Chapter 77: Falling Rain

Kakashi could hardly believe what he was seeing, as he watched the Hokage faces crumble to dust a new despair washed over his heart. Not only were those monuments the pride of this village, but were also the last line of defense which had been protecting thousands of civilians that were hiding inside the mountains.

His eyes stared at Naruto, and looking into the boy's stone cold gaze made him realize the depth of the boy's conviction.

To be willing to commit genocide of this scale, Naruto had truly sold his soul to the devil.

"NARUTO!" yelled Hiruzen madly, the leader's face furious with anger and betrayal lurking in his eyes.

"Do you hate me?" asked Naruto calmly,

"You demon..." said Hiruzen furiously, as he violently grasped his staff.

All that time Naruto had been deceiving him, all that talk of making a pact was a ploy to divert the Hokage's attention so that the Oto ninja could sneak past him, and...

Tears came in Hiruzen's eyes as he tried to imagine his grandson and daughter-in-law among the thousands who had been massacred right before his eyes, the only hope his old heart had was that somehow Itachi could have reached his people before this tragedy happened.

"Do you still believe in the Will of Fire?" asked Naruto deviously,

Kakashi cursed when Hiruzen dashed towards Naruto, the Hokage was out for blood. All bets were completely off the table now, he actually felt fear for Naruto as Hiruzen got closer and closer, until...

"That's fine, but..." said Naruto hesitantly,

The boy's Mangekyo awakened as lethal Kyuubi chakra surrounded his entire body. He raised his hands high in the air, while the entire area was shrouded in a new level of killing intent.

"My pain is greater than YOURS!" yelled Naruto furiously,

SLAM

His Biju chakra cloaked fist impacted with the ground and Kakashi quickly jumped away when he spotted large amounts of chakra being forced into the ground. A large explosion rocked the entire district, sending Hiruzen sailing away hundreds of meters. Buildings were obliterated, dead bodies turning to dust as an unbearable heat descended upon the area.

Kakashi tried to search for Hiruzen, but the impact had knocked the Kage so far off that even the Mangekyo couldn't locate him.

As the smoke and ashes cleared, Naruto stepped into the field. The Biju chakra was now gone, and sweat was pouring from the boy's forehead. Both warriors looked into each other's eyes, making a silent agreement.

In a flash, they were in front of each other. Naruto quickly brought his hands above himself, as Kakashi jumped and kicked him harshly. The copy ninja followed up his attack by sending a severe kick towards Naruto's ribs, which was quickly blocked.

Naruto tried to grab his opponent's legs, but had to jump away when Kakashi fired a kunai straight towards his head.

"I see your resolve, Kakashi..." thought Naruto happily, if he had not evaded that attack then that kunai would have killed him.

Kakashi was really going to fight him to the death.

"None of this matters, Kakashi. Eventually, every ninja will turn out like me..." said Naruto, a bitter look visible in his eyes.

"I couldn't protect you, Naruto. I knew from the start that deep down there was a sea of anger burning inside you, I tried to guide you to a better future but I failed. The only thing I can do now is to stop you, even if it means killing you with my own hands. I've always loved you like my own son, and always will. I want you to understand that, no matter the path you have chosen or what lies in our destinies...I'll love you forever" explained Kakashi sadly,

"So will I, Kakashi..." replied Naruto curtly, barely controlling his feelings he performed a set of hand seals.

"Katon: Goka Mekkyaku (Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation)"

With a heavy heart, he fired a tsunami of fire towards a man who was dear to him. Kakashi also managed to finish his preparation, as Hiruzen jumped back into the fight. Both Konoha shinobi firing their attacks at the same time.

"Katon: Nenshou Misairu (Fire Release: Burning Missile"

"Suiton: Hahonryu (Water Release: Rapid Crasher)"

Hiruzen unleashed a powerful wave of fire, and Kakashi launched a tidal wave of water at the same time. Their combo attack collided with Naruto's tsunami of fire, at first both the attacks were fighting for dominance until Naruto's fire was finally overwhelmed and eventually destroyed.

Kakashi narrowed his eyes dangerously when a thick mist surrounded the entire area, engulfing him and Hiruzen in it.

