The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series, All Previous Chapters [In Chronological Reading Order]:
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns, Chapter 10;
Rapidly jumping through the treetops, the squadron that A and Onoki had sent out from the headquarter to assist the rest, suddenly noticed someone approaching them from behind.
Darui: ?!
Konohamaru: Halt!
Gai: Behind us... Is it the enemy??
Baki: That shouldn't be possible, there are none left?...
Shee: It's them...
Akatsuchi: Squadron 4!
Ao: Huff! We finally caught up with you guys...
Darui: Good, then we're all here so let's move out, the cave should be just up ahead according to the coordinates.
Ao: Right.
As the whole backup-team finally had come together, they then moved on to the cave as they slowly approached the entrance.
Konohamaru: Right, we're here... Let's head down and find the others!
Gai: Konohamaru, hang on a minute!!
Rushing ahead of the rest, Konohamaru had already run a distance down the entrance and disappeared into the long corridor ahead of them.
Gai: Shit...
Darui: Right, let's move in as well.
Being in the position of not having too much of a choice, the rest quickly followed as they too disappeared into the entrance.
[...]
Sakura: You're right about that Hinata, and I'm sure they'll be fine...
Kankuro: But this is taking too long, Gaara-Sama, he might be in trouble, is there really still noth-...
Sakura: !!
Shino: Someone's approaching...
Temari: The backup is here already??
Killerbee: That sure was fast... Like a blast from the past.
Shikamaru: Konohamaru...
Konohamaru: *Pant* Hehe, what, did you guys think it was the enemy?
Jiraiya: Are you alone?? Is this all the backup they sent??
Konohamaru: No, don't be ridicules, the others are rig-...
But before he could finish his sentence, the rest quickly followed as a small discussion broke out between them all on how to deal with the situation, the latest reports, and of course- Killerbee's swift victory.
Killerbee: ... He was no match for me, the bee! He went down like a fly and fought like a cow. Too slow, too slow... He'd be bett...
Meanwhile, while Killerbee continued to brag about his easy victory, Shikamaru had gone over to the barrier and sat down beside it, as he was studying the sand which had gathered up at the floor around it.
Shikamaru: How is it possible...
Temari: Did you say something?
Shikamaru: It's... I don't understand...
Joining him from the rest, Temari went over to him as she too sat herself down beside the barrier.
Temari: That's...
Shikamaru: Gaara's sand... How is the wind able to carry it through the barrier? I mean, isn't this barrier suppose to keep anything out, even things that are not breathing?
Temari: ?! Now that you mention it, that is weird.
Gai: Well in that case!
Shikamaru: ?!
Eavesdropping on their conversation, Gai and Rock Lee had heard them talking as they too came up to the barrier. From behind them, Sakura slowly followed.
Sakura: What are you going to do?
Gai: If Gaara's sand is able to get through the barrier, then maybe it's weakening or something... maybe, we'll be able to break through it!
Shikamaru: I don't thi-...
Rock Lee: Really Gai-Sensei?!
Gai: I believe so Lee!
Giving him the Nice-Guy-Pose, Lee's spirit fired up as Gai prepared an attack.
Rock Lee: Are you going to...?
Gai: We don't know unless we try!
Temari: I agree with Shikamaru, I don't thi-...
Gai: Dynamic Entry!
Unable to stop Gai's spirit, Temari and Shikamaru clutched their faces as Gai went for it, smashing into the barrier at full force.
Rock Lee: Oh?! It's working??
Gai: Uhaa!!
Shikamaru: ...
As he crashed into the barrier, the barrier lit up as fire formed around Gai's foot. Due to this, Lee began believing that it was working as he too readied himself.
Rock Lee: Well I can't let you beat me to it!
Sakura: Lee, I don't think-...
Rock Lee: Dynamic Entry!
Sakura: I-...
Temari: Just don't bother, let them try for themselves...
At the moment Lee smashed into the barrier, a mighty shockwave was flinged at them, sending both of them flying on their backs.
Rock Lee/Gai: Ugh!
Shikamaru: I told you it wasn't going to work...
Rock Lee: But how? What about Gaara's sand, how is it able to-...?
Shikamaru: It might have something to do with the fact that the sand blowing through this barrier, is not infused with chakra. It's just ordinary sand... left-overs from one of Gaara's attacks...
Gai: What does this mean??
Temari: That no attack, that isn't stronger or equally strong as Naruto's previous attack, will take down this barrier, as long as it's infused with chakra or otherwise energy based.
Shikamaru: Right...
At the confirmation of this, both Gai and Lee hung their heads in disappointment as they went over to the rest of the group standing in the middle of the room, still discussing matters.
Temari: Haha, what are we going to do with those two...
Shikamaru: At least they are keeping the spirit up.
Temari: Yeah, I suppose so.
As they were talking, even more people approached them.
Jiraiya: Anything new?
Shikamaru: No, we're not able to... No, not at the moment...
Jiraiya: I see.
Hinata: I don't like all this waiting around... What if something has happened?
Kurotsuchi: You shouldn't worry too much, Killerbee did alright too, and we all know how Naruto always manages to pull it through. Seeing Gaara's sand here should not be a case to worry about either, rather the opposite. And Sasuke... it's not like he's going to die twice... Right?
Jiraiya: You're right! We'll just have to believe in them, no matter what!
[...]
Hiruzen: Oh this is crap... Why did Jiraiya get to go with the rest?? I thought we were a team, I hate just standing guard around here, doing nothing.
Mito: I don't normally agree with you, but this time you're right! Yamato-Sensei, this sucks!
Yamato: Easy now, both of you. Standing guard here watching the prisoner, is equally as important as chasing down Kabuto. The reason you two are here with me and not with Jiraiya, is because Jiraiya is a Jonin. And since I'm in charge here, they brought along two Chunins as well, just to be safe. We can't risk anything now.
Hiruzen: But, but, it's not fair... we want to help too!
Mito: He's right we could he-...
Yamato: But you are helping! You need to appreciate that you two were picked for this duty with me, and not just stationed around the headquarter. This work is also important, and you can't always go battling all the time.
Hiruzen: Humph! I'm still calling this bullsh*t...
Yamato: What am I going to do with you two, huh?
At the prison-cell, that Yamato had set up beside the headquarter with his wood element, Yamato, Mito and Hiruzen were standing guard over Akashi. Even though he was under a binding seal before, the alliance would not risk taking any chances, as both Hiruzen and Mito were bothering Yamato with their complains. It was then, that someone suddenly approached them.
Yamato: Now hush both of you, someone's coming.
Hiruzen: I could not care less, humph!
Mito: Hiruzen, be quiet!
Kakashi: Hey you guys!
Yamato: Kakashi-Sempai?! What are you doing here? I thought you were heading out with the rest... with Konohamaru and Gai?
Kakashi: Nah, I... Well never mind that now... How's things going here?
Hiruzen: It's going fine... Nothing of interest is happening really, nothing that matters anyways.
Yamato: Hiruzen!
Hiruzen: What?! It's the truth!
Kakashi: Haha, it's okay... At least you're being honest. Reminds me a bit about myself when I was young... By the way Yamato, how is my brot-... how is-... Akashi...
Yamato: He's doing fine. My wood element is keeping him at bay for now. But it should not be too tight.
Yamato had set up about three cells, as Akashi was locked up in the one furthest down the block, with Wood tighten around his hands, preventing him from preforming any techniques.
Kakashi: Has he said anything yet?
Yamato: No... he's-... Well he hasn't said anything, nor done anything really.
Kakashi: I see...
Yamato: Why?
Kakashi: It's nothing... Just that I felt that I had to check on you guys, just to be safe.
Yamato: Are you not going to talk to him? I mean, he's right down the-...
Kakashi: No... Some other time perhaps, when things are under control. Because right now, I don't really have anything to say to him...
Akashi: ...
Lost in his own mind thinking about everything that had gone down, Akashi was seated on the ground, as some torches were lightning up the place with the morning sun rising above the hill in the distance. Noticing Kakashi's presence, Akashi lifted his head up as he looked outside his cell and spotted the four of them talking up ahead, before he then turned his head back into his cell and disappeared into his own thoughts again.
[...]
Ryu: You just don't quit, do you?? Even if you're being outmatched by my water!
Gaara: *Pant* Heh, you need to learn what the term "outmatched" means boy!
Ryu: Hahaha, just look at yourself! How can you even begin to think that you'll be able to defeat me now, in this state? You are strong... I'll give you that, but as long as I have the superior element, I'll always defeat you, no matter what...
Gaara: *Pant* You still have much to learn... Winning a battle isn't always about having the right element, but about using your will and brain to overcome your enemy...
Ryu: Oh shut up already! You're probably like the weakest kage ever! I've played around enough with you now, so time I finished this fight before it goes on for too long.
Gaara: For once, I agree... This fight really has gone on for too long...
Ryu: What did you say?!
Gaara was standing ten or so yards away from Ryu, as Ryu still had the upper-hand in the ongoing battle. Gaara's sand was all wet as Ryu was preparing himself to finish the fight with a final attack. But suddenly, and out of the blue, Gaara's sand began reforming again as he lifted himself up into the air.
Ryu: You shouldn't be able to manipulate your sand like this?! Not when it's all wet and heavy??
Gaara: Like I said... you should not be underestimating me!
Four gigantic sand spheres formed around him as they all shot at Ryu at rapid speed. Ryu jumped back to gain some distance as he quickly formed some hand-seals to counter Gaara's attack. The four spheres merged into each other as a massive pile of sand raced straight for Ryu.
Ryu: Suiton: Suidan no jutsu (Water Style: Water Bullet Technique)!
The two attacks crashed hard with each other as the sand and the water were going back and forth between them.
Ryu: Impossible?! My water should break your sand down already!!
Gaara: You said it yourself, this sand is infused with water, making it harder and more compact.
Ryu: In that case, it should be slower too! From the unbroken stream of water, another bullet shot out of it towards the right and steered around Gaara's sand, aiming to hit him from the rear. As it was just about to hit him dead on, more sand shot up from the ground as Gaara managed to block the incoming attack with ease.
Gaara: Not fast enough... My turn!
Ryu: ?!
Trying to hold his ground, Ryu got pushed backwards as his feet slowly got dragged along the ground. Gaara's sand got closer and closer as Ryu suddenly realized that he had to come up with a plan, and that fast.
Ryu: Ugh!
Canceling his attack and dodging Gaara's just in time, Ryu jumped to his right and landed safely on his feet again. But before he managed to get control over the situation, the ground under him began collapsing as his feet started to sink down into it...
Ryu: What is this?!
Gaara: Using all those consecutive water attacks to break down my sand has caused the ground to get all wet, muddy and unstable, meaning that your advantage has turned into a disadvantage. In other words, you've unintentionally created an environment where quicksand thrives...
Ryu: Bullsh*t! No sand can stop me!
In an attempt to get out of the muddy sand, Ryu shot out even more water bullets, trying to push himself up in the air, but in doing so, he was dragged even further down into the ground.
Ryu: Damn it!
Gaara: It's futile... This is what you get for using your attacks irrationally and without thinking through your surroundings first... This battle is over...
Ryu got more and more furious hearing what Gaara said as he was covered to his waist in wet, muddy sand.
Gaara: Clay Style: Sandcastle technique!
The wet, muddy sand suddenly started changing as it slowly turned into clay and rapidly began to cover Ryu's whole body in it.
Ryu: You-... have another element?!
Gaara: This is no ordinary element... You focused too much on my sand and your own water, to realize that I have more than one form of attack. I also have some elements on my own beside my ability to control sand... Just that i didn't go all out in using them right away...
Ryu: Wha-...
Gaara: My first element was wind, my second earth... And in the past few years, I've discovered that I also have a faint affinity for water. Though I must admit, I never was that great at using those elements to their full potential, however, even the faintest ability to use a certain element is often the key to win a battle...
Ryu: Ugh-... So that's how you're still able to control your sand, even if it's soaking wet with my water techniques? Because you're able to control the water inside it as well??
Gaara: Combining my earth and water element and infusing them into my sand, I've managed to create clay... The key is to not play all your best cards right away. My final lesson to you...
Ryu: Wait... Uahhhhhhh!
As Gaara's attack came to an completion, the only thing that stood left was a gigantic sandcastle made out of clay.
Gaara: Sabaku Taisõ (Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral)!
The whole castle imploded in a matter of seconds, as a large pond of blood splattered in all directions. As the clay slowly settled, it revealed Ryu lying lifelessly on the ground.
Gaara: *Pant* It's over...
Gaara slowly stood up on his feet again as he went over to Ryu to check on him. As he got there, he bent down on his right knee, as he laid two fingers on his neck.
Gaara: ...
He then rose to his feet again as he stared out into the air and in the direction of the barrier in front of him, where Naruto and Sasuke had passed through earlier.
Gaara: The barrier is still standing... Shouldn't it have crumbled now that Ryu was defeated?
Before Gaara managed to think through things thoroughly, he noticed footsteps approaching from behind as he turned around, only to find Killerbee and the rest racing towards him.
Gaara: So you managed to overcome your foe as well I see...
Killerbee: Hell to the yes, without any mess!
Temari/Kankuro (In Unison): Gaara!
Running over to him and hugging him as hard as they could, the two of them were glad to see Gaara still standing without too much sign of damage. As the rest of the backup arrived, a brief conversation broke out between them and Shikamaru started explaining what had previously happened, and what they believed to be the key in breaking each layer of barriers down.
Gaara: I see... So instead of the barrier up ahead crumbling when I defeated Ryu, the barrier between me and Killerbee crumbled instead... meaning, the only way to bring down the next barrier is if Naruto and Sasuke defeat whatever foe they are facing off against up ahead?
Shikamaru: Exactly...
Gaara: Hmm...
Shikamaru: So all we can do now is to put our fate in them and wait... How troublesome...
Letting out a big sigh, Shikamaru then sat down as the rest began discussion what had recently happened and what to possibly come.
[...]
Yamato: Yeah I understand, with all the things that have happened, this must have hit you pretty hard Kakashi...
Kakashi: I'm alright, although the whole situation is still a bit absurd, I mean, I just don't understand how everything has gone down, how he was part of the Anbu Root for so many years without anyone noticing, not even the third...
Hiruzen: So he really is your brother huh? Are you really sure about that??
Kakashi: Yeah...
Mito: I see...
Yamato: Why don't you ask him out then? I mean, he wasn't himself under the binding-curse seal of Kabuto, so he might have a thing or two to say...
Kakashi: I said, I don't want to talk to him... at least not right now...
Clearly getting a bit upset, Kakashi walked a couple of yards away from the rest to clear his mind. As he did, Hiruzen snuck away as he slowly went up to the prison cell where Akashi was kept.
Hiruzen (Whispers): Hey... Hey you...
Akashi: ...
Hiruzen (Whispers): Yes you...
Slowly lifting his head up, he then turned and looked Hiruzen straight into his eyes.
Akashi: What... do you want...
Yamato: Huff... Kakashi-Sempai seem to take it really hard... No wonder, I can't even begin to wrap my head around how his situation and feelings are right now...
Mito: Poor Kakashi... He looks so sad...
Yamato: Hmmm... I know what will make him happier! Mito, Hiruzen, we'll-... Hiruzen??
Turning around, only to find Hiruzen not standing there, Yamato noticed that Hiruzen was standing over at Akashi's prison cell as he quickly ran over to him.
