Akatsuki: II – The Unholy Alliance

We are just ordinary people driven to revenge in the name of justice.

But if revenge is called justice, then that justice breed yet more revenge and becomes a chain of hatred.

- Uzumaki Nagato / Pein

Takigakure no Kuni – Unknown location

A thick morning haze had filled the forest making it almost impossible to what was in front of them. They had received the confirmation that they would be granted an audience with Shibuki Takigakure's 'Kage' and his council. They had agreed to listen to what it was they had to say and then they would decide what to do with them based on the quality of that information.

They were allowed to travel without the blindfold for the majority of the trip which was absolutely a vast improvement from when the were first taken to the border station they had spent the night at. It also meant that they could travel at a faster pace, more suited for shinobi.

That being said they would still have to take the blindfold back on when they were close enough to the secret entrance to Takigakure, for security reasons. Naruto glanced to his right where he saw Haku a couple feet behind him, jumping from branch to branch. "Haku, tell me about yourself.."

Haku moved closer towards him so that they could speak without shouting. "I don't understand Pein-sama? What do you want to know about me?" She asked with a somewhat baffled look on her face, clearly not having expected the question.

Naruto returned his gaze forward. "I just.. Want to know more about you. What is it you like/dislike, you're dream for the future?

Haku's eyes widened slightly before a small smile settled on her face. "Oh I understand. I like spending my time with you and Zabuza-sama, and animals, especially Arctic Hare's.." She added that last part more as an after thought. "There is not much that I don't like, well expect for fighting, but you already know that from our encounter on the bridge.."

Haku stopped to think for a short while on the last one, her dream for the future.. She bit her lower lip and for a moment she seemed to be in deep thought, before… "My dream for the future is to be there and help you achieve your dream for peace, that would also see Zabuza-sama's dream for peace in Kirigakure fulfilled!"

Naruto sighted quietly as he heard that last part. The girl really had a hard time putting herself in first line. "Haku, you need to stop lying to yourself. Tell me what your dream for the future really is. I want to know"

"Well.." Haku paused for a second, Naruto assumed that she had never really admitted her dream to anyone, likely not even herself. "I would like to one day settle down in a nice and quiet place.. With someone precious to me" She blushed slightly, and he noticed that she did some nervous fidgeting with her hands. "Perhaps even children one day.."

Naruto did his best to smile – It actually was surprisingly charming- in her direction, he presumed that it worked because she did seem to get a small red tint on her cheeks as she returned it. "I would like it if one day you could make that dream a reality. In a world of true peace"

Haku turned her attention back towards the way ahead of them before replying in a soft whisper -so low he would guess it was not intended for him to actually hear- "Yes, I would like that very much.. Pein-sama"

The rest of the short journey went by without any further conversing from that point. However as they travelled the fog that had been obscuring their view for the majority of their trip did gradually disappear around noon. When they wee finally able to actually see the landscape surrounding them Naruto could not help but admire the beauty of this land, the comfortable silence that once again settled only helped to enhance that natural beauty.

As the name of the land they were in implied there was several waterfalls scattered around. For Naruto whom had never really seen much other than the terrain around Konoha it was an interesting experience to see all of this minor mountains and hills. It all looked so untouched by human hands, unlike the forest surrounding Konoha that -although it was not truly abnormal- was created by the Shodai Hokage's Mokuton.

Unfortunately he could not loose himself in the landscape forever. It felt as only seconds had passed since his brief try at having a 'casual conversation' with Haku had ended before they came to an abrupt halt in a small clearing.

The Anbu leader from the day before stepped forward holding the same blindfolds out to them. "We are not far from the entrance to the village now, I will have to ask you to put the blindfolds back on from here on out"

xxx

Fortunately they did not need to wear the blindfolds for much longer than an hour before they had reached their apparent destination. The first thing that greeted them when they regained the ability to see was that they found themselves in some sort of valley. In the centre surrounded by a 'moth' was an abnormally large tree, around it there was some buildings -Government buildings most likely- but for the most part it seemed that most of the buildings were on the other side of the 'moth' surrounding the island in the centre.

However they were not they not here to go sightseeing around the village, the Anbu that had escorted them to the village led them quickly down off the mountain they were standing on. Luckily they were allowed to run down the cliff using chakra, and not take the alarmingly old and unsafe looking path that he had originally thought they would use.

