Introduction
Thank you returning to The Chronicles of the Seventh. As usual I like to begin by saying I don 't own Naruto. I just borrow it without permission for my own purposes. Lol!
Thank You's
Thank you to all who have read my first chapter and added this story to your favorites and alerts list. And a special thanks to those who reviewed my last chapter: Autumn Flower, maliousdei, dark waffle, 101fallingrock, maxslayer10, iiDarkness, GravenImage, FoxSage19, aej1085, Bikiluf, theloverofanime, Kushina's Truth of Hell, airnaruto45, Vorgonaz, charles cdv, dragonshaun9, Silver Senpai, Erokage, Sasuke K, ZnudzonY, Jyuubi6 and buzzbumble.
Responces
Awtumn Flower - First off, your name...is beautiful. Secondly...I update weekly. No worries.
maliousdei - I hope my OC's are good too. Lol. I only added a few and I have a clear vision for them that hoefully only enhances the story. As far as the chapter count I really have no set number. TBH, at one point I was planning to make this story a 4 part story as opposed to 3. But I decided to condense it. Hope it still works.
dark waffle - Glad you liked the last chapter of Book II. Hopefully I can keep it up. I'm glad you liked the whole thing with Ozuru and his father. I really wanted to show how bad things have been progressing since the end of Book II. I thought using them just to let you guys know things have gone to hell.
Sasuke...sigh...is evil yes. However, my hope is to show he has a bit more depth than what we've seen in the cannon manga. I want my Sasuke to to be someone we see is struggling with the decisions he's been making yet makes them none the less.
Sakura is fine. She's in a better place. One with bright sun, rainbows and waterfalls. Cry not for Konoha's Cherry Blossum.
101FallingRock - Glad you enjoyed things so far. I'll try my best to maintain a high level. Thank you for putting this on your list.
maxslayer10 - Thanks. Have you heard this title before. Aww. Here i thought it was a RR original.
iiDarkness - I don't mind long reviews. Detailed reviews make my day. :) My break was restful and needed. I started getting a bit overwhelmed trying to stick to my weekly schedule and i also wanted to restart my BoS fanfic as well.
Yes, I've noticed that my work improved over time as well. This is mostly because I began to become comfortable with the Fanfic format of writing and began to develop a clear idea in terms of presentation. Plus I was able to settle in to a set schedule for writing that helped me feel less rushed.
I'm glad you hold some work n such high esteem. Maybe I'm not advertising my story enough but I'm happy with the readership I get weekly. I get a few thousand readers a week and it's really more than i could have dreamed when I started. But hey, feel free to tell your friends about my work. Nothing works better than word of mouth.
As for GravenImage, I've heard he himself is a dedicated and amazing writer. i have never read his work personally. Only because I have a rule about reading other Naruto fics. I don't. as i don't want what i read to influence what i write. But I plan to read his work once I'm done. Speaking of which...
GravenImage - Hello GI. Pronouncing my fic a hit after only one chapter? Lol. Now the pressure really is on. Lol. I do plan to add certain things from recent canon developments so long as it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story or feel forced.
FoxSage19 - Thanx.
aej1085 - Thanx.
Bikiluf - True. But remember when I wrote that chapter we didnt know that yet. :P Thanx though.
theloverofanime - A small glimmer of hope for what i wonder? :P Yes, it is kinda nasty what Sasuke did. But he's a desperate man.
Kushina's ToH - I can force them and i will. Lol. You see I look at it like I'm Obama and your reviews are like votes. And I'll do anything for them! I'll kiss your baby! Lol
Shikamaru is in a strange position right now. He's a guy who likes to have control of the situation and right now he has none and is forced to rely on a guy who has no plan. And if they fail they die. Not the best place to be.
So, you may review my other work? Yes! Kissing your baby worked! lol!
airnaruto45 - Gasp! A NS fanfic without the "S"! Lol! It's ok Air. Sakura is in a good place. A better place. A place with rainbows, clear sunny days and waterfalls. Cry not for her.
Vorganz - Good to be Back. I missed doing this. Did I overuse that word? Maybe. Perhaps i'll edit that. My plans for Sakura are...ummm...none...since she's...you know...in the land with rainbows and waterfalls. Also, i'm glad you liked my intro.
charles cdv - Thanx.
dragonshaun9 - i have a question for you. Is there a dragonshaun8? Anyway, you should sit down. Don't wanna have you pass out there bud. Lol.
Silver Senpai - Hey there OMF brother. Gald you stopped by. Gald you're enjoying things.
