Chapter 1. The Event.
It had been one week after the war's end and though the enemy was defeated, the land was still unstable as stragglers of the war were left behind. Enemy soldiers were still making their way out of the woodwork, still not having accepted defeat, to cause havoc with quick raids in the still hostile land. There was tension in the Alliance forces as to where the new borders would be drawn now that the Sound Village was gone and Akatsuki bases were left to be claimed. To the victor went the spoils but exactly how they were to be divided was causing worry of another war.
Naruto was sitting calmly in his tent and pondering his next ramen meal when Sakura walked in to check on his wounds. Of all those who fought, it was reasonable argument to state that Naruto was certainly one of the bravest and a driving support to the morale that lead to this victory. His never say die attitude was what drove many to excel and when the enemy was defeated, it was he who was chosen to make the decision on the Jyuubi.
The Masters of the Jyuubi had been defeated but that still left the problem on what to do with the great beast that answered only to the will of the strongest. Naruto, having been chosen to be its new master, inherited the Rinnengan and was now the new Sage of Six Paths. With this power he could control the world with an iron fist and ensure peace under one leadership, but that is not what he chose to do.
Always the one to surprise people, Naruto chose to divide the Jyuubi into its nine forms again and use the burst of power from splitting the beast with his Rinnengan to resurrect a large portion of those who had died in the war to protect him and Killer B. There were some who he could not save, even with the power of the Jyuubi and the Rinnengan. Those whose bodies were too far destroyed to ever hold a soul again, but that was really a rare case. At the end of the process, Alliance casualties had dropped from 500,000 to just fewer than 10,000. Those who were brought back still needed Medical attention but were alive and had their major wounds healed.
Naruto had suffered the worst though. His selfless act had made him a conduit to all the negative energy that had built up in the corpses on the battlefields. When Nagato resurrect Konoha, He died in the process. Naruto was very close to following in his footsteps as he stopped breathing sometimes and his heart needed a jolt from a raiton technique a few times. After the first 24 hours he started to improve and stabilize.
Sakura was furious with him that he would be so stupid to do something like that when no one even asked him to. His response was to simply smile and tell her that this was why he did not inform her of his intentions with the Jyuubi. He knew she would try to talk him out of it and ask to quietly live out the remainder of his life as a God among men. Naruto did not want this. All his life he wanted normalcy and a family. Power was fine but if that was all you had then you could be very lonely.
Sakura had just given Naruto a clean bill of health and another lecture when the call came out of an intruder in sector 58. Jumping quickly to his feet, Naruto raced out to find this intruder. Though the war was over it did not mean that there was not still strong enemies to fight. His heart stopped when he caught sight of the lone enemy walking towards him.
Many had thought he was dead and more had hoped he was. But here he stood. Defiant. Bold. Arrogant. He was the last of the Akatsuki and he seemed to wear their cloak of Red Clouds with a certain amount of pride. He glared at all those that surrounded him and sized them up. But he was looking for only one to fight, the man who had bested Madara and Obito. If he took this man down then he could and would proclaim himself as the new leader of the free world. Red Eye Moon or not, this world would be his.
"NARUTO UZUMAKI!" He cried out. "GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE. IT IS TIME FOR THE LAST FIGHT! TODAY YOU DIE!"
Naruto was disheartened. He had hoped that in the face of total defeat that Sasuke would finally give up on his quest for vengeance but now it seemed he was on the suicidal quest of All or Nothing. He was about to run forward to face the Uchiha when a small hand found his and gave it a squeeze. Naruto turned to Sakura and his eyes showed he did not want to fight Sasuke.
Sakura was worried. She had remembered Naruto's prophecy that if these two were to fight that they would both die. Sakura knew her feelings for the dark haired avenger had faded to a level less than an acquaintance and border lined on even disgust, but she still had hoped that this could be avoided and his life could be spared. She had watched too many people die and did not want to see any more bloodshed.
But what of Naruto?
