Chapter 26: Life and Death

Senju Hashirama is quite irritated and confused at the same time; irritated because he was spending some…quality time with his wife before this; and confused because he senses eight of the nine Bijuu in his village.

His eyes darted to the village square. Ichibi…through Kyuubi…minus the Sanbi is here. Why? Then, he noted his opponents before seeing an armored individual. He said, "You're…the Lich King, aren't you?"

He saw everyone look surprised.

The Lich King chuckled. "Oh, someone knows of me? I'm touched."

Hashirama replied, "How could I not when they spoke so highly of you?"

Arthas raised a shadowed brow in confusion, "They? Who…ah…so when did the Bijuu tell you about me?"

That surprised all but the two speakers.

"A few days before I let them go into the other villages," he replied.

Tobirama looked at his brother through the corner of his eye and said, "Brother, what are you talking about?"

"This is a secret that I've kept from everyone, per their request. When I captured all nine Bijuu, I was curious about them and decided to go to where they were, where I was currently restraining them. Naturally, they were…cold fishes. It took me some amount of time before they started opening up to me." His eyes misted in reminiscence. "I visited them regularly, during my free time, keeping our conversations secret to avoid any unwanted attention. After all our meetings, I asked them if they wanted to be free. They accepted…but in their own way."

Orochimaru was intrigued. The Shodai Hokage was the first person who could hold a decent conversation with the nine Bijuu! Oh, the possibilities are endless. "Oh? What do you mean by that, Shodai Hokage?"

Hashirama sighed. "They chose and willingly went to their future villages, according to their elemental advantage. They and I knew that the other Kage would also decide the same, so there is no conflict of ideas. They also wished to see if there would another one like me, one who denied the barrier between human and demon, in these chosen lands. However," he gave a rare look of anger and disappointment, "the words given to me by the Shinigami saddens me. I never should have complied with their wishes. Humans fear what they do not understand. Perhaps, I should have taken that to heart." He shook his head. "Nevertheless, during our short time in secret, they told me of a small legend that happened even before their time. It told of a powerful being that is too powerful to be considered human and yet too much of flesh and blood to be considered a god. He was responsible for bringing the Bijuu into this world in the very far past. He was named the Lich King, recognized for his cold heart and aura of power."

Orochimaru's eyes glinted in more desire. "This is interesting." He grinned widely as he quickly stabbed all of the members of his resurrected army at their heads with his kunai, returning life into their bodies. "Attack, but keep Naruto-kun alive!" He can be a more powerful vessel after Sasuke-kun.

All charged at them at the Kage jumped to intercept them. But one person clashed with Hashirama. It was Athas with Frostmourne that he grabbed from Naruto's belt.

"Well then," Arthas said, "shall we start our dance of life and death then, Senju Hashirama?"

As Arthas led Hashirama away, Naruto shouted, "Don't send him too far! I've got something for him!"

Then, they all split away, with Naruto ignoring the departure of Kel'Thuzad from his body to join Reibai in the air.

Yondaime Kazekage vs. Godaime Mizukage

The Kage of Kiri smirked as she arrived at a rooftop where the Kage of Suna led her. "This is my first fight with a Kazekage," she smiled at his passive face as she took a curtsy, "I am the Godaime Mizukage, Terumi Mei. Please take care of me~"

A brow twitched on his face. "Are you flirting with me, woman?"

"Oh, dear me, no," she put a hand to her mouth in a small laugh. "I'm just greeting a fellow Kage. You should do the same, no? From one Kage to another, it would seem fair."

"Fine," he grumbled. He crossed his arms as he did a stiff bow. "I am the Yondaime Kazkage, Sabaku no Kinsha." Dark rings formed around his eyes. "Take care of me as well."

"So formal," she smirked as she formed hand seals immediately, shouted, "Suiton: Teppodoma!" Her cheeks bulged before she expelled numerous water balls at Kinsha.

Kinsha's eyes scoured the area when his eyes found the massive beasts fighting in the distance. Upon seeing them, his eyes widened. Then, he immediately jumped high to avoid the water balls. He dodged more ordnance from Mei, who started to follow him around.