"So he converted the moisture generated from out attacks into mist. A smart move..." said Hiruzen seriously,

"Hiruzen-sama, guard my back. I have a plan..." whispered Kakashi, getting a nod from his leader.

The Hokage saw shadows everywhere, his hands gripped the kunai in his pouches. Instead of attacking the shadows, he closed his eyes and let his senses take over. Somewhere in this mist was Naruto, watching them, waiting for the moment to strike.

Kakashi didn't know when it started, but he heard a piano tune starting to play. It was gentle at first, slow as a cool breeze. The soft strokes of music calmed his nerves, slowly he started to relax as the tempo increased and the music intensified. The random tone suddenly started making sense and attracted his attention like a rat to a piper player.

Without a word he started walking, his body was on auto-command and all he wanted to do was reach the source of the music.

Everything else around him had gone blank, all he could feel was the music. An ancient tone that was so compelling and soothing at the same time, a music that took him back to his origins.

He saw a shadow waiting for him at the end in the mist, the music was at its peak as he raised his hands to touch the device which was playing it.

"Kakashi, no!"

The copy ninja was suddenly smacked by the end of a kunai which Hiruzen had thrown at him, breaking him out of his hypnotized trance. As he came back to his senses, a new panic rose in his heart when he didn't see Hiruzen anywhere. He was alone in the mist, separated from his partner.

"A sound genjutsu..." cursed Kakashi,

"You're right..."

SLASH

Kakashi jumped at the last moment as the mist around him took form and there stood Naruto with his devious Mangekyo eyes, the boy was the perfect monster of the dark. The ones whom little children would always have nightmares about.

By the time Kakashi realized his mistake and jumped, a kunai was planted in the lower area of his back making him cough up blood.

Kakashi crashed harshly on the ground, the pain he felt was unbearable. He grabbed his kunai when another person took him by the arm and made him step back on his feet, before he could attack the intruder he came face to face Hiruzen's hard gaze.

"Resistance is futile, Kakashi..."

"Just give up and rest. The more you resist the more your pain will continue to grow in this world..."

"Lies and betrayals are the only thing in this world. Truth is always a casualty of war..."

"You could not protect Obito, Rin, or my father. You couldn't stop my father from dying or even your own father, nor could you stop me from diving into darkness. Don't you understand, none of this was your fault because this is the world we live in. Everything that has happened is due to this fucked up world, and not due to any of your mistakes..."

Hiruzen grit his teeth when he heard those discouraging words from everywhere in the mist. It was psychological warfare at its best, something which Naruto had learned from fighting against Zabuza and Raiga. What was more alarming was the fact that this move was working against Kakashi, the pain was evident in the wounded ninja's eyes.

"Kakashi, stand your guard" commanded Hiruzen, snapping his soldier out of his depressed state.

"I..." said Kakashi hesitantly, and saw Hiruzen defiantly looking into the mist.

"My name is Hiruzen Sarutobi, I am the Hokage of Konohagakure. Whatever else I am, whatever else it means that's the man I want to be. And if I die today, then that's the man I'll be..." promised Hiruzen,

The confidence returned in Kakashi's eyes when he heard those motivating words, Hiruzen was still willing to fight despite what had happened to his village and his people. Such courage and determination made the old man worthy of the title of Hokage.

"Yes, sir" replied Kakashi confidently,

"Kamui"

Hiruzen saw Kakashi's Mangekyo spinning quickly and slowly the entire mist from the area was observed in a strange portal which Kakashi had formed.

They saw Naruto casually sitting atop a rooftop, a strange twinkle was visible in the boy's eyes. He didn't expect Hiruzen to break Kakashi out of his depression so easily.

And the boy was definitely alarmed when Hiruzen vanished from in front of his eyes. The Kage appeared behind his back and jabbed a kunai straight through the boy's skull, only for him to disappear into a flock of crows.

"Enough with the genjutsu's, Naruto..." said Hiruzen, annoyance visible in his voice.

The real Naruto appeared on another rooftop which was just a few feet away from Hiruzen. He saw Kakashi jumping on the rooftop behind him, and a smirk came on the Otokage's face as he saw what his opponents were about to do.

