Desert Flower

Absolute Defense!

A/N: This chapter was going to be longer, but I decided to break it up because it's already quite hefty!

  "Shukaku! Get ready!" Gaara braced himself as Madara was headed our way.

  "Let's go wild!" The tanuki put his hands together, and wads of sand gathered in the air. "Fuuton: Sand Bomb! Salvo!" Shukaku blew the wads of sand, causing them to fly at Madara at high speeds and pierce his flesh. The man raised his arms to block his face while leaving the rest of himself uncovered.

  "Nice jutsu. But it lacks finishing power!" Madara surged forward with his eyes shut, and I could see Hashirama's face on his chest since he was shirtless. Gaara had his hand raised as he held his wrist and grunted while using the sand in Madara to stop him in his tracks. "So you implant your sand with this jutsu to stifle movement...."

  Matatabi ran ahead and swiped at Madara with brandished claws. The man was sent flying right into Isobu before bouncing off toward Son. The ape kicked him harshly, and then Kokuo headbutted him into the air. Chomei slammed Madara with their horn, and he landed into the ooze trap Saiken had created.

  "Now, Shukaku!" Gaara yelled, and Shukaku reached out his arms before they turned into sand to trap Madara. It piled higher and higher with black markings slithering over the surface.

  "It's a Mausoleum Seal that uses my sand and curse mark pattern! He'll never take another breath of fresh air again!" Shukaku had a cocky tone and cackled, but I could still sense Madara and knew he wasn't truly sealed.

  Bright blue chakra cut through the mausoleum before a full-bodied Susano'o climbed its way out of the sand.

  "The Susano'o, huh?"

  "I'll be putting collars on all of you shortly. Not one of you will be able to get away." Madara growled as he got to his feet.

  "I won't let you!" Naruto came barreling in to slam several of Kurama's tails into Madara.

  "No one here's going to wag his tail for you!" Kurama snarled.

  "Sorry we're late!" Gyuki looked beat up but okay enough to keep fighting. "We were moving the injured."

  "Don't worry. There won't be any more wounded. We're ending this now!" Matatabi sounded so certain while running toward Madara.

  "Stack tails!" Kurama ordered, and all the beasts circled Madara. There was a loud boom as rocks and dust flew up from the attack. "You were close, you damned raccoon!"

  "Quit ordering us around, you dumb fox!" Shukaku retorted, and I spotted one of Madara's arms soaring through the air. Madara then leapt out from the circle of Bijuu and landed far out of reach.

  "Persistent bastard!"

  "But he's already taken a beating."

  "All right! One more blast!" Naruto hit his fist into his opposite palm.

  "Yeah, let's go!"

  "Hey....that's Zetsu or whatever he's called." Naruto hesitated when we saw the white figure rising from the ground next to Madara.

  "Reinforcements? Just one?" Gaara questioned.

  "What's he doin' here now? Isn't it kinda late?"

  "Watch out. Even at the Kage Summit, Zetsu showed to be rather crafty." I stated while watching the two ahead of us with caution. Madara cut off Zetsu's right arm and took it to replace his missing one. He then reached up to his face and pressed his hand against his eye.