Daze
Chapter 30: The death of innocence
A/N: We're in the thick of it folks, hang on, and read along as the journey spirals further into chaos. Hope you enjoy it.
Edit: This chapter is told in time jumps, I wouldn't normally put a disclaimer for something like this but a few readers were confused in some of the earlier chapters so it seemed necessary.
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"Everyone's here, let's begin"
From beneath the orange spiral a man's lone eye shone with cold crimson light.
"Kakuzu and Hidan, is it true?"
The shark man Kisame stood atop a stone finger staring at the leader who sat atop the head of a massive statue.
"Yes, they've been captured by Leaf ninja, that's why we're sealing the four and five tails together,"
The masked man's green scarf flapped in the updraft present in the cave.
"-If the villages are going on the offensive against us then we've run out of time, luckily that traitor Karasu was able to secure the Two and three tails before his departure."
A soft feminine voice flat and cold spoke up.
"We've located the six tails, Pain will begin the capture mission immediately after the sealings are complete."
The masked Uchiha nodded.
"Considering the six tails as already ours, that only leaves the One tail Shukaku, and the Eight tails monster Ox uncaptured."
Turning to the shark man Madara pointed.
"Kisame, you will capture the eight tails."
Deidara chimed in curious.
"So Sasori and I will catch the One-tail then?"
Madara shook his head.
"The one who will capture that beast is already decided."
Sasori coldly spoke.
"And that is?"
A raspy older man's voice spoke from the shadows of the room.
"That would be me."
"Ah Danzo, you've finally arrived."
The older man stepped up to the base of the statue gripping his cane.
"I will honor our agreement Madara Uchiha, but when I bring you the Shukaku I expect our bargain will be held?"
The masked Uchiha nodded.
"You will have your village Danzo of that I assure you, The Akatsuki has no interest in controlling nations."
Danzo hnn'd, his Root forces carrying in Hidan who was still broken to pieces.
"Someone fix me already, I'm a person, not a God damned Manji!"
Danzo stared, his lone onyx eye coldy analyzing the lone crimson eye of the Uchiha leader.
"My Root agents will defend the base of course, and you can have your soldier back, his incessant rambling is deafening to my ears."
One of the root agents tossed Hidan roughly to the ground.
"Zetsu, take Hidan to the backroom and repair his body."
"Hai Madara-sama/Do we really have to?"
The black half of Zetsu groaned in annoyance as they lifted Hidan over their shoulder.
Madara stared Danzo down.
'You must think yourself ahead of us, student of Tobirama, but you don't comprehend the depth of what's to come,'
Underneath his mask Obito smirked darkly.
'-even if you win your prize, it won't matter, Project Tsuki No Me is nearly complete.'
One week earlier…
Shizune marched through the halls of the Hokage estate anxiously reaching out to the Hokage door, she prepared herself for the nightmare to come.
Pulling the door open she looked at the Lady kage who sat drinking sake with Jiraiya, the sleeves of her shirt were halfway off her chest revealing an ample amount of cleavage.
Jiraiya had his eyes pointed down her shirt and was currently massaging her back and shoulders.
Both were obviously intoxicated.
"Shizune… Mmhg... this better be important."
Shizune nodded, sweating.
"It's bad Tsunade-sama, My team was completely destroyed, and the Akatsuki we were researching escaped."
Tsunade growled clenching her fist.
"What now!"
Shizune looked down.
"Based off the damage, it seems likely that it was an inside job, most likely a stray ROOT left behind by Danzo."
Tsunade sighed composing herself despite her immense anger.
"Very well Shizune, it's become clear that our enemies are much more formidable than we ever anticipated, it's time we took the nuclear option,"
Tsunade stood up fixing her shirt and staring intensely at her disciple.
"Shizune, send the message, I'm calling for a Five Kage summit to be held within the week."
Shizune's eyes widened.
"A five kage summit, it's been decades at least, are you sure they'll answer the call?"
Tsunade nodded.
"They will when they see what it's about."
Shizune bowed, rushing out of the room and Jiraiya let out a sigh.
"There's no chance we're going to finish our prior engagement, is there?"
Tsunade grabbed him roughly by his shirt collar.
"After you left the village for months on end, not even Kami-sama himself could stop this, drop your pants..."
Jiraiya nodded, blushing from the sake.
'Wow it's like something out of my best adolescent dreams,"
"NOW."
Jiraiya paled.
'Or nightmares.'
A few days earlier...
Naruto sighed, sitting on the top step outside of his apartment.
He saw Tayuya arrive in her black dress.
"You ready Naru-kun?"
He nodded standing up and walking down to meet her.
"As ready as I can be, no-one looks forward to a funeral."
They walked each holding a bouquet of all white flowers given to them by Ino.
They arrived at the memorial sight and saw Choji towards the front of the crowd crying while Ino held him and Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Pa, why…"
The large boy sniffled.
"-why'd it have to be you?"
Ino held him in her arms gently brushing his hair.
"It's okay Choji-kun, let it all out."
Kakashi was giving a sad side glance to the Memorial which had the pictures of several ninja, chief among them was Choza, and the one which drew Kakashi's gaze;
A man with spiky brown hair and onyx eyes.
'Choza… Tenzo…'
Kakashi looked up at the sky pained in his chest.
'Am I nothing but an omen of death for my friends?'
Anko placed her hands on his arm and made him look down at her.
"I know what you're thinking, stop it; this isn't your fault, they volunteered for this mission knowing the dangers, they're heroes just like Minato, just like Obito."
Kakashi nodded.
"Even still… why is this the life we choose, for us, and the ones we love most."
Anko sighed.
