Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto Dragon Champion ❯ Battle Dragon ( Chapter 20 )

Naruto - The Twin Swords

Disclaimer: I won nothing related to Naruto…nor do I own the series, all right?

Chapter 19

Battle Dragon

( ): Thoughts

((“ ”)): Holy Talon's voice

/” ”\: Faldren's voice

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`The Holy Dragons are the defenders of the lands under their stewardship…respect them and in turn they shall respect you. They have done much to help us, and though they no longer appear as often, they deserve our respect and thanks. Show twice the respect to Lord Faldren…for he is their undisputed Master.'

A mother's warning to her children before letting them sleep…

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Manda hissed as he attacked Faldren…the Dragon Lord however was far from intimidated as the Dragon merely opened it's mouth and unleashed a blast of powerful golden lighting that scarred the lands before Manda and halted the Snake Summons' advance…and that was enough for Faldren to fire a fireball blast in a casual manner and Manda moved aside as the fireball ripped a hole in the ground… Manda attacked as the smoke cleared…aiming right at Faldren's neck…but the Dragon Lord tensed up and leaped away from the attacking and landed behind Manda…

“DIE!!!”

Manda shouted as he launched his tail in a whip like attack…however…Faldren opened his maw and clamped down hard on the tail…and drawing blood as his teeth had no trouble ripping through Manda's skin and the Snake King screamed out in pain and turned about and roared as he charged at the Dragon Lord. The Dragon Lord however…merely flicked out his own tail and the bone plates glinted for a brief second and Manda was smacked right in the jaws with exceptional force…once that was done…the Dragon Lord merely yanked his head backwards and sent Manda flying right into the forest and a massive explosion of trees and earth…while the Dragon Lord merely gave a snort.

/”You were saying?”\

Having risen and retained the rank of Dragon Lord for 25,000 years meant that Faldren was exceptionally gifted in many fields of power…and that was true as he had proven himself an exceptional leader, and warrior to his Flight and the others…in Dragon life-terms…Faldren was well into his mid adult ages and was still considered young by other Dragons and in that life-time had developed an uncanny mastery of all the known magical branches and was a hardy combatant of the Dragon marital styles…and when he took to his human guise…well, not much was said except whoever fought him were going to wonder if they were fighting a God instead of a man.

Manda attacked once more…moving underground and attempted to attack Faldren…but was stopped as Katsuyu and Tsunade as they unleashed a massive burst of acid at the Snake King.

“ZESHI NENSHAN!!!”

Manda was not liking that and redirected his attention to Katsuyu and the Snake King managed to avoid the second stream and managed to wrap itself around the Slug and began to crush it and try to consume both Katsuyu and Tsunade but was stopped by Gamabunta and the Toad Boss's sword…the Snake summon stripped Gamabunta of his sword and held it fast… turned and was about to attack Gamabunta but was slashed in the face by Faldren's forelegs and the claws on it…and Manda screamed as his blood was further spilled and Faldren clamped his jaws on Manda's throat and began to crush the Snake King by the throat…cutting off its air…forcing it to loosen it's tight grip and allow Katsuyu to break herself down and escape in a multitude of slug forms…and then reform as Tsunade looked at the fight between the Snake King and the Dragon Lord…and right now…the Dragon Lord Faldren had Manda's throat in his mouth and teeth.

“Damn you!!!”

Manda then lashed out with his body and tried to wrap himself around Faldren and as soon as he was done…he tightened himself…in an attempt to crush the Dragon Lord with constriction…Faldren however tightened his own grip as if not caring for the fact that the Anaconda was trying to crush him in constriction…the Dragon Lord merely tightened the pressure of his bite and then spoke…even if he had Manda's throat in his mouth.

/”If you think that your little parlor trick is going to save you little snake…then I suggest you brace yourself.”\

And sure enough…Faldren's warning came to fruit as a massive blast of golden lightning surrounded him and hit Manda…making the Snake King scream out in great pain…while Orochimaru and Kabuto held on…Kabuto managed to keep his footing and look on at Faldren and saw that Naruto was still there on his position on Faldren's head.

(This is not good…this animal summon is unlike any I've seen…and yet it's able to withstand Manda's strength and have Manda by the throat…this is bad news for us all…I hate to say this but if we don't retreat then we're finished…)

/”I suggest you do just that Kabuto Yakushi… if you and your master value your lives…you have no hope to beat me or my Champion…'”\

“What?!”

Kabuto was shocked at that as he saw the Dragon look at him with one eye as it continued to crush Manda's wind-pipe in it's jaws while showing no discomfort despite the fact that Manda was using his full strength to try and constrict him to death.

(How does he know my name all of a sudden?! And how is he able to sense what I am thinking?!)

/”I am gifted with the power of telepathy and I am able to read minds…just as easily as one reads a book. And if you are wondering if I am at full power…then you should know I am using only a fraction of my true power…if I wanted to…I could very well decapitate this little worm of a Snake King with a single bite and then I could do the same to you and your master…I have full command of all branches of magic and I have had millenniums of battle experience…both in this form of mine and as a human…you will know this now…if you cannot withstand me when I use only a tiny amount of my power…then you have no chance if I decide to release my full might…”\

And to prove his point…the Dragon Lord effortlessly opened his wings and freed himself from Manda's body and quickly tossed Manda aside and opened his mouth and released a powerful blast of water that quickly began to freeze the very ground and move towards Manda at blinding speed.

/”GLACIER WAVE!!!!”\

Manda moved away and quickly shed his skin to watch it consumed and frozen solid by the incoming wave…Naruto and Faldren were one at the very moment and the two quickly evaded Manda as the Snake King attacked from underground once more…the Dragon Lord and his Dragon Champion both attacked as Naruto slashed out with Holy Talon and Faldren unleashed his attack.

“DRAGON BREATH!!!!”

The two unleashed a powerful stream of golden fire that Manda barely evaded and the Snake King came in with a biting attack and managed to bite Faldren right on the side of his neck…but the Snake King was surprised as even his greatest bite could do little to penetrate the scales of the Dragon Lord and the Dragon Lord merely took off into the sky and took Manda with him and as soon as they were in the air…the Dragon Lord flicked Manda off of him and grabbed him with forelegs and teeth. And flew at high speed and diving and smashing Manda around like a toy on the ground as he began to crush Manda with those said limbs…and the Snake King couldn't help but hiss as it felt it's body being crushed like he was in a vice.

