Chapter 1: Remembrance

A/N: First off, welcome back to another installment of Akumagakure. It's been one hell of a ride since I got back on the horse when I came up with the idea behind The Insanity Corner. It helped revitalized my creative juices and got them flowing again.

Enough about that, you guys came here to read. Just a warning, not much in the way of action. This chapter sets the stage for future events and introduces a few major players (i.e. Pirates of the Caribbean star Will Turner) early.

And, for those who are concerned with Naruto not following through with his threat of destroying Konoha, I wouldn't worry too much about that. I haven't thought that far ahead, besides wanting to destroy Konoha (Haven't read many Naruto fics where he actually destroys Konoha). I am thinking of dropping this fic's versions of the Tailed Beasts into Konoha and using them to obliterate the entire area.

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Random Quote: "Hm, the boy's pheromone levels suggest that he wants to mate with the female." Ratchet, Transformers the Movie 2007

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Five years since Naruto Uzumaki had left Konoha. Three years since proposing to his Desert Rose Sabaku no Temari. Eighteen months since creating the village of Akumagakure, a. k. a the Hidden Demon Village and becoming the Shodai Onikage, the First Demon Shadow. We now find Naruto sitting at his desk taking on the bane of all Kages… paperwork.

With a growl, Naruto stood up and said, "Fuck this. I need a break."

Grinning slightly, Naruto placed his fingers in an all-too-familiar cross, saying, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

Instantly, ten perfect clones of the Onikage appeared in the room. Upon appearing, Naruto directed them to finish the paperwork while he went to inspect his village. Placing a battered Konoha Jounin vest on and covering it up with an orange trench coat-like lab coat that had red black flames on the bottom, Naruto walked out of the office. Nodding to the lone visage of his ANBU guard, Naruto walked down the stairs to look at his village. As he was making his way down the stairs, a man wearing a black cloak and concentric circles surrounding his pupils appeared at his side.

Without looking at the new arrival, Naruto asked, "How are the new recruits coming along, Pein-tou-san?"

With a small smile, Pein said, "They're coming along nicely, Naruto. But we do have a very small problem."

Raising an eyebrow, Naruto asked, "And that problem is?"

Placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder, Pein said, "We still do not have a specialist in Metal Ninjutsu."

Rubbing his hand over his chin in thought, Naruto asked, "Are any of the bijuu proficient in Metal Ninjutsu?"

Looking up, Pein said, "Houkou is capable of using Metal Ninjutsu, since its five tails correspond to the five main elements. Raijuu Kaku, if they combine their elements together, are capable as well. Kyuubi, I believe, may be capable. You would have to ask her later about it."

Nodding, Naruto said, "See if Houkou knows of any Metal Ninjutsu. I know he is a Genjutsu specialist, but maybe he knows of some Metal Ninjutsu."

Nodding as well, Pein asked, "Are you ready for the Chuunin Exams coming up?"

The seventeen-year-old looked at Pein and said, "Yeah. Can't wait to see the looks on THEIR faces when they see who this village's kage is… not to mention when the teme finds out that his brother is one of my ANBU personnel."

Smiling slightly, Pein asked, "So, when is the wedding?"

Blushing very slightly, Naruto said, "Haven't set a date yet. Temari-chan said she's was going to escort some new genin and her two brothers here for the Chuunin Exams. We'll talk about it then."

Looking down as his son, Pein said, "Just as long as you make sure myself and your kaa-san are there to talk about it."

Snorting, Naruto said, "Don't have to worry about that, tou-san. Kaa-san somehow always knows when Temari-chan is in town."

As the two walked down the street, people greeted them with a hello or other various forms of greeting. Not one person glared at Naruto, which was a good thing for him, since his former village of Konoha always glared at him. It wasn't too long before two people came up on the two. One was wearing the same cloak as Pein, with the design of a fan on the back. The other was dressed in a skin-tight leather suit and had two guns strapped to the small of her back.

