I AM BACKKKK! I figured I'd come back with a happier tone considering that the A/N was a little too somber for my tastes, lol. Anyway I am still deeply sorry to all those who may have waited for an update to my story, as I sought to commit to actually having this story become greatness, and greatness doesn't come by doing absolutely nothing to it. Had to make a quick name change on the chapter after I had written it, the new title fits better lol.

Chapter 7

Countdown Part 1

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Later on that night, the same day that Naruto had decided to share the news of his heritage with Itachi, we find our young hero casually leaning up against a wall, while Itachi covertly scoped out the area for any wandering eyes. However, Itachi was still rubbing his jaw after having it open so wide in pure shock that he almost felt as though he dislocated it.

After giving Naruto the all clear, Naruto proceed to approach the large wooden gates, where he bit his thumb to draw blood, and smeared it a cross a small black square that flashed a golden hue for a moment, before going back to its dark color.

Itachi jumped down to join Naruto just as the gates began to swing open and the full beauty of the gorgeous manor came into view. Minato was not kidding about the breathtaking sight that they had before them, they both thought as the gates automatically swung closed behind them. The entire manor was huge and nearly every square inch was covered by elegant fauna ranging from all kinds of different colored lilies, ivies, and roses, with the Pièce de résistance being the huge fountain in front of the house depicting an angel with a harp spewing water out of its mouth.

As per usual, the lights that littered on and around the fountain all began to turn on one by one, adding even more beauty to the already awestruck persons watching it. Both Itachi and Naruto stood mouth agape, at what looked to be one of the most elegant looking houses they'd ever come across in their life.

'This place may be nowhere near the size of the Uchiha clan's compound… but it sure has us beat in term of grace and nobility… I guess this should be expected considering he WAS a Hokage.'

'This whole place is… MINE? I get to take ownership of this one day…? Kami, if this is some kind of dream I NEVER want it to end' thought a still-awed Naruto.

"Well, this is just the outside, I have a feeling the real surprises will make themselves known to us once we get inside the house." Itachi stated as he began to advance upon the mansion.

"Y-Yeah." Naruto said as he got the gears in his head cranking again.

Everything the manor had was identical to what Minato had stated. There was a total of 11 bedrooms with one of them being the Master bedroom, and all of the others having a regular furnishing of tasteful décor. Although, Naruto almost broke down in tears as he came across a room that would've been his own had things gone the way they were supposed to.

The walls were painted a nice baby blue, there were toys strewn here and there of all shapes, sizes, and animals alike. There was a crib in the room with a large stuffed frog in it that had a goofy smile on its face, and it made Naruto smile. All the while Itachi was watching Naruto with a small smile on his face as he watched Naruto test all of his toys in amusement.

'Even if he's already chosen his path in becoming a ninja, he's still a six-year old child, and this is the first time he's truly coming into contact with everything that he was supposed to have from his day of birth…'Itachi thought sadly, as he could only imagine what Naruto was feeling right now.

"Alright, I'm ready to move on, we still have more important things to do that look at what could've been." Naruto said with a forlorn last-look at the room.

Itachi nodded as he exited the room and they moved down to the Master bedroom. On peculiar thing that they saw about the house, was that every single room looked as though it had been used recently, or as though it hadn't even been six years since somebody was last in the house, but that was something to note and save for later.

Entering the Master bedroom, they saw that it was definitely the room that looked like it was used the most. There were still clothes set on the bed, sandals that looked like they were kicked of the user's feet onto the floor, and an errant ramen cup that was on the nightstand next to the King-sized bed. Naruto chuckled as most of the time he would do the exact same thing in his room.

Naruto's eyes immediately caught sight of a book on the other nightstand to the right of the bed that was a dark brown leather, and title in shiny-gold lettering, "Namikaze family." The scrapbook was enormous. Easily five times the size of the orange book that he would catch Jiji reading from time to time. The first few pages were filled with pictures of Minato and Kushina in various different settings. There were pictures of them in the park, Minato pushing Kushina on a swing, both of them laughing and smiling as they looked to be celebrating Kushina's birthday. Until, he came across the final picture of the book which was Minato lovingly rubbing Kushina's very large and pronounced belly bump.

Naruto actually did have tears rolling down both of his cheeks as he looked at the countless number of pictures, and then the final one that really had the waterworks flowing. There were several pages left that he assumed would've been filled with pictures of himself and his parents as he grew up with them. Naruto wiped his face of all his tears as he held the book firmly in his hands.

