He saw enemies all around him, waiting for the perfect moment to strike him down. Their eyes full of anger, hatred and utter loathing. Their swords and sickles eager to taste his blood and their pitiful killing intent making a mocking effort to make him cower.
Glancing at the few allies he had left, he saw they were preparing themselves to die.
The responsibility of this failure lied on his shoulders for he should have known the Yamanaka could do something like this. If it had been Madara in his place, his brother would have butchered their top leadership making the remaining younger ones bend the knee.
But Naruto had done the opposite. He had went with his heart sparing all Yamanaka except for those who perished in battle, he had not even slaughtered any Yamanaka civilians and allowed them to go back to their peaceful lives. He had allowed his enemies to surrender instead of killing them all.
It was the good thing to do, the honorable thing.
But there was no place for such things in this world. He could already imagine his father's disappointed eyes looking down on him, the old man would have taught the Yamanaka a much harsher and bloodier lesson than his foolish young son.
And now his own clansmen had to die, their only fault being the fact that their leader was soft of heart.
His friends, his aunt, his clansmen, and even their Hatake allies were all in danger of annihilation because of him. It was burden that weighed his ever solemn heart. Even Kurama...
He watched his enemies that only continued to outnumber his forces, whatever his mistakes he was still the leader of his army and it was his duty to get them to safety.
No matter the cost.
"Tekka"
The said older Uchiha warily glanced at him but was surprised when Naruto pointed him in the opposite direction leading towards the Yamanaka town.
"Get our people and the Hatake's out of here. I'll hold the line" instructed Naruto,
"Tajima-sama and Madara-sama will have our heads if we leave you behind" pointed Tekka hesitantly, aware about the wrath they would incur should those two learn what happened to the Kinslayer.
"Are you disobeying me?"
Tekka Uchiha flinched when Naruto's cold eyes landed on him in full force making him gulp. He glanced at his own clansmen and the Hatake who looked quite relieved with the new option provided to them.
Still, a question lingered on Tekka's mind...
"They'll kill you, you know that right?" asked Tekka seriously, glancing at the Senjus and their allies who were now starting to get closer.
For his part, the Kinslayer merely glanced at his ancestral sword before looking back at the enemies with a cocky smirk.
"I've won more single combat than any of these tree huggers. I can handle them..." promised Naruto,
Tekka could not argue against that point, whatever sins the Kinslayer had committed in his life there was not a single Uchiha who doubted his fighting prowess. Seeing Naruto was not going to change his mind, Tekka glanced at him one last time while also giving a subtle signal to his allies to get ready to flee.
"Any last words?"
Naruto would have laughed if not for the situation because he remembered asking the same thing to many of his enemies before they died. Tekka, in his own way was asking him if he had any message for his family. His Father would not be much affected, but no words would be enough to console Madara or even Naori.
But still he wanted to humor Tekka nonetheless...
"I am a ninja. I shall die as one"
Tekka's eyes slightly widened, his lips parting to say something before he abruptly stopped himself. For the first time in his eyes there was an emotion other than loathing for this young boy.
"We will avenge you" promised Tekka, earning a loud laugh from Naruto.
"You speak as if I'm dead already?" mocked Naruto, his usual sarcastic grin present on his face.
Tekka could only grimly nod in understanding.
"Now go. Make sure the fox escapes with you"
With a fleeting nod, Tekka and his companions took off to the trees with great speed. The Senjus cursed and made to follow but Naruto got in the way and slammed his hand on the forest ground.
A monstrous shockwave was unleashed across the forests, majority of the ninjas sent chakra to their feet in order to retain their footing but a few weaker ones were sent sailing away. Dust and uprooted grass disrupted everyone's vision and when the brief storm settled they saw the Kinslayer raising his ancestral blade while also picking up another sword from a fallen Uchiha.
Tobirama acutely watched the Kinslayer twist both swords in his hands with practiced ease, his dark sharingan eyes challenging anyone to defeat him. But the killing intent he was unleashing was enough to make most of the Senju forces back away.
He considered his options, while he considered himself a good fighter the Kinslayer was a dangerous foe. He could take him on but at the same time he had the man cornered. Tobirama had the numbers on his side while Naruto was all alone. Even the Senju was surprised with the Kinslayer's decision to act as a sacrifice to allow his people time to escape.
