AN: After much prompting from my buddy, ZeroDivisonRaigin, I am finally writing my own story. I wanted to completely avoid messing with characters who aren't mine how ever so this is heavily OC. Thanks for checking this story out guys.
Chapter 1: The Future…?
(The Konoha Shinobi Academy)
"Alright students today you will be taking the Shinobi Assessment and Placement Exam. This exam will determine what your future training here in Konoha." The prompter said. His blue eyes pierced the room. He had short spiky black hair and wore the standard Jounin outfit. "You have three hours to complete the written exam. These two here will make sure none of you cheat. Ready!" Sweat beaded down the face of all the students. Their pencils hung in the air all accept for one that is. "Begin!" Pencils scribbled furiously as the prompter left the room.
(Several moments later in the Hokage's office)
"Tsano would you just relax I seem to recall you being that nervous when you took the Placement Exams too." An old man in his early sixties laughed at the test prompter. Tsano just grunted and returned to watching the crystal ball that observed the test. Tsano turned the view to a black haired amber eyed boy who was writing away calm as could be. Shiro Nara was the best and brightest the class had to offer, but he was lazy like his grandfather Shikamaru.
Only thirteen years old and yet he has mastered a Chuunin level fire jutsu. He has a very calm demeanor and when he battles his whole self comes alive. Still there are others as well who will pass this exam easily. Yusuke Namikaze, Nanako Sarutobi, and Namie Inuzuka will all pass the written exam no problem. "Kakashi-sama, are you sure making the bells test part of the exam was necessary?"
"Do you still doubt your Sensei, Tsano Uchiha?" The Hokage chuckled warmly. The Hokage's hat sat tilted, covering his left eye. Instead of the traditional Hokage's robes, he opted to wear something like what Minato had worn when he was Hokage: a black short-sleeved Haori with bright blue sparks on the trim and the Kanji for Rokudaime Hokage (Sixth Fire Shadow) and an old-style Konoha Jounin uniform underneath. Tsano merely nodded to his sensei. The test would be over soon. He would soon be handing over the yellow headbands to his students. Soon his students would be adults and out of his hands. Tsano sighed heavily staring at his yellow headband. The color had changed the day his class graduated. Kakashi had just become the Rokudaime Hokage after Tsunade had retired and had chosen to change the headbands as a sign of respect to the Yondaime Hokage and his son, the Hero of Konoha. It was snowing that day a rare occurrence, and it was snowing again today. The world was about to change again.
(The classroom, that afternoon)
"The good news is some of you passed." Tsano's voice was cold and calculated. Unusual in every sense of the word, Shiro noted. "Listen up while, I call the squads." What a drag. A three man team will only slow me down. Shiro chuckled to himself. "Team Six Shiro Nara, Yusuke Namikaze, and Namie Inuzuka!" Shiro turned to look at his fellow squad mates. He and Yusuke were rather close and had played Shogi together since they were young. Namie on the other hand was rather reserved and quiet, but the same couldn't be said for her pup, Kiba, which was named after the late Inuzuka. "Next Team Eight Nanako Sarutobi, Kyon Senju, and Kazuke Aburame" Shiro looked again at the names called. Kazuke sat quietly in the corner barely moving. Kyon was the grandson of Toshiro, who was an illegitimate son of Jiraiya, the great Toad Sage, by an unknown mother. Tsunade took Kyon in as her own, when his father died. Kyon would have kept his grandfather's name, but he used a wood style jutsu one day and it ended up leveling a ramen stand, to which everyone swore they heard the ghost of Naruto cry. Nanako was Shire's childhood rival and constantly pushed Shiro to be better. Shiro shrugged at the odd teams this year. Ever since the Placement Exams were put into effect, the teams were never the same clans over and over. Shiro looked to the wall where three headbands; one orange, one blue, and one red hung. These headbands belonged to the members of Team Seven. Although no longer a Genin team, Team Seven was the goal of every Genin in Konoha. Every few years the Five Great Shinobi Nations held the Chuunin Exams. If any of the Konoha teams come back with all three members passing in a single year they were given the honorary title of Team Seven. That was Shiro's goal, but for now that meant helping Yusuke and Namie become better shinobi. "As you leave today take your headband if your name was called and the paper with your name. It'll contain the meeting spot of your team with your captain." Tsano's voice shook slightly. "Good luck my students." Shiro was one of the last to leave the room like always. He took up his paper and headband and left for home.
