Hola. Chapter Fifteen. Enjoy

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Thank you for the feedback peeps. It was much appreciated and I'm glad it went well. For those who don't know, don't worry about it. For those that do, you were here for a moment and I appreciate you staying around after it. Pat yourselves on the back once as we dive into the rest of this story.

Chapter 15: The Spiral's Duality I

"You sure you don't want to make out Naruto-kun?"

"I'm sure I don't. Hime would stab me, repeatedly, if I kissed anyone else."

"We could go french if you want."

"Right, still a kiss. A kiss Hime would stab me for if it's not with her so, no."

A conversation between a red-eyed Naruto and the seductress, Fuka. The pressure in the area was rising from the two's chakra as Naruto was impressed. Fuka was pretty strong in her own right since she was keeping pace with his initial Jinchuriki powers. She was fast too considering she lunged at Naruto and grabbed his face before he could react.

"Too bad, like I said...I'm taking it," said Fuka before bringing her lips to Naruto's. "Shikei Seppun (Execution by Kiss)"

Naruto's eyes widened feeling his chakra drain out of his body at an alarmingly fast rate. He couldn't fight back since his body was slowly numbing over time. Fuka was enjoying the boy's powerful chakra funneling into her until she blanched and opened her eyes. Naruto was no longer there as he was a complete oil replica of himself. An oil replica that burst and covered her in the slick fluid.

"I can't believe Kurama thought to warn me about you," said Naruto standing behind Fuka getting her to lash out at him. Naruto dodged with ease before his hand caught fire. "Katon: Bakuenjin (Fire Style: Exploding Flame Blade)"

Fuka's eyes widened seeing Naruto swipe at her with his fiery hand. The attack itself would have hurt even if she wasn't covered in the oil from earlier. With it though, the fire mixed with the oil and blew the seductress away in an explosion. Naruto stood looking at the smoke cloud that formed before sighing.

"Well, that was easy."

"You insolent brat." Naruto turned to see Fuka casually leaning against a tree. She had an impassive look on her face before turning to Naruto. "How dare you? How dare you try to-"

"What? She didn't kiss me," cut off Naruto seemingly talking to himself. Fuka was curious seeing the Jinchuriki frown and continue talking aloud. "No, she kissed a Gama-yu Kage Bunshin (Toad Oil Shadow Clone). And wait, how do you even know that hime? Plus, how are we talking?"

"This boy is ignoring me?" thought Fuka getting angry.

"Wait, so Ino-chan can do that with her mind powers? That's kind of cool," said Naruto impressed at his classmate. Naruto then frowned harder at whatever Shizuka was saying. "She didn't steal one of your kisses. It was a clone hime, you don't have to punish-wait, what kind of punishment?" questioned Naruto now perking up. Lecherous giggles began to come from the Kyubi Jinchuriki as a trail of blood seeped out of his nose. "Hehehe, well in that case, do what you must. I do need to learn my lesson after all. There are consequences for every action."

"DIE!" shouted Fuka with her hands in the dragon seal. The wind began to pick up as petals of flowers began to form around her. "Futon: Hanachiri Mai (Wind Style: Scattering Flower Dance)"

A cyclone of petals attacked the stagnant Naruto who took the jutsu fully. The power of the cyclone was strong as it steamrolled through several trees before Fuka ended it. The woman smiled seeing Naruto no longer there until she heard a few more giggles. Fuka turned to see Naruto unharmed and giggling still.

"What?"

A finger from Naruto told Fuka to pipe down as he was still mentally connected with Shizuka. More giggles came from Naruto as Fuka was getting impatient. The moment she moved to attack Naruto again, she saw a glint of light and heard Naruto's giggles now coming from behind her. Naruto held his scythe now as several strands of Fuka's hair fell from her head. He could have cut her head off but what he did was equally as fatal.

"My bijuu didn't like you when we first met. Said you were evil," said Naruto finished speaking with Shizuka. A death rattle came from Fuka as her body dissolved into sand. Another Fuka appeared in that one's place as she turned to Naruto with wide eyes. "So, I told my Kage and Ero-Sennin was tasked with finding out and he learned everything. And yes, everything. You're nothing but hair right?"

"That's impossible. No one could have gotten that information without my knowing."

"Guess toads as a spy network work better than people realize." Fuka's eyes widened hearing that.

She'd thought it was eerie with all the toads in the Fire Country, but chalked it up to a seasonal shift. Now it made sense. Naruto had summoned a toad during his time with them previously. And his sensei was Jiraiya of the Toads. How did no one in their group make that connection?

