Itachi: Truth of Insanity

by Oni244

To save a precious person, even a sane man will fall into insanity. Itachi knows this truth very well, since he killed his entire clan for one. It's been four years since that day, and now the world will see the fruits of that one act. AU Naruto x FemHaku

12. Chapter 12

"Normal Speech"

-Thoughts-

"Demon Speech"

"Jutsu!"

XXXXXXXXXX

Chapter 12: Shadows of an Alliance

As is a common theme in the Elemental Continent, the Land of Earth reflected its name in its landscape. Various canyons and plateaus filled the majority of it, a veritable maze that could leave even its own inhabitants lost from time to time. But along the western border of this land, things were…different, a darker face for the earth to present itself with.

Embodying the truest form of earth's unrelenting might, a long chain of mountains ran along the border of the Land of Earth, the northern tip of it situated along the northwest and running down to halfway across the southern border. Along with the sheer scale these mountains reached, they also deflected most invaders by constantly spewing earth's mightiest element, lava. Every last one of them was a volcano, constantly spewing ash into the air and making the lands around them a literal graveyard for miles. The lava they produced oozed from the sides and tops, making unnatural streams of lava that many shinobi ventured near in hopes of learning how to control. Every attempt should be noted for having failed, horribly.

It should also be said that it is perhaps because of these mountains that Iwagakure even got the idea of starting the Third Great Shinobi War. With their ash and lava, they effectively cut the living space in the Land of Earth by a third, and with such rocky and dangerous terrain already it essentially makes any place that is already inhabited very cramped. Plus the horrid soil conditions along the west makes the Land of Earth very dependent on trade with outside lands and the few sparse farms that do manage to flourish in other parts of the land. Taking in a final account for the fact that the Land of Earth has the largest population count in the Elemental Continent, and you have only to await the final straw to break for such a thing as war to begin. It's ironic that most of their population and food problems were solved at the end of the war, not by winning but by losing, all thanks to the Yondaime Hokage having killed so many of their people so quickly with the help of his Hiraishin no Jutsu.

However, among all of these volcano's lays a very specific one, towering at easily twice the height of the others around it. Name Mt. Itsumaden, it is in the exact center of the mountain chain and the deadliest of them all. It constantly erupts at an exact time every day, once in the morning and then 12 hours later at night. Nobody knows why it does this, these strangely timed eruptions. But with the eruptions being several times worse than the other volcanos, and its height also making even the hardiest mountain climber pale, nobody can even approach it to discover why. It is a near impossible task.

XXXXX

"…And that's how it is."

Shikamaru sighed, the usually relaxing task of cloud gazing quickly loosing its splendor over all he had just been told. Turning his head, he looked over the blonde sitting cross-legged next to him under the tree.

"So Kyuubi really is inside you huh? Troublesome…" Shikamaru turned back to the clouds. "Thanks for actually telling me though. It's kinda relaxing to know he's sealed up in a cool guy like you."

Naruto smiled at the lazy Nara. "Thanks Shikamaru. So you won't be telling anyone in Konoha about this, right?"

"No problem…although after the way you fought in the Chuunin Exams, plus the fact you didn't change your name or anything…"

A sweatdrop formed on Naruto's head as he rubbed the back of it sheepishly. "I guess you have a point." He perked up suddenly. "Hey Shikamaru, how about we spar a little? You know, to see how our fight might've ended like?"

Shikamaru sighed. "No thanks, I don't really feel like it. Besides…" The unspoken words hung in the air between the two, causing Naruto to laugh nervously. The two sat in silence for a time afterwards, but just as Shikamaru felt his eyelids droop Naruto stood up and dusted off his cloak.

"Well I've got to get going Shikamaru. I hope we'll meet up again someday." Shikamaru waved a hand lazily as Naruto vanished in a cloud of smoke. The Nara sat there in thought for a time, and then he too stood. Hands in his pocket and head titled, he walked over to a nearby bush and slowly pushed the greenery aside, revealing Kiba and Hinata both crouched behind it and Akamaru perched atop his owners head. They panicked after being discovered, but Shikamaru's uncaring gaze told them they were not in trouble.

"You could've just joined us you know, and its not like he didn't you two were there." Shikamaru muttered. Hinata blushed in embarrassment while Kiba shot a cautious look over Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Dude, are you really that calm with that Naruto guy?" Kiba asked. "I mean, he did just say he holds the freaking Kyuubi in him. What if he, you know, lets that thing out or something?"

"Troublesome…" Shaking his head, Shikamaru looked over his shoulder to where Naruto had been. "He seemed pretty sane and stable to me. A little goofy, but otherwise…" He looked back to Hinata and Kiba. "Besides, if Sasuke trusts him, why can't you? He is your teammate, so you should know him pretty well by now to know he wouldn't do something stupid."

"Sh-Shikamaru-san does have a p-point Kiba-kun…" Hinata whispered. "S-Sasuke-kun is very nice, but h-h-he doesn't just trust everyone b-because they say he s-should. Remember the A-Academy, back in t-the second year?"

Kiba frowned, recalling how distant and cold Sasuke had been early on after his clan had been massacred. He had warmed up, if only a little, after some kind of talk with the Hokage, but before that…

"I guess you're right Hinata." Akamaru barked in agreement with his masters words. "Still, that explains his weird fox smell, but what bugs me is that other one he has."

This caught the attention of Shikamaru. "Smell? What are you talking about Kiba?"

Hinata and Kiba both shared a look between each other, recalling the minutes leading up to Orochimaru's attack in the Forest of Death. Kiba decided to explain it to Shikamaru since he had been the one to tell his team. "Back in the Forest of Death, Naruto met with our team and gave us his scroll. But before that, I got a really good whiff of him and smelled something…weird." Kiba's nose wrinkled, the memory of the smell playing through it. "I didn't really know what it was, but besides his fox smell he had something…mythical about him."

Shikamaru took Kiba's pause to think about it. –Something mythical huh? Maybe it's from an animal Naruto's been in contact with a lot? That would explain why Kyuubi's scent is on him, but then what… - He sighed, feeling the early signs of a headache begin. –This is so troublesome, why am I even bothering with it? –

"Who cares what it was?" Shikamaru asked. "I mean, it's not like it really matters or anything. Just leave the guy alone, I certainly am now that he's explained it to me."

"Dude, but aren't you curious? What if it's something really cool, or dangerous, or…" Shikamaru simply blocked out Kiba's rant and looked up toward the clouds.

