Chapter 4-Feeding Frenzy
"This is all that's left? Out of everyone sent after Naruto?" said Tsunade in disbelief at the sight of Jiraiya, Neji, Tenten, Kakashi, Gai, and the Ino-Shika-Cho being the survivors of the large attack group sent after Naruto.
"Yes Hokage-sama," said Shikamaru before giving his report on the mission, who was with Naruto, and the blonde's powers they had witnessed first hand being used.
"This isn't possible. Kyuubi is gone! That was the brat's strength the entire time. Without the fox, Naruto should be nothing compared to you, and should have lost to your group!" said Tsunade angrily.
"Whatever Naruto has become, its something beyond anything we've ever seen before, and his strange sword seems to be part of it," said Gai, as he explained what Naruto told them about his power, and how most of it was sealed away in his zanpakuto.
"So if his sword were removed from his possession, then the brat doesn't have any power, and can be killed," said Tsunade with Jiraiya shaking his head and looking at his shoulder where his missing arm had once been connected.
"No. Naruto's speed is beyond anything I've ever seen. His strength too. Even without the weapon, the brat can still cause serious damage, and let's not forget Naruto's Fracción," said Jiraiya before telling her about the abilities of the blonde's subordinates being very skilled and powerful with their own abilities.
Then came the part where the two members of the Akatsuki fell just before and after the Leaf's arrival to the area with Uchiha Itachi being the first one to die. Tsunade was livid at hearing this, as she knew Sasuke had wanted a shot at Itachi for awhile now, and had every intention of granting it within the next few Months when the older of the two had little to no eye sight to make things easier on the younger one. That was all part of the plan cooked up to keep the Uchiha loyal. Sasuke trains to be strong enough that he would successfully, as well as easily kill Itachi, then become Hokage in another year, maybe two just for good measure, and make Konoha strong again under his rule.
"Hinata was with him?" said Tsunade to Neji, who could only nod yes in confirmation, but he winced in pain, and Tenten set him down on a nearby chair.
"Hinata was there and she fought Neji. Really hit him hard too," said Tenten with Neji giving her a side glare and felt his pride hurting like his body.
"There was this tall guy with orange hair with Naruto. He killed Lee by turning his arms into axes and went completely psycho with only Naruto being able to calm him down," said Neji while explaining how the crazed Jugo went insane unless Naruto was around to keep him in line and the apparent connection the kid had to the Kaguya they fought three years ago.
"So Naruto promised him payback and delivered it. Does that mean the Kazekage is a target too?" said Tsunade hopefully at the end since it gave the village a potential ally in Suna.
"No. Naruto made it clear to Jugo that the Kazekage is off limits. Lee was the intended target for this guy's revenge thanks to Naruto," said Gai while feeling the burns on his face knowing they will leave a mark despite Ino's healing earlier after she prevent Jiraiya from bleeding to death when Naruto cut off the Sannin's arm.
"Damn it!" said Tsunade, as she was hoping to use this information to her advantage in getting the Kazekage on her side.
"It won't take long for word to get out about what happened to us in Whirlpool. Naruto will make sure of it," said Shikamaru seeing Tsunade grimace.
"How do you want to proceed Tsunade?" said Jiraiya with Tsunade thinking things over in her head.
"We can't focus on Naruto right now. While I'd like nothing more then to kill him with my bare hands, the Akatsuki are a much bigger threat despite the loss of its two members, and need to focus on the organization while strengthening our defenses. Jiraiya, due to your injury, I'm going to have to put you on inactive duty, and put your services under teaching Sasuke everything you know. Sealing. Jutsus. Everything! I want the Uchiha to run circles around Naruto when these two fight. Gai, I want you to teach Sasuke your skills in Taijutsu, and make him fast enough to keep up with Naruto. Hatake, if you have any trump cards with your Sharingan Eye, I want Sasuke to know them, and master them in the next few Months," said Tsunade with Shikamaru frowning at her plan.
"You're putting a lot of faith in the Uchiha," said Shikamaru while Tsunade glared at him.
"The Uchiha is our only hope of combating the Akatsuki, the other villages, and Naruto when the time comes to take him down," said Tsunade with Shikamaru agreeing, but the risk was still high, and there was no telling how vast Naruto's power really was since he wielded so much already.
"What do we do Hokage-sama?" said Ino curiously.
"Keep training to get stronger. All of you need to do that for the war coming and Naruto when the time comes to put him down," said Tsunade while biting into her thumb with worry and tried to think of a backup plan in the event things didn't go like they should.
(With Naruto-Two Weeks Later)
The blonde awoke from his sleep. The dream was pleasant for once since they were either filled with horrible nightmares from the past or just blanks of dark nothingness like those when in Hueco Mundo in Las Noches. The dream itself consisted of Naruto finding his Mother's homeland filled with life, people, and Hinata beside him with a child to call their own. It felt so real, he almost thought it was, and felt a slight pain in his heart when waking up to find that was not the case at all.
Whirlpool was in ruins.
Its people lost to the ages.
And Hinata...she was sleeping on top of him in their shared bedroom.
The house they were in was large so they had more then enough rooms to go around in terms of sleeping in their own rooms, but Hinata didn't want to sleep in any room unless the blonde was there too, and just wanted to lie their in bed with him...platonically for now. Karin made it a habit of checking on them, glaring at Hinata with jealousy, and taking out her anger on Suigestu since the swordsman could take it. Jugo himself seemed to be at an impasse with things in terms of having a relationship with anyone due to his unstable bloodline so Naruto told him they would seek medical help to find the source of the cause that makes his bloodline turn him psychotic.
"Hinata-chan?" said Naruto with the girl humming slightly to indicate she was awake and yet didn't want to move.
"Yes Naruto-kun," said Hinata softly.
"Have you thought of where we should go for permanent residence in terms of living? As much as I want to bring back Whirlpool to the height of greatness once again, the damage is too extensive, and there is no life to make it last for the long term," said Naruto having taken a walk around his Mother's homeland and saw the invaders had made sure very little grew here to ensure no form of rebuilding could happen.
