The forest seemed darker than usual. The warm sunlight that shined from wherever was dim and slowly disappearing, like when a cloud would float by. The beauty of the trees and calming sounds of nature were gone.
All that remained were the trees. Fū was terrified of what was coming.
"Chōmei?" The girl called out from the edge of the forest. "Are you there?"
The large bug Bijū rose above the trees, dwarfing the redwoods. "Fū…you're still here."
There was an underlying concern in her beast's voice. She knew what was coming. "Of course, I'm still here. Where would I have gone?"
"Your chakra has all but disappeared. I feared the worst."
Fū could only imagine what her Bijū had felt. A shinobi dies when they run out of chakra. It was easy to assume that Chōmei thought the same. Despite the enormous power the nine Bijū held, they were limited in the capacity of their jinchūriki.
"What's going on? Everything in here is…different."
"The forest has changed because your chakra no longer influences it. The vibrancy and gentle touch were because of you, not me."
Fū could only blink in surprise. "I…made the forest?"
"We've been joined since your birth. I have watched you grow and become a splendid young human. We've had our differences, but I'm glad we were able to be together."
Fū did not like where this was going. "…Chōmei? What's going on?" She refused to see the obvious signs.
Nine bright lights appeared in the sky, blinding Fū from seeing what they were. The nine lights shot down in a fury, grabbing Chōmei in a fierce hold.
Nine phantom dragons.
The extraction had begun.
Each of the nine phantoms bit into Chōmei, taking a piece of her as they disappeared back into the sky. The beast's wings disintegrated as her body was taken piece by piece.
"CHŌMEI!"
All but one had taken pieces of Chōmei with them back to the statue, leaving the final piece. Her head.
"No!"
Fū leapt up, doing whatever she could to save her friend. She grabbed ahold of Chōmei's head, holding on with everything she had.
"I'm not going to let them take you!"
The last dragon vibrated, shooting Fū off with little effort. She crash landed in the forest. Her last glimpse before total dark was her partner being taken from her. The sadness that she saw would forever be burned into her mind.
"Goodbye…Fū."
The darkness reigned over the forest. Nature would never know the sun again.
Fu was alone in the forest. The darkness had completely taken over. She could no longer see the trees, nor feel the breeze. It was as if the forest vanished, and she was left in a suspended void of nothing. She couldn't move. She couldn't breathe.
All Fu could do was wait.
-Battle of Amegakure-
Explosions hit the southeast in rapid succession, toppling dozens of buildings in seconds. The invading Konoha force quickly dispersed into the mechanized village. Many Ame shinobi were killed quickly while villagers were mostly spared, outside of collateral damage. Kakashi wasn't in the business of senselessly murdering civilians.
Konoha advanced through the slums of the village quickly, taking down what little opposition there was easily. Once the force was met with head-on attacks by near peer shinobi, the fight was on.
The shinobi of the Leaf quickly established itself a makeshift base of operations. A place for regrouping, planning, and medical treatment area for the injured. Konoha was here and dug itself in deep. None of them were leaving without Naruto.
Though, an established basehead didn't mean the area was secure. It didn't take long for Konoha's forces to get spread thin. Amegakure was quick to respond by isolating their enemy into small pockets. And all were being bombarded with constant assaults.
"Commander Kakashi!"
"Status update, Sai! What's going on out there?!"
Kakashi pulled his knife out of an enemy shinobi, saving the life of chūnin. He had sent out Sai for some reconnaissance on what was happening. Everything started to fall apart when they were met with near peer forces. That ink ability certainly comes in handy in large scale battles. A bird's eye view is a huge advantage that he never had on the eastern front against Kumogakure.
"Amegakure has effectively cutoff our forces from each other!" Sai hovered over, his winged beast creating large gusts. "They're trying to isolate us and take us down separately!"
Kakashi knew this tactic, he used it not too long ago against Darui and his forces. And he knew exactly how to beat it.
"Alright! We're moving again! We need to regroup everyone that's isolated!" The Sharingan commander shouted to everyone. "Sakura! Keep the injured towards our escape route! Once we get Naruto, we're hightailing out of here! We're not leaving anyone!"
The medic did not respond, merely began executing the orders that were given to her. She barked orders like the head medic should all the while healing an injured comrade. A flawless showcase for Sakura and her development as a shinobi.
Kakashi, too, ordered his soldiers on where to go and what needed to happen. The shinobi of Konoha fought through the enemy with grit and determination. Though it was no easy task. The shinobi of Amegakure were tough and each kill, for either side, was earned. It felt each side was fighting uphill.
Little by little, the tides of the battle were brought back to even. Kakashi was able to regroup with each of his dislocated platoons and form a giant force. With all the force fighting as one, Kakashi and Konoha were pushing against Amegakure.
But that's when the big guns came out to play.
Explosions erupted in rapid succession, ending the lives of both Konoha and Amegakure shinobi. And through the flaming, large shark-shaped bombs decimated the opposition.
Kisame and Deidara had arrived on the battlefield.
This was where the real fight began.
"Art is an explosion!"
Dozens of C1 explosive birds flew from Deidara's hands and glided into the center of a group of Konoha shinobi, denotating in a series to create one massive fireball. A nearby building toppled over and crushed another squad.
"Finally! Samehada has been itching from some action!"
The man known Tailless Tailed Beast masterfully wielded the large shark-skinned sword, taking the lives and chakra of every shinobi that it grazed. Limbs were ripped off, blood spattered into mist that covered Kisame's cloak and face.
It did not take long for the Akatsuki to even the odds for the Amekagure forces.
We need to take them separately. Akatsuki are stronger in numbers. Kakashi deuced quickly. Those two needed to be stopped immediately. By themselves, Kisame and Deidara could take on the entire force. That blonde one with the detonating clay, Sai would be suited perfectly with me. Sakura, Shikamaru, and Ino should be able to handle Kisame. With those heads put together, they probably could beat me.
Kakashi retreated to gather those necessary for the battles. He needed to be fast before all his forces were decimated completely.
"Everyone! To me!"
The Copy Ninja landed before them, ready for battle and death.
"Sai, with me! We're taking on that blonde Akatsuki!"
"Sir!" The former ROOT began watching the patterns of Deidara's fighting style.
"Shikamaru, Ino, and Sakura, I'm leaving Kisame to you!"
Sakura nodded. It made sense, she was the most familiar with the shark. "Roger!"
Then the Sharingan Hero found two of his best trackers. "Kiba, Hinata! You two are going to search for Naruto while we distract the main force! With your sense of smell and eyesight, I expect you'll find him in no time!"
