Chapter Eleven: Memories of the dead, thoughts of the future
*SLASH*
"I'm sorry." I whispered as I hacked my auntie in half in a single swipe.
Turning, I lifted my sword and cut the throat of my uncle before he could make any noise. I continued my spin, looking in through the doorway over my now dead uncle.
"FIRE STYLE: BLAZE BULLETS!"
I spat out three small balls of fire that entered the eyes of the three people that stood in front of me, burning through their brains in an instant. But I was already out of the store and back in the street.
I looked over my shoulder and I felt my heart shake as I watched my masked accomplice somehow summon six giant shuriken from thin air and hack through a group of my second cousins.
It had been twenty minutes, one hundred and thirty one deaths. The first scream had finally sounded.
My Sharingan span as I took in everything, I saw as every able bodied Uchiha stepped out into the street to find out what the scream was about. I saw as every child, mother, and father stepped into our view. I saw Madara Uchiha form hand seals while his weapons tore through the air, I knew what he wanted. So I acted.
I yelled, "SHURIKEN SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"
At the same time Madara Uchiha finished his hand seals, "WIND STYLE: WIND PLUME!"
My Sharingan recorded every detail, the six shuriken became thirty and the wind chakra sped them up to ridiculous levels.
Twenty one minutes, four hundred and eighteen deaths. No more screams sounded.
Madara Uchiha glanced at me and I spoke, "That is everyone in the outer district. Only the royal remains." I said quietly, my voice feeling dead.
Madara nodded, "Then I will set up the barrier. No one out and no one in. Go finish your business Itachi." He said before disappearing in a swirl of chakra.
My eyes turned forward and I blinked, feeling everything become clearer and my chakra level drop.
I kicked open the gate of the royal district and the two guards turned to me, hesitating as they saw the blood covering my form.
"AMATERASU!"
##########
"There you are!"
Naruto turned and smiled as he caught Tenten in a hug, spinning her around before setting her on her feet, "Hey Ten-chan, how was your mission?" he asked as he got a peak of the ANBU uniform concealed under her normal clothes.
Tenten returned the smile and re-did her top button up, "It went great! I even got a recommendation from the captain!" she said cheerily before looping her left arm around his right, "So, where are we off to?" she asked as the two walked alongside through the village.
Naruto smirked, "Actually, I am on my way to meet Tayu-chan for a date, I didn't think you'd be back for another couple of days." He said sheepishly.
Tenten pouted, "Would she mind if I came as well? I mean, I know we're all together and stuff, but is it intruding?" she asked.
Naruto chuckled, "Ten-chan, she loves you too. Of course you'd be welcomed." He said before turning left and smiling as he saw Tayuya mid-yawn as she walked out of a store.
"Tayu-chan!" Tenten yelled, causing the red head to turn to the two of them and grin widely.
Tayuya jogged over and tackled the two in a hug, causing people to stare in shock as Tayuya kissed Naruto then Tenten, both right on the lips, "Hey! I can't believe you two!" she yelled as she pulled them to their feet and simultaneously thwacked them over the head.
Tenten pouted as she rubbed her head while Naruto complained, "Ow, what was that for Tayu-chan?" he asked before reaching over and resting his green glowing hand on Tenten's head-bump.
Tayuya smiled as she spoke, "You both just up and went on two deadly missions and I didn't even get a note or anything! I only found out when Hina-chan and Kin-chan were talking about Sasuke's revenge!" Tayuya yelled, causing everyone in the street to stare at them.
Feeling the tension, Naruto reached out with his hands and held both Tayuya's arm and Tenten's.
*FLASH*
#########
Sasuke sat blushing, his bandaged eyes being the only covered things on his body.
"Are you okay Sasuke-kun?" Kin asked as she scrubbed his back.
"I think he's fine, just a bit tired." Ayame said as she was carefully wetting his hair, making sure not to get his face wet.
Karin chuckled, "You two are too much!" she said before the three girls burst into laughter.
Sasuke took a deep breathe through his nose and couldn't help but smirk as he tried to remain calm, 'It's only three beautiful women washing me in the Uchiha hot springs…all of us naked…together…' he thought before swallowing deeply.
He felt a wash cloth wipe under his nose and heard Karin's voice, "Someone seems to be a little excited." She said as she wiped the blood dripping from his nose.
Sasuke's face twitched and he was about to reply when he heard a perverted chuckle. Now Sasuke knew he did not have the best hearing as his eyes were obviously the strongest sense he had. That was Kin's speciality, so he knew something big was about to happen.
And happen it did.
"UZUMAKI WIND STYLE: VIOLENT UPDRAFT!" he heard Karin yell.
Seconds later, Sasuke felt a strong breeze blow by and he heard his perverted hermit sensei's scream.
*WHAM*
Sasuke cringed as he heard something large and metallic slam into what he assumed to be Jiraiya's face.
"SOUND STYLE: SONICBOOM!"
Sasuke quickly covered his ears for a second, barely hearing a loud clap before a man's scream slowly moved into the distance. Sasuke smirked, 'I guess that'll teach Ero-sensei not to take advantage of my girls when I can't be the one to blast him away.' Sasuke thought with a light chuckle.
A few moments later, Sasuke felt his body beginning to be scrubbed again, he took a deep breath and sighed in relaxation as he tried to ignore the feel of the three women's bodies in the water.
He heard Karin speak, "Hey Ayame-chan, where did you get that frying pan from?" she asked.
Sasuke smiled as he heard Ayame's answer, "I always have a weapon handy, never know what's gonna happen with you ninjas around."
The three girls laughed once more before continuing to pamper their Uchiha, helping him heal and relax as he recovered from his traumatising dreams.
#########
*BOOOOM*
"HAHAHAAAA!" Kisame yelled as another of his water shark bombs took out another ship.
I merely blinked as my Sharingan trained the waters for our target. Leader asked us to fetch the ransom on this man as Kakuzu is currently on his way to meet his new partner. Of course, I agreed.
My gaze turned left as I saw the ninja running across the water, heading back towards land, "Kisame.."
The shark man nodded, "Yeah I know, you go get him and I finish off the stragglers, got it." Kisame said with a shark like grin.
