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Author's Notes: Hello. I'm basically just posting my story that's on FF.Net on this forum. I figure it'd be less of a hassle for you guys.
Anyhow...please review!
(NOTE: This Prologue was first written back in March of 2005, before I knew the true details of the Flying Thunder God technique, and of Akatsuki. Not gonna change it though.)
NOTE2: This is a bit embarrassing...but I forgot to mention that this takes place right after chapter 249 ends, where Gaara is kidnapped by Deidara. Which means no Kankuro vs. Sasori bit. Anyhow, begin!
xxxx
I do not go back on my promises...
For that is my ninja way!
-Uzumaki Naruto, Ninja of Konohagakure
xxxx
Prologue
xxxx
/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The sun was setting.
A flash of blue sped along the sands. Upon that figure in blue was the green vest of a Jounin. Upon his forehead sat a headband protector, arranged in a way that hid his left eye. Upon that headband was the symbol of Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Finally, a mass of spiky white hair sat upon his head, pointing toward his left side.
It was Hatake Kakashi the Copy Ninja.
And he was running as fast as he could towards Sunagakure, the Village Hidden in the Sand. When the great battle in Konoha had ended, he had immediately high-tailed it to Sunagakure.
After all, it was Temari and Kankuro that had notified the Leaf of the incident in the Wind Country. That had been three days ago.
Kakashi scowled, his face covered from the nose down by his blue uniform. He still couldn't believe what had happened. Akatsuki...they made their move...
Akatsuki. The organization of nine S-Class criminals.
And they had lured Naruto to the Wind Country. After all, they possessed Gaara of the Desert...the Kazekage. The host of Shukaku, the Demon Tanuki. Kakashi knew that was motivation enough for Naruto to go to them.
But why? Why had Naruto gone? Didn't he know that was what Akatsuki wanted?
Kakashi's frown deepened as he quickly neared the outskirts of Sunagakure; soon, the village would be in his sight.
Why did Naruto go? Did he sincerely think his three years of training with Jiraiya had been enough? Even if only ONE of the Three Legendary Leafs could take on a member or two of Akatsuki...no one would be able to hold their own against all nine.
It had been a clever distraction on Akatsuki's part. Naruto had left Konoha late in the night...and by the time anyone had gotten wind of his departure, the Leaf had found itself under attack by 100 Ukenin hired by Akatsuki.
However...they had been no mere Ukenin. Although they were renegades, they were SKILLED renegades. 64 of them had been of the Chunin level...while the 36 that remained were of the Jounin level.
The battle had been monstrous. Even Tsunade - the Fifth Hokage - had been forced to partake in the fighting.
Of course, things had gotten even WORSE when Chunin and Jounin from the Sound had appeared...and they immediately engaged both the Leaf and Akatsuki's Ukenin.
That had meant only one thing.
Orochimaru, grimly thought Kakashi. Why had Orochimaru gotten involved? It was known he was no longer a part of Akatsuki...but what had possessed the former Leaf ninja to send Sound Ninjas to Konoha? Especially when he had not even led the charge against the Leaf...That could only mean that he had gone to where Akatsuki was as well...but why? Why would Orochimaru go to Akatsuki even though there was clearly some bad blood between them?
Sunagakure was in sight. My questions will have to wait...I have to find out what's happened!
As Kakashi neared Sunagakure, he suddenly saw something else.
A gigantic coliseum made of hardened sand.
Kakashi's eye narrowed; no doubt Gaara had constructed that. But did that mean he had escaped...or that Akatsuki had managed to utilize his powers somehow?
He didn't want to think about the latter. Either way, he knew that Naruto was - dead or alive - inside that coliseum. He quickly changed his direction and ran towards the monument of hardened sand.
As Kakashi neared the coliseum, he saw a large figure leaning against its outer wall. To his shock, it was none other than Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's red and green robes were stained with blood: the result of a large wound on the left shoulder. His horned forehead protector was cracked and on the verge of crumbling into pieces. His long, unkempt mane of white hair was also stained with blood. He quietly raised his head, revealing dark eyes filled with weariness. The Legendary Sennin chuckled quietly at the sight of Kakashi. "Heh...Kakashi of the Sharingan...I take it the Ukenin have been dealt with?"
Kakashi nodded. Jiraiya had left Konoha to find Naruto...even though the village had been under heavy attack, the Toad Sennin had left the village. It showed how valuable Naruto was...after all, he had the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him. Or perhaps it was because the master cared for his apprentice. "Yes. But we were also attacked by the Sound."
This caused Jiraiya to raise an eyebrow out of surprise. Just as soon, however, he chuckled. "I see...that isn't so surprising now. After all, Orochimaru and his assistant Kabuto came...Orochimaru is the one who gave me this wound..."
As I thought, thought Kakashi with a frown. Orochimaru HAD come...but that didn't answer the question as to why. "But why? What business does he have with Akatsuki?"
"He has no business with Akatsuki...but his business was with the one person that came here," replied Jiraiya, slightly grinning as he clutched his woudned shoulder. "Gah...I had come to assist Naruto...I even summoned Gama-bunta...but to think I was caught from behind by surprise..."
"Pardon me..." interrupted Kakashi. "But what person are you referring to?"
This brought a smile to the Sennin's face. "Heh heh...isn't it obvious?" He paused to glance back at the Sharingan user. "I am referring to the other male of Team Seven..."
This caused Kakashi's eye to widen. "You can't mean..."
"Uchiha...Sasuke..." interrupted Jiraiya. "...he came here on his own...freed Gaara...then he attacked Itachi..." Jiraiya grunted as he readjusted his position. "Soon after that, Orochimaru showed up to reclaim his runaway 'prize'...soon after I got injured, Gaara created this coliseum of sand and used his chakra to harden it...I don't know of anything else after that..."
Kakashi frowned. None of this makes any sense...Sasuke showes up and frees Gaara from Akatsuki...how did he escape from Orochimaru? WHY did he escape from Orochimaru? Without saying anything, he reached into one of his vest's pockets and pulled out the only first-aid equipment he carried: medical bandages and antibiotic ointment. "Here."
Jiraiya was silent as Kakashi handed him the materials before scaling the wall of sand. The Legendary Sennin frowned as he glanced down at his wound. He thought of Naruto. Then he grumbled. That no-talent bum...he'd better have lived.
As Kakashi scaled the wall, his thoughts were in a frenzy. Why had Sasuke shown up out of the blue? To fight Itachi of course. Why had he freed Gaara? No answer. Why had he escaped Orochimaru? Has he...changed? Is the Kazekage injured? No answer. Is Naruto injured or worse? I hope not.
He stepped onto the top of the coliseum's wall.And he literally gasped. ...what...what...what is this?
The inside of the coliseum was basically a desert that surrounded a sheet of black obsidian; Akatsuki had obviously brought the sheet here for some purpose. Kakashi could see a seal marked upon the obsidian in red dye. It was immensely complex...and in the center of the seal were two symbols in the shape of rectangles...and they were as big as a human...However, Kakashi's attention was more focused on everything else.
Ten corpses were lying throughout the coliseum at various spots. Kakashi quietly shifted his headband, revealing his right eye: the Sharingan. He gazed at the corpses one by one, using his Sharingan to determine how they had died.
One corpse was that of Hoshigaki Kisame, the wielder of Samehade. Speaking of Samehade, the blade was broken in half, lying by his side. His black cloak - lined with the red clouds of the Akatsuki members - was in tatters, and his mouth was open out of shock. His light blue skin was pale, and his red eyes were wide with shock. If I'm correct...a powerful Genjutsu technique was used...it looks like he died out of fright...
The next corpse was of a woman. Her white hair was tied into a ponytail...but it was almost burnt off. Her entire body, cloak and all, was burnt. Near her chest and abdomen, her clothing was completely burned away, revealing horrible, horrible wounds. Around her body sat pieces of gray clay. Hmm...she looks like the woman Kankuro and Temari said captured Gaara. They said she used explosive clay...and from the looks of her wounds, her own explosive clay was turned against her.
The third corpse was that of a man. His head was bald, save for a few strands of dark hair. What shocked Kakashi was the sight of a wooden scorpion tail protruding from the bottom of his spinal cord...and protruding from other parts of his body were wooden appendages that had various knives and daggers protruding from them. As for the aforementioned tail, it lay beside him, its tip covered in red blood. The man's neck had a hole in it; probably from the tail. Hmm...he uses puppet no jutsu, like Kankuro...except his puppets have been surgically grafted into his body. As for his cause of death...it looks like his own tail was used forcefully against him...against his own control.
The fourth corpse was that of another man. His face was splint into two halves thanks to face paint; the right side was black, while the left side was white. His light brown hair was matted with sweat, as was most of his body. The oddest thing was the large, plant-like mouth that surrounded his body, as if threatening to engulf it. It looked like a Venus Flytrap. Protruding from his fingers were thorny vines, and they - like the rest of the vegetation that lay aruond his body - were wilting away into brown, flaky material. His arms looked like they had been burned by fire, and his torso was crushed. He used plants as a weapon, and most likely as a defense as well...his arms were burned so that he couldn't utilize his chakra effectively enough to use his plants extensively...I think. As for his torso...it looks like it was crushed...as if he were stepped on. Maybe it was Gama-bunta...?
The next body was that of a female. Her red hair was short and spiky, save for the long strands that covered her left eye, which was red in color. Instead of arms, she possessed brown, leathery bat-like wings. Protruding from her toes were claws. Her ears were bleeding, and her sternum had been cut away, revealing her crushed heart and lungs.Hmm...wings of a bat, toes of a bat...maybe she has a contract with bats, allowing her to use summoning no jutsu? As for her bleeding ears...I think she used sound waves to both see and attack, as bats can't see with their eyes...I think the same went for her in this transformed state. Her sound waves were probably amplified and reflected back at her, overwhelming her ears...and in the disorientation that followed, she was attacked up close.
The sixth body was an absolute giant of a man, easily at nine feet when standing at full height. His entire body was made of solid gray stone...and there was no blood visible around the body. However, several parts of the body showed needle-like points of attack near the head, neck, chest, wrists, ankles, and thighs. His eyes - which were utterly blank - were made of rock as well. On the forehead were tiny grooves etched in an intricate pattern; the sign of a seal that had once been, but was no longer. Wrapped around his right bicep was a headband protector...and on it was the symbol of Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Stones. That is no mere transformation jutsu...with the exception of his inner coils, all of his body was transformed into stone, even the brain. That way, there would be no weak points...and with his inner coil system intact, he used his chakra to move the body according to his own will. That seal was probably used to keep the chakra contained...but the seal was removed...and the punctureswere made on or near his opening points so that his chakrea would flow out more quickly. Without his chakra, he simply ceased to be. Of course, all of his thinking was just logical conjecture. He could be wrong. Perhaps the puncture points were the weak points on the body...the Jounin didn't know for sure.
The seventh corpse was that of another man. His silver hair and uniform were instantly recognizable to Kakshi. It was Yakushi Kabuto, the right-hand man of Orochimaru. His body was lying facedown on the ground. His body showed no signs of battle, aside from a few bruises near the right arm. Even so, Kakashi knew he was dead. Kabuto...he must have been so heavily damaged during the battle that he had to use his healing ability...but in doing so, he exhausted all of his chakra...and he died.
The next body was that of a man. A headband protector tied down his short, blonde hair, and it had the symbol of the Hidden Waterfall Village on it. His Akatsuki cloak was gone, revealing blue sweatpants and a lean, muscular body. His torso was lined with sweat, and the sand around him was wet with perspiration. On his right pectoral was a tattoo of three wavy lines. Kakashi frowned. I recognize that symbol...he's Akira of the Waterfall's Fujiwara clan...a clan that specializes in the use of steam. Akira was the progeny of that clan...but a decade ago, he tried to kill the leader of his village, but failed. He joined Akatsuki soon after...and judging by all of the perspiration on the body, he exhausted himself using his chakra-powered steam. His body couldn't handle the strain...but he is a tough adversary. It would've taken something extraordinary to kill him by fatigue.
The ninth body was instantly familiar to Kakashi. The build, the frame...and the other defining factor was the Leaf headband that lay beside the body. The actual metal protector was split in the middle. It was the body of Uchiha Itachi...and it was missing a head. Kakashi was visibly shocked. Itachi...the one who killed all but one of the Uchiha clan...the one who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, the highest level of the Sharingan mirror-wheel eye...I wonder who killed him in such a fashion?
The tenth and final corpse was that of a well-built man wrapped in dark red robes. The robes were in tatters, revealing a bandaged body underneath. However, it was apparent that the bandages were not for wounds; they were for keeping the muscles tense in those areas. However, the chest possessed a gaping, bloody hole...right over the heard. And, like Itachi, it was lacking a head. That has to be the body of Orochimaru...and if what Jiraiya said was true...he had come here after Sasuke so that he could take the Uchiha's body as his own...
