1,905Author Note
Hello everyone and welcome to another chapter of Cursed Eyes.
Not many comments from the last chapter, so let's get a move on, shall we. Lots of ground to cover from here on.
Now, please enjoy the chapter. Just a warning, though, it's going to be quite long.
Cursed Eyes
Chapter 43 – Past x Present
Beta: Scheffinator
The war was at full swing with each battalion facing their fair share of Zetsu and Edo Tensei shinobi and kunoichi.
Both sides possessed equally capable tacticians running battle plans. Akatsuki began by spreading their Zetsu forces below ground and also through the water.
Shikaku had understood early on about the earth-based capabilities of the Zetsu troops. As such, he had directed Darui's Division towards the Land of Lightning's Coast, while Kitsuchi's Division became responsible for yanking the ones travelling underground so to speak. Of course, no Division in their right mind would travel without a good set of sensor shinobi in the field, aided by Ao's special division. While they were more focused on the Edo Tensei shinobi, it wasn't hard for the Kiri elite shinobi to extend his reach below ground.
As such, the Second Division Leader soon found the general position of the Zetsu Army and went through a giant series of hand seals.
For this technique, the giant man really wanted the aid of another shinobi, but it would do for now. After finishing the hand seals, he slammed both hands on the ground.
Doton: Kaido Shokutsu (Earth Release: Opening Earth Rising Excavation)
The rest of the division were in awe at the volcano-like structure that erupted from the ground, before multiple white spots erupted from the volcano's mouth.
Kitsuchi then yelled with all his might as he advanced.
"Alright, kill them all!"
His yell was followed by his troops as they advanced against the Zetsu army.
===With Darui===
Perhaps considered Kumo's next in line for the position of Raikage, Darui stood with his usual bored look as he looked at the body of water in front of him.
His entire division stood next to him, as they waited patiently for the battle to begin. According to the intelligence provided by Shikaku with the aid of Mifune's Fifth Division, they were about to face a huge number of Zetsu in this area, not to mention very dangerous Edo-Tensei shinobi. It was then considered prudent to place Mei Terumi's Division alongside his, while at the same time aiding Kitsuchi's Second Division. Mei had spread her Division in half to aid both Darui and Kitsuchi's Divisions.
The Fifth Mizukage stood next to Darui as both Division Captains observed.
"I must admit that this line-up is a bit unorthodox…" Mei turned to see the man scratching his white-hair in wonder, despite his dull expression.
"Why do you say that?" Darui released a sigh as he looked up to the sky.
"The higher-ups had placed both of our divisions in charge of securing the shore…however, you are the Mizukage. Shouldn't you, I don't know, take charge?" Terumi crossed her arms in a flirting kind of way as she considered it.
"Huh, interesting…and here I thought that chivalry was dead, nowadays." Darui showed his smirk, not backing down from the situation. "Right now, you and I are both Division Commanders. Not only that, but I gather that based on that mark on your right shoulder, I'd say that in next to no time, you and I shall be equals." Darui looked at the tattoo mentioned and wondered about that, while Mei completed her line of thinking. "Right now, there will be enough action for all of us, so how about leaving the strategy to the Headquarters, hmm."
The Raikage's Second in Command could only nod in reply as he heard one of the division sensors alert them of the first batch of Zetsu coming their way.
"Sounds good to me."
With that, both division commanders turned to their respective units and began shouting orders.
===With the Raikage===
The General Commander, the Raikage, stood above a hill up in the deserted region in Lightning Country.
Unlike the other divisions, his one had yet to see any Zetsu or even Edo Tensei for the time being. However, this was the position that his division would remain. Nara Shikamaru along with Temari stood in waiting alongside the others. Gaara's big sister went into this war wanting nothing but to fulfill her desire for revenge, but she wasn't someone guided by her emotions, thus maintaining a coherent personality, waiting for the order to deal with the enemy, finally.
"Raikage-sama…" A turned to the sensor member in his squad. "Ao-taichou had reported four Edo Tensei presences up ahead…but…"
"But…what…spill it out already." The sensor shinobi from Konoha was looking quite apprehensive and the others felt the man's tension.
"These shinobi, sir, they are all quite strong…I mean, I would compare with the same level as you, sir…all four are Kage-Level." A snarled at the information, before ordering for some goggles to see further.
It didn't take long for the Raikage to take the gadget and look further, before snarling even more at such audacity.
"Indeed…they are Kage Level shinobi…my old man, Sandaime Raikage…the Yondaime Kazekage and two others…hmmm, based on their description, I would say it is the Nidaime Tsuchikage and the Nidaime Mizukage…" The report was met with incredulity amongst the squadron. The ones closer to the Raikage would report to the others and so on, until the last one heard it. Of course, pandemonium erupted at the notion of facing not one, but four Kages at the same time.
The Raikage, however, was busy ignoring it, as he eyed Shikamaru.
"You were placed here as second in command, so I would like to hear your input. Show me you are as bright as your old man."
The young Nara had a sweatdrop on his forehead both at the comparison and the demand.
"Well, if you say the Nidaime Tsuchikage, then we must call the Headquarters to hear the Sandaime Tsuchikage' s input. Back in Konoha, as I believe it is also true with other villages, the current Leader normally chooses his successor. Not to mention that the Sandaime is currently the best one equipped to at least supply us with his strengths and weaknesses. The Yondaime Kazekage, if I remember correctly, has Magnet Release and uses Gold Dust in a similar manner to Gaara, the village's Jinchuuriki…ah…" Shikamaru stopped talking, before turning to see Temari's hand on his shoulder, promising him bloody murder if he kept on talking any further. The Raikage simply hummed.
"And the other…?" Shikamaru turned to their leader.
"Regarding the Nidaime Mizukage, I wasn't even born…no scratch that, I don't think my father was even born when the Mizukage was dead. However, if memory doesn't fail me, the Nidaime Mizukage and the Nidaime Tsuchikage both died in a fight against the other…" A betrayed nothing as he heard his second in command speak. Despite the situation, the Raikage smirked, now wishing that the Nara Clan wouldn't have chosen to settle their grounds in Konoha.
