Chapter 2. A Lamb To The Slaughter

So it's been brought to my attention that some are confused on where the story is taking place and the time frame. My apologies if I didn't make it clear. It's the ending of the wave arc and the first chapter has been revised.

If there are any questions that you have on the story. PM me or leave a comment. I'll clarify it to the best of my abilities in a way as to not spoil anything for you.

Without further ado...

A true Shinobi can endure even the most heinous of tortures for the ones he wishes to protect.

-Morino Ibiki

All that could be heard was an ominous wind passing through as no one knew what to say.

The possibility of your own sensei dying? Who was prepared for that? The life of a shinobi just wasn't fair, and they were learning it very early on in their career.

Sasuke was glaring at the floor before his gaze fell on Sakura. "Is there ANYTHING you can do for him?" Stressing his precaution. Naruto's head picked up at the question as he glanced at Sakura, praying for a miracle.

Sakura bit her trembling lip as she thought over her long time crush's question. Could she really? Was she really prepared to risk her sensei's life on a gamble? 'What if I make it worse? That shrapnel piece near his lower lumbar vertebrae scares me. One wrong move and he's paralyzed for life... And the one near his kidney didn't penetrate but is...impossible! How could it be lodge In Between the the renal artery and renal vein? Shit shit shit shit!'

She had brought her water laced hands back as she had no idea what to do in this situation anymore. How could she remove them without severely injuring, and possibly permanently incapacitating her sensei.

"Dammit!" She exhaled, as she cried once more in anger at not being able to help her sensei. She had maybe, just maybe enough practice in Iryō Ninjutsu(Medical Ninjutsu) to take out the one in between the artery and the vein, but the spinal shard was just too delicate.

"It's either he lives now and their might be a way to help him later in the village or he dies now and you live in regret.."

'I don't like these options!'

"I know you don't, but what else can you do..."

It was more of a statement then a question at that point.

'Dammit! Dammit all to hell!' Berating herself seemed to be the only option she had that she could live with right now.

As she looked up, she saw both her male teammates keeping the perimeter and knew that they were waiting on her instructions.

Medics will make the final call on any member of the squad no matter the mission. Under no circumstances are you to disobey the medics direct orders, it is the same as breaking the command of your team leader and will be disciplined as insubordination.

-Senju Tsunade

Tsunade had that law passed during the Second Shinobi War. It had ended up saving more lives on numerous accounts.

'They're waiting for me...b-but I can't-enough of this self doubt!" Yelled out her inner surprising Sakura.

"There is no time for this! Your sensei could be dead in the next hour and your over here squabbling! Take the damn shrapnel out already and order those two to protect you already!"

Sakura was star struck. She couldn't believe her inner had actually said what she said, but dammit she was right. "Damn right I am! Now let's put our mother's teachings to good use and make her proud!"

'H-Hai!'

A fire was lit in her and it was all thanks to her inner and she was going to do whatever it took to save her sensei. 'That's my girl.' Thought the inner as she smiled triumphantly.

"Naruto! Use your clones to transform into a stretcher and have them ready to evac sensei as soon as I'm done. Then make some more to watch my back and protect sensei at any cost! You're to watch our rear. Your Kage Bunshins are perfect for distracting and deceiving the enemy. Sasuke-kun you'll take point. Once we leave, your pace is what we'll follow until we reach the village. Under no circumstances are we to stop. Sensei's life depends on it!"

The authority in her voice was breath taking. Neither Sasuke, nor Naruto had ever seen her like this. So authoritative, no room for debate.

Naruto couldn't help but grin and mock salute. "Hai Sakura-Taicho!"

"Hn."

Sakura nodded and got to work with sheer determination etched on her face.

Up in the trees 40 meters away from Team 7...

'I think it's time I make my presence known...get ready to fight for your life...'

As the assassin finally reached the Konoha Shinobi, he couldn't help but sweat drop at what was happening right before him.

There laid Sharingan no Kakashi crying like a little school girl with..'is that...in his mouth? What the hell?'

Moments before the assassin's arrival...

'Ok just little to the lef-dammit you piece of sh- yes that's it! Come to-' "Ahh! What? Ow! Dammit!"

Sakura's concentration was broken by her sensei waking up at the worst time possible.

Naruto and Sasuke noticed their sensei starting to move and were relieved he wasn't in a coma or worse, but couldn't he have woken up ten minutes later?

"Sensei stay still! I'm pulling out the shrapnel!" Sakura's plea fell on deff ears, as her sensei kept trying to move.

"Naruto, Sasuke! Restrain sensei now! If he keeps moving like this, he'll really injure himself!"

Naruto and Sasuke dropped down on him as Naruto pinned his legs down with the help of some of his clones and Sasuke his arms.

Grinding could be heard and Sakura instantly stopped what she was doing and saw her Senseis jaw moving back and forth.

"Sasuke! Put something in his mouth now! If he breaks even one tooth, he can end up doing more harm to himself!"

Sasuke got the message and checked his pouch and to no avail found something that could help him. He started looking around,

'Rock, no. Stick..he'll snap it..' His eyes then caught on to Kakashi's Kunai pouch and then it clicked.

'Bingo.'

He leaned forward reached in and found exactly what he was looking for, pulling out something he knew Kakashi would never be able to snap through with his jaw.

Sakura sweat dropped while Naruto burst into laughter. In Sasuke's hand was Kakashi's most prized possession.

-xxxx-

'"...ok that hurts...' Kakashi couldn't comprehend much with the severe head ache he was dealing with at the moment, add on the pain he was feeling in his back and the extra weight on his body...

'Ok. Unbearable weight on top of me, slight ringing in my ears, headache, blurry eye sight aaaaannnndddd I can't hear anything, pain all over my body and I have no idea what's going on past the last minute or so... Reminds me of Last year on Gai's birthday, Anko did something, probably a Mickey, and then I was almost... Gah!... Scratch that, in the same exact amount of pain I am right now.'

Kakashi tried looking around but to no avail could he move his neck past a few degrees. He tried each arm and leg and found that familiar weight on top of him. He looked slightly to his side to try and see if he could see something, anything that could help him figure out what was going on at the moment when a blinding searing pain shot through his body, as he felt his insides tearing open.

He tried thrashing around but it only caused more pain. He grinded his teeth in agony, trying to hold back a shout. Kakashi's lone eye was wide open. Something was being forcibly taken out of him.

"Ahh! What? Ow! Dammit!"