"This is another one of the items that go home with me."

"I didn't think it wouldn't." Naruto nodded as they continued on.

As Naruto and Itachi finally finished their personal tour of the Namikaze manor, Naruto had his hands full with scrolls ranging from fuuinjutsu, some ninjutsu including his father's famed Rasengan, and some advanced Taijutsu scrolls.

"Think you got everything you need?" Itachi said with a hint of mirth in his voice.

"Are you kidding?! I got all that and then some! I can't wait to get back to training!" Naruto exclaimed with a gleam in his eyes.

"Well, I'm sure this will help you improved at a much faster rate, who knows maybe you'll even get to my level… in about thirty years." Itachi said with a smirk

"Oh, haha, laugh it up Itachi-sensei. I'll remember that when you're defeated by my hands one day." Naruto said with full confidence.

"Oh by all means you can try. But, I don't think you'll find it as easy to do as it is to actually speak the words." Itachi said sagely.

"Hmph!" Naruto snorted as he turned his head the other way in such a child-like fashion.

'He probably doesn't even know that this is all just to motivate him to one day surpass me.' Itachi thought with a smirk, 'I don't even have a doubt thought that both he and Sasuke will surpass me one day. Their resolves to be strong and the friends that they have already made have proven that they will be strong.'

"Anyway, it's about time you should be getting home. Let's go." Itachi said as he grabbed Naruto, and shunshinned in front of the Sarutobi home as he had done earlier that day.

"After I master everything on these scrolls you definitely have to teach me that. I refuse to take 'no' for an answer." Naruto said seriously.

Itachi merely chuckled while shaking his head, "It is better to focus on one thing at a time until you fully master it. I'll teach you once you've proven that you can actually do what's on those scrolls. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow Naruto-kun." Itachi said with a small wave and he left with a puff of smoke.

Naruto knew he would learn it eventually, he thought as he began to walk inside the place he called home, but trying to get Itachi-sensei to do something is hard considering his hectic schedule. He's lucky he's ever even able to see him as it is. Little did he know that Hiruzen purposely keeps Itachi less busy than most of his Anbu for the express reason of training Naruto and his friends, not that he'd ever tell them.

X- Two weeks later –X

It had been a tense couple weeks for Itachi, Shisui, and the rest of the Uchiha clan as the date of the coup is setting closer and closer. Tense for the Uchiha's in knowing that they're going to war. Tense for Itachi and Shisui, as they know that they're more than likely going to have to fight, with intent to kill, all of the people who they grew up with as family.

Danzo was also becoming a huge pain in the ass. The man was almost LITERALLY breathing down the necks of the two Uchiha for a solution to the coup as if they didn't already have enough problems of their own.

Both Shisui and Itachi were no fools. They are both highly intelligent as people and Itachi is actually regarded for his intelligence being second to only those of the Nara clan. They had thought of almost every avenue they could take with dealing with their clan and could not find a resolute option that would guarantee the Uchiha not attacking the Leaf. The only viable option that they had left in their opinions, was for Shisui to use the Kotoamatsukami on Fugaku, and make it seem as though he has seen the error in staging a coup that would just end in their extermination.

"I want to believe it will work, heck, it probably WOULD. However, this isn't going to be guaranteed. I can't force this upon your father and have him living the rest of his days in a zombie-like state." Shisui said in a regretful tone.

"I'm not sure as though we have any more choice my friend. The coup is drawing near, and we are very close to being out of time, and I refuse to let my outoto (little brother) live in a village that he despises for annihilating his clan. No matter how much he may states that he loves the village, his heart would be shattered if Leaf ninja were to be the cause of my mother and father's deaths." Itachi said calmly.

"We can't base me going through with this off of a six-year old's emotions, Itachi. You know as well as I do that I wouldn't want anybody I know to have to go through that, including myself, I just want to keep the window of time for options to be open for as long as feasibly possible." Shisui said with conviction.

Itachi sighed as he saw the truth in his friend's words. No matter how much he may love Sasuke, he can't just put the wishes of him over the whole village. This situation is a matter of mass life and death, and could start from right within his home.

"I at least wish we knew the very day of the coup. My father told me that the day was coming VERY soon, however only he would know what day it is, and it isn't completely pre-meditated."

