Hebi was treading lightly. The team were tracking a highly coveted individual through an active warzone. Nothing about that was easy. Every encounter would be a fight. Unnecessary fighting was something they needed to avoid at all costs.

"You know this is suicide, right?"

"Quiet, Suigetsu."

Sasuke was in no mood to hear it from him. He understood what they were walking into would be an extremely difficult fight, with the likelihood that some of them may perish. That was something he wanted to avoid, but now under the knife of Madara Uchiha, there was not much of a choice. It was either by the sword or by the knife.

Either way, they would have to fight. What mattered was who they would have to fight against. Right now, Sasuke was choosing the easier fight for now. He needed to be stronger if he wanted the chance to beat Madara. Going against this particular opponent would show him where he needed improvement.

Despite their slow pace, Hebi remained unnoticed through the warzone. It wasn't until they reached the beginning of the large mountainous region in the Land of Lightning did Hebi's journey truly begin.

-With Naruto-

Oh man...Dad...you truly were a genius.

The Fourth Hokage was worldly known for, not only his natural talent but, his extreme intellect. He held nearly every record in Konoha's Ninja Academy. There was no puzzle, no riddle, no battle strategy that Minato couldn't figure out. He was considered the perfect shinobi, only comparable to the First Hokage.

Naruto often thought that those were over exaggerated legends of his father with some truth behind them. Now that he has read his father's entire journal and found one of his many hidden caches, he realized just how true everything about his father is.

Trouble with the Flying Raijin is common for those who do not have a deep understanding of space-time ninjutsu or the laws of gravity of how things move though different spaces and dimensions. Before attempting to learn the intricacies of this technique, my suggestion would be to brush up on those subjects first.

Footnote: It is also possible to learn a version of the Flying Raijin in a trio formation. For some, that might be easier to comprehend with the help of others.

Naruto was never the student like his father was. Minato was the perfect student with the perfect records, attendance, and everything else you could ask from a young student. Naruto barely attended and when he did it wasn't for long. Learning his father's vastly known signature technique is proving to be Naruto's greatest challenge yet.

There was immense pressure to somehow now live up to his father. Naruto didn't want to tarnish his father's legacy because he was a bad student.

"Your father's legacy is his own. What you do will have no effect on what the Fourth Hokage did in his life."

Naruto wasn't sold on that. Everything he's ever done has been compared to his father's accomplishments. He found it likely that he would forever live in his father's vast shadow.

He just needed to come to terms with that and become someone else entirely. To try and create his own shadow to cast.

Regardless of how Naruto felt about living up to his father's merits, there was a job to be done. Naruto was making his arrival at the F.O.B for the eastern front.

"Halt stranger!" The guard shouted. "Thunderstorm!"

"Scarecrow."

Naruto responded to the code with the correct answer as he made his way through the entrance of the base. He was impressed by how intrenched Kakashi's division was. They had a fully functioning outpost deep in the Land of Lighting. Even in the safety of the walls, Naruto could still hear the fighting.

He expected no less from his master.

Now, he just had to find the guy that was acting commander for this place.

"Well, well, well...I'll be damned. The one and only Naruto Uzumaki has arrived on scene!"

Might Gai, Kakashi's longtime rival and second in command, found him first. And with him was the other commanding officer, Chōza.

"Uber Bushy Brow Sensei." He greeted the overly exuberant man with a strong handshake. "Glad to see everything is going okay up here."

"So far, so good. We're making progress, but these mountains are not joke." The taijutsu master chuckled. "If you're here, then Kakashi must be close by. Along with our reinforcements."

The jonin shook his head. "Actually, he's still in the village regrouping with the force. I'm here on...a special assignment, I guess."

"You came alone?!" Chōza was quick bark at Naruto. He could hardly hide his disdain for the boy.

Naruto paid no attention the Akimichi clan head. He was no stranger to his man's distain for him. There were just some minds that wouldn't change. "Yeah, by order of the Sixth Hokage."

"Sixth Hokage?!" Gai questioned. "Danzō was elected?!"

