All right so right now, I'll let you know that this is a really really long chapter. But hopefully you enjoy it :)
Sasuke's POV
Sasuke was at the training ground once more. He had been there since morning and right now they had at least two hours before the sun would start going down.
After a few days of persuading Tsunade to free Orochimaru from all his crimes, she had agreed and the snake sannin had been training him since.
Orochimaru was quite surprised about how much progress the Uchiha could make. He was definitely a fast learner.
Sasuke held out his arm to reveal a summoning justu on his wrist. Smoke appeared as Sasuke pulled out two shurikens and threw them, one from the top and the other from the bottom. He added the chidori effect for both before a string came out his wrist and connected to the shurikens.
He lightly pulled as it came apart, the blades came, each going against a tree that had targets on them. He hit every bullseye.
"Not bad Sasuke..." Orochimaru said with a grin. Sasuke caught his breath as he stood straight and looked at his work.
Finally, I'm getting better...
He was about to do it again before he heard a voice that annoyed him most. "Sasuke-kun!!! You're so amazing!!"
He looked over to see Karin blushing next to Suigetsu. "Jeez Karin, you really can't control yourself ya know.." Suigetsu said.
"Urusai." Karin responded.
"Just go on ahead and say it already, we've all known for the past two weeks how much you love Sasuke and wouldn't mind marrying him and help repopulate his clan-"
Karin then angrily punched Suigestu, water from his head splashed and Sasuke sighed.
So annoying... Sasuke thought.
"Both of you... calm down. Suigetsu, stop pissing Karin off and Karin stop distracting Sasuke.." Orochimaru said.
Suigetsu's head returned back to normal as he had his grin still on his face. "Alright alright.." He said before leaning against a tree as Karin pulled her glasses up.
"I'm done for now.." Sasuke said walking away. "Do something productive instead of yapping back and forth.."
Sasuke walked away from the group, not wanting to spend anymore time around Suigetsu and mostly Karin.
Orochimaru's POV
Orochimaru soon walked away from Karin and Suigetsu and just walked around the village. He was earning a lot of glares and scared looks from children's faces, but he didn't blame them. He heard most things people were saying about him.
He passed by a restaurant and was feeling quite hungry. The people here might now want to serve him but he was going to try it anyways.
He pushed open the door and walked inside, his feet tapping against the wood floor with every step he took. He looked around the place.
"Oi! Orochimaru!" He heard the familiar voice call.
He looked over to see Jiraiya waving his hand and Tsunade sitting in front of him with a bottle in her hand. She almost drank it halfway down which made Orochimaru grumble.
"Dumbass, me and you both know what Tsunade is like once she gets to a bottle.." He mumbled before walking over to them.
The toad sannin scooted over as Orochimaru sat down. "Man, it's good to have you back! How's the village treating you so far?" Jiraiya asked.
"Could be better..." Orochimaru responded.
Tsunade had a somewhat hated glare at him but Orochimaru acted like he didn't see it as he reached to grab the steak that was done heating up.
The Legendary Sannin. None of them could really clarify if the departure helped them a bit. Orochimaru noticed a few things about Tsunade. Other than becoming Hokage, he noticed she still had her aggressive side, but was willing to show mercy on anyone.
As for Jiraiya, he hasn't changed at all. Still the same pervy dude ever since they were genins.
It was quiet between them, I guess it really has been so long. Where do they start? But it take Orochimaru long enough to notice how Tsunade looked a bit down.
"What were you both talking about out here?" He asked.
"Nothing much. Nothing that concerns you." Tsunade said harshly.
She still has that grudge against him.
"Tsunade, as hokage, you freed Orochimaru from his crimes and accepted him. He's apart of us now, we musn't lie to him." Jiraiya said. Tsunade scoffed before drinking out her bottle.
Jiraiya sighed and cleared his throat. "I've been hearing rumors about the Akatsuki's leader and where he might be." He started off.
"Akatsuki? Why do you want to know about it's leader?" Orochimaru asked.
"Well for one if he's the leader, he must be the strongest right? Second, the group is starting to die out, no telling if he might make the move on Konoha."
"According to these rumors, where might he be?" Orochimaru asked.
The snake sannin was apart of the Akatsuki at some point but wasn't too familiar with the leader and where he could be so this was some information he could definitely use.
"They say he's in the Amegakure.." Tsunade responded.
"Rain village?"
"Yeah, seems that way." Jiraiya said.
"But the problem is that the village has tight border control and strict rules." Tsunade pointed out.
