AN: HELLO, I know it's been a while. Sorry everyone. I've been very busy, working fulltime, building a video game startup, and going to graduate classes.
I will try to keep up the pace and stop writing so many stories at once.
Start
Naruto, now fully empowered by Sarco Sage Mode, felt the weight of natural energy surging through his body.
Suien appeared throwing haymaker glowing with so much chakra it distorted the air.
Naruto narrowed his eyes, I have to dodge!
Naruto ducked feeling the fist past his head, Suien threw a side kick, Naruto stepped into to Suien's guard, quickly manipulating the Sarco Sage chakra to cover his left leg in scales. He raised his knee blocking the blow but it threw him back.
Naruto gripped the ground, slowing himself to a halt. He lifted his head to see the giant crab summon charging straight towards him.
His eyes sharpened as he went through rapid hand seals, slamming his hands down on the ground. "Summoning Jutsu!"
A massive plume of smoke erupted, blanketing the battlefield in a thick cloud. As the smoke cleared, three colossal figures emerged. The first and largest of the summoned creatures was Subara-sama, the boss of the Sarco clan. His towering figure was the same size as Gamabunta, his blue and black scales shimmering in the sunlight, creating an imposing presence.
Beside him stood two slightly smaller but equally intimidating sarcos. Nira, sleek and swift with her purple and black scales, and Zurai, whose orange and black scales rippled with power, stood ready for battle. They let out low, rumbling growls, their eyes locked onto the enemy.
Naruto, standing on Subara-sama's head with his arms crossed, glared down at Suien, who was still perched atop the giant King Crab summon. Suien's eyes widened at the sight of the massive sarcos, but his grin returned, more malicious than before.
"Pathetic," Suien scoffed. "You think these lizards can match the power I've gained from the Hero's Water? I'll crush them, and I'll crush you!"
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he addressed his allies. "Nira, Zurai, help my squad take down those crabs. Subara-sama and I will handle Suien."
Nira slithered forward with blinding speed. "Understood, Naruto," she hissed. Zurai stomped the ground, his claws tearing into the earth as he readied for combat. "Leave these oversized crustaceans to us."
Subara-sama finally spoke, his voice deep and ancient, echoing across the battlefield. "You wield stolen power, Suien. Power that you don't understand. This will be your undoing." His blue and black scales gleamed as the sun reflected off them, casting an ominous glow over the battlefield.
Suien sneered, clearly unfazed by the boss sarco's words. "Big words from a lizard! Let's see how tough you are when I rip you apart!" He clapped his hands together, activating his summon. "Crab Boss, Exploding Bubbles!"
The King Crab opened its massive maw, spewing forth a stream of bubbles that shimmered as they floated toward the sarcos. These weren't just any bubbles—they pulsed with explosive energy, ready to detonate on impact.
Nira, with her agile body, darted and weaved through the air, avoiding the bubbles as they zoomed toward her. "These things are irritating," she hissed, circling around the smaller crabs. Zurai, less nimble but more brute force, met the bubbles head-on. "Earth Style: Stone Pillar Jutsu!" He slammed his claws into the ground, causing massive stone pillars to rise, intercepting the bubbles before they could detonate. The bubbles collided with the stone, exploding harmlessly against the earth.
Meanwhile, Subara-sama remained calm, observing Suien's every move from his vantage point. The giant crab's size and power weren't to be underestimated, but Subara-sama knew it was no match for him. His eyes gleamed with wisdom as he began his counterattack.
"Sarco Scale Barrage!" Subara-sama roared. His scales rippled and bristled as he launched a barrage of sharp, gleaming scales from his back. The scales shot through the air like blades, aimed directly at the King Crab.
The King Crab raised its massive pincers to block, but several scales found their mark, piercing its shell and drawing a pained screech from the colossal creature. Suien gritted his teeth, feeling the pain transferred through his summon.
"Damn it!" Suien growled, forming a new set of hand seals. "Water Style: Tidal Wave!"
The King Crab let out a deafening roar as a massive wave of water surged from its mouth, crashing toward Subara-sama with unstoppable force.