Hiruzen made the first move by expanding his staff as it headed straight for Naruto's heart, the boy quickly started jumping away but was stopped when Kakashi threw a volley of shuriken at him.

"Chidori Senbon"

Naruto quickly neutralized the weapon attack fired by Kakashi, but wasn't fast enough to stop the punch which he got from Enma who grew a hand from the staff.

CRACK

Kakashi channeled lightning through his hand, as Naruto collapsed on his knees. One of the boy's ribs was definitely crushed from that attack. Naruto spat blood on the ground and narrowed his eyes when Kakashi threw a smoke bomb towards him.

Naruto's vision went blank and if not for his sensory powers he would not have been able to evade the staff attack which Hiruzen had aimed for his head. As he sailed through the air, he heard the sound of chirping birds.

"Chidori!"

Kakashi emerged behind his back, with his signature move inches away from Naruto's back. The boy reacted instantly and grabbed his mentor's arm, as a smirk came on Kakashi's lips.

"Bunshin Daibakuha (Clone Great Explosion)"

The Kakashi turned out to be a clone who exploded causing Naruto to be sent flying away. As the smoke cleared Hiruzen and Kakashi came side by side, they saw Naruto's body was covered in Biju chakra which had protected the boy from getting completely incinerated.

But as the boy coughed up blood, it proved that he had suffered severe damage.

Kakashi gestured towards Hiruzen as the Kage made his staff shrink till it fit right into Kakashi arm. Hiruzen quickly performed his next move and slammed his hand on the ground.

"Doton Doryuudan (Earth Release: Mud Dragon Projectile Jutsu)"

The ground beneath Naruto's feet turned into a mud river and a dragon emerged from the slurry surface. Its menacing eyes glaring daggers at him.

It wasn't long before the mud dragon started shooting earth bullets at him, his sharingan made him evade the incoming projectiles and he didn't waste more time. Quickly throwing an exploding tag towards the dragon he destroyed the attack and jumped back on hard surface.

To his surprise, Kakashi emerged from a hidden alley with a smaller version of Hiruzen's staff. This one looked more like a baton, but Naruto knew the damage this weapon could inflict on him would be fatal.

He barely evaded the thrown staff as Kakashi threw the weapon at him with great force, but before he could sigh in relief his eyes widened when he heard someone grabbing the staff from behind.

Looking back he saw it was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi, and the man was in close range now.

Naruto tried to send a punch to send the Kage back, but the old man ducked and gave a series of harsh blows with the help of his staff right between the space of Naruto's legs. If that was not bad enough, Kakashi took the chance and grabbed him from behind.

The White Fang's son lifted Naruto straight of the ground and slammed him back on the hard surface, Naruto felt another set of his bones starting to crack. His legs felt like jelly due to the powerful blows which it had received from the staff transformed Enma.

He snarled viciously when the two powerful Konoha Taijutsu users jumped at him again, ready to initiate another deadly combination attack.

"Amaterasu"

The precise timing proved to be lethal as black flames erupted on Hiruzen's entire left arm, Kakashi instantly stopped when his leader howled in agony.

He knew what he had to do to save Hiruzen, but his plans were shot to hell when Naruto appeared behind him and gave him a harsh kick sending him sailing away.

Hiruzen was now on his knees, his staff was lying a few feet away. Naruto took out a kunai and fired towards his former commander only to be stopped by Enma who transformed back into his monkey form.

Then to the utter shock of both the warriors, Hiruzen took a kunai and quickly sliced off his badly burning left arm. The black flames didn't even stop then and continued to burn the severed limb, until it turned to ashes and disappeared in the air.

"Sarutobi, you..." said Enma in shock, as he saw Hiruzen healing his now armless shoulder.

For a moment, Naruto felt guilty when he saw Hiruzen in so much pain. He hesitated as memories of all the good times he had with this old man came back in his heart, his past had been painful. But there were some good times too...

Now as he looked towards his future, all he could see was more conflict and an unending pain. He knew the path he had chosen, but it didn't make it any easier for him. Even now as he watched Konoha in ruins, its people dead, dying or injured, its leader in pain...

