Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or anything related with both the Anime and Manga, all those are the property of his author (Masashi Kishimoto).
Path of the Whirling Shadow.
Book I: Whirpool's Heir.
Arc Zero: "The World's History"
Prologue: End of the Kage Summit - Eien Hokage no Chikara.
Key:
"Voice"
'Thinking'
"Summoning/Jutsu!"
"Summon/Bijū talking"
'Summon/Bijū thinking'
Location: Tetsu no Kuni (Iron Country) - Kage Summit Building.
"I still cannot believe that him, of all people, would dare to do this," Temari commented while looking at the wreckage in the room caused by the combat that had happened a few hours earlier between kage-level opponents. The Wind Mistress sighed before accommodating her precious Tessen in her back again and walking.
"You know what they say, sis, the quietest ones are the ones you should worry about," Kankurō commented to his side. The puppeteer was still a bit mad by the damage that a certain Oto-nin mummy had inflicted to Sasori, which was the reason why his favorite puppet was sealed inside a scroll for the moment. He and his sister had come to see the remnants of the dispute.
Temari sighed before walking towards the nearest exit with her brother following her behind. They saw a pair of samurai helping to collect the remains of those who had perished in the combat, the wounded had already been taken care of but it was doubtful that they would ever manage to recover, especially taking into account the wounds that they had received.
"Do you think Gaara and the other Kage have already reached an agreement?" Temari asked, turning over her shoulder before receiving a snort from Kankurō.
"Pff, after the little party of a few hours ago and the revelation of the masked lunatic, I very much doubt that they will remain at each other's throats for a while," Kankurou answered, glancing sideways at the people in the next room.
"Something new?" Akatsuchi asked from his place on the sofa. Iwagakure's stocky shinobi was still as cheerful as ever. Perhaps because of the fact that he had not been present in the attack of the previous chamber even though he had been one of those who had witnessed the speech of the terrorist Tobi.
"I doubt it Akatsuchi-san, they do not come from the chamber where the Gokage and Mifune-dono are currently meeting." Answered a young man with dark brown hair and dressed in the style of a Konoha Jōnin. The tone of his lavender eyes was more than enough presentation to know who he was: a Hyūga.
"Not all of us are gifted with eyes able to see beyond surfaces in a Campfield of 360 degrees, Neji-kun." Answered the angelic voice of the third person sitting in the room.
Another young man, a little older than Neji and dressed in the uniform of a Kirigakure Hunter-Nin with the exception of his mask, which hung from his belt. He had an androgynous appearance that many would even see as beautiful. He had long black hair, pale skin and large, dark-brown eyes, and a slender frame. His long hair was gathered in a white bun holder, while two locks of it fell loose framing his face, bound with metal hair cuffs at the ends.
"Well, not everyone has the ability to manipulate ice at will," Neji answered, allowing a smirk to spread between his lips.
"Touche," Haku replied, putting both hands together before looking at the Sand Siblings, Temari in particular since she was the only one who held a serious profile.
"Where are the rest of the guards?" Asked the sister of the Kazekage. "Are they ready to leave? I doubt they'll take much longer in that meeting."
"No idea," Akatsuchi replied as he rubbed his small goatee. "Hōzuki-san is still in the infirmary, because of his unique structure, the native medics have no idea how to treat him in that state, especially after being exposed to that quantity of high voltage. The two of Kumo have not moved from their place in front of the Summit's chamber and the red-haired sailor-mouth lady ... "
Hurried footsteps were heard from one of the halls before a new silhouette appeared in the room.
"FUCKING USELESS SERVICE!"
"... is right here ..." Lamely finished Akatsuchi.
"You'd think she'd change after the beating she gave the black-haired chick that was on the Uchiha's team." Kankurō murmured to his sister, who merely nodded.
Crimson hair billowed as the young woman placed both hands on her waist and advanced where the rest were seated. She passed by Akatsuchi much to his relief and did not dedicate a single glance to Kankurō but she threw a slight mock-glare to Temari who only rolled her eyes. Three fucking years had passed since that and the redhead was still sore about that subject.
She ended up standing in front of Haku and Neji and gave them a look with her black eyes that promised pain if they did not do what she asked and in this case, that could be very true.
"Make some room faggots." She ordered, which they did and allowed her to sit between them with a few centimeters of personal space.
She settled both arms behind her neck and closed her eyes obviously enjoying her position.
'She's scary' Thought Akatsuchi.
"Man, one would think that your mouth could not have gotten any dirtier." Commented Kankurō in a low voice. Too bad that it was not low enough
"What was that make-up boy?" Asked Tayuya this time sending a dose of concentrated KI towards the puppeteer
"Nothing Sailor-mouth, nothing." He replied rolling his eyes.
"Heh, that's what I thought. Nothing, just like you." Answered Tayuya sitting much better in her seat while Kankurou wondered for a thousandth time why the redhead Hokage had not brought someone better as a bodyguard other than Neji like his other former brunette teammate or the Nara, even the creepy bastard of Sai would have been welcome.
"Agh," Growled Tayuya from her place, "My back is still sore, that ogre did really make a number on me when he stamped me against the fucking stone pillar. Shame that my Genjutsu did not affect him ..." She scowled at the memory.
"Don't be so frustrated Tayuya," Neji commented from his place. "Those four were easily comparable to S-rank shinobi because of their artificial improvements. In addition to the intelligence we have obtained from the self-proclaimed 'Hokage's future wife'," He added while rolling his eyes, " The guy you faced was the source behind all of Orochimaru's Juinjutsu. "
The mention of that woman seemed to bring another scowl to Tayuya's face who was not very pleased with it and she was not the only one.
"Whatever, when do Shithead and the others end their tea party?" She asked before they all heard a couple of steps approaching and a pair of samurai entered the door accompanied by another young woman in Iwagakure's Jōnin uniform.
The Samurai retired, clearly having finished their duty leaving the other Iwagakure escort with them.
Kurotsuchi smirked while she put her arms behind her neck, a posture that was commonly seen in a certain redhead with which all the shinobi on the room were in good terms.
"Gramps and the rest are in a good mood to be people who should be behind their throats." Commented the tomboyish-like kunoichi before taking a seat next to Akatsuchi. "It seems that an alliance between us is no longer a dream, like that of the first Kage."
Neji sighed. "I see, it seems that everything is going well according to Tsunade-sama's intentions." He imitated Haku's stance, "It's hard to think that for the first time the five great shinobi nations will be joining forces."
And it was true. The five great superpowers had already fought three great and bloody wars the previous decades perpetuating a cycle of hatred among the shinobi, but now, they were more than willing to leave behind that era of conflicts and act together against an unprecedented threat. How the times had changed.
"Zabuza-sama always said that a fourth war was inevitable," Added Haku and his angelic countenance seemed to be a bit sad, "But by now, it is highly unlikely that he imagined something like this."
"I very much doubt that anyone from previous generations would have imagined this," Temari answered while supporting herself in her giant fan. "Our enemies have united and sworn to destroy us. It's not that they lack reasons, or men or armament, " She added in a somewhat dark tone.
