Key:
"Speaking"
'Thought'
"Mystical being speaking"
'Mystical being thought or jutsu'
XxXxX=Scene break
XxXxX
Itachi was making his way back to Kohona after his meeting with Naruto. Itachi's mind was in deep thought as he tried to figure out how Naruto could have survived a full blast from the Amaterasu.
'How could anybody, even of Naruto's status, survive a direct hit from the Amaterasu? It's simply impossible… is it?' Itachi thought as he entered the village unseen. As Itachi jumped from rooftop to rooftop, he contemplated where he should tell he younger brother about Naruto. Revealing Narutos secrets to his younger brother had both its bright and dark sides. It is true that Sasuke held Naruto in high regard for what he did and would likely keep it a secret, but on the other hand, Sasuke is the Hokage and he is forced to keep no secrets like the other kages before him. So, finally coming to the conclusion that Itachi would keep Narutos well being a secret for now, he entered the office of his little brother.
"Mission report," Sasuke stated with authority in his voice. But there was another thing that Itachi had to tell his brother about that needed to be told. It was a matter of life or death.
"There was no traces of any UFO that crashed in the mountains in Iwa, but simply a meteor," Itachi said emotionlessly. Sasuke grinned victoriously.
"I knew it just a simple meteor. There was no way it could have been anything different," Sasuke said in a relieved expression. Over the time when Itachi left to search for the crash site, people threw out Iwa, Kuso, and Taki where getting even more relied up about the Bright Light to the point where ANBU where called to the sight to calm them all down. Even some people here in Leaf are starting lose their minds. Most people began to start up rumors that aliens have been probing this planet ever since the Great War started and that the Sounds old leader made a deal with these aliens that if he ever lost the war that they would come soon afterwards and kill them all. But, this was only one rumor, but at least half of them have at least some correlation with the Great War.
"Wait, there is more," Itachi said, successfully breaking Sasuke out of his musings.
"And what else could there be?" Sasuke asked curiously.
"I met up with one of my contacts in my spy network for information and a couple of Iwa ANBU tagged along. Needless to say, my contact killed the three Iwa ANBU that where with me," Itachi said as he looked strait into his little brothers eyes threw his mask.
"That is not a problem, I'm sure you but this problem to rest then?" Sasuke said with a grin. Itachi and himself are believed to be the strongest ninja in the world. Both equal in strength. They are believed that if both combined their power they could match Narutos power. The story that everyone heard involving Narutos defeat was that Sasuke and the rookies from Leaf managed to outwit Naruto in the end and win by a lucky break. The imaged that spiraled around the world that even though it was eleven on one that Naruto still over powered them but when Itachi showed up and was 'brought to his senses' that the no twelve on one fight turned to the numbering side. And so people used this as an example that even though you are the most powerful person in the world that combined with your friends that you can prevail.
"No. This contact had too much valuable information to give up. The information that he traded though was very much worth wile," Itachi said with a grin.
"And this information being what?" Sasuke pressed.
"He says that there is going to be a war, a war that has never been seen before on this planet. He says to start training more ninja and fast and to spread the word to the other commanders in the other countries," Itachi said gravely. Sasuke looked at Itachi and blinked. Sasuke than began to laugh. Thinking that this was a joke of some sort.
"Oh Itachi, you always knew how to crack me up," Sasuke said between laughs with a big smile on his face while Itachi never faltered.
"I'm serious about this Hokage-sama," Itachi said in a serious voice. Sasuke immediately became serious when Itachi called him Hokage-sama. Itachi never said that if he wasn't deadly serious.
"Are you positive that this war is going to happen?" Sasuke asked. Sasuke puts Itachi in one of spots that he can completely trust. The only other person to make it up to that level was right before Naruto was killed on the roof of the Otokage tower.
"Yes, it about a month or two," Itachi said. Sasuke sighed. This has never happened before. He was going to have to ask the Godamie how to manage a country while at war.
"I guess I could push a little harder at the passing of the rebuilding of our ninja forces. I'm sure there are still some ninja out there that would love to become a ninja of our village again," Sasuke thought out loud as he turned in his seat to look at the six faces carved into the mountain at the top of the village. His being the one right next to the Fifth's.
"So tell me, why you are putting so much confidence in this one contact. You have never shown this much devotion before the end of the Great War," Sasuke asked while returning his gaze once again to his older brother, but only to find that said older brother was gone.
