The Tragedy of Repetition

by FanFicFreak6669

(Re-upload of SoulShdw's fic) In the years following Konoha's fall during the Sound/Leaf war, the remnants have struggled to survive. After achieving vengeance against the Otokage, Uzumaki Naruto is given and unexpected second chance. A shame he didn't get a choice in the matter.

12. Chapter 12

Once again, I must thank my beta, TheWatcherAndReader, for going through this installment and correctly my horrible grammar as well as pointing out other things for me.

---

Naruto awoke with a burst of sensation that he could have gone without. His eyes shot open and glared at the one who was standing over his prostrate body. He had been fighting for close to seven years and it was not the first time he had exhausted his body past its limits in a long battle. It was half way through the war when he realized it was often better for him to go all out and exhaust himself to unconsciousness, then allow himself a short recovery period, usually ended by a low-grade raiton jutsu that medic nin used sometimes to restart someone's heart. Usually the short time resting would allow the fox to recharge his reserves enough for him to enter the battle again with the wrath of a demon. The jutsu still hurt him like a bitch for the short duration it was used to wake him up and he still wished that medic nin used smelling salts like every other shinobi to wake patients.

Then again, maybe they only used it on him.

He didn't waste time thinking about it any further, already sitting up and standing with his genin teammate's help. There was no need for words between the two, especially as Naruto took in his surroundings. They had worked together so closely over the years that they could communicate without words, even in what would pass for normal conversations during the few times they weren't fighting. Simply by looking into her eyes, he knew several things, the least of which was that the battle was still ongoing.

He took a look around to realize that he was in one of the rooms within the tower that had been converted into a field medic station. Tsunade had always known that there was the possibility that the war with Sound would one day come back to the gates of Konoha, and had planned for it. Changes to the design of the tower and many of Konoha's other facilities reflected this prediction of hers, and none doubted the changes might one day be necessary. An extra set of walls had been built inside the village's perimeter, made mostly of rock and bark, courtesy of the sole man alive still capable of Mokuton jutsus and reinforced with Fuuinjutsu designed by the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. The clan compounds had been turned into secondary command centers, the academy a storage bunker.

He glanced out the window of the room and watched silently as he could see the signs of battle in the distance before shaking his head and removing himself from Sakura's grip. She didn't say anything at his movements, already matching his pace as he began walking. "Two hours." That was all she said, answering his unspoken question of how long he had been out. The last thing he remembered was fighting at the North gate, where the heaviest fighting was. Apparently, one of his squad had brought him back to the tower so he could recharge his batteries.

He nodded in understanding as the two continued through the tower before finally reaching what the old pervert had dubbed 'the war room'. In reality it used to be the tower's cafeteria, but had been converted to a makeshift planning room, complete with maps of Konoha and its surroundings. Off to the side, more medic-nin treated the injured and covered those who were dead. Shinobi were coming in and out, bringing reports from the front lines and relaying orders back to various defensive squads.

Naruto had spent an enormous amount of time in this room for the past forty-eight hours since the attack began. He had to, as he had become an unofficial field commander for a portion of Konoha's forces since the death of his mentor, Jiraiya. He delegated the planning to his old classmate, Nara Shikamaru, but it was never in doubt that he would be the one to take the shadow genius' plans into fruition. Tsunade was there, but she was often preoccupied with the medical teams and the movements of the ANBU and the rest of Konoha's forces.

Naruto and Sakura didn't waste time, instantly walking over to where Shikamaru and several others were gathered around one of the maps of Konoha. Portions of the map were crossed out with a black permanent marker and there were a number of Go stones at various points on the map. Naruto was far too used to seeing this, knowing full well which color stones representing friendly and enemy forces alike. "Shikamaru, what's the situation?"

The Nara genius didn't bother looking up, his eyes locked on the map with what appeared to be complete concentration. "We've lost the outer defenses, but the inner walls are holding, though we can't say for how long." The voice was that which one would not expect from a man so young, gruff, unfriendly, and sounding as if one was sick of the world and wished for nothing more than to leave the madness behind. It was a tone that many had gained over the last several years, the war with Sound raging for longer than anyone anticipated. The shadow user pointed to a ground of stones near where Naruto knew the West gate and market district were. "Hyuuga Hiashi is holding the outer Western gate but its only a matter of time before they have to fall back to the inner gate before they're overwhelmed. Scattered fighters from the Inuzuka clan and several detachments of ANBU have met up here," the Nara genius shifted his finger to an area near where he knew the hospital was and several white stones were placed, "and are reinforcing the units we have stationed there temporarily until further orders. The South and East gates have been forced back to the inner walls as well, but Root forces are holding on in the South and Shino's unit is holding on in the East. I'm considering sending another detachment there to help though."

Naruto nodded but raised his eyes to look at the other leaders. Not many were still around, either having passed away or were already out in the field. He recognized the mask that denoted the man who had served as a temporary field commander for him after he had returned from his trip with Jiraiya early to fight in the war. He had been given a code name but had served with the man enough to earn his respect and learn the man's true name. He was still the ANBU commander and Naruto had faith in Tenzo's abilities. Although it wasn't natural, he did have the blood of the Shodaime running through his veins and that had to count for something. He had been the Sandaime's trusted retainer for many years before the old man's death at the hands of his traitorous student, and had continued serving the Godaime in his memory if not out his own loyalty to Tsunade.

Standing on the other side of Shikamaru was the old bastard Danzo, leader of Konoha's 'Root' forces, along with his aide who wore a non-distinct animal mask. The old one-armed ex-shinobi was glaring down at the map, as if wishing to incinerate it with his gaze alone. Naruto had detested Danzo for the entirety that he had known the treacherous bastard. The man's sheer arrogance at his own importance and his maneuvering behind the scenes had cost Naruto men on the field of battle before, deaths that were avoidable if the man had put the interests of Konoha before his own, whatever they were. Tsunade had stripped the man of almost all power but she could not wrest 'Root' from his control, as the men and woman who were part of it followed his commands as if he was a deity to be worshipped; the mindless pawns he had crafted them into. They did not need to add civil war to their list of problems.

Naruto recognized a few others but he finally noticed someone who wasn't there. "Where is the Godaime?" He asked bluntly, already praying to whatever kami were still out there that the woman he considered a surrogate grandmother was still alive. He had lost Jiraiya and so many others already, and he knew that he would lose more before before this battle ended.

No one answered him, but no words were needed. Sakura's flinch and inability to meet his eyes at his question was answer enough. He did follow Shikamaru's eyes to see one of the beds that held injured shinobi. Resting peacefully in the final bed was a wizened figure. He wouldn't have even recognized her as the Godaime if it were not for the distraught Shizune who was kneeling beside the bed, her anguish palpable. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. There will be time to grieve later, focus on what's happening now. He opened his eyes before looking to Sakura. "How's Katsuyu?"

She looked back to him, wiping the tears from her eyes. She made a few hand seals, the ones typically used for summoning, but without the required blood. Doing so allowed a summoner to open a link to their respective summon and skilled summoners could speak to those that held their contract. It was a trick that Kakashi had taught the two of them after Naruto's return and it was incredibly useful. "No good. She was able to dispel Manda but she is also too injured to continue."

Naruto cursed under his breath before continuing. "Gamabunta is the same way." He looked back to the map, taking specific note of the black to white stone ratio on the map. It was not looking pleasant. "Shikamaru... give it to me straight, what are our chances?"

The genius looked up at the blond for a moment, his expression blank. The silence between the two was only interrupted by moans from the injured. He didn't bother looking at the other two commanders; both had seen their share of hopeless situations before and knew fully what it meant. Shikamaru, Sakura, and Naruto were the ones of the young generation who were finally being forced into desperate situations with no hopes of victory. "We will be able to last for a time, but unless something major happens they will overpower us. Orochimaru and his nation of tone-deaf freaks simply have too much manpower in this battle, despite the fact that most of them are simply ninja fodder. For every one of his we kill, ten more take their place. The shinobi are tiring, the medic-nin included, and with Tsunade's death our morale has hit a dangerous low." He paused for a moment, his eyes glancing back at the map before straightening up and looking his old friend in the eye. "I'm sorry Naruto. It's only a matter of time now." Years ago, the blond and his pink haired teammate would have glared at the Nara for his statement. They would've fought tooth and nail to get him to take it back and then prove that it was feasible.

They knew better now. They knew as well as the others who heard the shadow user's bleak statement that he was right. Naruto watched as Tenzo's face shifted slightly, his eyes closing in resignation. Sakura had the tell-tale signs of tears forming, yet struggling to keep them from falling at this critical point. Even that old warmonger Danzo let out a shuddering breath. Naruto only shook his head, wondering at the unfairness of it it up boy. Nothing in your life has been fair. Move on and figure out what to do. He closed his eyes in thought, the voice of his mentor urging him on. His thoughts were correct; there was no one else to lead. Too many had fallen to Sound's forces and before the night was over even more would.

The only things that broke the silence were the moans of the injured at the sounds of new casualties being brought into the war-room to be tended. He heard the soft steps of Shizune as she stepped up beside him, on the other side of Sakura. He didn't open his eyes and look at her, as she had to be more than aware of what was coming. He could practically smell her sadness. Without looking, he placed a comforting hand on the two medics' shoulders, though he couldn't tell if it was to comfort himself or the two he was standing between. It was as he held them, even in that impersonal way, that he came to a decision. So be it. If this is the fate that we have been dealt then so be it. The will of fire that epitomizes the shinobi of the Leaf shall burn brightest before its end.

"Danzo." He opened his eyes and glared at the elder who had a confused look on his face. The Root commander and his lackey of the moment looked up to see a face burning with resolve, and tinged with a hint of something they had not seen since the Yondaime's final act. "If I give your men orders, will they obey them?"

"No. They are bound to me. You know this, Uzumaki."

Naruto nodded, fully expecting such an answer. "Then listen to me." He then looked around and met the gazes of all present. "All of you. These will be the final orders I give." He felt Sakura place a hand on his shoulder and gasp. She tried to say something but he cut her off by speaking, his voice reeking with the authority that he would have had as the Rokudaime Hokage in a different world. "Shikamaru, the attack is concentrated in the north and east. Send reinforcements to the south to crush that line of attack before having them, all of them, reinforce Hiashi's troops in the west and central areas. Danzo, send half your forces to the north and east to reinforce the inner walls, and leave the other half in this central area."

Shikamaru looked at his friend with an odd look before looking back at the map with a speculative expression. His frown became apparent as he looked back to his blond haired friend. "You aren't..."

Naruto didn't answer him, instead looking at Danzo. "Pass the message along to the defenders to start falling back, but funnel the enemy to the central area."

Danzo's expression was blank but it was easy to see that he wanted more answers. "What is your plan for victory Uzumaki?"

Naruto simply scoffed. "Victory? That's a moot point isn't it?" The words were vicious and even those who were on good terms with the blond flinched from the tone. "Konoha has lost this battle and this war. You know this as well as I do, you old fool. That bastard snake isn't going to accept a surrender from us, not that we would, and will not hesitate to kill each and every one of us, including the civilians, to mark his victory over the village he's been trying to crush since who knows when." He looked back to Shikamaru before lowering his voice. "Start getting the civilians out of the shelters. We'll head for Wind Country. Gaara will accept us."

