Chapter 21: Chunnin Exams, The Invasion

(The song for today is "Monster" by Yoasobi!! No more talking, let's go!)

Akali's POV

"Shizumu you ni tokete yuku you ni~"

"Shun."

"Hi Miela. You ready?"

"I don't have a choice now do I?"

I sighed and leaned back on the railing, watching Naruto's character development as he outwits Neji. Surprisingly, it isn't as boring listening to these boys argue about their ideals as I thought it would.

Another sigh.

"I still have to do something. Go tend to your teammates. They look murderous."

I said before disappearing behind the large crowd that watched the fight. Honestly? I'm scared. Every inch of my being is shaking in nervousness because of the unknown. Why do I need to be scared? It's not like I can choose to ignore what's inevitable. I can only hope for my survival.

~Flashback~

I sighed. The three were at it again for the hundredth time. Are they not tired of fighting each other?

"Can we ignore them for a second and talk about what you guys achieved for the past month?"

Junko sighed, clearly irritated at the three. Shun smiled apologetically.

"No need. I trust that you two can handle yourselves. The problem are your teammates."

"Yeah. They'd sure be suspicious if I suddenly side with you, since this is our village's invasion and all."

"I agree. Even though we're here to help you, it'll be your entire decision on whom you'll help."

I sat in silence. Indeed I'm going to do all the work since I know Junko will prioritize getting away safely with her teammates, and Shun is supposed to attack any Konoha citizen or ninja he sees. Ah what a pain.

My fingers subconsciously combed ny hair yet again, tugging every now and then to prevent me from getting lost in my thoughts.

"Seems like I have no choice. We're going to start planning about what exactly are we going to do just as the invasion breaks."

"Now here's the plan, Junko you and your team should leave just as the invasion starts so you can cover as much ground as possible. I'll be taking care of the other Kumo nin that came with you."

The red head nodded, although hesitation was clear in her eyes. With knuckles clenched tight, she said

"I.... I wanted to help you fight.....but Yashichi and Midoriko......"

"It's okay Junko. I know we'll be able to fight side to side one day. But this is an important event. If we die here out of carelessness, we won't be able to live again. Remember what we're here for."

I uttered, spiteful. Shooting the gods a dirty look for a brief second which didn't go unnoticed.

The shark god who saw gave his infamous sharp smile.

"Shun. If you could, lessen the number of your kills. Or better yet, don't kill at all."

"You know I can't kill Miela."

He said and smiled reassuringly. That's right.....he's too soft hearted to do so. I guess that means he'll prioritize on trying to stall his own village from doing any more damage.

"Shun, this is top priority. Do not, under any circumstances, let your team near Gaara and Naruto's fight."

"I'll try what I can."

"No. I need you to make sure you do this before anything else. This arc is the peak of Naruto's character development and if we ruin even a single spec of it, we might change the plot for the worse."

He nodded quietly.

"And what about you? Planning on a little.....slaughter fest for me?"

"Consider yourself on a treat. You'll be feeding on double dead human corpses after the battle."

I sighed. I can't expect for them to help me out. Why am I  even thinking of helping in the first place? If I wanted to survive I could just run away from that chaos and live.

"Although doing so will gain you no experience. The key to survival is strength and strength comes with experience. You're going to have to kill one way or the other."

I pinched the bridge of my nose in irritation and worry. Since Suna will be strengthening their bonds with Konoha the farther the plot goes, thankfully I'm not in need to kill. It'll damage my reputation with Suna after all. But whether I help the Hokage, Naruto, or protect the borders of Konoha is what conflicted about.

"Knowing the future sure is hard. I don't even know who to help. Well, if I'm going to help somebody, I'll be sure to have my chances of survival on atleast 60% up."

Junko smiled as I emitted another deep sigh.

"I'm not sure if I should say this but.......you've changed a lot Akali. At first I thought you didn't care for anyone since you only see them as fictional characters......but I'm glad. I'm glad you aren't as cold as before."

Her hand overlapped my own as her thumb caressed my reddish fist, tracing my veins and sending a warm feeling that blossomed in the pits of my stomach.

Blinking in surprise, she checked the tab that appeared before her. Now intertwining her fingers with mine.

[B*tch you finally seduced the tyrant!!! Flirt successful!!!]

"

Wait A-Akali you—"

Junko looked at me with a baby pink dusting her pale white cheeks, looking up and down to my hand then back at my face then at her hand again

"I t-think it's time you let go?"

I grinned with my sharky teeth, still flushed red just to save face from the obvious humiliation I'm about to receive.

"Uh hello?! I'm still here??"

Shun said and suddenly went between us, resting his head on my lap and his feet on Junko's.

