Tension. Tension so thick it almost seemed palpable. There was an oppressive pressure in the air and would have surely demoralized and paralyzed lesser men. Luckily, Tobi was strong enough mentally to still be able to stand, let alone speak, after his rendition of events since his latest sensei's death.

"Six Bijuu." came the calm tone of Madara as he stood with his face out to the land before him. Tobi stood beside Madara but a few steps back as they both were overlooking the land outside their hideout. The calm tone of Madara irked Tobi because he'd expected rash aggression and verbal slander from the man but instead was treated with an even worst outcome, disappointment.

There's nothing like disappointing someone who depended on you or had hopes for you. It's a kick to the stomach. A physical kick can be healed, but disappointment was an emotion kick to the stomach that lingered. It was pain without remedy, it just hurt. So Tobi said nothing as he sat in silence with Madara continuing to look outward into the forest that outlined the hideout. The silence was inevitably broken when Zetsu appeared from the ground and gave news that let some of the tension diminish some.

"Madara-sama. The last three remaining Bijuu are all in one place." said Black Zetsu as his white half continued for him. "The Nibi, Hachibi, and the Kyubi are all facing off against the last remaining members of Akatsuki. It does seem like the Jinchuriki will succeed. Though it may take a lot out of them and you can possibly clean up and take all three at the same time."

Madara's head picked up at that as his Sharingan glowed red, even in the daylight. "It appears that you have been given a chance to reconcile your mistake. Let us go, we will collect the Bijuu now and finish Project Tsuki no Me" said Madara.

Tobi merely nodded his head before placing a hand to Madara's back. A spiral vortex appeared as the two of them vanished into it.

"This should be interesting." said Zetsu before he disappeared into the ground to get a view of the fight that was about to occur.

(Kumogakure - 10 minutes earlier)

"We never catch a break from these guys." said Naruto before dodging a myriad of attacks against him from one of the Zombie Duo, Kakazu. Just after dodging Kakazu, Naruto was met with the constant offense of Hidan as he jumped back away from swings of the man's scythe.

20 minutes ago, everything was calm and Naruto was just telling Yugito about Amegakure when they noticed Killer B shift into the Hachibi. Yugito realized that if B did something like that within the confines of Kumogakure then he was likely in a battle and the two took off immediately.

Luckily they did as they were met with Kisame battling against B and three more members of Akatsuki waiting for them in Deidara, Hidan, and Kakazu. Yugito set off to deal with Deidara as Naruto handled the Zombie duo. Each of the three Jinchuriki were separated on three different mountain peaks turned platforms in their duel with Akatsuki, almost in a triangle if one were to look from above.

And Naruto was left against two opponents to contend with in the battle. The Zombie duo was relentless in their assault as far as Naruto was concerned, especially Hidan. But Naruto had information on the two of them and Hidan wasn't really as good as his S rank led him to be. Immortality certainly bolstered one's reputation.

Eventually, Naruto stopped dodging before stepping into one of Hidan's swing after whipping out a tri-pronged kunai. Blocking the scythe with ease, Hidan then felt the bottom of Naruto's sandal plant itself into his chest and send him skidding backwards. Naruto then looked over to Kakazu to see him standing still and just staring at him. A black being, comprised completely of threads with a white mask and red painting on it, appeared right next to Naruto as he looked on at its sudden appearance.

"Katon: Zukokku (Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work)" said Kakazu as a ball of fire appeared in the mask's mouth and fired off a powerful stream of fire that engulfed Naruto completely. The fire blazed for a while before coming to a stop to reveal Naruto burning completely. Though it was only a wood clone.

Kakazu's green eyes then peered over to his mask to see it get drug into the ground by its ankles from a pair of hands belonging to another Naruto clone. As the being got drug down, another Naruto was revealed behind it with a Rasengan flowing through the back of the mask's 'head'.

"Rasengan" said Naruto as the bright blue ball of energy burst the mask into pieces as the threads simply went limp as if it died. Naruto let the Rasengan dissipate before looking at Kakazu. "One heart down. Four more to go."

"He has information on me." thought Kakazu before seeing Hidan run up behind Naruto in effort to strike him down. Kakazu merely followed the movement with his eyes as he continued thinking. "The kid is definitely no pushover. I have to be more careful about my approach."

"All I need is one hit. One touch." said Hidan swinging his scythe with new found effort and in a way that caused less openings than his previous attempt. "Come on kid. Just mess up once."

