Disclaimer: Naruto and All It's Characters Are Owned By Masashi Kishimoto

A Song of Sorrow

(Outside Konoha)

"You hear about the Uchiha boy?" Asks a man to his walking companion.

"Ya, but my money defiantly is on that Gaara kid from the sand village." Retorts the other man, patting his pockets. "Don't let this get out or I will make less ... but I have it from a good source that Gaara is the son of the Yondaime Kazekage."

The first man gasped. "But ... Sasuke is an Uchiha. His brother slaughtered their entire clan." The man grabs a brochure out of his pocket. "See look at his stats ... and I've heard Kakashi Hatake is training him himself."

The second man shrugs his shoulders and peers back at a third man following closely behind. Squinting his eyes at him he looks back ahead at the gates. "Well regardless this is gonna be a fun tournament."

The first man chuckles. "Don't get ahead of yourself we still have two days until then."

XxX

(Konoha Gates)

"All foreign civilians and ninja must log in over here!" Shouts a Konoha ninja from behind a desk.

"And all merchants come over here and log your goods in!" Shouts out a second Ninja adjacent to the first.

Seems the security is being beefed up Minori ponders before turning towards the first desk.

Minori sensing a presence turns to face three Anbu members circling him. The middle one steps forward to speak. "Please come with us sir."

Minori smiling internally speaks with a faux look of fear. "Sure ... I'm not in trouble or anything, am I?"

The center Anbu pushes her purple hair behind her shoulders. "Just come with us."

Minori shrugging his shoulders begins following the center Anbu while the other two flank him. They certainly seem nervous ... even Yugao "So where exactly are we going If I may ask?"

One of the Anbu behind Minori speaks up. "The Sandaime requests your presence sir."

Minori, running a hand through his hair chuckles. "Wow ... I'm honored, are you sure I'm the right person you're looking for?" Minori finishes with a bright smile.

The third Anbu in a young voice speaks out in a timid tone. "You, you're Minori Namikaze, right?"

Minori turning around to face the masked boy, sees him stiffen up. "Ya I am ... whats your name friend?"

The boy about to speak up is silenced by Yugao. "We can't tell you our names ... you know those are secret."

Minori looking forward nods and lets out a hearty chuckle. "How could I forget ... sorry about that." She can't really think I don't know who she is ... I could pick that purple hair out of any crowd

Minori looking around the village sees children playing. "Good to see the village hasn't changed much ... still as happy and bright as ever."

Yugao leading the group simply grunts out a "Yes."

Minori looking up at the Hokage Monument asks. "So a successor still hasn't been chosen I see." And after a few moments of silence he states. "So I've heard the Chunin Exams this year are gonna be good."

Minori sighing at their continued silence exclaims. "You guys are really boring you know that?" Resulting in even more silence. They definitely are feeling awkward escorting me around ... well no reason to make this easy on them Minori running out of group runs over to a food cart resulting in the Anbu running after him.

"Hey get back here!" Yugao screams at the sprinting Minori who comes to a halt in front of a food stand.

"I'd like one pork bun please." Minori exclaims to the salesmen as the three Anbu come to a skidding halt behind him.

The man hopping back from the quartet swallows hard before handing Minori a steaming bun. "Here you go sir ... on the house."

Minori with a wide smile preforms a quick bow. "Thank you very much sir."

Minori after taking a bite from the steaming bun is lead back to the path by the trio of Anbu. "Don't do that again." Barks out the older male Anbu.

Minori mouth full of pork says. "Sorry about that ... but my walk here was kind of long and those meat buns smelled so good." Minori swallowing down the first half of his food asks. "So ... what does the Hokage want with me?"

Yugao still trudging forward retorts. "We don't know ... we were just told to bring you to him as soon as entered the village."

Minori licking his fingers after finishing the last of his snack sees the Hokage's Mansion come into sight.

"Whelp ... time to go meet the Hokage." Minori exclaims.

XxX

(Hokage Mansion)

"Lord Hokage, Minori Namikaze is here." Yugao says through the door.

Minori yawning audible, hears shuffling going on in the room before hearing the Hokage ask for him to be brought in.

Minori still circled by the three Anbu sees Hiruzen sitting behind his desk with a large smile on his face. "Thank you for escorting him here, but if you please may you seal the room and leave us?"

Yugao taking a quick bow replies. "Yes sir."

Hiruzen nodding his head ushers Minori to take a seat. Minori stopping in front of a wooden chair slides his backpack to the floor and takes a seat with an audible grunt.

Hiruzen after watching the Anbu leave the room speaks. "Well ... you've grown. Seems like only yesterday you were barely five feet and now look, you're taller then me now."

