Chapter 79: Chapter 33: Will Of Fire
Chapter 33: Will Of Fire
Naruto yawned as he jumped through the forest on the way back to Konoha. He had spent the past 2 weeks waking up very early during the morning and spending the time training. He jumped onto the ground before making his way to the clearing where Konoha's gates became visible.
However, he stopped when he saw the strange sight in front of him. Numerous people were being escorted by shinobi into Konoha, only stopping briefly to have their papers examined. He scratched his head before making his way past all of them and towards the front of the line where Shiranui Genma and Namiashi Raido were helping with the proceedings.
"Oi, Genma-sensei." Naruto greeted the senbon chewing shinobi as he nodded.
"Naruto, how can I help you?" He rolled the senbon needle in his mouth to the other side as he spoke.
Naruto observed the crowd of people before looking back towards the shinobi, "What's going on?"
Genma finished checking the papers of a family before letting them through, "You don't know huh?"
Naruto had a clueless expression which answered the shinobi's question. Raido who was silent answered in between dealing with the civilians, "Kakashi-san is free; he'll fill you in on the situation."
Naruto scratched his head as he observed the surroundings to find the masked pervert. "Yo! Over here." The voice made him turn around to face the shinobi who was calmly leaning against a wall.
Naruto looked at the busy shinobi who were occupied with the crowd and then at Kakashi who was standing and reading his mature novel, "Shouldn't you be helping?"
Kakashi detached himself from the wall before walking up to the jinchuuriki, "They can handle it; let's go."
Naruto followed the jounin into Konoha as he stretched his arms, "So, what's with all the people?"
Kakashi turned a page in his book before answering, "According to your information, Madara wanted to wipe out all unworthy civilisations in his eyes…it seems he has began."
Naruto's eyes widened, "Nani?"
Kakashi's exposed eye was fixated on his book, "2 weeks ago, Takigakure was attacked…it's been wiped out completely along with the rest of Waterfall Country."
Naruto had a shocked expression, "…It was him."
Kakashi nodded, "We don't have eye witnesses but neighbouring villages close to the border with retired shinobi claimed they felt a demonic chakra…it could only be him."
Naruto looked over his shoulder at the gates of Konoha as they continued walking, "You said they were wiped out…then who are they?"
They both turned into an alley away from the busier streets of Konoha, "They are from Wind Country. After the attack, we informed other villages of the threat. The best form of defence we have is to unite and stand our ground. Due to this, smaller villages like Kusagakure and Amegakure have evacuated and travelled to the larger villages along with the people of their country."
Naruto absorbed everything he had been told, "In our case, Sunagakure and the rest of their people joined us since we have an alliance."
Kakashi nodded, "Also, the Kazekage wanted to return after he heard of the attack on Takigakure. Sunagakure has only begun to re-establish itself and wouldn't stand a chance on its own so we provided shinobi who travelled to Wind Country and escorted them here. At this time, the best thing for us is to join and fight together."
Naruto realised the urgency of the situation, "Why wasn't I told any of this?"
Kakashi sighed before closing his book, "We didn't want to bother you with this…only few people knew of the plan since we didn't want to raise an alarm amongst everybody."
They stopped walking as Naruto folded his arms, "Everyone's going to become suspicious so it's not long before they have to be told."
Kakashi tucked away his novel in the confines of his vest, "They may grow suspicious but they're not going to be told anything regardless of how much pressure they apply on the council or the Godaime. As far as they are concerned, there is a threat to everyone but they won't know it's Madara until the time is right. What's important is to build a solid defence and try to understand where exactly Madara may strike next."
Naruto ran a hand through his hair, "Everything's come to this." He shook his head, "I'm going to go home and rest…" The jinchuuriki took off towards his abode leaving the masked jounin by himself.
Kakashi turned around before his face drifted upwards and his eyes landed on the Hokage monument and in particular, on the visage of the Yondaime, "I wasn't much help last time…but this time, it'll be different…sensei."
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Sakura was sat at the desk of the Godaime with several books strewn across it. She was busy reading through the scroll Temari had provided in order to find something that could help them. Tsunade was also reading through her own books in an attempt to find something. The past few weeks had been mentally exhausting and so far they only had one thing to work off and that was the Godaime's suggestion.
