A Losing Battle

*Creak**Creak*

*Kathud*(x2)

"It can't be..." An anbu outside the barrier thought aloud as he gazed upon two figures.

The sound of creaking and thudding caught the attention of an anbu outside the barrier, prompting him to utter, "This can't be happening." His gaze fell upon two individuals, one wearing a dark blue jumpsuit with crimson armor and gauntlets, leg wraps, and black sandals. He had a tanned complexion, dark eyes, waist-length black hair styled in a centre-parted fringe, and a large white scroll on his back.

The other man wore a dark blue jumpsuit with blue armor, pale purple arm guards, a white fur scarf, leg wraps, and black sandals. His face, like the first man, was marked with cracks, and he had silver, shaggy hair, dark eyes (depicted as red in the anime), and three red markings on his face under each eye and on his chin.

Stepping out of their respective coffins, the two figures exchanged words. "Monkey, it's been a while," said the shaggy-haired man, his face expressionless. "Ah, it's you. You've grown," replied the other, wearing the same unemotional expression.

Hiruzen spoke with a saddened expression, "It's really unfortunate to meet you two again in this situation, Shodai-sama, Nidaime-sama, with this reanimation jutsu."

Nidaime complimented the Sannin, "Hmm, the forbidden art of summoning us back to life - quite an impressive feat."

The other commented, "If that's the case, we'll have to fight you, Sarutobi, won't we?"

Orochimaru interrupted their conversation, placing two kunai with seals inside the duo's heads, "How about you stop chattering and get started?"

"It seems this world will never change," Shodaime said, shaking his head in disappointment.

Hiruzen added, "Making the dead your plaything is despicable. Nothing good will come out of meddling with their souls," narrowing his eyes at the snake-like Sannin.

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As they chased after their friend, Naruto recounted the events and commented, "So that's how it went down. Sasuke is just too ambitious!"

Shikamaru, in his usual lackadaisical manner, questioned his involvement in the mission, asking "Why am I even a part of this?"

Sakura, with her pink hair flowing behind her, explained that they had no choice as it was Kakashi-sensei's directive.

With a deep sigh, Shikamaru muttered to himself, "What a drag."

Pakkun sniffed and signaled, "This way," as he quickly veered right and leaped onto the branches above. He soon detected several chakra signals that were rapidly approaching their position. "Hurry up! We're being trailed!" he exclaimed with concern.

The girl questioned, "How many are they?"

Pakkun responded, "There are two squads, consisting of eight... no, nine of them!"

The group began to visibly display their nervousness as Shikamaru commented, "You've got to be kidding me! Those guys are likely beyond chunin level. If they catch us, we'll be obliterated."

Sakura suggested, "What if we ambush them?"

Shikamaru explained, "An ambush is an effective tactic, but it requires two conditions to be met." He raised his index finger and continued, "First, the ones fleeing must move quietly and detect the enemy first." He raised a second finger. "Second, they must find a location and position that will inflict maximum damage on the ambushed targets."

"However, there are too many unknown factors involved. They are Sound ninja who have been organized for this mission," he added.

Shikamaru went on to say, "We have an idiot, a dog, a kunoichi with no special abilities, and myself, who is only good at running away." The trio took offense at his blunt comment but didn't argue since it was true.

Shikamaru continued, "After analyzing the situation, there's only one option. One of us must remain and create a diversion by faking an ambush." He narrowed his eyes as they leaped from tree to tree.

Sakura deduced, "So, in other words, a decoy."

Shikamaru replied, "Yes, but the one who stays behind will likely...die." Naruto and Sakura visibly flinched at his words and lowered their heads. Naruto attempted to speak, but Shikamaru cut him off, saying, "I'll do it."

The two were shocked and came to a halt. "Why?" they asked.

