Naruto: Heir To The Cherry Blossoms

Chapter 16: Kiba & Sasuke vs the Demon Brothers

"You kids think you can handle us?" Meizu taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance.

"We'll do more than handle you," Sasuke shot back, his Sharingan glowing with excitement

Kiba crouched low, activating his Four Legs Technique, his feral features becoming more pronounced. Akamaru barked and growled, leaping from Kiba's shoulder and transforming into a perfect copy of him with a puff of smoke. Now there were two Kibas, their claws gleaming in the dim light of the forest.

"Let's roll" Kiba

Without warning, Gozu and Meizu attacked, closing the distance with startling speed. Their gauntlet claws lashed out, slashing through the air toward Kiba and Sasuke. Sasuke sidestepped the strike with ease, his Sharingan predicting the trajectory of Gozu's attack. Kiba and his clone, meanwhile, split apart, moving at high speed to evade Meizu's incoming slash.

The battlefield erupted into chaos as the fight unfolded.

Sasuke retaliated with a series of shuriken, each one aimed with pinpoint accuracy at Gozu. The Demon Brother deflected the projectiles with his gauntlet claws, the metal clinking with each strike. Seizing the moment, Sasuke closed the distance, weaving around Gozu's defenses with a swift combination of taijutsu strikes.

Meanwhile, Kiba and Akamaru launched their attack on Meizu. Using their Fang Passing Fang, the two Kibas spun into twin drills of feral energy, tearing through the ground as they homed in on their target. Meizu jumped back, his gauntlet claws raised defensively. The twin drills slammed into his position, forcing him to block. The impact sent him skidding back several feet, his boots digging into the dirt.

"You little brats hit hard," Meizu muttered, shaking his arm to dull the sting of the attack.

Kiba grinned, baring his elongated canines. "That's just the start. Akamaru, let's go!"

The two Kibas charged again, one from the front and the other circling around to flank. Meizu scowled, realizing he couldn't track both of them at once. Just as the real Kiba lunged forward, Meizu lashed out with his gauntlet claws, aiming for a lethal blow. But Kiba ducked low, sliding under the attack and clawing at Meizu's legs. The Demon Brother stumbled, leaving himself open to an attack from behind.

Akamaru leapt onto Meizu's back, sinking his claws into the man's shoulder. Meizu let out a growl of pain and spun wildly, trying to shake the ninken off.

At the same time, Sasuke pressed his assault on Gozu. He unleashed a Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu, the massive ball of flames roaring toward his opponent. Gozu leapt into the air, narrowly avoiding the inferno as it scorched the ground beneath him.

"You missed!" Gozu sneered, but Sasuke smirked in response.

From the shadows of the trees, thin ninja wires glinted in the faint light. Sasuke tugged, and the wires snapped taut, wrapping around Gozu mid-air. Before the Demon Brother could react, Sasuke yanked him down, slamming him into the ground with a loud thud.

"Not bad, Sasuke," Kiba called out as he and Akamaru forced Meizu back with another coordinated attack.

"I don't need your approval," Sasuke replied coldly, already preparing his next move.

Gozu and Meizu regrouped, their movements becoming more frantic as they realized they were being outmaneuvered. Gozu formed hand seals, and the Water Clone Jutsu created two copies of himself, each one rushing at Sasuke. The original stayed back, readying another attack.

Meizu, now desperate, created his own Water Clone, sending it after Kiba while he kept Akamaru occupied. Kiba dodged the clone's strikes with ease, his heightened speed allowing him to weave through the attacks like a blur.

Sasuke, meanwhile, made quick work of Gozu's clones. His Sharingan predicted their every move, and his kunai flashed as he dismantled them one by one. The last clone dissolved into water as Sasuke leapt into the air, hurling a demon wind shuriken toward the real Gozu. The large, spinning weapon cut through the air, forcing Gozu to dodge at the last second.

Kiba saw his opening as Meizu stumbled, distracted by Akamaru's relentless attacks. "Now, Akamaru!" he shouted.