"The Akatsuki leader wouldn't be able to move so freely then. There's gotta be a place, somewhere in the village, that he stays at." Orochimaru said.
"The thing too, is that the village is split into two, the leader supposedly running one of the sides." Jiraiya said.
"It's surrounded by the Earth, Fire, and Wind countries. It's always been a battleground between those countries." Tsunade said. "The number of refugees have grown and the political stability is not properly handled."
"Seems like Amegakure isn't making easy for it's enemies to infiltrate together." Orochimaru said.
"So I'll go into the village alone to confirm the information. After that when I find out it's true I'll come back and we'll make a plan." Jiraiya said.
Orochimaru and Tsunade both looked at him as if he were crazy, which he was right now. Tsunade had the most worried look on her face Orochimaru has not seen in a long time. "It's too dangerous to go alone! You know that!" She said.
"But I am one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin! Both of you know what means more than anyone." He responded.
"No, not you. I'll go instead. I'll look around the place and try to get more info on where they're keeping the leader and return back to you." Orochimaru said. "Besides, it's a really tough risky mission so I'm sure Tsunade-sama and the village wouldn't mind if I do this.."
"No. I made up my mind, you both stay here and work things out between each other while I go." Jiraiya insisted. "You need to prove to her and the people that you're not the same guy who attacked the village. And Tsunade you're hokage, these people need you."
Tsunade looked away. Her cheeks almost red from the alcohol. She really wanted to insist but he was right. She is hokage and needs to look out for the people, but she felt sorry for having no choice but to let someone she depends on most, to take such risks.
"Time sure does go by quick. To think Princess Tsunade, someone who used to be flat chested, would grow up and grow massive boobs before becoming Hokage. And Orochimaru, who was smart but a weirdo, would grow up to almost destroying the leaf and be the cause of the Third's death." Jiraiya said as he drank from his glass. Tsunade ignored the crack he made about her boobs and Orochimaru ignored him calling him a weirdo.
"We're all certainly growing old. And we've all been through rough times. Orochimaru being an orphan and following the wrong path. Tsunade having to deal with her brother and lover's death. And me having to go through losing my student and his wife because of a vicious attack and now failed to help make sure his son would grow old.." He said frowning.
Orochimaru looked at his teammate with interest. Perhaps he has changed a bit from his tone of voice and how he talks... he questioned if this was the same Jiraiya he knew years ago.
"But there's no use in dwelling in the past ya know. I want to set an example and help the new generation. For that reason, I would gladly give my life, with a smile." Jiraiya said softly.
"After all, that's the cool things us old farts can do.."
Orochimaru saw Tsunade almost blushing. As if his words hit her deeply, because it did hit him. But he also noticed how soft she's become around her these past two weeks.
She's falling for him, isn't she? He thought.
The 3 sat there and joked around a bit. Orochimaru was slowly starting to get along with Tsunade and Jiraiya, was being him, of course. It felt nice to have all three of them together again.
Time Skip
Naruto's POV
Naruto tried to stand up tall, but after so many hours of training at a lake he felt like he could collapse at any moment. He was breathing heavily and was covered in sweat, the sunset shining in his face.
Kit, that's enough. Let's continue this tomorrow..
I'm not done, 15 more minutes..
Naruto stood up as tall as he could and tried his hardest to catch his breath and not collapse. He cursed before he did a few handsigns.
"Katon! Goukakyuu no Jutsu!!!" He yelled and tried to create a fireball, he'd been using up a lot of chakra to the point he depends on Kurama for some.
When he noticed the fireball starting to form he tried his best to keep it steady but failed miserably. He fell against the grass and weakily punched it.
"Kuso..."
You should try mastering the sharingan instead..
Naruto ignored him and just laid peacefully in the grass. He stared up at the sky, inhaling and exhaling the fresh air
Kurama... don't you find it funny..?
Find what funny?
That someone like me, a kid who used to be so noisy and always had a smile on my face, would become who I am now. Maybe this is how Sasuke felt when he went to go join Orochimaru...
Are you saying that you regret leaving?
Not one bit. That village is a target, waiting to be destroyed. And I standby what I said about everyone there. I fucking hate them so much that I wouldn't mind if they would all die, they've treated me like a broken toy but their toy is gone they start crying like some little kids..
Now you see what I've been seeing huh?
"Naruto Uzumaki.." He heard a voice.
Naruto acted quick and drew his sword and aimed it to see Itachi standing there, his sharingan already flaring.
Naruto's face scrunched in irritation. "Bastard, you've come to kill me the moment I'm low on chakra... fucking coward." He said.
