Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto Dragon Champion ❯ Crossroads ( Chapter 18 )

Naruto - The Twin Swords

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Naruto or the show itself. If I did…I would quit writing about stuff like this.

Chapter 17

Crossroads

( ): Thoughts

((“ ”)): Holy Talon's voice

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In a nearby temple…

Ring!

Ring!

Naruto was busy praying to the Gods in the temple as he and Jiraiya were taking a bit of a rest break on their trip to the area where Tsunade was supposed to be. He hoped that they found this lady soon and while Jiraiya said that Tsunade was a very attractive woman…Naruto still had his doubts as he did recalled that Jiraiya did state that she was at his age too…even if this Tsunade was supposed to have some way to avoid being seen as an old lady.

“Hey Pervy Sage?”

“Yeah? And how many times do I have to tell you…the name's Jiraiya…not Pervy Sage!”

“Yeah, sure…so anyway Pervy Sage…what sort of student was the Fourth like./..and I'm talking about how you and him get along…you know…”

“Oh…you mean what was he like when not being a ninja? Well, for one thing…he was respectful of his seniors and always had a courteous air about him…even had a good sense of humor when it came to him and like before…he was a genius…and a once in a generation find. You look like him in a way and that is kind of surprising.”

“What?! I look like him?! I didn't know that!”

Jiraiya looked at Naruto with a bit of a disbelieving air.

“You mean you've never looked at a single photograph of him the whole time you were in the Academy?”

“I had…other priorities…”

“Yeah…I heard as much from some people I know…but anyway…the reason I said that is not to bloat you up to think you ARE the Fourth Hokage you know…you resemble him only…but you have the chance to be a Hokage in your own right.”

Naruto thought about it and replied.

“I guess so…so you and the Fourth were…”

Jiraiya sighed and replied.

“He was my greatest student…my trusted and strongest protégé and quite the fighter and genius. If he was my blood son, I would never stopped praising him in front of everyone in the village. And when he became the Hokage…well, to know that was the greatest moment of my life…but sadly…”

Naruto nodded and sat down next to the Sannin and touched his stomach…

“The Kyuubi…I'm sorry then…for…”

Jiraiya shook his head and smiled at he patted Naruto on the head.

“Don't fret squirt…he did what he knew was the right thing…and I do miss him…but I know that he lives on even if he's not here in the land of the living anymore…and someday…you'll learn the reason…besides…you have a chance to be a great man yourself…you were able to control the chakra of the Kyuubi in the arena and that is a great feat in itself.”

“Okay then…but if you taught the Fourth…and I knew from Sakura-chan that you, this Tsunade…and even that snake bastard Orochimaru were students of the Third…what was it like?”

“Hahahaha…well, you could say that back then…I was a young buck…full of bravado and guts, so were Tsunade and Orochimaru…and the Third was pretty young himself..probably in the younger days of being a man. Speaking of which…since you've trained under Kakashi Hatake…that would mean you went through the bell test…am I right?”

Naruto nodded as he reached into his back-pack and took out a candy bar and as he peeled the food item…he talked about his own experiences with the said training system and grimaced at the memory of being tied up on the tree stump when he failed the test.

“…and I really got hungry being tied to that stump for nearly three hours…it was a good thing Sakura…and even Sasuke fed me…and we passed.”

Jiraiya was also munching on his own food bar and he turned with some surprise at that.

“So…you actually went through that too?”

“What do you mean?”

Jiraiya shook his head and replied.

“Never mind that for now…in the mean time I think it's time you get some training in with your sword Holy Talon…come on, you do want to master it right?”

Naruto sighed and nodded as he got up and finished his food bar and took out Holy Talon from the sheath and began to train himself once more but not before doing some the prescribed exercises taught to him by Holy Talon. As he finished his warm ups and began to train once more. Jiraiya began to think about how things were back in his day when he was about Naruto's age…

He recalled saying that he was going to win the bell test when he and the others were given it by the Third Hokage back then…he recalled how he had failed miserably like Naruto did and how Tsunade taunted him back then. Orochimaru…was different then…it was so long since he ever recalled the older days…he then recalled his discussion with the Third on his peeping habits and how the Third acted…

Jiraiya chuckled at the memory and looked at Naruto as the blonde began to train a bit more and had to admit that he saw the same in himself in Naruto…at least to some degree and that was enough for him to chuckle even more…at least Naruto matured a good deal ever since finding Holy Talon.

The Sannin spent some time thinking about all that had happened since those long and far away days of his youth. He then decided that they should get on moving as they needed to find a place for them rest and recover…along with him getting to meet some lovely ladies…though how he was going to deal with getting women when Naruto was along with him…was still going to be a bit of a test for him.

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Back in Konoha…

Kakashi moaned in as he lay down on his bed while Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai were there…he looked at them and was happy at least that they all were able to evade the two Akatsuki…he thought back on what had happened before…

As they were able to intercept the two…it didn't take long for him, Kurenai, and Asuma to recognize one of the strangers first. It was none other than Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki. Kisame was another renegade ninja, but this time, hailing from the Water Country and was like Zabuza…but was quite different from the ninja he and his team had fought with before as Kisame was resembling a human shark with what he knew was another Mist Seven Swordsman weapon…the Sharkskin or the Samehada. Kurenai was still reeling from the Genjutsu reversal that Itachi had done and Asuma had been injured by Kisame…the real test for him was facing the full might of the Sharingan…and he knew that he was way out of his league at the moment. While he was told by Itachi that he was very good at using the Sharingan…he was not on the bloodline and thus his body couldn't handle the demands of the Sharingan for long, and it was true indeed…he was then subjected to the Tsukuyomi and had been tortured by Itachi for what seemed like three days in the Genjutsu…but was only a minute…he had suffered a great deal from the blow. However…it was there that he recalled his conversation with Jiraiya concerning Naruto's fate…

He told Kisame and Itachi he knew about Akatsuki and he asked if they had targeted Sasuke…Itachi said no…they were after the Fourth Hokage's living legacy…Kurenai and Asuma had no idea what that was about…but he did…

Gai arrived just when things were dire and saved their necks from Kisame and Itachi, Itachi had ordered Kisame to capture him and kill both Asuma and Kurenai when Gai showed up…Itachi himself called the retreat after Gai explained how he had trained on a way to counter even the Sharingan by merely looking at Itachi's feet…something he had developed over the years of their `rivalry' and while he had a hard time dealing with Gai…his respect for the Jonin was high and the results of his lethal fighting style was seen. Kakashi rested and thought back on the conversation before with Jiraiya as he rested from his ordeal.

