Battle Begins!

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Unedited Chapter!

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"Oga?" Kabuto stared at the agent.

Oga could recognize Kabuto, unlike Nono, he was already aware of the slow brainwashing process of the ANBU Root.

The Brainwashing process was only showed to Nono, who was then sent to assassinate Kabuto under the guise of eliminating another nation's spy.

Kabuto was devastated; it was then he was taken under Orochimaru's wings.

Oga, on the other hand, lived in the same orphanage as Kabuto.

The two knew each other due to their days in the orphanage together.

The kids from the orphanage were usually taken in by the Root depending on how well they had passed their orphanage test, while the other kids slowly studied their way to their preferred role in their society.

Oga, though he remembered Kabuto, he had already gone through the brainwashing process of the ANBU; hence he no longer had any feelings for Kabuto.

Also, the reason why he recognized this Kabuto as the Kabuto from the orphanage was that the Root also had their ways of seeing the world.

Danzō preferred to keep his subordinates updated on pieces of information related to Orochimaru.

Thus, he also recognized Kabuto as Orochimaru's right-hand man.

Oga slowly removed the Kunai he held against the old woman's neck.

(Whoosh!) Oga retreated from the orphanage with haste.

However, mid-air Oga suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Where do you think you are going?" Tobirama asked through the ANBU mask.

(gulp*) Oga gulped as he felt chills down his spine.

He already knew that the Root's operations at this point would all lead to a dead end.

Kabuto stared at Oga, who was stuck in Tobirama's grasp.

Kabuto clenched his fists tightly.

("Just when I was close to finding out who I was…") Kabuto sighed.

——————————————

(Poof!)

(Poof!)

(Poof!)

(Poof!)

Four other figures with Orange Hair and Rinnegans appeared.

"This is bad…" Jiraiya uttered as he subconsciously reached into his pocket.

("Should I Have Naruto make an appearance?") Jiraiya thought.

However, as soon as the thought appeared, he shook his head.

("The old man wanted me to have let Naruto have an easy life for now,")

("He has already done a lot over the past few months,")

("Naruto had already risked appearing before Akatsuki just to save the Kazekage,")

("If they become alert towards his existence now, the future might change to an unrecognizable one,")

("The fact that the Nagato has already made an appearance now will probably take things in a completely different direction…") Jiraiya thought.

The six pains assembled horizontally in front of Orochimaru and Jiraiya.

"Quite the line up you have there," Orochimaru admired while he also internally made a note for the long orange haired man that was the predecessor of the woman who took his place to do the summonings when they had infiltrated the Hidden Leaf.

"We are Pain,"

"We are God!" All the six announced at the same time.

"Hmph,"

"What lofty ideals," Orochimaru smirked.

"We can't get Naruto involved in this," Jiraiya said in a low voice.

Orochimaru turned to look at Jiraiya staring at him.

"You know snakes don't get along with frogs," Orochimaru said.

"Hmph,"

"I'd say we should let the summonings do the talking," Jiraiya said following which, Jiraiya and Orochimaru bit their fingers and drew the blood across their hands.

< Summoning Jutsu! >

(Poof!)

(Poof!)

Two vast clouds of smoke appeared, which slowly revealed a colossal frog and snake within.

"Haha,"

"Finally I can have frog soup tonight," Manda screamed in joy as he stared at Gamabunta, following which it bared its fangs against Gamabunta.

"Heh, To think that today I would be lucky enough to get a high-quality snakeskin wallet," Gamabunta grunted as he blocked Manda's fangs using his sword.

"Gamabunta,"

"Manda," Orochimaru and Jiraiya called out at the same time following which the two below looked at their summoners.

"You two are going to work together," Jiraiya said.

"Huh?" Manda looked at Orochimaru.

"What the hell is that man blabbering on about?" Manda asked.

"As he said, you two need to work together," Orochimaru said.

"huh,"

"I need a lot of human sacrifices,"

"You can't get me to move without that," Manda argued.

"Hmph,"

"You'll move by yourself once you see why I summoned you," Orochimaru grinned as he bit his finger once again following which he wiped his blood on his other arm.

< Summoning Jutsu! >

(Poof!)

A triple Headed Boa appeared right next to Manda.

("He summoned them too?") Manda was confused.

