Dosu / Naruto's POV (South Bandit Camp Exit - Land of Fire)

  Dosu wouldn't call himself an arrogant man. He knew his capabilities well, and had strived hard to raise them over the years. He learned his comrades' abilities and even established leadership over them. They had great teamwork; his teammates were not entirely on his level, yet they had found their niche within the team. Within the small and secretive Sound Village there were not many shinobi present, fewer of any notable quantity. The three of them hadn't been all that different. Until they worked together, it was only then their leader noticed them.

  The Hidden Sound Village wasn't a conventional nor even recognized Hidden Village. For one they had no official ground they held or political backing as the others. Their leader, Orochimaru-sama, was powerful and wise as most kage. But he was also an internationally recognized criminal. As such they operated differently. They sulked around in the shadows, subtly gathering power all the once they had been noticed it was only a matter of time before they were utilized. The Sound couldn't afford to ignore potential…

  Orochimaru-sama had given them a simple mission. Their leader had gained knowledge of a valuable team of Leaf shinobi partaking in a mission nearby their current home. Their village was new and meager, yet they had already made themself a formidable enemy. The Leaf Village was their target in most acts. To be asked to aid with their efforts against them was an honor among the Sound. Even better yet, was their role in this. The three of them would kill one measly Genin. To make the matter easy. They had received substantial information on him. It was damning, to say the least. An assassin's dream job. Their target was labeled unintelligent, untalented, and criminally weak. They had seen his clones. Something the file hadn't mentioned, and Dosu knew the data might be off. But he was a newbie up against three of the Sound's finest. What could he honestly do?

  Well, endlessly summoning clones and surprisingly efficient kenjutsu were the answers he found. Dosu did not doubt that they could take him if they could mob the original. Yet their ambush had been turned on its head.

  At all points in the fight, they were significantly outnumbered. At least eight to one. The clones were easy to dispatch, specifically for Zaku and him. But Kin struggled to do the same. Even with their dispatching of multiple clones, the original was further reinforcing clones. The three of them had no choice but to stand their ground and beat back the army. This led to an odd loop of dispatching clones and saving Kin. But in turn, the clones got closer and closer to landing decisive blows on them.

  Dosu cursed his luck, this so called easy target was showing himself to be a considerable threat. Had their intel been wrong? Every second the battle raged, the blonde army made more progress.

  Zaku blasted two away, only to be nearly beheaded by a third. Kin kicked the clone away and barely deflected a slash for another, but was kicked away herself by another clone. Dosu slid under a punch from another as he joined the other two, using his gauntlet to destroy the clones as he did. It was only a matter of time now, if they didn't somehow turn the tables. Things may get grim fast…

  X-X

  Naruto's POV

  Naruto silently crept through the forest around the battle. Occasionally, stopping to summon shadow clones to continue his relentless assault. He was looking for his moment. It was clear between Dosu and Zaku, they had consistent coverage against the fragile clones. The woman named Kin was already struggling, even with the other two's help. Doubtless, she would shortly follow if one of the men were defeated.

  His eyes watched as Dosu swung his gauntlet, destroying groups of clones. Seeing a clone sneaking up on Kin, Zaku sniped it with his Cannon. Kin peppered two more witn senbon destroying them. But the group was already slowing down. Dosu and Kin were forced to dodge a barrage of kunai, Naruto smiling as the clones successfully separated the three. It was time.

  Naruto locked his eyes onto Zaku, he spawned six more clones that moved with intention. Two separated from the rest and began a mad dash toward the mobile Dosu and Kin. The rest used the chance to close in on the real target. The first approached head on and were reasonably obliterated first. The next two approached from opposite flanks as the last two lagged behind from the front. Zaku predictably blew away the flankers, but the last two drew close. Zaku cackled as he aimed his weaponized palms at them, but the clones reacted sagely, one throwing the other to close the ground. Despite the clever attempt Zaku managed to get off his attack, however the clone drew close enough to swipe the hands away even as they blew him apart. Zaku was wide open!