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Flashback…

“It's been quite a long time Jiraiya-sama…I didn't expect you about until Naruto mentioned something about a Pervy Sage…what brings you back here? More ideas for that novel you have in mind?”

Jiraiya however looked at the village and sighed.

“Might be…but that's not the only reason…I want you to know that I will be taking over Naruto's training for the time being…”

“Oh?”

“Yes…you're a great teacher Kakashi and Naruto will no doubt learn a lot from you…and from what I've heard…he treats you with respect…though not in the normal fashion. But there is something that I have to do in order for Naruto to be at the top of his game…”

“I see…”

“You know that another reason I left the village was to keep track of Orochimaru…which is why I am not in the Bingo Book…the research I do is real, but is also my cover in keeping track of Orochimaru's movements…earlier…he had been working alone…gathering jutsu that interested him and using various medical jutsus and surgeries to prolong his life to reach his dream of mastering all jutsu…but then…he joined an organization.”

“ He joined an organization? I didn't think someone like Orochimaru would be the kind to side with others.”

“He isn't…this organization is very different, they are called the Akatsuki.”

“Akatsuki?”

“Yeah…they are all ninja…and not the usual rookies and basket cases either…they are nine other S-ranked ninja…all deadly in their respective arts and are all renegades from their countries and villages. Normally they did only the usual cloak and dagger work, like mercenary ninja, while that is regular for most if not all ninja groups…these guys, being S-ranked ninja aren't the kind to stay that way forever, and recently…”

“Recently…they have been targeting others…like Naruto…”

“What do you mean?”

“I'm not entirely certain of either how or why, but they have recently been making forays into other countries in pairs and gathering jutsus to master…along with hunting down others like Naruto…and not because of who he is, but what is inside of him.”

“The Kyuubi…”

“I'm not entirely sure why or how they would get the Kyuubi out of the blonde kid…but it would make sense…considering the limitless amount of chakra that the Kyuubi has within itself. If they succeed in this matter…then you can bet that we are going to be in the fight of our lives at that point and time…and the technique will kill Naruto.”

“I see…”

“I need you to focus on Sasuke…since you have gotten much better with the Sharingan…you have a finer chance of teaching him than anyone else at this point and time. I will deal with Naruto's training…he has to realize that since he is what he is…he has to be ready and watching his back at all times if he wants to live longer in this world. And I will do my best to prepare him for when the time is right for him to defend himself from them when they come after him…for now…your duty is to Sasuke…and to make sure that you do what you cant to prevent him from being tempted to side with Orochimaru.”

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End of Flashback…

(Jiraiya-sama was right…Akatsuki is after Naruto…if they remove the Kyuubi…Naruto will die…I pray that what we've agreed on will be enough to help Naruto.)

However…he had no idea that his previous plans to talk to Sasuke were going to backfire…for as he was asleep Sasuke came into his room and seeing Kakashi asleep and the three other Jonin, Kurenai, Asuma, and Gai, began asking what was going on…until Aoba…another Konoha ninja came in and mentioned what happened…the very second Sasuke heard his brother's name…he raged and rushed out to find Naruto…who was the one Itachi was after.

Gai shook his head while Kurenai admonished Aoba for his rashness. Asuma then spoke.

“Someone had better follow Sasuke…knowing how much hatred he's got for that Itachi, he's going to get killed and Kakashi is not going to let that happen if he was awake.”

Gai nodded and got up and spoke to the two other Jonin.

“You two better stay here…since I'm the only one to match the Sharingan at this point and time…I'm better suited for this.”

“Go on…but be careful either way Gai…we'll have backup on the way as soon as we can.”

“Got it…but we'll need to have the medics come here to check on Kakashi when we can.”

Gai quickly took off and he was able to get an idea of just where Sasuke would go.

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In Konoha…

Sasuke was running as if he was being chased by a demon…and in some cases…he was, the demon of past memories…the very second he heard about Itachi being in the area and pursuing Naruto…he brain went on overdrive…he had been practicing with the Chidori for some time and had decided to locate Kakashi and find out just what was it that Kakashi wanted to say to him…but when Kakashi was not around the next day..he became concerned and went to his house…but now that he heard the his brother…the one man who he wanted kill personally for a very long time was in the area…he lost all thought of talking to Kakashi and went off to Naruto's place.

As soon as he got there…Sakura and Kin came out of the room and he rushed up to the two Kunoichi and spoke.

“Sakura! Where is Naruto?!”

Sakura was surprised at the urgency at what Sasuke was saying and wondered just what was going on at the moment and so was kin…as far as they knew…Sasuke normally didn't bother on where Naruto was and would normally wait for him to show up and to have this happen was certainly unexpected and odd.

“He's not here…”

“Where is he?!”

“Hey man…will you calm down a second and tell us what this is about?”

Sasuke turned towards Kin and replied.

“I don't have time to talk…it's important I know where Naruto is!”

Sakura then spoke as Kin glared back at Sasuke.

