Naruto: Mind over matter

Pov: Riku

The two Akatsuki stop in front of me and I open my now dark eyes...

"Finally got you in one place... I was going to lure you my way but our member had a greater idea, and it seems to have shown its worth... Hidan lets get this over with" Kakuzu gloats and Hidan cackles.

"A man who wont go down!? Jashin-Sama will love this sacrifice!"

"Any comments before I fight for my life? Any more gloating or I told you so's? How about some fucking manners? Who knows... if you are polite I may bury you somewhere nice" I reply as monotone and coldly as my body allows.

"I cant die fuckhead! Or did you forget clinging to my head?" Hidan spits at the ground next to him.

"Never been buried alive?" No humour my tone cold and I spit the words out as if I am thinking of something else somewhere far away...

"Enough talk, I have a bounty waiting for me in Iwa" Kakuzu interupts.

So we aren't in Iwa... but close maybe? Haaa- I guess we are fighting now.

Hidan suddenly launches at me and I charge into combat with him- Edge does not transform and my Odachi hits his scythe before sliding down into his hands, he jumps back and Jaunt jumps over me in werewolf form and starts slashing at his scythe and scythe alone- *clang* *slam* a constant annoyance to hidan I have Anchor fire at him and he gets hit in the shoulder- *Bzzzt* *Bam!* the lightning mask erupts form Kakuzu and immediately fires a blast at me- *fwoom* Anchor shunts into me and we both dodge out of the way.

*crackle* *splash!*

Two more masks pop out of his back and I have Anchor and Jaunt focus down Hidan while I rush at the lightning mask- [Launching Point]! I burst into its face and slam down my Odachi into is face- *crack* the mask cracks and I [Body Shunt] backwards then [Pressure Point] I use the point to open that crack in the mask more.

*crackle*

The flames nearly burn my torso but I [Body Shunt] out of the way- *slam* but Kakuzu was waiting and slams his fist into my gut, I get pushed back a few feet and Kakuzu goes to strike again- *slam!* but Ezra catches his hand and I retaliate with a headbutt! [Destroyer Force]! He gets sent flying thirty feet away and all four of my arms point to the Lightning mask and [Pressure Point] the four points apply incredible pressure and the mask breaks- *Crack* and shatter to the ground.

The wirery mess that was held by the mask starts to deform and Kakuzu collects the wires back, the wind mask replaces the Lightning one and I stand before the four enemies and turn Edge into a large metallic club the size of a great sword, my two arms hold it high-ready to swing.

Jaunt and Anchor have been harassing the immortal by constantly attacking his attacks, Jaunt slams down at any punch or swing and Anchor always wraps his chains around the scythe and dragging it around- *clunk!* Jaunt slams into Hidans wrist and Anchor takes this opportunity to pull his chains back- claiming the scythe as his before- *Snap!* *Crumble* the scythe is broken into pieces on the wooden barbarians knee.

"You fucking bitch! You know how much I have to harass Kakuzu about getting another one of those!?"

Hidan punches jaunt in the gut and then swings at the werewolf's head, the immortal shows surprising strength as he ends his combo with a swift kick to Jaunts thigh- *Slam!* the werewolf bends down low enough to receive a full frontal punch and get sent toppling over.

Hidan rushes Anchor.

I [Launching Point] at Kakuzu and bypass his masks for three seconds which gives me enough time to do my beat down.

One second! Ezra [Unseen Push]'s twice at Kakuzu and he stands his ground before I swing my club across his face- *crunch*

Two seconds! Kakuzu retaliates by kicking me in the shin and then jumping up to slam his fists into my skull- *slam* Edge turns into a shield and blocks the blow.

Three seconds! Ezra grips Kakazu's chest now that he is close and I turn edge into a giant gauntlet, gripping its handle-*SLAM!*
[DESTROYER FORCE]! I send him flying and I turn in time to [Body Shunt]! Out of the way with Emrys as the wind and fire masks attempt to combo burn me- *ssst!* my left arm sizzles as its caught in the blast.

Hidan pushes Anchor and raises his knee- *crack* slamming it into the stumbling Anchor before- *Slam* bringing and dragging Anchors face down into his knee again with his hands.

