*AN: Here we go! First chapter to the sequel of Not Enough Time! For those of you who are coming into this story late. you can find story Nothing But Time on my profile, or here: s/12693051/1/Nothing-But-Time-extreme-re-write. Anyways, this is the first chapter, so I hope you guys enjpy! Oh, and sorry about the cliche ending on my first story. I'm horrible at writing endings. Anyways, without further ado, enjoy!*
"I will be…."
"Retribution!"
I took a deep breath. Two and a half years. Two and a half years outside the village with, Lady Tsunade's permission, training. Four months with Kakashi, learning about the Sharingan from his use of it, aided by scrolls from the Uchiha's library. I worked closely with Sasuke for an additional eight months after that, training together, our Sharingans being honed to deadly perfection. His Sharingan was now fully mature as well, and we were becoming very, very good at using them. Kakashi watched as the Chidori, his creation, was adopted by Sasuke and I, both of us honing it in our own unique style. Sasuke's abilities were much on par with how he was in Shippuden, with many of the same jutsus. Additionally, his Chidori Feint, coupled with speed that only Naruto could match, was devastating. My abilities had moved in a different direction, though, and while my cousin specialized in being a ninjutsu powerhouse and speed demon, I spent my time honing my skill with a blade and hand-to-hand combat. My unique lightning chakra was now the color of blood, and I found I could no longer use regular lightning, as my fire and lightning chakra natures had become inseparable. My fire jutsus were constantly threaded with electricity, but this did not slow me down, as a matter of fact, they simply made my jutsus that much deadlier. As a result, I had adapted several jutsus to fit my own unique jutsu, which I named Crimson Style. The destruction I could rein around me was...beautiful.
After that, I accepted a diplomatic mission to the Mist for a six-month tour before being replaced by Miko. While I was there, Zabuza and Jeki helped me hone my blade skills even further, to the point where I could now keep up with them both, as well as Inwe. I also took some time to head to the Land of Waves, discussing construction and repairs of the Uchiha District with Tazuna, who happily accepted the job.
Then…
Itachi.
I don't know how she did it, but Sepi arranged me to be taught (discreetly) by Itachi for three months. He taught me more about Genjutsu than I could have ever learned on my own, and things were more open between us after I revealed to him that I remembered the Massacre. I kept mine and Sasuke's plan to bring him back to the Leaf a secret, though.
I spent the next three months in the Leaf with Miko and Sepi, and we trained in earnest as a team. I was promoted to Chuunin, although I refused a position as a ANBU. Lord Third's and Tsunade's reactions were priceless when I flat-out told them I had no interest in the Anbu. Apparently the Anbu had been bound and determined to make Team 6 an Anbu team, but I didn't really feel like joining their shadowy ranks. Sepi fit in well in their ranks, though, and was an absolute demon when it came to T&I. All I could say was I was glad she was on our side. Miko took the 'troublesome task' of becoming a Jounin, and the official head of our team. Anko-sensei was more than content to let us follow our own style, and Sepi and I agreed that Miko, since his moment of realizing that this world was real, (and threatening to tear him limb from limb)had become a true shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, and came up with the best plans to get through our various missions. He was the brain, I was the brawn, Sepi was the crazy.
After those three months, Sepi headed to the Sand, both to stalk and keep an eye on Gaara, who had become the Kazekage. (Mostly stalk) We didn't know when the Akatsuki would be coming for him, and we wanted to be ready.
Speaking of Sepi, she had become a seal master, damn near on par with Jiraiya. Her water style and medical ninjutsu were certainly nothing to sniff at, either. She also favored Genjutsu, and was the only person on our team to use it as part of her usual battle repertoire.
After that…
I had met up with Jiraiya and Naruto, spending the next six months tracking down Orochimaru. It wasn't fucking easy, I can tell you that much, but I had more than a few bones to pick with pedosnake, and I finally tracked the snake bastard down, getting a feel for his routine, figuring out where he was going next. Jiraiya also helped me with basic seals and summoning jutsus, but most of my energy was directed to tracking down the snake bastard.
Oh, yea, summons. Flashback time!
*whooshing noise!*
I sighed. "Look, I don't see why I need a summon. I'm doing just fine on my own."
Jiraiya sighed. Naruto had been practicing his own summons when Jiraiya decided that I should have a summon too. It...hadn't gone well. We'd been arguing for the past half hour.
"Just do the damn summoning jutsu!"
"NO!"
LAST TIME I DID THAT, I ENDED UP IN A DIFFERENT FUCKING WORLD!
"I'll teach you a new jutsu?" He pleaded.
I crossed my arms. "No."
He turned away in a huff. "Fine. You'll never learn how the lightning clone variation of the shadow clone works, then."
…
Lightning clone?
"Fuck you. Alright, I'll do the damn jutsu." I said, forming the handsigns and biting my thumb to draw blood.
"No! Wait! You have to-!" He yelled, but I never got to figure out what I had to do.
Poof!
Jiraiya and I blinked in unison as a large wolf appeared in a plume of smoke. He had charcoal hair with golden streaks throughout his fur.
"Um...hello?" I said, confused. When had I signed a contract with the wolves?
He growled in irritation. "What is it, pup? I was busy."
"You know him?" Jiraiya asked.
"Wait, you know me?" I echoed. Looks like I hadn't remembered everything. Dammit,
He growled again. "Are you serious, pup? I thought Aiko's kid would remember his own summon!"
I scratched the back of my head in embarrassment. "Yea...sorry about that, Kinda took a few hard knocks to the head. It's a...long story."
He snorted. "Not surprising. Fine. My name is Jeki. Nice to meet you, again."
