A Brother's Return

Ch.19: Part 2

Speaking: normal

Thoughts, flashbacks, com-link, and notes: italicized

Jutsus, summons, Witch language, demons: bold

Summons's and demon's thoughts, ect…: bold italicized

(): author speaking

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. If I did, Anko would've gotten an AK-47 as a birthday gift.

During the reprieve, the Konoha group came down to the field. Out of their entire group, Hiashi was the first to ask, "Yamikage-sama how is it that they have progressed so far in only one month?"

Cairo chuckled and said, "Time moves differently in this village. One month of your time equates to a year of our time."

Shibi Aburame nodded and said, "It makes sense if you think about it. This village does not reside in our dimension. It is completely possible for such a phenomenon to occur."

He then turned to his son and said, "Shino, you have shown much promise today. I wonder what other skills do you intend to show."

Shino adjusted his shades and said, "Thank you tou-san, but I'm afraid that you will have to wait until our host begins the next portion of the exhibition."

Tsume quickly pulled Kiba into a hug and said, "Good show out there, pup. You might just be ready for the next stage of our clan's training regime."

Kiba snorted. "Of course I'm ready. Between you and me, the Yamikage is more of a slave driver than you are."

Tsume laughed and said, "Somehow, I don't doubt that."

Hiashi turned to Hinata and Neji before saying, "I have to say that I am impressed with your performances today. Your talents have greatly improved during your time here."

Inoichi gave Ino a hug and said, "Good show, princess. You've come pretty far."

Ino smiled and said, "Thanks dad, but the show's not over yet."

Suddenly, Sasuke decided to ruin everyone's moment. He pushed his way through the crowd and said to Cairo, "You've got a lot of nerve. How dare you deny me any training when you clearly have no problem with teaching these rejects?"

Cairo didn't even so much as flinch. He looked Sasuke in the eye and said, "Sasuke, who I choose to teach is none of your concern. Now, seeing as how I'm in a good mood, I'll let you air out any complaints you have."

Sasuke stepped back and pointed at Neji. "You chose to train a Hyūga instead of teaching me. I'm an elite Uchiha. I deserve to learn from you more than anyone here. The only thing I hate more than you training the Hyūga is the fact that you chose the village dobe over me. He's just a no-name orphan whose parents probably left him in some random ditch because they didn't want him."

Cairo gave him a blank stare and asked, "Are you done yet?"

The Uchiha growled and said, "No, I'm not finished yet. You could've chosen to train the greatest shinobi in our village, yet you picked a creep, a freaky girl, a lazy derelict, a fat kid, a mutt, a whore, a street urchin, a piece of Hyūga trash, and some random girl. You clearly have no business trying to run a village."

In the span of a second, five Anbu had Sasuke surrounded with a blade pointed at his throat. Cheshire growled under her mask and said, "How dare you speak to our Kage in such a manner? You'd better pray that he doesn't give us the order to strike."

Cairo snapped his fingers. "Anbu operatives, stand down at once."

The masked shinobi hesitated at first, but finally removed their swords from the Uchiha's neck. Sasuke smirked and said, "I believe that your shinobi just tried to attack me for no reason, and I demand reparation."

Cairo decided to play along and said, "Let's say that I agree with you for a moment. What would you have me give you as payment?"

Sasuke quickly said, "I demand that you surrender your village's forbidden scroll, a scroll containing all of your village's jutsu, and you must train me to fight Itachi."

Cairo quickly wrote something down and said, "Very well, Uchiha-san. I'll make sure to deliver everything you've requested. However, it will have to wait until a more appropriate time."

Sasuke grinned and asked, "What day would be appropriate for you, Yamikage-san?"

Cairo smirked and said, "On the day that hell freezes over, I'll personally deliver the items you have requested. Until that time arrives, please be so kind as to sit down, shut up, and get bent."

After taking a moment to register the entire conversation, Sarutobi started to snicker. Minato and Inoichi got caught up in chuckling, and in just seconds, everyone except for Sakura and Sasuke had fallen over in laughter.

Even the more reserved shinobi like Hiashi, Shibi, Ryu, and Dylan were giggling. Anko, Tsume, Kushina, and Kakashi were all having trouble breathing.

Kushina was currently thinking, "That'll teach you to disrespect my children, you little bastard."

Once everyone had calmed down, Cairo turned to everyone and said, "Now it's time for the second portion on the exhibition. The trainees shall now face off against their trainers."

He then removed his hat and mask, revealing his secret to the remaining people there who didn't know his secret. Sakura quickly shouted, "No wonder you're such a terrible Kage. I should've known that you were Naruto-baka's brother. Not only that, but you're clearly a traitor."

