Warning: This is going to be a long-ass chapter. Sorry, guys. But we've got to get this battle over with. Enjoy the story!
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Nue's POV
"You idiot! How could you let yourself get captured like that?!" Eun yelled at me. "Put a sock in it, will ya? I'm tired. I've been fighting for what feels like hours and I didn't get any sleep." I said. "Tch," She frowned while crossing her arms over her chest.
"Anyway, since you're tired, you probably want to rest right now, right? How about you let me take over for a while?" Eun suggested. "Not gonna happen," I made a single hand sign and trapped Eun inside a cage.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?! Let me outta here, you bitch!" Eun shouted, angrily. "There's no way I'm letting you in the battlefield. You could hurt Kakuzu and everything around you. I can't have you doing that. In the meantime, I'll keep you in here until I need you." I informed.
"You don't trust me? After everything we've been through? I'm hurt, Nue." Eun said as she grasped the bars of the cage. "It's for your own good. I'll get out of here on my own. For now, I'm going to rest up a bit." I explained.
"And leave your comrade to die?" She asked. "Of course not. Kakuzu's a strong ninja. I'm sure he can handle this on his own." I said. "That sounds a little selfish of you, don't you think?" Eun mentioned.
"I guess so. But if I'm this exhausted, I won't be able to assist Kakuzu in a weak state. I need to rest up so I can have enough energy defeat them." I explained. I lied myself on the ground and closed my eyes falling asleep.
Ino's POV
"Nue's asleep right now. But I'm not sure if I'll be able to hold once she wakes up." I informed Kakashi from inside Nue's body. "So you took over Nue's body, hmm? Can't say I'm surprised. Nue has went three whole days without any sleep, so she's bound to be exhausted. Well, I suppose I should just finish this." Kakuzu said.
The Fire Style Mask and the Wind Style Mask were two separate bodies until they merged, becoming one body. I gasped as I felt Nue stir in her sleep. I collapsed to my knees while my head was lowered. "Ino! Ino, are you all right?!" Choji called.
I didn't answer as I was inside Nue's head. "This has never happened before. Is Nue... showing me her memories?" I murmured. I floated around while looking at images. Some showed Nue as a child while some had images of Nue when she was in the Leaf Village.
"Again!"
"Hai!"
I saw an image of Nue as a child as she was training with a woman named Yugito Nii. Nue charged at her, attempting to strike, but Yugito blocked the attack and punched Nue in the face, making her fall on her back, her eyes closed.
"Get up!" Yugito ordered. Nue opened her eyes with a frown as she shakily tried to get back on her feet. Yugito sighed and walked over to her. "Maybe we should take a break." She suggested. "No! I can keep going! I won't give up!" Nue said, stubbornly before getting to her feet.
"Your father was right; You are a persistent, little one." Yugito said, chuckling. Nue frowned at her. "Come on! Let's keep going!" She said, impatiently. I floated forward, searching through more of Nue's memories.
I found one that showed Nue as a child, training with a man named Han. Nue panted from the hard training they did. "Tired?" Han asked with his arms crossed over his chest. "No...! I can keep going!" Nue said in a persistent tone as she lifted her head.
Han looked at her before sitting down on the ground, cross-legged. "Nue, why did you decide to come here?" He asked her. "To get stronger." She answered as she stood up straight. "What's the second reason? What's the purpose of getting strong?" He rephrased.
Nue frowned as she looked off to the side. "It's a testament. To my mother." She said. "Testament? What kind of testament?" Han asked. Nue didn't answer as she continued to look off to the side with a frown.
"Why do you hate humans, Nue?" Han asked her, glancing at her. "Because they're evil. All they care about is themselves. They're selfish that way. They think whatever they see is evil and that gives them the right to attack. Mother didn't deserve to be ambushed by them. All those wounds on her body... She shouldn't have had to endure that pain." Nue said, her frown softening slightly.
"Back then, I wish I would've lied."
I looked around as Nue's voice spoke. Does she know I'm looking through her memories?
"Back then, I should've told him that my only goal was to get strong. All those times I spent with of the Tailed Beast, I grew to enjoy their company. The only difference between them and the rotten humans was that they weren't entirely human. They had to endure the pain of being rejected. That's what them and the Houjuu Clan had in common; Everyone looked at us as monsters." Nue said.