"Na...hu...p"

"...ke...in..."

The next thing he knew, he was throwing his head back in pain letting out a shout before he felt something get shoved in his mouth.

'What the..' And with that, he bit down on the slightly hard but soft thing in his mouth, before he could even think, he felt something cut him open and shoot through his body.

He could see. Slightly better, but surely. He immediately looked down at the orange mouth intruder as he spit it out and tried talking before something in his mind clicked.

'Orange...around an inch and a half thick...had a slight..' Kakashi's visible pupil shrunk down in realization as he slowly looked down.

'They wouldn't..."

Right before Kakashi was his most treasured belonging...

"...they couldn't!'

...his first edition Icha Icha: Paradise, covered in saliva and dirt, with deep teeth marks on the cover and a bent binding.

Kakashi had been through many ordeals in his life from the early age of 5. His mother's death was just the start. He had then lost his father, his teammates, his adoptive parents and now he had lost his most trusted friend.

"I shall avenge you my dear! I swear it on the ICHA ICHA EMPI-"

Sakura and Naruto looked at Sasuke owlishly as they noticed Sasuke's outstretched hand near their sensei's neck, indicating he was the one that knocked him out.

Sasuke gave them an apathetic stare, he had no interest in their future squabble of his action towards their sensei. They needed him calm so Sakura could work. Might as well knock him out.

"Teme! Why'd you do that? You could've talked to him and calmed him down!" Shouted out the pissed off blond.

Sasuke simply scoffed at the idiotic response. Kakashi was in pain and wasn't thinking straight. He did the most logical thing.

"Hn."

Naruto's right eye twitched uncontrollably. He started rolling up his sleeve before he got smacked down to the floor.

"Owowowow! Sakura-chaaaaaan!"

"Shut up Baka! Sasuke-kun did what he had to do. So stop antagonizing him and make the damn stretcher already!"

Naruto sat up and clutched his head in pain, as a red bump sprouted from his head. Naruto's tears couldn't have been anymore comical at this point, and had it been any other day Sakura would have probably laughed and probably apologized, but at this point in time someone's life was at stake and it was none other than their sensei, and she'll be damned if she couldn't, to the best of her ability, try and save her sensei.

5 minutes later and Sakura screamed her signature "Cha!" With righteous fury as she had finally taken the shrapnel with no permanent damage done to her sensei.

Now came the hard part. With one swift push, she forced her chakra on her sensei's back and had re-found the shrapnel she loathed. Only Kami knew how it had gotten there with out tearing through the vertebrae.

She had her chakra wrap around the shrapnel piece, and with a heavy sob she ripped it out of her sensei.

"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!"

The sheer pain of having something ripped through his lower spine had awoken Kakashi with the only thing being felt was sheer agony and blinding pain. The pain was so severe that it had knocked him out again.

Sakura had hot tears running down her face as she, with the help of her teammates, wrapped some bandages around his body to help stop the bleeding.

Naruto had a clone transform into a stretcher with straps and placed it right next to their very injured sensei.

Just as Team 7 had finally placed their sensei on the stretcher and strapped him in, they heard clapping. It brought them out of their thoughts and put them all on high alert. Why did their attacker choose now to show up when it could've chosen any other moment before now.

"I'll hand it to you. To perform a surgical shrapnel removal procedure out in the field is quite impressive...for a Genin novice that is."

The voice of the assassin sounded to deep to be a woman, was their first thought.

Sakura scowled as she held a Kunai in a defensive position, flanked by both her male teammates and surrounded by Naruto's clones.

As team 7 looked on they now noticed there assailant.

He stood around 5'10" with an athletic build. Black cargo pants. Black Shinobi sandals. Black fingerless gloves with a metallic plate guarding the back of his hand. A black long sleeve shirt. A black mask with the only notable feature being the eyes holes. And No hitai-ate. The only feature they could see were his menacing black pupil-less eyes.

"What do you want!? Why did you attack us!?" Yelled out an infuriated Sakura.

They could feel the Assassins smirk as he spoke.

"I attacked you simply because I could. I want nothing more then to kill. Kill every single one of you. Your blood shall feed my desire. And I'll take nothing but pure pleasure, watching the life leave your eyes!"

They tensed at his deranged reply.

"Hmhmhm. First rule of being a medic... young Genin..." Was all he said before he disappeared.

"Never let the patient die!"

Their eyes widened in realization as to what his goal was.

Sasuke had spun around taking out a second Kunai blocking the downward strike with a cross block with not a second to spare. Sakura immediately went to pull the stretcher while Naruto went to attack the assailant, but Naruto was to late to capitalize as he was spartan kicked in the chest, sending him flying back down the road 40 meters.

"Dammit."

"Naruto!"

Sasuke tried capitalizing with a high kick aimed at the assailant's abdomen, but the assassin was already ahead of him as he blocked the kick with his left knee and used his right fist for a quick jab connecting on the lone Uchiha's jaw, stunning Sasuke.

He immediately roundhouse kicked him in the face, sending him back connecting with a crouching Naruto.

As he took out a second kunai, ready to strike down the defenseless Sharingan no Kakashi, he noticed that he was no longer where he had last seen him.

As he looked up,he saw a dust cloud running away from him and noticed Sakura and the Clones of Naruto running for dear life with their comatose master.

The Assassin simply chuckled at their trivial attempt at escape. "No matter. She'll soon be at deaths door just like her sensei."

-LINE BREAK-

Sakura had heard the explosions and battle that had transpired and could only hope for the best at this point. She had been running for a while now, wondering when she was going to reach her home until she finally noticed a big Hill up ahead, noting the check point all Leaf Shinobi were taught about. It indicated you were on the right path towards the Northern Gate and that the village was 10 kilometers away.

'Just a few more miles and were home free!'

She picked up the pace as more adrenaline flowed through her petite body. As she started scaling up the hill she was now on with her sensei and teammate's clones, she couldn't help but look back in the direction of her two teammates as she entered a clearing and worry about them and the situation they were in.

'Be careful you two.'

"Hmmhmmhmm..."

Sakura's eyes widened in horror as her ears heard that dreaded voice.

'Nonononono!'

Naruto's clones also stopped in fear for their Sensei and love interest's life.

Clapping could be heard, as a figure could be seen walking out of a dense patch of vegetation to their left.

Sakura turned her head with a look of pure fear plastered on her face as she saw the assassin come out and reveal himself to her.