Pein noticed the new arrivals and asked, "Itachi, how goes the torture of our Oto prisoner?"

Itachi's red Sharingan eyes glanced at Pein, before saying, "Got some very interesting information from him, Pein-san."

Going into his 'business' mode, Naruto asked, "And what information is that, Itachi-san?"

With his arms hanging by his sides, Itachi said, "Our prisoner said that my brother and his 'former' sensei have formed an alliance recently."

The woman in leather said, "That would explain why we've been getting most of the clans from your former village, Onikage-sama."

Raising a hand up, Naruto said, "I believe I told you that I wish to be called Naruto, Selene. Only the genin from our village and the villages of our allies can call me Onikage-sama."

Selene's ice-blue eyes gleamed slightly, before she said, "I understand, Naruto-san."

Itachi glanced over at Naruto, asking, "When is my brother going to be here, Naruto-san?"

Looking over at the Uchiha, Naruto said, "Within the week before the Chuunin Exams."

Nodding once, Itachi said, "I will get back to getting information from our prisoner."

Before Itachi could leave, Naruto said, "Don't overdo yourself with the Mangekyo, Itachi. I don't want you losing your sight before I can do something about it." Nodding his answer, Itachi took his leave from the group.

Selene looked over at the other two and said, "I too will take my leave. I need to see how Michael is doing." With that said, she left them.

Looking over at Naruto, Pein asked, "When are you going to tell me how you got a vampire to join our ranks, Naruto?"

Grinning like a certain nine-tailed demon we all know and love, Naruto said, "The same way I got everyone else to join our ranks… with my natural charm."

Rolling his eyes, Pein said, "You didn't get that from me, I can tell you that much."

The grin never leaving his face, Naruto said, revealing his own pair of Rinnegan eyes to his father, "Already know that. Only thing I got from you are these eyes and a whole lot of jutsu knowledge."

As the two were walking down the street, a young man with red hair green eyes, wearing a white kimono, started walking alongside them. Pein noticed the new arrival and asked, "Are any of the diplomats from the other countries here yet, Kurama?"

With his hands behind his back, Kurama said, "Lady Kazehana and her escorts are six hours out. The others are already here."

Glancing at Kurama, Pein asked, "And my future daughter-in-law?"

Smiling slightly, Kurama said, "She's already here."

Naruto stopped in the middle of the street and said, "Um… gotta go."

With that said, Naruto flashed out of the area, using his 'adopted' father's legendary Hiraishin to get home. When he left, Pein said, "Ah, to be young again."

Smiling slightly, Kurama asked, "You thinking about having more children, Pein-san?"

Rubbing his chin in thought, Pein said, "Well, Kushina was asking when we could start on building our clan up."

Looking over at Pein, Kurama said, "You may want to get started soon. Don't want to leave Naruto having to build it up on his own."

Nodding in agreement, Pein shunshined away, leaving Kurama to his thoughts.

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Meanwhile, Naruto appeared in his mansion and was immediately tackled to the ground.

Looking into the eyes of his attacker, Naruto gave a foxy grin, as he said, "You know, attacking a Kage is grounds for war. You're lucky that I love you, Temari-chan."

Nuzzling his neck, Temari asked, "How long has it been, Naruto-kun?"

Rubbing her back, Naruto said, "Too damn long. But we can't do anything just yet."

Looking into his eyes, Temari asked, "Why's that, Naruto-kun?"

Standing up, with Temari still in his arms, Naruto said, "Because tou-san kaa-san want to discuss the wedding plans with us."

Laying her head on his shoulder, Temari asked, "Do we have to do it right now?"

Smiling slightly, Naruto said, "No. But they want to be there when we do talk about it."

Smiling, Temari said, "Good. That gives us some time."

Looking down at Temari, Naruto asked, "Time for what, Temari-chan?"

Looking back at Naruto, with an almost evil glint in her eyes, Temari said, "Time to have some fun." Naruto immediately gulped and hoped that his legendary stamina would save him in the end.

