(And here we are again with my next installment.)
The next day after the funeral of the fallen Konoha shinobi, everyone was rebuilding the village. Naruto woke up in his bed and stretched "What a night." Naruto yawned as he got dressed and went to see his bros, who were doing some morning training.
"Morning guys." Naruto yawned.
"Well look who finally decided to wake up." Raph teased.
"Give me a break, Raph. I had a long day." Naruto said as he looked around seeing no sign of Master Splinter, "Where's sensei?"
"He went to Konoha lockup. The Anbu caught one of Orochimaru's goons, and he went to try and reason with her." Leo explained.
"Her?" Naruto wondered.
"Kin; she's the girl that Shikamaru fought in the preliminaries." Donny explained.
"Oh her," Naruto said remembering her and her team all to well, "Any word on the whereabouts of Dosu and Zaku?"
Donny explained, "According to Kakashi, Dosu was murdered before the finals, apparently he tried to fight Gaara so he'd try to get to Sasuke, and since this was before Gaara changed he killed him without a second thought."
"And Zaku?" Naruto asked.
"You know the battle between the Sandaime and Orochimaru?" Leo asked and Naruto nodded, "Well Orochimaru used a forbidden Jutsu to bring the dead back to life and the two he chose were the first two Hokage's of the village," He said earning a shocked expression from Naruto, who knew if Orochimaru tried to use the first two Hokage's he must've attempted to bring his dad back but was probably unsuccessful, "Anyway that Jutsu Orochimaru used resurrected their souls but he needed two bodies to give the souls vessels. Zaku was one of them." Leo finished.
Naruto frowned since he learned from his mother how Orochimaru had murdered Suna's Kazekage and posed as him to turn the village against Konoha. Donny continued from there, "Sandaime-sama died using the jutsu your dad used to seal the Kyubi inside you. He took out the two resurrected Hokage's, but didn't have any energy left to defeat Orochimaru. The most he could do was seal away the life force in his arms leaving him incapable of performing any jutsu."
Naruto sighed in relief, hearing that Orochimaru didn't get away scott free, "Casey and April left hours ago feeling homesick. Plus after what happened they didn't want their kids to be in a place like this village, what with the attacks and all." Raph added.
"That's smart for them to do." Naruto agreed until Yugao the Anbu appeared.
"Naruto." She addressed.
"Hey Neko what's up?" Naruto asked.
"You're needed at the administration building." Yugao explained.
Naruto smiled, "Good Ero Sennin must be ready then."
"Ready, for what?" Mikey asked.
"According to Master Splinter, Ero Sennin is a master of seal, he and mom must've found a way to fix the seal on Gaara so Shukaku doesn't make him go crazy." Naruto explained.
"Awesome." Mikey replied.
"Well bros, let's check it out." Naruto said as he and his bros left for the administration building.
Meanwhile in Konoha lockup, Splinter was in a discussion with Kin, who realized that Orochimaru was never coming back for her, "So you see now Kin Orochimaru has done nothing but use you, he poisoned your mind in order to obtain what he selfishly desires. He cared nothing for you, your old partners, or the people you've hurt." Splinter explained.
"I know, but he saved me and my old team." Kin said is despair.
"Yes, and he has led you to believe in his dishonest of ways," Splinter countered, "But all can be changed if you chose to forward your skills and loyalty to Konoha."
"You mean become one of you?" Kin asked surprised.
"Yes."
"But I don't think I can, I mean…" Kin was confused.
Splinter hushed her, "Remember child, everyone is capable of conquering the shadows of their past, and I shall help you to do so my dear." He placed a hand on her shoulder as she looked at him smiling with a few tears in her eyes.
Meanwhile Izumo and Kotetsu were watching from outside the cell, "Wow Splinter sure has a way with words." Kotetsu said.
"Not surprising." Izumo agreed.
Meanwhile at the Administration building, Gaara was laying on a table as Jiraiya and Kushina were working on the seal on the sand ninja's stomach while Naruto, the turtles, and Gaara's sibs watched, "There. That should just about do it." Jiraiya said as Gaara sat up.
"Well Gaara how do you feel?" Kankuro asked worried.
Gaara looked to his sibs, "I feel… fantastic." He said in surprise.
"Really?" Temari asked.
"I still sense Shukaku's essence but it's not as overpowering as before." Gaara explained.
"With that alteration to your seal you should now be able to sleep and control the Shukaku at will." Kushina explained.
"Arigato Kushina-sama." Gaara thanked her and she smiled.
