VFSNAKE - Naruto Ninja Gaiden Rise of The Yami Kitsune Jigumo

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{\b
Naruto Ninja Gaiden: Rise of the Yami Kitsune
Jigumo\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} \par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{\line }
{\line }
{\b
Story:} Naruto Ninja Gaiden: Rise of the Yami Kitsune Jigumo
{\line }
{\b
Storylink:} https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10458186/1/
{\line }
{\b
Category:} Naruto + Ninja Gaiden Crossover
{\line }
{\b
Genre:} Drama/Adventure
{\line }
{\b
Author:} VFSNAKE
{\line }
{\b
Authorlink:} https://www.fanfiction.net/u/979159/
{\line }
{\b
Last updated:} 09/14/2014
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{\b
Words:} 198547
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{\b
Rating:} M
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{\b
Status:} Complete
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{\b
Content:} Chapter 1 to 17 of 17 chapters
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{\b
Source:} FanFiction.net
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{\line }
{\b
Summary:} Genshin rescues Naruto at the age of 6 from a mob and trains him along
side Gamov to be a ninja of the Black Spider Clan. How will this effect things?
Find out! Covers Ninja Gaiden games 1-3. {\s2 \afs28
{\b
*Chapter 1*: Chapter 1\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {
Chapter 1-A Black Spider's Weave\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was late at night in the village of a place called Konoha. October 10th to be
exact and like all places on certain days, there was a celebration going on
throughout the village located in the Elemental Countries. People were laughing,
drinking, and celebrating the defeat of the Kyuubi no Kitsune at the hands of their
late yet beloved Yondaime Hokage. The fox had attacked their village 6 years ago,
destroying countless buildings, and killing many more in the process before losing
against their fallen hero.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And yet like every form of good that comes from such a victory...there is also
evil.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sadly for a 6 year old boy named Uzumaki Naruto, such evil was directed at him, and
by the very people celebrating tonight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Today was just like any other day for the boy, only now slightly worse due to the
fact that today, or rather tonight was his birthday. It always got worse on his
birthdays due to the amount of drunks and mobs forming to hunt him down had
doubled. The Shinobi of the village, who were suppose to protect, and defend it
were either too drunk to do anything {\i
OR} were some of the people hunting him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Just like tonight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And like most nights...he had been caught by said mob.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And like most nights when caught...he was being beaten or stabbed within an inch of
his life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Filthy demon!" said one person, who kicked Naruto in his already fragile ribs, and
broke two of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why won't you die?!" demanded a second before kicking the boy in the head and
broke the child's nose along with a few teeth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The ranting and rage filled words of the people continued while some of the Shinobi
both drunk and sober watched with glee at seeing the child suffering. The Sandaime
had told them to break it up once the attacks became too life threatening, but
never said to stop it before then, and decided to follow the Hokage's orders to the
letter. They would save the damn brat, but that didn't mean they had to do it this
second, and not enjoy the sight of the demon filth getting his due
punishment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In a tree line, less then 20 feet away to be exact, a Shinobi wearing armor, and
clothing of his profession not of the Elemental Countries was watching the scene
with sheer disgust. Beside this Shinobi was his younger brother, who unlike him was
wearing a business suit, hat, a plain trench coat, and had glasses currently
covering his eyes that showed a sadistic nature to them. Behind these two
individuals were other ninja of their clan, all waiting on the order to strike, and
would with ruthless efficiently when the time came.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They were ninja from the ruthless and infamous Black Spider
Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such fools. Beating up on a helpless child. Even if said child is part of the {\i
that} lineage. Right brother?" asked the younger of the two leading this group of
ninja from the Black Spider Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Indeed Gamov. Look at them. They don't even know how strong the boy could become
if raised and trained properly. They will stunt his growth out of spite and bring
about only a fraction of his potential. Even if the boy is of {\i
their }lineage, to not bring out his potential regardless if they know it or not is
an insult to the ninja way," said the older brother to the now identified
Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin, our men are in position on the other side of the village. Once you
give the signal, they will cause the necessary distraction for us to proceed," said
one of the Black Spider Ninja behind the now identified
Genshin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tell them to proceed. Gamov, you know what to do," said Genshin while glancing at
his brother, who nodded with a tilt of his head, and holding onto his
hat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course brother. You of all people know I am the best infiltrator and spy of our
clan. I do not fail," replied Gamov before he moved into the shadows of the trees
and vanished from sight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Below them, Naruto was falling in and out of consciousness, and most of his vision
when he was awake was lined with red from the blood running down his face. It
seemed tonight had brought out the more drunk and overzealous members of the past
mobs that hunted him down in the past. One of the people in the mob had a pitchfork
in hand and aimed it over his already messed up chest to finish him
off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Time to die monster. See you in Hell!" exclaimed the crazy eyed man looking down
at the helpless child before him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Well...I had to go sometime. Looks like this is it,' thought Naruto while looking
at the shiny metallic thing about to run him through.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before multiple explosions in the distance turned all eyes away from him and their
intent to kill the child.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shit! We're under attack," commented a Konoha Shinobi while looking into the
distance to see the smoke rising up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is perfect. We can kill the demon brat while you go off to defend Konoha,"
said one person from the mob and the Konoha Shinobi looked at each
other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's right! I'm so sick and tired of saving the damn demon out of fear of the
Sandaime punishing us. We now have an excuse to not do our job and get away with
it," said a Jounin with the mob.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Make it quick. We need to hurry before the Sandaime becomes suspicious of us,"
said a Chuunin with a scar running vertically along his right
temple.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before the mob could finish the boy off, a countless number of shuriken, and kunai
were thrown from the trees. Each one hitting their mark, men, women, ninja, and
civilian fell down in a bloody heap.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
From the shadows of the tree, Genshin appeared before the group of dead bodies, not
even glancing at the horror filled faced of the disgusting creatures called human
beings that had just been killed. He ignored some of them, the ones who were
Shinobi to be exact, as they were alive, but would be dead in a few minutes if not
seconds, and were not his concern.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
What was his concern was the badly injured, possibly dying child lying in the
center of this scene of death. His contacts on this side of the world had uncovered
vital information about this boy currently lying at his feet. Information that was
assumed lost or destroyed by various individuals who didn't want others to
know.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'To think this boy is of their lineage on the Father's side of the family. Combined
with the Uzumaki Clan from his Mother's side...his potential will be boundless,'
thought Genshin, as he saw the child look up at him, and yet held no fear of this
terrifying man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that Genshin was surprised considering what he just saw and the reports of the
boy getting this kind of abuse in the past. This boy did not fear the end, but was
waiting for it, and would welcome death with open arms. Genshin could see that
Naruto was waiting for him to draw his sword to run him through and end this
nightmare for the child.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'What is he waiting for? Why doesn't he kill me?' thought Naruto curiously before
falling unconscious before the giant of the man before him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
Picking up the child with one arm, Genshin began walking away from the slaughter of
bodies around him, and into the trees where the other members of the Black Spider
Clan were waiting. They glanced at the bleeding and broken body of the child in his
arms, but stayed silent on the matter since it wasn't there place to question
Genshin, or his reasons for doing what he did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We have what we came for. Return to the temporary base and remove our presence
from it. While the child's presence is indeed hated by this village, the absence of
his being will not be tolerated for long, and they will be hunting for him. We are
leaving the Elemental Countries for home. Leave no trace of our existence for them
to find," ordered Genshin with the group bowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What of Gamov?" asked one of the Black Spider Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gamov is skilled enough to escape without drawing attention to himself and more
then skilled in fighting these so called {\i
Shinobi} of this village. He already knows what to do once his mission is
complete," said Genshin with the others nodding and the group soon left to carry
out their orders.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Black Spider Clan Castle)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You play a dangerous game here Genshin. You are fortunate your plan has merit or I
would kill the brat right now," remarked the Black Spider Clan Matriarch Obaba
while looking at the boy on the stone table in front of her while Genshin stared at
the boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The boy has great potential Obaba. Even without his Father's side of the family,
the Uzumaki Clan blood in him is strong. I can feel it," replied Genshin while
Obaba letting out a snort.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You and your instincts. Bah! This boy will be a pain in the future Genshin. I just
know it," said Obaba while using her powers to accelerate the child's
healing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What have you gathered about the boy's past history Gamov?" asked Genshin while
his brother appeared behind him with a very large and thick
folder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They did a real number on the boy brother. Most of this is his medical file," said
Gamov while handing the folder to Genshin, who opened it, and read the contents
inside while his one eye narrowed slightly with each passing
second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This abuse is extensive. Even his bloodline on his Mother's side isn't enough to
save him from long lasting injuries. How has the boy been able to endure all these
wounds without being permanently crippled?" questioned Genshin while reading one
medical report after the next.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's the beauty of it brother. The boy here is not only of {\i
their }bloodline, he is also a {\i
Jinchuriki}!" stated Gamov excitedly while Genshin's one eye
widened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you certain?" asked Genshin with Gamov's grin
expanding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Have I ever steered you wrong brother?" asked Gamov with Genshin smirking
now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not once Gamov. Not once," said Genshin while he continued to stare at Naruto's
healing form.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Exactly! And the Biju the child holds? It's the {\i
Kyuubi}! The strongest of them all!" stated Gamov proudly at finding this
information.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is interesting news. I sense the Biju's power assisting my dark magic in the
healing process. Remarkable," commented Obaba while weaving her dark power over the
boy and finally finished.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"From all of the information you've gather Gamov, do you think Konoha knows the
sheer significance of the boy's lineage on his Father's side of the family?" asked
Genshin with Gamov moving to stand beside his brother while staring at the
unconscious boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Possibly. It would explain why {\i
they }never came for the boy's Father. From what I have gathered about him, the man
was considered the strongest Shinobi of their village, and it was said he had yet
to reach his limit. If {\i
they} learned of his existence, the man would have been taken from Konoha at a
young age, and raised by them. Konoha no doubt saw Minato's potential at a young
age or they knew of his lineage and wanted to form a clan of their own," theorized
Gamov with Genshin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And now we have the man's only child," commented Genshin before seeing Naruto stir
awake.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where am I? Who are you?" asked Naruto with Obaba keeping out of the boy's line of
sight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am Genshin. This is my brother Gamov. You are in the lair of the Black Spider
Clan," answered Genshin with the boy looking around and saw Obaba behind him when
he sat up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who is the old hag?" asked Naruto with Obaba snarling at him and Gamov smirking at
that since many among the clan secretly called the woman
that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That would be Obaba. The Matriarch of the Black Spider Clan. She used her powers
to heal you," answered Gamov with Naruto's eyes widening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh. Thank you Obaba-sama. Sorry about that 'old hag' comment. Its just...no one
has ever healed me. At least not intentionally or did that good of a job before
now," replied Naruto with Obaba deciding to forgive the boy...for
"Its fine. Just don't make that comment again around me," replied Obaba while she
saw Naruto nod at that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Um...why did you rescue me? Not that I'm complaining or anything, but uh...,"
replied Naruto with Genshin smirking and so was Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Smart for a boy his age. He thinks we saved him in exchange for something we want
and that he can give us," commented Gamov while glancing at
"Indeed Gamov. As to your question young one, I saved you from your death because
unlike your so called home, I see your potential beneath the surface, and I see it
being wasted while living there. I wish for you to be one us. A member of the Black
Spider Clan," replied Genshin with Obaba giving him a "I still don't approve look"
while Gamov just grinned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? You want me to be a part of your clan? To be a Shinobi? Like you?" asked
Naruto hopefully with Genshin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Like me and Gamov. You will learn from both of us. Learn our skills. Our
secrets behind how we do things. Learn how to harness your power locked deep inside
of you. The training will harsh. Cruel even. You will know pain and suffering as if
they were always a part of you," said Genshin with Naruto looking down, his hair
covering the boy's eyes, and he was shaking a little.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm use to pain and suffering. I want...no I {\i
need} to get stronger. I'm so sick and tired of being beaten me up, people pushing
me around, and thinking they can walk all over me. I want to become someone great.
Someone powerful. Someone who will be...be...," said Naruto while trying to figure
out how to finish his sentence.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Feared?" offered Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And respected," added Naruto with Genshin nodding since those two things were what
made up true ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fear and respect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very well then. I, Genshin second-in-command of the Black Spider Clan, welcome you
Uzumaki Naruto to our ninja family. I welcome you as my student and my subordinate.
I expect great things from you Naruto. I will not be pleased if you disappoint me,"
declared Genshin with Naruto bowing his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am honored Lord Genshin. I will strive to prove myself worthy of your teachings
and show I am worthy of being called a member of the Black Spider Clan," said
Naruto with blue eyes shining with fierce determination.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. For now, you will rest, and be given food necessary to help in recovering
your strength. You will need it for the harsh training I will put you through
tomorrow," said Genshin with Naruto nodding and saw the two brothers leaving the
room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm surprised at how easy it was to gain the boy's loyalty. You didn't even tell
him why he was hated in Konoha. Why is that brother?" questioned Gamov while
looking at his brother with a curious gaze.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He is not ready to know. Not yet. I will tell him when the time is right," replied
Genshin with Gamov raising an eyebrow at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about the other members of the clan? Some of them already can sense the boy
is of {\i
that }bloodline. They may decide to act...{\i
violently} to him being here among our ranks as one of us," said Gamov with Genshin
snarling slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If that happens, I will deal with them myself, and ensure there are no
complications in gaining the boy's loyalty," replied Genshin with Gamov nodding
before silence followed them for a few minutes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The boy is truly special to you, isn't he brother?" asked Gamov with Genshin
smirking slightly and looked at his brother.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If the boy wasn't special Gamov...I would have left him in that pathetic excuse
for a so called Shinobi village to die," replied Genshin while planning out how to
train Naruto to be among the elite which the Black Spider Clan would have to
offer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you telling me that not one of you can find Naruto? Not one?" demanded
Hiruzen, as he saw the group of Jounin in the room looking nervous since they were
the tracking team assigned to find the brat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We did look for him Hokage-sama, but...the boy just vanished," replied the Inuzuka
who was assigned to the tracking team.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And {\i
yet}, there is a pile of civilians and a few of my ninja lying dead in a circle
formation at a training ground. Judging from the pictures taken, it looks like they
were surrounding something or {\i
someone} with the intent to hurt said something or {\i
someone}, and were killed before they could. There was a pool of blood in the
center. Did you check to see who it belonged to? Or the scent of what was there?"
questioned Hiruzen with the Inuzuka now looking nervous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We thought uh...that it uh...,"said the Inuzuka with the Hokage narrowing his
eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You didn't bother to check. You didn't bother looking for him? Did you?" accused
the Sandaime Hokage with the Inuzuka looking even more
nervous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why do you care about the demon brat so much Hokage-sama? Its a menace. The damn
creature is either dead or dying somewhere! We are better off without the demon in
this village!" exclaimed the Inuzuka before the Hokage stood up and slammed his
hands onto his desk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't care about the boy, you idiot! I care about what the boy holds inside of
his body! Kyuubi is the {\i
strongest} of the Biju. Without the demon fox sealed inside a person here in
Konoha, the balance of power shifts away from us being the strongest Shinobi
village in the Elemental Countries, and our weapon against our enemies is lost.
Don't you get it?! The other four major Shinobi villages have Jinchuriki of their
own. Two are in Iwa. Two are in Kumo. Suna has one and is our ally. Kiri had two
with one leaving the village, but is in Water Country while the other is a tyrant
for a Mizukage. Taki has one too, but is neutral towards us if just barely. We have
no Jinchuriki. Orochimaru is a Missing Nin, Jiraiya is out wandering the Elemental
Countries, and Tsunade doing the same with no intention of coming back anytime
soon. Naruto was going to be our hidden ace in the hole should our enemies decide
to get bold in attacking us. All we have to do is {\i
whisper} Kyuubi Jinchuriki and they would freeze in their tracks. Now we no longer
have that option!" exclaimed Hiruzen angrily while the group in front of him going
pale with each passing second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We...We didn't know," said the Inuzuka with Hiruzen looking
livid.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It shouldn't matter if you knew or not. You were given instructions to ensure the
boy was protect to form an attachment to this village and protect it from harm. I
wasn't asking you to be his friend. Just tolerate his existence enough to ensure he
knew his place was in Konoha and would fight for it regardless of how the civilians
treated him. If the boy is dead, our means of defending ourselves from other
Jinchuriki has been put in jeopardy, and the people of Konoha have no one to blame
but themselves!" exclaimed Hiruzen furiously with the Shinobi in the room looking
down in shame.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We are sorry Hokage-sama. We can still try and find him," said the Inuzuka with
Hiruzen shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. If no one has seen Naruto in three days, the chances of you finding him now
are impossible. You are all dismissed," said Hiruzen with the group of Shinobi in
the room leaving the old Kage to his thoughts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You should have given him to me Hiruzen. The boy would have been a useful tool
given what he holds and {\i
who} his parents are," commented Danzo after appearing the from the shadows of the
room and saw the Sandaime glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And be an emotionless drone who would obey you? I think not my old friend.
Besides, an emotionless Jinchuriki cannot keep a stable seal and would have been
disastrous for us in the end," replied the Sandaime with Danzo
scowling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And your way is so much better? Honestly Hiruzen, you should not take what Jiraiya
tells you about that prophecy seriously. Even if what Jiraiya told you about the
prophecy being {\i
remotely true}, there is no way to know the Kyuubi Jinchuriki is indeed the Child
of Prophecy. Not only that, but there was no system in place to ensure the brat
would protect Konoha during the moment of truth when the prophecy is fulfilled,"
said Danzo with the Sandaime Hokage letting out a sigh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya has never steered me wrong with information gathering Danzo. You know his
spy network has saved Konoha on more then one occasion. Because of him, we were
able to know of attacks before they happened, and who our enemies were behind them.
If he says Naruto is the Child of Prophecy, then the boy is just that, I will do
what I must to ensure the boy knows his place in this world in my own way," replied
Hiruzen with Danzo smirking at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure it is just Jiraiya's information you are using to excuse your actions
for the people lash out at the Kyuubi Jinchuriki? Or is it really the death of your
{\i
wife} that makes you do it?" questioned Danzo with Hiruzen glaring furiously at him
"My reasons for what I have done to Naruto are my own Danzo. You do not have the
right to judge me. Not after the things you've done. The horrors you have done
during your years as a Shinobi," countered Hiruzen with Danzo
scowling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My actions were for the good of Konoha," replied Danzo with conviction in his
voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So was mine. The only difference between us Danzo is {\i
I }am the Hokage and therefore my actions cannot be judged by someone like you who
is not a Kage," countered Hiruzen while Danzo snarled at
him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If I were Hokage, the boy wouldn't have been lost, and possibly dead right now,"
said Danzo with Hiruzen scoffing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If {\i
you} had been Hokage, this village would have enemies on all sides, our Shinobi
would be mindless drones, and our lost Kyuubi Jinchuriki would have snapped before
turning on this village," said Hiruzen with Danzo frowning
further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Emotions make Shinobi weak. Why do you think my Root have been so successful in
the past?" countered Danzo while the Sandaime rolled his
"All of your Root Shinobi may have been successful when it comes to completing all
their assigned missions Danzo, but you kept throwing them away almost as fast you
recruit them. Its because of their conditioning that they break so easily in such a
short time. No mental defense or cushion is made to prevent that from happening
during their training," said Hiruzen with Danzo shrugging.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shinobi are expendable tools. Why should I care if they break or not? Tool are
easily replaceable. If they break, its easier to get rid of them, and use another
one until that tool breaks," remarked Danzo with the Sandaime letting out a
chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you honestly wonder why Tobirama-sensei chose me to be his successor to the
title of Hokage," commented Hiruzen with Danzo looking like he ate a bucket of sour
lemons.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sure Tobirama-sensei would wonder why he chose you himself if he actually knew
his successor deliberately denied the Uzumaki Clan aid when they were attacked
during your younger years as Hokage," countered Danzo with Hiruzen frowning at
"An action you did not shy away from and supported if I recall correctly. In fact,
I believe if I had not made such an important decision, you would have suggested
it. Am I wrong?" said Hiruzen with Danzo saying nothing on the
matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'You know me all to well my old rival. Still, the loss of our Jinchuriki is not
something I will tolerate. We need a new one to fill the void. Perhaps, the one in
{\i
Taki} will do. After all, Taki is just a minor Shinobi village. They don't deserve
a Jinchuriki to guard their village,' thought Danzo, as his mind was already
working on making plans to capture the seven-tailed Jinchuriki, and mold the vessel
into his kind of weapon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
An obedient one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! A new fic for you guys. I had this running through my head and I
couldn't stop thinking about it. I had to write this. I was compelled to write
this. Hope you enjoyed it and I got Genshin's personality right along with Gamov. I
had to think back to the first two games and how they both acted around others to
make the wording and personality sound like them. I'll get to work on the next
chapter soon. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 2-Making his Mark\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Six years had gone by since Naruto was taken in by Genshin and the Black Spider
Clan after saving him from the abuse in Konoha. Since then, Naruto had taken to his
training with great enthusiasm, his eyes filled with passion, conviction, and
fanatical loyalty to the clan that raised him. That had trained him harshly in the
ways of the ninja and taught him many skills since his entry into the clan despite
some people who had (silently) disagreed with the idea. Naruto didn't know why some
of them were against him joining the Black Spider Clan, but he didn't care since
Genshin, and Gamov were the only two people who mattered.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And maybe the old spider hag Obaba to a certain extent, but Naruto felt it was best
to keep his distance from her. He sensed she wasn't happy to have him either, but
tolerate him because of his potential.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As Genshin had promised, the training he would undergo was indeed harsh, cruel, and
at certain points had become life threatening for Naruto. But did the boy care?
Hell no! He was given a chance to prove himself. Given a chance to have a purpose
in life in this clan instead wasting away in Konoha where he was beaten
unmercifully whenever the people there wanted. Naruto wasn't going to squander this
once in a life changing moment and screw things up for himself. Driven to prove his
worth, Naruto absorbed the teachings of his teachers like a sponge, spending time
with Gamov on how to be a proper infiltrator, to spy while learning to vanish from
sight before the enemy could track you, and gathering crucial information. Naruto
had thrived in that area, was given various scenarios on how to proceed in getting
information from a location, and acted accordingly when his teacher threw in a
variable that was not part of the scenario from the start.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But it was in Genshin's training that Naruto truly shined and showed signs of being
the crown jewel of all the students Genshin had ever taken on. Genshin had pushed
the boy hard in survival training, living off the land, what plants could be used
to make medicine on the fly, to treat poisons, or extend one's life expectancy
while severely injured. When they weren't doing that, Naruto was learning the way
of fighting that Genshin himself used against his enemies, and had a variety of
weapons to choose from. Falcon Talons, the Kusari-Gama, and a standard Ninjato
sword with the last always being broken during the training sessions Naruto had
with Genshin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though given how Genshin's Blade of the Archfiend was his weapon of choice when
they were training...you could hardly blame Naruto for so many broken
blades.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Still, Naruto progressed very well in that area, and also with the Kusari-Gama with
his elemental affinity making him extremely lethal when unleashing his
attacks.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You've made a lot of progress since coming here Naruto. I'm pleased with the
results so far," replied Genshin with Naruto kneeling in front of his
teacher.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am honored you would say that Lord Genshin," said Naruto while keeping his head
down while hearing the sounds of his Master's footsteps as the man walked around
"Do you know why I called you in here Naruto?" asked Genshin while gauging his
student's reaction to his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No my Lord. Though I thought it might be an assignment or a new training regime
for me to undertake," answered Naruto with Genshin
smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So eager to get stronger. So eager to please me with your growing progress in the
ninja arts," commented Genshin with a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't want to disappoint you Lord Genshin. You and Gamov have spent a
significant amount of time training me," replied Naruto with conviction in his
"Agreed. We have spent a great deal of time training you. Gamov speaks highly of
your skills and progress in learning the art of spying, infiltrating, and gathering
information from the scenarios he threw at you. Your physical training and the
select food you eat has molded your body to produce a strong muscle foundation that
balances out both strength and agility. You have surpassed many members of the
Black Spider Clan who are twice your age in terms of skills and abilities," stated
Genshin while watching the boy with an intensity in his
eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I still have much to learn. There is much I still wish to learn from both you and
Gamov," replied Naruto while keeping his head down despite wanting to look his
teacher in the eye and show him how much he believed in the Black Spider
"I have spoken to Gamov on the matter. There is sadly nothing more he can teach you
in his field. Which is why I will be remaining your teacher until I have nothing
left to teach you," stated Genshin with Naruto being surprised by this
news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. I am honored, but I must ask you something Lord Genshin. Why am I here? And
where is Gamov? I have not seem him for a few weeks," asked Naruto with Genshin now
nodding since they got off track.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gamov is on assignment within the Vigoor Empire. Working for the Emperor and the
Dark Disciple regarding the location of the Dark Dragon Sword. As for why you are
here? I am here to tell you a truth that was kept from you Naruto. The reason
behind your former village's reason for hating you. Beating you. Their many
attempts, as stupid as they may be...at killing you," replied Genshin with Naruto's
body stiffening, as memories of his abusive life in Konoha came to the forefront of
his mind, and he quickly banished them away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What was their so called reason Lord Genshin?" asked Naruto with Genshin himself
standing behind the boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You Naruto, are what the people of the Elemental Countries refer to as a {\i
Jinchuriki}. A vessel for a demonic entity of incredible power. It was sealed in
you at a young age. The day of your birth in fact," answered Genshin with Naruto's
mind quickly processing the information and what it meant significantly to
"Who performed the sealing?" asked Naruto, as he knew Genshin clearly knew more,
and thus wanted to know more too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Yondaime Hokage. The {\i
late} Yondaime Hokage. It apparently cost him his very life to perform the
procedure in sealing the Kyuubi no Kitsune into you," said Genshin with Naruto
narrowing his eyes and tightened his fists.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. Thank you for telling me this Lord Genshin," replied Naruto calmly while
Genshin sensing his student was struggling to keep the anger at bay since lashing
out violently in anger had always been a sign of weakness in the man's
And Naruto had no intention of showing weakness before his
Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In light of me telling you this truth, as well as the various situations within
the Elemental Countries we are monitoring through our spies there, and your level
of skill from being taught by the Black Spider Clan...I am sending you on a mission
to your former domain to handle some business for us there. Will that be a problem
for you?" said Genshin with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would not be worthy of being a ninja of the Black Spider Clan if I simply
returned to that region, only to crumble from the sight alone. What is the
mission?" answered Naruto with Genshin smirking now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As you know, we have done business with a man named Gato of Gato Shipping Co. in
the past to handle some problems he had with company rivals. The man was actually
responsible for supplying us with the necessary ship and means to leave the
Elemental Countries when we took you from Konoha to come here. However, in the most
recent of years, the man has become...{\i
bold} in his belief that the financial wealth he has gained from his success gives
him power over us, and has been...{\i
resistant} in paying the Black Spider Clan for past services rendered. He has been
stalling us and the reason for it is due to his investment in Wave Country," said
Genshin while continuing his walk in a circle around
Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He is making an investment in Wave Country? As in...taking it over? I didn't think
that was even remotely possible? The only way it could happen over there is if the
Daimyo himself surrendered his throne willingly. And even then, the price would be
expensive," said Naruto with Genshin nodding since that was normally
true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gato has been squeezing the populace there of life with his tactics, crude
business ways, and army of thugs with the occasional ninja involved for extra
muscle. He intends to make the country so poor, so weak, and so...{\i
decayed} in terms of value that the Wave Daimyo will sell it to him cheap. After
succeeding, Gato would sell the land, and homes themselves to rich people wanting
another item to have as an accessory to their so called vast wealth," explained
Genshin in disgust with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While I am honored to take this assignment Lord Genshin, why are you sending me?
Surely someone with more experience and someone far more intimidating among the
clan can carry out this assignment. Perhaps Rasetsu or Gyuki?" asked Naruto
curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes I could, but you need more experience, and I need someone with skills in
stealth aside from brute strength to gather information on the man. I want you
there to intimidate Gato and if he will still not pay what is owed...you will kill
him," said Genshin with the man seeing Naruto nod at the
order.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You said the man has a small army of thugs under his command and a few ninja as
well?" asked Naruto with Genshin nodding while pleased the boy would ask to confirm
what was already told.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It showed the boy was paying attention.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He does have some ninja on his payroll right now. Our spies say the ninjas in
question are in fact Missing Nin from Kiri. Dangerous Shinobi to be sure. However,
I have it on good authority from our spies that some of the ninja he's hired in the
past have all died without getting paid by Gato and no money has been going to the
village these ninja belong to. Apparently, Gato has found some loophole in paying
ninja of villages, and even the villages themselves upon the death of the hired
Shinobi. He has been exploiting it for some time now. If this keeps up, he will try
to expand said loophole, and ensure people do not pay ninja in general for our
services," replied Genshin with Naruto nodding at this since Gato's tightfisted
ways threatened how ninja got paid for doing their job.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was unacceptable.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How much money does he owe us? How much flesh should I take from him until death
is the only currency Gato can pay?" asked Naruto with Genshin's smirk increasing at
the boy's ruthless sounding words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Five missions total. All ranging from B to S-ranked assignments. The amount he
owes will be given to you to collect before leaving for Wave Country. As for the
amount of flesh you can take from him...take as much as you want. He either pays us
or dies," said Genshin with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Lord Genshin. I will come back with the money he owes us. It will go a long
way to helping in our building of the Daedalus Airship," said Naruto since Gamov
and Genshin had been working on that particular construction project for some time
and it was quite an expensive item to have.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Indeed it will. Dismissed," ordered Genshin with Naruto rising and moving to the
door to leave.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before stopping.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin..." said Naruto, but was hesitant to
continue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is it young one?" asked Genshin while a bit surprised that Naruto would stop
at he door.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This mission you said Gamov went on a few weeks ago...I...I have a bad feeling
about it," said Naruto with Genshin raising an eyebrow at
"A bad feeling? In what way?" asked Genshin with Naruto hesitating
again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The kind of feeling where you know the person centered around it is going to die,"
said Naruto with Genshin narrowing his eye at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A wordless caution regarding his choice of words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you saying Gamov is weak or unfit for this mission young blood?" asked Genshin
with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"On the contrary Lord Genshin, I think Gamov is one of the best, and second only to
you in terms of skill. But the mission he's on surrounding the Vigoor Empire, its
Emperor, the Dark Disciple, and the Dark Dragon Sword makes me feel...nervous for
some reason I have yet to explain," replied Naruto with Genshin once more giving
him a piercing look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You believe he will die on this mission," Genshin said accusingly at Naruto with
the boy being silent for the moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. But I have studied the history of that sword and many other subjects
in the vast library the clan has on certain...{\i
matters}. That sword is extremely dangerous Lord Genshin. There is a reason even
those of the Dragon lineage within the Hayabusa village have never wielded it. Why
they have sealed it away. It has no true Master. If Gamov is helping the Dark
Disciple and the Vigoor Empire with the awakening of the Dark Dragon Sword once
more...I fear its power will be his undoing," replied Naruto, as he had spent many
hours within the Black Spider Clan's library at the insistence of the old spider
witch Obaba, and how the knowledge of things in the distant past long since buried
into that of myths and legends should be known by all among the clan just in case
they surfaced once more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps. But Gamov is very skilled and his wits are sharp. I do not believe my
brother will fall so easily while within the domain of the Vigoor Empire or at the
hands of our enemies," said Genshin while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I hope you are right and my instincts about this are in fact wrong Lord Genshin,"
said Naruto before leaving the room to get his needed supplies for his mission that
would send him to Wave Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And the Elemental Countries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Wave Country-One Week Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The trip to Wave Country was not a bad one for Naruto, as he used Gato's own
shipping company, and a false identity as a new dock worker to arrive on the island
based area. Once he got off the ship, Naruto easily blended with the shadows, a
figure unseen, an illusion, a trick of a drunk's intoxicated mind, and a drug
addict's wildest fantasy. His uniform consisted of standard Black Spider Clan armor
and attire, but Naruto still had a customize fox mask made for him to wear when on
missions. He didn't know why the idea of wearing the mask appealed to him at first,
but the recent revelation of what was sealed inside of his body helped things make
sense. Naruto realized the fox sealed inside of him had either brought out the
boy's mischievous yet ingenious behavior or created it for
Gamov had once told him that having such a unique personality made him hard to
predict and it was considered a strength for him to have when facing difficult
enemies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So with that in mind, Naruto would embrace the kitsune in him, and use it to bring
out the Black Spider in him as well. The boy had brought his Kusari-Gama with him
and one of the clan's standard Ninjato now strapped on his back should he need to
get up close and personal with any possible enemy he was
facing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hurry up! We need to get this money to Gato before he has us killed out of spite
for being late!" exclaimed one guy on the street while Naruto observed things on
the rooftops above.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm coming! I'm coming! I just had to beat up that shop keeper to remind him not
to be so damn hesitant in paying us his tribute to Gato," remarked the second guy,
who was now walking side by side with the first, both had swords at their sides,
yet did not move like standard samurai.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They were hired thugs. Plain and simple.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ordinarily, Naruto would kill one, and interrogate the other for some information
on Gato before putting his plan into action to speak to the businessman. However,
Naruto knew that would be unwise since these two were not out for a leisurely walk
around town, and their disappearance would be noticed due to the two were bringing
tribute money to the man. Not to mention the hired ninja Gato had on hand might be
ordered to investigate the matter and possibly hunt him down to be killed after
getting any information out of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
No. It was best to watch, wait, and explore his options. Since these two were going
to meet with Gato anyway, Naruto figured he could follow them, and see where the
man hung his hat in this country. The only real trick would be to stay undetected
by the hired ninja Gato brought with him that Naruto knew was the {\i
real} muscle on this island country. If the information provided to Naruto was
accurate, which he knew it was, the boy knew his opposition in terms of Shinobi
were Momochi Zabuza, his masked backup dressed as a Hunter Nin, and the Demon
Brothers of Kiri. Zabuza was a Jounin and former member of the Seven Swordsmen of
Kiri. The masked individual beside him in a picture the spy had provided was
someone of unknown skill, but it was rumored he or possibly she had a bloodline of
some sort. Something whispered to be water related so an area filled with water
might give this person a significant advantage. The Demon Brothers were twins, both
brothers like their titles suggested, and worked as a team with the two ranked as
Chuunin level Shinobi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One should never underestimate the spy network of the Black Spider
As for the trail the two goons left behind for him to follow, it soon left the
town, and he went from hopping rooftops to hopping on trees. He followed his
targets to that of an old school looking fortress, the place was surrounded by
thugs of similar attire, all of them had swords, and other crude weapons they
preferred to wield when hurting others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Clearly Gato was even more tightfisted then Genshin first thought since the
businessman was focusing on paying for quantity over quality in terms of majority
of the muscle he had hired.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'The dumb fool will regret that before his end,' thought Naruto before moving
around the fortress to analyze potential weaknesses in its
defense.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sadly, after about 2 solid hours of watching the fortress from all angles, Naruto
realized that scaling the walls was impossible. He would need to infiltrate it the
old fashion way like Gamov had first taught him since chakra was out of the
question at the moment due to so much of it inside his body. The blonde boy had
been doing various chakra control exercises Gamov had acquired for him to handle
while training and found he had {\i
a lot} more chakra then a boy his age should probably have and it didn't help that
his tenant had a hand in it too. If the Shinobi hired by Gato were in the building,
they would sense the sudden flare of it from him, and know someone was trying to
get into the place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that in mind, Naruto decided his best course of action was to wait to see how
events in Gato's dwelling played out. With any luck, the boy would find an opening
to infiltrate the base of Gato's operations, and be able to sneak into the place at
a later time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Wave Country-Elsewhere)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At the moment, one Hatake Kakashi, and one Yuhi Kurenai were currently walking
along the path to Wave Country with their assigned Genin teams. They were escorting
Tazuna to his home in Wave Country, which seemed like a simple C-ranked escort
mission, and would help give the Genin of the group a look at the real world beyond
Konoha's walls.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was suppose to be simple and easy. The key words being {\i
suppose to} {\i
be} though it was anything but that when the Demon Brothers formerly of Kiri had
tried to kill Tazuna after trying to kill the two "surprised" Jounin. Only to be
stopped by the group of Genin, which consisted mostly of Clan Heirs, and all of
them taught to use their clan techniques. The two Missing Nin had underestimate the
Genin traveling with Tazuna and believed that six freshly made Genin would be too
green to handle them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They thought wrong.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the Demon Brothers defeated, Kakashi interrogated Tazuna as to why two Missing
Nin from Kiri were after him, and the old man explained his reason. Gato, his
country in suffering, and how he was building a bridge to connect Wave to the Main
Land to get out of Gato's thumb with the businessman's shipping business having a
massive strangle hold on its people.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naturally, the old man's inspiring story made all the Genin from both teams want to
help the man regardless of the dangers they would now possibly be facing. Something
the two Jounin felt was admirable of their Genin and decided that their group was
large enough as well as strong enough to help Tazuna with the opposition Gato threw
their way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We are almost to my home. I'd say we are about halfway there," said Tazuna while
happy to make it back to Wave Country and without any further
surprises.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A rustling sound from the bushes made Kiba throw a kunai into it and making
everyone go on the defensive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to lower it when they saw a fluffy white bunny hopped
out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kiba you moron! That was a bunny!" exclaimed Sakura before decking the boy with
her fist to his skull.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ow! You don't have to hit me over it!" exclaimed Kiba while glaring at the ever
loud and ever shrieking Uchiha fan girl of the group.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One stupid kid their age loses his entire clan and suddenly the jerk is some kind
of tragic hero/rock star with an emo personality. All the while saying "I must
avenge my clan. I am an avenger. Everyone around me is weak. I must do this alone."
to just about anyone who is willing to listen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Knock it off you two. Look, the bunny is white," said Kakashi while the others
notice it too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But we're in the middle of Spring. It should be brown, right?" offered Hinata
since she knew bunnies changed their coats depending on the season to hide from
predators.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Unless they are inside pets and domesticated. Meaning...everyone duck!" exclaimed
Kurenai before she grabbed her charges while Kakashi grabbed his own along with
Tazuna and dove to the ground to avoid the massive sword spinning in their
direction to slice them all to pieces.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well this is interesting. I wasn't expecting a team of six wet behind the ears
Genin and two Jounin to escort the old man. I might have to work for this," mumbled
the figure on top of the sword currently imbedded in the
tree.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Momochi Zabuza. Demon of the Bloody Mist," whispered Kakashi while Zabuza let out
a cruel laugh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hatake Kakashi. Sharingan no Kakashi. Master of over 1000 Jutsus. It's no wonder
the Demon Brother had trouble. Though I'm sure the six Genin and the other Jounin
beside you helped too. Still, I get to earn my pay, maybe even a raise by Gato if I
explain to him just how significant a threat I crushed," replied Zabuza before
leaping off his sword, then grabbing it, and landing on the
ground.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How can he wield that thing. Its huge!" exclaimed Kiba while Zabuza's grin
increased behind the bandages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A lot of training brat. A lot of training. Now...time to die!" exclaimed Zabuza
excitedly knowing it was high time to earn his fee and something extra for his
troubles.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Naruto-Hours Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The blonde awoke with a start, finding himself sleeping a safe distance in a tree
while masked in the shadows of it, and saw Gato walking with a purpose out the
front with a small armed escort of thugs. The man was clearly displeased about
something and was not hiding the fact by keeping it to himself since his ranting
was echoing throughout the area.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't believe it! Zabuza was defeated by those Shinobi that Tazuna hired. I'm
paying him and his lackeys to take the old man down and what happens? They get
beaten back by two ;Jounin' and six 'Genin' from Konoha. I thought Missing Nin were
suppose to be strong, but apparently I got some weak demon wannabe. Bah!" exclaimed
Gato while he was walking toward Zabuza's arranged hideout to see the man himself
and have words with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And reduce the Missing Nin's pay further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While this was happening, Naruto saw the perfect opportunity to strike the fortress
now that he knew the man's ninja were incapacitated, and some of the hired thugs
had left. Moving quickly, Naruto scaled the walls, his years of practice in chakra
control to scale up walls had provided him the means to get to an open window, and
enter without being seen. Making his way to Gato's Office, which Naruto felt would
be on the top floor, and still well guarded despite the man not being there, the
boy found the room was actually the most secure place in the entire building.
Everything else he had seen so far was run down, breaking down, or was the cheapest
material sold by the lowest bidder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Gato clearly did everything in terms of financial worth and deemed everything
except himself was considered exceedingly cheap.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sneaking into the room after making an echoed noise to draw the two guards away
from the door, Naruto began accessing every folder, every file, and every piece of
information the businessman had in here. Business records, past dealings, accounts
here in Wave, and overseas along with just about every other form of resource the
man had acquired over the years.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Both legal and illegal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But what {\i
really }caught Naruto's cold blue eyes was a recent purchase with a certificate of
authenticity to the item proving it was a genuine relic of the ninja world. An
ancient, yet powerful sword that according to the information connected to the
certificate was dated back to the era of the Sage of Six Paths himself, and given
to the man's youngest. The same man who would start the foundation for what would
be the Senju Clan, but in the years following with the warring clans era, the sword
had fallen into the hands of their cousin clan, which happened to be the Uzumaki
Clan. It was said that despite his already incredible strength neither Hashirama,
his brother Tobirama, or even Uchiha Madara had the strength to wield the sword.
Only Uzumaki Mito seemed to be worthy at the time, as she used it during the First
Shinobi War, but no one knew what kind of sword it was she wielded. That the sword
was part of the dowery payment when Uzumaki Mito married Senju Hashirama to cement
the alliance between the clans, the sword was given to the Senju Clan, but put in
the Uzumaki Clan Temple in Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'From what this tells me, someone went into the temple to possible steal, or even
wield the sword, but were not deemed worthy. Someone not of Uzumaki blood. Special
seals were in the temple to teleport it away without anyone, but the thief, or the
unworthy wielder from taking it,' thought Naruto while he read over more
information mentioned in an after thought about how the Uzumaki Clan were among the
founders of Konoha and were once its allies before being
destroyed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While Naruto didn't know anything about the Uzumaki Clan in general, he knew deep
down the clan was a part of him, and the boy looked at the sword in a glass case
barely two feet from him. It seemed to glow slightly with power, dimmed probably
from what it once was during its height, but it still called to him, whispering to
him, and yearning for a chance to be wielded by one of Uzumaki
blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Take...it,"}} whispered a voice inside Naruto's head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?" asked Naruto while looking around quickly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Take...it,"}} whispered the voice again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kyuubi?" asked Naruto while wondering if it was the fox sealed inside of him or if
he was just imagining things.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With no further words spoken, either by him, or possibly the fox inside his head,
Naruto opened the glass case, and grabbed the sword before swapping it out with the
Ninjato he had on him to cover up the theft. Gato was so damn greedy and narrow-
minded in terms of what he had, Naruto knew the moron would never notice the
difference, and the boy could always come back later if need be to retrieve the
weapon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Inside Naruto's mind, the Kyuubi watched from his cage, astounded by what he had
seen the boy acquire, and could only find the irony of it all. For such a weapon, a
sword of such ancient power to be here of all places was
just...unbelievable!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"To think this boy would be the one to wield the Biju Sword. I'm a bit surprised
though since I always thought my presence made it impossible or at least difficult.
I know Mito wielded it after I was sealed in her, but Kushina didn't, and both were
very much the same in terms of what they were with me being inside of them. Though
considering Mito probably never told Kushina about it means she didn't trust
Konoha's higher ups with the knowledge of the weapon being in the Uzumaki Temple. I
bet she was the one to seal it away before her death and transferring me to
Kushina. Now if only we had the Eye of the Biju. How bothersome,"}} remarked Kyuubi
to himself while knowing the boy would have to find it
eventually.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If it was still around.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Strapping the weapon onto his back, Naruto took what he needed in terms of
information Gato had in the office, and quickly left via the large window in the
room once the minor annoyance of the security sensor on it was disabled. Making his
way a safe distance from Gato's base of operations, Naruto decided to look around
town, and familiarize himself with the place in the off chance he needed to find a
hiding spot to lay low for awhile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Tazuna's House-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Momochi Zabuza is still alive. That Hunter Nin was a fake," said Kakashi from his
bed while recovering from his fight with Zabuza while Kurenai was by the door and
all the Genin were in the room listening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How can you be sure? I mean...you checked the body yourself and proclaimed the man
dead!" exclaimed Kiba before being smacked in the back of the head by
Sakura.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hunter Nin are suppose to dispose of the body on sight. To take it away somewhere
else is not only wrong, it is a clear sign that Zabuza has an ally we did not know
existed and has unknown skill," said Sai, who was put on Genin team 7 by Danzo to
monitor Sasuke's progress after the Uchiha Clan had been
"Exactly. Not only that, but the fake Hunter Nin in question used senbon needles to
'kill' Zabuza. Senbon needles are very difficult to use and not normally practiced
by Hunter Nin. It does however, put targets in a fake death like state if you can
hit the correct points of the body, and you know where to aim. My guess is this
fake Hunter Nin was taught by Zabuza about the human body and where to aim to
create such a situation. With the attire worn being an authentic Hunter Nin uniform
plus mask from Kiri, even a veteran Shinobi like myself would not bat an eye at
what happened after our fight," explained Kakashi to his Genin, who were listening
intently, and nodding since this information was important to know in case there
was ever a repeat situation with someone else.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Such tactics won't help me kill Itachi. Useless information,' thought Sasuke
darkly while wishing he had the means to unlock his Sharingan Eyes and achieve his
goals.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is there any good news to this situation we can use to our advantage?" asked Shino
since it seemed their problems were only delayed and not
resolved.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Zabuza was badly injured in the fighting and the death like state he was put
into will weaken him further. I would say we have about a week before he's back on
his feet and we have to fight him again. Meaning you six are going to be training
and getting ready for the coming fight with him along with that fake Hunter Nin,"
explained Kakashi with the Genin nodding and Sasuke himself looking eager to
train.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Good. The more Jutsus I learn the stronger I will become,' thought Sasuke with a
smirk on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That smirk left him though when he learned what Kakashi had in mind for
training.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are all going to learn how to climb tree," said Kakashi while on crutches and
saw most of his Genin looking at him like he had made a bad
joke.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Seriously? How does climbing trees make us stronger? Do I look like some damn
cat?!" asked Kiba while Kakashi sighed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let me rephrase that for those with...lesser minds. You will be climbing trees {\i
without} using your hands. Just your own two feet. Watch," replied Kakashi while
showing them the tree walking exercise was easily done by him despite the use of
his crutches.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lesser minds? Hey! Did you just call me an idiot?!" questioned Kiba, who had to be
held back by Shino, and Sai so he couldn't try to rip into Kakashi while Akamaru
barked at the Jounin for insult his Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's your interpretation of it. In any case, chakra control is important because
it allows you to use chakra, and Jutsus longer depending on how good your control
is at the time. Precise usage of chakra control can help you last in a fight longer
and last longer then your enemies," lectured Kakashi while seeing Hinata easily
perform the exercise right away and wasn't surprised by her
success.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Hyuuga Clan specialized in it with their Gentle Fist style at a young
age.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very good Hinata," praised Kurenai at seeing her student do well and saw Hinata
blush in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My clan has always specialized in chakra control. I'm actually doing water walking
right now during my training at home," answered Hinata with Sasuke trying, but only
got up one foot before leaping back, and saw he put too much chakra into the
step.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ha! Moron. You put too much chakra into the step," mocked Kiba while he tried,
only to fall flat on his ass for falling down, and using too {\i
little} in terms of chakra.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Baka,' thought Shino while he made his own attempt at the exercise and with a
cautious few steps was able to make it halfway up before he had to leap back to
prevent falling down like his teammate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"See. Hinata and Shino are very good at this. The rest of you will need further
practice. The better your chakra control, the stronger you will be in the long
run," said Kakashi while seeing Sai doing it and was slightly better then Shino
though the Jounin suspected it was to have an excuse to stick by to be near the
Uchiha of the team.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
What surprised him the most was Sakura had control that was on par with Hinata, but
at the same time the girl lacked stamina, which the Hyuuga had plenty of to spare,
and the two Jounin knew the pink haired girl would need to increase her stamina.
Something that Kurenai would have to be the one to hand it, from one kunoichi to
another, and hopefully get the fan girl like way she saw Sasuke out of her
system.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One could only hope.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Naruto-Several Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The boy was asleep on the ground, the place was left alone by just about everyone
in this country, and was suitable for him to live off the land here. Going into
town would make many turn their heads at him since he was neither poor, weak, or
suffering from the life Gato had made its people endure for so long. Besides,
Naruto felt the best way to survive was to use what nature provided, and right now
it was providing him with sleep.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Or at least it had been until a new presence entered the area and decided to make
itself known to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He could tell it was a girl who had found him. The nose knows all and it smelled a
scent of a girl slightly older then himself. She was walking lightly. {\i
Very }lightly. Too light to be a civilian, but that was to the untrained eye, and
one who did not have the ninja training to tell the difference when using ones
hearing to its maximum potential. Genshin had told him that people can hide
themselves in plain sight, but leave subtle markers if you knew where to look, or
in this case {\i
hear} in a persons walk. Light footsteps where barely any sound is made indicated
someone with ninja training and didn't want to be heard in order to get close to
the target.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One of the actual lessons Naruto went through to learn this better was when Genshin
had a squad of Black Spider Clan ninja sent to "kill him" one day for a training
exercise. They were moving silently, without making a single sound with their feet
through the lair of the clan, and even tried in certain public places to prepare
him for the real world. Genshin also stated that humans relied on their eyes more
then any other senses the body provided and could be tricked just as
easily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
A true ninja does not rely merely on his eyes alone when in battle. Use all of your
senses to your advantage Naruto. Never rely on just one of them. When one of your
senses is no longer reliable, do not use it, and your other senses will provide the
necessary means to help in defeating your foe.}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto knew Genshin's words held truth in them and had gone through various
training methods to deny himself his different senses to thrive without their
support. He trained without sight, without hearing, smelling, and any other means
of dampening his senses so the others would pick up the slack until it came to the
point where he could do it easily on command.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The female figure was now in front of his supposed form, standing over it, yet he
sensed no ill will aimed at him, which was curious since he knew she was a ninja,
and was either here to kill or capture him. So...what was she waiting
for?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A hand was soon sensed near his neck, the hand itself was open enough to grab him
by the neck, between the point where his head connected to the rest of his body,
and crush his throat in a silent merciful manner. In his right hand, Naruto let a
kunai slip from the hidden area under his clothes into his palm, intent on killing
the kunoichi before she even knew he was awake, or had armed
himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It would be quick and clean. Of that this kunoichi deserved no less for being so
skilled to get this close to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But at the last minute, the hand moved away from his neck, and touched his shoulder
to stir him awake? What?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You will catch a cold being out here," said the melodic voice of the
kunoichi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though when Naruto opened his eyes, he saw she was not dressed like one, and looked
like a simple girl out for a walk if her simple kimono was any indication. Naruto
realized the girl was disguising herself in plain sight since no one in this
country knew she was a ninja. By blending in, this kunoichi could see what was
going around town, and gather any important information by pretending to be one of
the people.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Clever girl.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you, but I'm not one to catch a cold so easily. I have had my fair share of
being sick already to the point where I'm immune to such things," replied Naruto
while standing up and seeing the girl eyeing him
cautiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto was glad his mask was still on since her knowing it may prove disastrous in
the future.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's good to hear. May I ask what a ninja is doing out here all alone?" asked
the girl while sounding curious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Living off the land. May I ask why you are out here Ms...?" asked Naruto with the
girl having the decency to blush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Haku. My name is Haku. As to why I am out here, someone precious to me is ill, and
the herbs in this area can treat him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Precious? She has someone close to her. Interesting. Could this be Zabuza's ally?
I must tread cautiously,' thought Naruto while nodding in respect to her
answer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about you? Why are you here in Wave Country? Are you on a super secret ninja
mission?" asked Haku with smile and Naruto deciding to indulge the girl a bit in
playing the naive ninja seeing her as a harmless native of Wave
Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I am here on assignment. To speak to Gato about some business," answered
Naruto since it was true, but kept the {\i
real }truth hidden.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Business? What kind of business?" asked Haku now truly
interested.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ninja business. Its important I speak to him soon. I have only just arrived, but
given the state of the country, I found it was better to live where nature itself
can provide more for me then in town," answered Naruto with Haku nodding in
agreement since she was no stranger to living off the land with
Zabuza.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. Gato is an important man here. He has an army of thugs and a few ninja
already serving him. Getting a contract with him might be difficult to achieve,"
said Haku while Naruto processed what she jus told him as a warning to stay away
from Gato so he would not cut into Zabuza's payment for the mission she assumed he
was planning on poaching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. I've heard around town what the man has done. Though I do feel sorry for
the ninja Gato has hired if the rumors I've heard about him are indeed true,"
replied Naruto with Haku raising an eyebrow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What rumors?" asked Haku while seeing Naruto looking at her while they
walked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You didn't know? It's rumored Gato kills off the ninja he hires with his army of
thugs when they are too weak after a battle to fight back. By killing them in
secret that way, he doesn't have to pay the Shinobi hired, or the village they come
from. Such a person is not a good business partner to have if you are a Missing
Nin," said Naruto while Haku's body stiffened a bit at hearing that last
part.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If such a rumor about Gato is possibly true, why are you seeking an audience with
him, and risking your life for money that may never be paid for services rendered?"
asked a now curious Haku with Naruto letting out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Why are you?" asked Naruto with Haku shifting a bit at his
response.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know what you are talking about," stated Haku while Naruto bent down and
picked up an herb nearby.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"These herbs around us are meant to treat wounds. Not sickness. You walk lightly.
{\i
Too} {\i
lightly} to be a normal civilian. Your clothes are too nice to be from Wave Country
given the state of the country itself. You are a ninja. A Shinobi currently in the
employ of Gato and Momochi Zabuza is your Master. Correct?" surmised Naruto with
Haku narrowing her eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what if I am? Are you here to collect the bounty on Zabuza-sama?" demanded a
cold sounding Haku with Naruto waving off the girl's look like it was
nothing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"On the contrary. I have no quarrel with Zabuza or you. My business is with Gato.
He has not paid my clan for past services and I am here to get it from him one
way...or another," said Naruto with Haku relaxing slightly though she was still
cautious of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you kill Gato now before our assignment is over, we won't get paid. Can you
hold off in carrying out your assignment until ours is over?" said Haku with Naruto
shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not really. I am on a timetable and I would prefer not to be here longer then I
have to given the Elemental Countries has not been too kind to me. Or rather...a
part of it has not been too kind to me," replied Naruto with Haku looking at him
with sad eyes now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have suffered a great deal of pain, haven't you?" asked Haku with Naruto
nodding slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Judging from your own eyes, you suffered at one point too," offered Naruto
while smiling underneath his mask and saw Haku nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was in Water Country as a child. The hatred for bloodlines was, if not {\i
still} very...strong there. Zabuza-sama took me in when I had nothing. Molded me
into the ninja I am and I will fight for him until the day I die," said Haku with
Naruto nodding in respect since he would do the same.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is the same for my Master too. Before him, I had nothing. I was nothing. All I
knew was pain, suffering, and at times...I saw death. When my Master took me in, I
vowed to make him proud, and worthy of being his loyal subordinate under his
command. Like you are with Zabuza, my Master is also precious to me, and I will
kill anyone who so much as spits in his direction or on his name," said Naruto with
the same level of conviction as Haku did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And the name of your Master? So I know not to insult him?" asked Haku with Naruto
hesitating at first.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin. His name is Genshin. And one day he will soon become the leader of the
Black Spider Clan," answered Naruto with Haku nodding while making a mental note to
ask Zabuza if he had heard anything about such a clan or
person.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you for telling me. May I have your name as well? Just so I know who it is I
am talking to now should we meet again?" asked Haku with Naruto hesitating once
more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We may not meet again for a long time if ever Haku. But should we ever meet again,
my name is Naruto. Uzumaki Naruto. I am the Yami Kitsune Jigumo," answered Naruto
with Haku nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A title worthy of fear and respect. Thank you for telling me it Naruto-san,"
replied Haku with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are welcome Haku-san. How about I help you with your hunt for herbs. I have
kept too much of your time as it is," replied Naruto with Haku
nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would appreciate it very much Naruto-kun," said Haku with a genuine smile on her
face and it made Naruto's own face heat up a bit too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto-kun? I didn't think we were that close so soon Haku-{\i
chan}," commented Naruto before he picked up an herb while retracting his hidden
kunai back up his sleeve.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps, but I sense your intentions are not evil, and we are very much alike. But
just so you know...I'm a boy," stated Haku while seeing the boy stop picking herbs
to look at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You say boy, but my nose says otherwise," stated Naruto while tapping his masked
nose with Haku shrugging and accepted her defeat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was worth a shot. You would be surprised how many boys I've made question their
sexuality when I say that to them," commented Haku with a giggle soon escaping her
mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can only imagine the horror they went through in hearing that dreadful lie.
Though you should be careful when saying that to people. If its around another
woman or girl your age, you may find yourself having a few female admirers on your
case, and wanting your affection," said Naruto before letting out a chuckle and
Haku giggling again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True. That lie will have to be used more in moderation," replied Haku with the two
soon picking up all the necessary herbs she needed for
Zabuza.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good luck with your mission Haku. Be mindful of Gato. He is not one to pay people
unless it's in his best interest," said Naruto with Haku bowing
slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will keep that in mind. Hopefully, we can defeat the Konoha Shinobi who are
here, and impeding our mission," replied Haku with Naruto going stiff for a
"Konoha Shinobi? They are here in Wave Country?" asked Naruto while trying to keep
his emotions in check at the mention of his old village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. There are two Jounin and six Genin here on assignment that is
counterproductive to Gato's plans for this country. Most of them Clan Heirs. Why?"
said Haku while sensing Naruto's mood shift suddenly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No reason. Just...try to stay alive when fighting them. You and Zabuza both.
Something tells me things will not go as planned in the coming confrontation," said
Naruto before he bowed and walked away from her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The voice of experience?" asked Haku with Naruto stopping for a
"More like good instincts honed from years of training. They have served me well
since I became a member of the Black Spider Clan and have never steered me wrong.
Just make sure you and Zabuza have some kind of escape plan should you find
yourself caught in a trap set by Gato. I wasn't lying when I mentioned the rumor
about him killing of ninja too weak to fight after a mission has been completed for
him," said Naruto before he walked behind a tree and was gone the next from Haku's
line of sight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He had some private training to do with his Kusari-Gama or as Naruto now liked to
call the weapon...The Kyuubi's Tail.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Incomplete Bridge-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ha! So the big bad Demon of the Mist has been defeated by a bunch of Konoha with
most of them being mere brats. I should have known your reputation didn't match up
to your skills. You are all hype Zabuza. A little baby demon thinking he has the
biggest stick to swing," mocked Gato, as he had appeared with his army of bandits
behind him, and all itching for a fight to earn their cash.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Gato! So you were going to backstab us. The rumors were true," snarled Zabuza, as
he had been told by Haku about the boy she met in the forest region, and about what
Gato did regarding weakened Shinobi after a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In front of Zabuza was Kakashi, who had been ready to hit the man with a Rakiri,
and Kurenai using behind him with her kunai in hand under his throat and the other
on the man's wrist hold the man's giant sword. His injuries had been extensive with
the two Jounin teaming up against him while Haku did battle with the six Genin not
that far off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what if they are. Ninja are expensive. I shouldn't have to pay for a few of you
when buying in bulk and cheap is a much better investment. Especially if the ninjas
in question are too damn weak to fight back against my boys here and too stupid to
see a trap when it is staring them right in the face. Besides, a Missing Nin such
as yourself is a liability, and the fact you even went to me for a job was a
mistake on your part," countered Gato with a grin on his face while looking at the
downed form of Haku, who had been pinned down by the combined strength of the six
Genin, and sneered at her for breaking his arm at their little
hideaway.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not as bad as yours...I fear," replied Naruto with the mist clearing fully and was
seen on the edge of the side railing of the bridge with Kyuubi's Tail in his hands
with the Konoha Ninja getting tense at the sight of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who are you?" asked Gato with Naruto looking at him calmly and got off the side of
the bridge railing before walking toward the tiny little
man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Me? Surely my attire speaks for itself Gato. You owe my clan payment for missions
past due. I've been ordered by my Lord and Master of my clan to collect," replied
Naruto with Gato's eyes narrowing before they widened in shock and then laughed at
"You're one of them? A brat like you is a member of the Black Spider Clan? Ha! Your
clan must be falling on hard times to send a little runt like you to collect from
me. Not that I intend to pay you of course. Just like Zabuza, I pay people when I
want, and on my terms. I'm rich. I hold all the money. Meaning ninja I hire can't
do anything or else they do not get a single form of currency from me. You go back
to that Master of yours and tell him I'm not paying. If he doesn't like it, have
him send some of his oh so great ninja from his clan, and not some pathetic boy
pretending to be one of them," taunted Gato while laughing and his goons doing the
same.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That is where you are wrong Gato. You see the currency I have been sent to collect
from you is not one of financial value. I've come to collect on your life," replied
Naruto coldly with Gato looking at him in shock before laughing
"You? Kill me? Ha! That's more laughable then Zabuza here fighting off my men in
his weakened state and killing me," remarked Gato while laughing at
"Your men at Tazuna's house said almost the exact same thing...before I killed
them," replied Naruto and brought out a scroll, unsealed it to show the heads of
two thugs Gato sent to Tazuna's home to kidnap the man's daughter, and use her as a
bargaining chip.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? You little bastard!" exclaimed Gato in shock and anger since those two were
suppose to provide him with a bargaining chip against Tazuna in the form of the old
man's family.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This coming from someone who has ordered far worse be done to those that stand up
to him. You must feel like a big man with that army of thugs behind you. All paid
to cause carnage and mayhem at your command. But I wonder how much value they will
have in the end when I kill them all before your very eyes," replied Naruto while
getting Kyuubi's Tail ready with the signs of its recent use being seen from the
blood stains coating it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kill the brat! I want him dead. I'll send his head back to Genshin to show him I
am not someone to be pushed around!" commanded Gato with his thugs and wannabe
samurai charging at Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Should we help him?" asked Kurenai with Kakashi being unsure and Zabuza
scoffing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Trust me. This kid doesn't need our help," commented Zabuza while Kakashi narrowed
his eye at the Missing Nin for what he knew about this mysterious clan before
looking at the newest ninja to come to the bridge.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Now see why I am called Yami Kitsune Jigumo. 'Wind Style: Tornado Vortex Jutsu!'"
said Naruto, as he channeled chakra into his weapon, the affinity he was known for
back among the clan, and began to intricate dance of death that would be burned
into the eyes of those watching behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Gato could only watch in horror, as he retreated from the one sided slaughter of
his forces being annihilated by this...this...{\i
demon} of a child. This {\i
creature} was turning his army into chunks of meat and blood scattered all over the
place, staining the bridge red in crimson liquid, and the echoing sound of screams
filled the heavens. Gato tried to run away from this {\i
thing} heading his way, cutting a bloody path of destruction in his wake, and the
sheer number of men the businessman had hired counted for nothing. When Gato found
himself standing at the edge of the incomplete bridge, he looked back down it,
knowing it would be his grave if he fell, and also knew that this ninja from the
Black Spider Clan would also make him suffer the same fate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
The only thing Gato could do at this point...was to negotiate some way to keep his
life in exchange for something the boy or the clan would want for payment. That's
what he was here for right? To collect money?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! Wait! I will pay you. I will pay your clan! I can pay anything you want!"
pleaded Gato while Naruto had just done a horizontal twister move on the last thug
and turned him into a gooey mess.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what if I want your life?" asked Naruto, who was covered head to toe in blood,
and walking straight toward the businessman with cold blue eyes behind his mask
staring at the frightened little man shaking before him like a helpless
child.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You don't want to do that? I can pay all the money I owe to your clan. I'll even
throw in any additional interest you may want. I owe your clan for three missions
right? I can easily cover that much," said Gato with Naruto narrowing his eyes at
him while getting closer to the tiny man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's {\i
five missions} you owe back pay on. Not three. {\i
Five}! All of which you tried to skip out on paying simply because you believe the
army of cheap thugs I just destroyed would be more then enough to protect you,"
said Naruto before standing toe to toe with the little man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"You're right! You are absolutely right! I was wrong. Soooo wrong! I'm willing to
make a deal with you. One you cannot refuse or pass up," said Gato in a whiny
tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm listening," said Naruto with Gato having a look of hope behind his dark
glasses.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Listen, I want the bridge builder Tazuna dead. He's a threat to my business.
Meaning he would be a threat to the Black Spider Clan in getting more offers for
assignments from me. Those Konoha Shinobi here, Zabuza, and the bitch with him are
all threats to me now for what I've just done. If you kill all of them, including
the bridge builder, I will pay you five times what I would pay you for the five
missions I owe you combined. What do you say?" offered Gato with Naruto sensing the
Shinobi behind him getting tense and nervous since they were exhausted from the
fighting while Naruto himself was fighting fresh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No deal," replied Naruto with Gato looking shock and then angry at his offer being
shot down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? Why not? I have enough money in my possession to make you and your clan rich
beyond your wildest dreams!" protested Gato angrily before he was grabbed by the
throat and forced to kneel.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not about the money Gato. Its about principle. You owed us and you skipped out
on paying. You broke the unwritten rule when dealing with ninja. You pay what you
owe and those that break the contract get killed for it. No exceptions," said
Naruto while he brought up the hook part of Kyuubi's Tail and had the point
touching the man's shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But I have money. Lots of money. Enough to buy this country several times over!"
said Gato while not understanding what was happening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So? Do you honestly think money gives you {\i
power} over me? Over Shinobi in general?" asked Naruto with Gato nodding while
looking insulted by his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course it does. Money is power. Ninja need money. Without people like me to
hire people like you, Shinobi wouldn't have the clothes on their backs or the
weapons they use to fight!" exclaimed Gato before finding himself feeling pressure
on his neck increasing with the boy's grip squeezing his throat
tighter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your money has been important to us in the past. That I will admit. But we do not
rely on it as much as you are led to believe Gato. Do you know why I'm turning down
your {\i
generous} offer? Why I am saying no to killing those ninja behind me watching us
with interested eyes?" questioned Naruto with Gato shaking his head slightly
despite the grip on his throat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I don't. Why are you turning down my offer?" asked Gato before wincing when he
felt the point of Kyuubi's Tail start to pierce his skin at the
shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I am not someone or something who can be bribed with money. I am a demon
sent from Hell and money means {\i
nothing} to me. Those that believe money is power are too stupid, greedy, and weak
to see beyond the fact money only has value if you believe it has value. Money is
not power. Money is a tool. A resource. You use it. Throw it away. That is what
money is and a demon like myself...has no use for such things when offered by a
pathetic fat {\i
pig} like you," said Naruto before digging his weapon into Gato's body and making
the man cry out in pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Stop! Stop! Please stop!" begged Gato while trying to the boy with his cane, but
it only made Naruto angrier at being told to stop by someone who wouldn't do the
same if roles were reversed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What's wrong Gato? Not feeling the incredible power you had before? Where is it
Gato? Where is the power of your money? Where is the so called power money holds to
stop me and save you?!" demanded Naruto angrily while digging the hook deeper into
Gato's body, spewing blood everywhere on the spot around them, and hearing the man
squealing in pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You...vile...demon. You...You are...pure...evil," said Gato with blood flowing out
of his mouth while Naruto looked right into his eyes despite them being hidden
behind the mask he wore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Evil? The ninja way knows neither good nor evil," said Naruto while remembering
what Genshin had once told him about the concept between good and evil when
connected to being a ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
The ninja way know neither good nor evil Naruto. We are in fact both. Yet neither
at the same time. We are shadows given form. Forged from light, yet walk in
darkness. We go whether others cannot go or follow. Where other }{\i
{\b
will}}{\i
not go or follow. We are agents of the abyss. Remember that when someone claims
your actions are the actions of some evil cause.}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Finding himself bored with Gato, the boy cut through the tiny businessman the rest
of the way, and sent blood flying everywhere while half of the now dead man fell
back into the water below. With his task complete, Naruto looked at the Konoha
Shinobi, seeing them go tense when he stared in their direction, and what he had
just done. Clearly all six of the Genin in the group had not been trained to see
such a gory and horrifying event that just unfolded before
them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If the green faces and puking over the railing of the bridge was any
indication.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn. Remind me not to piss this gaki off or insult his clan," mumbled Tazuna
while he saw the boy walking toward them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hold it! Stay away from Tazuna!" commanded Kurenai while Naruto looked from the
old man to the Jounin kunoichi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shut up," replied Naruto coldly and continued walking toward Tazuna while ignoring
the woman's shock look at being told what to do by the boy around the age of her
Genin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're not going to kill me, right?" asked Tazuna nervously while Naruto shook his
head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If I wanted you dead Tazuna, I could have easily poisoned your secret stash of
sake at your house at any time while all the Konoha Genin and Jounin were either
training or watching over you build the bridge these past couple of days. I'm here
to give you this," said Naruto calmly while Tazuna took the folder from the boy
with shaky hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"G-Good to know. Uh...what is all of this?" asked Tazuna while opening the folder
and his eyes widened in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wave Country's chance at a proper recovery. I've spent the entire time Gato was
heading here to lay his trap to get in contact with his company and proceeded to
impersonate him before I used my fake position to liquidate his assets in secret. I
then proceeded to make it all come together into one big financial sum of money.
What you hold in there are a third of such resources in banks with account number,
safety deposit boxes, and all the wealth this country will need to stand on its
feet once the bridge is finished," answered Naruto with Tazuna nodding, completely
speechless by this move while the boy just walked over to Haku, and undid her
restraints.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You were right," remarked Haku, as she was helped up, and was surprised to see him
touch her face since the mask was destroyed during the
fighting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This bruise. This was made after your mask was destroyed. After you were bound.
Who did this to you?" asked Naruto with Haku finding herself blushing for a second
and she glanced over at the Uchiha puking over the railing with the other
Genin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Hyuuga girl disabled me with her Gentle Fist and the Aburame tied me down
after his bugs drained my chakra. The Uchiha felt his pride had been hurt by his
defeat by my hands earlier during the fighting and... he took it personally,"
answered Haku with Naruto frowning behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So am I," replied Naruto with anger in his voice before turning to look at Sasuke
who had finished puking to glare at the two of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you want spider {\i
freak}?" asked/demanded Sasuke before Naruto vanished from his line of sight and
was grabbed by his shirt before being punched into the ground to the shock of
everyone watching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing. Nothing at all. {\i
Worm}!" whispered Naruto before walking toward Zabuza while the two Jounin from
Konoha directed their attention at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are going to be detained and brought back to our village to face judgment for
the unnecessary assault of a Konoha Shinobi and the last member of the Uchiha
Clan," said Kakashi with Naruto glancing over at him and the boy making a mental
note to have that last part checked out regarding the Uchiha
"You can try Hatake, but in your weakened condition...I doubt you want to die here
and leave your client undefended," replied Naruto with Kakashi narrowing his eyes
at him, but kept silent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You got balls gaki. I like that," remarked Zabuza with a
"Thank you. How bad are your injuries?" asked Naruto with Zabuza shifting his body
and let out a grunt of pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm pretty messed up. I have one good arm to use my sword in a pinch, but that's
about it. I could be in worse shape...or dead," remarked Zabuza with Naruto nodding
before he handed the man a big bag of money.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This should cover the payment you would have had with Gato plus interest and
enough to cover medical bills for the nearest hospital you visit," said Naruto with
Zabuza taking the bag of money.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let me guess, it came from the safe in the tightfisted prick's office," guessed
Zabuza with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The small amount of guards were child's play to kill. One of them even told me
about Gato's plan to kidnap Tazuna's daughter in the belief I would spare his life.
He was wrong in that regard," said Naruto with Tazuna looking worried now since he
practically forgot about that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?! Are they all right?" asked Tazuna worried for his
family.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They are alive and unharmed. A little shaken up, but considering the
alternative...it's a small price to pay," replied Naruto with Tazuna nodding in
agreement and letting out a sigh of relief.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what happens now?" asked Haku while she appeared beside Zabuza and looked at
Naruto now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What happens now? You two get out of here and recover from your injuries. Use the
money how you see fit," said Naruto before he began walking
away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what about you gaki? I know you are part of a clan and all, but...do you have
to go so soon after all of this? I could use your help in taking down the Mizukage.
The guy is a real piece of work and with you on our side helping the Rebels might
give us an edge," offered Zabuza with Naruto stopping and looking at him while Haku
looked hopeful he would stay.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry Zabuza. While part of me would like nothing more then to help you...I
cannot. I'm probably in trouble as it is with Lord Genshin over interfering as much
as I did here on this bridge. Still, I think it will be worth it in the end.
Besides, where I am going, you cannot follow, and it would probably be best if you
didn't make the attempt," said Naruto with Haku looking saddened by this even
though she knew this was a possibility.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She was lucky to even see him again as it was.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. Haku told me everything. I knew about Genshin and the Black Spider Clan
from my early days as a Genin. Even met the guy once in a fight. Damn near killed
me. I have no intention of pissing that guy off. He scares the shit out of me,"
said Zabuza with Haku and the others were surprised that someone of the Demon of
the Bloody Mist's reputation would be so scared of one guy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Good. Because I do not want to see you or Haku become a target of my Master. I
maybe his most prized student, but once you become a target in his eyes that he
wants to kill...I cannot help you," said Naruto with Zabuza and Haku
"Fair enough. See you around kid," said Zabuza with Naruto
"No Zabuza. You won't be seeing me around. And for record...my name is Yami Kitsune
Jigumo," replied Naruto while walking over to the railing and off the bridge with
Kakashi and Kurenai leaning over the bridge to look for
Only to find he was gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's gone," said Kurenai in shock before looking at
Kakashi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And good. Very good. Not many can do what he just did on this bridge just now,"
said Kakashi to himself before he saw Zabuza slowly begin leaving the bridge with
Haku's help.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sakura was helping Sasuke up, but the boy shoved her away, and he stood on wobbling
legs while glaring at the spot where Naruto went off the bridge. His eyes filled
with anger at being disrespected by that {\i
freak} who wore a spider insignia on his back, shoulders, and legs like it was such
a big deal to have such a disgusting creature marked as part of your clan. The
Uchiha Clan was the {\i
elite} clan among clans. Not the Hyuuga Clan, not the Nara Clan, not the Aburame
Clan, certainly {\i
NOT} the Inuzuka Clan the mutt on team 8 was on, and definitely not this Black
Spider Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Just you wait loser. One day I will find you and when that day comes...I will make
you suffer for disrespecting me like that.' thought Sasuke while rubbing his jaw
and activating his Sharingan Eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sasuke had what he needed to advance himself one step further to achieving his
(A/N: YAY! Another update. Hope you liked it. I felt a time skip in the beginning
was needed here. Next up...Naruto heads to Vigoor Empire. Yep! You heard right.
Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 3-Death and Truth\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So Gato is dead, his financial wealth divided evenly, and you have acquired
a sword of legendary power. Well done Naruto," commented Genshin with praise in his
voice while Naruto kneeled in front of him and presented The Biju Sword to him with
outstretched hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I live to serve you and the Black Spider Clan my Master," replied Naruto with the
man taking the weapon from the boy's hands and examined it with a sharp
"This weapon is from the Era of the Sage of Six Paths. Said to have been forged
from the largest fang of the Juubi. Just as The Dragon Sword was once forged from
the fang of the Dragon God. My own weapon, the Blade of the Archfiend was forged
from the iron of a meteorite using the flames of the Archfiend itself. What we have
here young blood, is a powerful sword that rivals mine, and the one used by the
Dragon lineage. A sword...only {\i
you} can wield given your Uzumaki Clan blood," said Genshin before handing it back
to Naruto, who humbly took it without question, and placed the sword at his
side.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will train extensively in its use Lord Genshin. I will make it an extension of
myself when in battle," said Naruto with Genshin nodding since the boy's training
in swords had been hampered by the constant breaking of the ones used in his
training from the start.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Indeed you will. But the only true way to make that possible at the moment...is to
use it beyond the domain of our clan walls," said Genshin with Naruto
frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin?" questioned Naruto curiously while Genshin himself walked up to the
boy and stood right in front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have thought over what you said regarding my brother and your instincts in
connection to his safe return. You are going to the Vigoor Empire and find out
about his progress in regards to his mission there. Kill all who stand in your way.
From Vigoor soldiers to the Fiends themselves," said Genshin with Naruto
"What of the Dragon Ninja? Surely he will be there. I am no match for him," said
Naruto with Genshin pausing in thought.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Avoid the Dragon Ninja if at all possible. Your mission is to find Gamov, speak to
him if such a thing is achievable, and remind my brother to keep his guard up no
matter who or what is around in that place," replied Genshin with Naruto
"There is...one more thing about my report about Wave Country that I feel I should
add to it Lord Genshin," said Naruto with Genshin raising an eyebrow at
"And what is that?" asked Genshin before seeing Naruto
hesitating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I...I ran into some Konoha Shinobi while in Wave Country. At the time, this group
was hired to protect a bridge builder who was opposing Gato. They know I am of the
Black Spider Clan. They also know your name. While it may not seem significant now,
they may try to gather information about the clan, and by that extension...you,"
replied Naruto with Genshin remaining silent for a moment while staring at the
boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It matters not. They can dig for information about the clan all they want. Any
kind of data gathered on the Black Spider Clan within the Elemental Countries will
be scare at best. Rumors, myths, and legends all wrapped in one. As for myself,
there is little they can gather about me, and what I can do. We are true ninja
Naruto. We are true shadows. Whispers in the darkness. The nightmares of our
enemies when we come for them in their beds and their homes. Leave Konoha and their
agents hunting us alone for now," said Genshin with Naruto nodding since he had no
intention of heading back to the Elemental Countries so let the fools chase rumors
and what will essentially be a ghost that many will say does not
exist.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Lord Genshin. I will depart for Vigoor at once," replied Naruto before he left
the room to prepare for his next assignment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are not giving him time rest," remarked Obaba, as she came out of the shadows,
and looked at Genshin's narrowing eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have made arrangements for the Vigoor Airship to take him to the Empire. He can
rest during the flight. Why are you here witch?" said Genshin with Obaba hissing at
him like a spider does when angry at something.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just to talk about the boy's knew weapon. Despite the power it is suppose to
possess at the moment, it is surprisingly...{\i
incomplete}," replied Obaba with Genshin frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In what way?" asked Genshin with Obaba taking out an old parchment showing a crude
drawing of The Biju Sword with a reference a piece needed to bring out its full
potential.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This section at the bottom of the butt on the hilt. It requires a jewel of
incredible power be placed there. Not unlike the Dragon Sword's own sacred jewel
the Eye of the Dragon. If the jewel were to be found and were placed {\i
here }at the bottom of the hilt, the sword will unlock its full potential. A
potential that can only be matched by your own weapon and that of the Dragon
Sword," answered Obaba with Genshin frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what is the name of this rumored jewel needed for the sword's power to be
fully unlocked?" asked Genshin curiously with Obaba pulling out another old
parchment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Eye of the Biju. Forged from the Juubi's very eye by the Sage of Six Path's
himself after the creatures defeat. Contrary to the story of it being sealed, the
Sage of Six Paths was only able to do it when he used his power to rip out the
Juubi's eye during all of the fighting before sealing it into himself. The jewel
itself was said to have been lost soon after The Biju Sword had been lost sometime
during the fighting cause by the Warring Clans Era in the Elemental Countries
Though I suspect the eye is closer to being found then anyone truly knows or
realizes," replied Obaba, as she produced a picture of what she suspected was the
jewel, and showed it to Genshin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is the jewel?" asked Genshin with Obaba nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is the only jewel that fits the design on the butt of the hilt of that weapon.
The Biju Sword was once kept in the possession of the Senju Clan before it found
its way to the Uzumaki Clan. If the jewel was separated from the sword itself, only
someone of the Senju Clan would ensure the jewel stayed in their possession, and
played it off as some mere family heirloom," explained Obaba with Genshin
"Meaning Naruto would have to return to the Elemental Countries to retrieve it from
the Senju who has it," commented Genshin with Obaba shaking her
"That would be unwise at this point. The jewel from what I have learned from our
spies, is currently being worn like a necklace by one Senju Tsunade of the Sannin.
The boy does not have the necessary strength, speed, or the skill necessary to face
her in battle for it," said Obaba with Genshin nodding in
agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not yet. But one day he will be ready. When the boy returns, I will tell him what
you have discovered about The Biju Sword," said Genshin with Obaba frowning
slightly at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And the truth behind his lineage on his Father's side. The stench of it in his
blood grows daily. It won't be long before the blood in him on {\i
that} side awakens. If he should come in contact with the Dark Dragon Sword or the
Dragon Ninja himself...," said Obaba with Genshin snarling at
her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am well aware of this Obaba. The boy will learn things from me when the time is
right. When that time is will be at {\i
MY }discretion. Not yours," said Genshin with Obaba snarling at
"Be mindful with the boy Genshin. You may have his loyalty now, but the blood of
{\i
their} lineage runs strong in him, and it could bring about our fall from within.
Naruto knows many of our secrets," warned Obaba with Genshin waving her
"If you are finished with your pestering Obaba, you can leave," commented Genshin
with a tone in his voice that told the old witch to leave him to his
thoughts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Tairon-Vigoor Capital-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well this place has seen better days," said Naruto to himself while seeing the
area he was in looked like a war zone with bodies of Vigoor soldiers of different
types lying on the ground all over the place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All looking like they were struck down by a sword. The Dragon Ninja's
sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He had arrived in Tairon only a few hours ago and already his instincts were
telling him to be on high alert with the sensation in his very blood burning at the
moment. Naruto did not know why he felt this way, but for whatever the reason, the
boy knew to keep his wits about him, and his new sword ready to use at a moments
notice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A growling sound behind him was the only warning Naruto had a creature behind him
attacked and the boy was forced to draw his new sword with lightning fast speed.
The blade flashed in the light from the buildings, possibly blinding the Fiend that
had attacked Naruto, and the boy's blade struck true in slicing the enemy
vertically in half. The blood from the fiend was red, but the body was anything
human Naruto had ever seen before, and wondered what kind of creature this Fiend
was? It was clearly bipedal, wore pants similar to some kind of military branch
serving in Vigoor, but the rest of the body had a rocky like form to it while
wielding some kind of shock stick.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Looking around, Naruto realized with one Fiend around, chances are there were
others, and they would possibly be nearby. Sure enough, more of them came out of
nowhere, different shapes, and sizes with hunger for human flesh shining in their
eyes. They all charged Naruto, who cursed slightly at the small army of Fiends
surrounding him, and got into his fighting stance similar to Genshin's when he used
his sword. It took quite a bit of his ninja skill to survive his fight with the
Fiends, as Naruto was not trained to fight them, but rather ninja like himself, and
would need to talk to Genshin about that. At the moment, he was stained with the
different colored blood of Fiends, his armor along the right shoulder was badly
scratched, and his kitsune back was slightly cracked on one
The only good news was The Biju Sword seemed to be pulsing with power and seemed to
be feeding off the blood or possibly the deaths of those it
killed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Moving through Tairon at a quick pace, he came across the remains of what looked
like a destroyed church of some kind, and knelt down to examine the damage with
calculating eyes. Whatever had caused this place to fall apart had done it from
inside the building itself and not without and whatever this something was...had to
be exceedingly powerful. Moving away from the destroyed church, Naruto sensed
someone was near by, but it wasn't a Fiend like he first
suspected.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was girl.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One somewhere between his age and Haku's from the looks of
it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are a Black Spider Clan Ninja," remarked the girl wearing a hood to cover most
of her head, but Naruto saw a few light violet strands of
hair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am. Who are you?" demanded Naruto before seeing the girl pull out a pair of Fuma
Kodachi and took her stance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am Ayane of the Mugen Tenshin Clan and I am your end Black Spider Ninja,"
replied the girl now identified as Ayane before charging at
'Shit. Just my luck,' thought Naruto, as he brought out his sword once again, and
began to fight this incredibly skilled girl in a fight to the
death.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Ayane herself, she found herself fighting a well trained, and strong
opponent able to match her move for move. That in itself was surprising since she
didn't think there was anyone near her age, who was as skilled a ninja as herself
outside of the Mugen Tenshin Clan, or the Hayabusa Clan with their own skilled
ninja. She had trained at a young age in both blades, the clan disliking her for
some reason had led Ayane believe the only way to prove her worth was to become one
of the strongest the clan had ever produced.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In a strange way, it had done the opposite for reasons she didn't know, but there
were few among the Mugen Tenshin Clan, and just about everyone within the Hayabusa
Clan that accepted her. Those were the people worth fighting for in Ayane's eyes
and one of them was here in Vigoor hunting for the Dark Dragon Sword while being
hunted himself by enemies on all sides. The Vigoor sent Doku with his samurai, then
the Vigoor soldiers, the Fiends, and the Black Spider Clan were gunning for that
said person by the name of Ryu Hayabusa.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She had no idea how the Emperor of Vigoor knew where the Dark Dragon Sword was
located within the Hayabusa Village, but Ayane knew it was in everyone's best
interest if she protected Ryu from the shadows where possible. Murai had sent her
here to help Ryu after the attack on the village, but while she accepted the
mission, the girl was uncertain about some of things she had
seen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like the one called Gamov and the Dark Disciple. While the latter's voice was
distorted, Ayane felt it sounded familiar, and couldn't figure out who the it
belonged to so she could pass the information onto Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only now she had to deal with this ninja in front of her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't let you near the Dragon Ninja," stated Ayane while pushing Naruto back
with a combo of slashes and powerful kicks.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're good. Very good. I can see why the ninja of the Mugen Tenshin Clan are
almost as feared as those of the Hayabusa Village. You are the strongest foe I've
fought outside of my clan so far," commented Naruto while leaping away and threw
some shuriken at the girl, which she dodged, and threw one of her explosive kunai
at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The explosion didn't hurt, but the force behind it made him stumble, hit the corner
piece of the building, and forced Naruto onto the defensive. His mask partially
damaged along the face area to reveal slightly sharpened teeth like an actual fox
and whisker marks to further enforce the concept. Ayane had seen her opening and
leaped forward, the pair of Fuma Kodachi forming into the form of giant scissors
with the intent of cutting her targets head off. Acting quickly, Naruto brought his
blade vertically up the middle, blocking the move, but the girl's momentum behind
it forced the boy hard against the wall, and put the two in the form of a
stalemate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is your name Black Spider Ninja?" asked Ayane with her trying to press her
weapons closer to kill him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My name is Uzumaki Naruto. I also called...Yami Kitsune Jigumo," answered Naruto
with Ayane smirking at him while hiding her surprise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"An Uzumaki? As in the Uzumaki Clan? I'm surprised. To think a member of their clan
is still alive and in the service of the Black Spider Clan," commented Ayane while
pressing herself closer and trying to get her blades to cutting through his
flesh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At this point, Naruto knew that as things were, he needed to turn things in his
favor in order to get out of here so his mission to find Gamov could be completed.
He had no time to deal with this kunoichi and while Lord Genshin did say to kill
all who stood in his way of completing his mission...this girl was too good of a
fighter to continue battling. He was on a crucial deadline and this girl was
impeding it and Naruto knew only an unexpected action on his part would allow him
to break the deadlock before escaping from the deadly kunoichi's
clutches.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So I've been told. You'll find those of the Uzumaki Clan are full of surprises,"
replied Naruto before he did the only thing his mind could come up with given the
situation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He leaned his head forward and {\i
kissed} her. Right on the lips.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane was shocked. Too shocked to remotely process the fact a {\i
boy} had just {\i
kissed} her on the {\i
lips}. Even more shocking, as she would later realize in the near future, was the
girl found herself {\i
liking} the kiss. Despite clearly being an act of desperation on her enemy's part,
it was not unpleasant in the slightest, and would have wanted to enjoy the kiss for
a little longer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That is if the boy who kissed her hadn't used this moment to raise his leg, and
give a solid front kick to the stomach to send the kunoichi skidding back. Getting
over the shock she felt from the kiss, followed by the sudden breaking of it, Ayane
saw the wicked smile on Naruto's lips, seeing him lick them like had just tasted
something sweet, and give a small salute to her before vanishing in a swirl of
wind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"BAKA! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT!" screamed Ayane angrily at not only having her first
kiss stolen by a member of the Black Spider Clan, but the fact it had been used by
her enemy to escape, and flee from battle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Elemental Countries-Undisclosed Location)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What's wrong Haku? You looked angry just now," commented Zabuza while on a ship to
Water Country to meet up with the Rebels.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I honestly don't know Zabuza-sama. I suddenly had a strong urge to find and kill a
very young kunoichi around my age with bright violet colored hair. After that I had
an urge to 'mark my territory' in regards to a certain boy I know who wears a
kitsune mask," said Haku before shrugging and Zabuza let out a
groan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Great. The girl's becoming a woman and has her sights set on a certain boy from
that damn Black Spider Clan. Why do I feel like a parent in this matter instead of
a sensei,' thought Zabuza, as he hoped the boy didn't come back, or the girl Haku
wanted to suddenly kill make her way to this region of the
world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He didn't want gray hairs on his head {\i
just yet}.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Back with Naruto)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Mental note: Stay away from the Mugen Tenshin Clan and that girl from said clan
for the next...couple of years. Maybe decades,' thought Naruto nervously while
moving swiftly through Tairon to find Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Until he found himself being blown back violently from an explosion underneath him
of massive proportions that obliterated every single building around him and was
soon sent flying. Lying flat on his back, Naruto cursed at his luck, covering his
body before it was covered in rubble from other buildings, and its weight coming
down on him hard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
This...was going to hurt later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Crawling out of the rubble, Naruto found himself surrounded by destruction, and
grabbed his right side with clearly busted ribs that would take awhile to heal.
Making his way to the top of a pile of concrete and other pieces of destroyed
building material, Naruto found himself staring at a massive hole in the center of
it all with two figures crawling out of it. At first, the boy thought it might be
Gamov, hoping the sly man, who became somewhat of a surrogate Uncle to him over the
years had escaped whatever had caused the massive
explosion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Instead, Naruto saw the bane of the Black Spider Clan that was the Dragon Ninja
himself coming out of the hole with a woman beside him. The woman herself had
blonde hair had a massive hammer on her back and looked like she worked as some
kind of dominatrix at a S&M club. How Naruto knew that last part was due to the
Black Spider Ninja Clan had an investment in all things sex related to ensure their
numbers were vast via breeding the members when they were not recruiting them at a
young age. Obaba had first expressed concerns about him being interested in
anything sexual with a woman for when he got older. Why that was the case, Naruto
did not know, but Genshin had stated it might be beneficial to Naruto in the
future, and that use such knowledge to seduce female targets before killing
Cracking his neck, Naruto focused on the two people quite a distance away,
squinting a little to see what was near them, and froze in horror at the sight of
the weapon stabbed into the ground.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Dark Dragon Sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even from here, Naruto could feel its malicious nature, its bloodlust oozing out
with the purple aura, and it made something in the blonde to stir. Something in his
blood screamed at him that this blade must either be sealed away or destroyed
before being used by some nut case with a God complex.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately, Naruto's new found desire to do one or the other regarding the vile
Dark Dragon Sword was denied due to his own injuries, the Dragon Ninja himself, the
man's female partner, and...the sudden appearance of the Dark
Disciple.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With Gamov standing right beside him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto couldn't hear what was being spoken, but it was clear the Dragon Ninja
wanted no part of the Dark Disciple, a fact clearly reinforced when the masked
figure picked up the Dark Dragon Sword with ease, and was itching to try it out. By
that point, the Uzumaki watching this felt his instincts screaming at him to get
closer, that something was about to happen, and he had to act {\i
now} before it was too late. Moving as fast as his body could, the boy was half way
to them when he heard the Dark Disciple speaking, and it was then that Naruto knew
his instinct about this mission were true regarding Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You have done well, Gamov,"}} said the Dark Disciple before swinging the blade at
the surprised man by his side and killed him instantly with one
hit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Gamov's body had practically disintegrated in front of Naruto's very eyes in a
spasm of dark energy from the Dark Dragon Blade making contact with the man. The
boy was so stunned like the others that he couldn't even scream out in denial at
what he just saw or that the Dark Disciple was a man the Dragon Ninja apparently
knew quite well.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Murai," whispered Ryu, but it carried over to Naruto's ears, and the boy vowed to
dig up everything he could on this man who killed Gamov before reporting it to
Naruto's slowly growing rage was replaced by horror when he saw Murai calling on
the power of the Dark Dragon Sword and changing into something dark and vile. It
was clear to Ryu, Naruto, and the unknown blonde woman that this man was itching to
test out his new power when using the sword in his hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I want to fight him. I should fight him, but...I can't. Forgive me Gamov, but I
cannot kill the man who killed you. He's too strong. Too powerful. If I fight him
now in my current condition, I will surely perish before I can land a single hit,
and would fail Lord Genshin in not delivering information about what has happened
here following your death at the hands of this...monster!' thought Naruto while
cursing himself for being weak and injured right now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All he could do was watch the fight unfold before him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Black Spider Clan? Are you sure about this Kakashi?" asked the Sandaime Hokage
while Kakashi nodded with Kurenai there to further confirm
"Absolutely Hokage-sama. He appeared out of nowhere and saved Tazuna's family from
Gato's thugs. Apparently, Gato owed the clan money, and he had been resistant to
paying them for past services rendered. This Yami Kitsune Jigumo used a Kusari-Gama
while using his wind affinity in such a way I have never thought possible and
slaughtered all of thugs Gato's employed like they were nothing," explained Kakashi
with the Sandaime thinking back to his own days as a young man regarding anything
about such a clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know I've heard of the Black Spider Clan in the past. Mentioned in passing I
believe by Hashirama-sensei or Tobirama-sensei, but its hard to recall since the
memory was so long ago. In any case, I'll have Jiraiya look into it, and see what
can be uncovered through his spy network," replied Hiruzen with Kakashi
"There is also the matter of what this individual did to Sasuke. If I encounter
this boy again, I wish to bring him in to face punishment for attacking my
student," said Kakashi with the Sandaime Hokage shaking his
"Denied Kakashi. From what your report stated, the Uchiha on your team struck the
girl the rest of your team and Kurenai's helped defeat {\i
after} she was tied up. Why this Yami Kitsune did that to the Uchiha on behalf of
Zabuza's student remains unknown, but you know Konoha tries to avoid showing such
barbaric actions in beating up future prisoners, and when the said prisoner is
female while in front of the client no less. It sends a bad message about us and
any future clients who hear what Sasuke did on the bridge," said Hiruzen with
Kakashi looking away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I trust Sasuke won't be punished for his...{\i
slip} regarding village policy?" asked Kakashi with Hiruzen
"The bruise he suffered to his face and ego are punishment enough. Besides, the
Uchiha finally unlocked the Sharingan, meaning his training can be increased by
teaching him with your own," said the Sandaime while Kakashi
nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is something else Hokage-sama," said Kurenai since she waited for Kakashi to
finish his report before adding her own to it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is it?" asked the Hokage curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While this Yami Kitsune was talking to Zabuza and his student, I sent a look to
Hinata to use her bloodline to see the boy's face behind the mask. While we were
unsuccessful for some reason in seeing the face, she did see his chakra, and told
me it was like looking into vast ocean deep within him," said Kurenai with the
Hokage frowning at how the eyes of the Byakugan had failed to see Yami Kitsune
Jigumo's identity.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why is that important? That Haku girl was only a few years older then our students
and her chakra levels were high Chuunin level to near Jounin," commented Kakashi
lazily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not the vast amount of chakra she saw with her eyes, but rather it was the {\i
colors} of the chakra that caught my attention on the matter," replied Kurenai
while giving Kakashi a side glare.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Colors? As in...{\i
plural}?" asked the Hokage with a frown.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. At first, Hinata told me she saw an intense amount of thick blue chakra
within the boy, but as her eyes probed deeper, the chakra beneath it was crimson,
and full of rage taking in the form of what was considered a {\i
fox}," said Kurenai with the eyes of Kakashi and Hiruzen to go wide in
shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You mean the boy is or rather {\i
could be}...?" asked Hiruzen with Kurenai nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I asked Hinata to describe everything she saw about the boy's dual chakra in
detail and asked her multiple times in private so the other Genin with us wouldn't
hear our little conversation. Her story never changed {\i
once} when she explained it to me Hokage-sama," said Kurenai with the Hokage
frowning further in thought on the matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If this boy is in fact Naruto, it means this Black Spider Clan took him six years
ago, and trained him in the ninja arts. But if that were the case, why haven't we
heard about them, or at the very least heard of Naruto being among their clan.
Surely a Jinchuriki would be put on the front lines and use the powers of the fox
in their name. So why haven't they?" questioned Kakashi with Hiruzen
"Maybe they don't know about the Kyuubi. The boy didn't use its power on the bridge
at all. What he did to Gato's hired thugs was all him," suggested Kurenai with
Hiruzen not liking that scenario either.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was a little known fact that Jinchuriki from any village with the exception of
Mito and Kushina were taught little to nothing about the ninja arts except the bare
minimum. They were told and taught to rely solely on the power of the Biju inside
of them and nothing else so the various restraining methods created by villages to
combat them would take away their advantage in a fight should they get a rebellious
streak in them to turn on their Masters. The only reason Yagura hadn't been
restrained after becoming Mizukage and starting the whole Bloodline Purge was due
to the man destroying all those things Kiri had in their possession. In fact,
Yagura's actions in destroying such material was what allowed the six-tailed
Jinchuriki to escape Kiri and go missing within the deep forests of Water Country
away from violence the country was known for.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A Jinchuriki's greatest strength would also be their greatest weakness. One Konoha
knew how to disable with ease and one they would have no problem using on their own
to keep said Jinchuriki in line after being caught.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In any case, I'll have Jiraiya look into this, and hopefully he can locate the boy
before bringing him back to Konoha for proper reconditioning. You said the boy
mentioned his teacher's name was Genshin?" said Hiruzen with Kakashi
"Yes. Apparently, Momochi Zabuza met him once years ago, and is very strong if he
is able to scare the Demon of the Bloody Mist," replied Kakashi with Hiruzen
nodding since there were few things a man of Zabuza's reputation
feared.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If this Genshin could scare Momochi Zabuza, he was indeed a Shinobi to be feared,
and in a way...highly respected.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That will be all. Dismissed," commanded Hiruzen with the two Jounin leaving the
"I'll get to work on this right away. If Naruto is alive and in the possession of
this Black Spider Clan, its imperative we bring him back to Konoha to become our
weapon," replied Jiraiya with Hiruzen nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. It would also explain how we found nothing regarding the explosion six years
ago before we even noticed Naruto was missing. The explosions were a diversion to
nab the boy right out from under us. Meaning they were watching our Jinchuriki and
how he had been living for some time," concluded Hiruzen with the Toad Sannin
"I can have the Toads look into this Black Spider Clan and this Genshin. If we're
lucky, they may know something, or where we can look for Naruto in a general area
to work with in terms of a location," offered Jiraiya with Hiruzen
"Do it. I want the boy found, brought back to Konoha, and molded to being our
weapon to defend Konoha. Its only because of your spy network and our own bit of
luck thanks to Kami that no one knows our village is without a Jinchuriki," said
Hiruzen with Jiraiya nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Leave it to me," said Jiraiya before he was gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The blonde Uzumaki watched as the traitorous demonic form of Murai fall into the
dark abyss behind him where the Dragon Ninja had originally risen from. The Dark
Dragon Sword was now on the ground. The power behind it was sapped, drained from
all of the fighting with Ryu Hayabusa, and the Dragon Sword in its true form.
Slowly, Naruto got closer to the man, as the blonde woman did the same, and watched
the two carefully with his own sword now drawn. He had hoped with the Dragon Ninja
weakened from his fight with Murai, he could sneak up behind the two, and run The
Biju Sword right through the man to avenge Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But was stopped when the Dragon Ninja easily swung his own sword at the Dark Dragon
Sword and shattered it into pieces so it could never be used
"You can come out now Black Spider Clan Ninja," said Ryu calmly while Naruto froze
from his spot, hidden behind some rubble and cursing himself for being detected
before making his appearance known.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The woman beside Ryu instantly got into fighting stance with her giant hammer of a
weapon to defend them both.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A boy? What is a boy doing here?" asked the blonde woman with Naruto narrowing his
eyes at her while sensing she was not weak at all like he first
thought.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She clearly had power behind her form and wasn't afraid to use it. The Dragon
Ninja's woman perhaps? No. She was not a ninja in any sense of the word, yet she
smelled like that Fiend he had slain earlier before fighting Ayane. Was she one of
those rare Fiend Hunters that the clan had gotten reports
about?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's not just a boy Rachel. He's a member of the Black Spider Clan. Judging by the
design of the mask on his face despite it being damaged, I would say he is the Yami
Kitsune Jigumo. He is said to be one of their most promising young ninja among the
Black Spider Clan's ranks," said Ryu, as he had heard whispers of the boy the past
few months, and wondered if any of them were true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I should kill you Dragon Ninja. I should kill you simply on principle to avenge
the death of Gamov," whispered Naruto angrily at Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. Gamov was a member of the Black Spider Clan," said Ryu before glancing at
the hat and damaged glasses in the distance not that far from
"He was my teacher. I respected him for the skills he possessed," said Naruto while
the woman known as Rachel seemed to take offense at that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anyone who respects that monster after what he allowed to happen to my sister
deserves to die the way he did. I hope he rots in Hell," remarked Rachel while
Naruto snarled at her and ignored the growing crack on the side of his mask while
feeling the chakra in his body slowly rising.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know nothing of Hell woman. And unless you want me to send you there...I
suggest you shut your mouth!" exclaimed Naruto while tightening his grip on his
"Why you little...!" exclaimed Rachel, but Ryu put a hand on her shoulder, and
stared at Naruto while a piece of the kitsune mask fell off revealing one of the
boy's two blue eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Dragon Ninja stared into the optical portal to the boy's soul, seeing more then
he first thought was possible, and then turned to Rachel while shaking his head for
her to stop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's enough Rachel. There is no point in us fighting him here. Enough blood and
death has been caused by this incident as it is thanks to Murai. We have all been
caught up by my Uncle's actions," said Ryu with Rachel looking at him before giving
Naruto a dark look and the two left the boy alone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Naruto, his mind filed the fact Murai was the Dragon Ninja's own Uncle. Lord
Genshin would need to hear about this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'One day you will die Dragon Ninja. Sooner or later...you will die!' thought Naruto
before putting away his sword and soon picking up what was left of Gamov to bring
back to his Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto could only pray Lord Genshin would be merciful to him when presenting these
items.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While the wounded Black Spider Clan member left at having failed his mission, he
also failed to notice the kunoichi from the Mugen Tenshin Clan watching him, and
having her own conflicting thoughts. On one hand, she wanted to kill the Uzumaki of
the Black Spider Clan simply because he was part of their clan, and was a threat in
the long-run.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She also wanted to kill him because of the kiss earlier, but that was beside the
point.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
What bothered Ayane was the fact this boy was not like any of the other Black
Spider Clan members she and Ryu had fought while here in the destroyed remains of
what was once the Vigoor Capital. Like Ryu, she took had seen the exposed blue eye
of Uzumaki Naruto before he left, and saw someone who was in pain yet not a
stranger to it either. There was also something beyond those eyes that made her
curious about him and would have to ask Joe Hayabusa about it when she told him of
what happened here in Vigoor.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Perhaps there was more to Uzumaki Naruto then even she first
realized.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Lair of the Black Spider Clan-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gamov...is dead?" asked Genshin his tone almost in disbelief while Naruto was
kneeling before his Master, head bowed low, and not once looking up to see the
man's face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The tone of his voice alone told the boy Genshin was extremely angry enough at it
was with all that he had come to report to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Master," replied Naruto in a low submissive tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Struck down by the Dark Dragon Sword?" asked Genshin while the man was looking at
the hat and damaged glasses Naruto had presented to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. His body was destroyed instantly with one strike of the dark sword. No one
saw it coming. Not even Gamov himself," replied Naruto humbly, as he saw that much
when getting close enough to see them better, and saw Gamov's reaction to Murai's
praise right before the killing blow was made.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who was his slayer?" asked Genshin while Naruto closed his
"A ninja by the name of Murai. The man is or rather {\i
was} a member of the Dragon Ninja's family. His Uncle actually to be more precise,"
answered Naruto with the room becoming noticeably colder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Was?" questioned Genshin with Naruto nodding slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He was killed...by the Dragon Ninja himself," explained Naruto before going
further into detail about Murai, turning into something monstrous with the power of
the Dark Dragon Sword, Ryu fighting him, winning, and destroying the blade soon
after.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In the end, Genshin was not amused, or remotely happy with how the outcome of the
battle reached its climax. Though Naruto knew from his years being trained by
Genshin that the man wouldn't have been happy either way if the Dragon Ninja had
fallen at the hands of his Uncle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is bad enough my brother dies at the hands of this man connected to the Dragon
Ninja, but for the Dragon Ninja to kill Murai, and deny me the revenge that is
rightfully mine is another matter entirely," said Genshin with clenched fists
creaking tightly in anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wanted to slay him after the battle, but...I was injured from the initial
explosion prior to the battle, and the Dragon Ninja himself was not wounded at all.
The man looked like he was barely tired," replied Naruto with Genshin growling like
a demon in front of him, but despite everything, the man kept his cool, and focused
once again on the boy's actions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Regardless of your failure to reach Gamov, much less save him from dying, you did
well in staying alive Naruto. This information will prove valuable to us in the
long-run. I now know who to lash out at when the time comes to launch my own
personal attack on the Hayabusa Village. Until then, we must increase your skill to
combat our foes, and their allies within the Mugen Tenshin Clan. At the same time,
I am putting you in charge of Gamov's spy network," said Genshin with Naruto
nodding while was surprised to be given Gamov's position within the
clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Lord Genshin. Also, with your permission Master...I would like to wear Gamov's
hat and glasses once the latter is repaired. I want to honor the man who helped in
training me to be the ninja I am today," said Naruto while Genshin looked at the
closest thing to remains of his brother in his hands and looked at Naruto for a
second to weigh the boy's words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Granted. Wear them well in his honor Naruto. From now on, the training, and
missions you do for the clan will be beyond anything you've ever done before. Your
new as well as current responsibilities to the clan will be doubled, if not {\i
tripled }because of our losses we suffered on this mission. My expectations of your
abilities to handle this will be met or I will kill you myself," said Genshin with
Naruto nodding and taking both items from his Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will do everything in my power to meet your expectations Lord Genshin. With your
permission, I will take my leave now to prepare myself for the trial that are to
come with these new responsibilities," replied Naruto before he left the room
quietly while Genshin stared at his retreating form.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That went as expected," commented Obaba with Genshin turning to snarl at
"Show some respect witch. My brother is dead because you sent him to Vigoor to worm
his way into getting close to the Dark Dragon Sword. To meeting with the Dark
Disciple and stealing the blade form under the Vigoor Emperor's very nose. Naruto's
own instincts about the mission being deadly for Gamov held true. We...{\i
I} should have listened to him about what he felt concerning my brother from the
start. Perhaps if I had, Gamov would not have met his end so violently, or caught
off guard like Naruto said he was when the strike came," said Genshin with Obaba
hissing slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So he claims. I would not trust the boy so easily after he just came from a
mission where he was close and exposed to the Dark Dragon Sword. Not to mention his
brief interaction with the Dragon Ninja himself. That vile blood on his Father's
side will awaken soon. I can feel it," said Obaba with Genshin looking at her with
an uncaring eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So? Let the dragon blood in him awaken. I want it to awaken. When the Hayabusa
Clan finds out we have one of their own fighting beside us, it will deal a
humiliating blow to their moral, and the mere fact the Black Spider Clan trained
one of their own to be a key instrument in their destruction," said Genshin with a
smirk on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And when the time comes to kill the boy when he is the last one left...will you?"
asked Obaba with Genshin's smirk leaving him and for a moment his eye showed
uncertainty before squashing it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto will understand when the time comes why I have to kill him. His life is
mine to command. He knows this," said Genshin with Obaba frowning at
"That's not an answer Genshin. Yes or no? Will you kill the boy yourself when the
time comes?!" demanded Obaba, as she wanted an answer, and wanted one right
"Yes," replied Genshin firmly while Obaba stared at him for a second with narrow
soul piercing eyes that were no doubt trying to see if he was being
truthful.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am warning you Genshin. Do not gain an attachment to this boy. He is of the
Dragon lineage. The same lineage we have been fighting since the birth of our
clans. You and Gamov may have trained Naruto these last six years, but the boy {\i
must} die in the end to ensure the Black Spider Clan's superiority. Should even {\i
one} of their bloodline remain when the final sword is sheathed, the threat of
their return will continue to exist. Do not let the boy's own emotional attachment
and unwavering loyalty to you blind your mind of what must be done in the end,"
said Obaba before leaving the room while a snarling and angry Genshin smashed his
fist through the wall and destroying it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I will do what must be done. For the Black Spider Clan and to bring about the
final end to the Dragon lineage,' thought Genshin while steeling his resolve and
began to plan his own moves while leaving the spidery witch Obaba to her own
devices regarding her own plans on how to attack the Hayabusa
(A/N: YAY! There you have it. I hope you enjoyed it. I added Naruto to the mix only
slightly since I felt him being there killing a few Fiends, plus batting Ayane was
for the best. When I was playing the game (Ninja Gaiden 1), I wondered where Ayane
had gone while spying on Gamov and the Dark Disciple A.K.A. Murai when they talked
last. I felt in this case, she was distracted from doing anything by fighting
Naruto, and the kiss part was something I felt Naruto would do given the situation
where he was pinned between a wall and a pair of blades trying to scissor his head
off at the neck. For those of you who think Ayane will be a love interest after
reading that, I will neither confirm nor deny it, but leave you with the hope they
might get together in some way. Though if they did, given how Ayane herself isn't
liked by her own clan for stuff that wasn't her fault (with the exception of a
few), I think you can assume what that means if she decided to...leave for greener
pastures, and said pasture involve being with Naruto. A coin toss to be sure and
before you start begging, I am the one flipping the coin, and I will decide if it
works or not. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 4-Pain and Loyalty\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Months had gone by since the incident with the Dark Dragon Sword and the fall of
the Vigoor Empire with the destruction of its Capital along with the death of its
Emperor. Since then, Naruto had taken over the Black Spider Clan's spy network in
Gamov's place, which many in the clan felt he was not only unqualified to handle,
but unfit as well since some suspected had a hand in the man's death. Some even
went to Genshin to protest this decision and ask if they could kill the boy
themselves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Such negative views about Naruto and his new found position were put down by the
boy himself when he beat several Black Spider Ninjas within an inch of their lives.