Pouting, she exclaimed, "You do know that running from a lady is rude, don't you?" She then formed some seals and said, "Yoton: Kazan Funka (Lava Style: Volcanic Eruption)!" Her cheeks bulged again. Then, aiming a few meters in front of Kinsha, she released a powerful blast of lava.

Sensing it, Kinsha cursed as he was forced to stop just short of the lava blob in front of him. Turning to Mei, he muttered, "I hate doing this." Raising his hands in one seal, he whispered, "Sakin." He took a deep breath and released it around him. From his mouth emerged gold dust.

"Oh," Mei mused with a raised brow as she landed on an opposing rooftop. "I finally get to see the fabled Gold Dust."

Kinsha then redirected his Gold Dust beneath his feet to form a platform. As he rose to the skies, he crossed his arms, commanding the remaining sand to strike Mei.

In response, she expertly jumped through various roofs to avoid them.

Frowning, Kinsha followed after her while forming seals. Then, as he took a deep breath, he produced his jutsu, "Fuuton: Sakin Ame (Wind Style: Gold Dust Rain)!" Upon opening his mouth, gold dust slowly escaped it, only to suddenly shoot towards Mei, creating rapid and numerous damages to the houses.

She knew that she couldn't outrun the shower forever so she made seals and unleashed her jutsu, "Yoton: Yokai no Jutsu." She quickly turned and stopped as her mouth expelled a continuous stream of lava, rapidly melting the gold bullets that were targeted at her.

Seconds later, the lava shield started to crack then it shattered just as Kinsha hovered nearer. Kinsha commented, "Odd that you elected to remain instead of taking the opportunity to escape while my eyes were on the lava shield instead of you."

Mei gave a flirty smirk. "As a woman, I consider it just as rude to leave a man."

He narrowed his eyes. "Nevertheless," he finalized, "it would have been more strategically advantageous if you had left." He raised his hands and more gold dust rose behind him. "I had just enough time to produce this much."

Putting a hand to her cheek, she cooed, "I hope those are all for me, no? It would be quite insulting if even a portion of those are saved for someone else."

Brow twitching, he growled, "That is downright misleading, woman."

"I'm afraid I don't know what you're talking about."

"What indeed," he sighed. Bringing his hands down, the dust behind him then moved to devour Mei, who started to form hand seals in response.

Kosa no Reibai vs. Kel'Thuzad

"I never imagined that there still exists a faction not loyal to the Lich King," Kel'Thuzad hummed in thought. "Most of all, I never expected such a young and weak necromancer like you rose to become powerful enough to become a leader of a village, Malkos."

Reiba darkly chuckled as his form was engulfed in flames. When it cleared, it revealed a skeletal figure robed in black, torn lich clothing, like Kel'Thuzad. Moreover, over the black robe was a white, torn haori with the kanji for 'two'.

"I still remember the words you spoke to me that day, Kel'Thuzad. You told me that my continuous failures made me a liability to the Scourge. That's why I resolved to prove you wrong. While you and your pathetic lord were fighting that pesky alliance," he didn't notice the temperature dropping, "I was getting stronger, even going so far as to force my way into the Forbidden Tomes to reach that goal. Finally, I became strong that I broke off from your Bitch King's control completely. When I noticed that your fortress was going past the seas, I followed you here. I then assimilated and joined the native's culture, rising to become their Nidaime Kazekage." His skull shifting to form a smirk, he continued, "I now have the power to control the Bijuu! Soon, I shall end you and that fool you call lord!"

Growling in power, he snapped, "You? You dare to target the Lord Arthas? Do not make me laugh. You are a far cry from reaching his power. However, I will not give you the liberty of living long enough to do so. Those who insult my lord shall cease to exist the moment their mouths spout such insults!"

Without warning, his arms were raised and ice spears slowly appeared around him before he shot them towards Malkos.

The opposing lich sneered before he swiped the air with his left hand. Immediately, the spears shattered. He opened his mouth and some particles slowly crept out of it. With a grin, he hissed, "My two successors are similar to me. All three of us researched on the Ichibi and produced our particular brand of particle weaponry. With my successors' Satetsu and Sakin, I present to you Kesshotsubu (Crystal Particle)." Raising his hands, he willed the crystals to swarm towards Kel'Thuzad.