"You're too slow to touch me." said Naruto blocking several strikes with his kunai before feeling Kakazu appear behind him. An orange chakra shroud burst around Naruto as he simply vanished from view, dodging the backhand from Kakazu in the process. Kakazu's eyes widened at the speed before he watched Naruto appear behind Hidan with a kunai lodged through his chest, directly where his heart is.

"The Kyubi. You tamed it." said Kakazu seeing the orange glow in Naruto's now slit eyes. Naruto merely looked at Kakazu spit out more of those black threads before hearing Hidan's voice.

"Fuck! That hurts asshole!" shouted Hidan with the kunai still lodged in his body. Naruto merely moved his eyes back to Hidan with an impressed expression on his face.

"Well I could have put this kunai in your brain to see what that would have done but you really are immortal. That's amazing." said Naruto as Hidan just stared at Naruto with a smug look.

"Yeah. So now you see how useless fighting me is. Just give up kid. You'll save me a lot of time." said Hidan before feeling Naruto turn his kunai inside his body. "Damn it kid! I'm immortal. What part of that don't you ge-"

Unknowingly to Hidan, the small seal on Naruto's kunai glowed after Naruto twisted his kunai and it seeped out across Hidan's back. Naruto left his kunai in Hidan before stepping backwards and clapping his hands together.

"Uzumaki Fuinjutsu (Uzumaki Sealing Technique)" said Naruto placing his hands in the boar seal before slamming his right hand on the ground. A seal etched its way to Hidan before closing him in a circle of kanji. In the middle of the seal, a Uzumaki swirl appeared right below Hidan before sparking with lightning and glowing blue. Hidan appeared to be dragged into the ground before vanishing entirely, sealed into the Earth with Naruto's kunai sticking out of the ground as a sort of tombstone.

Naruto just nodded his head at his work before looking back at Kakazu.

"Hidan was a fool to allow an Uzumaki to touch him for that long." said Kakazu as Naruto merely tensed at Kakazu squatting down. "Let's see how you compare to Hashirama. See if you even match his strength."

Naruto noticed Kakazu's new appearance. Kakazu's threads had spread out of his body, taking on a sort of octopus like appearance as Naruto could feel his chakra level increase in the new form. Not only that, Kakazu had the remaining three of his masks appear on either side of his head, all preparing a different element to send Naruto's way. Kakazu leapt into the air before stopping and hovering above Naruto in the sky. Naruto's eyes pandered up to Kakazu's before a small smile graced his face.

"At least he's not as dumb as his partner." said Naruto before frowning slightly. "Why am I happy about that? That makes it harder for me."

Naruto then dodged one of Kakazu's tendrils coming down as their fight began again.

(With Killer Bee)

"Oh Ho Ho Ho. Hachibi. You're probably the strongest Jinchuriki I've ever faced. Maybe outside of Naruto-san." came the intrigued voice of Kisame, an enormous Kisame with more shark like attributes than before. Kisame had merged with Samehada earlier in the fight, bolstering his physical appearance into that of a human shark. And he was facing against the full Bijuu in the Hachibi at the current moment.

"This water prison is mighty big. But Killer Bee is still gonna split your wig. YEEEEAAHHH" shouted Killer Bee in his fully transformed form, trapped inside a massive dome of water that Kisame created. In Bee's mindscape, he was tapped on the head by one of the Hachibi's giant fingers.

"Conserve your air. Stop all that useless rapping, this opponent is strong." came the authoritative tone of the Eight-Tails as Bee stopped moving all erratically and stood composed.

"I know that Eight-O. I am taking him seriously. Just give me a bit of your chakra and we'll wipe him out with a Bijuudama." said Killer Bee without rapping which the Hachibi just nodded at.

Outside of Bee's mindscape, a violent black ball began to form just outside of his mouth as Kisame merely grinned at the potent chakra being formed.

"That's a lot of chakra you're building up Hachibi. Too bad though." said Kisame as he clapped his hands together for a technique. "I'm you're worst match up."

An enormous water shark appeared inside the dome of water with Kisame inside its mouth. Kisame thrust his arms out, bottom of each palm touching, as the water shark made its way to Killer Bee, who'd just released his own jutsu.

"Bijuudama (Tailed Beast Ball)" "Suiton: Daikodan no Jutsu (Water Style: Great Shark Bullet Technique)"

The two techniques met with Kisame's appearing to eat Bee's jutsu and grow in size before continuing toward the perfect Jinchuriki. Killer Bee was so shocked at what just occurred that he did nothing but take the shark right on the chin, detonating against him and blasting him out of the water prison with violent force.