"Spring Country maybe. Koyuki would be happy to have you back in her country again. There is also Wave Country or even Suna though I don't think the desert terrain wouldn't be kind to you," said Hinata, as she had been told by Naruto about his manipulation of water when releasing the power of his zanpakuto, and truly was a shark deep down.
"I would like to visit Spring County. I hear its been doing well since that machine there was activated to produce the actual season," said Naruto simply since he did miss seeing the country and the life that covered it.
"What do you want to do about Konoha?" said Hinata curiously.
"I've hurt them to the point where they won't come after me for awhile. They will redirect their efforts to the Akatsuki and defending their village from potential attacks from the other villages like Iwa. Just because the villages are allying to defeat the Akatsuki doesn't mean they can let down their guard against one another. Not that it will matter. If I know Konoha, they will try again at a later time, and then Iwa will seek to stop me before I can complete my primary objective with sending the Biju away," said Naruto knowing Iwa would try something. before getting close to the statue.
"I hated the Leaf for hating you," said Hinata silently in a whispered tone.
"Huh?" said Naruto since he was surprised Hinata hated anyone or anything at all.
"I hated them. The way they treated in the past when we were growing up. After your death, they were so happy, and celebrated for days on end. They acted like they had survived a dooming prophecy," said Hinata seeing Naruto narrow his eyes at that.
"They didn't. They only brought about their own destruction. They just don't full realize it yet," said Naruto with Hinata clinging to him tightly.
"Not everyone hated you. There are still a few people, who didn't hate you, or celebrated your death," said Hinata with Naruto raised his eyebrow at her.
"Who?" said Naruto curiously.
"The Konohamaru Corps.," said Hinata though she was silent after that.
"What about Ayame and her Father? What about Iruka?" said Naruto with Hinata unable to look at him for a moment.
"Iruka was never your friend. He got drunk one night and I overheard him bragging how he fooled you into becoming his 'friend' while only playing the role so Kyuubi wouldn't come out after the incident with Mizuki. Ayame and her Father drugged your ramen they gave you for free before your time at the Academy knowing the chemicals would make your mind sluggish. They wanted you to fail the Academy so you'd be under the Civilian Council's thumb forever and even after being a Shinobi they used the drugs to make sure you'd react slowly on missions so your chances of dying would increase. They bragged about it after your death and showed everyone the different recipes they used like they were badges of honor. 'The ramen recipes used to poison Kyuubi' they called them and have them mounted on the wall like medals," said Hinata sadly while feeling Naruto's anger spike at those ungrateful fools.
'So that's what happened. Why my mind seemed to get sluggish shortly after eating ramen there and heading for the Academy on day they performed the Graduation Exam. Why my reflexes seemed slow on those days when missions outside of Konoha seemed to have a high chance of becoming dangerous,' thought Naruto while the memories of the past filled his mind of each time that happened to him.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up," said Hinata while Naruto didn't say anything at first, but he put a gentle hand on her head, and stroking her hair to soothe the worries she had away.
"Its all right Hinata-chan. I would rather hear the truth from you about them then a lie to hide the pain. Too many people lie already," said Naruto since he always found the girl's honesty to be one of her mortal attractive qualities.
"I could never lie to you," said Hinata with Naruto smiling a little at that proclamation.
"And I never want you to lie," said Naruto before holding her closer to him and Hinata didn't fight it.
(Downstairs)
"Will you stop trying to eavesdrop Karin. Give them some privacy," said Suigestu eating some food that could be scrounged up while the red head was by the stairs leading to the second floor.
"Shut up teme! How can he even stand her? Probably used her big breasts to seduce him or something," said Karin while cursing the fact her own attributes in that area for less then grand.
"Oh yes. Her breast being huge is everything. It has nothing to do with the fact she's nice, sweet, caring, and doesn't hit people every five seconds in a jealous rage," said Suigestu, who immediately got punched in the face, and turned into water by Karin.
"I said to shut up teme! Just you wait. Once Naruto gets over her big chest, he'll want to be with someone more practical, and more sway to the hips that makes men drool at the sight of me," said Karin while Suigestu's head reformed into solid flesh.
"Don't you mean run away at the sight of you," said Suigestu before getting a kick to his head for his troubles.
"SHUT UP TEME!" yelled Karin while Jugo sighed at their interaction with each other.
"OW! STOP DOING THAT!" yelled Suigestu angrily at Karin once his head reformed.
"MAKE ME!" yelled Karin angrily.
"I MIGHT!" yelled Suigestu while glaring at the redhead.
"ENOUGH!" yelled Naruto, who appeared with Hinata by his side, and stomped his foot on the ground to shake the house along with the rest of the ground around it.
"Sorry Naruto-sama," said Karin and Suigestu meekly.
"I tolerated this behavior with my last Fracción and it got them killed in battle because of its natural cause for distracting them. At the time, I blamed my enemies for their deaths, but in reality they caused it, and brought about their own deaths. I will not allow this to be a repeat thing with you two, and possibly being used by our enemies to exploit some kind of weakness. AM I UNDERSTOOD!" said Naruto while glaring at the two while they nodded quickly and bowed before him.
"We understand Naruto-sama!" said Suigestu and Karin while Jugo nodded too since he knew his own insanity might become a liability and would try to ensure it wasn't.
"Good. One more thing Karin, if you disrespect Hinata again in regards to her body...I won't be merciful, and you will know my wrath," said Naruto in a much colder tone that made Karin gulp in fear.
"I'm sorry Naruto-sama. Hinata-sama," said Karin seeing the Hyuuga woman looking at Naruto and whispering something into his ear that got the blonde's attention before he let out a sigh.
"I accept your apology Karin and so does Hinata. I understand that you have feelings for me too. However, you must understand that Hinata has loved me since the Academy days in Konoha, and my death had taken that love away. Now that I'm back, we are going to make up for lost time, and not miss out on what we're denied," said Naruto seeing the red haired girl looked a bit down.
"But," said Hinata deciding to speak up.
"But?" said Karin while Suigestu just snickered at hearing the word.