Danzo looked openly angry now. "You would run and hide behind that demon? Abandon Konoha? Have you completely lost your mind?" He yelled at the jinchuuriki. He was shut up when a kunai was thrown and a line of blood was revealed on his cheek. All eyes looked back to Naruto, who held his hand in its throwing position with a fire in his eyes.

"You know as well as I do that this village will be no more this time tomorrow. I may not be able to protect this village but I will protect the people of this village with my final breath. That 'demon', as you call him, is one of our allies, and my brother in everything but blood. The civilians will be accepted by Wind, as will the shinobi if they change their allegiance." He paused for a moment before adding, "And if you inform him that his protection is my final request, he will protect them. Not even Orochimaru is foolish enough to attack Sabaku no Gaara on his home turf, especially after he crushed that snake's former Akatsuki partner."

A chill descended upon the ground and Naruto swore that even some of the medic nin and their patients were looking over at the rising tension. "Naruto..." Sakura began but he cut her off again. He knew that if he let her try to talk him out of what was to come, then he might falter. I can't now. Too many are at risk. Well kid, you always wanted to be Hokage and now you might just die like one.

"Tenzo, gather as many ANBU and Jounin as you can outside the tower in one hour. Only get volunteers, preferably those who have already had children to carry on their clan. We won't be coming back."

Tenzo let out a sigh in resignation before saluting. "As you wish." He gave a look to Sakura who was looking between the two ninja, as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing, before poofing away with typical shinobi grace.

"Shizune, Sakura. I want you to start preparing the injured for transport. Leave the dead and the soon to be dead; there's nothing we can do for them now." He paused, before looking at Danzo and Shikamaru. He refused to meet the eyes of the two medic-nin that he saw as family. "Can you two handle the specifics?"

"And what are you going to do Naruto?" Sakura finally asked, an edge in her voice that was a combination of fear and anger.

"I will lead Tenzo and the others. We'll hold them off as long as we can."

"You honestly think you will be able to do that much?" Danzo asked, his expression once again showing nothing. Even his voice betrayed nothing.

He looked at the old man. "We are abandoning this village. There is no more reason to hold back. Tenzo, the others and myself will hold them off while you make your escape. Then with the last of my chakra, I will temporarily release Kyuubi back into the world. His hold on this world won't last long, but he'll be so eager to cause havoc that he'll tear anyone still around into shreds. Our deaths will also trigger mass confusion in the surviving Oto forces and no I don't have time to explain." Danzo slowly nodded, cooling down as realization kicked in. Shikamaru looked lost as to what to say but Naruto reached across the table and grabbed his shoulders firmly. "Listen Shika, we've got no choice now. I'll buy you time but the rest of you must leave this place!"

"No!" All eyes turned towards Sakura as she glared at her blood brother. She looked ready to fall apart at the seams but that didn't stop her. "We're not leaving you!"

Naruto looked at the others before nodding to Shikamaru, Danzo and Shizune individually. He placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder and gently led her away from the others. She followed but her defiant and tear filled eyes never vanished. The two walked slowly out of the war room and Naruto knew what was coming and didn't relish in his future role. They reached the Hokage's office, sending a fresh wave of pain through both of them as they thought of Tsunade, but entered before closing the door behind them.

As soon as the door was closed, Sakura turned on Naruto, furious. "You are not doing something so suicidal! There has to be another way!"

He held her shoulders gently and looked down at her. He had grown over the years and now easily towered over her small frame. He looked at her and idly wondered if this was the last time he would ever see her. She had grown into a true beauty, just like he always knew she would. She still worn that same style of dress that he had grown accustomed to since he returned and knew that in another world, under better circumstances, she would be a highly sought after woman. Hell, even now during the chaos of this war, Rock Lee still tried to woo her. It had provided quite the amount of entertainment over the years on the front lines. "Sakura."

She shook her head, reaching up and grabbing the scruff of his shirt. "No fucking way, Naruto! I'm not letting you do this!"

"Sakura."

"No! We're going back in there. You are recalling all of them and we're going to figure something else out." She was practically breaking into sobs now and he couldn't help but pull her into a strong embrace. Her grip nearly crushed him as she pulled him in tight, shaking like a leaf. He couldn't help but feel terrible at seeing her like this. She hadn't been this upset since the two of them had learned that Sasuke was truly lost to them.

The night that Hinata was brutally tortured and killed before Naruto's own eyes.

He closed his eyes and placed one hand on her pink haired head, rubbing gently as he decided to let this moment come. He wouldn't be around much longer either way, best to enjoy it while he could. "Sakura, listen to me please." She tightened her grip but said nothing else. "We've lost Sakura. Everything is over. Orochimaru is going to kill anyone who survives, if we're lucky, but, knowing that bastard, he'll use us for his sick experiments or turn us into mindless slaves using god knows what sort of kinjutsu he's learned over the years. I won't let that happen to anyone, to you, if there is something I can do to give you all time to escape."

"You can beat him!" She yelled into his chest, releasing one hand and banging hard against it.

He shook his head. "As much as I value your high opinion of me, we can't win this. Gaara will protect you all for now, and the snake won't pursue. He can't make open movements towards the Western border without alerting Suna, Ame, Kusa and Taki. Iwa will begin to move as well, as those other three are simply buffers between the Land of Fire and them."

She said nothing but Naruto could hear the one he considered a sister crying softly and he just held her tight, allowing himself this moment. After a few minutes of this, he heard her voice. "I can't talk you out of this, can I?"

"Sorry Sakura. I always have fought for my precious people and always knew I would die for them. You would have better luck trying to catch the wind. Believe it." The two separated and he tried to smile for her but was met by a smoldering glare from her.

"I'm fighting with you then. And don't even try to tell me otherwise Naruto. I've lost everyone else I care about already. If... if you're going to leave me too then I want to be there right alongside you."

The intensity in her emerald eyes was overpowering and Naruto wondered where that meek girl he once knew vanished too. They were the eyes of a fighter, of a shinobi, and they gleamed eerily like those of her former mentor and master. He knew that he had no chance of talking her out of it, so he just smiled as he released her. "I'd rather you not... but I know those eyes." She smiled, reaching up to wipe away the tears that had been there before nodding. He nodded once before grabbing her shoulder with his left hand. "I love you, Sakura. You know that, right?"

She rolled her eyes and nodded. "Of course."

"Good." She never saw it coming and in retrospect, knowing Naruto as she did, she really should have. The fist impacted into her gut with no warning and close to no mercy, despite having no chakra in it. She bent forward, the air rushing out of her and the last thing she heard before everything went dark was a statement loaded with regret. "I'm sorry, Sakura."

Naruto held the unconscious kunoichi in his arms as she slumped over. He brushed her bangs away to see her face fully one more time before lifting her bridal style and heading back to the war room. People were already packing up and leaving. Obviously the final orders had been given and even the wounded knew what was coming. It made Naruto wonder how long he had spent with Sakura but shook it off as he saw the familiar form of Shizune and Shikamaru leaving the war room. Shizune looked concerned at seeing her fellow medic unconscious but Shikamaru only frowned at the scene, already having an understanding of what had taken place. Without any words, Naruto handed off Sakura's body to the shadow user who accepted the package with the utmost care. He knew that Shikamaru wouldn't give him any grief for his actions; he had done the same for Ino in the past with Naruto, the roles reversed. He simply nodded in understanding. "Troublesome idiot. Don't worry about her. I give you my word that we'll get her out of here."

"Thanks lazybones. I appreciate it."

"Naruto what-" the black haired medic began but was cut off when Naruto embraced her as well. She returned the gesture but frowned in realization. It was easy to see that she didn't like the man's decision but would not argue it with him.

When he released her, he shot another glance at Sakura sleeping in Shikamaru's arms before coming to a decision. With quick motions he reached inside his shirt and withdrew the Shodaime's necklace. He removed it from his neck and looked at it in his palm for a moment before clenching his hand around it. Without any words, he held one of Shizune's hands and forced the necklace into it, albeit gently. Shizune gasped when she realized what he had given her; Tsunade's acknowledgment and respect. She tried to give it back to him but he held it in her hand. "Please give this to her when she wakes up, Shizune nee-chan. Tell her I'm sorry and that I love her like the sister she is."

It was a while before Shizune finally nodded, closing her hand around the cursed necklace. Naruto tried to ignore the tell tale sign of tears beginning to form in her eyes as she muttered, mostly to herself. "And this damn cursed necklace takes another one dear to me..."

Naruto reached over and cupped Shizune's chin, forcing her to look at him. "Hey, none of that." Seeing her confusion, he released her but continued speaking. "The necklace isn't cursed, nee-chan. It simply gives its wearer the power to do what needs to be done. Tell Sakura that as well." Anything else that Naruto might have said was cut off when the sound of a shinobi appearing behind him caught their attention. Naruto raised an eyebrow as Tenzo reappeared before him, face stern but showing the expression of one waiting for an order. Wonder if that's the face he'd show if I was Hokage. Oh well... "I see. It's time then." He looked back to Shizune and Shikamaru and gave them a final smile. "See you guys on the other side."The ramen-loving shinobi then made the seals that would bring him outside, giving the two a sad smile. With a puff of smoke, both Naruto and Tenzo were gone.

-/-/-/

Naruto overlooked the gathered shinobi with something between surprise and pride. Surprise that so many were gathered before him and Tenzo, and pride in his fellow shinobi. When he had made that request to the ANBU commander, he had not expected so many to gather for what was sure to be a suicide mission. But as he stood before the large group of masked individuals he couldn't help but allow himself a small grin. He nodded to Tenzo before stepping forward, preparing to give his final orders before his eyes locked on a few at the edge of the ANBU, unmasked but just as willing to fight as their black ops comrades. He looked over at the familiar faces and couldn't help himself. "What the hell are you guys still doing here?"

Standing off to the side, four familiar figures stood with near identical smirks on their faces. Well, maybe not identical but they were all smirking with the exception of Konoha's dual colored beasts who were all out grinning in anticipation. At least Naruto hoped it was anticipation. The first to speak was at least predictable, in a sense. "You think we'd just let you have all the glory, dead-last?" Kiba's canine companion barked in agreement as the two stared at the blond with identical wolfish grins.

Naruto only grinned back, but knew he couldn't let that one slide. "Oi, oi, oi. Can you really still call me that considering I can kick your ass dog-breath?"

The ever stoic Hyuuga Neji only shook his head as the two once again degraded into their childish bickering. "Come now, Naruto. You did not really think that we would sit this one out, did you? I, for one, am quite looking forward to see the fate you carve out of this... nightmare." Naruto didn't bother to address Neji's dry voice. He would not look down on the Hyuuga's presence as a burden. If anything he was glad to have Hinata's cousin once again fighting by his side. Even if it would be the last battle the two would share.

"And you two? Here to prove the flames of youth?" Naruto asked the last two, grinning wryly. He had grown past the... eccentricities of Maito Gai, and his son in everything but blood, Rock Lee. They were the epitome of Konoha shinobi, despite their mental conditions but Naruto knew that their antics were always a boost to morale in the units they fought with. It was just impossible to stay angry at the two taijutsu masters for very long. They were simply too damn optimistic, and that was something they sorely needed right now.

"You are most correct Naruto-kun! This is our time to shine and show that the flames of youth can never be put out!"

"Yosh! Gai-sensei is right!" Naruto couldn't help himself and he chuckled at the two before walking back to his space in front of Tenzo. He slowly composed himself before looking over the gathered shinobi. He took a deep breath, ignoring the sounds of explosions in the distance as what must have been the collapse of one of the inner walls. Finally he opened his eyes and looked at the shinobi of Konoha with determination that shone in his blue eyes.