Cairo just glared and said, "You need to shut up. Since the first time I invited you here, you've done nothing but insult my village and shame your own. If you continue to display such irresponsibility and disrespect, I'll have you reported."

As he turned away, Sakura huffed and said, "You have no right to speak to me in that manner, traitor. As a loyal kunoichi of Konoha, I hereby place you under arrest for treason and desertion. Come quietly or I will not hesitate to use force."

She whipped out a kunai and tried to stab Cairo but was instantly surrounded by Anbu members. Cheshire growled and said, "You have a lot of nerve to try and assault our leader. I should gut you where you stand."

Cairo snapped his fingers and said, "I told you all to stand down. If Sakura believes that she is a match for me, let her try."

Almost instantly, the Anbu squad pulled away from the pinkette. They all knew that if Cairo willingly allowed someone to try and attack him, that person wouldn't be walking away without some form of an injury.

Cairo whipped off his robes to reveal his battle outfit. He then pointed at Sakura and said, "We'll do this in the ring. You can use anything you want but you can't try to kill me. If I win, you must forfeit your shinobi license for three months. If you somehow manage to win, I'll give your precious Uchiha my village's forbidden scroll."

Sakura cracked her knuckles and said, "I'm about to send you crying to your whore of a mommy. Wait a minute…you don't have one."

Cheshire took one look at her leader and shouted to everyone else, "Get the hell away from the arena floor! You don't want to be down here when he gets like this! Anbu squad, set up the barrier!"

As soon as the field was evacuated, a red glow surrounded the edge of the arena. Cairo activated his Rinnegan and said, "You should consider yourself lucky I said that killing wasn't allowed here. I have officially had enough of dealing with you and your disrespectful attitude."

Sakura scoffed and said, "You can't speak to me like that. My okaa-san is an esteemed member of the council in Konoha"

Cairo growled and said, "I already know who your bitch of a mother is and I don't give a damn! That pink haired tramp is part of what got me thrown out of Konoha when I was seven! I said I wouldn't harm the village, but at least I can take some anger out on you. Cheshire, you will act as referee for this match. I suggest you get off the floor once I start moving."

Cheshire reentered the arena and said, "This match between Cairo Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno will begin…now!"

She then vanished from the field, leaving an angry Kage to face a moronic gennin. Unlike the pinkette, Jade actually valued her life enough to try and keep it.

Sakura began by throwing a barrage of sloppy punches and kicks. While each one managed to land a hit, they virtually had no effect. As the girl tried to throw what she thought was a knockout punch, Cairo caught her hand as if she was moving in slow motion.

He squeezed her hand and said, "Now you will see what happens to those who speak ill of my family. By the way, my okaa-chan is the red haired woman standing next to Naruto in the stands."

He then laid Sakura out with a haymaker and said, "I'm not a Kage for nothing. My punches are on par with the Godaime Hokage. Compared to her, you're less than nothing."

Sakura slowly stood up and tried to stab Cairo with a kunai. The Yamikage quickly made a string of handsigns and said, "Inyōton: Spiritual unrest," and slapped Sakura back to the ground.

He smirked and said, "Now I don't have to worry about you passing out on me before I finish you off. Now, let me show you the strength of the family you've disrespected. Ninpo: Kuchiyōse no jutsu!"

In a large puff of smoke, Cairo was surrounded by six people with red hair and black battle robes. Sakura smirked and said, "You just called for outside help. This match goes to me by default."

Cairo shook his head at this. "They are not outside help. They are a jutsu that can only be used by a wielder of the Rinnegan."

Stands…

Kushina, Hiruzen, and Tsunade all recognized one of the six people as Mito Senju, better known as Mito Uzumaki and the fox's first container. Tsunade gasped and asked, "How is my obaa-chan alive? She died years ago."

Kushina shook her head and said, "She's not completely alive. Cairo is using her body and one of the Rinnegan Rikudo. All I can say about the other five is that they're possibly from our old clan."

Tsunade could only stare on as she thought, "Obaa-chan, what will you and Cairo show me?"

Arena floor…

Cairo turned to the group and said, "Only Deva will assist me. The rest of you will stay back unless I call you."

As the other paths jumped back, Deva (whom I'll be referring to as Mito from now on) slowly walked to stand beside her vassal. Cairo growled and said, "Don't kill her. Other than that, show no mercy."

Mito nodded and said, "It will be done. We shall show this girl the true fears of the night."

Sakura scoffed and said, "Is that cheap whore the best you can do? This should be easy."

