Author's Notes: So... Here we are. For the past couple of years, there has been a lot of questioning about this story and Naruto Makaze. And so now I'm sitting here thinking that I don't even do A/Ns so how am I going to answer all of those questions on my first or second one on this story? So I thought I'd just ramble for a while until it came out.

Firstly, I want to thank those of you who were there from the beginning. Like 2010-ish beginning. Kaibunkage and Makaze were two stories that were going to be a typing challenge for me. I liked to type as fast as I could and try to make as little mistakes without proofreading or editing. Kaibunkage focused on the character growth while Makaze was literally fight after fight after fight. They weren't supposed to be the greatest stories on this site, they were just there to help me do two things that I still love to do; type fast and entertain. So long as I continually surpassed my typing speeds without typing gibberish and the majority of you liked the content, I was happy. And to a degree, I still am happy with what came out of it. Sometime in November I found out that this was on TV Tropes and was like "Really? Why?" but was happy nonetheless. I logged on for the first time in ever and saw these PMs from years ago, one of them saying how they wanted Sumaru to be back on and others just wanting an update and literally just smiled. I said nothing. I did nothing. I just smiled because I was happy, you know? Having so many lives being brought into my life and taken, I've come to appreciate small things such as thirty seconds of someone's time to send me a review telling me that they like or dislike my story. Those simple things make me happy and for that, I thank you. All of you. From Dragon and Sword Master and Peter Kim who sent me quite detailed and animated reviews to Morgana who I forgot your username, I just remember your review and even now, years after your surgery, I still have your health in my prayers, and the rest of you who took time out to review or PM, thank you.

Which brings me to this point. Considering it is about three in the afternoon and I just woke up (a long work day plus a headache can do that to you!) I'm going to continue to ramble a bit. I am, in no shape or form, a NaruSaku fan. Please don't hate me. I see the points NaruSaku fans made, and agreed with them, but even I could see NaruHina being endgame. I don't necessarily agree with it- actually preferring NaruSaku- but I did. So for that one guy who tells me to "Fuck off" because he thinks that I'm a NaruSaku lover, I say sure. I'll "fuck off" but I do want you to know that I am a diehard NaruTayu fan. Have been for years and will be for years to come. Kaibunkage is NaruSaku because I can actually write/type something without care about my preferences. Again, I have nothing against Sakura, I just prefer Tayuya. That's it. Hopefully that doesn't show in this story or Makaze because I actually despise those stories where the authors bash a particular character or another because of their personal feelings. Sure, it gets by and a good number of people are like "Yeah! I hate Sasuke!" or "Kill the pink-haired banshee!" but really, come on. Don't do that. Only in fics where it's supposed to be humorous do I actually consider reading bash fics. So, yeah, I'm DJ and I ship NaruTayu, just not all the time because I can do other pairings. And make them make sense Mr. Kishimoto.

On that note, I don't necessarily like the ending of Naruto. It felt... Forced? List of things that just seemed to be out of the blue and kind of rushed. Madara's death. Just wow... Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke went from wanted terrorists, two of them actually killing the acting Hokages at two separate times, are now forgiven and helps the village they wanted to burn. Okay, I can accept people change, but come on. That was Orochimaru's M.O for what, thirty years? And he gives it up for what? Sasuke? That damn Sharingan genjutsu... Naruto vs Sasuke. Not even going to touch that, but you know. You all know. Naruto chasing after Sakura to beat Sasuke. I don't even... How...? Why? Can anyone make sense that Naruto, who everyone noted that he legitimately loved Sakura, was only after said teammate due to a competition with someone who found Sakura completely annoying? I don't even know. I honestly just can't grasp that and would love it if someone breaks it down for me. Kiba dating a cat owner sort of rubbed me the wrong way as well. Either way, I think Kishimoto forced Kaguya's death, forced NaruHina and SasuSaku, and forced the whole ending on us without any real explanation. And thus, I don't like the ending of Naruto.

Okay, so now here's why I'm really here. I want to apologize for just walking away without a real reason to do so and without saying how long. I could have done Makaze and Kaibunkage like I said I would and I definitely have a chapter of Children are Troublesome ready to go, I just left. Life kind of just takes time out of the day, and while I'm not stranger to time management, I still just never put the time in to sit down and type again. So without further ado, I want to officially say...

...

...

...

Damn, it's good to be back...

Kaibunkage

Arc III

Chapter VIII

"Only during the darkest nights does one fully see the potential of a star."

