Yosha! Chapter 50, two more to go! Are you all excited? I am!
I'm all pumped up from reaching 3000 reviews (THREE THOUSAND REVIEWS!) So here's a longer chapter than the last two!
I'd also like to wish Ageant a very happy birthday, his present is at the end of this chapter, and to remind him that a year in the washing machine does not count.
For he always needs reminding!
No recommendations today as I'm mighty busy! And so we go...
ZZZZZZZZZZ
A deafening silence had fallen over the Village of Konoha. It was possibly the most unusual phenomenon for what was possibly the most famous of the hidden Villages on the continent.
A battle had ended.
Atop a rooftop at the centre of the bustling landmark, a group of the most powerful Shinobi the world over, stood, silently gazing at the fallen in muffled shock. It had only just began to sink in that the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, the rumoured Shinobi who had lasted from the time of the first two Hokages, two Shinobi Wars and the master of over a thousand Jutsu, had fallen.
It was a deathblow like none before; he had been a survivor, battling it out for decades with the hardiest of opponents and coming out on top with his amazing skill and flexibility. His name had become synonymous with the strength of the leaf. When someone would discuss the Village, he would be mentioned in some form: "Old Sarutobi wouldn't allow it", or "There's no way that would work with the Sandaime Hokage there". He was feared and respected amongst the all-time greats, his call rising to the companionship of the Senju, Uchiha and Mafihu clans, the latter of which were the ruling power in Cloud and in the background of politics of both Iwa and Ame.
For him to have died by the hand of his own student was the ultimate insult. Jiraiya could hardly believe that the man he had once called friend, the man he had shared times of hardship and ease, camaraderie and turmoil, had dealt the final blow to sever that bond that remained between them; the bond of master and student.
The despair, the longing and mourning would settle in later, he decided, for now he was sort of faint. It was as if he were looking out at the world through a translucent pair of glasses; he senses were dulled, his mind sluggish. The final moments where he had realised he too would collapse under the sheer weight of hatred Orochimaru harboured within his soul as he fought the serpentine apparition that attempted to overwhelm him, he let go of the world. He let go of his inhibitions to death.
What more could he do? He was no longer young, his time in the spotlight had come and gone. He would be relieved to abandon the unfulfilled hopes and dreams that were the bane of his existence. Things he had sought, things that were added to his growing list of failures every minute he breathed the fetid air around him.
It was his job, his, to deal with his turned teammate. It was his failure, his, that had led to so many deaths.
To the death, he choked, of his teacher, his father, and his friend.
He glanced up to find Orochimaru's screams stopped, the thrice-damned snake collapsed in the throes of death.
He would not regret it. He saw now that death was the only reprieve for the evil man. How foolish he had been to hold hope in anything otherwise.
His eyes shifted, he avoided looking at the body of his Sensei. He couldn't handle that just yet. His gaze alighted, instead, upon the kneeling form of his Godson. And it was then that he came to a startling resolution, growing panic rising within his chest.
Naruto had snapped.
He wanted to cry out, he knew that it was a likely outcome from the catastrophe that had encircled the blond since the day he was born. How could the son of the Village's hero be dealt such a bad hand? He felt he owed his student, and in turn, his student's son, his shoulders for the burden Naruto carried, but he realised too late that the weight was far too heavy for anyone to hold. A child would turn old from the strain.
He could only stare helplessly at the unseeing eyes, those eyes that had once held such sparkling warmth and vigour, the slumped shoulders that had forever faced the world with pride, the bowed head that had never once faltered throughout the ordeals of a Jinchuuriki's woes, and wish...
And wish, that something, anything, would go right for him.
But it was not to be.
The silent spectres of their audience had gathered around the limp form of the Sandaime Hokage, Naruto on his knees within their circle. He could hear the words of a boy, no, a man who had lost everything he had ever stood to gain.
"Why, why didn't you tell me? Was I not old enough? Am I not strong enough? You wanted me to become Hokage Jiji, why couldn't you trust me with this?"
The Toad Sage felt Naruto crying, the desolation thick in his voice. He may not have been able to see, but the anguish was enough to be palpable.