"Folks... I ain't gonna lie to you. I have no authority to give you orders, nor do I feel that I should have such. I am no ANBU commander, I am no Hokage. I'm just another Jounin, like most of you behind those masks of yours. The truth is that this is not a mission, nor is it a coherent decision. This is a suicide run, and none of us will be coming back. If any of you have problems with this, leave now and no one will fault you." He paused for a moment as he overlooked the shinobi before him. Not a single one even so much as twitched at his grim proclamation. "Simple fact is this: Orochimaru started the war, we fought him at every turn, but in the end...we lost. Konoha falls today." Another pause. "What we do now is in order to preserve the will of fire that is at the heart of that which is Konoha. The shinobi of Oto are here for our blood and for the blood of our families. It's time we show them just how much the price of blood costs, especially ours. And let's make sure that we collect!" There was a sort of cheer from the gathered shinobi, sounding off in agreement at the blond's decisive pledge. "If this is the shitty ass fate that those bastards in hell have dealt us, then before we join them in hell and kick their asses, let's show them the sort of tenacious bastards we can be!" Another cheer arose from the gathered group, causing the Uzumaki to grin savagely.

Another pause lived on before the sound of Hyuuga Neji's voice rang out. It still held the same regal and calm tone that Naruto had known for years and often teased the man about. Somehow it was fitting at this moment. "What are our orders? Uzumaki Naruto, Rokudaime Hokage of Konoha."

There was an odd sort of silence before Kiba's brash voice shot out. "May your reign be short as hell, dead-last!"

Naruto only grinned at the barbs, his own chuckle mixing in with the laughs of the gathered humor at its sound of an explosion went off in the distance and Naruto's grin turned slightly more determined. "Well, boys and girls, it looks like the snake's bitches have placed their orders. Let's show our guests just how damn good our service here can be!" With that he turned and the levity, however slight, that was in his voice vanished at once. "For Konoha!" He yelled loudly, slowly walking towards the fires in the distance to the North.

"FOR KONOHA!" He felt more than heard or saw the shinobi fall into step behind him, matching his pace as if it had been rehearsed. He tossed a look over his shoulder to see the members of the ANBU discarding their masks, replacing them with their natural expressions of determination. The time for such hiding and deception was gone, and they all knew it. The sight was oddly touching for some odd reason for the young man whose gaze traveled back to his own friends.

As he began hearing the sounds of battle becoming louder, he yelled back. "Oi, I bet you guys I get more Oto scum than you do!"

He grinned as he heard Neji scoff but Kiba mutter something in agreement but unsurprisingly it was Rock Lee who spoke up the loudest. "Yosh! You're on Naruto-kun! And if I don't-" Naruto tuned the rest of his more eccentric friend's words out, having heard them a thousand times before. Instead, he averted his gaze back to where he heard the sound of incoming enemies.

I know this song. Naruto idly mused to himself as he saw the approaching lines of fresh Oto-nin. He already began whipping through hand seals at the thought, time to change the beat! "Raiton: Raikouhou!"Naruto only grinned sadistically as he finished the seals, holding his hands in front of him as the electric force began to visibly gather between his fingers. His grin only widened as the blast shot out and mowed down the idiots who had dared to attack his home.

Later on, when reflecting on the final battle of Konoha, the jinchuuriki would be most amused when the last thing he could remember of that battle was the sound of Kiba's voice yelling from behind him. "Damn it Naruto! You cheating son of a bitch! Those ones don't count!"

-/-/-/

Fourteenth day of Shichigatsu,145th year after the rise of the shinobi - Konohagakure No Sato is destroyed in the final battle of the Leaf - Sound Shinobi War.

Twenty-fourth day of Shichigatsu, 145th year after the rise of the shinobi - The forces of the last surviving member of the Densetsu no Sannin, Orochimaru, lay siege to the capital of the Land of Fire.

Twenty-fifth day of Shichigatsu, 145th year after the rise of the shinobi - The Lord of Fire Country surrenders to the forces of the Land of Sound. The Otokage Orochimaru lays claim to the Land of Fire and annexes it into the Land of Sound. The Land of Sound gains notoriety as one of the major shinobi nations, replacing the Land of Fire.

-/-/-/

Sensation returned to him as it always did. Quick, unfocused, and unexpected to those around him. Most shinobi grew used to pretending to be unconscious after immediately waking. It was a self-defense mechanism of sorts, since typically if a shinobi was waking up for some reason, that reason tended to be a threat. It hadn't taken long after the war began that Nanashi learned to wake up quickly and without any sort of motion to reveal the fact that he had awoken. Many a foolish Oto-nin had died trying to kill the infamous 'Tri-Elemental Kitsune of Konoha' during the war. An irritating moniker, to be sure. An issue that bugged him constantly when people actually used it. He had always wondered if his old man felt the same way about his own title, but decided that the man must've loved it. After all 'Yellow Flash' simply seemed bad-ass compared to his own long winded nickname.

Focus idiot. You're conscious, so alive obviously. Air's warm... inside... and covered in a damn soft bed. He paused for a moment, slowly inhaling the smells around him soft enough so that even if someone was watching they wouldn't notice his being awake. He could make out a few scents that were familiar but was unable to place them at the moment. He did smell that someone was in the room with him and that caused him to tense slightly. Apparently, that was all that was needed. "Finally awake, are you?"

Nanashi's eyes snapped open, tilting his head towards the speaker. "Old man?" He asked, his voice betraying his confusion.

Sarutobi only sighed, muttering to himself something that Nanashi couldn't make before raising his voice. "Yes. Once again my boy, you're very lucky to be alive."

Nanashi blinked at the comment before the neurons in his brain began working properly. He quickly sat up and glanced around the room. Hospital? We were near Taioh though... It was hard to dispute that he was in Konoha now though, as he could see the familiar sights of the village outside his window. He glanced down at himself to see that he had been stripped of his clothing and was wearing a hospital gown. He still wore his cloth mask though and he idly wondered if the Hokage had let him keep it to keep questions down. He looked back to the Hokage and raised an eyebrow. "What the hell happened?"

The older man looked amused by his question for a moment before he spoke up. "Shouldn't that be my line?"

Nanashi only shrugged. "Hey, I was dying outside Taioh last time I checked."

Sarutobi's eyes narrowed at that and for a moment Nanashi felt the flicker of killing intent that was unique to the Professor. Nanashi had never felt it as a child, so it was a humbling experience now that he did. "Yes... I heard from Anko-chan about that mission the council gave you. Rest assured, I will get to the bottom of that particular issue."

"Use it as a chance to start siphoning power from the council. They're a bunch of idiots anyway." Nanashi quipped, leaning back slightly against the bed frame. "That prick Danzo will be more than an annoyance in a few years. Trust me on that one."

Sarutobi simply raised an eyebrow, as if now realizing something. "Ah, so that was the reason you actually agreed to the mission."

"Something like that. I needed to test myself as well. Surviving a battle with the Thunder Empress seemed as good as a test as any." Nanashi saw no reason to lie at this point. He and Anko were apparently safe and back home. Why bother hiding it anymore?

The old man chuckled softly. "Only you, my boy, would considering taking on a shinobi on the level of my former students as a test. It seems that you didn't change much as you grew up after all." He then frowned at Nanashi. "I know I don't have to tell you how stupid that was."

"You wouldn't be the first one and you won't be the last you old geezer." He paused for a moment, before losing his smirk and frowning. "It did its job though. I know I'm not strong enough for what's to come, even if I go all out."

The older man frowned at the dread in his younger counterpart's voice. "For what's to come?"

Nanashi nodded. While it was true that he took the mission to give the old man some ammunition for when he confronted the council, he had really desired a test of his abilities. He knew for a fact that he was weaker than he was in the days of Konoha's fall, and even after that. The lost of the Kyuubi was humbling in many respects and he had been training his ass off for the last few months in order to compensate. He needed to find an opponent who was on the level of that damn snake, or at least close to, in order to see how far he still had to go. Enrai Setsuka had been his chance and he had blown it spectacularly. If not for Anko... "A harsh wind will start blowing in a little more than a year old man. I've been preparing myself for it."

"Tell me everything Nanashi." The glare the old leveled on him was not lost. "I've let you keep your secrets and have accepted riddles from you. However, if the threat is that large that you would do something so suicidal as a test, then you are telling me."

"Sure. I need to request some time off for a training trip, regardless. But not here. We'll do this in your office when the health fascists let me out of here." He let out a sigh of relief when the Sandaime nodded in agreement.

"Always trouble with you..." The old man mused to himself.

The blond smirked, his masked face hidden to the world. "Of course. Someone has to make the lives of others interesting." He cast a quick glance around again to notice a couch with two figures on it. He looked at them, shock being the most prevalent thing in his mind. He then looked back to Sarutobi and raised an eyebrow in amusement. "What's the story with that picture?" He asked softly, not wanting to disturb the two sleeping figures.

Sarutobi glanced over and couldn't help himself as he chuckled. Sitting on the couch behind him were two sleeping figures. Both were unexpected but what was more unexpected was that they seemed so at ease with each other. Anko was sitting on one side, her head tilted back so that it was resting against the top of the couch in what looked like an uncomfortable position. Her facial expression as she slept seemed to disregard this though as she dozed quietly. A little drool slipped from the side of her open mouth, only making the picture even more comical. Then again, there was so much more to see as his eyes shifted to the other figure. He couldn't help but chuckle at the scene of Uzumaki Naruto sleeping with his body leaned up against Anko's, his head resting against her shoulder as he slept in an identical expression on his face, even matching the small trail of drool. If one didn't know any better, they would expect the two to be siblings from their somewhat intimate position.

Sarutobi only chuckled before turning back to the bedridden man. "Well, Anko-chan has been checking up on you. I think you gave her quite the scare. You are truly lucky, even with your healing factor, that Tsunade was there."

"What? Obaa-chan?"

Sarutobi raised an eyebrow again before shaking his head in amusement. "Yes. She was passing through Taioh with her assistant when she felt the chakra flares that you three sent out during your battle. She came upon Anko frantically trying to save your life. According to what she told Anko afterwards, your lung had been all but shredded and you had lost far too much blood." Seeing the blond's expression, he simply added. "On that note, she apparently is very interested in your healing factor, but not enough to return to Konoha." That last part was said much softer, causing the old man's eyes to turn wistful. He seemed to trail off into his memories for a moment before continuing. "After that, Anko-chan carted you back here. You were still drained for severe chakra depletion, as well as overdosing on soldier pills and have been sleeping for a few days, including the trip back."

"And that?"

The old man smiled the smile of someone who knew something you didn't. "Well, she's been in and out of here checking on you. Like I said my boy, you really scared her." He paused for a moment before saying, "Has the son of Namikaze Minato tamed the savage Mitarashi Anko?"

The blond simply glared at the old man. "Don't even joke about that or she'll kill us both." He paused for a moment before a smirk settled on his face. "I enjoy annoying her. She just goes so ballistic. It's amusing as all hell. It how I imagine you all felt with me when I was growing up."

Sarutobi simply shook his head before looking back to the shinobi's younger self. "Somehow, Naruto found out that his rescuers had returned. He came to see you and he and Anko hit it off, so to speak."

"They tried to kill each other, didn't they?"

"Of course. Over an argument involving dango and ramen, if I recall correctly." Sarutobi looked back at the two before smirking. "A shame we don't have a camera. I could use some blackmail material for calming them both down."