"I didn't come here to fight, I came to talk.."
Naruto didn't listen. "I'm not going down like that!" He did a hand sign and summoned a shadow clone. They both charged Itachi and stabbed him the gut.
The man stood there with the same emotion on his face. "You just don't listen.." He says before his body turned into a bunch of crows.
"I didn't come here to fight Naruto, but to talk." He said as the other shadow clone dispersed and Naruto fell to his knees and depended on his sword to help keep his balance.
Naruto looked to see Itachi holding his hand out to help him, but he smacked it away. "Just fucking kill me already. See if I give a shit." Naruto snarled.
"If I were to kill you I would've done so already.."
Naruto stood weakly on his feet and looked at Itachi, his eyes narrowing. "After all, you've become strong Naruto, but you and I are not really on the same level."
As much as he despised Itachi, Naruto had to admit that he was right. With or without chakra, Naruto wouldn't stand a chance against the best genjutsu user and his power.
Naruto chuckled at his words. "Fuck you.." He said. "Start talking already."
"As you wish. Follow me." Itachi responded.
And Naruto did, he followed Itachi over to a cliff where there was a peaceful waterfall nearby. Itachi sat down on the cliff and Naruto joined him.
They both looked ahead at the sun going down. The sky turning orange from its light and the beautiful grass and trees blowing from the breeze.
"Nice, isn't it?" Itachi started off.
"If you say so. But you make it seem like we're on a date." Naruto responded and Itachi just sat there with his normal expression.
At least crack a damn smile
"The Akatsuki know you're alive. They know you're killing us off, one by one." Itachi said. "It's true, Tobi and the rest wanted you dead. But I had hopes for you.."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
Had hopes for me? The hell does he mean?
"You want to kill us all, and plan to bring down the leaf afterwards don't you?" He questioned.
"Yeah, I plan on just doing that.." Naruto responded.
"Let's say it doesn't go the way you want it-"
"It will." Naruto interrupted.
"If it weren't. If Tobi or anyone else were to capture you and most likely kill you, what then? Would all the killings have been for nothing?" Itachi asked.
Naruto narrowed his eyes. "What are you trying to prove?"
"The hardest choices have to come from someone who has the strongest wills. Even if that person didn't want it, they would have no choice.."
Naruto's eyes almost widened. This was unlike Itachi. "What the hell did you do? Did you kill the Akatsuki?"
Itachi stayed quiet which made Naruto frustrated because he wasn't getting an answer.
"What did you do?!" He raised his voice.
Itachi sighed and closed his eyes to relax his thoughts. Horrifying moments came to his mind and he felt like he just had to tell Naruto about it.
"Let me tell you about Uchiha clan slaughter. People think all I did was kill them all and betray them, betray Sasuke." Itachi responded. "But there's more to the story than you or anyone else knows.."
Naruto looked at his in shocked interest.
Was he forced to do this? Just what the hell is going on?!
"It all started when it was mission, received from the Hidden Leaf Village.."
Orochimaru's POV
Orochimaru, Jiraiya and Tsunade were all in an alleyway. Jiraiya patting Tsunade's back as she released all the alcohol that was in her system. Orochimaru looked away in disgust as he listened to every splat that hit the ground.
"Jeez even now you're still worst with sake than I am.." Jiraiya stated.
"You know how she is, why even give it to her?" Orochimaru asked.
"Never mind that, let's take a break somewhere.." He responded.
Tsunade finished up before wiping her mouth with her sleeve. Jiraiya helped her up and they all left the alleyway. The light from the sunset reflected off their faces as they sat on a nearby bench.
They all watched as two kids run by them to get home, laughing. Tsunade still couldn't get what Jiraiya said off her mind.
"Whoever this leader is, he's gotta have some sort of strength to control a big group like that with such powerful people." She spoke.
"Wouldn't be surprised. He's probably the reason they collected so many jinchūriki." Orochimaru spoke.
"True. And you just wanna waltz right in there Jiraiya?" She responded.
"Someone has to do it, I'll be that someone." Jiraiya said.
"Still a maniac.." Orochimaru said.
"Oi, you're one to talk. Especially the group you brought in.." Jiraiya responded back.
It was quiet between the three. Orochimaru was deep down hoping the best for Jiraiya. Tsunade could not get the thought of receiving a message saying her best friend had been killed, out of her head. Jiraiya was ready for this moment. He got up and picked up his scroll.
"I guess I'll be on my way then.." He said.