/”Fool…you should have not tried that…my scales are not something your puny fangs can pierce easily or at all and I am at home in the sky as I am on the ground…here in the clouds…you are in MY domain!!!”\

Faldren released Manda and began to flew all around Manda at high speed…slashing with claws and bladed tail and kept Manda afloat the entire time as he was shredding the Snake Summon in mid-air as the Snake King was being slashed like a punching bag. The Dragon Lord then stopped and summoned a massive sphere of golden lightning and fired it right into Manda.

/”LIGHTNING GLOBE!!!!”\

The attack ripped it's way into Manda and left a massive gaping wound on the Snake King's body that smoked and the smell of burned flesh filled the area…burned snake flesh at that as well. The Dragon Lord then slammed hard into Manda and sent the Snake King slamming into the ground…the Snake King used his tail to strike from behind but was grabbed by Gamabunta as Faldren released him as both Jiraiya and Gamabunta attacked at the same time.

“Gamabunta! Time for some oil!”

“On it!”

“GAMAYU ENDAN!!!!”

The combined attack hit Manda and it seemed that the intense fire attack was enough to finally finish Manda…but that was not the case as the Snake King attacked…using it's tail to distract Gamabunta and attack from behind…However…both Naruto and Tsunade came in and so did Katsuyu and Faldren…The Slug fired another blast of Zeshi Nenshan and this time…it hit Manda as the Snake King roared in pain and was hit by another one of Faldren's powers as massive pillars of pure diamond came from the ground and wrapped around Manda and began to hold him to the ground fast.

/“DIAMOND CAGE!!!!”\

Manda was pinned down and Orochimaru and Kabuto were now on their own as Tsunade recovered Gamabunta's sword and slammed it right into Manda's mouth as the Snake Summon was down. That rendered Manda out of action as the Dragon Lord sent a massive foreleg and claw strike at Manda's neck…breaking the body of the Snake King but the blow was used to stun the Snake King as Faldren watched the battle with his champion and his companions.

Orochimaru glared as he looked at Naruto, Tsunade, and Jiraiya…this was not looking good to say the least.

(Fighting one of them is bad enough…but to face both Jiraiya and Tsunade and that brat Naruto is going to be very hazardous indeed…I guess I have to face one of them head on to even up the odds.)

Orochimaru then fired his tongue and it rapidly grabbed Tsunade by the throat as he tried to choke her.

“I always wondered how it would feel to strangle your pretty neck Tsunade!”

Tsunade gasped but quickly forced Orochimaru's tongue off of her neck and grabbed it and yanked Orochimaru towards her and smashed her fist right into his face. She was surprised as she felt as if she was truly fighting at full power and speed…almost like she was young again…and even Orochimaru noted that.

(Impossible…that jutsu she used should have drained her of a vast portion of her chakra…yet she seems to have more than enough strength and power left…is it that Revitalizing Flame that Naruto used that made her this way?!)

“I have to thank Naruto for the boost of that Revitalizing Flame technique you know Orochimaru…I literally feel 30 years younger…and I have more than enough stamina and strength to bash you into a pulp!!!!”

Tsunade tossed Orochimaru around as she unleashed blow after blow at him…and she didn't feel the least bit tired or exhausted…as if she was fighting with a reserve of energy that she never knew she had. Orochimaru tried to recover and fight back…but Tsunade was having none of it as she continued to slug him with punches and kicks.

“Hey! Don't leave me out Tsunade…I have my own score to settle with that snake! You're going to pay for killing Sarutobi-sensei Orochimaru…if you do manage to walk away from this…you're still going to get the beating you richly deserve!!!”

Jiraiya shouted as he came in and attacked as well…just as Orochimaru was slugged right in the stomach by Tsunade…Jiraiya came in and smashed a kick right in Orochimaru's face and the two Sannin attacked their former team-mate as they rained in blow after blow..allowing both Katsuyu and Gamabunta some time to get some energy back in themselves.

(This is not good…the jutsu Naruto used…is too powerful…it's as if they were back to being in their prime again…and with my arms still not fully restored…I have no way of using any jutsu…let alone any full level Taijutsu…)

Orochimaru had no time to think as Tsunade landed yet another punch to his face while Jiraiya attacked once more with several Kage Bushin and Orochimaru was being given a beating that…had he not have made the needed medical alterations and surgeries on himself…he would have been dead a hundred times over.

“OROCHIMARU-SAMA!!!!”

Kabuto was about to rush in but Naruto suddenly appeared with a smile as he took out Holy Talon and faced the Medical-nin….Kabuto took out a kunai and got ready to fight but Naruto spoke in a very serious tone.

“I'm happy to see you up Kabuto…that means that I get to try some other spells and moves I've yet to try and now…you are the target board…I'll let Old Lady Tsunade and the Pervy Sage have their turn…and when they're done…I'll take Orochimaru…minus his head back to Konoha…don't worry…he won't be alone!”

Naruto took out another kunai and then the weapon was covered in Dragon Fire and to Kabuto's shock…the kunai glowed and was transformed into a sword and Naruto got into a fighting stance.

(This isn't going well…we can't keep this up forever…we have to escape now!)

Kabuto had no time to help Orochimaru as Naruto charged with both swords and began to attack him with blinding speed as the same golden and silver energy began to flow out of his body along with his chakra…Naruto then tried another spell…only this time it was of a different branch and that was the Body Branch.

“ZEALOUS FERVOR!!!!”

Kabuto was stunned as Naruto was covered in red flame and he suddenly charged and when he tried to block…the blonde merely slashed with Holy Talon and destroyed his kunai with a single strike and then Naruto slashed at him…leaving a massive gash on his arm…that could have very well sliced off that said arm…and Naruto suddenly was behind him and before he could act…Naruto smashed his kick right into his back and Kabuto felt his bones nearly break by that blow…but before he could even land on his face…Naruto was before him and slammed two punches in rapid succession into his face and stomach…and then he stabbed Kabuto right in the leg with the transformed kunai and he then summoned another band of Kage Bushin and Naruto moved back as his clones engaged the wounded Kabuto.

