1,906Author Note
Hello everyone and welcome to another chapter of Cursed Eyes.
First of all, I apologize for the long wait…well, longer than what I am usually taking to update…sorry, it's just that the creativity and drive takes a bit to sink in. Not to mention that these last few weeks, both work and my personal life has been one huge mess…with plenty of activities that I was leaving unattended for the time being. Well, nowadays, it's much easier, so I can expect to write more, unimpeded. At least, I hope so. Anyway, enough whining on my part.
Now, please enjoy the chapter.
Cursed Eyes
Chapter 41 – Mayhem
Beta: Scheffinator
Jiraiya was still in awe looking at the image of his student's offspring in his full glory, while using the fox's chakra.
The utmost feeling of Naruto's chakra right now was off the charts as the Jonin was busy looking at himself.
"You are still due to answer me, kid…what happened to the Kyuubi?" Naruto looked at the Gama Sannin, before once again looking at his golden energy with the Sharingan.
"His name is Kurama, Jiraiya and I have already explained it…we had formed a partnership." The ease in which Naruto had explained had given all the possible red flags in Jiraiya's mind.
"Of course and what does that mean exactly, you formed a partnership!?" Jiraiya then pointed an accusing finger at the blond Jinchuuriki. "You are trusting someone who was responsible for the village's destruction!?" Naruto had simply hummed at the accusation. Well, it's not like the fox would ever bother denying what he had done or bother blaming Madara, or whoever is behind the orange mask, for controlling him into attacking the village. The fox was never much of a fan being controlled in the first place.
"This war is bigger than the both of us and also, I don't think he would take kindly to me coming up and demanding his chakra. Not that I would do such a thing…now, I need to test something." Naruto then looked at a pillar nearby and extended his golden energy through his hand. Jiraiya saw a claw-like shape appear at the end as Naruto attempted to grab the pillar. As soon as he closed the energy claw, the pillar was smashed into pieces. He released a sigh at that as he looked at his hands. "I wasn't counting on having to adapt…" Jiraiya smirked at that, understanding that right now this so-called partnership dilemma wasn't the core issue, but winning the war is.
With a snap of Jiraiya's finger, the room's Fuuinjutsu stopped acting as the door to the room opened and Fukasaku entered.
"Okay, we shall get on with that now, won't we?" The elder toad smirked as he was waiting to test the kid together with the rest of the toads outside.
"I am glad that everything happened accordingly, Naruto-boy. Now come along…we shall get you ready in no time."
Naruto and Jiraiya passed by Gamamaru who was busy taking a nap it seems, until walking outside, only to see Shirotora, Gamahiro, Gamabunta and Gamaken all lined up. Jiraiya soon whistled, while Naruto turned to Fukasaku.
"Ah Lord Fukasaku, what's going on here?" the elder toad merely smirked as he crossed his arms.
"Normally, I would advocate towards taking it slow and acclimating better, but we don't have time for that.
For that matter, in order for you to learn how to fight with the fox's chakra, this is the lineup you'll have to face."
"I would say it's overkill, but knowing just what you can do, Naruto and now with the fox aiding you, I'd say you get yourself a good matchup.
Plus, think of this as training against the other Bijuu."
Naruto wasn't feeling like agreeing with this course of action with this being the first time he would be facing giant monsters with his bare hands. However, Jiraiya was right.
How else would he be able to train to face against the Bijuu…
"I guess you are right…" Naruto then eyed his summoning partner. "Oi Shirotora, how about going easy on me for old time's sake!?"
The giant tiger merely smirked at his summoner.
"…Sorry Naruto, but if I did that, I would be doing my summoner a disservice." Naruto had released a sigh in dismay at the response.
In mere seconds, Naruto saw the toads wielding their respective giant weapons against little old him. Jiraiya and Fukasaku had already created enough distance to escape the mayhem that will soon emerge from this fight. Naruto only had time for two giant red energy claws, before he saw Gamahiro's two katanas descend on him, about to slice him up in multiple pieces.
===With Itsuko===
Soon it became the historical landmark in the shinobi world history.
This marked the first time ever where every shinobi that belonged to the five great Hidden villages all gathered in one place. The Land of Lightning is mainly filled with mountains and plain fields. And while it could never rise off the Land of the Wind, it does have some wide open field that somewhat matched the open desert near Sunagakure. Itsuko looked around in sheer awe at the magnitude of this precise event, while being side by side with Izumo and Kotetsu. If one were to look from the sky, all they could see were five huge beams of people side by side. The order served a purpose of course, as each line of shinobi and kunoichi served a different purpose in this war. Short range, short to mid-range, mid-range, long range, and finally specialized division.
Each division had a commander appointed by Tsunade and A as they are co-commander in chief of the Alliance.
