Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and do not claim to. This story is merely for entertainment uses only.
Naruto Asunder
Chapter 20:
Eight red tails swayed ethereally as he crept along the dark halls. He gave a small sniff in the air. There it was that vile scent. He followed it deeper into the base, a labyrinth of halls and stairs that seemed to get darker with every new area. Yet, its structure was irrelevant. He didn't care as long as he was heading for that man. Forward, moving forward was all that mattered to him. Not even the chakra nipping at his skin like a thousand beestings drew his eyes away from his chosen direction.
The chakra burned his skin even in its rather docile state. It was just around him, not lashing out at anything. For the first time in his life, he had complete control of this demonic power. Granted, he knew his anger was being fed by it, but it was only a fuel to his basic instincts. There wasn't another consciousness attempting to wrench control of his body away from him.
He walked through the next doorway into a large open cave. His red eyes roamed the untamed rocky expanse. Dotted columns of stone crept from the ground and ceiling like jagged teeth. His eyes settled on a lone man standing proudly in the center of the cave. A snarl escaped from his throat, and he used all four limbs to launch himself down from the cliff. He landed as gracefully as any large cat, and glared hatefully at the bandaged man before him.
Danzo calmly held his hand up, and the Sharingan in his palm opened wide. Naruto growled as he felt the power around him being pushed back into the seal. It wasn't as strong as Sasuke's. He could resist it if he tried hard enough, but at this current point, it would be more effort than it was worth. Sure, not using the Kyubi's chakra would make things more annoying. However, it wouldn't change the outcome.
"So, you've got a Sharingan. Why am I not surprised?" Naruto said as he stood to his full height.
"It should come as no surprise that I would posses such a potent weapon."
"Save me the long winded speech about fancy eyes and Uchiha's." Naruto's eyes became colder. "I'm here for your head."
"You come to me for blood? That is a pathetic and selfish excuse."
"Oh trust me. I want nothing more than to kill you. I think I might even go so far as to say I will enjoy it. You've been causing me pain since before I can remember."
"Ah, so you found out your lineage? Yes, I was the one that sent Kushina Uzumaki away."
"Kind of pisses me off that you admit it so casually given what it did to my life. But, that doesn't bug me half as much as what you did to Hinata."
Danzo's good eye cracked open.
"So, the beast has fallen for the beauty?"
"Whether I have or not doesn't matter. You messed with my friend, and before I kick your ass all over this cave, you're going to tell me what you did to her."
"I do not have to tell you anything, Nine Tails."
Naruto used his Shunshin to zip behind Danzo. He lashed out with a vicious kick, but it passed harmlessly through the man as he disappeared. Naruto felt a presence behind him.
"Was that bastardized technique supposed to be a Shunshin?"
Naruto felt white hot pain rip through his back as a sharp blade cut from shoulder blade to hip. He tumbled forward and sprung to his feet. The demonic chakra already worked to close the shallow cut.
"Maybe."
"You use chakra to wrap around your body, and then launch yourself at a pre-selected area. It works quickly, and effectively masks you from a doujutsu, but you can only move in a relatively straight line."
Naruto grit his teeth. The bastard had dissected his technique perfectly just from using it once. No wonder he was considered on the same level as his Jiji. No doubt he'd be able to do the same with everything else he threw at him. What had him more concerned though was that Sharingan in his palm. With a useless right eye, wouldn't it have made more sense to put it there?
"Allow me to show you what a true Shunshin is, Nine Tails."
Danzo disappeared from view, and Naruto suddenly felt like he had been thrown in a blender. He could only capture glimpses of the man, or the flash of a blade that would make a shallow cut. Using his own Shunshin, he catapulted himself straight up in an attempt to get a clearer view. He saw stars as the pommel of the sword was slammed down on the top of his skull, and his body was sent crashing into the ground.
"Get up, Nine Tails. You have not learned your place yet."
Naruto struggled to pull himself up as his head pounded. His skull had definitely been cracked with that one. He looked up. Okay, what was he going to pull out of thin air to win the fight this time? He sucked in a deep breath and forced a little more chakra towards the back of his head. First, he needed to heal, which was going to take a little longer.
"What do you mean my place?"
"Under foot of course." Danzo flicked the blood off his katana. "Where you have always belonged."
"Screw you!"
"Such vulgar language is not necessary. I have long sought for you to be under my control. From the day you became a Jinchuriki, I sought to have you enlisted in Root. Pushing your mother out of Konoha was one attempt at that. However, Sarutobi prevented my actions at every turn. I suppose he felt it was better for you to grow up a hated orphan."
"It's better than being your tool."
"How do you suppose that is the case? In exchange for your loyalty, you would have had the training to be a great ninja that would have been much more useful to the village than the pathetic genin you are now. You would have had comrades, teachers, and community."
"If being alone made sure that you didn't get your hands on the Kyubi's power, then I'm glad for my life."
"Your martyrdom is unneeded. The outcome will be the same. I will be Hokage, and the power of the fox will be at my disposal." Danzo brought the blade up and rested it in the crook of his elbow. "Now come, you are still a long way from the whipped dog you are required to be."
"Bite me, you murdering bastard!"