Subara-sama stood tall, unflinching as the tidal wave bore down on him. "Sarco Scale Wall!" he rumbled. A massive barrier of shimmering blue and black scales fluttered off his body, forming a shimming barrier, He stood firm as the tidal wave slammed into it. Water splashed in every direction, but the wave couldn't penetrate the wall of hardened scales.
Naruto, standing on Subara-sama's head, surveyed the battlefield. He knew that Suien wasn't going to let up easily, and the crabs were proving to be a challenge for his team.
"Nira! Zurai! Keep the crabs busy!" Naruto called out as he locked eyes with Suien. He could feel Suien's chakra surging, amplified to dangerous levels by the Hero's Water.
Nira slithered swiftly between the smaller crabs, her movements fluid and precise. "Wind Release: Gale Force!" she hissed, releasing a powerful gust of wind that slammed into two of the crabs, sending them tumbling backward. Zurai, meanwhile, had engaged two of the other crabs, using his massive claws to crush one of their legs.
Suien, watching his crabs struggle against the sarcos, gritted his teeth and jumped back onto the King Crab's back. His eyes flared with rage. "I'll destroy you, Naruto! You and your lizards!"
Naruto's eyes narrowed as Suien was launched into the air by his crab summon, his chakra glowing dangerously. Suien rocketed down like a comet, dark blue chakra blazing around his body toward Naruto. But before he could land his attack, Subara-sama swung his massive tail in a swift arc.
Suien barely dodged the incoming tail, but the sheer force of the attack sent shockwaves through the air, knocking him off balance.
Naruto seized the opportunity. "Subara-sama, let's finish this!"
With a nod, Subara-sama's body glowed with natural energy as he prepared for his next move. "Sarco Scale Cannon!" he bellowed, launching a barrage of hardened scales toward the King Crab. The scales sliced through the air like blades, cutting deep into the crab's already weakened shell.
The King Crab screeched in agony, its movements becoming sluggish. Suien, realizing his summon was on the brink of defeat, growled in frustration. "I won't lose to you!"
Naruto leaped off Subara-sama's head, melding with the sun, before he came down on top of the crab summon. "RASENGAN!" The spinning orb of chakra whirled in Naruto's hand, glowing with destructive power.
Suien side stepped Naruto's attack, kicking his face. 'Naruto' poofed away.
The king crab roared in pain!
Nira and Zurai, having finished off the smaller crabs, returned to the fray. With their powerful jaws snapping down onto the King Crab's massive pincers, they locked the colossal creature in place. The crab thrashed violently, but Nira and Zurai held firm, their grips unyielding.
Naruto's sharp eyes caught the opening they had created. "Subara-sama, let's go!" he shouted, and the giant sarco boss surged forward with Naruto on his head.
In a blur of motion, Naruto leaped into the air, aiming directly for Suien, his chakra swirling in his hand as he formed the Rasengan. "Rasengan!" he yelled, the blue orb spinning with deadly force.
Suien, seeing the attack coming, moved to dodge, but at that moment, Fu appeared behind him. Her arms wrapped tightly around his torso, locking him in place. "You're not getting away!" she growled, tightening her hold.
Suien grunted in frustration as Naruto's Rasengan made contact with the chakra shield surrounding his body. The spiraling energy ground against his defenses, creating sparks as it attempted to break through. But Suien's chakra, enhanced by the Hero's Water, was too potent. The Rasengan began to lose its momentum, the swirling energy fading as Suien's raw power overwhelmed it.
With a furious roar, Suien broke free of Fu's hold. He backfisted her with enough force to send her flying, then spun around and delivered a powerful kick to Naruto's midsection, sending him crashing into the ground.
As Naruto hit the dirt, Subara-sama clamped his massive jaws around the King Crab's head, the sound of crunching shell echoing through the battlefield. The crab let out one final screech before it poofed into a cloud of smoke, disappearing along with the remaining sarcos as their summoning time ended.
Subara-sama roared!
"The Sarcos will always fight for you, Naruto!" *POOF*
Naruto pushed himself up, wincing from the impact, but his resolve was firm. Suien landed on the ground, glowing with chakra, his eyes now eerily illuminated with a deep blue hue. His body radiated with the power of the Hero's Water, and in his hand, he formed a chakra-infused water sword that buzzed with lethal energy.
