Chapter 27

Eyes Tainted by Hatred: Sasuke's War Begins

Mountain's Graveyard

Madara's prisoner that was kept deep in the the Mountain's Graveyard had woken up with a start. She glanced around after she felt that tremor through the entire base. Kushina's eyes strained in the morning light as she breathed in and glanced out the cell. Despite Madara being gone, Naruto's mother had still received rations and food from the White Zetsu thingy that had been left to take care of her.

"...alright, what the hell was that?" Kushina asked as she felt some chakra being released...and the entire area shaking from an impact. "Huh, wonder if the masked bastard is under attack..."

Red chakra bubbled up around her as she focused the Kurama chakra that was inside her to the surface. Despite the extraction she possessed as much as six tails of the Fox's power, able to manifest both the Version 1 and Version 2 cloak-the latter she did rarely due to the strain it put on her body. Version 1 with six tails though she could manage just fine. After it finished forming she shot out several chakra arms and grabbed the chakra chains she had manifested.

"Alright...now...PULL!" Kushina yelled as she pulled with all her might...and due to the impact of whatever it was earlier, everything had been weakened to the point...where the wall to her cell completely collapsed and a gust of fresh air hit her. "FINALLY!"

She charged Futon chakra into one of her chakra arms and swiped the chains that kept her bound to the wall and jumped right out to freedom. She could sense several chakras nearby, but didn't feel any malice from them as she turned in their direction.

Naruto...I'll meet up with you soon!

At the same time underneath the Mountain's Grave complex another 60,000 White Zetsu clones had managed to be completed, dropping right off of the Hashirama 'clone' flower. All at once they began to sink into the ground to join the battles at the front. Two ROOT ANBU appeared stealth-fully on the ceiling as they hid their chakra signatures.

"Found Akatsuki's primary means of creating the inferior Hashirama clones," the bear-masked ROOT ANBU reported through the radio within his mask. "Planting explosive tags to neutralize."

"Understood. We just felt a small earthquake so be sure to keep your guard up," the ROOT ANBU commanders in the floors above advised. "Sensors also detected a chakra spike, Madara might have returned and is making himself known."

"Should we rescue the Konoha shinobi that is being held captive in that flower...thing?"

"Due to his Mokuton, he is still an asset to the Leaf, so yes. Rescue him before you detonate the explosives."

"Understood."

With that, both ANBU ROOT shunshined down to the flower and traveled along it. Eventually they found Hashirama's clone jutting out of the giant plant with Yamato was suspended underneath him. The captain of Team Kakashi was barely conscious...Hashirama's genetic material within him was pulling in more and more of it from the clone.

"What...ANBU...?" he muttered as his eyes opened a bit.

"Lets get you out of there, Yamato-san," the bear-masked ANBU ROOT said as the two grabbed his shoulders. "Full extraction, are you ready..."

"Yes...I want out of here," Yamato said as the two ANBU then began to pull.

After several excruciating moments, the Mokuton user was pulled free of the flower. Some of his skin on his arms had been torn off but otherwise they were just scratches. He panted, his vision clearing as the wounds from the extraction from the flower began to sizzle...closing. He blinked in shocked and looked at his arm.

"This is...Hashirama's healing ability..." he whispered a bit as the wounds closed and he felt, now that he was separated from the flower...his chakra started to skyrocket. Since I was the only compatible test subject with Hashirama's power...being fused with that thing must have increased my own reserves...

"We don't have time, we're going to be destroying this," the ANBU ROOT members warned him and Yamato stood up.

"I understand. I'm fine, lets get out of here..." he said as the three vanished in a shunshin.

At the ROOT camp, Rin had just finished the Rinnegan transplant into Danzō's original eye. The most powerful of the dōjutsu began to immediately siphon off the ROOT leader's chakra. Yondaime Hokage's former student counteracted it by injecting and transplanting more of Hashirama's genetic material into the ROOT leader's body.

At this rate he'll have 90% of his body transplanted from Hashirama's genetic material...its just to balance the power of that dōjutsu he has now... Rin thought as a bead of sweat dripped from her forehead. Much more intensive than the Sharingan. Even all those he had in his arm doesn't compare to the drain that the Rinnegan will have on him...

She finished grafting another piece of Hashirama's genetic material onto Danzō's chest Her hands glowed green as she checked the flow and the drain from the Rinnegan was remarkably lessened. With just a bit more she implanted into his shoulder she had completed the procedure. The entire surgery had taken a grueling six hours since the Rinnegan had been procured.

"...is it done?" Danzō asked simply...he had been conscious through the surgery by choice.

"Yes Danzō-sama...you should be able to wield the Rinnegan with ease and your Mangekyō Sharingan will be able to be used at a faster rate every day with a far shorter cool down," Rin said as she wrote down the medical information. "And with all the Hashirama material within you you should be able to finally use his 'Healing Power'."

"Excellent," Danzō squeezed his hand into a tight fist as that ability kicked in and healed his body from the transplants and injections. "Any side effects I should be worried about?"

"Just like before, if you receive an injury that is excessive or if you run too low on chakra, the Hashirama material that was transplanted into you will activate and attempt to turn you into a tree," Rin said as she breathed in through her nose. "However, due to all the new material added, if that happens you won't be able to remove it without losing your life."

"The risk doesn't outweigh the reward," Danzō said as he nodded. "You've outdone yourself Rin. You've further protected Konoha through this transplant...and assured your late sensei's son will continue to be protected."

"Yes...sir," Rin bowed and Danzō started to leave the room. Rin was an unofficial member of ROOT...she hadn't been put through the same training the rest of the members had due to her recruitment being after the age young ROOT members would go through. ...I hope I didn't make a mistake...Danzō-sama hasn't truly protected the village for a long time now...

Rin had joined ROOT a year after the Kyubi Attack on Konoha, Danzō had saved her life after several Kirigakure ANBU tried to capture her for her organ transplanting expertise. Ever since that day she had pledged to serve him...becoming ROOT's top medical ninja. However...she also saw ROOT's true actions, and while they could be argued that it was essential for them to protect Konoha that way...and then Pain's Invasion happened and ROOT stood still and did nothing to help their fellow ninja. Since then...Rin had been trying to search for a way out and back into the regular ninja population of the village.