  Naruto's training kicked in as he dashed into the field at max speed. His sudden approach left Dosu and Kin stunned as he closed in on Zaku. Zaku attempted to point his left hand at Naruto but the blonde was too close. Naruto roared triumphantly as he thrust Riptide for Zaku's chest. However even off guard he leapt back, still being stabbed but turning a sure kill into a shallow wound. The man fell to his ass before Dosu and Kin landed around him. As they did, Naruto's own clones landed around them as well. They stared the three down as his clones surrounded the now weakened team of enemy shinobi.

  "Zaku, don't tell me you're out!" Kin called angrily as she shifted her stance nervously. Naruto was certain she was out of her element. So why were they attacking him? Surely now they recognized they weren't able to, retreating was their only option…

  "Heh, like fuck I am," Zaku growled as he climbed to his feet. Dosu merely nodded as the three prepared for an assault against the clones. Naruto sighed as he realized this fight wouldn't end nearly so cleanly. Before they three could renew the battle again Naruto spoke out, his voice oddly tired.

  "Please surrender. I cannot waste any more time here. You cannot beat me, you must know that now…"

  X-X

  Dosu's POV

  "A true shinobi does not accept failure." Dosu countered confidently. "We have no choice but to pursue our mission until success or death. Meaning your death is our only valid result."

  Despite his confident words, Dosu felt certain their death approached. This man was no mere Genin, to form so many clones and to fight outnumbered as he was, for as long as he was. Suggested he was well and truly above them.

  Had this been their leader's plan? To test their mettle with a battle they could not hope to win? For what purpose? Surely he had known they would fai- A memory rang through his mind. The image of the last group who had dared disappoint Orochimaru. Their deaths had been drawn out and tortuous. Dosu would rather face this powerful blonde than be a lab rat.

  "Then I'm sorry for this." As Naruto said this, the clones charged wildly. Some even filled the air as they leapt toward them. The clones seemingly intend to crush the three with mere weight. He then raised a hand sign as he called. "Shadow Clones: Walking Landfield Jutsu!"

  The three all tensed as the clones seemed to swell for a second. Dosu wracked his brain for survival options. "Zaku! FULL POWER AT THE GROUND! KIN CHANNEL CHAKRA INTO HIM WITH ME! I'LL LEAD!" He called him, and Kin dived behind Zaku as he prepared for an attack. Dosu and Kin weaved hand signs in sync.

  "COLLABORATION TECHNIQUE: SONIC BOOM!" At the call of the three, a dome of power expelled from their voices managed to blow back the explosion. Zaku collapses on the ground, using all his chakras for the attack. Kin and Dosu, though both still game, flinched as a single Naruto flew toward them.

  "Sensei told me never to count on something to end the fight." Naruto lectured as he pulled his blade. "Overkill always works. Uzumaki Style: Slash of the Riptide!" As he said this, he did a horizontal slash. A broad line of powerful chakra cut through the field at waist level. Zaku, having collapsed already, was safe. Dosu jumped up, attempting to push Kin down but missing in his haste. Kin herself was too slow; the line seemed to slide through with no trouble. As Dosu was landed, the line returned in reverse. Dosu watched as it went through his left foot. The same foot he had intended to hit the ground with. There was silence as Dosu and Kin seemed frozen for an instant before Kin fell into two pieces, and Dosu collapsed with a howl, now down to a single foot.

  Dosu's mind was nothing short of pandemonium. He assumed he was going into shock, not surprising considering his own foot had been removed. That technique would've been used by a Jounin, to think their target could produce it. Desperately Dosu wished to flee or attempt to attack. But as he locked his eyes on Naruto Uzumaki, a revelation hit him. He was beyond them… and now they would pay for the difference.

  X-X

  Naruto's POV

  "I warned you, ya know? I never want-" Naruto stopped with a growl. "No, you were here to hurt my friends. This is what you deserve! You could've just walked away, but you valued your pride too much!"

  "If you spare us, I'll kill you one day," Zaku said darkly. "I'll wait till you're sleeping, and I'll kill you. If I can't get to you? I'll kill your family! HAHAHA!" He laughed maniacally.

  "Do not punish me for his sins," Dosu reasoned, having regained sense and sitting up roughly to match eyes with the blonde.. "He cracked. Never been defeated like this before… You've proved your point. There's no need to slaughter us just due to one fool."