"No matter. I'll just have to kill you all before you can share my body's secrets."

"One, you're delusional or very confident if you think you can beat me, let alone Ero-Sennin. I'd bet the former," said Naruto with a head nod. Fuka glared at him as Naruto didn't care about her ire. "Two, I don't care about your body's secrets. And no one else will either because it won't exist after this."

"After what?" questioned Fuka before a screeching noise reached her ears. Fuka's eyes widened seeing the Naruto in front of her poof away into smoke. "I was never a threat to him."

"Futon: Shinku Rasenha (Vacuum Spiral Wave)"

A bright blue beam of chakra covered Fuka whole. The real Naruto stood in her blind spot firing the jutsu that was slowly vaporizing the woman. Ten seconds of continuous fire ended as Naruto's beam dissipated gradually. A pile of blackened sand was the remains of Fuka as Naruto stared at it for a few seconds. A peculiar sound reached Naruto's ears as he shifted his head to the right to dodge a shuriken.

Turning his head to the culprit behind the thrown projectile, Naruto saw several more en route to him. Three clangs sounded out as Naruto blocked them with his scythe. Naruto then twitched as he received memories from a dispelled clone.

"You're good boy. I've never seen Fuka dismantled so handily. She never saw the real you once," said Furido standing in the smoke of the destroyed clone. A clone Naruto had created earlier to keep watch over Sora. Sora was now under Furido's arm as Naruto's eyebrows furrowed. "No no, I'm not here to fight you. You got bigger problems than me."

The Earth began to rumble as rocks began jutting out everywhere. The landscape around the fire temple was shifting in almost random order as Naruto ducked and dodged the newly forming trench.

"He summoned an entire land?!" questioned Naruto managing to avoid any damage. Naruto looked around to see himself in a huge trench and no Furido or Sora around. "Of course he's gone. Might as well go find my team so we can hunt him down together. Old dude's got some moves."

"I believe I can help you find us Naruto-taicho." Naruto perked up hearing a voice in his head again.

"Taicho? You're not calling me that Ino-chan. That sounds weird coming from you."

"I can and I will, Taicho. What are you going to do about it?"

"...nothing probably, I don't really care that much. It's just weird," said Naruto with a shrug. Sure he was above her as a Jonin but, they'd been classmates. It was weird but Naruto was more focused on getting back with his team. "Alright, so which way am I going?"

While Ino led Naruto, the jinchuriki couldn't help this feeling he was about to have a good day. Naruto didn't know why or how but, he could feel it. The stars felt like they were aligning.

(Somewhere in the Land of Fire)

"Ehh Kakazu...why, are we in the Land of Fire?" questioned Hidan walking in stride with his partner Kakazu. He seemed bored out of his mind if his tone was anything to go off of. "I'm tired from sealing the Four-tails and I haven't sacrificed anyone to Jashin-sama in three days."

"We are coming here to pick up a bounty. A rather hefty one for a weak target."

"Boring. Boring. Boring. Fucking Boring. If I don't kill anyone soon, I may just have to kill you," said Hidan watching Kakazu not even react to his words. Hidan scoffed at the lack of response before turning his eyes back forward. "I seriously will kill you if I don't find someone soon."

"There are plenty of monks to give to your deity where we are going. The Fire Temple isn't that far from here," said Kakazu getting Hidan to smile giddily.

"I will bring you many lives Jashin-sama. I will make them all believers." thought Hidan with a sadistic smile on his face. And for some reason, Hidan felt something big would happen too. "Today is going to be a good day."

Kakazu said nothing in return as the two of them made their way to their destination.

(With Naruto)

"This is annoying," said Naruto sprinting through the newly created trench.

Each way Naruto attempted to go was laced with a trap. A trap that was exceedingly difficult to spot. Mainly because it wasn't there when he attempted to go in that direction but magically appeared right as he attempted to head in a specific direction. But luckily, he had Ino who was guiding him perfectly to her despite the numerous setbacks.

"Left."

Alright, maybe not as perfect as he thought.

"There is no left. It's a dead end."

"Left!"

"Ino-chan."

"Go Left dammit! Stop being a wuss and create the left. We need you over here!"

"Well you don't have to yell," said Naruto turning left and sprinting at a wall.

A Rasengan pulsed in Naruto's hands just as his eyes flashed red.

