AN: And it's back! Here I am again, kiddies, with the next chapter of what is still my favorite story to write! Sorry this took so long; I wanted to make sure this one was up to snuff, plus I had unexpected bouts of inspiration on a couple other stories, but my schedule should be clear now! Another dialogue heavy chapter here, so this is your fair warning!
Chapter 11: There Can Be Only One…
"Sir!" Glynda panicked as she bolted out of the elevator and into the Headmaster's office while holding a Scroll. "Naruto Uzumaki and Blake Belladonna of Team NBSE have been found!"
"Where?" Ozpin demanded as he stood sharply.
"It's not a matter of 'where', Professor." A very familiar synthetic voice came out of the Scroll Glynda was holding. "But a matter of 'when'."
"Specter…" The bespectacled man swiped the Scroll from Glynda's grasp and glared hatefully into the display. "So, you're responsible for their disappearance?"
"For two weeks I've held them." Specter nodded. "I felt as if you were ignoring me, my friend, so I decided to give you a bit of incentive to hunt me even harder."
"You're using them as if they were playthings!" He shouted. "They're innocent! They had nothing to do with anything!"
"Miss Belladonna turned her back on my allies." Specter pointed out, his synthesizer adding a growl to his voice. "And Naruto turned his back on me personally. We were in a position to change things for the better and he betrayed me."
"So this is you getting even while at the same time toying with me?" Ozpin's tone darkened. "When you lose this war, I will take such pleasure in ripping that mask off your face before executing you."
"I didn't think you were capable of such hatred, Professor." Specter chided. "Unfortunately, while you're brooding, my men are currently moving Naruto and Blake both, as well as Miss Rose, so they could be in a number of locations; not even I know where until they're actually in place."
"Give me. My students. Back." Ozpin's grip upon the Scroll was tightening by the second.
"You're in no position to dictate terms to me, my friend… not yet, at least." Specter waived the threat off. "And until you are, I think I'll simply sit back and continue to dance circles around you." He then leaned into the display so his visor was level with the camera. "Adieu, Professor."
And with that, the display abruptly shut off around the same time that Ozpin had completely crushed the Scroll in hand, his Aura protecting him from most of the damage.
"Damn him!" He threw the fragments away. "Damn them all!"
(With Specter: Same time)
"You made a pretty good Specter there." Roman complimented as the broadcast shut down and 'Specter' removed his mask, revealing none other than Frost. "Like damn good."
"Somebody had to cover Naru's ass while he's in his home dimension." Frost shrugged as he set the mask down upon a desk. "At least this way, we have an excuse as to why both he and Blake have been missing."
"Speaking of the cat…" Roman lit a cigar and began walking beside his snow fox Faunus comrade. "It's about time for someone to take another crack at swaying her to our side."
"It had to be done by the time Naru gets back." Frost nodded. "I'll take over today; she hasn't seen me yet."
"Better you than Neo." Roman shrugged.
Along the way, Frost stopped to redress himself in his standard clothing and once done, made way to Blake's holding cell where he fished around in his pockets for the key to the door and unlocked it. Immediately upon stepping into the room, Frost stopped himself from wincing when he saw her huddled into one of the far corners of the room, knees hugged against her chest and head lying upon her knees. Though absolutely no one had touched her, there were spots of dried blood upon her fingertips and scars upon the heavy wooden door where she tried using her claws to scratch her way out to no avail.
Upon hearing the door to her room open, she slowly lifted her head from her knees to stare into the icy blue orbs of a person she thought she could trust.
"I was wondering when you'd be by." She said. "I'm not stupid; I know you were the one who pistol whipped me and brought me here."
"I had to, Blake." Frost stepped fully into the room and shut the scarred door behind him. "You learned something you shouldn't have; I had to bring you here, for your own safety."
"Where's Naruto?" She snapped. "The real Naruto?"
"Gone." He answered honestly. "He's not here right now."
"… So he was in on this as well." She ducked her head down once again.