"What the Hell...that thing ate a Bijuudama." thought Killer Bee as he laid on the ground, out of his full transformation in just a standard Version 1 cloak with 4 tails. Killer Bee strained to pick his head up but in doing so was met with Kisame landing in front of him, taking a swipe at his legs with Samehada. Killer bee managed to evade taking the swipe but still loss his cloak in the process from chakra eating sword, further weakening him.

"Samehada's never been this excitement about someone's chakra before." said Kisame holding the sentient sword in his hand. Samehada was also much larger in appearance from absorbing Killer Bee's chakra that its mouth became more pronounced and its size was bigger than Kisame himself. "Thank you Hachibi, now just stay still and I'll cut off your legs."

Kisame prepped for another swipe at Killer Bee but just before he did, Samehada twitched in warning. Though it came too late as a blue blur barreled into Kisame, smacking the swordsman clear across a ravine and into the side of a taller mountain.

"Erubo (Elbow)" came the voice of Ay, bathed in his lightning armor, with his elbow extended. Ay then looked over to Killer Bee to see him on the ground still in pain from his run-in with Kisame.

"Thanks bro." said Killer Bee as Ay just nodded his head.

"You stay down Bee and regain your chakra, I'll handle him." said Ay as Bee just nodded and Ay looked to where he smacked Kisame and took off for the swordsman.

(With Yugito)

"Why'd we have to get the long distance one kitten?" came the voice of Yugito's own Bijuu, the Nibi. Yugito was in the process of dodging another clay bird from the Iwa Bomber, Deidara, as she continued to scamper around away from his long range assault.

"I'm not too sure Nibi." thought Yugito before unleashing a mighty blue fire ball from her mouth that Deidara easily dodged before sending another clay bird at Yugito. "If I had to guess though I'd assume from our earlier run in with those immortal dudes that we couldn't beat them before and I'd still be hard pressed now. Bee-sama was already taking on Kisame. Leaving us with this guy."

Yugito dodged another barrage of clay birds sent toward her as the Nibi internally nodded her head.

"Makes sense. The Raikage has arrived at least." said Nibi before seeing a stream of blue beams approach Deidara at a rapid pace. "I believe the correct term is cavalry."

Yugito just smiled. "Yes Nibi-chan. The cavalry has arrived." thought Yugito as she saw Ay's right hand man, Darui, fire off power streams of energy at Deidara.

"Ranton: Reiza Sakasu (Storm Style: Laser Circus)" came the voice of a Darui firing off the guided beams at Deidara. Deidara grimaced at the powerful ranged technique but the owl he was currently on managed to evade all of the beams before Deidara noticed a flash bang going off, at least what it appeared to be.

"Raigen Raikochu (Lightning Illusion Flash of Lightning Pillar)" said Shee as the bright light engulfed Deidara completely. Deidara recognized the Genjutsu attempt almost immediately and channeled his chakra accordingly to break it. Upon doing so, Deidara just chuckled to himself.

"Cats move fast I see." said Deidara as behind him stood Yugito, bathed in her blue chakra cloak, with one eye green and the other eye yellow. The white necklace Naruto gave her was glowing a shimmering white as the Nibi Jinchuriki just gave a cat-like smirk.

"So it seems." said Yugito before extending her fingernails and lashing out at Deidara.

(Konohagakure - Current Time)

"Shisou. Are you serious?" voiced Tsunade's apprentice, Sakura, as she gave the busty Kage an incredulous look.

"Yes. I am. It really wasn't that bad." came the reply of Tsunade, setting her tea cup down back on her desk. "Jiraiya wasn't the lecherous Jiraiya on our date. He was just Jiraiya and it was mightily refreshing."

"Are you saying you actually like Jiraiya?" questioned Sakura as Tsunade shook her head.

"Don't insinuate that Sakura-chan. That won't happen." said Tsunade picking up a document on her desk. "There's a long back story behind that which I'm sure you'd love to hear but this isn't the place for that, nor do I feel like sharing it."

Sakura only smiled at Tsunade though, despite her words. "Tsunade-sama has a thing for her teammate." said Sakura as Tsunade's cheeks heated up into a blush. Not out of embarrassment but out of anger. Perhaps both.