“He took off with one of the Sannin, the one named Jiraiya for a task…I have no idea where they would be going right now…”

“How long have they gone?!”

“At least several hours or so…what's going on Sasuke-kun?”

Sakura never got an answer to her question as Sasuke quickly took off and headed for the gate to talk to the current gate guards and find out in which direction did his team-mate take and try to reach them all so he can finally take out the one man he had vowed to face and kill.

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Speaking of Naruto and Jiraiya, the two were currently reaching another outlying town and were now being observed by none other than Kisame and Itachi…however…the two Akatsuki members kept their distance at the moment and were seemingly studying their targets…normally they would have attacked…but seeing as it was one of the Sanin they were fighting and not a normal ninja…they were cautious.

“Never thought we'd have to contend with one of the legendary Sannin of all things.”

“True…he is on an entirely different level than you or I Kisame…”

“One of the Sannin and him of the three no less, this will not be easy if he's around to protect that kid we came here to get. If we get beaten or killed by him…then the Mist Seven Swordsmen and the Uchiha Clan will have their names driven into the mud…or worse.”

“True…but there is always an old saying that applies to anyone Kisame…'Even the greatest fighters have a weakness.' And I know already just what Jiraiya's weakness is…this will be a simple move…though it will still have to be done in a hurry.”

In the town being approached by Naruto and Jiraiya, a very beautiful woman in a party dress in the sleeveless make was walking about on her usual beat when she noted something was getting her attention as a pebble fell before her feet. She looked about and for a moment…heard a faint voice…then her stare went blank.

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In the town…

“What are we doing here anyway Pervy Sage?”

Naruto asked Jiraiya as they arrived at the town and things seemed to be normal…Naruto had to admit that the place was certainly lively and clean too….not like the mess Konoha was at the moment. The people were chatting and moving about…doing shopping, delivering things, selling goods, gambling…the usual stuff. What were they doing here was beyond him at the moment.

“Simple squirt…we're going to rest here for a while, and while here…I can get some info on anyone who's possibly seen Tsunade…considering how she looks she would no doubt stand out in a crowd like this.”

“Okay…but what am I going to do…are you going to teach me that jutsu you promised me before? Cause I'm really interested in learning it now.”

“In due time…besides…there's not much for you to have privacy here and this technique I'm going to teach you isn't what I call discrete. We'll find us a good place to call home for the time being and get some info.”

They arrived in a hotel and Naruto had to admit that the place certainly looked be in good working order….clean, well maintained and more.

“So what do I do now Pervy Sage?”

“Well…I've already gotten us a room so you can bunk down there for the time being…getting info with you around is going to be a hard thing to do and I need some privacy.”

“Is getting Tsunade's location the reason you're going out…or are you planning on being a pervert again and look for a woman?”

“That's my business squirt…”

“I knew it…no way am I going to let you go alone and get into Gods only knows what!”

The argument was stopped as a woman arrived on the scene and stopped before the entrance of the hotel…getting both Naruto and Jiraiya's attention and the moment the woman looked at the pair with a sexy come here gesture they were liking this…showing that while Naruto was still a kid…he was quite an admirer of the female form. The woman continued her actions and Jiraiya gave Naruto the keys and Naruto was far from pleased as he was sent to the room. But he decided to agree and get some free time to learn more about Holy Talon's powers and abilities which he could put to good use. So despite his dislike of the whole situation…he let Jiraiya have his way for the time being and went to the room.

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Some distance away…

Sasuke arrived in the town…moving as fast as he could and his whole thought was to hunt down and kill Itachi. But he had to locate the place where Naruto and were staying in at the moment and that was not going to be easy to say the least as the town had several hotels and he quickly made his way into tracking the right one down…but in his hurry to find Naruto and Jiraiya and face Itachi for the first time in years since that fateful night.

He thought about his day when he had asked his brother Itachi to help him with his training and how he had seen his brother as the better one between him and his father. Itachi promised to teach him the technique some other time and after the usual tapping on the head which was his habit…he left the house they lived in. He recalled his discussions with his father and mother and then his chat with both his uncle and aunt. He recalled his day at school reading books and practicing his shuriken throwing. And that night…he recalled heading home…seeing a man in the top of a pole on the street, he rushed to see who that person was but when he got there…there was nothing…

He then heard shouts and curses…and screams…he rushed there quickly and to his shock and horror he saw fellow Uchiha dead…the street was covered in blood and weapons were everywhere. He ran through the road and saw bodies of everyone who was of the Uchiha clan…his clan and then he saw his uncle and aunt dead.

He rushed into his home and saw no one there…he prayed that his family was somehow missed by the killer or killers who did this…and he hurried to try and find his father and mother after leaving behind his shoes and bag. He searched the rooms but then heard a shout that he recognized easily and rushed to the meeting room of the Uchiha Clan screaming for his parents. He heard his mother scream for him not to enter and he then heard the sounds of death and he froze…trying to fight the urge to run away. He opened the doors and he saw his mother and father dead…he walked in and saw someone approach…he backed away…fearing that it was killer or one of them…but to his relief…it was his brother Itachi…he rushed to his brother hoping to find out what was going on…

But he got the greatest shock of his life…when his brother threw his own shuriken at him and cut him on the left shoulder…he fell, hoping that what happened was not true…his brother would never hurt him like this…but he was wrong as his brother looked utterly different from before, he had the Sharingan on…but it seemed permanent for some reason. He tried to speak to his brother…to figure out why he did what he did and what was going on. But Itachi told him he did it to gain a powerful heritage of the Sharingan…the Magenkyo Sharingan…

.And in a moment…Itachi made him relive the entire massacre all over again from the very beginning…and he recalled his brother's words that day…

Sasuke focused himself and sought out Naruto and Jiraiya…

----------

Naruto was busy talking with Holy Talon in the mental link they had to one another and was in the process of learning some new basic level spells when he heard someone knocking on the door and he knew that he only had one person to bunk with and that was the Pervy Sage.

