Nah, Echoes is not canceled. I've just other projects around slowing down the writing process. And that, and I discovered Pathfinder.

Thanks Third Fang and ABitterPill for betaing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. This is a non-profit work Kishimoto can use or dispose of as he wishes.

Last time on Echoes: Kazama has discovered the truth of the world of Road to Ninja... but can he bear to do what must be done? Naruko and her group prepare for an inevitable final showdown with the Red Zetsu under the watchful gaze of the mysterious Tobi. Izanami has failed to escape and is now in the clutches of a terrible foe. Finally, Chibaku and his group have been rescued, and now must join their allies and prepare the counterattack.


CHAPTER 52:

PRECIOUS ONES

A sphere. She was inside a sphere.

She hadn't expected the inside of an advanced seal to look like this. It was a chamber-sized, rounded glass sphere beyond which she couldn't distinguish anything except white, shapeless mist. The prison's air felt cold, and the place was silent as a grave.

"Is there anyone here?" she called out, only receiving her own echo for an answer. "Can anyone hear me?"

She hadn't expected an answer anyway. She attempted to phase through the sphere, but couldn't. That would have been too easy.

She attempted to summon a mantis, hoping a giant summon would break it from within, but she only managed to spill her blood.

Her only remaining option was a fire jutsu, and she decided against it, as the technique would quickly extinguish the air within and leave her to suffocate. She had experienced that enough times already and preferred not to risk going through it again. So she sat, and waited.

She wondered how long it would be until she lost her mind. With no way to track time, she couldn't be certain. She was well aware eternal loneliness would break her, at one point or another, and after what the Shinigami did to her she wasn't sure if she could survive without food or air anymore.

She refused to give her jailer the pleasure of watching her wither away, like a jailed pet bird. She would rather slit her own throat than suffer such torment for all eternity… if it had been an option. But while she couldn't escape by herself, she had a slim, small hope of rescue. Her allies might break her out.

Her love would find her.

She closed her eyes in rage. She hated the thought. The idea of being so reliant on outside help, even from a loved one, shamed and infuriated her. She hated feeling so helpless, so despaired… so weak.

"Mikoto Uchiha."

Izanami opened her eyes.

An ethereal visage had formed on the sphere's structure, right above her. The crystalline face was masculine, but also ageless and of inhuman grace. Twin horns were growing out of its forehead, while white, empty eyes observed her, betraying no hint of emotion nor pity.

"Who are you?" she asked with a frown. How could someone affect the inside of a seal to such an extent? "Are you also jailed? Or the jailer?"

"My name is Hamura Okutsuki, scion of Princess Kaguya, and brother of the Sage of the Six Paths." Izanami's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "A great man you enslaved the soul of. I have read your memories with my Ninshu, and seen the sins with which you have soiled yourself. Consider your current situation a fitting punishment for this atrocity. You shall experience this hopeless agony for centuries to come."

There was no pleasure in this voice, nor was there any pity. This man could have been replaced with a talking ice block and it wouldn't have made any difference. "You're in league with Teikoku."

"I serve the Princess of Uzushiogakure, yes. The woman to which your very existence now belongs."

"And you've come here to taunt me over it? I can't believe your brother was the wise one."

"I have no interest in tormenting you. While what you did to my brother is abhorrent, I believe an eternity of solitary confinement will more than make up for it. I have come here to ask you questions."

"If you can indeed read my memories, then what answers could I give you?"

"Reading a memory is not the same as understanding it and the logic that prompted you to take the actions you have. The discovery of alternate universes has been an endless source of questions for me. I simply wish to learn what would have happened, had we taken different choices. Especially considering your relationship with your Kushina is quite different from the one my mistress and your double shared."

Izanami remembered the gaze of sheer hatred this so called princess had sent her before the battle. Before noticing her, she hadn't seemed even interested in taking out the escapees. "She hates my guts."

"Yes. She despises Mikoto Uchiha, any Mikoto, with a burning passion. Do you believe you are the first to suffer this fate? She collects you by the dozen, pets in an ever-growing zoo."

Izanami shivered at the implications. "I see."

"Yet, the Kushina I saw in your memories seemed much better-behaved around you. Your relationship was, how should I say it… intimate."

In spite of all the kinky thing she had ever done, Izanami couldn't suppress a blush. "We… we were young. Experimenting a little."

"I wish to understand why your friendship with your Kushina is so strong, while only hate ever existed between the Princess and the person you could have been."

Mikoto crossed her arms. "I don't see why I should oblige, unless I have something to gain out of it."

"I am forbidden to help you escape in any way."

"I expected as much. No. I want information of my own."

The visage narrowed its eyes. "You wish for a trade."

"An answer for an answer."

"Very well. Ask."

"What happened to my companions?" she asked. "Were they captured as well?"

"They managed to escape, and the Princess was too uninterested to pursue them further. Teikoku is currently unaware of their location. The man called Orochimaru has been tasked with recovering them."

The Uchiha sighed in relief. Her friends were safe for the time being. She hoped they would have time to regroup and counterattack in the near future.

The visage locked eyes with Izanami, his gaze piercing her very soul. "What did you feel toward Kushina Uzumaki, beyond your youthful experimentations?"

Izanami glanced away, observing the white mist beyond the sphere. "I loved her. More than you could ever imagine."

"I can. I had a wife."

"I loved her with every fiber of my being. She knew I did."

"But she did not return those feelings? You were a close friend to her, close enough to try a few things, but not beloved."

"She loved Minato, and he loved her back," Mikoto admitted, before glancing back at the visage. "Now, next question. How many forces do Teikoku currently has available?"

"You seek to obtain sensitive military information in the hope you can pass it upon being freed," Hamura whispered, "Clever. I do not see why I should oblige you. Giving you such information border on treachery."

"There is little chance I can ever escape," Izanami said, trying to goad him into a sense of false security.

Unfortunately, the ancient ninja was too savvy for it. "Little does not mean inexistent. One chance in a million of escaping is still one chance."

Time to switch tactic then, Izanami thought. "I have spoken honestly. I'm saddened to see you can't return the favor. You are a dishonest person."

The visage twisted with cold, suppressed fury. "You dare call me dishonest?" Hamura whispered dangerously. "You, who have never stopped lying ever since fleeing your former home? What do you know of honesty? You believe you can hold the moral high ground, you who violated the laws of nature, enslaving the souls of the dead to further your own selfish pursuits? You disgust me."

Izanami glared back at the visage. "I am what I am," she replied, "I won't deny it. But I have honored my end of the bargain. If you want any more answers, then so will you."

"Do you believe I cannot see your game?" Hamura snorted. "My Tenseigan can pierce all lies and half truths."

Tenseigan? Could he have a variant of the Rinnegan? "Then you should know I answered honestly. No answer, no help."

The visage twisted into a frown, but his curiosity eventually won out. "You are good, I will give you that."

Mikoto smiled deviously. "It's what I do best. Everyone has a talent. Mine is getting what I want."

"Except happiness, it appears." Izanami felt as if he had showered her with a bucket of cold water. "It is difficult for me to estimate how many forces the organization has available, considering some of the leaders have kept their own armies in reserve or refuse to share information. Some of them however have armies reaching in the millions."

"A bit too vague for an answer."

"You asked for honesty, and I gave you the most honest answer I could. I am the Princess' adviser, not her general in chief. My question now. Why did you do it?"

"Do what?"

"Why did you murder your husband and leave your child in Kushina's hands instead of taking him with you?"

Izanami clenched fists, remembering that fateful night. "It's a long story."