(Damn...he's moving too fast! I can't block him fast enough…and this wound…argh!)

Kabuto was able to fend off the Kage Bushin attacking him in rapid succession…but the residual effects of the Fire Dragon Rasengan made him more sluggish and Naruto seemed to be able to have the Kage Bushin have the same level of power and speed as he did… he was able to fight off the clones and fired several kunai at Naruto…Naruto however easily dodged the kunai leaped back in and revealed yet another kunai that he quickly reformed into a sword with Dragon Fire Magic and stabbed Kabuto with it in his other leg and he then placed Holy Talon aside and gripped both swords and shouted.

“Let's see you heal from this!!! CHAIN LIGHTNING!!!!”

Arcs of lightning appeared on Naruto arms and flowed from them…and right into the swords in Kabuto's legs, the swords actually acted as lightning rods for Naruto's spell and channeled the lightning right into the wounds on Kabuto's legs….stunning the Medical nin with extreme pain and Naruto then unleashed his attacks as he pulled out the swords and quickly lashed out with several kicks on Kabuto using the Boundless State…which he had still good knowledge of. Kabuto was still reeling from the spell as he was kicked on the sides with a powerful side kick…Naruto then slammed a forward kick into his stomach and Naruto quickly flipped in a reverse style and stuck with a reverse heel kick that hit Kabuto hard on the head and nearly cracked his skull. Naruto then slammed another side kick to the face and then he slammed both swords right into Kabuto's shoulders and as he did so…he switched to another fighting style and that was called Dragon Fist…and with several rapid strikes and fierce punches…all striking Kabuto in the chest and the face and then he gathered a massive amount of pure water in his hands through Dragon Fire and slammed the sphere of water into Kabuto's chest.

“GEYSER BLAST!!!!!”

The blow was enough to send Kabuto flying backwards and rolling on the ground as Naruto turned and redirected his attention as Orochimaru was sent down into the ground by the combined strikes of both Tsunade and Jiraiya as the two Sannin began to attack once more. Orochimaru had managed to knock Jiraiya aside for a moment. And captured Tsunade with his tongue and tried to use his rebuilt Kusanagi to attack her…but her revitalized strength allowed her to break free and punch him as Jiraiya recovered.

Orochimaru turned and saw that Kabuto was out of the fight and Naruto was right there behind him and he looked to see Tsunade and Jiraiya coming in to throw in his own attacks…but before he could do anything…another presence came at him…he only had enough time to gasp as a punch came right at him and literally sent him flying and smashing through a boulder and digging a deep trench on the ground…the Snake Sannin had enough strength to rise and felt that his head had nearly been ripped clean off his shoulders by that one blow…and it was NOT Tsunade that hit him…but someone FAR stronger than her.

(Where did that come from?! That was not Tsunade who threw that punch…)

/”That blow came from me Orochimaru…”\

The Snake Sannin turned to see a man before him wearing the same chain-mail and plate armor that Naruto wore before…but was more elaborate and better designed…the man was tall and radiated power…power that dwarfed even his own. The man had deep blonde hair with silver high-lights in a ponytail and his face radiated power and skill…not to mention he was certainly the kind who'd catch a lady's eye…his eyes however were reptilian…showing that he was not a pure human and the fact that there were bat-like wings with golden scales on his back further emphasized that he was not human.

“Who are you?!”

/”Don't pretend you don't know me Orochimaru.”\

“You're…impossible…you can't possibly be that Dragon!!!!”

/”Ah but I am…now let's see how truly immortal you are.”\

Orochimaru had no time as he fired out several snakes and the snakes charged right at Faldren and they revealed their swords…but the Dragon Lord in human form snorted and merely waved his hand at the snakes in a dismissive gesture….unleashing a blast of wind….mixed with fire.

/”INCINERATING GUST!”\

The snakes were tossed aside and reduced to cinders in a few moments and before Orochimaru could react…Faldren was right behind him and he gasped…he had not seen that.

(How could he move THAT fast?!)

/”I have faced slugs faster than you fool…if you think you can run…then you are a fool to think you can out run me.”\

Orochimaru had little to no warning as Faldren smashed yet another punch right into the stomach of Orochimaru…the punch was light when seen…but it had more than enough power to actually FORCE the Kusanagi out of Orochimaru's stomach where he normally stored that weapon of his. He was shocked at the power as the blow was enough to make him bend down in pain.

(That much power…from a simple punch…)

Even Jiraiya, Shizune, Gamabunta, Katsuyu and Tsunade were shocked by the blow…the same could be said for Naruto as he never expected Faldren to be that strong.

(Lord Faldren…he's awesome!!!)

((“That is to be expected Master Naruto…he IS the Dragon Lord of the Holy Dragons after all.”))

Orochimaru barely had time to recover as Faldren moved and with several light kicks began to kick him around literally…the first kick sent Orochimaru flying into the air and then he was able to see Faldren above him and the Dragon Lord struck with the second kick…a heel kick that sent him into the ground and in a massive explosion no less. Faldren flew in the air and his wings flapped gently…almost in a very lazy fashion…but he was afloat with no effort…the smoke cleared and Orochimaru fired out his tongue once more and managed to wrap it around Faldren's neck and then he tried to choke the Dragon Lord.

“Now you die!”

/”Really now?”\

Faldren grabbed Orochimaru's tongue and the Dragon Lord yanked Orochimaru right towards him and with hardly any visible effort…unwrapped Orochimaru's tongue from him and he then kicked Orochimaru with a powerful kick to the stomach and sent him crashing on the ground.

Orochimaru landed on the ground and was near his sword and took the Kusanagi as he attacked Faldren who landed gently on the ground…the Snake Sannin used a jutsu and managed make the ground into mud below the feet of the Dragon Lord and launched the sword…right for Faldren's neck…

“You are dead!”

Faldren merely caught the sword with his thumb and forefinger and looked at Orochimaru who was trying to free his sword but Faldren held the blade fast and he looked at the blade and snorted.