(The Nara Clan Complex the next morning.)
Shiro woke an hour early. He put on his new Genin outfit. A sleeveless black flak jacket with multiple pockets for kunai and shuriken. He wore a utility belt that had been made specifically to enhance the Nara clan's Shadow Possession Jutsu. Shiro pulled on his black pants that where made of a tampered mesh meant to provide protection as well as flexibility. Shiro donned his black hooded coat, and tied his headband to his right arm the plate facing out. Shiro was about to leave when his grandfather called to him. "Shiro come here I have a gift for you." Shikamaru spoke softly, producing a small box. Shiro's eyes widened as he opened the box revealing a set of chakra blades and a silver zippo with the Konoha emblem embezzled on it. Shiro hugged his grandfather, a rare occurrence, and ran out the complex shouting a quick thanks as he ran out.
(Hospital roof top)
"Where is he?" Yusuke asked pacing back and forth impatiently. Yusuke was wearing the standard Genin flak jacket that looked like Shiro's. It had the Namikaze crest on the back and had tons of pockets for scrolls. Yusuke had bright spiky yellow hair and bright blue eyes. His headband was tied firmly around his head.
"Would you just relax Yus?" Namie said causing Yusuke to stop pacing and look at her. Namie wore a long sleeved variation of the standard flak jacket, with a fur-lined hood. Hers was colored in camouflage paint. Namie had long black hair, and scarlet eyes. Kiba popped out of her jacket and let out a small yip. Kiba was still a young pup. He had black fur and red eyes that matched Namie's. Namie's headband was tied around her thigh.
"I won't calm down Namie." Yusuke yelled. "He's late! Everyone else left almost an hour ago." Yusuke was furiously pacing at this point until a deep, scratchy voice caused him to jump up.
"Yusuke Namikaze you got some nerve calling me out for being late." The voice chuckled. Shiro opened his eyes to the sight of a man probably in his mid-twenties. He had short, uneven brown hair and wore a pair of shades to hide his eye.
"It's about time you showed up!" Yusuke retorted.
The man waved him off and turned to the other two shinobi. "I am Fai Hitonomi. I will be your squad captain." He paused and right as Yusuke opened his mouth finished his sentence. "If you pass the test." All three of the students shot looks of confusion and dismay at the captain. "Yes a simple test really, but for now let's talk about you three. Names, Chakra Nature, and your dreams. We'll start with you on the left." He said a single finger pointing at Shiro.
Shiro pushed himself off the water tower he had been leaning against. "I'm Shiro Nara. I'm a fire style shinobi, and my dream is to become Jounin Commander, like my grandfather!" Shiro said with fire in his voice.
"Hmm, an admirable goal I suppose. And fire style? You are an odd shinobi." Fai laughed sending a small chill down the students' spins.
Yusuke just stood there still annoyed with his Sensei. "I'm Yusuke Namikaze. I use the Lightning style, and my dream is to restore the Namikaze name!
Their Sensei shook his head. "I always get the loud mouths."
Kiba yipped before Namie ever got a word out. "I'm Namie Inuzuka." She said quietly. "I use the Earth style, and my dream is to become the greatest tracking shinobi like my Grandpa Kiba!" Namie smiled.
"Well this is most definitely the most varied group I've gotten yet." Their Sensei said his voice hinting at confusion. "Well that'll do it for today. Head home and rest up ok. Tomorrows the big test." He said. "Oh and no eating breakfast ok. It's part of the rules" with that their Sensei left as quickly as he appeared. Shiro looked at the other two lost by what had just happened. The three left without another word.
(Nara Clan forest that night)
"You're sure this place?" asked a voice that belonged to a girl.