"But, I am the last of the Uzumaki Clan, and therefore in time, I will be required to have more then one woman in my life to rebuild it, and one of them just might be you Karin. However, the choice on whether you become apart of the future where its rebuilt is at my discretion, and jealousy has no place in it," said Naruto with Karin's hopes rising again and nodding in understanding.
"I understand Naruto-sama," said Karin while looking at Hinata for a second and bowing slightly in thanks to the Hyuuga woman's intervention.
"Good to hear. I've decided our time in Whirlpool will be somewhat shorter then I first expected due to our enemies knowing our current location, and intend to take what we have, and move to a safer location," said Naruto with the group looking at him curiously.
"Where to Naruto-sama?" said Jugo with the blonde producing a map of the Elemental Countries and pointing to the one place that could house them and take any heat that came their way.
"Spring Country. The Daimyo there is an old friend of mine," said Naruto before he began explaining the events leading to that and how Koyuki was a friend to be trusted.
Suigestu whistled after hearing the story.
"Damn!" said Suigestu simply while Jugo had to admit for a Genin ranked Shinobi, the blonde had done impressively well, and was not to be underestimated.
"Won't she get a lot of pressure from Konoha or even Iwa to surrender us to them?" said Karin since they were Missing Nin.
"They have no standing to have me leave Spring Country if I choose to live there. By now word has reached everyone in the Elemental Countries of by return. Mist won't dare stand against me and Kumo's Raikage will want the Akatsuki gone to ensure his brother isn't killed for the organization's desires," said Naruto simply while the group nodded.
"And Suna's going to let you do your thing because the Kazekage is a friend of yours," said Suigestu simply with Naruto nodding.
"Naturally. Gaara also knows I'm beyond anything he's ever seen before and to stop me from fulfilling my mission would be suicide for his village. Gaara isn't suicidal," said Naruto seeing the group nod.
"So how do we go about this? Won't the Akatsuki come after you even harder now that two of their members are dead?" said Karin seeing the blonde nod knowing they were still interested in the supposed demonic power sealed inside of him that didn't really exist in his body.
"They will. Though considering the surprising loss, I'd wager they would try to capture the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki in Kumo first before trying to capture me again," said Naruto since he had dispatched so many with ease and many considered to be the strongest on either side.
"Shouldn't we warn them to increase their security?" said Jugo with Naruto shaking his head no.
"They're doing it now as we speak. Word has probably reached them of Akatsuki and Konoha losing to us. If the Raikage has any sense at all, he'll come to the same tactical conclusion I did, and make sure his village is well fortified to protect his little brother," said Naruto before he told them to pack up what they had before they did one more look around for anything they might have missed from the start.
With everything they needed, the group setoff to Spring Country, and for Naruto...it was to greet an old friend he hadn't seen in a long time.
(Akatsuki HQ)
"Itachi and Kisame failed?" said Pein with surprise in his voice while Zetsu nodded with fear in his voice from both halves when giving the report.
"Yeah. They weren't the only ones too," said the White Half of Zetsu.
"That's right! The blonde took on Jiraiya of the Sannin, Hatake Kakashi, and a whole lot of high level Konoha Shinobi without breaking a sweat after he killed Itachi. He's one scary fucker!" said the Black Half of Zetsu.
"He launched a beam of yellow chakra right at the ANBU and obliterated them all with a single strike. That shouldn't be possible!" said the White Half of Zetsu.
"I thought the asshole didn't have any power besides the Kyuubi's so how is he even capable of doing that stuff and kick the ass of everyone in his path?" said the Black Half of Zetsu.
"How indeed," said Pein while he looked discreetly at Madara, who clearly was confused by this, and found the Uzumaki's return to be an unexpected thing in itself.
"How do we proceed? Itachi and Kisame were key members within the organization with the ability to take down a Biju or a Jinchuriki," said Konan while Pein looking unsure for a moment while a plan formed in his head.
"We can't risk going for the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. Just because he has returned doesn't mean the Kyuubi has too. I won't waist anymore of our resources on him until we have secured the Eight-tailed Ox before finding out if the Kyuubi still exists. The organization cannot afford to take anymore losses," said Pein with Konan nodding.
"Are we going to handle this ourselves then?" said Konan with Pein nodding since there was no one else capable due to Kakuzu, Hidan, Deidara, and Sasori being slain prior to their most recent casualties.
"We have no choice. The Raikage will not be defeated so easily, nor will his brother, who has full mastery over his Biju, and the village itself won't allow us to just take what we want. Not to mention the return of Uzumaki Naruto with his little group aiding him will become a problem too. We must move swiftly if we are to succeed in taking the Eight-tailed Ox. Prepare the army of White Zetsu clones we have to destroy the village while I deal with its Jinchuriki and the Raikage," said Pein with the other members agreeing before fading away.
'So Uzumaki. You've returned. Now the only questions I have is...do you still have the fox inside your body? Or are you nothing more then an empty husk?' thought Madara, as he had found this to be unexpected, and yet not unwelcome since his plan had been put in jeopardy by Senju bitch issuing the execution order on the Jinchuriki all those years ago.
(Kumo-1 Week Later)
"How are our defenses?' said the Raikage, as he had gotten word of a pair of Akatsuki members entering Lightning Country, and heading for Kumo.
"Strong walls and fresh at the ready Shinobi all prepared to defend the village," said an ANBU Captain while looking at the map in front of him with the Raikage beside him looking it over.
"Bee, I want you by my side at all times, and we'll take on this enemy together. If a pair of them could easily take Yugito, not to mention the other Jinchuriki, we'll need to fight them together, and drive them back from the village before they gain too much ground," said the Raikage with Bee nodding in agreement.
"Karui, Samui, and Omoi are ready to fight too. They're looking for some payback after losing Yugito to their organization," said Bee seriously, as he only stopped rapping when the time for seriousness was required, and this right now required him to speak normally.
"It won't be enough," said Naruto, as he appeared via the Garganta, which allowed the blonde to travel anywhere he wished, and surprised the group before him.