Nanashi couldn't help it, he threw his head back and laughed loudly. It was louder than anything that had been said while the two had been sleeping and it was the thing that caused the trained kunoichi to bolt upwards, still half asleep but ready for anything. The boy that had been leaning against her was all but pushed off the couch with her sudden movement. The boy landed on the floor with a loud thump and a yell of outrage, as if he hadn't just been sleeping. "What the hell?"

The kunoichi looked down at the boy with a glare. "What the hell were you doing sleeping on me, you little brat?"

The boy settled himself into a sitting position before returning the same glare. "So I fell asleep. No reason to throw me off the couch, you crazy bitch!"

A kunai entered the woman's hand as the familiar gleam of insanity, that the other two males in the room had come to associate with her, appeared in her eyes. "What was that, brat? Am I going to have to make you less of a man?"

Nanashi grinned. Oh this will be fun... at least if she doesn't kill me. "Well, think of it this way, kid. You'll at least have slept with a woman before any of your classmates." The reaction was immediate from all parties. The younger blonde flushed heavily and looked away, scratching the back of his head nervously. The Hokage merely chuckled although if one looked close enough, you could see tell tale signs of a small blush on his own face. The small drip of blood from his nose denoted that the man's thoughts had taken a very perverse turn with the situation. And Anko...

Nanashi ducked as soon as he spoke, knowing full well what the woman's reaction would be. His body groaned in agony as the kunai actually took a few strands of his hair with them as it slammed into the headboard he had been sitting against. He fought the urge to laugh at her twitching eyebrow. The urge didn't diminish as she suddenly lunged towards him and pinned him to the bed, another kunai at his throat. The eye was twitching angrily and for a moment he actually wondered if he had pushed her too far and she would actually kill him. Of course, if he was going down, it was going to be in flames. "Oooh kinky, Anko-chan. You like being on top?"

He smirked as she actually bit her lip hard enough to draw blood, the kunai twitching near his throat as she tried desperately to not kill him. Finally, she spoke, her voice dancing with rage. "You... you..."

"Me." He then raised an eyebrow before adding, "Don't tell me that my aura of sheer manliness has rendered you speechless?"

"Why, oh why, did I bother saving your irritating ass?" She muttered, slowly bringing the kunai back with her free hand, as if fighting against her own hand.

She's almost at her limit. One more push... He only winked at her. "Because it's such a fine ass. Don't you agree, Anko-chan?"

The blow across the jaw had been long overdue but the pain still struck him suddenly as she belted him across the face. He grabbed his face in pain as he felt someone pull Anko off him but he could hear her practically snarling at him from wherever she was pulled to. Damn it, I think she just broke my fucking jaw. She has one hell of a punch. He looked up to see the Sandaime holding back Anko, honest worry on his face for his safety as Anko struggled to get free in order to cause more damage to him. His younger self simply looked at the woman in shock, his jaw hanging open. Heh, maybe "I" will develop a fear of kunoichi much sooner this time around. He looked back up to Anko and the Sandaime when he heard the old man's voice. "Do you have a death wish?" Though his voice was angry, there was clear amusement on the old man's face.

"Lemme go! I'm going to fucking skin this bastard!"

Nanashi merely chuckled before looking to his younger self. "And that, Uzumaki-kun, is why you should not piss off kunoichi."

The boy looked back to Nanashi with a raised eyebrow. "Yeah, no kidding. You must be fucking nuts."

"Trust me kid, no one knows that better than me." He then looked back to Anko and the Sandaime and raised a hand. "Sorry, sorry. I'll make it up to you by buying you some dango and sake when I get out of here. After all. we still have to celebrate our success."

Anko seemed to visibly relax at that, a disturbingly happy grin covering her face. "I'll hold you to that shit stain." Her voice had shifted as well, now unbearably chipper. Nanashi only raised an eyebrow at her ease of being swayed against killing him as the old man released her with a sigh. She's really being bribed by dango and sake? "And don't think you're getting out of teaching me those crazy raiton jutsu of yours." I should've known it wouldn't be that easy.

"... I don't think Konoha would survive you learning those, Anko." Nanashi replied, shaking his head in amusement.

"Cheap ass..." She muttered, her happy expression turning back into a pout.

Nanashi only rolled his eyes before turning back to Naruto. "So what brings you here, kid?"

Naruto looked shocked to be addressed so suddenly and he looked away, as if unsure of what to say. Nanashi watched this with detached interest as the boy seemed to look to the Hokage for support. Was I really this bad with people? I seem to remember being much more outspoken... "Um, old man Hokage told me what you did." He looked back to Nanashi in the bed with a large grin that seemed to come out of nowhere. "Thanks a bunch, Nanashi-san!"

Nanashi felt awkward as he saw the boy's smile. This is so... surreal and trippy. Does this make me a narcissist of sorts? "No problem kid. I didn't do all the work though. Anko over there," he said, nodding his head towards the kunoichi, "helped too."

The smile faded with a look of disbelief. "What? That crazy bitch?"

"Brat!" Anko yelled, glaring at Naruto with utter loathing.

"What? You just attacked an injured man in a hospital! What the hell do you think I'm going to call you?"

"He's got a point there, Anko." Nanashi couldn't help but add, a grin beneath his mask.

"You shut up." She growled at him before setting her sights on Naruto. "And if you call me crazy again I'm going to cut your balls off, you little shit!"

Naruto actually had the gall to stick his tongue out at the fuming woman. The action caused Nanashi to wonder when he stopped being so again, not more than five minutes ago I pushed her over the edge, so maybe I didn't grow up that much at all. "'Cause that's really helping your case lady!"

"Why you little..." She muttered out, marching towards the boy with anger filled steps.

The boy took this as his sign to leave and dashed out with a loud yell. "Oh shit!"

"Come back here, you little shit!" Anko roared, already in pursuit.

The two remaining in the room merely stared at the door the two had just run out of before exchanged glances. Nanashi couldn't help himself and burst out laughing again and he could hear the soft chuckles of the Sandaime beside him. How come I have the feeling that introducing those two to each other is going be entertaining as all hell, although it'll mean a shitload more headaches for everyone else. The Sandaime seemed to agree with his thoughts. "I hope you understand what you've just done."

"Of course. I made your life far more entertaining. You're getting up there in age, old man; you need some entertainment in your life after all. And not just ero-sennin's books."

The old man simply shook his head before walking over to the door and closing it. He made a few hand seals that Nanashi recognized as a silencing seal and then turned back to the blonde. His face was now devoid of the amusement he held before and he pulled up a chair next to the bed. "The room is secure. Now tell me everything. Leave nothing out."

Nanashi only sighed at the expression on his audience's face. He gave a nod before telling the old man his tale. Perhaps I should've done this a long time ago. Oh well, we still have plenty of time. Here goes nothing...

-/-/-/

Nanashi waited silently as he watched the Sandaime absorb his full story, including everything he had left out before. The man had risen from his chair halfway through Nanashi's tale, walked to the window and looked out over the village. As Nanashi finished, the man fished out his pipe and lit it, disregarding Konoha General Hospital's strict no-smoking policy. Well, he is the Hokage after all. It would be amusing to watch someone try to tell him to stop.

The silence between the two lasted for a while. Nanashi passed the time by inspecting his own body, relieved as he felt aches and pains fade as he began moving more and more. Without really thinking about it, he removed the bandages around his chest as well as the smaller bandages they must have placed on him for wounds he had not realized he picked up during his battle with the Thunder Empress. He swung his feet out of bed and stood up, listening as his bones popped with their sudden exertion. He began looking around for his clothing when the old man spoke up, still looking out the window.

"This is a lot to take in, Naruto." His voice was calm but there was an undercurrent in there of one who was not sure what to think of what he had just been told. Nanashi recognized it and couldn't help but feel a tinge of pity for the man he had considered a surrogate grandfather when he was a child. He was being told that in the future he would die by the hands of one he considered his own son, albeit, a wayward one. That a mere child would be one of the catalysts for the destruction of everything he held dear. That his other two 'children' as well as his actual son would be dead due to his favored student's actions.

"I'm sorry." It was all he could think of to say but he knew it was woefully inadequate for the situation.

The Hokage seemed to snap out of his musings at those words and looked back towards Nanashi. "There's no need, my boy. You've done nothing wrong. Well, besides the fact that you thought you could take on these burdens yourself." He lowered his pipe and gave the man a wry smile. "Always overestimating yourself, aren't you?"

Nanashi shrugged, and found himself blushing sheepishly for the first time in many years. "What now, then?"

"For now... I will have to think on this. As I said before, it is a lot to take in."

Nanashi squirmed for a moment before taking a deep breath. When he spoke, his voice was calm but held an edge of ice. "I believe the best way to cut this off would be to eliminate the Uchiha here and now. Orochimaru will probably still come, but it eliminates him gaining those cursed eyes."

The Sandaime narrowed his eyes at his shinobi before speaking. "Unacceptable. He's just a boy, Naruto."

"He's a traitor and too much of a threat to allow to run free. Even if Orochimaru doesn't mark him, he will betray the village eventually. You know this old man, I'm sure you've read that bastard's psych reports."

"He hasn't done anything yet, Naruto. I will not condone the assassination of a child of my village; one who isn't even a shinobi yet." There was a long pause between the two, the tension running high before the Sandaime spoke again. "Have you fallen so far? Would you deny yourself the chance to become friends with him?"

Nanashi only nodded once. "If it keeps a chidori out of my chest, hell yes."

"My answer is final, Nanashi. And don't you dare think of acting on your own here. There would be no way to justify it to the council, you would be declared a nukenin and then what? Then how will you help us against Orochimaru?" The old man let out a sigh before shaking his head lightly at the fuuinjutsu specialist. "Fortunately, we still have time and there are more... immediate concerns."

Nanashi raised an eyebrow as he sat back down on the bed, his rage dissipating. He understood what the Hokage was saying, and decided to let this battle go. We can always get him later, if necessary. "What do you mean?"

The Hokage only shook his head at the man sitting before him before walking back to his own chair and sitting down. "A pair of special jounin, one of whom is completely unknown to almost all of Konoha, were able to take down one of Kumo's heroes. They not only survived a suicide mission that was given to shut them up, but succeeded in it. You may not have intended this, my boy, but you have attracted quite a bit of attention to yourself."

It then dawned on Nanashi and he couldn't help himself. "Fucking hell. How bad is it?"

"The council is demanding to know why I've kept such a powerful shinobi secret all this time. Outside of the council and a few others, no one knows the full story, but it won't be long before people start talking. I expect there will be a page on you in the bingo books of other countries soon enough." The Sandaime replied dryly, though he held a bit on pride in his voice as he said that last statement. "Now, I doubt it'll be as impressive as your father's, but you still have some time to catch up." Now the old man wasn't even bothering to hide his amusement.

"Bloody fucking hell." Nanashi growled to himself. He then paled before looking back up to the old man. "Oh crap..."

"What is it?"

"Anko... saw me use Hiraishin no jutsu." Nanashi flinched back at the surprised look on the Sandaime's face and he quickly spoke up to explain himself. "It was the only way to avoid that bitch's jutsu!" He grabbed his head again before muttering out softly, mostly to himself, "Damn, did she see me use Rasengan too? Fuck, this could be bad."