"Hmmm, I happen to know a bit or two about how that fight progressed. Indeed, the Sandaime Tsuchikage must be present here, so please call him immediately. I take it he won't take long in arriving. What concerns me is that I will have my hands full with my old man, leaving the rest of the division to deal with the Yondaime Kazekage and the Nidaime Mizukage." The orders were fulfilled to the latter as the Raikage kept on observing the enemy Kage's path. So far, interesting enough, they were taking a sedate pace, not at all in a hurry to get places. Knowing his old man, patience was never much of a strong suit, but who was he to say anything in that regard.
Still, the odds of this battle just got increasingly high. He had never faced his old man in battle before.
Aside from the super speed that both have been perhaps equal, the Sandaime Raikage's physique had withstood a battle of attrition against the Hachibi.
A would need some big guns as backup.
"Hello there, Raikage…" Oonoki's old voice announced itself as the senior shinobi appeared floating behind him. "I must say that facing Muu-sama just wasn't in my plans…damn Orochimaru…however, I would first curse the Nidaime Hokage for ever inventing such a vile technique in the first place…" The Raikage snorted at that as he turned to his fellow Kage. Indeed, if one can be truly accountable for such a technique, it would be Senju Tobirama, the first grave robber in existence.
"With you here, at least two of the enemies are accounted for, but there is still the Yondaime Kazekage and the Nidaime Mizukage to account for."
Oonoki smirked at the mention of the Nidaime Mizukage.
"I actually have a bone to pick up with him for old times' sake. The bastard always belittled me…"
"Even so, there's two of us and four of them…you can't hope to face two Kages by yourself, Tsuchikage."
The senior shinobi tsked at the slight jab, but really could not offer a retort.
"I can also pitch in if you would have me, Raikage-sama."
The Raikage and the Tsuchikage, as well as Shikamaru and the others, looked surprised when Naruto appeared, filled to the brim with chakra, now showing the orange energy around him.
"Naruto…is that really you?" The Sharingan user turned to see Shikamaru and Temari behind him and nodded.
"Not the original one…but I have enough chakra to be of assistance." The clone then turned to the Raikage and the Tsuchikage, before both Kages looked at one another.
"So it seems you managed to take control of the Kyuubi's chakra…interesting. What are your thoughts, Raikage?" A looked straight at the Sharingan user with narrowed eyebrows. A remembered when the kid managed to evade his strike at high speed and that was only by using the Sharingan. Now, with the strength and chakra of the fox at his disposal, Naruto could face the other two Kages, while A and the Tsuchikage are busy. The division would be of assistance, though considering the power of these matchups, they wouldn't present much of an opposition.
"Okay gaki, you shall face the other two Kages, the Nidaime Mizukage and the Yondaime Kazekage."
Naruto nodded, before the Raikage ushered two Suna Jonin to stand by and await to seal them once they were defeated.
"Now there's only the need to split them up." Oonoki commented and A nodded.
"Allow me…since I am a clone, I don't need to conserve chakra as much as you do." The Naruto clone took a step forward, ignoring the fox's complaint in his head about taking advantage.
The Tsuchikage noticed immediately as soon as the first hand seals were formed, before the Naruto clone slammed both hands on the ground.
Doton: Doryuu Taiga (Earth Release: Earth Flow River)
The four enemy Kages were visibly having a heated argument with one another, or more accurately, the Nidaime Tsuchikage Muu and the Nidaime Mizukage, Mengetsu, when the four of them noticed the spike in chakra, before in front of them, a giant mud wave erupted from the ground, threatening to swallow them whole. Even though the overall strategy to split them up was clear to all of them, it's not like either of them were actually in favor of killing their own village members as each went in different directions to avoid the mud wave.
Oonoki and even the other Iwa-nin present in the division looked quite pissed at the scene, but only their leader bothered to voice his dissatisfaction to the clone.
"Oi gaki! Remind me to complain to Tsunade about Konoha stealing our techniques if we make it through this!"
Naruto looked at the angered Oonoki and nodded, before they marched to face their respective opponents.
===With Kitsuchi===
Despite Kitsuchi's technique having managed to yank all of the Zetsu from the ground, taking them on was still quite the challenge.
Kitsuchi's squad was composed mainly of close-ranged fighters and were the ones facing the largest force of Zetsu and they were tough to be put down. Tenten was using and abusing all of her weaponry to deal with a special group. Kiba and Hana were using Gatsuga left and right to deal with those bastards, but their attacks weren't doing much damage. Many Iwa-nins were using earth techniques to pound them into the ground, but whereas one or two were killed, at least four or five would emerge from the ground to keep the battle going endlessly.
Commander Kitsuchi was hearing complaints from his subordinates that their attacks were useless against them.
To make matters even worse, the commander began to see that some of the members of his own squad were facing each other, as if trapped in some sort of trance.
"You fools, what's the matter with you all?" A shinobi from Kiri turned to the Squad Commander with a kunai in hand and supplied him with the most dire news.
"Sir, the Zetsu, sir, they have the ability to absorb chakra from all of us…they had turned into my best friend and attacked me out of the blue."
Kitsuchi's eyes were widened at the impossibility of it all.
Not only were they losing the battle of attrition, they were also starting to lose trust amongst themselves. The Tsuchikage's son snarled at their odds right now. Aside from finding out a way to deal with this mess, he needed to report what was going on to Headquarters. If they were having trouble here, then the others must as well. The Kumo-nin who stuck together with him relayed the message, but as expected, there was no response with a suitable strategy.
'…So, having advantage in numbers wasn't really Akatsuki's only card, but placing distrust amongst the troops as well…bastards.'
Pretty soon, Kitsuchi lost control over his division. So much so that he was even attacked by an Iwa-nin.