The clones gently placed their sensei down next to a tree and stood in front of their Teammates, ready to defend at any cost.

"Heh, It seems I've finally found you little mouse."

The voice she heard had produced more fear in her, but the sudden overwhelming pressure of Killing intent flooding her senses had brought her down to her knees as she saw her death in a thousand ways.

She saw her own body being mutilated, with her own blood painting the forest red as she exploded into a mutilated mess .

Hot tears trailed down her face as she did the only thing she could do at this point in time.

She let out an ear shattering scream that could be heard for miles...

-LINE BREAK-

Moments ago...

Naruto and Sasuke were currently picking themselves up from their most recent failed attempt at gutting the assassin, even though they couldn't see his facial features do to the mask, you could tell he was fixing them a bored look and that only seemed to piss them off even more.

"Dammit."

Naruto cursed in desperation trying to form a plan as Sasuke grunted silently agreeing with him.

'Everything we throw at this guy just isn't enough. He's making fools out of us!'

"To think you two are suppose to be the most promising Genin to come out of the leafs academy in the past two decades is pitiful "

They looked up glaring holes into theirs attackers skull.

Sasuke imagined him bursting into a ball of flames and savored the agonizing screams of his opponent. While Naruto watched him blow up into a million pieces with a look of utter satisfaction plastered over his face.

And just like that an idea had formed In Naruto's head. Now all he needed was Sasuke's help. And just with that pensive look Sasuke signaled him with hand signs.

What's your plan?

Naruto was stunned at Sasuke figuring that out.

Sasuke noticed the baffled look on his blond teammate's face and signaled again.

You gave off that look you always make when your forming ideas on a prank, so I assumed that you have a plan. You do don't you?

Naruto was once again stunned, Sasuke actually paid attention to him? He quickly shook off his stupor and signaled his teammate.

Yeah. I need you to distract him for a bit with a lot of fireballs. I think I have a way for him to be at least temporarily stunned for us to make our escape.

Sasuke simply smirked and stood up from his kneeling position. "Hn, This should be interesting."

Naruto chuckled and joined his teammate from his kneeling position. "Just don't die teme. I still need to beat you in a spar so Sakura-chan can see I'm the better ninja! Dattebayo!"

Sasuke rolled his eyes at the usual quirk of his blond teammate. "Hn. In your dreams dobe. Just don't go crying when I put you back in your place."

Naruto took out a Kunai and crossed his fingers for his trademark jutsu. "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"

A giant Smoke clouded had covered them, temporarily hiding them from the Assassin, who cursed at letting them form a plan.

'Oh well, at least they'll prove to be some form of entertainment.'

As the smoke started to clear, he noticed hundreds of clones behind the duo. But that wasn't what shocked the assassin. No. It was the clones themselves as they were each paired with a Sasuke clone.

'100 pairs give or take.' He said to himself as he took out a second Kunai in a reverse grip, preparing himself for the battle that was sure to come.

He grinned at the thought of a great dance. "Come! Show me your true strength!"

And with that the clones roared as the pairs all scattered in multiple directions, easily losing the originals.

The assailant grinned at the thought of actually facing off with the two Genin.

Not a second was wasted as he jumped and rolled to his right avoiding a hail of fireballs.

"Is th-BOOOOOOOOMMM!"

The mystery attacker suddenly found himself flying through the skies looking up that the clouds.

'Heh. Using the fireball as a cover and distraction for a couple kunai with explosive tags coming right behind them. They just might be worth a lil effort.'

As he finished his inner discussion he flipped his body upright and landed on a branch 60 yards away from the blast. As he looked too his left, he gave a slight nod before the presence to his left disappeared.

'Let's see how you fair after this.'

And with that he started tree hopping towards his targets.

Higher up in the trees stood our young duo looking down on the retreating form of their attacker.

"What do you think Sasuke? Should we go with Attack plan Alpha or Beta?"

Sasuke, with his Sharingan piercing through the forest, gave a small pensive look before a small noticeable grin formed on his face. "What about our MB attack?"

The foxy grin on Naruto's face told him everything he needed to know.

Naruto then made a clone before dispelling him, letting all the other clones know the attack plan. Things were just about to get interesting.

-LINE BREAK-

As the Assassin reached the main road, he noticed that every single clone was gone. As he extended his senses, and to his shock, he couldn't detect a single one except for a distance chakra coming towards him a couple hundred meters back.

He side jumped to his left, dodging 3 kunai with explosive tags that went off a second later. The Assassin didn't have time to regain his bearings, shuriken and Kunai were coming at him from every direction. Letting his instincts take over, he took out 2 kunai in a reverse grip and started dancing in between and around the arsenal of weapons, deflecting the ones that came a little to close for his comfort.

As the barrage of weapons ceased coming he realized to late as to why. Every kunai surrounding him had explosive tags. 'Oh cr-'

His train of thought was stopped as the hundreds of explosives littered around him went off in a chorus of explosion.

-LINE BREAK-

Naruto and Sasuke couldn't help but grin at their handy work. Their MB attack planned hadn't failed since its birth. And to think, all it took was Kakashi giving both Sasuke and Naruto the Thousand Years of Pain technique for them to create such a devastating strategy. The sheer sadistic joy they both had chasing Kakashi with hundreds of exploding kunai, till this day brought satisfaction to them. Seeing the multitude of explosions was almost like an art in their eyes. An art that they would perfect and show world.

Somewhere in the Land of Iwa...

Two cloaked figures could be seen walking down the road wearing straw hats and black cloaks with red clouds on them

The cloaked figure to the left had gotten a sudden tingle go down his spine before a smirk crossed his face. "Seems like someone is following in the ways of true art. Hn. Sasori my man, it's seems your out of luck. One day my future disciple/s and I will show you way of true art. Art is a bang. Hn."

Sasori, who was walking right next to him, slowly brought out his mechanical tail and rested it on Deidaras shoulder before speaking. "Deidara... Your pitiful excuse for art is nothing but a disgrace. A true Artist knows that art is forever eternal. Art is to be admired, displayed, and worshipped. It is to be seen by all so they can admire the creators work. And that is not your pitiful abominations."

And with that their usual banter of art continued...

Back with Naruto and Sasuke...

Naruto and Sasuke were preparing for there next phase of attack before they heard the unmistakable scream of their female teammate. Naruto didn't waste a second as he immediately jumped off in the direction she had ran too before Sasuke had tackled him to the floor. Naruto easily countered using the momentum in the roll to kick him off. He started running again before he was tackled again and this Time pinned.