Without hesitating, Kel'Thuzad started to fly through the air, dodging the crystals. Quickly flying around a water tank, he raised his hands, causing a powerful jet of frost to appear from them, freezing the crystals headed towards him. This had the effect of forcefully carving a path between him and Malkos.

Malkos quickly flew to the side to avoid Kel'Thuzad's tackle. Turning to him, he opened his mouth and shot a large amount of fire at him.

Stopping and turning, Kel'Thuzad pointed both palms at the fire and unleashed an ice beam that clashed with the flame. Without a break, Kel'Thuzad commanded the chains tied around his body towards his arms. Two sets of chain heads peeked from his sleeves and he shot them right into the cross of ice and fire.

Toka Senju vs. Onoki and Hiruzen

"I fail to see why this would be a fair fight," Toka softly murmured as she faced the two oldest Kages alive.

"Think that two on one is unfair, young Senju," Onoki asked. "I might have to agree with you."

She gave a small laugh. "I've faced worse odds more times than I can count. What is unfair is that I, a ninja brought out by my cousin's Edo Tensei and in full use of my arsenal, am fighting against two elders. I respect the elderly as much as my cousins do and I find it insulting that you elders were sent to face an enemy instead of imparting your wisdom to the next generation."

"I don't know if I should be insulted or not," the Tsuchikage commented.

"Well," Sarutobi replied, "sensei always said that his cousin was not one to keep major opinions to herself. Just take it as a simple statement." He then became serious. He bit his thumb, placed some blood on his other palm, made some hand seals, and slammed his hand on the ground. A large monkey emerged from the smoke and Toka blinked.

"I see. You're Hiruzen," she said. She then looked at Onoki. "And you…you must be the one known as Onoki, the student of Mu the Null Man. Hashirama and Tobirama spoke highly of you two. I suppose it wouldn't be too bad if I fought against two powerful ninja."

"Sarutobi," the monkey spoke. "I don't recognize this woman. Who is this enemy?"

"She's Senju Toka, one of the best genjutsu users in history. She's been brought back by Orochimaru's Edo Tensei."

"I knew letting that monster live would bite you in the ass." He snorted. "Whatever, what's done is done." He then transformed into a staff and Sarutobi grabbed it.

Toka gave a small bow and said, "Shall we begin?" Then, she whipped out her hands at the side, where two kunai emerged. She first slowly walked towards them before starting into a run.

Onoki put his hands in front of him and said, "Jinton: Genkai Hakuri no Jutsu!" A white sphere within a translucent cube appeared in his hands and started to grow in size.

Knowing that it would take time to channel, Sarutobi rushed forward and clash with her. Separating, he then went for a sideward attack with his staff. Toka raised her armored arm to block it and retaliated by using her free hand to slash at him. Sarutobi then also raised his armored arm to block. But he was unprepared when she grasped both the staff and his arm and put both her feet to his chest to kick him away. As she landed, she threw both kunai at him.

Recovering just in time, he sent both weapons flying. Just then, a glowing cube went past his shoulder to Toka. When it was a few meters from her, it suddenly expanded and Toka, as she jumped away, got her lower half cut off. As she slowly reformed, Onoki and Sarutobi didn't allow her the time to do so and worked on more hand seals.

Onoki raised his hands and rocks broke from around him and circled him in a ring. Then, he quickly sent them one-by-one towards Toka, "Doton: Ukiwagan no Jutsu."

Sarutobi, on the other hand, put a hand to his mouth and spewed flames, "Katon: Karyu Endan!" The flame stream shifted to a dragon's head and split off into the right, left, and front.

Snapping open her eyes and suddenly reforming, Toka jumped and flipped backwards to create some distance. Then, she grasped the katana by her side and slashed in a wide arc, producing a very powerful gust of wind that dispelled the fire and blew away the rocks. Quickly sheathing her blade, she made some quick seals and finished the clap. Closing her eyes, she whispered, "Genjutsu: Senbonzakura."

