G e n e s i s

The Fourth Great Ninja War

Prologue, part I

A white, translucent mist hovered over top of the dark sands of the lake. All was quiet and nothing moved. The evergreen trees watched over the land in silence. The lush bushes hid underneath the stout needles. The trees nestled them in kindly. Intruders had entered their territory. They were passive and did not dare swing their branches about nor did they whisper their thoughts. The bushes were far too scared. They couldn't play at a time like this. They couldn't even shake. The red eyes of the blonde-haired young man were too much for them. His aura overpowered them. He was angry. He was starring down a tall, dark-haired man a few meters from him. The trees knew him. The bushes knew him. The sands knew him. Even the calm, respectful lake was fearful of this man's presence.

The man wore all black. A black, unzippered sweatshirt, a black t-shirt underneath, a black pair of pants, and his black shoes; they all matched him. His small, silver eyes, scarred, pale skin; they were all features of a ninja from Amegakure, the capital city of the defiled Rain Country, the very same Rain Country that once belong to a god. A god of six men He was. He had no name. He and His followers merely recognized Him as Pain. The trees shivered at the thought of Him. The bushes didn't know Him, as they were merely saplings during His time. But, they understood loud and clear of His power and of the force known as Akatsuki at which He commanded. However, that was the past, as they now had a new man to fear. He was cold, heartless, and believed in nothing but instilling fear into the hearts of even the strongest willed of men, women, and children alike. He attempted to do the same with the blonde-haired, orange-black jumpsuit-wearing boy in front of him, but, for the first time, he had failed. The young man was far too angry. He was a Jinchuriki; a predator among people. He feared no one. But, this man did not. He knew fear just as much. This evil, wicked, shell of a man is known as Kagayaku Sunadori, the crime lord and new leader of the Rain Country, predecessor to Pain.

Kagayaku was no where near as powerful as Pain. He did not have the Rinn'egan. He was not one mind to six men. But, he used the weapon of fear and hostility. It was better than mass destruction to all countries. It was better then a weapon of mass destruction. It was a weapon of universal proportions. It was ultimate. All of the land knew that more than anything. To the people, Kagayaku didn't need to be a god to become powerful. He was a mortal man. That, in itself, is more precious than what any god can possibly do. In fact, that is what a god envies most. Kagayaku had it. He used it.

The blonde-haired boy in the orange-black jumpsuit was indeed a Jinchuriki. The trees knew that. The bushes knew that. The sands, and even the delicate lake knew that. All of them know everything. They listen well. He is Naruto Uzumaki, now a Jonin, 17-years-old, and Jinchuriki to the Kyuubi. Yes, that was it. Naruto didn't know everything. He didn't even have a weapon like Kagayaku did. But, he knew what he was doing. He listened too. That's what made him better.

He, of course, was there on a mission. There would no other reason he would be able to have such a personal meeting with the sinister crime lord if there wasn't a purpose. Everything has a purpose. The trees knew that too. But, you probably already knew that they knew that too, correct? Naruto was on a mission to align the Fire and Rain Countries. A truce, so to speak. It was logically simple. It realistically wasn't. The purpose of this was meant for a higher circumstance. The Wind and Rock Countries were planning an attack on the Rain, and seeing how devastated they were at the moment, their country had nearly no chance of surviving an invasion of such proportions. The Fire Country never held anything against the Rain-nin, and because of their agricultural status being so high and their military power minimal but potent, Konohagakure concluded that it would be a prime opportunity to ally themselves with the right people. The sustainable resources of the country would heighten and Amegakure would have themselves a fine amount of support. A logical agreement of allegiance between two countries. However, if only their leader weren't so stubborn. He was a fool. He believed that they would survive. Again, he was a fool.

"How can you believe your own people to be so expendable?!" Naruto growled questioningly, clenching both fists, "Have you no shame?" There was a pause and their eyes locked in an electrifying stare until Naruto became fed up and his blood-red eyes widened. "Your people will die!"

Kagayaku looked at the young man as if he were lying. It was as if the boy were joking with him. The older Rain-nin believed in his way and his way only. The trees began to see the courage in the boy to stand up too such a man. So much so, they too, began to feel the need to be free. Naruto was sensible. Open your eyes, the trees whispered through the mist, the boy is right. Kagayaku didn't seem to get the message. He smirked tauntingly as he responded, "People die," he began coolly, "it's the natural way of life. I'm only speeding up the process." His voice was soft, but in a sinister way. The kind of voice you can't stand. The kind that no one can stand. The voice of a sneaky bastard.

Naruto couldn't stand the Rain-nin anymore. The Kyuubi began to rumble inside of him. "As a leader, you're supposed to protect, not destroy! Even you should understand that! The Fire Country is trying to help-"

"I don't need your help. My people don't need your help... So, with that being said, why don't you run along back to your country and their fading flame," Kagayaku interrupted, sliding his hands into his pockets as if he felt safe. Too bad he was arguing with a very angry Jinchuriki.

After examining the crime lord a little more, Naruto began to notice something. A certain something that began to link him to a certain someone. Naruto's left eye twitched and he lifted his hands up. They were shaking. His eyes dizzied him. The Kyuubi awakened. Naruto subconsciously fell onto all fours. There was a no control. The bushes huddled together anxiously. The lake began to ripple. The dark sandy beach began to pile up and attempt to flee. "Sasuke!" Naruto ducked his head down. In a flash, blazing red chakra exploded around Naruto and he lifted his head instantaneously. Two crimson tails and a pair of fox-like ears sprouted out. The eyes became larger and black rings formed. Teeth elongated. Claws fired up. Naruto tipped his head higher, "SASUKE!!!" he roared out to the world. To Kagayaku's eyes, reality could have ripped clean in half with a roar that powerful. To Kagayaku's mind, this was perfect.

Naruto brought his head down and a screech could be heard. At first, it was unknown where the sound came from. But there was no doubt. The chakra surrounding Naruto was so hot, it was boiling to the point that smoke formed like a tea kettle, only if it were nearly about to explode, perhaps. A crater formed underneath Naruto with a crunch so terrifying, the sand vaporized. A twisted smile formed from ear to ear. Naruto was in his prime.

"So... they were right," Kagayaku starred Naruto in the eye for a moment. Those evil, cursed eyes starred back. "You are the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki. It's nice. I get to see if the rumors were true. Whether or not this power really did kill Him." Kagayaku smirked, as if he weren't afraid. After all, this hadn't been the first time he starred evil in the eye. The Gobi's Jinchuriki... I never knew they were so much alike, Kagayaku thought, Reiki, it appears you have a friend.