Erokage - Thanx.
Sasuke K - Hey another OMF brother! Awww, I guess you didn't like ch 1 as much as previous ones. What didn't work for you I wonder? Feel free to let me know. :) Sakura = land of Rainbows and waterfalls.
ZnudzonY - Shikamaru is out of his element in many ways and i really want him to be a bit of the comedic relief. Not his normal canon role I know. But I just see him this way in my story. But fear not, his role will expand and he will have an integral role to play soon. Fear not for Sakura. BTw, did you know that in some lands Cherry Blossoms can bloom twice?
Jyuubi6 - Man, you really want Naruto to just go really dark don't you? Lol.
buzzbumble - Thanks for the catch. *slaps forehead* I can't believe I made that mistake. It has been corrected.
Message from RR
Ok, so after the past week I've received private messages, reviews, bricks through my window, computer viruses and death threats because I killed off Sakura. All I can say is "thank you' to all the fans who feel passionately about this topic. Just know that what happened to Sakura was necessary in my mind, for Naruto's current and future development and i hope you will all come to understand. Again, cry not for Sakura. She's in a land of waterfalls, rainbows and clear skys. BTW, did you guys know that in Indonesia Cherry Blossoms can bloom twice a year? Fun Fact.
Also, I've been getting thoughts from readers who would like Naruto to go super dark. Even evil. Just remember guys that though my mission is to grow and expand on the personalities of these characters, thier core personalities won't change too much. Remember, this story is supposed to be close to, yet different from, the canon manga. :)
Ok, with that here is chapter two of End of Innocence. Enjoy. And please feel free to review this chapter.
Naruto: The Chronicles of the Seventh
Book III: End of Innocence
Chapter II: Naruto Unleashed
******Sunagakure - Prisons – Early Evening******
Krolik hung suspended in the air, as Naruto's hand squeezed his windpipe tighter and tighter. Slowly his head began pounding as his brain grew increasingly deprived of oxygen. His ear drums began to pound and he began to turn pale. As he fought to struggle out of Naruto's grip he could feel all energy slowly slipping away. I'm, he thought in a moment of sheer panic, I'm going to die. This is how it ends.
Shikamaru pulled at Naruto's shoulder, desperately trying to tear him away. He was shocked that despite being locked away in a prison cell after a month long coma, Naruto was surprisingly strong. No matter how hard he tried, Shikamaru couldn't budge him.
"Naruto," Shikamaru said, "You gotta let him go! Doing this will only make things worse for us. Let him go now!"
Naruto looked back at Shikamaru harshly and then back at Krolik, who by now began to turn a pale shade of blue. Naruto then let him go and Krolik limply fell to the ground.
Krolik gabbed at his neck and began violently gasping for air. Naruto turned from him in disgust and walked away and stared out of the small barred window.
As Krolik coughed and sputtered the two guards that had accompanied him hurried back into the cells and seeing Krolik, drew their kunai. Naruto looked back and stared harshly at them and Shikamaru could tell things were going to get problematic in a hurry.
Naruto turned and slowly began to walk towards the guards when Shikamaru quickly jumped between them. "Hold on guys," he said smiling, "This is just one big misunderstanding ok. Let's not do something we'd all regret. Let's all just calm down."
Finally Krolik got to his feet and still rubbing his sore neck he yelled, "Calm down? You're a psychopath who should be thrown in a cage like the animal you are!"
Looking back at Naruto who began to pace back and forth like a caged lion Shikamaru then turned back to Krolik and said, "If I were you Krolik I'd judge my next few words very carefully."
For a moment Krolik stared harshly at Shikamaru and then at Naruto. "Fine," Krolik said, "I can see how tensions can cause people to lose themselves. Guards, you can go now. I'll be fine."
"Are you sure sir," one of the guards said. "This guy seems pretty dangerous. Perhaps it's best we stay with you."
"No, no," Krolik said, "As Shikamaru said, this is just a misunderstanding. Everything is fine. Please, leave us."
The guards looked wearily at Naruto who was still pacing back and forth and then left. Once gone Krolik looked angrily at Naruto and said, "How dare you treat me this way! I'm an elder of this village and trust me I won't go easy on you next time!"
"Yes," Naruto said mockingly, "I can see how easy you were taking it on me a few minutes ago. I may have let you go but what I said still stands. Tell me where Madara is now!"
"Hold on a second Naruto," Shikamaru said and then looked to Krolik, "Is what Naruto said true Krolik? Are you Akatsuki?"