-Clouds…how I envy them… -

XXXXX

Staring up at the small complex of the Sarutobi family, the front door open to the public and watched by ANBU, Itachi couldn't help but see the comparison between the Sandaime's home and the man himself. Warm, bright, very well kept so as to balance nature and civilization, and filled with an atmosphere that spoke of wisdom and care. But underneath there was ANBU spread all around the outer walls and two were visible at the gate as guards. Very similar indeed to the now twice retired Hokage, whose kind nature has made him a loved one of his entire village and yet his shinobi skills have helped him protect that which he loves, sometimes with death.

He nodded his head to the ANBU, who nodded back in reply, and then calmly walked through the entrance and into the large front yard of the home. In the yard was a young boy, throwing a few blunt kunai at a target. A jonin stood on the sidelines instructing the boy on how to improve his aim. When Itachi passed by the jonin leveled a glare at him, but the boy paused in his practice to stare at Itachi in awe. Itachi noted how the boy was mostly looking at his Akatsuki cloak, and he reasoned that the boy had probably heard all about how Naruto and his team pummeled the competition in the Chuunin Exams. With a small smirk on his face Itachi paid them both no more heed and walked past, knocking on the front door and walking in once a female servant invited him in.

A few more corridors and a small conversation with the servant later Itachi knocked on the library door. Sarutobi called from inside, and when Itachi stepped through he let out a small whistle. The library was very large, easily the largest room in the entire complex outside of the dinning room. Every wall, including the one where the door was, was covered in book laden shelves, with various subjects from the simplest jutsu or fairy tale to the advanced workings of various countries economies. A portion of the far wall was just uncovered enough to permit a fireplace to stand, and around the empty fireplace rested two couches resting on either side of the opening. Sarutobi sat in the left one, a book in hand with two scrolls lying on the table set between the couches. He glanced up over the top of his book, and with an audible snap he closed it and stood.

"Ah Itachi-kun, I'm glad you were able to visit so soon." Sarutobi said. "I've been meaning to discuss some things with you."

"About what exactly Sarutobi-san? You've been very keen on keeping me in the dark so far." Itachi said.

"Ah yes, well it's not really something I should discuss in public, not when ears are listening."

Itachi raised an eyebrow and moved to sit on the opposite couch. He removed his hat, and after opening the top half of his cloak he sat back in a more relaxed position. "You certainly have my attention now Sarutobi-san. What might this all be about?" He glanced down at the table, taking note of the two scrolls. He recognized them from the safe Sarutobi had retrieved the treaty scroll from two days ago. Both of them were identical in size, but one had orange swirls carefully drawn along the sides and the other had the kanji for 'Fire' neatly done in the center of it.

"Hmm, yes, where to begin…" Sitting once more, Sarutobi retrieved his pipe from within his robes and carefully lit it. He took a few puffs, and then leveled his gaze on Itachi again. "I suppose the best place would be 12 years ago. As you know, the Kyuubi's attack was quite sudden and forced the Yondaime to drastic measures to save the village. To the younger generation his heroic deed speaks of how he slew the Kyuubi and to those old enough the seal and Naruto's burden is well known."

"Which led to many hating Naruto, and for some they sought to end his life."

Sarutobi flinched slightly. "Yes, a…unfortunate occurrence." He took another long puff of his pipe. "However…there is yet another story that exists of that night, and the days leading up to it. This truth is very select in those who know of it, with only me and my two still loyal students knowing the full light of it. I suspect Kakashi figured most of it out a few years ago, but with Naruto leaving the village he has never had a real chance to show this knowledge in any way."

Itachi sat up slightly, his curiosity growing. "And what is this truth Sarutobi-san?"

Grabbing the scroll with orange swirls, Sarutobi opened it to the first few lines of whatever lay inside. His eyes scanned the scrolls words, and then with a heavy sigh he handed it over for Itachi to read. Slowly, Itachi took hold of the scroll and began reading, opening the scroll up more once the beginning paragraph was done. His eyebrows during his reading began to climb, and soon after his eyes began to widen as well. When the last of the scroll had been read, Itachi finally reigned in his emotions and closed his eyes in thought.

"…I see, so that is why."

Sarutobi nodded. "Yes, now you know Itachi-kun."

"And what do you wish for me to do with this knowledge?"

"Nothing, if that is what you desire." Sarutobi paused, deep in thought for a moment. "I have never revealed this secret before for many reasons, but I believe one of the main reasons would have to do with fear. Fear over what he might do once he realizes this."

"Why would you fear him learning of this?"

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow. "Considering the rather dark life he led before you took him out of Konoha?"

Itachi opened his eyes, an understanding look in them. "Ah…" He glanced down at the second scroll. "If such a secret lies within the first, I cannot help but dread the second."

Sarutobi followed his gaze. "Nothing of the sort exists within that scroll. In fact, it just might save you and your companion's lives, as well as secure the treaty ceremony tomorrow."

Itachi raised an eyebrow, and the retired Sandaime explained.

XXXXX

It is not a well known fact that Konoha was not the first village to inhabit the area that it did today. When the Shodaime Hokage first arrived in the then vast plains of grass and rocks, there had been a ruined city of metal and glass hidden in the shadow of the mountain. He couldn't tell how long it had really been there for, but when he and his brother carefully explored the ruins they had found many strange and wondrous things. Many of which of course did not work anymore or crumbled when touched, but still the wonders they did find marked the city as being VERY old. The Shodaime, after having thoroughly explored it, thought to simply leave the ruins alone and build elsewhere. But then Madara Uchiha, his recently obtained ally and leader of the Uchiha clan, pointed out how useful the location would be and thus the Shodaime reluctantly plowed the ruins over with his Mokuton jutsu's and formed Konohagakure.

And so Konoha flourished, but unknown to even the Shodaime the ruins he had supposedly buried had in fact survived, though the means of how they did was lost on those that later rediscovered them. And the people that discovered them, namely the man that did so, are what we shall now turn to.

Danzo was old, old but politically powerful. He had also been a rather strong shinobi back in his days, rival to only the Sandaime. But his dreams of a militaristic Konoha under his rule as Hokage were shot down by the, in his opinion, blatant favoritism of the Nidaime to his old student Sarutobi. And then when he was badly injured in the attack by Kyuubi, he was forced to resign to a seat in the council and nothing more. But from the shadows, he schemed.

