Eroninja

Kiba and his mother Tsume followed in the wake of their nin-dogs as the scents of the two individuals they had picked up guided them through the tunnels that appeared to run all throughout Ame. Suspecting that one of the scents belonged to the leader of the Salamander Resistance, they hoped that by capturing him alive that they’d be able to have him call off Sasuke’s assault, and when that most likely failed, Konoha would be able to use that as a way to justify whatever punitive actions they sought in the wake of the attack. Particularly if Sasuke tried to justify his actions as being just his forces taking up a request from a client.

However, Kiba doubted that it would amount to much even should they succeed, since the truth was he doubted Sasuke would care about the politics of the matter, and furthermore, he doubted Konoha would push for a war in order to strike back. But, he suspected it might be used as a means to install caution into any who would call on Sasuke in the future. To make it clear that the Uchiha may help, but his reason for doing so was to only further his own aims. It likely would not be enough to dissuade many of Konoha’s enemies from reaching out to the Uchiha but would plant seeds that Konoha could take advantage of should they face any such enemy alliances that included him.

But, all that would depend on his mother and him succeeding in their mission of locating Mubi who was the founder of the Salamander Resistance, and upon capturing him, forcing him to call Sasuke off. A task that he was sure was going to be extremely difficult since it was likely that he and the owner of the scent that was with him knew they were being chased. He figured this to be the case as several times they had picked up the sound of footsteps, that he believed the tunnels were amplifying that would suddenly disappear upon making a turn within the winding tunnels that apparently ran all through the Rain Village’s lower levels. This led him to believe that on those stretches of the tunnel where they couldn’t hear their quarry’s footsteps, it was theirs that were being communicated to the people ahead of them. He figured that as the tunnels had been constructed by Hanzou during the Second Shinobi World War to serve as a means for a guerilla force to fight against occupiers should Ame have fallen when the war turned against them, the echoes would have given Ame’s guerilla forces advanced warning if their tunnels were compromised after a strike allowing them to slip out one of the other entrances of the network. He suspected that there may have been seals which would have made the tunnels acoustics travel only one way, although he suspected that considering the number of turns and twists it was likely the sound alone wouldn’t let a pursuer know anything other than if their targets were still in front of them, and not necessarily if they were traveling along the same path.

Which wasn’t exactly a problem for them as they were tracking their targets primarily by scent. Something that their quarry seemed to be aware as his mother’s nin-dog partner who was leading their procession suddenly began to heave as if to throw up. Akumaru, who was a few steps behind quickly followed suit. But, before he could ask either of them what was wrong, he was made aware as the stench of rotten eggs and other nasty odors assaulted him causing his eyes to water as he fought down a desire to heave up his breakfast. Looking at his mother, he could see she wasn’t in much better shape as they dropped out of their run as they approached a portion of the tunnel that opened up into a section where they could take one of six paths. Annoyed by what he viewed as a somewhat childish means of escaping their pursuit, he stated, “A fucking stink bomb seriously.”

His mother’s canine partner replied, “It makes sense to have such a means of losing pursuit handy. I suspect any force that needed to track another through these tunnels would make use of hounds and the like.”

His mother nodded at her partner as she added, “Although for them to make use of such a means now would suggest they are nearing where they would want to exit the tunnels so wish to lose us.” Kiba’s own partner whined as he suggested that didn’t necessarily need to be the case, causing his mother to say, “True, it could be this is just likely the last place one of these junctions appears before the exit they wish to make use of.” His mother growled as she spotted a canister that had likely held the odious gas and picking it up sniffed it while fighting back a reflective gag. Tossing it angrily she said, “Fuck, I can’t pick up anything and they probably tossed these canisters down all the fucking tunnels.”

“Should we split up then,” Kuromaru said, “That would leave only two paths we couldn’t cover. The odds would be in our favor to reacquire their scent further on. Whoever picks it up could howl to call the others to them.”

Tsume frowned as she replied, “But that would be no guarantee that trail is the correct one. We don’t know what their objective is and they may split up. If one of them takes a path we don’t then who knows what they will do.”

“True,” the nin-dog replied, “But our objective is only to capture Mubi. It is clear his companion is female so even if they do split up we will know if it is him or not.”

Kiba could imagine his mother wasn’t thrilled at the idea of their splitting up but having been busy inspecting each of the paths something stood out to him among one of them so he took off down path as he called, “They’re traveling down this one.”

His mother followed his lead, although she did ask, “What makes you so sure?”

Kiba pointed at the gas canister that had been tossed into the tunnel they were currently traveling down and which they quickly passed. Although she found that it matched the one she had found in the junction she didn’t understand what about it called out to her son they were traveling along the correct pat. At least until he explained, “You were right, they tossed these into all tunnels. However, based on the markings they made from where they impacted the tunnel, this looks to be the only where the canister was tossed towards the entrance not away from it.”

Tsume looked back and could just make out the white scuff mark that the metal canister had made on the stone of the tunnel from where it hit. Which from their perspective now appeared before it, making it clear the person that had tossed it was traveling down the tunnel before tossing it back. She let a feral grin appear as she said, “Well done pup.”

Kiba beamed from the praise but kept his focus on picking up more signs that they were in fact still on Mubi and his partner’s trail. He did begin to worry as despite making several turns within the labyrinth of tunnels, they hadn’t picked up the sounds of any footsteps. However, his mother picking up on his anxiety stated, “Relax Kiba, we’re still right on their tails.” He looked over in order to ask how she could be sure as they approached another bend of the tunnel, at which point she pointed towards a small glyph at the top of the new section that rather than glowing seemed to be absorbing light thus making it difficult to spot in the dimly lit tunnels.

“What is that a barrier of some sort?” he asked as they passed beneath it.

“Yeah,” Tsume stated, “That particular one is a favored one by shinobi who are experts in assassination and the like. They use them to nullify sound within a fixed area to combat Nightingale boards.”

Kiba nodded as he recalled lessons from Iruka on such seals. Lessons which weren’t geared towards applying them, since Konoha didn’t have a reputation for accepting assassination jobs. But, its genin and chunin would often find themselves on jobs where they were trying to thwart them, so needed to know what to look out for. Going over the details Iruka had provided, he knew the seals could be quickly applied, but needed to be placed at every entrance a person wanted to prevent sound from leaving. Which in an assassination attempt, often meant in the hallway leading to the target’s room. Particularly since in many castles this was where most architects tended to put Nightingale boards, which were boards that creaked whenever someone walked over them. This was why many assassins would often get low-level positions within a castle where they would likely never cross their targets path during the day but could apply the seals while performing the tasks of whatever job they had assumed in order to infiltrate their target’s home. Only to later activate them with a simple hand-sign before entering the area.

To his surprise, as they reached the end of the current section they were running through, there was a slightly different seal which appeared to be inactive. However, as they turned to enter the next area, he spotted an exact duplicate of the one his mother had pointed out and realized that when the tunnels had been built, they had staggered the seals making it so that as opposed to how the natural acoustics of the tunnel worked, where the sound traveled in a particular direction per section, he suspected the seals were not only blocking their sounds their targets were making in sections where their footsteps would have carried back to them. But, the seals were likely also amplifying their own footsteps in sections where they wouldn’t have carried towards their quarry. Were the pursuit going in the opposite direction however, he imagined they would have activated the other seal causing a similar situation. Or, if in a situation where pursuit was coming from multiple directions they could activate both seals causing sound to be dampened throughout the entire network.

It suddenly dawned on him that they could have activated this feature at any point in the chase but suspected their quarry had wanted to determine by which method they were being followed. Or, at the very least after leaving their stink bombs had hoped that even if their pursuers had picked the right tunnel, not hearing the footsteps they had been previously, would cause them to begin second guessing themselves.

But, Kiba believed that their quarry hearing their footsteps chasing them, was causing the pair that they were tailing to, if not panic, to at the very least realize their attempt at losing pursuit had failed completely. If so, he realized that there were two likely actions the pair would take, and which depended entirely on the route they were taking to their objective and how close they were to it. The first that he pictured would depend on whether or not there was another section of tunnel that split into multiple branches. If there was, he imagined that they would attempt to once more throw them off their trail, hoping that it had just been bad luck that had led to their pursuers picking the correct one. However, if they were nearing their objective, he suspected that their targets would just try to cover their scents with another stink bomb just before exiting the tunnels.

He suspected the latter was more than likely the case, as they had passed several such junctions earlier in the chase where their quarry could have tried to lose them. He believed they hadn’t as they had trusted in the labyrinth of tunnels to do the trick, unaware that they had been tracked by scent since Inuzuka nin-dogs didn’t bay and wail like typical bloodhounds would. As such, he was already expecting the second exposure to the noxious chemicals well before they made his eyes water.

Despite wanting to heave, he felt his animal instincts bask in the horrible smell as it conveyed to him that they were close, and their targets were trying to throw off pursuit in preparation for exiting the tunnels. However, despite his blood telling him to run faster, something it appeared his mother was about to do. He instead came to a stop as he spotted the canister that was still spouting its noxious fumes. Kneeling next to it, he looked down the tunnel in the direction they had been running and frowned as he didn’t see any signs of it being tossed.

His mother came up next to him, and to his surprise rather than sounding annoyed at his stopping since it was apparent they were almost on top of their prey, she asked, “What is it, pup?”

“I think they already exited the tunnels. Chances are they wouldn’t want to knowingly expose themselves to this stench, so it appears that they threw it in front of them this time,” he stated as he picked up the cannister and tossed it down the tunnel. As he suspected, he didn’t hear it clanging against the stone floor due to the seals controlling the acoustics. But more telling, where it landed he could see the scuffing of where the metal met stone as it rolled further down the tunnel away from the mark it made.

His mother instantly recognized that they may have missed such a mark due to the gas mucking with their tear ducts, so quickly began backtracking. She pointed out the mark on the floor as they retraced their steps before stating, “There may be a hidden entrance. Check that wall from where the canister hit and work your way back.”

Kiba nodded as he began following his mother’s instructions, aware that even if they found such an entrance finding the means to activate it would be another thing entirely. However, his mother had already considered that and after finding a section of stone where a few of the bricks appeared to have scraped against one another, placed her ear against it. Kiba wasn’t sure what his mother expected to hear, but whatever it was caused her to pull an exploding tag which she slapped against the wall.

“Are you insane?” Kiba asked as he followed in his mother’s wake as she ran from the now smoking tag. “What it you cause a cave in?”

“It would almost be as bad as losing our prey because we were fucking around and looking for a switch,” she replied just as the tag exploded. Kiba wasn’t so sure that would be the case but turning back, he could see light streaming in through the dust and realized that at some point the tunnel had risen back up to let them out at one of the lower levels of the city.

Stepping out into the fresh air after his mother, he frowned as although he could hear the sounds of battle nearby, he had no idea where in Ame they were. His mother didn’t appear to either, but due to the far away look he could see in her eyes, he suspected that she was reaching out to Ino to help them get their bearings. While he waited, Kiba tried to pick up the scent of their quarry, but due to the lingering effects of the stink bomb, not to mention the smoke from several nearby fires picking it up was proving to be difficult. It didn’t appear they would be getting help from Ino as a look of concern appeared on his mother’s face just before she said, “I’m afraid we are on our own pup. Sasuke attacked the control center and erected some sort of barrier around it.”

Kiba nodded, so figured the next best alternative was to get up high in order to gain some perspective. A move his mother was already implementing as she ran up the stone foundation they had appeared from which separated one level of the city from another. Finding a tree that had been planted nearby on the edge of the higher level, in one of the cities many artificial parks, he followed his mother up it, hoping it wouldn’t topple over as he wondered about how sturdy it could be considering the tunnel likely ran beneath it. Looking around, he spotted several landmarks, including the statue of Jiraiya which revealed that they were almost back to where they had started when the attack began, Akatsuki Headquarters.

