38 2/2

In a scene of complete déjà vu, Cpt Genma assumed a stance I had only seen him take once before. His new sword came tearing skyward, and fire erupted from the blade. Nearly 4 years ago Cpt Genma had unleashed a wave of fire tall and wide enough to catch an elite Jonin in its path. Now, looking back, I either overestimated how big Captains attack was in the heat of the moment, or this new technique dwarfed his old by a mile. As tall as the cavern was and nearly 20ft wide, the absolute curtain of flames roared towards the two Akatsuki members. However, proving their title wasn't for show, both men dodged the technique with ease.

Though they couldn't completely escape the heat from Captain's technique. Both men's cloaks caught fire simply being so close to the raging inferno. They quickly discarded them revealing what was underneath. The blonde man, no more than a few years older than I was seemed ordinary enough. I noticed his rather weak looking frame and quickly deduced he was a long range fighter of some kind. The other man, I have no idea what the hell he was. I assumed it was some type of puppet, considering Intel identified the man as Sasori of the Red Sand.

"Oi, Master Sasori! We might be in for a challenge with these kids, ya?" The blonde teen called out in excitement.

"It doesn't matter. We will dispose of them and return to base, as we were ordered. I don't want to keep Leader waiting." Sasori's gravelly voice intoned.

"Well then, it's a good thing MY art is perfect for disposing of pests in a flash! Detonate!" Blondie called out as the small birds he released previously exploded amongst our group. "HA! Now THAT was true art, wouldn't you agree Master Sasori, ya?"

"We can continue to discuss how my art is better once you actually manage to kill these brats. Do not underestimate them. Both the Seven and Nine tailed Jinchuriki are among their ranks. Now pay attention Deidara." Sasori said in annoyance.

It was true. Just as the explosions went off, Naruto erected a quick barrier around us. As the smoke cleared he lowered it, showing eight perfectly healthy Konoha ninja. Minus one Kazekage.

"Where's the Kazekage?" Sasorsi said irritably.

"Gone." I cheekily replied. "Long gone actually. Halfway to Konoha now."

"Hm. Master, my art can't shine in this dingy cave. I'm taking off. Don't die!" Deidara called out cheerily. He threw a tiny white bird to the ground and with a single sign it grew to summoned animal proportions. He hopped onto it's back and took off out of the cave mouth.

"Genma, Neji, Ami, Choji, you four take care of Sasori as planned. We're going after the other one." Kakashi called out.

Our group gave its affirmation and now it was finally my turn. I glanced at Fú who simply nodded, her wings once more erupting from her back.

"Summing Technique: The Anemoi!" I called out. A large cloud of smoke quickly disappated revealing the four cardinal wind brothers.

"My Lords, I am sorry to disrespect you like this but pleasantries must wait. We have need of you, our opponent is an S-Rank terrorist that has taken to the skies. Will you aid me and my companions?" I asked in a rush.

The eldest, Boreas took charge. "Yes, Young Master. We understand."

I nodded. "Lord Boreas, please fly with us and use your frigid winds to slow our opponent. I and my companions will be flying with your brothers. Naruto, you're with Eurus, Cpt Kakashi you're with Notus." I called out, each owl raising a wing in acknowledgement as I called their name. Zephyrus hopped up to my side.

"Shall we, Young Master?" Zephyrus' quiet voice asked. I nodded and hopped onto his back.

The chase had begun.

********************Hittin Ya with that Ancient Greek Mythology yooooo**********************

"This is really annoying." Naruto growled out. I had to agree. Deidara had been harassing us with tiny bombs the entire time. None strong enough to do more than minor damage, but enough to keep us from closing the distance.

I beckoned for Fú to join us and turned to Kakshi. "What's the plan, Captain?"

He shook his head. "That's up to you three. This is your kids' test. I'm just here to make sure you get home alive. Lord Fifth wants a report."

I nodded, not at all surprised. We couldn't always rely on our superiors.

"Fú, can you get ahead of him and force him downward?" I asked.