"Now shall we proceed on flirting or are we going to talk about a life and death level situation??"

He asked with a grin that made me cackle in amusement.

"Jealous much mieli?"

"So you ARE flirting with her!! No fair."

He then pouted that made him receive a bonk on the head.

"Shut up Shun, you're not the fiance anymore. Give her to me."

"Hey bitch club you better start planning shit or you'll die~!"

~Flashback end~

I groaned after remembering what actually happened. Ah, how dreadfully embarrassing. Slapping myself a few times to calm my nerves, I went to where Daya was, using my stealth and concealing every bit of chakra I can.

"Hm? It's just you Akali. Do you need something—?"

Before he turns around, I quickly grabbed the opportunity and smacked him on the nape as hard as I could, making his body drop like a big ass log.

"Tch, I still wasn't stealthy enough huh?"

I clicked my tongue and putting chakra to my arms, I supported his weight. But since he's too damn buff and heavy, I just dragged him, purposely letting him hit edges and stones to make it look like there was a fight. Once I found a dark spot to put him in, I punched him in the face a little bit more, channeling chakra to my fist as I punched his stomach that obviously awaken him.

Before he could even react, I knocked him off again, now with a little trail of blood on his chin.

"That should do it."

I muttered and stood up, feeling the hairs on my nape standing up.

"Hm. Took you long enough.

I unleashed my killing intent and with my predatory grin, I saw the words "intimidated" on top of their heads. The green haired wimp gulped, shakily forming a stance while Yashichi faced me, enraged.

"I knew we couldn't trust you all along. Why are you doing this?!"

"No Junko? She's the one I wanted to fight."

"L-leave her out of t-this!! You traitor!!"

The green boy said, finally finding courage to stand up to me.

"Hah. I'm no traitor. I'm not the one planning on kidnapping the Hyuga princess, aren't I?"

Shock and confusion was written on their face once I thwarted their plan. I laughed maniacally to fuel their anger even more. After all, their anger will make my image more notorious to Kumo, making me look like a merciless prodigy.

"Ah! How easy it was to extract that information~! Every cry of pain I drag my kunai on the skin then heal it again! Very easy way to damage someone mentally, doesn't it?"

Once I finished my sentence Yashichi quickly rushed at me with a kunai in hand, blinded by rage as he swung his blade like he was drunk.

I jumped up just as he was getting close, bringing down a chakra fueled kick that hit his head pretty hard, instantly denting the floor with a small amount of blood dripping down his forehead.

I focused my clothed gaze on the green haired boy, kicking Yashichi mercilessly as the said boy passed out from the beating.

"Ah what was it, was it muda muda?"

I said menacingly as I rested my left foot ontop of Yashichi's head.

"Let's make this quick, shall we?"

I said and rushed at the last one with blinding speed, punching him in the gut and the face that immediately made him pass out. Well that was fast.

I sighed and looked around, and once I was sure no one was watching, I immediately went out of that room, typing a quick "It's done." And waited for the red head to arrive.

"You....you didn't have to go this far Akali."

"It wouldn't be believable if I went easy. I'm sorry."

I said that made her sigh. She nodded and stood up from where her team lies, coming up to me with a solemn look.

"I'm ready."

"This'll hurt."

I warned before punching her in the face, kicking her in the gut followed by multiple shallow scratches on her arms from my nails.

Once I was finished, she wobbled a little so I rushed to support her, making her fall to my chest.

"Do I need to help you get them away?"

"No. Reserve your chakra."

She said and stood up properly, giving me a smile and making clones of herself to carry the rest of her team.

"Please try not to get hurt Akali. I'll be waiting for your message."

She said and leaned closer, giving me a peck next to the lips as she rushed out of the room faster than the wind.

"Ho hooo!! She....she can do that?"

[She just did, apparently.]

"

Well paint me shocked! Is she finally your girlfriend or what?"

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, dismissing what she just did.

"I'm pretty used to it. Just help me out of this pickle why don't you?"

"Of course. No need to be so cold about it."

Pollux said and wait is he— is he pouting? This God......

I groaned, feeling a little groggy as I left the place. Wait....groggy?

I didn't even have the time to realize what the situation was seeing as the people on the arena are already fast asleep, and with my luck I manage to walk in on Sakura and Kakashi's conversion to chase after Sasuke.

I sighed again.

"W-wait Pakkun—"

Just as I dispelled a kunai that was hurling at my direction, a dog, Kakashi's dog, pounced on me and almost knocked off my balance if it weren't for the wall that supported my back.