(Maybe that girl dumped him or something…)

However…Holy Talon then spoke to him urgently.

((“Master Naruto! That's not Jiraiya at the door! It's someone else…someone with a great deal of power and something dark as well…the person's not alone either…there's another with him…someone not entirely human to say the least.”))

(Could it be Orochimaru?!)

((“No…the power if different…similar to the power I sense in Sasuke…be ready.”))

Naruto nodded and placed Holy Talon on his back and pretended to think that it was none other than the Pervy Sage before him…he opened the door and found himself face to face with someone who looked like Sasuke…but older and dressed quite differently from his old team-mate.

(This guy has the same eyes as Sasuke…but they seem to be active all the time…that's not right…Sasuke has to summon the Sharingan to use it properly. And as far as I know he's the only Uchiha left alive and Kakashi's not a blood member of the Uchiha…could this guy be a survivor from the clan massacre that happened years before?)

He then heard another walk out and sure enough the guy next to the new-comer was tall…very tall and carried a bundle on his back…but Naruto had no problem seeing was a sword wrapped in cloth.

“So…this is him…hard to believe this one is the container of the Kyuubi I've heard a lot about.”

(What?! That's impossible…how can this guy who's certainly not a member of Konoha know about the Kyuubi?! I thought that no one outside of Konoha knows about me being the container for the Kyuubi…but these two seem to know about it. Something definitely wrong here…)

((“Master Naruto…that man with the cloth wrapped sword…I can smell the taint of blood on him…,it's thick…and his aura is evil…he's a threat and I can sense the same for this one before you.”))

“You've changed somewhat Naruto-kun, but no matter…I still recognize your anywhere…come out from there…there is something I would like you to do for us.”

Naruto was wary and did so…not because of orders...but he needed room to move and fight if he had to fight his way past these two.

“It's going to be a problem if this one tries to run away or use that sword of his…maybe I should cut off his legs and arms…so we can keep him with us…is that all right?”

The Sharingan user made no motions and it seemed to be the signal needed by the one with the sword as he raised his weapon. Naruto glared back…defiant as he began to raise his hands to defend himself.

It was at that moment that the Sharingan user spoke.

“It's been a long time…Sasuke…”

The two others turned and there was Sasuke Uchiha looking at them and the Genin spoke in a cold and angry voice.

“Itachi Uchiha…”

Kisame looked and smirked a bit as he spoke.

“Well now…this day is a special one…it's the second time I meet a Sharingan user…only this time I meet one who's a pure blood Uchiha.”

(Itachi Uchiha….it can't be… he's got the same last name as Sasuke…but that means that…he's the one who slaughtered his own clan!!! He's Sasuke's brother…)

“I WILL KILL YOU!!!!”

Sasuke said with a cold stare as his Sharingan activated and he stared right at Itachi. Ksiame looked on with amusement.

“He looks similar to you Itachi…just who is this new arrival?”

“He's my younger brother.”

“Oh…I was under the impression that the entire Uchiha clan was wiped out…by you no less.”

Naruto then recalled the promise Sasuke made long ago to kill a certain man apart from reviving his clan…and he knew here and now that this Itachi was the one Sasuke talked about during their meeting with Kakashi for the first time.

Sasuke recalled his words that night as he tried to find out what had prompted his brother to butcher their whole clan and their own parents, he recalled trying to fight but his brother beat him easily and he saw his father's dead face and his brother's words that he had to live and survive…to hate him, to despise him.,..and when he had the same eyes as he did…then seek him out.

“I only to say this much to you…Itachi…I have lived my whole life hating you…and despising you…and now I will kill you for all you have done!!!!”

Sasuke made the hand seals rapidly and activated Chidori…which Itachi quickly recognized as he saw the technique before and knew that move to be Kakashi's own personal jutsu. Sasuke charged right at Itachi..intent on ripping Itachi to shreds with Chidori…however, Itachi was not afraid and with amazingly efficient speed and minimal effort…caught Sasuke's arm and redirected the Chidori away from himself. The two brother stared at each other.

(This is bad…if they want the Kyuubi…then so be it!)

Naruto quickly made the seals and mentally ordered his Dragon Wardens to unleash their hold on the cage that held the Kyuubi and allow the chakra to flow out.

Both Itachi and Kisame turned and saw the chakra of the Kyuubi begin to flow out of Naruto and Kisame knew that they were going to be in a serious bind of the Kyuubi's chakra was fully unleashed. Sasuke tried to free himself but Itachi broke his brother's arm and forced Sasuke to his knees…

Sasuke…you bastards…now you're going to get it!!!”

“Too late…”

Kisame slashed and Naruto was stunned that the Kyuubi's chakra was suddenly eaten away and he glared at Kisame.

“Hate to disappoint you kid…but my Samehada eats chakra…now with that out of the way…you're not going to be a problem.”

Naruto however grinned and summoned his power of Dragon Fire as the white flame surrounded him…startling both Kisame and Itachi as he glared at the two of them.

“What the?!”

(Hmm…that does not feel like normal chakra…and it's not the Kyuubi's…what's going on here?)

“If you think this fight is over…then you're wrong!”

Naruto drew out Holy Talon and the sword opened it's covered eye and the two Akatsuki saw the eye in the hand-guard of the sword glare at them, the eye was reptilian and seemed to radiate great power and Naruto quickly moved in towards them…

“MIRAGE!!!!”

Naruto faded from sight and the two were surprised as Naruto appeared a good distance from them at the other side of the hall and carrying Sasuke…he gently placed Sasuke down and glared at the two as he held Holy Talon in a two handed grip.