She nodded. "Count on me."

I smiled at the dark skinned beauty and turned to my summons. "Lord Boreas, Lord Eunus, can you perform that technique once we have him vertical?"

The two brothers gave me affirmations.

"Ok, once we have the brother's technique going, I will use a technique that I can control and attempt to take him out. If I miss, it's up to you, Naruto. You have something you can use?" I asked my best friend.

He smiled mischievously. "I have about six things I can use. Count on me, Jonin Kenta." He cheekily replied.

"Then let's get this plan in motion. Go!" I commanded. Fú shot off like a bullet and Boreas dove to the ground.

We waited, still dodging the small bombs Deidara kept launching our way. I noticed Lord Eunus and Naruto were slowly ascending while Kakashi and I stayed behind the Mad Bomber.

Suddenly Fú appeared directly in front of Deidara.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Technique!" Fú cried out. The Dragon quickly formed and rushed Deidara, he dodged, but the trajectory of the dragon changed and charged him from above, Deidara dove.

I smirked. "Checkmate, Bitch." I muttered.

"Hooooooo! Wind Release: Ascending Northern Winds!" Lord Boreas trilled.

The arctic blast of wind barreled into Deidara like a wall, halting him in his tracks. Small shards of ice began to form on his weird flying monstrosity. He attempted to right himself and escape the attack. But he was too late.

"Wind Release: Descending Southern Winds!" The shriek from Lord Eurus sounded high above the fight. The warm summer winds from Lord Eunus' attack smashed into Deidara from the top. The cool winds from below met warm winds from above.

"Wind Release Collaboration Technique: Towering Tornado!" The two brothers called out as a Tornado instantly formed where the opposing winds began to mix.

Deidara screamed in agony as his flying mount exploded violently. He was sent careening towards the ground, the large explosion enough to end the collaboration technique. His hands were digging in his pouch, but I wasn't going to let him get his mobility back.

"Storm Release: Laser Circus!" I said. Halos of light formed around my wrist, ones much larger than when I used 'Flourishing Cascade.' I thrust my hands forward and 10 beams of light jolted forward toward my target. Mere feet from their target, Deidara was able to mount a second exploding bird. He dodged the first wave, but this technique was different.

Up, down, side to side. Deidara was now on the defensive as my technique hounded him. No time for those annoying bombs, only time to dodge or die.

I smiled savagely in victory as one of my lasers cut straight through a wing and the bird began to plummet. Deidara's look of panic clued me into his techniques weakness. A second laser tour through his shoulder, and a third one through his groin. Deidara hopped off his mount and created a second one, attempting to flee the onslaught. We weren't going to let that happen.

"Hidden Technique: Hiding in Scale Powder!" Fú yelled directly in Deidara's face. He screamed once again as he was blinded point blank by Fú's technique. Eurus then appeared, Naruto's face morphed into one of extreme concentration. Fú noticed him and got out of the way. Naruto withdrew a kunai, a kunai I noticed that was slightly different in shape than a standard one. A kunai that a three prongs on the cross guard. He threw the weapon, it quickly closed the distance.

Deidara, proving his S-Rank was not just for show, seemed to sense the approaching danger and barely dodged out of the way in time. Naruto just smiled, the blue orb in his hand spinning violently.

A flash of yellow.

He was gone.

My heart stopped.

"RASENGAN!"

Deidara's blood curdling scream cut the air. Naruto's technique drilled into the back of his opponent. His smirk of victory quickly turned to a look of pure horror. "Deidara" had begun to glow an ominous white.

A flash of yellow and Naruto was gone.

Deidara erupted in a fountain of fire and heat. Fú was the closest and was sent rocketing back by the impact. I urged Zephyrus forward, but Lord Boreas wasn't idle. He let out a grunt as he caught my beautiful woman on his back. He plummeted a few feet before his strong wings righted himself. Fú was already healing the burns she received, a bright smile on her face as she thanked the summons over and over.

I stretched my senses and cursed. Deidara was already at the edge of my distance. At that range, we wouldn't be able to catch him. We had failed, and Deidara escaped.