A mere solid punch was enough to send him flying, but it was enough to shake the bulky man's confidence and leadership.
"Damn it…"
"Perhaps, I could be of assistance…" Kitsuchi looked as one of the Naruto clones appeared, exuding enough chakra to be a beacon of light in the field.
The Jinchuuriki didn't even wait to be acknowledged, before assessing the fights. With his usage of the fox's chakra, he could sense the enemy's intent, even if his Sharingan was being fooled, since the enemy appeared to have the same chakra as the ones from the alliance. As such, the Naruto clone used his agility and plain taijutsu-kenjutsu to attack both the Zetsu army and the ones that disguised themselves as the members from the Alliance. Kitsuchi merely observed as the clone vanished in thin air and attacked left and right. All he saw was the after-image of the orange flame signaling Naruto's track. Slowly but surely, the troops began to gain their trust back and aim their focus on the not disguised Zetsu army.
Even Kiba, who despised Naruto, felt the shift turn as he and Hana focused on the enemy, now much more relieved.
===With Darui===
Darui's and Mei's Divisions went full force against the onslaught of Zetsu that just would not stop coming from the seashore.
Both Divisions, though, were highly efficient in mid and long-range battle. With Darui's Black Lightning Techniques and Mei's Water Based Ninjutsu, the Zetsu were more or less kept at bay, until they reached the shore.
With that, the long range became nullified as the battle turned into close-ranged, which favored the Zetsu more. Mei's Division kept their distance, while Darui's Division met the enemy in the middle with kunai, sword, staff and the works. Chouji's father, Chouza, had even used his Super Expansion Jutsu to blast rows after rows of Zetsu, while the others weren't fairing very well. When the news came from Headquarters that the Ginkaku and Kinkaku brothers had joined the fray, those from Kumo, at least the older ones, began to tremble in their boots.
While Mei's Division was coordinating against the Zetsu army, it fell on to Darui to defeat the legendary criminals from the Village Hidden in the Clouds. Both were more or less twins with the same style of long hair and horns in their heads. Kinkaku was slightly more bulky than his brother and had goldish blonde hair, while Ginkaku had silver hair.
"My apologies, Kinkaku and Ginkaku…long revered as the shining light of Kumo." The brothers looked at Darui in a condescending manner, dismissing him as non-threatening.
It changed slightly upon seeing the tattoo on Darui's left shoulder.
"Well, look at that Ginkaku…it seems he's the kid who inherited the Sandaime's lightning."
Darui smirked at the acknowledgement, before going through hand seals and intertwining his fingers into a closed fist.
Ranton: Reiza Sakasu (Storm Release: Laser Circus)
From his combined hands, a bright blue energy formed, before multiple beams of light erupted and travelled in a quick pace against the brothers, forcing them to evade. Still, the beams chased them, until hitting both brothers. Ginkaku and Kinkaku now looked more focused as their bodies healed from the Edo Tensei technique.
"Seems we need to take this up a notch, huh Ginkaku."
Darui observed incredulously as the brothers summoned what appeared to be the Rikudou Sennin's Ultimate Ninja tools.
In front of Darui, Samui and her brother Atsui attempted to face the brothers, but both ended up sucked inside the Ninja tool, leaving Darui alone to face off against them. The Commander of the Division, though, had quickly understood how the Ninja Tools worked and with some smart word usage, he managed to turn the tables around and seal one of the brothers, Ginkaku. Still, the other brother was still unsealed and kicking. And Darui felt his chakra being sucked by the ninja tool he had to use.
What made matters worse and it was something Darui remembered upon seeing the angered Kinkaku…
'Oh drab…I remember now…those two were eaten by the Kyuubi and stayed there for two weeks!'
The foul red energy began to surround the maddened Kinkaku…so much so that he had easily succumbed to the control of the fox's energy that was inside of him. The water around Kinkaku exploded like a geyser and plenty of Darui's Division and even Mei's Division were hit instantly by the red tails. Dozens of shinobi would have their lives forfeit by the mere touch of the corrosive chakra of the fox. Darui looked conflicted right now. He could use the same Ninja Tool to entrap Kinkaku, but right now he simply lacks the chakra and the means of attacking a Kyuubi influenced enemy.
"OODAMA RASENGAN!" (Big Ball Spiraling Sphere)
Darui looked upward to see Naruto grow a huge ball of condensed chakra and smash straight at Kinkaku. Darui wasn't about to question the sudden arrival of their greatest asset and used the Ninja Tool to smash Kinkaku and force the forbidden word out of him, appearing in the sword of the Rikudou Sennin.
"It seems I arrived at the nick of time…surprised as I was to feel Kurama's chakra in someone else but me." Darui observed the similarities between both energies.
While Kinkaku's was corrupted, poisoned…Naruto's was clean, efficient…equally powerful but more precise.
"I apologize…it seems I wasn't able to take them myself, after all." Naruto looked at the strange captain and smiled.
"You know, you're actually the first person who ever apologized to me about something…which is quite strange, since I don't know what you are apologizing for."
The Division Commander scratched the back of his head at that.
"Yes, it's a compulsion, really, it just proves that I am quite the humble guy. Now, would you please hit him with a bit more punch…I will do the same."
Naruto nodded and went through hand seals, while Darui's hands sparked in black lighting.
Katon: Shiroi Hidan (Fire Release: White Fire Bullet)
Raiton: Kuropansa (Lightning Release: Black Panther)
The jet stream of white fire illuminated the area, drawing everyone's attention to the sheer brightness of Naruto's technique enhanced by the fox's chakra. And Darui's Panther spinned throughout Naruto's technique, forming a nice and powerful collaboration ninjutsu that slammed Kinkaku, burning him like a crisp and sending jolts of lightning at the same time. The man was beside himself in madness at this point. Not only did these fools manage to seal Ginkaku, but they also pounded on him like this.
"How dare you!?" Despite the powerful attack, aside from being Edo Tensei, the fox's chakra in Kinkaku would heal him.