----------

Jiraiya sighed as he looked at the sleeping woman on his shoulder…he had some suspicion about this incident and sensed that the woman was placed in a Genjutsu to lure him out and he knew that only one person could have that ability.

(Looks like I've got a young whelp to deal with.)

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Back in the corridor…

Kisame and Itachi looked on as Naruto faced them and he was not in a forgiving mood as he had Holy Talon in his hands as Sasuke was still unconscious…the blonde now realized that the one named Itachi Uchiha and the only other guy who had the Sharingan apart from Sasuke and Kakashi was the one who not only killed the Uchiha clan, his own clan by himself…but had left Sasuke an orphan like him, and was the one Sasuke had an obsession of killing for a long time.

(How could he do that to his own family…and do this to Sasuke?! This guy…is revolting!!!!)

“Naruto-san…it would be wise that you surrender yourself now…before we will have to hurt you.”

Itachi said as he spoke to Naruto…but as he did so…he was running through his memories concerning the Kyuubi container…something was utterly different with the young man…something totally off in a way that he couldn't quite figure out.

(He's different somehow…like he had been through a lot…and accepted a lot…something in him is different…this capture will not be so simple as I hoped it would be. And that sword…it's power is different…it's not evil like the Kyuubi's but it's something else entirely)

“Better listen to Itachi kid...he's giving you one more chance to come quietly and with all your limbs intact…don't make him change his mind.”

“Why the hell should I listen to a man who butchered his own Clan?! His own family?! And turned my team-mate, his very own little brother into this?! I don't know why someone like you Itachi would do such a bloody massacre…and right now I don't care! But if you're thinking that you will have an easy time in capturing me just because the Pervy Sage isn't around and that weird sword can eat chakra…even the Kyuubi's chakra…then you're in for a shock…and I mean that literally!!!!”

Naruto placed Holy Talon blade first into the ground and then arcs of lighting appeared on the sword and in a heartbeat a storm of Lightning energy from the Energy Branch appeared before Naruto and in his hands and in Holy Talon. And in a moment…Naruto thrust his arms forward and aimed at both Akatsuki members.

“CHAIN LIGHTNING!!!!”

The spell lived up to it's name as it attacked in a chain like pattern and lashed over everywhere in the room as Itachi and Kisame moved back. Kisame then managed to block the spell with Samehada…and it seemed that the chakra eating sword would suppress it…but a massive explosion occurred and the two were forced back…Kisame got off his ass and Itachi stood up and looked on at Naruto…who was glaring right back at them. Kisame growled and spoke as he aimed Samehada at Naruto.

“That was not what we heard about you being able to do…and that was no ordinary lightning jutsu, you weren't making any hand seals…”

“Hah! If you think Lightning jutsu is all I can do…then you've got another thing coming!!!”

Naruto then opened his mouth and seemed to suck in air and then unleashed a massive blast of air right at the two as he was bathed in gold-blue flame. The wind appeared and took the form of several wolves and had their jaws open and howling as they charged right at Itachi and Kisame…all baying for blood..

“WOLF STORM!!!!”

Itachi then decided to get involved as he stepped forward and unleashed his own surprise as he made some hand seals and unleashed his own Fire Based jutsu.

“KATON! GOUKAKYU NO JUTSU!!!”

The fireball slammed into the wolves and dispersed them as it headed straight for Naruto. The blonde ninja however calmed down and quickly summoned his right hand with the same energy…but this time it was deep blue in color and the energy created a massive disc of water that then took a windmill shuriken shape and Naruto tossed it right at the incoming fireball.

“TIDAL SHURIKEN!!!!”

The large water shuriken slammed into the fireball, unleashing a massive amount of hissing steam as both fire and water cancelled each other out. Naruto gritted his teeth and got ready as the steam blinded him for a few minutes and he tried to be ready for anything…but Kisame beat him to it as the Mist Seven Swordsman appeared and slashed right at Naruto…the Samehada grazing his chest as Kisame grinned…showing his shark like teeth.

“Now I got you…”

Naruto however grinned back and replied.

“Really now? Who's got who I wonder?”

Before Kisame could reply, Naruto quickly summoned more Dragon Fire and this time it was in the color of deep green…Naruto then slammed his hands on the nearby wall and quickly summoned another spell that he was able to learn on the fly from his forays into the powers of Holy Talon.

“ENTANGLING VINES!!!!”

The walls were suddenly bathed in the deep green energy that resembled the color of a forest of trees seen above. The energy faded and the walls burst as living vines appeared and suddenly wrapped around Kisame…catching him by surprise as they grabbed his arms and held him fast.

“IRON SKIN!!!”

Kisame and Itachi then saw Naruto's skin take the hue of metallic grey and somehow resembling metal…Kisame tried to escape but the vines were not going to release him so easily…

Naruto then leaped up and introduce a solid punch at Kisame's face and then followed by a powerful dual leap kick to the chest that forced him back as the steam cleared and Naruto was still there…right in front of Sasuke…hoping to protect his still unconscious team-mate as his Iron Skin spell was removed. Kisame looked on with a frown and spoke.

“I cut you in the chest…you should be bleeding already brat!”

“Heh…then I guess the armor I got on saved my skin then…”

“Armor?”

Kisame then saw what appeared to metal chain links underneath the tear in Naruto's clothes…the armor gleamed in the light and seemed undamaged…which was a surprise as his Samehada could shred through even metal armor…especially armor that looked that full of holes…but the armor was whole and unsullied…not a single nick…

“Surprised? I hate to disappoint you Shark-face…but that weapon you've got is useless to be used against Orchaelium chain-mail!”