Minori now adopting a large smile exclaims. "Well, thank you sir."

Hiruzen still staring at Minori feels a uncomfortable silence fall over the room as the book case in the corner slides away to reveal a hidden passageway.

Minori turning his head sees a cane appear first from the darkness followed by it's owner Danzo.

Hiruzen turning his head, remarks in an irritated tone. "I asked you to come later ..."

Danzo not taking note of the guest, sits down adjacent to him and replies. "I wanted to be here."

Hiruzen cautiously takes a quick glance at Minori who is staring intently at Danzo. It was almost five years ago now, that he attempted to assassinate Danzo "So ... Minori how was your training?"

Minori looking back towards Hiruzen with smile retorts. "Very well."

A frown finds it's way to Hiruzen's face. And? "Have you learned any new Jutsus?"

Minori nods again. "Yes."

Danzo clears his throat and then says. "Please explain these ... new Jutsus. I'm assure you, Hiruzen and I are very interested to see what five years of wasted manpower as resulted in, while you were gone."

Minori not taking the bait, calmly replies. "My chakra reserves have grown nearly 10 times there original limit, I can create 30 explosive clones, I've mastered both my fire and wind affinity's, and I've brought my Fuinjutsu up to Jonin level."

Hiruzen nodding his head asks. "I'm expecting you to write up and report and mission briefing on those five years ... including a detailed list of your current Jutsus." Minori nods in agreement. "And I-"

"Hope I'm not interrupting." Asks a large white haired man hopping in the room through the window.

Hiruzen not looking back replies. "I was wondering where you were Jiraiya. But like I was saying I-"

Jiraiya walking over to Minori grabs him by the chin and begins examining him. "Well ... you've certainly grown up kid." Jiraiya then starts pulling at Minori's shaggy hair. "Nice healthy brown locks like your dad ..." Jiraiya lifts him to his feet. "Good height ... I'm guessing 5'7 ... nice and lean as well, I'd say 140-ish." Jiraiya then puts him back down in the chair, clearly ignoring Hiruzen's speech. "I'd say you've grown up into a healthy young man ... Minato would be proud."

"Did you here me." Hiruzen asks.

Minori clearly embarrassed runs his hand through his hair. "Well I've tried ... hope you aren't still peeping on women."

Jiraiya adopts a faux look of disgust. "What kind of man do you think I am." Jiraiya pulls out an orange book and thrusts it into Minori's hand. "I am a accomplished best selling author, I would never stoop so low as to peeping."

"Are you listening?!" Hiruzen asks, clearly annoyed.

Minori turning the book over replies. "Then why have you been banned from so many bathhouses?"

Jiraiya exclaims. "Those simple minded fools don't realize that I'm researching material for my next book and that they should be honored-"

"SHUT UP!" Hiruzen screams. "I'm trying to explain what your role will be now that you are back."

Minori and Jiraiya both look at Hiruzen and then back at each other before sitting back down quietly.

Hiruzen sighs as Danzo simply blinks his visible eye at his old comrades outburst. Hiruzen then speaks up. "I'll start over then."

XxX

(30 Minutes Later)

Hiruzen and Minori now the only ones left in the room are silent as Minori reads over a briefing Hiruzen had given to him.

Minori rubbing his eyes thinks. So it seems the Akatsuki have been noticed by the leaf as well. "So ... why did you show this to me?" Minori asks and then places the folder back on the table.

"I will be relying on you now, more then ever." Hiruzen looks deep into Minori's eyes. "I need you to be the ninja you were always meant to be ... not tomorrow not next week ... now."

Minori staring back at Hiruzen asks. "Why? ... why now, and why do think I even want to assist you with anymore of your schemes." Minori jumps to his feet. "You sailed me down the river if you remember ... I was the one used in your schemes against Danzo."

Hiruzen trying to calm Minori says. "Trust me ... I know your pain."

"Trust? ... trust? you want me to trust you." Minori lets out a laugh chuckle and sits back down. "You want me to trust you? You forsake me if you remember, you just ignored me like some dog you didn't want anymore ... and now that I've returned home. Now that I've returned home, you expect me to jump right back into your arms."

Hiruzen averts his eyes. "Hate me if you want ... but please don't give up on this village."

Minori grinding his teeth breaths out loudly. "Fine ... for the village and for my brother." Minori sits back down. "You wanted to know what I learned these last years, well around three years ago a man from the Akatsuki approached me."

Hiruzen in surprise looks up. "And?"

Minori with glazed over eyes begins telling Hiruzen about the meeting.

XxX

(3 Years Ago)

"Damn it ... you sure you're not a ninja kid? You haven't missed one shot." Exclaims a clearly annoyed man, watching Minori hit three bulls-eyes on a dart board."