- Sandaime Hoshikage, Koyama Yoshito

Uzumaki Shiori was a very curious child which led her into a heap of trouble whenever her father or Mei found her doing things she shouldn't. She couldn't help it. Shion had given her daughter a rather pleasant childhood, allowing the young blonde to venture around the vast gardens every day the sun was shining, and Naruto did the same so long as he had three or four ANBU tailing Shiori and Jakken. Plus, both Naruto and Shion have admitted to being curious at Shiori's age about the things that went on around them, Naruto naming incidents where it led him in trouble with his parent figure; Sarutobi Hiruzen.

With that being said, Shiori entering a room that her mother had once forbidden had her excited. Despite this being the second time she was here, now she was with her father who had promised her a cool jutsu. And nothing was better than seeing her father or Sakura pull off a cool jutsu.

"Alright Shiori-chan," Naruto said sitting down on a giant seal designed as a swirl with the five basic elements written around it. "I need you to sit right in front of me."

"Hai!" Shiori said happily, skipping to the spot in front of her dad.

Naruto smiled, closing his eyes and trying to remember exactly how this worked. Remembering the seals needed, the blond man took out a bottle of ink from his pants pocket and dipped his finger into it.

Shiori watched as Naruto drew more seals around them swiftly and yet cautiously at the same time. The only time she really got to see seals in general were when her tutors came to help her master the priestess arts or when Sakura activated her Yin Seal Release per Shiori's request. Somehow though, watching Naruto draw seals like this was better than both of those times for the young child.

"Alright," spoke the Kaibunkage as he made a few hand seals. "Now Shiori-chan, I want you to concentrate on your mother."

"Mommy?" Shiori's head tilted to the side in confusion.

This only elicited a chuckle from the kage.

"Yes, your mommy. I need you to focus on her." Naruto began. "Picture her in your mind sitting right beside you. Picture her brushing your hair like she used to do all the time or humming. Can you do that?"

The young girl nodded and closed her eyes. It wasn't hard to picture Shion, Naruto mused. She was not the easiest person to forget whether he had a daughter by her or not. Her personality, whether one talked about her air of superiority or how gentle she could actually be, was what stood out to him the most.

Seeing a few seals light up, Naruto knew that it was working and quickly summoned two cat-faced masks that had a three tomoe Sharingan design on their forehead. Putting one on, he slipped the other one on his daughter quietly to not disturb her. Finally he saw the eye-holes in her mask light up, signaling that she had contacted Shion or Shion had possessed his daughter again.

"Hello, Naruto-kun." It seems as if it was the latter. "I thought we agreed that she wouldn't learn this until she was made a chunin."

"I'm sure even you know about the war, Shion-chan. And because I just saw her, our daughter was more than chunin level when she beat her clone." Shiori let out a giggle. Despite Shion inside of her, the childish voice of his daughter made him grin. "I need a favor. I'm going to try to contact Orochimaru and Senju Tobirama. With you temporarily inside of Shiori's body, we should be able to make contact with them."

"Do you think her body will be able to handle that much stress?" Again, while it was Shiori's voice that was heard, Naruto could clearly hear Shion's motherly worry.

"Honestly, I was hoping so." Naruto's statement did not make the deceased woman any calmer and he knew it. "We have to remember that Shiori's body can deal with a lot more stress than yours could as she is an Uzumaki. If anything should go wrong, I will end it and attempt to answer my own questions."

"The Death Viewer's masks will only work for an hour." Shiori explained. "Even with that much time, do you think that you can find them both and get the answers you need without putting our daughter through so much?"

Naruto sighed heavily. "Shion, I would never do anything to hurt Shiori. That's why I'm trying to find another way of defeating the enemies without ultimately making her…"

"Like you?" Naruto nodded at the statement. "Do you know of another way of defeating the Ten-tailed beast then?"

"No… But that is a problem for another time. Right now, there are hundreds of deceased ninja destroying the lands right and left and I have to find a way to shut them down."

There was a moment of silence before Shiori released a quiet breath of frustration.

"Then what are we waiting for? Time is of the essence."

The man nodded, the two racing through an elaborate multitude of hand seals.

"Forbidden Arts: Counsel of the Impure World!"

Sutayouji Sumaru.

A prodigy of Hoshigakure no Sato. The son of two of Star's biggest heroes. A favorite of the deceased Sandaime Hoshikage. The Yondaime Hoshikage.

His résumé spoke for itself when he faced an everyday threat. It was also rumored that he was the strongest Hoshikage to this day, though he truly did not believe that. He believed that all Hoshikage are equal in strength. How else would they gain the same title?

"Hokuto," Sumaru spoke firmly while keeping an eye on Kisame. "Take Matsuri and continue down this path. There are a few members of the Sealing Team that can transport her to the medical facility."