"We're both trying to do what's right here, Blake." Frost placated. "We're a part of this revolution because we believe that change has to come sooner than later; we're fighting for a better future."
"Just leave me in here." Her voice quivered. "Naruto's abandoned me; he knows I'd never agree to this."
"He hasn't abandoned you, Blake." He shook his head. "He's doing all of this for you."
"Specter has a hold of his leash now." Teary amber eyes peered up into icy blue. "When Specter sees that I'm not willing to cooperate, he'll order Naruto to kill me…" She clenched her eyes shut. "And he'll do it."
"He would NOT." Frost continued to press.
"He never loved me; I was just his cover while he infiltrated Beacon." She sobbed. "He played me like a flute and I believed him. I trusted him." Her head shot up and she glared at him as the unshed tears began to fall. "I LOVED him!"
With nothing to say, all Frost did was stand there and watched as she broke before him.
"He always was sociopathic, yet despite knowing this, I thought he could change… I hoped he could change!" She continued. "But he's worse than he was before and this time, he's being enabled by an equally malicious terrorist who's more than happy to let him off the leash!"
"You're so, so wrong." Frost sighed. "I'll not bother explaining it to you; just sit here and wallow in your delusions until he gets back." He stopped himself as he gripped the handle of the door and peered over his shoulder. "You'll see, Blake. You'll see just how utterly wrong you are."
As he exited and locked the door behind him, Frost let out a heavy sigh as he leaned back first against said door and ran a hand down his face.
'Naru…' He mentally mused. 'I hope taking this vacation of yours is worth it…'
(Elemental Nations: Amegakure: Same time)
"Go on." One ROOT agent gestured to the door in front of both him and his partner. "Interrupt Hokage-sama, I dare you."
As if on cue, a long and loud moan from a woman escaped the closed confines of the wooden obstruction in front of them.
"I'm not risking my neck on the off chance that I get an eyeful of Sakura-sama." The agent's partner shook his head. "I'm not willing to die just because of an accidental peek."
"Well, one of us has to call him to the meeting." The first agent folded his arms over his chest. "Danzo-sama and Konan-sama are waiting for him."
"NARUTOOO~~!" They heard Sakura once again howl out in pure ecstasy.
"Hell no." The second shook his head once again and backed away from the door. "I'm not dying for this, nor am I interrupting them."
"Out of my way." Came the voice of Sai as he pushed past the two agents and marched right up to the door and fearlessly rapped his fist against it a few good heavy times. "Naruto, there's a meeting!"
"He's – AAH – cominggg~!" Sakura called out for her husband.
"In more ways than one, it seems." The first agent muttered to his partner.
"Today's the day!" Sai called back. "So hurry up and finish so we can make good time!"
Soon enough, all had fallen silent, save for a faint rustling sound followed by footsteps and finally the door was opened, revealing a smirking and disheveled Naruto wearing nothing but a pair of pants.
"Look, you fucking buzzkill." He glared at Sai, but never dropped his smirk. "If I wasn't in such a good mood now, I'd probably hit you for interrupting us."
"But?" Sai quirked an eyebrow.
"But, you're right." He sighed. "Today's the day to declare to the world that I'm alive and I'm coming for my village."
"Finally." The pale painter sighed in relief. "When can we expect you?"
"Immediately." He answered. "Just let me get dressed."
As he closed the door and rounded the corner back into his bedroom, he took a moment to take in the very naked form of Sakura lying upon their bed, basking in a post-coitus glow as she smiled and watched him cross the room.
"This recent Kage's Summit won't know what hit them." She spoke as she stood and pecked her husband on the lips. "Show them you're alive and well, show them that you're still the Hokage Konoha deserves."
"You're talking as if you're not gonna be there with me." He chuckled as he returned the kiss. "Your rehab's gone well; you're fit for duty again."
"I know." She sighed. "I've never been a good talker, though. You're leading the negotiations, so everything rests in your hands."
