Author's note: Oh, no! I am almost caught up with what i have written in my notebook! I must write more and stay ahead of my anxious readers. And if I cannot do that, I will watch my Naruto Shippuden DVDS... Wait, why am I sounding like Lee? Not good! I get to bring in one of my favorite characters in Naruto in this chapter, so I'm excited! Please read, enjoy, review, just don't flame me! My laptop is allergic to them.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Naruto and I am not making anything off of this story. Just writing experience and a love of writing.
Naruto and Hinata sat yawning at the table, waiting for their breakfast to arrive. Jiraiya had woken them up early, despite their late night training, and told them to be down to breakfast and ready to go in ten minutes. That was half an hour ago, and Jiraiya still wasn't there. Naruto's irritation was interrupted by the waitress handing them their breakfast and two cups of mint tea.
"Where the heck is he? Why does he wake us up at five-thirty in the morning and then disappear? If he was going to do that, we could have gotten some more sleep!"
"It's irritating, but he did say he had to run an errand while we were getting ready. Maybe he is running late," Hinata suggested, trying to calm her husband down. She was a born diplomat and peacemaker. That particular talent of hers had gotten quite a lot of use over the past six months. The worst time had been around two months ago. On one of their special nights, Naruto had caught Jiraiya looking in the window. Fortunately for the two of them, nothing had happened yet, but Jiraiya claimed it was an honest mistake. Hinata had managed to keep Naruto from killing their teacher, but had exacted her own revenge. She ended up locking the window, closing the curtains, and sealing the room to block any visual jutsus of any type from seeing the inside of the room. However, nothing was done about soundproofing the room, and Jiraiya had the room next to theirs. It was torture for the Sannin, and he didn't try to spy again, that they were aware of.
Right then, the old guy in question showed up. "Sorry about that. I just found out that one of my informants is nearby and needs to meet with me as soon as possible. I'm taking the two of you with me so you can meet him. Since I am teaching both of you, I figured I'd also start introducing you to my spy network. I must warn you about this guy. You will not like or trust him at first, so you must promise me you won't attack him until I explain everything. He is the most important agent I have."
"Why is he so important?" Naruto asked through a mouth full of cereal.
"He's our source on the Akatsuki." Naruto and Hinata gaped in disbelief at him. "I mean it. You won't believe some of the things this guy has had to do to keep his cover. I doubt he'll ever forgive himself, but I can assure you, he is one hundred percent loyal to Konoha."
The couple nodded in mute silence and quickly finished up their breakfast. Once they were done, Jiraiya paid and the three ninja took off. Once they were about an hour away from the town, Jiraiya stopped them in the middle of a quiet forest.
"Promise me now, that you will not attack my informant until I tell you the whole story," Jiraiya solemnly said, staring the two Genin down.
What has gotten into Ero-sennin today? It is rare to see him act like this. Hinata could tell he was very nervous, which got her to raise her guard. "Are you really Jiraiya-sama, or are you an imposter to lure us away from our sensei and kidnap us?"
"No, Hinata, it is really me. Do you two want proof I'm me?" He asked, sounding exasperated.
"It's your fault for teaching us to be suspicious every time someone doesn't act like themselves," Naruto replied. "If you really are Jiraiya, then you would know the answer to this question. When was the worst time you were beaten up for researching at the women's hot springs?"
"I have two that qualify," Jiraiya muttered while thinking, Couldn't the kid have asked any other question? Why did it have to be this? "Once was when one of my students caught me while Tsunade and her two students were there. First, he got me, and then the three of them attacked me once he was finished because the genius decided to let them know I was there. The second time was when you caught me researching when I didn't even know your wife was there. You almost scalped me with that Rasengan!"
Naruto turned to Hinata, "Yep, it is the real Ero-sennin."
"And stop calling me that, Naruto! You too, Hinata!"
A low smooth voice sounded from across the clearing, causing the hairs on the back of Naruto's neck to rise. He knew that voice, and always associated it with one thing, trouble. "Jiraiya, arguing with a mere Genin who is only describing you accurately is most demeaning for one of the Sannin."