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Akumagakure, Northern Gate

Kotetsu Izumo, as they did back in Konoha years ago, were sitting at the checkpoint of the northern gate of their new home. The two, along with a few ANBU loyal to their home's Onikage, had left Konoha when they heard of what happened. Leaning back, Kotetsu was about to close his eyes for a second, when he heard the sound of an engine getting closer. Looking down the path, the two Chuunin saw a bike with flaming tires barreling down the path, being driven by a person whose head was literally a flaming skull. Pulling up to the checkpoint, the fires disappeared, and from the flames appeared a young man with messy jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes dressed in a leather jacket with metal studs on the shoulders, a black t-shirt, and black leather pants.

Smiling, Izumo asked, "How did the hunt go, Blaze?"

Smiling as well, Blaze pulled out a scroll and held it up, saying, "Konoha missing-nin Aoi Rokusho captured and killed. Obtained Nidaime Hokage's Raijin sword upon Rokusho's death,"

Nodding, Izumo said, "Well, we won't keep you from reporting in." Nodding, Blaze pocketed the scroll and drove his bike towards the ANBU Hunter-nin garage.

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Training Ground 12; Desert Arena

The Godaime Kazekage, Sabaku no Gaara, made his way to one of his favorite places in Akumagakure. As he neared the training ground, Gaara heard the sounds of a fight. Stepping into the sand of the training ground, Gaara moved his head slightly to the right, as a rope with the head of a snake-like creature flew right where his left eye was once at.

Grabbing the rope with his sand, Gaara looked at the other end of it and smirked slightly, asking "Trying to catch me off guard again, Scorpion?" Scorpion pointed behind the Shukaku jinchuuriki and Gaara erected a shield of sand to block the scimitar aimed at the back of his head.

Glancing behind him, Gaara said sarcastically, "Nice to see you too, Mathayus."

The man in question, wearing cloth pants with another scimitar strapped to his side his bow on his back, said, "We gotta keep you on your toes, Gaara-san."

Scorpion pulled his rope out of Gaara's sand and retracted it back into his hand. Looking around, Gaara asked, "Where is Deidara?"

Placing his scimitar it its leather sling, Mathayus said, "He's checking up on the shinobi Naruto-san left in Hoshigakure. He should be back in time for the Chuunin Exams."

Nodding, Gaara said, "I know you two want to get some missions done before the Chuunin Exams take place, so I'll walk with you to the Tower. Besides, I rather not go to Naruto-san's home right now."

Scorpion raised an eyebrow, as if to ask why Gaara didn't want to go to his second home. Seeing the raised eyebrow, Gaara said, "My sister is there. Knowing her, she's probably trying to have her way with Naruto."

Snorting, Mathayus said, "Just what we need, more of Naruto-san running around in the world."

Nodding in agreement, Gaara said, "Indeed. The world would be a better place if there were more of Naruto in the world."

Scorpion placed a hand on Gaara's shoulder and gestured towards the Tower. Nodding, Gaara walked with the two towards the tower, hoping to also catch one of the ANBU members who were once part of the demon-collecting organization Akatsuki.

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Demon Citadel

The imposing building that was a stone's throw away from the Onikage Tower had only two occupants within its walls. One of the occupants had short spiky black hair with a white bandanna wrapped around his forehead and bandages around his right arm. He was dressed in an all-black training uniform with a black cloak draped over his shoulders. The other was a very voluptuous woman with fiery-red hair. She was wearing a sleeveless black kimono with the design of a nine-tailed fox on the back. Adorning the flesh on the right shoulder joint was a black tattoo of that same fox, with one of its nine tails bright red.

The male looked out the window and said, "It looks like the Scorpion King and Scorpion found the Tanuki Kazekage and are heading for the tower."

The female nodded once and said, "They're not going to find Naruto there."

The male glared at the woman out of the corner of his eye and said, "I rather not know where he is or what he's doing right now, Ariel."