"Sakura. For th-" Tsunade's reply was cut short as her tea cup cracked out of nowhere. Tsunade and Sakura both looked at the cup with a worried expression on their faces. Both knew something bad happened, or was about to happen as with something like that, it usually preceded bad things. An omen of things to come.

"Where's Naruto-oi?" questioned Tsunade immediately.

(Root Base)

"Katon: Hosenka Mekkyaku (Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Annihilation)" said Sasuke before his chest puffed up and he launched out a volley of fireballs that grew in size before heading toward 8 target dummies. The fireballs hit each dummy pinpoint before exploding into a shower of fire around them. Sasuke admired his work before his Eternal Sharingan looked over to the man standing directly to his right, who had a small smile on his face.

"That is an impressive jutsu Sasuke-kun." said Itachi with his own EMS shining brightly in the dim underground base. Sasuke just smirked at that acknowledgement from his elder brother.

"Thanks nii-san. Though it's not the only thing I've been working out." said Sasuke as an ethereal being formed around Sasuke in a purple chakra. "My Susanno. I've accessed more of it."

Itachi's eyes seem to analyze the new Susanno as he noticed a few differences about it from when the two of them fought. Instead of the arrows made of chakra like before, Sasuke's Susanno now wielded arrows made of Amaterasu's fire. Sasuke could now fire bows of inextinguishable flames against his opponents. But that wasn't the only change, the other was a pair of wings spreading out of his Susanno's back. The scaled hands, beak-like hood, wings, and Amaterasu arrows gave Sasuke's Susanno a daunting appearance.

Just before Itachi could comment on the new Susanno, he seemed to jolt slightly before peering his eyes out to his right. Sasuke noticed the action and also looked the same direction while letting his Susanno fade.

Knowing Sasuke would ask, Itachi answered before he could ask the question.

"Something bad has occurred..." said Itachi

(With Naruto)

Naruto stood, still cloaked in his Kyubi Chakra mode, in front of Kakazu who was looking at him with a grin on his face. Several branches were skewered through Kakazu's body as he sat motionless in the piercing trees.

Coughing up blood, Kakazu was nearing the end.

"Seems that I still can't overcome a Senju in battle. Hashirama or even this generation's strongest Senju." said Kakazu, coughing up more blood as Naruto just stood in front of him. Naruto merely took out a kunai as Kakazu left him with a few more words. "Seems you really are Hashirama's heir. Even more skilled than I remember him being."

Naruto spared no more words before planting the kunai into Kakazu's head, killing the dangerous Akatsuki member. Naruto looked over to his left to see Ay handling Kisame with ease and to his right to see Yugito, Darui, and Shee taking care of Deidara. Naruto just nodded his head, realizing that the other two fights were going well. Just as he did that, two people appeared 10 feet behind him.

"I'll be the judge of whether or not you're comparable to Hashirama." came the voice of a man standing behind Naruto. Naruto's eyes widened, recognizing Tobi's chakra signature and also after hearing Kurama's voice when the fox recognized the second's.

"Madara." said Kurama, surprised at the thought of Madara being here. Naruto merely turned around and there standing before him, exactly like his statue at the Valley of the Ed, was Madara Uchiha.

Madara had waist-length hair with shoulder-length bangs framing the sides of his face, covering most of his right eye. Madara had prominent creases under both of his eyes, which were blood red with his EMS staring at Naruto. Madara wore a blue high-collared, long sleeved blue mantle that splits down the lower half and a simple, light brown obi and belt. On his back was his famous war fan that had a long black chain running up it.

Madara just glowered at Naruto for a few seconds before nodding his head. "You seem like quite the challenge." said Madara with his arms crossed looking at Naruto. "To tame the Kyubi inside of you is impressive. And hearing all of these stories about you only makes me want to find out if they bear any truth."

Naruto didn't speak as he continued to look at the presence of the Madara Uchiha in front of him. Naruto was then dragged into his mindscape to speak with his Bijuu companion.

(Naruto's Mindscape)

"Naruto. Do not trifle with this man." said Kurama as Naruto stood just outside of the open cage of his mind with Kurama sitting behind him.

"He knows that Kyubi." came the voice of Madara as he stood ten feet away from Naruto within his own mindscape, just like they were in the real world. Naruto's eyebrows raised at Madara's appearance inside his own mind but chalked it up to his prowess with the Sharingan. Itachi could do the same and so could Sasuke, why wouldn't the most powerful Uchiha in history be able to. Frankly, how was he even here.

"How are you alive?" questioned Naruto as Madara decided to indulge the young Senju in front of him.