Naruto was surprised that Gai was unaware of Danzō's anointment. He figured that he, of all people in this division, would know about their new leader's status. Gai took orders directly from Kakashi who took orders from Danzō.

"Your promotion was his first official act as the Sixth Hokage, and that happened two days ago. Use your brain, boy."

Fair point.

"Yeah. It was made official two days ago. My assignment and promotion were his first official acts as the newly appointed Hokage."

"Promotion?" Chōza frustratingly questioned. "What does that mean? Jōnin?" The young man nodded in response, causing the clan head to grumble to himself. Whatever it was that Chōza was saying, Naruto chose not to listen.

"Jōnin? Well, congrats, son! The flames of youth now burn much brighter within you!" Gai gave his signature thumbs-up and cheeky smile that somehow glistened. "I wish there was time to celebrate. That assignment you mentioned, what is it exactly?"

"I'm hunting down the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki...as is my duty."

Both Gai and Chōza nodded, each with their own opinions on the matter. They knew he was coming sooner or later. One hoped he wouldn't. The other was wondering if he could.

"I see. Well, I don't have much to tell you. We've never seen him. Kumo has him locked up good and tight."

That puzzled Naruto. "You haven't?"

"No. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki is the Raikage's younger brother." Chōza knew that personally. He was there when Minato fought them both. "I would guess he doesn't want to use his brother like how a Jinchūriki is supposed to be used."

Naruto ignored the comment. Getting into a useless argument wasn't worth his time right now. "Understood. I'll just have to do this the old-fashioned way."

"Old fashioned way? What do you mean?" Gai questioned.

Naruto smirked. "Some good old research."

For those two left wondering what he had meant, Naruto couldn't help himself. He was simply going to conduct some recon and gather intel on Killer B's whereabouts. But his master was famously known for doing 'research', which usually meant that he would be spying on the women's bath house.

For how well-known Jiraiya was for his perverted antics, he never brought it around Naruto. He kept those parts of his life separate. That's what a father does for his son, he becomes something more than what he ever thought he could be. Both Jiraiya and Minato gave Naruto important pieces that helped mold him into the shinobi he was today, whether they intended to or not.

Time to get to work.

-Konoha vs. Kumo-

The sound of fighting was quietly deafening. It could make a person go numb from the screams. Even those who were hardened by those screams, the horrors would never leave.

Darui never considered himself a hardened war veteran or someone with those types of issues. He had a job to do. He followed orders. It did not matter what they were or who it was against. This war filled his boredom.

No. The war didn't fill Darui's boredom. Kakashi kept him entertained. That man was like no other. His strategies were on the next level. The way he could place his shinobi in perfect situations that allowed them to fully lean into their strengths was something beyond a simple commander would be able to do.

Kakashi studies his shinobi just as well as his enemies. A true master and general.

There has been a lull in battle as of late. His men were coming back without scars nor injury. Something had changed. Konoha had remained stationary. He was used to the back and forth of their battles, the chess match. For the past week, Konoha hasn't gained or lost ground, they've remained held up in their operating base.

There have been no sightings of Kakashi.

That buffoon Matio Gai has hardly been causing a ruckus.

Konoha stonewalled up, only sending out enough to maintain pressure on Kumo so that they couldn't overrun them.

Something was going on here.

"Commander Darui! We have a prisoner!"

"Put him with the others. I'll interrogate them later."

"Sir, I think you'll want to speak with him now. It's a V.I.P."

Darui had to let that one stew in his mind. "A V.I.P?"

The chūnin nodded. "Yes sir. He's waiting in the tent."

With great haste for the well-known lazy man, Darui made his way to the tent in question. Now he knew there was something going on. His mind raced as to what it could be. There were too many variables with no answers to them.

The flap flew open with Darui's presence being crystal clear before him.

"Naruto Uzumaki...you really are a hard man to kill."

The blonde jōnin looked up and smirked. "You missed."

The high-ranking officer chuckled, pulling the chair out to sit across his new prisoner. This would certainly entertain him. "I guess so. Could have sworn a severed your spine."

"Oh, you did...just not enough."

"The wonders of being a jinchūriki. Tell me, how long did it take you fully heal?"