Some of these ninja were even slain in front of the others with The Biju Sword and
making it clear to everyone in the clan not supporting Genshin's decision that the
boy was not someone to fuck with.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for the position itself, Naruto ensure all information given to him was
accurate, or as dead on accurate as one could get with using a spy network. Several
times, Naruto got false reports from operatives, some who wanted to see him in
fact, and be shamed before Genshin. Naruto countered this by ensuring all
information was verified through a second source before presenting it to Genshin
and explained why certain pieces of information had been delayed in being brought
to his attention.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Needless to say, the false reports the boy received stopped coming in after the
fourth, and ultimately final failed attempt to discredit Naruto didn't work. The
agents responsible for trying this were all violently struck down before the rest
of the clan so they understood that such a divide within the clan was {\i
NOT} tolerated.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Aside from a few waves made internally, Naruto handled things well despite being so
young, though he did wish the old witch Obaba had made her plans known to him, and
not rushed into things blind. The stupid old hag made some kind of deal with a
Greater Fiend from Vigoor to seek the awesome power behind the Eye of the Dragon
used to make the Dragon Sword complete. Not only that, but she was trying to bring
about the return of the Dark Dragon Sword, or at the very least the Dark Dragon
itself through various orbs scattered throughout the world. Naruto suspected the
orbs were in fact the shards of the Dark Dragon Sword and the breaking of the sword
by the Dragon Ninja merely created a new opening for the creature to rise
How troublesome.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In any case, Naruto did not support the venture, and he was pretty sure that
Genshin did not either since the Dark Dragon (in sword form) was responsible for
Gamov's death. Obaba probably suspected she wouldn't be supported by either of
them, which was why the old witch didn't call for their help while they were away
overseeing the construction of the Daedalus Airship. She had put her plan into
motion within the week following Naruto's new position and the boy accompanying
Genshin to the top secret facility where the Airship was being built to ensure it
was done correctly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And what happened when they returned from their trip? Obaba had been slain, only to
be brought back to life by the Greater Fiend she allied with to come back as some
kind of demonic spider like Fiend, looking even uglier (if that were even possible)
then before, and the witch's dark powers seemed to be at a whole new level in the
process. When she was around, it felt like the old witch wanted to slash out at him
on pure instinct alone, but stayed her hand due to Genshin, who after her original
death at the hands of the Dragon Ninja, had take full control of the Black Spider
Clan, and would not tolerate his student being used by the old witch as a form of
target practice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Besides, Genshin had need of Naruto being in peak performance, and after discussing
things with Obaba as well they agreed the plan required everyone be in perfect
health.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The planned attack on the Hayabusa Village should commence as soon as possible. Jo
Hayabusa has just returned to the village badly injured from his battle with the
Vampire Lord. It will be some time before he can recover fully from his injuries
and the only real threat to our invasion is his son Ryu Hayabusa...the Dragon
Ninja," replied Naruto, as he had his spies keep track of Jo Hayabusa, his son the
Dragon Ninja, and the war with the Vampire Lord when word reached him of it
happening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"An annoyance at best. I will strike down any ninja from that village without
fail," said Genshin with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Master, the Dragon Ninja has done much since Vigoor, and his power grows with each
new battle. It won't be long before he is complete on par with you. Him in the
Hayabusa Village when we attack will cost us too much for what we aim to achieve
when we get there. Our new...{\i
alliance} with the Fiends is still shaky at best and I believe other various
factors are also in the village. One being the Dragon Shrine Priestess who Obaba
here failed to extract the Eye of the Dragon Jewel from and the deadly kunoichi
ally from the Mugen Tenshin Clan," said Naruto while producing pictures of the
Dragon Ninja's allies for them to see.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You are one to talk child. You failed to kill the kunoichi back in Vigoor. Perhaps
if you had been successful and ended her sooner when there, Gamov would have been
alive,"}} Obaba shot at Naruto who shot her a withering glare with his eyes
flashing from blue to red for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am well aware of my failures you old hag of a Fiend. I am merely laying out the
means to prepare some plan to attack the Hayabusa Village in a way where we ensure
success in our overall goal. It is {\i
you} who is acting greedy here. We are after a certain {\i
item} they have in their possession and you want to try going after two. The item
that {\i
you} want to take is dangerous to wield and has never before been mixed with dark
magical energies," Naruto countered while Obaba hissing at him and drooling spider
venom from her mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough! Both of you! Naruto has a point Obaba. Your actions are greedy and one who
is obsessed with a power they want yet have yet to have in their possession. The
only reason I allow such an mission is to divide our enemies and strengthen our
hold on the ninja world," said Genshin while the old witch turned Fiend eyed him
with several of the multiple eyes she had.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I do not need your approval here Genshin. }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
I}}}{\i
{\b
am the Matriarch of this clan and while you run it, }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
I}}}{\i
{\b
still hold power here,"}} said Obaba with Genshin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Of course. You do what you need to do and I will do what I need to do. Naruto, you
will assist Obaba in her mission, as planned when we attack the village. I will
make my way to the Dragon Tower where our target is located. With {\i
her} help in locating it, we should be able to locate the objective there, and as
an added bonus...kill Joe Hayabusa when he comes to stop us," said Genshin with a
grin on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Lord Genshin," replied Naruto before bowing at his Master's
command.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"How do we handle the Dragon Ninja? We need him away from his village in order to
launch a successful attack without his interference,"}} questioned Obaba with
Naruto being whispered something by a messenger, who entered the room, bowed after
giving his message, and left quickly into the shadows.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That may not be a problem. My informant in the CIA in America has just told me one
of the agency's dog's has learned of our plans. She is trying to locate Ryu
Hayabusa to warn him of our intentions regarding our overall goal," explained
Naruto with Obaba looking livid at hearing this while Genshin's eye
narrowed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"How did this happen?!"}} demanded Obaba with Naruto keeping firm despite the witch
now inches from his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Damn her breath was nauseating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Apparently, another one of our agents within the CIA has a big weakness for
beautiful blonde women, and cannot hold his liquor well enough. The CIA dog, who
found out about our plans used those charms, and the alcohol at a local bar to make
him talk. He is currently being held in a secure room within a secret CIA 'safe
house' while under heavy guard," replied Naruto with the two leaders in the room
not looking pleased.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I take it the spy in question will not be leaving his new accommodations alive?"
asked Genshin with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I've already sent three squads of Black Spider Ninja in commando uniforms we have
in reserve to ensure our soon to be former agent doesn't tell the CIA or anyone
else what he knows. He'll be dead before our attack even starts," answered Naruto
with Genshin now nodding in approval.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"This could work to our advantage. This will help lure the Dragon Ninja away from
his village. At the same time, we should send our ninja to this woman's location to
silence her, or at the very least find out what she knows before silencing her,"}}
said Obaba with Naruto agreeing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I will contact our new ally. She will help in that regard as well," said
Genshin with Naruto frowning slightly at the mention of {\i
her} and did not approve of this woman that his Master had allied with to create a
bridge with the Fiends.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
There was something about their new ally that Naruto greatly disliked even more
then he did Obaba right now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hayabusa Village-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fighting was occurring everywhere. Black Spider Clan Ninja were fighting the
various ninja from the Hayabusa Village. A few Fiends from the Dark Sect were here
as well, giving the Black Spider Clan the extra muscle to push those of the Dragon
Clan back in order for Genshin along with his newest ally to attack at the heart of
the village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Dragon Tower.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin, why am I not surprised," said Jo Hayabusa with his sword ready while
being surrounded by fire and sensed his adversary in the room with
"How the vaunted bloodline of the Dragon lineage has withered...Jo Hayabusa,"
mocked Genshin with a grin on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your embrace of the evil way has consumed you," said Jo while keeping himself in a
secure defensive stance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Evil? The Ninja Way knows neither good nor evil," replied Genshin with a frown on
his face now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Corruption of the soul is a fate that befalls the weak," Jo shot back with Genshin
now snarling slightly at him for calling the Black Spider Clan Ninja leader
weak.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough talk! The ties that once bound our clans are severed tonight," replied
Genshin before getting ready with the Blade of the Archfiend in hand to kill his
prey.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two Master Ninja soon clashed in a violent display of
skill.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Naruto)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We meet again Ayane. Ally of the Dragon lineage," remarked Naruto with a grin
while seeing Ayane wearing a much different and more exotic form of clothing then
the last time they saw each other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The girl before him seemed to have grown in just the few short months since he had
seen her last when in the Vigoor Empire. The outfit Ayane now wore was basically a
tight, one piece short purple skirt, showing a lot of leg despite the near knee
high stockings, and went up just enough to cover the growing woman's impressive
breasts. The clothing itself was held together with a single pink obi currently bow
tied in the back with two lingering strands that gave Naruto the impression of a
butterfly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Strapped on each side of her waist was a sheath for one of her Fuma Kodachis while
the weapons themselves were in her hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You!" exclaimed Ayane while narrowing her reddish eyes at
"What? Don't tell me you are still mad at me for the kiss I gave you?" questioned
Naruto with a smirk behind his mask though he was sure that the girl could sense
"Kiss? You didn't mention that in your initial report," said Momiji in surprise
while her weapon was out and ready for a fight with their
foe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not something I want people to know about Momiji," remarked Ayane with Naruto
letting out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That and you liked it," said Naruto with Ayane's face burning red with
embarrassment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I did not!" denied Ayane with Naruto grinning at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You say no, but the blush on your face says the opposite," commented Naruto with
Ayane's face getting redder though it was more out of
anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You and I need to have a talk after this," remarked Momiji with Ayane
growling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Later and {\i
after} we kill him," replied Ayane with Naruto tilting his
"{\i
IF} you can kill me. But we are getting off track here. Hand over the Eye of the
Dragon jewel and I won't kill either of you," replied Naruto with Ayane and Momiji
narrowing their eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And how do you know we have it?" asked Momiji with Naruto smirking behind his
mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who else would the Dragon Ninja entrust such a jewel too?" questioned Naruto
before he rushed forward at incredible speed, sword drawn, and prepared to snatch
the item in Momiji's possession.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Due to his body still growing in size and his ever improving agility, Naruto was
able to dodge Momiji's strikes with her Naginata, and go toe to toe with Ayane
while dodging the Fuma Kodachi strikes. By keeping himself in the middle of the two
kunoichi, Momiji was hesitant to thrust her weapon forward out of fear of missing
Naruto, and hitting Ayane by mistake. At the same time, Ayane had to be cautious of
her own blades accidentally hitting the Dragon Shrine Priestess, or one of her
explosive kunai if thrown.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He's gotten stronger. No doubt preparing for this fight,' thought Ayane while
kicking Naruto back, but the lack of emotion from him looked like it did little to
hurt the ninja, and she saw him reaching for a smoke bomb with his left
hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anything to say before I run you through?" asked Momiji with her weapon arched to
thrust forward and stab Naruto right through the back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. I win," replied Naruto before throwing the smoke bomb down on the ground and
made Momiji and Ayane cough in surprise at the amount of smoke
unleashed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When the smoke cleared, Naruto was gone, and at that point Momiji also realized the
Eye of the Dragon was also gone too. Naruto had used the distraction to grab the
jewel from her neck and take off before either woman had a chance to recover.
Though why the boy didn't kill them left the two a bit puzzled since Naruto could
have done that at any time after grabbing the necklace.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He grabbed the necklace," said Momiji while looking around for their
opponent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Meanwhile, Ayane was seething in anger regarding the blonde. Not for what he had
just done in stealing the Eye of the Dragon, but rather the {\i
other} thing he did while they were both coughing from the smoke
bomb.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The boy had groped her breasts and smack his hand on her
butt.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Urge to kill...{\i
rising}!' thought Ayane with fire burning in her eyes though Momiji didn't see it
from where she looking at the moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If the Dragon Shrine Priestess did see it, chances are the woman would have assumed
Ayane's anger was the same reason as her own, and not asked about the reason for
such intense rage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While this was happening, Naruto successfully made his way out of the Hayabusa
Village safely, and looking around to make sure he wasn't pursued. When he was sure
no one was following him after snatching the Eye of the Dragon, Naruto stopped to
take a breather, and for curiosity sake examined the item now in his hand. Obaba
had been obsessed with this thing ever since the aftermath of the Dark Dragon Sword
incident and it seemed to be getting worse for the old hag recently. What was it
about this jewel that had the witch practically foaming at the mouth (did spiders
foam at the mouth?) at the mere mention of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To think something so small hold so much power. It seems strange. A contradiction
in itself that something of this size could possess such intense power. You think
of power and the idea of something massive capable of holding it comes to mind. So
how is it this tiny object can hold so much power and bring so much fear to the
Black Spider Clan?" said Naruto to himself while the jewel seemed to glow brightly
at his words before it suddenly exploded with energy and said energy attacked him
violently with the force of what felt like a thousand lightning
bolts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In that moment, Naruto felt images appear in his mind, truth about his parents,
Konoha's dark history regarding its quest to stay the strongest, and the darkness
that was to come in the Elemental Countries. The Eye of the Dragon had basically
burned every single image of different people, places, and events that would bring
about the downfall of the region he was born from if he did nothing. When it was
over, Naruto collapsed to his knees, eyes wide, and his throat constricting in a
way that his own voice box couldn't even produce the scream from the pain he had
just gone through.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Struggling to stand, Naruto shook off the visions he saw, and wondered if it was
some kind of defense mechanism the jewel had to keep the unworthy of holding it. To
drive the person mad and destroy themselves on their own. Whatever the case, Naruto
didn't want to go through that again, and pocketed the jewel before heading to see
Obaba.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With any luck, the jewel would destroy her, and end the old witch for good this
time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Lair of the Black Spider Clan)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You have it. Good! You did your job well. Though I would have preferred the death
of its holder too, but I couldn't expect that much from you,"}} commented Obaba
with the jewel now in her hand and ignored the scowl on Naruto's face once he took
off his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Bite me old hag. Hopefully, someone from the Hayabusa Village, or the Mugen
Tenshin Clan will come to take the jewel from you,' thought Naruto before he
started to leave.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"And where do you think you are going?"}} demanded Obaba with Naruto stopping at
the door.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To meet up with Lord Genshin. He is seeing to the final touches of the Daedalus
Airship and I want to be there to protect him from Elizebet. There is something
about her that has me on edge. Something that doesn't sit well with me personally,"
replied Naruto before he continued walking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Oh really? And this has nothing to do with the fact your dragon's blood stirs
violently when near her or myself?"}} accused Obaba with Naruto stopping and his
eyes widened in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know what you mean," said Naruto while turning to see the old witch of a
Fiend hiss at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Do not play me for a fool boy. I can smell the dragon's blood of your Father's
side has now fully awakened. This jewel used its power recently and judging by the
look in your eye I know it was used on you. It did something to you. Something that
threatens my clan,"}} remarked Obaba with Naruto narrowing his eyes at
"If I'm such a threat like you claim, then do something about it," replied Naruto
with Obaba hissing at him before swallowing the jewel and charging at the boy with
the intent to kill.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for Naruto to move at the last second and strikes the spider like abdomen with
his sword to cause significant damage to it. Hissing again, Obaba tried to get at
him again with some webbing, but the boy was gone before she could summon enough
into her mouth to fire, and made the spidery Fiend cry out in
fury.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You will get yours brat! Run to Genshin. I only wish I could be there to see your
face when he slays you,"}} said Obaba to herself while setting out for the Aqua
Capital where she could setup a base of operations there with the jewel now apart
of her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Undisclosed Location-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto walked right by the crews, the Black Ninja Clan Ninjas in their usual ninja
attire, or the ones in commando uniforms with guns strapped to their sides. The boy
snorted in disgust at the sight of his fellow ninja using firearms. Any {\i
idiot }with a working thumb, an index finger, and strong enough depth perception
could use a gun. An uncivilized weapon by people who wanted to kill quickly rather
then accurately without regard for who was hit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'A ninja uses precision when killing their enemies. These firearms they hold
sacrifice that for the desire to spill blood,' thought Naruto before making his way
to the main cockpit where he knew Genshin would be located with two rows of the
Black Spider Ninja in their commando standing at attention.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
And beside him was Elizebet with the Demon Statue in her
"Ah Naruto. I'm so glad you could join us," commented Genshin while Naruto kneeled
before the man that had mentored him, trained him, and taken him away from a life
of unnecessary suffering in Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am yours to command Lord Genshin," said Naruto humbly before the man while he
kept his head bowed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Since you are here, I trust your mission was a success in taking the Eye of the
Dragon away from the Hayabusa Village," stated Genshin with Naruto
"It is with Obaba right now," replied Naruto while Genshin just nodded at
this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So this is the one you have been teaching Genshin. I didn't think you taught runts
to be ninja or have them {\i
pretend} to be ninja," remarked Elizebet while Naruto's eyes narrowed behind his
"And I don't believe you have a right to judge me you gothic attire wearing slut,"
Naruto shot back with Elizebet snarling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have every right to judge you boy. I can smell the foul stench of the dragon
that is in your blood," said Elizebet with her clawed hands twitching and eager to
stab the boy with them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough! Elizebet, leave us for now. There are things I must talk about with my
student alone," commanded Genshin while seeing Elizebet shooting him a look before
sending a dark one to Naruto and walked off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Obaba tried to kill me earlier before I came here. She said the dragon blood in me
had awakened. That the Eye of the Dragon brought it out in me after I had taken it
from the Dragon Shrine Priestess," stated Naruto with Genshin now turning to face
his student and walked toward him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. You are of the Dragon lineage. You are of their blood. On your Father's side.
The very man who sealed the Biju into you to be more precise," said Genshin while
drawing his sword, the crimson electrical energy coming to life, and the sound of
it echoing in the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Black Spider Ninja commandos behind Naruto not moving an
inch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. The jewel showed me as much when it attacked me," replied Naruto while he
kept his head down while Genshin slowly walked toward him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet you came here. Knowing the truth," stated Genshin with the hint in his
voice that he was impressed and yet was curious to know why the boy came here
knowing the truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why wouldn't I? I am your student. I was Gamov's student. Have I ever given you,
my teacher, my Master, and my very reason for existence an excuse to kill me? A
reason to question my loyalty? My resolve?" asked Naruto with his head bowed, not
even looking up to stare at him, or the sword in his hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. You have not. Many have come to me, claiming you would destroy the clan from
the inside. That I should kill you and end this before it goes too far," relied
Genshin with the boy nodding in understanding and slowly removed his mask before
staring up at the man who took him away from the Hell that was
Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And that is your right. No one else can end my life. Only you can end me because I
am yours to command. It doesn't matter to me if I am of the Dragon lineage. Blood
does not dictate who I should swear allegiance to or that I should instantly join
the Hayabusa Clan simply because of it. You gave me purpose Lord Genshin. An
existence beyond what I would have been in that place that shunned and hated me. I
would have been a nothing. A nobody. A near mindless weapon, who didn't even
realize the people who hated him were using him, and would end his life when the
purpose they tried beating literally into his body to reflect that had come to an
end. I wouldn't have been able to tell my head from my ass. I would have suffered
for a village that deserved nothing of my loyalty or the power locked deep inside
of me," said Naruto with Genshin narrowing his eye at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You would not resist? You would not stop me from taking your head off your body
right now if I wished it to be so?" questioned Genshin with Naruto bowing his head,
exposing the neckline, and looked up from his position.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have been yours to command from the moment you saved me. From the moment you
brought me into the clan. If you believe without question, without a shred of doubt
that I would betray you in some fashion, or I would simply switch sides to join
your enemies as a form of revenge for not telling me the truth sooner...then take
my head. I will not stop you. I will not fight you. I wish this moment to etched in
time as proof of my loyalty to you and the Black Spider Clan," said Naruto, as he
put his head to the floor, and waited for Genshin to make his
decision.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For what was considered the longest moment of Naruto's life, nothing happened while
Genshin looked down at the boy, his mind processing the boy's words, deciphering if
they were true, or if they were lies. By all rights Genshin should take his
student's head simply on principle of him being the Lord of the Black Spider Clan
and the child himself was of the Dragon lineage. To take Naruto's head clean off
and send it to Jo Hayabusa as a way of demoralizing his enemies and showing the
might of the Black Spider Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And yet...looking down at this boy, this young ninja who he, and Gamov had taught
for the past 6 long years...Genshin found himself staying his hand. How could he
kill this boy? A boy who was treated like filth, like an insect a human would
sooner crush beneath their feet rather then simply let it crawl on its way? This
boy's potential, if he allowed it to grow, would one day rival if not surpass his
own, and that of Ryu Hayabusa himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Could he really do that? End this boy's life as a ninja before it could truly reach
its full potential? This boy, who had been loyal, unflinching in the face of his
enemies, and had at this moment offered up his head without hesitation to prove
said loyalty to the Dark Lord of all Ninja even now despite knowing the truth that
was kept from him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I will not take your head young blood," said Genshin before putting his sword
away and walking a few steps away from Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Master?" questioned Naruto while shocked yet honored the man would not take his
head like the blonde thought he first would.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that Naruto would stop him. He meant it when saying Genshin was the only one
who deserved the right to end him if it was his wish.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are my student. I am your teacher. I did not invest well over six long
grueling years into your training just to end it simply because of your heritage. I
have told you time and time again that your potential is nearly limitless. Whether
by your own determination or that of your bloodline, it does not matter to me. What
{\i
does} matter, is you continue to be a student worthy of my teachings, and continue
to get stronger with each passing day. If the time comes for me to take your head,
it will be when you are the last ninja in the world with dragon bloodline
remaining, and even then...I expect you to go down {\i
fighting}!" said Genshin before turning his head to look at Naruto's shocked
face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Lord Genshin. I understand and I thank you for this generous show of mercy you
have made on your part," replied Naruto with Genshin motioning for the boy to rise
and stand beside him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have learned much from me Naruto and still have much more to learn in the days
to come with this mission. When the Daedalus is in the air, we are going to head
for Central America, where the Demon Statue will be offered to the Infernal High
Priest Dagra Dai, and bring about a new age for us. Elizebet is key to our clan's
continued survival when the time comes for us to work together with them in
defeating our enemies. While I know her presence bothers you greatly, I ask you
keep your tongue in check, and your sword sheathed when interacting further with
Elizebet," said Genshin with Naruto nodding at the command.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
Though he didn't like it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will do what you ask Lord Genshin. However, I will not stand by should she
decide to mock us, or act like she is your superior in all of this. If what I sense
from her is true, she is not normal in the slightest, and is something...{\i
else}. Something not human. Something that is similar to a...to a...," said Naruto
with Genshin grinning slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To a Fiend?" offered Genshin with Naruto nodding while Genshin laughed at how the
boy deduced such a thing so easily when near the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She smells of blood Lord Genshin. Like she is saturated in it. Or has quite
literally been {\i
bathing} in it. I feel like it will come out of her like sweat does the body after
working out. You say she is a Fiend, but most Fiends are not highly intelligent
like we are, and I can only conclude from the fact she is highly intelligent that
she is...one of the higher ranked Fiends we have yet to see for ourselves," replied
Naruto before feeling Genshin's clawed right hand place itself on her
"So you sensed it as I did. Yes. Elizebet is indeed one of {\i
them}. She hides it well to the untrained eye, doesn't she?" replied Genshin with
Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I feel uneasy with her. I fear she will try to corrupt you in some way. Whispering
sweet words into your ear, only to strike like the vile snake I know she is, and
put a hole in your chest before you can raise your guard. I don't want to witness a
repeat of what happened to Gamov happen with you," remarked Naruto with Genshin
looking down at the boy and a smile formed slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You won't Naruto. I am not going to rely on Elizebet's power or listen to her
words that are intended to lower my guard. I will do what I have always done and
she can never force me to do anything I do not want to do. If she gives an order
and I were to obey it, the reason is simply because I was planning on handling the
matter at hand myself. If it makes her feel better in believing I am the servant,
then let the foolish woman believe she is in control just to appease her clearly
frail ego," said Genshin with Naruto nodding in
understanding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I still have much to learn from you Lord Genshin," commented Naruto with Genshin
just looking at the boy with a hint of pride in his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not that much young one. Come! We will continue your training while we still have
the time to train. It won't be long before the Dragon Ninja comes to engage us and
we must be ready for him when the time comes," replied Genshin with Naruto nodding
and the boy intended to get as much training done with his weapons as humanly
possible.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! Another chapter. Hope you liked this chapter. Now Naruto knows the
truth, but is still loyal to Genshin. Maybe that seems wrong to some of you, but
like Haku is with Zabuza, our hero was saved by someone who could have left him to
die. Kimimaro was the same way with Orochimaru, as those without purpose will fight
for those who do give it to them with fanatical loyal, and won't let anything or
anyone stand in their way of doing just that. Look at various animes regarding that
situation, you will find many of the different characters in such animes who are
like that come from such situations regardless if the side they are on is good or
evil. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 5-Deeper into Darkness\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto looked up from the cockpit of the Daedalus Airship, seeing a much smaller
flying vehicle in the air slightly above them with two occupants within it. One was
the pilot and the other was a passenger, but what bothered Naruto was the small air
vehicle currently flying around them was in fact a heavily armed attack chopper,
and one of the passenger getting ready to jump out of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It seems we've got company," remarked Naruto with both Genshin and Elizebet
looking up where he was to see the attack chopper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the Dragon Ninja {\i
can} fly," commented Genshin, as he saw Jo Hayabusa's son leap into the air go
soaring to the end of the Daedalus Airship where the runway was
located.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If he gets inside the Daedalus, the Dragon Ninja could do some extensive damage
before we reach our objective," said Naruto with Genshin nodding while hitting the
alarm for all Black Spider Clan Ninja to deploy in repelling the enemy while the
ships anti-air artillery cannons shot at the attack
chopper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For while, Naruto could only watch in slowly growing horror, as the Dragon Ninja
made his way into the Airship, and began wrecking havoc everywhere he went.
Granted, the attack chopper had been shot down, but the team sent to see if the
pilot had survived had yet to report in, and the blonde suspected they were all
dead by this point. What's more, the systems keeping the reactors in the green were
getting damaged, and there were more reports of a second intruder coming in from
another section of the Airship.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Apparently, it was a blonde woman, and she had an RPG in her hands while not being
afraid to use it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will deal with the second intruder. Its high time I put that CIA dog down
myself," said Naruto before he moved to find the woman and run his blade through
A loud explosion sometime later signified that the reactor had just been jettisoned
and destroyed safely away from the Daedalus.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can't anyone kill that damn ninja?!" exclaimed Elizebet angrily while slamming her
clawed hand down on the consol.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Calm yourself Elizebet. {\i
I }will handle this," said Genshin, as he would take on the might of the Dragon
Ninja himself, and see if Ryu Hayabusa had indeed improved since their last
encounter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto didn't have try very hard in finding the woman raising all sorts of Hell
with her projectile weapon, as he just had to follow the sound of explosions, cries
of pain, and the sound of guns being fired by the commandos on the Airship.
Honestly, why didn't these guys just use all fashion ninja tactics, and sneak up on
her before running a sword right through her stomach? Instead, they face her head
on, guns blazing, bullets {\i
missing}, and they get blown up in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unacceptable.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Moving swiftly to a shadow spot in the room where the commandos were firing at the
CIA woman ducking under the hail of bullets while behind a large steel box. When
the commandos moved to reload, the woman fired her RPG projectile, and blew up the
Black Spider Ninja commando in a gory violent death with their body parts flying
everywhere.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So uncivilized.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Bringing out his shuriken, Naruto threw them at the blonde bombshell of a woman,
and saw she did have the skills outside of firing such a violent weapon. She must
have sensed him at the last minute because the blonde dodged each of his bladed
throwing weapons, his actions prevented her from reloading, but only for a moment,
and even then all it seemed to do was make her resort to using the pistol she had
holstered at the hip. At first, Naruto thought it was the blonde haired Fiend
Hunter he had seen in Vigoor after the fall of the Emperor just before Murai killed
Gamov, but this blonde woman had shorter hair, and noticeably lacked the hammer
based weapon used for smashing the brains of Fiends into
mush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your the second blonde woman I've seen with the Dragon Ninja since my encounter
with him. I wonder if he likes women with blonde hair," remarked Naruto before
moving out of the way when she fired at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wouldn't know. I might just ask the Dragon Ninja the next time I see him," said
the woman, who fired shot after shot, and almost hit Naruto quite a few times if
not for him actually {\i
deflecting} the bullets with his sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Unlikely since you won't live long enough to see him," remarked Naruto while
moving in for the kill when she ran out of bullets and cursed before throwing the
gun away in order to finish reloading the RPG.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Funny I could say the same about {\i
you}!" exclaimed the woman, as she finished reloading, rolled out of the way of
Naruto's strike at the very last moment, costing her quite a few strands of blonde
hair, and was able to aim the RPG at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before firing at it nearly point blank range.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Aw shit!" exclaimed Naruto, as he barely brought his weapon up in time, and sliced
the projectile in half with both halves crashing behind him before
exploding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately, when they both exploded, it was right into two large ammo crates
with one of them being a box of grenades. The explosion sent Naruto flying into a
wall before supplies from the room landed on him, and leaving a hole for the woman
to escape into the next room with the RPG holstered on her
"And {\i
that} is why {\i
I} carry the big guns," remarked the woman before exiting the room via the hole
made.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fucking bitch," mumbled Naruto before getting up after a moment to give off the
belief to the woman he was down for the count.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Far from it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
What mattered now was getting to Master Genshin while stopping the Dragon Ninja and
the woman from meeting up again. This woman wasn't a push over like he first
thought since his first impression of her was a simple CIA agent who only knew how
to use a gun better then the standard moron.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Or in this case an RPG rocket launcher.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She was sharp, had the moves, the reflexes, and the brains needed to come out on
top in a fight when push came to shove. A warrior woman of the modern age that
ninja needed to bond with in order to know the latest things going on
technologically and evolve with the times. Hell, if the Dragon Ninja survived this
ordeal, he might even consider the woman worthy of courting, and eventually giving
him children. If not her, the Fiend Hunter he met in Vigoor was always a
possibility, and their bloodlines together would produce strong offspring as
well.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For some reason, seeing the Dragon Ninja continue his bloodline didn't bother
Naruto like he thought it would when the thought coming to the front of his mind.
Naruto began to wonder if it was because of the truth about his own connection to
the Dragon Clan was making him see things in a different
light.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Either that or perhaps Naruto just wanted to see the Dragon Ninja go crazy being a
Father and raising a bunch of children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Thinking of things you were denied growing up?"}} mocked Kyuubi in his head, the
seal weakened enough by the Eye of the Dragon's attack to allow a link to form
between them in the recent couple of days.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Shut up! Lord Genshin is the closest thing I have to a Father. Who needs the
Yondaime Hokage? Who needs Konoha for that matter? Let one rot in Hell for sealing
you in me and the village itself burning for betraying its hero,' thought Naruto
coldly with the fox now grinning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You will get no argument from me there. Your Father was a great Seal Master who
was surpassed only by the Uzumaki Clan, but he lacked people skills, and how to
read the inner nature of others. To see into their inner heart and what they would
do when put in a position to get power at the expense of friends they trusted. Had
the fool been trained in the ways of the Dragon Ninja, such a misstep in judgment
would have been impossible, but I suspect those in Konoha that knew of his lineage
didn't want that to happen, and was the one subject they chose }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
NOT}}}{\i
{\b
to teach him,"}} replied Kyuubi with Naruto fighting back the urge to curse his
former home while rushing to where he felt Genshin would be at the
moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fighting the Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Another explosion rocked the area around him, sending Naruto up, hitting the
sealing, followed by his left side, then right, left again, the floor, and all over
the place. The entire Airship was going down and using Naruto as a pinball in the
process before the strain of the ship told the boy it was breaking in
two.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh double shit!" exclaimed Naruto, as he got off the ground, and rushed to where
the Daedalus had broken into two separate pieces.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When he got there, Genshin was standing with there, a grin on his face while the
Dragon Ninja, and the CIA woman took off on a Black Spider Clan motorcycle. The
section of the ship he was on with Genshin was going down faster then the other one
where Elizebet was still located and part of him hoped the bitch somehow died in
the crash. Bracing for impact, Naruto drew his sword like Genshin did, and pierced
the floor of the ship before it angled out into being a side
wall.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When the impact of the ground finally happened, both ninja broke off from the wall
they had been holding onto, and landed expertly on the ground despite all of the
wreckage everywhere. Looking at Genshin since the crash, Naruto saw the man wasn't
even hurt from his fight with the Dragon Ninja, or the crash itself despite that
statically the man before him should have at least {\i
one} mark to show for it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And yet he didn't have one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The blonde woman got away from you it seems," remarked Genshin before turning to
face Naruto, who bowed slightly in shame, but nodded all the same, and sheathed his
"She was not the standard CIA dog I first assumed her to be Lord Genshin. She has
good reflexes and knows when to use her weapons when it counts. I underestimated
her," said Naruto with Genshin nodding in understanding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Many have done that it seems. Both with her and the Dragon Ninja. Those with far
more experience in being a ninja then you in fact have fallen to those two.
Nevertheless, we have lost much in our investment into this plan, but I expect such
losses to be recovered when this is over. Come! We need to get to the temple while
our bio weapon deals with the Dragon Ninja. If anything, it will slow him, and the
woman down long enough for us to proceed with the next stage of the plan," said
Genshin with Naruto nodding and they left to head for the Amazon jungle deep
Central America.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing? You have had months to bring me something regarding Naruto and the Black
Spider Clan. Yet you have found...nothing!" stated Hiruzen while glaring at his
former student looking uneasy back at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The last few months had not gone well for the old Kage. The Chuunin Exams had
arisen and Orochimaru had showed signs of his return to destroy Konoha. Not
surprising when you consider the fact Orochimaru felt slighted for performing
experiments on people and causing quite a few deaths. The fact they were all
secretly sanctioned by the Hokage and Danzo was irrelevant in their eyes. This was
done for the greater good of Konoha in their eyes. In order to improve the means of
artificially giving bloodlines to Konoha Shinobi to make them better fighters in
times of war and give seemingly normal ninja without any form of bloodline on
record an edge in a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now, it seemed the Sannin, who was favored the most by the Sandaime Hokage during
his younger years was coming back to Konoha to crush it. Naturally, the old Kage
had taken precautions to strengthen the village's defenses, secretly call back
ninja out in the field, and informing only those who needed to know about the
importance of a possible attack by the rogue Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not like I haven't tried sensei. The Toads did some digging on this Genshin
guy and the Black Spider Clan in general. They seem to know something, but won't
tell me why, except that 'It goes against the will of the Dragon God' or something.
The Elder Toad is acting very nervous for some reason too and says the prophecy has
changed. He says the child of prophecy has transformed himself into something part
dragon, part kitsune, and part spider. That the ninja way will hang in the balance
of the one who was scorned by his family's betrayers," said Jiraiya with Hiruzen
frowning at that since he assumed the prophecy was referring to Naruto and the
boy's early childhood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And? What will the child of prophecy do?" asked Hiruzen with Jiraiya shaking his
"I don't know sensei. The Elder Toad said the Child of Prophecy will return from a
war we cannot stop, we cannot interfere in, and to try would be facing the full
fury of the Dragons for the lies fire spoke years ago," replied Jiraiya with
Hiruzen letting out a groan of frustration.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Everything I have done to ensure the village has remained the strongest is falling
apart all around me. I lied to {\i
them} because I knew Minato's potential as a ninja would help the Leaf survive any
coming wars following my retirement. Minato was suppose to lead the Leaf to a new
age of greatness with his wife, who happened to be an Uzumaki, {\i
AND} the village's Jinchuriki being the secret pointy tip of the sword," remarked
Hiruzen while his former student nodded since he knew about this and how this story
ends.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Only for Kushina to get pregnant despite my insistence to Minato to play it safe,
the fox then breaks free for a time, and Konoha gets attacked by said demon. In the
end, two of our most powerful ninja after sealing the beast inside their own child,
and leaving said helpless child to be molded to our own liking. Even if it goes
against the wishes of the boy's dead parents because the ninja way as we know rides
on child deciding if it lives or dies," added Jiraiya with Hiruzen
"Exactly! If the boy were to destroy the Shinobi way as we know it, Konoha {\i
must} be allowed to survive, and the only way to do that is to control the Child of
Prophecy. We cannot do that if we are not in possession of the boy or unable to
control how he thinks about Konoha ninja in general," replied Hiruzen while giving
the Sannin a cold glare.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm still working on it sensei. Its not exactly easy. If it were easy, then
everybody could do it, and I would be out of a job," said Jiraiya in a semi joking
manner.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it Jiraiya! This is serious. We need Naruto here in the village. We need him
to be brought back to defend Konoha from Orochimaru when he plans to attack us
during the Chuunin Exams!" exclaimed the Sandaime Hokage
angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know sensei! I am trying. I just can't snap my fingers and make the boy appear
in front of us," said Jiraiya with Hiruzen letting out a
sigh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your right Jiraiya. Just...try harder," said the Sandaime with Jiraiya
"Just make sure the village is standing after Orochimaru's attack fails," remarked
Jiraiya before he left via the window.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Central America-Fiend Temple)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin, I must ask this question...should I be here? Or rather in this
temple? I mean given my...well...my blood?" asked Naruto with Genshin looking at
him in thought.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps not. The Infernal High Priest Dagra Dai will no doubt take offense to you
being here Naruto. Not to mention the majority of the Fiends in this place.
Elizebet plans on giving him the Demon Statue as we speak in a grand display for
all of them to see. Go out into the jungle and keep an eye out for the Dragon Ninja
as well as that woman with him. If he did survive the Armadillo, he will come here,
and so will that woman with her own choice of weapons," replied Genshin with Naruto
"Yes Lord Genshin," replied Naruto before making his way out of the
"You should just let my minions kill him Genshin," commented Elizebet after
appearing from the shadows while Genshin narrowed his eye at
"Your minions couldn't kill a full grown Dragon Ninja. What makes you think they
can handle one of their bloodline after being trained by me?" challenged Genshin
with the woman smirking at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why don't we find out? I'll send some of my lower pawns among the Fiends after him
and see if he is indeed worthy of your training," offered Elizebet while seeing
Genshin narrowing his eye further in suspicion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It would be a waste of time and your forces. My student would win against anything
you threw at him," stated Genshin while Elizebet just kept smirking at
"Prove it. Let my pawns have a shot at ripping him to pieces," said Elizebet with
Genshin looking at him with eyes that told the ninja that she believe he was
wrong.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very well. Send your minions to their death. It will only make the boy stronger in
the end and that is what I want," replied Genshin before walking away from her
while the woman's smirk left and was replaced by a frown.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know why you want him to grow stronger Genshin, but I intend for him to
not make it out of the jungle alive!" stated Elizebet before looking at Fiends she
wanted to send out against him and motioned with her head for them to go out to
kill the boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With a loud roar of hunger and bloodlust they rampaged out of the temple to attack
their intended prey.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto sat in meditative position, his senses having been expanding outward since
sitting down, and his ability to sense others (thanks to being an Uzumaki on his
Mother's side of the family) was being used to its maximum. Ever since making the
connection with the Biju sealed inside his body, Naruto had decided to speak to the
Kyuubi, and learn more about the giant construct of energy his Father sealed into
The fox was displeased (naturally) to find itself sealed within the Yondaime
Hokage's only son, but that all changed when the Biju learned the boy it was sealed
into had the bloodline of the Dragon lineage in him. Kyuubi knew this vessel was
one for the history books, as no other Biju could claim such a thing had happened
to them in their lifetime. Normally, the fox would normally be angry to no end,
given this was its {\i
third} time sealed in a vessel after being used like some pet, weapon, or slave to
the Sharingan Eye from an Uchiha {\i
twice }now, but this vessel...this vessel was a vast
improvement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For years, the fox had been pumping its chakra into boy's body, seeing it grow,
mature, and develop in a way that the effects wouldn't hamper Naruto's training.
Only improve it. Muscles tearing, bones breaking, and injury upon injury being
healed using the Biju's chakra made the boy's body even stronger. Add to the fact
this child was of the {\i
Dragon} lineage, Kyuubi could only imagine it would take nothing short of Madara,
or something close to Madara in the next few years could stop him. The boy had
fought and killed Fiends, other ninja, and gone toe to toe with the kunoichi from
the Mugen Tenshin Clan. A clan which the fox knew was incredibly strong due to the
blood of the Tengu in their veins just like the Dragon Clan had the blood of the
Dragon God in their veins. Added to the fact Naruto was being trained by the
strongest ninja of the entire Black Spider Clan, its vessel was indeed one of a
kind, and worthy of being its host.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You have company,"}} remarked Kyuubi with Naruto opening his eyes, having sensed
the enemy, and was not surprised to sense Fiends heading his
way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you she made her move against me. How predictable," remarked Naruto to himself
before getting up and unsheathing his sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Considering your Dragon bloodline, you expected the blood bitch to simply let you
be out here, or continued to exist longer then what SHE wants in terms of
living?"}} asked Kyuubi, as it disliked the woman just as much as Naruto did, and
for good reason since the woman was one of the higher level Fiends that kept their
intelligence as well as their ruthlessness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not really. But you would think she would do this when I least expected it from
her. To throw me off guard and all that," said Naruto with the fox
shrugging.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Point taken. Still, it would be best if you kill them all quickly, and meet up
with your Master. Chances are, the Dragon Ninja has started cutting a path to the
temple, and have yet another confrontation with him,"}} said Kyuubi with Naruto
nodding and he readied himself for battle when the Fiends leaped out of the jungle
to rip him to pieces.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fun time," whispered Naruto with a grin on his masked face before he moved with
great speed to cut through his first Fiend, which was all purple, had claws, and
only one eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The kind that spewed out green blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Fiend cried out in pain, its death echoing throughout the jungle, its
"brothers" of similar, and different color charged forward to kill the boy. But the
student of Genshin was not so easily vanquished by such low level Fiends regardless
of their numbers and quickly cut through or beheaded them. The Biju Sword absorbing
the energy from the bodies it had just slain, glowing slightly from the power it
just took, and hungered for more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It would soon get its wish in the form of a giant purple Fiend with bat like wings,
long neck, lanky body, and the head of said Fiend getting ready to shoot purple
fire at Naruto. Cursing at the sudden attack, Naruto dodged left, then right,
jumped upward to avoid a flamethrower based attack, and pivoted around upon his
feet hitting the dirt so he could charge forward. The Fiend tried to leap at him by
this point, to pounce, to grab him, and basically beat the shit out of the boy. But
Naruto did a ninja slide, avoided the pounce, and the grab while his sword was
thrust upward to pierce the flesh of the Fiend. The move split the creature
vertically in half and caused the monster to cry out in pain before it died with
its guts falling everywhere.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"This is insulting. She only sent a bunch of Fiend grunts and one big bad bat thing
after you. Where is the challenge?"}} remarked Kyuubi before he along with Naruto
saw more of the Fiend he just killed jump out of the
jungle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Thanks Kyuubi. You just got your stupid wish for me to have stronger opponents to
kill,' thought Naruto sarcastically while rolling his eyes at the
fox.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You may not like it now kit, but this will help your sword in the long run.
Remember, this sword feeds of the energy of vanquished enemies, regardless if they
are Fiends, or humans so long as they have energy in their bodies to take when
killed. You've made some progress so far, but you need more power, and don't get me
started on the jewel you need to bring out the sword's TRUE potential. A jewel,
which I remind you is in the Elemental Countries somewhere, or possibly lost in
some cave after Kami knows how long its been lost to the hands of time,"}} replied
Kyuubi with Naruto cutting through one Fiend after the other, sometimes taking an
arm off so they couldn't fly, and having to divert from killing one to dodge an
attack from another.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Can't argue with that,' thought Naruto before beheading one of his
targets.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Fiend Temple-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You cannot defeat me! The Greater Fiends are eternal!" }}Elizebet screamed out
before she went into the pool of blood swirling around before it consumed
"So Dragon Ninja, you wish to know where the Demon Statue has been taken," stated
an amused and impresses Genshin from his position high above Ryu
Hayabusa.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would. Where is it going?" replied Ryu while seeing a multi-blood stained Naruto
walk up beside Genshin and stay silent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To the very place where its presence casts a shadow over your village. A place
that has bind our clans together since time memorial. At the base of Mt. Fuji. The
gateway to the {\i
Underworld}," stated Genshin with a grin on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The land of the dead," whispered Ryu while Genshin nodding before looking at
Naruto and motioned for him to follow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Elizebet sent her Fiends after me," remarked Naruto when he was out of the
"I know. She apparently wanted to test you. And so did I for that matter," replied
Genshin with Naruto not saying anything for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I imagine she would be greatly disappointed in seeing me alive after all of the
Fiends I have killed...if she weren't dead already," commented Naruto with Genshin
letting out a small, yet dark chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just because the Dragon Ninja defeated Elizebet doesn't mean she is dead Naruto.
She is a Greater Fiend after all and with the gateway to the Underworld now being
opened due to the Demon Statue...," replied Genshin with Naruto
stiffening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Any of the Greater Fiends can now die anytime and comeback to the land of the
living so long as the gateway is open," finished Naruto with Genshin
"Yes. Though I imagine they will not simply come out of the Underworld so quickly
once arriving there. It is a place that restores their strength, but I imagine it
does so in a slow manner," added Genshin with the boy
"Meaning Elizebet will have to stay there until her strength returns long enough to
come out of the gateway unopposed," remarked Naruto with Genshin smirking at his
young student.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Correct. Come my student, its time we go this place, and ensure that nothing stops
the Archfiend from rising again," commanded Genshin with Naruto nodding and walked
into the shadows to perform his duty to his Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Sometime later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Konoha was badly damaged. Several sections of the village were in ruins. Its walls
on one section were destroyed due to a large snake summons with three heads on one
body, only to be crushed by an even larger summons in the form of a giant toad. As
for Konoha itself, its Shinobi were repelling the Sound ninja, and those from Suna
joining with them in this fight. Of course, the scheme used by Orochimaru had not
gone according to plan, as it was later revealed by Jiraiya that the Kazekage had
been killed by Orochimaru, and the Sannin was impersonating
That made Suna quickly realize that they had been played by the snake Sannin and
left in full retreat while they still could, but not before killing as many Sound
ninja as they could when leaving. It was chaotic to say the least, as Sound ninja
were greatly overwhelmed soon after this happened, and Orochimaru's plan to fight
the Sandaime Hokage alone hit a snag when the Kazekage's young son had unleashed
the Biju inside of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The boy had been injured during his fight in the Chuunin Exams with the Uchiha,
which surprised his siblings given their little brother's reputation of sporting
what they many considered to be the "ultimate defense" against any and all attacks.
After fleeing long enough to recover, the boy unleashed his Biju from the forest
onto Konoha and causing further destruction, even with word of Suna in full
retreat. When the one-tailed raccoon dog started launched wind bullets left and
right, one of them had skimmed right over the barrier Orochimaru's Sound Four had
created with enough force to destroy it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the powerful barrier down, the Konoha ANBU encircling it had attacked, intent
on saving their leader from death, and were able to force Orochimaru to retreat. In
the end, Konoha was saved from being annihilated, the village proved it was able to
stand against not one, but {\i
two} Shinobi villages, even if one of the villages was considered minor, and run by
a traitorous Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All at the cost of the village's overall look, quite a few skilled ninja who would
be very difficult to replace, and the Sandaime Hokage's overall health now slowly
going on the decline after his fight with Orochimaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hence why there was a meeting with the aging Sandaime Hokage about who would take
his place. The old Hokage himself was addressing the Councils and the Clan Heads on
this matter since he knew his age was catching up with him after what happened
during his fight with Orochimaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need someone who can continue to keep Konoha's Will of Fire. I say someone who
possesses the wisdom of the Sandaime. Danzo should be made the next Hokage," said a
Council member with some agreeing with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is not up to you or anyone else here who succeeds me as the next Hokage. {\i
I} will be the one to decide who takes my place so long as {\i
I} am alive to say who I think is worthy. As it stands, there are only two I know
of who I can trust, and I know one of the two is going to turn it down," said the
Sandaime Hokage while Danzo frowned since he had an idea of who his rival would
choose.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who are the two choices?" asked Homura curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya. He's more then qualified given his spy network, being a Sage, and an
expert Seal Master surpassed only by his late student," replied the Sandaime while
not mentioning the Uzumaki Clan since it would bring up the issue of the missing
Kyuubi Jinchuriki and the Third didn't want to deal with
"And the other candidate?" asked Danzo while thinking of the second candidate he
could manipulate with his eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My third and final student. Senju Tsunade," answered the Sandaime with many in the
room looking unsure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tsunade? She hasn't visited Konoha in years! What makes you think that woman will
even think about saying yes to the idea of being Hokage?" asked Koharu while never
liking Tsunade from the start, disliking the medical program she wanted to make due
to the risk of putting such potential doctors out in the field, and such skilled
ninja should be kept {\i
away} from the field of battle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not to mention Tsunade's reputation for drinking and gambling would set a bad image
for Konoha if she became Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She will come back. Jiraiya has already left to track her down. Not only to become
the new Hokage, but also lend her expertise in the medical field to heal the badly
injured. If we don't have her help, our forces will be slow to recover, and our
rivals in other villages may pounce on that," said Hiruzen with the others
"Not to mention your own failing health my old rival," said Danzo with Hiruzen
giving him a side glance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My health maybe failing me Danzo, but I can still continue my duties until Tsunade
is back in Konoha. Not to mention she should be able to lessen the damage
Orochimaru has done to it," countered Hiruzen with his former rival for the Hokage
seat narrowing his one eye slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was clear to the Sandaime that the man did not like the idea of Tsunade coming
back for any reason unless it matched his own personal
agenda.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Top of Mt. Fuji)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's coming. The Dragon Ninja is here," remarked Genshin with Naruto's sword and
ready for a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He'll have to get through me to fight you Master," said Naruto with Genshin
smiling at him despite the boy not seeing it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. He won't," said Genshin before drawing his sword and ran it through Naruto's
back through his front.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"M-Master? W-Why? You said that I should go down fighting when my time was over
so...why? Why end me this way?" asked Naruto in shock, as he turned his head, and
saw the man looking at down at him for the first time with sorrow in his
"Because this world I am going to create with the Archfiend's return will destroy
you regardless of all my training I have put into you so far. Better to perish now
at my hands and by my blade then that of the Archfiend when it returns," said
Genshin with Naruto finding blood running down his mouth and in the inside of his
"NO!" yelled Ryu seeing the boy had been stabbed in the back quite literally by
"I understand...Lord Genshin," replied Naruto, as he was not about to deny the man,
and accepted the wish of his Master without question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Goodbye Naruto. If there was any child I would have wished to be my progeny as
well as my student...it would have been you," whispered Genshin before removing his
sword and throwing the boy off the mountain into the rocky depths
below.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You would kill your own student? Your most loyal, most obedient, most skilled
ninja under your command at such a young age? Just to get to me? What about the
return of the Archfiend?" demanded Ryu with Genshin focusing on him
"The tantrum's of the Archfiend never concerned me. All paths before me are cruel
and arduous. Our time has come! Your lifeblood shall spill and you will DIE!"
exclaimed Genshin, as he leaped off his position at the top of Mt. Fiju just as it
exploded a mere second later, and descended down upon the Dragon
Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While this battle raged, Naruto's body smashed against the jagged mountainous
rocks, breaking his armor, his kitsune mask, his bones, and just about anything
else that was once whole. When he finally stopped smashing into things, he found
himself somehow barely conscious, his sword lay barely five feet from him, stabbing
the ground, and would signify his grave marker when dead. Naruto ignored the Kyuubi
raging within him, trying to use its chakra to repair the broken body that had
become its vessel, cursing Genshin for this action against Naruto, and trying to
tell him to fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But Naruto didn't want to fight anymore. His Master had personally stated by his
own hands that Naruto would one day die and at anytime the Master Ninja deemed it
was his time. Genshin had deemed the time to take it was now and Naruto had never
disobeyed his Master no matter what. Why should he start
now?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Damn it brat! I will not allow you to die here! You have a purpose beyond being
the loyal subordinate of the Black Spider Clan's Master Ninja! I can sense it and
so does Genshin! If he really wanted you dead, the man would have sliced your head
clean off your body to ensure I couldn't save you. This is a test to see whether or
not you have the strength to rise up and fight to find your own purpose in this
world! Are you going to fail it?! We both know that the Dragon Ninja has fought
these creatures in the past and won. He will win here too. You need to get your ass
up and fight. To get your ass up and }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
LIVE}}}{\i
{\b
!"}} bellowed Kyuubi with Naruto opening his eyes to find himself slowly turning
himself onto his back to stare up at the fire and cloud filled
sky.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin wants me to die. It's my time Kyuubi. Accept it. The wish of Lord Genshin
is my will and nothing will change that," said Naruto out loud with Kyuubi growling
{\i
{\b
"Stubborn boy. Just like his Mother," }}commented Kyuubi with Naruto now raising an
eyebrow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My Mother?" asked Naruto with Kyuubi looking down at him with crimson eyes never
once looking away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Yes. She was as stubborn and headstrong as you. A Seal Master, who surpassed your
Father, and his sensei in that field. I imagine the latter wasn't too happy about
it when he learned of such news. He didn't truly appreciate women for their
potential outside of pleasing their male counterparts in the bedroom,"}} said
Kyuubi with Naruto sighing at that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"First, she sounds awesome. Seconds, the last part about my Father's sensei was
really gross, and not something I needed to know," said Naruto while Kyuubi smiling
slightly in his mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Kushina was indeed awesome in her own way with the exception being the means of
sealing me. Practically had me pinned and chained down with her version of sealing
out of fear that I would influence her with my chakra. Its a good thing you didn't
get the same kind of seal or else you would be dying right now,"}} replied Kyuubi
with the fox's chakra working on the boy's body despite said boy's
protests.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Even if what you say is true about Genshin testing me this way, I see no reason in
being alive. What would I do with my life? I can't go back to the Black Spider Clan
and run it. If Obaba isn't dead already, she will somehow come back to life again,
and rule over the Black Spider Clan again like she did before. Where would I go?
Who would hire me? I was trained by the Dark Lord of all Ninja. That's not really
something one puts down on their resume and hopes to get clients who won't possibly
backstab you later. Gato's own actions in Wave Country on the bridge was proof such
a possibility could happen," said Naruto with Kyuubi still looking him right in the
eyes so the boy knew he wasn't lying.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You could always join the Dragon Clan. You are of their blood,"}} offered Kyuubi
with Naruto letting out a chuckle and ignored the pain for a second before he
cringed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Please! They would sooner kill me! I was trained by the leader of the clan who
they are mortal enemies with. Who have been enemies with them for centuries. Maybe
more! You really think someone, who was trained by both Gamov, and Genshin will be
welcomed by them with open arms? Not happening," replied Naruto with Kyuubi
growling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"And you have no other options kit. The only other alternative to joining the
Dragon Clan would be to...go back to the Elemental Countries,"}} said Kyuubi with
Naruto now scowling both in and outside of his mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And be caught by Konoha? You know what they will do to me? To us?! Warp my mind,
make me forget everything I have learned, only to learn crap they teach, and weaken
my skills to the point where I am just an expendable tool waiting to break. Is that
the legacy you want to leave Kyuubi? To be a Biju sealed inside a tool and has
their power ripped from them during a fight to be used how the mindless obedient
slave of a vessel wishes based on the commands of my Masters?!" demanded Naruto
while Kyuubi growled at him, the audacity of Konoha doing it (which the fox knew
they would), and the fact the boy was right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The fox hated it when someone else was right and yet...the Biju had one more card
left to play.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"So you would rather die. I see now. I understand your reasoning for wanting to do
this outside of your Master's command. But what about Genshin himself?"}}
questioned Kyuubi with Naruto frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Naruto with Kyuubi shaking his
{\i
{\b
"Isn't it obvious? The Dragon Ninja will win. Genshin will die. But will he die a
death worthy of a Master Ninja? Or will he be turned into something...dark and
inhuman. A Fiend perhaps?"}} challenged Kyuubi with Naruto growling at him
"Genshin would rather die then become a Fiend. Besides, only a Greater Fiend could
give him that power, and I doubt someone like Master Genshin would become such a
thing," said Naruto with Kyuubi not believing his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I'm sure the Dragon Ninja said something similar regarding Murai when he had the
Dark Dragon Sword in hand and we all know how that turned out. Besides, we both
know that by now Elizebet has healed, and no doubt fully recovered from her first
battle with the Dragon Ninja. Who is to say that she won't try to use Genshin in
such a way should he die at the hands of his enemy? Can you honestly lay there,
look me in the eyes, and say with absolute certainty that the Blood Queen of the
Greater Fiends won't approach Genshin? That she won't offer him the chance to fight
the Dragon Ninja one more time, but only on her terms, her wishes, and following
her commands despite what Genshin himself might want if he accepted?"}} challenged
Kyuubi with Naruto now closing his eyes and tightly gripping the mountainous ground
around him while trying to fight back the denial and the truth in the Biju's
words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But his instincts on these matters were always true and right now his instincts
told him what he knew deep down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Genshin would lose to the Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Genshin would die, but still yearn for one more fight before death truly took
Elizebet would soon approach Genshin and she would offer him what his prideful
heart desired, but only on her terms.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're right. I must help him. I must save Lord Genshin from being given such an
offer that will taint his soul," said Naruto while rolling onto his stomach and
struggling to get up while ignoring the pain his body was
in.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"And if you fail? If the Dragon Ninja defeats Genshin and goes into the Underworld,
we both know Genshin will follow once Elizebet turns him into a Fiend,"}} said
Kyuubi with Naruto's eyes narrowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then so will I," said Naruto before getting up and grabbed his sword before making
his way up the mountain pass to the top where Genshin was fighting the Dragon
With any luck, he could stop Genshin from dying, or at the very least prevent
Elizebet from corrupting him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Top of Mt. Fuji-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Genshin fell to the ground. His life fading from him slowly. The Dragon Ninja had
won in their battle and descended down into the Underworld. It was a good fight.
Worthy of a Master Ninja. And yet...he wanted to fight Ryu Hayabusa one more time.
Just one more time. To prove the might of the Black Spider Clan. To avenge it for
the years of losing time after time to the Dragon Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Once more...just one more fight! I want it. I {\i
need }it!' thought Genshin while gripping his sword in hand tightly with the last
of his strength.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It doesn't have to be this way Genshin," remarked a female voice, as the form of
Elizebet appeared in front of him, smirking at his defeated, and broken form lying
before her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All the man could do was just stare up at her with the one remaining eye with what
little vision he had left. Seeing the look on his face, Elizebet kneeled down, and
touched his face in an {\i
almost} soothing gesture like a lover would do. But Genshin knew she didn't do this
out of affection for him or for the greatness of the Black Spider Clan. She wanted
him as her pawn, her instrument of destruction against the Dragon Ninja, and later
on in the Hayabusa Village when the Archfiend was resurrected to prevent anyone
with the Dragon lineage from rising up to face it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" yelled Naruto, as he stabbed the woman in the back, and
relished the sound of her scream that echoed into the sky.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You annoying brat! I saw Genshin stab you with my own eyes and throw your body off
the mountain. How did you survive? How did you come back?" demanded Elizebet while
she looked back and snarled at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am the proud student of Master Ninja Genshin. Ruler of the Black Spider Clan. I
can come back from {\i
anything}!" exclaimed Naruto while twisting the blade with Elizebet now snarling at
him before she smirked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? So can I!" countered Elizebet before spun around in a twister like motion
with such force it freed the sword from her body and sent Naruto skidding away from
"I won't let you corrupt him. I won't let you turn him into a Fiend!" stated Naruto
with the woman smirking at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're too late. The process has already started," remarked Elizebet before
looking at Genshin and saw him changing right in front of
"No. NO! {\i
{\b
NOOOOOOO!" }}exclaimed Naruto angrily before calling on his power and the Kyuubi's
before charging at Elizebet.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Such power! Is this the power of the Dragon lineage? Or is it because of the Biju
in his body? Maybe its both!' thought Elizebet, as she dodged his strikes, if just
barely, and was about to transform into her Fiend body when the boy's sword managed
to take off her arm at the elbow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Die!" }}exclaimed Naruto with a thrust move aimed at the woman's heart, but
Elizebet was able to dodge at the last second, damaging only her red shirt, which
spun to remove, temporarily blinding Naruto's line of vision, and giving her the
needed time to do a semi-transformation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And stab him in the gut with her tail.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You first boy! And }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
THIS}}}{\i
{\b
time...stay dead!"}} exclaimed Elizebet before she launched him into the hole and
into the gateway to the Underworld where the Fiends
dwelled.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All the while, a newly remade into a Greater Fiend Genshin was watching, his eyes
had followed the boy's actions, and his body being thrown into the fiery depths
below. His mind trying to process what had happened while Elizebet went back to her
human form.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Naruto...,"}} whispered Genshin while tilting his head to the left before turning
to face the woman who brought him back to life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ignore him Genshin. He was of the Dragon lineage and therefore your enemy.
Speaking of enemies, you will be given the job of ensuring none of them can stop
us. Go to the Hayabusa Village, kill all who stand in your way, and bring an end to
the bloodline of the Dragon Ninja once and for all," commanded Elizebet while
Genshin looked at her for a long moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Dragon...Ninja,"}} whispered Genshin while Elizebet nodding in the belief he
understood her command.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Now go down there and kill them all. Your Queen {\i
commands} it!" said Elizebet, as she pointed to the village below, and enjoyed
emphasizing the word "command" on him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She always wanted an obedient pet. Genshin would do nicely.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
{\i
{\b
"Ryu...Hayabusa,"}} whispered Genshin with Elizebet groaning in annoyance at the
man's one track mind in fighting the Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough about him! I am ordering you to go after his clan, his Father, and anyone
else that may have a drop of the Dragon God in their veins!" exclaimed Elizebet
angrily, as she saw him look from the village below to her, and tighten his grip on
the Blade of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before performing a small spin move and stabbing the woman in the
chest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Goodbye...Elizebet!"}} stated Genshin and threw the woman into the Underworld
below while listening to the woman scream out at him for his
treachery.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before the man himself leaped into the mountain and the darkness that would become
his new home as a Greater Fiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! How do you like that? I hope it worked for you as it did for me. For
those of you who played the Ninja Gaiden games, most of what happened with Genshin
did in fact happen with the exception of Naruto (naturally), and Genshin himself
also attacking Elizebet after he was transformed by her. In the game, Elizebet does
turn Genshin into a Greater Fiend, and yes Genshin does enter that dark horrible
place that is the Underworld to fight Ryu. Until next
time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 6-Darkness Lifts\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto struggled to get up off what he assumed was dirt, but found his surrounding
to be too...{\i
gross} to even call the ground that. It was a pain in the ass to stand, mainly
because of the damn wound the bitch Elizebet gave him before he was thrown down
here, and left to die here. Not to mention his soul being tortured long after it
left the body at the hands of the Fiends. Grunting some more, Naruto assessed
himself of what he had on him, and what was missing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sword of the Biju? Check!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Kyuubi's Tail? Check!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Shuriken? Check!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Kunai? Check!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Kitsune Mask? Destroyed!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Protective Black Spider Ninja Armor? Check!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Well...sort of check. It was still badly damaged, but useable
nonetheless.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well this just perfect! Now I just need to find the way out. And something tells
me the doorway isn't exactly unguarded by friendly people," remarked Naruto
sarcastically to himself before he started walking the path in front of
Only to enter a large area surrounded by lots of corpses of countless Fiends, who
clearly by the looks of things had been slain by a sword. The Dragon Sword. Meaning
that the Dragon Ninja had come by this way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"When in doubt...follow the trail of bodies left by the Dragon Ninja. Chances are
your Master will not be far behind,"}} remarked Kyuubi while seeing things from
Naruto's own perspective and loved the sight of the place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even if this place {\i
was} a little warped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That and I can help him with any Fiends he hasn't killed yet," remarked Naruto
with the fox letting out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"That too. With the amount of Fiends in this place, you can do some serious
powering up of your sword. Remember, it doesn't matter what form of energy or
chakra that the Biju Sword takes after killing something or someone., It accepts
all forms of energy of those it kills,"}} said Kyuubi with Naruto now stopping as a
thought went into his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Does that include Biju?' thought Naruto with the Kyuubi's eyes widening and the
fox was silent for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"No," }}answered Kyuubi though Naruto narrowed his eyes at the
Biju.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Your lying,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi growling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"And what if it does? Are you going to use it on yourself? On another Jinchuriki?
Are you going to find a way to take our power to channel as your own personal
weapon by using this sword to do it?"}} accused Kyuubi while Naruto shook his
'And be like those assholes in Konoha? Do you really have to ask me that question
when you already know the answer?' thought Naruto with the Biju in his gut sighing
and knew the boy was right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You are not like them. Far from it. The Uzumaki Clan never saw me or the other
Biju like we were toys, slaves, pets, or weapons to be used in war for the greedy
ambitions of others,"}} replied Kyuubi with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
'I only asked in the event I have to face another Jinchuriki and what would happen
if I had no other recourse before me,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi looking at him
{\i
{\b
"And why would you ask about possibly fighting other Jinchuriki?"}} asked Kyuubi
with Naruto looking nervous for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Well...I uh...I was thinking about what you said to the alternative outside of
joining the Dragon Clan and thought that...you might be onto something,' thought
Naruto with the fox looking at him in surprise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You mean you would actually go back to the Elemental Countries if given the chance
to go back? You do realize that by now your title, your affiliation to the Black
Spider Clan, and your teacher are all on Konoha's little spy network, right? That
you will be hunted the moment they find out your back and you have no real place to
hide from them. Not to mention your parents infamy makes you a prime candidate for
the other Shinobi villages for breeding purposes?"}} question Kyuubi with Naruto
'Which is why in the event I do go back to the Elemental Countries, a plan is in
place to keep them all away from me, and give myself some ground to stand on,'
thought Naruto since he intended to learn about the Elemental Countries before
deciding to do anything there if there came a time where such an option was
needed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"If I might make a suggestion, if you do go through with this plan as a last resort
for survival, Wave Country was friendly after that whole business with Gato being
killed. No doubt it has become a busy trading hub and a good place to pick up
information and possible contacts for someone in your position,"}} said Kyuubi with
Naruto nodding in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They would have had more of a conversation had they not heard the loud roar of a
Fiend nearby and Naruto had an idea of {\i
who }that roar belonged to when found.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Rushing to the source of the sound, Naruto found himself making his way to through
a path of bones, gory flesh, and lots of other crazy stuff that would give a child
nightmares. It was finally when he got to the room of what looked like a {\i
really }gothic like church on steroids, minus the chairs of course, did Naruto
stop, and stare at the sigh of his Master turned Greater Fiend staring at the
Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"RYU...HAYABUSA!"}} yelled Genshin in his ever frightening appearance as a Greater
Fiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin, go back to Hell!" remarked Ryu with his sword drawn and in his battle
stance for the fight that was to come.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"YOU...DIE!"}} yelled Genshin before letting out another roar and charged at Ryu
did the same with the battle soon joining.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Shit! Kyuubi, what do I do? I can't exactly interfere or else I'll be dead at the
hands of either Master Ninja,' questioned Naruto with Kyuubi frowning since the boy
was right about that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"There is nothing you can do. This fight was inevitable kit. All you can do now is
be a witness to its dramatic conclusion. Though who will win is really the bigger
question here. Genshin? Or the Dragon Ninja? It could go either way," }}remarked
Kyuubi with the boy gritting his teeth at being so...powerless
here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'While I don't want Genshin to die again...I think it might be for the best if he
did fall at the hands of the Dragon Ninja,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi nodding
regarding the boy's reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"To save what is left of his soul,"}}said Kyuubi with Naruto not replying as he was
now focusing on the battle between the two Master Ninja from rival clans in this
fight to the death.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"AAAAHHHH!" cried out Genshin, as his Fiend like mask came off, revealing his face,
and the wounds he suffered at the hands of the Dragon Ninja's blade making the
killing strike.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Dragon Ninja himself didn't look back at his fallen foe. All he did was flick
his trusty sword clean of the blood staining it and turned slightly to see Naruto
walking out from behind the pillar he had been watching them. At first, Ryu was on
guard, remembering the boy's loyalty to Genshin had been one of a fanatic, and
given how Genshin had just met his end...he could be in for another
fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Relax Dragon Ninja. I'm not your enemy here," remarked Naruto sadly while walking
toward Genshin and kneeling before his fallen Master.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can you hear me? Dragon Ninja? The world grows dark...and silent," said Genshin
with his breath slowly becoming ragged.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't talk Master. Save your strength. I can find a way heal you. Maybe with
Kyuubi's chakra perhaps!" offered Naruto with Genshin letting out a chuckle, but
shook his head all the same to denounce the idea.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have stake my name. I have fought with {\i
ALL} of my being, all to forge a future for the Black Spider Clan. I have no
regrets. Just as you have fought for a purpose greater than yourself, so too, have
I," confessed Genshin with Naruto crying now at hearing it while Ryu said nothing
to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin please don't talk like you are dying. I do not want you to die. You
can still fight. Show me you can still fight!" pleaded Naruto with the man grinning
now and used what limited vision he had left to see the
"Naruto, you are the son I have always wanted, but never had. I have trained you in
just about everything I could in the hopes you would one day be a Master Ninja like
myself. Before the plan to bring back Archfiend came to life and hearing Elizebet
talk about how the Black Spider Clan would be reward due our distant connection to
the ancient Fiend bloodlines. I do not regret my actions regarding your training
and how we had parted at the top of Mt. Fuji. I did it because I knew you would
survive. I did it because I knew you would become stronger for it," said Genshin
with Naruto bowing his head before the man in front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"And I wish I was your son Lord Genshin. One of my deepest wishes was to say that
I'm proud of being the son of such a great man regardless of what he has done while
alive in this world. A foolish wish, but one I long desired regardless of it not
being possible, or true," whispered Naruto sadly with Genshin frowning in thought
while his breathing got increasingly ragged now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is a way, but we have little time. Naruto, take out a kunai and cut my
hand," said Genshin with Naruto frowning and so did Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Master?" asked Naruto while taking the kunai out and
obeying.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Now cut your hand...and mix my blood with your own," whispered Genshin with Naruto
and Ryu looking shocked by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto wait! If you do this...Genshin's blood will mix with yours. Not just the
blood of the Black Spider Clan, but...the blood of Fiends too," warned Ryu with
Naruto glancing at him before focusing his attention on
"The Dragon Ninja is correct Naruto. The blood of Fiends will mix with yours. You
will be a part of me just as I will be a part of you. However, the price of such a
mixing of our blood will cause...{\i
problems} for you among the Dragon Clan," added Genshin with Naruto frowning and
looking at Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's right Naruto. If you mix his blood with yours...my clan cannot accept you.
And the Black Spider Clan will ultimately hunt you down without mercy if they find
out about it," said Ryu with Naruto looking up at the Dragon Ninja before looking
at Genshin right in the man's eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't care. I would rather be an abomination of the bloodlines knowing I could
claim some connection to Lord Genshin. And if the Black Spider Clan or the Dragon
Clan have problems with that...they will have to deal with the end of my sword,"
said Naruto with Genshin letting out a small chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Spoken like a boy worthy of being called my son," remarked Genshin before seeing
and feeling Naruto's bloody hand interlocking with his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"As of this very moment...I {\i
AM} your son!" exclaimed Naruto with Genshin nodding in full agreement before
turning to face the shocked Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Dragon Ninja, take my accursed blade," said Genshin knowing his time was running
short and slowly raised his sword arm to give Ryu the
"The Blade of the Archfiend," whispered Naruto, as he had secretly longed to hold
the weapon, and wield the legendary sword on par with the Dragon Sword as well as
the Biju Sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"When the Dragon Ninja has finished with using...this sword to defeat...the
Archfiend when combined...with the Dragon Sword...it will be yours...my son. Until
then...take my ninja claws...and use...and use them with...your fighting style,"
said Genshin, as the man felt Ryu take the weapon, and began struggling heavily to
breathe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin?" asked Naruto seeing the man's breathing become erratic before
seeing the Master Ninja's hand let go of the sword now in the Dragon Ninja's
possession.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin," remarked Ryu sadly since the man was truly a warrior to be respected
despite the path he chose.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Goodbye...my Father," whispered Naruto before he took the ninja claws the man had
on his right arm, attached it to his left, stood up from where he was, and walked
side by side with Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two began walking away from the now dead man while the Dragon Ninja put a hand
on the boy's shoulder to give him some form of support. When this was over, Ryu
would have to figure out what to do with Naruto, and the boy's future now that it
was no longer tied to Genshin or the Black Spider Clan. It was going to be a bit
awkward for now, as he wasn't sure {\i
how} to comfort the boy, but given time, Ryu believed Naruto could rise from this,
and one day become a great Master Ninja like himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And respectively...like Genshin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Absolutely useless!" exclaimed a female voice that made both ninja turn and their
eyes went wide in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You!" whispered Naruto angrily while slowly drawing his sword at the sight before
him of Elizebet digging her heeled foot against Genshin's
"I gave you the everlasting life of Fiend, yet you threw it away! Undone by your
pathetic sentimentality," remarked Elizebet, as she kicked the dead man in the
face, and sneering at him without remorse for it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And enraging the two ninjas behind her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Even in death, you could never understand him. Elizebet!" exclaimed Ryu with both
the Dragon Sword and Blade of the Archfiend in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Elizebet sneered at him before transforming fully into her Great Fiend
form.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're going to pay for disrespecting Lord Genshin like that you fucking blood
bitch!" exclaimed Naruto angrily with the woman (and that was putting it lightly)
laughing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"As if you could stand up against me little dragon. You may have the vile blood of
the Dragon lineage in your veins, as well as the stench of what I recognize as the
Uzumaki Clan, but you don't have the power capable of defeating me. The Blood Queen
of the Greater Fiends!"}} declared Elizebet with Naruto frowning at
"Naruto might not have the power to defeat you alone, but then again...this boy is
hardly alone in this fight," said Ryu while getting the attention of both Naruto
and Elizebet.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"How touching. And what are you to him now Dragon Ninja? The big brother? The
distant cousin, who treats him like a brother? It doesn't matter. Both of you are
going to die here!"}} declared Elizebet before she let out a battle cry or battle
screech rather and charged the two ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you trust me Naruto?" asked Ryu with both ninja dodging the female Fiend's
attack.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not really all things considered. But the enemy of my enemy is my friend and right
now we have a common enemy," replied Naruto with Ryu nodding in agreement and how
the issue of trust between them was sketchy at best.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know things are hectic between us and things are confusing right now, but would
you consider a temporary truce long enough to help me defeat Elizebet?" offered
Ryu, as the two of them moved around the Greater Fiend in front of them, making the
woman get increasingly frustrated on who to target first, and make her attacks get
sloppy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you have to ask?" replied Naruto, as he dodged Elizebet's dive at him, several
of her clawed strikes to her chest, and that damn tail nearly got him in the
Ryu could only smirk behind the cloth masking his face, as he rushed to Naruto's
aid, and draw Elizebet off of him so the two could team up against her. The Blood
Queen of the Greater Fiends cried out in anger at finding the Dragon Ninja
interfering in her fight with the boy and tried to fight the older of the two
ninja. But as soon as she took her eye off of Naruto, the blonde struck with the
Biju Sword, and sliced off her right wing to make it impossible for her to fly.
Elizebet screamed in rage, slashing out with her tail, smacking Naruto into a
pillar of flesh, and oozing blood before focusing on Ryu. The two sword wielder
used this to slash at the female Fiend's left arm, and right upper torso near the
breasts. Elizebet stumbled back, summoned several energy balls that looked like
purple fire, and launched them at Ryu with the Dragon Ninja barely escaping them.
By this point in time, Naruto had gotten off the ground, looking pissed off, and
pictured a giant bulls eye on the bitch's back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Do it kit. Kill the dumb bitch!"}} encouraged Kyuubi, as it pumped some of its
chakra into Naruto's body, mainly his legs, and knew it would give the boy the
needed speed to get in close.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And use it Naruto did. Within a span of a second, Naruto was across the large room,
and behind Elizebet with his sword piercing the Greater Fiend's back. Seeing an
opening to do more damage, the boy used the ninja claws formerly belonging to the
late great Master Ninja Genshin, and slashed the other remaining wing clean
"Ryu! Do it now! Kill her!" exclaimed Naruto before kicking himself off the angry
bitch of a Greater Fiend and leaving the woman open to an
And Ryu used that opening to his advantage. He moved at incredible speed worthy of
a Master Ninja, slashing at Elizebet with both mystical swords of incredible power.
When he stopped and was on the other side of Elizebet from where he started his run
and slash attacks, the Greater Fiend cried out in pain, her body turning into a
powdery, and quite bloody mess with only the woman's heart
remaining.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just like the others," remarked Ryu, as he had killed the other Greater Fiends,
and each destroyed body produced a heart for him to take.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And stay dead!" stated Naruto before spitting on the pile of bloody nothingness
that had once been Elizebet's body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough Naruto! Now is not the time to speak ill of the dead. Even if she deserved
it. We have more important things to do now," said Ryu with Naruto looking at him
for a long moment before slowly nodding, but the boy glanced over at the body of
Genshin, and the Dragon Ninja knew that blonde wanted to give the man a proper
burial.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do we have to leave him here?" asked Naruto with Ryu nodding his
"Sadly, I must say yes. This is where Genshin's must stay now that he is dead. A
piece of him will always live on in you though Naruto and so will his sword. Once
we get out of here, it will be his grave marker at the base of the mountain...at
least until you are strong enough to wield it yourself," said Ryu when he saw
Naruto glare at him for a second at what would happen to the Blade of the Archfiend
when this was all over until the last part was mentioned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will be worthy of that sword. I swear it!" stated Naruto with Ryu nodding in
agreement since he believed the boy could do just about anything if given the
chance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come on then Naruto. Let's puts down the Archfiend. What happens next after that
we will work out together," said Ryu with Naruto nodding before they followed the
path before them, filled with Fiend like Black Spider Ninja standing in their way
before them, and moving to stop their advance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All of them were struck down by the two ninja and eventually the path they took was
leading them to the Archfiend itself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Lord Genshin, I will make you proud of me. I promise on our new bond of blood that
I will fight for a cause greater than myself. Just as you did,' thought Naruto, as
he looked back one final time at the memory of his former Master, and followed Ryu
deeper into the abyss that was the Underworld.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They soon found themselves in front of a locked gate that requires a certain number
of keys to open to allow the two ninja access. The keys in question are the hearts
of the Greater Fiends that Ryu had slain in battle with Elizebet's being the last
and the duo soon entered to face the Infernal High Priest Dagra Dai performing the
ritual to revive the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How dare you come here! The filth of the Dragon lineage has no business being
here. I will not allow you to stop the return of the Archfiend!" declared Dagra Dai
with the two ninja before him with swords our and ready for a
"He's the one with a third eye, surrounded by ooze, Fiends, and that weird giant
thing in a bubble and {\i
we }are the filth?! This guy needs new eyes in all three sockets," commented Naruto
with Ryu glancing at him while Dagra Dai looked enraged at the disrespect and
transformed into that of a Fiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Must you make him angry?" questioned Ryu with Naruto smirking
"An angry enemy makes mistakes Ryu. Mistakes we can easily exploit long enough to
kill him," countered Naruto with Dagra Dai launching himself at the two ninja while
the two ninja dodged his tentacles and cutting into the Fiend's
flesh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Insolent heretics! You will pay for your disrespect!"}} exclaimed Dagra Dai, as he
called forth his Fiend minions to assist in the fight against the two ninja, and
give him the edge in battle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kill the Fiends! I'll take on Dagra Dai!" commanded Ryu with Naruto nodding, as he
quickly switched from the Biju Sword to the Kyuubi's Tail, and began channeling the
Biju's chakra into the weapon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"DIE DRAGON NINJA! DIIIE!"}} yelled Dagra Dai, as he launched beams of energy at
the Dragon Ninja, who dodged left, right, ducked under a Fiend that was destroyed
by the beam of energy instead, and tried to get in a clean shot at the monster's
As for Naruto, he was cutting down Fiends all over the place with his Kusari-Gama,
and using the fox's chakra to rip them to pieces. But it seemed for every single
Fiends he had struck down with Kyuubi's Tail, three more Fiends popped up right in
its place, and since Naruto's weapon of choice practically kill three times that in
a span of a few seconds...it was getting a little crowded for his
tastes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Ryu, he was having some difficulty of his own, as Dagra Dai was more
powerful then the others, and he could see why this powerful entity was able to
bring the other four Greater Fiends into submission. Knowing his time was limited
given the Archfiend in that giant bubble behind him, Ryu pushed himself harder, and
landed several deep slashes into Dagra Dai's body. The Fiend/Priest cried out both
in rage and pain, struggling to stay standing despite his injuries while looking at
the floating form of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I will NOT allow you stop what is already too late for you to stop Dragon Ninja.
Oh great and powerful Archfiend, I offer you my body as a sacrifice to bring about
your return!"}} declared Dagra Dai with the Archfiend looking at the Inferno
Priest, accepting the sacrifice, and using its monster of a subordinate to bring
about its return.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh crap," remarked Naruto at what just happened while the ground started to shake,
the remaining Fiends around him began to flee, and leaving the two ninja to combat
the now revived Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Move!" exclaimed Ryu, as he along with Naruto avoided the debris the Archfiend had
brought down on them when its tail hit the wall.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That is one {\i
ugly} son of a bitch for an Archfiend," commented Naruto with Ryu nodding slightly
in agreement since it looked more like a giant decaying bug then the mystical
Archfiend of legend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I take it you were this way with Genshin?" asked Ryu while the two ran up the
given path to catch up the Archfiend trying to climb out of the
mountain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not really. With Lord Genshin, I was all business since that was what he expected
of me when handling business. Gamov was more lenient of it because he was the same
way," replied Naruto with the two soon catching up with the
Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only the Archfiend didn't like the idea of being followed by the two and decided to
make that known by attacking them. It swatted at Naruto and Ryu with its hands,
blasted at them with a giant demonic beam made from its mouth, and summoned demonic
skulls. Not only that, but when hit by the giant cannon Ryu had strapped to its
back...it would vomit blood on them. Disgusting! Naruto took the Fiend's Bane Bow
that Ryu had just thrown at him and used arrows on hand laced with Kyuubi's chakra
to attack the center while the Dragon Ninja himself shot at the head with the giant
cannon when they weren't dodging bloody vomit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After taking countless hits by both ninja attacking it, the might y Archfiend
Vazdah lost its footing in its weakened condition, and fell down to the depths
below. Its body lying motionless, covered slightly by mountainous rubble, and from
the looks of things...had been killed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well the monster's been slain. All we need now is the damsel in distress showing
up and we should have an old fashion fairy tale story coming to an end," remarked
Naruto with a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ryu! Ryu!" exclaimed Irene Lew A.K.A. as Sonia to the Dragon Ninja and the
CIA.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Cue one damsel in distress showing up,"}} remarked Kyuubi with Naruto now looking
shocked at seeing the CIA woman here of all places in what looked like some sort of
outfit a woman in a harem would wear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Should I even ask?' thought Naruto with the fox shaking its head no at the sight
of the two so close together right now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"There are some things better left unasked and unanswered kit. Good job teaming up
with the Dragon Ninja back there by the way. You kicked that Archfiend's ass. I
could not be more prouder of you at this moment,"}} remarked Kyuubi with Naruto
surprised to hear that since he could sense the fox was telling the
truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Did he just gain the respect of the Kyuubi no Kitsune?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So...when is the wedding?" asked Naruto with Irene blushing and looking away while
Ryu sighed before giving the boy a glare.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Must you ask such things Naruto?" asked Ryu with Naruto shrugging with a grin on
his face that held a hint of mischievousness to it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course! I've seen how the ladies flock to you. Like bees to honey. {\i
Especially} that one blonde Fiend Hunter I saw back in Vigoor. She had eyes for you
from what I saw at the time. You're not two-timing that one, right?" remarked
Naruto with Ryu looking a bit surprised by that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have been meaning to ask you about that. Who is this mysterious female Fiend
Hunter he's talking about?" asked Irene with Ryu wondering how he got caught in
this little trap of explaining himself to this woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He was so caught up in the moment and Naruto was so amused by the silent treatment
the Dragon Ninja was now giving them for a response...that they all failed to
notice how a single drop of Ryu's blood land on the body of the
And in the moments following that single drop of blood hitting Vazdah...all Hell
literally broke loose, or at least came pretty damn close to
"Uh...should this mountain be rumbling again?" asked Naruto before looking below
and his eyes widened at the sight of something big and on {\i
fire} heading their way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What was that?!" asked Irene while being pulled away by Ryu while he and Ryu
jumped away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That...was the Archfiend. It must have come back to life, but...how is that even
possible given its condition?" asked Ryu with a frown before looking at his arm to
see the small trail of blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why is it that whenever something evil dies, there is always {\i
something} blood related that brings it back? First, it was Elizebet, and {\i
now} the Archfiend. When will it end?!" complained Naruto in frustration while the
world above them was about to get a very rude awakening in facing what appeared to
be the true form of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you're done complaining, we have to stop the Archfiend from destroying the
world as we know it," remarked Ryu with Naruto sighing before running a hand
through his hair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm barely over 12 years old and I want to say I'm too for this shit," grumbled
Naruto before shrugging and motioned for Ryu to lead the
"Sonia, stay here for now. You will be safe within the inside of the mountain,"
said Ryu to the Irene, who nodded since she was pretty much useless, and
defenseless in this kind of situation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not surprising since she wasn't trained to fight Fiends, Greater Fiends, or
Archfiends for that matter. Added that she didn't have a weapon to use in this
moment (not like a gun or RPG based weapon could do much damage to the latter),
Irene/Sonia knew it was for the best if this was handled by the
professionals.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In this case...the two ninja standing before her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay. Good luck," whispered Irene with a smile on her face and saw Ryu
nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"She so wants him. Lucky bastard,"}} commented Kyuubi with Naruto mentally shushing
the fox.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Still, Naruto wondered if he would ever be lucky to find that special woman in his
life when he was older, and if the Gods above would allow him to live that
long?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Shaking such thoughts from his head, Naruto followed Ryu up the mountain, and saw
the Archfiend in all its terrifying glory. It was roughly the same size as its
previous form, but leaner, less bug like, resembling a large black devil with
orange highlights, large antlers, demonic wings and a wicked looking
tail.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I never thought I would ever say this, but...I actually miss the previous ugly
looking bug like Archfiend," remarked Naruto with his sword drawn and Ryu drawing
the pair he had needed to give them an edge in this fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Less talking. More fighting," commanded Ryu with a great deal of seriousness in
his voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Some things never change," whispered Naruto to himself before cursing and dodging
the attacks the Archfiend launched at them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Archfiend was truly the devil incarnate in this new more powerful form, glowing
orange in certain parts, like its veins held lava in them. It launched meteorites
summoned from within the mountain at them, launched a powerful demonic beam from
its third eye on its forehead, and the arms themselves came close on several
occasions from smashing the two ninja into gooey paste.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fortunately, both ninja were able to dodge dangers, if just barely, and attacked
the vital spots with their legendary weapons in hand. For all the might Vazdah had
its possession, from raining what was most likely considered Hell itself down on
the two ninja, it was not able to stand up against the combined might of both Ryu,
and Naruto with the three swords in their shared possession. With an opening
presenting itself, both ninja rushed up the Archfiend's arms, digging their blades
into its body while trailing up the creature right before leaping onto its head,
and stabbing it right in it third eye with all three swords at the same
The end result was a massive explosion that shook the very core of Mt. Fuji all the
way to its very foundation and was seen below in the Hayabusa
Village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Dragon Tower-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Send a team to the base of the mountain and wait for my son to return," commanded
Jo Hayabusa with a team of Dragon Ninjas bowing before
leaving.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what of the other boy? Genshin's student?" asked Momiji curiously with Jo
looking in her direction, yet was blind thanks to his injuries fighting Genshin,
and those from before that when facing the Vampire Lord.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He will be brought before us if possible. I do not wish to kill the boy, {\i
but} if he is beyond redemption...," replied Jo with Momiji looking saddened by
"I don't think he's evil Master Hayabusa. Just...misguided. The information we
uncovered on the boy's origins, where he was originally from, and how he was
treated as a child for what was sealed inside of him are a considerable factor in
all of this," pleaded Momiji, as she saw Jo nodding since that was true as
"Which is why I wish to see him for myself. I wish to test his spirit and see if
Genshin's own influence has corrupted the soul within him before making my
decision," replied Jo calmly while seemingly staring out the window at the sky, but
in reality his eyes could only see darkness, and had to rely on the "mind's eye"
for guidance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Base of Mt. Fuji-A Little Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Few knew what lay at the base of Mt. Fuji. Most didn't travel to the base of the
mountain, as the Japanese Government made it explicitly clear years ago that
certain areas of the area were considered off limits. And for good reason! What
many did not know about Japan, except a few key sections of the Japanese
Government, was that certain mountain parts of the area held various ninja
villages, and ninja clans that did certain...{\i
jobs} paid by clients that couldn't do things themselves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Japanese Government tended to always look the other way when it came to some of
the more...{\i
deathly} assignments the ninja clans took on. Mostly because they rarely if ever
killed any native Japanese citizen unless there was proof of him deserving of it.
At most, they had killed corrupt government officials with the proof always landing
on the desk of another official who investigated corruption and copies of it being
in the possession of the ninja clan hired for the job.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As an insurance policy to protect themselves from any backlash from other officials
who may disprove of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At this particular part at the base of Mt. Fuji's, this area was not allowed to be
seen by {\i
anyone}, not even by Japanese Government officials, as it held the graves of the
Black Spider Clan, and their swords marking each grave there. Among these graves,
at the top of them all, stabbed into a section of the ground higher then the
others, was the Blade of the Archfiend, and the marker for the grave of the Master
Ninja Genshin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And kneeling in front of this grave marker was Master Ninja Ryu Hayabusa and one
day in the future (at least he hoped to be one day) Master Ninja Uzumaki Naruto.
Both had a hand on the sword, there heads bowed, praying that Genshin's soul would
find peace on the other side, and finally be laid to rest despite his actions. The
man wasn't evil like Ryu had once thought of the man, but misguided in his attempt
to make the Black Spider Clan the superior ninja clan amongst its rivals, and took
a path of darkness few could leave or even want to leave. In the end, Genshin had
died a warrior, not as a Fiend like Elizebet had turned him into, and even gave Ryu
his sword to use against the Archfiend despite everything that had
happened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Genshin may have hated Ryu and the Dragon lineage for always making the Black
Spider Clan seem like it was second best...but there {\i
always} some form of respect between them. For all the rage, the darkness, the
scorn, and hatred between the two clans...Genshin was a man who respected those
with strength that rivaled his own. He never feared those who were possibly
stronger then him. In fact, the man loved the idea of someone being on par with
him, as it pushed his own limits to the breaking point, and again...there was {\i
always} respect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu always had Genshin's respect despite thwarting the attempts of the Black Spider
Clan and Naruto...the boy was like the son the man always wanted. That in itself
was saying something if the man, who hated the Dragon Clan truly cared about a
ninja in training, who he personally trained, and was from the Dragon
lineage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Even though the darkness is lifted, I still have much to do. That {\i
WE} have much to do Naruto," stated Ryu with his eyes now open and turned his head
to look at Naruto, who now looked back at him, and nodded in agreement since there
was some final last minute things they needed to handle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After the explosion, which both ninja barely survived, they made their way out of
the rubble (some of it consisting of the Archfiend's bones), and found Irene Lew
looking for them a few feet away. She leaped into Ryu's arms and hugged him, happy
to see the man was alive despite everything thrown at him. Meanwhile, Naruto just
watched this with a knowing smirk on his face that the Dragon Ninja knew was going
to cause him trouble later, and the Uzumaki was going to milk this for all it was
worth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But that was much later in the future. Not now when certain...{\i
matters} had to be addressed regarding Naruto's current
"Yeah. Time to face the music with the Dragon Clan," remarked Naruto with a smile
on his face though it was faint and filled with a bit of
fear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't worry. Nothing bad will happen to you. I promise on my honor as a Dragon
Ninja to help you become a great ninja one day Naruto," said Ryu in a comforting
"I want to make Lord Genshin proud. I want to be a great ninja just like him. Not
dark like him per se, but...someone who fights for a cause greater than himself,
and a cause I can truly believe in. That was what he did and that is the kind of
ninja I wish to be in life," said Naruto with Ryu smiling behind his cloth like
face mask and put a hand on the boy's shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In time Naruto. Just be patient. You have done more in your young life then any
other ninja your age. You have stared into the face of death, Fiends, the
Archfiend, and other dark creatures that full grown adults would have run away
from. You are well underway in being a Master Ninja like myself and Genshin," said
Ryu with Naruto smiling at him that was a true smile he had not given anyone,
except for Genshin and Gamov after being brought to the lair of the Black Spider
Clan, and recruited into their ranks.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will try to live up to your expectations. Just as I tried to live up to Lord
Genshin's when I served under him. I know I still have much to learn and if the
Dragon Clan accepts me, if only for a time...I would be honored to learn under you,
Master Ryu," replied Naruto humbly with Ryu giving the boy a firm squeeze on his
"One step at a time Naruto. One step at a time. For now, let's go see my Father,
and find out if we can get you to become apart of our clan. At least for the time
being given what you did with Genshin and until this whole mess gets sorted out.
Something that should have been sorted out long ago and I have a feeling we will
soon find out why that wasn't the case," replied Ryu with Naruto nodding and the
two ninja soon left the graveyard of the Black Spider Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
The path of Uzumaki Naruto, ninja of the Black Spider Clan was now over. The path
of Uzumaki Naruto, ninja of the Dragon lineage had now
begun.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Elemental Countries-Tanzaku Quarters-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Care to repeat that again Jiraiya? I don't think I heard you correctly. My hearing
must be failing me from years of drinking," said one angry sounding Senju Tsunade,
who grabbed her former teammate by the scruff of his shirt, and yanked him forward
to look him dead in the eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Jiraiya could tell from her eyes that she was clearly pissed
"Uzumaki Naruto, your Godson...{\i
our} Godson, who was entrusted to us by Minato, and Kushina...he is alive.
Alive...and missing. Sort of," replied Jiraiya with Tsunade looking at him with
narrowed eyes and gritted teeth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He had only just arrived at Tanzaku Quarters, his spy network proving invaluable to
him like always, but the problem not in locating Tsunade as it was to {\i
talk} to the woman, and getting her to see things from his perspective. The woman
was stubborn, had a temper, and could hit you so hard that your body could go
sailing from one country to the next. When he did find her, the first piece of
business the Toad Sage talked to Tsunade about was the failed invasion of Konoha
done by Orochimaru, and how their shared sensei had barely survived the ordeal.
When he found the woman, Jiraiya made sure to tell Tsunade about the Edo Tensei,
and how Orochimaru had used it to temporarily bring back her two male relatives
long since dead back to be used as mindless pawns during the
fighting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was only thanks to a deranged Jinchuriki from Suna, who had let free his Biju
shooting blasts of powerful wind in random directions did the barrier holding back
the ANBU was there any timely intervention to stop what would clearly have been the
inevitable end of the Sandaime Hokage. After that, Jiraiya had Tsunade's full
attention, and decided on the more pressing matter of her becoming the new Hokage
of Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At first, she refused the offer, the woman's eyes filled with pain, and loss from
years past of loved ones who loved her dearly. But Jiraiya of the Sannin needed
Tsunade to come back and expressed as much since the Sandaime wanted her back not
just to take up the mantle of Hokage. Jiraiya also needed her back to heal the
injured, some even in some cases {\i
dying} people of Konoha, their old sensei for a Hokage included among them, and
would help smooth over a few feathers among the old big wigs who once said no to
the idea of her medical program.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Seeing Tsunade's position soften at the idea, the Toad Sannin went in for the kill,
and told her about Uzumaki Naruto. Told the woman about her {\i
Godson}, who she had long since believed was dead after the events of Kyuubi's
attack, but was in fact {\i
alive}! That the boy had been {\i
kidnapped} by ninja and taken away from Konoha at the age of six to be used for
unknown purposes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He also just happened to leave out the part of Naruto being the Jinchuriki of
Kyuubi and hoped Tsunade didn't figure out where it went. Or rather who it was
sealed into when the attack was over.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Explain. Tell me everything. Leave nothing out. If you so much as lie to me even
{\i
once }Jiraiya, I will beat you {\i
literally} to death right here in this very bar in front of {\i
everyone}, and than return to Konoha to finish what Orochimaru started with sensei.
So talk. NOW!" commanded Tsunade with Jiraiya grimacing since he was going to get
beaten up badly one way or another.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At least with telling her the truth, as he interpreted it anyway, the beating
wouldn't be to death, and just close to it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay. This is what I know," said Jiraiya, as he told Tsunade about how Naruto had
been kidnapped six years ago by strange ninja from the Black Spider Clan, a man by
the name of Genshin being behind it, and his possible reappearance in Wave Country
a few months ago.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Jiraiya went on to tell her about how Naruto went under the title of Yami Kitsune
Jigumo while slaughtering the army of thugs Gato just using the Kusari-Gama he had
on him and wind affinity at the time. How according to both Kakashi and Kurenai,
who were also eye witnesses during the whole thing, the boy had brutally ripped
through Gato, ignoring the man's pleading, and begging for Naruto to
stop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only thing Jiraiya {\i
conveniently} left out was the abuse Naruto went through during the first 6 years
of his childhood prior to being kidnapped. The Toad Sannin didn't really feel such
information was relevant for Tsunade to know and thus kept that tidbit of truth
from being told and thus didn't {\i
technically} lie to her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And I can use my position as the new Hokage of Konoha to look for Naruto? No form
of interference? No bitching from the Councils or Clan Heads? I know all about how
most of them acted when Minato was planning to alter the governing system in Konoha
before he died. I was planning to stay in Konoha at the time because my medical
program was going to finally get funding and I was going to be leading the
project," said Tsunade with Jiraiya nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Being the Hokage gives you that power Tsunade. Everyone wants the boy back so
there should be no interference from them when you give the order for ANBU to look
for our Godson. Though I would recommend you allow me to seal his memories and any
abilities he may learn once that happens. Anything this Black Spider Clan taught
Naruto could be dangerous and we don't know how badly his mind has been tainted in
connection to what he thinks about Konoha in general," said Jiraiya with Tsunade
shaking her head at the idea of doing that to Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I will determine that for myself before such an action is taken upon his
capture and I speak to him about what happened to since he has been away from
Konoha. I'll become the new Hokage of Konoha, but you will do no such thing like
perform a sealing on him. Until I say so Jiraiya, you are to bring Naruto to me
after capturing to see just how 'lost' he may have become while away from the
village, and...I {\i
mean it}!" said Tsunade with a knowing look and the Sannin hid his grimace while
nodding his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn it. I was really hoping she would trust me enough to follow through with the
order to seal his powers and memories. If I do that before we reach Konoha for her
to inspect him, Tsunade will suspect something, and the people will not stand the
idea of Naruto being brought back in one piece. I will have to play this covertly
if I am to succeed in getting the boy under the village's control,' thought Jiraiya
with Tsunade's eyes showing she did not completely trust him in regards to her
Jiraiya would need to tread carefully when capturing the boy and bringing Naruto
back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'You think I'm a fool Jiraiya? You think I've been away for so long that I can't
tell what {\i
really }happened to Naruto? That I haven't put two and two together by realizing
what happened to Kyuubi? How my only Godson is a Jinchuriki? My Grandmother was the
first and Kushina was the second following her. There is a reason villages aren't
suppose to know about Jinchuriki and I have a feeling someone made that impossible
for Naruto,' thought Tsunade, as she would do her own investigation about how
people treated the boy, and know who she could trust regarding Naruto's
safety.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And who to kill for those that would endanger Naruto's
safety.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! Hope you liked that chapter. Cue Ninja Gaiden 2 credits and ending music
for this chapter coming to close. Just so you know, I won't be working on anything
until {\i
after} July 4 so don't expect another update until the week after. I know you are
bummed, but it gives me time to catch a breather so I can prepare myself for
writing what goes on with Naruto being involved for the events of Ninja Gaiden 3.
So bare with me because this will be a little more difficult to write. Until next
{\b
Chapter 7-Ninja Trial\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto walked toward the Dragon Tower. The building had been repaired since the
attack made by the Black Spider Clan and Genshin for the Demon Statue. At the
moment, the boy was in chains, restraints attached to his wrists, his ankles,
torso, and neck with his arm ninja escort flanking him on all sides. How this did
this image come to pass while making his way to the Dragon Tower? How did this
image of the former Black Spider Clan member being chained up like a criminal come
to pass?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Well...\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Flashback-Sometime Earlier)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Master Ryu, we are here to escort you both to the Dragon Tower. Your Father wishes
to speak with you regarding...{\i
him}," said one of the Dragon Ninja of the group, possibly the leader, standing in
front of Ryu and Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. Is that why you have restraints on hand? To bind the boy beside me?" asked
Ryu with the ninja in front of him nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Out of the question. I am not a prisoner nor will I be treated like one," said
Naruto with the boy glancing at the eight Dragon Ninjas in front of
"You have no choice in this matter boy. You serve the Black Spider Clan and its
dark Master Ninja Genshin. Master Jo Hayabusa's orders are absolute," stated the
leader of the group while some of them moved into position to restrain the
"This isn't necessary. We are going to see my Father so there is no need to
restrain him," said Ryu while trying to appease the ninja around him to not make
this happen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your Father gave the order Master Ryu. As Clan Head, we must follow his orders on
this matter, and orders are to have the boy restrained before being brought to the
Dragon Tower. Your Father, Master Hayate of the Mugen Tenshin Clan along with
several others wish to speak with you about the boy, and what happened with the
Archfiend," explained the leader of the group.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can we not put restraints on him? The boy won't run. I can guarantee it," replied
Ryu with the ninja in front of him shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We have our orders Master Ryu. We either put the restraints on him and remove all
of his weapons without problem. His failure to comply will result in us using
force," said the ninja while Naruto growled angrily at
"You better use force because its the {\i
only} way you'll get those chains on me," remarked Naruto before drawing his sword
with the other Dragon Ninja around him drawing their weapons to fight against the
"Enough! Naruto this does not help you. My Father is not a narrow-minded man. He is
only doing this as a precaution. Once he sees you are not a threat to anyone here
among the Dragon Clan, the restraints will be removed, and your weapons returned,"
said Ryu calmly while putting a hand on Naruto's shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Will you give me your word as a Dragon Ninja that I will get my weapons back?"
asked Naruto with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do. Trust me Naruto. Nothing bad will happen to you so long as I am around,"
replied Ryu with the blonde looking from him to the group of ninjas surrounding
"All right. I'll trust you Ryu. But only because I sense your intentions are pure.
I sense that you will not go back on your word," replied Naruto before sheathing
his blade and handing it over to Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Soon after giving Ryu his sword, Naruto surrendered Kyuubi's Tail, the Fiend's Bane
Bow, his shrunken, kunai, and two sets of lock picking equipment to the Master
Ninja. Once that was done, the group of ninja in front of him searched the boy just
to be sure he really did surrender everything to Ryu, and proceeded to put the
restrained on Naruto the moment they were satisfied with their
inspection.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't worry Naruto, I'll be with you every step of the way to the Dragon Tower,
and we will take the fastest route there," said Ryu with his hand on the boy after
the restraints were put in place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that being said, the group formed around Naruto, Ryu right beside him, and
they marched straight for the Dragon Tower.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(End Flashback)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So much for a warm reception," remarked Naruto, as he was taken the fastest route
to the Dragon Tower, and soon made his way up the long line of stairs to the top of
the tower.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All the way to the very room where Genshin had fought Jo Hayabusa and allowed the
Blood Queen of the Greater Fiends to steal the Demon Statue. The room had long
since been repaired, the damage from the fighting, and the fire no longer visible
to those who had seen this place during all of the fighting along with the
aftermath of it. In the room was Jo Hayabusa, sitting in seiza position, and beside
him in the same position was none other then Hayate of the Mugen Tenshin
Also in the room were various ninja from both clans. Some old. Some young. The
older ninja were seen as elders of sorts. Advisors possibly in Naruto's mind. The
young ninja were meant to watch to see how their leaders operated and to learn from
the experience. When Naruto was brought in, many of the ninja in the room glared at
him, no doubt due to the fact his damaged armor, and uniform still had the markings
of the Black Spider Clan on them. Some looked at the boy with pity, as if they did
not wish to see one so young in the ways of the ninja be punished, and yet knew it
was inevitable given the insignia worn on his uniform.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is the boy?" asked Hayate calmly, as he looked at the boy standing before
them in chains while Jo nodded since he sensed Naruto had entered the room with his
son.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. This is Genshin's student. Uzumaki Naruto," replied Jo Hayabusa with many in
the room whispering among themselves, some even glaring harder, and others were
unsure how to react to this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I sense great power in him," remarked Hayate while Jo nodded in
"The boy is a Jinchuriki. He holds a Biju within him. The Kyuubi no Kitsune," said
Jo with many in the room looking shocked by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shouldn't he be restrained with tighter chains?" asked an elderly ninja with a
small beard, a scar on the right side of his face, and an eye patch on the same
"No. While the boy is a Jinchuriki, he has not used the power of the Biju in him to
hurt us, or made an attempt to escape. I wish to extend the boy trust that he will
be civil with us and we will in turn extend that same civility to him in return,"
answered Jo while Ryu nodded to his Father.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...he was a student of Genshin! Leader of the Black Spider Clan! The man's
personal weapon! This boy cannot be trusted!" protested a younger ninja with a
glare being sent by some of the older ninja for the man speaking out of
turn.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was because of Naruto's assistance that I was able to defeat the Blood Queen of
the Greater Fiends, the Inferno High Priest Dagra Dai, and the Archfiend itself.
The boy is also of the Dragon lineage like myself and was raised by Genshin for
reasons unknown to our clan. Reasons I believe my Father would like to address for
all of us to hear," replied Ryu while putting a firm supporting hand on Naruto to
let the boy know he was not going to be abandoned in this
"Indeed. I do know the reason. Years ago, a member of our clan, my Father's own
brother in fact had gone to a place called the Elemental Countries in pursuit of
several members of the Black Spider Clan seeking to establish a base there. To
learn the ways of the ninja from that region and in turn take the teaching back
here to gain an advantage over us. The Black Spider Ninja were slain, but the
Dragon Ninja sent on the mission was also badly injured in the process, and found
refuge in the Shinobi village of Konoha. There, he met a kunoichi from that
village, and settled down there while sending us information about his success
while stating his intentions to stay in that region. However, my Uncle died a few
years later from the extensive injuries he endured when fighting the Black Spider
Clan's ninja. The kunoichi in question died during child birth, but before these
events happened, my Uncle sent a message regarding his child, how the kunoichi he
had married, and was carrying his future son was told by her doctor that she would
not survive the birth. How he was dying from his own wounds and to come quickly to
secure his son to be raised by our clan. However, when several of our ninja
arrived, we were told by the leader of the Leaf that was the Sandaime Hokage, and
how the child had died soon after its Mother. A stillborn child he said. At the
time, the Dragon Ninjas who were there took his word for it, not believing the man
knew of the boy's lineage, or that the respected leader of such a beloved Shinobi
village would lie to our faces. However, my Father, who went personally to get him
from that area, swore to never to have anyone from the Dragon Clan enter the
Elemental Countries ever again. He blamed that region for the death of his son and
how the doctors there did not treat his injuries properly like it was first assumed
At best, we were able to take our fallen Dragon Ninja comrade back with us to be
buried, and swore never to return to that region of the world," explained Jo while
Naruto himself listened to this story intently.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Did your Uncle tell you the name of his son in the message he sent?" asked Ryu
with Jo nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. He called his son Minato. After you came back from Vigoor, I had our spy
network begin an investigation on the matter of where this boy Uzumaki Naruto came
from. The description you gave of the boy reminded me of the description my Father
once told me about his brother and how he went to the Element Countries on a secret
mission there. As the investigation continued, I learned the reason behind the
Black Spider Clan's actions, and why Genshin took an interest in Naruto. He learned
of Naruto's lineage through his own spy network and came to find the boy a little
over 6 years ago in Konoha to take him from the village. The purpose of such a
bizarre move? To teach the boy and have Naruto become one his key agents to bring
about our destruction prior to his partnership to bring about the return of the
Archfiend," replied Jo with Naruto narrowing his eyes at
"Turning a member of the Dragon lineage against itself? How?" asked Hayate
curiously with a frown on his face and looked at Jo before glancing at
"Because like I said before Hayate...the boy here is a Jinchuriki. I have
information from the Elemental Countries concerning the past history of Jinchuriki
and how most of them are treated. Though I think given how we have one such person
here standing before us, I think it would be best to hear the boy's story of his
life prior to being 'saved' by Genshin, and the Black Spider Clan," replied Jo with
everyone focusing entirely on Naruto now and all eyes looking into his blue
ones.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My life? Before Genshin I had {\i
no life}! I was beaten, shunned, hated, and oppressed by the Leaf. I wasn't just
called names everyday, but rather beaten almost everyday since I could remember
things, and there were times I thought I would die from these attacks. I probably
would have if not for the Biju sealed inside my body or later on when Lord Genshin
saved me from my death when I was 6 years old. I was offered a chance to have a
purpose in life and be taught {\i
personally} by Lord Genshin and his brother Gamov in their arts. It was through the
two of them that I was able to flourish and grow stronger. Back in Konoha, I would
have been a weak idiot who couldn't tell his head from his ass, and seen as just a
weapon while being their personal submissive punching bag on the side when it
suited them. I owed Genshin my life! And I would offer it up to him in a heartbeat
if he gave the command," stated Naruto while looking directly at the two Master
Ninja in front of him while Ryu's grip increased.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Calm down Naruto. I know you are angry at them for how they are portraying
Genshin, but such anger will only hinder you here. Remember to be calm and
collected. I know Genshin taught you this much," whispered Ryu with Naruto's
clenched fists tightening for a second before they
unclenched.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Loyalty to such a level is considerably rare. Did Genshin ever speak to you during
the early years of your training in regards to your heritage or the Biju sealed
inside your body?" asked Hayate with Naruto shaking his head
no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not about my heritage. I was told about the fox later on years later and learned
of my heritage to the Dragon Clan after I stole the Eye of the Dragon for Obaba.
The jewel, in its own way, attacked me with its energy, revealed to me the truth
about my bloodline, and Obaba herself admitted to it after giving the old hag the
jewel. She never did like me and only tolerated my presence within the Black Spider
Clan because of Genshin. I was attacked by her and left a nasty little wound on her
abdomen before I escaped her sight. Judging from the fact Ryu here was able to call
upon the true Dragon Sword using the Eye of the Dragon, the old hag was no doubt
killed, and by someone of exceptional skill before giving the jewel to him. After I
escaped, I went to Genshin's location, where he admitted what Obaba told me was the
truth, and he drew his sword while questioning whether or not I was still loyal to
him upon learning the truth for myself," replied Naruto with many listening
intently to his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what did you do when that happened?" asked Jo curiously since Genshin was a
man who did not spare people lightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I offered Lord Genshin my neck and my head as proof of my loyalty to him. I
explained to the man how he saved me from a life of suffering and gave it purpose
while asking for my loyalty in return. I offered my life to him as proof that
regardless of my blood, I was his to command, and to kill whenever he wished. I
bowed my head at the time and made no move to stop him from taking my life. In the
end, he saw my words were truthful, and didn't kill me," answered Naruto with many
being shocked the boy would offer his life to the man and be
spared.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Instead, Genshin did make the attempt at the top of Mt. Fuji when I was getting
close to it, and would have to fight him to enter the gateway to the Underworld,"
added Ryu while hoping to give Naruto a few sympathetic looks from the ninja around
him, and possibly see the boy as someone who has suffered enough in life to be
spared further punishment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet the boy survived," commented Hayate with Naruto looking down a
bit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kyuubi helped me. If it wasn't for him...I would have died like Lord Genshin
wanted. When I got up to the top of Mt. Fuji again, I saw Elizebet standing over
Genshin's body, and I knew she planned to turn him into a Fiend to be her
instrument of destruction for anyone standing in her way. Namely everyone here
belonging to the Dragon Clan. I did not want Lord Genshin's soul tainted so I
stabbed her with my sword, but she threw me off, showing I was too late, and my
former Master had become a Greater Fiend. She then proceeded to partially transform
and stabbed me with her tail before I was thrown into the mountain to suffer while
in the Underworld," explained Naruto before he told how Ryu and Genshin soon did
battle with the latter losing to the former.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Most impressive Ryu. You have indeed proven yourself to be a Master Ninja once
more through this event," praised Jo while Ryu nodding though he did not take pride
in it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While I appreciate the praise Father, there is more you do not know. Genshin and
Naruto did something just before the man died. Something that may cause...{\i
complications} for the motion I wish bring before you in having Naruto joining the
clan," stated Ryu with many in the room looking shocked by
"What?! A student of Genshin a Dragon Ninja? No! Never!" stated one elderly ninja
while shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's far too dangerous. His mind is poisoned by the teaching of the Black Spider
Clan and by Genshin himself!" said another elderly ninja, but from the Mugen
Tenshin Clan closest to Hayate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's suffered enough! Let him prove himself! Would you want such a chance if in
his position?" offered an unknown kunoichi hidden by some of the ninja from the
Mugen Tenshin Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For a moment, Naruto thought he saw light violet hair among the ninja in the room,
and from where the female voice came from.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You spoke of a possible complication caused by both Naruto and Genshin prior to
the Master Ninja's death. What kind of complication Ryu?" asked Jo curiously while
Ryu hesitated for a second before looking at Naruto, who nodded since it was going
to come out anyway, and there was no point in holding back any
longer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Before his death, Genshin admitted to Naruto that the boy was the son he always
wanted in life, and Naruto himself wished he had Genshin as a Father. In an act
befitting a dying man wishing to grant the wish of his only student, Genshin had
his blood mixed in with Naruto's own, and through this mixing...Naruto has Fiend
blood in his veins," replied Ryu while silence followed his words, a pin could drop
in the room, and easily echo through the entire tower.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before the room exploded with voices and erupting with chaos around the two ninja
at the center of the room. Voices calling for the boy's death. His banishment to
the farthest reaches of the world, never to return again, and some even had their
weapons drawn to slay Naruto in this very room. For his part, Naruto kept his cool,
but also made sure to be mindful of his surroundings, and who among the ninja in
this room would strike first. Even now, the boy's mind was calculating how fast he
would have to move, the possible exits available to him, and possible locations
where he would have to personally {\i
make} the exit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Beside him, Ryu Hayabusa also watched the various actions of both his clan, and
those of the Mugen Tenshin Clan in the room with sharp eyes. This was something the
Dragon Ninja was concerned about, as he had basically made Naruto a target for ever
single ninja in this room, and knew this was not something the boy deserved after
everything he was put through in his young life. Looking at his Father, Ryu hoped
the older man would stop this before things got out of hand, or even Hayate since
his clan was making just as much noise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough!" commanded Jo with a raised hand and instantly the room was brought into a
dead silence while Ryu looked at the two Master Ninja in front of him with pleading
eyes that hoped they would be reasonable.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Father. Hayate. I ask you both not to punish Naruto for what he has done, the clan
that he served, or for the blood mixed into his veins. When the time came, this boy
proved himself to be a true Dragon Ninja, fighting beside me in battle, helping
with the killing the Blood Queen of the Greater Fiends, the Inferno Priest Dagra
Dai, and the Archfiend itself. The circumstances of him being raised by the Black
Spider Clan and trained by Genshin himself have not poisoned his mind into hating
us. However, if we reject him now, despise him now, when he needs us the most above
all things...then it will not be the Black Spider Clan responsible for making
Naruto hate us. We will have done it for them. This boy has endured enough pain and
hatred from his {\i
true} enemies at such a young age for something that wasn't his fault. He doesn't
need to feel such negativity from us too. The Dragon Clan should not be lashing out
at one of its own. One who was lost to us based on a lie we foolishly believed
without investigating further. We have been given a chance to redeem ourselves for
our stupidity and foolishness in believing the lie by embracing the boy as one of
us," said Ryu in a passionate speech, which left many in the room silent, and many
thinking over what they had just done with shame in their
They had nearly betrayed the conviction and principles that made up their clans.