"I believe his name was Nagato. He brought me back with his Rinnegan and this is how I have come back to this world." said Madara. "And I'm here to correct the mistakes of my underling in capturing you Jinchuriki."

"Madara!" shouted Kurama as he stood up and snarled at Madara. Madara merely looked Kurama's way before the large fox was silenced by the powerful Uchiha. Kurama's eyes glazed over as Madara looked back at Naruto.

"Can't deal with distractions from a mindless beast." said Madara before seeing Naruto channel his chakra. Madara's eyes widened in surprise when Naruto's chakra was actually powerful enough to dispel his control of the Kyubi.

Naruto didn't speak another word before the Madara in front of him was violently kicked out by a now awake Kurama and Naruto followed Madara back to the real world.

(Real World - 1 second later)

Madara just nodded his head as he moved the fan from his back and placed it in front of Naruto.

"Do not disappoint me. Live up to your surname, Senju." said Madara before blowing out a violent wave of fire at Naruto. Naruto was quick to act, having already placed his hands in the snake seal.

"Mokuton: Hobi no Jutsu (Wood Style: Wood Expulsion Technique)" said Naruto as a large, wooden dragon head surrounded him and protected him from the powerful fire technique. Madara then had to jump backwards to avoid a large claw made of wood that attempted to attack him from underneath the ground.

The wooden dragon head around Naruto sank back into the floor as Naruto just channeled more chakra into his second technique.

"Mokuton: Hotei no Jutsu (Wood Style: Laughing Buddha Technique)" thought Naruto as more clawed hands, reminiscent of a fox's paw, burst from the ground surrounding Madara.

"Yes." said Madara as a blue chakra surrounded him, growing into his Susanno. Madara's Susanno had four arms as each one had a sword in hand. Madara did a quick spin and sliced the hands off at the wrist, stopping Naruto's attack. Madara then smiled as he saw Naruto had already moved again. "You dance well. No faltering in your steps."

A crack formed against Madara's Susanno as Naruto stood with an enormous Rasengan trying to crush Madara's Sharingan technique.

"Damn. Sasuke's Susanno would have broken from the size of this Rasengan." thought Naruto, ending the Rasengan and dodging a fist coming toward him.

"Madara is on a whole other level than that Sasuke boy. That technique is based on the user's spirtual energy and willpower. Madara has one of the strongest I've ever seen." said Kurama, giving begrudging respect to the man he hated the most as he watched the battle and continued to help Naruto in any way that he could. "You'll need Sage Mode to beat him. That's not even the full might of his Susanno."

"There's more to it?" questioned Naruto as his question got answered by Madara, whose Susanno grew legs and stood in front of Naruto. Four times the size of the average man. "Kami. That's...Wow."

"You haven't seen anything yet. That's not even the full Susanno." said Kurama as Madara just smiled at Naruto.

"Come boy. Show me the power of a Senju like only Hashirama could." said Madara before sending out another powerful stream of fire at Naruto, quicker than the first.

(With Ay)

"Seems the stories are true of you being the fastest man alive." said a bloodied and beat up Kisame. Kisame had been decimated in his battle against the Yondaime Raikage and now especially since Samehada wasn't within reach and Ay wouldn't allow the sword to heal its wielder. Ay just continued to stand before Kisame in his lightning cloak as he looked down at the defeated swordsman.

"I won't allow you Akatsuki to take Bee. Those other villages may not have cared about their shinobi but Kumogakure is different." said Ay as his cloak sparked a bit brighter as he prepped to finish Kisame for good. Rocketing toward Kisame with an arm extended, Ay prepared to take his head clean off his shoulders.

"Rariatto (Lariat)" said Ay as he hit Kisame across the neck. But Ay actually didn't touch Kisame at all, instead Ay ended up rocketing toward the wall and stopping just before hitting it. Ay then turned around to only see the Masked Man standing there.

"I can't let you do that Raikage. I have more use for him." said the Masked Man as Ay looked at him while straightening up to stand opposing the enigma of a man before him.

"The Masked Man. Tobi. The real leader of Akatsuki." said Ay reciting the information Naruto gave to him from his time with Nagato in Amegakure. "The man who can evade any attack. Can be pretty much anywhere with your space-time ninjutsu. And lo and behold, is an Uchiha as well."

"Someone's done their homework." said Tobi, with a slight ire in his voice from having his abilities so known now. Tobi then watched Ay turn to B before slowly walking over to him.