"We have all the time in the world. But if you wish for honest answers, you would better give me a clear one."

No way around this one then. "My marriage with Fugaku had been arranged in order to safeguard the Sharingan bloodline, keeping it inside the clan," Izanami explained, "We didn't love one another. We hadn't even talked to each other before the wedding. But that wasn't what I hated the most. What I hated, was that I lost all freedom in the bargain."

"I have seen it."

"I used to be a Jounin. I had been offered a post in the ANBU. I was stripped of it, being forced to stay at home, to stand next to my husband and speak no word, like a good housewife. I was a pretty flower to be put on display. I said nothing, but I was screaming inside every day. Itachi… he was my only joy. I could have lived with it. I would have hated it, but I would have supported that life. Until…"

"Until?"

"Until Itachi turned out to be a genius. Fugaku pushed him into harm's way, training him since he could walk. He wanted him to go on the battlefield early, to become a symbol of the Uchiha's strength. He wanted my child to become a weapon, instead of a human. He didn't see anything wrong with throwing his four year old son into dangerous missions. We argued and… it escalated."

"You killed your husband, so your son could have a normal life."

"I didn't really have a plan. Emotions had clouded my better judgment… it was an impulse. I tried to run away, but I couldn't find Itachi and my clan was after me. Kushina and Minato came to my rescue, promising me to take care of my son and buy me time to escape Konoha. But I got lethally wounded during my escape, and as I laid dying… Madara found me before my pursuers."

"You could have recovered your son, after escaping from your master."

"And what?" she snapped in anger. "Have him live in exile? Live with his own father's murderer? How could he ever see me as his mother after that? Kushina and Minato could give my son a future, and a home. I couldn't."

The visage fell silent, and Izanami glared at it. "Come on, mock me. Taunt me. Call me a selfish monster or whatever. You can't do worse than what I tell myself each night."

"I take no pleasure in your loss. If anything, I pity you. In a better world than this one, I hope you found the peace you desperately craved."

"I don't want your pity." Izanami snorted. "Answer me, why does your master hate me?" If she learned, maybe she could exploit it somehow…

Hamura said no word for a second. "Because her Mikoto betrayed her to Kumogakure, giving the village the information it needed to abduct the vessel of the Nine Tails."

For a few seconds, Izanami was left speechless, her blood freezing in her veins. "I… I sold her out to Kumo?"

"Another you, yes. Do not take it hard on yourself. You might have originated from the same individual, but you obviously turned out very differently."

"You don't understand," Izanami replied, her voice shaking, "The mere fact I had the potential to do something like that… I can't believe I could ever do this. I never even considered it." Oh gods… no wonder she hates me so much…

"Weakness is the nature of mankind. Our heart is assaulted by dark temptations, and few manage to resist them. Maybe this Mikoto was weaker than you, while you were strong enough to resist."

"It's insane… what happened after Minato rescued her?"

"She was never rescued."

Another shock. "How? She left her hair behind for anyone to track her down. It's how she fell in love with Minato in the first place!"

"She did leave her hair behind, a trail to guide potential rescuers, but no one came. She never spoke of this Minato Namikaze, so I suppose she did not befriend him in our world. Such a small difference, yet with major consequences."

Mikoto narrowed her eyes. Captured by Kumo, without any rescue, meant a painful death as Kushina's Kyuubi was extracted and transferred to another Jinchuuriki. "How did she escape?"

"The princess was afraid. Rightfully so. Kumo would kill her, and nothing could convince them otherwise. Upon realizing no one would come to save her, that she had been abandoned to her fate, she lost all hope. She had only one option left to survive, and she took it."

"She called the Kyuubi," Mikoto whispered.

"And it granted her the power to free herself… for a price. She had to grant it a foothold in her soul, permanently. They bonded out of mutual hate for the world that abandoned them."

Those eyes… Izanami thought. They weren't Kushina's. They were the Kyuubi's. "Is she possessed?"

"Partially. The Kyuubi's essence leaked into her soul, influencing and corrupting her. She is in control of herself… but she has grown cruel and vicious. With her newfound power, she freed herself, becoming a great calamity. She razed Kumogakure, and when she was done, she proceeded to lay waste to Konohagakure as well. To your other self, she inflicted a punishment so terrible, so foul, I refuse to speak of."

"I cannot blame her," Mikoto admitted, holding her head with her hands. "It's… I'm responsible for all of this. My actions led to this disaster."

"The actions you could have taken."

"But… but why would I ever do this? I loved her. I couldn't… I never even considered…"

"Love and hate are two sides of the same coin," Hamura replied, "Thin is the frontier between those emotions, but vague and faint at many points as well. Did you hate Kushina, when you realized she couldn't return your feelings?"

"I… of course I was distraught, but I respected her wishes…"

"Maybe this is where you diverged from your other self. You did not let your anguish conquer you, kept it within yourself for your friend's sake. In another world, you simply let it out and took revenge. It matters not."

Somehow, the sheer callousness of his tone sent a shiver down Izanami's spine. "How can you say that? Thousands have died because I couldn't let go of a petty grudge!"

"Yet, countless people died in what you call the Third Shinobi War," Hamura replied serenely, "How many perished under the Red Mist's cruel regime? The decision of a single individual does not matter. The very nature of mankind is pain and destruction."

He said this with so much peace, so much softness, Izanami found it downright frightening. Indeed, Mikoto thought he hadn't lied, he didn't take pleasure in the pain of others.

He simply felt nothing for them.

"I had hoped there would be at least one world that would disapprove such a claim, but I have yet to find one. Your own memories tell me neither have you. I wished to learn if the events that took place here could have been avoided… I now have my answer. It might have happened differently, but the end result would have turned out the same."

"Wait," Izanami said, "Finish your tale."

"You cannot change the past, and neither can I. Why do you care?"

"For the same reason you do," Izanami replied, "Curiosity."

Hamura shrugged, possibly his most human gesture expressed so far. "Her revenge taken, the Princess returned to the only place she considered a home, the ruins of Uzushiogakure. The world grew scared of her, and wished to end her. Mifune-san was one of the many warriors sent to carry out the execution… yet he was different. He did not understand what could motivate such savagery, and wished to learn. Instead of attacking the princess, like so many before him, he simply asked her why? Upon learning the truth, that the great demon was nothing but a scared, lonely child, he took pity on her and swore to protect her. Many would-be heroes met a swift end by his blade."

"Obviously, she is no longer content with resting in her lair. What happened?"

"I happened."

The visage changed into a judging gaze.

"My brother, after we sealed the Ten Tails together, tasked me to oversee mankind, and see if it could be trusted with the power of chakra. For one thousand years, I watched. What I saw… disgusted me. Centuries of warfare, brought about by a corruption of my brother's gift. We gave you humans Ninshu to better connect to one another, to cultivate the land and improve your life. Instead, you used it to rape, slaughter, and defile. My own descendants enslaved one another with the Caged Bird Seal. The creation and treatment of the Jinchuuriki were the last straw."

No longer was the tone emotionless. If anything, Izanami had never heard so much bitterness in a single statement.

"We believed our mother was misguided. That bringing an end to warfare by force was wrong and short-sighted. We were wrong. Pain and slavery were all mankind ever sought. I descended upon the ruined Uzushiogakure, appearing before Kushina. I thought as the ultimate result of mankind's cruelty, she was entitled to decide the fate of the world. I taught her and Mifune the secrets of Ninshu, and offered to grant her any wish within my power. She chose to create a new Uzushiogakure, upon the ruins of the old world."

Izanami clenched her fist, the sheer scale of the situation dawning upon her. How many innocent lives had been utterly ruined by this one decision?

