Chapter 9

Darkness Falls: Sasuke's Victory

South Eastern Land of Fire

Karin's eyes widened, and she ran forward. Danzo's chakra disruption blade pressed forward, aiming to kill Sasuke with one last stroke. Channeling her chakra to her feet, the sensor launched herself in front of Sasuke using a Shunshin. The last Uchiha closed his eyes, preparing for the stab as Karin threw out her arms, breathing in as the chakra rod slammed through her chest.

Sasuke felt the splash of a warm blood on his face, and he opened his eyes. "Karin...?" he asked, gasping.

"I...won't let you..." Karin said, coughing out blood as Danzo frowned.

"That wasn't meant for you," Danzo said coldly, pulling the rod out as Karin fell to her knees.

"Run...Sasuke..." Karin whispered as looked at her.

"I won't let my precious teammates die!" Kakashi said cheerfully after blocking an attack from Zabuza.

In the Forest of Death then, a younger Naruto then stopped the massive snake that Orochimaru summoned all on his own. "Whatcha looking at...scardey cat?"

Then during the battle with Gaara, Sakura fearlessly stepped in front of the crazed Jinchuriki's attack to shield him.

"You know what you lack?" Itachi whispered to him as he sank into the fleshy wall of the Toad throat that Jiraiya summoned. "Hatred."

Finally, during the battle with Killer Bee, all the members of his team flashed before his eyes. Jugo saying that he was the last remaining memory of Kimimaro, Suigetsu saving them with his transformation, and Karin healing him.

He looked at Karin's now still form...and his eyes morphed back to the Mangekyo Sharingan. Like a fire, Susano'o burst around his body like a purple flame. The chakra disruption blades on his back shattered from the sudden influx of Sasuke's angry chakra, and Danzo's eye widened and he leaped away as it formed around the last Uchiha quickly. In just a few seconds, the skeleton of Susano'o was completed...then the muscles and skin were then weaved in with the crossbow forming, and finally the armor rose up and 'swallowed' the chakra construct. Quickly, Danzo went to make hand seals...but Sasuke backhanded him before he could finish the sequence.

"Ooof!" Danzo grunted, slamming into a tree and sinking down, and a little blood trickled from his lip. Got to finish the seals before he's ready to attack again...

Sasuke advanced to where Karin was laying, and he pressed his fingers to her neck. She still has a pulse...

"Run...Sasuke..." Karin mumbled and Sasuke looked at Danzo, and had Susano'o grab her and put her against a wall to rest.

"Rest, Karin...I'm going to finish this," Sasuke said, Danzo completing the seal sequence as the Uchiha ignited the tips of his arrows with Susano'o, causing his left eye to bleed. Pointing at Danzo, he fired two of the Amaterasu Arrows, impaling the ROOT Leader through.

...and like before, Danzo vanished and Sasuke's eyes darted around, preparing for the next assault.

"Mokuton: Chibaindo Kongen (Wood Release: Thousand Binding Roots)!" Danzo called out from his new vantage point. From the ground, nearly a thousand roots from large to small wrapped around Susano'o's arms and torso to restrict its movement.

Sasuke gritted his teeth, his left eye bleeding again and the roots then burst into the black flames of Amaterasu. "Enton: Enko no Yoroi (Blaze Release: Armor of Flame)!"

Damn it, his control over the flames is getting better... Danzo thought as the weakened roots then shattered and splintered with Susano'o's extraordinary physical strength, sending splinters and shards that were still ignited with Amaterasu all around. He's definitely better at using Amaterasu and Susano'o than Itachi...this is going to get harder...

Danzo bit his thumb, scrawling it on his palm. Doing the three seals quickly, he slammed it down and summoned a massive elephant-like creature which let out a trumpeting howl from its trunk. The ROOT Leader stood on its head, overlooking where Sasuke was standing in the safety of his Susano'o.

Madara, who was watching looked at it in surprise. "So this must be Danzo's personal summon...a Baku...impressive."

"Another summon," Sasuke said to himself, looking up at the 100 meter tall creature.

Danzo did a few seals and then slammed his palm down onto the Baku's head. "Futon: Taifubakuha (Wind Release: Typhoon Blast)!"

A massive blast of wind strong enough to uproot trees as well as slice them into pieces blasts from the Baku's mouth. Sasuke stood his ground, morphing the crossbow in his Susano'o into a shield to protect from the fierce winds. Forming a blade with the other arm, Sasuke began advancing forward with his Susano'o.