(With Ino - Moments Earlier)

"Shika..." said Ino, eyes closed with her hands on her temples. "Walk it to that spot."

Holding the rat hand seal, Shikamaru didn't question his teammate. Any other circumstance he probably would have just off the premise of trying to not do it by logically talking her down. But when you were holding a homicidal, armor skinned spider under shadow possession and knew Ino was sending a juggernaut to your location to handle it, Shikamaru did as requested.

Casually stepping right, Shikamaru caused the spider to walk to its right before he backed up to place the spider where Ino wanted.

"Naruto going to be here soon?" questioned Shikamaru feeling the spider struggle harder against his jutsu. Had Choji have been here, the spider would have been paste already. Sucks when the heavy hitter of your triple threat isn't around. "I'm about to lose this thing."

Seeing a vein popping on Ino's head, Shikamaru realized she was getting bossy toward the Kyubi Jinchuriki telepathically. Ino's eyes snapped open a moment later as she tackled Shikamaru, causing him to release his hold on his shadow possession. The spider snarled at its movements finally being unrestricted before it heard a shout from behind.

"Metsu Rasengan (Destroying Rasengan)"

The spider twitched at the voice before the wall behind it violently opened up in a purple explosion. Rocks, debris, and bits of spider went flying across the room as dust covered the hole. Red eyes could be seen through the dust first before Naruto came walking into view.

Seeing Ino covering Shikamaru on the ground, Naruto smiled at the scene.

"And who said chivalry was dead," said Naruto watching Ino frown before uncovering Shikamaru.

"So disgusting," said Ino picking spider slushy off her person.

"Thanks Ino," said Shikamaru catching a hand up from Naruto.

"No problem..." said Ino before looking at herself. "Wait, no. Yes problem. This is sickening."

Naruto just smiled as he held the ram seal. A storage seal grew right in midair as it glowed red. Naruto then shoved his arm into the seal up to his shoulder before digging around a bit. Pulling out a teddy bear, Naruto shook his head before tossing it and reaching back in.

Shuriken, a bag of marshmallows, ninja wire, tape, balloons, a pair of fuzzy dice, and a set of handcuffs all came out before Naruto finally got what he wanted. A container of wet wipes. Ino had hearts appear in her eyes as she graciously accepted the wipes from the Kyubi Jinchuriki.

"You're a godsend."

"I try to be."

"Only thing more worth it would be some clothes," said Ino before a shirt and shorts were placed in front of her as well by Naruto. "Any diamonds?"

Naruto just smiled at the heiress as he looked down the corridor they were in to give Ino some semblance of privacy. Turning to Shikamaru, Naruto saw the genius looking at the destroyed spider.

"How were you all separated?" questioned Naruto getting Shikamaru to turn to him. "The trench creation?"

"Yeah, it sprang up fast and was winding enough to force most everyone to separate. Quite the distance too from what Ino said," said Shikamaru getting a nod. Naruto did watch the jutsu spring up in a matter of seconds and it looked to encompass a square kilometer. "Did you have traps suddenly appear from thin air as well?" Another nod from Naruto got Shikamaru to sigh. "So we're trapped in the enemy's jutsu with someone able to control the makeup of it at their whim. Hence the unspottable traps."

"A jutsu that can alter the landscape this much and then allow free creation of traps?"

"As long as you have the chakra for it I guess."

"That's impressive. Makes me wish I had an Earth affinity."

Altering the landscape. One of the best shinobis in Konoha's history, Senju Hashirama, had the ability to do it. Even the man's brother, Senju Tobirama, could do the same. The Shodai with Mokuton. And the Nidaime with just Suiton.

Other powerful shinobi like Gaara could change the landscape and he was already the Kage of his village. Hoshigaki Kisame could too and no one needed to be warned about how strong that man was. Being able to shift the battlefield to your advantage was amazing and it bred a very envious Naruto who wished he could do the same. Until his egotistical side came in and told him he was awesome in any environment.

"While impressive, I don't feel this is on the scale of Gaara though," said Shikamaru getting Naruto's attention. "The way this jutsu sprang up wasn't like a widespread jutsu, it almost felt like a summoning."

"What does that mean?"

"Gaara would crush the ground and actually make sand. This one was forced to appear. Kind of like how you'd summon a toad," explained Shikamaru to the Jinchuriki. "And once the chakra you put into a toad depletes, it returns to its summoning land. Which I assume this would too if it goes with those same principles."