Shisui raised his eyebrow at this in confusion, "What is that even supposed to mean?" He said in an exasperated tone.

"This would be another thing I am currently stumped on, because I in fact have no idea whatsoever. It's almost as if he is waiting for something he doesn't even expect to happen, to happen before he strikes." Itachi said with a shrug.

X- Hokage Office, Same day –X

The aftermath of the Third Great Ninja war was a hindrance to the old Hokage, who we currently find smoking on his famed pipe while reading a ludicrous proposal from Raikage Ai to him.

'Dear Hokage-dono,

I would like to resolve our differences in light of the fact that we have not been fighting for several years. I do not wish to cause civil disorder between my people, and yours from a war that is far behind us. However, my fellow members on the Civilian Council of Kumogakure, feel as though a very small fee of 10 million ryo is in order for the damage that you're late Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, caused to our village in one of the many battles. If this were up to me, this would all be settled and done, but alas, my hands are tied, and there is nothing I can do about this situation. Please try to get back to me at your leisure with your response. I'm looking forward to getting it.'

Sincerely,

Raikage Ai

"Bullshit." The Hokage swore under his breath as he finished the letter. He wasn't even sure if there was a civilian council. Kumokagure is around 85% militarized, and the civilians there are looked upon as nothing more than a nuisance since they can't actually fight for their country. Of course he wasn't going to call him on it. Even if the Raikage is a bloated ape, he's still a respected Kage of the Five Elemental Nations. Hiruzen would write him a formal response later.

X- Later that Night, Uchiha Compound –X

Another bond that goes deep between Naruto and Sasuke, is their meeting place at the lake in the Uchiha compound. It was a particularly bright night as a full moon hung in the sky and shone of the lake in a beautiful way. It is here we find the young Uchiha patiently waiting as his feet dangle only inches above the calm shore.

"It's about time you showed up," Sasuke said as he got up and turned to face the figure that just landed behind him. "Naruto."

"I haven't really come around in a while due to my private training, sorry. What was it that was so urgent anyway?" Naruto said apologetically.

"Not here. We need a more secluded spot where we won't be heard." Sasuke said in a very serious tone.

This took Naruto aback a little, although he didn't let it show much, "Did you have a place in mind?"

"It's a bit inconsiderate, but I'm a 'hide in plain sight' kind of person, so I think we should head over to the memorial stone. We can look like we're having casual conversation after paying our respects." Sasuke finished to which Naruto nodded as they both jumped off.

As they both approached the Memorial Stone they paid their respects to all of the fellow Konoha ninja who had fallen in battle to keep the village they live in safe from harm. It was after a couple of minutes that they both unclasped their hands from the prayer position and Naruto was the first to speak.

"I really am sorry I haven't been by in a couple weeks. I know you've probably wanted to get some training in, but I actually have been busy working on my own attributes you know?"

"While I have missed having a training partner on my level, that's not what I came here to speak about. It's a more… personal matter." Sasuke said with a bit of apprehension.

Naruto raised an eyebrow as he responded, "You sounding nervous? This is a first." Naruto said with a small smirk.

"Idiot. This goes far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. You'd be nervous too if you were in my position. What I DO want to tell you far from something than an ordinary situation. Get it?" Sasuke said seriously.

"Fine, fine don't get so worked up. What is it exactly?"

"Well… this isn't something so easy to say as it is the first time that I'd had to tell anybody since I've been told." Sasuke said as he stared at the ground. "It's embarrassing to me as a person because the actions are not mine, but will be acted upon as if they were my own."

Sasuke paused a he gave a long sigh and looked towards the moon that illuminated brightly in the sky.

"My… My clan is preparing an attack on the village…" Sasuke said barely over a whisper.

Naruto chuckled as Sasuke looked at him with a bewildered visage on his face.

"How could possibly be funny to YOU?" Sasuke said, still confused.

"Nothing really. Just the fact that my face would probably look how yours does right now if I didn't already know of what you just told me."

"I was wondering if there was ever an actual point in following you, but I see now that there was one." Said a masculine voice as he appeared before the two boys. He was of average built, looked to be around his late thirties, and was wearing standard issue Konoha headband that all shinobi wore. However, what made him stand out mostly was the red and white fan on the back of his shirt, and the Sharingan that he glared at them with.

"Sasuke, you know that the Uchiha doesn't accept traitors, and it will only be that you are young and that your father is the clan head that will get you out of trouble this one time. However, your friend has to die. He knows too much." The unnamed Uchiha stated as he used his superior speed to get behind Naruto and slashed a kunai downwards.

It was all Sasuke and Naruto could do to barely turn their heads toward the man as time seemed to slow to a standstill. Just as it seemed as though our young hero's life would come to an untimely end, another kunai quickly blocked the assailant's.

"Looks like I wasn't late this time around, thankfully." Said the figure blocking the Uchiha's kunai. He was a fairly tall man around his late twenties with the standard Konoha Jounin flak jacket along with blue ninja pants and black sandals. He also wore the standard Konoha headband although his was altered to cover his left eye, pair that with his silver, gravity defying hair and we have none other than the Elite Jounin Kakashi Hatake.

"How ironic, I get to take down the very ninja who prances around with our power as if it is his own." The Uchiha sneered as he battled for power with Kakashi.

"Well, this power IS my own. It wasn't taken, but rather given and it's a shame for you to disgrace the clan member who gave his life in giving this to me." Kakashi said as he held back the man with ease. "Naruto, Sasuke, I'll handle this. You two can step back now." The two young boys both hurriedly nodded and jumped back about fifty feet.

It was at this spot that Sasuke fell to one knee as he clutched his eyes in pain, he got up before Naruto could help him, but he was very confused as to where that came from because he had not been injured physically. When he looked over to Naruto he got another surprise as Naruto's eyes were wide and his mouth was slightly agape.

"What? What is it?!" Sasuke said, panicked.

"Your eyes…. You have three tomoe in each…"

They were both shaken out of their revelry when they heard the bone-chilling scream come from the Uchiha as Kakashi had successfully taken him out with a stab to his gut. The Uchiha made a mistake when he overextended in a slash and was caught off guard when Kakashi swiftly dodged and countered with the stab. As the man's eyes started to lose their light slowly he had one phrase left to utter.

"Heh… I may lose… but I still win…" Were the man's last words.

"I think I know what he meant by that." Sasuke said as he stared at the corpse of the dead man. "This man was following me under the orders of my father, more than likely. With his death, my father will grow suspicious and the tensions between the village and my clan will grow even stronger won't they Kakashi?" Sasuke said sullenly.

"I'm afraid that's the way it is Sasuke. But, for now we are the only three to know of this, and I feel as though it shouldn't come to light at all until after this whole dispute is settled. I'll give a full-detailed report of what happened tomorrow to the Hokage. For now, you two have to swear to me that you can keep this in secrecy. If anybody, ANYBODY finds out about this, it may send this village into utter chaos and destruction. Do you two understand?" Kakashi said seriously.

"Hai Kakashi-san." Came the answer from both boys.

"Alright, good. By the way Sasuke, it looks like you now have the record for youngest Uchiha with a full-developed Sharingan good job." Kakashi said with his patented eye smile.

"Arigato Kakashi-san, I just wish I could know what exactly caused it?"

"I'm sure if you talk with your brother more about the incident he can fill you in with more details than I can. Now come on, we've gotta leave."

Kakashi then used a small Doton(earth) jutsu that buried the man six feet under and left no trace of his body or the blood. As the three made their way to their respective homes they all were hit with a brief chill, almost as if the events of that night wouldn't have the aftermath that they'd favor.

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UGH. DONE. I'm really so sorry. I just couldn't bring myself to go to the library every day for the story, and YETAGAIN I get hit with the damn curse of writers block. I'm just happy that I finally got Microsoft Word on my laptop and it looks like my drive for writing is story is coming more and more with the ending of Naruto. I feel as though when Naruto actually ends I'll probably end up throwing myself into this just to try to make it last as long as possible lol.

On a side not if anybody would be kind enough to leave a review and tell me how I'm doing on my story, whether good or bad, would be greatly appreciated. It's not to that I don't recognize those who have reviewed on my story so far. I still get a bright smile on my face when I see a notification for a review, follow, favorite, etc. Thank you to all of those who have be waiting patiently. I don't want to put any more time stipulations on a chapter. Just know that a new chapter will more than likely come out anywhere from two weeks, to a month and a half after the previous chapter release. I should definitely have pushed myself to have finished the chapter by then.

Have a wonderful day to whoever is out there reading my story, and above all please be safe. I hope to be writing to you all again soon.

-A1