"And this time, it's not about any of us operating against the rest," Kankurō added. The first war had been an everyone against everyone and had defined the boundaries and scales of the food chain between the hidden villages. The second had been an everyone against Konohagakure with some disputes between Iwa and Suna and Iwa and Kumo while the third had been Kiri, Kumo, Iwa against Konoha and Suna, although also Kumo and Iwa had fought for a time like Kiri with Suna and Kumo. But now, the board was very different.
"This is literally a Shinobi World War," Kurotsuchi commented before taking a seat next to her Iwa-nin companion. "How could that cyclops bastard get the support of the smaller fish?"
"Kamizuru-san, with all due respect." Haku added, "That's the same attitude that led us to this conflict, we continue to underestimate the rest of the hidden villages, especially when some of them have more than enough power to fight with some of ours."
"For the Sage, Yuki!" Snapped Kurosuchi somewhat annoyed to have been reprimanded. "Kurotsuchi is fine, I don't like using my Clan's name."
"Heh, I knew I was going to like this Rock-crawler." Commented Tayuya with a smirk. "I don't like to use that bastard name either, they can go and lick Otogakure's and the asshole of their leader ass whenever they want."
'Oh perfect.' Kankurō thought 'The two crazy bitches get along, how the hell does Naruto manage to deal with them?'
But before the puppeteer had a chance to add his two cents to the conversation, Neji stepped forward, staring up at the ceiling.
"It seems the meeting is over, I see the Kage chakra signatures coming out of the room followed by Kumo's two bodyguards." Announced the Hyūga as he watched with his Dōjutsu. "They are separating down the stairs, but both the Hokage and the Kazekage are coming down here."
"At least." Kankurou finally said as Temari nodded before adjusting her fan back into her back. "They sure took their sweet time." The rest hurried to get up to meet the two shinobi leaders approaching.
The door opened revealing another group of samurai who lined up just to show the two figures who were escorted down the hall.
The first was a young man with fair skin, green eyes, and naturally spiky red hair. He lacked distinctive pupils and eyebrows and had tanuki-like black rings around his eyes. The kanji for "love" was carved on the left side of his forehead.
He was wearing a long-sleeved crimson coat and full-length dark trousers with a pair. Over the coat, he had two buckled belts, the gray vest held in place by a single strap over his left shoulder, and two buckled belts which he also used to carry a giant calabash-shaped gourd. Covering his head was the white one with the red colored part that had engraved the kanji for Kaze (Wind).
But it was the second figure who attracted the most attention. A young man, easily the same age as the Kazekage and only a little taller. He had a skin between tan and fair that evidenced that he was someone who worked too much in the field and like his Kage companion, he also had crimson red hair, but there ended the comparison. While the Kazekage's hair was spiky, the Hokage's hair was only arranged in that style on the right side, while on the left it was straighter.
Deep penetrating azure eyes that normally kept an atmosphere of mischief but for the moment they looked serious. Six strange whisker-like marks adorned his cheeks; Three in each one, which gave him a certain feral appearance.
He was wearing a jacket as red as his hair with a black flames design on the bottom and the symbol of a crimson swirl surrounded by a black ring on his back. Underneath was a thick black shirt as well as a pair of belts that ran down his torso and a third around his waist. He also wore a pair of black pants with certain blue lines, a pouch was tied in his right leg with bandages.
In his neck hung his Hitai-Ate (Forehead Protector) that had proudly engraved the symbol of the Leaf while in his head it rested a hat identical to the one that carried the Kazekage with the exception of having red coloring and with the kanji for Hi (Fire).
The Sixth Hokage Candidate.
He snapped his fingers indicating that the samurai could retreat and looked ahead as his serious countenance disappeared and was replaced by a fox-like grin while he waved.
"Hi everyone!"
"Hokage-sama" Bowed Neji and saluted Akatsuchi.
"Naruto." Said Temari, Kurotsuchi and Kankurō.
"Naruto-kun," Said Haku.
"Shithead." Finished Tayuya gaining glares from the others and a few snickers from the back. The samurai was surely taking advantage of their helmets to hide their grins.
Naruto merely chuckled before taking off his hat, "There's no need for formalities, I'm just the candidate and the meeting has ended."
And it seemed that even when he was in adversity or taking the role of the military leader of one of the Five Villages, Naruto did not lose his humility and good humor. Well, if they did not take into account the time in which he had faced Akatsuki, in which he showed why he had been chosen for the position despite his age.
Of course, the fact that the rest of the candidates were ... umm ... 'ahem', indisposed also had to take on account.
"Of course, just ignore that I'm also standing here." Said Gaara half-amused. The Kazekage was never tired of seeing his best friend's antics as well as the effect he had on numerous people. Although seeing how the redhead had managed to change various ways of thinking with words alone in the past was truly admirable. Who would have thought that behind that facade of someone who did not seem to take anything very seriously lied a mind as cunning as one of the animals that were part of his motives? After all, that had been one of the names given to him during the Chūnin Exams four years ago.
Akashio no Kitsune (The Fox of the Red Tides.)
"Oh, sorry Gaara, its just that you never spoke." Said Temari smirking while Kankurō nodded, gestures that made Gaara's green eyes roll. They respected him more when he was in his deranged state and was the terror of Suna. Of course, he did not miss those days and he was quite grateful that his friend had practically inflicted the biggest beating of his life on him, changing him for the better, and also teaching him that using Wind against Fire wasn't a good idea.
Ah, good times. In which they did not have to deal with large-scale wars or alliances between supercriminals and people with god- complexes.
"So, it's the meeting over?" Interceded Kurotsuchi not wanting to get into the family drama of the Kazekage Clan.
Naruto sighed, "You could say that Akatsuki's attack and Madara's statement were a gift from heaven." He snorted before continuing, "It seems that after revealing our respective dirty rags in relation to Akatsuki, we are all at hand, therefore ..."
"The Five Great Shinobi Nations of the Continent will really join forces." Finished Gaara.
The Kage escorts grimaced. Haku in particular, the Hunter-nin put a hand on his mask and sighed as he shook his head. "The only thing that could unite us in the end, is nothing more than an enemy towering over us." Said the last of the Yuki before a scowl settled on his angelic features, "Too bad that this is not going to end that well, for them." The Mizukage's escort surely had changed, especially when he had learned who was the real responsible for his Clan's massacre.
"Not only that," Naruto added, "With each passing minute, they gain more strength and followers, our predecessors were too reckless letting the feudal lords line up on their own." The red-haired Kage shook his head, thank goodness that he was in good terms with the rest of the Kage because of his actions in the past, only that had allowed them to ignore their differences and finally join forces against what was going to happen. Almost unconsciously, he caressed one of the four rings he wore in his right hand, especially one of purplish-gray color, his finger stayed on the kanji engraved on the ring. Rei (Zero).
"-ey only have two of them in their hands after all." Was saying Gaara when Naruto finally returned the conversation.
"Good thing they were not at the level of the Raikage's brother. I would pay to see the expression of that cocksucker when he saw the power of the Bijūagainst him. I bet he wet his pants." Snickered Tayuya while Neji was resisting the urge of rolling his eyes.
"Seeing the power he had a few hours ago, how the hell do you think he won't reach that level?" Sentenced Temari remembering very well the malevolent chakra that the Uchiha had unleashed while he revealed his new trump card.
"The power of the darkness," Gaara added as his green eyes narrowed. "And that added to the monstrous firepower that the sage arts bestowed upon him, there is no doubt that he will become something much worse than I was in the past." The Kazekage nodded, "No, it's worse than that, the only one that poses a greater threat would be 'Madara.' " He sentenced, putting an emphasis on the last name while looking at Haku who merely nodded.
"But he's not invincible." Neji added, "Naruto has never lost against him, even in the days of the Academy. Despite having the modifications made by Orochimaru plus the tricks he learned in his time as Nuke-nin, Naruto gave him the beating of his life twice. I was present at both. "
"The Amegakure Pursue?" Asked Kurotsuchi, tilting her head, "The Iwa patrols stationed near Ame no Kuni almost had a heart attack seeing the chakra readings fired near that area. And those who ventured there almost believed they were stuck in a genjutsu when they saw the devastation that was now in that area, monstrous black flames that the rain couldn't extinguish according to what I heard."
"Indeed," added Haku. "Even on the border, Misuno could detect their chakra, which was more monstrous than that of Kisame Hoshigaki, and that's counting the fact that we were fighting against him and the rest of Sasuke-san's followers."
"Anyway," Naruto finally spoke while still stroking his rings, just to reach his hand up to the silver bracelet in that hand with a couple of characters etched on the surface. Most of the tools he had used against Sasuke had become useless, but it did not matter, he could always create more. The advantages of being the Hokage and having his old division back, oh and being the undisputed master of the Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and its derivatives.
"Despite 'Madara's words', there is no such prophetic thing as that stupidity he said. 'That the Uchiha and the Senju always face death to decide the course of history. 'A pity that I am not a Senju, I'm a Uzumaki. " Finished the red-haired Hokage while his eyes turned slightly purple just to return to their original color after a few seconds.
The latter had been said with too much pride. It was no secret that the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki had an intense pride in his lineage, although it was not exactly general knowledge that he had started his ninja career with the intention of living up to his legacy, of course with the passage of How his thoughts and purposes had changed, but a part of that will still reside there.
"Pff, like half the shit that that masked prick said was true." Added Tayuya while stroking her demonic flute, "A ten-tailed Bijū that can destroy the world? A Genjutsu capable of subjecting everyone to an endless dream? Oh, and let's not forget that the fairy tale of the Rikudō Sennin now turns out to be real," Snorted the red-haired young woman before another scowl settled on her features remembering how her genjutsu proved to be futile during the battle.
No one said anything after that. Everyone, with the exception of Naruto and Gaara, had felt overwhelmed by those revelations that seemed to have sprung from ancient myths. They knew some fragments of history by the Bijū that sealed within them. But of course, that would not have prevented them from being surprised by the existence of the Jūbi.
Well, at least Gaara had been genuine. Naruto, on the other hand, had simply faked it, after all, he had already learned about the history of the world and how it was formed. He had learned the origins of that monster at an early age. That had been one of the greatest catalysts in his life after all.
He was going to live his life without ever having to see that nightmare. He had sworn it right there before he took the road that led him to become who he was now.
"Even so, their so-called master plan of reuniting the nine Bijū is still a far cry basing on their results." Added Kurotsuchi while counting with her fingers, "I mean, just how many of the beasts they have in their possession right now?"
"That hardly means that they're not going to try to capture the others during the war." Remarked Kankurō folding his arms. The Akatsuki had yet to make a move against his brother, and knowing that most of the organization affiliates in Suna had already fallen in battle, it was difficult to assume when and how they were going to do it.
"The Gobi is once again in Iwa's possession thanks to Hokage-sama here," Added Akatsuchi, "I also heard that the Sanbi has been recovered by Kiri and the Nanabi remains safe in Taki."
"You're not wrong." Confirmed Naruto, "And Kumo still has their two while Gaara and I still have our big friends inside our guts, that leaves only two left." Sentenced the Hokage, his usual grin fading only to be replaced by a frown. He had been too late to prevent the capture of those two.
But before any of the presents could say something, he, Neji and Kurotsuchi raised their heads towards the ceiling sensing a few great chakra signatures moving at the distance.
"The rest of the Kage" Muttered Naruto using his Kagura Shingan (Mind's Eye of the Divine Entertainment), which was confirmed by Neji's Byakugan and Kurotsuchi's own sensor skills.
"I take that's our cue to leave." Said Kurotsuchi getting nods from the others which made the black-haired kunoichi sigh before she started to walk towards the exit, not before giving a playful punch to Naruto in the shoulder ignoring the growl from Tayuya and Temari's glare, much to Neji and Kankurou's amusement.
"See you later, fox-boy" She teased before exiting the room closely followed by Akatsuchi who merely shook his head barely repressing a snicker.
Haku was next, the androgynous hunter-nin bowed, "It seems that I also must depart, Mei-sama doesn't like to wait too much and I also need to pick up my fellow swordsmen from the medical chambers, Kami knows that she will never let me hear the end of it if I leave him there." Explained the Ice user before turning back and disappearing in the hallway leaving the Suna and Konoha escorts alone with their respective Kage.
"So," Kankurō started, "What now?"
Naruto and Gaara shared a momentary glance before the former turned to his escorts. "Neji, Tayuya-chan, go to the entrance compound and wait there for me, but before that, go to the Vault 6 and retrieve our new 'guest', if someone asks, just show them this" Naruto finished while throwing a small scroll that he had extracted from his jacket.
"Got it, let's move then," Neji said while grabbing the scroll and practically dragging a still fuming Tayuya with him.
Gaara turned to his siblings and ordered them to wait in the same place, which they obeyed not before waving to Naruto who did the same until they disappeared from view.
Then, Naruto's usual grin slowly faded away only to turn into a serious frown that turned to Gaara who merely nodded, causing the blue-eyed Kage to sigh before turning to the exit.
"Lets walk for a while, shall we?"
The green-eyed Kazekage nodded and the two red-haired young men began to walk through the hallway in complete silence. Even their own footsteps were barely audible while they walked.
While Gaara was on the left, Naruto was on the right side, both Kage advanced without muttering a single word. They seemed to speak through unknown means to every other person, through a long-lost method only known to those who carried the burden of the titanic chakra beings that were the Bijū.
Tailed Beast Telepathy.
"That went well, more than we expected." Commented Naruto through the mental link, "It is certainly good to know that we have managed to convince the others to ignore their differences for a while."
"We?" Was the answer of a very amused Gaara, "You are the one who gained their trust first, I merely followed your advice of years ago."
"You give me way too much credit Gaara." Replied Naruto, passing his hand over the forehead protector, tracing his finger over the leaf symbol engraved on t, "I did what I had to do, for the sake of the future and our people."
Gaara shook his head, "That's what I'm talking about, you have that aura around you that makes people want to follow you, that's even more of a power than your own prowess in numerous branches of the Shinobi Arts and the one of the burdens we share. That's what you used to put us, the rest of the Gokage on the same team."
Naruto merely nodded and they keep walking in silence, not saying anything through their mental link, the Hokage was busy remembering those words from his best friend.
'It is true' He thought while caressing the crystal that constituted the Shodai's Hokage necklace on his own neck, 'I did manage to change others for the better or worse with words alone.' And it really was true, after all, one of them was currently walking at his side and a few others were in the very same building.
"Few people are able to wield and use words in the same fashion as kunai." Those were the words of one of his most recent and trusted teachers, who had also warned him about the man that would also become his worst enemy since birth. Shame that he couldn't attend the Summit, not even disguised, those were the disadvantages of being technically ummm...Dead, yeah.