"Dammit dobe, sit still." Applying more pressure with his knee that was located at Naruto's lower back.

"Get off me teme! Sakura-chan's In trouble! I swear I just saw her getting attacked!"

Sasuke slightly surprised by that declaration, loosened his grip. Naruto feeling the pressure being lifted tried to get up before Sasuke had regained his bearings and pinned him again.

"Dammit teme!"

"Look, I'll go, you stay here and distract him. Once I check up on her I'll co-No." Interrupted the blond as he stood up.

"If you go, you take her to Konoha. That's it. No ifs, ands, or buts. You go, you go to take her home."

Sasuke just looked at him. Questioning his choice of action.

"You'll die."

Naruto scoffed at the blatant insult to his abilities. He had been ducking and hiding from people by the time he turned 4. He had been able to remain undtected and outran ANBU by the age of 9. If Uzumaki Naruto wanted to play hide and seek, he could and not a person on this planet could find him if he so willed it.

Sasuke rolled his eyes at Naruto's antics, but knew from experience if the blond didn't wish to be found, he'd be hellbent on staying hidden. He fished through his backpack and through the object he had obtained at Naruto. "Don't die dobe." And with that he was off.

Naruto just smirked as he caught his new toy. "I don't plan on it." And with that he was off.

-LINE BREAK-

Sasuke had been running at full speed for a little over 5 minutes before he had come to a site he couldn't help but feel unimaginable rage. Right before his very eyes was his sensei with 3 kunais in his back, 2 Naruto clones fighting off the assailant's clone, to the best of their ability and what had made him falter was his female teammate. There she was, trembling like fragile leaf in the wind, with her back to the tree that Kakashi was next to, with her red qipao dress missing her front flap and the top completely ripped off. Her bra and biker shorts were the only things keeping her modesty in check.

The rage that was building within the lone Uchiha couldn't be described with words. 'Had Naruto not sent a squad of clones...' Shaking the negative thoughts that plaguedhis mind, Sasuke started to build up his Chakra and prepared himself. 'Burn in hell.'

KATON: GOKAKYU NO JUTSU!

The Assassin was caught off gaurd when the Jutsu was called, and he paid for it dearly as a fireball the size of a house and the speed of a runaway train had hit him.

Poof

Sasuke, pleased that the battle had been won shortly, dropped down from the tree he was on and started approaching his traumatized female teammate with only one thought in mind.

'Give him hell Naruto.'

Naruto couldn't believe how horribly out classed he was at this point in time. His army. Gone. Every single one destroyed. Sure he had gotten him with explosives in the beginning, but ever sense Sasuke left, it was like the Assassin had become a whole different person all together.

Moments ago...

Naruto had traveled west for a min before he saw his army of Clones being destroyed with ease. He cursed as he took out Sasuke's "gift" and prepared it with a couple clones.

The Assassin was clearing getting bored with the clones, as he lazily moved through each stab and punch. He was destroying them with ease and was impatiently getting tired of these sacrificial pawns.

As he was weaving through the attacks, he noticed a second later that the clones had all jumped back.

Two Kunai had hit the spot he was just in before he jumped up in the air, but boy was he going to regret it. As he looked down and noticed he had a small entourage waiting for him with grins, he heard a second later as to why they were all grinning.

"Ninpou Kage Shuriken: Demon Windmill of Shadows!"

The Assassin had barely touched the ground when he summoned his chakra to help propel him to his right, barely avoiding the Fuma Shuriken. Using his new found momentum, he jumped up to the tree to his right before his senses screamed at him to drop to floor.

When the Assassin looked up from the floor he now found himself on, he saw as to why his senses were on the fritz. Right there imbedded into the tree was the Demon Windmill Shuriken.

'Seems like he's getting serious.'

BOOOOOOMMMMMM

'Seems as if the brat really wants to kill me.'

True to his train of thought, he found himself dodging more Fuma Shuriken and clones.

"Seems like I need to take it up a notch and put you in your place boy."

-LINE BREAK-

And put him in his place he did, as Naruto was starring up at his opponent with anger. He would win or die trying. Sadly, he noticed to late, that his attacker was nowhere insight before something connected with his face sending him back flying till his back connected with a tree, uprooting it.

Naruto's cries of agony were like music to the Assassin's ears. As he saw the young Uzumaki crawling to his feet in excruciating pain, he appeared in front of the young jinchuuriki with his knee connecting to his jaw with enough force to lift him off his feat. Hearing a satisfying crack of his target's jaw, he shot his hand out and caught Naruto by the front of his jacket, bringing the defiant blond to his face.

"To think all this trouble was to get to you..." Naruto's eyes widened. "You sorry excuse!" And with that he flung Naruto towards another I tree. Naruto crumpled to the floor crying out in pain. From what he could tell, his back was broken, he had dislocated a shoulder, and cracked a femur. Which one he couldn't tell. Everything just hurt. As Naruto tried crawling away while biting back the agonizing cry of pain, the Assassin had come and punted him in the head. Naruto's head flew back as a giant blob of blood came flying out of his mouth.

"You!" Kick

"Worthless!" Stomp

"Piece of Shit!" Another kick to the head before he picked Naruto up by the collar of his jacket.

"You disgrace all those before you with your pitiful existence!" And with that he chock slammed Naruto on the forest floor cause a small crater to appear underneath him. Naruto had has back arched off the floor and his mouth wide open in a silent scream.

As the Assassin slowly started walking away, Naruto mustered all the strength he had left in him to crawl out of the crater. As he started dragging his sorely beaten body away, the only thought in his mind was murder. 'I swear...ill kill you!'

Just as he had made it a good distance away, he found a kunai stabbing his hand into the ground. "Son of-smack!"

Naruto's head connecting with solid ground was all that was heard in the silent forest before screaming followed. As the assailant came into view, Naruto could only look on in horror as he saw the assassin with a katana he didn't have before.

As the assassin started twirling the magnificently crafted sword, Naruto, with all strength he could muster in his injured arm, tried freeing his pinned hand, but it was all for not as he couldn't muster enough strength to free himself.

Naruto let out a desperate cry, trying his best to muster up his chakra for one final act of defiance but to his utter horror he couldn't feel an ounce of his chakra.

The Assassin laugh maniacally noticing as to why the young blond was portraying such an emotion. He crouched down to Naruto's eye level as he spoke. "Your just now noticing, aren't you?"