/“So this is the fabled Kusanagi? A mere mortal weapon…Holy Talon managed to break this with the basic Sword Breaker move…do you think it can work on me Orochimaru? Allow me to prove you wrong…”\

With that…Faldren merely held the sword and with his free hand and one finger…pushed down on the Kusanagi…and the Dragon Lord snapped the weapon cleanly in half without any form of effort and then he moved forward and hit Orochimaru with a finger on the forehead…the very same way Tsunade had beaten Naruto a week before…and like then…the blow sent Orochimaru flying , Naruto came right from behind kicked Orochimaru into the air and then he made several Kage Bushin and then they chased Orochimaru into the …the Kage Bushin took out kunai and then transformed them into swords as Orochimaru watched them attack…with Naruto armed with a sword and Holy Talon.

“Let's see you worm your way out of this!!!! BLADE STORM BARRAGE!!!!”

Naruto began raining blow after blow on Orochimaru…two clones kicked him in the back and then slashed him from behind, three others slashed at his stomach and wounded him deeply as other slashed into his chest and another stabbed him deeply while the real Naruto came in and actually slashed with Holy Talon and slashed Orochimaru's arms clean off below the elbows and then the Kage Bushin closed in and unleashed a combination strike of slashes and rolling heel kicks to send Orochimaru down like a bloody meteor to the ground…the moment Orochimaru landed on the ground…Naruto landed and then both he and Lord Faldren attacked in tandem as Naruto slashed Orochimaru upwards with a powerful slash and Faldren attacked with a powerful punch the to face…and this fist was covered in diamond.

/”STONE BLADE FIST!!!'|

That attack did it in as Orochimaru was sent crashing to the ground and making a wide trench and causing a massive scream of stone and earth and sliding next to Kabuto…who recovered and the Medical nin checked on his master.

“Orochimaru-sama…”

The Snake Sannin got up and groaned in great pain as Faldren closed in on them and he saw the change in Orochimaru's face and stopped…but the Dragon Lord was not frightened by the technique Orochimaru had developed, unlike the others who were surprised by what they saw. Naruto attempted to close in but Faldren turned to his Champion and shook his head…that was enough to stop Naruto as he would not dare challenge Holy Talon's creator…if Faldren told him to halt his attack…then it was with good reason.

And there was…Faldren was aware of the cost of Dragon Fire Naruto incurred when he was summoned here to fight for him…and he didn't want Naruto to keep on fighting so as to allow him to recover his full strength and conserve what reserves of power he and Holy Talon had left in them both…there was a chance that the strain could affect Naruto and leave him vulnerable…and that was something Faldren wanted to avoid.

Orochimaru then spoke with hatred…directing his words to Tsunade.

“So you refuse to heal my arms Tsunade…no matter…I know of another way to revive them…and I will destroy Konoha!”

The Dragon Lord however studied Orochimaru and then spoke in a cold and emotionless tone.

/”I see…you are using the technique of transferring your soul into other living bodies…I am familiar with that technique as it bears similarity to a soul/body possession spell…a very vile but ultimately limited maneuver…the spell can only work if the body is in prime condition and the will of the caster is strong, with the right methods…that spell can be countered…and your version has two fatal weaknesses… the first is when you switch bodies…your soul has to adapt and re-shape the body to suit your powers and characteristics…which is why you mold the outside to resemble your own form…and when you do so…it will take you three years to be able to switch to a new body…so you are condemned to remain in the body you have now, and whatever traits the body has…you have to take it into yourself…the soul of the previous life then becomes a part of your own mind…so you are not really yourself entirely. The second is that the current body you inhabit will soon reject your soul and since you have altered yourself for a long time…you're soul cannot live long without a host body…if you have none…then your soul will eventually destroy itself…and you will die.”\

(He knows my jutsu…and it's weaknesses!!!!)

/”You call THAT wretched skill immortality Orochimaru…that is nothing but a mere insult to immortality. You are no immortal…but a mere body snatcher…unable to live indefinitely and so you take the bodies of others to fuel your power and life force…you disgust me… know well that your fate will end badly…you will eventually die and all your dreams and plans shall be undone.”\

“I will live until the very end of this world and beyond!!! You have won this round…but I will return and you will all pay for this!”

/”You really believe in that do you? Then do so…and do not blame others for your own end…you will have none to mourn your death…you shall perish with all your desires unfulfilled and unachieved…you will enter death's embrace cold, and alone…a fitting death for one as depraved as you.”\

Manda offered his own angry words as he faded from the battle while Orochimaru escaped…Kabuto coughed and looked at Naruto and smiled somewhat…catching the ire of the blonde ninja, but instead of the mocking smile…Kabuto's smile was….respectful and kind…making Naruto even more wary of the smiling Medical-nin.

“You have truly surpassed what I previously thought of you Naruto-kun…there will come a time I will be able to understand you…you may yet have the answers to my own questions…but for now…we will meet again…and the next time….I will not be easily beaten by you…count on it.”

“I'll be waiting for that to happen as well Kabuto…and next time…you won't be so lucky…”

“We shall see…farewell Naruto-kun.”

The two left the battle as Gamabunta turned and recovered his sword and looked at the transformed Dragon Lord with a very serious eye.

(This one is no fool…his power vastly outmatches mine…to think that he could appear human and yet have enough power to overwhelm both Orochimaru and Manda …this guy is no simple creature.)

Faldren turned and looked at Gamabunta and smiled at the Boss Toad…and spoke to Gamabunta.

/”You are a strong fighter yourself Gamabunta…but all of you must excuse me for a moment…I believe I need to speak to my Champion about some important matters.”\

Naruto sighed as he faced Faldren who was in his human guise and he bowed before the disguised Dragon Lord…who smiled at him and spoke.

/”You did exceptionally well young Champion…though you had made a desperate gamble summoning me in battle at your level of strength as a Dragon Champion…you realize that you have drained a good portion of Holy Talon's powers with such an act?”\

“I know…but I had no choice at the moment…I will not be weakened by this.”

/”Yet you are…nevertheless…you chose to do so and it cannot be changed…be ready to recover…it will take time for you and Holy Talon to recover from the spell so I suggest that you ration your remaining powers…no more high level spells for you my Champion…that means you must now rely on what you have learned and…the Kyuubi inside you until Holy Talon is fully charged….remember…no more high level spells until you recover your full power.”\

“Yes Lord Faldren…Thank you.”