The Hokage narrowed his eyes as he went into deep thought. "As far as I'm aware, she hasn't said anything about that yet. At least in the official report. You deal with that issue and make sure she knows not to say anything. For now, I'll deal with the council, but they may summon you eventually. If that happens, avoiding answering as much as possible other than cryptic words. If they push too hard, send them to me. Claim that you are my retainer, like we agreed before, and that you don't answer to them."

Nanashi nodded. "What about Anko? What should I tell her? She's been snooping around about me, you should know. I don't think she's going to take another dodgy answer from me."

"Use your best judgement. If it comes down to it, say that I have classified it and she'll have to ask me."

"What about my request for leave?" Nanashi asked the question again, making sure that the old man would not forget his training trip.

The Hokage simply nodded. "You'll get it, but I'll have some tasks for you to do while out there. I'll send for you in a few days with the details."

Nanashi nodded as he rose from the bed. "Alright. I think I can handle that." He looked around again before asking, "Now where are my clothes? I need to hunt her down before she kills... me."

-/-/-/

Nanashi simply stared at the figure of Mitarashi Anko as she relaxed, sitting back against a tree trunk with a grin on her face. She was drinking sake, the bottle held in her left hand as she drank, an untouched saucer sitting on the ground next to her. Not exactly an unusual sight, at least for the volatile kunoichi. No, what had him more interested was the rope that she held in her right hand. It trailed upwards, taut with tension, looping over a study branch before leading back downwards. The rope trailed downwards until it looped itself around the feet of one Uzumaki Naruto, who was shouting obscenities at the woman. The boy was suspended in the air upside down by the woman's rope, a foot two or three feet off of the ground. The scene was completed by the hissing snake sitting in position beneath the hanging academy student.

"The hell...?"

Anko looked at Nanashi with a nod and gave a sadistic grin from behind her bottle before turning her attention back to the rope she held in her hand. "Care to take back those insults, brat?"

"Fuck you! You damn crazy- OH SHIT!" The boy had started his insult with his voice full of defiance, but it quickly changed as the woman lowered him closer to the hissing snake. The snake wasn't large, but it seemed dangerous, it's hissing a constant as its eyes seem to regard the boy as an interesting treat from its mistress. Anko's eyes lit up in glee as the boy's defiance fled as he tried to bend upwards to keep away from the serpent. She allowed him to dangle dangerously close to the snake before pulling the rope, bringing him back up into the air. The orange-clad would-be shinobi lost his panicked yelps and simply glared at the kunoichi. "You are my new pranking victim. You've totally taken that honor away from Iruka-sensei."

"You've got balls, kid. Keep it up and I might have to break them for you." She replied with a grin as she lowered him to the snake again. She smiled in sadistic glee as he stopped right above her summoned pet, which actually traced its tongue on the boy's face before the boy once again bolted upwards, trying to pull himself up the rope awkwardly.

As she raised him back up again, his glare became glacial. "I'm so getting even with you one day!"

She only chuckled at that. "Well, it's good that you have goals, brat. Of course, I'd be willing to let you go. You just have to apologize to me for calling me crazy. And you'll have to address me as the beautiful Anko-sama."

Nanashi finally spoke up after watching her tease his younger-self. He wasn't sure how long he watched; it was like watching an angered Akimichi. One couldn't help but watch. "Is that... a banded krait?" The question was voiced hesitantly, as if Nanashi was trying to convince himself that some sort of genjutsu had slipped past his anti-genjutsu seal, rather than believing the woman was using interrogation tactics on an academy student who had annoyed , me. Kami, this is damn confusing. How the hell am I supposed to think of him, er... me?

Anko only gave an enthusiastic nod, totally ignoring her prey as she spoke. "Yeah. Say hello to the nameless wonder, Kraitler-chan."

Nanashi's eyebrow actually twitched as the snake seemed to look at him and, did that thing just fucking nod its head at me?Kami, I hate snakes... "Don't suppose I could convince you to stop traumatizing the civilian child?"

"He's an academy student. He can take it."

"Anko..."

Anko brought the bottle back to her mouth for another drink for a moment before placing her chin on the top of the bottle. She gained a speculative look on her face before grinning like a madwomen. "Drinks are on you tonight, and dango is on you for the rest of the week, nameless wonder."

Nanashi only frowned, ignoring the look of disbelief on his younger-self's face. "No deal. Only three days on the dango. You eat more of that junk than is healthy, and a full week's worth of your standards will force me to go back to a gambling house just to get enough to pay for it. You'll get your jutsu as well."

"Decent counter-offer. I can live with that." She nodded her head before rising to her feet. Unfortunately for the local jinchuuriki, this action caused him to drop towards the ground, and the hissing poisonous snake, again unexpectedly. Naruto actually yelled as he collapsed against the ground hard, completely missing the poof of smoke from where Anko had dispelled her summon. The boy dragged himself away from the special jounin with wide-eyes.

Naruto was about to yell something but Nanashi only rolled his eyes before flashing next to the boy and slapping a hand over Naruto's mouth. "Don't make this worse for yourself, kid." He then looked back to Anko with a shrug. "I'll catch you later tonight then. Do me a favor, and keep those jutsu I used on that mission under your fishnet." Seeing her odd look, he simply added, "It'd cause a shit storm if word got out about those. Talk to the old man if you're actually interested."

She shrugged before agreeing. "Whatever, nameless wonder." She then focused her attention on Naruto and grinned again. The boy actually flinched beside Nanashi, and Nanashi idly wondered if his younger self would have actually tried to get behind him as cover had his legs not been tied. "And I'll be seeing you around, brat." She took another swig from her bottle before grabbing the untouched saucer and walking away, leaving the two blonds behind.

Nanashi let out a sigh of relief as he removed his hand from Naruto's hell... How come I know so many crazy people? He looked back to, well, himself. "You alright, kid?"

The boy frowned at Nanashi's form of address before nodding. "I'll be fine. I've dealt with crazier people than that psycho bitch."

"I find that hard to believe, but if you say so." Nanashi said with a hint of amusement. He reached down to Naruto's bound ankles and untied the rope, freeing his younger self. The boy said something to him but Nanashi didn't really register it. This is still so fucked up... So surreal... "What was that kid?"

Naruto merely frowned up at him. "I said, are you alright? You seemed like you were out of it for a bit there."

Nanashi merely shook his head. "Just some memories, kid." He rose to his feet from his previous crouching position and held out his hand for Naruto. The elder blond pulled the younger one to his feet, watching as Naruto brushed some dirt off of his pants before looking back to Nanashi. Nanashi tried, he really tried, but being examined by himself was just creepy. Thinking of something to distract himself from this examination, he finally asked the kid, "feel like some ramen?"

In retrospect, he really should have known the answer before he even asked. The short dinner was interesting though, to say the least. He simply watched as Naruto seemed to shovel ramen down his throat with more speed than a jounin could understand. The boy almost never stopped talking, save when swallowing his noodles. Nanashi dodged most of the boy's personal questions with ease. He knew the kid wanted to see beneath his mask, but unlike with his shinobi comrades like Genma, Hayate, and the rest, he did not want Naruto to see his face. I still have those whisker marks, and despite the way he... I acted when I was that age... he would put something together. Maybe one day I'll come up with something. After all, I have to start him on the family techniques...

All in all, the meal was a surreal experience.

"Old man Hokage said you were really strong, Nanashi-san." The boy said, after finishing off what must have been his tenth bowl of ramen before placing another order. Nanashi watched in bemusement as Naruto placed his newest empty bowl with the others, creating a decent sized stack of dishes.

Nanashi decided to place the fact that he was, in essence, talking to himself, out of his mind and simply treat Naruto as a separate entity for the time being. It's too fucked up not to. "You could say that. I'm a special jounin for a reason."

"Special Jounin? What's so different from being a normal jounin?"

Nanashi paused for a moment, trying to think of a way to answer that question. "Let's just say my skill set is rather... unique." Deciding to move the conversation away from himself, Nanashi asked a question of his own. "You're in the academy aren't you? How do you like it there?" Granted, he already knew the answer but he had to try to make conversation somehow.

Naruto frowned at the question. He looked back to his newest bowl of ramen as he answered. "Eh, it's alright. Really boring though."

Nanashi only chuckled. He had finished his own ramen a while ago and found it amusing as hell that his younger self could outlast him when it came to the noodles. "From what I hear, you find ways to make it interesting for yourself." Seeing Naruto look up at him with a look of surprise, Nanashi clarified himself. "Your pranks are infamous, kid."

Naruto's frown changed to a beaming smile at that. "Damn right! I'm amazing after all." Nanashi only chuckled at the boy's enthusiasm, prompting a scowl from Naruto. "Hey! What's so damn funny?"

Nanashi merely shook his head. "Nothing important kid, you just... remind me of myself when I was your age." Seeing the boy's look of disbelief, Nanashi added, "I was the lowest ranked student out of my graduating class. In reality, I only graduated because of a fluke chance and the Hokage's generosity." Technically true. The old man really should have locked me up after that. I DID steal a kinjutsu scroll after all.

"No way!"

"Why do you have trouble believing that?" Nanashi asked the question with a raised eyebrow at Naruto's expression. It seemed to fade as the boy looked away again.

"I won't ask how you know about that, but I know you're just trying to make me feel better about it." Ah, shit... Not what I was intending...

"Kid, don't worry about it. Rank means shit in the real world." He had to recover somehow, not up for dealing with a depressed... him. When he noticed Naruto had brought his attention back to him, he continued. "In reality, those who get the top scores in the academy are usually full of themselves. They end up getting out into the real world, overestimating themselves, and then getting themselves or their squad mates killed." He paused for a moment, remembering numerous young jack-asses who thought they were ready for battle when they graduated the academy during the war. Most of them died on their first assignment. After all, there was no need for D - ranks during wartime. "No one likes to talk about it, but it's the mediocre academy students who tend to last longest." He shrugged once more before rising to his feet, placing enough ryou down for both his and the boy's meals. "Eh, all this talk. Makes me feel like an old man."

He turned to leave and didn't notice Naruto following him. He raised an eyebrow at it but said nothing as the two walked away from the ramen stand. Nanashi merely watched the familiar glares of hatred and indifference that were leveled at the two of them, but there were also a fair number of curious looks, as if trying to figure out why Nanashi wasn't trying to get away from the Kyuubi vessel. He cast a casual glance down towards the boy only to see that detestable mask he had worn in his youth was covering Naruto's face. He looked ahead of him and remained silent for a few minutes, before finally speaking. "Fuck those idiots, kid. Don't ever let those idiots get the best of you."

Naruto looked up at him with a look of shock. "What?"

"Don't play dumb kid. I know that you aren't as stupid as you pretend to be, and I know that neither of us is blind. Don't ever let those bastards get to you." He paused for a minute before smiling beneath his mask. Ah, what the hell? I've got a few hours before I should hunt down crazy woman. "Tell ya what. I'll show you a ninja trick that will be useful for you to learn, if you're interested. Master it fast enough and I'll even teach you a good jutsu or two."

The boy's face lit up in a beaming smile. "Hell yeah! Let's go! Let's go!"

Nanashi only smirked, shaking his head slightly as he altered their path towards the hot springs. "Sure, you're enthusiastic now. I wonder how long that will last..." He casually commented, hoping to get a rise out of the boy. Heh, if only Ero-sennin could see me now. I suppose it couldn't hurt to start him off a little earlier than expected.