The ninken leapt onto Kiba's shoulder. Together, they launched another Fang Passing Fang, their spinning forms colliding with Meizu head-on. The impact sent the Demon Brother crashing into a nearby tree, where he slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Sasuke, not to be outdone, closed the distance with Gozu in a blur of speed. The Demon Brother tried to lash out with his gauntlet claws, but Sasuke was too fast. With a swift strike, Sasuke disarmed him, the gauntlet flying off his hand. Before Gozu could react, Sasuke delivered a powerful kick to his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground beside his partner.

The battle ended as quickly as it had begun. Gozu and Meizu lay unconscious, their bodies battered and bruised. Sasuke and Kiba stood victorious, both of them breathing heavily but unharmed.

"Not bad," Kiba muttered, glancing at Sasuke.

"You were barely keeping up," Sasuke replied, though there was no malice in his tone.

From the sidelines, Kakashi and Kurenai stepped forward, both of them visibly impressed. Naruto stood next to Hinata, his expression unreadable as he observed the aftermath.

The fight was over, but the journey to the Land of Waves was far from finished.

---

Chapter 17

With the Demon Brothers defeated and restrained, Kakashi and Kurenai tied them to a nearby tree using ninja wire. The Konoha jonin examined their prisoners while the genin gathered nearby, their energy still buzzing from the battle.

Kiba crossed his arms, Akamaru perched proudly on his head. He shot Naruto a smug grin. "See that, Naruto? That's how it's done."

Sasuke, equally pleased with himself, glanced at Naruto with a faint smirk. "Not bad for a couple of 'lesser' fighters, huh?"

Naruto, standing with his usual calm demeanor, responded with a rare chuckle. It was a quiet, almost mocking sound that immediately made Kiba and Sasuke's brows twitch in irritation.

"That was impressive," Naruto said, his tone carrying an edge of sarcasm. "Really, it was. But if it were me, I'd have finished that fight in under a minute." His words were delivered with perfect composure, his expression respectful yet clearly mocking.

Kiba and Sasuke's faces turned dark as they both glared at Naruto, their egos bruised.

Their glaring contest was interrupted by a soft chuckle from Kurenai. She smiled at the genin, shaking her head. "Boys and their pride," she muttered, earning a nod of agreement from Kakashi, who smiled beneath his mask.

Hinata giggled quietly from her spot next to Naruto, while Shino remained silent, though there was a faint upward curve to his lips.

The lighthearted moment didn't last long. Kakashi's demeanor shifted, his expression turning serious as he walked over to Tazuna.

"Tazuna-san," Kakashi began, his voice firm, "why were the Demon Brothers targeting you? Don't tell me it was a coincidence."

Tazuna scratched the back of his head nervously, avoiding Kakashi's sharp gaze. "Uh… maybe they were after one of you?" he suggested weakly.

Kakashi's eye narrowed, the weight of his gaze making Tazuna fidget. "Don't lie to us, Tazuna-san. If you're not honest, this mission ends here. We'll return to Konoha, and you'll have to find someone else to escort you."

The old man froze under Kakashi's scrutiny. He tried to hold out for a moment longer but eventually sighed in defeat. "Alright, alright! I'll tell you everything."

He explained Gato's tyranny over the Land of Waves, how the tyrant had exploited the people and left them impoverished. Tazuna spoke of how Gato is sending mercenaries and assassins after him because of his efforts to construct a bridge, a lifeline that could break Gato's stranglehold on the region.

As Tazuna spoke, the faces of the Konoha shinobi darkened. Even Naruto's usually cold expression flickered with a trace of anger.

When Tazuna finished, Kakashi looked at his team and Kurenai. "Well, this is more than a C-rank mission," he said. "But it's up to you guys, whether we continue or not."

Kurenai nodded. "We can handle it." She glanced at her genin. "What do you think?"