I blinked as my chakra fluxed, my eyes opened and I stood face to face with the target, he was already pulling out a kunai.
He was too slow.
My shuriken lodged into the back of his hand and he dropped the kunai in pain. I kicked his knees, both of them snapping so that he could not run from me. He screamed as he began forming seals.
This man's speciality is lightning techniques. On water this could kill everyone in the area. I couldn't let that happen.
"NINJA ART: CRUCIFIXTION!"
I watched the man freeze as he thought he found himself nailed to a cross. I stepped up to him as I pulled out a kunai.
"I apologise. TSUKUYOMI!"
###########
"Alright everyone! Let's move out!" Fuu said with a smile as she unfolded her insect wings and took to the air over Konoha.
"Hai Fuu-sama!"
Fuu glided over the gap between the outer wall of Konoha and the giant tree wall in standard ANBU wear which rested under her chakra armour, she smiled over her shoulder at the specialist squad she had been assigned to organise and run.
They followed behind her in an open triangle formation, Fuu was point and directly to her right was Shuichi Shinto, a fire user with huge reserves who was the only one in her squad who had been able to modify his chakra armour. His had wings on his forearms and calves to ensure he had lots of manouvreablility while he flew and on ground.
To Shuichi's right was Katara Yokuto, one of the new ninjas who had transferred from Sunagakure to Konoha during the remodelling. She was kneeling on a large three mooned fan and used her wind chakra to regulate an up draft that kept her aloft.
Fuu looked to her left and smiled to Sai, who was flying on one of his paper birds with a relaxed look on his usually emotionless face.
And to the furthest left of the formation, was Akito Morino. He was a ranked seal user that had been recently given copies of Sasuke's training methods and some seals. Akito stood on a silver surfing long board that had been tricked out with an anti gravity seal and two wind propulsion seals. Underneath the board was a miniature version of the kunai firing cannons commandeered from snow country and with his seals, Akito was able to shoot kunai with multiple effects at a rapid pace as the automated storage seals on the inside of the barrel held up to one hundred thousand kunai each.
Fuu turned forward as her aerial assault and surveillance team took their first flight around the village, earning themselves cheers from the small crowd of people who had gathered at the main gate to see their maiden voyage.
Fuu smiled as she saw the forty or so people cheering for her squad, she held her fist up above her head before throwing it forward, and off shot her team, leaving a blur behind them as their speed increased and they flew around back to the Hokage monument to report to the captain of the new aerial squadron of ANBU, Gaara Sabaku.
##########
"Really? I never would've thought you'd fall for Choji of all people." Sakura said from her change room.
"Hey once you took Sasuke off the market, it's like my eyes opened," Ino said from the booth next to her, "He's always been there for me and I want to be there for him for the rest of our lives, is that so hard to believe?" she asked.
Sakura stepped out of the change room at the same time Ino did, "Well in all honesty a little bit, yeah." She said with a grin.
Ino pouted, "You know, you are the worst maid of honour ever." She said as she looked at her clothes, "Do you think he'll like this?" Ino asked as she spun to show her belly shirt and short shorts.
Sakura smiled, "I think he'll love it Ino-chan, it's only for the train trip to the land of waves isn't it? You don't have to look that stunning." Sakura said.
Ino looked at herself in the mirror and flattened out the material of her shirt, "I guess, I just want to look good for him y'know?" she said before getting a glimpse of the ring on her finger and smiling.
Sakura stepped up behind Ino and looked at the blonde's reflection, "Ino-chan, you look stunning." Sakura said with a smile.
Ino laughed, "Thanks forehead! You want to get going?" she asked as she gestured across the road.
Sakura nodded, "Oh my god, I can't believe we're about to get your wedding dress!" Sakura said excitedly.
Ino got caught in the mood and cheered as well as the two of them held hands, "I know!" the two screamed together in excitement.
*SLAM SLAM*
The two girls looked at each other's mouths in shock at the silver tape that was keeping them quiet.
They looked off to the side to see Kakashi standing calmly, Sakura knew she would be unable to pull off the tap so she cut it off with the claw she summoned onto her pointer finger, "What the hell are you doing here sensei?!" she yelled.
Kakashi merely looked up from his book and blinked, just as Anko stepped out from a nearby change room in a revealing teddy, "This good 'Kashi-kun?" the snake mistress asked.
Kakashi eye smiled, "Sorry Anko, I couldn't hear you over the sound of your sex appeal."
Ino and Sakura chose this moment to leave for the bridal store, leaving the disturbingly happy couple alone.
##########
"Okay, you can do this." Naruto said to himself in the mirror, "Just be cool, they'll say yes." Naruto whispered to himself nervously before leaving the washroom. He had been talking and relaxing with the two girls all day up until they joined up with Fuu as she landed from her first flight.
He nodded to the waiter as he walked through the restaurant, it was the new restaurant built into the nature wall outside the village called the Autumn light.
Naruto smirked as he looked out over the village, seeing the sunset light glowing over it, 'A fitting name I guess.' He thought as he stepped up to the private section.
He smiled softly as he saw Tayuya, Tenten and Fuu sitting at the booth facing the Hokage moment, he had just watched as Tayuya said something which Fuu and Tenten began laughing at as he approached the table.
He fell into his seat next to Tenten and wrapped his arm around her shoulders before kissing her on the head as she continued laughing alongside the girls.
After a few moments Tayuya spoke through her laughs, "Hey Naru-kun, when's Hina-chan getting here?" she asked as before sipping her wine.
Naruto smiled, "She said she'll be here after a clan meeting she had at four." He answered.
Fuu's eyes lit up and she smiled, "There she is." Fuu said softly.
Everyone turned to the entryway to see Hinata looking around for them, she was in her Hyuuga robes and her hair was let out.
Naruto smiled and stood, letting her see him and smile as she walked over to them, "Hey Hina-chan." He said simply before the two shared a quick kiss.
Hinata blushed lightly at the comfort she found in his grasp before they sat down, he sat between her and Tenten and they all welcomed Hinata.
After a few minutes, Fuu asked "What was the meeting about?"
Hinata sighed at the question, "Let me ask you guys something, when I ask you who the strongest Hyuuga is in my generation, who would that be?" she asked.