  But Naruto tensed further and further as Zaku laughed. Naruto slowly raised his tanto as if to finish off the manic man. But as he debated what to do, his vision went black. It was as if he'd fallen asleep. With a jolt of pain throughout his body, Naruto remembered the situation. His eyes opened, and he saw he was now ten feet away, buried in a giant tree. What the hell had hit him?'

  "I bet you're wondering what hit you." A voice called. Naruto rose and glared at his new foe. "Don't worry, boss says I can't kill you, so kiddy gloves." The man explained. He was a tall man covered mainly by a black robe with red clouds. He was partially covered in bandages, but his face remained uncovered. His face was painted, with red warpaint across his jaw. They were evenly spaced out red lines. The man also had a large "x" scar on his right cheek. He smiled savagely at Naruto.

  "GET. OUT. OF. MY. WAY!" Naruto growled furiously.

  "Can't. I was told to kidnap you. I think I'll take a leg for the back talk, though. For the record, my name is Juzo Biwa." He then hefted a large broadsword shaped like a butcher's knife. If butcher knives were human-sized. It had two holes near the top. One was a full circle in the center of the blade; the other one was a semi-circle on the edge. He then quickly and mercilessly slammed the blade tip down on Zaku. The downed man was defenseless as the blade decapitated him. "Related to that snake, huh? Guess once I'm done with the kidnapping, I'll kill you too. Don't blame me; blame your master for being my enemy."

  Naruto growled for a second before smirking. As soon as the blonde's lip curled, the trees around the men seemed to rain kunai and shuriken. So much so that the sky was blocked out. The bastard wasted time talking, Naruto still had an army of clones within the forest.

  Naruto flinched however, as Juzo smiled up at the litany of metal death coming for him. He drew his blade up and winked at Naruto. As soon as one of the kunai came close to the man, it seemed to bounce off nothing. Then, as more came in, Naruto could see what was happening. Somehow, even with this ginormous sword, he swung it so fast that not even a single kunai came close to the man. 'This guy is insane!' Naruto tensed as realization hit him. 'My friends may need me! I WON'T BE STOPPED!'

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Naruto panted harsher than usual as Juzo deflected the last of the blades and remaining clones. The man smiled at the blonde as he charged. Naruto was unable to use any jutsu as Juzo closed the distance in an instant. Naruto barely managed to raise his blade in time. But even then, it felt like the man was swinging a tree. Naruto went flying, his path being barred by a tree. Naruto smacked through the tree with ease, the power carrying him right through it and leaving him bruised and cut up.

  As he coughed up blood, it was clear to the blonde some of his ribs were broken. And using the shadow clone jutsu as much as he had exhausted his chakra. Even now, he had a plan. He knew just by the size of the blade the man was strong and merciless, but Kushina had taught him a technique perfect for this. The one that had defeated Neji. The one that stored chakra into his tanto throughout his days. Now, he would unleash what he had stored. It didn't matter how muscular this brute was; this would end it! Days of his time had been spent preparing this move. The power would be more than Naruto had ever managed before. So even as he shakily stood, he held the tanto over his head. As Naruto had figured, the man quickly appeared keen on delivering more punishment. When he saw the blonde's counter-attack, he merely smiled as he jumped up and prepared to slam his blade down with force. Despite being quick enough to bypass or dodge his attack, Jugo seemed intent on smashing through it.

  "Uzumaki Style: Raging Wave!" Naruto screamed as he slashed his blade towards the strange man. A blue wave of chakra flew from the blade cutting through the ground as shot toward his new opponent. Juzo merely smiled as he met the jutsu with a mere blade slash. As the two attacks collided. They paused momentarily before the blade slashed through the chakra and scored a minor cut on Naruto himself. He flew back exhausted and defeated.

  "Not too bad at all, kid. I've seen plenty of shinobi who wield a blade, few that could've managed an attack like that. Should've used your tenant, though. Ah well, I'mma cut off your-" Juzo stopped mid-speech for an instant, ducking below a flying kick from Ino. He then sidestepped a palm thrust by Neji and unleashed a kick to his ribs that sent the Hyuga sailing back towards the blonde dazed.

  "Petal Storm: Explosive Beauty!" Ino called flower petals surrounded Juzo. He cackled as he twirled his sword absurdly quickly with one hand blowing away the petals.