He felt empty.

Deep down he knew that he was not like Sasuke, he simply could not fight for revenge. People fought for a better future, to have a brighter tomorrow. But for him there was eternal darkness.

His past, his present and his future. All of it was engulfed in darkness and misery.

His parents were dead, his friends and family left behind, his comrades were lying in graves, his daughter was long gone...

And most heartbreaking fact, was that the woman he loved would probably never be able to accept him. She had chose to be his enemy, there were limits to a person's endurance capacity. His had long past gone...

Even now when he had power, status, respect, soldiers, he felt all alone. The hole in his heart was growing bigger everyday, trying to swallow him entirely.

Day by Day he felt himself succumbing to the darkness, his soul vanishing from his body. Slowly he felt himself dying, felt Naruto dying.

"Suck it up, Naruto. You can't give up now..." thought Naruto,

He quickly started jumping from rooftop to rooftop as Enma now backed up by Kakashi started chasing after him, trying to lock him in close quarter combat. Both the warriors had seen him fight and knew very well that together they could inflict serious damage on their opponent.

Naruto knew Kakashi was well aware of his weakness, after all the man was the one who had taught him most of the things he knew. Combine that with Kakashi's Mangekyo and Enma's monstrous strength, Naruto realized he was in trouble.

He narrowed his eyes when they made him fall back to the outer edge of Konoha, away from the village. A smirk came on his lips when a wounded Hiruzen appeared behind him. The trio had surrounded him...

"You leave me no choice..." said Naruto calmly,

Quickly biting his thumb he completed his hand signs and slammed his hands on the ground, there was a large puff of smoke. When the smoke cleared, Kakashi and Hiruzen were surprised to see Naruto standing atop the largest crow they had ever seen in their entire lives.

The creature was almost as large as half the area of a district, its shadow looming over a large part of the dense forest. Its sharp eyes were focused on them, as it flapped its wings wildly in the air sending powerful gusts of wind everywhere.

"The time for small fights is over, let's end this once and for all. One way or another..." challenged Naruto, getting a nod from Hiruzen.

Kakashi bit his thumb and slammed his hand on the ground, while Hiruzen jumped atop Enma who slowly started getting larger and larger.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique)"

Enma transformed into a giant monkey, turning into his original size which he probably used in the summon realm. He was taller than than the Hokage mountain which Naruto had just destroyed and more larger in size than the toad which Jiraiya had summoned. The blood thirsty look in the beast's eyes made him look more ferocious, not to forget Hiruzen who now stood atop of him.

On the other side, Kakashi was standing on top of a giant brown colored dog. It had quite sharp teeth and 5 large tails. Its paws contained long nails, and it was breathing fire from its mouth.

The Anbu in Naruto knew he was outnumbered and compared to the summoned creatures of his opponents, his summon had less firepower. His most powerful crow was fast and gave him air superiority, but...

"Enough, Naruto. Fighting is meaningless now, you're done..." advised Kakashi, maybe the boy would listen to him now.

"Meaningless?" asked Naruto in disbelief, and glared at his caretaker furiously.

"You're injured and outnumbered. The fight is futile, give up..." said Hiruzen harshly, as he saw Naruto bleeding profusely from his chest. Enma had really injured the boy by breaking his ribs and damaging his internal organs. The Hokage still found it hard to believe that Naruto was standing, he should be long dead by now.

It just proved that the boy was extremely strong and stubborn, just like his mother. Not to forget, he had her temper. In so many ways, the boy reminded him of Kushina.

"Futile? Then why did Rei die? Why did Shin and Sai die?" asked Naruto bitterly,

Neither Kakashi or Hiruzen had any answer for his question, the only thing they could do was to give him guilty looks.

"Kakashi, maybe it's not possible for us to co-exist peacefully in this world..." answered Naruto sadly,

"It's still not too late, Naruto. Surrender..." insisted Kakashi, gods why was the boy being so stubborn even when facing imminent death?

"The time we spent maybe brief, but it was fun...Kakashi" said Naruto, a gentle smile arriving on his lips.

"Naruto? Don't do this, you'll die if you keep on fighting..." pleaded Kakashi, despite everything he doubted he could bring himself to kill the boy whom he loved more than anything in this world.

