Inferno (A Naruto Fanfic Book 4)

Epilouge

The Chunin Exams came far too quickly. I sighed from my post, looking down into the arena, Aya smirked in my direction. "Having too much fun out there with your boyfriend, huh?"

I glared at her. "None of your business."

She giggled. "It's okay, Kunoichi. When all of this is over, you can go back to galavanting like you were before." I remained silent. Something in the air bothered me. "We feel it too. We're here to help in any way we can."

I looked down at her once more before returning my attention to the matches. I was proud of Naruto for defeating Neji... worried that it took the Nine Tails chakra to do so. Where is Sasuke? The matches dragged on until the only one left was the one they actually postponed to see. Kakashi...

Just as I thought it, they were in the arena. I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding, but I couldn't help but notice the air seemed thicker. "Hinata, Aya, Ryo..." They understood and vanished.

I looked across the stadium to Itachi, who was watching his younger brother. Too far to communicate... He knew the Sound Village planned to attack... now would be the most opportune time, to say the least. He looked up at me, Sharingan blazing. Good...

I returned my attention to the match, but something went horribly wrong. Feathers began to descend on the stadium, focusing my chakra. I broke the genjutsu long before it took effect. Gaara had lost control, and I was going to help, but I was surrounded by Anbu.

I eyed each of them and paused at the sight of grey hair. "Kabuto, you've come to meet death so soon?"

He ripped off his mask. "It's foolish of you to think that." I smirked, placing my hands behind my back. "You won't fool me."

I chuckled. "Come at me then." They attacked at once and fell in the same instant, all except Kabuto. "Aw... you let your friends die without you." I took a step forward and saw the fear in his eyes before he vanished.

I frowned and looked back into the stadium. My younger brothers were gone, and I felt a surge of panic, looking around frantically, but my eyes rested on a matter far more pressing. A barrier in the shape of a cube with Hiruzen trapped inside. I didn't think as I leaped onto the roof. I watched as the old man started to weave hand signs I was far too familiar with.

I became enraged, jumping through the barrier and punching him in the jaw before he could finish. "You're not dying today, Old Man."

He blinked at me, flabbergasted. "How?"

I looked at his opponent and smirked. "Now is not the time for questions. Orochimaru... oh, how I will relish this." Orochimaru looked stunned as I approached. I noted the surprised/relieved faces outside the barrier.

I stopped advancing, taking in the damage the old man had already caused. "Either Old Man Hiruzen still got some fight left in him... or you're not as good as they claim. Care to test the theory?"

Orochimaru licked his lips, I didn't bother to hide my disgust. "Well, it looks like one of my targets has finally come to play."

I put a hand on my hip. "Yeah, that dog you sent to fetch me ran with his tail between his legs. I looked forward to putting him down." I shifted into a fighting stance. "Enough words, snake. Let's do this."

He was fast as his head extended toward me, and I dodged it and his arm that was close behind. I flipped and used a chakra thread to cut it off. I ran toward him and attempted to do the same with his neck, but something strange happened. It was as though he shed a skin and came back fresh and new, but I noted his chakra didn't do the same.

I took a breath and bit my thumb. "Okay then..." I swiped my right eye and then slammed my hand on the ground. "Summoning Jutsu..."

There was a rumble, and then Kurama appeared before me. "About time, brat." I held out my hand, and he gave me my twin blades. "Naruto..."