Naruto's Resolve!

Jiraiya, Shizune and Naruto arrived at a street filled with blasted holes on the ground and walls.

"What's going on here…". Naruto looks around. He still feels anxious and thinks about Tsuyu behind them.

"Tsunade-sama must have refused him…". Shizune analysed the fallout. Her eyes landed on Tsunade's robe on the ground. She quickly picks it up, and once more relies on her living bacon to guide their way.

Tonton the pig oinked his way, rushing towards Tsunade.

***

"Hnhnhn… haha… Tsunade… you are rusty… Kabuto isn't someone you should look down on…".

Kabuto raised his glasses. After taking a chakra pill, his speed and power increased, even Tsunade though far in her peak unable to catch up. She has been wasting away for tens of years after all, and had not been going on serious fights for years.

Kabuto dashed towards Tsunade. Dodging her powerful punch, Kabuto found a chance. With a quick incision through chakra scalpel, he severed her muscles on her arm and thigh.

That kid… his medical ninjutsu…

Kabuto smirked arrogantly. He already planned to finish her, using her fear of blood and knock her out.

Tsunade seemed panicked and launched a fist towards him, but Kabuto already expected it.

Slash! Spurt!

Kabuto cut his own hand, letting blood splatter onto her.

"Nn…- nn…-", Tsunade frozen in shock and terror seeing blood. Her entire body pale and shaking.

"Tsunade-sama… it's unfortunate… as a fellow medical ninjutsu specialist, I have always admired you…! You are such a shame!". Kabuto kicked Tsunade like trash.

"Ah..! Go… go away! No…!", Tsunade was trashed on the ground, looking miserable.

Just then…

A smoke bomb explodes all of a sudden, stopping Kabuto in his tracks as he retreat. As the smoke settles.

Kabuto's pupil constricted. Orochimaru smiled, licking his lips.

"Jiraiya…".

"Orochimaru… it's been such a long time doesn't it…". Jiraiya is calm on the outside, but honestly he felt anxious. He felt something was different about Orochimaru. He looks pale and sick. But the aura of the strong is present in him.

He doesn't feel wary of me at all…!

Orochimaru shouldn't know he is drugged by Tsunade yet. But Orochimaru has confidence…

He turned to look at Kabuto. Is this kid someone good?

That's his first thought, thinking his assistant is someone really strong. He sees Tsunade is lying there, trembling. Blood splattering on her face and cloths.

Tsunade…! 

Jiraiya feels angry and wanted to strangle Orochimaru already. Shizune quickly dashed towards Tsunade, trying to help her. 

"Granny Tsunade…!", Naruto also rushed to her side.

Orochimaru turned his eyes towards Naruto. The 9 tails Jinchuriki… an average fellow with nothing noteworthy. Hnhnhn.

"Jiraiya… where is your other disciple? You abandoned her?~". He ask playfully.

"Teme! What did you say, you snake!". Naruto shouted.

"Snake…?", Orochimaru had a snickering smile, flicking his tongue. It's a nickname he got called a lot so he doesn't feel offended or anything, well, for his acquaintances and comrades back then of course. But no unworthy kid ever calls him that so this is a first.

"Hnhnhn… Jiraiya… you take on such a good apprentice…".

Naruto suddenly stood up proud, despite the situation. Being praised by a villain still makes him feel flattered slightly.

"...but only the inferior one is left with you. to think you leave her to fight against my guards on her own. No matter how good she is… she would fall. You gave me a good gift, Jiraiya… hnhnhn".

The trio gasped. Naruto felt his heart racing hearing such words from the snake.

"What do you mean! What do you mean a gift!".

Kabuto chuckled slowly.

"Naruto-kun, you are really slow… Orochimaru-sama had already set his eyes on her for past years. She's such a talent. A genius… but she won't be able to fight against all of the ones Orochimaru-sama had raised"

Naruto takes a step forward. He felt angry hearing such nonsense.

"What does that have anything to do with you! She won't fall in your hands! And she is strong! She won't… she won't lose!". Naruto said half convincingly. He's scared… really.

Jiraiya already figured that Orochimaru wanted her body… a highly classified information on what truly Orochimaru is trying to achieve. Immortality by shedding body.