"What about you, Sumaru-kun?" Hokuto questioned.

"I'm going to finish what I should've done months ago." The Hoshikage stated. "Just get Matsuri to the team I have set up. There isn't much time."

"Hai," Hokuto rose and lifted Matsuri into her arms. "Sumaru-kun, be careful."

The Yondaime just nodded as his wife flew off using her chakra-made wings. He stared at his opponent for the second time and inhaled deeply. Their first fight was in Demon Country and the Hoshikage admits fighting with a slight tremble of fear. Hoshigaki Kisame was not a feared man for nothing. However, this time was different.

"Heh, I'll admit, you got guts." Kisame stated. "It's just too bad I'll be cutting them out of you!"

Sumaru quickly pushed chakra to his legs in able to dodge the pursuing swordsman. His mind went through tactical strategies to use against his opponent. Sumaru knew his mistakes from the first battle. He would not make them again.

A blast of water in the form of a shark (Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique). The Hoshikage leapt upwards, the blue water-made shark following him quickly. Holding a single hand seal, Sumaru created wings of his rainbow chakra and flapped his wings once. The shark shattered with great force due to Sumaru's Great Breakthrough. This victory was short-lived when a second shark came from behind and attempted to latch its liquid- yet painful- teeth into the Hoshikage. A simple Shushin got Yondaime to safety.

Bringing a kunai out of his pouch, Sumaru launched it for his leering opponent. Even with its speed and precision, Kisame almost effortlessly dodged it and began pursuing Sumaru again. Sumaru went for a counter, inhaling deeply before releasing a large stream of white flames towards Kisame (Fire and Wind Release: Searing White Stream). The swordsman was forced to steer right, though the heat of the flames could still be felt.

"Missed!" Kisame called as he got into striking range, blade prepared to strike.

Sumaru was able to dodge being cut from Kisame's blade, but could feel a bit of his chakra being drained.

"Damn, I wasn't fast enough…" Sumaru muttered.

The two men now stared at one another, Kisame with a smirk and Sumaru with a sneer. Before they could do anything, a squawk made them both glance up.

"Akane's hawks…"

"Damn it. Reinforcements will be here soon." Kisame mumbled. "Oh well… It'll be too late to save their leader!"

Sumaru went through his options fast before settling with his Chakra Whipstechnique. The move, a more advance version of his mother's Chakra Rope did wonders at keeping Naruto at a distance, which is what he wanted to do with Kisame. However, it was a whip made out of chakra. If he did not find a way to pull Samehada away from Kisame, then he would be wasting his chakra and time.

"Well," Sumaru spoke, taking a page of Naruto's book. "Are you going to attack me or just stand there and stare?"

Kisame grunted. Who did this pseudo-kage think he was? In Kisame's mind, his question probably would not matter. In a few minutes, kage or not, Sumaru would be dead.

The last of Akatsuki.

That is what she referred to herself as. Those that remained in the notorious group were now doing Tobi's dreams, not Nagato's or Yahiko's. They were doing the devil's biddings, not God's. Her people suffered from that as well. The bloody rain that washed over the Ame shinobi that fought in this war… It was almost inhumane. Then again, she had seen worse.

She had witness one friend murder another…

"Lady Konan," The woman did not give her subordinate a glance, the man being an Ame shinobi who was one of the few that stayed back to protect the village. "We have news. Bad news. The Allied Forces are pushing us farther back towards the village. The resurrected kage are not doing what they are supposed to. Kabuto has-"

"I know." Konan said in an icy tone. "This is probably the end of Amegakure no Sato. And it's partially my fault." The man grunts. "Nagato, Yahiko, and I vowed to protect this village no matter what. But when we allowed Tobi to get inside of our heads, Ame became nothing more but an expendable force. We live only to be his sacrifices."

"You can't believe that! You are the Angel of Amegakure! Our leader! Surely you could- Ugh!" Konan flinched. She could have warned the man for speaking in Tobi's presence, but chose against it. She had to make it appear that she did not sense him herself.

"Treacherous men are not needed in Ame," Tobi voiced. "Konan, we need another group to head to the battles near Demon Country."

Konan stared at the masked man for a moment. Before the man who lied slain on her floor had come, she had been thinking of Naruto's words.

"Then speak to Sasuke. Leave my remaining men where they are." Tobi hated her disobedience yet remained calm. For now.

"You and I know that Otogakure stores a more important role than-"

"Leave my men alone." Konan interrupted.