Fu staggered to her feet, breathing heavily, but her eyes were still sharp. She regrouped with Naruto, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth. They both knew the fight wasn't over, and Suien was far from finished.
Naruto glanced at Fu and then back at Suien. "We have to keep pushing him. Make him burn through all that chakra."
Fu nodded, her eyes narrowing as she sized up Suien. "He's getting stronger, but there's only so much his body can take. We just have to outlast him."
Suien, hearing their plan, smirked. "You think you can wear me down? Foolish!" He raised his water sword, the blade humming with chakra as he took a menacing step forward. "I'll finish you both off before that happens!"
Without warning, Suien dashed toward them at blinding speed, his sword slicing through the air with incredible precision. Naruto and Fu barely managed to dodge as the blade cleaved through the space where they had stood moments before.
Naruto retaliated quickly, hurling a flurry of kunai at Suien. Each blade was infused with wind chakra, but Suien batted them away effortlessly with his water sword, sending sparks flying. "You'll have to do better than that!" Suien taunted as he lunged at Naruto with a series of rapid sword strikes.
Naruto ducked and weaved, barely evading each slash as Suien pressed his assault. He's faster than before, Naruto thought, his mind racing. I have to keep moving or he'll cut me down.
Fu moved to Naruto's side, her hands glowing with chakra. She launched a barrage of wind-shuriken, forcing Suien to back off temporarily. "We can't let him get too close," she muttered, her breathing ragged. "He's faster and stronger with that sword."
Naruto nodded, forming a plan in his head. "We'll have to overwhelm him with jutsu. He's burning a ton of chakra to keep that Hero's Water boost going. If we keep attacking, he'll run out."
The two shinobi quickly went through hand seals. "Wind Style: Gale Palm!" Fu shouted, releasing a powerful blast of wind that Suien easily backflipped over, midair he swing his water sword sending hundreds of water needles toward them.
Naruto followed up immediately, slamming his hands together. "Wind Style: Wind Dragon Bullet!" A roaring dragon-shaped gust of wind shot toward Suien, its spiraling form cutting through the air, knocking the water needles away.
Suien grinned, his chakra flaring. "Water Style: Water Wall!" He raised his hand, and a massive wall of water erupted in front of him, absorbing the Wind Dragon Bullet. The water surged forward, threatening to drown the battlefield in its wake.
But Naruto and Fu were ready. As the water surged, Naruto leaped into the air, his hands flashing through another series of seals. "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" two clones appeared around Suien, each of them diving into the water with wind-enhanced kunai.
Suien's eyes flicked between the clones, he slashed his water sword at the first clone, it blocked with its kunai. The other clone flanked Suien, the clone threw its kunai at Suien's head, he ducked under it, the first clone went to capitalize When he created another buzzing water sword, stabbing through the clone. *POOF*
The other clone dashed at Suien, Suien went to slash through the clone when it held up the ram sign, glowing white, Suien threw his arms up as it exploded.
The explosion threw him across the marsh. He pushed himself up with his hands, His water swords having dispelled from the explosion. Suien wiped the muddy water off his face and turned when,
Fu seized the opportunity, darting forward with blinding speed. "Wind Style: Gale Force Barrage!" She unleashed a rapid series of wind-enhanced strikes, each one aimed at Suien's vital points. Suien struggled to defend against the barrage, his chakra coated hands parrying her blows, Fu's body radiated an orange flow, in response her blows moved faster, and sharper, Suien tilted his head past a wind-enhanced chop, getting a cut on his right cheek.
He dug deep, pulling more chakra to enhance his physical abilities to match Fu's onslaught.
Suien gritted his teeth, his chakra was circulating to slowly, Suien slammed his hand on the ground forming a sticky surface that stopped Fu for a second, using that Suien backflipped to give himself space.
He was breathing heavy, glaring at Naruto and a glowing Fu.
He reached down to grab another bottle of heroes water when Naruto burst out of the ground with a large basketball sized Rasengan in his hand.
"Odama Rasengan!" he shouted, driving the Rasengan forward.
