Chapter 122: Kabuto’s Fate

Chapter 122: Kabuto’s Fate

Disclaimer: Naruto and all of its characters belong to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto. I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 122: Kabuto's Fate

Kabuto didn't have much time to think about his next move. Escaping into the ground would be a bad idea. The violent shaking beneath him told him the next attack was coming from underground.

He needed to escape in a different manner. Substitution was another option, but he hadn't prepared anything beforehand. His confidence in regenerating from anything Naruto could throw at him had been absolute.

A kunai appeared in his hand, and he threw it immediately with the intention to use it as a replacement.

"Come on!" he cried.

For a moment, Kabuto felt a glimmer of hope when the kunai passed the red circle.

But that hope was quickly shattered as he watched the kunai disintegrate in an instant.

"Nooo!" he screamed.

Then he heard Naruto's voice one last time, coming from behind him.

"Flames of the Heavenly Furnace."

A blinding flash enveloped Kabuto, and then... everything went dark.

A massive column of crimson flames erupted from the ground, surrounding Naruto and rising high into the sky.

Gamabunta quickly took Tsunade away from the fire, while Orochimaru used his summon as a shield to protect himself from the intense heat.

"Naruto!" Tsunade's voice was filled with worry, but the flames obscured her view.

The fire surged higher and higher, reaching up to the clouds. It stayed like that for several seconds before dying out, having consumed all its fuel.

When the flames finally dissipated, they all stared at the scorched ground where Naruto and Kabuto had been moments ago.

Only one figure remained, standing atop a mound of black rock surrounded by a large crater. The fire had erased everything in its path.

"Kabuto..." Orochimaru muttered.

Tsunade jumped down from Gamabunta and rushed toward Naruto, calling his name.

"Better ask them," Gamabunta grumbled. "I've got other things to do." The Toad Lord did not wish to get more involved in this than necessary. Not when Orochimaru and his Snake Clan were part of it. So with that, Gamabunta vanished in a puff of smoke, but not before reminding Naruto about his promise.

"I've gotta say..." Naruto jumped out of the crater. "That toad's a bit too obsessed with alcohol."

"Aren't you going to ask us about the men chasing us?" Shizune asked.

"No."

"Huh? Seriously?! We went through a lot of trouble, you know!" Shizune cried in disbelief. This was his own mess.

"We should get going. The trip back to Konoha is a long one. You'll have plenty of time to share stories," Naruto said as he began to walk away.

"Hold on, who said I'm going back there?" Tsunade huffed.

"Are you going to break your word too? That might be the last good thing you have," Naruto shot back without holding anything back.

"Naruto! Don't talk to her like that. And she's got plenty of good things left..." Jiraiya said, his gaze lingering on her chest.

After smacking the pervert on the head, Tsunade approached Naruto with a frown.

"I didn't say I was breaking my word. But you shouldn't make assumptions. And you should speak to your Hokage with more respect."

"You're not my Hokage, though," Naruto pointed out.

"Lady Tsunade, are you going to take the offer, then?" Shizune asked, her voice filled with hope. She would love nothing more than to stop running around the country, visiting every gambling house.

"We'll see... I need to talk with the elders first." Tsunade had a mischievous glint in her eyes that Shizune recognized immediately.

"Oh no, what are you going to ask for?" Shizune said with dread.

"Nothing! I just want to see how much they want me there... hehe."

Jiraiya walked up to Naruto's side.

"So... what actually happened with Orochimaru and Kabuto?"

"Let's see..." Naruto began to recount the events as they walked.

"Hold on, can't we stop in the city for a few hours at least?" Shizune pleaded. "I want a bath!" She was covered in grime.

"If we go back to the city looking like this... we'll get arrested," Tsunade pointed out. They were all covered in blood.

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