AN
"Blah" - Normal Speech
'Blah' - Thoughts


Naruto/Final Fantasy VII
Lost Son of Konoha

Chapter 23

Turtle Island Arc I

The boat rocked as it cut its way through the choppy waters of the sea off the coast of Kaminari no Kuni. Emerging from the ships cabin Cloud stepped out onto the deck located at the stern, it had been several days since the Shera had dropped him and Naruto off outside a small fishing village from there the pair had managed to find a captain of a fishing boat who was convinced bring the pair of them along.

Since then the small vessel had been making its way towards its destination, not that Cloud knew where that was exactly and what he could expect to find whenever they finally got there. His travelling companion had been less then forth coming on the subject and Cloud was starting to expect that not even Naruto knew exactly where they were going.

As he stared out to sea the sound of metal striking metal caught his attention, his interest peeked Cloud walked round towards the bow of the ship where he was greeted by the sight of five versions of Naruto surrounded a sixth standing in the center of them. The five copies rushed at the blond ninja who bobbed and weaved his swords clashing with the weapons of his opponents.

The skirmish between the six blonds raged on for several minutes before the original unleashed a burst of wind chakra that shredded the copies; bring it to an abrupt end.

"Well, gotta say that was certainly something." Hearing a voice, Naruto looked round and found Cloud walking towards him.

"Anyone tell you that it's rude to spy on people." Naruto said, sliding his wakizashi back into its sheath.

"Hardly spying giving all the noise you were making." Cloud replied, "So this is how you've been occupying your time."

"Gotta pass the time somehow." Naruto replied, "Sides with things escalating I don't see an excuse to let my skills get rusty."

"I guess I can understand that," Cloud said, "Although making copies of yourself and having them fight you seems a little self defeating. Since you're essentially just fighting yourself."

"You mean Kage Bushins," Naruto replied, "Thinking about it, since we're the same person I'm actually kind of shocked that you don't use it yourself. Actually why don't you use any Jutsu, sure you'd be limited to Kage Bushin and the Rasangan but still that's still something."

"That maybe true, we do share DNA." Cloud replied, "However I want to be my own man, part of that is having my own way of fighting. I worked hard to master the sword techniques I learned whilst on my journey to defeat Sephiroth and to abandon them would feel wrong."

"If you say so." Naruto said, he then pointed his sword at Cloud. "Perhaps you'd like to go around then," he told the one time SOLDIER, "If you think that me fighting clones is pointless "

"Are you serious?" Cloud asked.

"Come on, its just a little sparring match." Naruto replied, "Unless your worried about losing of course."

"This isn't just an excuse to try and kill me again is it?" Cloud asked.

"Oh don't worry, I promise not to cut you up too badly. I just want to see which of us is stronger." Naruto replied, a sly grin spreading across his face, "Don't tell me that your not curious as well."

As the two of them were talking a cloud of mist rolled in, enveloping the area. "W…what!" Cloud exclaimed, "What is this, this mist came in from nowhere."

"I don't know." Naruto replied, seeing the mist he was reminded of his meeting with Zabuza back in Nami no Kuni, "Be carful, anything could be hidden in here."

Hearing this, Cloud reached behind him and withdrew his sword from his belt. The two swordsmen scanned the area, searching for even the slightest hint of movement from within the cloud. As they did so several members of the crew joined them on deck, all of whom looked rather nervous.

"Sooo, where exactly is this place we're heading to?" Cloud asked, breaking the silence.

"No idea, the instructions I got from Bii said was to get a boat and that an octopus would be my guide." Naruto replied.

"An octopus?" Cloud asked, "That's sounds rather…odd."

"Bii is an…interesting type of guy ok." Naruto replied, "I find it easier to just not question him."

"That doesn't exactly fill me with confidence." Cloud said firmly, "Sooo, do you actually know anything about the place we're headed to."

"Just that it's where Bii and his brother, the former Raikage, trained and where he gained full mastery over his Bijuu." Naruto told him.

Time crept past at an agonizing pace, everyone who had gathered on the deck were on edge when from out of the mist something appeared. A large spiky object appeared on the horizon and grew large until it was close

All around were large stack of spike-covered rocks sticking out of the water, the remains of countless victim impaled on them.

"I don't like this." Cloud said, his tone solemn, gripping the handle of his sword tightly.

Whilst he didn't say anything aloud Naruto had to agree, whilst he'd never been to this place before he did recall a conversation he'd had with Lupa when he was trying to prove himself worthy of signing the Wolf contract, the Shiroi ōkami no joō had described the island as a paradise. Seeing this place with his own eyes he decided that Wolf Queen's definition of paradise was very different from his own.