"With my and Mifune's help, she waged war upon mankind and won. With much irony, the very seal my descendants created to enslave one another became the foundation of their own oppression. A fitting ending for such a tragedy. Kushina baptized herself as the Blood Princess of Uzushiogakure, and ruled mankind for years. She brought humans the peace they deserved. The peace of the shackles… and then a demon appeared."

Izanami frowned in confusion. "A demon?"

"He calls himself the Warlord. He wears the same face as your most precious one, but he is a foul darkness in a man's skin. He truly is a monster, a blight upon creation. He taught the princess of the multiverse, of the thousand worlds beyond her own. He offered her the chance to join him in the conquest of all of existence, and she accepted."

"Why? She has everything she wants."

"Why do victims become tormentors? Because the world taught them pain. The Shinobi World treated the Princess like a monster her entire life… so she became one."

She glared at the visage. "Kazama will stop her," she said, "He will stop you all. He will come, and he will put an end to this nonsense."

"Maybe. Maybe he could indeed defeat the Princess and free you. But would he? He did not even came to rescue you. Why do you keep faith in such a broken, poor excuse of a hero?"

"You say you have watched the world for centuries, but if you do not understand why I trust him, then you haven't learned anything," she replied, "You said you pitied me. You've got it wrong. Pitying someone is not the same as understanding them."

She inhaled sharply. "Kazama understood me. He accepted me. Just as I accepted him. I will stop looking for him… and neither will he. We are two halves of a greater whole. We'll be reunited again, may it be in this life or the next. And there is nothing you can do to stop it."

Hamura's face turned into an amused smirk, the very first joyful emotion of the entire discussion. "Very well. I accept your challenge."


Naruko

For the seventh time in an hour, Naruko tripped and crashed against the ground at lightning speed. She laid there a few seconds, face against the soil, before letting out a frustrated groan.

"If it is any consolation, you are definitely improving quickly," Tobi commented. "You're a fast learner."

"I keep crashing," Naruko panted, struggling to rise back up to her feet, "I keep trying, and I keep crashing."

"It's only a question of coordination," the ninja reassured her, "Once you get used to it and get comfortable with the technique, then you won't trip again."

"Yeah… I need to keep trying… again."

"Girl, you have exhausted nearly all of your chakra," Tobi replied, "You aren't trying again until you get a little rest."

"I have to," Naruko insisted, although her body's aches told her otherwise, "That technique… I need to master it… if only to beat the Red Zetsu."

"Collapsing out of exhaustion won't help you master my jutsu." The strange ninja sat in the grass. "Come here and zone out a little."

The young kunoichi sat beside the man, and glanced at the sky. Konan was flying high above them, trying to create a miniature star. "You taught her how to create a sun?"

"Oh, that? It's just the beginner version. We wouldn't be this close if she was trying the harder variants. You wouldn't believe the number of mountains I accidentally blew up trying to perfect it."

Naruko couldn't help but burst into laughter, while Tobi grinned mischievously.

Her own laugh sounded so strange to her ears. After so many troubles, so many deaths and dreadful battles, she thought she had forgot the sound of it.

Glancing back at Tobi, she suddenly noticed something. The visage was familiar. She attempted to put a name on it, until realization dawned upon her. "Tobi-san? I wish to ask you something."

"Go ahead."

"Are you Obito Uchiha?"

He raised his eyebrows. "How did you know?" He grinned. "Gods, could you be one of my fans?"

"I stayed at an Uchiha's home for quite a while, and I saw your portrait on a memorial," Naruko admitted, "You looked like a kid on it, so it took me a while to recognize you."

Tobi let go a sad smile. "I didn't know they would have cared enough to give me a memorial," he said, "My family never liked me. I was a dropout, a failure sullying the Uchiha's name. Although after seeing what Madara did, I'm not sure being an Uchiha is something to be proud of anymore."

"I learned of your story," she continued, "You sacrificed yourself to save your team from Iwa-nins."

"Yeah, or at least I tried. I managed to fuck up even my noble heroic sacrifice, which is saying something. I don't know how he did it, but Madara managed to revive me from the brink of death, and here I am."

"Why do you call yourself Tobi then?"

"It's a long story… it starts with Rin. She was one of my teammates, she was nice to me, and I was a kid that didn't have much of a happy home life. As you might expect, I developed a crush on her. One-sided of course."

"What happened?"

"She was killed by Mist-nins," the Uchiha admitted, failing to suppress the sadness in his tone, "I was present when it happened. I tried to save her, but I arrived too late. That moment of absolute despair… I think only someone who failed to protect a loved one can ever experience it."

Naruko remembered the long list of people she had failed to help. Gaara, Zabuza, Kakashi, Sasori… and Kazama. Kazama most of all.

"After she died… I lost sight of things. I drifted through life. I wandered around, trying to find my way. Everywhere I went, I only saw pain and suffering. Lands ravaged by war, people being preyed on. I realized we lived in a really shitty world."

He chuckled. "Then I told myself, screw this world, I'm going to change it. I swore I would make sure no one would ever suffer as I did. I promised myself I would save as many people as I could. And I did exactly that."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. I always was a goody two-shoes… I simply moved from helping grandmas cross the streets to saving orphans, stopping forest fires, and rescuing damsels in distress. Of course, people started asking me who I was. I didn't want Konoha to track me down, or for anybody to mistrust me because I came from the Leaf, so I gave a fake name: Tobi."

"You know, that name…"

"Sounds ridiculous? Yes, yes it does. Yet it worked. I became some kind of urban legend. I even inspired other people to imitate me. Darn strange I would say. I brought people hope."

"You became a hero," Naruko said.

"I was a stupid kid with the head full of clouds and rainbows," Tobi replied bitterly, "If I had focused on Zetsu, then this planet wouldn't have gone through the toilet. But what happened, happened. I simply wish to save all those people I have taken under my wing. To find a world where they could live in peace… a place where Rin, Kakashi and Sensei could have all lived happily."

"I think I know a place like this," Naruko said, "I heard of it. It's a world where… where you're the only who died."

"You mean a world where the rest of my team is alive?" Obito didn't hide his astonishment. "Such a place exists?"

"I didn't visit it myself, but yeah, it exists. I will show it to you, I promise… after we hurl that bastard Red Zetsu into orbit."

"Red…" Tobi trailed. "That might sound strange, but I think I pity him."

"You pity that monster?" Naruko asked, incredulous. "After everything he did to you? To this entire world?"

"Red was born to destroy," Tobi replied, "Madara created, programmed him to be a killing machine. I don't think Red could ever have hoped to be anything else. He's a slave to his nature. Deep down, I'm sure Red realizes it too. That whole world domination crap? I think it's his attempt at asserting his existence and individuality. I might be wrong, and I will end his threat… but I don't hate him on a personal level. When your heart is tainted by hate… that's when things get ugly."

"Tobi-san…" Naruko trailed. "Do you think anyone could be redeemed? Even if that person had done something really, really horrible?"

"Honestly? I think if you really desire to change your ways… if you admit you fucked up, and are willing to make up for it… then I think anyone is entitled to a second chance."

"Even someone like Zetsu?"

"Even after everything he did… I would still be willing to give him a second chance, if he truly desired to atone." Tobi shrugged. "It sounds cliché, but an eye for an eye will make the whole world blind. You've got to stop that vicious cycle somewhere down the line."

Tobi exchanged a glance with Naruko. "Whoever it is that you have on your mind," the Uchiha said, "If you believe they can atone… then I think they will too."