Naruto lunged forward as a hundred Kage Bunshin popped into existence. All of them pulled out kunai and flung them forward as they whipped through hand signs.
"Kunai Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
The kunai became a nearly solid wall as they soared toward the old warmonger. He leapt again and sprung off his clones until he latched onto the cave ceiling with his chakra. The clones scattered along the floor. He'd make sure the bastard didn't have anywhere to go.
"Bunshin Daibakuha!"
The entire cave shook as multiple explosions chained together resulting in a single fireball that covered the entire bottom of the cave. His blue eyes darted around the cave floor as he tried to spot any movement. There wasn't any. The fires receded, and he dropped down onto the steaming ground. Many of the stones still glowed in a dull red from the heat of the attack.
"Futon: Shinkugyoku."
Naruto twisted as multiple bullets of compressed air shot at him. Many of them nicked at the already tattered remains of his favorite jacket. He flipped back as Danzo swung his sword at his neck. Naruto twisted on his hands and kicked as he balanced on one hand. He summoned a low powered Rasengan as quickly as he could and jabbed it forward. Danzo leapt back, and right into a Kage Bunshin that had materialized behind him. The clone drove a kunai deep through the traitor's heart.
The fossil erupted into a mass of blood as Naruto flipped to his feet. He panted heavily as the Bunshin disappeared into a puff of smoke. The hair stood up on the back of his neck and he spun… right into Danzo's downward slash.
Danzo's army marched with a proud step. They were unbeatable. The power of their seals solidified this thought as fact. They had destroyed Sunagakure. They had withstood the feared power of the Kazekage. Konoha was next, and the result would be the same. It would always be the same. Their march intensified, kicking up grainy dust with every heavy step. They didn't care if it coated their noses and throats, if it made their eyes bloodshot. A little discomfort would not stop them.
Nothing would stop them.
Gaara grinned maliciously. It reminded him uncomfortably of his days as the crazed container of the One Tail. However, he would not deny the satisfaction he felt with each grain of sand inhaled by that approaching army. They had destroyed his home, slaughtered friends and family, and had made his people sad and destitute. The satisfaction he felt was cruel. There was no arguing that fact, but a great deal of it was a feeling of redemption. Never again would those corrupt shinobi harm another soul. He prayed that those already dead would forgive him for his past failure.
With that thought, his face became more serious and he raised his hands like a conductor signaling his orchestra they were ready to begin. Blood trickled from his nose slowly, the strain from the inhuman amount of control he was exerting taking a toll on his body. With eyes closed, his fingers snapped straight and his arms swung down decisively.
Jiraiya would later tell him that many people were curious as to how such a powerful army could disappear without a trace.
Naruto lay on his back with his mouth agape. The bastard had hit a lung that time. Even through the choking, he snarled as the man stood over him proudly. His clothes had been badly burned and the right sleeve was completely missing. Naruto wished it hadn't been.
Ten Sharingan dotted the appendage. Well… he assumed it was ten. Four spots looked like closed eyes. An idea fired in Naruto's head as Danzo prepared to stab down. Naruto ran his palm through the blade to deflect it from his body as he jumped to his feet. Like his fight with Kabuto, he gripped the man's hand through his sword. A Rasengan formed in his left hand, and he went to slam it into the side of the war-hawk's face. A paper's width from contact, Naruto's hand suddenly stopped as something grabbed his forearm. His eyes widened. Was that Mokuton sticking out of the bastard's shoulder?
The wood twisted violently, and Naruto yelled out in pain as his arm was snapped backwards. Focusing through the pain, he willed another clone into existence behind his enemy. Danzo's eye cut to it and threw out a lightning fast side kick. The clone was obliterated instantly.
"Do you really think the same surprise tactic could work twice?"
"Let's see how well you keep up!"
Naruto summoned as many as he could. It was always difficult without both hands for seals, but he could do it with one if he had to. Twenty Bunshin puffed into existence and started to attack while the real one tried to hold Danzo in place. The two twisted and spun as the clones launched an offensive barrage. Naruto did his best to limit the old man's counters. Most of his attempts failed, but the ones that did looked like they would bother Danzo for a while.
He brought his knee up and caught Danzo square in the chin as two Bunshin's charged in with a Rasengan each. Danzo released his grip on the sword and rapidly went through three hands seals just before the attacks connected with his back. He burst into another wave of blood, and Naruto collapsed to his knees. The two clones grabbed his arms without a word. The one on his left reset the bones in that arm, while the one on the right simultaneously pulled out the sword. Naruto could only cry out and try to prevent himself from passing out.
"You are stubborn, Nine Tails." Danzo appeared in front of him. Although, the man was keeping a greater distance than before. "I will commend you on your abilities though. It really is a shame that you were not trained properly from the beginning. As the son of two powerful ninja, and the Jinchuriki of the Kyubi no Yoko, you would have been a fine weapon for Konoha."
"You mean you."
"There is no difference. I am what is best for Konoha. Serving me is no different than serving the village. It is irrelevant however. Whether from childhood or now, you will end up under my control."
Naruto clenched his teeth and tried to stand. If he tried, he could push out enough chakra to get a few tails. However, it wouldn't be long before Danzo would resume suppression of it. His eyes drifted down to the warmonger's arm. A fifth Sharingan had closed. It was as he thought. Each time he's killed, the bastard could replace himself with an eye or something like that. The time he used the Mokuton must have been because he couldn't do the eye thing.