*******************************Slippery Bastard Got Away!********************************

"Alright you three, this fight is yours. I'm here to save you if you need it, but don't make me do that. I don't feel like fighting right now." Captain Genma told the remaining members of Team Kakashi.

Ami was about to snark back when she noticed the old woman standing at the mouth of the cave. All eyes followed hers.

"Lady Chiyo?" Genma asked in confusion. "What are you doing here?"

She panted a few moments, attempting to catch her breath. "You no-good disrespectful brats left me all alone in Suna! I had to chase you this entire way by myself. You will need my help to defeat my grandson. It is my duty to have him answer for his crimes." She rattled off a mile a minute.

Cpt Genma waved her away. "Your offer is appreciated, but my team is more than enough to handle him. If you'd like, my student sent clones ahead with Lady Katusya healing the Kazekage. They are taking him to Konoha. His chakra network is badly damaged."

Lady Chiyo gaped. "Lord Fifth is alive? That is wonderful news, but I have to decline. Your students may be strong, but they cannot stand up to Sasori!" Her voice rose in desperation.

"Lady Chiyo. My students have been training specifically for this moment. They are an elite group dedicated to tracking down and eradicating Akatsuki. The older generation needs to let go of the wheel and let the new generation command the ship. Trust me. If the battle goes south, you and I will both jump in. I'm an S-Rank myself." Genma said patiently. Lady Chiyo might be a bit senile in her age, but she deserved respect all the same. Cpt Genma walked over to her and took her arm. The two began to argue quietly.

"Let Captain deal with her. We have and S-Rank criminal to kill." Ami said, the bloodthirst in her eye becoming more noticeable by the second.

"I agree. What's the plan. You two are Jonin, I'm still Chunin. Shikamaru was always the planner of our squad. I'll do what you guys need me to do!" Choji said confidently.

"Neji, can you use your 'Byakugan and check him out. I think he's inside whatever that thing is." Ami asked.

"Thank you for not calling it "My freaky eyes." Yes I will check. 'Byakugan.' Neji said.

"I apologize for Naruto. He's less conscious of what comes out of his mouth when he's focusing on seals. Plus, he's been away from me for 3.5 years with only Kakashi and Lord Jiraiya. I will have to give him a remedial lesson in manners when we return." Ami said dully, not at all pleased by her barbaric teammate's regression. "I'll include those two in my lessons as well, as they seem to have just as bad of manners as Naruto.

"You are correct, Miss Ami. There is a figure inside that machine. His chakra network though…" Neji said with a frown.

"What's wrong, Neji?" Choji asked.

"It all seems to be located centrally where the heart would be. I think… I think that whatever is inside is definteily controlling that thing, but whatever it is isn't human."

The three teens looked uncomfortable at that, but they shook themselves out of it. No time to second guess, only time to fight.

"Ok, first thing we have to do is smash that four-legged freak. Like a walnut, crack the shell to get to the vulnerable center. Choji, I'm counting on you for that part." Ami ordered.

Choji nodded. "Got it." He slammed his palm to the ground and a plume of smoke erupted.

"Does everyone here besides me have a summon? What the hell? I must discuss this with father. The Hyuga clan needs to get with the times. The Gentle Fist is the strongest hand to hand style in the world, but the versatility I'm seeing being with a team that isn't focused on close distance fighting is making me question our traditions." Neji grumbled.

"Prince Deku, it is an honor to see you again. Are you ready for our first big battle? Our opponent is S-Rank missing ninja Sasori of the Red Sand." Choji respectfully asked the dissipating cloud.

"Jeez Cho, no need to be so formal. I ain't ma pops. We's partners. I'm your personal summon. Deku is fine." A small gorilla said from the ground. He was about the size of a final year academy student. Though he was covered head to toe in armor and his muscles were certainly larger than any child Ami had ever seen.

"Sorry, Deku. You know how Master is though about formalities." Choji laughed.

