Chapter 52: The Last Son of the Uchiha

With Sasuke still screaming for his former mentor to stop, Orochimaru charged forward. His stolen Sharingan was active, ad he was signing his first jutsu.

"Ninja Art: Claws to Fangs Jutsu," the serpent user quickly invoked; just before he reached Itachi. The Sannin's fingernails grew long and narrow, like a snake's fangs. During the quick exchange of Taijutsu, Orochimaru was able to stab into Itachi's right thigh and scrape the back of the true Uchiha's left hand. Then Jiraiya closed the gap, and Orochimaru was forced to shift his focus. But the false traitor could not take advantage of the distraction, as he grew weak and light headed.

"Go ahead, take your antivenin pill," the body thief prompted, "My technique replicates the venom of four different snakes. They are not the most deadly, but they are exceedingly rare. So I am looking forward to finding out how well they stand up to the Akatsuki's medicine."

"You planned this, didn't you?" Jiraiya accused angrily, aiming his left fist at Sasuke's neck, "You could have attacked Itachi at any time, but you waited until he was meeting with me. You wanted Sasuke to learn the truth, to break his spirit."

"I did owe him for trapping me those few months," Orochimaru shrugged, unconcerned, "And this trip down memory lane also distracted Itachi. So really, it served a double purpose. Getting to dismantle you with my new body is just a side benefit."

Orochimaru's feet shifted oddly as he avoided the old pervert's kick at his waist. Jiraiya launched another kick at Orochimaru's head; putting his right hand behind his body, presumably to balance the high kick, hut in reality to conceal the build up of chakra over his palm. The teenage body shuffled around, and grabbed the white-haired Sannin's left wrist, preventing Jiraiya from using the Rasengan.

"A lethal attack?" the snake summoner feigned hurt, "You would use a lethal attack against poor Sasuke?"

He twisted Jiraiya hand back with chakra increased strength, forcing the spiraling sphere perilously close to the elder warrior's spine. The Toad Sage was forced to cancel the jutsu to avoid crippling himself.

"I'd rather not kill Sasuke," the Sage conceded, "But if you manage to kill Itachi, Sasuke becomes a lost cause. If forced to make the choice, I'll keep the loyal brother alive."

Jiraiya crouched, and then jumped high, pulling free from Orochimaru's grasp. Itachi finally managed to extract the curative tablet from his belt pouch, despite the numbness in his fingers. He swallowed the drug, and backed up to a tree, hoping the antidote could cleanse his system. After the Toad Sage hopped out of his grasp, the snake user used the same momentum to divert his attention back to his 'older brother'. But the Fourth Hokage's teacher twisted in mid air, already signing.

"Earth Style: Swallowing Land Jutsu," he proclaimed. The ground around Orochimaru split like a giant set of jaws, and closed around him, sucking him into the dirt. The ground began to shake, and Sasuke's left hand exploded forth, wrapped in lightning. The rest of the hijacked body followed.

"You know the Chidori?" Jiraiya exclaimed in amazement.

"Of course," the serpent hissed, pityingly, "I know all of little Sasuke's techniques."

Kakashi's technique still active, Orochimaru continued his charge to the slowly recovering Itachi. The antivenin was taking hold, but neither fast enough nor thoroughly enough for the double agent's taste.

"Summoning Art: Toad Flare Wall." Two toads appeared in mid air, one on either side of Jiraiya. They quickly set down twin lines of oil between Orochimaru and his target. Then their human partner sent out a spark, causing the liquid to erupt into a giant barrier of flames. The amphibians vanished as Orochimaru skidded to a halt, just short of the towering fire. He glanced up at Jiraiya, and smirked before striding into the flames.

The self-proclaimed super pervert landed on the far side of the inferno, watching anxiously. A black spot appeared in the blaze, expanding slowly. Then the bubble of black fire burst, revealing the form of Sasuke Uchiha, his Mangekyo Sharingan active.

"You should know better than to use fire against an Uchiha," Orochimaru's chided, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his left eye. Jiraiya snapped his fingers, and wall of fire vanished.

"I just needed to slow you down," the loyal Sannin countered. He stepped between the snake and the weasel, carefully avoiding looking into those deadly crimson eyes. He knew not being able to look at his opponent's face would be dangerous, but decided getting caught in the Tsukiyomi would be worse than having a fraction of a second less to dodge Amaterasu. Determined not to let the traitor have the next move, Minato's teacher launched a side kick at Orochimaru's abdomen, even as he began to sign his next jutsu. The body snatcher seized his foot, and twisted the ankle, causing Jiraiya to spiral away from him. The elder shinobi was forced to stop his hand seals in order to catch himself before his face plowed into the dirt. His concentration lost, the Toad Sage contemplated his next move.