Tsuyu never had imagined Orochimaru's way of immortality was so backward and didn't suspect it. She thought the specifics are more about genetic engineering or bodily modification… not outright stealing someone's body. Thus in her opinion Orochimaru doesn't have anything against her to begin with…

"Hnhnhn… I gave her the power she needed, and she knows how to appreciate it…".

"What are you saying, Orochimaru!?", now even Jiraiya feels angry.

"The look in her eyes once she received my gift... She craves power… She's… almost like me. Hnhnhn". Orochimaru smiled evilly.

"NO! SHE'S NOT! STOP MAKING UP THINGS! ARGH!", Naruto rushed like an idiot towards Orochimaru.

Orochimaru almost laughed seeing Naruto use shadow clones technique. Kabuto stood in front of him - Naruto isn't worthy for Orochimaru to make his move. Kabuto moves and dashes, countering and killing each clone one by one.

The real Naruto was kicked and sent tumbling on the ground.

"Naruto…!", Shizune quickly tends to Naruto, seeing some of his muscles are severed. She healed him with medical ninjutsu.

Orochimaru raised his eyebrows slightly seeing Naruto's skills just now. Based on the shadow clones movement, and Kabuto being serious in those fights, Naruto isn't bad at all for his age in fact. Though, that's just average in his opinion when adding in his stupidity. An average person will achieve nothing in their life.

"Even though you both come from the same womb… only one inherits from him". Orochimaru snickered. Biology is always a wonder. At times it can't be predicted, mutations happen, and this Naruto is produced somehow despite how good his parents are. 

Naruto hears the words in confusion. From him? Who? My… my parents? Orochimaru knows my parents?

"You… you know my parents…?".

"Orochimaru! Your poisonous tongue is the same as always huh!?". Jiraiya stood in front of Naruto. He doesn't want Orochimaru to say more.

"Hnhnhn… hahaha… your disciple… should already know the truth. She is now in my hands!".

"The truth…? You…". Jiraiya had a dumbfounded expression. He knows Tsuyu already knows. What else could she possibly not know? And she pretty much doesn't care… unlike Naruto here.

"No…! What… what are you saying… she won't… she won't just go with you…! And what truth are you talking about!".

"What do you know, Naruto-kun? Do you really think you know her?", Orochimaru licked his lips.

"Tsu-chan… Tsu-chan isn't someone who will go with a bad guy like you! I know her! No matter what you say!".

"She's already in his hands all this time. And now… she will be in mine". Orochimaru said with such certainty, his greed for her body flared in his eyes. The curse mark had an effect that corroded her mind and susceptible to his will. So he is certain.

"Impossible…!". Jiraiya can understand who that 'he' refers to. There's only one person. Jiraiya doesn't want to believe this nonsense. How could Tsuyu willingly work with Danzo and Orochimaru! No! It can't be…!

Even… even if she works with Danzo, maybe that's still acceptable as long as she's still thinking of Konoha… but Orochimaru… he's a village traitor! Did Danzo work with this traitor too…?!

"Tsu-chan won't leave! She won't!". Naruto doesn't buy Orochimaru's words at all. He looked at Jiraiya, as if wanting his support.

Jiraiya can only remain silent. He needs to talk to Tsuyu to ascertain the truth. But if Orochimaru is right… then Tsuyu, a Jinchuriki that could control its power, would become an enemy of Konoha. A terrifying enemy.

Jiraiya's eyes turned serious.

I will have to kill her if it comes to it.

Jiraiya always put Konoha first and foremost. Though, his eyes turned to Naruto. He is certain, as long as Naruto is here, Tsuyu will never stray into darkness entirely. It's not too late.

"Naruto… Your sister won't leave. You are here. She has you". Jiraiya pats Naruto's shoulder, reassuring him.

"Ero-sennin… Yeah! You are right!".

Orochimaru snickered. That's why he will kill Naruto, the only thing that Tsuyu may have any emotions for. He knew Danzo's method, his brainwashing and erasure of emotions and attachments. 

Once Naruto is gone, Tsuyu will be completely his! Not to mention, it would prevent trouble with those Akatsuki. It's killing 2 birds in one stone.

Jiraiya noticed the murderous gaze from Orochimaru. 

"Shizune… I am leaving the one with glasses with you. I will deal with Orochimaru…!".

"Jiraiya-sama… understood".

Kabuto smirked.

"I want to see whose disciple of the sannin is the stronger between us. I am looking forward to it…!". Kabuto covers his hand with chakra scalpel ready to engage with Shizune.