Deku nodded. "So, an S-Rank, eh? We's about to go wild, eh? Dad is gunna lose it when I tells em!" Deku cackled like a child who knew their parent wouldn't approve.

Choji smiled indulgently. "Let's get into formation. Transform!"

Deku complied, transforming into a near perfect replica of his father's famous form, The Adamantine Staff. Though where his dad's form was bulkier and stout, Deku's was long and thin.

Choji grabbed the transformed summon and twirled the staff expertly, landing in his stance. "Let's go. Back me up, you two! I'll have that thing smashed in no time!"

Choji charged forward, Ami and Neji only a beat behind him. Sasori's puppet tensed, it's tail waving ominiously behind him.

"You children are foolish. I will enjoy turning your corpses into art!" Sasori shouted. His tail lashed out like the scorpion it was designed after.

Neji jumped in front and began to spin. "Either Trigrams Palms: Revolving Heaven!" The blue dome of chakra, the ultimate defense of the hyuga sprung into being, much larger than when Ami had last seen it at the Chunin exams. The tail stroke the dome, attempting to pierce it. Instead, it bounced off as if it had hit solid steel, it's momentum momentarily frozen. Just as Kenta, AKA Jaguar had beaten into her over the last two years, jump on the opportunity the moment it presents itself.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!" Ami called, the snakes wrapping around the tail like lightning. She yanked, pulling the tail to the ground, momentarily taking it out of battle.

Sasori didn't let that phase him. His puppet opened its mouth, firing off hundreds of poison coated senbon, Neji once again providing the defense for the quickly closing Akimichi heir.

"Take this!" Choji yelled, jumping into the air. He swung the staff downwards, even though his opponent was still 10ft away. "EXTEND!" He called, and Deku obeyed. The staff extended mid downswing. It connected with the middle of the puppet's back. The puppet was smashed into the hard stone floor, the strength of Choji's swing shattering the puppet into dozens of pieces. A shadowy blur shot out of the wreckage, the three teens regrouped having defeated the first obstacle.

"Most impressive. It has been some time since anyone was strong enough to make me choose to leave Hiruko." Sasori said, his voice much higher out of the armored pupper. He looked young too, too young to be narutal.

Ami snorted derisively. "That was pathetic. I know an 11 year old girl who bluff better than you. We forced you out, as much as you want to deny it."

"Sasori, what have you done to yourself?!" Lady Chiyo's terrified voice called from the cave entrance.

"This? I have achieved the pinnacle of my art. Art is eternal, as am I. I have discarded my mortal flesh to create a body that never ages, never decays. It will always remain. Eternal. Like true art." He said in a monotone voice.

"You're an abomination is what you are. You go against natural order, the same as Orochimaru." Neji spat.

"Do not compare me to that snake. He has a bastardized version of immortality. It is crude and ugly, just like him." Sasori said in disgust.

"Either way, you die today." Ami smirked.

"For your efforts, I will end your lives with my favorite and strongest puppet. It took all my skill to kill this man, but it was worth it."

He withdrew a scroll and pushed some chakra into it. A humanoid looking puppet appeared from within, floating above the ground connected to Sasori with chakra screens.

"Sasori! How could you! You were the one who kidnapped Lord Third?!" Chiyo's distraught voice asked.

"Yes. The effort it took to kidnap and kill the man makes this puppet my absolute favorite. He was a difficult opponent, but he had already been injected with my poison when our battle begun."

"So you had to rely on underhanded tactics to defeat him. Your own power wasn't enough. You are a man with no honor, Sasori of the Red Sand." Choji said, face in a frown.

"Honor? We are shinobi. If you wish for honor, become a samurai." Sasori scoffed.

Choji shook his head. "Of course we are shinobi. Holding to your convictions though allows one to retain who they are in this world of shadows we dive into. If we lose those convictions, we become monsters. This was your fate, and the fate of many. We must always strive to be our best selves so that we may serve our village to the fullest. You must be defeated here. A man with no honor or convictions is a stain on this world and one who threatens the Will of Fire!"