With that, he disappeared in another plume of smoke.
Slowly, I grinned. "Wolf summons? Fuck yea!"
"So, I guess I have to hold up my end of the bargain." Jiraiya said dejectedly.
"Yup!" I replied, grinning
*end flashback, repeat whooshing noise*
Two and a half years…
I took a deep breath I walked through the village gates. I was stronger than I had ever been, more sure of myself. I was ready.
First stop: The Hokage's Tower.
Second stop: Home.
Third stop: Wherever my feet took me next. Hot springs? Brothel? Food?
I vote for all the above.
...What? I'm a simple shinobi with simple needs.
... ... ...
"So that's your report?"
I nodded. "He's holed up near the Land of Earth. It's a small country called the Land of Waterfalls. The noteworthy thing about its village is that it holds the seven-tails, Chomei, and its jinchuuriki, Fu."
"Surely he's not trying to obtain a jinchuriki." Lady Tsunade said, almost to herself.
"I wouldn't put it past him." I replied grimly.
"What's Jiraiya and Naruto's status?"
"They'll be back in the village in a month or so. Jiraiya said something about taking him and Sasuke somewhere."
She nodded. "How about the status of your team?"
I yawned. "Why are you asking me? I just got back into the village. Ask Miko, he's the team leader."
Her eyebrow twitched.
"Damn, fine!" I growled. "Sepi is still in the Sand, keeping an eye on Gaara. As well as stalking him." I muttered that last part. "Since we figured out the Akatsuki's first move, we just have to be there to head them off. Miko's out on a mission with Anko-sensei."
She sighed. "I'll send word for them all to return. I'll have an Anbu agent retrieve you when we're ready to go after Orochimaru. Dismissed."
I nodded and walked out, passing by Lord Third as I did so.
"Oh, pardon me, Lord Hokage." I said, startled. Damn, my reflexes were slow. I needed sleep, Jashin-dammit!
"It's just Hiruzen now." He said with a smile. He looked weird, dressed in ordinary clothes, without his Hokage's hat. His signature pipe was still with him, though.
"Pardon the slip-up." I said with a tired smile. "I've been traveling for awhile now."
He nodded. "Still planning on training? Or are you going to be added to the active duty roster?"
I considered it. "Honestly, I'm probably going to be added to the active duty roster. With everything that's going on, I can't afford to take another training break."
"I don't suppose you'll reconsider Tsunade's offer to join the Anbu?" He asked, a twinkle in his eye. I chuckled and shook my head.
"Thanks but no thanks. Sasuke's already stated his desire to be in the Anbu, and you don't have to have both Uchihas still loyal to the Leaf in your little boyband. I like my freedom too much."
He outright laughed. "I do believe that's the first time I've heard it called a boyband."
I smiled in return. "By your leave, Lo-...Hiruzen?"
He nodded, and I bowed slightly as I left.
... ... ...
Tsunade's eyebrow twitched. Not long after her sensei showed up, Danzo was in her office as well.
"He should be forced to join the Anbu. Too much potential is going to waste!" Danzo demanded.
Tsunade took several deep, calming breaths. "While I may agree that his potential could be better achieved in the Anbu, we are not forcing a loyal shinobi to do something against his will. Sasuke Uchiha will start in my personal Anbu soon, so there's no need for his cousin to become an Anbu as well."
"He should-"
"ENOUGH!" Tsunade roared, leaping to her feet and slamming a fist down on her desk, denting it. "I will not tolerate disobedience to a direct order, even from the Warhawk of the Leaf, Danzo Shimura! You may be an elder, but I won't have you constantly questioning my orders on this subject! The case is closed!"
With a stiff bow and an ill-concealed glare, Danzo left. When he was gone, Tsunade slumped in her chair.
"How exactly did you deal with him, Sensei?" She asked with a groan.
"With great difficulty and plenty of pipe tobacco." Hiruzen replied with a knowing smile, sitting down in the chair opposite his student. "Now, what did you want to talk to me about?"
Her face darkened. "Orochimaru."
... ... ...
Home.
I admired the job Tazuna had down with Aiko's compound. It had been repaired, cleaned up, and organized. The sakura tree was now in full bloom, and grass now covered the interior courtyard, which was complete with a newly-added koi pond.
"Tazuna, you really outdid yourself." I said with a smile. After a brief (two-hour) stop in the memorial room, I headed to the second floor. I was still sleeping in a smaller bedroom, avoiding going into the master bedroom unless absolutely necessary. It just...didn't feel right, sleeping in there, calling it my own.
I shook the memories that threatened to flood my brain away, opting for a shower instead after I finished my tour.
The weapons had all been freshly sharpened and polished, and the armor was well-looked after. Tenten had almost squealed when I requested she take care of my armory for me, at a decent wage. After seeing how good of a job she did, Sasuke copied my actions. Neji had to dump a bucket of water on her after she fainted from happiness.
We also agreed to house most of the Uchiha's documents in Sasuke's library, since it was larger and had more security. Sepi had the ingenious idea of planting seals throughout the library that stored Shadow Clones, which were activated if an intruder was detected. That, coupled with security seals both she and Jiraiya drew up, not only for the library but for both Sasuke's and my compounds, we were safer than 90% if the village.
Neji took care of organizing my training room for Taijutsu, even though I rarely used it. I much prefered blades, and my style of Taijutsu included jumping around my opponents a lot, as well as a healthy bit of trickery, so the confined space was mostly useless for me. Still, kudos to him for trying to be useful.
With a yawn, I dried off and headed for my room. Sleeppppppp…..