He knew that he had landed two direct hits. So, the three other times must have been from the kunai and exploding Bunshin combo. That must mean that there was only a certain escape distance and time duration that the technique had, which meant that he needed a widespread and long lasting attack. The same combination wouldn't work twice… which meant he had to resort to the other thing.
"Let's put your Shunshin to the test, Danzo." Naruto ignored the screaming protest of his arms as he made the well practiced seal. "Think you can stop all of them?"
Nearly a thousand clones burst into existence. He knew they didn't have enough chakra for a Rasengan each, but they would buy him some time. The Bunshin went on the attack. They charged Danzo and bounced off the walls, secretly leaving behind his custom exploding tags. Naruto squeezed his eyes shut and summoned all of his will to pull the chakra from within the system to his body. One tail, two tails, three tails sprouted from his body. He felt his body begin to mend, but immediately felt something trying to push it down. Ignoring it, he fought with everything he had to keep the energy flowing for just a little longer.
His eyes snapped open as the damage was repaired enough to move. Danzo was busy attacking and avoiding his clones… good. He stretched his palm out away from him, and took a calming breath. Why did it seem that he was always gambling on some new type of technique lately? A light blue glow of his chakra started to materialize.
"Now!" He shouted at his clones.
"Rodger!"
Danzo's eye widened as the entire cave was filled to the brim with searing flames as tag and clone alike exploded.
Naruto activated his technique to the fullest as the fire race towards him. He hoped that his idea would work and not cook him alive. Four Bunshin made a protective barrier around him as he raised his hand above him. The fire surged with an unbridled fury… as it was sucked into the technique. The blonde grasped his wrist as his arm shook from the strain.
"Shinku Rasengan."
The theory had been his own secret idea, and he barely had it past the experimental stage. The Rasengan was always spun in a particular direction. His, Jiraiya's, and he assumed his father's all rotated the same. However, in his training for the wind element, he had an idea. What if he reversed the rotation? Instead of the force being generated out, it was focused in. The result had been a unique attack. It was comparable to the power of his regular Rasengan. But instead of drilling outward, it seemed to almost… grind inward.
He had yet to accomplish adding his wind element to it, since it slipped out almost immediately upon entry. But, he'd noticed the dust particles had remained trapped within. So now, he had banked on the hope that the fire would at least be pulled away from him, even if it wasn't collected. It appeared to be doing so, to the point that even his clones were protected. The only question he had now was if he could survive the heat and lack of oxygen.
No, he had to. Once the fire was down, the air would come. This was his only chance to make sure that Danzo would never again threaten Konoha. He would handle the pain, the lack of chakra, the fatigue in his muscles. If he couldn't, then what the hell had Hinata died for? Everything that was gained and lost would mean nothing if he didn't have the guts to stick it out.
"The moment you see his body, point me in that direction," Naruto cried out to his clones.
They nodded as the fires subsided, except for the burning maelstrom above his head. It was still producing an unbearable heat, and Naruto couldn't see anything past the flames.
"There!" The Bunshin to his right pointed at a figure taking shape.
Naruto cried out as he swung his hand in that direction. The attack was like a spiraling star as it raced at the materializing Danzo. The blonde didn't wait to see what would happen. The remaining clones were dispelled, and he felt his chakra reserves get a pitiful boost. One shot was all he needed, just was one shot. He used every ounce of his willpower to run forward. His eyes never wavered from ahead of him. He never looked in awe as the flames subsided, and Danzo was being shielded by a charred tree emerging from his shoulder. He was not aware that his own shoes had melted off, or that the majority of his feet and upper body were nothing more than charred leather. All that he focused on was the man in front of him, and all that he did was run forward with his hand stretched out.
"Futon: Rasenshuriken!"
He flung the technique as hard as he could. Like a screaming buzz saw, the projectile closed the distance between them far faster than any launched so far. Naruto saw Danzo attempt to disengage the Mokuton defense, and he almost succeeded.
Almost was not enough.
The Rasenshuriken expanded and caught Danzo before the man could escape from the attack. The traitor cried out as an impossible number of micro wind blades cut through him. Naruto watched in both awe and caution as the attack destroyed everything caught within it. His arm dangled uselessly at his side. Jelly would have been more solid, he thought as he looked down at it.
The attack ended and he made his way over to the remains of Danzo. His adrenaline was plummeting and the pain reaching dangerous levels. What had started off as a slow walk had become a slow limping shuffle in only a few feet. He ignored his body and kept his eyes locked on Danzo. The bastard was broken and missing a fatal portion of himself, but Naruto had to make sure he was dead. There was no telling what the crafty war-hawk had up his sleeve.
"So, it is Hiruzen's philosophy that will win out in the end." Danzo's words came out more like a cough than solid language. He stared blankly at the ceiling, and Naruto wasn't sure who he was actually talking to.
"Come Nine Tails, why do you look so sour? Your revenge, your mission is complete."
"I don't enjoy killing people. Surprisingly, even power hungry bastards like you."