-/-/-/

Nanashi woke up the next with a pounding headache that matched the tempo of the knocks on his apartment door. He rolled out of bed, noting that he smelled like alcohol, and walked over. He ripped open the door and glared at the chuunin who had waiting outside. "This better be good or I'm going to make you wish you'd never been born." His words were laced with a small amount, at least for him, of killing intent that sent the man standing there into a shiver.

"Nanashi-san! I... um, well... the council wants to see you in an hour... Sir!" The man stammered out uncomfortably, wishing he had called in sick that day. He had no idea who this Nanashi character was, but if the rumors he had heard this morning were true, then he wasn't someone to piss off.

Nanashi dropped his killing intent and nodded. "Fine." Noticing the man's sigh of relief, he apologized. "Sorry 'bout that. I was out drinking last night and... well, you know how it goes." The man gave Nanashi a hesitant grin and began walking away easily. Nanashi only sighed as he closed the door and began heading for the shower. Faster than I expected. I've only been awake for about a day. We really must have interested them...

A shower and short breakfast later, Nanashi found himself sitting outside one of the larger meeting rooms in the Hokage's tower. He hadn't ever been called to the council in his own timeline, but had waited outside council meetings on more than one occasion. Of course, this happened less and less as the war dragged on, eventually all power was transferred to Tsunade as the Godaime Hokage. He imagined that if Konoha hadn't fallen to Sound during the war, Tsunade would've done away with the council entirely. After all, most of them were squabbling idiots or clan heads who simply wanted to feel important.

He felt someone fall into the seat next to him and he looked over. He raised an eyebrow in amusement as Anko finished off a few sticks of dango, placing the remains in the small box she had with her. She nodded her head at him but said nothing as she reached for another stick. She looked like she had just rolled out of bed and had been hit by a spinning Akimichi, sure signs of a true hangover. He shrugged before snatching a stick from her box, prompting a growl from the kunoichi, before saying, "You look like hell." He shot her a grin beneath his mask and asked a question that was sure to get an amusing reaction from the volatile kunoichi. "Drink a little too much last night?"

"Fuck off shithead. And don't you dare take another! You still owe me some."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Nanashi commented idly, not really paying attention to the woman. He quickly scarfed down the sweet treats and tossed the stick to a garbage can on the far side of the room. "So, I take it you're here to see the old fools as well?"

She finished the dumpling she had been eating and nodded her head. "Yeah. One of Hokage-sama's errand boys woke me up."

He nodded in understanding. "Just remember what I requested last night, Anko-chan." He paused for a moment, before adding, "actually, I think today will be quite entertaining, if you follow my lead that is."

She shrugged as she finished off the last of her dango, tossing the entire box into the same trash can that Nanashi had targeted earlier. She looked back as if to say something but was cut off as the door to the meeting room opened. An ANBU stepped outside and spoke to the two special jounin. "They're ready for you." The two stood and walked inside, Anko hissing softly into the ANBU's ear as they passed him, prompting a shiver from the man which caused both special jounin to smile. Anko, in satisfaction, and Nanashi, in amusement.

As Nanashi looked over the council, he recognized many of the shinobi there. While he may not have known Shikamaru, Ino, and Chouji's parents that well, he had fought alongside them during the war. Sitting in the upper levels, that old bastard Danzo was sitting immersed in shadows, as if trying to hide the fact that he was there. Hyuuga Hiashi merely stared at the two, his expression betraying nothing, not that Nanashi expected it to. Koharu and Homura, as well as numerous others that Nanashi didn't recognize, comprised the front row of the council.

There was a long period of silence before Homura stood up from his seat to speak. "Special Jounin Mitarashi Anko. Special Jounin, code-name 'Nanashi'. This is an inquiry into mission BA-127/X, the hunting of Enrai Setsuka, the Thunder Empress. You will submit to our questions now."

Nanashi merely looked at the man with a bored expression on what little of his face that could be seen. Anko had a murderous glare leveled at the old fart, obviously remembering when he had given the two of them the mission. "Ask away, elder Mitokado."

If Nanashi's lack of the proper honorific bothered anyone, no one showed it. "Please describe the mission in detail, Nanashi-san." Homura stated his request plainly, no emotion felt in the words. Nanashi idly wondered what the man's game was.

"Am I to understand that you did not read the mission report?" Nanashi drawled casually, hoping to prompt some sort of reaction from the council members. A few looked confused at his question, while others scowled, obviously irritated that someone was daring to question them.

"Just tell us what happened." A new voice this time, and Nanashi found his eyes traveling to Koharu. She didn't look as annoyed as her fellow council members. If anything, she looked amused by his defiance.

Anko spoke for the first time, her voice brash and somehow dripping in annoyance. "Nothing special. We found her, then we killed her. Shit stain here," she motioned her head towards Nanashi, "almost got himself whacked. End of story."

"Mind your words, Mitarashi. Do not forget where you are." One of the men that Nanashi didn't recognize growled out. Nanashi only smirked and nodded to Anko. This should be fun...

"Nice to see that you don't just insult me behind my back, Anko." He commented casually, enjoying the annoyed looks of the men and woman who were waiting for answers. Anko merely shot him a gleeful smile and he chuckled. Ah, so she's game for this as well. Old man Hokage must've given her the same spiel as me. This should be fun.

"Just answer the question." Homura ordered again, his tone betraying his impatience.

Nanashi merely smirked beneath his mask. "Although her choice of words was... unique, Anko is correct. There really is nothing more to say. Nor will I speak more about it."

The voice of Danzo radiated down from his spot in the shadows, a gravelly tone that still grated on Nanashi's nerves. "And that report is spotty at best. I find it hard to believe that two B ranked shinobi were able to subdue and terminate an S class shinobi."

"In all due respect, elder Danzo, I don't give a shit what you believe. The only things missing from the report are our exact skills and abilities. I feel no need to enlighten my potential enemies who sent me on a suicide mission of what I am capable of." Nanashi didn't bother to filter his words. He had sensed someone else listening in on the meeting and a grin formed beneath his mask. Interesting, how long until he shows himself, I wonder... "You said it yourself, you sent two B ranked shinobi after someone on the level of the Densetsu no Sannin. When we were given the mission, we requested backup and were flat up refused, despite the fact that there were reserves available for such a mission." At that statement, members of the council who also served as ninja began whispering amongst themselves. Nanashi exchanged glances with Anko and she nodded back in understanding. Ah, apparently not all of them knew... Curiouser and curiouser...

"You will watch your words during this inquiry, Nanashi." Homura spoke up again, his teeth grinding. Apparently the old man wasn't used to someone not following orders. He took a deep breath before continuing. "We'll come back to the mission later then. Nanashi, it has come to our attention that you are more than what your file states. We wish for you to fill in these discrepancies for us."

"I refuse. Do your own damn research."

Homura was about to speak up again when the tell tale signs of a teleportation jutsu filled the space between Nanashi, Anko and the council. Nanashi merely hummed in amusement, knowing full well who it was, having already sensed him. When spinning smoke and leaves dissipated, the form of the Sandaime Hokage was revealed, all but glaring at the council in a fury that Nanashi had never seen on the man's face before. Nanashi idly wondered how much of it was an act as the Hokage all but yelled at his advisors. "What is the meaning of this?" It was if the voice of a thunder kami had manifested itself in the elder shinobi's throat. Members of the council visibly paled at seeing the outrage on the man's face and more than a few looked much more nervous than they had previously. "Homura! Explain yourself!"

Sarutobi's former teammate looked remarkably calm, despite the rage that seemed concentrated on him from his Hokage. Without any hesitation, he calmly answered. "Hokage-sama. We are conducting a review of a recently completed mission. Certain information seems to be missing, so we are investigating into the matter."

Nanashi and Anko exchanged glances at this but said nothing. I wonder how the old man is going to handle this? He knows that the guy is full of shit... The Sandaime didn't disappoint Nanashi as the glare he leveled on his former teammate dropped to near glacial levels. "I was unaware of anything that could require investigation from the mission debriefing." His eyes scanned the remainder of the council, "perhaps you could enlighten me." It was not stated as a question and even the Hokage's former teammates seemed uncomfortable at the man's intensity.

"Of course..." Homura looked as if he honestly didn't know where to begin. "We're trying to discover exactly how shinobi of Nanashi and Mitarashi's caliber were able to defeat Enrai Setsuka, one of the legendary heroes of Kumo. They are both marked in their respective files as B - ranked shinobi, while the Thunder Empress was easily high A, approaching S rank. To be blunt, there is no way for shinobi of their rank to emerge victorious from such an enemy, so there must be something missing from the report."

"And who assigned such a mission to shinobi of their rank'?" Sarutobi's question was voiced mockingly, though there was a definite edge in his voice that was sharp enough to draw blood. "I have read that report, and I see absolutely nothing wrong with it."

A voice from the back spoke up, gravelly and unpleasant. "Despite the fact that they apparently had contact with Tsunade?" Nanashi's eyes trailed upwards and to the back, resting once again on Danzo. So he somehow knows about that... He wants to show the old man that he knows more than what that report says but he chose the wrong day to try and show off, with the mood the old man is in. "I wonder, Sarutobi, are you are slipping in your old age?"

"Their contact with Tsunade had nothing to do with the mission, nor did Tsunade assist them during their mission. Thus, her presence was completely irrelevant for the debriefing." Danzo didn't seem to react as the Hokage's glare locked on him. "Further more, Danzo, try implying that I am not fit for my position again and I will show you exactly how well I can still fight."

A tense silence covered the room. Nanashi found it all entirely too amusing. They came here to grill me and in the course of ten minutes have risen to trying to question the leadership qualities of the Hokage. Not a smart move, especially when there are shinobi loyal to him in the room. Anko's voice suddenly broke the silence, the woman staring at Danzo with a sadistic grin. "Hokage-sama, should I...?" She trailed off, licking her lips that sent a shiver down several of the council members' spines. Her reputation was well known after all.

Nanashi decided to play it up a bit too. "I'm more than willing to start slitting throats if you want, old man." He said it so casually that many of the council looked at him in open distress, even the shinobi clan heads on the council.

The Hokage looked at Anko and Nanashi with an amused grin that went unseen by the council. "That won't be necessary, I assure you." He then turned his glare back to the council as a whole, ignoring Danzo for now. "Provided, I receive a good answer for why you two are being harassed by this council."

The woman sitting next to Homura spoke next. Sarutobi leveled his glare solely on the female teammate he once served alongside under the reign of his predecessor. "Hokage-sama, please be reasonable. We can't have shinobi running around whose level of skill is..."

"Silence." The Sandaime's words were ice cold and cut the old woman off before she could continue with her half-assed explanation. "I don't care if you don't know his abilities." His straightforward words stunned the group into silence but the elder Hokage wasn't even close to being done yet. "Furthermore, even if this was truly an issue, there is no way I would divulge his strength to this council. Special Jounin Nanashi is a member of my special forces, and that has been marked in his file. He reports to me, and only to me. If I have not listed his abilities in that file, there is a reason for it, and one that is none of your concern, honored council." He paused for a moment before continuing again, one hand opening towards Anko. "As such, due to her exemplary performance on this foolish mission that should have never existed, I am inducting Special Jounin Mitarashi Anko in this group. As of 1600 hours tomorrow, she will answer to me, and only to me. The council's idiocy on this matter has forced my hand."

Anko's look of disbelief was priceless and Nanashi chuckled softly to himself. In reality, it will change nothing, at least while the old man is alive. Though, it could prove interesting in the future. Nanashi nudged her with his elbow with a smirk beneath his mask. "Welcome to the club, snake bitch." He whispered the words only loud enough for her to hear him.