"So we just need to find the jutsu user, simple enough," said Naruto turning back to the resident sensor to see her finished changing. Appraising the blonde because of his healthy appreciation for the fairer sex, Naruto turned to Shikamaru. "That does nothing for you?" questioned Naruto looking back to Ino. "You realize your teammate is beautiful right? I mean if I wasn't in a relationship with a goddess, I'd-"

"Troublesome." cut off Shikamaru as Ino smiled to her fellow blonde.

"He knows I'm flawless," said Ino before getting down to brass tacks. "Let's find a jutsu user shall we. I'll sense the enemies while you give the plan, ready?"

Naruto looked at Shikamaru only to see Shikamaru looking back at him. Naruto rose an eyebrow at Shikamaru staring intently at him before laughing a bit. Turning back to Ino, Naruto saw her staring at him too.

"Whoa whoa whoa. Why me?"

"Why not? You are a Captain of this mission. Asuma-sensei made it so."

"Okay, why me over Shikamaru?"

"Because Shikamaru's a lazy ass and isn't a Jonin like you. And why not you?"

"And why not me? Because I'm..." started Naruto before trailing off. Holding the sides of his unzipped flak jacket, Naruto pulled it out before letting it flap down. "You're right. Why not me. I smart. Me make battle plan. Me believe in I. Do it Jiraiya-sensei style."

Shikamaru just grinned at Naruto's caveman speech as Ino gave him an enthusiastic nod.

"Exactly. Let's hear those orders Naruto-taicho," said Ino getting a small frown from Naruto at the title. Ino just smiled before placing a palm on Naruto's forehead. "Kanchi Denden (Sensing Transmission)"

Naruto's frown shifted to a grin as he felt his mind connect to everyone from Konoha. Holding his fingers in a cross, Naruto channeled his chakra just as he began to give out orders.

(Elsewhere)

"Are these zombies ever going to stop?" questioned Shizuka throwing kunai after kunai at the never-ending wave of undead. No super spider on her side of things. Only wave after wave of undead people coming at her. "I'm running out of kunai here."

"It's fine Shizuka. If anything, a plan is being made. One of the Jonin are on it I'm sure," said Choji, arm expanded as he smacked a large grouping of zombies back. Always optimistic, Choji had faith in his comrades to end this conflict quickly. "Ino will probably have one of them near her to relay a battle plan."

"I'm excited since it'll probably be Shikamaru. He grabbed her when this all came about," said Shizuka before realizing what Choji said. "Wait, Jonin? I hope that doesn't mean-"

"Hello Lovely People. The Peak of Perfection here and ready to dish out orders to whip ass." came Naruto's voice speaking to both Choji and Shizuka telepathically. Shizuka just shook her head with a smile hearing Naruto being the Jonin plan maker as she and Choji listened closely. "First order of business, I'm going to kill the person heading this jutsu since they are closer to me. Second, Kakashi, kill the guy you're facing whenever you feel ready. Ino says it is his chakra creating and sustaining this place. Lastly, Hime and Choji need to hide."

"Hide?" questioned Choji before getting gently directed to the side by Shizuka.

Shizuka was shaking her head still as she led Choji into a small crack in the side of the cavern. Zombies were getting closer to them due to their not actively stopping them as Choji was getting nervous. About to use a jutsu, Choji stopped when he felt the cavern start to shake.

"Ero-kun is such a showoff..." said Shizuka with a small smile pulling out a scroll. Shizuka opened it before channeling chakra into it to create a barrier at the entrance of the crack. She saw the question on Choji's face and answered it before he could ask. "Naruto-kun stored a barrier in a scroll for me just in case."

Just in case she needed it. Like now as a blue light shined through the trench the moment the barrier sealed them in. Naruto's Rasenha came blazing through the cavern as it dissipated the entire group of zombies and steamrolled on pass them through the corridor.

"Man, I didn't know what he was going to do. But that was flashy and utter overkill," said Choji watching the jutsu dissipate slowly to see the cave glowing red in the aftermath. No zombies in sight though so it was still a win. "Way to go bro!"

Fazing into existence seemingly with a gust of wind that cooled the cave, Naruto arrived in front of Choji and Shizuka and disabled the small barrier they were behind. He was glad he gave one of those to Shizuka. Never know when a one time use, impenetrable chakra dome would come in handy.

"Thanks Cho! Hey baby," said Naruto fist bumping Choji before blowing a kiss to Shizuka.

"Where's my Naruto-kun?" questioned Shizuka immediately getting 'Naruto' to deflate.

