Chapter 56: Battle for the World Begins!

AN: Hey everyone! I'm here with an update! 9 days til I head off to Europe! I'm working on the story as much as I can until then! Also, I hope you all had a great New Years!

War Recap:

The Allied Shinobi Forces have gathered. Obito arrives along with the reanimated Ashina, Tobirama, and the Third Raikage. Hashirama and Madara are reanimated. Obito engages in battle with Kakashi/Team. The Five Kage are blown away by Madara as Haku prepares to fight Madara and Hashirama.

Chapter 56

FWOOSH!

A giant blue sword struck downwards at Mazu's head but was countered by a giant blue wave that arrived just in time from Nade's attack. Mazu slammed the ground with its tail and shouted, "Heavenly Sage Art: Earth Style Grand Chasm Jutsu!" The earth began to shake and tremble as a large trench in the ground opened up beneath both Madara's Perfect Susanoo and Hashirama's Wood Golem. The trench was so deep that the bottom couldn't be seen. Just as the Perfect Susanoo and Wood Golem were falling down into the bottomless pit the Susanoo spread open its wings and flew into the air while giant wood tendrils sprouted out from the sides of the trench creating a foothold for the Wood Golem and lifted it back safely onto land.

Dako took this chance to whip out 3 of its giant 80 meter long tentacles and whacked the Wood Golem off balance while he used 2 of his other tentacles to grab the Susanoo's leg and slammed it back onto the ground.

BANG! BOOM!

Two giant craters formed from the fall of both the Wood Golem and the Susanoo. Nade took this chance to create a giant sphere of water that enveloped both the Wood Golem and the Susanoo. Haku quickly weaved his hand signs and shouted, "Sage Art: Freezing Mist Jutsu!" He breathed out a large cold frosty mist freezing the water that held the Golem and Susanoo, however, just before the mist could cover the entire water dome it was slashed apart from a giant blue Susanoo's blade. Right after, 3 giant Wood Dragons erupted from underneath the ground and entangled Mazu, Dako, and Nade in a tight vice grip hold draining their chakra. Haku frowned and was about to activate a Jutsu to help free the three guardians when another giant Wood Dragon appeared and wrapped itself around Haku.

"Ugh! Damn it!" Haku cursed in frustration as he felt his strength leaving his body.

Kimimaro immediately felt his heart clench as he monitored Haku's fight against Madara and Hashirama. He quickly calmed his emotions and said through gritted teeth, "I won't let you hurt my brother! Nine Dragons Breathing: 8th Breath!" Maro circulated 8 cycles of deep breathing. After all this time he had been able to formulate up to the 8th breath and laid the foundations for the 9th. He had yet to even activate up to the 6th breath during the entire war, but at this moment he went straight to activating the 8th. As soon as he finished taking in the 8th breath his body released a dense purple aura that gave off a feeling of incredible power. He took one look at Hiruzen and said, "I'm sorry Hiruzen-sensei, Haku needs my help."

Hiruzen nodded, "Mn, go. I will hold off Ashina."

Maro nodded and took one leap forward. The speed at which he moved was so incredibly fast that the sound and destruction left in the wake of his one leap didn't appear until after a fraction of a second later. Just as Madara threw out 4 Yasaka Magatama Beads at the three guardians and Haku a loud BANG was heard accompanied by a flash of purple light. Madara widened his eyes in surprise as he took in what just happened. His four Beads were instantly shattered and Hashirama's 4 Wooden Dragons were destroyed. He stared at the purple aura cloaked shinobi standing next to Haku and said amusedly, "Impressive. I don't recognize the technique you're using but it seems to be Taijutsu and Senjutsu. Who are you?"

Kimimaro ignored Madara and turned to Haku. "Are you alright? You aren't hurt are you? I'm sorry it took me so long to get here."

Haku shook his head while taking a deep breath. "I'm fine Maro. You made it just in time." He took a quick glance at Maro and asked, "Is this the result of the Nine Dragons Breathing Technique? You've perfected it then Maro?"

Kimimaro shook his head. "Not yet. This is the 8th breath. I've surmised how to circulate the 9th but I'm not sure what the repercussions might be yet so I won't use it unless I'm forced to. I can't protect you or Izaya if I'm dead."

Haku nodded in approval. "That's fine Maro. I'd rather you not use it if it puts your life at risk. Will you be okay with the 8th breath?"

Kimimaro nodded.

Madara and Hashirama stood side by side as they stared at Haku and Kimimaro with great interest. Hashirama spoke up first. "Incredible! I've never seen that kind of Taijutsu before."