Naruto had worn the Orchaelium armor just for the sake of having some protection apart from Holy Talon or Jiraiya and he was happy that he made the choice…and it worked as no one except Jiraiya knew that he had armor on. Itachi looked on and had to admit that this fight had progressed from a simple retrieval mission to an all out fight and it seemed that even without the Kyuubi's power…Naruto was formidable on his own.

But it still made him wonder just where had the blonde container of the Kyuubi gain that much power, there was not much to be said about Naruto in their files…but there was something about him acquiring a strange sword in the Land of Waves a few months back and ever since that mission…Naruto had changed…there were even rumors that his sword could summon armies to fight for him, and those rumors were proven true during the attack on Konoha by Sound and Sand, and even summon living creatures called Dragons that spoke to him and lent him their support and power…and most of all…he heard that this sword Naruto had…was able to break the fabled Kusanagi…Orochimaru's sword…and it had come close to killing the S-ranked ninja and former member of Akatsuki, it had even the power to save one from a wound from the sword Orochimaru wielded.

(If this is the case…then we have to separate him from his sword…if we don't…then this fight will be on his terms and there's a chance Jiraiya would return…I guess it means we'll have to use my jutsu…)

Kisame however turned and spoke.

“Don't use those eyes of yours yet Itachi…I warned you about the strain beforehand when you used it on the Copy Ninja…let me deal with him.”

Naruto heard that and roared…

“What?! What the hell did you do to Kakashi-sensei you bastard?!”

“A very special power of the Sharingan that only a true heir of the Uchiha can use, Naruto-kun…don't worry…he's alive and safe in Konoha, though his mental state is questionable in terms of recovery…so I suggest you surrender…lest you suffer that same fate…”

“Never!”

Kisame then attacked Naruto as he leaped back and grabbed Holy Talon and then charged right at Kisame and amazingly enough…began to force Kisame back and away from Sasuke…and get his team-mate some room to recover before anything else happened…Naruto went on the offensive and forced Kisame back with several slashes and thrusts, along with practiced speed flexibility, and power,…making the former Mist Swordsman grin and commend him.

“You've got moves there kid…that's pretty good footwork, agility, speed, and pattern you have…you'd make a fine Mist Swordsman if you were born in my village…heck…I'd even take you as my student If I hadn't left the village before.”

“Like I'd work with a sadistic nutjob like you!”

“Ah…you are a loud mouth…maybe I should cut out your tongue too…less chatter.”

“Try me Shark Face!”

Kisame attacked and his strength managed to force Naruto back and he had to duck as a powerful swing from Samehada came close to cutting his face and he managed to evade the next strike and then slashed out with a cut towards Kisame's neck…intent on killing his foe quickly…Kisame ducked and was about to attack…but unknown to him…Naruto had grabbed a space kunai he had hidden and used another amount of Dragon Fire on the weapon…

And before Kisame could react as Naruto ducked from his attack, the blonde ninja produced another sword from his other hand.

(What the?!)

Kisame quickly side stepped as the sword came close to skewering him in the stomach and he moved back as Naruto attacked with both swords in a pattern that he didn't recognize but he had no time to determine this as the blonde kid attacked with slashes and thrusts with both swords like a whirlwind and in a pattern that forced him to be on the defensive as he blocked each attack as the blades attacked him in various angles…

(Well now…this is a fighting style I haven't seen before…I've heard rumors about fighters using two weapons at once…but I certainly didn't expect myself to be fighting one who did fight with both weapons…this is getting good!)

Kisame never had this much fun before and decided to even it up as he attacked even more, even that Jonin Asuma, that he fought back in Konoha was not able to give him this good a work out…his strength managed to even it up and so did his agility as well as Naruto blocked and parried…he then managed to scene another parry and give him the opening he needed and he attacked…

Kisame moved away but not before Naruto landed a powerful kick to the face of the Former Mist Swordsman and allowing him to slash right at him. Kisame moved away and saw a massive X where his cloak was and the fact that had the blow connected..it would have spilled his organs all over the floor. He looked at Naruto as the blonde held both Holy Talon and his new sword and he spun them and got into a strange position with both blades ready to attack…

Naruto glared at the two of them and spoke…

“If you two renegades think that I'll be easy prey…then you're both way out of your leagues…BRING IT ON!!!!”

Itachi then moved in and revealed two kunai in his hands and now it was between Itachi and Naruto as Naruto moved to block and attack as Itachi did the same…Naruto had to admit that this Itachi was certainly different from anyone he knew…he was even faster and deadlier than Sasuke was.

(Man…if this is the guy Sasuke wants to beat so badly…he's going to have to train his butt off if he wants to win…this Itachi's a hell of a fighter!)

Naruto managed to block and strike at Itachi…but the elder Uchiha moved very quickly and was able to evade several of Itachi's slashes and thrusts with the two kunai he had on hand, or rather both hands. Naruto ducked as the ninja armed with the kunai attacked at high speed. Naruto answered back with several slashes and thrusts that Itachi blocked with his kunai and while some of Naruto's attacks missed, the other slashes were close to cut Itachi…Itachi also came close to hitting Naruto as Naruto moved back as one of Itachi's kunai came close to his eyes and Naruto retaliated as he charged at Itachi and slashed with both swords like a scissor and came close to cutting Itachi's chest at the sides…but it was stopped by Itachi's kunai and Itachi lashed out with his other kunai…aiming at Naruto's neck…Naruto blocked with his forearm…which was also covered by chain-mail and Naruto was saved as he gave Itachi a kick that Itachi blocked with his own leg and the two moved back as Itachi took out some shuriken and Naruto got ready to deflect…but Holy Talon warned him of an incoming attack from behind.