Orochimaru rushed towards Jiraiya launching an attack. While Kabuto engaged with Shizune. Naruto stood next to the shaking Tsunade, trying to help her somehow.

Ninja art: Lion's Mane…! Jiraiya wraps his hair around himself, hardening them into spikes.

But Orochimaru ignored it, launching a flying kick towards him.

Jiraiya's pupil contracted violently seeing the unexpected.

Ash white bone protruded and extended out of Orochimaru's sole! The sharp edge glistened, glimmering with danger.

Sh*t!

Jiraiya put more chakra into his lion mane, hoping to block it now it's too late.

Stab! 

Blood splattered out of Jiraiya's back. The sharp bone pierced through his chainmail and into his chest, his white hair dyed red with blood. Tsunade screamed in horror and terror.

"No…!!!", Tsunade felt so shaken in fear. Memories of Nawaki and Dan overlapping Jiraiya. 

She stood… trying to move despite how she's trembling.

Jiraiya coughed a mouthful of blood from the blood pooling in his lungs. 

"Orochimaru… this… cough… you…".

"Hnhnhn… a nice body wasn't it… this kekkei genkai… bones harder than even steel. But to think you are so… weak. Tsunade gave you something doesn't she… hnhnhn". Orochimaru retracted the bone and kicked Jiraiya like trash. His face seemed complicated. He really didn't expect such a thing would get Jiraiya to begin with…

He didn't plan to kill him. Whether it's because Jiraiya was his close friend before or it's unnecessary, who knows what's in his heart.

Orochimaru turned to look at Kabuto, who already won against Shizune.

But his eyes flashed with surprise.

9 tails…!

Naruto stood up in front of Shizune, his eyes red with a slitted pupil. 

"I will beat you up!". Naruto summoned tens of shadow clones, all with red iris and chakra of 9 tails.

Kabuto is unable to confront the shadow clones anymore, and is forced to a corner.

"Your opponent is me, Orochimaru!". Seeing that Orochimaru might make a move on Naruto, he retook Orochimaru's focus.

Jiraiya takes a blood clotting pill to stop his bleeding and uses a basic cauterizing method on his wound. His face only twitched slightly as his flesh burned up and closed.

As a sannin who went through 2 wars, it's nothing. Orochimaru wasn't surprised either.

"Hmph. You are having a death wish, don't you Jiraiya!". Orochimaru launched another assault. Two bone blades extended out of Orochimaru's arms, slashing wildly at Jiraiya. Jiraiya's movements, albeit still slow, are more nimble. He dodged left and right, and even managed to land a counter kick to Orochimaru . The bleeding managed to get some of the poison out of his system faster, letting him move better. A blessing in disguise!

"Jiraiya!", Orochimaru screamed as he rushed towards him. Jiraiya takes a step back while making hand seals.

Earth Release: Swamp of the underworld!

"This-", Orochimaru found his feet stuck, and his body slowly sinking. Unable to do anything else, his neck stretched unreasonably long, planting his head like a nail with kusanagi sword into the ground. He managed to pull himself out of the predicament.

"Damn you…!". Orochimaru bit his thumb, drawing blood onto the fuin shiki on his arm. He has other ways to use a few techniques especially with his new body!

Jiraiya noticed the action and he too quickly did the same.

Kuchiyose no Jutsu!

Gamabunta and Manda summoned, facing each other. Both of them look at each other like sworn enemies.

"I will offer 100 sacrifices… kill him!". Orochimaru shouted. The two giants fought, shaking the entire battlefield.

Despite the shaking ground, the fight between Kabuto and Naruto is ongoing. Unable to resist the clones, Kabuto manages to escape into the earth.

This technique again!

Naruto is so sick of this technique.

But among the 5 shadow clones… Kabuto someone managed to get the real Naruto! He appears out of the ground behind the real Naruto!

W-what…! Kabuto manages to grab onto one of Naruto's legs, cutting his muscles there. Kabuto is a perceptive ninja, noticing the real Naruto just from the fact his posture is different from the rest of the shadow clones.

Just as Naruto raised his defense, Kabuto kicked the leg Naruto was injured at causing him to stagger. Seizing the opening, Kabuto launches a fatal chakra scalpel attack, cutting a wound open through his shoulder down to his chest.

"Ack…-!". 

"No…!", Tsunade screamed out seeing Naruto injured.