Tsunade had worked up the idea of modifying her Sozo Saisei technique for Naruto. The principle remained the same as in it would heal a tremendous amount but they needed to adapt it suitably for Naruto. They needed to somehow block off the Kyuubi's chakra so it wasn't unwillingly released as its toxic nature would do more harm than good. But due to the lack of control Naruto had, they needed to run that certain aspect from the outside and the method to accomplish that was becoming difficult to find. Once the technique is accomplished, they would have enough time to reconstruct his chakra coils without him losing his life. However they were desperately trying to find the missing link for the Sozo Saisei technique to work.
A few feet away from the two kunoichi, Gaara stared through the window to the far gates where his people were entering, "Did they panic?"
The Kazekage's question was directed at his reunited brother who stood at the far end of the room, "At first, but we were able to calm the situation."
Gaara closed his eyes appreciative of Kankuro's effort, "It is going to be hard from this point forwards."
Temari placed her battle fan on the ground before folding her legs and leaning back in her chair, "There is strength in numbers."
The red haired Kage opened his eyes as he resumed looking over the village. Sakura's eyes became alert as she swiftly read through the piece of text in front of her, "Tsunade-shisou…"
The Godaime looked up from her book towards her apprentice, "What is it?"
Sakura placed the scroll in front of the Godaime and pointed towards what she was reading, "I think I found it."
Tsunade rapidly began to read through as her eyes began to water. She nodded before facing the kunoichi, "Hai…"
Sakura had a large smile across her face and her eyes were brimmed with tears of happiness. Gaara turned to the kunoichi, "…You found a cure for him?"
Sakura nodded as she laughed joyfully, "Hai, a mixture between kinjutsu and a medical operation."
Tsunade folded the book she was previously reading before picking up the scroll and analysing it, "From what it seems, the procedure is going to be very long. We don't have time to waste with the current situation. I'm going to have to organise this accordingly so we can begin the process as soon as possible."
Sakura understood as she rose from her seat in order to find the jinchuuriki. However she stopped as the next instant two shinobis appeared in front of the Godaime.
"Mitarashi Anko and Morino Ibiki reporting." The two shinobi stood at attention as the Hokage faced them.
Tsunade sighed, "Did you find anything?"
After the destruction of Takigakure and Waterfall Country, the Godaime had deployed a team to travel there and try to find any hints as to where Madara may be going. Anko had a grim face, "We didn't encounter any enemies but we saw the remains."
Ibiki coughed, "Everything was decimated; it looked like hell."
The Godaime sat back contemplating on what kind of power the Uchiha had at his whim, "Any clues as to where he may go next."
Anko gulped as she looked at the Hokage, "We found tracks…he's heading in our direction."
The blonde instantly sat up and slammed her hand on her desk, "Nani? Anko, head to the gates and tell them to speed up the process." Anko nodded before disappearing while Tsunade addressed Ibiki, "I need you to send out a message to all jounin and chuunin to gather at the stadium within the next half hour."
Gaara addressed the torture specialist, "Tell all Sunagakure shinobi to be present also."
The scarred shinobi disappeared from his spot to complete his task while Tsunade looked back at the scroll. She sighed before her eyes travelled to her apprentice whose face was overcome with worry.
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Sasuke panted as he sheathed his kusanagi and stared at the damage he had done to the training ground. He had trained consistently in the same locale for an extensive amount of time now. He wiped the sweat from his forehead before sitting down on the ground.
The training schedule mostly involved him practicing his jutsu in order to become more efficient in implementing them and kenjutsu training. Moving his hand to the pouch on his leg, he withdrew a soldier pill before flicking it into his mouth. Ignoring the sour taste, he felt a boost of energy before grinning.
His eyes twitched as he turned around feeling a faint force of chakra. The Uchiha rose to his feet as he focused himself to garner a better understanding of what he was feeling. His mouth fell open as he realised the familiarity, "That chakra…"
Abandoning his training, he took off rapidly to the source. He could see the boundary of the village drawing near knowing of the fact that he was restricted to the village and wasn't allowed to leave. The black haired teen brushed away the thoughts before jumping over the wall and into the trees behind it.