"You will defy me?" Tobi stated in an amused tone. "You do remember the consequences for betraying the Akatsuki, don't you?" Konan remained silent, her eyes speaking on several volumes of anger for her. "Do you remember why we fight, Konan? For peace. Yahiko and Nagato died for that purpose and now you-"

"I still fight for peace!" Konan burst in one of her rare moments of anger. "You have slain my men and women for nothing!"

"I did it for peace. I did it for world peace." Tobi responded. "And I will destroy anyone, Akatsuki or not, who stands in the way of my dreams."

Konan stood rigid for a moment. She was sure that she was unprepared to take on Tobi. He had done nothing but watched them all from the beginning. He knew of her strengths and weaknesses while she knew little to nothing about him.

"My men stay," Konan finally said. "Ask Sasuke or move the Ishi men. But not mine."

"Is that your final offer?" Konan briefly saw the man's Sharingan and looked away to avoid any genjutsu that could have been executed.

"That's my only offer." Konan boldy replied.

"Well then," Tobi said. "It seems as though Ame needs a new leader… Me!"

Konan felt the man's chakra rise and inhaled deeply.

This was for Yahiko and Nagato.

This was for Amegakure no Sato.

This was for peace.

Sumaru executed an evasive roll to the left, dodging a would-be fatal blow had it connected. The Hoshikage was quick to get to his feet and stares down his opponent.

"Still have some fight in you, eh? Guess you're not such a weakling after all!" Kisame taunted.

Sumaru ended his Chakra Whips technique and ran through hand seals. With a deep breath, the Hoshikage exhaled a large rush of white flames towards Kisame. The large missing-nin from Kirigakure no Sato was able to move from the general blast, taking a small burn on his left shoulder, but was relatively alright. However, the mark caused the Hoshikage's eyes to narrow as he ended his attack.

"He's slowing down? Why?" Sumaru quietly questioned.

Kisame glared at his opponent while gripping Samehada in his left hand tightly.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sumaru heard the large man speak. "We should have three times the chakra than this runt!"

Sumaru studied the scene carefully. Apparently Kisame was having problems with his sword, something that was quite rare when one spoke of the Seven Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist. The Hoshikage went through all the moves that had led up to this moment. There was not a moment that Sumaru attempted to sabotage Samehada unless…

The Hoshikage finally gave a nod of his head.

"So it can't continue to eat my chakra without getting a stomachache, huh?" Sumaru said to Kisame, the former Kiri shinobi growling at the younger man's words. "Well then, that's a turn of events."

Kisame did not share Sumaru's amusement and quickly made a mad dash towards the Hoshikage. The younger man was quick to respond though, and was able to execute his Hell's Vaper Technique before Kisame could reach him.

Kisame held his breath, knowing better to breathe in the poisonous gases that covered him currently. The Akatsuki swordsman realized that Sumaru was up to one of two things. The Hoshikage was either trying to stall this battle until back-up arrived or trying to figure out how to worsen the condition of Samehada. Neither favored Kisame in these conditions nor did Kisame actually want to see which of the two was the lesser of two evils.

Backtracking until he was out of the poisonous gas, Kisame looked around for the Yondaime Hoshikage. His eyes scanned the wooded area to find Sumaru with a scowl on his face.

A flare of the foul chakra drew Kisame's senses to his left and he immediately brought Samehada up near his face to block the kunai flung at his position. The sword hissed as the purple chakra disappeared from the deflected blades.

Footsteps from behind the swordsman caused him to spin, blade outwards. With one crucial slash the man dispelled the three Shadow Clones with Samehada. Again the sword released a low painful hiss.

Kisame grunted. While it was not impossible for Samehada to become completely useless in a battle against foul chakra it has never happened before. Then again, Kisame admitted that he had never come across someone who has mastered the Star's chakra as much as Sumaru had. Yet, Kisame could not figure out why this was happening now while completely avoided in their first bout.

And that could become somewhat problematic for the Ataktsuki swordsman…

"Are you done hiding behind your weak clones? Samehada is ready for the main dish." Kisame taunted to his hidden foe.

Sumaru leapt from a tree, landing a few yards in front of Kisame. The young kage knew Kisame would find him eventually and that hiding was not going to get him far in this bout. Besides, he was done analyzing his next few moves. And while he was not from the ingenious Nara Clan or born with the all-seeing Sharingan, Sumaru was certain that he could walk away from this fight.

Kisame glowered at his opponent while Sumaru glared back at him. The Hoshikage began to build up his chakra, while the Hoshigaki only gave a silent command to the sentinel in his left hand. Sumaru eyed the gaping mouth of Samehada, the large sword "panting" heavily as if it was tired. The young man debated just how much of his own chakra he had to continuily feed the sentinent sword before it was too much. While Sumaru had a high chakra reserve- possibly the highest of any Star born shinobi- the Hoshikage knew that he had his limits. Sooner or later, he would be depleted of his chakra and he had yet to even maim Kisame.