Sakura petals appeared out of nowhere and surrounded her in a tornado. Lowering her hands, she raised her hands towards the two and some of the petals zoomed towards them.

Narrowing his eyes, Onoki put his hands in a release seal and said, "Kai!"

"It is pointless," Toka coolly stated. "I am unequaled in genjutsu. Do you know why? They cannot be dispelled by normal means."

"Worth a shot," he replied before he flew straight up to avoid the blossoms. Sarutobi, in the meantime, started making hand seals and was already announcing his jutsu, "Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" He took out a single shuriken and threw it at the incoming petals. Applying his jutsu, there now was a large number of shuriken intercepting the petals.

The shuriken then clashed with the petals, sending most of them to the floor. And the rest that passed through was also stopped as soon as they reached the tornado of petals around Toka. Afterwards, more of the petals zoomed towards the two elder Kage. Raising his adamantine staff, he started to spin it in front of him, establishing contact with the petals.

"Sarutobi," Enma's voice shouted from the staff, "Watch it! Some of those things are sharp!" True enough, some of the petals seemed to be swatted away – causing small scratches on the staff – while the rest phased through his staff. He quickly stopped and jumped away, just as he felt usage of chakra from Onoki.

Above them, Onoki smirked as some sort of white circle appeared on his forehead in a slightly glowing ellipse – in a manner similar to an eye, "Jinton: Chimei Shisen (Dust Release: Deadly Sight)!"

Sarutobi immediately landed on the ground and said, "Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu!" He was swallowed up by the earth just as Onoki unleashed his jutsu. From the 'eye' burst a 'spotlight' of chakra that disintegrated the petals, the buildings in the jutsu's line of sight, and Toka.

When the jutsu ended, the Tsuchikage slowly descended to the ground, panting heavily. The patch of earth beneath him opened and the Hokage emerged from it.

Onoki frowned as he saw some debris going towards a point. "So it seems that even when the whole body's disintegrated, the Edo Tensei will not end."

He sighed. "I really should have ended Orochimaru back then." He jumped towards the reforming Toka. "Come on! We should hold her down until Naruto accomplishes what he's planning with them!"

Uzumaki Mito vs. Uzumaki Kushina and Alexandros Mograine

"Kushina," Mito softly uttered, "you've grown into a truly fine woman. At the very least, it makes me happy that one of the Kyuubi's succeeding containers is treated well, despite such well-being is caused by ignorance of your status."

"Mito-sama," Kushina replied, "I'm sorry that you were brought back this way. I promise that we will end Orochimaru's control over you."

"Of that I have no doubt. Oh, yes," she looked to the other redhead, "we haven't been properly introduced." She gave a small bow. "I am Uzumaki Mito."

"And I am Alexandros Mograine," he returned the bow before he flourished the Ashbringer, "your clan's descendant from a long past."

"Then I suppose that there is some merit to being resurrected by the Edo Tensei, if I am blessed enough to meet my jinchuuriki successor and my clan ancestor." Then, despite her wearing a kimono, she dropped to a fighting stance. "But please stop me. I cannot control my actions." She then charged at the two.

Narrowing her eyes, Kushina ran to meet her. Both of the Uzumakis' hands were outstretched in a punch and when they connected, it created a powerful shockwave that blew away minor objects. They split apart and Kushina started to form seals. Putting a hand to her mouth, she said, "Suiton: Mizu Tatsumaki (Water Style: Water Tornado)!" A massive tornado of water emerged from her mouth and went towards Mito.

In response, Mito quickly started to write in the air, her motions leaving a bright blue chakra imprint. Finishing her work, she slammed a hand onto the middle of the sealing array and the water tornado was blocked by the array. Then, as her hand closed into a fist, the whole tornado was reflected back to its user at twice the speed.

Alexandros immediately stepped forward and used Ashbringer to slice it in half. As the water split apart, he watched as Mito started another seal in the air.

Finishing it, she once again slammed her hand onto it, sending the seal towards the duo.

A paralysis seal, Kushina realized as she created a clone to take the blow. Upon impact, the seal covered the clone's whole body and covered her. She took out a pen and paper to write on it.

As she was writing, Mito grasped the earth beneath her and, with an excellent display of strength, lifted a large chunk of rock and threw it at them.