The First Division, the one with mid-range fighters, is led by Darui of Kumogakure, considered Kumo's strongest Jonin and possessor of the special mark on his shoulder, showing him to be next in line for being Raikage.
The Second Division, the one with close-range fighters, is led by Kitsuchi, the Tsushikage's son.
The Third Division, the one with long-range fighters, is led by Hatake Kakashi, aka Sharingan no Kakashi.
The Fourth Division, with long-range fighters, is led by Mei Terumi, the Godaime Mizukage herself.
Finally, the Fifth Division, with specialized fighters, is led by Mifune, the Lord Samurai of the Land of Iron.
A also happened to be appointed the Regional commander of the Assembled Army.
On top of the tower in front of the shinobi gathered population, the division captains walked together with A taking point.
Everything was up and ready for the mayhem to begin. Moments ago, a small infiltration team led by Anko, managed to bring about the enemy's main base location, together with the overall numbers of Akatsuki's army. As such, a general planning was conjured by Nara Shikaku and the Tsuchikage. This was the moment of truth, then. Akatsuki and the rest of the shinobi world has played in a civil war type warfare until this moment. It was now time to face each other in open battle, to see who emerged victorious.
===With Orochimaru===
The snake Sannin was merely waiting with his arms crossed as his subordinates appeared to report on Konoha's intrusion.
Tobi then appeared behind him and the snake Sannin merely chuckled at the spike in killing intent.
"You let them go on purpose…why?" Orochimaru kept on chuckling, however.
"I don't know…call me sentimental…it's been a while since I had seen my beautiful little prodigy. I thought I would get to tease her a bit for old time's sake, that's all." The so called teasing as Orochimaru mentioned was in fact him testing the waters with a select concoction of his, made from the Kaguya Clan's bloodline. His last two test subjects had the slight misfortune of their bones melting in a couple of minutes. While Anko has high level immunity to snake poison, she might have an easier time than the test subjects. Key word in 'might' if his wicked smile is any evidence.
Tobi or Madara knew that those managed to figure out quite a bit about their numbers, though the Akatsuki leader didn't consider them newsworthy.
"Hmm, it's inconsequential in the end. Now, would you do the honors?" Orochimaru smirked as he took a couple of steps forward and joined his hand.
Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei (Summoning: Impure World Resurrection)
No sooner had Orochimaru announced the technique, close to fifty coffins emerged from the ground, showing the additions to the Zetsu army…all the former members of the Akatsuki, the former Kages from the other villages, as well as several high level Jonin from the five villages, including several from Konoha. Tobi merely observed as the different shinobi taking steps in front of their respective coffins. His focus lay on the members of Akatsuki, in particular, Nagato, Konan and Itachi.
"I am not particularly thrilled to see them once again…" Kisame announced himself as he took a step behind Tobi, while approaching Itachi. "…but I have to say that I am sort of looking forward to our conversations once more." Kisame had even looked around, until he was face to face with the former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. "Huhuhu, now those do take me back, huh Tobi…or should I say Mizukage-sama."
Kisame was even eyeing the Sanbi Jinchuuriki Yagura, though Tobi was the one behind him calling the shots.
"So, I trust you are ready for your assignment, Kisame?" The former member of the Seven Swordsmen smirked.
"Of course, getting to hunt the Kyuubi with the old gang is going to be fun."
Orochimaru chuckled at that. In his right mind, it would be overkill to use the entire Akatsuki to hunt the last Jinchuuriki. Seeing as this was more like Tobi's little war, he was merely in it for the enjoyment of seeing the windmill turning as well as the occasional body or two turning up for experimentation.
===With the Army===
Back with the army, everyone kept cheering at their captains.
The shinobi of Kumogakure, in particular, were all applauding their leader, being the general commander of the army. However, looking at each and every face in the shinobi army, now all bearing the same headband, there was this feeling of animosity amongst them. It had only hit each and everyone that not so long ago, everyone in this grand army considered the other a sworn enemy. As such, while they were all cheering, pretty much all of them were looking at their so-called allies from the corner of their eyes as if waiting for someone to openly betray the lot.
Pretty soon, the first inappropriate comment emerged, as soon as they looked at A, the Raikage was about to give them the initial speech.
"So it comes to this now, huh…the Hyuuga Clan following the orders of Kumo."
Neji looked sideways at one of the branch members from his clan next to him, with short black hair tied by a ponytail.
"Quiet, you." Hoheto looked offended at his fellow Branch member, while Hinata looked worried.
"I can't believe you are okay with this Neji, it's because of them that Hizashi-sama…" Neji cut him off, before he could say something inexcusable.
"Now is not the time, Hoheto." However, one of the Kumo shinobi overheard the conversation and approached both, immediately.
"Oi Konoha dog, you take that back this instant. Do you know how many Kumo shinobi your clan has killed?!"
