Orochimaru, now controlling the deceased Hokage brothers, laughed as they pushed back against A and his old sensei. Yes, his plan was perfect. Even though he dared not resurrect the founders at full power, these weaker yet immortal versions were more than enough to enact his revenge against the Leaf.
The Shodai began his offensive with Fire Release: Fire Dragon Jutsu, but the Third countered with his own Water Release: Water Dragon, followed by a combination of Secret Jutsu: Roof Tile Shuriken and Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu. This created a rain of sharpened tiles that forced the Senju brothers to move before the Nidaime could take control of his student's technique. But Hiruzen wasn't done. After the improvised shuriken storm, he launched Earth Release: Mud Dragon. Hashirama was just beginning a Wood Release technique when the old warrior roared:
"No you won't! Secret Jutsu: Dragon Bullet!"
The mud dragon spat out several volleys of sizeable fireballs.
"Impressive!" Hashirama said. "So you can change the nature of your dragon jutsu attacks? No wonder my brother chose you as his successor… but aren't you getting old? Shouldn't you be retired by now, Hiruzen-kun?"
"Brother, look at the mountain. There's a fourth face carved there. Either they're fighting elsewhere… or they're dead. Still, Hiruzen was always resourceful, even back then. Not on our level, but close enough to carry on our legacy," Tobirama added as he engaged in taijutsu. "Tell me, Monkey… what became of the village I entrusted to you?"
"Dark times, sensei… I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough to stop it." Sarutobi's voice cracked with remorse. A took the opportunity and landed a brutal hook, snapping the Nidaime's neck.
"I told you not to develop that jutsu, Tobi." Hashirama sighed as his brother's neck began to reform. "Mito told you it was too dangerous, even with good intentions. And you know what Mito says…" Both brothers shuddered.
("Wow, the legendary Senju brothers were totally whipped." thought the onlookers.)
"Ancestors, forgive me," Hiruzen said. "Under my rule, the village won the last war. I retired, and Minato Namikaze—the Fourth—became Hokage. Then tragedy struck. Someone unleashed the Kyūbi. The Fourth and his wife, the Jinchūriki, died resealing it. The village blamed the Uchiha. They plotted a coup, and one of their own slaughtered the entire clan—except for his younger brother."
"The villagers and even some ninja blamed the new Jinchūriki and tried to kill her behind the Hokage's back," said A, fighting Hashirama, breaking his Wood Release with lightning. "Luckily for the last of the Uzumaki, my brother saved her."
"WHAT!? What do you mean 'last Uzumaki'!?" Hashirama shouted.
"During the last war, my predecessor led the destruction of Uzushiogakure," A said solemnly. "I disagreed. The Uzumaki were mostly neutral… and it cost us dearly."
"You're lying. Kumogakure alone couldn't destroy Uzushio," Tobirama growled.
"Kumo, Iwa, Kiri, and traitors from Konoha all allied to wipe them out and hunt down survivors. Of all the attackers, only ten percent made it out. The Uzumaki were nightmares on the battlefield. No one knows how many remain, but a main branch survived here in Konoha. As Raikage of Kumogakure, I swear the last Uzumaki will be treated like royalty and will carry on her clan's legacy."
"Wood Release: Naivety of the Forest!" The First transformed the battlefield inside the barrier into a lush forest. "I hope you both survive. And… though I hate what's become of the Uchiha and Uzumaki, I entrust my wife's clan legacy to you, young man."
"Thisssss issss boring! Lesssss talking, more killing!" Orochimaru hissed.
The Ballad of Choji the Great
Karui had split from her team to assist the Konoha Genin escorting civilians. On the way out of the stadium, they encountered several Oto shinobi, quickly dispatched by Konoha's Jonin. Ino used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on a bird to scout a safer route away from snake summons. That's when she spotted more civilians still inside, in danger.
"There are more civilians! We can't leave yet," she said, returning to her body.
"Come on, Choji, you can do this. Shikamaru is counting on you. Everyone is."
"I'll save them! Keep going, I'll be fine!" Choji declared.
"Choji-kun…" Ino began.
"Don't worry, Ino-chan. You know what Shika says: I'm…"
"The strongest Genin when properly motivated!" they finished together.
"Okay, Cho. I trust you too." Ino smiled.
"Don't worry, blondie. He's got Kumo's sharpest blade covering his back," Karui added, nudging her. Ino nodded gratefully.
"Lead the way, Big Boy. I've got your back," Karui winked, making Choji flush.
("Ooooh, my gossip senses are tingling. She's totally into him!" thought Ino.)
They reached the trapped civilians and quickly cut the door open. As they entered the exit corridor, five enemy shinobi blocked their path.
"More playthings," one of the Oto-nin sneered.
