A Mother's Love

32. True Strength

He had not been in Konoha on that terrible night when the Kyuubi attacked. He'd been doing a little research in a remote spa in Grass country. The first he'd heard that the Kyuubi was threatening his home was on October eleventh. He'd raced back to Konoha in just a day and a half. Just in time to attend Minato's funeral service.

He'd heard many of the survivors talk about the raw power of the Kyuubi and how hopeless it had seemed to face it. Now looking at the Shukaku joyfully flattening entire blocks with a single paw he had a real understanding of what Minato and the others had faced that day. This was even worse than the Kyuubi's attack had been. Hundreds of brave ninja had died that night but the Yondaime's heroic sacrifice had stopped the Kyuubi short of the village. Standing on a roof top he could see and hear the mass of civilians running through the streets. There was an evacuation plan in place but the people were in an utter panic. He doubted if one in ten among them knew where they were headed. They just knew survival required they get away from that. And as the civilians ran brave leaf ninjas were trying to fight it. They had to know it was hopeless. That their stand was nothing more than suicide. Yet they were determined to sell their lives to try and give the people of Konoha at least a chance to get away.

He leapt forward toward the battle zone. He'd noted that none of the Sand ninja had put in an appearance yet. Why should they? He thought bitterly. They probably plan to let the Shukaku flatten everything and then pick through the rubble. He landed in an empty street near where the fighting was taking place.

"Lord Jiraiya!" A ninja with a scarred face landed beside him.

It took him a second to recognize him. "Is that you Ibiki?

"Yes sir! Have you come to help?"

"I've come to take over. Pull everyone back; I'll handle things from here."

"But Lord Jiraiya how can you stand alone against that?"

He smiled. "Because I am Jiraiya the legendary Toad Sage and Sannin! Now pull them back and thank the heavens I'm here!" Ibiki nodded and disappeared. In swift order the leaf ninja began to retreat past him. He smiled up at the monster as he bit down on his thumb. Sorry you Suna bastards but it's not gonna be that easy! Even if I have to die I'm stopping you! He flashed through the hand signs and slammed him hand down on the street. "Summoning Technique." With a massive puff of smoke he found himself riding atop Gamabunta's head.

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His radio came to life with Hinata's panicked voice. "Naruto-kun! Four ninjas about to ambush us!"

Naruto stopped on a roof and held up a fist bringing his new team to a halt on the same roof top. He was about to ask Hinata where the enemy were when they attacked. The enemy obviously thought Naruto and his team were simply a bunch of kids running about in a panic. Their first clue that wasn't the case was when one of them died with a kunai through his throat. Another came straight at Naruto with a pair of kunai. Naruto performed some of the steps for the dance of the Lilies and drove his sword through his chest. The other two were quickly caught by Shikamaru's shadow.

"Great job team!" He walked over to the two prisoners. "We're going to the ninja academy can you tell us anything about your plans for it?" Both ninjas said they didn't know. He didn't think they were lying. But just to make sure. "Hinata-chan?"

"Their heartbeats didn't change Naruto-kun. They are telling the truth."

"Hinata–chan we're within two miles of the academy can you take a look?"

She nodded and did just that. What she found was very bad. "Naruto-kun the academy is surrounded by about forty enemy ninjas! And… there are dead bodies in the courtyard, a couple teachers but mostly students."