"The Yondaime? My dad? Haha...hahahaha. It's funny, isn't it? I-"
He paused for breath.
"And now you're dead. After all this time. You said you loved me Jiji!" He gasped, the sound almost of mocking mirth.
"I-I thought you hated me!" He laughed again, a rushed, cracked sound of a dry, hoarse throat. Jiraiya would have winced if he wasn't so disturbed. No child should make that noise.
"T-The ANBU missions, the-the doing stuff behind my back whenever I wasn't looking. I just-"
He fell silent.
"Jiji, I-"
"I loved you too!" And Jiraiya began to cry. It had come out so high-pitched! Like a boy backed up against a wall, no escape to be had from the torments in front of him. He hunched inwards. How he had failed, he could never forgive himself. Naruto sniffed and probably wiped his nose of the sleeve of his shirt.
"I can't take this anymore."
What?
Jiraiya rose unsteadily, craning his neck to get a glimpse of his Godson. What did he just say?
Yet Naruto had stood, turning his back on everyone, turning his back on the world. He glanced sideways.
"Don't bother followin' me."
"Naruto! What-"
But he was gone, flinging himself into the air, his Airboard pulled from his back and set under his feet, the wind kicking up in his wake.
And it was then, on that tragic day, that Jiraiya would remember for years to come. The sun had set as they stood, tears trailing down the crevices of their faces as they stared helplessly at the one teenager who carried the burdens of the world on his fragile shoulders.
XXXXXXXXX
In retrospect, the Raikage thought, he really should have said something to stop Naruto from leaving when he did. He certainly had no lost love for Konoha and the old fools that made up their governing body, but being in a place that held some semblance of safety was far better than out in the wild so to speak.
And standing now, as the crowd dispersed around him, the culmination of the heroes who died from the invasion, he couldn't help but stare at the single photo of Sarutobi Hiruzen who smiled benignly down from the plinth above his coffin as if in pride of his citizens.
He would've spat on that photo if it wouldn't have meant a war.
He turned away, contempt burning within him as he faced his entourage. Samui was regarding him critically, Yugito looked a bit scared and overwhelmed from the proceedings, but the rest of the team were pretty much aloof. Good, he had no tolerance for melodrama.
"What now Raikage-Sama?"
He snorted belligerently.
"What else Samui? We return to Kumo. Our job here is done."
His brother stared at him causing him vague discomfort. He was thankful when Bee did not seek to mention his worries however.
"Sir, what about Naruto?" His sidelong glance alighted upon the Nibi's Jinchuuriki.
"Yugito, what was the purpose of our presence here?"
She bristled indignantly.
"To find Naruto, but that's-"
"That's it exactly. Do you really think I care about the crappy politics that the Daimyo are going to try to rope us into? We didn't help them out for any other reason."
She looked a bit crestfallen at that. Maybe a little too zealous he mused.
"Samui, keep your team here for a couple more days and run interference. And for God's sake, don't blow anything up!"
Samui saluted smartly although the chagrined expression didn't help.
"Bee, Yugito, with me. We leave in five."
He turned from them then, deciding to look over the Village one last time. He strode to the edge of the balcony, his feet heavy from what, he did not know.
Konoha seemed peaceful, even after a war. The Village was calm, small lights peering through the wreckage and destruction. Irritation bit at him as his eyes trailed over the prideful Village. This is what he hated; that people could sit there and say they care when the World was only a burden to a few. A price for power.
When individuals like he, his brother, Yugito and Naruto were forced to do all the dirty work and then suffer from it. His lip curled as he felt the two remaining council members place themselves behind him.
"To what do I owe this pleasure, Homura-dono, Koharu-dono?"
They nodded to him as he glanced over his shoulder, the former taking a step forward lightly. Age had not reduced their poise in the slightest.
"Raikage-dono, we would like to extend our gratitude to Kumogakure no Sato for the invaluable assistance they have lent in this most troubling time."
He inclined his head, seething on the inside.
"To this end, we would like to offer an alliance to all of Lightning Country. The Land of Fire shall do her utmost to aid you in your endeavours should they ever require."
He spun slowly, facing them now. Koharu had said that one. Just what were they thinking?