Both had arrived at a terrace partially covered by snow, from it, the view of the extense snowy plainland that constituted the Land of Iron. Being the two from the southern and central regions, the cold would have probably affected them but the two redheads looked completely normal, like they were on a sunny day, another of the perks of containing a Bijū.
"You didn't tell them about that." Pointed out Gaara after a few minutes, "Why?"
Naruto drily chuckled, "I don't want to risk anyone else finding out. I'm perfectly aware of the spy network that that hag of a woman has over the Elemental Nations. Only Kiri, and to a minor degree, Suna is safe from eavesdroppers." Sentenced the Kyūbi Jinchūriki throwing a glance towards the building on the back, "That way, they will never see it coming."
Gaara nodded, sometimes he forgot that his best friend wasn't just a dangerous opponent on the field, he also wasn't a stranger towards shinobi politics, thus the reason why he had been chosen to serve as Konoha's ambassador on Kirigakure almost a year ago before he returned to claim the Fire Shadow Seat.
"Do you realize that it's not going to be easy, right?" Continued the Ichibi's Jinchūriki folding his arms together, "In all the Hidden Villages' history there have never been any signs of what you are planning to do, and for good reasons."
"They're the source of our very same success, I know." Said Naruto with a hand gesture, "You're starting to sound like Iruka-sensei, jeez." Replied the blue-eyed Kage before unsealing two sake bottles from the inside of his jacket and passing one to his friend.
"I'm merely pointing out a fact," Replied Gaara before taking a drink, while the Kazekage's expression was carefully neutral, a frown could also be seen there. "The Daimyō are certainly not weak, while they lack strength-wise like us, they have entire armies and wealth to compensate for that. With their riches, they are able to match the power of a Hidden Village on their own and contrary to the popular belief, they are not that stupid." The ring-eyed Sand user remarked the last part.
"I'm more worried about their advisors and the people behind the throne." Replied Naruto while his eyes narrowed remembering his temporary stance in the capital as one of the Guardians. Certainly, not even Orochimaru's numerous lairs where that filled with snakes and leeches. His eyes also narrowed at the memories of a white-haired man armed with a shakujō who acted like the Daimyō's shadow, always following him everywhere. That mas was so going to be a problem, and that wasn't counting the rest of the Twelve Guardian Ninja and the Ashigaru and Samurai alike, plus the rest of the court.
He was going to need time to make his preparations for that, fortunately, he counted with the help of some forces in the capital, which was one of his greatest advantages.
"If that works," Continued Gaara before finishing the bottle, "Not only you are going to be the one holding the reins of Hi no Kuni, you will also mark the Daimyō Era to an end."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," Answered Naruto, "There's always a first time for everything, and this time, they are the seeds that need to be plucked for the rest to survive." He stopped while caressing once again his rings, "You, more than anyone else know that I don't have lost love for the Akatsuki, but that hardly means that they are wrong about some things."
"This world needs to change, I know" Replied the Kazekage now seeing to what the Hokage was after, "Like you told me all those years ago, but now, we really need to change it in order to endure what's going to happen soon." Gaara looked at the horizon while frowning, "A storm is approaching and I have a feeling that this war is not going to be like the others. I just hope that we are ready when it strikes."
'Oh, you don't even know half of it...' Though Naruto remembering carefully those visions of his past. He too, looked to the gray horizon and recovered his usual grin while putting his hat back n his head, "A shinobi is someone who endures," He said while caressing the necklace's gem, " And that's what we are going to do, but this time, not on our own."
"You're right, as always," Said Gaara sighing, "But at the end, you have acquired what you were looking for since the beginning, so I'm not that surprised that you are like that now."
"Yep, it was pretty much a prize paid in blood, sweat, tears, and ramen." Answered Naruto, "At the end, we both managed to prove ourselves in the eyes of our respective villages.
"Always the charisma," Stated Gaara before putting his own hat and walking towards the building, "Be sure to never drastically change Naruto, a lot of people would be upset if you do." Said the Kazekage before disappearing in a swirl of sand leaving his fellow redhead alone in the terrace.
The Sixth Hokage Candidate turned his gaze towards the horizon and closed his eyes, letting his Kagura Shingan take over his consciousness and expand, allowing him to look at the spectacle of dozens of chakra signatures roaming the building the surroundings, he easily localized and identified the know-ones while he inspected the structure only to grimace when he came across the chakra residues that completely soaked the chamber when the fight had taken place hours ago against the unexpected guests. Naruto narrowed his eyes at the feeling of a certain well-known chakra to him.
'So this is truly what you've turned to, huh?' He thought while analyzing the residues with his superior sense, 'You've always been a shadow, one trapped in the light in contrast to me, the light in the shadow. You have strayed too far from the path of redemption and unfortunately for you, I'm not like Ero-Sennin or Jiji, I actually have the resolve to finish off someone like you. So next time we meet, in the bloody battlefield that your master will create, be more than sure that the Whirlpool will brutally engulf the Paper Fan, and that the Fox shall tear the Hawk apart...Wouldn't you agree, Sasuke-kun?'
xXx
"Hmm, according to Jei's message, Bi has returned to Unraikyō completely safe and unharmed, it seems that Akatsuki sent all their heavy hitters here and ignored his whereabouts." Stated A while marching through the building's exit followed by his two escorts. The Raikage had taken a new robe to cover his heavily muscled torso and now sported seals engraved on his two golden bracers.
"We are to return to Kumo and make our respective preparations for it" Ordered the Hidden Cloud's leader getting nods from his two subordinates.
"Boss, I think I'm gonna need a new sword here," Drily stated Darui while pulling out the severed fragments of his cleaver. He once thick blade now lied broken beyond all possible repair, the consequence of trying to go toe-to-toe with someone whose control over Raiton was deemed almost godly.
"You think?" Remarked the blonde kunoichi at his side, "Uchiha Sasuke's usage of the same jutsu than the Kopi Ninja its far more superior than its creator, even a skilled Fuuton user would have trouble dealing with him." Said the kunoichi, recalling how the Kazekage's sister had almost been decimated against the Last Uchiha hours ago.
"Yeah, hard to believe that the brats are stronger than us at their age," Replied the white-haired man, "I liked him better at the Chūnin Exams held in Konoha years ago, at least there, they were chūnin level at best."
"Sandaime-sama always said that the new generation will always surpass the old one." Offered the woman before a feline-like grin took over her features, "You are not sore about being defeated three times from brats from this generation, right?"
"Nah, it's just disturbing to see how strong they get these days." Replied Darui with a shrug.
"You may find another blade in the forges." Answered this time A with a grunt, "Or even better, take advantage of this alliance to obtain one from the Hidden Mist. Their blades are only slightly surpassed by the ones crafted here."
"Got it, boss." Said Darui while folding the severed remnants of his cleaver and placing them at his back, 'Next time, I will strike him with my Kuroi Kaminari (Black Lightning)' He mentally swore.
"And Yugito does have a point." Suddenly continued the Raikage surprising both his subordinates, "Darui, this generation is going to be in the frontlines of something not seen before, they really need to be strong if they want to survive it." Sentenced Kumo's leader.
"Umm, Raikage-sama," Yugito said, "Doesn't it bothers you that one of them almost managed to severely injure you? I mean, he wasn't much of a runt three years ago and now he is capable of going toe-to-toe with a Kage."
A gave an amused snort, "He still has a long way to go, and don't forget that if not for another one from this generation, the Hokage, I would had to sever my right arm when the Uchiha tried to burn it with his hell flames." He said while pointing to said arm.
"Well, the fox boy was always one of a kind." Shrugged Yugito remembering something, "Who would have thought that the nameless boy that stood for me against the Zombie Duo and managed to fend them off on his own would end up becoming the next Fire Shadow?"
"Well, at least he is way better than the Uchiha as a person." Grumbled Darui with a nod ignoring the Nibi's Jinchūriki snort.
"You didn't saw him cut through an entire Amegakure regiment like a hot knife through butter." Answered Yugito with a snort, "But you saw him giving the Uchiha the beating of his life a few hours ago while killing two of his subordinates like flies. He can be pretty ruthless when he wants to."
xXx
"An attack on the Kage Summit? The boldness of these Akatsuki knows no limits," Grunted Ōnoki as he floated above the ground before landing in front of the towering figure of Akatsuchi. "In my days, not even the Zodiac or the Way of Jashin would have dared to something like this."
The elder Tsuchikage was not particularly happy, noting how his reserves of chakra had diminished markedly after the fight against his former pupil in which only his experience and his Kekkei Tōta had helped him to stay ahead and demonstrate the reason he remained as the most powerful shinobi of Iwagakure despite his advanced age.
"I very much doubt that something like this would have happened in your time, Gramps" Kurotsuchi added at his side. The black-haired kunoichi kept her arms crossed while she kept pace with her grandfather, in her face remained the same grin as always, especially taking into account that a few hours ago she had managed to kill one of the Akatsuki and face her former fraternal figure in open combat, thus leaving a great impression on her abilities among those present. "A rebellion on such a scale is something unique, isn't it?"
"Not so much." He responded to the Third Tsuchikage as he hurried slightly, "The Land of the Sky tried to do something similar during the Second World War, but Sarutobi and I took care of dealing with that problem, and boy, we did it quite right, even the Salamander joined us at that party."
"But now?" Continued Kurotsuchi, "We face a coalition of villages with some that equate our military as well as powerful and terrible shinobi, and led by a monster capable of destroying a country on its own."
"Hmm, not even all of that is a match for our combined power Kurotsuchi," Ōnoki replied with a smirk, "How do you think we stayed at the top of the food chain for so long? I assure you it wasn't because we were weak."
The pink-eyed kunoichi could not help but roll her eyes to hear the words of her grandfather, 'To think that I sounded like that before Haku-san remarked that earlier' Thought Kurotsuchi with a mental frown. Truly now she could see where that arrogance would lead them.
"I'm surprised you agree with this, you'd normally be planning a plot so Iwa gets the bulk or something to weaken the rest." Kurotsuchi continued, "I would not be surprised if you looked for a way to get Kumo to lose the Hachibi and Konoha, Naruto."
And much to the Kamizuru's surprise, Ōnoki snorted. "In these moments it would be too early to play that game, to whom will we go if there is no one left standing?" Rhetorically asked the Tsuchikage.
Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Another of the walking examples of the effects of the famous Tōku no Jutsu (Talk Technique) that certain red-haired Hokage had used several times in the past. The truth is that if there was hope in a future where relations between the Big Five were not so tense. Those thoughts brought a smile to her face, a smile that widened when she realized something.
"Gramps, you're becoming soft, who would have thought it?" Taunted the Lava user with her characteristic grin,"I wonder what the other fossils would say in Iwa, perhaps you should consider handing over the hat and giving it to me?"
"Heh, you can calmy breath Kurotsuchi," Ōnoki replied with a grin of his own, "You don't have to worry about the idea of having to fight your boyfriend." Teased Ōnoki noticing the blush on Kurotsuchi's face.
"S-shut up, it's not like that." Replied Kurotsuchi trying to hide said blush and failing.
"Yeah, it's not like that." Muttered Akatsuchi under his breath, "It can not be more obvious."
"Heh, and that's why I'm still the oldest Kage alive, from both great and minor villages alike ..." Said Ōnoki before getting quite a familiar feeling on his back that ended up releasing a painful shock. His eyes widened before he shrieked.
"MY BACK!"
xXx
"Ara?" Mei asked while she heard Tsuchikage's shriek from the other side. Not even Kirigakure's eldest citizen, who had been around since even before the Hidden Village's foundation had those problems. "One would think that a man like him would have abdicated a long time ago." Despite his immense power, he is limited by his age. I'm sure that even Fushoku Terumi wouldn't have kept the hat if he had reached that age. "
"It can't be helped, Mizukage-sama," Haku answered. The last of the Yuki now carried a leather strap with two scrolls attached and despite the cold weather, he looked completely fine. A side-effect of his Hyōton prowess.
"According to Kurosuchi-san, one of the current Akatsuki members, used to be a student of the Tsuchikage, before his obsession with his 'art' got to this head and turned him into a then, there's none else qualified to carry the Earth Shadow title, with the exception of the Tsuchikage's own son. " Revealed Haku while caressing his hands.
"Good Haku-kun," Smiled the Mizukage, "I trust you were able to go with the rest of the escorts and give us a good picture."
"Of course Mizukage-sama." Haku replied, "I also took care of keeping Houzuki-kun at bay before the attack, although I'm afraid I was not there to support him when he tried to recklessly attack Sasuke Uchiha on his own."
"Oh yes, speaking of that," Remembered Mei, "Did you recover the Kubikiribōchō's fragments and him?"
A grin found his way on Haku's face while he pointed towards one of the scrolls that held the kanji for Dantō (Severing Blade).
"It's going to need to taste some blood to be repaired, although seeing that some of the barbaric remnants of Madara's reign on Mizu are still on the run, I don't think it will be a problem." Grimly stated Haku while closing the scroll.
"And him?"
Haku grinned again and opened the other scroll before unsealing the contents: a small crystal jar that contained the liquefied form of a very angry Suigetsu Hōzuki who was glaring at the Hunter-nin with eyes that promised revenge.
"The local medics couldn't do much to stabilize him, so I just grabbed this jar and put him there in his jelly-like state." Said Haku gaining some chuckles from the auburn-haired woman and a growl from the white-haired teen.
"I swear, you damn snowman...When I get out of here I'm so going to kick your-"
"Hush, Hōzuki-kun'" Said Mei with a hand gesture, "Save the energy for later. You and the rest of the Swordsmen will have to run a few errands in the Southeast. It seems that some of the former 'Loyalists' alongside the Hydra division are posted there, loyal at the Masked Man." She said with a particular distaste on her voice.
"Oh, will Kirigakure-kun accompany us there?" Asked Haku, "Despite not being among the Swordsmen ranks, he is still the fastest of our generation, and probably the stron-" He said before being interrupted by Suigetsu's snort.
"Only of Kiri, I'd like to see how he fares against that bastard of Sasuke or the Kazekage on combat, or even worst, against Naruto."
"I'm not sure." Answered Mei, who seemed deep in thought about that. "He was busy wiping out alongside Rio-kun and Tsuchi-san the rest of the Serpent's bases on Mizu and Umi no Kuni (Land of the Sea). Some of them are still inhabited by the glorified thugs that are the Oto-nin and the Serpent's experiments. It's a top priority to purge them from our territory before they are used in the war."
"Those are a small number in comparison to Orochimaru's total number of bases. Most of them are scattered across the mainland, but fortunately, they are either abandoned or forgotten, dunno, Sasuke never used anything that wasn't the main ones in Oto no Kuni." Added Suigetsu, "He is probably in that one, if not in Amegakure or in another Akatsuki stronghold."
"Thanks for being useful, Hōzuki-kun," Said Haku while mockingly patting the jar, "It's the lest you can do when you are in that state..."
That actually managed its purpose which was Haku's hobby since four months ago; Irritate the mongrel that had dared to desecrate his former master's grave, even if they shared the same Hitai-Ate, Haku would be damned if he just forgave that blasphemy.
"That's it, when I recover from this I'm so going to kick your ass!" Yelled Suigetsu from the jar, "Not even your bloodline of the Nuibari will spare you. You better start praying, you cross-dressing icecream-maker piece of-!"
However, when he noticed that the jar's insides were more cold than usual and he detected Haku's palm pressed against the crystal with a chakra flow being channelized through it he gulped. Haku's angelic face had an unusual smirk with his eyes closed.
"Umm, did you said something?" Asked the Hyōton user.
Meanwhile, far away from there, in Konoha, a certain silver-haired masked jounin who was sitting at the Hokage's desk stopped looking the documents he was revising and pumped his fist in the air.
"Yes, I have got another one!"
Haku felt a shiver run down his back. 'Why do I have the feeling that someone I really dislike is having a good day?' He thought before shrugging off.
Suigetsu just groaned, "Why I didn't think about rejecting that proposal back then? I could have just slipped from Taka's noses and went to a nice place, like the Land of Honey or Moon."
Haku just chuckled while he gave another pat to the jar much to the Kijin no Sarai's displeasure, but both ignored that the Mizukage had stopped dead on her track after hearing their last dialogue.
'...Rejecting...Proposal...Honey...Moon...Honeymoon?' Thought Mei while a gloomy aura surrounded her, which was detected by Haku who gulped.
"-ven Yuki no Kuni would be appealing, heh, you should move there in the future." Continued Suigetsu before sensing a dreadful feeling of doom behind him. His liquified face turned only to face the smiling face of the Mizukage who closed her visible eye and said in the sweetest possible voice tone.
"Suigetsu, shut up before I kill you."
And in those precise moments, in Kirigakure. A blue-haired man with an eyepatch suddenly sneezed over the documents he was reading causing him to groan. A shiver traveled through Suigetsu's jelly-like body while he and the blue-haired man thought the same thing.
'What did I do?'
xXx
"Damn, it looks like Sasori's going to need more than just arrangements when we get to Suna." Sentenced Kankurō before he sealed the puppet back into its scroll. The black-clad puppeteer sighed again, it seemed that he was ultimately limited to repairing his tools more than usual. "Neither Karasu or Kuroari were spared, hell, who would say that guy was not only alive but that he also had got stronger?"
"Oh, that's enough, Kankurō," Answered Temari adjusting her Tessen. The blonde had already noticed that her precious tool had not suffered much damage in the fight against that same shinobi and was glad, the last thing she needed was to wait for its fix.
Meanwhile, Gaara adjusted his scarf and began to feel the effects of the cold. Using Shukaku's chakra to warm up and maintain his automatic defense was a bit taxing, especially considering that his Bijū was the one with the smallest reserves among the nine. The green eyes of the Kazekage scrutinized the horizon before narrowing as he clutched one of his fists.
"I'm going to need to gain more power," Remarked the Ichibi's Jinchūriki "Both Shukaku's and my own. I'm going to need it for this war."
"Are you ready to use that bloodline?" Kankurō asked, "I thought Shukaku's chakra would interfere with that." Answered the puppeteer. Two variants of the same Kekkei Genkai in a single body were something almost unheard, also taking into account that one of them came from a Bijuu while the other was a genetic inheritance, it was obvious which of the two was the most dominant.
"Fortunately, we know someone who is an expert in chakra manipulation and sealing chakra sources. Let's not forget that only with a few residues of this chakra and others, he managed to recreate at a certain extent other bloodlines and advanced chakra natures before developing some techniques under his absolute control." Gaara replied, "I'm sure Naruto is more than capable of helping me to take control of it, or in the worst case, of dealing with Shukaku, after all, it's not like he hasn't done that before."
That last one made Kankurō laugh, "Ah, good times. He summoned a fucking giant salamander who burned the fat raccoon's ass and stopped him momentarily before he pierced it with his chains. Then, he jumped to the head and kicked you until you woke, good thing that he had a parachute sealed in that portable shinobi store that he carries around in his scrolls. "
"Don't forget that when we tried to reach them we were surrounded by the rest of Konoha's genin and two Kage Bunshin knocked us out before we realized. Don't tell me that doesn't count?" Temari added clearly remembering Kankurou's face when they woke up in a cell, with a heavily sealed Gaara.
"I think that's when you noticed the other redhead." Teased back Kankurō with a smirk, "Who would have thought that you would end up going after the one who practically defeated you twice during the Exams?"
"Hm, as if you would have done it better, do I have to remind you that the Aburame wiped the ground with you?" Replied Temari repressing her past blush.
"Enough, both of you." Said Gaara, "This is not the time to argue about past grudges, in Suna you can spar all you want, but here you need to act like bodyguards."
"Yes, Gaara." Said the two.
'I also need to increase my chakra reserves, just in case Shukaku's chakra is not enough.' Thought Gaara while looking at the moon, 'If I want to completely control the dessert, I will need the chakra for it.'
xXx
"Just like the descendants of the Sage, you two will also fight for the Power of the Six Paths. It's in your blood, it's in your chakra," Naruto muttered as he walked down the aisles toward the exit. The Hokage had put his hat back on while he closed his eyes, depending on his sensory ability to keep walking without fear of stumbling. He continued advancing only giving brief nods to the samurai who bowed their heads in respect, being one of the leaders of the five large hidden villages and one of the most influential shinobi today gave you the respect of the samurai. And the fact that you had protected a few hours ago from the Akatsuki's rampage also helped.
Once, he would have been delighted by that and would have felt complete, but now that he knew the other side of the coin of his goal at first hand he had other (Read: more ) important things to deal with, even his own personal projects could wait, oh statue.
"You have awfully spent a lot of time sleeping in your laurels while oppressing those under you, using their lands as battlefields in which your forces face each other without caring for the desolation they sow in their path. A limit has been traced in these abuses and now those who were looked down for years are finally together, against you... "
Naruto continued accurately repeating the orange swirl-like masked man's words while he tried to find something more in them than the war declaration, "The power of the Bijū that we still keep, added to the large numbers of those hidden villages are the keys that will start the biggest war that this world has yet to see. How do you all hope to match that, Gokage? Can you hope to carve your way through this game? Or even better, surrender the remaining remnants of the Jūbi and save yourselves from this massacre. Aren't the Kage supposed to make the decisions that lead to greater good for their villages and by proxy, the countries that they serve? Decide, decide, it matters little for me, the plan will soon be complete... "
What a bother. The thought that he would be forced to enter the conflict and be in the front -lines. Naruto was not a warmonger like his master in his younger days, but he neither was a pacifist, the redhead was merely upset about the war's true motives, a mere excuse for the Akatsuki to take the rest of the Bijū, hiding their dark ideals under fair proclamations to the smaller villages. Oh well, one harvests what one sows and in those moments, he and the rest of the Kage would need to take care of harvesting those weeds, product of their actions or those of their predecessors.