He worked carefully to extend his influence over the other council members and various happenings around the village, and when the Sandaime had reluctantly given him the go ahead to form his own special division of ANBU, he nearly doubled his efforts in creating his power hold over Konoha. He allowed only the best within his ANBU ranks, training them from childhood to be emotionless tools that would follow orders and only perform duties that ensured the safety of Konoha, in Danzo's personal view of 'safety' of course. For nearly 8 years this all went on unhindered, but then when the Uchiha massacred occurred, the Sandaime had been forced to put on a bit of a security investigation show. It had been mostly to appease the shocked civilians and unknowing shinobi, but then when his investigation actually did bring up something he was shocked. Instantly the investigations went on overdrive and in no time at all most of Danzo's plots were uncovered and his plans with ROOT were stopped. The ANBU group was disbanded and Danzo lost a large amount of power, but still the man refused to give up.

He decided to go underground, figuratively and literally. With his still loyal ROOT shinobi by his side he began digging an underground facility, and was shocked when they suddenly broke through to the city ruins below. But he did not waste this discovery and instantly secured it as his new facility. With its massive size and forgotten presence, it truly was the perfect place for him to hide and build his power back up from. And for four years he did just that, his ROOT forces now fully replenished and his political power growing back to its former level, and from there beyond.

Now we find Danzo sitting in his office, sipping at tea as he read over a report one of his ROOT operatives had just handed him. His one visible eyebrow was opened enough to reveal the cold black bead of an eye underneath, and with a slight snarl he slapped the folder down onto his table. From the edges of it escaped several pictures, each of them an identified member of Akatsuki in their signature red cloud cloaks.

"To think such an organization, no…That such a village could escape my sights for so long." Danzo muttered. "Over three confirmed Jinchuriki in their ranks, one even being our own, and now that Gaara boy is close to joining as well…."

A small knock sounded from the door of Danzo's office, and with a calming breath Danzo pressed a small seal on the underside of his table to allow the shinobi entrance. He or she slipped in like a shadow, only their pale blank ANBU mask truly reflecting any light from the candles that littered the room. The shinobi bowed, and once it spoke it was revealed to be a man. "Danzo-sama, it appears that the ceremony is finally scheduled to begin. Tsunade-san wishes to perform it just before noon tomorrow."

"Thank you for this information." Danzo said. "Now report, what new news do you have of Kazegakure?"

The shinobi bowed once more. "Apologies Danzo-sama, but I'm afraid our spies have found nothing new beyond what we were able to extract from Orochimaru's own spies."

Danzo frowned. "Then you are not trying hard enough. You ROOT shinobi are the best of the best, the true elites that guard the roots of the great tree of Konoha! Failure is not an option, for that leads to ruin." For a moment Danzo thought he felt fear come from the man in front of him, but then he realized that such an emotion no longer existed in him. It was merely a thought of his own mind over how the man would normally respond to his upcoming punishment. "You know where you must report now?"

The shinobi bowed, showing no emotion even behind his mask. "Yes Danzo-sama." Without another word the ROOT member slipped back out of the room and proceeded to the training grounds, ready to accept his punishment.

It was a few minutes after the shinobi had left before Danzo called in another operative, one he knew he could trust. Said shinobi appeared just a silently and quickly as the first, but in fact was much more skilled. The shinobi bowed. "Danzo-sama, you have summoned me?"

"Yes…I have needs of your skills in order to learn more of Kazegakure and their mysteries." Collecting the scattered pictures back into the folder, Danzo then handed it to the shinobi who accepted it with a bow. "I want you to head immediately to the Land of Water and track down the location of Kazegakure. Once you have, inform me of its location and begin your infiltration mission. I will want a status report at the end of every month, failure to do so will have me immediately announce you deceased and deny any association with you, as is protocol."

The shinobi opened the folder, reading over all the information inside, and once it had all been memorized he returned it to Danzo who placed a security seal on it. The shinobi sat in silence for a moment, and then bowed before leaving. The room was quiet after that, Danzo silently brooding as he sipped at his tea. –Learning more of such a dangerous faction is all good, but still more must be done. This treaty should not even be happening. They should all be arrested and killed for who they are. And the jinchuriki, if I could somehow take control of them, make them loyal to Konoha, to me… -

Visible eye opening, Danzo glared down at the picture of a smiling Naruto. "Risky, but it shall be done…" He muttered.

XXXXX

The next day came quickly for everyone, and the civilians were granted with a very special sight. Seven cloaked figures walked down the street together, their red cloud cloaks fluttering slightly in the afternoon breeze. The bells tied to their hats jingled with each step, silencing many for fear of disturbing this scene. Behind them was an ANBU escort, seven of the masked shinobi visible with nearly a dozen hidden on nearby rooftops and alleyways. A final person walked alongside this procession, the sole loyal Uchiha of the village in step with the leading cloaked figure. His ceremonial Uchiha clan robe, midnight black with a white ornate uchiwa on the back, showed he too was taking part of the ceremony. He was granted such privileges despite being underage in these rare occasions, where a clan vote was required and with him being the only remaining Uchiha. He seemed very relaxed walking next to the lead Akatsuki, and could even be seen whispering something to the person from time to time, only receiving a nod in response when appropriate.

They made their way into the Hokage Tower, and then into the council meeting chamber. The other council members and clan heads were already present, and after Sasuke took his designated spot Tsunade stood. She looked a little silly wearing the Hokage robes and hat, but tradition required she wore them on such occasions.

"Members of the council, honored clan heads, and honored guests. Today we gather in this chamber to form a new bond of trust and companionship between our two villages, Konohagakure and Kazegakure." Tsunade said, her voice echoing across the room due to the special architecture of its design. "Already I and my predecessor, the Sandaime Hokage, have given our approval and blessing upon this alliance. Now I leave the final enactment of this treaty to your hands. A copy of the treaty has been placed before each of your seats, and I ask that you now read it."

With a great noise of shuffling chairs and papers, the council and clan heads sat down and opened the scrolls. Murmurs rose from some of the people present, conversation breaking out among some, but so far none had yet to protest the alliance. Tsunade and the Akatsuki members remained silent, waiting patiently for all of them to finish their judgment. After a few minutes the chatter did die down and the room became silent, which Tsunade took as a signal to continue.

"Now that the treaty has been read by all uninformed of its contents, is there anyone who wishes to voice any complaints?"

Hiashi, head of the Hyuuga clan, stood. "I wish some clarification upon the shinobi exchange you request."

One of the Akatsuki members, Itachi in fact, stepped forward to address the question. "Yes?"