Just then the water began to churn that in turn caused the boat to rock violently as several large tentacles rose out of the water. "Hey Naruto, you said we should keep an eye out for an octopus right." Cloud said

"That's what the message I got from Bii said." Naruto replied. As they talked more tentacles arose followed by a head however it was clear to see that the creature wasn't an octopus.

"Uhh ok, that's not an octopus. That's clearly a squid." Cloud told his companion as the massive creature lashed its tentacles at the boat, ensnaring several of members of the crew.

"Who cares what it is, just kill it already." Naruto retorted; drawing his wakizashi from its sheath. Just then the massive creature lashed out at the pair with one of its tentacles at the pair, both blond men leaping out of the way as the mess of flesh and muscle slammed into the deck of the boat, shattering the wood as if it were glass.

In midair Naruto summoned up his elemental chakra channeled it along the blades of his weapons. he leapt at the massive squid. "NINPU: SUKORUKROSURASSU! Squall Cross Slash!" Naruto unleashed a X-shaped wave of combined wind and water chakra that sliced through one of the squid's tentacles causing it to drop the crewmember it had ensnared.

At the same moment Cloud charged up Limit Break and launched a Blade Beam and the giant, the attack catching the squid in one of its eyes. Both men then fell to earth, Cloud landing on a piece of debris from the boat whilst Naruto alighted on top of the water.

Just then a massive surge of water erupted from which a large mass of red tentacles emerged that grabbed ahold of the squid, they were then followed by an ox like head with two large horn protruding from it, one of which was broken, and glowing eyes.

"Yo squid, you better get back to yo place. Before my boot leaves a skid mark on your face!" A voice was heard, booming through out the area.

Shocked, Cloud looked around and atop the creatures head he saw a tanned skinned man, clad in black pants and a white scarf around his neck. "There you are Bii," he heard Naruto call out, "You sure took your time."

"Damn son. I was in ma crib chillin, but I'm here now so don't be ill'in!" the tanned skinned man replied.

"I take it this is the guy we've come to see." Cloud said to Naruto.

"Yeah, that's him." Naruto replied, "Killer Bii, Jinchuriki of the Hachibi and the guy whose going to help me with my problem."

"Erm I mean I don't want to sound like I'm being judgmental but does he…" Cloud began.

"Talk that all the time," Naruto finished, "Yes, yes he does. Bii is in love with rap music, given the chance he'd probably quit the Ninja Core and become a rapper."

"So, I see you've arrived." Hearing a voice both Cloud and Naruto looked round and saw standing atop one of the spikes protruding from the island was a man with dark brown spiked hair clad in the garb of a ninja of Kumogakure complete with hand and shin-guards as well as flak jacket as well as a light grey scarf around his neck. His most prominent feature however was a dark green mark that ran along the bridge of his nose.

"My name is Motoi, I am duty is to watch over this island." The man said, "Once you have landed I shall lead you to your lodgings."

The two of them then leapt up onto the giant mollusk's head, after the Hachibi scooped up the remaining crew and swam them towards a nearby beach. Before long the two blond men they found themselves following Motoi and Bii as they walked along a woodland path leading up from the beach where the crew of the fishing boat that had been wrecked had sent up camp.

Walking through the wooded area Cloud was taking in his surroundings, the island had an ominous feel to it similar to the one at the Northern Crater or the ruins of Midgar. All the while he felt as though something from within the lush forests were watching them. However that's not all he had noticed. Motoi, there was just something about the man, the way he seemed to avoid making any eye contact with Bii had not gone unnoticed.

Before he could ponder this any further a rustling coming from nearby was heard, seconds later a massive gorilla emerged from the trees letting out a fearsome roar as it appeared. Seeing this both Cloud and Naruto instantly reached for their weapons when Bii stepped forward.

"Yo, chill Lil King. These guys are with me." He told the giant ape, he then extended his fist out towards it. Much to both Cloud and Naruto's surprise the gorilla instantly calmed down, the primate then extended its own fist and knocked it against Bii's.

"Did that Bii guy just fist bump with a gorilla?" Cloud asked, unsure is he could believe what he was seeing.

"Bii-san has spent a lot of time here on this island. The animals here respect him and regard him as their king." Motoi told him, "As long you don't wander off on your own you are perfectly safe. However I must say that I'm a little surprised that there's "

"I'm the one who's here to train with Bii." Naruto told the brown haired man, "This here is Cloud, he kinda invited himself along."

"I see, so which one of you is the Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi?" Motoi asked, his question caused both blonds to glance momentarily at one another."