"How do you know I'm a clone?"

"Because Ero-kun lasts longer."

"You know that's right. How good is your arm hime?"

"Still good as ever," replied Shizuka hearing Naruto once again in her mind.

"Northwest, 57 degrees. Let me see a 70 mph, 12-6 curver."

Whipping out a kunai, Shizuka flung the kunai in the asked direction. The kunai sailed through the air for a few seconds before a pained yell was heard. Shizuka smiled realizing she hit pay dirt from Naruto's given directions before seeing the clone in front of her blanch.

"Oh. She's mad. She's very mad."

"How mad?"

"You hit her thigh so she's playing a game of darts with Boss and the other clones. Darts being gigantic stone spears," said the clone before getting another memory. "Oh, looks like boss made it to her location. And..."

The clone turned his head up as he got Choji and Shizuka to look in the same direction. The silhouette of a person went soaring through the air as another one quickly followed it. Watching chains appear from the second silhouette, the group realized that one was Naruto restraining the first person.

The chains held the person's extremities out and left them hopeless in Naruto's grasp. A flip by Naruto had the person do a loop before he sent them screaming to the ground, chakra chains extending out of his palms and continuing to restrain the person the whole way to the Earth.

The ground shook mightily for several seconds due to Naruto plowing them headfirst into it. A noticeable cringe was shared between the clone, Choji, and Shizuka as they heard the sickening crack with which the person landed. The woman looked like a headless starfish in the ground as Naruto came fluttering to land beside her in a wind slowed descent.

"Yeah, she's probably not getting up from that," said Naruto smiling to Choji and Shizuka as his clone saluted him before dispelling.

"That was..." trailed off Choji before shaking out the feeling. That crack sounded horrendous and if anyone got up from that, Choji would be amazed. More amazed though at what Naruto did. "That was Rock Lee's move, wasn't it. Omote Renge (Front Lotus)?"

"Sort of, I can't really open the Eight Gates. But chakra chains and Bijuu chakra are cool substitutes huh?"

"Yeah, no question."

"And you," said Naruto turning to Shizuka while Choji walked over to the incapacitated woman. Shizuka saw the intense gaze from her red-eyed boyfriend and shivered a tiny bit. "You can tell me from a clone now?"

"Yes."

"How?"

"Well, you said you would be heading to-" Shizuka stopped speaking as Naruto now stood right before her. And it just had to be a Naruto utilizing his Bijuu's power. Something that always riled the kunoichi up. "I can't think straight when he's like this..."

"Sorry, I already knew your answer but I needed to win a bet," said Naruto to Shizuka. She wasn't paying attention at all as Naruto grinned. "And thank you."

"Naughty Naughty Shizuka-chan."

Shizuka blinked as she heard Ino in her head. Looking over, Shizuka saw the Yamanaka heiress walking up with her other teammate, Shikamaru. Ino was smirking heavily as she knew exactly what Shizuka was thinking without even having to read her mind. Kyubi Naruto was hot and the aura around him was intense and demanded respect. Being the boy's girlfriend, Shizuka was helpless to fall victim to gutter-minded thoughts.

"Troublesome. Naruto bet me you'd react like that. Should have known," said Shikamaru frowning at a giddy Naruto. Choji just smiled as Shikamaru let out a sigh before getting back on track. "We're still in this cavern. What is Kakashi-sensei doing?"

Just as Shikamaru said that the cavern seemed to shimmer as if it was unstable. A few seconds later, the entire landscape faded to its original state. Naruto looked to see the woman he slammed headfirst in the same position only on untouched ground. Naruto then looked to the left as he heard several approaching footsteps. Smelling the scent of the person, Naruto just nodded.

"Better late than never sensei. Thought he was giving you trouble."

"Mah Mah, I was trying to add jutsu to my repertoire," said Kakashi arriving before the 5 shinobi with an eye smile. Kakashi reportedly knew over 1,000 jutsu. Why he would need another didn't even make sense but no one called him out on it as he asked a pertinent question to Naruto. "Where is Sora?"

"I lost him to Furido back when this first started. I killed Fuka but he managed to snag the monk from my clone when I wasn't paying attention," said Naruto slightly annoyed remembering the moment. "Do you think he was the real target in attacking us? Furido had to know his team couldn't take all of us at the same time."

"Perhaps. But let's not stand here and think about it. We should find him or at least Sakura, Chiruku and Asuma, they're still unaccounted for," said Kakashi getting a nod from everyone.