"As you undoubtedly know, strife has recently broken out in Mizu. It seems that a civil partnership has been born from the rebellious groups outside of the Mizukage's jurisdiction. It is in these times that political stability is required more than anything else, won't you agree?" She seemed to be amused, the Raikage mulled.
It was time to end this charade.
"So basically, you're gearing up for a war and you want to be the side with more support, right?"
Homura gave a start.
"No, we personally feel that peace in the continent is more important-"
"More important than your own damn civilians!" The Raikage snarled.
Homura schooled his features into a thin frown.
"I am confused as to what you are referring, Raikage-dono."
He'd begun to seriously consider frying them at this point.
"Maybe Uzumaki meant nothing to you then huh? Maybe you're confused about him leaving too?"
He saw the steely glint enter the duo's eyes.
"Indeed we are. We have no inkling why a Hokage-candidate would abandon his Village. Perhaps Sarutobi's nomination was too rash..."
His ire was rising steadily, it was all he could do to reign it in. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes to prevent himself unleashing one of his more dangerous lightning techniques from the sight of their reprehensibly smug faces. When he opened them, it was as if fire had consumed him.
Or maybe electricity was a more apt analogy.
"Maybe because of all the crap you threw at him?"
A staring match ensued. He would not back down.
"Perhaps. And what of your own antecedent? Were you not here to recruit him yourself? I fail to see how what we employed was any different to your own methods, Raikage-dono." Homura was looking more proud of himself by the minute.
He decided enough was enough. He strode past them without looking back. As he rejoined his team he called over his shoulder.
"We wanted him, there's a difference."
And just as they were about to leave, Koharu spoke up one final time.
"Our offer still stands, please discuss it with your Daimyo."
His hand struck out in the signal to disperse before preparing to leave himself.
"I promise to not think about it."
And then he was gone.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
How are you supposed to cope as everyone you ever held dear died in front of you?
Tsunade couldn't help but feel numb at the events unfolding before her. Should she feel guilty that she was unable to detect even a flicker of remorse at the death of her mentor? Maybe there was something wrong with her...
She sat slumped in a coffee coloured settee, a mug of lemon tea held loosely in her hands. She stared unseeingly at the far wall of the reception area of Konoha's Central Hospital. Jiraiya was slumped against the bleached surface opposite her. He hadn't spoken for a while now, and for that she was thankful.
What was she supposed to say?
And then a thought struck her.
"Jiraiya, how did Naruto take all of this?"
A flash of worry wormed into the pit of her gut when he didn't look up.
"Jiraiya-"
Her words ceased when she saw his face. It was blank, devoid of any emotion. She shivered; she'd never seen her ex-teammate like this before, not even when he was lamenting the betrayal of his best friend.
"He's gone."
Tsunade stared at him uncomprehendingly.
"He's gone? Where?"
He shrugged.
"What-"
He cut her off again, this time with words.
"He just up and left. Right after Orochimaru died. Threw himself onto that blasted Airboard and flew off somewhere."
Her mouth parted slightly, she didn't know how to react to that either.
"Did-Didn't you try to stop him?"
"Well sorry for not thinking of that when Sensei was dying!" He snarled. She recoiled at the venom in his voice.
The room descended into silence once again, albeit far more awkward and tense than before. True, he mustn't have been thinking straight, she could only imagine the guilt tearing at his mind from seeing Sarutobi die. She probably would have blamed herself too in that position. She shook herself; she needed something to distract her from these thoughts, they could discuss Naruto later. Grasping at straws, she blurted the first thing that came to mind.
"What happened to Suna and Kumo? Their Kages were at the final weren't they?"
Jiraiya shrugged noncommittally.
"Yeah, the Kazekage decided he didn't want to get involved. From what the old bags on the council told me, he felt there was little precedent for fighting a battle where there would inevitably be loss of life for his forces and little gain. I heard a team of Suna Genin did a lot of damage to the Oto forces in the stadum though."
Tsunade nodded grimly. Damn elitist idiot. Someone could be killed in front of him by a thief and he wouldn't bat an eye unless he stood to achieve something from it.
"And the Raikage?"
