon head that roared and headed towards Yagura who was chasing Naruto.
When Naruto felt heat, he knew they had succeeded. He waited for a couple of seconds before disappearing from the attack range. Naruto saw the dragon engulfed Jinchuuriki form of Yagura as he tried to catch his breath. His left arm bleeding, he could pain in his chest because of cracked rib. He concentrated on the Biju's chakra inside in his body and soon enough he felt his injuries healing.
The jutsu connected with the ground, the earth trembled slightly. Everyone waited for the smoke and debris to die down so that they could see the result of Naruto's jutsu.
An enormous amount of KI erupted from Yagura as the smoke and debris settled down. But what brought more fear in hearts was the large ball of Bijudama in Yagura's or Sanbi Jinchuuriki's mouth. The ball was enormous.
"Naruto! Get out of here." Mei and everyone who were watching shouted but they were standing far away from the battleground. "Oh God! We should do something." Mei looked around desperately and tried to think something to stop that attack. She was about run towards Naruto when Zabuza grabbed her arm.
"Are you mental Mei-sama? That attack will kill you. I'm sure Naruto will come up with something. You can't go there." Mei just stood there watching as the Bijudama headed towards Naruto.
Naruto was standing there gaping. His Sharingan eyes rotating slowly as he registered the shock. It was coming his way, it was fast, enormous. How will he be going to defend himself from that?
The Sharingan in his eyes started spinning, a glazed look appeared on his face for a second before his tongue uttered a technique and his chakra did everything on its own.
"Susanoo." A light-blue colored ribcage appeared around his body, it grew into a skeleton in a second before tendrils of muscles appeared around it and a fifteen feet humanoid shape came into existence.
"BOOM."
A large explosion as Biju dama connected with Susanoo. The earth trembled and the wind howled. The debris and smoke covered the whole battlefield. Nothing could be seen because of smoke. The wind traveled and hit the audience. Everyone grabbed one another as the force of the wind tried to knock them backward. The near buildings collapsed. Yagura's Biju's form disappeared as he fell on his knees panting heavily. There was silence, complete silence as they waited for the smoke to settle down, as they waited to see Naruto's presences. As they hope to see Naruto alive.
The smoke started to disappear and when it settled down they saw Naruto standing there unharmed.
Yagura's eyes widened when he saw Naruto unharmed. "I-impossible," Yagura whispered, awed. It was his strongest attack that took everything from him. And still, he was unable to kill his enemy. Yagura stood up and schooled his features. He'd seen that humanoid figure. And he knew it was some sort of shield that protected him from his attack.
'So, this is the power of Susanoo.' Naruto clenched and unclenched his fists. His eyes wide in awe at the display that he'd seen. It was huge and amazing.
'I've to try it again when I'll be free. See what it can do.'
Naruto took out his sword and dashed towards Yagura who was waiting for him with his staff. Naruto brought his sword down to cut Yagura in two pieces but his staff blocked his strike. Naruto Pumped his wind chakra in his leg and connected it with Yagura's staff. He could see the stress on Yagura's face because of the last attack.
Naruto himself was almost out of chakra. He pumped chakra into his legs, increasing his speed before he rushed towards Yagura and delivered a severe kick that broke two of his ribs. Another punch sent Yagura sailing a few meters away.
Naruto, giving no time for Yagura to recover took a deep breath and sent air bullets towards his way. Yagura flipped back and dodged as much as he could but several bullets were able to hit him in legs. While Naruto was firing bullets at Yagura, his clone was preparing the special attack that he'd developed during four years of training.
Naruto's clone, who was hiding in the battlefield took out several chakra storage seals and restored his chakra to his full capacity. He then clapped his hands together as if he was praying and closed his eyes. After a while, the clone started opening his hands slowly. There was a small white ball made of wind chakra with a bluish tint, humming and vibrating. The clone then pushed the ball upward in the air. It went up and up until it disappeared behind the clouds. There the ball started spinning and sucking the wind around it until it turned into a large ball that covered the whole battlefield.
The clone dispelled itself and Naruto closed his eyes in exhaustion. He stopped his bullet attack and sighed.
"This is my final attack Yagura. I hope I'll see you dead after this attack. Good by Yondaime Mizukage." Naruto brought his hand upward, his palm facing the sky. He pushed the last bit of his chakra into the air, it connected with the ball and Naruto then brought his hand down. The ball started moving towards the earth and Naruto saw it coming towards them. Yagura also saw it coming and sighed. His tired eyes landed on Naruto.
"It seems this is my end. I don't have the chakra to defend myself." Here Yagura paused and Naruto saw him struggling with himself, Naruto eyes narrowed.
"I did what I did because I was forced to do it." Naruto eyes narrowed further as Yagura spoke again.
"Look for the masked man." This was the final words that Naruto heard from Yondaime Mizukage. Naruto disappeared from the battlefield and he saw his jutsu enveloped Yagura who have his eyes closed.
There was large boom much like the Bijudama but Naruto ignored it and started walking towards the crowd. He saw people running towards him, he saw them shouting and celebrating their win. Naruto fell on his knees, his eyelids heavy as fought the chakra and body exhaustion.
While they were celebrating the victory and gathered around Naruto, another figure appeared behind Yagura in orange spiral mask on his face.
"Was that enough?" Yagura said.
"Yes!"
"Release me now, please." His voice was filled with plea, he was begging. His eyes filled with tears.
"You still have some uses." The masked man said before placing his hand on Yagura and taking him with him.
"Naruto." He felt someone catch him before he hit the ground. The last thing he saw was the face of that same girl he rescued earlier.
"Haku?"
"Sleep well hero of Kiri." Naruto closed his eyes, engulfing the blanket of sleep, a small smile on his lips.
Everyone left and no one even bothered to look for the fallen Kage's body.