"Ha…ha…", Kabuto took a breather. Naruto was truly strong and difficult. A part of him feels bad about injuring Naruto this much, since he's just a kid. Regardless, he's a Shinobi, and Naruto too is one.

Seeing Naruto unable to move anymore, he returned to face Tsunade.

"Tsunade… do you want to see the others die…". Kabuto mocked her as she stepped closer and closer.

"No…no… no… please… ". Tsunade closed his eyes, covering her head. Her body was shaking from seeing so much blood.

"Pathetic…!", Kabuto felt so disgusted seeing the sannin he respected act like this. "You have some use for Orochimaru-sama. Just obey!".

He gathered force in his fist, ready to punch Tsunade's disgusting face. But all of a sudden- Flash!

Tsunade and Kabuto gasped inwardly. Naruto is still standing, taking the blow on his forehead. And yet he's unmoving.

Bubbles of red chakra flow from beneath his skin, His eyes flaring red, his claws grew sharper. His injuries heal at a speed visible to the naked eye with a sizzle.

"Enough already, you bastard!". Naruto launched a powerful fist towards Kabuto. Kabuto tried to deflect it to no avail.

"Ack-!", Kabuto is blasted a few meters before rolling on the ground.

"It will be okay… because I am here!", Naruto turned to Tsunade.

"Naruto…". Tsunade's shaking stopped slightly. She revealed a smile, feeling reassured by this brat somehow.

Kabuto tried to stand up, but he realised his Yin healing technique cannot heal him completely. He's out of chakra...!

Orochimaru noticed the situation and become more certain on what he should do. He can use 9 tails chakra willingly…! I need to take him out first!

Orochimaru jumped down from Manda and rushed towards Naruto like a hunting cobra.

"Your opponent is me!", Jiraiya also jumped from Gamabunta, rushing to him. Orochimaru turned his body to Jiraiya and launched an attack with his long tongue. He grabbed his ankle and threw him hard to the ground. Crash!

He opened his mouth, the sword of Kusanagi extended out as his body slither towards Naruto!

"Naruto!", Tsunade and Shizune screamed out. But instead, he stood resolutely in front of Tsunade. Burst of chakra flowing more from him, the red chakra covers his entire body, forming a 1-tail clock.

Seeing this, Orochimaru decides he will have to end Naruto right here and right now! 

"Die!".

Stab! Blood splattered from Naruto's pierced back. And yet…

"Nnh… Impossible…!". Orochimaru's blade pierced Naruto, and yet, Naruto stood like a mountain. The red chakra glows even darker, Naruto grabs the blade piercing him with one of his hands, holding Orochimaru in place even if the blade cuts into him. His red eyes glaring at Orochimaru with anger.

"You… you are still standing…!", Orochimaru can't believe this kid is this daring. Blood drips down Naruto's body, soaking his jacket, and despite his shaky body, the pain he endures, Naruto wouldn't bulge.

"Why…", Tsunade asked shakily.

"Granny Tsunade… because… I made a bet with you. I will definitely win that unlucky necklace! I… never go back on my words! That's my NINJA WAY!!!".

Kagebunshin no Jutsu!

Naruto let out a roar, his other hand gathered swirling chakra. His clone compressed the formed chakra sphere, Kyubi chakra infused into it, covering it in red.

Both of the sannin's eyes widened. This jutsu…! 

"Damn you!!!", Orochimaru struggled to get away, but Naruto's hand holding onto his sword is like an unmoving mountain.

Rasengan!!! Naruto sent the Rasengan straight to Orochimaru's abdomen.

"Arghh!!!". Orochimaru is blasted tens of meters away, eventually blasted onto a rock.

Tsunade looked in shock, and in awe at Naruto. Tears glistened in his eyes.

"Hehe… Granny Tsunade. I won our bet. He~ I will definitely become Hokage!". Naruto turned around to face Tsunade, his sunny smile and words reminded him of Nawaki and Dan.

"Hmph… Find. I lost the bet. I admit, you have what it takes to be Hokage". Tsunade let out a sigh of relief and a smile. It felt like it's all over now.

After seconds of silence, eery laughter suddenly sounded from afar.

"Hnhnhn… Haha…hahaha…". 

Everyone turned to look at the direction where Orochimaru got blasted to. Half of his face is torn off… revealed a different face with green eyes and sliver of white hair. The body of Kimimaro is confirmed.