Kakashi finally let it sink into him.
Akatsuki was dead. Kabuto, traitor to the Leafs, was dead. Orochimaru, hated adversary of Konoha, was dead.
No...there should be nine Akatsuki members. There were only eight Akatsuki corpses. The Copy Ninja grimaced; where was the ninth body?
Suddenly, Kakashi remembered something. Where was Gaara? Where was Sasuke? Where was Naruto?
"You missed the battle."
Kakashi suddenly glanced to his right to see a familiar figure rising out of the wall of sand.It was the Kazekage: Gaara of the Desert. Gaara's dark-brown robes were matted with sweat, and the sleeves of his uniform were ripped off. His left arm was covered in dried blood; the cut was near his bicep, but a bandage of sand had closed it up. As a result of that, the bleeding had stopped. He also had several large bruises around his torso and right arm. Even so, despite his injuries and fatigue, his face and eyes showed no emotion; the gourd on his back, however, looked to be in impeccable condition. His blood-red hair ruffled in the sudden wind. "Hatake Kakashi, Jounin of Konoha. Why are you here?"
Kakashi quickly answered. "Kazekage-sama...I came because your siblings notified the Leaf of Akatsuki's presence here at Sunagakure."
Gaara said nothing. However, his eyes enlarged ever so slightly...a sign that he was relieved for the help. "Are you the only one to come?"
"I am only the first. Soon, fellow Konoha ninjas - both Chunin and Jounin - will arrive. The Fifth, however, has elected to remain behind in Konoha...because Ukenina hired by Akatsuki attacked us. She has to stay to keep the village strong."
"Of course...being a Kage is a troublesome duty," responded Gaara quietly. He quietly glanced southward toward his village. Inwardly, he was glad that Akatsuki had not touched the village...however, that had been due to the fact that a powerful steam barrier had been set up by the one known as Fujiwara Akira (fortunately, Kankuro and Temari had been long gone by the time the barrier had been set up). Upon his death, the barrier had fallen. Soon, ninjas from the Sand would arrive.The Kazekage glanced down at his bloody left arm. "Shukaku got a good workout...but his battle was not as strenuous as the one the Nine Tails experienced."
Kakashi froze. Nine Tails...? "Kyuubi...?"
Gaara pointed downward at the arena of sand. "Look."
Kakashi did.
And he finally saw them.
Footprints in the sand.
There were the prints of webbed feet: the sign of Gama-bunta. There were the long, curvy lines indicative of a snake: perhaps a sign of Manda, an anaconda summon of Orochimaru's. There were also badger prints: those of Shukaku, the Demon Sand Spirit. But the last kind of paw print was far more commonplace.
Fox prints.
Kyuubi...could it be...that the seal...was broken? It would explain why he couldn't see Naruto...Kyuubi would have run off by now...
"You worry for nothing," said Gaara, his eyes calm as ever. "You only need to look harder. Look down at the Obsidian Seal."
Kakashi looked down at the slab of obsidian...and he suddenly gaped. He saw two figures down there.Living figures.
He quickly dashed down the wall and towards the obsidian sheet. Gaara sighed as he quietly charged his hand with chakra. With a quick jab, the Kazekage thrust his right hand into the top of the coliseum wall. Moments later, the entire coliseum began disintegrating into normal sand, falling back down towards the desert. Gaara slowly floated down on a platform of sand, knowing that the collapsing coliseum would bring Sand ninjas.
Kakashi meanwhile, leapt onto the Obsidian Seal...and then he gazed to his right.
Naruto was sitting near the edge of the black slab...and his entire body was covered with blood. His hair was matted with blood. His orange and black uniform was in tatters. A number of cuts lined his scalp, cheeks, torso, arms, waist, and legs...and yet, despite his condition, he was smiling.
Kakashi glanced to his left.
And he nearly gaped.
Sitting there on the ground, legs crossed, was Sasuke. His skin was as black as midnight...and his forearms and shins were covered with slanted spikes. His nails had turned into claws. His spiky hair was short and as white as snow. Two white angel's wings protruded from his shoulder blades...and his eyes...Kakashi could not believe what he saw in those red eyes. Instead of three curvy dots...he saw a three-pointed shuriken. That is...the Mangekyou Sharingan...Sasuke...he has taken his eyes...to the highest level...
And beside Sasuke were two things Kakshi had missed during his body count.
The heads of Itachi...and Orochimaru. Sasuke...did he...beat them...on his own...?
"So idiot..." said Naruto, out of the blue. "How do you feel? I bet that Level 3 Curse Seal's making you feel like crap..."
Kakashi's eye widened. Level 3? That would explain why it looks different compared to the Level 2 Curse form Naruto told me about three years ago...but why has Sasuke's 'Heaven' seal been upgraded to Level 3?
"Kukukuku..." laughed Sasuke, in the style of Orochimaru. "Don't get cute with me dunce. You aren't looking so good yourself." Even as he spoke, the curse began to revert back into the seal; Sasuke was reverting to normal.Naruto chuckled; the way they were carrying on, it was as if they hadn't noticed Kakashi. "So...I've annihilated Orochimaru. You've killed Itachi...by the way, you should be thankful I left him for you..."
Sasuke smirked as his body reverted to its normal color. "I am grateful...but I'm afraid I have no reason to live now...have anything to say to that?" With a blink, his eyes reverted to normal; the Mangekyou Sharingan was no longer visible.
"...yeah." Naruto smirked as he stared at Sasuke's red eyes. "Find a new reason...cause if you don't...how else are you going to make a decent rival...to me...? After all..." He then flashed a toothy - yet bloody - grin at the last of the Uchiha. "I may have beaten Akatsuki...but a life in Konoha wuoldn't be the same without 'Mr. Avenger'."
"Dumbass," muttered Sasuke, a strange smile on his face. "...however...I'm open to suggestions."
"Give me a little while...I'll think of something...I always do..." replied Naruto.
With that said, both boys slumped to the ground. Naruto was unconscious due to his wounds...and Sasuke was unconscious due to the huge amount of chakra eaten up by the Level 3 Curse Seal and the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Kakashi immediately checked both boys. They were alive...but barely. Naruto needed IMMEDIATE treatment...and Sasuke needed his chakra replenished. Still...they accomplished the impossible...
Akatsuki had fallen...save for one.
"Help is in sight."
Kakashi turned around to see Jiraiya - his shoulder bandaged up - climbing onto the slab of obsidian. The Copy Ninja glanced behind him to see four Jounins and six Chunins advancing from the east.
Jounins of the Sand: Kankuro and Temari.
Jounins of the Leaf: Maito Gai and Hyuga Neji.
Chunins of the Leaf: Haruno Sakura, Rock Lee, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino, and Nara Shikamaru.
Oh, and one dog named Akamaru.
Jiraiya was silent as he gazed at Sasuke...and then at Naruto. "That foolish dunderhead...taking on Akatsuki on his own."
"And yet he won...and as a plus, Orochimaru was killed...and Sasuke was brought back," replied Kakashi. "However...one member of Akatsuki isn't here."
Jiraiya nodded. I know...the missing member is the leader of Akatsuki...why didn't he show up? I don't even know what kind of abilities he possesses...
xxxx
Gaara was silent as Kankuro and Temari suddenly appeared at his side. "Siblings. You are injured."
"It doesn't matter Gaara...er, I mean Kazekage-sama," sputtered Kankuro as he looked at Gaara's left arm.
"No need for formalities...in all honesty, this is a time to relax," said Gaara, his voice calm as usual. "Because of Naruto...Akatsuki has fallen..."
"Naruto?" yelped Temari. "You mean...he beat Akatsuki on his own?"
Gaara shook his head. "The Uchiha and I helped...but Naruto was the deciding factor..." Of course, Gaara had not - and could not, and never would - forget the sight of Kyuubi, stampeding inside the coliseum, attacking Akatsuki. Naruto...he is truly like me...he has a monster inside of him...yet he never lost himself. He never let himself succumb to the power of the demon...
As the Kazekage watched the Leaf ninjas advance toward the Obsidian Seal, he let a small smile tug at his lips; a rarity for him. Naruto...you are not a maelstrom. You are much greater than that...you are a great typhoon of power. Your power affects the land, the sea, and the sky...and yet, you keep it in control...your power utterly crushes those you seek to harm...but your power ripples out, affecting those precious to you...and their lives are made better by that power. Naruto...you are truly unique...
xxxx
Sakura gasped at the sight of her two former teammates, lying on the slab of obsidian. "SASUKE! NARUTO!" On impulse, Sakura immediately rushed to Sasuke's side.
Kakashi sweatdropped. Some things never change...
Kiba snorted as he rubbed his noise irritably. "Geez! This place reeks of blood...it's making my nose itch." From inside his jacket, Akamaru barked out of concurrence. "Ruff!"
Shikamaru grumbled as he stared at the bodies of Akatsuki. "Man...how bothersome."
Ino resisted the urge to strike her friend in the back of his head. "What the heck are you talking about? What's bothersome about Akatsuki and Orochimaru dying?"
Shikamaru sighed. "You misunderstand..." Shikamaru was truly glad about the deaths of Akatsuki and Orochimaru. "The reason I'm bothered is because these corpses will have to be disposed of. After all, their secret jutsus and bloodline abilities can be obtained from their corpses...so to avoid any hassle, we'll have to contact the home villages of these ninjas. With the exceptions of Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Itachi, all of these other ninjas belong to different clans. They won't like it if any of their secrets are surrendered."
"...oh," replied a bewildered Ino. "That makes sense..." I guess.
Neji, meanwhile, was gazing at Naruto with his Byakugan: the Bloodline Limit of the Leaf's Hyuga clan. Hmm...it looks like most of his opening points have been closed...yet he was still able to come out on top...did he use that strange red chakra that he used to beat me...?
"OOOOOH!" whooped Lee as he gazed at the battleground. "This was the home to a glorious and valiant battle! Such a battle had to be one of legends! My only regret was that I was unable to partake in such a great conflict!" Immediately afterwards, he showed his nice-guy pose - a thumbs-up accompanied by a toothy grin - to Gai. "But do not worry Gai-sensei! Once we get back to Konoha, I'll do 2,000 one-handed pushups on each hand to prepare for the next legendary battle!"
This exuberant proclamation got a round of sweatdrops from Sakura, Ino, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Kiba. Bonehead.
"That's the spirit Lee! Let the fiery blood of your youth spur you on!" cheered Gai. However, he was not so cheerful on the inside. Unfortunately for you Lee, this was no mere battle...this was more akin to a clash of titans...not even I would have escaped such a fight with my life.
Hinata looked down at Naruto...the bloody, unconscious Naruto. She quietly pulled out a jar of medicinal cream from a pocket in her green Chunin vest, fumbling with its lid. Her dark hair fluttered in the wind of the desert. The uncertainty in the air matched the concern and worry in her eyes. ...Naruto-kun...
Naruto opened one eye.
Hinata squeaked. This caused Neji, Lee, and Jiraiya to turn their attention towards the blonde ninja. Naruto chuckled as Neji stepped into sight. "Hey...Hinata..."
The dark-haired girl nevously mumbled, "Y-Y-Yes N-Naruto-kun...?"
"I...never...got...to find out...if you watched me...kick Neji's ass..."
The statement caused Neji and Hinata's eyes to widen. The white-eyed Jounin suddenly blanched out of surprise. He's referring to my battle with him at the Chunin selection exam over three years ago... As Neji thought about it, he chuckled. Heh...despite being in such poor condition after such a tremendous battle, you bring up something so old and so off-topic you have no choice but to laugh...Uzumaki Naruto, you are one interesting guy...
Hinata giggled at Naruto's statement. She quietly fumbled with the lid of her jar as she said, "N-Naruto-kun...if you don't mind...here..."
"Heh...no thanks Hinata..." Naruto smirked as he got to his feet. This caused the two Hyugas to pale. "I can still stand..."
"NARUTO-KUN!" roared Lee, his right hand clenched into a fist. "You are too injured to stand! Let us escort you back home!"
"Feh. Shows what you know thick brows," retorted Naruto as he slowly walked toward Sasuke's position. I've still got enough chakra to make it home on my own...or should I say, YOU have enough chakra to get me home.
A deep, monstrous voice suddenly blasted through his mind.
ARROGANT FLEDGLING. WITHOUT ME, YOU'D BE PASTE.
Yeah, I love you too...NOT. Naruto resisted the urge to snicker; ever since he had gone under Jiraiya's training to access the power of the Nine Tails chakra, the voice of Kyuubi had become a more commonplace part of his thoughts. Whether or not it was a good thing, he had yet to know. On one hand, the Fox Demon had a knack for ticking him off to no end. On the other hand, when Jiraiya left to gather 'information' (Ha! Yeah right! Stupid super pervert...), the voice of Kyuubi was a welcome break from the solitude of loneliness.