Mito gave a blank look to Cairo and said, "I'm going to enjoy this more than I should."

Cairo just took one step forward and vanished into thin air with Mito falling in suit. Sakura didn't even have time to react as Mito's fist made contact with her face.

As the girl went flying, Cairo appeared in the line of fire and said, "Shinra tensei!"

The force of the blast sent Sakura barreling back at Mito. Cairo's Deva path lifted a large chunk of stone from the ground and said, "Bansho Ten'in!"

Sakura suddenly felt herself flying even faster at the boulder. Without warning, her body impacted into the stone and fell to the ground. The girl silently wished for this torture to end as she twitched in pain.

Cairo held out a hand and used his gravity control to lift Sakura into the air. He levitated her to a point where everyone could see her battered form and shouted, "This is what happens to those who dare to question my right to rule!"

Mito then lifted a hand and pointed to Sakura. She waited for a moment before saying, "Bansho Ten'in!"

Everyone watched in morbid fascination, or sadistic glee in Anko and Kushina's case, as the obnoxious gennin slammed into the stadium floor.

In her crater, Sakura whimpered as she struggled to say, "How could you be so heartless?"

Cairo turned to her and said, "That wasn't heartless. It would've been heartless if I had used the Legion Call. You would've been begging for death before I even began."

Sakura coughed up some blood before asking, "What kind of a Kage attacks a gennin for no reason?"

Cairo slapped her and said, "Listen to me and listen well, you conceited little bitch. When you overstep your boundaries, you should expect to be punished."

He grabbed her by the throat and tossed her back to the ground. "What you did however goes well beyond that point. You act as if you're a gift from Kami-sama."

He then kicked her in the chest, causing her to cough up even more blood. "You've disrespected me on numerous occasions. Normally, I would've let that slide. Sadly, you crossed the line by insulting my family, my people, and my home. That is truly unforgivable to me."

He held out a hand and said, "I could blast you into oblivion and be done with it. However, I'll send you back to Konoha alive as a personal message. You will tell your tramp of a mother that if Konoha wishes to have any chance of an alliance with my village, they will drop you from the shinobi program until I deem you fit to be a ninja."

As Cairo started to walk away, he turned around and said, "Inyōton: Painful slumber."

Everyone watched in shock as Sakura let out a deafening scream before passing out. Cairo then turned to the Konoha shinobi and said, "This exhibition is hereby over. Hokage-dono, take your shinobi and leave my village at once. Until I say otherwise, there will be no alliance between our villages and Konoha is banned from Kagegakure. Cheshire, I want you to escort them out of the village."

The young Anbu nodded as she opened a portal to Konoha. She looked at Tsunade and said, "I want you to know that you all got off easy. For a moment, I thought he was about to declare war with your village. Now leave before his ire increases."

As the group left through the rift, Kushina and Minato took a final glance at their enraged son before departing the village.

Back in Konoha…

The entire group reappeared in the Chunnin Exam stadium. Tsunade turned to the clan heads and said, "Report to the council chambers. I'll be there in a moment."

She then turned to Kakashi and said, "Take Sakura to the hospital. After that, find the nearest Anbu and tell them to summon the civilian council. After that, all teams are to report to the council chambers for an important meeting. If anyone doesn't show without a good enough reason, you'll be locked away under sedition and suspicion of treason."

Everyone quickly moved out, leaving Tsunade alone with Sarutobi. She let out a long sigh and said, "I've never seen him so angry, Sarutobi-sensei. Something tells me that this won't end well."

Before Hiruzen could respond, a scroll appeared at Tsunade's feet. The two things that shocked her were the Uzumaki crest and the reddish gold feather that was tied around the scroll.

Hiruzen took the feather in his hand and said, "Tsunade-chan, this is no ordinary feather."

The Godaime pulled it away from the scroll and said, "I don't know about that, sensei. It looks like a regular old bird's feather to me."

Without warning, a hand grabbed the feather and took it from her grasp. Tsunade turned to see Jiraiya giving it a glance. He then rubbed it betwixt his fingers and said, "This could've only come from Cairo, Tsunade-hime. He's the only person with access to this species of bird."

The current Hokage growled and said, "Will one of you just tell me what's so special about this feather!?"

Sarutobi chuckled and said, "This feather comes from the tail of a fully matured phoenix. The scroll can only be from Cairo because the Phoenix contract is currently in his possession. He must have absolute trust in you to give you a phoenix feather."

Tsunade looked down at the scroll and said, "I wonder what he trusts me with so much that he'd send one of those with the scroll."

She then opened the scroll and gasped. The blonde Senju rolled up the scroll and said, "I can't believe he would send me this of all things. Sensei, this is a scroll that contains an old jutsu devised by Mito obaa-chan."

