Let It Burn: Death [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 10

The second day of battle was worse than the first as the dead continued to pile up. The strength of the Third Division was beginning to wane as the hours ticked by with little rest against the White Zetsu clones that infiltrated the ranks and the remaining swordsmen. The ninjas ripped through them no matter how many times the resurrected opponents regenerated and slowly began gaining ground. But the execution of the attacks was taking longer than anticipated with the numbers and strength against them.

Still, with every individual they sealed the closer the Alliance were to victory and that is what pushed them forward. Sai's ink paintings dominated the field ripping apart enemies and allowing those with lightning chakra the openings needed in order to pin them down for the Binding Squad.

"All right! Just three more!" Gai shouted.

Fuguki was the latest to be bound.

"Are you okay, Sai?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah... I can still go on," the Root Ninja answered wearily. Even hoisting his large parchment scroll was a struggle.

"Just relax and draw that tiger!" Rock Lee stated. He took up stance in front of his comrade. "I'll protect you!"

The clones continued to stampede through the forest and as quickly as one was killed there were two more to take its place.

"At this rate we'll be overrun!" Belva shouted. "And I don't want to be around when these things start mimicking us!"

Word had come in from HQ stating that the enemy was taking on the form of their allies. They could copy appearance, voices, and movements, a terrifying thought for anyone. No knowing who was the real enemy until the person at your side turned and killed you on the spot. By then it was too late to react.

"So, these are the enemy's reinforcements... and it's another huge army," Kakashi muttered.

His eyes were on the Be Fong fighting on the front line. The Chakra Strings tore through each body without remorse, trying to make a dent. If these things did start transforming into their own, she'd be their only hope to pick them out. And the Jounin wasn't sure how much longer she could last with that much strain placed on her chakra levels.

"They're white..." Gai pointed out. "Are these the guys that have been transforming into our partners?"

The General nodded in confirmation.

"Let's clean them out right here!"

With a section of the Third Division behind them, they raced to take on the additional army as Mai strung them out for the slaughter. But they never got a chance as something came in from above, landing between the opposing sides and ripped apart the clones. The golden aura around them was hard to miss, making Kakashi chuckle.

"Naruto's here!" Rock Lee exclaimed. "That means he'll be able to use his Shadow Clones!"

"I can't do that in my current condition," Naruto stated. "But I can help if this guy starts turning into one of our own."

Though his power increased immensely since the last time they were together, Mai quickly realized, "Where's the real one?"

"He got held up, but is on his way with B."

"Naruto."

"Hmm?"

"It's good to see you."

The teen grinned. "Been a while since we've fought alongside each other on this kind of level. This is going to be quite a show."

Of course it would as their chakra levels swelled. The white Zetsu clones took a hesitant step back. With the Nine-Tail and the Be Fong partnered up again, the Akatsuki member knew this was a dangerous mix. And now that Naruto was appearing on every battlefield across the lands, they were beginning to overcome the enemy. There was hope.