Until Danzō died or was held accountable for his actions all over the ninja world, Rin was trapped as his indentured medical ninja. She breathed through her nose and rubbed the bridge of it to keep her stress down.

At the same time, in the depths of Mountain's Graveyard Sasuke had finished putting on his outfit. He slid his chokutō into its sheath. Suigetsu had found the weapon cache in the complex and had two new swords on his back to replace the Kubikiribōchō that he lost earlier. Jūgo was the same as ever as he conversed with several birds.

"There are infiltrators in this place, ANBU from the look of it Sasuke."

"ANBU huh, Madara must have gotten sloppy," Sasuke said with a smirk. His Sharingan were still active as he turned to his comrades. "How are they operating?"

"...they're very thorough so far, having searched most of the compound," Jūgo replied as the Uchiha survivor nodded.

"Any idea whose commanding them?"

Before Jūgo could reply Suigetsu yawned. "What does it matter Sasuke? We should just high-tail it out of here before we're discovered."

"And go where?" Sasuke asked him as he squeezed his hand into a tight fist. "And remember, Taka already has its objective."

"Yeah, yeah I know!" Suigetsu said with a groan. "Destroy Konoha and all that..."

"Not that one, that's the secondary objective," Sasuke said as his Sharingan swirled into the Eternal Mangekyō design. "Our main objective is to kill Uzumaki Naruto. As long as he is alive, we won't be able to do the secondary objective."

"...you're still sore that he kicked your ass at the Summit aren't you, Sasuke?" Suigetsu commented in a deadpan manner. Sasuke glared at him and the former Kirigakure shinobi jumped back. "Okay okay I get it, that Naruto guy first then Konoha!"

"...we're still just sticking to the higher ups there, right Sasuke?" Jūgo asked after a moment.

"...why of course, Jūgo. Don't worry about that," Sasuke lied right to Jūgo's face. "Just punishing those who were responsible for my family's destruction."

A bird then flew in and landed on Jūgo's shoulder. "...we know whose leading them now. Its...Shimura Danzō, these are ROOT ANBU."

A dark smirk appeared on Sasuke's face. "Jūgo, Suigetsu...wait in here. You'll just get in the way."

"Wait, you're going to fight all the ROOT here alone, and go after Danzō again?!" Suigetsu asked in shock. "You barely drove him off last time!"

"This will give my new eyes a true, proper test," Sasuke said simply as he began to walk. "If you truly want to do something, search for more of those Zetsus. With Karin dead, we need a new sensor for the group."

"...right, Sasuke," Suigetsu said as Sasuke pushed the door open. He's really gone insane with that hatred of this. Karin...she really had the right idea of ditching him the first chance she could!

Outside the room, Sasuke unsheathed his chokutō Kusanagi blade, and then took off at high speed as he used the darkness to his advantage. His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could see perfectly within the darkness, it was as if he was outside during the daytime. His enhanced hearing from his training while blind could hear the faint footsteps of the ROOT shinobi that were all around.

Two were down another hallway as he appeared, a Chidori charged down his sword and before they could react he cut them both in half. The blood didn't even hit him as he used a shunshin to pick up more speed, the two dying ROOT members still in too much shock about what happened to report to their comrades. Sasuke's dark smirk grew as he began to move at greater speeds and ran on the ceiling as he set his next targets.

There were three more ROOT ninja that were checking for traps when one froze...Sasuke appeared behind him and stabbed him through the back with a Chidori. The two other ROOT ninja jumped back as the Uchiha survivor yanked his hand ought of the ROOT ninja's corpse.

"We're under attack!" one of the ROOT reported through the radio. "It is..."

Sasuke then decapitated the ROOT ninja with a single slash of his Chidori while the third one did several seals and then launched a fireball at him. The Uchiha survivor turned, his smirk becoming steadily more deranged. His Susano'o ribcage then formed around him and the flames of the ROOT Ninja's attack hit his defense without even singeing it.

"You'll have to do a lot better than that," Sasuke uttered as he focused his left eye. "Amaterasu."

The black, inextinguishable flames then erupted and burned through the flames that were bathing his Susano'o ribcage. He then did a hebi and tora seals and the Amaterasu he had conjured up began to slowly change shape. He added Inton (Yin Release) to the mix to help with the shaping and Sasuke's smirk grew.

"Enton: Kagutsuchi Ryu (Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi Dragon)!" Sasuke said as the dragon of black flames rose around the Uchiha, in its 'eyes' were the reflection of Sasuke's Sharingan. It was nearly 40 meters long, but only ten meters high when coiled. "Now...go!"

The ROOT ninja jumped back and tried to get a better signal for the shortwave radio. The Chidori that was used earlier had nearly fried the communications"I repeat, we're under attack...I repeat...!"

Just as Sasuke's Kagutsuchi Dragon lunged at him and practically swallowed the ROOT agent. If anyone picked up his transmission all they could hear was the scream of the agent as well as the sound of his clothes and flesh being ignited. The Kagutsuchi Dragon coiled around Sasuke again and acted like a protective barrier as he dispelled his Susano'o ribcage, then he began to run through the halls towards his next target.

The next floor the ROOT were on alert now for their then unknown attacker. Despite the identity not being revealed they had taken the 'Manji' formation to and were prepared to work as a team to fight their assailant. There were nearly a dozen in the room, each with at least one nature transformation so they could combine their techniques.

Then the Kagutsuchi Dragon burst from the ground and engulfed an entire team as Sasuke leaped out and stabbed two more of the ROOT shinobi with his chokutō. Immediately the surviving ROOT members launched a counter attack, two used a shunshin to appear at Sasuke's back. His Sharingan swirled and he, almost lazily intercepted their slash with his own blade. With his other hand black flames burst from a partially formed Susano'o sword small enough to fit into his hand.

"Enton: Kagutsuchi (Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi)!" He flicked his wrist and impaled the two ROOT ninja that were attacking him with spikes made of Amaterasu. They screamed in agony as they were burned from the inside out by the hellfire that Sasuke conjured.