Krolik smiled and said, "Please Shikamaru. Look at your friend over there. Obviously the man is losing control of himself. Perhaps he's spent too long in prison. I am a high ranking elder within Suna and nothing more."
Suddenly, hearing these words threw Naruto into a rage and he leapt to grab Krolik again. "You lying sack of shit," he yelled.
Acting quickly Shikamaru created several hand signs and said, "Shadow Imitation jutsu!" Shikamaru's shadow then quickly stretched out and merged with Naruto and Krolik's shadows causing both men to stop instantly in their tracks, with Naruto's hand only inches from Krolik.
"Let me go Shikamaru," Naruto yelled, "I'm tired of this bastards lies!"
"Right now Naruto it's hard to judge who's lying with you acting like this," Shikamaru said. "If I were you Krolik I'd start telling the truth. I can't promise I can hold him back very long."
"Damn you Shikamaru," Krolik said, "Naruto wouldn't dare kill me. It would defiantly spell his own death."
"Really," Shikamaru said with a smile, "A second ago you referred to him as a…..What was it again? Oh yes, a psychopath. And you and I both know how hard it is to predict what someone like that might do."
Krolik turned pale with fright and looked into Naruto's eyes. In them all he could see was his own death. "Y-You," he said, "You wouldn't let him go Shikamaru. He might have lost his senses but you haven't."
Smiling, Shikamaru replied, "I don't know Krolik. I'm already facing a death sentence. I'm not really sure how much worse it could get for me. Besides, I never liked you anyway."
Krolik could only look on in horror as Naruto began to slowly break free of Shikamaru's jutsu and inch closer and closer.
"However," Shikamaru said as he again forced Naruto to freeze. "You're right. It's not my nature to just let someone die. But the real problem is I can't hold Naruto for long even if I wanted to. Naruto, as you know, is a Jinchuricki, which means he's got way more chakra than I do. I figure I can only hold him for another couple minutes at best."
Again Naruto began to move closer and closer which caused Krolik to burst into a cold sweat. "I can't really hold him much longer Krolik," Shikamaru said. "If I were you I'd start talking."
Krolik stared at Naruto for a long moment before swallowing hard. A small smile appeared on his face and without taking his eyes off of Naruto he said, "Damn you Shikamaru. You always were a damned good negotiator. You're a true prodigy! Yes, I am Akatsuki. And I have been for many years. The question is: how did you know Naruto?"
Naruto seemed to calm down a bit and then said, "About a year ago, while I was hunting for any information regarding Akatsuki I came across a rouge ninja suspected of working for Akatsuki."
******Land of Earth – One Year ago - Midday******
The Land of Earth is a large and desolate place and as hard a place to live as the Land of Wind. Very little plant life or animal life can be found here outside of the toughest of animals. On a lonely, windswept mountain range a figure can be seen running.
The man breathed hard as he pushed himself as much as he could. The sun was beating down on him mercilessly and his mouth was dry. But still he pushed on frantically through the desert sun. Looking back he could see the outline of his pursuer, through the haze in the distance.
Damn, he thought to himself, this guy just doesn't give up. He's been chasing me like this for half a day. I can't keep this up. I'm going to have to take this bastard out.
Several hundred yards back the man's pursuer ran at an even pace, neither sprinting nor jogging. He wore a dirty red coat and a hood. The man he was chasing was a rouge ninja, suspected of being a member of Akatsuki.
For years it was believed Akatsuki was a small group of highly trained, elite rouge ninja. After the past few years he had learned that this wasn't entirely correct. Though the upper echelons of Akatsuki was apprised of a handful of elite ninja, Akatsuki had been secretly gathering lesser rouge ninja and even supposed loyal ninja under its banner. Akatsuki had evolved from a small mercenary group into an army.
The hooded man ran up a small bluff flanked by two large boulders. He had lost sight of his target several minutes ago when he ran through here and now he was trying to pick up his trail again. The man then pushed his hood back to reveal that it was Naruto. Naruto had a light beard and tired eyes. He'd been hunting this guy for two days non-stop. Pulling a canteen from his back pocket Naruto took a quick drink and placed it back and began to look for signs of where the ninja went.
Suddenly the target leapt from the top of the boulder armed with two explosive kunai and threw them at the Naruto who quickly leapt clear of the blasts and pulled out two kunai to defend himself.
The ninja quickly closed in trying to take Naruto off guard and began swinging two more kunai at Naruto's throat and stomach. Naruto quickly blocked each attack and as the ninja lunged with a forward thrust Naruto threw one kunai at his head forcing him to dodge in mid attack, which forced the ninja into an awkward, off balance stance.
Taking this momentary opening, Naruto grabbed the ninja's wrist with his free hand and forced the kunai out of his hand and then kicked him back against the boulder.
Before the ninja could recover, Naruto had a kunai at his throat. "You've been giving me a hard time kid," the ninja said. "Who the hell are you?"
"Uzumaki Naruto," Naruto said.
The ninja looked at him in amazement. "Uzumaki," he said. Every Akatsuki member is under strict orders to report this guys location to the higher ups, the ninja recalled.
"Humph," the ninja said. "It's pretty stupid to go hunting the very group that's hunting you kid. Akatsuki is a group to be feared."
Naruto smiled and said, "Wow, I didn't expect you to admit that you are an Akatsuki agent so easily."
"I could have lied," the Ninja said, "But would it have made a difference?"
"Nope," Naruto replied.
"So what the hell do you want," the ninja said.
"That should be fairly obvious," Naruto said, "I want all information you have on Akasuki; specifically their whereabouts."
The Ninja laughed spitefully. "You must be naïve or think I'm a fool," he said, "Even If I knew I'd never say. If I do, I'll not only be killed but my family as well. Besides us lesser ninja never speak to anyone within the inner circle. We have contacts who relay instructions to us. I'm not telling you a damned thing else."
Naruto pressed the kunai against the ninja's throat causing a slight bit of blood to trickle down his neck. "If you don't talk I'll kill you here," Naruto said.
"Please kid," the ninja said, "I've fought many people who've wanted me dead. I've seen the intent to kill in their eyes and you don't have it. So why don't you kiss my ass huh?"
"Are you sure you want to…," Naruto said when he felt a sharp pain in his upper back. He saw the sinister smile on the ninja's chest and then the ninja disappeared in a puff of smoke.
Standing behind Naruto was the ninja. He had stabbed Naruto in the back. Naruto's face turned pale and he turned to see the smiling ninja behind him before falling backwards to the ground. "You really shouldn't be so over confident," said the ninja, "just because I'm not a member of Akatsuki's inner circle doesn't mean I should be taken lightly. I happen to be a master of the Shadow Clone technique."
To the ninja's surprise, Naruto also disappeared in a puff of smoke and behind him he heard Naruto say, "What a coincidence." As soon as the ninja turned around Naruto punched him hard in the face causing him to fall to the ground hard.
"I happen to have some experience with Shadow Clones myself," Naruto said with a smile. "Now where were we? Oh yes, you were going to give me the name of your contact."
The ninja grimaced and rubbed his jaw. "Bastard," he said as he looked at Naruto. Naruto began to walk closer to the ninja when the ninja pulled two pellets from his belt and slammed them to the ground and big puff of dark smoke plumed into the air.
Naruto covered his face as he raised a kunai in front of him defensively. Smoke bomb, Naruto thought to himself as he tried to see where the ninja had gone.
Using the temporary distraction the ninja leapt out of the smoke and sprinted up the bluff. Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto spotted him and quickly gave chase.
A few moments later the Ninja came to a quick stop as the bluff came to a brief end. The ninja looked down and saw that it was a long plummet down and jagged rocks at the bottom.
"Looks like you have no place to go," Naruto said as he stood watching the ninja. "Why don't you tell me what you know and maybe I'll let you go."
The ninja turned to face Naruto and for a moment just stared at him. He then looked back at the long drop behind him and then turned back to Naruto and smiled. Without a word the ninja backed off the ledge and plummeted to the bottom as Naruto ran to the edge and screamed, "No!"
"Damn it," Naruto said as he saw the ninja's body lying at the bottom. Naruto turned and ran down the hill and then went around and down to where the ninja's broken body lay.
As Naruto approached the body he was shocked to see the ninja was alive lying in a pool of his blood. Naruto quickly ran up and kneeled down next to him. Naruto could quickly tell the ninja was moments from death. Damn, he thought, If only I had medic training maybe I could do something.
"Hey," Naruto said, "Give me a name. You're about to die. These Akatsuki don't give a damn about you and they plan to destroy this world. You said it yourself, you have a family. If they aren't stopped your family could be in harms way."
The ninja smiled and Naruto could see his blood stained teeth. The ninja then opened his mouth in an effort to talk and Naruto leaned forward to hear. The last thing the ninja was able to whisper was, "Krolik." Naruto felt the ninja shiver slightly and then died.