Naruto and Tenten responded immediately, ""Neji.""
Fuu nodded, "Neji-san is one of the ANBU captains right? Eagle?"
Tayuya rose a brow, "Really? Your brother is an ANBU captain?" Tayuya asked.
Hinata smiled, "Neji-nii-san is actually my cousin, but yes he's been ANBU captain for a month now." She said proudly.
Naruto blinked, 'How in the name of Log did I miss something this important?' he thought before tuning back in to the conversation.
"So was the meeting about Neji or something?" Tenten asked.
Hinata nodded, "Well, there have been discussions concerning the strength of the branch family and the senior elders don't like it." she said with a sigh.
Feeling Hinata's dislike of the subject, Naruto quickly tried to change it, "I heard Neji wanted to try for a gennin squad at some point, is that true?" Naruto asked.
Hinata smiled and nodded, "Yes, he met a young girl from the orphanage and she wanted to become a ninja, but she doesn't feel very trustworthy of adults so he is doing his best to get to the level suitable of a Jonin sensei position teaching her…" she trailed off as she shook her head, "I've never seen such determination when he talks about that little girl." She said with a shrug and a smile.
The girls were interested in hearing about the process of becoming a Jonin sensei, and soon Tenten was telling about her training to become a sensei, starting with her training in the ANBU.
Naruto sat quietly as he watched the girls talk to each other. They four simply talked happily for nearly forty minutes until Hinata's stomach rumbled.
The girls chuckled as Hinata blushed, Naruto smirked, "So do you guys wanna start on dinner now? I got some special drinks lined up to start us off." Naruto said.
Tayuya perked up, "Drinks? I'm keen." She said with a wide grin.
As the girls laughed at Tayuya's words, Naruto subtly glanced at the waiter who stood near the kitchen doorway.
The waiter smiled to him and Naruto nodded, the waiter stepped out of view for a moment before coming back while pushing a tray out to them, making the girls pause in their conversation as the waiter passed out five glasses of champagne.
He placed them in front of the girls who smiled in thanks then passed the last one to Naruto, who stood to toast, "Excuse me girls, I just want to say a few words if you'll let me?" Naruto asked with a grin.
The girls nodded at his words, so he continued, "Hinata, I've known you the longest out of anyone here. You know literally everything about me, even so much that you probably know what I have planned for tonight." He said with a chuckle.
Hinata merely tilted her head to the side and grinned delightfully, but she stayed quiet as he continued talking, "You are the reason my heart opened up after…well me." He said, smiling despite him almost stumbling onto a darker topic.
Naruto kissed Hinata on the lips before turning to his left, facing Tenten, "Tenten, I've known you for a very long time, our first real conversation was in the middle of the Chunnin exams and since then I've always thought of you as someone precious to me." He said staring into her eyes.
Tenten smiled and blushed as Naruto continued talking, "You are one of the reasons I was so proud to be a swordsman, you are simply amazing and I'm so…just happy that you're here with us." Naruto said proudly.
Tenten looked down sheepishly and Naruto took the chance to kiss the top of her head before looking across the table, "Tayuya, I think you'll agree with me when I say it was completely random you and I." Naruto said with a chuckle, Tayuya laughed and nodded along, "And before I left I think we had about a total of…twenty conversations?" he asked.
Tayuya shrugged, "Twenty five, give or take." She said.
Naruto chuckled, "My point is, I know we have this…chemistry or something. I can't live without you ever since I met you." he said, we went to continue but Tayuya cut him off.
"I get it, you love me, I'm perfect, your life would be meaningless is I wasn't around yadda yadda." Tayuya said with a cheery grin, trying to cover her happy tear filled eyes with her humour.
Naruto laughed a little along with the other girls, Fuu reached for her glass but Naruto grabbed her hand across the table before she could, "Fuu, you and I met by complete chance." He started with, causing the girls to quiet their laughing.
"I was sent on a mission to ask you to come to Konoha for protection and you ended up joining me just because we have a connection. Literally," he said with a smirk, causing her to blush, "You are the only person to know what it is really like to be treated as we are…as the beings inside us." Naruto said.
"Basically even though Hinata knows me best, I know that you…feel like me the best." He said before rubbing the back of his head and laughing, "Sorry that sounded better in my head." He muttered.
Fuu nodded her face flushed red, "That's okay, I know how you feel." She said with a smile.
Naruto chuckled lightly before clearing his throat, "So, you all know how important you are to me. I love you all more than I love anything really." He said with a smile as he lifted his glass and gestured towards the window, "I know it sounds a bit corny, but this village is the reason we found each other, so before my final news, I would like to propose a toast to the village." He said as he raised his champagne to the window, the afternoon glow shining across the village and the orange light coming into the window.
The girls smiled as they lifted their glasses to the light as well, it was Tayuya who first noticed the oddity.
She did a double take as she looked at the light bounce off of the jewel on the ring inside her champagne glass, and her odd look made Tenten glance as well before gasping.
Naruto smiled as the four girls gasped and stared at the rings sitting at the bottom of their champagne glasses, he took a swig from his glass before sitting down, "And as thanks to the village I want to show my happiness with you four for the rest of my life in this village." He said as the girls all stared at him.
After a few moments of silence Fuu spoke, "I-is this a-a p-p-proposal?" she whispered.
Naruto twitched, feeling slightly nervous at the silence, 'Oh crap…I messed up, what did I do wrong?' he thought worriedly.
"Yes?" he squeaked out, totally ruining his tough and confident façade.
Hinata smiled and hugged his arm, resting a hand on his as she held the ring from her glass out, "Yes, a thousand times yes." She whispered with a teary smile.
Naruto grinned happily as he took the ring from her and slid it onto her ring finger, they kissed softly but he was soon grabbed across the table by Tayuya, "Me next!" she yelled happily as she practically laid down across the table to get to him.
Naruto laughed as Fuu climbed on Tayuya's back, "No me! I wanna be an Uzumaki!" she said happily.
Naruto grinned and took Tayuya's and Fuu's rings, placing them on the girls' fingers before turning to Tenten.
Naruto's falter shook as he noticed Tenten was looking at the ring, sitting in her palm as her hands shook, "Ten-chan?" he asked.