"Well, it seems as if I've been taking you too lightly," Kisame remarked as he felt his chakra fusing with the chakra stored in his treasured sword as the hilt wrapped around his right arm.

"It seems everyone takes the Hoshikage lightly when they first meet him. Maybe it's the title?" Sumaru responded. "However, your sword will eventually deteriorate from using too much of the meteorite's radiated chakra. It might be best to just leave it be for the moment."

Kisame laughed darkly. "Attempting to separate me from my sword? Wise, Hoshikage. However," Sumaru watched in horror as Kisame and Samehada fused, becoming more of a shark-man than Kisame already was. "This is where I end it and mince you to pieces!"

"Shit…" Sumaru cursed silently before the newly transformed Kisame dashed for him.

The young kage barely had time to bring his forearms up to protect himself, though was still hit square in his stomach with a solid punch. Kisame did not let up either, landing three more solid punches before tossing Sumaru into one of the surrounding trees.

"Gah!" Sumaru coughed as soon as his back hit the tree. The dark-haired man spotted Kisame rushing towards him and brought his right forearm up to block the shot, only for it to be trapped in the jaws of the shark man. "Damn it!"

With one violent turn of his body, Kisame was able to sling the Hoshikage away, ripping flesh off of the man's arm with his teeth. Of course, Sumaru leapt into the throw in fear of having his arm torn completely off and softened his fall with a tuck and roll.

"You taste quite delicious, Hoshikage-sama." Kisame says sadistically. "That special chakra of yours… It's like eating okoze sashimi!"

Sumaru weighed his options now that his right arm and hand was rendered ineffective. He figured that one well-timed Star Bullet could not only preserve his chakra but also end this bout as well. However, Kisame was now faster and Sumaru doubted that the shark man would not be able sense Sumaru preparing the attack. The shot would never work in these conditions.

Unless he got closer to his office within the village…

"Show me that third stage you were bragging about!"

Sumaru swallowed quietly. Considering his chances of completing his plan had lowered somewhat greatly, he was now relying on Plan B than the original one. Depending on how well he survived this next onslaught would determine if he would be able to use his first plan or the back-up.

And he was dreading the consequences of the back-up plan.

Ē was not pleased with the information he had just received. Matsuri, the Kazekage's pregnant girlfriend, was being pursued by the Akatsuki; Sasori and Kisame to be exact. While the Raikage had no doubt that Sasori would be busy until reinforcements arrived, the Hoshikage somewhat foolishly put himself in a battle against Kisame whilst Hokuto took Matsuri away. Losing Chiyo or Doki was not as big as losing the Hoshikage and now the Allied Shinobi Force risked losing yet another general. Plus the Kaibunkage, the guy in charge with maintaining and watching over the battlefields, had moved his studies to be with his daughter!

Damn these pseudo-kage and their need to just run off at the first chance of being a hero.

"Lord Raikage," Tsunade spoke while sipping some tea, a scroll unraveled on the desk in front of her. "Maybe you should relax. I'm sure the Hoshikage can pull through."

Ē grunts. "This is Hoshigaki Kisame we're talking about! There should be back-up with him!"

"He is capable of holding his own. He is the Hoshikage." Tsunade points out before setting her cup down on the desk where she sat.

"A kage that we don't even recognize." The comment sent a low-blow towards Akane's way, Mabui (who stood next to Akane) seeing the redhead visibly scowl at the statement.

"Akane," Now the woman stood at the ready, scowl removed from her face. Her green eyes landed on Tsunade who called to her. "You have witnessed spars between the Hoshikage and the Kaibunkage, haven't you?" The redhead nods. "Then what are his strengths? Sumaru's that is."

"Well…" Akane began as she recalled the spars between the two young kage. "Lord Hoshikage has better patience than the Kaibunkage as well as better aim. Lord Hoshikage's aim is somethethng I can not compete with without the usage of my dojutsu. That timing and precision is how Lord Hoshikage can counter the Kaibunkage's superior speed and strength."

"Uh-huh? So, in other words, one who couldn't lay a finger on Minato would have trouble derailing the timing and precision of the Hoshikage?" Tsunade said more to Ē than Akane. Akane, seeing this, only stood stiff by the door, Mabui also dreading on how the other assistant would answer. "No need to answer Akane. I just wanted to ease the Raikage's nerves."

"Oh…" Akane responded quietly.