Problem was that the man happened to say the accursed word and Darui smirked as the ninja tool sucked the last brother inside. The Naruto clone looked at the Ninja Tools in Darui's possession, while Kurama quickly briefed him about those. At this point, the Zetsu army was utterly dealt with by Mei's Division as the Mizukage joined Darui and Naruto's clone.
"My my, talk about an unexpected arrival…but not an unwelcome one…quite the contrary, in fact."
Darui chuckled at the Lady Mizukage for her open flirtations…for doing the same thing to him just moments ago.
"No offense, Mizukage-sama, but I am taken." Naruto said, before using the shadow clone to dismiss himself. Mei just snorted in derision.
"A pity…all the pretty ones are, unfortunately." Mei commented as she crossed her arms, before looking at her co-commander and awaited for their next set of orders.
===With Kakashi===
Kakashi's Squad was facing their own personal hell with facing the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, as well as a few dozens of Zetsus. The noise of sword piercing flesh and explosions could be heard throughout the clearing, despite the heavy fog that still permeated the arena. Zabuza and Haku had already been sealed, while Kakashi managed to defeat Mangetsu and was now facing Akebino Jinin, the wielder of the Kabutowari. Kakashi was wielding Zabuza's Zanbato.
Gai and Lee were busy with the Kushimaru Kuriarare and the wielder of the Nuibari and Jinpachi Munashi, the wielder of Shibuki.
Itsuko was fencing against Ameyuri Ringo.
Meanwhile, a battle of Byakugan was taking place as Neji, Hinata and Kasumi were facing Hyuuga Hizashi.
The man was dressed quite like the leader of the clan would, as he was to pose as Hiashi upon his death to help end the incident with Kumogakure.
Said incident had occurred because a Jonin from Kumo attempted to kidnap the heir of the Main Family, Hyuuga Hinata. Hiashi then killed the trespasser as any father would. That single event ended up triggering everything inside the Hyuuga Clan, especially so for both Hyuuga Neji and Hyuuga Hinata. Neji at first grew bitter of the Main Family for what happened to his father. Not to mention the cursed seal placed on his forehead that Hiashi activated on a few occasions. Hinata, for her part, didn't do anything to deserve Neji's wrath, rather she was the outlet of Neji's grief.
And now, the cousins stood face to face with Hizashi. Hinata looked sideways to see her cousin looking straight into his father's eyes.
"Neji-niisan…" Neji, however, was in his own little world right now.
"Otou-sama…" Hizashi opened his mouth slightly in surprise upon seeing his son all grown up and even his niece.
Despite being at peace with his decision to sacrifice himself, Hizashi now struggled with what to say.
"Neji…Hinata…a long time has passed, since I last saw you two…both merely infants."
"It took me a while…" Hizashi looked at Neji in surprise. "It took me a while to understand why you did what you did…I grew up feeling resentful of the Main Family for what they made you do…all your sacrifice just for the Main Family alone." Hizashi feared this would happen, but it was necessary in the end, despite his brother's protests. "However, Hiashi-sama had told me the truth of what happened…even then, it took me a while for my mind to be at ease with the situation. As I grew up and became a Jonin, however, the truth became much clearer in time. We came to learn that in time, our goals are driven towards the betterment of the village as well as the next generation. It was with that in mind that you made your decision, is it not?" Hizashi saw, in surprise, the peaceful smile on his son's face.
Even Hinata looked at her cousin/brother with a smile on her face.
"Indeed, son…I just hope you can forgive me for all the hardship you had to endure growing up." Neji nodded in appreciation, before noticing the sudden serious look on his father's face. "Unfortunately, as fruitful as it was to be revived and be able to see you two again, Neji, Hinata, it's with great sadness that I must become your enemy." Hizashi said before falling into the Hyuuga stance just as Neji did, before both met up in the middle, while Hinata moved as well.
Back to Kakashi and with the aid of Nara Ensui next to him, he was able to slash Jinin in half, before Ensui used his shadow bind to stop Jinin's body from recovering.
Then, it became easy for the Suna-nin to seal him.
After dealing with Jinin, Kakashi ordered Ensui and Nonoha to regroup with the others, so as to help the wounded. Still, the other Edo Tensei were still alive and kicking, not to mention the arrival of more Zetsu. Kakashi needed to help Gai and Lee against the other two, but the Zetsu were blocking his path. Going through hand seals, Kakashi focused his Raikiri and charged, piercing as many of the white bastards as possible in his path. However, he was now by himself and more Zetsu were crawling up from the ground.
The scarecrow Jonin had to cover his Sharingan in order to conserve some chakra and he was slightly panting for breath.
"Kakashi-niisan…need a hand?"
The Naruto clone jumped in front of him, eyeing the Zetsu army.
Kakashi just couldn't believe his eyes at the sight of his little brother, now enveloped by such an amount of energy.
And in the cape-like image, Kakashi swore he was eyeing the Yondaime Hokage's back.
"Naruto!" The Uzumaki nodded, before turning back to the Zetsu.
"I can deal with these fools, no problem. Go help the others."
The silver-haired Jonin wasn't about to waste time talking and vanished, leaving Naruto alone against the Zetsu army.
"Now, are we doing this one by one or do you all wish to come at me at the same time?"
The Zetsu looked at one another and chose the latter, of course. It was irrelevant in the end as Naruto went through hand seals.
Katon Goka Messhitsu (Fire Release: Great Fire Destruction)
Kakashi was still airborne, heading towards Gai and Lee's position, but from his back, a great wave of fire erupted, before the screaming of Zetsu could be heard.
===xxx===
With the Naruto clone aiding the army against the Zetsu army as well as the rest of the Edo Tensei, the Suna-nin in Kakashi's squad managed to seal them all with ease, earning everyone quite the breather.
