A/N: I'm back! Ooh I love some of the reactions I got out of people for the last chapter :D
To Kiara97, yup, my friend is a huge Uchiha Madara and Itachi fan as well and I'm warming up to Madara the more I read and watch Naruto. And as for what's going to happen to Kasumi, you'll have to wait and see ;D and no mistakes, not everyone can be perfect, I speak the damn language and I still make mistakes :) nursyaa 123, you're just going to have to wait and see what happens to Kasumi a little later on while I leave everyone in suspense :D And to Blackout 785, well at least you checked it out and gave me an honest opinion and maybe this fic wasn't for you but thank you anyway :)
So onwards with the sudden revelation of what's happening. And if you want to know what's happening with my stories and such, check out my profile for updates on what's happening with posting and such. Thanks for reading!
Night had fallen over the lands as Kakashi hadn't stopped the whole way back after separating from the other countries escorts far enough away like Kasumi commanded when she had tackled Tobi. The weight of knowing that his sister was out there still, probably either fighting, burning Tobi's corpse or worse… dead, had a weight like none before weighing down in his chest the entire way, making him feel constantly out of breath. His eyes were dry and sore underneath them, wiping away tears for a thirty year old man, an assassin, an ANBU was a disgrace but well within the law and so he didn't care as he tried to redirect his thoughts to something else so he could be brave and strong for Konoha in the long run, he had to be strong leader now like Kasumi and his sensei had always believed.
"Kakashi-san, where is Tsunade-sama?" Izumo asked as he walked through the gates with purpose.
"Close the gates now. Madara declared war on the summit and the five Kage are fighting him now. Secure the village to level two emergency right away while I find the council and explain everything, none of this information will be relayed to Turtle Island yet, do you understand?" Kakashi asked firmly as he could see doubt and fear in the chunin's eyes.
"Yes sir! It shall be done right away." Izumo and Kotetsu saluted before running towards the gates and began to close them and Kakashi took off over the village towards the elder's chambers. He ignored the ANBU's tenseness and the guards standing there who were dumbfounded for a while before following after him as he came to stop in front of Koharu and Homura who seemed slightly surprised to see Kakashi there who was breathing heavily again as his heart pounded in his ears.
"Has the summit been called off?" Homura asked and Kakashi shook his head.
"No. We reached the summit perfectly as planned however during the meeting, Madara showed up and explained his plan to us as well as declaring war right there and attacking the Kage. They told us to escape and get the countries ready to form the Allied Shinobi force against Madara and his plans to resurrect the legendary Jyuubi." Kakashi explained quickly as the elders were slightly confused and dumbfounded.
"Slow down boy." Koharu said, waving her hand up and down to try and calm him down but Kakashi's breathing wouldn't calm as his heart pounded in his ears still. "Kai-kun, please find Nara Shikaku and the rest of the council immediately, it seems as though a lot has happened." Koharu ordered the ANBU who disappeared quickly and she stood up and directed Kakashi over to a chair, it was clear to the elders that Kakashi was in a panic and it was worrying that one of their best was like this.
"Breath and calm yourself Kakashi-kun." Homura said as calmly as he cold as he gave Kakashi a glass of water. Kakashi accepted it easily as most of it was drunk down immediately.
"All security measures are in place Homura-sama, Koharu-sama." Kai the ANBU said as he came back and they both nodded and Koharu patted Kakashi's shoulder, glad for his quick thinking.
Kakashi felt his breathing had calmed and he never realised how dry and sore his throat was until he drank that first gulp of water. His heart was quieter and he couldn't hear it as badly anymore but now fatigue from the full day of running was threatening to consume him as he listened to the elders talking quietly until they were told the council had been brought together. There was still a weight of worry and responsibility on his shoulders as he took the time to gather his frazzled thoughts, trying not to think of his sister and whether she was dead or alive right now as he thought about how he would explain everything and then communicate with the other villages… Honestly, he wasn't sure on what to do with separating squads and such for a war, all he knew was how to fight in one, not command one, Kasumi would have been better than him. Kakashi shut his eyes at the stinging thought as he took a few breaths from a calming exercise.
"Kakashi, where is Kasumi?" Shikaku asked straight away as he entered the elder's chambers and Kakashi opened his eyes slowly and looked straight at Shikaku.
"She stayed behind… Tobi appeared to stop us from getting any information out to our countries." Kakashi explained and Shikaku didn't press further, he could clearly see how the dire situation had hit the jonin.
"The council is waiting for you all." Shikaku added to the elders and gave one last lingering look to Kakashi as he was followed out towards the council's chamber where everyone, including the clan heads were sitting but Shikaku had Shikamaru with him and Itachi as the Uchiha clan representative since Fugaku was with Minato and Naruto as he looked at Kakashi with something unreadable in his eyes.
"Thank you all for converging so quickly but this is a state of emergency for all lands. Hatake Kakashi has been given current control as the next Hokage in the absence of both Tsunade and Minato as well as just returning from the Five Kage himself, by himself. Kakashi, if you'd be so kind as to explain the situation in detail please." Homura explained as everyone took their seats and left Kakashi standing at the edge of the table as everyone looked to him.
"The summit took off with a slight hitch but was quickly resolved as the five Kage sat down to begin their discussions over Akatsuki and general affairs. It has been agreed upon to ally ourselves with the other four nations to create an Allied Shinobi Force." Kakashi began as there was an eruption of talking and Kakashi swallowed but Shikaku stepped up next to him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Enough! Let him speak, this is more than just about an alliance otherwise our Hokage would have returned." Shikaku ordered as the room went quiet again and Kakashi clear his throat.
"It had come into agreement as all that was outstanding was to who would be taking the main command of the regiment. Needless to say the Raikage spoke up first, trying to claim it but was told he was too hot tempered and the discussion moved to Tsunade-sama as Konoha has the supposed last jinchuuriki and Raikage-sama wasn't happy as most of the Akatsuki members and the main enemy here had come from Konoha and Tsunade-sama suggested co-commanding the force and it was partially agreed upon however Uchiha Madara had come to crash the summit.' Kakashi explained as there were voices again as his ears caught bits and pieces.
"Is that why Tsunade-sama is not with you now?" Itachi spoke up as everyone quietened down for the question.
"The Five Kage told all of their escorts to escape and relay the message back and to communicate to get our forces together." Kakashi explained.
