Despite it All

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Darui's POV

Walked forward bored as C filled him in on the situation. There was a group of criminals causing chaos and A sent the two of them to stop them. They were on their way to the samurai camp when suddenly a strange sight blocked their path. It was the silver-haired Leaf Genin who had gone AWOL on his team. Darui believed his name was Kabuto Yakushi.

"I hate to say this fellas but I cannot allow you any further." Kabuto said simply, his glasses shining in the night.

"We are on orders of the Mighty Raikage. Either stand aside or face the wrath of the Cloud." C order sliding out a kunai.

"He's here to stall us." Darui guessed. "Suppose tonight will be anything but dull. Though I must ask, we are too high-level Jounin. Do you truly believe you'll be able to stop us?"

Kabuto merely smirked as he fell into an aggressive stance. "Before you would've been right. Not for my false ranking as a pathetic Leaf soldier, but even then the two of you would've slayed me with ease. But thanks to our ally Ikam. I'm practically immortal!" Kabuto said crazed as seals suddenly covered his skin. "Do me a favor and don't die quickly!"

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Leifazu's POV (Outside of Bar Naruto is located)

Leifazu, Tayuya, and Sakon observed the two teams meeting. As much as they wanted to attack it would be risky with the amount of shinobi present. Instead, they followed the meeting team seeing they were going into a large bar and decided to camp it out until Naruto separated from the others. Besides, a group drinking and having fun would surely let their guard down. Once he did, Leifazu would kill Naruto. Sure the snake had wanted him alive but Leifazu hated his blood brethren and would see to their death.

Let them enjoy the night for now. Because soon they would be remorseful of the day their friend was taken from them.

Little did they know a different kind of beast was observed in the distance. Wanting the same prey but being very unwilling to share.

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Reizo's POV (Iron Camp Land of Iron)

Reizo had fought many skilled swordsmen. Many of them at the same time. His blade had met with those wielded by Anbu or Jounin as the need called. He was confident in his strokes, even against his men, he knew only Mifune was his better. Yet these monstrosities wielded katana as well as any of his men. This mastery was matched by levels of physicality that the men in question could never match. Reizo deflected a blade aimed at his face with his palm. Managing to expertly swat the dull side. He twirled as he followed through the strike nearly beheading another white monster. The beast barely managed to block the blade, the power behind the strike sending him flying back. Several of the beasts thrust towards him. Surrounding him in the time it took him to defend himself against the first two. Reizo's blade seemed to fly through the air, somehow managing to redirect the six Zetsu with ease, sending each one flying back. More charged forward determined to overwhelm him with numbers. But Reizo merely chuckled hatefully as his blade suddenly glowed with chakra.

"I have what you filth would likely refer to as my own jutsu. I believe you call it a bloodline? Either way, die like the beast you are. RAGE HUNT: BLADE OF WRATH!" He called as the surrounding Zetsu around him suddenly were met by red lines that flew from Reizo's blade sliding through them harmlessly. They laughed cruelly as they prepared to pepper the man's body with new holes.

Reizo merely smirked as they came close. "ERUPT!" He roared suddenly, and each Zetsu around him screamed in pain and collapsed. Their bodies fall to pieces around the man. Bursting from the cuts was red powerful chakra. "As I suffer you filth, my rage becomes my strength." He said as he marched past the corpse of the beast he had slain.

"I think we might be in trouble~!" One Zetsu sang as he readied his blade.

"Shame he's all alone~." Another mocked.

"Time to die~!" With this final cry, they started to wantonly launch Flashes at Reizo. The Samurai captain flinched as the barrage closed in. With a desperate snarl, he hopped over one. He thrust his blade out smashing into the ground and pulled it back up quickly managing to spiral himself in the air to dodge another two. He yelled out in fury as his blade glowed once again, spinning as he landed to cut through one Flash. Ducking another he unleashed his own that cut a path out in front of him. As one flew in after the explosion he slid underneath it finally drawing close to the closest group of beasts.

"RAGE HUNT: PETTY SLASH!" He called out suddenly, slicing a red line of violent chakra through the legs of ten surprised Zetsu. The beast cried out in pain as they fell. Several more charged forward to kill the presumably open Reizo. "RAGE HUNT: PETTY ERUPTION!" As the Zetsu ran over their legless brethren they were suddenly enveloped by a burst of red chakra exploding from each stump left on the Zetsu before. The resulting explosions left only a few Zetsu left. And half of the building collapsed on the wall peppered by the force. The building now being torn open allowed snow to drift in. Reizo panted and fell to a knee as the remaining beasts readied themselves for a final stand. "I have anger left for you, trash." Reizo said with a smile as he dashed towards his opponents confident he wouldn't perish here.

Mifune's POV

Mifune wasn't confident that he wouldn't perish here. His dark creature of an opponent seemed innocuous and unthreatening. As such he wanted to help Reizo quickly with the crowd of murderous white beasts. With this in mind, Mifune had locked eyes with the creature and uttered what he was sure would be the final words it would ever hear.

"Dancing Blade Risk." He whispered silently as he was suddenly behind Zetsu. Having moved so quickly the odd creature had not sensed him until his blade met its body. As he sheathed his blade the creature fell. Likely being split in two by his speedy and powerful slash.

