Chapter 28

Charging in, Naruto jumped over the barrage of kunai that flew faster than they had previously. When he landed, Kai was already in his face. He leaned to the right to avoid the fist flying towards his face. He immediately had to block the follow up right that shook his body. Kai spun around and delivered a brutal kick to his stomach, sending him skipping across the ground a few yards.

Naruto rolled back to his feet and tried to lean out of the way of the round house coming to his face but it was too late. He took the hit and was once again sent skipping across the ground. Kai stood in his spot with the black markings still covering his body. Naruto picked his mask up enough to spit the blood from his mouth. Standing back to his feet, he rolled his neck out and rushed again.

Kai rushed as well, when in range he went for a right hook that Naruto sunk under and delivered a jab directly beneath his extended bicep. Kai grimaced and kneed him in the side. Naruto rolled with the hit immediately and jumped into a 360 to avoid the low kick directed at his knees. In his spin, he brought a fist out that connected brutally with Kai's chest. The two got back to their feet and traded another series of blows until Naruto's superior speed allowed him to gain the upper hand.

Kai rolled to his back and kicked himself back up. He leaned back avoiding the roundhouse kick that almost took his head off. When he righted himself, he lunged forward giving Naruto a shoulder charge that threw him off balance. With an opening he gave a spinning back kick to his side sending him again tumbling across the field.

Naruto rolled out of his tumble and leaped as hard as he could to his right, avoiding the much more potent ball of flames heading his way. When he landed, he saw Kai performing more hand signs. He awaited his next move. Kai finished his string of seals and put his hands out to the side. Miraculously, two whips made of flames shot out from his hands. Naruto was still unfazed.

Kai swung one around above his head and snapped it towards Naruto. Naruto rolled out of the way of it and immediately had to jump to avoid the other one that swung just underneath him. He allowed himself to fall to the ground, avoiding the next one that swung right over top of him. Then he rolled across the ground, avoiding the next strike coming straight down at him.

Acting quickly, he rolled to a crouch and slammed his hands against the ground causing another wall of earth to shoot up in front of him. Kai sent both of the whips around either side, trying to hit him from within his cover. To his surprise, he heard him pop out of the ground from a few feet behind him. Turning around, he saw him going through hand signs. Kai snapped his whip towards him in an attempt to cut his jutsu. Naruto jumped to the side to avoid it. When he landed he stumbled, almost losing his footing.

Kai took the chance and swung both of his flame whips his way. Before they could hit however, they dispersed without his doing. He tried to bring them back, but they refused to manifest again. "What the hell…" he muttered running through the hand signs again. As he was doing that, the onlookers were watching in both amusement and amazement as the real Naruto stood directly behind their former leader having just gently placed a seal on his back. It was a remarkable thing to see their seemingly all powerful leader being made to look like a fool.

"Borrowed power makes you weak when it is no longer within your reach." Naruto said casually alarming Kai. He quickly jumped off to the side, facing off against Naruto and his clone.

"What the hell did you do?" Kai asked darkly. He grabbed at his neck as his curse seal began retracting.

Naruto began walking casually towards him and dispelled his clone. "I have cut your contact with that seal upon your neck." He said as everyone else grew confused. "A gift from Orochimaru I assume." He said casually, further shocking the crowd. Up to this point, they had assumed it was simply a technique of his that involved some kind of boost in his abilities.

"So, you've seen it?" Kai asked rolling his body out, now that he would have to fight without it.

Naruto shrugged, his pace never changing as he stalked towards him, as calm as he's been the entire fight. "Once before."

Kai couldn't admit it, but he was a little scared at this point. This is exactly what he had been so afraid of. He feared his death before he was ready. All this time, he held his army back for fear of the Kage taking action upon him and ending him, now in an ironic turn of events, his fear of death from the Kage had led to his much more humiliating death at the hands of a man he didn't even know. It was a laughable death for a spineless leader.

When Naruto came into his vicinity, Kai threw a basic punch his way, in an effort to fight to the end. Without the curse seal, he could now feel his injury so he had a very wobbly base that killed him in this situation.

Naruto caught the fist with ease and held it in place, staring him in the eyes. "All that power you claimed to have – and this is all you could put up?" he asked, amplifying his voice to further humiliate the man in front of his army of onlookers. "If you were a lesser man, I'd excuse your childish boasting." he said snapping his arm with a violent flick of his wrist. "But, you are a supposed all powerful, fearless leader."

Kai looked around at the onlookers, noticing the faces of absolute disappointment, amazement, and hope? He was losing his people. They weren't here for him, because he wasn't there for them. Everything his father fought and died for. Everything his grandfather created had gone to waste because of his cowardice. He wobbled on his feet a bit before using his remaining good hand to take another swing at him.

Naruto punched Kai in the throat before he could even completely throw his punch. Kai's hand instantly retracted to his throat. Naruto watched him for a second, tilting his head in wonder at the vehemently coughing man. He then jabbed him in his shoulder, causing his last remaining arm to fall limp to his side. "It is men like you that truly disgust me… Kai." He said, spitting his name out in a mocking way.