The two-tracker shinobi nodded. Hinata's eyes would prove invaluable, while Kiba's nose could sniff out any and all hiding places.
"Disperse!"
-Son vs. Father-
"Senpō: Gokashin'ensen!" (Sage Art: Five Fire Gods' Fan of Flames)
"Sage mode?!"
Naruto only nearly evaded the massive wall of flames that instantly erupted around Jiraiya. The flames scorched everything around him and concealed him enough for Naruto to lose sight of him.
Shit! I'm at a huge disadvantage here.
Naruto dove behind a nearby pillar, trying to conceal himself so that he could formulate some kind of plan. With the addition of the Rinnegan, this version of his master could also tap into Sage Mode. How that was even possible was beyond Naruto. Senjutsu wasn't something so easily copied. The Rinnegan was more than likely the key to it.
Pervy Sage has to be controlled by Pain. Those piercings look a lot like the black rod that Rōshi used. And they disrupt chakra. Maybe putting them in specific places on the body grants some kind of mind control. But that doesn't explain the Rinnegan.
He thought about Tsunade's advice. Whatever she was referring to, it may not pertain to Jiraiya. She was certain that he died. Fukasaku was even more certain of it.
The real one isn't there. Are they all being controlled? All six of the Pains had similar piercings. The Rinnegan wasn't the key, those rods and piercings have to be. They must be the source of everything. Nothing else connects everything like they do.
Naruto knew his plan now. He needed to remove the rods and destroy them. That was the key to saving his master and stopping Pain.
A familiar hissing sound and blue glow appeared behind him. Faster than he had ever reacted before, Naruto created his own technique to counter. The two spheres collided and exploded from their destructive powers. Naruto crashed through some pillars and a wall into a larger open area.
Taking in a quick glance, Naruto assumed he was in the lower part of the city. Luckily, he landed on a flat cement pad in the middle of open water. The area was extremely battle ridden. A tough fought battle took place in this area.
Naruto immediately had an idea of what happened here.
"This is the place, isn't it?"
Looking towards the opening he blasted through, his master looked down upon him, like a god watching over his creation.
"It is. It's where our master died."
"I don't think he's really dead."
"You'd be wise to believe what I tell you, Nine-Tails."
There was an underlying tone in the familiar voice that gave Naruto a disturbed feeling, making his skin crawl. This wasn't Jiraiya speaking. It was whoever was controlling him.
"I'll make my own conclusions."
The black cloaked figure landed near his target. "Why is it you fight? Days ago, you refused to lift a finger against this man. Now, you fight like man with nothing held back."
"There are things worth fighting for that can't be held back. I have people I need to save and protect." Naruto's eyes were filled with regret. "Even if it means from you...master."
It was one of Jiraiya's dreams to fight Naruto as peers. In death, Naruto achieve his master's goals.
A clone exploded in a hidden corner, transferring the stored senjutsu to the host. The surge of power elevated Naruto to heights that Jiraiya never fully achieved. His master's Sage Mode was never complete, needing the aid of the two elders to maintain it.
Naruto, however, needed no help. He had figured out how to tap into Sage mode almost at will in a battle. He used his clones as a catalyst to gather natural energy. Once the perfect amount was maintained, Naruto dispelled the clone, and all that power was sent to him.
Jiraiya and Naruto were peers now. A student was surpassing the master. A son making his father proud.
The battle was filled with heavy attacks, the senjutsu had enhanced their strength nearly tenfold. It looked like a dance, similar fighting styles clashed. Counters to counters, grapples reserved.
"Kage Bushin no Jutsu!"
Four clones attacked in unison, able to strike Jiraiya in the air with consecutive hits.
"Uzumaki Barrage!"
As Naruto came down with the final, senjutsu enhanced strike, a bird summon came intercepted him from connecting. The bird's beck had stabbed him through the stomach.
"Fuck!"
Powering through the pain, which was lessened with senjutsu, Naruto used his enhanced strength and pulled the bird into the water below. The rumbles died shortly after, and the waters were calm.
The Animal Path remained vigilant from her heightened position while the Asura path stood with their seventh puppet. The shared vision with the Rinnegan allowed for total watch over the area. They would pounce the second Naruto made a single move.
So, Naruto made one hundred moves.
Clones flew out of the water, attacking from all sides. The Asura Path tore off his arm and fired a large cluster of missiles. The explosions killed the clones in a matter of seconds, leaving the area to be coated in a thick cloud of smoke.
The real Naruto came through the smoke, Rasengan dialed in for a kill shot.
But the Animal Path intercepted the attack with another summon. A snake-tailed chameleon had appeared in the space between and was hit head on with Naruto's jutsu. It was summoned and immediately camouflaged.
"You're in my way!"
Naruto channeled more chakra into the Rasengan and increased the size and power tenfold. The chameleon stood no chance and was enveloped, turning the summon into dust from the buzzsaw that was the Rasengan.
The Asura Path came back into the battle with the serrated blade that extended from the waist. The chunin dipped under the attack and leapt away, choosing to create distance for his next attack.
Sage mode is going to expire soon. I've got one shot left in me.
There were three targets. Naruto knew he could take out two, in best case scenario, with one hit. For that to happen, he needed to outsmart the shared vision. And come up with a different plan. He knew they were aware of his ability to control the Rasenshuriken's path and size.
The summoner has overwatch, I can't make a move without her seeing me. The other one has missiles and that waist blade. If I can somehow break the control over Pervy Sage, I'll have the advantage over all six. Not to mention, having the best chance to save Fu before it's too late.
Two clones appeared on either side of Naruto. A plan was formulated. It was time for action.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Thump...
Everything comes around. Everything has a price.
The strong heartbeat suddenly became weak, faltering away to nothing. The clones dispelled and the creator collapsed on the ground, blood slowly trickling out of his mouth.
The three bodies curiously, and cautiously, approached the body, wondering if this was some sort of ploy. The Asura Path knelt to feel the heartbeat from the neck.
"There's no heartbeat. It has stopped."
The puppet from Jiraiya's body spoke up. "From the knowledge we've gained from Master, Naruto Uzumaki has a heart condition. It was described as cancer."
The Asura Path hoisted the body up over his shoulder. "We need to act quickly to keep the jinchūriki alive. We must get him to the pods. He cannot die without extraction first."
"Gatsūga!"
Kiba smashed into the Asura Path with his signature technique. His ninja hound and Hinata used the distraction to rush in and grab Naruto from that puppet's grasp. Kiba directed his tunneling towards the quickest way out but his path was blocked by the two remaining bodies. He was instantly surrounded.