"Well, we kinda both are." Naruto replied.

"It's…complicated." Cloud added.

"I…see…" Motoi said, "I'm sure your story will be most interesting. Now come on, the lodgings you will be staying in are just up ahead."

The journey continued and after some more walking the four men arrived at a rather sizeable building that looked as if it had been carved from several large mounds of rock, a carving of the Hachibi's head mounted above the door.

Upon arrival the two of them were shown to rooms where they could rest up after their journey. Naruto however said he had something he had to talk to Bii about; he and his former teacher then departed leaving both Cloud and Motoi behind.

"Well, I suspect that you are tired from your journey." The brunette said, "Now if you'll excuse me I must see to our other guests on the beach. I believe that Bii-san will see to transporting them back to the mainland once he's done talking with your companion." With that he turned and walked away leaving Cloud by himself.


A few hours later Cloud found himself lying on the bed of the roof he'd been shown to, he knew he should be resting up but instead he felt restless. He'd tossed and turned but sleep eluded him. He had decided to stay in the Elemental Nations for the purpose of finally putting an end to the threat of Orochimaru's clone army and when he learned of Naruto plan of coming out to this island he had decided accompany him, thinking that coming out here would allow him to prepare and make sure he was prepared.

Having had enough of trying to sleep Cloud rose from his bed and grabbed ahold of First Tsurugi; the large sword was propped up against a nearby wall, and made his way towards the door. Exiting his room the blond man made his way through the halls towards the main entrance and out into the open air, night had descended over the island and yet noise could still be coming from the forest.

Cloud recalled Motoi saying that the creatures of the island would attack unless they were in the company of Bii, however he didn't feel like waking the Kumo ninja up. Besides he figured as long as he didn't stray too far off on his own he'd be fine.

Setting off Cloud entered the forest and soon enough found himself in a small clearing, satisfied Cloud took up a fighting stance before swinging his weapon as he ran through drills, slashing at the air.

"Your up late." Cloud had been at it for several minutes when a voice spoke up catching his attention. Looking round he found Motoi standing on the branch of a nearby tree.

"Sorry," he told the Kumo ninja, "Couldn't sleep."

"I can see that." Motoi replied, he then leapt off of his branch and landed a foot away from Cloud, "I thought I warned you about the creatures of this island, if they catch you out here alone they will not hold back."

"I'm not worried." Said Cloud.

"I see, you're either brave or foolish then." Motoi said, he then turned and began walking away, "I will bid you good night then. I shall see you in the morning, if you survive the night that is."

"Hey before you go, answer me one thing. Is there something going on between you and that Bii guy?" Cloud asked, his question causing Motoi to halt in his track.

"W...what do you mean?" Motoi replied.

Cloud shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno, it just when we walking through the woods earlier there was this odd tension coming from you. Like you were doing your best not to make eye contact with him." He said, "Just thought it was kind of odd."

"And what business is it of yours." Motoi snapped.

"I guess it isn't." Cloud said, "Forget it then, like you said it's none of my business."

"That's right, it isn't." Motoi said firmly, "Now it's my turn to ask something that isn't my business, tell me Strife-san why are you here?"

This question caught Cloud off guard a little. "If what Uzumaki said was true, that you somehow both the holder of the Kyuubi, then it would make sense that you would be here to gain mastery over it." the brown haired man, "That is what your companion is here for, however that's not why you're here is it. So I'll ask you again are you here?"

Cloud stared at the man, unsure of what to do or say. He knew that he really shouldn't have pushed him on the subject of his relationship with Bii but had done so because his curiosity had gotten then the better of him. Now the man was pushing back, pushing on a topic that Cloud didn't really want to talk about.

"I have my reasons." He replied.

"I'm sure you do." Motoi said, "Care to elaborate."

"No." Cloud said in a firm tone.

"I didn't think so, unless you are willing to share I suggest not prying into other peoples business." Motoi said, "That being said however, there is still the matter as to why you have come. If you have not come to master the power of your Bjuu or even to train then why are you here? If there is nothing for you on this island, then you have no business here. Leave."

"And what gives you the right to decide that? I have my reasons for coming here, reasons that of no importance to anyone but me." Cloud snapped, "Naruto, he said that he needed to make peace with him self, and he thinks coming here would help him do that. I…I thought that maybe I could do the same, maybe finally come to terms with the ghosts of my past."

Motoi scoffed at this. "You, what could you possibly have done to warrant coming all the way out here?"

