AFTERMATH

Debris. That was all that was left of the once prosperous Sunagakure; destroyed to its tiniest fragments. In just a couple of minutes, in all their preparation, they couldn't foresee this one happening. A huge crater, permanently scarring the earth was the only reminder that Suna existed.

Gaara dropped to the sands slowly, a cloud of sand underneath him guiding his descent. Looking around, a slight smirk emerged from his face before his eyes widened, spotting a half opened gold dome. Narrowing his eyes, he walked slowly to the location, seeing his father Rasa looking no better than a dead man.

With his bloodied body, his right arm and left leg were missing, signs of their existence only denoted by bloody splotches on the earth. He panted slowly, looking at the sun, obviously on his last moments, trying to savor his last memories. A figure blocked his view, causing his eyes to dilate, trying to identify the person. The luminescence clearing, he saw Gaara.

"Are… you… happy?" were the words Rasa could make out as he lay on the hot sands. Gaara's eyes narrowed at the remark, "Why wouldn't I be." Gaara muttered, looking to the skies. "This was obviously going to happen, at least that's what I thought."

"W…Why?"

"You ask why?" Gaara commented like the answer was obvious. "This place brought me nothing but pain, there is nothing for me here. All that's left for me to focus on, is the evolution of this world."

"Y…You id…iot" Rasa heaved out, "H…How are you going to rebuild a world with no people in it? You killed every citizen here in your quest for vengeance." He coughed out in pain. If this continues, the world would end, and you would be all alone. Is that what you truly want?! Tell me Gaara!"

Rasa continued to cough violently at the strain he put on his body. The pain he felt throughout his body was indescribable, but he didn't care though; he was going to die. He knew since when he saw that Tanuki at his gates.

"Maybe, maybe not." Gaara looking at the aftermath of his attack. "The thing is… I don't care anymore. I found people that I could call my friends; people that I could place my trust on without doubting. Regardless the state of the world, long as I have those people beside me I am never going to be alone."

With those words, Gaara shifted his gaze to his father, "You follow Tamashii because of that? You would become his tool just for his companionship?!"

Gaara's eyes narrowed with unrestrained anger. He spoke out, "Shut up. You would never understand, you never will! I was alone from the start! Helpless, no-one to play with me, comfort me! I WAS ALONE!"

He looked at his father, who remained impassive. Gaara clenched his fist in rage, "You even ordered my assassination, you who said I would never find a friend! You who despised me! MY OWN FATHER!"

The sands began to twirl around Gaara as his Chakra spiked without him noticing. Rasa's eyes widened slowly at the figure that formed behind him. It was a large woman's head… Looking solemnly down at him. Even at death you continue to torment me, Karura.

"Gaara, I-"

"You want to know the funny thing?" Gaara spoke mirthlessly, "I thought after this, I would feel complete regret at my actions. I thought that deep within me, there was a slight hope that we could still be family. That this-" Gaara gestured to the destroyed village, "-would destroy me; that it would bring out a feeling in me."

Gaara looked down to him, regretful anger on his face. "But I don't feel a thing. Have you seen, what you have done to me, Father?!"

Rasa looked to see tears flowing out of Gaara's eyes, "You have succeeded, I am a monster."

Gaara's eyes then flashed golden for a second before he raised his hand, sand heeding his commands to surround his father.

"Everything I did up to this moment was your entire fault, so if the world goes to hell because of my choices." Gaara commented, his eyes shadowed. "So be it"

Demon Sand Burial.

Those were the last words he could hear as Rasa, the last Kazekage of Sunagakure died. His blood coated the golden Sands, killed by his own son's hands. The scorching sun, the only witness to what just happened.

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He woke up with a start, his breathing heavy as he tried fruitlessly to calm his heart. He looked around the room in alarm, sweating profusely. Suddenly, he was startled, hearing a knock at his door; he was frantic. Quickly removing a kunai, he pointed it at the door, "Who's there?!"

"Kankuro, are you all right? I heard you shouting." Temari's voice emerged from outside the door prompting a sigh from him. Relaxing, he took a deep breath before exhaling deeply. He stood up and moved to the door and letting his sister in.

Temari walked in looking worried. "Kankuro, what happened?!"

"It was just dream."

"Just a dream?" Temari said worried a lot "Kankuro, that's not normal. What happened?"

"It's unbelievable." Kankuro said, his hand shivering at the thought, sitting at the bed, he spoke "It was… never mind."

"Kankuro." Temari looked worriedly.

"I said never mind!" He retorted loudly "It was just a dream, nothing more."

Temari was about to press on before the sound of wind pulsing roughly went through the building. She relented with a sigh, before looking to the window, "This storm doesn't seem to go anytime soon. It has been on since afternoon. Kankuro nodded in agreement. "It's not strange, just annoying no matter how long we've been experiencing it."

He looked at the window until Temari prepared a cup of water for him. Giving it to him, he murmured a silent thanks, as he was about to drink from it, a light crack emerged from the mug.

What the- Kankuro stared at the cup in shock. "No. it can't be."

"…kuro"

It can't be!

"Kankuro!"

Kankuro looked at Temari startled before looking back at the cup, his eyes widening as it looked unchanged, no cracks on it. Was he hallucinating, this was not good. Not good at all.

"Kankuro, now you have to tell me what you dreamt, you are acting paranoid."

Kankuro after pausing for a while, decided to speak; "it was Father, he-"

"Kankuro-sama! Temari-sama!" A male individual came into the room through the door, looking alarmed.

"What is it Shira?" Kankuro asked, not liking what was happening. He just had a bad feeling about all this. Shira just looked at them before giving them a little scroll, "T…This just arrived by courier bird. I'm sorry."

Kankuro just snatched it, as he and Temari read it through, their eyes opening in shock. Temari looked mortified, "What is this?!"

Kankuro just stared at it motionless, 'What the hell is going on? How…?'