Sasuke continued jumping through the trees as the distance between him and Konoha grew greater before eventually coming to a stop and landing on the forest floor. He calmly waited with his eyes alert as he analysed the surrounding area.
"So, you're the one he left alive." The sinister voice made Sasuke divert his attention to the branch of a tall tree several feet away to find a man in an Akatsuki cloak sitting down coolly.
Sasuke glared at the new arrival with hatred, "…Uchiha Madara."
The crimson eyed criminal rested his elbow on his knee, "You can recognise the similar chakra."
Sasuke's hand slowly made its way to his kusanagi, "You're the reason for all my suffering…that damn scroll which led to me losing everything."
Madara raised an eyebrow, "You know full well of the powers the sharingan can grant…tell me; why did you let the jinchuuriki live when you had the chance to obtain the Mangekyou?"
Sasuke's eyes fell to the forest floor, "The darkness has no right…to take away the light."
Madara shook his head, "Pitiful, you are bound by useless emotions. You lacked the hatred to take the final step."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as his black eyes changed into the form of the sharingan, "I refused to become like my brother…like you. The only thing I lack is contentment."
Sasuke vanished from his position, appearing directly in front of Madara before making a downwards slash with his kusanagi. Madara moved out of the way as the tree branch was cut cleanly into two pieces. Sasuke turned around sending a kick to Madara's face and connecting before spinning his weapon and attempting to stab him through his head.
Both Uchiha continued their descent to the ground as Madara moved his head to the side at the last moment, avoiding the attack, before kicking the younger shinobi in the stomach and separating them both. Sasuke turned in the air before landing on his feet and charging at his ancestor.
He began to attack the criminal with various moves before trying to take off his head with a horizontal swipe. Madara ducked under the attack as Sasuke smirked, twisting his wrist and bringing the hilt of his sword down into the orange haired criminal's head. He didn't stop as he jumped forwards and drove his knee into Madara's face before twisting his body and delivering a kick into his neck sending him through the air.
The cap at the bottom of Sasuke's weapon fell off before he threw the kusanagi at the soaring Madara. As it flew through the air, a wire escaped it before Madara crashed into a tree and the kusanagi went straight into his cloak pinning him. The younger Uchiha grabbed the wire before it sizzled and a current flowed across it towards Madara. The crimson eyed criminal raised an eyebrow as the current reached the kusanagi and decimated the tree he was pinned to.
Sasuke pulled back the wire as his kusanagi came into view from behind the dust cloud and into his hand. He held it in a ready position while he was fully alert, "I know it missed, stop hiding."
He heard a laugh from behind him as he instantly turned around to face Madara. The criminal held his shoulder before stretching his neck, "Very innovative, your speed is amazing." The black circles in his eyes changed shape into the sharingan, "But…you're still no match for me."
The leader of Akatsuki jumped at Sasuke driving his leg into the younger shinobi's ribs before turning upside down and kicking him in the shoulder. Madara twisted onto his feet before throwing a combination of punches at his opponent.
Sasuke reeled from the multiple punches as they connected. He brought up his sword as he felt some blood flowing from out of his mouth before concentrating his chakra. Madara threw a punch at the black haired teen's stomach as a shock of electricity flew through his body upon connecting. Sasuke smirked as his Chidori Nagashi was executed before using his sword to slash Madara's arm causing it to spatter blood and driving his elbow into his face.
Madara coughed out blood as he grew angry. He avoided the next attack by Sasuke before grabbing his arm and disarming the kusanagi. He pulled in the shinobi and drove a violent punch into his stomach. Not stopping, he threw Sasuke away from him before kicking his kusanagi hardly and sending it into a tree far away.
Sasuke twisted before rapidly performing hand seals and shouting, "Katon Haisekisho!"
Madara took note of his actions, instantly copying them as they both blew out a cloud of heated ash at each other. Sasuke spat out some blood from his mouth as he landed on the ground and attempted to find his opponent since the ash had obscured his view.
A throbbing pain entered his spine as he looked behind him to find Madara smirking. The older shinobi didn't waste any time as he punched Sasuke repeatedly in his back before moving around him and kicking him across the face.