"Dibs on the women. Kill the men. Do what you want with the Kumo kunoichi." Another leered.
"You're twisted." A female ninja giggled.
"Oh, but he's our twisted freak," said the eldest in the group.
Their cruelty disgusted the civilians—and enraged Karui.
"C'mon, Choji… you can do this," he told himself.
"This is real. These aren't friends or sparring partners. This is war. Konoha is counting on me!"
"KONOHA!!! OOOOORAH! NINJA ART: PARTIAL EXPANSION JUTSU!" he roared, enlarging his fists.
"YOU WON'T HARM ANYONE! NOT WHILE CHOJI AKIMICHI STANDS FOR KONOHA!"
Choji charged, deflecting kunai with a Supersized Punch, hurling enemies into walls.
More arrived—but he didn't care.
"Everyone behind me! Supersized Boxing!" Steam erupted from his nose as he bulldozed through attackers, sending blow after unpredictable blow.
Even in cramped halls, Choji was a force of nature.
Explosives came at him from a side corridor.
"SECRET JUTSU: MEAT TANK!" he shouted, tanking the blasts and spinning into his enemies.
"Hot damn… I'm blushing!" Karui thought, stunned by his might.
Outside, another enemy group appeared—but Choji didn't hesitate.
"Protect the civilians, Kumo-san," he ordered.
"Secret Jutsu: Human Boulder!"
He rolled through the enemies, clearing the way.
Later, Karui saved him from a sneak attack.
"Careful, Hoto-boy. Lucky I'm here."
"Did I just say that aloud?" she turned red.
"Thanks, Kumo-san. Wow, your skin's glowing bright red. Is that part of your jutsu?" Choji asked innocently.
"Oh Kami, he's so clueless… but strong and sweet. Am I… falling for him?"
"Call me Karui, Hoto-boy—I mean, Choji-kun! Let's fight together. Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu! Help me, Barun!"
With a puff, a white bear in samurai armor appeared.
"Karui-chan, what do you need?" the bear asked.
"Escort the civilians with us, Barun-san!"
"Hmm. Is this Hoto-boy the cub smashing enemies? Hmm! I approve. Far better than those skinny brats in your village."
"B-Barun-san! Not now!" Karui protested.
And so, Choji, Karui, Barun, and the rescued civilians charged through Konoha—crushing enemies and shouting:
"KONOHA!!!"
His deeds became legend.
The Ballad of Choji the Great—the tale of a boy who shed fear and became a hero.
Proud Lady of the Uzumaki
Bee and Hinata arrived at the barrier, where a small Kumo ANBU team quickly surrounded them, awaiting orders. Hinata stood tall, her white eyes scanning the embattled village. She could already sense the help her mate had dispatched. She knew her duty. She knew exactly what was expected of the future matriarch of the Uzumaki clan in times like these.
"ANBU! You are to protect me. Bee, let's get you inside the barrier before my troops arrive!" she commanded sharply.
"Hinata, do you remember the seal, or do you want me to help you?" Kyuubi asked.
"I believe I remember it well enough. But please, oversee my work, Mother."
"Gladly... Use Gyūki's ink and natural chakra to power the seal, my dear."
"Bee-sensei, I need Gyūki-san's ink. Make a puddle for me here."
Hinata took a deep breath.
"Shirogan!" she called, then began flowing through graceful, yoga-like movements.
Bee spat out a puddle of bijū ink as the shining, white-eyed girl attuned herself with the surrounding natural chakra. The ink responded, swirling with the chakra dancing in the air.
Tayuya, the kunoichi maintaining the barrier, glared at the Kumo group with amusement.
"It's useless. No one can pass through Orochimaru-sama's barrier."
She'd barely whispered, but Bee heard—and smirked.
"I am Hinata of the Uzumaki. Wife of the clan head. Future matriarch of our people. This barrier is nothing compared to the ancestral seals of my clan. Uzumaki Style… Sealing Arts: Imposed Door!"
Hinata pressed her hands together, then thrust them toward the barrier. The bubbling ink followed her command and splashed onto the red barrier, forming two black rings etched with ancient, swirling characters.
Though much of the seal burned away on contact, some characters stubbornly remained. Hinata repeated the motion, thrusting her hands forward again. Another splash—more characters persisted.
"A seal, legacy of the Whirlpool. Ink, courtesy of Gyūki-sama. All powered by the very chakra of the world."
Her voice rang out with pride and power.
"This barrier pales before my Senjutsu-Bijū-powered seal. Sealing Arts: Imposed Door, I said!"
Again and again, the ink washed over the red wall. The twin rings expanded, forming a man-sized circle. With each strike, more of the inside began turning transparent.