Tenten looked up at him and he noticed her tears falling, "I haven't had a family since…mum and dad…" Tenten whispered.
Naruto knew Tenten was feeling something deep, so he hugged her. She turned and buried her face in his chest, "Yes Naruto-kun…forever…"
##########
The wood clone in the corner disappeared, sending it's memories to the clone that was sitting with Sasuke and his girls.
The clone opened it's eyes, "THEY SAID YES!" it yelled in victory.
The Uchiha district went up in cheers.
##########
Naruto blinked as the memories of his wood clone assimilated into his mind, "And I'll get the seafood pizza thanks." Naruto said to the waiter as the table finished their orders.
The waiter nodded, "Coming right up sir." The waiter said before walking off.
Naruto turned back to the table. They had to reorganise where they were sitting, so now Naruto was sitting at the head of the table with Hinata and Tenten on the left side and Tayuya and Fuu on the right.
Naruto smiled as he watched the girls, Tayuya and Tenten were talking excitedly across the table about a honeymoon plan, 'But I've already got a plan…I know! Their ideas can be on a holiday as a family.' He thought with a smirk before glancing at Fuu.
Fuu had her eyes closed, so Naruto knew she was talking with the Seven-Tails. But his smile grew as he noticed she was holding her ring finger to her chest happily.
Naruto looked to Hinata who was watching him, the two smiled at each other before Hinata grabbed his hand. "They're beautiful Naruto-kun, thank you so much." She said happily as she squeezed his hand with hers, her ring shining in the light.
Naruto grinned, "I'm glad you like it Hina-chan," he said before tilting his head, "Hey, I have a small question, how long do we have until you are sworn in to marry in the clan?" Naruto asked.
Hinata frowned, "Umm, not long now, the sooner we got married the better honestly." Hinata said.
Naruto nodded, "And our marriage has to be all Hyuuga official stuff doesn't it?" he said.
Hinata shook her head, "Not necessarily, I mean, you have your own clans. So if you don't know their traditions you basically can just make up what ever and get it officially stamped." She explained.
Naruto blinked before grinning, "Sweet! Hey girls!" he said to the whole table.
The other three girls turned to him as he continued talking, "Do you mind if we have a single ceremony together? Or do you all want a ceremony each?" Naruto asked.
Tayuya frowned, "I'm not really one for big events, I like the idea of sharing." She said.
Fuu nodded in agreement, "Me too!" she said.
Tenten shrugged, "I guess we can have it all together, but will we be together for the honeymoon? Or are you taking us all separately?" she asked.
Being a male, Naruto wasn't sure if he understood what Tenten meant by 'taking them all separately'… "Umm, what exactly do you mean by that Ten-chan?" he asked.
Fuu had heard what Tenten said in the same way Naruto did, so she was blushing bright red when Tenten spoke, "Well, I know we're all together as a family, so are we like together as a couple? Are we consummating it together?" she asked with a normal smile.
Naruto's brain practically shut down at the thought of being with the four girls at once in that way, "Oh, umm I uhhh…" Naruto muttered, trying to come up with something coherent to say.
Hinata chose this moment to speak up, "Firstly, I'd love to have a ceremony with all of us there. Secondly, Ten-chan I know you and Tayu-chan are…close enough to do that with Naruto-kun together, but I don't think I will be ready for something like that just yet." Hinata said with an apologetic smile to Tenten.
Naruto twitched, 'Yet?' he thought in happy shock.
Fuu nodded, "I-I, umm…s-same as Hinata-ch-chan." Fuu said softly.
Tayuya shrugged, "So…Ten-chan, you want to bag the big guy together?"
*THUNK*
The girls looked over to see Naruto had fainted, a small pool of blood began forming from his nose bleed, causing Tayuya and Tenten to laugh as Hinata and Fuu quickly tried to wake him up and clean up the mess together.
A few minutes later, Naruto was conscious, his face as red as Fuu's which was even darker than Hinata's. "L-let's just focus on th-the wedding yeah?" he said shyly before their food arrived.
Once the waiters left, the group began eating happily together as Naruto began to calm down and Tayuya stopped her innuendos, after a while, Fuu asked Naruto about the mission against Itachi and the girls went quiet as Naruto dove into his retelling.
##########
"SUSANO'O!"
I felt my eye begin to bleed as my chakra warrior came into this plane of existence, I was shielded from the lightning bolt before I swung my blade, "TOTSUKA BLADE!"
I slashed through the men and women, fourteen more deaths to add to my name as we fought off the ninjas.
I felt an enormous chakra build up behind me, so I quickly shunshin'd to the side of the battlefield and slashed over the group.
"WATER STYLE: SUPER WATER SHARK BOMB JUTSU!"
I watched as many of the battalion of ANBU threw forward techniques to try and stop Shark-Kisame's attack. But his jutsu ate the chakra and continued onwards, beginning to devour, drown and crush the front half of the battalion.
The ninjas at the back began to escape using shunshin or substitution, some of them just leapt up over the shark, not realising my blade was waiting for them until it was too late.
"LIGHTNING STYLE: BLACK HUNTING!"
I felt my Susano'o be cracked from behind, they didn't know that I felt the pain as if my own body had been struck. This is the user of the black lightning. He would be able to kill Kisame in a single shot.
I will not let my last comrade die to this weakling.
I deactivated Susano'o and ducked, letting Shark-Kisame's Explosive water shockwave cover the arena and knock back all the lightning ANBU.
"We got her!"
I looked over with my one good eye as Hidan ran into the clearing, holding his own cut off arm in his grasp along with his scythe as Kakuzu ran alongside him, an unconscious girl in his grip.
"C'mon Itachi! We got the two tails!" Kisame yelled as he began to reform into his normal self.
In an instant I was by his side, knocking him aside as I took a slash from the black lightning user's sword.
Until my Genjutsu took effect.
To him, it looked as though I bursted into a flock of crows and flew up over him. The crows gathered together to begin forming my body which made the illusion of another hand seal, causing more crows to take the appearance of windmill shuriken as they fell down.
Realistically, I just jumped into the air and began throwing kunai at him.
He slashed at the blades of the 'Windmill shuriken,' letting me get close behind him as I stabbed a kunai into his arm.