She had watched over him like a hawk for the week he was out of action. Some had called her obsessive in his care and showing the devotion of a life partner and lover. Many of her fellow Kunoichi had looked at her with eyes of jealousy but she had sworn it was strictly platonic. He was her best friend and she trusted him with her life as he trusted his with hers. To be lovers could almost be considered a step down from what they were to each other.
She did not want him to fight. She did not want him to die.
Looking into Naruto's blue eyes she could see that he did not want to fight either but he had to finish this. The world was in a critical stage and having the Uchiha running around and causing panic could not be tolerated. There was also the unspoken thought of the promise of a life time. Though she had relieved him of his promise, a part of her still wanted him to complete it. He was so strong now that it would be nothing for him to complete it now. He would do it this time. She knew he would.
Giving Naruto an assuring nod she whispered to him.
"Please be careful"
Letting out a slow breath and giving her a hug he whispered back.
"I will be fine."
He hoped he would be. Maybe he could still keep his promise after all. He had grown strong and now was the time to end this. Finally the great Uchiha would be brought back. He did not have to bring him back, the world was changing and Sasuke had little else to go to other than return to team seven but it was a matter of honour to keep his word. If he did not have his word then what did he have in the end if everything went bad?
NxS
Naruto stood before Sasuke with his arms crossed as Sasuke glared at the blonde. Sasuke could feel his blood boil just looking at the man. How could some LOSER best his master? He must have cheated somehow. There was no way the Dobe could be that strong. No one could lay a finger on Obito or Madara unless they wanted them to. That must have been it. They lost on purpose so that Sasuke could take over and lead this new world. That was the only explanation.
"I guess we can't talk about this and just ask you to come back to us?" Naruto's voice was low and accepting of his fate.
"That is all you ever want to do these days, Dobe! TALK! Well talk is cheap but if you want to talk so much then TALK TO MY BLADE!" Sasuke drew his sword in an instant and was one step away from charging at the blonde. He would not lose. Everything he had worked so hard for would not go to waste. He was the LAST UCHIHA and he DESERVED respect.
"Look at yourself Sasuke! It is OVER! AKATSUKI LOST! But you don't have to go down with them. There is still hope for you. This is the start of a new world. One of understanding and peace. You can be a part of it but you have to let go of the past and move forward like the rest of us. The old world was a cruel and dark place, but if you stand by me then I promise I will help you to make things right. In this world, you don't have to be the LAST Uchiha. You can be the FIRST! One of a brand new noble line! Please let go of your contempt before you lose everything you worked so hard for! My word is highly respected here and if I ask for you to be pardoned then I would find it difficult to find someone to object. But if you attack us now then I don't think even I can save you from a prison sentence."
Sasuke did not want to hear anymore and made this clear by charging at the blonde. Sasuke made a lunge but Naruto had disappeared from site, only to reappear balanced on the back of Sasuke's Kusanagi. Naruto ran down the back of the blade and kicked Sasuke in the jaw, sending him flying back into a pile of rubble.
When Sasuke emerged from the rocks, his Mangekyo Sharingan was activated. He paused in shock to see Naruto in Kyuubi Mode and at the starting stage of Sennin Mode. He was glowing with golden chakra and his eyes were starting to change to that of a toad with orange circles around them.
"Hn, I see you fear me! Why else would you go all out from the get go?!"
Naruto just shook his head with a sad smile as he remembered his own arrogance as a child. Always trying to win while holding back from the start. It would only escalate until he was in his ultimate form anyway. No real reason to hold back when it would come down to a final powerful blow at the end anyway.
"I am just tired of playing games Sasuke. If I am going to defeat you then it would be in this form anyway. I always was impatient. I just don't see why we need to work slowly up the notches when it will end like this anyway."
Sasuke sneered at the "oh so wise and sage like answer"
Running at the blonde he disappeared from sight in a blur. The Mangekyo had boosted him to an insane new level. As he appeared behind the glowing sage he swung his sword down only for it to be caught in Naruto's bare hand. Sasuke jumped back, letting go of his sword but was shocked when Naruto simple tossed the sword back to him. He caught it and looked dumbfounded at the blonde's stupid error. Why would he give him back his sword? AND HOW THE HELL DID HE CATCH IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!?