On the scroll was a hurriedly written note, it read, THE ICHIBI ATTACKED, RETREAT TO KONOHA!

Temari quickly got up, her face shadowed as she walked towards the door, "Temari! Where are you going?"

"Where else!"

Her face set in a deadly snarl, she said, "I'm going home!"

"Wait for me then!" Kankuro picked a couple of scrolls alongside him.

Father, please be safe.

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A battlefield was seen, two forces, staring each other down, waiting for a signal. He looked ahead, a gulp emerging from his lips, the tension palpable. In the distance, he could see A and Onoki and he knew, behind him, was Hiruzen and Rasa, the two sides examining their opponents, looking for a means to survive.

A large flare emerged from the commanders which was taken as an order from the Hokage, and the shinobi began to trudge forward, through the earth, moving to the opposing army.

A shinobi roared, attempting to boost the morale of his comrades. Like it was a deadly infectious disease, the shinobi responded in kind, roaring at the top of their lungs. They were one, they could not falter now. This was the grandest stage for them. Survival meant everything.

He looked forward, as he too ran at top speeds, noting the opposing enemy doing the same. He didn't bother to shout at the top of his lungs too. The rest took care of that, he assumed. All he had to do, was survive this battle, and go back home with his sister.

With a new set of determination, he unsheathed his sword, and collided with the enemy. He slashed, and slashed, and slashed. It was like an endless horde of enemies. It seemed unending, where one died, two seemingly took his place, and so it was for a long time.

How long had he been fighting? He lost count. He was bloodied, head to toe. His feet, greatly uncomfortable with the soggy sandals due to the blood. He was in a daze, seemingly surviving on survivor's instinct.

He was like a wild animal, cutting and stabbing through the foe before him like insects, he was blood lusted, he was unhinged. Just what was this war doing to him? His eyes dilated, looking to the skies and noting a rain of Kunai and shuriken, coming down to do serious damage.

Survivor's instincts kicking in, he quickly stabbed through an enemy that was distracted by the shower of weapons and used him as a shield. A kunai nicked him, shoulder, thigh, but he survived. That was what mattered. He could fight again, that was what counted.

He shouted out in frenzy, just slicing through the individual closest to him. Everyone was an enemy, his mind thought in frenzy.

"…ra!"

A voice attempted to reach him but was snuffed out by the screams and roars of the warriors. It took a while, and inevitably, he became tired. And with that, he met his match. Someone who was rejuvenated, ready for battle.

He was disarmed easily, sent to the blood soaked earth violently. He gasped out as his head collided with the earth, noting his sword in the distance. He looked to his side, seeing a rock. It was large.

Large enough to kill a human.

The shinobi who had disarmed him, moved swiftly, aiming to end him. But then again, survivor's instinct kicked in. The shinobi moved his katana for the kill, and that was when he reacted, grabbing the blade with his hands, successfully stopping it.

He couldn't feel the pain, adrenaline pumping at an insane degree. Using chakra to boost his strength, he quickly disarmed the Shinobi, flinging the sword away. And with a sudden burst of energy, he grabbed the rock and used the rock and hit the shinobi to the side of his head.

The shinobi staggered to the side, but he didn't go down, but he was disoriented, that he was sure of.

With that information he attacked again, slamming the rock harder this time. He felt a crack, a satisfying one. He was sure he gave the shinobi a concussion. That was good.

With a sweeping kick, he sent the shinobi to the earth and hovered over his semi unconscious form. He panted in complete exhaustion looking at the shinobi with a glint in his eye a bloodlusted grin emerging on his face. He looked at the shinobi, noting the fear that completely consumed him.

Kunai rained down, avoiding them completely.

He used the rock and rammed it down to the shinobi's skull, countless and countless of times. He was dead, he knew, he just had to be very sure he was not getting back up. He staggered upwards, his visage looking like a blood lusted maniac.

He scrambled across the earth, past the newly dropped bodies to his sword, his only friend at this moment. A hand to his shoulder caused his eyes to dilate moving to slice through, but a slap brought him back to his senses.

"Kira!" Saki roared out looking at him horrified. Kira panted rapidly, as if trying to recognize her. Trying to know if she was a threat. His eyes then widened, "S…Saki?!"

"Wake up!"

Kira's eyes widened at the words that brought him out of sleep, his nightmare. Sweat dribbled down his brown hair, he panted rapidly, trying to catch his breath. He moved to the kitchen, and poured himself a cup of water. He drank greedily and pouring some over his face. He sighed in relief, relaxing to a chair.

His breathing settled, looking to the moon while pondering. Footsteps caused him to shift his gaze to the door leading to the rooms. He saw Saki looking at him, an understanding look on her face.

"Another dream?"

Kira sighed, looking back to the moon. "I don't know how we live through this, every moment. I don't know how, the second, third and fourth war came to be. It was horrible, how can this be repeated three times, and nothing learnt, at all."

Saki looked at him before moving beside him. "That we do not have an answer to. The only good thing, is that you are here, you are alive. That is what matters."

Kira turned his gaze to her, to which she smiled at her brother. She placed her palms to both sides of his head, "Let me help you sleep."

Her hands glowed, Kira relaxing deeper into the chair. Saki frowned. She specifically learnt this for this reason, to block the memories of that horrible day. A lot of her mates could not sleep. This was only a temporal solution, and soon it would stop working.

Kira relaxed to the chair, sleeping peacefully this time, absent of the nightmares. Saki sighed and summoned a blanket, setting it over his body. "Sleep well, brother."

She shifted her gaze to the clock, noting the time. She needed to sleep too. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, she had a feeling.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Temari's eyes widened at what she was seeing as she ran towards the remains of Sunagakure, "W…What?"

Bringing her palms together, she spiked her chakra, keeping on trying to dispel the horrible illusion cast before her.

Release! Release!

Trying to release herself from the nightmare she was having; wanting to wake up from this dream. But, it was not a dream. She looked forward, Kankuro looking around in shock. Why…Why their village?

