Kakashi’s POV (Outside Main Entrance of Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
Kakashi stood with several clones as suddenly they all tensed. One of the copies of Naruto approached Kakashi.
"Kakashi-sensei!" The clone yelled. "It's an ambush! Neji and Ino are in trouble!"
Kakashi felt his single eye widen. He had wondered why any bandit group would be stationed here. Furthermore, how did they ever manage to repel an assault from the capitol? He had found this suspicious yet, he had never truly pondered it. His Genin may very well suffer from his mistake. He quickly dashed forward. If even a single hair was harmed on his Genin, he would slaughter any before him. He would not repeat the s-
Kakashi, trusting the random instinct, ducked as a storm of kunai flew over his head. He jumped back, having heard a whooshing of air. It had given away a strange masked man, with snake-scale clothing who attempted to land a double stomp on the Jounin. At least thirty clones landed before Jounin. Defensively, they formed a perimeter around Kakashi as six more men landed. All dressed in the same garb as the others.
"Copycat Kakashi of the Sharingan. A living legend, surely a future S-rank shinobi. Or you would've been, but we were assigned to kill you." The leader of the men stated. "Any last words?"
"Naruto's, go and help Ino and Neji. I'll dispose of these dead men and head towards them after." Kakashi ordered. His tone made it clear this was not a debate.
"Fine with us, they wouldn't be much assistance, and you all will die today."
"Just for that," Kakashi started as the clones quickly left. Exposing his Sharingan eye. "Your deaths will be painful."
----------------------------------------
Ino’s POV (Main Camp Nearby Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
Ino and Neji both tensed as the enemy force grew closer. They both had combat experience but not against enemy shinobi. Luckily the two's composure held. Being reinforced by each other's presence. The approaching team arrived in the clearing. As Neji had predicted there were four of them. All of them were men though one towered beyond the others. He had an aura similar to Jounin, Ino had met many in her time. There was no doubt he was stronger than the other three. Likely stronger than her and Neji as well. The man was dressed with a mask covering his entire head and shinobi fatigues marked with a snake scale pattern. The other three were also garbed similarly, though their faces were partially exposed. One had a face mask and prescription glasses. Another similar but he wore sunglasses. The last man was bald and scared all over.
"Hello there, victims." The leader of the four said. "Excellent, I was hoping there would be a kunoichi with you. It's been far too long." He chuckled darkly. "Yoroi, Misumi, Kaku, kill the male." The three nodded before charging toward the Hyuga. Ino went to join him before she had to dodge a line of flame. "Sorry beautiful but we have a date."
The man held a stance that showed it had been a jutsu. He never even called it out. Ino was outmatched. Ino looked over to see the three men engaging the Hyuga. He was somehow holding his own as the three engaged in a wild brawl. She was on her own… fear pulsated throughout her body. She was frozen. Maybe Neji would be able to somehow contest a man of this caliber. But certainly not her.
"No need to be fearful. I'll beat you up a little then we'll have some fun. Well, I won't lie and say it's gonna be fun for you."
Ino swallowed her fear and gripped a kunai. As a member of Team Seven, she would not back down. Besides, Kakashi would surely be there shortly.
----------------------------------------
Naruto’s POV (South Side of Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
Naruto blinked as the memory of the clone Neji destroyed flooded through him. He heard his clones yelling. They had been alerted to the presence of an enemy, or enemies, due to their heightened awareness once they knew there would likely be enemies nearby. Naruto felt conflicted, the bandits were still a threat especially if they were now under attack. But his teammates may very well be in trouble. It was apparent he was in trouble as well.
Naruto heard several clones pop in the forest making it clear he did not have time to think this out. He summoned fifty clones half charging into the bandit camp. And the others rush off where Ino and Neji should be. Naruto nodded to the nearby clones as they all charged into the forest. They settled down in the trees above where the mystery enemies were fighting his clones. The three were dealing with them well using good teamwork. But it was clear the woman in the group was a bit damaged. She must be lacking in wide-scale attacks. He signals for the majority of the clones to rush her. The other boy cackled madly as he blew away clones wildly. Seeming to shoot out pressurized air from his palms. But his movements were kinda wild and basic. Naruto would use his real body and a few clones and blitz the man. The last one was better than the other two. Outmaneuvering the clones and destroying them with relative ease. He would hope to stall him out while he defeated the other two. Mother's lessons were paying off.