"Wow, you sure took your sweet time, shit-head." Tayuya's voice interrupted his thoughts. There, near the entrance where he had indicated them were their two bodyguards waiting for new indications. Even with his eyes closed and through his sensory technique, Naruto could detect the chakra fluctuations in Neji's temple, which indicated that the Hyuuga prodigy was already reaching its limit of listening to the 'common language' of the red-haired Tokubetsu Jōnin.
"Heh, you could say that I got lost on the road of life." Answered the Kyūbi Jinchūriki with his signature fox-like grin ignoring the two deadpans that his two bodyguards directed at him.
"Whatever, do we have to do anything else before getting out of this freezer?" Asked Tayuya storing her flute inside her trench coat. "Kami knows that this climate is not fucking gentle."
'Impressive, one would think that with your hot-tempered head, you would be able to keep yourself fine here.' Thought Neji. When he heard that he had been chosen to accompany the newly elected Hokage candidate to the Gokage Summit he had thought it was a great honor but after seeing who was his partner and how she acted, he could only wonder if Naruto had done that on purpose, especially taking on account that the red-head was probably still sore about the fact that he hadn't been the first of the two to reach the jounin rank almost a year and some months ago. Sadistic fox bastard.
"Eh, yes speaking about that," Answered Naruto before approaching and speaking in a more slight tone, "Did you recover what I asked from that vault?"
Tayuya nodded, "Yeah, the bastard's corpses were still wrapped in paper like fucking mummies, they are sealed inside my Doki now."
"Everything they carried was placed there, with the exception of this," added Neji as he extended a small sealing scroll to the Hokage who quickly examined it sensing the so familiar chakra of his current nemesis. The scroll contained a single seal formed by the kanji of 'Bunshin' (Clone) although the way it was written didn't like referred to the animated copies that one used in several jutsu, above that, he could see a smaller one that showed the figure of a nine-tailed black fox surrounded by nine figures, each aligned with its tails.
'So here's the method of how he managed to do it,' Thought Naruto somewhat disgusted and intrigued, something like that seemed to come out from Orochimaru's mind, not from a Sasuke who had barely managed to assimilate the old Snake Sannin's mind together with part of his body, although to be fair, the Uzumaki had a very clear idea of who could be the artifice behind such a creation.
"Kabuto Yakushi has aligned with him then, who would have thought it? Snakes stick together after all."
"Why I'm not surprised? In fact, I think that at this precise moment he is probably the one who is in charge of cauterizing the wounds of that Cocksucker." Continued Tayuya folding her arms.
"Anyway, it's time to retire," Naruto announced before starting to walk towards the exit being followed closely by the other two who were prepared to channel some Fire Chakra inside their bodies so they could warm up a bit, how lucky they were to have that particular chakra nature under their control.
The two Jōnin and the Kage soon emerged from the fortress and met face to face with the inflexible cold that ravaged the Land of Iron. Just thinking that they would have to walk all over that huge snowy plain and other countries to reach the Fire Country made the two Jōnin sigh and even feel the pain on their feet.
"What are you waiting for?" Naruto asked, who was now a few feet away from them and not far from the cliff. Noticing their expressions, Naruto sighed before running a quick chain of hand seals that ended with the Tiger one before muttering.
"Kyūmen Sowaka: Suzaku no Shu Kanji (Calling of the Nine Masks: Vermillion Bird of the Vermillion Character)"
A sort of dark portal manifested itself within a short distance of Naruto and revealed the kanji for Shu (Vermillion) in its center, which illuminated while manifesting the large figure of a type of bird of majestic plumage that had the head covered by a white mask. The bird waved its wings before striking the ground once the portal dissipated, there it turned its masked head towards the Hokage and his two escorts.
"What are you expecting for climbing?" Naruto asked, who, using his impressive agility was already mounted on the back of the Vermillion Bird.
"Wait, you could have brought us flying from Konoha on that, saving us almost a week's journey on foot?"Neji pointed out.
"And you use it until now!" Finished Tayuya emitting some Killing Intent.
But far from being affected, Naruto simply shrugged and stopped them with a nonchalant gesture that made the two jounin remember a certain masked-nin in Konoha that currently served as the Interim.
"Now, now, first, you two fully know well that using one of the Kyūmenjū (Nine Masked Beasts) its too much chakra-taxing, the exact equivalent of a tail of the furball's chakra, did you really expect me to sacrifice that just so that you two could rest your feet a little? " Asked Naruto
"Agh, damn stamina freak." Muttered Tayuya while climbing at Suzaku's back being followed by Neji who was actually reluctant at the chance of flying in the same bird that Naruto once used to freak him out one night.
Once they grabbed the leather straps that were in the back, Naruto indicated through a silent order to Suzaku that he could begin the flight, which made the bird acknowledged emitting a deep cry and waving its wings again.
"I think I'm going to get sick." Commented Tayuya clinging to Naruto's back who merely smirked as he continued to hold Suzaku's reins, who was already flying over much of the snowy prairie beneath them.
"Are we going to go straight to Konoha, or do we have to make a stop somewhere?" Neji asked as he scanned the area with his dōjutsu, Kami knew that Naruto was prone to randomly change his mind although always following a pattern that only he knew and was able to interpret, Naruto Uzumaki was many things, predictable was not one of them.
"No, the course is set straight to the village," Replied the red-head without turning, "We need to make sure the village is completely stabilized and that Keishi's diplomats haven't stuck their noses where they don't care." 'Besides that, we need to make some preparations for our movement against that old fart of Hideyoshi.' Thought the Hokage for himself while narrowing his eyes, 'They have spent a lot of time living on their laurels, we are not their servants nor their toys.'
"Wow, you really aren't a fan of those stuck-up nobles from the capital, are you, shithead?"Asked Tayuya still resting behind his back, "Can't blame you for that though, I doubt that even Mr. Peeker right here can stand them."
It did not take a genius to guess that she was talking about Neji, who just repressed the desire of Jūken'd the red-haired genjutsu specialist to oblivion.
"I know Tayuya-chan, I know," Said Naruto while continuing to direct Suzaku's flight, "But as a Kage, it's my duty to save face in front of them, I cannot let them think that I'm incompetent, especially if I relly too much on the elders and Shikaku-san. " 'And that's not even counting the fact that Madam Shinji thinks that I can be controlled as a puppet, she is just going to upset when she discovers that her so-called great plan is going down to a house of cards.'
"You need to relax a little shithead, you're not so used to dealing with politics and all that stuff," said Tayuya recharging much closer on the back of his redheaded partner so that he felt her breasts firmly against this, which did not seem to bother Naruto at all but made Neji omit to look in that direction while hiding the trickle of blood that flowed from his nose.
"Not now Tayuya-chan," Replied Naruto, "I really need to sort out this mountain of mistakes I've created. I don't think I deserve something like that in the next days and possibly months." He said while sighing, despite being a shinobi and quite pragmatic when the situation required it, he also had some morals and couldn't help but feel wrong about his massive mess.