"What did you do to me!?" Naruto roared out in anger and desperation.

'Why can't I feel my chakra?!'

The low chuckle the assassin let out, brought Naruto's heated glare straight to his oppressor. "Why are you doing this? What have we ever done to you?"

He ignored Naruto and pointed his blade at the young 14 year old before he spoke. "They say a true Shinobi can withstand even the most devastating types of torture for the ones they love." Naruto's eyes widened, as fear trickled down his spine, down to his very core, as the assassin moved behind him and found the tip of the katana on his right buttocks.

"Did you know that The piriformis is a muscle found deep inside the buttocks. It connects the lower spine to the upper thighbone and runs directly over the sciatic nerve. If this muscle goes into spasm, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, triggering symptoms of sciatica. Sciatica refers to back pain caused by a problem with the sciatic nerve. This is a large nerve that runs from the lower back down the back of each leg. When something injures or puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, it can cause excruciating pain in the lower back that spreads to the hip, buttocks, and leg."

Birds and animals flew and ran away from the area, as they were scared away by a blood curdling scream.

-LINE BREAK-

Sasuke was always one to keep his cool, even in the most stressful of situations. Fan girls and the academy were easy to deal with. An annoyance, but easy non the less. When he had faced Kakashi for the privilege of his head band, he felt excitement at the possibility of testing his metal against a war veteran and ex-ANBU captain. When he was facing against the demon brothers, calm but ready. Haku, excitement and determination. When facing off against a multitude of thugs, he wanted to prove himself, more then anyone else and show that he had what it took.

Throughout all these tests, all these ordeals and situations, he not once let his emotions get the better of him...

"Get your asses moving!" Roared the angered Uchiha as he let out fireball after fireball at the multitude of clones of the Assassin that were after them.

The last 2 Naruto clones, who miraculously survived, we're hightailing it out of there like bats out of hell with Sakura right behind them.

Sasuke had just jumped back, avoiding a barrage of kunai only to be round house kicked in the face for the 100th time that day.

As he flipped in mid air and regained his balance to land on his feet, not a moment was wasted as he launched a hail of kunai, with explosive tags wrapped around the handle, in the direction of the clones as he tried catching up to his team. What he didn't notice, because of the recent explosions, was a kunai above him with an explosive seal etched into the handle. It was to late to warn his team when he noticed it glow the second he passed it.

'DAMMIT! DAMMIT ALL TO HELL!'

BOOOOOMMMM!

Sasuke had been lucky enough to shield Sakura and the clones from taking any hits from the debri and shrapnel as he took most of the damage.

The clones had set Kakashi down and tried attending Sasuke and checking to see if he was ok with Sakura's help, but seeing Sasuke groan in pain and slightly roll told them all they needed to know.

Sakura had let her medic training kick in and tried helping him but she was too low on chakra. She checked Sasuke's pouch and her own, but to their dismay, nothing was found. Sakura was frantic at this point until she laid her eyes on her sensei.

She rushed over to his side and ripped off her senseis pouch and emptied it's contents. Kunai, shuriken and scrolls littered the floor until she saw a small baggy with a weird stick attached to it and to her luck, it was just what she was looking for. She opened the baggy and took out four soldier pills and popped one into her mouth and rushed back with her renewed energy and popped one more into Sasuke, while handing the clones one as well. She didn't get the chance to try and heal him as she saw Sasuke jump to his feet, battle ready, with his Sharingan activated with a kunai in hand.

Sasuke had finally calmed down as he noticed that he wasn't in no immediate danger and finally gave Sakura his attention. He bit back a grimace as he noticed her state of dress, remembering how she got into this predicament.

He didn't even think on the subject as he took off his high colored blue shirt and made her wear it. Sakura was relieved to have some of her decency back and was eternally grateful to Sasuke and Naruto, even though a clone, had taken off his jacket and had her wrap it around her waste to cover up her lower extremities. She let out tears, happy, that her two teammates were considering her modesty.

Just as Sasuke was about to talk, he noticed the stick attached to the small baggy and went to pick it up confusing the rest of his conscious team.

"What is it Sasuke-Kun?"

Sasuke ignored her question and checked it out before he finally realized what it was.

'This is...'

He popped the cap that was on top and noticed a seal, confirming his suspicions. He charged the seal with a lot of chakra and placed it in the middle of the road and saw it glow, indicating the timer was set.

He then ordered the confused blondes to pick up Kakashi and told Sakura to get ready to move out before he saw the clones starting to sway and clutching their heads howling in pain.

"Naruto-Kun what's wrong?!" Yelled out the startled Pinkette. Sasuke tried to go forward and check on them before the stretcher disappeared in a poof.

"Shit!" Cursed the wide eyed Uchiha.

"Naruto! What's wrong?!"

The clone to his left swayed to his right showing his teammates his face, instantly startling them as he revealed his over grown k-9's, darker whisker marks, shaggier hair, and what took the cake, were his scarlet red slitted eyes. Sakura took a step back in fear as the jacket wrapped around her lower torso proofed away as the clone to the right screamed out in pain before disappearing as well.

"Th-the B-Boss... He's graahhhhhhhh!" Yelled out the clone as he exploded in a burst of a demonic chakra that shot towards the sky in a giant beam of red light, ominously illuminating the sky in an apocalyptic glow. A couple seconds after the beam of red vile chakra disappeared. The chakra flair, that was on the floor, shot towards the sky with a high pitched screech, with a black smoke trail being left behind before it reached its maximum altitude and let off a giant explosion of light before multiple flairs started falling down towards its original placement, alerting anybody that was in a 50 mile radius, that someone was in dire need of help.

Konoha Hokage Tower...

"Hokage-sama! Orders!" Yelled a squad of 8 ANBU kneeled before their aged leader who was facing the window with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Search and rescue. Anything obscuring the mission is deemed a threat to the mission. Attack with extreme prejudice."

"Hai!" Saluted the ANBU squad as they departed.

Sarutobi Hiruzen clicked his tongue before he tore off his Hokage robes revealing his battle armor.

"Neko."

"Orders my lord." Said the kneeling ANBU.

"Squads Alpha and Delta are at the gate and headed towards whoever set off the distress flair. You will accompany me and you will take lead of both squads as I go on ahead. If by any chance you see Might Gai near the gates, you have my orders to bring him along. He was supposed to be here around this time." And with that the Sandaime Hokage blurred through the village in speed not seen since the Second and Third Great Shinobi War.