Naruto's Rasengan slammed into his back, sending him flying backward in a violent explosion of chakra.
Suien tumbled across the battlefield, his body smoking from the impact. He groaned in pain, struggling to push himself up. His chakra flickered dangerously, the effects of the Hero's Water finally beginning to wear on his body.
Naruto and Fu regrouped, standing side by side, their eyes locked on Suien. "It's not over yet," Naruto muttered, his voice steady. "But we've got him on the ropes."
Suien, panting heavily, glared at them with bloodshot eyes. He tried to form his water sword but it flickered in his hand, barely holding its form. "You... you're nothing compared to me!" he shouted, but there was a hint of desperation in his voice.
Naruto clenched his fists, his determination unwavering. "Yeah, a malicious and short-sighted traitor."
Suien's eyes flared with desperation as he swung his chakra-infused water sword, sending a wave of energy slicing toward Naruto and Fu. They both dodged in opposite directions, their reflexes sharp, narrowly avoiding the deadly arc of chakra.
But Suien wasn't letting up. He began to swing his sword rapidly, unleashing more waves of chakra, each one more ferocious than the last. The battlefield was filled with the sound of crashing energy as the chakra waves cut through the air, forcing Naruto and Fu to duck, roll, and sidestep in a desperate dance to avoid being sliced.
Suddenly, a fierce voice echoed through the chaos. "Fang Over Fang!" Kiba roared, his voice full of fury as he and Akamaru spun like a spiraling missile of teeth and claws. They slammed into Suien from the side with tremendous force, knocking him off balance and sending him skidding backward.
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!" Daichi's voice boomed from behind Suien. His hands slammed onto the ground, and a thick wall of earth shot up behind Suien, it crashed into at full speed, causing the mud wall to bury him.
Suien, roared using a lot of chakra to send the rocks flying away. Now trapped between his enemies, he gritted his teeth, his chakra still flaring wildly. He attempted to recover, but in the blink of an eye, Sora appeared on his right. "Lightning Style: Thunderbolt!" Sora called out as she thrust her hand forward, sending a powerful bolt of lightning crashing into Suien's side.
At the same moment, Renjiro appeared on Suien's left, his hands already forming seals. "Wind Style: Great Fissure!" Renjiro's voice echoed as a massive blast of wind erupted from his palms, tearing through the air and colliding with Suien from the opposite side.
The jutsu hit Suien simultaneously, lightning and wind merging together in a deadly explosion of elemental energy. Suien cried out in pain as the impact rocked him, forcing his body to stagger under the combined assault.
Just as Suien struggled to regain his footing, Hinata appeared directly in front of him, her eyes fierce with determination. "Eight Trigrams: Sixty-Four Palms!" she yelled, her body moving like a blur as her hands shot forward with pinpoint precision.
Suien's chakra shield flared to life, desperately trying to absorb the blows from Hinata's Gentle Fist. But the speed and accuracy of her strikes were overwhelming, each blow hammering at his chakra shield, forcing it to flicker and waver under the pressure.
"Two palms! Four palms! Eight palms!" Hinata's hands moved faster than the eye could track, her palms glowing with chakra as they struck Suien's body, targeting his chakra points. "Sixteen palms! Thirty-two palms!" Suien's chakra shield was pushed to its limits, the pressure causing it to buckle.
Just as Hinata was about to finish her attack, Suien swung his water sword in a desperate counterattack, aiming to cleave through her. But before the blade could reach her, Naruto appeared in a blur, wind swirling around his hands.
"Wind Style: Wind Blade!" Naruto shouted, forming a sword of pure wind chakra in his hand. He grunted as he blocked Suien's sword, the force of the clash sending sparks of chakra flying in all directions. The pressure was immense, but Naruto held firm, his muscles straining as he held Suien's sword at bay.
"Hinata, now!" Naruto yelled through gritted teeth, keeping Suien's blade locked in place.
Hinata didn't hesitate. She finished her combo with a final flurry of Gentle Fist strikes, her palms slamming into Suien's chest. "Sixty-four palms!" she cried out, her final blow sending a shockwave through Suien's body and his failing chakra shield.