"Akali-san? You're awake too—"

Before Sakura managed to finish her sentence, an enemy nin suddenly pounced on a confused Naruto, and as of instinct, I threw the dog to Shikamaru and kicked the enemy nin towards Gai, just like passing a ball that the said man used to punch a hole in a wall.

"Good, all four of you here. I'll explain the mission to you now. Go to that hole once it's explained fully."

"Go after Sasuke, Naruto once you meet up with him, stop Sasuke. Then await further orders in a safe area."

"Huuu??! What happened to Sasuke dattebayo?!"

Naruto, still confused about the situation asked.

"I'll tell you while we move. Let's go!"

She said and jumped to the hole, Shikamaru and Pakkun following after. I sighed.

"Will all of you be okay Akali?"

Gai asked before I got to jump and follow them.

"Honestly sensei? I don't know."

I said and jumped away, leaving the two amongst themselves.

Weaving a few hand signs, I made a clone of myself, stopping abruptly so that no one will hear me.

"You, go to the outskirts of the village and land San Salvador on all of the snakes you see. Consume as least chakra as possible."

"Yohoo they're far away from you now. And the nine are still following them~"

"Ugh."

I groaned and followed where the scent of ramen lingers the most, careful not to make any noise as I am behind their pursuers. Agh, I'm gonna have to fight them don't I?

".........ambushing is still advantageous, but we have to many uncertain factors. Furthermore, the enemy squadron are organized for this plan. As for us........

"....we have an idiot. A kunoichi without any special traits,..."

"Oi!"

"And the number one coward, me."

"Ah....I'm left out."

I grinned as I finally caught up to them, the dog flinching but calming when it saw it was only me.

"You sure took you sweet time kid. We're in a dire situation here."

"Oh? But you have a prodigy with you right?"

I grinned as we gradually stopped, but seeing the atmosphere, my grin got wider until I'm almost near laughing.

"Ah they thought their decoy was definitely dying. Silly fools, they are underestimating you."

"I'll completely annihilate them, but then Shikamaru will loose experience. Plus, I haven't really checked—

"Ggh—!"

I suddenly staggered forward, feeling my chakra leave my body until only 100 cp was left.

"Kid you're chakra is low.....!"

"Agh that damn clone.....I told as least as possible....."

The atmosphere only got a lot more gloomy, but of course I didn't go unprepared. Fishing my hand into one of my pockets, I popped a chakra pill in my mouth as Shikamaru finally decided that he was going to be the decoy.

"Hurry and go."

"We're counting on you, Shikamaru!!"

I chuckled, now that my chakra is fully replenished by drinking three chakra pills. My action got their attention and the look on their faces was ridiculous.

"Pollux this'll be your awaited buffet. Transform into a shark plushie."

"Hmph! A plushie? Why can't I go with my original form?"

"Because it'll scare Shikamaru. Now remember, once you are thrown to the enemy, you are only going to raise the upper half of your body to eat them. No more, no less. Understand??"

"Hai hai! I'll look ridiculous but because it's the first time in years then I'll oblige."

I smirked as a cute baby blue shark plushie appeared on my hand. I walked over to Shikamaru and carefully placed Pollux onto his arm.

"Now be careful with this. This is my most destructive weapon and I mean it. Once you lure all the enemies in one place, throw this at them and you can defeat them. Be gentle because this is really REALLY sensitive. And when you do throw this, do not look at it. Understand?"

He questioned me not, nodding and putting his trust in me.

"Good bye for now Pollux, Shikamaru. Go put on a good show."

Sakura looked at me worriedly as my grin got wider.

"We'll pick up the pace kids."

Meanwhile with ShikamaruThird Person's POV

"The footprints are strange. They must be fatigued."

One of the sound nin stated, crounching on the ground and examining their so called trails on the ground.

"Sorry. I was supposed to be the number one coward."

All of the ninjas flinched as they were rooted on the ground, surrounded by Shikamaru's shadow.

"But it seems like my character is different this time."

He smirked that made the enemy sneer at his arrogance, the plushie on his arm squirming in excitement.

"I can't hold my shadow imitation for long......maybe I should.....no....there are only....."

Shikamaru hesitated as he remembered Pakkun told him nine people were chasing them, and the current enemies that are caught in his jutsu are only eight.

"Ah....I'm at my limit. I guess this is it."

Shikamaru closed his eyes and thought, as his shadow imitation receded back and completely let go of the enemies.

"Oi come out. And cleave his head while you're at it."

The sound nin smirked underneath his mask, but his smugness was replaced by shock as the one who came out was not his comrade but....

"Asuma!"

Shikamaru shouted, the said man smiling at him as he wasted no time and beat the sound nin into submission. Shikamaru, wanting to help his sensei threw the plushie at the enemies

"Drop them!!"