Sarutobi quickly looked at the contents of the scroll. As soon as he came to a certain spot, he tossed the scroll down in surprise.

Realizing his mistake, he shoved the document into Tsunade's arms and said, "You must hide that scroll with Kushina as soon as possible. It will only be safe in the Namikaze mansion."

Tsunade nodded as she thought, "Cairo, why would you trust me with something like this?"

Later…

As the council had finally come together, Tsunade and Hiruzen entered the room and shut the doors behind them. Tsunade took her place on the dais and said, "I have called this meeting to order to shed some light on a recent situation. After the invasion during the Chunnin Exams, Sarutobi-sensei and I spoke to the Yamikage about a potential alliance. At first, it seemed that he was more than happy to form an alliance with our village."

The civilians smirked at the thought of gaining new resources and profits from the elusive village. Hiruzen stood up and said, "Sadly, that potential alliance now hangs by a delicate thread."

Saiyuri quickly asked, "Tsunade-san, what could possibly cause the alliance to falter?"

Tsunade slammed her fist on the dais. "First, you will not address me as if we hold equal status! You will address me as Hokage-sama or Tsunade-sama! Second, your daughter felt that it was appropriate to insult the Yamikage and his people within their home village. He has officially stated that Sakura Haruno is to be dropped from the shinobi program if there is to be any chance at an alliance."

Saiyuri jumped up and said, "I will not allow it. I don't care if the alliance fails. You will not take my Sakura-chan's shinobi license."

Tsunade smirked and said, "That's not up for you to decide. Seeing as how Sakura is still currently a ninja, the shinobi council shall decide her fate."

Trying to find a way to stop the Hokage, Saiyuri looked around the room and saw Naruto whispering to Hinata. The pink-haired woman, thinking Naruto still had a crush on her daughter, desperately shouted, "Naruto-san, surely you don't want to see Sakura-chan have her license stripped from her. After all, I'm sure Sakura-chan would appreciate you saving her from such a fate."

Naruto just looked at his parents and said, "I apologize for any rude language you're about to hear. Haruno-san, I want to make something clear to you. The crush I had on your pathetic daughter was only brought on by the seal you meddlesome fools had placed on me as a child. I have no romantic or even friendly feelings for your daughter."

He paused for a brief second to let his words sink in. "When I tried to be a friend to her, it was you who turned her away from me. Also, I know the part you played in what happened six years ago. Did you honestly believe that Cairo nii-san wouldn't tell me that it was you who bribed Fugaku-teme to come after us?"

Saiyuri nervously looked around and said, "N-Naruto-san, I have no idea about what you're saying."

Naruto scoffed at her thinly veiled attempt at a lie. "You can't fool me, you worthless tramp. You've known for over eight years now that Cairo and I were the Yondaime's children."

He slowly began pacing the room as he continued, "However, you couldn't stand the fact that our tou-san chose our kaa-chan over you. You hated our kaa-chan for taking away your chances of getting your trashy hands on the Namikaze fortune, so you decided to vent your anger and jealousy on us."

Naruto then stopped in front of her and said, "What's worse is that because of you, my brother was cast out of Konoha and left to die in a ditch. I can only hope that Tsunade-sama takes her license away for a long time."

Saiyuri nervously chuckled. She could feel Kushina's glare trying to burn her alive. "Naruto-san, how could you say such things?"

Naruto gave her the one-finger salute and said, "Go rot in hell, you fugly bitch. If I could have my way, you and that whore you call a daughter would be living on the very streets you paid the orphanage to toss my nii-san and I out on."

The blonde then smirked as he toyed with a shuriken. "By the way, don't ever try to use that old crush on me again. As I've already said, I have no love for your daughter. I'd even go so far as to say that I hate her with everything I am. I have all of the love and happiness I could ever need in my Hinata-chan. Compared to her, your daughter isn't even worth half of the crap that spews from her oversized trap."

He then grabbed Hinata's hand and kissed her on the cheek. Saiyuri growled and said, "Damn you, you little bastard child. I should've had you and that damned brother of yours killed all those years ago. How dare you insult my daughter, you bastard!? My dear Sakura-chan is a much better choice for a girlfriend than that blue-haired skank you have clinging to you."

On the other side of the dais, Hiashi was completely furious. He was about to make a stand when Naruto grabbed Saiyuri by the neck and tossed her across the room…at Kushina's feet. Kushina looked down at the woman before kicking her in the face.

