Another Word For Monster

by Kuma Akuma

Konoha's Boogeyman. Jinchuriki. Hero. Traitor. Murderer. These were the names of Naruto Uzumaki. He left Konoha 3 years ago a broken man, looking for a peaceful life. But the shinobi life doesn't let peace come so easily. It calls you back. Through violence. Through war. Through blood. Monsters didn't get peace. And shinobi? That was just another word for monster. Light AU.

23. Chapter 23

The darkness of the night sky settled into the fort as the group settled in. Snow coated the ground and the buildings, falling gently on the ground. The group had only just arrived. It had taken the group a day to get there, with barely any time to rest between marches. They were welcomed by the scouts initially before being led to the fort. There were roughly 350 shinobi stationed here. Combined with their reinforcements that brought their number up to 400. It was a paltry force to defend a fort with, especially one on the front lines. Under normal circumstances it would never be allowed to be so undermanned.

These were not normal circumstances.

The fort was in the northernmost territory of Konoha, bordering Rice and Hotsprings. The location made it a pain to defend. It was remote and there was not much infrastructure to send supplies to it. That in combination with the Raikage's recent heavy push towards the southern side of Hotsprings below Locust Bay and the western side of Konoha had left the fort undermanned. Shisui and Gai had needed the added forces for the sudden push. It had been completely unexpected. It had left the fort unnervingly undermanned. With any luck, it wouldn't see any action.

It was rare to snow in this area. Snow, Frost, Iron, and Lightning got the bulk of the snow on the continent. Snow in the northernmost of Fire required the storm to breach by either Rice and Hotsprings, and the weather patterns made that highly unlikely. Still, highly unlikely didn't mean it didn't happen. The lack of preparation usually devasted towns in the area. It wasn't common enough for them to set preparations for it, but when snow fell the farmers in the area suffered heavily. It had become something of a local sign of hard times.

Mikoto peeled her eyes away from the window. The sleek white powder on the ground outside didn't shine. No, the moon was covered by the clouds, not allowing its rays to make the otherwise dreary atmosphere beautiful. She turned on her heel.

'When was the last time it rained up here? When I was a child?'

Mikoto shook her head. That was irrelevant. She walked back to her bed in the sleeping quarters, preparing to get a good night's rest. She wasn't assigned to watch duty, thankfully. She needed her rest. She had kept in shape during her retirement, but she could feel it. She wasn't back at her peak. She had less stamina. Her muscles felt more fatigued than they should. Her training with Sasuke had been as much for her as it had been for him. She placed her blade on the side of her bed. Kogarasumaru. The Uchiha Clan's family blade. She placed her hands on it delicately. They had been through so much together. She could still remember the day she had won it, despite not being a child of the Clan Head. The blade was typically gifted to the next Clan Head when they took the position, which is why all Clan Heads had some proficiency with kenjutsu. It had mostly waned to a symbolic ritual, at least before the days of Fugaku's father. He was a master kenjutsu expert, the foremost in the village. He was her idol when she was growing up.

And she could never forget the look on his face when she beat him in a match of kenjutsu. Her husband had believed it to be an attempt to woo him, but she had simply wanted ownership of the blade. Defeating his father in a match of kenjutsu was her proudest accomplishment. The blade was rightfully hers, despite not being a member of the Clan Head's family. Of course, in the end it hadn't ended up mattering. She married Fugaku, and the blade was returned to the lineage of the Clan Head, although Fugaku had no desire to use the blade. He was found of his kunai, and she had more than proven herself.

The Uchiha matriarch was pulled from her thoughts as she heard footsteps in front of her. Her head snapped upwards, surprised to see her son in front of her.

"Yes Sasuke-kun?"

"Mother," Sasuke whispered. "Don't protect me in the battles to come."

Mikoto raised an eyebrow.

"Hm?"

"You said as much yourself when we were training," Sasuke stated, hearing her words echo in his head. He felt them in his skin for two weeks.

"You want to be strong so much, fine! Prove to me I no longer need to protect my son Sasuke!"

Mikoto smirked, looking up at her child. Sasuke stared back down at her, intensity in his eyes. Mikoto wanted to say that was her duty as his mother. Regardless of how powerful he became she would always be there to protect him. She'd die before she let anyone take his life. But she also knew that was not what her son needed. He needed to spread his own wings. He was struggling. He was desperate to prove to himself that he was powerful. She couldn't take that from him.

"I am a shinobi my son," Mikoto stated. "As are you. I will not be able to protect you everywhere you go no matter what I do. I expect you to be able to take care of yourself."

Sasuke almost frowned. That wasn't exactly what he wanted to hear. She still wanted to protect him, clearly. But perhaps he was asking too much to expect his mother to not want that. Still, her word was her bond. She wouldn't protect him in the battles to come. That was all he could hope for. He nodded his acceptance and turned to go rest. Mikoto looked back down at Kogarasumaru. She smiled.

"Sasuke."

The raven-haired man turned, looking at his mother. She smiled at him.

"When we get back to Konoha," she stated, raising her blade. "Prove to me you deserve this blade."

Sasuke's eyes widened at the words. Prove that he was worthy of Kogarasumaru? His mind raced at the opportunity. His mother...was she...acknowledging his abilities? Sure, he was no match for her in a true fight, but kenjutsu alone? To be gifted the chance to win the blade from her...he hadn't thought it would ever be possible. Ever since he was a boy, he had assumed it would Itachi's to win, even after his elder brother put down the blade, deciding it was not his weapon of choice. He would still become the Clan Head after all. He would end up with the right to wield the blade. But for him to get the opportunity...

Sasuke's eyes shown with an emotion he wasn't entirely comfortable with. A joy he hadn't felt in a long time. For the first time the darkness in his heart temporarily lifted and a ray of sunlight beamed in. The light of the moon finally broke through the clouds, shining down on both members of the Uchiha through the window. It was all the man could do to nod dumbly. Mikoto smiled.

"Well...off to bed then."

The Uchiha turned, walking back to his own bed. He lay down, attempting to calm himself. As his eyes closed, he tried to rest as best he could. He fell into slumber, but any around would see the small smile he wore for the rest of the night.

---

Konohamaru sat on the wall, looking out over the field below. The forest was sparse this far north, leaving the plains that stretched on for miles before the forests of Hotsprings emerged right over the horizon. Never before was he more glad for it. It made his job to watch easy. Still, it was time for the guard to switch. He turned, greeting the shinobi that emerged to take his place. Nara Clan? He couldn't tell exactly, but those bags under the man's eyes were something he had seen on many a Nara Clan member. He wondered if the man knew about Shikamaru. He retreated, walking over to the latrine before he went to the resting quarters where he could sleep. He was begging for it. His body was aching. The march and then staying to do guard duty for a large portion of the night had drained him. He wanted nothing more than to curl up into a ball and go to sleep for a long, long time.

Just as he finished up at the latrine and entered the resting quarters, right when he excitement to nap was at its highest was when it was brutally ripped away from him.

The world went white, and his ears pierced with an incessant ringing. He was thrown backwards as a shockwave blasted into him, throwing him roughly against a wall. He crumpled to the ground; his senses overloaded. Slowly he tried to stand, grabbing his head and cursing. The world was white, and the air was hot. Screams and shouts of panic filled the air. He couldn't make sense of it. One second everything was calm and the next it was a raging shitstorm. He groaned as his vision cleared, revealing someone dashing straight towards him. They had a lithe frame, and a kunai in hand. The man reacted on instinct, his hands flashing upwards and grabbing his assailant's wrist. They cursed, although he couldn't hear it with the blasted ringing still in his ears. They lashed out with their other hand, aiming for his busy arms bicep. He grunted, twisting his body and smashing his back into their chest, stopping the attack cold before he flipped them onto the ground. He twisted, breaking their arm instantly. The assailant screamed out in pain, but to him it was nothing. Simply noise, noise he couldn't hear. The Sarutobi snatched the kunai from their broken arm before he launched it downwards, their throat ripping open from the force and blood leaking from their it. It was only then that his mind caught up with his body, the automatic self-defense making him act before he knew what was going on. His senses flared back to life, and he heard it.

"All forces to battle stations! I repeat all forces to battle stations! This is not a drill! Kumo and Shimo shinobi have attacked! I repeat this is not a-GAH!"

Konohamaru's eyes widened as he finally looked upon the fort that was now a raging battlefield. Konoha shinobi were fighting for their lives. Shimo and Kumo headbands flashed in their brief stints in the light. Konohamaru almost couldn't believe it. How did they get in? He hadn't seen their approach. None of the watch had either. They had simply...appeared. Konohamaru shook his head. He didn't have time to think about that! They were here, and Konoha was drastically outnumbered. He saw five shinobi for almost every Konoha shinobi he saw. They were getting massacred. The numbers advantage was too much. He needed to do something. Seconds in a battle of shinobi could decide victory or defeat.

He would not meet defeat again this day.

He shot forwards into action, his staff flowing into existence as it was released from the seal on his wrist. He leapt at the nearest group of enemy shinobi that were surrounding a young kunoichi. She couldn't be anything other than a Chunin. From the veins bulging around her eyes, she was a Hyuga. He heard their voices above the cacophony of screams as he neared.