"I can handle it." He flashed a smirk. "Now hurry up and get dressed. We have to make it to Konoha in a timely fashion."
Quickly, the pair began redressing themselves in their new sets of clothing. Sakura was now wearing a maroon red sleeveless qipao top trimmed with white that held the Uzumaki clan crest stitched into its back, medium gray cargo shorts that stopped at her knees, a short-sleeved chain mesh undershirt under her qipao, steel shin guards underneath her calf high ANBU sandals, black gloves adorning her hands, a kunai holster upon her right thigh, the standard hip pouch upon her lower back, her headband tied around her waist as a belt and from her neck dangled a golden necklace from which hung two emblems, one depicting the Uzumaki clan crest and another the Haruno family crest plus a matching golden locket inside of which was a picture of Naruto, herself and Boruto, plus a golden ring which was her wedding band.
Naruto was now wearing a black short-sleeved shirt that was trimmed with orange around the collar and hem and a stylized image of an open fox's maw inlayed in orange upon the center, black cargo pants that were also trimmed with orange, black steel-toed boots that had hardened orange soles, a long-sleeved chain mesh undershirt under his t-shirt, steel armguards upon his forearms, his old Dust-imbued black fingerless gloves, his old utility belt was still in place though it now held a katana instead of his Dustsabers.
Around his neck sat his old silver amulet, though its sapphire was now replaced with a ruby and hanging from its chain was a matching band to Sakura's which was his wedding band, his headband sat tied around his forehead, a green Konoha-style Jounin flak jacket was zipped up over his shirt and to top off the ensemble was a new duster which was still made of black leather but was now cut into three 'tails', had a red fabric underlay and was Chakra-conductive.
Once they were both dressed they made their way out of their room and met Sai, who was still waiting for them with the two ROOT agents and Boruto, who was being tended to by one of the agents.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Born ready." Naruto nodded.
"Just give us a moment with our son." Sakura said as she and her husband passed by their teammate.
"Tou-chan, Kaa-chan!" Boruto stopped messing with the ROOT agent and ran into the waiting arms of his Mom.
"Boru-kun, Tou-chan and Kaa-chan have to leave for a little while." Sakura explained to the starry eyed toddler. "So be good while we're gone, you here?"
"I'll see about getting you something while we're out, how about that?" Naruto bribed his son when he saw the kid about to fuss.
"Promise, Tou-chan?" Boruto whipped his blonde head around to stare at his Dad.
"I promise, buddy." He held out his right pinky.
"Pinky swear." Boruto took his Dad's pinky into his own, recognizing the gesture.
Naruto and Sakura both then kissed their son upon the crown of his head before handing him off to an attendant who had just arrived at Sai's behest.
"Let's go." Naruto began walking forward, flanked by Sakura on his right and Sai on his left and followed closely by the two ROOT ANBU.
"Konan." Naruto nodded to the woman in question as she fell into step with the group. "Glad to have you with us." He flashed a smirk.
"I'm not missing this." Konan smirked back. "Besides, I'm both Amegakure's leader and your direct subordinate now."
"Be ready for anything." Was all he said before the group grew serious once again and began their long trek towards Konoha for the Kage's Summit.
(Konohagakure: Three days later)
It was an early morning for one Hyuuga Hinata. She had just finished dressing herself and was about to exit her bedroom when a rather loud snore broke the silence in the room. Giggling silently, she walked over to her bed where the figure of a man was laid upon it, shirtless.
"Shika-kun." She gently called out. "Shika-kun, the Summit is today."
"Thirty more minutes…" Shikamaru groaned as he turned in his semi-sleep.
"Shika-kun." She pressed a bit more firmly. "You have to be there on time."
"Why did I accept this job…?" He once again groaned as he rose from the bed and ran a sleepy hand down his face before locking eyes with his wife. "Morning." He smiled.
"Morning." She also smiled as they both closed the distance with a kiss. "Now, I believe there's a meeting you have to head up?"