Another team of ROOT ninja nearby finished making a bunch of seals. First two blew out a giant, combined fireball, the next two added a blast of Futon to the fireball to make it stronger. The third two slammed their hands down to trap Sasuke in a Doton wall to prevent his escape. The fourth two then charged lightning into the center of the fireball and finally the fifth two ran to either side to blow out a massive blast of water at him.

"A combined elemental attack of all five elements, there's something you don't see everyday," Sasuke commented as he was surrounded by a dark blue aura.

Just as all five elemental attacks, including the combined one were about to hit Sasuke's new final, armored Susano'o burst around him and unleashed a shock wave as it effortlessly deflected the combined attack. The new armor that surrounded it was different than before...the hood instead of appearing like a demon was almost ghostly, and it jutted out in a beak. Two angry, glowing eyes were in the 'dark' portion of the chakra construct and it had four arms, the two on the left had the shield crossbow of the lower forms and the right there was a giant sword...made of Amaterasu in one hand and the second right hand had an orb of Amaterasu itself.

"That was...our best..."

"Remember your training!" an older ROOT ninja commanded. "We managed to distract him long enough to get word out...Danzō-sama has been informed."

Sasuke's Kagutsuchi Dragon coiled around the armored Susano'o with it looking up and hissing on his shoulder. Lightning sparked in the last Uchiha's hand after he got the confirmation that they were working for Danzō. Shadow was cast over his eyes as a even darker smirk appeared.

"Nii-san...don't worry. I won't fail this time to end that miserable bastard's life," Sasuke uttered in a harsh, sadistic whisper. He then began to laugh and a sliver opened through his Susano'o's defense...and he shot a Chidori Eiso right out at the elder ROOT ninja and impaled him through the head. "You can count on it!"

Outside, Danzō had received the news that the mysterious attacker was Uchiha Sasuke. He frowned grimly and he squeezed his hand into a tight fist. He hadn't been able to correct Itachi's only mistake before, now perhaps, he'd be able to finish the job. Especially with the power of his new Rinnegan and enhanced Mokuton he had now. He glanced to see that his men were returning the ANBU that had been captured on the onset of the War, Yamato, to the medical tents to be treated. He then formed a seal...and vanished in a shunshin as he plunged into the depths of the hideout.

That blasted child... Danzō thought as he rushed through the halls. Itachi's hopes for him are completely dashed. He's truly became nothing more than a rabid dog that needs to be put down...

Sasuke's rampage continued within, the ROOT's best were desperately trying to combat him. Though with his Susano'o active none of their attacks even scratched him. From a force of thirty six that had been in the area only three were still alive as the last Uchiha lifted the Kagutsuchi blade up with his Susano'o.

"How truly disappointing," Sasuke uttered as he slashed the sword down on the three hapless ROOT ninja, bisecting or crushing them...and igniting their remains with black flames before they could even move.

He then dispelled his jutsu and with a shunshin, he vanished and went to assault the next group of ROOT ninja. Sasuke truly, truly hoped he'd eventually encounter Danzō again so they could settle their score.

Third Division, Land of Frost

While Sasuke's rampage against the ROOT shinobi at Mountain's Graveyard continued, Kakashi's Third Division was rapidly securing their battlefield from the reincarnated Seven Swordsmen. Only three were still active, on top of the only living member being Hoshigaki Kisame. Rock Lee and Might Guy clashed several times with the Akatsuki Swordsman but each battle had been inconclusive, and now Guy himself was in combat with two of the Seven Swordsmen: Akebino Jinin with the Kabutowari and Kuriarare Kushimaru with his Nuibari.

Guy had brought out his specially made nun-chucks to battle them...the Sōshūga, his dragon chucks. He spun them expertly and deflected the Nuibari's thrown stab while he jumped and kicked Jinin's face after he tried to slash him with the ax-end of the Kabutowari. He then unleashed the first of the Eight Gates to increase his speed and he slammed his heel into Jinin's stomach and he crashed into Kushimaru! As both swordsmen grunted and began to argue, Guy was already on them!

"Feel the explosion of YOUTH!" Guy yelled as he kicked Jinin's chin so hard that both he and Kushimaru were launched into the air.

"What the?!" Kushimaru called Konoha's Blue Beast appeared behind them.

"First...Kage Buyō (Dancing Leaf Shadow)!" Guy called out as bandages appeared around him...and then coiled around the two seven swordsmen and wrapped them up to restrain them! "Then...Omote Renge (Front Lotus)!"

Guy spun at an insanely high speed and disoriented both swordsmen. Just as they were about to impact, the taijutsu master unfurled his bandages and smashed Jinin and Kushimaru into the ground with enough force their heads practically exploded and most of their upper torso. While they began to regenerate the sealing team advanced and wrapped both in sealing clothes before attaching the seals to them.

"That was amazing Guy-san!" one of the Suna ninja said in surprise.

Guy was about to respond when the ground began to rumble and...then from the ground a sword jutted out and the taijutsu master jumped out of the way. Both Sealing Ninja tried to too, but they got caught up in the shock wave of the underground slash and slammed into two trees with enough force to knock them out. Guy skidded back as the dust cloud that was kicked up began to clear...and standing before him was Hoshigaki Kisame, his hand clenched to the Sameha. Unlike the reincarnated Akatsuki members...he still wore the proud red cloud cloak design which fluttered in the wind.

"Looks like the stupid beast is up to his old tricks," Kisame said with a smirk. "Been fighting for a while before I could finally get to ya."

Guy squinted and then pointed. "I feel like I met you somewhere before!"

...a bead of sweat appeared behind Kisame's head. "We've fought three times already, and you still don't recognize me?"

"Oh we did...?" Guy asked as he put his hand to his chin and the Akatsuki swordsman gave an exasperated sigh.

"Forget it," Kisame said as he slashed out at the taijutsu master. "It won't matter anyway since you won't be leaving this place alive!"

Guy jumped back and dodged two more slashes, each one closer than the next. Kisame got a excited look on his face as he bore his shark-like teeth and he spun with the full force of his Sameha blade. Guy ducked and dodged and rushed into the Akatsuki's swordsman's guard while he spun his Sōshūga, the dragon-chucks lashed out and Kisame dodged them.

These ones are different than before... Kisame thought as he remembered the last time Guy used nun-chucks against him, and then his smirk widened. Even if he doesn't recognize me...he is fighting seriously...this fight is getting my blood boiling more than ever before!