Is that why she hid her wings and tails from us? Because she was afraid how people would look at her. As if hearing me, Nue said, "Did you really think I was afraid of you humans? No... I was never afraid. In fact, I envied you all. I envied how no one would look at you differently. I envied how you all got along so perfectly. That's what I hated the most about you humans. You all think your lives are perfect. And for that reason... I want you all to die. But before I kill every single one of you, I want you all to feel what I feel... See what I see... Learn how I had to suffer while everyone looked at you differently."
I opened my eyes with a gasp and quickly stood to my feet. So, that's what this is all about. Nue wants revenge so they can feel what she's been through. At the moment when I figured it out, Nue woke up. "Die..."
I gasped when Nue appeared in front of me as I was still inside her mind. She attacked my throat and began to choke me. "Nue... Don't do this. I'm sorry... for what happened to you. But you don't have to do this." I said as I tried to breathe.
"Yes, I do. It's the only way for you humans to understand what's like to be in my place." Nue said, coldly, as she squeezed my neck harder. I have to break the jutsu or I'll die! I quickly undid the jutsu and I was back in my own body.
Nue's POV
I blinked my eyes open as I looked around. "That's right. I'm still in the battlefield." I reminded myself. I looked to my side as I found Kakuzu on top of Kakashi. All of sudden, Kakuzu clutched his heart. "What's happening? Eun, tell me what's going on." I ordered.
"Kakuzu is stuck in Hidan's jutsu." She informed. "What? But how?" I asked. "I really don't wanna get into it right now. I don't like explaining stuff that are unimportant to me." Eun whined. "Man, you're hopeless." I mumbled.
"It's not possible." Kakuzu grunted as he continued to clutch his heart. "That's where you're wrong. That ritual of your partner's... Sorry to tell you this. He used your blood for it." Kakashi stated. Kakuzu fell off Kakashi, onto the ground.
"Kakuzu!" I called, running over to him. Once I was by his side, I was on my knees while I had Kakuzu in my lap. "It can't be. When could you possibly have had the chance?" He grunted as his eyes were wide.
"When I struck you through with my Lightning Blade. At that exact moment, I extracted your blood." Kakashi answered as he sat up. "From the beginning? There's no way..." I mumbled. "No way... That lousy kid... planned that far ahead?" Kakuzu said.
"That's about the size of it. You should've been more careful. This time, you misunderstood your opponent. Asuma gave his life, leaving behind that information. Now way he was going to let it go to waste. You people take lives without hesitation. There's no way you could ever understand the death of what Shikamaru feels." Kakashi said.
I looked at Kakuzu's unmoving body. "Kakuzu?" I asked, lightly shaking him. He didn't respond as his eyes were wide open. "Kakuzu! Hey! Kakuzu!" I said, shaking him a bit more. "No way... He's... dead...?" I whispered.
That can't be. He's immortal. "No..." My hand clutched the front of his shirt I held back my tears. "No! Kakuzu!" I hugged his body as I refused to believe he was gone. "Nue..." I flinched when a hand placed itself on my shoulder from behind.
"Don't touch me!" I snapped, turning around. I placed Kakuzu's body on the ground and stood to my feet. "I won't let you kill me, too! I'm not weak!" I said, biting my thumb while drawing blood. I did a few hand signs and slammed my hands on the ground, summoning Kyo.
"It's about time you summoned me. I was getting a little bored in that world." Kyo said as he cracked his neck. "Save me the story, Kyo." I said, frowning.
"Yeah, yeah. All right. You're the boss. What do you want me to do?"
"Kill them."
"Yes, my Master." Kyo smirked.
"Nue, don't-!"
Kyo was quickly in front of Kakashi and grabbed his throat, lifting him in the air. "I think I'll kill you first!" Kyo said as his claws were out and ready to kill him. I looked behind them, spotting Kakuzu's masks running towards us.
Choji saw them, too and got in front of them, making a single hand sign. "Expansion Jutsu!"
He grew bigger and made his hands glow blue. "Super Slap!"
He slammed him hands on the ground, smashing them on top of the masks, making the whole ground shake. "Nice work! Way to go, Choji!" Ino praised. Choji chuckled, pleased with his progress until he suddenly went back to his original size and jumped out of the smoke.
