“Hold everyone!” shouted Shikamaru.

Everyone stopped in front of a river with calm currents. The team was reduced to four since Choji stayed behind to fight Jugo.

“What’s wrong Shikamaru?” asked Kiba.

“We stopped here for a rest.” panted Shikamaru.

“WHAT?” shouted Naruto, “How can we relax while Sakura is in danger?”

Shikamaru calmed Naruto by gently placing his hand on Naruto’s shoulders. “Calm down Naruto! Remember, we are not pursuing the target but we’re locating them. Furthermore, I believe that Sasuke is using Sakura as bait so he can kill you once and for all.”

“Then why didn’t you say earlier?” demanded Kiba after he and Akamaru refreshed themselves with water.

Shikamaru shrugged. “I just thought of that possibility. It seems logical. I mean, Sasuke could have killed her in front of Naruto to make him feel regret.”

“So what are you suggesting we do when we find them?” asked Naruto.

“While one of us distracts him, we will rescue Sakura; take her to a safer place and finish of Sasuke.” said Shikamaru.

“Now that what I called a plan!” said Naruto with a grin.

Neji who was washing his face at the edge of the river suddenly looked tense and shouted, “Everyone, get away from the river!”

They were barely 2 metres away from the river when it exploded causing the water to shoot out like a rocket. When everything calmed down, there was a figure standing on the surface of the river. He has long, silver hair with sharp teeth decorating his mouth. On his back was a zanboto tied to his back.

With a grin, he said, “I didn’t know I was discovered that easily! You must have some X-ray vision!”

Ignoring this jibe, Shikamaru demanded, “Are you another henchman of Sasuke?”

The man’s grin grew wider, “Number one; I’m under Lord Sasuke! Number two; I’m not his henchman but partner!” He swung his weapon in front of him. “The name is Suigetsu, former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, the late Lord Orochimaru’s experimental subject and right-hand man of Lord Sasuke at your service!” He said that with a mocking bow.

“What do you want?” roared Naruto.

Suigetsu sneered. “Lord Sasuke ordered me to cut down anyone who gets in his way and I’ll do that gladly!” So saying, he lifted his blade in fighting position.

“Right!” cried Kiba, “here we go! Wolf-Fang-Over-Fang!”

“Rasengan!” yelled two Narutos.

He and Akamaru swirled rapidly towards Suigetsu while the two Narutos acted as back-up. But when they met their target, they just ran through Suigetsu and they ended up in a pile.

“Ouch!” said Kiba while Akamaru gave a whine.

“What the heck?” cursed Naruto as his doppelganger disappeared.

Suigetsu laughed loudly. “My apology! I’m made out of water! I’m invincible!”
     
“Well try this!” said Neji as he rushed to his opponent. “Gentle Fist!”

Unlike Kiba’s or Naruto’s assaults, Neji’s attack not only met its target but also knocked Suigetsu on the other side of the river. Suigetsu got back to fighting position as he hit the ground. Shikamaru, Naruto and Kiba went to Neji’s side on the river.

“I think that I should handle this Guy.” said Neji.  

Everyone looked at him. “But...” began Kiba.

“I believe my gentle fist can hit him while he is in water form and besides”, Neji looked at Naruto; “You better hurry. Sasuke may try to wrap Sakura in his darkness like Orochimaru wrapped Sasuke in his.”

Naruto nodded solemnly. “You’re right! Just finish that guy and follow our trail, genius!”

Neji smiled. “I will!”

“Right!” declared Shikamaru, “We’re gone!”

With that, all three ninjas disappeared leaving Neji with Suigetsu.

“Well bring it on!” Suigetsu said swinging his giant blade dangerously. “I will cut every limb off your body before I start with the head!”

Suigetsu launched forward, bringing his blade down on Neji.

“Rotation!” cried Neji and a sphere of chakra deflected the blade causing Suigetsu to retreat back.

“Damn!” cursed Suigetsu then he made hand movements, “Art of the Dragon Missile!”

The water from the river was created into a form of a dragon and it charged at Neji. Neji quickly dodged the attack but in doing so, it gave Suigetsu a chance to strike. Before Suigetsu could bring his blade to slice, Neji avoided the blow but his chest was deeply cut. Neji backed away from Suigetsu, panting heavily and clutching his chest.

“Well!” Suigetsu said with a grin, “I’ll finish you off and go after the other flies!”

Suigetsu jumped at brought down his blade to kill Neji. Neji, instead of using rotation, he nimbly dodged the attack. Thus the blade was buried deeply in the ground and Suigetsu was struggling to retrieve the blade.

“I know that your blade was so heavy that it seems unlikely someone like you can wield it that easily.” panted Neji, “That’s why I dodged instead of blocking it with my Rotation. And one more thing; game over! Gentle Fist Style: 8 Trigrams 64 Palms!”

“Shit!” Suigetsu cried in panic.

“2 Palms!” shouted Neji as his palms hit Suigetsu with tabs. “4 Palms! 8 Palms! 16 Palms! 32 Palms! 64 Palms!”   

The last hit caused Suigetsu to crash on tree with his blade in his hand. Suigetsu was breathing heavily and he was clutching his chest. Neji looked down at him.

“I’ve disrupted your Keirakukei so you’re unable to use any chakra. Since you use that Ninjutsu which require a lot of chakra, you’re going to die since you have no more chakra in you.”

Suigetsu smile weakly. “It’s true that I’m going to die due to lack of chakra, but that doesn’t mean I die in vain!” With his last strength, he threw his sword at Neji who was unprepared. Before Neji could move, the giant blade stuck in Neji’s stomach. Even though Neji managed to pull it out, there was a big hole in his stomach.

“For my Lord Sasuke!” cried Suigetsu before he fell face-down on the ground and entered death.
Neji fall on his knees. Looking at his dead opponent, he gave a satisfied look and said, “Good Luck, my comrades!” And he slumped on the ground, his fate still undecided.