Jiraiya smiled wanly. Her spirits rose a little; at least her friend wasn't so far gone that he'd taken to brooding.
"The only ray of sunshine. I told you that he was up there on the roof with us. Orochimaru only died because of him and his guards." He shuffled his feet awkwardly as if they were approaching a touchy subject again. She had to know though, so she jumped into the most important question weighing on her mind.
"So, tell me again how he died."
Jiraiya flinched.
"Sensei or the Hebi-yarou?" It was a resentful question.
"Oroichimaru." She bit out. It was hard to not snipe at him when he used that tone.
"Dunno. Killer Bee, the Hachibi's Jinchuuriki, said something about his sword having special Chakra conducting properties. Directly attacks the soul, he said."
She couldn't care less for the aloof tone he'd taken with her.
"Attacks the soul? I've never heard of a sword that can do that."
Jiraiya sighed and ran a weary hand over his face.
"Look Tsunade, I'm sorry about being such a git about all this. It's just, I can't-"
"I know," she said, a small, genuine smile curling at the edges of her lips, "I know, it's happened to me many times too."
A light of gratitude entered his eyes before he looked away. She would have giggled at his innocence in her younger days.
"It's just so easy to forget what you've been through." He groused.
Tsunade grimaced.
"Wish I could say the same, Jiraiya." She took a small gulp of her rapidly cooling beverage. Frowning as the cold, bitter liquid dribbled down her throat, she set the plastic cup aside and clasped her hands in front of her face.
"Did you see what direction Naruto left in?"
Jiraiya grunted.
"South-West-ish. Wasn't really paying attention after what he said."
Tsunade leaned forward anxiously.
"And what did he say?"
Jiraiya didn't answer for a few moments. When he did, his voice was hesitant and scratchy as if he were trying hard not to cry.
"He said he loved Sensei. He said that stuff was too much for him to handle. I think it broke him Tsunade!"
He turned away from her, maybe to hide tears, she couldn't be sure. She was, for the third time, speechless. Her heart had constricted painfully in her chest. She was about to push him further but he continued without her needing her prompting.
"It's been piling up for a while. I've seen it, but I didn't know what to do. Who could I go to? You had your own issues, Sensei was stuck protecting the Village and Orochimaru was a Missing-nin. He was going insane!"
She couldn't begrudge him that. She probably would have turned him down if he'd come to her. Rather forcefully too.
"Did you try talking to him?"
He laughed condescendingly.
"Oh yeah, that would have been a delightful conversation! Naruto, you're just going crazy, would you like to talk to me about it?"
Tsunade bristled.
"What else could you do?" She hissed.
"Not that! It's all 'cause of Shisui; if he hadn't been injured..."
Tsunade drifted off at that. She supposed it was her call to sort that out; the brat was counting on her after all. Now if only she could find out why he wasn't waking up!
Waking up, sleeping, sleeping is induced by certain hormones in the brain isn't it? No, that can't be right, I checked for abnormal chemical concentrations as soon as I got here...
She had a niggling suspicion that she was missing something vital from the equation. It was driving her up the wall.
Jiraiya scowled. "Their group began to split up after that stupid mission. Kakashi doesn't trust anyone around Naruto anymore and Anko's been on tiptoes around the lot of them. They're drifting apart! Shisui was what held them together! It's almost as if his body is forcing him to stay asleep because being stabbed was like a hundred years of pain! Why can't he just wake up?"
Tsunade began to shake.
"What did you just say?"
He looked up, startled.
"Huh?" He replied intelligently.
"Repeat what you just said!"
He looked at her like she'd grown a second head.
"He's had a hundred years of pain?"
"No! Before that, you idiot!"
He frowned at her displeasure but humoured her anyway.
"That I thought it was like his body was forcing him to sleep?"
She stood up. That was it! How could she have ever missed it? If someone was forcibly feeding his body certain hormones intravenously, natural proteins that were used by the body to induce sleep when tired, of course she wouldn't detect it since she'd think it was simply the normal chemical present! That too, it would only take a slight addition to what was already there, and so it wouldn't appear to be an abnormal concentration at all.
Her scan had been duped. She needed to investigate this. And that Hyuuga girl too. Something funny was happening in Ward 18.