"I was out for a few days, I think. I really don't remember much of that night, or the days that followed."

"I bet." The commander chuckled. "So, what gives? You were on the verge of taking down Iwagakure then suddenly are recalled back to your village. For what reason? To be handed over to the enemy on the other side of the continent? I'm sensing a disconnect."

Naruto shifted in his seat. The handcuffs were starting to make his wrists itch. They were tight. "I had some...issues to attend to. Consider yourself lucky that I had to handle other things before I reached Iwa. Otherwise, many things would be very different today."

Darui was thoroughly impressed by this boy's confidence. "Oh? Is that so? Do you believe yourself to be stronger than the entire village of Iwagakure? That's a hefty claim."

"That's not at all what I'm saying. What I'm saying is that things could be a lot worse if I was still over there."

Darui pulled the toothpick from behind his ear. "What are you getting at?"

"The Akatuski leader...Pain...is no more. I took him down."

Darui leaned forward, grinding the toothpick with his teeth. "The Akatsuki leader? Now, that wouldn't have anything to do with the attack that happened to Konoha a few weeks ago? That was him?"

The Uzumaki nodded. "That's right. We had two jinchūriki there...and they stormed in and captured them. Now...only me and the Eight-Tails remain."

Perplexed, Darui was quick to question further. He was beginning to feel like this wasn't a simple interrogation. He was sensing an agenda from the young jōnin. "When you say remain...do you mean that the other seven Tailed Beasts have been sealed away?"

With a heavy heart, Naruto nodded. "Yeah. Five and six couldn't be sealed until four and seven were captured were kept alive until the others were there. We had a chance to stop them...but I failed."

Darui pulled the toothpick from his teeth. "Why are you telling me this? To gloat?"

"I need you to understand the gravity of the situation. There are only two Tailed Beasts left." Naruto leaned in closer to the man that nearly killed him. "And if we fall...the world does too."

"But you just said the Akatsuki leader is dead. Who is else a threat to jinchūriki?"

"There is a mastermind behind the Akatsuki that was controlling Pain this whole time. He's the real threat. He's the one we need to prepare for."

Darui rubbed his chin thoughtfully, leaning in closely as well. "Why should I believe you? There is no evidence of anything you just said. We're enemies at war. Your village has killed thousands of my men, that makes me what to burn Konoha to the fucking ground."

Leaning back into his uncomfortable chair, Naruto let out a calming breath. "This isn't about you and me or Konoha and Kumo, I'm talking about the fate the world. If we don't find a way to beat this guy...then all those lives lost are meaningless."

"Those lives lost will be meaningless until Konoha is nothing but a flat plain of emptiness."

"I didn't realize you were such a warmonger."

"You know nothing about me, jinchūriki. I was sent after you to kill you all those years ago. And I want to rectify what I didn't finish." Darui fiddled with the toothpick more. "And I'm no warmonger. I take pride in my country; I believe in what we do. If my leaders tell me to jump, I ask how high I need to."

"So, you don't think for yourself?"

"Don't get it twisted. I know the difference between good and bad, right and wrong. Morality is in the eye of the beholder. What you view to be wrong and criminal might be considered right and just in someone else's view. Just because your views are different than mine does not mean you are better than me."

Naruto fiddled with his restraints; he was itching to get out of them. "I don't believe I'm better than you. We're all equal, I think. I want people to understand each other, to live in peace with one another. I don't care what you believe in or what your morals are. All I want is peace. That's all I'm trying to achieve."

"Peace? Then why'd you go fight the Akatsuki leader?"

"...Fighting Nagato helped me realize the kind of person I want to be. The shinobi I need to be...or what I'm supposed to be." The jōnin chuckled. "I'm still trying to work it all out."

Darui wasn't sure how to respond. "Are you crazy, kid?"

"Probably. I do hear a voice every now and again."

"...What the fuck do you want? Why are you here?"

"I came here to warn you about what's coming. Everyone needs to know..." Something came over Naruto. His eyes glossed over. And just as quick, it disappeared, and he smiled. His plan worked.