His mother let out a low dangerous growl before stating, “That’s where they are heading,” before leaping from the tree to the lower area as she began heading towards Jiraiya’s statue.

Leaping after her, he asked upon catching up, “What makes you so sure?”

“That’s where Konan is,” his mother answered, “and with only two of them remaining, taking her out is likely the only objective they could still accomplish. From their point of view, it is the only objective that truly really mattered to them anyway.”

Kiba frowned as he wondered if perhaps his mother’s feelings for the other woman as part of her extended family might be clouding her judgement. Particularly, since with the attack on the village and most of the Salamander Resistance members already captured, they couldn’t even be sure that Konan was still there. Although, he quickly realized his mother was positive of Konan’s location due to the Foxmark she had, and so realized that if the woman with Mubi was a sensor, the two of them could have used the tunnel system running beneath Ame to appear near any location Konan had moved to. As such, he could easily understand why his mother seemed to be pulling away from him as they ran. Since despite the leader of Ame likely being far more capable than the members of the Salamander Resistance they suspected were aiming to take her life. With the chaos of the current battle, there always stood a chance that they could get within striking distance before she recognized the danger.

******

Konan used her left hand to make a quick one-handed sign, before a sheet of paper appeared from the right sleeve of her Akatsuki robe which through origami quickly shaped itself into a blade that she used to parry the folded windmill Shuriken that her opponent wielded. To her surprise, the masked former leader of Akatsuki didn’t phase through her paper blade, as he instead allowed her to parry him. Pressing on the back of curved blades that made up the shuriken in an attempt to force her to her knees, Tobi said, “Give me what I want Konan, and we’ll disappear as quickly as we appeared.”

Konan pushed back against him as she countered, “I would rather die than allow you to desecrate Nagato more than you already have.”

Sounding amused Tobi asked, “Whatever do you mean?”

“I know that it was you who betrayed us to Hanzou,” Konan replied angrily as she suddenly gave way to the pressure Tobi had been exerting against her blade. Although he appeared caught off guard as he stumbled forward while she pivoted away. That proved not to be the case as she completed her spin behind him and sliced him across the back only for her sword to pass harmlessly through him. Moreover, she had to leap backwards, as he stabbed himself through the chest and nearly succeeded in doing the same to her. While in the air, Tobi spun to face her and as he did so, rotated the shuriken he held to cause the blades to lock in position before tossing it at her.

Rather then blocking it with her blade, paper wings sprouted from her back which carried her upwards so that the shuriken passed beneath her. Konan then held a hand above her head as pieces of paper floated away from her wings to quickly reshape themselves into shuriken which began spinning in place before she brought her hand down sending them towards Tobi. She wasn’t surprised when the shuriken passed harmlessly through him, and as such handed entirely been aiming for him as most ended up buried in the backs of some of the White Zetsu Naruko was squaring off with.

“It’s pointless to struggle,” Tobi said uncaring to the death of several Zetsu as he caught his returning shuriken. Last time we met, even after planning for my intangibility you were unequal to the task and needed to be bailed out by Naruto.”

“Do you believe so?” Konan replied with a hint of amusement, “Then you are free to withdrawal, as this time around it appears you haven’t factored in all the variables.”

She could sense Tobi’s confusion at her reply, which had to do with how a sage mode Naruko took advantage of the sudden thinning of the Zetsu that she faced to bury a Boiling Rasengan into the guts of an opponent that had survived Konan’s sudden barrage from behind. The blonde sage’s blow sent the Zetsu flying towards Tobi, who didn’t even bother to face the make shift projectile as he allowed it to pass through him. Keeping his focus on Konan as it fell to the ground before him, he asked, “Was that it?”

However, rather than answer, Konan just smirked as the Zetsu began to bloat as the superheated water from Naruko’s jutsu did so to the water contained within the plant like being causing it to explode into a deadly steam. She watched the deadly vapor cloud for any signs of where Tobi would appear as she held her hands above her head while creating hundreds of paper shuriken. Catching sight of his shadow moments before he emerged, she sent a wave of shuriken into his expected path, and as she expected they passed through him. But, she was far from discouraged as she sent wave after wave of shuriken towards him since she was aware that for every second she kept him from being able to turn physical, she was depriving him of air and stamina as well as preventing him from teleporting away.

As she began to run out of projectiles, she cursed as she knew he was nearing his limit as well. But, not nearly as much as she imagined the string of expletives Tobi would have let loose if he could, as two more Zetsu landed in front of him which showcased the signs that they had also been tagged with Naruko’s unique Rasengan as they began to expand before bursting into steam. The masked former leader of Akatsuki finding himself once more enveloped in a cloud of deadly vapor, began to stagger as he tried to make his way to the edge of the expanding cloud. Meanwhile, hovering above it Konan could easily spot his shadow and moved to where she expected he would emerge. However, just before reaching the edge he suddenly stiffened as his arms moved to his throat which she imagined had to feel as if he had inhaled molten steel as he turned tangible due to the need to breathe. He didn’t scream, but she could imagine the agony that he felt was akin to both drowning and being cooked alive.

Landing Konan kept watch as the cloud began to disburse but was forced to turn away as several Zetsu moved to attack her. However, they didn’t get a chance as from across the courtyard Sage turned from her battle with Black Zetsu and a handful of white ones as her arm morphed into a chakra blaster allowing her to pick off the ones about to attack Akatsuki’s current leader. The blue haired woman smiled, but before turning back it disappeared from her face as she said, “As horrible as that death must have been. I imagine that in time you will wish you never avoided it.”

“Is that so,” Tobi said sounding amused while she turned back to face him, “What leaves you to believe that you have any insight into who I am and what I desire? Since we’ve first met, you and your friends have only ever danced to my tune.”

Konan smiled sadly at him before replying, “As a result of your manipulations. I know what it is like to have lost my way, and to surround myself in darkness. But the truth is, I may have always been a being of darkness, and had the good fortune of being close to a source of light. Unaware of my true nature until it was taken from me.”

“And you believe that somehow applies to me as well?”

“I do,” Konan replied confidently, “I believe that just as you were the one that stole the light that lit Nagato and I’s path. You were manipulated in a similar manner.”

Konan noted that the lone eye visible beneath Tobi’s mask grew wide, and she could see him wondering at just what she knew of him. She heard a hint of reservation in his voice as he asked, “So what makes you think I should have chosen death over using Izanagi just now.”

Konan smile grew rather pitying before stating, “I’d rather not say at present. But, at some point in the future when you are cast back into the light you thought had been snuffed out. You’ll understand why a violent death might have been a gentler alternative.’’

Snorting dismissively Tobi countered, “Is that the feeling that drives poor Konan now as you try to step into the light once more?”

Konan sighed as she tensed to face Tobi again, who she imagined would be far more dangerous since unless he had implanted another eye somewhere on his person, he would have to face her in a more serious manner without the ace in the hole that he had used to survive moments ago as well as their previous encounter. Still, she couldn’t help the feeling of pity that welled up in her as she silently replied to his question, “No I’m afraid not, because the light that I currently have in my life is not the one that I lost. I wouldn’t want to imagine what it would be like to have Yahiko see what I became after his passing.” Her thoughts towards Tobi did harden as she added, “That is a fate which I believe lies in your future and truthfully, I imagine the despair you will know when you understand who it is that lights up her existence now will be the sweetest revenge I could ask for.”

Her previous sad and pitying smile shifted into a slight smirk which she could see caused a sense of anger to arise in her opponent. She doubted he understood why, but believed it was because her smile conveyed that regardless of what happened during their clash, at some point in time, even if she should fall, she’d be the one having the last laugh when he understood the true impact of her words. It was a day that she hoped to be around for, but as he leapt at her, she took satisfaction in the knowledge that sooner or later Tobi would likely learn Rin was alive and was not pleased with the actions that many believed had been taken in her name.

Leaping into the air just before Tobi reached her, she spread her paper wings as she spun to attack his back with a paper spear that appeared from her robe’s sleeve. She wasn’t surprised as it passed harmlessly through him, and so pulled it back as she prepared to toss it through his skull as he spun to face her once more while she created some distance. However, before she could her name was called out by a somewhat familiar voice that she couldn’t place in the moment. Yet, she heard the hint of warning it contained so spun to the source, and almost as soon as she did so her world turned into a burning hot pain as she was pierced in an entirely unpleasant way.

She felt she must have blacked out for a moment as the next thing she realized she was on the ground staring up at the sky. A sky which was blotted out by an orange and black mask as Tobi straddled her chest and grabbing the crossbow bolt imbedded in her shoulder twisted it pulling a scream from her as he said, “Now let’s discuss where you’ve gone and hidden our dearly departed Nagato.”

Konan tried to close her eyes, only for him to press the bolt deeper into her flesh causing them to widen instead. She could sense the malicious amusement he felt at her reversal of fortunes even as the Sharingan he possessed began spinning and she was sent back to a happier time and place. A place extremely precious to her, and thus why she had chosen it as the final resting place for two of her most precious people. A place she was certain that Tobi would soon be despoiling as the memories of her and friends’ time as Jiraiya’s apprentice began to play before her eyes.

*****

Kiba cursed as Konan fell from the air as the warning that he had attempted to provided proved to be ineffective at preventing her would be assassin’s attack from connecting. Recalling the few moments prior, his mother and he had arrived at the Akatsuki’s headquarters to find it awash in chaos as not only were Konan, Naruko, and Sage fighting against a horde of white zetsu, as well as Tobi and the supposedly unique Black Zetsu. But, it appeared that they had been joined by several squads’ worth of Ame-nin that had appeared from the Civilian Shelter located beneath the statue of Jiraiya. The Ame-nin seemed to be attempting to make their way towards their leader Konan but were being contained by the force of White Zetsu that they faced.

“Shit,” Kiba said before asking, “How are we supposed to find them in this mess?”

“Simple,” his mother responded before ordering, “Akamaru and Kuromaru when I give the signal I want you to hit the front rank of the Zetsu engaging the Ame-nin with everything you got. Kiba, you keep an eye out for our prey.”

“Okay, but how are you going to smoke them out?”

“Watch and learn pup,” his mother replied before activating the walkie she wore that allowed squads within close proximity to communicate with each other. “This is Tsume Inuzuka to the nearby Ame-nin. On my signal, I want the forces nearest to the statue to form up in their squads. We’re going to come in hot to give you some breathing room and I don’t want to take you out by mistake.” She waited until she received a chorus of acknowledgements before shouting, “Now!”

Kiba still wasn’t entirely sure what his mother was planning, but the two nin-dogs knowing what they needed to do launched themselves as soon as the Ame-nin leapt back towards the statue arranging themselves around their squad leaders. However, as the arrow like Fang over Fang being performed by their canine companions tore through the Zetsu, it was clear to Kiba that one of the Ame-nin despite the fact that the Ame-nin squads had taken some losses, appeared to have no idea where she needed to go so stuck out like a sore thumb. He grinned ferally as he launched himself at the lone Ame-nin.

His target sensed the threat he posed, and turned to face him, revealing that despite the mask that she wore, that she was the female they had been tracking. Slamming into her, he knocked her off her feet, and quickly landed on all fours just beyond her, before then leaping atop her as he forced her onto her stomach as he tried to zip tie her arms. A pair of nearby Zetsu tried to take advantage of his seemingly ignoring them, only for his mother to appear before them. She ran her fingers across on of their necks causing her sharpened nails to cut through it like a scalpel even as she buried her teeth in the other’s jugular vein which she tore free before spitting the piece of flesh out.

Truthfully though Kiba had been more concerned with how the Ame-nin’s would respond to his apparently attacking one of their own, as he feared they wouldn’t exactly be thrilled to see one of their members being manhandled by a Konoha-nin. But, fortunately it appeared the Ame-nin Squad leaders at least had likely realized there was an alternative reason for his mother’s order, a fact which a quick scan of the kunoichi’s uniform would confirm as it lacked the patch the Ame forces tasked with protecting the village had been ordered to add to their uniforms, which had prevented their being teleported away at the start of the battle and was also meant to help prevent such infiltrations from members of the Salamander Resistance.