/”No problem Champion…I bid you and your companions farewell.”\

As Faldren reverted back to his Dragon form and faded back into the very same light as before…Naruto then felt the effects of his spell to summon Faldren and his Zealous Fervor enhancement faded away from him and he then fell backwards…but was caught by Tsunade and she let him rest on her lap with his back on her chest as she checked him for injuries…as Jiraiya and Shizune arrived.

“Are you all right kid?”

“Yeah…just need some sleep…the last spell I used in summoning Faldren really took a load out of me…catch you guys later… and uh…Old Lady Tsunade…no offense or anything…but uh…is it really okay for me to be…um…in this position with you or something?”

Tsunade smirked....she already had an idea of what he was referring to. This kind of situation would have been misinterpreted as improper between a woman and a boy like Naruto. After all…considering she was in a Henge that made her look 20…and Naruto was in that position…it would have appeared indecent…and she glared at Jiraiya who was giving her a dirty look. She then directed her attention to Naruto and spoke.

“You get some rest and don't worry…I'm not going to do anything…inappropriate to you Naruto…I'm already past that stage anyway.”

“Uh…okay then…see you all later…”

Naruto then went to sleep and he was carried by one of Katsuyu's clones under Tsunade's request and as soon as they were able to reach the town…they managed to avoid the crowds and get some places to rest…Jiraiya then spoke to Tsunade.

“You certainly are treating Naruto better than you did before…feeling something for him?”

“Quit getting anymore of your perverted ideas Jiraiya…I told you…no matter how energized I feel from that spell he used…I'm already too old to be thinking about being a hormone crazed woman again. Besides…I respect him enough to not try anything on him.”

“Shame too…”

Tsunade gave a creepy smile at Jiraiya that stopped him cold in mid speech and she cracked her knuckles.

“Jiraiya…if you don't want me to give a beating that will bring you within an inch of your life right now, like that time you had the gall to see me bathing long ago…I suggest you drop it right now before I do just what I said.”

“All right…I'm just kidding Tsunade, you can be really sensitive about that.”

“And you're not sensitive at all, and no more first names…you know the title that you have to call me now.”

“Yeah…I know.”

Tsunade however had another reason why she reacted that way to Jiraiya's words…after losing so many important things in her life…especially Dan…she doubted she could ever love again…and with the fact that she was now in her 50s and no longer able to bear children made that even more sad for her. She used the Henge to not just escape debtors…and collectors…but to remind herself of what could have been a long time ago. Besides…no matter how she looked in Henge...she doubted she could ever be attractive to men ever again…not after the truth would come out about her disguise and all.

She was the last of the family line of her Grandfather…and she would no doubt end the ancestral clan line when she finally died. She had hoped for a chance at a married life with Dan long ago, and it would have been a wonderful thing…to have a husband to care for…and a family to protect, after all that she had endured the day her only brother died, her only family after her parents died…but ever since Dan's death and her loss of faith in the dreams that drove both him and her brother…she forgot all about it and coldly ignored any chance to start over. Every time she saw families together with their children…she coldly resisted the desires to have that same thing…seeing her and Dan having their own children together in the place of the mother and father of each family she saw made her heart ache and her pain even worse.

And now that she had regained her faith…thanks to Naruto…this bitter part of her past came back to bite her in the neck…but she thought about it and placed it aside…if she was going to pass away as the last of the old Senju Clan someday…she could at the very least die knowing that she was going to protect the future of Konoha…and when she would meet her family in the afterlife…she could tell them that while they had died…their hopes, and dreams lived on…their sacrifices were never in vain. She looked down at Naruto who was resting and she smiled once more.

----------

The next day…

Naruto woke up and stretched himself and was happy that for once he had a decent night's sleep and things were all right…he recalled the battle yesterday and the outcome of it and that gave him something to smile about…he looked out the window and saw the sun shining and felt his stomach grumble… it was then that he reached for the bath-room and took out his tooth brush and spare tooth paste roll and brushed his teeth.

It was then that he spoke to Holy Talon.

(How are you holding up Holy Talon?)

((“Better…the sleep gave me some of my energy back, though not enough for me to be at full power…but Master Naruto….I think I need to discuss some matters with you…about that spell you used on both Tsunade and Jiraiya yesterday in that battle with Orochimaru and Kabuto.”))

(What spell are you talking about?)

((“The Revitalizing Flame…as you know…that was a high level Life spell that you managed to use…but I believe that you made a mistake on how much energy and power you placed in the spell itself and you actually created a far more powerful variant of the spell itself…it may have a side-effect on the two of them.”))

(Is it bad?)

((“Actually no…I think it had a seriously beneficial side effect for the two of them…as you know the spell made them fight and move as if they were 30 years younger…am I correct?”))

(Yes…even Old Lady Tsunade said that she felt 30 years younger…I think even the Pervy Sage said he was 30 years younger…I swear that spell's making them think they are younger than they are…)

((“Well…in all fairness Master Naruto…I suggest you stop calling Tsunade Old Lady…and call her either by her first name or be more respectful. And I suggest you get ready for a possible number of sleepless nights…no doubt Jiraiya is going to ENJOY things once he learns of the side effects of the spell you over charged.”))

(Why?)

----------

The hotel staff were busy getting ready their new day and were busy cleaning rooms, hallways, tables, cooking food, and getting drinks ready…but they were not prepared for a resounding crash from the upper floors and wondered what happened and then they heard a massive shout.

“THE SIDE EFFECT IS WHAT?!”

----------

In the same bar…

“I wonder what's keeping Naruto-kun?”

Shizune asked as she was feeding Ton-ton while Jiraiya and Tsunade were also resting and having something to eat while they waited for their young companion who was resting in the same hotel that he and Shizune had taken to staying in. The blonde had been allowed to sleep in since he admitted being heavily exhausted when he had used the spell to summon Faldren and Shizune had to feed him some hot soup and bread when he was resting. Tsunade and Jiraiya would periodically drop by and check him up.

At the moment…Jiraiya was drinking a sake bottle while Tsunade was munching on some food and for some reason…the two Sannin seemed…more…active and perky. Shizune wondered why she began to notice that both Master Jiraiya and Tsunade-sama seemed more alive and had this…odd energy in them both.

“I guess he's still resting from all the events that happened…can't blame him either.”

Jiraiya said as he looked about and relaxed a bit.

“Still…at least he's not shouting or causing a ruckus…some peace and quiet can certainly do us all some good.”