"...Also, I just needed to distract you long enough so I could find what I needed."

The alarm sounded, yelling for help and shouting orders. Rumblings from explosions and multiple distractions echoed into the tent.

"Commander Darui! We're being attacked!" A Kumo shinobi shouted from the outside of the tent.

Darui was quick to get up. He needed to get out into the fray and help repel the attack.

"Say, commander?"

The man in question stopped and turned back to the prisoner. Naruto had broken his restraints with pure strength alone. An impressive feat, but that made Darui realize that this was entirely the plan.

"Thanks for the chat. See ya around."

His prisoner burst in a cloud of smoke, disappearing into nothingness. It was a clone the whole time.

Unreal. I couldn't tell the difference. The kid has skill.

Continuing, Darui met with second in command. "Cee! What's the situation? Why is everyone just standing around?"

The young man turned. "...He's gone. There were hundreds of 'em. Thousands. I've never seen anything like it. Then, all the sudden, gone. Every single one disappeared."

The mere idea made Darui chuckle. "Thousands? Do you know how much chakra that takes?"

"More than what you and I have combined."

"Triple that."

Darui looked on passed their encampment. Off in the distance, atop the tallest tree, there he stood.

I can't wait for this rematch.

-Battle at Storm Cloud Ravine-

The mountains were rigorous and challenging for even the most experienced climbers. The ragtag team had a hard enough time scaling the massive rock, the ascending into the clouds and thinner air only made it worse.

"Are we sure this is where he is?" Suigetsu questioned once more. "I mean...c'mon! Who hides their biggest war asset off in the damn mountains?!"

"Somone who doesn't want their brother to be a part of it." Jūgo interjected. "It's a peace fueled idea, I'd say."

"Or the Raikage doesn't want the Akatsuki to take his brother." Karin looked down at the matching cloaks with red clouds, scowling in disgust. "These things are so ugly! And hotter than hell!"

"The further we climb, the colder it will be. Be thankful we have these thicker cloaks." Being from a cold climate, Haku was extremely grateful to have this. "We are near the summit. Prepare yourselves."

Sasuke waited for the confirmation from each of them. He led the formation through the final pass and dense cloud. Together, Hebi reached the summit and came to a large open pad. At the other end, there was a staircase that led to a small, rundown looking hut.

There were hardly signs of life. It seemed to be an abandoned home for some hermit. But Sasuke knew this was the right place. His instincts were telling him to look beyond the simplistic nature.

"This must be it." Sasuke watched intently. "We're close."

"Dude...how? It looks like this place hasn't been touched in decades!" Suigetsu simply was not liking this. The bad feeling in the pit of his stomach would not go away.

As the team approached the center of the large pad, emerging from the hut was their target. The Eight-Tails Jinchūriki.

"Slow your roll, fool ya fool!"

To say this man was massive was an understatement. The muscular build on this man was unreal, his height only seemed to match the unrealistic nature of his build. Sasuke took note of the seven swords firmed attached to his back.

The power that radiated from the man, even at their current distance, was near unbearable. Sasuke still had trouble truly understanding just how powerful a fully-fledged jinchūriki could be.

"You must be Killer B."

The massive, dark-skinned man made his way down the stairs towards Hebi. "Hey, that's Lord Killer Bee to you. Or Lord Eight. Or Lord Jinchūriki. Something along those lines, fool ya fool."

Sasuke took point, as the leader should. "I'll take him on. Suigetsu, cover left. Jūgo, cover right. Haku, be my support. Karin, you stay to the rear."

"Black cloaks with red clouds...I know who you are, fools ya fools. I'm in da midst o'my rhymes, y'all is bustin' my balls..." The man cursed silently. He bit his tongue on the bad rhyme. "...no, that don't work."

Sasuke leapt into the fray first, trying to gain the upper hand. His sword sprung from his sleeve, ready to make a quick end to this fight.

Killer B's movements were beyond quick. All seven swords were tossed into the air and Killer B caught them all in various parts of his body, each in a very peculiar and unique manner.

"What's up with that stance?" Suigetsu questioned. It was very odd to see someone handle so many blades at once and stand on one foot.