"I don't expect you to understand. Have you ever watched the ones important to you die, to see everything that they were and could have been extinguished in an instant?" Cloud said, his tone firm. The stern look on his face then shifted into one of sadness. "I've tried many time to move on with my life, because that's what they'd want me to do right, and yet each and every time something just crawls up and reminds me of all my failings, of all the people that loved and couldn't protect. It just serves to remind me that no matter what I'm not good or strong enough."

Motoi stared at Cloud; the blond man's words couldn't help but strike a cord with him. He was like him in a way, haunted by something from his past. "I see, so that's why you're here." he said, his tone solemn. "And your wrong, you are not the only one haunted by past sins. Every living thing has a cross they must bare, a decision or event that has shaped them. They must then choose whether they will allow it to dictate the remainder of their lives."

"You don't know anything about me." Cloud retorted.

"I know what I see in front of me, and what u see is a man that is being crush by a great weight that he carries. However the weight is one of his own making." Motoi said, "You say you are unable to move forward, that the weight of your sin is holding you back, however that is a total fabrication. There is only one thing that holds you back Strife-san, is yourself."

Motoi then turned around and began walking away, "But that's just how I see it. Good evening." With that he disappeared into the woods, leaving a rather stunned Cloud behind to mull his words over.


As Cloud was talking with Motoi, elsewhere Naruto was in Bii's room. The blond haired ninja seated on the bed whilst his fellow Jinchuriki was leaning up against the wall.

"So there you are, that's the whole story." Naruto told the tanned skinned man; "Cloud and I are the same person, one of grown in a lab by Orochimaru to serve in as part in new army, all of whom have my face."

"Shit, that's seriously messed up." Bii commented, "So do you know, which one of you is the real deal?"

"No," Naruto replied, "Its still unknown which one of us is the genuine article and which of us is the clone or even if be might both be clones."

"Damn, I'm shocked you can even look that guy in the face. That sense of doubt gnawin away at ya." Bii commented, he then pushed himself off of the wall, "How's the other guy takin it."

"I…really don't know." Naruto replied, "Its like he doesn't even seem to care about, or at least if it is he's putting up a really good front. He can be a hard guy to get a read on."

"Well whatever, I don't really care one war or another. Let cut the BS and talk business already." Bii said, "Ya didn't come all the way out here just for a therapy session, so what don'tcha tell me the real reason why did ya came all the way out here?"

Naruto stared at the tanned skin man. "Are you serious, did you not even read the message I had Aoi-san send you."

"Tsk, she didn't tell me anything." Bii replied, "All she told me was you wanted me to come here and I had to be here."

'Aoi, damnit…' Naruto growled, he then shook his head. "Part of the reason I'm here is because I need to get stronger, did Aoi at least tell you about the Akatsuki?"

"She might have mentioned it." Bii said.

"Great, well they're back." Naruto told him, "That's not good news for us, if their plans haven't changed, and the way I see it I have no idea why it would, they're collecting the Bijuu for whatever it is they want them for. And since we have the last two they're gonna come after us."

"Hmmm, that could be considered a problem." Bii said, "So what's this got to do with me?"

Naruto got up off the bed. "I need to be ready and that's why I've come to you. I've come to finish my training," He told the older man, "I want to gain full mastery over Kurama's power."

Bii let out a small snort of amusement. "Oh is that right, I figured you'd be comin to me about this sooner of later."

"You'll do it?" Naruto asked.

"I guess, ain't like I got nothin better to do." Bii replied, "What about the other guy, your both the contain of the Nine Tails right. Is he here to master his Bijuu chakra too?"

"I honestly have no idea why he's here." Naruto told his former Sensei, "When I told him about this he insisted on coming with me, when I asked why he said that he 'had things he needed to come to terms with'."

"Well isn't that cryptic." Bii said off handedly, "Well whatever. Ain't none of my business anyway." He then fixed Naruto with a stern look. "You sure your ready for this, what you want isn't exactly easy to obtain."

"I'm sure," Naruto told him, "Even if wasn't I need to get stronger and this is the only way that I can think to do so."


Unbeknown to the party already present, they weren't the only ones with business on the island. Several miles away a blue haired figure was gliding through the air, the dark waters spread out below her as she approached the island.

It wasn't long before Konan touched down on solid ground, surrounded by trees to obscure her arrival, the paper that made up her wings falling away and scattering across the ground.

When the Kyuubi's host had seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth at first glance it seemed that the Akatsuki's goals would come to nothing, Pein however had been quick to act. With Madara seemingly succumbing more and more to madness the orange haired man had decided to switch tactic and instead decided to play the long game instead.