  "Your name makes it obvious, newbie," Juzo replied gruffly before appearing in front of her and swinging his giant blade horizontally. Neji appeared between the two, kicking Ino back and spinning.

  "KAITEN!" Juzo merely continued his attack with a cackle as he simply backed out of range of the Kaiten before swinging his sword into it. The blade cut through Neji's Kaiten quickly. Neji seemingly collapsed to his knees, the kaiten having been a desperate attempt.

  "Eh, not too shabby either," Juzo said simply before slamming the blade's dull side into the Hyuga, sending him skidding across the ground into the base of a tree. He did not move. "Honestly, many of you probably would be strong enough one day to face me, but not today." He kicked Ino roughly into a tree, cracking its bark. Ino landed on one leg and fired off a kunai. Juzo merely dodged this as Ino screamed. The landing seemed to injure her ankle. Ino tried to get up again, but her ankle seemed broken, and she had nothing left.

  "Sheesh, that must hurt. Well, I don't like killing young women unless necessary. So I'm gonna maim and then take your friend." Juzo stated simply. Walking towards the still unmoving but conscious Naruto. "Though to be clear, we can't have our names known. Everyone but Runt here has to die. But first, let's make sure you can't run!" Juzo yelled as he swung down to cut off Naruto's legs.

  "NARUTO PLEASE! GET UP!" Ino screamed desperately.

  Naruto heard her. He stirred, but he was tired. Outmatched, it wouldn't matter…

  "Son, you gotta get up. Every morning, especially when it's hard! We, Uzumaki, don't quit! So we always get up, ya know?"

  His mother, he could hear her. She had been supporting him from day one. The only family he had, if he died he knew it would destroy her…

  "Listen, Naruto, chakra control is boring, but we gotta do it. So you gotta get up." Kakashi sensei, his new teacher, had spent a good amount of time training with him. While aloof, Naruto quickly began to like the guy. It would suck to disappoint him…

  Iruka, his first sensei and someone he considered a brother, Naruto could even hear him. "If you wanna be Hokage you gotta work hard Naruto… you gotta persevere even when it seems hopeless… let's get up aye?"

  "Naruto. You will get up." The last voice he didn't know yet, but he could hear it. Naruto felt determination and anger swell within him. He wasn't strong enough, but he could not quit. It was time, he supposed—time to live as he was, time to use the burden he held. He wouldn't fail his friends or himself. Maybe it was time…

  'Nine Tails, our deal.' He thought angrily. Years ago he had met with his curse. The two predictably had no love for each other. But now the beast had the ability to empower him. To save his friends…

  'It's not a deal, brat. It's something you and others have forced upon me.' The beast countered bitterly.

  'You rather risk death or a fate worse?' Naruto asked, now furious. The beast him locked eyes, it took more willpower than he wanted to admit to keep it going. But the fox rolled its eyes annoyed, it seemed it had seen something in Naruto's eyes.

  'I liked you much better when you were an angry brat. Take what you need; just know if you lose control, I'll destroy everything you love…' The beast warned.

  Naruto nearly screamed as the corrosive chakra covered him nearly instantly. The pain was indescribable, as the chakra coated him from head to toe it felt like it burnt away the skin beneath. His mind felt focused and yet distant, there was no happiness, joy, mercy. Only unrelenting fury, why was he so mad… why did he need this power… Naruto's now red and glowing eyes locked onto his victim. Because this man needed to die, but before he could die, Naruto would make him suffer for hurting his friends…

  Jozu, realizing what he was doing, slammed his blade down quickly. But the Kyubi, amped Naruto, caught this on his forearm. The blade met with and and chakra and bounced off, not even chipping the limb. Naruto ignored it however as he slammed his fist the mans face. Naruto grunted annoyed as the blow sent the man flying. As he chased after his prey a moment of lucidity occurred.

  'This form hurts. I can't keep it going safely. Every second, I nearly lose myself in hatred. Need to end this now!'

  Naruto chased after him as he held his blade behind his head. His chakra cloak seemed to go into his tanto as he got close. Naruto smiled at Juzo, who was still helplessly flying through the air.