Even those from Konoha who were still questioning the real worth of all of this just to protect the so-called 'Jinchuuriki', began to have doubts. It's not to say that all of them had a complete change of hearts. It's just that perhaps there's more to it than their right to hate what has happened seventeen to eighteen years ago and blaming it all on him. For the ninja world to continue the way it is, for them to continue exercising their right to criticism, the world must still remain as it is and Akatsuki is aiming for the world's destruction.
There will be plenty of time to hate him after this is all done and done.
Itsuko looked around and smiled.
The ones still alive were helping the others to safety as both the Edo Tensei and the Zetsu army were dealt with. All thanks to Naruto for shifting the battle in their favor.
Her battle with Ameyuri Ringo has taken a toll, however. It was quite the foe to test her skills in. Itsuko's wind techniques managed to nullify her lightning techniques. However, her Kenjutsu prowess was still miles above Itsuko's. In the end, Itsuko's days in ANBU made her more versatile, going through different sets of skills that could help in her fight. Aside from the regular ninja arts, laying down traps is a must at ANBU. At one point, Itsuko managed to escape from Ringo's grasp long enough to place a couple of chakra suppressor seals beneath the ground. As soon as the Swordswoman of the Mist stepped on it, the sealing took place and no matter Ringo's situation as Edo Tensei, the resurrection technique can't function without chakra sustaining it.
"Itsuko-chan, are you alright?" Kasumi came with some ointment made by Hinata-sama to be distributed to everyone.
"Yeah, fighting against one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist is not something I plan on doing again any time soon."
The elder Hyuuga smiled as she applied the ointment on her best friend's wounds.
"Well, facing Hizashi-sama was no fun either…let me tell ya…it's just like when I was but a kid and he was tutoring me, the hard way…he was brutal back then…"
Kasumi stopped talking as she noticed Itsuko wasn't paying attention.
Her entire focus was instead on the man exuded in the fox's almighty energy, hanging on the highest tree merely observing the squad going about their way. Their eyes met briefly and Itsuko felt a huge amount of relief to see him once more. She nodded to him briefly and he nodded back…it managed to convey all that they needed to convey to one another, before the clone extinguished himself to relay the info to the real one.
'Stay safe…'
Itsuko then looked back to Kasumi showing that knowing smile at her and her eyes closed, before once again focusing on the former Anbu's wounds.
Of course, with Naruto shining like he was, Kasumi didn't even need her Byakugan to spot her baby brother's location.
"Why are you smiling like that for?" Kasumi kept it, however.
"Oh for no reason...no reason at all. Just had a vision of baby sharingan eyes running around with a sword in hand."
Itsuko sweatdropped at her sister-in-law's dadydreaming.
===With Naruto===
The so called Surprise Team first thought that their so called leader would take point in guiding them towards the fights they would have, however after summoning his clones, the real one just stood there with his arms crossed and his eyes closed. Of course, the rest of his squad was oblivious to the fact that the real one's brain was bombarded with information about his clones, who had managed to reach each and every one of the battle stations. Each Naruto clone was packed with Sharingan based skills and the energy of the fox to back them up.
To the Zetsu army, it was literally impossible to face the onslaught of natural energy in each of Naruto's clones, so all of them turned into trees as soon as they were hit.
The Edo Tensei that stood with the Zetsus were suddenly surprised at the arrival, all of them ill-equipped to handle the clone. Of course, Orochimaru had to exercise control over the Edo Tensei, so he couldn't allow their experiences to come through, from the risk of losing control over everyone's consciousness. Because of this, most of the revived shinobi with the exception of the so called big guns, soon managed to get over his control and return to the world of the dead.
Meanwhile, Kurotsuchi was busy tapping her feet and fingers while annoyed at the so-called leader for wasting her time.
"Ok that's it, I had it with this piece of shit…I can't allow my comrades to die, while I just stand here and do nothing!"
Ino and Chouji, despite being Naruto's teammates, really couldn't fault her outburst, however…
"Just wait a minute, I trust Naruto…give him a bit more time." The Iwa-nin tsked in annoyance at the Akimichi, while Maki turned pensive.
"He has dispatched Kage Bunshin hasn't he?" The others turned to the level-headed Suna-nin and Ino nodded at her. "Well, Kage Bunshin was first created as a reconnaissance technique, which allows the clone to be sent instead of the original. The clone's memories are then sent back to the original. So, taichou must be getting all the clones' feedback." Ino and Chouji looked at one another, before the Yamanaka approached the real one and placed her head on his forehead, before closing her eyes and focusing.
The onslaught of images became too much even for her best technique that hailed from her clan, her brain. The overload of information was so much that she almost fainted from the pain.
This was the moment that Naruto's eyes opened in surprise as he grabbed Ino's falling body and urged her to relax somewhat.
He was rather focused on the memory from the clone that reached Itsuko, Kasumi and Kakashi.
"I am sorry Ino…everyone. However, it seems my initial plan worked. The clones had managed to reach the other battle stations and helped engage the enemies. Now, we can proceed. As I said before, our first batch of enemies will soon arrive. So get ready everyone." Kurotsuchi looked at their leader with much more ease now that she understood what was going on. Still, her blood was aching for battle, so she wasn't about to ease up on the Sharingan user.
"Ok, let's get going, already…I don't want to stick around just waiting for them to attack us!"
Naruto helped Ino get up and nodded to her once she was alright. He then turned to the fiery Iwa-nin.
"Let's get going, then!"
The five members then began running as the Iwa-nin approached Naruto, who was at the front, without the fox's cloak for the time being to conserve energy.
"Just to clarify something before we start…yes, I have the Kekkei Genkai, but it's a different use than the usual Lava Release I suspect you have. Mine is more aligned to the earth's nature than the fire's, enabling me to use quicklimes and even ash." Naruto had never met another person who used Lava Release techniques, so he just took the information in.
"Understood…mine is more fire oriented, but I had enhanced my earth techniques as best as possible. Yours must be more versatile than mine, then."
Kurotsuchi wondered about that.