He yelled out in pain and I kicked his chest, knocking him into an oncoming ninja before Kisame landed next to me once more.
"WATER STYLE: HYDRO PUMP!"
I watched as Kisame's super powered water plume blew everyone far back, giving us the opportunity to turn and run.
"LARIAT!"
"Shit!" Kisame yelled as he pulled up his sword, barely absorbing the chakra in the Raikage's punch.
It was merely a half second, but I managed to use it to make eye contact with the Fourth, "TSUKUYOMI!"
Seventy Two hours…One Second.
And off we ran.
##########
*BAM BAM BAM*
"I call this full council meeting to a close. Will the civilians please exit so us ninjas can go through the updates." Tsunade ordered as she placed down her hammer.
The majority of the civilians stood and left through their door as Tsunade spoke again, "Will the guests please come in." she said in a drawl which seemed to show she was bored doing this.
The door opened and in walked three ninjas, Tsunade raised a brow at Naruto who walked in first.
When Naruto stepped up to the desk, Tsunade spoke, "Okay Naruto, what business do you have with the council.
Naruto smiled, "As you know, Iruka-sensei is unable to be my stand in anymore. But that won't matter soon cause I found a suitable replacement for the seat until Tayuya takes over for the Uzumaki chair." he said.
Tsunade nodded, "Alright, it's completely up to you so who is it?" she asked.
Naruto smiled and turned to the civilian council exit door, many of the ninjas were shocked when Danzo walked in. "I have approached Danzo because I was curious about why he wanted to be the stand in for the Uchiha clan so badly but didn't do his duty. We got to talking and since the opening in my clan opened up I think I could use his expertise as a war veteran and ninja." Naruto said shortly as Danzo approached his chair and took a seat.
Tsunade stared wide eyed at Naruto, 'How the hell? When did this happen?' she thought.
Naruto smiled, "And if you don't mind Hokage-sama I would like to let Danzo take it from here." Naruto said before bowing.
Tsunade nodded, "Yeah…ok, Danzo you have the floor." She said, obviously unhappy.
Danzo stood, putting everyone around him on guard, "My first order of business is to announce the wedding of the Uzumaki-Namikaze clan. Naruto has had the necessary four wives accept his proposals so I would like to request the Hokage to notify us on an open date in which she can wed the happy people." He said with the kind smile reminiscent of Hiruzen.
Basically, the council's reaction was awkward. They all expected Danzo to go back to his demands about getting more power or bringing back ROOT, but the aged man that was smiling just sat down and nodded for Tsunade to take the spotlight again.
Tsunade nodded in thanks, "That's great news, congratulations Naruto." She said, "Is that everything..Danzo?" she asked, just waiting for more.
Danzo nodded, "Hai Hokage-sama." He said.
Tsunade nodded, "Well…alright, Naruto could you please wait outside with the other members of team seven. Next motion of business," she said before looking at the second 'guest' "Neji."
Neji bowed, "Good day Hokage-sama, I would like to request an earlier test for my Jonin sensei application." He said respectfully.
Hiashi raised a brow, 'He wants to be a Jonin sensei?' he thought.
Tsunade rested her head on her palm, "And why is that Neji? What logical reason would there be for putting your life at risk for a simple test?" she asked.
Neji's eyes hardened, and Naruto heard only the start of Neji's reply as he left the council chambers, "I will do all I can to help out Sen Kubisaki…"
Naruto tilted his head, 'Have I heard that name? Kubisaki?' he thought as he approached team seven, he went to talk but Kakashi shook his head, signalling for them to be quiet while waiting to be summoned.
About five minutes later, the door partially opened, "Wait Neji, could you stay for a few moments? I have an idea for this test of yours…" Naruto and the others heard Tsunade say before the door closed again.
Sakura began clicking her tongue in boredom until Kakashi put tape over her mouth again, causing Sasuke and Naruto to smirk as they went back to waiting in silence while Sakura glared at Kakashi.
About ten minutes later, the third ninja, some Chunnin no one knew, walked out and left looking very happy with himself. Then the door opened again and Neji stuck his head out, "Team Seven." He said with a smile.
Team seven walked in and walked up to the table as Hani spoke, "After your team's display of power a while back, we have agreed that you will be one of the two teams sent to this year's Jonin exams," Tsunade said with a smile, "What do you say?"
Kakashi eye smiled, "I think they are more than ready Hokage-sama, they have not needed me for a long time and I think they'll do fine as Jonin." He said.
Tsume scoffed. "Jonin? They'll be fine as ANBU at their strength levels." She said.
The ninjas in the room chuckled at her words and Naruto naturally looked to Hiruzen for a reaction, but he frowned when he noticed the old man wasn't there.
"Do you think you're ready?" Shikaku's voice drawled lazily.
The group was quiet, so Sakura spoke for them, "More than ready! At the rate we're going we'll finish the exam at the top of the list!" she said confidently.
Sasuke smirked, "Well I think that's a yes for the three of us." Sasuke said.
Hiashi spoke, "I think they are more than ready, maybe not mentally, but that is what the exam is for."
Tsunade nodded, "Well Kakashi, if you truly believe that they don't need you anymore then you won't mind going on a mission for me." Tsunade said.
Kakashi frowned but nodded, "Will I at least be able to see the finals?" he asked.
Tsunade nodded, "Of course. As if I'd let you miss that." She said with a chuckle.
Kakashi eye smiled, "Then I don't mind, but who will go as their sensei?" he asked.
Tsunade smirked, "This will act as a little pre-trial for Neji. It will legally count as an ANBU mission but Neji will be the acting Jonin escort for them." Tsunade informed the group.
Naruto grinned and looked over to the smirking Hyuuga, "We will be heading off in five days to the Land of Lightning. And by that point I will have some rules defined for you three." Neji said.
Naruto's grin turned to a frown, "Rules?" he asked.
Neji nodded, "Sorry Naruto, but you three have reputations in the bingo books. I have to handle that. Part of my assignment." He said to the group.
Sasuke nodded, eyes still wrapped in bandages, "Sounds logical." He said.
Tsunade frowned, "Naruto, you did Sasuke's procedure. How long until Sasuke's eyes are usable?" she asked.