No way he is a good guy! That guy is the reason why Sasuke decided to leave Konoha and go to Orochimaru. Why isn't Ero-sennin attacking him, like the last time? "Uchiha Itachi is your informant?" Naruto gasped out, instinctively pushing Hinata behind him to try to protect her. He glared at Jiraiya, knowing the Sannin could read how he was feeling about this betrayal. Hinata clutched Naruto's hand in fear, but held a kunai in her other and already had activated her Byakugan. She also knew of Itachi's dark deeds, and if he was there to take Naruto, she wouldn't let him go without a fight.
"Yes, he is, now let me explain," Jiraiya said, approaching the two before they did something rash, trying to get them to calm down. "Itachi isn't the one who killed off the Uchiha clan and tortured Sasuke that night. Someone else did, while transformed to look like Itachi. That person is the one who is truly responsible for the Uchiha massacre. He is also the one who mentally tortured Sasuke and put the ideas into his head that eventually caused him to desert from Konoha. We share the same enemy."
"His name is Uchiha Madara," Itachi said, sounding different than the other time Naruto had heard him speak. He was no longer arrogant, but sounded broken and desperate. He's desperate for us to listen to him before we do anything, Naruto realized. Okay, I'll hear you out, Itachi. "Madara is someone who has been banished from my clan and Konoha for a very long time. About seven years ago, he returned and tried to incite my clan into pulling a coup de tat, claiming that we, the 'elite Uchiha' were destined to lead the village. I found out because I was the clan heir, and then informed the Hokage of their plans. The two sides decided to try to work things out and I was the go-between, being the only person both sides could trust." Itachi gave a tired sigh, and continued on. "We had almost gotten an agreement worked out, preventing a civil war from destroying our home. My belief is that when Madara found out, he wasn't happy with us caving in and submitting ourselves to the Hokage. One night, he disguised himself as me and you all know what happened next. When I saw the carnage, I immediately went and informed the Sandaime and Jiraiya what had happened. Jiraiya had the idea of letting me become a plant. He was just getting word of the Akatsuki and was worried about them. I volunteered for the mission, because I knew that Konoha's safety was more important than my reputation. When I was able to join, I discovered that Madara has ties to the Akatsuki, making my mission the only way to claim justice for my clan and my little brother. I didn't want to hurt Kakashi, Sasuke, or any of the others, but I had no choice, especially with Kisame right there next to me. I actually did a gentler version of Tsukiyomi for Kakashi. If I had really wanted to destroy his mind, I would have made him relive the deaths of his teammates and sensei. One of those teammates was my favorite cousin, Obito, even though I was four when Obito was killed. Trust me when I say I could have done worse, but I had to keep my cover. Konoha is safer with me in the Akatsuki, so I can't afford to mess up."
Hinata's eyes continued to stare Itachi down as he finished his little speech, Byakugan still active. Finally satisfied, she looked at Naruto, "He's telling the truth, Naruto. He regrets his actions and is sincere." I feel sorry for him. How is he still sane after what he has had to do?
Naruto slowly nodded. Hinata's ability to read body language and detect liars had already helped them immensely, and he had complete trust in her assessments. If Hinata says he is telling the truth and Jiraiya trusts him, then he must be an extremely good liar or he is telling the truth. I think he is, there is no way you can fake that look on his face. "Okay, we believe you. What did you need to tell Ero-sennin and where is the Blue Sharkman with the huge sword wrapped up in toilet paper?"
"It will be about two years before the Akatsuki start gathering the Jinchuriki. We have now identified all nine hosts of the Bijuu and where they are from. I will let you know when we start to make our move, even though you will probably hear about it before I can get a message to you. Kisame is currently in the Land of Rice Paddies with a Kage Bushin of mine. This isn't the first time I've done this. I'm away gathering information because recently we heard a rumor that the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki, who I am in charge of retrieving when the time comes, has left Konoha accompanied by one of the Sannin and a girl his age. I was sneaking into the Land of Fire to try to confirm. Kisame stands out just a little bit, so he got left behind." Naruto snorted at that little bit remark.
"Good idea. You have to give them good information otherwise they will suspect you," Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Tell them the girl is his girlfriend, but don't mention she's a Main branch Hyuuga unless the other spy, Zetsu says something about it."
"Understood. Since Kisame won't expect me back for another ten days and it will only take me three days to return to him, would you like some assistance in training those two?"