"Yes. You think I'd forget where my own partner was buried!" Another deep voice said back it dripping with anger and contempt. The girl began to dig in the designated spot. As she got to a foot down a noise began to erupt from the ground. The second man's hand flashed a set of signs. "Sound Suppression Jutsu." A small silver barrier formed around the small site keeping the sound in. Another fought down and the words became audible.
"Oh? More of you Nara's come to investigate the 'Disembodied Voice'? FUCK OFF!"
"How did you work with this man?" Asked the girl.
"Well… I couldn't kill him and he couldn't kill me…" The second voice said, effectively saying 'Dig him up'.
The girl shrugged and started digging, albeit slowly. A string of muffled curses later, and the man finally broke through the rubble, revealing the person they were looking for,
"So, the Nara's have actually grown some balls and have actually tried to dig me up?! Put me back together and I'll show you the glory of Jashin-sama!" Yelled the head of Hidan.
"Good to see you too, Hidan…" Spoke the man.
"Wha…?" A few minutes of silent contemplation later… "KAKUZU! GET ME THE FUCK OUTTA HERE, YOU MOTHERFUCKING ASSHOLE COCKSUCKER! I WANNA PAY THAT FAG NARA KID BACK FOR PULLING THIS SHIT ON ME! AND WHY THE FUCK ARE YOU IN THAT BLASPHEMOUS BODY?! THE NARA KID'S DAD?! WHAT THE FUCK?!"
"Hidan, I swear… I will sew your mouth shut and rebury you… now, shut up and stay still."
A few black tendrils escaped Kakuzu's cloak and slithered down to the literally broken Hidan and began their work on reconstructing the fallen Akatsuki warrior. Five long minutes it took for Kakuzu to finish piecing together his old partner. Once done, Hidan made his way out of the crater and reveled in the feeling of being reattached to his body.
"By Jashin-sama… it's gonna be good to use that Nara dickhead as a pincushion."
"Which brings me to this… I brought you your scythe."
After taking his old weapon and giving it a few practice swings, Hidan spoke. "Don't expect me to kiss you or anything, you nasty motherfucker." It was this point when Hidan noticed the girl by Kakuzu's side. A blank stare was sent her way.
"What the fuck are you staring at, shithead?" the girl asked.
"I'd ask you the same goddamn question, bitch." Hidan yelled.
"Shut the fuck up." She screamed.
"Blow me." Hidan demanded.
"Nothing to blow." She retorted
"Go fuck yourself." Hidan flared back.
The insults flew back and forth for several moments. Help me please Kami they are going to get along. Kakuzu thought to himself. "Mikko shut up!" The woman bowed. "Now take Hidan and return to base."
"And where are you gonna be you cock sucking whore?" Hidan screamed to his old partner.
"I've got an old friend to visit." Kakuzu let out an evil laugh. Hidan worried about Kakuzu. His partner had changed. He gave off an air of evil that Hidan hadn't felt since he had met Tobi in person. Hidan followed Mikko out of the forest.
"Where the hell is this base anyway?" Hidan asked once they were outside the village.
Mikko stopped and looked him dead in the eye and said, "The one place nobody would ever look. The one place these pathetic fools will never look." She winked at Hidan and continued down the path. Hidan's eyes widened as he realized where they would be going.
(Inside the Nara Complex)
A man moved silently through the complex and slides open a door. The man stands over a sleeping Shikamaru. The man readied his kunai and goes to strike his target. Shikamaru caught the man's kunai and stared him dead in the eyes. Shikamaru's whole body went white as if he had seen a ghost. "What's the matter little Nara fool? Don't you miss daddy!" The man said. Shikamaru began to tremble, his body convulsing from the sight of his father standing over him. Shikamaru could feel the life leaving his body. "I am Kakuzu." Was the last thing he heard before the lights faded from his eyes. Withdrawing the kunai, Kakuzu smirked a crazed smirk as he plunged the weapon back into Shikamaru's corpse and began a saw-like motion around the area of the corpse's heart. Blood sprayed from cut arteries and splattered against Kakuzu's face, which still held the sick smirk. With one last tug, the last rib was broken and Shikamaru's heart was now in the possession of the new Akatsuki Leader.