"Uzumaki-san. I take it you heard the news then?" said the Raikage while the ANBU Captain slowly put his weapon away and Bee was sizing up the blonde to see if he was everything his big brother claimed he was when meeting him at the Kage Summit.
"Yes. It wasn't unexpected when considering the loss of two of its members. They wish to acquire your brother for his Biju and then come after me in the event I still have any of the Kyuubi's power still locked inside of my body," said Naruto while wearing all white once more and even a white trench coat buttoned in the front like Gin had when in Las Noches, except with the kanji for "Shark Fox" on the back, and the kanji colored in blood red ink instead of black.
"You don't?" said Killer Bee while Naruto just gave him a flat look.
"My Father, the Yondaime Hokage himself made sure that in the event of my death, the fox died with me, and since Konoha did their job oh so well...," said Naruto seeing Killer Bee nod while sensing the taller man was giving him one of respect too.
"All they'd get out of you is absolutely nothing," said the Raikage while Naruto just gave a nod of his head.
"I will fulfill my mission Raikage-sama. Make no mistake about it. Even if I have to kill you and destroy this village...the Biju inside your brother will be removed before being sent to the demonic realm forever," said Naruto with his eyes telling the leader of Kumo he was dead serious.
"I understand. How has your knowledge of the Sealing Arts been progressing?" said the Raikage curiously.
"Its going well. I believe I have a means of extracting the Biju and provided it behaves there won't be any drastic measure taken to force it to behave long enough to send the Ox on his way," said Naruto seeing Killer Bee look distant for a second.
"You don't worry about the Ox after this is over Shark Fox. He'll be good. I promise there will be no foul mood," said Killer Bee while the Raikage just sighed knowing he was just hoping for too much for his little brother to not rap for one whole day!
"Good. Because they're at the walls of your village. Its time to get serious," said Naruto, as he used Sonido to leave the room, and appear in front of the wall that held back the two Akatsuki members.
Before it exploded with violent force, sending debris, and Shinobi flying back from the power used to create such a hole.
"What power! Its amazing," said Samui while seeing Naruto stand there looking calm and collected despite seeing what she did.
"Hey! What are you doing here? This is Kumo's fight. Beat it!" said Omoi while Naruto looked back slightly at him and made the Kumo Shinobi's face go pale at seeing those blue eyes that told him to watch his mouth.
"Keep him on a tight leash. If I hear one more arrogant word come out of his mouth...I'll kill him," said Naruto before turning his attention to Pein and his Paths walking into the village.
"You heard him Omoi. If you can't say anything right then don't say anything at all," said Karui, as she agreed with Naruto, and got her weapon ready while the others of her group did too.
"No. He's mine. Watch out for the other one," said Naruto with three Kumo Shinobi behind him looking confused.
"I thought the Akatsuki struck in pairs. There are six of them with the same freaky eyes," said Omoi with his teammate also sharing in the confusion too.
"This is one person controlling many. His partner is somewhere else. Be on guard," said Naruto calmly while the trio just looked at him like had grown a second head.
"How do you know?" said Karui finally.
"Because I can sense her. She's guarding the real one," said Naruto while narrowing his eyes at Pein, who seemed to hear the conversation, and was surprised yet impressed that the former Espada had discovered the secret so quickly.
"The real one? You mean the real Akatsuki member?" said Samui with Naruto nodding yes to answer the question.
"How observant you are to notice that. I never would have expected this coming from you Uzumaki Naruto. Given your unique record growing up and being notorious for your idiocy," said Pein while Naruto just let out an empty chuckle.
"You can thank Konoha for that. They didn't want me to be very smart or have strong perceptions in reading people in the event I ever learned of the few I thought could be called friends were just being that under false pretenses for future sinister purposes," said Naruto calmly, but his voice was chilled now, and they spoke of pain from the past of betrayers of the friendship he once had with them.
"I see. So you too know the pain of betrayal. This will make things all the more easier," said Pein while his other Paths got into fight position.
"Head out to the East about 10 miles and look for the Puppeteer behind these creations. Look for something that shouldn't be there or looks like a potential disguise," said Naruto to the trio behind him.
"We don't take orders from you! Only the Raikage can do that," said Omoi, but the spike in energy around Naruto told him to shut up, and backed away slightly from the Uzumaki in front of them.
"Do not argue. By doing this, you are helping the Raikage, and his brother defend Kumo from the Akatsuki. His partner is guarding the real one man behind these six. Take out the Puppeteer and the puppets fall to leave only the man's partner to capture her for Intel when she's questioned," said Naruto while sensing Samui, Karui, and Omoi looking at each other in debate over whether they should obey his commands.
"Do as he says," said the Raikage appearing behind the trio.
"Raikage-sama?" said Samui while the muscled man nods.
"This gaki is an Uzumaki and a strong one too. If he tells you there is gold at the end of the rainbow, then by Kami its true, and don't try calling it a bluff either. Uzumaki's are not known for bluffing. If they say something is there, then its there, and that's all there is to it," said the Raikage knowing Uzumaki's were notorious for being accurate about the most bizarre things that most people wouldn't believe was possible in the first place.
"Yes sir!" said the trio of Jounin before they took off towards their intended destination.
"Will they find the real one and his partner?" said the Raikage while getting ready to fight with Killer Bee now beside him, as Pein's Six Paths, and the army of White Zetsu Clones behind them marched through the opening.
"I have some people already working on it," said Naruto having sent Karin and Suigestu to find it in that area while Hinata was with Jugo in Spring Country.
"I hope they find it soon," said Killer Bee while getting ready.
"Strike them down. No mercy. No hesitation. They aren't human anymore. They aren't even alive. They're just...puppets!" said Naruto before they three charged forward with the intent of victory being their own objective.
(Elsewhere)
"I sense them. They're near," said Karin using her sensory ability to locate the real Pein and his female partner.
"Where? All I see are trees!" said Suigestu seeing one tree after another and no sign of their targets.
"You're looking for Pein too?" said Samui, as she along with her teammates appeared near them, explained they were here to assist them in finding the Akatsuki members, and Karin just nodded once to the question.