And for what? Because of their own fears?! Because they were staring at a child of
the Dragon Clan, who had been raised differently from them?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Your words hold wisdom beyond your years Ryu. Indeed, the boy has been through a
lot, and he doesn't need any more from us. However, the case of his blood mixing
with Genshin's in his Fiend state caused by Elizebet is not something we can excuse
lightly. Had Naruto not done that, entry into the clan would not be an issue, and
the fact he is a Jinchuriki would not bother us either," replied Jo with Ryu
finding most of his concerns for Naruto's future evaporate in that very
Most of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But, due to the fact Naruto did mix his blood with that of a Fiend in the form of
Genshin himself, who given his already incredible skills as a ninja would probably
be ranked as a Greater Fiend amongst them. The laws of the Mugen Tenshin Clan and
the Dragon Clan are identical on this matter regarding the mixing of such blood,"
added Hayate with Ryu's eyes showing concern and Naruto tensing for a
"Uzumaki Naruto, please take three steps forward," commanded Jo with Naruto looking
at Ryu, who nodded in telling him to obey, and the boy took three seemingly loud
steps forward with the chains rattling around his body with each step
taken.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'This is it fox. I'm either going to be killed or possibly sealed away somewhere in
some cave to rot for the rest of my life,' thought Naruto while the Kyuubi shook
his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Do not worry Naruto. No such banishment or death will come. I can feel it within
my own tails,"}} said Kyuubi to assure Naruto all would work out in the
end.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uzumaki Naruto, you have shown skill, talent, and devotion to the ninja way few
could hope to match outside of myself, Hayate, Ryu, and a few hours between the two
clans in this room. However, the laws of our two clans regarding the mixing of
blood with those of a Fiend are absolute, and no one is above them no matter how
much we feel otherwise on this matter given your past history. However, it is
because of your past history that the punishment delivered today will not be as
harsh as it would have been without knowing what we discovered about you. That
being said, it is the decision of the Dragon Clan, a decision made through my
authority as the Clan Head, and Master Ninja that you, one Uzumaki Naruto, be
allowed to live among us...for a short time. After no less then three years living
within this village, learning all that you can from us, and the ninja way as we
have learned it since time memorial...you will be banished from our village," said
Jo with Ryu looking shocked by this news and Naruto looked devastated by this
decision.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Banishment? Father surely there is something else aside from banishment that we
could give for a punishment," offered Ryu while Jo shook his head
"The only other option after three years of Naruto living among us...is death.
Death...by your own hands with the Dragon Sword coming down upon his head at the
neck, Ryu," stated Jo with Ryu looking away, his hands clenched, and heard Naruto
"I accept your choice in punishment Jo Hayabusa," replied Naruto with Ryu and some
of the other ninja in the room looking shocked to hear him seemingly accept
"What?! Naruto, why would you accept this? You will be alone in a few years when
the banishment happens. Its worse than death for you!" protested Ryu with Naruto
turning to face him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is all right Ryu. I know you don't like this decision made by your Father. I
don't like it either. But just because I am being banished from the clan in a few
years doesn't mean I am going to be hated during that time. I get to spend the next
few years here, learning from you, the others, and take what I know with me on my
travels. I won't be an enemy to the Dragon Clan or Mugen Tenshin Clan when I leave.
If either clan needs me to help them with something, I'll gladly come to your aid,"
replied Naruto with Ryu smiling at him while Jo and Hayate
"Thank you for letting us know this Naruto. It further proves to us that you have
matured at a level beyond anyone your age has ever done. Perhaps, you will
unknowingly be able to teach us something new during your time here in the Hayabusa
Village," commented Jo, who gave the boy a small bow of his head, and Hayate doing
the same.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'That boy. He is truly something special,' thought Ryu while smiling at the boy now
being freed from his chains.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If it is all right with you Jo Hayabusa, I would like to make a small request of
you...in private?" asked Naruto with Jo nodding and motioned for everyone to leave
the room while leaving the two ninja alone to talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is the request Naruto?" asked Jo with Naruto sighing and feeling
"It is in regards to my banishment in the next few years. Or rather my future once
I leave the Hayabusa Village when the time comes," answered Naruto before
explaining what he planned to do and what he was asking of the Head of the Dragon
"I see. What you are asking is not small task. It can be done, but it is no less
challenging to do," replied Jo with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. Whatever you ask of me in return for this request being done, I will pay,"
said Naruto with Jo nodding since what the boy was asking was not cheap and would
be done leading up to his banishment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My only price I would ask of you for this request, is you stand by my son in the
heat of battle, and support him where others cannot. Just because the Fiends have
been defeated does not mean that darkness has been removed completely. There is
always something lurking in the shadows waiting to replace the one that has fallen.
It is the way of things and of balance. In the coming years, I believe my son will
be facing a new evil, and you Naruto will be there to help him face it. Do this for
me...and {\i
I} will do what you ask of my clan," said Jo with Naruto nodding in
"I accept. I also sense that something will undoubtedly happen in the next few
years to come following the Archfiend's defeat. I want to help in anyway I can to
prove myself," replied Naruto with Jo smiling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then go be with your fellow clansmen Naruto. You have earned it," replied Jo with
Naruto nodding and smiling now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will...after I get some new clothes and before {\i
that}...a nice warm bath," commented Naruto before heading out the door while Jo
let out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hayabusa Village-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto!" exclaimed Ayane, as she had been around waiting for him, and appeared in
a swirl of wind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh! Ayane! Uh...how are you?" asked Naruto a bit startled and slightly nervous due
to the fact the two of them were not enemies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And what he did the last time they met.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. You look better. Even more with new clothing," remarked Ayane with a smirk
with Naruto giving a small scowl and pout.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well, when you have been stabbed multiple times, thrown off a mountain {\i
twice}, hit all the jagged rocks said mountain shouldn't have, and nearly get
killed after the Archfiend blows up nearly point blank range...I'll say the same to
you," countered Naruto with the girl knowing he had a
"True, but I still love the new look. Even if it does bare the symbol of the Black
Spider Clan on it," replied Ayane since Naruto's new attire was a modification of
his old ninja suit with a few additional piece of ninja armor those of the Dragon
Clan wore that helped balance it out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The clothing also bore the mark of the Dragon Clan on the right shoulder, Black
Spider Clan on the left, and to Ayane's surprise the Whirlpool symbol of the
Uzumaki Clan on the front of his chest over the heart. Over all of {\i
that}, the boy wore a black trench coat with the kanji for {\i
Kitsune} on it, and the inside of it held a special strap to hold Kyuubi's Tail for
him while a slit was made so he could have his sheathed sword be hidden inside of
All in all...he looked badass.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is my way of honoring them and Lord Genshin for training me to be a ninja,"
said Naruto with Ayane understanding why his uniform was like
"No mask?" asked Ayane with Naruto smirking and produced one from his
coat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see no need to wear it here. No point. I only wore this around those I didn't
trust or I didn't want to see my face because they were my enemies," replied Naruto
with Ayane raising an eyebrow as she walked over to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And now?" asked Ayane curiously while Naruto smirked at
"You're not my enemy. In truth...I never saw you as one," replied Naruto with
Ayane's face getting a little red at his admission.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh! Well, that is good to hear," said Ayane since she thought Naruto was being a
little sweet on her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Listen, about when we last saw each other...uh...I want to apologize for that,"
replied Naruto with Ayane's face getting redder with her giving off a small
scowl.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't think I haven't forgotten about that. You did something very perverted and I
will have you pay for it!" exclaimed Ayane, as she got right in his face, and poked
him in the chest multiple times.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was a good thing her face was red because the feeling of muscle from the jabbing
of Naruto's chest made Ayane's face feel even warmer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And how do you want me to pay for it?" asked Naruto with Ayane thinking for a
second she got a smile on her face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"{\i
You} have to take me out to lunch tomorrow!" declared Ayane with Naruto now raising
an eyebrow at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To lunch?" asked Naruto since he expected something far
more...diabolical?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Someplace classy. {\i
Expensive}! One of my choosing in Sky City Tokyo!" declared Ayane before she let
out an evil laughter that just needed a storm cloud and flashes of lightning to go
with it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto just sweat dropped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fine. But in return, you must promise not to seek further retribution for that
incident in any shape or form. {\i
Ever}!" replied Naruto with Ayane thinking about it before
"Deal!" exclaimed Ayane before they shook hands on it and the girl skipped off at
her own pace.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Water Country-Rebel Base-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Haku?" asked Zabuza while seeing his student suddenly go ramrod
straight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Urge to kill violet haired women...rising...rising," whispered Haku in a trance
like state while flexing her hand before she stopped and looked around like she
didn't even know what was going on.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn it brat! You are making Haku go more and more boy crazy over you. Stop doing
that!' thought Zabuza angrily while hoping his words would somehow reach Naruto and
he would listen to them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hayabusa Village-With Naruto)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She really likes you," declared Momiji with Naruto turning to see the Dragon
Shrine Maiden approach him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? Because the evil laughter at getting me to take her out to an expensive
lunch tomorrow says otherwise," remarked Naruto with Momiji smirking at
"Trust me. She likes you. This is just her way of showing it. Between you, me, and
this wall, I have it on good authority that she thinks your cute," replied Momiji
with Naruto raising his eyebrow at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Cute? I didn't think my attire as ninja before now was considered cute," said
Naruto while Momiji letting out a small giggle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your attire has always been terrifying. As it should be with ninja. But your {\i
face} is cute in a boyish charm like manner, which fits for someone who is only is
little over thirteen going on fourteen year old. In a few more years, a lot of
girls will be red in the face with desire, and want to have their chance at
courting you," commented Momiji with Naruto shaking his
"Thanks," said Naruto with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just be good to her Naruto. Oh and one more thing...she is also Hayate's half
sister," said Momiji with Naruto looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hayate? As in...{\i
THE} {\i
Clan Head} of the Mugen Tenshin Clan? That Hayate I just saw in the Dragon Tower
not that long ago?" asked Naruto with Momiji nodding with a semi-grim look on her
"The very same. Sadly, Ayane is not well liked among her own clan. Just like you
weren't liked at one point for being Genshin's student and an adopted member of the
Black Spider Clan," replied Momiji with Naruto narrowing his eyes and a serious
intensity in them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tell me what you know," ordered Naruto with his voice giving no room for
arguing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Follow me to the Dragon Shrine. I'll tell you everything there in private,"
replied Momiji and saw Naruto nodding before following the woman to the Dragon
Shrine.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Dragon Tower-Several Hours Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How is he fairing so far?" asked Jo with Ryu entering the room to see his Father
in seiza position while seemingly staring at nothing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So far no one has made him feel unwelcome. A good start given how its only been a
few hours since being a member of the clan," commented Ryu, as he had shadowed the
boy in secret to ensure nothing happened to him while in the village, and was
welcomed among his fellow Dragon Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And his living accommodations?" asked Jo with Ryu
hesitating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I talked to him about it. He wants to move into {\i
that }place," replied Ryu with Jo raising an eyebrow since the Master Ninja knew of
the place his son spoke of just now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? Interesting. Did he say why?" asked Jo with Ryu
"While he wants to be close to the clan, Naruto doesn't want us to get {\i
that} close where we feel pain when the time comes for him to leave. He's trying to
spare us the emotional pain we would feel later on," replied Ryu sadly while Jo let
out a noise of understanding to the boy's reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It will take quite some time for that place to be restored to its former glory.
And even more time I suspect for you to visit him there given the past history such
a place has with you and the previous owner," added Jo with Ryu nodding since {\i
that} place was hurtful to be near, even when he had to go there to get to the base
of Mt. Fuji, and stop the Black Spider Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll visit him there. Eventually. For now, I'll train him in what I know when he's
around the village," replied Ryu knowing the boy will be around the village for
awhile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I hear he will be taking Ayane on what many consider to be a {\i
date} tomorrow? How does Hayate feel about this?" asked Jo with Ryu smirking now
while walking over to the open sliding window.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Like how any big brother would feel regarding his sister going out with a boy.
Even if she is his half sister, the man doesn't want anything bad to happen to her.
There are few among the Mugen Tenshin Clan who don't hate Ayane and I'm sure there
are fewer who would approve of her courting Naruto. When I intercepted him, Hayate
told me he just wanted to confront Naruto about it, suspecting this lunch they were
having was the boy's idea. But I told him it was in fact Ayane's and she would
frown upon him interfering and trying to scare Naruto into turning it down,"
replied Ryu while remembering the moment of how it nearly came to blows between
them when Hayate tried to hunt down Naruto to question him (that was putting it
lightly) about his feelings for Ayane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She is another who faces problems like Naruto. Hayate is secretly being pressured
into having Ayane expelled from the Mugen Tenshin Clan. The only reason it hasn't
happened yet is due to her abilities as a ninja have proven to be a valuable asset
and her brother just happens to be Hayate," said Jo sadly knowing more of the
elderly and tradition following ninja of the Mugen Tenshin Clan frowned upon the
girl because of her origins in terms of the conception that took
place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She could come here. To the Dragon Clan," offered Ryu with Jo shaking his
"No. If we did, it would be seen as an insult to them, and they are our most
trusted allies who have helped us on many occasions in the past in dealing with
dangerous threats. As much as I would like to have Ayane be part of our clan in
some manner, it is not worth the risk of losing the Mugen Tenshin Clan as an ally,
and even with Hayate as the Clan Head...the man will not be around to live forever.
Other Master Ninja will one day rise to take his place and not all of them could be
as open-minded or caring at him. They will see Ayane as an offense to the way of
the ninja and us taking her in if cast out from them would be seen as a greater
insult. The long-term alliance between our clans is paramount Ryu and no one person
holds enough value that he or she is considered more valuable then our alliance
with another clan," replied Jo with Ryu sighing since that wasn't fair to Ayane,
but also knew his Father was right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How long do you suspect Ayane has before Hayate is forced to do what he doesn't
want to do?" asked Ryu with Jo thinking it over in his
mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Around the same time Naruto is to be banished. At most. But anything could speed
up the inevitable with Ayane being expelled from the Mugen Tenshin Clan. Her stance
with the clans has less support than Naruto's and only because the Mugen Tenshin
Clan has a more...{\i
traditional} policy regarding the children of such events," replied Jo since he had
always felt the child's means of conception did not dictate the destiny in life,
but rather by their own actions, and the path they chose to
walk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto was a perfect example of that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It would seem that the hand of fate have provided Ayane a means to handle such an
action," commented Ryu knowing that if Naruto and Ayane hit it off relationship
wise, the two would not be alone when they were forced to leave their respected
clans.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So it would seem. But all the same, do not interfere with their relationship Ryu.
The two must reach that level together. Forcing it to happen makes it fake and
brittle. Only the natural way is such a bond the strongest of bonds. Your Mother
was proof of that," said Jo since it was the same regarding his wife and how they
got together.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will and I will be sure to pass on your words to anyone else wishing to see
those two become something more than friends," said Ryu before he was gone in a
swirl of leaves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The leaves in question, which made a sound when hitting the floor, reminded Jo of
the treachery Konoha had performed to keep one of Dragon Clan's own within their
walls. It was an insult and it must be paid. But how? Jo knew the boy's request was
important to him. Jo also knew any action made against Konoha by the Dragon Clan
would result in that disgusting place putting things together in regards to
Naruto's location. Politically, in the ninja world, or rather on their side of the
world such ways had little influence. While the Dragon Clan always made sure to
know about politics and the politicians that lurked in that world of "you scratch
my back I scratch yours", they never became the politicians
themselves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A Dragon Ninja who relied on bureaucratic favors rather then his or her own skills
as a ninja was not a ninja at all. Not a dragon, but rather a snake calling himself
a dragon, and if there one absolute...it was that a snake could {\i
never }become a dragon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Still, Konoha had to pay for their actions, and Jo decided that he would send that
message to them {\i
personally} along with following through with the boy's request. If Konoha truly
was as strong as many within its wall would claim it to be, then they would endure,
and survive the fiery wrath of the Dragon Clan with their own "Will of
Fire".\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Two Weeks Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Care to explain yourself Jiraiya?" asked Tsunade while the Sannin in front of her
started to sweat heavily under that stare she gave him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To be fair Tsunade-hime, you didn't ask me a question I can answer," replied
Jiraiya in his usual happy tone meant to throw people off and make people think he
was actually a great guy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't play the idiot with me Jiraiya. We've known each other long enough to know
the act is pointless and insulting. My {\i
question} to you is why? Why did you follow through with this plan for Naruto? Why
betray your late student like that?" demanded Tsunade with Jiraiya's smile leaving
and became deadly serious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You mean leave Naruto to the wolves? Help sensei lie to you? Make sure few were
able to help him?" asked Jiraiya with Tsunade nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes! That! Now answer the question. Why?" demanded Tsunade angrily, as she had
done her own {\i
personal} investigation once returning to Konoha, arriving one week early to throw
off the people expecting her return later to catch them in the act of destroying
all of Naruto's records the Sandaime Hokage still had on
file.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The powers that be in Konoha got Jiraiya's message via Toad Summons, saying Tsunade
was on her way home, and was expected to arrive at a certain time. What they did{\i
NOT} know, was Tsunade forced (threatening to rip his balls off) Jiraiya to write
the message that way, and send it to Konoha when they were much closer to the
village. When she kicked down the doors to where Jiraiya had told him was the room
holding Naruto's records, she found clerks, and other pencil pushing people with a
few Shinobi holding various documents pertaining to her Godson's well
being.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In their moment of panicking at being caught red handed, several of these Shinobi
tried to throw the documents onto the ground, and perform a Fire Jutsu on the
various files. But Tsunade along with Shizune had moved quickly, disabling each
ninja, and everyone else around them before getting said documents secured. Once
she had everything needed, Tsunade went to the Hokage's Office, locked the doors,
and looked over all the papers people had been trying to destroy before her
arrival. She ignored the pounding of the Shinobi Advisors Homura and Koharu on the
door, saying things like "Let us in!" or "This is unbecoming of a Hokage!", and had
even threatened to have her removed from office if she didn't let them in to hear
their "advice" on certain things.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When she did let them in, Tsunade demanded the same answers from those two that she
was now asking Jiraiya, and it was annoying to hear them huffing in indignation.
They didn't like being judged by her due to the woman being younger, were asked
questions by her, and felt they didn't have to answer any of the questions asked by
their new Hokage. So Tsunade gave them two choices. They tell Tsunade freely while
in her office {\i
OR} they could be taken to Ibiki where the information would be extracted {\i
by force}! Naturally, they protested the second option/threat, claiming they knew
countless secrets, and thus sending them to Ibiki might result in things being said
that shouldn't be heard by others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hence why Tsunade countered by telling them to answer her questions so they didn't
have to face Ibiki. Again, they sputtered in anger, embarrassment, and mounted
excuse upon excuse at her on why they were against answering Tsunade's questions.
They had even gone so far as to claim that being Shinobi Advisors since being
appointed by the Sandaime granted them immunity in answering any questions made by
his successor. They even remarked how if she had stayed in Konoha rather then just
running away from her responsibilities that she might be privy to such
information.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The nerve of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In retaliation, Tsunade punched both old farts into a wall and ordered several ANBU
to take them to Ibiki to pry all of the information they knew about Naruto's life
from their skulls. Even when they were being dragged away, the two instantly
commented how she was acting in disrespectful and unprofessional manner as the new
Hokage of Konoha, and Hiruzen would have never done this to
Speaking of her sensei, Tsunade paid the man a visit after a few days, and even
then it was only because she was sick of Jiraiya's pleading to visit the old man to
heal him. The old now former Hokage for the second time in his life was healed by
the woman, but it was done slowly, stalled at certain points when Tsunade asked him
questions, and he had refused to answer. Politely of course, under the guise of
being her kind wise sensei, who felt his wisdom would be given to her when the time
was right, and he was the one to decide it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A bad move on his part, as Tsunade made sure Hiruzen understood her position on the
matter with a firm hand, and the threat of ending his life before his Grandson
reached his tenth birthday. Hiruzen's nature changed from wise old sensei to angry
old Shinobi in an instant, but Tsunade wasn't intimidated by his glare, and
reminded the old man that he was at fault for making Naruto suffer for the first 6
years of his life. If he wasn't going to answer her questions or answer them
truthfully, she was going to make sure her former sensei paid for it...{\i
painfully}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And now, she finally had Jiraiya in front of her since he was part of the
conspiracy to screw over Naruto. All for some stupid
prophecy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because the world as we know it, the ninja way as we all know it, is about to
change Tsunade, and above everything else...Konoha must survive the coming storm.
Whether or not the other Shinobi villages survive it is not my concern, they can
drown in their own blood for all I care when the smoke clears, but Konoha must be
the one to make it out of this prophecy alive. Naruto is the Child of Prophecy. I'm
sure of it. The boy was and still {\i
is} going to shift things dramatically and the only way to ensure the prophecy
doesn't take our home off the map is to control the Child of Prophecy," answered
Jiraiya simply with Tsunade smashing her fist against the
desk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To Hell with your stupid prophecy! That Elder Toad has been having visions of
things to come for years. {\i
Unreliable visions} I might add with more of them happening and being more
unreliable as the years progressed. I bet he was even smoking from his opium pipe
prior to this particular vision, wasn't he?" Tsunade said accusingly at Jiraiya
with the man rubbing the back of his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe he did have some opium prior to the vision. But that doesn't matter! The
point is that until I'm told otherwise, there is still a prophecy out there, and it
is going to happen with Naruto being at the center of it," stated Jiraiya with
Tsunade groaning at his reason for allowing this to happen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Do you even care about Naruto? Do you even care that he is Minato's son? Or do you
only see him as a means to an end? To fulfill a prophecy that may or may not have
been created by an extremely old and possibly very {\i
stoned} out of his mind toad?" demanded Tsunade with Jiraiya looking
insulted.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course I care about him!" protested Jiraiya angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bullshit! If you really did cared about Minato's son, you would have made sure
nothing bad ever happened to him, and would have been there for the boy growing up.
I read the reports Jiraiya. The ones people didn't have time to destroy. You were
in the village on several occasions each month to {\i
personally }give reports to Hiruzen about information gathered from your spy
network. At the same time, I know you never {\i
once}, not {\i
once} went to visit him, or left within minutes of finishing your time with
Hiruzen," said Tsunade with Jiraiya scowling at her at having the finger pointed at
"So what if that's true Tsunade? The boy needed to be kept under control and the
power he wielded contained by any means necessary. The prophecy and the future of
Konoha surviving it are all that matters. If it means sacrificing Minato's child
for the good of the village then so be it!" stated Jiraiya with Tsunade's eyes
widening and she looked livid at this moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you always wondered why I will always love Dan over a {\i
baka} like you. He would never sacrifice an innocent life over some two-bit half
assed prophecy. Get out Jiraiya! Get out before I literally kick you out!"
commanded Tsunade with Jiraiya doing so with an angry look on his
'If there was one thing I couldn't get clear to Minato was that love is overrated
and was more of a burden then anything. I may spout out how much I love you
Tsunade, but only because of your clan since status is all that matters. Love does
not win wars. Love does not save villages. I tried to tell that to Minato and to
keep Kushina distant at arms length when in the relationship with her, but did he
ever listen? No! And look at the results of it all. The only thing that matters is
power and controlling someone with said power when you yourself don't have it,'
thought Jiraiya while leaving the woman to handle business matters connected to the
village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As this was going on, Sasuke was in his home, seething in rage at how the new
Hokage had denied his request for more power, and more sensei to train him. She
actually had the {\i
nerve} to deny him what he wanted and had sent Kakashi out on a mission so the
Jounin could not help him further in training with the Sharingan. It was
infuriating! Here he was, the Uchiha Clan Heir, needing to get stronger to avenge
his nearly destroyed clan, and what does the Senju bitch do? She denies him a new
sensei and any powerful Jutsus he wanted to learn in Kakashi's
absence.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I need to get stronger! How can that bitch deny me? ME?!" ranted Sasuke to himself
while pacing back and forth in anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well would you look at this. The big bad Uchiha is throwing a hissy fit. Or is it
sissy fit? Personally, I think its the latter," remarked a voice that Sasuke did
not recognize.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who is there? Come on out!" demanded Sasuke with the chuckle being heard and out
stepped not one person, but four people with Sound headbands
on.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Look at this shithead. Demanding things from us. Acting like he is superior. Why
our Master wants him, I will never understand," remarked the girl of the group with
red hair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru-sama's orders are absolute Tayuya. You know this." remarked the one
with four arms instead of the usual two.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fuck you Kidomaru! I know what the man wants. Doesn't mean I have to like it,"
replied Tayuya to the other member of her team.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru? What does he want?" asked Sasuke with his Curse Seal pulsing a bit on
his neck.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Simple. To come with us. To join him in Sound. He can give you what this village
will not. To give you what you crave. What you desire above all else," answered
Kidomaru with the Uchiha's eyes being filled with greed and lust for
power.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Power," whispered Sasuke with the four Sound ninja in front of him
"Correct. More power then you could possibly imagine," said the larger of the four
Sound members who looked like he could go toe to toe with an adult Akimichi Clan
member.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm in," replied Sasuke immediately since he didn't care about Konoha or the
people in it despite all their "love" for him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sasuke knew the truth. He knew they were merely using him because of the greatness
of his clan and they wanted a piece of it once revived. You would have to be an
idiot not to see it. All the gifts, discounts, and all the special treatment they
gave him when around Konoha were clear signs of them wanting something in return
once the Uchiha Clan was restored to greatness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As if he would give anything back to them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. Follow us. Once we get clear of this place, you have to go through a special
ritual to advance your Curse Seal even further," explained Kidomaru with Sasuke
"Let's go," said Sasuke before he followed the four Sound ninja into the shadows
without caring about what the people in the village would think about
It would only be later on after making this particular decision did Sasuke realize
that he shouldn't have taken their offer, as he would soon know that just because
he was of the Uchiha Clan did not make him invincible. Sasuke would also learn that
the world did not revolve around him just because he was an Uchiha held the title
of "Rookie of the Year" at the Academy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was on this day that he would know what it means to insight the wrath of a
dragon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hokage Tower)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the little twit ran off. Not surprising. The report I have read of the brat
possibly being mentally unstable after the Uchiha Massacre is no surprise and the
fact he went through another round of that Genjutsu by Itachi just further proves
the boy isn't right in the head. Why is he even in the Shinobi Program?" questioned
Tsunade to Shizune, who was in the room with her, and letting out a
"I don't know Tsunade-sama. My guess is to help develop the Sharingan right away
and to keep the village's enemies from attacking. Not to mention the Sharingan Eyes
are said to be one of the two bloodlines capable of negating the power of the Biju
and Jinchuriki who wield their power," explained Shizune with Tsunade
"That's why. The Sharingan Eyes power to negate the power of a Jinchuriki. To one
day use it against the other Shinobi villages with their own Jinchuriki and if need
be...against Naruto should he decide to think for himself about what he wants,"
said Tsunade with Shizune gasping in horror at the idea of Naruto being forced to
submit to the village or the Uchiha boy simple because he disagreed with the way
Konoha did things.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you intend to do?" asked Shizune with Tsunade's eyes
hardening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Those bastards expect me to bring the Uchiha back, but we both know they will try
to make the brat get off with a slap on the wrist, and try spoiling him even
further. As things are in Konoha, I can send high level Jounin or even ANBU after
the Uchiha. Our forces are so thin right now, I have to rely on a newly promoted
Chuunin to choose from the current active roster of Genin suited for this mission,"
replied Tsunade with Shizune now looking more horrified then
before.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But you can't send Genin! Even a newly promoted Chuunin is questionable.
Orochimaru sent his elite bodyguards after the Uchiha. Not to mention Sasuke won't
return willingly if eyewitness reports of him leaving of his own freewill are any
indication. They would have to use force to bring him back {\i
after} fighting off his escort," said Shizune with the blonde Hokage
"I know Shizune. Hopefully, Shikamaru's promotion, and his brains regarding this
matter will not be misplaced for this mission," replied Tsunade before summoning
the lazy boy into her office and explained things to him in great detail before
sending Shikamaru to recruit his team.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And prayed to Kami that they would succeed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Valley of the End-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It figures those losers got defeated by those Genin sent after me. Even that new
one with the bones was sickly and could barely hold up against Lee. Perhaps all the
Shinobi from Sound aren't the elite fighting force they made themselves out to be
and Orochimaru isn't as strong as I once hoped," commented Sasuke to himself
casually while looking at the area around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Or perhaps your arrogance has successfully blinded you boy. Despite having a pair
of sharp eyes that are suppose to see more then they should," remarked the a man
wearing white shinobi shozoku with a white fur vest over
"Who are you?" demanded Sasuke while seeing the man appear barely 10 feet from him
and was shocked to see this ninja had a white headband over his eyes to signify he
was a blind man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I thought that would be obvious by my attire. Surely you're not {\i
that} blinded in such a manner boy," replied the man with Sasuke snarling at
"I'm not blind. And for your information {\i
old man}, I'm an Uchiha formerly of Konoha! I don't need to be educated by the
likes of you. An old crippled ninja who lost his sight and became completely
useless," commented Sasuke with the other man letting out a
"Unlike you boy, I do not need my eyes to see things, and when I did I never used
them like a crutch. Clearly something your former village never had the decency to
train you in should your eyes fail," replied the white wearing
ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan has never failed once. {\i
Ever}!" stated Sasuke with his anger growing, the Curse Seal slowly spreading over
his body while the figure in front of him smiled lightly and drew his
"Then prove it. Face me child of the Uchiha Clan. Show me your so called strength
and greatness that is of your bloodline," replied the blind ninja with Sasuke
looking livid at what he assumed was mockery being shot at
"You dare insult me?! Mock me?! Tell me your name so I know who to send your corpse
to after I kill you!" demanded Sasuke with the ninja looking unafraid of the boy,
even when the Curse Seal began to go to the second stage, and changing the Uchiha
Prodigy into something monstrous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you must know it, my name is Jo Hayabusa of the Dragon Clan. And as for
defeating me child, you have neither the power nor the skill forged from years of
training and battle to end my life. Someone with a corrupt soul as weak as yours
will never succeed in their pitiful ambitions," said Jo with Sasuke getting even
angrier, his eyes morphing further so they didn't even look like a Sharingan at
all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll show you weak you blind and pathetic old excuse for a ninja!" exclaimed
Sasuke, as he charged at Jo with a Chidori in his hand, mutated like wings
sprouting from his back, and bloodlust coming off of him in
waves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'His energy almost resembles that of a Fiend. All the more reason to remove him
from the life of a ninja and to send him back as a message to the village that
loves him so much,' thought Jo while waiting patiently for Sasuke to make the first
strike.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"DIE!"}} yelled Sasuke, as he charged at Jo with the intent to kill the man, and
follow it up by smearing his remains all over his ancestor's
statue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Jo himself, he waited patiently with the skill of a Master Ninja for Sasuke
to get closer to him, and knew how the boy constantly relied too much on his
bloodline. In the time following his arrival to the Elemental Countries in secret,
Jo had studied extensively the various bloodlines of the Konoha's clans from the
Inuzuka to the Hyuuga, and finally to the Uchiha Clan itself. It wasn't hard to get
information about the latter, as the people of Konoha practically did just about
everything they could to brag about it to anyone who would listen, and made it easy
for Jo to gather information. Some of it was exaggerated, which of course was no
real surprise since such things came from civilians, who knew little to nothing
about the bloodline except second, or third hand experience. Jo relied on
information gathered by his spies that came from ninja, as well as those who
retired from their profession at the village bar, and what they knew of the optic
bloodline.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hence how Jo was able to easily determine the weakness of the Sharingan, which was
also its strength, and knew the Dojutsu relied heavily on making {\i
direct eye contact} with the target. The Sharingan saw the intentions of the
person's movements through their own eyes and what they were thinking in terms of
what they would do next. It was how those of the Uchiha Clan could copy movements
like Taijutsu and hand signs for Ninjutsu in a battle. The only exception to what
the Sharingan could do was if the Jutsu used was one of a clan like the Hyuuga or
something a bloodline limit did physically that no one else could
do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like a bloodline with the ability to create ice or lava. The Sharingan could
naturally copy the hand signs for it, but they could {\i
never} create the Jutsu no matter how hard the Uchiha in question
tried.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And in this case, Sasuke could {\i
not} read Jo Hayabusa's movements because the man was blind with his headband
covering said eyes. What's more, Jo never relied solely on his eyes, as he trained
himself to use his other senses to compensate for such a loss if it ever happened,
and after it did from his battle with Genshin...the man was able to know when the
right moment to strike the Uchiha down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Just when the Chidori was about to strike him in the chest, Jo moved out of the way
with incredible speed, his sword now underneath Sasuke's arm before bringing it up,
slicing the boy's arm at the shoulder, and taking it clean off. The Uchiha was too
angry, too filled with hate, and rage to realize what had happen to his limb. But
it would soon when his brain told him that his arm was no longer attached to the
body and when Jo moved again to slice off the two wings the Uchiha sported. To
finish boy off, Jo sliced off Sasuke's left leg, and stabbed in his lower back to
sever the spinal column.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even if the boy was given some form of prosthetics for the limbs lost, the Uchiha
would be unable to walk for the rest of his life, and live the rest of his days as
a cripple.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And now for the finishing touch to ensure the boy's value is useless to everyone.
'Ninpo: Dragon's Purification of the Unholy!'" remarked Jo before calling on his
own knowledge of Ninpo to destroy the Curse Seal on Sasuke's
body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If the Uchiha wasn't already in complete shock from the loss of his various limbs
by Jo's hands, he would be crying out in pain, and agony over the destruction of
the Curse Seal on his neck. Though considering the boy was already in pain, what he
should be feeling from the loss of the Curse Seal was slightly numb, but Jo had no
doubt the boy would feel it all the same, and be in agony for a long
Deep within his lair, Orochimaru of the Sannin let out a massive howl of pain of
his own at the sudden loss of his soul fragment placed in the Uchiha, and clutched
the chest of his newly possessed body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When it was over, Jo left the area, sensing someone was approaching from Konoha,
and knew it was someone sent to retrieve the Uchiha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Well they would get the Uchiha boy back, but not in the way the people in Konoha
were hoping, or expecting for that matter. Then the Uchiha would see just how alone
he truly was when his value had reached absolute zero and how stupid he was to
throw away a life in a village that loved him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The boy would die alone in the darkness. Fitting for one who wished to embrace the
evil ways and the darkness it thrived in. Now the boy would be consumed by it
completely, violently even, and in the end become just a rotting
corpse.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! An update for you guys one week ahead of schedule. I was planning to
make you guys wait the whole week for this because you were going to be busy with
the 4th of July coming up. But after talking with two other authors in confidence,
I decided to give this to you guys early, BUT I won't be writing anything until
after the 4th of July so enjoy this as my gift to all of you. I hope you enjoy it.
Also, Jo's ninja attire is from NG3 in case you are wondering, and what he did to
Sasuke's body is that whole cut through flesh and bone thing from NG3 too. The next
chapter will mention Naruto and Ayane's little lunch date so don't fret about that
not being in this chapter. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 8-Growing Pains\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Kakashi looked at his stude-{\i
former} student in the hospital with a sad, shocked eye, as part of him was in
denial, wishing this was Genjutsu, and seeing what laid on this bed here at the
hospital was {\i
NOT} Uchiha Sasuke. The boy had been found by him at the Valley of the End, his
body sliced with surgical precision with the loss of an arm, a leg, two wing like
things, which Kakashi deduced after proper inspection came from Sasuke's back, and
a stab wound to the lower part of the spinal column. Tsunade had worked in saving
the boy, but the Hokage clearly didn't want to save the Uchiha, and would rather
let Sasuke die if not for the fact the woman was a doctor who took her oath
seriously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Hokage had been able to save Sasuke from bleeding to death from his various,
yet severe injuries, and given him the needed medical attention to stay alive. Of
course, the woman only did it to eventually get answers on who did this him, and
secretly wished to give the ninja a big fat medal for doing what few in Konoha
would have had the courage to do from the start. Regardless, the ninja who did this
had done the woman a huge favor in removing Sasuke as a future threat, and denying
Orochimaru a new body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And in more ways than one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
How?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was in her meeting with the Councils with Hatake Kakashi present did she reveal
just how worthless Sasuke now was to Konoha after he was brought back quite
literally...in pieces.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hokage Tower-Meeting Room)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As you all have heard, Uchiha Sasuke ran away with Orochimaru's bodyguards to join
the traitorous Sannin in Rice Country," remarked Tsunade with many in the room
either whispers or nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Clearly a byproduct of the Curse Seal given to him by Orochimaru. The Uchiha would
never have left Konoha unless there was an outside source influencing him to leave
the village," replied Koharu offhandedly like she was an expert in the
"I agree. The boy should get the needed medical attention at our disposal," added
Homura while getting many on the Civilian Council agreeing with
The two Shinobi Advisors had been given the Ibiki treatment like Tsunade had asked
for, their actions made known to Tsunade regarding their past actions in hurting
Naruto. They also had other kinds of questionable things done for the "good of
Konoha" as they kept on claiming was their reasons behind it. As things currently
stood in the village with so many looking to them for what to do next give their
years of experience in their position, Tsunade {\i
unfortunately} needed them on her Shinobi Advisory Council.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
For now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The medical help you are asking me to perform is not possible," replied Tsunade
with many in the room protesting this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean? Surely you are not suggesting even {\i
you} can't heal the boy with your medical knowledge Tsunade? Or perhaps it is the
old rivalry between the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan?" questioned Danzo with
Tsunade glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course not! I was going to continue explaining things had these two not
interrupted me earlier. I was going to add that the boy's injuries are more then
just severe like all of the rumors you have no doubt heard. The reason I cannot
help the Uchiha, is due to him losing two limbs, one being an arm, the other is a
leg, and there is also the issue of a stab wound responsible for severing the boy's
spine. The stab wound is {\i
untreatable}," replied Tsunade with the woman explaining that even {\i
IF} the prosthetics were used for the cut off limbs, the severing of the spine
ended practically the use of his body just below the waist, and ultimately ending
his ninja career.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the boy cannot be a ninja. An unfortunately loss, but not entirely unwanted
given the Uchiha's performance record is not up to par with Itachi's. We can simply
extract some of the sperm to impregnate several female volunteers," remarked Danzo
offhandedly with many in the Civilian Council nodding in agreement, some of them
thinking of their own daughters carrying an Uchiha, and giving them access to the
clan's fortune.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. That's not possible either," replied Tsunade while the dreams of certain
people in the room shattered instantly while others looked at her with
interest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean? Are you saying that Uchiha Sasuke is...is...?" asked Hiashi with
the Hokage nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. He is one hundred percent sterile. I ran various tests on his body following
the boy becoming stable to check for any other anomalies. Whatever destroyed the
Curse Seal, it somehow targeted his very blood, and his testicles in terms of sperm
{\i
potency} as well as sperm {\i
production}. Overall, Uchiha Sasuke is not only unable to use his Sharingan Eyes,
he also cannot produce any sperm, and have any children to carry on his name,"
finished Tsunade with the room going deathly silent while many were filled with
shock and horror at what they just heard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Well...{\i
almost }everyone was horrified. Tsunade was inwardly jumping with joy, as were a
few Clan Heads in the room since they had to put up with the constant praise people
gave the spoiled boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you tell me we spent all those years investing in him and we are left with...
{\i
nothing}?! demanded a Civilian Council member with Tsunade
"Yes. The boy is broken in every sense of the word. His bloodline is lost to him
and any ability he may have to sire offspring for us. The only remaining Uchiha
left capable of restoring the Uchiha Clan is ironically enough...Uchiha Itachi,"
said Tsunade with the various members of the Councils who had spoiled and backed
Uchiha Sasuke looking ready to blow a gasket.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Danzo, Homura, and Koharu were also less then pleased by this news since they were
hoping to benefit from Sasuke restoring the Uchiha Clan after Itachi destroyed it.
Not to mention they along with Hiruzen had a hand in the end result of the Uchiha
Clan being so low in numbers to the point of near extinction. For Itachi to be the
last Uchiha to possibly revive the Uchiha Clan after its near annihilation put the
Missing Nin of Konoha in a very strong bargaining position. If other villages
learned about Itachi's new situation, they would seek the man out, offering him
amnesty, protection from Konoha, and all that would be asked of him would be the
repopulation of the Uchiha Clan in their territory.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In short, the Uchiha Clan being revived in another Shinobi village would be
extremely bad for Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do we do now? Without the Sharingan in Konoha, we are severely weakened!"
exclaimed one scared councilman representing the Market
District.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In order to once again acquire the Sharingan, the only possible recourse before us
now regarding this development is to pardon Uchiha Itachi for his crimes, and make
sure he revives the Uchiha Clan," answered Danzo like it was the simplest thing in
the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You make it sound like Itachi will not only accept the pardon, but return to
Konoha to do what {\i
you }wish Danzo. Need I remind you, only {\i
I }can pardon one of our own when they become a Missing Nin, and I'm not about to
let that happen anytime soon," replied Tsunade with many protesting this action on
her part and Danzo scowling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What if Itachi joins Kumo? Or Iwa? What if he has children in their village? They
could one day be trained to fight against us!" protested a Civilian Council
"Unlikely. Itachi can't run to any hidden village. No Kage in their right mind
would take him in and he's too strong to be taken alive for breeding purposes. The
Akatsuki would never let that happen. Not only that, but I have Itachi's medical
records just prior to his actions against his own clan, and found that he is
suffering from an illness that is slowly killing him. I currently estimate that he
will be dead in a span of 2-3 years if not sooner depending on just how fast it
accelerates from here to there," replied Tsunade while the panic from the Sharingan
loving people in the room began to increase.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to find Itachi and fast! We must secure at least {\i
one} child from his bloodline before he dies!" exclaimed Homura with concern since
the Sharingan could suppress the power of the Biju and had been key in making the
other villages hesitate in using their Jinchuriki against
"I will have Jiraiya look into it and relaying the message to him about possibly
coming back to Konoha, but the chances of him accepting are slim to none. Though if
he does come back, Itachi {\i
will }answer for his crimes, and no one here can stop me from handing out his well
deserved punishment," stated Tsunade with many not liking this, but knew they could
not go against her, or what she had planned for Itachi upon his possible return to
After hearing the news about Sasuke's condition being unsalvageable, Kakashi had
gone to the nearest bar, and gotten himself absolutely hammered. News soon spread
about the Uchiha boy no longer being an Uchiha anymore due to the loss of limbs,
damaged spine, and his bloodline being obliterated along with his ability to
reproduce. This was a blow not only to the Uchiha Clan, but to Konoha, and Kakashi
on a personal level because he felt it was the final blow to his old teammate
Uchiha Obito. With Sasuke forever unable to continue the greatness of his clan and
Itachi apparently dying in the next few years, the Uchiha Clan was on the verge of
extinction, and everything was spiraling out of control.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'How? How could this have happened? Sasuke tries to run to Orochimaru and now he's
a crippled corpse of a body,' thought Kakashi sadly, as he stumbled into his home
drunk, and depressed at what had happened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With things as they were, team 7 was now disbanded with Sakura no doubt leaving the
Shinobi program now that Sasuke was no longer considered datable, and Sai would be
put on the Shinobi Reserve List. There was also the additional fallout with
Orochimaru possibly retaliating in the future over the loss of his future vessel
being crippled. Sighing at how things were playing out, Kakashi stumbled into his
living room, and tried to turn on the light so he could see. Only when he flicked
the light switch on, the light for the room didn't go on, and made the Jounin grown
loudly when trying to flick the light on multiple times didn't
work.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To see a fellow ninja like this is disgraceful. You are a pathetic excuse for one
Hatake Kakashi," said a deep voice in the darkness, which made Kakashi become
serious, and tried to strike at the person behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to find that his hand was quickly grabbed at the wrist, the arm it was
connected to now twisted behind the Jounin's back, and the man slammed face first
against the nearest wall. Kakashi tried to struggle, but a kunai to the side of his
neck with the point pressing against it at the tip made the Jounin freeze, and knew
his attack knew it was time to talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who are you? What do you want?" asked Kakashi while sensing the attacker was a
well trained ninja, who was calm, collected, and knew when he was in complete
control.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I merely wish to know if Konoha has gotten my message?" asked the male figure with
the Kakashi frowning for a moment in confusion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know what you are talking about," said Kakashi while feeling the point of
the man's kunai poke a little bit more into his neck.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Uchiha of course. You were the one to recover his body after all," was the
only answer the man gave with Kakashi's eye widening before it
"It was you! {\i
You} butchered Sasuke!" Kakashi accused the man with the shadowy figure not
refuting the claim.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He was a monster in a child's body. If left unchecked, the boy would have grown up
to unleash his rage and pain on others undeserving of it. I could see what he would
become from our brief conversation we had before he attacked. The boy would kill
innocent lives consisting of men, women, and children to kill his brother while not
caring about those very lives he ruined," explained the shadowy
figure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He could have changed. You never gave Sasuke or us a chance to change him back to
the way he could be as a Konoha Shinobi," Kakashi accused the shadowy figure yet
"Unlikely. For someone unusually perceptive given your situation, you are
dangerously narrow-minded, and stupid in believing the boy was a competent ninja,"
remarked the shadow with Kakashi growling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The boy was a Prodigy! Rookie of the Year among his Graduating Class!" exclaimed
Kakashi while pushing himself back, but was forced against the wall even
harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such things mean nothing to me so don't bother trying to make the boy seem like
the second coming of a God. Besides, its only fair I destroy someone Konoha cares
about, seeing as how this village tried to destroy someone {\i
my} {\i
clan} cares about," remarked the figure while Kakashi tried to look at him with his
visible eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What clan? Who do you represent?" asked Kakashi with the figure being silent for a
"Ask your Sandaime Hokage for answers Hatake. He was the one who burned us with his
lie and corrupt Will of Fire. Now Konoha will know what it means to be burned by
the fire from the Dragons he scorned and how wrathful we can be through that
scorn!" stated the figure with Kakashi's eye going wide.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'The wrath of the Dragons? Does he mean some kind of Dragon Clan? Is there even
such a clan? Pakkun did say he smelled the scent of Dragons when we arrived. And
what lie? What did the Third do?' thought Kakashi while trying to think about what
he was hearing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Consider the Uchiha's body being crippled and forever broken a message to your
village that the price of betrayal is steep and costly," whispered the figure
holding the Jounin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your clan has made an enemy of Konoha. The people will rally to destroy you.
Uchiha Itachi will come after you for this action," commented Kakashi while sensing
the figure smirking behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uchiha Itachi will do nothing of the sort," replied the figure
calmly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And why is that exactly? Because he is a Missing Nin? You underestimate the power
of the Akatsuki. They are more resourceful then you give them credit for. They will
find you and your clan before burning everything to the ground," remarked Kakashi
with the shadow letting out a small chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Now who is underestimating who here Hatake?" countered the figure before throwing
Kakashi further into the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When the Leaf Jounin turned around for a better look...the shadow was
gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Vanished deeper into the darkness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Who was that? And why do I feel a sudden chill crawling up my spine? Like Konoha's
days are numbered?' thought Kakashi with the man wondering if he should report this
to the Gondaime Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Or speak to the former Sandaime Hokage and get some
answers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hayabusa Village)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So how was your little lunch date with Ayane? Judging from the fact that an entire
army from the Mugen Tenshin Clan led by Hayate hasn't come to kill you means things
went well," remarked Momiji with Naruto smiling slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It went well. Ayane and I really hit it off," replied Naruto while recalling the
night the two of them had together.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Flashback-Naruto and Ayane's Lunch Date)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sky City Tokyo was a wonderful city that few places could match or hope to match.
Tall skyscrapers, highways, cars, various hover crafts, and a yet still kept that
serene Japanese style its culture was known for. It showed a combination of
technological advancement and traditional Japanese design without one dominating
the other in an impressive display of balance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And here Naruto was with Ayane. Both in the heart of it all. Sitting down in an
elegant and traditional restaurant with the two sitting across from the other.
Naruto was wearing a red male suited kimono, with black lining, and a fierce orange
fox on it. His blonde hair was in a more refined state rather then the usually wild
spiky look it was known for. In front of him, Ayane was wearing a purple female
suited kimono, and with pink butterfly based designs on it. The two were currently
looking the other right in the eyes, their faces both sporting blushes, and
admiring the others appearance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'This was suppose to be revenge for the groping from the second time we met in
battle. Yet I'm blushing like a schoolgirl just from the mere sight of him,'
thought Ayane while she admitted to herself that the boy in front of her was indeed
handsome.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn she's beautiful. To think the people in the Mugen Tenshin Clan dislike her
for all the wrong reasons. She should be having boys her age falling over each
other or fighting each other for the right to date her,' thought Naruto while
admiring the stunning beauty in front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How is the food? I hear this place makes some of the best ramen here in the city"
asked Ayane with Naruto currently eating some beef ramen he
ordered.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. And yours?" asked Naruto with the kunoichi eating miso
ramen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. I have always loved ramen," replied Ayane with Naruto nodding while inwardly
was jumping for joy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A fellow ramen enthusiast. Hot damn!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you want to do after this?" asked Naruto curiously with Ayane
"We could take a walk? Just a simple walk like we were two ordinary people,"
offered Ayane with the boy in front of her nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That would be nice. We are so busy fighting other ninjas, Fiends, and whatever
comes our way that we never really get a chance to enjoy the simple things around
us," replied Naruto with Ayane nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In the mean time...let's talk about each other," said Ayane with Naruto thinking
about it and nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sure! I'm Uzumaki Naruto of the Dragon Clan, I like training, ramen, and admire
some of the best ninjas the world has to offer. Some of them are considered
questionable by others and even disliked by others so I'll refraining from naming
any of them. I also find myself enjoying the ever calming sensation of gardening.
My dream is to one day rebuild my Mother's clan and become a Master Ninja worthy of
my teachers who trained me in the ninja arts," offered Naruto with Ayane nodding
while smiling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My name is Ayane. I am from the Mugen Tenshin Clan and part of the Hajin Mon Sect.
I also like training, ramen, and also admire some of the best ninjas the world has
to offer. While I do not like some ninjas from a clan you were once from for
several reasons, I will not speak ill of them. While I do not have a passion for
gardening, I do find there is a certain serenity in watching butterflies, and
seeing them flap their wings. My dream is to one day become a Master Ninja and show
my clan that I am worthy of being a member despite how they feel about me," replied
Ayane with the boy in front of her frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ayane...I need to tell you something. Something important," replied Naruto with
Ayane looking at him curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? What is it?" asked Ayane with Naruto looking
"Its Momiji. You see...after we agreed to this lunch date yesterday, I was
approached by Momiji, and she...well she told me the reason why your clan doesn't
like you," replied Naruto with sadness and seriousness in his voice while Ayane
looked shocked before her eyes became cold.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. Momiji has a big mouth despite her good intentions. And yet you didn't
backed out of our luncheon. Why? Out of pity? Or perhaps you thought I might be
seduced by your boyish charms in telling me this and I decided to suddenly give
myself to you in a nearby Love Hotel?" questioned Ayane with Naruto shaking his
head since she was assuming the worst of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. Nothing like that Ayane. You know how I was treated growing up. Hated. Beaten.
All those thing simply for what I held and I never knew until much later. When
Momiji told me in private why you were hated, I couldn't believe it, and yet I
never pitied you. I admired you further for putting up with them despite their
dislike for you. You served them and the Dragon Clan faithfully while many have
tried to smear your good name just to see you fall in the eyes of those that do
care. You said it yourself, I could have tried to get out of it, but I chose {\i
NOT} to get out of it because if I did, it would make me just like them, and I am
{\i
NOT} like those bakas," said Naruto with Ayane looking at him right in the eyes and
could tell he was telling the truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You said you know why I was disliked by the clan. I don't suppose you would tell
me. I have an idea, but I wish to hear your opinion on the matter, and what you
think," offered Ayane with the blonde in front of her looking
"Its...not my place to tell you. It is really more your...brother's place," replied
Naruto with Ayane looking down sadly since that was most likely
"Still, I want to hear it from you. From someone with a fresh perspective," said
Ayane with the boy nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All right. This is what I know from what Momiji told me regarding your clan's
dislike of you," said Naruto before he explained the reason behind Ayane being
disliked by the vast majority of the Mugen Tenshin Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So that is why," remarked Ayane with tears running down her
"Their loss and stupidity," replied Naruto sharply with Ayane looking at him with a
small smile on her face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you believe that...that my half brother Hayate truly cares about me like I
hope? That my...my half sister Kasumi cares about me?" asked Ayane with Naruto
"He does care about you. Given your clan's strict policy on children born from
situations like yours, if he wanted to have nothing to do with you, he would have
cast you out long ago, or sent you on a mission that was guaranteed to fail...with
you dead. Has there ever been a mission or a moment where signs of that showed?"
answered Naruto with Ayane shaking her head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Never. Hayate was always good to me. His eyes have never held any distrust or
hatred for me. They are like Master Ryu. They are eyes of understanding. Eyes that
tell me that I can trust him without question or fear," answered Ayane with Naruto
smiling at her for a second before he frowned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And Kasumi?" asked Naruto with Ayane looking away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I...I don't really talk to her. In fact, I have made it my mission to not see
Kasumi, and if I do...its only in passing," answered Ayane with Naruto having an
idea on why that is.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because you are afraid she will be like the people in your clan. That she will see
you and hate you for reasons beyond your control," said Naruto with Ayane
"Yes. Does that make me a coward?" asked Ayane with Naruto shaking his head
"It was the same way for me when I was a kid. Always afraid to get close to others
out of fear of what they really thought. Parents wouldn't let their children near
me when they played in the park. When I did get near kids when their parents
weren't around, I was so afraid to say, or do anything that would make them run
away. I had no real interaction with the kids my age back then because they stayed
away from me due to the influence of their parents or because I was simply too
afraid to talk to them out of fear that they would lash out. The only time I did
something bold was save this one girl who was from one of the noble clans in Konoha
from a group of bullies. They were making fun of the one girl because of her eyes
and being shy despite her being from such a well respected clan. The Hyuuga Clan I
think it was called. Anyway, when I intervened, I fought them off in a surprise
attack from behind, and they ran away from us with a severe blow to the bodies and
pride. I tried to talk to her, but the girl's caretaker came out, saw me with her,
and dragged her away. Soon after, I got a visit from the other members of the
girl's clan, and had the crap beaten out of me. After they finished, the group
threatened to kill me if I ever spoke to the girl again regardless what the Hokage
wanted. After that incident...I stayed clear of the kids my age or around my age,"
explained Naruto with the girl in front of him currently thinking things
over.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And the girl? Did she ever approach you? Did she ever try to get in contact with
you?" asked Ayane with Naruto shrugging.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. She was probably told to stay away from me, but who the Hell knows. I only saw
the girl in passing during my short time at the Academy, but she was always several
rows in another section of the class behind me. I don't think it matters anymore. I
doubt she would remember me since it was so long ago," answered Naruto with Ayane
smiling at him and reached out with her hand to put it on his
own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Regardless, I think you've given me something to think about Naruto. So why don't
we finish our meal and go for that simple walk," offered Ayane with Naruto
smiling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Works for me," replied Naruto before they continued their meal and talked about
other things not ninja related.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wow! So you two really hit it off and on one date no less. You are a sly fox,"
remarked Momiji with a smirk while Naruto shrugged.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was just acting like myself. She needed to know what I thought and was honest
with her. This could go a long way to healing the invisible rift between Ayane and
Kasumi. It may even help with Hayate getting thrown into the mix. Those three are
family and will need and trust each other in the years to come," replied Naruto
with Momiji nodding since those three were family and a strong bond between them
would help endure harsh trials in the future.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Any chance of a second date?" asked Momiji with Naruto surprising her by
"Yes actually. We are going out in a few days again," answered Naruto before he
walked off and decided to take care of some things.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You truly are an interesting individual Naruto," remarked Momiji before she walked
away to take care of her own thing when she stopped and saw
Ryu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And it made her heart flutter at seeing him without his
She had only seen him without it on a few rare occasions. Many women her age had
always expressed how handsome he looked and it was clear that Ryu had many female
admirers. Momiji herself had formed a small crush on the Dragon Ninja, but kept it
to herself when learning her late big sister Kureha had feelings for him. When she
became his student, Momiji was honored, and threw herself into the training to one
day become strong enough to continue the role of Dragon Shrine Maiden like her
sister. While she still kept her crush on Ryu a secret, Momiji also found herself
becoming jealous when certain women like that female Fiend Hunter Rachel, or Irene
Lew from the CIA were around him. Rachel she could tolerate, being a strong, Fiend
fighting woman, and was more than capable of fighting off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Irene Lew not so much. Momiji had nothing against the woman per se, as she was
indeed strong in her own right, but Irene was a more modernized woman of this age,
and worked for a government agency that had a history of not always following
through with plans. If she did seek out a relationship with Ryu, the Dragon Shrine
Maiden questioned what the woman would do once pregnant with the Dragon Ninja's
child. No doubt the CIA decided to broaden their horizon regarding the Fiends after
the fall of Vigoor Empire, which the agency had an interest in with their unique
technology, and strange governmental policies that baffled many since no one
outside of the now fallen nation could understand them. They no doubt heard about
and gotten reports of Ryu's skills, digging into the history of the Dragon lineage,
and some of its shadowy higher ups interested in the idea of having trained agents
of the Dragon Clan under their control to use in special
operations.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Who was to say Irene wouldn't sell out Ryu and any offspring she had with him or
any woman who had a child with him to that agency?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Momiji, are you all right?" asked Ryu curiously after walking up to her and seeing
the woman's spaced out look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ryu! Sorry. I was lost in thought," said Momiji sheepishly and rubbing the back of
her head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's all right. How have you been?" asked Ryu with Momiji fighting back the blush
on her face from rising.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm good. I just finished talking to Naruto about his date with Ayane," replied
Momiji with Ryu nodding and happy Naruto was able to do
"That's good to hear. If anyone can make Ayane happy...its him," said Ryu since he
knew those two were special in their own way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Would you...like to walk with me? I...I really need to talk to you about
something," said Momiji with Ryu looking at her curiously before
It was at this point in time, Ryu's life began to shift dramatically in the ways of
all things pertaining to the relationship of women as he knew
(Konoha Hospital-Room 324)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Uchiha Sasuke looked at the woman, who was the Hokage with a heated glare, his
desire to use his Sharingan to further intimidate her to do what he wanted at the
forefront of his mind. To make the woman heal his limbs, his severed spine, and
given him the power to hunt down the asshole who crippled his body before using
that same power to hunt down Itachi. To use his Sharingan on those, who had the {\i
nerve }to make the attempt to bring him back to this village, and again on those
who had abandoned him while he recovered here at the
hospital.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
There was only one problem with this desire. His Sharingan was lost to him. His
ability to revive his clan was lost to him. Everything that made him an {\i
Uchiha} was lost to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean there is nothing you can do? You are the best Medic Nin in all of
the Elemental Countries. Fix me!" demanded Sasuke with Tsunade scowling at the boy
in front of her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Believe me Uchiha, I would like nothing more then to {\i
fix you} like one {\i
fixes} a dog, but your attacker did that for me. As it stands, the strange Jutsu
used on your Curse Seal, which you {\i
used} by the way when ordered {\i
NOT} to use under any circumstances, has caused this problem to be {\i
irreversible}," said Tsunade while Sasuke looked livid.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? Are you accusing me of being the one who was at fault here? That Curse Seal
gave me power. I will use whatever I can to fulfill my ambition!" stated Sasuke
angrily with the Hokage quickly losing patience.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"{\i
Your} Curse Seal was given to you by Orochimaru. A man who has no problem with
fucking people over for his {\i
own ambitions}. A man who would have trained you to be his future body and then
latched onto it when the time was right and not giving a flying fuck about your
ambition. Not only that, but {\i
your} Curse Seal, which you for some unknown, and stupid reason {\i
still} want, is responsible for your current inability to be an Uchiha," said
Tsunade with Sasuke looking confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I thought you said the unknown Jutsu used on my Curse Seal by my attacker was the
one responsible," said Sasuke with Tsunade sighing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll explain. When you used the Curse Seal in its second stage that Orochimaru's
forces helped to make possible to achieve, its power did more then infiltrate your
chakra coils, but also your blood stream. This explains why your body went through
those changes and the wings on your back from what Kakashi was able to bring with
him after finding your sliced up form. When the unknown Jutsu was used on your
Curse Seal, it targeted the seal itself, and every form of it spread throughout
your body. {\i
Meaning}, that when the Jutsu purged the Curse Seal in its entirety from your body,
in addition it purged {\i
everything} attached to it. This also includes your ability to use your Sharingan
and your sperm to produce any potential Uchiha in the future," explained Tsunade
with Sasuke looking livid while a cold feeling crawled up the back of his spine
that slowly filled him with worry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There must be a way to reverse this! I need my body healed. I need my Sharingan! I
NEED MY POWER!" exclaimed Sasuke angrily and was now shedding tears because of
And frankly it was pissing Tsunade off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough! Enough of your bitching! Enough of your wails over the loss of your
'power' that was taken from you! Ever since you were brought back, I have had to
endure all of your complaints, your demands, and screams about how life is unfair
to you! Enough is enough!" exclaimed Tsunade, as she threw the clipboard on the
ground, and glared at the boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am an Uchiha! I demand you treat me now!" Sasuke shot back
Tsunade's response? Make a hole in the wall big enough to let a person
through.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am the {\i
Hokage}! Meaning my word is law here brat! I personally don't have to do {\i
shit} to help you!" stated Tsunade angrily with Sasuke looking shocked that the
woman was not only standing up to him, but actually said that helping fix his
condition was {\i
optional}, and was a second away from switching him to someone
else.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...you're a doctor. You {\i
have }to help me," said Sasuke with his worry over this matter
increasing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Sasuke I am a doctor, but what separates me from {\i
other} doctors is that I am also the Hokage, which means I run things here in this
village, and this very hospital as the {\i
Head Doctor} here. Meaning, if I want to redirect {\i
you} to another {\i
less experienced} doctor, not only can I do it, I {\i
will} do it if the patient in question is being a total {\i
asshole}, and refuses to stop being an asshole when I explain to him that the
treatment he wants does {\i
NOT} exist!" said Tsunade with her eyes not wavering at the sight of the boy
looking like his whole world was obliterated beyond ever
recovering.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...I'm an Uchiha," whispered Sasuke while looking like someone had just told
him his entire clan was killed...again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Correction. You {\i
were} an Uchiha. Past tense. Everything that made you an Uchiha from your Sharingan
Eyes to even your own blood and sperm have been destroyed beyond repair.
Officially, you are no more an Uchiha right now then I am," stated Tsunade before
she started to leave the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about my other injuries? My arm and leg? My spine?!" asked Sasuke with panic
now in his voice, as if the reality of the situation had now it him, and was
looking more like a frightened child.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Prosthetics imported from Suna will be put on your limbs. Your spine however...its
not possible to fix it. The only reason you would get a limb for your leg is to
keep people from staring at you in the streets if you were without one," said
Tsunade with Sasuke's panicked look increasing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...you have to fix my back. You did it for that Rock Lee kid!" protested Sasuke
with Tsunade sighing at the stupidity of this boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rock Lee was lucky Sasuke. Rock Lee's spine was broken, meaning it could be
repaired if enough of it was still intact, and a skilled enough team of doctors
could repair it. Lee had a fifty percent chance of it working even with my help in
the surgery done to make it happen. Unfortunately for {\i
you} Uchiha Sasuke, you have {\i
zero percent} chance due to your spine being {\i
completely} severed with a blade, and not even my skills can save your ninja
career. If not for your spine being cut completely, I would say that your ninja
career was still savable, as many ninja with lost their limbs, yet they have all
used prosthetics, and continued to serve as Shinobi for their village," said
Tsunade before she left the room and the traumatized boy even more worse off then
he already was.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The scream of horror and denial the Uchiha soon let out was echoing loudly
throughout the hospital into the village for all to hear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hayabusa Village-Months Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu silently made his way through the village to Naruto's choice of a home high
above the village this particular morning to {\i
that} place long since left alone. Personally, Ryu disliked the place due to the
history behind it, and what the place personally meant to the Dragon Ninja himself.
Ever since the incident with Murai being revealed as the Dark Disciple, the place
in question had been disbanded, and was decaying over time from the lack of
care.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now the Shadow Clan Ninja Compound had become Naruto's place of
residence.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Making his way into the large home fit to hold a small army of ninja, Ryu was
surprised to see the place looked better than when he was last here, and saw
sections of the place had been restored. Clearly Naruto had spent his time working
on restoring the compound when he wasn't training or spending time with
Ayane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Speaking of Ayane...\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh! Master Ryu! Why are you here?" asked Ayane, as she looked flush look, and for
good reason since the young violet haired girl was wearing a bath
robe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ayane. I could be asking you the same question," replied Ryu with his arms folded
in front of him and Ayane blushed harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well uh...you see...I uh...was...," replied Ayane with her face getting redder and
looking nervous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Does Hayate know? Or even approve of it?" questioned Ryu with Ayane
"He gave his blessing to us courting. Though he did fight Naruto soon after to
gauge his worthiness," said Ayane, as she remembered that fight, and how it pushed
Naruto to the brink with Hayate also suffering quite a number of
injuries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Both ninjas were out of commission and required medical attention for roughly three
weeks!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So that's why I didn't see Hayate or Naruto for such a long time," remarked
Ryu with a hint of humor in his voice while Ayane glared
"After that, I saw Naruto more when he wasn't training, and even helped him with
this place since I know the layout. Soon after I...I moved in," replied Ayane with
Ryu raising an eyebrow behind his masked face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And Naruto didn't object?" asked Ryu with Ayane smiling at
"He insisted," answered Ayane with Ryu shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Aren't you two going a bit...fast?" asked Ryu with Ayane
"He means a lot to me Master Ryu. Naruto makes me feel loved. I can spend hours
with him everyday and feel content without fear of being thrown away for reasons
that were never my fault. Because of him, I have a strong relationship with Hayate,
and even with Kasumi!" stated Ayane with Ryu nodding since that issue had always
been something the Dragon Ninja had worried about for
sometime.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's good to hear. Family is important," replied Ryu while seeing the girl
looking like she was truly happy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you. Now, why are {\i
you} hear?" asked Ayane with Ryu's eyes showing concern.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I need Naruto's help with a mission I have been personally requested to take part
in by the JASDF regarding a hostage situation. The hostage takers are in England
and have the Prime Minister along with his family being taken hostage. Not only
that, but these same terrorist have also specifically requested me, and have video
fragments of me fighting the Black Spider Clan Ninja," explained Ryu with Ayane
frowning at this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sounds serious. But why involve Naruto in this?" asked Ayane with Ryu looking past
her to see Naruto walking out in a robe of his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because something is off about this mission. One of the members of the JASDF
earlier was acting very suspicious and I have a feeling an extra pair of eyes on
this mission who I can trust will be beneficial in the end," replied Ryu with
Naruto walking toward him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm in," replied Naruto with Ayane looking behind to see
"Just like that?" asked Ayane with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jo Hayabusa asked that I help out his son with any problem he may have in exchange
for a personal favor. This sounds like a problem to me. Even if your Father didn't
ask that, I would help you out regardless. You are family after all and family
should always look out for one another," replied Naruto with Ryu nodding in
appreciation and Ayane smiling at how the young blonde was willing to help out at a
moments notice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He'll make a good husband and Father one day,' thought Ayane while picturing
herself settling down with Naruto and have a child...or
(Kiri-Mizukage Tower)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Haku, is there something wrong? You look...angry?" asked Zabuza while he along
with Ao and the recently appointed Mizukage by the name of Terumi Mei in the red
haired woman's office.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mizukage-sama, may I borrow Ao here for at least one hour. I have a sudden urge to
use someone for target practice," requested Haku with Mei, Zabuza, and Ao looking
at her like she had just grown a second head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. Ao has been on his best behavior recently," said Mei while Ao looked
a bit shocked that not only would she consider the idea, but was holding back
simply because he hadn't accidently upset the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Zabuza...he saw Haku's hands twitching and the urge to hurt something was
rising in her. Being the responsible surrogate Father that he was and because the
man thought is was fucking funny...he decided to give this situation a push in the
right direction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ao called you an old hag yesterday," commented Zabuza with Ao glaring at him and
Mei's eyebrow twitching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I did not!" protested Ao while going into a panicked
state.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You were drunk. Very drunk," added Zabuza offhandedly while Ao sputtering more of
his protests at it being untrue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He even once commented how you would never get married and have children," added
Haku for good measure with Ao looking deathly pale and Mei looking increasingly
angry at hearing this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're lying! They are liars!" protested Ao with both Haku and Zabuza looking at
each other at the same time before nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You were drunk. Very drunk," they said at the same time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. In that case, please take as much time with Ao as you want to use him for
target practice Haku-chan. I won't hold it against you if he somehow dies," replied
Mei in a sweet tone that Ao always feared.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"M-Mizukage-sama please!" pleaded Ao with Mei giving him a sweet smile that was one
promising pain and suffering to those that didn't know her very
"Come along Ao. Do not fight the inevitable pain that is about to descend upon
you," said Haku, as she grabbed the now whimpering man, as he was dragged out of
the room, and made Zabuza sweat drop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I think I trained her too well. That and I think Mei's attitude has rubbed off on
Haku a bit,' thought Zabuza while Mei sighed happily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such a lovely girl that Haku. So polite, yet strong, and knows how to instill fear
into a man. She's like the daughter I have always wanted," said Mei sweetly before
she glance at Zabuza with a knowing look and made the man suddenly
"Oh look at the time! I have some Genin to train!" exclaimed Zabuza, as he leaped
out of the window, and made the Mizukage pout.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn! Note to self: Nail that window shut next time so Zabuza can't escape,"
remarked Mei before going back to doing her paperwork.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All the while enjoying the sounds of Ao screaming in pain off in the distance at
one of the training ground and humming a little tune matching
"Something wrong Naruto?" asked Ayane with Naruto having a sudden pained look in
his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"For a second, I felt like I had hurt someone's feelings. Weird," commented Naruto
while looking out into the distance before shaking his
"In any case, we'll be leaving for London soon. Mizuki McCloud will be leading us
on this operation from a distance. I haven't told her or the other individual
Ishigami about you aiding me in this mission. While I have a feeling Mizuki can be
trusted, I am unsure about Ishigami, and his own motives," replied Ryu with Naruto
"I have to meet both individuals. If there is one thing I inherited from my
Mother's side of the family, it is our sensor ability regarding people's emotions.
Combined with my ninja training, I should be able to see who is being deceitful,
and who is being honest with you about things," said Naruto with Ryu
"Grab your stuff. We're heading out," said Ryu before leaving the
"It seems strange that terrorists would go through all this trouble just for Master
Ryu," said Ayane with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I agree. This whole scenario stinks of a trap," remarked Naruto since he knew a
trap when he saw one and this was definitely a trap.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hence why you are going to ensure it doesn't work," added Ayane with Naruto
nodding and giving the girl a passionate kiss.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That and seeing how my training under Ryu has progressed since being a member of
the clan," replied Naruto with Ayane holding him close.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just be safe. I don't want to live in this big old place by myself. I don't think
I could," said Ayane, as she had only moved in two weeks ago, and had been helping
him with the renovations before that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. Bad memories. Hence why I wanted to rebuild this place and create new ones
here with you...with the time I have," said Naruto while the fact his banishment
from the Dragon Clan would one day be upon him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Worry about that part of your future later. Not now," whispered Ayane since she
would be dreading that day and the one where she herself was going to have to leave
the Mugen Tenshin Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hayate had told her in advance what had been happening in secret behind the scenes
with the clan planning to kick the young kunoichi out. While Hayate was the Clan
Head of the Mugen Tenshin Clan, there were many key influential ninjas within the
clan itself who could cause all sorts of problems within it in the span of a few
years, and would do just that if they didn't get their way. Normally, these
individuals of the clan were divided in their ways so a Clan Head didn't have to
worry about their input. However, on certain rare occasions, they always united to
follow one of the laws of the clan, and were uniting to remove Ayane from the clan
all together. Kasumi had wished to fight such an action and the supporters of
Ayane's inevitable banishment in a few years, but Hayate told his sisters that such
a fight was lost due to the laws of the clan written during its
founding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane understood this though and it was one of the reasons she now stayed with
Naruto here in the former Shadow Clan Ninja Compound. The place would be put back
together, but due to its past with Ayane, the girl only stayed here because of the
blonde, and did not wish to live here permanently even after the banishment. Nor
did Naruto since he had other plans in his mind when the time came to leave and was
only restoring this place so it could be reused by Ryu or other Dragon Ninjas to
train their students here. It was now the property of the Dragon Clan or rather it
soon would be theirs so the natural thing to do is use the damn place instead of
letting the building decay. Naruto felt it could be used as a secondary base for
the Dragon Clan should the Hayabusa Village ever be attacked in such a way that
another base of operations to run thing was needed, if only a temporary
one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. Thanks Ayane. And don't worry, I'll come back in one piece," whispered
Naruto before kissing the girl and heading for his room to get his
stuff.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just keep me in the loop when this mission is over. Something tells me you and Ryu
will need my help later on afterwards," remarked Ayane with Naruto soon coming out
of his room and now wearing his ninja gear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. What would we do without you?" asked Naruto before kissing her on the
lips.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. Be a loud mouth idiot who doesn't know a sword from a stick?"
offered Ayane with Naruto pouting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very funny. Just remember you enjoy my {\i
sword} and when I {\i
stick it} into your sheathe," commented Naruto with Ayane blushing and slapping his
"Don't make me tell Hayate on you," warned Ayane playfully with Naruto
"Like you would," replied Naruto while Ayane pouted at seeing how her bluff was
called.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Some would say we are too young for this sort of intimacy," said Ayane knowing
they were both young for their age.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We are ninja Ayane. We have killed people and beings from one end of the world to
the next. If we can kill ninjas, Fiends, and other assigned targets with our
various weapons of choice...why can't we just enjoy the physical pleasures life has
to offer us too?" countered Naruto with Ayane smiling at him since he did have a
"Agreed. Come home soon and we can continue the physical pleasure part together,"
said Ayane with another kiss before walking off with a sway to her
hips.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am so damn happy Hayate doesn't know about us being so intimate," whispered
Naruto knowing if the Clan Head of the Mugen Tenshin Clan did know...he would be
screwed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that in mind, Naruto left to head down into the Hayabusa Village, and meet up
with Ryu for his trip to London. His instincts telling him that this was one of
those long term and dangerous missions where nothing was what it
seemed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And Naruto always paid attention to his instincts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! A nice little chapter showing Sasuke's suffering and Naruto's happiness.
I bet many of you enjoyed that. Also, Haku using Ao as target practice I felt was a
nice touch, and having Zabuza get involved in his own way to make it happen was
funny too. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 9-The Grip of Murder\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was a cold dark London night when Ryu and Naruto got into position near the
Prime Minister's house where armed masked men with guns were patrolling the area.
Ryu and Naruto were on opposite ends on tall buildings across from each other and
were silently observing the area around them while communicating what they saw.
Mizuki McCloud was currently on a JASDF Destroyer and coordinating with them from
there while the ship was at sea as close as possible it could get near English
controlled waters. She did not like the idea of Ryu bringing in another ninja since
having the Master Ninja himself was an international incident if caught being
there.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How does it look on your end Kitsune?" asked Ryu while keeping Naruto's real name
out of the communication link.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"I'm seeing what you are seeing Ryu. Masked men. Guns. Their uniforms are the same
so they are all terrorists without question. But...,"} said Naruto with the young
ninja leaving his sentence unfinished.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? What's wrong?" asked Ryu frowning while he looked through his binoculars at
the soldiers below.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"I'm seeing some heavy toys. One of them is large robotic tank...in the shape of a
spider,"} answered Naruto with Ryu frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Black Spider Clan?" questioned Ryu while sensing Naruto shaking his
{\i
"Unlikely. This high tech weapon is not something they would hold back in using
against the Hayabusa Village,"} answered Naruto with Ryu looking for the high tech
toy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't see it. It must be hidden. Are you sure the Black Spider Clan never had
one built Kitsune? What about Obaba? Ayane said she was slain, but the old witch
has come back before," said Ryu with Naruto humming in
{\i
"Trust me. If they had something like this, I would have been told when I was among
their ranks. As for Obaba, she is probably alive since killing her seems next to
impossible. But her skills are in the realm of sorcery. Not science. Besides, I
have been picking up some of the chatter from this group of terrorists, and can say
they aren't members of the clan. They are mercenaries," }answered Naruto with
Mizuki frowning when she heard this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Mercenaries? Are you sure?"} questioned Mizuki with Naruto looking at the army of
masked men below.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Quite sure. Like I said before, I've been listening in on some of their
conversations, and heard quite a few accents among the group. Irish, German,
Russian, and even Australian are among them. Plus none of these guys are talking
about doing this for any religious or political reasons like most terrorists do
when they take high level hostages. This is a big payday for them. Someone is
paying them a lot of money to do this. Someone gave them weapons, the spider tank,
and a large financial sum they were too greedy to refuse. This is a trap and Ryu
Hayabusa is the real target. The Prime Minister and his family are just the bait,"}
explained Naruto with Ryu narrowing his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"But for what purpose? It doesn't make any sense! If Ryu doesn't show up, the Prime
Minister and his family will die,"} said Mizuki, as she didn't want that to happen,
and wondered what the two ninja would do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Which is why Ryu is going to cut his way through these guys in order to reach the
Prime Minister. I'll move in from my end and rescue the family,"} said Naruto with
Ryu nodding in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Agreed. We'll begin the operation now," said Ryu, as he drew his sword, and looked
at the targets below before leaping off his position to perform a Falcon
Dive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
On the other side, Naruto did the same before moving swiftly to cut down the
shocked mercenaries, and raised their weapons to fire. Only for Naruto to vanish
from their sight and were swiftly cut down with his sword or shuriken he threw at
them. In the distance, the sounds of gun fire, explosions, and sounds of violence
mixed with shouts were heard echoing into the sky. Naruto smirked as he moved
swiftly through his targets, following the path before him, grabbing a radio one of
the dead mercenaries had on hand, and had decided to listen in on the conversations
being held regarding the Master Ninja from the Dragon lineage tearing them
apart.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
He's cutting through us like we're nothing!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
We need support!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
How is he moving this fast!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
I don't want to die! I don't want to die!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
Help me!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
He's just one man! Kill him!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
I didn't sign up for this!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Running up a building using chakra to make it up, Naruto ignored the cries, pleas,
and yells of the mercenaries Ryu was striking down. What he did focus on were the
words of the last man who spoke about sighing up for this terrorist job. It only
proved to Naruto that this was not the usual terrorist plot to hold someone high up
in a government position for ransom or make some kind of statement for the world to
see. These mercenaries were clearly told they would be granted a lot of money and
the job was easy in terms of killing one man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Apparently, their employer never told them that this one man just so happened to be
a Master Ninja, and that he brought along some extra help.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ryu, are you there? I'm heading toward the robot spider tank. Where are you?"
asked Naruto before sneaking up behind a terrorist and stabbed him in the back of
the skull with a kunai.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"I'm getting closer. Most of the mercenaries are converging on me,"} replied Ryu
with Naruto smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well you are their target. I'm killing a few here too," said Naruto before the
sounds of more explosions were heard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Ryu that tank is too much for you. Run down that alley now!" }commanded Mizuki
over the comm. system with the woman clearly concerned for the Dragon
"Leave the spider tank to me. Ryu, go save the Prime Minister," said Naruto, as he
easily cut through several more mercenaries, some of them manage to cry out into
their radios about being attack by him, but it was overshadowed my Ryu's own
handiwork, and was actually confusing the enemy on where to
go.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Some were even saying the Dragon Ninja was somehow able to be in two places at
once.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Naruto, he soon came upon the tank itself, scowling at the sight of it, and
for a brief moment wondered if the Black Spider Clan did have this while keeping it
from him. But the blonde shook that idea off, as he knew many of the Black Spider
Clan's secrets, knew this tank took {\i
months} to build, program, arm it with weapons, and control the damn thing from a
safe distance. Naruto was privilege to all things technological used by the Black
Spider Clan thanks to Genshin and Gamov when training under them or running the
clan's spy network. Obaba was into sorcery while Genshin and Gamov felt having a
slightly more modernized look to the clan and thus would have shown him some if not
all the high tech toys available to use against the Dragon
It may have been a spider tank, but it had no affiliation to the Black Spider
Moving swiftly, Naruto cut through the tank's legs one at a time, and dodging the
missiles it launched while moving through each leg like they were nothing. When the
robot tank was no longer able to support itself, it fell to the ground, its "ass"
if you will opening up, and revealing the core to Naruto. Jumping up, Naruto sliced
into the core with the Biju Sword, and effectively destroyed the
tank.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Incredible. Is that the power of a sword from the Dragon lineage?"} asked Mizuki
with Naruto smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mine? No. This isn't one of their swords. Ryu's got the genuine article, but it
will give you the same result as mine," replied Naruto while rushing to the Prime
Minister's home and entered via a window on the first floor after silently forcing
it open.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to enter and see a house of horror.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Kitsune. Ryu. What do you see?"} asked Mizuki while hearing the intake of air from
both ninjas.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Blood. Its everywhere," answered Naruto stoically while looking around where he
was and saw a lot of blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Same here. There are quite a few bodies in the area where I am,"} said Ryu while
he was making his way down and following a blood trail.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A massive blood trail.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm nearby. Follow the blood trail. I'll move in from the shadows and cover your
flank," said Naruto while following the trail of blood on the floor leading up to
the side of the wall, and walked by several bodies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Two of them sadly being children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Shutting his eyes for a moment and saying a small prayer to the innocent lives lost
in this fucked up situation, Naruto made his way to the blood trail before stopping
at the double doors stained in blood. It didn't help that the doors were shut and
locked in place to keep people from getting in or out. The sound of fighting was
also heard inside the room and Naruto sensed Ryu was in there with someone trying
to kill him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The trap had be sprung.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Cursing, Naruto sliced into the doors with his sword, not surprised he was facing a
barrier of some kind infused with strange dark magical properties, and actually
fighting against the blade. Channeling chakra into the sword, Naruto pushed the
weapon even harder into cutting through the doors, and after some considerable
effort was able to break through. When he did, Naruto saw Ryu had just knocked the
red robed, mask wearing man outside a window, and pursued him
Naruto followed the two outside and it was clear that the masked man was not
expecting him to be here to join Ryu in battle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hello. Who are you?" asked the masked man curiously with a rapier sword in
"Your enemy. Enough said," answered Naruto with the masked man tilting his head and
letting out a laugh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Curious and interesting at the same time. A plot twist if there ever was one. Not
that it matters however seeing as you both are going to {\i
die} {\i
here}!" said the masked man, as he engaged the two ninja in combat, and got a few
good hits on both of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's a skilled bastard. I'll give him that much," grunted Naruto behind his mask
while clutching his side where the rapier sword stabbed him along with the kick
that had went with it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh you haven't seen {\i
anything} yet my fellow masked friend," replied the masked man in red, as he
focused his attention on Ryu, and the two moving at incredible speed to kill the
Naruto tried to intervene at one point when it seemed that Ryu was going to be hit
with a lethal stab, but the masked enemy blocked his attack, and kicked the blonde
away. This action did however, give Ryu the key opportunity to get in close, and
slice deeply into the masked man with the Dragon Sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well played Dragon Ninja. You and your subordinate both fought well. But your
killing stroke will not be the end of me like you think. Rather, you just ended
your own life, and didn't even know it...until it was too late to do anything,"
remarked the masked man, as he kicked Ryu away with the Master Ninja flicking the
blood off his sword, and staring at the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to look down to see the Dragon Sword was {\i
dissolving} right before his and Naruto's eyes while the right arm holding it was
covered completely with red veins. In that very moment, Ryu collapsed on the
ground, clutching his arm, the pain showing in his green eyes, and looked up to see
the masked man slowly getting up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What did you do to him you asshole?!" demanded Naruto with the masked individual
laughing while the crimson vortex formed around Ryu before it formed around the
arm, making the veins spread further with strange symbols manifesting over the
ninja's limb.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Open your eyes Ryu Hayabusa," said the masked man theatrically before jumping back
when Naruto tried to cut him down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What did you do?!" demanded Naruto angrily with his chakra starting to form around
his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How does it feel to suffer like all of your victims?" taunted the masked man
before Ryu moved for the rapier sword on the ground and tried to cut him down with
But the man just dodged the strikes easily and had to leap back further to avoid
Naruto's attempts at taking his life too. The mysterious masked man in red robes
would have most likely said something else, but Naruto was too pissed off to care,
and called on Kyuubi's chakra to throw a massive crimson fist at his target which
sent him flying through the wall.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You tell me bitch!" exclaimed Naruto angrily before focusing on Ryu, who was
trying to stand, and walk out of the yard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Ryu! Kitsune! Respond! You need to get out of there now. Radar just picked up a
missile incoming and heading your way. One minute to impact!"} said Mizuki over the
ear pieces with both ninja looking at each other for a second while Naruto helped
the Dragon Ninja in trying to escape.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well...at least you can't say this wasn't boring," commented Naruto while heading
into the alley and trying to escape the missile headed their
An explosion behind them sent the two flying and they were soon buried alive in
rubble from the destruction all around them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Hayabusa! Kitsune! Can you hear me? Respond!" }said Mizuki over the comm. and
waited for any sign or sound of the two ninja to confirm they were in fact
alive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We're okay. Though this does bring back old memories," remarked Naruto while
getting out of the rubble with Ryu right behind him and the younger of the two
ninja helping the older one out of the hole they were in.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Speak for yourself," commented Ryu while using the rapier sword as a crutch while
Naruto helped him walk out of the area before the local authorities
arrived.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(JASDF Destroyer {\i
Yunagi}-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Does someone want to tell me who that guy was and what he did to Ryu?" asked
Naruto while looking at Mizuki and at Ken Ishigami for
answers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. There is no real Intel on this man. The remaining forces pulled out
once the missile destroyed the Prime Minister's home. Ryu was indeed the intended
target," answered Mizuki McCloud while she glanced at Ryu, who was looking at his
right arm, and what became of it at the hands of the villain who did this to
"Considering our enemy is masked and his voice is muffled to prevent
identification, its no real surprise. Not to mention the missile launched at the
last moment as a final touch to ensure we didn't survive the fight," said Naruto
before he turned and saw Ryu put a hand on his shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough Naruto. Now is not the time to be angry," whispered Ryu while Naruto
sighed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry Ryu. Its just...I'm upset we screwed up so badly. We knew it was a trap and
yet we walked right into it despite causing the enemy forces to suffer such heavy
losses," replied Naruto while the woman talked to the little girl via the child's
cell phone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We never anticipated there would be someone with such dark magical powers. Or that
he would be able to use it against the Dragon Sword," said Ryu while gripping his
hand right arm into a fist and saw the crimson veins that covered
"I know. I saw. That type of sorcery is very complex and powerful. The closest
thing to it is Obaba from the Black Spider Clan. But I know her magic like the back
of my hand and I can honestly say this is something entirely different. Another
form of sorcery that has not seen in a long time," whispered Naruto with Ryu
nodding his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Stick around for awhile until we need to make our next move before returning back
to the village to inform my Father of what happened. If anyone knows about this
'Grip of Murder' or something similar to this curse...it would be him," replied Ryu
with Naruto nodding since Jo was well versed in ancient legends and knowledge
pertaining to powers long since considered impossible to be considered
real.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Any further talk about this was interrupted when Ishigami spoke via the comm.
system and told Mizuki to turn on the news with the large monitor on the Destroyer
showing the enemy they fought last night in all of his dramatic red robed
appearance. Naruto growled at the sight of him while Ryu tightened his fist and
felt the limb pulsing with anger with him. The two ninjas along with Mizuki,
Ishigami from wherever he was, and watched how the enemy now identifying himself as
the Masked Regent was making his demands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This new world has no need for nation states. No need of avaricious, incompetent
Prime Ministers, or Presidents, or Kings, or Despots. Every single nation, every
country {\i
must} immediately agree to our terms of surrender. You have seven days, exactly the
number it took God to create the world. Failure to comply will result in your
immediate destruction. We did it to London and we can do it to you," said the
Masked Regent in his display of drama and words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So this is what they were really after," whispered Mizuki while Naruto scowled
further behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What a Drama Queen," mumbled Naruto while looking at the Masked Regent's face and
how he moved himself around when speaking like man did when performing on stage of
a Broadway Play.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Be as that may, this man did something to me, and is a threat to the world. Head
back to the village and go to the Dragon Shrine Temple. I need a weapon there that
will help me in the battles to come," whispered Ryu with Naruto
"What weapon did you have in mind? There are quite a few of them," whispered Naruto
before Ryu told him the specific weapon he had in mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can you get it for me?" asked Ryu with Naruto looking at him with a frown even
though the Dragon Ninja couldn't see it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That one? It is not exactly a sword," commented Naruto while Ryu
"I know, but its the only option available to me at the moment. While it is not the
Dragon Sword, the weapon I'm asking you to get is no less dangerous, and I have a
feeling it will come in handy soon," replied Ryu with Naruto
"All right. Its your call Ryu. Just...be careful. If this curse on your arm does
what I think it does in he long run...things will only get worse for you,"
whispered Naruto with a great deal of concern in his voice while Ryu nodded and
flexed his right arm.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. But I can't stop simply because of this curse on my arm. I wouldn't be
much of a Dragon Ninja if I did," whispered Ryu with Naruto
"Good point. I'll be back with your weapon of choice by tomorrow, at least," said
Naruto before he left a second later before Mizuki even knew the masked Dragon
Ninja was gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where did Kitsune go?" asked Mizuki curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Weapon replacement," was Ryu's simple response.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Rub al Khali Desert-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is where the source of the transmission the Masked Regent sent originated
from," said Mizuki, as she got out of the jeep, and Ryu following her to the front
of the vehicle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Looks abandoned," commented Ryu while surveying the area.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's because it was abandoned. See that high rise up ahead? It was abandoned in
the middle of construction. As far as we can tell, the satellite transmission
originated from that very location. That it was uploaded and distributed through
hacked communication systems all around the world," explained Mizuki while Ryu
looked at the tower and the sand around them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is that even possible?" asked Ryu curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you had the entire world's resources at your fingertips maybe," answered Mizuki
with a hint of amusement in her voice before going to the back of the jeep to get
something.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So who are these people?" asked Ryu in the hope of knowing who his enemy was in
this cloak and dagger like game.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Whoever they are, they have access to some serious money. The UN is scheduled for
a crisis conference today. They will probably order the mobilization of emergency
forces, which HQ has told me to provide you with any support you may need. Looks
like we will be working a little while longer Ryu Hayabusa," explained Mizuki with
Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So it does. The same can also be said about Yami Kitsune Jigumo too," added Ryu
while Mizuki stopped for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I admit, I wasn't entirely happy you brought another ninja into the operation Ryu.
Nor was Ishigami when we headed for London. Your ally {\i
was }part a rival clan for many years and studied under its now deceased leader,"
remarked Mizuki with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. But you have to admit, he did provide us with a fresh perspective, and
helped in taking down more of our targets along with that robot spider tank,"
countered Ryu while Mizuki nodded in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No argument there. From here on out, this is as far as we can go without drawing
any unwanted attention," said Mizuki before bring out the giant suitcase and moved
to the front of the jeep.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's close enough," replied Ryu since it suited his needs just
fine.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This was developed by our own engineers. Its still just a prototype, but...," said
Mizuki before opening up and sliding it across the front of the jeep to
"What is it?" asked Ryu while seeing the strange item in front of
"Its obviously not your Dragon Sword now is it? This is a special bow that can lock
onto any target. Should be easy enough for you to use, right?" explained Mizuki
while Ryu ran his hands through the item once opened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I've used bows before," answered Ryu with a hint of amusement in his
O-kay. Good luck and remember I'll be watching your back," said Mizuki with Ryu
just looking at her for a second before leaping into the
desert.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Of course no sooner had he gone a short distance into the ruins of some old
buildings was he surrounded by the enemy of sand vehicles. Deciding to put his bow
to good use, Ryu launched wave after wave at his targets, killing them all, and
making their sand vehicles explode violently around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hello Ayane. Kitsune," said Ryu, as he sensed their approach in a large swirl of
wind, and sand with both ninja appearing from it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We bring gifts," replied Ayane with a sword in hand and Naruto holding the item
Ryu had requested of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Eclipse Scythe. Former weapon of Volf: Great Fiend and Invincible Ruler of
Storms.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"First is mine. Per your request," said Naruto before tossing the folded item to
Ryu, who unfolded the blade of the scythe for a second before refolding it, and
strapping the item onto his back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And this is from Hayate. After what happened with your sword, we felt a proper,
and {\i
temporary }replacement for your sword was in order," said Ayane before handing Ryu
a weapon that made the Dragon Ninja's eyes widen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Jinran-Maru," whispered Ryu in awe at the weapon used by Hayate from the Mugen
Tenshin Clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hayate wants it back when you are done and in one piece. Its just on lone after
all," said Ayane with Ryu nodding before putting it on his
"Are you coming with me?" asked Ryu to Naruto, who shook his head
"I want to, but I can't. I talked to your Father about the curse you have on your
arm. He is currently looking into it on his end and wants me to dig around from the
shadows for any information about this new group seeking to take over the world.
When I have necessary Intel to share, I'll let you know, and show up when needed.
Ayane will be assisting me in this too. You are on your own until then," said
Naruto with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Be careful. Start with Ishigami. The man was acting suspicious from the start,"
said Ryu with the two ninjas in front of him nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about that woman Mizuki McCloud? She is Ishigami's subordinate," said Ayane
with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She's clean. I would have sensed something from the woman when near her while on
the ship. When we met with Ishigami briefly while on the way to London, I sensed
that he was hiding something, and was keeping it close to the chest. We will start
with him and move from there," said Naruto with Ayane nodding since she knew his
sensory ability regarding people's emotions rivaled if not surpassed Ryu's own due
to the Uzumaki Clan blood in his veins.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay. I better head out. Good luck," replied Ryu with the two ninja in front of
him nodding and vanishing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"How did they know where we were or this operation?"} asked Mizuki since she knew
Naruto left before the ship did and Ayane wasn't anywhere near
"Ninjas like us have our ways," commented Ryu before entering the abandoned area
filled with empty or unfinished buildings.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Secret Location-With Naruto and Ayane)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe you should have stayed to help him back there," offered Ayane since she
could easily provide support by herself and Naruto could be the extra muscle for
"Tempting, but Master Jo gave us our orders, and I intend to follow them through
until things change. Besides, there is something about this whole situation that
bugs me. Why go after Ryu? Why give him that curse in the first place? And if the
Dragon Sword is practically in his body like the Masked Regent secretly hinted at
back in London...why not strike afterwards? The guy had Ryu dead to rights after
that curse was put on him. So why not end him in that opening?" questioned Naruto
with Ayane frowning at his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps the goal is to let the curse run its course. We don't really know anything
about it ourselves so the end result of such dark magic must be what this Masked
Regent is most likely aiming to achieve," offered Ayane with Naruto
"Yes, but for what purpose? Its not just about killing Ryu, but something they want
him to do in the long run. They sent wave after wave of mercenaries after him in
London. No doubt he's going to get them here too. Meaning every person he kills
from here on out will only {\i
feed} the curse regardless of his weapon of choice. Its almost like force feeding a
heavily obese man and not stopping until the said obese man dies from either eating
too much or a heart attack," said Naruto with Ayane
"Meaning someone is trying to make the curse spread," replied Ayane with Naruto now
narrowing his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Someone is trying to force feed Ryu a lot of bodies to spread the curse and make
him too weak to fight back when the time comes for this Masked Regent to bring his
plan about full circle. He doesn't want Ryu interfering in his end game and this
curse is his ace in the hole to do it," concluded Naruto while Ayane was looking
worried.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So we need to find out what his end game is and throw a monkey wrench into it,"
said Ayane with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. A particularly {\i
large} monkey wrench the size of the Dragon Tower," commented Naruto knowing it
would take all his power and skill along with Ayane's to ensure Ryu came out ahead
in this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Starting by finding out what this Ishigami guy was hiding and who else was lurking
in the shadows with secrets to hide.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Elemental Countries-Konoha Hospital)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure about this information Kakashi? About what your attacker said to you
that night? About what he did to the Uchiha Sasuke? About the wrath of the Dragon
Clan?" asked the former Sandaime Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen while in his
hospital.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Every word," answered Kakashi, as he was in the room with the former Hokage, and
saw the old man was considerably worried.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So they know. Meaning Naruto is with them now and learning the Shinobi Arts from
them," surmised Hiruzen with Kakashi frowning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With all respect sir...what does the Kyuubi Jinchuriki have to do with this? Why
would they care about the boy?" asked Kakashi with Hiruzen looking at him with
cautious eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because the boy is of their bloodline. They came here to collect their dead ninja
who became a resident of Konoha and the child they were told was born shortly after
the Mother died from giving birth. I lied to them years ago about the child being
dead and had said boy put in the orphanage here in Konoha. Afterward this boy would
one day become a student under Jiraiya of the Sannin and future Yondaime Hokage of
Konoha. The very same Yondaime Hokage who sealed the Kyuubi into his own son and
wanted said child to be seen as a hero," said Hiruzen with Kakashi's eye widening
in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...but you said the Kyuubi Jinchuriki was an orphan. That his Mother was a
foreigner and the Father was an unknown ninja. You basically made the Kyuubi
Jinchuriki out to be a bastard child when he was or rather {\i
IS} in fact the Yondaime's only {\i
son}!" exclaimed Kakashi while Hiruzen glaring at the Jounin in front of
"That boy is the village's weapon first and foremost Kakashi. You of all people
know that has been the history regarding Jinchuriki," said Hiruzen with Kakashi
looking away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We never did that before Naruto became a Jinchuriki," remarked Kakashi with
Hiruzen frowning at him further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That was because Uzumaki Mito was the first Jinchuriki and my predecessors made
sure few knew the secret. When Kushina became the new Jinchuriki, Mito was still
alive, and was very protective of her as well as most of those who knew about the
girl being the new Jinchuriki. Minato was one of the people to find out, but never
felt the need to use it as a bargaining chip to do what he wanted when they began
to form a relationship, and thus further ensured few new of her status as a
Jinchuriki. Jiraiya tried to plant the seeds of manipulation to gain subtle control
over Kushina to be more aggressive with using Kyuubi's power in the last war, but
Minato refused to tamper with her seal, and Kushina herself felt the same way. With
both parents dead, Naruto was a clean slate for Konoha to use how {\i
I }saw fit in the future, and how a Jinchuriki should be used," stated Hiruzen with
Kakashi not liking the sound of this while the implication of it all began to sink
"So Naruto is sensei's son and the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. His potential as a ninja
would be...it would be unimaginable!" stated Kakashi after
awhile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Which was why I wanted him controlled. Contained. The plan was only to bring
about only a {\i
fraction} of his true potential so if Naruto ever learned the truth, the ninja
around him would be able to detain him should he decide to lash out. You may not
like the idea Kakashi, but it is the way things are done, and I would think you
would hate the fox more then caring for the boy," said Hiruzen with Kakashi
clenching his fists since the former Hokage did have a point about hating the
fox.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why must you bring that up?" asked Kakashi with Hiruzen holding back a
grin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because it is true. Show me an adult in Konoha. Show me someone who lost something
to the Kyuubi and doesn't hate the Biju. Show me someone like this and I'll show
you a fool who doesn't know about or actually cares for a Jinchuriki. The Biju was
responsible for killing your sensei all those years ago Kakashi. Killed the woman
he loved too. So what if their son holds the Biju inside himself. All that matters
is the fox suffers and there is no better form of suffering for something as
powerful as Kyuubi then having a weak pathetic jailor for a vessel," said Hiruzen
with Kakashi struggling with himself over this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'The fox deserves to suffer, but sensei's son deserves better...doesn't he?'
thought Kakashi curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The only way you will have any closure Kakashi, is with the Kyuubi, and Naruto
both suffering while serving Konoha to the end of their days. Had Naruto not been
born, the Kyuubi would have never gotten out, and so many lives would have been
spared the demon's wrath. The two are equally to blame regarding Konoha's near
destruction and you know it," said Hiruzen with Kakashi closing his eyes and
picturing what would have happened if Kushina was never
pregnant.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
No death.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
No destruction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
No pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Minato sensei would be alive and still Yondaime Hokage\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Sandaime would have stayed retired and eventually begin playing with his
Grandson Konohamaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Orochimaru would have stayed away from Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Uchiha Clan wouldn't have been killed under the Yondaime's
watch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He's right. Naruto and the Kyuubi are to blame for all that was taken from Konoha.
From me!' thought Kakashi while tightening his fists.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see you've come around," remarked Hiruzen with Kakashi
"Do you know where this Dragon Clan is located?" asked Kakashi with Hiruzen shaking
his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I believe both of my senseis did from what I recall as a child, but he never
shared it with anyone. I think he feared someone from Konoha or other villages
finding it and attacking them. From what Hashirama-sensei said, all those of the
Dragon Clan are descended from the Dragon Gods themselves on the other side of the
world. {\i
Dragon Gods} and their very bloodline Kakashi. We had it here in Konoha with the
Yondaime and he single handedly ended the Third Shinobi War. The only reason I did
not put him in the CRA was because I would have reveal {\i
why} he was qualified for it and didn't want the Dragon Clan coming back in force
to claim him. The ninja of that clan according to Tobirama-sensei are not to be
trifled with Kakashi. Both Senju brothers met the Dragon Clan with Hashirama-sensei
showing them respect while Tobirama-sensei showed them fear at what they could do
if provoked in a fight. Tobirama-sensei feared very few things in his lifetime and
this clan was among them," explained Hiruzen with Kakashi fighting back a curse
from his mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then how do we get Naruto back?" asked Kakashi with Hiruzen
"Jiraiya is working on that. He's having his spy network branch out to the other
side of the world to locate the Dragon Clan in the hopes we know their location and
send a team to strike their village to take Naruto back from them to be reeducated
into being Konoha's weapon. It will only be a matter of time before the boy is ours
again and ours to control," replied Hiruzen while Kakashi
What neither of them knew or Jiraiya knew much less realized for that matter was
his spies were not well versed in the spy rings of that half of the world and were
easily seen through as spies in the shadowy underworld. A place where ninja there
lived and thrived in while knowing who would benefit the most from the prying
probing individuals sent to hunt for the Dragon Clan's
location.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At the moment, each spy was currently being targeted, and marked to be handled when
the time was right. They would either be captured to be interrogated, killed before
they could relay information back to Jiraiya, or be given false information capable
of throwing the Sannin off. And not just by the Dragon Clan either, but the Black
Spider Clan too, yet for different reasons. While the Black Spider Clan did not
like the Dragon Clan, they also disliked other ninjas, especially from the
Elemental Countries from snooping around on their side of the world for any reason.
Not only that, but many in the dark ninja clan felt it would dishonor the late
Master Ninja Genshin, who had a great dislike for anything that was Konoha related,
and would want such agents of that filthy village crushed when the time was
right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even if these agents were targeting Naruto, the Black Spider Clan respected him
(for his skills as a ninja while being trained by their Master) too much to sell
the boy out to that place, and felt that Lord Genshin would agree that the blonde
deserved to forge his own path in life. The late Master Ninja and his brother had
trained Naruto well with many in the Black Spider Clan seeing that it would never
have been the case had the boy stayed there. Under normal circumstance, the Black
Spider Clan would have enjoyed seeing the Dragon Clan take a hit like that, maybe
even helped in some regard, but the rumor of Genshin mixing his own blood with that
of Naruto's own to make the boy connected to him long after death had surfaced and
thus made Naruto the closest thing the man had to a son.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Black Spider Clan was many things, but its pride, and its own honor would not
allow it to betray Lord Genshin's greatest investment in continuing his ninja
legacy. While they knew that Naruto wouldn't come back to the Black Spider Clan
because of his Dragon's blood, they also knew his time in the Hayabusa Village was
limited too, and would have to leave to forge his own ninja way in a few
years.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That wouldn't happen if Naruto was forced back to the Elemental Countries and made
to serve Konoha against his Will.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The village hasn't taken the news of how Sasuke was butchered very well,"
commented Kakashi while seeing Hiruzen nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I heard through the various nurses and doctors that many in Konoha are hungry
for blood. Considering this village invested heavily in Uchiha Sasuke, only to have
it wasted in a single moment has brought moral to an all time low, and many of the
stores are now requesting Tsunade reimburse them financially on account of all the
discounts they gave Sasuke the past 4 years," said Hiruzen before sighing while
looking up and the ceiling of his room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. She outright denied them while saying it was their own damn fault for
giving the Uchiha next to nothing," remarked Kakashi while Hiruzen
frowned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I warned those idiots not to spoil the boy too much. I warned Homura, Koharu, and
even Danzo that it would go to the Uchiha's head. Did they listen? No. They
believed the boy was destined to do great things and because they helped him
achieve these great things, they would be rewarded for it. Blind fools. All of
them!" exclaimed Hiruzen in anger and frustration.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What will become of Sasuke. As it stands...he is basically useless. Both as a
Shinobi and as a person. Death would be merciful at this point," remarked Kakashi
with Hiruzen now frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There maybe a way to bring Sasuke's power back. If only marginally or at least
enough to continue his bloodline," replied Hiruzen with Kakashi's eye
widening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How? Tsunade-sama said healing him was beyond her means inn terms of his spine,
the Sharingan, and his ability to have children," questioned Kakashi with Hiruzen
"And she is right. Its beyond {\i
her }means. But I have been around a lot longer then her and no more about the
power of the Biju then she does. A Jinchuriki are known to possess a high level of
regeneration depending on the number of tails their Biju possesses. Its why they
are sent to the forefront of every major battle in wars and walk away without any
injury to their bodies," explained Hiruzen with Kakashi's eye widening
"Is that one of the reasons why you didn't object to Danzo's attempt to kidnap the
seven-tailed Jinchuriki from Taki?" asked Kakashi while the former Hokage
"Orochimaru is not the only one studying the power of having long lasting life or
the way to achieving complete Immortality. He left quite a bit of research
regarding the Biju and their regenerative abilities when my old student fled.
Research I secretly kept and looked at to see if it had any merit should I proper
way of using it on our older veterans to bring them back to fighting shape," said
Hiruzen with Kakashi nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"By older veterans, you mean Koharu, Homura, yourself, and maybe even Danzo if he
is feeling humble enough to beg for it," added Kakashi while Hiruzen nodded and
smirking at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And any other veteran too old or injured to fight for Konoha. The research itself
{\i
was} in the crude stages. Imaginary guess work at best. But further probing into
the idea made me realize that it could be done with the right Medic Nins skilled in
purifying the chakra of the Biju and transferring it to a normal human being could
restore their youth. Of course the only one skilled enough to make the attempt is
Tsunade, but without a Jinchuriki, or her cooperation on such an idea...such a
thing is beyond us. Not only that, but for Sasuke to be brought back to some level
as an Uchiha, we need the Kyuubi's chakra since it has long a long history being
tied to the Uchiha Clan more then the other Biju," explained Hiruzen with Kakashi
"And with the seven-tailed Jinchuriki now in the wind after the failed attempt to
secretly capture her during the Hero Water incident just makes things harder for
us," commented Kakashi with Hiruzen nodding since Danzo chose the right time to
strike, but didn't have a team to properly handle the
"And the three-tails will not be around for little less than three years. Even if
we send a team to seal it temporarily before choosing someone to be a Jinchuriki,
the damn thing will no doubt be in the water, and be seen around Water Country.
With Kiri just ending the civil war not that long ago, we will be hard pressed to
succeed in such a mission when the Biju appears again, and fighting them for it,"
added Hiruzen with Kakashi grimacing at this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Suna won't let us near Gaara. Even after we showed some goodwill towards them and
the failed invasion. Nabbing one of the two Jinchuriki from Kumo is out of the
question and Iwa is a definite no as well," said Kakashi while sighing at this
news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The sixth-tails is also loose somewhere in Water Country, but Jiraiya has long
suspected that Jinchuriki was caught by the Akatsuki a short time ago," said
Hiruzen with Kakashi frowning now at this since this pretty much covered every Biju
and Jinchuriki in all of the Elemental Countries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Meaning our best bet is the nab Naruto since he's the only rogue one left aside
from the seven-tails Jinchuriki," concluded Kakashi with Hiruzen smirking a
"We will keep looking for the seven-tailed Jinchuriki regardless and considering
what she is, the choices of safe hideaways are limited," replied Hiruzen with
Kakashi nodding at this due to the fact Taki would put her in the Bingo Book,
complete with a picture, and all of her known stats in order for her to be captured
alive while keeping the girl's Jinchuriki status a secret so other villages don't
get any ideas.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was just a matter of time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(JASDF Destroyer {\i
Yunagi}-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So that's what this curse is doing to you. The Grip of Murder indeed," remarked
Naruto while appearing on the ship again at Ryu's request so they could trade
information and use it later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. The more I fight, the more powerful the curse becomes, and accelerates my
death. Though something tells me you knew that last part," replied Ryu with Naruto
"I suspected as much when I saw you in the desert and the veins on your right arm
had spread further after killing just a few of the enemy there. Considering how its
increased by twice as much since then further only proves my theory about the Grip
of Murder was right," answered Naruto before the two ninja saw the door open and in
came a little girl, running to Mizuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Canna! What have I told you about running around like that," scolded Mizuki while
the girl typed something on her cell for the woman to read.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"My fault. I was trying to watch her, but she is quite the handful," replied a
skinny man with a British accent, had blonde hair, was wearing a hat on his head
with large, ovular, dark red glasses on his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Who is this guy? And where did he come from?' thought Naruto curiously, as he eyed
the man, who had a stubble moustache growing above his lip had a lean build with
long legs and a long torso.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto also took note the man wearing a lab coat over a sweater vest and had on a
dark blue shirt with khaki pants to signify he was a scientist of some sort. The
man was the definition of the term "nerd" or "bookworm" in terms of spending more
time doing all kinds of research and experiments instead of having a social
life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Cliff! You know I ask very little from you and when I do ask its to watch over
Canna," said Mizuki while the now identified Cliff raised his hands up in
surrender.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry! Sorry! But I have work to do and Canna doesn't have much to do in this big
old ship of metal and pipes. I only brought her here because she didn't want to be
all alone," replied Cliff before seeing Canna introduce herself to Ryu, but was
scared of him when she saw his arm, and ran behind Mizuki's
leg.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Oh {\i
that} brings back wonderful memories,' thought Naruto since kids were like that
with him growing up before their parents or adults kicked the living snot out of
him just for being near their brats.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Care to introduce us?" asked Ryu while seeing the child and scientist with some
form of interest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course. Ryu, this is my niece Canna. This is Cliff my brother-in-law," said
Mizuki while Cliff scoffed at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh sure. Say that like its a {\i
bad} thing. Your pride in me being a member of your family is simply {\i
radiating} off of you Mizuki," remarked Cliff sarcastically at
'Interesting. I sense there is something off about him energy wise. Its masked and
faint, but its there. Not only that, but his voice is similar to the Masked Regent,
if only off by a little bit. Could he be the Masked Regent? No. His current energy
levels are too weak to be a threat. Unless he's somehow hiding it? The hidden
energy in him and what I sensed from the Masked Regent are almost similar, yet they
are different enough that they are clearly not the same. Meaning...what exactly?'
thought Naruto cautiously while eyeing the man behind his Kitsune
"So this is the famous Dragon Ninja I have heard so much about. Clifford Higgins,
but people call me Cliff for short. Your exploits in the past have been a real page
turner for scientists everywhere," said Cliff while extending his hand for Ryu to
shake it, but the Master Ninja looked down at his vein covered right hand and
decided against the idea.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why would scientists be interested in Ryu?" asked Naruto while Cliff turned
towards him now and extended his hand for the blonde to
shake.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto only did it to be polite and get a deeper sense of the man's energy through
skin contact.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because the Dragon lineage is a very ancient bloodline in Japan. Some scientist
theorize it could be key to unlocking new potential in humans and making us evolve
beyond our current limitations. Considering all the rumors about the clan being
descended from am actual {\i
Dragon} {\i
God} makes many wonder if its true. After the Vigoor Empire fell by Ryu's hands
almost single handedly and later on with the incident at Aqua City in slaying all
those creatures there, I dare say some people believe the legends are true,"
answered Cliff while Naruto frowned behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Including our enemy. This Masked Regent," added Naruto with Cliff
"Sadly yes. And this madman is not just any person either. He's the leader of the
Lords of Alchemy," explained Cliff with Naruto frowning further and filed the name
of this new organization away for later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who are these 'Lords of Alchemy?'" asked Ryu curiously while Cliff explained what
he knew about them when doing his own investigation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So in short, their a greedy corporation that's gone off the reservation of what
they should do, and are doing things they {\i
shouldn't} do. Everything and anything {\i
indeed}," remarked Naruto while sighing at how this was getting out of
This was like Gato going on a power trip and using his company in the same manner,
but at a whole new level of crazy. Wonderful!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In short, yes. Though you can't deny the resources they have at their disposal is
nothing to sneeze at my friend. Oh what I could do with just a {\i
fraction} of their budget," said Cliff while Naruto narrowed his eyes at him since
that tone of voice was {\i
very }similar to the way Gamov spoke when talking about the Dark Dragon Sword right
before Murai had struck him down with it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They are a terrorist group and a cult that follow the way of alchemy while using
their corporation's vast resources to get things done," said Ryu while Naruto
groaned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I miss the days of when we were fighting Fiends," remarked Naruto with Ryu letting
out a small chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Me too," replied Ryu while wishing for the good old days of fighting Fiends and
ninjas seeking to control the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fighting a cult full of alchemist bent on warping the world to their own liking
seemed...a level down from the usual standards. Granted the Grip of Murder was a
new one, but all the same, it was rather...clich\u233? in a
sense.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In any case, we need to strike out against these people while we have the chance.