As they made their way through the village Naruto noticed that everything seemed to be smaller here than what he was used to in Konoha. Most of the buildings here was also built using wood rather than bricks and concrete.

The Anbu led them silently through the village, deliberately taking the routes least travelled to avoid to much contact with the civilian population, before their charges had met with the village council and it had been decided on what to do with them, they would not allow missing-nin to mingle with the people of Takigakure.

Upon reaching the Administrative building the first thing that struck Naruto was how small it was compared to the one in Konoha. A slight feeling of nostalgia washed over Naruto when they entered the building, inside of it was buzzing with life, Shinobi and civilians alike were running around doing their job. It reminded him of Konoha and the times when he would go and bug the Sandaime Hokage whenever he was bored, but those days are past.

They were quickly led through the building until finally they reached their destination in the form of a huge door with the Kanji for 'Waterfall' written above it in blue painting.

The Anbu turned and bowed politely to the trio. "Our job is done, you will wait here for your appointment with Shibuki-sama" And with that said they took their leave.

Naruto and the two others bid them farewell before finding a place to sit while they waited for the Shibuki and his council to see them.

Fortunately they did not have to wait for too long, hopefully they had taken them and the information they could provide seriously enough not to keep them waiting. The great door opened and a small group of foreign Shinobi walked out, Konohagakure Shinobi..

Naruto recognised them as Nara Shikamaru, Hyūga Neji and Tenten. What caught his eye's was that Maito Gai -Neji and Tenten's sensei- was not there, and instead Shikamaru who was now a Chūnin -Judging by the new vest- was acting as their leader.

Shikamaru studied them briefly with a calculating look as he walked past them, his gaze seemed to linger the longest at Zabuza, or more specifically at Kubikiribōchō. Naruto made sure that the straw hat he had taken to wearing properly covered his face from being seen.

A few minutes after the Konoha team had left Zabuza glanced over at Naruto. "Friends of yours?"

Naruto scoffed at the comment and turned to face his companion and -to a certain degree- friend. "Hn, hardly.. They are old acquaintances of mine from the academy"

Zabuza was about to reply but he stopped himself when the great door once again opened up and a man wearing the Takigakure Chūnin uniform stepped out slightly before bowing to them. "Shibuki-sama has agreed to see you now" The tree of them got up, but they were stopped when the man nervously held up his hand. "I-I'm sorry but you have to leave your weapons here"

Zabuza and Haku looked over at Naruto who shrugged his shoulder before taking of the pouch containing his weapons/utilities, prompting his companions to do the same.

Inside the room they were greeted by what he assumed to be Shibuki sitting next to an older looking man with a craggy face and long white hair. The Akatsuki trio walked up to them and bowed their heads respectfully before sitting down on the mats laid before the village head.

Now that he could actually see this Shibuki up close Naruto was… Disappointed. He looked like a nervous wreck, not at all a man that held the title of village leader. But it was too late to second guess the decision of aligning with him over Suien.

"So you are this Pein character that our Anbu found trespassing in our land.. Hmpf, you are only a child" Naruto glanced up at the man sitting next to Shibuki with narrowed eyes, he did not like the way this man spoke to him, like if he was just some naive child.

The man he assumed to be Shibuki spoke up next with a nervous laugh before Naruto had time to respond to the jab at his young age. "I-I'm terribly sorry Pein-sa.." He paused and looked down at the child, even if he could only see the bottom half of his face he still felt like if his gaze was boring right into his mind. It made him feel vastly inferior to this.. Child. "Ma, sama. I'm sure Senji-san did not mean to offend you"

Naruto nodded his head slowly one time, accepting the apology. "No harm has been done" Naruto drawled in his dull and emotionless voice. Shibuki cringed slightly at the sound of the voice, he was definitely not enjoying this meeting thus far. Even the now named Senji seemed surprised by the Emptiness in Naruto's voice.. As if he was completely dead inside. "However I would like to get down to business, there is no point in wasting any further time throwing jabs at my age, né?"

Shibuki smiled nervously, obviously unsure whether Pein was joking or not. "H-Hai you are right Pein-sama, w-we were told that you had information about one of our Shinobi, Suien?"