Kazama

From the top of the Hokage Monument, Konoha looked quite lively, illuminated by the lights of countless homes. All of them illusions and tricks, the fruit of a madman's warped desires.

"You are the second coming of Obito Uchiha."

The words enraged Kazama, as he stood on the head of the Shodai Hokage. True, he had made a terrible mistake, but nothing like this. Destroying an entire world on a whim… it was an act of selfishness so big the ninja still couldn't wrap his mind around it.

No matter what Obito had said, he couldn't live in such a world. Even if it didn't have such a ghastly origin, Kazama had his principles, and was willing to take responsibility for what he had done. He wouldn't hide it behind a shield of denial: his peaceful days were gone for good, and he had to live with it.

Could the Uchiha do the same? No. No, he didn't even believe he had done anything wrong.

Obito had to go. He was too dangerous, too corrupt to be left alone. Yet… what if he was being honest and his death would destroy this illusion world? Could Kazama bear the guilt and responsibility of destroying an entire planet?

Are they even people? He thought, thinking of his false parents. They're the product of a man's imagination, yes… but does that makes them alive? Menma doesn't think so, but… I can't help but wonder.

Picking the sound of someone approaching, Kazama turned his head, facing a pretty newcomer. "Sakura."

"I was looking for you," she said, standing next to him, "You're pretty hard to track down."

"I prefer to stay alone," the ninja replied.

"I see," she replied. When Kazama failed to answer, she couldn't help but crack a smile. "You aren't really good with people, are you?"

Every single person here disturbs me. It says something when someone like Madara Uchiha is the one person I feel slightly at ease with. "No. It's strange. Once I craved the attention of everyone, and now… I find peace in solitude."

"Menma was like that too," she said, "He used to be a joy to be around… and then one day, he became sullen and depressed. Soon after that he simply vanished, never to be seen again."

Kazama meditated on the words for a few seconds. "Menma?"

"I know you aren't him," Sakura admitted, "It took me some time to admit it, but… you're not him."

Kazama observed her silently, slightly surprised by the admission. "I think I didn't want to admit it," Sakura continued, "I didn't want to accept he was gone for good. But… he is."

"You love him."

"I… I think I do yes," Sakura replied, "Before he left, I just had a childish crush on him. I don't know how to describe it… it was like an invisible force pushed to me to like him. It felt forced."

He remained silent as she continued. Obito outdid himself with this world, truly. These fakes were so well made that they could even tell that they were being pushed by his whims. To do things they initially did not want… no, the fact that they had individual desires outside of their original programming in the first place… this was impressive. Disturbing, but impressive.

She sighed sadly. "Then he vanished, and I felt worried. Looking back… I blamed myself for not having been able to listen to him, when his personality changed. I didn't pay it any thought… when I should have seen that something had broken inside him.

"Then… I felt something strange. I realized I wanted to see him. Not because of my crush… but because I wanted to earn his trust. To be part of his life. To get closer to him. Have you ever felt something like this?"

"Yes," Kazama admitted, remembering his time with Izanami.

"If you meet Menma," Sakura said, "Please, give him my letter. I know it seems stupid, but… tell him… tell him this time, I will listen. I don't care what happened, or why he left. Just tell him I will be there for him, whatever happens."

And like that, she was gone.

She has her own feelings, he realized, she isn't bound by some program Obito wired into her. She can think outside the box.

She had free will.

The realization the people of this world were indeed thinking beings felt akin to a punch in the face. How could he fight Obito, if it meant destroying them all?

"Sakura, I-" Kazama turned his head, only to face someone else.

"Expecting someone else?" Menma grunted, as he walked into view alongside Madara. "Remember what I told you? Don't try messing with the girl."

"I haven't, I swear," Kazama replied, his eyes narrowing, "She's looking for you, Menma. The real you."

"She's on a fool's errand," he replied, "I have no interest in ever coming back to this place."

Kazama glanced at Madara. "He told you everything."

"Yes," Tsukuyomi nodded, "I do not know about you, but I have no intention of staying in this place any longer than necessary."

"Me too… still, I thought you had everything you wanted here?"

"Illusions are for fools who cannot handle realities," the Uchiha scorned, "I have higher callings."

"Look, the ring I possess is what allows Teikoku leaders to open portals between worlds," Menma explained, pointing at the ring on his hand, "It can open gates between universes, allowing you to return home."

"How interesting," Madara admitted, "How does it function?"

"I have no idea. The Warlord distributed them a while ago for testing. Kabuto or Orochimaru might give you better insight."

"The Warlord…" Kazama trailed. "One more problem to deal with."

"I'll celebrate if you get rid of him, but seriously, don't try fighting this guy," Menma replied, "He's bad."

"How bad?"

"Let's put it this way: Obito is powerful enough to rewrite an entire reality," Menma replied, "He's terrified of the Warlord. That should tell you everything. You can't be in charge of something like Teikoku without being one huge nasty motherfucker."

"While the Warlord is indeed a long-term problem, I believe you have more pressing ones on our hands," Madara replied, "Menma informed me Teikoku has launched a hunt against the rest of your little band."

Kazama felt his blood freeze in his veins. "What happened?"

"I am still unsure," Menma replied, "Some of them were captured, but from what I got there has been a jailbreak recently. My 'partners' aren't especially fond of sharing details that make them look bad, so I cannot say if there have been any fatalities or other developments that favor your end."

"The only remaining question is," Madara continued, "Do you truly wish to meet them again?"

"Of course," Kazama replied, offended the man even asked such question. He narrowed his eyes. "I may not be worthy of their friendship or leadership anymore, but I won't bail out on them."

Menma nodded in silence, as if respecting his sentiment. "I don't know exactly where they're located," he admitted, "But I'll investigate, I promise you."

"When we have their location," Madara told his apprentice, "We will move immediately. I would suggest you to stay available at all times. We are on the path to war now - a battle could start ar any moment."

"What do you have to gain in helping him?" Menma asked suspiciously. "Aren't you guys enemies? Frenemies?"

"First, I already have fulfilled most of my short-term goals," Tsukuyomi replied, causing Kazama to wince, "Second, Teikoku is a threat to all of us. When faced with such opposition, an alliance of convenience appears to be the best option. I see no point in their mindless destruction. Third…"

The Uchiha glanced at Kazama. "I am genuinely curious what you will do next," he said, "Your path has closely mirrored mine so far up until now, and I wonder if you will turn back to my path… or forge yourself a new destiny."

Kazama crossed his arms. Indeed, as frightening as it sounded… he had become the second coming of Madara. But unlike him, he regretted what he had done and wished to do something else other than fall into bitterness.

He simply didn't know what yet.

"Finally… when you fight someone for such a long time, you end up developing a familiarity with them," Madara admitted, "It seems strange, but… I have grown genuinely fond of this little mismatched band. Make of that what you will."

"How cute," Menma mocked.

"I could also return you the question," Madara replied, "We are enemies of your organization. While you might not seem to take issues with it, your partners would."

"Obito wants the Warlord gone, and for once I agree with him. Honestly, few of us truly defer to his leadership. Most simply follow because we would rather be with him than against him."

"Nobody is invincible," Kazama replied.

"Hence, what better than let you deal with him?" Menma shrugged. "If you win, all good, if you fail, well, at least we haven't risked our lives."

Madara's lone visible Sharingan narrowed. "What does your partner have to gain in all of this?" he asked. "Fear of your leader can't have been the sole deciding factor in joining Teikoku."

Menma said no word for a few seconds, as if hesitating to admit the truth. Finally, he let out a shrug. "He intends to reshape the multiverse."