  "Uzumaki Style: Raging Blood Wave!" He screamed as he slashed downward, creating a wave of red energy that hit Juzo, causing an explosion. The already powerful technique had only grown more so with the beast's influence. The explosion was massive, sending Naruto flying back, the blonde landed in a heap in front of his friends. As flames and chakra burned away the opposite side of the forest.

  Ino stared, shocked, at Naruto's actions and how he must have done them, but before she could say anything, the horror returned.

  "God damn, not too shabby at all. It hurt like hell; if it wasn't for leader-sama, it would've done something." Juzo said his cloak was gone in the front, revealing burnt skin and deep and slash wound. Despite it, he seemed unbothered. Juzo appeared above the downed Naruto preparing to lazily cut off Naruto's leg. The blonde could only watch barely consciously. Happy at least he would suffer first…

  "GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!" A busty blonde woman quickly appeared within Jozu's guard. So fast she was that he barely managed to wedge his sword before her fist. He planned to deflect her punch and counter. But the second she first touched his blade, it shattered. Bits slicing into both of them. The woman, unsurprised, continued her momentum, landing a follow-through punch. The force of the blow made Juzo cough up blood as he flew back. The fragments of his blade cut him and the woman. The blood seemed to be absorbed by the giant blade that quickly reformed. "This is the turf of one of three Sannin. Tsunade Senju! The Leaf and its inhabitants are my allies. So if you intend to kill today… it's your funeral." She said simply; she stood in front of the three downed Genin.

  "Tsunade, a legendary warrior. I didn't expect someone so… lively. Sorry to do this, but Leader-sama said no risk." Juzo said as he climbed to his feet. A basket-sized bruise on his ribs showed the damage Tsunade had done. Yet, to the shock of the various Leaf shinobi, it faded. "Too sloppy today, Kisame will never let me hear the end of it." He then simply sheathed the giant blade on his back and ran.

  "HEY, YOU LITTLE SHIT GET BACK HERE!" Tsunade screamed as she charged.

  "Isn't she here to help us?" Ino asked from across the clearing. She received no answer from her teammates. As Naruto barely hung on suffering from using the Kyuubi's chakra, and Neji was only now waking up.

  Kakashi's POV (Nearby Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)

  Kakashi knew he was likely outgunned here. Maybe back in his prime anbu days he would've been able to hang. But now, being inactive for a year as a sensei, he simply wasn't at his peak anymore. He had been training to achieve it again, but it was slow. Kakashi wondered if this was how his Genin felt when they fought…

  Kakashi feigned a slash high before firing off a leg kick. Kisame didn't even bother to dodge or check it. He merely tanked the powerful kick while swinging his wrapped instrument at him wildily. Kakashi jumped back and weaved hand signs as he did. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" A boulder-sized flame raced toward Kisame. He merely smiled as he slammed his sword into it. Kakashi panted as he watched the blade absorb the fire. The only damage it achieved was burning off the bandages.

  "Say hi to Sammeheda." Kisame chuckled as the burning bandages fell and revealed his strange blade. It looked like a massive bundle of purple scales, as if the hide of a shark had been used to form it. "Ninjutsu isn't very effective against me."

  Kakashi grits his teeth as he signs his next jutsu. "Oh really? How about physical attacks?" He asked before screaming. "Earth Style: Rising Stalagmite!" Large pillars of earth suddenly rose around Kisame, who merely smashed any that came close. As the attack ended, several of the pillars towered around Kisame. "Oh, but we're not done! Earth Style: Sudden Avalanche!" The pillars suddenly shattered into pieces, filling the sky with debris. Kisame smiled widely as the smashed earth fell all around him. As the world fell, dust filled the air for an instant before Kisame's voice rang out.

  "Water Style: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

  The earth was blown away from the water. An absurdly large wave was spat out from Kisame's mouth. It quickly filled the clearing, knocking over trees as the forest became an ocean. Kakashi managed to jump over the water and stick to it. But Kisame was on top of the wave and was already within Kakashi's guard. He swung Samaheda diagonally. Kakashi barely dodges before the sword swells and cuts through his clothing and the top layer of skin on his shoulder. It was painful, but Kakashi held his cool until he felt how low his chakra had become. The sudden loss made him drop into the water. The blade could absorb chakra by touch!