"Careful, Sasuke!" Haku called out. "He's no ordinary shinobi!"

Leaping through the air, spinning rapidly like a buzzsaw, Killer B danced with Sasuke with clashing swords. The Uchiha couldn't keep up with the speed that Killer was attacking. The Sharingan ignited in Sasuke's eyes, believing that would even the playing field for the unrelenting attacks.

It did not. In fact, it confused him further.

This is unbelievable! How can someone track all these swords without something like the Sharingan?!

Sasuke countered the best he could, but even with his precognitive abilities with the Sharingan he couldn't keep with all the moving parts. Sasuke channeled his chakra into his sword, igniting it in lightning. He was going to cut through the swords with each block: his lightning could not be blocked.

"You think your special? I can see it your eyes."

All seven of Killer B's swords were engulfed in lightning as well, countering Sasuke's to be evenly matched.

"I float… like a butterfly. And sting like a bee! 'Cause I'm the Eight-Tails, yo!"

Six of the seven swords slammed into Sasuke's body, completely immobilizing him.

"And I end my flo' with da finishing blow!"

Haku, Suigetsu, and Jūgo leapt into the battle, simtinously removing Sasuke from the fight. Haku engaged first with her massive sword, clashing swords with Killer B's single blade. Jūgo and Suigetsu used their abilities to increase their size and power. Hopefully three on one would even it somehow.

Killer B's lightning easily cut through Kubikiribōchō, cutting the blade in half. Haku's main affinity was water, which was weak against lightning. Killer B had figured out that weakness quickly and exploited it. Jūgoa, powered by the Curse Mark, and Suigetsu, powered with his clan's secret techniques, came in from behind and smacked Killer B with a powerful blow, shaking the entire ravine.

Karin quickly pulled the many swords from Sasuke's body, blood poured from the wounds. She immediately offered her arm to him. "Sasuke, bite me! Now!"

A scream of pain and pleasure, Karin's unique healing ability instantly closed Sasuke's wounds, as if they were never there, and complete rejuvenated him.

"...Thanks, Karin."

Killer B analyzed the battle thus far, formulating a plan. That black haired one...those red eyes...he's an Uchiha, no doubt. And it seems he was able to survive by streaming Raiton through his body to deflect my attacks. That red-haired woman has extreme healing powers. That one with orange hair has that weird looking transformation while the other two have affinity to water...what an interesting bunch, fools ya fools.

"...Can't be helped. Here comes da Eighth!"

Power surged with an almighty rumble, creating a vortex around Killer B. The power formed around him, bubbling into a red cloak with eight tails. Sasuke instantly recalled his fight with Naruto in the Valley of the End.

Just like back then.

"Rariatto!" (Lariat)

Using the Sharingan, Sasuke was able to dodge to the charging bull and leap over him.

Impressed, Killer B continued his assault towards the rest of Hebi. Jūgo grabbed his teammates and created jet boosters to save himself and the others. But it wasn't enough, Killer B still hit them head on.

"Shit!"

Suigetsu increased the size of his body to take the attack head on. Now, he only remained in the water, which kept him alive.

The explosion shook the ravine, sending Hebi scattered throughout.

With all that speed and power, he can only move in linear fashion. My Sharingan should have no problem tracking his attacks.

"Are you all right?!"

"Suigetsu's hurt bad!" Karin shouted. "We need to get him out of here!"

"Karin! I need you to read his chakra and call out where he's gonna be! We all need to track him!" Sasuke understood Karin's concern, but they were in the thick of it now. "We need to defeat him first!"

"You can't keep with my speed!"

A red blur dashed around, leaving rumblings with each landing. A clear path to Sasuke, his main threat in this fight. He was dead to rights. Killer B was about end the Uchiha clan once and for all.

The Sharingan evolved, stunting Killer B. Time froze, suspended in air. Thousands of spikes drilled into Killer B's body.

Genjutsu.

Killer B collapsed, the cloak fading rapidly.

Sasuke grabbed his eye. He felt the change again. It was unlike anything he had ever felt. What was going on with his Sharingan?

Could it be? Did my Mangekyō...?

