Plan B
"That sentimental fool," Black Zetsu cursed as he examined the body at his feet. "What was he thinking?"
"I don't get it," White Zetsu whined. "Why did Nagato just keel over like that? One minute he looked like he was trying to take a big poo and the next he dies?"
"He was trying to bring back the dead you moron, but the strain was too much for his body and it gave out."
"Well that sucks."
"Shut up! I need to think" Black Zetsu hissed. "Madara's eyes appear undamaged but I feel the charka fading. We need another host, one with strong charka that can handle the eyes."
"What about little Obito we could give hi…"
"Absolutely not," Black Zetsu interrupted. "He knows far too much to be trusted with the Rinnegan."
"Another Uchiha? You said they are easily manipulated."
"Yes, but Obito may think we are trying to replace him. We need his trust and his eye."
"Then who?"
"We need another Uzumaki like Nagato."
"Pity they're all dead."
"Not all of them."
Yotsuki Hiro head ninja of Kumogakure exited the Hokage tower with a faint smile on his face. All the reports were true. The Hokage was weary of war. He had tried to hide it but Hiro could see it on the man's face when he presented the Raikage's offer to end hostilities. It could mean only one thing.
The Leaf was weak and his mission could proceed.
"Could you please take me back to my hotel?" Hiro asked the two Leaf Chunin waiting for him. He didn't bother learning their names. They were little more than glorified guides. His real guards were the three ANBU he could sense following him from the rooftops since his arrival the day prior.
Hiro should have felt insulted that a man of his reputation only warranted three guards but maybe it wasn't that they underestimated him maybe that was all the shinobi they had to spare.
The Leaf is weak.
"Of course this way."
Hiro fell in behind his guides as they led him through the winding streets of the Leaf village.
The day was growing late but the streets were still full of various ninja and civilians. He was careful to wave and smile at those that stopped what they were doing to watch him pass.
He was here for Peace after all.
It did not take long to reach his hotel. The Leaf had provided him a room at one of their fanciest hotels located at the heart of the village right on the edge of the Hyuga clan compound.
A perfect location. Hiro thought when he had first arrived.
With a nod and a thank you directed at his guides, Hiro quickly retreated to his room.
The room was far too posh for Hiro's taste and was no doubt made to cater to rich civilians seeking the services of the Leaf. As he settled down on the floor to meditate he was thankful he would not have to spend another night here.
It had taken some effort to convince the Raikage of his plan and even longer to get permission to do it solo. Others would just slow him down and get in the way.
Hours passed as Hiro meditated and the sun hand long since set when he finally felt what he had been waiting for.
Three ANBU guards arriving to swap with the three that had been watching his room. Time was now on his side.
He began to mold his charka. Softly. Subtly. Letting it flow outward and take shape. No need to rush. He was sure that even if he was unlucky enough that one of his guards was a Hyuga they could not spot the change in his charka.
It took almost twenty minutes but one by one, his genjutsu took root in the minds of the ANBU guarding him.
Hiro smirked as he stood up, now he just needed to get inside the…
"That was impressive."
Hiro spun a kunai in hand. He caught a glimpse of a shadow before his world suddenly went cold.
"What?" It was difficult to speak his body felt far away but he knew something was there, on him.
"Don't try to speak. I need to borrow your body for a bit. So just be quiet."
Hiro's body began to move on it's own. He tried to fight it. Will it to stop moving. Force off this thing controlling him but as he reached the rooftops and began running, he began to fear it was impossible.
"What are you?" Hiro questioned through gritted teeth.
"Quiet."
"Release me now and I can convince the Raikage to forgive the treachery."
"Treachery," it sounded amused. "Weren't you the one planning to kidnap a child?"
What!
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Of course not," The creature laughed. And Hiro felt it tighten its hold around his neck. "Now hush. You don't need to talk ever again."
Having studied the layout of the village before his mission Hiro had a general idea where everything was so he was confused as to the direction he was moving. The eastern edge of the village held little of strategic value and was where most of the civilian housing was located.