"Where is Kasumi-sensei then?" Shikamaru spoke up.
"She helped us escape when Tobi showed up to stop any of us escaping. She used herself as a scapegoat so we could all escape and stayed behind to fight Tobi as it has been proved before only my imouto and Minato-sensei are able to fight him and land hits." Kakashi explained as there were a few whispers.
"Who is to say she didn't trick you and is helping Akatsuki once again as she had worked for them in the past?" Hiashi asked as everyone went quiet this time and Kakashi's fists balled tightly as Shikaku's hand on his shoulder tightened to remind him.
"With Tobi's teleportation technique, she would have already captured Minato-sensei and Naruto by now but has there been any SOS from the Island yet?" Kakashi asked as everyone kept quiet and seemed to duck down. "It is a possibility right now that either her or Tobi are dead or both of them are dead or even possibly still fighting. Kasumi wouldn't have risked so much in the past just to screw it all over and take the last bijuu from right under our noses and I believe in her not because she's my imouto but because she's a Konoha shinobi through and through." Kakashi explained harshly as he saw Itachi and Shikamaru smile and Shikaku patted his shoulder before his hand fell away.
"So what did Madara want when he showed up anyway?" Inuzuka Tsume asked.
"He explained about what the Uchiha Stone table says about bringing all of the nine bijuu together to form one creature, the Jyuubi. It has a power so great that it will cast a genjutsu on the moon and capture everyone in it by becoming it's jinchuuriki and control everyone to bring peace to the world. It's called the Infinite Tsukuyomi of his project Tsuki no Me. He explained to us that the Hachibi jinchuuriki s still out there and Kumo will find him immediately and we refused to hand over Minato and Naruto causing Madara to declare the Fourth Great Ninja War with seven bijuu." Kakashi explained as untrusting eyes turned to the Uchiha in the room.
"Everything Kakashi-senpai has said is true. It contains a story about how the nine bijuu come together to form one, the Jyuubi and about this so-called Infinite Tsukuyomi. However, most of it is still unreadable without the rinnegan which no one but Pein had and now Uchiha Madara holds." Itachi explained coolly to everyone, levelling his stare with everyone and giving them the customary Uchiha glare. Kakashi smiled slightly under his mask for Itachi holding his own against older clan heads.
"Madara then proceeded to entice the rest of the meeting and the Kage made their stand with their orders clear." Kakashi finished up before Shizune came running into the room.
"Sorry to bother you Kakashi-san but Kumo has sent a message saying the have found the Hachibi jinchuuriki and will be moving him straight away." Shizune said with a smile and Kakashi gave a slight sigh of relief.
"Good, any other word from the other countries or the Daimyo?" Kakashi asked her as she shuffled through papers quickly that she was carrying.
"Suna and Iwa have arrived safely and relayed their information as Sabaku no Temari and Kitsuchi-san will be handling things on their sides as Darui from Kumo and Ao from Kiri will be handling their sides with their partners they had with them at the summit. All arrangements are being made for war." Shizune relayed and Kakashi nodded.
"Fist off, we must assemble reserves of ninja tools and food supplies. We will then divide our shinobi into main battle units and support forces and consider how we build the platoons within the fighting forces. Bring me the complete list of all our shinobi." Koharu ordered as someone from the end got up and ran off to fetch them with three other shinobi as books and scrolls were carried in.
"We'll be sending the Mitarashi squad and a medic team up to the Land if Iron to see whether the battle is over yet or not and to provide back up if necessary and recover the Kage, we should ask assistance from every other country to retrieve their Kage as well." Shikaku added.
"I'll go with them." Kakashi said and Shikaku shook his head.
"We need you here right now Kakashi and I'm sure Kasumi is fine. She's tough and if she's still around, the retrieval squad will find her or she will find them." Shikaku explained as the meeting was basically finished as everyone was sorting through information or talking. Kakashi scowled at that but he knew it was true… Konoha would be a sinking ship without him right now.
"Tell Anko to look for Kasumi specifically, north-west to where the Land of Iron's barricade is." Kakashi said.
"Kakashi-senpai, may I have a minute with you?" Itachi asked, coming up behind Kakashi who nodded… He needed some air and someone to just talk to someone who knew the entire situation already as he followed Itachi outside towards the mountain where they sat under the stars.
"I'm worried for her." Kakashi began and Itachi nodded.
"So am I but we have to believe she's fine, she won't go down easily." Itachi reassured him and Kakashi nodded with a hum. "I wanted to talk to you about my clan specifically." Itachi began.
"Is something wrong?" Kakashi asked with slight worry and Itachi shook his head.
"No… But my clan and dojutsu will be important in this war. I suggest we as a clan make up a unit on it's own just like all of the other clans but they'll be controlled by Shisui and myself as the eternal mangekyo demands respect in our clan, even my Otou-sama is cautious around Sasuke and I." Itachi explained.
"Can we explicitly count on Sasuke?" Kakashi asked and Itachi scowled slightly.
"Yes but he's as unpredictable as Naruto is. I will keep him close as Shisui will be focused on the ROOT members with Kabuto who will probably have heavy duties along the medic side of things… Shisui is going to be distraught when he hears about Kasumi-senpai's disappearance." Itachi sighed.
"I'll leave that to you as well as your clan." Kakashi said and Itachi nodded.
"I understand, you have a lot on your plate already Rokudaime Hokage." Itachi smirked and Kakashi pouted under his mask.
"Don't remind me…" Kakashi sighed and Itachi smiled slightly.
"You feel like you have no one around to rely on don't you?" Itachi asked as they looked up at the stars and Kakashi sighed.
"Kasumi's missing, you, Shisui and Kabuto already have your duties and Sensei, Yamato and Gai are all on 'that' mission. I can't put any more pressure onto any of you and Kasumi hasn't told anyone else about her time with Akatsuki and I definitely will not tell anyone without her being there. I'll just need to suck it up for now and hang in there with everyone else around me, this is a delicate time." Kakashi said and Itachi nodded.
"Shikamaru and Shikaku-san know more than they should, lean on them for now senpai, I'm 100% sure you can trust them but I must be going now." Itachi said, standing up and dusting himself off.
"A meeting?" Kakashi asked and Itachi nodded.
"Clan meeting. If there is anything you need senpai, don't hesitate to come and find me or even Shisui, don't break now." Itachi said before he shunshinned away with a flicker of a flame.