But just as fast as Killer B collapsed, the cloak reignited.

"Rariatto!"

The powerful attack connected, instantly exploding Sasuke's chest cavity. There was so much power that Sasuke was launched through the air, blood trailing like a jet stream. Haku leapt into the air to catch him. She instantly revolted at his gruesome injury. She could see clear into his chest and through his rib cage.

"He's hurt really bad." Jūgo placed his hand on his chest, the Curse Mark merging with him.

"Move Jugo! I'll heal him."

"No, Karin. Don't worry, I can do this. Besides, you don't have the chakra to heal him."

"What are you doing?" Haku questioned. She had never seen anything like this.

"I'm merging my chakra with his. His body was compatible with the Curse Mark, so this should be enough to keep him alive." The power surged from Jūgo's body to Sasuke's, draining him completely. Jūgo de-aged to a child.

"What in the world?" Haku was beginning to question what she had gotten herself into with these people.

"Jūgo..." Karin couldn't believe this was the toll it took on him. It seemed like he was giving up his life for Sasuke's.

Through Jūgo's efforts, Sasuke was beginning to recover. The wound had healed and there was no trace of it.

"Jūgo!"

The, now, boy was exhausted. Healing Sasuke took far more out of him than he anticipated. "I...can't you die. You're...Kimimaro's legacy." He collapsed from exhaustion.

"Shit! Jūgo!" Karin checked his pulse. "He's out cold. He used up all his chakra to heal you, Sasuke."

The situation had turned dire quickly. Both Jūgo and Suigetsu were near death, Karin was low on chakra, Haku had no advantage over Killer B, and Sasuke couldn't keep up with Killer B's movements.

Hebi was being taken down by the bull.

"...He broke out of my genjutsu...how?"

"In order to break a genjutsu, you need a partner to who can agitate your partner and wake you up. My partner is the Eight Tails. Genjutsu will never work on jinchūriki that have full corporation of their Bijū."

Skin began to rip away, power surging to unimaginable heights. Killer B was transforming to the full might of raging bull.

"Your illusions I obliterate, then y'all I shall annihilate! My true mode is a Bijū's abode...is the monsta', see I told ya! Host transformation...!"

The full power and strength of the Eighth Tailed Ox had come forth.

"Now look upon me as I make ya pee all in your pants, ya lil' ants!"

Hebi, dejected and defeated, could only stare as the beast began to power up again. A ball of black and white, merging into one single point. The ultimate attack.

"WHEEEEEEE!" The monsterous ox beast roared. "To spear my foes, I was born...a glorious long horn!"

As the attack neared competition, from the waters below came surging waves like a demon. Suigetsu was using the last of his strength. The water grabbed ahold of the Bijū, holding his mouth to point towards the sky.

"Run! I'll hold this thing off!" Suigetsu shouted, summoning every ounce of power he had left.

Karin grabbed Sasuke and Haku hoisted Jugo over her shoulders. Together, they ran like hell.

But they could not escape the hell that was coming for them.

"You're a water shinobi as well...with the water around, you have the advantage. Not for long, yo!"

The Ox fought against Suigetsu's hold, able to aim towards Hebi. Killer B's strength was too much for your Hokzuki to fight against. He just hoped that he gave them enough time to escape.

Suigetsu could feel the attack ignite. After that, everything went white.

Man...I knew this journey was a bad idea. I can't believe I'm allowing myself to do this...for them. What kind of swordsman am I? Not a good one.

Then everything faded to black. He felt nothing, because there was nothing left.

Suigetsu Hozuki, aspiring member of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist, died in battle against the strongest foe he had ever faced. He took pride in the fact that it took a Bijū to kill him.

The Bijūdama destroyed the ravine and the surrounding area, there was nothing left but the water they stood upon. The explosion echoed for miles, sending a massive signal throughout the Land of Lightning of the great battle that was taking place.

Sasuke couldn't believe they survived. That kind of power and devastation was unlike anything he had ever felt and seen. For a being, human or not, to have that kind of power was something Sasuke couldn't comprehend.

