- - - - -
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of God remains forever.
Isaiah 40:8
- - - - -
"Monster!"
This word bellowed in the minds of the trio, the image of the destructive power behind the Bijuudama, as well as the colossal beast responsible for it left a deep imprint in their minds, and shall remain that way for the rest of their lives.
A level of strength they so very coveted.
The colossal beast that slightly towered the trees was none other than the 4 tails itself, in a vermillion chakra form, exuding a domineering pressure that would make one kneel before it.
However, to the trio, the imposing beast's aura spiked to the very heavens!
It was the first time the trio had seen a Bijuudama and a tailed beast cloak, and seeing such in proximity was indeed a magnificent view.
And finally, the potency slowly diminished, as the process had reached its crescendo!
The climax was yet to be known!
***
The dust slowly started to settle in the region of the explosion, revealing a short, tattered man whose prominent features were his red hair and red beard.
The silence was broken through his laborious gasps, as though he longed for air.
With the dust slowly receding, the extent of the damage became visible.
The exhausted man was none other than Roshi, and the man stood in the epicenter of a massive crater that encircled an entire kilometer.
The deed was done!
Moryo had been obliterated!
As such, an irrepressible smirk graced Roshi's countenance, before he embraced the confines of a deep, unwakeable slumber and fell with a thud.
The smug on his face remained.
***
Hayato and Kaede turned to Ryohei, who stared at the scene with his magnified vision...
A smile plastered Ryohei's lips and he confirmed, "We've succeeded!"
Hayato and Kaede smiled before letting out a sigh of relief...
"Phew," Hayato swiped his forehead, flicking away the accumulated sweat.
"Finally," Kaede concurred.
And so, the trio returned to their sensei's location, alongside Daichi, Tora, Kenta, and Raiko.
All 4 Iwagakure Jonins were here, and so was Aiko.
"We win!" Hayato comforted.
Everyone else smiled at the confirmation, simultaneously heaving sighs of relief. Though there have been significant injuries, especially with Aiko, the good news was everyone had survived.
"Ha, thank goodness," Daichi muttered.
Hayato approached Daichi, who sat cross-legged with his arms crossed. Hayato bowed before the man, thanking him for using the last of his chakra; had it not been for Daichi, Hayato would have died!
"Thank you."
Daichi waved his hand in dismissal, "It was a team effort. We all had to do something."
Ryohei aimlessly wandered around the space with his squinted eyes, noticing the landscape had been completely charred due to the grave battle that had taken place in the terrain.
Kaede spoke, "Everything's ruined because of this battle."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
The beautiful, formerly lush forest, was now a scorched land, devoid of vegetation.
Moreover, the heavy stench of iron lingering in the air filled their noses, which was the blood of the Iwagakure Shinobis who had died when they encountered Hayato's squad.
The stench had become more prominent due to Roshi's and Moryo's clash, additionally mutilating the carcasses and sending limbs flying.
Though the 2 squads, formerly enemies, had fought alongside each other with their lives on the line, the predicament of their unfortunate reality dawned on them.
As such, Raiko spoke; "It's unfortunate, but we're back to being enemies."
Aiko's expression became somber, and she replied, "Yeah, seems that way."
The silence became palpable as all Shinobi refrained from speaking, and refrained from any action. Everyone was too exhausted.
"Ahem."
Breaking the ambiance was Daichi's cough, and by its tone, it was just an adjustment of his throat to recompose himself. All eyes turned to the old man.
"We will relay the incident to Lord Tsuchikage, and propose a ceasefire. That will work in our best interests," Daichi suggested.
At this, Aiko and her students' mouths widened.
Aiko voiced, "Are you sure about this? Because of us, your people..."
She paused, but the Iwagakure Jonins knew where she was getting at; it stemmed from the numerous Shinobis they had killed in the forest as they were stealing the scroll.
Daichi supported, "Yeah, I'm aware, but it's not like we're innocent either. Countless Konoha shinobi have died as well... And quite frankly, I want this war to stop even if momentary."
Tora scratched his head, and whined, "Yeah, I wanna go back to my son in peace. Because of this damn war, I can't even do that."
Aiko mirrored Tora's expression, and added, "Yeah, same with me."
An image of her son, as well as her husband resurfaced in her mind. She couldn't deny this war was truly terrible.
The Iwagakure Jonins stood, and Ryohei and Kaede helped their sensei up, allowing her to drape an arm around their necks for easier maneuverability.