Ariel stuck her tongue out and said, "I wasn't even going to say anything about my container, Hiei."

Hiei snorted and returned his attention back outside. After staring outside for a few minutes, Hiei said, "They come, Ariel."

Knowing who Hiei was talking about, Ariel nodded and said, "I am looking forward to seeing their faces when they see that the best shinobi they ever had is in command of another village."

Glancing over at Ariel, Hiei said, "I wasn't talking about the Konoha shinobi. I see the final daimyos kages with the exception of the ones from Hi no Kuni approaching the Onikage Tower."

Spacing out for a second, Ariel said, "Naruto knows and is on his way there right now."

Turning his full gaze onto her, Hiei asked, "You gonna join him?"

Shaking her head, Ariel said, "Nope. Not unless he asks for me to be there." Nodding, Hiei turned his gaze back outside.

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Onikage Tower

Naruto was sitting in the chair in the main conference room, waiting on the leaders of his allied nations to arrive. At his side was the blonde wind mistress Temari, her face having a look of slight amusement. She knew how much Naruto hated meeting with dignitaries and was finding amusement in his discomfort. The doors to the room opened and a massive blue-skinned man walked in, his face bearing the likeness of a shark.

Without so much as batting an eye, Naruto asked, "What is it, Kisame?"

Kisame nodded towards the doors and said, "The delegates are on their way here, gaki."

Smirking, Naruto said, "I hope you remember what happened the last time you called me that, fish-face."

Ignoring his comment, Kisame stepped aside for the delegates to walk in.

First, of course, was Pein. Naruto knew that he represented both Ame no Kuni Kusa no Kuni, along with their respective ninja villages. Right behind the Rinnegan user was Naruto's biological uncle Arashi Uzumaki, former shinobi turned daimyo of Uzu no Kuni.

Walking together into the room was the Kaminari no Kuni daimyo Sanda Kiri the Mizu no Kuni/Umi no Kuni daimyo Will Turner. Will was also Akumagakure's connection to their Naval Fleet, which was commanded by the squid-like Davy Jones. Right behind the two was the Kages of their shinobi villages. Umi Hoshigaki was the Mizukage of Kirigakure and the younger (and normal looking) sister of Kisame. Right beside her was the Raikage of Kumogakure, the jinchuuriki of Nibi no Nekomata, Yugito Nii.

A few steps behind them was the daimyo of Taki no Kuni (and also the Takikage) Shibuki. Behind Shibuki was the Tsuchi no Kuni daimyo Ishi Manjoume Kuma no Kuni Hokuto, along with their respective Kages Suzumebachi Kamizuru Sumaru.

A few seconds later, the Kaze no Kuni daimyo Ebizo walked in, with the silent Kazekage Gaara just a couple of steps behind him. Finally, the final five daimyos walked in. Lady Koyuki Kazehana of Yuki no Kuni, Lady Toki of Tori no Kuni, Lady Haruna of Na no Kuni, former Konoha shinobi Idate Morino of Cha no Kuni, and the perpetual drunk Tazuna of Nami no Kuni.

As they walked in, Naruto noticed that Tazuna wasn't walking like he was drunk. Curious, Naruto asked, "Hey, Tazuna. How come you're not walking like you're drunk?"

Looking over at the Kage who guarded him years ago, Tazuna said, "Tsunami hid all of my sake and threatened to get rid of them if I didn't do my job right."

Nodding once, Naruto said, "Hm, maybe I ought to try that with Ero-Sennin and his peeping."

Looking over at Kisame, Naruto said, "Wait outside for a moment, Kisame."

Nodding, the shark-faced ANBU stepped outside of the doors and stood guard. As soon as the doors close, Naruto said, "Good of you all to come here."

Umi looked at the Onikage and said, "You did ask for us to come."

Rolling his eyes, Naruto said, "I know. Now, let's get down to business."