Kai glared at him and for whatever reason attempted a head-butt. Naruto just sent a sharp jab, breaking his nose. When Kai lifted his head back in order to both soothe the pain with no hands and stop the bleeding, Naruto spun around and delivered a brutal back kick to his exposed knee cap, dropping him to his knees.

"It is men like you." He said, again amplifying his voice. "That eat away at the fiery passion of the scorned for your own selfish gains. In truth, if you were honest with your people, they'd know the true reason for your so called, 'New plan'" Naruto once again mocked, air quoting the last two words.

Kai spit the blood from his mouth, but couldn't speak with his crushed windpipe.

"People." He said pacing around and addressing the crowd of onlookers. "This man that you have all so graciously devoted your services to has had no intentions of fulfilling the acts he has promised." He stopped his pacing and placed his hands behind his back. He bounced on the balls of his feet in an almost amusing childlike manner. "You see, Kai here." He gestured to him. "Kai, fears death."

The crowd of onlookers were looking on in confusion.

"Of course, I know what you're thinking." Naruto continued, starting up his pacing once again. "Everybody fears death… it's only natural." He said, speaking for them, basically summing up what it was swimming through their heads. "But, ladies and gentlemen, you must believe me when I say that no man has ever changed the world with a fear of death holding him back. No man has liberated an oppressed nation with the strings of death securing his feet to the cliff of safety. It's preposterous to believe in a leader who is not willing to give his life for his own cause." He said.

The surrounding men and women were muttering amongst themselves. Naruto couldn't tell if he was winning them over or not, but he was determined to drive his point home.

"From the looks of you, I just know there is a passion for the cause. I can tell you people want retribution for the true evil of this world. Most of you I'd assume view that as the major villages." He said receiving more than a few chuckles and murmurs of agreement. Naruto nodded to them. "Believe me, I get it. But, listen to me now. Your hatred is misplaced." The crowd was silent, intent on listening to what he had to say. "The major villages are merely victims to the chaotic clutches of the established order. Order that has been instilled by the brutality of many years of war."

Ino stood behind the group of the seven elites, watching their body language and noticing the subtle signs that Naruto was slowly winning them over. So far, it already looked like Zabuza and Kisame were on board, if their nod of agreement towards each other was anything to go by.

"The villages are victims yes, but the Kage are the perpetrators." At this the people actually cheered a bit, clapping lightly in acceptance of his words. "The unspoken truth of the matter is that they are the guardians of the modern standards of civilization. The ones that hold the leash upon men and women who seek something more. Who seek a future of equality among us all."

The crowd returned to their murmuring apparently trying to discuss amongst themselves if Naruto was telling the truth.

"I too seek this future. And I can assure you, I am more than willing to die for such a cause… I can almost guarantee that I may when this is all over. But if I am to die in the process of exposing these false gods for what they truly are, I want my actions to mean something. In order to do this, I am in need of an army." He said. "I need an army willing to fight and die for the cause. Just as I am willing to do the same."

No one said a thing, as they just stood there.

"That is my purpose." He said casually. "I don't want to kill them." He said shaking his head. "No, that's too easy. There's no pain in death. I want to humiliate them. I want to strip them of everything they hold dear and make them understand me. They have to understand that they are the antagonists."

To everyone's surprise Pakura stepped forward. "How do we know you're not just blowing smoke like Kai?" she asked daringly.

Naruto turned to her and slowly paced towards her. "Because, unlike Kai, I have a vendetta… I have a mission that I will complete if not with an army then by myself. Unlike Kai…" he said once more kicking the still immobile man over so that he was laying on his back. "I do not fear death. I don't fear the Kage. Unlike Kai, I have real power."

"Real power huh?" asked Aoi, stepping forward alongside Pakura. "You didn't look like much to me. Kai was just a lot weaker than I had imagined. If I had known, I would've killed him myself."

"If you wish to take his place, then you will have to fight me for it." Naruto said casually. Everyone could tell Aoi was afraid, but for some reason, he stepped up to the plate. Pakura saw the coming battle and stepped back to watch. Everyone knew Aoi was strong, so if this man could hold his own against him, then there was some merit to his words.

Aoi drew his sword and stared across at his opponent. Naruto just stood in his spot undeterred by the fabled sword. Aoi waited with batted breathes, hoping Naruto would make the first move. When he didn't it only boosted Aoi's confidence that he wasn't as strong as he led on.

He took off in a sprint, determined to end this quickly. When he made it to the masked red head, he swung his sword wildly and Naruto side stepped it. Aoi was thrown off balance and stumbled forward. Naruto caught him in a choke hold and with absolutely no effort began closing his wind pipe. Aoi tried to free himself by stabbing at Naruto over his head, but a clone he didn't see him make plucked the sword from his hands.