Sasuke was sent rolling across the floor as he gritted his teeth trying to ignore the pain. As soon as he could, he jumped onto his feet before performing hand seals and raising his hand into the air, "Kessanbai!" A charge of electricity swirled around his raised arm before a ball of the volatile element appeared in his hand. The unpredictable ball of electrical energy shot multiple bolts around the Uchiha as they connected and destroyed the trees and earth. Sasuke roared as he put more chakra into his attack and it increased in ferocity, several bolts hit the surrounding environment repeatedly, destroying everything they touched.
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Genma and Raido ushered in as many people as they could as shinobi's rushed over the village either getting in positions for defending the village or helping to evacuate the people. The Anbu had mobilised and were already in their assigned locales as Genma anxiously looked over the huge crowd, "Raido, there's no time for this…just let them through."
Raido nodded as he stepped aside and told the people to get moving as fast as they could in an orderly manner, "Follow the shinobi to where he takes you." He pointed at the ninja he was referring to.
"Come on people, hurry up and get moving!" Anko used her energy to encourage the crowd.
Genma sweat dropped as he cleared his throat before speaking, "Anko-san…"
The purple haired kunoichi had a serious face as she waved him off, "Don't worry, I can handle this fine. MOVE PEOPLE!"
Genma decided to remain quiet as he turned around to find the Godaime approaching him along with her apprentice and the Sand trio. The blonde Hokage spoke in an authoritative tone, "Any suspicious activities?"
Genma shook his head, "No, most of the squadrons have taken their positions and we'll be on our way once we've made sure the rest of the people are in safely."
Tsunade turned around to face her pink haired apprentice, "Find Naruto quickly and try to convince him. Once you're done, I need you back here to provide medical care since you can't fight in your condition."
Sakura nodded but before she took off, the ground trembled causing the crowd of people to panic wondering what was going on. A huge chakra made itself felt as the shinobi looked towards the direction it was coming from to find explosions in the distance followed by a large plume of smoke rising into the air.
Tsunade's eyes widened, "He's here!"
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Sasuke was slightly out of breath as he looked around through the cloud of smoke and dust. He brought his hand down to his side remaining alert of his surroundings as he used his other hand to withdraw a kunai from his pouch. He twisted the kunai in his hand before something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. He turned towards it however his eyes widened as he saw a kunai flying directly towards his head. The sharingan wielder's insides twirled in fear as he realised he wouldn't be able to stop it from connecting.
He waited resignedly as the world seemed to slow down while the weapon made its way towards his temple. Nonetheless, within an inch of connecting a clanging sound was heard as the weapon was thrown off course courtesy of another kunai.
Sasuke brought his own kunai into a readied position as he realised what had happened. Another man landed next to him with long white hair and a serious demeanour, "That was a close call for you."
The smoke slowly cleared as the shinobi patiently waited for their enemy to make an appearance. A laughing sound was heard as Madara revealed his voice, "You have certainly grown…Jiraiya."
The perverted hermit directed his attention to the source of the voice to find the old Uchiha staring directly at him and Sasuke, "Shouldn't there be two of you?"
Madara sighed, "He fulfilled the reason for his existence."
Jiraiya realised what he meant by his words, "Your own comrade…" He disregarded the fact it seemed so low to kill someone who was loyal to you as he voiced his opinion on more important issues, "You're doing all this because of one boy. Do you really hate Yasuo so much?"
The crimson eyed criminal slowly walked around the pair, "I am doing this to bring the ideals of a shinobi back to what they should be."
Jiraiya shook his head disbelievingly, "The power to change others isn't given…it is earned."
Madara laughed at the frog hermit, "You have aged and with it you believe you have acquired wisdom? You are still young compared to me and my power was earned…when I killed my best friend."
Sasuke's eyes were filled with rage as he heard the orange haired criminal, "This bloodline really is a curse."
Madara's visage was emotionless, "What is a gift? What is a curse? The perceptions of such things are twisted with each individual way of thinking. Over time, a person comes to accept that which he has grown accustomed to. Once I have completed my destiny, people will believe the new way of life as the most suitable way of living."