"That would be great! Now I'm not the only person the happy couple gets to annoy. Have fun with them, Itachi!" With that, Jiraiya was gone.
"He does that a lot," Naruto stated matter of factly.
"It is hard to believe that he trained the most powerful shinobi Konoha has ever produced," Itachi murmured in reply. "How much did he teach the Yondaime, and how much did the Yondaime learn on his own?"
"I don't know," Hinata said, "But he likes for us to figure them out on our own. In a fight, no one will tell us what to do, so we need to figure it out ahead of time. It sounds good, but he has experience, which we are lacking."
"It does make sense," Itachi replied. "Okay, tell me your skills and specialties. You first, Naruto."
Naruto jumped away and asked, "How much of this are you going to share with the Akatsuki? Because I'm not sure if I want to let you and then them know that."
"I'll only give them general stuff, probably around the time I need to go capture you, unless Zetsu finds out. His info I have no control over. Naruto, I have to give them good information, otherwise they will begin to suspect me and I won't be in charge of retrieving you."
"And it is safer for me to have you chasing me than anyone else." Naruto sighed in resignation and said, "I'm a close range combat specialist and my strength is Ninjutsu."
"Common for a Jinchuriki, because of their huge chakra reserves. Your two trademark jutsus are the Rasengan and the Kage Bushin. What else do you know? What is your elemental affinity?"
"Er, Henge, Substitution, tree-walking, water-walking," Naruto began listing off. "I know a few others, but I'll be in big trouble with Hina-hime if I do them again."
"How big of trouble?" Itachi asked, wondering what kind of jutsus Naruto was talking about.
"No hugs for a week, no kisses for two, and no special nights for a month," Hinata replied. "Let's just say those jutsu are something that would immediately get Ero-sennin's attention, and we'll leave it at that." Itachi nodded, starting to get a clue. "We don't know our elemental affinities yet, but we think I am a water type. I'm also a close range specialist and my strength is Taijutsu. I know the Academy's three basic jutsus, along with some of my clan's and my own personal jutsu, Protective Eight Trigrams Sixty-four Palms. I am currently studying medical ninjutsu from scrolls and we are both learning fuuinjutsu from Jiraiya."
"Impressive, fuuinjutsu isn't easy. Do either of you use any weaponry aside from kunai and shuriken?"
"No."
"My clan never practices kenjutsu. They believe Juuken is all we need to defeat an opponent," Hinata replied.
"And yet your mother used a modified style of Juuken and was extremely skilled with a tanto that perfectly complemented her fighting style. She was a wonder to behold in combat, or so I heard when I was in ANBU. I prefer a katana myself, much like your mother did, Naruto. Let me see the two of you spar and I'll try to figure out what type of weapon would suit you the best."
After a ten minute spar, Itachi told them to stop. He had analyzed them enough to draw his conclusions. "I could teach you both the katana, but Naruto will have difficulty using one until he tightens up his taijutsu and stops overextending and flailing around spastically. Your Juuken is rather unnatural for you, Hinata, but adding a katana would help you smooth it out in addition to increasing your range. Naruto, right now kunai suits you, but you are wasting a lot of energy. You need to tighten up your style."
The two teens nodded as they listened to Itachi's assessment. "I will show you some tricks to help with your taijutsu, Naruto. Hinata, I'm going to talk Jiraiya into getting you a practice katana. I will leave you with a scroll containing basic katana forms. You'll have to learn it on your own since Jiraiya doesn't use or like katanas. I think it might have something to do with Kushina beating him up with hers, or Orochimaru's ability to store the Kusanagi sword in his throat and gut, and wield it using his mouth and tongue. Naruto, what taijutsu style do you use?"
"Er, my own?"
"That explains a lot," Itachi muttered. "I've got a couple Taijutsu scrolls on me, I'll leave them with you. Use the Kage Bushin, and learn each style individually before you start to mix them up."
"How do I use Kage Bushins to train?"
"You haven't realized that you get the memories from the clones every time they dispel? That's why Kage Bushins are invaluable tools for infiltration and espionage. By having your clones train alongside you, you can cram years worth of training into just a few weeks. You won't receive the physical conditioning of the training, just the knowledge. Once you have the taijutsu styles down and can easily combine them, you will them start learning the same katana forms that Hinata will be learning. Do not use Kage Bushins for that, you need to assimilate the knowledge and physical conditioning at the same time. Hinata, I want you to get copies of the Snake and the Crane taijutsu styles and work on incorporating them into your Juuken. That should help solve the difficulties you've been having with it. You are naturally very flexible with an amazing sense of balance, so these styles are perfect for you."