"I know you know better than to try and touch me. Because in that instance, I'll put you six feet under." said Ay in a serious tone before vanishing to his brother's location.

Tobi merely stood still before letting out a sigh at the powerful Kage's words.

"This was not how this was meant to play out." thought Tobi in his head before vanishing in another spiraling vortex. If he couldn't get to Bee and Naruto was being handled by Madara, that left him with one option.

(With Yugito)

Yugito stood on her own mountain peak, flanked by Darui and Shee, as the three of them looked at the motionless Deidara on the ground before them.

"Wonder what he would have done if we didn't stop that last attempt." said Darui.

Deidara, after being violently beat off his clay owl by Yugito, knew that he'd stand no chance against the Jinchuriki cloaked Yugito, let alone her with backup. So Deidara went with his last trump move, an explosion the size of 10 kilometers. Though it never came to fruition as Yugito appeared in front of him with a lightning enhanced claw to the heart, ending any buildup of his final technique.

"Yeah. Thank Kami you thought and moved fast Yugito-chan. I don't know what we would have done." said Shee before jolting his head up. Shee looked toward Naruto's mountain as he saw a large blue entity facing off against Naruto. "I didn't know someone in the Akatsuki could do that?"

Yugito then peered her eyes over to Naruto and her eyes widened at the scene.

"None of them can. And I know that technique, it's one of the Mangekyo Sharingan." said Yugito, remembering what Naruto told her of his time with Sasuke. "Susanno is it's name and it's much bigger than what Naruto had previously described."

Yugito prepared to take off and help Naruto but the sudden appearance of the Masked Man impeded her effort.

"Sorry Nibi, I can't allow you to do that." said the Masked Man as Yugito stopped her progress to stare at him hatefully.

"Not this guy again. But it won't be like Ame this time." thought Yugito, shifting her feet into a stance. "I know your secret."

Just before Yugito could move, an enormous explosion occurred where Naruto was at. Yugito looked pass the Masked Man to see the entire Mountain peak Naruto was on, destroyed and ablaze with a mighty fire.

"Naruto-kun.." thought Yugito before seeing her boyfriend appear next to her in a shunshin. Yugito took in Naruto's appearance to see him missing most of his shirt, only the parts lower than his belly button still remaining. His pants were also singed but were still intact and he was somehow free of injury other then missing his shirt. Probably due to the Jinchuriki cloak around him.

"Naruto-kun? What happened?" questioned Yugito as Naruto continued to stare at the platform that looked like a torch with the fire blazing the top of it still.

"Big Explosion. Very big. Toad Oil and Explosive notes." said Naruto, not moving his eyes from the platform.

(Flashback)

"Come boy. Show me the power of a Senju like only Hashirama could." said Madara. Madara then placed his hands in the tiger seal as he prepped another technique. "Katon: Goka Messhitsu (Fire Style: Great Flame Destruction)"

Just after announcing the technique, Madara let loose a stream of fire at Naruto once again. Naruto merely channeled chakra as the ground around him cracked and a forest sprang up to fight the fire being sent out by Madara. Madara continued his flamethrower technique before catching movement at the edge of the mountain top.

Naruto stood on the edge of the mountain with his hands in the ram seal.

"Dai Gama Yudan (Great Toad Bullet)" said Naruto as his chest puffed up and his mouth filled with toad oil. Naruto let the toad oil fly off in a stream as it met the trees and fire right at their meeting point.

"The boy is fast. Not only will the oil ignite into a fire." thought Madara as he turned his sharingan back to the trees, seeing white pieces of paper nearing the fire as well. "He even managed to place high powered explosive notes on the trees and timed it perfectly. I'm liking this Naruto Senju."

Naruto's oil and explosive notes met the fire at the same time as it all detonated into an explosion of fire, covering the entire platform in a blazing fire.

(Flashback end)

"And you just didn't make it far enough away in time." said Yugito as Naruto merely nodded his head, causing the Nibi to grin. "Never were one for the ending of your plan in making sure you don't get hurt."

"Oi, that was once on that floating ship that belonged to the Sky Ninja Fleet." said Naruto as Yugito just shook her head amused. Yugito's amusement ended though as she noticed the blue Susanno land on the same platform as them, directly next to Tobi. Unlike Naruto, Madara was untouched by the explosion and his Susanno didn't even looked fazed by it in the slightest.

It was at that moment that Yugito, Darui, and Shee all recognized the man before them and their eyes widened with shock clearly evident.