It is far more...honorable of him.
Could there be more to this man than his stained reputation? Tobirama had only heard tales of Naruto's combat prowess, maybe it was safer if he saw some of it first before taking him on. It was the right move...
He gestured his troops to move forward and few dozen brave ones charged towards the Kinslayer who grinned.
Naruto stood rooted in his spot, his swords still swirling in the air waiting to claim blood. As his enemies came dangerous close, Tobirama's eyes widened when he sensed it.
''Water Style: Water Bullets!"
Dozens of sharp water projectiles escaped from the Kinslayer's mouth and being so close to the man, the Senju warriors had no room left to dodge and Tobirama grimaced when they were all hit in vital parts making their bodies crumble motionlessly to the ground with a sickening crunch.
Naruto walked over the corpses making every effort to further infuriate his enemies and was not surprised when the hot-headed ones took offense at the way he mocked their dead clansmen. Another dozen came charging at him with loud roars.
It was so pitiful.
Right before their very eyes, he disappeared in a flock of crows. Their worried eyes searched for him everywhere until he suddenly materialized in their midst, his swords hacking them all to death in twin fluent strikes.
His eyes narrowed as he immediately got up and brought his swords upwards to deflect the hundreds of kunai and shuriken being launched at him from all sides. He grinned and began his defense by deflecting every projectile with his twin swords.
Tobirama despite his hatred for this man could not help but be heavily impressed. All those people that talked about the Kinslayer's fighting prowess didn't lie or exaggerate. With his own eyes, Tobirama watched the Kinslayer deflect every kunai and shuriken thrown at him. Most of his accuracy was thanks to his sharingan that allowed him to predict the trajectory of those weapons, but his light feet, his hand movements, his moves which were almost like a fine crafted dance was a proof enough...
Naruto Uchiha was the finest swordsman Tobirama had ever seen.
His eyes slightly widened when one kunai came bouncing forward and lodged itself into a woman standing a few feet away from him. She choked as the blood leaked from her neck and only now did Tobirama see dozens upon dozens of dead Senjus. All of them hit by either kunai or shuriken that they had threw at the Kinslayer, and who had used his natural skill to send it back at them with thrice the force and speed.
The soldiers were bloody mad now for having so many of their clansmen and allies cut down so easily. Despite Tobirama's warning shout, those fools charged towards the Kinslayer from all sides.
Naruto quickly roared before slamming his foot brutally across the barren land making half the forest tremble.
The approaching horde of soldiers also struggled to balance their footing and were as such left defenseless when the Kinslayer twisted his twin swords in a 360 degree circular movement.
Horror crept through Tobirama as he watched dozens of head roll off cleanly from the dead men and women's shoulder. Those who had been lucky to be charging behind the first wave instantly backed away with fear evident in their eyes.
Tobirama made a quick count of the fallen and the wounded. More than 100 were already dead, with another two to three dozen sporting grievous wounds. He cursed himself again as he watched their Inuzuka and Sarutobi allies come charging in from the left and right flanks. Their appearance here could only mean the Uchihas and Hatakes from those flanks had fled the moment they saw Naruto launching that bright red flare in the sky.
And the Kinslayer had unleashed such a massive killing intent that must have forced Tobirama's allies to come charging here if only to save him and Itama.
But still that left for plenty of Yamanaka to chase after the retreating enemy forces. However, with the new addition of forces the Kinslayer despite his skill and prowess was overwhelmed. Still, he didn't even look winded despite the fact that he had been fighting for more than 20 minutes now. That playful grin still on his face...
"Is that all you've got?" asked Naruto mockingly, earning hateful glares from his enemies but none of them stepped forward to challenge him either.
"Surrender, Kinslayer" spoke Tobirama, for despite his urge to kill this man he had a feeling the Senju could gain even more if they captured Naruto alive. Even if the boy's father had disowned him, Madara dearly loved him and the thought of making that arrogant bastard worry was enough to make Tobirama smirk.
"In your dreams, pretty boy" retorted Naruto, and smiled when Tobirama scowled at the remark.
"Why fight for a clan who hates you? Didn't they leave you the moment the tides turned? Join us and Hashirama can see you greatly rewarded" suggested Tobirama, already willing to exploit his enemy's dark history against him.