"Enough talk. We fights!" Sasori yelled and commanded his human puppet forward. The Third opened his mouth, and black sand began to quickly exit the puppet. "Behold! The Iron Sand. The technique that made the Third so feared. By creating my puppets from human corpses, I can utilize their techniques long after they join my collection of art."

Everyone grimaced, the technique to turn a corpse into a puppet turning even Captain Genma's stomach. The sand began to swirl around the puppet, quickly taking shape. It became a large cylinder, the end ending in a wickedly sharp point.

"Now, die!" Sasori scream, ushering the sand construct forward. Neji jumped in front.

"No, Neji! I don't think your 'Revolving Heaven' can stop that thing!" Ami called out.

Neji ignored her, the instrument of death quickly approaching. Mere feet from bisecting the Hyuga Prodigy, he thrust his palm forward.

"Eight Trigrams Palms: Disruptive Chakra Wave!" he yelled out. A distortion in the air barreled towards the sand and the two techniques impacted.

The black sand fell to the ground, unmoving and back to individual grains, no longer a single construct. Everyone in the room gaped, Neji smirked.

"What did you do, boy?" Sasori growled out, his fingers moving desperately, but the sand laid lifeless on the ground.

"A technique I invented. My clan is a clan of close range fighters. We are limited at medium ranged, and even worse off at long range. Enemies have claimed the lives of too many of my clansmen from afar while they couldn't defend. 'Revolving Heavens' is a main branch only technique, and one that involves a large amount of chakra to use each time. This technique is my answer for the branch family. It disrupts the chakra of a technique that same as our Gentle Fist disrupts the chakra of our opponents." He explained, voice heavy with pride. No one could blame him though, it was a work of sheer genius.

"You're wide open." Ami whispered seductively in Sasori's ear, the illusory clone shimmering out of existence where she left it. "I'd have so much fun with you, if only you were a real boy. You're very cute."

Sasori jumped away quickly, eyes wide, cursing himself for letting a mere child get so close to him. Ami's deranged smile followed him all the way to the other side of the cave.

"So you were not bluffing. Your body is fake. Pity. Goguru was sad she couldn't give you a parting gift before you leave to the pure lands." Ami said in mock sadness, the small midnight black snake hissed it's annoyance from around her wrist. "Oh well, we'll just have to feed her the cute blonde teammate of yours."

Sasori's annoyed looked was followed by the twitch of his fingers, summoning the puppet back to him. He looked around in confusion, his puppet hadn't returned to it's side. It was gone, nowhere to be found.

"Where is my masterpiece?" He growled in a low voice. His rage was close to boiling over. His emotional control was being put to the test by a bunch of god DAMN KIDS!

"This?" Neji smirked as he held up a generic storage scroll. "I figured that Suna would appreciate being able to finally bury their lost Kage. Don't take your eyes off the battle. A hyuga can easily cut those pesky chakra strings."

Sasori dropped his gaze and closed his eyes. His puppet hands clenching tightly in anger. "You three. I am going to enjoy watching you writhe in agony. I'm going to turn you all into my newest puppets, and watch you dance for my entertainment. I WILL KILL YOU ALL!" He screamed in rage, the compartment on his chest opened as the scroll he withdrew released a plume of smoke.

"Red Secret Technique: Performance of One Hundred Puppets!" He bellowed. Dozens upon dozens of puppets begane to drift towards the ceiling of the cavern. The three teenagers eyes widened in fear at the potential of facing off against so many opponents.

"Mah. No need for the dramatics. It's too bothersome getting all worked up over a battle. You three sit back for a second and catch your breath. I'll take care of this part." Cpt Genma's bored drawl said behind the three.

Ami turned. "Cpt, are you sure? We can help if-"

"Nope. Go stand next to our resident senior and keep her from rushing in." Cpt Genma cut her off. The three complied quickly and retreated to the entrance.

"You? You're barely worth your rank. The Fuma clan was a shadow of its former strength. Don't get cocky, BOY!" Sasori's eyes were wide in rage.