Jaunt launches at Hidan and slashes at Hidans back-*Slash* his claws marking the immortals torso.

I [Launching Point] at the wind mask and slam my four hands into its face and wires- *Slam* I use [Chain Control] unorthodoxly and make its wires spasm in time for Ezra to punch the mask as many times as possible.

One- *Slam* two- *Bam* three- *pow* four- *WHABAM!* [DESTROYER FORCE]! The mask breaks and water blasts me off the unmasked creature- *Crash!* I crash into the floor and start to levitate mitigating a lot of damage...

I raise into the air and turn edge from a gauntlet into a flail, the chain swings as Kakuzu enters melee again and it hits him three times in the face, torso and wrist before he jumps and tackles me to the ground- *Crash*

"Unlucky for to be so mortal- despite your mentality" Kakuzu mutters and I see why.

I blaze of fire bursts from behind him and we get caught in the crossfire- *Crackle* *fwoom* the fire sears my chest and violently burns my arms.

I [Launching Point] out of his grasp and land twenty feet back, Kakuzu cracks his neck as he chucks a kunai... backwards? I look down and he has cut my wrist, fuck that hurts, everything hurts.

Hidan grabs Jaunt by the head and flips over him, twisting and- *Snap* snapping the head off before throwing the head at Anchor, he doesn't turn but catches the kunai and licks it... he steps back as the two masks rush the headless Jaunt and Anchor.

Kakuzu keeps pressuring me with taijutsu and we both get stuck in a ten second combo of punches, kicks and hits.

I swing my Edge in the form of a flail and- *Wham* [Destroyer Force]! He gets sent flying backwards I look over and Jaunt is on top of the Fire Mask burning away- but not before slashing violently at the mask with his sharp claws delivering a volley of blows that demolish the mask.

Anchor has Launched his chain blade and with [Chain Control] he snaps his chains around the creature and ties it up before releasing two [Pressure Point]s and then a [Great Crush] before retracting his chain blades and using up the last of his chakra by creating a temporary pressure field with [Dominion Aura] causing the mask to crumble to the ground... I de summon Anchor and Jaunt, they have been beyond helpful.

I walk towards Kakuzu who is standing beside Hidan... he smothers the snow with his blood and creates a pentagram of blood... his skin starts to turn black with skeletal white markings... this doesn't look good, I [Launching Point] at him but Kakuzu catches me and throws me back a few feet, I get up and- *shccck!* Hidan stabs his heart with his own Kunai... I feel blood run down my chest and my lung fill with blood.

*cough* blood starts to run down my lips.

"And the game is over so soon... pity, I wanted to hurt you more..." Kakuzu mumbles and Hidan cackles wildly.

"Hahahah- you stupid bitch! Show some passion! Any amount of pain! Give Jashin your screams!" Hidan declares loudly.

The blood flows but I continue forward, taking step by step... pretending to be weak, pretending that I cant control my own body like a puppet... stumble into Kakuzu's lazy palm as he rests it on my forehead.

"Not dead after that? Go again Hidan"

Hidan complies and stabs himself ten times in the torso... I drop Edge to the floor and my face 'crumbles'... I fall and faceplant into the snow.

"Ah funs over so soon!??!? I was told you would keep standing! Fucking lying rumours! Always ruining my fun"

Hidan steps out of his circle and kicks my corpse... yes my corpse... I have twenty minutes before true death... and I am far away from anyone...

But I can take these two down with me.

Ezra catches Hidans foot and pulls making him topple, my body cracks and twists inhumanly but my face shows no emotion as I flip and twist my torso on top of Hidan, my bones held together by pure spite they crack and bend the wrong way, holding Hidan Down as he struggles under my grasp- he could of freed himself with his strength... if he was fighting me alive, now I am facing him with pure willpower and he cannot move, I coldly stare him down as Kakuzu rushes in.

He doesn't realize that Edge has turned into the condensed baseball bat and-

*FWAAHH* *BOOOOOOOM!*

[DESTROYER FORCE]!!!!!!!!!!!

Uses up every hint of chakra into the bats tip and upper cut Kakuzu into the sky above... I stare down Hidan as he struggles and swears and spits but I don't move and he starts to sweat.

*splat*

Kakuzu falls behind him and I slowly raise my head to the flattened mess of wires and flesh... he tries to piece himself together but I have other plans.