"Although you give us the choice as to who we send, I still do not trust such an act. How are we to know you will not experiment on whoever we send if they turn out to be a wielder of one of our bloodlines, or torture a member of any clan with family jutsu's?"

"Such acts are, to begin with, strictly against our laws and too immoral to even consider performing in my personal opinion. However, since we anticipated such a thought, we have prepared an appeasement for any who fear such a thing. The shinobi who comes to our village shall send out a weekly letter to your Hokage, just as our shinobi will send one to ourselves. This way we shall both know our shinobi are well and are not subject to anything…unpleasant."

"Letters however can be forged, and also easily edited to white out anything you might not wish us to learn about." Shibi, head of the Aburame clan, commented.

"And that is why the shinobi exchange is performed anew every year, to rotate the appointed shinobi and ensure their safety at the end of their service to our mutual villages."

Hiashi seemed pleased with the answers and sat down again. Shikaku, head of the Nara clan, stood with a sigh. "That is well and good, but what annoys me is how you have yet to reveal you village's location. How can we begin to trust those who lurk in the shadows, even while they speak of peace between our villages?"

Naruto stepped forward to respond this time. "Our village is new and still in a time of rebuilding. Because of this we've had to keep our level of secrecy and security very high, that way nobody could take advantage of us." He paused, the shadows made by his hat hiding his expression from those in the room. Shikaku took this moment to consider how he had said 'rebuilding' instead of 'construction'. "However, we will reveal our location once your shinobi comes to our village. It would prove pretty impossible to keep it secret then, right?"

Shikaku chuckled a little under his breath, his earlier unease dissolved. "I guess you're right. The Nara clan has nothing more to say in these matters." With that he sat down again.

Tsunade looked over the room, taking in the various faces of the council and clan heads. "Is there anyone else who wishes to question the treaty?" Nobody stood nor raised their voice. Mentally Tsunade let out a sigh of relief. "Then without further ado I shall-"

"Please wait a moment, Tsunade-san."

Everyone in the room turned to where the voice came from, and Tsunade frowned when she saw it was the old war hawk Danzo. –It looks like Sarutobi-sensei was right. That man is up to something… - Not breaking her official air, Tsunade cleared her throat and faced the man with a serious face. "Yes council member Danzo? You wish to ask something of our honored guests?"

Danzo nodded, and as he stood Tsunade swore she saw a brief glint of something in the old mans eye. "Yes Tsunade-san, I do." He turned and faced the Akatsuki members. "Tell me, why do our honored guests stand before us now as they do? Hiding their faces and keeping their names to themselves? Isn't it required of them to be open in their identities during this ceremony, so as to ensure complete honesty upon both parties?"

Tsunade bit back a curse. –Dammit, I was hoping no one would raise that particular tradition. – "Do to certain political issues our guests requested that their identities be mainly kept secret until the treaty had been signed or declined."

Danzo raised his visible eyebrow. "Oh? And what might these 'political issues' be?"

"I am not inclined to say, since I have already granted their request as you can see."

"But I'm afraid that does not make sense Tsunade-san." Danzo reached into his robe, pulling out three pictures. One was of Naruto, another Uindo, and the final Hinote. "These three were quite visible during their time in the Chuunin Exams, and their names were also known too. If nothing else, why must they remain hidden?"

"…"

Danzo smirked. "It seems something is quite amiss in this treaty ceremony. As such I feel that this ceremony must be postponed, indefinitely if needed, so long as all members of Akatsuki refuse to reveal themselves. Who seconds my decision?"

Several council members and Tsume, head of the Inuzuka clan, stood in silent agreement almost immediately. Tsunade frowned, sensing the strings pulled on by Danzo in this move, but with no evidence she could do nothing. The majority vote seemed in Danzo's favor moments later when Shibi stood as well, and seeing this Danzo nodded. "Well then Tsunade-san, it seems this treaty ceremony is over."

"Wait."

Tsunade and Danzo turned to look at the Akatsuki group. Itachi turned to face the others, and after a long whispered discussion he turned again and nodded toward Tsunade. "We shall reveal ourselves as Danzo-san has requested, so long as it means the treaty ceremony might be completed."

Danzo smirked once more, feeling his plan begin to succeed. "Then if would please removed yours hats?"

One by one the members of Akatsuki reached up and grabbed the brim of their hats, and in a unified move they removed them as well. The results were instant.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS!" Tsume roared, her eyes becoming slit while a low growl echoed in the throat.

"Troublesome…" Shikaku muttered.

"Ah…" Hiashi closed his eyes in thought.

"…" A buzzing noise began to emanate from Shibi's coat.

"Oh boy…" Sasuke sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Tsunade!" One of council members shouted. "What is the meaning of this?!"

"My thoughts exactly…" Danzo muttered. "Please, Tsunade-san, explain to us why you, with advance knowledge of their identities, agreed to a treaty with a band of missing-nin such as these people are?"

Tsunade grimaced as Itachi, Naruto, Uindo, Hinote, Kisame, Yugito, and Haku all sighed in frustration. "Because, for one thing these people are not all missing-nin, and secondly I-"

"I'm afraid…." Danzo interrupted. "…That although some of these people are indeed unregistered in the bingo books, they might as well be due to their status." Again Danzo reached into his robe and pulled something out, this time a folder clearly marked with the kanji for 'Crime'. He opened it and flipped through a few pages, listing off several things as he read through. "Naruto Uzumaki, former jinchuriki of Konoha, went missing four years ago with no successful retrieval mission. Was suspected to have been kidnapped by Itachi Uchiha, but never confirmed. Yugito Nii, former jinchuriki of Kumo, went missing a year ago under mysterious circumstances. Haku, no surname indicated, wanted for assisting Zabuza Momochi in his attempted assassination of the Mizukage. She is reported to wield an unnamed ice bloodline. Hinote, no known surname, wanted for various crimes including robbery, arson, murder, and illicit conduct in numerous countries. She has shown skilled use of fire in many of her crimes and earlier in the Chuunin Exams." Danzo closed the folder and placed it on the table, a small smirk on his face. "All of these people were kept out of the bingo book due to their lack of shinobi rank, but have still been circulated through the bounty hunter networks of every land."

Uindo glanced over at his sister after hearing her crimes, and with a sheepish look Hinote silently apologized through her eyes. She knew he would be questioning her after all of this was over with.