Hiruzen: Really... That mu-...
Yamato: Hiruzen! What on earth are you doing?!
Hiruzen: I... I...
Yamato: Get away from the prisoner right now.
Hiruzen: Alright, alright, we were just talking. At least I have the dignity to do so. It's not like he's under the binding seal anymore, *humph.*
Yamato: Sometimes you're just impossible to deal with, *sigh.*
Mito: You should listen to your sensei more often you know...
Kakashi: Hey, hey, calm down. No reason to make a fuzz out of it all...
Hearing the three of them arguing from afar, Kakashi finally gathered some courage as he too went over to the rest.
Kakashi: So what were you planning Hiruzen?
Hiruzen: Planning? I...
Yamato: Now?
Hiruzen: I was just going to talk some to him... Not like it's going to do any harm.
Kakashi: Hmm...
Yamato: *Sigh*
Akashi: You guys really are a close group aren't you? Never seen such affection to care and worry about others... Not in a long time at least...
Yamato: So what do you remember?
Akashi: Before or after Kabuto put a binding seal on me??...
Hiruzen: Both?
Mito: *Giggle*
Kakashi: *Sigh* How do you feel?
Akashi: So you do want to talk after all...
Yamato: Hey, don't take that tone!
Akashi: What tone?
Kakashi: Relax... Both of you...
Akashi: ... I thought you said you didn't want to talk at this point... Well, right now I feel pretty hollow.
Yamato: Hollow?
Kakashi: What do you mean?
Akashi: Hard to explain, like some major part of me is missing... Like my body was possessed.... Like my personality... my soul... was split in half. My previous life... It feels so distant, so unfamiliar...
Yamato: ...
Kakashi: What really happened to you?... Brother...
Akashi: *Sigh* It's a long story...
Mito: We got time...
Hiruzen: Yeah, we do!
Yamato: I don't see why not...
Kakashi: ...
Akashi: It began long ago... I don't know everything, but Kabuto told me a lot... A lot about Danzo, Orochimaru and my family...
Kakashi: Go on...
The fire from the torches burnt well in the background as Akashi began explaining.
*Flashback Begins*
'In a dark room, lit by some torches, a man woke up after falling unconscious.
"Where... am I?..."
Kabuto: Relax, I'm not going to hurt you... yet, *Smirk.*
"Who are-..."
Kabuto: My name is Kabuto... You must be Akashi, right?
Akashi: Kabuto?! Not the... Yakushi Kabuto?? I... What happened, where am I?
Kabuto: I know a lot about you...
Akashi: Would you just please tell me what the he*k I'm doing here?! Last thing I remember was... Nobunaga, Ryu?! It can't be...
Clearly getting uneased by being restrained in a place he had no idea where was, and not being able to think clearly, Akashi tried to break free form the chains that were wrapped around his arms, restraining him to a stone table. He was laying there with his arms and legs locked up as Kabuto had removed his shirt.
Kabuto: You were one of Danzo's most promising Anbu Root members, the son of the famous White Fang of Konoha, and the brother of the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi... Orochimaru Sama's first successful Senju DNA test subject.
Akashi: What?? What are you talking about?! I don't understand... I know nothing of what you are telling me! Last thing I remember was that I was with Nobunaga and Ryu at the Anbu Root headquarter, when suddenly the binding seals on our tongues disappeared. Danzo-Sama... What happened?
Kabuto: Oh you don't need to worry yourself about that now... All I can say is that Danzo was killed in battle with Uchiha Sasuke.
Akashi: What?!? But Danzo-Sama was suppose to attend the kage meeting as the active 6th Hokage?! It can't be?! He also had two of his most trusted Anbu Root members with him?!
Kabuto: What can I say... All you need to know now is that there's a war approaching... But you won't take part in it... At least not at this stage... I have something special planned for you, *Smirk.*
Akashi: Hang on a minute! Ryu and Nobunaga... They knocked me out?! I remember now!
Kabuto: Yes... They brought you before me... But like I said, we have other things to worry about now.
Akashi: But why?! The moment I get out of here, I will-...
Kabuto: You will what? You're in no position to make threats... The moment you get out of here, you will be working for me.
Akashi: ?!
Kabuto: That's right, *Smirk.*
Akashi: Why have you brought me here?
Kabuto: Geez, you are asking too many questions...
Akashi: And you are not giving me enough answers! You mentioned Hatake Kakashi... I know him... He was part of the Anbu before and I've come across him on a few occasions... And the White Fang of Konoha... You said they were suppose to be my brother and father??! What nonsense! I asked Danzo-Sama about my family once, and he told me they were long dead... I had no family... The Anbu Root was and still is my only family, you bastard!
Kabuto: Oh my, oh my... so confused, such anger. Looks like you really are left in the dark... You know what, since you clearly have no idea of your own history, let me tell you a few things I know, to enlighten you up a bit... It's not like I'm in a rush to start the test procedure anyway...
Akashi: Test procedure?!?!
Kabuto: Like I said... You are special... But more on that later. For you to fully grasp the story, I will have to begin from the beginning. This is what I know from Orochimaru- and Danzo-Sama respectively... It began that night...
[...]
Danzo: You know what to do...
?: Right!
?: We will not fail you, Danzo-Sama!
A few moments later, the two shinobi had stopped in the forest in the outskirt of Konoha.
?: Okay, this is what we'll do, and pay attention, Kazuya...
Kazuya: I know alright, you don't have to tell me, Nobunaga! If you ask me, this mission is insane... I don't understand why Danzo-Sama want us to-...
Nobunaga: Do not question Danzo-Sama's will! Now let's get on with this... Here, take this...
Handing him a small piece of black clothing, Nobunaga then continued to explain.
Nobunaga: Use this to cover your face, we can't let anyone know our identity, yet along that we're Konoha Shinobi. If anyone recognizes us, we're screwed... This mission is top secret so we must act accordingly.
Kazuya: I know alright...
The two of them then put the masks on as Nobunaga proceeded.
Nobunaga: Okay, this is what we'll do.
Nobunaga picked up a stick as he began drawing outlines on the ground.
Nobunaga: First we'll wait for the opportune moment to strike. The White Fang and his wife should be in room 29 B... The best entry point would be through the window, using the element of surprise to snatch the newborns. According to Danzo's Intel, Sakumo's wife just gave birth a couple of hours ago and she should be resting in the bed with her babies now... We need to time this perfectly as there is no way we can succeed if the White Fang is in the room with her...
Kazuya: Right...
Nobunaga: Once we have the newborns in our possession, we'll retreat back here where we have the escape traps set, in case we are followed. After that, we will report to Danzo through the old secret underground, where no one can spot us. We must act carefully and we must make sure not to fail.
Kazuya: I understand... Shall we?
Nobunaga: Wait a minute! I almost forgot...
Kazuya: What?
Nobunaga: This...
Pointing at his arm, Kazuya discovered that his headband was still on him as he quickly removed it and tucked it inside his vest.
Nobunaga: Whatever you do, do not lose your headband, now let's go...
Kazuya: Right.
* 10 Minutes Later *
Nobunaga: We're here... Now don't make a move until I give the signal.
Kazuya: ...
The two of them slowly snuck up to the window as Nobunaga looked inside, and as he expected, Sakumo's wife and their newborns were there.
Nobunaga: Shit...
Kazuya: What?
Nobunaga: He's there with her... We will need to wait him out or create a distraction.
Kazuya: Do we have the time or resources for that?
Nobunaga: Wait... He's leaving the room...
Peeking in again, Nobunaga noticed Sakumo leaving, as he readied himself.
Kazuya: Now's our chance!
Nobunaga: Wait!
Not willing to let the chance slip away, Kazuya went bursting through the window, but before he managed to set his attention on the babies, he was met with Sakumo's face, standing right in front of him as he froze in shock.
Sakumo: ... Who are you and what is your purpose?!
Kazuya: I...
Sakumo: ?!
But before he managed to address the situation, Nobunaga jumped in too as he managed to snatch one of the babies from his wife's grasp.
Kashia: Sakumo, the baby!
Sakumo: Shit! Futo-...
Kashia: Not in here, you will hit the baby if you perform that jutsu!
Nobunaga: Let's go, now!
Kazuya: Right!
Nobunaga jumped out the window with the newborn in his arms as Kazuya quickly followed. As he was about halfway out of the window however, he felt a pain in his back as he fell out of the window and landed on his stomach.
Nobunaga: Hurry!
Kazuya: Fu*k!
Sakumo then appeared right above him as he was just about to strike at him.
Sakumo: Wind Style: Piercing Hurricane Strike!
White sharp wind in the form of a tornado appeared around his arm, as he was about to punch it straight through Kazuya's back. Just as he was about to hit him however, Kazuya managed to roll himself out of the way as he fell down from the roof and landed on the ground, as Sakumo smashed his arm into the roof.
Kazuya: Ugh!...
Sakumo: Shit!
Kashia: The baby!
Sakumo: !!
Changing his focus at Nobunaga, Sakumo then leaped off as he started to chase him down.
Nobunaga: He's fast?!
Just as he was about to reach him, he suddenly saw Kazuya approaching from the rear with a kunai as he dodge just in time. He then landed on the roof-top again, as he watched the two of them hurrying away.
Sakumo: You are not getting away from me!
Nobunaga: Shit, are you alright?
Kazuya: Ugh, yeah I'll manage... Damn it, he managed to hit me with a shuriken from behind... It's just a scratch though...
Nobunaga: Then let's hurry the he*k up, before he catches on to us!
The two of them raced through the roof-tops as Sakumo slowly gained in on them.
Kazuya: You only managed to snatch one of them?! The mission clearly stated th-...
Nobunaga: Fu*k that now! We should be happy to get away from there alive! If you're so desperate to get the other one as well, then you go back...
Kazuya: No chance in hell! Danzo will have to settle with one of them... And here I thought you were the one to say that this mission meant everything, and that it was mission critical to get both babies...
The two of them had leaped down from the last roof at the end of the village as they began to run into the woods.
Nobunaga: Almost there!
Kazuya: Shit!
Nobunaga: What?!
Kazuya: I need to go back, I lost my headband!
Nobunaga: I told you not to lose it at all cost! We can't go back now, just leave it be.
Nobunaga then halted as Kazuya landed beside him.
Nobunaga: Okay, do it.
Kazuya: Right!
Sakumo: Not so fast!
Appearing in front of them, Sakumo stared intensely at them as he fired up another jutsu.
Nobunaga: You're too late!
Kazuya: The world will remember this day as the day the White Fang of Konoha got outsmarted! Later!
Sakumo charged in at them and was just about to hit Kazuya dead on when a large cloud of smoke appeared out of nowhere, forcing him to cover his eyes.
Sakumo: What?!
As the smoke cleared, the two shinobi were gone.
Sakumo: No way?!
Sakumo then fell to his knees is despair as he clutched the headband he had in his hand.
Sakumo: Who were those two?? Konoha shinobi?!
Taking a closer look at the headband he had recovered, Sakumo then quickly rose to his feet again as he leaped off.
Sakumo: I... must warn the 3rd! That's the only thing I can do now...
He raced through the forest at quick pace as the village came into the view again. He ran down the street at rapid speed as he got closer and closer to the Hokage mansion. Just as he was about to reach the gate, he stumbled upon a familiar face.
?: Sakumo, why in such a hurry?
Sakumo: No time to explain Kagami-Sensei, I need to see the 3rd... I need to see Hiruzen now, something terrible has happened!!!
Kagami: Right.
Not halting even for his own sensei, Sakumo ran up the stairs as Kagami quickly followed.
[...]
*Flashback temporary Stops*
Kakashi: ?!
Yamato: What is it??
Akashi: ...
Kakashi: This is the same as... The story my father once told me...
Thinking back to his first fight with Akashi, Kakashi reminisced back to that day once more.
*Flashback Within Flashback Begins*
'Sakumo: Kakashi, come here for a sec...
Kakashi: What is it dad?
Sakumo: I'm going on a mission of great importance. I might not return...
Kakashi: ...
Sakumo: But I want you to know about something... One thing that might become important one day.
Kakashi: What, dad?
Sakumo: The day when you were born, somebody attacked your mom when she was in the hospital. I was just outside in the hall when I heard the screams...
He paused for a sec, lifting his right hand to cover his face, before he removed it, and continued...
Sakumo: I rushed in as I saw two masked shinobies just about to leave the window with a baby; your twin brother...
Kakashi: Brother?!
Sakumo: They broke in through the window and snatched your brother. I chased them all night, but they got away. I never forgave myself for that.
Kakashi: ...
Sakumo: Your mom was so frighten... She didn't lose her eyes of you for a second that night, holding you in her arms as she cried. I was too busy chasing them down, that I forgot to call for backup. By the time I called the 3rd Hokage, it was too late. We never found your brother.
Kakashi: But... What... Why haven't you said this to me before and why now?
Sakumo: You were too young to understand... And I believe you deserved to know now. I still haven't given up hope that he might be alive, but I fear that I might not live long enough to see that moment. Ever since your mom died, I've lost more and more faith that I will live to see that moment... If he's still alive.
Kakashi: Why do you talk like this? You're scaring me dad...
Sakumo: Oh no need to be scared my boy... Even if I don't get a chance to see your brother, you might one day...'
*Flashback Within Flashback Ends*
Kakashi: Now I understand what he meant back then... Although his side of the story differs a bit from what you just told us...
Akashi: Hmm...
Hiruzen: So what happens next?
[...]
*Flashback Continues*
Sakumo: Hokage-Sama!
Hiruzen: Sakumo?? What are you doing here, I thought you were at the hospital with your wi-...
Sakumo: It's just that! Two unknown shinobi attacked us and kidnapped one of our newborn sons!
Hiruzen: What are you saying?!
Sakumo: I tried to chase them down, but in the end they managed to get away... All I was able to recover was this... Hokage-Sama, please help!
Stretching the headband out to Hiruzen, Sakumo then fell to his knees begging Hiruzen to do whatever he could to assist.
Hiruzen: Konoha?! Tsunade, gather the most skilled and available shinobi you can find and start a search right away! Jiraiya, you will go with Sakumo to the hospital to strengthen the security there. Sakumo, we will do whatever we can to come to the bottom of this, I promise you.
From behind Hiruzen, you could see Jiraiya and Tsunade standing, whom then immediately took off together with Sakumo. Hiruzen then turned to his right where Homura and Koharu ... stood.
Hiruzen: We need to get to the bottom of this... Call in Danzo for a meeting, and put the village on high alert.
Koharu/Homura: Right.
Kagami: I can't believe someone had the nerve to attack our village like that, yet along a Konoha shinobi... Just who could it be?? A missing-nin?
[...]
Nobunaga: Thank god we made it...
Kazuya: Yeah, I could have died back there! Danzo better be pleased.
Nobunaga: I still have a feeling he will get mad though for us only managing to grab one of the babies...
Kazuya: Hey don't look at me, you're the one who only managed to grab one of them.
Nobunaga: What?! Don't you get me started-...!
Danzo: Problems?
Nobunaga/Kazuya: Danzo-Sama!
Having reached their destined point, Nobunaga and Kazuya had proceeded to go through the underground tunnel as they had stopped about halfway through it to meet up with Danzo.
Kazuya: Everything went accor-...
Nobunaga: We failed you, Danzo-Sama!
Kazuya: ?!
Nobunaga: We only managed to get away with one of the infants...
Danzo: ...