Temari knelt down outside the crater as she cried, her body unable to withstand the pressure she was feeling. Kankuro looked at her, a sad smile on his face. He looked in the distance, spotting something gold. His eyes widened in realization.

"That is… Father's!" At those words Temari looked forward sharply, examining the entire landscape. Her eyes widened, seeing a half open gold dome. Running there she heaved in and out, pleading to whatever deity that was present to save her family.

"Please, please be alright."

Reaching the gold dome she looked inside and with a slightly shocked look, her expression was hidden from her face. Trembling in pain she gritted her teeth and with a terrifying roar, she screamed, AARRRGGH!

"Temari, calm down!" Kankuro said pulling her away from the dome, and hugging her tightly. She began to punch weakly at Kankuro's chest, "Let me go. Let me go. Let me go!" She muttered painfully.

"No, Temari." Kankuro spoke without a doubt, he was never letting go. Not now of all times.

"Kankuro." Temari said getting his full attention, "Dad, is dead."

She said those words so slowly and full of sadness that Kankuro hugged her tighter, not wanting her to see him who was comforting her, crying. He cringed in pain, "I know… I know."

The Suna siblings truly alone in the world, with no one to comfort them, turned to themselves. Trying to escape this horrible nightmare, their backs turned to Rasa's horribly mangled body. But even at death, his face remained stern, unmoving, a man who died sticking to his ideals to the very end.

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What!

Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes widened at the report that just came in from a courier. This was totally unexpected. No one expected this to happen; hell, he didn't expect this to happen. This was going against all he had planned. For the Ichibi to have just appeared and attacked it meant someone controlled it, which meant Jinchuuriki.

His expression didn't like what he was forming in his head as everything pieced together. Clenching the paper on his fist, he growled. He was back.

"Falcon." He spoke out sternly.

"Hokage sama" Falcon said appearing in front of the Hokage. "Get me Uchiha Sasuke, quick!"

Falcon, a little startled at Hiruzen's tone quickly bowed and vanished in wisps of smoke. Onething he was able to deduce, things had escalated. Hiruzen muttered, "Dog."

"Hokage sama." Dog's deep voice replied to the Hokage's summon. "Go get me Danzo."

"Mamba."

"Hokage sama."

"Arrange the war council" Hiruzen commanded to which Mamba vanished. Hiruzen looked forward, a lethal look on his face.

This will be your end Tamashii Shou. I'll make sure of that.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

KUMOGAKURE

A deep chuckle went through the Raikage's office as he smiled at the latest development. Suna was attacked by their Tailed Beast. While it was amusing, it also brought bad news to him. It was possible he could be next. While he couldn't ascertain that, there were three villages left out.

"Raikage-sama" A messenger came into his office. A smirked "No need to speakk. I already figured he would want to see me. Besides, I'm pretty sure he got the message before I did."

Walking into the communication room, A looked at the screen to see Onoki's face, "How are you doing Onoki, how's your back?"

"We have a situation." Onoki said quickly going straight to the point. A chuckled, "I know of that. Against our wishes Tamashii is alive and kicking and he showed us the strength at his disposal by making short work of Sunagakure."

Onoki nodded "Yes, if the tailed beasts can be controlled, then he is a larger threat than we imagined."

A nodded his head and looked in thought, "So, what do you suggest we do?"

"I was thinking of using my Jinchuuriki but that was quickly shot down by the possibility that Tamashii would be able to control him."

"That wouldn't go to well would it?" A pondered on the matter.

"But our choices are limited. We can't make risks and send out shinobi that may die anyway. We can't forget that we are at war."

"So, what do you suggest?" A asked his blood boiling at the expected answer. Onoki nodded his head in agreement with his thoughts, "In a couple of days, my artificial spine would be accustomed to. We will do what we planned originally, and end Tamashii Shou for good."

"I'd like that." A agreed, a grin making his way to his face, with a brief amount of lightning simmering through his body. "I'll be coming to see you to discuss some things personally."

Onoki then smirked, "Let's show him what it means to mess with two great villages. I'll await your visit."

"I'll be there in a couple of days. And here…" A said showing Onoki a matrix. "Draw this on a pavement. I'll be there… in a flash."

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

UNKNOWN HIDEOUT

They all sat on each finger, and this time, the Akatsuki were eight due to the loss of Hidan and Kakuzu. All of them, looked holographic.

"It seems Tamashii Shou is back. We have no time to waste. Capturing their Tailed Beast will be hard enough for us seeing as they can probably control it now."

"What do we do then?" Kisame asked.

"Are you certain of your information regarding Suna?" Pain asked, turning to Zetsu.

"Yes and I'm definitely sure. It's not hard to miss a crater where the village once stood. Tamashii destroyed it."

"I see." Pain mused. "Now that that works in our favor, we need to focus on the real matters at hand, the five tailed Jinchuuriki. Tamashii Shou being alive would obviously be gunning for him and we would use that chance to access his abilities. It's about time we shift the tide in our favor."

Pain turned his gaze towards two of his members, "Are you ready for this, Itachi, Kisame?"

Itachi remained impassive, as Kisame grinned.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Naruto looked up at the huge palace. He was seen in his Tamashii disguise. Looking at the building he scoffed. "What a show of extravagance. Let's get this over with."

FLASHBACK

He was seen sitting on a table, surrounded by Iruka, Fu, Haku and Gaara.

'We have announced to the world that we are alive in a very effective way. We have been in hiding for a long time, and so we need to be up to date with what has occurred in the world. I want each of you to sneak into all the great villages and find out any useful information you can about the recent happenings. You guys can decide who goes where. I myself am going to Kirigakure. And before that, I'll make a brief stop."

"To where?" Fu arched an eyebrow.

Naruto smirked.

FLASHBACK END

"Well, let's begin."