Naruto chuckled, "Tomorrow morning. So if I gotta go to these exams, when can I get hitched Baa-chan?" Naruto asked with a grin.
Tsunade rolled her eyes, "When you get back from these exams. First thing, I promise." She said as she nodded and slammed her hammer, declaring it official.
Naruto frowned and looked to Hiashi, who spoke before he could ask, "I can hold off the ceremony for one more month. It should take about that much time to organise Hanabi's life to accommodate that of a clan head." Hiashi said with a nod.
The team smiled in unison as Kakashi spoke, "Thank you for this Tsunade-sama. Is that all you need from us?"
Tsunade nodded, "Yes that is all. Neji, please report with team seven to my office Monday morning. Dismissed."
##########
"No, I don't think I will accept your challenge Kisame." Itachi said.
Kisame rolled his eyes, "Why not dammit? I wanna know who is the strongest out of the two of us." Kisame complained.
Itachi made eye contact with Kisame, causing the shark man to hesitate as he stared into the Sharingan, "You are most definitely stronger than I am Kisame." Itachi said before turning and walking away.
Kisame smirked and lowered his blade before feeling the pressure of a kunai on his jugular, "But I am most definitely a better ninja." the Itachi clone said from behind as it dispelled itself.
Kisame frowned until Itachi spoke, "We have to capture the Seven Tails. Let's save our strength." Itachi said.
Kisame scoffed as he leapt to Itachi's side before walking with him, "You're just worried about that lung cancer growing. We all die at some point anyway, I don't get why it's so important that your little brother be the one to do the deed." Kisame said, trying to draw out more information from Itachi.
Itachi smirked, causing Kisame to almost gasp as it was the first time he had seen the Uchiha show emotion, "Kisame…we all have a mission in life." Itachi said before his eyes snapped to their left and he jumped up into a tree, Kisame following behind him.
"What are we-"
"Quiet."
After a few moments, two people who had used the transformation jutsu to take their own appearance walked underneath them in the same direction as they were heading.
The fake Itachi spoke, "So, how long until the boss gets there and we can 'attack'?" he asked.
The fake Kisame shrugged, "I dunno, I don't think the plan would have changed that much. But what are the odds of anything going wrong? This situation was set up perfectly thanks to Sakura-Nee-chan. And Sasuke-aniki wants us to do it asap so we can go home…." The fake said as the two walked into the distance.
Kisame looked at Itachi with a shark-like grin, " 'Sakura-nee-chan' and 'Sasuke-aniki'? That's the Kyuubi brat and one of his friends disguised as us!" Kisame said as he reached behind his and hefted his blade.
Itachi shook his head, "No. the mentality of a self thinking clone is that their creator is the leader, or 'boss.' I believe these are some of Naruto's wood clones using our identities to attack the hidden waterfall village." Itachi concluded before dropping down to the ground.
Kisame landed next to him, "Hey I have an idea, if their plan is for the Kyuubi to get there and then they attack, let's have a little pre-emptive strike aye? Take out the clones and start attacking early. That way we can beat down this girl Jinchuuriki and then set up a trap for the nine tails hmm?" Kisame said.
Itachi nodded, "A sound plan. But I based my shadow clones off of a wood clone. They are able to give their memories back to the jutsu's user upon dispulson." Itachi explained.
Kisame frowned, "So, what do we do?" he asked.
Itachi thought for a moment before nodding, "Your water prison technique, as there anyway to use it from a distance to catch them off guard?" Itachi asked.
Kisame chuckled, "I'll tell ya if you tell me the answer to that question," he said as he placed his sword on his back once more.
Itachi looked at Kisame and Itachi felt an odd foreboding for the near future, "…As a ninja, our purpose is to do anything to protect the village…" Itachi started.
Kisame paused as for the first time, Itachi actually began to answer Kisame's question of why Itachi betrayed the leaf.
"…To most, that would mean laying down their lives for the village or even killing people close to them to keep their promise…"
"To others…it would mean killing everything you hold dear and taking the blame and pressure for that crime, just so their village is not consumed in a civil war that may actually be the trigger for the next Shinobi world war." Itachi finished before jumping up into the trees.
Kisame was silent as he followed along, 'Itachi…did you eradicate your clan to protect your village? Is this whole thing, your whole life…a sacrifice?'
##########
*BANG*
Sasuke sat up with a jolt, accidently knocking his board from the base of his bed onto the floor, 'Itachi…these dreams of mine are real aren't they?' Sasuke thought as he rubbed his bandaged eyes.
*Beep Beep Beep Beep*
Sasuke reached over for a few seconds before turning off his morning alarm. He threw his feet off the side of the bed before standing, 'Today's the day I find out if those scrolls were real.' Sasuke thought as he blindly wandered over to his draws, finding that Sakura had laid out his clothes for him once more.
A minute or so later and Sasuke turned, hearing a knock on his door, "Yes Karin-chan?" Sasuke asked.
He heard Karin open the door and enter, "Hey Sasuke-kun! You ready to get those bandages removed?" she asked as she took his hand.
Sasuke nodded, "Let's get going."
##########
Half an Hour Later
##########
*Knock Knock*
Tsunade smiled to Naruto as the two of them turned towards the door, "Come on in."
Hani opened the door from the inside and smiled softly as the two guests entered. She walked from the room, closing the door behind her.
Tsunade gestured forward, "Take a seat and let's see if your operation worked Sasuke." She said with a smile.
Karin led Sasuke to his seat before sitting in the one next to him as she spoke, "Sorry, but what exactly was the operation? Sasuke-kun said you would explain Tsunade-sama." She said curiously.
Naruto stepped forward and bent down to unwrap Sasuke's bandages as Tsunade crouched so that she could have a closer look while explaining, "Well, the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan has four levels, although I have no idea what the fourth level is apparently these two know since Sasuke found it in the clan secrets a while back. Anyway, the first is the Sharingan which you know only comes to life under large amounts of stress or loss or an emotion of the like." She began.