"You're a great friend Itachi… Thank you Kasumi for saving him." Kakashi said, closing his eye as his hand reached for the locket hanging around his neck.
XXXXXXXXXX
Kakashi sat in a broadcasting room the next morning with four monitors making a semicircle and other machinery around as well as cameras. Darui seemed to be taking second in charge as Kakashi was still frazzled about what happened and Kakashi vaguely remembered Darui had stood up for Kasumi and he probably made the connection between the two siblings with some understanding… Which Kakashi was grateful for with everything else going on in the village and about the jinchuuriki.
"Good to see we all got back in one piece." Darui said as he showed up on the one monitor with Temari, Ao and obviously Kitsuchi from Iwa who looked a lot like the Tsuchikage's escorts, perhaps they were related.
"Thank you, I am honoured to be here talking for Iwagakure today." Kitsuchi said as everyone bowed their heads slightly.
"Have all countries begun preparations for war?" Temari began as they all nodded.
"It's a bit rough right now in Konoha's state after Madara's first attack but we're managing. Our reconnaissance unit will be heading out towards the Land of Iron with medical squads within a few hours, we ask for all of you to spare a team to possibly retrieve or back up our Kages if they are still fighting." Kakashi asked.
"That is a good idea, Kiri will definitely be sending a squad. We should have all of them meeting up where we separated the other day and they can head in together." Ao said as the others agreed.
"Has there been any word about Kasumi yet?" Darui asked and Kakashi shook his head. "Then our teams will be looking for her too. Killer Bee-sama has been sent off before the light of dawn and we have received a message that he arrived safely and began working with Minato-sama and Naruto immediately to gain the Kyuubi's power. Our next update will be if something has happened or if the Kyuubi's power has been obtained where they will begin further training." Darui explained.
"Has anyone any idea where Uchiha Madara's hideout is?" Kitsuchi asked.
"The Mitarashi squad meeting up with yours has a possible location and will share it to your teams when they meet up." Kakashi explained as everyone seemed impressed.
"Now, what about our Daimyos?" Ao asked.
"Konoha is sending ours to a safe house where the others are welcome to join with squads as body guards. It is sufficiently guarded by Konoha nin at the moment." Kakashi said and they all nodded.
"Then we will be sending them there. Let's not waste time and argue over petty things." Temari agreed. "Suna has already begun to sort through our shinobi into battalions."
"We have too however most clans of Konoha will have to stay together. The Uchiha clan is working especially hard with the new Head of Clan, Uchiha Itachi." Kakashi began.
"Do you think it is wise for that clan to be partaking in this war after all, it is their ancestor and another Uchiha waging war against us." Kitsuchi said and Kakashi scowled slightly.
"I have trained Itachi since he joined ANBU at age eleven and he is one of my closest friends, he will not betray me and his clan will not betray him as he and two others have the advanced forms of the sharingan which undoubtedly demand respect within that clan. If there is people Itachi does not trust in that clan, he will handle them, he knows how important this whole war is." Kakashi stated harshly as Temari just smirked and Darui muttered something like 'drab' or something.
"That matter shall hang over your head if something is to go wrong Kakashi." Ao warned and Kakashi nodded, he knew that it was a huge responsibility.
"Konoha is also gathering a medic squad to be spread out among the battalions to be handled by Tsunade-sama's two successful apprentices if that is all right with your countries?" Kakashi asked carefully. Temari nodded right away, knowing Sakura had saved Kankuro's life when their elder couldn't. Darui shrugged, this whole meeting was a drab anyway but it had to be done. Kitsuchi nodded stiffly, knowing that medics were partial to Konoha's massive win in the last war and Ao nodded as well. "Then there is also a squad handling intel that will be partially handled by the Yamanaka clan."
"They're famous for mind twisting techniques… It'll be quicker than information sent by birds if immediate orders are needed." Ao spoke up. "We have some talented people here."
"As do we." Temari said as the other two nodded.
"Concerning the jinchuuriki actions during the war. They should be used as military strength." Kitsuchi began and Temari shook her head.
"That cannot happen. This is all about protecting them and there is a reason Madara is waging war with seven of them. Madara could probably capture those bijuu in a heartbeat and then everything we've planned goes down the drain. Using them for battle is not wise." Temari stated.
"And if we consider the worse case scenario, it would be like offering them on a silver platter to Madara. Naruto is hot headed and will not stay back or follow orders clearly and his father thinks he is mostly invincible and will do anything to save the ones he loves. They'll be too unpredictable." Kakashi stated and Darui nodded furiously.
"Same with Killer Bee-sama… The concept 'military strength' is a foreign concept to him." Darui explained.
"Then we'll hide them for as long as possible." Ao said and Kitsuchi seemed a little annoyed but agreed anyway.
"Is there anything else that needs to be discussed?" Kitsuchi asked as they all looked at each other.
"It doesn't seem like it. A team for Suna will be leaving for the rendezvous point right away to check out the Land of Iron." Temari said lastly.
"As will Kumo." Darui nodded.
"Iwa will definitely be there." Kitsuchi said.
"Kiri will be waiting." Ao smile slightly.
"And Konoha will be there. End transmition." Kakashi ended the meeting as the monitors shut off one by one and he breathed a sigh of relief. Everything had gone smoothly and much more simpler than he thought it would and by what he had seen between the Kages at the Summit.
"I'm surprised that it was that easy." Shikaku muttered from a corner and Kakashi laughed slightly.
"Me too but I think the shock of them all losing their Kage so quickly and easily had them being a little more agreeable than normal… I don't think any of us have any idea what we're doing." Kakashi said and Shikaku nodded.
"But that is why you have comrades, friends and the council. I remember Minato coming to me many a time on advice of the running of Konoha… I know you feel alone right now without your usual comrades but you still have a whole village willing to get behind you Kakashi so trust us and learn to rely on other people and we'll catch you." Shikaku explained and Kakashi nodded.
"Thank you Shikaku-san… I just hope everyone is okay." Kakashi sighed and Shikaku nodded in agreement with a hum.
The Island was still the same as Minato watched Kushina marvel over it with Naruto pointing things out and explaining to her about a giant squid that follows the Island that they had to save Motoi-san from the last time, luckily Killer Bee and the Hachibi were there as they're the kings of the Island and have wrestled every animal there.