"Tsunade, wait!"
She paused at the door.
"I forgot to tell you. The council are considering you for Hokage. It's either you or Danzo. Do I need to tell you who I prefer?"
That was startling.
"What about you?" She asked hurriedly.
He gave her a look that clearly said why do you think? Sighing she paced from the room. She had something else to do immediately; it wouldn't do to get disturbed at this point.
XXXXXXXXXXX
Guarding duty after a major battle had been fought was possibly the most boring job a ninja could be cajoled into doing. After the adrenaline high of slinging Jutsu around, dodging pointy weapons and then watching with detached mirth as your enemies sink into a gooey substance that was pink of all colours, standing around waiting for intruders was quite possibly lacklustre.
But the two Chuunin guards who had been tasked with surveillance weren't thinking anything of the sort. They were lying asleep at the corner of the road.
"Tell me why we're here again, Itachi-san?"
Itachi felt a small flicker of annoyance at his teammate. He was sure he'd explained their objective at least once.
"Because, Kisame, we have been tasked with the retrieval of the Kyuubi's Jinchuuriki."
Kisame grinned a toothy, sharp-toothed grin.
"Ahhh! But how will we find him?"
Itachi lowered his wide-brimmed, straw hat with a daintily, purple-manicured finger.
"Information collection is simple within a crowd is it not?"
Kisame chuckled. The Uchiha descendant glared from the corner of a single eye beneath the edge of his hat, his Sharingan swirling ominously. The Sharkman's lips had twisted upwards exposing his teeth and the fleshy pink-white of his gums. It was a predator's smile.
They travelled into the Village proper, stopping for tea at a small teahouse on the edge of the Village. The wall had pretty much been pulverised by something during the course of the invasion and Itachi felt a strange sense of regret at the destruction of a place he may have visited in his childhood.
Not that his childhood held many memories of shops like this. It was more of bloodshed and promotions than anything.
What a strange world we live in, he pondered, one where a man is celebrated for being the best murderer among his people.
The information they needed was readily available. So much so, that surprisingly, the couple at the far end of the counter were holding a very similar conversation to the one between the proprietor and one of his clients at the front of the store. The only difference being, the couple seemed to be arguing over whether a certain blond teenager's departure was good for Konoha or not. The owner of the shop seemed to have no inhibitions with praising Naruto however.
Interesting. It seems Naruto-kun has gained a lot more support in the years I have been absent.
Finishing their drinks, they stood from their table.
"There you have it Kisame. It seems our time was wasted coming here after all."
Kisame shot him a calculating look. They matched glances for a while until the fish-like man turned away, fingering the hilt of his large sword affixed to his back.
"It seems you already knew that though, Itachi-san."
Itachi smiled slightly. So he knew. Yet he most definitely could not discern his true intent for entering Konoha, of this, the Uchiha male was sure.
"So why did we come here really, Itachi-san?" The way he elongated his As was mildly disconcerting, he decided.
"Now that would be telling, wouldn't it Kisame?"
The large man gestured with his arm and Itachi nodded. They disappeared from the shop as Sarutobi Asuma shouldered his way through the drapes hanging where the door had once been.
Of course, their espionage wouldn't last long, not with the Village Shinobi on high alert so soon following a major battle. But it was this fact that Itachi had counted on for his plan to succeed. Not that he would admit it to his partner in crime.
Pein and his minions did not need to know.
So it was with no surprise that the Uchiha traitor came face-to-face with a trio of Jounin who were quite famous behind those imposing walls that were not very imposing right now.
Would you look at that? He actually cracked a joke. Inserting some brevity into his step, he tipped his hat once again and decided to announce his presence.
"It's been a while Kakashi-senpai, Asuma-senpai, Kurenai-chan."
He could just see Kisame's bewildered look at the 'chan' part. Kurenai was none too pleased however, her nails biting into her palms as she spoke softly, but terribly.
"Don't you dare use that term for me traitor."
Itachi swept his hat from his crown, allowing it to float in the wind and settle upon the startlingly blue surface of the river running alongside the path they had taken leading to the end of the Village. His mind vaguely wondered why the water level was so low.