"One question, Itachi-senpai," Hinata asked, "Why do you have training supplies on you?"
"I had them sealed in a scroll the night Madara attacked, because the next day I was scheduled to assist in the training of a few new ANBU recruits. Oh, one more thing, Hinata. Try to go at least half of your spars without using your Byakugan. That's the bad part about having a dojutsu, we can become way too reliant on them. I want to make sure that this never will become a problem for you."
Itachi put the teens through their paces that day. Naruto and Hinata had never been pushed so hard in their lives, they were exhausted be the time the sun had set and it was time to prepare dinner. Itachi was a natural teacher, he praised just enough to keep them striving for their goals, but was always gentle with his criticism, never harsh and insulting.
Jiraiya, after a productive day spent in 'research,' returned to the clearing to find Hinata stirring a pot of stew and a group of Naruto clones putting up the tents. Itachi was lecturing another group of Naruto clones in deception and basic tactics. The clones were asking questions and fully participating.
Wow, I'm impressed. He gave them a day's worth of instruction while I got to research without them bothering me. If only this could happen more often. Jiraiya sat down next to where Hinata was almost finished preparing the meal. "So, how was your day?"
"It feels like we have learned more in one day than in the previous six months, Ero-sennin," Hinata observed, "But to be fair, those six months were spent helping Naruto relearn his basics. He pushes hard and has high expectations, but is not afraid to assist when we need it. He already has a list of things he wants us to do and some requests for training materials. A practice katana and scrolls with the Snake and the Crane taijutsu styles for me, and leg weights and a new outfit for Naruto. He told me that he plans on burning Naruto's current outfit before he leaves."
Jiraiya nodded, "I see Naruto is using the Kage Bushin to train. Itachi's idea?"
"Yes. As we all know, Naruto's education was often sabotaged when he was at the Academy. This will help him to complete getting caught up and make up for the time we have currently spent on that." Hinata brought a spoonful of the stew to her mouth and tasted it. "Naru-kun, Itachi-senpai, dinner's ready!"
Several clouds of smoke filled the air as all of the clones disappeared at Itachi's nod. Once they were done eating and had cleaned up, Naruto and Hinata excused themselves and retired to their tent. In less than half a hour, Naruto's snores could be heard coming from their tent.
"Hard to believe that the Namikaze heir is married to the Hyuuga heiress," Itachi mused, "They have amazing potential. How could they have ended up being so underestimated?"
"I'm not sure," Jiraiya replied, "You seriously want them both to study the katana?"
"Yes. Remember, Kushina was a master of the blade, and both Minato and Hitomi weren't exactly slouches with a katana either, even if they preferred other weapons. I am confident that Naruto and Hinata will do well with it. Jiraiya, you need to teach them some more ninjutsu. What little they have is good, but they need more variety to keep them from becoming predictable. Elemental jutsus would be best, with a few others thrown in for good measure. I know you personally believe that someone doesn't need to know a ton of jutsus to become a great shinobi, but I know their enemies. I multitude of jutsus that they can use quickly and effectively makes it easier to fight multiple enemies and employ different tactics."
"As much as I hate to admit it, you are right. You did earn your title at the prodigy and genius of the Uchiha clan. Get some sleep, Itachi. You can't hide how sick you are from me. Tuberculosis isn't a walk in the park."
"I believe I was infected around the same time my clan was killed," Itachi replied. "Thank you for your trust in me, Jiraiya-sama. I won't let Konoha, you, or those two down.
A/N, take two: I like Itachi and was sad when he died. All we know of the Uchiha massacre is what Madara told Sasuke, so who knows if Madara's version is the truth or not? I like this version, and you'll find out how Shusui fits in later. About Itachi knowing who Naruto's parents are, the guy isn't exactly stupid, he just deduced it on his own. Also, I am not a martial artist, I am a dancer. I know how to combine different types of dance into one so I figure you can do something similar with martial arts. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, so be it. Let me know what you think!