He only continued to grin at her confused look. She would have responded but their attention was once again brought back to the Hokage as he continued to speak. "Don't ever forget that none of you are Hokage! You are advisors to me, nothing more! You do not order my shinobi! Don't ever forget that, because if you ever try something like this again then I will crush you." The old man wasn't yelling, but the edge in his voice was practically daring someone to try and speak back. "I have already begun an investigation into this 'mission'," the man continued, his sarcasm on the word obvious, "and am searching for how it came to be. Rest assured, I know that not all the members of the council were part of this pathetic attempt to eliminate two of Konoha's finest shinobi out of pettiness. However, the ones who played a part in this have their rights on this council immediately revoked. If I find that their betrayal is truly deep, I may even send them to Ibiki."

The Hokage then took a step back, looking over the shocked and deeply nervous expressions that were painting on the faces of the council members. He then let out a little smile, one that looked so out of place on the man who had been raging only moments ago. "I trust that this meeting is adjourned. Nanashi, Anko, you are dismissed." The two exchanged glances before shrugging in eerie unison before walking away.

As the two left the tower, Anko began laughing. Nanashi softly chuckled himself, the scene in the council room finally catching up to him. "I was wondering how he was going to handle those idiots."

Anko stopped laughing and raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "Did you really think the council would get away with purposefully trying to kill us? It wouldn't surprise me if the old coot kicks half of those bastards off the council."

She appeared thoughtful for a moment before shrugging. "Meh, whatever."

Nanashi only shook his head in minor amusement as something came to mind. "Find me sometime tomorrow and I'll have a scroll for those jutsu you've been asking about. I'm going to be leaving on a training trip as soon as the old man okays it. If you want your jutsu, I'll have to put them on a scroll for ya."

She raised an eyebrow at that before stepping closer to him. She cooed softly, a seductive smile on her face as she gently ran her hand down his chest. "Awww, and I was hoping for some... personal... attention, Nanashi-kun."

Nanashi blinked at the woman's odd behavior before letting out a long-suffering sigh. "I'm sure." She smirked as she leaned in closer to him. Warning bells in Nanashi's mind were going off but he fought the urge to react as she drew closer. His body did tense as her head rose towards him and couldn't help but shiver slightly as her hot breath blew on his ear. She has way too much fun doing this. The thought was almost halted as she slid her tongue along his ear lightly, causing him to shiver once again and step away from her with an irritated glare. I just wish she wasn't so damn good at it. "Please don't do that."

She backed off but held a shit-eating grin on her face as she began cackling maniacally, causing a few heads to turn in her direction nervously. Nanashi felt his eyebrow twitching in annoyance as she continued laughing for several minutes. When she finally calmed down, she was smirking. "Oh, so innocent." Her voice was laden with amused sarcasm. "I'll have you know that a great number of men in this village wished I teased them like that."

He only rolled his eyes. "And, although I haven't known you that long, I probably know you better than them." He then gave her a smirk of his own beneath his mask. "Better be careful, snake bitch, or one day I'll end up tying you down and having my way with you."

She only scoffed at his barb. "You? Yeah right. You don't got the balls, nameless wonder."

He shrugged. "A shame we won't have time to test that theory, since I'll probably be leaving the village for a while in a few days." He watched as her eyebrow raised, the question plain on her face. "Eh, training trip. Figured after almost being killed by that woman meant it was time I was due for one."

"Training trip? After THAT mission? Planning on fighting a few more S-rankers sometime soon?"

He shrugged. "Perhaps. There are some things I need to do, and knowing the old man, he's going to load me up with a few long term missions as well."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Does this have to do with why you actually attempted that mission in the first place?" He tried not to flinch from her tone but apparently failed as she continued. "Do you think I'm completely retarded? We could've easily just sat it out until the old man came back and no one would've looked at us differently. And the council would not have been able to do a thing. You had a reason for wanting to take that suicide run, didn't you?"

He looked up at the woman in surprise as she connected the dots. "In a way. Let's just say I'm privy for some information that will become relevant in the future. Just need to get ready for the role I will play, so to speak."

She shrugged. "Whatever. Just don't get yourself killed shitstain. I'd be annoyed as hell if the one person in Konoha who could fight a decent verbal battle with me got himself killed."

He deadpanned, "your overwhelming affection is touching, snake bitch." He then turned away, raising a hand as he began walking away. "Come find me when I owe you more dango. I've got things to do." He heard her say something back to him but wasn't really paying attention. If the old man is lucky, he'll be able to get rid of most of those idiots. I doubt Danzo was dumb enough to be directly linked to it, but this will shake that bastard up a little. His thoughts began trailing away from the confrontation to the council, a smirk coming to his face as he diverted towards the hot springs. I wonder if he's still there... What am I thinking? Of course he'll be. I know him well enough.

-/-/-/

The next few days passed in a blur to Nanashi. That may have been the result of all the celebratory drinking he had done, alongside his fellow survivor, and their associates. Genma and Hayate had openly told him he was full of shit but as he and Anko told, the slightly sanitized version, of what happened that night, they eventually changed their tune from disbelief to open amazement. Yugao, Kurenai, and Anko all seemed to enjoy when Nanashi openly joked about a woman kicking his ass, and it forced him to idly wonder if there was some form of kunoichi-pride thing at work, despite the fact that the same woman almost killed Anko as well.

They had drifted from topic to topic during those nights, but there was one that had surprised Nanashi more than he let off. It was Hayate who had voiced it, between his coughs. "So, tell me Nanashi. Why'd you show that kid the water walking exercise?" Nanashi had simply stared at him in confusion before the man continued after another cough. "The Uzumaki kid. My doctor told me I should spend some time in the hot springs, as a sort of therapy, I suppose. When I was there yesterday, I saw the kid trying to perform the walk walking exercise. When I finally asked, he said that you showed it to him, and something about a bet and jutsu."

Nanashi only shook his head. "Something like that, yes."

The answer didn't clear anything up for the ever-sick shinobi, and his senbon-chewing buddy continued the original query. "So, why?"

"Why not?"

There was a long period of silence between the gathered shinobi. The rest realized, after hearing the story about how Anko and Nanashi had saved the boy, that this was some sort of test. Whatever the connection between the blond-haired fuuinjutsu master and the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, it was significant enough to warrant such a test. Finally, it was Anko who ventured a guess. "'Cause he's an obnoxious little punk?"

Nanashi only chuckled at her reaction before commenting, "you don't like him 'cause he tells the truth about you."

"Fuck you."

Seeing the confused looks from their associates, Nanashi then went on to... enlighten the group about Naruto's 'pet name' for Anko. Needless to say, everyone except the serpentine kunoichi found the story amusing. "The kid... interests me. I'm simply curious." Nanashi trailed off, a new idea forming in his head. A pity I didn't think of this sooner. I could've pulled him from the academy and started preparing him for what's to come...It's too late now. I need to stick to my original plan for now... "Maybe when I come back he will have turned into an interesting shinobi. Hell, maybe see if I can snag the brat into becoming my apprentice."

The simple statement stunned the gathered shinobi into complete silence. Apprenticeship to a genin was rare in and of itself. Apprenticing an academy student, especially the local jinchuuriki, was unheard of. Typically, when genin were formed into cells, it was done so to foster teamwork among the younger shinobi, so that they would be able to integrate themselves into fresh teams whenever a mission called for it. Certain successful teams, like the original Ino-Shika-Cho trio, went on to continue doing missions together as it was far more effective to keep it that way. In this way, one's genin cell was paramount to one's development as a shinobi during their younger years. Genin were taught mostly chakra control techniques, survival and tracking skills, mission etiquette as well as fine-tuning their taijutsu. Elemental chakra and its usage in ninjutsu were often left for the genin to develop themselves as they became Chuunin. Of course, this differed from cell to cell, but that was the general path that jounin sensei led their students on.

Apprenticeship, on the other hand, was much different. Instead of a jounin being assigned a group of students as the rosters for potential jounin-sensei rotated, one had to go through significant paperwork to even be allowed to voice a request to take on an apprentice straight out of the academy. Even then, the final okay had to come from the Hokage himself, making it very time-consuming and tedious process. Since the majority of jounin didn't really want to teach, few bothered with all the red tape. Even those who did wish to pass on their skills to the next generation rarely took apprentices, instead simply waiting until it was their turn in the rotating roster. Once a genin became an apprentice to a shinobi, it was entirely up to that shinobi how that genin would be trained and what skills that genin would develop. While normally, a genin might not delve into elemental chakra until he or she became a Chunnin, a genin apprentice could be started off on that topic itself. The focused training tended to be far more specialized as well as more intense than a normal genin's. In fact, many shinobi who tended to take on apprentices ended up accidentally killing their own students from the intensified training, or the genin quitting as they were pushed down the shinobi path far faster than a normal genin.

Kurenai raised an eyebrow at the claim before stating simply, "I don't understand."

Nanashi leaned back and looked at her with a hint of amusement, like a teacher trying to get an easy topic off his chest. "Okay, a little test for you then, Miss future-jounin." He and the others chuckled slightly as she dipped her head at his acknowledgment, before continuing. "Take what you know of me, and of the kid, and give me a reason why you think I'd be interested in doing so."

The others remained silent, Genma and Anko getting up to go grab some more drinks for the table. They understood that this was a test of sorts, if not just for Kurenai under the guise of 'seeing underneath the underneath', but for all present to reveal what they actually knew about the enigmatic fuuinjutsu specialist. It was several minutes later that the crimson-eyed illusionist ventured a guess. "Does it have to do with... well, 'it'?"

Nanashi raised an eyebrow at the woman in response. While her guess was a valid one, as he had no doubt that Anko had informed the woman of his abilities and his knowledge of how exactly the Yondaime's final technique worked. Surprisingly, she didn't seem to feel any negative feelings towards the boy himself. Then again, Kurenai-sensei always did have a level head on her shoulders. I imagine she was one of the ones who simply thought I was an idiot, rather than a demon. Can't blame her though; before 'that' Chunnin exam, I WAS an idiot. "Partially. I won't deny that at some point I will need to sit down with the kid and explain how that seal works, considering not even old man Hokage knows its full mechanics. A tricky proposition, considering the Hokage's law and all."

"Then...?"

He swirled his drink for a moment before meeting the eyes of his comrades. "When you think about it, it's an obvious conclusion. To put it simply, the boy is potential incarnate. Who wouldn't want a student with potential like that, his faults aside?" He quickly lowered his mask and took a sip of his drink, still mildly amused by the not-so-discreet looks that Kurenai and Yugao gave his face. I bet they're wondering what Kakashi looks like under his mask... He paused for a moment before looking back at Hayate, a questioning look on his face as he replaced his mask. "By the way, how was he doing with it?"

Hayate covered his mouth as he coughed a little harder than normal, Yugao rubbing her hand against the man's back in a soothing action. When he finally calmed down, he spoke, "well... from what I saw he had the basic premise down. Really impressive for a few days work, especially considering he's not even a genin yet." He then smiled at Nanashi, as if amused, before continuing, "I told him that you probably wouldn't accept that as being mastered until he could run laps on the water or do something besides simply stand in place."

Nanashi chuckled slightly. "Well, looks like he made it before I left after all." Nanashi had already received his go-ahead for his trip and was planning to leave in the morning. It was really the reason why the group had gotten together tonight after all. "Good thing I prepared a scroll for him."