"Yeah, yeah." He rose to his feet and headed for the shower. "Get to the office and prepare the paperwork, please?"
"Already on it." She called into the bathroom as she exited their house.
She knew that the other four Kages were already in the village and she knew how crucial this meeting was. Iwagakure had finally openly voiced their grievances, backed by Sunagakure while Kumogakure and Kirigakure had remained neutral yet agreed to attend a Kage's Summit. She was hoping that her husband's status as the hero of the war against Zetsu would be enough to calm things, plus a little incentive here and there to nudge the two nations in the right direction. Overall, she was hopeful for the negotiations.
Meanwhile at the gates, a group of six individuals were currently entering through the main gates. Seeing this group in particular, Izumo and Kotetsu perked up.
"Stop there." Kotetsu called out as he grabbed a clipboard and motioned them over. "Name and business?"
"Konan of Amegakure." Konan answered. "Here at Gaara-dono's request to be an impartial mediator to the Kage's Summit."
"And these other five?" Izumo gestured to the five people behind her who were dressed in black hooded cloaks and wore rebreathers which covered their faces, goggles which covered their eyes and the hoods of their cloaks were drawn up.
"My ANBU escort." She answered smoothly. "I assume all's in order?"
"Indeed." Kotetsu nodded with a smile. "Welcome to Konoha, Konan-sama."
"It wasn't that long ago that I was helping invade this place." Konan mused as she began walking away, followed by her so called escort. "I wonder how things have changed from the crater Pein-sama and I turned it into…"
"That bitch is the mediator?" Izumo scoffed. "Better to just execute her, be rid of the last vestiges of the Akatsuki here and now."
"Not our job or call." Kotetsu sat down with a huff. "Just leave her alone and she'll be gone by the time the Summit ends."
"If we continue at our current pace, the Summit will begin without us." Konan whispered to her entourage.
"That's what we want." Naruto's voice came over the synthesizer in his rebreather. "Emotions will be high if the mediator isn't there; they'll demand negotiations start without us and we make our entrance just afterwards; let them stew in their anger for a few moments."
"Throw them off balance, then strike." Sai's synthesized voice cut in. "Very good."
"Looks like there's still a bit of ROOT's Specter in there after all." Sakura teased.
'More than you know.' Naruto mentally mused.
It took them all of half an hour to slowly make their way through the streets of Konoha, after purposefully taking a few wrong turns and getting lost until they finally arrived at the Hokage's Mansion where they were ushered in by the gate guards.
"Iwagakure was thoroughly fucked in the ass by you twats!" They could hear Kurotsuchi raging at the top of her voice. "You're not fucking us anymore; I'm demanding concessions be made!"
"Iwagakure was indeed given the least amount of dispensation." Gaara's voice broke through the walls. "By your suggestion, Hokage-dono."
"Please, wait while I announce your arrival, Konan-sama." One of Shikamaru's attendants stopped them as she opened the door and walked in.
"Now." Naruto spoke as he threw off the cloak covering his new attire and removed the rebreather and goggles, an action which Sai, Sakura and their two ROOT agents mirrored.
"They've been expecting you for quite a…" The attendant trailed off as she laid eyes upon the blonde in front of her, immediately recognizing him. "N-Naruto…?"
"Good to see you again, Moegi." Naruto smiled at the girl before taking lead of his group and marching into the room.
Eyes widened, jaws were on the floor and all prior arguments had thoroughly ceased as Naruto confidently strode into the room, pausing only to survey it.
"Well…" He spoke, smirk spreading across his face. "Looks like I wasn't expected."
"N-Naruto…?" Gaara was the first to speak. "Naruto… is that really you?"
"It's me, Gaara." He nodded. "Need me to headbutt you again, knock you out of your stupor?"
"I'll be damned…" Ay crossed his arms over his chest. "Looks like you were wrong to change his status, Hokage-dono."
"Interesting…" Chojuro leaned back in his chair.