"Quite frankly Tsunade-san, this is perhaps the worst blunder I have ever seen any leader make. To think you wish for us to sign a treaty with such dangerous people as these?" Danzo waved a hand over the gathered clan heads and council members. "I believe I speak for everyone present in saying that such a thing is now impossible."

With a heavy heart Tsunade numbly nodded, sending a silent apology to Naruto. "It seems you are correct Danzo. Therefore, I must now call an end to this treaty, and request that the members of Akatsuki…"

"Be restrained and taken for immediate execution." Before anyone could respond to his words, Danzo snapped his fingers.

Instantly ANBU surrounded the members of Akatsuki, but before they could move in to execute their orders a wave of killing intent washed over them. Itachi stood tall in front of the group, Sharingan spinning in the pinwheel shape of the Mangekyo Sharingan. Behind him, Naruto, Yugito, and Kisame were all pulling on their demonic chakra, turning their eyes red, yellow, and blue respectively as they used it to increase their already impressive amounts of killing intent. Uindo, Hinote, and Haku were also pouring on the killer intent, but to a much lesser degree so as to make sure nobody died of a heart attack.

"I'm afraid…" Itachi began.

"That we're not going anywhere!" Naruto finished, his words almost a growl.

"You see, we unfortunately saw this scenario." Uindo said.

"And so did Sandaime-sama!" Haku yelled.

"So to keep pointless bloodshed out of the way…" Yugito hissed.

"The old man went to the Daimyo to request some things." Kisame chuckled.

"Like say, his complete approval of our treaty." Hinote chirped.

"And a series of pardons for those officially in the bingo books, with no consequences for our actions." Itachi said.

"It was pretty easy really, especially since the old man told him everything about us and all." Naruto dropped Kyuubi's chakra and smiled, his teeth no longer like fangs. "And as an added bonus, our own Daimyo went ahead and sent a letter to the Fire Daimyo saying he supported our actions."

"In addition, from what Itachi-sensei told us, the letter also offered the Fire Daimyo various benefits, so long as the treaty was signed. To not have it be signed robs the Land of Fire of these benefits. Ones that would help it flourish even more and bring our own land along with it." Uindo added.

"How unfortunate really. It seems that your plans are going against all of this Danzo-san." Haku said, smiling all while. "But I'm sure the Daimyo would understand. After all, someone must have a good reason to ruin so much potential profit and benefits for the people and shinobi of the Land of Fire."

A mischievous smirk grew on Hinote and Yugito's face. "You DO have a good reason, right Danzo-san?" Hinote asked, Yugito laughing along with Nekomata in her head.

Stunned silence fell over all present, many of the council members looking like gaping fishes. Some of the clan heads were smirking at the sight, while the others thought over all that had been told. But Tsunade didn't care for them at the moment. She only cared to see how Danzo was responding to his plans being ruined so easily. Looking at him, she wasn't too surprised to see a frantic and skeptical look on his face.

"You speak as if all of this is true…" Danzo said slowly, as if he feared his own words betraying him somehow. "What proof do you have of this letter and all you spoke of?"

Itachi reached into his cloak and pulled out the second scroll given to him by Sarutobi, the kanji for 'Fire' looking like living flames in Danzo's mind. "I believe this will answer all your doubts and questions. If you would please read it yourself and confirm it Tsunade-sama?" He tossed it up to the woman, who caught it with ease, and for the next few minutes everyone watched her as she read over everything within it.

"…It seems what he speaks of is true." Tsunade failed to hide the triumphant smirk on her face. "And…it seems if we were to refuse this alliance, our Daimyo will decrease our funding by 20 percent and filter many of our missions over to Kazegakure."

"B-But, he cannot do that!" Danzo exclaimed.

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is the position of Daimyo, the man who runs the very land that permits your village to exist in, really that meaningless?"

"Y-You…"

"Well then!" Tsunade clapped her hands together, her smile growing as she watched Danzo come close to having a stroke. "With this new information now available to us, I believe it is time we have a vote to see who approves or disapproves of this alliance. Will those in favor please stand?"

Slowly, many still stunned over the daring acts of Akatsuki, the clan heads all stood. The council remained seated, but then the two former teammates of the Sandaime, Koharu and Homura, stood. With their votes the majority was now with those in favor, and Tsunade felt close to laughing as she watched Danzo seethe.

"The majority stands in favor of the alliance. Therefore, I shall now sign the treaty along with the members of Akatsuki."

Tsunade walked down to the small ceremonial table, a pot of ink and quill pen neatly set to the side of the large scroll. Tsunade picked up the pen first, signing her name with a flourish, and one by one the Akatsuki all signed it as well. Once the final signature was finished and dry, Tsunade bit her thumb and pressed it gently on the side of the scroll. With a loud snap it closed, a powerful protection seal now over it to prevent anyone from destroying it. Tsunade handed it to one of the ANBU to take away to the archives, and then with a wave she dismissed the council and clan heads.

As the people slowly flowed out of the room, Naruto couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. "Oh man that was close."

"Indeed." Itachi casually glanced to his side, taking note of the glare Danzo was sending to him and the others. "It seems Danzo was very adamant in eliminating us from the picture, although why I do not understand."

Tsunade snorted. "Knowing that man, he probably had some kind of scheme to gain more favor and power over me. Sensei's told me about how Danzo was and still is after the seat of Hokage. If that man took over, Konoha would be in its darkest hour."

"How was he able to command all of those ANBU like that Tsunade-sama?" Haku asked.

The others all turned to Tsunade, their curiosity over the strange event apparent. The blonde Hokage furrowed her brows in thought. "Hmm…that's a good question. It seems I'll have to keep an eye on that man more than I thought, the ANBU too."

"Not every root is healthy for the tree it supports." Uindo muttered. Tsunade nodded to the cryptic words, and then turned to Naruto.

"Naruto, shouldn't we be going already?"

"Huh?" Slowly, a look of realization crossed Naruto's face as Kyuubi reminded him of what he had forgotten. "Oh Shit, I forgot about Gaara!" In a blur of activity Naruto kissed Haku on the cheek and then grabbed Tsunade before vanishing with her in a plume of smoke.

"…What was that all about?" Kisame asked.

"I think Naruto-kun was talking about the sealing ceremony Tsunade-san and Jiraiya are supposed to perform on Gaara-san." Haku muttered, still smiling as she rubbed the kissed cheek.

"When were they going to do that anyway?" Yugito asked.

"10 minutes ago…" Without another word, Itachi walked out of the room, the others trailing after him.