Genma snorted. "Boy? You're a couple years older than me. I'm a veteran of the third war, same as you. How about you stop underestimating your opponents because you have a few criminal achievements under your belt."

"DIE!" Sasori screamed, his puppet army rushed Cpt Genma.

Cpt Genma sighed, hands flashed quickly through the seals.

"Well kiddos, prepare to see your first S-Rank technique in person. Hope you enjoy." Cpt Genma drawled, though his eyes were hardened in a glare.

"Secret Fire Technique: Ifrit's Demonic Flames of Hell!" Genma's strong voice called out. He took a deep breath, and unleashed pure chaos.

A stream of fire capable of overtaking an entire city rushed from Genma's lips. The flames were a brilliant white with specs of black and violet in them. He held the technique for all of three seconds and then cut it off. He wiped his browed and smiled tiredly.

"There, that outta even the odds once again." He said in a friendly tone.

He was right. Not a single puppet remained. Every one of them had been burned to ashes. Sasori stared around dumb founded. The boulder he had hidden behind was half melted.

"What kind of monster are you?" His weak question came?

Genma snorted. "Monster? Me? You're the freak turning human into puppets. I just simply had to endure two years of hellish training from Lord Hiruzen until I perfect that technique. It's a one shot deal though, so don't worry. It costs about 2/3 of my total chakra. Now kids, finish him off so we can go home."

Ami, Choji and Neji sprung forward once more, ready to do as their captain commanded. Sasori seemed to shake himself out of his stupor and focused in on the three 'children' that had pushed him so far.

"Neji, Choji. I will engage him. You two back me up if you see an opening." Ami said. The boys began to protest but Ami cut them off.

"He's a human puppet himself. Which means all his weapons are still coated in that dangerous poison." Ami said firmly.

"We have the antidote you and Kenta made, we'll be fine. We take him together." Choji said firmly.

Ami shook her head. "Neither of you has the amount of immunities to toxins that I do, which means one cut will affect you. I am only not-immune to the synthesized inorganic compound in his poisons. All the organic compounds though I am immune to. The antidote will save your life, but one of the key components of his poison is derived from a chakratoxic toxin. It will still affect you, and you will find molding your chakra difficult. Stay out of range, let me handle this."

The boys began to protest once more but Ami silenced them with a glare. "I will personally make you immune to every toxin in my library, involuntarily, if you do not listen to me. Am I clear?"

Neji and Choji finally relented, neither wanting that kind of torture.

Ami nodded, and then rushed her opponent. Sasori lashed out a smaller stinger than the one previously used in his Hiruko pupper. Ami tilted her head slightly, letting the stinger pass. She heard the whistling of wind and ducked the stinger as Sasori quickly withdrew the weapon. Two, 5-bladed propellers ejected out of Sasori's back and began to spin rapidly. He rushed Ami, a crazed look in his dead puppet eyes.

Within feet, Ami began to weave handsigns. "Fire Release: Dragon Flame Bomb!" her technique blitzed her opponent, Sasori's propeller blades created a shield that easily dissipated the fire, but Ami had used the cover to disappear from his view. He searched quickly for her, only barely noticing in time the hands reaching for his legs to drag him into the cavern floor. He escaped quickly and Ami breached the surface. Her crazed smile matching Sasori's.

"Come play with me, cutie. We'll have some fun." Ami's sultry voice called out as she crooked her finger.

"Your flirtations do nothing for me, little girl." Sasori sneered.

Ami pouted. "Well then if my seductions do nothing, how about this?" She smiled crazily once more as she held up a very familiar hand sign. "Detonate!" The explosive tag she had slipped onto the puppet's back erupted, sending the immortal man forward with the momentum from the explosion. Ami was already weaving more hand signs.

"Earth Release: Coagulating Mud Bomb!" she spat out a large glob of mud that barreled forward. It hit Sasori, and knocked him to the floor.

He stood up, his puppet body undamaged in the slightest. "You'll have to do better than that, girl. This body is the made from the strongest materials in existence."