Kurotsuchi merely smirked, not at the arrival of Naruto, but at Shikamaru. Seeing this, Naruto turned his attention to the Nara and couldn't help but smirk himself.
"What's wrong, Shika?" He asked. "You look like someone just walked over your grave."
Shikamaru was pale. His eyes were wide as saucers and he couldn't even move. His voice had failed him in the face of the one person he hoped to all the Gods above was dead.
"You should see your face." Naruto scoffed. "What, nothing to say? You usurp my title and village, declare me killed in action and then try to erase me from the records only to find me alive and well… and you have nothing to say?"
"ANBU…" Shikamaru finally whispered.
Indeed, his ANBU did flash into the room… but they kneeled instead of attacking. This was when it fully dawned upon Shikamaru that he was thoroughly fucked.
"N-Naruto-kun…" Hinata found her voice and stepped forward, unbelieving of what her own eyes were seeing.
"You shall not address me." He brushed her off and walked the length of the table to take what was supposed to be Konan's seat. "I'm here for business, not to indulge renewed childhood crushes nor satisfy your undoubtedly adulterous thoughts."
"How long did it take you to get over him, Hinata?" Sakura crossed her arms under her breasts as she took up a spot behind Naruto to his right. "I thought he was your one and only?"
"I-I…" Hinata hesitated.
"Looks like money and power can sway the pants off of even the virtuous of women." Sai joined in as he stood beside Sakura to Naruto's left.
"Enough." Naruto held up a hand to silence the bickering. "Now, seeing as Shikamaru is in my chair, I'll have to lead negotiations from here."
"Oh, my demands have just doubled." Kurotsuchi's smirk never faltered as she sat back down in her chair.
"Indeed." Gaara nodded. "It seems as if fortunes have shifted."
"Naruto, you start us off." Ay offered, totally disregarding the still shell-shocked Shikamaru.
"Naruto is not the Hokage here." Chojuro made a temple with his hands under his chin. "Shikamaru-dono is."
"And as Hokage, I'm ordering his execution!" Shikamaru found his courage and shot to his feet while pointing at Naruto. "All of them will die!"
"Sit DOWN!" Naruto's thunderous voice reverberated throughout the room as his right eye sprang to life in the crimson glory of the Sharingan.
"Naruto never had the Sharingan!" Shikamaru pointed out. "That's not him!"
"A souvenir from my fight with Obito." Naruto explained as he too rose from his seat. "And if you don't sit down, I'll show you its power."
"Why don't you just get on with your demands?" Shikamaru shot back. "Now that you're here, you want me to step down as Hokage!"
"A notion that I heartily second!" Kurotsuchi declared.
"I third the notion." Gaara nodded.
"Fourth." Ay threw in his metaphorical hat. "With you in charge, Shikamaru-dono, things have done nothing but stagnate. You have no idea what you're doing."
At about that time, a full contingent of loyal Konoha Jounin and ANBU flooded into the room. Hands shot to weapons, chairs were flung over as people stood and through the crowd marched in one Nara Shikaku.
"That won't happen." Shikaku said as he eyed Naruto critically. "We're taking these six in for questioning and summary execution."
"You'd execute the leader of a foreign village?" Konan questioned as she literally bristled, her Shikigami no Mai (Dance of the Formula Paper) now activated.
"You were harboring known and wanted Missing-nin." Shikaku's attention fell upon her. "And you aided said fugitives in infiltrating our village. You'll be killed along with your faux Hokage."
"You even breathe wrong at any one of us…" Naruto's form began to glow red. "And I'll release the beast."
"And know that my armies will stand ready to march upon this village." Gaara added calmly as sand began to seep through the cracks in the floor.
"Mine as well." Kurotsuchi agreed as she grasped the hilt of the ninjato upon her back.
"Looks like we have standoff on our hands." Naruto eyed Shikamaru. "How about we settle this the old fashioned way." He then pointed his right index finger at the younger Nara. "I challenge you to a duel to the death for the position of Hokage."