He then brought his blade down in a massively powerful overhand strike as Guy skidded back and then blocked the slash with the Sōshūga. Sparks flew off both weapons as the taijutsu master struggled against Kisame's monstrous physical strength, the ground even cracked and cratered underneath his feet. Guy gritted his teeth as he began to lose the contest of strength just as the Akatsuki Swordsmen surged forward at him...and first delivered a devastating headbutt right to the taijutsu master's face.

"GAH!"

"I'm not done!" Kisame roared and raised his fist as blood flew from Guy's bottom lip.

With a loud roar he punched Guy's stomach with enough force to not only pin him to the ground...but gouge a large crater out. Blood flew out of the taijutsu master's mouth as the air was forced out of his lungs. As he winced in pain Kisame then kicked Guy out of the crater and embedded him into a tree. The Akatsuki Swordsman smirked madly as he spun the Sameha.

"What is this, you stupid beast, are you done already?" Kisame taunted as he shouldered his massive blade. "You put up a much better fight against my clones in the past after all!"

Clones...? This pain...it does feel familiar...but I can't place it... Guy thought as he pulled himself out of the tree trunk. He wiped his lip as blood continued to drip from it. Not to mention that physical strength...if I keep fighting like this I'm going to lose.

Guy threw his arms back as he focused. "You are a serious opponent, so I am going to fight you at full strength! Hachimon: Keimon (Eight Gates: Gate of Joy)!"

With that Konoha's Blue Beast's skin turned red and his eyes became blank, and what looked to be a green chakra aura burst around him. Pulses of energy burst from him and the ground shook at his feet and Kisame licked his lips. In response of Guy's usage of the Gates...he began to merge with Sameha.

"I'm going to suck every bit of chakra from your body, you stupid beast," Kisame said...now having changed into a true half man, half shark. He then slammed his hands together. "And we'll enter my arena!" His cheeks then swelled with water. "Suiton: Dai Bakusui Shōha (Water Release: Great Water Exploding Wave)!"

Guy shielded his eyes as a massive, powerful wave of water burst from the Tailless Biju's mouth. Despite the heat of Keimon around him working as a shield, he was soon engulfed and submerged under the newly formed lake...which was then shaped into a mountain-sized dome of water.

"You are now in my Suirō Sameodori no Jutsu (Water Prison Shark Dance Technique), if you don't die from me shaving your chakra off..." Kisame said as his tail swished in the water. "You will die of drowning, two horrible ways to go!"

Guy grasped his throat as Keimon continued to surround him. He's right, I have to get out of here quickly before I suffocate!

Mountain's Graveyard

Sasuke was virtually unharmed, surrounded by dead and dying ROOT ninja as Shimura Danzō entered the room. The last Uchiha have a smirk, his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan glowed in the dark as he saw the ROOT leader. For a moment, Danzō's vision blurred...and he could have swore he saw his younger self in Sasuke's stance and expression. He unsheathed his sword...and used a shunshin to cross the distance and he lashed out with his blade. The ROOT leader countered by creating a black rod and blocked, the two skidded apart and Sasuke smirked.

"Looks like I'm not the only one who got a new eye," Sasuke said darkly as Danzō's Rinnegan focused at him. "I guess Shisui's wasn't enough power for you."

"I will do anything to protect my homeland, and now I have the greatest dōjutsu possible," Danzō said as he gripped the Chakra Disruption Blade he had created.

"The Rinnegan, Tobi's last pawn had it, I guess you did some more grave robbing," Sasuke said as he tightened his grip on his Kusanagi chokutō. "That is how you protect the village?"

"The next generation will never be ready. Only through my guidance I can lead it to a new era from the shadows," Danzō said calmly as his foot skid apart. "You are a threat to my homeland, and I'll put you down like the rabid dog you are."

Sasuke laughed darkly at that and flicked his Kusanagi. "All your talk about 'protecting Konoha' is just a farce. That's why you had my family wiped out, right?" his voice became dark and cold. "So you could keep your own power secured."

"Think what you will," Danzō said as his Rinnegan glowed. "It won't matter after you're dealt with after all."

"Amaterasu!" Sasuke suddenly roared and the black flames of Amaterasu appeared on Danzō. "I won't let you use Izanagi this time! I'll burn you to a crisp!"

Danzō skidded back as the flames seemed to engulf him...before he lifted his arms. "Preta Path."

To Sasuke's surprise the Amaterasu flames were...consumed by a spinning barrier that appeared around Danzō. The Root Leader capitalized on the surprise and used Asura Path to change his feet into chakra rocket boots and he burst towards the last Uchiha with a astonishing amount of sheer speed. Sasuke however read the path with his Sharingan and dodged and charged lightning into his chokutō Kusanagi.

He slashed downward only for Danzō to outmanuver him by abruptly stopping in mid air and he unleashed a gravity pulse out which sent Sasuke flying backwards. The last Uchiha gritted his teeth and managed to land on the ceiling only for dozens of what looked to be missiles shoot out from Danzō's arm right at him.

Chakra absorption...mechanization...and gravity control? That's what the Rinnegan gives? Sasuke thought as he ran from the missiles before hopping back to the floor and had Susano'o's ribcage burst around his body. The missiles slammed into it with enough force to level multiple city blocks but when the smoke cleared his defense was unscathed. "Is that all?"

"No," Danzō uttered as he lifted his hand. "Bansho Ten'in."

What looked to be a miniature black hole appeared in Danzō's palm and it forcefully yanked Sasuke right out of his Susano'o defense! The last Uchiha gritted his teeth and slammed his sword hard into the stone floor to stop his ascent to the ROOT leader. He felt the pull loosen...and Danzō was then on him and smashed his heel hard into Sasuke's stomach. The increased physical power of Hashirama's genetic material coupled with Asura Path's mechanization made the blow even harder than normal and blood burst from the last Uchiha's stomach as he crashed through a wall.

Thank you Kakashi-san, Uzumaki Naruto, your battles against Pain allowed me to know what powers to use when I got the Rinnegan myself, Danzō thought as he lowered his foot to the ground nest to Sasuke's sword.