Handing the infant over to him, Nobunaga then threw himself to the ground in front of him, begging forgiveness, as Kazuya quickly did the same.
Danzo: I see... Well then, one is better than none I suppose... Come.
Danzo then turned around with the infant in hand as he proceeded to walk in the direction he came from. Nobunaga and Kazuya quickly followed as they went with him. As they were getting further and further through the tunnel, Kazuya suddenly felt an intense pain in his back as he fell to his knees.
Nobunaga: ?!
Kazuya: Ugh... Danzo-Sama... Why?
Falling over on his stomach, Kazuya's life slowly faded from his eyes as Danzo pulled out a kunai from his back. Nobunaga froze in shock as he was unable to understand what just happened.
Danzo: Relax...
Nobunaga: Why?
Danzo: For trying to hide the fact that the mission didn't go as planned. Trust is everything in Root... Besides, I did notice that he has lost his headband, which put the mission in danger by itself... This will serve as an example, so do not fail me next time.
Nobunaga: Yes Danzo-Sama, I won't fail you next time!
Danzo: Good...
Nobunaga: So how did you notice that Kazuya lost his headband??
Danzo: That's not important. I want you to give me a full report on how the mission went.
Nobunaga: Right.
As the two of them entered through a door and into a room in front of them, Nobunaga went on explaining what had happened.
Danzo: Hmm... Things might get ugly unless we act fast... We will use Kazuya's body as a decoy to cover this up. Hiruzen will probably call in a meeting and I will tell him that we recovered Kazuya's dead body at the border of the Fire Country... Now dismiss.
Nobunaga: Roger!
Nobunaga quickly took off as Danzo proceeded on his path with the infant in hand.
[...]
Danzo: Still occupied in your experiments... Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: So you've come... Did you manage to get your hands on-...
Danzo: Only one of them...
Orochimaru: How unfortunate...
Danzo: ...
Orochimaru: Well it can't be helped now... One should suffice anyway.
Danzo then handed the infant over to Orochimaru, as Orochimaru continued.
Orochimaru: If this is successful, we might test it out on older subjects, as we discussed.
Danzo: How long will it take before you get a result?
Orochimaru: Hours... Days... Maybe even weeks or months. This is my first child to test Hashirama's cell on, but he has strong genes... He's the son of the White Fang after all. If things play out well, he might even be able to use Mokton...
Danzo: ... Hope you were right about this child's genes being strong, as we went through a lot of trouble getting our hands on him...
Orochimaru: This is a delicate matter, so in order for it to be successful, we could not afford to test it on an ordinary child... Yet.
Danzo: Well then, I expect good results from you.
Orochimaru: I have a feeling you will not be disappointed...
Orochimaru then turned his back on Danzo as he continued to walk further into his lab with the baby in hand. Danzo sent off a cold smile as he too went on with his own tasks.
?: Danzo-Sama!
But before he was able to get back to the Root division, an Anbu appeared before him.
Danzo: What is it??
Anbu: The 3rd has called you in for a meeting... You should come at once.
Danzo: Very well...
* Some moments later *
Danzo: You called, Hiruzen...
Hiruzen: We're on a village high alert; someone has infiltrated us and kidnapped the newborn son of Sakumo and his wife. Sakumo managed to recover a Konoha Headband from one of the kidnappers before they got away...
Danzo: I know...
Homura/Koharu/Hiruzen/Kagami (In Unison): What?!
Danzo: The Anbu Root has discovered the body of a traitor in the outskirts of Konoha. He's been on the run for some time since he went rogue and stole top secret information from the Root headquarter some days ago. We couldn't catch him then, but some Root members who were on to him, found him just now. With him, they found a heavily damaged letter, but they managed to recover its Intel. Handing the letter over to Hiruzen, Hiruzen then proceeded to read it out loud.
Hiruzen: "As you're reading this letter, you already should know that you've done well. The information you helped us recover before was of great asset towards pulling this operation off. To see you still standing after encountering the White Fang himself is a feat to be recognized with great values. You will find your payment at the location described below, and it's hid in a chest in the old tree trunk. You will hear from us again if your services will be needed in the future, but until then, you are on your own."
Danzo: The body was found partially blown to pieces by the old Tree of Life in the north east direction of Konoha, towards the Lightning Country.
Koharu: !!
Homura: You don't think the Cloud village is behind this, do you?
Danzo: It is hard to say really... I only regret we couldn't have found and caught him earlier; then we could have avoided this from ever happening.
Kagami: So one of your Anbu Root members went rogue, stole top secret information and handed them over to a yet unknown group. He then kidnapped one of the newborn sons of Sakumo, together with an accomplice, got away, then supposedly received a letter from that man whom then took the baby with him. He then arrived to the place where the payment was suppose to be, and got blown to pieces? I find it hard to make sense really...
Danzo: What are you implying?
Kagami: You're holding back something...
Danzo: What?!
Hiruzen: Hey, calm down both of you. The last thing we need is for the two of you to start arguing. We need to get this situation under control and start investigating this further.
Danzo: Right.
Kagami: *Humph,* I suppose you're right.
[...]
* A few months later *
" ... I knew you would come eventually, *Smirk.* "
Danzo: So? How is the progress going, Orochimaru...
Orochimaru: You always were an impatient guy, Danzo-Sama... But since you ask, the operation has been completed and it was a... success. His body is adapting to Senju DNA quite naturally I must say, and so far, he's still alive... You can have the kid back now, he's the son of Sakumo Hatake after all, and I guess you can still find some use in him. Besides, there might still be some side effects that can kick in later, so it's better to be sure.
Danzo: You want Root to have the kid, are you serious? It's a risk having him around, we should depose of him.
Orochimaru: You mean having him killed? *Smirk* I would normally agree to that, even if it's still a child, but due to we needing follow-up testing, it would be wise to let him live for now.
Danzo: If anyone finds out, if Sakumo Finds-...
Orochimaru: No one will find out... You're the expert of keeping secrets in the dark after all.
Orochimaru then handed the child over to Danzo as he continued.
Orochimaru: Though, we will have to give it some time before we start to do some real testing, especially testing it on an adult like yourself...
Danzo: No, we will do this now, waiting any longer wi-...
Orochimaru: If you want to risk dying, then be my guest...
Danzo: !!
Orochimaru: Like I said, there might still be some side-effects that doesn't occur until later... and we still don't know how an adult will react to the Senju DNA... I thought I already told you this? We should wait and let time do its bidding.
Danzo: That is unfortunate... But if you insist.
[...]
* Three and a half year later *
Danzo: Is it really necessary with all these babies? I mean, sixty is a bit much... People will start getting suspicious and act on a high alert...
Orochimaru: A necessary risk to make... The possibilities we have now... If it's a success, you will have a whole new clan of Mokton users in your capable hand. Something which should even be enough to overthrow Hiruzen, *Smirk.* But on the other hand, these are just ordinary babies, so it's not a guarantee that it will work. Akashi seems to be developing just fine though...
Danzo: So are you ready to do the operation on me?
Orochimaru: I thought I already told you... Even if it worked in the long term with Akashi, we need to do some more testing... testing on ordinary people first. He was special, and that might be the reason it worked and that he's still alive...
Danzo: Damn it Orochimaru, why are you stalling?! This needs to be done and it needs to be done now! If you won't help me, I will find someone who will. You know I can shut down your operation whenever I want.
Orochimaru: ...Are you threatening me??
Danzo: !!...
Orochimaru: If you are so passionate about it... Then let's move on with it.
Danzo: Good.
* Some hours Later *
Orochimaru (In Thoughts): "That good for nothing brat! He dares threaten me?? He knows that he's too deep into this to pull back now... If Hiruzen found out, we'd both be-... Well it doesn't matter now, whether he survives and will be able to adapt to the Senju DNA or not... I'll soon be beyond both him and Hiruzen's prime anyway."
Walking into a dark room, Orochimaru then proceeded over to some prisoners he had captivated as he stroke his hand down the cheek of one of them, whom desperately tried to get free.
Orochimaru (In Thoughts): "If I'll be able to develop this particular Kinjutsu (Forbidden Technique) of mine, I'll live on forever, and I'll be able to learn all the techniques in the world, *Smirk.*"
[...]
* Two and a half year later *
In what appeared to be a sparring hall in a dark place lit up by torches, some young Anbu Root shinobi were training as a senior Root member was supervising them. They couldn't be older than five to seven years old, but one of them showed off some fascinating abilities and a promising talent like few before.
?: Danzo-Sama, may I talk to you?
Danzo: What is it?
Going over some papers and having a drink of sake, Danzo was stationed on a ledge with view over the sparring hall as a Root member approached him.
Anbu Root Member: It's about Akashi.
Danzo: What about him?
Anbu Root Member: He can't be older than six or so, right? Yet he's showing off some incredible skills. I don't think I've seen anything like it before. What's his background, where does he come from? I tried looking through the archives, but I couldn't find any information on him.
Danzo: It's because there is no information on him.
Anbu Root Member: What do you mean?
Danzo: Look, you're meddling in business you have no need to be concerning yourself about. Let's leave it at that. Though keep an eye on him just in case, and report to me if you have something new to share.
Anbu Root Member: Yes sir!
Taking off in a hurry, without getting the answers he was seeking, the senior Root member then went back to the training ground as he was over-watching Akashi and some other kid.
Anbu Root Member: Okay, you may continue.
Anbu Root Member (In Thought): "Strange... Where does this kid come from?"
Back up on the ledge, Danzo took another sip of his Sake, as he laid down the papers he had in hand and looked down on the training ground.
Danzo (In Thought): "The thing that is special about this kid is that he's the son of Sakumo Hatake... So it is to be expected. It will be best if only Orochimaru and I have the access to that information... Though I still haven't seen any result of the Senju DNA implantation in this kid yet..."
[...]
*Flashback temporary stops*
Akashi: What Danzo didn't seem to know though, and which he mistook for being my good genes, was that like Kabuto told me, I had something else, something that other people didn't seem to have. The ability to copy other techniques...
Kakashi: The Mirror Element...
[...]
*Flashback Continues, but now seven years later*
Anbu Root Member: Hey wait, you can't just rush off like that, you need to ask permission to see Danzo-Sama!
Akashi: I don't care, I want answers!
Barging through the door to Danzo's office, Akashi went right up to him as he slammed his hand down into his table.
Danzo: You seem upset.
Taking his eyes away from the documents in his hand, Danzo then shifted his attention towards Akashi whom started to spill his questions out, demanding answers.
Akashi: I've waited long enough, now I want answer! Every time I've asked about who I really am, where I belong and if I have a family and where I really come from, you always avoid answering. It's time you-...
Danzo: You're in no place to demand things here kid, watch your tone!
Danzo then smacked him across the face as Akashi fell on his back.
Akashi: Ugh!
Danzo: Anbu Root is your home, your family, where you belong! Your previous family is long dead! You were found abandoned as an infant in the outskirt of Konoha, next to two dead bodies... In Root, you have no name, you have no feelings... It's time you understood that. Now take him away, and don't let this happen again.
Anbu Root Member: Right away!
Dragging Akashi with him, he then quickly closed the door behind him as they left.
Danzo (In Thought): "That kid is getting troublesome..."
Anbu Root Member: What were you thinking barging off like that?! You could have gotten yourself in real trouble and got severely punished!
Akashi: I...
Anbu Root Member: Sigh... Sometimes, I just don't know what to do with you. Now I'll drop you off at your room, so you can cool your head off.
[...]
Danzo: Do you know why I have summoned you??
Nobunaga: No...
Danzo: It's about the kid.
Nobunaga: The son of-...
Danzo: Yes...
Nobunaga: He's making trouble?
Danzo: Only you, Orochimaru and myself, know the real truth of his identity, something that came into danger when Orochimaru fled the village some years ago...
Nobunaga: The secret is safe with me, and you know it.
Danzo: Right, but that is not why I summoned you. We were just lucky when Sakumo started to sniff around... If it hadn't been for that mission going terribly wrong and him ending up committing suicide, we might have had to "take care off" him...
Nobunaga: Yeah, that was what I advised you to do back then. It might have been for the better that we never had to pull that card.
Danzo: But the kid is starting to push his luck, asking around for answers... I've decided to appoint you his new leader to overlook things, making sure his little taste for knowledge cools down... If not, I might have to do something about it, which would be a waste really. You think you can handle things from here?
Nobunaga: Roger, you can put your trust in me.
[...]
Kabuto: And that... is the truth about your life, your identity, your real family. Being someone who's been without an identity for a very long time, I can easily relate to you.
Akashi: It can't be... Nobunaga was... I don't believe you, you're lying!
Kabuto: Whether you choose to believe me or not is not important... What matters now is your genes and your unequaled potential! Orochimaru-Sama thought you would be a good choice to test Hashirama's cell on, and did he indeed choose right! Not only was it a success, meaning you have Mokton element hidden inside yourself, but you are also able to adapt to... adjustments... *Smirk.*
Akashi: ...
Kabuto: But there is more! You probably have felt that even with your low chakra reserves, you still had the ability to learn a lot of techniques fast?
Akashi: How did you know I had low-...
Kabuto: Guess it runs in the family, *Smirk.* Anyways, I have a theory of my own about you, something that Orochimaru- and Danzo-Sama seem to have missed out on...
Akashi: What do you mean?
Kabuto: The bloodline limit, the Mirror Element...
Akashi: Mirror Element?!
Kabuto: It is pretty strange really, as there are no documentation revealing that Sakumo or Kakashi... even your mother and grandparents for that matter, having the Mirror Element. A bloodline limit often runs in the family after all... My research tell me though that the Mirror Element is one of the few bloodline limits not to be bound by family, that it haven't been seen or heard of in over 100 years, and that it is a special technique which only appear in times of crisis... in other words, in time of war...
Akashi: In any case, how would you know??
Kabuto: *Smirk* I don't see the need to reveal all of my secrets to you... Either way, if my theory is right, then no wonder why you were able to adapt to Hashirama's cells so easily! Not just because your father was a strong shinobi... And if so, you will have no problems adapting to my... adjustments... The curse mark seal already seems to be adapting itself quite naturally...
Akashi: Curse mark?! What do you-...
Kabuto: Let me show you...
Akashi: Ugh!... This pain is?!
Kabuto: That's right... That mark on your neck is my doing, *Smirk.* But this is much more than an ordinary curse mark which Orochimaru-Sama developed. This curse mark is much more advanced, being infused with a binding seal.
Akashi: Binding Seal??!
Kabuto: The only reason you are able to talk freely now is because I let you do so...
Akashi: ?!
Kabuto: But I'm not done yet... I still want to try out some more things... Hmm... Oh yes, your eyes...
Akashi: What?!
Kabuto: You won't need those... ordinary eyes anymore...
Akashi: What are you talking about, what are you going to do to me?!
Kabuto: Relax... I promise you that you won't feel a thing, *Smirk.*'
*Flashback Ends*
Kakashi: !!
Yamato: So that's how it went down... I still can't believe all of this to be true... Danzo-Sama... Was he really going behind the 3rd's back like that??
Kakashi: If this is the truth, then Danzo's name will forever be cast a dark light on... He was one of the village's heroes... To reveal such a truth would make a great impact on everything he and the village stands and stood for... He may have had his own ideals, but this...
Hiruzen: I can't help feeling bad for you...
Mito: ...