He breathed a little easier as the squads closest to him surged past him to reengage the Zetsu, but it didn’t last as the kunoichi beneath him said amused, “You’re too late, Konoha Dog.”

Kiba frowned as it dawned on him that it was still too early to celebrate as he tried to locate where Mubi was. His gaze first locked onto Konan as she was engaged in a pitched battle with Tobi, but he couldn’t see any sign of an Ame-nin having gotten close enough to her to pose a threat. Moreover, his frown deepened as he recognized that Konan, who was currently on the ground talking with Tobi rarely remained as such when fighting, instead preferring the maneuverability that her wings gave her. Recognizing this fact, he realized it wasn’t likely that Mubi had also hidden himself among the Ame-nin trying to make their way to their leader, and so began scanning the periphery for a good lookout position where a long-range attack could be launched on an airborne opponent.

It didn’t take him long to see Mubi crouched near the bronze figures of Jiraiya’s students, but unfortunately his companion hadn’t been bluffing when she had proclaimed that he was too late. The leader of the Salamander Resistance fired the crossbow he held, just as Konan retook to the air as her battle with Tobi picked up again. Doing the only thing he could, he shouted, “Konan, look out.” However, he only got as far as her name before the crossbow bolt had almost reached the blue haired woman, but fortunately her reflexes proved to be razor sharp as she reacted to the warning that his tone carried causing her to spin to face towards the call.

A move which saved her life, although Kiba couldn’t be sure for how long as he watched Tobi quickly straddle her as the White Zetsu closed ranks around him to give him time to work. Kiba considered moving to help the kunoichi but saw that Mubi was lining up another shot as he appeared to be willing to shot his ally in order to ensure the kill. Although, considering Tobi’s ability to phase through attacks, there was no guarantee that it would require a third shot to finish her off.

The woman he had pinned began laughing at him stating, “Too bad hero…” But, he silenced her by smashing her face into the ground and knocking her out cold to ensure that she didn’t go anywhere. He could see his mother was also torn on how to act so he shouted, “Mom, follow my lead.”

His mother looked at him confused for a moment at least until he leapt as far as he could towards Mubi, and then presented his back to her so that with his long sword strapped to it he appeared to be like a small ramp. She nodded as she ran towards him and reached him just as Mubi was pulling the trigger of his crossbow. Tsume ran up his blade and Kiba aided her leap as he pushed up just before she launched herself. She easily snatched the bolt out of the air, before spinning in the air like she was going to perform a fang over fang. Naturally, as the jutsu required her to launch it from the ground it didn’t go anywhere, at least until Kiba leapt into the air and used the flat of his sword to launch her at Mubi.

Tsume smashed into the man knocking him to the ground as she landed on all fours before skidding to a halt, and then leapt upon him again. Landing atop of Mubi, she held back a clawed hand as if she planned to plunge it into his heart. Causing Kiba to fear that in his mother’s bloodlust, it would get the better of her since she appeared almost feral. However, at the last moment, she curled her hand into a fist before slamming it down into Mubi’s face, knocking him out. Still, Kiba could see that it had been a near thing since as she stood, he could see blood leaking from her hand making it clear she hadn’t retracted her sharpened claws before closing her fist.

She looked back towards Konan, and Kiba saw her eyes widen in fear so looked back to see Tobi still crouching over Konan, although currently holding a broken rusty pipe that he likely planned to plunge into the woman’s heart.

*********

*******

Tobi smiled beneath his mask as he said to the still dazed woman, “Thanks for the memories Konan. Speaking of memories, do you remember this little guy. It’s the very pipe that I had planned to plunge into you back when we last squared off before that blond interloper appeared. Instead, he gave me the pipe as a souvenir but I really want you to have it.”

Pulling it back, he was about to follow through when suddenly all the Zetsu around him were shot into the air at the same time. The cause of which appeared to be golden chains which had shot out of the ground beneath them and had impaled them. Several tried to do so to him as they appeared around Konan, but they all passed harmlessly through him. Tobi’s lone visible grew wide in fright as it met the angry red-slighted eyes of the source of the chains as Kushina said, “Get the fuck away from her you bastard.”

Before he could make a decision one way or the other on how to proceed, another pair of chains shot forth from behind Kushina to wrap around Konan and pulled her away from the intangible man. Tobi felt like screaming in frustration at being denied his kill by yet another Uzumaki, but he wasn’t given the chance as the chains surrounding him swirled about him like snakes as they formed a large domed hut around him. He frowned as the chains left two entrances to escape, the first being an entrance directly behind him, and an opening at the top of the dome. He shook his head in confusion wondering why Kushina felt he would avail himself of either, since as her first attempt to eliminate him showed, her chains weren’t able to stop him from phasing. However, he learned the entrances weren’t meant for him rather quickly as Mikoto landed in front of the entrance behind him, she slapped something against the wall near the opening, before she proceeded to blow flames into the enclosure turning it into superheated oven. Which although the temperature wouldn’t harm him in his current state, he quickly realized that the two women were attempting to take him out in a similar manner as Konan had earlier trapping him in it until the need to breathe became too much.

Cursing as he could feel the burning in his lungs since the surprise attack hadn’t really given him a chance to take a deep breath. He charged for one of the chain walls but to his shock and dismay rather than passing through it, he instead smashed into it as if he was solid. He cursed as he tried to figure out what had happened, as he realized that he was still intangible as otherwise he would already be cooked. Realizing he had only one option, he ran for the entrance that Mikoto was filling with flame. Yet, to his surprise she ended her jutsu just as he reached her, and leapt away shouting, “Now K.”

Four more chains appeared around the two of them like pillars on a bed. Mikoto’s leap carried her through two of them as she tossed a tag at each of the chains which affixed themselves to them upon making contact. The female Uchiha then made a hand-sign causing the space between the chain pillars to fill with a haze as if an energy field had appeared between them. Tobi rematerialized himself fully before approaching the field Mikoto was behind and turning just his hand intangible found it wouldn’t pass through.

“Neat trick,” Tobi said to the Uchiha on the other, “How’d you pull this off?”

“Let’s just say we know someone that has to deal with ghosts, especially ones that should have just stayed dead.”

Tobi’s couldn’t help frowning, since he had the feeling that Mikoto knew exactly who it was behind the mask. However, he wasn’t sure why that bothered him since he had cut his ties to the past years ago, but rather then reflecting on it instead said, “Still, it would seem keeping me trapped is leaving your partner rather exposed.”

Mikoto’s gaze shifted to Kushina, who due to her having sent the chains that had trapped Tobi into the ground appeared as if she couldn’t move from her current spot. A fact which several Zetsu appeared to want to take advantage of, but before they reached her the bulk of the approaching from her rear were crushed as a large red toad fell out of the sky. The young still growing toad said to the blonde woman that was atop of its head, “Boss, I really wish you would stop using me to crush such small foes. It is such a bother cleaning up afterwards.”

“Sorry Gamakichi,” Naruko said sympathetically, “But, you really were the best toad for the job.”

The young toad puffed up with pride as he replied, “Yeah! I guess summoning Gamatatsu for such a purpose would have only resulted in his losing his lunch.” He then pulled his tanto free of it sheath and swung it through the space in front of Kushina where the Zetsu that had attempted to rush her from the front had paused due to the large toad’s sudden appearance. The blade easily passed through the majority of the Zetsu, although several did manage to scramble out of the way.

Naruko leapt from the summon’s head to terminate the rest, but stopped as Kushina said, “Forget them! I need you and Gamakichi to get Konan to the hospital.” Naruko quickly leapt back towards the red head who revealed the blue-haired woman from the cocoon of chains that she had wrapped around her.

“What about you?” Naruko asked worriedly, “Won’t you be vulnerable?”

Kushina gave her a smirk before replying “Who do you think you are talking to? I’m the great Kushina Uzumaki.” The red head then launched herself at a Zetsu that appeared as if it was going to cast a jutsu of some sort towards them. However, before it could, Kushina reached it where she delivered a viscous punch to the side of its head. The Zetsu staggered as its head whipped away from the point of impact, only for it to be sent tumbling bodily in the other direction when she grabbed the back of its head with the same hand she had punched it with and pulled its face into her knee. The Zetsu’s nose broke causing a greenish-brown fluid to begin leaking from its face as it fell onto its back.

Kushina leapt into the air intending to drive her knee into its throat to finish it off, but she noticed a pair of Zetsu drop down into a crouch just beyond their downed compatriot. As Kushina descended towards her downed opponent a wooden construct appeared around it, which as it snapped closed almost resembled a large beartrap of sorts. Except not hollow like a traditional one, making her realize that if the sharp teeth at the edges didn’t catch her, they intended to crush her along with their fellow Zetsu. However, their trap only claimed the life of their companion as Kushina retract the chain coming from her back so that it pulled her back to where she had started from.

Finding Naruko still there she said, “What are you standing around for? Get Konan to Tsunade, that bolt may have hit something vital and who knows what Obito may have done to her mind while he was messing around in there.”

Naruko realizing that with Kushina’s control over her chains, she was far from immobile as she had probably fought using one as an anchor for years to allow her escape from tough situations faster than she got into them, so gave a prompt nod before leaping to the top of Gamakichi’s head, who then leapt away leaving Kushina effortlessly moving and eliminating the Zetsu that were trying to force her to drop the barrier that currently had Tobi trapped.

Mikoto smirked towards Tobi as she watched Kushina throw a chain that had appeared from her palm into the forehead of one Zetsu, which she then pulled towards her before moving out of the way so that the corpse smashed into one that had tried to attack her from behind. Turning towards Tobi, who had also watched the exchange she noticed his stance seemed almost fearful, and so she suspected he had also been able to read Kushina’s lips as she had inadvertently revealed her knowledge of his identity.

She supposed she couldn’t blame him since although she suspected the mask had been meant so he could fool people into believing his lie about his being Madara Uchiha. Wearing it had also been convenient in allowing him to not truly face the people his actions had ultimately ended up betraying. Especially as in a world that had seemingly always favored the far more popular Kakashi, Kushina had always treated Obito as the more favorable of the two due to his personality. Not to mention her own status as an underdog in regards to her stated desire to have been the first Female Hokage and outsider to the village. Shortcomings that she had overcome through dint of her personality and talent so likely knew how important it was for him to have supporters such as her. As such, although Kushina hadn’t really spoken of it since Kakashi had first theorized who was behind the mask, Mikoto suspected that her friend was deeply hurt by the knowledge that Obito may have been the one that had ruined her chance at a normal family life.

In many ways, Mikoto figured it had been easy for Obito to act as he had due to the mask, since in essence those he was hurting had no idea as to who had been the one to do it. Yet, with that mask apparently stripped away, and his being in their hands where they may come face to face, she was of the opinion that he was perhaps considering for the first time in a while that he truly should have died on that mission to Grass Country all those years ago. However, she suspected that would pale in comparison to the knowledge that he wasn’t the only one of Team Minato to escape their suspected fate, or that she was currently with someone who exhibited much the same personality traits he had, at least before his fall from grace. Yet, before she could ponder the matter further, her attention was pulled away as another of Naruto’s lovers cried out in a panic, “No, we must get away!”

*****

“You really must give a straight answer as to wherever did you get those eyes?” the creature named Black Zetsu asked as he narrowly avoided having his head removed from his shoulders by the blaster Sage’s hand had morphed into.

“From my mother,” Sage replied matter of factly, although it was apparent her opponent didn’t believe her. Her hand shifted back to normal before she ended up needing it as she blocking a kick courtesy of the same being. She then tried to grip its leg, however it quickly pulled the appendage away as if quite aware of how she could capitalize on getting hold of it.