"Jiraiya please..." He heard Tsunade whisper. Both Orochimaru and Jiraiya looked at her. "Please, for the love of kami, come back alive.."
Jiraiya was quite shocked to see how much Tsunade cared for him. He's barely seen her this worried before. "If I were to lose you Jiraiya... I'd..." She paused mid sentence. Not wanting to finish.
"You'd cry for me? Wow that would be an honor!" Jiraiya joked. "Same for you too Orochimaru?"
Baka, at a time like this he can still joke around?
"If it would make you feel better.." Orochimaru responded.
"But would you cry as much as when Dan died?" Jiraiya asked Tsunade, who was just looking at the ground sadly.
"Baka.." She simply said in a low tone.
Orochimaru looked at her and definitely could tell she was scared and worried for their comrade. He had to admit it as well... if he lost Jiraiya, he wouldn't know what to do with himself. All three of them had been through hell together in the Second Great Shinobi War.
"Well then, how about we gamble hm?" They heard Jiraiya say. Tsunade looked up at him with innocent worried eyes.
Gamble? He know's I'm bad at those? She thought.
"You should bet that I'll die.." Jiraiya said which made Orochimaru sigh a bit.
"Knowing Tsunade's luck she's probably gonna lose this.." The Snake Sannin said.
"But if I come back alive, then..." Jiraiya paused as he looked deep into Tsunade's eyes. Orochimaru watched in interest.
Just say it... tell her how you really feel Jiraiya..
Tsunade looked at him, waiting for an answer. A blush forming on her cheeks. But then Jiraiya laughed out loud.
"I'm kidding!" He said to her. "You know how grateful I am to you, and besides, wouldn't want to leave our snake friend lonely.."
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed a bit. "Baka, as if I give a damn.." He responded.
"Getting dumped makes a man stronger. And in order to fulfill his duties, he needs to laugh it off." Jiraiya said as he pulled out one of his books.
"Still writing those stupid books that nobody reads? You really haven't changed." Orochimaru said.
"Trying to act cool again Jiraiya? I'm sure that if no woman were around, then there'd no one to dump your ass and you wouldn't be able to fulfill your duties.." Tsunade joked.
"True.." Jiraiya responded.
Orochimaru couldn't help but crack a smile. It wasn't an evil smile he used to have when he left this village. It was a smile from pure joy, it felt nice and peaceful to be all together again, as much as Jiraiya would annoy them both when they were little, he had to admit that it would be better this way.
But he also remembered that this could be the last, and had make this moment one of their best moments together.
"Jiraiya.." Orochimaru spoke and the toad sannin turned his attention to him. "If anything were to happen, it's best to send one of your toads to us, we'll both head over there quickly."
"He's right." Tsunade agreed. "You could use all the help you could get."
"No need. Tsunade is hokage so she'll need to stay here. And you need to prove to this village that your different from before and can be someone they depend on." Jiraiya insisted.
"So when you're in trouble send something, that's how I'll prove it." Orochimaru responded.
"Like I said there is no need for it. If Tsunade leaves someone will wanna take charge knowing the one who's best fit for it is her."
"Kakashi is here ya know. And Naru-" Tsunade stopped mid sentence. Her thoughts were interrupted once more by the blond. His smile, his words, it never left her brain. Same for Jiraiya.
She missed him so much, she would give anything to have him back. Or at least to spend an hour with him.
"They were all chasing the same dream ya know.." Jiraiya said. "Your brother Nawaki, and your love Dan. And then Naruto.."
Tsunade slightly nodded as she exhaled sharply and looked at Jiraiya. "However, Kakashi could be able to handle the job. But he would have to take care of all the paperwork you'd leave behind for him."
Tsunade chuckled. "Coming from the one who was teaching someone as young as Naruto the rasengan."
"Well, you could say I was feeling nostalgic. It took me back to when I was training Minato." Jiraiya responded.
"Yellow flash, he was something beyond genius." Orochimaru said.
"Hehe, now that you say that Naruto was barely like his father. He had the same hair and eyes as his father. But his personality and ninjutsu were identical to his mother, Kushina." Tsunade said.
"Red Hot-Blooded Habanero. Jeez besides you, she was another woman who had a bad side I would never want to get on.." Jiraiya joked.
Tsunade smiled once again. "Heh... believe it or not, I looked at Naruto and saw him as a grandson.." She said truthfully.
"Me too..." Jiraiya responded.
