Stadium was a slaughterhouse.
While Third Hokage battled Orochimaru on roof above arena floor below was a chaotic melee. Sound and Sand ninjas flooded in from every entrance clashing with Konoha defenders.
Uehara Naraku moved through carnage like a phantom.
His purple raincoat fluttered as he weaved between kunai and shuriken. He didn't use hand signs. He didn't waste movement. He simply threw cards.
Swish. Swish. Swish.
Blue Card restored his mana.
Red Card exploded groups of enemies.
Gold Card stunned elite Jonin leaving them vulnerable to counterattacks.
"Die Rain brat!"
A Sand Chunin lunged at him from behind swinging a massive war fan.
Uehara didn't look back. Scrying Orb gave him 360 degree vision.
"Protect."
Invisible barrier flared absorbing impact.
"Too weak."
Uehara spun around Void Staff humming in his inventory. He placed his palm on Sand ninja's chest.
"Wild Cards."
Three spectral cards point blank range. Magic penetration ignored enemy's flak jacket completely. Cards sliced through torso like hot knife through butter.
[Enemy Killed. Reward: 80 Gold.]
"80 Gold" Uehara checked his balance. "Inflation is hitting hard. These guys are barely worth effort."
"Uehara!"
Might Guy landed next to him sending two Sound ninjas flying with a dynamic kick.
"Youthful performance!" Guy shouted giving a thumbs up. "I see you are fighting for Konoha! Lee was right about you!"
"I am fighting for my wallet" Uehara corrected grabbing a pouch from fallen enemy. "But sure let's call it Konoha."
Kakashi appeared on his other side Raikiri fading from his hand.
"Naruto Sakura and Shikamaru went after Sasuke" Kakashi reported breathing heavily. "They are chasing Gaara. I need you to follow them."
"Me?" Uehara raised an eyebrow. "I am not a leaf ninja Kakashi san. Why should I help your students?"
"Because Gaara is unstable" Kakashi said serious eye locking onto Uehara. "If he fully transforms Naruto and Sasuke will die. You are only one here with firepower to stop a Tailed Beast besides me or Guy. And we are stuck defending civilians."
"Tailed Beast..." Uehara licked his lips.
Boss monster. High loot drop. Massive XP.
"Fine" Uehara agreed. "I will go. But you owe me. Big time."
"Just go!"
Uehara activated Sorcerer's Shoes.
Whoosh.
He launched himself over stadium wall disappearing into forest.
Tree branches blurred past him. He moved faster than standard Chunin speed boosted by items and Warrior's Blood passive.
"System locate Naruto."
Red marker appeared on his HUD about three kilometers ahead. They were moving fast but stopped abruptly.
"Stopped?" Uehara frowned. "Ambush?"
He pushed more chakra into his legs.
Deep in forest Shikamaru Nara stood alone on a thick branch.
Naruto Sakura and Pakkun (pug summon) had gone ahead. Shikamaru stayed behind to act as a decoy.
Below him eight Sound Chunin stood on ground looking up with murderous intent.
"Just one kid?" Sound leader sneered. "Konoha is desperate."
"What a drag" Shikamaru sighed forming a rat seal. "I just wanted to watch clouds today. Now I have to play hero."
He cast Shadow Possession Jutsu. His shadow stretched out trapping seven of eight enemies.
"Caught you."
"Fool" eighth ninja smirked. He had stayed out of range. "You missed one."
Eighth ninja charged kunai drawn ready to slit Shikamaru's throat.
Shikamaru was immobilized by his own jutsu. He couldn't dodge.
"Asuma sensei..." Shikamaru closed his eyes. "Looks like this is it."
Zop.
A flash of yellow light.
Shikamaru waited for pain. It didn't come.
He opened his eyes.
Standing in front of him was a figure in a purple raincoat holding a glowing golden card.
"Need a hand pineapple head?" Uehara asked pleasantly.
"Uehara?" Shikamaru gasped. "How..."
"Hello boys" Uehara looked at attacking ninja. "Freeze."
He threw Gold Card.
DING.
Ninja froze mid air inches from Uehara's face.
"Now" Uehara turned to Shikamaru. "Hold them still for another five seconds. Can you do that?"
"Yeah..." Shikamaru gritted teeth sweat pouring down his face. "But make it quick. My chakra is running out."
"Five seconds is plenty."
Uehara turned to group of Sound ninjas below.
"You guys are grouped up nicely. It makes my job so much easier."
He raised his hand high. Rylai's Crystal Scepter and Void Staff activated simultaneously.
"Trueshot Barrage."
Golden crescent of magical energy formed. It was massive humming with destructive power.
"Fire!"
Wave swept down from branch. It engulfed frozen ninja first vaporizing him instantly. Then it crashed into group of seven trapped in shadows.
They couldn't move. They couldn't dodge.
BOOM!
Forest shook. A trench was carved into earth. Smoke rose from crater.
[Multi Kill!]
[Enemy Killed x8.]
[Reward: 640 Gold Coins.]
"Jackpot" Uehara grinned.
Shikamaru released his jutsu collapsing onto branch. He stared at destruction below.
"That power..." Shikamaru swallowed hard. "You wiped out a squad of Chunin in one hit. Just who are you?"
"I am a traveling merchant" Uehara offered Shikamaru a hand. "I trade death for gold. Are you okay?"
"I am alive" Shikamaru took hand standing up shakily. "Thanks. I owe you one."
"You owe me 640 Gold" Uehara joked. "But I will put it on your tab. Go back to village Shikamaru. It is getting dangerous ahead."
"What about Naruto?"
"I am going to him" Uehara looked North where chakra pressure was rising. "Gaara is waking up. And I have a playdate with a raccoon."
"Be careful" Shikamaru warned. "Gaara is... not human."
"Neither am I" Uehara winked.
He leaped away leaving stunned Nara genius behind.
Uehara checked his inventory again.
[Gold: 3250]
"I have enough" Uehara felt excitement building.
He opened System Store while running.
[Purchase Item: Zhonya's Hourglass.]
[Cost: 2900 Gold.]
[Item Acquired.]
[Zhonya's Hourglass]
[Stats: +65 Ability Power +45 Armor +10 Ability Haste.]
[Unique Active - Stasis: Put yourself in Stasis for 2.5 seconds rendering you untargetable and invulnerable but unable to take any actions.]
A golden hourglass appeared on his belt. It felt heavy with ancient magic.
"Invulnerability" Uehara laughed maniacally as he sprinted through trees. "Now I can tank a Tailed Beast Bomb to face and laugh about it."
Ahead sky turned dark. Massive clouds of sand were rising above tree line. Screams echoed.
Gaara had caught up to Sasuke.
"Hold on Uchiha" Uehara muttered his eyes glowing with gold greed. "Don't die before I get there. That boss kill is mine."
….
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction.
I wanted to let you know that I'll be releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
15 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
30 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!