"It seems to be a sort of Sage Mode." Madara remarked.

Hashirama nodded his head in agreement. "Yes. It's different from the type of Sage Mode's I'm familiar with. His body releases a stream of purple natural energy that enhances all of his physical attributes. It's like a Sage Mode specifically for Taijutsu. It appears he hasn't completed the technique yet but it should be close to perfect."

Madara narrowed his eyes as his Sharingan analyzed the flow of natural energy in Kimimaro's body. "How interesting. It enhances his physical capabilities like the Eight Inner Gates but without the serious drawback the Eight Inner Gates puts on the user. It's probably because he is using natural energy to not only give his body more power but to also repair his body's injuries. Still, to withstand such a dense amount of natural energy all at once, he must have a unique body."

Before any side could continue their conversation another large Wooden Dragon erupted from the ground and attacked Kimimaro who simply jumped in the air and struck out with his fist.

BANG!

The Wooden Dragon was knocked off to the side in the distance. Madara laughed in excitement and shouted, "Impressive! Your speed and power are a bit lower than the Raikage and the Hokage's but not by much. When you combine both together you are definitely stronger than the Raikage and the Hokage! The both of you are much more entertaining to fight than the 5 Kage!" Madara's Susanoo unsheathed its sword and slashed outwards at both Haku and Kimimaro with great speed. Before the attack could connect Mazu shouted, "Heavenly Sage Art: Earth Style Grand Hill Formation Jutsu!" The ground trembled and giant hill sized earthen mounds appeared beneath the Susanoo's feet displacing its body upwards causing it to miss Haku and Maro.

Haku and Nade took this chance to attack in tandem as Nade shouted, "Heavenly Sage Art: Water Style Shark King Jutsu!" A giant water shark twice as large as Nade erupted from the ground and bit down on Madara's Susanoo knocking it into the ground before covering its entire form in a lake of water. Haku weaved the signs of Bird, Snake, and Ram together shouting, "Sage Art: Freezing Mist Jutsu!" The cold frosty mist enveloped the entire lake freezing it over and Madara in his Susanoo with it. Unfortunately a large blue light erupted from the frozen lake as Madara freed himself from the attack. He laughed hysterically in excitement. "Hahahaha! In all my years, the only one who had been able to fight me to such an extent was Hashirama! Show me more of what you can do!"

Not far away Hashirama placed his hands together and said, "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!" Giant wood tendrils erupted on the battlefield trying to ensnare Haku, Maro, and the three guardians. Maro quickly jumped down on the ground weaving the signs of Snake, Ram, Dog and shouted, "Boneyard Grave!" Immediately after, large bones and skeletal structures erupted from the ground clashing against the large wooden vines. After several seconds of wood shoving against bone both Jutsus came to an end leaving the battlefield completely changed into a mixture of a wooden forest and a bone graveyard. Hashirama raised his eyebrows in surprise and praised, "Incredible! You can manipulate your bones and calcium to such an incredible extent! What a rare ability! You utilized the natural energy you absorbed to further strengthen and increase the scale of your bone manipulation, such that it was able to stop my Wood Style! It appears there are shinobi who can still fight at Madara and my own level in this day and age!"

At this moment Tobirama appeared by Ashina as they pooled together their chakra before Ashina shouted, "Summoning Jutsu!" An incredible amount of water flooded the area and was beginning to spread for hundreds of meters. Haku widened his eyes in shock. "Not this again! He summoned that Sokonashi thing."

Dako frowned and chimed in, "Oi, kid! I can stop that thing but I'll have to exhaust the rest of my chakra to do so. I won't be able to help you out further after though."

Haku nodded, "Please stop it then Dako. If you don't then a lot of the Alliance members could end up dying." Dako nodded. "Very well, Nade, Mazu, protect the kid well." Dako quickly jumped into the center of the giant whirlpool that was Sokonashi and spread out all 8 of its 80 meter long tentacles. He then proceeded to channel all of his chakra outwards and spun in a counterclockwise direction getting faster and faster and faster and faster until a giant gust of wind was generated right in the center of the whirlpool summoned beast. The whirlpool attempted to spin clockwise and suck things into itself but was stopped from Dako generating a force that spun in the opposite direction. It didn't take long before Sokonashi disappeared in a puff of smoke along with Dako. Haku silently whispered to himself, "Thanks Dako."

Madara scoffed as he watched everything play out and took note that Obito was losing quite badly. He also took note that the Ten Tails was about to revive and let out a soft sigh. "Guess it's time I go get the Eight and Nine Tails."