"I'm the only one who can use Shadow Style jutsu, which was originally designed as a delaying tactic," Shikamaru explained. "Besides, I have the most probable chance of survival among us all," he added with a small smile, turning his back to them. "What are you waiting for? Go ahead, and I'll catch up with you soon," he said, waving them off.

After they got a good distance away he broke some twigs and marked the branches then jumped to the ground and left multiple foot prints that lead to an open area where they faded he stood under a tree and waited for the bait.

After they had put a good distance between themselves and Shikamaru, he broke some twigs and marked the branches. Then he jumped to the ground and left multiple footprints that led to an open area where they faded. He stood under a tree and waited for the bait.

'They're here,' he thought, then extended his shadow to catch them off guard as they landed. 'I see eight of them, but where could the other one be hiding?' Shikamaru pondered.

"To think we'd be caught by a child who is proficient in shadow binding," a Sound ninja said.

"Times have changed... now it's called the shadow possession jutsu, old man," Shikamaru taunted.

Shikamaru took out four kunai and shuriken each, then hurled them at the Sound ninja. However, the projectiles were intercepted by weapons that came from a tree to his left.

'So, he's there,' he thought and attempted to extend his shadow to the tree, but he failed. 'Damn it. I don't have enough stamina to convert into chakra,' he thought, retracting his shadow.

"Looks like you're at the end of your rope," A Sound ninja taunted.

Shikamaru then gazed up at the sky, fixating on the clouds as he contemplated.

'I was going to be an average ninja and one day, marry a normal girl who wasn't too unattractive nor too beautiful. We would have two children, a daughter first and then a son.'

'I would retire after my daughter's marriage and my son's success, and spend the remainder of my days playing shogi or Go. Then, I would pass away before my wife in old age... That was the life I wanted... But I did my best, which is not like me.'

"*Sigh* What a drag. Its just like you stated, I'm at my limit." Shikamaru said and retracted his shadow.

"Hey, you can come out now... And take his head while you're at it." The sound ninja said then a burly man holding an unconscious sound ninja immediately jumped down behind Shikamaru from the tree before he could even react. He then heard a familiar voice

"I've finally caught up to you," Asuma said. Shikamaru was still in shock and asked, "Asuma... Why..." The sound ninja stood there frozen in shock. Asuma then tossed the body to the ground and swiftly defeated the other eight nin in a matter of seconds.

Asuma turned back to look at Shikamaru and gave him a smile. 'You did well, Shikamaru. But your job is done for now,' he thought.

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"What jutsu are they using? Their strength is increasing as time passes," an Anbu asked.

Another Anbu answered, "That's the reanimation jutsu, a forbidden technique that can bring back the dead. It requires a living sacrifice to serve as a vessel for the revived spirit."

"So those two bodies...were they used as sacrifices?" the first Anbu questioned.

"Yes, the dust and ashes surrounding the bodies give them the appearance and personalities of the summoned spirits. However, due to Orochimaru's seal, they are now mindless killing machines," explained the second Anbu.

With a sly grin, Orochimaru exclaimed, "Kyaa~... Do you have any idea how happy and accomplished I feel to have the opportunity to harm you, my one-time master? I wanted you to experience that sensation, and that's why I have prepared this." He clasped his hand and continued, "Please, enjoy, Sarutobi-sensei."

Sarutobi lunged at the three figures in front of him, unsure of what lay ahead.

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3rd person POV

"Come."

Said the masked man gesturing for Menma to make the first move, tightening the grip he had on his kunai. Dropping further into his stance Menma made a rare choice and decided to play the waiting game, his face hardened as the pain he felt subsided to nothing, only he and the masked man in the surrounding forest.

Dropping into an even lower stance, fabric brushed against the body of Menma the stillness of the air almost overwhelming the nine tailed vessel.

Sitting unmoving atop his perch, the masked man stared at the crouched child with no apparent expression, the mask he wore perfectly concealing any emotion he felt, not that there was much of it anyways. 'Waiting for me to make the first move? Let's test that patience of yours shall we.'