To prevent her from pressing the attack, the Black Zetsu leapt back before pressing its hands against the ground causing a wall of wood to burst from the ground. However, Sage bit her thumb and pressing her hands outward summoned a massive rhino which appeared from the smoke and smashed through the barrier with ease. It carried on as into a group of the Zetsu that were trying to disengage from the Ame-nin in a controlled manner to try and free Tobi while also not getting routed. The rhino impaled one of the Zetsu as it trampled several others before bursting into smoke as its momentum would have carried it into the Ame-nins lines.

However, Sage kept her focus on trying to locate the Black version that she had been engaged with and was coming to believe that much as her mother suspected was so much more than just another different colored version of the white ones. Primarily as not only had its attacks made it clear that it was trying to incapacitate her in a manner that wouldn’t damage her eyes, unlike the other Zetsu she had faced. But, it also had a clear understanding of the abilities that her Rinnegan gave her, and if not exactly how to deal with them directly. At least in how to prevent her from fully capitalizing on the few openings it had left her.

In fact, she got the feeling that if not for its apparent desire to defeat her without truly harming her or at the very least her head. That she would be the one at a disadvantage, since it seemed as if the Black Zetsu had a better grasp of her abilities then she did. As such, it felt to her as if their clash was more of a game of tag with her truly going all out to defeat it in a manner where she could get her hands on it, while it was also trying to win but was similarly limited in the manner in which it could do so.

However, such thoughts were pushed to the back of her mind as she felt the ground rumble around her. Although, it would have been easy to dismiss due to the chaotic nature of the battle, she listened to her instincts as she immediately leapt to the air. Moments later the ground where she had been standing erupted into dust as wooden petal like teeth sprang out of the ground around where she had been standing, and as they locked together, looked almost like the bud of a flower closing up. Recognizing that if she hadn’t reacted as she did that she would likely have been bisected at the waist, she decided that while trying to read him was important, it couldn’t be prioritized if she was going to live through the encounter. As such, she pointed her hand towards the wooden flower bud and fired of a Shinra Tensei. The repulsive force blasted through the wooden bud and cratered the ground all around it.

Landing near the edge of the crater that she had created, she clapped her hands together before separating them to create a black sphere between them. She then pushed that sphere out over the crater and upon reaching the center it began pulling in the loosened soil and concrete. As it pulled away more and more soil it uncovered Black Zetsu looking almost like an exposed grub as it appeared to still be stunned. The gravity well she created began to pull the raven colored being into it and seeing an opportunity she ended the jutsu as she used Banshou Ten’in to pull Black Zetsu towards her.

Clamping her hand around its throat, she frowned as she noticed white skin beneath her fingers almost as if the blackness of its skin had pulled away from where she touched it. Channeling chakra into her hand, she let go her grip as she pulled the soul loose of the body and absorbed it. However, upon absorbing the soul’s memories she suddenly found herself in some unfamiliar town as the sun was setting. She was going about her business when suddenly the entire sky lit up as if the sun had come out once more, she frowned as her focus turned to the new source of light in the sky and found herself staring up at a moon that looked as if it was a giant Rinnegan, although spaced through it along the lines were the tomoe of the Sharingan. Sage tried to flee as she feared it was the angry eye of a god looking down at her and was somewhat surprised many of her fellow townsfolk weren’t also running for the hills. However, the fear soon fled from her mind as a deep sense of contentment began to spread throughout her.

Yet what that contentment stemmed from she couldn’t say as if she couldn’t view what was giving her such a feeling of peace as it would have no meaning for her. However, her fear returned as a result, since now given the time to look around she appeared to be someone from an ancient civilization due to the way the people around her were dressed as well as due to the primitive methods the homes appeared to be constructed. Confusing to her though was she could see the Rinnegan was visible in the eyes of the people around her as they continued to stare up unblinkingly at the moon. Looking around as best she could, she saw that it looked as if all of the villagers appeared to be in much the same condition as her. None of whom reacted in the slightest as all around them large roots suddenly began ripping free of the ground. From these roots, small paper thin like vines began breaking free as they lowered down to wrap around the people before pulling them up against the roots.

Sage began to panic as more and more people were pulled away seemingly unaware of what was happening to them. She tried to run as the vines began to head towards her, however found it was hopeless as the paper-thin vines began to wrap around her similar to how some civilizations had wrapped their dead before encasing her in darkness. Not willing to go silently into the darkness surrounding her, she began to struggle against her bindings with all her might.

******

Black Zetsu wasn’t sure why the woman named Sage had stopped after removing the aura of the white zetsu whose body it had covered. But, it wasn’t about to look the gift horse in the mouth as it prepared to due the same to her in order to take over her body. It let a smile appear over its ink like face as it began crawling up her body, but it was blasted apart as Sage suddenly shouted, “No! We must get away!”

She then let out a massive Shinra Tensei pulse that served to blow Zetsu off of her body, but also knocked almost everyone present off of their feet.

Black Zetsu cursed as it pulled itself together to find that it was almost on the opposite side of the courtyard. Moreover, it appeared that her outburst had served to cure her paralysis as she looked around in confusion as if unsure where she was. However, her gaze then seemed to begin searching wildly as if wondering where it had gone. Although it supposed it could be that she was still trapped in some sort of genjutsu as she appeared to attack anything that approached her, which for the most part were the White Zetsu. Whatever the case, Zetsu wasn’t in a hurry to tangle with the woman again since it had sensed Sage’s resolve to hold back disappear and doubted she would bother again if she realized it had survived the encounter. However, it realized its luck wasn’t all bad as Sage’s pulse had also served to knock it towards where Kushina and Mikoto had trapped Obito. As well as had disrupted the Ame-nin forces enough to allow the remaining White Zetsu to reorganize themselves so they could attack Mikoto and Kushina while holding off the Rain Shinobi.

Slithering across the ground like a puddle of mercury, Black Zetsu moved among the various corpses littering the courtyard as it slipped past Mikoto as she cut down the its white namesakes that came at her. Solidifying itself into a bipedal form, it avoided a sword swipe from the female Uchiha as she reacted to the threat it posed. However, it easily shifted its mass away from the swing while also creating two tendrils that ripped the seals that Mikoto had placed against the chakra chains free.

Obito acted as Black Zetsu had expected as instead of leaping out of the cage, he stuck his hand out allowing it to wrap around the appendage. He then made them both intangible before pulling it into the barrier that Kushina had created between her chains. Aware that Mikoto may have more tags that would make escape impossible Black Zetsu asked, “Did you get what we needed?” Obito didn’t bother replying as he quickly absorbed Black Zetsu into his pocket dimension before then pulling himself in there as well.

******

Miya blocked a horizontal swing from Kisame by moving the back of her blade down along her shoulder to cover her side as Shark Skin smashed into it. She winced from the power of the blow, but quickly brought her blade around over her head, moving his along with it, so that his bladed ended up on the opposite side of her. By doing so, she prevented Kisame from pulling his blade toward him in an attempt to have Shark Skin shred her or entangle her blade to disarm her. But, it also had the added benefit of providing her with a short window where his sword was out of position, allowing her an opportunity to move in and separate his head from his shoulders. An opportunity she took as she spun in towards him, swinging her blade over Samehada as she tried to reach the neck of the man wielding it. Yet before it did, Kisame brought his living blade up, smashing it into hers so that her swing passed over his head.

Miya was far from dissuade as she simply continued her spin but dropped down into a semi-crouch as she intended to this time bisect him along the waist while his sword was raised above his head. However, Kismae easily swung Shark Skin about one-handedly so that it was pointed downwards which he drove into the concrete of the street they were fighting on to block her attack. He then lashed out with a foot which caught her in the chest causing her to stumble away from him.

Quickly recapturing her balance, she narrowed her eyes at her opponent as instead of closing with her, he simply raised his blade back to his shoulder as if awaiting her next series of attacks. Yet, Miya was surprised that outside of finding the man’s ever-present smile annoying, her emotions were otherwise rather calm. In truth, rather than the rage or anger she had expected to be present during her confrontation with him. Instead, she found just a grim determination to stop him, but not out of a desire to avenge herself for his attempted murder of her and his far more successful one of her friends from Kirigakure's Cypher Squad. But rather a need to make sure that he wasn’t responsible for harming any of the people that she currently cared for.

Despite her feeling of calm, it appeared that she harbored some animus towards the man as he stated with a jovial tone, “I tend to have a good memory when it comes to people I’ve crossed. However, I’m having a difficult time placing where we would have crossed paths. It’s possible that you want my head due to my hurting someone you cared for. But, your sword is telling me this is a personal vendetta.”

“Why do you care?” Miya asked after a moment as she prepared to dash in.

Kisame shrugged which prompted Miya to rush forward as she again attempted to claim his life this time with a strike along his stomach. The wielder of Samehada easily backstepped out of her sword’s path, before then rotating out of the wind scythe that resulted from her swing. He effortlessly pulled his sword from his shoulder which he slammed into the spot where she had been standing kicking up a cloud of dust. A second later Miya appeared from it as she tried to deliver a slash to her opponent’s side. However, he easily avoided it by stepping into the dust cloud. Rather then following him in, she launched wind scythe after wind scythe which separated the cloud into smaller and smaller ones until it revealed Kisame who had blocked them all by using Shark Skin’s body as a shield.

Answering the question that she had asked before her latest furry of attacks Kisame said, “I suppose while its easy to say it doesn’t matter why you’ve come seeking my head. My curiosity stems from the idea that if you succeed in your task, I just would like to understand what set you off on it in the first place.”

Miya’s gaze bore into Kisame’s which didn’t reflect any fear at the thought that she might leave with his head. Yet, while it could have stemmed from confidence in his abilities, to her it didn’t seem to be rooted in arrogance. Instead, just the calm understanding of the truly professional soldier, who understood that in their line of work, death was a constant.

His calm acceptance that his death was possibly at hand, caused her to think back to the day that he had betrayed her and the other members of the Cypher Division. More importantly to how as her world had gone dark, the question that had truly been on her mind had been why Kisame had betrayed them. She was surprised that her recollection didn’t have the anger that she usually associated with the memory and realized that had been something which had come later as she had awoken to find herself a captive of the Leaf.

As such, she found that she at least wanted to give him the answer that she would have liked herself, which prompted her to say, “Although it isn’t my name any longer, the one you would have known me as was Miru.”

To her surprise, Kisame appeared to recognize the name before a shark tooth grin appeared as he said, “You’ve had some work done.”

Miya was shocked to learn that he apparently recognized who she was, having always felt that even if she hadn’t undergone Kiyomi’s treatment to increase her chakra and alter her appearance, her face and name would have been lost among the countless crimes that she was sure he had committed.

Kisame’s smile faded as his face grew serious before saying, “You shouldn’t have taken this second lease on life so lightly and endeavored to ensure that our paths would never cross. Revenge is such a pointless pursuit. It was a stupid reason for you to throw your life away. Look at Itachi’s brother after all, all he has done is chased for revenge. Even if you kill me, you’ll find it especially hollow as I was just following orders.”

Miya nodded as she tightened her grip on her weapon as she suspected that Kisame was done toying with her. Watching as her opponent’s body tensed in preparation of attacking her, she responded, “A conclusion that I’ve come to as well. Although, one I only truly realized upon coming face to face with you once more. However, even if I had sooner I would still be here to stop you today as there are people that I hope to protect by stopping you.”

“Interesting,” Kisame said somewhat surprised by his opponent’s admission, “Hell, I’m even tempted to walk away from this battle to see if your words are true. But, there’s a world of truth that I’ve been promised, and I’ve stepped over too many corpses in pursuit of it to walk away now. No hard feelings then and may the better swordsman win.”