"I have sensory based abilities capable of finding anyone. Our two targets are near in this general area. I can't pin them down, but they are nearby, and they are hiding in a tree that is possibly not a tree," said Karin seeing them all look at her like she was crazy.
"Huh?" said Omoi with Karin looking angry.
"A fake tree you asshole!" said Karin seeing them finally understand.
"Oh! Why didn't you say that?" said Suigestu before being kicked in the head and turning into water.
"I did you baka!" said Karin while waiting for her teammates head returned to solid form.
"Focus! We need to find the two members of the Akatsuki before its too late," said Karui with the two members of Naruto's Fracción looking at each other before paling since they remembered their leader's words on not screwing around.
"R-Right! You never saw us acting like this," said Karin quickly before looking again for anything that seemed to be off.
'Naruto must really put the fear of Kami into them,' thought Samui while seeing the two focus on the task at hand.
"There! Its faint, but there is chakra coming out of that tree!" said Karin pointing to the tree about 100 feet away from them and upon closer inspection it was clear the tree was fake.
"Get ready. This is where the fun begins," said Suigestu while taking out Kusanagi, as the others drew their own weapons, and extended his own to strike the fake tree with a quick slice that easily cut it in half.
To reveal the real Pein and Konan.
"We've been discovered," said Konan with Pein's eyes narrowing at the group.
"It doesn't matter. They will lose no matter what they do," said Pein while Konan nodded and prepared to fight them
(Back in Kumo-Hours Later)
The Raikage and Killer Bee were panting. They had spent the past few hours fighting all of Pein's Six Paths with Naruto and they had successfully destroyed all, but one of them, and this one seemed to be the most powerful due to its ability to manipulate gravity. This Path had already thrown Killer Bee and the Raikage around like rag dolls despite their combined best efforts to kill him. All of the Raikage's limbs had been pinned to the wall of a building with black chakra receivers, as we're Bee's while Naruto's trench coat was in tatters, and had to rip if off to give himself better movement.
"I wish you hadn't done that. Hinata-chan worked hard to make that trench coat. Now I'm not going to go easy on you or your pathetic army," said Naruto, as he had crushed three of Pein's Six Paths while Killer Bee, and the Raikage worked together in taking down the other two.
"It doesn't matter. Soon you and the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki will belong to the Akatsuki," said Pein while Naruto shook his head and unsheathed his zanpakuto.
"No. I'm sorry Raikage-sama, but to win this fight, I need to cause a great deal of damage to your village, and can only apologize in advance," said Naruto with the man grunting in pain and saw the enemy before him narrowing his Rinnegan Eyes.
"I think not. I know how you defeated Jiraiya of the Sannin and his forces and you won't do the same to mine," said Pein, as he used his manipulation of gravity to make Naruto's zanpakuto much heavier then usual, and threw chakra receivers at the Uzumaki before him.
Only for the chakra receivers to bounce off Naruto's body.
"You are mistaken. While your manipulation over gravity is impressive, my own power, and my own strength are far beyond your skills to comprehend," said Naruto, as he raised his zanpakuto, and pointed it towards Pein while the man's eyes widened in surprise.
'He shouldn't be able to move his arm. My manipulation of gravity with this body should be absolute without equal!' thought Pein while seeing yellow energy travel into the sword and Zetsu's report on what happened to the Leaf ANBU played back in his mind.
"Cero!" said Naruto firing the attack and widening the width of the attack so it would hit more then just the Pein in front of him.
Acting quickly, the final Path barely leaped out of the way of the massive Cero, but the White Zetsu Clones behind him were not so lucky, as every single one of them had been destroyed, and left a lengthy crater from the start of the zanpakuto to finish at the end of the army of White Zetsu Clones. Moving his eyes in the direction of Pein, the Uzumaki Arrancar saw the man was pissed, and finally showing emotions for the first time since this fight started. Clearly, he wasn't anticipating the loss of his entire army, and the other Paths sent to sack Kumo for the Eight-tailed Jinchuriki.
'Such power! How is this even possible? That attack didn't have any of Kyuubi's chakra in it and yet the power came entirely from him. What is he?' thought Pein, as he saw the blonde look at him, and in a single moment was gone.
"I sense your time in this world is at an end. Not this fake thing you command, but the real body being attacked at this moment, and it won't be long before what life is left has been robbed by violent means. Don't bother denying it. I've sensed it. Smelled death on this body traveling all the way to your real one. You maybe able to hold off the group attacking you now with the help of the female fighting with everything she has in order to protect you. However, we both know if they don't kill you, I will do it their place, and I won't be so merciful," said Naruto before expertly slashing each one of the Path's limbs and thigh off his so only the head remained left to remove.
"I won't deny it. My time is running short, but my goal to bring peace to the world won't be denied, and I will see the Shinobi villages kneel to its power," said Pein with Naruto narrowing his eyes at him and with quick slice from his zanpakuto had taken the head clean off before sheathing his blade.
Moving quickly, Naruto freed the Raikage, and Killer Bee from their pinned positions before letting Kumo's ANBU take them both to be healed with thanks from them all for his actions. Using Sonido, the Uzumaki Arrancar appeared before the sight of Samui, Karui, and Omoi were alive though looking pretty banged up. Suigestu was currently fighting Konan while Karin was healing the three Kumo Shinobi of their injuries. Pein himself was clearly waiting for Naruto, as he didn't show surprise when the Arrancar made his presence known, and looking back with the same emotionless stare.
"I'd expect nothing less for the proclaimed leader of the Akatsuki. To hold off so many people, you along with your partner proved you're strength, and yet are going against your very principles of peace. What you're trying to do is oppress others with fear of using the power of the Biju against every single country. That is considered a false peace. One, which is the quickest path to war, and brings people together who would rather fight to the death overthrowing such tyranny. Your method of bringing about peace will only lead to a major war, which will have devastating effects on the world, and you will be the one blamed for such destruction," said Naruto seeing Pein scowl at him in anger.