As the trees rattled in the wind that picked up around the two, the hair of both combatants swayed with it, the scattered tress bending as the wind picked up in speed, leaves dancing in the wind.

The features of Menma grew restless by the second, the act of waiting for his opponent to strike first making his blood boil with impatience. The fact that the stranger dragged him away for a one on one while also keeping his distance could mean one thing....

He was studying him

He'll have to try to keep his moves to himself. As much as he hated it, he's not going to allow himself to be bested by a coward.

Gritting his teeth, Menma clutched his kunai, dashing Towards the masked stranger without a shred of hesitation. Seeing this the man finally straightened himself, Menma leaped into the air, floating silently mere feet away from possibly his greatest challenge.

Rotating to add momentum to his attack, Menma launched a kunai to the mask of the man, adrenaline coursing through his veins. When he saw that the man made no motion to move or dodge, the kunai.....went through the man....

'Tch,what an annoying ability.' Menma scoffed internally

Falling through the branch that he sat on, the man lazily touched the grassy floor, looking up at the floating child with indifference through his mask.

Menma front flipped towards the man, landing roughly in front of him. Moving to a sprint, Menma flipped into a hand spring kick that was swiftly evaded by the stranger.

Looking down on the airborne boy, the stranger yet again made no motion to attack nor defend himself, only gazing as the boy blew past him.

Whizzing past the stranger, Menma flipped counter-clockwise, hurling 2 kunai at the stranger, finally touching the ground moments before kicking up into an aerial barrel roll. With minimal movements, the stranger evaded the first pair of kunai only to be faced with yet another.

With lightning quick reflexes the stranger ducked below the attack and realized the boy was circling him then jumped a few meters into the air, his feet STOMPING into the ground, dust in turn obscuring his vision.

Another kunai came at him through the dust, dodging the projectiles he looked to see a punch merely inches away from his face then dashing to the right, Menma stomped on the ground kicking up tons of dirt as rubble and debris lay suspended the air

Looking to the direction of the man, Menma remained grounded in his position while his eyes showed hints of anger and mild frustration.

'So you won't even attack, huh?' Menma thought as his hair became more feral and his eyes slowly transition to a crimson red. He sprinted towards the man, kunai spinning rapidly around his fingertips.

Now within range Menma finally clashed with the masked man, seeing that his attack was guarded by a forearm from under the cloud patterned robes of the man.

Struggling against the unmoving boulder that was the man's forearm, he continued his assault, loosening his grip on the kunai, he rocketed his right hand at the man's jaw.

Reacting quickly, the stranger pivoted his head backwards, letting the hand glide past him, then slowly placing a hand on the boy's side.

'Oh, no you dont.' Feeling this new sensation, Menma clenched his teeth, he refused to believe he opened himself to such an attack, he rotated his body barely escaping the danger.

Still airborne, pulling out a shuriken Menma pushed off of the man's shoulders, throwing the projectile at the man's leg with deathly accuracy, seeing this, with just a slight shift in posture, the shuriken blew right past him.

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Menma used his position to his, extending his leg so that it would connect with the man's neck.

Gripping the leg before it could complete its journey, the masked man gazed at the now ground bound teen in amusement, his mask hiding his expression as always.

When suddenly two pairs of black boots phased through his head, the 'Menma' in his hand phasing through him as well. Still, he remained standing in place, unheard thoughts flowing freely through his head.

'Tsk, that ability is really getting on my nerves.' Menma thought

Still in the drop kick position he made himself to be in, the real Menma collided with the debri filled ground, attempting to roll himself to a stop as his clone jumped back towards him.

Finally flipping to a stop, the two stood diagonally next to each other, the clone stood with his back turned looking over his shoulder to the stranger while the real Menma stood stationary, eyes trained on his figure never breaking away.