"Shit!"
"Kiba!" Hinata fastened Naruto's body to Akamaru, using suction seals to keep him in place. "Go! Get Naruto to Sakura! Now!"
The dog whined, protesting leaving his master and best friend. But the enemy was quickly closing in with more of them on the way.
"Akamaru, go!" Kiba took one last look as his lifelong companion. This wasn't about them. It never had been. Kiba finally realized that. "I'll be right behind you!"
The dog held back another whine, giving into his master's orders. With their comrade firmly attached to him, Akamaru took off.
Hinata would stay with her teammate.
"Hinata! Get out of here!"
The Hyūga Princess did not bat an eye. She wouldn't let her teammate face this opposition alone. He had done so much for her and had been there for her when she wasn't there for him. Kiba was a true friend and Hinata was going to do the same for him once.
"Kiba...you've been by my side for years, watching me throw myself at Naruto. Pretty much ignoring everything around me. But you were there for me. I...I won't let you face this alone. We're comrades."
The fear he felt lessened. Kiba realized some time ago that the Akatsuki were the true enemy, and that Naruto was the key to stopping them. Fighting Kakuzu made Kiba realize the vast difference between them.
Kiba bickered with Naruto during their childhood because he was jealous of all the attention that Naruto received. Not because Kiba wanted that attention, but because Naruto hated it. Kiba felt it was not fair. All the missed classes, rude comments, and overall aloofness from their days in the Academy made Kiba resent Naruto for his natural talent.
It was no wonder Naruto and Sasuke got along so well. They were the same.
But when he learned that Naruto was the son of the Fourth Hokage, the legendary shinobi, that resentment instantly turned to jealousy. Kiba wanted a linage like that, He was proud of his family name, but nothing the Inuzuka clan ever did compared to the legend of Minato Namikaze.
Kiba wanted to be Naruto. Plain and simple.
When Naruto returned from his training, Kiba had to challenge him. To prove that he was better than him. To prove that all that natural talent meant nothing compared to hard work. To prove that Kiba was better and to put his jealous thoughts to rest.
But the loss only made things worse. That jealousy turned to hatred. Kiba was willing to do anything to defeat Naruto.
Oddly enough, Naruto spared Kiba a moment to speak from his heart. And Kiba realized just how alike they were. Naruto was jealous of Kiba's life. Naruto hated the attention because it reminded him of the life that was taken from him.
"There's too much hate in this world. And we're comrades, right?"
"...Comrades..."
A word, and friend, Kiba never truly appreciated until now.
The long, vibrating saw from the waist of the Asura Path extended to its full length. A large, three-headed dog appeared in a large plume of smoke, atop stood the Animal Path. And the spiraling blue sphere glowed from the palm of the Sannin.
Kiba and Hinata would come to know pain.
-With Sakura-
There's so many injured coming in! We can't keep up!
Explosions erupted in consecutive detonations, injuring even more. Sai was doing his best fighting Deidara but he was struggling. The Akatsuki was dancing around him.
Sakura rushed over to the dozens that now laid with missing limbs and fleeting life. She quickly applied what aid she could before dragging the bodies to the 'safe point'. It wasn't much of a safe point, honestly. The medical unit was surrounded on all sides with two Akatsuki members dancing around them.
There was nothing safe about this.
Sakura fastened a tourniquet for seemingly the hundredth time in the last hour before beginning another hasty patch job for a mildly injured chūnin. All her actions were blurring, and muscle memory took over. Sakura's mind continued to be plagued by a single thought.
Naruto...
Sakura prayed he was okay. Her stomach was turning horribly at the thought of something bad happening. As much as she wanted the Nine-Tails out, by her hands or someone else, Sakura wasn't going to let it happen if it meant Naruto would die. She hoped that Kiba and Hinata would set aside their feelings towards them to achieve the mission.
More explosions erupted around them, much closer than before. Deidara flew by, marveling at the fireballs with laughter. Sai chased after him, trying to keep up.
Sakura watched intently as Deidara zipped around buildings, ascending high only to come soaring back down. His flight patterns were erratic, there was no rhyme or reason for his motions. It explained why Sai was having so much trouble.
Sakura thought if she could somehow catch Deidara off guard, she could land a solid blow to him and give Sai the opportunity to get in close for the kill. But she had no way to predict what move he'd make next.
"Kakashi sensei!"
But the Copycat ninja did.
"What is it?!" The commanding officer couldn't spare long. He needed to stay vigilant for the rest of the forces.
"Track that Akatsuki with your Sharingan! Tell me where he's going to be! Sai can't catch him!"
Without a second's hesitation, Kakashi focused his Sharingan on Deidara. He contemplated activating his Mangekyō to use Kamui and sent that bastard to the void. But that would require a more stable target. Kakashi was still struggling effectively use Kamui because of the extreme chakra consumption and ability to create the 'space barrier' large enough to take down the enemy. He was getting there, but with the war going on he wasn't given much time to train.
It was not long before Kakashi figured out how Deidara was flying like he was. He pointed to the exact area he was going to be.
And Sakura pounced on it.
"Ōkashō!" (Cherry Blossom Clash)
Although it appeared to be only a showcase of her superhuman strength, this technique was the application of the precise chakra control for Sakura's medical ninjutsu. There was such a strong release of a dense concentration of chakra that there was small shockwave echoing from the impact to Deidara's face.
Sai swooped in and caught Sakura before she was surrounded by the enemy.
"Thanks, Sai."
"Such raw power and strength. I see why Naruto is attracted to you."
Sakura paid no attention to the comment. Her focus was back on the injured. But she couldn't help looking at the battlefield from the air. Pockets of fighting separated by collapsed buildings. There were so many injured that couldn't be helped.
Through the battles and blood, there was a white dog that was sprinting through it all.
"That's Akamaru...with Naruto?!"
Sai commanded his ink bird to soar down. The bird flew in, grabbing the ninja hound in one swoop. The dog whined in surprise.
"He's unconscious..." Sakura did what she could to examine him from where she was. Trying to concentrate while rushing through the air was as hard as one would expect. "...he's not breathing."
Sai immediately dive bombed, almost crash landing into the 'safe point'. Sakura ripped her teammate from the bird's grip.
He's not breathing.
She felt for a pulse. Nothing. She put her ear to his still warm chest. No beat.
No heartbeat.
Sakura funneled chakra into his system, trying to find the cause. She could feel the beast still inside, a slight relief. But knowing Naruto's medical history, Sakura knew that there was only one other possibility.