Naruto said knocking on the door, making the guards open a small window on the door only to see him smiling. Widening his eyes on recognition, he was about to alert the other guards before he saw black.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Uchiha Sasuke was seen in the Hokage office standing still while Hiruzen looked at him with his elbows on the table, his fingers interlocked. "Hokage-sama, you called for me."

"Wait a moment." A knock was heard at the door as Hiruzen allowed Danzo to come in before sitting down. "Good… you are here. Now, I can get to the reason I called you here, Suna has just been destroyed."

Sasuke and Danzo's eyes widened in true shock. "What?!" Danzo asked alarmed.

"Was it Iwa or Kumo?" Sasuke said his eyes narrowed.

"You wish, it was the Ichibi."

Danzo frowned a bit, "It seems he didn't die as speculated, the appearance of the Ichibi seems to solidify the fact that he can control the Tailed Beast."

"Well it seems you'll have to fight him after all, Sasuke." Hiruzen said to which Sasuke remained impassive. "I called this so that you'll have a heads up on the situation so you can compose yourself, especially you, Sasuke. We need to place a strong psychology on them that you can beat him, understand?" Sasuke nodded his head after staying still for little while. "Good, well let's go"

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

The War council, composing of all the Clan heads of Konoha with two Civilian Heads, alongside the two Village Elders - Homura and Mitokado, were present in a cubical room. Danzo, making his way into the room was followed by Sasuke as Danzo sat beside the Village Elders.

Sasuke simply moved and sat down next to Tsume Inuzuka; his position as clan head of the Uchiha Clan. Then Hiruzen Sarutobi moved in wearing the Hokage attire. Everyone stood up in respect to the Hokage observing him as he walked towards his designated seat. Moving to his seat, he sat down before speaking.

"You can sit."

Everyone sat down, paying strict attention because they knew; these sorts of meetings always had bad news attached to them. "I'll begin by saying, Tamashii Shou is back."

Hiruzen took in their shocked expressions, but raised his right hand to silence them before they could speak.

"The first village to fall under him was Sunagakure, which was destroyed by the Ichibi, Shukaku. We will be expecting the survivors from Suna soon enough." He then dropped his hand then the comments came.

"Since we were aware that he was going to return even if it was presumed he died, I deduce that you must have had a plan in case it wasn't the truth. Am I wrong?"

"No you aren't Shikaku. For five years we have been preparing for when he would make his comeback. The more time he delayed, the more time we had and as such I present to you the one that would face Tamashii Shou, Uchiha Sasuke."

This prompted a grin from Shikaku's face, "I thought as much."

"You did?" Tsume Inuzuka asked.

Shikaku shrugged, "It was when Team 7 was disbanded, Haruno Sakura became the apprentice of Tsunade-sama; Ikeda Kato was dispatched to the borders, but nothing on Sasuke. I knew he would be linked to a secret plan of Hokage-sama, didn't think it would be this though."

"He was trained by special Black-Ops ANBU, alongside Jiraiya and Hatake Kakashi." Hiruzen commented.

"Then he would obviously take down Tamashii." Said one of the civilian leaders with an arrogant smirk on his face. "If he was trained by the Sannin then Tamashii has no hope against-"

"Shut up." Hiruzen said with a cold look on his face which made the civilian gulp as he started sweating at the look Hiruzen was giving him. "Clueless people like you shouldn't put their mouths were it doesn't concern you. Tamashii has in his possession the nine tails which the fourth died facing it and you spout crap in front of me when he probably has five more in his possession?"

"Probably?" said Shikaku ignoring the civilian who was almost shitting himself. "Why probably?"

"This would bring another topic I am to discuss with you. New information has come in. Jiraiya was on a long scouting mission to identify a group also after the tailed beasts."

"Another one?" Inoichi said with a frown on his face, "I don't like where this is going"

"You shouldn't." Hiruzen said with a faint smile, "They call themselves the Akatsuki."

"Akatsuki?" Chouza asked to which Hiruzen nodded, "Yes, which Uchiha Itachi is part of." Everyone except Danzo, Hiruzen and the two Village Elders widened their eyes as they looked at Sasuke gauging his reaction. But he just looked forward at the Hokage, impassive to the news.

"Tamashii and one of their members Kakuzu, clashed in Takigakure, and from the bingo books you know who won, which means he has the Seven Tailed Beast including the One Tailed Beast, where he was personally sighted by Rasa. We don't know the circumstances behind the Kyuubi's disappearance but we assume he took Uzumaki Naruto."

"Generally, it means he kidnapped three. So far, he hasn't been sighted during the abduction of the two, four and eight tails. So it's probable that the Akatsuki that are in possession of them."

"This information has been given to you to inform the whole village of the circumstances we face, or rather the circumstances the world faces. If push comes to shove we might end up doing something unexpected."

"Which is?" Shikaku asked.

"It's too soon to be considering it. We will brief you later. Any questions?"

At the sign of none, Hiruzen nodded his head, "Well then, this meeting is over. Prepare yourselves, a dark storm is coming, one which we never have envisioned ever happening."

Hiruzen got up before making his way out of the venue. Next was Uchiha Sasuke; and just like that everyone got up and left. Their future, their fate unknown.

As Hiruzen moved towards the door, an ANBU landed right behind him whispering. "Sunagakure has approached our gates."

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

They walked towards the gates; their eyes hollow at what the new development. Their Sunagakure forehead protector was now useless as most of their forces had been wiped out. Temari walked with them, Kankuro holding her closer, a stern look on his eyes. Everyone had lost someone precious to them but she, Kankuro looked at her the way her eyes looked, so sullen.

She was broken; at this moment he was sure she wouldn't care what happened if she was faced with death, all because of the Ichibi. Looking ahead, he saw Hiruzen Sarutobi looking at them with sympathy, he then spoke.

"You have all been hit with a big loss, both your family and your village, which you all once stood proud for. I cannot empathize with you since I haven't been met with such, but I know most of you are angry, angry at this world and all it stands for. But I want you to use that anger to give your village one final sendoff by us capturing Tamashii Shou and riding him off this world."