XXXXX

With a bang the door to Danzo's office flew open, the man himself marching in with killer intent flowing off him. Behind him a ROOT operative quickly went to work repairing the doorway, while another appeared with a cup of tea to calm Danzo's nerves with. Danzo, before taking the tea, roared and swept the piles of paperwork off of his desk, and then with a sigh turned to grab the cup of tea. He sipped slowly at it, taking care to not crush to the cup in his still going rage.

"Damned Akatsuki…" He muttered. "They completely ruined my gamble, and now Tsunade is sure to keep a keen eye on me." He sipped the tea, his nerves already beginning to cool down. "But I anticipated this, didn't I? Yes, of course I did. And it's nothing I can't handle. I'll just reduce ROOT operations for a while, and then resume them fully once Tsunade has slacked in her observations." During this small monologue, his tea was refilled by the second ROOT shinobi. "Yes, that shall work. But perhaps a little insurance is needed. I suppose instigating some tension between Iwa and Konoha would do it, it's not like that village has any real power to threaten our village with. They're still pretty bad off from the war after all. They'll just be a nice diversion, turning her eye from me and to the outside world."

Setting his tea down finally, Danzo motioned for the two ROOT shinobi in the office with him. Instantly the first stopped repairing the door and the second set the tea tray down. "You two, I have a small mission for you." The two bowed silently. "I want you to head toward the Land of Earth and set up a small terrorist attack on the capitol. Make sure the supplies for the attack eventually connect back to the Land of Fire in some way. Be sure to avoid anything however that would make them point to Konoha."

The two bowed and vanished out the door without a noise. Danzo smirked, the cogs already moving again in his mind. "Perhaps you might have foiled my plans for now, but rest assured Akatsuki, I shall be victorious in the end."

XXXXX

Naruto practically dragged Tsunade through the long hallways of Konoha's hospital as he rushed down them. He would've used Shunshin to reach the room immediately, but due to various restrictions he was forced to walk right from the entrance all the way to the underground chamber where the sealing would take place in. Tsunade, not particularly happy with having her arm pulled out of its socket, kept up with the other blonde and forced him to slow down for her own sake.

"Come on Baa-chan, hurry up!" Naruto yelled.

"Easy brat, it's not like he's going anywhere or something. And could you please give me my arm back!?" Tsunade replied.

Naruto did let go of Tsunade's arm, but still kept up his speedy pace. Within minutes he reached the large double doors, and in seconds he slammed them open, causing the two occupants inside to turn and look at him.

"…You're late." Gaara muttered.

Jiraiya merely looked over the top of his notebook, and then resumed his writing.

"Ah, sorry we're late. The old geezers were really being hard on us." Naruto shrugged. "But it's taken care of now, so that just leaves you Gaara!" Tsunade walked up behind Naruto, flicking him on the back of his head. "Ow!"

"Annoying little brat…" She muttered. Nodding to Gaara, she walked over to Jiraiya and crossed her arms. "Alright Jiraiya, what's the plan exactly?"

"Pretty simply really…" Jiraiya began, still working hard on whatever notes he was making. "I've already drawn up the best seals to use in this little operation, now they just need to be placed up around the room in the right places."

With a loud rip Jiraiya suddenly tore our several pages of his notebook, and handing them to Tsunade she could see that each page held an intricate seal on them, some copies of one another and others completely original in their design. With Jiraiya's instructions she carefully placed them up around the room, while he removed Gaara's shirt and began writing seals all over his body. Naruto sat cross legged on the ground nearby, smiling at Gaara whenever the red head looked over at him.

"Now then Gaara, this will in no way be pleasant. But, if it works out, then you'll be free of the priest's spirit and still have Shukaku inside of you." Jiraiya explained. "But, you better brace yourself for a lot of pain. Even with Tsunade here helping keep you alive, this will be the most painful experience of your life, I guarantee it."

"None of that matters. So long as I can finally find peace within my own mind, then I would gladly endure pain for years if needed." Gaara replied, his voice full of conviction.

"Well thankfully you won't have to." Finishing his drawing, Jiraiya stood up and walked to one corner of the room. He drew a circle around where he stood, and then sat down in it with his hands in a hand sign. He glanced over at Tsunade, who had also drawn a circle and sat down in it. "Are you ready Tsunade?"

"Hai" And with that, they began.

Both Sannin flew through hand signs, chakra billowing around them before diving into the intricate seals all around the room. The seals glowed blue and green, and then from several of them a large collection of chakra chains shot out. They wrapped around Gaara, binding him and forcing the seal to form visibly under his tattoo. The seal glowed red as the chakra made contact with it, and then Gaara began to scream.

Naruto flinched as he watched the red head squirm and scream, his voice cracking from the sheer amount of pain he was in. The chakra chains rattled and shook, the paper they originated from flapping wildly in a nonexistent wind that threatened to shake them loose. But Jiraiya and Tsunade pushed on, Jiraiya fueling the sealing while Tsunade worked her healing magic down the chains to keep Gaara alive. In what seemed hours but actually a few minutes, something finally seemed to happen. The seal on Gaara's head began to pulse, like that of a heart, and from it seeped a strange black fluid. It slithered and squirmed in the air, reminding Naruto more of a living thing than a liquid. It slowly gathered in the air several feet away from Gaara, a form building as more and more of it left the seal and joined the rest of it. Crude limbs formed, and then a bulbous blob on what seemed to be shoulders. It stayed like this as more gathered and made it grow, but Naruto could already tell that it was the physical manifestation of the priest's spirit. It sickened him to see the corrupt and twisted soul.

-Ugh, I can't believe something like that was inside Gaara this whole time! And Shukaku was forcibly fused with it too… - Naruto thought, gagging lightly as the black mass gurgled in an attempt to speak.

"Behold Kit, the darkest form a human soul. Can't you just feel the negative emotions, the dark desires it holds?" Kyuubi asked, chuckling lightly under his breath.

-How was that thing ever a priest?! –

"True, it might have been pure once, but insanity and living with a Biju has definitely done it no good." Naruto could feel Kyuubi grin within him. "I bet he tastes pretty good though."

Naruto grimaced and didn't reply. He could tell where the Kyuubi was going with this.