Tsunade smirked and seemed deep in thought about what she would be doing once she came back to Konoha and took the position her Grand-father and her sensei had earned…and she knew that things in her life was about to get complicated. It was then that she noted Shizune looking at her and it was making her more curious.

“What is it Shizune?”

“Forgive me Tsunade-sama…but you seem rather different ever since the battle…it's as if…well, you're Henge is different now…”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I don't know for sure…but you seem different and there's nothing wrong with the Henge or anything…but I can't help but notice that you've changed…and it's not just you…even Master Jiraiya seems different for some reason…like…you're both much younger than you are now…”

“That's an odd assumption…”

“I know…but still…I can't help but wonder what happened to the two of you.”

Tsunade and Jiraiya looked at one another and had to admit that they also noted the changes in one another…and in themselves…Tsunade felt younger…and while she had thought that the feeling would wear off today…it remained in her…as if it would not be easily forced away and she felt more alert, active and more alive than before…she recalled her words to Orochimaru about feeling 30 years younger…and this time she actually FELT 30 years younger.

“I guess we can ask Naruto about this whole thing ourselves when the time comes…speaking of which…here he comes.”

The three turned and in walked none other than Naruto who appeared to be in deep thought for some reason…but the moment he gazed at his companions he couldn't help but shake his head and move towards them. As he sat down he looked at both Tsunade and Jiraiya and placed his hands on the table and sighed. Jiraiya noted that action and wondered just what was happening with Naruto…he was usually the bright and chipper.

“You okay squirt? You seem like you've got a lot on your mind all of a sudden.”

“Yeah…I'm fine Pervy Sage…so when are we going to Konoha?”

“We'll be leaving soon…just have to get some supplies and more…speaking of which…there is something I need to ask you…that spell you used to heal me and Tsunade…just how long does it last?”

“What do you mean…wait…don't tell me…you both have been feeling different or something?”

“That's correct Naruto…ever since that battle yesterday I've still been feeling as if that energy was flowing in my veins…and I feel more alive and energized than I've been in years. And that is saying something…are there any side-effects of that spell you used on me and Jiraiya?”

Naruto looked at Tsunade and gulped as he blushed and looked away…making Tsunade even more confused…she never expected this reaction from Naruto of all things. But Naruto sighed and decided to talk.

“Well…there is a side-effect…but it's not harmful actually…Look…I think it would be best we don't talk about these things here in a bar of all things…somewhere more private…because what I'm going to tell you might be kind of hard to swallow.”

Jiraiya and Tsunade looked at one another and Jiraiya shrugged his shoulders and that meant that they might as well go on and follow his suggestions.

----------

Near the ruins of the old castle…

“All right…this is as private as one can get…so what is it you wanted to talk about Naruto concerning the side-effects of that spell you used on me and Tsunade?”

Jiraiya asked as he, Shizune, Ton-ton, and Tsunade now faced the young Dragon Champion and Konoha ninja who was sitting on a nearby bench which was amazingly not destroyed at the moment. The ruins were sealed off by the local authorities until the place was cleaned up and rebuilt…despite the fact that the design plans for the castle were old…the people wanted the castle rebuilt. But that was not in the minds of the current people there.

Naruto knew that this line of conversation was not going to be the least bit comfortable for him…but he knew that both Tsunade and Jiraiya deserved answers…he only hoped that when he told them about it…they were not going to misinterpret his words and think that he was lying to them all things. Holy Talon told him that due to his lack of overall understanding of the Revitalizing Flame Spell and his over use of the Dragon Fire…he had overcharged the spell and had actually created a variant of the spell almost unconsciously.

He sighed and faced both Sannin and replied.

“Now you both recalled that I said I had low skill with that spell right?”

“Yes…”

“Well…you two have been feeling different right?”

Tsunade and Jiraiya nodded and that was enough to tell Naruto that what Holy Talon had told him was the truth and he decided that it was time to talk.

“Well…the reason you've been feeling that way is because when I used that spell on you both…I made some mistakes on the amount of Dragon Fire magic that I infused into it and since I was a still unskilled user of high level spells…I actually created one variant of it…I guess I could call it the Rebirth Flame…”

“Rebirth Flame? So what exactly did this new spell do to Tsunade and me?”

“Well…Pervy Sage the reason you and…well Tsunade feel 30 years younger is because the Rebirth Flame actually reversed your ages physically as your bodies were returned to what they were 30 years ago by infusing restorative Life energy into every cell in your bodies…allowing you be back to your youth… So in simple terms…you and Tsunade feel 30 years younger…because at this moment… you both ARE 30 years younger, and the effect is permanent… and you will age at the same rate person does from now on.”

The moment Naruto explained that…Tsunade and Jiraiya were looking at one another with stunned eyes and so was Shizune…the two Sannin were silent as they both realized the implications of what Naruto had told them about the spell that he had somehow changed from something to give them strength and vitality to actually infusing them with large amounts of restorative magic that they had actually had their ages reversed by 30 years…it literally meant that Naruto had given them their youth back!!!

(Naruto-kun…actually reversed the ages of Tsunade-sama and Master Jiraiya?! Impossible…)

Jiraiya looked at Naruto and spoke.

“Naruto…this had better not be a joke!”

“I'm serious here! Holy Talon has never lied to me and I know for a fact that I had low skill with that previous spell…so I was not able to see if the spell was done right. But Holy Talon told me that it will not be that bad…I mean sure it was not the spell I had in mind…but it helped you both when you needed it right?”

Jiraiya was smiling at the thought of getting to finally live out his plans…and being younger was certainly a plus…in Tsunade's case…she was still reeling from the discovery and decided to try something to see if Naruto was not pulling her leg. She goes to a nearby pond…which was clear and unsullied allowing her to see herself…and for the very first time since she deactivated her Henge.

As soon as she felt it deactivate she looked…and saw that she still had her youthful look…only this was NOT Henge anymore, the Henge was already off…it was the real thing…she really was 20 years old again…and she couldn't help but feel awed by this for a moment.