Ami shrugged. "It did what it was meant to do. Look there." She pointed at his propellers. The mud had adhered to the blades, forcing them to slow down considerably as they were jammed with gunk. Sasori snarled, and two small pipes appeared on his palms. He instantly launched jets of flames at Ami, the heat from the fire melting stone.

"Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Wall!" Ami said as her palms touched the ground. She urged her chakra to instantly raise the earth between herself and the jets of flames quickly encroaching her.

"Choji, now!" Ami called.

"Extend!" Choji yelled, swinging his staff. The staff connected solidly with the side of Sasori, the propeller on that side being completely destroyed.

Ami's eyes widened as the stinger from earlier easily pierced through he now susceptible defense, just narrowly missing skewering her. She ended her technique just as Sasori crashed through the final wall, his eyes alight with madness. Ami grabbed the cord the stinger was attached to, uncaring that it dug deep into her hands. She spun out of the way of Sasori's hidden bladed melee attack and brought the cord with her. She wrapped it tightly around the puppet man, locking him into place.

"Neji! The core on his chest! Finish it!" Ami called, using all her strength to hold the mechanic man in place. He was much stronger than her, but the cord pinning his arms was helping her cause. Neji didn't waste a second.

"Gentle Fist Art: Palm Bottom!" Neji snarled, Chakra enhanced palm strike connecting solidly with the core that was pulsing in Sasori's chest.

The man froze. Their battle was over.

******************************Ami aint fuckin around no moe!*****************************

Kenta Yamanaka

We arrived back at the cave entrance. I noticed all three of my classmates were standing near the edge, along with a little old lady I soon recognized as Lady Chiyo. One of the two great elders of Suna.

"Hey guys, already done?" I called out just as a flaming torrent erupted from the cave. I gaped in disbelief. I could feel remnants of the heat from here! "Guess not!" I amended quickly.

We quickly joined up with our comrades just as the flames died down. Cpt Genma stood a few feet away, sweating either from exertion or the heat, probably both.

"What the hell was that?" Naruto called out to no one in particular, mouth gaping such as I'm sure mine was as well.

Cpt Genma soon called the three back into the fray and the rest of us stood back and watched the absolute massacre delivered via Ami with help from Choji and Neji. I smiled in pride. Ami sure was something else. Her mastery of fire and earth was near the top in the village. Two of her greatest strengths were negated by her opponents and she was still holding her own.

Neji delivered a final hit to a weird looking thing inside their opponent's chest. Sasori stopping moving the second Neji struck. The fight was over. We all rushed to Ami and Neji's side. Sasori gazed around almost as if he were drunk.

"I never thought I would see the end of my life at the hands of some brats." He said slowly. His voice sounded forced out. "For your victory, a prize. In Ten days, at Tenchi Bridge in Grass Country, I was to meet a subordinate. He was a sleeper agent in the ranks of Orochimaru. One of his lieutenants. Go there, and you… will… have… answers…" Sasori's eyes closed, and he spoke no more. The thing in his chest crumbled into an unformed lump of ground meat.

No one spoke for a time. Finally, Kakashi broke the silence. "Well, at least this mission wasn't a total failure. Our opponent got away after the team severely injured him. We have one less Akatsuki member as well as a potential spy to gain information from about Orochimaru and what he's been up to the last few years."

"It could be a trap. Or it could lead us right to those two scumbags that nearly killed Naruto." I growled out. Ami nodding alongside me. Fú was healing her bloodied hands and administering an antidote just in case.

Kakashi nodded hesitantly. "We will debrief Lord Fifth and he will decide. Is anyone else injured besides Ami's hands?"

We all shook our heads.

"Well then team, I consider this mission an overall success. One Akatsuki down, one severely injured and invaluable information on his techniques gained. Lord Fifth will be pleased. I'm pleased. Let's go home and celebrate a job well done."