Before Miya could echo the sentiment, she was forced to leap away as Kisame quickly charged towards her and tried to drive her into the ground like a spike using Samehada. Narrowly avoiding the living blade, she allowed a tight smile to appear on her face since with it appearing that Kisame was about to go all out, she was about to truly begin the battle that she had trained for over the last few years. Which although she found that she no longer carried the lust for revenge that had driven much of the training in those early stages, she did find that she was curious as to whether or not she would be capable of weathering the coming onslaught that she knew he was capable of. Knowing that she wouldn’t have the time for it in a few moments, she allowed herself a few moments to wonder how her lover’s battle was going. But, as if sensing that her focus wasn’t completely dedicated to him, Kisame charged so she dedicated herself to the task of removing him from the list of those that endangered her Family.

******

Naruto skidded back as Sasuke used the palm of his free hand to deliver a strike to his chest. He fought back a growl as the Uchiha smirked at him, before dropping into what appeared to be a relaxed stance. Yet, despite the Uchiha’s apparent dismissive stance, his instincts screamed at him that rushing in recklessly would be a mistake so forced himself to swallow down the prideful part of himself that was demanding him to rush in to teach Sasuke a lesson. He noticed a slight tightening of the muscles around Sasuke’s mouth which made him suspect that the Uchiha was fighting back a frown. Sensing that it was because he wasn’t responding to Sasuke’s disrespectful provocation, he allowed a slight smile to grace his lips which caused his opponent’s eyes to narrow. His smile widened as Sasuke’s gaze turned into a glare letting him know that at least in the realm of getting into the other’s head, he was coming out ahead.

Still, Naruto was finding that on top of combating Sasuke, he was fighting a losing battle against his own self-doubts as even though he had been in sage mode since appearing from Ame’s primary control room, he had yet to land a significant blow on the Uchiha. Moreover, by the time he had landed across from him on one of the walkways that crisscrossed throughout Ame’s upper levels, the damage he had done via the Rasengan had already healed. However, before his doubts could get the better of him, he forced them back by reminding himself that if he failed to stop the Uchiha it would fall to his lovers to do so. Which while he liked to believe several of his lovers could and would wipe the floor with his opponent, he admitted to himself that he hoped to avoid such an occurrence if only because in his nightmares, where his fears of losing any of the women bound to him,got the better of him, it was generally Sasuke’s face he saw on the being he knew his subconscious constructed as the representation of the forces arrayed against his Family.

As if reading where his mind was at in regards to the threat he posed to those he cared for, in an almost congratulatorily manner, “I understand my recent actions against Iruka and Sakura’s father helped drive the two of you together. You’re welcome by the way.” Naruto’s vision began to turn red as he nearly gave into his desire to cave Sasuke’s face in particularly as he added, “So, tell me, when you’re giving it to her, is it my name she calls out?”

“Only when she’s asleep and I have to stop her from pummeling her pillow,” Naruto replied unable to hold back a smirk as he knew if looks could kill, he’d be nothing but ash on the wind. Which considering how with Uchiha looks could literally kill, he tensed in preparation for any of the multitude of ways Sasuke could end him with his eyes. But for the moment, it appeared that Sasuke didn’t want to overly rely on his Sharingan outside of the advantage it gave him in physical combat as he charged forward and began to swing his sword in the hopes of battering through his defenses.

However, Naruto found that for the moment his skills with his chakra blades were up to the task of parrying the Uchiha’s blade. Calling on all the training he had done with Toka and Mikoto, he began trying to predict where Sasuke was going to strike. Early on, his two lovers had taught him that when facing someone with a Sharingan, one shouldn’t be fighting that person in the moment, but several moments in the future. Toka had explained it as being similar to how a master at shogi wasn’t playing against the move his opponent was about to perform, but often several moves ahead. With Mikoto adding that the reason they had often had him try to stand still and wait to receive her attacks, was to hammer home the fact that when facing someone with the Sharingan being the first one to attack was often the best way to surrender the initiative to the opponent. As the telegraphed first attack would give the Sharingan wielder the chance to begin directing the flow of combat along the path they desired so that by the end one would believe their opponent was reading their mind. Thus, by surrendering the first attack it was actually akin to starting out on equal footing and although the Sharingan would still be telegraphing his moves, it wasn’t an insurmountable challenge. Particularly as just because Sasuke would receive some warning as to where he wanted to strike, it didn’t mean he would be capable of defending against. Not to mention the Sharingan couldn’t tell Sasuke if a strike was a feint or something that he was delivering with his full power behind it. A fact Naruto demonstrated as he brought the chakra blade in his right hand up to block Sasuke’s sword. However, rather than doing so with his full might behind it, he allowed the Uchiha’s blade to push his back.

This caught Sasuke by surprise as he had anticipated the recoil of his block would have allowed him to pull his blade back to block the strike Naruto intended to deliver with the blade in his left hand. Finding his blade out of position, Sasuke had to lean back almost like he was performing the limbo as he also needed to also avoid the extend range of the blade due to the wind natured chakra running through it. As the blade passed just over his face, he used the fact that he had anchored his feet to the ground with chakra to allow him to swing at Naruto’s stomach. Yet, Naruto wasn’t as open as the Uchiha had suspected as the blade in his right hand stopped Sasuke’s attack cold.

Naruto attempted to push Sasuke’s sword out of position using his blade, but the Uchiha cut the chakra to his feet to allow himself to roll away as well in order to create some distance between them. But, Naruto had other plans as Sasuke righted himself to find the Uzumaki right in his face as he had leapt after him. Swinging the chakra blade in his right hand, Naruto forced Sasuke to block it with his sword and put his full power into the blow causing the Uchiha to be sent flying backwards until he smashed into the stone railing of the walkway. Hitting hard enough to crack the stone behind him, Sasuke grunted although to Naruto it sounded more as if his breath had been knocked from him as opposed to actual pain.

Sasuke straightened up as he began walking in a wide arcing path from where he had impacted the stone railing. Naruto frowned as he began matching Sasuke arc in the opposite direction while also noting how despite the way the stone had almost seemed crushed from where the Uchiha had impacted it, he didn’t seem the worse for wear because of it.

His full attention was pulled back to Sasuke as he let out a sigh before stating, “This reunion has been rather disappointing. Here I thought you’d be extremely motivated to come at me with everything you had after all the motivation I provided you. Yet, instead you’ve barely said anything. No cries of moral indignation at my actions or threats to make me pay. Hell, not even promises to bring me in to face Konoha’s justice. I would appreciate it if you could make our final clash something a tad more melodramatic.”

Naruto let out a disappointed sigh of his own as he replied sounding bored, “Truthfully, you just aren’t worth it, Sasuke.” Meeting the Uchiha’s smoldering gaze with one of almost vague disinterest, he continued, “Most of my life I was chasing you having made you my rival. I suppose if I were still inclined to rewrite the history between us. I would say that there was a bond between us because we both understood what a lonely place Konoha could be without those we loved around. But, that would be romanticizing a past that never truly existed. The truth is that if there was a bond between us, it only truly formed after we became members of Team Seven. But, that bond wasn’t enough to stop you from abandoning Team Seven. To stop you from selfishly pursuing your revenge or from turning your back on people that would have sacrificed almost anything for you. Yet now you’re using the ghost of that bond as a tether to try and drag Sakura and me down to your level. But it won’t work. It took me some time to realize it, but I understand now that you succeeded in cutting that bond the day you left me in the Valley of the End. A bond only has meaning if it is reciprocated by both parties, when you defeated me then, you showed me that everyone else would always come second to your own desires.”

“You sanctimonious piece of trash,” Sasuke responded surprised at the anger he felt, “You chased after me for all those years for your own selfish reasons, and now you’re lecturing me about pursuing my own ends.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Naruto replied letting out a smile as his admission caught Sasuke by surprise. “I tried to bring you back to Konoha for my own selfish reasons. Because I did value my bond with you. Because in you, I thought existed a kindred spirit and as one of my first friends you were truly important to me. But, I realized that even if I had succeeded in bringing you back to Konoha, it would have just been me exerting my selfish desire upon you. Some time ago I realized that if that bond was to have any meaning to you, then you had to be the one that wanted to take my outstretched hand. That at some point the bonds you made with us in Team Seven had to be more important then your revenge or anger. Yet, did it cause you to pause at any point as you pursued your own desires. No, it hasn’t and that is ultimately why you aren’t worth chasing after any more. As there are people in my life now that truly reciprocate the feelings I have for them and are willing to sacrifice for me as much as I will sacrifice for them.”

“Then allow me to take them from you, until I capture your full interest…”

Sasuke’s didn’t get to complete his threat as Naruto had expected a response along those lines so intended to silence the Uchiha for good as he suddenly opened the seal on his stomach that held back his Bijuu chakra. Becoming covered in his chakra cloak as a resulted, he managed to disappear from even the Sharingan’s vision for a moment before appearing before Sasuke prepared to remove his head from his shoulders. Primarily through instinct Sasuke was able to parry the blow and leapt back as he activated his Mangeykou Sharingan. But, even with it activated he found that Naruto’s speed made it so that the pre-image that coated him and told him where his opponent would strike was barely projecting from him, and at times almost seemed to be an after image as if his brain was having trouble processing the various information being gathered to tell him where the blond planned to strike.

Naruto found that for the moment his mind was clear as his focus was solely on ending the threat Sasuke’s continued existence posed to his Family. Not to mention all the people who would inevitably be caught up in the Uchiha’s desire to avenge himself on the world. Still, he found it strange with just how at peace he was with the fact that he was currently fighting with the intention to kill Sasuke. After all, when they had last met face to face, although he had also intended to kill the Uchiha it had been with a heavy heart as he felt as if he had failed. Yet, now he wasn’t feeling any strong emotions on the matter, only a sense that Sasuke needed to be stopped and anything less then his best effort would leave him open to failure. Still, he tried to quantify the peace he felt at being able to judge the Uchiha as just another threat to the peace his Family was trying to build, and ultimately felt that it was because as he had stated to the Uchiha, Sasuke had never truly demonstrated that he valued the bond that had existed between them. While it had been easy for Naruto to believe the opposite to be true, primarily due to how Sasuke had saved him on the bridge that now bore his name. In truth, Naruto understood that they had just been the actions of the good person Sasuke had been at the time and believed he would have acted in a similar manner for anyone. Yet, when it had come time to truly put someone else above his desires, the Uchiha had failed that test over and over again. In point of fact, Naruto now felt that even if Sasuke had returned to Konoha after he had defeated Itachi, it wouldn’t have been a sign that they shared some special friendship. Only that with his most pressing desires satisfied, he felt Konoha would have been suitable base of operations to start on his next project of resurrecting his clan.

Naruto wondered where the objective currently fell on the Uchiha’s agenda but figured that it would be best not to consider the matter further. He noticed that Sasuke’s parries of his attacks were becoming less crisp as if he was second guessing himself at times and so wondered if he was having trouble predicting his movements. He imagined that it had been quite a while since the Uchiha had fought without his eyes being able to tell him exactly what his opponent was planning and thus giving him the advantage of being one or two steps ahead of an opponent.

Still, Sasuke showed him that didn’t mean he could take him lightly as the Uchiha blocked one of his strikes, but then used the momentum from the power that he had put behind the blow to allow him to spin away from it. Sasuke dropped into a crouch as he spun away and attempted to literally cut him off at the knees.

Naruto managed to flip over the swing as he tucked into a ball as he attempted to land behind his Sharingan wielding opponent. However, as Sasuke completed his spin, the Uchiha ended up facing the spot that he had intended to land in, and before gravity began to pull him back to the earth, the Uchiha leapt into a summersault kick that ended up catching him in the back sending him back the other direction.

Naruto grunted in pain as he hit the ground but managed to right himself as Sasuke quickly closed with him and forced him to block a strike from his sword by using both of his chakra blades. The Uchiha looked to Naruto as if he was about to offer up another taunt but didn’t get the chance as he smashed his forehead against his. He was surprised by just how solid the Uchiha’s head seemed to be and was glad for Iruka’s forehead protector as he felt that he might have come out the loser of the exchange without it. Still as it was, he recovered from the blow faster and saw an opportunity to disarm Sasuke, in the literal sense, as the Uchiha attempted to clear his vision while holding his blade out in front of him.