They currently have a key research base among its many operations on Abismo Island.
Ryu will got there and take them out. This cult has the resources and firepower to
carry out its threat of destroying country after country without breaking a sweat.
Our Intel suggests that this island is key for them in providing them technology
and weapons capable of destroying their enemies. Some of the things they have are
rumored to be taken from the Vigoor Empire itself after it fell," said Ishigami
while watching the map where Abismo Island was located with a growing frown before
walking off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'So these guys plucked some things from Vigoor huh? Like vultures on a corpse,'
thought Naruto while grateful they never found any remnants of the Dark
Dragon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only {\i
then} would he be worried.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to be careful here. The Lords of Alchemy or as their company name LOA is
not going to just sit around and let you in. What's more, you shouldn't be going
Mizuki. This is extremely dangerous," said Cliff with Mizuki shaking her
"No. I need to go. Ryu will need backup and I can give it," explained Mizuki with
Cliff shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All the same, you can't just go off on a mission like this, and under the command
of Ishigami since there is something off about him. He's acting on his own and we
aren't getting the funding for this assignment from any government source. We are
acting almost like the LOA is right now in doing illegal actions and performing
missions that are {\i
NOT} sanctioned by any recognized government. Ishigami knows this just as much as I
do," replied Cliff while Naruto narrowed his eyes at him behind his
'While what Cliff just said is indeed true about this whole thing being
unsanctioned if what his emotions are telling me, he also fails to mention how {\i
he} knows what Ishigami knows about this. Cliff is suppose to be a scientist, but
the man is apparently snooping around, and digging up information on others. Could
he be digging information up about Ryu? Or possibly myself now that I've made my
presence known to the enemy? There is also something not right about him, but I
can't just call the man out on it. Not yet anyway. Mizuki is close to him, as is
Canna, and any attempt to accuse Cliff of any wrong doing would be stupid at this
point. So who do I tell this to? Ryu? No. Now is not the time. He has to go on this
mission. Mizuki is out of the question, even if I talk to her in private since she
is family to him. Ishigami maybe? Between the two of them, Cliff seems to be the
one I would distrust the most in this situation, and Ishigami's own uneasiness
about this has mostly been centered around Cliff more than Ryu and myself. It is
almost like he suspects what I do about Cliff, but is still keeping it close to the
chest, and waiting to see who he can and cannot trust. Perhaps, I should extend
that olive branch to him in private while Ryu is on this mission,' thought Naruto
while remembering his handshake with Cliff and his senses feeling more deeper into
the man's body to analyze the scientist's own energy and it was indeed warped in a
way that similar yet different to the Masked Regent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Without a word, Naruto slipped into the shadows, but not before sending a look to
Ryu, who nodded in understanding, and focused on the family in front of
(Rice Country)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you telling me that Sasuke is completely {\i
useless} to me? Both in terms of his body and his Sharingan?" questioned Orochimaru
to Kabuto, who nodded his head sadly, and was holding his test results on the blood
sample he had acquired of the boy when secretly infiltrating Konoha a few days
ago.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes Orochimaru-sama. Whoever destroyed your Curse Seal on him also destroyed the
genetic makeup that allows Sasuke to call upon the Sharingan. Not only that, but I
was able to make a copy of Tsunade's results from additional tests she ran, and
they were not good," answered Kabuto before he handed the Sannin his results and
Tsunade's before taking a step back while Orochimaru's eyes
"This is an {\i
outrage}! I spent years waiting for the boy to develop into a suitable candidate
for my Curse Seal and showed such promise like his brother if not more by surviving
it. Now he's broken and unable to produce children so I cannot poach the next of
his line in the future!" exclaimed Orochimaru with fury in his voice and
"There is always Itachi. You could try him in the future again Orochimaru-sama,"
offered Kabuto with Orochimaru glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is a {\i
reason} I went after Sasuke and not Itachi. I tried Itachi first and he was able to
take off my {\i
actual} hand! I fled the Akatsuki afterwards because targeting members was strictly
forbidden. Sasuke was not as strong as his brother and was a prime target to gain
the Sharingan without too many complications. Now my only hope of gaining one of
the most powerful Dojutsus in the world is in the body of Uchiha Itachi and I am
not at his level of skill. Even if I was at his level, the Akatsuki would never
allow such an action to go unpunished, and would kill me before I could {\i
properly }enjoy my victory," explained Orochimaru with Kabuto
"It was just a suggestion," said Kabuto with Orochimaru narrowing his eyes
"Noted. What we need to do is find out who did this to Sasuke and make him suffer
for this travesty," said Orochimaru with Kabuto rubbing his chin in
"From what I've gathered when in Konoha, no one really knows what happened, and the
only thing I could pick up from Tsunade's talk with Sasuke was something about some
kind of Dragon Clan," replied Kabuto with the Sannin in front of him looking
shocked and so pale that you would think he was transparent for a
"A Dragon Clan? Are you {\i
absolutely} certain?" asked Orochimaru with Kabuto nodding while
"Yes. Is there a problem Orochimaru-sama?" questioned Kabuto with Orochimaru now
showing signs of panic.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Cease all investigations into this matter. Do {\i
nothing} unless I say otherwise regarding what you just told me," commanded
Orochimaru while Kabuto frowned further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know something about this Dragon Clan," said Kabuto with Orochimaru nodding
slowly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was during my time in my younger years when I was still a loyal Shinobi of
Konoha and was just beginning my research into mixing bloodlines. I was tasked by
Sarutobi-sensei to go out into the world and find various genetic samples capable
of bonding with Shinobi and becoming bloodlines that could be past on to
descendants. Unbeknownst to sensei, I traveled to the other side of the world, saw
many strange things, advanced things that astounded my mind, and came to a village
living under the mountain they called Mt. Fuji. It was there I met a young ninja of
that village...named Murai. This boy in front of me at the time showed such great
promise as a ninja and I sparred with him while under the watchful eyes of his
family. What I didn't know was that the boy was just as curious about pursuing
power as I was and while staying there...he showed me the Dragon Shrine Temple. A
place where they keep only the darkest ninja based items. Against the rules of the
Dragon Clan, he even showed me where the Dark Dragon Sword was sealed, and the dark
power locked within it. I {\i
touched }that sword and we were instantly bombarded with its dark power for a few
seconds. It ran through myself as well as Murai before we had collapsed from the
strain. When I finally came to, I was told what I had done was very dangerous, and
grounds to kill me for trespassing on sacred ground. I was only fortunate in the
fact the Dragon Shrine Maiden assigned to the temple overheard Murai convincing me
to reach for the sword that I wasn't killed for the attempt to steal it for myself.
I was instead asked to leave the village and I did once I had was able to fully
recovered. Unfortunately, before I could leave for Konoha, they decided to change
their mind, and hunted me down to end my life," explained Orochimaru with Kabuto
"Seeing as how you are alive here today, I take it you came out victorious over
them, and killed a few of their clansmen," said Kabuto, but his smirk left when
Orochimaru glared at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't be an {\i
idiot} Kabuto! I barely made it out of there alive! I was only able to escape being
killed by using the last of my chakra to summon a large snake summons and make it
to the boat taking me back to the Elemental Countries. I spent the entire trip near
death and it was in that moment I swore to never be near death's grasp ever again!
That I would find a way to cheat death once and for all!" exclaimed Orochimaru with
Kabuto nodding while shock over what the Sannin just told him was on his
'To think this Dragon Clan instills such fear in Orochimaru-sama. These ninja he
faced must be something truly frightening to bring about such fear in him.
Orochimaru fears very little and after all these years of experimenting on his body
they still do. What else does he know that would make him fear these ninja? All his
enhancements and alterations to his body up to this point would surely give him a
clear edge over this Dragon Clan if another confrontation occurred,' thought Kabuto
while Orochimaru slowly banishing the memory of that near life threatening
battle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Just like Jiraiya had his own memory of Tsunade beating him within an inch of his
life, the snake Sannin Orochimaru had the Dragon Clan Ninjas, and their unyielding
assault.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Naruto-Undisclosed Location)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not many know where I hang my hat. Or know where they can find me for that matter
when I don't want to be found," commented Ken Ishigami, who was in his office,
sitting in his chair at a location few knew about.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I make it my business to know where people are and what they do. I wouldn't be
much of a ninja if I couldn't do that," countered Naruto with Ishigami nodding in
"Indeed. Warriors of shadow. It suits you and Ryu Hayabusa like a second skin.
Though I have a feeling you want to talk about me and my intentions regarding this
situation with the LOA," said Ishigami with Naruto just staring at him with his
mask on and not moving an inch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have been holding back information. Information in connection to Mizuki and
her family. You looked at Cliff with suspicion and distrust, yet you fail to keep
myself, and Ryu in the loop," replied Naruto in an accusing
"I have and for good reason. I don't know who to trust. The LOA has many agents.
Many spies. I couldn't risk them having paid you or your clan a mountain's worth of
gold to side with them in secret. Ninja are just the same as mercenaries, but dress
differently," stated Ishigami with Naruto frowning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Dragon Clan doesn't look the other way for any amount of currency if those
paying are agents of evil and wish to cause the suffering of innocent people," said
Naruto with Ishigami just looking at him with an unreadable expression on
"Perhaps. But I wasn't about to take that risk," commented Ishigami with Naruto
nodding out of respect for playing it smart in a game where you can't tell friend
from foe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Now you can. The LOA is a threat to the world. Meaning they are no more friend
then they are mine. You suspect Cliff has connections to LOA, don't you?" said
Naruto with Ishigami nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do. His timing in entering himself into this battle this is too convenient.
Regardless of his background and family connection to Mizuki, I can see he is not a
man to be trusted," said Ishigami with Naruto agreeing with
"When Ryu and I fought the Masked Regent, I familiarized myself with his voice, and
his energy signature so I could sense it right away. Cliff's voice is similar yet
different to the Masked Regent and the same goes for his energy too. When I first
shook his hand when meeting him, I could sense it was dormant. Almost like it is
hiding and waiting for the right moment to come out," replied Naruto with Ishigami
frowning at this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So Cliff and the Masked Regent are somehow linked in a way that is currently
unknown to us. That's troubling news," said Ishigami with Naruto
"He hides his dark intentions well behind the facade of a scientist and family
member to Mizuki, but I can sense those dark emotions in him just beneath the
surface. Like a caged animal pacing back and forth with the desire to get out while
knowing that the promise day will arrive soon," replied Naruto with Ishigami
sighing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's not a good thing. My own Intel suggests the LOA have acquired genetic
samples of the Fiends of old that you and Ryu have slain in the past when in Vigoor
and other various locations around the world," added Ishigami with Naruto's eyes
widening in shock and anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why not share this with us? Fiend blood is not something you can just take, study,
and then patent it with a company logo to sell to the highest bidder!" exclaimed
Naruto with Ishigami sighing again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I didn't trust you or Ryu. Your history with the Fiends and other ancient
things that go bump in the night made me...{\i
nervous}. Whatever the LOA are planning, it involves various genetic materials from
different sources, and the Fiends they are trying to create if not mass produce are
no doubt their future weapons in this war," answered Ishigami with Naruto sighing
now at this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Science and Fiends do not mix well. There are certain things that are not meant to
be crossed together. This being one of them. The LOA might control these Fiends
they are making now, but who is to say they won't turn on their Masters later? The
only thing a Fiend will obey is a Greater Fiend and they haven't been around to do
anything since Ryu and I killed them all," remarked Naruto while Ishigami produced
a folder with some of the information on the LOA he had yet to share with
anyone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Take a look at this file," said Ishigami while Naruto opened it and saw
information on a voluptuous blonde haired woman, who was easy on the eyes, but they
clearly had sinister intentions for those who crossed her
path.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lovelace? Odd name. She's a member of the LOA," commented Naruto while walking
with the folder in hand and reading it the contents within.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Considered one of {\i
THE} top members of the organization. Just below or on par with the Masked Regent
due to her own scientific brilliance. She's the Head of the R&D of their
organization. From what I have been able to gather so far, she is the one trying to
splice together the blood of Fiends to make {\i
new} Fiends the LOA {\i
can} control. So far, her efforts have been successful in making cannon fodder from
what information I have on it, but Lovelace is aiming for something else. Something
pertaining to the creation of some kind of God. Either the LOA is planning to bring
about the revival of one such God...or they are trying to make one such God,"
concluded Ishigami with Naruto frowning since the Archfiend was destroyed, the
Vigoor Emperor was also dead, and of course the Gates of the Underworld within Mt.
Fuji were shut so none of the Greater Fiends could ever come
"They plan to make one. Its the only course available to them given past events
with Ryu and myself," said Naruto while looking over the information he had on
"I was afraid you would say that. But what kind of God are they trying to make much
less control with their actions? Some kind of God among the Fiends? Or is it
something else?" asked Ishigami with Naruto frowning at this turn of
events.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. The Fiends do not have a God, nor would one be controlled by mere humans, even
if these humans dabbed in alchemy, and had a way to do it. Whatever it is they are
trying to do in connection to this particular part of their plan, I think it
involves Ryu, and the damn curse the Masked Regent put on him," said Naruto while
wondering if there was something he was missing regarding this
picture.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I noticed his arm has gotten worse. Its rotting and decaying faster with every
body he has slain. I'm surprised you don't just cut it off, but doing that now
would result in a lot of blood loss," remarked Ishigami before seeing Naruto go
stiff in sudden realization.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ryu's blood. Oh no!" exclaimed Naruto in horror.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? What's wrong?!" asked Ishigami with Naruto turning to face
"They want Ryu's blood. They want the blood of the Dragon God that is running
through his veins," whispered Naruto though his voice echoed throughout the
"If that were the case, why not do that sooner?" questioned Ishigami before getting
out of his chair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Simple. The Grip of Murder weakens him over time. When this 'God' awakens, Ryu
will possibly be too weak to fight it, and will crush him if he tries. Something he
will no doubt do," answered Naruto with Ishigami cursing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it! I sent Ryu to that island. It's considered a major research facility for
the LOA. If they somehow capture Ryu or get a sample of his blood, then the LOA
will be one step closer to their goals!" said Ishigami with Naruto throwing the
folder down and vanished from the old man's sight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If he was lucky, Ryu would still be alive, and they could stop the LOA at the last
minute before the blood they needed was taken.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! I updated yet again. Hope you liked it. Tried to bring it as close to
NG3 as humanly possible while factoring in Naruto into the equation. I think it
worked. Let me know what you think. Just no flamers. They will be ignored and
considered assholes. I will accept criticism, but not from people who just throw
insults around about people's work, and think their negative input makes them
right. Flamers and flaming are not right in any aspect and even if they are right
on some {\i
marginal level }about your or my work, they don't have to be assholes about, and
the fact they choose to be is all the more reason to ignore them. Just remember
people, you do have the power to block them if you look at your options under
account where it says "block user", and just put in the penname to block them out
entirely. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 10-New Goddess\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu stood in the office of a United States Aircraft Carrier, the {\i
USS William Harrison }to be exact, where one Captain Heinlern had them detained.
The Captain was yelling at him and Mizuki for what they were doing and stating what
their plans needed to stop at once. At the same time, Mizuki was trying to explain
that their actions on Abismo Island, the threat of the LOA, and how the Captain
should get in contact with Ishigami to confirm their story.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"No one can find this Ishigami. No one knows where he even is if the man exists at
all. No one from the Japanese Government authorized this action or what you pulled
back in London with the Prime Minister!" exclaimed Captain Heinlern angrily at the
"The terrorist specifically asked for Ryu Hayabusa!" Mizuki shot
"I don't care if they asked for Jesus Christ himself! You had no business getting
involved in matters not concerning you. Now the chopper is here and will take you
back to your own ship. I suggest you get on it and get the Hell off of mine before
I decide to throw you both in the brig!" commanded Captain Heinlern
"But Captain...!" protested Mizuki, but the Captain slammed his hand down on the
desk, and glared.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you have some kind a hearing problem? I said get out of my office and off my
ship! You are dismissed!" commanded Captain Heinlern while Mizuki and Ryu turned to
leave the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's all right Mizuki. This fight is not over despite voices to the contrary,"
whispered Ryu while Mizuki nodded slightly with a smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You Shinobi are ghosts from an old world that no longer needs the likes of you.
Just do us all a favor and stay in the shadows where you can all die with {\i
some }dignity," remarked Captain Heinlern in a snide tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu glanced at the Captain for a few seconds with a cold piercing look before
leaving the room while the American Officer sat in his chair with a smirk on his
face. The man had never liked the fact the Dragon Ninja had taken down the Vigoor
Empire since America was in the process of trying to negotiate some form of trade
between the two countries. Captain Heinlern was selected among a handful of
candidates to go to Vigoor, talk to the Emperor himself, and show the United States
doing business with the Empire was indeed profitable for both of them. Only for the
Dragon Ninja came in and ruined it for everyone wanting to do business with the
isolationist based country that made sure it made more products then they bought
outside of their country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
To yell at the infamous and legendary Dragon Ninja felt good in his
book.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Or rather...it {\i
did} before a hand was on his mouth and a kunai pressed against his
throat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You must have enjoyed that quite a bit Captain. Not surprising really
considering...you are a spy for the LOA," whispered Naruto from the shadows behind
the Captain while the man slowly reached for his side arm.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'The other one!' thought Captain Heinlern before his eyes widened slightly at
finding his side arm was missing from its holster.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come now Captain. You honestly didn't think that I would actually put myself in
such a position where you could reach for your sidearm and possibly try to blow my
head off? Did you?" asked Naruto in an amused tone while slowly moving his hand
away from the mouth and to the chin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You cannot escape here. If you kill me, the entire United States Navy will come
down on you, and your damn ninja clan with guns blazing," said Captain Heinlern
with Naruto letting out an amused chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That would normally be true in most cases, {\i
IF} there was evidence suggesting a Dragon Ninja was here, and killed you in this
room. But you ordered Ryu Hayabusa out of your office with Mizuki McCloud just
minutes ago with the two no doubt heading up to the chopper that is about to take
off. By the time you are discovered dead, they will both be gone, and your time of
death will be determined to be a few minutes {\i
after }they leave this ship," stated Naruto while Heinlern gritting his
teeth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet my death will make my government suspicious of the Dragon Clan. You would
put that much heat down on your ninja family?" challenged Captain Heinlern and felt
the kunai in Naruto's hand press against his throat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No one knows I'm going to kill you. Therefore no one knows it was a Dragon Ninja
who was responsible for your life's violent end. Of course, it can be {\i
delayed} depending on just what you tell me about the LOA, and if there is anything
I should know about their plans for the world," Naruto shot back while the not so
good Captain sweating a bit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If I talk, they will kill me," said Heinlern nervously since the LOA had a long
reach to get anyone they wanted.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And I won't? Let me educate you on how we ninja do things when gathering
information from people who are {\i
resistant} to our requests. You tell me what I want to know and your death will be
quick. If you don't, I will hurt you, slowly, painfully, and make your death an
agonizing end that would make a war veteran want to puke upon seeing your corpse.
No doubt the LOA would do something to you in regards to the latter when they find
out about telling me what I want to know, but I also get the feeling that they
don't offer quick death alternatives. Even if you didn't manage to talk and I was
stupid enough to spare your life, I highly doubt they will simply put a bullet in
your head and let that be the end of it," commented Naruto with Captain Heinlern
being silent while weighing all his options.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know what I can tell you. I'm more of spy and foot soldier who follows
orders. They only tell me what I need to know," answered Captain Heinlern with
Naruto now frowning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then you are of no use to me. Goodbye Captain," remarked Naruto with Heinlern now
feeling the kunai dig into his throat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! Wait! There is something you should know. Something that I discovered when I
was on assignment by accident. Its about a scientist named Cliff Higgins!"
exclaimed Captain Heinlern with Naruto moving the kunai away from the man's
"I'm listening," answered Naruto with the Captain breathing heavily
"Cliff Higgins is also a mole for the LOA. He's been feeding them information about
the plans the Japanese Self Defense Forces creates. He told the organization about
how they recruited the Dragon Ninja, which is what the LOA wanted, and needed to
happen during the attack on the Prime Minister in London. Every move that Ishigami
has made, Cliff was the one who told the LOA, and has been successful in countering
all your attempt to save the world," said Captain Heinlern with Naruto frowning in
thought for a moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know what these bastards are trying to do. What they plan to do if they
successfully take over the world and mold it to their image. Why do you help them?
Why help them in taking so many innocent lives?" demanded Naruto with Captain
Heinlern not answering for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is better to be at the Devil's side, then be in his path. Right now, the LOA is
the Devil, and I would rather be a soldier of the Devil...then be one of the fools
forced to face one," answered Captain Heinlern while Naruto growled behind his
"Meaning you would rather take the coward's way out. Instead of fighting this evil,
you would choose to join them, and hope your life is spared in the aftermath of
their victory. You're no soldier. You're no Captain. You don't deserve the rank on
your uniform," said Naruto before slicing the man's throat open and staining the
room with blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Silently, Naruto faded into the shadows, not a single drop of crimson liquid ever
touched his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Ryu and Mizuki)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're heading back to your village?" asked Mizuki with a frown and
concern.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. As things stand, the sword I am wielding isn't strong enough to face the new
threats the LOA is throwing at us. I need a sword that is similar to my own and
there is only one weapon capable of matching the Dragon Sword," remarked Ryu while
putting one foot into the chopper and looked back at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What sword?" asked Mizuki curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Blade of the Archfiend," remarked Naruto, which scared Mizuki, Canna, and to
the blonde's satisfaction...Cliff himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kitsune! Please don't do that!" exclaimed Mizuki while holding a hand to her chest
and trying to breathe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry. Old habit," replied Naruto while keeping his hidden eyes on
"Correct. I need the Blade of the Archfiend. Take the Jinran-Maru back to Hayate
and tell him thanks," said Ryu before tossing the weapon of the Mugen Tenshin Clan
to Naruto, who caught it, and looked back at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You do realize the Blade of the Archfiend is a loner too, right? That sword is
meant to be wielded by me in the future," stated Naruto with Ryu
"I am well aware Kitsune. Don't worry," said Ryu with Naruto looking annoyed
despite it being hidden behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I mean it Ryu! Its a {\i
loner!} If you somehow break that sword beyond repair, I'm going to seriously break
your face!" exclaimed Naruto with Ryu putting his hand up in surrender and got into
the chopper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll try to remember that," said Ryu before the door shut and the chopper took
"YOU BETTER REMEMBER THAT RYU BECAUSE I AM COMPLETELY ONE HUNDRED PERCENT SERIOUS
ABOUT BREAKING YOUR FACE IN IF ITS DESTROYED!" yelled Naruto while shaking his fist
at Ryu while the chopper took off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With his threat made perfectly clear, Naruto let out a sigh, and saw Canna let out
a giggle at his antics with Ryu since she believed it like something from a cartoon
show she saw on TV. Deciding it was best to leave, Naruto gave Mizuki, and Canna a
slight nod before he left without even acknowledging Cliff with the man looking a
bit upset at him being around.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Which was fine for Naruto since he didn't give two shits about Cliff in the
slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(JASDF-Yunagi-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ah! Good to have you with us Ryu Hayabusa. Love your new sword by the way. Maybe
you would let me run some tests on it?" offered Cliff in a mix of humor, sarcasm,
and a bit of seriousness all wrapped in one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would prefer it if you didn't," remarked Ryu coldly before focusing his
attention back to the matter at hand in finding the LOA since Ishigami was in the
wind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Right! Well...uh...as it turns out, I was able to uncover that the LOA has a
secret HQ deep within the cold region of Antarctica. Fitting when you think about
it. Cold, desolate, can conduct all sorts of biological experimental horrors
knowing if they do escape...they will ultimately freeze to death. Provided they
aren't immune to the cold," replied Cliff while Ryu narrowed his eyes at him since
Naruto had paid him a visit while speaking to his Father in the Sacred Wilderness
after destroying Obaba.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Flashback-After talking with Jo)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're certain about this? Cliff is a spy for the LOA? But...he's Mizuki's
brother-in-law and Canna's Uncle?" questioned Ryu while Naruto having taken off his
mask and gave the Dragon Ninja are hard look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just as Murai was once {\i
your }Uncle?" questioned Naruto with Ryu looking away and saw Momiji looking at his
right arm with concern.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What does he gain from this? There has to be a reason for it," replied Ryu with
Naruto nodding in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sure there is a reason for his treachery. We just haven't seen it yet. I also
think there is more to the identity of the Masked Regent that may tie everything
together. You recall how I felt our enemy and Cliff had similar yet different
energies?" said Naruto with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do. You said they were similar yet different. Too different to be the same
person," said Ryu while Naruto just gave a brief nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. That and their voices. Even if the Masked Regent's voice is muffled, I could
detect the accent was British, and similar yet different when compared to Cliff's
own way of talking," stated Naruto while Ryu frowning
"Are you suggesting that the Masked Regent and Cliff are in fact...{\i
related}?!" questioned Ryu while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. And I checked the family records. Cliff only has {\i
one }brother. The one who died with his wife and left a little girl in the care of
her Aunt," answered Naruto with Ryu not liking this
"Mizuki said they were dead," said Ryu with Naruto shaking his
"And Mizuki probably believes its true since I sensed no lying in her when she told
you that story. The woman actually believes she is telling the truth, even though
its most likely a lie, or possibly {\i
half }of a lie. Mizuki's sister is indeed dead, but her {\i
husband's body} is...for the lack of a better word...{\i
missing}!" said Naruto before handing a file over to Ryu to look at and saw the
Dragon Ninja frown.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is bad. Cliff being involved with the LOA is just the tip of the iceberg,"
said Ryu while looking at this information was not pleased with what he
saw.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No shit. You said it yourself Ryu, the LOA had remains from the dinosaur bones you
encountered underneath that church in Vigoor. You fought a dinosaur on Abismo
Island, which was probably a baby, and clone of the monster you fought there. They
used your blood on their artificially made Fiends and now they intend to use more
of what they can pilfer to continue with their plans. From the way things happened,
they were waiting for you, most likely {\i
expecting} you, and the only way they could of known you were coming is if someone
told them. Not to mention they got a hold of Canna and Mizuki while Cliff was
mysteriously absent during the whole thing," remarked Naruto with Ryu frowning
since that had been troubling when they were on Abismo
Island.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If this guy is truly an agent of the LOA as you claim, then he is a significant
threat, and must be stopped before luring you into another trap Master Ryu," said
Momiji with Ryu nodding while thinking things over in his
"I have an idea on how to handle this. Interested?" asked Naruto with Ryu smirking
"Let's hear it," answered Ryu with Naruto telling them his plan on how to handle
Cliff and the LOA from here on out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to strike them now while the LOA believes we're on the defensive. Ryu and
I can enter the base before striking at the heart of their operations," stated
Mizuki since she was getting tired of this cat and mouse game with the
cult.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Actually, {\i
I} was going to go with Ryu Hayabusa on this mission Mizuki. No offense, but after
everything that happened to you on Abismo Island, it might be better if you stayed
here, and kept an eye on Canna for a change," said Cliff while Mizuki looked
shocked and unsure at this move.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's all right Mizuki. Cliff is right. Someone has to look after Canna. After
everything that has happened, it would be best if you stayed here with her," said
Ryu with Mizuki looking at him in shock, but also so a hidden meaning in his eyes,
which Cliff didn't see, and just smiled at being supported in this
"All right! I'll let our ride know where we are going. See you there!" exclaimed
Cliff, as he walked out of the room, and leaving the two adults to
chat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is a reason you are agreeing with Cliff about him going on this mission
instead of me," said Mizuki with Ryu telling her some of the things he and Naruto
learned in the past few days.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Keep Canna close Mizuki. Don't let her out of your sight no matter what for a
second," said Ryu while Mizuki nods knowing that the LOA might have agents already
on this ship and could grab Canna at any moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course," replied Mizuki while Ryu nodded and moved to leave, but Canna made an
origami shuriken before handing it to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Dragon Ninja smiled before taking the item and thanking the girl for the gift
she had just given him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even though he had stained his hands bloody in recent years, it was nice to stop
for a few seconds, and just...enjoy being around those who cared for you despite it
(Antarctica-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu had made his way deep into the base within the cold dark base the LOA had
setup, as soldiers, and even artificially made Fiends had come out to attack him.
Cliff had gone on and on about how cold it was while asking Ryu if the cold
bothered him at all given all the Dragon Ninja wore was a tight black body suit.
Ryu gave him a vague answer at the time saying it didn't, which was true since the
Dragon Ninja had been through all kinds of terrain, and the dangers they
held.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now he was inside the base, the bodies of his enemies lying the ground around him,
and the slight pulsing of his right arm increased. Flinching slightly, but ignoring
the pain, the Dragon Ninja made his way to what he could only assume was the center
of this place, and came face to face with...himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What the...?" asked Ryu while seeing his duplicate in slightly darker clothing
bring out its own Dragon Sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
By this point, Ryu knew he was in for one Hell of a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(One long brutal fight later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well done Ryu Hayabusa. It seems even blood ties have no meaning for someone like
you. Who would have thought you would have the courage and strength to quite
literally kill yourself? You must truly be a monster at heart to do what you did,"
remarked Cliff while stepping out of the shadows after seeing Ryu strike down his
evil copy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Like you are one to talk. All things considered," countered Ryu with Cliff looking
a bit surprised before laughing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you know. Well there is no point in denying it. Yes I orchestrated my brother's
death. Same with his wife, who is also Mizuki's sister. Do I regret it? No! Why
should I? The man was an obstacle and obstacles to the LOA have to be removed. One
way or another. My Father Ashtear Higgins felt any child of his who didn't get with
the program for the new world was not his progeny," said Cliff casually while an
old man appeared in what could only be considered a super high tech wheelchair when
Ryu drew his sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You should really be thanking my son right now Dragon Ninja. You were {\i
suppose }to die in London. But my son suggested that we should wait and acquire a
fresh sample of your blood to bring about our plans to create the Goddess. At the
same time, we used the blood we took from you, and made this clone to test out its
capabilities. Though I think another demonstration is in order," said the old man,
who Ryu could assume was Ashtear himself with his right hand glowing bloody crimson
to revive the fallen clone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But before the old man could use his power, the man cried out in pain, as a sword
was seen piercing through his chest, and his support systems frying in the process.
Cliff, who was near his Father was shocked to see this, and that Naruto was the one
to do it. What's more was Naruto quickly cut further into Ashtear, spraying blood,
and machine parts in the process before the scientist/mole for the LOA could do
anything.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I think that's enough demonstrations for one day," commented Naruto before kicking
the chair with the old man in off the higher floor to fall forward next to the dead
clone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Slowly turning to the now shocked and angry man now standing in front of him,
Naruto flicked the blood off the Biju Sword, and made a "come at me" hand
motion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You will pay for this boy. I don't know how you got here or how you figured things
out, but make no mistake, this isn't over," replied Cliff angrily before an
explosion was heard, shaking the room, and the man using it to
flee.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just as a thought. A smug man when in control, but a cowardly bitch when things
are not going in his favor. Typical asshole," whispered Naruto before jumping down
to Ryu and helped the man up due to the pain from the Grip of Murder kicking
"We need to get out of here Naruto. This place is going to blow soon!" exclaimed
Ryu while the ground shook once more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? Ya think!" countered Naruto sarcastically while helping him to the door
before they forced it open before running through and had to contend with the
monsters inside now hungry for their blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the beasts soon slain, the two ninja managed to escape before the base fell
apart on top of them, and were soon met Cliff's Jet trying to flee. However, even
after causing it serious damage, the scientist somehow managed maneuver the two off
the aircraft, and sent them into the snow below while commenting how he would see
Ryu on the Black Narwhal soon. When they got out of the snow, Naruto and Ryu were
met by none other then Ken Ishigami with his soldiers securing the
area.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ryu! Kitsune! Are you all right?" asked Ishigami with both ninja
"Yeah. We took out a major pain in the ass, but have to deal with his bastard son
for a progeny," remarked Naruto before telling the old man about Ashtear and how he
killed the old man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come on! We need to get you out of here. We need to talk!" said Ishigami through
the windy snowy weather around them making it difficult to
talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My thoughts exactly," said Ryu since it was time to put {\i
ALL} of their cards on the table.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(On one UN Vessel Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Canna is missing? How?" asked Ryu with Ishigami sighing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The LOA had agents in hiding. People even {\i
I} thought could be trusted. They infiltrated our ranks when you, Kitsune, and
Mizuki went to London. We were so focused on saving the Prime Minister, they
managed to put themselves in key positions, and being able to act when needed.
Mizuki is currently trying to come up with a plan to save Canna before they can do
anything to her. While hearing Ashtear Higgins, who is the real leader of the LOA
has been killed, it leaves his {\i
son} to take over, and he won't hesitate to crush anyone who stands against him. I
suspected Cliff for sometime, but I was afraid to tell anyone about it given our
enemy's knack for being everywhere while being unseen to all of us. I was actually
a colleague and close personal friend with Mizuki's Father in my younger years when
the need to walk with a cane wasn't necessary. I was and still am honor bound to
help protect his family. Its why I came to request your aid in this matter Ryu. I
knew of your reputation and knew you would be able to help protect them where I
could not," said Ishigami while the man saw Ryu looking at Naruto, who nodded to
confirm this, and the two ninja focused on him once more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't take all the credit. Kitsune here was a major help. Though I was expecting
him a bit {\i
sooner} when I was in Antarctica," said Ryu with Naruto looking a bit sheepish at
how he almost came too late.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not my fault! Ayane was under attack by LOA agents in Paris. I was providing
her with the needed backup before she and a certain female CIA agent took off to
find the Black Narwhal," explained Naruto with Ryu accepting the explanation though
he was sure there was more to it then that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The CIA? Are you sure this woman can be trusted?" asked Ishigami before getting a
call over from the ship's communication area with coordinates for the Black
Narwhal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The information came from Langley sir. Under the codename...'Sea-swallow,'" said
the Comm. Officer with Ishigami frowning at the codename and looking at
"I know who that is. The information is reliable," said Ryu since he knew it was
Irene's way of saying it was her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure?" asked Ishigami with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Positive," answered Ryu firmly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But the coordinates have the Black Narwhal on the other side of the world. There
is no way to get to it in time," said the Comm. Officer with Ishigami and the
others around him looking almost defeated.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. There is a way. Its suicidal, but its better then nothing," commented Naruto
with Ryu looking at him and nodding since he also had an idea of what was going on
in the blonde's head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need two jets. One to fly there through the first half and another to take us
both the rest of the way there," said Ryu with everyone listening to him with
shocked wide eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure such a stunt can even be done? Has it even been remotely done
before?" questioned Ishigami with Ryu and Naruto looking at each
"No. But the theory behind doing it is sound. No one has ever tried this before
because there was never a reason to try it in the first place," said Ryu with many
looking worried since first attempts around high risk situations were extremely
dangerous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That and you really only get one shot because the fall if you miss would
ultimately kill you," added Naruto offhandedly while seeing Ishigami thinking
things over in his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll make it happen," said Ishigami knowing that the time for playing it safe was
(Black Narwhal-One Suicidal Trip Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"I can't believe that actually worked!"} said Mizuki from her jet
fighter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Neither can we," said Naruto with a laugh soon leaving his mouth at the fact it
not only worked, but they were alive, and now on the nearest ship about to kill any
LOA forces they came across.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Take out those AA Gun Turrets. Once you do that, the Americans will launch
missiles at the fleet, and destroy the LOA's Naval Fleet,"} said Mizuki while
flying her own jet around.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"See Ryu?! It pays to have a hot blonde girlfriend within the CIA!" stated Naruto
before cutting down a LOA soldier.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Must you insist on that at a time like this?" asked Ryu while he did cut down
several soldiers in his path.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm not hearing a no," countered Naruto while decapitating another LOA soldier and
stabbed another through the heart.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Remind me to be give you a beating when this is over Naruto," replied Ryu while he
cut through several more soldiers and chimeras.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You mean if we live through this," remarked Naruto before sheathing the Biju Sword
and brought out Kyuubi's Tail when in a wide open space before cutting through all
of the various LOA force around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes," said Ryu while jumping out of the way of a multi-shooting rocket
launcher.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And all because you can't admit you like that woman. I wonder what Rachel and
Mizuki would think if they heard you now? Or Momiji for that matter?" asked Naruto
to himself with a chuckle at seeing Ryu giving him a cold
glare.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Urge to stab Naruto multiple times...rising,' thought Ryu before taking his
aggression out on a poor LOA solider with the victim of his sword being cut
diagonally in half.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Me thinks you hit a touchy subject,"}} deduced Kyuubi with Naruto
'Hey! Its not my fault Ryu had multiple women desiring him and he can't make up his
own damn mind,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi snorting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You say that now kit, but what is going to happen when you finally head back to
the Elemental Countries, and that Haku girl finds out you returned while in a
relationship with Ayane?"}} asked Kyuubi while Naruto stopped moving while
thinking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And thinking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Oh shit!' thought Naruto since he realized Kyuubi was
{\i
{\b
"And that's just for starters kit. You and I both know that due to the situation
you're in with your clan's blood on your Mother's side of the family, the CRA
applies here. It was established after the Warring Clans Era ended and many clans
forming Shinobi villages were low in number. When the First Kage Summit was
convened, among the talks of my kind being...}}{\i
{\ul
{\b
distributed}}}{\i
{\b
between the villages was being discussed, the issue of some clans being nearly in
the single digits was brought up, and how to make their numbers increase in such a
short time. Hence the CRA was born and rules were put in place so no one clan go
reproduction happy with it,"}} explained Kyuubi with Naruto letting out a
'You know I love Ayane. Do I really want to add anyone else to the mix?' thought
Naruto with Kyuubi letting out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Why wouldn't you? That Haku girl had feelings for you. They were showing from the
moment you touched her face on the bridge and punched that Uchiha brat for what he
did. You were a hero to her, which is funny because you were kind of part of anti-
hero clan at the time,"}} replied Kyuubi with a chuckle with Naruto
'Says the Biju that isn't exactly remembered for being loved or respected in the
Elemental Countries,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi grumbling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
{\i
{\b
"As if I should be anything but feared,"}} commented Kyuubi with Naruto smirking at
him inside his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I'm sure Uchiha Madara thought the same way,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi looking
extremely angry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"DO NOT COMPARE ME TO THAT HORRIBLE MAN! HE SAW THE BIJU AS PETS! SLAVES! HE SPIT
ON MY FATHER'S NAME THROUGH THAT WAY OF THINKING! USING OUR POWER TO INSTILL FEAR
IN THE MASSES!"}} yelled Kyuubi angrily with Naruto
wincing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'And yet you think in the same manner as him in being feared for your power,'
thought Naruto with Kyuubi looking ready to retort, but stopped at the last moment,
and went silent on the matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Focusing on the matter at hand in front of him, Naruto would talk to the fox later
about their little argument, maybe even apologize for what he said, and hope the
Kyuubi would forgive him. It wasn't meant to hurt the Biju's feelings, but the
subject of Uchiha Madara had always been a touchy subject when brought up in a
conversation, and it always made the fox angry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two would definitely talk later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Inside the Black Narwhal-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We're in. Time to find Canna," said Ryu while Naruto was beside
"Yeah. Damn that was close. I don't know about you, but I am getting sick, and
tired of water right about now," commented Naruto with Ryu glancing at him before
the two ran deeper into the mobile naval base.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And slaughtering every LOA soldier standing in their way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Soon, they found themselves in a large room, where they saw Canna floating in a
tank of clear liquid, asleep from the looks of things, and completely unaware of
what was going on around her. Unfortunately, her body was being fused into the Egg
of God in the tank with the girl, and they knew it was only a matter of time before
things really got out of control.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ah! You are here Ryu Hayabusa. And your little prot\u233?g\u233? too. A bit
unexpected, but not entirely unwelcome since I do wish to repay you for that unique
punch back in London," said the Regent of the Mask with his rapier sword
"Remember, try not to kill him. He is Canna's Father behind the mask and Canna is
in this room," whispered Ryu with Naruto nodding in
"I know that. You know that. But does {\i
HE} know that?" whispered Naruto with Ryu looking unsure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe. I don't know. All the same, we must not kill him until the truth has
finally been revealed to us," replied Ryu while drawing his sword and so did Naruto
before the two ninjas now charged the Masked Regent with the intent to cut through
the drama unfolding in front of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come ninjas. Show me what you've got!" exclaimed the Masked Regent before the two
on one battle commenced.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha Hospital)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Uchiha Sasuke was looking out the window at the moon lit night, his usual stoic
face was one filled with agony, and total defeat of his person. His two replacement
limbs had been brought in a few days ago and Tsunade had performed the procedure to
attach them to his body. Not that it mattered with the leg since he couldn't feel
anything below the waist due to his spine being severed. The new arm appendage
imported from Suna had hurt despite the use of sedatives and Sasuke wondered if
they were using something outdated left in the back of some storage compartment.
Normally when injured, the Doctors or Nurses he had seen in the past would give him
some of the very best stuff, and mostly reserved for higher level ninja in the
But now...now it was like they were giving him the bottom of the barrel stuff so
cheap a legless homeless man wouldn't take it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Is this what befalls the great Uchiha Clan? One of its remaining reminders of its
legacy wasting away in a hospital bed and the other being hunted down for
annihilating it? Will Itachi come for me now to finish what he started? Or will he
just let me rot here or wait to see if I can recover?' thought Sasuke sadly while
the boy didn't know what to do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Foolish little brother. You are even weaker then I was first told," said Itachi,
as he now appeared from the shadows of the room, his Akatsuki cloak, and hat making
him look even more dangerous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Itachi," whispered Sasuke hatefully with a hint of fear in his
"I heard what you tried to do Sasuke. I heard how you went to Orochimaru and fell
at the hands of someone far more skilled in the ways of the ninja. Someone from a
Dragon Clan," remarked Itachi while walking toward his slowly becoming terrified
little brother.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you here to kill me? Or confirm what people are saying?" asked Sasuke with
Itachi's face being unreadable.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Neither. I came to see you. To talk to you," said Itachi while Sasuke looked
shocked since he wasn't expecting that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"About what?" asked Sasuke with Itachi moving to the side of the bed and did
something that almost made the younger of the two have a heart
Uchiha Itachi slowly sat on the side of the bed, but made no move to kill Sasuke,
or maim him further in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"About our clan. Or rather...the {\i
truth} behind why I destroyed it," answered Itachi with Sasuke looking
shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You said it was to test your strength. To prove how superior you were to the rest
of the clan," whispered Sasuke while Itachi shook his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"A lie. I lied so you would hate me Sasuke. I wanted you to hate me so much that my
own death by your hands wouldn't hurt you in the slightest when it happened. You
were {\i
suppose} to get strong enough to one day kill me and rebuild the Uchiha Clan with a
new foundation. One that would redeem us in the eyes of the Leaf village and the
Elemental Countries. But alas as you can see, my overall intentions with this plan
while pure...have been corrupted by the very people I once trusted," said Itachi in
a sad depressed tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean? I don't understand," said Sasuke with Itachi looking at him
right in the eyes with sadness in them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You were spoiled by this village. They planted this idea in your head that since
you were the last Uchiha, everything in it belonged to you, and no one could
dispute it. I know all about the stores giving you discounts, the teachers giving
you secret hints, or slipping the answers to you discreetly regarding tests. Did
you really think such things not earned by hard work and effort made you strong? If
anything Sasuke...it made you weak," replied Itachi with Sasuke looking
"But...how could what the village did make me weak? At the Academy, I was able to
win spars with Chuunin Instructors! I was the Rookie of the Year! I made it all the
way to the Chuunin Exam Finals!" protested Sasuke with Itachi shaking his
"They lost deliberately Sasuke. I read some of the reports from some of the
instructors at the Academy. They were paid extra by the higher-ups to let you win a
few times. Didn't you find it odd how Umino Iruka won every single training spar
with you? The man was not as strong as some of the other Chuunin Instructors who
'lost' when sparring against you. Didn't you ever find it odd?" asked Itachi with
Sasuke shrugging.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I just assumed Iruka was holding back his strength when training with the other
Chuunin instructors, but not me," answered Sasuke with Itachi shaking his
"Foolish. As for the Chuunin Exam Finals, you made it there because forces behind
the scenes rigged the Preliminary Matches so you would fight someone was weaker,
and less skilled as you. Someone they knew who would lose to you despite the Curse
Seal on your neck having yet to be sealed after they learned Orochimaru had give it
to you Sasuke," explained Itachi with Sasuke frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not everything was handed to me," commented Sasuke with Itachi
"True, but what you did by yourself through hard work had come too little too late,
and the more the village inflated your ego...the weaker you became. You were given
so much yet none of it was earned through hard work. Why do you think Rock Lee and
Maito Gai are so strong Sasuke? Why they are considered among the best fighters in
Konoha when it comes to Taijutsu?" countered Itachi with Sasuke looking away from
"Because they work for it," replied Sasuke with Itachi
"Exactly. I am the same way. I trained and focused myself to push beyond my limits
and the limits of my clan. I always trained hard Sasuke. I have never accepted
anything from anyone unless it was earned. Do you really think I could have been in
ANBU at your age if I hadn't followed this path?" offered Itachi with Sasuke not
answering at first since he was right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I suppose not," answered Sasuke with Itachi smiling a little more seeing his
brother learning something new despite it being too late to
help.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Good answer. Perhaps there maybe hope for you yet in being a better person despite
your handicap Sasuke,' thought Itachi while patting the boy's natural
arm.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You mentioned earlier about the truth and your actions regarding that night on why
you really annihilated our clan Itachi? What was it?" asked Sasuke with Itachi
letting out a sigh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is the truth brother. No lies. No Genjutsus. No tricks. Just the truth and
trust me when I say its a thousand times more painful then the other three,"
replied Itachi before he explained things in great detail regarding the Uchiha
Clan, the arrogance growing in the family, and the resentment they felt within the
All leading up to the planning of the coup. they wanted to start and take the
Sandaime Hokage out of power with their Father sitting in the chair running the
village. The only problem was that their Father at meetings expressed his desire to
run Konoha in a strict "the Uchiha Clan run everything" policy. A policy where
everyone not of Uchiha Clan blood was either a slave or second class citizen that
basically did anything someone with Uchiha blood wanted. If you wanted to be more
then a slave or second class citizen, you had to marry into the Uchiha Clan, and
the women who did had to cater to the whims of their Uchiha husbands. Not only
that, but the offspring sired would have to awaken their Sharingan by the age of
10, or else they would not be considered a real member of the Uchiha Clan until
they did if at all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Itachi explained further how he spied on his clan for the Sandaime Hokage because
while he despised the way the Third had done things since his reinstatement as
Hokage, the Uchiha Prodigy disliked what his Father was planning even more. Konoha
was already weakened by the Kyuubi attack 8 years prior and a coup. would severely
weaken the village and make its enemies swarm down upon it unmercifully. Konoha
would not have the strength needed to repel its enemies, even if the Kyuubi
Jinchuriki had been around, and trained him to be a living merciless weapon like
several people wanted. The Third had "tried" to find a peaceful solution, but any
attempts were shot down by Danzo, and the Third's Advisors said it was not
possible. Itachi however, knew the truth that the Hokage did not care about finding
a peaceful solution, but a solution where at least {\i
one} Uchiha survived, and would be an asset to the village in the long
run.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So for the sake of peace in Konoha, for its overall stability, Uchiha Itachi bought
it with the lives of his fellow clansmen, and in truth...his very
soul.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you agreed to kill the clan yourself and in return I would be spared from any
negative fallout it would cause," concluded Sasuke with Itachi
"Yes. It was originally decided that {\i
everyone} except myself would be killed and I would be responsible for rebuilding
the clan. I couldn't let them happen. So I proposed that the clan be slain by my
own hands, I would become a Missing Nin, and {\i
you }Sasuke would be spared due to having no knowledge of what the clan was
planning. The Hokage and those around him were unsure at first, but I told them
that they could help ensure that {\i
you} my foolish little brother became strong enough to one day produce heirs
before, or possibly {\i
after} I was dead. A death I wanted you to perform to atone for my actions and end
the cycle of hatred the Uchiha Clan was known for in the past," replied Itachi with
Sasuke looking down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I heard rumors that you are dying already. From some kind of illness. Is it true?
That you are dying?" questioned Sasuke with his brother
"I am. It was something I picked up during my time in ANBU when I went on a mission
to Moss Country. A rare fungi had poisonous spores in it, which I unknowingly
inhaled, and was examined by several doctors outside of the village under an alias.
They told me my condition was not curable as far as they knew and some had doubts
that even Senju Tsunade herself could stop my condition from deteriorating,"
answered Itachi as, he saw Sasuke looking at him now, and it was clear the boy
didn't like the woman since she was unable to fix his overall
condition.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She isn't worthy of being Hokage," whispered Sasuke with Itachi
"She is far more qualified at being Hokage then the Sandaime or his former rival
Shimura Danzo. At least {\i
she} is making the attempt to heal you. If it were up to the Sandaime or Danzo, you
would be left to die alone in this hospital, in the darkness, and without any means
to recover from what injuries can be healed," replied Itachi with Sasuke still has
look showing he was still bitter, but the boy did flinch at his
"So what happens now? Are you returning to Konoha and getting Tsunade to admit the
truth about the Uchiha Clan and what really happened that night?" asked Sasuke with
Itachi sighing with his body slumping slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. No one in Konoha knows that I was even here Sasuke. Not Tsunade, not Danzo,
and certainly not the Sandaime. This is an unofficial visit. I was never here. As
it stands, I am to continue being a Missing Nin until the day I die, and will
continue to help Konoha by using my current position within the Akatsuki
organization to provide the Leaf village with key information," said Itachi with
Sasuke frowning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Akatsuki?" asked Sasuke with the boy looking at his brother's attire and took
it in now since he wasn't trying to kill the older Uchiha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"An organization that is hunting Jinchuriki for what they hold inside of them. The
very thing that makes them hated and used as weapons by their villages. The Biju,"
answered Itachi before explaining further to Sasuke what the Akatsuki is and the
Biju themselves being in people to make Jinchuriki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But why would people make Jinchuriki, only to hate them in the end?" asked Sasuke
with Itachi sighing again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because they can Sasuke. The Biju are power incarnate. The sealing of one into a
person gives a village leader the ability to control those with such power. And as
we all know when it comes to power is that {\i
absolute power} corrupts absolutely. That is what each of the Shinobi villages has
done since making Jinchuriki since before we were born," said Itachi with Sasuke
"If that is true then...who was Konoha's Jinchuriki?" asked Sasuke curiously with
Itachi going silent for a moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uzumaki Naruto," answered Itachi with Sasuke's eyes
"I think I remember him. He was a blonde kid with blue eyes. I remember...I
remember a lot of the adults hated him. Including those from our own clan," said
Sasuke with Itachi nodding in remembrance of the boy the village
hated.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. That is indeed him. This village hated him since the night of his birth when
the Kyuubi attacked. I remember that night because I held you in my arms while the
beast unleashed its fury on the village. All that rage. All that pain. Its no real
surprise the Biju lashed out the way it did," said Itachi with Sasuke
"What do you mean?" asked Sasuke before Itachi went into an explanation about how
the fox was used by Uchiha Madara to fight Senju Hashirama at the Valley of the
End, which had led to the location's birth, and how the Biju was sealed into two
other Uzumaki Clan members prior to Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you see? The Biju had been used as a mindless and savage weapon before it had
been sealed into one vessel after another. I doubt you would be a happy if that
happened to you Sasuke," said Itachi with Sasuke nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. This has been a very...humbling experience," said Sasuke with Itachi nodding
and smiling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's what I was hoping for Sasuke. When I heard you went to Orochimaru I was
very disappointed in your decision. Orochimaru is a Missing Nin for a reason
Sasuke. He took innocent people from their homes and experimented on them without
mercy all for the sake of extending his life and mixing different bloodlines
together. Did you really think he would let you walk away from him once finished in
molding your body to be a perfect host for him? The Sannin would have taken your
body as his own before you could make it out the front door Sasuke and you would
have been powerless to stop him getting what he wanted. Your Sharingan," replied
Itachi with Sasuke looking down in shame.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wanted to avenge our clan Itachi. I wanted to avenge our family for what you did
and I thought...I thought it was the only way," said Sasuke with Itachi shaking his
"I know you did Sasuke, but you also went about it the wrong way. You chose to be
the lone wolf, who does everything alone, and doesn't get help from anyone unless
it furthers your goals. That's selfish Sasuke. To avenge your clan, you must ask
others for help, and have others see you through the dark times so you yourself do
not become what you are fighting. In your blind arrogance spawned by Konoha, you
allowed yourself to become the villain instead of the hero, and in the end became a
monster that was stripped of its power to become a normal person. A normal person,
who is crippled, cannot fulfill his duties, or fulfill his promise to a clan he no
longer can claim to be apart of due to what happened during the fighting. You can
try to blame this on myself, Tsunade, Konoha, the Sandaime Hokage, and even the one
who destroyed the Curse Seal on your body Sasuke. But we both know the only person
you should be blaming right now...is yourself. {\i
You} went to Orochimaru. {\i
You }became arrogant in believing the world owed you everything over what happened
to our clan. {\i
You} fought this 'Dragon Ninja' in the belief that because you were an Uchiha thus
were invincible regardless if this enemy was bigger, stronger, and had far more
experience in being a ninja. You brought about your fall Sasuke. I just wish you
had not been humbled in this fashion so you could become a proper Shinobi in the
process," said Itachi before getting off the bed and heading for the
shadows.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Isn't there anything you can do? Something to give me back my Sharingan? Or give
me back the ability to have children?" asked Sasuke with Itachi shaking his
"I'm sorry Sasuke. Such things are beyond me. As it stands, you are no longer an
Uchiha, and I will be dead in a few years. As far as the ninja world is
concerned...the Uchiha Clan will soon be extinct," replied Itachi before he faded
into the shadows with the moon like shifting to the shadows where Itachi had walked
into and revealed the man was gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As if he was never there.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(The Black Narwhal)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto was panting, clutching his side again, a feeling d\u233?j\u224? vu for
himself, as he saw Ryu fighting the Black Regent, who was in fact Canna's Father,
and being a stubborn pain the ass at the moment. The whole "don't kill the man
until the truth is revealed" was easier said then done and both ninjas had the
wounds to show it while the masked man in red was bouncing around like he was
having the time of his life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I swear if this guy is truly of sound mind and body the whole time, I am going to
whip his ass before killing them!' thought Naruto before jumping into the fray once
more and landed a particularly nasty injury to the Regent's
"Easy! We need him alive!" said Ryu while his sword moved to stop the Masked Regent
from cutting into Naruto before the masked blonde performed a vicious spin kick to
their enemy's masked face with enough force to loosen the mask on him while
knocking the man out cold.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Which is why I did that," stated Naruto before walking over to the downed man and
put two fingers on the no longer masked man's forehead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Are you sure you want to do this? The man maybe unconscious, but it doesn't mean
he is not a threat. He could have been apart of this the whole time,"}} said Kyuubi
while he gave his chakra to Naruto, who sent it into the downed man in front of
'You honestly believe that? When I was fighting this guy, I sensed his mind was not
his own, and was merely a puppet playing the role made for him by the puppeteer.
You of all beings know what that is like,' thought Naruto while Kyuubi growled
angrily at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Do not remind me of that horrible fact. As it stands, waking him up to be himself
may do more harm then good. For all we know, he will continue to be the villain,
and his mind will be corrupted by this,"}} replied Kyuubi with Naruto smirking at
the fox.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Only one way to find. If I'm wrong, you tell can say 'I told you so' to my face,'
thought Naruto with the Biju nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I'll hold you to that kit,"}} said Kyuubi while they began awakening the man
without the influence of the powers over his mind influencing
{\i
BANG!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
SQUELCH!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That will be enough of that," said Cliff with the revolver in hand pointing at
Naruto and smirking at the boy crying out in pain from the bullet hitting his
"Son of a bitch!" exclaimed Naruto in pain while gripping his arm while glaring at
the man who threw the gun away.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You!" exclaimed Ryu angrily with Cliff smirking at him while walking toward the
two ninja confidently.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its a good thing I'm such a good shot. I only had one bullet. Custom made. It was
filled with a deadly poison the LOA made after your little prot\u233?g\u233? here
got involved in London. While not lethal given where I just shot him, Kitsune here
will be in a lot of pain, and unable to interfere in what I need to do next
regarding the next step of the plan," replied Cliff while Ryu moved to cut the man
down, but his right arm pulsed in agony, and the Dragon Ninja was forced to the
ground because of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fucking pansy! You act so high and mighty because of you're suddenly in control.
But I clearly remember the events at Antarctica and how you ran away like a little
bitch! You aren't so tough without the forces of the LOA standing in front of you
to take the hits. Even your old man looked like he had a trick or two up his sleeve
to fight Ryu. Shame we will never know since I ran my blade through his body,"
taunted Naruto in the hopes of stalling Cliff while the fox took care of the poison
running through his veins and healing his shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ah the old 'taunt the villain' game. Nice try, but even if you stall me for an
hour, it won't work since you're too injured to move, and poor Ryu Hayabusa here
looks like death is quite literally ready to consume him. But we can't have that
happen yet. Not until I take out the Dragon Sword," said Cliff while standing over
Ryu's body and stuck his hand in, digging around with a smile on his face at seeing
the Dragon Ninja in pain, and pulled out the Dragon Sword in its purified
state.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So that's the plan huh? The Grip of Murder transfers all the corrupt energy the
Dragon Sword has accumulated over the years into Ryu, while purifying the weapon to
look like it does now in your hand. But then that? That sword can only be used by
someone of the Dragon lineage. You can't use that sword. The instant you try to use
it, the energy from that blade will destroy you," said Naruto while Cliff smirking
"I am well aware of that little ninja. Hence why I needed some of Ryu Hayabusa's
blood to make the overall plan possible," said Cliff while Naruto snarled at
"You couldn't have injected yourself with his blood. I would have sensed it if you
did and I know Ryu's blood would {\i
never} bond with the likes of you no matter what science was used in the attempt,"
stated Naruto coldly with Cliff scoffing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naturally. I am well aware of what his blood would do to me if I tried to have it
injected into my body. Ryu Hayabusa's blood was never meant for me! It was used on
{\i
Canna} so {\i
she }could wield the Dragon Sword! This sword is befitting one worthy of a true
Goddess meant to reshape the world!" stated Cliff while pointing to the sleeping
child now slowly stirring and Naruto now started to laugh at
"You stupid idiot. The Dragon Sword won't do what you want it to do, even if
wielded by Canna," said Naruto while Cliff frowned at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What are you talking about you foolish boy? Of course it will! I have studied the
history of the Dragon Sword and all the myths behind it {\i
extensively}!" stated Cliff while Naruto laughing harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So have I. You studied all the supposed myths behind the weapon, but you never
went the {\i
source} of the knowledge behind the Dragon Sword. I did shortly after we paid a
visit to Ryu's Father about the Grip of Murder and what it does to the one hit by
it in the end. I spoke to Muramasa about it, what this possibly meant if the Dragon
Sword was purged of the taint surrounding it, and possibly someone using the Dragon
Sword for evil purposes. Muramasa's ancestor forged that blade ages ago. The
knowledge of that sword's creation and understanding was past down from Father to
son for hundreds of years. He told me that sword could never be used for evil. It
can never kill an {\i
innocent}! Something you want Canna to do! Even {\i
IF} she wields that sword after you have changed her into this {\i
Goddess} of yours, the sword will never take an innocent life! Don't you get it
Cliff?! The Dragon Sword would sooner cut through {\i
you}, then it would anyone else that stood in Canna's path when wielding such a
weapon. Your new world of people like you? The one that you wanted to create
through Canna being a Goddess? It won't happen the way you want! Your plan will
ultimately {\i
fail} in the end. But what would one expect from a {\i
failure} like you?!" explained Naruto while taunting the man at the same
"A failure? A FAILURE?! I DID MORE FOR THE LOA THEN MY FATHER EVER COULD! THEODORE
IS NOTHING COMPARED TO ME!" yelled Cliff, as he had been constantly put in his
Father's, and even brother's shadow for years.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Cliff Higgins had been considered by many to be the "genius" of the family. His
various degrees in biology, engineering, and other degrees from the best
Universities the world had to offer were proof of that. Sadly, the spotlight of his
accomplishments, even when he joined the LOA in secret, the man was always in his
Father's shadow, and later on his brother soon was the same way. Granted, his
brother Theodore wasn't a member of the LOA, as the man disagreed with Cliff, and
their Father about the world. But it seemed to Cliff, that despite his brother's
lack of...{\i
enthusiasm}, their Father clearly cared more about Theodore more then Cliff. It
made Cliff angry that despite all his accomplishments, his support of the LOA, his
achievements that took the organization to the height it was now, Theodore was
considered the prodigal son between them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was bad enough that Cliff was outshined by his only brother simply because the
man was alive, but Theodore had found himself a loving wife, and had a girl soon
after in the form of Canna. Again, their Father was pleased with Theodore over
Cliff from what the latter had long seen when the late Ashtear Higgins spied on the
family in secret. And for what? All because Theodore had given his Father a
Grandchild, which the elderly man wanted for his plans for the LOA to achieve their
goals since their original target in Saya, Mizuki McCloud's sister had been
killed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Cliff had made it happen despite it never being sanctioned by his Father. Ashtear
nearly killed his nerdy son and probably would have if not for the fact Canna was
not only alive, but a better candidate to use then Saya for their plans. For that
reason alone, Ashtear let the unauthorized action slide, but reminded Cliff that if
he {\i
ever} did such a thing again without his consent, the old man would not hesitate to
have his only remaining son in the Higgins Family Tree removed from the
"Jealous much? Your brother must have been a real hit at parties. Let me guess, you
were always referred to in passing as 'Theodore's brother' instead of Cliff
Higgins. So pathetic. Is that why you want Canna to usher in this new world as a
Goddess? So dear old Uncle can get in on some of the perks that comes from being
related to said Goddess? That's so shallow its pathetic!" commented Naruto with
Cliff snarling in rage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This world loved my brother, loved his wife, and sister more then me! ME! All of
my accomplishments, degrees, and scientific brilliance was overshadowed by him! And
it was simply because he was {\i
alive} and that he had a {\i
family}! Everyone seemed to flock to him like he was the center of the Universe!
Bah!" exclaimed Cliff angrily while Naruto felt his shoulder healing, but still
needed more time, and kept provoking the man's anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you took him out of the picture simply because he outshined you and was
naturally liked by people," said Naruto with Cliff focusing on him now while
ignoring the stirring girl in the tank.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course! I killed my brother and his lovely wife, but my Father didn't like that
one bit. So I used my knowledge and power to bring Theodore back to life as my
little puppet to become the face of the LOA while I was getting closer to Mizuki in
order to properly watch Canna's progress. I had my brother play a role as the
villain everyone would focus on while I used him to move around others like I
didn't exist. Theodore always did love the theater and theatrics behind it so I
gave him the role befitting him and his charismatic nature," said Cliff while
Naruto now smirked at the man before getting off the
"Well I must admit Cliffy, your brother played the theatric villain very well. But
based on my own personal experience, you are the biggest, and {\i
stupidest} {\i
asshole} for a villain that I have ever met! You got screwed over by your brother
being the one everybody liked and you hate the world for liking him so you wish to
destroy it so the new world will like you now. That's so stupid its funny!"
exclaimed Naruto before laughing at Cliff while the man in question looked ready to
spit fire from his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As if you are one to talk Kitsune. I know all about your past as the Jinchuriki of
Kyuubi from the Elemental Countries. How your own village hated you. Despised you.
Are you going to tell me that you wouldn't return to unleash your revenge on them?
To get back at them for the pain they caused you if given the chance?" Cliff
challenged with Naruto just laughing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course I would get my revenge. But I wouldn't target the entire country the
Shinobi village resided in. And even when I got my revenge, it would be just
against those that hurt me. To do anything else beyond that would be petty and
stupid," replied Naruto with Cliff rolling his eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Spare me your righteous beliefs of punishing the guilty while sparing the
innocent," said Cliff while waving the Dragon Sword around a
little.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fine. In that case, you might want to look behind you," replied Naruto with a
smirk now on his masked face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Look behind me? Do you honestly think that {\i
I} would be stupid enough to fall for such an old trick used on the naive?" asked
Cliff in disbelief while Naruto grinned behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I think you're stupid enough to {\i
NOT }look behind you until its too late to realize its the oldest trick in the book
for a reason," answered Naruto with Cliff frowning at his words since Ryu was
beside him on the ground and barely moving.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
SQUELCH!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You never did have the mindset to be wary of your own surroundings my dear oh {\i
NOT} so innocent brother," remarked Theodore with his rapier sword piercing through
Cliff's back and out his front.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? But...this shouldn't be possible! I erased your memories!" exclaimed Cliff
while blood left his mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. Funny thing is, you didn't really {\i
erase} his memories. You just {\i
suppressed} them. You couldn't even get that right. You had to have him remember
how to speak, to move, and all the other things he did as the Masked Regent.
Erasing all his memories would have erased those as well and you would be stuck
with a mindless corpse with drool coming out of his mouth instead of the
charismatic villain you had him play. Suppressing them or rather {\i
most} of them allows you to work with what you need without having to work from
scratch. As for how your brother is back to his old self...I {\i
may }have had a hand in that before you shot me. I used the Kyuubi's chakra to undo
whatever spell you had over his mind and basically merged the Masked Regent's
overall skilled mindset with that of Theodore himself. It was a risky move to even
do that, but I also figured you would just ramble on about how you hated your
brother if I provoked such a conversation long enough for him to hear everything. I
also assumed he would decide to run his sword right through you for everything you
did to him and his family. Given everything you just said, I would have been
surprised if he {\i
didn't }do it," said Naruto with Cliff snarling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bastard child!" exclaimed Cliff while Naruto shrugged.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would rather be a mere bastard child then {\i
you} right now. At least {\i
I} have people in this world who love me. Can't say the same about you after
everything we just heard," said Naruto before charging forward and stabbing the man
in the lower torso.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm going to kill you. I will not be stopped! The Goddess will rise and this world
as we know it will {\i
BURN}!" exclaimed Cliff before throwing the Dragon Sword into Canna's tank so it
would trigger the necessary reaction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"DIE!" yelled Naruto, as he sliced through Cliff while going left to right with
Theodore doing the same from behind his brother at the same time to kill the man
instantly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Everything...eventually...dies," whispered Cliff before dissolving into nothing
while the Black Narwhal was shaking around them from Canna's sudden explosion of
power in her Goddess like state.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Time to go Ryu. Come on!" exclaimed Naruto while picking up Ryu after picking up
the mask worn by Theodore and pocketed it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The boy's right. We need to hurry! This place is going to be filled with water
soon," said Theodore, as he helped Ryu up, and the three of them ran for their
lives.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But even they could not flee from the raging water around them, as the Black
Narwhal split apart, and darkness soon consumed the three of them. All the while
Canna's rampage as the new Goddess of the world had begun as the girl made her way
toward the nearest body of land had begun.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Omake-Naruto and Ayane-What {\i
really }happened in Paris)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayame sighed blissfully as she lay on a massage table of the Salon de l'esthetique
in Paris getting a well-earned back massage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Mugen Tenshin Kunoichi was completely naked as she lay face down on the table;
a towel that only covered her butt was her only protection.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
Currently attending her need was an equally naked Naruto who only had a towel
wrapped around his waist. The blonds' callous fingers were digging into the flesh
of Ayane's back as he massaged his lover.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two were currently 'taking it easy' aka on vacation until the Irene would call
"I pray Master Ryu will be alright." Ayane said suddenly given his
Naruto knew very well what she was talking about. The Grip of Murder curse cast on
him by the alchemist: Regent of the Mask. Naruto had faced him along with Ryu in
England and while he was no Genshin, the man proved formidable with a
blade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He'll be fine Ayane, if anyone can beat the curse, Ryu can. And besides" Naruto
leaned down and nibbled on Ayane's neck. "We're supposed to be on vacation or have
you forgotten?" Asked her lover as his hands slid along her back and down to her
breasts, making the girl gasp and moan underneath him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No, I haven't." Ayane moaned. Suddenly the violet-hair girl flipped herself on the
table, throwing the towel away in the process and posed seductively for her
lover.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto was memorized by the goddess the lay before him. Her breasts were round and
firm with dark-pink nipples, her skin, unblemished and had a healthy milky, silk
like glow. Her stomach was flat and smooth from years of training and her smooth
legs seemed to never end. Finally his eyes landed on the delicate pink flesh that
was between her legs with a small patch a violet hair just above the
slit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Seeing the effect she had on him, Ayane giggled as she raised her feet and
skillfully used her toes to grip Naruto's towel and discard it, revealing his
harden member.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What are you waiting for love? My 'sheathe' is empty and needs your 'sword' inside
it."\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Without saying a word, Naruto pounced on Ayane and sheathed his 'sword' into her,
making the Kunoichi moan loudly as they made love.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Outside)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
LOA terrorist soldiers surround the Salon de l'esthetique with orders to kill the
two inside. Without another word the first squad entered the building, unaware that
they had entered the lion's den.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Back Inside)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane was experiencing pure, blissful pleasure as Naruto repeatedly trusted his
'sword' into her 'sheathe' with his hands having a firm hold on her luscious hips
while her legs were wrapped around his waist, the table barely able to support them
as it shook in sync with their thrusts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane was completely lost in the world of bliss that she didn't her cell phone
vibrate with a message that read "5 seconds" but Naruto
did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Seeing the front door slowly opened, Naruto pushed Ayane down, causing his 'sword'
to go deeper in her as she moans in delight, and rolled off the table just as a LOA
grunt opened fire on it, missing his targets.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto landed on top of Ayane ,making her moan in surprise, as he threw two
shuriken at the man. The first separated his foot from the body making him fall, as
he hit the floor, the second entered his head, killing him instantly. Naruto rolled
Ayane on top as the backed door opened revealing two more LOA grunts, before they
could open fire, they were killed via shurikens to the
throats.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto rolled their bodies again, this time until the lovers were in the middle of
the room, and stood up, one hand holding Ayane by her ass and the other held his
Kusari-Gama. As four more LOA grunts entered, Naruto became a whirlwind of dead as
he skillfully maneuvered the deadly weapon around their
bodies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The first on had both his arms sliced clean off before he knew what happened. A
third slice to the face quickly ended him. The second grunt aimed his gun at the
two lovers but with a simple flick of the wrist, Naruto severed his right arm and
head, killing the second one.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hearing the sound of hammers cocking behind him, Naruto spun and lashed his Kusari-
Gama at the third grunts leg which wrapped around it. With his strength, Naruto
flipped the third grunt in front of the forth just as he opened fire, killing his
own comrade. Before the forth one could regain his bearings, the Kusari-Gama
entered his chest and with a flick, he was sent out the
window.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sensing the last LOA grunt coming, Naruto ran behind the door and slammed Ayane
against the wall, causing the two to scream and grunt in pleasure as they both
came. At the same time, Naruto used his chained-weapon to pick up a hand-gun from
one of the terrorist and shoot him in the head just as he (and they) came
With all the grunts dead, Naruto slowly pulled out of Ayane and set her on the
couch as the two looked at the massacre Naruto had caused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two looked at each other as Naruto said only five words. "Talk about shooting
your load."\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(End Omake)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! An update! This Omake was created by fellow writer {\i
anime-death-angel} so give him props for it. He really wanted this in my fic so I
told him I would try. Given how things went, the best way to use it was in an
Omake. Hope you liked it. The next chapter will definitely wrap up the rest of NG3
arc of this fic so brace yourself for the end of that and what follows afterwards.
Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 11-Freedom\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto awoke to find himself in a empty wasteland. It was a place where everything
was just...bare with no real life to speak of. Looking further to his right, he saw
Ryu Hayabusa was lying next to him, also sitting up, and looking around in
curiosity.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where are we?" asked Naruto with Ryu shrugging while looking
confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. I've never seen this place before today," answered Ryu before a
shadowy figure appeared in front of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are at the boarder between the realm of the living...and the realm of the
dead," said the figure before light washed over him to reveal his appearance to the
two shocked ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Genshin," whispered Ryu while Naruto quickly kneeling before his teacher, Master,
and surrogate Father in the ways of all things ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Lord Genshin," whispered Naruto while keeping his head
down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even now, the man before him deserved the utmost respect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rise Naruto. No son of mine has to kneel at my feet," ordered Genshin with the boy
now standing and standing at attention as if to await further orders from the
"Are we dead?" asked Ryu with Genshin smirking at them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No Dragon Ninja. If you were dead, we would be here right now talking in this
realm. I came here to provide...assistance," answered Genshin before holding out
the Blade of the Archfiend in his hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Assistance?" asked Naruto curiously while Genshin focused on Ryu, who reached for
the Blade of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You said at my grave that you needed to borrow my soul this one time. I have seen
your troubles Ryu Hayabusa and such...I am willing let you use my soul and this
sword...to its fullest potential," answered Genshin with Ryu grasping the sword and
seeing it come alive once more like it did during the time used by the dead Master
"Thank you Genshin," said Ryu with Genshin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Make sure Naruto gets this sword when your enemy is no more Ryu Hayabusa. It is
his by right and I will not have inheritance destroyed before he has a chance to
wield it," said Genshin with a stern look on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I understand," replied Ryu before taking the sword from the
"Lord Genshin...I...I...," said Naruto though he was hesitant to speak up against
"What is it Naruto?" asked Genshin with the man turning to look at the
"I wanted to...to know something. Questions that I needed to be answered. Questions
only you can answer," said Naruto with Genshin focusing on him fully
"Yes?" questioned Genshin before the boy took several steps forward until he was
nearly toe to toe with the towering Master Ninja of the Black Spider
"Are you proud of me? Proud of all I have done since leaving your service? Am I
still worthy of being called your student and son?" asked Naruto with Genshin's one
eye seemingly piercing into his soul.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have always been worthy of being my student and my son. I have watched from
the land of the dead. I have watched you train and grow into a great ninja who will
one day achieve the title of Master. One day, you will forge your own path as a
Shinobi, and fight for a purpose greater then yourself. Remember, when the time
comes to walk this path in life Naruto, fight for this purpose with all your being.
Never stop, never quit, and never kneel to your enemies for an instant because if
you do, they will never making you kneel until the day they die...or rather you
do," replied Genshin with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I already know to what to fight for when the time comes to walk this path and I
have every intention of fighting for it with everything I've got!" said Naruto with
conviction and passion in his voice while Genshin nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Go. Both of you. The world still has need of ninja. Your time to enter the realm
of the dead is not yet upon either of you," replied Genshin with the two nodding
and bowing to the Dark Lord of all Ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you for your assistance Genshin. For what it is worth...I am sorry about
what my Uncle did your brother. I had no idea he would betray my clan...much less
your brother," said Ryu while Genshin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I could easily blame the entirety of his death on you, your clan, and Murai
himself. But in truth, I am also to blame in his death, for I did not listen to
someone, who told me that Gamov was in trouble. Had I not been blinded by my own
arrogance in Gamov's skills being second only to myself...perhaps I would have
listened to the advice given and my brother might still be alive," said Genshin, as
he had made peace with his brother's death, and that his own arrogance prevented
him from acting sooner on Naruto instincts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Goodbye Genshin," said Ryu before slowly vanishing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Goodbye...Father," said Naruto while Genshin nodded while seeing the blonde's body
vanish seconds later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Goodbye...my son. We will all meet each other again one day. Know that the spirit
of the ninja way will always be with you...and so will I," whispered Genshin, as
his body vanished as well, and returned to the land of the dead now that his
mission had been complete.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(JSDF Destroyer {\i
Zangetsu}-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ryu and Naruto were awake. Both were sitting up, looking around at their
surroundings, and finding they were not alone. Mizuki was beside Ryu while Ayane
was beside Naruto with both women looking at each ninja with concern. Mizuki had a
look of concern on her face for Ryu while Ayane...well...she shaking Naruto
violently for nearly dying and scaring the crap out of her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Ayane, your lover won't be able to recover properly if you keep shaking him like
that," commented Ryu while Ayane stopped shaking Naruto to look at him while Naruto
was still moving his head around before finally getting control of
"Amen to that," said Naruto while a little dizzy and saw Ayane glaring at
"You shut up! You nearly died Naruto! I ought to tie you to the bed and keep you
there for a month!" exclaimed Ayane with Naruto smirking and realized his mask was
No point in hiding his name now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Only if you are on top for the whole month riding me," remarked Naruto with Ayane
blushing and she soon began to strangle him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ero-baka!" exclaimed Ayane while Naruto tried to pry her hands off his
"It was worth it! It was worth it!" exclaimed Naruto with some difficulty while
Ayane wasn't letting up in choking him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are they usually like this?" asked Mizuki with Ryu letting out a chuckle at their
antics.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sometimes. You should hear how those two first met," commented Ryu before Ayane
went from strangling the boy to kissing him passionately on the
lips.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't do that to me again," whispered Ayane with Naruto smiling at
"I'll try. No promises," Naruto whispered back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fair enough," said Ayane before she moved away from him and leaned against the
"How long have we been out of it?" asked Naruto curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A little over a day. It was fortunate that the creature, which rose from the Black
Narwhal was dead center in the middle of the ocean, or else it would have reached
land sooner. It is currently heading to Tokyo and we are heading there to catch up
before this Goddess the LOA created can do any {\i
real }damage," answered Ayane with Naruto and Ryu looking at each
"Its not a creature. Its my daughter," remarked Theodore, as he entered the room,
and it was clear that Mizuki's or Ayane's lack of surprise meant the two had met
earlier.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I thought as much. Even in her current state, it still looks like Canna," said
Mizuki, as she had a feeling this was the end result of the LOA's machinations, and
Canna being at the forefront of it all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My brother did this to her and I was a puppet to further the LOA's plans. We need
to get to Tokyo and stop Canna before she causes further harm," said Theodore with
the group in front of him nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is the issue with her wielding the Dragon Sword. While the sword itself
according to Muramasa won't kill an innocent, she can do it indirectly do it by
destroying buildings, and vehicles with people around them. The damage caused by
her presence alone walking through the streets will be high," said Naruto with Ryu
"And that's just with Canna alone. We have gotten reports of LOA troops, their
chimeras, and artificial Fiends heading for Tokyo too. All of them right behind her
so they don't get caught in the crossfire of the Dragon Sword's power," said Mizuki
with Naruto running a hand through his blonde hair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to disarm Canna of the Dragon Sword...and use it to destroy her current
body," said Naruto with Theodore glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Absolutely not! She maybe something else, but I will not have you kill my
daughter. As her Father...I won't allow it!" stated Theodore firmly with Naruto
raising his hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hold on! Let me explain. Muramasa said the Dragon Sword cannot kill an innocent. A
child is the symbol of innocence and so is Canna regardless of what she has now
become. The Dragon Sword will only kill the form Canna is in, but it won't kill
Canna herself, and the power of the sword {\i
should} return the poor girl back to normal," replied Naruto with the man not
liking this one bit, but clearly understood it might be the only
"You are certain getting the Dragon Sword and using it on my daughter is the only
way?" asked Theodore with Naruto nodding and Ryu doing so as well after thinking it
"I trust the source of the information. When it comes to the Dragon Sword, there is
no one better then Muramasa," said Naruto with Theodore
"All right. I'll help you get close to her, but first things first. I need to
remove the Grip of Murder you Ryu," said Theodore with Ryu looking
"I thought the curse couldn't be stopped?" questioned Ryu with Theodore
"I never said that. Though for this to even work, I need you to stab me with your
sword," replied Theodore with Ryu looking unsure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is that really necessary?" asked Mizuki with Theodore nodding while Naruto
understood the reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The curse required contact with the blood of the caster and thus can only be
removed via the blood of the caster," concluded Naruto while snapping his fingers
in realization with Theodore nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Correct," said Theodore while Ryu slowly took out his
{\i
{\b
"You already knew this tidbit of knowledge when you gathered the information from
his head while we awakened his mind on the Black Narwhal. Why did you act like you
didn't know this?" }}said Kyuubi curiously while Naruto inwardly
smirked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'To throw everyone off that I knew. I can't exactly say 'I know how to remove the
Grip of Murder from you Ryu thanks to invading Theodore's mind and taking his
knowledge on the subject without his express permission.' Now can I?' thought
Naruto since he knew it may put him at odds with some of the people in the
{\i
{\b
"Good point,"}} said Kyuubi while conceiting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure about this?" asked Ryu while Theodore nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Yes. You have to run me through. Don't worry. I'll be fine. A tad sore, but I will
heal," answered Theodore before Ryu nodded and thrust the Blade of the Archfiend
into the man's torso.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Within moments, Theodore grabbed the Dragon Ninja's right arm, an arm now
practically {\i
consumed} in crimson veins all the way up to the right side of his face, and began
chanting in another language. Soon ancient symbols wrapped around the arm and the
veins faded with the arm looking like a healthy normal limb. Quickly pulling the
sword out, Ryu saw Theodore fall to his knees, and clutch the wound to put pressure
on it to help ensure he didn't bleed out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Get a medic. Hurry!" said Ryu while Mizuki moved to head out of the
"No! No! I'm fine. I'll heal soon enough. Besides, once I heal up, I have to go
with you, and your young charge here to ensure nothing stops us from saving Canna.
I wouldn't be much of a Father if I didn't come with you to save her," said
Theodore before standing up and felt his wound was closing up
"How long until we reach Tokyo?" asked Ryu to Mizuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The ETA last I checked was in a few hours. We should arrive shortly after Canna
does," answered Mizuki while Ryu left he room to head outside of the ship with
Mizuki and Ayane following him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Theodore, if I could borrow you for a moment to ask a question," said Naruto with
the other blonde man looking at him curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes?" asked Theodore curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was wondering and when this is all over...is it possible I could get a copy your
armor and robes?" asked Naruto with Theodore looking at him
"For what purpose?" asked Theodore with Naruto shrugging.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well...I already have the mask you wore and the thing is...I might need the
complete set for where I have to go in the future," answered Naruto before
explaining his situation to the man, who nodded in thought, and could see why the
boy would want to use such a disguise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Provided that we all make it through this alive, I will see if I can't make some
kind of arrangement for you to receive something similar. At the very least, I'll
get you the robes, but the armor may prove difficult, and even more for someone not
fully grown," said Theodore with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you can't get me the armor that's fine. Maybe schematics of the armor itself so
I can make it myself in the future? Oh and copies of the mask too. I have yours,
but I would like a few spares just in case I lose it," offered Naruto with Theodore
extending his hand out while smiling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Deal!" exclaimed Theodore while Naruto shook the man's
"Deal," said Naruto with a grin of his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that in mind, the two left the room, and headed for the outside of the ship to
meet with the others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Tokyo-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was expecting these LOA soldiers to be a bit tougher. Or are my expectations of
them too high?" remarked Theodore, as he moved swiftly through several of his
enemies with the rapier slicing through their bodies with
ease.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A little bit of both. I'm thinking these are the reserves. Ryu and I did kill
quite a lot of them before reaching this point," commented Naruto, who was now
wearing his mask again, and slicing through a chimera.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True," said Theodore before stabbing a soldier in the head after slicing his arm
"We are getting closer. Keep moving forward," commanded Ryu before quickly killing
a few soldiers in a few quick slices.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Before we advance further, there is something I want to ask you Ryu Hayabusa,"
said Theodore with Ryu finishing the last artificial Fiend in the
"Do you have to ask me this now?" asked Ryu before flicking blood off of his
"Yes," answered Theodore while Naruto walked over to the
"Then ask it," replied Ryu while Theodore's face became
serious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Canna adores you. From what Mizuki told me earlier, she sees you as a Father
figure. A role I have failed to truly perform until now. And while I do intend to
live through this day to be a Father to Canna, I do not want her to be out of your
life either. What I am asking you Ryu Hayabusa is that when this is all over...will
you be Canna's Godfather?" said Theodore with Naruto whistling in surprise and saw
Ryu was surprised too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Her Godfather?" asked Ryu with Theodore nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I want to make up for lost time with Canna. To be a Father to her once more. But
if I cut you out of the picture after all of this, I fear it will have Canna create
a negative outlook on life. As I said earlier, Canna adores you, and sees you as
Father figure Ryu Hayabusa. I can think of no better position where you can still
have that same Fatherly role as me and ensuring Canna is happy," explained Theodore
with Ryu looking uncertain for a few seconds.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's a big responsibility to give him Theodore," commented Naruto while Ryu and
Theodore looked at him now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know it is. But still, at least consider the offer Ryu. If only for Canna," said
Theodore before the sound of Canna's presence creating destruction wherever she
went turned their attention that way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We'll talk about this later. First we have to save Canna," replied Ryu before
rushing forward and the other two right behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where is your female ninja companion Ayane?" Theodore asked Naruto
"She is helping Master Jo and Momiji with the fighting going on in other places in
order to protect our flank. The last thing we need is to be ambushed when we are
close to our objective," answered Naruto with Theodore
The three heroes made their way to where Canna was, but the giant Goddess of a
child had erected a massive energy barrier made of alchemic energy. Knowing Canna
was beyond it, Theodore used his power to rip open a hole just big enough for them
to get through, and saw Canna off in the distance smashing her way through the
city.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This brings back memories," commented Ryu since it reminded him of the giant
Buddha statue and Stature of Liberty being possessed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I bet it does. Are you ready?" asked Naruto while drawing the Biju Sword and Ryu
had the Blade of the Archfiend in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes," replied Ryu while seeing Theodore hesitating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You must fight her without me my friends. The very idea of raising a hand much
less a sword to Canna fills me with dread. I will provide support in terms of
killing LOA forces around us, but that's as far as my help in this matter goes. I
am truly sorry," said Theodore with the two ninja nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We understand. Come on Naruto. We have work to do," said Ryu while he and Naruto
rushed toward Canna with swords drawn.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You do know that the Blade of the Archfiend and the Biju Sword will hurt her. It's
the only way to weaken Canna to the point where she relinquishes the Dragon Sword,"
said Naruto with Ryu nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. I take no pleasure in hurting her with this sword or you with yours,"
replied Ryu before they moved to a tall building where Canna now stood in front of
with the Dragon Sword in its currently massive state in her
"Speaking of hurting, why do I get the sudden feeling we are going to be doing a
lot of that soon?" asked Naruto before dodging a vertical slash by Canna that cut
deep into the building.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Watch it! While that sword won't kill an innocent, it has the power to kill the
both of us! Especially in the state the weapon is in now. That much purity will
wipe the two of us off the face of the planet!"}} exclaimed Kyuubi while Naruto
dodged multiple blasts of energy, the Dragon Sword swinging down on him, and the
falling debris from the other buildings around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Ya think?! What was your first clue? The fact it is a giant sword? Or the fact
said giant sword is glowing with a lot of pure spiritual energy?' thought Naruto
while attacking the giant Goddess on one side with the Biju Sword while Ryu
attacked with his own on the other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Don't get snippy with me kit! I'm just making sure neither of us meets our end
here today an-DUCK!"}} commanded Kyuubi with Naruto diving just in time to avoid
being cut in two at the waist by the Dragon Sword before using his momentum to roll
to his feet and then sliding back while ducking again when Canna brought the sword
"That was {\i
too} close," whispered Naruto while seeing Ryu looking at him to see if he was
okay.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She's weakening! Canna's attacks are getting wilder! Help me attack her sword arm
so she can be disarmed of the Dragon Sword!" commanded Ryu with Naruto nodding and
the two assaulted Canna's right arm with their swords.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
However, Canna was not one to simply lose to two powerful warriors, even if they
were ninjas from the Dragon Clan, and moved to finish them off in one strike.
Looking at each other, Naruto and Ryu stood side by side, putting their swords in a
X-shape, and braced their legs while the giant sword came down to finish them off.
The impact of the giant Dragon Sword hitting the two ninja nearly made the ground
around the two collapse underneath them, their arms and legs screaming in pain,
which they had to ignore, and they felt their own swords cracking under the
pressure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"PUSH!" yelled Naruto to Ryu with both ninjas using their strength to push the
sword back and successfully managed to dislodge it from Canna's grip before it
shrank back to normal human holding size.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Time to end this," said Ryu before taking the Eye of the Dragon and putting it in
the hilt of the sword to make it glow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hurry! It looks like she's pissed off at losing her weapon," said Naruto with Ryu
handing the Blade of the Archfiend to him and rushed forward to finish the
job.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Using the arm Canna had on the ground, Ryu rushed up the limb to the neck and
leaped onto the forehead of the giant Goddess, and stabbed the girl right in the
center of her forehead. The power of the sword spread through the giant child
creature, shattering it in a massive explosion, and Ryu grabbing Canna before the
two landed on the ground with the now unconscious girl safely in his
arms.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Daddy," whispered Canna while Ryu simply looked shocked at her saying that while
in a slumbering like state.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Canna!" exclaimed Theodore, as he arrived in front of Ryu, and knelt down to look
at his little girl.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Here. It's only fitting she wake up to see her Father," replied Ryu while handing
Canna over to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And her Godfather," added Theodore while Ryu looked from him to
Canna.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I never said I would agree to it," countered Ryu with Theodore smirking at
"As if you wouldn't. You could have said no from the start when I first made the
offer. The fact you haven't and still haven't officially said no yet means you want
to be in her life. You're just afraid since you don't know how," Theodore offered
with Ryu sighing since former Masked Regent was right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's got you there Ryu. Besides, think of this as training for the day you have a
kid of your own. Either with Rachel, Irene, Mizuki, Momiji, or maybe all of them if
you play your cards right," said Naruto while Ryu sighing again, but this time in
annoyance, and gave the blonde boy a small glare.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm finding myself getting an increasingly strong desire to run you through with
the Dragon Sword right about now Naruto. Don't push it," said Ryu with Naruto
lifting his hands up in front of him in surrender.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay! Okay! I'm just saying that with all the women wanting to be with you, its
going to be hard to choose one without breaking the hearts of the others...unless
they share you," said Naruto while Ryu felt increasingly annoyed by the teasing and
slowly reached for the handle of his now sheathed sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto...{\i
run}!" said Ryu before chasing after a now worried Naruto, as they ran up the side
of buildings, up walls, and the blonde boy dodging various projectiles the Dragon
Ninja was throwing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Theodore! Canna!" exclaimed Mizuki, as she saw Theodore holding Canna close, and
then saw the two ninja with their own antics.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We're all right. Just tired and rightfully so," said Theodore while Canna woke up
to see her Father and Mizuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Daddy? Where is Ryu and Kitsune?" asked Canna, as she wanted to see them both, and
thank them for saving her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes sweetheart. I'm here. Ryu and Kitsune are...relaxing right now in their own
way," said Theodore, as he couldn't exactly tell Canna that Ryu was trying to kill
the blonde boy over some teasing in the older ninja's love
life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Will we see them again?" asked Canna with Theodore and Mizuki
"I'm sure they will see us before leaving Canna. Don't worry," said Mizuki with a
smile and saw the two ninjas had eventually calmed down in their
antics.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(JSDF Destroyer {\i
Zangetsu-}Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you for everything Ryu. You too Kitsune," said Ishigami while standing in
front of the two ninjas while their chopper was ready to take them
home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are welcome. I trust the issue regarding Theodore has been resolved?" said Ryu
with Ishigami nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It took some doing, but thanks you two I was able prove to the higher-ups that
Theodore is not the villain we first thought he was when playing the role of the
Masked Regent, and I had a few favors called in for good measure. The LOA's
financial assets have all been seized with a nice sizeable chunk money wise was
sent to your village to cover your time and effort in doing this mission," said
Ishigami with Ryu and Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can't you stay a little longer?" asked Canna while appearing in front of
"I wish I could Canna, but being a ninja requires I attend to my other duties back
in the village," replied Ryu while kneeling down and putting his hand on the girl's
"He's right Canna. But don't fret. Your newly made Godfather will make time in his
busy schedule to visit," added Naruto while grinning without his mask on so the
girl could see his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That I will. You just be a good girl and listen to your Father and Aunt Mizuki,"
said Ryu while Canna nodded happily, as she felt her family was rebuilt into
something new, and truly wonderful now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She had her Father back, her Aunt Mizuki, a Master Ninja for a Godfather, and a one
day soon to be Master Ninja for a crazy Uncle figure of sorts in
"Can I visit your village sometime Ryu?" asked Canna with Ryu
"Of course Canna. Now that I'm your Godfather, my friends are your friends too, and
they will treat you as friends should," said Ryu with the girl beaming with joy and
then proceeded to hug him tightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'She's roughly about Sanji's age. I wonder if Momiji will try to play matchmaker
with the two. Only time will tell,' thought Naruto in his own
"Before you both go, I have a small gift here for the young Kitsune and Master
Ninja in training," said Theodore before presenting the blonde boy with several
duplicates of the red robes, masks, and schematics for the armor he wore as the
Masked Regent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thanks Theodore. I knew I could count on you," replied Naruto since he was going
to enjoy using this in the Elemental Countries when the time
came.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was the least I could do. Just...try not to overdo it. I may not be the Masked
Regent anymore, but...I would like the reputation with the persona I took on be a
respected one," said Theodore while Naruto shook the man's
"Without question," said Naruto before getting on the chopper and Ryu doing the
"Be safe," said Mizuki with Ryu looking at her with a
smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You too Mizuki. Take care of Canna," said Ryu before shutting the door to the
chopper and the vehicle took to the air.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mizuki really likes you Ryu," whispered Naruto to the Master Ninja looking down at
the shrinking form of the family they just saved.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know Naruto," replied Ryu softly while not bothering to glare at him since this
wasn't a teasing moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know this issue with the women in your life has to find some form of
conclusion one day and fast. These women will not focus on you forever. Its one or
all at this point. Provided they are willing to share in regards to the latter,"
said Naruto while taking out the Blade of the Archfiend to examine the damage done
to it and using Kyuubi's chakra to repair the damage like he had done with the Biju
Sword earlier on before the chopper had arrived to take them
home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I doubt any woman would be interested in sharing the man they care about with
another woman much less more then one Naruto," countered Ryu with Naruto
"And people wonder why divorce rates are so high everywhere. Let's face it Ryu, in
some extreme cases, polygamy is needed to keep a family together. To make a
marriage work. You think the whole issue of a man cheating on a woman with another
would come up if the second woman in question was also married to the same man?
When more then one woman loves a man, it can cause strain on the relationship he
has already with a woman unless {\i
all} female parties who are involved in it agree to share the man in question. You
currently have four women who love you Ryu. {\i
Four}! Choosing one over the other three will hurt them. Make them question their
very identity, their very existence, and could cause problems in the fact they will
question every decision they make in the future. The only true path available to
you at this very moment is to find a suitable way to share all four women
romantically and hope to the Dragon Gods above that they also accept this idea.
Besides, you and I both know its the only way everyone comes out of this happy,"
countered Naruto with Ryu sighing again while looking out the window of the
chopper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I need to speak to my Father about this. If I do something like this {\i
at all}, I need to make sure it doesn't conflict with any clan laws, or rules setup
during the clan's founding," said Ryu with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fair enough. Just...don't string them along. They are good for you Ryu. Each one
of them brings out the best in you. Each one gives you a reason to push yourself
because they are the four main reasons to get up and fight the evil that arises
from the abyss to take it," said Naruto before sheathing the Blade of the Archfiend
once Kyuubi's chakra ran its course and sealed the cracks in the
"I know. Thank you for your advice and help on this mission Naruto. Things could
have gone differently without your assistance," said Ryu while knowing things could
have been much worse without the blonde's help.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Way worse.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anytime Ryu. Anytime," replied Naruto with a smile on his face while leaning back
in his seat to enjoy the ride home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Dragon Tower-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have done well Ryu. You as well Naruto. The world has been saved and another
dark entity has been vanished. Not only that, but a family used as a puppet in this
has been healed, and we have the honor of being apart of it," said Jo Hayabusa with
both Ryu and Naruto kneeling in front of the Master Ninja currently sitting in
seiza before them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you Father. It was mostly through Naruto that we uncovered certain things
during the events of the past few days. If he hadn't...most of what happened would
have turned out very different," said Ryu with Jo nodding since he knew that was
the case as well.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Agreed. Thank you Naruto for assisting my son in this mission and helping him with
his curse," said Jo with the blonde lowering his head slightly to acknowledge the
thanks he had been given.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am honored by your praise Master Jo. I will continue to serve the clan no matter
what," said Naruto while Jo's face had a small almost unnoticeable sad look to
'Sadly, I can only have the honor of having you here for a few more years young
Naruto. You are indeed the spitting image of both my brother and his son, my nephew
that is your Father,' thought Jo while sensing the Blade of the Archfiend on
Naruto's back and now wondered why it wasn't returned to the base of Mt.
Fuji.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With your permission Master Jo, I would like to retire for the day," said Naruto
with Jo nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Go rest. You have more than earned it," said Jo with Naruto nodding and vanishing
in a swirl of wind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sometime troubles you Father," stated Ryu, as he saw his Father's face while
Naruto kept his head lowered, and missed the sad expression on the blind man's
"Naruto has done so much for us in such a short time since coming here. He has done
everything in his power to prove his worth in us after taking him in following the
fall of the Archfiend. The boy knows his time with us is short, given the ruling of
the clan once it was learned of his blood mixing with Genshin's in his Great Fiend
state, and for a lack of a better word 'tainting' the Dragon blood in his veins. I
do not believe it is the blood of the person that makes them who they are, but
their own choices in life, and the decisions made at critical moments in time which
define us. As such, it saddens me to know that my Great-nephew will be exiled from
the Dragon Clan in a few years, and I cannot do anything to stop it," answered Jo
with Ryu nodding since he too felt powerless here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I feel the same way. All we can do is keep training him and make him get as strong
as possible under us before he is forced to leave," replied Ryu with Jo nodding in
agreement to this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Have you spoken to Hayate about Ayane? Will the clan let her go with Naruto if she
is exiled around the same time as him?" asked Jo with Ryu nodding since it was
another subject that had been painful for them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. According to Hayate, her aiding me ever since Vigoor all the way up until now
has given Ayane more then enough 'currency' of sorts within the clan. He has
assured me that the Mugen Tenshin Clan will release Ayane without any form of
pursuit to hunt her down out of some misplaced fear she will reveal anything to
anyone," answered Ryu with his Father nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. The same will be with Naruto. I don't want them hunted by either clan. Those
two are meant for each other my son," said Jo while Ryu fully agreed with his
Father on the matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will pray they live a long happy life when the time comes for them to leave,"
replied Ryu while Jo nodded and smiled a bit more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And speaking of a long happy life, I heard you have gotten the interest of several
strong women Ryu," remarked Jo while sensing his son groaning and knew who was
responsible for that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Father...," groaned Ryu while Jo let out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't be ashamed to admit it Ryu. I knew about this situation long before Naruto
started his teasing on them matter. I also know of your hesitance to be with any
woman overall given your occupation as a ninja and them being possible targets by
our enemies," added Jo with Ryu stiffening from his kneeling position since it was
"That and clan laws, which I do not wish to break," whispered Ryu while Jo
"Again, you are showing a great deal of maturity my son. As for our clan laws,
there is nothing in them saying you can not be with multiple women so long as they
are strong, and truly love you for yourself. Do these women love you for you my
son?" said Jo with Ryu thinking it over in his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I believe they do. I have fought beside them in one way or another. They are
strong in their own way and are unique as well. Whenever I am around them, I feel
happy, and a weight lifted off my shoulders," answered Ryu with Jo
"That burden you feel is the responsibility of being a Dragon Ninja my son. When
these women are around you, the weight becomes lighter because they are helping you
carry the weight placed on your shoulders," explained Jo with Ryu nodding in
"So I am free to pursue them in a romantic relationship?" asked Ryu with Jo
"Provided you inform them of the situation and if they are willing to share you
with any of the other women in your life. I will not have my son being a womanizer
on the side and stringing women along for his personal amusement. Your Mother would
never let me rest in peace on the other side if you did that," replied Jo with a
hint of amusement in his voice while Ryu rolling his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'As if I would be like that. Anyone who flirts with women and strings them along
without any hope of committing to the relationship is not a man,' thought Ryu since
he believed if you are in a relationship with someone, you make it work, and by
some chance it doesn't work...at least no one can say you didn't
try.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not to mention ending it where you can still be friends with the person
afterwards.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I sense you are still unsure on this matter my son. Meditate in the comfort of
your home about this matter Ryu. The decision on what to do will make itself known
to you," said Jo while Ryu nodded in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will Father. Thank you for your advice on this matter," replied Ryu before he
vanished in a brief swirl wind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Life for ninja is short my son. I was lucky to find your Mother when I young. I
only wish she had lived long enough to see you become the man I always knew you
would be in life," said Jo to himself while hoping that his son would find true
happiness in life one way or another.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That was all Jo could ask for now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! Another update. The end of the NG3 arc is over. Next time, we go through
a time skip where Naruto, and Ayane leave for the Elemental Countries. I have
everything set up for them in terms of a plan to make them ready for the different
ninja they will no doubt face in the Elemental Countries. Also, FYI to some people
concerning my other fics, they are {\i
{\ul
{\b
NOT}}} abandoned in any sense of the word so please stop asking me about them, and
if they are gone. I know you are concerned about them, but rest assured they are
still alive. Sleeping, but alive. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 12-Setting Up Shop\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto sighed, as the morning sunlight made its presence known to him while a
smiling Ayane slept next to him in his, or rather {\i
their} bed. Normally, the blonde would enjoy these quiet moments waking up to the
beautiful woman next to him, but today was not one of those days, and there was a
reason for it. A good one in fact.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Today was the day he was to leave the Hayabusa Village
forever.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Its hard to imagine that just a few years ago, yet feels like only yesterday that
I just came here to this village after the fall of the Archfiend. Now look at me.