Suien was sent flying backward, slamming into the remains of Daichi's wall. Suien collapsed to the ground, his body trembling from the overwhelming force he had just endured. His chakra flickered dangerously, the effects of the Hero's Water clearly starting to wear off.
Naruto and Hinata stood side by side, both breathing heavily from the exertion. Their eyes were locked on Suien, who now lay on the ground, struggling to stand.
"Keep pushing him!" Naruto called to the squad. "He's running out of chakra!"
Kiba, Sora, Daichi, and Renjiro regrouped with Naruto and Hinata, forming a line as they prepared for the final push. Suien was powerful, but they had him cornered. It was only a matter of time before they brought him down.
Suien staggered to his feet, his body trembling as he clutched his chest. His once glowing eyes had dulled, and the fierce energy that had once radiated from him was flickering out. Naruto and the rest of the squad prepared to charge him, but something stopped them in their tracks.
As they moved forward, they noticed something strange—Suien's body had begun to shrivel. His skin, once flushed with chakra, was now drying and cracking, almost as if it were being drained from within. The water sword in his hand flickered, losing its shape before disappearing completely, leaving nothing but empty air where the powerful weapon had been.
Suien tried to say something, his mouth opening and closing as if searching for words. But no sound came out. His eyes were wide with fear, confusion etched across his face. His body continued to deteriorate rapidly, crumbling at the edges, his chakra leaking out in a thin wisp of smoke.
The squad watched in shock as Suien's body began to disintegrate before their eyes. His once powerful frame, now hollow and brittle, collapsed in on itself. His skin flaked away, turning to dust, and within moments, the once-mighty Suien was reduced to nothing more than a pile of ash.
A gust of wind blew across the battlefield, scattering the dust that had once been Suien, carrying it into the sky and beyond. The silence that followed was deafening.
Naruto lowered his guard, his wind sword fading from his hand as he stared at the spot where Suien had once stood. "He... he's gone," he muttered, more to himself than to anyone else. The rapid depletion of chakra from the Hero's Water had consumed Suien completely, leaving nothing behind.
Hinata, her Byakugan still activated, scanned the area. "There's no trace of his chakra left," she said quietly, the realization settling in. "It's like he was never here."
Kiba shook his head, stunned by what they had just witnessed. "He burned himself out. That water... it did this to him."
Fu stepped forward, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "The Hero's Water... it gives power, but at a cost. Suien paid that price."
Naruto stood silently for a moment, his thoughts heavy as he looked toward the horizon. The battle had been intense, and Suien's end was a grim reminder of what reckless power could lead to. There was no triumph in this victory—just the haunting echo of a man who had lost himself in his pursuit of strength.
Naruto turned to his team, his expression hardening. "Let's regroup. There's still work to be done."
—-
Fu led Naruto and his squad back to the bruised and battered forces of the Waterfall Village. With Suien gone and his reinforcements cut off, the remaining traitors, Kusa, and rogue shinobi were swiftly defeated. The battlefield was a grim sight—tired, beaten shinobi, both friend and foe, lay scattered across the area, but victory was in hand.
Naruto, standing beside Fu, glanced at her with a nod. "The immediate threat is over, but we need to secure the borders. Send men to the Leaf outpost—reinforcements will be critical."
Fu looked out over the broken remnants of her village's forces, her expression determined. "I'll send fifty shinobi to the border. That should provide enough support to the Leaf shinobi holding the line."
Naruto could sense the tension in the village as Fu assumed command. With Shibuki dead, leadership had passed to her, and while many shinobi respected her strength, there were those who were not pleased with the new chain of command. Whispers of dissent filtered through the ranks, but Fu didn't waste any time. She quickly secured the village with the help of her supporters, jailing anyone who spoke out against her authority. She knew the village needed stability now more than ever.
Naruto watched as Fu dealt with the unrest swiftly and without hesitation. There was a certain coldness in her eyes as she cemented herself as the new leader of the Waterfall Village. She wasn't Shibuki; she had her own way of handling things, and it was clear that she wouldn't tolerate dissent.
With the traitors subdued and the village secured, Fu officially declared herself the leader of the Waterfall Village. Her authority was no longer in question.