As Akashi had finally been able to tell his story, Kakashi and Yamato were still trying to wrap their heads around it, when suddenly, a heavy wind began to blow as the torches lighting up the area all went out.
Yamato: What's happening??
Kakashi: This chakra!! Kabuto?!
Some couple of yards away from them, a man suddenly appeared from the shadows, as it was none other than Kabuto himself!
Yamato: What is he doing here?!
Kakashi: Another clone...
Kabuto: *Smirk* Kehehe, well spotted Kakashi... But I'm afraid it won't be too much of a comfort... You see, even if I don't need Akashi anymore, I can't just let him run back to you guys and reveal years of my work and plans. And because of that!
Kabuto then performed some quick hand-seals as a coffin appeared in front of him.
Kakashi: Another coffin?!
Before being able to analyze the situation properly, the coffin blasted open as a powerful wind blew straight for them.
Kakashi: Wind Style??
Yamato: Watch out!
Unable to react, Yamato was blown away as the prison blocks he had set up were all smashed to pieces.
Hiruzen: Mito!
Kakashi: Don't expose yourself!
The attack came so fast and was in such a wide range that Mito was trapped in the line of fire. Just as she was about to get hit dead on, Hiruzen managed to use his speed as he jumped in and pushed her away, putting himself in harm's way.
Kakashi: Shit!
Kabuto: Too late!
Kakashi (In Thoughts): 'Damn it, I won't make it in time! If I only had my sharingan now, I could have used Kamui!'
*Clash*
Kakashi/Hiruzen/Kabuto/Mito/Yamato: !!
To all of their surprise, Akashi had managed to get back up on his feet after his prison being smashed to pieces, as he jumped in and took the blow straight on, pushing Hiruzen out of the way and at the same time destroying the wooden restrains on his feet.
Akashi: Ugh!
Kabuto: So you choose to side with them then... As expected. I guess a rat choose to side with the cat when fighting a dog... You are no longer under my binding after all.
Kakashi: Akashi!
Crashing to the ground a couple of yards away, Kakashi, Hiruzen and Mito rushed over to check on him as he slowly got back on his feet.
Akashi: I'm alright, this is nothing.
Hiruzen: Who is that guy and what powerful Wind Style!
Yamato: You guys, look around you!
Yamato screamed out at them as he too had managed to recover after being hit by the Wind Style attack earlier.
Kakashi: Shit! I didn't notice...
Akashi: This is...
Kabuto: *Smirk* I can't let you get away now, can I?
As they looked around, they noticed that in the chaos of the attack, Kabuto had put up a barrier, trapping them all inside it. Yamato however, had been blown away before Kabuto managed to put it up as he was standing on the outside of it.
Akashi: Kakashi, you need to remove these from my arms... I won't be able to fight with them on...
Hiruzen: Are you going to fight with us?!
Akashi: Hey kid, why would I not?! Did you think I just came up with a lie earlier??
Kakashi: We just have to trust you then... Yamato, remove his restrain!
Yamato: Kakashi-Sempai, are you really going to trust him?! This might have been Kabuto's plan all along!
Kakashi: Yamato, there is no time to argue, remove them!
Yamato: I can't! The barrier is preventing me from removing it!
Kakashi: Since when did you need to be in direct contact with your own wooden creation to cancel them?!
Yamato: I don't know! It must be because of the barrier!
Kakashi: Geez, can't be helped then I suppose... Mito, Hiruzen, step back! Raikiri!
Kakashi then raised his right arm up in the air as he smashed through Yamato's wooden restrains, freeing Akashi in the progress.
Akashi: Thanks, now let's get on with this!
Kabuto: Haha, don't make me laugh, what makes you think you two can overcome this foe? But then again, I guess this battle got even more interesting now, *Smirk.* Although I'm not sure how much of a fight you can put up without your sharingan and with only one eye, Kakashi...
Kakashi: Hiruzen, Mito, stand back... this foe seems powerful, so I can't risk you two getting hurt. Me and Akashi will take care of this...
Hiruzen: Nonsense! We can take care of ourselves! Besides, you are not in the same condition as you used to be, and you two will need all the help you can get!
Kakashi: You will act as backup... Do not interfere unless we tell you to...
Mito: But Kakashi Sensei!
Akashi: You heard the man... Now stay back...
Kakashi: Yamato! You need to call in backup! Notify the headquarter right away!
Yamato: I'll get to it!
Yamato started backing out from them as he turned around and leaped off at full speed.
Yamato (In Thoughts): "This is bad... This is really bad!"
Kabuto: So you've already laid a plan then... Guess we should get this battle going.
As he said, Kabuto's clone then suddenly disappeared as the man inside the coffin slowly stepped out in the light.
Kakashi: !!
Akashi: ...
Kakashi: There's no way-...
Before them stood none other than Hatake Sakumo himself!
Sakumo: So fate has brought us together once more Kakashi, my son... And this must be...
Akashi: ?!
[...]
Onoki: Any news to share?
Inoichi: No... Wait... It seems... Ino.
A: Hmm...??
Inoichi: Gaara has apparently won his battle as well, and the reinforcement has caught up with the rest... They've progressed further into the cave now, but there are still more barriers standing, blocking their path. Shikamaru has devised a theory on how Kabuto has planned out his scheme. It seems like Sasuke might be in the next area battling, while Naruto is battling Kabuto himself.
Onoki: I see.
Mifune: Well that's good news I suppose, maybe we can finally bring this war to an end soon.
As they were trying to make sense of the current situation, Tsunade and Mei arrived to the scene.
Shikaku: You guys?
A: Weren't you suppose to guard the area if you had your task done?
Mei: I couldn't handle all the waiting around...
A: Geez...
Tsunade: So what's the latest news?
As she asked, A and Onoki laid out the information they had gathered so far, and how the allied forces had progressed further into Kabuto's hideout. After about five or so minutes, the door to their room suddenly busted open.
Yamato: Bad news!! Very Bad News!! *Pant*
A: ?!
Tsunade: Whoa, calm down Yamato, what has happened??
Yamato: The prison block, *Pant* It got attacked by a clone of Kabuto, *Pant* It's bad!! Tsunade... He has summoned the White Fang!
Tsunade: What?!
Shikaku: It can't be??
Mifune: !!
Mei: The White Fang?? You mean-...
A: Is he trying to free Akashi?!
Onoki: You can't say for sure, maybe he's there to silence a valuable source for Intel on himself?
Tsunade: If Sakumo Hatake is there, then we need to assist at once!
Yamato: But that's not all, Kabuto... Kabuto has put up another barrier! There will be no way for us to reach through to them unless Naruto's-...
Tsunade: But we must do something!
A: You're right! Onoki, will you handle things from here? You'll have Shikaku, Inoichi and Choza to assist you if anything should come up. Mei, Tsunade and Mifune, the four of us will deal with this. Yamato, you're coming too.
Yamato: Right!
As the five of them were just about to leave out the door, a large bang was heard from outside, as Onoki ventured over to the window side to check.
Onoki: ?! It's-...
As the rest of them quickly hurried themselves over to him, they too saw something their eyes couldn't begin to grasp. Below them, on the ground outside of the headquarter, eight new coffins had appeared, as Kabuto stood beside them.
Kabuto: No point hiding up there, come down already! I've brought a present, *Smirk.*
Tsunade, Mei, Onoki, A, Mifune and Yamato quickly jumped down as several shinobi rushed in from all sides.
Kabuto: So this is the last part of the alliance I take it? No wonder you didn't have anymore people guarding the prison compound... You've sent everyone to deal with me! Kehehehe...
Mei: You won't give up too easily I see...
Tsunade: Where on earth did you-...?!
Kabuto: *Smirk* As you know, during the last war I had some of the previous kages revived through Edo Tensei... As you also know, that wasn't all of them, but only a taste. This time around however, I've brought forth the remaining ones of them! Naruto is fighting the previous Hokages as we speak, *Smirk*
A: You bastard...
Yamato: We won't let you get away with this you know. In one way or the other, you will be brought to justice!
Kabuto: Oh, so you made it back here I see? I've never seen someone run so fast with their tail between their legs before. But no worries, you will perish along with the rest this time around, even though perhaps I should have killed you when I had you captivated all those years ago... Speaking of the past, since Madara wasn't able to finish you old kages off for good back then, I might as well finish the job right now. I can't let you send back up to Kakashi and the rest after all, not that you could help them if you wanted to though, *Smirk.*
Onoki: ...
Onoki, Mei, Tsunade, Mifune and A stood in front of Kabuto, as they were backed by Yamato, Inoichi, Shikaku, Choza and countless others. Shikaku turned his attention to his right as he gave Inoichi a quick nod, signaling him to notify the others.
Kabuto: I guess you already know most of these guys, if you know your history alright, but let's run a quick reminder, shall we?
Kabuto then stepped back as he positioned himself beside the eight Edo Kages.
Kabuto: The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Kazekage of Suna, the 1st and 3rd Mizukage of Kiri, the 1st Tsuchikage of Iwa, and finally, the 1st and 2nd Raikage of Kumo!
* Killerbee and Gaara's fights over so soon, yet two new battles is about to begin! Will Kakashi and Akashi be able to work together to overcome none other than their own father, Sakumo Hatake himself? Another Kage clash-up on the horizon, will Mei, A, Onoki, Tsunade, Mifune and the headquarter stationed shinobi be able to overcome the impossible odds? And what about Naruto and the eight Edo Tensei he's fighting? Suigetsu and Sasuke, Next Time! *
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Fun Facts and Author's Note (Don't worry, I'll make it short):
1: This is the first chapter I've released since the beginning of January, and for that, I have to apologize for the wait. To make up for it, I made this chapter a bit longer... waaay longer than what I expected really xD Going from just a regular sized chapter, this actually ended up becoming my biggest ever (again, I can't seem to control the size of each chapter as they never end up the size I plan them to be, lol, and I know that I already said that I wouldn't beat chapter 8 in length xD).
2: Everything is finally set in permanent stone, and the only thing I'm not 100 % sure about is how the upcoming fights will play out in terms of... well the fighting itself. I do however know how many chapter I will use to finish this sequel though. After much back and forth, starting out at 15 chapters like the original, then extending it to 18, then 21, then 24, and after some finalization, I've ended up with 30... Yep, this sequel will end at Chapter 30, and I myself think that is a bit crazy, knowing how lengthy each of my chapters usually end up, and knowing that there's really not too much more that will be happening story-wise really. The reason it will go on for another 20 chapters, is because of the fact that I'll have about 17 fight orientated chapters do do from this point onwards, in other words, each chapter from now on, towards 27 or so, will be about 75 % fighting and "only" 25 % talk (not even that in most cases). So you can only imagine which fights will go on for a long time, and which fights will end in one chapter. And to add to that, I have a six chapters sequel coming up after this one, as well as a One Shot/Short Movie to end it all. Once I'm finally done with this series, I'm also going to do an complete series thread with all chapters revised and polished in one single thread. Then after that, it will be time for my FF about the Sage of Six Paths, as well as my original work - Three Kingdoms. A lot to look forward to in other words ^_^
3: The main reason this chapter became much longer than anticipated, was really because I originally didn't have the whole part about Akashi's past and Sakumo appearing, as well as Kabuto summoning the remaining Kages, happening in the first place. They were really last minutes ideas, which again is one of the reasons to why I had to extend this sequel with a couple of chapters. Not only that, but what I have in store in Chapter 12, was originally suppose to take place after Gaara's fight was over, but I ended up moving that scene and giving it a whole chapter to "shine" instead. I found it fitting to give Akashi some final touch, character wise, instead of just leaving his fate unknown (which I originally had in mind).
4: I believe that this is the first chapter in the whole of my main work (not counting the chronicles), where Naruto doesn't appear or has a line at all (only mentioned through other characters). I think this also is the first chapter since Sasuke was introduced, where he doesn't have an appearance as well. That's a bit odd I suppose, with no Naruto nor Sasuke in a chapter as big as this xD
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Okay over to something else... You guys should only know how badly I want to reveal everything I have in store for you, so much that it's almost tempting to reveal all of my notes on my upcoming chapters xD Though that would ruin the fun I suppose, and it really should just be me kicking up a notch on the writing instead I suppose. On the other hand, I'm going to do something I haven't done in a long time, and that is to give you guys a very small preview of the beginning of Chapter 11, if you're interested. Just a little taste of what to come (Though keep in mind that I've just barely begun chapter 11, and this is more or less the only thing I've written so far, so I might eventually end up doing some adjustments to it, and of course, going over the grammar and the sentence structure).
A Very, Very Short preview of Chapter 11 (Sasuke vs Suigetsu):
Well that's all the taste you'll get for now, and like I said, I'm not sure when I'll release the next one. Though I'm thinking that the Eastern Holidays might be a good idea
That's all I have for this time, and chapter 11-15 will more or less be pretty much forward, with little to no flashbacks. Not sure when chapter 11 will be out yet, as I might need to finish chapter 12 and 15 first, before dealing with 11 and 13-14. We shall see... All I can say for now is that the next few upcoming chapters will be fixed on one fight at a time, meaning that Chapter 11 will be all about Sasuke and Suigetsu, Chapter 12 will be all about Naruto and the eight Edo Tensei, while Chapter 13 will be all about Kakashi, Akashi and Sakumo. From there on however, I'll mix things up a bit again. So thumbs up if you enjoyed this chapter, and feel free to not only discuss about this chapter, but also what to come. And people, continue to have an awesome day
The Legendary Sage of Konoha;
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The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns;
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Sasuke Chronicles;
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The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns, Chapter 10;
Konoha's White Fang:
Rapidly jumping through the treetops, the squadron that A and Onoki had sent out from the headquarter to assist the rest, suddenly noticed someone approaching them from behind.
Darui: ?!
Konohamaru: Halt!
Gai: Behind us... Is it the enemy??
Baki: That shouldn't be possible, there are none left?...
Shee: It's them...
Akatsuchi: Squadron 4!
Ao: Huff! We finally caught up with you guys...
Darui: Good, then we're all here so let's move out, the cave should be just up ahead according to the coordinates.
Ao: Right.
As the whole backup-team finally had come together, they then moved on to the cave as they slowly approached the entrance.
Konohamaru: Right, we're here... Let's head down and find the others!
Gai: Konohamaru, hang on a minute!!
Rushing ahead of the rest, Konohamaru had already run a distance down the entrance and disappeared into the long corridor ahead of them.
Gai: Shit...
Darui: Right, let's move in as well.
Being in the position of not having too much of a choice, the rest quickly followed as they too disappeared into the entrance.
[...]
Sakura: You're right about that Hinata, and I'm sure they'll be fine...
Kankuro: But this is taking too long, Gaara-Sama, he might be in trouble, is there really still noth-...
Sakura: !!
Shino: Someone's approaching...
Temari: The backup is here already??
Killerbee: That sure was fast... Like a blast from the past.
Shikamaru: Konohamaru...
Konohamaru: *Pant* Hehe, what, did you guys think it was the enemy?
Jiraiya: Are you alone?? Is this all the backup they sent??
Konohamaru: No, don't be ridicules, the others are rig-...
But before he could finish his sentence, the rest quickly followed as a small discussion broke out between them all on how to deal with the situation, the latest reports, and of course- Killerbee's swift victory.
Killerbee: ... He was no match for me, the bee! He went down like a fly and fought like a cow. Too slow, too slow... He'd be bett...
Meanwhile, while Killerbee continued to brag about his easy victory, Shikamaru had gone over to the barrier and sat down beside it, as he was studying the sand which had gathered up at the floor around it.