"Let's gouge out her eyes."

"You main branch girly?"

Konohamaru snarled. Not on his watch. He landed in the center of the group, directly in front of the young Hyuga. Their eyes widened but he acted. His staff was a blur, smashing into the first shinobi's face. He felt the crack of bone through his weapon. He spun, a kunai flashing to life in his hand before it bit into another's throat. He ripped, crimson painting the snow on the ground as their throat was torn open. By this time the remaining forces gathered themselves and launched their counteroffensive. One leapt at him, sword in hand, only for him to deflect the weapon with his own. The two briefly engaged in a bout of combat only for him to leap away when earthen pillars shot out from the ground and tried to skewer him. He flipped through the air and landed on his feet just as a Shimo kunoichi appeared at his side, kunai in hand. She thrust it forwards, desperate to pierce his kidney only for him to spin in the same direction of the attack. Instead of piercing his body it caused a light cut to his side, barely enough to be noticeable. His hand snapped upwards, breaking her arm at the elbow. Her screams filled his ears, but he couldn't focus on that. The two other remaining shinobi in fighting shape each approached. One launched a hailstorm of shuriken at him, only for Konohamaru to flip behind the Shimo kunoichi and utilize her as a shield for the attack. Her screams were quickly cut short by the bladed weapons digging into her vitals.

He heard curses, likely from his assailants before he dropped her unceremoniously and dashed to meet them. The one with the sword lashed out with a series of slashes that he deflected, his eyes tracing the weapon the entire time. The man was slow. Far slower than he was. That was good. He heard the steps of the other shinobi appear at his side. He grunted, his eyes flashing to see the pincer attack. A thrust and a stab at his throat huh? Fine with him. The Sarutobi spun, deflecting the thrust, and suffering only a small cut on his cheek for the stab. A soft gurgle could be heard as the sword pierced the Shimo shinobi. The wielder's eyes widened, but before either could vocalize anything chakra surged in Konohamaru's body. His arms swung violently, and his staff followed, smashing into their heads, and turning both into pulp. Blood, brain matter, and bone splattered across the snow.

Konohamaru turned, to look at the still frozen Hyuga, however before he could get her to snap out of it a massive mountain of a man dropped in front of her, wearing a Kumo headband wrapped around his arm. The man was a giant, completely dwarfing Konohamaru. He raised his arm to kill the woman only for the Sarutobi Clan member to dash forwards, shoving her out of the way and raising his staff to block the attack. He grit his teeth underneath the force, his muscles bulging as he strained.

"Tch. You think someone as puny as you can stop me!"

The dark-skinned man lashed out with a punch, only for Konohamaru to leap away, getting distance. His eyes narrowed on the threat. He had to take him down quickly. He was a close combat specialist, and from the looks of it this man was to. He would take time. He shot forwards, staff spinning in his hands before he lashed out towards the man. The giant grunted, blocking the swing with his shoulder before his knee shot upwards in a burst of speed that bellied his size. Konohamaru's eyes widened as it cratered into his stomach, spit, and blood flying from his mouth before he was sent flying backwards. He lost his grip on his staff in the process, the weapon clattering to the ground.

The Sarutobi skidded to a halt, wincing in pain as he looked up at the threat before him. The Kumo shinobi smirked.

"Like I said. You can't stop me."

Konohamaru frowned.

'How did he move that fast? That shouldn't be possible at his size.'

Konohamaru glanced at the ground, his eyes widening as he saw the indentation in the snow where the man's foot used to be.

'He's overloading chakra in his feet to create quick bursts of speed in his attacks. Smart.'

Konohamaru drew a kunai, his eyes narrowing. The mountain grinned, pulling out a kunai of his own. Konohamaru spat on the ground before he charged forwards once more, kunai at the ready. He kept moving as he slashed, the blow being deflected by the mountain. He turned as he landed behind him, ready to slash at the man's back only to see him already moving to punch him. He leapt over his assailant's punch, instead leaping off to slam his foot into the man's face. Blood shot from the mountain's mouth but a savage grin formed on his face instead of pain. He swung the arm with the kunai at Konohamaru, forcing him to jump backwards to avoid the attack. The Kumo shinobi pressed the assault, throwing a punch downwards that Konohamaru dodged that sent snow flying everywhere. The dark-skinned man pushed off with his hand when he noticed his attack miss, flipping to come downwards with an overhead kick that Konohamaru leapt away to avoid. The blow smashed into the ground, snow and dirt flying into the air, covering him.

Konohamaru's eyes narrowed as he waited for movement. He didn't have to wait long. The mountain came lumbering from the storm cloud, swinging a punch at Konohamaru's body. Konohamaru dodged, but his eyes widened as the man's arm suddenly stopped all momentum and flew outwards at him. It took everything he had to lean backwards to avoid the blow, air blowing into his face as his eyes widened.

'That chakra control of his is monstrous! I have to distract him somehow!'

The man swung again, this time slashing out with his kunai. Konohamaru ducked, spinning underneath the attack before he lashed out with his kunai, slashing at the man's stomach. Blood seeped from the wound, but it was faint. A thick body armor huh? Konohamaru spun, reversing directions to stab his kunai into the man's side as chakra roared through his body. The grunt was the only sound he got that let him know the man even felt the attack as his arm stopped momentum and reversed again, forcing Konohamaru to slip underneath the attack once more while pulling the kunai free. The Sarutobi tossed his kunai into the air as he flipped, the blade twisting in the air next to the man's neck. Konohamaru kicked out with his leg, the kunai flying forwards to split the man's throat in two. The mountain seemed to notice the attempt on his life just in time, crouching ever so slightly so that the kunai speared through his cheeks instead of his neck. Blood shot from his mouth, but he grinned with glee, nonetheless. His knee snapped up, spurred by the chakra that blasted the snow away from him into Konohamaru's chest. The Sarutobi cried out, feeling something break before he flipped through the air and crash landed in front of the Hyuga. He rolled with the landing to try and minimize the damage, but he could not help the fire that he felt in his body. The mountain pulled the kunai out from his mouth before he gripped it tightly, now armed with two kunai. He glared at the Sarutobi.

"You're feisty aren't ya, Sarutobi?"

Konohamaru grunted, slowly rising to his feet. The man had crippled his maneuverability with that blow. The lancing pain in his side would slow him down, and that could be a death sentence against an opponent as powerful as this, much less their current situation. He needed to bring him down, and fast.

"You know me?"

"Of course, I do. Konohamaru Sarutobi. Kumo calls you the Little Monkey. Not quite as accomplished as your uncle or grandfather, but what else can we really expect from the scion of the least impressive Sarutobi in history?"

A pronounced frown grew on Konohamaru's face. His father was a sore subject for him. Kazu Sarutobi. The man had been a Chunin of no repute, having died not long after impregnating Konohamaru's own mother. Asuma, the more talented of Hiruzen's sons, had grown up to become a legendary figure. His own father died on the battlefield. Having grown up without his father in his life was something that pained the young Konoha shinobi. Having it spat into his face like it was an insult to be related to the man...he would not let the slight lie.

Konohamaru held out his hand, eyes hard. The mountain looked at him, an expectant look on his face.

"Well now...impress me...Little Monkey."

Konohamaru shot forwards in a blur, ignoring the blaze of pain he felt in his side. The mountain roared his challenge, Raiton (Lightning Release) chakra glistening on the kunai in his hands. He slashed at Konohamaru, the movement faster thanks to the chakra. Konohamaru grunted, feeling the blade bite into his shoulder. The Sarutobi grit his teeth, a kunai flashing into his free hand that he stabbed into the man's thigh. The man cried out, pausing in his attack briefly. Konohamaru smirked. Shinobi armor was usually light at the thighs to give someone more maneuverability. Despite the man's abnormally thick upper body armor he still had to move. The Sarutobi flicked another kunai into his hands before he stabbed downwards, piercing the mountain's feet. The man's cries grew louder, but this time they filled with rage. He swung a kunai at Konohamaru's throat, the movement faster than should be possible for someone of his size. Konohamaru's eyes widened as he saw the attack coming. He hadn't anticipated the man would fight through the pain so quickly. He didn't have time to react! The blade pierced through his throat, ripping it open and letting his blood coat the man's body.

Or it would have if Konohamaru had not utilized the Kawarimi (Body Replacement). Snow flew through the air, the kunai ripping through it like the soft substance it was. The mountain's eyes widened before he heard the crunch of snow behind him. With a grunt he turned, flaring his arms out wide in a desperate attempt to hit his target. Alas, it was a wild blow. Konohamaru ducked underneath it, slipping inside the man's guard with a spiraling orb of chakra in his hands.

"Rasengan!"

The orb of chakra smashed into the man's body, grinding against his armor. He grunted as his body was held still from the vibrations. Still, it would hold. It had to hold.

His hopes were dashed as his armor cracked against the force of the A-rank jutsu, his flesh squelching as the Rasengan twisted against it. He screamed, blood shooting from his mouth before he crumpled to the ground as the attack ended. He heaved, pain in his body. Konohamaru looked down at him, an enraged look on his face. He drew a kunai, glaring down at the man.

"How's that for a Little Monkey?"