"Ah, that is respectable." Danzo turned to look at him. "I am still speaking. Why do you not cut me down?"
"I don't know what you have up your sleeve. You could try something like jump bodies."
"Don't be absurd. I would never abandon my principles just to live a little longer."
"You have principles?"
"Do not insult me, Nine Tails." Danzo's voice took on a surprising amount of strength. "I have always done what I felt was best for Konoha. For that, we are alike. However, it appears in the end, your resolve was stronger than my own. I will accept my defeat with dignity."
"I never pictured you with any honor."
"Honor is in the eye of the beholder. Honor, for a ninja like me, is doing everything and anything to make sure that what we hold dear remains standing. No mission is too immoral or dangerous if it would keep Konoha safe."
Naruto remained silent. This man was so firm in his beliefs it would be a waste of what precious energy he had to try and convince him otherwise.
"I wonder. Will you, with your soft ideals, be able to keep those walls standing? Even if you defeat my army, the Akatsuki is coming boy. Do you think friendship and forgiveness will stop them?"
"I guess we'll have to find out." Naruto stared down as his tired eyes shown with a quiet determination. "But you have one thing wrong."
"And that is?"
"I don't see Konoha as a bunch of walls and buildings. Konoha is the villagers. As long as they are safe, walls can be rebuilt and new homes can be found."
Danzo gave a weak laugh.
"Sarutobi said that exact same thing at one time."
Danzo reached up with his left arm and pulled down the bandage over his right eye. Naruto's body tensed as a diseased Sharingan locked onto his blue eyes. Suddenly, his head was bombarded with images. Then it stopped just as suddenly. He looked down at Danzo as the old man placed the bandage back up.
"What did you-?"
"Your Shunshin is disgusting, and a mockery of everyone who ever used the technique. I merely used my Sharingan to teach you the proper method. You will also find I did the same with several of my wind techniques. After all, our kind is rare in Konoha."
"Why? Shouldn't you be trying to kill me?"
"I would only kill you if it benefited Konoha. Given the growing storm, it makes more sense to at least supply you with a means of surviving a little longer."
"… Thanks, I guess."
"Do not thank me. We are still enemies of philosophy. I just wish to die knowing that I did every last thing to aid my beloved Konoha, even if it will most likely prove futile."
Danzo turned his head away.
"Leave me now, Nine Tails. I wish to be at peace in my last moments."
Naruto didn't even have the energy to nod. He summoned a single weak looking clone. It picked him up and started heading towards the exit. His last vestiges of energy were used to keep his eyes open. Cause if his clone dispelled, he'd be left here with Danzo.
"He's quite a brat, eh Danzo?"
The war-hawk looked up to see a strange orange mask staring down at him.
"Who are you?"
"Just a collector." The mask knelt down closer. "Tell me Danzo, did you know the Sharingan speak to me?"
The old man's eye widened.
"Madara?"
"Your eye's been crying to me for a while now. I think now that you're done with it. I should take it home."
Danzo remained stoic as the darkness enveloped him… forever.
Pain glanced down at the deceased form of the Eight Tails' Jinchuriki. The container had been surprisingly powerful, and had an unbelievable amount of control of his Biju. Pain had been wise to keep his remaining bodies hidden, while the Deva endured the brunt of the fighting. It had tired out the target, and made it simple for the other bodies to end his struggling. Had it been just him, the fighting could have been significantly more even. No that wasn't true, if it had been a singular body, he would have lost.
His Rinnegan scanned at the other members hopping down from the fingers of the sealing statue. They would all rest for a few hours and then begin the final sealing of the Nine Tails. However, the sense of accomplishment was being overshadowed by something else. Madara had been strangely absent. Considering the importance of the event, and the desires of the man, it would seem he would be closer at hand. He didn't like the idea that the wily Uchiha was not under his eye. Despite their mutual goals, he was not so much a fool to let the Madara go ignored.
The Yondaime Raikage, E, stared out from his office window. His beloved brother had been captured by Akatsuki. A part of him berated himself. Konoha had warned of the growing threat, and he had ignored them. He had even failed at keeping a closer eye on Killer Bee. After Yugito's capture, he should have known better. However, he was the ruler of Kumogakure, a nation of strength and pride. Assistance from other nations was something to be frowned upon. When he had heard of Danzo's exile, he ignored it as had most other countries. As far as the majority of the world was concerned, Akatsuki and Danzo were Konoha's problem. Kumo only needed to know enough about it to ensure its own security.
Although, now that his brother was captured, it indicated that Akatsuki had most, if not all, of the Biju. If Akatsuki did succeed, then that was the problem of the entire world. An excessive amount of pride was not needed at a time like this. Besides, if the other nations were involved it would make recovering his brother faster… and perhaps save him in time.
"Send out a letter to every Kage. It is time that we unite and deal with the Akatsuki." The Raikage turned to his secretary. "I also want Samui's team sent out after Killer Bee. We failed Yugito. The same will not happen with my brother!"
"I'm afraid that will not be necessary, Raikage."
E turned around in a flash to face the voice. A strange man with an orange mask sat calmly on his desk, as if being an intruder in the powerful Kage's was no different than walking into his own home. What caught his attention, however, was the black cloak with red clouds.