"Naruto-kun..is that..." started Yugito as Naruto just nodded his head. All the slightly joking air evaporated as the three knew exactly who Madara Uchiha was and is. "How is this possible?"

"The Rinnegan has the power to bring back the dead." came the voice of Kurama, surprising Yugito that she could hear him.

"Don't worry Yugito-chan. You're not crazy." said the Nibi, calming her Jinchuriki. "Being a Jinchuriki, when you're close enough to another Jinchuriki, you can enter another mindscape. Another realm and speak to one another. Now listen to Kurama-kun, he'll explain it all since he's had the most run-ins with Madara and even knows more about jiji, the Sage of Six Paths."

Yugito was ready to listen but was grabbed by Naruto and shifted over to the over side of him to dodge a sword strike from Madara. Yugito was still held in Naruto's arms as she looked toward him as he looked at Madara.

"Keep your eyes peeled. You'll have to listen and move Neko." said Naruto before letting Yugito go and placing his hands in the ram seal. "Mokuton: Mokuryu (Wood Style: Wood Dragon)"

A large wooden dragon sprang from the ground behind Naruto as its lower end coiled around Naruto and Yugito. Naruto then turned his head to Darui and Shee, who both just sat back in awe of what was happening before them.

"Get out of here and get Bee to safety. Tell Raikage-dono to come, we'll need him." said Naruto quickly before turning back to Madara.

"Ah yes, Hashirama's famous Wood Dragon. A powerful technique it is." said Madara, with his arms crossed as he looked down at Naruto and Yugito inside Naruto's Wood Dragon's tail. Yugito and Naruto weren't paying attention to Madara though as they'd been steadily listening to Kurama during the momentary break in action.

"So our best bet would be to run?" questioned Yugito as Kurama internally nodded her head. "Is he really that powerful?"

"Yes. Naruto, you remember how strong the chakra imprint of Hashirama was?" questioned Kurama as Naruto knew where this was going. "Madara is considered his equal. You'll either need to use Sage Mode and go all out or run, there's no in between here."

"Right. We can't necessarily run though. And I don't want to enter Sage Mode here." said Naruto in reply as he let his Wood dragon slide its way to Madara. "We may be miles from Kumogakure but if the story is true about the Valley of the End, this site won't be big enough to handle that type of destruction without it affecting the village in some way."

"So we are leaving at the first opening?" questioned Yugito as Naruto just nodded his head. "What about Bee? Raikage-sama? Everyone else? If we just leave, that'll leave the village less guarded if he decides to attack it."

Naruto watched Madara handle his wood dragon with experience garnered from his time against Hashirama as Naruto replied to Yugito.

"We'll take Bee as well. And if he's really after us Bijuu, he won't bother taking out Kumogakure or anything else. I'm certain of it." thought Naruto seeing his wood dragon get sliced in half by Madara. "From Jiji's stories, Madara is a man who will take what is necessary, no more. And the only necessary for his plan are me, you, and Kirabi. That's all. Kumo will be safe."

Yugito seemed to begrudgingly agree with the plan as Ay sparked into the field next to the Jinchuriki couple. Ay saw the two weren't harmed before peering his eyes out at Tobi and then Madara.

"Seems Darui and Shee weren't lying. Madara Uchiha has returned." said Ay staring down the legendary Uchiha. Madara just looked at the hulking Kage with his Sharingan.

"Yotsuki Clan. Users of the Lightning Armor technique. An ability that bolsters physical reflexes and speed to a degree of unprecedented quickness. So fast, even my Sharingan can't keep up." said Madara with a grin toward Ay. "Stay out of this Tobi. Even if you did fight, you'd only be taken down since they know your techniques. I'll finish this myself."

Tobi just nodded his head before vanishing in a vortex to allow Madara to contend with the three before him. Even if Naruto, Yugito, or Ay wouldn't say it, they all knew this was a tough hill to climb. For one man to say he'd handle the fastest Raikage in Kumo's history and two Jinchurikis with control over their Bijuu, all at the same time, was already crushing psychologically. Especially considering, it was absolutely believable to a certain extent. An extent Naruto couldn't let happen.

"I'm sorry Ay. I may have to use Sage Mode in the end." thought Naruto after hearing Madara's statement. "There's just no way around it."

"It's okay Naruto-san." said Ay, sensing Naruto's dilemma. "If Kumogakure is destroyed from this battle, the civilians will at least be okay. They've already begun evacuating, let loose kid. There's no way we'd beat him unless we gave him our best."