These questions only served to anger the already pissed off Uchiha. Why was he being so belittled? All the anger he had put into training was now for nothing?! NO! He would NOT live with that.
Again he lunged at the blonde and this time he made contact with his sword only for it to snap like a piece of wood. Looking questioningly at the blonde he dropped what remained of the hilt and blade.
"With the amount of chakra I am emitting subconsciously at the moment, your sword has no edge on it. You cannot cut me with just steel. I am also highly in tuned with the earth and all natural things. I can sense you a mile away if I need to. You cannot sneak up on me."
Sasuke roared in anger as he started to attack with every Taijutsu and Ninjutsu he had. Genjutsu was of little effect now that the Nine tails chakra was in Naruto. The battle became the most intense thing any ninja had seen since the war ended but for all Sasuke had, Naruto had a counter for it. Fire was met by water. Lightning by wind. How did the Dobe learn so much? HOW WAS HE SO DAMN STRONG!?
NxS
Sakura was standing to the sidelines and was ordering everybody back. She had a fear in the pit of her stomach that she knew where this was heading. If Naruto was not careful then he could die. However it was not only Naruto she was worried about. Sasuke was still a member of team seven and all Sakura wanted was for team seven to be whole again. She did not want either of them to die but Naruto was strong and though he looked to struggle from time to time in this battle, it looked like he still had an ace up his sleeve. Sure enough he did.
NxS
Sasuke was just about to release his Susanoo when he realised he could not move his left arm. A kunai was embedded in his shoulder and he for the life of him could not understand how Naruto could have landed such a blow. It just was not possible! Pain finally registered and that was all the time Naruto needed to kick Sasuke in the side and drop him to the ground. Naruto summoned five clones to hold him down, he only needed a moment and this chance he would not waste.
Kneeling down to the still stunned Uchiha, he started his work on the seal. Those years he had spent with the Pervy Sage would not be wasted. He had planned this all out. Years of study and research had led him to create this seal. All he needed was to know how to master the Kyuubi chakra so only he could remove the seal. He now had that ability.
Dipping his finger into Sasuke's wound for a moment; he drew the seal in Sasuke's blood on his exposed chest. The seal looked like some of the tattoos he had seen in Kiri but he got the idea from Orochimaru when he learned what that five element seal in the forest of death was actually doing to his chakra in the chunnin exams.
That seal of Orochimaru's had screwed up his chakra control to the point that he could not do the water walking exercise. But that was easy to remove. This one was refined and had a blood and chakra lock and would stop his body from mixing chakra. No chakra, no sharingan. This seal would reduce Sasuke to the power of a civilian. He would still have his taijutsu but without his sharingan, everything he had copied would be but a distant memory. He would only have what was taught to him before his sharingan. He would still be strong by normal standards, but a civilian none the less.
Finishing the seal in Sasuke's blood, Naruto poured Kyuubi and Sage chakra into the seal and locked it into his skin. Now only his chakra could release this seal. Dispelling the clones, Naruto helped Sasuke to his feet.
Sasuke pushed Naruto away with his one good arm and tried to activate his sharingan. To his horror, nothing worked. He could not even feel chakra in his body, let alone use it! His eyes widened in terror as he looked at the glowing man before him.
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME!?" He cried.
Naruto smiled in triumph and began to explain the inner workings of the seal and how it could not be removed. Sasuke was going to be sick. He was now lower than a Gennin and at the mercy of the most powerful man before him. He was beaten. NO! HE WAS NOT BEATEN! Not yet. He still had one more card to play but he would only use that as a last resort.
"Don't you see Sasuke? I have freed you! You sought power as a way to escape your fate as a ninja! Ninja were just tools to be used and discarded. You did not want to end up like your brother. You wanted freedom to choose your own fate. You wanted power so you would not be a pawn in another person's game! You wanted your revenge and you got it! You killed Itachi and Danzo! You don't have the burden of being powerful and feared anymore. You can start your clan again. Now you can come home."