Kiba and Akamaru growled, their shared energy clearly itching for more action. Hinata hesitated but nodded firmly. Shino adjusted his glasses and gave a quiet affirmative.

Sasuke's expression hardened. "We're not turning back."

Naruto gave a small nod, his tone steady. "Let's continue. We won't fail."

With the group in agreement, they resumed their journey.

As they entered the Land of Waves, the oppressive atmosphere immediately settled over them. The mist hung heavy in the air, thick and unnatural. It was suffocating, like a silent reminder of the despair plaguing the land.

Kiba wrinkled his nose, his heightened sense of smell immediately picking up on the foreign nature of the mist. "This isn't normal," he muttered, Akamaru growling in agreement.

Shino adjusted his glasses. "It's artificial. Ninjutsu."

Naruto's cold voice broke through the group's murmurs. "There are four enemy ninja nearby." His sharp gaze scanned the area, his hand resting on the hilt of his blade.

Kurenai confirmed this.

Kakashi glanced at everyone, nodding slightly before whispering, "Stay alert, everyone."

The tension snapped like a taut string as a massive blade flew through the air toward them. It spun at incredible speed, aiming to cleave through anything in its path.

Naruto stepped forward, his movements calm and deliberate. With one hand, he caught the blade mid-air, the weight and momentum seemingly effortless for him to stop.

A figure materialized before Naruto, his voice low and dangerous. "I'll be taking that back," the man said, his gaze fixed on the massive blade.

Naruto inclined his head politely and handed the blade back to the man, shocking everyone with his nonchalant compliance.

The man smirked as he took his weapon, jumping back and placing it on his shoulder. His presence was menacing, his posture relaxed yet radiating danger.

Kakashi stepped forward, his lone visible eye narrowing. "Well, well, if it isn't Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Hidden Mist," he said, his voice laced with tension as he lifted his headband to reveal his Sharingan.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "Why does he… have the Sharingan?"

Kakashi glanced back at Sasuke. "I know you have questions, Sasuke, but I'll answer them when we're safe."

Zabuza chuckled darkly. "The Copy Ninja, Kakashi Hatake. What an honor." He twirled his massive blade. "You know, we don't have to fight. Just hand over the old man, and I'll be on my way."

"Not happening," Kakashi replied, his tone resolute.

Zabuza's smirk widened. "Then I guess I'll have to kill you all."

Before he could act, another figure emerged from the mist, his presence equally sinister. He wielded the dual Kiba blades, electricity crackling faintly along their edges. His expression was twisted, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.

"Raiga Kurosuki," Kurenai murmured, her expression hardening.

Raiga's voice was low and cold as he glared at the group. "I don't like fighting women and children. Switch with me, Zabuza."

Zabuza scoffed. "Not a chance. Handle the woman and the kids, the copy ninja is mine."

Raiga grumbled, crossing his Kiba blades as his smirk grew more deranged. "Fine. Either way, I'm getting paid. Might as well start planning your funerals now."

The atmosphere grew heavier as Raiga's cruel laughter echoed through the mist, and the battle loomed ahead.

---

Chapter 18: Raiga vs Kurenai

Kakashi and Zabuza disappeared into the mist, their movements quick and deliberate as they headed deeper into the forest to battle. Meanwhile, Kurenai was left behind with the genin of Team 7 and Team 8 to face the notorious Raiga Kurosuki. The mist thickened, heavy and unnatural, pressing down on them like an ominous shroud. The tension was thick.

Kurenai's sharp eyes focused on Raiga, whose cruel smirk widened as he casually twirled the Kiba blades in his hands. The lightning crackling along their edges cast eerie, fleeting shadows on his face.

"Stay back and protect Tazuna," Kurenai ordered, her tone firm yet calm. Her words left no room for debate.

Naruto instinctively shifted to Hinata's side, his gaze sweeping their surroundings. He was keenly aware of the two hidden presences that still lingered, his instincts sharp and honed. The promise he'd made to Hiashi echoed in his mind: Protect her. He stood slightly ahead of her, his body tense like a drawn bowstring.