Neko stood their dumbfounded for a moment, as she watched her Kage go from the the tower to the main gate in a blur, barely visible. Had it not been for her years of training, she would have never noticed the blur that had shot through the village.

-LINE BREAK-

The Assassin cursed as he saw the two explosions. It looked like his time was cut short, but at least he got his point through, as he picked up the semi-conscious blond and held him up against a tree and then made 2 clones who got to work on the young Uzumaki. The clones then poofed away as the original stuck a piece of paper on the blonde's naked forehead and admired his work, before chuckling maniacally, before he sunk into the ground.

Where Naruto's hitai-ate was, who knew.

-LINE BREAK-

Sasuke had found himself rolling on the ground crashing into Sakura, who at this point had become a mute and couldn't find her voice anymore. All she could do was try and shake Sasuke out of his momentary case of confusion while she was no better herself, trembling in fear, as 10 clones of the assassin had survived the blast earlier.

'Wake up! Please! Sasuke-Kun! Wake up!' She yelled in her head, shaking the Injured Uchiha that was vastly losing his consciousness. As she noticed his half lidded eyes fully close, he had also become unresponsive to her touch.

She could hear their lecherous vile chuckle and couldn't do anything but cry and clutch her beloved teammate and try her best to defend her teammate and sensei in hope someone would come in and save them. Only Kami knew what had happened to Naruto.

'Naruto...please...'

She mustered all the strength and courage she could and took the last of her teams kunai and shuriken and tried valiantly to at least knick one of them, knowing that although they were solid clones, that Shadow clones we're practically useless if harmed in a fight.

The clones danced and weaved through the folly of sharp instruments of death with sheer ease, before 5 of the clones were killed, due to an unnoticed explosive tag.

The clone in front groaned. "What is it with this damn team and explosives!" He yelled out more in annoyance then questioning.

As the few remaining clones approached Sakura and her unconscious teammates, one clone spoke up confirming her worst nightmare. "We're going to have so much fun with you, little Kunoichi."

The voice was so sick and vile she knew what awaited her in a few moments. She shut her eyes in hope that Kami would find pity on her and her team.

Poof

She blinked.

Poof

Poof

She couldn't believe her eyes. Right before her, was her own Hokage rescuing her and defeating the clones. Saving her from a fate far worse then death.

Only one clone remained, as a squad of ANBU appeared surrounded team 7.

She was safe! 'Kami! Th-thank you!' She sent out a silent thank you through her sobs of joy as she finally felt safe. As one of the ANBU was checking on her and Sasuke, the other members of the squad were checking on their sensei.

"Sparrow! Take out a stretcher! Now! Kakashi-Sempai is in critical condition!" Yelled out a purple haired ANBU with a Neko mask.

The Hokage had appeared before her at the mention of such words. "Sit-rep."

"Sir, Kakashi-sempai is critical. He has severe chakra depletion. Multiple cracked and broken bones and a lot of shrapnel. There are to many injuries to list right now, but the worst of them are the injuries to his lower vertebrae, heavy bleeding and broken ribs dangerously close to puncturing his lungs. It seems he's been treated... but it's not enough. He's hanging on by a thread and will die within the hour if not properly treated."

The Hokage nodded. "Sparrow, you are to evac Kakashi with-Yosh! The Mighty Green Beast of the Leaf has arrived!"

The Hokage sighed in annoyance at the interruption, but perked up the ever right timing of their new edition.

"Gai!"

"Yosh! Hokage-Sama!"

"You are to lead the Evac of Kakashi to the hospital with sparrow and bird at top speed. Time is of essence!" Ordered with a voice that hadn't been heard since The Second and Third Shinobi War.

Gai didn't wait for the Sandaime Hokage to finish, as he appeared right next to his rival and took a knee right at his side. He set a hand on Kakashi's shoulder; the ever cheerful mood of Might Gai had all but evaporated, as he saw the condition of his best friend. Multiple puncture wounds, second degree burns... 'So much blood...'

"Kakashi..."

Hiruzen walked up to him and set a hand on Gai's shoulder. " I understand your turmoil, I truly do. But you are no help to him right now unless you make sure he gets medical attention my boy."

Gai clutched his fist. "By your leave my lord, I'll make sure he survives...so help me..."

This was the Gai he needed. Not the ever cheerful Gai that everyone had gotten accustomed to. No, he need the borderline A to S-Rank Green Beast of the leaf that held and defended a small village with 2 Chunin from 70 enemy chunin and Jonin Shinobi.

The Hokage nodded and watched Gai take point as they started transporting Kakashi back to Konoha.

"WE MOVE AT MY SPEED! ANYTHING SLOWER AND YOUR ASSES ARE MINE WHEN WE REACH THE VILLAGE!"

The aged Professor chuckled at Gai's more serious antics, as he turned around he took a good look at the Genin of Team 7. As he got close enough, he took a knee right next to Sakura and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. He felt her tense up, but she visibly relaxed as she saw her Hokage.

"You're going to be ok now Sakura-chan. You and your team are safe now my child."

Sakura latched onto the Sandaime and started trembling as she started crying again. He rubbed her back trying to comfort her, but she started shaking her head negatively and all his aged ears could hear were mumbles.

He then looked around, still holding the fragile Genin, noticing something he didn't notice in the adrenaline of saving his Shinobi. "Sakura... Where's Naruto-Kun?" Sakura started balling out tears remembering her lost teammate and Hiruzen feared the worst.

"Hehehehahdhdjsacrifeahahself!idontknowidontknowidontknow!"

He looked at her gently and told her to calm down and to take a quick breather so she could speak clearly.

Sakura tired catching her breath, but the hot tears were coming harder and faster then before as she started hyperventilating. The Third tried calming her again and tried to stop her mumbling, but he caught the few words he needed out of her rambling.

"...Naruto...sacrifice..."

The 2 time war veteran didn't waste a second, he took off in the direction of his other ANBU squad in search of Naruto.

-LINE BREAK-

"Dear Kami..."

"..."

"The Sandaime isn't gonna like this..."

"...there's going to be hell to pay for this... I can feel Hokage-Sama's rage from here..."

The fourth ANBU couldn't even say anything but find somewhere else to look.

They had just found Naruto, and none were happy with what they had seen.

-LINE BREAK-

The Sandaime had been traveling for awhile now with Enma who had been summoned moments ago. Hiruzen was known for many things, his main moniker was The Professor, but he cursed not tuning his sensory abilities. He had the basic concept of it but even then he never could quite perfect it. Sensors were born, not made.