"I will send fifty shinobi," Fu confirmed, her voice calm but firm. "They will be led by Takai, one of our most skilled jōnin."
Takai was a tall man with a lean, muscular build. His skin was tan from years of outdoor combat, and his dark green hair was tied back in a loose ponytail. His eyes were a sharp, piercing gold, giving him an almost predatory look. He wore the traditional Waterfall shinobi uniform, but his sleeves were torn off, revealing muscular arms lined with scars from countless battles. A large water gourd hung from his back, and around his waist, he carried several kunai and explosive tags. His demeanor was calm, but the air around him radiated an aura of deadly precision.
Takai stepped forward and gave a curt nod to Fu and Naruto. "We'll be ready by tomorrow," he said, his voice low and even. "My men are well-trained. We won't let you down."
Naruto studied Takai, sensing the strength and experience that exuded from the man. He knew the Waterfall forces would be in good hands under his command.
"Good," Naruto said. "We'll need all the help we can get at the border."
As the day wore on, Naruto instructed his squad to rest and prepare for the journey tomorrow. Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Daichi, Sora, and Renjiro all looked weary from the day's battles, but they still carried the quiet determination of shinobi who knew the war had only just begun.
"We'll head to the outpost at first light," Naruto said, his voice steady. "Make sure you're all ready. The war is far from over."
That night, as the village quieted down, Naruto couldn't help but reflect on everything that had happened. With Fu now leading the Waterfall Village and reinforcements secured, they had achieved a small victory. But the war was spreading, and battles were being fought on all fronts. The Leaf Village, and all of its allies, would need to be prepared for what was to come.
Naruto lay still, staring up at the stars above him, his thoughts heavy with the weight of the war and everything they had faced so far. The night was calm, but his mind raced. He had found a quiet spot near the trees, trying to find a moment of peace, but the tension inside him refused to let go.
He heard soft footsteps approaching, and he didn't need to look to know it was Fu. She stepped into view, a smile playing on her lips, her orange eyes gleaming in the moonlight. There was a certain satisfaction in her expression, as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders.
"Congrats on your new position," Naruto said, offering her a smile. He admired her strength and determination. She had taken control of the village, securing its safety, and he respected that.
Fu scoffed softly, her tone laced with bitterness. "I'm the strongest shinobi in the village by far. If I hadn't stepped up, the other villages would've cannibalized us." She paused, a dark look crossing her face. "Even Konoha wouldn't stop them."
Naruto frowned, realizing the truth in her words. The other villages would have taken advantage of any weakness, and Fu's leadership was the only thing holding them together. He hated to admit it, but even his own village wouldn't be able to prevent that.
Fu's voice cut through his thoughts. "But that's not why I came."
Without warning, she sat down on his legs, her hand pressing against his stomach. Naruto tensed immediately, his body stiffening as a surge of defensive instinct rose within him. He narrowed his eyes, ready to strike if necessary.
But then Fu spoke, her voice quiet and soft. "I felt it... I know what you are."
Naruto's mind raced, and his heart pounded in his chest. She knows? He prepared himself, every muscle tense, when Fu's hand moved to her own stomach.
"I'm the same," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at him with an expression that struck deep into his core. "I've never met someone who could understand me... It was hard for you, wasn't it?"
Naruto's breath caught in his throat as he looked into her sad eyes—those eyes that mirrored his own pain, his own loneliness. His defenses fell as he reached out, his hand cupping her cheek gently. Fu closed her eyes, leaning into his touch, tears slipping down her face.
"Yeah," Naruto said softly, his voice thick with emotion. "I had no one my entire life. Affection, love, companionship? I never had them... I didn't even understand what they were until her." His eyes softened as he looked at Fu. "I understand.
Fu's tears flowed freely now, her lips trembling as she whispered, "Thank you... thank you."
She leaned down slowly, and Naruto lifted his head slightly, their lips meeting in a tender, quiet kiss. It was soft, a connection between two souls who had known only isolation and pain. Naruto wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his.
Meanwhile, in the shadows of a nearby tent, Hinata lay awake, her Byakugan active. She had seen everything, heard Naruto's words, and they cut her deeply. He had no one? she whispered to herself, her heart aching for him.