Just as he did...the sword burst into a puff of smoke to reveal Sasuke there! He had used a last second substitution to throw Danzō off! Sasuke had transformed into the sword and the sword into himself just as the ROOT leader's attack was about to hit. The older shinobi's eyes widened as the Chidori sparked around Sasuke's hand and he thrusts his hand forward. Time seemed to slowed down as Danzō sidestepped and turned to avoid the point blank Chidori...but he wasn't fast enough to escape injury entirely.

Blood bursts from Danzō's chest as three of his ribs were exposed. Sasuke gritted his teeth as he flew through the seals as he created Amaterasu again. Though this time he shaped it into the Kagutsuchi Ryu he had created before, the dragon of black flames roared as its jaws opened menacingly to swallow Danzō before he could recover.

"SHINRA TENSEI!" Danzō roared as he fought the pain that was on his chest.

A bone-crushing force burst out in all directions and dissipated the Amaterasu Dragon and smashed right into Sasuke. The last Uchiha wrapped his Susano'o ribcage around him protectively as he was smashed, and embedded into the wall which cratered from the force of the gravitational repulsion. Danzō panted and dropped to one knee, blood dripping from his wound. Suddenly it began to sizzle as smoke lifted off of it...and it was close...Hashirama's Healing Power had kicked in.

That was close...if not for my Sharingan I wouldn't have been able to avoid that point-blank Chidori... Danzō thought as he stabilized himself. He even anticipated and prepared for my next strike...this Sasuke is on an completely other level than the one consumed by rage I fought before the War.

Sasuke rose to his feet and he spat out a little bit of blood, but he was otherwise completely unharmed. He the threw his arms out and his Susano'o rapidly grew to its complete form...and he floated in the center as it doubled in size...his Susano'o had reached the stage where it could sprout legs. At 16 meters tall, it towered is previous Susano'o forms. Danzō winced and covered his Rinnegan as blood started to drip from it.

Damn it, at my present level I can't use this form's power for long! Danzō thought as Sasuke took his chance and created a chokutō made of chakra for his Susano'o to grab and charged it with Raiton.

"What's the matter, Danzō? Entered battle without fully adapting to your new eye?" Sasuke taunted as he slashed downward. "Susano'o: Chidori Gatana (Susano'o: Chidori Katana)!"

Danzō rolled out of the way at the last second and did a seal. If the Rinnegan needs time to recharge, I'll fall back to using Hashirama's Mokuton. With as much genetic material within me now, I should be able to use some of his stronger techniques! He did the snake, then ram, then hare, then dog, and finally snake seals again. "Mokuton: Mokuryū no Jutsu (Wood Release: Wood Dragon Technique)!"

Outside the Grave the lower levels exploded outward to reveal Danzō now riding a 100 meter long, 20 meter tall wood dragon. The dragon had a trunk nose and resembled a Japanese dragon of legend in terms of body shape. It gave a roar as Sasuke's Susano'o's left arm formed its crossbow shield and he 'sheathed' his sword onto his construct's hip...and from his outer right arm he created three arrows, charged two with lightning and a third with Amaterasu.

"Lets go!" Sasuke challenged as he had his Susano'o jump right at Danzō's dragon!

"Indeed," Danzō uttered and his dragon's eyes glowed bright and it lunged right at Sasuke.

The last Uchiha acted quickly and fired the Raiton Arrow first, aiming right at Danzō on the head of his Mokuryū. Immediately the dragon snatched the arrow right out of the air mid-flight and absorbed the chakra and made it vanish. Sasuke slashed with his Susano'o sword and the Mokuryū blocked with its teeth and sent a shower of sparks everywhere.

"You can't win this boy!" Danzō snapped as his Mokuryū became more viscous and he had his Mokuryū move to coil around Sasuke's smaller Susano'o like a snake.

Sasuke reacted instantly and leaped up and avoided the coils and the Mokuryū's attempt to sink its teeth into his Susano'o. He then loaded the Amaterasu tipped arrow ignited with the blazing hellfire flames as he was right above the head of the wooden dragon, Danzō's eyes widened as he fired the projectile near point-blank into the Mokuryū's head. It gave a roar as it was then ignited from the inside out with the black flames

Danzō was forced to abandon his jutsu as it was completely engulfed in the black flames, it writhed back and forth until it collapsed onto the ground in a heap. Sasuke within his Susano'o landed right in front of it as he loaded his Raiton arrow. This time he charged it up instead of keeping the electricity in the arrowhead, lightning arced out all around as the ROOT leader acted quickly.

"Mokuton: Mokujin no Jutsu (Wood Release: Wood Golem Technique)!" Danzō roared as he used the snake seal and charged a massive amount of his chakra into the technique.

Sasuke fired the Raiton arrow just as a massive wooden hand grabbed the arrow in mid-flight and crushed it. The last Uchiha's jaw dropped slightly as Danzō was suddenly riding an absolutely gigantic wood construct which looked like an angry, warrior Buddha. Around its shoulder was another Mokuryū which acted as a sash for the construct's 'clothes'. It was absolutely massive...as big...no bigger than the 118 meter tall Gyūki!

Danzō punched forward and slammed the smaller Susano'o into the wall. Sasuke grunted as his chakra construct cracked and shattered before the ROOT leader slammed its fist down like a hammer to crush the last Uchiha and his Susano'o. Sasuke dissipated his Susano'o and then at the last moment used a Shunshin to avoid the attack which caused a localized earthquake.

"FEAR IT BOY! THIS IS THE POWER OF THE SHODAIME HOKAGE! MY POWER!" Danzō roared before he began to cough and spit up blood. Damn it, did I use up too much chakra? Just keep calm, as long as I have this technique active and the Rinnegan I'll be able to win!

"That is quite the technique, though I think the Shodaime Hokage had an easier time using that technique," Sasuke taunted as he looked up at Danzō. "You're neither the original wielder of those stolen Kekkei Genkai nor do you have the chakra to maintain these techniques, especially that Rinnegan for long at all do you?"

"Shut up!" Danzō yelled as he had his Mokujin smash Sasuke's location but he merely used his Shunshin to appear on its hand and avoid the attack entirely. "You're nothing but a petulant child, a rabid dog that should have been put down years ago!"