Neji took some time breathing, in order to keep himself in check. His fellow family members, on the other hand…
"Right back at you…it was war time, after all!" One of the stone shinobi nearby took a step forward, insulted.
"And what right does Konoha have to spill about war, huh!…your Yondaime Hokage killed a thousand of my comrades in the Last Great Ninja War alone!"
At this point, it was impossible to keep everyone in check as someone else from Kirigakure scoffed at the one from Iwagakure.
"And you're one to talk…Iwagakure has betrayed us at the Yosuka Pass…" The captains had at this point looked at one another, as the so called army of 100,000 shinobi and kunoichi began to bring about an old history of pain between villages. Kakashi and Darui had practically the same dull like expression on their faces. Particularly, Darui who had seen that one of the Kumo shinobi had started this mess by provoking Konoha. Mei had only crossed her arms and huffed, not particularly interested in remembering the negative history her village had with both Iwa and Sunagakure. Mifune had turned to A, the Raikage.
"I think it's best if you deal with this quickly, Raikage-dono, before it escalates into dangerous proportions."
However, the Lord Samurai looked sideways to see the Raikage fuming from his ears.
"SILENCE!" The Raikage screamed from the top of his lungs, while exploding in his Raiton yoroi technique. The murmurs had stopped instantly as the Raikage looked around to see if anyone dared disobey him. When he was satisfied that people began to hear him, A had quieted his ration chakra and closed his eyes, before looking at each and every one of the assembled shinobi and kunoichi. "Everyone here has their own reason to mistrust the one next to you…Shinobi history is here to show that each and every village has acted against each other in the past…greed, power, fear…those were all powerful motivators to begin wars in the past. However, right now, this war has nothing to do with one village trumping over the other…"
"This war is about our existence as shinobi!"
Everyone paid rapid attention to A's speech as the giant man's eyes began to water. "Akatsuki…they had caused all of us a great deal of pain…everyone…Suna, Iwa, Kiri, Konoha and Kumogakure…everyone…they had killed my brother Killer Bee!" Itsuko and the ones from Konoha looked at the shinobi from Kumo all shedding tears for their leader. "Above all else, each and everyone here suffered at their hands. How many of us brothers and sisters were killed by those Akatsuki bastards. Therefore, our goal right now is to rid our world of this horrendous organization! As such, I ask you all to lend us your strength…your might…your heart…so that together we can defeat those bastards once and for all!"
The Raikage's fists ignited into lightning once more as the crowd began to roar in acceptance of the leader.
"RIGHT NOW, THERE ISN'T SUNA, IWA, KUMO, KONOHA OR KIRI! RIGHT NOW, THERE ARE ONLY SHINOBI!"
That was the epitome of a speech worthy of a general as the troop's morale was sparkling high. Itsuko especially felt for the Raikage as the man felt the loss of his brother. She, as well, was fighting in this to protect her Naruto. Her fellow Konoha shinobi may not have the same drive as her, but she didn't care. She would kill as many of those Akatsuki bastards as she could. One less of those is one less to aim at her lover's life. She only wished he wouldn't take too long in getting ready.
They will need his strength, for sure in this war.
===With Naruto===
Naruto was sent flying courtesy of Gamaken's staff. He had used Kurama's energy to block it, but it still was a gigantic staff against a regular sized human.
When he began the battle against the summoned animals, Naruto had next to little control of Kurama's extra appendages. It wasn't just blocking…well, blocking was at least paramount for his survival, but he needed above all else to use enough strength to stop the attack's momentum, without being somersaulted. It was incredibly taxing no doubt. And of course, the damn fox took the opportunity in humor to point out that it would take some time before his coils are used to the full might of the chakra mixed between human and Bijuu.
'Of course, the bastard waited for me to almost be beheaded by Shirotora's claws to say that.'
Naruto soon realized that the fox may have formed a partnership with him, but the occasional trickster nature still remained, added by the usual humor in seeing him sweat.
"Calling me a bastard huh, where's the respect?" Naruto cursed the response, while dancing against Gamabunta's small sword. "I see that my jailor isn't enjoying this newfound partnership, hmmm." If Naruto were to be inside the seal's location, he would be privy to his new partner's expression of snorty derision, followed by a need to be a constant pain in the butt.
'Oh I am…quite thrilled even!' Kurama chuckled, as he observed the fight through Naruto's Sharingan eyes.
Of course, the fox always took pleasure in his misery...that won't change any time soon, no matter if bijuu and jinchuuriki are now on friendly terms.
As per the fox's experience, his jailor was in quite an amusing situation. While he was busy fending off against not one but four boss like summons, his awareness of the fact that he was facing them head to head was apparently lost on the Jinchuuriki. Added the fact that his Mangenkyou Sharingan allowed his body to adapt to any swift movement and Kurama found itself wondering if any adversary would be able to beat his jailor now.