"On it. I can't reach as far telepathically than I can sensing. Give me a moment," said Ino closing her eyes to focus. Ino twitched as she let out a breath. "Goodness Naruto, your chakra is...Woo! Asuma-sensei is that way but Chiruku is in the opposite direction with Sakura and Sora isn't near either one of them. They are all in fights currently."

"Of course they are..." said Shikamaru letting out another troublesome. "We work best with Asuma-sensei as his team. We'll head to help him. Kakashi-sensei can probably head to Chiruku and Sakura alone to make sure they're okay." continued Shikamaru before turning to Naruto. Or well where Naruto once was. "And you can head to help Sora with Shizuka...Why did he leave so fast?"

"He clutched his head for a second before scooping Shizuka and heading in Sora's direction," said Ino having watched Naruto when he grabbed his head. She didn't even tell him which direction Sora was in so how he knew the accurate way was beyond her. "Well, maybe he's connected with him due to the Kyubi's chakra?"

"Doesn't matter. I'm sure Naruto can handle it and you can always connect with him as long as he stays within your radius," said Shikamaru getting a nod from Ino. "He split the correct way regardless. So, let's follow his example. See you in a bit Kakashi-sensei."

Kakashi merely nodded before getting his direction from Ino. The four remaining shinobi all took off as they had their own jobs to attend to.

(With Sora)

"Who...Who the hell are you..." strained Sora clutching at a wound on his leg and arm. The young monk looked terrible though all of his wounds were internal. Despite the blood, he had not a mark on his skin. "And what is that technique?"

"Oh it is glorious is it not! Jashin-sama has truly gifted me with true power." came the voice of Hidan standing in the middle of his ritual circle. He had his pike shoved deep through his right arm as he held both arms up to the sky. "This power that binds us and the pain that brings us together. Its pure ecstasy. The only thing greater being when you die."

"How is he not being affected by those stabs... it's like they don't even bother him. Being Immortal shouldn't mean impervious to damage." thought Sora, feeling his consciousness slipping from the internal blood loss. Sora fell to his knees and looked left to see his kidnapper motionless a little bit away. "This guy's partner tore him to shreds before stealing his heart with those threads. Who are these guys?"

"Yes, let that feeling take you away from this plane boy. You are a worthy sacrifice to Jashin-sama as a Fire Temple Monk," said Hidan, crazed look in his eyes. That crazed look turning to confusion as his skin reverted back to normal from its skeleton appearance. "What the-"

Naruto cut off Hidan with a powerful up kick. Naruto's hand was still on the ground as the kanji for 'Void' appeared over Hidan's seal. Naruto ended Hidan's connection to Sora before snapping his mouth closed with a heel to his chin.

"Naru...Naruto..." said Sora weakly before seeing Shizuka kneeling next to him. "How did you both find me?"

"Ino-chan is a sensor. But you actually called Naruto-kun when you got hurt."

"Called?"

"Your chakra, from the Kyubi. It bonds you and Naruto together. You can speak to one another. Even though you did it subconsciously due to your dire situation."

"It's something between Jinchuriki from what Kurama told me," said Naruto in Sora's head. "Apparently even being a fake version of me gives you that ability."

"...I hate you." replied Sora back to Naruto over the 'fake version' comment.

"You fucking brat! How dare you interrupt my ceremony!" shouted Hidan with a dark bruise on his chin from Naruto's kick. Hidan watched Naruto's eyes glower at him as he grinned. "Oh, is the Kyubi mad? Do you hate me for something?"

Naruto's whiskers deepened as his fists were closed tightly looking at Hidan. A visible fox cloak was surrounding Naruto as a tail of chakra appeared. Hidan seemed amused at Naruto before he turned to see the other arrival and it finally dawned on him.

"Oh yeah. I killed that whole village of hers. A fun time that was," said Hidan rolling his neck as several cracks were heard. "Wasn't even that hard. And I guess that's what has you so riled up is it?"

"Fuck. You," said Naruto plainly. Naruto's chakra cloak shimmered orange and faded in and out as he continued to look at Hidan. "I hate you. I really do..."

"There it is. A bastardized version but, he can really control my power." thought Kurama feeling the shift in Naruto. The boy was accepting the mindstate that came with using the fox's power and it gave him a pseudo-complete control over the chakra. Kurama was impressed until the cloak went back red almost as fast as the incomplete chakra mode appeared. "Too bad he doesn't understand. Accept the hate boy. Hate can be power too."