He shouted. Asuma immediately understood and jumped up, letting go of the enemies as the plushie was torn by dark tendrils, revealing long locks of turquoise colored hair.

"Ah, and I was told to only come out in my godly form."

Saying that the two Konoha nin was shocked is an understatement as the blue haired man released his killer intent that paralyzed all eight of the sound nin, the other one already knocked out off consciousness.

A predatory grin appeared on the strange man's face as he carried all nine ninjas by his two bare hands. Asuma is immediately on guard, raising his jagged knife to defend Shikamaru if ever the blue haired man is also an enemy.

"Now now, Akali told you not to look when you throw me right? With that in mind, do me a favor and turn around. I'll be scolded by that damn mortal if she caught word of this."

"Who are you?"

Asuma asked and covered Shikamaru's eyes, but refused not to see what the man intended to do with the enemies.

"Do you really wish to see this carnage? Fine. But don't you ever be suspicious of Akali when you're the one who asked for this."

Pollux said and threw the men to the sky, Asuma covered Shikamaru's eyes tighter as Pollux transformed into his megalodon form, catching all nine men in his mouth and grinding their bones as he chewed on them.

Asuma's eyes are wide open as he transformed into a human back again, appearing behind Shikamaru and taking him from Asuma's guard as fast as lightning.

"Shikamaru!!"

Pollux smriked and jumped up from behind the pineapple haired boy, falling down to Shikamaru's arms as the plushie he once was but with a slight change, for the plushie's mouth is covered in blood.

"Return me to Akali, won't you?"

He said as he went back to a lifeless object. Shikamaru looked at Asuma with confusion but he only shook his head. Looks like Akali is in for an interrogation.

Meanwhile, with Akali's clone

As the white haired clone arrived at the scene, everything her clothed gaze saw was in rubble. Establishments crushed under the weight of the four headed snake that wrecked havoc, along with other units of sound ninja that came along with the package.

"Where's the reinforcements?!"

Shouted a ninja that desperately tried to stop the snake's rampage. Ibiki on the on the other hand, was ready to give up. Not until a certain someone shouted,

"Summoning technique: Yatai Kuzushi no Jutsu!"

A frog, pale green in color suddenly appeared before the snake, crushing the said monster upon it's arrival.

"Long time no see Ibiki!!"

Said the perverted sannin in attempt to have a cool entrance. The clone facepalmed, thinking that it was over not until the snakes rose up again. The clone sighed. Time to reveal herself.

"Water Style: Father ship San Salvador!!!"

She shouted that caught the attention of all shinobi that had their eyes on Jiraiya, and now to her that just summoned a great ship that hit the snakes head on, along with the waves of ocean that supported the ship on land.

"Oh my, that took too much chakra."

Seeing that she will be gone in any second, she quickly shouted to the others,

"Ride on the ship! It'll heal your injuries!"

And then poof. Just like that, the mysterious white haired girl disappeared from the eyes of the awed crowd.

"Who is she?"

"Woah! She can cast a water jutsu that big without even nearing a body of water?!"

"She has white hair too.......is she a descendant of Nidaime?"

"She's probably a prodigy!"

Asked Ibiki to the Sannin as both listened to the other's chit chat.

"A friend of Naruto's, I believe. Interesting wasn't she?"

Now with Akali

Third Person's POV

"I smell......"

"What you smell shampoo again dattebayo?!"

"No. I smell Sasuke. There's also others around him too. Looks like we caught on."

"Finally!"

Sakura shouted in relief as the four ran towards the direction of the sand ninjas. Akali followed quietly, taking all the courage she can muster to fight against a tailed beast. She already saved too, just in case she dies here.

"Shino will already be fighting Kankuro by now.....I have to be prepared. This will be the first time I will fight with my all, without holding anything back."

"The other ninja is left to fight with the other one.....the inhuman one....he's still in pursuit with the sand nin. The other two at least. We're gonna have to take a long route if we want to avoid them."

"What?! Why would we do that then?! We should just go straight past them!"

"What are you talking about Naruto!? There is a possibility that we will get dragged into a battle even, if we don't wish to fight."

"I missed something........Hmph. They'll get suspicious if I tell them it's only Shino that's fighting. I guess we'll have to take the long run."

She thought as the others finally convinced Naruto to start moving again. To Akali, this isn't a fight that she'd want to concern herself with. But she's in too deep now, the only thing left to do is to wipe the floor with their faces.

[Ufufufu~ how arrogant. Let's see how you'll do later.]

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(Hi!!! This is long overdue really. I'm sorry >—<!! I decided to cut this short due to it being reaaaaally long. Again, sorry for the long wait!)