Enma, The Monkey King, had abruptly stopped when a pungent potent smell hit his sensitive nose. "What is it Enma?"

He gave his long time partner a grim face as he spoke. "There's blood up ahead... lots of it. But the worst of it isn't the blood but what's underneath it."

The Sandaime gave him a nod, urging him to continue, but the frown on his face told him that he wasn't going to like the answer. "...Disease."

Biological warfare? Who? Why konoha? Why now? Too many questions, too many suspects, and no information.

Hiruzen's eyes hardened and clutched his fist. If somebody thought that they could willfully come here and attack his home and escape unscathed, they would be in for a rude awakening.

As the duo continued their travel, they started noticing a war had happened right on their very soil.

As they came to a stop to spectate the battle zone, they noticed how badly Team 7 had fought for their dear lives. Shuriken and Kunai littered the entire field.

Smoking Craters and disheveled fields, with broken and uprooted trees for the eyes to see. It was breath taking to see how a wet behind the ears Genin squad and a Jonin had changed the landscape of this terrain.

'Kakashi was with them, so it's understandable, but even then... he's not one to throw out Jutsu like this... incase he knows he's outmatched and needs to distract the enemy or his team is safe and far away from the blast radius and he knows it will hit. But even then.. for Kakashi to be tested this hard... their are only a hand few that could do this...'

Things just weren't adding up for the Profesor. One of his best Shinobi was incapacitated, two of his Genin, for some strange reason were still alive after Kakashi was dealt with, and now his other Genin was missing in action?

As he traveled further down the road he noticed even more battle zones and tremendous amounts of blood on the floor.

"Someone has come into my home and attacked my Shinobi... there will be hell to pay for this Enma..."

The Monkey King nodded. "There will be a place and time for that Hiruzen. But first let us find the boy, who knows what's happened to him, and if I were to bet, that blood pool we just passed was unmistakably his. Kakashi or his other students weren't bleeding. So that only leaves Naruto and the assailant/s."

Hiruzen clenched his hand into a tight fist. If anyone had harmed Naruto...

With his resolved hardened, he set off with Enma guiding him towards the direction of the smell and the location of his ANBU with one thought mainly plaguing his mind. 'Where are you Naruto..'

-LINE BREAK-

Sarutobi Hiruzen had been through many ordeals in his life that had molded and forged the man he was today. He had been through 2 Great Shinobi Wars, 3 small wars, assassination attempts, the death of his wife and so on. It took things of great proportions to rattle the hardened veteran and even then those times could be counted on one hand.

But nothing, nothing could have ever prepared him for the scene he and Enma had arrived to.

There before him, was his surrogate grandson, Uzumaki Naruto, crucified to a tree, with blood covering more then half his torso and multiple lacerations across his body. The lifeless look on his eyes, with his limp form, had rattled the Sandaime to the bone. But upon closer inspection, he noticed something that had made him feel like a fist had knocked the wind out of him...

'T-torture...th-they tortured him...they tortured m-my boy!' Stab wounds in key places and the way his fingers were bent back and dislocated were all the proof he needed.

A tear slipped down his eye as he shakily walked towards the crucified Uzumaki.

Why his ANBU hadn't taken him down was beyond him and they would be dealt with accordingly, but right now, none of that mattered.

One of the ANBU tried to lend out a condolence and took a step forward to assist, but he was stopped by his comrade and shook his head telling him that their Hokage needed to do this alone.

Just as the Sandaime reached his hand to free the comatose blond, his mouth twitched. Hiruzen retracted his hand without hesitation as he took notice of a paper seal on Naruto's forehead starting to glow.

"Hmmhmmhmm, soooo... The fearless Profesor has a soft spot for its Jinchuriki... How... touching." The monotone voice that came out of Naruto, his body's general condition with the addition of the lifeless look in his eyes had made this encounter that much more eerie and heart wrenching for Hiruzen. The Sandaime jumped back with the squad of ANBU right In front of him with their weapons drawn.

"Naruto?" Called out the aged professor.

Naruto chuckled dryly. "You'd wish it was him, don't you you old monkey?"

The ANBU tensed as The Third narrowed his eyes. "Who are you? What do you want?!" It was more of a demand then it was a question.

The unwilling Naruto simply chuckled at the blunt demand. "Quite simple you old fool..."

The voice was Naruto's, Hiruzen deduced, but the darkness it held and the malicious undertone let the aged veteran know that it was not the boy he had grown to care for. Could it, could it be the Kyuubi?

"Revenge."

The ANBU readied themselves at the word while the Sandaime had Enma transform into the adamantium staff he was known for.

As The Sandaime was about to start asking questions, Enma pointed something out that the rest had yet to notice. "Hiruzen look, the seal! It's disappearing!"

"Heh. So you've noticed, oh well it's to late for you to stop the change now. Everything has been set in motion!" The Maniacal voice couldn't have sounded anymore giddy and that's what put everyone on edge. "What have you done!"

"Hmmhmmhmm hehhehheh hahahahahaha! I must thank you for this Sacrificial Lamb you've brought me! Had it not been for this boy and your impudence, I would have never been able to do this! Know this you bastard ass tree hugging traitors! This boy is my key and he's been set free! You know not what you have caused with your treachery. Now watch, watch! Oh great tree of Konohagakure. Watch as your tree burns! WATCH IT BURN AND DIE!" After the maniacal yelling and shouting had stopped, the seal had fallen off Naruto's forehead. Not a second later, Naruto's eyes shot open, wide, as he let out blood curdling scream.

Blood started coming out his mouth and his body started convulsing, but not once did the horrific screaming stop. Hiruzen rushed towards the pinned Naruto and freed him from the tree, letting Naruto fall right into his embrace. As he caught Naruto and gently laid him down on the floor, he noticed how extensive the young teen's injuries were with a closer inspection.

"Medic! I need a damn medic!" Tiger, who was right behind The Third, was at his side and immediately started tending to Naruto.

Tiger produce her mystic Palm Jutsu and immediately got to work on the poor boy, but it was for not as Naruto started foaming at the mouth and his body shaking uncontrollably.

"Naruto! Naruto! NARUTO!" Roared the Sandaime. He turned his head rapidly towards his ANBU.

"Tiger do something!"

