Chapter Twenty-Seven: ambush team strikes

While the three Jinchuriki were training, a protective barrier was raised to keep Obito from sensing their presence. Guards were placed to keep them safe and to keep them within the barrier. Meanwhile, the allied forces gathered together as their numbers totaled eighty thousand shinobi. They were all separated into several different division which all reported to the Regimental Commander Shikamaru Nara. The first division which consisted of mid-range fighters was led by Darui, the second division which consisted of close range fighters was led by Kitsuchi, the third division which consisted of both mid-range and close range fighters led by Kakashi Hatake, the fourth division which consisted of long range fighters was led by Itachi Uchiha, and finally the fifth division which was created for the purpose of special operations and the ninja with unique skills was led by Mifune. They also had a logistical support and medical division which was led by Shizune, a surprise attack division which was led by Kankuro, a sensor division which was led by Ao, and intelligence division which was led by Inoichi Yamanaka. The overall supreme leader of the Allied Shinobi forces was the Raikage.

Nagato told them that the Akatsuki forces maybe low in actual members but there forces easily totaled over one hundred thousand thanks to being known as Zetzu. They were also planning to use the Edo Tensei Justu to resurrect the dead which would be under their control.  Zetzu was a plant-like creature which was created using the first hokage's cells, but it looked human and not a Komainu demon.  Knowing that the Akatsuki hideout was located within the Mountain's Graveyard as this require their army to move through both the Land of Frost and the Land of Hot Water.  An evacuation notice was sent out to both countries as they were told to evacuate south into the Land of Fire.  The first division was stationed in the northern part of the Land of Lightning in order to prevent the Akatsuki from using the small gulf to infiltrate the area from the Mountain's Graveyard.  The second division would be on the border of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Frost sealing a northerly path into the Land of Lightning.  The third division would advance fast through the middle of the Land of Hot Water.  The fourth division was placed on the border of the Land of Lightning and the Land of Frost sealing off the southerly path into the Land of Lightning.  The fifth division was aligned in a large arc from the north part of the Land of Frost, through the middle the border between the Land of Frost and the Land of Lightning, all the way to the south were the first division was stationed.  The fifth division was to aid any of the divisions that needed immediate response as they finished sealing off the Land of Frost and the Land of Lightning's border. 

With their forces in place, the surprise attack division moved into the Land of Hot Water to ambush the Akatsuki.  However the Akatsuki had done the same by sending in their own surprise attack and diversion squad with the reincarnated Deidara and Sasori leading the charge.  The two forces are instantly drawn into a conflict as Deidara uses his bombs to kill off as many shinobi possible.  Sasori used Muta Aburame as human puppet while Deidara put his clay into the Aburame's bug jar.  Sensing this the Shinobi forces retreat as Deidara blows up Muta Aburame.  Kankuro knowing that they are up against a puppet master confronts Deidara and Sasori whom used his chakra threads to control the shinobi forces.  Omoni cuts Sasori's threads that he was using to control the shinobi forces allowing Kankuro to connect his chakra thread Sasori's yanking the puppet master down.  Commanding Ittan who used his Earth Element Tectonic Core to raise up the earth keeping the Akatsuki off balance.  Kankuro was praised by a man he used to admire growing up for stepping up his abilities which causes the sand puppet master to  bring out Sasori's original puppet body.  

"It seems so pointy suddenly seeing my old puppet body.  For I now have the body that I always desired.  One that will never rot nor decay.  I have truly become a puppet in every sense of the word." stated Sasori.  But Kankuro wasn't buying it.

Kankuro commands Ittan to protect the healer and wounded by surrounding them with rocks while someone from the Hyuga clan alerts Root Anbu named Sai that the body of his brother has clay within his stomach.  Which can only be deactivated by lightning elemental techniques.  The two puppet masters go at it Deidara attempts to blow up the puppet that was Sai's brother.  However Kankuro was ready for this as he uses his Black Secret Techique Sanshouou which raises up from the ground protecting everyone from the blast.

"Damn he hid a defense puppet underground and used it to smother the bomb.  What a same as he really dampened the blast." states Deidara as Sasori recognized Sanshouou as one of the puppets that he had made a long time ago.  Sai whom is pissed to see his brother used in such away takes out a scroll along with brush and ink.  Deidara doesn't recognize Sai as an artist as he feels that art is something that explodes like Sai was about to.  Sai glares up at the mad bomber.

"Go ahead and try it!" Sai growls as he uses his ink to create a bird to ride on and two fighting djinn to smash Sasori and Deidara into Kankuro's awaiting puppets.

When Deidara tries to use his suicide bomb that is on his chest, he is stopped by a sword channeled with lightning which pierces his chest.

"Nice one Omoi as I will keep these two bound with my puppet technique.  Let's do something about Sai's brother." stated Kankuro.

"There's no need.  I guess finally seeing your completed drawing has freed my soul from it's binds.  So thank you Sai!" he replied before collapsing to dust.

"Sasori......  Your strength came because of your soul, not in spite of it.  You tried to erase it to become a puppet but, you couldn't change completely.  I know this because you put your heart and soul into these puppets that you created.  That's the part of them that never rots or decays.  I also got your original body.  But now you have fallen, sank to the level of the puppets you used to control.  You were supposed to be a top class ninja puppeteer.  Not a worthless nobody who lets someone else pull the strings." states Kankuro.  Sasori is speechless at what the young puppet master says.   "My spirit as puppeteer ninja is strong enough to beat you and whatever you attack me with by controlling the puppet Sasori that you created, the real you.  Its your techniques and creations that will last forever.  Through performances of those who inherit them and the soul you put into them." 

"Perhaps that is how I always wanted my art to be looked at, Kankuro......  I want you to have the mother and father puppets as well.  When you die......  pass them on both to the next generation." states Sasori as he crumples into dust.  With the Akatsuki ambush squad defeated by the shinobi forces and Deidara captured and sealed off within one of Kankuro's puppets, the ambush shinobi forces move out to continue on with their mission.