Looking over at Sanda Yugito, Naruto asked, "How goes the research into the Byakugan's weakness?"

Sanda pulled out a scroll and tossed it to Naruto, saying, "Everything we've gotten so far is in that scroll."

Passing the scroll over to Temari, Naruto said, "Take this over to Hiashi, Temari-chan. If you can't find him, give it to Neji."

Placing the scroll in her shuriken pouch, Temari asked, "What do I get in return?"

Staring at her, Naruto smirked and said, "I'm not saying it here." Pouting, Suna's Wind Mistress left the room.

With her out, Naruto's facial features grew borderline angry, as he said, "THEY are on their way here."

The assembled delegates nodded, immediately knowing who it was that their friend was talking about. A knock at the door grabbed the blonde Onikage's attention, as he said, "Enter."

The doors opened and everyone in the room was greeted by the flaming visage of Johnny Blaze in his Ghost Rider persona. Tossing a sword hilt at Naruto, Johnny said, "The sword of the Nidaime Hokage. You asked me to bring it to you once I finished my check-in duties."

Catching it in the air, Naruto nodded and said, "I'll get you another mission once I'm done here." Nodding, Johnny left for the ANBU HQ garage to perform a tune-up on his bike.

Setting the sword aside, Naruto said, "Baa-chan is going to be happy about her grand-uncle's sword being back in her possession once again."

Will looked at the hilt and asked, "What does it do?"

Glancing over at the Umi/Mizu daimyo, Naruto asked, "Ever heard of the Raijin sword?"

Blinking, Will asked, "That's the Raijin sword of the Nidaime Hokage, the man who could form a powerful Water Dragon in Suna?"

Grinning, Naruto said, "Yep, that's the sword. Blaze snatched it from Aoi Rokusho, who stole it from the Konoha vault."

Naruto and the delegates started to talk about various things and initiating trades. This went on for a few minutes, before a knock on the door got everyone's attention. Raising an eyebrow, Naruto said, "Enter."

The door opened and the 12 major shinobi clan heads of Akumagakure walked in. Raising both eyebrows, Naruto asked, "What's this all about?"

Naruto's mother, after saying hello to her brother, said, "You, Pein, me and Temari need to talk after this meeting."

Giving her a deadpan look, Naruto asked, "What else are you and the other clan heads here for, kaa-san?"

Taking a seat in between Pein Arashi, she said, "We heard that the last loyal Uchiha and his followers are on the way here."

Naruto noticed that she was rolling her eyes as she spoke and snorted, saying, "Yeah. Hatake and the banshee will be there, of course. I suggest passing out earplugs to block her sound."

Two of the female clan heads snickered as he said that, causing him to turn his gaze upon the two. The two stopped, as they realized that their leader was staring at them.

When they stopped, Naruto turned his attention to the Hyuga clan head and asked, "Did you get the package I had Temari deliver to you?"

Nodding, Hiashi said, "I got Neji and Hinata testing the information out."

Nodding, the blonde vessel said to everyone, "Remember to use the anti-Uchiha seals to make sure the gay emo and the one-eyed pervert don't copy anything from us."

Another knock at the door got everyone's attention. Growling slightly, Naruto said, "Enter."

The doors opened and the 'civilian' council walked in, with one of them saying, "I wish you could've told us about there being a meeting, Naruto-san."

Nodding once, Naruto said, "Sorry, Raiden. Didn't think about notifying you all about it."

Sparks flew from Raiden's fingertips, as he said, "Well, now that we're all here, someone please fill us in on what's happened since the meeting started."

Pein nodded once towards the Nidaime's blade and said, "Blaze was successful in obtaining the Raijin sword. Besides that, trades were initiated and word was passed that Hi no Kuni is sending delegates and genin for the upcoming Chuunin Exams."

One of the men, who was in a red and purple uniform, asked, "I expect that none of their genin will make it to the final round?"

Smirking like a certain fox, Naruto said, "What do you think, Magneto? Of course they're not gonna make it that far."