"Who are you to dare trespass in Kumo?"
"Just a messenger," Madara said with a wave of his hand.
E charged in a flash. His desk was smashed into splinters as his colossal fist connected with its hard surface. Madara calmly disappeared and reappeared out of harms way like smoke in the wind.
"What do you know of my brother?"
"He's dead."
"What?"
"The extraction process has been completed successfully. All of the Biju are now in my possession. There is nothing more that any of the elemental villages can do."
E clenched his fist and sparking electric energy coursed around him. His brother was… dead? Goofy, stupid, energetic Bee was dead? His eyes turned on the man before him, the man who taunted him so casually about their helpless state. No, they were careless, not helpless.
"Before you embarrass yourself further, perhaps you would like to listen to me." Madara sat on a bookshelf in the opposite side of the room. His hand folded over his knee like a grandfather telling a story.
"I'll give you thirty seconds."
"I see… very well, I request your cooperation."
"You kill my brother and expect me to help you?"
Madara's Sharingan shown through his mask as a dark chakra seeped into the air. E loathed to admit that it caused a split second of hesitation within him.
"Please don't interrupt. I only have thirty seconds, remember?" Madara caressed the chin of his mask as if he were in thought. "Now, I would like all of the villages help in destroying Konoha."
"What?"
"I wish to see that village wiped off the face of the planet. Comply and your own village will be spared."
"Powerful as you Akatsuki may be, you are still short in members. You have nothing to coerce us into doing anything of the sort."
"You forget. I now control all of the Biju. Under my power, you cannot seal them within a new container because they have already been sealed elsewhere. In short, there is nothing left that you can use to stand up to me."
"And who are you?"
"Madara Uchiha."
E's eyes widened a fraction. Madara was long supposed dead. Even if he was not, the man would be ancient. But then again, his current opponent was almost like a ghost. It would be foolish to dismiss anything prematurely.
"I can sense your doubt, but it makes no difference. Regardless, I control the demons and so much more. It is a simple choice no? Even if you were to go ahead with your pathetic little alliance, I can eliminate any one of you individually long before you meet. The forces of nature are at my command and your hands are tied. The only question that remains is do you submit… or die because of something as petty as pride?"
"How in the world is he still alive?" Jiraiya asked as he stared at his unconscious student from the door.
Naruto was heavily wrapped in bandages as numerous medic-nins chatted around him. His group had returned hours earlier. Shino and Shikamaru were hurt badly, but nothing that would not be fixed in time. The three elders were not so fortunate. Hinata, Lee, and the long missing Yugao were tired and battered, but ultimately fine. Hinata had been put in isolation under Tsunade's personal care until the extents of Danzo's manipulations were known. Yugao was likewise put under the care of Ibiki. She had a great deal to answer for.
His favorite blonde was an entirely different matter. Even though Hinata apparently had medical training, she was only able to keep him from crashing. He was dying to know exactly what had occurred. Did Danzo do this? Was the bastard dead, or did they have to worry about another army being built? Honestly, he was perturbed that they had resorted to so much fighting. The mission was not supposed to be an assassination. The fact that there were only three casualties was a miracle. However, it was an unspoken rule to take out threats when the opportunity came. Perhaps, it was his own anger at not coming along… or believing that Danzo was really the cripple they thought him to be.
"He's too stupid to die," Tsunade said pulling him from his thoughts. She leaned against the door frame and followed his gaze. "That's really the only thought I have."
"You're kidding me right?"
"Eighty percent of his skin was literally charred. His right arm is shattered, for lack of a better term. While mostly healed, there are signs that he had incurred numerous other fractures during the fight. There is also the matter of his chakra exhaustion."
"Naruto, with chakra exhaustion?"
"Yes, to the point that his body itself was starting to shut down. His actual physical and spiritual energies were so depleted that they were no longer binding into chakra."
"Even with the reintroduction of the Kyubi's yin chakra?"
"That is part of my concern. Very little of that chakra has actually been used."
"So either he didn't use it… or couldn't."
"Exactly." She looked over at him. "Danzo must have had something up his sleeve. We should have known he would expect Naruto, of all people, to be a part of any rescue attempt, and he would have taken precautions against the demonic power."
"Probably true, however if what I think is true, Danzo was a greater threat than we had assumed. I'm thinking he killed Koharu and Homura."
"I agree. If he is dead, then that means Naruto is quickly reaching a level rivaling the strongest ninjas in the village."
"We've known that for a while."
"We knew he would reach that eventually, but I'm talking weeks or months, not years. Since his return, he has been in one constant battle against one S-rank missing-nin after another. It has accelerated his growth exponentially."
"That's normal though, ninja always grow faster in wartime than in peace."
"True, but what's even more amazing is that everyone is being carried by that growth. His teammates' strength has risen tremendously. Heck, even those who aren't around him have gotten caught up in the ripple effect. Did you know Kiba was in my office when they arrived at the gate? He could smell who it was and how injured they were, from halfway across the village, through thousands of other scents. The entire village seems to be caught up in Naruto's wake, and it is causing more and more ninja to reach heights that used to be reserved for the elite."
"That is a vital component of any Kage."