"If I'm a rabid dog, then you're a parasite," Sasuke said as he avoided the palm slap and appeared right in front of the Mokujin as a Danzō panted. "Unlike the Sandaime Hokage, you just couldn't step aside since you trust no one but yourself," he said as his eyes darkened. "Which is why you had my brother kill our Clan, since you couldn't trust anyone but yourself to resolve the situation...I'm a rabid dog, but you're an immoral parasite who just wants to be immortal and run everything yourself...even if you run it into the ground."

Danzō's eyes shot open in rage and he went to flatten Sasuke with his Mokujin. A dark blue aura burst around the last Uchiha's body and responded to his own anger at what happened to Itachi and his Clan. Sasuke Susano'o was reformed...the armor stage swallowed the complete form up...and then grew to the same size as Danzō's Mokujin! One of the scaled, ghastly hands of his armored Susano'o caught the Mokujin's punch and a massive shock wave blew everything from the impact in a three kilometer radius, even the ROOT camp felt it.

In the giant, armored Susano'o's back hands were two broadswords...both were ignited in Amaterasu's black flames. Finally...the Amaterasu was shaped around the Susano'o...and formed the Amaterasu Ryū once again to mirror the Mokuryū around the Mokujin. As Danzō looked on in shock...Sasuke suddenly attacked and backhanded the Mokujin with enough force to send it crashing back into the Grave and one of its giant feet smashed down to the chamber where the Shodaime Hokage flower was...and utterly crushed it from the weight.

"I'm going to finish this quickly Danzō!" Sasuke shouted as he pressed his attack. "I won't leave any time for you to defend yourself!"

With the front hands of his giant Susano'o he created two more broadswords that ignited with lightning and he slashed forward with them. Danzō managed to recover and avoid the first couple slashes as his vision blurred a bit. He forced it back and had the Mokujin catch one of the Raiton swords but the next forced him to let go and jump back.

This is...this is just like Madara's...but... Danzō thought as Sasuke's Amaterasu Ryū roared and attacked. "Shinra Tensei!"

He managed to disperse the black flame dragon just as Sasuke's Susano'o used an uppercut on Danzō's Mokujin to send him crashing backwards. He brought one of the Amaterasu blades down in a vertical stab but the Mokuryū launched out, bit and intercepted the blade, which allowed Danzō to recover. However it was immediately severed by the right Raiton blade.

I can't...I can't keep up...! Danzō thought in surprise as Sasuke's Susano'o ducked and began to spin, his left Amaterasu and Raiton blades dispelling both hands grabbed the right swords' hilts.

He roared. "THIS IS FOR MY FAMILY YOU SELF-SERVING SON OF A BITCH!"

The spin attack slashed into Danzō's Mokujin with enough force to cut it in three's...and launch a slicing shock wave in all directions that cut three small mountains that were around the Akatsuki Hideout in half, then ignited them in black flames to obliterate them. Danzō gasped in pain and shock as he was forced off his destroyed construct and he smashed to the ground.

Sasuke dispelled his Susano'o and rushed at him. Chidori sparked in his hand as the ROOT leader managed with all his might to get back onto his feet his Rinnegan bleeding. Before he could fully recover the last Uchiha's electrified hand slammed right into his chest...and obliterated his heart.

"Everyone you killed, everyone you betrayed, that was for them..." Sasuke snarled darkly. "The village you fought so hard to protect will soon fall to me, but you're just first on the list."

Danzō chuckled weakly as he felt his life leaving his body. "You...know Sasuke...we're not so different..."

"What?!" Sasuke snarled. "I'm nothing like you!"

"We're...not? Then why do you...enter the darkness fully to protect the 'light' of your Clan...just like I entered the darkness to protect Konoha," Danzō said as the last Uchiha's eyes widened. "Your descent into darkness...was just like...mine in many ways..."

Sasuke yanked his hand out of Danzō's chest as the elderly shinobi dropped to his knees. "I'm nothing..."

"We both worked with...Orochimaru...both did things ninja in the light...would never do...both let our anger and hatred rule us and our actions...we're both willing to kill and have killed innocent people...all so we could accomplish our goals..." Danzō said with a dark smirk. "You truly are...my successor. I should have had you join...ROOT the day after your family had to be put down..." Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Enjoy being...the new...Shinobi of Darkness."

Danzō fell face forward to the ground, his long life at an end. Sasuke looked at his hand as the ROOT leader's words echoed in his mind. As much as he wanted to deny it...the last thing Danzō said echoed in his head. Disgusted that his long awaited revenge was tainted.

"I'm...not the new Shinobi of Darkness you bastard..." Sasuke snarled as Jūgo and Suigetsu managed to make it out of the complex.

"What the hell Sasuke?! Hold back a little bit, Jūgo and I were almost caught in that!" Suigetsu complained angrily.

"...Sasuke, are you alright?" Jūgo asked as the last Uchiha took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

"Jūgo, you're a sensor, right?" Sasuke asked after a moment.

"Not exactly...I can use animals to scout ahead and get information from them," Jūgo said as he looked at Sasuke. "Karin was our sensor, after all."

"...it'll be good enough," Sasuke stated as he glanced at Danzō's body...and with Amaterasu he ignited it.

"...who are we searching for?" Suigetsu muttered.

"Uzumaki Naruto," Sasuke said as he sheathed his sword. I'll be the 'Darkness' shinobi now...and fight the 'Light'...Naruto...with him dead I'll crush the village... he thought as he pursed his lips, his face looked unreadable. ...that's what I want to do...right? That's the goal...right?

"Sasuke?" Jūgo asked with a bit of concern, and the last Uchiha bit his thumb.

...what is a clan...what is a village...and who are the Kage... Sasuke thought as the ROOT leader's body was made into a dark, scorch mark on the ground. Why was the village so damn important for Danzō to protect...why go to such lengths...and why was Itachi so damn determined to do it...and...most importantly... he slammed his palm to the ground. What lengths will Naruto, its NEW Hokage do to protect it?

In a puff of smoke, he summoned a giant hawk and hopped onto it. Jūgo and Suigetsu, the latter who still complained that they were going to find the person who kicked Sasuke's ass at the Kage Summit. Sasuke's hawk took flight and left the area in a few seconds.