Sasuke tightened his grip around the kunai in his hand, "I lost my parents…my brother…my dreams because of you and what you think is an Uchiha's destiny…" The swirls in his eyes connected into a whole new pattern revealing the Mangekyou Sharingan, "…Those dreams, they were hard to get back…I won't lose them again."
Jiraiya looked at the pattern in the younger shinobi's eyes as Madara raised an eyebrow, "…It seems you did have the will for these eyes."
Sasuke gritted his teeth as he talked of his fight with Naruto, "I gave up on obtaining these eyes the day I left my strongest bond intact…"
Madara smirked as he realised how he acquired the power of the Mangekyou, "Your brother was dear to you until the end."
The face of Itachi flashed through Sasuke's mind as he remembered his hand going through his chest and dealing the final blow which ended his life, "I didn't want to ever have to use these…but until you die, the Uchiha will never be free of their past."
Madara shook his head as he looked at the disappearing cloud of smoke in the sky knowing that it must have alerted Konoha, "We're going to have company soon. Enough playing around, it's time I show you what power really is."
Jiraiya anticipated what was going to happen next as both he and Sasuke jumped behind one of the many fallen trees for cover. A blast of purple chakra was expelled from Madara's body, throwing over the few standing trees in the vicinity. His body began to glow a dark purple as he performed hand seals and chains exploded from the ground. The seemingly full of life chains slowly wrapped themselves around the criminal's anatomy before pulling him into the ground.
Sasuke looked at the sight in trepidation as he knew what was happening, "Anima…"
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Naruto sat up in his bed as he felt an enormous burst of chakra. The jinchuuriki recognised the demonic qualities as he jumped out of his bed before looking through the window. He was taken by surprise as he saw the surging chakra force emanating from the distance, "…Madara."
He turned around before running to the side of his bed and grabbing the weapons pouch which was returned to him by Sasuke. He looked inside to make sure everything was there before he strapped it to his leg.
Before leaving, his eyes caught the black book sitting comfortably on the table. He walked up to it before picking it up and momentarily looking at it. Pocketing it, he exited his apartment before jumping onto his roof to get a better view of the strange happening in the distance.
The sky was a dark red as the clouds began to circle around where the huge chakra was pouring from. Naruto's sapphire eyes focused on the vicinity where he could feel it coming from before the ground began to tremble along with his apartment. He steadied himself as his astonishment was clearly written across his face when he saw what happened next.
A bloodcurdling scream was heard before something burst out of the ground in the distance making itself known to all of Konoha. Naruto was amazed at the display as he saw Anima in all its glory. It looked exactly like the statue at the Akatsuki hideout and was bigger than even Gamabunta. The purple chakra surrounding the King of the Underworld flared as he struggled with the chains binding his hands. After a few moments they were broken as he spread his arms in a menacing manner and let out a roar. The people on the streets of Konoha noticed the tremendous sight before screaming in fear and running to take cover.
Naruto turned his head, his eyes travelling to the Hokage monument as he looked at the face of the Shodaime, the one who had taken in his ancestor and sacrificed his life to protect his precious person. He looked at the Nidaime, who had died in the war alongside his grandparents to protect the Fire Country. As he felt his heart calm down, his eyes laid their attention on the Sandaime, who was the one to give him acknowledgment and never stop believing in him. He sighed as he looked at the visage of the Yondaime who was the one who chose him to bear the burden of the Kyuubi and gave his life for the happiness of his people. Finally, he stared at the carved countenance of the Godaime who was one of the most important people alive to him and carried the duty of protecting Konoha with her life. The words of Madara flowed through his head as his eyes were full of determination.
"…this is your destiny, when you were chosen as the container of the Kyuubi…your fate was sealed."
He brought his hand in front of his face as he stared at it before letting it fall to his side. He closed his eyes as he tightened both of his hands into fists, "With these hands…" He opened his eyes as he stared at the demonic entity in the distance, "…I'll change my destiny!"
Chidori Nagashi - One Thousand Birds Current
Katon Haisekisho - Fire Release Ash Product Burning
Kessanbai - Reckoning (Original)
Sozo Saisei - Creation Rebirth
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone