Welcome everyone again.

As you can see chapter 7 is out. It was tiring but I managed. Also as I have said before: I have an important poll on my profile. If you haven't voted yet please do. It concerns Sasuke's fate.

Without further ado…enjoy…

(Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto,Dmc or any other elements you may see in this story)


(Hi no Kuni- 5 miles from Konoha-6:00 pm)

A figure can be seen sitting on one of the higher trees (imagine the tree Pein hid in during his invasion), where he could Konohagakure in the distance. He had been staring at the village for the last hour. For that last hour his memories had been acting up, and he had to relive each and every moment in that village. Most of these memories were causing his anger and rage to rise at the mere sight of the village.

'Control your emotion, and never allow them to control you'

That was the first lesson he had been taught by his master. As soon as that thought entered his mind, he felt his anger and rage dissipate, and felt himself calm once more.

He was thankful for Vergil-sama who had trained and molded him into a perfect warrior. Someone who would never fall for revenge. Someone who would use their power for the benefit of people. Someone who would not be tempted by power and controlled by it.

He was resolved to make things better. Peace in the Shinobi world had not shown itself in a long time. Even now, while some countries were enjoying the peace they had, other countries were suffering and were plagued by war.

His goal was to bring an end to conflict, make the peace that the Rikoudo Sennien had brought show itself once more. He knew everything about the man. He was told about him from both Vergil-sama as well as Kurama who had referred to him as Oji-san (old man). They told about his history and how he wished to bring peace to the world and stopped Juubi from destroying it. They also told him about how he sealed Juubi into his body and divided his chakra in to making Kurama and his siblings instead of killing him once and for all. Vergil-sama had warned him that Juubi was not dead, and that the possibility of him returning was not impossible. When he had learned that he had made a plan of his own to insure peace once more.

He was also warned about the fact that there have been demons presence in the elemental nations. Demons that were very strong, and could cause many deaths and destruction, he had also warned him of a dangerous event that occurred once every two thousand years. The rise of the Temen-ni-gru tower that would open the gates of Hell, and would demons to surface in the human world in large groups. Already there have been demons showing up all over the elemental nations since he had been fighting them even before he came to the shadow world in Uzushiogakure. He was told that they were attracted to his Devil blood and wished to kill him to gain his power.

But they seem to know better than to attack villages. They could probably sense Human chakra as well and did not wish to risk them when there are so many signatures that could harm them.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, he sensed an incoming attack. Just as it was about to strike, he rolled over and free-fell to the bottom of the tree. When he landed he looked to where he was sitting and saw a large demon that was 9' tall made out of bones, and covered in a black cloak and holding a large scythe in its hand. He also sensed two more around him and subtly turned his head to the right, and saw another demon of the same kind. When he turned to the left, he saw one more standing there hunched over with the scythe in its hand. (DMC 3 Vanguard.)

He then sensed a few more incoming signatures and saw two packs consisting of six Hell Hounds surrounding him from all sides. If that wasn't enough, he saw three groups of ten Prides surround him from behind the Hell Hounds.

Summoning Vendetta to his back, he raised his arm to the hilt which caused a few of the Prides and Hell Hounds to jump him, while the Vanguards stood back. In a flash he had Vendetta drawn and had bisected two of the Prides and one of the Hell Hounds, and batted the rest back with Vendetta's flat side.

"Let's make this quick…I have things to do" said Sparda with his usual cold visage.


(Hi no Kuni- same forest-15 minutes later)

Just a small distance from the battle currently taking place, we see a group of eleven members. The first three members were easily recognizable as the Sandaime Hokage of Konoha, who had grown quite older in the last five years. He can be seen wearing his old black armor with the helmet on his head. Alongside him were his two student and two of the legendary three Sannin, Tsunade the Namekuji-hime (Slug princess) and Jiraiya the Gama Sannin.

Behind them were two ANBU Squads, with one of the captains wearing a weasel mask and another captain wearing a dog mask. The one with weasel mask, can be identified as a female from the figure and shape of their body. The black hair that was tied into a ponytail was also a defining feature. As for the Dog masked, he seemed to be male from the shape of his body and muscles. He also had gravity defying grey hair. These two were Konoha's top ANBU captains Kakashi Hatake and Izumi Uchiha.

Izumi had become the youngest to eve join the ANBU corps, when she joined at the age of 10 and had become an ANBU captain at the age of 13. She had worked hard to make it happen, and had become one of the most known prodigies in the village.

Her clan had rose in status and prestige thanks to her amazing deeds.

They were all currently heading to what according to the Konoha barrier team, was a major disturbance and a potential demonic presence. For unknown reason, there had been an increase in demonic activity for the last seven years ever since Naruto's death. They concluded that it had something with the death of Kyuubi. In reality, the reason was because of the impending rise of the tower of Temen-ni-gru.

They were all jumping in the trees as they headed to the large chakra in that area. They all had serious expressions on their faces. When they finally reached the area, they were rooted in their places at the shocking scene in front of them.

In the clearing was a young man, as old as Izumi herself and was carrying a large Zanbato weapon. He was killing the demons left and right with ease that even the older three didn't have when they fought against the demons in the past.

It seemed that he had been fighting more even before they arrived from the fact that there was black dust all over the battlefield. They had learned that when the demons died, they would dissolve into black dust.

He was currently fighting three dog-like creatures and three large demons that were wearing black cloaks and were wielding large scythes….no make that two of the large demons and one of the dog-like beings as he had just thrown his sword and pierced two of the dogs, and grabbed one of the bigger one's scythe and twirled it around, shredding the demon into pieces.

This left on dog and two of the bigger demons. Seeing that he didn't need their help, they decided to stay and watch the man fight against them.


(With Sparda)

Sparda could sense the new arrivals, and he could tell that they were merely going to observe him and were not going to help him. No that he needed their help anyway. He had killed most of the demons and all what was left were the two Vanguards and one Hell Hound.

Deciding that he wanted to fight the two Vanguards, he quickly launched Vendetta and was able pierce the Hell Hound and cause it to dissolve in to dust. He then had Vendetta dispel and return to his mind, which surprised the ninja group, as they were wondering where the sword went and if he had some sort of seal on it.

He then stood there facing off against the two Vanguards and entered a TaiJutsu stance, which was taught to him by Vergil-sama. He was told that it was named RoyalGuard and that it was a specialty of his brother Dante. The stance had him stand with his legs apart, with his left bent at the knee. As for his hands, his right hand was pointing to the top at the elbow, while his left hand was next to his chest pointing downwards. This stance would allow him to counter any attack pattern that they could use and turn it against them.

The two Vanguards charged at him, and while one of them kept on his path, the other decided to curve and strike from the back. It suddenly melded with the ground and came back behind Sparda, while the one in front of him swung at the same time.

With a smirk on his face, he reached out both hands and grappled both scythes and stopped them in place. The Vanguards stood there staring at each other, till they simultaneously looked down on their foe. The moment they did he used his grip on the weapons and raised himself and performed a split kick that knocked both of them back a few feet. Adjusting himself in the air he quickly aimed both scythes and landed on the ground and jumped to stomp in one of them. When he did, he stabbed both scythes into its head and chest and caused it to dissolve into dust.

The last Vanguard rose to its feet and teleported to its weapon, and then swung at him in an attempt to cut him in two, only for him to jump back and avoid it.

When he stood back up, he stared into its eyes with it doing the same. He then started channeling Raiton chakra to his hand and formed his signature move.

They then charged at each other, Sparda with his hand trailing the ground causing it to singe and crack from the lightning and the demon with its scythe in a downward swing. Just as it was about to bring it down on him, he raised his hand and hit the scythe's handle and caused it to break and fly in the air, while his hand pierced straight through the demon.

As it stood there frozen, the top of the scythe landed and was imbedded into the ground. At the same time it started to dissolve in to dust.

Straightening his posture, he flicked his hand and caused a discharge of lighting into the ground.

Turning around he stood staring at the place where the he could sense his audience.

"Show yourselves now, or I will consider you all enemies." Were the cold words that came from him, as his cold eyes stared into the place where they were watching.

Knowing that they were discovered, and not wanting to get on his bad side, they all jumped out of the trees and into the clearing.

Sparda was surprised when he saw the Sandaime and two others that he identified from their reputation as well as their huge chakra reserves. He knew they were the Sannin that are still loyal to Konoha. But more than that, they were his supposed Godparents.

He also that they had two ANBU squads with them, and he recognized the grey haired one with the Inu mask as the same man from the night he escaped who cried at his supposed death, and recognized him from the Bingo Book he took from Raiga as one Kakashi Hatake, also known as Sharingan no Kakashi (Kakashi of the Sharingan) and Kopī Ninja no Kakashi (Copy Ninja Kakashi).

There was also someone in an ANBU uniform and Kawausa (river otter. In the same family as the weasels and ferrets but in the water) mask that he couldn't help but feel that he knew a long time ago. But that was impossible. The only people he knew were the two families, and two of them were civilians while Mikoto-obasan was a bit too old to join ANBU, while Izumi would be too young.

He was brought back to the current situation, when he saw the old man signal the ANBU to stay, while he and his students advanced towards him.

The man then put his best grandfatherly smile, one of those that he thought could fool him when he was younger, and asked "Are you alright lad? Do you need any medical attention? Defeating those demons couldn't have been easy." he said as he took a closer look at him.

Sparda simply tensed, and placed his right hand on Yamato's hilt, which caused everyone to tense and prepare themselves, and said, "No I am absolutely fine and I don't need any medical attention. What I need is to reach Konohagakure before nightfall. Thank you for your concern."

The old man raised his eyebrow and asked, "Young man, don't you know who I am?"

Deciding that playing along would get him to Konoha easier, he rose his own eyebrow and asked, "Should I?"

The man and his two stood staring at the man, and then started chuckling and that broke into full blown laughter. A few minutes passed and they were still laughing. Putting on his impersonation of anger and a scowl on his face, he asked "what's so funny?"

This seemed to bring them back, and they quieted down, while the old man wiped a tear from his face, "Allow me to introduce myself to you, my name is Hiruzen Sarutobi and I'm the Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure. These two here are my students Jiraiya and Tsunade-hime, both Sannin of Konoha. May I ask, what is it you want to do in my village?"

He put the best shocked expression on his face, which seemed to fool them into believing him and then said, "Aah…forgive me Sandaime Hokage. My name is Sparda. I didn't recognize you. I am simply a new mercenary looking for work and wanted to get some rest before I was attacked by the demons that you saw me kill. May we head back to Konoha now?"

The old man nodded, and signaled the ANBU to move behind them. When they started travelling again, they did so in two groups, with the Hokage at the front with Tsunade on his right and Jiraiya on his left and Sparda behind them. While giving your back to an unknown was dangerous, all three were confident in their abilities to evade should he attack. In his mind he saw that as arrogance. They had no idea how strong he was. While travelling behind him were the two ANBU squads, with the Kawausa masked individual keeping her eyes on him, and he could feel her channeling chakra into her eyes, and concluded she must either be a Hyuuga or an Uchiha.

It took a few minutes to reach the village with the speed they were going, and when they reached the gates both of the ANBU squads, excluding the two captains, went off on their own, presumably to return to the ANBU HQ or to patrol the village. While they did that, the two surrounded him on both sides from behind while the two Sannin took the front, and started marching towards the Hokage's office.

While they were walking through the village, it would seem that being escorted by not only two ANBU captains, but also two Sannins and the Hokage himself attracted everyone's attention. Everywhere he looked he could see people staring at him in surprise and curiosity, while women were sending him lustful looks. There were also a few kids here and there that were looking at his escorts in awe and himself as well. He simply kept his face in his normal cold expression that showed nothing of what he felt on the inside.

A few minutes later, they reached the Hokage tower. It was the same as the last time he saw it. The mansion was a huge building that towered over most structures around it. It was colored red with yellow tiles on two floors, and had the kanji for Hokage written on it. They all went inside and went straight to the Hokage Office. When they entered the Hokage had the two ANBU stand guard in the shadows with a simple hand signal, while he took off his battle helmet and donned the Hokage robes and hat, then took his place on his chair, while Jiraiya and Tsunade took position flanking him.

"Now, how may I help you Sparda-san?" asked the old Kage.

"If you'll allow me," he said as he gestured to his ninja pouch, and received a careful nod in return, while the two ANBU appeared behind him just in case, "I would like to gather the bounty on this man." He said as he slowly took out a scroll from his pouch and placed it on the ground and unsealed a head from it. The head was none other than Raiga Kurosaki. The room's occupants were surprised at the site of the head on their floor. This kid had killed one of the Seven Swordsman of Kiri! He has to at least be A-ranked possibly S-ranked to perform that feat.

"Did you kill him?" asked Jiraiya as he looked Sparda in the eye, and received a short nod from him. He was impressed and his respect for the Gaki grew higher than before.

Hiruzen though quickly recovered, said, "It will take us a few days to gather enough money for his bounty. Would you care to stay in Konoha till then? We have many tourist attractions and shops that you could if you wish buy supplies from. I'll also see if we have some work that I can assign for you."

With a short nod of acceptance, Sparda bowed his head and said, "Very well, Sandaime Hokage. If you need I shall be in the village. By your leave..." he said and received a nod, so he turned around and made his way out the office.

As soon as he was gone, Hiruzen signaled Kawausa and she appeared bowing on her knee in front of him, "Yes Hokage-sama?"

"Shadow him. I want to see if he has any hidden agenda in the village. Make sure he doesn't know your following him." With a nod, she disappeared in a Shunshin. When she was gone, he had Kakashi show himself and make sure the head was real, while he stared out the window, and saw Sparda exit the tower and making his way to the shopping district of Konoha.

"Its real sir." said Kakashi as he stood in attention.

'So he really is very strong if what we know now and saw earlier against those demons.'

"What are you thinking Sarutobi-sensei?" asked Tsunade as she saw a contemplative expression on his face.

"I think we have just found the perfect scapegoat for our problems." He said as he stared at Sparda's back with a serious expression on his face. He then started explaining his plan to his students and most trusted ANBU operative.

Unknown to them all, in a shadowed corner, we see a small shimmering form standing there, listening to the plan with a hidden smirk.


(With Sparda)

Even as he exited the Hokage mansion, he could feel the ANBU that was shadowing him. While he was going through the mansion on his way out, he had subtly made a clone and had him stay in the room and listen to the old man's plans. He was going to have the clone make sure there were no plans made against him.

He had been taught the first arts of war. The first objective had always been gather information on his enemies. The saying of his master resonating in his mind,

'Know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.
If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.
If you know neither yourself nor your enemy, you will always endanger yourself.'

These had been his lessons to him and he had made sure to live by them.

While his clone was going to learn everything it can about the current situation in Konoha, he was simply going to start his plan that he made seven years ago when he had learned Konoha had a part of Kurama's power.

He had been walking aimlessly through the village in an attempt to give his follower an illusion of him sightseeing, and that included stopping at a few shops and browsing through them. A few minutes later he had wondered into an area that brought back a lot good memories to him.

Pretending that he didn't know where he was, to throw off his pursuer, he stopped a local man and asked for the nearest restaurant and got his answer in the form of a Ramen stand named Ichiraku Ramen.

Arriving at the restaurant, he felt his ANBU guard stiffen in surprise and he started having suspicions about their identity. When he got in the stand, he saw a sight that slightly broke his heart but at the same time, filled him with happiness.

He saw a young teenager standing behind the counter. Ayame Ichiraku still looked almost exactly the same as the last time he saw her, but only a lot older. Seven years had done a lot of good it would seem. She had become a beautiful young lady in the time.

But what broke his heart, was seeing her blushing and sputtering while talking with a boy who also had a blush on his face with a scar running through from both cheeks on his the bridge of his nose and had black hair that was tied into a pineapple shaped ponytail, and was wearing and shinobi outfit. He also had a Konoha forehead protector on his head.

It seemed that she had moved on from him and he was happy she was able to do that. He couldn't help but wonder how Izumi was doing, and whether or not she had done the same. He was happy that she had found someone better than him to be with. He was nothing but trouble and didn't deserve someone like her or Izumi. They were better off without him.

Unknown to him, two people in his mind were shaking their heads, with the same idea in their minds, 'That kid really deserves love, but why can't he see it?'

He coughed into his hand, and that seemed to break them out of their small world, and both blushed in embarrassment since they didn't know he was there.

Wanting to but the embarrassing scene behind, and hopefully save some face, she quickly said, "Welcome to Ichiraku Ramen…what can I get you sir?"

Deciding to save her the embarrassment, he said, "Yes, I'd like to have two bowls of Miso ramen please."

"Two bowls of Miso ramen coming right up. Tou-san you got that?" she asked as she turned to the kitchen.

"Yosh, two bowls of Miso ramen." Said an old voice from behind the kitchen curtains, and he can just imagine Teuchi-ojisan flipping the noodles in a pot.

Just sitting in the stand had brought back so many memories. Too many in his opinion as that feeling of guilt and he could almost feel their disappointment at him running away. But he remained calm on the outside and kept his cool.

"This is the first I have ever seen, you new here?" asked the boy next to him.

He turned to him, considering ignoring him, but in the end decided against. It wouldn't do for him to get into trouble, so he nodded to him and said, "Yes. I have some business to do with the Hokage and will be staying for a few days." He then turned his head to the ramen bowl that was brought to him, and stared at it in silence.

Ayame noticed and asked, "Is something wrong with the Ramen sir?"

He looked up at her and silently shook his head, and grabbed the chopstick and with a quiet "Itadakimasu" started eating his food in silence, with the other two watching him, till they started talking to each other again.

As for Sparda himself, eating the ramen was bringing back even more memories than he ever thought, and he decided that he needed to have some fresh air. So he put the chopsticks on the table, paid for the meal and left a large tip, and silently left the restaurant and the half eaten bowl, with the two in the restaurant looking at his back in confusion.

When he went out of the stand, he took a deep breath and decided that he needed some rest, so he headed off to one of the hotels and paid for a room for a week. As soon as he reached his room he closed his door and placed his hand on it. And from where he put his palm, sealing formulas started spreading all over the walls of the room and closed it from the outside world.

When he was, he went to the bed and laid on it to get some rest. Today had been exceptionally difficult for him and he was both physically and emotionally exhausted.

An hour later, he woke and decided to begin his mission. So he made a clone and had it stay in the room, while he went on his job.

He quickly used the Meiton: Shadouu~ōku and appeared in an alley next to a store he had marked earlier today. He also suppressed his chakra so that no one would discover him.

'Alright Kurama, we are in Konoha and we are getting your chakra. Can you tell me where I need to go?'

"Head to the Hokage monument. I can feel it there"

With a nod he started heading there, being careful not to draw attention. It didn't take him long to get there, and when he did he could actually sense a piece of Kurama's soul in the mountain itself. Figuring it must be a secret room or something, he used his Jutsu in order to enter the shadow world and exit inside the mountain. When he did and he looked around himself, he saw himself standing in some kind of a tomb or a burial.

He saw candles hanging on walls and in the end of the room, a tomb was in the middle of it. When he came towards he saw seals all over the lid and recognized them as preservation seals. They were seemingly keeping the bodies fresh for people with high importance so to speak. Without hesitating he removed the lid and looked in.

What he saw made him freeze in his place. There were two people in the tomb, and were placed so they were spooning each other. The first was a man with bright shoulder length blonde hair like his was with two bangs framing his face. His eyes were closed, but he knew they were blue. He was a Jounin outfit with a white Haori on top of it. He knew this man the moment he laid his eyes on him. This was Minato Namikaze. The Yondaime Hokage, also known as his birth father. The second person was a woman. She had long red hair and a round face. She was wearing a high-collared, sleeveless blouse under a long, loose-fitting dress. He also knew this woman. This was Kushina Uzumaki. His birth mother.

He had to take a deep breath when he saw the two of them. These were the people that were supposed to take care him. They were the ones supposed to raise him, nurture him, teach him and love him. Yet they both sacrificed themselves and him. And for what? All because of his idealism and her love for him that led to his suffering in life.

He shook the thought out of his head. What had happened had happened and no one can change anything now. Besides he liked his current life even if it had its up's and down's.

He sensed the presence of Kurama's chakra and part of his soul in the man's body. When he opened his shirt, and channeled chakra in to it, he saw the similar seal on himself appear on the man himself.

Nodding to himself, he performed a few hand seals and said, "Fuuinjtsu: Fūin chakura no tensō (sealing technique: transfer of sealed chakra)" and placed his hands on the seals. One on his own and the other on the man's seal. As soon as he did he was drawn to his mindscape.


(Mindscape)

When he opened his eyes, he saw himself standing in his mindscape. When he realized where he was, he began heading in the direction of Kurama's cage. Since his chakra was still sealed, whenever he returned to his mindscape, he would be next to his chakra. Perhaps now after he breaks the seal, Kurama will be free for real.

When he reached the cage, he was shocked at what was standing infront of him, and quickly summoned Yamato into his hand. What was infront of him, instead of one cage holding Kurama's chakra while the Fox himself is seen in his Vendetta form right infront of it, there were two cages with one containing Kurama, with Vendetta infront of it and another cage that had another Kurama that looked just like the original but with a darker color.

He quickly disappeared and reappeared next to Vendetta's hilt and stood staring in to the eyes of the Kurai Kurama (dark Kurama) with Yamato ready to be drawn.

"Calm down Sparda. He won't be making any trouble. He is a part of me after all. What I know he knows." Said the original Kurama, as he merged back with his chakra and in the cage. When he said that he saw Kurai Kurama nod his head in acknowledgement. Seeing that he lowered his guard and let go of Yamato.

He then asked, "So what happens now? How will you two merge?"

It was Kurai that answered him and said, "You need to open both seals and let us mold our chakra together."

With a nod he proceeded to do just that. He quickly went to each paper seal and removed them quickly. He then raised his shirt and his hands lit up with the key to open both seals. When he had become a seal master, he was able to study the seal on himself from both inside and outside and was able to make an alternate key than the original since he didn't know where it was. There

He then put his hand on his stomach and was just about to unlock the seal, when a hand clamped down on his wrist. Reacting on reflex, he gripped the hand back and pulled its owner towards him and kneed him in the stomach. While he was trying to gather the breath that was knocked out of him, Sparda quickly placed his hand on the persons back and chained him to the ground with his Chakra Chains.

When he got a good look on his attacker, he raised his eyebrow in confusion and asked, "What are you doing here Yondaime? How did you get into the seal?"

The man glared at him from his position on the ground and answered, "I implemented a part of my chakra into the seal as a precaution so that if anything ever happened to the seal I would show up and fix it." His glare intensified as he then said, "What have you done to my son? Where is Naruto?"

Raising an eyebrow, Sparda shrugged and turned back to the cage and said, "Naruto is dead." Minato's eyes widened at that, as tears started gathering at the corners of his eyes, and heard the man continue, "He's been dead for the last seven years."

Minato was speechless at that revelation, "impossible, he couldn't be dead," muttered the man with despair in his voice.

"I'm afraid so. And in his place all that remains is me. I am SPARDA." He declared as he opened the seal and freed both Kyuubi's from their seals. Minato's eyes widened in horror at the scene infront of him, and suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. When he turned his head, he saw the chakra manifestation of Kushina, also staring at the scene with horror.

'maybe she could hold them with her Chakra Chains,' just as he was about to voice his idea, she shook her head while looking at him, as if she had read his thoughts and said, "I can't stop both of them. I could barely stop one Minato-kun….I don't know what to do. And where is Naruto-chan? Shouldn't he be in the mindscape?" she asked her husband.

"I don't know Kushina-chan, but I intend to find out. Cut me loose quick" he ordered. But just as she was about to release him, chains erupted from the ground and held her down as well.

She was shocked at the chains, since she couldn't control them, and that meant that there was someone else with her ability. When she looked up, she saw Sparda staring at her from the corner of his eye, and heard him say, "And stay there for now," he then turned back to the two Kyuubi's and said, "Well what are you waiting for? Merge already."

The two then moved closer to each other, and sat facing each other and got their front paws and all nine tails touch the other. When they tried to mold their chakra together, they were suddenly pushed away from each other by an invisible force. When they got up and tried to do it again, the same thing happened.

They then heard Minato speaking, "it won't work." All three turned towards him, and Sparda narrowed his eyes on him.

"What did you say Yondaime?"

The man stared at him with unflinching eyes, and said, "Like I said, it won't work. They were separated by the Shinigami and won't be joined back without him. So your plan is completely useless."

Both Kyuubi's snarled at that revelation, and were about to tear Minato to pieces, but were calmed down when Sparda said, "Enough both of you, I'll find a way to merge you back." He then turned back to Minato and said, "and as for you, there is always a way. You simply need to know where to look. Keep your on these two and don't let them do anything." He said talking to both Kyuubi's at the end. He then disappeared from the Mindscape.

Kushina laid there staring at them both and after the man left, asked "since when did you become a guard dog Kyuubi?" she said, with a haughty voice. Kurai snarled at her in return, while the other simply answered, "Ever since my jailer became my new friend and partner. Something you never were." He said surprising both her and Minato.


(Fourth Hokage head-tomb- one hour later-almost 11:00 pm)

When he woke up once more, he found himself back in the tomb. Releasing a sigh, he saw the seal on the man's stomach dissolve and move to his. He then started thinking on the situation at hand. He had hit a dead end, and now he had to find a way to annul the Shiki Fuin (dead demon consuming seal) for the Shinigami himself. How? Even he did not know.

'Wait a second….The Sandaime ought to know something about it. Maybe even have something in his office,' with a plan in mind, he made a clone and had it dispel in order to inform the clone at the office to search for anything related to the Shinigami.

With his work done for now, he decided to head back to the hotel and get some more sleep. It was night time after all, and there was nothing more he can do for now.


(With Izumi (Kawausa))

She had followed him all over the village, and she couldn't tell if he had known she was there on not. He was one of the hardest person for her to read, even while having her Sharingan on him at all times.

She saw him tour the village, but didn't know if he was really touring the village or perhaps analyzing its hot spots and maybe making a tactical map of the village.

After an hour or so, she saw him ask a villager for a place to eat, and was guided to her favorite place to eat. A place where her best friend worked in and was a favorite place to another lost friend of hers.

The sight of the stand would always bring back memories of her lost friend, who was her first friend and best friend and for her was a first crush that never left her, but had died because of the prejudice of the villagers and for something that he had no control over.

Whenever she would come to this stand, she would relive her memories of their time together. Had she known what would happen then perhaps she would have been able to help him some more, and maybe relieve him of some of the pain he had to suffer. When he died and she became ANBU, she had searched for every piece of information about him. She read about how some of the younger kids would pick on him when he was alone and receive encouragement from the older generations. She had even read about the reports about his attacks by the villagers when they would get drunk.

She was disgusted at the villagers and was quite happy when they were punished after he was gone, but couldn't help but wish that it had happened without him having to die.

She also wondered why he didn't ask for their help. She at first though it was because of pride. However her Kaa-san had corrected her and told her the real reason. About what would of have happened had he asked for their help and had the villagers hatred directed at them. That he took their hatred upon his shoulders alone in order to spare them from having to live like he himself lived. Her admiration for him had increased and so did her love for him upon reaching that conclusion.

She was broken out of her thoughts when she saw him suddenly exit the stand and head towards a hotel. She saw him enter the hotel and felt his signature speaking with an employee and then sensed him heading to a room. Leaving a Kage Bunshin just in case, she went back to report to the Sandaime Hokage.

She quickly Shunshined to his office and bowed low to her leader, and said "Hokage-sama, I have returned."

"Report Kawausa." ordered the old Kage, with the same people as before in the office.

She told everything that had happened and what she saw. When she was done, she awaited further instruction. She heard her leader order her, "Take off your mask, Kawausa." She immediately did as she was told, and unknown to anyone, the clone' eyes widened at the face of the ANBU. The woman had pale white skin and black hair that reached past her shoulders but was tied in to a ponytail with two bangs framing her face. She also had black eyes and two small defined lines right under her eyes. She was also wearing a necklace just like his around her neck.

He could recognize the woman anywhere even though it's been years since he last saw her. This was Izumi Uchiha, his first friend and first female best friend he ever had,

'Boss needs to know about this' thought the clone. Just as he was about to get out and dispel, he felt the rush of information from the dispelled clone, and continued his spying. He then heard something that made him listen even more attentively than before.

"How is the situation with your clan, Izumi-chan?" asked the Hokage, with an undertone of sadness.

"I'm afraid that the situation is the same and is even getting worse. My father has gathered the almost unanimous agreement from the clan. There a few who don't wish be a part of the Coup. He had them executed in secret, while the rest kept their disagreement quiet. My mother and uncle to name a few. My father had decided to begin the coup in two days from now sir. I was…..I was tasked of assassinating you sir." She replied, with a lower voice at the end.

The old man sighed, as he kept smoking his pipe, while the two Sannin were standing behind him exchanged looks between them, and Kakashi was standing to the side in silence.

"Hokage-sama, I request you allow me to perform the mission as we agreed on." Said Izumi with her head still to the ground, hiding her face.

The man was silent for a few seconds before he answered, "Denied."

She was surprised at the response, but managed to keep her anger within her at the response, and said "With all due respect Hokage-sama, then what will you do? The clan must be dealt with and I wish to be the one to do it." She said. Her voice was determined to do what she believed was the right thing to do.

"You are one of the best ANBU operatives I have Izumi-chan. I can't give you this mission. If I do, we won't be able to hide it from the eyes of the world. We will need every last bit of help once this situation is resolved." 'Besides, I can't allow you to carry that burden upon your shoulder. If I did, I would never be able to face Naruto in the afterlife.' Was the thought in his mind, as his face contorted into grief.

The others in the room, besides Izumi, could practically read his thought from his face, and they all flinched at the reminder of the little boy.

'NO….I can't let that happen. Sure hope Boss agrees to what I'm about to do' "I could provide my assistance if you wish." Said the clone as he emerged from the corner he was hiding.

The moment he spoke, he saw them all turn towards him with shock in their eyes, before they all got into their stances and ready to attack. The old man was the only one who didn't take a stance, but was equally as shocked as they were, and then proceeded to ask, "Sparda-san…how were you able to hide there? And how did you do it without us noticing?" he asked with narrowed eyes.

To be able to hide his presence from three Kage level shinobi and two almost S-ranked ninja was supposed to be impossible. He could be more dangerous than they ever thought. But at the same time, if what he said was true, he could truly be the one to dig them out of their deep hole.

"You know nothing about me and my power, Sandaime-san. Besides ninja are the warriors of the shadow, who sometimes need to strike in the light. Do not underestimate me, otherwise…" here his eyes bore into each of the older ninja in the room and continued, "you won't get the chance to be sorry."

Both Sannin prepared themselves for a fight, while the two Sharingan users took out their swords in preparation. However one "Stand down!" for the Hokage had them calm down, but keep their guards up in his presence.

Turning to him, Hiruzen spoke, "And how do you intend on helping us? And what would the cost be?"

Looking at the individuals in the room, the clone let out a small breath, as he walked over to the Hokage paintings and stood in front of the fourth picture. Feeling their eyes on him, he said "Allow me to perform the dead with the Uchiha clan. If I did it I will kill all the members of the clan who are involved in the Coup which are the older generations, and leave the younger ones and the civilians who had nothing to do with the whole return I expect a number of three things from you. What do you say?"

The man looked at his back and asked, "And how exactly are we supposed to trust you to do something like this? And what pray tell are those things you want?"

"I don't expect you to trust me but you have my word. And I never brake those." Said the clone.

For a split for Izumi, the moment he said those words, his face was replaced with a blonde boy with blue eyes and whisker marks on his cheeks, and was grinning while saying, 'I promise and I never go back on my promises'

She was brought back to the moment when he continued, "and as for the things I want, I believe you'll find them working for everyone's good not only mine. Firstly, I want to be put in the Konoha Bingo Book as an S-ranked criminal for doing the deed as well as something else you'll know in a few minutes. Secondly, I want to know everything you know about the Shinigami himself. And third I want you to give me everything you know about a man named…Danzo Shimura." He said with a voice filled with venom at the end.

The room's occupants were surprised at the weird, in their minds, requests. Someone wanting to be put into the Bingo Books? Hiruzen was already going to do that ever since he brought them Raiga's head on a platter…literally. The second request had him, Jiraiya and Kakashi stiffening. The third had all of the room's occupants shocked.

Almost each of the room's occupants had their eyes widened when they heard Danzo's name all of a sudden. The Hokage was the one to ask the question on all their minds, "How do you know Danzo? What has he got to do with you?"

The clone stood there for a few seconds before answering, "He was an accomplice with someone that I killed. He was trying to buy humans. Kekkai Genkai users that were imprisoned in the war in Kiri and sold like cattle. He was trying to buy them and use them for himself. I killed the middle man and stopped his entire operation. I have enough knowledge about him to know he is a War Hawk. Can you imagine what would have happened if he had gained these Kekkai Genkais? I also heard rumors about him and about his blank faced ROOT ANBU. That's why I'm here to kill him too. Loose ends and all." (Where did I get that?) He said with a shrug in the end.

The others stood staring at him for a few minutes, before Hiruzen sighed and massaged his temples tiredly.

Tsunade then spoke for the first time and said," I don't know why you're all worked up sensei. I say tell him about Danzo and the Shinigami and put him in the Bingo Book and let us move on with our lives. If he's offering to deal with both our problems, then why not?"

Hiruzen sighed and turned to his other student and sked, "what do you think Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya was silent for a few seconds before he shrugged, and said "don't see why you shouldn't. Go ahead sensei."

Turning to his two most trusted ANBU, he saw Kakashi nod his agreement, while Izumi was reluctant in showing it but did so in the end.

So he told him everything he knew about Danzo. About the ANBU force that he thinks no one knows about and their approximate number of three hundred ANBU level shinobi. He also told how they were all orphans or clan rejects and were Hand-picked to join ROOT. While he was talking, he was expecting the man to interrupt him and ask for more request or even a team of ANBU to help him. Fighting three hundred ANBU was not something normal people can do. Even some Kage-level shinobi find that difficult. But to his surprise the man was just standing there with a blank face and was absorbing everything he had on the matter.

When he was done, he saw the man nod his head once, and close his eyes. For a few seconds no one spoke till he opened his eyes once more and said, "three hundred ANBU level shinobi running around under the village. I can sense them as well as a number of fifty smaller chakra signatures, which I assume are new recruits. Not to mention Danzo himself who looks to be at least low-Kage from the size of his chakra. But it also feels weird, it feels like Tsunade-hime here. Anything else you're hiding from me?"

The atmosphere in the entire room grew cold at that moment. Tsunade was seen with a heavy scowl on her face as she turned to the old man, who was shocked at what he heard, and said "don't tell me he did what I'm thinking he did?" Her anger was barely held back as she said that.

The old man sighed, and said "if what he is saying is true, then I'm afraid so. Very well I'm assigning you this mission Sparda-san. Eliminate the guilty members of the Uchiha clan as well as all ROOT personal, with the exception of the recruits. They may still be salvaged. With them Danzo himself. You will then leave the village and never come back and be made an S-rank criminal for performing an unjust action of "The Uchiha Clan Massacre" as well as slaying three hundred ANBU shinobi of Konoha on your escape. You will never mention the betrayal of the Uchiha clan. Do you agree?"

Sparda replied, "Of course. However, we are not done yet. I believe I asked for three request and you have answered two. The third if you will?"

The man looked at him and asked, "and may I ask why you want to know about the Shinigami?" he had his guard up the whole time. That subject was way too close to the Kyuubi for his liking.

Sparda simply looked at him, and said "that is for me to know and you to never find out. If you will?"

The Hokage sighed, for the millionth time in this never-ending day, and answered, "I don't know much about the subject. Supposedly no one does. He is a god after all. All I know is that the Uzumaki clan of sealing were the closest of people to the spiritual god and even made a Jutsu to summon him. But that requires a large sacrifice. I have seen the Jutsu performed only once in my life." 'That was one day that I wish never happened.' Thought the man.

'Of course. The Uzumaki clan. I read in one of the scroll about the hidden shrines that they had. Wasn't there one near the outskirts of Konoha? Why didn't Boss think of that?' "Very well thank you Sandaime-san. I will be going now. My mission will begin tomorrow night at this same time. I will need time to prepare…so please don't send anyone to me unless it is for critical information. By your leave," receiving a nod he immediately left through the window in order to cut through the whole building.

When he was gone every one of them released a breath they didn't know they were holding. Jiraiya was the first to speak and said," Phew…finally he's gone. Does that Gaki creep you out or what? With his cold face and voice he could probably freeze an icicle,"

"Surprisingly, I agree with you. What the hell kind of life did he live to become like that?" Tsunade asked.

The Sandaime was the one to answer, and said "It doesn't matter. What matters is that he does his job and then leave the village."

Izumi then asked, "Are you sure that was wise Hokage-sama? Trusting someone we know nothing about for something so crucial?" she didn't want to doubt her leader, but that was a bit too trustworthy for shinobi.

"I know Izumi-chan, but this would be for the best. However Kakashi-kun, I want you to stand Guard on him now, and tomorrow night you and Izumi-chan will make sure that he does his job and doesn't kill any of the innocents. Understood?!"

They both replied with a, "Hai, Hokage-sama". He then dismissed them and stood up, while at the same time, turned to his window and thought, 'I can feel a change occurring in the world as we speak, and that kid is going to be the center of it,'. His original plan when he first met Sparda had been to have his ANBU perform the massacre and then pin the blame on the man. While he knew that doing so would paint a target on the man's back, he had no connection to the man, and so was willing to sacrifice him than any other follower of his. While that can be seen as cruelty and injustice, in the ninja world things like that happen. Though now it seems that he wants to do it himself. And why would he stop him if it was for the benefit of Konoha?


(With the clone)

As soon as he got a good distance from the Hokage mansion, the clone dispelled after making sure the coast was clear.


(Hotel room- original-2:00 am)

While the clone had been in the Hokage office, the original had returned to his hotel room and tried to get some more sleep. A few hours later, he was woken up when he received the memories of the dispelled clone.

When he had finished processing the memories, he couldn't believe his luck. He had found the key to his problem. The way to fix what the Yondaime did. He remembered the scroll that mentioned the Uzumaki clan's shrine. He quickly got up and left a clone to act in his place in the room. While most people would never be able to move around and do what he did without resting at night, he had found that sleep had simply become more of a luxury than a requirement. His stamina before his change was great, after his awakening had become inexhaustible. His master had even made him fight waves of demons till he dropped. He had grown tired after days of constant killing.

When he got up, he quickly opened a portal and went through it. On his journey to the leaf he had marked a few trees just in case of emergencies or if he needed to get a quick exit.

He emerged a few miles away from Konoha when he was travelling with the Konoha shinobi. He then closed his eyes, and reached with his chakra through the earth, in search of the shrine. He found it three miles North-East of the village and the Hokage monument.

Without wasting any time, he immediately started heading in the direction of the shrine. It didn't take him long to reach it. Within forty five minutes he had reached it. When he did he saw it mostly crumbled to the ground and with its remaining standing walls all cracked and covered with moss. Looked and could sense a few small chakra signatures resonating from it. When he entered he saw a podium with three Uzumaki symbols in a triangle and a number of twenty seven masks, three rows and nine columns. Each of the masks had different shapes and sizes and each had a different signature. The only thing they had in common was that they all transmitted a feeling of death into the air. Below them was a pit of black fire.

Though that didn't seem to bother him, as he closed in on the masks, he felt each of their signatures.

'These things shouldn't be in a place like this. If someone had found them who knows what would have happened.' He then summoned Vendetta and used the sword to pick up each of the masks. Whenever he touched a mask, he would get a weird feeling, but it would seem the artifact he needed was not there. Though when he reached the second row, sixth column to the left, when he touched the mask he could feel that it was the one he needed. Finding the one he needed, he threw the rest into the fire, which cause it to rise so high, it reached the ceiling and lit fire to it.

Within seconds, the whole place began to burn to the ground, while he was walking away from it. He then opened a portal to the shadow world and went through it with the mask, and left fire to burn, and for an ANBU squad to arrive to investigate the scene.


(Shadow world)

As soon as he came out of the portal, he looked around himself. The shadow world had not changed at all since he first got here. It was the same as ever. The same valley, the same tree. The same branches, everything.

The place where he had a mark, was a small cabin that was made by his ancestor who lived in it and had left it for him to use. Thinking of his late master, brought back the memories of their final encounter.


(Flashback-one week before return to Uzu)

It had been five years ever since he had first arrived to the shadow world. Five years since he started training under Vergil-sama. While it was not easy, he had faced every trial head-on, and was able to master everything he was taught. He had learned each and every technique for his Meiton bloodline and was even able to create a few new ones. His physical speed and power were on a whole different level then they were before. He could say that that aspect of his training was complete.

He had also become a master in TaiJutsu thanks to his master's teachings and sparring with both his master and Kurama. His KenJutsu was also one of his strongest abilities, thanks to the constant spars and training from a master swordsman like Vergil-sama, his own had reached a level higher than any other.

He was currently sitting in the cabin where he has been living for the last few years. He had been told by Vergil-sama that his training has reached its end, and all that remains is one final test.

When he heard that, he had almost yelled and started shouting about how excited he was. But thanks to training how to control his emotions, he was able to repress the urge to embarrass himself in front of his master. He had told him to meet him on their training grounds in a few minutes and prepare himself for the final test.

When the time came, he took a deep breath, rose to his feet, and went to the training field. When he reached it, he saw his master meditating with Yamato in his lap.

He stood in silence waiting to be acknowledged, and in a few seconds saw him stands and turn around so he was facing him.

They then stood in silence for a few seconds before Vergil made an exact copy of Yamato, using his own extremely potent chakra and threw it to him. When he caught it, he stared at it in confusion and then turned towards his master, and saw him enter his Dark Slayer Style opening stance, and he immediately tensed and did the same.

"I have taught everything I know, my deshi (disciple). Now all that's left is one more test. In order to become the next wielder of Yamato…..you must kill me." Said Vergil, with a firm voice.

Sparda's eyes widened at that, and before he was given a chance to process that information, he had to parry a stab to his heart, and duck under a slash meant to cut his head.

Jumping back to make some distance, he tried to say something along the lines of "are you mad!" but wasn't given a chance, as his master quickly closed in, and they started dual of swordsmanship. Every time one would swing their blade, the other would be ready to parry it.

While Sparda was a master swordsman, compared to his master he was still a rookie. So he entered his DT (indigo) and started to fight back. While in that mode his strength and speed were far greater than Vergil's, his master still had a lot more experience and was the better swordsman between them.