"Shit, oh well, it can't be helped," Sasuke said as he shook his head and returned to his paper work. "He's getting worse than Kakashi."
XxXxX
Naruto was swiftly moving from tree limb to tree limb, making sure that he is not heard by anyone or anything in the dark of the night with the bright moon shining overhead. He was in Leaf territory was going to be damned if was going to be spotted, but being out on the road was hard and he needed some sleep and food.
Naruto changed course to what he knew was the city of Anzid, a medium sized town near the border of the Leaf and Sound.
'I need some sleep and food. Charging blindly towards my destination is a bad decision' Naruto thought as he was almost at the towns borders when Naruto came to a halt. To the right of the path that he was on was the area where he observed the battle between the three senin fought across the open fields. That was truly a battle of wits, but Naruto couldn't help but feel sympathy for the snake senin.
'He was in my position while I was at war with the world. It was a two on one fight and Orochimaru was still fighting. I'll give him credit for that, at the very leas' Naruto thought as he continued on his way into the town. The large tower at the center of the town was being rebuilt after the attack Orochimaru did on the enormous tower.
Naruto was in the center of the town in an empty street with his pure white cloak on as well as his gasmask and straw hat. He was not taking any chances for him being seen by anyone at all. Naruto saw a Ramen stand on the side of the street and shrugged. He hasn't had any ramen in years; why not give it a try? Naruto walked into the ramen stand a casually sat down in a seat next the wall and ordered a bowl of miso. While waiting for his food to arrive Naruto took of his gasmask and sealed it away without anyone noticing the sealing.
Naruto was about to be hit with a wave of disappointment and bad luck because a few Leaf ninja walked up the stand sat in the center of the stand while talking away about their lives. Naruto glanced at the three ninja that sat down and his eyes widened for a brief second until turning back to their original size. Sitting in the stand with him was Shikamaru, Neji, and Kiba. Naruto cursed himself and was thinking about leaving when his food was placed in front of him. Naruto sighed. Why does he always get himself into these predicaments?
Naruto began eating his food rather alertly and without taking off his hat. This made it seem that he was rude everyone at the stand and the owner, but taking off his hat was not an option. Naruto was close to finishing his food when a voice he hadn't heard in a while made itself known to the white cloak wearing man in the corner.
"Hey, don't you think it is rude for wear that hat at the counter?" Kiba asked. The other two ninja where looking at Naruto rather calmly, thinking he would take of the offending hat as well as the chef that was watching the scene as well. Naruto never looked at Kiba as he slurped the rest of his food down and stood up to leave.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Kiba shout angrily. Naruto continued to ignore him as he placed some money on the counter to pay for the food and for a hefty tip, which the chef gladly accepted. Naruto turned away from the stand and began to walk down the empty moonlit street.
'They must have had a mission in this town and decided to get a bite to eat. Damnit, this is just my luck. I can't talk or they will know who I am. I need to get somewhere and put my gasmask on so I can conceal my voice and face' Naruto thought as he could sense the three ninja fooling him. Naruto stopped suddenly stopped, making the three ninja following stop as well.
"You know, wearing that cloak and hat of yours reminds many people of the organization that attacked the world," Kiba said with a grin. Naruto simply turned to face the three ninja.
"Why are you wearing a cloak and hat that makes you look so much like the Akatsuki or Yoinokuchi?" Neji asked. Naruto said nothing in return.
"This could be one of the surviving members that lived after the defeat of Sound. Where you a member of Yoinokuchi or Akatsuki?" Shikamaru asked. Naruto thought on that question. He could answer no and they would continue on with questions or he could answer yes and make his presence know to the world and this would have its benefits. So, Naruto nodded, shocking the three joinin in front of him.
"Which one? Akatsuki or Yoinokuchi?" Shikamaru asked a little to urgently. The reason behind the question is that it shows a sort of rank. If you are a missing ninja than you are low on the food chain, but still pretty strong. They're ranking between D to B. If you where once a part of Akatsuki before the war than you range from B to S class and if you where a part of Yoinokuchi than you rank up into S to SS (Kage) level and in Naruto's case, SSS. Naruto steadily motioned that he was in the later of the organizations by showing them the peace sign, which meant the number two. The three ninja where shocked.