Lashing out with a kick, Naruto managed to connect with the hand the still disoriented Sasuke was using to hold his blade. The force of the blow caused the Uchiha’s arm to be pushed out away from him as he attempted to hold onto the sword. Coming out of the spin from his kick, Naruto then charged in as he attempted to strike at the Uchiha’s exposed midsection. For a moment, Naruto saw a slight widening of the Uchiha’s eyes as he brought his chakra blade around to slash him and it dawned on him that he wouldn’t be able to escape. However, rather than fear or even regret a smirk appeared on the Uchiha’s face even as Naruto’s blade slashed along the front of his white shirt.

Instantly aware that his blade wasn’t biting into flesh as it felt as if he was being parried by steel despite Sasuke’s sword still being out of position, Naruto quickly leapt forward into a roll away from the spot his charge would have ended at, narrowly missing having his own torso severed from his body as Sasuke swung his sword almost lazily to retaliate. Coming out of his roll, and quickly facing his opponent, Naruto frowned as he noticed the front of Sasuke’s shirt was slashed horizontally along the belly, yet the skin behind it appeared unmarred.

He frowned as he wondered if Sasuke had managed to put him under a genjutsu but knew that should be impossible due to the mental clone that he had created to occupy the Bijuu beast within him in order to continuously feed him natural energy. Unsure how Sasuke had avoided the fatal injury, he felt a sense of uneasy settle over him as he grew concerned about how it appeared the Uchiha still had a trick or two up his sleeve. He briefly considered going into a full-on Beast Mode chakra cloak but feared doing so might cause Sasuke to active the curse mark that his open and sliced shirt revealed he still possessed. Which, due to how he could feel the natural energy around them seemingly getting absorbed by Sasuke in similar quantities as he was taking it in, made him concerned doing so would only leave much of Ame in ruin. Although, noting how the Purple Zetsu flying about the area cutting loose with Fire Jutsu into the buildings surrounding them, had done an excellent job of trashing the area, he guessed it wouldn’t make much of a difference if they did.

But, recalling the carnage that they had unleashed at the Valley of the End when they had only been genin, he hoped to be able take Sasuke down without it becoming such a pitched battle. But, in order to do that he would first need to make the Uchiha complacent, so created an army of clones from the various types that he was capable of. He noticed Sasuke’s eyes quickly traveling over them, and suspected that although he might not know what they were all capable of. He was aware that he wasn’t facing standard shadow clones. Naruto frowned as the Uchiha’s eyes landed on the clone that he had hoped to have ready for this encounter as it appeared Sasuke was singling it out in particular as being a threat. Aware that he would likely only get one shot at taking the Uchiha out with it, he sent in the Imploding and Exploding clones first as he waited for an opportunity to send in his newest creation.

*******

Yugito dodged beneath the Raikage’s outstretched arm as he attempted to clothesline her while fully encased in a shroud made of his Lightning Chakra. She tried to spin around to deliver a fireball to his back, but his speed carried him into and through the front of a building. She straightened up while remaining in the center of the street that she had landed in after being hit by the Raikage. She tried to pickup any sign of him in the building, but knew it was worthless as he had probably cut his shroud as soon as he had entered it. She thought she saw a shadow dart across an alley between the two buildings currently in front of her but remained where she was as she believed that he was baiting her in order to lure her into one of the buildings where he believed his speed and shroud would give him an advantage. However, while she felt confident that they would still be rather evenly matched in speed even while in a close quarters fight, she didn’t know if she would be able to say the same in an endurance match. Which was exactly what such a fight would likely become.

She blew out a frustrated breath as her gaze switched to another building as she was confident the Raikage was no longer in the one that he had smashed into. As her eyes passed over a building that had several massive holes in it due to the Raikage appearing and disappearing into it as he tried to hit her with an attack while denying her the opportunity to respond, she felt it was unfair how such a large powerfully built man could also be so stealthy. Yet, she did suppose that as a Kage, it made sense he was an expert in all fields of their craft but imagined it had been quite a while since he felt a need to call on them. A thought which did fill her with a sense of pride as it appeared that he didn’t wish to fight her directly.

She stiffened as a sense that she was now being observed by a second set eyes suddenly came over her, and while she tried to keep calm, she did begin to worry that Aizen or Tosen had arrived to support the Raikage. However, a moment later she began to feel a chill around her despite her being coated in her blue flames. She held back the smile that threatened to appear as she cut the flow of chakra that she was receiving from Yoruichi’s Bijuu body still within her.

As the blue flames coating her body faded, Ay’s voice called out from behind her, “Is that the limit to how long you can maintain that form?”

“Hardly,” Yugito responded honestly, “I just figured that you’d keep skulking in the shadows like a coward if I didn’t.”

She admitted to being rather surprised at her insult not receiving an angry retort or making him appear from his hiding spot. But, quickly figured it was because his own statement had been meant to pull her attention to where he had spoken from while he moved to a different spot in order to attack her. She was proved correct as a second later he smashed through the third floor of an entirely different building as he launched himself at her. Yugito stood her ground even as she sensed someone also approaching her from behind, who quickly came to a stop in front of her as the masked woman raised her right hand and a wall of ice appeared before her.

“Haku, I thought you were standing guard over the Salamader Resistance members you and Guren caught,” Yugito said having recognized the chill she had felt had been the woman alerting her of her presence.

“I was relieved by a squad of Ame-nin that Ino had diverted,” Haku answered just before the Raikage smashed his fist into the wall she had created, “She figured that I could be of use here.”

“Ice,” the Raikage said rather surprised upon hitting the wall that the jutsu had withstood the blow that he had delivered although it appeared it wouldn’t survive a second. But what surprised him further was that through the slight shadows he could see of the women on the other side, it appeared one was still touching it. Confused he stated, “How are you still standing interloper? With my shroud active, you should have been fried upon my making contact.”

“This ice is frozen to such a degree that it can resist conducting even the current you tried to push into it,” Haku replied calmly.

“Then I’ll just smash it down with brute force,” Ay shouted as he pulled back his fist to hit it again.

However, before he could a blue fireball shot through the ice wall as if it wasn’t even there. The jutsu hit him in the chest and blew him back as Yugito shouted, “But, my fire is another story.”

Ay hit the ground hard and was thankful that he had his shroud up as he doubted that he would have survived the blast otherwise. Rolling to his feet, he felt a wave of vertigo as he tried to defend himself from the two women now charging him. It proved a particularly difficult challenge due to how the world still was wobbling about. Aware that meeting the women head on would be a mistake until his disorientation settled down, he tried to disengage, but as soon as he leapt backwards the masked woman disappeared entirely from his vision. He didn’t have to wait long to figure out where she went as suddenly his back flared up in pain as Haku having used her speed to get around behind him used the flat of her sword like a paddle to hit him towards Yugito.

Yugito smiled almost cat-like as she suddenly was covered in her blue flame again and leapt to smash her fist into his face. However, due to his still being encased in his lightning shroud, just before her fist made contact she released a concentrated blast of her flame from her fist with sent him flying back towards Haku.

A badly singed Ay fully expected to be bisected in half as Yugito’s attack had brought his shroud down. However, to his surprise he sailed right past the woman to instead slam into building. He landed in someone’s living room as he tried to get back to his feet, however he sensed an attack so tried to raise his arms to block it. He succeeded in a fashion, as he managed to raise his arms, but by that point Haku foot was already connecting with his face.

The Raikage was carried back until he slammed into another wall and slumped to his knees. With blurred vision he tried to focus onto the masked woman, but again she disappeared right before his eyes. She appeared next to his right with her back facing the same wall as his, and then delivered a backhand to his face which crunched his nose and smashed his head back into the drywall. She then pulled the Kubikiribōchō from behind her back and turning cut into the wall. She also would have cut into his neck if not for the half circle indention towards the handle. Then in a strong yet also gentle voice the masked woman coolly stated, “Do not resist any further or I will pull my blade free taking your head along with it.”

Ay considered trying to bring his shroud back up but didn’t doubt the kunoichi would remain true to her word if he so much as sparked. His attention was pulled away from the masked woman, to the hole he had made as Yugito slowly entered. Smiling at the Raikage’s predicament she said, “What a world we live in Lord Raikage. You a Kage who has been abandoned by the men you entered the village with, while I the traitor have allies who will support me to the end.”

“At least you recognize what you are?” Ay spat out angrily.

“Yet what am I a traitor too?” Yugito asked calmly dismissing the insult. “A man who ordered me stolen from my home and family to turn me into a weapon for his usage. A village that while perhaps unaware of your crimes against me, would only supports me so long as I continue to be of service to them. Strangely enough, I view my abandoning Kumo as being a greater service to them then my staying since I will be protecting the peace your shadowy machinations will undoubtedly threaten.”

As Yugito crouched before him, Ay tried to spit in her face. But, it evaporated before reaching her due to the flames coating her body. “Just kill me and be done with it.”

“Kill you?” Yugito replied genuinely surprised, “Why would I do that? If I kill you, then you become a hero and I a villain, which your chosen successor Darui will undoubtedly use to galvanize the people of Kumo into a new round of bloodshed and vengeance. But, alive and defeated, well I’m sure you’ll spin some yarn about why it is that you lost which casts you in the best possible light. Yet the truth will remain, you were beaten. I doubt you’ll be able to cause much trouble as someone that escaped with his life only because of our good graces.”

“What makes you think that will be the story people believe?” Ay asked angrily feeling some of his boldness returning with Yugito’s admission that she didn’t intended to kill him. While he couldn’t dismiss the threat the jinchuriki’s mask friend still posed to his life, he suspected she was of the same opinion as Yugito about what his fate would be. “I’ve talked my way out of far worse situations then losing to a couple of bitches.”

“Perhaps,” Yugito said conceding that was indeed the case considering how even with his agent having been caught red-handed by the Hyuuga while attempting to kidnap Hinata, through bluster and strength of personality he had forced the Hyuuga into giving up Hinata’s uncle instead. Ay smiled smugly at her as if her words were an admission that he would skate free of his actions once again. However, his smile quickly melted as it turned into a grimace of pain as she placed her hand against his chest causing his skin to smoke and char. He screamed in pain as he tried not to roll about due to the blade still holding him in place while Yugito said, “But this mark will show everyone that you were at my mercy and that I was indeed merciful. Let this mark also be a sign of the many sins that you have committed not just against me, but the shinobi world as a whole. Your day is over Lord Raikage. Leaders such as you will no longer be tolerated in the world we are trying to create. In time, it will be your own sins that lead to your downfall, and I want you to contemplate that every time you look in the mirror. I want that to be the thought racing through your mind as more and more of your allies abandon you as they see you for what you truly are, until the day that you are left alone rotting in a cell for all the crimes you have committed in your desire for power.”

“What. I. DID. I. DID. FOR. KUMOGAKURE.” Ay said weakly through clenched teeth.

Pulling her hand away to expose the catlike paw that she had branded his chest with, Yugito stood as Haku removed her sword allowing the Raikage to slump forward. She could see that he was on the verge of blacking out so said, “Then wear my mark proudly and tell all the people, how you were branded while acting in their best interests. Yet something tells me you’ll be investing in a lot more shirts from now on.” Seeing the Raikage was no longer conscious, she said, “Thank you for the assistance Haku.”

Haku removed her mask, before gracing her with a soft smile as she said, “There is no need to thank me. I was merely acting in my own best interest much as our mutual acquaintance would claim. You are precious to me as well.”

Yugito smiled at the reminder of their shared lover, and how he believed that even with his putting his ambition in danger by giving her the gift of freedom from her indentured servitude as a jinchuriki, he was acting selfishly said, “Then I guess I won’t give you two those orgasms that I was planning to.”