Sakura focused her chakra on his heart, trying to restart it. She pulsated her chakra into electrical currents, shocking his heart. It wouldn't restart. It felt like the currents weren't reaching his heart. Like something was blocking it.
Shit! I need to get it pumping!
Using two fingers, Sakura created a chakra scalpel and cut into Naruto's chest. She reached in and began to manually pump his heart while carrying out mouth to mouth resuscitation to keep him alive.
I will not let you die!
Sakura squeezed and squeezed, moving the blood throughout his body. It was after the eleventh or twelfth pump, Sakura had lost count, before the heart started pumping on its own again.
A deep gasp of air filled Naruto's lungs, his eyes shooting open. He was weak, barely able to lift his arms. "...Sakura...?"
Relief washed over her. Sakura knew he wasn't out of the woods yet, neither were any of them, but his heart pumping on its own was the step in the right direction.
"...What's going on?" He could barely speak above a whisper. He felt so incredibly debilitated. It felt like his whole body had shut down. The sounds of fighting were muffled.
"We came to rescue you, dummy." Sakura gently caressed Naruto's cheek. She was so unbelievably relieved he was still alive.
More explosions ignited the air around them. Sakura shielded Naruto with her own body from the intense heat. The heat lasted only moments before the massive wings of the C2 dragon snuffed them out with stronger gusts.
"Escaped, hm?" Deidara held a deep, purple bruise on his cheek. Sakura could still see her knuckle imprint. "It doesn't matter. You won't escape this place." Deidara molded clay into rounded human-shape. "I'm gonna burn you all in my beautiful art! For my art...is an explosion!"
The C2 dragon flew high into the air, higher than any of the skyscrapers. The crazed man smiled at the beauty that was about to be born. Reviling in the beauty, Deidara paused. He relished the idea of ending an entire army in a single attack.
Funneling chakra into the C3 clay, the timer had started. It was time to drop. And for art to be appreciated.
"Banshō Ten'in!" (Universal Pull)
A strong force jerked Deidara of his dragon, and down towards the ground. The C2 dragon lost its balance and began to plumet out of the sky. He couldn't stop himself as he fell, a strong attractive force was bringing him in at an extreme speed. The dragon regained its flight and swooped in for the intercept.
"What the hell was that?!"
"You disgrace us!" The Tendo Path appeared before him. "Shinra Tensei!" (Almighty Push)
The ultimate repulsive force smacked Deidara with enough force to destroy the C2 dragon and send him through a dozen concrete walls. He pulled himself out of the hole that he was repulsed into.
"S-Sir!" Deidara pleaded. "I-I only wanted to destroy the opposition!"
"At the cost of our village? My village?" The Deva Path stood before his subordinate, ready strike down the judgement of a god.
"That girl humiliated me and my art! I can't let that stand, hm!"
The muscle of the paths appeared. The Asura Path's blade still dripped with blood. It would soon drip with more.
"You were the pride and future of this organization, Deidara. I am saddened that it has come to this." Focusing the attractive force, the Deva Path closed his fist over Deidara. "Death shall greet you swiftly."
"No!"
Deidara ripped off his tattered Akatsuki cloak, revealing another mouth over his chest. He sliced open the stitching and fed it a large ball of his explosive clay.
"I'm going out on my own terms! The ultimate art!"
Pain realized there were only moments before everything in a ten-kilometer radius would be eradicated. This was the end for Deidara. The C0. The Rinnegan saw large amounts of chakra being kneaded through the meridians of his heart and into his veins, effectively causing his body to slowly vanish and ignite at a moment's notice.
"I never wanted this! You and that fucking bastard, Itachi, forced me into this life! My name is Deidara! And I am the world's greatest artist! This is my final masterpiece!"
These 'veins' condensed into a sphere over Deidara's heart. It slowly began to crack open with a blinding light breaking through.
"Your masterpiece is no match for mine!" Pain slapped his hands together. "Chibaku Tensei!" (Planetary Devastation)
There was a strong rumble from the earth, a powerful force was acting upon it. Deidara could feel the explosion coming, it wouldn't be much longer. He assumed the rumbles were from his art and that he was beating out whatever the god was trying to do.
Deidara was wrong.
Again, a powerful force pulled Deidara high into the sky. Those rumbles were enormous chunks of earth being pulled from the ocean's floor. Those chunks rose into the air with Deidara and began creating a large rock satellite structure with his body at the center of it all.
All the fighting ceased to witness the creation. A creation from a god.
Deidara's ultimate art ignited from the center but due to the extremely dense satellite, the explosion was muffled to a shadow of what it could have been. What it should have been. The structure crumbled to pebbles, leaving hardly a trace of the art that Deidara loved so much.
Deidara of the Akatsuki was dead. And his art would be forgotten.
Kisame looked on, feeling a slight wonder of what could have been for that young artist. But the swordsman knew not to go against Pain. The young always learn the hard way. Deidara would have never learned.
But putting those 'what ifs' aside, Kisame was now the final remaining member of the original nine.
And Madara wasn't going to allow him to pass on as well. For Kisame still had a job to do.
In the blink of an eye, Kisame was pulled into a void from behind. Shikamaru and Ino were left confused, wondering what kind of trick was being played.
"Sorry kiddos." Madara's deep voice echoed from some unknown space. "Kisame has more important things to attend to. I'd suggest helping our dear jinchuriki. He's a bit...distressed."
With the environment and situation, Shikamaru wasn't going to question something like this. There would be time for that later. The mission was to rescue Naruto and Fu. Nothing else mattered.
"Let's go, Ino!'
"Right!"
The fighting had all but ceased. All marveled at the satellite structure that was evaporated. It seemed that was the display of the god that protected them. The Amegakure shinobi were filled with confidence. With the help of their almighty leader, they believed they would win the day.
"Konoha shinobi!"
Pain's voice rang deep and booming, taking on all the attention. His voice was projected throughout the entire village.
"You have fought bravely and valiantly. Worthy of your reputation that is known in the history books. But now, it is finished. This rescue mission stands in the way of peace. Lay down your weapons and you shall be honored by allowing your lives to be spared."
Kakashi was slowly understanding the gravity of the situation. This Pain was far stronger than he predicted. The lives of all his shinobi laid in the balance. He knew they were all looking to him for the answer. They would follow whatever order he gave.
Naruto. His student. This wasn't something he could just walk away from. None of the shinobi here could either.
Despite the past and everything Naruto had done, every single shinobi here volunteered to go. Not one was forced to fight here. To die here. Konoha shinobi were loyal to each other.
Naruto was no different.