"I remember you being faster, even when we fought four years ago," Sasuke's head as his parasite pondered that condescendingly, "Age must be catching up with you."

The he shifted his gaze back to his real target, "Well Itachi, are you ready to rejoin this fight? Or do you intend to flee?"

"He's right," Jiraiya agreed, "You need to get out of here. I'll hold him off."

"No," the elder brother said, "I will leave neither you nor Sasuke in Orochimaru's clutches. I will not play the traitor this time."

Then he smiled ruefully, "Besides, with the remnants of this poison in my system, I am not sure I could escape."

"You have no choice, in little Sasuke's case," Orochimaru simpered, "He has signed over possession of his body to me. And there is no way you can evade me for three more months, not without killing me, and thus Sasuke too."

Itachi leapt over his contact's head, and Jiraiya could tell he was not exaggerating about to impact of the venoms. Uchiha's normally exacting movements appeared slow, and awkward. He launched a three finger jab at Sasuke's heart, and when the body of his brother stepped back, Itachi flipped up the kunai pinched between his thumb and pinky, scoring a light cut. He caught the blade's handle, and swung it at Orochimaru's neck. The serpent blocked him, wrist to wrist, but Itachi finished building up chakra for his real attack.

"Katon: Fire Clone Jutsu," Itachi split in four, attacking with different kicks from all quadrants.

"Water Style: Downpour Jutsu," the rogue Sanin completed the A-Rank technique with only five seals, and water drawn from the air and trees began to pelt them. Though the humans were only chilled and soaked, the rain caused the Fire Clones to flicker and die.

"Raiton: Least Resistance Strike," Jiraiya countered the counter, sending forth a lightning bolt that tracked the water technique back to its source. Orochimaru's commandeered body went rigid as the voltage coursed through it. Itachi took the opening, sweeping Sasuke's legs, and preparing to drive his heel into the traitor's stomach. But as his foot connected, Orochimaru exploded into a nest of vipers. The elder brother hopped back, but not before one of the serpents tagged him. Jiraiya looked around for their opponent, as Itachi went for his last antidote.

"You want to play with lightning, old friend?" Orochimaru mocked, stepping out from the trunk of the largest oak, "That really won't serve you any better than fire did."

His left hand dropped, and lightning chakra began to crackle around it again. He charged his former teammate with amazing speed. But the pervert was ready for the jab. He carefully observed Orochimaru's run, and when the body thief started to lift his hand, Jiraiya jumped straight back, raising his right hand over his head and forming another, larger Rasengan.

'Sorry, kid,' Jiraiya thought, 'But if I take your hand, we can stop Orochimaru long enough for you to ride this out.'

The teacher of the fourth Hokage started to drop his arm, planning to push the spiraling sphere into Sasuke's wrist. But before he could connect, Orochimaru suddenly flicked out his fingers. The lightning chakra split into a dozen snake shaped streams, and each shot like a bullet towards Jiraiya's outstretched limb. They tore through skin, muscle, and bone, leaving the Toad Sage's wrist and hand a hole-riddled mess.

"I improved on Kakashi's basic form," Orochimaru boast, and his former teammate cradled his ruined forearm, trying to staunch the blood loss.

"I considered calling it 'Chihebi', but it doesn't quite roll off the tongue like 'Chidori'," Sasuke's possessed form stalked closer, "Or how about 'Lightning Snakes'?"

Orochimaru fired a punch at Jiraiya's face, and the grey-haired Sannin blocked with his left hand. But this was in the other Sannin's plan, and the serpent user kicked the toad summoner's damaged right elbow. Minato and Naruto's teacher collapsed to his knees from the pain. But as his eyes started to close, Orochimaru tapped his chest with an electricity wrapped finger.

"Now, now," the serpent Sannin admonished as Jiraiya's eyes flew open, "I can't have you passing out now. But I suppose I also can't have you trying anything, either."

He jabbed two needles into Jiraiya's neck, immobilizing his former ally. The serpent user pushed the pervert back, leaving him leaning against a slender spruce. Then he turned back, looking curious and smug.

"Have you recovered yet, Itachi?" he asked politely, "I wouldn't want this to be too easy. After all, I need to get a feeling of how strong this body is."

Itachi did not respond verbally, instead choosing to draw the Second Hokage's katana. The mouth of Sasuke Uchiha twisted into a smirk.