Minori downing a cup of sake replies. "I'm sure." Minori slamming the cup down on the table leisurely tosses another bulls-eye and signals the bar keep for another one. "If my eyesight doesn't fail me, I believe I need one more for the prize money."

The large bald man from earlier grunts. "Ya five darts and you get 100,000 ryo."

A smaller man screams. "There is no way he'll hit the next marker it's over 30 feet away."

Minori standing up from his stool follows the bar down to the next marker. Meeting the bartender who is holding his next drink. "I think you've said that since the second dart." Minori points out before lobbing the dart over his head as he downs his next drink. "Well ..." Minori turning around sees the large bald man holding the dart in his hand. "Well now thats cheating." Minori shaking his head smirks at the man.

The man snaps the dart in his hand and screams. "I know when I'm being hustled you little shit." The man nodding to his two friends begin surrounding Minori. "Now I suggest you empty your wallet now ... and maybe I won't take n' inch off your life." The man spits down at Minori.

Minori sniffling signals the barkeeper for another drink before meeting the bald man's gaze. "... How about you pay me MY money and I won't crack that bald head of yours like an egg."

The bald man snickers and slams his fist into Minori's face, launching him over the stool. "Well ... that smart mouth of yours still working." The man remarks.

Minori getting back to his feet dusts himself off. "Well that was a good hit, maybe after 20 more you'll actually bruise me."

The bald man nods to his buddy on the left and he charges at Minori with a raised fist.

Minori calmly ducks the strike and after grabbing his arm, he swings him over the bar. The man quickly getting back to his feet tries to climb back over before Minori grabbing him by the back of the head, slams him face first onto counter.

Minori starring back at the duo asks. "Would you like to pay me my money now?"

The bald man's remaining friend pulls a knife and charges at Minori.

Minori sighing exclaims. "He's just as sloppy and slow as the other." The man thrusts his knife trying to stab him. Minori calmly slaps the man's arm away before swiping the knife from him and then stabbing it into his hand. Which embeds it into the bar's counter. The man screaming in pain tries in vain to remove it. "I wouldn't do that if I was you ... I just penetrated the Dorsal vein, you'll bleed out without a doctor.

The bald leader lifting up a table tosses it at Minori while screaming. "You're gonna get it you little shit!" Minori calmly spins out of it's way and tosses an empty glass which shatters on the bald mans forehead cutting it open and enraging him.

"You really should just give my money." Minori states.

The bald man runs at Minori and uses a head kick. Minori tilting his head dodges the kick and sees the man through a cross from the opposite direction. This guy actually seems like he's had some experience fighting. Minori catching his fist cranks down snapping his wrist quickly. But he would barely make me struggle when I was at the academy. The bald man roaring in pain is pulled from his feet as Minori slams his head into the wall, causing a crack to form up to the ceiling from the impact of the man's face.

Minori dropping the man, watches him slump to the floor unconscious. Turning to the crowd watching the exchange he smiles. "Sorry about the commotion, go back to drinking." Squatting down he pulls the bald mans purse out and empties it into his hand and after counting 200,000 ryo he drops 100,000 on the counter and downs his last drink. "Sorry about the mess hope this covers it." The barkeeper quickly nods his head and grabs the money ignoring the the screaming man still pinned to the bar.

Minori patting the man on his shoulder, says. "Don't worry about your friend over there ... he'll have a massive headache but he'll live." Minori walking away stops and looks down at the embedded knife and says. "Make sure you get a doctor to look at that for you."

Minori exiting the bar begins walking towards his hotel. I'll probably have to leave now ... rather not fight the rest of his gang.

XxX

(1 Hour Later)

"Thank you for your patronage." States a heavyset man before bowing.

Minori in response nods and exits the hotel with his backpack slung over his shoulder. Minori looking around at the blisteringly hot village places his black straw hat and begins towards the village exit.

Minori waving towards the old man serving as the village guard hears him shout a farewell. Minori smiling at his friendly demeanor then stops dead in his tracks.

Minori dropping his backpack tosses his hat away and shouts. "RASENGAN!" Minori charging like a bullet at the old man watches him flip away into the center of the road.

The gate guard opens his mouth as a distinctive voice pours. "Well, what kind of greeting is that for your old Sensei?"

Minori dispelling the Rasengan spits. "Your right ... forgive me for missing!" Minori screams and summons three shadow clones. Minori and his three clones charge at the gate guard and in sync they begin throwing a barrage of punches and kicks forcing the gate guard to dodge and block with alarming speed.