(No wonder Naruto acted like that in the bar earlier…I am a young woman again…and this time…for real!.I feel like I was reborn in that fight…but I really was reborn…and it feels…wonderful. I guess I should give Naruto a thank you gift…and something to get his attention….just for the sake of a laugh…)

Tsunade then had a naughty idea on how to thank Naruto for the gift and she approached Naruto and smiled as she looked at him blushing all the while. She didn't know why…but she did something that was totally unlike her…she hugged him and kissed him right on the lips…hotly if one took good notice…and two people did notice.

“TSUNADE-SAMA!!!”

“OH MY GOD!!!! OH MAN I HAVE GOT TO PUT THIS IN MY NEXT NOVEL!!!!”

Naruto wanted to shout at the Pervy Sage and tell him to never try such a thing…however, any form of words and thoughts on such a plan was down the drain literally as he was trying to digest the fact that he was being given one hell of a hot kiss…by a former 50 year old woman who was now 20 years old…and looked…wow…if Sasuke, Kakashi-sensei, and Sakura-chan saw this…he didn't even want to guess what would have been the outcome of all that. He had no doubt he'd be grilled by the Council…if they found out he had the ability to restore the youth of people with Holy Talon's aid…he was never going to have a moment's peace, and he certainly had no intention of using this newly created spell just for the sake of enjoyment.

As soon as Tsunade stopped kissing him, she whispered.

“Thanks…”

“W…w…what for?!”

“For giving me a new lease on life…even if that was not your plan Naruto-kun.”

----------

The next day…

Tsunade woke up as she stretched and looked at the window and felt the warmth of the sun, normally she would have ignored such a thing…but not today…for her, this was a new beginning for her. Not only was she finally able to rekindle her love for her brother and boy-friend by protecting the dreams they cherished…but she was given another chance to finally live again and start over with her life. She turned and headed to the bath room and after taking a quick shower and arranging her hair in the usual two ponytails she favored…she walked to the mirror in the bath-room of their hotel and looked at herself once more…still trying to digest the fact that she was no longer in a Henge and she was in her real body…her young body from so long ago…and it felt…wonderful. Not only was her faith rekindled…but her chance to find love was back again.

They decided to leave the town the day before and were now staying in a small hotel/inn and all the while Jiraiya was enjoying his newly restored and progressing youth…and boy did he revel in it as Jiraiya partied and hit on every young lady he could get into his sights. For her…she couldn't help but feel somewhat indecent for kissing the living daylights out of Naruto, it had been a heat of the moment decision, and Shizune couldn't help but worry about it all the way to the place they were in at the moment, after all…it was not everyday a woman would be giving such an intimate action to a 12 year old boy…regardless of how much older he looked…but it felt…right for some reason…and there was the fact that considering how Naruto looked…she had no doubt in her mind he would grow up to be a real looker in a few years time…not to mention the fact that if he was able to learn the Rasengan in week…then there was no telling what else he could learn if given the right motivation…and there WERE other lessons that ninja had to learn in order to gather information.

She couldn't help but imagine how the women in Konoha would react if that were to happen…and she knew that things would be very interesting from here on out. She placed that aside for the moment and got dressed as there were at least a ton of things left to do and she wanted to settle a few other things before making it to Konoha…Jiraiya was the one who suggested they hurry up and head back to Konoha so he could do his usual research…but she had managed to convince him to slow down and enjoy his newfound youth for the time being as she decided to see if she could turn her luck around for once and she decided to pay a visit to the gambling tables later.

As soon as Shizune was awake…the two women got dressed and headed down to the dining area and there was Naruto and Jiraiya who were currently talking and eating their food and also the blonde kid turned and spotted Tsunade and she winked at him teasingly and made Naruto blush bright red…while Jiraiya smiled and began to tease Naruto and naturally the blonde ninja would reply back and set off a shouting batch between the two.

Despite the two bickering…the blonde Hokage had to admit that the two looked more like father and son than teacher and student. As soon as the two women sat down and discussed the soon to come events…Tsunade decided to hear out some of the details on the number of wounded and injured she would have to tend to once she got back to Konoha and she had to admit that the situation was pretty bad…several ninja had some serious injuries and needed to healed lest they were crippled for life…others had minor injuries…but the ones that concerned her were the two hit by Itachi's Sharingan and of course…Rock Lee…Gai's student…

She recalled the antics and far too goofy mannerisms of Gai…but she had to admit, for all his weirdness and goofball nature…Gai was a fearless and talented Jonin and if anyone could work well with Gai to the point that he was the student's idol, she felt that she should check it out…but the extent of Rock Lee's injuries were not sounding good to her…but until she could make a proper diagnosis…it was still too soon for her to assure Naruto that his friend would recover as soon as she came there to treat him…but for Naruto's sake…she promised to check Lee out as soon as she was able.

Naruto was deep in thought as well…but this was not on how he was going to deal with Tsunade's teasing…at least not yet anyway. He was hoping that as soon as he was back in Konoha…he could check on his team-mates and see how the village was faring since he left and also to check on his friends. Not to mention get some down time to help recover enough power for himself and Holy Talon…he still had to be wary and be prepared on the off chance that Death Fang's own Master would arrive…he only hoped that fate and luck was on his side and that he would have enough time to get ready for the soon to come battle.

----------

He had no idea how wrong he was…for at this very moment…

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Elsewhere…

The bandit camp was getting ready for another day of raiding and extortion…and the member s of the camp were now eating and getting ready for their daily run and looking for the next village to attack and pillage…however…they had no idea what was coming their way…

The Wraith Knight watched the bandit camp from the shadows…it's cloak protected it from detection as it studied the bandits…and it's blood red eyes scanned the lands and something of a nod of approval came from the minion of Death Fang. As soon as it was sure that the time was ripe for the attack…the Wraith Knight moved out of hiding…just as the bandits opened the gates of their camp.

The leader turned and he and his group saw the stranger and he grinned as he readied his spear.

“Hello…hey boys…we've got our first mark for today!”

The bandits agreed and brandished their weapons and got ready to attack the hooded and cloaked stranger…but before they could even charge forward…the Wraith Knight revealed it's face…stopping them cold in their tracks. And then, the Wraith Knight revealed it's Bone Sword in it's right hand…and in the blink of an eye…attacked the bandit camp…the bandits had no time to scream out as the Wraith Knight began to slaughter them one by one and soon the valley ran red with blood as screams and the sounds of battle filled the air…along with a soul chilling scream that seemed to come…from the Bone Sword itself as it was coated in the blood of it's victims….and absorbed the blood like a sponge.