"Thanks, you brats," Aiko commented.
Ryohei and Kaede merely smiled at her remark.
Turning her gaze to Hayato, Aiko's expression morphed into that of disappointment as evidenced by the shaking of her head; "Hayato, instead of assisting me yourself, you're putting all the work on your poor girlfriend... Tsk tsk."
She clicked her tongue at the end.
"I can't help it, I'm too damn exhausted," Hayato shrugged.
"Mhm, excuses, not quite a man I see," she mocked.
Hayato's expression turned grave, "Sensei, do you really have to start everything?"
"Hehe," Aiko snickered.
"Yeah, hehe from the most childish sensei in the history of Konoha while retaining the appearance of an old hag! Not very befitting," Hayato mocked.
"Hehe," he added, concealing his mouth with a hand.
Ryohei and Kaede started to sweat as Aiko's draped arms around their necks unconsciously tightened. At Hayato's remark, it was Aiko's turn to get pissed. Veins bulged by her head, and she maintained a rueful smile, "When we get home, you're dead."
"S-Sensei..." Kaede spoke in a choked tone.
Immediately, Aiko weakened her grip and apologised, "Ah, sorry dears, it's because of Hayato."
Hayato merely shrugged his shoulder.
Meanwhile, the Iwagakure Jonins watched with dumbfounded expressions at the nonchalance of the Konoha squad.
Daichi confessed, "We'll end everything here once and for all. With what has befallen us, a temporary ceasefire will surely be acceptable... But..."
Daichi paused.
Noticing Daichi's frown, Kenta continued, "... It'll only be temporary. Considering the losses of both sides, I'm sure neither the Hokage or the Tsuchikage, nor even the villages in general will accept such terms."
"Yeah, that's true," Aiko affirmed.
"And as unfortunate as it is..." Daichi paused.
Tora reached for his katana sheathed on his waist, and everyone understood where the discussion was going. The worst-case scenario was to engage in battle.
Raiko concluded, "... We'll need the scroll back. I'm sure you understand, and quite frankly, I wouldn't want to spark any blood."
After a momentary silence, Aiko sighed and turned to Kaede, "Give them the scroll."
Surprisingly, Hayato, Ryohei, and Kaede didn't protest and followed with the command.
Unsheathing the scroll hidden in her combat vest, she passed it to Hayato, who passed it to Daichi.
Retrieving it, Daichi examined the contents, his dark pupils reflecting the imbued texts while his narrow eyes darted from one line to the next, debriefing the unvandalised data.
"Mm, yep, this is the scroll," Daichi concluded.
The Konoha squad could only sigh at this ordeal.
A soft smile formed on Daichi's lips, "Raiko will escort you out of the bridge. Return home, and we can only hope this war comes to an end."
Aiko returned a smile, "Yeah, well thanks, though I have to say it's unfortunate that we should part ways like this."
"I agree," Kenta supported.
"We'll return as enemies in the future," Tora chimed in.
"Mm," Aiko hummed.
Raiko escorted the Konoha squad, while Daichi and the rest went to locate Roshi and return to their nation.
The aftermath came to a rousing finale, as both sides had formed a consensus, and this incredulous battle will forever be obscured to the rest of the world!
***
Residing in the endless abyss was a singular entity, his sinister energy flared wildly stemming from wrath!
All these years, he had been on the run, possessing vessel after vessel and slowly accumulating power, and finally, one was within grasp. But...
Those puny humans stopped him!
Again!
He was angered!
But one day, he shall return to exact revenge!
He will not go down!
As such, he could only remain as a catastrophic torrent roaming the darkness, seething with an irreplaceable wrath!
"I'LL GET MY REVENGE!"
He bellowed!
*****
Welcome back, fellow readers.
We have reached a rousing finale, and both groups are alive and live happily ever after.
Hooray!
Ohh, and if you're asking about Aiko... I'm letting her live.
Why?
She died in the original timeline, forever forgotten, so I reckon it was better for her to be alive this time... Can't kill her 2 times now, that would be cruel.
And hey,
I totally wasn't feeling sorry for her, not in the least bit.
Ahem.
And now, we shall enter a time-skip!
Yes, a time-skip, where our lovable squad grows up as adults, in an era where Naruto is 6 years old.
So buckle up folks, for this shall be a wild ride!
WELCOME TO NARUTO: THE NAMIKAZE RESURGENCE
BEHOLD:
THE BEGINNING OF A NEW NARUTO EPIC!