At the same time, Suigetsu had been forced back to the large pond he created at the start of the battle with Torune. The Aburame ROOT Leader was now on the head of Danzo's dog summon, having hounded the former Seven Swordsman apprentice back there.

"Baaaaaaddddd idea forcing me here," Suigetsu said with a smirk, the water then pulling towards his body. "Suiton: Akuma Sakana Nami Kurasshu (Water Release: Demon Fish Wave Crash)!"

The water formed around Suigetsu into a massive blob that looked like it had jaws and eyes. It nearly...looked like a demonic fish. With Suigetsu floating right in the middle next to his sword. Grinning, he opened his jaws and the blob did too...sinking them down into the dog summon that Torune was riding. He then tossed it away, forcing the Aburame ROOT Member off. The dog summon yelped, crashing through several trees.

The Decapitating Carving Knife had...regenerated from its use in the battle against Torune. He had inflicted a few slash wounds into the Aburame ROOT member, and the blood had been absorbed back into sword, regenerating it. Suigetsu grinned.

When I win this battle, I'm going to go and start getting the other swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen... Suigetsu thought confidently. And then I'll reform it...

Torune spat out blood, panting. Didn't expect that...the summon is out...

At the same time, Sasuke had reached the Baku's leg and slashed it despite the hurricane force winds that was buffeting his Susano'o. Danzo grunted as the Baku trumpeted in pain, looking its footing and canceling the jutsu. The ROOT leader glared down at Sasuke, meeting him in the eye...and then Sasuke dissolved into crows.

Itachi then appeared, flying right in front of Danzo's face. The ROOT Leader gasped...and then was ignited into the black flames of Amaterasu. Danzo grunted...and then realized the disturbance.

"...I commend you for catching me in a genjutsu," Danzo said calmly as the flames started to disappear, with Sasuke charging at the ROOT Leader's blind spot. "However..."

He launched a kick...only for Sasuke to counter with Susano'o's ribs, sending Danzo leaping forward. The Uchiha's hand sparked with electricity, and he shot out a Chidori Eiso (Chidori Spear), grazing Danzo's non-Sharingan arm as he leaped out of the way. Danzo took a deep breath and fired another Futon: Shinkugyoku (Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere) barrage at Sasuke, but all the tiny wind bullets were deflected by Susano'o's aura and ribs.

"Running out of tricks now, Danzo?" Sasuke asked mockingly, walking forward as Danzo snarled.

"Not quite," Danzo said and he tore off his bandages...and vanished. Sasuke blinked, looking around before the ROOT Leader appeared behind him slamming a chakra disruption blade charged up with Wind Chakra through Sasuke's Susano'o ribs.

Sasuke's eyes widened and he spun, charging Chidori through his blade and deflecting the wind enhanced chakra disruption blade. He then slammed his forehead into Danzo's, making Danzo stumble back.

Sasuke panted, the Susano'o fading around his body. "Whose...Sharingan is that...?"

"You'd become even more enraged if I told you," Danzo growled, blood leaking out of the headbutt wound he received from Sasuke. He panted, holding his disruption blade. This is the best time to use it...damn it I underestimated him...

Sasuke met Danzo's gaze...and then felt a new...compulsion. Madara was still observing the battle, and he frowned.

Shisui's eye is out in full effect... Madara thought as the Uchiha slammed his palm down, summoning his hawk...and taking off towards Madara. I should have expected this...

Karin was coming to, and she was breathing out. Her chest hurt...but that stab had missed vital organs. But just barely. Activating the Shōsen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique), she managed to use her remaining chakra to close her wound. Breathing out, she looked to see Sasuke...flying towards Madara? And there was a huge elephant-like creature groaning in pain on the ground as Danzo panted, looking up.

...what did I miss? Karin thought as she pulled herself up, grasping her wound. She activated her Kagura Shingan (Mind's Eye of the Sharingan)...and felt that Sasuke was under a powerful but subtle genjutsu. "Sasuke!"

Danzo checked his arm. "Three left...perhaps its time for a tactical retreat..."

Madara let Sasuke's Chidori go right through his body, Danzo observing. He watched as as the younger Uchiha tried to set the elder ablaze with Amaterasu. Madara countered, his eye activating and the Amaterasu was sucked right in and he punched Sasuke in the face.

Sasuke grunted, nearly flying off his Hawk. Then...his mind was clearer. "...what...?"