There where only a few Yoinokuchi members left in the world, most going into hiding because of the severe dislike towards them. The remaining members that lived after the bloodiest battle in the entire world where Zabuza, Haku, Kisame, Gaara and Itachi.
Gaara (SS rank) being captured during his invasion on Suna has calmed down after hearing the defeat and death of Naruto and became the Kazekage of their country. Gaara was the only one who has been forgiven for is wrong doings while in the Yoinokuchi.
Zabuza (S rank) was killed while fighting along side Haku while on the island of Wave. A group of Hunter ninja from Kiri and Konoha followed them until they where in a secluded area and attacked while their guard was down. The battle that ensued was a bloody one. Thirteen hunter ninja where killed as well as Zabuza. Haku narrowly escaped.
Haku (S rank) has stayed hidden and was last reported somewhere in Spring Country. Haku is thought to be training immensely to be stronger so killing the missing ninja was going to be very tough.
Kisame (SS rank) is also said to be hiding along side Haku. For the same reasons Haku, Kisame wants to be able to defend himself against anything the ninja countries throw at him. They are supposed to be the best team on this earth other than Itachi and Sasuke Uchiha. The pair is close to being stronger than the two Uchiha's.
Itachi (SS rank) has resigned from the organization and became the ANBU captain of Konoha. Itachi is one of the strongest ninja in the world. Itachi is the last one of the Uchiha clan that can use the Mangekyou Sharingan. Itachi has pronounced to the world that he would not hunt down any Akatsuki and Yoinokuchi members due to his old ties with the organizations. Sasuke, of course, knows the truth behind the Uchiha massacre.
The remnants of Akatsuki are also scattered threw out the world. Madara (SS rank) and about two to three others are still allied with the remnants of the organization known as Yoinokuchi, minus Gaara. Both Yoinokuchi and Akatsuki members had a kill on sight order on their heads. But, at the same time, they also had a retreat on sight order if you had less then three members against an Akatsuki member and less then five against a Yoinokuchi member.
So, thinking that this one might be Haku because the man doesn't have a huge sword on his back, they moved into fighting position, but there was a problem. Why was this Yoinokuchi where a pure white cloak where the other members wore a white cloak with black clouds? Sure it this mans cloak had a black interior like the others but there was no black clouds.
'Where are the traditional black clouds? This can't be Haku because Haku would wear the cloak proudly. No, this be another member that must have missed in our reports' Shikamaru thought as he told the others about his theory.
"Are you sure? There are only like four of them left. This one has to be Haku!" Kiba exclaimed. Neji nodded to what Shikamaru was saying.
"I see what you mean. This person could be someone that we never saw or fought. He could be one that was told to stay in the back ground until after the war," Neji suggested. Shikamaru was still looking at the motionless form of the Yoinokuchi member in front of him.
"We might want to retreat," Shikamaru said, shocking Kiba.
"What!? We aren't going to let this one retreat! The ANBU are in the middle of a massive search for them! Killing this one would prove worthwhile!" Kiba shouted a little to loudly.
"Kiba has a point there. If we let this man go then we might not see him for another couple years an then he will just stronger then he is now," Neji added. Shikamaru sighed.
"But what about the retreat on sight order that was given by Sasuke?" Shikamaru asked.
"Puff, I have the strength of at least two men and you have the brain power of at least three while Neji has the eyes of two as well. Together we can beat him!" Kiba exclaimed again a little loudly.
"Troublesome. Fine lets fight, but if we lose-," Shikamaru started but was interrupted when they saw the Yoinokuchi turn the corner down an alley.
"After him!" Kiba shouted and ran after the cloaked man. Once they rounded the corner they saw him once more rounding another corner. The three jumped around the corner to see a dead-end. The three looked every where until Neji saw the man standing on top of the building loking at them with an emotionless stare that was concealed by the darkness that his straw hat made. The man walked from view of the three ninja that where on the ground in the alley.
"He's on the roof!" Neji said as the Leaf ninja ran up the side of the wall and onto the roofs to see the man jumping from roof to roof, away from them.
'Damn he's fast!' Shikamaru thought as they chased the lone Yoinokuchi member.
The Leaf jonin chased after the man until the where in the center of a large field on the out skirts of town. The cloaked man was facing the three ninja once they entered the field. Neji immediately turned on his doujutsu, noticed something weird. Where was his chakra? It simply wasn't there! After telling the others Kiba was shocked while Shikamaru only nodded.