Everyone within range heard a loud 'crack', confirming that the Uzumaki matriarch had broken Saiyuri's nose. Kushina tossed her to the middle of the floor and said, "You don't know how long I've wanted to do that."

Tsunade decided that enough was enough and cleared her throat to regain control of the meeting. "As hilarious and well-deserved as that was, we need to get back on schedule. Will all those in favor of revoking Sakura Haruno's license raise their hands?"

Everyone on the shinobi council lifted their right hand into the air. Tsunade nodded and said, "Will all those who oppose this vote raise their hands?"

The civvies and the three meddlers quickly shot their hands into the air. The Godaime pretended to count them before saying, "With a unanimous vote, Sakura Haruno will hereby have her license stripped from her until such a time she is deemed fit to be a shinobi."

One of the civvies shouted, "How is that a unanimous vote!? The civilian council voted against you!"

Tsunade just sneered. "This is a shinobi affair. Your votes hold absolutely no standing in this meeting."

Homura nodded before saying, "I understand that, but why did you not count our three votes?"

Godaime turned to him and simply said, "I don't like you three. Also, you're all retired from the shinobi program. Your votes don't count either. I hereby call this meeting to a close."

Without even looking back, Tsunade turned to the doors. She had her hand on the door when a black spectral bird appeared in the center of the room. The energy from the bird vanished and revealed Raven in its place.

Raven bowed to Tsunade before saying, "I have a message from Cairo-sama. He requests that Maito Gai brings his student Lee to the Nidaime's head on the monument within three hours."

Tsunade had no time to question her as she vanished in a swirl of black energy. Tsunade turned to Gai and said, "You have your instructions, Gai. I suggest you get moving."

Meanwhile…

Orochimaru struggled to sit up as his elite force, the Sound 4, surrounded his bed. The traitorous sannin smirked before saying, "I have a special assignment for you four. You are to venture to Konoha and retrieve one Sasuke Uchiha."

The only female of the group scoffed and asked, "What's so special about this tree-huggin' pissant that we have to go after him?"

The larger member of the group frowned and said, "Tayuya, a lady shouldn't use such foul language."

Tayuya scoffed and said, "Piss of, you fat bastard. Nobody asked for your opinion."

A man with six arms sighed and said, "Can the two of you compose yourselves in front of Orochimaru-sama for at least five minutes?"

Orochimaru just smirked and said, "Let them have their fun, Kidomaru. After all, I rarely ever get to send the four of you anywhere."

Unbeknownst to the group, Kabuto had been listening outside of the room. "It seems that Orochimaru is making his move. I must inform Guren about this development. She might have a decent plan of action."

He quickly walked down the hall and turned the corner. After walking for several more minutes, he slipped into a room and placed a security seal on the door.

As soon as the seal was active, he was forced to dodge a crystal that was aimed at his head. He turned around to see Guren lowering the second crystal that she was holding.

The woman moved from her bed and said, "I hope you have a good reason for actually coming into my room."

Kabuto held his hands up in an act of peace and said, "We have a serious emergency. Orochimaru is moving in on the Uchiha and we need a plan."

The crystal user nodded and said, "We have to inform Cairo-sama that his plans are going to be started sooner than he wanted."

Kabuto turned to the door and said, "While you're gone, I need you to give Dylan a message for me."

He just tossed her a scroll before removing the seal and leaving the room. After walking down another corridor, he entered a medical room that only held one patient.

He walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "Kimimaro, I know you're awake. Not even you can fool a medic."

The patient groaned and said, "I assume that you still haven't found a cure."

The medic patted Kimimaro's leg and said, "I've gotten close to a cure, but Orochimaru will not be pleased about you recovering."

Kimimaro sat up and said, "I don't care what that liar says anymore. I'd rather fight for someone who actually cares about my well-being."

Kabuto let off a sly grin and said, "Is that so? How would you like to meet the man responsible for your upcoming recovery?"

Kagegakure…

Guren silently slipped into her sensei's office with practiced ease. She placed a scroll on Cairo's desk and said, "Cairo-sensei, we have to act. Orochimaru has sent the Sound 4 after the Uchiha child."

In a yellow flash, Cairo appeared in his seat. "I honestly thought we had more time, Guren. Get back to your station and make sure that Orochimaru doesn't suspect anything. Also, should he manage to get the Uchiha away from Konoha, I need you to find a way to stall the Uchiha until Orochimaru is forced to switch bodies again."

Guren nodded as her body began to crystallize. Cairo turned to the statue and thought, "We've come too far to let him stop us. I refuse to let that monster ruin what I've worked for."

The young Kage silently walked out to his balcony and watched the sun set. "I will not let it end when it has only begun."