Replacing her mask, Haku said, “You didn’t let me finish. Because if you did wish to show some gratitude then far be it for me to stop you.”

Yugito laughed and was tempted to reach into Haku’s Akatsuki robes to give her pus a quick teasing but figured there would be time enough for that later, so bending down to lift the Raikage up stated, “Don’t worry. I’ll properly demonstrate my gratitude and just how precious you are to me as well, later. But, there is one more person that I need to speak with before I can properly say I’ve closed the door on Kumo.”

Haku inclined her head as she said, “I take it this is something that you feel that you must handle alone.”

“Yes,” Yugito stated before adding, “But don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll be in a more talkative mode once Yoruichi is finished with him.

*****

Yoruichi came to a stop on the water near where she saw Killer Bee hit after receiving the punch that she had delivered. She felt a sense of unease as she feared that she perhaps had gone overboard in her retaliation and had knocked him completely unconscious or worse. She was just about to dive into the water to verify Bee’s condition when suddenly the sea beneath her lit up. “Oh shit!” she shouted expecting to be on the receiving side of a Tail Beast Bomb, but instead suddenly found herself inside a familiar temple. Recognizing it because it was the same as the one that was on Turtle Island, except the one that she now found herself in was not old and decrepit instead looking as if it had just been built. “Oh shit,” she repeated far softer and would have almost preferred to have been hit with the jutsu.

“Indeed Matatabi,” a deep voice said from behind her as Gyuki appeared from the darkness surrounding the area as only a lone lantern overhead was casting any light.

Yoruichi considered lying about her identity, but she recognized that the reason her sibling had chosen to confront her in the manner it had, was because only a Bijuu or Jinchuriki could be summoned to the plan of existence where the recreation of the Sage of Six Path’s temple resided. Turning to face her sibling she said cheerfully, “Hey Gyuki long-time no see. You’re looking…”

“Be silent,” Gyuki roared angrily, “What are you and the others playing at? I can feel all of them are nearby. Yet, much like yours, their charka seems different. Is it somehow tied to why you appear human?” When its sibling remained silent, Gyuki stated, “Well?”

“You told me to be silent,” Yoruichi replied calmly causing her sibling to snarl, and tense as if to attack her. Sighing that it seemed Gyuki could still easily be prompted to anger despite being the more cautious half of the partnership it had formed with Bee, she asked, “I can’t feel Bee’s presence here, so I trust it is just us.”

“Yes since your blow knocked him unconscious, but whether it remains that way will depend on your answers.”

“Then I’m going to have to refuse,” Yoruichi replied preparing to cut the connection.

Gyuki snarled before stating, “I’d rethink that if I were you. I’m already aware that you somehow escaped from Yugito without killing her. I can give that information to Bee. I’m sure the Raikage would be most interested in knowing that.”

“Probably,” Yoruichi admitted with a shrug, “But the question is how he would use that information?”

“What do you mean?”

Yoruichi didn’t hide the fact that she felt in control of the situation confident that at the very least she’d manage to convince Gyuki to keep quiet about what it had come to realize as a result of her slip up. Approaching her fellow Bijuu in a relaxed manner she began to circle around it as she explained, “I would think the answer to your question is self-explanatory. Upon your telling the Raikage that it is possible to set you free. Do you think the Raikage would do so, or would he keep you locked up forever?” A contemplative look appeared on Gyuki’s face, which quickly became a blank mask which told her all that she needed to know about what her sibling suspected would be the case.

As she moved behind the Bijuu, it shifted to face her before stating, “I suspect you already have an opinion in regard to what the answer is.”

“More than an opinion,” Yoruichi answered before explaining, “After all, his, Bee’s, and your presence here is all because he refuses to allow that which he believes to be his to escape his control. Even if on the off chance the Raikage would set you free because he felt it would double the power that he could wield. Do you believe it would be without a means to control you? What good would being free of Bee be, if all you ended up doing was exchanging one Prison for another.”

“What of your own situation them,” Gyuki replied challengingly, “Do you expect me to believe that you were freed without the person behind it gaining something? Who is holding your leash and forcing you to defend this village?”

“I’m here of my own free while,” Yoruichi replied with a content smile appearing, “All our siblings are. Our reasons may differ from one another. For example, our Four Tailed sibling likely was just looking for a chance to cut loose. But, we are here because we choose to be. The one who freed us understands that we would be powerful assets in his ambition. Yet, he has given us the right to chose to aid him or not.”

“I see,” Gyuki replied before seemingly retreating within itself before stating, “Then since it is a he, and Kurama would seem to be aiding him, but much like yourself and Yugito not as a part of him, should I consider him to be the mastermind behind your freedom and her defection. I’m sure that would be information the Raikage would be quite interested in.”

The eight-tailed Bijuu felt a sense of satisfaction at seeing its sibling realize she had overplayed her hand. It began to feel in charge of the conversation again at least until Yoruichi’s chakra flared at which point she menacingly stated, “Don’t become my enemy, Gyuki. I will end you and Bee if you chose to become a threat to him.”

Gyuki was surprised by Matatabi’s response. Moreover, by how her words didn’t come off so much as a threat, but as a promise. Furthermore, much to Gyuki’s shock, for the first time in a long time, it did feel threatened by one of its lesser tailed siblings so wondered if that was also a result of the change Matatabi had undergone in order to achieve her freedom. Not sure how Naruto had achieved such loyalty from its sibling, it quickly realized that it was likely many of its fellow Bijuu would feel equally as protective of the Blond Uzumaki. Aware that it might be starting a war that not only it, but Kumo as a whole would likely lose, Gyuki stated, “Very well Matatabi. You have my word that I will keep your secret.”

“Excellent,” Yoruichi replied as her good cheer suddenly returned while her chakra disappeared, “Since we got that out of the way. How would you like to be free like the rest of us?”

“And what would I need to do in order to attain my freedom?”

“Just ask,” Yoruichi said with a sense of amusement as she could sense her siblings distrust at the offer. “I don’t think it is something that we could grant you today. But, if you truly desire to be set free, I know he will support you. I imagine that Bee even would.”

Gyuki frowned since although it had obviously desired to escape in the past, that desire had faded since becoming partners with Bee. However, it would admit that those feelings could return depending on who its future partner was, since it didn’t know how it felt about permanently being Kumogakure’s weapon. Moreover, it found it didn’t exactly want to be separated from Killer Bee having grown extremely attached to him. Although, recently it would admit it felt their partnership had suffered due to the woman Aisha being exiled to Turtle Island along with Bee after the debacle that had happened at the Whirling Tides manor. Particularly, as ever since her having been sent to the island as punishment, it had become apparent to Gyuki that the once one-sided infatuation that Bee had for the aspiring singer was no longer one sided. Naturally it had felt extremely frustrated at this as Gyuki had not wanted to surrender Bee to the woman but had felt as if it couldn’t compete considering the reality of the situation. Yet seeing Matatabi had adapted a human form upon i release and remembering how Kurama had a feminine timber in her voice when they had last communicated. The Bijuu began to wonder at the possibilities, but as was often the case where opportunity arouse so to did the fear of trying.

Yoruichi was somewhat surprised that Gyuki hadn’t jumped at the offer that she had presented, but as the silence stretched on stated, “Well think it over, and if you decide this is something you want then give me a shout. We’ll meet here. One last thing, the name is Yoruichi Shihoin now. If you try reaching out to me and keep calling me, Matatabi. I’m going to ignore you.”

“Very well,” Gyuki replied as it was about to cut the connection while finding the temptation and fear it was currently feeling was about equal. After cutting the connection it found itself looking up at Yoruichi from beneath the sea, who promptly disappeared as she rushed back to the city of Ame. Gyuki also began heading in the same direction, although at a far more leisurely pace, since it knew its partner would head there immediately upon regain consciousness.

*****

“I don’t mean to rush you, but if you don’t bring that barrier down, we’re dead,” Shikamaru said feeling a cold sweat breaking out over his body as by his estimate about they only had half of their original time remaining before Fury would erupt.

Yet, despite the pressure he and everyone else was feeling, the redhead drawing symbols on the floor in front of the barrier didn’t appear concerned in the least as she calmly replied, “Patience is a virtue.”

“Not right now it isn’t,” Shikamaru quickly retorted.

Rather infuriating to the Nara, Mito actually chuckled as she said, “You’re getting far too stressed over this matter. After all, should I fail to bring this barrier down, we are probably not even going to realize it before we are turned to cinder. I’d pity the people on the outskirts of the city who will likely feel that they have all the time in the world to ponder the fate that is about to befall them.”

Shikamaru grunted in annoyance as he walked away wondering if it was something deeply ingrained in the Uzumaki DNA that caused them to be so troublesome. He pulled a cigarette from his pouch pocket, but before he could light it, Fuyou took it from him and brought it to her lips. He was about to send her an annoyed glance but stopped as he could see that she appeared to be as nervous as he was. Pulling his lighter, he lit it for her, and let out a small chuckle as she coughed a little after taking a drag making it apparent that she hadn’t tried smoking before.

Doing the same for himself, he took a heavy pull before letting it out as he approached Ino, where he asked, “What is the status out there?”

“Tsume and Kiba have completed their mission. They are bringing Mubi here. Also, Naruko has managed to get Konan to the medical center,” Ino stated. “Tsunade is still busy healing Kukaku, but from what Naruko has been told from the Ame-nin attending to her, it doesn’t appear Konan’s injuries are life-threatening.” She could see her statement caused some of the tension to bleed from the nearby Ame-nin, but obviously not all that much considering their current predicament. “Kushina and Mikoto have managed to calm Sage down. She isn’t too sure what caused her to freak out but believes that we might not have a complete picture of what the White Zetsu truly are. She thinks she saw its memories from… I don’t know…a previous life perhaps.”

“That doesn’t make any sense,” Shikamaru stated confused, “I thought they were clones.”

“That’s what Furofuki claimed anyway,” Ino replied, “Maybe we should try to capture some to interrogate. Unfortunately, Kushina and Mikoto already wiped out the ones that were at the courtyard.”

“What about Kakashi?” Shikamaru asked finding merit in Ino’s suggestion, “If we’re right then he should be where Tobi appears next. He’ll probably have more Zetsu with him.”

“I wouldn’t count on him responding anytime soon,” Ino replied, “I don’t think he wants us interfering with his reunion. I’ve tried contacting him several times but haven’t gotten a response.”

“That isn’t like him,” Shikamaru replied worriedly, “Are you sure that he hasn’t already been incapacitated.”

“He’s there,” Ino said, “He’s just not picking up. But, I can’t say I blame him considering what we suspect about Tobi.”

Shikamaru could see Fuyou’s interest spiking in their topic of conversation so he quickly changed the subject, “Have Mikoto and Kushina move to engage Sasuke. We’re going to need Naruto free.” He then directed the last portion towards Mito as he added, “Provided the barrier is actually brought down.”

“So impatient,” Mito replied sounding amused which caused Shikamaru to grumble to himself and to wonder how Naruto could stand being around so many troublesome women.

******

Nel was terrified as she watched Naruto from behind some rubble as he battled against a Uchiha that she suspected was the Sasuke whose name kept getting mentioned. Laying eyes on him herself, she could understand why whenever he was mentioned it was with equal parts anger and fear. Her eyes drifted to Naruto, and although normally the sight of the blond would calm her, as she believed everything would be okay so long as he was around. This time she wasn’t buoyed by his presence as she could see from the tension in his body, just how serious he was taking his opponent. An opponent that if she was judging the fight based on the general condition of their clothes, she would believe the Uchiha was losing as the loose white shirt that he was fighting in had almost been completely sliced from his body. Yet, from what she could see, them didn’t appear to be a single cut or blemish on the Uchiha’s torso. While Naruto on the other hand only had a few shallow slices primarily located on his chest, but she could see those cuts had drawn blood.