"We never once stood proud, Hokage-sama" Kankuro said, a determined look on his face "We still stand proud for Sunagakure. As long as citizens of Sunagakure still exist, Sunagakure still exists."

The people seemed to be in agreement with his words. A smile emerged on Hiruzen's face as he outstretched his hands, "You are all exemplary people. Many should follow in your footsteps. So, with wide arms I welcome you all to Konohagakure. You will help us in ridding Tamashii Shou and you will have our co-operation to rebuild Sunagakure if you see fit."

As the people of Sunagakure made their way in, Hiruzen spotted a female, that made his eyes widen in shock, "You!" Hiruzen called firmly. The girl startled a bit looking around clumsily. Suddenly, she was surrounded by ANBU as Hiruzen looked her in the face, his face serious.

Kankuro turned back and observing the girl. He was about to defend her but saw she wasn't of their village, so he went in. but still he was curios. Who is she?

Hiruzen on the other hand was completely shocked. That's impossible! She should be dead!

"What is your name?" Hiruzen asked firmly. He needed to confirm this.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Naruto walked slowly up the stairs, dead people visible behind him as two guards pointed their spears at him, their hands trembling in fear.

"You… Monster!"

"Well that's not nice." Naruto frowned, ruffling his red hair, "And I was just about to let you live, oh well."

The guards tensed for a second before a sword emerged from each of their backs, clones of Naruto visible behind them. In shock, they dropped their spears on the ground, dead with Naruto walking past them, unsheathing a bloodied sword back from his sheath. Pushing the door slowly, he was met with the Wind Daimyo frantically crawling behind his desk with fear practically written over his face.

"Please don't hurt me."

"Why not?" Naruto asked honestly. A brief flash of hope went across the Wind Daimyo's visage.

"I…I'll give you anything you want just please let me go!"

"That's the reason? Well okay, I want you to die, is that agreeable? I promise to let you go once you fulfill that."

The Daimyo's face was twisted in horror. Naruto sighed before he frowned at him. "All you are good for is politics, politics and nothing more. Thinking of how to keep your lands prosperous even if it means resorting to war."

"I don't know what you are talking about!"

Naruto scoffed. "Of course you don't, the Daimyo were heavily involved in the Second Shinobi world war. You people are so easy to provoke, it makes no sense why you are at the top of the ladder. Because of your disagreements your predecessors forced the villages into an unnecessary conflict puppeteering the Kages to do your willing, pathetic. Well, at least you'll be of some use when you are dead."

Naruto moved to one of the pictures that looked unbalanced and straightened it.

"You see I need enough financial backing for my little project so I have to go into your head a bit which kinda leaves people dead." Naruto closed his eyes as he smiled honestly. "So, Sorry."

Naruto moved till his lips were right beside the Daimyo's right ear. He whispered to the terrified Daimyo, "Go tell the Shinigami when you go to meet him. Everybody's dead."

As his hand was covered by black, it ended. The shrunken old visage of the Daimyo was seen as he lay on the ground dead. Naruto looked to the table and opened the drawers, smirking in recognition.

Just as I thought. Wait.

His eyes narrowed at the disturbance outside. It seems we have some guests.

Looking through the window he sighted Konoha Shinobi making their way to the Daimyo palace. Obviously to try and keep him safe after Gaara's hijinks. He mused, before he shrugged, smirking. "Well before I go to Kirigakure, I might as well have some fun."

The Shinobi leader narrowed his eyes at the building; he couldn't sense anyone at the moment. Suddenly the palace top exploded as a figure broke through the roof and landed in front of them. Looking ahead, the Shinobi widened his eyes as his subordinates stepped back a bit.

"Leader, that's Tamashii Shou." a plain comrade whispered, he was easily forgettable.

"Of course I know who he is you buffoon!" the Leader said angrily. He bit his lip. On my first day leading a squad. I'm such a lucky guy.

"Hey." Naruto muttered out loud, a slight grin on his face. "Now, only one of you would have the privilege of leaving here alive. Do you choose or should I choose it for you?"

Met with silence, he shrugged, reaching into his cloak and bringing out two beautifully carved out scimitars. They glistened beautifully in the sun looking hungry for blood. "Well, if that's what you want. I'll choose for you."

The group of shinobi yelled, moving forward to engage. With a grin, he dashed forward as sounds of metal carving through flesh and screams filled the air.

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With a torch on his hand, Naruto walked through the underground passage before he came upon a huge safe. Placing the light source closer to the safe he could see a couple of seals imbedded in them.

Well if I follow his instructions.

Naruto said before placing the flame torch on the floor. He went through a series of hand seals.

Ox, Monkey, Serpent, Ram, Rat, Hare, Dog.

Ending at the dog sign, Tamashii saw the seal dissipating, hearing a click. Turning the valve open he walked in as his eyes widened.

"Unbelievable!" He whistled out, he was going to be damn rich.

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DAYS LATER

Naruto looked ahead, walking through the fog on the water, getting close to the village. He activated some seals which concealed his presence completely. Getting to the village walls he placed his palm on it, sending chakra through.

Sighing a bit he frowned, Of course you wouldn't be able to scale the walls with chakra. I guess we do this the old fashioned way.

After a while, Naruto's hand was seen on the top of the wall as he grunted, pulling himself up onto the top. Standing a bit, he overlooked Kirigakure, seeing the tall buildings and wonderful greenery.

It's really impressive! Naruto said before moving forward to the edge, and dropping down like a bird. Reaching the ground, he flipped, landing silently, a brief show of dust to signify his arrival. Then he went into the village.

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Yagura looked startled for a moment in his office. An intruder, huh. Strange chakra, I can't sense it, but still, it beacons to me. It feels… nostalgic. He looked out through the window, as his eyes narrowed in thought. Who are you?

Naruto walked through with a hood on as he scanned the people. Up to this moment he could not sense any of the two Jinchuuriki in the area. "I know that the three tailed Jinchuuriki is the Mizukage. It's probable that the Rokubi would be with him."