Hashirama hearing what Madara said became alarmed and shouted, "Madara! Don't!"

Madara ignored Hashirama and placed his hands together along with his Susanoo forming the signs of Ram, Snake, and Bird simultaneously. Only a few seconds passed before the entire battlefield was blanketed by a dark shadow. A giant meteorite fell from the sky giving off a despairing pressure to the entire Alliance. Even Haku and Maro gritted their teeth unsure of how to handle it. The 5 Kage who had just regathered could only clench their fists in frustration and nervousness as they racked their brains for some sort of countermeasure. At this moment Mazu spoke up. "Oi, kid. I gotta hand it to that shinobi over there. He just performed an incredible Jutsu. I can stop the technique from falling in this location but to deflect something as large as that meteorite will take the rest of my chakra. If I don't deflect it I'm positive I can survive the impact of that thing and protect you too. The downside is that a lot of other people here will probably die. What do you want me to do?"

Haku clenched his fist and replied without hesitation, "Please Mazu, stop that meteorite."

Mazu nodded. "Very well."

Fwish!

A powerful wind was generated around Mazu's body as he began gathering his chakra all at once. Only two seconds passed before his body was cloaked in a powerful green light. "Heavenly Sage Art: Grand Body Cannon!"

BANG!

Mazu's 25 meter tall and 40 meter long body shot forth at a great speed arriving before the massive meteorite and smashed right into it. A green light flashed across the sky for a split second before a loud thundering crashing sound could be heard from the impact. The giant meteorite was immediately shifted off its trajectory and flew through the air crashing into the ground away from the Shinobi Alliance. Mazu disappeared in a puff of smoke right after. Madara widened his eyes in shock. "Incredible. That giant catfish was able to deflect a meteorite that large. What is this Heavenly Sage Art he keeps using?" He then said rhetorically, "But now that he's gone, who's going to stop the second one?"

In merely a few seconds after the first meteorite was deflected another soon filled its place in the sky. Haku exclaimed in shock, "What? It can't be?"

Nade resting nearby let out a sigh. "I anticipated this. I could sense something amiss through Heavenly Sage Mode. After this one there isn't anymore. Since Mazu deflected the first one I'll do you a favor and stop this one. Be careful on your own though kid. I'll also have to use up my chakra to deflect it."

Haku nodded his head. "Sorry Nade. Thanks."

Nade began gathering his chakra as a turquoise color of light erupted off his body and shouted, "Heavenly Sage Art: Water Style Grand Shark Embodiment!" A dense amount of gushing water formed around Nade's body in the shape of a giant 30 meter shark before he shot forth into the air and straight at the meteorite. The moment Nade made contact with the meteorite a flash of turquoise colored light filled the air before dissipating. The giant meteorite flew through the air and landed next to the first one that Mazu deflected safely away from the Alliance. Just like Mazu, Nade disappeared in a puff of smoke right after. Madara smirked amusedly as he said to himself, "That kid has quite the unique summons." He then turned to Hashirama. "I'd like to stick around and fight them a bit more but it seems my accomplice is about to lose. The Ten Tails is also about to awaken so I'll leave things here for you." Madara didn't wait for Hashirama's reply as he dashed off towards Obito.

888

Back to Izaya

Swish!

Snow fluttered through the air as I dashed through the cold frozen forest and made my way to Ryuchi Cave. After sending Itachi and Nagato's sealed corpses to HQ I immediately set out to look for Kabuto. After I confirmed that he wasn't in any of the other places I had thought of I quickly set out for Ryuchi Cave.

I hope he's here and I hope I can even get through to Ryuchi Cave. I crossed my fingers as I came to a halt in front of multiple giant cave entrances. "This is it. Now hopefully I won't get lost." I whispered to myself and set out into a large dark cave. After walking for a few minutes inside the seemingly never ending cave I finally noticed a change in the air as white mist began to surround the area.

"Hm? That's odd. This white mist came too quickly." I turned to look behind me only to find that the path I took to get here disappeared. When I turned back in front of me I took note of several bright lights in the distance. Furrowing my brow I walked forward and arrived before a giant palace that looked unnaturally lavish. Especially for being located inside a giant cave. At that moment the doors of the palace opened revealing a lady in ceremonial clothing. She put a smile on her face and walked towards me saying in a sweet and gentle voice, "Welcome to Ryuchi Cave traveler! You must be weary from your long journey. Please, come inside and rest for a bit."

I smirked as I stared at the palace and the lady in front of me as my Sharingan saw right through their facade. The lady tilted her head in confusion when she noticed that I remained standing in the same spot unmoving and asked, "Is there something wrong traveler?"