"Other Hyuuga that fought against the Yoinokuchi where having the same problem. It seems that Naruto came up with a style that renders your doujutsu worthless until we can hit him at least once with a chakra infused strike," Shikamaru explained. Neji only growled in annoyance. Hitting a Yoinokuchi member was going to be hard enough, but winning was going to be even harder.
'This is going to be interesting. I'm going to be fighting probably three of the strongest of the old Rookies. Time for a test run' Naruto thought with a grin. The three ninja stood across from lone Yoinkuchi member for what seemed like hours. Neither side willing to make the first move until a certain hot head attacked.
"Ahhh! I can't stand it! You are going down!" Kiba shouted and charged. The two remaining Leaf ninja sighed while Naruto grinned.
'As to be expected' Naruto thought as he stood in his relaxed position.
"Not even putting up a fighting stance will cost you your life!" Kiba shouted as he suddenly disappeared. One of Naruto's eyebrows rose while he activated his normal Sharingan.
'So they gotten better, but by how much?' Naruto thought as he ducked from a slash, courteous of Kiba. Naruto then backed up from a kick from his front. Naruto then saw Neji charging towards him and then also disappearing. Shikamaru was standing in the same place as before.
'Hmm… Shikamaru is observing so they can formulate a plan against me by utilizing against my weakness. Tell me Shikamaru, have you changed at all? Have became more powerful instead of your clans techniques?' Naruto thought as he dodged another chakra piercing attack from Neji's attack. Suddenly, the two ninja jumped back to where Shikamaru was still standing.
"So, what's the plan?" Kiba asked. Shikamaru continued to stare at the cloaked ninja who was once again in is relaxed position. Shikamaru sighed and shook his head in disappointment.
"This guy is unbelievable. I can't form a strategy if doesn't show ant style at all. What you just saw was him simply dodging each attack lazily," Shikamaru said. Kiba was shocked while Neji only nodded. They where of course only testing his abilities. That was not their true speed as Kiba could almost match Sasuke's speed.
"Time for plan B," Shikamaru said before performing his clans technique. A shadow shot out towards the cloaked man.
'So, that is all you have done. All you have been doing is advancing your skills in reading other peoples moves. I'm disappointed, Shikamaru' Naruto thought as he jumped to the side, but only for a hand to extend from the shadow and into the air. The shadow hand quickly wrapped around Naruto's leg and extended to his neck, successfully holding him there.
'Interesting new development Shikamaru, but what else have you learned?' Naruto thought as Kiba and Neji slowly walked toward Naruto.
'Why is it so easy for me to hold him? I should be straining to hold him down. He must up to something' Shikamaru thought as Kiba and Neji slowly made their way to the trapped man.
"Now, it's time to find out who this man really is," Kiba said as grabbed a hold of his hat yanked it off. The three Leaf ninja gasped at what they saw.
XxXxX
'What is with Itachi? Normally he is stoic and emotionless, but lately has been a little more… happy? That is nothing like Itachi. I'm going to find out what he is up to' Sasuke thought as Itachi entered his office. Even now Sasuke hates being left out of the inner circle.
"Yes Itachi. You wanted to speak to me?" Sasuke asked.
"I would like a mission, Hokage-sama," Itachi said while bowing. Sasuke sighed.
"You don't have to bow, Itachi. And why do you want a mission? I thought you where going to take a break for a little," Sasuke asked suspiciously. Itachi never flinched.
"I need to see a contact that is of great importance,' Itachi said simply.
"Is it that same contact that told you of this war?" Sasuke asked. Itachi nodded in the affirmative.
"What is so special about this man? Why do have so much trust in him? Or better yet, who is he?" Sasuke asked. Itachi only shook his head.
"You know I can't do that. Revealing his name could be fatal," Itachi explained. Sasuke sighed. He wasn't going to get anything out of him.
"Fine, I'll give you the mission, but you are going to have to tell who this contact of yours is," Sasuke said. Itachi turned to leave, but before leaving Itachi had to say one last thing that will tare him apart until he figures it out.
"Well, I can't promise you that I will tell you, but if your lucky then you might see him for yourself," Itachi said with a grin. Before Sasuke could answer Itachi puffed into a cloud of smoke.