Naruto stepped in front of Sasuke, his blue eyes staring at Sakura. Her hands were covered with a green aura, a sign she was trying to help Sasuke recover with her own chakra. A wry smile came to his face. "Heh heh...guess you really haven't changed Sakura-chan.
"Sakura looked up at Naruto...and she immediately flushed out of embarrasement. Sasuke looked pretty fine (Inner Sakura: In more ways than one...look at those muscles! YOWZA!)...and here was Naruto, covered from head-to-toe with blood. "Eh...I guess...I still need to...work on my priorities...huh?"
Naruto smiled as he grabbed Sasuke and hoisted him over his shoulder. "Well...guess you'll have plenty of time to work on your priorities on your way back to Konoha."
"What are you talking about Naruto?" asked Kakashi out of concern.
"Simple," replied Naruto with a wide smile. "I'm going back to Konoha. I'll be there in no time."
"ARE YOU NUTS?" roared Sakura.
"SASUKE NEEDS ATTENTION!" yelled Ino. The two girls quickly glanced at each other afterwards.
"You're in no condition to even move," said Jiraiya, his dark eyes staring quietly at Naruto. Secretly, he was glad Naruto was alive...but he'd never give the bum the satisfaction of hearing THAT.
Naruto said nothing.
At least, not at first.
Seconds later, he chuckled. "Stupid Pervert-Sennin...don't underestimate me!"
Jiraiya nearly facefaulted. "I'VE TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!"
"Heh heh...sure..." Naruto smiled at everyone. "See you back in Konoha."
Then, with a yellow flash, he was gone. It looked like he just 'blinked' out of existence. Everyone yelped out of surprise. "WHA!" yelped Kiba. "WHERE THE HECK DID HE GO?"
Kakashi was suddenly flabbergasted. No...no way...that was...Hiraishin no jutsu...the Flying Thunder God. That's...the Fourth's special jutsu...the technique of Konoha's Yellow Flash! How did Naruto learn it?
As if sensing Kakashi's confusion, Jiraiya coughed. "Well...when the Fourth was developing that technique as a young boy, he didn't have the precise chakra control needed to use it." The Flying Thunder God was a technique that utilized a kind of 'teleportation'; the user sent out an invisible line of chakra to the target destination. The user then transported his body along that stream of chakra, combining it with his own chakra to 'catapult' him to the end of the line. Hiraishin no jutsu...the Flying Thunder God technique. It required incredibly precise chakra control...enough to send out a long, invisible line of chakra, and then to teleport yourself along the line using your energy. "Even though he came up the idea, I helped him develop the control necessary to master it."
"...I take it you gave Naruto the same kind of training." Kakashi was now stoic.
Jiraiya smirked. "Yes...but the ironic thing is this: Naruto was the same age as the Yondaime when he mastered the Flying Thunder God."
Kakashi was visibly surprised. However, underneath his facemask, he was smiling. Naruto...do you even HAVE limits?
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/The Fifth Hokage's Office, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
Tsunade - the Fifth Hokage of Konoha - was upset. Blasted Akatsuki...blasted Orochimaru...
It had been about three days since the battle had ended. The outer walls of the village were demolished, and everything else in the immediate vicinity of the walls was destroyed. Right near the end of the battle, Kankuro and Temari of the Sand had arrived. They assisted...and they had told of Akatsuki's presence outside Sunagakure...as well as Naruto's arrival to the Sand.
Kakashi had immediately departed for the Wind Country. Tsunade sent two Jounins and six Chunins- along with Kankuro and Temari - to follow the Copy Ninja to the Sand.
And she was upset because she had yet to hear anything. What's taking so long? They should've reported by carrier pigeon by now...
A flicker of yellow suddenly appeared in front of her desk. In the instant it appeared, it was replaced by a bloody Naruto, who was holding an unconscious Sasuke. Tsunade paled as she yelled, "N...NARUTO?"
Naruto smirked, despite the fact he felt like crap. "Heh...hiya...you old hag..."
Then he slumped to the floor.
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/Secret Cavern, Fire Country/
A man clad in the black-and-red cloud cloak of Akatsuki frowned. Sitting on a rock in front of him were eight kunai knives. Strapped to them were strands of hair from the other eight members of Akatsuki. They glowed with white light as long as each strand's owner was still alive. This was due to a special jutsu of his that could determine whether or not someone was dead or alive from a distance; the trick was creating a chakra link between the person, the part of their body, and the medium...which was the kunai knife in this case.Hours ago, they began to go out one-by-one. Finally, the last one - Akira's - had been neutralized less than an hour ago.
"So...they have fallen..."
The man grumbled. How could this have happened? How could everything have unraveled? He had been so close to obtaining Shukaku and Kyuubi...but the plan had failed.
The man cursed to himself. If he had gone, everything would've gone according to plan...but he had not been able to bring himself to go to Sunagakure.
It hadn't been out of fear...it had been out of uncertainty. The host of Shukaku was no problem to him...but the host of Kyuubi was another matter altogether.
The man scowled as he stood. His body became awash in an orange chakra, illuminating him and the dark cavern around him. The only part of his body that could be seen was his hair and his eyes; his cloak covered the rest. His short brown hair was spiky and it jutted upwards. His eyes were colored a piercing, deadly green.
I did better alone...I defeated the other three before I formed Akatsuki...and I shall defeat the last two alone. Shukaku will fall first...and then, I shall face the host of Kyuubi.
The man sighed as his aura died away, shrouding him in darkness once more.
"Gaara...Uzumaki Naruto...you're both mine."
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To be continued...
Next time...
Return to Konoha! Tale of the Great Battle's Beginning!
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Author's Notes: Well, what do you think?
Link to the second chapter.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2328445/2/
Reposting this has made me see some new typos I missed first time around (for instance, Shukaku the Demon Badger? He's a tanuki!). So I'll post the next chapter when I get the chance.[br]Posted on: September 09, 2006, 01:35:39 AM_________________________________________________
OOC: Huh. Seems like this forum merges any two concurrent posts by the same person. Oh well. Here's chapter 2 anyway.
Begin!
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The prologue has concluded
Now we shall move into the main phase
Prepare for a grand tale that will change your perceptions of the world of Naruto
Come and Ill show you what legacies are truly made of
Naruto: Legacy
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Return to Konoha! Tale of the Great Battles Beginning!
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/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The Akatsuki corpses had been lined up. Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai, and Hyuga Neji were quietly looking at the bodies. Soon, dispatches from other ninja villages would arrive to pick up the corpse that belonged to them. After careful examination, they knew who the corpses once were.
So Fujiwara Akira of the Hidden Waterfall Village droned Kakashi as he moved onto the next group. Deidara and the one who had transformed his body into solid rock were lying there. Deidara and Yagami Hiroto of the Hidden Stone Village Then he glanced at the body of Kisame. Hoshigaki Kisame of the Hidden Mist Village Then the body of the bat woman. Koumorimaru of the Hidden Cloud Village Then the body of the puppet user. Akasun Sasori of the Hidden Sand Village Then he glanced at the body of the plant user. Toya Shuu of the Hidden Grass Village. Finally, the last of the bodies bodies that belonged to the Hidden Leaf. Uchiha Itachi Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru. All former members of the Leaf.
A bitter chuckle escaped Gais mouth. Heh. I guess we finally know where Shuu disappeared to. Over fifteen years ago when Kyuubi had struck the Leaf and the surrounding lands a member of the Grass Toya clan had disappeared. It had been Shuu, the newly elected leader of the clan. The Toya clan was a plant-using clan; they even had contracts with plant creatures. Shuu had been talented enough to summon Ogi-Daimyou, the Plant Lord and then merge him with his body. The only way Shuu could have done that was if Ogi-Daimyou had agreed to such a thing the Toya clan will not be happy to hear that the Plant Lord went astray. Although the Leaf had suffered the most from Kyuubi, the Grass had suffered some damage as well and when the news of Shuus disappearance reached the Leaf, it had caused so much of a stir that they had offered some ninja to help search. After all, the Hidden Grass Village was a close ally of the Leafs.
The plant creatures are going to need a new Daimyou, commented Neji. The white-eyed Jounin asked, Why did Shuu leave?
Kakashi shrugged. All I know is that he became increasingly despondent after a mission to the Lightning Country. That had been about several months before Kyuubi struck. I wonder what happened to make Shuu leave the Grass ?
However, there was also the fact that three infamous traitors had been finally dealt with.
Itachi. Murderer of the entire Uchiha clan.
Kabuto. Spy for the Hidden Sound Village.
Orochimaru. Infamous traitor and murderer of Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
Its over the pain they caused will never strike Konoha again, thought Kakashi, his mind lost in thought.
Meanwhile, over near the obsidian slab, Lee, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and Kiba were analyzing the massive circular seal. Lee looked on in curiosity. Ive never seen such a massive seal its over two hundred feet in diameter!
This seal was used for restraining someone, commented Sakura, her eyes fixated on the two rectangles in the very center. The way the lines are drawn and the subtle curves in the corners they represent a bend, but dont break kind of seal. A break, but dont bend seal doesnt require any help as long as the seal is whole but if the imprisoned person manages to summon enough chakra, they can break out on their own.
Kiba scratched his hair confusedly. And whats the difference with this one?
This one requires a constant supply of chakra to be maintained otherwise, the seal is useless. However, this kind of seal cant be broken from within not one this large and complex anyway, finished Sakura.
W-Wow you know a lot Sakura, replied Hinata.
Ino snickered. She doesnt have that big forehead for nothing.
Sakura glared back at Ino. (Inner Sakura: Just you wait, you porker; Ill roast you alive!) However, part of her was troubled; as a student of Tsunade the Godaime (the Fifth Hokage), she knew a lot about seals, as they were often used for medical purposes. However something about this seal bothered her. This was used for more than just imprisoning people but what ?
Her mind drifted to Sasuke. And Naruto. She feebly folded her hands together. Please please be okay
Meanwhile, near the entrance of Sunagakure, Shikamaru was standing in front of Gaara and his siblings Kankuro and Temari. In the vicinity behind the Kazekage were the people of the Sand Village. Their faces telegraphed relief; they were glad that their Kazekage was unharmed.
Are you sure you want to handle it? asked Shikamaru, his green Chunin vest fluttering in the wind. The Leaf would be more than glad to deal with the return of the corpses to their respective nations.
Gaara nodded. The other villages would get suspicious if you willingly delivered their ninjas corpses to them. They might suspect that the Leaf examined the bodies to harvest the secrets within and that would bring unwanted trouble. When it comes to corpses, the other villages would like to set the terms of their retrieval. If they come to the corpses, it would be less of a hassle besides, it is a way for the Sand to prove its trustworthiness to the other villages.
Shikamaru nodded. There was an angle to Gaaras approach; Konohagakure possessed many allies. On the other hand, Sunagakure had relatively little after what had happened at the Chunin Selection Exam over three years ago. This would be a chance for the Sand to gain allies and that would make the village stronger. Sunagakure would become more widely known...and that meant more clients for Sand's shinobi. Sharp, Gaara. Real sharp.
Besides, one of the bodies belongs to us, said Temari. This statement caused Kankuro to snort; the fact that Akasun Sasori had been discovered to be an Akatsuki member was bad enough. It was especially bad for him because Sasori the greatest puppet maker in the land had made Kankuros puppets for him several years ago.
So, said Kankuro out of the blue, trying to mask his disgust. You gonna be departing? Its going to be dark soon, and it gets cold at night in the desert.
We really have to get back, muttered Shikamaru. Dont get me wrong; Id LOVE to spend the night in a nice hotel. But weve got to get back to Konoha to help repair the village. He sighed ruefully. Man Im not even good with woodwork and Ill probably have to do stuff. Its troublesome
This caused Temari to smirk. Well then, youd better get going. Just dont get a cramp on the way back. With that said, she turned around and walked towards the village.
A small smile emerged on Shikamarus mouth. Heh girls are so troublesome
A sudden shadow began to fall over the land. The Kazekage, Kankuro, and the denizens of the Sand stared with shock. Temari and Shikamaru turned around to see what it was that shocked them so.
They gaped.
The ninjas from the Leaf also stared, stunned and in disbelief over what was happening.
On the horizon, where the sun was about to set, a black disc suddenly sprouted up, slowly covering the glowing orb of fire in the sky. It was if it was trying to quell the light of the sun.
It was the moon.
Which meant
OOH! AN ECLIPSE! enthusiastically yelled Lee. Ive never seen one before! What a grandiose way to cap off a historical day!
Just dont look directly at it. You might blind yourself, commented Ino. Lee suddenly seemed to silence himself.
The minutes passed. The moon continued to block the sun, darkening the desert as if it were some dark god blighting the land with a blanket of shadows.
Then, the sun was completely covered. The moon was now a black dot in the sky with a fiery white outline. In a way, it was both terrifying and magnificent to gaze at.