Shikamaru: How is it possible...
Temari: Did you say something?
Shikamaru: It's... I don't understand...
Joining him from the rest, Temari went over to him as she too sat herself down beside the barrier.
Temari: That's...
Shikamaru: Gaara's sand... How is the wind able to carry it through the barrier? I mean, isn't this barrier suppose to keep anything out, even things that are not breathing?
Temari: ?! Now that you mention it, that is weird.
Gai: Well in that case!
Shikamaru: ?!
Eavesdropping on their conversation, Gai and Rock Lee had heard them talking as they too came up to the barrier. From behind them, Sakura slowly followed.
Sakura: What are you going to do?
Gai: If Gaara's sand is able to get through the barrier, then maybe it's weakening or something... maybe, we'll be able to break through it!
Shikamaru: I don't thi-...
Rock Lee: Really Gai-Sensei?!
Gai: I believe so Lee!
Giving him the Nice-Guy-Pose, Lee's spirit fired up as Gai prepared an attack.
Rock Lee: Are you going to...?
Gai: We don't know unless we try!
Temari: I agree with Shikamaru, I don't thi-...
Gai: Dynamic Entry!
Unable to stop Gai's spirit, Temari and Shikamaru clutched their faces as Gai went for it, smashing into the barrier at full force.
Rock Lee: Oh?! It's working??
Gai: Uhaa!!
Shikamaru: ...
As he crashed into the barrier, the barrier lit up as fire formed around Gai's foot. Due to this, Lee began believing that it was working as he too readied himself.
Rock Lee: Well I can't let you beat me to it!
Sakura: Lee, I don't think-...
Rock Lee: Dynamic Entry!
Sakura: I-...
Temari: Just don't bother, let them try for themselves...
At the moment Lee smashed into the barrier, a mighty shockwave was flinged at them, sending both of them flying on their backs.
Rock Lee/Gai: Ugh!
Shikamaru: I told you it wasn't going to work...
Rock Lee: But how? What about Gaara's sand, how is it able to-...?
Shikamaru: It might have something to do with the fact that the sand blowing through this barrier, is not infused with chakra. It's just ordinary sand... left-overs from one of Gaara's attacks...
Gai: What does this mean??
Temari: That no attack, that isn't stronger or equally strong as Naruto's previous attack, will take down this barrier, as long as it's infused with chakra or otherwise energy based.
Shikamaru: Right...
At the confirmation of this, both Gai and Lee hung their heads in disappointment as they went over to the rest of the group standing in the middle of the room, still discussing matters.
Temari: Haha, what are we going to do with those two...
Shikamaru: At least they are keeping the spirit up.
Temari: Yeah, I suppose so.
As they were talking, even more people approached them.
Jiraiya: Anything new?
Shikamaru: No, we're not able to... No, not at the moment...
Jiraiya: I see.
Hinata: I don't like all this waiting around... What if something has happened?
Kurotsuchi: You shouldn't worry too much, Killerbee did alright too, and we all know how Naruto always manages to pull it through. Seeing Gaara's sand here should not be a case to worry about either, rather the opposite. And Sasuke... it's not like he's going to die twice... Right?
Jiraiya: You're right! We'll just have to believe in them, no matter what!
[...]
Hiruzen: Oh this is crap... Why did Jiraiya get to go with the rest?? I thought we were a team, I hate just standing guard around here, doing nothing.
Mito: I don't normally agree with you, but this time you're right! Yamato-Sensei, this sucks!
Yamato: Easy now, both of you. Standing guard here watching the prisoner, is equally as important as chasing down Kabuto. The reason you two are here with me and not with Jiraiya, is because Jiraiya is a Jonin. And since I'm in charge here, they brought along two Chunins as well, just to be safe. We can't risk anything now.
Hiruzen: But, but, it's not fair... we want to help too!
Mito: He's right we could he-...
Yamato: But you are helping! You need to appreciate that you two were picked for this duty with me, and not just stationed around the headquarter. This work is also important, and you can't always go battling all the time.
Hiruzen: Humph! I'm still calling this bullsh*t...
Yamato: What am I going to do with you two, huh?
At the prison-cell, that Yamato had set up beside the headquarter with his wood element, Yamato, Mito and Hiruzen were standing guard over Akashi. Even though he was under a binding seal before, the alliance would not risk taking any chances, as both Hiruzen and Mito were bothering Yamato with their complains. It was then, that someone suddenly approached them.
Yamato: Now hush both of you, someone's coming.
Hiruzen: I could not care less, humph!
Mito: Hiruzen, be quiet!
Kakashi: Hey you guys!
Yamato: Kakashi-Sempai?! What are you doing here? I thought you were heading out with the rest... with Konohamaru and Gai?
Kakashi: Nah, I... Well never mind that now... How's things going here?
Hiruzen: It's going fine... Nothing of interest is happening really, nothing that matters anyways.
Yamato: Hiruzen!
Hiruzen: What?! It's the truth!
Kakashi: Haha, it's okay... At least you're being honest. Reminds me a bit about myself when I was young... By the way Yamato, how is my brot-... how is-... Akashi...
Yamato: He's doing fine. My wood element is keeping him at bay for now. But it should not be too tight.
Yamato had set up about three cells, as Akashi was locked up in the one furthest down the block, with Wood tighten around his hands, preventing him from preforming any techniques.
Kakashi: Has he said anything yet?
Yamato: No... he's-... Well he hasn't said anything, nor done anything really.
Kakashi: I see...
Yamato: Why?
Kakashi: It's nothing... Just that I felt that I had to check on you guys, just to be safe.
Yamato: Are you not going to talk to him? I mean, he's right down the-...
Kakashi: No... Some other time perhaps, when things are under control. Because right now, I don't really have anything to say to him...
Akashi: ...
Lost in his own mind thinking about everything that had gone down, Akashi was seated on the ground, as some torches were lightning up the place with the morning sun rising above the hill in the distance. Noticing Kakashi's presence, Akashi lifted his head up as he looked outside his cell and spotted the four of them talking up ahead, before he then turned his head back into his cell and disappeared into his own thoughts again.
[...]
Ryu: You just don't quit, do you?? Even if you're being outmatched by my water!
Gaara: *Pant* Heh, you need to learn what the term "outmatched" means boy!
Ryu: Hahaha, just look at yourself! How can you even begin to think that you'll be able to defeat me now, in this state? You are strong... I'll give you that, but as long as I have the superior element, I'll always defeat you, no matter what...
Gaara: *Pant* You still have much to learn... Winning a battle isn't always about having the right element, but about using your will and brain to overcome your enemy...
Ryu: Oh shut up already! You're probably like the weakest kage ever! I've played around enough with you now, so time I finished this fight before it goes on for too long.
Gaara: For once, I agree... This fight really has gone on for too long...
Ryu: What did you say?!
Gaara was standing ten or so yards away from Ryu, as Ryu still had the upper-hand in the ongoing battle. Gaara's sand was all wet as Ryu was preparing himself to finish the fight with a final attack. But suddenly, and out of the blue, Gaara's sand began reforming again as he lifted himself up into the air.
Ryu: You shouldn't be able to manipulate your sand like this?! Not when it's all wet and heavy??
Gaara: Like I said... you should not be underestimating me!
Four gigantic sand spheres formed around him as they all shot at Ryu at rapid speed. Ryu jumped back to gain some distance as he quickly formed some hand-seals to counter Gaara's attack. The four spheres merged into each other as a massive pile of sand raced straight for Ryu.
Ryu: Suiton: Suidan no jutsu (Water Style: Water Bullet Technique)!
The two attacks crashed hard with each other as the sand and the water were going back and forth between them.
Ryu: Impossible?! My water should break your sand down already!!
Gaara: You said it yourself, this sand is infused with water, making it harder and more compact.
Ryu: In that case, it should be slower too! From the unbroken stream of water, another bullet shot out of it towards the right and steered around Gaara's sand, aiming to hit him from the rear. As it was just about to hit him dead on, more sand shot up from the ground as Gaara managed to block the incoming attack with ease.
Gaara: Not fast enough... My turn!
Ryu: ?!
Trying to hold his ground, Ryu got pushed backwards as his feet slowly got dragged along the ground. Gaara's sand got closer and closer as Ryu suddenly realized that he had to come up with a plan, and that fast.
Ryu: Ugh!
Canceling his attack and dodging Gaara's just in time, Ryu jumped to his right and landed safely on his feet again. But before he managed to get control over the situation, the ground under him began collapsing as his feet started to sink down into it...
Ryu: What is this?!
Gaara: Using all those consecutive water attacks to break down my sand has caused the ground to get all wet, muddy and unstable, meaning that your advantage has turned into a disadvantage. In other words, you've unintentionally created an environment where quicksand thrives...
Ryu: Bullsh*t! No sand can stop me!
In an attempt to get out of the muddy sand, Ryu shot out even more water bullets, trying to push himself up in the air, but in doing so, he was dragged even further down into the ground.
Ryu: Damn it!
Gaara: It's futile... This is what you get for using your attacks irrationally and without thinking through your surroundings first... This battle is over...
Ryu got more and more furious hearing what Gaara said as he was covered to his waist in wet, muddy sand.
Gaara: Clay Style: Sandcastle technique!
The wet, muddy sand suddenly started changing as it slowly turned into clay and rapidly began to cover Ryu's whole body in it.
Ryu: You-... have another element?!
Gaara: This is no ordinary element... You focused too much on my sand and your own water, to realize that I have more than one form of attack. I also have some elements on my own beside my ability to control sand... Just that i didn't go all out in using them right away...
Ryu: Wha-...
Gaara: My first element was wind, my second earth... And in the past few years, I've discovered that I also have a faint affinity for water. Though I must admit, I never was that great at using those elements to their full potential, however, even the faintest ability to use a certain element is often the key to win a battle...
Ryu: Ugh-... So that's how you're still able to control your sand, even if it's soaking wet with my water techniques? Because you're able to control the water inside it as well??
Gaara: Combining my earth and water element and infusing them into my sand, I've managed to create clay... The key is to not play all your best cards right away. My final lesson to you...
Ryu: Wait... Uahhhhhhh!
As Gaara's attack came to an completion, the only thing that stood left was a gigantic sandcastle made out of clay.
Gaara: Sabaku Taisõ (Sand Waterfall Imperial Funeral)!
The whole castle imploded in a matter of seconds, as a large pond of blood splattered in all directions. As the clay slowly settled, it revealed Ryu lying lifelessly on the ground.
Gaara: *Pant* It's over...
Gaara slowly stood up on his feet again as he went over to Ryu to check on him. As he got there, he bent down on his right knee, as he laid two fingers on his neck.
Gaara: ...
He then rose to his feet again as he stared out into the air and in the direction of the barrier in front of him, where Naruto and Sasuke had passed through earlier.
Gaara: The barrier is still standing... Shouldn't it have crumbled now that Ryu was defeated?
Before Gaara managed to think through things thoroughly, he noticed footsteps approaching from behind as he turned around, only to find Killerbee and the rest racing towards him.
Gaara: So you managed to overcome your foe as well I see...
Killerbee: Hell to the yes, without any mess!
Temari/Kankuro (In Unison): Gaara!
Running over to him and hugging him as hard as they could, the two of them were glad to see Gaara still standing without too much sign of damage. As the rest of the backup arrived, a brief conversation broke out between them and Shikamaru started explaining what had previously happened, and what they believed to be the key in breaking each layer of barriers down.
Gaara: I see... So instead of the barrier up ahead crumbling when I defeated Ryu, the barrier between me and Killerbee crumbled instead... meaning, the only way to bring down the next barrier is if Naruto and Sasuke defeat whatever foe they are facing off against up ahead?
Shikamaru: Exactly...
Gaara: Hmm...
Shikamaru: So all we can do now is to put our fate in them and wait... How troublesome...
Letting out a big sigh, Shikamaru then sat down as the rest began discussion what had recently happened and what to possibly come.
[...]
Yamato: Yeah I understand, with all the things that have happened, this must have hit you pretty hard Kakashi...
Kakashi: I'm alright, although the whole situation is still a bit absurd, I mean, I just don't understand how everything has gone down, how he was part of the Anbu Root for so many years without anyone noticing, not even the third...
Hiruzen: So he really is your brother huh? Are you really sure about that??
Kakashi: Yeah...
Mito: I see...
Yamato: Why don't you ask him out then? I mean, he wasn't himself under the binding-curse seal of Kabuto, so he might have a thing or two to say...
Kakashi: I said, I don't want to talk to him... at least not right now...
Clearly getting a bit upset, Kakashi walked a couple of yards away from the rest to clear his mind. As he did, Hiruzen snuck away as he slowly went up to the prison cell where Akashi was kept.
Hiruzen (Whispers): Hey... Hey you...
Akashi: ...
Hiruzen (Whispers): Yes you...
Slowly lifting his head up, he then turned and looked Hiruzen straight into his eyes.
Akashi: What... do you want...
Yamato: Huff... Kakashi-Sempai seem to take it really hard... No wonder, I can't even begin to wrap my head around how his situation and feelings are right now...
Mito: Poor Kakashi... He looks so sad...
Yamato: Hmmm... I know what will make him happier! Mito, Hiruzen, we'll-... Hiruzen??
Turning around, only to find Hiruzen not standing there, Yamato noticed that Hiruzen was standing over at Akashi's prison cell as he quickly ran over to him.
Hiruzen: Really... That mu-...
Yamato: Hiruzen! What on earth are you doing?!
Hiruzen: I... I...
Yamato: Get away from the prisoner right now.
Hiruzen: Alright, alright, we were just talking. At least I have the dignity to do so. It's not like he's under the binding seal anymore, *humph.*
Yamato: Sometimes you're just impossible to deal with, *sigh.*
Mito: You should listen to your sensei more often you know...
Kakashi: Hey, hey, calm down. No reason to make a fuzz out of it all...
Hearing the three of them arguing from afar, Kakashi finally gathered some courage as he too went over to the rest.
Kakashi: So what were you planning Hiruzen?
Hiruzen: Planning? I...
Yamato: Now?
Hiruzen: I was just going to talk some to him... Not like it's going to do any harm.
Kakashi: Hmm...
Yamato: *Sigh*
Akashi: You guys really are a close group aren't you? Never seen such affection to care and worry about others... Not in a long time at least...
Yamato: So what do you remember?
Akashi: Before or after Kabuto put a binding seal on me??...
Hiruzen: Both?
Mito: *Giggle*
Kakashi: *Sigh* How do you feel?
Akashi: So you do want to talk after all...
Yamato: Hey, don't take that tone!
Akashi: What tone?
Kakashi: Relax... Both of you...
Akashi: ... I thought you said you didn't want to talk at this point... Well, right now I feel pretty hollow.
Yamato: Hollow?
Kakashi: What do you mean?
Akashi: Hard to explain, like some major part of me is missing... Like my body was possessed.... Like my personality... my soul... was split in half. My previous life... It feels so distant, so unfamiliar...
Yamato: ...
Kakashi: What really happened to you?... Brother...
Akashi: *Sigh* It's a long story...
Mito: We got time...
Hiruzen: Yeah, we do!
Yamato: I don't see why not...
Kakashi: ...
Akashi: It began long ago... I don't know everything, but Kabuto told me a lot... A lot about Danzo, Orochimaru and my family...
Kakashi: Go on...