"Our lives are not yours to barter with. Surrendering to you was never an option." Kakashi's Sharingan shined brightly from the flames of his Will of Fire. "We protect our own! We have no intention of turning our comrade over to you!"
The Paths of Pain appeared before Kakashi, landing in unison with one another. Seven bodies were primed for attack. And with the power of the Rinnegan, this fight would be for their lives.
"Amegakure shinobi...return to your homes. This fight is mine now."
The shinobi of the host village dared not to argue. Pain had protected and saved them from all threats, foreign and domestic. As the battle would begin to play out, the shinobi of Amegakure would watch from their windows.
It would be Konoha vs. The Paths of Pain.
"Listen up, everyone." The leader of the division began. "This is more than just a fight for our lives...this is a fight for the future. If we fail here, the path towards our destruction will be laid out in gold lining. Naruto is the key to their plans. This is our stand against the enemy!"
The remaining Konoha shinobi gathered and listened, screaming in courage and inspiration. They would fight to their last man. Amid all the chaos and fighting, Sakura funneled healing chakra into Naruto. No matter what she did, he wasn't improving. Whatever was wrong with his heart was ravaging his entire body.
His heart was beating on its own again, but he kept drifting in and out of consciousness. His body was weak and having trouble regaining strength.
His entire chakra system is messed up. All his points are either chorded or disconnected. This cancer is rapidly taking over his body and I can't stop it!
Whatever was happening to Naruto, Sakura couldn't handle it alone. There were so many issues that she needed a full staff of nurses to help her fix whatever was happening to him.
No. I need Lady Tsunade.
Sakura had no intention of abandoning the others in a fight like this. But it was like her old sensei said, Naruto was the key. If he was left to be held captive, the world would fall soon after.
The mission was to get Naruto out of here. I'll have to do just that.
"Kakashi sensei!"
The Copycat ninja leapt to his student. He took note of Naruto's condition. "What's the matter, Sakura?!"
"I need to get him out of here!" Sakura was beginning to position her teammate on her back. "He needs Lady Tsunade!"
Kakashi scanned the boy's body with his sharingan, revealing something alarming. "His chakra network...it's deteriorating."
"Sensei...he needs better medical treatment than what I can provide here. I need to get him back to the village so Lady Tsunade can look at him. And I need to go!"
"Shikamaru, Sai, Ino!" There was no time to argue. "Escort Sakura out of the village! Sai, you take flight and get her and Naruto back to the village! He needs Tsunade!"
The trio formed around the medical ninja. This would be the most important mission of their lives.
"Go! We'll hold them off!"
As Kakashi turned back to the enemy, the rescue team began running for their lives. In fact, this wasn't just for their lives. Or Naruto's. Everyone's life hung in the balance.
Only two Tailed Beasts remained uncaptured. What started as a silent battle that only a few fought was turning into a cry for more war and bloodshed for the innocent.
The fate of the future was currently fighting for his life. Naruto was barely hanging on.
"Sai, can you draw up a bird?"
Ino ran alongside the artist, hoping to be the first one to hop on.
"We need to get closer to the outskirts first. I'll have to draw a bird large enough to hold us all. Being this far in the city, there isn't enough room."
"Then we better kick it into high gear!" Shikamaru knew they wouldn't let them leave so easily. Three bodies deviated from the fight with the others to come after them. "Here they come!"
The Asura Path detached one arm at the elbow and revealed a cluster of segmented missiles that fired in rapid succession. Explosions wrapped their path, leaving them with no escape. It was by luck, or their skill, that the team was not caught up in the explosions.
"Damn it!" Shikamaru did not have a lot of options. With limited resources and hardly any knowledge of the area, they were effectively captured.
The two bodies were before them, ready to take back Naruto. The Asura Path moved towards them first, revealing additional arms and the serrated blade. The Animal Path slammed her hand to the ground, summoning a giant centipede. And the third body was shrouded in a black cloak, different from the other two.
The all-powerful Rinnegan had them cornered, ready to strike.
"Ino...Sai..." Shikamaru wasn't one to give speeches, but he felt inclined to say something. He thought it might be his last words. "This might be it for us. We can't let them have Naruto. Sakura, you have to get Naruto out of here."
They knew what had to be done now. Ino and Sai were ready.
"Shikamaru..." Sakura's voice broke. This felt like the end to everything. "I'm not going to leave you guys."
"Sakura..." There was no sadness in Ino's voice. She felt no fear in the face of this opposition. It was calm. Calm like Naruto would be. "He's the one they're after. We have to do everything we can to make sure that does not happen."
"Ino..." They were childhood best friends. Sakura could not imagine life without Ino. That's how much they meant to each other.
"This is our stance against the evils of this world, Sakura. You and Naruto have shown me what it means to cherish comrades. To have friends." For the first time in a very long time, Sai gave a genuine smile. "I'm glad to have met you all."
As the Asura Path moved forward, Shikamaru readied himself. His shadow began to stretch. "Sakura, go!"
A hard uneasy feeling knotted in her ribcage. Sakura did not want to leave her friends. She wanted to fight with them. But if Sakura fell with them then Naruto would be lost completely. And the world would fall soon after.
Gritting her teeth and gripping tightly, Sakura ran once more. This time alone.
The medical ninja ran faster than she ever did before, her adrenaline pushing more strength in each step. She was almost able to outrun the giant centipede. When the giant bug came into striking distance, Sakura leapt over the giant bug and killed it with a single blow. She hardly missed a step.
Amegakure was like a maze, Sakura was getting lost. Each corner she turned; she prayed it would lead to freedom.
And when she finally did reach the outskirts, a single body waited for her.
It was the body of Naruto's master.
"...Master Jiraiya...?"
The man was near unrecognizable. The piercings coated his face while the Rinnegan in his eyes looked unnatural. If it was not for the long white hair and red cheek marks, Sakura would not have realized it was the Sannin.
"Jiraiya is no more. All that remains is pain."
This was it. The final attempt. All the others were being held off. This body –Jiraiya- was the last one standing between Sakura and the possible fate of the world.
What happened to him? He died fighting Pain. Why is he here?
"...Sakura...be careful." Naruto's voice was just above whisper. His body had become so weak he could hardly talk. "He's...he's..."
If he drifts like this any longer...Naruto actually might...
Sakura loosened her grip and rested Naruto against the nearby wall. This was her fight. Everyone else had their own. She had to win.
"You stand in the way of peace. Surrender the jinchūriki now and you'll be allowed to live."
It sounds like him, but he speaks so differently. Whatever is going on, this isn't him.
"I'd sooner die than hand Naruto over to you!" Sakura tightened her gloves. "I'm sorry, Master Jiraiya. But if you really are the enemy now, then you leave me no choice."