"I apologise," he responded, bowing his head ever so slightly.
Kakashi regarded him guardedly. Asuma was covering their backs. An efficient team as always, but not as good as the one he'd seen in Nami no Kuni. He'd heard tales of four Shinobi tearing the place up like tissue paper. One in particular in fact.
"To what do we owe this pleasure, Uchiha Itachi-san?"
No matter how much he attempted to conceal it, Itachi clearly detected the slight tilt of suppressed rage in the one-eyed Jounin's words. He and Shisui had been close after Itachi had left the Village. It would seem their impending battle would be hard-won if the stories of a certain spy's brutal death was something to go by.
"We have come seeking the Yondaime's Legacy. Unfortunately," he looked off into the distance, his mid-length hair fluttering in the slight breeze, "it appears that he is no longer within the walls of this Village."
Kakashi remembered the intelligence meetings he'd had as an ANBU Captain. There had been rumours filtering down to the elites of an organisation donning black cloaks with red clouds attempting to apprehend the Jinchuuriki for sinister means. He hadn't known too much about it, even though he'd discussed it with Shisui and Jiraiya in the past.
"Akatsuki, huh? What do you want with Naruto? I take it you want the Kyuubi within him."
It wasn't a question. Itachi reached out and grasped Kisame's elbow before he could draw his Zanbatou, thus drawing attention to the blue-skinned monster.
"And your partner?"
Kisame leered at Kurenai. Who wore bandages as clothes?
"Yuuhi Kurenai, Genjutsu extraordinaire. It's a pleasure I'm sure."
Kurenai flinched at the grating tones. The man slurred his words and it was as if his voice were stuck between cracking and not quite.
"This would be Hoshigake Kisame." Itachi gestured elegantly. Kisame pouted at his identity having been revealed. He too dropped his hat, causing the red-eyed woman to take a horrified step back at the shark-like features and pointed teeth. Hoshigake Kisame, the very same Shinobe from the Hidden Mist who was rumoured to have killed Water Country's Daimyo a few years before. They were both S-Ranked Missing-nin with such large crimes on their heads.
"Akatsuki's begun to move. I thought so, when Shisui was injured-"
His words were stopped short by a bone-jittering fly kick that slammed into his hastily assumed forearm guard. The flames of anger began to stoke within him. These were the people who had left Shisui, Shinkirou no Shisui, the famed and feared illusionist, a vegetable in some degrading hospital ward for long admittance. He was loathe to admit it, but that event at struck him deeply. Deeper, in fact, than any other event since the death of his Sensei.
Itachi swept around effortlessly, pivoting on the balls of his feet with the speed of a cheetah. His heel rose up in a devastating roundhouse which Kakashi only just managed to duck.
But the subtle choice in opponents was what decided the tide of battle. Upon registering that Kakashi was the greater threat, Itachi had abandoned his partner to a Genjutsu-specialist and a Fuuton user, of which he had little to no defence for in the current situation. If he were to release his full power here, every Shinobi in a five mile radius would no he was there.
And so forced to limit himself, Kurenai and Asuma tore into him like vengeful wolves. The combination of a powerful tree-binding Genjutsu and Asuma's wind-wrapped trench knives, mercilessly pounded him onto the back leg. Itachi was having slightly less trouble with his Sharingan counterpart.
Only slightly less.
Kakashi's eyes were smouldering coals. In the course of the fight, his Hitai-ite had been knocked askew, uncovering his Sharingan. His hands were blurs as he matched the Uchiha blow-for-blow. Water Dragons slammed into Water Shields, Kunai were blocked and redirected effortlessly. Even the small, dirty tactics common only to the most experienced of ninja, were plentiful between them. It wasn't until Kakashi kicked water into his opponent's eyes and followed up with a Chidori during the slight pause that Itachi was forced to jump back, panting.
If he'd obtained the Mangekyou all those months back, it would have been very simple to remove the Copy-nin from the battle. But without it, Kakashi was a formidable, versatile and resourceful fighter. They were almost on par.
Almost.