Despite their absence over the last twelve years the organization had hardly been idle. Aside from acquiring seven on the nine Bijuu the Akatsuki had also managed to implant themselves into many of the major institutions that kept The Elemental Nations going. From key positions in each of the major cities and villages political structures to criminal gangs that operated in the shadows. All of this done for a single purpose, to keep tabs on the goings on and find the locations on the two remaining Jinchuriki.

Leader-sama had been very clear about her mission, thanks to the information received by their mole inside Kumo she knew that both remaining Jinchuriki would be here on this island. It was her job to acquire at least one of them.

Konan was about to set off when a rustling noise from the nearby tree's got the female Akatsuki member's attention, glancing to her left she was just in time to see a giant gorilla, the same one that had attacked Naruto and Cloud upon arrival. The massive primate roared and beat its chest in a show of … before lunging at Konan who didn't even flinch at this.

"NINPU: KAMI SHURIMEN! Paper Shuriken!" Said Konan, her tone even, the papers that had comprised her wings rose into the air and were launched at the gorilla, cutting and slicing into its body. The creature let out one final cry before falling to the ground in a pool of its blood and gore.

This minor distraction out of the way, Konan walked into the dark forest, not even sparing a glance to the creature she had so casually dispatched.


The night passed and the light of a new day spread across the island. Despite the early hour a small party was making its way through the trees as they approached a large clearing, a body of water dominating it whilst a waterfall cascading fell down from above, a small island floating in the middle of it.

"Well, here we are." Motoi told his companions, "This is the Waterfall of Truth."

"This the place?" Naruto asked as he took in his place, "This is where Bii mastered Gyuki's power?"

"Don't be so impatient, the waterfall is merely the first step to the process." Motoi replied, "To proceed you must first look deep within yourself and come face to face with the one who must overcome in order to proceed to the next stage of the training."

"Ok, and how exactly would someone do that exactly?" Cloud asked.

"All you have to do is sit upon the island in the center." Motoi replied, "Sit there and meditate, doing so will allow a person to see the truth."

"That's it huh, well ok then." Naruto said, sounding somewhat disappointed. He looked over at Cloud. "You ok if I go first, or do you want first crack at it?"

"You can go first, coming here was your whole intension in the first place. I'm just tagging along." Cloud replied.

"Ok then." Naruto then jumped over to the island; detaching his weapons from his belt he placed them on the ground before seating himself down in a lotus position.

Taking a deep breath, the blond haired ninja closed his eyes and did his best to completely block out the world around him; slowly the world grew quiet until only the sound of the waterfall remained.

"Well, well what do we have here…" The sound of voice was suddenly heard, Naruto's eyes bursting open. Looking around he saw a dark shape on the other side of waterfall.

From the water emerged a person, a dark smirk decorating his face. Naruto grabbed his swords and got to his feet, standing before him was a dark eyed mirror image of himself clad in the black and red robes of an Akatsuki member.

"You really want to do this," Dark Naruto said, reaching into his robes he withdrew his own swords, "Alright then, just don't come crying to me if you die in the process…"


AN And with that another chapter is done. So yeah, first chapter of 2017, I realise that its rather on the short side and not much actually happened but I hope to remedy that in the next one.

I hate to do this, cos by doing so I'm having to bring attention to this person, but I feel that I must take time out to warn you all of this troll who I also mentioned a few chapters back. Well he's back and he's made a whole new profile, right now he goes by the name Emperor-Aurora, although I've seen him go by Dark Inari of the fist, Galacter, Cosmic Being, Asashi of the Dark Fist, Web-The ShadowNinja & AuroraTheDemonKing. From what I gather he generally just hangs around the Naruto section (even though he supposedly hates the series as well as Kishimoto) and posts hatful comments on the first chapter, I seriously doubt he even reads the stories he targets. If you see comments from this person, maybe on your work or on someone else's, here is my advise to you all: Don't engage with him, I think you getting pissed and responding to his hate is what he wants. Trust me I made that mistake once and I regret doing so, don't reply to his hate, just report him.

God I feel dirty now.

Anyway thats out of the way, getting back to the story I'll admit this is something I've been looking forward to. The moment the Waterfall of Truth showed up in the manga and I saw what it did I knew I had to include it, just the possibilities of how I could use it made me little excited.

Next time Naruto's training continues, Konan makes her move and Cloud will come face to face with a certain someone, till then please leave your feed back and thank you for taking the time to continue supporting my work. My resolution for this year is to try and update this story more frequently, I'm going to try to have one up at least every three months, and with one of my other long running stories about to come to an end I'll hopefully have more time to devote to this.

Later y'all