Now it was Naruto's turn to heavy glare at the Senju who had the audacity to assume he knew everything about him.
"You think my life is some precious thing to me? As if I would trade my family for a few more years of what?" asked Naruto furiously, surprising the Senju for he saw nothing but truth and loyalty in those burning sharingan eyes.
Naruto Uchiha was definitely a strange man.
"Funny. For I think you only serve your family when it's convenient. Where was this loyalty and honor when you used those same hands to butcher your own people? The truth is Kinslayer...you're a man without honor" said Tobirama coldly,
He stepped forward ahead of his clansmen with his ancient sword unleashed and was quite satisfied when his harsh words made Naruto grimace. While the Kinslayer didn't retort back with his usual sarcastic remark or even angry words, the raw pain in his eyes was enough to make Tobirama see he had wounded the man.
For men like Naruto Uchiha could survive a thousand physical wounds, but the wounds to his character were the ones which hurt him most.
"Today, in front of my allies and the gods I shall deliver justice upon your cursed soul" promised Tobirama, unleashing a massive killing intent, yet Naruto looked at him with a mocking smile.
"If those gods are real, then why is this world so full of injustice?" asked Naruto bitterly, as he could see he was about to be killed either by Tobirama or the hundreds that had surrounded him. His death would be worth it if he managed to kill Tobirama, but the pain it would bring Madara made him ask that question.
Why was his family suffering more than the Senjus? What right did these tree huggers have to consider themselves physically and morally superior when they were just as worse as the Uchiha?
"Because of men like you..." spat Touka Senju hatefully, earning cheers and the same remarks from hundreds more.
Naruto looked at his ancestral sword and at his own hands. It was with them he had picked up a sword and killed all his clansmen that night. Despite his actions he had failed that night.
Just as he failed in saving his three brothers, just as he failed in giving something truly worthwhile to his clan.
Guilt and sadness crept across his heart as he remembered his life as nothing more than failures.
"There are no men like me...only me" whispered Naruto, but his words were not heard by any of these people.
Tobirama prepared himself as he watched all sadness and guilt vanish from the Kinslayer's eyes replaced by grim determination. The look in those sharingan eyes was the one of a man about to die.
But not alone.
"I am Uchiha Naruto, son of Tajima, brother of Madara, and loyal fighter of my clan"
An armor of lightning enclosed all over the Kinslayer's body as he raised his swords, one burning with the same lightning sparks and the other burning with pure chakra.
"I shall take no wife, have no family, hold no lands, inherit no titles"
He felt the power surging through his body, the guilt and fear washed away with a renewed courage as he remembered the oath he made to his Father the day he was disowned. An oath he had lived his life by even now.
"I shall live and die for my clan and our allies"
He could see his enemies taking a few steps back as he raised a single hand seal and created 10 shadow clones of himself that all turned to face their enemies bravely.
"I am the sword of my people, the shield of my allies, the nightmare of my enemies. And I pledge my life to kill every last one of you!"
Tobirama's eyes widened when the clones charged towards the Senjus and their allies creating a bloody carnage as the battle began. He himself had to brace as the real Naruto appeared before him delivering a bone crushing punch to his face.
As Tobirama was sent sailing away, Naruto willed a mass of crows to descend over the Senjus. As the black birds disrupted the enemies, he used the chance to charge forward plunging his sword through their hearts, heads and necks.
Touka Senju roared furiously and uncaring of the crows harassing her, she charged forward clashing her sword fiercely against the Kinslayer.
Only for it to shatter against the Uchiha's ancestral weapon, Dawn.
Naruto barely noticed the shock in the woman's eyes before he brought down his twin swords carving her up from shoulder to her navel. She gurgled and spat blood at his golden armor before crumbling to the ground.
It was then he saw the unconscious form of Itama slumped against the trees. Every bone in his body was begging him to kill the boy, however the strategist within him knew his end was imminent.
Even if the Uchiha's lost this battle, if they had Itama as captive then the Senju's could be forced to give up all they had gained. Tajima Uchiha might let his own son die if it gained him the alliance of two great clans, but Hashirama Senju would rather sacrifice those allies if it meant the life of his younger brother.
Naruto could see Tobirama rushing towards him but one of Naruto's own clones got in his way allowing the Kinslayer to create one more shadow clone who quickly grabbed Itama by his shoulders.