But that was neither here nor there. Itachi snuck a quick glance to his partner who sported many cuts and gouges through his clothes and upon his face. He was livid; Itachi knew what he was thinking. If only he could fight all out, Kurenai would never be able to maintain a Genjutsu on him and Asuma's puny little trench knives would be like toothpicks to his Zanbatou, Samehada.
He wouldn't stay to find out if he could truly best Kakashi. They had other things to do and had already accomplished their objective.
"Kisame, we leave."
The Sharkman sputtered indignantly, spit frothing at his mouth in rage.
"What?"
Itachi glared at him.
"We are not here to start a war. Remaining here is meaningless."
Kisame's stance tightened but he complied, slowly returning Samehada to its position across his back.
"That's too bad," he drawled, "I was just getting excited."
The two flickered away as Kakashi pushed himself to his feet. Breathing hard, he squinted blearily at Asuma and Kurenai. They looked disappointed at not having defeated their enemy. They all sensed the incoming Chakra signature however, perhaps it was what made Itachi and Kisame run.
Maito Gai appeared in a blaze of green glory.
"Criminals desist! The Green Beast of Konoha has arrived to...
"Where are they?" He asked, looking around with a perplexed expression.
"They did a runner about a minute back," Asuma replied, lighting up his favourite cigarette and placing it between his teeth.
"Harhar! I knew I was good, but I didn't know I was this good!"
Kakashi sighed. Great, just great.
Up in a tree above the river, a certain orange-masked man frowned. So they had known that Uzumaki Naruto wasn't in the Village and yet they had still entered it. He was not foolish enough to believe that Itachi was unskilled in remaining undetected.
Which meant he purposefully drew attention to his presence.
The question was for what reason? Madara pondered this information. It seemed he would have to kidnap the child before Itachi reached him; he could no longer trust his protégé it seemed. He wasn't worried though; he'd placed a tracking seal on the boy so long ago that was nigh undetectable.
With an imperceptible nod, he too disappeared. Not even the rustling branches would speak of his presence.
For that, he was sure.
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
And a special Omake for everyone! This is a present for Ageant on his special day. Also, it is of significance for anyone who has read the humour/parody Lainana, Ageant and I decided to corrupt your minds with going by the name of It's Simple. If you haven't read it yet, you'll have no idea what the following mini-scene is supposed to mean. You can always read it though! It's under my stories in my account!
Credit for the Omake goes to Traitor-Hero for inspiring the idea! Well done man!
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
The coffin popped open and Orochimaru managed to fling a Kunai with a circumspect red tag attached to its end before Naruto's Wakizashi pierced his brain.
And he missed. How sad for someone's final moments.
Without the controlling tag deciding the revived Yondaime's actions, something very surprising happened.
Something very suprising indeed.
"Yo, dad!"
Everyone fell silent. One of the ANBU agents actually reached into his ear to see if he had any wax distorting his hearing. Did the Fourth Fire Shadow just call his son, his dad?
"Hey son."
Ok, this was getting damn weird.
"Yo ANBU-man, you got some booze? Being stuck underground for decades makes you long for that shizz yo."
Of course, the addressed was too busy picking his jaw off the floor.
"Yondaime-sama, what-"
"NOT WHAT! WHO? WHY? WHEN? WHERE? You must ask the correct question if you want a correct answer. Now why are you all wearing cloaks and not the spandex uniforms I ordered you to?"
They went very still. It'd take a very brave or stupid man to say something to that.
"Sandaime-Sama told us-"
"Where the hell is ol' Saru? I got a bone to pick with the geezer!"
Naruto was nodding for some reason. Jiraiya began to cry. The addressed ANBU agent pointed a shaky finger at the very dead body of Minato's predecessor. Minato walked up to the body and stared down emotionlessly.
Before bursting into tears.
"Oh you poor, poor monkey man! Whose alcohol shall I steal now? WHOSE POT SHALL I FORCE DOWN LITTLE YAMATO'S THROAT NOW?"
The surrounding Shinobi began to edge away slowly. One very astute Kumo Jounin by the name of Omoi decided to risk his life for his curiosity.
"Sarutobi smoked pot?"
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Hope you liked it! As always, I love reviews, so be sure to leave one! It means all the more to me since we're two chapters from the end.
~B