The black mass had now roughly taken on the size of a grown adult, and Gaara's screams had become hoarse as his mouth dried. Jiraiya and Tsunade also weren't faring very well. Jiraiya was sweating noticeably and his shoulders were slump, while Tsunade was breathing deep as her brows furrowed in deeper concentration. Thankfully the sealing was near completion, and with a loud rattle the chakra chains dissipated. Gaara slumped backward without the support to hold him, and after a small smile he drifted off into unconsciousness. The black mass, now completely free of the seal, began to truly take on a form instead of the crude shape it had. The limbs thinned and lengthened as hands and feet sprouted from the proper ends. The head became solid and the shadowy outline of facial features and hair began etching themselves on the surface. Clothing also began to appear over the body, but just like the rest of it they looked merely like a shadow. A staff formed in the left hand of the priests shadow body, and once it was complete it opened its eyes. They were red, solid and evil, and his mouth opened in twisted grin that screamed for blood.

"GYAHAHAHAHA! FREE AT LAST BABY!" The priest screamed, his voice high pitched and close to how gravel sounded when rubbed against each other. "OH HOW I LONGED FOR THIS DAY!"

It broke out into more laughter at that, and while he did this Jiraiya quickly rushed through more hand signs. The few seals that had not activated during the sealing suddenly flared to life, more chains shooting out and wrapping around the priest. The only difference these chains seemed to have compared to the ones before was that each link had a small kanji for 'Bind' on it. The priest paused as he felt the chains wrap around him, and then he smirked at Jiraiya.

"You fool! Do you honestly think these things can bind me?! ME!!" With those words the priest flexed, a pulse of dark spirit energy breaking the chains like tissue. The backlash sent Tsunade and Jiraiya flying back, but Naruto held firm as he stood to face the priest. His action did not go unnoticed, as the priest's soul twisted around in the air and smiled at Naruto. "Oh, what's this? Some little brat thinks he's tough enough to kill me?" He broke out into laughter, twirling his staff around. "Gyahahahahahaha! DIE!!"

The priest charged Naruto, his staff and body emitting a dark aura. As he closed in to strike, Naruto's eyes flashed red before he raised a hand and grabbed the priest around the neck. Surprised at how Naruto was able to touch him, the priest only choked in response when Naruto casually swiped a now clawed hand at the staff, dispersing it in a cloud of black smoke. Naruto lowered his head, bangs shadowing his face, and then he lifted it again, showing now fully red slit eyes of the Kyuubi. He smirked, red chakra gathering around the hand that held the priest.

"Don't think so highly of yourself, weakling." Kyuubi spoke, borrowing Naruto's mouth to speak so Tsunade and Jiraiya might hear him. "You might have stolen the power of a Biju for a time, but Shukaku pales in comparison to me."

Naruto pulled the priest closer, solid red eyes flinching under the red slit gaze Naruto bore into his head. The smirk widened into a gaping mouth of saliva covered fangs, a black line forming around the sides of the mouth as it widened to inhuman lengths. "Now see how it feels to live in the stomach of the mightiest Biju, KYUUBI NO KITSUNE!"

Naruto bit down on the priests head, his super sized mouth capable of swallowing the thing whole. This effectively cut off the girlish scream the priest had begun to let out. Slowly Naruto ate the priest's soul bit by bit, sickening sounds like that of breaking bones and crushed organs sometimes coming up from where he bit into. When he got down to the lower legs he simply raised his head to the ceiling, opening his mouth wide, and gulped both legs down in one go. He let out a sigh as he finished his impromptu meal, the black line around his mouth fading away as his mouth reverted back to its normal human size. Kyuubi's chakra also fled from him, and once his eyes reverted back into their normal blue Naruto shuddered in revulsion.

"That…was disgusting…" He muttered. "Tasted like black licorice, stale too." Kyuubi replied with a small burp inside his mind.

Naruto looked over to where Jiraiya and Tsunade were, and sighed as he saw their green faces. Jiraiya even dry heaved slightly when the images of what he had seen crossed his mind, while Tsunade had no reservations and proceeded to barf in the corner of the room.

"N-Naruto…" Jiraiya paused for a moment, another dry heave coming up. "What the hell did you…Kyuubi…what did you two do?!"

"Err…Kyuubi ate him, and I let him borrow my body for a moment so he could." Naruto rubbed the back of his head. "It was the most effective way to do it, although I suppose I could've just sucked him into the seal instead."

"N…Next time, please just do that…" Tsunade let loose another portion of her breakfast after she finished speaking. "Oh Kami-sama, let there be no next time…"

"Hmph, pulling him into the seal would ruin all the taste." The Kyuubi grumbled, and Naruto sweatdropped.

"Well, despite the…unorthodox elimination of the priest, the sealing went off without a hitch." Jiraiya said, looking considerably less green. "Gaara will probably be unconscious for a couple hours, but otherwise no harm done."

"Thank goodness…" Naruto ran a hand through his hair as he looked over at the still form of Gaara on the ground. "Now hopefully he can…" He trailed off, becoming alert as demonic chakra began to flow from Gaara's body.

"Ugh…" Gaara's gourd, having been laid against the wall during the sealing, suddenly dissolved into sand and began wrapping itself around its master's body. Gaara's right arm and chest was completely swallowed, taking on the demons clawed arm and large gut, while only the right side of his face changed into Shukaku's. Both eyes opened as he sat up, two yellow star eyes in two pools of black. Gaara, or rather Shukaku, glanced around the room, his expression sleepy and disoriented.

"Fuck…what the hell happened?" Shukaku muttered, rubbing his clawed hand atop his head. "Last thing I remember…ah, that freaking priest! He actually sealed me!!" The sleepy look he had quickly dissolved, replaced now with rage and a low growl. "Wait till I get my hands on him…"

"Shukaku?" Shukaku turned around, finally noticing the three humans in the room with him. Naruto carefully stepped forward, his eyes narrow as he watched for any sudden movements. "You're Shukaku right? The real one, not the psychotic one I've seen before, right?"

"Hmm…you look familiar…" Shukaku peered at Naruto closely, his claws tapping on the ground as he thought. "Oh yeah, I recognize you now! You're that brat who battled me back in that tower place! You've got Kyuubi in you."

"Yeah I do, and you're in Gaara."

"Eh?" Shukaku looked down at himself, finally taking note of his partial transformation and the human half along his left side. He titled his head to the side, as if confused again, but then he smirked. "Oh yeah, Gaara, so that's his name huh? I was always screaming for blood and stuff with that freaking priest in me. I guess I never got around to memorizing his name."