As it slaughtered them…the Wraith Knight did not even smile or laugh…but was silent as it methodically killed it's foes and left only the leader alive… The leader…once so confident was filled with terror and fear… both emotions etched all over his bloody face as he tried desperately to escape…and he even tried to offer all the treasure and information that his group had…as the Wrath Knight continued to stalk him as if planning to rip him to shreds the last.

“Please…take what you want!!!”

And for the first time…the Wraith Knight spoke…but it's voice was cold…emotionless…and dead….like a wind coming from a graveyard…befitting it's origins and it's history

“I already have…you will serve as a messenger…you will live…to tell all of my passing…go now…and tell all that this land…belongs to MY master, and this bloody fate awaits ALL who dare to challenge him!”

The bandit leader wasted no time as he got up and rang…looking at the bodies of his former lackeys and saw their expressions of terror and pain in death…but he then heard the Wraith Knight speaking in a dark and foreboding language and when he was far enough…he turned and saw a horrific sight…

As the Wraith Knight summoned a foul black mist from it's body and he saw the blood of his lackeys being drunk by the Bone Sword and their bodies reduced in moments into…husks. He felt greater terror and ran as fast as he could…and heard the scream of the Bone Sword once more…like a beast feeding on food ravenously.

The minion of Death Fang had made the very first blow to the land…as the surroundings of the camp began to wither and die…and take an evil and sickly hue as it made it's base of operations… and it soon planned to make the presence of it's master throughout the land. And as it did so…the land was being transformed slowly to suit it's master's tastes…and it's own…if this didn't attract the Holy Dragon Champion's attention…then perhaps the slaughter of other locations would.

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To be continued…

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Author's notes:

Okay, I'll admit that compared to the previous chapter…this one is kind of short…but I can't help it since I had to make sure I get just the right amount of material content into the story and also to make sure that everything works in the right move and flow…

As you can see…the idea from the trailer I made before has come into effect and both Jiraiya and Tsunade are now younger…and what does that entail? Well…we shall see soon enough…

I wanted to try another angle on why Tsunade used the Henge and since I learned that she's actually the last of the Senju Clan, I figured have a deeper sense of lose…not just in terms of family and faith…but love as well, since she no longer can ever have a family. But due to Naruto's newly created spell…Tsunade's been given a chance to have a new life. And since Tsunade's been returned to being 20 years old in EVERY sense of the word…things are going to get downright interesting from here on out!!!

… And if anyone asks me if I will include Tsunade or even Shizune or both of them in chasing our young Dragon Champion, like the other female ninja mentioned so far so are attracted to Naruto, then the answer is already passing the borderline of yes…though how that will work is up to me…but you can bet if I ever make a series of lemons for this story…it's going to be real steamy….just read the lemons I made in GunDread SEED The Second Stage so you'll have an accurate idea of how a lemon in Naruto Dragon Champion might turn out okay?

But on a more serious note…

The Wraith Knight has struck the first blow and it has made it's presence in the world of Naruto known and is planning to make it's moves on the surrounding lands…with the dead bandits at it's disposal and it's powers as a fighter…it will not be long before Naruto gets wind of this new threat…and once he learns it's one Death Fang's servants…it will soon come to pass that he will have to find it…and halt it's bloody rampage…But can Naruto do it in the state both he and Holy Talon are in as both he and the sword have lost a good portion of their powers in the previous battle?

And will the support of Tsunade, Shizune, and Jiraiya be enough to help him when he faces his first major test as Dragon Champion? Remember…the fact that Naruto had used a massive amount of Dragon Fire to summon Faldren in combat means that until he and Holy Talon recover…they will be at one third of their respective powers…meaning that they are suffering from a serious handicap and will have to find other ways to make up for the move they did until they are back in fighting shape.

We shall see soon enough…

Here is a little more info:

Faldren is the oldest of all the Holy Dragons and their undisputed leader and because of this…his powers are at their strongest, his battle experience unquestioned, and his mastery of all the known magic branches associated with his kind is unquestioned.

Even with only a fraction of his full power…Faldren could easily destroy an army by himself and kill lesser and higher level Chaos Dragons with little to no effort…which is why it has been stated that only Chorvax could match and fight Faldren in an even standing…due to the fact that they have been fighting for 25,000 years…this makes both Dragon Lords VERY deadly adversaries and quite aware of each other's strengths and weaknesses.

However, Faldren is a gentle soul when not in battle and delights in more peaceful and creative pursuits…an embodiment to his nature as both a Holy Dragon and leader of all the Holy Dragon Flights…he is able to take human form perfectly to blend among humans and other races to observe them and record their progress. Even in human form…he is deadly and can chose to reveal his Dragon nature in his human form if it suits him. One such `vice' he has is enjoyment of feasts and he loves to go and visit mortal festivals both in human form…or rarely in his full Dragon Form…because of his compassion, gentleness, wisdom, courage, power, and respect for all mortal life…he is welcomed wholeheartedly in these festivals if he is in Dragon Form and is considered a guest of great honor should he appear.

Because of his status…he is the patron guardian of all the Martial and Mystical orders in the lands under his charge and they respect him and his kin greatly.

As seen in the battle…Faldren lives up to his rank as Dragon Lord as in his fight he proves that in either form…he is only matched by Chorvax. In Dragon Form he is quite capable of ending Manda's life with a single bite and severely beats Orochimaru in human guise…even forcing the Kusanagi out of Orochimaru's stomach, catching the sword with only two fingers…and breaking the sword with only one finger from his free hand…and able to unleash spells with casual gestures and words…unlike Naruto who has to focus and follow Holy Talon's instructions on how to use the spell…due to his innate blood and his millenniums worth of experience…

The only reason he didn't outright kill them was that his ability to remain in Combat Form and in the battle-zone depends on the level of experience and power Naruto had… so as long as Naruto is still a novice Dragon Champion and not fully skilled…Faldren's time in the battle-field is severely limited…he knows the strain on Naruto's body when he was summoned and forbids Naruto from attacking Orochimaru out of concern for the chance that the strain could affect Naruto and leave him vulnerable to attack….and prevents Naruto from walking into a potentially fatal trap.