"Choji!" Kakashi called. I noticed the Wind and Fire Style Masks were on their feet and the Fire Style Mask opened its mouth. "Kyo, get out of the way!" I called. He looked at the masks and quickly let go of Kakashi, jumping back towards me before the Fire Style Mask could attack.
Right when a ball of fire shot at Kakashi and Ino, the Lightning Style Mask jumped out and merged itself into Kakuzu's back. "Gross. What's it doing?" Kyo asked. I didn't answer as I watched the Lightning Style Mask merged into my comrade's back.
"Kakuzu?" I mumbled. I watched as his body jumped once, then twice, as the Lightning Mask broke. I gasped when Kakuzu slowly rose to his feet. "He reanimated?" Ino asked in disbelief. "He somehow absorbed the Lightning Style monster's heart." Kakashi said.
The Fire Style and Wind Style Mask jumped up wen into Kakuzu's back. His body shook like he was being electrocuted until his arms began to extend and threads shot out of his moth, tearing the mask off his face.
"What is he becoming?" Ino asked in fear while Choji appeared beside her. as Choji jumped down beside her. "His primary body is becoming a monster, too." Kakashi said. "Not one of my hearts, but two. This hasn't happened to me... in a while." Kakuzu said in a raspy voice.
"You're alive." I stated in disbelief. He looked at me and began to chuckle. "Did you honestly believe I was dead?" He said. I smiled and immediately hugged him. "Yokatta!" I said, happily. But my smile quickly faded as I punched his shoulder.
"Baka! Don't ever scare me like that again! You almost made me cry in front of these Leaf Village people!" I snapped. For some reason, he found that funny, and looked back at the Leaf Village ninjas.
"Kyo, you're no longer needed here. Go back." I said. "What? Already? But I didn't even get to kill anyone." He whined. "Go!" I ordered. "Yes, Master." He replied, feeling a bit grumpy. He turned into a puff of smoke, returning to the summoning world.
"This time, there's no escape." Kakuzu said to the Leaf Village ninja. "Get ready." Kakashi said to Ino and Choji. "Right." They replied at the same time. As Kakashi was reaching for his weapon, threads emerged from the ground, restraining all three of them.
"Kakashi, I had intended to replace the hearts I lost... with yours. But I've changed my mind. After all, I can find more hearts any time I please." Kakuzu said as Kakashi glared at him. The Wind Style and Fire Style masks poked out from behind the threads.
"Now, die!" Kakuzu shouted. The masks opened their mouths and aimed at them. "Good riddance." I said with a smirk.
"Wind Style: Rasengan!"
"Water Style: Ripping Torrent!
"Hurricane Vortex Jutsu!"' A huge vortex combined with Kakuzu's attack. I lifted my arms to shield my eyes. "What the hell?" I said, narrowing my eyes slightly. The steam cleared, slowly revealing reinforcements.
"Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Yamamato.
"Sorry we're late. But better late than never." I gasped when I recognized that voice. "You...!"
When the steam cleared completely, Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Yamato stood there, standing there, standing in front of Kakashi and the others. "Perfect timing." Kakashi sighed in relief. I gritted my teeth in anger as I saw them.
"Perfect. Another weirdo to deal with." Kakuzu said. "You said it." I replied as I created a fireball in my hand. "Although, this one's already bruised up a bit." He mentioned. He's right. Naruto did look a little beat up. Must've done some hard training.
"What's the plan here, Kakuzu?" I asked, my fireball still activated. "We finish them off." He said. I gave a nod and got in position, ready to fight while the enemy was talking to one another. Suddenly, Pakkun was summoned.
'What are they up to?' I thought. "All right. Sai and Sakura, I want you to go with Pakkun and help Shikamaru. Hurry now!" Yamato ordered. "Yes, sir." Sakura replied. "On it." Sai responded.
"Heh. Rag-tag bunch of misfits. You people are nothing but potential heart replacements for me." Kakuzu chuckled as Naruto stepped forward. "All right, pal. This is my show now." He said. I looked at Sakura, Sai, and Pakkun as they ran off, probably to help Shikamaru.
Naruto made a hand sign, creating two shadow clones. "Shadow Clones, huh? You fool. Physical attacks aren't going to work." I informed. I froze in place as my eyes widened in alarm. "What's wrong?" Kakuzu asked.