The enemy army froze when Naruto's clone placed a kunai at Itama's throat. Even Tobirama stopped with horror ever present in his eyes.
"Move a muscle and I'll cut his throat" warned Naruto, even if his mind was pulling him in two directions.
The hatred burning within him was screaming at him to kill Itama and watch the pain it would wreck on Tobirama. It might even make the cold Senju go berserk which Naruto could use to kill him.
But the strategist within him knew how valuable a prisoner Itama was. The boy was also Naruto's lifeline in this battle for no matter how strong he was, there were just too many enemies here.
"What do you want?" asked Tobirama icily,
"Take your army and go back to your lands. Get me a written order from Hashirama stating the Senjus parting with the Yamanaka and Hatake Clans both. Then I shall release your brother back to your family" replied Naruto frankly,
He watched as a sea of conflicting emotions passed through Tobirama's eyes as he glanced at his younger brother and then at his army that was watching his every move.
"No deal"
Naruto cringed when Tobirama raised a finger and instantly a mass of water erupted from beneath the ground destroying the shadow clone holding Itama captive while the injured Senju was quickly grabbed by his clansmen, this time being completely drawn away from the battlefield.
You used our conversation to gather time to make your move. Clever of you, Tobirama.
With his trump card destroyed, Naruto raised his swords again and watched the last of his clones getting destroyed. Still they had inflicted more casualties on their enemies which was a bonus in his books.
But now he knew his defeat was certain, even his death.
Still, one good thing was still left before him. A chance to avenge his dear brother for if he was to die today then he was taking Tobirama with him.
Both fighters stepped closer as the enemy army now formed a circle around them. Sensing Tobirama's furious gaze and killing intent, none of his allies tried to intervene which was a relief for Naruto.
"Ready to die, Kinslayer?" asked Tobirama coldly, raising his own sword which also now cackled with lightning much to Naruto's surprise.
He flung the ordinary sword in his hand aside for it would be useless against Tobirama's own dangerous weapon. Now they would both spar, Naruto with his great ancestral weapon and Tobirama with his own holy blade.
"Dance with me, then" taunted Naruto with a smirk,
Tobirama grimly nodded before they both charged forward clashing their swords sending wild sparks of lightning everywhere, with some even hitting careless Inuzuka who were stupid enough to stand too close. Tobirama winced at the injuries to his own allies and was further irritated when Naruto mocked him for it.
Tobirama used all his strength to land every powerful swing of his sword across his enemy's body, however the Kinslayer was very quick on his feet and even quicker with the movement of his sword which he used to deflect every blow.
Deciding to go on the offensive, Naruto forced a vertical slash towards Tobirama's head which the Senju blocked with his own weapon which left him wide open as Naruto suddenly jumped delivering a brutal kick on Tobirama's armor that sent the Senju crashing away while the Kinslayer flipped in the air while performing a set of hand seals quickly.
"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!"
A maniacal laugh escaped from Naruto's lips as he watched the sheer horror that spread in Tobirama's eyes watching his own allies being electrified before his very eyes. Naruto didn't relent and continued to shoot bolts of lightning from his hands that were powerful enough to even hurt Kurama.
Against the lightly armored Senjus and their allies, the attack was a death blow and a dozen more were sent crashing away. Their lives already ended before they even hit the ground.
The carnage would have continued had Tobirama not made his move urgently...
"Water Style: Water Dragon!"
Naruto was quite impressed when Tobirama used the water present in the air and turned it into a monstrous dragon with menacing yellow eyes. But by then he had also decided and acted on his counter move.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon!"
He so dearly wished his father and their clansmen could see him unleashing bright red flames from his mouth and shaping them into the image of a roaring fire dragon. They had all despised him for not being able to use fire jutsu naturally, but after years of training he was atleast good enough to perform some decent moves. Although pale in comparison to the things Madara could do with fire, Naruto liked to think his elder brother would be happy with his progress.
As both dragons of opposite nature clashed, a heavy mist spread across the area.
Naruto again realized he had a chance to flee in this short confusion but he also knew most of the enemy forces were here because of the threat he posed. If he ran away, then these same enemy forces would pursue his Uchiha allies, his Kinsguard comrades and Naori.