"I was lenient with Kai, because I wanted to see what he could do." Naruto said eerily so that everyone could hear. "You however, are quite famous for your prowess, so I have no need for a prolonged battle." With that being said, everyone was shocked beyond belief when he spun his neck completely around with no effort at all.

The crowd of people were all stunned in silence. Even the remaining six members couldn't believe it. They had all sparred with Aoi at one point so they knew he wasn't that easy to take down. Or he shouldn't have been.

Naruto picked up the discarded sword of the thunder god and walked around the field until he spotted something. He walked over to the man that had lent his weapon to Kai. "I do believe you are in need of a new blade." He said handing it over to him. The man was absolutely stunned to have received such a famous blade. The onlookers themselves were stunned to see someone hand a relic of that magnitude over so willingly.

As if it were a casually thing, Naruto just went back to addressing the crowd. "Believe me when I say I have the strength to carry out my ideals. I have the knowledge of how to do it. I have the unquenchable drive to see it through. All I need is an army willing to do so as well."

Everyone looked around at each other weighing their odds.

"If you are still not convinced.. I am willing to take any of you on to prove my point." He said daringly, mainly directing his statement at the remaining six higher ups.

To everyone's surprise, Deidara stepped forward. Naruto eyed him suspiciously, expecting him to attack. To everyone's surprise, he kneeled and bowed his head. Gasps and murmuring erupted around the area. Everyone watched on as Kisame and Zabuza joined him. Then, Hidan and Kakuzu, and finally Pakura who was now convinced.

Seeing their higher ups bow to a man that had just defeated their previous leader, slowly the two hundred men and women began dropping down, bowing before the man who had promised action against the Kage. Ino walked over happily to him, skipping a few times in a childish manner. "Looks like we have our army hun!" she quipped happily.

Naruto smiled and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Looks like we do."

"Any news?" Menma asked as Kakashi walked into his office. The message of warning had been sent out to Sakura and Sasuke a week ago. They were due back in a few more days.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head. "Meh, Sasuke and Mito responded with some mighty big news." He said casually plopping down on the chair in front of his desk.

"What is it?" he asked him cautiously. "Did they run into the masked individuals?"

Kakashi stopped him before his string of questions ran wild. "No, no, nothing like that." He said waving him off. "It's a bit more personal…"

Menma shook his head in confusion. He didn't understand what he was getting at.

Kakashi rolled his eye. "Uh, Mito's pregnant."

Menma sat back in his seat in surprise. Mito was… "She's pregnant?" he asked with a smile slowly creeping onto his face. "Wow… now, I'm gonna be an uncle!" he yelled out pumping his fist in the air. "Father, Hokage, and Uncle…" he said to himself.

"Yup, impressive rap sheet." Kakashi remarked from behind his book.

Menma was all teeth. "Are you not excited!?" he asked him in amusement.

Kakashi shrugged. "Well, there's more news… I just wanted to give you the good before the bad..." he said dangerously. Menma sat up in his seat ready to listen. "Well, I'm waiting on one more person who needs to hear this." He said.

"What does it pertain to?" Menma asked, now getting a bit worried about what he was about to say. Kakashi just stared at him and shook his head as if telling him he couldn't say it without saying all of it. Menma just leaned back in his seat, his mind running circles thinking about what it could be. Had Sasuke been killed? Had they been captured? Had Naruto died or something? He wasn't certain, but he just had a feeling he knew who was on their way.

Sure enough, his father came in, raising his worry. If his father was here, then it definitely pertained to either Sasuke and Mito, or Naruto. He wouldn't be too thrilled about either of them.

"Kakashi? What is it?" Asked Minato, taking the other seat. He only nodded at Menma who nodded back. If Kakashi took it upon himself to actually call him out for something, he knew it was something big.

He and Menma stared at the dazed looking silver-haired man waiting for him to say it. With a sigh, Kakashi rubbed the back of his neck. "There was word from Kiri. We sent word for a more detailed description of the two masked assailants." He said with a heavy tone. Menma and Minato stared at him with an uneasy feeling welling up. Somehow, they both knew. "We know who it is…"

"Don't tell me…" Minato said shaking his head and dropping his gaze down to the floor. He didn't even want to hear it.

"It's Naruto… isn't it?" Menma asked timidly. Kakashi didn't respond, but his silence said enough. Menma shook his head and sighed. Now what? He's attacked two nations already. There was no leniency for that. If the other villages were to find out, they'd demand his head immediately. Well Suna and Kiri at least. Kumo and Iwa, to his knowledge, had no issues with the masked individuals. Then, the issue of it being Ino with him. That was another headache. Now it was certain, she was no victim in this. She was his accomplice and the most likely way he escaped.

"What now?" Minato asked. He couldn't believe it. His name was already tarnished as is, but now with having attacked two nations, no one would dispute it. Naruto Namikaze was no longer salvageable. What's worse, his actions could cause more problems for Konoha. For Menma especially.