Kazama paled. "His Infinite Izanagi-"

"Through the use of the giant portals Teikoku builds across the multiverse, Obito believes he can amplify and spread his ultimate ninjutsu to multiple worlds, destroying and recreating them as he did here. Failing that… I think he will probably use his rings to do the same, only one world at a time."

Kazama clenched his fists in anger. "That bastard… that's insane…"

"He already did it once, and he never regretted it," Menma replied, "It would be a mere repeat performance to him."

"And you're okay with this?" Kazama snarled. Menma said nothing, and simply glanced away in silence. The blonde ninja exchanged a glance with Madara. "We can't let him do this."

"I agree that it is a plan born of madness, but killing him might dispel the illusion world and its inhabitants. I could live with this, but could you?"

Kazama remembered Sakura, his false parents… even the fake Sasuke. He eyed Menma, then inhaled sharply. "This is a risk I'm willing to take. Not only for the worlds we will save if we kill him… but because if there is even the slightest chance of this world surviving Obito's death… then I have to take it. Because they're people."

Menma's head perked up. The blonde ninja took it as an invitation to continue.

"They're people, with real feelings and free will. That's why I can't accept seeing them living under Obito's rule. They're just puppets to him. If they displease him, he will simply erase them because he felt like it. They're slaves… no, toys.

"Even if killing Obito might destroy this world… we have to take the risk. Because if we fail they will still only live at his mercy. If there is the slightest chance of this world surviving, free of him… then I will gladly put my life on this line for it."

"That choice is not yours to make," spoke Menma. "It's mine."

The other two glanced at him. "You wish to stop us?" Madara asked. "I will not blame you if you do. Your life is on the line today."

"No," Menma replied, cracking his fingers. "I'm coming with you."

Kazama was at loss of worlds, while Madara eyed him suspiciously. "You do realize that Obito might simply erase you if you defy him, or that your entire world might disappear if we succeed at stopping him, correct?"

"You don't get it. I'm not going to do it for you, or for this world. I'm doing it for me. Because killing the bastard the only choice that I'm sure is my own."

Kazama's eyes met his double's own, both shining with determination. "I understand," the Amekage said. "Let's do this."

"Then we should act immediately, before Obito realizes what is going on," Madara replied. "The more time he gains, the better prepared he will be. We are in his territory after all. I would not be surprised if he is already aware of our decision."

"Not yet," Kazama said, his gaze still locked with Menma's, "There is one last thing to do first."


Karasu

For the first time in a long while, Karasu felt dizzy.

One of the perks of having a giant fox shaped chakra monster sealed within him was an enhanced resilience to sickness. Only the most potent plagues and poisons had ever managed to disturb him.

Yet, as he slowly regained consciousness, feeling the softness of a mattress below him, he remained too disoriented to move a finger.

"I should feel lucky you guys haven't puked after the teleport," a cheerful voice commented, "I've cleaned up the floor like, five times this week."

"Nine times. The Han counted. And he worried the robot might puke oil for a second."

"You don't want to know." Karasu recognized the Feral Gale's voice. "Could you make the transport a little less rough next time? I've been traveling for years, but damn, your method feels like crashing through a wall of concrete, after having been kicked in the balls with a sledgehammer. Doing this constantly is bound to have long term aftereffects. Just look what it did to them after one trip."

"Pff, the Han says it toughens newbies up."

"Give us a break, we barely managed to make such a transport possible in the first place. With a box of crap, and with extremely tough deadlines. If we had been allowed a few more months we could have made luxury trans- oh he's waking up."

Karasu opened his one eye, and scanned the area.

He currently occupied a white hospital room, that much was for certain. A large window on the opposing end of the bedroom gave the Uchiha a large view of a technologically advanced city, marred with enormous steel spires. It appeared a lot like Ame, but cleaner, improved.

"The hell am I?" he complained, before noticing the other people in the room. The Feral Gale observed him, next to a badly battered Chibaku. Three other people observed them.

The first was a Naruto Uzumaki, albeit one obviously in early adulthood. Clad in an orange jacket, he didn't appear to radiate any chakra, which disturbed Chibaku greatly. Next to him was a giant of a man, clad in a thick red samurai armor and hiding his face beneath a large rounded hat. He recognized him instantly as Han, the holder of the five tails. The last one-

"YOU?!" Karasu's Sharingan activated upon recognizing the man.

"Me. I expect a payment for body-guarding your sleeping ass, by the way."

"Kakuzu… you treacherous bastard," Karasu snarled indignantly, "You dare show up here? After you bailed out on us?"

"Tactical retreat," Kakuzu replied, "Consider yourself lucky I did it. Had I stuck with you, I would have been captured as well with no one to relay the news to your friends."

"Don't worry, he's definitely on our side," Chibaku said. "Sort of. More like he isn't against us."

"After your group got kidnapped and failed to account for your whereabouts," the new Naruto Uzumaki explained, "We launched an investigation and Kakuzu located us. He had observed your capture from afar, and supplied me with valuable information needed to track you down. He also participated in covering your retreat, and guarded you while you were recovering."

"I am a practical man," Kakuzu replied, "Your foes are plundering and ravaging worlds I could profit from, and most importantly, they tried to double cross me."

"So the enemy of my enemy is my friend?" Karasu frowned.

"No, it means your money added to my money makes more money."

"I should have known." The young Uchiha glanced at the newcomers. "Not that I am displeased to see new guys but… who are you?"

"My bad, I forgot the introductions," the new Naruto coughed, "Since 'Naruto' is just asking for confusion, just call me Atlas, and this is…" He frowned, noticing the blank stare the Feral Gale was sending to his giant comrade. "Is there a problem between the two of you?"

"No," the giant commented, "He has simply become gay for the Han at first sight. It happens all the time. The Han is the ultimate being, with no equal. All yearn to someday possess some of his greatness."

"No… maybe," the Feral Gale replied, with a complete lack of embarassment, "The last Han I met kinda gouged out a friend's eye and put half of my buddies back home in the hospital in an attempt to kill me."

"You are wrong. There is only one Han. The Han cutest there is." The large man was not put off by the statement in the slightest.

Chibaku glanced at Atlas, who shrugged. "You get used to it after a while. Anyway, I'm glad to see you've recovered. You weren't in as bad a shape as Yugito, but you were suffering from some chakra exhaustion."

"What happened?" Karasu grumbled, as he rose from his bed, his very sight dizzy. "I remember escaping Orochimaru, and then, it's a blank."

"We teleported you into this world soon after you escaped Teikoku's base," Atlas explained, "Unfortunately, the method we developed for instant transportation is still in testing and flawed. First timers like you experience side effects like recent memory loss, pass out, sickness…"

"Your body gets used to it after two or three trips," the Feral Gale said, "You'll still feel sick, but not that sick."

"We're working on making the process easier," Atlas promised, "Can't have you guys pass out right before a fight."

"What happened to the others?" Karasu asked.

"Yugito has been sent to surgery," Chibaku said, "She got hurt pretty bad. Haku and Kitsune have been sent to the intelligence department. I didn't get the whole story, but a mole managed to pass us coded information during the break out."

"However, we failed to free Iz," Inari grunted. "I get the feeling Kazama will be pissed when he learns that… well technically he's always pissed from what I've seen… yeah, super pissed, if he shows up again, that is. We haven't gotten any info from Naruko's group for a while now."

"I see- wait, intelligence department?" Karasu coughed. "Mole? Since when do we have insiders on the other side?"

"You didn't think your allies spent all the time you were imprisoned lazing off, did you?" Kakuzu shrugged. "They've done a lot of recruiting."