"I agree, and I'm not saying it is a bad thing. However, where he is right now is a symptom of that." She looked back in the room. "There is a difference between fighting a great deal, like in war, and fighting superior opponents that constantly damage him. He is sixteen with a body that is still developing. Putting strain on it like what is occurring right now can have lasting consequences."
"You're saying it may limit his growth in the future." Jiraiya nodded in understanding. "I get what you're saying Hime, I do. But, I'm curious as to why you're bringing this up now. You've been pretty content with his pace up to now."
She sighed and turned to him. It almost caught him off guard with how serious her hazel eyes were. She didn't look like that often. Angry, mischievous, melancholy, all those were normally mixed in. However, pure seriousness was rare.
"From what I've seen, most of this damage came from him."
"What do you mean?"
"His arm gave it away. The bones were broken from rapid, successive, and repeated usage of techniques that it physically could not handle. Simply put, he was demanding more from his arm than it was capable of providing."
Jiraiya frowned and gave a quick glance at the blonde. It figures he would do something like that. The blonde had a knack for tweaking techniques, and even building upon them. Things like the Odama Rasengan were a perfect example of such creativity. The problem was that Naruto did get ahead of himself. He would work to perfect the technique itself, but not how he handled it. It was one of the aspects he still needed work on.
It also didn't help that his student had a one track mind that was stuck on forward. His student was far less reckless than in the past, and charged in with at least some thought as to what was going on. However, he was still too willing to take damage if it meant getting a hit in. Granted, at the level he was fighting at, it was almost a necessity, and it wasn't exactly like he needed to worry about recovering. Super healing took a lot of worry out of the equation. For most, a broken arm put them out for a month and then another few weeks of light training. He'd be up and in perfect health in less than a week.
"I guess I don't have a choice then." Jiraiya grinned. "We'll just have to make him stronger so that won't be a problem."
Tsunade blinked in disbelief before it morphed into a scowl.
"This isn't a joke Jiraiya. I can't risk losing my successor because it's easy to just throw him at a strong opponent."
"Your successor, huh?"
He gave her a grin. She'd let too much slip. Her face fell slightly as she realized what she had said. A small embarrassed blush crept up on her cheeks. She turned away in a huff.
"It's not like it was that big of a secret."
"I know, Hime. I wasn't joking though. I've got an idea that would help him."
"What?"
"We make him into a sage."
"-elp me… -ruto."
Naruto opened his eyes in a sea of black
"P me."
"Who's there?" Naruto called out.
"Na… ruto co- or me."
"I can't hear you. Who are you?"
"C-me fo- me."
"Speak up!"
A lone silted eye appeared in the black and threatened to consume him.
"Come for me, Naruto Uzumaki!"
Tsunade stepped into Hinata's room quietly as the girl sat on the bed. Her knees were tucked up against her chest, and her head rested upon them. The Hokage gave a sad smile. The girl was taking the entire incident hard. Hinata never did well when others suffered for her benefit, even if she would do the same in their shoes. The girl was simply too kind. There was also the entire issue with her physical changes.
"How is everyone doing, Tsunade-sensei?" Hinata asked without lifting her head up.
"They're doing fine. Shikamaru keeps grumbling about looking like a mummy, and Shino is more concerned with validating Yugao's assistance."
"And… Naruto?"
"He's beat up, as usual. Don't worry. The fox's chakra will have him up and going again in days… causing me problems of course."
Hinata gave a muffled chuckle and Tsunade moved closer.
"I received the full report of the tests that were run on you."
She noticed Hinata tense and suck in her breath.
"The results… were not favorable… were they Sensei?"
"No, well not in how you were hoping."
"So, it is true. Danzo's treatment manipulated me on a genetic level. It- it made m- me like-."
"Yes… your body is now very similar to how Orochimaru's was."
The ex-Hyuga clutched at the fabric of her hospital gown. Her shoulders shook, but any sounds were covered up by her knees. Tsunade tried her best to keep up a professional front, but her heart ached for the girl.
"Wh- what a- are the… what c- can I expe- pect?"
"You will have a significant increase in your ability to heal. The fact that Naruto's Rasengan was able to… kill you was simply because it damaged you faster than you could rejuvenate. I'm not sure if it is as advanced as Orochimaru's, because I do not know to what degree his repertoire of forbidden jutsu came into effect."
"What else?"
"Your flexibility is far beyond human limits. We could probably tie you in knot, and you would still retain all of your strength even in such a position." Tsunade gave a weak smile and summoned the last bit of her poise. "Your system is still acclimating to the changes, but I don't think we have to worry about you gaining a long tongue and exploding into snakes."
"You're stalling." Hinata looked up as her eyes started to water. "These changes are permanent aren't they? The white skin and snake like eyes won't go away will they?"
"No."
Hinata kept looking at her unflinching even as soft tears streamed from the edges.
"Will it hinder my eyes or other abilities?"
"No."
"Okay."
"Hinata-."
"May I rest now Sensei?" Hinata lay down on the bed and turned away. "It has been a long couple of days."
"Of course, Hinata."
Shikamaru frowned as Temari held her sides and laughed so hard she nearly collapsed on the ground. He couldn't completely blame her. He looked like a mummy with a black pineapple sticking out the top of its head. But still, she could show at least a little sympathy for him. Granted, it was his fault for using such a Naruto like move, but it was honestly his only shot at making sure he won.