Naruto turned and blocked another Itachi attacking him and realized that it was a Kage Bushin and he blocked several more attacks from the Kage Bushin but then the clone exploded and sent him flying backwards…and then Itachi came in and struck him from behind…knocking him down. Naruto however recovered and got up to fight as he attacked both Itachi and Kisame…the two Akatsuki members defended themselves as Naruto attacked the pair like a cornered hungry wolf and nothing was worse than a cornered and hungry wolf. The two moved back and then Itachi moved in and fired the shuriken and Naruto blocked them…but it was then that Kisame attacked with an overhead strike, forcing him to block with both swords and Itachi managed to land a kick on Naruto's stomach…and forced him back and hitting the floor. Naruto got up and managed to get to his feet and went back into a defensive position with both swords at the ready to strike and kill.

Kisame smiled widely and complimented Naruto…

“You fight well kid…even without the Kyuubi's chakra you certainly are no weakling. I've never seen that style you have and it's interesting to see…though I can bet given time you can be even better.”

“Kisame is right…all those rumors I heard are true I see…Naruto-kun…you even came close to killing Orochimaru…and that is a feat for a Genin like you. You are going to be a real challenge to beat if that's the case. But even you've got limits, the battle has no doubt tested you and now you can't keep it up…especially if both of us attack you at once.”

(He's right…I can manage to fight Shark face and this Itachi guy separately…but both of them are going to be a problem.)

“Well now…you've certainly made quite the impression.”

The three turned and there was Jiraiya with the woman Itachi had managed to subvert on his shoulder…asleep and unharmed. Jiraiya turned and looked at Itachi and gave him a stern look.

“I should have guessed that you were the one who had this woman come onto me Itachi. I take it you placed her under Genjutsu using your Sharingan and sent her here to distance me from Naruto…nice try…but it didn't work out the way you planned it.”

“I can see that Jiraiya-sama…but how exactly did you figure out my ploy? The woman was certainly the type you'd go for.”

“True…but if you're in my league Itachi…the women flock to you…”

“About time you made it Pervy Sage…and knock it off…no woman, no matter how desperate would ever hook up with a dirty old man like you!”

Jiraiya glared at Naruto and Naruto glared back…and Kisame had to laugh at this, while Itachi remained silent the whole time. Jiraiya sighed and he placed the woman gently on the floor and glared at the duo.

“Using an innocent woman as your pawn…I normally would have considered that as one of the most insulting things you can do as a man Itachi…but considering the organization you belong to…I shouldn't be surprised…and I was right…you and your fellow ninja in Akatsuki are after Naruto…and others like him.”

“So that's how Kakashi knew…you were the source of information…so I guess hiding is out of the question…yes…to abduct Naruto, it was the order of the highest echelons of Akatsuki.”

“Well as you can see…Naruto isn't the kind you can easily capture…and this time you will not be getting him.”

“Oh?”

“Because both him and I…are going to kill the both of you.”

“All right! Let's do this…!”

“Don't do it…”

Naruto turned and saw Sasuke stand up as he glared at Itachi.

“This fight is mine…MINE!!!! DON'T INTERFERE!!!!!”

Sasuke rushed towards Itachi…even when he could not use Chidori and tried to attack but Itachi merely attacked with several blows in the body and made Sasuke cough out blood.

“SASUKE!!!!”

Naruto was about to rush in and help his team-mate with his swords at the ready and he was already readying his next batch of spells… but Sasuke screamed at Naruto…stopping him in his tracks.

“STAY OUT OF THIS!!!! HE'S MINE!!!!”

Sasuke glared at Itachi as he spoke to him.

“You're not worth my interest at the moment Sasuke…you are weak…and at this rate you will be weak…let me remind you about why you should kill me…let me bring you back to that night…only this time…you will feel it for an entire day.”

Itachi grabbed Sasuke and stared at him and Sasuke screamed…Naruto couldn't take it anymore and quickly retaliated.

“DRAGON FANG STORM!!!!”

Bolts of energy were unleashed with the swings of both swords…heading right at Itachi…but Kisame blocked the blows and the cloth on Samehada was shredded off…but the sword survived. It was then that the walls of the whole corridor became like flesh…and Naruto was surprised. And so were the others as Sasuke was released from Itachi's grip…

“What the heck?!”

“Relax Naruto…this is my jutsu…welcome you two to the stomach of the giant toad of the Myouki Mountain Rock In…since you two are high ranking criminals…enjoy as your turned into food in the stomach of Iwagawa!”

Kisame swore as the flesh began to surround him and Samehada… Itachi however focused on his brother and spoke to his still reeling sibling…

“You want to know why you are weak little brother? You don't have enough hatred…and you never will and you can never kill me…”

Itachi then turned and called Kisame to hurry as the Mist Swordsman managed to free himself and cut the tendrils coming at them. As they tired to escape Jiraiya spoke.

“Don't bother trying to escape…no one escapes from me in this jutsu of mine.”

“We've got to move…at this rate we'll not make it!”

“We will…”

Itachi however found a way to escape as they rushed to a window and saw more tendrils coming at them…he opened his eyes and unleashed a new power of the Sharingan…the Amaterasu Jiraiya felt it and both he and Naruto rushed out and saw a massive gaping hole with black flame eating away at the flesh…Naruto stayed away from it as Jiraiya took out a scroll and used a high level seal and placed away the flame as the walls returned to normal.

“Everyone all right?”

Jiraiya asked as Naruto nodded and he quickly rushed to Sasuke and tried to wake his team-mate up…but Sasuke was unresponsive to his calls and Naruto didn't know what to do at this point and time.

It was then that a kunai came at them and the two turned as Gai came of nowhere and landed a kick on Jiraiya…but as soon as the Jonin realized his mistake he apologized.

After Gai did his explanations and apologized to Jiraiya, they looked at Sasuke and Naruto was still enraged about how Itachi had treated his own brother…like he was nothing of worth at all and it galled him. He got up and tried to leave but Jiraiya stopped him.