Naruto merely nodded his head, thankful to the Raikage, before closing his eyes. Red markings began to form on Naruto's face as Madara's eyes widened in intrigue at Naruto.

"Sage Mode. You really are just like Hashirama." said Madara as he looked on at the Sage Jinchuriki that was Naruto. "This is even better than I could have hoped for. Come, and if you are lucky, I may show you the full power of the Uchiha clan before your death."

Naruto heard Madara's words and only responded by placing his hands together, palm touching palm. The ground began to rumble as the three on one was underway.

Omake: Assimilating the Roots (part 1)

"Naruto-kun. What brings you here?" came the voice of the Yamanaka princess, Ino, just as she noticed Naruto walk through her family's shop. Naruto simply smiled at Ino as he continued to walk in through the store to the counter.

"Hi Ino-chan. I need a favor." said Naruto as Ino noticed the flowers began to blossom more and the colors grew more vibrant.

"Just like always. Simply amazing." thought Ino before turning her attention to Naruto when he asked for a favor. "What do you need? Are you getting flowers for Yugito-chan? Hmm? Hmm? Hmm?"

With each Hmm, Ino continued to draw her face closer to Naruto's as if she'd solved the case. Naruto merely cocked an eyebrow at that as Ino had a set of flowers already ready for him, practically pushing them into his arms.

"No. Well yeah but no, there's just this...friend. Friend of mine and he needs a job." said Naruto, holding the flowers, as Ino sort of deflated at that.

"Needs a job? And you're wanting to see if he can work here?" questioned Ino as Naruto just nodded his head. "Well, I can't hire someone but I guess I can look at him and tell tou-chan."

"That's the thing. Your dad already hired him." said Naruto as Ino put her hands on her hips and gave Naruto a quizzical look. "I just need your help is all. I can't do it alone. He's a little rough around the edges. Had a bad childhood and I need you to help him learn how to be a normal person."

"A normal person? What's wrong with him?" questioned Ino as Naruto just shrugged his shoulders.

"It's difficult to explain. Trust me, you'll notice it as soon as you see him." said Naruto before looking at Ino with shimmering violet eyes, puppy like eyes to be exact. "You'll help me won't you Ino-chan."

Ino's face never changed, nor did she fall victim to Naruto's pleading look. Naruto realized it after a while and stood back up with a sort of defeated face.

"What is going on? That always works on you." said Naruto as Ino just placed a hand to Naruto's whiskered cheek.

"Honey, ever since you started dating Yugito-chan and me and her have become friends. I've grown pass you Naruto-kun. None of that will work on me anymore." said Ino, patting Naruto's cheek a few times before placing her hand back down. "But I can do this for you, where is your friend at?"

"Behind you Yamanaka-san." came the monotone voice of a pale boy behind Ino. Ino nearly jumped out of her skin at the voice before turning around with a fist cocked back out of pure reaction. Never sneak up on a ninja or else you'd face physical reaction like the one Ino was about to dish out. Though the boy merely picked up a palm as he caught Ino's fist in his hand and gave her a smile. "Sorry about scaring you."

Ino calmed down at that as she took a good look at the pale boy in front of her. "Kami. Why is his skin so white? Does he never get any sun?" thought Ino as she then looked up at his smiling face. "And that smile is so forced. It looks downright creepy."

Ino then turned her head to Naruto to only see him smiling at her.

"Sai-san, this is Ino. Ino-chan, that's Sai." said Naruto. "I'll check back up on him in a few days. Thanks Ino-chan."

Naruto then vanished from Ino's shop in a shunshin before the platinum blonde could respond.

"Darn it. I now know what's going on." thought Ino, blowing out air that lifted her bang as it just fell back in place. "These are those Root Anbu, those kids Danzo had turned mindless soldiers according to dad. Naruto's been placing them all over Konoha and now we have one. Why'd you let this happen Tou-chan? Here of all places."

"Ino-sama. Naruto-kun attempted to leave with those flowers for Yugito-san without paying but I managed to procure his wallet. Should I grab the funds necessary for the flower?" questioned Sai as Ino just blanched at that. A grin found its way on Ino's face as she just nodded her head.

"Be sure to leave a nice tip as well." said Ino as Sai merely nodded his head and took the money from Naruto's wallet and placed it in the register. Ino just nodded her head before patting Sai on the back. "This might just work out, welcome to the shop Sai."