Naruto could feel the blood pumping throughout his body. They were here to attempt to kill his friends. Naruto would rather die than witness such a thing. As a shinobi, he was faced with killers. He would be a killer himself, he couldn't afford to hold back with his friends' lives on the line. With a nod to the clones, they fired off an absurd amount of kunai. The enemy team noticed it seconds before becoming pincushions. The boy with tubes in his arm pointed his arms to the ground as a ton of clones and kunai closed in on the three. The other two jumped out of the way of the man as he roared. "Obliterating Airwaves!" The resulting invisible blast shattered the ground before him and annihilated any clone close by. The kunai were deflecting by the blast, stopping them like an iron wall.
"It seems our prey intends to become the hunter. Works for us. My name is Dosu Kinuta, my teammates are Zaku Abumi and Kin Tsuchi. We are tasked with killing you." The now-named Dosu started evenly. The other two spread out a bit facing Naruto and his batch of clones. "I'd offer you mercy for surrendering but I think we both know we're past that."
"Ya your right there, can't afford to die here since I'll be Hokage someday. And I can't afford to let you bastards bother my teammates. Soo," Naruto and his clones drew their tanto. Suddenly jumping around mixing each other up. No need to make it easy for the three to target him after all. He subtly created several Walking Landmine clones. If they intended to stand as his enemies. Then he would have to play for keeps. "I'll just kick your asses and check on them!" There were no words. Merely the whistling in the wind as the mob of clones charged the three assassins.
----------------------------------------
A bar was bustling with patronage. All manner of drinking, smoking, sex, and gambling were going on. Past the rubble of people gambling life savings, or lucky money was the VIP section. In this section were the rich of the area. A gathering spot for them to mix with the poor while enjoying their wealth. One of them did seem a bit different though.
At the head of the table was what appeared to be a young, beautiful, healthy young woman. She wore a green haori over a gray kimono and dark gray leggings. But in truth, she was the most famous and influential person in the bar. Likely the oldest as well, though she would crush someone should they mention it. She had come to their village years ago seeking booze and gambling and had found it in their seedy town. But in time once she owed money and they tried to collect the truth had been revealed. Tsunade of the Sannin had quickly annihilated the group, unknowingly saving the town. She had been labeled their protector and rewarded as a hero. As such the Sannin realized she could do as she pleased here. In exchange for the Leaf allowing her to be on leave she and the town paid taxes to the Leaf. As such she was still a shinobi and Hiruzen being the old fox he used her position for information. As well as of course having her come to teach her expertise as a medic was discovered. She even leaves the loyal Shizune in the Leaf. To ensure their medical program does not fall behind.
As such the woman felt conflicted upon hearing the latest news. A caravan had reported Leaf shinobi being ambushed close by. She thought she owed the Leaf nothing. But it would be bad for a woman of business to allow shinobi to attack her allies on her turf. With a sigh, the living legend left the table. Telling one of the attendants to take care of her debt. She had a mess to clean up.
----------------------------------------
Kakashi’s POV (Main Entrance of Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
Dodge to the left, duck the kunai thrust, catch the low kick, attempt to hamstring the man, but disengage to avoid another kunai thrust. He saw a man behind him channeling signs. He predicted and copied the technique giving him some breathing room as the ground beneath the Jounin in front of him formed spikes managing to impale one of the Jounin. That would leave him with only six. He weaved hand signs as he spun to dodge a kick from the man he had copied. As the man stumbled unbalanced from the missed strike Kakashi formed his signature jutsu. "Lightning Blade!" He called as he pierced the chest of the man off balance in front of him. As another attempted to use the moment to strike. Kakashi merely sliced through the man he had killed and decapitated the attacker. The remaining four stayed back for a moment as Kakashi wiped his hand with a cloth before disposing of it. He subtly took a deep breath. While they were much weaker than he had expected it was still surprising how tiring contesting with all of them were. But he was confident the remaining four would be dying today. It was simply a matter of how to do so without burning out. It seemed likely they were all being attacked after all. Kakashi was prepared to kill as many as it took.