"You're worried aren't you?" Fugaku asked, walking up next to Minato with his arms crossed as the boat rocked.
"How can I not be?" Minato said as they heard Gai wretching up a week's worth of food over the side of the boat.
"Tsunade-sama won't let anything happen to the village and your students won't allow it either, especially little Kasumi." Fugaku smirked slightly at the nickname, remembering the first time they had met the then two-year-old girl crying on the streets who had bumped into them.
"That's the whole problem. Kasumi thinks she's invincible…"
"No she doesn't." Fugaku said back and Minato turned his head to regard his old friend.
"What do you mean?" Minato asked and Fugaku looked out over the water.
"That girl has always had a clear sense of right and wrong. She only acts out the ways she does because she knows herself impeccably and knows the weight of useless deaths. She's able to put herself out there like that because she has unyielding trust in her comrades and can think clearly in a battle unlike most… She's strong not for the power she carries but because she understands things we cannot comprehend and she's able to put herself out there because she knows her limits." Fugaku explained and Minato scowled in thought and also he didn't want to think of Kasumi dying ever again.
"You're right… Dammit, I hate it when you're right." Minato laughed and Fugaku just smirked.
"This place is absolutely amazing ya know." Kushina said, turning around with a smile at Minato as he grinned back.
"It really is a wondrous place." Yamato said with awe as he came out from below deck.
"Welcome again ninja of Konoha, especially you, Minato-sama and Naruto-kun. I have been waiting for you and for those new to this island, I am supervisor Motoi and I'll take care of your needs. I'll take you to your lodgings so please follow me." He said at the shore where Kushina hook her arm with Minato's as Naruto bounded up in front, greeting Motoi excitedly and Fugaku followed behind with Yamato helping Gai out as they began to walk through the forest. Minato smiled at the way Kushina's face lit up as she looked around the beautifully untouched forest and the animal calls throughout the place as they took the path towards a mountain where there was a Hachibi shaped building in a wall where they would be staying for the time being. Motoi lead them inside, pointing out different directions and places as such as they went up one floor and all stopped.
"Konoha can use this floor. There are ample rooms. Eat all that you want in the great dining hall on the first floor. Choose whatever rooms you want. We'll adjourn until the meeting tomorrow morning at seven. Do you have any questions?" Motoi asked them.
"No, none at all. Thank you Motoi-san." Minato said with a nod as the man nodded back and walked away. "I think go and put Gai into a room and like Motoi said, we should all get some rest before we start with your mission Naruto." Minato smiled as Naruto nodded and headed off to find a room with Yamato half supporting Gai behind him.
"I'll be turning in for the night too." Fugaku said and Minato nodded.
"Thanks for everything old friend." Minato nodded and Fugaku turned and walked away and Minato could swear he could have seen a slight smile on Fugaku's face.
"He's gotten soft in his old age ya know?" Kushina said as she crossed her arms and Minato chuckled sheepishly. He had missed seeing Kushina in her uniform with the short sleeved t-shirt, a dark blue, Konoha flak jacket and three quarter length tights with ankle high shinobi sandals and her red hair tied up.
"Aren't we all getting a little soft?" Minato chuckled as he twirled a piece of Kushina's hair in his fingers.
"Everyone but those students of yours." Kushina laughed and Minato smiled gently, seemingly entranced as he continued to twirl Kushina's hair.
"It's that whole generation really… They grew up in war so its difficult for them to suddenly relax. Kakashi and Kasumi may just settle down a little after we end Akatsuki for good." Minato explained and Kushina nodded.
"Then we better get some rest then so we can begin tomorrow morning fresh after that rough boat trip." Kushina sighed, taking her bag off and rolling her shoulders.
"Make it a bubble bath and I'll give you a back rub." Minato said and Kushina grinned.
"Deal."
XXXXXXXXXX
Minato's eyes cracked open slightly as light was flooding into the room already… He definitely felt like he hadn't had enough sleep to deal with what was coming today. Kushina was still fast asleep and seemed to have not heard the racket coming from down stairs as he pushed himself to sit up, stretching with creaks and cracks as his back clicked and fell into place and reached for his shirt as he began to pull on his uniform without the flak jacket or hitai-ate before he headed towards the noise.
"Octopops you got the best rap… I'm so happy to see ya, I'm one lucky chap." Naruto rapped as Minato was getting closer to the great dinning hall but he couldn't help but smile as he turned the corner.
"Yo! Keep the beat." Bee said holding out a fist to Naruto which he bumped back.
"Tou-chan look!" Naruto said pointing at Killer Bee. "Akatsuki didn't get him after all." Naruto said with a beaming smile as Minato walked in.
"It's good to know you're okay Bee-san. Everyone was worried about you." Minato said, bumping his fist against Killer Bee's as the usual welcome.
"I was given one hard hit until I gave the blue fish guy the slip. Persistent fool until I left him drowning in the pool yeah." Bee rapped and Minato nodded.
"So Kisame is still alive?" Minato asked and Bee nodded.
"I used my power to the limit, it was like he was a bijuu, unlimited." Bee explained and Minato nodded.
"What are you doing back here anyway, since you've been away?" Bee asked, grabbing a plate of food with Naruto and Minato.
"We've come to complete a special S-ranked mission just for my son. I'm sure you've been briefed on everything that's happening?" Minato asked and Bee nodded.
"I'd like to try and control the Kyuubi first though again and if I don't feel it or something, we'll continue with the mission. Baa-chan did give us a ridiculous amount of time to complete it." Naruto said as he took a bite of his eggs.
"Then we'll do it together." Minato said and bumped fists with his son with a bright smile.
"From this moment on, I'll be your instructor… Ya better prepare yourself or else you'll suffer death 'n torture…" Bee rapped seriously and both Naruto and Minato nodded seriously.
"I think we better go to the Waterfall of Truth first in case we haven't overcome hatred like we did the last time." Minato said with slight worry and Bee leaned away and pointed at him rapper style.
"Wise words from the Kiiroi Senko. We shall face hatred there first." Bee said and Minato smiled sheepishly.
"Then what are we waiting for, let's go!" Naruto jumped up before Minato grabbed his collar.
"Where are we going?" Yamato asked as he walked into the hall.
"To control the Kyuubi." Naruto said and Yamato blinked.