The Obsidian Seal suddenly glowed red; its lines and curves all glowed in unison, shocking those who stood upon it.
EVERYONE! GET OFF! roared Gai.
The Chunins that stood upon the seal did so. The lines and symbols glowed a red far bloodier in color than any human could muster. However, there seemed to be no adverse affect.
Minutes passed. The eclipse ended. The sun sank, and the moon rose. The Obsidian Seal ceased its glow.
Mrrr whimpered Akamaru from within Kibas jacket. Kiba nodded out of concurrence, understanding what the little dog said.
I hear ya what the heck just happened? Why werent we affected?
Because apparently, said Kakashi as he slowly walked over to the Chunins. This seal only reacts to the light of an eclipse and if you look closely, part of the seal was damaged during the battle, so it couldnt achieve its desired effect. Besides the two people necessary for the seal to carry out its effect arent here.
The ninjas could tell who Kakashi was referring to. Gaara, the Kazekage of the Sand and Uzumaki Naruto, the show-stopping ninja of Konoha. Hinata felt a pang of sadness grip her heart as she thought about Narutos horrible condition.
Naruto-kun
Meanwhile, on one of the tallest buildings in Sunagakure, Jiraiya stared down quietly. From here, he could see the Obsidian Seal and the horizon. The glow was not at all lost on him. So the information about the sun and the moon was correct
During the many times Jiraiya had gone info-hunting, he had come up with one phrase that was quite common.
We must obtain them before the moon becomes the sun.
During an eclipse, the moon takes the place of the sun and when the eclipse ends, the moon is no longer one with the sun.
Jiraiya sighed out of frustration. Today was the deadline for their plan but the problem is what were they planning?
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/Hospital, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
Inside a large hospital room, two beds sat several yards apart. In the left one sat Naruto, and in the right one sat Sasuke.
A window embedded in the wall revealed the starry night sky of Konoha.
Hovering over Naruto was Tsunade. He had been cleaned of blood, but his wounds needed healing. Her hands glowed with green chakra as she used her medical ninjutsu to heal the boy. Standing behind her were two medical ninjas, their hands on her back. They were supplying her with extra chakra; this way, she wouldnt run low. If they ran low, then two more medical ninjas would replace them.
Tsunade grunted, Shizune how is Sasuke ?
Tsunades dark-haired assistant Shizune grumbled as her hands glowed green with chakra. Although Sasukes wounds were not as great as Narutos, his body had been put under a great strain by the Level 3 Curse Seal. Like Tsunade, she had two medical ninjas supplying her with extra chakra. He is getting better Hokage-sama
The two boys were unconscious. They would not wake up for awhile
However, their minds were active
And in Narutos mind, he was remembering
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/Naruto's Flashback/
/Earlier that Morning/
/Desert, 30 Miles Away from Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The blonde-haired teen stood, his feet leaving imprints in the desert sand. His orange and black ninja uniform stood out against the yellow sands. The sun was a thin edge against the eastern horizon. His Leaf hitai-ate reflected the light of the rising sun. Two pouches sat on his right thigh; they held kunai knives and shuriken. His blue eyes stared westward toward his destination.
Sunagakure.
Where Akatsuki awaited him.
His teeth clenched together out of anger. Those monsters Akatsuki !
Three days ago, upon returning to home late at night, he had found a note waiting for him. From Akatsuki.
It told him that they had the Kazekage and that they wanted him to come to Sunagakure.
Naruto snarled. Such ignorance such arrogance such idiocy! Those stupids stupid stupid stupid
AH. FINALLY ACKNOWELDGING YOUR OWN STUPIDITY?
Shut up you damn fox!
YOUVE YET TO FIND A MUTE BUTTON FOR ME.
Ignore the fox Naruto, ignore the fox
KNOCK KNOCK.
RAAAAGH! roared Naruto. Of all the times for the fox to talk, it was now. Whenever Naruto was moody or in an angry mood, the fox would talk. And he would make Naruto even angrier. Kyuubi had an uncanny knack for doing that.
Now where was I ?
CONTEMPLATING RELEASING ME.
Nice try, retorted Naruto.He had been thinking about Akatsuki.
Those stupid idiots those arrogant jackasses! They didnt care they only saw him and Gaara for what they had in them.
Monsters.
Shukaku and Kyuubi.
They wanted the demons sealed within them and they disregarded him as nothing more than worthless refuse. It sickened him he had dealt with such hateful people for a large portion of his life. They only saw him as a demon and Gaara too had only been seen as a demon Naruto growled. He would end it today. Today he would prove his strength. He would prove that he wasnt just some vessel for a demon. He was a human. He was a ninja! He was a proud warrior for Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Leaves!
He would defeat Akatsuki.
No matter what.
I BET YOULL DIE WITHIN THE FIRST TEN MINUTES.
Ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore ignore ignore
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/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
A slab of obsidian sat upon the desert sands like a floor mat in a house. Nearby sat the Hidden Sand Village but a gigantic barrier of steam covered it, preventing access from the outside.
Upon the obsidian slab was a complex, circular seal written on in red dye. Positioned across the seals circumference were eight nodes. Within those nodes sat the members of Akatsuki. They were using their chakra to keep the seal intact because within a rectangle at the center of the seal was Gaara of the Desert.
The Kazekage was staring quietly at the eight Akatsuki members around him. He would love nothing more than to strike at them. To crush them with his Desert Graveyard technique. He would if he could move.
As things were, Gaara couldnt manipulate his chakra. He couldnt even move an inch. All he could do was breathe, blink, and move his eyes. He was restrained thanks to the Obsidian Seal.
Gaara sat upright, his arms and legs crossed. The red lines glowed a dull color; it was a sign that the eight Akatsuki members were using their chakra to keep the seal active.
Akatsuki.
From Gaaras perspective, they looked like wraiths with straw hats. Their black-and-red cloud cloaks fluttered in the wind of the desert. Their hands were placed on the obsidian slab, transmitting their chakra into the seal.
Hmm hmm hmm
Koumorimaru glared at Fujiwara Akira. He had been the one to chuckle. Akira, growled the red-haired woman. I told you to stop reading those crappy books and focus on the task at hand!
Akira smiled as he glanced back with his blue eyes. One hand was on the Obsidian Seal and the other held a small book titled Come Come Paradise. Come on Koumorimaru you know as well as I do that once the eclipse occurs, theres a possibility this books writer wont survive the chaos that follows. Im just getting my kicks in while I can. As he said this, his face was red. Just be glad my Yukemuriseki doesnt require my focus to hold together. The Yukemuriseki was the gigantic barrier of steam he had erected over the Hidden Sand Village; this way, no one would interfere. He flipped a page with his thumb and chuckled again. Hmm hmm hmm
Toya Shuu chuckled slightly. Ogi-Daimyou, the Plant Lord, sneered. The Plant Lord appeared to be nothing more than a giant Venus Flytrap but he was so much more. Ignorant human. Even as we advance toward our goal, he still partakes in pleasures of the flesh. Shuu was quick to speak. Dont forget that he is merely human like all of us. Once the plan is complete, youll see his strength firsthand because only the strongest shall survive. His voice was hoarse and whispery, as if he had been a smoker all of his life. On the contrary; his voice was only like that because of the fact plants grew throughout his body. Some of the roots of the Ogi-Daimyou were right next to his vocal cords.
Yagami Hiroto of the Stone was silent. His gigantic frame seemed much smaller under his Akatsuki cloak; however, his face seemed to be nothing more than muscle and bone with facial features on top. He was completely bald but wrapped around his forehead was a Stone hitai-ate that was split in the middle. He quietly glanced at Deidara, a former Stone ninja as well. Deidara. His voice was deep and low, like a growling tiger.
The female clay user glanced back at the tremendous Hiroto. Dont be so worried yeah. Its all coming together yeah.
Hiroto was silent. Insightful. She knew what I was going to say.
Are you sure the vessel will come here? asked Sasori. His wooden scorpion tail suddenly slipped out from under his cloak, twitching with anxiousness. As you can see, Im feeling a bit restless
Kisame chuckled, his light blue skin glistening in the morning sun. Arent we all? But dont worry the fox boy will come. He glanced at Itachi, a wicked smile on his face. Right Itachi?
Uchiha Itachi was silent beneath his straw hat. He was busy thinking. For one, he was wondering about the other four that they already had. Our Leader Mantarou possesses the Three Tails, the Five Tails, and the No Tail and we have the One Tail with us. Now we just have to wait for the Nine Tails. Itachi frowned; he had an oddly foreboding feeling about the coming of the Nine Tails and that was something that was out of character for him. No matter. The moment he arrives, the Yondaimes Inheritance will be ours.
Ogi-Daimyou suddenly twitched. Toya Shuu smiled, his oddly empty eyes narrowing. Hes coming
The eight Akatsuki members glanced eastward. A small silhouette stood out against the horizon.
Kisame grinned. He came He suddenly stood up, clutching his Samehade tightly. Ill get him over here. As Kisame walked away, Hiroto pumped a bit more chakra to compensate for Kisame but it really didnt matter. Only one Akatsuki member was needed to keep the Obsidian Seal powered. Even so, the amount of chakra needed to hold the seal was massive, so it would take at least four or five Akatsuki members if they wanted to have enough chakra for a fight.
Sasori grumbled. No fair I wanted to face the last demon vessel.
You have more chakra than Kisame yeah. Youll be able to supply the Seal longer yeah, replied Deidara, her odd style of speaking showing through. Sasori grumbled anyway.
Kisame walked casually towards the rapidly approaching silhouette, which began to form human features as it came closer. In time, it formed into a familiar-looking boy and that boy skidded to a stop fifteen yards away from Kisame.
It was Uzumaki Naruto.
Kisame snickered as he held Samehade over his shoulder. So I take it our messenger bird managed to get the note to you.
Naruto snorted. He glanced beyond Kisame to see the Obsidian Seal the other seven Akatsuki members and in the center was Gaara. Release Gaara.
Kisame chuckled. That wouldnt quite be fair to you because youre going to be sitting where he is as well. Like a good little vessel.
Narutos fists clenched.
OOH. STRUCK A NERVE, DID HE?
Naruto ignored Kyuubi. He angrily pointed a finger at Kisame. Theres more to me than just being a vessel for a demon and Im going to prove it to you by beating all of you!
How cute. Kisame prepared to swing Samehade. Prepare to die.
The wind blew. The morning sun shined down upon them, casting a reddish glow on the desert.
Soon, the desert would be colored red for a different reason.
Naruto immediately performed katas with his hands. Kage bunshin no jutsu! He split into five different copies that took out one kunai knife each. They all threw them.
Kisame calmly swung his blade, deflecting the kunai knives. Come now dont think you can defeat me with such a rudimentary technique.
Growling, four Narutos leapt at the former Mist ninja.
The exploded in puffs of smoke as Samehade ripped through them. Without hesitation, he leapt for the last Naruto. We need you alive but that doesnt mean I cant RIP OFF A LEG!
He swung.
Naruto smirked.
He was suddenly twenty yards behind Kisame. The Mist ninja blinked as he tilted his head backward. Quick little devil howd he move so fast?
Naruto smiled; Hiraishin no jutsu had been a success! He quickly performed a different set of katas before slamming his hands into the ground. Hibashira no jutsu! BLAZING FIRE TOWER!
Kisame felt a rumbling feeling underneath him. Hmm?
A column of fire suddenly erupted from below, consuming him. Fire that flared with red, orange, and yellow color. The flames roared with rage as they overwhelmed Hoshigaki Kisame.
From a distance. The other Akatsuki members watched on with interest. Akira smiled. Heh looks like the runts got some spunk.
Just watch yeah, replied Deidara. Kisames barely even started yeah.
When the flames ceased Kisame could be seen.
Naruto blanched. NO WAY!
Kisame chuckled but it sounded garbled due to the sphere of water around him. As the water dropped away, the Mist ninja said, Impressive if I hadnt used my Junsai, that wouldve toasted me quite a bit. Even with my Junsai - the Art of the Water Shield - you still nearly overwhelmed me. Impressive youve become stronger.
Uzumaki Naruto chuckled as he clenched both fists, flashing a devil-may-care grin at the Akatsuki ninja. Thanks for the vote of confidence but it wont make me go easy on you.
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned a feral smile at the Nine Tails. A blue chakra aura flared around him. His red eyes glared predatorily at Naruto, his sharp teeth glistening in the light. Then I wont hold back either.
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To be continued
Next time
Ferocity of the Shark! Can Naruto make a Comeback?
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Is everyone liking it so far?
Link to next chapter.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2328445/3/
And I can't add chapter three until someone replies. There's a text limit. o.o
Anyhow...please review!
(NOTE: This Prologue was first written back in March of 2005, before I knew the true details of the Flying Thunder God technique, and of Akatsuki. Not gonna change it though.)