The men seeming to have a new game plan all began weaving hand signs. Kakashi quickly flew through his own one-handed while dropping a smoke bomb. As the smoke covered the Cyclops the men roared. "Collaboration Technique: Elemental Devastation!" As they finished each fired off a stream of a certain element. The four each closed in on Kakashi smashed into the smoke and caused a big explosion. The captain fired off another wind jutsu to clear the smoke and confirm the body. But as the smoke cleared there was no corpse. The captain roared as he jumped up. "BELOW!"
This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.
Two of the men managed to heed his warning and the fourth was late. As soon as the man's feet left the ground a hole opened up and several kunai enhanced with lightning cut through the poor man. The captain was even further shocked the man didn't surface. "Again!" He and one other fired off kunai where they would land the third man weaving hand signs as he fell instead. "Earth Style: Ground Compression!" The ground below seemed to sink with a crush but even as this happened the silver-haired killer merely flew out of the ground before being crushed. Piercing the jutsu user's heart with a kunai. He drew the kunai and landed in front of the last two. There was silence as the two stared at the man who killed five Jounin seemingly casually.
"It's your turn," Kakashi stated, simply marching towards the two.
The captain clenched his teeth. He had failed his men just as he feared. He drew two kunai and charged forth roaring for his remaining ally to back him. He slashed with both hoping to slit the Cyclop's throat but he casually sidestepped this and he jabbed. The sound Jounin managed to lean back to avoid this but had to desperately sway away from several slashes of the Jounin. The captain steeled his nerves as he prepared his final gambit. He fainted a slash high while committing to one low. Kakashi drew a kunai absurdly quickly, deflecting the strike and stabbing the captain in the stomach. The captain spat out blood as he smiled. "KILL HIM NOW!" But there was silence, both men simply staring as nothing happened. The captain looked back to see another Kakashi standing over the bleeding body of his remaining soldier. Before the captain could try anything the Kakashi welding the blade he had stabbed him viciously with, slashed the blade out. Gutting the captain with a cold efficiency. The captain dropped as he gasped soundlessly. He was unable to speak.
"You truly thought I wouldn't use clones against a group?" Kakashi asked rhetorically. "Well, either way, enjoy death, I have Genin to check on." As the Cyclops said this he left the men to bleed out and die. A cruel fate for any who tried to harm his Genin would experience.
----------------------------------------
Ino’s POV (Main Camp Nearby Bandit Camp - Land of Fire)
Ino racked her brain for any counter to her current situation. She was currently trading blows. Well, trading was inaccurate, the man was merely letting her attack. He had warned her to kill him before he got bored. Ino had never feared someone like him. His stare had a hunger in it that made her heart race. She fired off a feint roundhouse into an elbow. But he merely ducked this and tripped her. Ino, using the trip as an opportunity, fired off kunai toward the man's legs. But he merely jumped over these landing a double foot stomp. Ino gasp in pain and the man merely chuckles before tossing her against a tree.
"I warned you," He said as he stalked forward. "Ready to let me have my fun? I promise I'll be somewhat gentle." Ino merely answered by throwing a fistful of flower petals around the man. He chuckled at this. "How fittin-" He was interrupted as Ino screamed.
"Petal Storm: Explosive Beauty!"
The petals surrounding the man exploded. Ino was sent flying by the explosion that had been so close to her. Her vision blacked for a second before she looked up. The Jounin was now in front of her. It seemed her attack had been somewhat effective as there were burns throughout his body. "Just for that I'm gonna enjoy breaking y-"
The man was interrupted as Naruto flew through the clearing landing a flying kick directly into the Jounin's face. He flew back to the other side slamming into a tree and shattering the bark on it as he hit. Ino nearly cried as thirty Narutos entered the clearing. Most charged the man with reckless aggression. Several managed to snake in strikes or slashes as the man was caught off guard. But he quickly adapted and was starting to make short work of them. Destroying a couple of clones every few seconds. The Naruto's left behind as guards watched.