And he couldn't allow anymore of his people to die. Even if they hated or despised him, they were still his family and that was all there was to it.
So he used that short chaos to wreck more carnage across the battlefield by silently creeping upon unaware enemies and slicing their throats. He used genjutsu to trick the alarmed fighters into harming their own allies which only made him laugh.
But his fun didn't last long as a wild gust of wind dispersed the mist and he found himself again surrounded by enemies, albeit fewer than they were before.
Tobirama saw the three dozen more soldiers that Naruto had killed in the confusion and grimaced. This victory was going to be very costly...
But it also made one fact clear to him.
Naruto Uchiha was stronger than him.
He could continue to engage the man but it would not stop Naruto from causing chaos and killing more of Tobirama's supporters, and enough had already died on this front not too forget those who could have died on the other two flanks. He had to put an end to all this senseless death.
Setting his pride aside, he gave a subtle nod to his army.
Naruto's eyes widened when he saw dozens of enemies performing a quick set of hand seals and all of them were looking at him.
Dozens of fireballs, water bullets, wind cutters, lightning bolts, and even giant rocks were hurled at his position. He allowed them to assume that he was done for before at the last second he made a quick hand seal.
Kawarimi.
Tobirama cursed outloud when he felt a violent force pulling him, so sure he was of his victory that the chakra going through his feet was not enough to resist against the monstrous pull. Before he could blink, he appeared right into the spot the Kinslayer once stood. He just had enough time to see the army of attacks that had been launched by his own clansmen before they hit him.
Naruto collapsed brutally against the ground where Tobirama once stood as he heard the blood curling scream of the Senju with whom he had replaced himself at the last minute. By the time the dust settled, he found Tobirama smeared in burns and deep cuts across his entire body. The white haired Senju spat blood and the same liquid leaked out of a dozen wounds from his body as he fell to his knees before crashing gracelessly across the forest ground staining it crimson.
The Senjus and their allies watched in horror as their finest warrior fell, the victim of trickery.
Sensing the boiling hate and madness, Naruto quickly jumped towards Tobirama's slumped body and was relieved as well as furious to see the Senju was still alive if only barely.
He caught sight of the enemy army about to move forward in fury and quickly got up on his feet before planting his sword right ahead of Tobirama's head marking a clear line.
"You can kill me, but he dies with me. Then answer Hashirama how you got one of his brothers killed and the other hanging near death. I'm sure it would be quite an interesting conversation" suggested Naruto with an arrogant smile,
"He's already a dead man. You think us fools? We know you'll kill him even if we retreat..." spat a Sarutobi furiously,
Every cell inside his body was telling him to kill Tobirama, his brother would have done it. But the rational part of his mind knew how important a hostage he could be not to forget even a valuable source of information on the Senjus and their plans. In that way, he was more important that Itama Senju for Tobirama was considered to be Hashirama's top officer.
Whatever his thoughts on the Senjus and their allies, one thing Naruto admired was the fact that they respected and actually cared for their comrades. Something which the Uchiha's lacked to some extent...
Both clans were just as worse despite what either side claimed. However, the Senjus looked after their friends and in return those friends looked after the Senjus.
''We don't trust you. Everyone knows you hate Tobirama..." spat a Senju bitterly,
"Yes, I hate him for killing my brother. But ending this conflict ensures the safety of my people and that of Hashirama's most trusted brother. Now make your choice, I am prepared" declared Naruto, as he picked up his sword and placed it just above Tobirama's head.
He saw the conflict in their eyes clearly. They didn't trust him not to kill Tobirama, which was quite justified for he didn't even trust himself not to do it. But if he was to turn this battle around and make sure his faction didn't lose all they had gained, then he had to sacrifice his personal vendetta.
It was hard and quite bitter for him, but the lives of his people mattered more than his pride.
Finally, one of the older Senjus with stark grey hair stepped forward and stared at him with a resigned look in his eyes.
"I can see in your eyes that you seek death. You have nothing left to lose, but we do. We shall retreat for now and inform Hashrama of this" proposed the older Senju calmly,
"Tell him if he wants his brother back alive then he has to relinquish any alliance with the Yamanaka or Hatake. Their lands and clans belong to the Uchiha now. Do this and he'll get his brother back alive" promised Naruto hesitantly, and clenched his fists shut to suppress his boiling rage at himself.