Before the man had a chance to respond Konohamaru threw the kunai downwards, the weapon piercing through the man's eye and into his brain, killing him. Konohamaru let loose a breath he was unaware he was holding. Tension briefly left his body, and he felt his ribs flare up in pain again. He winced, but the wound brought him back to reality, his body slipping back into the familiar bliss that was battle. He quickly picked up his dropped staff before he approached the Hyuga he had gone through so much trouble to protect once more.

He stepped in front of her, eyes hard.

"Name and rank!"

"H-Hirako Hyuga! Chunin, Sarutobi-sama!"

Konohamaru nodded. He glanced around the battlefield. They were losing. Badly. They needed something to turn the fighting around.

"Where did the attack come from?"

"I'm unsure sir. But the bulk of the enemy force is coming from the east."

Bulk? So, there were multiple attack angles. Great. He had no idea how Kumo had managed to avoid their detection but that was fine. They could sort that out later. Right now, they needed shock and awe. They wouldn't win the fight at this rate. They might not win the fight at all. He needed to crater Kumo's morale, and quickly. To the east he went. The slaughter.

"Stay close to me! We're gonna form a pocket of resistance!"

"Sir!"

The two Konoha shinobi dashed forwards, into the thicket of enemies.

---

Mikoto Uchiha walked through the halls as her allies ran. The barracks had been woken not long after the massive announcement and many shinobi were rushing to head out into the battlefield. There were so many bodies rushing around she hadn't been able to find her son. He wasn't in his bed. That was fine. He could take care of himself. That was what she kept telling herself. No, she had to focus on the battle raging just outside the walls. She stalked through the hallway, sword sheathed at her hip and eyes shifting between the walls on either side of her. Leaving through the doors in a situation like this was a deathtrap. She needed to create another exit. She heard a tapping noise and smirked. She turned.

"Konoha shinobi, on me!"

Immediately ten shinobi of varying ages appeared behind her, likely taking her word as law due to her reputation. That was fine with her. She turned to face the wall and raised her leg before she kicked. A section of the wall caved in, blowing outwards, and crushing the Kumo shinobi behind it to death. The Konoha shinobi behind her charged outwards, screaming war crimes at their assailants. Mikoto was not so eager. She walked outwards, eyes analyzing the battlefield. Chaotic would be a kind word to use for it. There was no rhyme or rhythm to the Konoha forces attack. They would lose at this rate.

She refused to allow that to happen.

She walked forwards. The cold snow fell upon her body but try as it might it could not cool down the woman's temperature. Her blood was boiling. Fortunately for her she would get the opportunity to cool it as six shinobi dashed at her. Two weaved through handseals while another drew a blade. The rest simply drew kunai when they saw the sword at her side. She rolled her eyes as they neared. A woman appeared in front of her in a burst of speed, snow kicking into the air. Her Kumo headband shown in the moon's light as a sword lanced for her throat. Mikoto raised her hand, catching the blade in her fingertips. The kunoichi's eyes widened before Mikoto broke the weapon with a flick of her wrist. Instantly she grabbed a shard of the weapon before she dropped and spun to the ground. The two remaining Shimo shinobi missed their attack before Mikoto lashed out with the shard. One's throat was torn open, a torrent of blood dripping down onto the woman.

She did not care.

She leapt upwards, her feet flying and smashing into the two remaining opponents faces. They stepped backwards; however, she wasn't free. Another descended from above screaming bloody rage. Mikoto merely sidestepped the attack, allowing them to stab into the ground harmlessly.

"If you're going to do a sneak attack..."

Her foot snapped upwards, snapping the assailants head upwards.

"Don't scream your intentions to the world."

She felt heat at her back, turning her head to see a massive fireball approaching her. She stomped down on the foot of the shinobi next to her. They leapt upwards in pain, which she used as an opportunity to slip behind them. With a grunt she leapt, attaching her feet to their body with chakra. Their eyes widened as the fireball neared.

"You crazy bitch-"

Their words turned to screams as Mikoto kicked off of him, her chakra flooding her feet. Their back exploded in a shower of blood before they were sent headfirst into the ball of flame as Mikoto rocketed away. The woman flipped, skidding to a stop on the snow as her eyes snapped upwards. The fireball devoured the man, his screams echoing throughout the battlefield. However, she wasn't out of the woods yet. A bolt of lightning shot towards her from her right, forcing her to duck even closer to the ground to avoid being electrocuted. Her assailants took advantage, the remaining four closing in. The kunoichi slashed downwards with her broken sword, only for Mikoto to spin, the blade piercing the ground before she swept the woman's legs out. In a grunt she was back on her feet, two Shimo shinobi at her sides. She sighed, spinning. Her hands reached out grabbing their wrists and thrusting their kunai into each other's hearts. The two coughed blood before they crumpled at her feet, dead.

The Kumo shinobi desperately raced away, leaving her broken weapon in the ground. Mikoto idly picked it up, analyzing its structure. With a grunt she threw it forwards, the weapon spearing through the kunoichi's body. She screamed as she was pinned to the ground, sword piercing through her stomach. The Uchiha matriarch turned her attention to the remaining active assailant, the man appearing at her side this time as his hands rested in the tiger seal. Another Katon (Fire Release) jutsu? That was fine with her. Her chakra roared inside her body as he unleashed the gout of flame. Her hands reached outwards, carving a path through the flames. The snow around her feet melted as the flames were parted. The Kumo shinobi's eyes widened as he saw her emerge from the flames, completely unburned.

"What?"

His response came in the form of a fist to his throat, cratering it. He desperately tried to reach out and cling to life. He wanted so desperately to know how she had done that, but it was useless. No words could escape his mouth as he suffocated.

Mikoto turned, looking back at the Kumo kunoichi that was screaming as she attempted to pull the blade from her body. Slowly, she approached.

"Do you know who I am?"

"F-Fuck off Konoha bitch!"

Mikoto raised an eyebrow as she appeared before the Kumo kunoichi. She stomped downwards on her hand, causing her screams to echo across the battlefield.

"Do. You. Know. Who. I. Am?"

"M...Mikoto Uchiha."

"Right," Mikoto stated, her eyes boring into the woman. "And did you realize..." The Uchiha woman leaned in to whisper into the woman's ear.

"I haven't even used my Sharingan yet?"

The Kumo kunoichi's eyes widened but she had no time to process the words as Mikoto snapped her neck instantly afterwards. The woman stood, eyes glossing over the battlefield. She needed to get involved, and quickly. She looked to the north, smirking as she saw a group of what had to be at least thirty Kumo and Shimo shinobi attacking the pathetic defenses that were there. It looked like the ten Konoha shinobi from before had gone that direction to reinforce. Good decision, but it looked like they could use some assistance. The woman dashed for the first time, snow trailing in her wake as she approached the frenzy.

---

Sasuke had been out for a walk around the fort when the attack came. He heard them before he saw. The frenzied mass of bodies that erupted over the walls. The bright explosions that echoed throughout the battlefield and the massive blast of light and concurrent shockwave that sent him flying backwards. He was lucky he was in the open or he might have been knocked unconscious from smashing into something from the force. His eyes snapped open eyes widening as he realized what was happening.

They were under attack.

He quickly unsheathed his blade, dashing towards the east where he saw the bulk of the attacking forces. He was there in a flash, his blade lashing out with ferocious lethality. He cut down two shinobi as he joined the fray, the screams of Konoha shinobi and their attackers raging in his ears. It was chaos. A frenzied display of blade, flesh, and blood. If his Sharingan wasn't active, he never would have been able to make heads or tails of it. His blade was coated in blood before long.

Kumo shinobi to the right? Their blades met in a flash, metal grinding against each other. Sasuke broke the engagement, shooting inwards once again. The Kumo shinobi lashed out, aiming for Sasuke's legs. The Uchiha jumped, dodging the attack only for the Kumo shinobi to smirk. Their blades quickly curved upwards, threatening to cut him in two only for a kunai to slip out of Sasuke's pouch that he flicked into their wrist. They cried out, dropping their weapon. Sasuke landed in front of them, blade cutting through the air before he cut them in two from throat to hip. He rose, a grunt coming from his lips as their body dropped the ground in a fleshy pile.

He didn't have time to rest as his body screamed at him to drop back down once more. He did so instantly, barely dodging the spiked iron ball that flew over his head. His eyes widened and he skipped backwards, eyes watching the weapon recoil back to its owner who caught it in their hand. His head snapped up, shock on his face as he saw a man smirking at him, a Shimo headband on his head. Sasuke snorted. A Shimo shinobi? This would be easy.

He dashed in, blade arcing at his side only for his eyes to widen as suddenly the striking head of the elongated flail was before him. He quickly raised his blade, grunting as it impacted with the flat of it and sent him skidding backwards. His crimson eyes narrowed at his opponent who spun the weapon around him with a grin.

'He can launch that faster than expected. I only was able to react thanks to the Sharingan.'