After all things I have done, all the missions I have taken... I am practically a
Master Ninja now. Just like Ryu,' thought Naruto while stroking Ayane's hair and
hearing the woman moan his name.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just a few more minutes Naruto," whispered Ayane with Naruto
"I would give them to you Ayane, but I can't. Today is {\i
THE} day," whispered Naruto with Ayane frowning slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure?" asked Ayane while still keeping her eyes
shut.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I'm afraid so," answered Naruto with Ayane frowning
"Damn," whispered Ayane since she didn't want this day to
come.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to see Master Jo before we leave for the Elemental Countries," replied
Naruto with Ayane nodding and slowly got out of bed to get the day started while
her lover soon followed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two ninjas eventually got ready for the day, a bit slower then usual though
since they didn't want to leave, but knew the laws of the Dragon, and Mugen Tenshin
Clan had to be enforced. With that in mind, both Naruto and Ayane packed up
everything they could that they would need for their journey before heading for the
Dragon Tower where they were to meet Jo Hayabusa.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Today is the day Naruto. Ayane. I wish this day would never come. Sadly, not all
wishes can be granted," said Jo Hayabusa with Naruto and Ayane nodding in
"So it is," replied Naruto with Jo giving him a sad smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto, you have proven yourself time and time again to be a true Dragon Ninja
just like my son. Your loyalty to us is above reproach. Ayane, you will always be a
member of the Mugen Tenshin Clan, and those of your family will always love you no
matter what. Do not forget that there are those in this village and other locations
who care for you both regardless of what the laws of our two ninja clan says," said
Jo with Naruto and Ayane nodding accepting this since they knew it was
"We won't Master Jo," said Ayane with Jo offering Naruto a thick
folder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is all the information that I have been able to gather over the years
surrounding the Elemental Countries since your time in here Naruto. Read over
everything down to the last detail. You will need all the information here to
protect you from the wolves that will seek to hunt you down," replied Jo with
Naruto nodding and putting the folder away for the moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you Master Jo. Thank you for everything. Know should there ever come a day
where the Dragon Clan needs me for anything...I will answer the call," said Naruto
while giving a humble bow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As will I," added Ayane while also bowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know you both will. I wish you a peaceful journey to wherever it is you may go
in the Elemental Countries and that a swift death awaits all of your enemies
there," replied Jo with Naruto and Ayane nodding since they would no doubt run into
quite a few of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You never said }}{\i
{\ul
{\b
where}}}{\i
{\b
we are going kit," }}commented Kyuubi with Naruto inwardly
'It's a surprise, but if you {\i
must }know, we are going someplace secluded enough where no one will find us, and
training in the ninja skills found in the Elemental Countries can be done without
interruption,' thought Naruto with Kyuubi nodding in agreement since such training
would be beneficial for Naruto and Ayane if they were going to survive in
The two ninjas soon left the Hayabusa Village and began their way toward Sky Tokyo,
which had the only airship station that would go to the Elemental Countries. It
also use to have airship that would take people to the Vigoor years ago, but Ryu
kind of put a stop to that when he crashed airship he was on, {\i
and} destroyed Vigoor via the annihilation of the Capital during the Dark Dragon
Sword Incident. Now, the Sky Tokyo Airstrip with their current mode of
transportation took people from this side of the world to the Elemental Countries,
but such trips were rare, and with anything that's rare...it was
expensive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fortunately, the airship the two ninjas were on was heading to a neutral country
among the Elementals called Spring, formerly called Snow, and had recently opened
up their port for taking in foreign airships. This was thanks to the recently made
female Daimyo Kazehana Koyuki, who was assisted by Konoha Shinobi in overthrowing
her tyrant of an Uncle named Doto, and bringing the season of Spring back to the
land. A land that was once filled with a cold, bitter, and an almost seemingly
eternal winter that drained the life if not hope from its people like Doto had done
during his rule.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So this is Spring Country. It's actually nice here. The title of the country
fits," remarked Ayane with Naruto nodding with the two of them being the only
passengers to disembark from the airship.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That it does. Just remember, we're merely tourists to the eyes of the people, and
must play the part so keep your ninja gear concealed from sharp eyes as well as
ears," said Naruto while wearing dark baggy pants, shoes, red shirt, black trench
coat, and the hat as well as repaired glasses that once belonged to
Gamov.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It took him quite a bit of effort to get them from his old room within the Black
Spider Clan lair without being detected by the rest of the
"Hence why I am dressed like a simple young woman, who is with her man on a
relaxing vacation to see the known world," said Ayane while she wore a lavender
kimono, with a violet obi wrapped around her waist, tied in a way that made people
think of butterflies, and the kimono itself had butterfly designs all around
"Exactly! Now come on. We need to go to the boat dock and seek out a ship capable
of taking us to our next destination," said Naruto with Ayane having her arms
wrapped around one of his and the two of them looked a like a happy couple being
tourists in a foreign land.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All and all, the people passing them thought they were a cute young couple. No one
had suspected they were secretly deadly ninja capable of killing you in many
horrifying and gruesome ways beyond imagining.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where are we going after we get on the ship?" asked Ayane with Naruto smirking a
"To the one place I was here last and can count on someone to be discreet when
asking for his help," answered Naruto with Ayane's eyes
"Wave Country," remarked Ayane since Naruto had told her everything about his time
since being with the Black Spider Clan and the missions he did for
"Yep! I figured the old bridge builder knows a good Captain of a ship in Wave
Country and said Captain can take us to our intended destination," replied Naruto
while Ayane nodded since she had looked over the map of the Elemental Countries and
the different land masses that surrounded such territories.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
There was only {\i
one }place near Wave that would be worth going to that was nearby, but also
secluded enough that no one would go to without reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Whirlpool Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very smart. Very clever," stated Ayane with the young ninja
"I did learn from the best," replied Naruto while the two made their with their
luggage toward the dockyard for sea based ships.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It took them a few more days for them to reach Wave Country and speak to Tazuna in
his home, which he had repaired in several places that really needed it. In fact,
all of Wave Country had improved since Gato's fall, and his money was put to better
use in getting the nation back on track. The people were now happy, healthy, and
enjoying their current state of prosperity now that the bridge was connecting them
to the mainland to conduct trade with other countries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't believe it. The Yami Kitsune Jigumo in my home," stated Tazuna with a
drink in hand and looking a little plastered.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just keep this to yourself. I'm not exactly on friendly terms with Konoha right
now and don't want them snooping around," said Naruto while Tazuna
"I understand. If they do find out, it won't be from me. Besides, if ever asked
about you, I can always play the drunk, who sees things that aren't there, and make
them think it was a trick of the eyes played on an old man," replied Tazuna with
"How is the sea around Wave these days? More precisely...around the whirlpools?"
asked Ayane with Tazuna pausing in his drinking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rough. I know a Captain or two who can take you around there, but getting close to
the land around it? That's another story all together. Very treacherous. Very
dangerous," said Tazuna with Naruto smirking at him since he had been perfecting
his water walking skills back in sacred wilderness near the Hayabusa Village for
quite some time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane did as well after he introduced her to the tree walking exercise he had
learned and had her progress to water walking once the former was
mastered.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We just need to get as close as possible. We'll handle the rest when it comes to
landing on the shores of Whirlpool," said Naruto with Tazuna
"All right. I'll set it up tomorrow when I'm nice and sober. Until then, you can
stay here for the night, and get to know my family. I know you met them briefly
kid, but now is good a time as any to really talk to them," replied Tazuna while
Naruto and Ayane bowed to the man respectfully for letting them stay for the
night.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Agreed," said Naruto since it was a small price to pay for getting a ship to take
them to their destination.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The overall day leading into the next was fairly quite affair. Ayane talked to the
old man's family, getting to know them better, and it clearly shocked them to see
someone like her being a kunoichi. The kunoichi from Konoha by the name of Haruno
Sakura had really lowered the bar in terms of expectations due to her fawning over
Uchiha Sasuke at the time and never really took the physical training required to
be a ninja seriously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane was the complete opposite of what they saw with Hatake Kakashi's team when it
came to ninja. The same with Naruto since they knew he was the Yami Kitsune Jigumo
they heard about from Tazuna after the fall of Gato. They even named the bridge
after him in a sense by calling it the Kitsune Bridge, which Tazuna noted didn't
sit well with Konoha apparently due to their lack of love for kitsunes in general
after what happened with the Kyuubi all those years ago. Still, it was their
bridge, their land, and the people could name the structure any damn name they
wanted.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto had explained how things went for him in a brief paraphrased story about his
life while being in the Black Spider Clan, some of things he had seen, and of
course done while being a ninja. It was not all save damsels in distress, taking
down villains, and all that clich\u233? stuff in terms of being a hero. Naruto told
Inari, the bridge builder's Grandson that heroes did exist, but heroes had to make
hard choices, some involving taking a life, even when they don't want to, and in
some cases make themselves out to be villains in the eyes of
others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Genshin had been right when he told Jo Hayabusa that the ninja way knew neither
good nor evil. It was just a matter of perspective and point of view that made
people perceive it in such a way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
True to his word, Tazuna had provided them with a Captain of a reliable ship
capable of taking them close to Whirlpool Country. Once the Captain got close
enough as he was willing to go on a favor for Tazuna, Naruto and Ayane both used
their mastery of water walking to make it to shore after leaping off the ship. It
wasn't easy though, as all of the Whirlpools were in a position where they left
little margin for error when getting around them since they were so close to one
another. Whether by natural design or some hidden seals placed in the water surface
below was unknown at the moment. But what Naruto did know that it would be quite
the challenge to cross even for the most skilled of ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So much destruction here. So much death radiates from this place, even now I can
feel it like just happened yesterday," whispered Ayane while seeing the destruction
around her and how it still looked fresh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its as if time itself has preserved this place since the Uzumaki Clan fell at the
hands of those that feared them all those ages ago in battle. As if the Dragon Gods
above did not want this place to be forgotten," commented Naruto while kneeling
down and simply put his hands in the dirt with his senses expanding over the
"We can't leave this place like this while we're here," said Ayane with Naruto
nodding in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We won't Ayane. We find a suitable home to live in and tomorrow...we clean this
place up and make sure the bodies here get the respect they deserve," said Naruto
before he stood up and headed toward a building that had the symbol of Whirlpool
burned on the side of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was calling to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto?" asked Ayane with the blonde ignoring her for a moment and walked toward
the building before putting a hand on the wall.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Images of fighting appeared in his mind. Uzumaki Clan members fighting the
invaders, those who couldn't fight fleeing. Following one image of an old looking
Shinobi from the Uzumaki Clan, Naruto entered the building, and found the old man
putting a large scroll in a secret compartment under the floor, protected by highly
advanced defensive blood seals where only someone of Uzumaki Clan blood could open
them. After it was done, the old ninja covered it up, his eyes saddened to know his
home was going to fall before he looked in Naruto's direction for a long moment,
almost as if he was expecting the blonde, and saw the old ninja nod in
acceptance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
I know you are there young one. I have foreseen you coming here in a dream. Sadly,
I could not foresee our village's destruction in connection to this until it was
upon us. The scroll I have hidden here is a copy of the Forbidden Scroll of Sealing
with the original being in Konoha. Why our ally in Fire Country has not come to our
aid, I do not know, but in my heart...I suspect treachery, and betrayal from those
we called friends. This copy of the Forbidden Scroll has a special seal on it,
which connects it to Konoha's own due to a hidden seal placed on theirs for
security reasons, and they are unaware of it. This was done in the event Konoha
ever fell and a copy of all they have known would survive their fall. Isn't it
ironic that instead of Konoha falling, Whirlpool along with our clan are the ones
being destroyed. But despite all of this, I see hope, and light in the darkness
that has tried to destroy us. The Uzumaki Clan cannot die. It will not die. If
there is one thing you can expect regarding our clan, it is we will endure any
hardship thrown our way, and rise from the darkness our enemies have tried to throw
us into. You are the one to bring us out of the darkness. You are the one to unite
the scattered members of our clan and bring us back to the greatness we were known
for long prior to the founding of the Five Shinobi
Villages.}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that being said, the old man walked out of the building, sword in hand, and
ready to face his end in battle to defend what was left of his
kin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When reality of the present focused back on Naruto again, the blonde felt tears
running down his eyes, and he fell to his knees while clenching his fists. The old
ninja's words hit him hard and what he saw practically overwhelmed the young
Uzumaki before removing the wreckage around the hidden floor compartment and wiped
his blood on the sealing array. The seal glowed for a few seconds before fading
away and the opening popped up so he could lift it up to find the Forbidden Scroll
of Sealing just like Konoha had, but unlike theirs, this one had the Uzumaki Clan
symbol on it, and seemed to shine despite being in such a dark place for so many
"Naruto? What did you find?" asked Ayane, as she now stood behind him, and saw he
was holding something.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The means and knowledge to fight on par with any ninja in the Elemental Countries
on their best day...and {\i
win}!" stated Naruto knowing that with this scroll, they could learn quite a few
things, and more in order to fight the different kinds of ninja all around this
part of the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ayane smirked at what he held.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Luck and good fortune was definitely on their side this day. Now all they really
needed to do by this point was train like there was no tomorrow and soon they would
be ready for the trials that lay ahead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And if the information Jo had provided them was any indication...there were quite a
few of them in the Elemental Countries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Iron Country-Months Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know my country does not tolerate ninja," said samurai warrior and General
Mifune of Iron Country while he saw the two ninja in his large yet still humble
size office with a small squad of samurai in the room as
"We did not come here to cause an incident Mifune-sama. Just to talk," said Naruto
while wearing his usual ninja uniform along with his kitsune
Beside him, Ayane wore her black body suit based infiltrator outfit though she
added a butterfly based mask that concealed the upper part of her face. They both
still had their weapons on them, but it was clear by the look on the samurai in the
room that this was only allowed to show some form of civility on their part. Not to
mention there were only two ninja ever known to willingly see Mifune and didn't try
to sneak in like most would do for an audience with the
General.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are fortunate I believe in being civil first with those who seek me out
regardless of their profession or else I would have you arrested if not executed
for entering my country {\i
illegally}," stated Mifune while Naruto nodded and reached into his trench coat
while he ignored the tensing of the samurai around him to produce a folder before
placing the item on the man's desk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Indeed. Which is why I came here to speak with you. I need your help. The
Elemental Countries as a whole needs your help. The help of the samurai. A darkness
is coming. A darkness that is making its move in the shadows, starting conflicts,
creating strife, and ultimately...bringing about war," said Naruto while Mifune
opened the folder and read the contents inside with wide eyes before they
"You can prove this?" asked Mifune with Naruto nodding while reaching into the open
folder and showed him photos taken of various moments in
"Is this enough {\i
proof} for you?" asked Naruto while the samurai looked at the pictures and saw
several of his samurai having conversations with blanked masked ninja from Konoha
while other images showed said samurai being paid for their services in providing
various pieces of information to the Konoha Shinobi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why? Why would they do this? These samurai know the laws of Iron Country. Why
would they take bribes and help ninja? It goes against everything they were ever
taught and trained to do," questioned Mifune with Naruto shaking his
"Simple. They aren't samurai. Not true samurai," answered Naruto with Mifune
frowning in total confusion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Mifune with Naruto pulling out more information on each
of the samurai in question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Namely copies of where they were raised as children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Recognize the pattern here?" asked Naruto with Mifune looking over each paper with
sharp eyes before his eyes widened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They were all orphaned as children. Left on doorsteps of the various orphanages
setup to take in all abandoned children throughout Iron Country," answered Mifune
with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Only they weren't abandoned children like you and others first thought. They
are agents of Konoha's secret Root organization led by one man...Shimura Danzo. The
man had these children programmed at a young age to be loyal to him and to Root
while also giving his subordinates orders to enter Iron Country before dropping
each child off at a random orphanage in the dead of night. The children were
ordered by Danzo to become samurai of Iron Country. They were instructed to learn
all they could about Iron Country and provide Danzo with information he can use
against you in the future. Names of key officers to assassinate, accurate numbers
of samurai in each region of the country, key locations of supply areas, and other
key aspects he would have his Root agents strike at a moment notice. He would do
this to either instigate a conflict with you and make it seem that Iron Country is
the aggressor or plant evidence it was another Shinobi village so you would fight
them. The fact you would be fighting an enemy of Konoha if he chose the latter
would just be considered a bonus for the naive fools in the Leaf who didn't know
any better," said Naruto, as he produced a picture of the man from another folder,
and showed Mifune the file.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This man is indeed dangerous. To have lived this long, was once a contender to the
title of Hokage, and a former rival of the Sandaime Hokage himself in their prime
is to some extent worthy of praise," replied Mifune with Naruto not acknowledging
or denying that statement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To some extent...perhaps. But I do not respect this man. Danzo hides completely in
the shadow of others. He is a pretender to the title of Hokage. The man wants
everything, yet hates everyone who does, and can't stand others in positions of
power that dwarf his own. Danzo seeks to weaken people in power, discredit them,
denounce them, humiliate them to make them leave it, and if all else fails...he
orders his subordinates to kill them," said Naruto while Mifune nodding since he
was reading everything Danzo had done during his time in Konoha and with
Root.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How did you gather this information?" asked Mifune while looking over the darker
aspect of what Danzo had done.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya is not the only one with a spy network. This information was given to me
by a Master Ninja of the Dragon Clan. I asked him to gather this information for me
during the past three years before I came here to help the Elemental Countries
before things took a turn for the worst," answered Naruto with Mifune's eyes
widening in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Dragon Clan? As in the ninjas not of the Elemental Countries, who are all said
to be descended from the legendary Dragon Gods?" whispered Mifune with Naruto
"Yes. I am one of them. I am also part of the Uzumaki Clan," said Naruto before in
an act of good faith...removed his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your face! You look just like...{\i
him}!" exclaimed Mifune before reaching into his desk and pulled out an old Bingo
Book that had seen better days to look at the picture of a man long presumed
dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you are referring to the fact that I look like Konoha's Yellow Flash and late
Yondaime Hokage Namikaze Minato himself? Then yes I know. It is because I am his
{\i
son}! I am the direct descendent of the Dragon Clan on my Father's side of the
family and an Uzumaki on my Mother's side," answered Naruto while Mifune looked
shocked and yet in awe at the man standing in front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"The Dragon Clan was the only real clan of ninjas I have ever truly respected. I
had heard the stories, the rumors, and the legends surrounding their clan. How they
were agents of the shadows, yet served the light, and punishing the darkness
whenever it rose from the depths of Hell," said Mifune while Naruto
"While I don't know what stories you've heard, I can say your general description
of them is indeed accurate in terms of what they do. I have fought evil things
Mifune-sama. I have fought evil that would give you nightmares. I have seen many
things in my life. Things that would shock, awe, and even amaze you as well as
horrify too. I came back here to the Elemental Countries because I have a feeling
this side of the world...is going to be engulfed in a war. A war that will consume
everything you know and love. No one can run from it. No one can escape it. Should
this war come to pass...I foresee everything being reduced to ashes and no one will
be around to see what happens following the total destruction of all civilization
in this region of the world," said Naruto ominously while Mifune looked at him
right in the eyes, seeing there was no lying in him, and the samurai let out a
heavy sigh.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What exactly do you want in return for giving me this information?" asked Mifune
since there was no point in beating around the bush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Simple. We want to work for you in countering this threat that Danzo currently
poses to Iron Country and to have a base of operations to help plan an attack
against the Akatsuki organization," answered Naruto before showing Mifune more
information gathered over the years showing the proof that this threat to the
Elemental Countries was too big for a country like Iron to ignore and stay neutral
"Done. I can make arrangements for the both of you. I should also mention that just
last week, the Raikage of Kumo has called for a Kage Summit in order to address the
issue of the Akatsuki. I also heard Danzo is the temporary Sixth Hokage due to
Senju Tsunade currently being in a coma and will be attending the meeting. All five
Kages are scheduled to meet here in two weeks. That should give you enough time to
prepare for their arrival and remove any unwanted spies Danzo has managed to place
within my country," said Mifune with Naruto smirking at how this played into his
plans for his targets in Konoha unaware of his return to the Elemental
Countries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Looking forward to it. I also have a plan to counter the secret Danzo is hiding
behind his bandages. If you will permit me to do it of course," replied Naruto with
Mifune nodding in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes of course. But first, I would like to have the spies taken care of. I do not
wish them to discover your plan, and report it to Danzo before his arrival here in
Iron Country," said Mifune with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ayane can easily take care of that," said Naruto with Ayane nodding since the
capturing, interrogating, and eventually killing of these spies were not new to
And the chance to see what Danzo's spies were made of would see if her expectations
of this side of the world were set too high or low.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anything else?" asked Mifune while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just {\i
one} tiny little matter. I have it on good authority from the information gathered
that {\i
this }person is in Iron Country in hiding and I need to speak with her," replied
Naruto, as he brought out a photo from his coat pocket, and showed who he was
seeking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who is she?" asked Mifune while looking at the girl with lime green hair, wore a
white skirt, top, and had a scroll on her back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Her name is Fu and she is a Jinchuriki...like me," answered Naruto with Mifune
looking from him to the picture and back at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I've seen her around. I could tell she was someone suspicious, by the way she
tensed one time when some of my samurai were walking by during a patrol near an
eatery where she was employed. Her chakra was also very high for one so young and
while she has tried to hide it...I could sense it was beyond what a normal person
should have for one so young. So far I have ordered my samurai to leave her alone
until she had done anything worth looking into, but so far...this girl has done
nothing of the sort," explained Mifune with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"I know the feeling. I'll speak to her discreetly. The last thing we want is for
her to freak out and accidently unleash the chakra of her Biju to cause any
unwanted attention from our current enemies," replied Naruto with Mifune nodding
since that would be bad for his country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The last thing any leader wanted was for their country to have hole in made by a
Biju or a Jinchuriki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-One Week Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Danzo frowned. Well...he was frowning more then usual. All of his spies in Iron
Country had gone silent. The Root Shinobi he had sent to investigate this did not
return yet either, which meant his spies, and Root ninja sent to investigate their
disappearance had all been slain too. Such an unfortunate situation given the time
of the Kage Summit was one more week from now and Danzo was expecting some crucial
information one of his agents had hinted would be worth the wait once it was
properly confirmed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Well he was done waiting. Danzo needed information on what was going on and fast if
he was going to have an edge over the other Kages at the
Summit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shizune, get me Yuhi Kurenia's old Genin team, and bring them to my office. I have
an important mission for them," commanded Danzo into the intercom
system.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After the proclaimed leader of the infamous Akatsuki organization by the name of
Pein attacked Konoha in order to flush out the village's secretly missing
Jinchuriki, Konoha had been left in near ruin. Pein had decimated them easily,
leaving many injured, and quite a few dead in the wake of Tsunade confessing to the
man that the Kyuubi Jinchuriki was not in the village at all. Only through Jiraiya
attacking in his Sage Mode had saved the Hokage's life and forced Pein to make some
form of retreat though Danzo knew this man left simply because his prize was not in
The boy had been taken from the Leaf village years ago by some group of still
unknown ninjas bearing the clan mark of the spider and were led by a man by the
name of Genshin. Pein was not pleased by this new and had let his displeasure known
by crushing Konoha underfoot with Jiraiya badly injured while Tsunade was currently
in a coma. In the time that followed, the Fire Daimyo paid a visit, and determine
who would succeed the woman until she recovered from the coma. Danzo had been
there, waiting to use his hidden eye on the Fire Daimyo to influence the weak
minded fool to make him the Sixth Hokage, if only temporary Hokage, and lead the
village like he was always meant to lead it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Tsunade herself, Danzo had taken...{\i
measures} to ensure the woman stayed in her coma by having several Root operatives,
who were also doctors, make sure the woman's treatments would help fight the coma
for the most part, but would also keep her in it too. Having the woman die so soon
would be suspicious and knew full well that Jiraiya would look into the matter if
Danzo played his hand. He had to ensure his spot as the new Sixth Hokage was secure
beyond suspicion of the woman's still love sick teammate. Hence the reason why the
Senju was still alive...for the most part. The people needed hope in these dark and
dire times! Tsunade had done so many good things for Konoha, though Danzo himself
did not approve of how she did it, but why tarnish greatness of his predecessors
when you could use them as martyrs, and even more when they are still alive?
Hiruzen did it when he came back into office after the Yondaime died and Danzo was
doing it now with Tsunade in her coma.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Out of a slowly growing habit, the man grabbed something hanging from his neck, and
rubbed it between his fingers while smirking. The item in question would go a long
way to using his abilities with the Mokuton and taming the Biju should the Akatsuki
decide to unleash those beasts upon him. He would tame them all, force them on
those that released them, and then use his new pets to kill all those not from
And then HE, Shimura Danzo: The Sixth Hokage of Konoha would finally become {\i
THE} undisputed ruler of the Shinobi World. The {\i
true} Kami of Shinobi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Shizune, the Gondaime Hokage's apprentice, she had originally wanted to
treat Tsunade herself, and get the woman out of the coma. However, Danzo put a stop
to that before she could by keeping Shizune as his personal assistant/secretary,
and the use of his Sharingan Eye helped influence the woman. She wasn't weak minded
like others were, but she did not have the strong mental fortitude to remotely
fight the powerful yet subtle abilities of the Kotoamatsukami he had acquired from
Uchiha Shisui's eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He had spoken to her in a way that Shizune would believe her duties to him as
Hokage were more important at the moment then her in a coma teacher. He would have
her visit Tsunade, but not long enough to do anything, or inspecting what the
doctors were doing in terms of treating the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
"Yuhi Kurenai's former Genin team is here to see you Hokage-sama,"} said Shizune
via the intercom before the trio walked into the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. You three are here. I have a mission for you. An important one that requires
the utmost secrecy, discretion, and stealth," said Danzo with the three ninja all
with the rank of Chuunin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is the mission?" asked Kiba with Danzo glancing at him for a
"You three will be heading to Iron Country. I need you to investigate why some of
our contacts there have gone silent," answered Danzo with the three Shinobi in
front of him looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was under the impression that Iron Country is strictly neutral and has been
since the Elemental Countries were formed. They do not tolerate ninja in any sense
of the word being in their land unless it is for the rarely held Kage Summit,"
remarked Shino with Danzo nodding since that was true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just because they are neutral doesn't mean they won't ever stop being neutral. My
agents were there to ensure that Konoha would be alerted to such an event and give
us time to prepare for such an attack," explained Danzo while making it seem like
what was done had been for the good of Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! You just said that you had agents in Iron Country {\i
before} you became the Sixth Hokage, right? Did Tsunade-sama know about this?"
asked Kiba while Danzo's visible eye narrowing at him
"Now is not the time to ask such a thing Kiba. We have a mission to take and
complete," said Shino while hoping the Inuzuka would get the hint to not ask any
more questions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Agreed. Your mission is to find out how my agents got caught by the samurai in
Iron Country. Do not engage, do not interact, and do not get {\i
caught} by them. If you do, I will disavow your actions, and you will be marked
down as Missing Nin to protect Konoha from any possible
retaliation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With all do respect Hokage-sama, but shouldn't this be done by a team of Jounin or
even the ANBU? We are Chuunin ranked Shinobi," offered Hinata with Danzo looking at
the girl before focusing the three ninja as a whole.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Normally, I would send a far more experienced team, but the village is in a
current state of repair, and the number of ninja qualified in handling a mission of
this caliber are not available. Time is of the essence and the Kage Summit is
approaching within the week. I will be meeting with you halfway to Iron Country and
I expect a full report on what you have learned. I will not tolerate failure from
ninja under my command while I sit in this chair as Hokage of Konoha," stated Danzo
coldly with the three Chuunin nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'At least his rule is temporary until Tsunade-sama gets out of her coma,' thought
the three ninja before they bowed and left.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn that Inuzuka brat. Given their young ages, I did not expect any of them to
pick up on the fact they were sent to Iron Country {\i
before }was made Hokage. No matter. Once the mission is done, my Root Shinobi will
kill them, and make up some excuse later I can spin to make it appear that they
died as heroes,' thought Danzo with the man going over the reports on the various
activities he had going on elsewhere.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Iron Country-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can you believe that old mummy? How are we suppose to gather information in a few
days and report back to him before he gets here?" asked Kiba while they were
sitting down at a nice place to eat, which accepted dogs (provided they were well
trained), and gave Akamaru some food from his plate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This mission give to us by the Hokage is highly dangerous for ninja of our given
rank of Chuunin. We easily stand out too much here in our given attire and each our
individual bloodlines making us identified as ninja from various clans from Konoha
if the samurai know what to look for in terms of identifying Konoha Shinobi," said
Shino while he had his insects fly around discreetly to monitor the movements of
the people and the samurai in the area.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We can't abandon the mission. You heard what the Sixth Hokage said. He won't
tolerate failure and I got the distinct feeling we would be punished if we failed,"
said Hinata since she got that feeling when he talked about not tolerating ninja
failing under his command.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Which is why we will inform him we looked as best we could without getting caught
before leaving. We failed to find out what he wanted, but given how the political
climate of Iron Country is not for Shinobi, we did not wish to take a risk at being
caught spying," explained Shino with Kiba looking a bit worried while Hinata looked
uncertain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Something tells me the guy would punish us no matter what we told him. Hell, we
could lie while saying the mission was a success, make something up, and still get
the shaft for completing the mission," remarked Kiba with Hinata frowning
"There is also the fact Danzo mentioned his agents were here in Iron Country before
he became the Hokage. And the look in his eyes when Kiba questioned if Tsunade-sama
even knew about it leaves me to believe the mission these agents were on was not
given approval by her," said Hinata with Shino nodding in
"He no doubt didn't expect us to pick up on his choice of words regarding how his
agents were in Iron Country prior to become the Sixth Hokage," added Shino while
Kiba had a nervous look in his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I get the feeling I put a target on our backs. My Mom warned me about Danzo in the
past. She always said to stay away from him no matter what. Something about how she
didn't want an emotionless drone for a son. I still don't understand what she was
talking about," said Kiba while the others nodded since they were warned about
Danzo too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We should leave. Now!" said Shino suddenly with Hinata and Kiba looking at him to
see him standing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? Why?" asked Kiba, as he got up out of his seat, and so did Hinata before she
used her bloodline to scan their surroundings.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A large group of samurai are moving into position. They mean to surround and
capture us, but they are surrounded by chakra not their own," replied Hinata with
the two looking worried since they didn't expect to be caught in such a short time
while here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How did they know we were here?" asked Kiba while the three took to the rooftops
and tried to escape the samurai that way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. My insects should have warned me sooner, but something threw them
off. Something about thick levels of chakra slowly coating the area and making it
difficult to detect people properly," answered Shino with Hinata using her eyes
again and saw the samurai were still chasing them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Arrows were soon fired from archers to their right, falling down on them like rain,
and the trio of Konoha Shinobi plus one dog had to dodge them all. It wasn't
entirely easy either since Akamaru was very large dog and was not known for his
grace when dodging things. Twice, the animal in question almost got hit in the leg,
and his side had he not moved at the last second. However, the arrows soon stopped,
and that surprisingly made the Konoha Shinobi even more worried since it meant
something was about to happen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Something bad.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's far enough you four," commanded a figure in ninja gear, kitsune mask, and
trench coat while holding a Kusari-Gama in his hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Another ninja? Here?! I thought Iron Country was against ninja being in their
territory?" asked Kiba while his teammate were on guard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Normally they are, but you could say we aren't your typical ninja found in the
Elemental Countries, and have the support of General Mifune himself to be here,"
said a kunoichi with short violet hair, a butterfly mask covering the upper half of
her face, and wearing a tight black female body suit while holding two Fuma
Kodachis in each hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'They must be the reason why Danzo's agents have gone silent. But to silence so
many in such a short time would mean these Shinobi are far beyond the level we are
and yet...they seem to be around our own age. Who are they? What village or clan do
they belong to that could gain the interest of a neutral country that bans ninja
from being here unless it is absolutely necessary,' thought Shino while seeing a
third kunoichi to his right wearing a white skirt, top, had lime green hair, and a
mask one would use for ANBU with this one having the face of a beetle on
"Surrender and you will not be harmed," stated the masked man in front of
"How about you kiss my ass?!" exclaimed Kiba with Shino clenching his fist slightly
at the brash response.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Their chakra signatures are much higher then ours by far. The one with the kitsune
mask on is the highest. The kunoichi to our right is second and the other one
behind us is a very close third," said Hinata before she noticed the masked ninja
focused on her now and it made the Hyuuga girl at tad
'Interesting. The bloodline she uses does indeed live up to what I have heard of
them. If that is true, she could see what I, and Fu have sealed within us if the
Hyuuga's eyes probe deeper,' thought Naruto before he looked at Fu and gave a
simple nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Here we go,' thought Shino while getting ready for a fight along with the
"Hiden: Rinpungakure no Jutsu!" said Fu, as she went through hand signs, inhaled
deeply before launching a bright powdery substance at them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
Shino knew something was wrong when he noticed how bright the powder was when it
had "sparkled" in a sense around them, as he tried to grab Kiba, and Hinata while
trying to shield their eyes from the flashing light that soon followed. Sadly, his
actions were a few second too slow, and too late with the trio plus dog were
blinded by the attack. With their guard down, each one was hit by a tranquilizer
dart from a simple blow gun, and the Konoha Shinobi plus dog were
detained.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rather anticlimactic when you think about it," said Ayane while checking each
ninja and dog for a pulse to make sure they were indeed alive since the sedative
they used was very potent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need them alive for questioning Ayane. You know that. Besides, I think I know
this one right here," said Naruto, as he kneeled down, and examined the Hyuuga in
front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You do?" asked Ayane while Naruto continued to study her
"Back when we were children. Remember the story I told you about the bullies I beat
up when they were harassing a girl my age?" said Naruto with Ayane
"So she is the girl you saved back then?" asked Ayane while admitting to herself
that the Hyuuga girl had quite the figure matching her own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"I'm not entirely sure. It was a long time ago. But I do remember the girl's face
and given time allowing her to grow...this could be the one," answered Naruto
before picking her up and saw Fu take Shino and Ayane take
Kiba.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do we do about the Inuzuka's dog?" asked Fu before Naruto made a hand sign
and two Shadow Clones appeared.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You abuse that Jutsu way too much," remarked Ayane while Naruto smirked at
"Say what you will Ayane, but we both know it has its uses. Or do I need to mention
just {\i
how} we both know that Shadow Clones has {\i
other usage} beyond the battlefield?" teased Naruto with Ayane blushing before
growling at him and Fu looked between the two in shock since she put two and two
together.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are lucky I am holding this smelly boy or I would slug you," commented Ayane,
as she wondered when was the last time this Konoha Shinobi took a bath, and
mentally told herself to take one after they got home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto just let out a small chuckle while Fu muttered "perverts" under her breath
though she wasn't one to talk since she had been having certain {\i
dreams} about herself with the blonde. The only reason she hadn't acted on these
things was due to Ayane making it clear that he was in a relationship with the
butterfly loving woman, but at the same time hinted that Naruto fell under the CRA
written during the First Kage Summit when the discussion regarding International
Shinobi Laws came up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Still, Fu wasn't going to pursue {\i
that }kind of relationship until she was sure the time was right, and recalled
meeting Naruto while heading to the holding cell with her
prisoner.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Jinchuriki of the seven-tails had made her way to Iron Country years ago, the
trip to the nation of samurai was harsh, cruel, and nearly killed her...{\i
three times} to be exact! Fu had been suppressing her chakra the entire time and
avoiding all forms of contact with people during the trek to her desired
location.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And for a time, Fu's life was good with a place to stay, a place to work. She was
happy. Sure there were occasions when she froze up when samurai walked by and got
too near, but Fu had been so sure they were coming to arrest her all those times.
Only through her need to act normal was she able to keep them from sensing her
chakra, which again was not easy when you are a Jinchuriki of a powerful Biju, and
waited to see what they would do when near.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But that changed when Naruto and Ayane appeared at where she worked before asking
to speak with her...in private.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fu easily played the innocent waitress for the most part, her eyes must have
betrayed the nervousness she was hiding, as Naruto had explained they knew who she
was, {\i
what }she was, and that she was not alone. He had revealed to her his own status as
a Jinchuriki, how Ayane knew, and didn't care about what they held inside their
bodies. They told her that General Mifune wasn't going to kick her out or have them
arrested for being ninja in a country that does not approve of it. When asked why,
Naruto explained what was going to happen soon with the Kage Summit, the talk about
the Akatsuki organization, which he told her was responsible for the hunting of
Jinchuriki for their own plans, and the war that no one in the Elemental Countries
could escape.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In short, Naruto was offering her a place on the side aiming to stop it from
happening. He even told her his heritage on both sides of the family, and what he
was offering in terms of Shinobi training. He wanted to prepare Fu for the growing
darkness that was to come and the war they would have to fight if it happened.
Naturally, she accepted since Fu had no intention of dying anytime soon, or be used
as a pawn by a Shinobi village or by the Akatsuki. Naruto agreed since he had no
intention of being one either and told Fu that he would never see her that way
either.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It made her blush at hearing the passion, conviction, and belief in his voice when
he told the woman all of this. Added to the fact Naruto didn't hate her for being a
Jinchuriki was a {\i
huge} plus in her book and in Chomei's too from what the Biju had talked to her
about the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. At first, Fu wondered if Naruto was like this because
he was also like her, but Chomei told her that members of the Uzumaki Clan never
saw Biju as pets, slaves, weapons, or any other demeaning word that others would
think up. It was one of the reasons why the Senju Clan and the Uzumaki Clan got
along so well despite the fact the two were cousin clans. Chomei even told her how
the Uchiha Clan was connected to the three, but was a clan founded on hatred, and
cared only about achieving power at the expense of others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Senju Hashirama, Uzumaki Mito, and Uchiha Madara being examples of this for all
three clans they individually represented. While Hashirama's intentions were pure
in terms of bringing stability and peace, the action itself had been stupid since
not everyone thought the way he did, and the Kages at the First Kage Summit were
proof of this when they got a hold of their assigned Biju they would seal away into
people who would become their village's very first generation
Jinchuriki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So with that in mind, Fu trained under both Naruto and Ayane to improve herself in
being a strong ninja, and hold her own against the enemies that were to come after
(Kage Summit-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you all for coming. My name is Mifune. I am the General and the Leader of
Iron Country. This Kage Summit will be mediated by me for the duration of this
time. I ask that while you are here, you treat my home, myself, and the other Kages
around you with respect their position deserves," said Mifune while each Kage from
each Shinobi village sat down in their respected and assigned seats while eyeing
each other with cautious eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Those damn brats failed me! I asked them to spy and scout potential reasons behind
my agents vanishing in this country and they failed! If they weren't possibly dead
already I would kill them right now!' thought Danzo angrily despite the fact he was
going to kill them even if they had succeeded due to the Inuzuka asking his stupid
question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The reason for this meeting is a very simple one, yet no less dangerous, as the
Elemental Countries are being attacked by this Akatsuki organization. Everyone here
has suffered in some shape or form because of their actions. Suna's own Kazekage
had his Biju ripped out of him and was only able to come back to life due to the
combined effort of his ninja and Konoha's coming to his rescue. Kumo has lost one
of their two Jinchuriki with the second currently missing, possible captured as
well despite no confirmed reports. Iwa has lost their two Jinchuriki and so has
Kiri with the evidence of the Akatsuki organization's activities in those areas
being abundantly clear for a duration of time. The minor ninja village of Taki has
also suffered and forced the Jinchuriki there to flee and go into hiding. Whether
they were successful in capturing their target is unknown. We can only pray that
they have not been successful. As for Konoha, it was nearly destroyed by the leader
of the organization when he learned the Kyuubi Jinchuriki has not been in the
village for a little over a decade. This meeting is to find out how to deal with
this situation," stated Mifune with all the Kages in the room not liking the idea
of their village's pride or dirty laundry being aired for the others to
hear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I say we crush them right now!" exclaimed the Raikage name A while he slammed his
massive fist on the table with a furious look on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With what? We have lost our Jinchuriki. Our weapons have been stolen right out
from under our noses," remarked the Tsuchikage while Gaara narrowed his
"Be careful how you refer to Jinchuriki as weapons Tsuchikage-sama. You forget that
{\i
I} too was once a Jinchuriki. I will not have those who were once like me for so
many years be considered expendable like kunai or shuriken," said Gaara while the
older Kage glared at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bah! Having a Jinchuriki as a Kage of a Shinobi village is a total mistake. Look
at what happened to the previous Mizukage? Bloodline purges and death all around by
a spiteful brat who went mad with power," countered the Tsuchikage with Gaara eye's
narrowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps if Jinchuriki were not hated and spited by the village they are sworn to
protect, such violence would not happen. If you were a Jinchuriki, would you wish
to suffer as I have suffered, or other Jinchuriki have suffered?" Gaara shot back
with both Kages now glaring at the other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Please! Let's get back to the issue at hand with the Akatsuki," said Mifune in a
soft yet firm tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I agree. We need to stop this organization before they find the remaining two. Why
was the Kyuubi Jinchuriki not in Konoha?" asked A while everyone looked at Danzo
now to answer that question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The problem was before my time as Hokage. However, from what I was able to learn,
the Kyuubi Jinchuriki was taken out of Konoha by an unknown ninja clan with the
mark of the spider. They are said to be led by a man named Genshin," answered Danzo
while the other Kages listened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the Kyuubi Jinchuriki could be anywhere like the one from Taki," said Mei while
she sighed since they could really use their help.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya of the Sannin has been trying to use his spy network to find him, but so
far our efforts have been...delayed. Apparently, his spies who are searching where
he believes our weapon was taken have been killed, possibly by the very ninja clan
we believe has our Jinchuriki. The information we gathered is vague at best,"
answered Danzo with the other Kages looking at him with unconvinced
"And how was your Jinchuriki treated? From your own words, you do not value him as
a person, but as a weapon to be wielded," commented A while Danzo glanced at
"That's because he is a weapon {\i
first} and a person {\i
second}. Jinchuriki are to be kept under heel and obey their Master whenever they
are given orders. If I had my way, the Kyuubi Jinchuriki would be a deadly
emotionless weapon of Konoha, and show no mercy to any of the village's enemies,"
said Danzo without care that Gaara was feeling bloodthirsty since such words
reminded him of his Father and A was clenching his fists since his little brother
being used in such a way appeared in his mind by someone like the older Kage made
his blood boil.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Terumi Mei, the recently made Mizukage of Kiri frowned at hearing this since it
clearly reminded her of Yagura, and his desire to purge bloodlines from the world.
As for the Tsuchikage, the old Kage didn't like the idea of the war hawk being so
open sounding about unleashing such power on those he considered Konoha's enemies.
From the way it sounded to him, Danzo would unleash such power on the entire world
until there was quite literally nothing left to fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps it is fortunate that it is currently {\i
NOT} up to you Danzo," said Mifune firmly since he did not see Jinchuriki like
"That is so like you Danzo. Always thinking the world is filled with enemies,"
remarked a male figure mockingly while appearing from the
"Who are you?" demanded Danzo while his bodyguards and those of the other Kages
came out to defend their leaders.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Someone who hates people like you and Konoha. A village filled with arrogance and
stupidity," replied the figure in red robes with gold colored lining, complete with
a red hood, gold and black armor underneath, and he was wearing a gold mask with
blue eyes being seen through the eye holes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Identify yourself!" demanded the Danzo while the other Kages and their bodyguards
realized this man's grudge was against Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am many things and therefore I go by many names. Some good. Some bad. But in
this case, you may call me...the Masked Regent!" said the Masked Regent in a
strange, yet clearly theatrical bow before standing up straight
"Fruitcake," mumbled Kankuro while the some of the other ninja in the room laughed
and the Masked Regent glanced over in his direction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Any man wearing women's makeup and playing with dolls has no room to talk about me
and how I act around others," countered the Masked Regent with a raised index
finger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"IT'S WAR PAINT!" yelled Kankuro making some of the ninja in the room sweat
drop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Notice he didn't fight him regarding the playing with dolls part,' thought Temari,
Gaara, A, Samui, Mifune, Ao, the Tsuchikage, Mei, and two of her
bodyguards.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Zabuza-sama, there is something familiar about him," whispered the masked kunoichi
next to the Demon of the Mist.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? In what way Haku?" asked Zabuza in an equally whispered tone with the girl
looking right in the masked man's blue eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know. Its those eyes. I've seen that shade of blue before," whispered Haku
with Ao frowning beside her and tried to use his Byakugan Eye, but found his
transplanted eye was unable to see through the mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't see who it is. The mask somehow has the ability to prevent me from seeing
who he is," whispered Ao while Zabuza frowned since few things prevented such a
Dojutsu from being blocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In any case, I am not an enemy here. Unlike the Akatsuki you are all planning to
fight in the near future. {\i
But} I am the enemy of those who would use and abuse Jinchuriki for their own
personal gain. Personally, I never saw the need to treat people like the way most
of you do, and find it a bit...{\i
hypocritical}," replied the Masked Regent with Danzo
"In what way?" demanded Danzo with the other Kages listening intently by this
"The fact you hate Jinchuriki, yet you {\i
make them} all the same. You treated them all like garbage, used at your
convenience. And when they were no further use? You throw them away! Or at least
until you need them again to flex your village's muscle! But have you ever thought
what it would be like if {\i
you} were a Jinchuriki? If {\i
you} were treated in such a manner? The Kazekage knows and I can tell he wouldn't
allow such a thing to happen to another in his place! The current Mizukage knows
because one of her predecessors was a Jinchuriki who went psychotic because of all
the abuse and lashed out once in the seat of power to punish those that hurt him
for their own gain. Such means in raising Jinchuriki are {\i
barbaric}! We all know it! Nothing good comes from treating Jinchuriki the way some
of you do. The only two Jinchuriki truly loyal to their village was Kumo! Why?
Because their Jinchuriki were treated like people and not just mindless weapons to
fight when you tell them to fight!" explained the Masked Regent with Danzo's
visible eye narrowing at him and his hand tightening on the
cane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am not going to argue with some nutcase about an irrelevant hypothetical
possibility or what a village does with their prized weapon. I am here to discuss
what needs to be done regarding the Akatsuki organization. They are a thorn in our
sides and must be dealt with immediately!" said Danzo while stomping his
cane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Considering Konoha has had more Missing Nin join the Akatsuki then any other
village here, I would say you are in no real position to make demands of the Kages
here Shimura Danzo," stated the Masked Regent with Danzo narrowing his eye at
"As crazy as this man is, looks, and acts...he has a point. First Orochimaru joined
the ranks of the Akatsuki, followed by Uchiha Itachi after he killed off most of
his clan," remarked A while Danzo now frowned at the
insinuation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
This was not going according to plan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Almost all of us have had Missing Nin from our villages join the Akatsuki. No
doubt using the organization as a means to protect themselves from being hunted
down," said Mei while the Kages around her with the exception of Danzo and A nod
their heads in full agreement though for obvious reasons.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This organization is filled with S-class Missing Nin. Those considered among the
best each Shinobi village has ever produced. We need to form an alliance among the
Shinobi villages to combat this threat before it is too late," stated Mifune with
the Kages in the room all agreeing with him that a united front would given them an
overall better chance at stopping the Akatsuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I should be made leader of this alliance. Kumo has had no contact with the
Akatsuki and none of our ninjas have left to join the organization," stated A while
not tolerating the idea of any of the other Kages taking the role of
leader.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You? Please! You Raikage-sama are too hot headed. You need someone who has his
emotions under control and make the harsh decisions needed to ensure victory. Like
me," said Danzo while focusing on Mifune and using his Sharingan Eye to plant the
subtle suggesting into the General's head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He's using a Genjutsu on Mifune-sama. Its the same kind used by Uchiha Shisui when
the man was alive. I can see it with my Byakugan,' thought Ao, as he moved to tell
the Mizukage, but was stopped when seals covering the entire room activated, and
lightning erupted from underneath Danzo's chair to attack the man violently to the
surprise of the Kages in the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. For shame Danzo. Using a Genjutsu on Mifune-sama to get your way,"
said the Masked Regent while wagging his finger at Danzo from where he
was.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? How dare you make such false accusations without proof! You will pay for
your attack!" stated Yamanaka Fu, who appeared with Torune by Danzo's side, and got
ready to attack.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is not false. I could see it with my eye. Danzo-san has a Sharingan Eye hidden
behind those bandages wrapped around his face," said Ao while stepping forward and
saw the shocked look on the other Kages while Mifune looked
calm.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your information about Danzo on this particular matter was indeed accurate my
friend," commented Mifune with the Masked Regent nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course! Hence why there are seals in this room, which were constructed to
prevent such a thing from happening. This room has seals all over! Anyone here who
decides to use Ninjutsu or Genjutsu will trigger the many complex detection seals
and give the user one nasty...shock! Of course, given how everyone here is of a
different element of sorts, I couldn't allow one such element to be used against
all of you should more then one Kage here try something on the others. No offense,
but I don't know any of you that well, and we all know how people try to will cheat
in order to win," stated the Masked Regent with the other Kages looking surprised
by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Does that mean it doesn't work on bloodlines? Or only on the Kages sitting in this
room. No. The seals will trigger if we use anything definitive on people like an
attack regardless if its Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or a bloodline based attack. The
Byakugan itself is neither of these things so the seals wouldn't activate unless I
were to possibly use Gentle Fist or possibly a Taijutsu in combination with my
eye,' thought Ao while deciding his eye was too valuable to be used again here in
this room due to the risk of the seals activating and attacking
He didn't want to risk his own transplanted eye being
damaged.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not only that, but there are seals on the chairs of all five Kages. Each tying
them to the seals in this room. If you or your bodyguards try to pull fast one, you
being the leader of your village takes the hit. For a still in pain Danzo here, it
was lightning to destabilize his body's ability to do anything ninja like for quite
some time. For say the Raikage, I have it where you would be badly burned by an
intense fire. With the Kazekage, I would have had him be hit by compressed water
projectiles capable of putting a fist size hole through your heart. I take it the
other Kages get the idea of just how far I'm willing to go to ensure everyone here
talks civilly and plays by the rules," replied the Masked Regent while the man
stood right beside General Mifune's chair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's quite impressive. Only an Uzumaki could be capable of such a feet when it
comes to such skill with seals," remarked the Tsuchikage while Danzo's eye widened
and looked at the Masked Regent in realization.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's because I {\i
am} an Uzumaki. And as an Uzumaki, I hold Konoha with a great deal of {\i
contempt} for the village abandoning us in our time of need. Not to mention erasing
us from their history books out of spite for their Jinchuriki. Not to mention Danzo
himself for sending three Chuunin level Shinobi here days ago to find out why his
spies suddenly went silent in place where they are not welcome," replied the Masked
Regent with Danzo snarling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"YOU?! YOU TRAITOROUS BRAT! KILL HIM!" yelled/commanded Danzo to his two Root
subordinates, who leaped into action, and decided hand to hand combat would not
trigger the seals in the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While the two Jounin were indeed fast, the Masked Regent was much faster, as he
struck the Yamanaka first with an armored fist to the gut, and followed up by
performing a spin kick that hit the Aburame in the face. The Yamanaka fell to his
knees, the hit forcing the contents of his stomach to come up, and reveal itself to
the people in the room. As for the Aburame, he hit the wall, cracking it upon
impact, and was having difficulty standing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Traitor? As if I was ever loyal to a man like you Danzo. Or to a village like
Konoha with the way its being run. I have the three Konoha Shinobi you sent here
days ago. I have their confessions, their words recorded, and their living
breathing bodies as further proof that you sent them here in advance to find out
what happened to your spies. I along with a few others caught these different spies
of yours and made them confess to all their crimes and actions against Iron Country
they were planning on your order long before becoming the so called Sixth Hokage of
Konoha," declared the Masked Regent while pointing to a still weakened Danzo in
dramatic fashion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You lie brat! Even if what you say were marginally true, my subordinates would
never crumble before an interrogation from any village or nation," said Danzo with
the Masked Regent laughing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh really?! Are you sure?! If you are betting that pathetic little seal on their
tongues will keep them from talking, I'll have you know that I was able to crack
such an archaic little number in under 15 seconds flat. You wouldn't believe what
they told us once I removed it and who they worked for. Granted, I already knew who
they worked for, but it felt so much better hearing the truth come out of their
mouths. How they were left at different orphanages as children by your Root
Shinobi, how you told them to become samurai of Iron Country, learn its secrets,
get said secrets them back to you, and if worse came to worse should Konoha be in
another costly war...orchestrate events to get Iron Country into that war to
annihilate Konoha's enemies. And by enemies, I mean namely...every single village
here. And yes that even includes Suna despite the alliance Konoha has with it,"
said the Masked Regent while the Kages and bodyguards in the room were glaring at
the war hawk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Konoha is the only village that deserves to stand. We were the first to form and
should be the only one to around. If it was not for us, none of these villages
would have Biju, or their own Jinchuriki. They owe us. They should have been paying
Konoha tribute just for having our property in their village. Instead, we make
treaties, and alliances with them while honoring the agreements despite such things
making us weak! We show weakness when we should be showing our unmatched strength.
The Will of Fire was meant to burn away everyone not of Fire Country blood in their
veins! That includes the filthy Uzumaki Clan from Whirlpool. The only clan worth
having in Fire Country was the Uchiha Clan, as they embraced fire, and was closer
to it beyond anyone else!" exclaimed Danzo, who had lost control of his emotions by
this point, and was now ranting like a crazed old man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They wielded a corrupt fire. A fire based on hatred. A fire that embraced war. A
fire that destroyed everything it touched. Including them," remarked the Masked
Regent while the two Leaf Jounin got up and got ready to fight him yet again in
close combat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have no right to judge them you piece of Uzumaki filth. Your whore of a Mother
prevented my rival the Sandaime, Jiraiya of the Sannin, and myself from molding the
Yondaime into the ideal Hokage. One who would use the Kyuubi Jinchuriki as we had
wanted and used the power of the Biju to wipe out every single person around us
into ashes! Konoha and Fire Country as a whole were destined to be the undisputed
ruler of the Elemental Countries and your {\i
desertion} from our village to join that unknown spider clan ruined our plans a
hundred times over!" exclaimed Danzo while the Kages looked confused while Haku
stiffened in realization to what the man was talking about and who was behind the
As for the masked man himself, he simply stared at Danzo for a few seconds, not
moving a muscle, not even breathing though that was hard to determine, and he just
stood there. Well...before he suddenly moved faster then either bodyguard of the
Sixth Hokage could see or the old man in question and was instantly stabbed in the
chest by a sword hidden in the robes of the Masked Regent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Has anyone ever said that you talk too much?" asked the Masked Regent while
noticing his sword was glowing a little with Danzo crying out in pain, his blood
gushing out of his chest, and was glaring back at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Danzo's bodyguards moved to kill the Masked Regent, but they were quickly taken
down by two mask wearing kunoichi with weapons of their own. The one with the
beetle mask on her face had a pair of customized Falcon Talons on her hands and
feet had killed the Aburame. Meanwhile, the butterfly masked kunoichi had a pair of
Fuma Kodachis, and had beheaded the Yamanaka before he could do
"You think this will stop me? You underestimate my power brat! I have cheated death
for years and I will cheat it here in front of everyone!" stated Danzo with blood
leaking down the side of his mouth while wishing his attacker would finish it so he
could use his hidden ace to cheat death.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That is where you are wrong. I know all about your {\i
unnatural} arm you have kept hidden from others. Not surprising you would hide such
a thing from people given how it is a mix of Senju Hashirama's cells and the
grafted Sharingan Eyes you harvested from the Uchiha Clan after the so called
'massacre' years ago. Not to mention you have something dangling around your neck
that also doesn't belong to you," remarked the Masked Regent while moving the sword
through Danzo's body, making the man cry out further at having more of his body's
flesh being sliced into by the sword carving into him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am...the Hokage of...of Konoha. I...I can hold on...onto any...key artifact once
held by a...a clan if none of the clan members alive are...are capable of claiming
them," said Danzo in pain and agony while the Masked Regent grabbed the item in
question before yanking it off the old man's neck for all to
see.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was the Shodaime's necklace.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A fitting loophole considering the owner of this necklace happens to be in a coma
right now from what I was told. But you are forgetting one thing Danzo," said the
Masked Regent with Danzo finding himself gritting his teeth in irritation right
"And what is that?" asked Danzo while seeing the Masked Regent throw the necklace
to the butterfly masked kunoichi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Uzumaki Clan and Senju Clan are {\i
cousins}. Meaning, anything that belongs to one, can rightfully belong to the
other. Or did you forget Senju Tsunade had Uzumaki blood in her veins from her
Grandmother's side?" replied the Masked Regent in a semi-mocking
"You claim to be an Uzumaki, but I doubt it. Remove your mask and hood for all to
see and prove you are truly one of them!" challenged Danzo while his enemy laughed
in a mocking tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You already claimed I was one earlier Danzo. Remember? Or is the lack of blood and
oxygen finally getting to you? No matter. I will ensure everyone here of who I am
in due time, but it will be on {\i
MY} terms," said the Masked Regent before angling the sword to slice up and outward
so it would come out through the shoulder which made Danzo's eye widened in
horror.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'No! From the way he is angling the sword, the brat will completely cut through my
arm, and I will be unable to use the Izanagi!' thought Danzo, as he used his free
hand to free his sword hidden within the cane, and thrust it at an angle to stab
the Masked Regent in the side before it was too late.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately, the old man's hand was stabbed by a kunai launched by the beetle
masked kunoichi, and made Danzo drop the hidden sword before it could make contact
with the Masked Regents body. That it would have mattered to the Masked Regent, as
he wore special armor underneath his robes, which would have been strong enough to
resist any pointy stabbing weapon sent his way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that Danzo or anyone else needed to know that at the
"Let's see how tough you are without the harvested bloodlines of others mixed
together in your body to save you," said the Masked Regent, as he sliced through
Danzo, and took off the man's hidden arm at the shoulder before reaching into the
war hawk's robes to show everyone the bizarre looking limb to the other now
horrified Kages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you know about those two bloodlines Zabuza-sama?" whispered Haku to her
teacher since she had encountered the Uchiha clan's Sharingan back in Wave, but the
bloodline of the Senju was only rumors now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Both have the power to influence the Biju. Legend has it that Senju Hashirama
could use his bloodline to subdue them while the Uchiha's Sharingan could enslave
them if they reached a hidden level that so far only Uchiha Madara has
accomplished. Mixing them together in the way this guy from Konoha did is unheard
of and quite frankly...it creeps me the fuck out," whispered Zabuza with Haku
"The Uchiha Clan, the Senju Clan, and the Uzumaki Clan are related to each other in
some way from what information we have just heard," said Haku with Zabuza nodding
since he knew the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan were rival clans connected
together by distant blood before hearing the Uzumaki Clan was related to them
too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't be defeated like this. I will not be brought to heel by some brat and be
judged by the inferior Kages or the one samurai General here in this room. I am
Shimura Danzo! I am the Sixth Hokage! I AM BEYOND ANY OF YOU!" exclaimed Danzo
while trying to move his remaining hand to activate the seal on his
Only to have his limb stabbed at the elbow by the Masked Regent's sword and making
the arm effectively useless.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Please! Spare us your so called righteous talk. All I see is an arrogant old man,
who has a problem being judged by others. I know baby tigers who have more fearsome
then you old man. All you have done is give orders to others Danzo, but when was
the last time you personally got your hands dirty? Must have been quite a few
years, if not decades since the last time you personally went on a mission.
Considering all the information I have on you old fool, once I make it public...you
would be in a world of shit," replied the Masked Regent while seeing Danzo glaring
at him since it was the only thing he could do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All I have ever done was for the good of Konoha!" exclaimed Danzo with the Masked
Regent waving off his words like he smelled something foul.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"And how is providing Orochimaru with citizens of Konoha for test subjects for the
good of the village? How is going to Orochimaru of the Sannin after being declared
a traitor to have this abomination for an arm apart of your body for the good of
Konoha? How is it good for the village to have emotionless drones for ninja or
sending all those said ninja to their deaths on missions without a care in the
world?" questioned the Masked Regent while Danzo spat blood on the masked man's
"face" for an answer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sacrifices must be made for the good of a village," stated Danzo in a growl that
sounded like a dying rabid animal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you were really so righteous Danzo, you would have easily given your life on
several different occasions when such a situation was warranted. In fact, where
were you when the leader of the Akatsuki was attacking Konoha? Where were all your
Root Shinobi you had under your command?" challenged the Masked Regent with Danzo's
eye narrowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I was protecting Konoha's future. To be the seeds to grow a new roots to form a
new tree over the one that fell," answered Danzo with the Masked Regent's blue eyes
narrowing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In other words, you would be in hiding like a coward waiting for the smoke to
clear, and become the new Sixth Hokage without anyone alive or strong enough to
possibly oppose you when taking the title," countered the Masked Regent with
Danzo's glare increasing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Call it what you will brat, I will not change my views, nor do I regret doing what
I have done for Konoha," said Danzo with the Masked Regent tilting his head while
looking at the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't expect you to change Danzo. I never did. I expect you to die, have an
extremely cheap funeral, and have people dance on whatever type of grave is given
to you," replied the Masked Regent before slicing the man's head clean off and then
crushing his skull with his armored boot.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perfectly good waste of a Sharingan," commented A while getting a glare from
Gaara.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You would not be saying that if the abilities behind that eye was used on you
Raikage-sama," stated Gaara while A frowned since that was
"While I do not mind the fact Danzo is dead, given his barbaric, and possibly
psychotic nature, we also can't proceed further with this Kage Summit. At least not
until another {\i
new} Hokage from Konoha has been appointed," said the Sandaime Tsuchikage with the
other Kages nodding since they needed Konoha's support in this and couldn't make
that happen unless Konoha's official Hokage was here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not to worry. I have it on good authority that Senju Tsunade will be coming here
soon enough as the Hokage of Konoha once more," stated the Masked Regent with a
raised finger while getting everyone's attention yet again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"How do you know this?" asked Mei curiously since she had been watching this
strange masked man with sharp eyes the entire time and had been listening to the
whispers of her two bodyguards.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because someone I know and trust went to Konoha a few days ago to make sure that
she came out of the coma that the Leader of the Akatsuki put her in," explained the
Masked Regent with the other Kages looking interested.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who?" asked Gaara curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why the Yami Kitsune Jigumo himself of course!" stated the Masked Regent with A
and the Tsuchikage frowned since they had heard of him through the Bingo
Book.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A B-ranked Shinobi? How do you know someone like him?" asked A since he had heard
of him in passing with Konoha taking an interest in the masked Nin with a capture
order in their Bingo Book and wanted to recruit such a person before his rival
village did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's not your concern Raikage-sama. The point is that Yami Kitsune Jigumo is on
his way to Konoha right now, and is ensuring the woman is awakened from her coma.
Once she is awakened and brought back up to speed on things that have happened
since being in the coma, Tsunade will come here to address the issue of the
Akatsuki. And between all of us, I think she will be itching to land one of her
famous punches down their throat," said the Masked Regent since he knew the woman
would be pissed off and ready for Round 2 in this fight against the
organization.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But that could take weeks. We can't leave our villages unattended for too long or
else we risk them being attacked by the Akatsuki," remarked the Tsuchikage with the
other Kages nodding in agreement since this would be the perfect time for the
organization they were planning to fight to beat them to the preverbal
punch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then I suggest you all go back to your respected Shinobi villages until I such a
time the Kage Summit can be reconvened. I will inform you all myself in a letter
with my own personal seal when the time is right to return," said Mifune with each
Kage nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is it possible for me to borrow the Masked Regent here for a second? There is
someone from my village who wishes to speak with him in private," said Mei with the
Masked Regent tilting his head slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't see why not. Lead the way please. Beautiful ladies go first," replied the
Masked Regent in an exaggerated bow, though not meant to be offensive, and saw the
woman smiling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Flatterer," remarked Mei while she walked back out of the door she came in with
the Masked Regent following.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Should we follow in secret?" asked the lime green haired
"No. He can handle himself," replied the violet haired
(Private Room-Moments Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its been a long time...Uzumaki Naruto," said Haku, as she took off her mask in
front of the Masked Regent with the man chuckling behind his mask in front of the
others in the room with them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you figured it out. I knew you were a sharp one Haku-chan," replied Naruto, as
he pulled down his hood, and removed his mask to reveal his face to her while Haku
blushed at the sight of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Handsome,' thought Mei with a smirk with Ao scoffing at the
blonde.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Zabuza's nonexistent eyebrow twitched when seeing Haku's
blush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Must...resist...urge to...kill...gaki. If only...for...Haku's sake!' thought
Zabuza since his student/surrogate daughter had been having random moments of where
she would hurt people or have a desire to hurt people.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Namely himself and/or Ao. Mostly Ao though.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In my day, Shinobi did not act in this manner. They were dignified in life and did
not play the role of jester in the presence of a Kage or multiple Kages," remarked
Ao while Mei was hearing only some of his words and making up what she assumed he
was now referring to being aimed at herself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Dignified...wife...play role...role of married couple,' thought Mei while Ao
continued his lecture toward the blonde man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You lack common sense. You played the part of a mad man and endangered the other
Kages with your stunt you pulled with Danzo," said Ao while Naruto just
smirked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ao...shut up or I'll kill you," said Mei while Ao did as he was
told.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I saw that coming the moment Ao opened his big dumb mouth,' thought Zabuza with a
smirk behind his bandages while Haku approached Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I didn't think I would see you again or that you would return to the Elemental
Countries after the events of Wave Country," said Haku with Naruto
"At the time, my statement to you was true, but events following since then have
caused things to change what I do, and the path I first chose when being a ninja,"
replied Naruto before he explained events as best he could to Haku about his time
with the Black Spider Clan, him leaving it for the Dragon Clan, and finally leaving
them due to the mixing of the Greater Fiend blood belonging to Master Genshin
before joining the Dragon Ninja in the fight against the Archfiend. After that he
talked about how things progressed from their with his life in the Hayabusa Village
and his relationship with Ayane. Haku felt her heart ache, but her secret hopes for
the two of them were saved when Naruto mentioned that due to the nature of his
Mother's Clan being an Uzumaki, he qualified for the CRA.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All in all his audience in hearing what he had to say were quite
stunned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So Genshin is dead. Damn! At least he died on his own terms. I can respect him fro
that since its how we all ninja like us should go," commented Zabuza while
adjusting his own sword on his shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the legends {\i
are} indeed true. I had heard the elderly in Kiri when I was a child speak of such
demonic creatures and how even strong ninjas became corrupted or had fallen by
their hands," said Ao with Naruto simply nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have faced many challenges these past few years. Done many things. I have seen
and fought creatures spawned from the darkest parts of one's own nightmares. When
it was all over, I decided to come back here to setup shop in the Elemental
Countries, and fix what was broken from the start. The Shinobi system," replied
Naruto with the other ninja in the room frowning in
confusion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean its broken? How is the Shinobi system broken?" asked Zabuza while
Naruto raised an eyebrow at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I thought it was obvious at this point. The Shinobi system is broken because the
Biju, who are all sealed into people, and turn said people into Jinchuriki for
weapon based use is the problem. The world does not need the nine Biju or that of
Jinchuriki being used as the front line weapons of warfare used in the past. Senju
Hashirama had good intentions when he divided up the Biju among the Shinobi
villages, but he miscalculated on what the Kages would do with each Biju, and how
they treated the Jinchuriki they made soon after. Think about it. How many wars
have started soon after in such a short time? How many times have Jinchuriki been
used in these wars or being used as threats to be used? If Shinobi villages are
going to wage war with one another, it must be done without the Biju, or the
Jinchuriki chosen to hold them," stated Naruto with Mei frowning a
"That's asking a lot Naruto-san. I do not hate Jinchuriki at all, even if Yagura
was one, and started the bloodline purges. However, like it or not, a Jinchuriki is
a valuable asset to preventing war if a village has one under their command,"
countered Mei with Naruto giving her a deadpanned look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet there have been three Shinobi Wars since all the villages possessed one or
more Biju given to them by the Shodaime Hokage during the First Kage Summit. Three
long and painful wars in roughly an entire century. Not exactly promising or the
fact almost each of the five Shinobi villages have had Jinchuriki being at the very
forefront of these conflicts to wipe out their enemies. All of this leading up to
the present with Iwa having bad blood against Konoha and Kumo has been trying to
steal bloodlines. Suna has had some economical problems and Konoha has lost well
over a third of its overall strength since the Yondaime Hokage died years ago.
Meanwhile, Kiri is just getting over its civil war, and you being appointed to the
position of Mizukage in order to pick up the pieces left behind by your
predecessor. Added to this whole situation is the Akatsuki, who all want the Biju
from each Jinchuriki for their own secret reason no one can even begin to
understand, or know about due to the veil of secrecy behind it. The fact all these
things focus around the Biju and the Jinchuriki themselves is not a coincidence
here Mizukage-sama," Naruto shot back with Mei being unable to dispute all these
things since it was all true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You've been keeping tabs on the Elemental Countries gaki," commented Zabuza with
"I was unsure if I would ever come back here again so I made sure I was prepared
for the possibility of coming here. By the way, how did you like my performance as
the Masked Regent?" stated Naruto with a grin and Zabuza let out a
"If you ever do quit being a Shinobi, you could always be an actor," replied Zabuza
while Naruto bowed theatrically.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you. Though I must ask you keep my identity as the Masked Regent a secret
for a little while until I am ready to reveal myself if at all in this form to
others. I need to keep the secrecy a little while longer in order to trap a snake
hiding out in Rice Country," said Naruto with the Shinobi in the room looking
"You're going after Orochimaru," stated Mei with Naruto
"I am. Before you say not to, I have a plan, and I have been training my ass off
for years in the way of the ninja. I have recently acquired a special...{\i
technique}, which I find will be the perfect weapon capable of killing the fool
when used on him," said Naruto with the ninja in the room not truly believing
"Even if you land this technique of yours on him, the man will just switch bodies
kid. The snake Sannin is like a parasite from what I've heard. Jumping from body to
body in order to extend his life," said Zabuza with Naruto smirking at
"Trust me on this Zabuza, with what I have in mind for the snake Sannin in terms of
my technique killing him...Orochimaru will wish that his death had come ages ago
for his past sins," said Naruto with coldness in his voice that made the Kiri Nin
in the room shiver.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They did not envy Orochimaru of the Sannin in the
(A/N: YAY! A super long update. Hope you enjoyed it. For those of you who are now
wondering what happened to former Genin team #8, do not worry, their fate will be
made known to you in the next chapter. Also, I dare you all to guess exactly what
will happen to the snake when Naruto faces him, and what Naruto will do to him. For
those of you who figure it out, I congratulate you for getting it right, and hope
you look forward to the next chapter. Until next
{\b
Chapter 13-Wake Up Call\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can sense you do not like me very much," commented a figure to the three Chuunin
and their dog currently walking with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We are only doing helping you do this under protest and per the deal needed to
help protect Konoha from Iron Country's wrath against us," remarked Shino while he
along with Hinata, Kiba, and Akamaru were heading to Konoha with the one ninja who
had helped detained them in Iron Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Yami Kitsune Jigumo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can protest this action all you want Aburame-san. I really don't care. But
surely you realize that I am doing what needs to be done and if you don't help
me...your Gondaime Hokage will be stuck in a coma for a long time," replied Yami
Kitsune while hearing the insects within the Chuunin
buzzing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We know that! Its just...we have mixed feelings in terms of letting you in.
Loyalty to a village and all that. Something {\i
you }know nothing about!" exclaimed Kiba brashly while Yami Kitsune stopped walking
and turned to look at the trio behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Loyalty to a Shinobi village and loyalty to the people {\i
in }said village are two different things Inuzuka. A village is a bunch of
buildings, structures, made of wood, steel, and other materials. The people in it
are those who you should be loyal to, but only if they are loyal back. Konoha has
does not have my loyalty. The {\i
only }reason I am helping you get your Gondaime Hokage back is because I want
answers from her...and her predecessor," said Yami Kitsune before continuing his
walk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You've been in Konoha before, haven't you?" assumed Hinata with Yami Kitsune
letting out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're a sharp one Hyuuga-san. And yes. I was in Konoha before. Years ago in
another life. It was a life of a naive boy, who didn't know why people hated him,
or wanted to kill me whenever the possible opportunity presented itself to them,"
answered Yami Kitsune with Hinata looking at him with sad
Out of all three of them, she was the only one he visited in her cell after being
detained in Iron Country, and the two had an interesting
(Flashback-Days Ago)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Her cell had been opened, the light from outside of her tiny room was almost
blinding, but Hinata endured it since such a thing was a minor annoyance. As she
waited for her eyes to adjust, a figure emerged, creating a shadow of a man, who
Hinata recognized as the Yami Kitsune Jigumo. She remembered him from Wave Country
and what he did, even after all this time. It was difficult to comprehend at first
when she saw such violence being performed by one ninja against so many and gave
the Hyuuga girl nightmares by the time she came home. When her Father asked about
these nightmares, Hinata told him about what she saw, and the violence involved
that was performed by one person. Being raised in large clan, well protected by the
walls, and family members in a semi-sheltered life, it was no surprise such a sight
would give the girl nightmares at such a young age.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Be Hinata had endured it for the most part. Several trips to the Yamanaka Clan home
for multiple therapy sessions had helped Hinata deal with the trauma involved. She
came to terms with her profession possibly getting violent and the dark aspects
involved with the profession of a Shinobi. At the Academy, many students thought
about becoming "super strong ninjas" who would be saving princesses, fighting "bad
guys", and amassing a vast amount of wealth to match their fame in the
process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was only natural that they failed the {\i
real }test when the Genin teams were first formed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata knew that wasn't the case since her Father had told his daughter that such
things were delusions most kids at the Academy told themselves without realizing
they were wrong in their assumptions. Being a man who fought in the last Shinobi
War himself, Hiashi's explanation of things had helped Hinata greatly during her
time at the Academy, and continue to get stronger despite the obstacles within the
clan believing she was weak.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At one point, Hinata admitted to herself that she had been weak. As a child, she
didn't like the idea of hurting others, and loved all things around her. However,
there were those that didn't like her kind nature, and tried to exploit that by
pushing the girl around. She didn't understand it at the time, being surrounded by
family until that point had made Hinata feel safe, secure, and the concept of
people disliking her kind nature being a very foreign
concept.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She tried to talk them out of their bullying. To be reasonable. To be nice. Like
her! But they wouldn't listen. They laughed like the idea of being nice was a joke.
They pushed her around while her caretaker at the time when out in the village, one
Hyuuga Ko was nowhere around, and it was at that point she became a bit fearful.
What if these older kids wished to inflict harm on her? Hinata didn't want to hurt
anyone. What was she to do?!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At the time, Hinata's answer came in the form of a blonde boy her age, who appeared
out of nowhere, and fought off the bullies without any regard for his own
wellbeing. It was actually awe inspiring in a way to see someone fight like that,
even if he had no chance of winning, and still fought the bullies. Eventually, the
bullies all retreated while the blonde haired boy, who looked a bit banged up
himself just smiled at her, and said his name was Uzumaki
However, she was unable to give hers due to the fact that right before Hinata could
say her name, Ko had appeared from out of nowhere, and dragged the poor girl away.
She looked back at Naruto, wanting to say her name, but Hinata was shy, and the
pulling of her arm by Ko wasn't helping much either. Hinata remembered how Ko told
her to stay away from Naruto, how he was a troublemaker, something evil, vile, and
was a stain on the very existence of life itself. An abomination that should not be
alive, yet was tolerated simply because he might possibly be useful to society one
day.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata tried to protest, saying Naruto defended her from some bullies, but Ko was
very adamant about this, and said they would talk to her Father about this.
Something apart of her feared since the man while a loving Father, also was a
strict Clan Head, and Hinata for her part was unsure how her Father would react to
Surprisingly, her Father was not upset with Hinata, or even with Naruto despite Ko
trying to portray the boy in a bad light. In fact, Ko was the one who got a stern
talking to when Hiashi demanded to know where he was when the bullying happened?
Why he allowed it to happen, and why a boy Hinata's age was able to do what a full
grown Hyuuga adult could not?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naturally, Ko was unable to give a proper response, stuttering as he was in the
attempt, and Hiashi ordered his daughter to leave while both adults to have a
private conversation on the matter. Later on, Hinata asked her Father about Naruto,
but the man simply could not tell her much about him, and asked that she make an
attempt to know the boy beyond what people say about the
And Hinata had tried in regards to Naruto. Whenever she had a chance to leave the
clan compound. But it had become exceedingly difficult due to the rotated
caretakers she had and them not wanting to get a scolding from Hiashi like Ko did
for his failures. As such, they made sure Hinata stayed away from the various areas
they {\i
knew} Uzumaki Naruto was known to be around.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And then one day by the age of six, the boy had suddenly vanished. Gone! No trace
of him. No scent, no chakra, no form of physical piece of evidence that the blonde
who had saved her was in Konoha much less alive. She never even got a chance to
thank him for what he did! For all she knew, the boy thought Hinata was a total
jerk, and didn't care about the selfless act he performed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Since that time, Hinata had focused more on her training, wanting to get stronger
so she wouldn't need saving again, and maybe one day find Naruto again in the
process when out in the real world. Beyond the walls of her clan. Beyond the walls
of Konoha. She had heard the rumors shortly after the boy vanished, how he was
taken out of Konoha, and not by choice via a team of unknown ninja. Most of the
village populace were happy he wasn't around anymore, many celebrated for days,
much to the confusion of the younger generation until the Sandaime's Law secretly
regarding the issue was repealed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
However, the opinion about Naruto being gone, and also considered a good thing soon
changed drastically. At least for the Shinobi of Konoha anyway, as they realized
without their Jinchuriki growing up in the village, it was undefended against {\i
other} Jinchuriki that were in {\i
other }Shinobi villages, and thus disrupting the delicate balance of power among
the five Shinobi villages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata never really saw the reason for hating Naruto. Even before she learned the
truth and what the Hyuuga Elders along with others around her considered to be {\i
their version} of the truth. If Naruto was the vile monster or demon that was
Kyuubi, the boy would have unleashed his fury on them before he disappeared, or
wouldn't have saved her from the bullies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In short, Hinata believed Uzumaki Naruto was more human then some of the people in
Konoha, and how they saw him when they couldn't be further from the
truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why are you here?" asked Hinata calmly, as she saw the masked ninja enter the
cell, and watch the door shut behind him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"To talk to you," replied Naruto while putting the chair he set the chair he
brought with him down and sat down in it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"About why my team was here," said Hinata with Naruto shaking his
"I know why you came here Hyuuga-san. It was the most predictable action Danzo
could have made once his spies in Iron Country went silent," replied Naruto with
Hinata now looking confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then what do you want to know? Something about Konoha? Because if you do, I won't
betray my village," stated Hinata with Naruto again shaking his head
"I don't care about Konoha. It can burn for all I care," said Naruto with Hinata
looking shocked at hearing this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then we have nothing to talk about," replied Hinata
calmly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I agree if its about Konoha. But I'm not here to talk about {\i
that} village. I here to talk about you," said Naruto with Hinata raising an
eyebrow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"About what? My clan? My Byakugan? Because I have no intention of telling you about
them and you can't make me," replied Hinata with Naruto letting out a chuckle this
"I don't care about that either. I only asked about {\i
you}. I want to know more about you. Or rather...about your childhood," said Naruto
while Hinata looked more confused by where this was going.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about my childhood?" asked Hinata with Naruto smirking behind his
"Tell me Hyuuga Hinata...did you ever get bullied when you were a child?" asked
Naruto with Hinata's eyes widening at the question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why do you want to know?" asked Hinata with Naruto sighing now at how she had been
less receptive to his questioning then he would have liked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Indulge me. Please!" said Naruto with Hinata still
"I was. When I was little. I didn't know why I was picked on since I was almost
always protected within the walls of my clan. But when I was, my caretaker Ko was
not around to stop them. Instead...," answered Hinata before
stopping.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Instead, someone unexpected came along, and saved you from those bullies,"
finished Naruto with Hinata looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How did you know that?" asked Hinata with Naruto hesitating for a second before he
grabbed his mask and removed it to reveal his face to her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I was the boy who saved you all those years ago," answered Naruto while
the girl gasped in shock at seeing him after so many years.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"You're Yami Kitsune Jigumo?!" asked Hinata since she did not expect him of all
people to be Yami Kitsune Jigumo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You sound surprised," remarked Naruto with Hinata blushing a bit with
embarrassment over what she just said.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its just...I haven't seen you for literally a decade. Sooner if you count what
happened in Wave Country, but...," said Hinata while unsure if she should keep
talking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You didn't know it was me so the incident doesn't really count," finished Naruto
with Hinata nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is it true what the rumors say? About you being taken by an unknown ninja clan and
raised by them in the ninja arts?" asked Hinata while hearing all sorts of rumors
these days about him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I was. I left them a few years ago. There were...{\i
complications} that could not be solved diplomatically. After that, I found my
Father's clan he didn't know existed, and I was trained by them until recently. I'm
back in the Elemental Countries to fix things here before the coming war can
happen," said Naruto with Hinata frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't understand. What war? There is no war coming. The Gondaime Hokage or her
temporary successor would have told us," said Hinata while refusing to call Danzo
the Sixth Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your Gondaime Hokage didn't know about it and is currently in a coma. Shimura
Danzo isn't going to tell you anything unless it's meant to complete a mission that
required you to be sacrificed," replied Naruto while Hinata looked
"Like he did with this mission," remarked Hinata with Naruto
"More or less. It doesn't matter. As far as he knows, you along with your team are
dead, and I need him to think that way until after the Kage Summit happens,"
explained Naruto with Hinata looking up at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Did you visit the others to tell them this?" asked Hinata with Naruto shaking his
head no at her question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't. I don't trust them with this information or to the nature of my
identity," stated Naruto with Hinata looking shocked that he wouldn't trust her
team, but would trust her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why not? They won't hate you," countered Hinata with Naruto shaking his
"Your Aburame teammate won't. That much I know based on his clan's belief that way
of being logical is the best path. Your Inuzuka however...his personality and
brashness don't exact promote a level head," Naruto shot back while Hinata still
didn't look convinced.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet you trust me," challenged Hinata with Naruto smirking at
"I trust you with this information Hinata because I can sense your emotions. A gift
from my Mother's side of the family I have learned to use with the skill of a
Master. I sense you won't betray me if I ask that this conversation not be told
your teammate or to anyone in Konoha," said Naruto with Hinata looking shocked and
puzzled.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...why? Why can't I tell my teammates? Why not tell the people who care about
you even after all this time in Konoha? When Tsunade-sama wakes up from her coma,
she will welcome you back with open arms!" exclaimed Hinata while standing up and
the blonde doing the same.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because then I will be hunted. Not just by Konoha, but by the Akatsuki. Even the
other four Shinobi villages will want me among their ranks or to possibly capture
me to hold some form of leverage to be used later. Not to mention the Jinchuriki of
the seven-tails is here in Iron Country and I can't risk the other Shinobi villages
or the Akatsuki knowing she is here either," answered Naruto with Hinata's eyes
widening in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The kunoichi with the green hair with the beetle mask. Her chakra levels were
second only to yours!" stated Hinata while Naruto smirking and
"Correct. Think about it Hinata. If all those Shinobi villages, plus the Akatsuki
knew of us being here Iron Country, they will all launch their forces here to get
us, and they won't hold back. While the samurai of this nation are strong, the
overall battle would weaken them to the point where they would most likely never
recover, and I told General Mifune that I would not endanger his country while
here. It was part of the agreement I made to allow myself and those two kunoichi
you saw to move around freely within Iron Country. While I know you want to tell
your friends about me in the belief it would benefit me, the truth is such a secret
cannot be kept by them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I trust Kiba and Shino with my life. If I tell them to keep this a secret, I know
they will listen, and not tell anyone," said Hinata with Naruto shaking his
"No. They cannot keep this a secret. The Inuzuka can't be told about my identity
for the obvious reasons given his nature and your Aburame teammate will feel that
logically the Hokage should be told due to Konoha being my birth home. That still
have form of duty or obligation to the village regardless if I was abused by Konoha
in the past. At the very least, your teammate Shino will tell his Father, who then
will tell the Hokage, and this will ultimately result in a meeting of Konoha's
entire governmental body. One that will be convened simply to discuss this
information about my existence and my identity as the Yami Kitsune Jigumo. They
will talk, they will yell, slam fists on the table, and will be divided on what to
do until sides are taken with the overall majority winning out. They will either
call for my death due to me 'abandoning' Konoha or ordering that I be captured and
brought back to Konoha for questioning. Depending on my answers, they will either
throw me away, or they will have a Yamanaka dive in to my head. If they do the
latter, it be to erase, suppress, or alter my memories before trying to mold me
into a loyal Shinobi of Konoha. My various senseis that I will have for my
retraining will be several ninja the Hokage assign to monitor me in case I gain my
memories back," explained Naruto with Hinata looking down since she knew it was
"I...I understand. I can...I can see why you would wish to keep this a secret, but
it doesn't seem to matter right now since my team and I are in these cells, and
cannot go back to Konoha. I doubt the Sixth Hokage will send ninja to Iron Country
so soon to the Kage Summit to find out what happened to us," replied Hinata with
Naruto smirking at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't worry about that. While Shimura Danzo is heading here, you along with your
team will be heading to Konoha, and {\i
I }will be coming with you," said Naruto simply while the Hyuuga girl looked
shocked and confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...you said that Konoha will do all those things to you," said Hinata with
concern in her voice since she didn't want that to happen to
"Yes I did. And they would...{\i
IF} we were walking through the front gate. I need your team to take me to one of
the weak points so all four of us can sneak into Konoha undetected," said Naruto
with Hinata still looking confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But we were given a mission. We are expected to enter through the main gate to
register our return," said Hinata with Naruto shaking his head
"No. This assignment you were given by Danzo was not on record. He couldn't risk it
if you were ever caught. It is how the different Kages are able to send their
Shinobi on such risky missions so when they are disavowed, there is no actual proof
to counter it when the offending village, or country demands an investigation into
the matter," replied Naruto with Hinata not liking the idea of simply being written
off like she was worthless.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But our parents know we went on this mission. As Clan Heirs, we are obligated to
tell them we are going on such an important mission," said Hinata with Naruto
nodding since he had been informed of this beforehand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then each of you can your parents that you have finished it and the mission is
highly classified," replied Naruto with Hinata not liking the idea of lying to her
Father about this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All right. But it will take some time to convince Shino and Kiba to go along with
this plan of yours," said Hinata knowing neither of her teammates would like the
idea of helping the infamous Yami Kitsune Jigumo get into Konoha for what they
would no doubt consider to be the wrong reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Which is why {\i
you} are going to explain it to them and I will be behind you in the event one of
them starts yelling in your face. A beautiful face I might add," replied Naruto
with Hinata blushing at that last part since she was always a bit self-conscious
about herself in terms of beauty.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"W-When should we talk to them?" asked Hinata with Naruto smirking before putting
on his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Right now will do," answered Naruto before leading her out of the room with a
gentle hand on her back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Seeing her face go a deep shade of red from such simple contact was amusing to say
the least.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How do we know this guy won't kill the Gondaime Hokage once we get to Konoha?"
whispered Kiba to his teammates.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We don't Kiba. We have only his word and his support from Iron Country's General.
If we do not help him, Mifune-sama has stated he will make sure Konoha does not
survive the coming war. Iron Country is feared for a reason," whispered Shino with
Hinata still looking at Yami with intent filled eyes, as she was trying to decipher
the ninja in front of her, and what he just told them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why not just alert the ANBU or the barrier and sensor teams when we get to
Konoha?" asked Kiba since they easily could instead of taking the ninja into the
village in the few spots still being repaired along the damaged wall
sections.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If what this ninja says is true...it would be in the best interest for {\i
ALL} of us to help him," said Shino while Kiba was shaking his
"We don't know if its true. For all we know, this guy is one of the Akatsuki, and
is using us," whispered Kiba while not believing for a second this Yami Kitsune
Jigumo was here to help them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps you would prefer to serve Danzo and one day become his emotionless drones
who do not care if they live or die? Or if those around you live or die for that
matter?" asked Yami with the Inuzuka glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That wouldn't happen," retorted Kiba with Yami Kitsune surprising him by
"I know it won't because Shimura Danzo is dead," replied Yami Kitsune without
stopping while the trio of Chuunin did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? When?!" asked Kiba angrily since he couldn't protect his Hokage while in the
same country at the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"During the Kage Summit in front of Mifune, the other Kages, and their bodyguards.
Not that it matters since the man was a false Kage," replied Yami Kitsune with the
Inuzuka growling at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean it doesn't matter?! He was our Hokage! I may not like the guy,
but it is our duty as Konoha Shinobi to protect him no matter what!" exclaimed Kiba
with his face getting feral.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The man has done many horrible things before he became the Sixth Hokage. Spying on
Iron Country being one of them and that is {\i
minor} compared to some of the other things I have evidence of him doing," remarked
Yami Kitsune while Kiba didn't look appeased by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is what ninjas do Kitsune-san. Doing questionable things is part of our
occupation and spying on other countries is part of our job," replied Shino with
Yami Kitsune nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True, but is collaborating with a Missing Nin like Orochimaru part of it? Is
splicing the Senju bloodline into an arm with grafted Sharingan Eyes part of it? Or
perhaps using the spies you place in a country to instigate a war with a rival
village or enemy questionable, yet still allowed in terms of being a Shinobi?"
Kitsune challenged with the three Chuunin in front of him looking shocked before
Kiba shook his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bullshit! I don't believe a word of what you are saying. You could be making this
shit up just to justify what you are doing!" exclaimed Kiba
"Believe what you want. Again, I don't care what you believe Inuzuka-san. What I in
fact do care about is bringing your {\i
real} Hokage Senju Tsunade out of her coma. Whether or not you help me in this
mission is entirely up to you. However, if you do anything that jeopardizes my
ability to do just that, I will be forced to...{\i
remove you} from this group in my own way," said Yami Kitsune with Inuzuka growling
louder now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'd like to see you try!" challenged Kiba while getting into a
crouch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kiba stop! We need him!" protested Hinata with Kiba glaring at
"We don't need shit from him! He smells off. He smells of different things, {\i
unnatural things}, and it has been driving my instincts crazy. He's a threat to us,
to Konoha, and I won't let him into the village!" exclaimed Kiba angrily while
glaring at Hinata, which ultimately proved to be his undoing in this situation when
refocusing on Yami Kitsune Jigumo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Because when Kiba did look where the ninja was, the ninja in question wasn't there,
but rather {\i
behind }the Inuzuka, and a strong chop to the back of the neck knocked the Chuunin
'Fast. I didn't even see him move,' thought Shino while being unable to see the man
they were escorting move.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My apologies to you both and to Akamaru here, but we are wasting time. The longer
we stay here bickering about things like children, the longer it will take for me
to bring your Gondaime Hokage out of her coma, and the weaker she will become. Not
to mention the simple fact Danzo's agents in the hospital may somehow know of his
death and they have standing orders to kill her," stated Yami Kitsune before
hefting Kiba onto his back and the group resumed their walk to Konoha
unimpeded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha Hospital-Two Days Later-Nighttime)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Yami Kitsune Jigumo, also known as Naruto, stared at the woman in front of him,
lying helplessly in her bed, in a coma she had been in for a few weeks now, and
wouldn't be coming out of anytime soon...at least not without his help anyway. The
charts indicated she had improved since being in the coma, treated like any other
coma patient, and was at the border one reaches prior to waking up. The problem was
the various notes the doctors left when monitoring her condition also gave her
things she didn't need, which from his own understanding in medicine thanks to
Momiji were designed to keep Tsunade {\i
IN} the coma rather then get her {\i
OUT }of it, and mixed such things discreetly with the
treatment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One negating the other and keeping the woman effectively in a limbo like state on
the very border of sleeping and waking up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
However, Naruto had come prepared for this situation, and after learning of the
woman's coma after the battle with Akatsuki Leader known as Pein, he created a
special seal tag that was specifically designed to revitalize Tsunade, and bring
her out of the coma. Of course, due to his own infamy that Konoha had put on him
years ago simply for punching the stupid Uchiha boy in Wave, he couldn't exactly
stick around, and accept his thank you from the woman. While Naruto doubted Tsunade
was an Uchiha Clan supporter, he also knew there were many in Konoha who were, and
they also were {\i
NOT} a big fan of him in general for being the Kyuubi
Granted he was a Shadow Clone of the boy currently in what was considered to be
hostile territory for him, but that was beside the point. The point was they could
possibly learn his identity or confirm who he was if they didn't know already and
start digging around for his whereabouts. Jiraiya's spy network never did
successfully find him on the other side of the world, but that was because said
spies were in unknown lands, and terrain with no real way to find
Now that Naruto was {\i
IN} the Elemental Countries, the risk of Jiraiya's spies finding him would increase
from increase from here on out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that in mind, Naruto decided to handle things here with the Gondaime Hokage
first before moving onto his {\i
other }target a few doors away. With the tag in place on the Senju woman's
forehead, Naruto went through hand signs before placing his fingertips on the seal,
channeling his chakra into it, and began the revitalizing process. The seal itself
was a more updated version of what was in the Uzumaki Clan's version of the
Forbidden Scroll of Sealing, and was once used to heal Uzumaki Clan members who {\i
really} pushed themselves during the past few wars. The problem with it the
original design was the overall waiting process and the amount of chakra used
drained the Uzumaki who initiated it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Of course, Naruto being a Jinchuriki with massive chakra reserves, plus his own
studying extensively in the Sealing Arts with a daily army of Shadow Clones quickly
brought him up to speed on the subject.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the tag having been charged with his chakra in the storage system of the
sealing tag, he began the next phase of making the tag transfer it into her. The
transfer of chakra itself would only take a few minutes, and without his need to be
here so with that in mind, the Shadow Clone of the blonde ninja vanished into the
shadows. Before he did though, the Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Naruto left a small note
for her to read when she woke up while also making sure a simple yet discreet
sealing tag was placed on the door to prevent anyone from barging in to interrupt
the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Sarutobi Hiruzen's Room-Minutes Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know you are there lurking in the shadows. I maybe a crippled old ninja, but I
am not {\i
that} crippled of an old man to sense when someone has come into this room,"
whispered Hiruzen while sensing something off about his room in the dead of
night.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Impressive. Your skills are not as nonexistent as I first thought," said Yami
Kitsune, as he appeared through the shadows and stared at the old man lying in the
bed across from him with the moonlight being the only light in the
"Yami Kitsune Jigumo. That is your given name isn't it...Uzumaki Naruto?" said
Hiruzen with Yami Kitsune taking off his mask and revealing the blonde young
"It is my name, though you have no right to say it. After everything you've done,"
replied Naruto with Hiruzen grunting and felt his body ache to
move.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not surprising seeing how badly injured and old he was even with Tsunade's
skills.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Everything I have ever done was for the good of Konoha," remarked Hiruzen while he
was secretly hitting the emergency button to alert the ANBU around the hospital of
the threat to his person.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't bother trying to warn the ninjas, doctors, or nurses of my arrival. There
are seals on your medical equipment that have your vitals being projected as stable
and on a loop. I also have seals all around this room keeping anyone from hearing,
seeing, or feeling my presence here. I didn't want us to be disturbed while we had
a simple...{\i
chat}!" said Naruto with Hiruzen glaring at the young boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you want to know why I did what I did? You want to know why I planned things
out to have you suffer? To be submissive to the village? To {\i
me}?" asked Hiruzen while Naruto should his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I already know all of that. What I want to know is why you betrayed my clan? Why
did you betray the Will of Fire that Senju Hashirama preached? Why did you do
everything that you did when it wasn't necessary at all? You didn't need to have
the village hate me, beat me, and ultimately allow them to abuse my person. Yet you
did. Why go down such a path when doing the opposite provided the same results?"
asked Naruto with Hiruzen looking out the window at the clear night
sky.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I wanted more. I wanted more power. Absolute power. I learned from a young
age that power was the only thing that mattered. I saw power when it came in the
form of Hashirama and his brother Tobirama. In Uchiha Madara. I saw it in the
Uzumaki Clan. I saw it in everyone around me at the time I was a child and I wanted
that kind of power for myself. But I couldn't exactly achieve it the usual way of
hard work and training hard like I encourage others to do. I soon realized that if
I could not have the power others had, I would have to {\i
control} those who did possess that kind of power, and to make myself by extension
more powerful because of it. When the Uzumaki Clan held all the power with seals,
Mito holding the Kyuubi inside her body, and the clan's longevity...I knew the only
way to be more powerful was to ensure their numbers were turned to a handful. That
the handful that did remain would be within Konoha's walls, under my control, my
authority, and manipulation to follow things as I want while I was Hokage. I wanted
to ensure their various secrets became Konoha's and thus would make the Uzumaki
Clan's value become less and less overtime," explained Hiruzen with Naruto
"So your reason for doing what you've done as Hokage is all because you only wanted
to have more power, but to also control those with power too? Ha! If only Hashirama
and Tobirama could see you now Sarutobi Hiruzen. The fabled 'Kami of Shinobi' of
Konoha is in fact a total fraud, who betrayed what his senseis taught him all
because of wanting more of what he was never meant to have in the first place. Its
so sad that it is pathetic," remarked Naruto while Hiruzen glared at
"You dare mock me? I was the longest living Hokage of Konoha. I have survived three
Shinobi Wars. Countless invasions. I have done what was necessary to protect Konoha
and make it stronger. If a clan here or a town there has to be wiped out...then so
be it. I will not apologize for making Konoha great and I won't apologize for
helping in your clan scatter to the four winds of the world. I never liked your
clan. Hashirama-sensei was too blinded by his love for Mito to see the Uzumaki Clan
as a hindrance to Konoha's own greatness and Minato was the same with Kushina. I'm
glad your Mother is dead. If she didn't die when the Kyuubi attacked all those
years ago, I would have killed her myself," stated Hiruzen with Naruto looking
stoic despite the fact his eyes shifted from blue to red.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And cheated me out of my birthright. Twice over I might add," remarked Naruto with
Hiruzen becoming angry at being made out to be the bad guy despite the fact
that...he was!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your {\i
birthright}?! Your birthright was to be the village's pawn. Its weapon! Whether you
became the Kyuubi Jinchuriki or not! The only difference was how you were raised to
become that weapon. You were always the property of Konoha because of your lineage
to those two clans. It was merely reinforced by the fact you were a Jinchuriki and
all the Jinchuriki throughout the Elemental Countries are just weapons to be used
in war! To be thrown away and cast down whenever people like me leading a Shinobi
village feel like it!" exclaimed Hiruzen coldly while Naruto just looked slightly
amused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Funny you should say that. I got something similar yet different from Danzo during
the Kage Summit in Iron Country on his feelings regarding Jinchuriki...right before
he died by my hands of course," replied Naruto with Hiruzen gritting his teeth and
looking pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Liar!" exclaimed Hiruzen with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He was quite self righteous with himself. Always saying what he did was for the
good of Konoha despite those he sacrificed to get his way. You should have seen him
at his end. I took his special arm with those Sharingan Eyes off and removed his
abilities that went with them. After that, the old man tried to kill everyone at
the Kage Summit with a seal on his chest in a last ditch effort of sore loser
unable to stand losing to others, but I never gave him a chance to activate it. He
was then decapitated and had his head stomped on for good measure...by me,"
countered Naruto with Hiruzen now looking at him with an intense murderous rage
with the machines beeping wildly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though the seals on them would prevent the doctors from knowing about
"Do you know what you've done?! Tsunade is in a coma. I am crippled. And now Danzo
is dead! There is no one capable of taking the mantle of Hokage now!" stated
Hiruzen with Naruto raising an eyebrow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What about Jiraiya? He's not dead, dying, or crippled?" questioned Naruto with
Hiruzen clenching his hands into fists.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya maybe a Sannin and a Spy Master, but the man is not Kage material. He
never was," said Hiruzen with Naruto laughing in a mocking
"I'll be sure to tell Jiraiya that before I kill him too," said Naruto with Hiruzen
snorting at the blonde.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't defeat Jiraiya boy. There are only a handful of ninja in the world who
can and {\i
you }aren't one of them," challenged Hiruzen with Naruto
"I know his weakness. It is not hard to kill someone when you know their weakness
and drive a train right through it. I have already created several plans to lure
your perverted student to me in multiple traps. I have one particularly nasty way
to kill your {\i
other }so calledstudent who likes to pretend he is a snake trying turn into a
dragon," said Naruto with Hiruzen looking worried since it was well known Jiraiya
was a Super Pervert, his books being proof of that, and thus had a weakness for
beautiful women.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But to have some way to hurt Orochimaru was what really concerned him. Orochimaru
was a Prodigy, his most favorite student among three despite the Sannin's past
actions, which he secretly sanctioned. In many ways, Orochimaru was the son he
always wanted for a son. Smart, cunning, not afraid to get his hands dirty when
needed, and progress the path of knowledge beyond Kami's boundaries the deity set
for the human race. He would always be proud of his two sons by blood, even if one
was currently dead, and the other was a Jounin who was also a member of the
Guardian Twelve. But Orochimaru was in a league all on his own with his brilliance
and cunning few could match in this life time that only came around once every few
generations.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And now Naruto had just told the former Hokage that there was a way to kill his
Prodigy of a student/surrogate son.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You stay away from him," commanded Hiruzen with Naruto
chuckling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Or what? You're going to soil yourself and gag me to death with the smell? You
have no power here Hiruzen. Not anymore," stated Naruto with Hiruzen flaring what
chakra he had left while the seals in the room did their job in preventing anyone
from feeling it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you honestly think you can escape Konoha's justice? Escape your purpose in
serving this village? You were {\i
born} in Konoha to {\i
serve} Konoha. You {\i
belong }to Konoha. You are this village's Jinchuriki. This village's {\i
property}! We own you Uzumaki Naruto. {\i
I }own you Uzumaki Naruto!" stated Hiruzen angrily while Naruto simply put his mask
back on.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. You never owned Uzumaki Naruto. At best, you owned a very naive {\i
child} that was {\i
once }Uzumaki Naruto. A naive child who suffered through your own abusive actions
that were based on this principle of said ownership. You treated that child like a
tool. Like a punching bag for the villagers to vent out their frustrations on
regardless if said punching bag didn't want to be abused in the first place. But I
am no longer that very naive child you owned. I am no longer your property. I am
not longer this village's Jinchuriki. I am Uzumaki Naruto. A proud member of the
Uzumaki and Dragon Clans," replied Naruto with Hiruzen now looking ready to spit
fire if he had the chakra and physical ability to do that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The village pet who slipped his leash. If that is all you have to say, leave this
room, and let me die in peace," remarked Hiruzen bitterly at feeling powerless to
stop Naruto, much less warn the rest of Konoha, and have its Shinobi pursue
"Die is peace? Now what makes you think I would do something like that?" asked
Naruto with a hint of amusement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is it too much to ask of an old man to get his dying last request honored by his
enemy?" challenged Hiruzen with Naruto shaking his head with amusement on his face
behind the kitsune mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. You didn't honor my Father's dying wish regarding me. You lied to the Dragon
Clan about my Father to keep him here to be your loyal pawn. What makes you think I
would do what you ask of me when your own actions aren't deserving of it in the
first place you senile old man?" replied Naruto with Hiruzen sneering at
"If you won't honor my request then kill me now," said Hiruzen, as he planned to
fight the boy to the bitter end the moment Naruto was in grabbing range, and fight
like a man possessed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I killed you 5 minutes ago. The reason you were able to detect me earlier was
because I wanted you to detect me so we could have this talk before the end,"
replied Naruto before revealing a syringe in hand and its contents had been emptied
recently.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Into the former Hokage's I.V. bag.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You poisoned me," said Hiruzen while wondering why the effects of the poison had
yet to kick in.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of my own design. I call it 'Fatal Truth' because it compels you to tell someone
the truth no matter what. After some time goes by telling someone the absolute
truth...the poison starts to kick in," said Naruto while seeing Hiruzen having
minor spasms on his face and coughing before blood came out of his
mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'It feels like I'm being constricted by a thousand snakes all over from within my
own body!' thought Hiruzen while coughing harder and more blood coming
"Goodbye Sarutobi Hiruzen. Enjoy being judged by your predecessors and my Mother in
the after life while standing before the Shinigami. I'm sure they will all love to
hear your explanation on why you betrayed them and me," replied Naruto before he
moved to fade into the shadows.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But Hiruzen had no intention of going quiet into the night.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Your Mother...your mother was a {\i
whore}! She spread...her legs for any man willing...and was a total...{\i
slut} in bed. All those times...your Father was in...in the office...working hard,
your whore of...of a Mother was on...on...on her back being {\i
fucked}...by every able...able man in the village! The fact you are...Minato's son
is just a...a stroke...of luck!" exclaimed Hiruzen to insult Naruto one final time
before his end.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The shadows seemed to grow, the killer intent within them seem to grow too before a
blue shot from them like a demon coming out of the Gates of Hell, and a flash of
light enhanced by the moon was all Hiruzen saw before feeling an intense pain in
his chest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While I do not care if you lie to me with your dying breath, I do care if you lie
about my Mother, and what she is most certainly {\i
NOT} in terms of who she was as a woman," said the Naruto Shadow Clone coldly with
his copy of the Blade of the Archfiend now in his hands while it slowly sliced into
Hiruzen's chest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But...you said...the poison acted as a...truth serum," said Hiruzen with confusion
in his voice while staring into the kitsune mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're right. It does act as a truth serum...until the poison truly starts to kick
in. Meaning every word out of your mouth during that rant just now...was a complete
{\i
lie}!" said Naruto while relishing how he saw Hiruzen's face showed shock, pain,
and anger at being tricked by him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"DEMON FILTH!" yelled Hiruzen before grunting in pain before the grunt became a cry
of agony with the man finding the sword in Naruto's hands was slowly digging into
him while blood gushed from his wound.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe. Maybe not. But if I am a demon, I only became one through your own actions.
I became a demon spawned from your own Hell. If I am a demon like you say, then I
have come for your soul. A soul that will belong to me just as you claimed the soul
of a naive 6 year old boy. A soul that will be payment for all the lives you have
ruined, for all of the lives you would have ruined, and for the lives that will
still be ruined so long as you are alive," whispered Naruto while Hiruzen continued
to glare at him in defiance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Konoha...my clan...they will...avenge...me!" stated Hiruzen while Naruto kept
slowly slicing into him while he tried to fight it with what strength was in his
arms.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With the information I have on you? The Fire Daimyo will sooner decree your time
as Hokage of this village be stricken from the record books for all time,"
whispered Naruto with Hiruzen slowly finding his life
fading.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Monster," whispered Hiruzen while darkness filled his
vision.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You made me a monster Hiruzen. So what does that make you? Who is the {\i
real }monster in this little drama of ours? Me? The Kyuubi Jinchuriki, who is
considered nothing more then a demon in human skin simply because I hold the demon
in my body? Or you? The man who made everyone believe I was a demon? Who tried to
manipulate the world itself during his time alive in the hopes of being a true Kami
of Shinobi? Who has betrayed his friends, allies, and even the ninja under his
command all so he could control all the power around him? I think we both know the
answer to this riddle Hiruzen," said Naruto before viciously pulling his sword out
and spraying blood all over the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'It was...not to suppose...to end...this...way!' thought Hiruzen before life left
his eyes and his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With his task complete, the Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Naruto dipped his fingers in
the dead man's blood, and drew the symbol of the Uzumaki Clan on an unstained part
of the room before he went "poof". Thus sending his memories of what had happened
to the original and telling the blonde the mission was a
success.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Rice Country-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
A figure paused as he was walking to his location, a grin on his face at what just
entered his mind, and knew everything was going according to plan. With that in
mind, the man put a red hood over his blond haired head, and a white golden mask on
his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'You ready Kyuubi?' thought Naruto while the fox grinned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Time to act kit. If you pull this off, I say we get you into the realm of acting.
Maybe get you a part in a movie or Broadway play,"}} replied Kyuubi with Naruto
chuckling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Maybe. You never know. Besides, the only reason you want me to be an actor is to
bang the hot female actresses, or be in a porno movie with them,' thought Naruto
with Kyuubi letting out a nonchalant whistle at the
accusation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Maybe,"}} answered Kyuubi with a perverted grin on its
'You're impossible some times,' thought Naruto before he walked into the small
village that was really a secret base for Orochimaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the base being underground.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can I uh...help you?" asked a man seeing the strange robed figure enter the
village and slowly drawing a crowd.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I wish to speak to Orochimaru of the Sannin please," said Naruto while man's
eyes widened slightly before pretending to be nervous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru of the Sannin? You must be mistaken. He is not here," said the man
while Naruto tilted his head slightly and stared at the clearly secret ninja trying
to play himself off as a harmless civilian.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure? Is that your final answer?" asked Naruto with the man nodding though
he did frown at the question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uh...yes?" answered the ninja while Naruto nodded in
Before the masked blonde rammed his hand straight through the Sound Shinobi's chest
where the heart was located and caused the shocked man to fall
Dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Again, I am looking for Orochimaru of the Sannin. If someone could get him for me,
I would be most appreciative," said Naruto before flicking the blood off his
armored hand while many ran away from him while some went to find the Sannin and
report what they saw to the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Interesting attire you have young man. May I get your name?" questioned Orochimaru
when he appeared with Kabuto beside him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I go by many names. Some good. Some bad. You may call me the Masked Regent,"
replied Naruto while doing a theatrical bow before the
Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come now. We are all adults here. Surely you would tell me your name. I won't say
anything to anyone," said Orochimaru with an evil grin on his
"You will have to forgive me if I don't trust you regarding the keeping of secrets
others share Orochimaru. Your reputation in breaking deals is well known," said
Naruto while the Sannin frowned slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru-sama only breaks deals with the weak. He doesn't respect the weak,"
said Kabuto while pushing up his glasses with a smirk on his
"Then your Master clearly doesn't respect you," Naruto shot back while Kabuto
bristled in anger at the cheap shot aimed at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have a sharp tongue and from what I was told a sharp strike not unlike a
snake. Are you interested in a possible apprenticeship?" questioned Orochimaru with
Naruto waving the idea off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you, but I'm not interested. Your mark is not something I want on my body.
What I {\i
am} interested in however, is offering {\i
you} something Orochimaru. Something you have been itching to get your hands on for
years," replied Naruto with Orochimaru raising an eyebrow at
"And what is that my masked friend?" questioned Orochimaru while Naruto now grinned
behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Power of course. Or to be more accurate, I am offering you power, {\i
and} knowledge all rolled up into one! Its an ancient power past down from one
person to another, but there is a small...{\i
catch}!" answered Naruto with Orochimaru smirked at him with
amusement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Most things in this world we want usually do come with a catch," remarked
Orochimaru while Naruto let out a small chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is the catch you mentioned?" asked Kabuto while Naruto smirked
"You and only you have to stab me in a fight with your sword Orochimaru," answered
Naruto with Orochimaru frowning in confusion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Seems like a strange price for one to pay for such power and knowledge though I
have no real problem getting it from you in that manner," said Orochimaru with
Naruto simply nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps for this side of the Elemental Countries, but what I am offering is {\i
NOT} from the Elemental Countries. Surely you understand that something from the
different side of the world comes from different customs and comes with different
ways of doing things in getting such power," remarked Naruto with Orochimaru
nodding since that was true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't like this Orochimaru-sama. Perhaps I should take this so power he is
offering for myself to ensure it won't hurt you before passing it along once its
been properly studied?" offered Kabuto with the Sannin
"Nice try, but the offer is to Orochimaru {\i
only}. As the one holding this power, only {\i
I} can decide who it goes to, and who it does {\i
NOT} go to my bespectacled friend. You being in the latter," replied Naruto
pointing at the Medic Nin with Kabuto frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then perhaps I should dissect you slowly in order to learn such a secret," said
Kabuto in a threatening tone while Naruto laughed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can try, but I know from my understanding of this power is it must be
transferred from one person to the next {\i
willingly }and without {\i
coercion}. Its not very willing when you're under the knife being threatened in
such a manner," replied Naruto with Kabuto frowning
"Just {\i
what} is this power you are offering?" asked Orochimaru with his mind trying to
figure this out, but was drawing a blank.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its a curse. An ancient curse that has the power to kill even those of the Dragon
lineage," answered Naruto with his words catching Orochimaru's
interest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really?! A power to kill a Dragon Ninja? Are you sure?" asked/demanded Orochimaru
with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. But like I said, such power comes with a catch to ensure proper people use of
it. I must give this power to you and the only way that happens is {\i
you} fighting {\i
me} in a duel to see if you are strong enough to hold this power. And when I mean
you, I mean just you. This means none of your subordinates can take your place, no
clones can be used during the fighting, {\i
and} it must be done up close when stabbing me with that sword of yours," said
Naruto with Orochimaru's eyes showing hunger for this type of
knowledge.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why does he need to stab you?" asked Kabuto while
"Because the curse I am willing to give Orochimaru is basically a weapon and the
culture that made it felt that a weapon, which in this case is a sword, would be
best in acting as a medium. Of course, he has to stab me first, and prove he is
strong enough to accept this power. If the person is not strong enough...well...,"
said Naruto waving his hand around like they could put two and two
together.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do believe you will find that I'm overly qualified in terms of being strong
enough to handle you my friend," said Orochimaru before he brought out the Kusanagi
from his mouth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You'll understand that I reserve my own judgment to that statement if and when you
stab me," declared Naruto in dramatic fashion before drawing his sword from its
sheath.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At the sight of the sword, Orochimaru frowned at what his eyes beheld, and it made
him give pause to what his intentions were in engaging the masked man in combat.
The sword in his opponent's hands was well curved, almost unusually so, and had red
markings that were possibly an inscription on the flat side of the blade. It was
also generating an orange reddish colored electrical discharge over the entire and
it was making a cold shiver crawl up the Sannin's spine.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'That's no ordinary sword,' thought Orochimaru and Kabuto at the same
"Come Orochimaru of the Sannin. Show me your skill. Remember, no help from others,
and no clones must be used by you. If either one happens, no power for you, and no
way to destroy your enemies. Especially those among the Dragon Clan," Naruto
reminded the Sannin and knew the man was staring at the Blade of the
And was totally terrified of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Even if I don't get the power he's offering, I will get that sword from him, and
use it to continue my quest to crush Konoha,' thought Orochimaru while sensing an
incredible amount of power from that sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Come Orochimaru of the Sannin. Come show me your skills to see if you are worthy
of the power I am offering," said Naruto in a theatrical manner with Orochimaru
narrowing his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Your power to slay the Dragon Clan will be mine!' thought Orochimaru, as he wanted
to put the Dragon Clan in its place, and make them regret the day they nearly
killed the most venomous snake in all of the Elemental Countries with a grudge five
times bigger then all of Water Country!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With their own desires in mind for the outcome of this match, the two warriors
clashed with their respected blades, and creating shockwaves that pushed everyone
around them away. Orochimaru just glared into those blue eyes, almost as if he was
trying to {\i
will} his enemy to die, or lose by his hands. Sadly for the Sannin, the "Masked
Regent" as Naruto called himself here today was not intimidated by the man, and
just smirked behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When you've been around so many scary things like Genshin, Fiends, a little girl
turned Goddess, the Archfiend, and Obaba in her Fiend state...the sight of this
pale man with a snake personality complex was pretty tame by
comparison.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Orochimaru, he was finding himself getting increasingly frustrated by his
inability to hurt this masked opponent despite his years on the planet no doubt
dwarfing the other. Of course, if he were honest with himself, which he never was
ironically enough, the man would realize it had been years since truly fighting
someone one on one without using a Earth Clone, or one of his minions fighting for
him at some point in time during a fight while escaping or watching his prey
fighting. For all his genius, Orochimaru always took the easier path in life
despite his Prodigy like status, and simply didn't want to put in the extra work.
Why should he? The Sannin was a Prodigy, normal things were easy for him, and the
easy things were a piece of cake to understand. Unfortunately, due to such things
being easy, it had a downside of spoiling Orochimaru's ego in believing that
anything too difficult even for him should be left to those who did understand it,
find out how {\i
they} did it, {\i
kill them} after learning what was needed, and use that power for himself without
truly trying to understand what they had learned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As such, Orochimaru's endurance in terms of learning new things, as well as
training to get stronger with each new body he leaped to had taken a massive hit.