"Bee-sensei! The opening's almost ready. I don't have the control to let several people through. You go alone. I'll follow with our ANBU!"
"You heard the lady, masked men! I'm entrusting my pupil to your hands—yeah!" Bee grinned. The barrier shimmered, nearly gone within the seal.
"It's time, you fools! I'll teach you Eight-O rules! WEEEEEEEEEEE!"
The first-stage chakra cloak burst to life around him, two blazing tails flickering as Bee charged into the red cage like a bull.
Just then, the Uzumaki Legion arrived. The Konoha ANBU were left speechless after witnessing yet another show of overwhelming Kumo talent.
"Legion reporting for duty, ma'am! Twenty teams under your command!" declared one of the Odachi clones as the others snapped to salute.
"Scatter!" Hinata ordered. "I want every team in the city with only two objectives: search and destroy. Escort any civilians or wounded ninja to safety, then return to the hunt. Am I clear?"
"Ma'am! Yes, ma'am! Loud and clear!" echoed the clones in perfect unison. Then, in synchronized motion, they leapt in all directions, vanishing into the village.
Hinata turned to the ANBU.
"ANBU! We're going after those summons that broke through Jiraiya-sama's toads!"
"Hai!" they chorused.
Family Reunion
Naruko arrived at the clearing where Sasuke and Gaara were trying to kill each other. Her clones trailed behind, carrying Shikamaru along with the battered forms of Shino and Kankuro. The other Konoha ninja, plus Temari, jumped in to check on their comrades.
Naruko let out a whistle of admiration.
"Wow, they're really trying to beat the crap out of each other, huh?"
"ARE YOU NUTS!? That monster is trying to kill Sasuke-kun!"
"Of course she's nuts! She's a monster too!" Sakura shrieked.
The Suna siblings flinched at her words—because deep down, they knew it was true. Their baby brother was a monster.
"So?" Naruko shrugged. "Anyone got a plan?"
"Yeah. I'm Pakkun, by the way," said the little pug summon. "Now that you're here, Kiba and Akamaru can try flanking that kid. Not sure it'll help much though—he is a Jinchūriki after all. Oh, and… wanna touch my paw pads? They're really soft."
The original blonde scooped the pug into her arms and started poking his pads while asking about Temari and Kankuro. The children of the Kazekage made it clear: they weren't interfering. When Gaara got like this, the best plan was to avoid his attention.
"Wow! Your pads are soft! Anyway, don't worry about Gaara-kun. I'll handle him. Just stay close to my clones so they can protect your soft pa—I mean you guys, je je je," Naruko laughed, scratching the back of her head.
"You're crazy! CRAZY!" Temari yelled, pointing at her younger brother.
"He'll kill all of you! He's got a demon in him! He's unstable on a good day, but now? Only Dad can stop him!"
Gaara, half-transformed—his arms and part of his face morphing into the Ichibi's features—backhanded Sasuke hard.
"Come on, Uchiha! Is this all you've got?! I WANT YOU TO MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE!" he roared.
Sakura screamed Sasuke's name and rushed toward him. Gaara saw her—he reached out to crush her with a monstrous sand arm. But Kiba tackled her just in time.
Unfortunately, the monstrous limb split in two, pinning them both to the ground with grotesque, finger-like sand extensions.
"Come on, Uchiha! MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE—or your friends are dead! Jia jia jia!" Gaara snarled, his voice barely human.
Sasuke had nothing left. His chakra was almost gone, and even his stamina was failing. None of his jutsu had worked—except Chidori, and he couldn't use it again. Even his Sharingan was deactivated. All he could do was glare.
"Monster," he spat.
Gaara laughed. Maniacally. He laughed so hard it became unsettling.
"You pathetic ant. You can't even keep fighting. You're not even worth killing." Sand rose from the ground, wrapping around Sasuke.
"Je je je… Wajajajaja! First, I'll crush your friends. Then you. Then your pathetic village. Sand Burial!"
The sand started crushing the three Leaf Genin. Sakura passed out first. But before they were killed, Naruko's Odachi, Kodachi, and Katana clones swooped in and freed them.
"UZUMAKIIIIIIII!" Gaara howled. "You're here! ZA HA HA HA! You! You scare Mother! You'll be the ultimate proof of my existence!"
Gaara rushed the group, laughing like a madman, only to get slammed aside by Thunder—a clone wielding a massive iron ball on a chain.
"Okay, ladies! Protect the Genin while I do the job. Thunder, back me up!"
"Roger that, Boss!" the clone grinned, swinging her weapon like a wrecking ball.
"You're insane! Gaara will kill you! He's a demon! This isn't even your village!" Kankuro shouted, clearly terrified.
"Oh?" Naruko tilted her head, red eyes gleaming. "But this is my business… after all…"
She grinned.
