Okay, letting you all know right now there has been a time skip this chapter, just to speed things up a bit. Its a two week time skip btw
Time Skip
Two Weeks After Hidan's and Kakuzu's Death
A gentle breeze blew as the green grass quivered along with the trees, leaves falling down. One landing on a blond's forehead as he slowly woke up.
Naruto got an uncomfortable night's rest but enjoyed the wonderful breeze that blew against his face. He sat up and rubbed his eyes a bit, it took his eyes a few seconds to adjust to the bright light from the sun before getting up.
He had almost forgotten he killed both Hidan and Kakuzu just two weeks ago, it was a slow and tiring two weeks. He was glad that things are going the way he wants them to but now he just knew it was going to get harder now, especially since Shikamaru had seen his appearance.
He knows that the Nara must've told Tsunade right about now and soon the village would have to worry about both him and the Akatsuki.
He found the situation funny yet very troublesome. He found it funny because how he's slowly killing off members from the most feared organization in the shinobi world. The troublesome part is how he knew that one of these days the Leaf, no, all the 5 nations were going to intervene because of all the tailed beasts the Akatsuki had taken.
'You're not actually scared now aren't you kit?' Kurama grinned.
'Hell no, I chose this path what makes you think I'm getting scared?'
Naruto questioned back but got no response letting him know that the Kyuubi was asleep, of course.
Damned lazy fox..
'I heard that brat..'
Naruto gathered his stuff off the grass and walked away from the tree, he needed to train on getting better at his fire nature if he wanted to be more of a competitive person.
He was closer to possessing his 2nd chakra nature than he had thought, maybe another week will help him out but for now he's going to train and plot while doing so.
Tobi's POV
Somewhere in the hidden rain village, the entire Akatsuki organization had gathered up in a room. Well, what's left of them as of right now.
There sat a masked man, angered at everything. It felt as if right now everything pissed him off. Villages, buildings, even nature was starting to piss him off all because of this whole situation. "U- Uh..." He heard a voice say and instantly glared at the person who was starting to talk.
Zetsu looked at the masked man worriedly. "Tobi, what do we do... n- now?" He asked as he noticed Tobi's hands were clenched.
Tobi exhaled sharply. "You think I have any fucking clue on what we should do, Zetsu? You really think I should fucking know?!" He raised his voice.
A purple haired woman with a labrit piercing and a neutral facial expression stood next to a man with orange spiky hair with a lot of piercings and purple eyes with a ripple pattern that spreads over the eyes.
The room consists of two more people, one with a shark like appearance with blue skin, small white eyes and sharp teeth.
The other's appearance is similar to Sasuke Uchiha, his sharingan flared red, under his eyes were long, pronounced tear-troughs, and jet black hair with an stoic expression on his face like usual.
They all watched Tobi almost flip out on Zetsu in interest, since the deaths of Deidara, Hidan, and Kakuzu, things have been pushing him over the edge to the point he wanted to destroy everything and everyone in his way.
"The Nine-Tail's Jinchūriki lives on and starts his revenge plot. How cute.." Kisame said with his usual cocky grin.
"Urusai.." Tobi snarled.
"Perhaps no one is to blame but you, Tobi.." The purple haired woman spoke which made Tobi turn his attention to her, his sharingan flaring behind his one eyehole.
The woman was not fazed by this. "You gave orders to Kisame to have the boy killed yet you failed, horribly.." She said.
"Shut your damn mouth, the fucking kid is like a cat, nine lives." Tobi stood up. "You don't get to judge my orders, or actions, or-"
"Would've been better if I had done it myself, and more easier-"
"Konan, that's enough.." Pein interrupted, he had his usual emotionless face expression on of course.
The rain outside was loud as the droplets crashed down against the buildings and the concrete floor. The dark grey sky overpowering the light that has yet to shine on the village.
Tobi glared at Konan and shook his head, trying to retain his patience, he will admit that he has something to do with Naruto still living on.
"That... that fucking brat..." Tobi grumbled. "He's messing up the entire plan... on top of that we got Konoha on our ass... that includes your brother, Itachi.."
Itachi looked at the masked man with his usual stoic expression. "Seeing how Naruto Uzumaki hasn't returned the village must mean he still has something against them..." He responded.
"The boy felt betrayed by his own village, of course he wouldn't go back.." Kisame said to his partner.
"Maybe we can just-"
"I want all of Konoha destroyed.." Tobi interrupted, which got everyone's attention.
Itachi almost had a look of worry. "Konoha is the least of our threats, worry about them later.." He said.