"I doubt us clones can beat him. Even the original would struggle against him. Any ideas?" The clone stated.
"Maybe you can buy me time?"
"Done." The clone nodded at the other five remaining and they all charged.
"Maybe thirty seconds? I'm staying behind. If you're in a tight spot I'll substitute you out. Kakashi is gonna take a while. One of us saw him fighting a ton of shinobi. So is the original. We're gonna have to make this work."
"I'll think of something." Ino stated unconfidently.
"You got this, we all know you're pretty amazing, ya know?" The clone stated. "There's no doubt in our minds you're gonna be ok."
Ino felt confidence well within her. His doubtless faith gave her strength. But how could she defeat a Jounin? Her family had never been brute force fighters but she couldn't hit him with her mind techniques, he was too fast and they were obvious. If she could somehow shorten the technique and hand signs it may work. She knew some of the higher techniques were lower risk but she knew none of them. What was simpler than taking over a mind? If she could only quickly influence the man and somehow take advantage of that maybe she could win this. The clones were already down to half their numbers. She needed to either shorten the hand signs or disguise them, preferably both. Perhaps she could do the hand signs with one hand. She attempted it, aiming one hand at the Jounin and lowering the chakra in the jutsu. Willing it to manipulate as opposed to suppressing. She fired through the hand signs as fast as she could. And fired off the jutsu. Having no name and desperate to hit it she fired. But nothing happened. Perhaps she needs the name jutsu? She had been told the names merely helped with performance after all. She looked up to see the man cruelly smiling as he destroyed the remaining clones.
"I'm tired of playing around!" He called rushing forward at a much faster speed than he had shown before. Ino could only stare helplessly as he smashed a fist toward her face. At the last second smoke filled her vision and she saw she had been substituted. Knowing she only had moments she tried the one-hand signs again this time yelling a name as it came to her. She disguised this by drawing and firing a kunai.
"Ninja Art: Instinct Suppression Jutsu!" a blue beam shot out and hit the Jounin's head. As the kunai approached at head level. The man saw the kunai coming and prepared to easily du-... not duck. The kunai hit its mark and Jounin froze. Stabbing through his forehead and causing severe damage to the man's brain. He died before he hit the ground. Dying unsure as to why he would choose to not duck. Ino panted harshly, the struggle against the man and the emotions had worn her out. She could only hope everyone would be ok. She crawled to her feet and marched forward. No, she would make sure they were herself. That is what Naruto would do after all.
----------------------------------------
Neji’s POV (Nearby Ino)
Neji dodged a wild grab by one man, sidestepping an uppercut from the bald man, and kicking the third in the face as he approached. The three crashed into each other stunning the three for a moment. Neji mercilessly spun unleashing a Kaiten that sent all three men flying back.
"I sincerely hope you have more than that going for you." Neji called out to the down opponents. He tried to rush forward but was shocked as a hand caught his ankle. Neji roughly crashed into the ground. He rolled to his feet and caught a palm attack by the man with sunglasses.
"Second mistake." He said as he closed his palm around Neji's hand. Neji could tell he was draining his chakra. But before he could free himself he got wrapped by an arm. The arm somehow being long and elastic enough to hold the genius. Neji growled as he saw the third bald man running up to capitalize on his imprisonment. Neji growled as he shifted his hands and sent a large amount of chakra into both men. They both screamed and stumbled back. The bald man roared as he threw another hook at Neji. Neji merely leaned back to avoid this before stepping forward with a powerful palm thrust.
"Palm Bottom!" Neji roared as he slammed his palm into the man's face. He couldn't even scream and chakra violently surged through his head. Instantly liquefying his brain. The man silently dropped as Neji panted facing the other two. "You'll forgive me for my mercilessness, but I'm sure you two can understand. You intend to kill me after all." Neji stated simply.