"You know nothing! You think with such naive thoughts about ending the ways of war just like I do, but your way will only be for a time while my way bring about peace, and only those that wish to start war to end such a thing are the true enemy. I WILL NOT LET YOU STOP ME FROM ACHIEVING LASTING PEACE! 'SHINRA TENSEI!'" said Pein, as he unleashed the power of his Rinnegan upon Naruto, who took the attack without fear, and didn't move an inch when the repulse based wave of power hit him.
"Is that it? Is that all you've got? Such a pity," said Naruto while walking over to the stunned Pein, who quickly fires off another one at him, and then another with the results of each attack producing no results at all in causing the Arrancar harm.
"Nagato!" said Konan, as she saw Naruto standing right in front of her childhood friend, and the hand from the blonde now slowly crushing the red haired man's throat.
"Nagato. So that's your real name," said Naruto while slowly tighten his grip on the man's throat.
"Its Uzumaki Nagato. He's a relative of your bloodline!" said Konan in the hopes it would stay Naruto's hand.
She was rewarded by Naruto quickly releasing his grip on Nagato before turning to stare at the woman in the hair, who left herself open in midair, and Suigestu preparing to pierce her with Kusanagi extending to strike the woman's heart. Naruto used Sonido to grab the blue haired beauty and then put her beside Nagato much to everyone's surprise.
"Are you really an Uzumaki like she claims? Will you swear it on the very blood of our people and the souls of our ancestors from Whirlpool Country that you are one of them?" said Naruto while his voice was deadly serious and left absolutely no room for any kind of nonsense.
"Yes. I am one though I was never in Whirlpool when it fell. I was just a child when my parents died at the hands of Leaf Shinobi when near Ame. I wondered around until I met two other orphans like myself, Konan here being one of them, and Yahiko was the third member of our group. One day we encountered Jiraiya of the Sannin and he taught us enough so we could defend ourselves in such a harsh environment," said Nagato while Naruto narrowed his eyes at him.
"Did he know you were an Uzumaki?" said Naruto seeing Nagato look unsure and looked to Konan to see if she knew.
"We don't know. He knew Nagato had the Rinnegan, but we never told him his last name, and I doubt even Jiraiya's spy network could find it," said Konan honestly though there was always a chance Jiraiya had found out and just never told anyone about it.
"Do you both truly want peace?" said Naruto seeing the two nod.
"We just want the fighting to stop and have some measure of peace. Each of the villages use their Jinchuriki like weapons, causing only chaos, and destruction to everyone around them without care. We just wanted to remove the fangs of these villages and make them all think twice before starting a war," said Nagato with Naruto looking at his red haired kinsman.
"Did it ever occur to you that perhaps the Jinchuriki should have been given a choice in the matter? You took them without even asking any of them what they wanted just like the villages made them into Jinchuriki without asking," said Naruto seeing the two look at him in horror since they had been doing just that.
Taking Jinchuriki without even giving them a choice, a chance to even consider what this would mean for them, and then there was the fact Nagato never brought them back to life after extracting the Biju from their human prison! Nagato had the power to do it through his eyes, but never once did he do it, and focused on the task at hand in getting all the Biju together.
"I have become what I've hated. I have betrayed my own convictions. I have betrayed Yahiko," said Nagato while crying for the first time since Yahiko killed himself to save them all from Hanzo's vile treachery.
"We betrayed Yahiko," said Konan, as she could only weep with him at this revelation, and Naruto just let them embrace it with each other.
"I have a mission to complete by the powers that be above this mortal realm. Where is the statue holding the Biju you've collected?" said Naruto calmly while Nagato looked up at him.
"In Ame. Its where our base of operations was setup after I killed Hanzo in order to take control of the village. The statue holding them is deep underground in a massive room. We used some of the power from the Biju to make the White Zetsu Clones, but there is more then enough to make even more then what you saw earlier in Kumo, and Madara will make more once he finds out about this," said Nagato seeing Naruto narrow his eyes at him.
"Leave," said Naruto simply while walking away from them with everyone looking at him in shock.
"W-What?" said Konan seeing Naruto turn his head slightly to look at her.
"I said leave here. Leave the Akatsuki. Go somewhere and live in peace. What needs to be done now...only I can do," said Naruto before seeing Nagato put up his shaking hand in a pleading manner for the blonde to wait.
"There is more Naruto. More you need to know about Whirlpool's fall. Something you need to know about Konoha and the terrible secret they kept from everyone. Even your parents," said Nagato seeing Naruto raise an eyebrow at him.
"What?" said Naruto before turning fully to stare at his fellow Uzumaki.
"Whirlpool wasn't destroyed by enemy forces like Iwa or Kumo at the time. They were killed from within. Konoha betrayed Whirlpool and played everyone like a fiddle into believing it was by the hands of two enemy villages in order to get more support in the war," said Nagato since he had planned to take his revenge on Konoha, not simply due to the village killing the Kyuubi Jinchuriki the Akatsuki needed at the time, but also for the betrayal Konoha dealt to Whirlpool just to have the Kyuubi Jinchuriki, who was Uzumaki Kushina when it happened, and make every village fear them for it.
"Who gave the order for that to happen? Was it the Sandaime Hokage or someone else with enough military pull within the Shinobi ranks?" said Naruto seeing Nagato shake his head no.
"I don't know. All I know is Jiraiya had a hand in it using his spy network to find the best time to strike Whirlpool at its weakest. I wouldn't put it past Danzo and his Root Shinobi to have done the deed since it isn't the first time he's done such things from the shadows to further his goals," said Nagato with Naruto narrowing his eyes at the red haired man.
"Thank you for that information. Head to Spring Country. Tell the Daimyo that you seek secret asylum there until my return to discuss things further. Hyuuga Hinata is a skilled Medic Nin and should be able to heal what damage your body seems to have suffered in its time. Be discreet or else everyone will come after you regardless if you've left the organization," said Naruto, as he turned to see the three Kumo Shinobi sitting up against some trees, and watching the now former members of the Akatsuki leave the area around their village.
"You're just going to let them go? Just like that?" said Omoi in disbelief with Karui and Samui doing the same.