They continued to clash. Swings were dodged, stabs redirected, and whenever they entered a stalemate with their swords, Sparda would push his master back. While he was taking the dual seriously, Vergil was growing prouder and prouder of his deshi. While he was holding back a lot of his power in the form of his DT, he was going full force in this KenJutsu fight, and his deshi was matching him with everything he has.

Deciding that he has proved himself to him, he entered his DT and used the tactic "Shock and Awe" and quickly stabbed the shocked Sparda in the heart with Yamato.

As blood was seeping from his mouth and chest, Sparda stood there staring at the devil infront of him. In his own DT (indigo) he could sense the power that was overflowing from Vergil.

Leaving Yamato in his student's chest, he started speaking in his demonic voice, "You have failed, my deshi. It would seem that you are not my true heir. I was wrong with wasting all that time training you. And now you shall die." he said, as he turned around and started walking in the other direction.

As for Sparda, he had fallen to his knees with Yamato still stabbed in his chest. Tears were running down his cheeks at what his master and surrogate father had just said. He then heard someone speak in his head, as he fell onto his back with Yamato still in his chest.

"Is this it Sparda? Are you just going to give up now?" asked Kurama. Not receiving an answer, and feeling his jailor's heart beat get slower, he roared with his highest voice and said, "IS THAT ALL SPARDA? ARE YOU GONNA LET HIM SAY THAT ABOUT YOU? ARE YOU JUST GOING TO GIVE UP? WHAT ABOUT YOU'RE PROMISE TO FREE ME? WHAT ABOUT THE TWO GIRLS YOU LEFT BACK IN KONOHA? ARE YOU JUST GOING TO DIE AFTER YOU PROMISED TO SEE THEM AGAIN?" still receiving no answer and finally feeling his jailor's heart beat stop, Kurama tried one last time, "SPARDA!"

As for Sparda himself, he heard Kurama's words, but felt too tired to respond. He could feel his life slipping away from him. When Kurama mentioned his promise, he tried to move his body and remove Yamato, but couldn't. When Kurama mentioned the girls, he felt his vision darken, even though he was resisting it with all his power. When Kurama called out to him one last, he could feel something take over his body, and saw Yamato getting launched from his body and into the air, and felt himself change. He then heard a roar and then everything went blank.

As for Vergil himself, he could feel disappointment flood his body at the death of his deshi. He had truly believed the young one would become the next legend. He had never acknowledged the boy with the name he had chosen for himself. He had never called him Sparda, but as his student and disciple.

He would acknowledge the boy as the second Sparda, when he had proven himself and not before that.

As he was walking away, he heard something that made him stop in his track, and put a large smirk on his demonic visage.

DA-DUM

Turning to the source, he saw Yamato fly in the air.

DA-DUM

DA-DUM

He then saw his deshi rise to his feet, in a zombie-like way, and saw his head was lowered to the ground. Then suddenly energy started exploding from around him. The color of the energy was a dark purplish-blue mixed in with black. Then an entire cyclone of chakra started forming infront of him all around the zombie-like being. The sky itself started darkening with lightning sounding through it. (Imagine Ichigo getting his Shinigami powers vs Ginjo. I have a great AMV that I listen to when I write all the time. Link on profile)

"RRAAAAHHH" was the demonic roar that sounded all throughout the area, with the source being within the storm itself.

That's when the chakra started seeping back into Sparda. When the smoke dissipated, what stood infront of him was a full devil. That's was when Yamato suddenly landed in between the two of them.

They both stood there, and in an instant charged at each other, with Yamato in the middle.


(A few hours later)

Sparda groaned, as he started waking up. When he did he looked around himself and saw the entire ten mile training field in ruins. He could also feel himself clutching something in his hand, and when he looked down saw Yamato in its sheath in his hand. When he did he started looking around for his master. He would never leave Yamato away from himself, it was a part of him.

When he looked behind him, he found his mater. Though after he did, he wished he hadn't. The man was a mess. His clothes had holes in them and were rags. His royal blue trench coat was red with his blood. Even his white hair was bloody. But that's wasn't the worse thing about him. What was, was the large fist sized hole that went through his chest and pierced his heart.

Even though he had all these injuries, the man himself was awake and staring at him with pride shining in his almost dead eyes. He quickly scramble to his feet, and tried to help him as much as possible.

However, he was stopped from doing that by Vergil himself, who said, "Stop my deshi. This is what I wanted. I needed you to awaken your full power. And now that Yamato has drank from your blood, it has recognized you as its new owner. You have passed my test, now go. You need to return to the human world and make your own legend. Go and show them the legend of the second SPARDA!" he said with conviction in the end, before he stopped moving.

All throughout his speech, Sparda was shedding tears, he now knew that he lost his master. He would never see him again. By the time he finished, his resolve hardened to steal as he closed his eyes and thought, 'I will make you proud Vergil-sama. I promise, and I never go back on my promises,'

Though what he never noticed, was how a small ball of light rose from Vergil's chest, and into his own.

(Flashback end)


After that happened, he had spent a week in order to bury and honor his master in the shadow world, and to master his Full DT. He knew that he could never use it in battle except in the extreme emergencies. The power that he had in that mode was too destructive to be used almost anywhere. Not that he ever needed it. He had his own DT (indigo) to use and it would be enough to use in fights.

He then decided to get back to the subject at hand. Taking out the mask, he held it in his hand, and was about to put it on before he thought of something.

Deciding to be cautious in this situation, he made a clone and had it wear the mask. Nothing happened for a few seconds, when suddenly the clone started to shake and convulse. It fell to the ground in pain and started to yell as a ghost-like entity made itself known behind it.

It was wearing ragged white robe, with it having a large mane-like hair and two horns jutting out from somewhere under its hair. Its skin was a dark shade of purple, with slited narrow eyes and a mouth filled with sharp teeth. In its mouth, it had a dagger and was grabbing the hilt with its right hand, while the left was holding prayer beads.

A few seconds later the clone stopped yelling, and puffed out while the entity turned to its summoner with a grin on its face.

"So you have finally summoned me, eh Naruto? Or should I call you Sparda? I have been waiting for you."


Ooooh! Another cliffhanger!

What will happen now I wonder?

Hope you liked the chapters and the surprises in it. I might be able to get chapter 8 done within the next few days. But like I said before my exams are here so no more updates for a few weeks.

Seeya next time…