However, it did appear as if the tide of the battle was turning decidedly in Naruto’s favor as he had switched from using his chakra blades to a pair of fighting sticks. She smiled softly as she recalled the Uchiha had mocked Naruto for the change, but after they had exchanged a fury of blows that ended with the Uzumaki delivering a serious of shots to Sasuke’s side, she could see he wasn’t as dismissive of his choice in weapons any longer. Particularly as the Uchiha realized that while he may have been using some kind of hardening jutsu to prevent Naruto’s blades from digging into his flesh. The Uzumaki’s fighting sticks, especially when he was pumping his wind chakra into them hit with the force of a tetsubo. A weapon that was highly effective against armor as it was designed to crush what lay behind it.

A truism that Sasuke demonstrated as Naruto charged in, and after a flurry of swings where each used their weapons to defend against the others. Naruto managed to batter Sasuke’s blade out of his grasp with one of his fighting sticks, and then sent the blade flying with the other. As the Uchiha’s sword landed near the pile of rubble she was hiding behind, Naruto then began slamming his sticks into his opponent’s chest and stomach like he was beating on a drum at a festival. He finished up with a spinning kick that caught Sasuke in his just tenderized chest causing the Uchiha to sail back until he slammed into the guard railing of the walkway.

Before Naruto could capitalize several Purple Zetsu flew overhead and began spitting fireballs at him. The Uzumaki managed to dodge them before creating a Rasenshuriken that he tossed after them. The jutsu caught one in the back before expanding into what looked almost like a miniature hurricane that had engulfed the other two Zetsu. Keeping his focus on Sasuke while his jutsu finished shredding the creatures that resembled the man standing before him, Naruto commented, “That’s rather cheap don’t you think.”

Sasuke coughed up some blood before wiping it away as he spat, “Says that bastard that can’t go two minutes without creating clones to send against me.”

“Speaking of which,” Naruto retorted before creating another wave of various clones to send towards his opponent.

Sasuke growled in annoyance as he activated the seals on the underside of his wrist and began throwing the shuriken that appeared. Targeting the most dangerous of them, primarily the exploding and imploding clones he shouted, “Don’t you get it loser. I can see which one is which.”

Naruto remained silent as his clones were dispersed with many of the more dangerous ones often claiming the standard shadow clones that surrounded them. When those clones had been cleared out, Sasuke charged a group of K clones that tried to protect the Wind Clone that had been advancing behind the wave of the apparently more dangerous clones. He easily dispatched the clones guarding it, before ducking beneath a punch the Wind Clone tried to deliver. Sasuke then stepped into the clone’s guard, where he delivered a punch to its throat that crushed its wind pipe.

Sasuke kicked it back to Naruto where the clone fell before him and burst into a gust of wind that didn’t do much more than ruffle the sage cloak the Uzumaki was wearing. Glaring at Naruto, the Uchiha asked, “What are you up to?”

Naruto shrugged before replying, “Who can say. Maybe I’m just waiting for you to stop messing around while making you think I’ve got some trump card stashed away.”

Sasuke’s gaze darkened before his body began to morph as tube like growths appeared on his back, while large blades appeared from his forearms. “Have it your way. Its about time for me to finish this anyway.”

Chakra began expelling from Sasuke’s back as he propelled himself towards his foe. Once the Uchiha was in range, he swung both blades at the same time as he tried to decapitate Naruto but was blocked as the Uzumaki raised his fighting sticks. However, Sasuke formed boosters on the back of his legs, and kicking upwards caught Naruto in the chin. Launching his opponent into the air, Sasuke launched himself after him as he intended to cut him in half while he couldn’t dodge.

Naruto shook the cobwebs from his head and angled his body to focus on Sasuke who leapt into the air after him. “It’s over,” Sasuke shouted, but just before the Uchiha reached him, he tossed one of his fighting sticks and caught his opponent in the forehead. The force of the blow cause Sasuke’s head to rock back, which also changed the angle of his torso causing him to fly off course.

Reaching into his pouch, Naruto pulled out a tri-prong kunai while he also rotated to face upward. He succeeded just as Sasuke collided with him but managed to use his fighting stick and kunai to deflect the blades protruding from the Uchiha’s arm. Still, he ended up nearly losing consciousness as Sasuke’s decent carried them both down and smashed him into the concrete walkway.

“How’s this for taking you seriously,” Sasuke taunted as he prepared to pull one of his blades back to bury into the stunned Naruto’s chest.

“Better,” Naruto replied before kicking Sasuke in the chest with both feet, in order to knock the Uchiha back and to role to a standing position. However, just as he got his feet beneath him, he was sent flying as a chakra propelled Sasuke flew into him and kicked him in the side.

Naruto bounced off the concrete, before burying his kunai into the ground in order to act as a brake. Coming to a stop, he created a handful of clones that charged the quickly closing Uchiha. Sasuke easily cut through two of the imploding clones while allowing his chakra boosters to carry him past them as their gravity wells consumed the rest of the clones. He glared as Naruto charged towards him with what appeared to be just another Wind Clone running beside him as they both came at him while apparently building a big ball Rasengan behind them.

Spinning in the air, Sasuke backhanded the clone away causing the Rasengan to sail off with it, before spinning to bury the blade attached to the other arm into Naruto’s chest. He smiled triumphantly as he said, “I’ll give my regards to Sakura for you.”

However, rather than fear or anger, a smile of his own appeared on Naruto’s face as he burst into smoke only to reappear on the blade a second later. The Wind Clone that Naruto had switched with quickly replied, “I’d tell you to give my regards to Iruka, but you aren’t going to where he did.”

The clone then slammed the Rasengan it still carried and had actually been generated by Naruto into its own stomach, where it mixed with the Wind Chakra that made it up and much as Naruto had been able to create a super Rasengan with his father when he had traveled to the past due to their chakras being similar. The two chakras mixed creating an aftereffect that was similar to the Rasenshuriken which engulfed Sasuke as he cried, “You bastard! This isn’t over!”

Naruto tried to watch as his jutsu’s many attacks severed Sasuke’s very cells but found it impossible due to the dust it kicked up. However, as it died down, he was surprised to find that instead of the corpse he expected to see, it was almost as if Sasuke had turned been into a metal statue. He frowned as the stationary Uchiha appeared to be screaming futilely to the heavens but couldn’t quite tell if his last-ditch effort to ward off his trump card had protected him. He was about to reach out using his Sage senses, when suddenly he heard, “You did it Naruto. You even used Nel’s super-secret attack.”

As the diminutive Bijuu closed with him from behind the rubble where she had been hiding, he was about to reply that technically it was his secret attack, although she had helped inspire it. However, before he could all his senses screamed at him that the threat wasn’t over, particularly the hairs on his arms as they began to rise. Turning back towards Sasuke, he saw the metal coating his body began to arch with electricity. He quickly dashed towards Nel and picked her up just as the metal around Sasuke ruptured sending a large plum of electricity skyward. The shock of the blast carried Naruto off of his feet, so he teleported to the kunai he had used earlier and had left buried in the ground.

He grunted in pain as a burning sensation shot through his back, but he focused on Nel as he asked, “Are you okay?”

Nel nodded, but then noticed one of Sasuke’s arm blades sticking out from Naruto side, “You’re hurt.”

“This is no…” Naruto tried to say in order to reassure the Bijuu. But they were both sent sailing as an almost skeletal Sasuke appeared behind him kicked the Uzumaki in his wounded side.

Naruto cried out in pain as he angled his back to the ground and when he hit caused the blade to push further into him. Coming to rest on the pile of rubble that Nel had been hiding behind earlier, he tried to shove the Bijuu away from him shouting, “Get out of here, Nel!”

“No, I won’t leave you.” Nel shouted as it began to rain as a result of the many fires the Purple Zetsu had set and Sasuke’s electrical blast.

“Do it,” he said as he pushed her away just before Sasuke stabbed him in the shoulders with the blades protruding from his forearms.

As Sasuke straightened, he left the blades behind buried in the rubble and Naruto as he said, “You bastard, you nearly ruined everything for me again. I should just leave you here so you can contemplate on the magnitude of your failure as the city is consumed by Fury. But, you’re like a cockroach so I’m going to make sure to squash you here and now. But feel honored, the only other person I’ve used this jutsu on was Itachi.”

Holding his hand above him, a new blade appeared from his forearm. Staring up into the storming sky, Naruto watched as a giant Kirin like shape of lightning formed in the sky which began racing down towards him as Sasuke slashed downward. He was about teleport away to the kunai since in the moment he believed that he could still Hirashin, but just before he attempted to do so, Nel came up from behind the rubble as she leapt above him.

“No!” he shouted as she intercepted the lightning jutsu.

Naruto was forced to look away as the flash of the jutsu hitting the Bijuu blinded him. He felt a red-hot fury erupt within him which he was about to let loose as the clone partition in his mind controlling the fox’s body within him used his rage to pump his Bijuu chakra into his veins. He began to blink the dots and tears from his eyes as he prepared to murder Sasuke in all the most horrible ways he could imagine while red chakra began to boil up from his skin. However, his thoughts of revenge came to a screeching halt as a calm and collected voice that was familiar, but not in the context he was used to hearing it, said from in front of him, “Sasuke Uchiha, surrender or else I will have you answer for all the pain you’ve caused Naruto.”

Naruto couldn’t believe his eyes, as standing before him was what he could only suspect was an adult version of Nel. Her hair had grown out, as it appeared from beneath the skull like helmet that she wore which now fit her perfectly. Moreover, the overly large green dress that she normally wore now hugged her impressive frame as it hem reached down to about mid-thigh. She kept her eyes locked on Sasuke as she held the blade that the Uchiha had been wielding at the start of the battle and which Naruto had stripped him of as she said, “You have received the only warning that I intend to give.”

Sasuke hardly seemed impressed as he said, “Do your worst.”

Nel sighed sadly as she said, “Have it your way.” Before launching herself at the Uchiha.

Author’s Note: Hello everyone, I am sorry for the how long it took to get this new chapter out. With the Summer and just other distractions, it proved harder than normal to dedicate the time necessary to write the chapter. I do hope that it proved to be worth the wait, and that you’ll forgive me for leaving it on another cliffhanger. But, there is just a lot that I want to do with this current arc as you can see, and don’t want to rush through it.

Due to my splitting the chapter, I will not be releasing the next chapter of Antithesis since it would spoil a few things left to be shown. But, I’ll probably release it along with the next chapter of Eroninja, or maybe a day or two after. Also, I do plan to begin posting on Fanfiction again, although that will probably be after I finish the current arc. I will probably release it slowly for the new readers, but also use it as an opportunity to proofread the old chapters before reposting them. When I first wrote this story, I had often ended up proofreading them during the step after uploading but before publishing. As such, when the Purge hit, I ended up losing a lot of the improvements. But, FicWad will still be the primary home, so I’ll release it here first and then add it there after a few weeks have passed.

Also, as you may have guessed this chapter teases the release of Gyuki. I had someone in mind for her human form, but honestly I’m of two minds in that regard so if you have any suggestions please let me know. I’ll take the best ones, or those that I don’t have plans for and create a poll on the new Fanfiction.net account I create. The reason I’m going to create a poll there is because it has more options. By this I mean that as you can probably guess there is still a possibility the Gyuki might not end up with Naruto, so it would be prudent to suggest a character you don’t mind seeing with another character. But, since I’m of two minds about it at the moment, what I’ll do is create a poll where you can choose multiple choices. Granted, I might just see people using both to pick a choice for Naruto, but the results will depend on the path I chose for the Bijuu so it would be prudent to use the votes wisely.

In any case, I will announce the new account on Deviantart when the poll goes live. As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you to those that take the time to review, and until next time. Take Care! Sincerely, The Lemon Sage.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!