Alexandros acted and sliced the incoming object and expected Mito to be right behind it. "That tactic is way too obvious, young Mito." He made to slash at her and was surprised when Mito held out both her hands and caught the blade.

She was not without injury, however, as the force of the slash reached her torso and made her release the blade. Landing on a nearby wall, she lowered a hand to the surface and raised her other in a half-tiger seal, "Omosa Fuin (Weight Seal)."

Immediately, Alexandros felt Ashbringer become heavy and he strained to keep it raised.

"Sorry for the trouble," Kushina said, approaching the heavy blade and releasing it. "I've finished my seals." She looked at Mito with a sigh. "Mito-sama truly is frightening. She is the greatest of Uzushio's fuinjutsu users, the only one able to write seals in midair with chakra alone."

"Yes. I noticed that." He replied as he hefted his blade over his shoulder. He eyed the writing on the paper in Kushina's hands. "I assume that your seal will immobilize her, long enough for young Naruto to fulfill his plans?"

She nodded. "But I highly doubt that the commands programmed into Mito-sama will allow us that easily. With that said, I will need an opening."

"You shall have it."

Senju Tobirama vs. Namikaze Minato and Ei

"What are the names of the people fighting me, then," Tobirama asked.

"I am Namikaze Minato," the blond stepped forward and bowed. "I'm the Yondaime Hokage."

"Ei, Yondaime Raikage," the other blond added.

Tobirama raised a brow. "A Raikage and a Hokage fighting together," he mused. "This is surprising, considering the actions of Kumo's criminals."

"The actions of Kinkaku and Ginkaku were their own," Ei said. "We have nothing to do with their involvement during the Konoha-Kumo meeting."

"Be that as it may, I would have expected at least some hostility between you two."

"There is some hostility," Minato spoke to him, "but it is not because of the attack on you and the Nidaime Raikage."

The white-haired Senju remained silent for a while. Then, he said, "Then, why are ninjas from Kumo in Konoha because of that hostility? In fact, why are all four Kage in Konoha?"

"Bee and Yugito wouldn't shut up about something in Konoha. And their Bijuu wouldn't talk about why. Besides, my ninjas are in the Chuunin Exams as well. I might as well see their progress."

"Bijuu, huh," he murmured. "I'll get the full explanation later. My body is starting to move." Putting his hands up for a seal, he said, "Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!" Seconds later, water appeared out of nowhere and bolted towards the two fastest men in history in the shape of a dragon.

Minato replied by forming his own seals, "Futon: Renkudan!" He expelled a wind ball that collided with the water dragon. On impact, the dragon exploded. Ei immediately followed through by charging towards Tobirama.

The Senju countered by raising his hands into a one seal and saying, "Suiton: Suijinheki!"

Water burst from the ground and covered him in a dome. Upon hitting the dome, Ei was surprised to find that his arm didn't pierce the water even slightly. Then, the water seemed to lock his hand completely in place. Within, Tobirama said next, "Suiton: Koka Suijin."

The water dome collapsed and coalesced beneath his feet. Then, Tobirama stepped forward and put a hand to Ei's chest, to allow him leverage to jump very high. Without warning, it erupted, sending Ei upward after Tobirama.

Turning around, the Nidaime Hokage held out his right arm, where water appeared in a swirling vortex. As Ei neared him, his water-encased fist descended onto him.

However, both Tobirama and Ei were surprised to see a yellow flash appear between them. It was Minato, with his signature Rasengan in his right hand. He raised his hand to meet Tobirama's and there was a powerful concussion that occurred. Minato quickly poured more power into his Rasengan before Tobirama could and the sphere overpowered the vortex and drilled into the opposing arm. Then, Minato turned his jutsu to Tobirama's head, blowing it apart. Following through, Minato raised his other hand and grasped Tobirama's armor to bring him towards Ei, who has already righted himself and then took Tobirama off Minato's hands.

Turning back to the ground, Ei plummeted with Tobirama in tow. As they neared the ground, he yelled his technique, "LIGER BOMB!" The very impact itself caused a big crater to appear on the ground. Ei stood and looked down on the barely-holding-together Nidaime Hokage and scowled. "That was way too easy."