"No, I want that village destroyed. They are just gonna make things harder, we still need a few more jinchūriki and I can't let them interfere.." Tobi responded.
"Reconsider this Tobi, you're doing this as if it would have some effect on Naruto." Itachi spoke in his normal tone. He may sound calm but deep down he was worried a bit. "Destroying the village will just piss them off even more to the point they will come after us. And from what Zetsu said, they now got Orochimaru on their side again."
Zetsu decided to speak up this time..
"Which means The Legendary Sannin is back together and their power all together is no match for us we really need to-"
"I'll do it.." Pein interrupts him. Everyone shifted their attention to the man as he stood up and stared outside. "I'll destroy the Leaf and leave it as if no village ever existed. However, the time is not right, I'll make the move in a few weeks, maybe even a month."
"We.." Konan said as she put her hand on his shoulder. "Me and Pein both will destroy the leaf, Itachi and Kisame you all just worry about the rest of the jinchūriki." She said.
The two didn't even respond or nod, they stood there, Kisame scoffing at the orders he's been given. Itachi glared at Pein, he did not approve of this plan at all.
They all went their separate ways, the plan was confirmed however they didn't know when they would exactly execute the plan.
"And one more thing.." Konan spoke again, everyone turning to her. "If you see Naruto out there... kill him. Without hesitation, kill him."
Kisame finally grinned. He kept going on and on some days when he said he would get his hands on Naruto and kill him right there to finally pay his debt and laugh in Tobi's face.
Itachi still didn't approve as he walked out the room as Tobi, Konan, and Pein remained in the room. The uncomfortable silence took over for a while as they watched the rain fall against the concrete floor below.
Sakura's POV
The village was more quiet than usual which made Sakura a bit uncomfortable. Usually it would be nothing but cheerfulness everywhere she walked but today something seemed off a bit.
Probably because of the news that had spread around the village about a masked man killing off members from the Akatsuki, the most feared organization.
Shikamaru earlier had described the man, brown hair, orange cloak, and sword.
The info was helpful from the Nara but it still left both Sakura and Tsunade puzzled. Is he helping them? Or is he doing this because he just wants to be known as the man who killed the Akatsuki? Questions floated around in her mind.
"Sakura-san??" She heard and came back out her mind. She looked up at Rock Lee a bit confused.
"Sorry, I- I got lost in my thoughts for a bit, you were saying?" She told him.
"Any ideas on what we should try and do? Kakashi and Gai-Sensei don't want us to get involved but I feel like if something isn't done than someone else will get hurt.." Lee responded.
Sakura could hear the worry in his voice, usually Lee isn't really the type to worry too much. Instead, he would praise the people around them and wish them luck.
Seems like this situation has Lee on edge too... Sakura thought.
She gave him her best smile, even though it was fake, she had to at least give him some hope.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Tsunade-sama and everyone will come up with a plan. As long as we don't think negatively about the situation, no one else will get hurt." She told him.
Rock Lee looked her, his thick bushy eyebrows rising a bit before shaking his head roughly. "You're right! Being negative is forbidden for the youthful! Energy and friends will help better the situation!" He shouted, his mood changing quickly which made Sakura softly chuckle a bit.
"See you later Sakura-san!" He waved as he ran off, probably to go train.
Sakura smiled at his antics, she had come to realization that she started to become a bit more mature now. She felt like she wasn't that little girl who cried and almost lost in the chunnin exams. She felt...
Proud of herself. She smiled as she looked up in the sky and thought of one person who made her this way..
Flashback..
"Oi!! Sakura-chan!!" She heard a loud knucklehead ninja call out. She heard the footsteps getting closer and closer.
She turned around and was face to face with her slightly shorter teammate. "Naruto?"
"I need to talk to you! Quickly!" He said with the energy of toddler which made Sakura not wanna go with him.
"I mean, I still have to meet up- HEY!!"
Naruto grabbed her hand and pretty much ran over to one of his favorite places throughout this whole town.
"Naruto I can walk myself, ya know!" She shouted, slightly irritated. Naruto ignored her comment, his smile never fading away.
They finally made it to where Naruto wanted to take her. Ichiraku Ramen. Sakura pulled away from his grip finally.
"If you wanted ramen why didn't you just ask?" Sakura asked.
"Well I do want ramen but I also wanted to talk to you a bit." Naruto responded with a toothy grin.
"So basically a date?"
Naruto blushed at her words.
A date? With Sakura?!! Heck yeah, dattebayo!!" He thought.