"Danzo put you under a genjutsu if you're wondering," Madara said and he teleported back to his original place.

Sasuke growled at that. "...I see..."

He turned his Hawk back towards Danzo who was still on the Baku's head. Danzo looked up...and then vanished before the Uchiha could close the gap. Sasuke snarled, swooping down to where Danzo used to be...and the Baku puffed into smoke.

He unsummoned it...? Sasuke thought, his eyes narrowed. What's he planning now...?

At the same time, Suigetsu blinked as his Suiton: Akuma Sakana Nami Kurasshu (Water Release: Demon Fish Wave Crash) was blown back by a giant wind sphere, Danzo landing near Torune.

"I'm...alright Danzo-sama..." Torune said.

"We're retreating. Can you locate Fuu and Sen?"

In response...several papers wafted in the wind as Suigetsu then looked up... "Shikigami no Mai (Shikagami Dance)!" and thousands of sharpened papers slammed down through his Demon Fish form. The Hozuki raised his hands, blocking as he was forced back.

Damn, what is that paper made out of? Suigetsu thought as Sen landed, bowing to Danzo.

"It is good that you are still alive, Danzo-sama..."

"We're retreating Sen, you've located Fuu?"

"Yes, but he's gotten the worst of it. Is Sasuke Uchiha defeated?"

"No, but his time will come," Danzo said as he made her rise.

At the same time, Sasuke landed at Karin's side. "Can you still use your power, Karin?"

"Yes...but Sasuke...it looks like they're leaving...you..."

"I'm not stopping until Danzo is dead," Sasuke said darkly, clenching his hand into a tight fist. "First him...then the other two elders...and finally the entire damned village..."

Karin's eyes widened. "But Sasuke...you're exhausted, injured, and nearly out of chakra...you can't-!"

"Tell me where he is!" Sasuke demanded, the anger that Danzo had managed to genjutsu him got to him. It had damaged his pride as a Uchiha. He squeezed Karin's shoulder tightly, making her shake in fear.

What's...what's happening to you Sasuke...? Karin thought as she breathed in. "A-Alright Sasuke..."

Activating her Kagura Shingan again, she managed to locate Danzo. Pointing in the direction, Sasuke began running in that direction before leaping into the trees as he gained speed. Karin fell back, closing her eyes.

Just...calm... Karin thought, closing her eyes. ...what's going through your head Sasuke...? She winced, rubbing her shoulder where he squeezed. Your chakra...its pitch black now...did he even care that I saved him? Breathing out, she remembered all the times she was with Sasuke...from their first meeting in the Forests of Death when he saved her from an attacking Bear, to them meeting up again in the Land of Sound, to the forming of their team...till now. I'm done with Sasuke...at this rate I'll probably just be killed by him...

At the same moment, Sen had managed to gather Fuu as Torune laid out a reverse summoning scroll for the hideout. It was to be used as a last resort...and this qualified as one since none of them could get to the new base normally now.

"The summoning scroll is all ready, Danzo-sama," Torune said and Danzo nodded.

"Then lets..."

"CHIDORI EISO (Chidori Sharp Spear)!" a yell was heard and there was the sound of a thousand chirping birds.

Danzo glanced back and dodged a lethal stab from Sasuke's Chidori Eiso (Chidori Sharp Spear). However, he was pierced through the chest, narrowly missing his heart and major organs, but it was a serious injury. Danzo spat out blood, cursing...just as Torune finished the summoning. Before Sasuke could make it a lethal blow, the ROOT Members and their leader vanished in puffs of smoke.

Sasuke dropped to one knee, the toll on his chakra taking effect. He panted, putting his hand to his head...his vision was all blurry. He panted, barely able to see anything as Suigetsu grabbed his Decapitating Carving Knife and put it back on his back.

"Well, ya won Sasuke," Suigetsu said with a smirk and Sasuke snarled.

"...next time I'll finish the job..." Sasuke said, standing up. "Where's Jugo?"

"Still lying in a crater back there. He's down for the count still," Suigetsu said, leaning back. "Where's Karin?"

"Back there," Sasuke said, putting his hand to his eyes. "Damn it...I should have been able to finish him off..."

Madara landed next to him. "You did do very well against him, Sasuke. I think it's time for us to return to base..."

Sasuke panted, looking at the Akatsuki Mastermind, seeing just a blurry image. "...I need Itachi's power..."

Madara smirked behind his mask. Excellent...its about time... "What brought this change, Sasuke...?"