Well this makes things easier. Naruto remarked, looking up towards the Mizukage Tower. And at that moment, Yagura looked through the windows catching the sight of a hooded figure before he vanished in the midst of the crowd. Narrowing his eyes he thought, He's coming.

Yagura sat down on his chair as he closed his eyes waiting. A slow gust of wind blew through the office which would have being easily ignored by any inept shinobi, which the Mizukage was not. Showing a slight reaction, he muttered looking up. "Who are you?"

A hooded figure standing upside down via the ceiling was seen as he responded, "That should be my question, Mizukage-sama. I can sense the Tailed Beast in you but I see right through you."

Yagura narrowed his eyes at the figure. Even though Naruto was smiling outward, he was thinking in alarm. I carefully masked my chakra but ever since I came in this place I could feel his eyes on me.

Yagura was going through similar thoughts. It seems someone could see through my shape shifting technique. But at the same time he is using something similar to it.

Both of them began thinking along the same line. My chakra is similar to his./I can feel our chakra resonating.

Who the hell is this guy?/Who is this mysterious figure?

A brief gust of wind was observed as Naruto landed in front of Yagura. "I can see right through you." Naruto said, his eyes widening, "Your red hair, your black eyes. Only one person I can tell has that description."

"I'm not replying till you remove that genjutsu you are using to hide your face, Tamashii Shou."

"As you wish."

Naruto slowly moved to his hood as he raised his left hand to grab the top of his hood, moving it backwards. Yagura slowly widened his eyes as he was hit full force by a migraine. The seal on his head pulsed as he tried to ignore it. He strained one eye to look at Naruto taking his appearance, "Are you-"

"The question is-" Naruto began with a fierce expression. "Why does our chakra, feel so similar?"

Yagura gritted his teeth at the pain his head was housing. It seemed that something was blocking him from seeing everything. Then what. What was it?

Naruto frowned, seeing Yagura in distress.

"What is wrong?"

"What did you do to me? Who are you? You aren't Tamashii are you?"

Naruto ignoring him simply began, "The similarities in our chakra; your red hair means you are an Uzumaki. Your eyes are black, a trait only held rarely by those from Kuragari's bloodline." Naruto clenched his fist. "Are you, Toshiro?"

Yagura's eyes widened at the name. Where had he heard the name before? Recalling his memories he found nothing. As the pain subsided, Yagura's expression became more emotionless. Seeing no need to keep the façade any longer, he spoke in a deadly tone.

"I don't know where you heard the name before, but, I'm not Toshiro. I am Tsuchigumo and you are Tamashii Shou, a threat to Konoha. All threats to Konoha must be… eliminated."

"Konoha." spoke Naruto silently. A smile emerged from his face. "I see… I'll be back for you."

With his eyes shadowed he put back his hood, turned and with a burst of speed went out through the window; Yagura's eyes widened, before he moved, chasing after Tamashii, soaring through the rooftops.

Naruto looked behind him, sighting Tsuchigumo closing on him fast. Shinobi seeing their Mizukage after him, followed as kunai were thrown towards Naruto slowing him down. With a burst of Chakra, Yagura tackled Naruto to the air making Naruto to grunt before he turned around.

To get out of the grip, he sent an elbow to Yagura's back, making him grunt before regaining his composure, blocking a punch with his elbow, and quickly using his staff sent a swipe to Naruto which sent him back a bit. Seeing an opportunity, Yagura attempted to capture him in a ball of water before Tamashii sent a burst of chakra forwards propelling him to the top of the wall.

This chakra manipulation.

Yagura followed after him but as he got to the top. He could only see Naruto descending into the thick fog, but not before they looked into each other's eyes. Yagura's eyes narrowed a bit, as he saw Naruto's expression.

After that Naruto descended into the fog, his chakra signature vanishing completely.

"Mizukage-sama" a couple of guards landed on the roof looking at their leader, who just turn back and began walking back.

"Resume to your posts." was the simple command as Yagura dashed to his office.

"Understood!"

I need to get back to Konoha.

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"Who are you?!" Hiruzen commanded in the interrogation environment. The lady looked frightened, unable to speak. Hiruzen frowned.

"Hokage-sama" A female called him behind her.

"What?" Hiruzen asked, not having time for jokes. This was an unexpected development.

"It seems she can't speak because of the aura you are building. Let me try, please."

"Tch. Do it then!"

The woman sighed before walking to the visibly scared lady before smiling, "Hey, I am Mitarashi Anko and you are in Konoha, so if you wouldn't mind, can you tell us your name?"

The lady visibly calmed down before stuttering out, stealing quick glances to a puzzled Hiruzen.

"Y…Yea."

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DAYS EARLIER BEFORE SUNA'S DESTRUCTION

Onoki walked ahead through a passage, aligned with multiple pillars before he got to a door. Placing his palm on it, the door glowed for a bit before he turned the knob, going in. Kabuto appearing in his front smiled.

"Tsuchikage-sama, please follow me."

Onoki followed him, through the halls, looking at the multiple tubes filled with green fluid as people were seen in them, heavily disfigured. "What are these things?" Onoki asked very curious but at the same time unsettled.

"Failures, Tsuchikage-sama. That's all they are. Please ignore them."

Onoki narrowed his eyes at Kabuto How could they expect him to forget these imageries? They were mere children, but it was necessary, it was a necessary evil.

Walking to a specific room, Kabuto bowed at Orochimaru, "Orochimaru-sama"

"Ah Onoki, please make yourself comfortable."

Onoki frowned at the blatant disrespect, but he paid no attention to it yet. Orochimaru helped him with his back and certain experiments. So for now he would take it in stride. For now.

"So what did you call me here for, Orochimaru?"

"Remember why Otogakure and Iwagakure got into this alliance. To destroy Konoha." Orochimaru's slick voice ran through the lab.

"Yes, and?"

"I have something for you."