The rest of the genin quickly formed a protective ring around Tazuna, their focus split between the threat in front of them and the unknown dangers the mist concealed.

Raiga chuckled darkly, his voice laced with mockery. "Kakashi left you to babysit a bunch of kids? This'll be a short fight." He spun his swords once more, the crackling lightning growing louder.

Kurenai didn't respond to his taunts. Instead, her hands formed a quick series of seals. A second later, the surrounding mist seemed to shimmer unnaturally as her genjutsu activated. Trees erupted from the ground, their branches twisting and snaking toward Raiga to ensnare him.

Raiga didn't flinch. He smirked and slammed the Kiba blades into the ground, unleashing a wave of lightning that surged outward and shattered the illusion. Sparks danced around him as he straightened up, looking unimpressed.

"Genjutsu, huh? You'll have to do better than that!" Raiga darted forward, his speed incredible.

Kurenai anticipated his move. She leapt back gracefully, weaving another genjutsu mid-air. This time, the landscape shifted entirely, morphing into a desolate graveyard. Dozens of graves sprouted from the earth, surrounding Raiga, and from them, ghostly figures began to rise, their mournful wails filling the air.

For a moment, Raiga hesitated, his expression hardening as he took in the eerie scene. But instead of panicking, he let out a deranged laugh. "A graveyard? Oh, I love funerals!"

With a burst of chakra, Raiga dispelled the genjutsu with sheer force, the graveyard dissolving into nothingness. He raised the Kiba blades high above his head, calling down a bolt of lightning that struck the ground near Kurenai. She barely evaded it, flipping backward as the earth exploded where she'd been standing.

Raiga didn't let up. He was relentless, closing the distance between them with frightening speed. His twin blades crackled with electricity as he swung them in a deadly arc. Kurenai managed to dodge his intial strike, The second blade came at her from the opposite side, and she barely ducked in time to avoid a lethal strike.

Lightning surged around Raiga as he laughed maniacally. "What's wrong, kunoichi? Having trouble keeping up?"

Kurenai gritted her teeth, maintaining her focus. She formed another string of seals and unleashed a genjutsu that made it appear as though dozens of her clones had surrounded Raiga. Each one moved independently, attacking from different angles.

Raiga snarled, swinging his blades wildly to dispel the illusions. Lightning shot out in all directions, tearing through the clones one by one. His frustration mounted, but he finally located the real Kurenai amidst the chaos. With a powerful leap, he closed the gap between them and unleashed a flurry of strikes.

Kurenai fought valiantly, dodging and countering where she could. She used her kunai and precise movements to redirect his attacks, but Raiga's strength and speed were overwhelming. He was a force of nature, each strike more ferocious than the last.

A particularly powerful swing of his blades sent her flying back, her back slamming into a tree. She winced, feeling the impact reverberate through her body. Raiga didn't give her a moment to recover. He charged forward, slashing at her with ruthless intent. Kurenai managed to evade the killing blow, but the blade grazed her side, leaving a shallow cut that sizzled with residual electricity.

Her breathing grew heavier, but she refused to back down. She attempted one final genjutsu, this time targeting Raiga's mind directly. The world around him darkened, and the sensation of being buried alive consumed him. He stumbled slightly, his movements faltering for the first time.

But Raiga's willpower and raw power proved too much. With a guttural roar, he shattered the illusion and glared at Kurenai with murderous intent. "Enough of these games!"

He raised the Kiba blades once more, calling down a massive bolt of lightning. The crackling energy surged around him as he prepared to end the fight.

Kurenai stood her ground, her body battered but her resolve unshaken. She watched as Raiga's blades glowed brighter, the lightning growing more intense. Her thoughts raced as she prepared for what might be her final stand.

Raiga grinned wickedly, his voice dripping with malice. "Time for your funeral, kunoichi."

The chapter ends with Raiga poised to strike, the lightning around him casting an ominous glow in the misty forest.

Tbc