Orochimaru listened to this whole conversation. It seemed like Naruto's "death" had a big impact on them both. He noticed Jiraiya putting his scroll on and Tsunade holding onto her green cloak tightly. He questioned if he should tell them the truth.
"Naru-" He whispered to speak but was interrupted by Jiraiya talking.
"Well, I'll be on my way." He said with his back turned and Tsunade frowned once more.
Orochimaru turned his back way from him, ready to part ways. "Oh, but I do have one last warning.." Jiraiya said.
Both Orochimaru and Tsunade looked at the man. Jiraiya looked at them both. "Beware of root.." He told them.
"Danzo's ANBU squad? Well I suppose so.." Orochimaru said.
Jiraiya nodded his head as he walked away. Both Orochimaru and Tsunade watching him leave.
"See you both around.." He said before putting his right arm up and giving them a thumbs up.
You better come back alive..
Orochimaru thought and he noticed that Tsunade couldn't help but let the tears from her eyes roll down and fall onto her cloak.
"Get some rest Tsunade... you need it.." Orochimaru said as he turned and walked off to. Tsunade was left alone at the bench, one of her teammates off to go to the most dangerous mission and the other off to do whatever he does.
She exhaled as she wiped her tears away. "Jiraiya... please come back.." She whispered.
She couldn't help but come to realization.
She cared for Jiraiya more than she knew...
She needed him...
She loved him...
Naruto's POV
Naruto sat next to Itachi in absolute shock. He was told the truth of why Itachi did it. The decisions he made were to help make sure Sasuke would be safe.
He didn't want to kill his clan. But the war and violence that could've escalated between the Uchiha clan and the Leaf would've ended horribly to the point both Itachi and Sasuke would die.
Naruto also found out that Tobi and Danzo had some part in the whole situation. Tobi helped slaughter the clan and Danzo pretty much blackmailed Itachi with Sasuke's life.
It all came together. The questions of why Itachi would do such a thing was finally answered. Naruto couldn't help but feel bad for the guy.
"Do you see what I mean now?" Itachi asked. "Decisions are decisions, but the person making the decision has to live by the decision he made for as long as he lives."
Naruto looked at him worriedly. "Why haven't you told Sasuke? Out of everyone, he should know. Not me." He said.
"I fear that if I tell Sasuke, he would turn his back on the Leaf, and there's no telling what he could do after that.." Itachi responded.
He looked over at Naruto. "All I have is one favor that I want you to do for me.." He said and Naruto looked at him confused.
"If anyone were to kill me, it should be Sasuke. I know he's getting stronger like I told him to that night. Everything he's done is leading up to this moment, I won't let it be taken away from him.."
Naruto looked back at the man. He looked into Itachi's eyes and could tell that he was serious and was begging that Sasuke would be the one to do this, not anyone else.
Naruto stood back up and Itachi joined him in doing so. "What you've done, cannot be undone. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't have to care for the people around you.." Naruto said.
Itachi looked down at the boy and nodded, the wind blew softly against him. "You have my respect Itachi." Naruto said truthfully.
He held out his hand and Itachi shook it. "Don't let this forever be a burden to you. You had your reasons, however I still intend to have my way with the Akatsuki and the Leaf." Naruto said.
Naruto agreed to letting Sasuke go and kill Itachi because it what Itachi wants. Naruto turned away to walk but Itachi called out his name.
"You keep making these choices Naruto.. soon enough you'll die, for real this time. If you let hate overcome you, you'll lose your past self, and I'm afraid that it won't ever be restored." Itachi said.
Naruto turned his body towards Itachi and looked deep into his eyes. Narrowing his eyes at the Uchiha. "If you wish to fight Pein, he's in the Hidden Rain Village, however it won't be easy for you.." Itachi told him.
"And know that if I die, just know I'll be waiting for you Naruto." Itachi said. "This won't be the last time we see each other."
Naruto nodded at his words. "I know.." He responded.
The two finally parted ways, Naruto going back to the lake he was training at and Itachi going back to one of the Akatsuki hideouts.
The moon shined bright in the dark sky and Naruto smirked a bit. Starting tomorrow he was going to go find Pein, he was ready to fight the strongest Akatsuki member yet. Tomorrow he would continue his onslaught on the Akatsuki, besides Itachi, he just hoped they wouldn't make this harder then it could already be.
Well hope you enjoyed that extremely long chapter that took me since Friday to make, I wanted to hurry and publish it today so if there are any mistakes I made (such as grammer) please let me know.
See you all next chapter :)
"It's not the face that makes someone a monster, it's the choices they make with their lives."
~ Naruto Uzumaki