The man in front of Magneto, asked, "And if their leader has a problem with it?"

Naruto's eyes went into their 'fox mode' and his whisker-like birthmarks darkened, as he said, "Let's just say that what I did to him at the Valley of the End will seem like child's play, Xavier."

Without breaking eye contact, Xavier asked, "And, if he starts a war over it?"

Plastering a grin on his face, Naruto said, "I'm a one-man army, Xavier. The entire world knows what I am capable of."

Looking over at the muscular man behind Magneto, Naruto asked, "Is the stadium ready, Cain?"

Cain Marko, known throughout the world as the Juggernaut, said, "The preparations are nearly complete. Choza-san's clan have been most helpful."

Choza nodded his appreciation at the compliment. Naruto looked over at Itachi and asked, "How is Madara-sama's undercover mission going, Itachi?"

His coal black eyes returning Naruto's gaze, Itachi said, "Madara-sama has reported that he is one of the guards for my brother."

Smirking, Naruto asked, "Does he know of his connection to the teme?"

Nodding once, Itachi said, "He has restrained himself from killing Sasuke and Kakashi." Hearing his former sensei's name, Naruto lean back into his chair and started to think.

With a smile on his face, Magneto said, "Don't strain yourself, Naruto."

Rolling his eyes, Naruto said, "Very funny, Magneto."

A young woman next to Xavier, who had two metallic claws out on her right hand, asked, "What were you thinking about?"

Looking at the speaker, Naruto said, "Kakashi-teme's team mates, Laura. More specifically, Obito Uchiha."

His eyes opening up, Itachi asked, "What about him?"

Grinning, Naruto asked, "What do you think Konoha's reaction would be to seeing one of their dead shinobi, an Uchiha no less, walking among us?"

Narrowing his eyes, Itachi asked, "Are you referring to using the Impure World Resurrection jutsu on Obito?"

Shaking his head, Naruto said, "Nope. That would pretty much turn him into a mindless slave. No, what I had in mind was something of a different variety."

Looking over at an orange-haired man, Naruto asked, "Can you, Byakuya and Rukia find Obito's soul, Ichigo?"

Looking at his two compatriots and getting a nod from both, Ichigo said, "It shouldn't be a problem."

The other male in the group asked, "What do you plan on doing with it, Naruto?"

Instead of answering Byakuya, Naruto said, "Ishi Suzumebachi, I'm going to need your permission to retrieve Obito's body from your lands."

The two looked at each other, with Ishi saying, "Granted. If I may ask, who do you plan on sending out there to retrieve his body? Due to how much time has passed, his body maybe nothing but bones, if that."

Itachi answered, by saying, "On certain Uchiha, there is a seal that preserves their body. I remember Mikoto-kaa-san saying that Obito had such a seal on him. So, unless wild animals ate him, his body should be intact. Sasuke and myself have such a seal on our body."

Forming a pyramid with his fingers, Naruto said, "Xavier, I am going to need Cyclops, Sunspot and Avalanche to help. Yusuke, I will need Kazuma to join them." Xavier and Yusuke nodded, patiently waiting on who else would go.

Not disappointing them, Naruto said, "Cain, you go with them as well. Akuma and Ryu, you two along with Ken are to join them."

Looking over at Raiden, the blonde Onikage said, "Last, I will need Liu, Jax and Cage to go."

Having stayed quiet this entire time, Shikaku asked, "Why that particular people, Naruto-san?"

Grinning once again, Naruto said, "Strength, Nara-san. Cyclops can punch through a mountain by removing his visor. The others, well, you know what they're capable of."

Looking at the room one more time, Naruto said, "Prepare for their arrival. And Ryu, before you guys leave for Tsuchi no Kuni, pick up Neji."

Raising an eyebrow, Ryu asked, "Why him?"

Naruto simply aid, "His eyes. You're gonna need the Byakugan to find where the body is."