[Dominion Aura]!

I look back down to Hidan as he swears even more, sweat dripping down his face and Kakuzu cannot repair himself... Kakuzu eventually stops moving and telekinetic sight confirms his death.

All my Kunai flow from my pouch and I coldly stare down Hidan- unmoving, unfeeling.

The kunai start to saw off his arms, his fingers, his toes and even his tongue, I move his body parts with my chakra and I send them flying into multiple directions and I stand up- *crack* *twist* *snap*

My body fixes back into place and I pick up the head of Hidan.

"Fuck! You really are inhuman aren't you! How the hell are yous still walking you freak!?" He spits in my face and I use [Projectile Return] to send all his spit flying back into himself.

"I have sent my minds into your corpse parts... they will fly and fly until they find a hole... a sea... a beasts dinner... a mountain... a storm, whatever that may be and they will keep you there... separated"

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Jashin help me!"

"Ts ts ts... the only higher power here... is me" I pry his eyes from his skull as he screams and I crush them before throwing the head as far as possible using [Destroyers Force]!

He flies off into the distance and my chakra depletes... my sage mode leaves and I stand there in the wind facing the sky as snow forms around me.

*clap* *clap* *clap*

"I came back to help my Akatsuki members find Iwa... but to see this mess? I am impressed... consider yourself someone strong, for I Madara Uchiha see your worth" Tobi.. or Madara declares behind me... I stare into the sky still, I do not have the power to move my own body... just enough to occupy my head... to see the sky...

"If only you were agreeable to our cause... such a shame- nevertheless I suppose I must tell Pein about my employees current status..." this Madara mutters to himself before warping away... Kamui? Kamui. That's what Kakashi called it... but a more close ranged version? Haaa- a mystery for the living...

Did I do enough to get my afterlife? No... I barely completed my favours...

Eiko... my wolf... I'm sorry but this rabbit has to run...

---

Pov: Tsunade Senju

I pour chakra into Sasuke and the operation is complete... lucky that Jiraiya managed to scavenge that seal key... else Sasuke may have died today... I look over to the waiting room and see a toad with another scroll... I walk out and grab it before reading.

'Oorochimaru is sealed and we are returning, I have my toads letting all teams know and Naruto may need treatment when coming back with Yamato and Kakashi... I am heading back to the base I was sent to- Riku was kidnapped by a teleporting enemy... he could also phase through the floor and wore a bright orange spiral mask with only one eye opening- he was Akatsuki'

Riku was kidnapped? Damnit, save one brat and another goes and gets- Haaa- lets go to my office and start sending pending missions for Riku's location... I will make sure to spend some Anbu on this... and Team Kurenai on tracking...

I make my way down the halls and out of the hospital, I am drained of energy and Sasuke is not waking anytime soon- I head straight for my office and as I head for the building a Hyuga runs up to me... Eiko wasn't it? I believe this was Riku's fiancé, she looks worn out and breathing heavy, I look around for a bench and I place her on one before pouring chakra into her.

She pushes the object she was carrying into my arms before taking a breath.

"Javelin is saying that he cant feel Riku anymore! Please tell me he is just testing something *sniff* please tell me he isn't on any mission!" The girl screams and tears up.

I look to the wooden bird and demand an elaboration.

"Elaborate"

"My split selves can always feel the main conscious... we can no longer feel it. It is gone somewhere near the land of Iron..."

"I will message Jiraiya and let him know, Javelin how long can you and Ace last without a recharge?"

"I can last another month... without any major use... Ace can probably last a year or more without use"

"Good, make sure you and Ace are secure and within Riku's house... maybe take care of it while we find him"

"Affirmative"

I look over to the now crying girl before sitting next to her and shoulder hugging her, I let out a sigh and speak.

"We will do what we must to get Riku back okay? He disappeared over in Iron and we will have our greatest spy master hunting him down.... he isn't someone to lose"

"I know... *sniff* but this- *hic* this hasn't happened before!"

"Its fine we will-" the wooden bird interrupts me and speaks.

"Received last set of memories... sending last words; 'Eiko... my wolf... I'm sorry but this rabbit has to run...'- end of last recorded words... Riku has plans for when he dies and a last will and words to the living, ask me and I will gather them for you"

...