The Shimo shinobi let fly once more, the striking head blurring forwards. Sasuke grunted, ducking underneath it and dashing forwards. He moved faster this time, his body a blur. It didn't matter. The striking head shot backwards, and the slight uptick of his opponent's mouth was all the warning he needed. He flipped, dodging the attack that swung through where his head was once on its way back to its owner. The Uchiha landed, a frown on his face. He couldn't afford to get hit in his vitals with that. It would kill him or injure him enough that his opponent could kill him with the next blow. He would have to be careful. He weaved through handsigns this time as his opponent spun the weapon once more. If he couldn't close the gap safely, he would make it an option.

The striking head shot forwards like a missile, but he dodged it, his eyes narrowing as he felt the wind pressure graze the side of his face. He flung out his arm, electricity coating it.

"Chidori Senbon!"

Dozens of senbon made of electricity flew towards the enemy shinobi, forcing them to leap away to dodge the attack. Sasuke smirked, not caring that his senbon hit the ground uselessly. He dashed in, taking advantage of the opportunity. The Shimo shinobi cursed, yanking on the flail, and bringing it back in. Sasuke didn't care. The jump to create distance from the attack had also increased the time it would take to return. He could make it! He pumped chakra to his legs as he got nearer, his body blitizing into top speed. If the enemy shinobi was surprised, he didn't show it, instead bringing down the handle of the weapon to stop his blade strike. Sasuke didn't stop there, pulling back and spinning on his heel to slash out at the man's throat. The man's other hand shot upwards, tangled in chains that he used to catch the blade. Sasuke's eyes widened, but before he could do anything he had to retreat for fear of the striking head. The Shimo shinobi caught it, his eyes narrowed.

The man began to swing his weapon once more, before he let fly. Sasuke grunted, charging forwards to meet the attack. This time he raised his sword to bat the weapon away, only for his eyes to widen as it swung around his blade and ripped it from his hands. He leapt stopped instantly, beginning to weave through handseals as the Shimo shino let his blade clatter to the ground beside him. Suddenly the world burned hot as flames covered the flail, the man now wielding a lash of fire. Sasuke grunted. The only warning he got before the attack came was the small twitch in the man's wrist before the flaming whip shot forwards with a crack. Sasuke leapt into the air, his eyes widening as he felt the heat of the flames lick his legs. That had been faster than before. He needed to create distance, and this was just the jutsu for that.

"Katon: Gōryūka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique)!"

The dragon head-shaped fireball flew towards the Shimo shinobi. They cursed, swinging their flail in front of them desperately. The snow around his feet melted from the heat. The bullet of flame smashed into the spinning shield of flame he had hastily created, exploding. The surge of flame superheated the snow around him, turning it into steam. The Shimo shinobi grit their teeth as burns developed on their skin from the fiery explosion. They grunted as it cleared, slowly moving their arms due to the pain. Still, the flail kept spinning. His eyes looked wildly for any sign of Sasuke.

Where was he?

Suddenly the ground beneath his feet erupted. It was instinct that told him to leap backwards, not even bothering to check what the disturbance could have been. There was only one option. Alas, instinct wouldn't save the Shimo shinobi. Instead of the kunai ripping into his heart lightning crackled around it and shot forwards, spearing through his throat. Before he could even cry out in pain currents of electricity surged through his body, light blue currents of electricity bursting from his chest in every direction in a shower of blood and gore.

"Chidori Eisō (Chidori Sharp Spear)." Sasuke muttered; his eyes hard. The man could only stare into crimson eyes as the flames on his flail slowly began to peter out. Sasuke saw the recognition in those eyes. Knowledge of how he had managed to turn the tables so quickly. He was satisfied with that. He ripped his kunai free; the man's head being split by the lightning in the process as his corpse dropped to the ground. The flames around his weapon flickered out. Sasuke crouched down, picking up his blade. He rose from his crouched position, only for him to hear someone hastily scream out.

"DUCK!"

He didn't register the voice, but he followed instructions, diving to the ground. A storm of metal flew overhead, turning a shinobi that had snuck up behind him into a pincushion. Sasuke's eyes widened before he stood, seeing a Konoha shinobi land in front of him. The man spun, drawing a kunai and deflecting an attack. Sasuke nodded his thanks before he lashed outwards with his blade, cutting the offending Shimo shinobi in two. The man dropped, giving both men a brief respite.

"Thanks for the assist," Sasuke stated.

"Don't worry about it."

The two didn't need to exchange names. They were allies, and that's all that was needed. They leapt back into the fray, side by side as they fought their way through the Kumo shinobi, but not without injury. Kunai to the shoulder. Slash to the back. Broken finger. Kunai through the hand. They received injury after injury in the fray, but neither was brought down. Blood covered their bodies, although most of it was not theirs. Still, the battle was chaotic. Unpredictable. Jutsu shot to and fro, caring not for allegiance on the battlefield. It took all they had just to stay alive, much less organize their force.

Sasuke grit his teeth in the chaos. They needed to get a break. If they kept up like this, they'd die. There was no pace to the battle. Simply unrestricted frenzy. The Shimo shinobi weren't much of a worry when they weren't in large numbers. They were low level Chunin generally speaking. But the rare Kumo shinobi proved to be more capable. He had only seen high level Chunin out of them. Nothing impossible to defeat, but with the numbers they had they'd be overrun. Cut down by a combination of numbers, tactics, and tiredness.

He slipped backwards, his back touching with his ally.

"Cover me."

The man didn't question it, instead pushing his body harder. He blurred into motion, desperately trying to protect the duo from attacks as Sasuke's hands weaved through handsigns. The man's effort to protect the Uchiha was admirable. One worthy of repute. Alas, the numbers were simply too much. Wounds covered his body. He fell to the ground before Sasuke, ten shinobi standing in front of the man's dead body. They grinned as they saw the Uchiha, their minds no doubt racing with the glory they would return home with if they killed a member of the Uchiha Clan.

They would not get to experience that glory.

Flames licked Sasuke's mouth as he unleashed his jutsu.

"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)!"

The stream of flame spewed from his mouth, incinerating the enemies before him with a passion. The stench of burnt flesh filled the air as Sasuke turned, letting the gout of flames lick over the entire battlefield. He wished he could differentiate between friend and foe, but the cluster of the battle made that impossible. He simply had to hope that Konoha shinobi managed to avoid the attack. With the sheer number it was more likely he would be striking out at enemy shinobi.

Finally, he ended his jutsu, his forehead sweating slightly from the heat. Steam wafted up into the air from the superheated snow. Burned corpses filled the ground, completely unrecognizable. One would never be able to tell if they were Konoha or enemy shinobi and Sasuke was almost certain he preferred it that way. Still, he had no time to rest. Being in the center of the bulk of the enemy invasion ensured that even a jutsu of that size wouldn't be able to kill them all. Konoha shinobi charged the assaulting Kumo and Shimo force, clashing. It wasn't long before they covered the battlefield, fighting around and atop the pile of burnt corpses. Sasuke was quick to join, his blade smashing against the kunai of a Shimo shinobi. The man grit his teeth, glaring up at the crimson orbs of the Uchiha only for the ground to fall away. The man screamed, only for the illusion to come to an end as Sasuke's blade pierced his skull. He was dead instantly.

The Uchiha ripped his blade from the man's corpse, turning as he heard raging footsteps behind him. He barely deflected the blade that threatened to pierce his neck, causing him to curse. The Kumo kunoichi grimaced, her raven hair dancing in the wind. She had expected that to work. She had waited for her moment, but she had failed. Sasuke snarled, desperation burning in his body. He reached out, his hand grabbing onto her shoulder despite his broken finger. With a roar he swung his blade out wide, forcing her own out before he thrust downwards, his blade piercing her heart. Blood dripped from her mouth onto his hand, her eyes frozen with fear before the light faded from them. Sasuke ripped his blade out, only for a group of twenty shinobi to surround him immediately afterwards. He cursed, panting. He was tired. He didn't have time to fight this many enemies. He needed just a brief respite.

His wishes were answered as a man burst through the crowd, his staff smashing against his assailants. Meanwhile, a Hyuga was beside him, her hands flashing outwards and sealing tenketsu. The duo drew the attention of much of the force, allowing Sasuke to focus on a small remaining contingent. He snarled, shooting forwards in their burst moment of distraction. The steel of his blade flashed in the light before they joined their comrades in the never-ending void. Sasuke turned, taking advantage of the small break to look at his allies.

"Konohamaru."

"You look worse for wear."

"I've seen better days," Sasuke muttered. "Who's the girl?"

"Hirako Hyuga, Uchiha-sama!"

Sasuke gave a curt grunt before he turned his attention back to Konohamaru. The younger shinobi was frowning.

"The numbers..."

"Yeah," Sasuke muttered. The two turned to look at the battlefield. They were in the thick of the fighting that much was sure. The bulk of the invading force was here. They would find no respite, but that was fine. They had to thin the herd. The trio of shinobi roared, charging forwards into the battle.

---

Karui was enjoying herself. She found herself eager to spill the blood of Konoha shinobi. The blood in her veins howled, desperate to kill the enemy. They thought they could threaten her home? She was desperate to prove them wrong. She was leading the charge as they marched through the tunnel's underneath Hotsprings. The Konoha force would have no idea they were here. The tunnels weren't incredibly deep, but they were the leftovers of when Kumo had demanded Hotsprings clear some of the channels of their hot springs for military use after the last war. It was an incredibly unpopular concession for Hotsprings, one that almost sparked them to fight a hopeless war against the superior power. However, they eventually gave in when B appeared on their border by orders of the Raikage to destroy the country. Their economy had taken a hit, making them even more reliant on Kumo which she idly thought was part of the goal the previous Raikage, but it had been worth it militarily. The previous water-filled channels led straight into Fire territory. They could approach completely undetected.