Onoki arched an eyebrow, "So, what have you created?"

This could be interesting.

"Not what I have created, what I have remodeled." Orochimaru said before calling to her, "You can come out now."

A young lady came out looking to be around eighteen years of age. She had straight brown hair, which was cut in a chin length bob that framed her face and brown eyes. She also had a rectangular purple markings on her cheeks.

"So what can she do?" Onoki asked not expecting this.

"You keep asking the wrong questions Onoki!" Orochimaru explained "It's what can she contain"

"Have you heard about the Human Bomb Experiments?"

"Human bombs?" Onoki thought before his eyes widened. "Isn't that the name of the forbidden experiments that Kirigakure practiced in the Third Shinobi World war?"

A smirk came on Orochimaru's face. "Precisely"

"You see there was a particular incident that ended in the cancelling of that experiment."

Onoki folded his arms, totally enraptured. "Why don't you explain, then?"

"Kirigakure had the advantage because there was a specific way they battled; send fodder shinobi out to engage the main forces before sending the test subjects to blow up everything." Orochimaru then gained a glint on his eye. "Do you know how to make living bombs, Onoki; using people's life force?"

Onoki's eyes widened, "W…what?"

"They met their first failure when they decided to go big. They sealed the Sanbi into a Konoha Shinobi expecting her to go into the village, not only detonating her but upon her death, the Sanbi will fully form and complete the destruction. In a way, add more fuel to the fire. It was foiled though. The Shinobi got killed before anything could be done."

"And?" Onoki pressed on

"After learning of how they operated; I was greatly interested and as such took my time studying it. And I have successfully created a living weapon. And as a Kage shinobi you can sense the amount of chakra this one possesses."

Onoki looked at the lady. Unbelievable! And he was right. To think that this young girl would have such large chakra.

"Now" Orochimaru said, "If a normal Shinobi with average level chakra could wipe out a town, what do you think someone with Jinchuuriki level chakra can do?"

Onoki's eyes widened at the possibilities. With this he could end everything. "All we need is a perfect time to send her in." Onoki said musing, "So, what is her name?"

Orochimaru smirked "Her name is-"

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"M…My name is… N…Nohara Rin."

The lady, now Rin spoke as Hiruzen widened his eyes. Impossible!

"How is this possible?! How is she this young?!" Hiruzen asked furious at this development.

"We don't know, Hokage-sama. But it is staring at us directly in the face. She did confirm her name." Inoichi said.

"And how did you get here?" Anko pressed further.

"I…I don't know." Suddenly Rin was blasted with an image of a hand coated in lightening running through her chest. But everything was fuzzy. I remember waking up in a forest. Then I saw people walking somewhere then I followed."

"I think I have a clue what's happening." Inoichi said before looking at her sternly

"Do you know of Konoha?"

"K…Konoha?" Rin said looking lost.

"She's suffering from amnesia, Hokage-sama." Inoichi said tapping her neck. "We wouldn't be able to get anything out of her. That's why when I looked through her memories earlier, it was all void."

Hiruzen looked on in thought, "We can't risk an attack if she was sent here to cause some kind of mayhem. We keep her restrained till we figure out what happened to her."

"I don't think that is a good idea Hokage-sama." A deeper voice spoke.

"Why not, Ibiki?" Hiruzen asked, a frown on his face.

"She may currently have amnesia. Which can't be cured by making her leave in fear. Inoichi can vouch for me." Inoichi nodded his head in agreement when Hiruzen turned to him. "He's right, it will only serve to give us more complications."

Ibiki then turned to the now asleep Rin. "The only way to jumpstart her memories is to let her roam the village, let her get familiar. Then we can easily get what happened to delay her age. It seems that she was kept in stasis, that is the only assumption we can make for now."

Hiruzen frowned as he thought on the situation.

After a couple of minutes, he spoke. "This is what we do." Hiruzen ordered. "Let her roam the village, but as a high class suspect. She will be watched at every moment. And after each day, she will be brought here and examined. I want no mistakes here, Ibiki, Inoichi."

"But who would keep a watch on her?" Ibiki said. "Even though ANBU can watch her from far, we need someone close to her."

"I have the perfect person in mind" Hiruzen said walking out, "Wipe off her memories of what happened now. Nothing said here leaves this room." He turned to the three occupants who all nodded. Shifting his pupils, he sent a glance to Rin's asleep body before walking out. We'll get to the bottom of this, one way or another.

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Walking to the Hokage's office, Kakashi thought on why he was summoned, it was definitely another mission. What it was, he was going to find out. Knocking on the door, he made his way into the office to see Hiruzen looking at him, obviously expecting him.

"Kakashi."

"Hokage-sama." Kakashi returned the greeting.

"You may have guessed right, you are going to be performing another mission."

"Although what makes this one different is that you are going to do the mission within the village walls."

Kakashi then began to feel jittery, what was happening, he was having a weird feeling about this. Hiruzen, unaware of the mental battle Kakashi had put himself into, simply continued, "You will be watching over a person you may be familiar with."

Kakashi's lone eye narrowed. A possible traitor?

Hiruzen then had a serious look on his face, "I'll be frank, Kakashi. Rin is not dead."

A long silence went through the Hokage's office as Kakashi processed the information, his eye widening, "W…What?!"

"She showed up together with the refugees from Sunagakure, although she wasn't at Suna; how she came to survive is beyond us. That's what we need you for."

Kakashi didn't respond as a shocked look was still plastered on his face his pupils trembling, Rin… is alive?

"She doesn't remember anything, which is why I need you to help her get her memories back."

"B…But-"

"I know it will be hard for you considering the circumstances of her presumed death, but this is for the safety of Konoha and I'm asking you to take this S-rank mission."

Hiruzen said, "Do you accept?"

"I don't accept, Hokage-sama." Kakashi said his composure having left him as he thought on the situation, "After what I did, I can't do it."