Madara said this guy has the Eight Tails completely under his control. He even said so himself that genjutsu doesn't work on jinchūriki who have full control of their Bijū.

Sasuke wondered what kind of power Naruto could have if he had the Nine-Tails, the strongest Bijū, under his control. The idea made Sasuke shutter.

"...Suigetsu...I can't believe he did that for us."

"His sacrifice cannot be in vain." Haku pulled Jūgo back over her shoulders. "We need to keep moving for that thing realizes where we are."

"We can't outrun that! How can you think we can run away from something like that?!" Karin shouted. "We're fucking dead men walking now!"

As the two bickered, Sasuke stared directly at their opponent. A powerful monstrosity of a being that could wipe out mountains in single blows. There was no tactical advantage, no secret weakness. How could they even fathom a strategy to somehow beat this thing.

Suigetsu was right. This was a suicide mission. And it got him killed. I got him killed.

Blinded by his rage for his brother, Sasuke was willing to do anything to get the power he needed to take his revenge on those responsible for his brother's suffering. He was so blind to what was happening around him that he was willing to forsake his team and put their lives in danger.

With Sakura and Naruto...I would have never...

He felt a tear fall down his cheek. Sasuke missed them dearly. Hebi was his team to lead, and he would be forever grateful for what they were doing for him, but they were not his team to be a part of.

Team Seven would always be home for Sasuke.

The power coursed through his veins as chakra ignited the change in Sharingan once more.

The Mangekyō Sharingan was born again.

"Amaterasu!"

The unyielding black flames engulfed the Eight Tails, sending screams of unimaginable pain into the heavens. Killer B tried to swat the flames off, but it was no use. The fire only spread further throughout, increasing in size and strength.

"What...in the world?"

"Wait!" Haku was quick to realize what was happening. "Those are the black flames that Sasuke talked about!"

The dark fire continued to spread, covering near every inch of the Eight Tails. It wasn't until Killer B reverted to his normal form that Sasuke extinguished the fire.

Killer B, floating unconsciously in the water, had been defeated by the eternal black flame.

Sasuke intensely rubbed his eyes. He felt nauseous and extremely disorientated. Surprisingly, there was not much pain. At least, not as much as he would have expected.

"W-Whoa...!" Karin couldn't believe it. Sasuke just kept getting cooler.

Sasuke took his Akatsuki rob and wrapped Killer B, restraining him. "...Capture complete." He hoisted the jinchūriki over his shoulder, ready for their journey back to Madara's hideout.

"He's still alive...unreal." Haku credited the man's durability to being a jinchūriki.

Karin adjusted her cracked glasses. "We should really get out of here before someone comes looking for us. That blast could have been seen for miles. We don't need any more unwanted attention."

Sasuke looked out over the water, seeing no trace of Suigetsu. He hoped that, somehow, Suigetsu had survived the blast. Being surrounded by water, Sasuke thought it could have been possible. But the power of a Bijū proved too much.

Suigetsu was gone, not a trace of him left.

"...Yeah. We need to get moving."

Hebi, down a member, began the long journey back. They would need a long time to recover from this fight.

But it seemed fate had other plans.

"Someone's here!" Karin shouted in. "This chakra signature is massive! How could I have missed it?!" She could never forget this signature, it was unmatched. "Sasuke...it's...!"

"Sasuke!"

A welcome, yet alarming, surprise. Sasuke turned towards the familiar voice. There was no question who it was, only why he was here.

"It's you again...!" Haku recognized the person as well.

Naruto Uzumaki slid down the hillside, splashing gracefully on the water below in the desecrated valley. And Sasuke could tell he was very angry.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Naruto took note of the cloaks that they were wearing. "...You've got to be kidding me..."

"...Naruto, you need to understand..."

"You know what that group is doing, and who they are after...and you fucking help them?" Irate, Naruto threateningly stepped closer. "You meddled in this once already...and I forgave you with the idea that you understood what was going to happen if the Akatsuki's plan succeeded. Now, you've done it, Sasuke."

Sasuke stepped forward, meeting Naruto's threatening advance. "I've made my stance on this clear from the beginning, Naruto! I'm handling my business first before helping you with yours!"