NOTE2: This is a bit embarrassing...but I forgot to mention that this takes place right after chapter 249 ends, where Gaara is kidnapped by Deidara. Which means no Kankuro vs. Sasori bit. Anyhow, begin!
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I do not go back on my promises...
For that is my ninja way!
-Uzumaki Naruto, Ninja of Konohagakure
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Prologue
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/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The sun was setting.
A flash of blue sped along the sands. Upon that figure in blue was the green vest of a Jounin. Upon his forehead sat a headband protector, arranged in a way that hid his left eye. Upon that headband was the symbol of Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Finally, a mass of spiky white hair sat upon his head, pointing toward his left side.
It was Hatake Kakashi the Copy Ninja.
And he was running as fast as he could towards Sunagakure, the Village Hidden in the Sand. When the great battle in Konoha had ended, he had immediately high-tailed it to Sunagakure.
After all, it was Temari and Kankuro that had notified the Leaf of the incident in the Wind Country. That had been three days ago.
Kakashi scowled, his face covered from the nose down by his blue uniform. He still couldn't believe what had happened. Akatsuki...they made their move...
Akatsuki. The organization of nine S-Class criminals.
And they had lured Naruto to the Wind Country. After all, they possessed Gaara of the Desert...the Kazekage. The host of Shukaku, the Demon Tanuki. Kakashi knew that was motivation enough for Naruto to go to them.
But why? Why had Naruto gone? Didn't he know that was what Akatsuki wanted?
Kakashi's frown deepened as he quickly neared the outskirts of Sunagakure; soon, the village would be in his sight.
Why did Naruto go? Did he sincerely think his three years of training with Jiraiya had been enough? Even if only ONE of the Three Legendary Leafs could take on a member or two of Akatsuki...no one would be able to hold their own against all nine.
It had been a clever distraction on Akatsuki's part. Naruto had left Konoha late in the night...and by the time anyone had gotten wind of his departure, the Leaf had found itself under attack by 100 Ukenin hired by Akatsuki.
However...they had been no mere Ukenin. Although they were renegades, they were SKILLED renegades. 64 of them had been of the Chunin level...while the 36 that remained were of the Jounin level.
The battle had been monstrous. Even Tsunade - the Fifth Hokage - had been forced to partake in the fighting.
Of course, things had gotten even WORSE when Chunin and Jounin from the Sound had appeared...and they immediately engaged both the Leaf and Akatsuki's Ukenin.
That had meant only one thing.
Orochimaru, grimly thought Kakashi. Why had Orochimaru gotten involved? It was known he was no longer a part of Akatsuki...but what had possessed the former Leaf ninja to send Sound Ninjas to Konoha? Especially when he had not even led the charge against the Leaf...That could only mean that he had gone to where Akatsuki was as well...but why? Why would Orochimaru go to Akatsuki even though there was clearly some bad blood between them?
Sunagakure was in sight. My questions will have to wait...I have to find out what's happened!
As Kakashi neared Sunagakure, he suddenly saw something else.
A gigantic coliseum made of hardened sand.
Kakashi's eye narrowed; no doubt Gaara had constructed that. But did that mean he had escaped...or that Akatsuki had managed to utilize his powers somehow?
He didn't want to think about the latter. Either way, he knew that Naruto was - dead or alive - inside that coliseum. He quickly changed his direction and ran towards the monument of hardened sand.
As Kakashi neared the coliseum, he saw a large figure leaning against its outer wall. To his shock, it was none other than Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's red and green robes were stained with blood: the result of a large wound on the left shoulder. His horned forehead protector was cracked and on the verge of crumbling into pieces. His long, unkempt mane of white hair was also stained with blood. He quietly raised his head, revealing dark eyes filled with weariness. The Legendary Sennin chuckled quietly at the sight of Kakashi. "Heh...Kakashi of the Sharingan...I take it the Ukenin have been dealt with?"
Kakashi nodded. Jiraiya had left Konoha to find Naruto...even though the village had been under heavy attack, the Toad Sennin had left the village. It showed how valuable Naruto was...after all, he had the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox sealed within him. Or perhaps it was because the master cared for his apprentice. "Yes. But we were also attacked by the Sound."
This caused Jiraiya to raise an eyebrow out of surprise. Just as soon, however, he chuckled. "I see...that isn't so surprising now. After all, Orochimaru and his assistant Kabuto came...Orochimaru is the one who gave me this wound..."
As I thought, thought Kakashi with a frown. Orochimaru HAD come...but that didn't answer the question as to why. "But why? What business does he have with Akatsuki?"
"He has no business with Akatsuki...but his business was with the one person that came here," replied Jiraiya, slightly grinning as he clutched his woudned shoulder. "Gah...I had come to assist Naruto...I even summoned Gama-bunta...but to think I was caught from behind by surprise..."
"Pardon me..." interrupted Kakashi. "But what person are you referring to?"
This brought a smile to the Sennin's face. "Heh heh...isn't it obvious?" He paused to glance back at the Sharingan user. "I am referring to the other male of Team Seven..."
This caused Kakashi's eye to widen. "You can't mean..."
"Uchiha...Sasuke..." interrupted Jiraiya. "...he came here on his own...freed Gaara...then he attacked Itachi..." Jiraiya grunted as he readjusted his position. "Soon after that, Orochimaru showed up to reclaim his runaway 'prize'...soon after I got injured, Gaara created this coliseum of sand and used his chakra to harden it...I don't know of anything else after that..."
Kakashi frowned. None of this makes any sense...Sasuke showes up and frees Gaara from Akatsuki...how did he escape from Orochimaru? WHY did he escape from Orochimaru? Without saying anything, he reached into one of his vest's pockets and pulled out the only first-aid equipment he carried: medical bandages and antibiotic ointment. "Here."
Jiraiya was silent as Kakashi handed him the materials before scaling the wall of sand. The Legendary Sennin frowned as he glanced down at his wound. He thought of Naruto. Then he grumbled. That no-talent bum...he'd better have lived.
As Kakashi scaled the wall, his thoughts were in a frenzy. Why had Sasuke shown up out of the blue? To fight Itachi of course. Why had he freed Gaara? No answer. Why had he escaped Orochimaru? Has he...changed? Is the Kazekage injured? No answer. Is Naruto injured or worse? I hope not.
He stepped onto the top of the coliseum's wall.And he literally gasped. ...what...what...what is this?
The inside of the coliseum was basically a desert that surrounded a sheet of black obsidian; Akatsuki had obviously brought the sheet here for some purpose. Kakashi could see a seal marked upon the obsidian in red dye. It was immensely complex...and in the center of the seal were two symbols in the shape of rectangles...and they were as big as a human...However, Kakashi's attention was more focused on everything else.
Ten corpses were lying throughout the coliseum at various spots. Kakashi quietly shifted his headband, revealing his right eye: the Sharingan. He gazed at the corpses one by one, using his Sharingan to determine how they had died.
One corpse was that of Hoshigaki Kisame, the wielder of Samehade. Speaking of Samehade, the blade was broken in half, lying by his side. His black cloak - lined with the red clouds of the Akatsuki members - was in tatters, and his mouth was open out of shock. His light blue skin was pale, and his red eyes were wide with shock. If I'm correct...a powerful Genjutsu technique was used...it looks like he died out of fright...
The next corpse was of a woman. Her white hair was tied into a ponytail...but it was almost burnt off. Her entire body, cloak and all, was burnt. Near her chest and abdomen, her clothing was completely burned away, revealing horrible, horrible wounds. Around her body sat pieces of gray clay. Hmm...she looks like the woman Kankuro and Temari said captured Gaara. They said she used explosive clay...and from the looks of her wounds, her own explosive clay was turned against her.
The third corpse was that of a man. His head was bald, save for a few strands of dark hair. What shocked Kakashi was the sight of a wooden scorpion tail protruding from the bottom of his spinal cord...and protruding from other parts of his body were wooden appendages that had various knives and daggers protruding from them. As for the aforementioned tail, it lay beside him, its tip covered in red blood. The man's neck had a hole in it; probably from the tail. Hmm...he uses puppet no jutsu, like Kankuro...except his puppets have been surgically grafted into his body. As for his cause of death...it looks like his own tail was used forcefully against him...against his own control.
The fourth corpse was that of another man. His face was splint into two halves thanks to face paint; the right side was black, while the left side was white. His light brown hair was matted with sweat, as was most of his body. The oddest thing was the large, plant-like mouth that surrounded his body, as if threatening to engulf it. It looked like a Venus Flytrap. Protruding from his fingers were thorny vines, and they - like the rest of the vegetation that lay aruond his body - were wilting away into brown, flaky material. His arms looked like they had been burned by fire, and his torso was crushed. He used plants as a weapon, and most likely as a defense as well...his arms were burned so that he couldn't utilize his chakra effectively enough to use his plants extensively...I think. As for his torso...it looks like it was crushed...as if he were stepped on. Maybe it was Gama-bunta...?
The next body was that of a female. Her red hair was short and spiky, save for the long strands that covered her left eye, which was red in color. Instead of arms, she possessed brown, leathery bat-like wings. Protruding from her toes were claws. Her ears were bleeding, and her sternum had been cut away, revealing her crushed heart and lungs.Hmm...wings of a bat, toes of a bat...maybe she has a contract with bats, allowing her to use summoning no jutsu? As for her bleeding ears...I think she used sound waves to both see and attack, as bats can't see with their eyes...I think the same went for her in this transformed state. Her sound waves were probably amplified and reflected back at her, overwhelming her ears...and in the disorientation that followed, she was attacked up close.
The sixth body was an absolute giant of a man, easily at nine feet when standing at full height. His entire body was made of solid gray stone...and there was no blood visible around the body. However, several parts of the body showed needle-like points of attack near the head, neck, chest, wrists, ankles, and thighs. His eyes - which were utterly blank - were made of rock as well. On the forehead were tiny grooves etched in an intricate pattern; the sign of a seal that had once been, but was no longer. Wrapped around his right bicep was a headband protector...and on it was the symbol of Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Stones. That is no mere transformation jutsu...with the exception of his inner coils, all of his body was transformed into stone, even the brain. That way, there would be no weak points...and with his inner coil system intact, he used his chakra to move the body according to his own will. That seal was probably used to keep the chakra contained...but the seal was removed...and the punctureswere made on or near his opening points so that his chakrea would flow out more quickly. Without his chakra, he simply ceased to be. Of course, all of his thinking was just logical conjecture. He could be wrong. Perhaps the puncture points were the weak points on the body...the Jounin didn't know for sure.
The seventh corpse was that of another man. His silver hair and uniform were instantly recognizable to Kakshi. It was Yakushi Kabuto, the right-hand man of Orochimaru. His body was lying facedown on the ground. His body showed no signs of battle, aside from a few bruises near the right arm. Even so, Kakashi knew he was dead. Kabuto...he must have been so heavily damaged during the battle that he had to use his healing ability...but in doing so, he exhausted all of his chakra...and he died.
The next body was that of a man. A headband protector tied down his short, blonde hair, and it had the symbol of the Hidden Waterfall Village on it. His Akatsuki cloak was gone, revealing blue sweatpants and a lean, muscular body. His torso was lined with sweat, and the sand around him was wet with perspiration. On his right pectoral was a tattoo of three wavy lines. Kakashi frowned. I recognize that symbol...he's Akira of the Waterfall's Fujiwara clan...a clan that specializes in the use of steam. Akira was the progeny of that clan...but a decade ago, he tried to kill the leader of his village, but failed. He joined Akatsuki soon after...and judging by all of the perspiration on the body, he exhausted himself using his chakra-powered steam. His body couldn't handle the strain...but he is a tough adversary. It would've taken something extraordinary to kill him by fatigue.
The ninth body was instantly familiar to Kakashi. The build, the frame...and the other defining factor was the Leaf headband that lay beside the body. The actual metal protector was split in the middle. It was the body of Uchiha Itachi...and it was missing a head. Kakashi was visibly shocked. Itachi...the one who killed all but one of the Uchiha clan...the one who possessed the Mangekyou Sharingan, the highest level of the Sharingan mirror-wheel eye...I wonder who killed him in such a fashion?
The tenth and final corpse was that of a well-built man wrapped in dark red robes. The robes were in tatters, revealing a bandaged body underneath. However, it was apparent that the bandages were not for wounds; they were for keeping the muscles tense in those areas. However, the chest possessed a gaping, bloody hole...right over the heard. And, like Itachi, it was lacking a head. That has to be the body of Orochimaru...and if what Jiraiya said was true...he had come here after Sasuke so that he could take the Uchiha's body as his own...
Kakashi finally let it sink into him.
Akatsuki was dead. Kabuto, traitor to the Leafs, was dead. Orochimaru, hated adversary of Konoha, was dead.
No...there should be nine Akatsuki members. There were only eight Akatsuki corpses. The Copy Ninja grimaced; where was the ninth body?