"Of course there's something wrong. Did you think that I couldn't see through your Genjutsu? I came here to find someone. And in order to find someone I wish to meet the White Snake Sage, not to play your games."

This caused her to frown as the palace disappeared turning back into fog. She also turned into a sinister looking snake and sneered at me. "Hoh? So you figured it out already? I'm impressed that you knew this was a Genjutsu. You didn't even flinch. All those who come to Ryuchi Cave come seeking power. To meet her Majesty you need to pass some trials, if you fail then I could eat you. How unfortunate that you saw through this ploy. I really wanted to eat you."

I watched her slowly fade away into the fog as she finished her last sentence. I let out a relieved sigh as I thought, this is a good sign. I thought I might have to wander the caves aimlessly and smash through everything to get the White Snake's attention but it appears my presence has been noticed. I continued my trek forward in the dense fog and arrived before a giant wall that blocked the path ahead. I snuck a glance behind me taking notice of another lady in white ceremonial clothing. "So, another one of your trials eh?"

She chuckled and said, "That's right. My name is Ichikishimahime. I won't make it easy f-" Before she could finish speaking I flared up my chakra and created a powerful pressure that weighed down on the area directing most of my aura at her. She immediately felt her mind go blank and panicked at the sense of danger. A powerful sharp killing intent entered her mind causing her to stumble and fall to the ground. The giant wall blocking my path immediately disappeared into nothing but fog as I stood unmoving staring at the scared white snake lady. After another second passed I reigned in my aura and the atmosphere became calm once again as it filled up with thick fog. I watched the snake called Ichikishimahime take in deep breaths to steady her mind as she slowly lifted her head and stared at me with a bit of fear in her eyes. I spoke in that moment. "I told your companion earlier. I don't have time to play your games. I'm looking for someone and I need the help of the White Snake Sage."

Ichikishimahime shivered in fear as she couldn't forget the dense killing intent and powerful aura that invaded her mind earlier. She simply nodded and said, "I-I apologize. I was only doing as I was ordered. I will leave you be." She then disappeared into the fog. Just as she disappeared another snake lady in white ceremonial clothes appeared in front of me standing a bit away in the distance. I furrowed my brow. "Another trial?"

She let out a soft sigh and shook her head. "It appears there is no need to test you. I can sense that you are strong already. As you heard earlier, those that come here abandoned everything in order to gain power. But you...you seem to already have power. You truly have not come to learn from her Majesty the Great White Snake Sage?"

I simply shook my head. "I told your companions already. I only seek to find someone. In order to find them I need the assistance of the Sage. I only wish to speak with her."

She let out another sigh as the fog slowly dissipated. Soon after a large temple-like building appeared. She stepped off to the side and said, "Go on ahead. You will find her Majesty inside."

I nodded my head in appreciation and quickly made my way inside. It was a giant hall with a long red carpet stairway that led to the top. Without wasting anymore time I dashed forward and made my way to the top. Just as I made it, I took note of a giant old white snake sitting on a throne with a cigarette in her mouth. We both stared at each other for a moment before she let out a puff of smoke and spoke in an old and wise lady-like voice. "Well now. You are quite an interesting youngling. You possess such a powerful aura already at your age, even without the power of Senjutsu. You are also capable of dispelling the Genjutsu trials that people take to get here and contain a hidden powerful blood lust that even struck fear in one of my subordinates. You say that you wish to talk. What is it that you want to say to me."

"Thank you for meeting with me Lord Sage. I am looking for a man named Yakushi Kabuto. I have strong reason to believe he is hiding within the Ryuchi Caves. I ask that you point me in the right direction."

The Sage laughed and took another puff of smoke. "So, Kabuto eh? Your reasoning is not unfounded. He is indeed hiding somewhere in Ryuchi Cave. He's an intelligent man and found his way back into Ryuchi on his own. But I have no interest in the affairs of the world outside. So long as it does not have anything to do with Ryuchi I will not care for it. Search for him on your own. What I am interested in is you. Are you sure you do not wish to learn Sage Mode from me? I can grant you even greater power than the power you already possess. You can become an unrivaled existence!"

I shook my head. "All I wish is to know where Kabuto is."

The Sage frowned and smirked sinisterly before saying, "Hahaha, well then...I will see if you have what it takes first for me to give you such information!"

FWISH!