The man was in short by Prodigy standards, lazy in a way that was almost worthy of
a Nara, and didn't like the idea of putting in more effort then he first wanted. It
was one of the reasons why Orochimaru was past over for the title of Yondaime
Hokage when the choice came down to himself and Minato. The blonde man did not have
that laziness in him, was younger, and stronger then Orochimaru had been when the
Sannin still had his original body while it was still in its prime. Not to mention
Minato had been a hero in the last Shinobi War, decimated Iwa, and was a Seal
Master who had long surpassed his teacher Jiraiya.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As good as Orochimaru was overall, he was no match for Minato on his best day, and
every single Shinobi in Konoha knew it. Why have a pale snake like man, who looked
like he would sooner plot your demise if crossed in the slightest, as a Hokage of
Konoha? When you could have a real friendly, yet still strong Shinobi as Hokage,
and bring about a sense of pride in being a Konoha Shinobi?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Your skills are good Masked Regent. If you survive this duel, I might let you join
my ranks if I have something you want," commented Orochimaru with a smile to throw
the masked man off guard in believing the Sannin was the one in
"Flattery will get you nowhere my snake like friend. As you will no doubt see when
this is over," replied Naruto, as the two clashed blades several times, and making
sparks fly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have yet truly hurt me. Perhaps you are not as strong as I first thought,"
commented Orochimaru, as he tried to slash into Naruto's side, but missed several
times, and had his sword knocked away by an armored hand before being hit by a spin
kick to the torso.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Funny. I could say the same thing about you," countered Naruto before bouncing
around a little like he had seen Theodore do when he and Ryu were fighting
"I am a God. I am stronger then anyone in existence!" state Orochimaru with a frown
on his face while Naruto laughed at him and enraging the
"You? A God?! Ha! If that were really true Orochimaru, then why do you constantly
hide underground like a weak little worm? Afraid a bird will snatch you up and
feast on your body?" taunted Naruto while knowing Orochimaru's type in someone who
believes they are a superior individual and everyone else was dirt underneath their
feet.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The best way to attack them? Go after their pride, their ego, and everything about
them that they love.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Worm? Worm?! I'll show you who is the weak worm here!" exclaimed Orochimaru with
the Sannin charging forward slashing his blade down almost wildly in an attempt to
hit the smug Masked Regent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is this it Orochimaru? Surely you can do better?" mocked Naruto while the Sannin
was getting angrier and angrier with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I no longer care about the strange power you are offering me. I just want you to
DIE!" exclaimed Orochimaru before finally getting through Naruto's guard and
slashing deep into the man's body while cutting through the armor underneath the
robes though not as much as he thought.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Looks like you are worthy of this power after all," commented Naruto while
grinning despite the injury to his body while keeping the Kusanagi from getting
deeper into his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have played your game and won. Now give me the power you promised!" demanded
Orochimaru with Naruto grinning behind his mask and his eyes turned
red.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"As you wish!"}} exclaimed Naruto in a demonic voice before grabbing the now
surprised Sannin's right arm that was his sword holding arm and began to chant in
ancient Slavic tongue like Theodore had done in London to
"What?! What are you doing?!" demanded Orochimaru while feeling a sudden pain now
manifest in his right and struggled to get free before finally succeeding after
giving the Masked Regent a harsh kick to the stomach.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I gave you what you wanted Orochimaru. I gave you a power. I gave you a curse. I
gave you...your {\i
death}!" exclaimed Naruto while Orochimaru looked down at his hand and saw the
Kusanagi practically {\i
dissolve} upward toward his hand before falling to his knees in pure
agony.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru-sama!" exclaimed Kabuto, as he was by his Master's side, and tried to
stop what was happening to the Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for a pulse from the right hand to send the Medic Nin flying
"Open your eyes Orochimaru of the Sannin! See the lives you have destroyed by your
own hands!" declared Naruto while Orochimaru was now rolled around on the ground in
pain and agony.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is this?! You promised me the power to kill Dragon Ninjas! You went back on
our deal!" cried out Orochimaru while seeing his arm was slowly being consumed in
dark red veins.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Did I? Whoops! I believe my words were misheard by you Orochimaru. I did promise
you a power and a curse that could kill a Dragon Ninja. What I {\i
didn't say} was that I was giving it to you to {\i
use} against them. Only that I was giving it to you. You really should have paid
more attention to my offer. As for going back on our deal, you have no right to
talk to me about going back on deals since your reputation for it is well known,"
replied Naruto with Orochimaru trying to use his skin shedding to remove the curse,
but found that even with that move, it was still there, and the pain only increased
with the spreading of the red veins up his shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What is this curse? What does it do?" demanded Orochimaru with Naruto seeing the
man trying to stand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's called 'The Grip of Murder'. As for what it does to someone, it's pretty
obvious that it kills the person who received the curse. Namely {\i
you} in this one case. It rots you from the inside out until you are consumed by
the very souls of the victims you've killed over the years. And considering how
many you have killed during your many years living on this earth...its no wonder
the Grip of Murder is spreading so fast. Not to mention every single person your
sword has slain are also added to that equation too," answered Naruto while he saw
Orochimaru crying out in agony while the curse in his arm pulsed
"This won't stop me. I'll just move to another body!" exclaimed Orochimaru while
Naruto just looked amused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This isn't just a bodily affliction Orochimaru. Its one on your very {\i
soul }as well! Even if you went to another body, the Grip of Murder would stay with
you, accelerating even faster, and killing you sooner! Don't you get it Sannin? {\i
This} is karma in its cruelest form come to life!" exclaimed Naruto while Kabuto
was by his side again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't listen to him Orochimaru-sama. There must be a way to remove this curse. We
just need time to find it," stated Kabuto while Naruto laughed
"Of course there is a way you fool! Did you honestly think that someone would make
a curse like this and {\i
NOT} have a way of removing it? What single minded idiot does that?" remarked
Naruto with Orochimaru glaring at him in a way that told the blonde behind the mask
that the Sannin was such an idiot.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How do we remove it? TELL ME!" commanded Orochimaru before crying out in pain and
the curse spread further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry, but you didn't say the magic word," said Naruto while wagging his finger at
the Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?! Tell me how to remove the curse NOW!" demanded Orochimaru while Kabuto
moved toward him with the intent of killing Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh! So the little pet of the snake wishes to make his mark and force me to reveal
the secret to removing the Grip of Murder. Are you sure this is the wisest course
of action? Leaving your Master undefended? Exposed so just about anyone can kill
him while in pain like this?" challenged Naruto with Kabuto hesitating and looking
back at the sight of Orochimaru slowly being consumed by the
curse.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"{\i
Please} tell me how to remove the curse from Orochimaru-sama," said Kabuto through
gritting teeth and sounding like he just swallowed three gallons worth of sulfuric
acid.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well at least you said please. If you {\i
must }know, the only way to remove the curse from your Master is...if I choose to
remove it! Which I don't!" answered Naruto theatrically with Kabuto gritting his
teeth further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Surely there is something you want from us that we could trade for your
cooperation in removing it from Orochimaru-sama?" questioned Kabuto while Naruto
was looking like he was thinking it over while tapping his masked chin with his
finger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hmm...well there is this {\i
one }thing Orochimaru could do to even {\i
consider} removing the curse from his arm. But he would never go for it!" replied
Naruto while waving his idea off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't be so sure. What could Kabuto or I do to remove this curse from my very
soul?" demanded Orochimaru while slowly standing and struggling to walk toward
"Well...I {\i
suppose} I could remove the Grip of Murder if you say...oh I don't know...{\i
kill} your friend Kabuto here in cold blood?!" offered Naruto while Kabuto looked
shocked and then angry at him for even suggesting it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As if Orochimaru-sama would do that. I have been his right hand for years. My
loyalty to him has been unwavering and my value is far to high to be sacrificed in
an instant. He wou-AAAAA!" Kabuto cried out when a hand pierced the Medic Nin from
behind and remove his heart.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for his very being to turn into a reddish mist and be absorbed into the
"There! I killed him. Now remove the curse!" demanded Orochimaru while Naruto just
laughed hysterically while slapping his knee from laughing so
hard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You actually killed him! I don't believe it! You actually killed your right hand
man! Oh and thought the Sandaime Hokage was an evil son of a bitch right alongside
Danzo. But {\i
you} Orochimaru really take the cake. You really take the cake in terms of
backstabbers and betrayers!" exclaimed Naruto while Orochimaru looked
livid.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough! Remove the curse from me now!" demanded Orochimaru before taking a step
forward menacingly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeeeaaaah. Uh...here is the thing! I never actually said I {\i
would }remove the curse if you killed Kabuto. It was more of a 'maybe I'll do it'
kind of offer with no real guarantee that I would remove the Grip of Murder from
your arm. You assumed that on your own and basically leaped before looking. My
offer was more of an {\i
idea }rather then anything else," replied Naruto with Orochimaru looking like he
was ready to explode with rage at what his ears just heard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"WHAT?! I'LL KILL YOU!" yelled Orochimaru while trying to rush forward and kill the
man who did this to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for him to fall flat on his face, the right arm covered in red ugly veins
pulsing with anger, and pain the likes the Sannin had never felt before in his
life. Standing a few feet from him, Naruto had his right hand glowing a dark red,
and pulsing with that same kind of power.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh did I mention that this particular curse has a small failsafe for the castor to
cause the person who has received the curse to feel intense pain in the event they
are attacked in a blind rage? No?! Well it does!" replied Naruto while finding a
great deal of joy in seeing such a vile man suffering in constant and perpetual
agony.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you want from me? Why don't you kill me and just be done with it?!" asked
Orochimaru angrily while Naruto wagged his finger at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In time Orochimaru. In time. However, at the moment with this unique situation, I
am in an {\i
exceedingly} rare position to get information out of you. And you will answer all
of my questions truthfully or I will make sure your last few hours alive in this
world become {\i
the} most painful hours you could ever have," said Naruto in an amused to deathly
cold voice while Orochimaru nodded since he was in a position where not even his
high intellect could counter this curse.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you want to know?" asked Orochimaru in a whispered tone filled with
defeat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Everything. Tell me everything. From your many bases of operations throughout the
Elemental Countries to the people you conspired with to everything regarding your
very first Curse Seal you ever made. You know the one I'm talking about. The Curse
Seal you gave to Mitarashi Anko," replied Naruto with Orochimaru frowning at
"The first two questions I can understand you asking about, but why are you
interested in my precious Anko-chan?" asked Orochimaru before crying out further in
intense pain as Naruto caused the Sannin further pain from the Grip of
Murder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let's just say that I owe her one for protecting me during my childhood years ago
and leave it at that. Now...about that information? Start with Anko first please,"
answered Naruto while Orochimaru told him what he wanted to
know.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Confession is good for the soul of course.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Mitarashi Anko's Apartment-15 Minutes Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto's second Shadow Clone, which he made to follow the first one, and the trio
of Chuunin plus their dog was waiting in the shadows of the Special Jounin's
apartment. He had followed the group in front of him at a safe distance to the spot
where they could get into Konoha undetected and soon went from following to finding
in terms of reaching his objective.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
His objective being the location of Mitarashi Anko's current place of
residence...which just so happened to be an apartment located along the border of
red light district and the slums. Now given the woman's years of experience and
loyalty as a Konoha Shinobi in defending the village from its various enemies, you
would think the kunoichi of such a distinguished rank had a nice little house all
to herself. One with a white picket fence, a loving boyfriend or husband waiting to
see her, and maybe even a kid to welcome the woman home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sadly, such a thing was not meant to be with Anko, as she had a burden, or rather a
{\i
curse} quite literally on her thanks to Orochimaru all those years ago. He had
given Anko one of his Curse Seals, the very first Curse Seal ever made! A prototype
in which all Curse Seals that Orochimaru ever gave out were based on before being
slowly improved to be exact! Fortunately, for Anko anyway, it had failed mostly due
to the fact it was a prototype, and did not function the way Orochimaru had
hoped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hence why he discarded the girl and allowed her to make it all the way to Konoha.
While the mark itself was useless in terms of its original purpose, the Curse Seal
would serve to remind everyone in Konoha of his existence, and that Anko belonged
to him forever. It also had a special disabling feature whenever he made a special
hand sign and caused the woman great body disabling pain where the seal was located
on the back of her neck even if the seal's overall functions didn't
work.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Something that the snake Sannin had done during the Chuunin Exams when hunting for
Uchiha Sasuke to give him that very same Curse Seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for the reason {\i
this} Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Naruto in Yami Kitsune Jigumo attire like the first
one that entered Konoha earlier, he was here to give Anko a gift. One she should
have had years ago, but the powers that be in the Hokage's Office in the form of
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Danzo, the Shinobi Elders, and Jiraiya of the Sannin had denied
the woman from the start. Why? Because it allowed her to be controlled easier.
Hanging the idea of a possible cure over her head, dangling it like carrot in front
of a hungry rabbit, and watch the rabbit jump for said carrot. For awhile, the
rabbit jumping for it will seem amusing, but eventually those that find amusement
in it fades away, and decide to use one of two options. Either put the rabbit down
in her prime as a martyr.{\i
OR} put the rabbit to work until she is too old to be useful before {\i
finally }giving the now old tired rabbit the carrot they promised so she could die
happy without regrets.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And never knowing the horrible truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto couldn't let that happen to Anko. He owed her too much. If it wasn't for
this one woman, Naruto knew death would have claimed him on his fourth birthday.
The Matron at the Orphanage had kicked him out in December, it was the coldest
winter on record in Konoha. It was so cold with an intense layer of snow on the
ground, the Academy had cancelled classes or over a {\i
two weeks},and businesses had to hire Shinobi mostly from the Uchiha Clan to use
well timed Fire Jutsus to melt the snow during the day to make going out bearable.
The problem Naruto had that particular winter was the area he was in, as the Uchiha
Clan refused to melt the snow there simply because the Jinchuriki they loved to
hate was there, and wanted him to ultimately freeze to death since burning him with
a Fire Jutsu would be too quick in their minds.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And for the briefest of moments while suffering during that cold, the blonde boy
honestly thought he was going to freeze to death. That he would die alone, in the
cold, and no one to love him while the darkness of the world closed in on his
person.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But at the last moment, a beacon of light came in the form of a teenage girl, who
his frail human body had collapsed against the very apartment building she lived
in. Anko herself had planned to go out despite what the cold winter was saying
otherwise and found the poor boy nearly complete blue. It was amazing Naruto had
lived as long as he did before she found him and took the boy into her home to wrap
the blonde in multiple blankets.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The young teenager had kept the boy warm and given him food for the next several
days before she went to the Hokage. When she came back, Naruto had hugged her
tightly, and thanked the woman for doing what no one else would have in her place.
At the time he did this, Naruto was unable to comprehend why Anko was looking at
him with sad eyes, and was shocked what she told the blonde to his
She told Naruto that the Sandaime Hokage wanted him back in the Orphanage within
the hour and that he couldn't stay here any longer. For his safety the Hokage said.
An unsafe part of the village the man said.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was only now did Naruto realize how full of bullshit the Sandaime Hokage was and
he was sure Anko knew it too. Did Naruto hold this against the woman? No! She had
been following orders against her will. She had been told to do something that was
wrong.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know you are there. Come out now," said Anko while she was in her bedroom, kunai
in hand, a robe to cover herself for the most part, but loosely tied so she could
use such an act of near nudity to throw off her enemy if male, and use the robe to
blind the attacker if female.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its been a long time...Mitarashi Anko," said Naruto with Anko raising an eyebrow
at him despite it not being seeable in the darkness of her
bedroom.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would agree, {\i
IF }knew who you were behind that mask," replied Anko with Naruto not removing it
since he had no intention of revealing himself in the event a Yamanaka went into
her head to search for answers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its best you don't know. For now anyway," said Naruto while Anko still kept her
guard up around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then why are you here? Planning to sneak into my room, tie me up, and rape me so
you can brag to your ANBU buddies how you banged the snake whore of Konoha? How you
had your way with Orochimaru's former pet? You do realize that plenty have tried
and all of them have failed with those guys never being able to show their faces
ever again in the village!" questioned/demanded Anko knowing some had tried this
and fortunately {\i
failed }at this attempt before being made examples of in the
And by made examples of, Anko had strung them up naked on the nearest lamp post,
and easily showing just how lacking they were between their legs while various sex
toys were shoved up their asses.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Meanwhile, Naruto shook his head to indicate that was not the
case.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am not here to take advantage of you Anko-san. I'm merely here...to set you
free," said Naruto, who now realized his words {\i
might} have been misinterpreted the wrong way by Anko because she instantly threw a
kunai at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Which he caught and threw at the wall to his right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you're an assassin. Who sent you? The Civilian Council? The Shinobi Council?
That piece of shit Danzo? Some guy at the bar who felt his pride was hurt because I
wouldn't put out for him?" questioned Anko with Naruto shaking his
"I'm not here to kill you Anko. If I wanted to do that, I would have been quieter,
and my method would be untraceable. I'm here to remove the Curse Seal that is on
your neck," answered Naruto while Anko instinctively grabbed the Curse Seal and
glared harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't. Its impossible!" stated Anko with Naruto moving over to a nearby chair
and sat down in it casually while she never took her eye off of him for a
"Impossible you say? According...to who?" questioned Naruto while Anko moved to say
something, but the way she saw his posture, and his tone of voice made her
stop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Sandaime Hokage and Jiraiya of the Sannin," answered Anko finally while Naruto
let out a humorless chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing is impossible Anko-san. One of the many known principles of sealing, which
Hiruzen, and Jiraiya should have told you is that whatever can be sealed...can also
be {\i
unsealed}. It's all a matter of perspective on how you look at it," replied Naruto
looking skeptical.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And {\i
you} are someone with that perspective? {\i
You} are a Seal Master? No offense pal, but you don't really look like you are old
enough to be given such a title," said Anko since she notice he was roughly in his
mid to late teens despite his form being covered in the shadows with Naruto
"None taken. As for my experience, I assure you I am a Seal Master, and I can run
circles around Jiraiya of the Sannin in the skill any day of the week," replied
Naruto with Anko raising her eyebrow at him and sat down on her bed while not
afraid of showing off the athletic body she possessed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It might make him slip up if he was secretly the enemy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you can remove what another Seal Master can't?" questioned Anko with amusement
"Again, it is not that Jiraiya {\i
can't }remove it Anko. It's the painful fact that Jiraiya {\i
won't} remove it," replied Naruto with Anko narrowing her eyes at
"So you claim," challenged Anko with Naruto scoffing before throwing her a sealed
file, which she caught, and began to read once unsealed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's your own secret file the Sandaime Hokage had regarding you. Started since the
day you came here to this village following what Orochimaru did to you. After I
snuck into Konoha, I decided to pay a quick visit to the Sarutobi Clan home, and a
little...{\i
snooping} within the Sandaime Hokage's personal office there. There was no way he
would keep that kind of file in the Hokage Tower. Not with the information inside.
Not with the potential risk of you finding it there if you decided to one day
become suspicious of him or Jiraiya," answered Naruto while he saw Anko reading the
file and getting angrier by the second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They were using me," whispered Anko with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Keep reading. There are orders to kill you should the Curse Seal activate
regardless if you were able to control it," replied Naruto with Anko frowning
further and saw the order signed by the Sandaime Hokage
"Who else knew about this? Or do I have to ask?" questioned Anko with Naruto
tilting his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who do {\i
you} think knew?" answered Naruto with a question of his own and Anko had a pretty
good idea of who did know.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bastards! I was a slave in all but name to them," remarked Anko with Naruto
"You wouldn't be the first one they deceived," added Naruto with Anko looking from
the file to him with a bit of suspicion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You said you could remove the Curse Seal. Uchiha Sasuke had the same Curse Seal I
do and someone destroyed it plus his body. Now he isn't an Uchiha and can't produce
heirs for the clan. What does that mean for me?" asked Anko since she didn't want
to be half of what she was and unable to have children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even if her options at this point were {\i
extremely} limited because of the damn Curse Seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While the Curse Seal the Uchiha sported is the same. {\i
Your} seal is different overall due to it being the first. Luckily for you, it
malfunctioned shortly upon receiving the Curse Seal, and the simple fact it never
truly bonded to your body. To your very soul. To your chakra network. Uchiha Sasuke
suffered greatly because he used his Curse Seal and from my own personal
sources...used the second stage given to him shortly after his desertion from the
village. Besides, the method I plan to use is far less dangerous, and won't hurt
you in terms of having a child in the future," said Naruto before taking out a
scroll in his pocket a seal on it though the seal itself was by
default...incomplete.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It looks like you didn't finish what you started," commented Anko while Naruto
took out a sealing brush and ink before going to work on the
seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"For good reason. I am a Shadow Clone. I'm receiving memories from the original,
who is getting information on your Curse Seal from his source on the matter,"
replied Naruto with Anko looking at him in disbelief.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're just a Shadow Clone? And who exactly is your or rather the real masked
man's source of information on the Curse Seal if I may ask?" asked Anko with the
Shadow Clone of Naruto pausing in his work before looking her right in the eyes
despite his mask preventing the woman from seeing it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru of the Sannin," answered Naruto with Anko looking shocked, followed by
angry, and finally to downright pissed off!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"YOU'RE WORKING FOR HIM?!" yelled Anko with Naruto ignoring her and going back to
the seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I have him...{\i
restrained} if you will. Ironically enough, I gave him a curse of his own just
recently. One the man can't escape from even if he jumps to another body. But the
Curse Seal he gives people isn't just any type of seal. The Curse Seal implants a
piece of his soul into the chosen vessel he wants. It is how he moves from body to
body when one is needed. It also explains why each body is useless after three
years. The man's soul is slowly rejected by the host body because it is not his own
body to begin with and thus the Sannin needs a new body before it ultimately
destroys him," said Naruto calmly while Anko had quite a few weapons in her hand
and looked ready to kill him for the location the Sannin was
"Where is he? I want him dead!" demanded Anko before moving toward him to make the
clone talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hurting me will accomplish nothing Anko. I'm simply a Shadow Clone and will pop
the moment you strike me, remember? Besides, Orochimaru is going to die soon and in
a far more painful fashion then you could ever give him on your best day. No
offense to your skills, but its true. However, at the same time I don't know what
will happen to you or to the people sporting Curse Seals he gave his subordinates.
I don't know if the curse I gave him will target those wearing his Curse Seal or
just the seal itself and leave them alone. I am helping you remove the Curse Seal
so the curse I gave him doesn't target you by mere association," explained Naruto
while still working on the seal with the woman in front of him looking shocked to
hear this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What curse could you give him to make the man talk?" asked Anko
"It's called the Grip of Murder. And if you sit down again while not threatening me
with bodily harm, I'll tell you what this curse is going to do to Orochimaru. I
assure you he is in a great deal of pain right and its only going to get worse,"
answered Naruto before he explained the Grip of Murder to Anko and saw the woman's
jaw drop in shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And he can't escape it?" asked Anko hopefully.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is only one way to have the curse removed and he's got snowball's chance in
Hell of that happening," answered Naruto before finishing his work on the special
seal made just for Anko.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How do you figure that?" asked Anko with Naruto looking at her and she got the
distinct impression he was smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because the original is the only one who can remove it. And like you, the real me
does not like the Sannin. Karama is a real mean spirited bitch when you think about
it. The Grip of Murder is proof of that," replied Naruto after he finished going
over his seal to ensure it would work smoothly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you're sure this will work?" asked Anko while she moved to the corner of her
bed and lowered her robe down to her best so he had access to the Curse
Seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Absolutely! Also, if it somehow by chance doesn't work and you suddenly go psycho
with the Curse Seal running rampant through your body, I won't stop you from
ripping me to shreds," answered Naruto with Anko smirking while glancing at
"Shit, if this does work, I will wish you were the original you. The sexual things
I would do to your body as a thanks for this would make you wish it too," remarked
Anko with Naruto smirking behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Actually I don't. Ayane would kill me. I also get the impression Haku would too.
Though why I have yet to find out. Maybe she likes me too. The real me needs to ask
her about it since Zabuza was giving the real me the evil eye earlier at the Kage
Summit,' thought the Shadow Clone of Naruto while making a mental note to have the
real him find out about Haku and ensure Zabuza is distracted by making sure the man
spends time with the red haired woman for a Mizukage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While he wouldn't deny Terumi Mei is indeed a beautiful woman, she wasn't for him,
and had a feeling Zabuza was more her type.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"For the record, in case this goes bad, and I do lose myself in this situation I
just want to say...thank you. Thank you for helping me out when everyone else that
could, but really just said 'fuck her', and chose to do nothing for me in the end,"
said Anko calmly like she was preparing for the worst
outcome.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It won't go bad. I promise you it won't. And an Uzumaki always keeps their
promises," said Naruto before slapping his seal onto Anko's and went through hand
signs to use all of his chakra for this event.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uzumaki? But...that would mean you're the Kyu-AAAAAAH!" cried Anko, as she felt
pain run through the Curse Seal mark like it was on fire, and thought she heard the
scream of her former sensei in the back of her mind at the same
"Uzumaki Dragon Sealing Art: Dragon Purification of the Unholy Seal!" exclaimed
Naruto, as he used an Uzumaki sealing based method to do what Jo Hayabusa did to
Sasuke's Curse Seal, and ensure nothing happened to Anko.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unlike Jo's version of this particular move, this was {\i
seal} based so it had strong defensive protection barriers to ensure the host,
which in this case was Anko, wouldn't suffer any backlash from removing the Curse
Seal. The Uzumaki Sealing method that he was using was a more merciful version of
what Jo used on the Uchiha and while it would still hurt like nobody's
business...the pain would be a small price to pay to be free of Orochimaru's taint
for all time without any side effects.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'This fucking hurts! If this works, I don't know whether to kick him in the balls,
or suck his cock as a thank you for freeing me,' thought Anko before her vision
went dark and collapsed backwards onto the bed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the last of his chakra, the Shadow Clone of Uzumaki Naruto gently moved the
woman further onto her bed, and pulled the covers over the woman to preserve Anko's
dignity. After he did, the young ninja took off his mask, and kissed the woman on
the forehead with a smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you for looking after me when I was little Anko-chan. I was finally able to
return the favor by helping the woman, who saved the life of an innocent child, and
prevented him from nearly freezing to death at the age of 4," whispered Naruto
before he went poof and was gone from this world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto?" Anko whispered unknowingly in her forced sleep.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Naruto and Orochimaru-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its done. She is freed," commented Naruto while Orochimaru frowned despite the
pain he was in.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And how do you know that? You've been here the whole time," remarked Orochimaru
before crying out in pain from the curse spreading.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have my ways Sannin. None of which concerns you," remarked Naruto with a tad bit
of coldness in his voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have told you everything I know. Now spare me! Free me from this curse and let
me live," pleaded Orochimaru with Naruto cocking his head to the
"Why should I? So you can dissect someone else. Harvest their bloodline like a
farmer does on a farm with his crops. Leap from one body to the next like a
parasite? No! You will not be allowed to do such a thing. I gave you this curse to
make sure you understand the ramification of your actions Orochimaru. Karama has
come to claim what is owed and you will pay your debts my unfortunate friend. With
{\i
interest} I might add!" declared Naruto while the Sannin was crying out in pain at
what was happening to himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will have my revenge long after my death. I have allies everywhere and they will
kill you for this act against me!" declared Orochimaru with Naruto knowing that was
a bunch of crap.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll be sure to give each one a nice greeting before I send them all to Hell with
you there to meet them," commented Naruto his control over the Grip of Murder to
accelerate it and increase the pain several times over while making the Sannin
scream further in total agony.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When it was all said and done...all that remained of Orochimaru was a purified
sword that was Kusanagi in all its glowing glory and purified state. Without the
taint of the Sannin or the countless souls of those it was used to kill with in the
past. Picking up the weapon and examining it for a few seconds, Naruto sheathed the
weapon, and made his way to the secret entrance to the underground base
below.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He would need to find some potential recruits to his cause. Provided they were
willing to listen of course and weren't dead due to Orochimaru's Curse Seal of
course.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! I updated yet again. Hope you liked it. Its another super long chapter
to keep you all happy. How did you like Orochimaru meeting his demise at the hands
of Naruto in the Masked Regent disguise? As to the reason why the Grip of Murder
was working so much faster then it did on Ryu in NG3 is because Orochimaru has been
around longer, has killed a lot more people, and add in the sword's previous
victims before it was even in the Sannin's hands. That's just how I see it. Until
next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 14-Unmasked\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The news about the death of the former Sandaime Hokage spread through Konoha like
wildfire throughout the village. Panic at the fact someone infiltrated Konoha, into
the hospital, and {\i
killed }the man called the Kami of Shinobi in his younger years. And it was not a
quick painless killing either. Blood was everywhere. In the blood that was gathered
for analysis, signs of a poison had come up, and administered prior to what the
ANBU investigators determined was a sword slicing into the old former Kage's body.
Both of Sarutobi Hiruzen's teammates demanded a full investigation, wanting no
stone unturned, and wanted every available Inuzuka to hunt for this perpetrator or
perpetrators.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The symbol of the Uzumaki Clan written in blood indicated it was someone who was of
that old clan made a lot of people nervous. Namely the adults. It was no big secret
to the older generation that the Uzumaki Clan was one of the founding member of
Konoha, one of three to be precise, and Konoha Shinobi wore the Whirlpool symbol on
their uniforms to show they cared for the fallen clan. But after the Kyuubi attack,
the old generation in an act of hatred, and spite for Uzumaki Naruto ordered the
history of said clan to be removed to ensure no one knew just how important the
clan. Or rather how important {\i
Uzumaki Naruto} was by extension since he was from the
They had always assumed with the Uzumaki Clan nearly wiped out or scattered all
over the Elemental Countries, it wouldn't really matter if one of their own
suffered for being the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. Sure, the clan help found Konoha, but
they were now extinct, or soon would be so they saw no reason to hold some form of
mourning for them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Apparently, someone from the Uzumaki Clan knew this, and decided to return the
favor in a very violent fashion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Surprisingly, hope came in two different ways for Konoha after hearing the news of
the Sandaime Hokage's death in the form of former Genin team 8, and the Gondaime
Hokage herself. First, Genin team 8 had told them what had happened in Iron Country
on orders from temporary Sixth Hokage Shimura Danzo, who the Council, and Clan
Heads were told the man was slain in that country in front of all the other Kages
as well as General Mifune himself. The killer in question was some masked man
calling himself the Masked Regent, who was apparently from the Uzumaki Clan, and
would be considered a prime suspect if not for the fact no one had seen the Masked
Regent head in the direction of Fire Country, but rather rumors had spotted him
heading toward Rice Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At the same time, the former Genin team 8 added that they were forced (in a sense)
to escort Yami Kitsune Jigumo to Konoha secretly, in order to bring Tsunade out of
her coma. Something that had indeed been successful, as the Senju woman was up,
refreshed, and had smashed the door of her room off its hinges after reading the
small note for a letter which was left behind by Yami Kitsune. The pissed off Senju
woman soon found out which doctors were treating her during the time in the coma,
and proceeded to beat the crap out of them before sending each one to Ibiki with
orders to drain every bit of information out of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When Tsunade, now back as in the Hokage seat, called an important meeting about
this roughly three days later with the Councils, and Clan Heads. While the Senju
woman was grateful for the assistance, she demanded to know what compelled the
three Chuunin to not only assist Yami Kitsune, but to not even make the attempt to
alert the rest of Konoha about their uninvited guest. The trio told them what had
happened prior to making it into the village from Yami Kitsune Jigumo explaining to
them how Danzo had been secretly scheming to gain complete control of the Kage
Summit. More specifically, regarding the overall command structure of the Shinobi
Alliance that was being formed to combat the Akatsuki. The masked ninja also told
them about the secret alliance with Orochimaru and knocking Kiba out when the
Inuzuka got rebellious. Not to mention the masked ninja had found out a whole bunch
of other things regarding Danzo, which made Tsunade's vision nothing but red for
well over a minute.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naturally, the three Chuunin were met with some skepticism, and ultimately denial
by the Shinobi Advisory Council since they had known Danzo as well as Hiruzen for
most of their lives. The Civilian Council was no better, as Danzo had been the one
to support them during their time when the Sandaime Hokage was brought out of
retirement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't expect us to believe this ninja regarding Danzo. The man has his faults,
but he has always done things for the good of Konoha. Same as Hiruzen. I say we
capture this Yami Kitsune Jigumo and execute him for killing our beloved Sandaime
Hokage and go after this Masked Regent for killing our Sixth Hokage," demanded
Homura with many in the room nodding and agreeing with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"And the accusations brought against my sensei and against Danzo? The other Kages
have also sent us their own written testimony from what they saw and even General
Mifune himself acknowledge what he witnessed with his own eyes. Surely four Kages
and a Samurai General stating the exact same thing in similar detail means Danzo is
not the honorable individual you claim him to be Homura?" questioned Tsunade with
the two Advisors Homura and Koharu glaring at her though it wasn't very
effective.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't care what they say. Its all lies Tsunade. Homura and I would bet our very
lives on it. Those accusations being made are just empty lies meant to smear the
honor of one of our oldest comrades. Danzo was a true patriot of Konoha," said
Koharu fiercely before the sound of clapping was heard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? You would bet your life?! Oh goody! I get to see you two old biddies die
in one day!" exclaimed the masked figure in red with a white and gold
"Who are you?" demanded Tsunade while the ANBU in the room appeared with weapons at
the ready.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who am I? Very well. My name...is the Masked Regent. And {\i
YOU} clearly must be the Gondaime Hokage herself," replied the Masked Regent in an
theatrical bow while the Clan Heads sweat dropped when he
"ANBU, arrest him for the murder of the Sixth Hokage Shimura Danzo!" commanded
Koharu with the ANBU moving to subdue him while Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were a bit
tense at seeing this man who killed the temporary Sixth
Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure you want to do that?" asked the Masked Regent in a tone that said "I
know something you don't and should really hear what I have to say"
"Stop! Why are you here?" commanded Tsunade with the ANBU in the room stopping, but
some seemed reluctant to obey.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tsunade! He killed Danzo. Your successor. This...{\i
man} must pay! Get him!" exclaimed Homura with Tsunade glaring at him to shut
up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shut up! Look at him. This man is calm. Collected. He wouldn't be this way unless
there was something we're not seeing to prevent his capture," said Tsunade with the
Masked Regent nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She is correct! Even as I speak, I have placed several destructive explosive tags
all over Konoha, and in various areas of the village. These areas are generally
filled with quite a number of people no matter the time or day. If anything happens
to me, these explosive tags will activate, creating massive explosions throughout
Konoha, killing plenty of men, women, and children to such a degree that it will
give you nightmares for years!" said the Masked Regent with the people in the room
going stiff.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Monster! You dare threaten us like this?! Seize him before he can possibly
activate the tags!" exclaimed an angry Civilian Councilwoman with the ANBU moving
Only to be taken down using just pure Taijutsu. The Masked Regent proved he was not
to be trifled with, as brutally disabled each ANBU, using their own swords to stab
into their hands, or feet when knocked down. The last ANBU was tripped with a swift
leg sweep from the masked man's boot hitting the back of the heel of the unprepared
Shinobi, his masked face grabbed by the Masked Regent in what seemed like slow
motion in front of everyone, and was soon slammed into the
"Me? A monster?! Ha! That's rich coming you and the others glaring at me right now!
I have enough dirt on you, Danzo, Hiruzen, and well over half the people in this
very room to warrant execution papers be stacked around the block. {\i
Twice}!" exclaimed the Masked Regent in a mocking fashion before pointing at all of
the excused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Tsunade while the Masked Regent focused back on
"I'll explain. You see, a vast majority of the people in this room, ranging from
all of the Civilian Council to the Shinobi Council, and even your teammate Jiraiya
of the Sannin have done horrible things in secret. From laundering money,
conspiring with the other Shinobi villages to give them secrets in exchange for a
financial sum, murder, and the raping of innocent women with some of them being
sold off as slaves to other countries. And in some cases...even doing those last
two things with young in their teens children. Both boys and girls I might add,"
answered the Masked Regent with the Clan Heads going pale in the face, the thought
of their children suffering in such a way appearing in their minds, and that some
people in this room were like that made them glare heavily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Lies! All scandal and lies! Arrest this masked weirdo now!" commanded a fat
Civilian Councilmember from the Merchant Guild.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Only a guilty man like yourself would say such a thing in order to avoid his dirty
secrets from being exposed. Especially one such as you, who likes to molest little
girls. I have it on very good authority that you even tried to molest one Inuzuka
Hana years ago when she was still an Academy student," remarked the Masked Regent
with many in the room looking shocked to hear this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"HE DID WHAT?!" yelled Tsume angrily with a feral rage showing on his face while
getting out of her chair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's right. She was walking home that day from school when this...{\i
pig} Toro Kensuke here ambushed her in an alleyway about halfway to the clan house.
He had a mask on so Hana never saw his face and was covered in scent maskers that
his parents' store sold so she wouldn't be able to know who was on her when he was
done," explained the Masked Regent while Tsume was looking ready to rip Kensuke
apart.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Why didn't Hana tell me about this? I know I remember one day she was shaken about
something, but I thought it was what they were teaching at the Academy,' thought
Tsume while Kensuke was trying to keep the pressure off of
"Lies! You have no proof! I will not sit here and allow my good name to be run into
the ground by this masked freak!" protested Kensuke while pointing a finger at the
masked guest in the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sadly, I must agree with Kensuke-san. Without proof to show the man is indeed
guilty, we cannot punish him," said Shibi while Tsume still wasn't calm in the
"And there is no proof! I highly doubt this masked fool has any to begin with!"
declared Kensuke smugly with the Masked Regent tilting his head
"You lost a chunk of your right ear that day. It was bitten off by a third party,
who had intervened on the girl's behalf, and allowed Inuzuka Hana to get away,"
answered the Masked Regent while Kensuke instinctively grabbed his right
ear.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I remember. I was in the hospital to get a minor stab wound on my left side that I
got from the mission treated when Kensuke came him holding a hand on the right side
of his head. He was bleeding heavily and said an animal had bitten him in an
alley," said Choza while Kensuke looking a bit pale now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was an animal! A filthy animal that had no business being alive!" exclaimed
Kensuke angrily with the Masked Regent laughing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Was this 'filthy animal' you speak of...a {\i
fox} perhaps?" asked the Masked Regent with Kensuke looking paler then
before.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How do you know that?" asked Kensuke in a whispered tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I know the {\i
fox} in question who bit you. I believe you also know his name too. Uzumaki Naruto
if I remember correctly," said the Masked Regent with Kensuke looking ready to
match Orochimaru in terms of skin color.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto saved my girl?" asked Tsume with the masked man
"That he did. The poor 5 year old boy was dumpster diving nearby when he overheard
what was going on and intervened on Hana's behalf. Sadly though, it wasn't without
its own consequences as no good deed goes unpunished," replied the Masked Regent
sadly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Tsunade worried about what happened to her
Godson.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"After Hana got away, Kensuke took his anger out on poor Naruto after throwing the
child off, and stabbed the boy multiple times with the knife he originally held to
Hana's throat. After he finished stabbing Naruto roughly 10 times, Kensuke left to
treat his injury at the hospital while leaving the poor boy to suffer in the alley
in the hopes he would die in a pool of his own blood," answered the Masked Regent
while Kensuke glared at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If had a I known you talked to him about that incident, I would have killed the
demon brat by slitting his throat!" exclaimed Kensuke angrily before realizing he
just admitted to not only stabbing the boy in the alley, but also trying to molest
the Inuzuka Clan Head's daughter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"YOU BASTARD!" yelled Tsume, as she moved to leap over the table, and rip the man
to pieces with her bare hands if not for several of the Clan Heads restraining
"Still think my and Yami Kitsune Jigumo's accusations are not valid? As I said
earlier, I have enough evidence on me to prove a lot of people are guilty of many
different things. The only question is who wants to have their dirty laundry aired
out for everyone else to see?! Who here wants to know which councilmen likes to
touch little girls? Little boys? Who has sold secrets to other villages to secure
business dealings? Who sold off innocent people as slaves to foreign countries for
large sums of money? For political favors? I can go all day people! Speak up!"
declared the Masked Regent with many if not all of the Council members in the room
looking very nervous.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Still, Homura and Koharu were not about to go quietly, and trying to move things
back in the direction they wanted.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You still killed a Hokage. Even if he was a temporary one. Not to mention your
friend Yami Kitsune Jigumo killed the Sandaime Hokage. You will be arrested and
executed for your crimes!" said Homura angrily at the masked
"{\i
First}, Danzo was not Kage material. Never was. {\i
Second}, I have enough dirt on him and the Sandaime Hokage, which I gave copies of
by the way, to the Fire Daimyo to see, and has already agreed to have both men's
status as a Hokage stricken from the record in its entirety. {\i
Second}, your former teammate, and retired Sandaime Hokage was a liar as well as
thief. He has committed crimes against the Uzumaki Clan and did other horrible
things you knew about with the proof here in these various files!" stated the
Masked Regent before revealing a Storage Seal on his left hand and activated it to
reveal several massive thick folders that he slammed down on the table before
pushing the contents toward the Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Homura and Koharu tried to grab a few, but Tsunade glared at both of them to
retract their hands before they lost them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Reading some of the contents in the files, Tsunade narrowed her eyes at the
documents related to Danzo, and how he kept his Root program active despite it not
authorized to be active. Using all of the various Orphanages via their Matrons as a
main source of such early recruitment, followed by going to nearby towns, even
going to other countries, and taking children from their homes while killing the
parents if necessary. Next was all the research matters regarding the splicing of
bloodlines to bring about additional powers neither side could produce alone, which
Danzo recruited Orochimaru for if the Sannin's own research notes in this were any
indication. Added the fact the man conspired in the past with the Warlord Hanzo to
help him with Ame in exchange for giving Danzo forces to help take over
And that was just the first few pages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unauthorized missions, diverting finances from Konoha's treasury while sending Root
ANBU to secretly raid rich caravans from other countries, and killing wealthy
families after capturing some of them to make the liquidation of their assets
legit, yet untraceable before they were killed. Different roaming clans who lived
away from the hidden villages were also targeted, some mostly wiped out save for a
few (mostly young children), and those few were conditioned to be made Root ANBU.
There was even proof that Danzo had allied with Kazehana Doto to overthrow his
brother in exchange for some of the lost technology Snow Country had. Like the
chakra armor and the blueprints for the airships as well as the trains buried in
the snow there. The only reason the plan with Doto failed was because of the greedy
man reneging on his side of the deal and had created a strong powerbase too tough
for Danzo to break unless he risked information of his involvement coming to
light.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Add in the assassination of high ranking nobles in other countries regardless if
they were from enemy, neutral, or even allied countries too...Danzo would have been
put to death no matter what.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's true. It's all true. Danzo was guilty of the crimes mentioned earlier. These
documents here are proof of the man's illegal activates and {\i
YOU TWO} were in on it," whispered Tsunade before glaring at Homura and Koharu to
see the two old farts going pale in the face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"T-Tsunade! You must understand. Konoha had to be on top. You can't expect us let
our enemies have the edge over us," protested Homura before he was grabbed by
Tsunade and lifted into the air by the pissed off woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"HOW CAN WE BE ON TOP WHEN DANZO HAS BEEN MAKING US GET MORE AND MORE ENEMIES TO
FIGHT?! HOW CAN WE BE ON TOP WHEN HE HAS KILLED NOBLES FROM ALLIED NATIONS?!"
yelled Tsunade while Homura looked ready to soil himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is more on your sensei's side of things. Like the betrayal of the Uzumaki
Clan for example. Didn't you have a Grandmother who was of Uzumaki blood? An
Uzumaki Mito I believe, right?" added the Masked Regent with Tsunade turning her
attention to the file he pushed toward the Hokage and she threw Homura into a wall
before reading the file's contents.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That lying bastard! He betrayed my Grandfather. My Grandmother. He betrayed ME!"
exclaimed Tsunade, as she saw her sensei had betrayed the Uzumaki Clan when they
called for help during the Second Shinobi War.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not only that, but the Sandaime had authorized ANBU to go and sack various Uzumaki
Clan shrines in Fire Country, and the contents they held in order to study them.
Mostly along the lines of sealing and anything regarding how to make strong seals
to deal with the Biju and making a Jinchuriki. Even marking down plans to mold
Kushina into the true weapon he wanted once Mito gave the younger Uzumaki the
Kyuubi, but it was also noted in the file that Minato's interference by falling in
love with the woman had thrown the plan out the window, only for the plan to
reemerge again once Naruto came into the picture, and became a third generation
Jinchuriki with no one around to truly protect him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Cue the plan to abuse him, force the child into submission, unleashing only a
fraction of the potential Hiruzen knew the boy possessed just so Naruto could be
killed should he decide to think for himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As you can see, I am hardly the big bad monster in this room," remarked the Masked
Regent before sensing Kensuke was planning on making a run for the door and whipped
out a kunai from the sleeve of his robes with the weapon aimed at the now running
fat man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And hit the stupid fat idiot right in the temple with the kunai going all the way
up to the ringed hilt before the man fell over dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"ANBU! Arrest the entire Civilian Council and the Shinobi Council. Now!" commanded
Tsunade with new ANBU coming into the room and looking at each other in
"It seems your ANBU are not entirely loyal to you Hokage-sama. If they were, the
order would be obeyed without question. But what would you expect with traitors to
the Will of Fire that your Grandfather believed in years ago," remarked the Masked
Regent with the Hokage glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shut up you! I can still order them to arrest you," threatened Tsunade with the
Masked Regent chuckling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You could, but that would put the people of the village will suffer for it.
Besides, I also came here to collect the bounty on Orochimaru...since I killed
him," replied the Masked Regent before bringing the Kusanagi in its purified state
out of his robes and put it in front of the woman for her to
"You killed Orochimaru? How? So many have tried and failed," said Tsunade, as she
saw the blade was indeed the Kusanagi of legend, but shining with a sense of
purity, and was almost afraid to touch it out of fear she would somehow taint
"Let's just say the Sannin underestimated the power a curse can have on people.
This is the end result of his curse consuming him for a change. Also, if you are
wondering why no one has seen Anko for the past few days, I think its because she
wants to enjoy the feeling of being free from her Curse Seal," answered the Masked
Regent with Tsunade looking shocked and kicked herself for not checking up on the
woman when she did not report for duty.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The last time someone removed a Curse Seal, it crippled the Uchiha from ever being
one, or passing down his genetic material to the next generation. If you've hurt
Anko in the same manner...!" threatened Tsunade with the Masked Regent waving such
a thing like it was meaningless.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anko-san is fine. Unlike the Uchiha, the means to remove Orochimaru's Curse Seal
from her was seal based. Not Jutsu based. The seal used on her had protective
barriers within its design to prevent any negative backlash aimed at her person.
Yami Kitsune Jigumo assured me that the seal he used would only hurt Anko for a
short time when he applied it, but the overall end result wouldn't leave any long
term damage," explained the Masked Regent with Tsunade nodding before she saw the
ANBU had yet to do what she ordered them to do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"ARREST THEM DAMN IT!" yelled Tsunade with her voice and killer intent making the
ANBU snap to attention before arresting the Councils despite their
protests.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And with my task complete, I bid you a good day," said the Masked Regent with a
bow before heading for the door.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! I need to ask you something. Just one question," said Tsunade with the
Masked Regent turning to look at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ask. And if I know the answer I will let you know," replied the Masked Regent with
Tsunade hesitating for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is the identity of Yami Kitsune Jigumo really Uzumaki Naruto?" asked Tsunade with
the Masked Regent not giving an acknowledgement to the
question.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what if he was? What would you do with this information? Hunt Naruto down? Put
him in your Bingo Book? And if he were to come to Konoha again, would he be welcome
with open arms, and apologies? Or would he be hated? Shunned? Forced into servitude
to a ungrateful and clearly corrupt Shinobi village?" asked the Masked Regent with
Tsunade flinching since she knew Naruto's life would not be pleasant if he came
"I wouldn't do that to him and I wouldn't let anyone else try either," replied
Tsunade with the Masked Regent nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While you may not wish it, much less give the order for no harm to come to my
friend, I highly doubt someone like Jiraiya of the Sannin would listen to you. Yami
Kitsune did kill Hiruzen after all and I ended Orochimaru. He may take it a bit...
{\i
personally}!" replied the Masked Regent before Jiraiya appeared on the window with
a pissed off expression on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're damn right I do," hissed Jiraiya with anger in his
"Ah! The failure for a Sage makes his presence known," remarked the Masked Regent
in a theatrical manner, which only seemed to piss off Jiraiya even
"You have a lot of nerve saying that to me. I could kill you right now if not for
the threat of the village being severely damaged in various spots filled with
people," Jiraiya shot back while the Masked Regent nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Yes that is true, but we both know that hasn't stopped you from such a thing
before on the missions the Sandaime Hokage gave out," countered the Mask Regent
before he was pinned to the wall by Jiraiya, who grabbed him, and slammed the robed
figure into it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Where is Naruto? Tell me!" demanded Jiraiya while pushing the masked man further
into the wall.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why should I? You were a failure for Godfather when he was a child and you are
failure as one now. Besides, we both know if I told you, then Naruto would be
hunted down, and brought back to Konoha for 'reeducation' in order to become
Konoha's personal weapon regardless of what the Hokage here says," countered the
Masked Regent with Jiraiya now gritting his teeth in anger because it was one
hundred percent true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what if that were true? Naruto is forever the property of Konoha and always
will be no matter what. His purpose in life is to properly defend Konoha and should
be grateful he even has value to the village that birthed him," replied Jiraiya
with the Masked Regent laughing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And this is why Naruto won't come back here unless it is in chains. You treat him
like a weapon and not person. The boy deserves better, but you wouldn't give him
that even if he wasn't a Jinchuriki, would you? No! You see Naruto as a tool to
reach your ambitions that are also Konoha's. What does it matter if the boy wants
to be free to have a life away from the mindless hate that infests this village
like a plague? You want Uzumaki Naruto so much? Find him yourself," replied the
Masked Regent before kneeing Jiraiya in the gut with his armored right leg, head
butted him, and then a simple palm thrust sent the Sannin flying back into the wall
by the window...{\i
hard}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata's eyes widened of course at the sight of what she thought was blonde hair
peaking just beyond the hood of the Masked Regent's robes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She knew that blonde colored hair anywhere!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Stop it! Both of you stand down now!" commanded Tsunade while the Masked Regent
was smoothing out his robes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Honestly, you would think that a man his age, and someone with the actual {\i
title} of Sage would be more refined," mocked the Masked Regent while Jiraiya got
out of the wall and was not willing to stop fighting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I mean it Jiraiya. Stand down now!" said Tsunade with the Sannin glaring at the
"He knows where Naruto is. I will get the information out of him even if I have to
beat this masked weirdo within an inch of his life! exclaimed Jiraiya before to the
shock of everyone, including the Masked Regent, one Hyuuga Hinata stepped forward,
and got into a Gentle Fist.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't let you hurt him," said Hinata while glaring at
Jiraiya.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hinata?! What are you doing? This guy is a psycho! Just like Naruto!" protested
Kiba while trying to get Hinata way from the two fighters, but Shino stopped him
since the Aburame trusted the girl, and knew she clearly saw something no one else
"No! He's not a psycho Kiba. I know he's not because...because he {\i
IS} Uzumaki Naruto!" exclaimed Hinata while Tsunade, the Clan Heads, Kiba, Shino,
and Jiraiya all looked absolutely floored by this news.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?! But I thought Naruto was the Yami Kitsune Jigumo?" questioned Kiba since
there was no way Naruto could be in two different places at
once.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can't I be both?" asked the Masked Regent before removing his mask and revealed he
was in fact Uzumaki Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto!" exclaimed Tsunade happily at seeing him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun, but I didn't want you to possibly get hurt. I know you are
strong, but with the way things are between Konoha and you...," said Hinata while
keeping her eyes on Jiraiya to ensure the Sannin didn't try
She never forgave herself for being so weak all those years ago. Never being able
to have the strength to fight back against those that preyed on the weak. While
Naruto wasn't weak from what she had seen or heard of him already, she wasn't going
to let him fight the Sannin alone. Especially a Sannin who thought of Naruto as an
expendable weapon meant to serve Konoha before being thrown away like he was
useless.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I understand. You were concerned for my safety. I am in the heart of enemy
territory right now after all," replied Naruto while pulling his hood down to show
his spiky blonde locks.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are not in enemy territory. Konoha is not your enemy," protested Tsunade with
the Clan Heads nodding in full agreement since they didn't hate the
'Damn Naruto's grown into a fine young man. If only I could introduce him to Hana.
He did save her from being traumatized by that now dead asshole on the ground over
there,' thought Tsume while thinking her daughter couldn't do much better in terms
of a mate like Naruto at this point.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It made Tsume wish she was her daughter's age right now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You'll have to forgive me Tsunade-san if I disagree with you. I've killed your
temporary Sixth Hokage and your retired Third Hokage. Not to mention Konoha has
been after me ever since my other alias Yami Kitsune Jigumo punched Uchiha Sasuke
{\i
one time} in the face on the bridge at Wave Country. Being the Kyuubi Jinchuriki
everyone wants to use is just icing on the preverbal cake," remarked Naruto while
slowly drawing his sword out and many were shocked to see such a powerful blade
glowing with such ethereal energy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Tsunade also noticed the jewel on the hilt of the blade glowing
"That's my Grandfather's necklace!" exclaimed Tsunade in shock before she
remembered that Danzo took it off her while in the coma from what she saw in the
letter left by Naruto in the hospital to read.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes it was. Now its part of the Biju Sword. An ancestral artifact dating back to
the Sage of Six Paths. It was once part of the Senju Clan before it was lost during
a period of the Warring Clans Era before it was discovered by the Uzumaki Clan. It
was later brought back to the Senju Clan years ago when Uzumaki Mito married Senju
Hashirama as part of the dowry. But none of the Senju have ever been able to wield
it since then and only an Uzumaki with certain qualifications seems to be worthy.
The jewel is part of this sword and can bring out the sword's true potential when
joined," explained Naruto with Jiraiya now narrowing his eyes at
"My spies said that the Masked Regent killed Danzo with a sword fitting that
description. You used this sword to kill Danzo and then take the jewel from him,"
accused Jiraiya with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Considering how Danzo was going to use the jewel to further enhance his own
Mokuton abilities when the Akatsuki unleashed the Biju they have already on the
world just before turning them on the Shinobi Alliance...you should thank me,"
countered Naruto with the Sannin scowling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You make it sound like such a tactic is a bad thing. The Biju were always the
property of Konoha. Everyone else just had them on loan. Its a fitting punishment
to see the villages get wiped out by {\i
Konoha's }weapons," remarked Jiraiya much to the shock of everyone in the
"Jiraiya!" exclaimed Tsunade in shock that her own teammate said
"The nine Biju are not the mindless demons or monsters you or anyone else have
always made them out to be fool. They have their own minds, their own souls, and
their own desires that have constantly been denied by power hungry morons like
you," remarked Naruto coldly while Jiraiya's right hand now began twitching in
discreet hand signs to make seals to put on the blonde's body to immobilize
"Naive thinking brat. Your Father knew better," remarked Jiraiya with Naruto
"My Father was a better man then you could ever hope to be Jiraiya. Perhaps that is
why you could never convince him of turning my Mother into Konoha's personal weapon
like the Sandaime wanted with her and Uzumaki Mito when she was still young,"
Naruto shot back while the Sannin snarled in anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We may have failed with Mito and Kushina, but Konoha{\i
WILL} make you into a weapon gaki. I don't care what Tsunade says, even she is the
Gondaime Hokage, the Biju as well as the Jinchuriki are all property of Konoha. You
{\i
WILL} be brought to heel and I will do it right now regardless of who stands in my
way!" exclaimed Jiraiya, but found his path further blocked by Tsunade standing by
Hinata, and the Clan Heads getting ready to fight him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Care to run that by us again Jiraiya?" questioned Tsunade while Shino stood beside
his Father to show his support.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mom?! What are you doing?" asked Kiba while Tsume looked at her
son.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Doing what is right Kiba," answered Tsume before she growled at
"But...But he's a demon!" protested Kiba, as he had seen what Naruto did back in
Wave, and heard all the stories about Jinchuriki being monsters on the
battlefield.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kiba! Do not say such a thing again around me! Naruto saved your sister from a
horrible traumatizing event. Nearly {\i
dying }as a result of his selflessness! If I were to turn my back on him now...I
would betray the very principles of loyalty the Inuzuka Clan was founded on!"
exclaimed Tsume with Kiba looking at his Mother before staring at Jiraiya and felt
himself conflicted between who to show his loyalty to you.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So Kiba made a third choice. One that was debatably the worst choice of all. He
fled out the window much to the shock of his Mother and several
"Out of the way Tsunade! I don't care if you were my teammate in the past or the
Hokage of this village. The brat needs to be made into Konoha's weapon to combat
the Akatsuki and the other villages when this Shinobi Alliance is over!" said
Jiraiya while Tsunade narrowed her eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What has happened to you Jiraiya? What has turned you against me? Against the Will
of Fire? Against Minato's and Kushina's only son?!" demanded Tsunade with Jiraiya
tensing his body to strike at the group in order to get to
"I have betrayed nothing! I was never loyal to you and your {\i
sentimentality} toward others. The Will of Fire was never betrayed because I have
done everything in my power to keep it burning throughout Fire Country. If a few
people get burned by the heat here or there, then they don't deserve to be apart of
the village, or the vision that is Konoha itself. As for betraying Minato and
Kushina...they betrayed me first for their stupidity in falling in love with each
other. The only good thing that came from their union was a future vessel for
holding Kyuubi!" said Jiraiya before he charged forward, a plan already in mind to
get around the group of ninja in the crowded room, and quickly nabbing Naruto with
his special seal in right hand just before he used the ability to reverse summon
himself to Mount My\u333?boku.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately, for him anyway, Jiraiya underestimated Naruto's skill, and had no
idea just how skilled the boy even was when being trained in the ninja arts. He had
no idea that Naruto had been trained constantly during his time away from Konoha,
had fought other ninjas, Fiends, Greater Fiends, robots, robot tanks, and a Goddess
in the span of a decade since being taken away from this village that hated his
guts. Jiraiya didn't realize that Naruto had studied extensively with the Uzumaki
Clan's Forbidden Scroll of Seals and the knowledge it contained within it that was
an exact copy of the current Forbidden Scroll of Seals here in
In short, Jiraiya's own blind arrogance, and his rage at recently losing his sensei
would be his undoing in this fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As he planned, Jiraiya charged forward, dodged Tsunade's super punch, ducked under
Tsume's clawed swipe, blocked the Nara's kick, and Inoichi's punch. After that, he
threw said Yamanaka into Choza, kicked Hiashi into Shibi, who took his son with him
into the wall, and leaped over Hinata to grab Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for the Naruto that was to standing in front of him to go "poof!" to reveal he
was in fact a Shadow Clone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know they say the best way to catch an enemy off guard is through the element
of surprise. So...{\i
surprise}!" exclaimed Naruto from above, as he was on the ceiling the whole time in
his Yami Kitsune Jigumo uniform, and the actual Biju Sword now in hand like his
Masked Regent persona did with its ethereal form shining down on
'Shit!' thought Jiraiya, as he had no time to dodge, or even block the sword with
anything on hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only thing he could do now was reverse summon himself to Mount My\u333?boku
before the blade cut into him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it! I missed!" exclaimed Naruto while seeing his sword was successful in
cutting into the Sannin despite the reverse summoning with some of the fabric from
the Sannin's clothing and now slit head gear with the kanji for "oil" falling onto
the floor after it was sliced through during the
transition.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Whether or not Jiraiya had any injuries from the sword was anybodies
guess.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sheathing his sword, Naruto turned to face the Gondaime Hokage Senju Tsunade, who
was his distant cousin, and Godmother currently ruling over this village that hated
him. He watched her behind his kitsune mask, his eyes analyzing the woman's most
subtle movements, and sensing whether he would need to make a run for it. His
allies he was able to recruit from Orochimaru's base were already in the village,
ready to put the plan into action should things get dicey, and get him out of
"Naruto, you don't have to be so tense. I'm not going to arrest you," replied
Tsunade, as she saw him tensing, and knew he was wondering if she would screw him
over after all of this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Was he so use to treachery and betrayal in this village that it was what came to
his mind when looking at people here?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Trust for me when regarding this village is like trying to find an oasis in a
desert. You know its there, but are rare, and extremely hard to find," said Naruto
before he moved for the door, but found himself stopped by Hinata, who surprised
him, and everybody else when she wrapped her arms around him in a
hug.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hinata," said Hiashi while fearing this might provoke the blonde to retaliate in
thinking she was keeping him in Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Stay. If just for a little while. I...I want to thank you. Thank you for the
bullies when I was a kid. And to thank you for Wave Country. If you didn't show up
both times...I don't know what would have happened," whispered Hinata while Naruto
thought over what she said in his mind, sensing her intentions were pure, no
hurtful intentions, or possibly trap lying in wait to ensnare
"All right. I'll stay for a little while. I have some new friends I think you will
want to meet too. One of them is another Uzumaki. Like me," replied Naruto with the
Hokage and the Clan Heads looking at him in shock while Hinata let go of the blonde
with the blush at realizing what she just did became known to
"An another Uzumaki? But no one has seen another Uzumaki aside from you in years,"
said Hiashi with Naruto smirking behind his mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She was mostly kept hidden from the public eye. Her name is Karin. Uzumaki Karin,"
answered a slightly amused Naruto before explaining how he found her at
Orochimaru's base along with an imprisoned Suigetsu and Jugo though the latter was
locked up because he wanted to be locked up due to the instability of his
And Jugo was also apparently the very source of Orochimaru's experiments regarding
the Curse Seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would like to meet them Naruto. With Danzo dead, Homura, Koharu, and the
Civilian Council arrested for their past crimes, I can now assert the full
authority my position was always meant to have. You will not be harmed while here
Naruto. I won't allow it," said Tsunade while the Clan Heads nodding since they
supported the Hokage on this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not only that, but I want Hana to meet her hero from when she was younger," added
Tsume while secretly imagining her daughter marrying Naruto and giving the Inuzuka
Matriarch a litter of Grandchildren to spoil.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All right! All right! You can stop trying to twist my arm," said Naruto knowing he
was not going to win this possible argument.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Tsunade smiled at him while the blonde took off his mask and sighed knowing this
was going to be a pain in the ass regardless of the good intentions the Hokage
had.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are one troublesome person Naruto," commented Shikamaru while having heard of
what the blonde had done back in Wave Country years ago as Yami Kitsune
Jigumo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Add to what he did recently as the Masked Regent in Iron Country just made the
blonde that much more troublesome in Shikamaru's eyes. Even now, the usually lazy
Nara was trying to calculate the best way to take Naruto down should the blonde
become a threat to him or Konoha in the future.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He didn't realize Naruto was doing the same to him and his
teammates.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Show me someone who isn't troublesome and I'll show you a world filled with
boredom in it," countered Naruto while he was in the training ground he asked to
meet all the other Rookies plus Gai's team along with their senseis so they could
Jugo, Suigetsu, and Karin were off to the side keeping an eye out for possible
threats to their new leader.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Troublesome," muttered Shikamaru while Naruto smirked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what have you been doing since your time away from Konoha? We haven't seen you
for over a decade," commented Ino with Naruto smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let's just say I have seen what Hell looks like and was one of the few able to
walk out of it alive," replied Naruto while thinking of his venture into Mt. Fuji,
the Blood Queen of the Greater Fiends, and the Archfiend's own
resurrection.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Oh yeah. Hell did indeed exist.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do tell!" exclaimed Ino excitedly while Naruto shook his
"It would only frighten you," said Naruto seriously while giving her a look telling
the platinum blonde that he was being quite literal in going into Hell
itself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I heard you were taken by a group of unknown ninja. What were they like? What kind
of weapons did they use? Where they just as special as that one?" asked Tenten, as
she eyed the blonde's sword, and felt it was pulsating with
She almost felt like drooling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Black Spider Clan are special in their own way. At least they were to me,"
remarked Naruto while refusing to speak ill of the clan that raised him first and
showed him how to be a ninja before becoming a member of the Dragon
"I wish to test you in combat," said Neji while eager to see how his skills would
match up to that of the Kyuubi Jinchuriki and his ways of being a
"Are you sure? I was originally taught to fight rather harshly even when sparring
with others. My first teacher Lord Genshin was a man who felt the best way to train
his ninja was to fight as if he was fighting an enemy," warned Naruto while Neji
nodded and got into his Gentle Fist stance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And I, the Super Sexy Mitarashi Anko shall be the ref for this match!" declared
Anko happily, as she made a dramatic appearance in front of everyone, and was
clearly being more excited then ever before.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not surprising when word got out of her Curse Seal being removed without any kind
of negative side effects from what Tsunade could determine with a full checkup and
several days of keen observation to be sure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So Tsunade finally let you out of the hospital I see," commented Naruto while
taking his sheathed sword off his back and throwing it to Karin to
hold.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course! I was getting a bit stir crazy being kept in the hospital for several
long days and Tsunade-sama knew it was in the best interest of my health as well as
everyone else there," replied Anko sweetly while Shikamaru shuddered since he knew
that type of tone of voice from his Mother when she was in a mood you didn't want
to cross.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hey! Why don't you ever let me hold that sword?" asked Suigetsu while feeling a
bit peeved he didn't get to hold such an awesome sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Granted he got the purified Kusanagi, but that was beside the
"Are you an Uzumaki?" asked Naruto with Suigetsu shaking his head
"You know I'm not," replied Suigetsu with a scowl on his
"And that Suigetsu is your reason why. Now stop complaining or I'll freeze your
waist while letting Karin kick you in the balls again," threatened Naruto since he
found out that the man couldn't turn his body to water when hit if he's frozen in
that spot.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay! Okay! Don't say that so loud or else everyone will know how to hurt me! I
don't want anyone to hurt my manhood!" exclaimed Suigetsu while making hand motions
for Naruto to keep his voice down.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What manhood?" remarked Karin smugly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't act so high and might with me flat chest? I've seen washboards with better
racks then yours," commented Suigetsu, which earned him a smack to his head by
Karin, and turning into water in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"ASSHOLE!" yelled Karin since she was always a bit touchy on the fact her boobs
were not as large as say...the Hyuuga girl's currently being hidden behind her
jacket.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough! Naruto-sama is about to spar. Shut up and watch!" commanded Jugo, who had
created a deep level of respect for the blonde ninja when he was freed from his own
self incarceration, and promised a chance to find a purpose in life where he would
not hurt those he cared about.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The fact Naruto had been able to keep his promise so far was one of the reasons
that Jugo now following the blonde. The fact Naruto had introduced him to Tsunade
and explained things to the woman in the hopes of possible treatment options. Jugo
had long since been plagued by the lack of control when it came to getting his
more...{\i
aggressive} side. Naruto felt if anyone could help Jugo, it was Tsunade, and do
what Orochimaru refused to do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry," said Karin and Suigetsu at the same time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Begin!" exclaimed Anko, as she saw the two ready for their fight, and Neji making
the first move.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto knew all about the Hyuuga bloodline and what it could do when using Taijutsu
with the Gentle Fist being the backbone of the clan's fighting prowess. The trick
with the Hyuuga being up close in a fight is they can see chakra points with their
eyes and truly decimate their opponents by striking them with chakra covering their
hands. Naruto had done enough research on the matter to know you can't block such
assaults or go toe to toe with a Hyuuga since it was fighting on their
terms.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto knew better then to do that. Instead, he waited until Neji attacked before
making the first move, dodged the strikes aimed at his body. If the Hyuuga was
unable to hit his target's chakra points, he could not hurt them, and thus becoming
increasingly frustrated. The more frustrated the enemy becomes, the more mistakes
he or she makes, and expels more energy in the process. While this happens, the
target uses less energy, lasts longer then the Hyuuga aggressor, and finally repels
the attacker when the time is right.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
This was proven true when Neji became increasingly annoyed by being unable to hit
the ever nimble and evasive Uzumaki he was trying to hit. Normally, he dealt with
Shinobi who would block, or fight him in Taijutsu in the belief they could beat him
in it. His own teammate Rock Lee being a prime example of almost all the numerous
attempts and all failures at trying along with the one ninja among the Sound Four
he fought while heading out to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke years ago. However, this
ninja was not like Rock Lee, or that spider like ninja Kidomaru for that matter.
The Uzumaki before him was moving too fast, too quickly to hit, and it was honestly
a frustrating thing to handle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wow! Look at Naruto go! He's so nimble. How can he be that flexible?" asked Ino
while seeing Neji, a year older then her, a Prodigy of the Hyuuga Clan, and last
year's Rookie of the Year at the Academy being unable to land a hit on
"I don't know, but I would love to find out on a {\i
personal} level," remarked Anko, as she was getting perverted thoughts in her head,
and the giggle she let out only proved it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Anko! Behave yourself. You're suppose to be the ref for this match. Not eye
humping the one male your lusting for in the fight," remarked Kurenai while she had
to admit the blonde was clearly being the one with the advantage
Though she failed to notice Anko's remark had an effect on her former student
Hyuuga Hinata despite being near the girl and the atomic blush said girl was
sporting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Asuma, he was conflicted with himself at the idea of letting his Father's
killer go free or walk around the village. Even if his dad had done horrible things
while in the position of power as the Hokage of Konoha, the man was still his
Father, and he did love the guy. On one hand, Asuma wanted to strangle Naruto for
killing the old retired Kage the way he did, but at the same time, a part of the
Jounin told him the old man deserved it, and couldn't fault the Uzumaki for running
his sword through the Sandaime.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He was just glad Konohamaru wasn't here or the boy would get himself in a lot of
trouble since his nephew idolized the Sandaime Hokage (all those failed so called
"assassination attempts" not withstanding) and wanted to be just like him. Or at
the very least surpass the old man and become the Kami no Shinobi like the Sandaime
in order to get out of his shadow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're skills are very good Neji-san. Deadly with precision, but it lacks
something. Not skill. Not technique. Something along the lines of...spiritual?
Mental perhaps?" remarked Naruto while dodging Neji's strikes and saw the Hyuuga
was getting angry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is nothing wrong with my Gentle Fist. It is perfect!" exclaimed Neji while
trying to his Naruto's shoulder, but was dodged, and had the wrist grabbed before
being thrown to the ground with a boot to his neck with a great deal of pressure on
Normally, Neji would fight this, but he had exhausted himself in trying to hit
Naruto, and what strength he had left was overpowered by the Uzumaki who had more
then enough to keep him pinned. The Hyuuga thought of using his free hand to strike
at the boot on his throat, but the continued pressure to his neck made Neji realize
his strike would do little to sway the blonde from
relinquishing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If it were perfect Neji, then I would have lost within the first few seconds of
our fight," remarked Naruto while tap the ground to indicate he gave
"Winner! Uzumaki Naruto!" exclaimed Anko happily while being extremely giddy right
now with perverted thoughts running through her head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Elsewhere)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"OW! Damn it Haku! Why did you suddenly launch senbon needles at me?!" demanded
Zabuza angrily at the girl while taking some needles out of his rib
cage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry Zabuza-sama. I had a sudden urge to hurt someone and Ao is not around
right now," remarked Haku with a smile that certain women sport when they know the
person they annoy won't hurt them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's that damn brat again. Isn't it? He's around hot women and you're feeling
territorial," accused Zabuza with Haku giggling while more senbon were in her
hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know what you mean Zabuza-sama. It's not like I can feel when a woman or
women are near my Naruto-kun and want to have sexual intimate relations with him
before me," replied Haku sweetly in a way Mei did with Ao when threatening to kill
Meanwhile, Zabuza sported a sweat drop at her words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I didn't need hear that last part," commented Zabuza before he was hit in the knee
with senbon needles and fought back the urge to scream.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oops! My hand slipped again Zabuza-sama. I think I'll go elsewhere to ensure I
don't hurt you further. I wonder where Ao is right now?" replied Haku before
walking off to find another victu-uh {\i
practice dummy} to target her unusual frustrations on.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it gaki. Get back here and go on a date with Haku! At this rate, I'll either
die by Haku's hands with those twitchy fingers, or Mei's constant desire to be
married, and being a Mother to my kids one day," said Zabuza to himself while
fearing the latter right now more then the former.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And for good reason too since Terumi Mei one day being pregnant meant the woman's
out of whack hormones and mood swings would be more volatile then ever! Add in her
two bloodlines and the usual threats she made to kill people if they (namely Ao)
said something stupid...Zabuza didn't want to be melted anytime soon. Or rather the
manly part of him between his legs anytime soon. He knew she would do it too.
Zabuza had an eye for detail and picking talent among the ninja he knew would have
potential, Haku being a prime example, and knew that Mei was the kind of woman who
would backup her threat to melt a man's pride if crossed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It wasn't that Zabuza feared the sexual intimacy he wanted to have with Terumi Mei.
Just the overall outcome that would follow it should the woman become
pregnant.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You fight in such a straightforward manner. No flexibility. You need to be
prepared to fight someone who won't fight you on your terms Neji-san. I know of
several ways to take down a Hyuuga that many clearly have yet to figure out. If you
had been a Main Family member and I was a Kumo ninja, you would be in serious
trouble my friend," said Naruto before extending his hand to the Hyuuga, who
hesitated at first, but took it, and rubbed his neck.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will...consider your words Uzumaki-san," replied Neji while he saw Lee was
bouncing on his feet and eager for a spar himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You must face me in combat Naruto-san! I wish to test your Flames of Youth against
my own!" exclaimed Lee while Tenten face palmed and
groaned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Flames of what?" asked Naruto while looking confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ignore him about that. Just face my teammate in a spar please," pleaded Tenten
with Naruto shrugging his shoulders.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very well. Do not hold back on me Lee," said Naruto with Lee looking excited by
the process of going all out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't! Let's go!" exclaimed Lee before charging forward at incredible speed with
his right fist cocked back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto quickly caught the punch, ignoring the pain in his hand since Genshin had
always hit much harder, and held the fist firmly in place. Lee moved to add his
left leg, which was caught by Naruto, who pushed Lee back, and motioned for him to
come at him again. Lee smiled and nodded before doing just that. The green spandex
ninja hit Naruto with a jump kick, which was blocked, followed several punches,
another kick, a spinning punch, and another jump kick. Naruto unleashed a barrage
of his own punches and kicks, alternating between Ryu's fighting style, and
Genshin's when the latter was teaching the blonde from the
start.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's going up against Lee and holding his own. Impressive. There are few ninja in
this village who can do that," commented Gai while watching Naruto's fighting style
with interest and studying the moves intently.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He's the reason Minato and Kushina are dead. He's the reason the Sandaime is dead.
The boy must pay,' thought Kakashi, as he narrowed his eye at Naruto, and wished
the blonde to explode just from the stare alone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jugo. The silver haired guy with the mask. The one who looks like a scarecrow. I
sense negative thoughts coming from him," whispered Karin while Jugo looked at
Kakashi and narrowed his eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He clearly wishes to harm Naruto-sama. Be alert," whispered Jugo while Suigetsu
was grinning at the prospect of fighting the Jounin and cut him
As for Naruto and Lee, the two were starting to step up their game, and really hit
each other hard with their attacks. Lee was currently holding his left side from
where Naruto kicked him and a mean bruise on his face from the spin kick that
followed it. As for Naruto himself, his armor was dented, but still repairable, and
his healing factor with Kyuubi's chakra was kicking in to repair two cracked ribs
from a punch that hit him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your skill with Taijutsu is impressive Lee-san. There are few with the skill to
damage on my armor or hurt me like you have," commented Naruto before raising his
hand to indicate that the spar was to end to the other ninja's
surprise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you Naruto-san, but why are we stopping the spar?" asked Lee before he saw
the blonde's eyes quickly dart to the group that had been the four Jounin who were
senseis to both the Rookies and Gai's team.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because someone is about to do something violent to me," commented Naruto before
he sensed the flaring of chakra where and the two looked to see Kakashi going
through hand signs.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Katon: G\u333?kaky\u363? no Jutsu!" exclaimed Kakashi before shooting a massive
fireball at Naruto while Lee jumped out of the way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Surprisingly for everyone watching, Naruto didn't move at all, and took the blast
of fire head on without any fear at all. Acting quickly, several Jounin moved to
launched Water Jutsus at the blaze while others restrained Kakashi, and forced the
man to his knees.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why did you do that Kakashi? The boy was your sensei's son!" exclaimed Kurenai
while she glared at the man angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He is also the reason Minato-sensei is dead. The reason Sandaime-sama is dead,"
replied Kakashi while Kurenai looked to strike him, but stopped when a cruel
laughter was heard from the blaze, and made everyone pause to see a shadowy figure
in the flame.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With a swipe of his hand, Naruto parted the fire around him, and had an evil look
on his face with glowing crimson eyes while staring at the now shocked if not
horrified Hatake Kakashi. Clearly the man did not expect Naruto take the hit, much
less survive unharmed by the fire, and walk out of it like the two were one
entity.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How the mighty have fallen from their position on high, Hatake Kakashi," commented
Naruto while walking toward the restrained Jounin, who was still failing to
comprehend the simple fact the blonde had survived, and walking toward the man
without so much as a scorch mark on his armor.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You took that massive fireball head on. Anyone else would have been killed if they
did that," whispered Kakashi with Naruto scowling at the Jounin while standing in
front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am not just anyone Kakashi-san. I am an Uzumaki on my Mother's side. I am of the
Dragon lineage on my biological Father's side who was your sensei. I am also in a
sense the son of the late Lord Genshin of the Black Spider Clan. I have seen and
done things that would give you nightmares. I saw the depths of the Underworld and
fought those very nightmares myself and other horrible things. You think a little
ball of fire is going to frighten me? Is going to stop me? I am of the Dragon
lineage. We were practically {\i
born} from the fire of the Dragon Gods themselves and thus are not afraid of its
power, yet are respectful to it at the same time," replied Naruto before
backhanding the Jounin across his masked face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are also a Jinchuriki and murderer of your parents. You are a vile and evil
thing that does not deserve to be loved or care about in the slightest!" Kakashi
shot back angrily at Naruto despite the hit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Evil? Let me tell you what Lord Genshin told me once about being a ninja. The
ninja way knows neither good nor evil. Its all about perception. About what we do
that makes us {\i
appear} good or evil in the eyes others. We are shadows. We can walk in light and
the darkness. Ninjas can do what others cannot and will not do. So what I did to
your oh so precious Sandaime Hokage, what you accuse me of doing to my parents, and
anyone else you feel that I have killed from Konoha unjustly...it wasn't evil. It
just happened to be the way of the ninja," replied Naruto with Kakashi narrowing
his eye at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then one could argue what happened to you growing up in Konoha wasn't good or evil
either," argued Kakashi with Naruto shaking his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. What happened to me was not the ninja way. How I was treated in this village
was not the ninja way. Even Lord Genshin once told me what he saw that one day
regarding how I was treated in this village was stupid as it was foolish. All my
potential was being wasted away because of this village's hatred and spite against
me. Lord Genshin said that was {\i
NOT} the ninja way in the slightest because it had nothing to do with being a
ninja. It was the way of arrogance, greed, and stupidity. Everything the ninja way
is against. It is everything {\i
I }am against. You have followed a path that betrays the ninja way and thus are not
a ninja in my eyes. {\i
You} Hatake Kakashi are not worthy of being a ninja and are a fool for believing
that you still are one," countered Naruto with Kakashi glaring
harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am more of a Shinobi then you could ever hope to be!" exclaimed Kakashi
"Before Lord Genshin died, he actually said with his last few words that he had no
regrets in his life because he fought for a purpose greater then himself. Tell me
Hatake Kakashi, before you die here today...do {\i
YOU} have any regrets worth noting?" asked Naruto coldly while bringing out a kunai
and saw Kakashi looking unafraid.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing you would want to hear murderer!" replied Kakashi with equal coldness
while Naruto let out a chuckle and his eyes flashed red for a second once
"Look around you Kakashi. Everyone here is a murderer. Everyone here has murdered
at some point in time while being a ninja for this village. Including you I might
add. Or did you think your past experience in the last Shinobi War didn't count as
murder?" replied Naruto while Kakashi looked away since he didn't want to admit
"You're still a monster," whispered Kakashi while Naruto
"Maybe I am. Maybe I am not. I'll let the Dragon Gods decide when I'm dead. As for
you my Father's so called student? You will be judged by the Shinigami and my
parents when you face them again. It should be interesting how you justify your
actions to them when the time comes. I almost wish I were there to see it happen.
{\i
Almost}," replied Naruto while putting the kunai to Kakashi's
"You won't kill me. Tsunade won't let you. She needs every strong ninja for the
coming war with the Akatsuki," said Kakashi with Naruto smirking at
"Why would she need you then? You're not strong at all. Even at this age in your
life, you are still just a boy trying to prove himself a man. Trying to get out of
the shadows of both his Father and sensei while failing at every turn," said Naruto
with Kakashi narrowing his eye at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then kill me. Slit my throat and see if Tsunade won't arrest you," challenged
Kakashi while Naruto kept on grinning and pressed the blade against the exposed
flesh along the neckline.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gladly," said Naruto, but was stopped by Asuma, and Gai from moving the blade from
left to right though they couldn't push the kunai away from the neck
"We can't let you do it Naruto-san. Kakashi is right. We do need him despite what
he just did," said Gai while giving his now former friend a
"Very well. He gets one warning. Next time he pulls something like that...the man
will be neighbors with the former Uchiha at the hospital," threatened Naruto before
pulled the kunai away and holstered it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In the meantime I'm taking him to Hokage-sama so he can explain himself to her,"
said Anko while vanishing with him while Gai, and Asuma were with her to
With that done, Naruto looked at the other Rookies, and Gai's old team to see they
were a bit intimidated by what he just said as well as did. It was clear to them
that Naruto was not all talk like some of the Rookies had first thought when he
only hinted at what his life was like being a ninja. They saw in his eyes when
appearing from that ball of fire that the blonde had indeed seen and done things
that were beyond their comprehension. Had been apart of missions where he fought
evils that would haunt anyone of them if they saw what he
They also knew that Naruto was not afraid to kill someone who crossed him if they
chose to just backstab his person because he was a
"Haven't you done enough?!" questioned Sakura, who made her presence known while
Sai was beside her with that fake smile on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though inwardly, the pale boy was deathly afraid of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what have I done to upset you Haruno-san?" asked Naruto with Sakura glaring at
him in anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She had come a long way in the last few years after Wave Country. Even more so when
Sasuke had gone rogue in the pursuit of power, only to be found, and returned in a
way that many would argue was less then half of person. Sakura had tried to give
her love to the boy after she heard the news, hoping to get his affection for being
the loyal girl above all others, and finally get that one date with the path
leading to going steady to eventual marriage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to see just how broken the boy truly was in more ways than one. The rumors
that followed, which were soon confirmed to be true about Sasuke no longer being an
Uchiha, and a lost cause in reviving the clan hit hard. Her Mother had told Sakura
time and time again to get Sasuke to like her, date her, and eventually marry with
children one day being on the way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now it was lost. For the last three years (give or take a few months), Sakura's
dream of being the future Mrs. Uchiha Haruno Sakura, and Mother to Sasuke's
children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Since that time, Sakura upped her training. Trying to get stronger and became
Tsunade's apprentice like Hinata had become in the medical field to find a way to
reverse {\i
some} of what was done to Sasuke. It was perfectly clear from Sasuke's own
testimony regarding the description of the attacker that Naruto was not the one who
was responsible for the crushing defeat the former Uchiha had that day. But it was
also clear the blonde {\i
was} from the same clan the ninja responsible for it and thus made him guilty by
association. She had vowed to make the clan or at the very least make Naruto pay
for his actions against Sasuke and Konoha regardless of his reasons for doing
"You killed two Kages. Your clan crippled Sasuke-kun. You have practically made all
of Konoha look like hypocrites to the rest of the world!" answered Sakura angrily
at Naruto while the blonde had put on his kitsune mask.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Please! One Hokage was a backstabbing liar. The other was a total fake. As for
Konoha itself? I had nothing to do with that last part. Your village did that on
its own without my help in the slightest. I merely...brought such dirty dealings to
light," replied Naruto while Sakura continued to glare at
With the Civilian and Shinobi Council arrested, Tsunade claimed the power that had
been slowly stripped from her position since the Yondaime Hokage died. Hiruzen had
let this happen knowing he could take it back anytime, but chose not to due to the
various illegal (even by Shinobi standards) activities being performed, and thus
gave the old Hokage plausible deniability should an investigation be made. Not only
that, but his successor would be given that same distinction, and thus all of those
around the Hokage position would take the hit. Now that Tsunade was in full control
of the Hokage seat and all the power it first had when Senju Hashirama was the
Shodaime Hokage, the woman was making it known to Konoha that Uzumaki Naruto was
not to be harmed. At all! Tsunade even told the citizens and Shinobi of Konoha that
Naruto was allowed to {\i
kill them} if they tried anything.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Something the people of Konoha didn't like to hear this since to them, it was like
they were having their favorite seemingly indestructible toy they all loved to
hate, and abuse being taken from him. Many protested. Some had even tried to attack
Naruto during his time in Konoha, thinking the order was a bluff like punishment of
the repealed law the Sandaime Hokage first made about Naruto's Kyuubi Jinchuriki
status being kept from the younger generation. In truth, the law was not the
Sandaime Hokage's doing at all, but rather the Clan Heads trying to protect Naruto,
who they felt deserved a fighting chance with the younger generation, and their own
children while knowing the adults would not in any sense of the
word.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only reason the late Sandaime Hokage went along with it was due to a plan to
let the law stay in existence until Naruto was in his teens, have it repealed by
either himself, or his successor when an excuse presented itself. When that
happened, the Sandaime knew the younger generation, or most of them anyway, would
turn on Naruto in an instant. The boy would be hated by the majority all over
again, a life forever bound to a village that would hate him, and any children he
had that would become future the Jinchuriki in his place for Konoha to use as
weapons.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He was only partially successful in his plans.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The younger generation were confused since they didn't know what to believe anymore
due to their parents saying one thing, but the Gondaime Hokage saying another. Who
were they to believe? Their parents had always raised them to listen to what they
had to say. To trust them no matter what. That being their parents, they were
always right. But the Hokage was suppose to be the supreme leader of the village,
the one who you could trust on all Shinobi matters, and answer almost any question
related to it. That what they said about all things ninja were absolute and the
Hokage was to be trusted above all other people in the field. Naruto being a
Jinchuriki was a Shinobi matter and a major issue the Gondaime Hokage addressed
shortly after her meeting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Some were afraid of Naruto for the power he held inside of his body. Others hated
him for it. Some wanted to reserve judgment until they saw what he did for
themselves. And some didn't believe Naruto was a monster at all, but a person who
got the short end of the stick.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You had no right to do that! You are not a Konoha Shinobi. You are not one of us!
You are a monster! You deserve to die for your crimes!" exclaimed Sakura angrily
while Sai moved a few steps away from her while he still smiled his fake
smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The pale boy knew how dangerous Naruto could be seeing as Danzo was not a man to be
caught off guard or killed easily. In Sai's observant eyes, this was a ninja who
was five steps ahead of your two when plotting your demise, and had the skill to
execute his plans for said death.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Sai knew better to provoke this preverbal dragon with a stick and decided to let
the pink haired kunoichi do it herself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're right. I'm not one of {\i
you}. And by you, I mean I'm not a bigot who sees something they fear, and hate
simply because they choose not to see the truth. You just hear people say 'demon',
point to me, and just assume I am one without even considering the idea that they
could be wrong. You just assume they are right. You won't even stop to think that
it would be best to get to know someone better rather then follow the mentality of
the mob. A mob by the way, that has been growing, and now coming this way,"
remarked Naruto sadly while sighing at the stupidity of people this village seemed
to have no shortage of even after all these years with him not in
"He's right. A large mob. Mostly low level chakra signatures, but some of them are
high. Like {\i
Jounin} level high," said Karin with Jugo narrowing his eyes and Suigetsu grinning
like a mad man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Finally! I get to cut up some people! exclaimed Suigetsu with Kusanagi out and he
was eager to spill some blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why would they come here? Don't they know Hokage-sama won't tolerate this?" asked
Ino with Shikamaru sighing and shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They simply don't care about what Hokage-sama said earlier Ino. I mean, who is
going to enforce her decision? Konoha Shinobi? Some of them are in this very mob
heading our way. Aside from us, who is going to enforce the Hokage's decision?"
asked Shikamaru, as he saw the mob getting closer, all brandishing weapons, and
bloodlust oozing off of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can leave if you want. I won't hold it against you. In fact, I would rather
you not see what I'm going to do to them," said Naruto while drawing both the Biju
Sword {\i
and }the Blade of the Archfiend with both weapons showing they were incredibly
powerful.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yosh! I will not leave a fellow comrade to fight alone! What the mob plans to do
is most unyouthful!" exclaimed Lee while Naruto saw the spandex ninja's comrades
"What he said, just don't have me repeat it word for word," said Tenten with Neji
"It is illogical to abandon you after doing so much for Konoha, even if the village
does not appreciate it," said Shino while Hinata nodded while she was disappointed
that Kiba was currently under house arrest by his Mother for what he did in the
Hokage's office.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We won't let them hurt you," stated Hinata firmly, as she wasn't about to abandon
him again like she was force to as a child, and would defend Naruto against this
new group of bullies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Ones far more worse then those of her childhood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Give us the demon," said one of the members of the mob.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its time for him to die!" exclaimed another member who was a
woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Send him to Hell!" exclaimed another with a pitchfork.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Please stand aside Hyuuga-sama. We have orders to kill this...{\i
thing} behind you," said a Chuunin with a tanto in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"On whose orders and whose authority?" demanded Hinata knowing this Chuunin had to
say who it was and show proof.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Shinobi and Civilian Council," said the Chuunin with most of the Rookies
frowning since they knew the Councils were arrested for treasonous crimes against
the village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You do realize you're following the orders of those the Hokage has charged with
treason and various other charges, right?" asked Shikamaru with the Chuunin now
going silent with his tanto being gripped tightly in his
"He knows. He just doesn't care. To him, the Hokage's orders regarding me are as
hollow as the inside of a drum," remarked Naruto, as he stepped around Hinata, and
had his two swords ready for a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have no business being here you monster. Your kind are an abomination! Your
kind have no business being in this world and should be wiped out!" exclaimed the
Chuunin angrily while Naruto just laughed at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's funny considering this village and the others keep making those like
myself. Don't you find it odd that I am the third generation Jinchuriki? Don't you
know that Uzumaki Kushina before me and Uzumaki Mito before her were also
Jinchuriki? That they were the wives of past Hokages? If the Shodaime, the
Yondaime, and their wives who they both loved very much were standing here today
right in front of you...would you be so insulting? Or is the idea of insulting them
when they are not around something that you feel is allowed due to the fact they
are dead?" challenged Naruto with the mob looking hesitant and
fearful.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's trying to make us doubt ourselves. Don't listen to him!" said a Jounin with
some of the crowd listening to him while a few still look
unsure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You should listen to me. If you turn back now, I won't kill you, and just let the
Hokage decide your fate," said Naruto with the mob taking his offer like an insult
and became angry at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kill him!" exclaimed someone from the mob with the large number of people charging
"Can't say I didn't try," whispered Naruto while getting ready to fight the angry
mob.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Now's my chance. That monster will never suspect me since he's so focused on the
mob I alerted to come here,' thought Sakura while moving slowly and quietly up to
Naruto with a kunai held discreetly in hand with the intent to stab him in the back
of the neck.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She also underestimated Naruto's sensory powers and Karin's for that matter. Just
when Sakura got close enough to strike Naruto, Karin threw a kunai at the back of
pink haired kunoichi's right shoulder. Sakura cried out in pain, making her drop
the kunai she was holding just as she raised the attacking arm. The other Rookies
saw it too, but had been too slow to do anything. They were shocked Sakura would be
a support of the mob aimed at hurting the blonde Uzumaki. As for Naruto himself, he
spun around without hesitation, and stabbed Sakura in the chest with the Blade of
the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The shock of herself not only failing to kill him was showing on her face, but the
fact he had killed her instead without any regret.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"M-Monster!" gasped Sakura before Naruto pulled his sword out and watched the girl
fall to the ground dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Does anyone else wish to join her?" asked Naruto coldly with the mob looking
fearful of him at first before it gave way to anger and made the mob want his blood
even more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"KILL HIM! AVENGE THE KONOHA KUNOICHI!" yelled the mob as one and they charged him
once more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't have time for this shit," remarked Naruto angrily, as his mind soon found
itself going back in time, the faces of the mob appearing before him when he was
younger, and how they all had their fun in beating him as a
child.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
He remembered their laughter, their joy, and their happiness while they launched
wave after wave of beatings on his body. They were thrilled to see him suffer.
Thrilled to see him on the edge of death, waiting for what they believed was the
inevitable end to the Kyuubi brat, and were anxious to see the blonde brat die. But
now things were different and this was no longer a moment in time from his
childhood. He was Uzumaki Naruto the adult. Not Uzumaki Naruto the child. A naive
child who would have taken those hits, healed, and lived the next day waiting for a
repeat beating from the previous day with similar people, yet different
weapons.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not this time. Today would be a difference between the past and the present Uzumaki
The difference being that {\i
this} Uzumaki Naruto of today didn't take crap from {\i
anybody}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that in mind, Naruto moved toward the mob, cutting them down viciously without
hesitation, without mercy, and spraying blood everywhere around him. The Rookies
and Gai's team rushed to aid Naruto in his fight against the mob aiming to kill
him. Despite their misgivings in fighting or even killing citizens and Shinobi of
Konoha, these people were committing treasonous actions against the Hokage's
orders. Naruto had proven that while he wasn't part of the village anymore, he had
helped it by weeding out the corrupt, and greedy individuals who used everyone
around them to advance their own sinister ambitions. Sadly, the very greed, and
corruption those in power had embraced had spread to the people in the belief that
they were entitled to do whatever they wanted. That Kami himself had blessed them
and basically said "do whatever you want I give you permission to do anything to
everyone else not from this village" to make them feel no guilt in their actions
whatsoever.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It would only be through their own deaths and severe injuries would they realize
just how wrong they were in that assumption.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When the final body fell, Naruto was stained in the blood of his enemies, and
flicked the crimson liquid off his blades before sheathing them. Slowly, he turned
to the others who had helped him in battle, his face covered by the kitsune mask,
and therefore made his own feelings on this matter unknown to them. The only
exception being Karin, who had been brawling during the fighting, and knocking
people down rather then killing them. She could sense what was going on through
Naruto despite his ability to suppress the feelings deep down and knew her cousin
was having thoughts of uncertainty at this point. Not that Karin could blame Naruto
given what had just happened and around those he was trying to bond with after so
many years being away from the village.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Karin. Suigetsu. Jugo. We're leaving. Now!" commanded Naruto seriously before he
vanished in a swirl of wind and the others nodding before doing the
"Naruto-kun wait!" protested Hinata, but it was too late to stop him, or his group
from leaving.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What the Hell happened here?" demanded Tsunade, as she appeared with Neko, and her
ANBU team when they felt a lot of chakra spiking in this
The Senju woman was grilling Kakashi for information in her office while Anko was
in the room when it pulsed louder then she knew it should be and knew trouble was
afoot. When she came here with the ANBU, they bodies everywhere either sliced to
pieces, or on the ground broken with those bodies being alive yet in
pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The short version Hokage-sama? The people of Konoha fucked up," replied Shikamaru
with Tsunade gritting her teeth and glaring at the pile of bodies lying on the
ground of those still alive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When she got through with them, they would {\i
wish} Naruto had cut them to pieces!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He probably went to the Namikaze Estates to rest Hokage-sama. Its the only place
in Konoha he can really go and has been staying since being in the village,"
replied Neko while Tsunade looked ready to lash out at
someone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"His group went with him," added Shikamaru with Tsunade sighing in frustration
since those three with Naruto were going to make sure no one got near him without
reason.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it! I wanted Naruto to form bonds with you and the village. To show him that
it is not filled with bigots anymore or that they are now in the minority. Now
he'll think I was lying to him. That my word means nothing!" exclaimed Tsunade in
frustration.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I could talk to him Hokage-sama," offered Hinata since she had formed some type of
bond with Naruto and knew he would trust her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't know if that is a good idea Hinata-sama. He seemed a bit...on edge,"
remarked Neij with concern for his cousin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After what happened in the Chuunin Exam Preliminaries where he defeated Hinata, the
Branch family member felt proud he had crushed his weaker cousin in battle, and
soon returned to the Hyuuga Clan with a sense of pride. It left him however, when
his Uncle Hiashi, Hinata's Father ordered him to meet in his office so they could
have a talk, and for Neji the word "talk" meant "beat the crap out of you for
hurting my daughter" in the translation. When alone in the room, Hiashi had asked
Neji about the fight with Hinata, and told the boy to be honest. Neji did just that
and told how Hinata fought, yet lost to him since Fate smiled down on the Branch
family, and did not feel guilty in hurting the Hyuuga girl the way he
As for Hiashi, he showed neither sadness nor anger at his eldest daughter losing to
Neji, but rather showed disappointment, and the young Hyuuga thought it was aimed
at Hinata. However, Hiashi told Neji that he was disappointed in Neji for not even
realizing that the victory was his not because of Fate, but because Hinata {\i
allowed it}. When Neji frowned and asked Hiashi how that was possible since he was
clearly the superior fighter, Hiashi sighed at his question before pointing to his
own forehead, and then at Neji's own to help the boy
understand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata did not use the Cage Bird Seal on him. Hinata did not take the easy way out.
She did not humiliate him in front of the others by using the Cage Bird Seal to
force the boy into submission like any other Main family member would have in her
place. Hiashi went further by asking Neji if Hinata ever used the Cage Bird Seal
when growing up? If she ever hated Neji or tried to treat him like he was lower
then her in any sense of the word? When Neji answered no each time, Hiashi asked
him one final number of questions that made the Hyuuga boy realize his anger had
been misplaced in hating Hinata for the loss of his own
Father.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
If she did nothing to hurt you Neji, why did you lash out at her like she did your
whole life? Is it because of your Uncle, my twin brother Hizashi being used to take
my place in the negotiations with Kumo? Do you honestly believe that a child of
three years could best a fully grown adult and one who is an experienced ninja too?
Fate does not shine on us }{\i
{\b
that much}}{\i
my nephew. You will find there are two types of victores. One which you earn and
the other wish is given. Hinata could have chosen the path of the being given her
victory through the Cage Bird Seal. A move anyone else in the clan, even Hanabi
would have taken in her position. Yet she didn't. Hinata wanted to earn it. That
showed great strength Neji. Courage. Determination. While the Elders will frown
upon her defeat by your hands, I see it as show of strength. I see it as a victory
in terms of knowing that my daughter did not take the easy way out. Anyone can take
the easy way out if given the option, but only someone truly special will take the
hard way, regardless if they win or lose.}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After that, Neji felt his life slowly changing, and that he was slowly changing in
regards to his thoughts about his cousin lying in the hospital. He went to visit
her days later when she was feeling better and they had a nice long talk that
covered almost the entire day. Even after beating her viciously in the Chuunin Exam
Preliminaries, Hinata didn't hate him for it, and said that while she wished their
fight never happened, it did help in its own way. Hinata told him how her dream was
to unite the family as one, to make the entire family come together, and all share
the same seal without the need to subjugate the other. She wanted to take away the
pain, the suffering the clan was going through by dividing the family in such a way
that it would destroy itself from within one day, and she loved her family too much
to see that happen. By the end of their long talk, Neji found himself breaking down
into tears, placing his head on the side of the bed, and begging Hinata for
forgiveness for what he did to her in the Preliminaries.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naturally, Hinata had given it to him, and only asked that Neji let go of his anger
against the Main family. If only just for her and the dream of uniting the clan as
one someday in the future.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All right! Hinata go visit Naruto. Try talking to him and see that we do care
about him. Use that alluring female Hyuuga charm your Mother had if you have to,"
said Tsunade with a smirk and made Hinata blush since the girl felt the Hokage was
implying she get {\i
close }to Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While the Hokage was joking with her, Hinata honestly did not mind the idea of
going down that route when it came to Naruto. Hinata saw a beacon of hope for the
world. For the Elemental Countries. The Hyuuga girl felt an urge to fly into the
heavens and fly with him whenever she was around the
Bowing slightly, Hinata left to visit the Namikaze Estates, and hoped Naruto would
see her despite everything that has happened. For too long he was hiding under a
mask of some kind to hide his pain, his rage, his fury, and anger at the world that
hurt him for so long with Konoha being the center of it all. Konoha had become the
blonde Uzumaki's Hell and it was filled with many demons that had yet to be
exorcized despite the strong mentality Naruto possessed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata wished to help him with those demons in anyway she
could.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Elsewhere)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"OW! Haku-sama, please stop throwing senbon needles at me!" pleaded Ao, as he had
found himself to be the unfortunate person in the young woman's line of sight when
the urge to throw pointy objects came about, and as usual...she had good
aim.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If the needles in both his kneecaps were any indication.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry Ao-san. I felt a sudden disturbance in the natural order of things
pertaining to my heart. As if another woman was moving in on the man I will one day
marry," replied Haku before she felt it yet again and threw more senbon needles at
Ao.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
This time hitting him in the groined.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" yelled Ao while holding his crotch and
falling to his knees while crying from the intense pain he was now
'Damn it brat! You are making Haku go psycho again. GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE AND GO
ON A DATE WITH HER ALREADY!' thought Zabuza knowing it was only a matter of time
before Haku had destroyed Ao beyond repair medically in the form of being her
practice dummy before turning her sights to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And despite his overall fear of getting Mei pregnant, Zabuza did want to one day
have kids. And Kami hoping...with eyebrows!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! A super long chapter for everyone to read. Hope you enjoyed it. Until
next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\s2 \afs28
{\b
Chapter 15-Once More with Feeling\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Mt. Myoboku)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Jiraiya was kneeling in front of the Elder Toad, getting chewed out by the old
summons, and nursing the scar that was now on his face as well as his chest. The
man had to explain his sudden arrival to them, why his horned helmet was not on his
head, and how he got such a serious injury that the Elder Toad sensed was filled
with supernatural energies that could not fully heal. The scars themselves would
forever be apart of Jiraiya's body, not to mention a constant reminder of who it
was that caused it, and the incident in the Hokage's
Office.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We warned you Jiraiya. Time and time again. Yet you provoked the dragon into a
fight and now you have been burned by the fire shot from its mouth with the scars
to show for the act," said the Elder Toad while Jiraiya listened to him while he
nodded his head, but on the inside the man was seething, and it showed in his
"Had you listened to us instead of your foolish sensei for a Hokage, this would not
have happened," scolded Pa since he had not approved of the Sandaime Hokage's
actions over the years and didn't like how the old monkey sucked Jiraiya into his
schemes for greater power that hurt too many people in the
"My sensei knew what he was doing. The plan was foolproof. It would have worked if
not for the interference of that Black Spider Clan," grumbled Jiraiya, but was
smacked on the back of his head by Ma, and it was clear she didn't like what he did
"That's hardly the point Jiraiya! You were and still are trying to interfering in a
prophecy we told you in confidence. You wanted to be a ninja of great significance,
one that would put you out of Orochimaru's shadow, and thus were told of a future
where you would be training one of the greatest ninjas of our time. Never {\i
once} did we say for you to use the boy for Konoha's personal gain. The Child of
Prophecy was and still is meant to impact the entire Elemental Countries. Whether
for good or ill is not in your hands to decide. The Child of Prophecy will decide
things of his own {\i
freewill} Jiraiya. No one here has the right to interfere in what he does and to do
so...brings death to everyone," scolded Ma while Jiraiya looked away while sensing
him still being stubborn.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No one person should have that much absolute power to decide the Fate of the
Shinobi villages or the Elemental Countries," remarked Jiraiya before he was
smacked in the back of the head by Pa once more.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do not act like a hypocrite in my presence Jiraiya. I won't allow it! You yourself
have been trying to gain such absolute power for yourself ever since Hiruzen
poisoned that dimwitted mind of yours. No doubt favoring Orochimaru in order to
instigate that in you further. Don't think we don't know of you trying to steal
from the secret Uzumaki Clan shrines all over Fire Country on Hiruzen's orders to
learn how to be a Seal Master of their caliber. You never could stand being in
anyone's shadow, whether it was Orochimaru's, Minato's, Kushina's, and even your
sensei Hiruzen. The only reason you didn't try to go against him was because of
your desire to seek his approval in your deeds against the others. Something you
never gained and I imagine never would have gained since the old monkey wanted you
under thumb to keep doing his dirty work for him," said Pa while Jiraiya wincing at
being caught, but glared at the old toad in front of him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you knew that, then why not cut me out of the contract? Why keep me around?"
asked Jiraiya in a semi-demanding tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because you gave us those Uzumaki Clan Scrolls to figure out how to break them
open for you to look at and we told you we would. But in truth Jiraiya, we have
never made the attempt, and had no intention of trying since we already knew how to
open them," said Pa with Jiraiya looking betrayed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?! If you already knew how to open them all, then why didn't you tell me?! Why
did you use me? Lie to me?" demanded Jiraiya with the Toads in the room shaking
their heads at the man's inability to understand his own
hypocrisy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because what you were asking us to do was {\i
wrong }Jiraiya! We held onto the Uzumaki Clan legacy you gave to us knowing that
one day the Child of Prophecy may or may not stand before us through your
manipulative machinations. In the event that happened, we were going to give such
knowledge to him, and ensure he got the {\i
proper training} you would have denied the boy from the start. We used {\i
you }like you planned to use Naruto, but the only difference is our intentions were
to {\i
help him} achieve his destiny rather than achieve the goals of a power hungry
village along with equally power hungry idiots like you inside of it!" exclaimed Pa
while finding the old saying "Turnabout is fair play" to ring true
"What I have done was for the good of Konoha! Can't you see that! If the world is
going to possibly burn, I wanted to ensure Konoha survived it! You had no right to
manipulate me like that!" exclaimed Jiraiya before he hit in the back of his head
by both Pa and Ma Toad with enough force to knock him down onto the
"And you had no right to make the attempt at manipulating Naruto! You betrayed him,
Minato, Kushina, the clans he came from, and everything the Toads stand for
Jiraiya. You have no right to judge us on our own decision to hide this from you
when your past actions are far more guilty! At least {\i
WE} did it to preserve the balance. {\i
You }did it out of pure greed and desire for power as well as to make Konoha the
only ninja village in the Elemental Countries while everything else fell! You
planned to make Konoha an island surrounded by a sea of death and destruction! As
it stands we can no longer allow you to be our summoner. Your time being apart of
the Toad Contract is over Jiraiya," declared the Elder Toad before using his power
to nullify Jiraiya's name from the Toad Contract and removed the man's ability to
use Sage Mode ever again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! I WILL NOT...!" yelled Jiraiya before he was gone in a
"poof!", which meant he had been sent out of the mountain, and away from the
Toads.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Send a Toad to Uzumaki Naruto. Tell the boy what has happened and what we wish to
offer him to show how sorry we are for all that has happened," ordered the Elder
Toad with Gamabunta nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha-Two Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata was making her way slowly to the Namikaze Estates, using the time to collect
her thoughts while worried about what would transpire with Naruto given his
possible state of mind, and the fact Konoha was still the same as he remembered it
to be as a child. When Tsunade had told Hinata to talk to Naruto, she was fine with
it, but the Hyuuga felt going right after him so soon after it had happened would
be counterproductive, and gave the blonde his much needed space to think. Hinata
was hoping that Naruto would see that it was not his fault he was hated and the
village for all its ill would have enough value to him to possibly stay. To create
new bonds, plant roots in the village, and become the hero she knew he was meant to
be for Konoha. But given the way Konoha had reacted to his return, Hinata easily
saw why the blonde wished to keep his identity a secret, and the Hyuuga girl
inwardly scorned herself for revealing it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But what choice did she have when announcing his identity to those in the meeting
room of the Hokage Tower? Jiraiya was aiming to take all his anger, and aggression
out on the ninja in his Masked Regent apparel. The fight would have spilled right
out into the streets of the village below where the Toad Sannin would have gotten
aid from the other Konoha Shinobi around him and unmasked the blonde once
restrained.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata shuddered to think what would happen if that were the case since Jiraiya
made it perfectly clear that his intentions toward Naruto were anything but
noble.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What are you doing here Hyuuga?" asked Suigetsu, as he was playing with Kusanagi,
and had a small smirk on his face that did little to hide his
bloodlust.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am here to see Naruto-kun. Please let me pass," requested Hinata while hoping
the path of politeness would give her the means to see
"And why should I do that for you? Konoha has already made its point earlier in
wanting the Boss dead. For all I know, you want to do the same thing, but with that
Gentle Fist of yours. Maybe I should chop off your hands first just to be safe,"
remarked Suigetsu while getting up and grinning further while Hinata frowned
"I am not here to fight you or Naruto-kun. I just want to talk," replied Hinata in
the hopes this would not turn ugly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's what they all say girl. You say you want to talk and the next thing you
know, your body is being experimented on by some pale ass snake like guy, and then
get locked up in a glass jar while in liquid form," remarked Suigetsu, as he had
heard that line, and wasn't about to let his guard down just because some pretty
Hyuuga girl "just wanted to talk".\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough Suigetsu! Naruto-sama will speak with her," replied Jugo, who had gotten
the nod from Karin about the Hyuuga's intentions, and Naruto himself had also
wanted to talk to her again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're no fun," grumbled Suigetsu while letting the girl
pass.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you Jugo-san. Karin-san," replied Hinata with a smile to the two in front of
"You were among the first to stand up for Naruto-sama since his arrival here in
Konoha and have his trust while in the village. It is not something to be given
lightly," said Jugo while hinting that such a thing with Naruto was given to only a
select few.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I understand," replied Hinata before walking into the house to see
"Why is it that all the girls around me have bigger chests than me? Even with the
Hyuuga hiding it behind that jacket, I can tell she's got large breasts," remarked
Karin with a bit of jealousy in her voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who knows. Maybe you're secretly a guy and a cross dresser," answered Suigetsu
with a grin, but it was removed when Karin kicked him in the face and it turned to
water.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"ASSHOLE!" yelled Karin while Jugo sighed at their antics.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Why Naruto tolerated them doing this was beyond him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto was in the backward, practicing what he had learned from his Father's
library, and the knowledge inside of it. While his skills with in the Sealing Arts
were slightly second only to the Uzumaki Clan, it was still first rate work, and
Naruto felt a sense of pride in knowing his Father was skilled in this field. When
Naruto wasn't comparing his Father's sealing designs to that of his Mother's, the
blonde focused on the Rasengan that from the late Yondaime Hokage's own notes was
incomplete, and needed an elemental affinity to make it more devastating. Sadly,
the man's death had prevented such a step from being finished, but Naruto felt that
once the incomplete Rasengan was perfected in terms of being summoned to his hands,
he could begin working on adding the elemental portion to it, and finish his
Father's work. There was also the issue with the Hiraishin no Jutsu, but Naruto
felt such a move would require further study when time permitted given the level of
difficulty was much higher.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One step at a time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It is a good thing your bloodline provides such strong crystals Guren. They make
perfect target practice dummies," remarked Naruto while Guren smiled and bowed her
head at the compliment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You honor me Naruto-sama. I never really thought about using my bloodline like
this," said Guren, which was true due to it usually being used to hurt others, and
she had to admit it was a nice change of pace.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Orochimaru never truly appreciated her bloodline unless it was meant to benefit him
in some way. But Naruto was different. She had heard of the Sannin's death while
she was in the very underground base and at first, Guren wanted to avenge
Orochimaru. But that all changed after he had defeated her in combat and chose to
spare the woman's life since he felt killing someone with such potential was a
waste. He also had explained that it was only because of Guren's unique bloodline
that Orochimaru had been interested in her and kept the woman around. At first, the
kunoichi tried to deny it, but given the simple fact Orochimaru had sacrificed
Kabuto in a heartbeat (no pun intended) just to save his own life, it was difficult
to find the desire to fight the snake's killer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So she decided to see how things would progress with Naruto being her new Master
and how things would progress from there. So far, Guren wasn't disappointed in
following the blonde, and was even impressed with Naruto's abilities. He had even
entrusted her to be his exist strategy to get him out of the village should things
in Konoha get too dicey when here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Orochimaru would have never done that and even if he did, there was always the
chance the Sannin would have used her as a sacrifice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well from now on you should. Not only does it help when practicing with the far
more dangerous Jutsus under our arsenal, we can test the overall strength of the
crystals you make, and if they can be made stronger," replied Naruto before turning
to see Hinata was standing there with her hands in front of
"Am I interrupting?" asked Hinata with Naruto shaking his head
"Not at all Hinata-chan. I just finished testing several Jutsus from the clan
library against Guren's crystal based bloodline," answered Naruto with Hinata
smiling a little while her worry about upsetting him was fading
"Can we talk?" asked Hinata with Naruto nodding while having a feeling that would
be the case.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Follow me to my study. Guren, keep practicing on your own. Ask Jugo or Suigetsu to
help if you want. Just make sure not to push things too far with the former.
Tsunade said his treatment regiment isn't fully ready yet in the event he becomes
unstable," said Naruto with Guren nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Soon enough, Naruto along with Hinata made it to his study that was once his
Father's, but stopped to give Karin a pointed "do not eavesdrop on us" look, and
Karin rubbed the back of her head sheepishly since she did plan to do just that.
Not to be mean of course, but rather to secretly help Naruto if the conversation
with the Hyuuga girl should he need it later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She was an Uzumaki after all and Karin wanted to help her distant
cousin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wanted to talk to you about what happened earlier. With the mob and everything
else prior to that. I'm sorry I revealed your identity as the Masked Regent. I
just...Jiraiya of the Sannin would have done everything in his power to subdue you.
Even taking the fight into the streets. If other Shinobi rallied to aid him...,"
explained Hinata with Naruto just smiling at her since he found the semi-panicked
look on the cute woman's face amusing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If just a tad.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know Hinata-chan. I could sense as much when you stood in front of Jiraiya and
were ready to fight him. I also know that Jiraiya would have forced our inevitable
fight out into the open and there was a chance other ninja from this village would
have moved to aid him in combat. While I would have cut quite a few of them down,
it would only take one to make the mask I wore fall off, and reveal my identity to
him. If that happened, Jiraiya would have no doubt acted in taking me away to be
remolded as a loyal Konoha Shinobi, and Tsunade would have been unable to stop
him," replied Naruto with Hinata letting out a small sigh of
relief.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you're not mad at me?" asked Hinata hopefully with Naruto smiling further while
shaking his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I am a bit sad I can't use my Masked Regent form as much as I would like if
Jiraiya does decide to reveal who I am under it or Konoha doing it for him. {\i
BUT}, I never really intended the Masked Regent look to be a long-term thing for
me, and my Yami Kitsune Jigumo alias is the one I prefer to have instead,"
explained Naruto with Hinata nodding since she figured as much given the Masked
Regent must constantly stayed masked to keep his identity a constant secret from
"I personally like your theatric performance as the Masked Regent," said Hinata, as
she felt his way of portraying such a character worked perfectly, and confused
everyone he ever came across with the persona.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thank you. I try. To be honest, the Masked Regent wasn't originally mine to begin
with. He was someone else's 'character' if you will and was a villain of mine for
awhile," said Naruto before he explained what happened on the other side of the
world with Theodore being the Masked Regent along with the source where the Mark of
Murder came from that he used on Orochimaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And he let you use it?" asked Hinata with Naruto
"More or less. Theodore couldn't exactly use it himself anymore," explained Naruto
with a smirk while Hinata nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have been through a lot. More then anyone possibly in Konoha even," said
Hinata, as she could see it in the way he walked, in his eyes, and the way his
voice trailed off at moments when recalling a memory of the
past.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't doubt that. I have seen things that would make even the most hardened
Shinobi in Konoha if not the Elemental Countries tremble in fear," whispered Naruto
while letting out a sigh following that statement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And yet...I see you are still tormented by your own nightmares. Your own fears,"
replied Hinata with Naruto going stiff and glance at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you noticed," commented Naruto with Hinata nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. So did Tsunade-sama. She knows Konoha has made things increasingly difficult
for you since being here. That wasn't what she wanted. Tsunade-sama just wanted you
to form bonds with us, to see not everyone in the village hates you, and possibly
consider moving back to Konoha to be a ninja here," said Hinata in the hopes of her
explanation would clear things up for him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. I figured it out the moment she asked me to stay longer than I originally
planned after exposing the corruption to the Hokage and Clan Heads. I only agreed
because it was not a battle I felt like engaging in at the time and maybe...just
maybe...I too believed it was possible to form bonds with some of the people here
in the village. Though after what happened two days ago...I don't think I have made
a lot of friends or deep bonds in Konoha for that matter. There is nothing here to
keep me rooted to this village for long," replied Naruto sadly while Hinata looked
sad as well.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing? What about Tsunade-sama? She is your cousin from the Senju Clan. And what
about Hana? You saved her years ago. She's always wanted to meet you since that
day. I also want you to stay too," Hinata offered with those examples making Naruto
think for a second before making that key decision.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know Tsunade-sama is my cousin Hinata-chan. I made sure to know things about the
Uzumaki Clan and its connections to the Elemental Countries. I also understand she
is my long lost Godmother, but...I feel nothing of the bond I know I should with
her. It is as if there is a piece of me missing in that aspect. I want to form that
bond with the Hokage, but...but she is asking for my trust in her right off the
bat. I can't...I can't trust anyone here in this village. You saw the mob that
attacked earlier. You saw one of your teammate in the Hokage's Office flee rather
than stay and fight Jiraiya. You saw your comrade Sakura move to strike me with a
kunai from behind and my hand was forced to kill her. I do not doubt my Godmother's
intentions being pure and noble, but she can't exactly get her own Shinobi in line.