Suddenly, Kakashi remembered something. Where was Gaara? Where was Sasuke? Where was Naruto?
"You missed the battle."
Kakashi suddenly glanced to his right to see a familiar figure rising out of the wall of sand.It was the Kazekage: Gaara of the Desert. Gaara's dark-brown robes were matted with sweat, and the sleeves of his uniform were ripped off. His left arm was covered in dried blood; the cut was near his bicep, but a bandage of sand had closed it up. As a result of that, the bleeding had stopped. He also had several large bruises around his torso and right arm. Even so, despite his injuries and fatigue, his face and eyes showed no emotion; the gourd on his back, however, looked to be in impeccable condition. His blood-red hair ruffled in the sudden wind. "Hatake Kakashi, Jounin of Konoha. Why are you here?"
Kakashi quickly answered. "Kazekage-sama...I came because your siblings notified the Leaf of Akatsuki's presence here at Sunagakure."
Gaara said nothing. However, his eyes enlarged ever so slightly...a sign that he was relieved for the help. "Are you the only one to come?"
"I am only the first. Soon, fellow Konoha ninjas - both Chunin and Jounin - will arrive. The Fifth, however, has elected to remain behind in Konoha...because Ukenina hired by Akatsuki attacked us. She has to stay to keep the village strong."
"Of course...being a Kage is a troublesome duty," responded Gaara quietly. He quietly glanced southward toward his village. Inwardly, he was glad that Akatsuki had not touched the village...however, that had been due to the fact that a powerful steam barrier had been set up by the one known as Fujiwara Akira (fortunately, Kankuro and Temari had been long gone by the time the barrier had been set up). Upon his death, the barrier had fallen. Soon, ninjas from the Sand would arrive.The Kazekage glanced down at his bloody left arm. "Shukaku got a good workout...but his battle was not as strenuous as the one the Nine Tails experienced."
Kakashi froze. Nine Tails...? "Kyuubi...?"
Gaara pointed downward at the arena of sand. "Look."
Kakashi did.
And he finally saw them.
Footprints in the sand.
There were the prints of webbed feet: the sign of Gama-bunta. There were the long, curvy lines indicative of a snake: perhaps a sign of Manda, an anaconda summon of Orochimaru's. There were also badger prints: those of Shukaku, the Demon Sand Spirit. But the last kind of paw print was far more commonplace.
Fox prints.
Kyuubi...could it be...that the seal...was broken? It would explain why he couldn't see Naruto...Kyuubi would have run off by now...
"You worry for nothing," said Gaara, his eyes calm as ever. "You only need to look harder. Look down at the Obsidian Seal."
Kakashi looked down at the slab of obsidian...and he suddenly gaped. He saw two figures down there.Living figures.
He quickly dashed down the wall and towards the obsidian sheet. Gaara sighed as he quietly charged his hand with chakra. With a quick jab, the Kazekage thrust his right hand into the top of the coliseum wall. Moments later, the entire coliseum began disintegrating into normal sand, falling back down towards the desert. Gaara slowly floated down on a platform of sand, knowing that the collapsing coliseum would bring Sand ninjas.
Kakashi meanwhile, leapt onto the Obsidian Seal...and then he gazed to his right.
Naruto was sitting near the edge of the black slab...and his entire body was covered with blood. His hair was matted with blood. His orange and black uniform was in tatters. A number of cuts lined his scalp, cheeks, torso, arms, waist, and legs...and yet, despite his condition, he was smiling.
Kakashi glanced to his left.
And he nearly gaped.
Sitting there on the ground, legs crossed, was Sasuke. His skin was as black as midnight...and his forearms and shins were covered with slanted spikes. His nails had turned into claws. His spiky hair was short and as white as snow. Two white angel's wings protruded from his shoulder blades...and his eyes...Kakashi could not believe what he saw in those red eyes. Instead of three curvy dots...he saw a three-pointed shuriken. That is...the Mangekyou Sharingan...Sasuke...he has taken his eyes...to the highest level...
And beside Sasuke were two things Kakshi had missed during his body count.
The heads of Itachi...and Orochimaru. Sasuke...did he...beat them...on his own...?
"So idiot..." said Naruto, out of the blue. "How do you feel? I bet that Level 3 Curse Seal's making you feel like crap..."
Kakashi's eye widened. Level 3? That would explain why it looks different compared to the Level 2 Curse form Naruto told me about three years ago...but why has Sasuke's 'Heaven' seal been upgraded to Level 3?
"Kukukuku..." laughed Sasuke, in the style of Orochimaru. "Don't get cute with me dunce. You aren't looking so good yourself." Even as he spoke, the curse began to revert back into the seal; Sasuke was reverting to normal.Naruto chuckled; the way they were carrying on, it was as if they hadn't noticed Kakashi. "So...I've annihilated Orochimaru. You've killed Itachi...by the way, you should be thankful I left him for you..."
Sasuke smirked as his body reverted to its normal color. "I am grateful...but I'm afraid I have no reason to live now...have anything to say to that?" With a blink, his eyes reverted to normal; the Mangekyou Sharingan was no longer visible.
"...yeah." Naruto smirked as he stared at Sasuke's red eyes. "Find a new reason...cause if you don't...how else are you going to make a decent rival...to me...? After all..." He then flashed a toothy - yet bloody - grin at the last of the Uchiha. "I may have beaten Akatsuki...but a life in Konoha wuoldn't be the same without 'Mr. Avenger'."
"Dumbass," muttered Sasuke, a strange smile on his face. "...however...I'm open to suggestions."
"Give me a little while...I'll think of something...I always do..." replied Naruto.
With that said, both boys slumped to the ground. Naruto was unconscious due to his wounds...and Sasuke was unconscious due to the huge amount of chakra eaten up by the Level 3 Curse Seal and the Mangekyou Sharingan.
Kakashi immediately checked both boys. They were alive...but barely. Naruto needed IMMEDIATE treatment...and Sasuke needed his chakra replenished. Still...they accomplished the impossible...
Akatsuki had fallen...save for one.
"Help is in sight."
Kakashi turned around to see Jiraiya - his shoulder bandaged up - climbing onto the slab of obsidian. The Copy Ninja glanced behind him to see four Jounins and six Chunins advancing from the east.
Jounins of the Sand: Kankuro and Temari.
Jounins of the Leaf: Maito Gai and Hyuga Neji.
Chunins of the Leaf: Haruno Sakura, Rock Lee, Hyuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, Yamanaka Ino, and Nara Shikamaru.
Oh, and one dog named Akamaru.
Jiraiya was silent as he gazed at Sasuke...and then at Naruto. "That foolish dunderhead...taking on Akatsuki on his own."
"And yet he won...and as a plus, Orochimaru was killed...and Sasuke was brought back," replied Kakashi. "However...one member of Akatsuki isn't here."
Jiraiya nodded. I know...the missing member is the leader of Akatsuki...why didn't he show up? I don't even know what kind of abilities he possesses...
xxxx
Gaara was silent as Kankuro and Temari suddenly appeared at his side. "Siblings. You are injured."
"It doesn't matter Gaara...er, I mean Kazekage-sama," sputtered Kankuro as he looked at Gaara's left arm.
"No need for formalities...in all honesty, this is a time to relax," said Gaara, his voice calm as usual. "Because of Naruto...Akatsuki has fallen..."
"Naruto?" yelped Temari. "You mean...he beat Akatsuki on his own?"
Gaara shook his head. "The Uchiha and I helped...but Naruto was the deciding factor..." Of course, Gaara had not - and could not, and never would - forget the sight of Kyuubi, stampeding inside the coliseum, attacking Akatsuki. Naruto...he is truly like me...he has a monster inside of him...yet he never lost himself. He never let himself succumb to the power of the demon...
As the Kazekage watched the Leaf ninjas advance toward the Obsidian Seal, he let a small smile tug at his lips; a rarity for him. Naruto...you are not a maelstrom. You are much greater than that...you are a great typhoon of power. Your power affects the land, the sea, and the sky...and yet, you keep it in control...your power utterly crushes those you seek to harm...but your power ripples out, affecting those precious to you...and their lives are made better by that power. Naruto...you are truly unique...
xxxx
Sakura gasped at the sight of her two former teammates, lying on the slab of obsidian. "SASUKE! NARUTO!" On impulse, Sakura immediately rushed to Sasuke's side.
Kakashi sweatdropped. Some things never change...
Kiba snorted as he rubbed his noise irritably. "Geez! This place reeks of blood...it's making my nose itch." From inside his jacket, Akamaru barked out of concurrence. "Ruff!"
Shikamaru grumbled as he stared at the bodies of Akatsuki. "Man...how bothersome."
Ino resisted the urge to strike her friend in the back of his head. "What the heck are you talking about? What's bothersome about Akatsuki and Orochimaru dying?"
Shikamaru sighed. "You misunderstand..." Shikamaru was truly glad about the deaths of Akatsuki and Orochimaru. "The reason I'm bothered is because these corpses will have to be disposed of. After all, their secret jutsus and bloodline abilities can be obtained from their corpses...so to avoid any hassle, we'll have to contact the home villages of these ninjas. With the exceptions of Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Itachi, all of these other ninjas belong to different clans. They won't like it if any of their secrets are surrendered."
"...oh," replied a bewildered Ino. "That makes sense..." I guess.
Neji, meanwhile, was gazing at Naruto with his Byakugan: the Bloodline Limit of the Leaf's Hyuga clan. Hmm...it looks like most of his opening points have been closed...yet he was still able to come out on top...did he use that strange red chakra that he used to beat me...?
"OOOOOH!" whooped Lee as he gazed at the battleground. "This was the home to a glorious and valiant battle! Such a battle had to be one of legends! My only regret was that I was unable to partake in such a great conflict!" Immediately afterwards, he showed his nice-guy pose - a thumbs-up accompanied by a toothy grin - to Gai. "But do not worry Gai-sensei! Once we get back to Konoha, I'll do 2,000 one-handed pushups on each hand to prepare for the next legendary battle!"
This exuberant proclamation got a round of sweatdrops from Sakura, Ino, Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Kiba. Bonehead.
"That's the spirit Lee! Let the fiery blood of your youth spur you on!" cheered Gai. However, he was not so cheerful on the inside. Unfortunately for you Lee, this was no mere battle...this was more akin to a clash of titans...not even I would have escaped such a fight with my life.
Hinata looked down at Naruto...the bloody, unconscious Naruto. She quietly pulled out a jar of medicinal cream from a pocket in her green Chunin vest, fumbling with its lid. Her dark hair fluttered in the wind of the desert. The uncertainty in the air matched the concern and worry in her eyes. ...Naruto-kun...
Naruto opened one eye.
Hinata squeaked. This caused Neji, Lee, and Jiraiya to turn their attention towards the blonde ninja. Naruto chuckled as Neji stepped into sight. "Hey...Hinata..."
The dark-haired girl nevously mumbled, "Y-Y-Yes N-Naruto-kun...?"
"I...never...got...to find out...if you watched me...kick Neji's ass..."
The statement caused Neji and Hinata's eyes to widen. The white-eyed Jounin suddenly blanched out of surprise. He's referring to my battle with him at the Chunin selection exam over three years ago... As Neji thought about it, he chuckled. Heh...despite being in such poor condition after such a tremendous battle, you bring up something so old and so off-topic you have no choice but to laugh...Uzumaki Naruto, you are one interesting guy...
Hinata giggled at Naruto's statement. She quietly fumbled with the lid of her jar as she said, "N-Naruto-kun...if you don't mind...here..."
"Heh...no thanks Hinata..." Naruto smirked as he got to his feet. This caused the two Hyugas to pale. "I can still stand..."
"NARUTO-KUN!" roared Lee, his right hand clenched into a fist. "You are too injured to stand! Let us escort you back home!"
"Feh. Shows what you know thick brows," retorted Naruto as he slowly walked toward Sasuke's position. I've still got enough chakra to make it home on my own...or should I say, YOU have enough chakra to get me home.
A deep, monstrous voice suddenly blasted through his mind.
ARROGANT FLEDGLING. WITHOUT ME, YOU'D BE PASTE.
Yeah, I love you too...NOT. Naruto resisted the urge to snicker; ever since he had gone under Jiraiya's training to access the power of the Nine Tails chakra, the voice of Kyuubi had become a more commonplace part of his thoughts. Whether or not it was a good thing, he had yet to know. On one hand, the Fox Demon had a knack for ticking him off to no end. On the other hand, when Jiraiya left to gather 'information' (Ha! Yeah right! Stupid super pervert...), the voice of Kyuubi was a welcome break from the solitude of loneliness.
Naruto stepped in front of Sasuke, his blue eyes staring at Sakura. Her hands were covered with a green aura, a sign she was trying to help Sasuke recover with her own chakra. A wry smile came to his face. "Heh heh...guess you really haven't changed Sakura-chan.