"Yes. They aren't a threat anymore. I now know the Akatsuki's HQ and can act decisively against them before they can regroup from this defeat. After I take care of the other Biju in the statue, I will return to Kumo to extract the Eight-tailed Ox from Killer Be without killing him, and send the demonic animal on his way into the demonic realm where the others will be waiting for him," said Naruto seeing the trio nod.
"What about us?" said Karin while seeing Naruto turn his attention to her and Suigestu.
"You will head back to Kumo with Suigestu to continue healing them all before word has reached the other villages like Konoha of what happened in Kumo. Suigestu, you will also stay to get some training in swordsmanship from Killer Bee after he's healed, and learn a few things from him," said Naruto while the swordsman looked surprised.
"Are you sure Boss?" said Suigestu scratching his head.
"You need to work on wielding Kusanagi and Samehada better. From what I saw, Killer Bee is a Master of Kenjutsu, and he's the only one capable of bringing out your potential in using multiple swords," said Naruto with Suigestu giving him a mock salute.
"You got it Boss!" said Suigestu with a grin on his face.
"Can I trust you to talk only to your Raikage about this?" said Naruto seeing the three Kumo Shinobi nod since blabbing about this was not in anyone's best interest.
"Kind of stupid to blab it about for everyone to hear," said Omoi simply with his two teammates in agreement with him.
"Karin? Suigestu?" said Naruto turning his gaze to the members of his Fracción.
"Lips sealed Boss," said Suigestu while making a hand motion to his mouth in zipping it shut.
"I won't say anything," said Karin knowing discretion was important here.
"Good. I'll be back shortly," said Naruto before opening the Garganta and entering it to head straight for Ame.
"Okay. I get he's an Uzumaki and they do the impossible shit. But will someone please tell me WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?" said Suigestu since he had never seeing such a thing before until now.
(Underneath Ame)
Madara knew something was wrong. He could feel it in his bones. One did not live as long as he did and not have these kind of instincts. Just because the Uchiha had spent so many years in the shadows did not mean his battle instincts had diminished to the point where he couldn't decipher when something went wrong with his plans. Though that in itself was rare, as they had rarely gone wrong, and even then it never felt this bad like now. He had planned things out since the fight with the Shodaime at the Valley of the End, as he became Mizukage, turned his successor to the title into a puppet, and started the Bloodline Civil War. Even using the Kaguya to light the spark with the help of his Sharingan Eyes to jump start the clan's bloodlust and plant the suggestion that they need to attack Mist to prove their greatness. He had attacked the Yondaime Hokage, freed his pet from Kushina, planned to have the fox destroy, or the very least weaken the village beyond recovery. With that failing, Madara focused on the Akatsuki after Nagato had become Pein, and whispered a plan to take away the strength of each Shinobi village by taking away the Biju within each of their Jinchuriki. Then came to training Itachi, who he helped slay his clan for wishing to rebel in secret against Konoha, and take control of the village. While such an act would weaken the village further for a time, Madara did not like the idea of some weak Uchiha like Fugaku being Hokage, and helped Itachi kill the other Uchiha while manipulating events where Konoha would spoil Sasuke in his lust for greater power.
Of course, Madara knew of Itachi being a spy for Jiraiya, as he knew of the order to kill the Uchiha came down from the very top, but didn't say anything to Pein about that little tidbit of information, and decided to wait until Sasuke acquired his own set of MangekyōSharingan Eyes. Of course, the plan had failed thanks to Sasuke failing to kill Naruto, but if it had worked out like Madara wanted, he could manipulate Itachi into performing his "Final Act" of repenting for the slaughter of his kinsmen by having the two brother fight it out, and Sasuke getting his brother's Sharingan Eyes for a much younger less morally bound Uchiha to his side.
Now that wasn't possible in its entirety and all because Uzumaki Naruto had returned.
'I'll say about your son Minato, he's definitely living up to his family's reputation on both sides of the fence in being unpredictable, and honestly...I don't like it!' thought Madara while sensing a presence nearby where the Gedō Mazō was and the man's eyes widened.
Heading into the large room where the statue was located, Madara saw Naruto there with a hand on the massive creature's form, and had his eyes closed. Madara didn't know what Naruto was doing, but he could definitely feel the Biju within the statue stirring inside of it, and wondered if the blonde was communicating with them all. But how? That should not even be possible!
"Such anger. Such pain. Do you have any idea what humans have put these Biju through when sealing them away?" said Naruto before disengaging this hand from the statue and looking directly at Madara.
"You think I care? They're pets. That was their purpose the moment the Sage of Six Paths took the Juubi and separated them into nine different demon animals. They were to be tamed, controlled, and used how we see fit," said Madara while Naruto shook his head no.
"Not according to the Gods above. The creation of Jinchuriki are against the rules and even more so with what you're planning to do with the 'Moon Eye Plan' your sick mind has created," said Naruto with Madara's eye narrowing at him.
"And how do you know about that?" said Madara with Naruto jerking his head towards the Gedō Mazō where the Biju were sealed.
"Just because they are sealed away doesn't mean they don't hear things in there. I had a nice long conversation with them," said Naruto before looking behind him and saw the real Zetsu appear behind him with a small army of his clones.
"I see. I take it Pein and Konan met their end and decided to repent by telling you where to find this place," said Madara while Naruto let out a chuckle.
"In a manner of speaking? Yes. Yes they did. It was Nagato's gift to me from one long lost Uzumaki to another," said Naruto before bringing out his zanpakuto while Madara's eyes widened in shock since even he didn't know that fact about Nagato.
"Blood being thicker then water. How...sickening!" said Madara seeing Naruto narrow his eyes at him.
"Not as sickening as I find you right now. The people I find are possible more disgusting then you are those in Konoha and we both know their time in this world is coming to an end after I'm done here," said Naruto with his zanpakuto pointing at Zetsu and his clone army of White Half versions of himself.
"I've heard of your power in using that sword. If you use it here so close to the Gedō Mazō, then the statue will be destroyed, and the Biju will get free again!" said Madara with Naruto looking at him with a "I don't care look" in his eyes.