"There is one move that I am interested in however," Tsunade said, now towards Akane once more. "It is his signature move- what did he call it? The Star Bullet or something like that?"

"It is a move that Lord Hoshikage developed off of the Kaibunkage's own Rasengan Bullet." Akane explained. "It is a powerful attack that can pierce through anything, elemental jutsu included. The attack, like the Rasengan requires no hand seals and can be formed almost instantaneously. The range of it has not been tested yet for unknown reasons and the Kaibunkage himself has deemed it as a 'shot from hell itself.'"

Tsunade let out a whistle. "Sounds painful. Does anyone else know it?"

Akane shook her head. "No. No one has learned it, and after much attemps with Lady Hokuto and Doki, I doubt anyone else can."

Ē stood quietly, folding his muscular arms with an indifferent look on his face. While he admits that everyone with the title "kage" attached to their name had to have some power, the Hoshikage was a weightless title for two hundred years and the Kaibunkage was a name of barely five years- if that! There was no way that either of these two men possessed any real power safe for their special chakras; the Hidden Star's meteorite and the Nine-tailed Demon Fox.

"If I may," Akane's voice grabbed the Raikage's attention once more. "But you do not have to doubt the Hoshikage's power. The Hidden Star appointed him for the simple reason that he is the most powerful shinobi in the village, possibly of all time. Sutayouji Sumaru is a prodigy of Hoshigakure no Sato, a name we will all remember."

"Fine," Ē said. "But if he dies, then remember that I said that he needed backup."

"Like I said," Akane responded. "He is the prodigy of Hoshigakure. One on one against any member of Akatsuki, Lord Hoshikage wins."

Tsunade shrugged. "If he is able to spar against the guy that took out the so-called leader of Akatsuki with a one-hit KO jutsu like the Star Bullet, then I'm sure he's fine. Bet on it."

Sumaru grunted as his body slid on the forest floor. At this moment, he knew Kisame was toying with him and he had to endure. As the Hoshikage rose to his feet, he thought about his plan and why he hated this war so much. He would have to take a lot just to do this perfectly and he would only have two shots. Well, if he's lucky that is.

"Just a little closer…" Sumaru said to himself as he rose to his feet, his left hand clutching the wound on his right arm in a vain attempt to stop the bleeding.

Kisame was slightly impressed. The Hoshikage could take one hell of a beaten; that was for sure. But that just gave the former Kiri shinobi more time to play with his meal. He could no longer sense Hokuto's chakra, meaning she had probably succeeded in getting Matsuri to reinforcements- reinforcements that Sasori and Kisame were both trying to avoid. The extra effort it took to take out an army was sometimes tedious, even for two S-ranked shinobi. So what better way to compensate for the long day he would have tomorrow than by ending the evening with the death of the over-exaggerated Hoshikage?

A spike of chakra caught Sumaru's attention and he looked to see a large gush of water sprouting from seemingly nowhere. The younger man attempted to maneuver up a try to get to higher ground to no avail. Soon he was trapped in a large water bubble forged by Kisame's Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave.

While Sumaru was going through ways of breaking free from his prison, Kisame let out a sigh of relief. Being in his beastly aquatic form meant that his lungs, working a lot like gills, would collapse soon if he did not submerge himself in water now. The Hoshikage proved to be able to take a beaten on land. Kisame doubts the young man could take one while trying not to drown.

Sumaru did not know what hit him next as Kisame sped by him like a torpedo, slashing Sumaru as he did so. Unable to actually shout in agony, Sumaru recovered as best as he could before the shark man came again, and again, and then another time. Each slash aimed for the already bleeding right arm which caused a feint red cloud of bloody water to surround the Hoshikage.

And then there was silence. Sumaru did not know wheter to count this silence as a blessing or a curse, but knew he had to do something now. He could shape his chakra into a tail or fins to allow him to swim but knew that Kisame's speeds would catch him before he made it to the opening. He could attempt a Star Bullet and pray it hit, but would be completely defenseless if his attack missed.

To hell with it.

Sumaru's left hand rose in front of his chest, his fingers completing the necessary hand seals as the Hoshikage's cheeks puffed up. Seeing this, Kisame darted for his prey with the intentions of taking a bite of his opponent's left arm now. Instead, Sumaru released his Hell's Vapor at the last second, forcing his shark-man of an opponent to get a full dose of poisonous gas surging through his open mouth and out of his gills.

The results were better than Sumaru could have hoped for as the shark-man sputtered and coughed up bubbles slightly tinted with blood. Sumaru had nearly forgotten that Kisame had fused with a sickening Samehada and that some of that poison had been transmitted to the man himself. Now, added with the poisonous effects of the Hell's Vapor technique, Sumaru was more than ready to launch his attack.