We all cheered and departed the cave. None of us taking notice of the strange creature that seemed to appear out of the ground where we just left. I thought I had felt something for just a moment. But when I turned around and peered inside, there was nothing but Sasori's broken body lying in the cave. I shrugged and joined my team. A nice long dip in the hot springs sure sounded good to me!

And that's it! Time-Skip is going to start rolling along now! Next chapter, are we going to see Sasuke and Sakura?! Guess you'll have to find out ;0

I thought about making these battles like… Hard? But then I thought… Nah. This shows just how strong everyone got, plus Sasori (as much as I love him) and Deidara (As much as he makes me laugh) were by far the weakest pairing. The battles will get harder from here on out. Plus we have to worry about Orochi-Douche as well (He's probably one of the craftiest opponents in the NaruVerse) as well as Danzo's bitch ass (He's coming soon-ish!) so don't worry. Kenta won't be walking away from these fights unscathed anymore.

OH! And the technique Fú used to halt the extraction was 100% canon (If you aren't one of those people and think only manga is canon… Especially in the only few scenes we have of FU BAE!) She actually used it on Gaara in the show. Poor guy is the only one that had his tailed beast extracted twice!

PeachMagi – I'm so sad you didn't have an account I could reply back to. Get on that! I'm really, really glad you're enjoying the story! The fact that my story makes you feel anything is SUCH A BIG WIN for me! I've been working on creating this story that has a bit of everything, so that fact that I'm succeeding is the greatest compliment I could get. I try and do read throughs and corrections before I post.. But some of those chapters (like ch8) are so long I miss things. So glad it isn't too bad. One day my story will be 100% edited!

FYI – Unless you want shitty stick figures drawn to represent the characters… Well if you can recommend an artist I'd love to commission something of Team 11! I. CANNOT. DRAW XD

Also, I'm glad yet sad that just having two characters in my main story that aren't white is so exciting for you. I will be honest, I am a pasty white dude myself, and so I'm not even going to attempt to understand how frustrating the lack of representation in your favorite stories is. I will continue to write Kenta and Fú and one day they will have beautiful caramel skinned babies that will destroy their opponents. Imagine a tiny and petite ChoCho playing mind games and sicking bugs on people! XD

Didn't Give Up - I'm glad you didn't give up either and you enjoyed the story so far. Yes, Chapter 8 is a doozy. It's still my favorite written chapter though to this date. Glad your mixed feelings made you read that next one and pushed you towards the dark side! Kenta is a fun character to write. I'm excited for his future battles and that struggle. I hope everyone else is too! Also yes, Kenta and Fú are best couple :D

To all my guest reviewers! Please take the time to make an account and shoot your reviews this way. I love, love, love replying to each and every person. I want y'all to know my appreciation to you, and sometimes I forget to add in y'all in these A/Ns. (Already had to update chapter and it was released 20 mins ago for Didn't Give Up XD)

But yes, please feel free is you so choose to make an account, to message me and give me suggestions on best ways to incorporate that type of inclusion without it being painfully obvious it was from a pasty white guy doing it horribly!

So APPARENTLY (After some drama on a certain website that ended up with me getting banned and then "fans" of some popular "Authors" sending me threats on throwaway account, including death threats) I must inform you all of something. I am… 100% OPEN to all your comments, review, critiques, and constructive criticism. APPARENTLY, according to some pretentious authors it's in "poor taste" for you, as readers, to offer constructive criticism without the Author's express approval. (You can message me for the tirade I think on that, BOLLOCKS) but alas. Just know that I appreciate and love all my readers, as some of these "Fanfiction Famous Authors" seem to forget that WE are NOTHING without all of YOU.

Also, if you happen to see anyone trash talking me on any of those popular sites people use for FanFic… whatever the kids use nowadays (Tumblr, Twitter, whatever) let me know so I can go square up with them. That was apparently what some of those throwaway accounts were saying they were going to do.

To end though, thank you so much to everyone for your support. Remember, my PM box is open to anyone for any reason… Not just to talk about the story! If you just need an unbiased venting buddy, I'm your guy.

Till next time, Kenta Fans!