"I wonder if yours is similar to the Yonbi Jinchuuriki, Roshi?" Naruto heard from the fox that the Four-Tailed Monkey had the ability and must have passed it down to his host.
Naruto was about to comment further when his sensor capabilities picked up on a horde of seemingly allied shinobi running straight at the group. He activated his fox cloak, while the others in his group looked at their leader in alarm. One of the charging group was dressed as an Iwa-nin and recognized Kurotsuchi, but before he was able to shout out her name, Naruto's foot had smashed his face and sent him flying. The others looked surprised and even Ino and Chouji looked at Naruto as if he was crazy.
"Hey blondie, that's my comrade you had just attacked!" Naruto negated as he looked focused.
"No, the Zetsus have the ability to turn into our allies by sucking on their chakra. All of the ones we see in front of us are Zetsus in disguise. It was the same in other fields with my clones."
Quite like Naruto's description, the so called shinobi turned to Zetsu and lunged at the surprise squad. Chouji and Kurotsuchi soon took point and engaged them, while Naruto, Maki and Ino covered them. Choji magnified both his hands and began to punch the Zetsus, while Kurotsuchi's fist was engulfed with ash-like substance. The taijutsu onslaught was finished with Naruto going through hand seals, as soon as the horde of Zetsus stopped firmly in one place, while recovering from the pounding.
Yoton: Kanseitaiga (Lava Release: Lava River Trap)
Choji and Kurotsuchi stopped their momentum, as soon as the wave of lava erupted from behind the Zetsu and engulfed them all. Their bodies were turned to ash in mere seconds.
The Iwa-nin had never seen such a technique before. She had seen Roshi spit lava bullets and even turn his body into lava, but never like this.
"Let us proceed. I suspect that we may soon face the Edo Tensei shinobi. But be on the lookout for the Zetsu…they can sneak behind us quite easily from anywhere."
More Zetsu army soon came up to stop their advancement with Naruto and Maki forming an attacking duo this time. Maki would use her cloth technique to entrap the Zetsu, while Naruto swooped in to behead the captured ones with his sword. Ino would use her technique to bind the enemies, while Choji and Kurotsuchi bombarded them with both Akimichi-enhanced Taijutsu and Earth spike techniques in Kurotsuchi's case. Still, the batch of Zetsu became too much for the small surprise squad to handle, so Naruto and Kurotsuchi decided to use a big gun earth technique in conjunction.
Doton Doryuso (Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears)
The Surprise Squad was together in the middle while the earth users erected giant earth spikes in half a mile radius, ridding almost all of the Zetsus in one take.
The Iwa-nin turned to Naruto with a smirk on her face.
"Normally, I would get pissed off to see a Konoha-nin using Iwa's elite techniques so casually as you do." Naruto snorted.
"It's nothing casual about it, It has taken me many hours of sweat and hard work to reach this level." The Iwa-nin appreciated that at the very least.
"At least, you're not arrogant about it…still, I bet that gramps would be quite irked up to see it in action…especially with that blond hair of yours."
The Sharingan user allowed himself to reminisce on a particular memory.
Oh he was angry, alright…
"Trust me, he had seen it already and he was indeed pissed off like you said he would be." Kurotsuchi smirked in good humor as the group advanced.
"Oh I bet he almost had a heart attack…stupid old geezer." The others began to see Kurotsuchi in a new light, as they advanced.
It was clear that the woman just needed some action to loosen up.
The group soon reached the heavy forest area as Naruto turned to his squad members. He could see the toll of the fights in their breaths and disposition.
"Ino, can you tell if any members are nearby? Call in headquarters and see If there's any new intel. Let's take some rest for the meantime, I shall take a look around in the meantime." The Sharingan user said, before the team did as such, while Ino closed her eyes and relayed the information that she could not sense anyone for now. Naruto couldn't either, but it was important to double check. Ino, afterward, went to each and everyone of the team to do a quick checkup. Aside from a couple of bruises in Choji's arms, the team overall passed unscathed through their first test.
Naruto, meanwhile, climbed towards the nearest tree and activated his Sharingan to see up ahead.
Even if there wasn't anyone nearby, the stench of battle in the horizon reached his senses.
His eyes could see the different colors of chakra permeating the air in front of them, as well as the damage caused to the forest thus far.
Naruto was surprised when Ino landed next to him.
"Ao-taichou had reported three very powerful Edo Tensei about to attack us, Naruto. They won't take long to reach our position." The Sharingan user nodded.
"Do we know anything about them?" Ino negated.
"Except that all three of them have elemental Kekkei Genkai, headquarters can't validate their identity without someone on the field reporting."
Naruto looked down to see his squad recovering.
"Ok, relay the information to them. No doubt, a batch of Zetsu would come as well to make our lives more difficult." Ino acquiesced and relayed the order, before Naruto focused some more on his surroundings, before leaving the tree he was in to meet up with his squad. "Ok, as I said before, Edo Tensei is our next target. Unlike the Zetsus, killing them is impossible. Maki is our only hope in sealing them, so she must be protected. Choji, please protect her." The Akimichi nodded. Naruto sensed that his order was met with unease, so he amended it. "Maki, as I understand, your cloth technique also serves as supplementary, so you shall look after us on the front lines. Ino shall also aid you in that regard, while Kurotsuchi and I shall be on the front lines against the Edo Tensei."
"What about the Zetsu?" Naruto turned to the Iwa-nin.
"I can call in some back up if it gets heavy." The others looked doubtful about said plan, but accepted it.
Naruto's Sharingan activation and sword removal was the signal for everyone to fall back on their assigned position.
His eyes widened in quite the surprise as he saw a horde of projectiles coming his way. The surprise was that some of the projectiles were loaded with wind and earth nature chakra. As such, making a quick decision, Naruto evaded the elemental ones and blocked the regular ones, just as he saw a kunoichi approach him fast from the sky with what appeared to be three flaming balls spinning behind her. She was wielding one kunai in each hand and attacked Naruto, who blocked it with his sword. His eyes were also focused on the balls of fire that seemingly had a life on their own, dodging it and the kunoichi's attacks as well.