The fire from the torches burnt well in the background as Akashi began explaining.
*Flashback Begins*
'In a dark room, lit by some torches, a man woke up after falling unconscious.
"Where... am I?..."
Kabuto: Relax, I'm not going to hurt you... yet, *Smirk.*
"Who are-..."
Kabuto: My name is Kabuto... You must be Akashi, right?
Akashi: Kabuto?! Not the... Yakushi Kabuto?? I... What happened, where am I?
Kabuto: I know a lot about you...
Akashi: Would you just please tell me what the he*k I'm doing here?! Last thing I remember was... Nobunaga, Ryu?! It can't be...
Clearly getting uneased by being restrained in a place he had no idea where was, and not being able to think clearly, Akashi tried to break free form the chains that were wrapped around his arms, restraining him to a stone table. He was laying there with his arms and legs locked up as Kabuto had removed his shirt.
Kabuto: You were one of Danzo's most promising Anbu Root members, the son of the famous White Fang of Konoha, and the brother of the Copy Ninja, Hatake Kakashi... Orochimaru Sama's first successful Senju DNA test subject.
Akashi: What?? What are you talking about?! I don't understand... I know nothing of what you are telling me! Last thing I remember was that I was with Nobunaga and Ryu at the Anbu Root headquarter, when suddenly the binding seals on our tongues disappeared. Danzo-Sama... What happened?
Kabuto: Oh you don't need to worry yourself about that now... All I can say is that Danzo was killed in battle with Uchiha Sasuke.
Akashi: What?!? But Danzo-Sama was suppose to attend the kage meeting as the active 6th Hokage?! It can't be?! He also had two of his most trusted Anbu Root members with him?!
Kabuto: What can I say... All you need to know now is that there's a war approaching... But you won't take part in it... At least not at this stage... I have something special planned for you, *Smirk.*
Akashi: Hang on a minute! Ryu and Nobunaga... They knocked me out?! I remember now!
Kabuto: Yes... They brought you before me... But like I said, we have other things to worry about now.
Akashi: But why?! The moment I get out of here, I will-...
Kabuto: You will what? You're in no position to make threats... The moment you get out of here, you will be working for me.
Akashi: ?!
Kabuto: That's right, *Smirk.*
Akashi: Why have you brought me here?
Kabuto: Geez, you are asking too many questions...
Akashi: And you are not giving me enough answers! You mentioned Hatake Kakashi... I know him... He was part of the Anbu before and I've come across him on a few occasions... And the White Fang of Konoha... You said they were suppose to be my brother and father??! What nonsense! I asked Danzo-Sama about my family once, and he told me they were long dead... I had no family... The Anbu Root was and still is my only family, you bastard!
Kabuto: Oh my, oh my... so confused, such anger. Looks like you really are left in the dark... You know what, since you clearly have no idea of your own history, let me tell you a few things I know, to enlighten you up a bit... It's not like I'm in a rush to start the test procedure anyway...
Akashi: Test procedure?!?!
Kabuto: Like I said... You are special... But more on that later. For you to fully grasp the story, I will have to begin from the beginning. This is what I know from Orochimaru- and Danzo-Sama respectively... It began that night...
[...]
Danzo: You know what to do...
?: Right!
?: We will not fail you, Danzo-Sama!
A few moments later, the two shinobi had stopped in the forest in the outskirt of Konoha.
?: Okay, this is what we'll do, and pay attention, Kazuya...
Kazuya: I know alright, you don't have to tell me, Nobunaga! If you ask me, this mission is insane... I don't understand why Danzo-Sama want us to-...
Nobunaga: Do not question Danzo-Sama's will! Now let's get on with this... Here, take this...
Handing him a small piece of black clothing, Nobunaga then continued to explain.
Nobunaga: Use this to cover your face, we can't let anyone know our identity, yet along that we're Konoha Shinobi. If anyone recognizes us, we're screwed... This mission is top secret so we must act accordingly.
Kazuya: I know alright...
The two of them then put the masks on as Nobunaga proceeded.
Nobunaga: Okay, this is what we'll do.
Nobunaga picked up a stick as he began drawing outlines on the ground.
Nobunaga: First we'll wait for the opportune moment to strike. The White Fang and his wife should be in room 29 B... The best entry point would be through the window, using the element of surprise to snatch the newborns. According to Danzo's Intel, Sakumo's wife just gave birth a couple of hours ago and she should be resting in the bed with her babies now... We need to time this perfectly as there is no way we can succeed if the White Fang is in the room with her...
Kazuya: Right...
Nobunaga: Once we have the newborns in our possession, we'll retreat back here where we have the escape traps set, in case we are followed. After that, we will report to Danzo through the old secret underground, where no one can spot us. We must act carefully and we must make sure not to fail.
Kazuya: I understand... Shall we?
Nobunaga: Wait a minute! I almost forgot...
Kazuya: What?
Nobunaga: This...
Pointing at his arm, Kazuya discovered that his headband was still on him as he quickly removed it and tucked it inside his vest.
Nobunaga: Whatever you do, do not lose your headband, now let's go...
Kazuya: Right.
* 10 Minutes Later *
Nobunaga: We're here... Now don't make a move until I give the signal.
Kazuya: ...
The two of them slowly snuck up to the window as Nobunaga looked inside, and as he expected, Sakumo's wife and their newborns were there.
Nobunaga: Shit...
Kazuya: What?
Nobunaga: He's there with her... We will need to wait him out or create a distraction.
Kazuya: Do we have the time or resources for that?
Nobunaga: Wait... He's leaving the room...
Peeking in again, Nobunaga noticed Sakumo leaving, as he readied himself.
Kazuya: Now's our chance!
Nobunaga: Wait!
Not willing to let the chance slip away, Kazuya went bursting through the window, but before he managed to set his attention on the babies, he was met with Sakumo's face, standing right in front of him as he froze in shock.
Sakumo: ... Who are you and what is your purpose?!
Kazuya: I...
Sakumo: ?!
But before he managed to address the situation, Nobunaga jumped in too as he managed to snatch one of the babies from his wife's grasp.
Kashia: Sakumo, the baby!
Sakumo: Shit! Futo-...
Kashia: Not in here, you will hit the baby if you perform that jutsu!
Nobunaga: Let's go, now!
Kazuya: Right!
Nobunaga jumped out the window with the newborn in his arms as Kazuya quickly followed. As he was about halfway out of the window however, he felt a pain in his back as he fell out of the window and landed on his stomach.
Nobunaga: Hurry!
Kazuya: Fu*k!
Sakumo then appeared right above him as he was just about to strike at him.
Sakumo: Wind Style: Piercing Hurricane Strike!
White sharp wind in the form of a tornado appeared around his arm, as he was about to punch it straight through Kazuya's back. Just as he was about to hit him however, Kazuya managed to roll himself out of the way as he fell down from the roof and landed on the ground, as Sakumo smashed his arm into the roof.
Kazuya: Ugh!...
Sakumo: Shit!
Kashia: The baby!
Sakumo: !!
Changing his focus at Nobunaga, Sakumo then leaped off as he started to chase him down.
Nobunaga: He's fast?!
Just as he was about to reach him, he suddenly saw Kazuya approaching from the rear with a kunai as he dodge just in time. He then landed on the roof-top again, as he watched the two of them hurrying away.
Sakumo: You are not getting away from me!
Nobunaga: Shit, are you alright?
Kazuya: Ugh, yeah I'll manage... Damn it, he managed to hit me with a shuriken from behind... It's just a scratch though...
Nobunaga: Then let's hurry the he*k up, before he catches on to us!
The two of them raced through the roof-tops as Sakumo slowly gained in on them.
Kazuya: You only managed to snatch one of them?! The mission clearly stated th-...
Nobunaga: Fu*k that now! We should be happy to get away from there alive! If you're so desperate to get the other one as well, then you go back...
Kazuya: No chance in hell! Danzo will have to settle with one of them... And here I thought you were the one to say that this mission meant everything, and that it was mission critical to get both babies...
The two of them had leaped down from the last roof at the end of the village as they began to run into the woods.
Nobunaga: Almost there!
Kazuya: Shit!
Nobunaga: What?!
Kazuya: I need to go back, I lost my headband!
Nobunaga: I told you not to lose it at all cost! We can't go back now, just leave it be.
Nobunaga then halted as Kazuya landed beside him.
Nobunaga: Okay, do it.
Kazuya: Right!
Sakumo: Not so fast!
Appearing in front of them, Sakumo stared intensely at them as he fired up another jutsu.
Nobunaga: You're too late!
Kazuya: The world will remember this day as the day the White Fang of Konoha got outsmarted! Later!
Sakumo charged in at them and was just about to hit Kazuya dead on when a large cloud of smoke appeared out of nowhere, forcing him to cover his eyes.
Sakumo: What?!
As the smoke cleared, the two shinobi were gone.
Sakumo: No way?!
Sakumo then fell to his knees is despair as he clutched the headband he had in his hand.
Sakumo: Who were those two?? Konoha shinobi?!
Taking a closer look at the headband he had recovered, Sakumo then quickly rose to his feet again as he leaped off.
Sakumo: I... must warn the 3rd! That's the only thing I can do now...
He raced through the forest at quick pace as the village came into the view again. He ran down the street at rapid speed as he got closer and closer to the Hokage mansion. Just as he was about to reach the gate, he stumbled upon a familiar face.
?: Sakumo, why in such a hurry?
Sakumo: No time to explain Kagami-Sensei, I need to see the 3rd... I need to see Hiruzen now, something terrible has happened!!!
Kagami: Right.
Not halting even for his own sensei, Sakumo ran up the stairs as Kagami quickly followed.
[...]
*Flashback temporary Stops*
Kakashi: ?!
Yamato: What is it??
Akashi: ...
Kakashi: This is the same as... The story my father once told me...
Thinking back to his first fight with Akashi, Kakashi reminisced back to that day once more.
*Flashback Within Flashback Begins*
'Sakumo: Kakashi, come here for a sec...
Kakashi: What is it dad?
Sakumo: I'm going on a mission of great importance. I might not return...
Kakashi: ...
Sakumo: But I want you to know about something... One thing that might become important one day.
Kakashi: What, dad?
Sakumo: The day when you were born, somebody attacked your mom when she was in the hospital. I was just outside in the hall when I heard the screams...
He paused for a sec, lifting his right hand to cover his face, before he removed it, and continued...
Sakumo: I rushed in as I saw two masked shinobies just about to leave the window with a baby; your twin brother...
Kakashi: Brother?!
Sakumo: They broke in through the window and snatched your brother. I chased them all night, but they got away. I never forgave myself for that.
Kakashi: ...
Sakumo: Your mom was so frighten... She didn't lose her eyes of you for a second that night, holding you in her arms as she cried. I was too busy chasing them down, that I forgot to call for backup. By the time I called the 3rd Hokage, it was too late. We never found your brother.
Kakashi: But... What... Why haven't you said this to me before and why now?
Sakumo: You were too young to understand... And I believe you deserved to know now. I still haven't given up hope that he might be alive, but I fear that I might not live long enough to see that moment. Ever since your mom died, I've lost more and more faith that I will live to see that moment... If he's still alive.
Kakashi: Why do you talk like this? You're scaring me dad...
Sakumo: Oh no need to be scared my boy... Even if I don't get a chance to see your brother, you might one day...'
*Flashback Within Flashback Ends*
Kakashi: Now I understand what he meant back then... Although his side of the story differs a bit from what you just told us...
Akashi: Hmm...
Hiruzen: So what happens next?
[...]
*Flashback Continues*
Sakumo: Hokage-Sama!
Hiruzen: Sakumo?? What are you doing here, I thought you were at the hospital with your wi-...
Sakumo: It's just that! Two unknown shinobi attacked us and kidnapped one of our newborn sons!
Hiruzen: What are you saying?!
Sakumo: I tried to chase them down, but in the end they managed to get away... All I was able to recover was this... Hokage-Sama, please help!
Stretching the headband out to Hiruzen, Sakumo then fell to his knees begging Hiruzen to do whatever he could to assist.
Hiruzen: Konoha?! Tsunade, gather the most skilled and available shinobi you can find and start a search right away! Jiraiya, you will go with Sakumo to the hospital to strengthen the security there. Sakumo, we will do whatever we can to come to the bottom of this, I promise you.
From behind Hiruzen, you could see Jiraiya and Tsunade standing, whom then immediately took off together with Sakumo. Hiruzen then turned to his right where Homura and Koharu ... stood.
Hiruzen: We need to get to the bottom of this... Call in Danzo for a meeting, and put the village on high alert.
Koharu/Homura: Right.
Kagami: I can't believe someone had the nerve to attack our village like that, yet along a Konoha shinobi... Just who could it be?? A missing-nin?
[...]
Nobunaga: Thank god we made it...
Kazuya: Yeah, I could have died back there! Danzo better be pleased.
Nobunaga: I still have a feeling he will get mad though for us only managing to grab one of the babies...
Kazuya: Hey don't look at me, you're the one who only managed to grab one of them.
Nobunaga: What?! Don't you get me started-...!
Danzo: Problems?
Nobunaga/Kazuya: Danzo-Sama!
Having reached their destined point, Nobunaga and Kazuya had proceeded to go through the underground tunnel as they had stopped about halfway through it to meet up with Danzo.
Kazuya: Everything went accor-...
Nobunaga: We failed you, Danzo-Sama!
Kazuya: ?!
Nobunaga: We only managed to get away with one of the infants...
Danzo: ...
Handing the infant over to him, Nobunaga then threw himself to the ground in front of him, begging forgiveness, as Kazuya quickly did the same.
Danzo: I see... Well then, one is better than none I suppose... Come.
Danzo then turned around with the infant in hand as he proceeded to walk in the direction he came from. Nobunaga and Kazuya quickly followed as they went with him. As they were getting further and further through the tunnel, Kazuya suddenly felt an intense pain in his back as he fell to his knees.
Nobunaga: ?!
Kazuya: Ugh... Danzo-Sama... Why?
Falling over on his stomach, Kazuya's life slowly faded from his eyes as Danzo pulled out a kunai from his back. Nobunaga froze in shock as he was unable to understand what just happened.
Danzo: Relax...
Nobunaga: Why?
Danzo: For trying to hide the fact that the mission didn't go as planned. Trust is everything in Root... Besides, I did notice that he has lost his headband, which put the mission in danger by itself... This will serve as an example, so do not fail me next time.
Nobunaga: Yes Danzo-Sama, I won't fail you next time!
Danzo: Good...
Nobunaga: So how did you notice that Kazuya lost his headband??
Danzo: That's not important. I want you to give me a full report on how the mission went.
Nobunaga: Right.
As the two of them entered through a door and into a room in front of them, Nobunaga went on explaining what had happened.
Danzo: Hmm... Things might get ugly unless we act fast... We will use Kazuya's body as a decoy to cover this up. Hiruzen will probably call in a meeting and I will tell him that we recovered Kazuya's dead body at the border of the Fire Country... Now dismiss.
Nobunaga: Roger!
Nobunaga quickly took off as Danzo proceeded on his path with the infant in hand.
[...]
Danzo: Still occupied in your experiments... Orochimaru.
Orochimaru: So you've come... Did you manage to get your hands on-...
Danzo: Only one of them...
Orochimaru: How unfortunate...
Danzo: ...
Orochimaru: Well it can't be helped now... One should suffice anyway.