"The next is the Mangekyou Sharingan. Which was forbidden from obtaining since the only known way to unlock it was through killing someone close to you, or close to your heart. The most common of which was a sibling or best friend. The intense emotion of loss from such an event causes the eyes to evolve. Giving the owner of the eyes enhanced vision and access to the two Mangekyou techniques, Amaterasu and Susano'o along with a third that is different depending on the user." She said as the bandages fell from Sasuke's eyes.
"The third is the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. It is pretty much the same as the Mangekyou except that it does not damage the eyes with each use and the chakra cost is halved along with gaining the specific technique of the person you swapped with. The process is to trade your own eyes with a sibling. The thing is, it is not specified that the original person needs the Mangekyou Sharingan to obtain the Eternal Mangekyou but either way we hope it works." Tsunade said before glancing at Karin, "That's pretty much the icing." She said with a wink.
Karin nodded slowly, "Wow.." she said quietly.
Tsunade turned back to Sasuke, who had his eyes closed as Naruto kneeled next to his grandmother, "You can open your eyes now Sasuke." Tsunade said.
Sasuke lifted his head and slowly opened his onyx eyes, "I can see fine." Sasuke said with a smirk.
Naruto and Tsunade nodded, "Great! Activate your chakra when you're ready." Tsunade said.
Sasuke smirked and blinked on his Sharingan, "Even the Sharingan is clearer, and it took nearly no chakra to activate." Sasuke informed them before taking a deep breath and sending extra chakra to his eyes.
Naruto grinned as Tsunade spoke, "That's it! The Mangekyou Sharingan!" Tsunade claimed as she lay her sight on Sasuke's evolved eyes.
Naruto shook his head, "No it's not! That's different from Itachi's, that's the Eternal!" Naruto said with a cheer.
Sasuke smirked, 'This Sharingan recorded those memories of yours Itachi. Eventually I'll be able to think through them all and then I'll know your full story.' He thought as he stood.
Naruto stood in front of Sasuke, "Okay, let's see if you can use Itachi's Mangekyou technique. Do we need to step outside?" Naruto asked.
Sasuke smirked and pulsed his EMS (Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan), "TSUKUYOMI!"
A few seconds later, Naruto fell back against Tsunade's desk, shaking his head, "What was that?" he asked.
Sasuke closed his eyes and smirked, "My brother's ultimate Genjutsu. The one I told you about that could only be broken with sage chakra and maybe with demonic chakra." Sasuke explained as he opened his eyes and turned to Karin.
His eyes danced as he took in her eyes down to the finest detail, he was slightly mesmerised as the light bounced off her glasses, until Tsunade poked his forehead, "Snap out of it loverboy. I want you to take a break to let the eyes get used to being active again, but remember your training with Neji will begin at midday. Got it?" she said to Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded then grasped Karin's hand, "Should we get going? It seems I have some news for everyone at home." He said with a smirk.
Karin smiled and nodded with a smile, "Yeah! Let's go!"
And with that the two faded in Sasuke's Mirage Shunshin, leaving Naruto to turn to Tsunade and smirk, "So, does that make me an official field medic?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade returned the smirk before walking around her desk, "Yeah yeah smart guy. You've passed the test with flying colours." She said as she took a small badge from her draw and chucked it to him.
Naruto caught the badge and grinned, "So when is my elemental test?" he asked.
Tsunade sighed, "You haven't given me your top three elements yet so I can't set it up. This test is much harder than just the Chunnin or Jonin exams. And I'm not sure if you've given real thought to what you're going to do with the Genjutsu portion." She said with a smirk.
Naruto just smiled as he listened, pulling out a small case that had the symbol of the leaf village on it before putting the Medic Badge in next to the Safety Badge, which he obtained when he proved he could successfully save someone from a dangerous situation while remaining fight-capable.
Naruto smirked, "I think I can handle it." he said before leaning over the table and giving Tsunade a kiss on the forehead just like she used to do to him, "Later Baa-chan!" he said.
*FLASH*
*BAM*
Naruto flashed from the room just in time as a stapler flew from Tsunade's hand and through the door, destroying a large portion of it before imbedding into the opposite wall.
A frowning yet smirking Tsunade sat back down and huffed, "Damn brat, messing with me just cause he's taller now." She said with a slight chuckle.
The door opened and in walked Hani, who placed a pile of papers on the desk then gave two to Tsunade, "This is the application for someone to go get you a new stapler, and this is the application for a new door." Hani said with a smile before stepping into the Genjutsu covering the back of the office.
Tsunade looked at the door, then at the papers, "Ah dammit!" she yelled before Hani's arm stuck out of the area Genjutsu, holding her ruler at the ready.
*WHACK*
"Ow!"
##########
"WIND STYLE: FULL SUCTION!"
Naruto flew high into the air, pulling the black flames of the Amaterasu up with him, 'I couldn't put them out with water, I couldn't put them out by pulling out the oxygen, so let's see if they still burn if there is nothing to burn on!' Naruto thought.
He appeared above the treetops, pulling all of the Amaterasu flames above him before letting go and flashing back to the ground, landing next to a kunai he had thrown earlier in their test spar.
"Hey Otouto," Sasuke said before grinning confidently, causing Naruto to frown, "Look up." He said with a chuckle as he looked up at the accumulation of black fire.
"INFERNO STYLE: FLAME CONTROL!"
Naruto gulped as the black flames formed a large spike and plunged down at him, "SHIT!" he yelled as he lifted his kunai from the ground and held it up.
"HIRASHIN: PORTAL!"
A portal about the size of Naruto's body opened up in front of him and the Amaterasu flame spear was swallowed up inside before the portal closed.
Naruto dropped the kunai and fell onto his ass, "Damn man, that was intense!" Naruto said before chuckling in disbelief.
Sasuke smirked, "I feel like I could do that fifty more times before my chakra is done." He said as he walked over to Naruto.
Naruto grinned as he stood, putting his kunai away, "But what about your Susano'o? It's not a full one like Itachi's."
Sasuke frowned as he nodded, his eyes flashed as a purple rib cage of chakra appeared around him, "That may be so, but it still managed to stop most of your attacks." Sasuke said before the Susano'o faded.
"Man, I feel like I'm being left behind again." Sakura said from her place in a nearby tree.
Naruto looked over to her and smiled, "I wouldn't say left behind…but yeah." He said with a grin.