That of course didn't mean they would be dumb. There were many channels that led near this fort. They would utilize that. Their force was split into three separate invasion forces. One from the north, one from the east, and one from the south. Of course, when they breached it would become so chaotic it would seem like they were coming from all directions. That was good. Chaos would aid them in their battle.

The group paused as they neared the target location, looking upwards. The Doton (Earth Release) users approached the front of the group, all of them weaving through handseals. The leader of the force, a purple haired Kumo kunoichi Karui had never seen before looked back at the invasion force, her eyes hard.

"Forces of Kumo and Shimo! Remember our goal! Overwhelm the fort. Leave no survivors. The deeper we can push into Konoha territory with them unawares the more damage we can do and the more of an opening we give Raikage-sama when we are eventually discovered! Our assault will be the one that ends this war!"

The invading army gave a roar, their fists raised in the air. Bloodlust filled the cavern. Karui screamed with them, anger in her eyes. She was the loudest among them. She couldn't wait. Just a few more seconds until she got to slaughter those tree fuckers. The purple haired kunoichi in front nodded at her specifically before she continued.

"Siege Raiton users to the front! Blast a hole in those walls as soon as the Doton specialists get us out of here. Everyone else, wait till their jutsu's are fired to charge. In just a few hours we'll have claimed a complete and total victory for Kumo!"

The roars of thunderous agreement were back. The kunoichi turned and nodded at the Doton users. They nodded back and unleashed their jutsu, the ground above them swirling before it collapsed, forming a ramp that led directly up to a stone and iron wall. A man sat on the wall, his eyes widening as he saw the earth completely shift in front of him, a Konoha headband on his forehead. Before he had any time to react blasts of lightning shot upwards, killing him instantly as they impacted with the wall, letting off massive explosions and flashes of light.

"Charge!"

Karui shot forwards with the rest of the Kumo force, eager to get in the thick of the fray. Omoi was right beside her as she leapt into the fray, looking down on the stunned Konoha shinobi below. Good. They hadn't detected them. The defense was caught unawares, although much of that likely had to do with the pathetically small amount of troops she could see doing guard duty. What the hell did Konoha think they were doing with such a small amount of people dedicated to watching over any potential night attacks? Well, she supposed it didn't matter to her. An opportunity was an opportunity. She pulled out her blade, stabbing downwards on the young man beneath her as she landed, Omoi taking down his companion in a succinct use of his blade. She smirked downwards, an evil look in her eye.

"Rest in hell, trash."

She rose to her feet and the fighting had already started. Kumo and Shimo shinobi had already fanned out, desperate to launch their offensive. Sirens blared in the air, no doubt Konoha shinobi warning everyone in the fort that they were being invaded. Good. She wanted them all active, so they'd have no excuse when she killed them all. Kumo and Shimo forces were slaughtering any Konoha shinobi they saw, and she was eager to get involved.

"Omoi, on me!"

She dashed forwards without waiting for a response from the man. He would obey her orders, and if she stayed to talk with him, he would just try to delve into all the ways their attack could end up massively backfiring and harming Kumo. What a ridiculous assertion.

She was immediately confronted with a trio of Konoha shinobi. She grinned, pushing chakra into her legs. She shot forwards in a burst of speed, her blade lashing out at their throats only for a kunai to block her strike. Her eyes widened as she saw the crimson eyes of the Konoha shinobi before her, two tomoi spinning in each. Uchiha. She had looked in their eyes. Shit. She bit down hard on her lip as the world began to spin, blood popping from her burst lip and freeing herself from the genjutsu. Still, a momentary distraction in a battle between shinobi coud be lethal. A blade was already at her hip, preparing to cut her in two, only for it to be blocked by another blade, courtesy of Omoi.

"This is why you should listen to me," he muttered before he shoved his shoulder into the Uchiha's chest, sending him skidding backwards. The two couldn't press the attack, instead leaping backwards as a massive hand crushed the ground where they once stood. Karui's eyes narrowed at the kunoichi that swung the hand in her direction, screaming bloody murder. The snow and ground moved with the attack, threatening to uproot her footing. Akimichi. She dashed forwards, leaping, and spinning over the hand as she neared the opponent. Her blade flashed at her side.

"Kumo-Ryū Mikazukigiri (Cloud-Style Crescent Moon Beheading)!"

Karui swung her blade out in an arc, the blade threatening to cut off the Akimichi's head. Perhaps it would have had she not raised and enlarged her other hand to stop the attack. The kunoichi grit her teeth, blood dripping from her hand onto the ground. Karui snarled, prepared to press the attack only for a storm of bugs to descend upon her. She squawked, flipping away from the horde, and swiping the few of them that remained on her away in a desperate attempt to remove them. She was successful, but she felt the drain on her chakra from their short presence already. A man stepped out from behind the Akimichi, shrouded in baggy clothes. Karui couldn't see his face clearly, but she could tell that the cloud of bugs was coming from him, buzzing up a storm. Aburame. Great.

Three clan members to deal with.

She glanced to her side, seeing Omoi engaging with the Uchiha not far from her. The two were engaged in a deadly dance of blades, kunai meeting sword as the two grappled for supremacy. Despite the Uchiha's Sharingan Omoi clearly had the advantage if his consistent pressure was any tell. Still, she couldn't simply rely on him defeating the opponent. She would have to take care of this fight herself.

Lightning crackled across her blade; her eyes hard.

"Try that again you bug-eyed freak."

"Gladly," was the only response she got before a storm of kikaichu stormed her. She snarled, weaving through handseals as they approached. Unfortunately, the Akimichi was not going to give her the luxury to finish signing, instead leaping forwards. Her foot swelled to massive proportions before she stomped downwards, forcing Karui to stop her jutsu and leap away lest she be crushed underneath the attack. She grit her teeth as the Akimichi's body returned to normal before she burst forwards, chakra pumping through her legs. Karui's eyes narrowed. She was fast for an Akimichi.

But nothing for a Kumo shinobi.

Karui dashed forwards, completely outclassing the Konoha kunoichi in speed. Her blade flashed forwards, only to be blocked this time by the forearm bracers the Akimichi wore, or rather it would have had Karui not been coating her blade with Raiton chakra. She pierced through the guards, stabbing through her arms and into her shoulder. The kunoichi screamed in pain, but Karui was under no circumstances to relish it. She instantly let her blade go, drawing a kunai that she used to slash at the woman's side, drawing more blood. Before she had any time to continue her assault the bugs were back upon her in a swarm. She cursed, slashing out with her kunai desperately as she tried to escape the swarm. She felt her chakra slip through her fingers, quickly being drained by the bugs. With a grunt she shot forwards, the ground denting behind her as she dashed towards the Aburame. The force of the attack freed her from the clutches of the insects, but she wasn't out of the woods yet. Her chakra reserves were dwindling pathetically low. The Aburame was the larger threat here than the Akimichi.

The Aburame raised their hands, a storm of insects flying from them to devour her chakra. Karui grimaced, leaping high above the threat of the kikaichu instead of leaping into the fray. She couldn't be caught by another swarm. She'd be drained of her chakra by those ravenous insects if so. She had to take down that Aburame. She threw a storm of kunai into the cloud, but she couldn't see where they landed. Judging by the lack of painful screams or receding insects, she assumed she either missed or they had been stopped somehow. She grit her teeth, watching as the insects flew up to meet her. She weaved through handseals, prepared to unleash a jutsu that would cost much of her remaining chakra but give her an opportunity to kill the Aburame only for a hand to grasp her in the air. Her eyes widened, and she turned her head to look at the now grinning Akimichi. She had pulled the sword out and tossed it on the ground.

"Don't forget about me you Kumo bitch!"

The Akimichi swung downwards, smashing Karui into the ground. She screamed, blood shooting from her mouth as she felt her body creak. The world swam. She definitely had a concussion. Before she had any time to react the Akimichi raised their hand in preparation to turn her into a bloody smear on the pavement. However, before they could she was moved, in the arms of Omoi. The man was retreating, his body covered in cuts. The man turned as he got away from the trio of Konoha shinobi, letting Karui stand.

"Omoi..."

"Next time don't run into the battlefield without a plan!"

Karui's eyes widened at the harsh tone of the man. He never spoke to her like that.

"S...sorry," she whispered. Omoi sighed, shaking his head. He turned to look at the pursing trio of Konoha shinobi.

"The Uchiha developed their third tomoi in our battle. Be careful. They're stronger now."

Karui nodded, popping a soldier pill and joining Omoi to look at the threat that approached them.

"There's an Aburame among them. His kikaichu drain chakra at frightening speeds."

"Priority target then."

The two narrowed their eyes. They had maybe two seconds.

"Teamwork is our best option. That's our skill. No one can beat us when we work together."

Karui nodded.

"Let's cut loose then."