"Hmmm, facing children is not my cup of tea here." Still, her moves were being parried blow by blow by the Sharingan user. "Not bad…but not good, either."
Naruto's eyes saw as she flipped her body to land a powerful kick on his chest, which he blocked and grabbed her legs much to the kunoichi's surprise, before being sent flying away. The Sharingan user had his back towards the others and another enemy, a shinobi from Iwa, came running towards his unprotected back with a taijutsu blow.
He would have been within striking distance had Kurotsuchi not come in and landed a fierce roundhouse kick on his face that sent him flying. The Sharingan user looked backwards, before positioning back to back with her. Naruto was facing two enemies, the kunoichi from Suna with the flaming torches on her back still and a shinobi from Kumo, who had a scroll on his mouth and a line of shuriken in each hand. Kurotsuchi was facing the shinobi from Iwa, with spiky hair and an annoyed smirk on his face.
"Oh how about that…if it isn't little Kurotsuchi-chan!" The Tsuchikage's granddaughter snarled at the mention, while Naruto pondered aloud.
"I trust that you know who he is?" She looked at her taichou briefly, before nodding.
"Gari, he was a member of Iwa's Explosion Corps. I wasn't even a genin when he died. He was the one who tutored Deidara-nii, who later betrayed the village and went to Akatsuki. His skills are focused in close range, though."
"Can you handle him?" Kurotsuchi only smirked.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" Gari heard the conversation and couldn't help but make a snide comment.
"Oh, so the little girl wants to play with the grown-ups, how adorable."
Naruto then focused on his batch of enemies. Like Ino said, they both have elemental Kekkei Genkai, but none he had ever faced before.
"Magnet Release and Scorch Release…interesting. Magnet Release that belonged to Shuukaku, that Sand Tanuki. It appears that the Kumo Shinobi focuses his ability on his projectiles, so do me a favor and don't let any of the projectiles hit you. I don't fancy having to heal you so soon. As far as the Suna Kunoichi, well I don't believe you have anything to worry about with your lava release." Naruto heard the fox's analysis as he focused on his enemies. He was about to move and face them, while keeping an eye for Kurotsuchi, when he heard Maki's voice from his back.
"Pakura-sensei…" Naruto turned to see the Cloth user approach, focusing on the enemy kunoichi.
The one named Pakura was fairly tall, far-skinned and had green hair tied in a bun. The name did not ring a bell to Naruto, however.
The enemy in question looked surprised at the name calling and looked closely at Maki.
"…Maki, is that you?" The cloth user looked down in sadness, before once more eyeing the one responsible for where she is right now.
"I…thought I would never see you again, sensei…certainly not like this…as the enemy." Pakura, though, merely smiled, seemingly not caring about the accusation.
"And here I thought that coming back to life would only allow me to seek vengeance, but it also presented me with this gift of seeing you again, Maki."
Naruto, Ino and Chouji observed as the Edo Tensei from Suna conversed.
"Why are you doing this? It doesn't seem like Orochimaru is controlling you, so why are you doing this?" Pakura looked at her own hands once more and smiled.
"To seek revenge, Maki...!" She assured with her fist clenched. "Revenge against Kirigakure for killing me and Sunagakure for using me as a bloody pawn!"
Naruto could feel the deep anger in her voice.
Something inside him resonated as it spoke somewhat to what he went through, growing up.
"But Pakura-sensei…I thought that you got killed fighting against Iwa shinobi." Pakura could only snort in derision at that.
"Of course they would say that…it was important to fuel the village's hatred for Iwa. Just before dying at the hands of Kiri, I was told the truth. My revival thus grants me the opportunity of ridding the world of Kiri for good!" Maki then saw as Naruto advanced on Pakura with his sword as they fought for strength.
"So, you're the Jinchuuriki they are after, huh?" Naruto said nothing as he eyed the smirking opponent. He pushed her away, as soon as the Kumo shinobi's shuriken threatened to skewer him. His eyes looked sideways to see Kurotsuchi lifting an earth barrier which was exploded by Gari, before she created some distance from the guy. Meanwhile, Pakura kept talking to him. "If history serves us right, you and the others were merely sacrifices for the village's fingers. So, why do you even bother defending them?"
"If I did that, then I wouldn't be any better than them, now would I…?" Pakura smirked at that.
"Oh…I trust there's a story there. At least, you don't bother convincing me to let go of my hatr…."
Pakura was surprised when Naruto's eyes morphed into the fully evolved Sharingan.
The Hero of Sunagakure took a step back as her opponent's overall speed literally doubled. Seeing that Suna and Konoha were allies in the last war, Pakura wasn't very versed in facing Konoha's feared Dojutsu. Going through hand seals, at least confident that the Sharingan couldn't copy her scorch release, Pakura focused enough chakra to summon six flaming orbs.
Shakuton: Kajosatsu (Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder)
The flaming orbs surrounded her body and Pakura maintained the smirk to see that Naruto stopped moving, while observing to see opening in her stance.
He was about to move once more when Ino's voice alerted him.
"Naruto!"
He looked back quickly to see a horde of Zetsu about to attack Ino, Chouji and Maki. Chouji had to stop protecting Maki and Ino and attacked the never-ending Zetsu force. Summoning a Kage Bunshin to stop Pakura's attack as well as the pain in the ass Kumo shinobi who enjoyed attacking from a long distance and hidden from view, Naruto bit his thumb and went through a quick set of hand seals, before slamming both hands on the ground.
Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)
As soon as he did so, a squad of fighting tigers from different colors, shapes and abilities appeared to face the Zetsu in Chouji's stead. He had enough time (a second) to notice that Pakura had dealt with his bunshin and sent her flaming orbs straight at him, forcing him to go through a quick hand seal sequence, before lifting an earth barrier, before going underground. When the wall exploded, Pakura looked suspicious. Her experience told her that the Jinchuuriki would attack her any time now. The woman was surprised when a huge ball of swirling chakra exploded a couple of meters from her back, before Naruto came walking, slowly.