Naruto nodded his head, confirming that they had the information. Naruto gestured towards Haku whom had been sitting silently beside him up until that point. "My companion Haku was tracking another one of your missing-nin, Suika when she encountered him meeting with this Suien..."

And so they told them everything that they knew about both Suien and Suika. For the most part it was Haku that explained what she had been witness to the meeting between the two Missing-nin. She did not know much about them or their plans, but she had heard enough to know roughly what their strength was at and more importantly when they be making their move.

Shibuki and Senji listened intently to what they had to say. Even Shibuki whom Naruto had written of as a more or less useless individual sat at rapt attention as they explained, had he not seen the man's antics before he would not have believed that this man was such a huge.. Well, coward.

As the story neared it's end both Senji and Shibuki looked considerably paler, the thought of an invasion against their homeland led by two of the most talented Jōnin they had? They had every reason to be afraid.

Senji was as expected the first calm himself, he looked over at Naruto his eyes had hardened and it was now more clear than it had been before that this was not just some mere councillor, but also a battle tested Shinobi of Takigakure. "How do we know for certain we can trust you boy? You are bringing up some very serious accusations, accusations that could have disastrous and humiliating effects on our nation if it is just a set up! I mean for the love of Kami you wont even show us your face!"

Naruto sighted quietly to himself 'As expected.. They go into denial when hearing something that they don't want to hear'

Naruto looked up towards Senji, making sure not to allow the man to see his eyes. "You don't know if you can trust us, but you can't afford to assume anything but the worst, we both know that."

Senji looked at Naruto with a slight hint of amusement showing in his eyes. "I do hope that this is not how you planned to make me trust you.. If it is I must say that I'm disappointed Pein-san"

Naruto tilted his head slightly to the side, curiously studying Senji's old face. "No.. I planned to convince you when I offered our service to Takigakure and Shibuki-san in the coming civil-war" Both Senji and Shibuki's eyes widened at that statement. This Pein had said coming civil-war, not just that there was a group of former Takigakure shinobi out there that planned to be a thorn in their side.. No he said civil-war..

"W-What do you mean 'coming civil-war'? You never mentioned that they had the strength to challenge us like that!" You could see the sweat rolling down Shibuki's face, if it was caused by the extreme willpower he used to try and keep a leveled head or simply out of fear he did not know.

Naruto tilted his head insolently to the side "Didn't I? It must have slipped my mind, how silly of me.." Naruto mentally thanked Aburame Shino for giving him the idea of always having a 'trump card' during his fight against the Otogakure Shinobi in the Chūnin exams.

Senji closed his eye's briefly before turning and whispered something in Shibuki's ear, After a brief pause Shibuki nodded his head, agreeing to whatever it was Senji had said.

Senji cleared his throat before once again addressing the trio. "You have given us much to consider, tell me why we should hire you instead of reaching out to one of our allies and speak your terms for helping our village, I'm sure your service does not come for free.."

Zabuza smirked under the bandages covering his face and Haku smiled slightly as it finally seemed that they had managed to secure the outcome they had hoped for.

"As it now stands Konohagakure -your ally- is still rebuilding from the recent attack by Sunagakure and Otogakure, I doubt they will be able to send you any help. Strained relations between you and Kusagakure makes me doubt you will admit to them you need help, never mind them helping you out. And of course there is always Iwa, but you would not risk loosing your alliance with Konohagakure when there is an other alternative?"

A vain started pulsating above Senji's left eyebrow, clearly he did not like the feeling of not being in charge. "It is obvious that you are our best option, but you knew that already didn't you?" He smirked in Naruto's direction. "You have put forth a good case I will give you that.. Tell me your terms, I'm sure you have already decided on what those as well.."

Naruto hid a smirk under the collar to his Akatsuki robe, this was going almost too good. "All we ask from you is the pay equivalent to what you would have paid to Konoha for a B-rank mission" Senji raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced that they would ask so little. "And we will collect the bounty from Suien, Suika and any further people of.. value, that might have joined his cause"

The proposal seemed to be well received from both Shibuki and Senji for when Shibuki spoke up this time his voice did sound both happy and relieved. "Your terms are fair Pein-sama! We will bring what we have discussed today up with the other members of the council where we will come to a final decision. I hope you understand that this is normal procedure.."

The Akatsuki members rose to their feet and bowed to the leader of the village and his advisor. "You cannot in good faith overrule your council. I understand Shibuki-san, but please keep in mind that time is a factor here.."