"How did you think we learned the layout of Orochimaru's base and got to you so fast?" Inari deadpanned. "Teikoku doesn't get along as much as you believe. Some of their leaders made contact a while ago and offered information in exchange for concessions."

"We'll discuss this later, at the meeting," Atlas said. "I need to verify if this information is legit before considering a more permanent alliance with those renegades. I'm a bit suspicious about their motives."

"Meeting?" Karasu asked.

"Dozens of worlds have agreed, or at least considered, joining our alliance against the threat Teikoku poses to our planets, including the one we're in," Atlas continued, "In three days, representatives from those worlds will meet in order to discuss a general strategy. But so far, everything Teikoku has done means we'll have only one option to deal with them."

"War," Karasu noted.

"Meh, the Han doesn't call that a war," the giant snorted, "The Han calls that pest control."

"This world was chosen due to being relatively secure," Atlas continued, "It is highly advanced technologically-wise, and its inhabitants agreed to assist us."

"Basically, here, ninjas call themselves superheroes and supervillains while fighting in spandex and outrageously ridiculous costumes," Inari sighed, knowing how well this would be digested by the others. "Imagine my face when I learned the local Naruto had a sidekick called the Amazing Cherry Pinky? And I thought Superman and Wonderwoman were retarded names."

"How is this a secure world exactly?" Karasu deadpanned.

"The good guys outnumber the bad guys and unanimously agreed to help us and provide security."

"Are any of you guys from this place?" Chibaku asked Atlas and his comrade. "Are you some kind of assassins? I can't sense your chakra, so you look like the stealthy type… jacket aside."

"Oh, that? Nah, you don't sense chakra because I don't have it. My Kyuubi decided to be an asshole and burned out my chakra pathways. Long story."

"You… you don't have chakra? How are you going to contribute then?"

Inari rolled his eyes. He had long since learned to never underestimate people without powers. Especially when the local tech was more than enough to make up the difference.

"Besides giving you the support of my formidable mind?" Atlas shrugged. "Not only did I help design and maintain our teleporters-"

"Which hurt like hell," Inari commented.

"Which work almost perfectly," Atlas corrected, "But I'm also exceptional at information gathering and planning. I will contribute to our war effort, rest assured."

"It does not matter, what foxy lacks in power, The Han more than makes up in Hanliness. Its magnificence will cause The Han's enemies to cower and worship him as it was foretold."

"I didn't think it was possible, but I think I'm actually starting to miss Hidan," Kakuzu grunted.

"Another miracle has taken place! Worship the Han's greatness! Wherever he is the impossible make themselves known to the undeserving!"

Atlas smiled. "Han and I have left our world alongside friends to help out. What happens here concerns all of us."

"Yeah," Inari shrugged, rolling his shoulders and stretching in the process. "But seriously, I'm tired as hell. Can we have a break for a second?"

"I've been immobile for a long time, so a little walk would be welcome," Karasu commented, "I need to stretch my legs."

"Without me," Kakuzu replied, "It's a waste of time and time is-"

"Yes, I got it," Atlas casually waved off the man's statement, "That reminds me, our friends on this world asked for some assistance to deal with some criminal… Doctor Snake, if I remember well. Han-"

"The Han. With a the. That one was on purpose."

"Yes, yes it was. The Han, Kakuzu, go at the HQ, the Foxman will brief you."

"I'm charging extra for this." The heart thief glared at the Han with annoyance.

The Han chuckled as he turned for the door, "The Han hopes that doctor has a dentist, because the Han leaves no teeth after a visit."

After the two ninja left the hospital room, Karasu glanced at Atlas. "I wouldn't trust Kakuzu if I were you," he declared, "He's a notorious backstabber."

"Why do you think I sent Han with him?" Atlas replied. "He's both a troubleshooter and troublemaker all rolled into one."

"… I have one question that has been bothering me for a while." Chibaku turned to Atlas skeptically. "Foxman?"

While Atlas simply sighed, Inari rested his face into his hands to hide his tears. Apparently it was a level of absurd that even he had trouble tolerating but was unwillingly familiar with. "Fox cave. Foxmobile. Foxarang. Foxshot. Take your pick. The most humiliating thing is that this kind of scenario shows up more than it should."

"… Why?" Karasu pressed, stressing the word.

"I DON'T KNOW!," he wept helplessly.

"… Is he always like this?" Atlas asked to the rest of the group.

"You get used to it after a while," Chibaku replied. "Besides, you're the one to talk. Your buddy freaking talks in the third person."

"That's nothing. He wrote a religious book explaining he's a god. And some idiots started a cult around it. The Church of Hanhood."

"Seriously?"

"Sounds awesome," Inari snickered.

"You wouldn't believe half the things Han did." Atlas shuddered. "Two words: Castration Fist."

"Wow," Inari gritted his teeth. "Sounds like something my girlfriend would try."

"Your girlfriend tried to castrate you?" Karasu asked, before paling in horror. "Wait… did she…"

"Nope, but she might one day if I piss her off too much. Doesn't help that she knows I'll probably regenerate them back too. Hinata is scary. Almost yandere crazy too, but it's under control for the most part. It's both cute and disturbing at the same time, but mostly pant-wetting terrifying."

"Hinata? Terrifying?" Chibaku stared at his friend incredulously. "How? Seriously, how?"

"I would better not talk about it..."

"Well, I guess I should consider myself lucky to be in a stable relationship," Atlas shrugged.

"You've got a girlfriend?" Chibaku asked. "What is she like?"

"You'll have to read my biography to learn. I don't want you to spoil it to my future readers."

"Not even a hint?"

"She's headstrong, nice, and is fond of collateral damage."

"Way to narrow it down," Karasu deadpanned. "Kinda fits every single Kunoichi out there."

"… Am I the only one here that didn't get laid yet?" Chibaku grunted. "Gods, I need a dating upgrade."

"By the way, who built your body?" Atlas asked Chibaku. "I really would like to meet him."

"My old teacher Sasori." Atlas' face went white, much to Chibaku's confusion. "What?"

"No, it's just… never mind. I should have recognized his handiwork. My Sasori also experimented with advanced weaponry and metallic puppets before his demise."

"Did you kill him?"

"I contributed to his death," Atlas admitted, with a hint of sadness, "Is it going to be a problem?"

"He was a stranger. My teacher was as unique as the rest of us. How do you find his work?"

Atlas looked over Chibaku with a skeptical eye. "I think it's a good job, but it's… how to say it nicely… half-done, unpolished, unfinished."

"Unfinished?" Chibaku asked with a hint of concern in his mechanical voice.

"Your body is obviously a prototype. A template. I think I could improve it greatly."

"We will rebuild him. Make him stronger. Faster. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound," Inari declared in a fake announcer's voice. "Also, he will be able to make coffee and ramen at any given time. Truly the epitome of science. Oooh. He can be our personal mini Gundam butler."

"You?" Karasu frowned, ignoring Inari's ranting. "How?"

"Remember who built the teleporter that brought you here in the first place? I don't look like it, but I'm pretty good at building gadgets and weapons. How do you think I survived this long without chakra?"

"I thought you said you didn't fight."

"I didn't say I couldn't fight, I said I would be more useful to our overall war effort as technical support. Building more of the teleporters, making advanced bombs, information gathering, all of that. But if one more fighter can make the difference, then I'll gladly join the battle."

"Back to the original subject," Chibaku cut in, "You could improve my body?"

"So you're interested?"

"Honestly, ever since Sasori died, I've been considering the idea of moving into a new one of my design. This one is running out of time."