With his left arm rising to take aim, Sumaru mentally thought about the Third former Hoshikage was one of the greatest men the Sumaru had ever known and the Yondaime only wished that the world got to see Yoshito as Sumaru did.

Koyama Yoshito was truly the star that lit the night's sky.

Kisame saw Sumaru fire the Star Bullet and grunted as the empowered attack fired towards him like an underwater comet, a trail of rainbow chakra behind it.

To the outside world, a blinding light erupted from the large water bubble with enough force to pop it. Waves of water were sent everywhere, washing over the nearby forest. Those animals that were either unable to flee prior to the war or were brave enough to stick around, they were washed away in the tide.

Coughing, Sumaru held his body up on his knees and left arm, his right arm tucked towards his body. His long wet dark hair made his head feel heavier and the pounding thoughts inside of said head was not making him feel better. A small breeze also added to his pain somehow. It was the first time that he had noticed his ripped flak jacket and long sleeve shirt worn beneath it. The young man regained enough breath and strength to stand, ignoring the bitter coldness that seemed to be aggravating his wounds even more, and rose to his feet again.

"Damn it," Sumaru grunted as he ripped the remaining of his shirt dark blue shirt off and allowed it to fall onto the flooded forest floor with his flak jacket. "I still need to get closer."

On trembling legs, Sumaru began to stop closer towards his village boundaries. His breathing was still a bit irregular and his body was practically screaming for him to just stop and rest. But he couldn't. At the moment he knew that there were still people who needed him to lead, to guide them, and he'd be damned if he died and allowed Ē to be right.

The Hoshikage was not just a mere title amongst "true" kage.

"Where are you going?" Sumaru paused in his steps and turned his head to peer over his left shoulder.

There stood a shirtless Kisame, a deep red bruise seen on the man's chest. Sumaru was going to question how this came to be until he looked at the small clutched in Kisame's left hand.

"It healed you… But at the expense of all of its remaining chakra." Sumaru deduced aloud. "Still… You probably have enough chakra left to kill me and leave."

"Heh, you're not as dumb as you look." The small compliment was not missed by the Hoshikage, who nods his head.

"I also know why Samehada was badly poison now and wasn't when we were in Demon Country," Kisame grunts before hearing the cry of another hawk. He idly looks up as Sumaru continues to speak. "Because we're a hell of a lot closer to this!"

Kisame was confused as a small object was released by the hawk's talons. The object, seemingly descending in slow motion, was rather odd. It appeared to be a small purple shard, possibly a piece of a large purple object.

The swordsman pondered on those thoughts before his eyes widened.

Without a word Kisame took off for Sumaru, Samehada being prepared for one final slice at the Hoshikage. Kisame knew that he could make it in time before Sumaru could touch the cursed object falling from the skies. However, when the kage made a leap of faith Kisame knew that his time to strike was just limited.

Sumaru's left arm stretched for the meteorite shard while he willed his right arm to move. The Hoshikage was well aware that he could not grab the shard, absorb its power, and blast Kisame away with a Star Bullet with the same arm. He just had to touch the shard for three whole seconds to get enough power to end this.

Sumaru's felt the object in his palm and immediately balled his left fist around it, absorbing the radiation.

"Not fast enough!" Kisame shouted as his sword bisected the Hoshikage's body.

Kisame took an extra three steps after his crucial slash. Samehada wasn't known for it's mighty slashing prowess, but in the hands of a skiled swordsman, it could cut just as well as the other six legendary blades. The swordsman looked down at his blade before paling at the lack of blood he saw. And then he sensed it.

The chakra behind him.

The foul chakra coming for him.

The disperse chakra that the Shadow Clone expelled when it dispersed.

Sumaru watched as his signature Star Bullet fired straight through the back of Kisame's head and out of the swordsman's forehead, leaving a faint trail of rainbow light like the tail of a comet as it shot through the trees. On the Hoshikage's chest was a deep purple rash that came from misusing the meteorite's power, a lesson many of those in Hoshigakure's past learned the hard way.

Dropping to his knees once he saw Kisame's body collapse, Sumaru drew in a deep breath. He would have to thank Naruto for that maneuver. Of course, Naruto uses this particular technique to be able to draw sage chakra without the need of having to stay still. It worked greatly when fighting against stronger opponents. Sumaru would have to start leaving a clone behind with the shard just in case now.

"Lord Hoshikage!" Sumaru choked out a laugh. Of course back up comes in after the fight.

The young kage spotted two Iwa chunin rush to him, a redhead addressing him.