"You could say that. I guess.." He smiled, looking away.
Sakura rolled her eyes. "Fine, tell me everything.." She said to him and they both head inside.
They order what they want, Naruto getting his everyday thing. As the two began eating that's when Naruto was the first to speak.
"Well Sakura-chan I kinda wanted to ask you, what do you think of Sasuke?" He said and instantly Sakura's eyes lit up. "Answer truth-"
"Sasuke-kun!! Well I'd say he's so cool! He's so handsome and honestly never gives up and never goes down without a fight!" She grew excited as Naruto just stared at his ramen, frowning.
"Oh yeah! I remember when he complimented me on my forehead! I've never so happy in my life, I just wanna... eeeek!!!" She squealed.
Naruto had his hand balled up into a fist as he thought of everything she had just told him.
Never gives up... never goes down without a fight. I have those things too Sakura-chan 'ttebayo.. He thought.
Sakura blushed happily and felt as if she could go on and on about Sasuke, she decided to calm down a bit before looking over to see Naruto frowning, not even bothering to touch his ramen yet.
"Naruto? Is something bothering you?" She asked.
"W- What do you think about... me?" He asked in a low tone. She looked at him for a bit, not sure if she wants to answer this. She stayed quiet as she took a bite of her ramen a bit.
Baka, what the hell am I thinking? She doesn't think anything of me. I'm just a nuisance, probably not only to her but everyone else I'm so stupid...
Naruto looked over to her and smiled and chuckled a bit. "Don't worry about it! Forget I said anything hehe!"
She looked over at him surprised. Just a second he felt hurt but now he seems happy. Sakura didn't put too much thought into it.
"I uh.. I mostly wanted to tell you that no matter what the others say, You're a strong kunoichi Sakura-chan! You protected me and Sasuke in the chunnin exams, I'll forever be grateful about that towards you." He smiled.
Sakura's heart warmed up from his words. She could tell that he deeply cares for her, even if she's not on good terms with his actions or ideas.
"Keep up the great work Sakura-chan, when I become hokage it will definitely be because of you, Dattebayo!"
She watched as he finished his ramen and drink the ramen flavored water from the bowl before putting it down on the counter.
"Ahhh, I needed that.."
"Naruto.." Sakura called him and he turned his head fully towards her. She smiled at him. "Thank you for those kind words, I'll continue to get stronger each day." She said.
For once she felt happy to be around Naruto despite his shenanigans and how he always has the energy of a hyperactive dog.
"Looking forward to it Sakura-chan.." He said giving her a thumbs up which made Sakura slightly blush a bit.
She giggled a bit before grinning. "This is your treat by the way!"
"EHHH?!!" Naruto's jaw dropped.
"You practically dragged me over here Naruto." She pointed out. Naruto sweat dropped as she watched him take out his frog wallet. He looked at it for a bit before looking back up at Sakura and slightly chuckled.
"It's fine.." She said.
They left Ichiraku Ramen after Sakura paid for both of them. It was getting dark fast so Sakura thought that she might as well head home quick.
"Naruto, I really enjoyed our talk today. It helped calm me a little bit." She said.
"Just doing what Naruto Uzumaki does best 'ttebayo!" He grinned, his hands on his head as his elbow were sticking out as he walked. "Guess I'll walk you home now.."
"No don't worry, I'll be fine.." She insisted.
"Huh? But the streets are dangerous at night.." Naruto responded as Sakura looked up at the lights.
"It's okay, they're well lit... I promise I'll be home safe and sound Naruto.." She smiled.
"Well... fine.. if you insist, still be safe okay?"
"You bet.." Sakura responded.
Naruto then did the unexpected move and hugged Sakura, he hugged her tightly as if it were the last time they'd see each other.
She almost backed away but didn't, she felt relaxed... safe in his arms. Perhaps now she would have a different perspective on Naruto now.
She hugged back for a bit before Naruto ran off waving. "See you tomorrow Sakura-chan! Just watch I'm going to surpass Sasuke and all the hokage's and become this village's hokage, Dattebayo!" He shouted.
Sakura smiled at his antics.
That baka... he drives me nuts. She joked as she walked the opposite direction away from her house, wanting to walk around the village for a bit.
Flashback Over...
Sakura smiled at that night she spent with Naruto before exhaling peacefully.
Naruto, I promise to make you proud. I'll become stronger than I am now, and I will always make sure your name lives on. She thought.
She walked on over to the Hokage office to see if Tsunade needed any help with anything, while constantly keeping Naruto in her mind.
I'll make you proud...