"If you can't-" Hiruzen said a deadly look came on his face, "She would be subjected to a long time of interrogation under class S, you wouldn't want that on your conscience, would you Kakashi?"

"This is not fair."

"This world was never fair to begin with, Kakashi. That's the simple truth" Hiruzen retorted. "So what is your answer?"

Kakashi sent a betrayed look at Hiruzen. How can I? He thought, looking down at his right palm as they trembled in nostalgia. How… can I?

Suddenly Rin face appeared in his mind as blood ran down her lips, "Ka… Ka… shi."

They way her lips trembled as every syllable went out was gut wrenching, for a while her eyes looked betrayed, but it wasn't, was it? Kakashi sighed with his eyes pained, he looked at Hiruzen who smiled, "I… accept, Hokage-sama."

"Good, now listen…"

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Kakashi walked through the village, towards the Interrogation department. He was one of the few to know its actual location, not the broadcasted one. Getting to the door, Kakashi walked in as his eyes darted left and right, looking for someone.

Before his eyes stilled as he saw her. The world stilled as he watched her. Rin was speaking animatedly with Anko as if they were friends. Rin smiled as she closed her eyes then with a stunned look she looked towards the door seeing Kakashi looking at her with a shocked look on his face.

Suddenly, she was bombarded with the same images she saw earlier. She unconsciously moved her right hand up towards the left side of her chest. She couldn't keep her eyes off him as he walked towards her. She failed to notice Anko silently walking away.

The special jonin sent a brief glance to Kakashi as she departed into the building.

"R…Rin?" Kakashi said his hands trembling as he stretched it out cupping her face feeling skin. Seeing her confused look, he composed himself while trying to smile.

"You might not remember me but I'm Hatake Kakashi, your ex-teammate."

"Ka…Ka…shi?" Rin asked trying to get used to the name. Suddenly her face change to a younger Rin with the same bloodied lips as she repeated the name over again. Kakashi just shook his head, clearing the images before nodding his head, "Yes."

"Weird." she said confused "It feels familiar pronouncing it."

Kakashi composed himself before speaking, "Well let me show you round the village."

xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

"It seems the destruction of Suna was a great thing after all." Onoki smirked.

"I don't get it." A spoke "Why don't you destroy them now?"

"We can't at the moment. She has to recover her memories first." Onoki said chuckling. "Then everything would come to place."

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Naruto smirked as he downed a broth at a table. "Ah… The sweet goodness of Ramen. I'm telling you guys, Ramen can never go wrong." That statement earned dry looks from each of the various occupants of the location.

Naruto looked at each of them before speaking, "So, what have you figured out so far?"

"Well after Sunagakure was destroyed courtesy of Gaara it seems the survivors flocked to Konoha including your siblings, Gaara." Iruka said earning a raised eyebrow from Gaara. "Survived?"

"They were sent to the borders on a mission."

Gaara nodded his head as he relaxed on his chair.

"Interesting, so do you mean Konoha are on their own now?" Fu asked a mischievous look on her face.

"No they have Kirigakure on their grasp." Naruto added a frown forming on his face earning shocked looks from each of them.

"I thought Kirigakure weren't involved in the war." Haku pondered.

"Well they are." Naruto replied. "They have gotten rid of Yagura and put someone to take his position. All with Mizu not knowing of the change."

"This brings us back to square one, doesn't it" Gaara asked.

"No, everything will still proceed as planned."

"Now to Takigakure." Fu said. "Well they seemed to have picked themselves up after what happened when I left. They have improved on their Shinobi and have found a way to use the Hero water without dying. They are allied with Iwagakure, whether that is a good thing or not remain to be confirmed."

"And Ame?" Naruto asked.

"They are still closed off." Haku said, her eyes narrowing

"I felt something when I approached their gates. Their rain, it's unnatural. Probably controlled by someone; it was impossible to infiltrate."

Naruto mused, "Amegakure, huh?"

"Any problems?" Haku asked

"If you figured this out, since the Akatsuki have stolen Tailed Beast from each two of the great villages, they are not allied with any of the now four."

"Which means." Haku said piecing things together.

"They probably reside in a small village." Gaara concluded, Makes sense

"There have been rumors that Hanzo of the Salamander was dead. This new fact could raise a possibility for us." Iruka said.

"If an Akatsuki member, possibly the leader did that then whoever the person is should be powerful." Naruto mused with a frown on his face. "This also complicates things… It's possible that the Akatsuki controls Amegakure. And as such, they would definitely find out when we infiltrate, if the information Haku gave us is true, then we are in a bit of a pickle."

"What if they were in another small village, like Takigakure?" Fu asked.

"Then we wouldn't have been able to get you, Fu." Naruto said chuckling making her blush in embarassment.

"All we eventually do is to locate the Akatsuki base and retrieve the three captured Jinchuuriki. Kirigakure is to be off limits for now. The thing to concentrate on now is Iwa where the five tailed Jinchuuriki resides. Akatsuki will probably be gunning for them so we must be ready." Naruto had a serious expression as he stood up.

"I'm heading to Iwagakure, Gaara you come with me." Gaara nodded his head, "But what should we be doing while you go have fun." Fu pouted folding her arms.

"You have the entire wealth of Suna here… Have fun."

"Well Han." Naruto said walking to the door of the room they were in, "We are coming."

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IWAGAKURE

Far in the plains of Iwa, an armored Han held up a Konoha shinobi by his neck before snapping it, letting him collapse to the earth. His eyes narrowed, looking to the skies. Something was coming this way, he could feel it.

"Well, time to report to Tsuchikage-sama." he spoke mirthlessly, before leaving the blood soaked grounds littered with several Shinobi bearing the insignia of Konoha.

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"Are you ready Raikage-sama?" Mabui spoke, her palms in a ram sign as on the floor, a sealing matrix was observed to be glowing.

"Of course I am. Get the transportation technique ready." A said as lightning covered his body. He grinned, it was time to set out to Iwagakure.

CHAPTER END