"Indeed, was it not," Tobirama's voice reached his ears. Eyes wide, he quickly spun around, intent on hitting Tobirama with an electrified arm. However, it was blocked by Tobirama wordlessly summoning a water shield at his side. "Surprise," he dryly commented. Immediately, water coated his arm and he laid a lightning-quick punch onto Ei's torso. The force of the water-encased hand sent him flying. Letting the water arm dissipate, he watched as the body in the crater explode in a cloud of smoke.

Hearing someone land a few meters behind him, he quickly turned around and said, "You use Hiraishin, huh? This'll be interesting." Tobirama lowered into a fighting stance. "Let's see which of our Hiraishins are superior."

Minato blinked. "You use Hiraishin too, Nidaime-san? I didn't know." He bowed. "It would be an honor to face off against the original user of the Hiraishin."

"Quite the respectful Hokage, aren't you?" Tobirama smirked. "This'll truly be interesting." Then, they both vanished into flashes of sliver and yellow.

Senju Hashirama vs. Arthas Menethil

"Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kotan," Hashirama exclaimed as numerous trees burst from the ground around him and headed towards Arthas.

Frowning beneath his helmet, the Lich King held out a palm and a very large, green-colored barrier appeared in front of it. Once the trees hit the barrier, it very quickly shriveled up and disintegrated into dust. "You need more than trees to catch me off-guard, Hashirama."

Continuing, Hashirama slammed both palms on the ground and added, "Mokuton: Jubaku Eiso."

As Arthas landed on a patch of ground, trees burst around him and encased him tightly. And while it was doing so, his opponent just finished another technique, "Mokuton: Mokusatsu Shibari no Jutsu." He then extended his hand towards the now-decaying trees and pierced its surface. Within, Arthas was surprised upon more wooden appendages piercing the trees that temporarily imprisoned him and now bound him tightly, covering most of his body, except for his head, feet, and sword. Then past the tree prison, he heard Hashirama shout, "Mokuton: Mokusei Nui no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wooden Sewing Technique)!"

Oh, hell no, Arthas thought to himself. I am not going to become a pincushion. Despite being immobile, the Lich King is not defenseless. He unleashed his power around him, immediately freezing the wood around him. As soon as he broke out of the wooden prison, sharp wooden tendrils burst from the ground and attempted to pierce him. However, Arthas' release of power immediately froze them as well. Thus, they shattered into pieces when it hit his thick armor. "Ugh," he grunted; they may be frozen (thus making them easy to break), but that did not mean that they didn't hurt. Readying Frostmourne, he gave a quick spin, shattering the prison.

When the ice shards fell, Arthas caught Hashirama finishing his next jutsu, "Mokuton: Mokuryuu no Jutsu!"

Channeling his power to Frostmourne, he stabbed it to the ground and said, "To my side, frost wyrm!"

The earth rumbled beneath them and cracked open. Beneath Hashirama, a wooden, bipedal dragon slowly formed with him riding atop its head. Beneath Arthas, a quadruped skeletal dragon with a blue crystal for a heart roared to life.

Both dragons glared at each other before their jaws opened to the sky. From Hashirama's dragon, bright yellow flames emerged from its mouth and flew high. From Arthas' dragon, a blue cloud of frost originated from the crystal heart and shot up to the mouth and beyond. Then, they released a powerful roar, a roar that made all freeze in terror.

Any shinobi who saw the battle between the two went pale and wide-eyed at the power that was displayed. The houses and buildings weren't spared the moment they went outside the stadium.

Then, the dragons spread their wings wide and they flapped, at first, making them levitate a few feet. Afterwards, they took the sky.

With the Bijuu

Two orcs were defeated at the same time by both of Yonbi's hands while another was crushed by his tails. Turning to the fallen enemy behind him, he said, "For all your brawn, you lack brains!"

Nearby, Rokubi melted a handful of her opponents with her acid with Nibi right behind her, slashing at an approaching orc with ferocious force. Then, she snarled as she spat fireballs at the approaching enemies.