Misumi roared with anger as he surged forward. Neji dodged a wild punch, but to his surprise the man seemingly became boneless, completely wrapping Neji.
"I'm gonna crush your spine!" Neji merely smiled. Before Misumi fell off him screaming. Blood leaking through his eyes and mouth. Yoroi's eyes widened. Yoroi and his team had been dominated by the man. And though he showed signs of tiring, he was relatively undamaged.
"Using the same strategy twice? I was prepared to fire needle like chakra from my points. Proof of how sloppy you all are. Prepare yourself, you're in range and I don't have time to waste!" Neji called as he blitzed Yoroi. The difference in speed being so great Yoroi could barely flinch before Neji slammed a palm into the left wrist of the man. "One palm!" Another palm jabbed just above the right knee, another poked the left shoulder joint. "Two palms!" Yorio cried out in pain as he lost control of his left arm. He attempted to back peddle but his leg was too injured. Four more strikes came. The speed being so great, Yoroi could barely tell where they were landing. "Four Palms!" Eight more hits, the force of the blows taking him off his feet and carrying him forward through the air. "Eight Palms!" Yoroi lost count of the next flurry, his world becoming an odd mix of numbness and pain. "Sixteen Palms!" Yoroi is barely conscious for the next valley. "Thirty-two Palms!". Yoroi's life flashed before his eyes as the last flurry destroyed his organs and chakra points. "Sixty Four Palms!" Yoroi flew back and slid against the ground. Obviously dead from the boneless way he fell.
Neji breathed heavily as he attempted to stomp forward. He collapsed on the ground as he tried though. Defeating the three had taken Neji's best for a long fight. Almost to the same level as the fight with the blonde, purely with numbers. "Need to work… on… stamina." Neji panted as he passed out.
Ino arrived several minutes later. Scrambling to the exhausted Neji and nearly crying when he was ok. She hugged him emotionally. Then rose as if to take off.
"I gotta check on Naruto." She said as she slowly walked on. But she was stopped as a bloodied Kakashi appeared in front of her.
"Good work you two. I'll check on Naruto you two catch your breath. I'm sorry for failing you," Kakashi spoke in a no-nonsense tone. Ino collapsed on her knees, relieved to see Kakashi. There was no doubt he would save Naruto. The Jounin treated the two for their minor wounds. As soon as he was done he would check on the blonde. But before anything else could be done a laugh startled the two.
"I'm afraid you'll be quite busy." A rough voice interjected. "We have business with him after all. As such I have business with you. Gotta let Juzo work." The man was tall and muscular. Most of his person was covered in a black cloak with red clouds. His face showed he had pale blue skin. His smile was wide and sharkish. This was reinforced by the sharp teeth he had. He had what appeared to be gills beneath his eyes which were simple and bloodthirsty. "Hope you can still fight Sharingan Kakashi. I'm looking forward to fighting you." He started lifting a large sword off his back with one hand. The large object being covered in bandages.
Kakashi quickly rose in front of his Genin. He would defend them to his last breath but there was no denying they were in trouble. Kisame Hoshigaki was a known legend hailing from the Village Hidden in the Mist. One of the small amounts of S-rank shinobi is alive. Kakashi had doubts he could defeat him but would not hesitate to try. Minato and Rin would never forgive him for less. Naruto just hold out! I won't leave you behind!'
"Ino take Neji and check on Naruto. If you find him in trouble try to get him out. I'll hold this new enemy here. Retreat to the Leaf once you have him." Kakashi ordered.
"Bu-"
"But nothing! This is do or die!" Kakashi countered harshly. Ino seemed to look around confused before nodding. She managed to rouse Neji and she took off. Neji followed shortly after. They were both hurt but Kisame's if his friend was even half as strong as him. Naruto would desperately need the help. Kakashi merely silently prayed to Rin to help him get through this. He nor his students were ready to die yet.