Winning… it was something that he had never concerned himself with. It was easier, and certainly more enjoyable, to take it easy and avoid any form of competition. However, with his upcoming responsibility, he felt a new need to get stronger. Seeing the people of Suna made him want to climb higher… to fight. It was a pain though, that was for sure.
He leaned back as Temari tried to wipe the tears away from her eyes. His lazy days were behind him it seemed. This mission had validated his suspicions, and cemented his path in place. Yep, Naruto was going to need an advisor for a long time to come.
"Ne, nephew-chan, you dead yet?" Shinji said as he leaned on the windowsill to Shino's room.
"Does it look like I am no longer living, Uncle?"
"Never sure with you." Shinji pushed the reed of grass to the other side of his mouth. "You beat that guy I hear."
"I am not proud of how the battle went. My control is… lacking."
"You ready to get back to work then."
"Yes."
Pain strode into his private chambers at the top of the Amegakure tower. He had felt Madara's presence from below. It was not difficult to figure out the man wanted to talk. He never did reveal himself unless he wanted to discuss something. Pain's eyes looked over at the man in thought.
Madara sat on the table. His lone was eye staring down at a jar of collected Sharingan, seemingly lost in his thoughts. Pain knew better. The Uchiha was never lost in anything. He was silent as he moved closer. The sight of so many Sharingan would be disturbing to anyone else. How they were piled on top of each other like colored marbles in a container. Some were regular, but many were unique Mangekyo styled. It brought to question just why so many had gathered here.
"I want you to go to Konoha," Madara said without looking up. "You'll no doubt take Konan, but take Hidan along as well. He's been getting anxious being cooped up in here sealing."
"We are about to begin the sealing of the Nine Tails. Konoha can wait."
"So you wish for them to stop us?"
"That is an absurd accusation."
"Now that the threat Danzo posed has been neutralized, their full attention will be on us. The other elemental nations will follow suit."
"They will not make it in time."
"Perhaps you misunderstand." Madara looked up. "The Nine Tails' Jinchuriki is still alive. I want you to go to Konoha to find out why."
Pain remained expressionless even as a small feeling of surprise washed over him. The child being alive should be impossible. Then again, the extraction had been unexpected. Had something gone wrong?
"You believe that there is a chance the Kyubi was not fully extracted?"
"Yes, we may have only received its chakra, which is worthless. We must have the beast's soul." Madara stood to his full height. "I would go myself, but currently lack the power to bring him here if the need arose."
"Understood. I shall investigate. You will begin the extraction in the mean time, yes?"
"That would be for the best I believe."
"Agreed." Pain turned to leave but paused. "Madara our goals are similar. For that, I have a degree of trust in you."
He glanced over his shoulder and brought the full fury of the Rinnegan into focus.
"Do not betray me, lest you know pain."
Madara nodded silently not bothered by the threat in the least. He turned back to the jar and reached down as Pain walked out. He plucked one of the Mangekyo from the container as he removed his mask. Then, he popped it into his mouth… and bit down.
Naruto pushed his way into his apartment. Whatever dream he had had woke him out of his little coma. To say he was surprised to be in the Konoha hospital was an understatement. It had seemed just like moments before he was being carried out of Danzo's base. He was probably going to be in trouble for leaving the hospital in his condition, but he wanted to check on Hinata and make sure she was okay. His skin was healing by the second anyway and he could feel the bones being repaired even faster.
A nights rest and he would be back to one hundred percent. Of course, Baa-chan would probably beat him into worse shape and send him back, but at least he would know if Hinata was okay. His last thoughts before unconsciousness had been of his Bunshin, and needless to say, he couldn't have been more happy.
He looked around silently. Was she already in bed? It was kind of late. A sound from her room drew his attention, and he quickly made his way over to her closed door. He could hear someone shuffling around inside. With a gentle knock, he called out to her. A moment of silence followed, and he knocked again. For a moment, he worried that she wouldn't open the door. Was she mad at him for…. yeah there was a list of things she could be mad at.
He was jerked from his thoughts as she cracked open her door. Her head was bowed down so he could only see the top of her head… and the abnormally white hand trying to hide behind the door. His eyes drifted into her room. A pack was open, and clothes were haphazardly stuffed into it. Oh hell no.
"Hinata, come out and talk to me."
"Ca- can it wait, Naruto-kun?"
"From the looks of things, you won't be here in the morning, so no."
He saw her cringe.
"I'm sorry Naruto-kun. I just don't want to talk right now."
"Look if you're pissed at me for, you know, killing you or kissing you or whatever other stupid thing I did, I'm sorry. I don't blame you at all so let me have it. Just talk to me, don't… don't ignore me, please."
That last part came out a little more pathetic than he had wanted it to. But it was true. Ignoring him would be the worst thing she could do to him. He'd rather have her try to kill him.
"I'm sorry, I can't." She went to shut the door, but he grabbed it with his hand.
"No."
"Naruto-kun please." She tried to push harder, but he held firm.
"We're going to talk."
"Go away!"