The two had no more time to talk as the attack was on them, led by a fireball courtesy of the Uchiha. The attack was designed to split them up, but they were more prepared this time. They leapt in the same direction, before they both dashed at the Aburame. His eyes widened, not that either could see it, but it was pointless. The Uchiha appeared in front of him in a flash, a kunai in each of his hands. He lashed out, deflecting their blade and kunai swipes only for lightning to coat Omoi's blade just before they collided with the kunai. The enhanced weapon carved through the kunai and sliced off one of the Uchiha's fingers, the man cursing as he pulled his hand back. The Sharingan warning him about the attack was the only reason he hadn't lost his entire hand there. Karui capitalized on the man's moment of weakness, batting his arm wide before she lashed out with a kunai at his stomach. He leapt backwards, avoiding the attack and the storm of kikaichu that descended on them. Omoi, however, was prepared for such an occasion and was just finishing his handseals.

"Raiton: Sandāboruto (Lightning Release: Thunderbolt)!"

Electricity surged from his hands, lancing outwards in wide arcs that fried any kikaichu that dared approach. The Aburame grunted, pulling back his hive lest he take irreplaceable losses. The Akimichi stepped forwards, unafraid and swung out with two massive hands in an attempt to catch the Kumo shinobi. This time it was Karui that moved, lightning dancing across her kunai courtesy of her renewed chakra. She stabbed the weapon into the Akimichi's hands before sending an electric current throughout her body. The Akimichi seized, the electricity causing her body to temporarily stop functioning. Omoi took advantage, stopping his jutsu and dashing forwards. His blade flashed in the moonlight before a trail of crimson bit into the air as he slashed the Akimichi's throat out. She dropped to the ground in a pool of her own blood, dead.

"No!" The Uchiha cried out. They grit their teeth, weaving through handseals before unleashing a storm of flaming bullets that threatened to cook Karui and Omoi alive. Both Kumo shinobi glanced at each other, nodding. They leapt away from the flaming hailstorm of attacks, drawing an opponent each. The Aburame pursued Karui while the Uchiha pursued Omoi. The two briefly engaged with them, only to break at the soonest opportunity. They dashed towards each other, each pursued by an assailant. Omoi stabbed forwards with his blade at Karui as she responded with her kunai. The tips of the weapons touched, and they unleashed their jutsu.

"Raiton Renkei: Sandābomu (Lightning Release Co-Operation: Thunder Bomb)!"

A current of electricity flared up between the blades before it surged up and through the ground. The storm of electricity stopped the Uchiha and Aburame in their tracks, lightning coursing through their bodies. They screamed out, blood flying from their mouths as their bodies seized. Spit foamed at their mouth and smoke filed out of their ears before they each dropped to the ground, dead.

Omoi and Karui each let out a sigh of relief, panting at the intensity of the fight.

"Good job," Karui muttered.

"Be careful next time," Omoi muttered between pants. "I was worried for a second there you saw the Akimichi's breasts and got angry because of your flat chest. You tried to kill her and then we would have gotten drawn into a long conflict with the Akimichi Clan. They'd have demanded your corpse as recompense after the war, only for Raikage-sama to deny them. Then, we'd get pulled back into another war where Konoha would have their Jinchuriki back and sick him on Kumo along with Fugaku Uchiha and the leader of the Akimichi Clan. Then we'd-"

"Flat chested!" Karui roared, smashing her fist against Omoi's skull. The man winced in pain, his eyes glancing upwards at Karui. The woman glared at him. He gave a meek smile. Karui snorted, but a smile formed on her face.

"Glad you're okay."

"Me too."

The two then stood, the smiles on their faces dropping as they looked at the battlefield.

"Let's move."

They dashed into the fray.

---

Mikoto dropped the two Shimo shinobi like laundry, a bored look on her face. Red ichor covered her form as she looked up at the enemy force. Her raven eyes glowed in the darkness, boring into all of them. A force of twenty Konoha shinobi stood behind her, fighting off wave after wave of their attackers. She had clearly led the charge if the blood covering them was anything to go by. A mess of corpses was between the two forces, a cluster of mangled bodies that were filled with shinobi from either side. Across the battlefield a Kumo shinobi grit his teeth.

"Mikoto Uchiha is this fucking strong? Someone, send for Rangi! We need her here!"

One Shimo shinobi split off, headed towards the main section of the fighting. One Konoha shinobi moved to stop him only for Mikoto to raise her hand. They stopped. The Uchiha matriarch smirked.

'They have a lot of faith in this Rangi figure. If I kill her, it should be debilitating for their moral.'

The Uchiha let loose a breath she had been holding. It was good they were pausing like this. She needed to regain her energy. Those years of not fighting were showing in her stamina. Her chakra might not be low, but her body was tired. A prolonged battle was not in her favor. A battle against overwhelming odds was not in her favor. That was why she was being so conservative with her Sharingan and her jutsu. If she also became exhausted from using her chakra, she was sure she would die quickly. This break was invaluable to her.

Besides, the best way to get back up to speed was through the fire in her opinion.

Of course, she still needed to thin the heard a bit more before she took on whoever the Jonin leader of this assault was.

"Kill them."

The Konoha forces roared as they charged. The Kumo and Shimo combined forces charged back, and the two met in a tangled mess of bodies. Mikoto's eyes narrowed before she slipped into the battlefield. She slipped underneath a swiping attack from a young shinobi, he couldn't be older than his mid-teens. The child launched a desperate offensive at her, fear in his eyes. Mikoto idly dodged his attacks, a frown forming on her face. The child cried out, frustration clear on their face before he leapt forwards, fully committing to the attack. Mikoto grunted, side stepping the attack. She stepped forwards as he turned, stopping his body from fully turning as his shoulder met hers. His eyes shot up to look at the woman, terrified. She placed a finger on his forehead.

"Sleep."

The child crumpled to the ground instantly, enraptured in the genjutsu. Mikoto turned, prepared to continue the fight only for her to hear a noise behind her. She grunted, leaning to her side to avoid the stab at her spine the teen had attempted. His eyes widened in horror when he realized he had missed. Mikoto sighed. It seemed she couldn't solve this encounter peacefully. Her foot snapped upwards despite her awkward position, smashing into his throat. The teen choked, tears in his eyes. Mikoto didn't let up, slipping forwards and smashing her thumbs into his eyes, causing him to cry out in pain. Blood poured from his eye socket, before he dropped to his knees, completely blind. The woman snatched his kunai from him before she thrust it downwards, into his heart.

She rose, only to see two blades dancing towards her body. She frowned, leaping, and twisting her body in the narrow space between the blades to avoid the attack. She landed, snapping her head to see the two Shimo kunoichi dashing at her once more, blades in hand. They lashed out in a series of beautiful combination attacks at her. If this were any other circumstances Mikoto might have been impressed with their kenjutsu. They were clearly skilled. Alas, it was not another circumstance. Not even one of their attacks landed, her body a ghost against their attacks. No matter what they tried she knew precisely how to slip out of the way of their attacks. She could see the frustration building on their face. One of them would crack soon and break formation, not recognizing that she hadn't launched her counteroffensive yet.

As predicted, one broke under the emotional stress. The one on the right dashed forwards without the other, flames licking her blade as she screamed bloody murder. Mikoto took advantage, dodging the thrust and snatching her by the throat. The woman cried out, pain in her voice. The other shot forwards, desperation in her voice and wind covering her blade.

"Sumi!"

She slashed at Mikoto. A dumb move. Mikoto easily swung Sumi's body in the way of the attack, and the Shimo kunoichi lopped off her ally's head. Horror flashed on the girl's face as her friend's blood splattered onto her body. Mikoto sighed, dropping the body like the deadweight it was before grabbed the murderer's wrist. She stepped forwards, shoving her shoulder into the kunoichi's body, and pulling at her wrist, dropping her to the ground and wresting the sword from her body.

"Idiot."

Mikoto thrust downwards, burying the blade through the girl's eye and into her brain. Dead.

She was greeted with clapping at the kill. She turned, seeing a purple haired kunoichi approaching her. Mikoto's eyes narrowed. She was much too casual about this. This must be Rangi, the person they were going to meet. Judging from the glances Kumo forces would send her way before getting involved in the battle once more she was correct in her prediction. The woman must have been strong for her to waste a perfect opportunity to sneak attack her. The other shinobi certainly had not. That or she was an idiot.

She would find out soon enough.

"You must be Mikoto Uchiha. Consider our surprise when we invaded to find you here. No wonder we've having such a problem winning this side of the battlefield. Your power is well-known. Although, I must say I thought you were retired."

"Well, we all know what they say about rumors."

"Ah yes," the kunoichi stated, brushing her purple hair out of the way. "Well, I must say it is an honor to meet you. My name is Rangi, Rangi Hachimono. It is an honor to meet a kunoichi of such repute."

"Afraid I've never heard your name."

"Ah, yes well that doesn't surprise me. I'm nowhere near as famous as you. Your descendants shall know my name though."

"Oh? For what?"