The Feral Gale narrowed his eyes, "Internal damage?"

"Yeah. It doesn't look like it, but all the fights I've been in have taken their toll on this body," Chibaku admitted, "I could repair most of the external issues, but yeah, the internal structure has been all but mangled. One or two more fights like against Orochimaru, and I would be useless. Unfortunately, with Sasori gone, I don't have many potential helpers on hand, nor the materials and equipment needed to build a new one. A Mark II you could say."

"You know, maybe Sasori didn't finish this body intentionally," Inari pointed out, "Maybe he wanted you to surpass his design, or modify it? Give you blueprints and trusted you to build something great out of it. Wasn't he famous in Suna for making the standard, easy to make and customize base puppet models that everyone else there uses now? Maybe your body is another one of those, but with greater potential."

"Possibly. I've got a lot of ideas I wish to incorporate into my secondary body. It's a whole new field of puppetry Sasori left open with my body. A new kind of human puppet… and I swear, I will do my best to be worthy of such a legacy."

"Just so long as you don't go terminator on our asses I'm fine with whatever you do," Inari shrugged.

"Well, look," Atlas said, "I'm bringing you to my lab that evening, and when we're done, I swear you're going to kick ass like never before."

"Hell yes."

"By the way, do you know when the good Orochimaru is scheduled to visit this world?" Inari asked. "I kinda really need a check-up right now."

"For what happened with Teikoku?" Karasu guessed.

"Remember his evil twin hit me with the Uber-seal? I'm not joking when I say I've got a genius seal master in the back of my head, but even he can't remove it. I figured the good Orochimaru might be able to help. Preferably in the near future. I'm not going to be able to move easily in public in about week if this keeps up. My enormous chakra reserves has slowed down its progress, but it might reach the organs faster than anticipated if left unchecked."

"He'll probably visit in a few days," Atlas replied, "I'll send a call to inform him of your predicament. I can't promise he'll come sooner however. He's the leader of his world, and since Teikoku's members visited it long enough to recruit there…"

"He's afraid Teikoku will invade it," Chibaku concluded, "Considering what a devastated shithole it is, it wouldn't be that hard."

Karasu nodded. "The easiest way would be just to take out the undefended farms around it and cut off any access to the single village that might be a problem. Then wait it out till they're weak and then steamroll them. From what I know of their forces, simply surrounding them from all sides would pretty much ensure them the victory."

"Since when are you knowledgeable in strategy?" Chibaku asked.

"I trained under the Sandaime Tsuchikage," Karasu shrugged, "I learned a lot under him."

"Our friend is currently fortifying his world the best he can," Atlas said. "We've yet to have a really big, large scale engagement with Teikoku's forces yet, but it's only a matter of time before we face an invasion. We've been recruiting en mass, but our unity is pretty fragile. We're a loose coalition, and I'm not sure we'll be organized enough for our first engagements. Some will change sides the second it starts looking bad, or leave us to die."

"Yeah, it happened in my world," the Feral Gale noted grimly, "Infighting cost us the Fourth Shinobi war. Then again, from what I was told from the old hag there was more to it than that."

"You've fought in a war?"

"I lost a war. Nearly pulled off the last second blitzkrieg to take out the remaining members of Akatsuki, but still lost. Badly. Then a random all-powerful overgod passed by and burned my timeline to give us a second chance…"

"… It kinda sounds ridiculous when you put it that way," Karasu pointed out.

"By the way, why is your boss called Ghost?" Chibaku asked. "It has been bothered me for a while. Is he an undead or something?"

"You do remember that some people still think that we've been named after a ramen topping, right?" Atlas deadpanned before facing the Feral Gale. "It's fascinating, but it makes me wonder why you're here at all, if you have the protection of someone powerful enough to rewrite history."

"Because for me, it's time off. Sure your place currently sucks with the current war, and your bad guys are much nastier and more powerful than those I'll face back home, but at least I can hang out a little and have some fun without being assured I'll be thrown into another incredibly nightmarish situation. I know it might sound great to have someone like Ghost around, but it's not. Ever since I've left my homeworld, he has been throwing me into horrible places, messing with my powers, and laughs it off afterwards. Sometimes it's to train me. More often, it's because he thinks it's funny."

"Against my better judgment, how bad were these pranks?" Karasu asked.

"One time he slipped an alien egg into my room when I was sleeping and sealed off the room. This damn crab thing hatched, face fucked me, and half a day later this… thing ripped itself out of my guts like a bad horror movie. Then he jumps in while I'm half conscious and bleeding out, grabs it by the neck, rips it out of me, and screams out 'IT'S A GIRL!' All in all… that was one of the more moderate events I've been put through."

"… did you get to keep it?" Chibaku said, much to everyone's disgust. "What? I always wanted a pet like this."

"Your boss sounds like an asshole," Karasu pointed out, surprised by the bitterness in his friend's tone. It wasn't often that Inari sounded so… grim. Then again he'd be pissed too if that happened to him.

"You know the situation was bad when someone like this was the only reason things have improved at home." Inari sighed. "But at least my world will be safe from things like Teikoku with him around."

"Dude, if your bosses are so whimsical, what prevents them from simply abandoning your home on a whim and leave it face a threat like Teikoku on your own?" Chibaku pointed out.

"They wouldn't. Ghost has girls back there, plus they... I dunno, have a code? Something to stop them from making too many enemies to gang up on them at once or bug them at the wrong time."

"No I mean, what's to stop them from doing to everyone else back at your place what they did to you? Throw some big nasty at you and see if you can survive it or not?"

"Well first of all…" Inari stopped dead on his tracks, as if he had been hit by lighting. "Shit… they would do something like that if bored."

"Do you think you could actually deal with that?" Karasu asked. "You're strong, but you've seen what the opposition is capable of. Do you think you could win if something like Teikoku invaded?"

"Damn… maybe? They'd set things up so that we'd have a shot of it otherwise it wouldn't be interesting, but… fuck, by that logic having everyone live easily is boring too…"

"They wouldn't turn things back this time," Chibaku whispered grimly, "No one will in our multiverse either. We're really not expecting someone to miraculously save our ass. Neither should your world."

"It was a one-time only deal anyways… but he wouldn't purposefully try to wipe us out, at least like that. My realm's gonna be added to his territory when everything is set and done, and from what I've seen they're kept in pretty good shape for the most part. Ghost might be unreliable at times and he doesn't look like it, but some of the shit he's pulled off… dude really is a god."

"Kazama had suggested making a Hidden Village of Dimensions once the war had passed," Karasu said, "I thought it might be a good idea, if pushed further. If we could form some sort of multiversal peacekeeping force, we could prevent a crisis like this one from ever repeating itself."

"It's a project worth trying indeed," Atlas agreed, "Well, if there is a multiverse left after this war."

"What I mean is," Karasu continued, getting back on track, "If this idea is fulfilled, then you could always call us for some real, reliable back-up. You've already helped us a lot. We would happily repay the favor anytime."

"Thanks, I appreciate it," Inari grinned, "But I don't think I would call you guys unless things get really, really ugly. The politics done to get me to your side was a pain in itself. The gods here really weren't keen on letting me back in. I'm pretty much on probation. But thanks for the proposition, I'll keep it in mind."

"Anyway, it's getting late," Atlas cut in, "I guess I'll take the opportunity to give you a tour of the city. Unfortunately, I've discovered the locals have a… special mode of transportation."

"Oh, that's true!" Inari grinned at the group, his moment of depression passed, "You guys gotta check out the cars they have here. I'm in the mood for a classic muscle this time."