Third Division, Land of Frost

Guy was barely able to defend himself in the gigantic water prison he was in now. Even Keimon's heat wasn't able to provide him with any defense as Kisame zipped around him without trouble, breathing fine through the gills on his neck and shoulders. While Samehada would give him spines in this form to drain chakra. Sameha gave him large teeth to cut and carve.

"What's wrong, strange beast? Can't hold your breath for much longer?" Kisame taunted as he attacked from every direction. "Out of your element, you can't do a thing can you?!"

Guy recoiled from another punch from behind, and then another hit him in the stomach and a third smashed him across the face. He winced as he kept his guard up, blood leaking from his mouth into the water that surrounded him. Just as Kisame was about to land another blow he switched stance and made more chakra burst from his body from Keimon.

"Asa Kujaku (Morning Peacock)!" Might Guy roared and he began a flurry of punches, point blank right at the Akatsuki Swordsman!

Kisame's eyes widened in shock as a flurry fireballs from Guy's fists hit him directly. First dozens...then hundreds which evaporated the water all around and created a wave of steam within the gigantic Water Prison. Guy gave a loud roar and finished his attack with the last hundred punches which sent Kisame crashing to the bottom of the Water Prison and making it explode like a giant bubble.

Guy dropped to the floor, Keimon still active as he looked around for Kisame's body. But it was...underground? "Where did he go Asa Kujaku should have at least incapacitated him!"

Then...from the ground Kisame smashed his fist hard into the taijutsu master's chin and sent blood flying out of his mouth. Still in his merged form, the Akatsuki Swordsman was covered in burns and bruises...but they were closing or disappearing. Kisame grinned madly as the cuts on his lips sizzled closed.

"I haven't had a fight this entertaining in a LONG time!" Kisame yelled as he landed on his feet.

Guy managed to too, and wiped the blood off his cheek. This fighting style...that sword...those looks...I have fought you before... he breathed in and out as the Akatsuki Swordsman did some seals.

"Suiton: Senshokukō (Water Release: A Thousand Feeding Sharks)!" Kisame roared as he used the water that he created earlier...and shaped it into a thousand sharks which rushed under him and formed a literal wave under his feet. "Get ready to be ripped apart! There won't even be a trace of you left after this attack hits!"

Just like on the Island Turtle... Guy thought as he let his Keimon burst again. "Asa Kujaku (Morning Peacock)!"

With that he began to punch the air and like before he launched hundreds upon hundreds of fireballs from his fists to counter the wave of sharks. And in a mirror of the last time the techniques clashed, the sheer number of water sharks overwhelmed the Asa Kujaku fireballs. Konoha's Blue Beast jumped back as the wave of water sharks swarmed him.

"No choice!" Guy yelled as he jumped, dodged and ducked each Water Shark that tried to sink its teeth into him. "Kyōmon (Gate of Wonder) open!"

With that a massive burst of blue steam exploded from Guy's body. The sheer force and amount evaporated and blew away the wave of sharks that were attacking him. Kisame shielded his eyes and he jumped back off his wave as it was dispelled by the blue steam. Just as his feet touched down...Guy was on him.

Before he could even lift his arm to block Guy hit him with flying side kick to the jaw. Several pointed teeth flew from Kisame's as he looked on in shock. The force of the kick sent him careening through the entire forest before he crashed and embedded himself in a large cliff. Blood burst from his mouth from the impact and he fell out of the crater.

"This is...exhilarating...!" Kisame yelled as his injuries were healed again. "Lets..."

Guy was on him again before he completed his sentence and smashed his fist hard into Kisame's face again. Before he did a spinning heel kick to the Akatsuki Swordsman's chest...the sound of ribs snapping were heard in the area. Finally Konoha's Blue Beast finished his combo and smashed the back of his fist into Kisame's face.

The blue steam around him from Kyōmon was just as strong as ever though due to prolonged battle Guy's was starting to get exhausted. As he winced...Kisame capitalized on that and grabbed Guy by the neck and headbutted him hard. Konoha's Blue Beast grunted in shock before Kisame smashed his fist into Guy's stomach.

"How...how are you able to keep getting back up?!" Guy yelled as he stumbled back.

"As long as I have my sword with me...I can easily regenerate from the chakra I've cut and shaved from my past battles," Kisame stated as he stood up. "While you get weaker from fatigue, I get stronger. You lack the power to put me down!"

"We'll see about THAT!" Guy yelled as he vanished and began a barrage of punches.

Kisame first showed damage from them but like he said...Guy's punches were getting weaker from fatigue despite the speed not faltering. At the end he smashed his fist again into the Akatsuki Swordsman's face...and he didn't budge. Guy jumped back and Kisame got a feral grin.

"Are you..." Kisame started as Sameha shivered and emerged from him, getting into his hand. "Oh you must be low on chakra after all that, Sameha. But don't worry we'll get more..."

Guy realized that was his only chance. Vanishing once more...he kicked Sameha RIGHT out of Kisame's wrist, grabbed it despite spikes shooting out of the hilt to stab his hands...and he threw it with all his might until it seemed to cross the horizon. He then landed and did a seal, point-blank right in front of the Akatsuki Swordsman.

"Hirudora (Afternoon Tiger)!" Guy yelled as he pushed his hands forward.

Kisame's eyes widened as the tiger-shaped attack grabbed him in its jaws and sent him flying backwards. He screamed in pain and shock before the Hirudora smashed into the ground and bombarded him with the full, focused shock wave. Just like what his Mizu Bushin had experienced before...but even worse since he was so close to the attack.

"Damn...it just...I lost..." Kisame muttered as the Hirudora dispersed. He could no longer move his body...and with Sameha out of reach he couldn't repair the damage he had taken.

Guy dropped to his knees as his Kyōmon was shut off. He wiped his forehead just as Rock Lee arrived with a dozen members of the Third Division. Konoha's Blue Beast dropped to his knees, his entire body was sore and aching...

"Guy-sensei!" Rock Lee yelled as he rushed over to his sensei and supported him.

"I've just...wrapped up a difficult battle with an extremely strong opponent, Rock Lee," Guy said and he smirked. "Hoshigaki Kisame...someone who I'll never forget."