Rangi smirked, shooting forwards. Mikoto grunted, pulling the dead Shimo kunoichi's blade out and slashing at the reckless charge from the woman, only for her eyes to widen as the blade broke on contact with the woman's skin. Her skin was dark, almost black in color. Rangi's smirk turned into a savage grin as her punch cratered forwards, smashing into Mikoto's stomach and sending her flying backwards. Blood shot from her mouth, landing on Rangi's body. The woman grinned, licking Mikoto's blood. Mikoto grimaced, although if it was in pain or at the disgusting action one couldn't be sure.

"They'll know me as the one who killed Mikoto Uchiha."

Mikoto grunted, standing to her full height.

"Well, what are you waiting for," she muttered. "Prove it."

Rangi was more than happy to oblige, shooting forwards once more. Mikoto didn't bother drawing a weapon against her this time, realizing it would be useless against her defenses. She was going to make Rangi regret not capitalizing on that moment of surprise to kill her. She deftly dodged the woman's punch this time, instead lashing out with a quick palm strike. She grunted as she felt the attack hit her hard skin. So, her entire body was completely protected from bladed attacks or blunt force trauma? How frustrating. Rangi spun, her hand batting outwards in a desperate attempt to hit Mikoto only for her to slip underneath the attack. Her hands blazed through handseals, moving at a speed that most shinobi would be incapable of keeping up with. Mikoto leapt upwards as she finished her signs, kicking off of Rangi's body to gain some distance.

"Katon: Hōsenka no Jutsu (Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique)!"

Dozens of small fireballs left her mouth, descending upon Rangi with destructive force. Every time one impacted with her body an explosion went off, pushing the woman backwards. Rangi grunted throughout the assault but didn't look like she was seriously injured. Mikoto frowned, landing on her feet not far from the Kumo kunoichi. What an interesting jutsu. That attack had clearly affected her, but not much. Immune to blunt force trauma and bladed weapons, and even small-scale explosions didn't do much. Defensive capabilities were its forte. She'd have to be creative.

Unfortunately for the Uchiha matriarch her ideas about the jutsu were dashed when she saw a sphere of metal forming in the kunoichi's hands. She smirked before it shot towards her at speeds that shouldn't be possible. Mikoto desperately ducked, watching as the ball flew overhead before it smashed through a building in the fort, collapsing it. Mikoto frowned, turning her attention back to Rangi only for the woman to be in front of her, a kick swinging towards her face. Mikoto's eyes widened.

'Shit! I got distracted!'

Mikoto raised her hands, but it was a feeble defense. The blow smashed into them, blowing her backwards. Blood shot from her mouth as she flipped uncontrollably through the air. Rangi grinned, sprinting after her to continue the assault. She launched a punch, the blow smashing into Mikoto's stomach. With a roar Rangi let chakra flow through her body, sending Mikoto skidding across the snow until she came to a stop. Rangi shook her hand, a grin on her face.

"I expected more from you. Where is the legendary Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan? Or why not use that sword at your waist?"

Mikoto rose from her position on the ground, wiping the blood that dripped from her mouth. A frown formed on her face, anger in her eyes. She began to weave through handseals only for Rangi to shoot forwards.

"Oh no you don't!"

Mikoto dashed forwards to meet her, eyes hard. Rangi lashed out with a punch that Mikoto ducked, her hands smashed together in the snake sign. Her hand lashed out, before she smashed it into Rangi's chest. The Kumo kunoichi raised an eyebrow at the strange tactic. She already knew that wouldn't work on her. She only realized Mikoto's intent when her body seized and she saw a demonic head in front of her, chains leading from its mouth that wrapped her body.

"What?"

She strained against the chains, but it was no use. The world faded, replaced with a sickly purple that only contributed to deathly yellow eyes that stared at her from the demonic head. She grit her teeth. Genjutsu. She could use genjutsu without her Sharingan active? Uchiha rarely did that. She bit her lip, but it didn't fade. Her eyes wide.

'What!'

She bit down even harder, her lip bursting completely. Blood poured from her mouth, but the jolt of pain was enough to break from the genjutsu. She stumbled forwards, her eyes whipping around for any potential attack, only to find none. Where had the Uchiha gone?

Her answer came as the night lit up in flames and she felt unbearable heat above her. Her head snapped upwards, horror in her eyes as she saw the titanic wave of flame bearing down on her. Her eyes widened as she realized the impossibility of avoiding the attack. She couldn't even use a Kawarimi because the snow was melting all around her at too rapid a pace. A one hit kill technique the Uchiha had pulled out instantly.

So, this was Mikoto Uchiha?

Rangi smiled.

At least she was dying to a worthy opponent.

The torrent of flame engulfed her and the ground, illuminating the entire battlefield with its radiance. Rangi's screams of pain were audible to the entire battlefield, and for a moment the contingent of Shimo and Kumo shinobi fell still, staring at the sight. The Kumo kunoichi dropped to the ground, desperately trying to put out the flames even if she knew it was in vain. She crumpled to her knees, hand reaching out for help before it too fell and the wielder of the Kōton (Steel Release) died.

Mikoto landed on the ground, sweat covering her body. That jutsu wasn't something she liked to use. It wasn't an easy technique to pull off. It was the apex of her control over Katon. The jutsu that had made Madara Uchiha the preeminent user of Katon during his time, although Mikoto knew her version of the technique was nothing compared to his own.

Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku (Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation).

The Uchiha turned to stare at the Kumo and Shimo contingent that stared at her. Her raven eyes glowed in the darkness, and she stared out at the forces. She spoke one word.

"Run."

The words should have broken the attacker's morale. The death of their leader in such a decisive and visual manner should have caused a full-scale retreat. That was what Mikoto had expected. Unfortunately, she hadn't expected the wall from the northwest side of the gate to explode and a deluge of shinobi to enter. And just like that her work had been undone, the storm of shinobi distracting the Kumo and Shimo contingent enough to regain their vigor.

---

Konohamaru and Sasuke were a contingent all to themselves. They carved through the frenzied main battlefield, cutting down any shinobi that stood in their way. It wasn't clean. It wasn't painless. The growing number of wounds on their bodies was proof of that. But it was working. They had assembled a small pocket of resistance within the storm of enemy shinobi. They knew Hirako, but the rest were an enigma. It didn't matter. They were Konoha shinobi. They were allies. A pocket of resistance fighting tooth and nail against an inescapable horde of shinobi. They fought desperately, as if their lives depended on it.

Because they did.

The slightest misstep. The slightest missed signal, warning, jutsu, blade, anything in an environment as frantic as this was lethal. They had seen it all too often. The slightest slip, due to frustration, pain, exhaustion, or simply a mistake led to death. Too many of their comrades had been cut down to think otherwise. Yet every time a comrade fell the duo worked harder to overcome their absence. It was working. They were able to make up for the deaths. But it wore on them. Their bodies were drained. Their wounds grew more aggravated, and the extra angles they had to care about only led to more injuries. It wasn't sustainable.

And unfortunately for them it was going to get worse.

Two blurs shot forwards, one white one red. It took everything Sasuke had to deflect both of their strikes, his eyes narrowing. His Sharingan spun rapidly, looking like a black ring around his pupil. It was only thanks to it that he was able to defend against the speed of his two attackers. They didn't let up, lashing out with a series of combination attacks that captured his full attention. He was caught in their dance, completely incapable of mounting a counteroffensive. Finally, they managed to trap him. The red haired kunoichi pinned his blade to the ground with her own, a savage grin on her bloody face. Her own or his Konoha allies he could not discern. The white-haired shinobi flashed in front of him, his blade sparking with electricity before he thrust it at Sasuke's throat. He grit his teeth. He couldn't dodge this. He couldn't block. His chakra wasn't built up for a substitution.

It was the second time in his life Sasuke truly felt like he would die.

And for the second time in his life someone saved him.

Konohamaru's staff blocked the attack, the younger shinobi's eyes focused entirely on their opponents.

"Need some help?"

Sasuke grit his teeth in frustration but nodded nonetheless. He clearly couldn't afford to say no in these circumstances. The two Kumo shinobi shot away, their eyes analyzing the addition of the new opponent. The two Konoha shinobi watched them carefully. Those two were different than the other Kumo forces. They were predators. They might not be the strongest individually, but it was clear that they were threats. Capable threats. Their teamwork was lethal. Fighting against them individually was suicide.

"One is a Raiton user, any idea on the other," Konohamaru whispered.

"No. But I'd wager she's the same. It's the most common nature in Kumo."

"You're an Uchiha and we're both from Konoha. They'll be expecting us to both be Katon users. I'll reinforce their theory, then you shock them with a Raiton attack. We take advantage and take down at least one of them right then and there?"

"Sounds good."

Konohamaru nodded, his hands suddenly bursting into handseals. The Kumo shinobi reacted at that. Whatever Konohamaru was planning they had no desire to see. They dashed forwards, their bodies a blur. Blades licked towards the duo's necks. Sasuke deflected the attack while Konohamaru dodged. The redhead kept up her assault on Sasuke, blade slashing at impossible angles only for him to meet her each time. The duo were caught in a deadly dance of blades, neither quite able to land a blow on the other.

Or at least initially.