I cannot live in a Shinobi village where I have to keep my senses on high alert
24/7 knowing roughly two-thirds of the people in it want nothing more than to rip
my guts out before hanging them all over the place. Could you live like that
Hinata? If you were in Kumo, would you be able to live such a life?" said Naruto
knowing the bad blood between Kumo and the Hyuuga Clan and saw Hinata shivering at
the thought.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. I couldn't live like that. Which is why I'm not trying to convince you into
staying in Konoha. Rather, I'm trying to convince you that there are some people in
Konoha worth fighting for. Not just Tsunade-sama or Hana-san. Shikamaru is someone
you can trust despite how he acts at times. The same can be said about Choji,
Shino, Ino, Lee, Tenten, Neji, and...and you can trust me too. You {\i
do} still trust me, right Naruto-kun?" said Hinata while Naruto smiled at her with
a gentle smile that made the Hyuuga blush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course I trust you Hinata-chan. I would be a fool not to after everything I've
seen of your intentions. You are the first person in this village to help, defend,
and befriend me regardless of my past. You are...special Hinata-chan," answered
Naruto with Hinata's blush getting a tad redder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I-I try," whispered Hinata bashfully while Naruto let out a
"That's all I can hope for. As it stand, you can tell Tsunade I'm not going to
leave, and drop off the face of the Elemental Countries anytime soon," added Naruto
while Hinata nodded with her eyes clearly shining with
happiness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will. Also, will you be joining her escort to Iron Country for the second Kage
Summit meeting?" asked Hinata with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. Might as well. There is no point in hiding myself now. Will you be joining
the escort? While I know how you feel about Kumo, your Byakugan could prove useful
in keeping an eye out for any unwanted guests. I have little doubt the Akatsuki
already know about what happened regarding my actions there and will try to spy on
the second meeting. They would be stupid or too arrogant not to try," replied
Naruto with Hinata in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would like to join Hokage-sama's escort, but my Father, and the Hyuuga Elders
will most likely send Neji in my place. With the Cage Bird Seal on his head, they
will feel secure in the belief our clan eyes will not be taken in secret by Kumo,
or another village," answered Hinata with Naruto nodding since he understood the
Cage Bird Seal since the Uzumaki Clan made the base version years ago before it was
altered by the Hyuuga Elders when they were given the seal to make it more to
subdue a portion of their family into being servants/frontline defenders of the
clan itself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And if I were to request it to the Hokage that you join?" asked Naruto with Hinata
now smiling further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sure she would grant it and the Hyuuga Elders wouldn't be able to interfere if
she makes it an order," answered Hinata with Naruto
"Good. If you could relay that to her, I would appreciate it Hinata-chan," said
Naruto with Hinata blushing heavily now at how he was appreciating her
"I will tell her. I'm glad we had a chance to talk," said Hinata before bowing and
leaving the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Me too Hinata-chan. Me too," whispered Naruto with his smile never leaving his
"I don't think Ayane-chan will be happy to hear another girl has an interest in
you," said Karin with a knowing smirk on her face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're one to talk Karin. Even though we are cousins, I know you have been having
all those perverted thoughts about me, and trying to stay close because my chakra
signature is pleasant to be around," commented Naruto with Karin blushing a shade
of red that was matching her hair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?! No! No! That's not true! You have no proof that it is true!" protested
Karin in a comedic fashion while Naruto smirked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Suigetsu found your diary and read it," commented Naruto with Karin looking at him
in shock, her words of protest dying in the girl's mouth, but were soon replaced
with a loud growling sound, and the gritting of teeth while steam was coming out of
the red head's ears.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"SUIGETSU-BAKA! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" yelled Karin angry before she went to hunt
down the swordsman to unleash her righteous female fury.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"DAMN IT NARUTO! DID YOU HAVE TO TELL KARIN I READ HER DIARY?!" yelled Suigetsu
while he was running for his life.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Yes I did," said Naruto, but mostly to himself while Suigetsu screamed for
his life, as Karin somehow got a hold of Kusanagi from Suigetsu, and was now trying
to use it on the swordsman in order to hack him into little tiny
pieces.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Which was difficult in itself since he turned into water when
hit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Inuzuka Clan Home-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't believe you ran when choosing between your Mother and Jiraiya of the
Sannin when it came to a fight? What the Hell is the matter with you Kiba?" asked
Hana while Kiba himself was sitting in a chair, sulking at the table, and was not
liking the scolding he was getting from his clan since being put under house
arrest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They might as well have said dog house considering his clan's
"Come on Hana! What was I suppose to do? Mom was standing up for Naruto. Do you
know what he is? What his scent smells like?" protested Kiba while Hana glared at
her little brother.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know who he is and what he is Kiba! I also know if it wasn't for him, some
sleazy man would have done horrible things to me when I was a young pup. I owe him
a lot for what he did and I will not have my own brother belittle Naruto for what
he is or what he has become away from Konoha," stated Hana while she saw Kiba
grumbling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He smells off. Not just foxes, but something else. Something...{\i
unnatural}. The stench of evil is on him," said Kiba before he was smacked in the
back of the head by his sister.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Say that again and I'll send your ass to the hospital!" exclaimed Hana before
hearing the front door open and revealed Tsume with Naruto now unmasked entering
the house.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hana instantly blushed at the sight of him while Kiba
growled.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Look who I found walking around the village and in need of something to do?!"
asked Tsume in a cheery yet rhetorical question like manner while Naruto looked a
bit sheepish at being put on the spot like this by the
"You make it sound like I was bored," commented Naruto before being punched in the
arm by the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"From the way you were walking around, I assumed you were. Besides, Hana wanted to
meet you again after so many years away from Konoha," stated Tsume while she had
been greatly impressed by how Naruto's presence seemed to tame the dogs in the
kennels once they walked onto the clan grounds.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
None of the dogs wanted to tangle or be rowdy with the blonde Uzumaki and instantly
submitted to him when he walked by.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mom! You're making me sound like I'm desperate for a boyfriend!" whined Hana with
Tsume grinning at her and Naruto sweat dropped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well considering you have scared off several male suitors, can you blame me?"
asked Tsume with Hana looking away in embarrassment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I didn't scare them off. I merely stated that I had no intention of putting out on
the first date," remarked Hana before she blushed when realizing that Naruto was in
the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Well at least when you go on your first date with Naruto-kun here, he knows what
to expect," commented Tsume with Hana wishing to be swallowed whole by the ground
while Kiba looked ready to leap over the table to feast on Naruto's flesh like a
rabid dog.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Mom!" exclaimed Hana with her face going atomic red with
"Like Hell I will let him date Hana!" exclaimed Kiba before leaping over the table
with the intent of tearing Naruto limb from limb.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Before he was hit with a vicious spin kick by Naruto that sent Kiba flying right
out of the conveniently open window with the Inuzuka's body bouncing hard on the
ground before hitting the clan fence. Fortunately, in some sense of the word, Kiba
had been knocked out by the violent kick so his mind never was able to register the
pain his body went through from the bouncing off the ground, or the impact of the
fence.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That would come later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My apologies Tsume-sama, but I had to defend myself against your overly feral
son," said Naruto while looking apologetic in hurting the woman's youngest child in
her own home no less.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. If anything, I should apologize for Kiba's actions. That's twice now he has
insulted you and shamed the Inuzuka Clan as a whole with his actions. Honestly,
what am I going to do with that boy? I swear with the way he's acting, I could
almost assume my son has been secretly taking testosterone pills," replied Tsume
while the look in her eyes told the other two in the room that such a thing was a
distinct possibility.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"His hormone driven problems aside, what makes you think I want to go on a date
with Naruto-san here?" asked Hana with her hand on her
hips.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Considering he helped you out years ago, I think a 'thank you' date is more than
fitting way to show your hero appreciation," countered Tsume with a knowing grin on
her face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you really thought that, then why not go on a date with him yourself?" Hana
shot back while Tsume's grin increased in a way the younger woman did not
like.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe I will. Who knows! Maybe Naruto-san is interested in an older woman and can
be your new Father," Tsume said in a semi-joking voice with Hana feeling an
invisible blow to her pride if such a thing did happen in terms of her Mother being
found more attractive then herself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No! No! On second thought, I'll go on a date with him. Tomorrow!" exclaimed Hana
with Tsume inwardly grinning since she knew how her daughter's mind
worked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She had been like Hana years ago in many aspects when {\i
her own} Mother tried getting the woman on a date with a
"Excellent! Do you object Naruto-kun?" asked Tsume with Naruto looking a bit
surprised that he somehow got wrangled into a date with a woman he had only met a
decade ago and was only planning to meet again for a thank
you.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I suppose not. However, I...uh...should let you know something about me in terms
of relationships with women," said Naruto with Tsume and Hana looking curiously at
"What? Don't tell me you're already in a relationship with someone?" asked Tsume
with Naruto nodding while Hana had a mixed look between sadness and hope in terms
of them going out on a date.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am, but at the same time because of my bloodline, I do qualify for the CRA, and
can be in multiple relationships with women. Though I am only interested in women
who like me for me and not for my status," answered Naruto with Tsume nodding while
the grin returned and Hana was unsure how to take this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I should have figured as much with you Naruto. So young and handsome. Your Father
was the same way when he was a young ninja. Fighting off the women left and right.
Kushina was very...uh...{\i
protective} of him in terms of ensuring no one was after Minato just for his fame,"
remarked Tsume, as she remembered Kushina punching out quite a few shallow women,
who were trying to woo Minato, and want him when rumors were flying about the man
becoming the Yondaime Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can imagine," remarked Naruto since he knew from Karin's own behavior when upset
about something that his Mother's own was most likely an Uzumaki
thing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
His own emotional outbursts left him when he joined Lord Genshin and being trained
in the ninja arts. The man had taught him how to control his emotional energies,
make them productive rather then destructive in terms of focusing himself to be
better, and becoming the man he was today.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"In any case, all I ask is that you treat my daughter right when on your date two
days from now, and if things don't work out for whatever reason...end things on
good terms," replied Tsume with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course. I will see you then. Since I am still new to the village's overall
layout since I was here years ago, it would be best if you chose the place to eat
Hana-san," said Naruto with Hana nodding though inwardly she was happy to choose
the place to eat for their date.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll see you in two days. It will be a lunch date. Meet me here at 1pm {\i
sharp}!" said Hana while Naruto nodded once again before giving Tsume a short bow
and leaving the two Inuzuka women to talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That is one fine piece of man walking right there. If only I was younger. Maybe I
should just henge into you and see how things turn out oh daughter of mine,"
suggested Tsume before she was hit with a box of cereal, which was the closest
thing Hana could grab to throw at her Mother.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As if I would let you impersonate me you old bitch!" exclaimed Hana while Tsume
was now growling at her and returned it just as a loudly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I dare you to call me that again! Maybe when he gets here for his date, I should
just tell Naruto-kun about the time when you were ten, and you ran around naked in
the mud with some of the dogs when it was raining outside," threatened Tsume with
Hana now getting angry with the loudness of her growl signifying she was indeed
pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You. Wouldn't. Dare!" Hana challenged with Tsume grinning despite the growl she
let out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then don't piss me off from here on out," Tsume countered with Hana fuming at her
Mother for this while the older of the two women left with a smirk on her
'I don't mind going on the date with Naruto. What I {\i
DO} mind is my Mother wanting me to settle down so she can get Grandchildren right
away,' thought Hana angrily since she knew her Mother had been young when pregnant
with her and was hoping to live long enough to be a Grandmother
Apparently, Tsume didn't have much hope of Kiba in terms of him ever finding the
right woman to settle down with in the future, or at least anytime
soon.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Namikaze Estates-The Next Day)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your stealth isn't half bad young one. But your skill in suppressing killer intent
needs work. I sensed your intentions before you came to my home," remarked Naruto
while sitting in meditative position in the backyard of his home while the figure
behind him was in a tree glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You killed my Grandpa," hissed the voice in what was suppose to be a deathly and
very intimidating manner.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though it was kind of hard for a boy, who was still growing, and just a few short
years from entering puberty.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have killed a lot of people child. Be specific," replied Naruto in crisp tone
while the boy, who sounded like he was a few years younger then himself leaped off
the tree with a kunai in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's Sarutobi Hiruzen. The Sandaime Hokage. He was my Grandfather!" exclaimed the
boy angrily while Naruto opened his eyes, not even caring if his back was turned to
the boy in his sitting position.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So you feel angry that I killed your Grandfather despite his sins against
me and the Uzumaki Clan," replied Naruto calmly before standing up and faced the
angry boy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shut up! He was a great man. He was the Kami no Shinobi. The Sandaime Hokage! My
Grandfather was respected and feared for decades by all of his enemies. Your stupid
clan was just jealous of him!" exclaimed the boy with Naruto not looking
convinced.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My clan hardly had any reason to be jealous of your Grandfather. If anything, it
was the exact opposite since the Uzumaki Clan existed long before he was even born.
The man orchestrated the fall of Whirlpool to gain power over them because he
couldn't stand the idea of their being anyone stronger than himself. He paid the
price for his stupidity and greed with his life," replied Naruto while the boy
charged him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am Sarutobi Konohamaru, the Grandson of the Sandaime Hokage of Konoha, and I {\i
WILL} kill you! exclaimed Konohamaru while Naruto internally sighed since he had a
feeling this might happen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such pain in your heart for one so young. It must be infuriating to know that the
man you idolize as a hero was revealed to be a power hungry monster, who cared for
nothing, and loved no one except himself," remarked Naruto calmly while dodging the
swipes by Konohamaru, who only got angrier, and angrier with each missed
attempt.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"SHUT UP YOU BASTARD! HE WAS A GREAT MAN! THE KAMI NO SHINOBI!" yelled Konohamaru
with tears in his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. For all his titles with Kami no Shinobi being one of him, Sarutobi Hiruzen was
just a mortal man. A mortal man, who became full of himself and got what he
deserved," said Naruto before he disarmed Konohamaru of his weapon, punched the
younger boy in the face several times, and then kicked him away while the young
Sarutobi stayed on the ground defeated.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gramps didn't have to die like they say he did. They say you poisoned him. That he
was cut open with a sword. What right did you have to do that to him? To let him
die in such agonizing pain?" whispered Konohamaru with Naruto walking over to the
boy and let his shadow loom over the downed Sarutobi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It was karma. For years, he secretly hurt others all over the Elemental Countries
while playing the role of a kind Grandfather to you, and a hero to the village. For
years, you admired your Grandfather, and wished to be just like him. A hero.
Someone who was loved unconditionally by the people of Konoha, yet feared, and
respected at the same time by your enemies from other villages. I understand that.
But you are going about it the wrong way. You are in his shadow. His reputation
eclipses the one you are trying to make for yourself," explained Naruto while
Konohamaru looking up at him now with those tear stained
"What do you know? You're not in your Father's shadow. Or your clan's shadow," the
young Sarutobi shot back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True, but that's probably because I never tried to be like them. I followed my
path that was neither my Father's, Mother's, or my clan's so I was never in their
shadow in the first place. As for your Grandfather, Sarutobi Hiruzen robbed me of
happiness. Of a happy life that was meant to be my own in this village by the time
I was half your age. I was hated by everyone. No one gave me the time of day to
help me and those that wanted to were in the vast minority. Your Grandfather
created two shadows for himself. One was of a hero. The other was of a villain. One
was real. The other was fake. One public. The other was secret. You wish to be out
of your Grandfather's shadows? To be your own person? Your own ninja?" stated
Naruto with Konohamaru nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do," whispered Konohamaru, but it was still heard by the blonde
Uzumaki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then strive for a purpose that is greater then yourself. Do not be a false hero
like your Grandfather. Do not be the secret villain that he was in life. Make your
own path that is neither his nor could have been. Train to be a great ninja, but
use your skills to help the village become better while showing it is not so
shallow that it would hurt its allies, and betray those they consider friends. Your
Grandfather did and look where it got him," said Naruto with Konohamaru looking
conflicted with what he wanted from this confrontation with the blonde
On one hand, Konohamaru wanted Naruto to die by his hands. Slowly. Painfully. Like
his Grandfather had in the hospital. To feel satisfaction in avenging his
Grandfather and get the admiration he felt was rightfully deserved for doing what
no one else seemed capable of doing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
On the other hand however, the sad truth of it all, the Sandaime Hokage, his
Grandfather who he admired for years, and tried to earn the respect of since he
could walk...was not the man Konohamaru thought he was. It was a painful truth. One
exposed to the village and the Fire Daimyo. It was a big scandal. The crimes
committed in secret by the Third Hokage were considered by many, to be the biggest
cover up in the history in all of Fire Country. Maybe even in all of entire
Elemental Countries. As such, the Feudal Lord of Fire Country decreed that for
Sarutobi Hiruzen's crimes, and to preserve the peace with the other nations a well
deserved yet harsh punishment was required. In this particular case, it involved
Hiruzen's time as the Sandaime Hokage being stricken from the record, and basically
causing a large gap filled hole in terms of Hokages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As of a few days ago, the current number of Hokages being listed for Konoha as its
past leaders was now the First, Second, Fourth, and Fifth being in that
Danzo didn't count as a Hokage since he was temporary and even if that wasn't the
case, the Fire Daimyo had enough on him to remove the old war hawk from the records
as a Hokage too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what if my purpose is to one day kill you? To take away everything you have or
will one day have in life? What if my purpose is to follow a path of revenge?"
questioned Konohamaru before Naruto unsheathed the Blade of the Archfiend and let
the electrical crimson colored lightning make its presence
known.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can take whatever path you wish to take in life young blood. But if you ever
cross me after today when I show a very rare form of mercy, I will cut into your
flesh, and your blood will stain this sword to the end of time. The very same sword
that used to kill your Grandfather I might add," replied Naruto in a cold and
threatening tone that made the Arctic Circle seem like a tropical
paradise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Konohamaru, he was shivering at the tone used on him, and saw the Blade of
the Archfiend in Naruto's hand. The blade had clearly been responsible for
countless deaths, Sarutobi Hiruzen just being the latest if not closest casualty
among those to fall by its wielder's hands. Looking from the sword to Naruto, the
young Sarutobi knew the blonde Uzumaki was being completely serious in killing him
if they became enemies anytime in the near future. At the same time, Konohamaru saw
that Naruto didn't want them to be bitter sworn enemies, and wanted peace between
their clans.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have seen something like this before between the two of us fighting like
bitter enemies. Haven't you?" remarked Konohamaru with Naruto
"Similar yet different. I have seen family turn on family in the pursuit of dark
powers. I have seen one clan fight another rival clan in feud that has existed
since time memorial based on hatred. I do not between us. Between our clans. My
clan was brought justice for the crimes committed against it by your Grandfather.
Regardless if I kill him or not, the man was going to die, and no one had the power
to change that. Yes, I did poison him in his hospital bed after we talked and that
was to be the end of it. But the old man said a lot of hate filled lie aimed at my
Mother in one last bid to scar my mind and soul. He should have kept mouth shut and
his tongue tied to prevent it from spewing the lie it unleashed. Your Grandfather's
words altered his signed death warrant to be changed from poisoned to gutted and
thus he died the way he did. It was his own damn fault. You may not accept this
now, but what I am telling you is the truth. Lying about it serves no purpose to
me," replied Naruto with Konohamaru just staring at him for a second before sitting
"So...what should I do now?" asked Konohamaru with Naruto sheathing his sword
before kneeling down to look the boy in the eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Train to get stronger young Sarutobi. I do not know what your future holds in the
years to follow, but I do not that it is yours to mold as you see fit. I see a lot
potential in you. You have the Will of Fire the Shodaime Hokage talked about when
it came to this village despite the threat of the darkness from your hatred of me
looming to corrupt it. In time, I can see you being the next Hokage of Konoha, and
when that time does come...I have complete faith in you becoming a great Hokage
that far surpasses your Grandfather," said Naruto with the boy looking shocked to
hear this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How can you tell? You just met me and I...I just tried to kill you!" questioned a
stunned Konohamaru with Naruto smirking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have good instincts. They have yet to fail me," replied Naruto before helping
the boy up and decided to help guide the young Sarutobi as best he could to walk on
his path to be a proper ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Maybe the whole forming bonds with people in Konoha wasn't as impossible as he
first thought it was after all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Akatsuki HQ)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is accurate? The Kyuubi Jinchuriki has returned?" asked Pein while Itachi
nodded his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes and he has apparently been very busy since his return to the Elemental
Countries after being gone for over a decade. Somehow, the Kyuubi Jinchuriki has
somehow been allowed to work within Iron Country, and found Shimura Danzo's plot to
plant spies in the nation to gain access to their secrets if not plant false
evidence to be used against Konoha's enemies. Not only that, but Danzo himself was
killed at the Kage Summit that was held there earlier by Uzumaki Naruto, followed
by Sarutobi Hiruzen days later, and finally Orochimaru of the Sannin around that
same time," replied Itachi with the entire room going silent before Kisame let out
a whistle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn! That kid has been busy. How the Hell did the brat kill Orochimaru? That guy
has more lives then we have members. Even more now that Sasori and Deidara are dead
after that mission to get Shukaku," asked Kisame with Itachi looking around at
everyone for a moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Orochimaru was killed by some kind of ancient curse the Kyuubi Jinchuriki knew
from another culture. One where the souls of those we have slain come alive within
us and make our bodies rot from the inside until we are consumed by them. From what
I have heard if the rumors are true, it was a rather painful experience for the
Sannin, and all that remained was the Kusanagi being purified of all the lives it
took," explained Itachi with the others in the room looking shocked by
"Wait! If this curse were used on oh say...Hidan here? Would that mean it would
actually kill him? Successfully?" asked Kakuzu with Hidan glaring at
"Fuck you Kakuzu! Jashin-sama is mightier then any mere curse!" exclaimed Hidan
hotly at his assigned partner.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All the same, it would probably be best if you were not exposed to it. We are too
close to achieving our goals to be put on hold now. All that remains are the seven,
eight, and now the nine tailed Bijus. Once we have the remaining three, our final
objective will be at hand, and the world will know peace," commanded Pein while the
group nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is another issue I wish to bring up Pein-sama. It is about recruiting a new
member into the fold. One who wishes to join us now that he is no longer connected
to Konoha," said Itachi while internally he was frowning at how his ability to
report things to Konoha was now hampered greatly by this new possible
"Really? And who would wish to join us so late in the game that you would even
think him or her worthy of joining?" asked Pein curiously while staring at the
Uchiha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Jiraiya of the Sannin," answered Itachi calmly, but it was clear by Pein's eyes
widening along with Konan's that they were anything except calm, and were now
suspicious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Explain," ordered Pein while watching Itachi with cautious
"Jiraiya of the Sannin and his former teammate now Gondaime Hokage Senju Tsunade
have had a falling out over the way Uzumaki Naruto should be treated in Konoha.
Jiraiya wanted him reeducated and reconditioned to be a Konoha Shinobi, yet would
basically be a slave in all but name to serve the village regardless of his
heritage. The Hokage...well let's just say she disagreed and had the Clan Heads
supporting her in this decision," said Itachi with Pein
"I was under the impression that Konoha was filled with so much bureaucratic red
tape that the Hokage couldn't make a proper decision without the Councils having
their say in the matters?" questioned Konan while sensing what Pein was
thinking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Normally yes, but Uzumaki Naruto took care of that by exposing the corruption of
the Sandaime Hokage, his Advisors, the Civilian Council, and Danzo's past dealings
to the Hokage with enough proof to warrant their execution. As it stands, the
Hokage now has supreme authority over the village that cannot be challenged unless
by Clan Heads on anything clan related," answered Itachi with Kisame
grinning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nice!" remarked Kisame since he never liked all that red tape Councils made was
one of the reasons why he was glad the previous Mizukage of Kiri Yagura, for all
his messed up hatred for bloodlines, had never allowed such a thing to happen to
"So will Jiraiya be allowed to join us? His knowledge of sealing could prove to be
useful in capturing the three remaining Jinchuriki and his spy network could help
finding them faster," said Itachi with Pein and Konan looking at each other for a
moment before they both gave a nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Though he will be closely monitored by you and Kisame. Understand? For all we
know, this is a secret plot made by the Hokage to get its spy master into the heart
of the organization to usurp our plans," said Pein with Itachi
Moments later, Jiraiya's image appeared in the projection system, and saw the
Sannin's face was shocked to see two of his three old students after so many
"I knew it. I heard rumors of you recently in the last couple years. More about
Konan, but once I heard her name, everything fit into place once Hanzo was reported
to be killed by a man wearing piercings on his face. You also look lovely by the
way Konan-chan," said Jiraiya with the Sannin getting a small
scowl.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Spare me your words Jiraiya-sensei. I do not care for them," Konan replied since
she had no love for the Sannin despite Pein allowing him to join the
organization.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm hurt. And here I thought one of my old students would be happy to see me after
all this time since we last saw each other when near Ame," said Jiraiya while
Konan's eyes narrowed further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You may have trained us when we were young Jiraiya-sensei, but our sources say you
also conspired with Danzo to keep Hanzo in power. You used your spy network to give
Danzo information he gave to Hanzo about us and Akatsuki's exact numbers so you
could convince him that we were a threat to be destroyed. Because of your actions
supporting Danzo, who was supporting Hanzo, {\i
WE} were led right into a trap, and Yahiko {\i
died }as a result of it!" exclaimed Konan angrily while Pein stayed silent, but his
eyes did narrow slightly, and it was clear he had not forgotten that day
"Look, I'm sorry about that. I really am! But you have to understand, Hanzo was an
ally to Konoha, and we had to keep him happy with the Third Shinobi War going on at
the time. He promised us support and resources to flank Kumo from a weak point only
his ninja from Ame could strike in the given time. Danzo's reasons were his own,
but we both knew having Hanzo as an ally was necessary for the good of Konoha,"
explained Jiraiya with Konan's eyes narrowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what about us? Your students? You {\i
knew} we were Hanzo's {\i
supposed }opposition. You {\i
knew} we were willing to ally with him for the sake of peace. What were we to you?"
demanded Konan with Jiraiya looking nervous now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I could think about that at the time. At best...you were collateral damage,"
explained Jiraiya with Pein and Konan narrowing their eyes at
"Collateral damage? {\i
That }is your answer? After everything you did in making us strong enough to
survive, after your time preaching to us teamwork, and friendship you betray us for
a violent warlord? Did we mean nothing to you?" questioned Konan while Pein just
stared at Jiraiya with his Rinnegan Eyes with an unreadable
"Honestly? No. I only trained you because it was necessary at the time. Which was
why I left you all to fend for yourself when I had no further need of being there.
When I wasn't training you, I was setting up my spy network around Ame, and
ensuring they would be able to funnel information to me properly. After my spies
told me that Hanzo was having problems with the Akatsuki organization, I brought it
to Danzo, and Sarutobi-sensei with both agreeing we had to stop you regardless of
your intentions. We didn't believe you were an important ally to have in the long
run we could trust and by that point Hanzo's value was much higher," replied
Jiraiya with both founding members of the Akatsuki looking livid at his
"I say we kill him now," whispered Konan with Jiraiya tensing while Pein narrowing
his eyes before shaking his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. Killing him now would not help us with our goal. He will serve us as a member
for the moment. When we have our desired peace, {\i
then }we end his life, and make an example out of him in the process," Pein
whispered back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Look, I know you must be upset with me about what happened. But can't we just let
the past be in the past and start anew? Be friends again?" asked Jiraiya nervously
since he was clearly at a serious and severe disadvantage due to Sage Mode being
taken from him along with his ability to summon the Toads.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That and Pein had the Rinnegan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are our subordinate. A servant a best. You will obey our command or you will
be crushed like and insect. Your teammate will be Tobi," said Pein coldly while
Tobi made his appearance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tobi is a good boy. Tobi will obey Pein-sama and team up with the Ero-Sennin,"
said Tobi while Jiraiya flinched and scowled at the masked man at the
name.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Kushina had called him that years ago and hated it ever
since.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"When do we go after the Kyuubi Jinchuriki? Samehada is getting anxious to feed of
Biju chakra," said Kisame while shifting his blade on his shoulder a
"Soon. Word has reached us that the eight-tailed Jinchuriki has returned to Kumo
and the Raikage was not pleased to know he left without telling him. Fortunately,
we know he will be accompanying the Raikage to the next Kage Summit being held in
Iron Country, and chances are so will the Kyuubi Jinchuriki," stated Pein while
Kisame grinned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nice! Two out of three Jinchuriki needed isn't half bad. But we still need the
seven-tails first before we can extract the other two. Without doing it in the
proper order we can't proceed with the plan," remarked Kisame since that was how it
worked with the damn statue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Chance are, she will be in Iron Country too. It would make sense why Uzumaki went
to Iron Country in the first place after returning. Who better to find a Jinchuriki
and think like a Jinchuriki then another Jinchuriki?" stated Itachi with the others
"Once we have taken both the nine and eight tailed Jinchuriki during the Kage
Summit, we will cover all of Iron Country for the seven tails. We know what she
looks like and won't be difficult to find this time around," said Pein before his
projection and Konan's ended to signify the meeting was
'I need to get word to Konoha without making Jiraiya or the others suspicious of
me. The only reason Jiraiya didn't tell the others about my secret mission to spy
on the Akatsuki is because he would have to tell Pein that I always reported my
findings to him first before he sent it to Konoha for the Hokage to read. If he
were to tell them now, Pein would only lash out at him before setting his sights
directly on me, and I can't allow it to happen just yet,' thought Itachi while
making sure he wasn't being followed to make sure his Crow summons left to send a
message to the Hokage to warn her of this act.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you sent the Hokage a message about me," remarked Jiraiya when he saw Itachi
now walking by and the Uchiha stiffen slightly at being caught by the rogue
"So what if I did? Are you going to intercept it? Are you going to kill me? Even if
you did, I have taken measures to ensure things will get worse for you in the long
run," said Itachi while seeing Jiraiya frowning at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I can't intercept it. My summoning contract with the Toads was taken from me by
them for betraying Minato and his son. And killing you now would just make me a
target for Pein and Konan," answered Jiraiya with a shrug.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So you have been in fact weakened since coming here. I also imagine your
Sage Mode you rare use has been taken as well," deduced Itachi with Jiraiya
frowning further at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your body maybe dying, but its clear the brain is still as sharp as ever," replied
Jiraiya with the Uchiha frowning now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Unlike your own from what I have seen as of late. Perhaps you should have stayed
the true course with the Will of Fire and not betrayed your student in the quest
for absolute power via his son. We both know prophecies are not meant to be
tampered with and those that do deserve a horrible violent death," countered Itachi
with Jiraiya sneering at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's rich coming from you Itachi. Slayer of your entire clan. How does it feel
knowing your clan's bloodline is down to a trickle? A mere drop every few seconds?
Knowing the clan will ultimately die with you and not be reborn through your
brother?" asked Jiraiya with Itachi showing a rare form of murderous rage in his
eyes at the mention of Sasuke.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your sensei made that happen. Him and Danzo. The {\i
only }reason I sided with Konoha was because the village as a whole would have
suffered and the promise made that my brother would be spared, loved, and looked
after. Your sensei couldn't even do {\i
that }right with the way the village treated Sasuke," said Itachi with Jiraiya
sporting a murderous look of his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Konoha spoiled your brother silly. Giving him everything he wanted and then some.
He {\i
chose }to leave Konoha for Orochimaru!" exclaimed Jiraiya with Itachi
scoffing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And that was the problem. You, Hiruzen, Danzo, the Councils, and Konoha as a whole
{\i
spoiled} him. I said he was to be loved. Not treat him like he is the second coming
of Kami. You gave him everything and anything when Sasuke should have been taught
to {\i
earn} them. You {\i
allowed} the Curse Seal on him to be kept around rather then remove it because you
along with Hiruzen wanted to keep Mitarashi Anko on a short leash. You knew if
Sasuke had his Curse Seal removed, Anko would be kicking down your door to get her
Curse Seal off, and Hiruzen wouldn't allow it. Instead, you had Kakashi give my
brother a weak suppression seal that he broke because it relied on his own
willpower to fight the Curse Seal. But you knew Orochimaru's Curse Seal and offer
to him to become strong enough to kill me would tempt Sasuke. You knew Sasuke would
leave if given the opportunity, yet did nothing in the belief Konoha Shinobi would
treat him with kid gloves when bringing him back while my brother wouldn't hold
back, and kill them for their efforts. His own classmates no less to be used as
pawns," said Itachi with Jiraiya shrugging at the
accusation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The price one pays for getting the next stage of the Sharingan. You of all people
should know that," commented Jiraiya while Itachi didn't so much as
twitch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You knew they were the only real option for Tsunade and knew that at least one of
them had a chance of catching up to him if strong enough or given the chance. I
also know you did this because you wanted him to kill one of his former classmates
to unlock the next stage of the Sharingan. You wanted him to kill me, take my eyes,
and thus achieve a means of getting strong before coming back to Konoha like a
conquering hero. I also know you were trying to turn him into another Uchiha
Madara. One you could control. Manipulate. To one day become the next Hokage, but
on your terms, or not all once he has sired a few offspring to secure another
attempt at making a refined Uchiha Madara. Funny how things don't work out the way
we want them to, right Jiraiya?" explained Itachi with Jiraiya frowning at having
his plan he made with Sarutobi-sensei found out since the two had talked it over in
great detail in his office during the long one month gap between the Chuunin Exam
Preliminaries, and the Chuunin Exam Finals.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How do you know that?" demanded Jiraiya since that was a topic secret plan he and
the others made when deciding how to handle Sasuke being the last Uchiha in
As for Itachi, he was looking at him with unflinching eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Because I read the secret file. It was given to me to shortly after Sasuke was
crippled by the Dragon Ninja who did the deed. At first, I wanted to kill him for
what happened to my little brother, but after he showed me the file on Sasuke, and
what Konoha had been planning for his future...I actually thanked him for it,"
answered Itachi with Jiraiya now looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"{\i
Thanked} him? Why in Kami's name would you do that?! He ruined your little brother"
demanded Jiraiya while looking furious at how Itachi didn't try to kill the one
responsible for ruining Konoha's chance at reviving the Uchiha Clan or the
Sharingan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sasuke was already ruined and because...my brother was humbled. He was shown the
light despite how painful it was to shine in his face and soul. Sasuke now knows
the truth. When my brother dies...he will die a humble man. Few Uchiha can say
that. In fact, he might be the only one who can say that," replied Itachi with
Jiraiya not believing what he was hearing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You've lost your mind," replied Jiraiya angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps in someway...I have lost it Jiraiya. But after what I was ordered to do to
my own clan, to my Mother, Father, and my little brother...I don't think I had much
of a mind left to lose," answered Itachi before he left the man to his own
thoughts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'It doesn't matter if Itachi tells Tsunade what he knows. In the end, the Akatsuki
will fall, Pein will fall, Konan will fall, and the Shinobi Alliance will fall. The
only thing that does matter, is the survival of Konoha, and it remains uncontested
for all time in the Elemental Countries when this coming Shinobi War is over,'
thought Jiraiya while believing what he was doing was right and would be forgiven
in the afterlife when his time in this world was over.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Konoha Hospital-Uchiha Sasuke's Room)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see your rehab is going well," remarked Naruto, as he visited the former Uchiha
in his hospital room, and saw Sasuke was moving his prosthetic arm with better ease
"You are Uzumaki Naruto. The one who was taken from Konoha years ago," said Sasuke
while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you are Uchiha Sasuke. Formerly of the Uchiha Clan," replied Naruto with
Sasuke nodding before moving from his hospital bed to the
wheelchair.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. A member of your clan was the one responsible for my current status and my
own situation being a former Uchiha," said Sasuke calmly without any type of anger
in his voice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Something that could have been avoided had you not been a power hungry fool driven
my mindless rage and hatred," added Naruto with Sasuke pausing at the door in order
to look back at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. The loss of my arm, leg, and my bloodline in every sense of the word
reminds me of that fact every single day I live and breathe," said Sasuke before
moving the door, but was stopped by Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you have any regrets?" asked Naruto with Sasuke being unable to answer him for
a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sometimes I feel regret. So many missed chances. So many times I could have done
things differently. People were willing to help me left and right. I had girls my
age and older throwing themselves at me in the desire to revive my clan. I used
those that helped me without so much as a thank you and I stepped over the girls
who wanted me without question. Had I done things differently, I wouldn't be like
this, and chances are...I might have had a progeny to call my own by this point,"
said Sasuke with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is one more thing. In case you haven't heard yet...your former kunoichi
teammate Haruno Sakura is dead," said Naruto while Sasuke's eyes widened and his
back stiffened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How?" whispered Sasuke though he had a guess since it was Naruto telling him
"She was stabbed in the heart...by me," answered Naruto calmly without
regret.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Reason?" asked Sasuke just as calmly yet with sadness in his
"She was trying to kill me and help a mob that had come to finish what they tried
to do years ago. Your former sensei has been arrested for his own attempt at
killing me. I do not know what has befallen him and I don't listen to rumors unless
there is hard evidence to back it up," replied Naruto with Sasuke
"Sakura was the only girl who continued to support me after everyone else left once
I was no longer considered an Uchiha," whispered Sasuke with more sadness in his
"She also blamed such a loss on the Dragon Clan. A clan I am also apart of aside
from the Uzumaki Clan I might add and she felt killing me would avenge such a loss.
It was either her or myself that died that day," replied Naruto with Sasuke not
saying anything for a moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. If that is all you came here to say, I will be leaving for my regular
therapy session with Shizune now," said Sasuke calmly with Naruto nodding and
leaving the room while the Uchiha sat in his wheelchair to collect his thoughts
before the young man broke down and cried.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was all he could do at this point.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Inuzuka Clan Home-The Next Day)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your pacing. You are actually nervous about this date," remarked Tsume while
seeing her daughter moving left and right while seeing Hana was indeed nervous
about this date with Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And why not? The boy was young, handsome, strong, and could kick practically
anyone's ass if provoked into a violent confrontation. Hell, he already did when a
mob attacked, and killed the vast majority of the idiots that came for his head.
Hana was by no means weak, as Tsume wouldn't allow it by any means, but her
daughter was nowhere near the level the blonde Uzumaki was, and it was clear when
Inoichi was allowed with Naruto's permission to project some of the images from his
mind for them to see. This was done at the meeting the Hokage held earlier this
morning to show the blonde Uzumaki's skill was indeed genuine and was qualified to
be given the rank of Jounin while being Konoha Shinobi if only for the
The Hokage, Tsume herself, and the other Clan Heads all saw some of the things
Naruto had witnessed during his time with the Black Spider Clan. Even some of the
things he did for the Dragon Clan following his temporary joining within their
ranks. They saw a small sample of the different kinds of Fiends that Naruto fought,
of the things Naruto saw in the Underworld, the death of Genshin before becoming a
Greater Fiend, and then the man's death afterwards by Ryu's hands. That bitch of a
Blood Queen of the Greater Fiend and the two forms of the Archfiend itself made
Tsume almost piss herself since she had never seen anything so...horrifying in all
her life. Even Kyuubi wasn't as destructive and the fox had done quite the number
on Konoha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was no wonder Naruto was so damn strong and he barely even tapped into the
Kyuubi's power too. She could only imagine what he could do with it when unleashed
to its fullest potential or in a pinch.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How can I not? I'm going on a date with a member of the Uzumaki Clan. A member of
the rumored Dragon Clan. He's handsome, strong, and...and...I'm so {\i
weak} by comparison! I might as well cancel this whole date and join a monastery,"
said Hana while Tsume just growled and smacked her daughter upside the
"Get a hold of yourself! You are Inuzuka Hana! {\i
MY} daughter! You are strong. Confident. You take crap from no one and nobody! I
raised you to be an Alpha Female, not some sniveling bitch! You have a hot man
coming to take you out on a date and by Kami you will show him you are a strong
woman!" exclaimed Tsume with Hana getting out of her funk due to the blow and stood
strong again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're right. You're right! I {\i
AM} Inuzuka Hana and I don't get nervous over a date with a man. I am an Alpha
Female I will be heard when I roar!" declared Hana
passionately.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
Knock! Knock!}\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hello! Hana-san? I'm here for my date," said Naruto politely from behind the
door.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Eep!" exclaimed Hana before hiding behind her Mother who just face palmed at how
her daughter's attitude changed so quickly before moving to open the
'Please Kami, tell me that I wasn't like this when I was her age? That I showed a
lot more spine when on my dates?' thought Tsume while wondering if that was the
case or not.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Of course when she did open the door, her jaw dropped, and a blush formed at the
sight of the young ninja who would be taking Hana out on a
date.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Uzumaki Naruto was wearing casual Shinobi pants, sandals, a tight crimson red shirt
that did little to hide his lean muscled build, and a black trench coat with fire
seemingly rising from the bottom of the coat on up. His hands had fingerless
gloves, some armor along the arms, and was wearing a tan hat with shades over his
Overall, Uzumaki Naruto looked {\i
hot} in Tsume's eyes, and Hana came to the very same conclusion to when she looked
over her Mother's shoulder to see him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wow," whispered Hana since it was all she could say.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm pleased to find my attire is to the liking of two beautiful ladies such as
yourselves," said Naruto with a polite bow while talking off his hat and acting sly
like his late teacher Gamov when he talked to people.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But in a more refined lady killer (figuratively speaking) kind of
'The gaki looks like a sly fox with the way he's smiling. Its almost funny
considering how my clan involves dogs and they are used to hunt foxes. Though from
the way Hana is now looking at him, this will be a different kind of hunt,' thought
Tsume while glancing at her daughter blushing a cherry red.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"My lady," replied Naruto while extending his arm and Hana took it before he kissed
the hand and took the arm to be hooked under his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Be back in a few hours. And no funny business! I don't want Grandchildren {\i
too soon}!" exclaimed Tsume while the two walked and Hana slumped her head in
"I assure you Tsume-san, I will be an upstanding gentlemen when out with Hana-
chan," said Naruto while Tsume just grinned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know, but I was talking to Hana regarding the no funny business," replied Tsume
while Hana looked even more mortified and embarrassed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mom! Come on Naruto-kun. Let's go. The sooner we leave this house, the sooner we
can enjoy our date without the {\i
old biddy} to ruin it," remarked Hana while moving quickly to get out of the clan's
residential territory.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh I'm so getting you back for that remarked dear daughter of mine," remarked
Tsume to herself while having every intention of embarrassing Hana when she got
back with Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And what better way for a Mother to do that with her daughter then using the
infamous family photo album where she kept all the things her children did when
they were both younger that they had no idea was preserved for humiliating
posterity.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Akimichi BBQ Restaurant)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I hope you like barbeque Naruto-kun. This restaurant has some of the best barbeque
in Konoha. Not surprising really when an Akimichi runs the place and they know just
about everything there is to know about food," said Hana, as she saw Naruto nod
since it was true that the Akimichi Clan knew just about every aspect about food
when making it as they did in eating it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two soon walked into the BBQ restaurant, the talking soon died down, as people
saw Naruto with Hana, and some were shocked the boy was on what appeared to them
like a date. As they made there way to the waiter at the front to ask for a table
for two, Naruto noticed the man, who had a thin mustache, dark combed over hair,
and a scar on the left side of his face give him a small scowl. It was clear to
Naruto this man, a possibly former Shinobi of Konoha, retired most likely, did not
like him due to he Kyuubi, and was not going to make the date with Hana a pleasant
one in this establishment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your name please," said the Waiter in a semi-snooty tone, yet just not enough
snootiness to take offense to given it was a high class
restaurant.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uzumaki Naruto and Inuzuka Hana. We would like a table for two please," said
Naruto in a polite tone while the waiter made a "sniffing"
noise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry. We have no openings right now. Try back later or make a reservation,"
replied the Waiter in a bit more snobbish tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean there are no openings? I can see at {\i
least} four tables fit for two," protested Hana with the Waiter glancing for a mere
second to his right to see she was indeed correct.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though it was clear the man didn't care.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True, but they are reserved seats so reservations were made in advance for our
future customers," replied the snobbish Waiter while Naruto frowned and noticed
there was a reservation section like the Waiter said within the
restaurant.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
BUT} the tables Hana notice were currently free were not among
"Your lying sir. They aren't part of the reservation section. That is on the
opposite side of the room," countered Naruto with the Waiter scowling further at
being caught lying.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They are now part of the reservation section," the Waiter shot back snidely
without even a hint of remorse in his actions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Bastard! You're doing this to spite Naruto for having the Kyuubi inside of him,"
accused Hana with the Waiter once more making a snooty "sniffing" motion and noise
with his nose.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't have to justify myself to someone like {\i
you} Inuzuka-san. I am a bit surprised your Mother approved of your little outing
here with {\i
him}," remarked the Waiter snidely while he glanced at Naruto Hana growled angry at
"It is perfectly all right Hana-chan. We don't need to eat at this establishment.
There are other places that would serve us food and do not have people like this
one with {\i
inferior} mindsets," remarked Naruto with a grin while the Waiter looked angrier at
being told off by the blonde.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're right Naruto-kun. We don't need to eat here if this so called {\i
man }is going to deny us service. Clearly his arrogance is the only thing {\i
large} about him," added Hana while sensing what Naruto was doing and wondered if
it would work.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Brats! Both of them! I was protecting this village when they were still trying to
walk and they insult me!' thought the Waiter, as he was a retired Konoha Shinobi,
but his injuries he suffered to his legs from the Third Shinobi War in the past
caught up with him, and was forced to retire early.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let's go Hana-chan. I saw a nice little ramen shop not far from here. Let's go
there and enjoy a simple meal. Clearly this place will need to be closed down to
clean out the foul stench of...{\i
bigotry} it seems to be overpowering the smell of the food," remarked Naruto while
the Waiter's face was completely red with anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Until the Waiter got an idea. A dreadful, {\i
awful}, and very terrible...{\i
idea}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! It seems a table for two has just opened up. Please follow me," said the
Waiter with his attitude changing instantly to the slight surprise of Naruto and
Hana.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'If he tries anything that put Hana in danger, I'm going to kill him {\i
violently }Kurama. I need your senses since I suspect it will involve the food,'
thought Naruto while the fox inside of him nodded in full
{\i
{\b
"I suspect the same thing. If he does anything, rest assured we will both know, and
he will die,"}} said Kurama with Naruto nodding mentally to the
The two were seated at a nice table and the snooty Waiter took their orders before
he left to take care of it. While the two waited, they decided to talk about
themselves and what they liked, disliked, and hobbies they took up on the side when
they weren't being ninja. Naruto admitted to taking up gardening, as he felt that
even though he was a ninja with the skill to take life, didn't mean he shouldn't
appreciate, and help life grow around him. Hana admitted she didn't have many
hobbies outside of her duties as a ninja due to her duties running the veterinarian
clinic for animals that came into to be treated. She did admit to liking flowers
and would sometimes as a child roll around in them with some of the dogs from the
kennels.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your food and drinks," said the snooty Waiter while taking a step back and waited
for the two to eat or drink the contents of the meal he
provided.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hana cautiously sniffed it first, but found nothing wrong with the food, and moved
to take a bite. Naruto however wasn't interested in his meal, as his instincts
warned him that even if the meal didn't have any particularly bad smell to it,
didn't mean the food was not tainted in some way. Seeing how his instincts had yet
to fail him, Naruto glanced at the Waiter, watching the man's eyes, and the facial
structure of the man waiting to see them eat. He should be leaving now to handle
other customers within the restaurant, yet the Waiter was waiting to see them eat.
This man hated Naruto for holding the fox and Hana too by extension of being his
date. If anything, the man should have given them crappy food, slammed the plate
down loudly, been rude the entire time, and left with an angry look on his
And yet he was smiling. Like he was happy to be here. As if they were his most
honored guests. No one did a complete change in hating to liking someone that
fast.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unless...\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'He's waiting for something. He's waiting for us to eat or drink the food. Why?
Could he have...?' thought Naruto before his eyes widened slightly when the muscle
around the Waiter's jaw line twitched and the eyes gleamed with that hint of
bloodlust the Uzumaki remembered all too well from his childhood
days.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Acting quickly, Naruto grabbed Hana's hand now holding the fork with meat on it,
and stopped the woman from taking a bite. The Inuzuka frowned when looking to face
him since she didn't smell anything off about the food, but saw the serious look in
his eyes, and looked at the Waiter's frown reforming again with a hint of
frustration behind it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto-kun?" asked Hana while Naruto gave the Waiter a piercing
look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't you have other customers to attend to?" asked Naruto while the Waiter just
gave him a fake smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not at the moment no. I just want to see you eat your meal and see if it lives up
to your standards. I was rude earlier and felt I should apologize by giving you
some good food and seeing your reaction to it," answered the Waiter in a friendly
tone, but Naruto was not fooled by it, and knew that tone
anywhere.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was the tone of a liar. A tone of someone who had nasty things in mind should
you fall into his trap. A tone that spoke of something sinister and the one
speaking in such a way wanting to see the fruits of their labor be witnessed by
their own eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Leave us. Please," said Naruto in an insisting tone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wish to know how the food tastes. I insist you eat some and let me know what you
think," said the Waiter while trying to keep his frustration at
bay.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why not try some yourself? You did make it after all," replied Naruto while the
Waiter began to sweat under his gaze and act a bit nervous
"I couldn't eat your meal. Such a thing would be rude. It was made {\i
specifically }for you and your date. I couldn't possibly take such a meal from
you," said the Waiter while he chuckled nervously to the point where even Hana knew
this man was up to something and could smell it with her
senses.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only reason she didn't before now was the strong scent of food the restaurant
made along with the scents of so many other people here in this place when
eating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I {\i
insist}!" stated Naruto coldly while the Waiter stopped being joyful and being
nervous to serious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And {\i
I }must insist you not be so rude in return. I will not allow my customers to talk
so disrespectfully towards me after personally preparing their meals," said the
Waiter with Naruto narrowing his eyes at the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hana, we are leaving. I would rather starve then possibly try anything this man
makes or passes off for food," stated Naruto before getting up and Hana doing the
same while in full agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I agree. You will be hearing from my Mother and Clan Head of the Inuzuka Clan,"
said Hana coldly with a growl before they began to walk
'How dare they turn their back on me! How dare they not eat the food I prepared!
All that time carefully preparing the means to kill them gone to waste!' thought
the Waiter angrily before picking up the utensil knife near him and threw it at
Naruto like it was a kunai in the hopes it would hit him in the back of the
The aim was true, the speed was fast, and only a ninja of high caliber was capable
of grabbing the object before it pierced the back of Naruto's skull. No could move
fast enough, though someone did call out for Naruto look behind him when the Waiter
did throw the object, and made the Uzumaki turn slightly to see the tiny shiny
object coming toward him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And to catch it with two fingers while mere centimeters from his left
"That...was a big mistake," whispered Naruto before throwing the knife back and cut
the Waiter's cheek before the knife was sent deep into the wall behind the
"Ha! You missed demon shit!" exclaimed the Waiter with Naruto
"Did I?" questioned Naruto with his smirk never leaving him while the ANBU appeared
on the scene and surprised the Waiter by arresting him instead of the
"What are you doing? Arrest him! Arrest the Kyuubi brat! He threw that knife at me!
You all saw it!" protested the Waiter while struggling to get
free.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I saw everything. I saw you treating him like someone with the plague. I saw you
give him poisoned food and I saw you try to kill him with the knife he threw back
at you," said Akimichi Choza while the Waiter went pale in the
"Choza-sama! I-I can explain!" protested the Waiter
nervously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Really? Explain it to me why you would poison two of my customers in {\i
MY }restaurant?" asked Choza angrily since he believed poisoning food was one of
the biggest blasphemies in the world and an unforgiveable one at
"I didn't poison the food. There is no proof of that!" protested the Waiter with
Naruto not believing it for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are a Poison Master. Or rather you {\i
were }one such a specialized person when still a Shinobi for Konoha. Before you
retired," stated Naruto with the Waiter looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How did you know that? You haven't been in Konoha for over a decade!" exclaimed
the Waiter while Naruto walked to his table and took the fork with the food Hana
was about to eat on it before walking back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"First, you showed signs of being a retired Shinobi. Your limp and scarred face
told me you have been in quite a few fights and your age is one where the injuries
have caught up to you to force retirement. Second, the sniffing noise you made, and
action with your nose isn't just to show how snobbish you truly are to people. It
is because at the start of your career as a Poison Master, you didn't wear
protective masks to prevent fumes from the chemicals from getting breathed in
through the nose. Your sense of smell is off now due to this fact and it hurts I
imagine to breathe from the nose for too long. Third, you were too nice when coming
back with our food looking unspoiled when it was clear you hated my guts, and
Hana's too simply because she was out on a date with me. No one does an emotional
180 degrees in that short a time unless they have a personality disorder or they
are planning to do something sinister to their intended target. You are the latter.
Fourth, you decided to watch us eat, or drink the contents of food given to us
knowing that the poison would be odorless. You wanted my and Hana's guard to be
down. You knew that she would sniff the food first in front of me to ensure what
she was eating wouldn't kill her before eating it while believing I would do the
same once seeing Hana give the all clear. Fifth, I had insisted you leave us to
eating without your watchful eyes. You didn't. The well known fact about Poison
Masters is they love to be close by to see their handiwork being shown in a public
setting while their target(s) suffer prior to death Sixth, when I called you out on
this food being poisoned, you denied it, but refused to eat what was prepared to
prove us both wrong. If the food wasn't tainted at all in anyway, you would have
accepted it right then, and there without protest," explained Naruto with the
Waiter gritting his teeth angrily at being caught so
easily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You damn brat! If I could, I would shove a whole vat of poison down your throat,
and watching your insides melt!" exclaimed the Waiter
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'll settle for giving you a taste of your own medicine.
Open wide you baka!" exclaimed Naruto before shoving the poisoned food down the
man's mouth and then clamped the mouth shut while pinching the Waiters nose so
he'll be forced to swallow it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Waiter was soon turning green in the face, his body having spasms, and was
foaming at the mouth. His eyes were starting to bleed, his teeth falling out, and
overall looking like he was in agonizing pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was karma.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn! Remind me never to piss you off gaki," remarked one of the ANBU with the
other chuckling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I think this will serve as the reminder. Come Hana. Let's go somewhere else. While
I won't hold Choza-sama responsible for our date being ruined here, I have suddenly
lost my appetite, and wish to go elsewhere," said Naruto before bowing slightly to
the Clan Head and left with Hana who walked beside him with admiration in her eyes
at seeing how well he handled himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Strong. Smart. Good reflexes and deduction skills. Not to mention he saved me yet
again from a horrible fate that would have made Mom super pissed off if I died such
a horrible death. I think I'm falling in love!' thought Hana, as she had long
wished to find an Alpha Male like her Mother did all those years ago, and Uzumaki
Naruto seemed to fit the mark right down to the last
qualification.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
There was still the issue with the {\i
other }girl in Naruto's life and possibly several others she didn't know about yet,
but Hana was confident that issue could be addressed later.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
(Elsewhere-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Urge to kill someone...rising...rising," whispered Haku while her hands had a
twitch to it and she was generating killer intent.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Oh no. Not again,' thought Zabuza to himself while quietly moving away Ao, who was
whimpering right now, and looking for the nearest exit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She's thinking of Naruto-san again," remarked Mei with
amusement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's coming back for the Kage Summit, right?" asked Zabuza with Mei
"Of course. I got a message from him just yesterday. Naruto-san will be coming with
the Hokage as part of her escort. She is his Godmother after all," replied Mei
while Zabuza shook his head while Ao ran away from Haku currently throwing things
"Just when I thought I've seen and heard it all regarding that gaki's family tree,"
remarked Zabuza before Mei was in his face and had a hand on his face despite the
bandages on his lower face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Speaking of family trees," said Mei sweetly while Zabuza started to sweat
nervously and realized he had unknowingly put himself in a position where he could
not escape.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh look at the time! I got to-ACK!" exclaimed Zabuza, as he tried to move around
Mei, but the firm grip she now had on his throat prevented him from moving, and saw
the red haired woman was still smiling that all to sweet smile of
hers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Demon of the Bloody Mist knowing exactly what she wanted and could only think
of one question while Mei dragged him away (still by the throat) to a private room
where the two of them could have an...{\i
intimate }time together.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
What was it with crazy sadistic women smiling like that whey they wanted
something?!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(In the Sekirei Universe-Shinto Teito-Maison Izumo)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Asama Miya sneezed suddenly and wondered if she was catching a cold or if someone
was talking about her. Perhaps it was that dreadful Karasuba or maybe Matsu? The
red haired Sekirei was up to her usual peeping of others. Perhaps a scolding with
the help of her ladle was in order?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Problems Miya?" asked Uzume with Miya smiling at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No. None at all," replied Miya while Uzume nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll be out late. See ya in a bit!" stated Uzume while Miya smiled and waved at
"Just be sure to be back for dinner. I would hate to suspect you were doing
something wrong or illegal and I had to kick you out of my Inn to preserve its good
reputation," replied Miya sweetly while producing her Hanya and made Uzume laugh
nervously at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who? Me? No! No! Later!" replied Uzume before running off as fast as she could to
get away from the Hanya.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such a strange girl. Why did she seem so afraid of me?" asked Miya while Homura,
who was watching this snickered, and walked toward the
landlady.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe its because you have this scary Mother Hen persona that comes out when you
are worried about your tenants," answered Homura before he went pale when Miya
smiled too sweetly at him and the Hanya came out again once
"A scary Mother Hen you say Homura? Just for that, there will be no dinner for you
here tonight," said Miya while Homura nodded to make the Hanya go away and
proceeded to slump his head knowing his poor stomach would suffer from not eating
Miya's delicious cooking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even now it growled angrily at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Me and my big mouth,' thought Homura while Miya walked around with a smile on her
Women were so scary and troublesome.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Naruto Universe-At the Moment)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry our date was ruined Hana-chan. I had hoped to make a good impression
upon my stay here in Konoha and all I seem to bring his violence, death, and
misfortune to others," said Naruto while Hana held onto his arm as the two walked
to the Inuzuka Clan home after stopping at the ramen stand for a quick bite to
eat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It's not your fault Naruto-kun. The people in Konoha just seem to be...well...they
are just idiots for the most part. Nobody is perfect," replied Hana with Naruto
"I know Hana, but...you would think after all my years of being away from Konoha,
they would actually let their hatred of me go. But in truth, its not just about
their hatred for me that drives them. Its their desire to control me. To control
the power I wield inside of me. The people of Konoha have become corrupted by the
desire to have what they shouldn't and hurt those that do to force them into
submission. The Uzumaki Clan suffered for it and so have other clans throughout the
Elemental Countries from the information I have acquired on the issue," said Naruto
with Hana nodding sadly since she had seen it too.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. I've seen it too. I remember when Uchiha Sasuke back when he was still an
Uchiha had just returned from Wave Country. He went to the Councils, complaining
about how he had been punched by a masked ninja calling himself Yami Kitsune
Jigumo. I remember my Mother telling me about how the Uchiha went on a tirade of
wanting to have that ninja hunted down to be killed by him all because Yami Kitsune
Jigumo had punched him due to fake Hunter Nin being punched by the Uchiha after she
had been defeated. He had demanded that both you and the girl Haku I believe is her
name now, be brought to Konoha with the girl being forced into enslavement to breed
Uchiha children. The Councils were practically going on a rabid tirade about how
the Uchiha was right and they should get him the girl to produce new Uchiha with
the possibility of mixing the ice manipulating blood with the Sharingan. When I
heard about it, I was so disgusted by the way things were turning out, and was
actually pleased the Uchiha never knew about me," said Hana with Naruto nodding
since he could understand her fear of being caught in the Uchiha's crosshairs and
interest in terms of women to use for his benefit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that it matters anymore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sasuke-san is not much of an Uchiha anymore so your fear regarding that is
fortunately nonexistent now," replied Naruto while getting closer to the Inuzuka
Clan home.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. It sounds horrible to say this, but...I'm glad he's crippled. The way
Sasuke was acting when he was an Uchiha...I shudder to think what he would do to me
when older if I was ever noticed by him," said Hana since she had a good idea of
what would happen and her Mother would fight the action.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately, there was only so much the Inuzuka Matriarch could have done before
certain...{\i
people} sent the woman on a mission she would never come back from. Hana could see
herself being forced to "marry" Sasuke soon after "for the good of the Inuzuka
Clan" she would be told while Kiba became the new Clan Head instead of
herself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Thank Kami for unforeseen interventions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't hold it against you for saying that Hana. If anything, I completely agree
with you since the horrors Uchiha Sasuke would have inflicted had he successfully
escaped from Konoha's grasp along with his training with Orochimaru was finished
would have been unspeakable. But enough about what could have been if left
unchecked. How was the date with me overall? Despite everything that
happened...would you go out with me again? If I asked?" questioned Naruto with Hana
looking at him in surprise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course I would! I mean...granted our first date didn't exactly turn out...well
like we both expected it to go, but it doesn't mean that we can't try one more
time. Let's give it another shot. After you get back from the Kage Summit I mean.
That is...if you want to come back to Konoha I mean," replied Hana with Naruto
smiling when hearing this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would like that. As for coming back to Konoha, I still have some unfinished
business here in the village so I have to return for that regardless. But that
aside, I would come back to the village to have that second date, and maybe...maybe
stay to see in Konoha to see how things play out," answered Naruto with Hana
smiling since she was happy the blonde was considering not only a second date, but
staying in Konoha on a much more permanent basis.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn right you should!" exclaimed Anko, who appeared seemingly out of nowhere with
her hands on her hips, and grinning a predatory grin at
"Anko," said Hana stiffly while giving the woman a "back off he's my date"
look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hey Hana-chan. Taking our resident blonde stud here out for a stroll? Perhaps to a
nice little love hotel? Maybe wanting to be a bad dog for once?" asked Anko with a
grin on her face while Hana's was going red before growling at the Special
Jounin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't tease her Anko. We had a bad altercation at the Akimichi restaurant
earlier," said Naruto calmly while Anko's mischievous smile turned more mature and
serious.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I heard. I knew that guy when I was younger. He was a jerk then and was jerk up
until you made him choke on his own poison. Nice job by the way," replied Anko
while giving Naruto a punch in the shoulder out of respect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Is there something you want Anko?" asked Hana with Anko grinning at
"I do. Though its not a something, but more like a...{\i
someone}," answered Anko while giving Naruto a noticeable glance and Hana growled a
little louder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Back off Anko!" exclaimed Hana while Anko held up her hands in
surrender.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Easy Hana-chan. I wasn't going to steal him away from you during your date. I'm
just letting you know that when he gets back, the two of us are going to go on a
date of our own, and I won't take no for an answer. Besides, I want to thank him
for removing the Curse Seal on my neck, and killing Orochimaru in such a sadistic
manner," replied Anko with Hana narrowing her eyes at the Special
Jounin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I have an idea on {\i
how }you will thank him and I'm not going to like it,' thought Hana to herself
since she knew Anko was practically giddy to be free of her Curse Seal and that
Naruto was the one responsible for it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Orochimaru's rumored to be painful agonizing death was just icing on the
cake.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Something tells me that I should be thankful the Elemental Countries CRA system
for ninja clans is still in use given how so many women are after my heart,'
thought Naruto seeing the two women trade lightning bolts shot from their
Hopefully, Ayane wouldn't hold it against him even though she knew about the CRA,
and the various women he might unintentionally get along the way when here on this
side of the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! A super long chapter for everyone to enjoy. I know there wasn't much
fighting in this one. This last couple of chapters are more of Naruto getting to
know the various people around him. The next chapter there WILL be fighting,
bloodshed, all the good stuff, and of course humor when appropriate. Until next
{\b
Chapter 16-The War Starts\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't you think this large escort we're packing with the Hokage seem a
bit...excessive?" asked Karin while Naruto smirked behind his Kitsune mask of his
ninja attire.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Considering what has been happening and will happen with the Akatsuki, do you
really believe we have too many ninja with us?" countered Naruto with the red
haired girl now blushing in embarrassment since he did have a
"Good point. Not to mention the Raikage's little brother Killer Bee is now back
with him after making everyone think he was taken by the Akatsuki," said Karin
while she could only imagine the Raikage was pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While I am sure the Raikage was not happy, it did have a positive effect in giving
the man the desire to fight the Akatsuki, and Killer Bee being taken will be the
last thing he wants. Add Fu and myself to this mix, the odds of the Shinobi
Alliance coming out of the war victorious have gone up significantly. Or rather, it
would have if not for the factor of Jiraiya joining the Akatsuki," replied Naruto
with Karin showing a hint of worry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But I thought Jiraiya's power in the Sage Arts was limited thanks to the Toads?"
asked Karin while Naruto nodded since it was limited now according to the message
sent by the toads.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That it is true, but sadly the Sealing Arts, and the Sage Arts are two different
aspects he was proficient at. While not at the level of say an Uzumaki Seal Master,
he does have the power to seal off a Jinchuriki's connection to their Biju. If only
for a time. Something the Akatsuki will quickly exploit if given the chance.
Jiraiya for all his stupidity, knows how to be a ninja when the time comes, but at
the same time, he has also spent too many years wandering the Elemental Countries,
and drowning in his vices to properly ignore them," said Naruto with Karin and the
others listening intently.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So...when the time comes to face Jiraiya...how do we defeat him?" asked Jugo since
he was coming to not only have Tsunade monitoring him while traveling to Iron
Country, but to protect Naruto, and the Hokage should they encounter any
threats.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Simple. We use his biggest weakness against him. Tsunade," said Naruto with
everyone, including the Hokage herself sporting a question mark on their
heads.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How?" asked Tsunade curiously now before Naruto looked her right in the eyes and
told the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Making everyone stop look at him with jaws dropped and eyes bugged
"I'm sorry if it offends you Tsunade, but given Jiraiya's own perverted tendencies
towards you...," stated Naruto while Tsunade's eyebrow was twitching at his reason
for how to trap Jiraiya in a vulnerable state when in a
"But still...to do that?! Isn't such a tactic...uh...low?" asked Suigetsu while
choosing his words carefully since he had heard the stories about Tsunade when
angry and the man didn't want to piss her off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was bad enough when Karin hit him, but this blonde was no doubt by far a Hell of
a lot more scarier. He didn't want the woman giving Karin
pointers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps, but considering Jiraiya's known skills without summoning the Toads, or
going into his rumored Sage Mode, the man will no doubt use everything else in his
arsenal. We can't let him do that. All we need is one opening. One single window of
opportunity to launch a fatal strike against him. Even a crippling strike to his
body will do since no one in their right mind will heal Jiraiya once this war is
over," answered Naruto since Itachi's message indicated even the Akatsuki wanted
Jiraiya dead and would probably do it after they achieved their
The man was on borrowed time no matter what happened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That will make the opening you want to create using {\i
that }tactic a one time deal Naruto. He won't fall for something like that a second
time. If you fuck up in hitting him when distracted...we are going to get fucked up
afterwards," said Suigetsu while Naruto was nodding in knowing the
risk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not the choice of words I would have used, but he does have a point gaki," said
Tsunade while Naruto nodded in agreement.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am well aware of what I am asking you to do for this plan to kill Jiraiya to
work, but its also the only plan now available to us that I can think of with the
ability to grant a much higher percentage of success. No other plan I have come up
with has the potential to be as successful," answered Naruto with Tsunade
groaning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It figures. I always knew such an act would be the death of him and an
embarrassment to me," said Tsunade since she didn't like the idea of doing {\i
that }in such a public setting of a fight or war no less to get Jiraiya caught off
guard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
This was karma for her years of gambling and drinking. She just knew
"We are here. Everyone be on your best behavior. Suigetsu," said Naruto with
Suigetsu looking a bit offended by it before shrugging since he did get out of
control sometimes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Iron Country-Kage Summit Meeting Room)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like before, the five Kages of their respected villages took a seat in their
assigned chairs, there bodyguards in a covered room behind them, watching the other
bodyguards, and the other Kages while protecting their own. Despite what happened
the last time they were here, it made everyone feel on edge, and there was a sliver
of doubt in the minds of some ninja in this room. There was also the issue with
Naruto's special seals on the chairs of the Kages and the entire room with everyone
who was here the last time remembering the fate of Shimura Danzo for his attempt to
use his implanted Sharingan on General Mifune to take control of the Shinobi
Alliance. All the Kages, including Tsunade while hearing the various rumors about
what had happened, had hesitated at the idea of sitting down on these chairs, and
glanced at the blonde Uzumaki for a second. Naruto simply reminded them that the
seals would only activate if they used any Jutsu or bloodline limit that was
designed affect or hurt someone. So long as everyone here from Kage to bodyguard of
said Kage was civil here, they didn't need to fear the seals in the room
activating.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that being said Naruto moved away from the Hokage and stood beside a sitting
General Mifune to indicate that while he came with the Hokage, the Uzumaki was
still not taking their side. At the same time, Naruto also showed his own forces
were siding with Konoha by moving away from the Hokage too, and now stood beside
him as well. Tsunade still had her own bodyguards in the form of Maito Gai,
Sarutobi Asuma, Genma, young Hyuuga Hinata, her teammate Shino, followed by
Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji. At the same time, Ayane, and Fu appeared in order to
stand by Naruto to show they were here as well.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Being a little excessive in your show of force Hokage-sama?" remarked A while
seeing the large group of Jounin and Chuunin from Konoha watching the proceedings
with their watchful eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are one to talk Raikage-sama. Or did you think I wouldn't know you brought
your little brother and eight-tailed Jinchuriki with you here? Not to mention his
clearly Jounin level students?" countered Tsunade with B looking ready to rap
something, but A gave him a look saying to shut up.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am keeping him close so he stays safe. Maybe if Konoha did the same, yours
wouldn't have been taken, and stayed loyal to your village," A shot back while
Tsunade frowned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Raikage-sama, what Konoha has done during my time in it when I was a child is not
the current Hokage's fault. I ask you kindly to keep such rude remarks to yourself.
Or would you prefer I air some of Kumo's dirty deeds regarding the stealing of
kunoichi from other villages with bloodlines in order to be made into breeding
stock?" challenged Naruto with A going slightly pale since that was something he
had been trying to keep under wraps due to that idea being started by his
predecessor.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is this true?" asked Mifune with A's mouth twitching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course not! They are lies! I dare this ninja to name one time Kumo tried to do
such a thing?" demanded Karui, as she got out of her seat, and glared at Naruto who
was not intimidated in the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My Mother Uzumaki Kushina is such an example. In fact, your current Raikage, and
his little brother were the ones who took her. How do you think your Raikage
learned how to help Kumo's two Jinchuriki reach their full potential with their
Biju?" answered Naruto with Karui finding herself shutting up and Bee smacking his
"Not cool," whispered Samui while Naruto glanced at her for a second before he kept
his eyes on Karui.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There was also the attempted kidnapping of Hyuuga Hinata when she was three years
old by the Hyuuga Ambassador during the Peace Treaty signing," added Naruto with
Hinata's eyes widening and she glanced at the Raikage with the man's hands forming
into fists.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't prove I authorized that," challenged A while Naruto pulled out a folder
and put it on the table for Mifune to look at.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This says otherwise," said Naruto with the folder holding the symbol of Kumo and
the Raikage on it with the words "CLASSIFIED" written on
'Those papers! I thought I destroyed them all! But where did...of course! They are
copies! Damn those idiots in the Human Resources Department! By the book
jackasses!' thought A, as he saw Mifune frowning at the material in his hands, and
shut it before giving the Kage a cold gaze.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The material is indeed true. Copies of the originals, but the order were
definitely real," said Mifune while A glared at Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't fault me for the kidnapping of Uzumaki Kushina. I was following orders!"
stated A while Naruto gave a glare of his own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And the second attempt?" challenged Naruto with A looking away and
grumbling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The treaty wasn't signed yet," replied A despite knowing the answer was weak in
terms of a response.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Meanwhile Naruto's eyes hardened further and it actually made the Raikage wince at
the sight of those blue eyes practically glowing with
"That's hardly the point. But we are getting off track at the moment. This Kage
Summit is to unite the five Shinobi villages for a single purpose in combating a
threat to all of us. In this case, it is the Akatsuki organization, and they intend
to wipe out everyone who have the strength to oppose them. We need to discuss who
among the five Kages would lead the Shinobi Alliance against them," said Naruto
before he focused on the five Kages as a whole with calculating
"Well I say Konoha shouldn't be the one to lead us. It has too many people
connected to the Akatsuki," said the Tsuchikage while giving the Hokage a small
"You're one to talk Tsuchikage-sama. You employed the Akatsuki on several occasions
in the past and one of your Missing Nin is a member of their organization. You're
hardly qualified to lead anyone here," replied Tsunade while the Tsuchikage growled
a bit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sadly, I cannot lead the Shinobi Alliance either. As much as I would like to show
that I and Suna by extension are indeed capable of handling this responsibility, my
own youth, and my limited time in leading others as Kazekage makes me unqualified
for the role," replied Gaara since he had only been the Kazekage for a short time
and did not have the command experience as the others in this
"Sadly, I too must step away from the command position in leading the Shinobi
Alliance. While I have the experience given my years combating Yagura during Kiri's
Civil War, the Akatsuki were key in manipulating Yagura to be the monster he became
before his fall. The organization has deep connections in various places and I'm
unsure just how deep their connection is to Kiri," replied Mei sadly, but she knew
her escort respected her decision nonetheless, and would support it no matter
what.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Which leaves my village. As I mentioned in our last meeting, Kumo has no
connection to the Akatsuki in any shape or form, and I think it would be best if I
was the leader for this Shinobi Alliance," said A while seeing none of the Kages
were against it since he did have a valid point.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Very well. The Raikage is now the leader of the Shinobi Alliance and all Shinobi
from each village will ultimately answer to him until this is over. As it stands
with this coming conflict, the Akatsuki effects everyone in the Elemental
Countries, not just the Shinobi villages. That being said, Iron Country will also
be joining the Shinobi Alliance in this coming war, and seek to help put down this
organization before it can do further damage to everything and everyone we hold
dear," declared Mifune with the Kages nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is still an issue regarding the Biju. As in dividing them up again once this
war is over," remarked the Tsuchikage while everyone became tense
"That is an issue that should be settled at a later time," said Mifune since he
didn't want the Kages to split apart in their quest to gain the power of the Biju
for themselves.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No! It should be discussed now! Kumo still has the eight-tailed Jinchuriki here
already. The Kyuubi Jinchuriki is here as well, but the simple fact remains he his
not loyal to any of the Shinobi village, which makes him a threat. And then there
is also the possible risk of the seven-tailed Jinchuriki getting violent since we
don't know where her loyalties lie. For all we know, Kumo will take more then it
should, and the other two will go missing again. I want reassurances that the Biju
will be divided up again, and no one here gets greedy," said Onoki while seeing
Naruto locking his eyes with him and the image of a dragon filled the old Kage's
vision.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rest assured Tsuchikage-sama, the issue with the nine Biju, and what will become
of them once the war is over {\i
will }be addressed. However, you would do well to remember that your own Jinchuriki
were not loved in the slightest. Neither was I, or the seven-tailed Jinchuriki for
that matter. Perhaps if you and the rest of the Shinobi villages didn't treat
Jinchuriki so cruelly from the start, they wouldn't consider leaving in the first
place. You seem to forget that Jinchuriki are people too. Viewing them simply as
weapons for you to use whenever they suit your needs before discarding them is an
insult to humanity as a whole. Of course, I'm sure you don't really care about what
I just told you since it is not Iwa's way of doing things when it came to Han and
Roshi. I bet you didn't even mourn them once you suspected they were dead and
instead cursed them for failing to perform their 'duty' to Iwa in keeping the Biju
sealed inside of them," said Naruto with the old Kage snarling a
"What's your point brat?" demanded Onoki while Naruto smirked a
"While I'm sure you believe Iwa's way of doing things is for the best, I think you
would be singing a different tune if say...your only {\i
Granddaughter} standing behind you among your bodyguards was made a Jinchuriki? Or
perhaps you don't mind the idea of seeing her being used like tool by the village,
by your own hands, and possibly by your future successor to your position?" replied
Naruto in a semi-taunting manner that was a mix between Gamov's and Genshin's tone
in talking to others.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Careful what you say brat. The next few words you speak next will decide your fate
in this room," said Onoki while his bodyguards tensed for a
"Why? Because you don't like what you just heard? Everyone in this room knows how
Jinchuriki are treated. Some are treated better then others. Some worse then
others. But for those of you who follow the policy of the latter, did you ever stop
to think, and say to yourself 'What if I or someone close to me was made a
Jinchuriki? Would I really want to live a life like that?'" challenged Naruto with
Tsuchikage growling at him since the old Kage was willing to tolerate his
Jinchuriki being abused so long as it wasn't himself or one of his own family
members.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
At least not a closely related family member.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what are you suggesting? That all the Kages and all the people in the Shinobi
villages be {\i
nice} to the Jinchuriki? Kiss their asses everyday for protecting us? Bah! A pipe
dream! A fool's dream!" declared Onoki while Naruto narrowed his eyes at
"Perhaps, but my dream is a far better alternative then seeing them abused, and
hated for what they hold. Not that I expect you to think differently given how
stuck you are in the barbaric and archaic traditions of treating Jinchuriki like
weapons," remarked Naruto with Onoki looking like he was ready to burst a blood
vessel in his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what gives you the right to judge me or anyone else here? You maybe a
Jinchuriki, but it just proves you are a threat to everyone here, and should be put
down to keep such a threat to the Shinobi villages from happening!" exclaimed Onoki
angrily while the other Kages became tense, their bodyguards doing the same, and
Naruto's own little army now glaring at the Kage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only Naruto remained calm, but it was a deathly calm that came before the storm,
and it was one mere moments away from being unleashed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you wish to take my head Tsuchikage-sama, then by all means try to take it, and
take it now while you still have the strength in that old body of yours. However, I
can assure you that any such attempt on my life will result in not only your life
being forfeit, but the lives of your bodyguards, and Iwa as whole. Or did you
forget who my Father was? What he did to your village in the Third Shinobi War? Do
you not think I won't do something similar or on an even grander scale? If you
really think for one moment that I am some weak man, who does not have the stomach
to kill you, and every single Iwa Shinobi in your village under your command...you
are even more over the hill mentally than I first thought," said Naruto in a soft
spoken tone, but the threat to the Tsuchikage remained, and said Kage now found
himself in a situation he unknowingly put himself in until it was too late to put a
leash on his own anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn it! He's right. I'm provoking the Yondaime's son. That cursed man's son, who
also happens to be a Jinchuriki! I can see in his eyes he would kill me. And not
just me, but all of Iwa if it meant sending a message to every other Shinobi
village about provoking him. Why do I feel like I just poked a dragon in the eyes
with a stick?' thought Onoki while he relented when staring into Naruto's
"We have company. The uninvited kind," said Karin quickly, as she now sensed a lot
of chakra signatures heading their way, but were oddly identical, and yet were not
Shadow Clones or any other kind of clone based Jutsu she had ever
"Byakugan!" said Hinata while using her eyes and so did Ao in secret to see what
was being sensed around them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hinata?" asked Tsunade with Hinata nodding from her
position.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see them. A large army of white...{\i
things}. I've never seen anything like them before. All of them are identical. Like
clones of some kind, but clearly intelligent, and strong enough to take a hit,"
said Hinata with Ao nodding to Zabuza and Haku.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"There is also the various members of the Akatsuki with them. I sense several
strong chakra signatures among the sea of white clones," said Naruto with Ao
"I sense them. I see one is Uchiha Itachi and the other Hoshigaki Kisame to the
East of our position," said Ao with Suigetsu looking excited and Naruto saw the
glimmer in his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Easy Suigetsu. All good things come to those who wait," said Naruto while the
young swordsman nodded, but was also eager, and wanted to claim Kisame's sword
"Who else is with them?" asked Gaara since he knew Sasori was dead and thus left an
open spot to fill the Puppet Master's place.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see the one called Kakuzu and the Jashin Priest Hidan. I also see...Jiraiya of
the Sannin is with them?!" exclaimed Ao in complete disbelief while the other Kages
minus Tsunade were shocked to hear this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?!" demanded A while looking at Tsunade in an accusing
"My former teammate only just joined the ranks of the Akatsuki recently. The reason
behind it was we had a very...{\i
heated disagreement} regarding our Godson's future should he decide to take up
residence in Konoha again. He felt Naruto should be reconditioned to be a weapon of
Konoha rather then a person. Jiraiya even tried to grab Naruto when he was in my
office and the end result brought about a short fight that nearly killed him had he
not reverse summoned himself to the Toads," said Tsunade with A narrowing his eyes
at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A likely story. First Orochimaru, then Uchiha Itachi, and now Jiraiya of the
Sannin is yet another Konoha Shinobi who joined their ranks. How do we know Konoha
isn't trying to monopolize the number of members within the organization to use it
against us when we aren't looking?" accused A while pointing a finger at the
"Because Uchiha Itachi is the Hokage's spy within the organization," answered
Naruto before he showed the message scroll with Itachi's information he sent out
about Jiraiya being in the Akatsuki along with his weakened
condition.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then why hasn't Jiraiya told the other members about Itachi being a spy?" asked
Mei curiously since she would assume Jiraiya's first test of showing loyalty to the
Akatsuki was to reveal Konoha's spy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because Itachi first reported his findings to Jiraiya before the Sannin sent them
to the Hokage. He risks the Akatsuki lashing out at him before setting their sights
on Itachi and the Uchiha also mentioned in his message that the leader known as
Pein has past history with the Toad Sannin. Pein is apparently only keeping Jiraiya
around for a short amount of time before moving to kill the man himself for past
affronts connected with Hanzo in Ame," said Naruto with Tsunade remembering how
strong Hanzo was and Jiraiya has at one point reported to her that Hanzo had died
fighting someone incredibly powerful with the identity of the victor being unknown
at the time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I don't care about the Sannin's reasons for joining or what this Pein person is
going to do to him once the fighting is over here. The enemy is at our gates trying
to wipe us out before we can coordinate any kind of attack. I say we remind them
why we are the five great Shinobi villages and what it means to cross us. Right
now!" exclaimed A while smashing his fist on the table
"Agreed. I maybe old, but I can still fight. I say we take these Akatsuki
whippersnappers down and putting our sandals to their throats!" declared Onoki
while now standing as well with his eyes hardening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Akatsuki have shamed Kiri greatly with their past actions weakening our
village by using my predecessor Yagura to cause genocide to anyone with a
bloodline. I am very much looking forward to melting quite a few of them with my
bloodline," remarked Mei in a sweet tone that made her bodyguards sweat
drop.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Akatsuki killed me to get what was sealed inside of me. Regardless if I was
even a Jinchuriki or not, such an act will not be tolerated so long as I am
Kazekage of Suna. I will have my ten pounds of flesh...from all its currently
living members," said Gaara, as he felt his death by their hands, and took it very
personally when the organization nearly destroyed his village just to get to
"Konoha has been shamed above all others. Three defections to the organization with
one being false and one being recent. As the Gondaime Hokage of Konoha, I won't
stand for this and neither will the rest of my ninja. I have been itching to get
some payback on the Akatsuki after its leader nearly destroyed Konoha not that long
ago," declared Tsunade, as she was itching to ram a chakra empowered fist right
down Pein's throat, and show him what it was like to be put into a
coma.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Every samurai under my command will draw swords against this army and drive it
back into the abyss," stated Mifune before rising and turning to look at Naruto to
await his own decision on this matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You are on your own. I am not your ally in this coming fight," said Naruto to the
shock of the Kages and their bodyguards.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! We're not?" asked Suigetsu in a confused tone showing he was clearly lost
while Karin smacked him on the back of the head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Baka! Naruto-kun said {\i
he }is not their ally in this fight. He wasn't speaking for us. We get to
choose...I think," Karin while she was a bit confused by his decision and saw him
walking out of the room.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you are going to abandon us? Let us fight this enemy alone?" demanded A while
the blonde Uzumaki stopped at the door and looked at the Raikage with cold blue
"No. I will fight the Akatsuki. I will kill their army of strange white creatures
and all if not most of their powerful members. What I won't do however, is be in
alliance with five Kages, who are not worthy of their titles, and think only of
themselves," replied Naruto with all five Kage and their bodyguards looked like he
was insane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what is that suppose to mean brat?" demanded Onoki angrily from his
seat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Simple. My decision to be your ally hinged on your reason for fighting the
Akatsuki and their army. I heard each reason. Each one different. Each one was
passionate. But they all had one thing in common," said Naruto with the Kages
looking confused by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what is it we have in common that you would denounce us as allies?" asked
Gaara while watching the blonde look at him now with eyes that were a less cold
toward him, if only slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You fight out of vanity, bloodlust, and the future prospect of power with one or
more Biju under your village's control. You do not fight for the right reasons. You
fight only for yourselves. Your villages are only a mere extension simply because
you rule over them," answered Naruto while the Kages either looked ashamed, angry,
or confused at his response.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If you are so high and mighty when compared to all five of us brat, then answer me
this one question...what do you fight for?" asked/demanded Onoki while scowling at
Naruto and the blonde Uzumaki had disappointment in his
"Simple. I fight for a purpose greater than myself. I fight for those innocent
lives that will be affected and scarred by this war. I fight to ensure this war
ends without the innocent men, women, and children who will be drawn into this
being killed. Innocent lives who will be witness to the horrors that will come with
this war if allowed to escalate. Each of you here has stated personal, bloodlust
filled reasons for fighting the Akatsuki, and what they have done to each of you.
Not one Kage here has said they would fight the Akatsuki to stop their plans from
destroying the Elemental Countries and the innocent lives that live within it,"
replied Naruto with the five Kages in the room now looking a bit ashamed since they
had basically stated reasons, which when looking back on it, {\i
were }in fact very selfish, and only now were they being called out on
"With all do respect Naruto-sama, my intentions were honorable, and I never stated
I was doing this for selfish reasons," countered Mifune with Naruto
"True, but you are a samurai Mifune-sama. This reason for not calling myself an
ally is strictly ninja related. I will be {\i
your }ally in this General, but I will not follow any of the Kages here so long as
they fight for all the wrong reasons," said Naruto before walking out of the room
with Ayane and Fu following him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So...uh...do we follow?" asked Suigetsu while scratching his head in
"You can stay here if you wish Suigetsu, but I will follow Naruto-sama. I have
longed to use my powers for a purpose other then possibly hurting innocent people.
I now have one such purpose where I can use my abilities I once cursed, to protect
innocent lives instead of taking them," said Jugo before he moved quickly out of
the room to follow Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I agree with Jugo and Naruto. Fighting for a purpose beyond our own selfish
desires is the kind of thing I can get behind. I am so sick and tired of fighting
for the selfish reasons of others. Orochimaru and Kabuto were living proof of that
when we were in Sound. I am an Uzumaki and an Uzumaki does not fight for selfish
reasons," said Karin before she left the room and Guren following
"Hey! You didn't give your reason!" exclaimed Suigetsu in
protest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My reason is the same as hers...sans the Uzumaki part of it," said Guren before
she was gone and leaving Suigetsu the last one of Naruto's group in the
"Well...shit. He did get my ass out of that damn glass jar container back in Sound
and he gave me Orochimaru's sword too. Not to mention Kisame is coming here and I
can get his sword too. Ah what the Hell! Just this once, I'll put aside my own
selfish reasons for fighting, and kick some ass simply because it is for the
greater good!" exclaimed Suigetsu before running after his little
group.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Zabuza-sama," whispered Haku with Zabuza looking at his student/surrogate daughter
and gave the girl a smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Go on. You're a big girl now. Follow your heart," whispered Zabuza with Haku now
smiling, giving the man a quick hug, and left quickly to pursue the
"In my day, a strong kunoichi didn't go running off after a man right before a
fight. They kept their calm and waited," said Ao firmly at what he
saw.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Strong kunoichi...running off...after a man. Running off to wed. Is he saying I
should run off and get married to a man?' thought Mei before seeing Ao keep
talking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She is too impulsive in following the Uzumaki. It will get her killed," said Ao
before he noticed Mei looking at him a deathly sweet smile.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Ao...shut up or I will kill you," said Mei while Ao went pale and wisely stayed
quiet.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Take that asshole,' thought Zabuza to himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm going too," said Hinata before she moved to follow Naruto, but was quickly
grabbed by Shino, who frowned slightly, and saw the Hyuuga woman giving him a
pleading look.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do not question Naruto-san's reason for fighting the Akatsuki, but I do question
your reason for wanting to follow him. You are not thinking logically," whispered
Shino to her while Hinata's eyes steeled with resolve.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're wrong. Naruto's reason for fighting is the same as my own. To protect those
I care about. To fight for something beyond the selfish desires of the heart.
Perhaps it is {\i
you }are the one who not think logically," whispered Hinata silently, yet firmly
before she carefully slid her arm out of his grasp, and rushed after
"Naruto-san is right. We have been selfish in our desires to fight the Akatsuki. We
all wish to fight for the sake of our own personal reasons with the Shinobi village
each Kage here represents being an excuse at best for wanting to fight. When I
enter this fight, I will do so to protect what I cherish most, and fight for a
reason that goes well beyond my own personal desire for revenge," said Gaara before
he too left the room with his siblings, who were also his bodyguards for this Kage
Summit right behind him, and didn't look back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He's got a point Bro. I'm going to say see ya later and go," rapped Bee before he
went after Naruto while A looked shocked that his little brother would follow
someone other than himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They are almost here. Prepare yourselves," commanded Naruto while bringing out his
trusty Kurama's (formerly Kyuubi's) Tail with the others getting ready in their own
"Just for the record, I'm calling dibs on Kisame when fighting Akatsuki members,"
said Suigetsu before being hit by Karin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Focus!" exclaimed Karin angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't worry my brother from another Mother, Killer Bee is here to stay your
fears," rapped Bee while Naruto just looked at him and blinked a few
times.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"While I personally have nothing against you rapping Killer Bee, please do me, and
everyone else here a favor by...{\i
NOT} speaking that way," replied Naruto with Bee face
faulting.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not cool Bro. Not cool," remarked Bee before getting his swords out and saw the
army of White Zetsu Clones along with several of the Akatsuki's key members
mentioned from earlier in the middle of them all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Jashin Priest is mine. I know how to defeat him," said Naruto while none of
his group argued.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will deal with Uchiha Itachi should I get through the clones. I have fought an
Uchiha before back in Wave. I have long since learned from my mistakes since that
point," said Haku calmly while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good to know. Itachi is a Master with his Sharingan and has abilities his brother
did not. Be safe Haku-chan," said Naruto while Haku nodded with a blush on her face
behind the mask she wore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Who gets the former Sage?" asked Ayane curiously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Leave him to Tsunade when she and the others get here. Pick your targets wisely
and support each other no matter what. The key to victory here is trust and
teamwork," said Naruto while his chakra started to form around
"I am with you Naruto-kun," said Hinata while in her Gentle Fist
stance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Same here," said Ayane with her two Fuma Kodachis in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Ditto," said Fu while her own weapons were in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Gyuki wants me to tell you he says hello to another familiar face," said Bee to Fu
with the kunoichi going stiff for a second and her masked face turned before she
"Keep that to yourself Bee. I may need to use lucky seven's power as a trump card,"
said Fu while Bee nodded since few knew the girl was a Jinchuriki or that she was
even here.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though that may have possibly changed given how Jiraiya's recent recruitment into
the Akatsuki's ranks.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kyuubi Jinchuriki. Hachibi Jinchuriki. Surrender now and we promise a quick death
upon extracting your respective Biju from your bodies," said Konan in the hopes
they would not oppose them while Naruto narrowed his eyes at her before looking
over at Pein's Six Paths.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Never," replied Naruto while Konan shook her head and motioned for the army of
White Zetsus and the other members of the Akatsuki to
"There is something off about the six with the identical eyes. I sense they are
like puppets in way, but the bodies themselves are not fake inside," said Karin
while Hinata used her eyes to confirm them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They have chakra rods in them. They must be what connects them to the real person
controlling them," said Hinata while Naruto nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We'll worry about him latter. Jugo. Hinata. Fu. You three will engage Kakuzu. Bee
and Ayane, you will fight Jiraiya of the Sannin section of this clone army until
Tsunade gets involved," ordered Naruto while waiting for the rushing army of White
Zetsu Clones to meet them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Any final words of encouragement you want to say before we start fighting for our
very lives Boss?" asked Suigetsu curiously while Gaara and his siblings
arrived.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sorry we're late. Gaara would have been here first before the guy from Kumo, but
he's also carrying two additional people," said Kankuro with puppets out and Temari
with her fan at the ready.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I only have one thing to say you. One thing to say to my dearest of friends,
comrades, and loved ones who I hold dear to my heart...{\i
{\b
let's bring them Hell!"}} exclaimed Naruto with his power rising further to the
surface.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Use my power Naruto. Make these fools who wish to use my power and the power of my
kin be reminded of what it means to play with fire. And not just the fire of the
Biju, but the fire of a DRAGON!"}} exclaimed Kurama, as he was not about to have
this group of wannabe Immortals succeed in their plans.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Crush them!"}} said Naruto before unleashing his power upon the Akatsuki's
army.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was in this moment, the world around them seemed to explode with a maelstrom of
violence, blood, and death the likes of which the Akatsuki had never seen before in
their opposition. Even the five Kages along with Mifune had not seen such a thing
before in years, as Naruto was slicing through multiple enemies at once with
Kurama's Tail, the injuries the White Zetsu Clones suffered had been instantly
cauterized by the Biju's very chakra now running through the
"It seems the Kyuubi Jinchuriki is stronger then we thought," remarked Pein to
Konan just nodded and watched the young ninja sliced through while seeing that same
passion once seen in Nagato years ago before becoming Pein.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"He reminds me of you back when...," said Konan, but didn't finish her sentence,
and saw Pein's eyes narrow.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That man is dead. Danzo and Hanzo saw to that years ago," replied Pein in a cold
tone while Konan looked at him sadly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Doesn't it remotely bother you that even if we win this day, two members of your
clan will ultimately perish? Do you feel nothing stir within your Uzumaki blood for
them?" asked Konan with Pein saying nothing for a moment.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No," answered Pein while Konan was not so sure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then why did you not answer right away?" asked Konan with Pein looking at her with
narrowed Rinnegan Eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Enough Konan. We must proceed as planned. Peace will happen and if two members of
my clan must die to achieve it...then I will gladly pay what needs to be paid,"
said Pein with Konan looking at him with sad eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yahiko wouldn't do that. He gave his own life to save us. You are doing the
opposite," said Konan while Pein's body he was using to talk to her twitched
"I am doing this to ensure peace. I will am doing this for the greater good. The
Elemental Countries has suffered long enough from war, conflict, and death. Three
Shinobi Wars in roughly three generations. Practically one war per generation. This
is the only way to make the fighting stop!" stated Pein while watching Naruto
switch from Kurama's Tail to his two swords and slicing through one White Zetsu
after another.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I haven't had this much fun in years!" exclaimed Suigetsu, as he cut through one
White Zetsu after another, and trying to get close to a currently grinning
Kisame.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The brat's mine," commented Kisame while Itachi didn't say anything, but rather
glanced at Jiraiya watching Naruto, and it was clear the Sannin was not pleased in
the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn that brat! The power he is using should have been directed at the Shinobi
villages while fighting in the name of Konoha. Instead, he's acting on his own, no
loyalty to the village that birthed him, and fighting for himself. I won't allow
it!' thought Jiraiya, as he watched Naruto getting closer to Hidan, and intending
to fight the Jashin Priest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Jiraiya's musing on the matter were interrupted by the ground around him shaking
from the force of Tsunade's super strength chakra enhanced fist hitting the ground
not that far away. The White Zetsu Clones stumbled due to the unstable ground
making it difficult to stand and were soon being smashed to pieces by Tsunade
hitting every single one that got caught in her crosshairs. In all his years of
knowing Tsunade, the Toad Sannin had never seen the woman fight in such a brutal
manner given his former teammate's desire to save lives over taking them, and
wondered what had set her off like this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Glancing quickly at Naruto, he concluded the Uzumaki must have spoken to Tsunade in
a way that somehow lit a fire right under her ass, and realized Naruto possessed
some kind of natural ability to connect with others. To help them see his point of
view and to walk his path if they remotely feel the same way as himself. Jiraiya
also realized that with so many ninja and their Kages fighting in the same manner,
Naruto could easily sway those in power to follow his way of doing things, and the
Shinobi under the command of each Kage would obey as well. If that happened, Naruto
could easily alter the landscape of the Elemental Countries, and the Shinobi Way as
they knew it! Jiraiya knew that seeing how Naruto disliked the idea of Jinchuriki
being abused and the Biju being used as weapons of war, the blonde Uzumaki would
try to find a way to remove them from the equation in some way. Most likely banning
the use of sealing the Biju into Jinchuriki and let the Biju live their own life
like they had rights! Bah! Biju being free and living in this world like they were
a natural part of it. Ha! It was almost laughable in Jiraiya's eyes if it the idea
wasn't so blasphemous!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Focus on me baka! I'm your opponent!" exclaimed Tsunade, as she had rushed toward
Jiraiya, punching a White Zetsu's head clean off, and was almost in punching
distance of the Toad Sannin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Though he really couldn't be called that anymore due to his contract with the Toads
being removed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tsunade stop this! I'm giving you one final chance to see reason and hand Naruto
over!" commanded Jiraiya, but the blonde woman wasn't listening, and chose to lift
up a large piece of the ground beneath her before throwing it at
"And let you kill him? You know what will happen once the Akatsuki extract the Biju
from his body. Are you so bitter that you want them to triumph? To force the so
called prophecy to happen one way or another, but on {\i
your} terms?" demanded Tsunade angrily with Jiraiya scowling, as he dodged the
projectile, and leaping away from the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Truth was, he still believed in the prophecy happening despite Tsunade's doubts,
and the small yet noted fact the Elder Toad may have been a bit high on opium when
he had his "vision of the future" regarding the prophecy. Even if it wasn't real,
Jiraiya intended to make it real, if only to make himself known throughout the
world as the one who helped make it happen. For years, decades even leading all the
way back to when they were kids, the former Sage of the Toad Summons had been in
Orochimaru's shadow, and nothing Jiraiya did seemed to be
enough.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even his own personal Transparency Jutsu, which he created at such a young age, and
used to peep on women (as well as use for infiltration missions when called for)
wasn't enough to please Sarutobi-sensei. His skills in the Sealing Arts? Paled in
comparison to the Uzumaki Clan. Mito and Kushina had him beat long before he became
a Master of it while Minato soon following in that aspect. His Toad Summoning?
Heading to their sacred mountain to learn from them? One hundred percent pure
accident in every sense of the word. Not like Orochimaru or Tsunade, who were given
their summoning contracts, and got the respect of their own Bosses on the first
try. Gambunta nearly killed him the first time he was summoned by Jiraiya and all
due to the fact the stupid Toad Boss didn't want to be used to impress the lovely
ladies he had met at the time to show off his skills as a ninja in order to get
laid. The prudish amphibian jerk! It seemed no matter what the former Toad Sage
did, nothing was good enough, and it just seemed his life was destined to be in the
shadow of so many of his peers, teammates, or comrades within the
{\i
BUT}, the prophecy the Elder Toad foretold would have put Jiraiya's name high into
the stratosphere, outshining Sarutobi-sensei, Orochimaru, Tsunade, and even his own
prized student Minato. Even Kushina for all her greatness as member of the Uzumaki
Clan, an Uzumaki Seal Master, and host to the Kyuubi would be put to shame by his
very own greatness. Being the teacher of the Child of Prophecy would have made his
name be infamous, loved, feared, and respected all in one! Everyone in the
Elemental Countries would bow at his greatness for once and Jiraiya would finally
be acknowledged by Shinobi everywhere as the great man he always wanted to be in
life without anyone outshining him for years to come.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
However, his plans hit a snag when Naruto went missing, was going in his own
direction, following his own path, and not the one Jiraiya was planning to force
the boy to follow. Jiraiya wanted Naruto to make the prophecy happen while secretly
planning on making sure the majority of the credit in the Uzumaki's success went to
the former Toad Sage. So even with Naruto being made a cut above the rest, the boy
would have no choice, but to share the spotlight, or deal with the fact Jiraiya's
shadow would forever loom over him no matter what the brat tried to get out of
"You don't know anything Tsunade. You don't know what its like to be in everyone's
shadow and not get the respect you deserve for your own talents!" exclaimed Jiraiya
before he shot a balls of wind at her from his mouth, which she dodged before
punching the ground, and causing the ground to shake once more to make it difficult
for the former Toad Sage to properly stand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you are doing this for selfish reasons. It figures. You never did anything for
anyone unless you gained something out of it. Minato always put others before
himself. So did Kushina," said Tsunade while Jiraiya launched fire balls at her in
exchange.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And look where that got them. Death! They died horrible deaths at the hands of the
fox sealed inside that boy you are defending. I would think you would side with me
on this Tsunade. Think about it! Kushina was killed by Kyuubi and the Kyuubi is
inside Naruto. Don't you feel the slightest desire to smash your fist into the boy?
To hate him for what he holds? The Biju inside of Naruto robbed you of a surrogate
daughter just like I was robbed of a surrogate son. Kushina was a distant cousin
from your Grandmother's side of the family. The boy is guilty of her and Minato's
death by association!" exclaimed Jiraiya while Tsunade looked him right in the
"I don't care about that. All I care about is Naruto's well being. The fact you
only see him as a weapon means Minato was not a surrogate son to you in the
slightest. He was just a tool to be used like Kushina to get what you wanted," was
Tsunade's reply while Jiraiya scowled since his words didn't persuade the woman to
act in the manner he wanted.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Fine! If you love your Godson so much, you can join him in death...AND IN HELL!"
exclaimed Jiraiya before calling on the Swamp of the Underworld Jutsu that would
make it impossible for his enemies to move long enough for the White Zetsu Clone
army of he Akatsuki to kill their enemies with ease.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And it would have worked too...if not for Tsunade's timely distraction which
involved the woman doing something unexpectedly outrageous...like lifting up her
shirt to expose the breasts Jiraiya adored and worshipped for his eyes to
An underhanded tactic and questionably perverted in its entirety when suggested to
be used on Jiraiya, but as Naruto had explained to the group he was traveling with
earlier to the woman that her former teammate's vices were his one true weakness.
Women to him were objects. Things to look at, sample with on occasion before
abandoning them for the newest younger...{\i
model} that came out. However, there was one thing Jiraiya wanted, and yet could
not have which made him slowly go mad when it came to his vices surrounding the
female body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was Tsunade. The man loved her. Or rather, he loved the woman's body. The shape,
the figure, and ultimately...the side of her breasts. Jiraiya had wanted to see
them for years, decades since they first formed to be worth noticing in the former
Sannin's eyes, and had longed to hold them. Touch them. To have them above all
others. Naruto had read the man's personal file the Sandaime had made of the man
before the departure from Konoha to Iron Country. When Itachi sent word of
Jiraiya's situation, Naruto knew he needed to have a plan capable of catching
Jiraiya off guard, and needed to know everything about him that few knew about.
Hence why Tsunade gave Naruto access to Jiraiya's file, which not even she looked
at since becoming Hokage since she saw no reason for it until
According to that file, Jiraiya exhibited the desire to have the one thing he could
not in this world since Tsunade developed into a beautiful young woman. Namely
Tsunade. Or rather...Tsunade's body. Every man had drooled over it when it became
that much better in the years following the Senju's ascension into womanhood and
Jiraiya being the ever shameless perverted man that he is, wanted to "corner the
market" as they say, and have her body all to himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Unfortunately for Jiraiya, his teammate did not share in his perverted nature, nor
did she even like the man, and only tolerated him because it was necessary. For
years, Jiraiya had tried to make the woman swoon, get her attention, get her
affection, and all for the reason of getting his thing into the spot behind the
woman's panties. Naturally, his actions failed spectacularly when trying, and
Tsunade herself soon found someone she found worthy of her affection named Kato
Dan. A simple and humble man who was inspired by Tsunade's words when arguing for a
Medical Nin Program that would reduce fatality rates for ninja on
missions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
In Jiraiya's mind, he was just a simple sissy, and unworthy of Tsunade's time much
less her affections. When Tsunade revealed she was going to marry Dan when the
Shinobi War that Konoha was fighting finally ceased, Jiraiya was raging internally
at the thought of some skinny, sissy like man getting the honor of marrying
Tsunade, to wake up every morning to the sight of this woman, and her awesome
rocking tits! To touch them. To caress them! To kiss, suck, and do whatever he
wished with them! Jiraiya knew enough from seeing Dan around Konoha at times to
know that the man was simply too much of a "gentleman" to take full advantage of
this golden opportunity Jiraiya himself would take in having his way with his
former teammate's body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So Dan had to go.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was easy enough. A mission came up and Dan was assigned to it thanks to a little
help from Sarutobi-sensei when he was the Sandaime Hokage. A few pieces of
information being leaked to the enemy via his spy network and the ambush was set to
have Kato Dan removed from being Tsunade's future husband. Damaged by the loss of
the one she loved before getting the chance to marry, Jiraiya intended to swoop in
during such a vulnerable time, and manipulate the situation long enough to get pity
sex from the woman drowning in sorrow to make 10 Special Edition Icha Icha Paradise
Books out of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only for his plan totally and completely backfire! Tsunade had proceeded to beat
the ever living crap out of him again even harder then usual while somehow sensing
his perverted plan to seduce her in a mentally weakened state. It was the second
worse beating she had ever given him and Jiraiya was told the next time he tried
{\i
anything} at all, the third major beating she would give him...would ultimately be
his very {\i
last}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As in Tsunade would literally beat her former teammate Jiraiya to {\i
death}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
To ensure he lived a long perverted life, Jiraiya had kept his distance from the
ever short tempered Senju woman, but at the same time always made sure every other
male kept their distance too, and going on the belief that if he couldn't have
Tsunade...then no one else could either!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
So you can easily see {\i
WHY} Jiraiya was so surprised to see his teammate so suddenly, in an act of what
could only be described as some strange impulse, to open up her shirt, and reveal
the large breasts he had fantasized about for years ever since their appearance. He
was so shocked by Tsunade's sudden impulse to basically flash him that Jiraiya
failed to see the Biju Sword being thrown by Naruto at a distance away and the
projectile piercing him from the back through the chest. The impact from the blade,
plus the sudden pain that was running through his body had snapped Jiraiya out his
current stated of perverted daydreaming, and he stumbled like a drunkard would
coming out from a bar while he was coughing up blood. The shock of him being caught
off guard like that in such a way drew the former Sage down to his chest where the
sword had pierced his chest as he fell to his knees, and tried to push the blade
back out. However, the sword's power burned his hands something, only adding more
pain to what he was already feeling, and glanced at where the Biju Sword had been
thrown to see Naruto had engaged Hidan once more in battle using the Blade of the
'Damn that brat! He {\i
knew} I would gawk at Tsunade like that if she exposed her breasts to me! He {\i
knew} I would leave myself open when the moment presented itself to him!' He must
have conspired with Tsunade somehow in order to time it just right! thought
Jiraiya, as he also realized that his distraction also cancelled out the Swamp of
the Underworld Jutsu, and thus left him now on his knees in front of a now fully
breast covered Tsunade currently cracking her knuckles.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Any last words before I beat you to death Jiraiya?" asked Tsunade coldly while
Jiraiya grit his teeth, as blood left his mouth, and glared up at the
"Nothing that you would want to hear from me Tsunade," said Tsunade since did have
a few things to say, mostly about Dan, and his hand in killing the sissy little
But why ruin the personal satisfaction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good to hear. Oh! And for the record...I know it was you who helped in having Dan-
kun killed with the help of your spy network. Sarutobi-sensei kept a very
meticulous record of every little thing you did. Most likely an insurance policy in
the event your ego went out of control. After you made your choice in regards to
what path to take, Naruto and I did some digging for your file sensei had on you,
and read everything what we dug up," said Tsunade before she grabbed the man by the
scruff of his shirt.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you want me to say Tsunade? That I should feel bad? That I should feel
some form of shame? Well I don't!" replied Jiraiya while the woman he was at the
mercy of had her fist tightening by the second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How could you do that to me? How could you help murder Dan? Shizune's Uncle for
Kami's sake! You betrayed a Konoha Shinobi!" accused Tsunade while Jiraiya glared
up at her.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You know why I did it Tsunade! Dan was some sissy second rate man of a Shinobi
with wishful thinking and far off dreams of becoming Hokage. He was going to marry
you. He was going to wake up every morning in bed to see you and that hot body
while I got an empty bed that was occasionally filled with a woman I paid to sleep
with me. I wanted you and yet Dan was the one you chose to be with over me. Me!
That guy would have been too nice and proper to truly satisfy you in bed," answered
Jiraiya before being backhanded by Tsunade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As per your usual self Jiraiya, you are thinking with your tiny {\i
dick}, and not with your tiny brain! If you {\i
had} used that tiny thing in your head you call a brain, you would realize that my
relationship with Dan was of mutual understanding. One of love! A connection of the
spirit and of the soul. It had nothing to do with sex, lust, and your usual pent up
desires for everything perverse. You didn't love me Jiraiya. You only lusted after
me. You think I didn't see your plan to get into my panties after Dan died? I
sensed your motives before you got within 50 feet of me with your lust for me
oozing right off your body. You were pretending to mourn with me over the loss of
Dan while still secretly lusting after me and waiting for my guard to be lowered so
you could make your move," said Tsunade before she punched him right in the face
and broke a couple of bones in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what if I did? You have a hot ass and breasts that go with that body. You think
Dan would have appreciated them like I do? Like I still do despite our age? He
would have never made any move to grope either one. He would never whisper naughty
things into your ear. The sex the two of you would have had would be stale and
boring. He probably wouldn't know how to get you off even if he had an instruction
manual or my Icha Icha Paradise Books to guide him!" exclaimed Jiraiya before she
punched his face yet again, only harder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Again, you think only with your dick. A tiny thing in size matched only by that of
tiny brain. You never did know how to use either one properly. Perhaps if you did,
your life would not have been surrounded by women who are paid to sleep with you.
You never could understand or try to understand women Jiraiya because all you see
are tits and asses on our bodies. There is more to us then that Ero-baka!"
exclaimed Tsunade while Jiraiya clearly did not care in the
"If you mean emotional baggage, then yes there is more to women in general. I don't
care about how women feel. The only thing {\i
I} care about is what {\i
I }feel. Namely a hot woman's breasts or their ass in my hands. That's what matters
to me," stated Jiraiya with Tsunade snarling.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you constantly wonder why everyone thinks you are a joke. Why you are
constantly in the shadow of others. Goodbye Jiraiya. My baka for a former
teammate," said Tsunade before she punched his head clean off his
shoulders.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With her main task now done in removing Jiraiya from the world, she dropped his
useless dead body onto the ground, and saw the Biju Sword moving on its own.
Watching it carefully, she saw the weapon rip itself out of Jiraiya's body, and fly
back into the hands of its Master. As for Naruto himself, he was holding his right
side carefully due to the Hidan stabbing him with his scythe, which the blonde let
him do in order to perform the Grip of Murder Curse on the crazy Jashin Priest
despite Kakuzu's nearby protests since they all knew what happened to
Orochimaru.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now the priest, who used blood of his enemies to honor the supposed Blood God
Jashin was now being consumed by the Grip of Murder, and cursing up a storm. The
man had killed a lot of people since becoming a Jashin Priest and now all of them
were coming to the surface, decaying the man's body from the inside out. In fact,
the man's body was now dying faster than even Orochimaru's, no doubt because of
Hidan's unique situation, and his connection to the Blood
God.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When it was all said and done, the supposedly Immortal man was consumed by the Grip
of Murder, and all that remained was the now purified scythe he once
wielded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Feeling his injuries had healed, Naruto sheathed both weapons in his hands, and
picked up the now purified scythe that once belonged to Hidan. While it was no
Eclipse Scythe that belonged to the Greater Fiend of Storms, it was still a nasty
weapon to have, and to wield in a fight against one's own
enemies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Using his new weapon, Naruto cut through one White Zetsu Clone after another,
making his way Pein currently observing him with Konan, and both were surprised to
see how the Grip of Murder worked. While Pein was sure only his Paths would fall
from such a curse, he remembered that Orochimaru probably thought something similar
in terms of leaving one host body for another to escape death, and was no doubt
told such a thing was totally impossible.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This is bad Pein. We assumed that the lack of numbers from our enemies would be an
advantage when compared to our White Zetsu Clones and our high ranking members,"
said Konan, as she saw Kakuzu go down at the hands of the Raikage, and Bee teaming
up against him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Deidara was taken down by the Tsuchikage, his bodyguards, and the masked Hunter Nin
from Kiri using senbon needles to hit his hands to prevent the mad bomber from
making his bombs. Kisame was fighting Suigetsu with the two still going strong
while Uchiha Itachi just watched the entire confrontation unfold. Uchiha Itachi's
lack of involvement made Konan's eyes narrow and began to suspect the raven haired
ninja was not as loyal to the organization like the others first
It would make sense how Konoha knew several of the Akatsuki's
plans.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'She's onto me. I suppose it doesn't matter anymore if I reveal where my loyalties
truly lie. I'll be dead soon anyway with my disease,' thought Itachi before he
removed his hat and cloak to show his ANBU uniform while his Sharingan made itself
"So you're finally going to fight Itachi? Ha! This Shinobi Alliance is in for a
world of hurt now!" exclaimed Kisame while Itachi glanced at him and made the
former Kiri Shinobi freeze due to the Genjutsu the Uchiha put him in with the
Just long enough for Suigetsu to stab Kisame in the heart with his
Kusanagi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"One sword down. Many more to go!" said Suigetsu while a bit peeved someone helped
him with his kill, but considering {\i
who} it was that helped him, the blue haired swordsman was going to let it
slide.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Just this once.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Pein," said Konan with the man nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kill him," ordered Pein while Konan moved to engage the
Uchiha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We really shouldn't be fighting like this... my cousin," said Naruto with Pein
eyes in Yahiko's body narrowing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Sacrifices must be made for peace. I will have it. I will make it happen. Peace
will come to this world," said Pein while Naruto just stared at him while hefting
the scythe onto his shoulder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"At the cost of how many lives? How many are you willing to sacrifice for your
notion of peace?" asked Naruto with Pein producing black rods in his
"As many as it takes. As the God of this world, it is my duty to ensure the people
of this world know intense pain to such a level that they will never wish it on
anyone, and do everything in their power to prevent it from happening again. People
will stop fighting. Conflicts will be resolved. Peace will come through pain. I
will make it happen," said Pein with Naruto nodding
"So you say. But peace is not forever. It never lasts. You might wish it to, but
eventually as time goes on, someone will start a fight, and the fight will slowly
build. It will build from a fight to a conflict, the conflict will draw people from
all sides, and become a full fledged battle. That battle will insight more battles
until you have a full all out war with other people. Your notion of peace will only
last for so long Pein," said Naruto before he moved swiftly and killed a few White
Zetsu Clones standing in his way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As long as there is peace in my time...I don't really care," said Pein while
Naruto shook his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You idea of peace is noble, but your method is flawed. Gathering the nine Biju to
make a super weapon will not bring peace. It is oppression. It will bring pain like
you want, but the end result will not make the people seek to lay down their arms
in fight. Instead, you will only make them want to fight, and those that die from
your super weapon will be made into martyrs to rally behind to fight your
oppression. An Uzumaki does not oppress people Pein. You are an Uzumaki like me.