In another area, Gobi gored two orcs with his two horns and flung them to the distance, where three snake heads were battling with a toad. The man atop the toad looked at him but Gobi simply turned away to deal with more enemies.

Up on the skies, Nanabi repeatedly fired off energy arcs towards any orcs that might sneak up on any of her siblings. Then, all Bijuu were silenced as two even more powerful roars reached their ears. Turning to the source, they saw a skeletal dragon and a dragon of wood took the skies and then remained in place staring at each other.

Since she was closest, Nanabi saw a person on top of each dragon head. On the skeletal dragon was a man in armor reminiscent of a knight and wielding a glowing blue blade. On the wooden dragon was a man in red shinobi armor.

"Isn't that the Shodaime Hokage," Fuu spoke from within her mind.

"No way," Nanabi muttered in shock. "Hashirama…"

"Wait. Why do you sound so…shocked?"

"Who dares bring him back?!"

Fuu became incredibly shocked at what she heard. She can't remember the last time she's heard such ferocity from her Bijuu. Well, then again, Senju Hashirama did use his Mokuton to enslave all of the Bijuu and send them away to various villages to make them weapons. Then, she was brought out of her thoughts when Nanabi started to talk again.

"Oh, no," she continued, "and he is fighting the Lich King. This is not good!"

"Who's he?"

Without even answering, Nanabi dashed over to the two dragons and gave a roar of her own.

Arthas looked to the source and blinked in surprise, saying, "Nanabi, huh."

Hashirama also looked at her in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Nanabi stopped and looked at both of them. Then, after a while, she sheepishly chuckle. "I wanted to help out but I don't know how."

The God of Shinobi returned a chuckle of his own. "Yup, that's the Nanabi I know, acts before thinking. Well, since you're here, help the Lich King stop me. He is on your side for now and I am being controlled by the one known as Orochimaru."

"Uhh," she replied with uncertainty, "Shouldn't the Lich King be enough to stop you? He is the lord of the undead."

"His purpose is not to stop me. The young Uzumaki who summoned him and three others said to not get too far since he has something planned. I assume it means both in distance and damage. The Lich King's attacks are intent on harming the soul, something that would be, in essence, too far. You nine, after all, were the ones who told me that."

The Lich King let out a brief laugh. "You are truly blessed, Shodai Hokage, to be given the gift of acceptance by the Bijuu. You are right. Most of my attacks are soul-based. However, I can will my Frostmourne and this frost wyrm to not harm to soul. But I would be inhibited by everything else." He turned to Nanabi. "Will you help me?"

Nanabi nodded and flew over to Arthas' side. Then, Hashirama gave a serious look. "Prepare yourselves! I will not hold back!" Then, the wood dragon opened its mouth and unleashed fire.

Naruto vs. Orochimaru

Orochimaru didn't know whether to praise his good fortune or curse his bad luck. At first, he thought that Uzumaki Naruto would be an easy target since he was but a child to him in any way. However, it seemed that he underestimated this boy. Then, he gave it a deep thought. If that golden-armored man that he faced in the Forest of Death was similar, if not the very same, to the one who the boy summoned, it could very much mean that this boy was trained by him. And considering that the man had enough strength to push him back…

Yup, curse his bad luck, it is.

"Fuuton," Naruto shouted, "Kami Oroshi!" He put his hands together and brought forth a swirling gust of wind.

"Katon," Orochimaru countered, "Hi no Hisu (Fire Style: Hiss of Fire)." Then, he clicked his teeth together and let out a hiss, a hiss that caused fire to escape his mouth toward the wind.

Since Naruto's hands were together, he simply clapped them and said, "Yamiton: Yari no Shin'ya Kuro!" He opened his hands where black mist appeared and formed into a spear that easily pierced through the fire that was headed his way.

Orochimaru, on the other hand, felt something was wrong when he felt the loss of resistance against his fire. He instantly took measures. He cut off his fire and jumped back. True to his senses, a black spear quickly hurled past the flames. Narrowing his eyes, he bit his thumb and slammed a hand to the ground, "Kushiyose: Rashomon!" A gate burst in front of him and took the blow of the spear. He then burrowed deep into the ground and dashed towards Naruto.