He scowled and pushed the door so hard it almost tore the hinges off the frame. His heart was pounding as he stepped in, and she backed up. A deep sense of terror was surging through his veins. She was afraid of him, or something else. Whatever it was, she was trying to shut him out. It was selfish of him, but he would be damned if he lost her twice. He wouldn't lose someone who he finally… who finally…
"Get out!" She backed up further as she tried to curl up and hide herself. "Please, just leave me alone."
He stepped forward and made sure she couldn't escape.
"Not until you talk to me. Stop acting so weird and just get it off your chest!"
"I don't… I can't."
"Will you look at me!"
He had meant it to be authoritative and strong, rather than angry and desperate. However, when she looked up in a mixture of shock and tears, his breath caught in his throat. She was so pale… and those dark purple snake like eyes hid just below the surface of her regular lavender ones. So… the seal hadn't been responsible. He'd guessed that was the case, but hoped that he was wrong.
He wasn't that concerned with that though. What caused his gut to wrench and his eyes to water was the overpowering emotion swimming in her eyes. They were screaming a billion things at once, with more intensity than one person should ever be able to feel.
"I didn't- didn't want you to see me… this."
"Why?" He asked softly. "Why would you hide yourself?"
"Look at me. I look just like him."
"Not really, a relative or child maybe, but you're much cuter than Orochi-."
"Don't say his name! Just… I can't stand what you might think… that we're..."
"Hinata… it's not-."
"It's not what Naruto? A big deal… noticeable?" She gestured her arms wide. "Even if my face and shape are the same, people won't see that. They see the white skin and eyes of a traitor… of a sick man. I've become that person Naruto!"
"No you haven't!" Naruto bent over so that she would look at him. "Unless you develop a fetish for small boys and Sharingan, you are nothing like him!"
"Nothing like him? Nothing like him! You don't understand!" She stared up at him and clutched her chest. "I don't just look like him. I feel like him! Inside me… I feel cold, and like I want to hunt something down. Every single motion makes me feel like I'm slithering…. hunting. I feel disgusting! Like I don't even belong in this body. I'm a- a fr-."
"Don't say it." Naruto looked down at her as he struggled to hold back tears. "You're not, so don't you dare say it!"
"I'm a freak!" She screamed out as her entire body shook. She didn't bother to not cry, or keep her voice down as her emotions radiated off of her like a strong tide. "Tsunade says my body is still changing, and we don't know when it will stop! My body could become nothing more than some type of inhuman corpse. I could end up being the same compilation of snakes that Orochimaru was! I'm a monster, Naruto!"
She collapsed onto her knees as her strength left her with that last sentence. Gone was the strong kunoichi that had sacrificed herself for her family. In its place was something more human. She was a girl that felt as if everything was going to be torn away from her. It wasn't the change to the body that upset her. It was the horror of thinking other people wouldn't see her anymore. They would see something else… something they hated.
He understood that feeling. To be so ignored it was like you didn't exist. If someone hates you and tries to hurt you, they still acknowledge you exist. But if they never looked at you, never responded to you it was much crueler. Nothing was worse than the feeling of being left by yourself in the dark as you watched life playing by you like a movie. It was how he had spent his entire early life. Never would he allow someone to feel that way.
Summoning some of the Kyubi's chakra, he knelt down by her and grasped her chin, making sure not to scratch her with his growing claws.
"Hinata, am I a monster?"
She locked on to his demonic eyes. Her eyes swelled alarm and then melted into sadness.
"No, Naruto-kun… you could never be a monster."
"Right now, are our eyes the same?"
"… Yes."
"Look at me closely, Hinata. I'm different than everyone else. I have something in me that people may find disgusting just like you do. Am I a freak?"
She sniffed and squeezed her eyes shut.
"Am I a freak?"
"No."
"Well if I'm not a freak than neither are you. If you do turn out to be a freak, then so am I. From now on, whatever one is so is the other. So it doesn't matter what we are or become. We're the same."
"Bu- but-."
"Hinata, I'm… I'm happiest when I'm around you. Can you no longer make me happy as you are now?"
She clenched his T-shirt like she was afraid he was going to escape as she shook her head furiously.
"Can I do the same for you? Can I make you happy?"
"Ye- yes Naruto."
"I want you to always be standing with me." His own emotions poured out of him to the point he wasn't entirely sure what he was saying. "Will you do that? Will you let me do the same with you?"
"Yes," she sobbed as she pulled herself in. "I don't want to be away from you. I always want to be with you, Naruto-kun."
He wrapped his arms around her and crushed her against his chest.
"Then, we'll stay together regardless of what people think. Who gives a damn about the rest of the world?"
Author's Notes:
Well here it was, the fight and conclusion of this arc. Let me know what you think.
I'm going to nip any complaints about what happened with Hinata in the bud. Keep in mind, I never do anything just for the sake of adding drama. It serves a purpose for character growth. In this case, it will cement Hinata and Naruto's relationship in place far more than just knowing about his past. After all, knowing and understanding is very different. Besides, she'll be a lot stronger for this, both in body and spirit. You'll see.
Not much more to get into. We have a little over two feet of snow outside so I want to go out and train. Got a few six hundred pages to edit on another story as well. Doesn't really leave a lot of thought for ranting.
See you next week.