*SLAM*
Naruto coughed as he fell to his knees holding his stomach, Sakura stood tall and huffed, cracking her knuckled which had previously been slammed into Naruto's gut.
Sasuke chuckled at the 'harmless banter' before glancing to his right as Neji stepped out from the treeline.
"You three are definitely strong enough to be Jonin." Neji started, "But these exams are going to test you all in many more ways than strength. I barely managed to pass with my life." He finished as he came to a stop in front of the trio.
Sakura raised a brow, "Is it like the Chunnin exams?" she asked.
Neji shook his head, "In a way I guess so. There is a survival test and there will be a tournament test. But there are also five other tests involved that vary each year other than the base point of the test." He informed.
Team seven nodded in unison before Neji waved for them to sit down. Naruto did so right away but the other two frowned before Sasuke spoke, "Aren't we a bit old for a class lesson?" he asked.
Neji raised a brow, "Are you saying you don't need my help? That you already know all you need to?" Neji asked.
Sasuke frowned as Sakura plopped down. The Uchiha sighed before sitting down as well, Neji smirked, "Good, you almost failed the intelligence test. In the actual exams they give you only one chance. I gave you two. Only Naruto passed one hundred percent." Neji informed them, causing Naruto to grin.
Sakura rolled her eyes, "Okay then Neji-sempai, where do we begin?" she asked.
Neji smirked, "For now, I'm going to explain the tests to you. All I know for certain is that the first Five tests can be any of eight possibilities, the sixth test is survival and the final test will be a randomized three-at-a-time tournament." Neji said as he kneeled down and rolled out a small sealing scroll.
Naruto frowned, "A what-what?"
Neji chuckled.
*POOF*
"This," Neji said as he gestured to the white board he had unsealed, "Is how the tournament works. Every ninja will be able to continue from each test up until the very end unless they or the Jonin who escorted them says otherwise." Neji began.
"Every team will select which one of them are numbers 1, 2 and 3. Then in the same large arena, there will be a tournament of all the 1's 2's and 3's going at the same time." Neji explained.
Sasuke frowned, "So basically, I will be fighting one person while there are two other fights going on around me? Am I allowed to interfere with other fights and vise versa?" he asked.
Neji nodded, "Precisely and yes." He confirmed before turning back to his board, "Each and every one of these fights are until one person forfeits or they are unable to battle. But as a Jonin, you cannot hesitate to kill someone if you have the chance. None of the three tournaments will be announced as over until there are only three fighters left. The three at the top will be declared Jonin no matter what then village's own Kages will be able to choose who from their ninjas get to become Jonin." Neji said as he pointed to his drawings and explanations on the board.
"Any questions?"
Sakura stuck up her hand as she began speaking, "With the Chunnin exams, most teams were from the leaf since that is where it was held. Can the same be said for the Jonin exams?"
Neji nodded, "Definitely. Since you guys will be heading to the Land of Lightning, a place in which the land of fire is nowhere near, we'll only be sending two of the thirty teams that are allowed to apply."
Naruto interrupted, "Why only thirty?" he asked.
Neji shrugged, "That's just the way it is. The village hosting gets ten spots promised and the other villages get a guarantee of one spot, if they want more they have to be there in time to sign up for it."
Naruto nodded as Sasuke asked, "Is that all for the Tournament?"
Neji glanced across his white board, "Yeah it pretty much is. Now since I've explained the only part I really can, we will spend the afternoon sparring with the limitations I have set for you so that you aren't recognised as your Bingo Book alias'." Neji said as he flipped the board around.
He pointed to the first name, "Naruto: you are not allowed to be seen using any Bloodline techniques, no bones, no wood, no ice, no morphic-nature chakra thing. Also, no Hirashin at all." Neji said.
Naruto was frowning but nodding, up until Neji said no Hirashin, "What!? That's ridiculous! So what the hell can I do?" he asked.
Neji smirked, "Not my problem, you lucky that it's common knowledge that a blonde leaf ninja has obtained Samehada. You can keep the blade with you and use it to it's maximum efficiency."Neji said.
Naruto huffed as he grinded his teeth together, "I have no say in this?" he asked.
Neji shook his head, "Up until the tournament these are the rules, you can use anything you need there. Except for the Hirashin." He informed.
Naruto blinked, "Oh, well I guess that's not so bad." He mumbled.
Neji moved on, "Sakura: No Phoenixes or Phoenix jutsus at all. You can't be seen using Wheels Unlimited and No flight. Got it?" he asked.
Sakura frowned, "So, I can use Radical good speed's upgrades individually, except no wings right? Up until the tournament?" she asked.
Neji nodded and Sakura pouted, "Well, I guess I can handle it til then." She grumbled.
Neji smirked as he moved on, "And finally Sasuke: No hood, No Seals, No Scythe, Club or fans." He said.
Sasuke practically glared, "I am not allowed to use any of my seals? At all?" he asked angrily.
Neji nodded, "Well, you cannot be seen using seals since that was the main thing everyone knew about the reaper; he got all his amazing abilities from seals." Neji explained.
Sasuke's mind raced, "…What about my board?" he asked.
Neji smirked, "Yes, you can use your board, but if ever asked, you paid to get the seals put on or the things you do with it are jutsus. Same goes with your umbrella." He explained.
Sasuke nodded, "And my Sharingan?" he asked.
Neji nodded, "You are known as the Last Uchiha. It would be stupid to not show the Uchiha's power."
Sasuke smirked, "Alright, I can live with this." He answered.
Neji grinned as he kicked the white board, causing it to roll away on its wheels until it stopped against a tree, "We will spend the rest of the afternoon sparring with these restrictions. It will be hard for you three but it is necessary." Neji said as he unbuttoned the top of his white long sleeve shirt, showing the chakra armour hidden underneath before standing in the gentle fist style.
"Sasuke against Sakura first, Naruto come at me!"
##########
Chapter End.
Thanks for reading, please Read and Review, not really feeling as motivated lately so really need a push in the write direction, haha see what I did there?
Sorry I didn't post it earlier, just finished it in time!
over the next two weeks I'll be extremely busy, so I will probably have to put up the next chapter late, sorry.
Anyways, please Read and Review, Alky Uchiha