"Kenjutsu, is it?" he chuckled. A snake appeared from Orochimaru's mouth, and expelled Kusanagi into his waiting hand.

"You won't find me as simple to defeat as your brother."

He flicked the legendary jian, increasing its length by half and slicing through the tree Jiraiya was propped against, just above the frozen Sage's head. Orochimaru took another step forward, destroying one of the ancient oaks with a delicate twist of his wrist.

"Unlike foolish little Sasuke, I can use Kusanagi to counter the Shredding Sound jutsu inscribed into that blade."

Itachi did not answer. Instead, he somersaulted forward, keeping the ANBU blade tight to his body. He landed in a crouch before Orochimaru, and swung the katana horizontally at the body thief's waist. The straight blade caught the curved sword, and the blade extended further, carrying the vibration out to the tip. Kusanagi's point shot towards the true Uchiha's right eye, and he was forced to roll to his side to avoid the attack. But his dodge was off balance, and Orochimaru swept his jian sideways, cutting deep into Itachi's chest. Blood sprayed out, and Sasuke's brother collapse. Orochimaru looked at the blood-coated edge of the Grass Cutting sword with annoyance.

"You didn't think this simple Genjutsu would fool me did you?" his voice bordered on anger for the first time. Orochimaru did not like being taken lightly, especially by those who should know better.

"Even without the Sharingan, I can see through this," he reactivated his stolen Kekkei Genkai, and began looking for the double agent. He saw Itachi, perched on a nearby limb. The Akatsuki Uchiha let out a sign of relief, smoothly standing up straight. As he did, the illusion of has body faded.

"You didn't want to fool me," a touch of admiration replaced the anger, "You were buying time to use Suseri, to displace the effects of my snake's toxins. An interesting strategy, but it buys you what, five minutes? Maybe ten? Do you honestly expect to defeat me so quickly?"

Itachi started the clock in his head. In seven minutes, twenty-three seconds, the poisons and the punctures that introduced them would return. He had to conserve his chakra, so he could not send the injuries out the full twelve minutes and sixteen seconds.

Orochimaru did not give up a second, despite his near boasting. He threw the Kusanagi at the Akatsuki agent, sidearm so the weapon spun with the blade on the outside edge, rather than point first. Itachi knocked the Grass Cutter way with the Second's katana, but the straight sword righted itself, and flew towards him again. Itachi parried again, and the floating sword began to fence with him. Below the fight, Orochimaru directed the flying weapon with simple gestures of his right hand. With no body to protect, Kusanagi was able to attack with reckless abandon, keeping the Uchiha shinobi on the defensive. At the same time, Orochimaru began to incorporate hand signs into his direction of the blade.

"Fire Style: Dragon's Roar Jutsu," he proclaimed after completing the seals. A cone of red-purple flames shot from Sasuke's jaw. And still engaged by the floating blade, the elder brother could not forge a counter jutsu. His only choice was to fall backwards off the tree limb, letting gravity pull him out of the path of the fire. But Kusanagi followed, and Orochimaru tilted his head to make the jutsu pursue as well. Just before the villainous scientist's breath ran out, the blaze struck Itachi's left foot, burning away his boot and causing deep black burns to erupt across his skin. The jian sliced at him again, and he turned his own sword to stop it. But before the weapons could connect, the Grass Cutter's blade shrunk to the size of a dagger, passing under the katana. Expecting to meet Orochimaru's remote attack with force, the sudden change left Itachi off balance as he fell. Kusanagi then returned to its true length, cutting into the undercover Leaf ninja's stomach. Sharper than a razor, the legendary sword passed through Itachi's intestine in a clean, almost gentle motion.

Holding his guts in with his left arm, Itachi managed to land on his feet. But he was forced to put most of his weight onto his undamaged right foot, and the ninja felt the muscles in his ankle strain. He knocked Kusanagi back again, this time making sure to focus on the hilt. Then he swung his katana back brandishing it between himself and the approaching figure of Sasuke, while keeping an eye on the floating sword. But the hovering blade stopped attacking, as if waiting for its master.

"You see, Sasuke?" Orochimaru asked, despite the voice projection jutsu having faded minutes before, "Winning a fight without lethal intent is exponentially harder. Of course, you are stronger and faster than Itachi, and I am far more skilled, so this was never a contest to begin with …"

Itachi grimaced at the repeated traitor, until he completed the hand signs, hidden by his crouched position. He began to sink into the ground, but Orochimaru crooked his fingers, and Kusanagi shoot through Itachi's right shoulder. When the sword hit the earth, the elder Uchiha's escape was arrested, leaving only his head and shoulders visible, and vulnerable. Smirking at the shinobi's predicament, Orochimaru grasped Kusanagi's hilt, and lifted Itachi from the ground by the blade. The Uchiha heir was unable to restrain a howl of pain, as the flat of the blade rubbed against his collarbone. His concentration broken, Itachi dropped his katana.