  'Water Style to the highest degree. An odd sword that seems to shave and absorb chakra. And physical abilities that put me to shame.' Kakashi thought as he sent chakra to his exposed Sharingan. 'Can't afford to hold anything back!' Kakashi's three tomoe Sharingan turned into a shuriken-looking design. "Mangekyo Sharingan!" He called defiantly. But to his shock, five sharks were heading towards him. Kakashi looks past them to see Kisame looking down from the surface. Kakashi knew he may be screwed, but he wouldn't go down alone!

  "Kamui!" He called out desperately as the sharks closed in. Kisame merely quirked a brow before suddenly his arm appeared to be sucked in by a portal. With a scream of pain, it was torn from Kisame's body. The water was dispensed as an unconscious Kakashi lay on the ground with several bite marks showing he had not escaped unharmed.

  "I never expected a decent fight from a Jounin. I'll remember you, Kakashi Hatake." Kisame said as he lifted Samaheda to the wound. The sword seemed to phase into Kisame for a moment before he pulled it back. A fully functioning arm in place of the stump. "Not bad at all. Been a while since anyone landed anything clean on me. Anyway." He raised his blade to finish the helpless Kakashi but was suddenly floored by a flying body. The two rolled against the ground in a tangle of limbs. It was Juzo! Had he last to the nine tails?

  "Sorry, but they're with me," Tsunade said defiantly as she stood before the two men.

  Kisame and Juzo rose. Kisame merely chuckled at her arrival, even more so at Juzo cursing weakly.

  "That makes more sense, if you had lost to that little upstart. I'd be taking the Executioner's Blade for myself." Kisame said playfully. "I won't lie and say she's an easy mark, but-"

  "No, leader sama said no risk. We can't afford setbacks." Juzo countered. "She is a legend after all, even two on one we couldn't be certain she wouldn't overcome us."

  "Well, not disagreeing with him," Kisame replied. "Let's leave then."

  "YOU'RE NOT GOING ANYWHERE!" Tsunade challenged as she flew towards the two.

  "That's where you're wrong," Juzo said as he revealed a summoning scroll. It poofed as it summoned a red-haired young woman. Her purple-ringed eyes seemed to scan them all before she pulled a scroll that covered the two men and herself.

  "God will judge you one day." She said simply as the scroll sucked the three of them in before poofing away.

  Tsunade sighed at them getting away. She then turned to the unconscious Kakashi, lifting him up on her shoulders with a sigh. She was being punished for being too kind. Since she now had to deal with and escort Sakumo's brat and his brats to the leaf. She knew Hiruzen would've had a word if he heard she let Leaf shinobi die. She supposed it was time to visit Shizune anyway. But to think that a mere sudden impulse had lead to all of this.

  Zetsu's POV (Nearby Team Seven)

  "Now that was an interesting battle. Orochimaru's men acted as ordered, but were too insignificant to make anything happen." Black Zetsu decided as the two watched Tsunade summon a giant slug to carry off the battered Team Seven. It was tempting for him to attack them. Injured as most of them were, it would most likely be a battle against Tsunade. But she was nothing to take lightly. Even Orochimaru never was keen or earning her ire.

  "They didn't do well at all did they? Orochimaru-sama won't be pleased… Though perhaps the news of the Akatsuki being here may make it better!" White Zetsu annoyingly chipped in. Black Zetsu must've been a terrible man in his previous life to be stuck with a brother like this.

  "Juzo Biwa and Kisame Hogaki…" Black Zetsu carried on as his mind focused on that surprising aspect. "It is difficult to dig up information on them, even more so to confirm membership. Though these two were considerably powerful, Juzo seemed less so, but Kisame Hogaki is quite the member. A shame we could not get involved…"

  "I prefer not to be murdered!"

  Black Zetsu ignored this as the two halves emerged from the earth below. "Regardless he'll want to salvage this somehow. The woman is dead, and this other one was unimpressive, but this one…" Black Zetsu mused as he stared as the downed and masked face of the leader of the team. "He'll want this one…"

  Both Zetsu bit down on an arm of the unconscious body of Dosu. The two slowly dragged him into the earth with them, Tsunade and co missing this all the while. Orochimaru always preferred to play with failures like Dosu…

  AN

  Remastered: Hope you enjoyed, feel free to leave feedback regardless. And hope you had a decent day! Peace~!