"Yosh! That's incredible Guy-sensei!" Lee said as he jumped...and Guy winced and comically threw his arms up and smacked his student to the ground.

"Uh I think we should get Guy-san to the medical tents, those injuries look pretty serious," one of the Third Division's ninja said.

"That's right! Don't worry Guy-sensei, I'll get you to the medics before you can blink!"

"Wait Lee! My body-!"

Lee, eager to impress Guy hoisted him onto his shoulder and then took off at high speed into the trees as he headed back to base camp. All the while, Guy's battered body hit branches, smashed into a tree trunk and just bounced up against his student's back. His eyes were now pupil-less holes by the half-way mark and he muttered in his unconsciousness 'No Lee...just wait...'

First Division, Lightning Ridge in the Land of Lightning

While Uchiha Sasuke battled Shimura Danzō in Mountain's Grave and Might Guy dueled Hoshigaki Kisame, the First Division with elements of the Second, Fourth, and Fifth repaired the fortress from the battle it endured in the days previous. Chōji carried a vast amount of building supplies over his shoulder while Neji oversaw the placement of them. Tenko had regained consciousness in medical tent...some of Kurama's chakra had leaked through the seal that Gamabunta had applied and was accelerating his healing. Karin used her sensor abilities to keep guard and had hit it off with Ino who was on sensor duty.

"Feels good to have a least some calm time after that battle," Ino said as she stretched.

Karin blinked. "Don't you think saying something like that will jinx us?"

Ino winced at that. On another battlement Team Kurenai were doing their own sensor run, Hinata's Byakugan had the greatest range of any Byakugan user in the divisions, even greater than Neji's due to her reconnaissance training. So far she had picked up no enemies on the edge or within her ten kilometer limit, which was baked up by Kiba's nose and Shino's insects.

"...hey Hinata, are you doing better than before?" Kiba asked his friend and teammate.

"I'm...doing fine Kiba-kun," Hinata said as she gave him a gentle smile. "Battling my father...strangely...helped me get closure in the wake of his death..." she put her hand to her chest. "It still hurts...but I know he's always going to be here for me now."

Shino nodded. "If you ever need help, Hinata, you can always ask us. We're more than your teammates, we're your friends after all."

"Thank you Shino-kun," Hinata said as a communications shinobi appeared by her. "Huh?"

"We've just received word from Turtle Island, Hinata-sama," the communications ninja said. "It had repelled an attack from Akatsuki who used to Edo Tensei Kages to invade it."

"What?!" Kiba asked. "Two Kages?!"

"Yes, both Naruto-sama and Bee-sama were able to defeat them, the message we got from Naruto-sama when their communications were restored by the Mizukage's deployment to the Island specifically wanted to inform the Hokage's friends and girlfriend that he is doing fine now..." the communications ninja started. "And that he is entering the War now."

"But...we're fighting to protect him, aren't we?" Kiba asked and he grumbled. "Its always like Naruto to seal our thunder when we're actually kicking ass and taking care of ourselves!"

"...but with the losses we've been taking, Kiba, its a sound, wise strategy for Naruto and Bee-san to enter. Especially since their location is compromised," Shino pointed out as he pushed up his glasses. 'It'll be a morale booster when he arrives."

"I agree with Shino-kun," Hinata said as her heart fluttered. "Naruto-kun entering the War will help greatly...and he only wants to help and protect us as much as we're protecting him."

Kiba gave a yawn. "You're only saying that because you're his girlfriend Hinata..." Akamaru barked in a bit of agreement at that.

Hinata got flustered, pushing her fingertips together. "Its...its not like that!"

"You just want to fight side by side with him," Kiba teased and Hinata's cheeks flushed. Yep, that proves it, Hinata's back to her old self!

"N-No!"

While Kiba playfully teased Hinata, on the edge of the battlefield Madara appeared, swirling out his Kamui. He stood up firm and stretched, his Rinnegan glowed a bit and behind his mask he smirked and began to advance towards the fortress, so far undetected by the sensor nets. He was able to get nearly 100 meters to the wall before two Allied Shinobi members realized he was there.

"Its...its...!"

Madara then performed a seal...and then everyone's attention was caught as right near the wall...the

Gedō Mazō appeared in a massive puff of smoke. Fully unleashed, its 200 meter height towards over the entire battlefield. The chains around its wrists shattered as it gave a loud, challenging roar to everyone there!

"Now time to just get the substitute I'll need," Madara said calmly as the Divisions suddenly were forced to scramble to repel the new attack!

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes:

Phew, that was a fun chapter to write. Oh before anyone asks: Sasuke has not achieved Perfect Susano'o/Compete Body - Susano'o yet. All he's done is achieved the giant armored Susano'o form Madara had used in chapter 588. He won't achieve true Perfect Susano'o until he faces Naruto, which consequently is when Naruto achieves Biju Mode. And this is a fight that I am greatly excited to do.

How did everyone like Sasuke's new techniques? How about Danzō's battle with him and his usage of the Rinnegan? Personally, if Danzō was 10 years younger, he'd have been able to win since his body could take the strain of the Rinnegan, just like how Hiruzen was far stronger just a decade previously than he was in Part I.

Also, I hope I'm not the only one who realized Sasuke and Danzō parallel each other: both shinobi work within the darkness, their eyes are mismatched (even moreso now that Danzō has the Rinnegan in my fic...in the same socket Sasuke will achieve his and has achieved his in canon). Danzō proclaiming Sasuke the new Shinobi no Yami was the perfect way for him to rob Sasuke of his victory and make him think on things like he did in canon. After all...did he want to become Danzō, the person he has all rights to hate the most?

Also...Guy vs Kisame has been solidly decided. Kisame is/was the stronger shinobi, but his method of fighting meant that Guy had a bit of an advantage due to all of his attacks being taijutsu, not ninjutsu or pure chakra based. Though as long as Kisame had his sword...there'd be no way for Guy to put him down unless he used the Eighth Gate due to Samehada/Sameha giving Kisame a pretty solid regeneration.

And now...for the next part of this arc, Second Battle of Lightning Ridge. Sakura, Hinata, Choji, and Neji vs the Gedō Mazō Statue while Shikamaru and Shino try to stall Tobi.