It was the right thing to do, but gods it was hard.
"What assurance do you give us in return?" asked the Senju patiently,
Naruto glanced at his surroundings and realized he had nothing with himself that could serve as a reassurance to the Senjus. A proof of his word...
Then he glanced at his ancestral sword, Dawn.
His breath stopped as he knew what he had to do. The sword had been a part of him for all these years, had given him victories unmatched. The history of the Uchiha was inside this sword right from Indra to Naruto himself.
A priceless heirloom...
The only gift his Father had ever given him.
Closing his eyes, he tossed the sword towards the Senjus and heartbreakingly watched as one of them caught it. He knelt down and now placed a kunai at Tobirama's throat and saw the older Senju glance at the priceless weapon.
"That sword is my life and the pride of my clan. As long as you have it, Tobirama will live" said Naruto icily,
Even the Senjus and their allies gasped in surprise at the ancient weapon. Not only was it powerful and contained the history of the elemental nations, it was also worth more than two mountains of gold. One of the few valuable things the Uchiha's still possessed from the old days.
Naruto knew he would be further reviled for giving such a priceless heirloom as leverage. But he had no choice and it was not as if people would hate him less after today. But if it secured a victory, then it was worth it.
The older Senju glanced at him before giving a reluctant nod.
"That will suffice for now. Keep him alive, Kinslayer. Or you shall face Hashirama's wrath, and let me warn you there is nothing more dangerous in this world than Hashirama's fury. It is that fury that compels us to accept this ceasefire..." warned the Senju,
"Understood" replied Naruto curtly,
He stood guard even when the Senju army turned back and started their march back home. Only when they were out of sight did Naruto finally kneel down and check on his prisoner. Tobirama looked so close to death that it would be a mercy if Naruto crushed his throat.
Not today.
With a resigned sigh, he again glanced suspiciously at his surroundings and used his sensory powers but he felt no presence other than his own and Tobirama's.
He walked ahead and picked up the common sword he had thrown aside before and made a shadow clone who placed Tobirama on his shoulders. When that was done, his eyes turned towards his final destination.
The Yamanaka settlement.
He remembered the promise he had made to that clan but they had not heeded his warning and betrayed his people.
Faint rain drops fell from the skies and soon enough it turned into a heavy downpour as if the heavens themselves wept for the carnage that was about to happen.
Itama Yamanaka bitterly watched as his precious town was now turned into a battlefield courtesy of the Uchiha and the Hatake forces. Despite the dire circumstances, the enemy army had came running back only to find Naori Uchiha protected by the Kinsguard. The Uchiha matriarch had been fast enough to escape the Castle before the Yamanaka guards could kill her, but instead of fleeing she had chosen to fight.
A fight that had been going on for quite sometime with no sign of an end.
Even though the Yamanaka had numbers on their side, the Kinsguard still managed to cut a bloody path through their forces. The only solace Itama had was the fact that Naruto Uchiha must have perished on the battlefield by now and without him this resistance wouldn't last long.
Another source of Itama's problems was the wild fox who was butchering dozens of his clansmen with laughing ease. Some of his people had been stupid enough to attack the beast and it had retaliated with thrice the force.
"My lord..."
Itama was forced to turn his attention towards the eastern side of the town where one of his guards was pointing. And what he saw froze his heart.
Naruto Uchiha stood there with a clone of his who brutally dropped an injured ninja on the ground. Itama's eyes widened on seeing it was Tobirama Senju himself...
He remembered this boy's words from that night and judging from the sheer fury in his eyes...
"STOP HIM NOW!" shouted Itama in alarm,
His personal guard moved to intercept the bloodstained boy who himself charged ahead. Itama cringed when within seconds Naruto made quick work of his enemies before marching towards Itama.
The clan head performed a quick set of hand seals but had to duck when Naruto threw his sword straight at Itama's head. By the time Itama recovered, the Kinslayer had used a shunshin to appear right in front of him.
Alarmed, Itama sent a kick towards Naruto's armored chest and when the blow connected something unexpected happened.
Naruto didn't move an inch.
He's channeling great chakra to keep his hold on the ground.
Itama cried out in agony when the Kinslayer punished him for that mistake by connecting a solid blow to Itama's knees, the disgusting sound of bones cracking and Itama's scream drawing the attention of the fighting armies nearby.