"If we leave without your kaa-san, she'll be extremely angry… Remember what she did the last time we left her behind?" Minato asked his son as Naruto stopped and realisation dawned over his face as his hands moved to cover his family jewels. Kushina had given Jiraiya a 'gift' before they left… He couldn't walk properly for days.
"You're right, let's wait for Kaa-chan." Naruto sat down immediately.
"Well Gai seems to be out of it so I don't think he'll be coming with today." Yamato said as he sat down with some food.
"We should wait for Fugaku as well. There's a reason for bringing a sharingan user along with us." Minato said and Yamato nodded.
"Tou-chan, he's such a killjoy." Naruto whined.
"What was that Naruto-kun?" Fugaku asked as he walked in and Naruto sweated as he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck.
"Nothing Fugaku-san." Naruto said and Fugaku closed his eyes and continued on into the room, grabbing some food as conversation flowed quietly through the rest of breakfast.
XXXXXXXXXX
Nothing had changed on the island as they made it to the waterfall and Naruto went first, sitting on the small island in front of it and began to meditate as everyone watched on, except Gai who was dying in his room still. Minato stood with his arms crossed with a slight scowl on his face as Kushina stood with worry, seeing how defensively Minato was standing as she stood close to him. Yamato spoke quietly with Killer Bee as it seems Fugaku was just watching calmly with Motoi. Soon enough Naruto just stood up as calmly as if he was waking up and getting out of bed until he looked over his shoulder with a smile and Minato smiled back as Motoi nodded and Killer Bee smiled back at him. Minato carefully detached Kushina from his arm as he headed over and stood with Naruto on the small island.
"Any different from last time?" He asked his son and Naruto shrugged.
"A little… You just need to reaffirm what you said the first time…" Naruto said slightly unsure as he looked off to the side and Minato put his hands on Naruto's shoulders and looked into Naruto's surprised eyes.
"I know this is easy for me to say as everyone only knows you had the Kyuubi sealed into yourself and I was kept secret… I'm sorry for all the mistakes I've ever made concerning you Naruto and how long it took me to realise all the negative effects it has had on you but you are and always will be my son who I will never shy away from saying how proud I am of you." Minato said as Naruto's eyes welled up and he sniffed slightly before looking into equally blue eyes and nodding and Minato hugged him as Naruto hugged just as vigorously back, crying a little into his father's chest as Minato stroked through the bright blonde spikes of hair with small smile.
"Go get him tou-chan." Naruto said with a smile when he pulled back and Minato nodded as he took his seat and Naruto headed over to wait with the group as he could sense Kushina's comforting presence around Naruto straight away as he closed his eyes. The feeling Minato got every time his dark self presented himself was bone chilling, you could almost feel the coldness radiating off of him and it was at that moment Minato was thankful Naruto wasn't a sensory type like himself.
Black eyes with red pupils and the grin that spread over his face was simply evil and feral. The way he moved was like a black shadow, ghosting over the land as he stepped through the wall of water completely and lifted his head righteously like Minato owed him something. Minato knew his soul was far from clean or pure, that is the business of shinobi but to actually face all of that hatred, all of that evilness as a reflection of yourself was always quite a shock to actually see how much anger, pain and hatred you truly did carry around with you and it had shaken Minato to the core the first time he had ever seen this side of himself.
"Thought you could get rid of me forever did you?" Dark Minato asked and Minato stood up calmly.
"I know I can never truly get rid of you because you are me… But to see how far I have strayed off is a little shocking." Minato said truthfully and dark him laughed.
"You had to face many dark things since then. The death of Jiraiya as your student came back muttering she couldn't do anything to save him, that is pure hate right there." Dark Minato laughed and Minato scowled. "Oh and let's not forget your hatred at Akatsuki, yes, very dark. Kyuubi's hatred is just as big when it comes to that." He laughed.
"Kasumi or any of my loved ones have nothing to do with this." Minato said firmly but his dark side just smirked as the waterfall wavered as someone in a ghostly form came walking out and straight to his dark side's side.
"Yes, you've overcome the hatred on your family easily because they are your family am I right?" He laughed as he curled a finger under the ghost's chin… The ghost being Kakashi, the young Kakashi before everything happened to their team. "One pet hate you can never quite get over can you? You're doubts are still there, hanging and holding you back." He said, gripping young Kakashi's chin as he bent down to his level to look into vacant onyx black eyes. Minato's dark side is even more vindictive than last time.
"I've forgiven them and look past it now… Kakashi has grown into a reliable ninja of Konoha and one of my closest friends, I could never hate him for he was just that, a child back then thrown into responsibilities bigger than he was." Minato said firmly as young Kakashi pixelated and drifted away like leaves on the wind and his dark self pouted.
"Ah yes… I forgot you were almost past that last time." His dark self pouted before the waterfall moved again and out walked a more solid form from the young Kakashi that was there before as she stepped forwards. "But this is one mistake I know you'll hate yourself for eternity Minato." He laughed as Kasumi walked forwards and under his dark side's arm as he caressed her neck. This was the young version of Kasumi, the blue hitai-ate as an Alice band and regular blue sandals. She had on black shorts with two brown belts crossing over her thighs and around her hips and she wore an open front grey armoured apron. On the top she wore the standard issue navy blue long sleeved top like Minato, the red swirl on her shoulder, with it cut off on her mid section which showed armoured mesh shirt underneath yet her seal was there, more prominent than ever with bands around her wrists and above her elbows… Her genin days. Blue eyes more ghostly than usual and blank as his dark side caressed her cheek.
"I'll never forgive myself for the mistakes I've made with her." Minato said guiltily and his dark side laughed again as his thumb rubbed across her lips.
"Yes… Self hatred is the most strongest is it not?" He asked, gripping young Kasumi's jaw as he angled her head up to look at him.
"It is and I embrace it head on and I'll continue to try and right my wrongs even if she never fully forgives me. Just knowing she's there for me to rely on and to trust is more than enough that I can ask her for after everything she's already done not just for me but for everyone she knows and cares about. She's always tried her damn hardest to protect her otouto and friends even if she has failed, she is selfless and will always weigh her life as less important than others as she did for my family. She embraced darkness only to find the light again to fight her demons, she fights with everything she has to protect everyone and I will always embrace the fact I could never bear what she has had to bear but I will support her to the best of my abilities." Minato said firmly as the young Kasumi turned her head to look at him innocently and his dark self was frowning.