Slowly, Sasuke began to overpower her with a combination of strength and technique. Her eyes widened at the realization. It wasn't long until Sasuke controlled the pace of the fight. His blade curved upwards to cut her in two only for her own blade to stop the attack. Sasuke didn't slow down, his hand reaching out to snatch her wrist. Her eyes widened as he spun, his leg snapping out and crashing into her chest. She coughed, skipping backwards. Sasuke dashed forwards, his blade lancing out for her heart only for her to desperately roll out of the way. Sasuke pulled his blade from the ground and slashed at her. The redhead was fast, but not fast enough to avoid the blow. She managed to stop it from cutting her in two, but it bit into her shoulder. She grit her teeth, but shot forwards, lightning arcing off her blade as she swung it downwards. Sasuke grunted, guiding the attack away with his blade. However, she pulled out a kunai and slashed at his throat and forced him to leap away. Before he could pressure her once more, she leapt away.

Meanwhile, Konohamaru was busy dodging attacks. He had to finish his handseals, which meant his staff was back in its storage space and he couldn't afford to counter. It was a difficult matter. His white-haired assailant was no slouch, and his body showed that. Cuts formed on his body from the numerous wounds he had taken simply minimizing the damage he took. The white-haired shinobi seemed to grow ever frustrated with this, the realization that his foe was stronger than he anticipated dawning on him. He lunged forwards just as Konohamaru slid to the side, piercing through his shoulder instead of his heart. Konohamaru winced but fought through the pain to grin at his opponent. The white-haired shinobi's eyes widened in horror as Konohamaru finished his handseals, hand in the tiger seal. The man yanked his blade free, desperately leaping away as he saw the jutsu finish. His redheaded companion landed right next to him, causing his eyes to widen.

"Katon: Karyū Endan (Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet)!"

"Move Karui!"

The dragon of flame shot forwards, threatening to devour the two as a trail of steam from the melting snow followed it. They leapt away, barely avoiding the attack and subsequent explosion as it made contact with the ground. However, they were not out of the woodworks, as Sasuke appeared next to them, his hands in the snake sign. Their eyes widened.

"Raiton: Tatsumaki (Lightning Release: Waterspout)!"

A bolt of electricity shot from Sasuke's hands at the duo, forcing them to split. Sasuke smirked at the action, the bolt of lightning suddenly splitting and targeting each of them. Their eyes widened, but the two were still able to react. Lightning was a common element to them. They stabbed their blades into the ground and let loose an arc of electricity, allowing Sasuke's jutsu to wash over them and into the ground harmlessly. His eyes narrowed at the action. He was glad he had his Sharingan active so he would never forget the sight. It was a useful ability they had just used to redirect Raiton jutsu.

Unfortunately, it also made his primary element useless against them unless he caught them by surprise. And their strategy had been completely destroyed by that action. There was no opening for him nor Konohamaru to take advantage of. The Sarutobi knew it himself, a deep frown on his face, his staff back in his hands. The two stared down their opponents, trying to decide what to do next. Unfortunately, that decision was made for them as more shinobi approached, and they weren't friendly. Shimo and Kumo headbands adorned the approaching group of shinobi. Sasuke glanced around, a frown on his face. Their pocket of resistance! While they had been preoccupied dealing with these two, they weren't able to handle their usual duties protecting everyone's flank! Their group had mostly died. Hirako was the only one still alive and she was heavily injured and running.

The duo saw a smirk on their assailants faces.

Had that been their true goal?

The duo smirked, instantly breaking from the engagement to retreat. The two Kumo shinobi pursued, eager to kill the two. Sasuke and Konohamaru cursed as they saw them gaining. They wouldn't get far; they were simply too injured. That was when Konohamaru saw it. The massive conflagration of flame.

"Sasuke there," Konohamaru roared, pointing at Uchiha's mother. Sasuke grit his teeth, his conversation with her from earlier that day raging in his mind but nonetheless he cooperated. The two sprinted towards the woman. Their pursuers quickly realized who the woman was and instantly retreated, charging towards Hirako instead.

Mikoto stared out. Her eyes narrowed at the sight of the new factor. They had brought more shinobi?

"Mikoto-sama," Konohamaru called. The woman paid them no mind; her eyes focused on the massive hole in the northwest wall of the fort. Shinobi poured forth, targeting any shinobi they saw. They had no allies. But what was going on?

"Who are they," Sasuke questioned, staring at the new variable in the battle.

"I don't know," Mikoto stated, her eyes narrowed. "But I intend to find out. With me."

Sasuke nodded, but Konohamaru shook his head, causing the woman to raise an eyebrow.

"Somebody needs to lead the fight against the Kumo forces. I'll trust you two to handle that."

Konohamaru's eyes narrowed at Hirako, the Hyuga girl was cornered by a group of seven enemy shinobi, two of which were Sasuke and his previous assailants.

"Besides...I have someone I need to protect."

The two Uchiha's glanced at each other briefly before they nodded.

"Stay safe," was Mikoto's curt response before she dashed off towards the new enemy force. Sasuke stayed for a bit longer, his eyes hard.

"Don't die Konohamaru."

Konohamaru smiled, giving him a thumbs up that in the context of the situation seemed unrealistic.

"Don't worry about me! I'll give those bastards hell!"

Sasuke wanted to frown. That wasn't confirmation he would die. If anything, it was acknowledgement that he would. He grit his teeth.

"I'll be as fast as I can. Hold out until then."

Sasuke dashed after his mother.

Konohamaru smirked, turning to the Kumo and Shimo contingent surrounding the Hyuga and dashed forwards. He couldn't promise Sasuke that he would hold out that long.

Because he intended to win. Not hold out.

He appeared behind two Kumo shinobi, although not the two that had attacked him earlier. His staff was sealed in his wrist for a moment, allowing him to pull two kunai from his pouch and slash through their throats with it. They tried to scream, but couldn't through their own blood and slashed throats, crumpling to the ground. Dead. The other members of the group turned to look at him as he stepped in front of Hirako, his kunai dripping blood. He launched them at his foes, only for them to deflect them. No matter. He unsealed his staff; a firm look on his face.

"You okay Hirako?"

"Y-yes Sarutobi-sama!"

Konohamaru nodded.

"Stay behind me."

The Hyuga girl nodded, her Byakugan eyes pulsing hard. The five-man cell of Kumo and Shimo shinobi before him stared him down, anger in their eyes. Konohamaru stared back. Two Kumo shinobi, the ones from before, and three Shimo shinobi. Not exactly the best odds, injured as he was. But they were injured to. He simply had to kill them quickly and efficiently. Never let them use their numbers to their advantage. Dictate the pace of the fight.

"Do you really think you can beat us," came the call from the redhead from before. Konohamaru smirked, his canines showing from the action.

"Of course, I do," he stated. "Because I'm Konohamaru Sarutobi! The man who will become the Rokudaime Hokage! And I never go back on my word!"

The redhead snorted before bursting into outright laughter. It wasn't long before the rest of her group followed, although the white-haired shinobi remained silent.

"Sure, Little Monkey," she muttered. "You look half dead already. This won't take long."

Konohamaru's eyes narrowed, sinking into a stance.

"This Little Monkey is going to make you eat those words."

"Try it."

The two groups charged at each other; their eyes hard. Hirako could only stare and watch, completely unable to fight in her state. The time for talking was over.

Now was the time for action.

---

Mikoto carved through the enemy shinobi as soon as she reached them, wasting no time in killing as many as possible. It wasn't long before they seemed to realize the threat she posed, grouping in clusters to try and kill her. It mattered not. They were weak, pathetic really. It quickly became apparent to her they were only killing shinobi before due to a massive numbers advantage. They were weaker than the Shimo shinobi. Mostly just bodies. And bodies couldn't take down a shinobi as strong as herself. But that did raise an important question.

What were they doing here? Who sent this many low level Chunin, if not high level Genin, to a battlefield? This wasn't a force that could win a battle. This was a distraction. Chaff. Meant to soak up powerful attacks while the real heavy hitters did the real heavy lifting.

So where was the real threat?

She stopped as the last of the initial strike force against her dropped to the ground dead. Bodies sat around her, none of them having managed to land a blow against the kunoichi. She crouched down to analyze the headband on their foreheads, her son appearing next to her as she did so.

"Good work mother. But there's more of them. We can't stop now."

He got no response.

Sasuke frowned, looking at his mother. She was completely frozen, as if she had seen a ghost. He crouched next to her, touching her shoulder.

"Kaa-chan?"

Sasuke's eyes widened when he saw her face. She turned to look at him. For the first time in the battle, Mikoto Uchiha grabbed the hilt of her sword. She looked up at her son, and for the first time in his life Sasuke saw fear in them. The relaxed black morphed into a terrified crimson, her three tomoi spinning.

"Orochimaru..." Mikoto whispered. "He's here."

---

WELL, HOW ABOUT THAT? Oh gosh I have been waiting for this scene. People have been asking for a while where Orochimaru is. And boy oh boy I have been patiently waiting until he made his first appearance, and in such a chaotic battleground too. The odds of victory were already low (despite Mikoto, Sasuke, and Konohamaru all doing some serious heavy lifting), but now how the hell do they expect to survive with a Sannin on the battlefield? What's he doing here? How does Konohamaru expect to win a fight against 5 shinobi at once, including Karui and Omoi, in his injured state?

You'll find out next chapter :).