Without warning she lunged forth and opened her maw to snag me. Before I could even react a powerful crimson light flashed in the area for a split second filling the entire temple with blinding radiance before disappearing. When everything calmed back down I furrowed my brow in confusion. What was that? I thought to myself. I turned my attention back to the Sage who was sitting completely still on her throne with a complicated emotion on her face. I was about to ask what happened but she spoke up first. "Heh-Hehehe-Hahaha! Well now, it appears I was too hasty. I had wanted to give you a gift and brand you with a Sage Mark, but it seems my power is unnecessary for you. I had failed to realize that you already have a capable Sage master beside you."

I only became more confused as I thought back to the blinding crimson radiance from earlier. Does she mean Senko? I pondered. She noted my confused look and chuckled before popping another cigarette in her mouth and taking a long puff. "You wanted to know where Kabuto was? As I made a rude gesture I will humor your request this once. Walk through the corridor behind me and take the 27th tunnel on the right. You will find him there."

I nodded in appreciation and watched as she slowly slithered off into the darkness of one of the many tunnels before making my way down the dark corridor. It wasn't long before I stopped in front of the 27th tunnel entrance. I took a deep breath before walking in. A few minutes later I took note of a dim light towards the end of the dark pathway. Just as I made it to the end I was greeted by the sight of a large and spacious cavern that had glowing turquoise colored stones that decorated the walls and ceiling. It was the only source of light in this place. I took a moment to admire the amazing view but was snapped out of my thoughts after hearing Kabuto's voice.

"Oh? Izaya? I'm surprised you managed to find me. I never expected that anyone would ever be able to discern my location."

I stood a few meters away from Kabuto as I looked down at the board with white pebble pieces in front of him. "I'm here to stop your Reanimation Jutsu."

Kabuto licked his lips as a giant snake hissed from under his robe. "Stop the Reanimation? Unfortunately you cannot. This Jutsu has no risk. If you kill me then the Reanimation still won't stop. I'm afraid you are out of luck."

I untied the blindfold covering my eyes at that moment which caused Kabuto to widen his eyes in shock as I continued on, "Well that isn't true. Every Jutsu has a weakness. Certainly there are Jutsu's that are extremely powerful, however, no matter how powerful a Jutsu is, there is always a flaw. After all, Jutsu's were created in our imagination of them. As we humans are not perfect, so too are our Jutsu's."

Kabuto stared at me with his shocked eyes a while longer before licking his lips and asked in confusion, "Why do you possess the Sharingan?"

"I suppose there's no longer a need to hide this fact. A very long time ago I was an experimental subject of Orochimaru's. He implanted the Sharingan in my eyes and abandoned me after he thought that I had died. But as you can see I am alive and well. That is also the reason why I can utilize the Wood Style." I noted Kabuto's shocked expression once more as he stared at me warily before exclaiming with excitement, "So you are actually an experiment of Lord Orochimaru's? Then that means you rightfully belong to me! After all, I am the one who inherited Orochimaru's will! Hehehe! Hahaha! What a splendid surprise! You will be my early present and reward for engaging in this war against the Five Great Nations!"

I let out a disappointed sigh at Kabuto's reaction. "It appears you aren't very aware of the current situation you are in. Never once has Orochimaru been able to capture me. And I'm currently much stronger now than I was back during the times when he and I fought. I'm not boasting or anything, however, you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch."

Kabuto smirked. "We'll see about that. I already told you that you can't kill me or the Reanimation Jutsu will never cease."

I smirked as I pointed to my left Mangekyo. "That's fine. I'll just place you under a Genjutsu and have you release the technique. I've been saving this eye just for you."

Kabuto frowned a bit before smiling sinisterly and mockingly. "You tell me your plan so easily. Are you that confident? Just because you possess the Sharingan does not mean that I'll let you cast a Genjutsu on me so easily." At this moment another voice spoke as a person walked out from the shadows and stood next to Kabuto.

"Izaya. You've been a thorn in our side during the entire war. It's time you finally disappear."

I frowned as I took note of this new figure. In my past life if I remembered correctly, there should be two of these guys. There's this spiral-faced pattern Zetsu who controlled Yamato's body and another Zetsu with a weird venus flytrap protrusion from its waist. This spiral-face looking one took over Yamato-sensei's body in order to enhance his Wood Style Jutsu to inhibit the Allied Forces towards the end of the war. Seems he was by Kabuto's side this time. Probably keeping watch over him for Obito. As for the other one…

Kabuto licked his lips interrupting my thoughts as he said, "Unfortunately the odds don't seem to be in your favor."