Neji heard him and nodded, almost everyone in their group knew about Naruto's problem with his tumultuous life regarding partners.
'Honestly,' thought Naruto still feeling Tayuya on his back, 'Even like this I still feel like a douche, damn Sekigan-Jiji for your emotion suppress training, I would have noticed earlier that my damn charisma and the silver-tongue I inherited from him serves more than to bind people to do my bidding. I really need to sort that thing out before this fucking war starts, I don't want to lose any of them. ' Thought the red-haired Hokage while looking at the horizon.
He couldn't help but remember words from either distant or close past. The signs of what he had done during his short life, the people he wanted to meet, the things he wanted to do and be told.
"You don't need to prove anything anymore. Naruto, you have already reached what drove you." Gaara had said.
"Warm hope, hope like the dazzling halo of the sun, that's all I can see when I look at you, the warm trail that leads me to you." Had said Karin.
"When the tree leaves dance, one shall find flames. The fire's shadow will illuminate the village, and once again, tree leaves shall bud anew. That's what Sandaime-sama recited, while we were just the roots that grow in the dark serving the Great Tree's foundation, but you were always between both: Leaves and Root, light and shadow. Now you carry the Fire Shadow's hat and led the Foundation from the light." Had told him Shin in the underground chambers that served as the Foundation's main lair.
All this and many others crossed his mind, but Naruto ignored them when he remembered the last one when he crossed blades against the one that served as his best friend and confidant years before, with whom he had fought several times side by side and had continuously supported. Despite that, he hadn't hesitated to deal with him because the betrayal and other atrocities he had committed, and even less denied the fact that he had tried to kill him in Amegakure before the shit hit the fan and he almost ended up crippled along with five others after facing the overwhelming power of the 'God'.
"Despite all this, do you know what is really tragic Naruto?" He had said during his last duel, "Although we are on different sides, we defend different ideas and that we are willing to kill for them, we will always be friends, one way or another."
Naruto closed his eyes and mentally sighed, 'We really are cursed like that, I fucking hate Fate and its derivates, but to think that both of us were shaped and molded to the desire of others in different places seems fitting. Him as the shade in the light and I as the light in the shadows. The Yin and the Yang.' He thought before caressing another of his rings, 'And to think that I still have a long way to go if I want to avoid 'that.'
All the things he had said before were not exactly true, he still had not accomplished his main drive, not exactly his original but the one that had shaped him towards the man he was today. One path plagued with hideous visions of red wastelands where the dead drowned and the red moon's light illuminated the earth while that thing emerged from the blood ocean.
One in which the spiral manifested again as the insignia of that apocalypse according to the whispers of the dead and the warnings of the Death God. But nowadays the world was more complex than the one he had imagined in his childhood, not even the visions of the seal of the mask containing the remnants of his clan had been able to offer him a perspective so varied and sufficiently clear, however, what they had given and was within him had been more than enough to allow him to advance.
All this, added to the skills that he had acquired along the way on his own and under the direction of the Foundation, had served him. He had gone a long way and achieved several things in his life, he had met many people and changed lives in one way another. He had lost several things and suffered enough, but all that, good and bad was his, and he would not exchange it for anything.
He was going to protect them all from that red nightmare and that vortex of chaos and destruction that was approaching from horizon, he was going to fulfill the dreams of his predecessors and surpass them all, he was going to change what kept all of them trapped in a cycle of endless violence, and he was more than ready to crush those who had begun a ruthless hunt against his own kin and end them for the greater good. His blue eyes were fixed in the direction where he knew that Rain Country was located, where the gray fortress that was Amegakure lied, the main bastion of the one he had completely crushed and taken out of the commission, demonstrating that he was the sole Whirpool's Heir.
His hand moved to the symbol of the leaf in his hitai-ate and his eyes turned to the sky and focused on moon's silhouette before closing and squeezing one of his fists.
"I'm going to end all that despair, and you all know that I never go back my word," Said Naruto to none in particular, "Believe it."
And the three of them continued on flying on Suzaku through vast grasslands and forests towards Konohagakure.
xXx
Location: Tetsu no Kuni - Mountains' Graveyard.
In a mountainous region located in the north-most region of the land between Taki no Kuni (Land of Waterfalls) and Oto no Kuni (Land of Sound), surrounded by a forestry and the bones of many giant creatures that could be seen jutting out of it there lied a fortress as inexpressible as secret.
In its most refractory place, there was an underground chamber where the figure of a giant, earthen-colored humanoid entity with a decayed appearance, a body shaped into a robe, and a number of spike-like protrusions on its back rested. It was a statue. It had nine eyes, of which there were only two completely open, although two others were half-opened.
The statue looked like something horrendous and alien, a stinking aura emanated from its immense mole that seemed to repel all kind of life, somewhat ironic taking into account that the Gedō Mazō (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path)was actually asource of it.
The statue was seated in a lotus position, and black chains held its figure to the ground as if the one that had bound it feared the day when it could awaken and free itself from its shackles.
Passing beyond the statue, the chamber extended revealing a platform in which lay a type of bed that seemed to have seen better days, beyond that lied the chamber's wall, from which hung several tools such as a gunbai, a kama, a chain with weights, several swords, giant shuriken and some spare cloaks.
And then, in the shadows, a small table on which a crystal orb rested could be seen, whoever its occupant was, his silhouette was hidden by the shadows.
And there, within the crystal sphere, one could perfectly see the silhouette of Naruto Uzumaki and his two escorts riding the Suzaku.
A hand covered with a glove of the same color of the shadows and with a ring with an unintelligible character step on the glass sphere achieving an increase in the image.
From the shadows, appeared a figure dressed in a black cloak decorated with red clouds with a hood over his head that only allowed to see the strange orange swirl-like mask with a spiral pattern focused around his right eye.
And out of that hole came a faint red light that revealed itself in the form of a Sharingan with the three black tomoe furiously spinning during certain intervals, he was examining the figure of the Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi and now Sixth Hokage of Konohagakure, the young-No, man that so far was close from being the greatest obstacle to the conclusion of his plans.
"So, that's how it starts, huh?" Commented a dark voice that spoke of someone completely consumed by the darkness while his right eye whirled, showing a pattern of three stretched triangles evenly spaced around the pupil that each curve at the top around the eye to form a circle, making it similar to a Fūma Shuriken or a Pinwheel.
A whirling pinwheel of destruction and hatred.
A/N:Well, here is the prologue's second part which puts us a few years into the future, as you can see, the thing has changed a lot in comparison to the Canon-storyline. Some clues and spoilers of what has happened are hidden here, some less subtle than others.
I enjoyed writing this but College didn't give me time to upload this, so today, after a month of work, I have finally finished.
Anyway, I don't want to bore anyone with these notes so I'll leave it here, after all, I pretty much explained it in the other prologue.
I would also like to thank all those who have followed this story and supported me with reviews. Seriously, that really motivates one to write. The knowledge that someone enjoys what you created.
Well, seeing that I have finished with the prologue, I will proceed to rewrite the original chapters and from there continue with this route, so hopefully, I will manage to upload more content. Cheers!
-Ezequiel Kirishiki (21/09/17).