"I can barely see now..." Sasuke snarled, standing up. "I can't destroy Konoha or kill the Elders with my vision now almost gone."

Suigetsu blinked. "Huh...?" he looked at Sasuke. "I thought just the Elders were your target."

"All of Konoha is, Suigetsu," Sasuke said as Jugo hobbled there, caked blood on several lacerations, but he didn't look like he was in danger of losing his life.

"Did you win, Sasuke?" Jugo asked, his hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, but he got away," Sasuke replied darkly. "We're heading back to the base...lets find Karin."

Karin had pulled herself under some roots to hide, knowing that Sasuke could come back any time. She breathed in and out, the pain in her chest still there from being stabbed by Danzo. Wincing, her hand glowed green as she began treating her injury again.

Just...got to stay quiet... She thought, keeping her eyes closed.

Suigetsu came walking into the clearing. "Yo, Karin, where are you, we're shipping off!"

He looked around, seeing her no where in sight. "Karin! Yo! Where the hell are you?" That's weird, did I go in the right direction...

Karin kept herself quiet. I need to head somewhere safe after they're gone...

Suigetsu checked nearly everywhere, Karin using her Chakra Suppression Technique to hide herself from Zetsu. The apprentice Seven Swordsman scratched his head in confusion.

"Where the hell could she have gone...?" Suigetsu asked aloud, scratching his head and he walked back to where Sasuke and Jugo were.

Karin kept her breath held. Just...walk away damn it!

Suigetsu walked to her position...and ducked in. "Karin? What are you doing in there? The ROOT guys are..."

"...I'm leaving the group, Suigetsu..." Karin whispered, closing her eyes and Suigetsu blinked.

"Whaa...you're not..."

"I can't stand being here anymore...just tell them you never found me, please..." Karin whispered, pleading at him.

"...heh...okay. But why?"

"Sasuke...he's not the same as before...his chakra...Suigetsu, if you stay with him he might kill you for getting in the way..." Karin replied, looking down.

"Fine...never wanted you here with us anyway," Suigetsu said with a smirk. "You're just annoying...though, stay safe out there. I'll just tell them that Danzo took you out."

"Thanks..." Karin replied, closing her eyes as Suigetsu walked off.

Suigetsu returned to where Sasuke, Jugo, and Madara were. The younger Uchiha looked at him, and looked around for Karin. Jugo was confused.

"Where's Karin, Suigetsu?" Sasuke asked him and he shrugged.

"She's gone, Sasuke. Must have been hit by one of Danzo's men," Suigetsu said. "Looked like she was a pile of mush or something..."

"That's impossible...when I left her she was fine," Sasuke growled and the Swordsman shrugged.

"That's all I found there, Sasuke," Suigetsu said, stretching.

Zetsu came up out of the ground after the Swordsman said that. "I'm not detecting her chakra, Madara. And if she's turned into mush, that'll taste gross!"

"I see..." Madara said, putting his hand to his chin. "Well, then, let us return to the Base now to plan our next move...as well as get you ready to receive Itachi's eyes, Sasuke."

Sasuke nodded. "Very well..." If Karin was weak enough to die like that, I don't need her. I'll find a better sensor and medic...

With that, Madara sucked Sasuke, Suigetsu, and Jugo into his dimension before disappearing himself. Zetsu sank back into the ground as well, and their presence completely vanished.

Karin, once she felt that she was safe, deactivated her Chakra Suppression Technique and activated Kagura Shingan again. Sensing no one, not even Zetsu, she pulled herself to her feet. Closing her eyes, she panted.

...I'm heading to Konoha...hopefully I'll get asylum... she thought as she begun walking. I'll tell them everything I know about Madara and Sasuke...

Land of Lightning, Boat to the Island

Hinata and Tenko were still furiously training to master the first part of the Rasengan. The two were making progress, the Hyuga Heiress being the first of the two to have her water balloon start leaking from a hole made in it from her chakra. Tenko soon followed and the two strove to complete the first part.

Naruto grinned, watching as he kept his legs crossed, still practicing in lengthening his Sage Mode's duration. I wonder if they have any rubber balls on the ship... he thought as he saw a burst of blue chakra come out of Hinata's balloon. If not, I'll just summon a toad to pick up some for us...

"Alright...this time I'm going to get it!" Tenko growled, grabbing a new water balloon.

Hinata grabbed another one as well. I'm not giving up...!