"Lord Hoshikage, are you alright?" the redhead questioned.

Sumaru nodded. "Yeah, just a bit tired. Is there a medic with you?" Both the redhead and his bald companion gave an affirmative nod. "Good. I'll just lie here until I'm patched up. Have someone seal Kisame's body and sword separately. Do not touch that sword until the Sealing Team arrives. And whatever you do, do not attack it with any chakra-enhanced or chakra-based attacks. Understood?"

"Hai!" the two resonated.

Sumaru lied on his back and stared at the evening sky. He questioned if Kisame was actually dead or not. He wondered if Hokuto had gotten Matsuri to safety in time to save Matsuri's unborn child. But most importantly, he questioned if he had done his predecessors justice- Yoshito especially. And as exhaustion finally began to claim him, he closed his eyes with one final thought.

Finally the world could see the Star shining brightly…

Naruto looked at the blonde seated n front of him. While he was looking into the glowing eyes of his daughter, he could see every bit of Shion behind them. Being able to speak to spirits had somehow made the room a bit cooler than it was earlier, or maybe it was due to the fact that it was well into the evening now. However, the stone floor beneath him was giving him a chill that he really did not want to endure any longer.

"Shion-chan, before you go," Naruto began. "I want to know why. Why did you lie to me about that prophecy? Why didn't you tell me about Aku's betrayal?"

Shion, still in possession of her daughter's body, gave Naruto a sideways stare before sitting up straight.

"Aku's betrayal is something that I have been prolonging in secrecy for years. However, I knew that eventually it would happen and Shiori would be next." Shion explained.

"That doesn't answer my first question." pointed out the Kaibunkage.

"There isn't a reason other than it was Sakura. You loved her and you still do." Shion's tone of voice did not sound regretful. In fact, if anything, it sounded quite pleased. "Face it Naruto, I would have died by Aku's hands sooner or later. Shiori needs that person to look up to and not just Mei. That woman would have Shiori neutering guys by genin…"

Naruto brows rose. "And Sakura is better?"

"Not necessarily, but you love Sakura, not Mei." Again, Shion spoke with an air of certitude and pleasure. "Face it Naruto, I have finally out-witted the great Kaibunkage."

"Still-"

"No buts. You have Sakura. We have Shiori. Be happy Naruto. I won't do this for you again." While Naruto wanted to point out that Shion couldn't die for his cause again, he instead just smiled at the joke. "Now that we know what you must do, do it. Save our daughter and save your village. They need you more than I do."

Now Naruto gave Shion a sad smile. Her last sentence was something she always told him after he became Kaibunkage and could no longer stay at her palace as long as she liked. At the time, the jinchuriki had offered Shion a home in Kemuri but the priestess was loyal to her job and duties. Her people needed her in Demon Country just as the Ash Shadow was needed in the Hidden Smoke Village.

It was little things like that statement that reminded Naruto that he should have given Shion more than he did. More flowers, more time, and definitely more love.

"My time is running out," Shion finally stated. "Remember the formula and win this war. Our daughter depends on it, Naruto-kun." Naruto grinned softly while giving the deceased a nod. "Good-bye Naruto-kun."

Before Naruto could respond in any way or form, he saw Shiori's eyes lose their white glow and slowly become the purple pools he knew them to be. The girl seemed to rock a bit in her seat before staring at her father behind her mask.

"Daddy? What happened?" Shiori asked.

Naruto's smile returned. "You did it Shiori-chan. That's what happened." Naruto reached and removed Shiori's mask before removing his own. "And now we can send all the bad guys back to where they came from."

"And then go home?" The hope in the little girl had returned and it only caused more weight to sit on Naruto's chest for even putting his daughter in the midst of war.

"Yes. And then we go home."

"With Ran-nii?"

"Yes."

"And Baa-chan?"

"Her too."

"And Sayuri and Sakura?" Naruto chuckled, pulling his daughter onto his lap.

"Yes and yes, Shiori-chan." The man said. "Now, how about we get some dinner? I have a lot of work to do tomorrow and I'll need the help of my number one kunoichi. So what do you say, Uzumaki Shiori? Will you help me?"

"Hai Daddy Kaibunkage!"

Author's Notes: Not the best chapter, but give me time (please no taunts about that statement) and I'll get back into the swing of things. The jutsu Naruto and Shion used will be explained in upcoming chapters, Konan vs Tobi, find out what's going on with Matsuri as well as the Sasori fight, and the Nine-tails trio, Silver, Gold, and Sora will be here. Yeah, I've been doing a little planning. Let's see how long it takes me to type it. Till next time.