They turned to leave but before they could get to the door Senji's voice stopped them. "Before you go there is two things.. Firstly I will make sure to get you suitable accommodations for the duration of your stay here. And lastly" His eyes zeroed in on Naruto standing in the middle of the group. "We have agreed to trust your word Pein-san, do you trust us?"

Naruto starred intently at the old man standing in front of him, silently considering whether or not he should show them just why a man such as Zabuza followed him, and not the other way around. In the end though there was only one option for him if he wanted to keep the job he had just secured. "I sincerely hope I can trust you Senji-san.. I would rather not that you go spreading too many rumours.." He turned to look at Shibuki "And you Shibuki-san? I can trust you?"

Shibuki nodded his head quickly "H-Hai Pein-sama!"

"Well.." Naruto reached up and grabbed the straw-hat Haku and Zabuza gave him uncertain glances. "Lets hope you mean that" And with that he lifted the straw-hat off of his head, keeping his eyes shut. He heard Shibuki gasp at the sight of his pierced face and Senji's humming sound as he studied the face of the 'child' he had originally suspected him to be.

Slowly Naruto opened his eyes, just enough for them to catch a small glimpse of his purple eyes. Senji's eyes shot up in confusion for a moment, but his face soon scrunched up in concentration. Shibuki on the other hand looked even more confused now, but by the looks of it he did not dare to ask.

Naruto placed the hat back on his head, making sure his eyes were completely covered before he opened them again. The chances of Shibuki having the spine to sell him out over his eyes was slim, but it's true what they say 'Better safe than sorry'.

"I took a rather risky gamble in not only showing up here but also revealing my face to you two... For both our sake I hope I will not come to regret doing this" And with those parting words Naruto and his companions turned to leave the room.

xx

Later that night when they were at the hotel room that Senji had promised them they went through what their next course of action should be, now that they had so flawlessly managed to get involved in this civil-war.

"I have to admit that you did one hell of a good job in there brat!" Zabuza's gruff voice complimented him. Zabuza even went so far that he reached out and ruffled his hair, which for now Naruto was oddly enough okay with..

"That was just the easy part, we still have a war to fight Zabuza-san" Haku reminded Zabuza in her gentle tone. Although he just brushed it off, not bothering with such details right now.

"Yes.. I am interested to see what fruits this.. Unholy alliance will bring. Perhaps this village will prove to not be as corrupt as the other's, either way we will see what path they choose at the end of this war.."

Haku smiled gently to him. "I'm sure they will do what is right Naruto-kun! We just have to have a little faith"

Takigakure no Kuni – Rebel outpost

It had been about one month since the war had started. At first it looked like Suien's number's was lower than first expected, but he had gotten reinforcements from Amegakure in the form of three of their Missing-nin along with a group of drop-outs loyal to them. Apparently this was bigger than tey had first expected.

Up in one of the trees overlooking a small rebel outpost in the northern part of Takigakure no Kuni Naruto and Haku sat, quietly observing what was happening beneath them. There was about seventy or eighty of Suien's men down there, mostly 'cannon fodder' as Zabuza liked to refer to them.

Naruto gave Haku a silent signal with his hand and she disappeared in a Shunshin (Body Flicker) to get in position. In the distance Naruto could see Zabuza signalling that he was ready and as one they all performed the same technique. Naruto raised his hand into the seal of confrontation and silently whispered Ninpō: Kirigakure no Jutsu (Ninja art: Hidden mist jutsu)

His Jutsu combined with Haku and Zabuza's own had the desired effect. Shortly after they had activated the jutsu the clearing was covered in a thick mist, blocking the view even for his Rinnegan.

Then they initiated the next step of the plan: Kill the targets. Naruto leaped off the branch he was sitting on, while in the air he he let loose a barrage of Shuriken towards the location of the camp. Shuriken Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shuriken shadow clone jutsu) The Shuriken he had thrown multiplied into ridiculous amounts before continuing it's decent towards the camp bellow.

He could hear the sound off flesh being pierced and the night was filled with screams. He landed near the middle of the camp if his memory served him right, around him he could see the bodies of several unlucky souls that had been in the way for his Shuriken.