“Where do you think you're going?”

“I've got to go after that Itachi! I can't let him get away!”

“Don't even think about it Naruto…Itachi is at a level that you cannot beat…,if you follow him…you will die for sure…even with those skills Holy Talon gave you.”

“But I…”

((“Jiraiya is right Master Naruto…you cannot hope to beat him yet at your current level of power…both as a ninja and a Dragon Champion. You can beat him once you have grown stronger than you are now…but until then…you MUST NOT pursue him…”))

“…All right Pervy Sage…but what the hell did he do to Sasuke?!”

“It's the same thing he did to Kakashi when we fought him in Konoha…Kakashi got off lightly…but Sasuke looks to have gotten the worst of it.”

Gai said as Sasuke sat there and was coughing some more blood out…not too lethal amounts but showed the damage very well on him.

“Is Kakashi-sensei going to be okay Gai-sensei?”

“I don't know for sure…the Medic-nins can handle most body injuries but the mind's a different matter…that power of the Sharingan attacks the mind and the mind is harder to heal then the body.”

“Is Sasuke going to be okay?”

Jiraiya looked at Sasuke and replied.

“He's taken a great deal of mental trauma so I can't be entirely sure…but I do know that this is an even greater reason to find Tsunade…only her skills can even the odds for us at this point and time. And I have no doubt her skills can help the others injured in the battles we had before”

Gai was surprised at that statement and was pleased.

“You're both looking for Tsunade-hime?”

Naruto nodded and Gai was relieved at that news.

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Itachi and Kisame were moving away and discussing the matters before hand…they realized that they should take their time with Naruto…he was not ready yet after all…and there was the matter of his abilities and that sword…they needed to know more.

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Elsewhere…

A short raven black haired woman in a kimono and sandals was in panic as she gazed at a suit-case full of money and looked at her companion and gasped. Their other companion was a pig as well, who was wearing a necklace and even had on a vest.

“Impossible…where…where did this money come from?!”

“We're borrowing it Shizune!”

“Tsunade-sama…please think this through…”

“I bear the title of Princess Shizune! I am princess Tsunade…with this we can overturn ANY defeat!”

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Unknown to all however…another being has now taken a vested interest in seeing the world…and it was not with good intentions…

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Deep in the earth….

(((“This world…so rich…I think it is time to see beyond these crude walls…”)))

Deep in the cave filled with lava and blood red light, the shadowy form of the sword of darkness opened it's eyes once more and as the blood red eye opened itself once more as Death Fang began to stir itself once more…the Chaos Dragon Sword seemed to be planning something…and sure enough…the cave began to dim as words…dark words filled with all things evil filled the cave and shadow from the walls seemed to congeal into a pool before the claw like pedestal that Death Fang was buried in…the shadow was like liquid and in a moment…a mound seemed to rise from the pool and it soon reached human height…the shadow seemed to melt away from the form and out before the sword stood a form…resembling a man but it was not human in appearance…

Where flesh should be…was a dark mist…of pure shadow and blood red lines of evil light that resembled…blood…the being wore black and grey armor…an upper torso plate several fore arm guards, with skeletal like hand gauntlets, shoulder guards wrought in the shape of human skulls in a roar, shin guards with spikes jutting upward like teeth, and that was it…it's face was covered by a mask the resembled a human skull but had protruding spikes on it and a crown of bone that seemed to curve menacingly towards the insides. The eye sockets where the eyes should be were replaced with a pair of blood red lights that seemed to flicker…the figure was then draped in a cloak of blood red with a hood as it looked at it's creator.

(((“You will go forth…my minion…seek out the richness of this new…unsullied world…and seek out the one chosen by…that wretch Holy Talon…”)))

(((“Seek him out…and test his…mettle…test his power…if you fail…then fear not…you shall rise again…and when my master claims me…you shall have your vengeance…go now…and spread your terror in this land!!!”)))

The figure made no motion except to move it's right hand and suddenly a sword jutted from it's shadowy flesh and was now in it's hand…the sword was a double edged blade, long and well crafted, the handle was long…showing it could be wielding by one hand or both if needed by the wielder…it would have been an elegant sword…and is…but it was not made of metal…but pure bone…white as snow…but it seemed to glow like blood…in the blood red light of the cave.

With it's weapon in hand…the figure departed and seemed to move towards the walls…and as it collided…it seemed to melt right through the walls along with it's sword as it cut through the stone with frightening ease.

Death Fang laughed manically as it stayed there…feeding itself on the lingering energies of the corrupted area of it's landing…awaiting the one worthy to claim it…and bathe this world in blood, and bring it's people under it's control for all time…

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To be continued…

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Author's notes:

I'll be taking a bit of a break from writing as my arms are really tired at the moment…so far this chapter is finished and as soon as I get feeling in my hands again, I'll be back in the saddle…in the mean-time…please send over comments and reviews so I can check the progress of my work in this fic.

Death Fang has sent out one of it's own agents and what sort of chaos will this new foe unleash on Naruto's world? Will Naruto run into this demonic creature summoned by the Chaos Dragon Sword? And if he does…will he be able to beat it at his level of power?

We'll have to wait and see now won't we?

Here's a little data on the creature:

The Wraith Knight is the physical form of a spirit of an evil man/woman who dedicated himself/herself to the service of the Chaos Dragons and is one of the most recognized and most feared sights in the battle field…they are emotionless beings who are able to kill without any form of moral mercy and hesitation…obedient only to the power of Death Fang and it's makers…and the Champion who commands them. They can be defeated…but only through true understanding of their origins and powers…they are also the most sought after agents of the Necromantic arts and serve without complaint as all form of humanity is gone from them.

And the weapon it carries is but one of many in it's deadly arsenal…