"That magnet shuriken of his was really starting to annoy me. Sorry about that. Maki, please seal him, I shall cover for you."
The cloth user looked flabbergasted for a while, before nodding and running towards the downed Kumo shinobi.
Pakura, meanwhile, observed both the Jinchuuriki and her prodigy student.
The fight between Kurotsuchi and Gari was still underway and Naruto focused on Pakura right now.
"I believe it's high time we ended this…Pakura. Don't get me wrong, this has been enjoyable, but I can't allow this to drag further."
Pakura looked troubled by the bold statement…scratch that, she was outraged at the audacity.
"Please, you are years away from making me sweat, kid…"
The Hero of Sunagakure looked surprised as Naruto's eyes morphed into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, before she went through hand seals of her own.
Shakuton: Daijohappa (Scorch Release: Great Steaming Explosive Blast)
Pakura gathered as much chakra as possible in her hands as the flaming inferno gathered on top of her head, forming a giant torching ball of flame. The ball expanded in size and in spinning speed, before a good segment of the forest they were in went up in flames. Pakura looked around and couldn't see anyone in sight, before smirking. A part of her felt bad for killing her own student, but it was necessary for her plan of obtaining vengeance against Kirigakure.
She turned to see about Gari's fight, when her eyes widened to see that she was not inside the forest, but rather back in her old village, Sunagakure.
"Pakura-sensei…" the sun was about to set as the back alive Pakura turned to see little Maki in her short hair and genin clothes.
She has been running and was panting for breath.
"Please train me!"
"Sorry Maki, but I had just finished a mission, I am tired." Maki's inexperienced green eyes are full of adoration for her.
"Even you get tired, sensei!?"
The question caught her by surprise and Pakura snorted. The next scene is of both sensei and student practicing in one of Suna's platform training facilities. They exchange kunai strikes, before Maki uses a scroll to hurl smoke at Pakura's face, before the scroll falls on the ground and unleashes a net to try and capture Pakura, but she evades in the end.
"Oh man, that was so close!" Pakura smiled at her student.
"That was a good strategy, Maki. You would have caught anyone with that." Pakura became surprised upon seeing Maki's look of elation at the praise.
The scene changed once more, showing a grave with her name on the stone and Maki kneeling on the ground sobbing at her death.
"Pakura-sensei…!"
Pakura was actually standing behind her this time and seeing her student. She could feel the pain in Maki's tears. Her experience told her something else, though.
"Hmmm, to believe that I was caught in a Genjutsu this entire time…you are something else, Jinchuuriki." Naruto morphed in the scene out of a flock of crows.
"The Sharingan is a powerful tool. It can search deep within the enemy's worst fear and use it to cause havoc to the enemy's mind and spirit." Naruto looked at the young Maki sobbing. "But it can also search within the opponent's most fond memory and make it resurface from the deep confines of the mind. So much so that no matter how much you struggle, the memory will forever linger. The Mangekyou Sharingan has the ability to make you see this memory over and over." Pakura attempted to break free of the control, but to no avail. The scene played over and over in front of her and soon her chest began to ache at the scene of Maki's tears, mourning her death.
Soon, tears of her own started falling. Her chest began to ache at the sight of Maki's tears.
This scene may be in reference to her passing a long time ago, but Pakura could very well see the grownup Maki crying all the same, for seeing how low her sensei had fallen.
"I remember what you said before, Jinchuuriki, about how not lowering to their level…to rise above those who betrayed us." Naruto nodded, fully understanding. "I get it now what you wanted to portray."
"I do have a name you know…Uzumaki Naruto."
Pakura wiped the tears from her eyes and turned with a now peaceful smile towards her captor.
"Quite right, my apologies. It was truly a pleasure meeting you, Uzumaki Naruto." Naruto nodded and removed the illusion that was keeping Pakura. They were back at the same forest and Pakura was surprised that the area wasn't scorched. She was curious as to how he was able to entrap her and couldn't be surprised to realize that it was before she even used her wide-area technique. She chuckled wondering if she had even used it in the first place.
"Pakura-sensei…" The sensei looked at her student fondly, despite feeling the strain of the Edo Tensei attempting to control her.
"Maki, please seal me…I don't know how long I can hold myself." Maki nodded in appreciation, before doing so, thus sealing the second Edo Tensei.
Gari was the last target as Naruto went through a set of hand seals.
Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu (Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique)
The taijutsu specialist was having a blast facing Kurotsuchi in battle when he looked back and was hit dead on by a giant meteor like fireball. Maki's cloth technique enveloped him soon after. Naruto nodded at the Suna-nin and ignored Kurotsuchi's outburst for interrupting her, while looking at Chouji and Ino having trouble with the Zetsu army. The tigers had already dispatched most, but they lacked the chakra to remain in this plane for longer periods. Naruto went through hand seals calling up a different animal summoning this time.
Kuchiyose: Yatai Kuzushi (Summoning: Food Cart Destroyer)
The rest observed as the giant white toad appeared out of nowhere and smashed the incoming Zetsus, while Maki was busy sealing the sealed corpses within a special storage seal in order to keep the enemy from releasing them. Meanwhile, Naruto observed his team's overall disposition, before urging them to move forward. After all, it would only get hard from here on out.
Little to his knowledge for the moment, a special group of S-ranked shinobi wearing a dark cloak with red clouds observed his path trajectory.
From within another batch of Sharingan eyes, the reflection of Naruto running appeared.
Author Note
Ok, that's it for now.
I apologize for the lengthy chapter. I could have split it in two, but then it would take much longer to finish the first parts of the war. I wanted to get that done in order to focus on the most important ones, later on.
I have many more surprises in store for the next chapters, which will be revealed later on.
Anyhow, Akatsuki is up next. It does not get tougher than that, right? Well, not quite.
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