"We're family."
The Genin froze—except Sasuke and Sakura, who were unconscious. The Suna siblings looked horrified as the implication sank in.
"Lightning Release: Iron Thunder!"
Thunder's iron ball launched like a cannon, striking Gaara in the chest. The chakra-infused strike exploded on impact with a thunderous boom, hurling the redhead out of the clearing.
"Let's do this, cousin Gaara-kun!" Naruko shouted, charging after him with Kubikiribōchō in hand.
The Genin couldn't see what happened next, but they heard it—the mad laughter of the Ichibi's host and Naruko's playful giggles. And the destruction.
Everyone but Temari wanted to run. But they couldn't look away. Temari was trapped in her own doubt. She wanted to flee—from her monstrous brother—but he was still her little brother. She couldn't abandon him.
"UZUMAKI! MAKE ME FEEL ALIVE!"
"Why? Are you a zombie or something? Wait, don't tell me—you're a ghost! AHH! I hate ghosts… AHA! I know! You've got a terminal illness, don't you?" Naruko joked.
"DIEEEEE!" Gaara screamed, hurling his monstrous arms at her.
Naruko barely dodged and sliced through them with her massive chakra-coated blade. The chakra cut clean through the sand's control, turning it into dead weight.
"I don't wanna!"
Naruko's blood-red eyes locked with the golden one embedded in Gaara's face, freezing him mid-move. Thunder then sunshined behind him and sent him flying skyward with a thunderous uppercut.
Naruko and her clones followed.
"U!" Two clones struck from behind.
"ZU!" Two more latched onto his arms.
"MA!" A clone launched from above and punched him in the gut.
"KI!" Three others wrapped Gaara in glowing steel chains.
"SMASH COMBO!" The original drove her blade's flat side into his chest, sending him crashing into the ground hard enough to crater it.
The Suna siblings watched, slack-jawed.
Gaara trembled as his transformation broke.
"WHAAAAAAGH! NOOOOO! STOP IT, MOTHER! YOU'RE DRIVING ME CRAZY! WHAT DO YOU WANT?! YOU MAKE NO SENSE!"
He clawed at his head.
"YOU TELL ME TO RUN, BUT ALSO TO KILL HER! AAAHHH IT HURTS!"
"Oh Kami, he's snapping! Kit, brace yourself!"
Gaara screamed as sand encased him in a cocoon covered in purple markings. It grew—grew until it towered like a boss summon. The cocoon cracked.
And Shukaku, the One-Tailed Tanuki, stood in full monstrous form.
"WOAH! He's ugly!"
"THANK YOU!" Kurama said. "Finally, someone agrees with me. You, my little vixen, have excellent taste."
"Take this, Uzumaki! Desert Sandstorm!"
A cyclone of sand and wind blasted from Shukaku's mouth. Naruko barely dodged—but Thunder wasn't so lucky.
"Wind Release: Wind Blade!"
Naruko launched a crescent of wind chakra from her sword, slicing through Shukaku's arm. The sand began repairing the damage—but slowly. That only enraged Gaara more.
"YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT, UZUMAKI! I'M GONNA END YOU! Ninja Art: Playing Possum!"
Gaara closed his eyes. And Shukaku took over.
"YEEEEEEEAAAH! I'M FREE AT LAST! TIME TO SLAUGHTER YOU ALL—THEN THE CITY! JAJAJAJAJA!"
"Yup. He's crazier than ever. What kind of garbage seal did they use on my sweet baby brother?"
"Kurama-ka-chan… you're kidding, right?"
"Nope. Youngest of us all. Big ol' tsundere. Acts tough but used to secretly help travelers lost in the desert before his first sealing. He must be going insane if he thinks he's a mother. He's all about manliness. Pretending to be a woman? Yeah. Seal's definitely screwing him up."
Kurama couldn't say more. Shukaku stomped toward them.
Naruko summoned Gamabunta with a poof of smoke while her clones moved the others to safety.
"You again? What the hell do you want this time?" roared the red toad boss.
"Come on, Gamabunta-boss! Just help me get to his head! I'm tiny! It's hard to have a family reunion when I can't even look my uncle in the eye!"
"Brat! That's Shukaku! You want me to fight him?! Have you lost your damn mind?!" The toad puffed angrily.
"Mah mah. Relax, boss. I just need help getting up there. I won't make you fight."
"Fine, N-chan. I'll help. I'll even stick around if things get worse."
"You're the best!" Naruko grinned, red eyes gleaming.
"OOOOOOOY! UNCLE SHUKAKUUUU! Mom wants me to take a look at your seal! Be a good uncle and help your niece out!"
"UNCLE?!" everyone screamed.