"We better head home now. Naruto, arigato for everything you did for us." Temari thanked him.
"No problem, you three keep in touch all right." Naruto said.
"You know it." Kankuro said as they left.
"Good now that that's taken care of Naruto we got a mission ourselves." Jiraiya explained.
"A mission?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, because of the war leaving the village in disrepair it could give rivaling nations a chance to take advantage of our situation. We need to find a successor for the Hokage mantle."
"I got a perfect choice, Master Splinter." Mikey began.
"Yeah he's as good a choice as any." Raph agreed.
"I already talked about that with the council, but it was declined." Jiraiya answered knowing who they were ready to nominate, "Said it wouldn't look good if a mutant rat was Hokage."
"Jerks." Raph grunted about the council.
"So who else is there?" Leo asked.
"Well Homura and Koharu have tasked me to find the next Hokage. I told them I'd take the mission as long as you joined me on it."
"Me?" Naruto asked.
"That's right, after all you're my student now. Plus after the success of how you helped protect Konoha I think you deserve to learn another jutsu. One of Minato's classics." The old man continued.
"Which?" Naruto asked in interest.
"The Rasengan." He answered as Naruto's eyes widened.
"Count me in on this mission!"
"Jiraiya-sama, who do you intend to find to be the next Hokage?" Leo asked.
"My former teammate, Tsunade." He answered.
"Her?" Naruto asked.
Kushina nodded, "I think she would make an excellent candidate."
"Well if Naruto's going than I am as well. I like to see the rest of the ninja land." Raph said.
"Well we'll have to get word from Master Splinter." Leo reminded him.
"Not to worry Leonardo I talked with him beforehand about this mission and he confirmed it, plus he will also be joining us." Jiraiya replied.
"All right!" the turtles cheered.
"So when do we leave?" Naruto asked.
"Right away. So you all head back to the lair and pack." Jiraiya explained. They bowed and took their leave ready to prepare for the mission.
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Himeko were doing some training of their own, "With that Chidori in your arsenal nii-kun, you'll get even stronger." Himeko complimented her cousin.
"Arigato, same said for you with your new control over both your chakras." Sasuke added as he ducked, avoiding a spin kick from Himeko. Suddenly their training was interrupted as they heard an explosion.
"What was that?" Himeko asked.
"I don't know, but it can't be good. Let's check it out." Sasuke suggested as the two headed off.
Meanwhile, Naruto, the turtles, and Splinter were meeting with Jiraiya, "Well we better get going." Jiraiya ordered as they got ready until Splinter looked serious.
"Sensei?" Leo gasped.
"I sense danger nearby." Splinter explained.
"Danger?" they asked.
"Could be trespassers, maybe we should check it out." Naruto suggested.
"Yeah, what he said." Mikey said as the two were about to take off only to be blocked by Jiraiya.
"Hold it you two. If we're going to investigate something we need to proceed with the utmost of caution." He warned them.
"He's right." Splinter agreed as they hurried with Splinter leading the way.
They followed Splinter, until they looked ahead seeing Itachi and Kisame who were fighting Guy, while Asuma and Kurenai were helping Kakashi who looked visibly unconscious. Naruto looked ahead seeing the dark haired boy and remembered, "Itachi is that you?!"
Hearing his name, Itachi and Kisame turned around seeing the new arrivals, "Naruto you arrived just in time." the elder Uchiha answered.
"Naruto don't listen to them, they're nothing but trouble!" Kurenai warned him.
"It's been a long time hasn't it?" Itachi asked the new arrivals.
"Why're you here?" Raph demanded.
"And what's with the tacky cloak?" Mikey asked.
"Turtles Master Splinter, it's so nice to see you all again." Itachi said stoically.
"Ooh you know these four shellbacks and rat, Itachi?" Kisame asked.
"Yes Kisame," Itachi started and motioned to each of the turtles and Splinter, "Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Master Splinter."
"A pleasure to meet you all. I am Kisame Hoshigaki; the Scourge of Kiri." Kisame introduced himself.
"Kiri?" Donny wondered.
"You wouldn't happen to be related to a guy named Zabuza would you?" Mikey started, "About this tall, carried a giant sword?"
"Yes Zabuza and I were once part of Kiri's Seven ninja Swordsmen," Kisame replied, "I learned from Kakashi that you all dealt with him awhile back."
"We might've." Raph replied with a smirk.
Jiraiya called to the turtles, "You guys stay back these two are out of your league, especially you Naruto. These guys are with the organization known as Akatsuki"
Naruto understood and made no attempt to fight, "That's never stopped us before!" Mikey called as he ran to fight.
"Michelangelo/Mikey!" Splinter and the turtles called.
Mikey tried to attack Itachi, but found himself frozen in place due to Genjutsu, "Hey I can't move!" Mikey cried as Itachi appeared before him.
"I'm sorry to do this to you, Michelangelo. I always did enjoy your droll sense of humor." He said as his Sharingan shifted to another form, "Tsukuyomi!"
"NO!" The turtles called as Mikey and Itachi found themselves in a red world.
"Whoa where am I?" Mikey gasped.
"Welcome Michelangelo to the world of Tsukuyomi. Here I control reality and whatever pain I cause you to feel will seem like years have passed by when in reality it's only a second." Itachi explained.
"Is it too late to take back about what I said about your cloak being tacky?" Mikey winced.
Itachi was ready to strike until a bright glow illuminated the area, and Itachi saw in place of Mikey was a green dragon with orange armor that growled at Itachi, forcing him out. While on the outside orange markings covered Mikey's body as Itachi was forced back,
"Gah!" Itachi groaned as Mikey saw he was free and jumped back to his brothers.
"That was scary." Mikey said.
"Are you ok, Mikey?" Donny asked.
"Never better." Mikey replied.
"Itachi what happened why didn't your attack work?" Kisame asked in confusion.
"It seems there's more to the turtles than I thought," Itachi answered, "No matter, Naruto's our prime target. Naruto since you refuse to cooperate we'll have to take you by force."
Suddenly Itachi stopped in place and smiled, "Well nice to see you again… Little Brother and little cousin."
They all looked past Itachi seeing Sasuke and Himeko behind him with their Sharingans activated, "We've waited a long time for this brother." Sasuke growled.
"Those years of kindness were all just an act!" Himeko growled, "I trusted you! Nii-kun trusted you! We looked up to you yet you treated us and our families like dirt!"
"We did exactly as you told us to," Sasuke added, "We've channeled our anger onto you and trained to see that one day you die at our hands!" Sasuke shouted as he and Himeko looked determined to fight. Sasuke was charging up a Chidori while Himeko powered up her Light and Dark Chakras into her fists.
"Sasuke knows Chidori?" Itachi asked not expecting this and thought, 'Seems Yin-Yang's training paid of a bit.'
"Sasuke, Himeko!" Naruto and the turtles call.
"You're dead!" Sasuke screamed running for Itachi dragging the Chidori on the ground tearing up the pavement. While Himeko ran at him ready to thrust her chakra powered fists at him.
"This is gonna get ugly." Mikey warned his bros.
Sasuke and Himeko were right on top of Itachi and thrusted their arms forward at their elder who wasn't even blinking. In an explosion everyone was shocked, Itachi stood while gripping both Sasuke's and Himeko's arms with their attacks powering down,
"He just caught their attacks like that." Leo gasped.
"Whoa." Raph gasped.
Itachi looked down at his brother and cousin, "Little brother and cousin you two are as foolish as you were before. If this is the best you have to offer me than you two learned nothing." He started gripping their arms tighter feeling ready to break them as the two were crying in pain.
"This is bad. Sasuke and Himeko are out of Itachi's league." Jiraiya said.
"Yo Itachi, leave them alone!" Raph called.
Itachi looked to Raph, "Ah Raphael, this is just simply tough love. After all you've done it before." He reminded him.
"My tough love is nothing like yours!" Raph growled ready to fight until Kisame swatted him away.
"Know your place shellback." Kisame warned him.
Himeko frowned at Itachi, as her hair fell over the side of her face meaning one thing; Oujoko was in control, "We won't lose to you again!"
"Things aren't like they were before, Itachi!" Sasuke bellowed, "We'll kill you where you stand!"
Itachi in response broke Sasuke's arm and threw him back, "Sasuke!" Naruto called.
Itachi then threw Himeko right for Sasuke, and both crashed into each other, "Himeko!" The Turtles called.
Raph frowned as he tried to attack, but Kisame kept blocking his path, "Get out of my way!" Raph ordered Kisame.
"Sorry but this is between them." Kisame answered.
They watched as Itachi walked over to his little brother and picked him up by the collar pinning him against a tree, "You or Himeko don't interest me at the moment. Why don't you two go off and train another few years and obtain more hate?" he suggested.
"Shut up! We're not going to lose like before!" Sasuke bellowed while trying to break free from his brother's hold.
Itachi sighed, "Stubborn as always Sasuke, it seems you have forgotten the difference between our levels…" he looked at his brother as his left Sharingan eye took a new shape, "Mangekyo Sharingan!" he shouted.
Sasuke was suddenly crying in pain even when Itachi wasn't doing anything to him, "What's happening to him?" Donny asked.
"Tsukuyomi." Splinter explained.
"Tsukuyomi?" Leo asked.
"Yes one of an Uchiha's most powerful of Genjutsu abilities. Itachi is inflicting large pain on Sasuke's mind." Splinter explained.
Sasuke's screaming ceased as he was now unconscious. Himeko raised her head up and gasped at Sasuke knocked out, "Nii-kun!"
"Well now that they're out of the way Itachi can we finish what we came here for?" Kisame asked.
"Yes, let's." Itachi replied as everyone was ready.
"Nii-sama!" Himeko bellows as her chakras flare.
"Oh dear." Itachi gasped.
"You're mine!" Himeko shouted flying forward and delivered a punch to Itachi's face putting a huge bruise on his cheek and forcing him to skid back while standing on his feet.
Itachi rubbed the spot where she slugged him, "That actually hurt, Himeko. I commend you." he smirked as she growled ready for another strike until she was interrupted.
"Hold it!" a voice calls and standing before them was Yin-Yang along with more Jonin and Special Jonin.
"Well how nice to see you all again." Itachi greeted them.
"Itachi Uchiha." Yin-Yang frowned.
"This is going to be such a treat, huh Itachi?" Kisame asked excitedly.
"No Kisame, we're leaving." Itachi commanded.
"What, why?" Kisame asked in confusion.
"We wanted to do this quietly, but now that we've drawn this much attention our covers been compromised." Itachi said as he jumped into the air and activated his right eye, "Amaterasu!" he shouted and aimed for the ground. In a flash there was a crater in the earth with black fire in it.
"They're gone!" Mikey gasped.
"Let's hope for good." Leo replied.
Soon enough, Kakashi was lying against a tree next to Sasuke, while Splinter was observing them, "It's no good. Unless their minds are properly healed they won't wake up."
"I can't believe that teenage boy we knew could do so much damage." Leo said as they looked back at Jiraiya sealing the Amaterasu flames.
"I guess he really was a prodigy." Donny replied.
Himeko finally calmed down and noticed Sasuke, "Nii-kun!" she cried trying to wake her cousin up.
"It's no use Himeko you know Itachi used Tsukuyomi on him." Naruto sighed.
"No it just can't!" Himeko cried while holding onto her cousin.
"This is now all the more reason we have to find Tsunade." Jiraiya said.
"Yes the sooner we find her the faster we can cure Sasuke and Kakashi." Splinter added.
"You said master that Tsunade is the master of elixirs is she a medic?" Leo asked.
"Indeed she is," Jiraiya began, "The best medic you'll ever know."
"Well what the shell are we waiting for, let's get going!" Raph called.
"Yes, in the meantime Guy, Kurenai, Asuma get Kakashi, Sasuke, and Himeko to the hospital at once." Jiraiya commanded.
"I'll take care of Himeko." Yin-Yang replied taking Himeko and vanished with her.
"Well come on let's get going." Jiraiya ordered as the group headed off.
As they walked down a road outside the village things were pretty quiet until Leo spoke, "Master Jiraiya what exactly did those guys want with Naruto anyway?"
"Yeah what gives?" Raph asked.
"Does it have something to do with the nine-tailed fox?" Donny asked.
"Yes, Itachi and Kisame are a part of an organization known as the Akatsuki," Jiraiya explained, "From what I've gathered during my travels, I know they're a group of rogue ninja who're after is the nine bijuu. But I don't have any knowledge as to how or why they want them."
"Jiraiya-sama I've also been wondering, why did Tsunade leave the village years ago?" Leo asked.
"Well it's along story, but I'll tell you all I can." Jiraiya said as he was ready to tell the group about their past.
Meanwhile in Oto, Orochimaru was in his underground lair sitting in a chair while growling, "Thanks to that decrepit old fossil of a sensei of mine, I can't use my jutsu in this body!" he looked at his bandaged arms.
Kabuto entered, "My lord, I found Tsunade's whereabouts just as you asked me to."
"And?"
"I've tracked her to Tanzaku." Kabuto answered.
"Excellent," Orochimaru smirked, "I may be able to use my jutsu again after all." He chuckled.
(And this chapters in the books, I'll see you later.)