Naruto had inadvertently accessed a bastardized version of chakra mode. Something only possible if he were allowed the Kyubi's chakra without the Bijuu's will coming along with it. Apparently, Naruto's desire to harm Hidan was harmonious with the chakra and bypassed that need to separate the chakra from the fox. He didn't notice like Kurama did because he was too focused on the murderer of his girlfriend's village. He even lost it too fast because he fought down that part of himself just as quick as it appeared.

"My sensei wouldn't want me to hate. So I won't. Mainly because that might get me killed fighting in such a way," said Naruto with his cloak turning back to its first red outline before dissipating. Naruto's eyes were still red and slit though as he prepared to fight Hidan. "But I'm so going to love beating the shit out of you before I return to Konoha with your broken body. I'm glad you're 'immortal', I don't have to worry about killing you by mistake."

"Bring it on you little fuck. I won't allow you to negate my jutsu again or go easy on you because you're one of Leader-sama's Jinchuriki. Jashin-sama will have his sacrifices," said Hidan brandishing his triple-bladed scythe.

Naruto simply pulled his scythe out getting Hidan to glare at him. Seemed being reminded that Naruto pilfered his weapon all those days ago and altered it for his own use made the immortal angry. His anger didn't last long as he laughed giddily when Naruto lunged at him. The clangs of metal between the two the only thing heard as the fight was on.

(With Asuma)

"Why are you in the way?! This is going to happen Asuma!" shouted a man going blow for blow with the Sarutobi Jonin.

"No, it won't. I can't let you all try to destroy Konoha. I know what the Raimu Raito (Limelight Jutsu) does," said Asuma locking his trench knives with the man's sword. Closing his eyes, Asuma added wind chakra to his knives. "The time we spent together with the daimyo...I can't believe you've become this."

"You don't know anything Asuma...still a child," said the man getting his sword cut into three pieces from the two trench knives. Backing up, the man watched Asuma do nothing as he grew confused. "What, you're not going to press your advantage?"

"There's no need. You're already done," said Asuma watching the man blanch before realizing something. His shadow was longer than it should have been. "This is over."

The man was visibly struggling at this point but couldn't force his body to move at all. That's when he took notice of the three extra people in the area. Mainly the black-haired one holding the rat hand seal with the connecting shadow. Seeing the larger one expand to nearly 6 times his normal size, the man closed his eyes.

"Konoha will still be destroyed. There are contingencies in place...Konoha will cease after today."

"If it does, you won't be around to see it," said Asuma just as Choji's enormous foot descended on the motionless man.

(With Chiriku and Sakura)

"Sakura-san...please. Your life shouldn't be forfeit just because you're trying to be brave..." said Chiriku weakly.

Standing in front of his beaten form, Sakura stood shaking in the presence of the man before her. A man who dismantled Chiriku, the leader of the Twelve Guardians, with outrageous ease. And it just so happened this man was a member of Akatsuki.

"You should listen to the monk. He's the only one I'm after girl," spoke the man known as Kakazu.

Sakura didn't move as she stood her ground in her Taijutsu stance. Kakazu merely shook his head at the futile show of courage as he grew annoyed.

"Well, since you just want to throw your life away," said Kakazu covering the distance between them in the blink of an eye. Sakura actually gasped as Kakazu stood right in front of her. "Then I don't mind allowing you to see the afterlife sooner. I just want his bounty. But I don't mind-Guuuraaarrgghh."

Sakura blinked again as she saw a fist of lightning pop out of Kakazu's chest. Sakura saw Kakashi standing behind the impaled Akatsuki member as he had a Rakiri through the man's chest.

"To think you could sneak up on me like that...what talent," said Kakazu groaning before Kakashi allowed him to fall over sideways.

Kakashi looked at the deceased Akatsuki member before turning to Sakura. Sakura was only breathing hard as Kakashi eye smiled to his student. Such Will of Fire to stand up against an opponent who could probably stomp a mud puddle in her and himself was a bit impressive. Made him feel a little proud.

"Look...out," said Chiriku, the only warning Kakashi got as he had an elbow headed toward his head.

A sick pop sounded out from the blow as Kakashi was sent careening backward before he dispelled into a simple log. A log that had a large chunk blown out of it from the blow. Kakazu stood, with the hole through his chest, as he had an angry look on his face.

"Hatake Kakashi. I won't allow you to sneak up on me again," said the man turning to where the real Kakashi was hiding.