I scoffed at Kabuto's comment. "You seem awfully sure of yourself." I turned my attention back at the spiral-faced Zetsu and scowled. "Bastard, so this is where you've kept Yamato-sensei all along. Who are you exactly? You look like White Zetsu but different."

Kabuto and the spiral-faced being slightly flinched in surprise as it said, "Wow! How did you know that I took over his body?"

"There's no point in telling you. You won't be sticking around anymore anyways after I'm through with you. So? Which are you? White Zetsu? Or something else?"

He laughed before responding. "Actually, I am Tobi. I've existed since long ago. Hehehe, not that you need to know that."

"Oh?...Let me guess, you existed since the time of the God Tree haven't you?"

Tobi widened his eyes in shock. "EHH? H-How do you know about that?"

"I told you didn't I? That you don't need to know since you won't be sticking around for long anyways. I just wanted to confirm if that was the case. And judging by your reaction it seems to be true."

Kabuto listening nearby frowned in a bit of confusion since he didn't really understand our conversation. I turned my head and took note of Anko's incapacitated body in the corner of the cave before questioning Kabuto. "Anko? Did you perhaps absorb Orochimaru's chakra from her Curse Mark Seal? She's still alive."

Kabuto smiled more and more. "You are incredibly insightful, Izaya-kun. In fact, ever since I first met you I felt you were different. You possess true skill amongst shinobi and have the intellect to match. Your power of foresight and deduction makes you quite a thorny opponent. However, it makes me look forward to obtaining your body even more! As for why she is still alive, there aren't many who can survive after receiving a Cursed Seal. She'll make a worthy test subject for me."

Without wasting anymore time he placed his hands together creating four giant snakes beside him and launched them forward to strike me down. I quickly dodged backwards to create some more space between us. Just as the four giant snakes were about to reach me I activated my Susanoo to grab the four snakes in a tight vice grip and created a Taiyougan in my hands. I focused on the Taiyougan compressing its golden form to half the size it was normally and thrusted outwards forcing the dense energy to fire at an incredibly high speed akin to that of a golden laser beam which instantly penetrated the body of one giant snake and caused it to disintegrate. Without stopping the technique I shifted my palm to direct the thin golden beam into the bodies of the other three snakes turning them all into ashes before canceling my Jutsu.

Kabuto looked at me with wariness. "So that is the Susanoo...And your other technique, I don't believe I've seen or heard of it before."

"It's called Taiyougan. In other words, Sun Sphere. It is my own original Jutsu. What I used just now was a derivative of that Jutsu I call the Taiyougan Beam."

Kabuto frowned as he noted how dangerous the technique was. I watched him remove his cloak and show his true appearance and form as a dark shadow was cast over his eyes. He stood in a battle ready stance and spoke seriously. "Unfortunately you won't be able to cast Genjutsu on me. I have temporarily blinded my eyes so you won't be able to make eye contact with me. And on top of that this place is my battleground."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I can feel and see the power of natural energy running through your body. So you've acquired Sage Mode. I will commend you for that as not everyone is skilled enough to master such a technique."

Kabuto furrowed his brow. "Oh? So you know about Sage Mode? Then you should be aware of how much more powerful one becomes after acquiring this technique, yet you seem rather unfazed. I admit that your Susanoo and that original technique of yours is quite powerful. With both you probably think that you have an impenetrable defense and an unstoppable offense. However, you are wrong. Your Susanoo is strong indeed but you can't hide in it forever. And while your offense is strong you can't use it to kill me so there's absolutely nothing I need to worry about! I not only have the power of Orochimaru, but even the ability to absorb natural energy from studying Jugo, the power to liquify my body from studying Suigetsu, and the ability to self regenerate from studying Karin of the Uzumaki Clan! I even absorbed the power of the Sound Four Ninja! Hahaha! You should just come with me quietly and accept your fate."

I ignored Kabuto's remark as I quickly dodged to my left and performed a backflip dodging two giant wood tendrils that erupted from underneath the ground. Tobi chimed in as he said, "You haven't forgotten about me now have you?"

I clicked my tongue in annoyance and placed my hands together creating wood tendrils of my own intercepting Tobi's wood techniques. Tobi laughed and placed his hands together shouting, "Wood Style: Kanzeon Lotus King!"

BOOM!

The ground shook as a large and giant wooden buddha with a hundred hands behind it stuck out with an imposing manner. I frowned and quickly threw out a special kunai activating the Kunai Shadow Clone Jutsu. More than a thousand kunai lay spread out across the giant cave. Kabuto snuck up behind me and struck out with his fist, however, I sensed his presence long ago and sidestepped his attack. Before I could counter attack one of the large wooden hands from the wooden buddha struck down at my head forcing me to fly away to one of my kunai in the distance. I let out a soft sigh saying to no one in particular, "Guess I'll deal with Tobi first so he can't interfere with my fight against Kabuto."

