A/N: This has now become a gen fic (i guess it kind of always has been); listed character names will mainly reflect main characters for the most recent update, and what should now be known for this story, follows each new manga chapter release.

Also, expect an update today for The Right Direction (Team Minato), and Across the River (pre-Konoha).

—-


Phew! Escaped that place. She made a face as she sneaked out of the building. Was that supposed to be Konoha's version of jail? Such an unsafely guarded place, that T&I building. Well anyhow, she was out now. FREEE! She made her way toward the village entrance to where the heaviest chakra presences let themselves be known, and then saw a watery figure move in her direction at ferocious speed.

That... argh... "Sasuke!" Her fury boiled over as she kicked Suigetsu easily out of her way.

That boy was going to have a real piece of her mind. "Stabbing me like that, don't you think I'll forget something like that!" She stuck her angry fist into the air and marched over to him. "I'll never forgive you!"

"Sorry Karin."

The response made her falter. His voice...his face...it had all changed. What was this calm Sasuke? She felt relieved that she could no longer sense the cold, murderous chakra that had once been distinctly his own. Her happiness combined with her previous feelings for him and she blurted out short rambles of adoration. "J-jerk..." She suddenly turned and squinted her eyes at the familiar figure beside Sasuke. "Holy shit! Orochimaru!"

His lips twitched upwards in a small, calm smile. "Yes, he's stabbed me in the back, as well, but we're all here now aren't we..."

Suigetsu formed back into his human self. Hn. I still don't think he's turned around. What could he have figured out while being—he snickered—in Kabuto's body?

—-


While his old friend stares down hard at his student, Kakashi studies his face. Naruto is being attacked by Obito's hatred, and it provokes Kakashi to no end. Naruto has already had to deal with so much, and now... He grimaces; his eye aches immensely.

What is it that you're looking for, Obito? You are testing Naruto...for more than one reason...

Why?

—-


Before they leave, Tobirama halts. "There is another strong presence that has been bothering me..." he begins cautiously. "I can feel it from here without even using my chakra...and I'm sure most of you can, too..."

Hashirama turns to his younger brother. "That is true; I've noticed as well."

"That's a relief," Tobirama mutters in amusement while he gathers his chakra, poking fun at his brother's famously poor sensing ability. The older Senju makes a face at him, and sticks out his lip.

The Sandaime decides to speak up. "It's—"

"Naruto," Minato finishes for him. A small, proud grin spreads across his face.

Upon hearing the name roll off the Fourth hokage's tongue, Sasuke eyes him carefully. "How do you know...?"

"Naruto?" Tobirama questions, quirking a pale white eyebrow. "Ramen...?"

"Ahou, Tobi-chan!" Hashirama whacks him on the side of the head. "Obviously he's talking about a person!" he reprimands.

"Itte!" he glares at his older brother childishly. He receives a teasing grin in return.

Minato meets eyes with the Nidaime, who immediately understands the relationship. "He's my son," he says.

The Nidaime-hokage lets go of his head after one last glare at the Shodaime before giving a slight nod. "I see."

Your... "Son?" Sasuke repeats, dazed. He doesn't know whether to feel surprised or...?

"Yes!" Minato's smile turns goofy. "You know," he starts, remembering when Mikoto had showed him and Kushina their own little one, "I remember when you were just a baby, Fugaku was the happiest father alive..." His mind slips down memory lane for a brief moment. "But Naruto, you should know him, right?"

Orochimaru looks at the young Uchiha with a straight face. "..." Karin does the same, but gives a much harder look, while the Sandaime looks at him expectantly.

"..." Sasuke is at a loss for words. Part of him wants to go, 'OH SHIT!' and run, but another part wants to just spill everything. The Yondaime's attachment to his parents was not helping him stay silent, either. So he says softly, "I tried to kill him..."

—-


It happens in an instant. Naruto blinks. Kakashi-sensei is gone. He can feel panic rising in his throat, and suddenly feels very alone. Sure, Sakura-chan is here, Bee-occhan, Gai-sensei, and everyone else... but after already losing his master, watching his sensei willingly disappear before him feels like murder. His gut twists in agony.

"Not having my comrades around anymore is the most painful thing that can happen! Period!"

He takes a good look around him. It is utter chaos. What is he doing here? Where is he?

It all feels very foreign to him. He finds himself in a very dissociative state of being. What...is... He feels a hand on his shoulder. Slowly, he turns to its source, and stares into the ninja's bright, tired eyes.

"Naruto! Look around you!" Sakura stares into his eyes firmly. "Kakashi-sensei can take care of himself! Didn't you hear him?" Her voice rises against the deafening sound of the Juubi's destruction. "You're just like him—you want to take care of Sasuke, so let him deal with Obito!" She notices his body tremble in exhaustion, and then returns her gaze to the thunderous sky.

"You're right, Sakura," he responds, not bothering with the –chan suffix, noticing how she had not bothered to add –kun to Sasuke's name, either.

Sakura notices his speech, as well, but only because it is Naruto speaking right now. Yamato-taichou was right...from the very beginning...

Naruto returns his eyes to his surroundings. It's all...

What could he possibly do? I'm so tired... The enormity of the chaos around him fried his brain. Torrential winds rip past his face, causing him to squint his eyes. Wishing he was deaf wouldn't help with the noise either, because of all the air pressure that assaulted his ears. This...scale... He needs to think of something real fast, or a lot of people are going to die...

—-


A/N: So here's another chapter/feels rant after reading 628. I see a lot of people saying they're disappointed with it, but I have just two words for you...which I am not going to say :)

First, Madara's face...oh God, Hashirama, please watch out, your best friend is not the same person you thought you killed so long ago...

Second, we are reminded that Sakura is a main character again. Yes I can hear you character-bashers complaining. Get lost. I really hope she gets some proper lines soon, or *something*.

Third, oh shit, I knew Kakashi and Obito were going to escape into Kamui at some point here, just not this soon...they will have quite the chat/fight...and I'm hoping for some serious flashbacks regarding Rin, because seriously, what the fuck, answers are needed here.

Fourth, ok that Juubi pulling an armageddon...I have a pretty good guess as to what's gonna happen after seeing that go down. Still though, I can't imagine being Naruto: your sensei just up and leaves like "see ya bro, I leave this shit to you", the Juubi is on a rampage, and everyone around you is facing imminent death. That last page was scary as hell, and drawn just really, really well. The scale is pretty terrifying—MUCH worse than those space rocks Madara had brought down to Earth.

Well I already have half the next chapter written, but it's too short, so...things will have to wait until finals are over. Or at least until I'm done writing my term paper and beta-reader duties...

Oh yes, and again, the tense switch is with purpose, because I like it better that way :]

I am pretty much expecting the four Hokage and Taka to show up and basically whoop ass. Hashirama will deal with Madara, who has former Sasuke's crazed look plastered onto his face...

So the next chap will be about... :3 Well you're just going to have to wait and see.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please leave your thoughts below! All reviews are super welcome and much appreciated.

(ok a/n got pretty long, whoops )