Cough - Orochimaru coughed a mouthful of blood. "This body… to think I receive so much damage… to think you could master the jutsu of Yondaime… cough…".

His eyes glared at Naruto, filled with murderous intent. 

"I am planning to preserve this body a little longer… but… you forced me! Brat!".

Cursed Mark pulsed from his chest. Tattoo-like markings spread all over Orochimaru's body. His body undergoes a transformation, bones protrude out of his back. His entire body turned dark brown, his eyes turned entirely black, leaving only the yellow iris.

He glared at Naruto with hate and murderous gaze. He bent down, taking out his own spinal column as a blade.

"Die!". Orochimaru rushed towards Naruto. 

"I won't die!", red chakra covered Naruto into 1-tail once more. Both of them rushed towards each other.

Orochimaru stabbed towards Naruto, but he dashed to the side, and re-dashed towards Orochimaru with a punch.

Blast of air spread from the impact. But Orochimaru is not moved at all, his hand covered in masses of bones blocking his fist. Orochimaru retracted the spinal blade and stabbed towards him.

Naruto flickered backward at fast speed, dodging the attack quickly.

"Damn it…!". Orochimaru's arm turned into a mass of bones formed into a drill shape.

Seeing this, Naruto summoned a shadow clone, and once more gathered chakra in his palm. 

"Die, brat!", Orochimaru dashed towards Naruto, the drill coming for his life! Naruto exchanged the attack with a rasengan of his own!

Rasengan!

The two attacks clashed. The cracks of the bone spread like a spiderweb, eventually destroying it completely, Orochimaru's arm is completely destroyed from the blast.

"Ha… ha…". The kyubi cloak starts to disappear. Naruto cannot maintain that form for too long, his body stumbled slightly, almost falling. But at least, it's over… Naruto thought.

Orochimaru lying dead on the ground opened his eyes. As if taking a last resort to take everyone out, and making a subsequent plan, he uses most of his remaining chakra.

Dance of the Seedling Fern!

"Naruto…!", Tsunade's body moves on her own, wrapping her arms around him and flickering to dodge.

Sharp blades of bones as tall as trees grow from ground like a wavetide, changing the entire terrain.

The ground shook and eventually stopped. Naruto opened his eyes. Everything happened so fast that he could not react. But as his view became clear, his pupil constricted.

"Granny Tsunade…!". 

Tsunade held Naruto up despite her body being pierced by multiple blades.

Cough… Tsunade coughed a mouthful of blood. But her eyes are strong and resolute.

"Granny Tsunade…". Naruto felt a sting in his eyes. All of a sudden, Orochimaru appeared from among the bones behind Naruto. His bone blade stabbed towards him, wanting to end his life. Tsunade saw this and quickly threw Naruto far away from the field of bones, letting the blade land on her. Spurt…!

"Tsunade…! Why do you have to go so far…!", Orochimaru is going to lose it. It's so hard to kill him!

"Because… I will protect Konoha's future… I am the Fifth Hokage! I will stop you here…! Orochimaru!". Her body no longer trembles, her homophobia is cured. 

Yin Seal, release! Ninja Art Creation Rebirth — Strength of a Hundred Technique!

All of her injuries heal at a speed visible to the naked eye. With a single punch, she broke all of the bones around her.

"This jutsu…! What is it!".

"With this jutsu… any injury I sustain will be healed in an instant. Stimulating synthesis of proteins and enzymatic reaction… I accelerate cell renewal a hundred times!".

"You…! I will not end here…!". Orochimaru's body seemingly unstable, multiple bone blades much like cancer spread from all over his body.

Tsunade was stabbed multiple times, but she ignored it all and punched him again and again, wanting to kill him for certain.

At the side, Naruto stood with Shizune, hoping for the best for Tsunade baa-chan.

All of a sudden, like a shadow, Tsuyu appeared through Flying Raijin.

"Tsu-chan…!", Naruto almost cried out. His body was shaky from everything that just happened.

"Don't go with Orochimaru! He's evil, Tsu-chan!".

Tsuyu, seemingly still disoriented and dizzy from the teleportation, hearing such nonsense from Naruto the second she teleports adds more headache to her.

She felt the pressure around and turned her head. Her eyes widened seeing the forest of bones, and in between the gaps a figure of Tsunade clashing with some kind of bone monster. Orochimaru…?!