"Being able to embrace darkness huh?" His dark self asked and Minato nodded as his emotions were rattled up but he would stand by what he says and his dark side began to laugh as the young Kasumi smiled before she also pixelated and disappeared like leaves on a wind and his dark self walked right up to him and stopped.
"I may not be able to over come it as I have a lot weighing on my heart from all of my mistakes but I can sure as hell stand up to them without fear of rejection or being ostracised because everyone loves me for me and all of my flaws included." Minato said firmly even if his voice shook slightly and his dark self laughed and took a step back before holding his fist out.
"Brave words. I will be holding you to them." He said with a smile as his eyes faded to blue and Minato smiled and fist bumped his dark side before he faded and he opened his eyes to wipe away his tears from his eyes and took a calming breath. Minato looked up when a shadow loomed over him to see Fugaku standing there with a hand down to him and even though his face stayed in its usual stoic expression, his black eyes said everything as Minato took his hand and he was pulled up as he nodded his thanks with a smile at his old friend as they seemed to shake hands slightly before letting go.
"I told you it was different." Naruto said and Minato nodded to his son who was probably reflecting his own sadness in his eyes he knew he had right then.
"I'd say it was a lot more direct and difficult." Minato said and Naruto nodded.
"Minato, Anata, are you sure you're okay?" Kushina asked with worry and Minato looked to her and he couldn't help but shunshin over and grab her tight into a hug as Kushina stayed ridged with surprise for a while before she hugged back, gently cradling him to her as she smiled gently.
"I'll be fine now Kushina." Minato said as he breathed in her scent and calmed down slightly but there was a weight taken off of his chest now. A resolve of some sort had come to him about Kasumi and even about Kakashi and maybe even about Naruto…
They were a family of shinobi, both his family and that of Kakashi and Kasumi's. Shinobi must endure. Endure the guilt of those they have killed and the hatred of those left behind in their absence. Kakashi and Kasumi had done excellently taking it to heart and even into ANBU and Minato didn't have the knowledge or guilt of what an organisation of that held to the heart when it came to guilt and given situations… It was why Kasumi had reacted so stiffly that night Kakashi's ANBU team had lost him and he asked her to find him, she endured the knowledge of knowing her otouto, her last family member was possibly dead and killed by enemy ninja doing the same job she does everyday.
Naruto knew the meaning of 'enduring' as well. No matter what he tried to do, Naruto was always hated somewhere because of the Kyuubi when Minato had hidden his exact same secret and celebrated as a hero when his son was being shunned and his favourite student had died for him. Until he managed to bring Iruka to him, he could see Iruka was acting exactly the same way all the other teachers were treating him and remembered seeing Sandaime giving the ten-year-old orphan love and it decided it for him as he told Iruka what really happened that night to his face and how he also housed half of the demon. How it broke his heart that he was praised and his son shunned in the same breath and how he had allowed his fifteen-year-old student to die in his place because she was protecting him… Iruka had changed after that, giving what Naruto says Iruka is and that is a 'Brother for Life'.
In the world of shinobi, ninja and kunoichi and civilians alike, everyone endures.
Minato and Naruto followed Killer Bee behind the waterfall as Kushina, Yamato and Fugaku followed close behind as they all stared in wonder as Minato and Naruto grinned at each other since they had been there before. A giant cave housing so sort of a nine towered temple as a portrait of all of the bijuu laid on the giant wall of the cave with holes with water coming through it as headless statues lined the pathway down towards the temple specifically for the Kyuubi.
"You'll fight the Kyuubi here… Follow me." Bee said as they continued on seriously.
"These ruins seem to be quite old." Yamato observed. "They have archeological importance, they should be restored."
"No, Those stone statues were carved with out heads to begin with. There's a reason to it. Do you think it's something that can be controlled without doing something excessive? Fool ya fool. Since long ago this has been a sacred place where those selected as jinchuuriki have come to undergo the Purification Ceremony. It's set up here so you can talk to your bijuu in a special way. It's right inside this building. You hear what I say? Only those chosen ones can enter… To be selected. Go and stick your head into the statues mouth like a good man respected. If there isn't any darkness in your heart the door will open… Fully extended. However… If there is even a little darkness in your heart the gate will not part. Do you consent? And the statue will rip your head off and tear you apart. Are you content? All the headless statues you saw on your way here are past jinchuuriki who weren't sincere." Bee explained as they came to a wall with all of the different bijuu's head sticking out as well as the Kyuubi's and Naruto grabbed his neck for a second before he stepped up to it and stuck his head inside of the statues mouth.
Naruto stuck his head in as everyone waited and watched in anticipation until Naruto let out a yell of pain and began to struggle as Minato and Fugaku pulled him out, instantly seeing the prank as Kushina screamed and Yamato was staring with wide and terrified eyes before Naruto pulled his head out of his jacket, laughing incredibly hard as even Fugaku smirked and Minato laughed sheepishly. Kushina came running up and punched Naruto clear across the face as her hair whipped up dangerously and she stared down at Naruto with her hands on her hips.
"How could you scare me like that ya know!" Kushina yelled at him as he laughed sheepishly and rubbed his sore cheek as he got up.
"There's just a switch in there. Hahahaha, It's a habit, I couldn't help myself." Naruto grinned.
"I did the same thing too, out of habit." Bee rapped. "Those stone statues are just broken. It's just some wit."
"I thought you said this place was sacred! Fools ya fools!" Yamato yelled at them. Everyone's attention was caught as the wall began to open up to a room swirling with colours of pinks, purples, blues and peach colours, blending together perfectly as they all looked inside curiously.
"Go inside, close your eyes and focus. Just like at the waterfall then you'll meet your bijuu. This a little different Okay?" Bee said as he began walking inside and they all followed. "Listen to me very carefully. I'll give you an explanation… What kind of sealing jutsu was used on your Kyuubi? Please answer my question." Bee asked.
"They're both tetragram seals." Minato answered said.
"A tetragram seal huh? That's even more impressive and solid than my steal shell seal. Do you have the key?" Bee asked them and Minato nodded.
"You're going to undo the seal huh? What if they can't control it properly? What if the Kyuubi revives completely?" Fugaku fired off questions quickly with a hint of worry to his voice.
"We'll seal him away in here. That's what this place was built for as well. Until we get a new jinchuuriki, this is where we'll seal him in. You got a problem with this? No booin'." Bee rapped.