"You assume they're going to run away from our agreement we made earlier. What do you think they are? Human?" said Naruto before charging up his zanpakuto and aimed it from Zetsu to the Gedō Mazō statue.
"NO!" said Madara in horror.
"Cero!" said Naruto before firing his attack at the massive statue, which had consumed the entire village of Ame in its destruction, and killing almost everyone in it.
Almost everyone.
Everywhere in the Elemental Countries, the ground shook with the buildings cracking, collapsing all around people, mountains crumbling, waters crashed violently at sea, and trees toppling over from the shockwave produced by this action. Where Ame once stood, now had a crater large enough to consume the Shinobi village several dozen times over, and a lone figure looking slightly beat up from the aftermath of the explosion with seven large animals surrounding him.
"It is time Uzumaki Naruto," said the Nibi, who saw Naruto nod, and opened up a very large Garganta big enough to send them all through.
"This will take you the demonic realm. The only other time I will open this up to that location, is to the send the Eight-tails through, and that will be the end of it," said Naruto with Shukaku looking depressed.
"But I don't want to go back home! I have so much to do and destroy here. I say we just stay and kick some ass!" said Shukaku defiantly, but was shut up by the others glaring at him, and decided not to complain anymore.
"It must be done Shukaku. Through this, you are free from the control of the Senju, the Uchiha, and those with desires to seal you up into human vessels just to turn them into weapons. None of you want that," said Naruto seeing them all nod in agreement.
"Its best we go. Han would not want the cycle to start all over again," said Gobi simply while the others agreed since they knew their previous hosts wouldn't wish any new ones their baggage.
"Proceed then," said Naruto while they went in one by one entering the portal into the demonic realm with all of them entering.
"You did good Naruto," said Yami, as he appeared before Naruto when the Garganta closed, and saw the blonde bowing his head slightly.
"You asked me to do something and I delivered. All I need to do is extract the Eight-tails from Killer Bee in Kumo and it will be complete," said Naruto with Yami nodding before producing a seal for the Arrancar to use.
"Use this seal. Once placed on him with the rest of your own handiwork, the extraction of Hachibi from his vessel without killing him, and you can send the Biju on his way," said Yami, as he saw Naruto take the seal, and whatever wounds were on him began to heal.
"After I do that, you know what I have to do, and not just to Konoha either," said Naruto with Yami nodding.
"I know. Iwa won't be pleased by what you've done in taking away the Biju. Deal with them first and then Konoha," said Yami with Naruto nodding.
"I will. Thank you again for this second chance Yami-sama," said Naruto with Yami just smiling.
"You more then deserve it Naruto. We should have put a stop to Kami's stupidity from the start and the fact we didn't makes us almost as guilty," said Yami while Naruto just could appreciate the God's honesty.
"If you'll excuse me Yami-sama, I have a mission to complete, and must be done without delay," said Naruto before opening up a Garganta and entering it to head for Kumo.
"You'll do well Uzumaki Naruto. You were always meant to decide the future of the Shinobi villages. Nothing is going to stop that from happening," said Yami before he left the mortal realm for the heavens above.
(The Heavenly Realm)
"How dare you do this to me! I am Kami! This is my place, my throne, and I will not be usurped by my own brothers!" said Kami, as he was bound in chains and restrained by the Shinigami King, and soon Yami joined them.
"Its not your call anymore brother. You betrayed your principles and the very laws set down ages ago before the Sage of Six Paths even sealed the Juubi into his body. You openly defied these laws for too long and for too longed we listened to your honey laced words to let things slide. How many Jinchuriki suffered before now? How many people died because these villages used Jinchuriki as weapons of war? How many innocent souls died because you wouldn't let us intervene? All because when Kyuubi manifested herself after the separation from being Juubi, you couldn't bring her to your bed, and she vowed never to lie in it. You hurt others because she hurt your pride. You scorned everyone and everything pure due to your own pride being deflated by Kyuubi's refusal to be your plaything," said Yami seeing Kami seething in rage at him.
"Kyuubi had no right to refuse me. I was a God. She was a demon. I commanded the power to destroy her and all the Biju with a flick of my wrist. All I asked was for her to lie with me and be mine forever. She deserved to suffer! She deserved to be enslaved by the Uchiha and the Senju with their bloodlines. Just like her three vessels deserved to suffer so the guilt would make Kyuubi regret my offer!" said Kami with the Shinigami King scoffing at him.
"You never did learn how to accept the word 'no' for an answer my brother," said the Shinigami King with Kami growling at him.
"No one is allowed refuse Kami. NO ONE!" said Kami before Yami slugged him in the face.
"You are pathetic brother. Perhaps a few thousand years in Purgatory will teach you a much needed lesson in humility," said Yami snapping his fingers and in an instant a portal opened up beneath Kami with the deity falling into it while cursing his brothers for their defiance of his rule over all things.
"Now all is left, is for Naruto to do what he needs to do, and it won't be pleasant," said the Shinigami King with Yami nodding in agreement.
"Balance will be brought to this world brother. Even with the Biju sent to the demonic realm, the greedy humans have their positions of power to cause suffering, and they must removed," said Yami with the Shinigami King nodding.
"Innocent blood will be spilled by his hands if not already," said the Shinigami King with Yami shaking his head at him.
"Those that support such people in power and follow their orders rather then think for themselves are not innocent people brother. That is why they were created with freewill to think for themselves and the fact they choose not to abandon such people in power means they are guilty. They believe that their leaders are in the right and won't listen to reason," said Yami with the Shinigami King nodding.
"I'm going to be backed with so much paperwork," said the Shinigami King to himself.
"The price of being the Shinigami King my dear brother," said Yami with a chuckle.
(A/N: YAY! I updated. Hope you all enjoyed this. I know some of you are waiting for Naruto unleash his true power from his zanpakuto and he will! Just be patient. Also check out YnShadow's fics Shinobi Lust and Demon Dog Overlord Inuyasha: the InuOverlord. Until next time...PEACE!)