Naruto moved quickly by first breaking the Itama's remaining leg, followed by the man's arms and finally connected a solid blow to his family jewels. By the time he was done, the Yamanaka clan head was gasping and moaning in pain.
"It's time I keep my promise" whispered Naruto reluctantly,
The Yamanaka fighters tried to come to their clan head's rescue but were fiercely pushed back when Kurama got in the way.
Naruto ignored the commotion and all the eyes that were on him and instead dragged Itama through the dirty streets by his collar before arriving towards a pole hanging in the town square. Without a word, he grabbed Itama and slammed the man against the wooden pole and quickly tied ninja wire around his body to keep him chained there.
"What...are...you...doing?" gasped Itama Yamanaka in horror,
Naruto stepped away from the man and when he looked back at the blonde older man he just asked one question.
"What are my clan's words?"
Itama started to struggle against his restraints as a new kind of fear overcame his heart. His supporters were trying their best to get to him but Kurama was not in the mood for leniency. Certainly not against fools who tried to rape his mind.
There was no mercy or hesitation in Naruto's heart as he weaved through a set of hand seals and at the last second saw Itama cry out for mercy.
But it was too late.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bomb!"
Itama Yamanaka's scream tore across his entire settlement as the fierce flames washed over him. His fine blonde hair caught fire and so did the rest of his body. The man screamed and screamed, his melting eyes pleading with the boy before him to end his suffering.
Stone faced Naruto watched the man burn alive before his very eyes. He didn't need to turn back in order to see the horror and fear that was spreading across the Yamanaka forces. He felt all their emotions and he knew after this people would only fear and hate him even more.
But he had promised to burn them alive if they disobeyed his commands or betray the Uchiha and they had done just that under the command of this man.
He had to enforce his promise no matter how much it repulsed him or their enemies would never take the Uchiha seriously.
Burning a clan head like Itama of such an ancient and prestigious clan was going to send tremors across the elemental nations.
Naruto's hands threatened to tremble as the burning man's screams got louder and more painful. But he didn't look away even as he watched the flesh burn and melt from Itama's entire body. He stared back at the man blankly.
He didn't know how much time passed before Itama's screams turned into painful moans and into desperate sobs before his head finally slumped making Naruto close his eyes in relief. He could have ended the man's suffering but it wouldn't have enforced his message fully.
The lone tear that fell from his eyes being the sole proof of his own sadness and revulsion before he masked his emotions and turned to face the Yamanaka fighters with his burning sharingan eyes.
Sounds of steel crashing to the ground echoed across the ground as one after another every Yamanaka fighter threw down their weapons, horror and fear ever present in their eyes as they watched the charred form of their clan head. They would never forget his screams nor the scale of retribution the Uchiha were capable of.
Fire and Blood.
Thunder rumbled across the skies with heavy rains cleansing the bloodstained lands. The smoke and ash alongwith the souls of all the dead being taken to the afterlife.
And Naruto watched them all, every life he ended today. All of them ascending out of this painful world to something better. They had all lived and died as true warriors regardless of their allegiances, for a moment he felt the faces of his three dead brothers staring at him.
They were smiling at him, waving their hands as an invitation for him to join them.
He wanted nothing more than to join them after today, to escape from this insufferable world where he faced and committed atrocities everyday. A world where killing was as regular as drinking water.
To end this battle he had crippled a man's young brother, beaten the same man to a bloody pulp and took him hostage, and now burned another man alive.
It had ended the battle with the surrender before him the very proof of that. His clan was victorious despite all the odds and betrayal they had faced.
And yet he felt more defeated than ever.
His people and the Hatake's survived but what he did would haunt him for the rest of his life. When he looked in Kurama's eyes the fox had neither sympathy or pity in his eyes, something for which Naruto was thankful for. However, neither did the beast have any anger or repulsion in his eyes for Naruto's actions, the same could not be said for the Yamanaka or even Naruto's own clansmen and allies alike.
He started his march back towards the forests in order to be away from all these people, this town, from everything. People parted away from him as if he was the plague itself including his Kinsguard and his aunt, but he didn't blame them.
The fox wordlessly joined beside him making Naruto glance at him sadly,
"There are no victors here"