The wooden buddha struck out with several of its wooden hands so I countered by forming the Snake hand sign and shouted, "Wood Style: Advent World of Flowering Trees!" Large wood tendrils erupted from the ground and intercepted the giant wood hands, but it didn't stop there. The wood tendrils continued to spread throughout the cave forcing Kabuto to constantly shift around to prevent himself from being ensnared while the wooden buddha had its movement obstructed from the now dense forest in the cave. Soon after large red flowers bloomed from several large branches and released some pollen into the air. Kabuto frowned and quickly jumped into the air on top of the tall wooden buddha's head next to Tobi who praised, "Impressive. You're certainly well accomplished in Wood Style. Yamato and myself can't perform Jutsu of that scale on our own. If we inhale the pollen it'll incapacitate us."

Two of the five wooden faces at the very top of the wood buddha's main head opened their mouth and spewed out a powerful Fire and Wind combo Ninjutsu destroying the pollen and flowers from my Jutsu. Then all five wooden faces opened their mouths right after spewing out a combination of Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning, and Earth Ninjutsu all at once. I quickly placed my hand on the ground shouting, "Summoning Jutsu: Quintuple Rashomon!" Five giant monstrous gates appeared and intercepted the five nature techniques. I then activated my Susanoo and drew the blue and black colored katana, Masamune from its sheath and swung the blade right through the Rashomon gates. The blade phased right through the gates as if the gates were non-existent. The blade extended itself becoming longer and longer before reaching the giant wooden buddha and slashed right through the five wooden faces atop the wooden buddha's head. Tobi and Kabuto both had expressions of shock and confusion on their faces as they witnessed what just happened. All they could see was a giant blue and black blade slash right through the Rashomon gates without causing any damage and arrive before the wooden faces slashing them apart. As they remained shocked the Rashomon gates disappeared in a puff of smoke revealing me safely inside my dark shadowy and black colored Susanoo holding Masamune in its hand.

Tobi narrowed his eyes and said, "What did you do just now?"

I simply ignored his question and slashed out once more with Masamune. Tobi quickly tried to counter by having his wooden buddha thrust out with many of its wooden hands.

BANG!

A loud sound rang throughout the cave from the force of the collision. Kabuto quickly weaved his hand signs and shouted, "Sage Art: Water Style Great Waterfall Jutsu!" A powerful torrent of water rushed out towards my body, however, I quickly had my Susanoo turn the blade of Masamune onto the flat edge and intercepted Kabuto's attack. His powerful Jutsu struck the flat of Masamune and was immediately reflected straight towards the giant wooden buddha.

"WHAT?!" Tobi and Kabuto exclaimed in shock at the same time. They both jumped off the buddha's head in opposite directions as the reflected Water Jutsu crashed right into it. I stared straight at the wooden buddha with my right Mangekyo and incinerated it with Amaterasu. Just as Tobi landed on the ground I disappeared and flew to a kunai near his position. Tobi widened his eyes in alarm and realized his mistake as he proceeded to curse aloud. "Fu-" Before he could finish his sentence I struck his neck bashing him into several large wooden branches before ensnaring him with a wooden snake causing his chakra to become chaotic preventing him from being able to mold any into Jutsus.

I arrived before him once more and formed the hand signs of Snake, Ram, Hare, Dog, and Snake. "Wood Style: Wood Dragon Jutsu!" The ground beneath Tobi trembled as a large wooden dragon with golden eyes wrapped itself around him along with the wooden snake and bound him tightly while absorbing his chakra. Tobi struggled to free himself but to no avail. He stared at me and cursed, "Damn you! R-Release me!"

I shook my head at his futile attempts. "You won't be able to escape me. The wood snake will prevent you from molding your chakra and the wood dragon will drain you of your chakra. Soon you won't have the strength to hold onto Yamato-sensei's body so just sit tight. I can't have you interfering with my battle against Kabuto."

After confirming that he truly couldn't move anymore I dashed over to where Kabuto was who stared at me very warily. "Impressive...I never imagined that you would have mastered the Wood Style to this extent. Furthermore I never imagined that you also have the ability of Amaterasu. On top of all that the blade of your Susanoo is very peculiar. I pride myself at collecting data and information. I have information on you as well, however, I must admit that the data I have on you seems to be completely obsolete. You're much more powerful than I had originally thought. Tell me, how exactly did you do all of that with your Susanoo? I'm very intrigued."