"You're…not upset?" Jiraiya slowly asked. "You are sealed you know, I was sure you'd be…"

"Angrier?" Shukaku laughed, but luckily it only seemed in mirth. "Nah, why should I? That fucking priest bastard is gone, and I'm no longer a mindless bloodthirsty beast. I could care less if I'm in some human right now, so long as I'm sane and alive."

Naruto sighed. "Thank goodness…" Shaking his head, Naruto cleared his thoughts and raised an eyebrow. "Shukaku, how come you're even controlling Gaara right now? I thought for sure that Ero-Sennin's seal would eliminate that."

"He goofed." Shukaku smiled as he heard Jiraiya squawk in indignity. "He did fix the seal to be stronger, and removed the priest, and yes he did prevent me from taking over even when Gaara is asleep. But he didn't take into account for when the brat is unconscious. Even when sleeping the brain is slightly active, but when unconscious it's completely shut down. And that gives me the chance to take over, no matter how rare that possibly might be."

Tsunade tensed. "And now that you're out?"

Shukaku shrugged. "I'll probably just enjoy the fresh air and drink some booze. You do have some good sake around here right?" Tsunade sweatdropped and nodded, while Jiraiya laughed nearby.

Naruto smirked, walking closer to Shukaku and patting the demon on the shoulder. "If you get rid of all that sand then I'd be more than happy to take you somewhere and have a drink with you Shukaku."

Shukaku looked at Naruto, running his eyes up and down the blonde's body. "Aren't you a little young for a human to be drinking?"

Naruto shrugged in response. "I could say the same for you Shukaku. Gaara's the same age as me, and he's your body right now." Blue eyes shifted to red and his whisker marks thickened. "And besides, who said it would be Naruto drinking with you?" Kyuubi asked. Shukaku grinned, and after all his sand changed back into a gourd the two jinchuriki left in a swirl of sand and smoke.

Jiraiya and Tsunade both glanced at each other, the pervert smirking and the Hokage wearing a befuddled expression. "Should we do something Jiraiya?" Tsunade asked.

"Nah…let the two have some fun. They might be demons, but Naruto can deal with Kyuubi at any time and that goes for Shukaku too." Jiraiya waved a hand dismissively. "Plus, it'll be fun to see if two jinchuriki can even get drunk."

XXXXX

As ash filled the air and lava flowed around him, a man wrapped in a red cloud cloak stood with utter calm as he gazed up at the towering peak of Mt. Itsumaden. The second of the volcano's two daily eruptions had just begun, and if it weren't for the small earplugs placed in his ears the man might've become deaf just by the powerful roar the volcano made as it spewed its contents out onto the earth around it. The earth shook and trembled, a series of cracks forming along the edge of the nearby lava river. The river bank collapsed, the new expanded river reaching as far as where the man stood, but before the lava could even begin flowing in the new shape of the river the man was suddenly no longer there.

Without a sound he set down along the ledge of the volcano's rim, the intense heat of the lava not affecting him. He lifted his head once more to seek the peak of the fountain of lava and ash, but to no avail as the clouds above blocked that view. Loosing interest, he looked back at the pillar of lava, and the single eyehole of his mask flashed red before black flames shot toward it.

When lava met flames both struggled for a time. But slowly, inch by inch, a small indentation was made in the flowing mass of lava spewing up to the heavens. The man waited until a solid half sphere of black flames existed in the lava flow, and then he stepped in, his feet unaffected by the black flames of his jutsu. The flames pushed further into the lava, the other half of the sphere forming from black flames so as to protect the man from lava in all directions. When the strange sphere had reached the center of the lava, it suddenly dived down, going deep within the volcano's core.

The man watched with slight interest as lava suddenly was replaced with empty air, an expansive cavern stretching out in every direction around him with numerous rock outcroppings. He could guess that he was now inside the mountain near the base of it, an area supposedly filled with lava but in reality nothing of the kind. He touched down on red stone, and the black flames around him died off despite their rumored longevity, so mighty was his power over them. He dusted off some stray ash that had managed to touch him, and then turned to the out of place shrine.

The shrine itself was not very tall, only as tall as the man himself and not too much wider than him either. The base was a square piece of carved stone with a bronze bowl set within it, and above it stood a golden statue of a phoenix. The talons of the mighty legendary bird were positioned on either side of the bowl, and its wings closed in rest with its head set against its breast like in sleep. The man gazed at the statue, and then let loose a dark laugh.

"Fufufufufu…So this is the entrance, eh? I'm not so impressed, considering the dangerous conditions I had to pass through to reach here." From inside his cloak the man retrieved a small brown sack, the contents shifting slightly as he unraveled the rope binding the opening. Carefully he poured grey ash into the bronze bowl, making sure none spilt or was wasted. When it was all gone from the sack he tossed it aside, and he raised one finger with a blue flame floating atop it.

"From the ashes of this forgotten hero, a soul lost without a name, I awaken you." The man said, recalling the words that spoke of what he needed to do. He touched the ashes with the flame, and they ignited in a mystical blue flame that consumed the phoenix statue above it. The statue moved, its wings opening like in flight and the head pointing up toward the mouth of the volcano far above. The beak opened and a loud cry echoed through the cavern, and amidst the echoes the sound of shifting rock could be heard from behind the shrine.

The man walked around the shrine and stopped at the now opened entrance of his true destination. He looked over his shoulder at the still burning shrine, and then up toward the mountain he stood in. With a hidden smirk Uchiha Madara thought of something funny, at least in his opinion.

"You ask over and over, 'How Long'?" He let out yet another dark laugh. "Well then, oh mighty mountain, I believe I finally have an answer for you." Sharingan flared to life behind his mask. "Right now, now is the time for you to bend to my will…Suzaku." He slipped through the entrance, the stone and ground sliding closed behind him. Not once did he notice the golden tear that the phoenix statue shed.

XXXXXXXXXX

Author's Note: Content wise, I'm very pleased. I've never tried writing anything political before, so trying to do a treaty ceremony was an interesting experience. Still, the way I presented this chapter has me a little peeved. It just...it's too jumbled in my opinion. But still I'm happy with it all the same, and so I present it to you, the reader.

Mostly this chapter was to eliminate two things, the treaty ordeal and Gaara's seal problems. Now that's out of the way and we can get to the real juicy stuff. Next chapter, as a little preview for you all, Akatsuki finally leaves Konoha and Kabuto reaches the outskirts of Kirigakure. But something still remains hidden, and you'll only find out what when you read the next chapter for real. Oh, and as another teaser, from chapter 14 on I'll be doing something very special for you all. Until the next chapter, enjoy!