"Buy me some time," Jiraiya said as he looked at Gamabunta.

"I can't guarantee it, but I will do my best," Gamabunta said as he stared at the six pain in front of him.

"What the…"

("The Rinnegan?") Gamabunta was shocked.

(Clap!) Jiraiya brought his hand together in the meantime.

Pain looked at Jiraiya,

"Are you so eager to die alongside Orochimaru, sensei?" Pain asked.

"Hmph,"

"You think I am so weak as to let you kill me?" Jiraiya asked.

< Summoning Jutsu! >

(Poof!)

(Poof!)

Lord Fukasaku and Granny Shima appeared on either side of the enormous scroll that hung by Jiraiya's hips.

"Jiraiya-boy,"

"Jiraiya-chan" Granny Shima and Lord Fukasaku called out at the same time.

"No time to explain,"

"I need to sync with you two to enter sage mode," Jiraiya said.

"Those eyes,"

"the Rinnegan…" Lord Fukasaku was distracted for a moment.

"Pa!" Shima called out.

"Sorry," Lord Fukasaku got back into trying to sync with Jiraiya.

("Ta think those eyes existed…") Lord Fukasaku wondered.

("The Sage's eyes…") Ma was shocked for a second too.

"I need to get ready to summon the next set," Jiraiya thought.

Yahiko and the others stared emotionlessly as the two summoned their contracted beings, but now it was their turn.

Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram

< Summoning Technique >

(Poof!)

A massive cloud of smoke appeared followed by the appearance of three huge animals within.

They were respectively Giant Drill-Beaked Bird, Giant Multi-Headed Dog, Giant Snake-Tailed Chameleon.

"This is going to be quite the battle…" Orochimaru smirked.

Manda, on the other hand, was happy.

("This feast might be better than those human sacrifices,") Manda thought.

Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram

< Summoning Jutsu! >

Jiraiya called out, following which two more frogs appeared.

"Gamaken"

"Gamahiro,"

"Protect those three," Gamabunta said following which, he jumped towards the Giant Snake tailed chameleon.

*Sh!* The chameleon instantly disappeared.

HISSSS!!!!!

The Three-headed Boa headed towards the Multi-headed dog which currently had three heads.

"I guess I'll play with this one then," Manda sneered as it took a glance at the Drill Beaked-bird.

< Sage Mode! > Jiraiya opened his eyes at the same time as Lord Fukasaku and Granny Shima.

("There is only one critical plan to this battle,") Jiraiya thought as he looked towards the pain with long Orange hair that flowed down his chest to the stomach.

("As long as we don't fall into the Human path's hands, The future will be secure.") Jiraiya thought.

———————————

Hidden Leaf Training Field…

Lee brought his hands out.

"Sasuke-kun,"

"Place it here," Lee gestured.

"…" Sasuke walked towards Lee.

He then took out his sword along its scabbard and placed it in Lee's hands.

("This feeling…") Lee stared at the sword, thinking back to Tenten's introduction to weapons.

("It is a high-quality sword which is meant for speed,") Lee then looked at Sasuke.

"Can I have the privilege of examining your sword," Lee asked Sasuke.

"…" Sasuke stared at Lee for a bit following which he gave a slight nod.

"Thank you so much," Lee bowed towards Sasuke and then proceeded with unsheathing the sword.

Neji who was standing by the side was also curious.

Lee stared at the blade.

"It's a chakra blade…" Lee gasped almost drooling with envy.

"If Tenten saw this…" Lee said slowly.

"LEE!" Neji called out.

"Whoah," Lee almost dropped the sword from that sudden shout.

He then quickly sheathed the sword.

"Ahem,"

"Sasuke-kun,"

"Neji,"

"Please step forward," Lee said politely.

"…" Neji and Sasuke silently stepped forth.

Sasuke looked at Neji.

—Flashback Chapter 20—

"Sasuke-kun….That day when I told you both me and Naruto were amongst the top, I withheld an information from you...."

Sasuke "….."

"The thing is, there is a man on my team, whom I cannot defeat. He also possesses an eye bloodline similar to yours…."

Sasuke thought back to Neji who had left with Tenten the other day.

"His name is Hyūga Neji…"

"Hyūga…..!!" Sasuke stood up.