He heard someone screaming out a battle-cry behind him, when he turned he saw a young man -barley in his twenties- charging at him with a Kunai. Naruto reached out and grabbed the hand holding the Kunai while at the same time driving his right hand towards the man's throat.

There was an audible squelching sound as the black-rod he had produced out of his right hand pierced the man's throat. He started making gurgling sounds and for a fleeting moment his eye's filled with fright, but then it was over, the gurgling noises started to die down until they eventually stopped. Naruto released the hold on the rod he had used to take his life and watched as the man staggered back a few steps before collapsing to the ground. Dead.

Naruto spun around towards his original goal; the guard tower. Running through a quick order of hand seals he took a deep breath before calling out Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu (Fire style: Fireball jutsu)

The massive fireball roared towards the tower, because of the mist none of the guarding shinobi could see it and intercept it before it was too late and it crashed into the tower destroying a large chunk of it while at the same time setting it ablaze.

He could still her the sound of fighting happening around him but it was now starting to slowly die down, Zabuza truly was a demon when he was fighting in the mist.

Having done his part Naruto went to join the others in taking out what remained of resistance. He stopped when he felt two chakra signatures coming towards him, waiting for them to make the move on him.

He would give them credit for the effort, but in the end it was all for naught. In a well coordinated sneak attack to figures jumped at him from either side, both raising katana's ready to decapitate him.

Naruto threw his hands out to the side Shinra Tensei (Almighty push) The two shinobi stopped mid-air and for a fleeting moment it appeared as though time itself had stopped, but that illusion ended when they were brutally thrown away.

This continued for awhile killing off the 'small fries' from Suien's army. Even if he was not yet at his desired skill level Naruto had grown tremendously during the brief time the war had been going on. And now that he was gathering some actual experience he would no doubt be a force to be reckoned with at the end of this war.

Finally the mist started to go away and he could see the scenery around him once again. It was not a pretty sight, blood and entrails was scattered around the small battlefield. Most of the camp was now burning -compliments of his Katon jutsu- it filled the air with the stench of burning flesh, It was not a very comfortable smell.

He heard the sound of footsteps coming from behind and turned around to see Haku and Zabuza walking towards him, the latter with a self satisfied grin on his face.

"I take it that you left no witnesses?" Naruto asked in the same emotionless tone.

Zabuza chuckled briefly "No one can escape me in my mist, you have my word"

Haku nodded an uncertain and strained smile on her face "H-Hai no one got out off the mist, Naruto-kun"

Naruto locked eyes with Haku and put what he hoped was a comforting hand on her shoulder "Haku, I know you do not like this and I wish that you did not have to be a part of it, but until that day comes remember why we have to do this"

Haku smiled a much more genuine smile this time "H-Hai forgive me Naruto-kun.."

Naruto withdrew his hand from her shoulder and started walking back towards their camp. "You do not need to apologise for your kind heart Haku, it is a good trait.. Now come, we need to report back to Shibuki-san"

So here it is, the fourth chapter of the story / 2nd chapter of the Akatsuki arc! :)

I know that I was a little late with this chapter, but I had some school things that needed to be done and school comes before writing. Anyway I hope you like this chapter! Next time there will be some more action so I hope you look forward to that, I know for sure I do! :)

Also in regards to that whole conversation with Shibuki and Senji (I know it was kinda short) I considered writing the whole thing, but honestly I would not have written any information that haven't been said in the previous chapter and it felt pointless to force it in just to get an extra 1000 words. :/

I hope you like what I did with the end of the chapter? I feel like I've gotten a little of track from the dark and gloomy mood I wanted to set in chapter 1 and 2 so I thought it'd be a fun idea to put in a little flash forward to how the situation escalates and get some fighting in there? Besides it was either that or me awkwardly trying to fill in half the chapter with random interactions in Takigakure.. I simply thought this was better and it gave me an excuse to write a fighting scene.. Did I do okay with that btw?

Also fun-fact for those who did not know: Senji is not an OC I came up with. He was on Takigakure's council in the novel version of the 'Protect the waterfall' thingy.. I don't know much about him since I haven't read it (And little was said about him) so he will be ooc

As always please leave a review and tell me of there was something you liked/disliked it helps me improve so that I wont make the same mistakes again! :)

I hope everyone is having a good day, and I will see you in the next chapter! :)

Ja né!

Edited: 06.02.2017