"Glad Jiraiya-sama told me about his extra hearts. Sadly, I didn't have a technique that could end multiple ones at the same time. And, he's much more on guard now so no more sneak attacks." thought Kakashi watching the man stare at him. Kakashi was ready to come out and face the man before seeing him pick his head up. "Did something happen?"

Several seconds passed before Kakazu grunted in dissatisfaction.

"Seems you're lucky. I must go," said Kakazu before several black threads came from his sleeve. Grabbing Chiriku faster than Sakura could react, Kakazu reeled the man in and held him under his arm. "Until we meet again Kakashi. Your heart will replace the one you took."

Kakazu then vanished in a poof of smoke, leaving Sakura and Kakashi alone. Kakashi looked to Sakura as Sakura looked back to Kakashi. Pulling his headband down to cover his Sharingan, Kakashi let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

But if Kakazu was here, then that meant that Hidan was too. Where he could be was easy to determine considering the enormous chakra Kakashi could feel.

"Naruto," said Kakashi looking to where he could feel his student's chakra amp up tremendously. Anyone within a couple of miles could probably feel the power Naruto was outputting at the moment. "How much of the Kyubi's power is he using?"

(With Naruto)

Sparks fluttered from the meeting of Naruto's scythe against Hidan's scythe. The immortal Akatsuki member only laughed haughtily through the exchanges as Naruto could feel his anger rising. Not once during the entire exchanges had he found one opening that Hidan couldn't turn into an attempt for a drop of his blood.

"I'm better than this guy. He's an S rank shinobi but he's not even close to Kakashi-sensei or even Jiraiya..." thought Naruto watching Hidan try to bite his fist that was headed toward his jaw. Naruto stopped though and took a kick to the stomach for his hesitation. "Stupid ability..."

"Come on Kyubi! You were so adamant about dragging my broken body back to Konoha but I haven't seen anything yet," said Hidan trying to goad the Jinchuriki into action. Bad for Hidan, Naruto wasn't that easy having dealt with Jiraiya himself. Not to mention Shizuka was there, ensuring he never got too aggressive in his current state. Something Hidan was just reminded of. "I mean for Jashin-sama's sake, do I have to stab your girlfriend in the chest again to get you to do something worth my time?"

That got Naruto's attention as he noticeably stopped. Hidan grew excited at catching the Kyubi as he decided to poke the bear further. Seems that girlfriend of his was the spot.

"You remember, don't you. Just a few centimeters and she would have been dead. All that love you share would have been gone. A sacrifice to Jashin-sama," said Hidan watching Naruto's grip on his scythe tighten harshly. Hidan then turned to Shizuka before shrugging. "Why don't I just stab her in the heart again...maybe you'll finally stop being a bitch and actually fight-"

Hidan blinked as Naruto appeared before him with his eyes shadowed. Hidan lashed out with a quick strike that Naruto dodged. A three-tailed cloak instantly appeared around Naruto as he belted Hidan with a crushing punch to the stomach. Hidan felt like his stomach had been blown out of his back from the force as he went careening backward through the air.

Hidan slammed through several trees before stopping and hacking up a large amount of blood. Naruto's punch would have probably killed anyone else who wasn't immortal like the Akatsuki member. Hidan shakily stood and looked up to see Naruto's chakra steadily rising.

"I'm so sick of you," said Naruto cratering the ground from his presence. The air was heavy with killing intent that even Shizuka grew wary of her boyfriend. Naruto held the tiger seal as he looked at the recovering Hidan. "Katon: Dai Endan (Fire Style: Great Flame Bullet)"

"Naruto-kun no!" shouted Shizuka but it was too late as Naruto launched a huge burst of fire from his mouth. Shizuka's eyes widened seeing Hidan grin giddily as his curse marks reappeared on his body. The glob of blood Hidan coughed out quickly turned into a new ritual circle. "He got your blood..."

Naruto's fireball cooked Hidan alive as Naruto's own skin began to burn. It felt like he was being hit by his own fireball as he bristled at the pain. The burns were healing almost as fast as they were appearing thanks to his use of the Kyubi's chakra. When his fireball died down, Naruto could see the skeleton-visage of Hidan grinning ominously at him. Well, that wasn't good.

"How about we have a little fun Kyubi?!" shouted Hidan pulling out his pike.

The three-tailed Naruto could only grimace at what was to come. This would not be fun for him.

And scene. Next chap should come relatively soon since it's part two of this one. Until then

-Hamp