"We have to do this." Naruto said, looking up to his father who nodded seriously as well.
"Okay, I'm going to shut the door. And I'll show you two how to deal with the Kyuubi." Bee said as he shut the door and they sat with Minato and Naruto on one side and Bee took the other as Naruto and Minato bumped Bee's Fist and closed their eyes and everyone waited patiently.
Minato and Naruto found themselves standing in the same sewer like system that housed the Kyuubi except he was bigger this time as Minato remembered it before he sealed half of it away in himself and two seals sat on his cage this time.
"You two really do impress me. The rules are simple as you'll soon see. Great the Kyuubi in your subconscious mind then undo the seal at the same time." Bee instructed as two sets of blue eyes met two angry red slitted eyes with the orange coloured fox glaring at the both of them.
"Yo. Evil glare as usual." Naruto greeted first.
"Naruto. Yondaime…" The Kyuubi greeted before his eyes narrowed angrily.
"Kyuubi… Long time no see but I can say it's not a pleasure to see you again." Minato greeted.
"Now come a little closer to I can rip you apart." It growled menacingly as he stood up and a claw lashed forwards but they were just out of reach as water splashed.
"That's not an enticing reason to get near you." Minato deadpanned.
"You both conquered hatred but don't relax, do the best you can." Bee said calmly as they both rose up to their seals. "The Kyuubi is a mass of true hatred, that's absolutely true man!" Bee said as both father and son removed the paper covering seal before pulling up their tops and exposing their seals.
"What are you up to?" The Kyuubi asked, narrowing it's eyes as they both pulled up their sleeves on their right arm as their shirts stayed up and held by their teeth.
"Can't you see my mouth is full?" Naruto asked back with annoyance in his muffled voice as both of their right hand fingers lit up with chakra as a code began to write itself in their palms and down their right arms. They both reached for their seals and twisted as the swirled seal on the gates began clicking back slowly as their seal did. The second it opened, the Kyuubi burst through, sending them both flying backwards and the Kyuubi roared.
"When the Kyuubi emerges from the seal, grab its chakra with your own chakra and pull it away. Chakra can only be caught with chakra, it's common sense son. Take the Kyuubi's chakra away from him and you'll be number one." Bee explained as tentacles burst from the wall and wrapped around the Kyuubi. Minato and Naruto both saw an upper body ghost like image appear from their waists up as their chakra dolls to grab the Kyuubi's chakra as the Kyuubi struggled against the tentacles. "Touch the Kyuubi directly and stick your chakra into its chakra and it'll pull each other. In other words, it's going to be a tug of war match. Okay?" Bee asked as he showed it with a tentacle before the Kyuubi resisted and the tentacles broke away. "I'll help you in your fight. But unfortunately inside your heads I got no might."
"He's strong." Naruto said and Minato nodded.
"You have no idea." He sighed.
"Just a word of warning. When you're trying to take his chakra, there's the risk that he'll pull away yours. I don't need to explain what'll happen if all of your chakra is pulled away and you have zero left, right?" Bee explained.
"I see… You two intend on controlling my power. So you teamed up with the Hachibi? You, the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi? That's pitiful!" The Kyuubi said as his tails raised and a purple ball of mass chakra began to form.
"The risks are high for sure. But if you take it away, the Kyuubi's chakra will be yours forever. Grab whatever chakra you can from the Kyuubi's will. That will be your payoff! Don't get caught in the Kyuubi's hatred, use your strong wills. That's how you'll ward him off!" Bee explained as the ball of purple chakra shrunk before the Kyuubi ate it and his cheeks began to puff up. His mouth opened before a red blast came out, leaving both of them open for the attack but the Hachibi's hand appeared and took the blast for them.
"I managed to ward off the blast. That will be the last of my cooperation to your operation." Bee explained. Naruto created many clones as Sage Mode appeared and Minato smiled. Naruto could do all of the heavy attacking work while he worked on teleporting the Kyuubi's blasts and attacks as he quickly spread his specialty kunai far and wide and watched as Naruto used Oodama Rasengan first.
The Kyuubi used a tail to stop the attack simply as he knocked Naruto away and Minato caught him, quickly teleporting them to safety. Naruto looked back at his father to see exactly what his plan was and nodded as they dodged the tails coming for them before a hand raised and Minato teleported them again. It was then as Naruto grabbed one of the many tails and proceeded to tip the bijuu over onto his back roughly and a quick Super Rasen-Shuriken was made between the two of them as their resonated chakra and hit the Kyuubi's chest dead on and created a massive explosion as their chakra dolls reached towards the Kyuubi quickly and began to pull as they stepped backwards in opposite directions.
The attack wasn't enough as he leaned up on his elbows and growled as he was fighting against their pull as they began to hesitate. Red chakra reached out towards them and engulfed their chakra dolls and their hatred in their hearts began whispering to them and telling them they had no chance as they wilted and the chakra pull began to reverse as they both weakened to the Kyuubi's Will of Hatred.
"You cannot control my power! You are just a small portion of my hatred!"
XXXXXXXXXX
Killer Bee was forced to jump back away from Minato and Naruto as the Demon's cloak of chakra formed and quickly engulfed half of their bodies with red flowing chakra.
"The Kyuubi's hatred is stronger than I imagined." Bee said with slight panic as Kushina hesitated on stepping towards them with worry and tears in her eyes as they fell over and ran down her face as she shook with silent cried and Fugaku's sharingan was activated straight away.
"I'll see if I can stop them." Yamato said as he tried his submissive technique to try and push they Kyuubi back as nine canine like wood pillars shot out around them but the transformation kept going.
"I'm coming Naruto, Minato!" Kushina called with tears as she reached forwards and ignored the sting of the red chakra as she took each of their hands and knelt by them and closed her still crying eyes.
"The Kyuubi transformation… Stopped?" Yamato wondered.
"Is it Kushina who is doing it?" Killer Bee asked and Fugaku stepped forwards.
"She is the former jinchuuriki for the Kyuubi. She may have some idea on stopping it. Leave them be for now and we'll just watch them." Fugaku explained as Yamato still held his wrist just in case to try and suppress the Kyuubi if something did happen.
XXXXXXXXXX
The sound of chains were heard as Minato and Naruto were kneeling under the Kyuubi's hatred before it stopped and they were able to gain some of themselves back as they opened their eyes. The Kyuubi had been wrapped up and tied down with silvery gold chains as a familiar chakra tickled their sense.