There was no time to question things. The threat was in front of her. Sakura needed to act now and ask questions later.
The strikes were heavy, Sakura could feel bruises forming with each block. Her skin was toughened from her training with Tsunade, but not even that could soften the blows from Jiraiya. And he was much quicker than she would have thought. Jiraiya was surprisingly light on his feet for his size.
But Sakura was just as evasive. It resembled a game of tag. Sakura did not want to stay in close against something with that kind of strength. She had to time her attacks and counter accordingly.
"Senpō: Gokashin'ensen!" (Sage Art: Five Fire Gods' Fan of Flames)
Jiraiya's Sage mode activiated in mere seconds, causing his powers to soar into new heights. He summoned a massive wall of flames around him. The area was instantly scorched. Sakura was lucky that she evaded the flames without harm.
The flames died down and Jiraiya had disappeared. Sakura was smart enough to know that he used the technique as a smokescreen to conceal his movements. He was hiding.
Remaining vigilant, Sakura scanned for any sign of where the enemy could be.
Above?
Nothing.
Behind?
Only her shadow
Left?
Empty.
Right?
Negative.
Below?
Only her feet.
There wasn't a trace of the enemy anywhere. He had completely disappeared.
Within her shadow, a figure began to rise from it. Jiraiya had manipulated his chakra and hid himself in Sakura's shadow. His target was completely unaware, and he stabbed her directly through her stomach with the same black chakra rod.
Screaming in agony, Sakura collapsed to her knees.
"My chakra..." Sakura tried to heal her wound while simultaneously pulling the rod through but could not get her chakra to respond. "I can't...regulate anything."
"This is your final warning." Jiraiya towered over Sakura, chakra gathering in a spiral in his palm. "Surrender the jinchuriki, and you'll be allowed to live."
Double gripping the rod, Sakura began to pull with all her might. Since the wound was through and through, she needed to pull it all the way through. It would cause less damage.
"Fuck you!" Sakura shouted defiantly. "I'll never hand Naruto over to the likes of you!"
The sphere had completely formed. "So be it."
C'mon, Sakura! Quit being a bitch and pull it out!
The rod was drenched in blood but was freed from her body. Sakura was able to regulate her chakra now. But because her chakra was disturbed and uncontrolled, she had to release all the chakra she had stored in her forehead.
A purple rhombus-like marking appeared on Sakura's forehead, exactly like her master's.
"Accept pain!"
"Never!"
The Rasengan was thrusted into Sakura's midsection. Yet, the oscillating saw was not advancing. It struggled, like it was being held back.
From that purple mark on Sakura's forehead, black lines extended over her entire body. And from those markings, Sakura gained an enormous power. The power to heal and destroy.
"This technique..."
"CHA!"
Sakura gripped Jiraiya's forearm and launched the body through a wall. Her newfound ability granted her even more immense strength and an extreme healing factor. With her cells constantly dividing and creating anew, the damage from the Rasengan and her stab woundwere already healed.
"Ninpō Sōzō Saisei - Byakugō no Jutsu!" (Mitotic Regeneration: The Hundred Healings)
Power fueled her very movement. In this state, Sakura was virtually unkillable. A divergent technique from the parent, Byakugō no In, and adding the healing powers of the Sōzō Saisei created the pinnacle of medical ninjutsu.
I need to end this quickly. Because my chakra was disrupted, all my stored chakra was released prematurely. I'll only be able to maintain this for a short time.
"I see you were also a student of a Sannin."
Two more bodies landed near Sakura, the Asura Path and the Animal Path. The same two bodies that Shikamaru, Ino, and Sai were holding off for her. Sakura could only assume the worst.
Oh no...
"This technique is troublesome." The Rinnegan was able to see the inner workings of the technique. "Cells constantly dividing and creating new cells by forceful stimulation. She'll be able to heal from any attack."
"The kuniochi's chakra supply is low." The Animal Path added. "She does not have the same capabilities as the one before had. Should we overwhelm her, the healing factor won't be able to keep up."
The Asua Path sprouted all six arms and the murderous tail saw from his waist. From each arm, missiles protruded and were ready to launch. The Animal Path summoned two giant ox's, ready to trample. The Animal Path appeared on top of one of the ox's.
Sakura tightened her gloves. This was it. Her final stand. Either she stood firm and won or the world would be doomed.
No pressure.
Sakura hated the still before a battle. Her anxiety would shoot through the roof. She charged first. Defeating the two ox's first was her priority. Then she would handle to two Pain bodies.
Deception and isolation. That's gonna be key.
Rushing in, Sakura stopped the stampeding ox in its tracks by fiercely grabbing its tail. She pulled and launched the ox into the air. The other ox positioned itself Sakura underneath its massive hoof. She braced herself and held off the entire weight of the ox.
"CHA!"
A massive uppercut shattered the hoof and completely breaking the leg, effectively immobilizing the ox. The other ox landed in a thunderous crash, leaving a horn to be broken off. Sakura caught said horn and shoved the tip through the skull.
Both ox's were desummoned quickly.
Sakura charged the Animal Path, taking advantage of the smoke cloud from the desummon. The Animal Path stood no chance in close quarter combat.
"Ōkashō!"
Her superhuman punch was all that it took for the Animal Path to be taken down.
Missiles filled the sky. Through extreme agility, Sakura evaded many missiles and outran explosions. The Asura Path was her next target.
Sakura only slightly evaded the saw; her side was still cut. But the pain was quickly gone, and the wound was healed just as quickly. She was close enough to deliver a powerful strike. But the Asura's Path six arms enveloped Sakura and immobilized her.
The Asura Path's chest opened and revealed a cannon. A massive amount of chakra gathered in a bright blue light.
Not good!
Sakura couldn't break free. Whatever was coming, she was about to take a direct hit.
I'm running out of chakra. I don't think I'll be able to heal from an attack like that.
There was only one thing Sakura could think of. It was desperate and likely to do more harm than good. She felt she had enough chakra to heal from what damage would be caused.
Sakura was able to break her arm free. She balled her fist and shoved her fist into the cannon, stuffing it. She funneled as much as she could into her hand to help the healing, and to help keep her hand from blowing into pieces.
Unable to fire due to the blockage, the cannon imploded. The Asura Path's body took on most of the blast, exploding from within. Sakura was thrown back with her arm intact, but she could not move it.
My arm...I think it's only broken.
The rhombus seal faded and the black lines around her body disappeared. Sakura was fresh out of chakra.
She scanned the area. Both bodies were down. It was time to go.