And like me, you know this is not the way to get the peace you want. This is
something Jiraiya or Danzo would do if they were in your current position. Do you
really want to be like Jiraiya? Or Shimura Danzo? A 'Do what I command you to do
even if it is against your will or die!' kind of person? Or a "This is for the good
of the world, even though the vast majority of the world will either be enslaved or
killed!' type of person?" said Naruto with Pein for the first time looking
conflicted with his own thoughts on the matter.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Probably because Yahiko thought the same way when they were together all those
years ago.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And how would you try to achieve peace?" asked Pein at last with Naruto shaking
his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I wouldn't try to achieve any kind of peace through force. Peace only happens when
it happens Pein. Conflicts and wars will always manifest themselves no matter how
hard we try to not make it come about. All we can do is prepare ourselves in times
of peace for the inevitable that is war and do everything in our power to make sure
the war itself doesn't escalate too far out of control," said Naruto while Pein
thought over what he was saying before they glanced over at Konan still fighting
Itachi, who by this point was showing clear signs now of his bodies exhaustion, and
his disease catching up with him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The other Paths that Pein possessed were keeping the force from Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa
at bay in an impressive display of skill by the official leader of the
Akatsuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You have a way with words," remarked Pein through Yahiko's
"I like to think that I inherited the natural wisdom of the dragons, combined with
my own years of experience beyond the Elemental Countries," replied Naruto with
Pein nodding since he had heard the rumors about the blonde being connected to such
a clan.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Konan! We're pulling back. Full retreat," said Pein before he left with his Paths,
two of which were destroyed in the fighting, and decided to consider Naruto's
"Are you sure Pein? {\i
He }will not be pleased by this," said Konan while Pein
"Yes Konan I'm sure. Besides, as things are now with the Akatsuki's losses, we are
now down to four members," replied Pein before they left knowing the real Zetsu and
Tobi were watching from the shadows.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that they cared for either of them. Not anymore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"They are getting away!" exclaimed Karin while Pein, his Paths, and Konan were gone
to leave the remnants of the White Zetsu Clone army at their
mercy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Leave them. Finish the army they left behind. Capture a few alive for Tsunade to
study," commanded Naruto while those around him looked
skeptical.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you sure? I mean...we could pursue and capture them," said Suigetsu while
Naruto just shook his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We could try, but all we would capture are puppet bodies of the real man behind
them. Even if we did capture Konan, she would sooner kill herself then give up
Pein's actual location. Besides, I think I was able to get through to him," said
Naruto with the others looking even more confused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Except Itachi, who was on his knees, and spitting up blood from his
illness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Even if you reach him in that regard, you still have to deal with the {\i
true leader} of the Akatsuki. The one behind Pein himself," said Itachi before
coughing some more and was being looked at by Tsunade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Tsunade with Itachi knowing his last moments in this
world were upon him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not even Tsunade could save him now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uchiha Madara. He is plotting things from the shadows. A man in a spiral mask
going by the name of Tobi. He plays the fool when at our meetings, but aside from
myself, only Pein, and Konan know the truth about him," said Itachi before
explaining how the man had approached him prior to the Uchiha Massacre, offering to
help in speeding up the clan's death, and provide a safe haven for the formerly
declared Missing Nin.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn it! I knew Uchiha Madara back when I was young Genin when the Shodaime
Tsuchikage was still alive. To think he's still alive after all this time. It must
be those damn eyes of his and the rumored powers surrounding them," said Onoki with
Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its not Uchiha Madara. The man behind the mask is a fake," said Naruto, as he had
long since learned to deduce the truth behind the lies lurking in the shadows, and
saw how the others were not convinced.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The man had the Sharingan behind his mask Naruto. He was the one who attacked the
Yondaime Hokage the night of your birth and set the Kyuubi free under his control.
Only Madara could do that," said Itachi while Naruto again shook his
"Just because Madara was the only one to do it so far, does not mean someone else
can't in his place. This so called Madara is hiding in the shadows. Afraid to make
himself known to the world while having a puppet leader command in his place. The
true Uchiha Madara, the {\i
real} Uchiha Madara, is a man who feared nothing, no matter the enemy, and would
not hide in the shadows. He was a man, who was known for leading his forces onto
the field of battle, yet this masked man hides in wait, and has yet to make himself
known to us. This masked man is clearly an Uchiha, but clearly not Uchiha Madara
like he would have everyone believe since inducing fear from the mention of the
name alone is part of the objective in throwing everyone off their game, and making
mistakes when in his presence. Rather, this man is more of a {\i
student} of Uchiha Madara, and was most likely {\i
taught} by Madara himself before his death," explained Naruto, as he had seen it
before on the other side of the world and the history of warfare used in the
past.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Body doubles used to prevent assassinations. Your enemies thinks they have killed
you when in truth, all that was killed was someone so fanatical they would take a
lethal hit while disguised as yourself down to the last detail. This was the same
principle used here, but at the same time, it was used differently where the real
leader was dead, and ensured a legacy remained to carry on the work done before
such a death happened. Now with the successor now in place, the person takes on the
identity, and some of the powers of the teacher to make everyone believe they are
that person.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And how exactly do you know all of this? Uchiha Madara may have changed since his
near death experience at the hands of Senju Hashirama?" asked A with a frown on his
"Because I made sure to read up on all the most infamous ninja this land has to
offer and Uchiha Madara was at the top right beside Senju Hashirama. The Biju in me
already came to the same conclusion as Itachi did regarding Madara being the one
responsible for letting him out the night of my birth and concluded the man was
possibly alive. To that end, I made it my business to study everything there was
about him currently on record and everything Konoha had on him in general. I even
asked the Clan Head of Yamanaka Clan to run a complete psychological profile on the
man just for the Hell of it given what information there was on hand to read to
understand the man's actions. Based on all of data gathered, Inoichi concluded that
Uchiha Madara was not one to sneak around, and hide while someone else took the
official role leader. If Madara was still alive and still as strong as he would
have you believe, the man would not wear a mask, and would not rely on others to do
his own work for him," answered Naruto before narrowing his eyes for a second
slightly, glanced briefly at Karin, who discreetly gave a nod, and shocked just
about everyone when the blonde Uzumaki shot chakra chains out the back of his
The chakra chains themselves went underground, seemingly being endless before they
stopped, and they moved around like a fishing pole after catching something. They
were soon retreating back into his body, only to stop when a figure was wrapped
around the chakra chains, and made everyone go on edge. Mainly because it was
another Zetsu, only this one had a half that was dark, and was clearly the original
which all the white clones were based off of when mass producing
"Shit! How did you know we were watching?" demanded the White Half of Zetsu while
trying to escape, but the chakra chains now wrapped around his body, and one around
his neck prevented that from happening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That is the real Zetsu," remarked Itachi to further prove what Naruto caught was
the genuine article.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Damn you Itachi! When I get free, you are going to wish that disease got you
first!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't get free because I won't let you. Not until you die and only after you
tell us what we want to know about the Akatsuki. Namely...about the imposter
claiming to be Uchiha Madara," said Naruto with both sides of Zetsu laughing at
him\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what makes you think I will tell you anything?" asked the White Half of
Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Or me for that matter?"}} asked the Black Half of Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because I'm going to make you talk. The only question is which half talks first?"
replied Naruto before strapping the scythe to his back and slowly drawing out the
Blade of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What are you doing?" asked the White Half of Zetsu
nervously.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Shut up! He won't do anything. It's a bluff!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu
while Naruto looked the two halves dead in the eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Dragons don't bluff. Nor do members of the Uzumaki Clan. In case you haven't
heard, I am both. The half that talks first is the half that lives to see the next
sunrise," said Naruto coldly while the sword in his hand flared its electrical
power as if to further enforce the man's words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Scary. Yet cool at the same time,' thought Samui, as she saw the sword in his
hand, and knew this ninja was not some wannabe pretending to be
This man, who was the Yondaime's son, and an Uzumaki Clan member was the real
deal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is it wrong to be a bit turned on by how cold and cruel Naruto-kun sounds right
now toward this plant guy?" asked Fu to Ayane in a whispered
"No. No it is not," whispered Ayane back to Fu while Haku was thinking the same
thing, yet was also giving the two women a small glare behind the mask she
wore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hinata was keeping quiet, but secretly found herself liking this side of Naruto
when he was dealing with his enemies in order to protect those around him. Looking
badass when carrying out such a threat had nothing to do with it. Nope! Nothing at
'He will make great husband material. Father would definitely approve!' thought
Hinata's inner self, which was making Hinata blush, and mentally trying to shake
the image of her being a Mother to Naruto's children.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Which she was finding to be a tad difficult due to the image of blonde, red, or
blue haired children with Byakugan Eyes running around while Naruto stood beside
her with a smile on his face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'No! Bad Hinata! Bad! Focus on the now. Not the future! I mean possible future!'
thought Hinata, as she watched Naruto, and waited to see his response to either
side of Zetsu still refusing to talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Do your worst Jinchuriki! We're not scared!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu
with Naruto narrowing his eyes while they changed from blue to
crimson.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You will be. Oh you will be," replied Naruto before stabbing the Black Half of
Zetsu along the waist and slowly began to slice into the creature's flesh
It didn't help the Black Half of Zetsu that the Blade of the Archfiend's electric
energy was targeting the nervous system and frying both halves without mercy. The
fact Naruto was channeling chakra into the sword, which amplified the electrical
energy generated, and only made it worse for Zetsu as a whole as both sides were
screaming in agony. To the two halves, it felt like the Blade of the Archfiend was
stabbing into their very soul, and it was quickly becoming
unbearable.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'll talk! I'll talk! No more!" exclaimed the White Half of
{\i
{\b
"Shut up! You always were the weaker half!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu
before he cried out in pain when Naruto started slicing a bit more into his half
the body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Talk! Or you're next!" commanded Naruto before sending a surge of crimson
electrical energy through the Blade of the Archfiend that caused both sides to wail
out in pain.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All right! All right! The masked guy isn't Uchiha Madara at all! Its some guy
named Uchiha Obito!" exclaimed the White Half of Zetsu much to the shock of some of
the people old enough to remember Obito.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Minato's old student? Kakashi's old teammate?" questioned Tsunade with the White
Half of Zetsu nodding quickly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"If you tell him any more I'm going to-AAAAAAH!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of
Zetsu before the power from the sword sticking into his side of the body shocked
him and only him to the surprise of everyone else.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Explain," commanded Naruto with a look in his eyes that told the White Half of
Zetsu to not squander this moment to talk.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"After the event in the Third Shinobi War where Obito was crushed by a rock, he was
as close to death as one could get in his given situation. Most of his organs were
crushed by the rock, the Uchiha's face, and head in the same situation while giving
the one remaining Sharingan Eye he had to Hatake Kakashi thanks to their teammate
Rin. He would have surely perished that day if not for the intervention of another
Uchiha, who was watching from the shadows," said the White Half of Zetsu with
Naruto narrowing his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uchiha Madara," Naruto concluded with the White Half of Zetsu
"Yeah. The man was old. Like ancient looking when he saved Obito. Used the
prototype design of myself and mixed it with the boy's body. Blended the two
together and saved the kid's life," added the White Half of Zetsu while Naruto
narrowed his eyes further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is Madara still alive?" asked Naruto with the White Half of Zetsu shaking his head
"No. Time finally caught up to him after awhile. He taught Obito everything he
could about the Sharingan since he had some spares on hand. They also planned out
some big grand scheme to weaken the Shinobi villages and using the Akatsuki
organization to do it. Back then, the organization wasn't into Biju or Jinchuriki
hunting until Obito made his presence known, and began speaking to Pein about the
future of the world. He whispered promises of peace and the end to war if Pein and
Konan listened to him from the shadows of what had to be done to make things work,"
said the White Half of Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I see. So Obito worms his way into the Akatsuki and poisons its purpose. Anything
else I should know about Obito and Madara? What about their grand scheme?" asked
Naruto with Zetsu as a whole squirming a bit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You little shit! Keep your mouth shut!"}} demanded the Black Half of Zetsu before
he was shocked yet again with more crimson electrical
energy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Take your own advice," remarked Naruto before giving the other half a look to
continue talking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. This plan Madara has been working on before his death has been in the making
since his loss at the hands of the Shodaime Hokage. He went so far as to give that
Pein guy his own eyes when the Uzumaki was still a kid. How he did it without those
other two orphans knowing is beyond me," answered the White Half of
"Wait! Pein has Uchiha Madara's eyes? But...they look just like the Rinnegan! How
is that possible?!" demanded Tsunade while Zetsu nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's because Madara unlocked it with the help of your Grandfather's cells he
took after biting into the flesh of the Senju during all their fighting at the
Valley of the End. It was how he was able to successfully recreate the Juubi's body
to hold all the Biju extracted from the Jinchuriki we captured and used the chakra
stored in it clone me for his army. Also, the Rinnegan can only be unlocked using
the combination of both the Uchiha and Senju Bloodlines, and in case your wondering
about Danzo, the answer is no, he couldn't unlock the Rinnegan because the fool was
not born to either clan. Sure, that old idiot could use the bloodlines of either
one separately, plus a few that are forbidden even to the Uchiha Clan, but that's
it. The only reason Pein can even use the Rinnegan without it being rejected by his
body is because he is an Uzumaki and therefore related to both the Senju and Uchiha
Clan," said the White Half of Zetsu with the shock behind this news hitting
everyone hard.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It makes perfect sense to me. The Uzumaki Clan was my cousin clan and Grandfather
did tell me about how the Uchiha were also distant cousins back to the days of our
two clans forming. The Uchiha Clan were said to be descended from the eldest son
born from the Sage of Six Paths himself and the Senju from the second son of the
Sage," added Tsunade with Naruto nodding since it would make sense for Madara to
put such eyes in the body of an Uzumaki to throw off
suspicion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. The Rinnegan can't be turned off by Pein though so he has them on 24/7 so no
one knows that they are really eyes of an Uchiha," said the White Half of
"There is more to it then just the Biju being taken and sealed in a statue. What is
the real purpose behind Madara's plan?" demanded Naruto while the Black Half of
Zetsu was trying once more to get his other half to shut
{\i
{\b
"We have nothing left to say to you bitch. Kill us now and be done with it!"}}
exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu before he was slashed right across the face by
Naruto's clawed gauntlet hand that once belonged to
"I think your other half does. Talk!" commanded Naruto once more before twisting
the sword in his hand to enforce the point.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay! Okay! If you must know, the real big grand finale is Obito plans to have
Pein use the Rinngean to revive Madara! If Pein refuses, Obito plans to find an
alternative method with the same result. You happy now?!" exclaimed the White Half
of Zetsu since he was feeling more pain again because of
"Shit! Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to let that Pein guy live gaki. His student
is bad enough, but the real deal is going to be on a whole other level," said
Zabuza with Naruto shaking his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Pein won't do it. I have planted seeds of doubts into the plan and hope for the
future. And besides, there is only one way outside of the Rinnegan to bring back
someone like Uchiha Madara. Only one Jutsu is known to possess that power," replied
Naruto with Tsunade looking fearful now since she knew of such a
Jutsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The one her Granduncle created years ago. The one Orochimaru tried to use on the
Third Hokage during the attack by Suna and Sound while the Chuunin Exams was going
on.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Edo Tensei. The one my Granduncle Senju Tobirama created years ago when he was
alive," whispered Tsunade with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The very same," replied Naruto while glancing at Zetsu and saw both sides smirking
a bit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Doku Hoshi no Jutsu!" exclaimed Zetsu before shooting out poisonous spores from
his mouth at Naruto to make him loose focus and weaken the chakra chains long
enough to escape.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto!" exclaimed Haku, as she saw Naruto start hacking, and coughing from being
hit full force by the poison spores with the chakra chains loosing their
strength.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Thanks for the info gaki!" exclaimed the White Half of Zetsu before pulling the
Blade of the Archfiend out of other half.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Later assholes!"}} exclaimed the Black Half of Zetsu before sinking into the
dirt.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wind Gust Jutsu!" exclaimed Temari, as she sent the poisonous spores away from the
blonde Uzumaki now on his knees, and coughing fiercely.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What the Hell kind of poison was that?" asked Zabuza with Hinata using her eyes to
scan the area around Naruto to follow the path of the poison in his system while
Haku took off his mask to examine him better.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm all right. Kurama is taking care of it," rasped Naruto though his face showed
it was getting a bit pale and had a look of intense anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Great! Now that freakish plant thing got away and I bet my new sword that he's
going to tell Obito about the alternative to using the Rinnegan!" exclaimed
Suigetsu while Naruto was slowly, but steadily increasing his killer intent, and it
was clear the blonde was not happy in the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And yet his eyes didn't stare off in the distance like many would in his place, but
rather they were looking down to his right. Why? There was a single chakra chain
was moving on its own before it was stopped, the chain vibrating violently like it
was trying to move forward, and yet couldn't anymore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That was probably because Naruto wouldn't allow it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You would lose that bet and sword Suigetsu," remarked Naruto with his voice still
being raspy, if only slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I would?" asked Suigetsu before he noticed like everyone else how the chakra chain
was now being pulled in reverse toward Naruto rose into the air before the ground
erupted in the process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With the end result showing Zetsu in the air, the chakra chain tied to the lower
half of the plant man's body before being slammed down violently into the ground.
Slowly standing on his own two feet once more, Naruto gently moved Haku, and the
others around him away before he began to walk toward a stunned Zetsu with the
Blade of the Archfiend in hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And boy did he looked pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Wait! Wait! Let's talk about this!" pleaded the White Half of Zetsu while trying
to free himself along with his other half.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"What is a matter with you? Get us free!" }}commanded the Black Half of Zetsu the
two were having no luck in getting the chakra chain off or to
break.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All the while, Naruto kept walking toward the plant man, and the bloodlust rolling
off of him was practically visible at this point. The Uzumaki's eyes shifted from
blue to crimson every few seconds, the sword in both his hands letting out pulses
of crimson electrical energy that made noticeable holes in the ground upon impact.
At the same time, Naruto's chakra chain yanked Zetsu toward him every few seconds,
and the plant creature trying to get away even faster.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I tried to be civil with you Zetsu. As civil as I could possibly be given the time
and the situation at hand. I had every intention of letting you live, if only as
prisoner until it could be decided on what to do with you later, but you spit in my
face, and tried to poison me in the hopes of escaping. In the hopes of fleeing and
heading straight for your Master and to tell him what was spoken here about the Edo
Tensei," said Naruto with his tone oozing with anger and
rage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Wait! This is a big misunderstanding! One big fucking misunderstanding!"}} pleaded
the Black Half of Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What he said!" added the White Half of Zetsu in a panicked
"There is no escape for you Zetsu. For {\i
either} {\i
half} of you," whispered Naruto while his mind seemed to go on a mental trip down
through the past, which unknown to him, or even the others was one of the side
effects of the poisonous spores.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All around him, mostly nameless faces (from Konoha) appeared, mocking Naruto,
calling the boy names, and shouting for his death. With each step he took past
them, they fell to the ground in a bloody heap, crying in agony, and were ignored
by the young Uzumaki ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The very same Uzumaki now standing right in front of a whimpering Zetsu, who was
taking the full brunt of the killer intent Naruto was generating, and saw the image
of a dragon hovering over above the blonde. And like Naruto, the dragon looked just
as pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Mercy! I beg of you! Mercy!" pleaded the White Half of Zetsu while the dragon's
image seemed to snarl with Naruto doing the same.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"What he said! We ask you show mercy!"}} added the Black Half of Zetsu in
"Die!" whispered Naruto while the dragon above seemed to let out a bellowing roar
only Zetsu could hear and the sword in the blonde's hands arched to pierce its
intended target.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Zetsu tried to plead for his/their life, but found the words spoken fell on deaf
ears, and once more run through by Naruto sword. Only this time, there was no pause
in the young ninja's movements, no stopping in his cruel intentions, and no form of
hesitation when he brought down his fury despite the cries of pain let out by his
target. Zetsu's blood sprayed everywhere around him, as it stained the ground,
Naruto, and his sword while the blonde kept slicing into the plant man's
And all the while the angry eyes of the Uzumaki were staring directly into Zetsu's
own without wavering in the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Zabuza-sama, is it wrong to feel...{\i
excited} by this?" asked Haku while Zabuza tried to restrain his muscles around his
forehead to do an eyebrow twitch when he lacked said
eyebrows.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will not answer that question on the grounds that I will kill myself immediately
after I do," answered Zabuza while he saw the Uzumaki finally finish Zetsu off by
removing his sword from the body before taking he head clean
'That was actually very therapeutic. Weird,' thought Naruto while wondering why
that was the case.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Probably because you saw all those assholes from that little hallucination you
went through from the poison and channeled all your rage into your attack on that
damn plant man,"}} said Kyuubi with Naruto mentally nodding while sheathing his
blade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Okay. That was scary, frightening, bloody, and most importantly it was...TOTALLY
AWESOME!" exclaimed Suigetsu happily at seeing such an act performed by his
Boss.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Don't start celebrating yet. This isn't over," said Naruto calmly despite the fact
he was covered almost head to toe in Zetsu's blood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? Why?! We just crushed the Akatsuki's little clone army, their members are
down to a handful, and the Shinobi Alliance came out on top," said Suigetsu while
scratching his head in confusion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That was not the full brunt of the Akatsuki's army. That was just a sample of it.
This was meant to be a prelude to the {\i
real fighting}, but we were underestimated, and thus were able to turn our supposed
defeat into a victory," answered Naruto with the Suigetsu's jaw
dropping.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A clever plan. Use a small fraction of the army to wipe out the strongest Shinobi
from each village represented here, plus the samurai from Iron Country, then
proceed to crush the rest of the Shinobi villages with the entire army of Zetsu
clones," surmised Jugo since he was going over what Naruto just told them and what
he had seen so far.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Clever my ass. It didn't work," remarked Suigetsu while Naruto
sighed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Their plan didn't work because we all fought the enemy together and Naruto-kun was
the driving force behind it!" exclaimed Karin while shaking her fist at
Suigetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We need to strike at the Akatsuki's main base," said Naruto before he glanced at
Itachi, who nodded in agreement, and was moments away from
dying.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's a good plan of attack bro, but the base of the Akatsuki we do not know,"
rapped Bee while A face palmed himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Its in Ame. Underneath the village," said Itachi with Bee smacking himself in the
head this time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Of course! How else were the Akatsuki able to hide such a supposed statue of the
Juubi to hold the Biju in without anyone knowing!" exclaimed Kurotsuchi, as she
wondered how the organization was able to store the Biju together in one single
entity without it exploding, or said statue never being reported by their
spies.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Meaning we have very little time. Chances are, Obito already knows what is going
on with us here in Iron Country, and will be acting soon to achieve his goals that
will bring about Uchiha Madara's return. No doubt the vast White Zetsu Clone army
will be used to stall us while he makes the necessary preparations. Which means
that all five Kages here needs to head back to their respected Shinobi villages and
prepare every single ninja they have...for war," said Naruto with the Kages
realizing what he was referring to and that the army itself must be
massive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"This army can't be {\i
THAT }big...can it?" asked Suigetsu with a hint of worry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You want to wager your new sword that its not?" asked Karin with Suigetsu shaking
his head no.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm not {\i
THAT }crazy. Bloodthirsty? Yes. Crazy? No!" replied Suigetsu while several ninja
around them sweat dropped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Naruto, are {\i
you }okay? I saw you were in a very bloodthirsty state I have never seen before,"
asked Ayane worriedly while seeing Naruto staring off into space for a
"Those poisonous spores Zetsu shot at my face had some...hallucinogenic properties
in them as an aftereffect. No doubt to distort my mind in the event it didn't kill
me. I just need to sit down and...rest," said Naruto before he saw Haku approach
and hand him his mask, but also he saw the woman take off her own so he could see
just how worried she was.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then you should rest. It will take sometime before everything can be full prepared
by all the Shinobi villages to fight this army and I'm sure Uchiha Obito is in the
same situation with the Akatsuki. You can use that time to rest," suggested Haku
with Naruto nodding in agreement before rubbing his eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'The stress is getting to him. First dealing with Konoha, then the fighting here,
and these poisonous spores Zetsu launched at his face didn't help either,' thought
Tsunade worriedly knowing it would be best if she gave him a checkup soon just to
be safe.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Akatsuki-HQ)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Uchiha Obito frowned behind his mask. His plans were not coming together like he
first thought they would. Even the backup plans were not working out properly.
Kyuubi had failed to destroy Konoha. There was always a chance of that happening.
Minato-sensei saved the day, save Konoha, and turned his son into a Jinchuriki.
That was a given. There was always a possibility of it happening when he pulled the
Biju out of Kushina and her weakened state prevented the woman from taking it back
into her body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hence Naruto was chosen as a last resort to save Konoha. Ha! What fools! Just look
at what happened after it was done! The boy was hated. Abused. Shunned by all in
the hopes of being a mismanaged weapon of the village with the Biju's power inside
the boy's body being the sharp end of the pointy stick. All the while, the mind
would be considered too weak in order for those holding the leash knowing where to
strike when yanking their invisible leash, and bringing Naruto to heel under their
Fools! The lot of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not only did Naruto mange to escape such a horrible life, via outside help from a
secret clan living on the other side of the world, but the blonde became a strong
Shinobi that everyone wanted him to be, yet with the brains to match the power.
Something Konoha didn't like, but still happened, and as a result Naruto got his
well deserved revenge on all of those idiots. Obito didn't care whether Naruto did
that or not, but rather he wished the blonde had just turned the village into a big
fat hole in the ground.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Can't win them all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But that still left Konoha as a whole. It still left Obito's plans to bring peace
to the world and Rin back into his life unfulfilled. While he had weakened each
ninja village to a certain point, it was not enough to truly dominate them all in
what he had hoped to turn into a one sided fight. But that wasn't possible given
how certain events turned against him. Not only was he short three Jinchuriki for
the statue, but almost all of his members were now dead, and Pein along with Konan
were both showing signs of weakening their position. Whatever Naruto said to Pein
prior to their retreat from the fighting must have been some
conversation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Obito would deal with those two soon enough.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
For now, he needed to use the vast amount of Biju chakra gathered from six Biju
already collected, and creating the army of White Zetsu Clones. He already had an
army, but it wasn't big enough to take on all five Shinobi villages, and their
combined strength. Once news reached each village of the Akatsuki losing a sizeable
chunk of the army made, plus most of its high ranking members, moral would rise,
and the ninja from those villages would seek to finish what was started in Iron
Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Meaning they would come here. And Itachi no doubt told them everything before he
died from his illness. Of course Obito knew Itachi was a spy. He only allowed it to
manipulate the spy into giving away information when needed and sure enough the rat
took the bait time after time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The plan was to use the organization to its fullest potential in gathering the
Biju, putting them in the statue, and using Itachi to send information to Jiraiya.
The information would go to the Sandaime or whoever succeeded the old man for the
hat. Once that was done, Obito would have his spies see the rippling of the
political waves Konoha was making regarding the information, and use it to plan
events accordingly to rally the other Shinobi villages to combat the organization.
The battle would be bloody, fierce, and just about every member except for Obito
himself would die. All the while, each village would fall by his hands, and Konoha
would regret hurting their Jinchuriki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only problem at the time was that Konoha no longer {\i
HAD} their Jinchuriki. He was lost. Lost! You would think Konoha would keep track
of the boy knowing what he held, but what do they do? They lose him! To foreign
ninja not from this side of the world!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
That was just sad.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Now because of this outside interference froml over a decade ago, Naruto had become
incredibly strong, skilled, and had managed to acquire quite a following among the
ninja ranks. The boy was definitely his Father's son when it came to inspiring
others to be something they never thought possible. It was clear Naruto had a
charismatic yet calm way of reaching others and still kept that same temper Kushina
was known for back when he knew the woman.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Zetsu had been on the receiving end of it just recently and Obito was certain
Hiruzen was also a victim of it too if any of the rumors pertaining to the man's
death were remotely true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Come son of the late Yondaime Hokage. Come son of my late beloved sensei. Let us
see which one of us will have the privilege of survival and see the aftermath of
this war. To see which one of us will lead this world into our chosen path to
peace. To my path to be with Rin once more!' thought Obito while removing his
spiral mask and crushing it into powder.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It was time to drop the charade of playing the fool once and for all. It was time
for the last remaining Uchiha alive to fulfill his destiny.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
And he would do it on the bodies of every single ninja that planned to stand in his
(A/N: YAY! I updated and with a super long chapter. Sorry it took so long. I just
couldn't stop writing or finding a place to stop. So here is my gift to you to read
well into Labor Day weekend. Hope you enjoyed it. Until next
{\b
Chapter 17-Vanquishing Evil\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Naruto felt himself awakening in his family home in Konoha. Quite a few days since
the events in Iron Country, the failure of the Akatsuki in pulling out a decisive
victory over the newly made Shinobi Alliance, and bringing the Shinobi Way down
upon itself to bring about their version of peace. Since that time, Naruto had been
treated by Tsunade for the poisonous spores that Zetsu had unleashed at his face,
and the hallucinogenic properties it entailed. When asked about what he saw by
Tsunade, the Uzumaki had just told her they were just old ghosts, and demons of the
past. Naruto had assured her that none of these things had no real power over his
mind because he would have lashed out at them before unleashing his rage at
After that, Tsunade told Naruto he needed to take some time off to let his mind
recover from what happened to him with Zetsu. Naruto didn't mind. He did want to
relax for a few days while the Hokage coordinated plans with the other Kages to
take down Obito and his slowly growing army of White Zetsu Clones. There was no
word from Pein or Konan, meaning the two were in this fight to the end, or quite
possibly...Obito took them both out with the Rinnegan now in the Uchiha's
Neither possibility looking good regardless of how you sliced
"You're thinking too hard. I could sense it in my sleep," murmured Ayane, as she
looked at him, and smirked at how he raised his eyebrow at
"Since when could you read my mind?" asked Naruto with amusement in his
"I wasn't reading your mind. I was reading your face. Or rather your eyes. You have
that intense look in your eyes when something serious is on your mind," explained
Ayane while Naruto sighed and let out a chuckle.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nothing gets by you does it Ayane?" asked Naruto with Ayane smiling at
"I wouldn't be much of a ninja if it did, right?" countered Ayane with Naruto
"True," replied Naruto while Ayane moved closer.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So what is the problem?" asked Ayane while Naruto's smile left him and became
serious again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Pein and Konan," answered Naruto with Ayane frowning.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"From the Akatsuki?" asked Ayane with Naruto nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The very same. I have a feeling that they are either dead or I was unable to
convince the two of them to abandon the Akatsuki's purpose," said Naruto sadly
while Ayane nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Their thoughts on the matter were ended when a knock at the bedroom made their
heads turn and see it open slightly to see Karin put her head through. She saw them
in bed and blushed since could only imagine what they did last night while feeling
a bit of envy since she wanted a piece of Naruto. Sadly, she had to play the
waiting game a little while longer since Ayane was the one who knew Naruto the
longest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hey uh just so you guys know, the Haku girl representing the Mizukage is here, and
so is that crazy Anko chick. The two look like they are ready to fight each other
so you may want to get them to stop before they get violent," said Karin while
Naruto groaned and so did Ayane.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We will be right down Karin. Thank you," replied Naruto while Karin nodded before
her eyes lingered on his body a bit before retracting her head and shutting the
"So many women. First Haku, then that Anko lady, followed by Inuzuka Hana, Guren,
Fu, your cousin Karin, and the Hyuuga girl you rescued from some bullies well over
a decade ago. Hinata was it? And that is what has happened {\i
so far} since we both came to the Elemental Countries. Oh how will you or rather
{\i
I }handle so many competitive women trying to lay claim to such a wonderful man?"
remarked Ayane while she heard Naruto groan again since he was no doubt feeling
this was karma for teasing Ryu about his own women
problems.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"{\i
We} will handle this together Ayane. I wouldn't be much of a Clan Head if I just
let my future wife do all the work, would I?" asked Naruto with Ayane smiling since
the news of her being his future wife wasn't new to her in the
He had asked her to marry him when they were alone in Iron Country and had some
time to themselves away from everyone else. Of course Ayane said yes, leaped into
his arms, kissed Naruto passionately, and was clearly overjoyed in being his wife.
Of course, the woman expressed her concerns regarding the {\i
other} women in Naruto's life, and the CRA he was under due to the Elemental
Countries International Shinobi Laws to help keep any near extinct clans from dying
out. Naruto however, made sure she knew that any such women in his life married him
for him, and not simply for the wealth or power his clan had on either side of his
family.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Good. I know the women falling for you now are doing it for all the right reasons,
but I still worry about other Shinobi villages like Kumo, or even Iwa since they
have...{\i
history} with your family that is far from positive," replied Ayane since she had
heard about what Kumo tried twice already with rare or exotic bloodlines and Iwa
would probably desire to see the Yondaime Hokage's son die without an Heir to his
name.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The price of freedom and happiness is eternal vigilance Ayane. We will just have
to be careful in protecting our home and stay strong," said Naruto while Ayane
nodded before she slowly got out of bed and headed for the
shower.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Care to join me?" asked Ayane with Naruto smirking and got off the bed
"Naturally," replied Naruto with the two entering the large bathroom and large
shower to clean themselves off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
After getting slightly dirtier of course.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(With Anko and Haku)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Look here little Miss Prim and Proper, Naruto-kun is going with me on a date
today. I called it before he left Konoha to escort Hokage-sama to the Kage Summit.
So you will just have to wait your turn just like every other girl! Got it?!" said
Anko while poking the slightly shorter woman in the shoulder as Karin, Suigetsu,
Jugo, and Guren watching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Should we do something?" asked Jugo while seeing Haku smiling that ever innocent
smile that seemed like she was completely calm despite Anko's
actions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Are you shitting me? I've seen that look before on a few women back in Kiri. The
new Mizukage is one of them. That's the kind of woman you don't fuck with!"
whispered Suigetsu while seeing Haku have that smile on her face while slowly
reaching up and grabbing the finger Anko was using to poke her
Before squeezing and twisting it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" exclaimed Anko like a child while Haku kept that smile on her
"Oh I got it Anko-san. But you will find that I have wait for {\i
MY }time with Naruto-kun for quite some time now. If anything, {\i
you} will have to wait for your date like the other girls waiting in line. Do you
understand Anko-san?" countered Haku in a sweet tone while Anko was hopping on one
foot due to her being off balance with her finger being twisted along with her
"I'm getting the distinct impression this is going to be happening...{\i
a lot}!" stated Naruto while Haku smiled at him before throwing Anko over her
shoulder like it was the most natural thing to do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You see my point? Don't get between a woman like {\i
that} and what she wants," whispered Suigetsu to Jugo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry, did you say something Suigetsu-san?" asked Haku in a sweet tone that
would make Terumi Mei proud.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? Me?! No. No! NO! I uh...I was just leaving! Yes, leaving to uh...to uh
do...stuff! Yeah! Do some stuff. Bye!" exclaimed Suigetsu before running out of the
room while the others sweat dropped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What a strange man. He reminds me of Ao when speaking to the Mizukage about
certain mattes. I wonder why?" remarked Haku offhandedly while the sweat drops on
everyone else grew bigger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you want to go on a date with Naruto-kun," said Ayane while Haku turned to look
at Ayane and held back the powerful urge to shove several senbon needles into the
violet haired ninja's neck.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. I know it may seem strange to ask such a thing given how long its been since
we saw each other in a rare peaceful moment in time, but the boy I met all those
years ago stole a piece of my heart, and has made my heart grow fonder. It grew
fonder despite the fact you said to me that the odds of you returning to the
Elemental Countries was slim to none. When you returned, my heart fluttered with
happiness because you were back, and I wanted to pursue a possible relationship. I
know you are in a relationship with Ayane-san here, but I was hoping you could open
your heart to me as well," replied Haku while approaching Naruto and saw his eyes
were a kind blue shade now when in contrast to the hard blue ones she had seen when
in combat.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When he had moved to strike down Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will admit, I have thought about you during the three years I was away Haku. I
would often remember your smile, the kind gentle aura you gave off, and your belief
in fighting for those previous to you. From what I have seen since our first
encounter three years ago, you have not only grown stronger, but are smarter, and
become more beautiful in your own way that makes you unique," replied Naruto with
Haku now finding herself blushing heavily at his words.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Damn he's a smooth talker. The girl looks about 5 seconds away from jumping him
and kissing his face off,' thought Anko while she watched everything play
"So to answer the question that has no doubt plagued your heart for quite some
time...yes, I would be honored to go out on a date with you," answered Naruto with
Haku looking like ready to explode with joy.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Called it! Pay up," whispered Karin to Guren, who grumbled about Uzumakis being
lucky, and how them gambling should be made illegal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She clearly never met Tsunade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Since its a bit early for our date, we can have it later this afternoon. I have
business at the Hokage Tower at the T&I Department that cannot be avoided," added
Naruto with Haku nodding in understanding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes! I can escort you there since that place is where I work!" exclaimed Anko from
her sitting position with a grin that told everyone there just how happy she truly
was for this opportune moment to be with the blonde
'I wonder if I can kill her and make it look like an accident?' thought Haku while
trying to think up various ways to kill Anko yet make sure it wasn't traced back to
"Don't worry Haku. Anko has to be a professional kunoichi while going with Naruto-
kun to the Hokage Tower. Which means she has to wait for her date after your own,"
said Ayane, as she saw Anko deflate at this news while Haku seemed to have calmed
down on a mental level...if only slightly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
She would still be finding ways to kill the older woman and wait for an excuse to
use one of them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hokage Tower-T&I Department)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Hatake Kakashi was bound with chakra draining shackles, his chakra temporarily
sealed, and his headband covering his Sharingan Eye was removed. However, the
headband was replaced by a metal plate locked in place, and had seals on it for
good measure to ensure the eye didn't work in case Kakashi tried anything. He was
dressed in the clothing of a ninja prisoner and the only thing he got to keep that
was officially his was the mask he usually wore.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I have nothing left to say to any of you. Your wasting my time," whispered Kakashi
with his head down in front of the Hokage, Ibiki, Anko, Inoichi, and Naruto
currently in the room with Neko along with her ANBU unit.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're not here to talk Kakashi. Just to listen," said Tsunade before glancing at
Naruto and gave him a nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Uchiha Obito is alive," stated Naruto, which made Kakashi's look up at him in
shock, and disbelief.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What? That's impossible! I saw Obito die with my own eyes. So did Rin. It was in
our report when we told Minato-sensei when the mission was over!" replied Kakashi
while he saw Naruto shake his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"A member of the Akatsuki verified it. Obito is the masked man who attacked my
Father that night and caused a certain Biju to go on a rampage," countered Naruto
with Kakashi looking like he had been stabbed in the gut by one of Kyuubi's claws
while Inoichi did a projection of the memory the Hokage had of the confession made
by Zetsu.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How? Why didn't he come back to Konoha? Why betray Minato-sensei like that?" asked
Kakashi, but it was more to himself, and it was clear to the others in the room
this news was overwhelming his mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"We don't know. But we want to find out and I'm betting you do to, right Kakashi?"
said Naruto with Kakashi since he did want to know why Obito had done
"As things stand Kakashi, I should lock you away in our prison in a place so deep,
even Uchiha Madara, or Obito won't be able to set you free. However, it is because
Obito is a threat to us, and the world as a whole with his plans that we need
everyone capable of fighting this threat on the front lines. Meaning you will be
given a chance to redeem yourself and the fact you tried to kill Minato's only
child. Given what Inoichi learned, it is clear you were on the fence before knowing
he was your sensei's son, and {\i
MY} former sensei gave you the needed push to hate Naruto for what he held," said
Tsunade with the man nodding since it had been the case when talking to the former
Sandaime Hokage in the hospital when the old man was alive.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"I need to be out there. I need to find Obito. To get him to explain himself. I
need to know what happened to cause him to betray everything we believed in," said
Kakashi with Tsunade looking him right in the eye before she nodded to Ibiki to
remove his shackles.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Know this Kakashi, you get this one chance at redemption. You betray me or Naruto
in anyway, and you will be {\i
wishing} it was you who got their body crushed by that boulder all those years
ago," replied Tsunade with Kakashi nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Since you are the only other person left with a Sharingan outside of Obito, we
need to know just what your eye can do. Chances are whatever yours can do, Obito
can do as well, and more if he has had time to practice honing his skills," said
Naruto with the man nodding since he had no problem with
As good as he was with the Sharingan, Kakashi knew Obito will have no doubt learned
how to use his own in a way that made the silver haired ninja's skills seem like
that of a novice by comparison.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I won't betray you Hokage-sama. Not when the chance to set things right is within
my grasp," said Kakashi with Tsunade narrowing her eyes at him before she glanced
over at Naruto, who nodded in agreement, and would trust the
For now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Go to your home and get dressed. We will be coordinating with the other Kages soon
and I need to find a way to add you to the plan to take Obito down," ordered
Tsunade with the Jounin nodding once the seals were disabled and the Jounin was
gone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Can we trust him?" asked Anko while Inoichi and Naruto
frowned.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe. Kakashi's mind was troubled with what we just told him. It was too jumbled
to read properly," said Inoichi while Naruto was deep in thought before turning his
attention to them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It doesn't matter if we can trust him or not. What matters is he is part of the
plan in a way that he can't turn on us when confronting Uchiha Obito," replied
Naruto with the others in the room agreeing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And if he tries just for the Hell of it? Or if his mind snaps and Obito convinces
him to join the Akatsuki's cause?" asked Anko since she was only saying the one
thing everyone was thinking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Then the man will be killed...by me," answered Naruto darkly before leaving the
room and leaving the other ninja in the room to think over what he just told
(Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The next few days flew by rather quickly for most of Konoha, the news of the entire
ninja populace ranked Chuunin, Jounin, or higher gearing up for a major conflict.
All Chuunin level ninja were told to prepare a defensive position within Konoha and
using the Genin to help defend the village while the more veteran ninja were going
on the offensive in the soon to be conflict. Also, since Konoha was in need of an
active Hokage to run things in the village until her return, Tsunade appointed
Asuma as temporary Hokage, much to the surprise of many ninja due to the fact the
man's Father had been revealed to be less then honorable. However, Tsunade was
willing to give Asuma a chance to redeem his family name, and give Konohamaru a new
Sarutobi to look up to.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Naruto, he went on a date with Haku, who spent the entire day she had with
him, and got to know each other better. They talked and talked and talked some more
the whole time when walking around Konoha or eating at a nearby restaurant. Haku
would talk when she wasn't listening to everything Naruto told her about the world
beyond the Elemental Countries. As strong as their side of the world was, the other
sections of the world were far more advanced in many ways. The use of chakra was
the only real edge the Elemental Countries as a whole had in terms of repelling any
kind of possible outside interference to their known way of life. Haku was actually
enthralled by what Naruto had done when fighting in the Underworld where according
to him was a place where Fiends and even certain ninja have been sent for
their...less honorable actions.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Haku, she told him about the war in Kiri to overthrow Yagura, and later
finding out the man was in fact a puppet used by what they now realized was Uchiha
Obito. When Naruto asked how they discovered Yagura was a pawn in a grander scheme
made by the Uchiha to weaken Kiri internally, Haku explained how they found a
journal left by Yagura. How the Genjutsu created by the Sharingan that Obito used
appeared to weaken every so often, and it gave Yagura just enough time to write
things down. It had been a tad strange for the Rebels of Kiri to come to terms with
what was discovered since they had always assumed Yagura was a twisted heartless
monster, but was in fact made like that by an even bigger
Naruto could understand that. It wasn't easy to hate someone and then find out the
hatred you felt was misplaced due to other outside forces. For a time, Naruto did
hate his parents for a short time for sealing the fox inside of his body, and even
the Biju himself despite the rampage being influenced by the Sharingan. But over
time, Naruto made peace with them since his parents died saving him, and Kurama
being used multiple times by others when not sealed away inside a human
vessel.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Such hatred for them and what they did was pointless to hold onto in his
After their date, Haku wanted to have another one soon. Sometime before they had to
go on what could be the final mission of their lives. Naruto agreed and made plans
for that. Of course, no sooner had they done that did the other girls in his life
starting fighting, and quite literally too over who got the next date. Naruto
sighed at their antics, as he didn't want things to blow too far out of proportion,
and decided to take matters into his own hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And chose to take Hinata out on a date, to the shock of the others. When they asked
why, Naruto told them that out of all the girls currently fighting over him like
dogs fighting for meat on a bone, Hinata had basically decided to not participate
in their struggle. It made all the women in his life seeking a romantic
relationship with him to suddenly deflate in shame at how fan girl like they had
become.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They promised not to be that way when in front of him and that they would try to
get along with each other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Hinata, she was excited to have her date with Naruto, and the woman got to
know more about the blonde Uzumaki while on their date. The entire time they were
near each other, the Hyuuga woman couldn't stop blushing, and tried hard not to
stutter around him. Naruto thought it was cute and told her to calm down at one
point since he didn't want the woman to trip over herself in anything she said to
him. Of course, the entire time they were on said date, Neji was watching them from
the roof with hawk like eyes, and being a protective cousin making sure nothing bad
happened to Hinata.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not that Neji actually believed Naruto would do anything to Hinata, but Hiashi had
gone into "overprotective Father" mode regardless of this, and commanded the young
ninja to observe from a distance. So far, Hinata was enjoying Naruto's company, and
Naruto was enjoying hers despite his presence making the young kunoichi into a
stuttering mess at times. It was clear Hinata was becoming smitten by Naruto an was
trying to make a good impression upon him despite the shyness she was
showing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
All in all, Neji could tell from his observations that the two were happy about
being on this date with the other, and wanted to do it again. His report to Hiashi
made Neji see the older man was contemplating this idea since everyone now knew of
Naruto's heritage and such a marriage would make the Hyuuga Clan's influence
stronger because of it. Not that Hiashi planned to use such a union for such
purposes, but he would be blind to not see just what was implied by such an outcome
that the Hyuuga Elders were no doubt thinking about, and drooling over in the
Whether or not Naruto stayed in Konoha once this ordeal with the Akatsuki ended was
still in the air, as the village had not been kind to the blonde Uzumaki in the
past. Hiashi knew all too well from his own experiences that the past has a way of
biting people in the ass when they least expect it and knows no rank or clan
status. It happened to the Uchiha Clan, it happened to the Sandaime, the civilians,
the Shinobi, and everyone else here in the Leaf who had screwed Naruto
'Minato, you once told me never to make assumptions about people at first glance.
To try keeping an open mind, but also prepare for possible repercussions. To see
things from a narrow point of view was to risk going blind regardless of our
bloodline. It is because of you I was able to marry my wife and have two lovely
daughters in the process,' thought Hiashi, as he just hoped Konoha's actions, and
his inactions in protecting Naruto when he was a child didn't hurt his daughter's
own chance at happiness.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Hokage Tower-Four Days Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How is she?" asked Naruto while seeing the slumped female figure currently lying
on the ground, covered in blood, and gripping a jar filled with preservation liquid
that was keeping a pair of eyes from decaying.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Alive, but just barely. Whoever hurt her was holding back to get his hands on what
is in her hands," answered Tsunade while she and Shizune were using their skills to
heal the woman to the point where death wouldn't have a chance at claiming
The woman in question?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Konan of the Akatsuki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"He...killed...Nagato," whispered Konan despite the pain she was in from three
broken ribs, dislocated shoulder, and a bruise covering half of her
"For the Rinnegan Eyes," said Naruto since he recognized the eyes easily in the jar
she was clutching.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes," whispered Konan, as she recalled the conversation Nagato had with Obito, and
how the two fought while she escaped.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Or what Obito thought was an escape.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Flashback)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you are abandoning the Akatsuki. Just like that? After everything I have done
for you and the organization? After everything we have done together?" asked Obito
after the two founders of the organization called him out on his identity even
after revealing his scarred face to them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Akatsuki is no longer what it once was Obito. It has become a perversity of
its former self. We can no longer support its reasons or purpose for existing,"
said Konan with Obito glancing at her before focusing on
Pein.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you are in agreement with this?" asked Obito before he saw the other Paths to
Pein surrounding him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I do. Naruto made a lot of sense to me. I have nearly betrayed myself because of
you. I was walking a path of your choosing. To fulfill your desires. Your
ambitions. You never intended to bring everlasting peace. Whatever your plans are,
they do not involve the end of war," replied Pein with Obito smirking at him in a
mocking looking way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your right. I never intended to bring about your so called 'peace' and ending war
with the statue. The plan I mentioned in using the statue as a Super Weapon to
bring every single person in line to stop fighting in pointless wars was a lie. My
plan does involve ending wars and bringing about peace, but on {\i
MY }terms, and in {\i
MY }world which I feel I must admit to you that neither of your souls has any room
in it," said Obito before giving the two an explanation into what his {\i
real} plan for the statue holding all but three Biju once it was
filled.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You're insane. Robbing people of their freewill in a world wide Genjutsu and being
what you want them to be all for one dead person as you remember them is an
abomination," said Konan while Obito scoffed.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"As if your way was any better. Oppressing them through fear and force is hardly an
end to war and brining about true peace. Granted, I put that idea in your heads,
but you still went along with it. Besides, I know if you were in my position, you
would use such a plan to bring your previous Yahiko back to life," countered Obito
before he was violently sent flying by Pein's Shinra Tensei into a
"No. We wouldn't," said Pein while Obito got off the ground, wiping the blood off
the side of his mouth, and kept smirking at them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And you know this...how?" asked Obito since he knew these two very well during his
time interacting with them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Because we know Yahiko. We know what {\i
HE} would want and what we stood for when forming the Akatsuki. He gave his life so
we could live to bring about a better tomorrow. A better tomorrow does not
involving turning the world into an illusion where nothing is real and everyone is
robbed of their own individual identities," said Pein while Obito just snarled at
"So you wish to honor your dead comrade. Fine! You have your own way of honoring
the dead and I have mine. The only difference is mine will be forever while you two
won't even exist and neither will your precious Yahiko!" exclaimed Obito while Pein
narrowed his eyes at him before glancing at Konan, who looked at him, and a silent
communication went on between them before the woman vanished in a swirl of
paper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"One way or another, you will not succeed in your plans," replied Pein with Obito
now scoffing at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I already have succeeded. For the most part. All I need are your eyes. Or at least
{\i
one} of your eyes to bring about the next stage of the plan. As for Konan, she
won't make it out of Ame alive. Though I will be sure to give her a proper goodbye
for you Pein. It is the very least I could do for her after so many years of loyal
service to the Akatsuki," replied Obito with Pein narrowing his eyes at
"My {\i
name} Obito is Uzumaki Nagato! A proud member of the Uzumaki Clan!" countered
Nagato while Obito snarled at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So the Uzumaki in you has finally made itself known. How {\i
nice} of it to do so," mocked Obito with his Sharingan Eye
active.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"My only regret is I didn't bring it out sooner," countered Nagato while Paths got
ready for a fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You cannot win Nagato. For all your supposed strength and mastery over the
Rinnegan, you are {\i
nothing} compared to me," said Obito while Nagato actually surprised him by just
smirking through Yahiko's body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And for all of your subtle manipulations, plans, and schemes you clearly
underestimate the mind of an Uzumaki," said Nagato in a knowing tone while Obito
frowned in thought before his eyes widened and used Kamui to go to the real
Nagato.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Nagato gave you the eyes? But...wouldn't that cut off his connection to the other
Paths he uses?" asked Shizune with Konan nodding weakly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. But by the time Obito got to me, I had just finished removing the Rinnegan
from Nagato, and fled with them. If not for the emergency barrier we designed to
protect him should all the other Paths fail, the Uchiha would have gotten to me,
and I would be dead right now. He caught up to me later as I fled and nearly got me
if not for the swarm of paper bombs I was able to unleash at the last moment. He
didn't expect me to use it so close to myself and I managed to catch him in a rare
moment of surprise at the cost of my current condition," explained Konan while she
handed the jar to Naruto, who took it, and examined the eyes in front of
The Rinnegan. The eyes of the Sage of Sixth Paths. Said eyes that were used by
Nagato. Uchiha Madara's eyes in the body of an Uzumaki no
less.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How long will it take for her injuries to heal?" asked Naruto with Tsunade looking
at him in surprise though only for a second.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You intend for her to fight beside us in this conflict," concluded Tsunade with
"If its possible for her to fight then yes. We do need every single ninja available
to us to fight Obito. Who better to help in this conflict then one of the former
members of the Akatsuki?" replied Naruto with Tsunade not looking so
sure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But she could be a spy," countered Shizune while Naruto shook his head
"There was no lying in Konan when she told us this story of her escape. She was
able to get us the Rinnegan, which Obito needs right now. He needs these eyes to be
implanted in him to bring back Uchiha Madara. Since we know the Edo Tensei is out
of his reach, these eyes are the key to the man's return. The only question now
is...do we destroy these eyes? Or do we possibly preserve them for future study and
understanding?" said Naruto while Konan looked sad since she knew those eyes had
been apart of Nagato for so long and the idea of destroying them would ultimately
destroy what was left of the Uzumaki she had known since
childhood.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Destroy them," said Tsunade while Konan winced at how she sounded when it came to
those eyes.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Tsunade-sama?" asked Shizune in surprise since the Rinnegan was a Dojutsu of
legend and was rumored to be the eyes of the Sage himself.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She's right Shizune. While I'm sure Tsunade would like nothing more then to study
these exceedingly rare and mythical eyes...such things are far too great to be left
in the hands of those who don't understand a fraction of its power. Uchiha Madara
first had these before implanting them into Nagato. Uchiha Obito wants them to
bring about further darkness to the world in order get what he wants. Whoever
wields the Rinnegan will wield the power of the Sage of Six Paths. So far, three
people have wielded this Dojutsu, and sadly two of them have done too much damage
to this world," said Naruto with Konan nodding since she knew Madara was one and
Nagato under the alias Pein was the other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Give them to me," Tsunade ordered and took the jar into her hands before crushing
the eyes and the jar in her hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know you feel sad in losing these eyes Konan. Given who they once belonged to
when you were in the Akatsuki. But its better then having Obito somehow infiltrate
Konoha and somehow take them from us. The Rinnegan was not meant for mortals," said
Naruto, as he saw Konan nod slowly while shedding tears over the last piece of
Nagato, and knew it was for the best.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I will help you in anyway possible. Whatever it is you ask of me," said Konan
knowing her help would increase the Shinobi Alliances chances of victory of going
"Welcome aboard," replied Naruto, as he extended his hand to Konan, and she took it
before standing with a little help from Shizune to ensure she didn't fall
"You have much to answer for Konan-san. When this war is over, make no mistake that
I will see to it that you answer for everything," warned Tsunade with Konan
"I know and I will pay what I owe. Until then, I need to recover in order to help
you, and the Shinobi Alliance win against this Uchiha," replied Konan while Naruto
easily made a Shadow Clone to escort the woman to his home, which would be a safe
place for her to recover, and maybe have Karin use her own powers to accelerate the
healing process.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Keep an eye on her Naruto. I won't have our plan to take down the Akatsuki
jeopardized due to a sleeper agent or spy for Obito," said Tsunade with Naruto
nodding since there was always a distinct possibility of such a thing
happening.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know. Don't worry," said Naruto before he left to handle other
things.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Like some training for the upcoming fight with Uchiha
Obito.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Weeks Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The village of Ame was once a proud village. While considered minor by the rest of
the Elemental Countries, it had been ruled by the ninja warlord Hanzo the
Salamander. Only to be replace by his successor (via use of force) known to all
only as Pein. Ame was able to thrive under both Hanzo and Pein with many assuming
they would one day become a major Shinobi village in a few years if given enough
And they probably would have too...if not for one simple
problem.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Uchiha Obito had decided to wipe out Ame with his White Zetsu Clone army and blow
up the entire village afterwards. It was not his village so he had no need for it
to be even standing and given how the populace loved Pein along with Konan to a
fanatical, they would no doubt side with the latter once they learned of the
former's death by his hands.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Obito couldn't have that. Not in the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even now, his army marched under his command, the statue of Juubi being the only
thing from Ame still intact, and the waiting to be summoned once he had all three
remaining Jinchuriki brought down. It would take a long time for him to extract
each Biju from each body using just himself to start the transfer, but once his
enemies were dead, or almost all of them dead...he would have all the time in the
And then? And then Rin would be returned to him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As his massive White Zetsu Clone army marched toward his intended destination that
was the Shinobi Alliance's gathered army, Obito knew he had to take down the heavy
hitters first. Break the Shinobi Alliance's moral by crushing their Kages and all
those roughly on par with them so the weaker ninja would run away in absolute fear.
Not that he would let them get too far, as his army would cut them down like grass,
and build a mountain from their corpses with him at the top. He would use the Moon
Eye Plan to make the world his own since reviving Madara was now out of the
question to make it work by using the chakra of the Biju to stimulate his Sharingan
Eyes into the Rinnegan. Once done, Obito would begin his version of the Moon Eye
Plan, and rule the world with Rin by his side as he knew
And nothing on this Earth was going to stop him from making his dream a
reality.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Summoning Jutsu!" exclaimed Naruto, as he summoned Gamabunta into battle from a
nearby cliff, and the massive toad leaped from his position to land hard to flatten
a good portion of the White Zetsu Clones there.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'What?! How is Minato's brat here? The Shinobi Alliance wasn't suppose to be this
close!' thought Obito before he found his army being attacked from all sides by
ninja and their animal summons.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Charka Shockwave Slash!" exclaimed Mifune, as he was cutting down White Zetsu
Clones at every turn, and his fellow samurai doing the
"\u332?kamaitachi!' exclaimed Temari, as she unleashed a massive Wind Jutsu with
her fan that was cutting through every single target in her
path.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Doton: Dory\u363?s\u333?!" exclaimed Kurotsuchi, as she launched spikes of solid
stone at her targets, and saw them killing multiple Zetsu Clones with each
spike.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'How annoying,' thought Obito, as he saw the Shinobi Alliance was unleashing quite
a few heavy hitters into his army, and it was clear someone had provided the group
with the needed Intel to prepare for this ambush.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And there was only {\i
one }person left outside of himself who could.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Paper Chakram!" exclaimed Konan, as she launched the circular weapon made of paper
at Obito, who used his power over Space Time Manipulation, and let it go right
through him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You disappoint me Konan. I expected better from you. At least know when you die,
the other pitiful souls Yahiko, and Nagato you love so much will be there waiting
for you...in HELL!" exclaimed Obito angrily before unsheathing his or rather what
had been Uchiha Madara's own sword and charged at the
Only to see her turn into a Paper Clone when he slashed her in half along the
waist.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Paper Ocean Technique!" exclaimed Konan from behind Obito, who turned around to
see a massive wave of paper to his left and right side of him, and scowled at her
for using such a move that he could easily get away from using his
'Stupid woman. Even with all that paper, I can easily get out of it in an instant,'
thought Obito before narrowed his eyes at the paper, only to go wide in horror at
seeing what was on the paper.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Explosive tags. Approximately six billion explosive tags to be
precise.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Not only {\i
that}, but the move Konan used denied Obito, and his Zetsu army caught in there
with him no foothold to escape the seemingly endless chasm underneath him. It was
at this point in time, Obito realized this move was designed to last long after a
few seconds, but rather several minutes, and to the Uchiha it meant the woman was
trying to counter his five minute intangibility.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And she had him dead to rights.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn! That is one powerful move!" stated Anko, as she was on top of a giant snake,
and saw the damage the woman was doing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yosh! Konan-san has the Flames of Youth burning brightly in her! I will do my best
to match it!" exclaimed Gai while Lee looked just as fired up and they probably
would have hugged.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
If not for the enemy in front of them and Tenten yelling at them to not hug while
in the middle of a large scale battle. Honestly, those two Konoha Shinobi needed to
prioritize their hugging moments, and give people warnings.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
As for Ayane, she was slicing through her enemy with ease using the two Fuma
Kodachis in her hands, and those she didn't slice apart had their neck's broken via
a sharp kick to the head. Several White Zetsu Clones were destroyed via kunai with
an explosive tags on them. Beside her, Fu was mowing down the White Zetsu Clones
with a frenzy few could match, and she was coated in the chakra of her seven-tailed
Nearby, A along with Bee were tearing up the army around them using their specialty
in tagged team coordination, and watching each other's backs. Their combined might
added to the teamwork enabled them to cause maximum damage to the enemy. Samui,
Karui, and Omoi were also working in the same manner in a triple team formation to
cut through the seemingly infinite number of White Zetsus around
The Mizukage Terumi Mei was melting her enemies with her bloodlines while Zabuza
was having the time of his life cutting up the Zetsu army into tiny pieces. The day
before, the two had a nice {\i
loooong talk} about their future once this was over, and by the time it was over
Mei had convinced (forced/threatened) Zabuza to marry her. She wanted to be
married, have a man at her side, a child if not children to call her own, and by
Kami's big fat tits Terumi Mei was going to make sure that
happened!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Haku and Hinata were currently working together in surprising fashion, as both
women were back to back in combat stances, and looking at the enemy that surrounded
them. The two looked at each other for a moment before nodding and sprang into
action in taking down one White Zetsu Clone after another. The two had come to an
understanding regarding Naruto, as they knew the blonde did not want any of his
possible future wives to fight over him like a piece of meat on a bone, and decided
to do what they needed to do in order to prove their worth to
And boy did it pay off. The only thing that they did in secret when this battle
started was make a secret bet between them on who would sleep with Naruto first
after this was over. They basically bet the other that the one with the most White
Zetsu Clones killed would have that special honor between
"You have lost Obito," said Konan after the five minutes was up and her technique
had ended with the Uchiha nowhere to be found.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Have I?" asked Obito behind a surprised Konan before she turned and saw his one of
his two Sharingan Eyes simply die out like the fire from a candle snuffed
"How did you survive my attack? I know your Space Time Manipulation using your eyes
last for five minutes and my technique lasted longer then that," said Konan before
she was grabbed by the throat and saw Obito was not amused.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"You forget, I have Senju blood in me that when mixed with my Uchiha bloodline
allows me to us moves forbidden even by the Uchiha Clan. The one I just used was
the Izanagi, which is a Genjutsu I used on myself to control my state of existence.
I will admit, if I had not used that move, your Paper Ocean Technique would have
worked, and I would be dead. It may have cost me one of my Sharingan Eyes, but it
was worth it to snap your pretty neck," remarked Obito before dodging a sword
strike made by Naruto, but used his intangibility when the Uzumaki followed up with
a kick aimed at his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
But in becoming intangible to avoid the hit, Konan was able to get free from his
grip, and Obito now suspected that was the plan when Naruto attacked
"I wonder what my Father would say if he saw you now?" remarked Naruto while Obito
frowned at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can ask him yourself in the afterlife...when I kill you!" exclaimed Obito
before he clashed his sword against Naruto's own two
swords.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Obito!" exclaimed Kakashi at the sight of his former comrade fighting his late
sensei's son.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh good! You're here too Kakashi. I'm so thrilled! I've been wanting to rip your
guts out for quite some time!" exclaimed Obito, who mentally cursed since he was
half blind due to his one eye being sacrificed to perform the
Izanagi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While he could easily become transparent again, it was not really something he
wanted to use unless necessary, and given how Konan knew of his time limit...he
couldn't afford to use the Izanagi again. The last thing Obito wanted to be right
now in this fight with the Shinobi Alliance was blind over being
dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why Obito? Why did you betray Konoha? Betray Minato-sensei? Betray Rin? Betray
me?" asked Kakashi while Obito pushed Naruto away and glared at
Kakashi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Betrayed? You want to talk about being betrayed? I was betrayed first! By you of
all people Kakashi!" said Obito while Kakashi looked
"But...how did I betray you? I would never betray you!" protested Kakashi before he
was forced to jump back or risk being cut in half.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"But you did! You betrayed me by breaking your promise!" countered Obito before he
had to block Naruto's swing and kicked Kakashi in the ribs.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"What?! What are you talking about? What promise?!" asked Kakashi while trying to
understand what the man was referring to.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm talking about the promise you made to me when I was about to die! I'm talking
about the promise you made to me about protecting Rin!" Obito shot back at Kakashi
with the silver haired masked man looking shocked.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean? I protected Rin long after we thought you died," countered
Kakashi with Obito repelling Naruto yet again and moved to kill his former
teammate.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Liar! You filthy liar! I saw you that day Kakashi. I saw you the day Rin died! I
SAW HOW YOU USED YOUR FAMOUS LIGHTNING JUTSU AND STABBED RIN-CHAN RIGHT THROUGH THE
HEART!" yelled Obito angrily while trying to kill the shocked Leaf Jounin with
Madara's giant fan shaped sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You saw that?!" whispered Kakashi, as he just barely dodged the attack, and saw
Obito was getting even more pissed off.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh I saw it Kakashi. I saw it and my Sharingan Eyes recorded it. Every second of
every moment leading up to her death by your hands was burned into my brain. YOU
BROKE YOUR PROMISE!" exclaimed Obito with Kakashi looking like someone had just run
him over with a train from Spring Country.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You don't understand. I had no choice. Kiri had turned Rin into a temporary
Jinchuriki of the three-tailed Biju and intended for the demon to be released upon
her return to the village so it could destroy us. I had no choice. I didn't want to
kill her!" protested Kakashi while Obito scoffed at his
excuse.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Such a lame excuse. Minato-sensei was one of the best Seal Masters Konoha has ever
had. Not to mention Jiraiya and Kushina were Seal Masters too. They could have done
something to strengthen her seal or made sure it didn't kill her once the Biju was
removed to someone else! You chose the easy way out Kakashi! You {\i
always} chose the easy way out when making choices! You never took the hard road
because you never had the drive or desire to take it! To take the risks! That is
why you will always be {\i
weak}!" exclaimed Obito with Kakashi wincing since that was partially true in him
taking the easy way out of situations.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what does that make you regarding Rin?" questioned Naruto using the Biju Sword
to knock Obito's sword away for a clean shot and then attempted to cut into him
using the Blade of the Archfiend.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
While the sword itself didn't hurt Obito when he went transparent, the energy
behind it did actually shock the man, and brought him out of the intangible state
he was in. As he staggered back, Obito was shocked to find his intangibility
wavering, and yet it still held despite flickers at times of him solidifying.
Eyeing the two swords in Naruto's hands, the Uchiha knew these weapons were
special, and thus had special properties capable of hurting even him despite the
power of his remaining Sharingan Eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean?" asked Obito with Naruto watching him
carefully.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I mean what does your actions pertaining to bringing back Rin? You are taking the
easy way out by wanting her back the way you knew her. Wouldn't it have been easier
to just figure out how to do the Edo Tensei from Orochimaru when he was still
alive? You had a Sharingan capable of manipulating others via eye contact. Why not
learn it from him and use it to bring Rin back from the dead? Why not just bring
her back in a way that does not involve so much pointless death?" challenged Naruto
with Obito frowning angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I didn't want to risk Orochimaru fighting me and tipping my hand early," answered
Obito before he swung his sword around and smacked Kakashi away from
"Now who is making excuses? Perhaps deep down, you {\i
knew} that she would hate you, or be disgusted by you for using such a Jutsu. Just
as you also knew the {\i
real} Rin would be disgusted by you if she saw what you have become now. That's why
you want to make the world under a Genjutsu where everything is to your liking.
Where the Rin you can make and control is there. Where the Rin you make isn't
judging you. Isn't fighting you. The Rin you make will be a puppet. Will be a girl
who nods her head, agrees with just about everything you say, and won't have
freewill in any sense in the world. A perfect {\i
puppet} if there ever was one. If Sasori of the Red Sands were still alive, he
would truly be envious of you if he learned of this," countered Naruto with Obito
looking enraged beyond measure.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Silence! Rin would be herself. Rin would be as I knew her to be when we were
growing up!" exclaimed Obito while resuming his fighting with Naruto using their
swords.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what if that Rin you make tried to tell you that living in a fantasy world is
not a world worth living in? That she didn't want to live in such a world? Wouldn't
the Rin as you knew her asked you such a thing?" challenged Naruto while the Uchiha
in front of him snarled angrily.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you know? If you were in my shoes, you would jump at the chance to bring
your loved ones back to life, and be with them!" Obito shot back while Naruto's
Sword of the Archfiend clashed with the Uchiha's fan like
"What makes you think I'm not? What makes you think I don't wish for my parents to
be alive? To see them, hold them, touch them, and hear their voice when talking to
me? Do you honestly believe you are the only one here fighting with a pain in their
heart that is greater than everyone else's? Tsunade misses her little brother and
her lover. Hyuuga Neji misses his Father. Sabaku no Gaara misses his Mother and
even the Uncle who tried to kill him years ago. What makes your suffering so
profound in a way that it would dwarf everyone else's and thus make your wish the
only one worth granting by the Gods high above?" challenged Naruto while Obito
looked enraged that his pain and loss were being compared to others who had also
lost those close to them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Shut up! You don't know anything!" replied Obito before swinging his sword and was
blocked by the Blade of the Archfiend while Naruto brought the Biju Sword down on
the man's face.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Obito moved away instinctively, as he didn't want to risk his intangibility being
useless against such an unknown yet still mystical sword. Which was actually the
smart move on his part, as the Biju Sword's ethereal energy surrounding the blade
actually allowed it to cut into him despite him phasing out of the physical realm,
and what was worse the blade cut through his face where his remaining Sharingan Eye
had been.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And made Uchiha Obito blind to the world around him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I figured that the Biju Sword could cut through your transparency when it nearly
killed Jiraiya when he reversed summoned himself. Such an act transfers your body
out of the physical realm in order to take you to your destination. Your
intangibility is the midpoint between entering one place and entering another, but
you have some form of control in where that location is, and how long you hold it.
Now you are without a Sharingan Eye and powerless to stop us from killing off your
army," stated Naruto while Obito swung his sword around
wildly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Damn you!" exclaimed Obito while swinging his weapon around and Naruto easily
dodged it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I never thought I would see Obito this way," said Kakashi while Obito seemed to
slow his movements while clutching the wound Naruto inflicted on
"I'm sure Obito never thought he would be unable to see either," said Naruto while
the Uchiha paused in his angry swinging all together and was now grinning
madly.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh but I can see Kyuubi brat. I see there is at least one Sharingan Eye available
to me to use. And ironically enough...that one Sharingan Eye rightfully
belongs...TO ME!" stated Obito before he focused his attention on Kakashi from
where he heard the man's voice and rushed forward while throwing his sword at
Naruto to prevent the blonde from trying to interfere.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What?!" questioned Kakashi, as he was caught off guard by Obito's actions, and
felt the Uchiha's hand on his face where the Sharingan Eye was
Before it was violently ripped out of his socket.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"With this eye, with {\i
MY }Sharingan Eye, and my power along with the Senju blood in my veins, I will do
only what only Uchiha Madara was able to do," said Obito while putting the eye in
the place of his recently lost one and could see again.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only this time, the eye was no longer the Sharingan that had been used by Kakashi
since he was a young ninja under the tutelage of the future Yondaime
Hokage.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Shit!' thought Naruto when he saw the man turn to face
"I now possess the Rinnegan! And with this power I will bring about the end of this
war and bring about my dream of peace with Rin returned to me!" exclaimed Obito
with the madness showing in his face in the now Rinnegan
Eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'Why am I not surprised. Kakashi has been using that eye since he had it, plus
Obito's own power, mixed with the Senju blood in him would trigger the Rinnegan to
awaken,' thought Naruto with a scowl on his face\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Time to die! You and your fellow Jinchuriki will have your Biju extracted and all
of the ninja here will die! 'Kuchiyose: Ged\u333? Maz\u333?!'" exclaimed Obito, as
he now had a means to bringing the Moon Eye Plan to fruition without Madara being
resurrected to aid him in it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Beneath their feet, the ground shook violently, and soon the Ged\u333? Maz\u333?
erupted from the ground stood towering over everyone now staring at it. Man Shinobi
looked at it in fear, the sensor based ninja remarked how they felt the chakra of
the various Biju within the statue, and were basically trapped within it. Even the
Biju within their respected vessels were warning them of what this statue was and
what they suspected it entailed should they be caught.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not the way I would have liked things to go, but it worked nonetheless. I must
thank you Obito for providing me with the means to remove this problem up close and
personally with my own two hands," whispered Naruto to the deranged and laughing
man, who had stopped laughing when he heard the thanks aimed in his
direction.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"What do you mean? I just summoned the very thing that will give me ultimate
victory in this war!" stated Obito with Naruto smirking at
"Did you now? Or perhaps you did the very thing I was hoping you would do when I
cut your face?" questioned Naruto with Obito looking shocked and curious as to what
he was talking about.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You wanted him to summon that thing? Why?!" demanded Kakashi while Naruto just
looked at him for a moment before focusing on the statue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why else? To cut open the statue and set all of the Biju in it free!" answered
Naruto to the shock of the two ninja near him before he rushed toward the
"NO! YOU WILL NOT CHEAT ME OF MY DESIRES! YOU WILL NOT CHEAT ME OF SEEING RIN
AGAIN!" yelled Obito angrily at the blonde Uzumaki, as he moved to grab his sword,
and rushed after Naruto with Kakashi trying to follow them
both.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The three ninja were now upon the massive statue. One was seeking to destroy the
large thing to set the six Biju within the structure free, the second to stop the
first in order for his own plans to become reality, and the third? The third was
following to see who would come out on top and if his own actions might shape the
outcome of the fight.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Uzumaki and the Uchiha were fighting it out heavily around the statue. Their
blades clashing violently, missing their intended targets by mere {\i
inches}, and clearly fighting for the future they so wanted to make for themselves.
The only question now was which future would prevail in this one on one fight
between Naruto and Obito. Both connected to the other by the Yondaime Hokage
himself. One was the man's student. The other was his son. Both skilled in the
ninja arts. Both determined to win. Both fighting for a purpose they believed in
with all their hearts.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The only real difference? One was fighting for a purpose greater then himself. The
other? Fighting for something that wasn't even real. Just an illusion that would be
"made real" in a sense through the power of his mind.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You will see Rin again. Of that I have no doubt. But what you fail to realize
Obito, is the moment in time Rin appears before you isn't because of a world wide
Genjutsu creating a false version of her. It is because you are dead and she is
waiting to kick your ass in the afterlife for your stupidity!" exclaimed Naruto, as
he batted Obito's sword away, and had quickly braced for the Shinra Tensei that the
Uchiha launched at him with an outstretched hand.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Flying back, Naruto dug one of his swords into the statue to decrease the distance,
never taking his eyes off of Obito, who moved to close the distance between them,
and bring the giant fan shaped sword down on the blonde Uzumaki. Naruto quickly
dodged to the left, disarmed Obito of the sword by taking the hand holding it off
at the wrist, and was met with the Uchiha's hand to his face while feeling the man
trying to rip out his soul.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You will not live past today. I will win! I will make the world in my own image
where I am its ruler! Its God! I will bring Rin back, I will even bring Minato-
sensei, and Kushina back with my Genjutsu. But what I will {\i
NOT} do, is bring {\i
YOU }back Uzumaki Naruto! I will make it so your life is snuffed out at childbirth.
That Kushina grieved with Minato-sensei and I was there to comfort them in their
time of grief! {\i
I }will become the son they always wanted. I will have them as parents, I will have
Rin as my wife, and I will not be stopped by some brat who is not worthy of calling
himself a Shinobi!" exclaimed Obito while trying to rip Naruto's soul out, but the
blonde let go of the Biju Sword, and grabbed the hand on his face at the wrist
before breaking it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm not worthy of calling myself a Shinobi? Ha! Says the man trying to recreate
the dead girl he loved via a Genjutsu and his memory of her. You are the disgrace.
You caused so much needless death all to bring about your ambition. You brought
about the Civil War in Kiri, you ripped Kurama out of my Mother, and set him on
Konoha. You made sure that my parents died knowing Konoha would treat me the way
they did and you expected my strength to be a shadow of what I have become outside
of their walls. You poisoned an organization when joining it in order to capture
each Jinchuriki for their Biju and kill them once the extraction was over. So much
needless death for your selfish reasons. Do you not find it foolish? Do you not see
that Rin would not want this? That you will only drive her away when you die and
face her in the afterlife?!" challenged Naruto while Obito snarled at him in
anger.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"When I cast the Genjutsu on the entire world, no one will die, and I will be at
the center of it all. I will be the new God of this world where there is peace,
prosperity, and all will love me for it. Including Rin! All I have to do is remove
a few {\i
unworthy} people when I cast the Genjutsu and no one will be the wiser," replied
Obito with Naruto shaking his head before kicking the Uchiha
"No one is Immortal and no one here can become a true God. Besides, removing people
you don't like isn't the act of a God. It is the act of a mere mortal man who is
afraid of other mortals with the ability and power to oppose what they feel is
wrong. To oppose a {\i
tyrant}! To oppose {\i
you}!" Naruto shot back before rushing the injured Uchiha with the Blade of the
Archfiend currently angled so the sword was cutting into the statue when running
toward Obito.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am the new God of this world and a God has no need for such {\i
blasphemy}!" exclaimed Obito, as he moved to create another Shinra Tensei, and send
Naruto back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to be hit surprisingly from behind by Kakashi with a Rakiri piercing his heart
while at the same time, Naruto had moved in for the kill, and ran his sword through
both ninja.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I'm sorry Obito, but I also knew Rin, and I know she wouldn't want you to do
this," said Kakashi, as he had known this would be tricky to do given his Sharingan
Eye was lost to him, but his target wasn't that small, and wasn't moving at the
moment he rushed the man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Why am I not surprised. Hatake Kakashi...the slayer of his teammates," grunted
Obito in anger while Kakashi winced at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I didn't want to kill Rin back then Obito. I hated myself for it every single day
following the event. I also know I've made some pretty damn huge mistakes in my
life surrounding my ninja career in ignoring sensei's son and hating him for what
he is despite everything. I blamed him for sensei's death. For Kushina-san's death.
I blamed him for the destruction of Konoha because he held the fox in him. But in
truth, the blame does not fall on Kyuubi or Naruto for what happened. The blame
falls on you Obito," explained Kakashi with the Uchiha in front of him coughing up
more blood while life slowly left the Uchiha.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps it is my fault Kakashi. But we both know you had a hand in it too. Madness
is like gravity. All it takes is a little {\i
push} to make one fall into it. {\i
You }gave me that push when Rin was killed by your hand Kakashi. Killed by you
using this very Jutsu no less. Ironic isn't it? We talked of friendship and being
comrades in arms back in the day, but when push comes to shove...it meant little to
nothing. Two of your teammates from the infamous Genin team 7 of Konoha killed by
its third and possibly most prodigal member of us all that is you Kakashi. You
could almost say Genin team 7 formations are cursed in a sense. First, the Sandaime
Hokage's Genin team, our own falling apart, and finally your own squad meeting its
end in a violent fashion. One student is dead, another is a mindless drone of a
tool formerly of Root unable to think for himself, and one not even half a man much
less a ninja anymore formerly from my own clan," said Obito while Kakashi was
unable to refute that since it was true.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Perhaps Genin team 7's legacy is a cursed one, but that doesn't mean we can't find
a way to stop it from being cursed. Sadly, I don't think either of us will live to
see that day," said Kakashi sadly since he believed the ending of such a cursed
legacy for team 7 would be long after his time in this world was
Considering how the two former teammates had been run through with a sword it
wasn't surprising in the slightest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I think you're right Kakashi. Maybe...just maybe...do you think will Rin forgive
us? For what we've done in the past? In the present? For all of the crimes that we
did to those we cared about?" asked Obito while feeling his body getting weaker and
wished he could use the Izanagi, but was unable to that since he would have to
revert the Rinnegan back to the Sharingan, which would have resulted in him losing
the eye anyway.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Obito was screwed no matter what he did.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Rin was always a very forgiving person. Especially to us. She tolerated our
actions when we were kids under Minato-sensei. I would like to think...I would like
to think that Rin would forgive us...at least for most of the things we've done. I
will understand if the rest is unforgivable in her eyes. There is only so much she
can forgive from the two of us," said Kakashi, as he too was feeling weak, and his
body's strength was leaving him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Agreed. See you on the other side Kakashi. I'll save a spot next to me when Rin
kicks our ass," whispered Obito before the Uchiha slumped forward dead onto
Naruto's sword.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I know Obito. And I have a feeling that Rin won't be the only one waiting for us
on the other side. We both have a lot to answer for from those we love," whispered
Kakashi, as his body fell back off of Naruto's sword, and fell to the base of the
As for Naruto himself, he saw the Rinnegan in Obito's eye socket slowly die out,
and the legendary Dojutsu along with the Uchiha Clan was now no more. The eyes once
used by the Sage of Six Paths, as well as one of three clans descended from him was
now extinct, and possessed no more offspring to continue the Sage's lineage on that
side of it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The Curse of Hatred spawned by the Uchiha Clan was
"Now to make this truly the end," remarked Naruto to himself before flicking
Obito's body off of his sword and walked over to the Biju Sword to take it out of
the statue.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Moving quickly around the statue, Naruto sliced through the giants hands of the
structure, followed by the arms, the head, and finally the very waist of the body
once he descended to the bottom. Piece by piece the statue fell, the six Biju
leaving the structure before they manifested themselves in all their glory before
the Shinobi Alliance, and the remaining White Zetsu army now looking lost without
Obito to lead them since the Uchiha had been connected to the army via his own
{\i
{\b
"I'm free. Finally! I was getting a cramp in there! Its bad enough I was sealed
inside so many cramped human minds and a tea kettle, but I draw the line at this
thing here! I think I've got back problems!"}} complained Shukaku, as he narrowed
his eyes at the sight of so many humans, and growled at
{\i
{\b
"Calm down Shukaku. Its because of them that we are now free from our imprisoned
state. Especially this one with the scent of the dragon on him,"}} said Son Goku,
as the giant red aped Biju looked down, and saw the form of Uzumaki Naruto
sheathing his swords before giving the massive Biju a bow of
respect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Even still, the question now is what happens to us? I would rather not be sealed
again and have my power used by humans for their future wars,"}} stated Kokuo with
the horse like Biju keeping an eye on the large number of humans putting down the
remains of the White Zetsu Clone Army.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I say we give them a chance this time around. If anything, this one here saved us
all and should be trusted to do what is right,"}} said Saiken while seeing Naruto
was not like the other humans they had always encountered.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I agree with Saiken. Let's see what this Uzumaki with dragon's blood in his veins
has to say about this,"}} said Matatabi while Naruto focused on what he could do
given this situation.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The most basic as well as most selfish reason easily came to his mind in sealing up
each Biju into something or someone. But that wasn't him. That was the way things
had been done years ago and look what happened? War after war being waged with the
Biju in front of him being sealed into Jinchuriki and said Jinchuriki becoming the
pointy tip of the sword in each one. At the same time, the Biju were entities of
power, and destruction respectfully given their level of power. While Naruto knew
the Biju wouldn't attack any single individual or village unless provoked, human
nature showed him such an event would most likely happen, and result in the Biju
provoked into a fight being sealed away into a Jinchuriki.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As things currently stood, the Biju needed a home they could all live in, and not
have to worry about being sealed away much less attacked by humans seeking their
power. But even if he did that, Kurama, and the other two Biju in their respective
Jinchurikis would be denied their desire to enter that home. Even if Naruto were
able to do it for Fu's and Bee's Biju, Kurama himself would be cut out of it unless
a way to open such a doorway was made upon his own death, but that risked such a
thing from falling into the wrong hands, and a human using such knowledge to invade
with the intention of sealing them or controlling them
In the end, no matter what Naruto did to change the outcome of the fate of the Biju
now standing before him, or sealed around him...there would always some kind of
threat to their existence. To them living.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I need time to figure out how to protect all of you from further harm or
manipulation. Until I can figure it out, the six of you should head for the ruins
of Whirlpool, and stay there until I arrive to do further research on the matter,"
said Naruto with the six Biju looking at each other to consider this
option.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"And what research do you plan on performing young one?"}} asked Matatabi curiously
since she felt they deserved to know what this young blonde ninja planned for
"To find a way to protect you from the life of being sealed away into Jinchuriki.
To find a way to give you a home without worry or fear of being used by others ever
again. To give you true freedom," replied Naruto with the Biju and the other
Shinobi around him now looking shocked by this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You can't do that! We need the Biju!" exclaimed the Tsuchikage angrily at
"Hardly. The world has enough weapons of war. You don't need the Biju to be sealed
into people to make things that kill people. The nine Biju have been used by
humanity for our personal gain long enough. The time has come to change
things...for the better," replied Naruto with the Biju smiling at him since they
sensed he was not some power hungry human wishing to control them or use them to
bring about "peace" to other humans areas of the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"If that were true, then you would free your Biju from its prison right now, and
die for your convictions!" exclaimed the Tsuchikage with Naruto glancing at him out
of the corner of his eye.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"True. Such an event will be fall me should I set Kurama free. And one day...I
will. {\i
After} the research on how to make sure {\i
all }of the Biju can live free without being used by us. If I were to do it now and
die...who would start? The answer is no one. No one would. The cycle of abusing the
Biju and the Jinchuriki they are sealed into would continue without end. That time
is over. That cycle in the Elemental Countries will now be broken," said Naruto
with the Tsuchikage looking livid, as did several Shinobi from different villages,
who had long since believed Jinchuriki were a necessary evil to balance the Shinobi
way among the five Shinobi villages.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to be told by this young {\i
punk }for a ninja that such a way was going to be taken out of the equation because
it was considered to be "wrong" in the eyes of one who was a
"I won't allow it! The Biju are the property of their villages. I claim the four
and five-tailed Biju in the name of Iwa. I will not have my village's power taken
away because of some naive brat who wishes to change the world by taking away what
is not his to take!" exclaimed the Tsuchikage while Naruto saw the Biju in front of
him narrow their eyes at the old man.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"The Biju here were never yours to have in the first place Tsuchikage-san. All nine
of the Biju have their own identities, names, and freewill given to them by the
Sage of Sixth Paths himself. The fact you would use them in such a manner for your
village's personal gain is an insult to the Sage and I will not allow anyone to use
any of them like weapons ever again," stated Naruto while seeing the Tsuchikage
looking livid at hearing this.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Kill him! We must stop the Yondaime's son before he has a chance to carry out this
blasphemy!" ordered the Tsuchikage to his forces, who moved to attack Naruto in the
belief his fight with Obito had weakened him, and was an easy
target.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Anyone who tries to harm this ninja must go through us!"}} declared Son Goku
before slamming his two massive fists into the ground and causing the entire area
to shake with enough force to throw almost everyone off
balance.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I'm with the Biju on this. Minato's boy has the right idea. It's high time for a
change around here!"}} added Gamabunta while brandishing his sword at the offending
ninja around him so they knew that Naruto and the six Biju were not
alone.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Hokage-sama you must control the boy! Command him to stand down!" exclaimed the
Tsuchikage in a panic while Tsunade looked at Naruto and saw the boy shake his head
"I'm sorry Tsuchikage-sama, but Naruto is not under my command. Remember? He is has
only been aiding the Shinobi Alliance in defeating Obito and his army. Now that
such an event is over, Naruto is strictly freelance of sorts once again, and can do
whatever he now wishes to do," said Tsunade while seeing Naruto
nod.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"And what I wish to do is set all the Biju free. As for Fu and Bee, I have no
intention of ripping out their Biju from them. At least not in a way that will kill
them. I would only do it if all parties involved wanted do things that way," said
Naruto in order to defuse the ever growing worry the Raikage feeling about losing
Bee if the Biju was extracted from his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not if we stop you first!" declared the Tsuchikage, who moved to strike out
against the blonde Uzumaki, but was stopped when Ayane attacked from behind, and
landed a harsh kick to the old man's back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Know your limitations {\i
old man}," taunted Ayane while the Tsuchikage rolled around and complained about
his back.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Grandfather!" exclaimed Kurotsuchi angrily before she moved to attack Ayane, but
was blocked by quite a few ninja in her path.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Namely Naruto's group.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just try it girly. I'll give you the hair cut and shave of a lifetime," remarked
Suigetsu, as he could Kusanagi, or Samehada against the
"You should go Naruto-sama. Head to Whirlpool where it is safe and you can work in
peace. We will come when we can," said Jugo knowing that what Naruto was doing was
for the true betterment of the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I understand. Thank you. Gamabunta, I'm going with the Biju to Whirlpool. When I
am at a safe enough distance, get everyone here I trust to safety, and away from
here," said Naruto with the Toad Boss nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"You got it Naruto. You can count on me!" }}said Gamabunta since he had been given
a short yet significant list of every person Naruto could trust days before this
battle had begun in the event this did happen.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let's go Fu! You too Bee! I need to study your seals for the future," commanded
Naruto with both of his fellow Jinchuriki nodding and leaping after
"Sorry Bro. I have to go. Don't worry though. Number nine-o has a good heart and
strong mind. I know we'll all be just fine!" rapped Bee while A looked on with some
worry.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
With that being said, Naruto, Bee, and Fu leaped onto the head of Son Goku, who
didn't mind this at all since he would need to be on one of the Biju when
traveling. The boy had been very respectful since meeting them. Which in a way was
surprising given how this one in particular was the Jinchuriki of Kurama and the
other Biju knew that their fellow Biju was always a bit...arrogant if not a bit
pompous due to the fact he had more tails and therefore declared himself the
strongest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Granted Kurama {\i
was }the strongest of the nine, but that was beside the point. The point was, the
fox was always a bit boastful, and thought it would rub off on his container in the
same manner.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to find a humble, yet strong vessel of Kurama, and one who didn't treat them
as a means to an end.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Fancy that.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How could you let him get away Hokage-sama?! He will upset the balance of power!"
exclaimed the angry Tsuchikage while Tsunade shook her head while Gamabunta took
the group with Naruto and put them on top of himself before taking
"The balance of power was upset long before Naruto was born. The Elemental Counties
has been plagued by three Shinobi Wars and this one against a delusional mad man.
Is it so wrong for him to take away the one thing that gives each Shinobi village
an edge in a war? None of the five Shinobi villages will have an advantage over the
other with the Biju gone. We would be relying more on our own Shinobi forces rather
then that of the Jinchuriki we would use as weapons. It was wrong to take control
of the Biju and it was wrong to make Jinchuriki in the process. The only way to
bring balance from this is to take away the Biju and the means to create
Jinchuriki," said Tsunade with the Tsuchikage looking pissed off by this stand she
was taking.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She's right. For too long, the Biju, and the Jinchuriki who hold them have been
abused for the benefit of others for too long. I and Suna will support Uzumaki
Naruto's actions in ensuring all of the Biju are free to be happy in their own
domain away from our desires for greater power we wield like a child's favorite
toy," said Gaara since he had first hand experience with how people treated
Jinchuriki and while the people within the walls of Suna had improved in terms of
their relationship with him...he didn't want it to possibly happen to
another.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"All Iwa Shinobi pull back and head for home. Now!" commanded Onoki, as he would
need to counter this situation in some manner before Naruto could get started on
his work in removing two if not {\i
ALL} the Biju from his grasp.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Whirlpool-Sometime Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"So what is the plan gaki? Because I'm NOT going back to being sealed into a human
or another tea kettle,"}} said Shukaku while giving Naruto a small
"Don't worry Shukaku-san. I have no intention of sealing you or your kin into
people or inanimate objects. What I wish to do...is open a dimensional portal of
sorts, which will be your home to mold as you see fit, and allow you to live there
in peace," replied Naruto with the Biju looking surprised by
{\i
{\b
"You mean a dimension like where summoning animals reside. A place we can call our
own and reside in without human interaction unless we choose it,"}} stated Matatabi
with Naruto nodding at the giant two tailed Biju's assumption of what his plan was
for them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"But that means a human could enter our realm since it would have to follow the
same rules as the summoning animals. What if one finds a way to our realm and tries
to seal us away or use our power? Granted the Uchiha Clan is no more and the Senju
Clan are nearly extinct, but some of us can be sealed into objects, and into people
without any real requirements. Who is to say a Seal Master won't rise up to enslave
one if not all of us again? Despite what is being offered to us, the gaki here
won't live forever,"}} said Isobu, as he didn't want to be sealed into a human, and
have his life made miserable in another host like his had been with
Yagura.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"If the dimension we reside in follows the same rules as the one summoning animals
use, we can have it where only humans we approve of can enter, and they follow the
rules we have in place. Remember, humans who find summoning animals are bound to
various rules to ensure few humans can enter the summoning realm, and take it over.
We can have it where humans who enter our domain have a limited amount of time in
our domain until told otherwise and only IF we allow it of our own freewill,"}}
said Son Goku since he had some knowledge about the summoning dimension and felt
similar rules should apply to their own.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Number eight-o says he likes the idea too. Though he says there should be some
kind of detection system in place so no one unwanted there appears to say 'boo!'"
rapped Bee with Matatabi smacking himself with his paw.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"I'm starting to see why my vessel hates his rapping so much,"}} said Matatabi with
Bee face planting himself on the ground.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No respect," mumbled Bee with Naruto shaking his head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Do you like the idea Fu? I can look at your seal to find a way for you to let
Chomei out and keep the risk of you dying to a minimum," asked Naruto with Fu
"Yes. Chomei likes the idea too. Though she doesn't want to part with me right now
since we've been through so much together," said Fu with Naruto nodding since he
knew that both Fu and Bee were among the rare few in the history of all Jinchuriki
to bond naturally with their Biju.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Parting would be such sweet sorrow for them.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I understand Fu. All the same, I will need to study the seal on you and Bee in
order to have something on standby in the event I am unable to perform the
necessary means of extracting them without killing either of you," said Naruto
before he looked saddened for a second and looked down in
realization.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"What is wrong gaki? You look like someone just killed your cat?"}} asked Son Goku
with Matatabi glaring at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"Hey!"}} exclaimed Matatabi with Son Goku looking sheepish.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
"Kurama just told me that due to the nature of the seal binding us together and
what my Father did...there is no way to set him free. When I die...he will die with
me," whispered Naruto sadly with everyone looking at him in
shock.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
{\i
{\b
"WHAT?!"}} yelled all the Biju at once.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yeah. My Father split Kurama in half and sealed one part away with his soul into
the Shinigami's stomach. Kurama needs his other half in order to properly reform
again in nine years following his 'death' or whatever you call it once outside of
my body. But without it...he is as good as gone," whispered Naruto sadly while in
his mind he stared at the fox and could see the sorrow in Kurama's
{\i
{\b
"Oh shit! I always hated Kurama for being a jerk to us over the fact he had more
tails then the rest of us, but...I would never want that to happen to him,"}} said
Shukaku while realizing that he was lucky no one tried that with
Maybe being sealed in a tea kettle wasn't so bad after all.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
{\i
{\b
"Is there anyway to fix this? Surely there is a way to reverse it?"}} asked
Matatabi, as he had never provoked Kurama, or hated him despite it probably being
well deserved at one point in their long lives.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Maybe. I don't know yet. I need to study the seal further and anything possibly
related to the Shinigami. But for now, all I can tell you is until I know for
certain there is a way to give Kurama his other half, the dimensional home I help
you find will only be for eight of you. Not nine," answered Naruto while looking
and walking away with a heavy blow to his heart since Kurama had been with him
since the beginning while helping along the way.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
To deny the fox his freedom and right to live in that dimension free of being
sealed or controlled by others was unfair! But deep in Naruto's heart and mind, he
knew there was a way to find a means to bringing Kurama's other half back to
{\i
{\b
"Matatabi does have a point. If there is a way to split me in half, there is a way
to make me whole again,"}} said Kurama while Naruto nodded while staring at the
Uzumaki Clan building that was at the center of the island where his Uzumaki Clan
resided.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
'I believe you are right Kurama. And I swear to you now on my very blood not only
as an Uzumaki, but as a Dragon Ninja with the blood of the Dragon Gods themselves
in my veins...you {\i
WILL} be made whole again!' thought Naruto with Kurama nodding and was proud to
have a vessel like him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
They had work to do.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Epilogue-Years Later)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Whirlpool Country was thriving. It took countless years, struggle, and hard work to
the point of collapse...but it was thriving. Naruto had turned the ruins of
Whirlpool into the next great Shinobi village of the Elemental Countries. It had
not been easy given how Iwa was causing problems for him, as well as some of the
minor villages, and their "Kages". The minor villages felt it was unfair that
Whirlpool was rising to the level equal to that of the other five major Shinobi
villages and accused Naruto of using the Biju he had there.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}
{
Which couldn't have been more further from the truth.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The {\i
truth} was that after several long years of studying all the information in front
of him regarding dimensional homes for summoning animals, Naruto was finally able
to create one such place for the Biju. All nine of the Biju were able to create it
for them to live in and not have to worry about humans entering it with the purpose
of sealing them up into objects or people to create Jinchuriki. The key to the
success of this project came from the Toads, as they had provided Naruto with all
the knowledge pertaining to the subject, and the rules surrounding the summoning
realm in order for the Biju to have their own rules.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Another good thing that came from doing such intense research was a means to find a
way to extract Chomei and Gyuki from Fu and Bee without killing them. Unlike
Naruto's seal, theirs was not tied to the Shinigami so creating a special seal that
slowly leaked the Biju out of their hosts within a span of at least a week until
the Biju were out of the seal all together to manifest into their own forms. Naruto
believed that the reason Jinchuriki died when having it extracted in the past was
due to the sudden rush when they were ripped out, overloading the chakra pathways,
the internal organs of the vessel, and thus killed the Jinchuriki. Since the
Akatsuki wanted things done quickly, as well as not caring for the host of the
Biju, they never developed a way to remove the Biju safely, or at the very least
did it slowly to see if the Jinchuriki would at least survive the
Not surprising since the Akatsuki wasn't exactly known for their
compassion.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Speaking of the Akatsuki, its last former member Konan had taken up residents
within Whirlpool when the fighting with Obito was over. She managed to escape
capture from basically every major Shinobi village and made her way to Naruto to
make amend for her past actions by serving under him. The Biju around him didn't
like that idea since Konan {\i
had }been a member of the Akatsuki and helped in sealing them into the statue along
with killing their hosts in the process. {\i
However}, Naruto pointed out that if it was not for Konan defecting from the
Akatsuki, things could have gone worse, as she had helped the Shinobi Alliance by
getting the Rinnegan Eyes out of Obito's grasp, and preventing the return of Uchiha
Madara.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
It seemed to pacify them. For the most part.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And true to her word, Konan served Naruto loyally since coming to Whirlpool. She
even prevented several assassination attempts made on Naruto's life by Iwa and a
few of the minor Shinobi villages. Naruto acknowledge her contributions by putting
Konan as his personal bodyguard and sometimes Advisor on matters in running a
village since she had the experience with Ame.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Naruto's own problem, it seemed at one point that Kurama would not be able
to join his kin in the new dimensional realm due to the Shinigami's Seal on the
boy's body. Something that had put the fox in a funk for a time and angry too at
the injustice of it all for something that was not his fault in the first place.
Sure he had no love for Konoha, but you wouldn't either if one of its former
Shinobi enslaved you with their Dojutsu, only to be sealed away twice, then ripped
out, enslaved again, and then sealed into a third vessel with the said vessel being
abused in order to be used in some grand scheme to become a submissive
And yet, Naruto told Kurama not to give up hope. To trust in him to find a way.
That if there was a way to do what the Yondaime did, there was a way to reverse it.
While the fox was skeptical after the years went by without success, Kurama had to
give his vessel credit for trying, and knew his vessel wasn't dragging his
Fortunately, the answer came to Naruto thanks to Tsunade, who had told him about an
old Uzumaki Shrine near Konoha, and suggested it might hold the key to his answers.
So naturally, Naruto went there to investigate, and indeed found what he was
looking for in the way to set Kurama's other half free. From the information
Tsunade was able to gather from her Senju Clan home about the shrine left by
Uzumaki Mito, the shrine held a mask said to connect you to the Shinigami, and
could make the wearer summon and even take control of the deity to free someone
bound to Shinigami's Seal.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Seeing this as a way to free Kurama's other half from the Shinigami and make the
fox whole again, Naruto used the mask in question to bring forth the means to help
his Biju. At the same time, Naruto made a side note about how Konoha left the
Uzumaki Shrine to fall almost to pieces from neglect.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And sure enough...the plan worked. No sooner did Naruto use the mask to free
Kurama's other half from the belly of the Shinigami did the mass of chakra enter
his body. The two halves of Kurama merged, causing a massive influx of chakra that
brought Naruto to his knees. In fact, it damn well near killed him if not for his
Uzumaki endurance, and a little help from Tsunade along with Karin there to be
safe. He had to spend the next few days recovering in secret within Konoha, which
made him heavily on guard since there were still a few people in Konoha who still
hated his guts, and wouldn't be opposed to ripping them
Fortunately, nothing like that happened to Naruto, and was able to return safely
back to Whirlpool with the good news to the others about his success. The only
tricky part now was altering the seal enough to do what he had done with Fu and
Bee, who each got a special contract with their Biju in order to visit them in
their new dimensional home as well as be summoned there too. Of course, Chomei as
well as Gyuki had stated to both that while this contract would allow them to be
summoned by their former vessels, it was only to be done in dire emergencies, and
for something extremely important. Both Fu and Bee accepted this condition without
question since the last thing they wanted to do was summon the Biju for every
little thing.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
When Bee returned to Kumo, which he told Naruto was his duty, and to convince A
that he was not being manipulated, the Raikage was somewhat happy with the news.
Granted, A would have preferred Bee had the power to summon Gyuki to fight for him
whenever he wanted, but the man wasn't about to throw too much of a fuss over the
matter. He had his little brother back alive, healthy, and while the loss of eight-
tailed Biju didn't stop Bee from rapping...it still mattered to him that his little
brother was back in Kumo.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
And it wasn't like Bee was weak without his Biju anyway so while it was somewhat of
a loss, it wasn't a total loss unto itself. Plus, because of Bee they now had
somewhat of an ally with the newly revived Uzumaki Clan, and A had learned long ago
to not challenge someone like Naruto.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Naruto himself, the man had kept Kurama from his new home long enough, and
the man was able to get the fox out of him before sending the Biju home. An act,
which had drained Naruto considerably since the Biju in him was more...connected to
his chakra coils then Fu, even Bee for that matter. No doubt a precaution done by
his Father in the event someone tried to do something stupid in extracting Kurama
to place into another vessel.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Even still, it had left him bedridden for roughly two weeks, and in those two weeks
the seemingly unthinkable had happened.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Someone had come to kill him. Someone...from {\i
Konoha}!\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Who?\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(Flashback-1 Week after successful removal)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"So you've come to kill me. Why am I not surprised?" commented Naruto, as it was in
the middle of the day, and everyone was out doing
something.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I've come to end it. To end you Naruto. What you did to my clan...what you did to
my Father...what you did as a whole to Konoha took years to fix. Is still going to
take years to fix," said the assassin walking up to the bed ridden
Shinobi.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Your Father deserved his death. You know that. Don't try deluding yourself in
believing otherwise Sarutobi Asuma," said Naruto with the man frowning at him while
revealing his headband had a scratch through it.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Meaning he was a Missing Nin now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I had to become a Missing Nin for this. To prevent my clan from being shamed
further. From Konoha being shamed further. So Konohamaru can have a clean slate
when he tries to one day become Hokage and redeem the family name. Even after
everything, {\i
you} are the one who inspires him to become great. Not me. Not my Father. {\i
You}! Do you know how angry it makes me to know that someone outside of the clan
has a greater influence over my nephew and his dreams to become a great ninja? It's
insulting! Not only that, but you have the majority of Konoha on your side now.
Everyone who wronged you is either dead by your hands or has been shamed for years
to come! The only thing left I can do to counter your influence...is to end your
life," said Asuma with Naruto looking at him calmly without
"Then get on with it," replied Naruto while Asuma got closer to
"Don't think for one moment I don't know what you're thinking. That even with your
own death by my hands, the Kyuubi is out Konoha's reach. That he and the other Biju
are out of our reach. They won't be once we have the necessary information you've
written down in your library. I will bring it to Konoha to redeem myself in the
eyes of the village and if they won't accept me...maybe Iwa will," said Asuma while
Naruto narrowed his eyes at him.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Only an Uzumaki can hold Kurama and even then it requires a Seal Master to perform
the work. One Iwa does not have. One that Konoha will never have outside of myself
or those of my family. You will not get such a high caliber Seal Master for a long
time if not ever," countered Naruto with Asuma smirking at
"Not unless we simply split the fox into multiple pieces and put each section into
a child to create a small army of Jinchuriki," Asuma shot back while Naruto
narrowed his eyes further.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That information is known to but a small handful of people. None of them would
have told you that. Meaning...you have been planning this ever since Tsunade made
you the temporary Sixth Hokage when we went to fight Obito," concluded Naruto while
Asuma nodded.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"She was foolish to trust me with such a position. I gained access to the
Yondaime's notes and his plan for the Kyuubi if it got too out of control without
an Uzumaki around to stop it," said Asuma with a hint of pride in his
"And judging by how you mentioned Iwa, the Tsuchikage has been told this
information as well in the hopes of tempting him with the idea of bringing you into
the fold once your personal vendetta against me is complete. You provide the
written information for him as proof, he let's you stay, form your own Sarutobi
Clan in Iwa, and be made the village's hero in the process," surmised Naruto with
Asuma frowning since that was exactly how it was suppose to happen and didn't like
how the Uzumaki figured it all out.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I am going to enjoy ripping all of your guts out brat," whispered Asuma while his
trench knives were in his hands now.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Just make sure your first strike doesn't miss Asuma. Otherwise...you won't get a
second chance," said Naruto, as he saw Asuma gritting his teeth, and quickly moved
to strike the blonde Uzumaki center in the chest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
Only to find that Naruto had turned into hundreds of papers and a pair of Fuma
Kodachis now piercing through his chest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You really didn't think it would be that easy to get here without us knowing...did
you?" asked Ayane while twisting the blades of her weapons and saw Konan manifest
herself using her papers.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You played me," gasped Asuma with Konan shaking her head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"You simply underestimate our spy network. We've known of your plan since the
secret communiqu\u233? was sent to the Tsuchikage about what you learned about how
Naruto's Father split the Kyuubi in half. When you arrived on our shores, both
Hinata and Karin learned of your presence almost immediately, and took Naruto
somewhere safe until we give the all clear," replied Konan while Asuma felt the
life leaving his body.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Not only that, but Suigetsu just came back from his mission to assassinate the
Sandaime Tsuchikage for agreeing to help you gain asylum in Iwa. From what he
reported to us, the old man was a bit disappointed since the Tsuchikage was
apparently not as sharp as he was years ago. Still, I think his successor in the
form of his Granddaughter will get the message to not follow in his footsteps.
Don't you agree?" added Ayane while Asuma muttered something neither kunoichi could
understand before slumping over dead.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Let's dispose of the body and report back to Naruto. He will want to hear the news
of Asuma's death," said Konan with Ayane nodding.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That and he needs to inform Tsunade of this after we deliver our report," added
Ayane before sheathing her weapons of choice.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"How are the twins? Are Genshin and Hayate keeping you up at night?" asked Konan
with Ayane shrugging since her time with Naruto had resulted in getting pregnant
with two healthy baby boys.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
One named after the former leader of the Black Spider Clan and the other after the
Head of the Mugen Tenshin Clan. Yet both had shown signs of becoming strong ninjas
and were already doing training under the watchful eyes of their parents helping
their kids grow and develop so no one would be the wiser.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"No more then your two boys Yahiko and Nagato," countered Ayane since Konan had
developed feelings for Naruto in the recent years.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The two had married and just like Ayane had give been blessed with two boys. Though
unlike with Ayane the boys were not twins with Yahiko being the eldest and Nagato
being the youngest.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"I still can't believe Hinata gave birth to triplets. It must be something in her
genetics or something else," remarked Ayane while Konan put Asuma's body in the
scroll so they could dispose of the corpse somewhere else.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"It must be the 'something else' because Haku also gave birth to triplets.
Remember? The woman had that competitive look in her eyes when Hinata was in the
room. I swear to Kami, ever since the two met, and learned of their shared feelings
for Naruto, they have been trying to one up the other," replied Konan knowing those
two had an...interesting competitive streak like no other.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Oh yeah. Poor Naruto-kun. So many children around and he's bedridden for another
week before he can move around without problems. Anko and Hana's children are just
as wild as you would expect from them given how those two act when it comes to
Naruto-kun. He's lucky Shadow Clones can do paperwork or he would never be able to
handle so many children in his ever growing family," remarked Ayane since she knew
her husband had been trying to balance all of his work, missions, and family with
the only option available being Shadow Clones to pick up the
slack.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Is it true Tsunade tried to strangle him in her office when Naruto told her that
he would tell the woman the secret to defeating paperwork if she promised to never
ever gamble or drink sake ever again?" asked Konan with Ayane nodding and giggling
at the same time.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"Yes. Tsunade failed though when Naruto dispelled to reveal himself to be a Shadow
Clone too," answered Ayane while Konan shook her head.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
"That's our husband," remarked Konan with Ayane nodding in
He was truly something else.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
The news of Sarutobi Asuma's death in Whirlpool had been a somewhat of a black eye
for Konoha, but Naruto had told Tsunade that he did not hold it against her. The
man had been assigned a mission outside of Konoha around the time of his
incapacitation and used the opportunity to become a Missing Nin. The fact Konan and
Ayane backed this up had made things easier on Tsunade though it had been an
emotional blow to Konohamaru due to the young ninja trying to become great without
the stain of shame caused by the now previous two generations of the Sarutobi Clan.
Naruto had sent the boy a letter saying he still had faith in Konohamaru become a
great ninja of the Sarutobi Clan and one day be the next Hokage to succeed
Tsunade.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for Sasuke, the young former Uchiha had lived a life of solitude, liquidating
what he could of the Uchiha District, selling it to the village for a nice hefty
sum, and left Konoha to live a life of traveling through the Elemental Countries.
He wasn't a threat to anyone or had any real value to any of the Shinobi villages
so no one would come after him. As far as anyone knew, the boy now young man was
spending his time living Spring Country with the permission of the Spring Daimyo,
and currently taking up writing a variety of different books while living a
peaceful life without any real concern in the world.\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
As for the Shinobi villages, while the Biju maybe gone, there would always be some
kind of tension between them, and war would one day break out again. But for now,
there was peace, for now everyone was happy, and as long as there was a single
person from the Uzumaki Clan with the blood of the Dragon Gods in their
veins...there would always be someone capable of fighting the evils of the
-Fin\par\pard\plain\hyphpar}{
(A/N: YAY! An update and an end to a good fic. I hope you all enjoyed this one.
Sorry this ending took me so long to finish. I have been busy with so much crap you
wouldn't believe me if I told you. Anyway, now that this is done I will be focusing
on my other works. Also, some of you have been sending me challenges that I might
be interested in, and while I'm thankful you guys think of me when offering such
challenges...I cannot do them at this time or in the near future. I am backed up
with so much stuff with my fics and in real life. I can only do so much. Sorry you
guys. Until next time...PEACE!)\par\pard\plain\hyphpar} {\page } }

VFSNAKE - Naruto Ninja Gaiden Rise of The Yami Kitsune Jigumo

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VFSNAKE - Naruto Ninja Gaiden Rise of The Yami Kitsune Jigumo

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