"You are a Konoha ninja..." said Naruto harshly, surprising Kakashi.

"Naruto?"

Hiruzen closed his eyes when he understood what Naruto's words meant, he looked towards Kakashi only to sigh on seeing the man still hell bent on saving the boy from his death.

"I truly wish things didn't have to end this way, Kakashi. My friends and my daughter died because of Konoha, and your friends by my hands..." explained Naruto flatly, making Kakashi remember the hundreds of Konoha shinobi killed by Naruto today.

At the same time, Naruto remembered all his Root friends and Rei who had died one after another directly or indirectly due to Konoha.

"That's why there is no need for us to show our guts to each other. Fight with me to the end, Kakashi Hatake..." challenged Naruto, and saw Kakashi swallowing harshly. Despite everything both of them were family and close to each other, and it was affecting Kakashi's will to fight against him.

Kakashi clenched his fists, as tears threatened to spill from his eyes. This was unbearable...

Only now did he understand Naruto's pain. To kill the one dearest to you, that was the test Danzo had made Naruto go through. And now Kakashi was facing the same test, just as he had faced it with Rin.

"Kill your emotions, Kakashi. Or Duty will destroy you..." said Naruto compassionately, repeating the words Shin had said to him just before he died.

Naruto knew very well that right now he was in the same position like Shin, and Kakashi was facing the exact same dilemma which he had to go through all those years ago in Root. It's easy to hate someone you love, but almost impossible to kill them with your own hands.

"Naruto, don't make me do this..." pleaded Kakashi, tears visible in his eyes.

"Don't shed a single tear. Didn't I just tell you to kill all emotion from your heart?" asked Naruto angrily, why couldn't this man just fight and kill him? Why was he hesitating so much when he knew Naruto had destroyed Konoha and hurt his friends?

WHY?

Any further conversation was silenced when Enma made a large jump and was now headed straight for the crow.

"Shiro, now!'' commanded Naruto,

His crow yelled loudly created a noisy sound that made Enma grab his ears in pain, the momentary distraction allowed Naruto to jump from his bird and dive straight towards Hiruzen.

The Hokage quickly summoned several demon shuriken and threw it towards Naruto.

"A lot of people have put their faith in me. I won't fail them..." thought Naruto passionately,

Without a hand sign another clone emerged ahead of Naruto who went forward to fire several kunai, effectively cutting off the hidden strings through which Hiruzen had planned to direct his shuriken. As the weapons neared towards them, the shadow clone took the full brunt of the attack, dispelling into a puff of smoke.

"Chidori Eiso (Chidori Spear)"

Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock when a long electric spear emerged from the smoke, before he could react the attack struck its target.

"AHHHHHHHH!" yelled Enma in pain, the electric spear had pierced clean through his right eye. The monkey had completely lost sight in one of his eyeballs now.

Hiruzen rushed forward to save his partner, but Naruto landed on Enma's head. The electric spear had disappeared from Naruto's hand and now he was wielding his sword.

The Hokage's eyes widened in horror when the sword erupted into flames, this was...

"This is the end for you, Enma..." said Naruto calmly,

"NO!" yelled Hiruzen desperately, as he jumped towards the boy.

SLASH

The sword was lodged into Enma's head as Naruto channeled a large amount of his energy into the weapon. If only his opponents knew he was no longer a simple Anbu captain, that he was a Kage level shinobi. They had underestimated him, and not it was time they paid the price.

"Taimatsu (Flaming Torch)"

Bright flames were born from the sword and they quickly took the form of a sharp spear, the attack seeped deep inside Enma's brain and Hiruzen felt the life fading from his battle partner whom he had known for decades. The Hokage collapsed on his knees as Enma gave a silent scream, Naruto gracefully took out his sword and put it back in its sheath.

Hiruzen touched his friend's body, moments before the monkey disappeared from the world forever. Never to return...

A large puff of smoke was the only thing left of Enma...

There was another scream and both Naruto as well as Hiruzen looked on their sides to see Kakashi's dog completely wrapped up in black flames. The beast fell flat on the ground before quickly disappearing into another puff of smoke. Several Reich soldiers had surrounded a wounded Kakashi from all sides...