'A Shadow Clone? Damnit Itachi, you knew I would say yes to the mission and already left, meaning I can't get someone to follow him' Sasuke thought. Sasuke sighed, 'I'm going to have to meet up with the guys and get a drink after work today.'
XxXxX
"Wha… What is that?!" Neji stuttered out in pure shock. On the face of the man they where fighting was a weird kind of mask, never before seen to this world. All three Leaf ninja stood stock still as they looked into the empty eyes that the mask provided.
"You seem surprised. You have never seen a gasmask before?" Naruto asked in the masked voice that the gasmask provided. The three Leaf ninja didn't answer as they where still surprised at what they found under the straw hat. Naruto suddenly pushed out of every point of his body, shattering the hand that was curled around his body. Naruto pressed his luck by swiping back his hat and putting back upon his head.
'They must not have noticed my hair because of the tinting color the moon was giving off along with the surprise of the mask that they saw' Naruto thought as the three ninja seemed to snap out of their musings and took the offensive. But this time, Naruto was going to fight seriously.
"He is still the same weakling as before. We will capture him easily and then finish him off," Kiba with a smug grin as he disappeared faster than before, only reappear behind the gasmask wearing man. Kiba kicked Naruto forward towards Neji who sent a flurry of chakra infused strikes at the white-cloaked man. The Yoinkuchi member blocked each and every attack that was sent his way before a familiar shadow was head towards him from his right. Naruto swiftly grabbed one of Neji's hands and pulled him in front of the impending shadow hand. The shadow quickly fused with Neji's and Neji went stock-still. Naruto delivered a hard punch to Neji's gut then kneed him again in the face. Both Neji and Shikamaru crumpled over in pain. Neji passing out while Shikamaru held onto conscious by a sliver
"You bastard! You won't be able to beat me though! I'm am just as fast as Sasuke!" Kiba shouted, but stopped when the cloaked man asked a question.
"Where is your dog?" Naruto asked. Kiba stopped dead in his tracks.
"You don't know? I thought you knew everything that happens in your organization?" Kiba voiced.
"I've been out of touch with them lately. So, where is Akamaru?" Naruto asked emotionlessly.
"How do you know my dogs name!" Kiba pressed.
"I know a lot of things," Naruto returned coldly.
'If I don't tell him he might figure it out later by the others in his group, but since he won't be able to get to them after I'm done with him, he might as well know because he is going to die here and now' Kiba thought.
"He died at the hands of the one know as Zabuza," Kiba said in a little sad voice. Naruto nodded.
"I take it you killed him? Well, at least took out as many good ninja before dieing," Naruto said emotionlessly. This angered Kiba very much.
"I'll kill you! You won't even see me coming!" Kiba shouted as he charged Naruto strait on at impressive speeds.
'Faster than a lot of people I've found, but Yoda moves faster than you' Naruto thought as Kiba was building a lot of momentum into this punch that was coming at him. Just before the punch connected with Naruto's face, Naruto moved his left arm to the right side of Kiba's left arm. Naruto then pushed Kiba's arm further the Naruto's left until the punch narrowly missed is head. This left the right flank completely open with Naruto's right unoccupied. Naruto then kicked Kiba's legs out from underneath him, making him fall counter clockwise. Naruto then grabbed the side of Kiba's head and rammed Kiba's head into the ground faster then a bullet.
Naruto stood towering over Kiba's unconscious form with nothing other then emotionless eyes.
'I never even had to pull out my Mangekyou Sharingan or my Rennigan. Such a shame' Naruto said as he turned to leave.
"Wait," a voice said weakly. Naruto stopped and turned to see Shikamaru looking at him intently. Naruto then began to walk towards the downed figure of Shikamaru.
"Who are you? Nobody knows who you are," Shikamaru asked as Naruto stopped in front of Shikamaru.
"I guess it's going to be one of those things that is going to be on the top of your head until you figure it out now isn't it?" Naruto said emotionlessly before pinching a nerve behind Shikamaru's neck, effectively rendering him unconscious. Naruto stood back up and began to walk towards the closest town that wasn't Anzid.
'Mission complete' Naruto thought with a grin as he disappeared into the grassland that was between him and the next town.
XxXxX
A/N: This story is getting difficult to write. Everyone knows what I'm talking about, but I will continue foreword until the end. Just don't kill me if they're a little, because these chapters are really hard to write! Hope you all like it!