"So what jutsu are you going to give him?" Yugao asked politely, mildly interested now.

"Heh, just teach him that crazy lightning blast thing that you owe me." Anko's voice was suddenly right by his ear and he shivered at the though of his younger self with actually destructive techniques like the Thunder Dragon. Kage bunshin is one thing, as it's only just heavy chakra usage. But something near that level that actually 'causes' damage? Kid would end up blowing himself up before he mastered it.

He only looked back to Anko with a shake of his head. "Speaking of..." he said, trailing off as he reached into his coat for something. He finally found it and pulled it out, holding it out for the woman. "One A - rank Raiton technique, one A - rank Suiton technique, and one B - rank Raiton technique; as promised. Do me a favor and burn that scroll once you learn them, and try to not kill anyone when you're trying to learn them."

Anko's eyes widened, despite her already beginning to show signs of inebriation. Her hand shot out like a snake striking at its prey, snatching the scroll away with a sound from her voice that couldn't only be described as a happy hiss. She actually 'snuggled' against the rolled up and bound scroll, causing a few eyebrows to raise. She noticed the odd stares and narrowed her eyes, pulling the scroll away with a small blush on her cheeks. "What?" She snapped irritably, already pocketing the scroll.

"How come I just had the feeling of complete and utter doom wash over me?" Genma's question may have been serious, but no one was able to answer before Anko's fist impacted against his head, sending the man back a few feet. Hence, what may have been an honest question simply became an amusing spectacle as Anko continued to stomp the hell out of Genma.

Nanashi only chuckled before looking to Kurenai with amusement in his eyes. "And here I thought women liked things like jewelry and chocolates." She hit him on the shoulder with a glare before they both turned their eyes back to the scene where a laughing Yugao was trying to pull an irritated Anko away from Genma. Nanashi only continued to laugh, idly wondering, at least my last night in town is an interesting one...

-/-/-/

Nanashi was surprised when he was met the next morning, at Konoha's West gate, by his friends. Kurenai and Yugao were talking to each other, and Hayate and Genma were standing off to the side. While Genma looked to be nursing a massive hangover, Yugao, Kurenai, and Hayate looked perfectly fine. Well, at least as fine as the living sickness ever seems, he thought in amusement as he looked over Hayate. "You guys didn't need to see me off."

Genma merely shrugged. He took the senbon out of his mouth and began twirling it between his fingers without looking away from Nanashi. "Eh, nothing better to do. Hayate and I had the choice between this and paperwork duty, and you're slightly better than having to read over the academy's requests for additional cash."

Hayate mere smirked at his partner in crime's barb and Nanashi only rolled his eyes in response. "Your camaraderie is awe-inspiring, you degenerate man-slut." The two women present chuckled and Nanashi turned his eyes on them. "Good luck on your jounin exam, Yuuhi-san. I expect good things, of course."

Kurenai merely smiled back at him, "of course." She then frowned, looking around. "I can't believe Anko..."

"Heh, just let her sleep it off. She'll have one hell of a headache when she finally wakes up." Nanashi let his prediction slip easily, letting a grin cover his face beneath his mask. A night drinking with that woman is always entertaining. "Though, you may want to tell her to tone it down a bit. While I'm sure most of us found her dancing and singing on the bar amusing, I'm sure she would die of embarrassment if she knew."

Kurenai merely looked at him as if he had grown another head. "This is Anko." Her voice was all that was needed to understand her opinion on the matter.

"Point taken." He looked around once more before saying, "well, I'll be going now. See ya, whenever."

Nanashi turned to leave when Hayate spoke up, his voice raspy as usual. "Hold up."

Nanashi looked over his shoulder at the sickly man and raised his arm in an instinctual movement to catch the spinning object. When he realized what it was he was holding, he simply looked at the kenjutsu master with a raised eyebrow. "What's this?" He asked rather dumbly, his eyes moving back to the sheathed katana. It didn't look like anything special, but the symbol of the Gekkou clan, a crescent moon, was carved into the sheath as well as the blade's grip.

Hayate merely smiled. "I've seen the way you train, Nanashi. Let's just say I'm curious about what you could come up with for the world of kenjutsu on this trip of yours. Prove to me that you're worthy of a blade and maybe I'll lend you a better one when you come back." The man's voice was raspy, but even without the grin on the man's face it was clear that this was a challenge to the time-traveling shinobi.

Nanashi simply grinned, spinning the sheathed blade until it rested against his shoulder. He pulled down his mask and grinned at the sickly man. "Damn right you will. Better not croak before I get back, you walking bag of disease, otherwise you'll miss out." The others laughed at Nanashi's taunt and he joined them shortly after. It didn't last long though, as Nanashi felt a familiar presence approaching and reacted in his usual manner. He tossed the sheathed blade back towards Hayate and hopped a few feet backwards in order to avoid the trio of kunai that planted themselves in the spot where he had been standing. Nanashi let off a smirk, his hands already twisting themselves into his most common seals. Figures she couldn't just say 'so long' like a sane person. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Three Nanashi clones surrounded him and each reacted to the incoming threat in different ways, adding up to a single conclusion.

Moments later, Nanashi and the others were watching as three clones held down one livid Mitarashi Anko. One clone restraining her legs, and one for each of her arms. She all but hissed in irritation as the real Nanashi bent forward over her, hands behind his head as he all but radiated smugness. "Can't you announce yourself with a 'hello' like a normal person?"

The woman hissed before dissolving into mud, leaving the blond dumbstruck before he twisted in place, avoiding the onrush of snakes from the woman's Sen'eijashu technique. A few snakes split off from the rest, wrapping themselves around the clones' throats and snapping their necks, causing them to poof into nothingness from the unexpected attack. The majority of the snakes tried to close in on him again but he was replaced by a block of wood that they crushed into splinters before retreating back to the sleeve of their mistress' coat. She slowly turned her head to see the group staring at her, along with Nanashi who was looking at her with a hint of amusement. "Tch, it's a tie this time, nameless wonder."

"Of course, Anko-chan." Nanashi deadpanned, trying to force himself to not laugh at the childish pout that was on her face as his having escaped her clutches. "Maybe if you're a good girl, one day I'll let you win." He grabbed his blade back from Hayate as he continued to taunt the woman, his face curling into a grin beneath his mask.

She lost the childish pout and simply snarled at him, already settling herself into a fighting stance. "Care to place your money where your mouth is, shithead?"

"Oh, and what do I win out of it, Anko-chan?"

"The right to keep your nuts." She hissed, glaring at him.

She stiffened when she felt the edge of a kunai against her throat, another Nanashi standing behind her. "Again, this fascination of yours with my testicles. Do you have a collection of head boards with your other victims or something in your apartment?" The Nanashi behind her shook his head after asking that. "Wait, don't answer that. I'd rather not know."

Her eye twitched a few times before she sighed. "Alright, you win. Tricky clone using bastard..." The last part was mumbled under her breath as the water clone holding her dispersed. She let out a yawn before speaking again, her hyper and irritated tone gone. "See ya later and don't get yourself killed, you pain in the ass."

"Where do you get off calling someone else, a pain in the ass?" Genma asked sarcastically, the group finally being brought into Nanashi and Anko's usual quarrel. They all seemed highly amused by this exchange, despite having seen it so many times before.

The man was forced to duck as a trio of kunai were sent flying in his direction. "Watch it, toothpick." Anko's voice growled out, a small blush evident on her cheeks. Nanashi merely chuckled before fishing out a scroll from his coat. He tossed it to the woman who caught it with a confused expression. "Another scroll? You already gave me..."

"It's not for you, woman. Remember how we talked about me teaching the kid a few tricks? Give that to him when he masters the exercise I gave him, and no, you won't be able to open it." He added that last part as he saw the speculative gleam in her eyes at the prospect of even more jutsu from the enigma's library.

"Tch, whatever." Her tone indicated annoyance but Nanashi could see it in her eyes that she would do as he requested. There was something else in her gaze that he couldn't make out, despite it being ruthlessly familiar.

He shrugged before giving the group a final glance over. "This is it folks, see ya." Suddenly feeling the urge for a dramatic exit, he formed a hand seal and vanished in a swirl of leaves.

There was an odd silence before Yugao scoffed. "Typical man. Had to show off a bit because he was embarrassed that someone had actually seen him off."

The others shrugged but Anko merely pouted again. Shiranui Genma couldn't help but shiver at that expression and the familiar sense of doom that usually followed with it. "Aw, now that the shit stain is gone, who's going to be my punching bag?" She started off sounding innocent, but her smirk turned vicious as she ended her statement, her eyes gleaming over the others nearby.

Genma wondered why everyone suddenly took a step back and was scared to see that everyone gathered was a few feet away from him now. Not only that, they were pointing at him with nervous smiles on their faces, and it dawned on him that they were simply answering the quasi-psychotic kunoichi's question. As he saw the sadistic glow in the serpentine kunoichi's eyes, he couldn't help but whimper in fear.

Damn it Nanashi! I'm going to get you for this!

---

Shichigatsu – Japanese word for July (or so I'm told).

Banded Krait - A poisonous snake that lives in the Indo-Chinese subregion. For more information, consult 'Banded Krait' page on wikipedia. (A glorious website for odd information.)

I have to say that I was quite amused at how many people thought I killed Nanashi off at the end of the last chapter, if the reviews I was getting were any indication. It makes me glad that I didn't throw the ending line that I originally planned to, as it would sound EVEN MORE like he had died. It wasn't until I finished the chapter that I realized I could have taken the story in several completely different directions at that point (a few which people messaged me with to see if I was going to go that route that were quite promising, and if I had not already planned this story out, more or less, I would have been tempted to try.)

Short Appendium on the Raikouhou Technique from the last chapter as well as this one. I mentioned that Nanashi knows this technique, and obviously, during the war, he used it at least once. However, without the Kyuubi-sized reserves, he can no longer perform the technique. In all likelihood, we will not see this technique again, as it really is not useful for conventional shinobi confrontations. If you think he's saving it for a fight with Orochimaru, rest assured. What I have planned for that eventual fight will be more than enough.

Now, the plan originally was going to do one more little thing(See next paragraph) before jumping into the beginning of the main storyline. Nanashi was going to return from his trip shortly after Team 7 returns from the Wave mission. (It's never really stated how much time is between the Wave mission and the exams, or for that matter, how much time after graduation before they go to Wave. No, Nanashi will not be taking on a team. He will most likely become an oddity that drops by the Konoha 12 and occasionally imparts advice to the genin. It'll be after his return that we'll start seeing the after-effects of his 'existence' in past-Konoha, especially in regards to his past self.

I was thinking of doing one more 'filler' chapter before going on. It would mostly consist of another flashback, as well as a few stories of what's going on while Nanashi is traveling, whether those be focused on Nanashi, Anko, Naruto, etc. In the end, they, like the flashback in this chapter, do not really add anything to the main plot. They should be short, as there will probably be a few for each of the characters (a few paragraphs to a few pages at most). I apologize if this bothers people, but doing this the way I plan to will make things easier on me.

One or two people have been asking about Kyuubi as well. Nanashi will not ever come into contact with Kyuubi ever again. Kyuubi is in his younger self. He will not suddenly regain access to unlimited reserves. For intents and purposes, to Nanashi, Kyuubi is dead. Naruto, on the other hand...

Once again, thanks for all the kind words and criticism. Until next time.