"What's your business now? Itachi is gone! You were supposed to come back to us after he was gone!" Naruto didn't understand where this anger was coming from, yet he couldn't stop himself. "That was the plan, right?!"

"...The plan changed, Naruto." Sasuke placed his hand on the handle of his blade. "There are three more that need to be brought to justice. Once they're gone, I can finally rest." He moved to draw his sword. "...I'm sorry, Naruto...but even you can't stand in my way with this one."

He's just as serious about this as he was with Itachi.

"...Who is it? You owe me that much."

There was uncertainty with Sasuke. His next words would be a threat against Konoha. There was no going back from this.

This is where Sasuke Uchiha made his mark. A mark of an avenger.

"...Danzo Shimura, Homura Mikokado, and Koharu Utatane. These three are responsible for the death of my clan and the traitorous life for my brother." The sword was in full view from the scabbard. Sasuke was making his choice. "...For those actions...I will do what I must."

Naruto couldn't believe it. He understood Sasuke's path, silently supporting his friend because he knew what it meant for Sasuke once Itachi was taken care of. Regardless of the motivation behind Itachi's actions, Sasuke was scarred for life. And putting an end to Itachi meant closure for Sasuke, in a hope to move on and enjoy what life he could have.

A life where Team Seven would come back together.

"...Whatever it was Sasuke, we can figure it out together. You don't have to resort to revenge."

"You can no moral high ground, Naruto!" Sasuke shouted. "You just took down the Akatsuki leader because he killed your master! What I'm doing is no different! Those responsible for the death clan of my clan need to be brought to justice!"

"But that's not justice! Revenge only brings more pain and suffering!" Naruto was struggling with outlook and morals. Revenge was not way; it solved nothing for him. The only thing it did for him was made him realize what kind of path he needed to take to achieve his master's goal.

But it was not lost on Naruto that Danzo was named as a target for Sasuke's revenge. Now, this was third individual that said that Danzo is a threat.

Karin's senses began going haywire, nearly sending her into a panic. "Sasuke! We've got more incoming! Hundreds of shinobi are enroute to our location! They gotta be Kumo and Konoha shinobi!"

Haku gripped Jūgo close. "We need to leave now, or else all this will be for nothing. Suigetsu will have died for nothing if we don't successfully capture the jinchūriki."

Suddenly, clones by the hundreds surrounded them. Naruto had become so proficient creating shadow clones that he could outnumber any opponent in the blink of an eye.

"I can't let you take him, Sasuke."

"You don't have a choice, Naruto."

It was a stalemate: the two brothers fighting with fists and ideology. The clones only severed as jailors, keeping Killer B in place. Naruto had no intention on fighting Karin and Haku, they weren't the ones responsible for this.

It was Sasuke against Naruto, like it always had been.

"Chidori!"

"Rasengan!"

The clashing techniques exploded on impact, evenly matched in power. Everything up to this point, Naruto and Sasuke supported each other. There was no malice or distrust. They both knew what path they needed to take and respected each other for it.

But now, things changed.

They were on intersecting paths, each for their own reasons to fight for.

Sasuke for the justice of his clan.

Naruto for the sake of the world.

Equally important in their eyes, yet an unavoidable disaster for the rest.

"There they are! They have Lord B!"

Simtaniously, many of the Konoha shinobi arrived, led by Chōza and Gai. "Reinforce Naruto!"

"Capture that jinchūriki and traitorous Uchiha!"

The clones disappeared just as quickly as they appeared. Naruto moments to act. He needed to save Sasuke, Killer B, and the others.

I've got one chance! I hope this works!

Two clones appeared on other side of the group, forming a triangle around Hebi and Killer B. The clones formed the seal of confrontation.

"Hang on! Things might get dicey!"

Naruto channeled his chakra, praying that he wouldn't screw this up and kill them. He was taking Sasuke's advice and putting it into practice.

"Hiraijin no Jutsu!" (Flying Thunder Formation)

Naruto, Hebi, and Killer B vanished instantly from the valley, leaving the converging armies to collide into battle once more.