Sakura gingerly made her way over to Naruto. Despite the extreme healing properties of her master's technique, Sakura was quite sore. The sounds of fighting still echoed. It seemed Kakashi and others were still holding their own.
I hope Shikamaru, Ino, and Sai are okay.
"S-Sakura..."
The girl's knee nearly buckled from the weight of her body. Her body wasn't used Sōzō Saisei and now her body was feeling the full effects of the accelerated healing. She was unbelievably and completely drained of chakra. "I'm here, Naruto."
"What...happened? Where's...Fū?"
"Don't...worry about that right now. We need to get you out of here." It pained Sakura to say that, but they needed to get moving. They would have to come back for her. Hopefully they could. "If we don't get out of here now, you may not make it to Lady Tsunade. Your chakra network..."
SLICK!
Blood splattered over Naruto's face. The warm liquid jolted him for a moment. The hastened heartbeat gave him clearer vision.
Sakura had been impaled by the Master.
SLICK!
And again.
SLICK!
And again.
Three stab wounds. All vital spots. Sakura slumped over. Naruto's vision was filled with her covered in her own blood.
Thump.
"This is just like...when a Konoha shinobi killed my parents in front of me."
Thump...thump.
"It is because of the existence of love, sacrifice is born...as well as hate."
Thump...thump...thump.
"And one finally comprehends true pain."
...Thump...
...Can you feel the heart...?
Naruto reached out, grazing Sakura's skin. He pressed his hand to her neck, hoping for a pulse.
No...
Please no.
The chain tightened on the Kyūbi.
Stay with me...please.
"What is this?!"
His power began to swirl around Naruto. Being drawn in from every inch of this prison. It was not him who influenced this. Something else was drawing the power out.
I need you.
"What is going on?!"
Slowly, the chain retracted into the darkness. Despite the rusted look of the chain and collar, the strength of the metal remained. The massive demon was easily pulled back, no matter how hard he fought. Manifesting, the equally massive red gate reappeared and closed.
The Kyūbi had been trapped in his old cell.
I can't go on without you.
Power faded in and out, the gate shrinking it with ease.
As a final chance, Kyubi flexed his power through the gate. It wasn't much, but hopefully enough to do something. The target was reached. The Bijū prayed it was enough.
"NARUTO!"
The roar landed on deaf ears.
Naruto was lost. The final peace had fallen.
The light disappeared. Darkness reigned supreme.
Fuck the world.
The very core of the sewer system shook violently from raw, uncontrolled power.
Fuck destiny.
Malicious and fierce energy shined and forced the darkness back with an extreme red fury, bubbling around the broken teen in the water.
Fuck prophecy.
All that unchecked, unknown power swirled like a whirlwind. In the eye of the storm, Naruto relished the power coursing through his veins. His chakra system relined and expanded to unimaginable heights, creating the bubbling red cloak that resembled the fox that was sealed within him.
"And fuck you!"
A beam of dark light shot into the sky, rumbling all Amegakure. The power sent shockwaves through every alley and drowned all beings who were unfortunate enough to witness the transformation. The dark light settled and revealed the Beast, returning with four tails.
"Do you hate me?"
An unparalleled roar screamed so loud even the heavens had to cover their ears. It did not matter what body or who it was to Naruto. The Beast did not care.
"As you wish...but you'll soon realize that my pain will forever be greater than yours."
The Beast leapt, instantly appearing in front of Jiraiya. The body was able to dodge and create distance. But one of the tails extended out and wrapped around the body. The whiplash threw the body like a pebble, bouncing across the water.
The negative and positive chakras gathered so quickly that it seemed instant, and the bomb fired off in a matter of seconds from initial creation. Despite the small size, the explosion was massive and the blinding light covered the sunlight.
"Banshō Ten'in!" (Universal Pull)
An enormous building crushed the Beast. The Deva Path used his ability to throw an entire building on their rampaging enemy.
"Revive the defeated bodies. Then get Master's body to the chamber. He cannot be revived as we others can."
The Naraka Path summoned the King of Hell, only visible to those who have the Rinnegan. The King of Hell pulled the Asua and Animal Paths into it's mouth, only for bodies to return completely rejuvenated.
"The rage has summoned the power of the Nine-Tails. We'll have to end this quickly before more damage can be done to Amegakure."
The Asura Path stepped forward, along with the Preta Path. They would be key in defeating the rampaging jinchūriki. The Animal Path would be in support, summoning when needed. The Deva Path would protect the Naraka Path, for that specific Path was the most valuable. The Human Path was designated to retrieve Jiraiya's body.
The ground rumbled once more as another mighty roar shattered the building that was crushing the Beast, which had sprouted two more tails. Now, bones were protruding out, resembling a fox's endoskeleton.
"Six-Tails? According to Master's memory, the jinchūriki never progressed through three tails. This is going to be extremely volatile."
Suddenly, a bright blue light exploded from the Beast's chest. Similar colored tentacles wrapped around the Beast's form, trying to restrain. The Beast reached into the blue light and pulled out the necklace of the First Hokage, given to Naruto by Tsunade.
"Is that...a sealing jutsu?!"
The Beast crushed the necklace, stopping the seal before it's completion. Even more power surged, coating the air with its intensity. Increased power, speed, and fury, the Beast scaled up the building with the movements of a rabid animal.
"Shinra Tensei!"
All six tails cemented themselves into the metal framing. The Beast withstood the almighty push without fault. Taking in all the power the Beast returned with an unrelenting recoil, sending all the bodies spiraling.
Withstanding Shinra Tensei like that?! Then sending us all back with the recoil! What power!
The Asura Path corrected its trajectory with propulsive mechanisms on its feet and flew towards the Beast. The Path's head opened and revealed another chakra cannon. Six arms sprouted and fiercely held the Beast in place.
"Death...is only a matter of a little pain!"
The cannon fired directly into the Beast's face, the powerful beam traveling into the clouds. The Beast fought off the beam by forcing tons of chakra into a shield, splitting the beam in two. Simultaneously, more positive and negative chakra formed into another Bijūdama. The two dominating attacks clashed in an unrealistic fashion, seemingly equally matched.
A third arm shot from the back of the Beast. The Beast grabbed ahold of the Bijūdama and pushed through the beam. The bomb touched the catalyst for the chakra cannon and sound vanished, senses disappeared in a vale of white.
As senses returned and white disappeared, the Asura Path was nothing more than mere dust.
The Animal Path swooped in on a giant owl, snatching the Beast into it's sharp, nasty talons. The Beast roared aggressively; the talons dug into the protective cloak. The Beast violently ripped the talon out and stabbed the giant owl in the stomach, causing all the plummet.