"You've gotten better ... should have expected no less." The guard exclaims. "But you're still not good enough!" The guard catches one of the fists and sinks his teeth into the clones neck dispelling it and then throws a kick to another's midsection again dispelling it. The two remaining Minori's attempt to sandwich the old man in between there kicks. "Not fast enough." The guard ducks the kicks by a hair and delivers a stiff uppercut causing the Minori to disappear in a puff of smoke. "So thats the real you." The guard spins around and catches Minori by the throat and lifts him off the ground. "You've gotten much better my pupil ... but you're still light years away."

Minori smirking at the guard screams. "FIRST GATE: GATE OF OPENING OPEN!" Minori swings his leg up and cracks the old man under the jaw and still in flight he punches him in the mouth launching the old man away towards the clearing.

The old man getting back to his smiles devilishly at Minori before bursting into a puff of smoke. "Now this will be a treat ..." The pale man stepping out of the smoke cackles in joy revealing himself to be Orochimaru.

Minori screaming in rage says. "YOU'RE GONNA PAY!"

Orochimaru cracking his neck smiles. "Worried about Anko are you?"

Minori dropping down to a squat begins a blur of hand signs before screaming. "FIRE STYLE: HELL CLAP!" Minori clapping his hands together sends a shock wave of intense heat at the snake sannin who for the first time has a look of surprise.

Minori in amazement sees a large wall of iron fall from the sky to block his jutsu. What the hell is that? Minori sees a redheaded man who looks about his own age come out from the bushes.

Orochimaru turns his head to look at the new arrival. "Aww ... I was having so much fun playing with my old pupil and you ruined my fun Sasori." Orochimaru whines before laughing darkly.

Sasori with a look of passiveness retorts. "We were not sent here to here to fight him." Sasori looking back towards Minori, raises his hand forcing the wall of iron to rise. "That was a very powerful technique you have there." Sasori points out.

Minori squinting his eyes ignores Sasori and asks. "So if you aren't here to kill me-" Minori getting out of his fighting form points at Sasori and continues. "Then what do you want?"

Orochimaru coming to a stop next to Sasori finishes. "We are here to give you a formal invitation to join the Akatsuki."

Minori chuckles. "And why would I want to join any group that would welcome a snake like you into?"

Sasori continues. "We are a group that is striving for world peace."

Minori closing the first gate sighs. "Well ... that certainly does not sound like a group you'd join Orochimaru-sensei."

Orochimaru frowns. "For as wise as you believe yourself to be, there is still many things you don't know about me."

"So ... how do you plan to achieve peace then?" Minori asks.

"If you would know then you have to join us." Sasori states.

Minori laughs while dusting of his hat. "Thats a hell of a leap of faith." Minori depositing it back onto his head states. "Thanks but no thanks."

Orochimaru smirks. "I told you this was a waste of time." Orochimaru stepping forward is stopped by Sasori.

"We were told not to kill him." Sasori reminds Orochimaru.

Orochimaru sighs. "Well, seems today isn't the day we see how strong you really are ... well then my little pupil it seems we must go."

Minori putting his backpack on retorts. "One day ... we will truly see if you are immortal."

XxX

(Present Day)

"So you say Orochimaru and 'Sasori of the Red Sand' approached you to join there group for world peace." Hiruzen repeats while rubbing his chin resulting in Minori nodding. "You know that they are known as a mercenary group for hire."

Minori shakes his head "I learned that a few years later." Minori looking into Hiruzens eyes states. "I also know Orochimaru left the group after attempting to steal Itachi's eyes."

Hiruzen nods. "It seems they exiled him after that." After a short silence Hiruzen reaching under his desk pulls out a rolled piece of paper and hands it to Minori and then gets up and moves over to a chest in the corner.

Minori, after unrolling the paper sees it is his paper work identifying him as a Jonin. So he was serious then.

Hiruzen returning to his desk hands Minori his old flak vest. "So starting today you are officially logged back in as a Jonin of Konoha."

Minori grabbing the vest folds it under his arm and nods. "If you would like I'll start active duty right now."

Hiruzen shakes his head. "I would like to keep you around the village for now ... let you get reacquainted." Hiruzen lowers his voice. "And I don't like the feelings I'm getting about this Chunin exam."

Minori nods. "Do you think Orochimaru will make his move during the finals?" Hiruzen nods causing Minori to sigh. "Can we not expect the sand to help?"

Hiruzen shakes his head. "They may be working together, I fear"

Minori nods his head. "Are there any instructions you'd like me to follow during the exams?"

"It seems he has his eye on Sasuke so keep your eye on him if you would." Minori nods and then Hiruzen continues. "But before that I need you to use your new sealing skills for a delicate situation.

Minori squints his eyes in confusion as Hiruzen continues.