What..?

No, no, no.

He is dead? Last set of memories?

"What where the memories!? Is he alive?" I demand and the girl next to me huddles over and silently screams while crying.

"The copy Luke protocol has been activated within our split selves... our main self has died; we could not salvage any more memories apart from his last words and staring at the sky"

No, no, no...

I look to the girl and hug her tighter... no, no, no... not like that, not like this- Riku is supposed to have luck he is supposed... Luke had an off day... why couldn't Riku...

Shit.

I pick up the girl and roof hop her to the Hyuga compound... the guards guide me to her house and I drop her off with her parents that immediately drop everything and worry over the girl... the bird went to Riku's house or maybe went to get Ace and bring him there...

I slam my office door open startling Shizune.

"L-Lady Tsunade!?" I ignore her and go to my desk, I pull out a scroll and start writing a message to divert Jiraiya to the land of Iron... I make another one to send Sakura, Anko, Sai, Wakana and Asuma that way as well, I get my best messenger birds to fly them to the relevant people and I rest on my chair gritting my teeth and balling my fists.

"Lady Tsunade..?" Shizune asks carefully and I pull out some of my hidden sake.

"Lady Tsunade! No drinking during-"

"Riku is dead" I interrupt her and she goes quiet before bowing and giving me a small hug.

"I will be outside diverting visitors Lady Tsunade" she mutters and leaves before bowing one last time.

I drink.

---

-one day later-

Pov: Jiraiya the toad sage.

I am scouting out the area and turning over every rock and watching every insect move within this small forest, I haven't even done any research as of late!

I turn to my left where a messenger bird has landed, I approach and take the message.

'Javelin the wooden split self of Riku declared that his main self died, somewhere in the land of Iron. This was a targeted attack... meet a few of the Konoha ninjas at the border town and investigate further... try places without rubble and great plains, the enemy knew what they were doing'

Shit. Naruto is not going to like this... damnit- he was under my watch and I let that masked idiot slip right by me... if only I knew he could teleport away...

I sigh and make my way slowly towards the border town near Iron... its going to take a while before any Konoha ninja gets there and I need to stay vigilant and without rush, whoever that masked fool was is powerful... and patient.

I walk along the path and a day goes by- I reach the town and I head for an inn to sleep at.

I wake up the next morning refreshed and I get up to change into my full ninja attire... I perch a toad at the entrance to the town and I head inside to talk and find my agents here... it was Lavender wood brothel right? And the agents name was... Fuku?

I spend the rest of the day gathering intel and eventually my toad signals me, I step out of the brothel and into the streets where I walk down and arrive to see Anko, Sakura, Asuma and Riku's two team mates.

"Yo! Lets get going, I have a few leads and I am certain that the fight happened in the north eastern parts of Iron country"

They nod there heads and we take off out of the town and through into the snowy plains and rocky hills.

We sleep in caves with fire to warm us... we eat what we can hunt and it takes two days for us to find the general location... another one for Sakura to shout.

"Oh! Riku!? No...!" She yelps and we all gather around her to see she has wiped the snow covering Riku... his icy expressionless face is blue and frozen in place as he gazes above...

"So its true" Anko bites her lip and balls her fists hard..  hard enough to make them as white as the snow.

"Riku...." Sakura holds her hands to her mouth in shock.

"Sleepy...senpai? Wait... but, but... I never- I never got to show you my dancing..." Wakana's face falls and she crouches down, laying her face into her folded arms.

"Oh... I'm so sorry" Asuma places his hand on Anko's shoulder and gives his condolences.

"Sleepy... Riku... you were a good friend and great team mate... the grandmaster wizard of knowledge, juggling, haggling,  Sake, Backflips and hundred meter sprints will always be remembered... you helped me a lot, Riku" Sai kneels in the snow and bows deeply towards Riku.

"I never knew you well kid... but Naruto talked about you like a brother... like a good friend and that's enough for me to be saddened by your death, I failed to keep you safe and I will make sure the people responsible will get there dues" I offer my words of apology and after everyone has had there moment I take out a scroll and seal Riku's frozen corpse.

We head back for Konoha.

---

Thanks for reading.... :)