When Hiro came to a stop, he found himself staring at one of the strangest looking person he had ever seen; pale white skin, green hair with dozens of odd tumors growing out of its body and at its feet an ANBU with his throat cleanly cut.
"We did as you told us," the creature spoke happily. "All the guards are dead."
"And the matron?"
"Dead too." Hiro noticed for the first time that they were on a rooftop overlooking the Leaf's orphanage. "Only cute little kiddies inside now."
"How did she die?"
"Just like you told us, we drained her charka and left no marks."
"The Target?"
"Third floor in a room by himself," the creature turned and pointed to a corner window. "We are with him now."
Hiro moved and with a single leap crossed the distance between him and the third floor window. Slipping inside Hiro was surprised to find three more of the strange white creatures waiting for him along with a fourth whom they surrounded.
He was young probably four or five Hiro could not tell for sure. Kids were never his thing. His eyes, deep blue like the sky, drew his attention. They were unfocused, far away. Hiro being a master of genjutsu could easily spot the effects of one.
"This is the one right?" the creature on the boys left asked.
"Yes."
"Are you sure?" the one on the right asked staring down at the boy. "I thought all Uzumaki had red hair like poor Nagato?"
"I don't care about his hair color." The other snapped. "I care about the strength of his charka."
"It is quite strong." The middle one replied. "I am struggling to keep the genjutsu in place."
"Then we need to hurry. You two go deal with the others."
"The others?"
"The other children I want it done just like the matron."
"But they're so cute. Do we have too?
"Shut up and get to work while I deal with this one."
"Fine," with a defeated sigh the two creatures made their way out of the room.
Without warning, the pressure the other was inflicting on him increased.
He tried to scream.
He tried to struggle.
He tried to breath.
"Goodbye Hiro thanks for taking the blame."
By the time, the Third Hokage arrived at the orphanage it was already crawling with ANBU and members of the Konoha Military Police. Drawn there no doubt by the massive charka burst Hiruzen had felt minutes ago.
An ANBU appeared before him.
"Report."
"It's bad sir."
Hiruzen felt a heavy weight settling in his stomach. "What happened?"
"We don't know sir we are still searching the area for clues but… "The ANBU hesitated and the weight grew heavier. "They are dead."
"Who is dead?"
"Everyone but him." The weight dropped.
He did not need to ask who 'him' was, he already knew. "Take me to him."
They moved quickly through the building Hiruzen casting quick glances into several of the rooms.
Rooms filled with bodies.
"How did they die?"
"We don't know sir. The guards outside had their throats slit but there is no sign of a struggle. The ones inside have no wounds we can find. They are just dead."
Something was very wrong.
When the Third realized where the charka that had washed over the village had come from, he was sure that it had been responsible and had hurried to reach the orphanage before the worst could happen.
But it didn't slit throats or leave bodies without wounds.
Entering the boys' room, he found a half dozen ANBU and KMP members waiting for him. Ignoring them, he focused on the small boy trying to hide in the corner. He wasn't facing him but Hiruzen knew it was him. No one else had hair that blond and wild.
"Sir, you need to see this." An ANBU said getting his attention.
Turning from the boy Hiruzen focused on the ANBU and a body that was slumped against the far wall. A body Hiruzen realized that was dressed in familiar clothes. "Show me his face."
Please no.
The Anbu grabbed the man's hair and pulled his head up so the Third could see.
Shit.
This was just getting worse and worse Hiruzen thought turning back towards the one person who may be able to tell him what happened.
"Stand back." Hiruzen ordered the KMP members standing guard over the child. For a moment, he thought they might protest but they quickly moved back seeing the look on his face.
Kneeling down Hiruzen fought the urge to scoop the child up in his arms. To be the grandfather the village saw him as.
"Naruto," He said softly. He couldn't see the boys' face but the way he shifted at the sound of name Hiruzen knew he had heard him.
"Naruto please look at me." Slowly he began to stir turning his head towards the Third.
The moment their eyes met Hiruzen knew everything had changed.