Danzo then handed the infant over to Orochimaru, as Orochimaru continued.
Orochimaru: If this is successful, we might test it out on older subjects, as we discussed.
Danzo: How long will it take before you get a result?
Orochimaru: Hours... Days... Maybe even weeks or months. This is my first child to test Hashirama's cell on, but he has strong genes... He's the son of the White Fang after all. If things play out well, he might even be able to use Mokton...
Danzo: ... Hope you were right about this child's genes being strong, as we went through a lot of trouble getting our hands on him...
Orochimaru: This is a delicate matter, so in order for it to be successful, we could not afford to test it on an ordinary child... Yet.
Danzo: Well then, I expect good results from you.
Orochimaru: I have a feeling you will not be disappointed...
Orochimaru then turned his back on Danzo as he continued to walk further into his lab with the baby in hand. Danzo sent off a cold smile as he too went on with his own tasks.
?: Danzo-Sama!
But before he was able to get back to the Root division, an Anbu appeared before him.
Danzo: What is it??
Anbu: The 3rd has called you in for a meeting... You should come at once.
Danzo: Very well...
* Some moments later *
Danzo: You called, Hiruzen...
Hiruzen: We're on a village high alert; someone has infiltrated us and kidnapped the newborn son of Sakumo and his wife. Sakumo managed to recover a Konoha Headband from one of the kidnappers before they got away...
Danzo: I know...
Homura/Koharu/Hiruzen/Kagami (In Unison): What?!
Danzo: The Anbu Root has discovered the body of a traitor in the outskirts of Konoha. He's been on the run for some time since he went rogue and stole top secret information from the Root headquarter some days ago. We couldn't catch him then, but some Root members who were on to him, found him just now. With him, they found a heavily damaged letter, but they managed to recover its Intel. Handing the letter over to Hiruzen, Hiruzen then proceeded to read it out loud.
Hiruzen: "As you're reading this letter, you already should know that you've done well. The information you helped us recover before was of great asset towards pulling this operation off. To see you still standing after encountering the White Fang himself is a feat to be recognized with great values. You will find your payment at the location described below, and it's hid in a chest in the old tree trunk. You will hear from us again if your services will be needed in the future, but until then, you are on your own."
Danzo: The body was found partially blown to pieces by the old Tree of Life in the north east direction of Konoha, towards the Lightning Country.
Koharu: !!
Homura: You don't think the Cloud village is behind this, do you?
Danzo: It is hard to say really... I only regret we couldn't have found and caught him earlier; then we could have avoided this from ever happening.
Kagami: So one of your Anbu Root members went rogue, stole top secret information and handed them over to a yet unknown group. He then kidnapped one of the newborn sons of Sakumo, together with an accomplice, got away, then supposedly received a letter from that man whom then took the baby with him. He then arrived to the place where the payment was suppose to be, and got blown to pieces? I find it hard to make sense really...
Danzo: What are you implying?
Kagami: You're holding back something...
Danzo: What?!
Hiruzen: Hey, calm down both of you. The last thing we need is for the two of you to start arguing. We need to get this situation under control and start investigating this further.
Danzo: Right.
Kagami: *Humph,* I suppose you're right.
[...]
* A few months later *
" ... I knew you would come eventually, *Smirk.* "
Danzo: So? How is the progress going, Orochimaru...
Orochimaru: You always were an impatient guy, Danzo-Sama... But since you ask, the operation has been completed and it was a... success. His body is adapting to Senju DNA quite naturally I must say, and so far, he's still alive... You can have the kid back now, he's the son of Sakumo Hatake after all, and I guess you can still find some use in him. Besides, there might still be some side effects that can kick in later, so it's better to be sure.
Danzo: You want Root to have the kid, are you serious? It's a risk having him around, we should depose of him.
Orochimaru: You mean having him killed? *Smirk* I would normally agree to that, even if it's still a child, but due to we needing follow-up testing, it would be wise to let him live for now.
Danzo: If anyone finds out, if Sakumo Finds-...
Orochimaru: No one will find out... You're the expert of keeping secrets in the dark after all.
Orochimaru then handed the child over to Danzo as he continued.
Orochimaru: Though, we will have to give it some time before we start to do some real testing, especially testing it on an adult like yourself...
Danzo: No, we will do this now, waiting any longer wi-...
Orochimaru: If you want to risk dying, then be my guest...
Danzo: !!
Orochimaru: Like I said, there might still be some side-effects that doesn't occur until later... and we still don't know how an adult will react to the Senju DNA... I thought I already told you this? We should wait and let time do its bidding.
Danzo: That is unfortunate... But if you insist.
[...]
* Three and a half year later *
Danzo: Is it really necessary with all these babies? I mean, sixty is a bit much... People will start getting suspicious and act on a high alert...
Orochimaru: A necessary risk to make... The possibilities we have now... If it's a success, you will have a whole new clan of Mokton users in your capable hand. Something which should even be enough to overthrow Hiruzen, *Smirk.* But on the other hand, these are just ordinary babies, so it's not a guarantee that it will work. Akashi seems to be developing just fine though...
Danzo: So are you ready to do the operation on me?
Orochimaru: I thought I already told you... Even if it worked in the long term with Akashi, we need to do some more testing... testing on ordinary people first. He was special, and that might be the reason it worked and that he's still alive...
Danzo: Damn it Orochimaru, why are you stalling?! This needs to be done and it needs to be done now! If you won't help me, I will find someone who will. You know I can shut down your operation whenever I want.
Orochimaru: ...Are you threatening me??
Danzo: !!...
Orochimaru: If you are so passionate about it... Then let's move on with it.
Danzo: Good.
* Some hours Later *
Orochimaru (In Thoughts): "That good for nothing brat! He dares threaten me?? He knows that he's too deep into this to pull back now... If Hiruzen found out, we'd both be-... Well it doesn't matter now, whether he survives and will be able to adapt to the Senju DNA or not... I'll soon be beyond both him and Hiruzen's prime anyway."
Walking into a dark room, Orochimaru then proceeded over to some prisoners he had captivated as he stroke his hand down the cheek of one of them, whom desperately tried to get free.
Orochimaru (In Thoughts): "If I'll be able to develop this particular Kinjutsu (Forbidden Technique) of mine, I'll live on forever, and I'll be able to learn all the techniques in the world, *Smirk.*"
[...]
* Two and a half year later *
In what appeared to be a sparring hall in a dark place lit up by torches, some young Anbu Root shinobi were training as a senior Root member was supervising them. They couldn't be older than five to seven years old, but one of them showed off some fascinating abilities and a promising talent like few before.
?: Danzo-Sama, may I talk to you?
Danzo: What is it?
Going over some papers and having a drink of sake, Danzo was stationed on a ledge with view over the sparring hall as a Root member approached him.
Anbu Root Member: It's about Akashi.
Danzo: What about him?
Anbu Root Member: He can't be older than six or so, right? Yet he's showing off some incredible skills. I don't think I've seen anything like it before. What's his background, where does he come from? I tried looking through the archives, but I couldn't find any information on him.
Danzo: It's because there is no information on him.
Anbu Root Member: What do you mean?
Danzo: Look, you're meddling in business you have no need to be concerning yourself about. Let's leave it at that. Though keep an eye on him just in case, and report to me if you have something new to share.
Anbu Root Member: Yes sir!
Taking off in a hurry, without getting the answers he was seeking, the senior Root member then went back to the training ground as he was over-watching Akashi and some other kid.
Anbu Root Member: Okay, you may continue.
Anbu Root Member (In Thought): "Strange... Where does this kid come from?"
Back up on the ledge, Danzo took another sip of his Sake, as he laid down the papers he had in hand and looked down on the training ground.
Danzo (In Thought): "The thing that is special about this kid is that he's the son of Sakumo Hatake... So it is to be expected. It will be best if only Orochimaru and I have the access to that information... Though I still haven't seen any result of the Senju DNA implantation in this kid yet..."
[...]
*Flashback temporary stops*
Akashi: What Danzo didn't seem to know though, and which he mistook for being my good genes, was that like Kabuto told me, I had something else, something that other people didn't seem to have. The ability to copy other techniques...
Kakashi: The Mirror Element...
[...]
*Flashback Continues, but now seven years later*
Anbu Root Member: Hey wait, you can't just rush off like that, you need to ask permission to see Danzo-Sama!
Akashi: I don't care, I want answers!
Barging through the door to Danzo's office, Akashi went right up to him as he slammed his hand down into his table.
Danzo: You seem upset.
Taking his eyes away from the documents in his hand, Danzo then shifted his attention towards Akashi whom started to spill his questions out, demanding answers.
Akashi: I've waited long enough, now I want answer! Every time I've asked about who I really am, where I belong and if I have a family and where I really come from, you always avoid answering. It's time you-...
Danzo: You're in no place to demand things here kid, watch your tone!
Danzo then smacked him across the face as Akashi fell on his back.
Akashi: Ugh!
Danzo: Anbu Root is your home, your family, where you belong! Your previous family is long dead! You were found abandoned as an infant in the outskirt of Konoha, next to two dead bodies... In Root, you have no name, you have no feelings... It's time you understood that. Now take him away, and don't let this happen again.
Anbu Root Member: Right away!
Dragging Akashi with him, he then quickly closed the door behind him as they left.
Danzo (In Thought): "That kid is getting troublesome..."
Anbu Root Member: What were you thinking barging off like that?! You could have gotten yourself in real trouble and got severely punished!
Akashi: I...
Anbu Root Member: Sigh... Sometimes, I just don't know what to do with you. Now I'll drop you off at your room, so you can cool your head off.
[...]
Danzo: Do you know why I have summoned you??
Nobunaga: No...
Danzo: It's about the kid.
Nobunaga: The son of-...
Danzo: Yes...
Nobunaga: He's making trouble?
Danzo: Only you, Orochimaru and myself, know the real truth of his identity, something that came into danger when Orochimaru fled the village some years ago...
Nobunaga: The secret is safe with me, and you know it.
Danzo: Right, but that is not why I summoned you. We were just lucky when Sakumo started to sniff around... If it hadn't been for that mission going terribly wrong and him ending up committing suicide, we might have had to "take care off" him...
Nobunaga: Yeah, that was what I advised you to do back then. It might have been for the better that we never had to pull that card.
Danzo: But the kid is starting to push his luck, asking around for answers... I've decided to appoint you his new leader to overlook things, making sure his little taste for knowledge cools down... If not, I might have to do something about it, which would be a waste really. You think you can handle things from here?
Nobunaga: Roger, you can put your trust in me.
[...]
Kabuto: And that... is the truth about your life, your identity, your real family. Being someone who's been without an identity for a very long time, I can easily relate to you.
Akashi: It can't be... Nobunaga was... I don't believe you, you're lying!
Kabuto: Whether you choose to believe me or not is not important... What matters now is your genes and your unequaled potential! Orochimaru-Sama thought you would be a good choice to test Hashirama's cell on, and did he indeed choose right! Not only was it a success, meaning you have Mokton element hidden inside yourself, but you are also able to adapt to... adjustments... *Smirk.*
Akashi: ...
Kabuto: But there is more! You probably have felt that even with your low chakra reserves, you still had the ability to learn a lot of techniques fast?
Akashi: How did you know I had low-...
Kabuto: Guess it runs in the family, *Smirk.* Anyways, I have a theory of my own about you, something that Orochimaru- and Danzo-Sama seem to have missed out on...
Akashi: What do you mean?
Kabuto: The bloodline limit, the Mirror Element...
Akashi: Mirror Element?!
Kabuto: It is pretty strange really, as there are no documentation revealing that Sakumo or Kakashi... even your mother and grandparents for that matter, having the Mirror Element. A bloodline limit often runs in the family after all... My research tell me though that the Mirror Element is one of the few bloodline limits not to be bound by family, that it haven't been seen or heard of in over 100 years, and that it is a special technique which only appear in times of crisis... in other words, in time of war...
Akashi: In any case, how would you know??
Kabuto: *Smirk* I don't see the need to reveal all of my secrets to you... Either way, if my theory is right, then no wonder why you were able to adapt to Hashirama's cells so easily! Not just because your father was a strong shinobi... And if so, you will have no problems adapting to my... adjustments... The curse mark seal already seems to be adapting itself quite naturally...
Akashi: Curse mark?! What do you-...
Kabuto: Let me show you...
Akashi: Ugh!... This pain is?!
Kabuto: That's right... That mark on your neck is my doing, *Smirk.* But this is much more than an ordinary curse mark which Orochimaru-Sama developed. This curse mark is much more advanced, being infused with a binding seal.
Akashi: Binding Seal??!
Kabuto: The only reason you are able to talk freely now is because I let you do so...
Akashi: ?!
Kabuto: But I'm not done yet... I still want to try out some more things... Hmm... Oh yes, your eyes...
Akashi: What?!
Kabuto: You won't need those... ordinary eyes anymore...
Akashi: What are you talking about, what are you going to do to me?!
Kabuto: Relax... I promise you that you won't feel a thing, *Smirk.*'
*Flashback Ends*
Kakashi: !!
Yamato: So that's how it went down... I still can't believe all of this to be true... Danzo-Sama... Was he really going behind the 3rd's back like that??
Kakashi: If this is the truth, then Danzo's name will forever be cast a dark light on... He was one of the village's heroes... To reveal such a truth would make a great impact on everything he and the village stands and stood for... He may have had his own ideals, but this...
Hiruzen: I can't help feeling bad for you...
Mito: ...
As Akashi had finally been able to tell his story, Kakashi and Yamato were still trying to wrap their heads around it, when suddenly, a heavy wind began to blow as the torches lighting up the area all went out.
Yamato: What's happening??
Kakashi: This chakra!! Kabuto?!
Some couple of yards away from them, a man suddenly appeared from the shadows, as it was none other than Kabuto himself!
Yamato: What is he doing here?!
Kakashi: Another clone...
Kabuto: *Smirk* Kehehe, well spotted Kakashi... But I'm afraid it won't be too much of a comfort... You see, even if I don't need Akashi anymore, I can't just let him run back to you guys and reveal years of my work and plans. And because of that!
Kabuto then performed some quick hand-seals as a coffin appeared in front of him.
Kakashi: Another coffin?!
Before being able to analyze the situation properly, the coffin blasted open as a powerful wind blew straight for them.
Kakashi: Wind Style??
Yamato: Watch out!
Unable to react, Yamato was blown away as the prison blocks he had set up were all smashed to pieces.
Hiruzen: Mito!
Kakashi: Don't expose yourself!
The attack came so fast and was in such a wide range that Mito was trapped in the line of fire. Just as she was about to get hit dead on, Hiruzen managed to use his speed as he jumped in and pushed her away, putting himself in harm's way.
Kakashi: Shit!
Kabuto: Too late!
Kakashi (In Thoughts): 'Damn it, I won't make it in time! If I only had my sharingan now, I could have used Kamui!'
*Clash*
Kakashi/Hiruzen/Kabuto/Mito/Yamato: !!
To all of their surprise, Akashi had managed to get back up on his feet after his prison being smashed to pieces, as he jumped in and took the blow straight on, pushing Hiruzen out of the way and at the same time destroying the wooden restrains on his feet.
Akashi: Ugh!
Kabuto: So you choose to side with them then... As expected. I guess a rat choose to side with the cat when fighting a dog... You are no longer under my binding after all.
Kakashi: Akashi!