Sasuke did have to admit that the idea was tempting. He could settle down and start a family of his own. He did not have to be alone anymore. Too long had he been on the run. He was tired and wanted to come home. Maybe he could start over… but to start over would be to give up on a course that he had chosen from the beginning. To admit that he was wrong and Naruto was right. To be paraded as the returning lost soul. Another saved by Naruto. He could not let that happen. His pride would not let him. He was the last Uchiha and the Uchiha bowed to no one's will! It was the Uchiha bowing to the Senju that caused all this mess to begin with! He would rather die than let Naruto win!
"You think you are so clever don't you Naruto? You think you have won?!" he scowled.
"Well you are not the only one who can surprise people!"
A group of ninja had come out of hiding when the fighting had stopped and were now starting to surround the two. Sakura was at the front of the group and was wondering what Sasuke could possibly do to win. He was powerless. He had to come back with them, didn't he? What other choice did he have?
"You think that I would BOW DOWN to the likes of YOU?! You think that because you have taken away my power that I will just follow you like a lost sheep and hope someday you would give me my chakra back?! NO WAY!"
Naruto was confused. He would never ask Sasuke to bow before him. The idea was nice as a child but now as an adult he respected that a man had some pride. He wanted Sasuke as a partner, not a servant. As a friend, not a subordinate. There was an ominous feeling in the sages gut and he did not like where this conversation was going.
"IT WOULD NOT BE LIKE THAT SASUKE! I WANT YOU BY MY SIDE! NOT AT MY FEET!"
Naruto had to make it clear to Sasuke that he had grown up and would not want him to grovel at his feet like he did when he was a kid. As a child, their bitter rivalry had him wanting Sasuke to accept him and praise him for being better. As an adult however, he wanted to be acknowledged as an equal though, not a superior.
"BULLSHIT!" Sasuke screamed as he stood to his feet and clutched at the kunai handle still in his arm.
"YOU ARE JUST THE SAME AS YOU WERE AS A KID! YOU WANT ME TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING AWAY MY POWER AND "FREEING" ME?! WHAT A LOAD OF SHIT! YOU JUST COULDN'T ACCEPT THAT THAT I WILL NEVER SEE YOU AS BETTER THAN ME SO YOU HAD TO TAKE AWAY MY POWER! WELL YOU MAY HAVE MADE ME POWERLESS BUT YOU FORGOT ONE THING, NARUTOOO!"
Naruto was silent. He had never seen such hatred in Sasuke's eyes and that grim smirk he had on his face made him shiver. Something bad was happening and he did not know what.
"THE UCHIHA NEVER BOW!"
Sasuke's voice reverberated across the valley and held such defiance that some could have mistaken it for Naruto's, had it been a week earlier when he was fighting Obito.
Sasuke ripped the kunai from his shoulder with a grunt. His flesh was torn and blood ran freely down his arm. Holding firmly onto the knife with his right hand, he rammed the steel blade into his neck and ripped it across his throat and down to his collar bone. Such was the damage that some thought he would have removed his own head. Blood sprayed from the severed arteries and into Naruto's face.
Naruto's eyes widened in horror at the sight before him. Sasuke fell to his knees, gurgling in agony but not once letting his eyes break contact with the blonde. Such hatred. Such malice. His eyes were crying out in anger as to say "you drove me to this!" Blood dripped from Naruto's chin and onto the ground below.
Sasuke's body gradually stilled and fell to the dusted ground. His blood pooled and stained the dry ground, slowly being absorbed into the soil. Soon the blood stopped flowing from Sasuke's gaping wound as his heart stopped beating.
Silence.
The world was deathly quiet and not a single soul would make a sound. Only a single whisper from Naruto's lips dared break such a solemn moment.
"….Sasuke ….no.."
Yeah... I am somewhat predictable. So sue me. I like hearing your thoughts. Send me a message or a review. I dont care which. oh and I just had an idea. you dont know that much about me so I was thinking of putting an interesting fact about myself at the end of each chapter. Just a little way to get to know the Man behind the name so to speak. I want just one yes and then I will start with my new chapters. Whadda ya say?
ParadoxPhilosopher