"Now you have a choice to make, Itachi," Orochimaru informed him, holding him above the ground, still impaled upon the sword, "You have a piece of information I want."

"And if I give it to you, you let me live, right?" Itachi said, still maintaining his calm.

"Oh no," Orochimaru shook his head, "You will die today. But if you tell me, I will give you a quick and honorable death. Deny me, and you will die slowly."

"And what could I possibly have to tell the all-knowing Serpent Sannin?"

"The location of Madara Uchiha…"


"Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto flash stepped into the clearing, as Itachi's body crumpled to the dirt. The left side of the medical ninja's face was horribly scarred, but he once again had two arms, which appeared to be symmetrical. He looked down at the last of the Uchiha clan, as the black flames around the hole that had once been Itachi's heart slowly flickered and died.

"It is done," the Sannin sounded oddly giddy, "This body is now mine, and I know where to find our true target."

"What about Jiraiya?" Yakushi asked, regarding the immobilized Sage carefully, "He is still alive."

"Of course," Orochimaru agreed, "I never intended to kill him."

He slithered over to his 'old friend', and removed the chakra-laced needles from the pressure points in his neck. The other Sannin collapsed fully as his body relaxed, but he stared hatefully at the villain and his lieutenant.

"But why?' Kabuto seemed personally offended by the suggestion.

"Jiraiya must return to the Hidden Leaf Village," the body thief explained to both of them, "To tell them of the Akatsuki's plans. The Hidden Leaf must continue to oppose your former masters, so that Pein and Madara's plans do not reach fruition. Beside, I want dear Tsunade and all of little Sasuke's old friends to know of my restoration, and how it came about."

Kabuto nodded with an appreciative smirk.

"But I can't have you following me, or trying anything foolhardy, so," Orochimaru stepped on Jiraiya's wounded right arm, and then kicked him hard in the neck. Between the two attacks, the Toad Sage lost consciousness.

"Let's go," Orochimaru ordered, and both renegade shinobi vanished.


Jiraiya awoke, feeling curiously comfortable and free of pain. He could not tell the passage of time, but it was obviously after dark. As he glanced around, the first thing he noticed was that he was no longer in the forest. The hospital room clarified in his eyes, and the Sannin had another realization, that he could not move his left hand or arm. His eyes turned downward, and recognized Tsunade. His former teammate tightly held his left hand in both of hers, and was asleep, her head resting on his wrist. Not wanting to disturb her, he lifted his right hand, marveling slightly that the limb appeared whole, and did not hurt at all. But as he flexed his fingers, the action was difficult, and slightly uncomfortable.

"You will need some physical therapy," the Hokage said gently, lifting her head, "And even then, you might never be as strong or as quick as you used to be. But you're lucky. There's someone out there who cares for you more than he should."

"Just one someone?" he asked, fixing a canny eye on her. Unlike normal, she did not hit him, but instead smiled sadly.

"Naruto donated a pint of his blood, and I was able to partially replicate what he and Sakura did for Hinata," her eyes growing moist, "I thought I was going to lose you. You're the only one I have left."

"Death is part of being a ninja, and I've lived longer than most. Besides, you still have the knucklehead, not to mention to rest of the village."

"I love Naruto like a nephew…" she started.

"Or a grandson?" he interrupted.

"… but you are the only one I can rely on as an equal," she finished, ignoring him, "Sarutobi-sensei, Nawaki, Dan, Yukihana… There are all gone."

Her tears continued to fall, and he squeezed her hand. But at the same time, his expression darkened.

"How long has it been?" he asked, after she had recovered "What happened?"

"You probably no more about what happened," she said thoughtfully, "But as for how long, it has been five days since the meeting was scheduled to occur. When you didn't return after two days, I sent out the ANBU to find whatever bar you had discovered, and bring you back. They discovered you in the clearing, nearly dead, and carried you back here. They said it looked like there had been a major battle in the forest."

He nodded, even though that should have been obvious.

"Did the Akatsuki discover you?" she prompted

"Not the Akatsuki. It was Orochimaru."

Suddenly all fear and sadness left the Hokage's beautiful face, replaced by confusion and anger.


"So Itachi is dead?" Tsunade was shocked.

"Yeah," Jiraiya said slowly, confused by her confusion, "Wasn't he there?"