"And thus falls the last true Nara prodigy… such a shame. You were a worthy opponent to me when you were in your youth… but now, you are naught and I shall use your heart to its fullest. Goodbye, Nara Shikamaru."
(A hidden base in a tower in the Village Hidden in The Rain)
"KAKUZU YOU CRAZY BASTARD, YOU KILLED THAT BRAT NARA KID WITH OUT ME! HE LITERALLY PUT ME IN THAT SHIT HOLE FOR FOURTY YEARS!" Hidan cursed at Kakuzu. Kakuzu stood on the balcony of the tower. The same balcony his teacher had stood for years. Obitio, for years Kakuzu listened to Obitio preach about true peace, underneath a single leader. But Kakuzu would achieve this goal, but there is no need for peace. The shinobi world would know his name as their leader. The fools will know me as the true God of Shinobi. The world was weakening slowly, and now with Naruto having been gone for ten years, Kakuzu knew the world was his for the taking. Only one shinobi who knew how to defeat him remained alive now. Hatake Kakashi was the only shinobi left alive who could defeat him. Only he knew Kakuzu's dark secret, his secret to immortality. Only he knows about my multiple hearts now. Madara, Konan, that fool Neji, Asuma, Shikaku, Shikamaru, and soon Kakashi's heart will complete my body and bring me into true immortality. "Hidan leave me now I'll not hear any more of your damn bitching." Hidan scowled leaving the room with several curses as Mikko entered the room.
"You summoned me Kakuzu-sensei?" Mikko inquired softly. Kakuzu had instilled a lot of things into her, but she had been bred to trust him and only him, constantly letting her guard down around him.
"Do you remember the story of how I found you Mikko?" Kakuzu watched her carefully.
"Of course sensei, you found me in the Nara Clan Forest. My bastard parents abandoned me." Mikko said her voice thick with anger.
"And do you remember what I told you the first time I told you this story?" Kakuzu saw the smile creep onto Mikko's face.
"Of course," She laughed evilly. "You promised me the power to take my revenge and destroy the very clan who sought to leave me alone forever." Mikko's evil laughter grew to an almost cackle.
"Well today I will grant you that power." He turned around and held out a black chokuto. "This blade once belonged to a shinobi who left his village to join our cause and died in the process. This Kusanagi belonged to one Uchiha Sasuke. Take it my Angel of Death and bring ruin upon this world the likes of which no mortal may ever dream!" Kakuzu laughed uncontrollably, the sheer amount of malice and hate in the laugh was palpable. Mikko shuttered as she left the room. She could feel the power in her new weapon. She could hear it sing as she let her lightning chakra flow freely between the blade and body acclimating herself to it. She knew that soon her time would be upon her to take the world for herself.
"I will have my revenge." She said softly. She held Sasuke's old Kusanagi in her hand. With this sword she would take her revenge on the cruel world that had shown her no mercy.
(The Third Training Ground)
Their stomachs growled as they stood around the tree stumps. "He's late again!" Yusuke growled. "Late, late, late!" He shouted.
"Late for what Yusuke?" All three spun on their heels to see their sensei standing behind them. "I was just waiting for you three to let your guard down." Fai –sensei said. He smiled at them and showed them two bells. "Do any of you know what these are?" He asked the students. All three just stared at the bells and their sensei unsure what to think about his question. "Well the test is simple. Get a bell you get to be a shinobi." Kiba let out a yip while Namie thrust her fist in the air. Yusuke jumped up and down shouting excitedly. Shiro just sighed. "You just have to capture one of these two bells."
"Wait two?" Namie asked her joy gone.
"That's right two. Meaning one of you will fail. You have till sundown to capture a bell. One more thing… come at me with the intent to kill, or you shall never beat me." All three students gave the others a death glare. "Now scatter!" All three shinobi leapt in different directions. The Test had begun, and one of them would fail.
AN: Ok so what do you guys think. I for one am proud of it. Pointers please. Anyway one final big shout out to ZeroDivisionRaigin for the help with writing Shika's death as I am a huge fan and it was hard to do. Anyway thanks for reading guys!