"This chakra… Is that Kushina?" The Kyuubi questioned.
"You bet your ass it is ya know!" Kushina yelled angrily as they saw her standing between them with a hand on each of their shoulders as chains emerged from her chest and was currently holding the Kyuubi down.
"Kaa-chan? What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, exhaustion and weariness thick on his voice.
"The night the Kyuubi was sealed, Minato sealed my remaining chakra into you so when the time came for you to obtain the Kyuubi's power, I would have been able to help you. But circumstances have changed and I am here to help you bring this giant fur ball down!" Kushina said with spunk. Minato and Naruto could feel her radiant energy, bringing life and fight back into them as both father and son struggled to their feet. The red chakra running from both of them into the Kyuubi turned blue as they fought against the hatred with their will and love for each other, love for their family that seemed so broken in the beginning but was saved and brought together again by one selfless act.
The Kyuubi tried to rip at the chains as Naruto created shadow clones and Minato followed along, creating some rasengan with Naruto with their family bonded resonated chakra, making the attack more powerful and effective as Naruto barraged him with rasengan turned to Oodama rasengan with his regained Sage Mode, knocking the mighty Kyuubi back hard with the massive barrage before one more clone ran in with a Super Rasen-Shuriken, resonated chakra mode, knocking the Kyuubi back that little bit further as Kushina pushed with her chains and it was enough to pull out all of the Kyuubi's power as Yang returned to Naruto and Yin to Minato as they gained the Kyuubi's power.
"You did it! You've pulled the Kyuubi's chakra out!" Kushina exclaimed in excitement as father and son processed the incredible power, both flaming up in a golden chakra aura, Minato's with a hint of red to it as Naruto was solidly gold and black.
"You have infuriated me!" The skeletal Kyuubi roared, bringing it's tails up once again as one last bijuu bomb was being formed, the essence being sucked right out of the fox.
"He still has that much power?" Minato wondered.
"He really is amazing." Naruto mused before both father and son reached for their seals still visible on their new power mode as they shut it tight and massive red gates fell down, trapping the Kyuubi under them as his last attack failed and the gates closed once more.
"You watch out Naruto… Yondaime." The Kyuubi warned as his cage went black and silent.
XXXXXXXXXX
The Namikaze family's eyes all opened with smiles bright on all of their faces as Bee, Yamato and Fugaku waited patiently, his sharingan deactivated now that they were out of the water.
"All right!" Naruto yelled, throwing both of his hands up.
"What happened?" Yamato asked.
"A lot of things happened." Naruto smiled looking at his loving parents before fist bumping with Bee.
"What about the Kyuubi. Did you manage to take control of it?" Fugaku asked.
"Relax Fugaku. Naruto and I have the Kyuubi's chakra locked up safe and tight in a separate place." Minato said, standing up with Naruto as their Kyuubi chakra mode appeared. "This is Kyuubi chakra mode." Minato said as the nine canine like wood pillars began to sprout branches and leaves as everyone watched in rapt fascination.
"Amazing. It's overflowing with life energy… I can't believe my wood style is being effected by it." Yamato said.
"It truly is amazing isn't it?" Minato grinned.
"Kaa-chan, your hands…" Naruto said as the Kyuubi chakra mode dropped and both Minato and Naruto looked at Kushina's chakra burned hands as they knelt down next to her.
"It's nothing ya know?" Kushina grinned forcefully through the pain. Naruto reached into his pouch and pulled out some salve as Minato pulled out some bandaging.
"Where'd you get that from?" Minato asked, taking the salve from Naruto as he began applying it to Kushina's hand and Naruto did the same with Kushina's other hand.
"Ah, Kasumi-sensei gave it to me when I was training for the chunin exams for the chakra burn I got from trying to get the rasengan right. It'll burn for a while but it'll cool it down dramatically and heal it soon enough Kaa-chan." Naruto grinned at his mother who was in some obvious pain but she still managed a watery and weak smile.
"Even when your student isn't here, she's still taking care of you and your family huh?" Fugaku teased slightly at Minato who pouted as he wrapped Kushina's hand up gently.
"Now this is finally over…" Naruto began, standing up slowly after finishing with Kushina's hands. "I can finally get to my secret important S-ranked mission!" Naruto yelled with excitement and Yamato paled while Fugaku remained stoic and both Kushina and Minato panicked inside slightly. "So, what is it tou-chan?" Naruto turned to his father and Minato fumbled as he took a scroll out of his flak jacket pocket and opened it up as he cleared his throat.
"Um… The Five Great Nations are facing an extremely crucial situation. And as for preparations against Uchiha Madara, they are unsure whether that the shinobi and samurai units will be sufficient enough. Hence, a third military unit made solely of animals will be formed… To this end, it has been decided that a jinchuuriki who is able to communicate and understand animals… One who loves animals like Namikaze Naruto will be given the task of selecting and organising this animal unit…? He will start by analysing the biology of animals then ascertain their strengths and categorise them by gender and physical attributes. This is a top-secret S-rank mission so work diligently. Konoha's Gondaime Hokage Tsunade-sama…?" Minato choked as he looked at Naruto with fear as Naruto just stared at him with a blank face.
"This… This is the kind of brainy mission I've been waiting for! It's kind of like the ones Shikamaru always gets where you coordinate people!" Naruto cried animatedly with pride.
"Leave it to Naruto… He didn't even suspect it." Fugaku whispered to Yamato.
"They say jinchuuriki are odd people… And that's putting it mildly." Yamato whispered back with just as much surprise.
"All right! I'm raring to go on this mission!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly.
"While you're doing that, I'll work on a new rap. I don't owe you anything anymore, not even a scrap! Yeah!" Bee said.
"Don't 'yeah' me! You have to help me! You know all of the animals on this island don't you?" Naruto begged.
"Go ask King." Bee said. "He's the boss of this island."
"This is going to be entertainingly fun… I didn't know you had such an amazing imagination Minato." Kushina leered at her husband and Minato laughed sheepishly.
"Anything to keep him busy like Tsunade-sama asked… This is going to turn out interestingly." Minato sighed as he saw Naruto already walking off to find the King of the Island.
A/N: Just thought I'd throw in some Namikaze family bonding and controlling of the Kyuubi! Aw...