"Shut up for a second." I said, and listened closely. "That sounded like an explosion." I mumbled. "Explosion? You can hear something like that from this distance?" Kakuzu asked. I nodded to his question.
"Kakuzu, do you think you'll be able to handle these guys while I check on Hidan?" I asked. "It'll be a piece of cake." He replied with a smirk. "Hai," I flew a few inches off the ground. "Just don't go dying again, Kakuzu." I said. "Shut up, Nue." He responded.
I gave small giggled before flying off into the woods. "Hidan! Where are you?" I called as I flew past trees. I gasped when I spotted Shikamaru and quickly behind a tree. In front of him, was a hole that was covered in small boulders.
I noticed Hidan's symbol was drawn on the ground, but where was Hidan? "Huh?" A deer suddenly walked up beside Shikamaru and began digging its hoof into the ground until something poked itself out of the ground.
"A lighter?" I mumbled. Shikamaru smiled and walked over to it, picking it up. He flicked the switch as a small flame appeared. "Asuma..." I whispered. I shook my head, hard. "Don't go crying now. He's an enemy, remember?" Eun said from inside my head.
"Yeah, but..." I trailed off as Shikamaru walked off with the deer following behind him. Once they were out of sight, I walked towards the spot Shikamaru recently stood. I noticed Hidan's headband was on the ground, so picked it up and gazed at it.
"So, you're stuck down there, huh? Buried beneath the earth where no one will find you." I stated with an emotionless expression. I fell to my knees while holding his headband close to my chest.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry. If I had been by your side..." I trailed off as I clutched the headband in my hand tightly. "Farewell... My friend." I whispered. I jerked my head up in alarm when I heard a crash. "What the hell was that?" I mumbled.
I stood to my feet and stuffed the headband in my cloak before flying back to the battlefield where Kakuzu and Naruto were at. By the time I got back to the battlefield, I spotted Naruto pinned to the ground by Kakuzu's threads.
"It is done." Kakuzu said, smirking. I gasped when Naruto turned into a puff of smoke. "What?! Just a shadow clone?!" Kakuzu said in disbelief. "Kakuzu, behind you!" I shouted to him while I was still in the air.
I saw three Naruto clones with a technique that resembled the Rasengan. "I see! He hid himself in the crowd!" Kakuzu figured it out. "I gotcha!" Naruto yelled before slamming his attack on Kakuzu. "No!" I yelled.
I flew over to them as fast as I could until I was blinded by a bright light. "A shockwave?!" I said in disbelief as I shielded my eyes with my arms. "This attack... It's so powerful...!" I tried to see through the dirt cloud, then I heard Kakuzu yell.
When everything died down, I unshielded my eyes and saw Kakuzu in the air with something piercing his body in all directions. He fell to the ground, inside the huge crater. "Kakuzu!" I flew down to his body and fell to my knees once I was by his side.
"It appears I've underestimated him." Kakuzu grunted. "Just hang on. I'm going to take you back to Akastuki." I said.
"Don't be a fool. It's all... over for me."
"Don't say that. It's not over yet. You're going to be all right."
"Nue... In my pocket... there's something I want to give you. Take it out."
I followed his instructions and took a small crystal out of his pocket. "A crystal?" I said, confused. "Happy Birthday, Nue." Kakuzu said with a ghost smile. "Birthday?" I repeated. My birthday wasn't until a couple months.
"Kakuzu..." I whispered as tears ran down my cheeks. "No... It can't end like this. I won't allow it!" I said, hugging him. "Nue... Get out of here while you can. Hurry." Kakuzu said. "No! I'm not leaving you like this!" I said, sitting up and looking at him.
"Go, dammit! Now!" He snapped. I jumped at the tone of his voice as it was deep, yet weak at the same time. I looked at him sadly and gently grasped his hand before raising it to my cheek. "Thank you, Kakuzu. For everything you've done for me." I said with a sad smile.
I gently kissed his forehead before looking at Kakashi as he approached me. "Well? Aren't you going to kill me, too?" I asked, coldly. "I wouldn't kill my own comrade, Nue." He said. "You're not my comrade." I said.
I threw a fireball at him as a diversion before flying away, abandoning Kakuzu's corpse. "Until we meet in the next world, Kakuzu." I whispered, holding my early birthday present close to my chest.