"Sakura looked up at Naruto...and she immediately flushed out of embarrasement. Sasuke looked pretty fine (Inner Sakura: In more ways than one...look at those muscles! YOWZA!)...and here was Naruto, covered from head-to-toe with blood. "Eh...I guess...I still need to...work on my priorities...huh?"
Naruto smiled as he grabbed Sasuke and hoisted him over his shoulder. "Well...guess you'll have plenty of time to work on your priorities on your way back to Konoha."
"What are you talking about Naruto?" asked Kakashi out of concern.
"Simple," replied Naruto with a wide smile. "I'm going back to Konoha. I'll be there in no time."
"ARE YOU NUTS?" roared Sakura.
"SASUKE NEEDS ATTENTION!" yelled Ino. The two girls quickly glanced at each other afterwards.
"You're in no condition to even move," said Jiraiya, his dark eyes staring quietly at Naruto. Secretly, he was glad Naruto was alive...but he'd never give the bum the satisfaction of hearing THAT.
Naruto said nothing.
At least, not at first.
Seconds later, he chuckled. "Stupid Pervert-Sennin...don't underestimate me!"
Jiraiya nearly facefaulted. "I'VE TOLD YOU NOT TO CALL ME THAT!"
"Heh heh...sure..." Naruto smiled at everyone. "See you back in Konoha."
Then, with a yellow flash, he was gone. It looked like he just 'blinked' out of existence. Everyone yelped out of surprise. "WHA!" yelped Kiba. "WHERE THE HECK DID HE GO?"
Kakashi was suddenly flabbergasted. No...no way...that was...Hiraishin no jutsu...the Flying Thunder God. That's...the Fourth's special jutsu...the technique of Konoha's Yellow Flash! How did Naruto learn it?
As if sensing Kakashi's confusion, Jiraiya coughed. "Well...when the Fourth was developing that technique as a young boy, he didn't have the precise chakra control needed to use it." The Flying Thunder God was a technique that utilized a kind of 'teleportation'; the user sent out an invisible line of chakra to the target destination. The user then transported his body along that stream of chakra, combining it with his own chakra to 'catapult' him to the end of the line. Hiraishin no jutsu...the Flying Thunder God technique. It required incredibly precise chakra control...enough to send out a long, invisible line of chakra, and then to teleport yourself along the line using your energy. "Even though he came up the idea, I helped him develop the control necessary to master it."
"...I take it you gave Naruto the same kind of training." Kakashi was now stoic.
Jiraiya smirked. "Yes...but the ironic thing is this: Naruto was the same age as the Yondaime when he mastered the Flying Thunder God."
Kakashi was visibly surprised. However, underneath his facemask, he was smiling. Naruto...do you even HAVE limits?
xxxx
/The Fifth Hokage's Office, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
Tsunade - the Fifth Hokage of Konoha - was upset. Blasted Akatsuki...blasted Orochimaru...
It had been about three days since the battle had ended. The outer walls of the village were demolished, and everything else in the immediate vicinity of the walls was destroyed. Right near the end of the battle, Kankuro and Temari of the Sand had arrived. They assisted...and they had told of Akatsuki's presence outside Sunagakure...as well as Naruto's arrival to the Sand.
Kakashi had immediately departed for the Wind Country. Tsunade sent two Jounins and six Chunins- along with Kankuro and Temari - to follow the Copy Ninja to the Sand.
And she was upset because she had yet to hear anything. What's taking so long? They should've reported by carrier pigeon by now...
A flicker of yellow suddenly appeared in front of her desk. In the instant it appeared, it was replaced by a bloody Naruto, who was holding an unconscious Sasuke. Tsunade paled as she yelled, "N...NARUTO?"
Naruto smirked, despite the fact he felt like crap. "Heh...hiya...you old hag..."
Then he slumped to the floor.
xxxx
/Secret Cavern, Fire Country/
A man clad in the black-and-red cloud cloak of Akatsuki frowned. Sitting on a rock in front of him were eight kunai knives. Strapped to them were strands of hair from the other eight members of Akatsuki. They glowed with white light as long as each strand's owner was still alive. This was due to a special jutsu of his that could determine whether or not someone was dead or alive from a distance; the trick was creating a chakra link between the person, the part of their body, and the medium...which was the kunai knife in this case.Hours ago, they began to go out one-by-one. Finally, the last one - Akira's - had been neutralized less than an hour ago.
"So...they have fallen..."
The man grumbled. How could this have happened? How could everything have unraveled? He had been so close to obtaining Shukaku and Kyuubi...but the plan had failed.
The man cursed to himself. If he had gone, everything would've gone according to plan...but he had not been able to bring himself to go to Sunagakure.
It hadn't been out of fear...it had been out of uncertainty. The host of Shukaku was no problem to him...but the host of Kyuubi was another matter altogether.
The man scowled as he stood. His body became awash in an orange chakra, illuminating him and the dark cavern around him. The only part of his body that could be seen was his hair and his eyes; his cloak covered the rest. His short brown hair was spiky and it jutted upwards. His eyes were colored a piercing, deadly green.
I did better alone...I defeated the other three before I formed Akatsuki...and I shall defeat the last two alone. Shukaku will fall first...and then, I shall face the host of Kyuubi.
The man sighed as his aura died away, shrouding him in darkness once more.
"Gaara...Uzumaki Naruto...you're both mine."
xxxx
To be continued...
Next time...
Return to Konoha! Tale of the Great Battle's Beginning!
xxxx
Author's Notes: Well, what do you think?
Link to the second chapter.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2328445/2/
Reposting this has made me see some new typos I missed first time around (for instance, Shukaku the Demon Badger? He's a tanuki!). So I'll post the next chapter when I get the chance.[br]Posted on: September 09, 2006, 01:35:39 AM_________________________________________________
OOC: Huh. Seems like this forum merges any two concurrent posts by the same person. Oh well. Here's chapter 2 anyway.
Begin!
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The prologue has concluded
Now we shall move into the main phase
Prepare for a grand tale that will change your perceptions of the world of Naruto
Come and Ill show you what legacies are truly made of
Naruto: Legacy
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Return to Konoha! Tale of the Great Battles Beginning!
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/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The Akatsuki corpses had been lined up. Hatake Kakashi, Maito Gai, and Hyuga Neji were quietly looking at the bodies. Soon, dispatches from other ninja villages would arrive to pick up the corpse that belonged to them. After careful examination, they knew who the corpses once were.
So Fujiwara Akira of the Hidden Waterfall Village droned Kakashi as he moved onto the next group. Deidara and the one who had transformed his body into solid rock were lying there. Deidara and Yagami Hiroto of the Hidden Stone Village Then he glanced at the body of Kisame. Hoshigaki Kisame of the Hidden Mist Village Then the body of the bat woman. Koumorimaru of the Hidden Cloud Village Then the body of the puppet user. Akasun Sasori of the Hidden Sand Village Then he glanced at the body of the plant user. Toya Shuu of the Hidden Grass Village. Finally, the last of the bodies bodies that belonged to the Hidden Leaf. Uchiha Itachi Yakushi Kabuto and Orochimaru. All former members of the Leaf.
A bitter chuckle escaped Gais mouth. Heh. I guess we finally know where Shuu disappeared to. Over fifteen years ago when Kyuubi had struck the Leaf and the surrounding lands a member of the Grass Toya clan had disappeared. It had been Shuu, the newly elected leader of the clan. The Toya clan was a plant-using clan; they even had contracts with plant creatures. Shuu had been talented enough to summon Ogi-Daimyou, the Plant Lord and then merge him with his body. The only way Shuu could have done that was if Ogi-Daimyou had agreed to such a thing the Toya clan will not be happy to hear that the Plant Lord went astray. Although the Leaf had suffered the most from Kyuubi, the Grass had suffered some damage as well and when the news of Shuus disappearance reached the Leaf, it had caused so much of a stir that they had offered some ninja to help search. After all, the Hidden Grass Village was a close ally of the Leafs.
The plant creatures are going to need a new Daimyou, commented Neji. The white-eyed Jounin asked, Why did Shuu leave?
Kakashi shrugged. All I know is that he became increasingly despondent after a mission to the Lightning Country. That had been about several months before Kyuubi struck. I wonder what happened to make Shuu leave the Grass ?
However, there was also the fact that three infamous traitors had been finally dealt with.
Itachi. Murderer of the entire Uchiha clan.
Kabuto. Spy for the Hidden Sound Village.
Orochimaru. Infamous traitor and murderer of Sarutobi, the Third Hokage.
Its over the pain they caused will never strike Konoha again, thought Kakashi, his mind lost in thought.
Meanwhile, over near the obsidian slab, Lee, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, and Kiba were analyzing the massive circular seal. Lee looked on in curiosity. Ive never seen such a massive seal its over two hundred feet in diameter!
This seal was used for restraining someone, commented Sakura, her eyes fixated on the two rectangles in the very center. The way the lines are drawn and the subtle curves in the corners they represent a bend, but dont break kind of seal. A break, but dont bend seal doesnt require any help as long as the seal is whole but if the imprisoned person manages to summon enough chakra, they can break out on their own.
Kiba scratched his hair confusedly. And whats the difference with this one?
This one requires a constant supply of chakra to be maintained otherwise, the seal is useless. However, this kind of seal cant be broken from within not one this large and complex anyway, finished Sakura.
W-Wow you know a lot Sakura, replied Hinata.
Ino snickered. She doesnt have that big forehead for nothing.
Sakura glared back at Ino. (Inner Sakura: Just you wait, you porker; Ill roast you alive!) However, part of her was troubled; as a student of Tsunade the Godaime (the Fifth Hokage), she knew a lot about seals, as they were often used for medical purposes. However something about this seal bothered her. This was used for more than just imprisoning people but what ?
Her mind drifted to Sasuke. And Naruto. She feebly folded her hands together. Please please be okay
Meanwhile, near the entrance of Sunagakure, Shikamaru was standing in front of Gaara and his siblings Kankuro and Temari. In the vicinity behind the Kazekage were the people of the Sand Village. Their faces telegraphed relief; they were glad that their Kazekage was unharmed.
Are you sure you want to handle it? asked Shikamaru, his green Chunin vest fluttering in the wind. The Leaf would be more than glad to deal with the return of the corpses to their respective nations.
Gaara nodded. The other villages would get suspicious if you willingly delivered their ninjas corpses to them. They might suspect that the Leaf examined the bodies to harvest the secrets within and that would bring unwanted trouble. When it comes to corpses, the other villages would like to set the terms of their retrieval. If they come to the corpses, it would be less of a hassle besides, it is a way for the Sand to prove its trustworthiness to the other villages.
Shikamaru nodded. There was an angle to Gaaras approach; Konohagakure possessed many allies. On the other hand, Sunagakure had relatively little after what had happened at the Chunin Selection Exam over three years ago. This would be a chance for the Sand to gain allies and that would make the village stronger. Sunagakure would become more widely known...and that meant more clients for Sand's shinobi. Sharp, Gaara. Real sharp.
Besides, one of the bodies belongs to us, said Temari. This statement caused Kankuro to snort; the fact that Akasun Sasori had been discovered to be an Akatsuki member was bad enough. It was especially bad for him because Sasori the greatest puppet maker in the land had made Kankuros puppets for him several years ago.
So, said Kankuro out of the blue, trying to mask his disgust. You gonna be departing? Its going to be dark soon, and it gets cold at night in the desert.
We really have to get back, muttered Shikamaru. Dont get me wrong; Id LOVE to spend the night in a nice hotel. But weve got to get back to Konoha to help repair the village. He sighed ruefully. Man Im not even good with woodwork and Ill probably have to do stuff. Its troublesome
This caused Temari to smirk. Well then, youd better get going. Just dont get a cramp on the way back. With that said, she turned around and walked towards the village.
A small smile emerged on Shikamarus mouth. Heh girls are so troublesome
A sudden shadow began to fall over the land. The Kazekage, Kankuro, and the denizens of the Sand stared with shock. Temari and Shikamaru turned around to see what it was that shocked them so.
They gaped.
The ninjas from the Leaf also stared, stunned and in disbelief over what was happening.
On the horizon, where the sun was about to set, a black disc suddenly sprouted up, slowly covering the glowing orb of fire in the sky. It was if it was trying to quell the light of the sun.
It was the moon.
Which meant
OOH! AN ECLIPSE! enthusiastically yelled Lee. Ive never seen one before! What a grandiose way to cap off a historical day!
Just dont look directly at it. You might blind yourself, commented Ino. Lee suddenly seemed to silence himself.
The minutes passed. The moon continued to block the sun, darkening the desert as if it were some dark god blighting the land with a blanket of shadows.
Then, the sun was completely covered. The moon was now a black dot in the sky with a fiery white outline. In a way, it was both terrifying and magnificent to gaze at.
The Obsidian Seal suddenly glowed red; its lines and curves all glowed in unison, shocking those who stood upon it.