Naruto saw the dust cloud that was headed for him and retaliated. He formed his seals and slammed his hand on the ground and said, "Doton: Kaido Shokutsu!" The earth shifted and formed into a mini-volcano that spat out a surprised Orochimaru.

This brat… The Sannin thought bitterly. He wiped some blood from his still-bleeding finger onto the opposite hand and performed the hand seals. As he landed, he slammed his hand onto the ground and said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" Cloud covered Naruto's vision for a few seconds before it was overcome by the sight of a snake emerging from it.

With the Konoha Jonin

"Eighteen," Asuma counted as he sliced the throat of an Oto-nin that approached him.

"Twenty-one," Kurenai replied in kind when she saw two of her opponents fall via kunai to the throat.

"Damn you two," Anko shouted, "I'm still on fifteen!"

"Then, keep up your game!"

Turning to face them, she responded, "Oh, you bet I will!"

"Anko," Kurenai shouted in alarm. "Look out!"

A smaller version of the disfigured titanic monsters got up to the Snake Mistress' face and punched her hard onto four buildings.

When she landed, she was greeted by the sight of a five Oto-nin leering down at her.

"Hey, what do we have here," one of them sneered.

"If it isn't Orochimaru-sama's failure," another cackled.

"She lived when nine others died," a third grinned malevolently. "That's got to be success enough. I wonder, though, would her luck be able to survive us?"

Anko glared up at them as they all reached down towards her. Damn it! My body's hurt from that monster's attack! What do I do? She then heard a giggle from within her head, stopping all time around her. What the hell?

"What are you doing, silly?" A voice echoed in her ear. What was peculiar was that it was her voice that spoke. "Why aren't you fighting them?"

If you haven't noticed, kid, I got hit by a monster high on ninja pills. Well, if she's doomed to go crazy either by these five idiots' probably small dicks and subsequent torture or by her own voice in her head, she might as well answer one of the two's call.

"Why haven't you used Naruto-sama's seal yet?"

Naruto-sama, she said. What did that brat do anyway? Wait…

"Yup, he was the one who was in your head back then and changed you! He removed your seal and replaced it with his own!"

I'm going to deal with his going into my head later. Replaced or not, that is still a cursed seal! There is no way I'm using it!

"Aww, you don't even know the power it has. Come on, Anko-chan, don't be afraid."

Nope, I ain't using that thing.

"I think you need a demonstration. Here, let me show you!"

Then, she somehow felt herself lose control over her body and watched as time resumed and the Oto-nin continued their approach.

Anko let out a giggle, stopping their movements.

"What's so funny, bitch," one asked.

"You are all big bullies," she replied as fire seemed to creep from her left shoulder and onto the rest of her body. "And bullies need to be punished." Then, just as the fire engulfed her body, snakes of fire formed from the main immolation and burned the five to a crisp. She steadily rose and watched as the fire seemed to burn her clothes. "That's better." The flame formed fiery gauntlets, shoulder guards, leg guards, and face mask. Thankfully, it also seemed to create a pair of bras and panties to protect her modesty.

"Anko, are you okay," Kurenai exclaimed in distress as she and Asuma arrived. Then, she faltered upon seeing her friend's attire. "What is that?!" She immediately rushed to cover Asuma's eyes.

"This is something new!" She gleefully stated. "I feel great!" Just then, the monster that hit her joined their reunion.

Asuma cursed. "This thing just won't go down!"

"Down boy," Anko shouted as she made a punching motion and summoned a fiery fist that hit the monster through even more buildings that it had to her. Then, as the monster stopped somewhere, it burned to ash. Anko then let out a giggle. "There must be more monsters to punish! See ya later!" She then jumped off in whatever direction.

"Kurenai," said Asuma after a brief pause and Kurenai lowered her hands.

"What is it?"

"What happened?"

"I have no idea."

I'm going to end it there.

To be honest, I don't know now where I'm going to go with this. There has been too much in the lore that…well…I have no idea where to lead this storyline after the Chuunin Exam arc. As such, don't expect as much chapters as some of my stories. Don't worry. I don't think I would be abandoning this story any time soon.