As he was talking to Ryu, Naruto finished up a letter and summoned Gamakichi and a two-tailed obsidian black fox. Looking at the two, Naruto said, "Gamakichi, Jaagen, go find Deidara and give him that message." The two nodded, before taking off.

Dusting his hands off, Naruto said, "That's it. I will need all delegates and clan heads to meet here when Hi no Kuni and their representatives arrive."

Looking over at the clawed Laura, Naruto said, "Laura, I will need you and Logan to escort our Hi no Kuni guests from the border to their hotel. You two leave now for the border."

Nodding, Laura's left hand sprouted two metallic claws, as she left to find the man whose DNA she was cloned from.

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Near Kawa no Kuni/Hi no Kuni border

A group of people were walking towards the border of Kawa no Kuni, all but one bearing the symbol of Hi no Kuni's major shinobi village, Konohagakure.

One of those people, who wore a red/white hat with the symbol of 'Fire' on it, asked, "Kakashi-sensei, you haven't briefed me on Akumagakure."

Kakashi looked at the speaker and said, "Honestly, Hokage-sama, I have nothing to report on that village. Not even Orochimaru or Danzo have been able to get intel on the new village."

Nodding, the Hokage lifted his head up, revealing a pair of Sharingan eyes, as he said, "If they know what's good for them, they will join the Konoha/Oto alliance."

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A/N: HAH! Bet you all didn't see that coming. Pein, leader of the Akatsuki, being Naruto's biological father. I am such a genius, ain't I? I'm not gonna get into too much detail on it, but sometime in the past, Pein ran across Kushina. Pein then leaves Kushina, not knowing that she's pregnant with his child. She then meets Minato who, upon Naruto's birth, places a seal on him that gives him the likeness of Minato and simultaneously sealing the Rinnegan away until he came of age, which was during the time-skip.

On the clothes Naruto put on in the very beginning of this chapter, they are a variant of Minato's infamous clothes, so he wears them in his honor. He may hate Konoha with a passion that burns brighter than a thousand suns, but he 'idolizes' the Yondaime Hokage.

The tattoo that Ariel (a.k.a. the Kyuubi no Kitsune) has on her shoulder symbolizes how much power Naruto lets her have. An all-black fox tattoo means that she has power on par with the average Jounin. Of course, if a tail is red, it means that Naruto has granted her access to that much of her demon chakra.

At the end of this chapter I mentioned Kawa no Kuni (Land of the River). It is situated in between Land of Fire Land of Wind and was featured in Shippūden as the place where Sakura Chiyo battled Sasori.

Well, another chapter is knocked out of the park. Now, I would like to take the time out to give a little info on the status of some of the characters.

Shodai Onikage: Naruto Uzumaki

ANBU Leader: Pein

ANBU Interrogation/Torture captain: Itachi Uchiha

ANBU Undercover personnel: Tobi (Madara Uchiha)

ANBU personnel: Akatsuki members, Akumagakure Hunter-Nin, Houkou, Raijuu, Orochi

Hunter-Nin: Zetsu, Neji Hyuga, Selene, Mathayus, Inuyasha, Johnny Blaze (Ghost Rider), Bleach shinigami, Scorpion

Akumagakure Naval Armada: PotC characters, with Davy Jones as the commander

Explosives Expert: Deidara

Akumagakure Treasurer: Kakazu

Allied Countries: Tsuchi no Kuni, Kaminari no Kuni, Mizu no Kuni, Kaze no Kuni, Kuma no Kuni, Kusa no Kuni, Ame no Kuni, Yuki no Kuni, Taki no Kuni, Uzu no Kuni, Tori no Kuni, Umi no Kuni, Cha no Kuni, Udon no Kuni, Na no Kuni, Nami no Kuni

Allied Villages: Amegakure, Hoshigakure, Iwagakure, Kirigakure, Kumogakure, Kusagakure, Sunagakure, Takigakure, Yukigakure

Well, until next time…