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Hiruzen's Pov

As I approached the trio, I weaved hand signs and took a deep breath. "Katon: Karyuu Endan," I exclaimed as a stream of flames escaped my lips. Lord Second, who stood beside me, responded quickly by clasping his hands together and calling out

"Suiton: Suijin Heki," causing water to flow from his mouth and form a wall around the three, which nullified my attack. Without missing a beat, he went on the offensive, weaving more signs and calling out "Suiton: Suiryu Dan," causing the water to transform into a wave. However, I was ready and quickly created a barrier of mud, rendering his attack useless.

Next, the first hokage made a swift move, utilizing his secret technique "Mokuton: Jyukai Koudan" causing wooden branches to break through my barrier and attack me with incredible speed, injuring my left arm.

With my left arm injured, I bit my finger and leaped atop the wall, placing my hand on it as the branches wrapped around me. In a loud voice, I yelled,

"Summoning Jutsu: Monkey King Enma" and he appeared in a puff of smoke.

Enma's body and tail were enveloped in white fur, which extended from his sleeves and pants. He sported long, unkempt white hair that cascaded down his back, with lengthy sideburns and a goatee. He wore a black suit with mesh armor beneath it, topped with a sleeveless kimono-shirt, featuring white fur trimmings, and markings resembling tiger stripes, fastened with a red sash.

As soon as Enma materialized, he deftly removed the branches that had ensnared me. "Orochimaru...so, it's come to this," he remarked, turning to Orochimaru before glancing back at me. "You're pathetic, you know that, Sarutobi? This happened because you didn't kill him when you had the chance!" he expressed, vexed at the consequences of his friend's clemency.

"That's what we are going to do from here on and I'm determined to follow through on my words," I declared, my resolve firm. "Enma, it's time to use the Kongōnyoi."

"Got it, transform!" Enma responded, transforming into a staff that fell into my hand as I took a battle stance.

Watching from the sidelines, an ANBU member marveled at the advanced level of the ninjutsu battle unfolding before him. 'This is truly incredible,' he thought to himself.

Meanwhile, Orochimaru grinned in anticipation as he tilted his head back and opened his mouth, allowing a snake to slither out. The snake revealed the hilt of a sword, which Orochimaru slowly drew out with his right hand.

"I see you have the Sword of Kusanagi," I observed, looking down at my opponent.

3rd Person Pov

With his expression turning serious, Hiruzen leaped down and swung his staff at the reanimated First and Second Hokage, who deftly dodged to the left and right. Seizing the opening, he extended his staff towards Orochimaru, who countered with his Kusanagi sword. Enma, still in his transformed state, sprouted a head and lunged towards Orochimaru to bite him, but the two Hokage kicked Hiruzen away and stopped the attack.

Enma's concern for his friend was evident as he asked, "Sarutobi, this isn't like you. What's wrong?" Hiruzen was panting heavily, leaning against the wall for support.

Sarutobi grunted inwardly, 'Urgh... I never thought the Nyoibo would be this heavy.'

Orochimaru chuckled, "Hahaha... You were once called the professor of all jutsu in Konoha. Please don't disappoint me too much, Sarutobi-sensei," provoking him.

The reanimations suddenly detonated, causing a cloud of dust to rise. Once it cleared, it revealed that the first and second hokages each had lost a leg. Orochimaru wore an evil grin as the reanimations' legs quickly regenerated as they stared blankly at Sarutobi.

'I need to do something about this Edo Tensei technique, or this battle might be the end for me. I'll have to use that technique the Yondaime told me about,' Hiruzen thought to himself. He crouched down and placed a hand on the water beneath his feet.

"This jutsu exchange ends now. From here on out, it's going to be a bloodbath... Just like a true shinobi battle should be!" he finished with a wry grin.

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A/n: And that's the end of chapter 12. A big thank you and a shout out to aloliindisguise (on Wattpad) for helping me with the fight between Menma and Tobi. Please check out his stories I'm sure you will love them.

Thanks again Karma out.