Not to mention the fact that Naruto was still due to use any sort of ninjutsu or even the Mangekyou's techniques, which would certainly shorten this fight.
Fukasaku and Jiraiya, for their part, merely observed the mayhem that was the forest they were in.
"Ah Lord Fukasaku-sama, when you suggested this to happen, I don't think you were aware of the possible ramifications." The elder toad sweat dropped at his first pupil.
Where once was a beautiful forest with tall trees, now was nothing but wasted land, with trees yanked by the sheer damage, caused by giants...
or rather four giants and a jinchuuriiki
Meanwhile, the other regular sized toads - the ones who were only fixated on chilling as an occupation - were a bit put off by the mayhem taking place.
"Indeed, Naruto-boy is taking this fight to a level that was hard to anticipate. I think it's best for us to stop or else…" The small toad stopped talking and placed himself in front of Naruto and the other summoned animals. "Okay, that's enough training." The others looked at Fukasaku like he was crazy. "I still fancy having a home to go back to, you know." The three toads plus Shirotora admitted themselves to be ashamed as they looked around to see the destruction. Naruto…well, Naruto, was trying to defend himself. Fukasaku then turned to the resident Jinchuuriki with a final assignment for the day. "Now that you have had enough time to adapt, Naruto-boy, try using those claws to lift the stone behind me."
Naruto looked behind the small toad and saw what appeared to be a regular sized rock, seemingly half of it underground.
Doing as instructed, he extended two claws, now much faster than before, before grabbing both sides of the stone.
As soon as he grabbed it, the stone cracked a little but otherwise it didn't turn into small pieces.
Now much more adapted to the feel and control of the needed chakra, Naruto began to lift the stone little by little, until it got out of the hole it was in. Pumping now more chakra, Naruto began to crush the stone as if he was doing it with his bare hands. Kurama could feel the curious sense of enjoyment from his jailor in doing something like this, from their link. The others nodded in full approval as Fukasaku now had one more task for him to complete, before he could fully learn.
"Now, take those chunks of rock you turned into and make a pile, once again using those claws of yours."
This time it was much easier to simply grab smaller items and maneuver it as if he was using his own hands to do so.
Of course, with the Sharingan, one can fully grasp a more precise notion of control over one's chakra.
Jiraiya was seen crossing his arms as he approached Naruto.
"Right now, you are more or less adapted to the fox's energy. Using your ninjutsu with the fox's chakra will only add more power into it, but please do not test them here. You will set this entire area on fire if you do." Naruto had released the fox's energy at this point as he studied himself without it. Surprisingly so, after that much energy spent, it feels like his own chakra was spared.
Having this much energy at his disposal will play a huge part in dealing with whatever Akatsuki has in store against him and the others.
"I don't find any need to use the fox's chakra to augment ninjutsu…and Genjutsu is completely out of the question. Only against the Bijuu, perhaps and focusing more on the physical aspects." Jiraiya saw wisdom in his analysis.
"True…but then, you never know…those magma techniques of yours can have quite the kick with the fox's chakra…well, luckily for you, there are endless possibilities for you to use against them." Naruto nodded as he waved goodbye to this personal summon Shirotora for the time being.
"What now, then? I don't think I have much more to learn in using Kurama." Jiraiya hummed, truly pondering about that.
Considering his experience in dealing with the Jinchuuriki and Bijuu, Jiraiya was hard pressed to say that Naruto was ready to head back into battle. He had faced his fair share of Bijuu and while Naruto's display was outstanding, it still wasn't the same as the very same Bijuu out in the open. Not like the time he had to face the Yonbi Jinchuuriki and had to deal with the beast itself once, back when Minato was a recently promoted Jonin. Before Jiraiya could openly express his doubts, however…Naruto began to speak…however, not in his usual voice.
"Hmmm, right now, you have only scratched the surface of what my Jinchuuriki can truly do…allow me to take over and teach you the last part for you to become a perfect Jinchuuriki."
The next thing Naruto knew he was bombarded with more energy than he had ever known possible as Jiraiya looked upward in surprise and a mix of fear.
Author Note
Ok, that's it for now. I know that's quite short, but I am still scribbling exactly how this war is going to go.
I apologize if it took too long for such a small chapter, but from here on out, expect major fighting scenes until the end. The war arc is filled with small filler fights here and there, with the main story progressing when Naruto finally joins the fight. I am going to focus on some fights for sure, that involve the main characters of this story. Obviously, I won't bother with the rest, though I may throw in some of the Edo Tensei shinobi into the mix, who knows.
Please give me your insights about this chapter.
Lastly, I have recently created a P-atreon account for those who wish to follow my stories more personally, sending suggestions.
Also for those who wish to make a pledge there, it will be highly appreciated.
P-atreon: Anime-Enthusiast
Next update: Nidaime no Sairin