But the thing which shocked Hiruzen was Sasuke standing atop a Hawk, with a pair of Mangekyo eyes.

Naruto grit his teeth in frustration, he should have known. Sasuke never backed down from a fight, and certainly not the one in which his best friend's life was at stake. It was besides the fact that Sasuke wanted to destroy the ninja world even more than Naruto.

Looking towards Hiruzen, the Otokage realized he had to end this quickly. Or Sasuke would do something from which there was no coming back, as much a pain in the ass the Uchiha boy was Naruto considered Sasuke his family. The only one among few who had stuck by his side, unlike a few others.

The sunlight vanished from the sky as the dark clouds hid the sun, slowly rain started falling from the sky drenching the burning land.

The eyes of the last two warriors connected with each other, a faint smile came on Hiruzen's lips as he saw Naruto walking towards him. Pain was evident in the boy's eyes yet there was a strange sense of conviction in them. Naruto truly believed that this was the only path left for him.

The boy hesitated for a moment, before looking at the man whom he once loved as his own grandfather.

"Your people are not dead, they'll live..." confessed Naruto, and saw relief arriving in Hiruzen's eyes. So the boy had done all that to make him angry, and the tactic had worked brilliantly. Naruto truly was a master of deception and the best liar Hiruzen had ever seen.

"You kept your word, I..." said the Hokage hesitantly, his eyes becoming moist.

"Will you surrender? I'll be fair..." suggested Naruto, a tiny hope still lingered in his heart which was quickly extinguished as Hiruzen gave him a sad smile.

"You're an honorable man, Naruto. You surpassed me, surpassed Kakashi. You of all people can understand the burden of my command, just don't make my people pay for my mistakes..." requested Hiruzen, and saw Naruto struggling hard to control his tears.

"I promise..."

Naruto took out his sword, as Hiruzen fell down on his knees. The Kage was tired, his wounds were severe and and his frail body couldn't fight any longer. Even now he could feel that Naruto had held back, the boy had not unleashed his full power. Despite the hatred he had for Konoha, Naruto had been merciful.

The boy's hands trembled as he pointed his sword towards Hiruzen, he couldn't control his tears any longer as they slipped from his eyes.

"Do not fear, this is the path you have chosen. Compared to your pain, mine will be instant. The path ahead of you is full of struggle and sorrow, but I know you will walk it. And one day your suffering will come to an end, just as mine ends today" advised Hiruzen kindly,

Naruto steeled his resolve and plunged his sword deep into Hiruzen's chest, as the veteran Hokage smiled. The blow was so quick that Hiruzen had never felt the pain..

With shaking hands he touched the crying boy's face and wiped away the tears falling from his eyes...

"Go live my share too..." said Hiruzen, a dry chuckle escaping from his lips.

Naruto fell down on his knees, he gently removed the sword from Hiruzen's chest and enveloped the man in a tight hug. He heard Hiruzen smiling even as heavy sobs escaped from his mouth.

"I...forgive...you...Jiji" said Naruto tearfully, as Hiruzen placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"You truly are a kind...child"

Hiruzen stopped breathing, his motionless form collapsing completely in Naruto's arms. Haku stood in a distance and saw the son of the Fourth Hokage cry tears of sorrow as he cradled Hiruzen's body in his arms.

The Battle was over, but his war had just started.

Several Reich and Oto ninja came forward as Naruto made them lift Hiruzen's corpse on their shoulders. He still had tears in his eyes as he gave a firm salute to his fallen commander. His men followed suit and joined their leader in paying respect to the Hokage who had fought, bled and died for his village.

"One day the ninja world will fade and crumble, yet you will always be remembered in my heart and in the hearts of those who carry your will...Hiruzen Sarutobi" promised Naruto,

As his soldiers took the fallen leader's corpse away, Naruto saw images of Shin, Sai, Rei, and all his deceased friends and family standing on the other side of the river. He even saw his parents standing there, and the familiar face of Hiruzen who gave him a smile. All of them were smiling at him...

"We shall meet again. But not yet, not yet..."