EVERYONE! GET OFF! roared Gai.
The Chunins that stood upon the seal did so. The lines and symbols glowed a red far bloodier in color than any human could muster. However, there seemed to be no adverse affect.
Minutes passed. The eclipse ended. The sun sank, and the moon rose. The Obsidian Seal ceased its glow.
Mrrr whimpered Akamaru from within Kibas jacket. Kiba nodded out of concurrence, understanding what the little dog said.
I hear ya what the heck just happened? Why werent we affected?
Because apparently, said Kakashi as he slowly walked over to the Chunins. This seal only reacts to the light of an eclipse and if you look closely, part of the seal was damaged during the battle, so it couldnt achieve its desired effect. Besides the two people necessary for the seal to carry out its effect arent here.
The ninjas could tell who Kakashi was referring to. Gaara, the Kazekage of the Sand and Uzumaki Naruto, the show-stopping ninja of Konoha. Hinata felt a pang of sadness grip her heart as she thought about Narutos horrible condition.
Naruto-kun
Meanwhile, on one of the tallest buildings in Sunagakure, Jiraiya stared down quietly. From here, he could see the Obsidian Seal and the horizon. The glow was not at all lost on him. So the information about the sun and the moon was correct
During the many times Jiraiya had gone info-hunting, he had come up with one phrase that was quite common.
We must obtain them before the moon becomes the sun.
During an eclipse, the moon takes the place of the sun and when the eclipse ends, the moon is no longer one with the sun.
Jiraiya sighed out of frustration. Today was the deadline for their plan but the problem is what were they planning?
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/Hospital, Konohagakure, Fire Country/
Inside a large hospital room, two beds sat several yards apart. In the left one sat Naruto, and in the right one sat Sasuke.
A window embedded in the wall revealed the starry night sky of Konoha.
Hovering over Naruto was Tsunade. He had been cleaned of blood, but his wounds needed healing. Her hands glowed with green chakra as she used her medical ninjutsu to heal the boy. Standing behind her were two medical ninjas, their hands on her back. They were supplying her with extra chakra; this way, she wouldnt run low. If they ran low, then two more medical ninjas would replace them.
Tsunade grunted, Shizune how is Sasuke ?
Tsunades dark-haired assistant Shizune grumbled as her hands glowed green with chakra. Although Sasukes wounds were not as great as Narutos, his body had been put under a great strain by the Level 3 Curse Seal. Like Tsunade, she had two medical ninjas supplying her with extra chakra. He is getting better Hokage-sama
The two boys were unconscious. They would not wake up for awhile
However, their minds were active
And in Narutos mind, he was remembering
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/Naruto's Flashback/
/Earlier that Morning/
/Desert, 30 Miles Away from Sunagakure, Wind Country/
The blonde-haired teen stood, his feet leaving imprints in the desert sand. His orange and black ninja uniform stood out against the yellow sands. The sun was a thin edge against the eastern horizon. His Leaf hitai-ate reflected the light of the rising sun. Two pouches sat on his right thigh; they held kunai knives and shuriken. His blue eyes stared westward toward his destination.
Sunagakure.
Where Akatsuki awaited him.
His teeth clenched together out of anger. Those monsters Akatsuki !
Three days ago, upon returning to home late at night, he had found a note waiting for him. From Akatsuki.
It told him that they had the Kazekage and that they wanted him to come to Sunagakure.
Naruto snarled. Such ignorance such arrogance such idiocy! Those stupids stupid stupid stupid
AH. FINALLY ACKNOWELDGING YOUR OWN STUPIDITY?
Shut up you damn fox!
YOUVE YET TO FIND A MUTE BUTTON FOR ME.
Ignore the fox Naruto, ignore the fox
KNOCK KNOCK.
RAAAAGH! roared Naruto. Of all the times for the fox to talk, it was now. Whenever Naruto was moody or in an angry mood, the fox would talk. And he would make Naruto even angrier. Kyuubi had an uncanny knack for doing that.
Now where was I ?
CONTEMPLATING RELEASING ME.
Nice try, retorted Naruto.He had been thinking about Akatsuki.
Those stupid idiots those arrogant jackasses! They didnt care they only saw him and Gaara for what they had in them.
Monsters.
Shukaku and Kyuubi.
They wanted the demons sealed within them and they disregarded him as nothing more than worthless refuse. It sickened him he had dealt with such hateful people for a large portion of his life. They only saw him as a demon and Gaara too had only been seen as a demon Naruto growled. He would end it today. Today he would prove his strength. He would prove that he wasnt just some vessel for a demon. He was a human. He was a ninja! He was a proud warrior for Konoha, the Village Hidden in the Leaves!
He would defeat Akatsuki.
No matter what.
I BET YOULL DIE WITHIN THE FIRST TEN MINUTES.
Ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore the fox ignore ignore ignore
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/Desert, Outside Sunagakure, Wind Country/
A slab of obsidian sat upon the desert sands like a floor mat in a house. Nearby sat the Hidden Sand Village but a gigantic barrier of steam covered it, preventing access from the outside.
Upon the obsidian slab was a complex, circular seal written on in red dye. Positioned across the seals circumference were eight nodes. Within those nodes sat the members of Akatsuki. They were using their chakra to keep the seal intact because within a rectangle at the center of the seal was Gaara of the Desert.
The Kazekage was staring quietly at the eight Akatsuki members around him. He would love nothing more than to strike at them. To crush them with his Desert Graveyard technique. He would if he could move.
As things were, Gaara couldnt manipulate his chakra. He couldnt even move an inch. All he could do was breathe, blink, and move his eyes. He was restrained thanks to the Obsidian Seal.
Gaara sat upright, his arms and legs crossed. The red lines glowed a dull color; it was a sign that the eight Akatsuki members were using their chakra to keep the seal active.
Akatsuki.
From Gaaras perspective, they looked like wraiths with straw hats. Their black-and-red cloud cloaks fluttered in the wind of the desert. Their hands were placed on the obsidian slab, transmitting their chakra into the seal.
Hmm hmm hmm
Koumorimaru glared at Fujiwara Akira. He had been the one to chuckle. Akira, growled the red-haired woman. I told you to stop reading those crappy books and focus on the task at hand!
Akira smiled as he glanced back with his blue eyes. One hand was on the Obsidian Seal and the other held a small book titled Come Come Paradise. Come on Koumorimaru you know as well as I do that once the eclipse occurs, theres a possibility this books writer wont survive the chaos that follows. Im just getting my kicks in while I can. As he said this, his face was red. Just be glad my Yukemuriseki doesnt require my focus to hold together. The Yukemuriseki was the gigantic barrier of steam he had erected over the Hidden Sand Village; this way, no one would interfere. He flipped a page with his thumb and chuckled again. Hmm hmm hmm
Toya Shuu chuckled slightly. Ogi-Daimyou, the Plant Lord, sneered. The Plant Lord appeared to be nothing more than a giant Venus Flytrap but he was so much more. Ignorant human. Even as we advance toward our goal, he still partakes in pleasures of the flesh. Shuu was quick to speak. Dont forget that he is merely human like all of us. Once the plan is complete, youll see his strength firsthand because only the strongest shall survive. His voice was hoarse and whispery, as if he had been a smoker all of his life. On the contrary; his voice was only like that because of the fact plants grew throughout his body. Some of the roots of the Ogi-Daimyou were right next to his vocal cords.
Yagami Hiroto of the Stone was silent. His gigantic frame seemed much smaller under his Akatsuki cloak; however, his face seemed to be nothing more than muscle and bone with facial features on top. He was completely bald but wrapped around his forehead was a Stone hitai-ate that was split in the middle. He quietly glanced at Deidara, a former Stone ninja as well. Deidara. His voice was deep and low, like a growling tiger.
The female clay user glanced back at the tremendous Hiroto. Dont be so worried yeah. Its all coming together yeah.
Hiroto was silent. Insightful. She knew what I was going to say.
Are you sure the vessel will come here? asked Sasori. His wooden scorpion tail suddenly slipped out from under his cloak, twitching with anxiousness. As you can see, Im feeling a bit restless
Kisame chuckled, his light blue skin glistening in the morning sun. Arent we all? But dont worry the fox boy will come. He glanced at Itachi, a wicked smile on his face. Right Itachi?
Uchiha Itachi was silent beneath his straw hat. He was busy thinking. For one, he was wondering about the other four that they already had. Our Leader Mantarou possesses the Three Tails, the Five Tails, and the No Tail and we have the One Tail with us. Now we just have to wait for the Nine Tails. Itachi frowned; he had an oddly foreboding feeling about the coming of the Nine Tails and that was something that was out of character for him. No matter. The moment he arrives, the Yondaimes Inheritance will be ours.
Ogi-Daimyou suddenly twitched. Toya Shuu smiled, his oddly empty eyes narrowing. Hes coming
The eight Akatsuki members glanced eastward. A small silhouette stood out against the horizon.
Kisame grinned. He came He suddenly stood up, clutching his Samehade tightly. Ill get him over here. As Kisame walked away, Hiroto pumped a bit more chakra to compensate for Kisame but it really didnt matter. Only one Akatsuki member was needed to keep the Obsidian Seal powered. Even so, the amount of chakra needed to hold the seal was massive, so it would take at least four or five Akatsuki members if they wanted to have enough chakra for a fight.
Sasori grumbled. No fair I wanted to face the last demon vessel.
You have more chakra than Kisame yeah. Youll be able to supply the Seal longer yeah, replied Deidara, her odd style of speaking showing through. Sasori grumbled anyway.
Kisame walked casually towards the rapidly approaching silhouette, which began to form human features as it came closer. In time, it formed into a familiar-looking boy and that boy skidded to a stop fifteen yards away from Kisame.
It was Uzumaki Naruto.
Kisame snickered as he held Samehade over his shoulder. So I take it our messenger bird managed to get the note to you.
Naruto snorted. He glanced beyond Kisame to see the Obsidian Seal the other seven Akatsuki members and in the center was Gaara. Release Gaara.
Kisame chuckled. That wouldnt quite be fair to you because youre going to be sitting where he is as well. Like a good little vessel.
Narutos fists clenched.
OOH. STRUCK A NERVE, DID HE?
Naruto ignored Kyuubi. He angrily pointed a finger at Kisame. Theres more to me than just being a vessel for a demon and Im going to prove it to you by beating all of you!
How cute. Kisame prepared to swing Samehade. Prepare to die.
The wind blew. The morning sun shined down upon them, casting a reddish glow on the desert.
Soon, the desert would be colored red for a different reason.
Naruto immediately performed katas with his hands. Kage bunshin no jutsu! He split into five different copies that took out one kunai knife each. They all threw them.
Kisame calmly swung his blade, deflecting the kunai knives. Come now dont think you can defeat me with such a rudimentary technique.
Growling, four Narutos leapt at the former Mist ninja.
The exploded in puffs of smoke as Samehade ripped through them. Without hesitation, he leapt for the last Naruto. We need you alive but that doesnt mean I cant RIP OFF A LEG!
He swung.
Naruto smirked.
He was suddenly twenty yards behind Kisame. The Mist ninja blinked as he tilted his head backward. Quick little devil howd he move so fast?
Naruto smiled; Hiraishin no jutsu had been a success! He quickly performed a different set of katas before slamming his hands into the ground. Hibashira no jutsu! BLAZING FIRE TOWER!
Kisame felt a rumbling feeling underneath him. Hmm?
A column of fire suddenly erupted from below, consuming him. Fire that flared with red, orange, and yellow color. The flames roared with rage as they overwhelmed Hoshigaki Kisame.
From a distance. The other Akatsuki members watched on with interest. Akira smiled. Heh looks like the runts got some spunk.
Just watch yeah, replied Deidara. Kisames barely even started yeah.
When the flames ceased Kisame could be seen.
Naruto blanched. NO WAY!
Kisame chuckled but it sounded garbled due to the sphere of water around him. As the water dropped away, the Mist ninja said, Impressive if I hadnt used my Junsai, that wouldve toasted me quite a bit. Even with my Junsai - the Art of the Water Shield - you still nearly overwhelmed me. Impressive youve become stronger.
Uzumaki Naruto chuckled as he clenched both fists, flashing a devil-may-care grin at the Akatsuki ninja. Thanks for the vote of confidence but it wont make me go easy on you.
Hoshigaki Kisame grinned a feral smile at the Nine Tails. A blue chakra aura flared around him. His red eyes glared predatorily at Naruto, his sharp teeth glistening in the light. Then I wont hold back either.
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To be continued
Next time
Ferocity of the Shark! Can Naruto make a Comeback?
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Is everyone liking it so far?
Link to next chapter.
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2328445/3/
And I can't add chapter three until someone replies. There's a text limit. o.o
looks like i'll be busy for the next day or so......also, I really like what you did with Naruto and Kyuubi. Kyuubi's commentary always gives me a chuckle 