I formed the hand of my Susanoo and had it hold Masamune in its hand as I took a moment to marvel at this spirit weapon of mine before responding to Kabuto. "This blade of mine is known as Masamune. Even I didn't imagine I would ever come by a weapon as unique as this one. It has the power to reflect all things that come into contact with the flat edge of the blade. It will not cut anything that I deem as my ally. That is why you saw it phase through the Rashomon gates. It also has the power to extend its length. The only drawback of this weapon is that it's attack power is ordinary in strength. But I suppose it also depends on what kind of weapon you compare it with to gauge its attack power as ordinary."

Kabuto licked his lips in wonderment. "I wonder how you came by this weapon of yours. If you were able to obtain it then perhaps...If I defeat you I can claim this weapon for myself."

I stared at Kabuto for a moment deep in thought as I contemplated what course of action to take regarding Kabuto's fate. He frowned when he noticed that I didn't take any action against him so he jumped backwards to create some distance between us before forming his hand signs and shouted, "Sage Art: White Rage Jutsu!" Kabuto spit forth a red aura in the shape of a dragon that held a purple pearl in its hand. The moment it coiled around the pearl it released a loud screech and blinding white light that inhibited my eyesight and ears. He quickly dashed towards me when he took note that his Jutsu was effective. As he approached closer and closer to my position the snake attached to him struck out with its maw in an attempt to incapacitate me. However, just as it got close to my body I disappeared and flew to a kunai in the distance prompting Kabuto to stop in his tracks. He turned around to face me as his technique came to an end.

I slowly reacclimated my sight and hearing to the surroundings taking note of Kabuto's disappointed look as he said to me, "You truly are a thorny opponent. I remember now that you were a sensory type ninja and an incredibly good one at that. Not only do you possess a powerful offensive and defensive skill, you also possess the Flying Thunder God Jutsu that lets you move around effortlessly. I had hoped to incapacitate you enough to disrupt your concentration and capture you but it appears I was a bit too hasty."

I simply stared at Kabuto and then thought about Itachi before smiling just a bit. "Kabuto. My presence has changed quite a few things from how they were meant to play out. I did my best to guide most things along the path that they were supposed to go. Whether or not I was successful in this matter I do not know, but I'm sure that if it were a certain someone standing here in my place before you now instead of me they would try and help you regain who you truly are."

I watched Kabuto frown in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Kabuto, you said that you inherited Orochimaru's will. But what is it that Orochimaru truly wants? And what is it that you want? Don't confuse the two and call it your own will."

"Tsk! And what would you know? Orochimaru failed to destroy the Leaf. Then I will do it instead. Orochimaru wanted to pursue the truth of Ninjutsu. He is dead so I shall do it in his place. All my life I was raised as a spy. In order to become someone who could be trusted Medical Ninjutsu was drilled into me. I went from one village to the next spying and pretending to be someone who I was not! Living a life full of lies. I had no friends who knew the real me. No one to call family. I continued to work on suppressing myself. By the time I stopped knowing who I was anymore the Leaf decided to stop trusting me and relieved me of my missions. I worked for the good of Konoha but all I got in the end was disgrace and dishonor. What has Konoha ever done for me? There is no one who understands anything about me. Less someone like you, Izaya."

I took a moment to take in what Kabuto said and let out a soft sigh. "Unfortunately, I understand you well...Kabuto. I can't tell you the details, but I understand well what the life of a spy is like. Especially one that works as a spy in the dark. The one thing that is lamentable of your fate is that you didn't have one thing to hold onto even in your darkest of hours. You became a spy without truly knowing what you were fighting for. You only did the tasks you were assigned because that is all you knew. Kabuto, you have been freed from that kind of life though. It may have been harsh but you no longer need to dwell in the darkness. Learn to accept who you truly are. Not this culmination of mixed things that you obtained from others. The power that you have is all from absorbing the power of others. Orochimaru, Suigetsu, the unique ability to absorb natural energy of Jugo's Clan, the power of regeneration from Karin, and even the abilities of the Sound Four. You mistake these things as your own. You mistake Orochimaru's will as your own. Even now your form resembles Orochimaru. It is as if you are trying to become another Orochimaru. Before this battle ends, I will help you reclaim who you truly are. At least, I am sure that is what he would of done."

As I said those last words Itachi's image flashed past my mind as I thought, Itachi, I will fulfill this role for you. Seeing that our conversation wasn't going anywhere productive Kabuto and I reengaged in our battle.