The two did their own methods, Hinata adding slightly more power to her rotation and Tenko adding new rotations with his other hand. Naruto looked up as both the Hyuga Heiress and young Toad Sage finally pop their balloons this time, splashing water onto the deck and onto themselves.

"I..." Hinata started, her eyes widening.

"We..." Tenko stammered, looking at his now wet hand from the popped water balloon.

"You guys did it!" Naruto grinned, jumping up from the deck. "And faster than I did! Wow!"

Hinata blushed slightly, rubbing the back of her head. "I-It was because of your earlier help, Naruto-kun..."

Naruto hugged her with a grin and Tenko smirked. "What's the next step?"

"Well, you guys should rest a little bit, I got to check if they have any of the tools for the next step," Naruto said and Hinata blushed, feeling the young Hokage's arms around her.

It...feels so safe here... Hinata thought and Naruto grinned, looking down at her.

"The second step is much tougher, Hinata-chan, Tenko, you guys ready for it?"

"Yep!" both Hinata and Tenko said at the same time.

The Kumo Ninja who was targeting Hinata looked on, his eyes narrowed. Soon...when we're on the island...

"Hideki, we need your help on the riggings!" a void yelled at him.

"On it!" he yelled back, and moved away. Soon...I hope you're ready...

With that, he walked off, back to the other end of the ship.

Land of Waterfalls, unknown location

A group of Taki Ninja were fleeing though a sewer system, occasionally tossing kunai and shuriken back. They had lost 10 of their comrades already, and they were all Jonin...but it didn't seem to matter. Kunai, shuriken, Suitons, explosive tags, nothing seemed to slow...him down. He just came through it with no injuries whatsoever.

"We have to contact Anko-san...he's..." a white snake then ceased the nearest ninja, injecting him with a paralyzing poison causing him to foam at the mouth.

"Kira!" the two others yelled, turning as two more snakes lashed out, biting them right in the neck. They activated with their last strength a few explosive tags...but through the smoke, a cloaked figure with the snakes coming out of his back kept advancing.

"Three more...this should do," he said, moving his hand up to his face...pushing up his glasses. He had purple markings under his eyes, his skin was white and covered in scales. "...its time to make my return...my new powers are working nicely."

Yakushi Kabuto, right hand man of Orochimaru himself had returned. He put a smirk on his face, and squeezed his hand into a tight fist. And then he continued to walk off with the Taki Ninja still coiled by his snakes.

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes:

This was a tough chapter for me to write considering how much I powered Danzo up to. However, I was satisfied with the result of Danzo surviving (despite being wounded), but Sasuke winning. Karin's now left Sasuke to join Konoha, and Tenko and Hinata have finished the first step of their Rasengan training. And now...Kabuto is back.

Please read and review.

Jutsu List:

Chidori Eiso (Chidori Spear), A-Rank, Offensive, Mid-Range: Sasuke creates a Chidori and shapes it into a long blade, can extend up to five meters. Extremely sharp, its capable of cutting through mostly anything.

Enton: Enko no Yoroi (Blaze Release: Armor of Flame), Kekkei Genkai, No Rank, Defensive, Short Range: The user manipulates the flames of Amaterasu around their body or a chakra construct like Susano'o to provide an even greater defense. Even when wrapped around the user's body, due to their fine control of the technique they will not be burned by it, even if the flame shield is broken.

Futon: Taifubakuha (Wind Release: Typhoon Blast), Collaboration Jutsu, A-Rank, Offensive, Long Range: The user slams a massive amount of Futon Chakra into the Baku's body, using the Baku's massive lung capacity and shaping it into hurricane force winds capable of uprooting trees, as well as cutting through them due to the Futon's sharpness.

Mokuton: Chibaindo Kongen (Wood Release: Thousand Binding Roots), Kekkei Genkai, No Rank, Offensive + Supplementary, Mid-Long Range: Similar to the Nara Clan's Kage Nui no Jutsu (Shadow Sewing Technique), the user either pierces or wraps the target up with a thousand roots which either pull down or crush the target.

Suiton: Akuma Sakana Nami Kurasshu (Water Release: Demon Fish Wave Crash), S-Rank, Offensive + Supplementary, Short Range: Suigetsu's strongest technique. Gathering all the water around his body, he's able to form a massive demon fish which is capable of deflecting blows from even the Hachibi no Kyogyū, as well as surviving a point-blank Bijudama due to the Water's 'soft defense' nature.