Suddenly it rose again in a peculiar manner. Its body is unharmed as it rises bonelessly. Almost as if his body was completely malleable by will. "My, that is quite the technique. If I was a mere human I would've surely been cut." It mocked as it turned to face him. "Got anything be-" Black Zetsu was unable to finish. His voice was cut off by Mifune's sudden whisper or more likely the wave of a powerful chakra following after enveloping and slicing into Zetsu before he could even flinch.

"Drowning Flash Wave." He announced that a building-sized slash of chakra consumed and carried Zetsu, cutting him to bits as it smashed through the remaining standing portion of the building causing it to fully collapse. Mifune sheathed his blade as they were exposed to the environment of cold wind and flying snow. The remaining Samurai scrambled away from the ruins of the building. Knowing Mifune would likely crush any remaining enemies. Mifune eyed the several pieces of the creature remaining. His gaze in particular landed on the severed head of it. His eyes widened and he jumped back as it cackled back.

"How amusing. To think this land would produce someone of your level. If you weren't so simple to read you'd be worth something. Unfortunately, all you are now is a particularly competent pest. You'll still need to be crushed." Zetsu ranted as his body seemed to liquefy and fly through the air to reattach the talking head. The other parts similarly flying through the air to form a mass. The head flew back with Zetsu laughing all the while. His head was added to the mass last. The rest reformed into the vaguely humanoid shape the beast had before. "My turn, Wood Style: Forest Emergence!" As he finished his cry, trees suddenly sprouted from the ground, wooden beams growing and flying towards Mifune who flinched. He then grits his teeth and lowered his stance.

"Allow me to show my hand as well! Draw of the Seven Principles: Seven Slashes of Death!" He called. He sliced through the air with strong precise strikes each seemingly blocking out all surrounding sound for a moment. As the forest drew close the trees were suddenly cut to shreds the air following the slashes in big streams blasting any bystander. For a moment it looked like Mifune had countered the powerful attack with relative ease. Before the wood continued to fly towards him. The previously sliced and falling wood is merely being carried by the new beams and trees combining them with itself. Mifune desperately called out as it drew close. Desperately using the last of his chakra to shield his men he called out. "QUICK DRAW: NETTING OF BLADES!" The attack came out once again managing to slice some of the approaching forest but not near enough. Samurai, Mifune, Reizo, and even the remaining White Zetsu were smashed into it by this. The forest stopped, bringing silence to the clearing. The former plateau was now covered in a forest. Separating the survivors and effectively wiping out the group.

"Surely that will be enough of a distraction. I'd like to ensure it as is but it would be wise to retreat for now." 'Besides that old man took more out of me than I expected. He may even be as strong as the five Kage.' Black Zetsu marched out of the forest. Not concerned in the slightest about a continued assault. They were either dead or were surely wishing they were.

Ikam was normally not one to dwell on the past. Sure his goal was due to the past but he very much moved to the future. Yet today his mind seemed to be locked into the past. Before he had become Ikam of the Uzumaki he had formed his powerful group to aid in his goal. He had been very different before he was sure. He could remember him hiding out seemingly fearful of each day. He could remember desperate long days longing for peace and safety. The exact details had become fuzzy at some point. Suddenly he could hear a voice demanding for him to enact an absurd plan.

For one year Ikam had suffered under its voice. At first, he assumed it was a ghost or god. But soon it became clear somehow the voice was simply another part of him. He couldn't remember much, just long nights of him pleading to himself for peace. Pleading they need their mind for life. But the voice hadn't relented. Ikam had given in after time. Its volume had consumed him. It had made him care little for his current life. Instead, it told him to enact the plan. Feeding him bit by bit until he was under its hold. First, it told him of his new identity as a Uzumaki. He had found a way to permanently dye his hair red. And studied their ways and customs until he was indistinguishable from others. It told him to gather its kin. Each time it led him to a useful Uzumaki. Each time it told him how to gain their loyalty. It had never strayed him wrong.

So when it had told him he must kill or ally with each Uzumaki he had treated it as law. His group had been hard to convince but as he had discovered the truth of the crime of the Uzumaki he had presented an edited version of the tale. He used evidence that context was misstated to support his version. Within a few short years, the group had grown and started to slay their kin.

It was odd to Ikam. He felt as if he was somehow a puppet to another part of himself. He acted within his own will but not with his consent. If Ikam was foolish he would've confided the truth to one of his followers. But thus far only Mishio had accepted the true version of events and moved with him despite it. That was only due to her utter adoration of him. Something he had always irrationally hated. But he used it to his advantage. He merely wished some part of him wouldn't scream in pain whenever he was close to her. Yes, he lived in constant opposites. He supposed most would not continue as he would. But he must accomplish the goal he seemed to crave. Maybe it would finally silence his mind.

Ikam shook his head, the group around him stopping and tensing. He looked at the trips realizing those odd thoughts had returned. But knowing it would shatter his image he merely continued walking. The group continued as well, knowing better than to question him. Mishio squeezed his hand. Ikam inwardly flinched before frowning at that. Why would he feel oddly standing with his beloved wife? He shook away the useless thoughts as his group stopped nearing their goal. Ikam cleared his mind as Mishio, Ashira, and he walked to a ledge overlooking the ocean. In the distance, a series of islands could be barely spotted. Most of them are utterly covered in mist.

He would waste time later. His goal had brought him here. Orochimaru had spoken of a Kage that could be quite useful to them. Yagura Karatachi, jinchuriki of The Three-Tails, and Mizukage of the Village Hidden in the Mist. His intel told him he saw himself as some sort of god seeking justice.

The arrogant and naive were always easy to fool.