Crashing to the ground a couple of yards away, Kakashi, Hiruzen and Mito rushed over to check on him as he slowly got back on his feet.
Akashi: I'm alright, this is nothing.
Hiruzen: Who is that guy and what powerful Wind Style!
Yamato: You guys, look around you!
Yamato screamed out at them as he too had managed to recover after being hit by the Wind Style attack earlier.
Kakashi: Shit! I didn't notice...
Akashi: This is...
Kabuto: *Smirk* I can't let you get away now, can I?
As they looked around, they noticed that in the chaos of the attack, Kabuto had put up a barrier, trapping them all inside it. Yamato however, had been blown away before Kabuto managed to put it up as he was standing on the outside of it.
Akashi: Kakashi, you need to remove these from my arms... I won't be able to fight with them on...
Hiruzen: Are you going to fight with us?!
Akashi: Hey kid, why would I not?! Did you think I just came up with a lie earlier??
Kakashi: We just have to trust you then... Yamato, remove his restrain!
Yamato: Kakashi-Sempai, are you really going to trust him?! This might have been Kabuto's plan all along!
Kakashi: Yamato, there is no time to argue, remove them!
Yamato: I can't! The barrier is preventing me from removing it!
Kakashi: Since when did you need to be in direct contact with your own wooden creation to cancel them?!
Yamato: I don't know! It must be because of the barrier!
Kakashi: Geez, can't be helped then I suppose... Mito, Hiruzen, step back! Raikiri!
Kakashi then raised his right arm up in the air as he smashed through Yamato's wooden restrains, freeing Akashi in the progress.
Akashi: Thanks, now let's get on with this!
Kabuto: Haha, don't make me laugh, what makes you think you two can overcome this foe? But then again, I guess this battle got even more interesting now, *Smirk.* Although I'm not sure how much of a fight you can put up without your sharingan and with only one eye, Kakashi...
Kakashi: Hiruzen, Mito, stand back... this foe seems powerful, so I can't risk you two getting hurt. Me and Akashi will take care of this...
Hiruzen: Nonsense! We can take care of ourselves! Besides, you are not in the same condition as you used to be, and you two will need all the help you can get!
Kakashi: You will act as backup... Do not interfere unless we tell you to...
Mito: But Kakashi Sensei!
Akashi: You heard the man... Now stay back...
Kakashi: Yamato! You need to call in backup! Notify the headquarter right away!
Yamato: I'll get to it!
Yamato started backing out from them as he turned around and leaped off at full speed.
Yamato (In Thoughts): "This is bad... This is really bad!"
Kabuto: So you've already laid a plan then... Guess we should get this battle going.
As he said, Kabuto's clone then suddenly disappeared as the man inside the coffin slowly stepped out in the light.
Kakashi: !!
Akashi: ...
Kakashi: There's no way-...
Before them stood none other than Hatake Sakumo himself!
Sakumo: So fate has brought us together once more Kakashi, my son... And this must be...
Akashi: ?!
[...]
Onoki: Any news to share?
Inoichi: No... Wait... It seems... Ino.
A: Hmm...??
Inoichi: Gaara has apparently won his battle as well, and the reinforcement has caught up with the rest... They've progressed further into the cave now, but there are still more barriers standing, blocking their path. Shikamaru has devised a theory on how Kabuto has planned out his scheme. It seems like Sasuke might be in the next area battling, while Naruto is battling Kabuto himself.
Onoki: I see.
Mifune: Well that's good news I suppose, maybe we can finally bring this war to an end soon.
As they were trying to make sense of the current situation, Tsunade and Mei arrived to the scene.
Shikaku: You guys?
A: Weren't you suppose to guard the area if you had your task done?
Mei: I couldn't handle all the waiting around...
A: Geez...
Tsunade: So what's the latest news?
As she asked, A and Onoki laid out the information they had gathered so far, and how the allied forces had progressed further into Kabuto's hideout. After about five or so minutes, the door to their room suddenly busted open.
Yamato: Bad news!! Very Bad News!! *Pant*
A: ?!
Tsunade: Whoa, calm down Yamato, what has happened??
Yamato: The prison block, *Pant* It got attacked by a clone of Kabuto, *Pant* It's bad!! Tsunade... He has summoned the White Fang!
Tsunade: What?!
Shikaku: It can't be??
Mifune: !!
Mei: The White Fang?? You mean-...
A: Is he trying to free Akashi?!
Onoki: You can't say for sure, maybe he's there to silence a valuable source for Intel on himself?
Tsunade: If Sakumo Hatake is there, then we need to assist at once!
Yamato: But that's not all, Kabuto... Kabuto has put up another barrier! There will be no way for us to reach through to them unless Naruto's-...
Tsunade: But we must do something!
A: You're right! Onoki, will you handle things from here? You'll have Shikaku, Inoichi and Choza to assist you if anything should come up. Mei, Tsunade and Mifune, the four of us will deal with this. Yamato, you're coming too.
Yamato: Right!
As the five of them were just about to leave out the door, a large bang was heard from outside, as Onoki ventured over to the window side to check.
Onoki: ?! It's-...
As the rest of them quickly hurried themselves over to him, they too saw something their eyes couldn't begin to grasp. Below them, on the ground outside of the headquarter, eight new coffins had appeared, as Kabuto stood beside them.
Kabuto: No point hiding up there, come down already! I've brought a present, *Smirk.*
Tsunade, Mei, Onoki, A, Mifune and Yamato quickly jumped down as several shinobi rushed in from all sides.
Kabuto: So this is the last part of the alliance I take it? No wonder you didn't have anymore people guarding the prison compound... You've sent everyone to deal with me! Kehehehe...
Mei: You won't give up too easily I see...
Tsunade: Where on earth did you-...?!
Kabuto: *Smirk* As you know, during the last war I had some of the previous kages revived through Edo Tensei... As you also know, that wasn't all of them, but only a taste. This time around however, I've brought forth the remaining ones of them! Naruto is fighting the previous Hokages as we speak, *Smirk*
A: You bastard...
Yamato: We won't let you get away with this you know. In one way or the other, you will be brought to justice!
Kabuto: Oh, so you made it back here I see? I've never seen someone run so fast with their tail between their legs before. But no worries, you will perish along with the rest this time around, even though perhaps I should have killed you when I had you captivated all those years ago... Speaking of the past, since Madara wasn't able to finish you old kages off for good back then, I might as well finish the job right now. I can't let you send back up to Kakashi and the rest after all, not that you could help them if you wanted to though, *Smirk.*
Onoki: ...
Onoki, Mei, Tsunade, Mifune and A stood in front of Kabuto, as they were backed by Yamato, Inoichi, Shikaku, Choza and countless others. Shikaku turned his attention to his right as he gave Inoichi a quick nod, signaling him to notify the others.
Kabuto: I guess you already know most of these guys, if you know your history alright, but let's run a quick reminder, shall we?
Kabuto then stepped back as he positioned himself beside the eight Edo Kages.
Kabuto: The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Kazekage of Suna, the 1st and 3rd Mizukage of Kiri, the 1st Tsuchikage of Iwa, and finally, the 1st and 2nd Raikage of Kumo!
*Kabuto's plan comes to fruition!!*
~ End Chapter 10.
* Killerbee and Gaara's fights over so soon, yet two new battles is about to begin! Will Kakashi and Akashi be able to work together to overcome none other than their own father, Sakumo Hatake himself? Another Kage clash-up on the horizon, will Mei, A, Onoki, Tsunade, Mifune and the headquarter stationed shinobi be able to overcome the impossible odds? And what about Naruto and the eight Edo Tensei he's fighting? Suigetsu and Sasuke, Next Time! *
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Fun Facts and Author's Note (Don't worry, I'll make it short):
1: This is the first chapter I've released since the beginning of January, and for that, I have to apologize for the wait. To make up for it, I made this chapter a bit longer... waaay longer than what I expected really xD Going from just a regular sized chapter, this actually ended up becoming my biggest ever (again, I can't seem to control the size of each chapter as they never end up the size I plan them to be, lol, and I know that I already said that I wouldn't beat chapter 8 in length xD).
2: Everything is finally set in permanent stone, and the only thing I'm not 100 % sure about is how the upcoming fights will play out in terms of... well the fighting itself. I do however know how many chapter I will use to finish this sequel though. After much back and forth, starting out at 15 chapters like the original, then extending it to 18, then 21, then 24, and after some finalization, I've ended up with 30... Yep, this sequel will end at Chapter 30, and I myself think that is a bit crazy, knowing how lengthy each of my chapters usually end up, and knowing that there's really not too much more that will be happening story-wise really. The reason it will go on for another 20 chapters, is because of the fact that I'll have about 17 fight orientated chapters do do from this point onwards, in other words, each chapter from now on, towards 27 or so, will be about 75 % fighting and "only" 25 % talk (not even that in most cases). So you can only imagine which fights will go on for a long time, and which fights will end in one chapter. And to add to that, I have a six chapters sequel coming up after this one, as well as a One Shot/Short Movie to end it all. Once I'm finally done with this series, I'm also going to do an complete series thread with all chapters revised and polished in one single thread. Then after that, it will be time for my FF about the Sage of Six Paths, as well as my original work - Three Kingdoms. A lot to look forward to in other words ^_^
3: The main reason this chapter became much longer than anticipated, was really because I originally didn't have the whole part about Akashi's past and Sakumo appearing, as well as Kabuto summoning the remaining Kages, happening in the first place. They were really last minutes ideas, which again is one of the reasons to why I had to extend this sequel with a couple of chapters. Not only that, but what I have in store in Chapter 12, was originally suppose to take place after Gaara's fight was over, but I ended up moving that scene and giving it a whole chapter to "shine" instead. I found it fitting to give Akashi some final touch, character wise, instead of just leaving his fate unknown (which I originally had in mind).
4: I believe that this is the first chapter in the whole of my main work (not counting the chronicles), where Naruto doesn't appear or has a line at all (only mentioned through other characters). I think this also is the first chapter since Sasuke was introduced, where he doesn't have an appearance as well. That's a bit odd I suppose, with no Naruto nor Sasuke in a chapter as big as this xD
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Okay over to something else... You guys should only know how badly I want to reveal everything I have in store for you, so much that it's almost tempting to reveal all of my notes on my upcoming chapters xD Though that would ruin the fun I suppose, and it really should just be me kicking up a notch on the writing instead I suppose. On the other hand, I'm going to do something I haven't done in a long time, and that is to give you guys a very small preview of the beginning of Chapter 11, if you're interested. Just a little taste of what to come (Though keep in mind that I've just barely begun chapter 11, and this is more or less the only thing I've written so far, so I might eventually end up doing some adjustments to it, and of course, going over the grammar and the sentence structure).
A Very, Very Short preview of Chapter 11 (Sasuke vs Suigetsu):
The Legendary Sage of Konoha Returns, Chapter 11; Friends, now Enemies:
Suigetsu: You'll have to do whatever you feel is right... Me on the other hand, have to do what I need to do, even if that means destroying you!!
Sasuke: Suigetsu... You've been poisoned by Kabuto and his foul tongue... This is my final warning, put down your sword and come peacefully, and I might be able to convince the other to go easy on you, as I was spared in the pa-...
Suigetsu: You don't get it do you...
Sasuke: ??
Suigetsu: Nothing you say or do can stray me from this path... I've already made up my mind, and I'm suggesting you do the same!
Pulling his sword backwards, dragging it along the ground at rapid speed, Suigetsu who headed straight towards Sasuke, then jumped up in the air and sliced at him. Sasuke brought up his Susanoo sword to parry, as a large shockwave appeared between them, slowly breaking into Sasuke's Susanoo.
Sasuke: !!
*Crash*
Forcing Sasuke to jump back, Suigetsu then followed up as the tip of the sword cracked open and a energy like ball came out of it, firing at Sasuke at great speed.
Suigetsu: Take this!
Sasuke: Shit!!
A large explosion occurred as a thick smokescreen appeared between them.
Suigetsu: Haha, you see?! This is what you get for underestimating me! There is no room for sympathy... no room for feelings in this war! You'll have to under-... !!
As the smokescreen slowly lifted, an unexpected view met Suigetsu as Sasuke was holding two legendary weapons... two weapons that Suigetsu had no idea were in his possession.
Suigetsu: It can't be?!
Sasuke: I already told you... Go down the path you are going now, and there will and shall not be any return! Give up on your foolish dream Suigetsu, you can't win this battle!
Standing in front of him, Suigetsu witnessed as Sasuke got back in battle position, but this time his Susanoo was a lot bigger, and it held the Yata Mirror and the Sword of Totsuka...
Suigetsu: Impossible, how did you get-...?!
Sasuke: A gift Itachi left me during our last encounter, though I didn't realize it right away, *Smirk.*
Suigetsu: You'll have to do whatever you feel is right... Me on the other hand, have to do what I need to do, even if that means destroying you!!
Sasuke: Suigetsu... You've been poisoned by Kabuto and his foul tongue... This is my final warning, put down your sword and come peacefully, and I might be able to convince the other to go easy on you, as I was spared in the pa-...
Suigetsu: You don't get it do you...
Sasuke: ??
Suigetsu: Nothing you say or do can stray me from this path... I've already made up my mind, and I'm suggesting you do the same!
Pulling his sword backwards, dragging it along the ground at rapid speed, Suigetsu who headed straight towards Sasuke, then jumped up in the air and sliced at him. Sasuke brought up his Susanoo sword to parry, as a large shockwave appeared between them, slowly breaking into Sasuke's Susanoo.
Sasuke: !!
*Crash*
Forcing Sasuke to jump back, Suigetsu then followed up as the tip of the sword cracked open and a energy like ball came out of it, firing at Sasuke at great speed.
Suigetsu: Take this!
Sasuke: Shit!!
A large explosion occurred as a thick smokescreen appeared between them.
Suigetsu: Haha, you see?! This is what you get for underestimating me! There is no room for sympathy... no room for feelings in this war! You'll have to under-... !!
As the smokescreen slowly lifted, an unexpected view met Suigetsu as Sasuke was holding two legendary weapons... two weapons that Suigetsu had no idea were in his possession.
Suigetsu: It can't be?!
Sasuke: I already told you... Go down the path you are going now, and there will and shall not be any return! Give up on your foolish dream Suigetsu, you can't win this battle!
Standing in front of him, Suigetsu witnessed as Sasuke got back in battle position, but this time his Susanoo was a lot bigger, and it held the Yata Mirror and the Sword of Totsuka...
Suigetsu: Impossible, how did you get-...?!
Sasuke: A gift Itachi left me during our last encounter, though I didn't realize it right away, *Smirk.*
Well that's all the taste you'll get for now, and like I said, I'm not sure when I'll release the next one. Though I'm thinking that the Eastern Holidays might be a good idea
That's all I have for this time, and chapter 11-15 will more or less be pretty much forward, with little to no flashbacks. Not sure when chapter 11 will be out yet, as I might need to finish chapter 12 and 15 first, before dealing with 11 and 13-14. We shall see... All I can say for now is that the next few upcoming chapters will be fixed on one fight at a time, meaning that Chapter 11 will be all about Sasuke and Suigetsu, Chapter 12 will be all about Naruto and the eight Edo Tensei, while Chapter 13 will be all about Kakashi, Akashi and Sakumo. From there on however, I'll mix things up a bit again. So thumbs up if you enjoyed this chapter, and feel free to not only discuss about this chapter, but also what to come. And people, continue to have an awesome day
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