"No," she shook her head, "It was just you. But his sword was there. We hoped he had been forced to pretend to kill you."

"No, Orochimaru killed Itachi. He made sure I saw it," he paused to exhale, "But what happened to Itachi's body?"

"Considering who killed him, I'd rather not think about that," the medical expert shuddered.

"So what do we do now?" he asked.

"We already have plans in place to insert a new agent into the Akatsuki," the Hokage answered, "But I will need time to think about how to deal with the Sasuke/Orochimaru issue. And I have to call a meeting to discuss what to do with the Uchiha estate."

"First, we need to tell them what happened."

She nodded.


Early the next morning, Tsunade escorted Kakashi, Naruto, and Sakura into Jiraiya's room.

"Hey, Pervy Sage, you're looking better," Naruto greeted his mentor with a grin. But his happy look faded when he saw the dark and sad look on Jiraiya's face.

"I have something to tell the three of you," the Toad Sage said grimly.


The door to Jiraiya's room burst open and Naruto staggered out numbly. The young man's visage was hollow, and defeated. Sakura followed quickly thereafter, her face still soaked. Finally Kakashi followed stoically, wearing an expression of dour acceptance.

"Naruto?" a gentle voice called to him. Uzumaki looked up, into the concerned face of Hinata Hyuga. Seeing his girlfriend, the tears he had been holding back sprang forth. He crossed the hall in two steps, wrapping Hinata in his arms tightly, as if afraid to let her go. He sobbed on her shoulder, and she returned his tight embrace, worried for him.

"Naruto, what is it?" she asked gently.

"Please, come home with me," he whispered, "I'll tell you everything there."

She nodded, and they began to walk slowly away. Naruto continued to grasp her hand firmly, not wanting to relinquish human contact.

Sakura dropped her hand, which she had been extending to Naruto. She too was crying again, but for a different reason. She felt alone. She understood how Naruto was feeling, didn't she? Certainly, she understood better than Hinata did. They both shared the bond with Sasuke, and both had pledged to bring him back to the village. So why didn't he turn to her, why didn't he embrace her?

"Come on, Sakura," Kakashi touched his student's shoulder in comfort, "I'll take you home."

"Thanks, Kakashi-sensei," she whimpered.


After dropping off Sakura, Kakashi had called Ino to come keep his charge company. He then strode rapidly away, but not in the direction of his own apartment. He pace carried him to a small condo on the opposite side of town. Despite his prior urgency, Hatake paused before knocking on the door.

"Kakashi… senpai?" Yugao Uzuki added the honorific after a second of shock.

"May I come in?" he said quietly. She nodded, concerned, and stepped aside. Once he was securely in her home, the Jonin Kunoichi closed and locked the door.

"Kakashi, what's wrong?" she asked informally. The Copy Ninja did not answer with words. Instead, he pulled his mask down and kissed his lover furiously. Though she returned his ministrations in kind, the young woman felt apprehensive. Her expectations were met, when she tasted salt on his lips. She pulled back, looking into his wet eyes.

"I failed again," he told her. Her expression changed to one of sad affection, and she held him close again.


"Father? It is Hinata," the girl whispered into her cellular phone. After hearing the story from her beloved, she spent most of the day sitting with him; holding him and listening to him recount stories about Sasuke. After dinner Naruto was drained, but more stable. He went to take a quick shower and change clothes, so Hinata took the opportunity to call home.

"I am at Naruto's house. I am going to stay the night here."

She intentionally did not phrase it as a question, and quickly continued before he could say anything.

"I promise we won't do anything you would disapprove of," she reassured him, "But something has happened, and Naruto needs me. I… I am worried about him."

"This is about the Uchiha boy, isn't it," Hiashi's proud, stern voice emerged, tainted by something else.

"Yes…" she answered, "But how do you know?"

"The Hokage called together the clan leaders, to tell us what had transpired," he answered, "This event and the secrets surrounding it could have serious ramifications for the village."

Hinata did not say anything, but considered her father's words.

"Take care of Naruto," Hiashi continued kindly, and then offered, "Do you need me to send anything over?"

"No," Hinata answered after a short consideration, "I think it is better if no-one comes here tonight."

"Very well. Good night, Hinata."

"Good night, father."

As he hung up, Hiashi was surprised to realize he was proud of his caring, supportive daughter.

"There are many kinds of strength," he misquoted with a small smile.

"Was that Hinata?" Hanabi stepped into the hall.

"Yes. She will not be home tonight. Uzumaki received some terrible news, and she is staying with him."

Hanabi sniffed imperiously, and flounced back into her room.