The Beast roared once more as it free-fell, seemingly calling for something. Manifesting around the Beast, Tojin appeared in six phantom forms. All six phantoms targeted vital spots on the Animal Path and stabbed each one with deadly accuracy, pinning the Path to the ground.
The fear wrenched the Animal Path's face as the Beast towered over like a hungry lion. It was time to feed.
The Beast ripped the head clean off, dangling it from the orange hair in its jagged teeth.
The Deva and Preta Paths landed on either side of the Beast with the Naraka Path remaining back for safety. In a matter of minutes, two bodies had been defeated. To forgo any more losses, they needed to defeat this monster.
The key now will be to get the Preta Path close enough to absorb that beastly chakra.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The almighty push sent the Beast heralding into the arms of the Preta Path, locking the Beast in a full nelson hold. Auras collided as the absorption powers of the Preta Path began to shrink the cloak of the Beast, draining the malicious chakra.
Strength and power slowly left, as did the thrashing and roars. The Beast seemed to be subdued.
But surged once more, drawing on more of the Nine-Tails near infinite chakra supply. A seventh tail appeared in a hail of blinding power, increasing the size and animalistic nature of the bones.
The cloak's protective powers intensified. The Preta Path tried to disengage but it were melted together from the extreme corrosive nature of the blood red, almost black, cloak. The Beast shattered the Preta Path's arms, leaving the body completely useless.
But that did not stop the Beast from ripping the Preta Path in two pieces.
A hail of missiles ignited, dosing the Beast in flames and smoke. The Asura Path had been revived from a single piece of its body. The power of the Naraka Path was the ultimate key for the Paths of Pain.
The Deva Path took note of the extensive damage that was being done to the surrounding parts of Amegakure. Things were not boding well for the village. From his chambers, Nagato knew what needed to be done to stop the rampaging Beast.
The Beast roared through the smoke and flames, coming for the Deva Path.
"Shinra Tensei!"
The repulsive attack hit the Beast harder than before, launching the Beast like it was shot out of a cannon into the water surrounding Amegakure.
"Chibaku Tensei!"
A black sphere formed in the palms of the Deva Path's hands that he hurled into the sky. At the pinacol height, the sphere activated and generated an extremely powerful attraction that began pulling every piece of earth from the ocean's floor. The Beast could not escape from the attractive force, trying to blow the satellite away with multiple Bijūdamas, butwas trapped inside the satellite.
The Deva Path collapsed upon competition of the technique. This satellite was much larger than the one he created for Deidara. The destructive force from the C0 detonation was easily contained. Nagato was unsure of how strong the Nine Tails could become. It was better to for it than allow the Beast to escape.
"Stop, Nagato!" Konan shouted. "Your body can't take much more of this!"
"Silence Konan...need to focus."
Within the chambers that Nagato hid, he had a clear view of the satellite. The formation was fully formed, water free falling into the massive crater that was left over. The Beast had been captured.
"Unreal...it's massive."
Blood dripped from Nagato's mouth and nose from chakra exhaustion. "Our opponent is the Nine-Tails. I couldn't hold back. Compared to what the Sage of the Six Paths could create, this is nothing."
Nagato stared up at the satellite, as if he was looking into the eyes of the demon itself.
"The Kyūbi is captured once more. Peace is upon us."
Suddenly, everything seemed dark. Hope and confidence were replaced with doubt and wariness. Was it right to risk the lives of everyone here for the chance to save one? The power of the enemy is on full display for all to witness. How could they go up against something like that?
Kakashi was tired. This fight had taken everything in him and from him. So many had died, others injured. Students and comrades were slain. He fought with all his might but came up short. He so desperately wanted to give in, to forgo this fight.
"Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon their friends are worse than scum."
Even to this day, Obito never left him. The spirit of his friend was always there to bring Kakashi back from the depths of the darkness and give him the hope that he needed to keep moving forward.
"In times of hardship, look to those who you love and want to protect. That's where real strength comes from, Kakashi."
The wise words of Minato, his old master. Whenever there was doubt in Kakashi's mind about what he was doing was right or wrong he would consider the words of Naruto's father. That man was the father figure he needed after his own father's passing. Kakashi would do anything to honor him.
Time to do just that.
-Mindscape-
Why...why did it have to happen like this?
The darkness physically hurt. Stinging every inch of his body. This sensation was unbearable.
She wasn't supposed to die. She was the only one that couldn't.
More power erupted in the darkness, making the sensation worse. His cries for help and screams of agnoy were drowned out by the surging power. Not even the Kyūbi could hear him.
I don't know what to do! Someone please help me!
"Give yourself to me."
The voice had a spoken. For the first time, he had heard it speak. It wasn't a manifestation of thoughts that Naruto assumed was his instinct or a melody that only he could understand. It was another voice in his head.
The darkness illuminated, revealing the sewer of his mind. The red gates of the Nine-Tails behind him.
The voice also had manifested itself into a full body. The sleek gold armor with blood orange patterns. The Lingering Will had returned with Tojin strapped to his hip.
"I can take the pain away. All the sadness, all the hate inside you."
The voice was rough and gritty, and it carried that metallic sound as he had done before. The larger than most man covered in armor approached the sulken boy, hand stretched out.
"And I'll be your...savior."
It was hypnotic. Naruto slowly reached for the Will's hand and allowed himself to be pulled out of the water. He was overwhelmed with sensations of great pain then unbelievable relief that he was completely entranced. The Lingering Will was taking over.
Simultaneously, the seal paper that was etched onto gate's door began to peel away. Cracks appeared on the cement walls. And the chain links were beginning to tear apart. The eighth tail had appeared and was bursting through the seems.
Naruto's jacket violent ripped open, revealing the trigram sealed on his stomach. It formed quickly into an open wound and blood poured out into the water. All that was left was the final push and the seal would be broken.
"No!"
Kurama roared in fury, fighting against the cage. His struggles were silent to them. Everything had gone wrong. He was about to be released and Naruto was about to die.
The Lingering Will removed the helmet, revealing that there was nothing there. There was no man in the armor. The helmet was slowly lowered onto Naruto's head.
"We are one...Naruto..."
The seams of the seal unraveled even further. It all looked completely hopeless. Naruto was about to be lost forever.
The helmet smacked against the floor with a loud clang, filling it with blood water. The action caused Naruto to break through the trance. He was pulled away from the Lingering Will by another person.
"...Lord Fourth...?"
The legendary Yellow Flash, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze smiled brightly at his son.
"Hey."