Suddenly, Karasu felt his heart filled with an ominous, dreadful feeling of impending doom.


Omake:

Why the Feral Gale should never drive

"Oh gods," Karasu squealed like a girl. "We're all gonna die!"

"How come on!" Inari complained, "I don't drive that badly."

"... we nearly crashed against a boat," Atlas whispered, "A boat. In the middle of a city. How did you this?"

"Years of experience," Inari shrugged, as if it explained everything.

In the car's backseat, Chibaku, calmer than his compatriots, glanced through the windows, observing the enormous skyscrapers of Neo Tokyo. Inari raced through the streets, allowing the passengers to observe the city in detail... and fear for their life as they nearly crashed against other automobiles.

"It's strange," Chibaku noted, as he waved at some bored citizens, "I'm a freaking robot and nobody seems to care."

"It's a world where good and bad guys fight in pajamas, what did you expect?" Atlas commented.

"Not to mention they put their latex underwear on the outside of their costumes," Inari added.

"Point."

"... gods I can't take it anymore," Karasu muttered as they nearly crashed against a nearby tree, glaring at the Feral Gale next, "I will make my life's mission to prevent you from driving ever again. Even if the fate of the world depends on it."

"Hey, it's not my fault, I'm driving a Prius."

"So?" Chibaku asked.

"Only bad guys drive in Prius'. It's against my DNA!"

"That makes me want to wear black leather and rob a bank," Chibaku snickered.

"I do have a question," Atlas asked, "How did you get to learn how to drive that badly? No offense, but you would need a lot of experience to be such a catastroph."

"I spent some time in a few worlds like this one and some more in ones way more advanced than this. Been forced to work with a merry crew in a place called Los Santos. We ended up blowing up like, half the city… and then I wiped out the other half by accident. Good times. Goooood times."

"That sounds like an interesting story."

"There were a lot of drugs involved. And aliens. And a talking dog. Or an angel pretending to be a dog. Still not sure what the fuck happened on that end."

"Maybe it was the same thing that turned Hinata scary?" Chibaku replied.

"You're never going to let it drop are you?"

"Nope."

"Alright, alright if you want to know, she started training with me shortly after I traveled back in time after we caught her…"

"Stalking you?" Several of his counterparts there asked knowingly.

"Yep. She was still shy and quiet… but then Ero-Ni broke her out of her shell by just annoying the hell out of her for weeks until she finally snapped, and then we kept her like that. Now… pretty much everyone's scared of her. On the plus side, she kicks major ass now, which is totally hot."

"You're dating Hinata?" Atlas raised his eyebrows. "Mine did grow into quite the looker last time I met her… wait back up. Did you just say you can regenerate your big stick?"

"I once regen'ed a new heart after a chidori to the chest in about two seconds. Kazama went through that one too if I remember his story right. Also grew another eye after giving the original to my Neji when my Han gouged his out, mentioned that one earlier. Took a few months for all the nerves to connect right and it felt really messed up to have my head hollowed out there, but it works just as well as the old one." The driver tapped the left side of his head casually as if it wasn't a big deal. "So through process of logic, yes… though I pray I will never have to test it out in real life."

"… Serious I can't believe out of all of us I'm the one that never managed to score?" Chibaku cursed.

"Does being mind-fucked count?" Karasu asked. "Because if it does, all of us might as well be prostitutes."

"I know a girl in another world that has an android fetish," the Feral Gale grinned, "When this whole multiversal crap war is over, I'll set you up."

"Done. Thanks."

"No problem. Just be careful of any upgrades she gives you, otherwise there's a chance you might not legally be allowed to walk outside in public anymore."

"Challenge accepted."

The Feral Gale focused back on the road and glanced at the screen on the dashboard. "I think we're close to the address. Man I love GPS's. Can't wait for them to be available back home."

"Yeah, I'm sure you're going to like the food," Atlas grinned, "They make the best pizzas out there. They don't hold back on the quality toppings and cheeses like at most other places."

"In case you haven't noticed, I can't really taste food anymore," Chibaku pointed out. "… I really need to add a tasting and digesting device for my Mark II."

"That's why I chose this place as well. They've got pretty advanced, animal-themed automatons doing shows. It's supposed to be a kid place, but I heard that the bots were fitted with stuff that make them double as security. I thought you would enjoy it a lot."

"Wait… pizzas, automatons…" The Feral Gale suddenly shuddered. "What's the place's name?"

"It's Teddy's Pizzas."

Inari sighed in relief, "Good. Good. You had me worried for a second. It's a really good name. A really good one."

"Honestly, I preferred the old one," Atlas pointed out, "They had to change it due some kind of scandal. Freddy sounds much better than Teddy."

"Yeah, well-" Inari's eyes widened in absolute horror, and the car stopped in the middle of the road with a screech, much to everyone's confusion.

"Freddy?! As in Freddy Fazbear's Pizza?!" Inari looked at Atlas with dilated eyes, indicating that he was on the verge of freaking out.

"Ah, you know the place? If you want, there's even a weekly night job available-"

"NOOOO!" Inari screamed in horror, startling the passengers.

"Why the fuck is he freaking out?" Atlas asked Chibaku. "He sounds pretty serious."

"NOOOOOO!"

"Beats me. Just ignore him. Now, about these puppets…"

"I don't know about that." Atlas tilted his head in confusion. "He's acting really weird."

"NO! I'm not dealing with those cursed animatronic demon spawns again! I don't care if they aren't modified this time! Fuck them, fuck you guys, and above all fuck you Golden Freddy you cheap ass god modded piece of bloody unwashed two dollar motel sheets! 1987 can kiss my ass!"

Atlas glanced at Karasu, who shrugged. "You get used to it."

Chibaku nodded. "Yeah I… wait my fox is telling me something. He's talking to Inari's. Apparently he's freaking out because… wait what? Seriously? Dude that sounds freaking aweso- ohhh. That makes sense. Couldn't he have just… no? Sealed chakra and made indestructible? Locked in there for a week? Ouch. No wonder he's going nuts, that's some pretty twisted stuff. Well my mind's made up."

"NOOOOOO!"

Karasu looked at the cyborg confused. "What? What did he say?"

The robot rubbed his hands together and began to laugh menacingly. "I'm getting me some warped fuzzy animal robot minion summons."

Inari would continue to scream in absolute terror for the rest of the day.


A/N: it's been a long while.

Long enough to see the manga end. I've posted my thoughts on it on my profile if anyone's interested. It's been a rollercaster with its ups and downs, but overall, I will look to this manga quite fondly.

I do wonder if Kishimoto often reads fanfictions. I mean, I kinda predicted a LOT of later plot twists: dimension traveling? Check. Overpowered Madara? Check. A godlike corrupting big bad behind most events? Check. Bijuu monstrous fusion? Check. SHARINGAN TREE? CHECK.

Anyway, about fics... I admit I've lost some of the enthusiasm I had while writing them. It might be because I realized over time I kinda botched the execution of Echoes in spite of a good starting idea, which I blame on inexperience. Or the fact I've started desiring making my own characters and world without sticking to canon. I guess every writer gets through this at one point or another.

But whatever happens, I swear Echoes and Atlas will be finished. In fact...

I believe I will be able to end Echoes within six chapters and one epilogue. I've got a pretty solid plan for it. Echoes will finish before winter.

So the countdown has started.

On the chapter itself... really not my best. I intended to add a scene with Sasuke and the Dark Wolf, but I moved it on to the following one. Expect a pretty major wham episode next time.

Best regards, and please add a review and comment before leaving. I want to read your point of view on all of this.