"His body is rejecting my chakra! I can't do anything! He needs to be in the hos-"

Hiruzen didn't even let her finish as he scooped up the boy and clutched onto him for dear life as he took off towards the village at max speed. "I won't let you die Naruto... Not again... n-never again my boy... "

Konoha Hospital

The Hospital had been hectic since the arrival of Kakashi. Many citizens were panicking, wondering why one of their strongest and feared Shinobi was seen being taken into the hospital in such a state. When an unconscious Sasuke had arrived, outrageous yells for answers could be heard. Only God knew how'd they'd react to Naruto's arrival.

Operating Room 3-A

It was mayhem inside the operating room. Drs', Surgeons and Nurses running rampant trying to to save the life of one Hatake Kakashi.

"He's going critical!" One Nurse yelled.

Dr after Dr tried to keep him stable but things started getting worse as Kakashi's chest started rising, lifting his upper back off the operating table, before it started slamming back down repeatedly.

"Nurse hold him down!" Yelled out the head Dr.

Two Nurses rushed to help the Dr and tried pinning him down but he was too strong for the medics.

They tried with all their might, but it was to no avail, as they just couldn't find the strength to hold him down until Kakashi suddenly stopped. One Nurse looked up and saw non other then Might Gai holding down the injured Jonin. Just as the nurse was about to call him out and tell him he couldn't be in the operating room, the head Dr gave her a piercing glare beckoning her to even try.

The Dr then looked up at Gai and gave a silent thank you before he got back to work.

Just as he was giving out orders and saw that Kakashi was starting to stabilize, the door slammed open with a nurse running towards him with a piece of paper. "Yamatatsu-Sama! The toxicology report!"

Yamatatsu's eyes widened as he re-read the report for the 5th time. "H-how..."

"What is it Dr?" Asked the ever serious Might Gai.

"H-he's Been p-poisoned.."

"Can't you just take it out?!" Gai stated raising his voice, slightly panicking for his best friend.

shook his head slowly as the paper slipped from his hand. "You have to understand something Gai-San, for this particular poison... we don't have a cure for."

The Dr suddenly found himself pinned to the wall with one hand at his throat elevating him off the floor. "What do you mean there is no cure!"

The nurses tried calming down the angry Jonin, but nothing at this point but the right answer would stop his vice like grip.

Yamatasu clutched with both his hands on Gais forearm trying to keep himself up.

"We've never had a cure for this poison! Only Tsuande-Sama knows how to cure it. It's Stage 2 Tainted Chakra Poison!"

Dr. Yamatatsu suddenly found himself surrounded by his staff on the floor clutching his neck as he saw the terrified look on Gai's face.

"We can only keep him alive for a week at the most and keep him stable with constent chakra entering his system, using a chakra transfusion technique. But without Tsuande-Sama here... I fear the worst..."

-LINE BREAK-

Things had not been easy since the arrival of Team 7. Kakashi was critical. Sasuke was in a coma, chakra exhaustion, his body would heal with no permanent damage from his other injuries, but he was also poisoned and Sakura needed a psyche evaluation from the traumatizing event of almost being raped.

Dr. Yamatatsu couldn't help but sigh at such a stressful day. He was in his office trying to find some form of peace before shit hit the fan. Presenting all his new findings to the Hokage was not going to be easy. Now if only...

"Yamatatsu-Sama!"

'Shit!'

A nurse rushed into his office clearly out of breath as she was bent over with her hands on her knees trying to catch her breath. "Yama-Yamatatsu-Sama..." "Out with it Nurse. I'm an impatient man today." She nodded her head vigorously. "It's Hokage-Sama! He's brought in Uzumaki Naruto, he's" "Paging all Drs. This is a code blue. I repeat a code blue in operating room 0."

Yamatatsu dropped everything he was doing and hightailed it towards the operating room. Things had to be serious if they had called him towards the sealing operating room.

Operating Room 0..

"Get him started on an IV stat! I need someone to help me stop the bleeding!"

Nurses and Drs were running around giving their all to save the severely injured jinchuriki.

"How is he still alive?! There's so much blood!" Questioned a stunned Dr working on Naruto's chest lacerations.

"Don't question why the boy is alive, focus on keeping him alive! If this boy doesn't make it, the Sandaime will have our asses by the time we give him the T.O.D!" Fired back another Dr who was working on Naruto's broken ribs.

"He's rejecting our chakra!" yelled out one nurse.

"Shit!"

"He's convulsing!" Yelled out the second..

So much blood was coughed up as his trembling chest spawned all over the operating table...

"He's crashing!" Yelled out the third...

Naruto suddenly went limp...

"Nurse! The defibrillator!" Yelled out Dr. Yamatatsu as he came running through the doors.

"Dammit! Were losing him!"

"30 seconds for the defibrillator!" Yelled out a nurse as she had ran back from the other side of the operating room with the defibrillator cart.

The Head Dr cursed as he saw the life rapidly leaving the traumatic teen.

"Screw this!"

The Dr put his right hand into a tiger seal before he charged it with Raiton chakra and placed the tip of his left index and middle fingers rite on Naruto's right pectoral, and his right palm on his left oblique.

"Clear!"

Beeeeep

Narutos face got paler...

"No change! He's getting worse!"

"Dammit! Clear!"

Beeeeep

Blood leaked out his mouth as a giant breath left his lung and the Head Drs eyes widened...

"Still no change!"

"Come on kid! Fight dammit, fight! Don't die on me like this! Clear!"

Naruto's body spasmed for the third time that day; The life in his once cerulean blue eyes that were once a radiant crystal blue ocean looked paler... before he heard the machine...

Beeeeeeeeep

Beeeeeeeeep

Beeeeeeeeep

-FIN-

Well this chapter took me a while. But I wanted to make sure you guys had a long chapter to read and work has me busy with no time for writing. Plus I thank you for the comments from chapter 1.

On another note, almost all the chapters I post will be around 6k and above. That is my goal. I'm almost done with chapter 3 so expect that one coming out soon. Within a week or earlier.

Merchant of Blue Death: Im sorry for that inconvenience you had and also to any other reader that was confused by that. I'll be sure to reread and fix my mistakes so others don't have the same issue. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. I'm not going to defend or justify my mistakes even though errors occur. It's my story and I let them happen, I'll make sure to fix them and try to make sure it doesn't happen again.

Kyuubi16: The story is taking place right after the wave arc. I'm sorry if I didn't make that clear enough.

Hope you all liked the chapter.

Till next time.

-KingKitsuneDeath