— FlashBack Chapter 34—

Lee murmured "The strongest Taijutsu style in the Village Hidden in the Leaf…"

"The Gentle Fists!"

— FlashBack Chapter 35 —

Naruto stood in front of Lee who still had his mouth open.

"What is it bushy brows?" Naruto asked.

"You…"

"just…"

"defeated…"

"Neji!" Lee uttered the words one by one unable to believe the fact that it had happened in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, Sasuke's expression was grim…

He was surprised but extremely grim.

("Naruto is already swift if he removes his weight, but that technique…")

("He is still fast, even if he does not remove his weight.")

("just how strong is he?") Sasuke thought as he looked towards Naruto again.

—FlashBack Chapter 96 —

("What should I do…?") Naruto thought as he deflected Neji's palm away once again.

"Hmph!" Neji smirked, following which he closed his palms, which smoothly transitioned into fists.

("WHAT?") Naruto stared in complete shock.

(BOOM!) Neji landed a straight right at Naruto which sent him flying.

("WHAT?") Hiashi stood up.

("WHAT?") Orochimaru felt completely humiliated

("To think that Naruto fell for such an old trick.") Orochimaru stared at Naruto with disdain.

("What was that just now?") Naruto thought as he landed on the ground.

…

("Naruto got hit?") Sasuke, Sakura, Gaara, Kankurō and Shikamaru stared in horror at Naruto who was down on the floor.

"Like I said!"

"Neji has been practicing for the past one month."

"Now his training has paid off!" Lee said.

…

"Naruto!" Neji called out.

"You may have become genius through hard work,"

"However, have you ever seen a genius who works hard?" Neji asked.

— FlashBack Chapter 159 —

"Sasuke, you may have your points, but every effort counts here. I am not sure about the others, but I know there's one person that you can help out," Shikamaru said.

"…" Sasuke stared at Shikamaru.

"It's Neji," Shikamaru revealed.

Sasuke thought back to Neji's challenge to fight him the previous day.

"Neji died protecting Naruto on the battlefield. Everyone else made it out," Shikamaru said, "Except for him."

Sasuke lowered his gaze.

("Should I help him?") Sasuke thought.

"The two of you have much more in common than you think. The eyes, for starters." Shikamaru continued to say.

"Both of you don't have your parents.

"Both of you are from powerful clans.

"Both of you are at the top of your class if we were to exclude Naruto.

"The both of you are very similar." Shikamaru concluded.

— End Of FlashBack —

Neji stared at Sasuke.

Ever since he had been born, he was at the mercy of the main branch.

Neji envied the Uchiha clan not having the system of branches.

Unlike the main family who trained exclusively within the clan, Neji was sent to the academy.

This was a boon in disguise since he vowed to surpass the Hyūgas and the Uchihas.

However, upon entering the academy, he was disappointed yet again not to find any Uchihas in his class.

Not even one in the entire academy at that point.

("WHY????") Neji internally screamed.

However, Neji did not give up.

He trained vigorously.

More so than his peers.

He slowly discovered one or two techniques of the main clan as blood throbbed within him.

Every time he trained, the death of his father for the main clan pushed him forth.

Soon he graduated at the top of the class.

The day he met Gai sensei, he was disappointed once again.

With Lee and Tenten by his side, he was more so.

Lee could only use taijutsu, and Tenten could only use weapons.

Every day was a disappointment.

Lee would be beaten easily. Tenten wasn't a good opponent to train with.

Gai-sensei similarly shared Lee's disadvantage.

The only reason Neji didn't complain was that a lowly genin like him couldn't defeat Gai-sensei.

Things got more unbearable with Gai-sensei's training regiment.

("I need to get out of this team as soon as possible,") Neji thought.

However, one day he saw Gai fight against Kakashi.

Only to be met with disappointment once again.

Gai had failed to defeat Kakashi in a rock-paper-scissors match.

Neji followed Kakashi after he had defeated Gai.

"Sensei?" Neji called out.

"Hmm?" Kakashi turned around to see Neji standing a few meters away…

"What's Gai's student doing here?" Kakashi asked.

"I have a question," Neji said.

"Go ahead," Kakashi said emotionlessly.

"Why do you compete against a loser like him?" Neji asked.