******Sunagakure – Prisons – Present Day******
"At the time I had no idea who you were," Naruto said. "And it was nearly impossible to get much more information about you from other Akatsuki I came across. It wasn't until just over a month ago that I finally got a first name and realized who you were, Hiura Krolik. But before I could make my way here to confront you I was called back to Konoha and I had to put it on hold."
Krolik smiled wickedly. "I see," he said. "I guess you just can't trust anyone these days."
"I don't get it Krolik," Shikamaru said, "You've always been an asshole, but I would never think you would be a traitor. Why would you do this?"
"My reasons are my own," Krolik responded. "It really doesn't matter at all anyway. You knowing the truth doesn't change a thing."
"Oh really," Naruto said. "I wonder how Gaara will feel after hearing this."
Krolik laughed and asked, "Exactly how do you intend to prove that I'm Akatsuki. It's not like I'll just admit it to him and the only proof you have is the confession of a rouge ninja who died long ago. And after I tell Gaara of your actions today Naruto, your word won't exactly be easy to believe."
"You bastard," Naruto yelled as he began to pull out of Shikamaru's technique and get closer to Krolik. Shikamaru grimaced under the strain of trying to hold Naruto.
"If I were you," Shikamaru said, "I'd hurry along with telling us your offer. I can't hold this guy much longer."
"Madara has given you a chance to save your friends Naruto," Krolik said. "Give up yourself to Akatsuki and Madara will not invade Konoha and Shikamaru will be released. If you don't, Madara will send his forces to Konoha and kill every man, woman and child and you will watch as Shikamaru is put to death."
Hearing this pushed Naruto over the edge and he broke free of Shikamaru's jutsu, grabbed Krolik by the neck and slammed him against the wall.
"Stop Naruto," Shikamaru yelled.
"No," Naruto yelled back. "I'm sick of this Shikamaru! All I've ever done is try to do what right! To always take the high road! But what has it gotten me? Every decision I've made has caused the deaths of someone close to me! Pervy-Sage, Kakashi, Sakura! They've all been taken from me! All these bastards respect is force! Well, they will respect me! I'll find each and every Akatsuki member and rip them to shreds! I'll bathe the earth in their blood!"
"Fine," Shikamaru said solemnly. "You want to give into vengeance like Sasuke did? Fine. I can't say I would blame you. But if you think this will somehow make us happy seeing you this way you're wrong. Naruto for years you've fought to get Sasuke back, because you knew the path he's chosen will lead to only misery. How can you think it will be any different for you?"
"Find them all," Shikamaru said, "And kill them all. But in the end a part of you will die as well. The part of you that we all look up to. The part all your friends believe in, fight for and have died to protect. This isn't who Naruto is. Revenge, isn't what you do."
Naruto let go of Krolik who landed with a thud. He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned pale all the while his head was bent low. Shikamaru could then see drip of water falling in front of Naruto and he knew he was crying.
"Then what am I supposed to do Shikamaru," he asked. With tears in his eyes, Naruto looked at his friend. "Because I don't know anymore," he said. "Everything I've tried has failed. No matter how strong I get I can't seem to protect anyone. And Sasuke….I can't save him. I know that now. So what's the point? Why fight to be better when in the end better isn't good enough!"
"Because better is who you are," Shikamaru said. "Naruto, I'm not the best guy when it comes to blind faith. But when it comes to you, there's something about you that makes people put their faith in you. You, make miracles happen. And I know you can do it again. That's the amount of faith I have, we all have, in you. Now get you're ass up, stop crying like a damned idiot and help me find a way out of this shit."
Naruto laughed. "Right," he said. "You're right. Krolik, go tell your master to go hell. I'll find my own way out of this and then I'll find him and kick his ass."
Krolik dusted himself off and got to his feet. "You're making a mistake," he said as he turned to leave. "This was your last chance to protect your friends and home. Now you'll watch them all burn."
"You're wrong," Naruto replied. "You and Akatsuki will fail Krolik, because you underestimate us. The faith my friends have in me and the faith KillerBee's friends have in him will give us the strength to stop you."
Just as Krolik opened the cell to leave he paused. "KillerBee," he said. "Oh I see. You haven't heard yet have you?"
"Heard what," Naruto asked.
Keeping his back to Naruto Krolik said, "Two days ago an Akatsuki shinobi by the name of Hoshigaki Kisame infiltrated Kumogakure. Your friend, KillerBee, the Eight Tails Jinchuriki, has already been taken." With a small smile on his face Krolik left a stunned Naruto in his cell.
End of Chapter Two
Next Time: Legacy of the Bee