Shikamaru was now between a rock and a hard place. Either he declined and risked full-scale war, or he accepted and put his own life on the line, and against Naruto, he knew that he stood no chance. It was either him, or the thousands that would die in a war that would completely shatter the peace that had been achieved. To him, there was only one choice…
"I accept." Shikamaru said after taking in a calming breath. "I may be a lousy Hokage, but I won't doom this world to another cycle of war."
"At least you're facing your death with some dignity." Naruto nodded in respect. "Let's see if you've improved at all in my absence."
"Nobody has to die!" Hinata screamed as she stepped in. "Shika-kun, just step down!"
"I can't do that." Shikamaru shook his head. "I was elected his replacement, and I'll fight for the confidence that this village had in me, even if I know they'll turn on me once the truth gets out."
"Naruto-kun!" She instead rounded upon her former love. "Come to your senses! This isn't like you!"
"Make peace with the notion of your husband dying, Hinata." Her cries fell upon deaf ears as Naruto glared daggers at Shikamaru. "Even he knows that he can't best me."
"The duel shall commence today, and we all shall attend." Gaara stood from his seat. "Agreed?"
"Agreed." Chojuro gave his consent as he stood as well.
"I believe in you, son." Shikaku placed a hand on his son's shoulder, understanding why he made the decision that he did.
"It was either this, or more war." Shikamaru sighed. "I'll not doom this village to that fate. Not again."
"Looks like things are going according to plan." Sai said.
"Only a matter of time until I have my village back." Naruto nodded. "All I have to do is win."
'I just hope things are going as swimmingly back in Remnant…' He mentally added, a bad feeling suddenly enveloping him.
(Remnant: Vale HQ: Same time)
"This isn't good…" Roman gulped as a black ooze began to fill floor the meeting room.
Out of the black ooze came first a set of clawed paws, then glowing red eyes and a loud snarl as a whole pack of Beowolves jumped out and secured the room, barking and growling as one got right up into Roman's face and stared at him.
"Definitely not good." Roman managed a nervous chuckle as he took out his Scroll.
"Yeah?" Frost's voice sounded over the line.
"We got a problem here." Roman voiced as calmly as he could.
"What kind of problem?"
"A Grimm infestation." He peered into the soulless red orbs of the Beowolf in front of him.
"… Did they come out of some black ooze bullshit?" Frost suddenly became serious.
"Yep." Roman nodded.
"I'll be there as fast as I can. Do NOT attack the Grimm and do NOT sass her!"
"Her?"
As soon as Roman voiced that question, another figure rose out of the goo, this one belonging to a woman who was paler than the whitest snow, had glowing red eyes with black sclera.
"Holy fuck…" Roman dropped his Scroll out of shock.
"I'm here to retake control." The woman spoke calmly.
"A-And… who the fuck are you?" He took a nervous step backwards.
"Call me Salem." The now identified Salem said. "Now, I'm here to retake control. Bring me to Naruto."
"H-He's not here now…" He gulped.
"All the better…" The smile she gave him sent shivers throughout his entire body.
Well, they were fucked. Roman was sure that without Naruto there to deal with whatever this thing was, they were fucked.
He was not paid enough for this.
AN: And done! So, what did you guys think of this one? Good? Bad? For those complaining about Sakura and her involvement, don't worry, I may or may not have something planned, depending on whether or not I deviate from my notes as they stand right now.
Though while I'm on the subject, I know some of you have expressed the notion of keeping Sakura in and having her be the final girl. That's gotten me thinking, and I'm considering it. If enough of you want it, then she'll take the spot. Otherwise, it's still between Weiss and Raven… maybe even Konan, as a few of you have made cases for her, as well as Yang, surprisingly. In summation, the girls we have to choose from are Sakura, Konan, Weiss, Yang and Raven, so throw in your hat for one of these four girls and give me some good reasons! Though it I were to go with my gut right now, I'd pick either Weiss or Yang, do with that what you will.
This is ZeroDivisionRaijin, signing off!