"Maybe, it needs to be us, who else could endure all this pain, and still make a positive impact,"
She brushed his hand with hers.
"-we're Shinobi, Kashi-kun, we'll endure."
Kakashi sighed, patting Choji's back as he stared at the woman.
"You're right of course, as their sensei, I have no right to whine to myself."
Naruto stepped up, giving Choji a half hug and setting his bouquet on the memorial.
"Sorry for your loss Choji, I'm here for you."
Tayuya gave an uncharacteristic show of emotion hugging the boy and whispering something into his ear which made him smile a bit.
Naruto looked at her intrigued.
"What'd you say to him?"
Tayuya chuckled softly.
"I just said he looks good in a suit, I didn't know it'd make him so happy."
Naruto chuckled.
"From you he knows it's true, that's why he smiled."
Naruto smiled softly.
'She's come so far.'
Sasuke and Sakura arrived setting their flowers on the memorial.
"Hey Sasuke-kun, Sakura-chan."
Naruto's teammates smiled at him, heading over to give Choji their condolences.
Naruto was sad on the surface, but in his chest hot anger was building.
'Danzo did this, I will make that bastard pay.'
Tayuya noticed Naruto's nails bleeding his palm as he clenched his fist.
A few weeks earlier…
It had been a day since Naruto and Sasuke had the bandages removed from their eyes and Naruto was looking forward to stretching his legs.
With some heavy convincing from He and Sakura they got Tsunade to agree to let them visit Oltier in her confinement.
That's where he headed, approaching the gate he saw Sakura already waiting.
"Hey, Sakura…"
She nodded curtly.
"Look Naruto, this isn't a social visit, we're only seeing her because Inoichi thinks it might be easier to pass her mental barriers if we get her to drop her guard beforehand."
Naruto nodded responding with an annoyed cold affect.
"Sakura with all due respect, I'm not a child, so don't treat me like one."
Sakura recoiled a bit as he had never spat at her with such cold venom before.
"R-right, sorry."
The two of them were approached by Inoichi who gave them a warm bow.
"Thank you for taking me up on the offer, I wasn't sure if Tsunade would approve of it, but it's of crucial import we see what her memories have hidden from us."
The man led them out of the village and towards the border with the land of earth.
After a few hours of travel they arrived at the subterranean entrance which led to Black site Alpha as it had been dubbed.
Passing through several levels of security with deeply personal ties to the man to confirm his identity they arrived at the interior.
Inoichi stopped Naruto with a hand to his chest.
"I want to warn you before we enter, Oltier Shimura isn't handling her confinement well healthwise, so her appearance may elicit shock, but don't do anything impulsive."
Naruto looked at the man confused and annoyed.
"What do you mean?"
Inoichi sighed.
"Just, don't do anything rash."
Following the man the final door to the antechamber opened and they stepped inside.
Oltier turned to face them and Naruto paled.
Her hair was ghostly white and her body was pale and malnourished.
Naruto slowly and methodically spoke with no affect being shown but it was evident he was incensed.
"Oji… Has she been fed at all?"
Inoichi nodded.
"This isn't the result of starvation, it seems with her chakra disabled her kekkei genkai has been attacking her body, this is the result."
Naruto growled, and Sakura paled knowing one of his famous outbursts was brewing.
"This is inhumane, I don't care how big of a threat you think she COULD be, with Danzo gone you have no cause to hold her, least of all if this is the result!"
Inoichi stepped back.
"Naruto it's not that simple!"
"Not that simple my ass, she should be taken to a hospital and treated with compassion like a human not held in a prison which is slowly killing her!"
Sakura went to chime in but Naruto's crimson gaze turned to her and the words froze in her throat.
"She's leaving with me, and I'll take full responsibility for her actions."
Inoichi shook his head.
"That's not possible, Tsunade-sama would never approve."
Naruto growled.
"With all due respect… Inoichi-san I don't give a rat's ass what Oba-chan approves of in this instance."
Naruto pointed to the translucent purple barrier covered in a wood dome and seal tags.
"Take the barrier down or I'm breaking it down."
Inoichi shook his head.
"They'll only take it down at my command, and I won't take it down until you've calmed down, besides not even a Kage could break through that barrier."
Naruto looked at Oltier fetal-sitting folding her arms into her frail body, her amber eyes stared at him with some melancholy emotion though she couldn't hear them.
He saw in her place a boy held in a small cage for weeks in binds, taken from one prison to another.
And he felt something snap.
Sakura paled as his Eternal Mangekyou glew with cold light, an Orange Spectral skeleton rose from his body, it was wrapped in muscle and skin, and formed a hooded cloak.
Naruto's vision turned to the barrier and the Susanoo roared, rearing back it's fist, it crashed into the sphere with the might of will and to the awe of Inoichi the barrier shattered to pieces.
"I-Impossible, we tested it with everything the village had to offer, even Tsunade was powerless to break it."
Naruto looked at him impassively.
"You said it took the power of a Kage, so I reached beyond that power, if that's what it took to free her."
Naruto stepped into the center room, his Susanoo fading.
Looking down at Oltier he smiled.
"Sorry it took me so long to visit Oltier-chan, come on, let's take you somewhere more comfortable."
Inoichi and Sakura looked at the boy who touched the ground picking up the frail girl in one arm.
"Naruto wait, you can't!"
He ignored them, placing his hand on a small ninneko which reverse summoned them away.
"D-Damn that boy."
Sakura folded her face into her palm.
"This doesn't bode well for us, or him."
Naruto and Oltier arrived at a compound in the middle of an abandoned city.
Oltier coughed.
"W-what is this place Naruto?"
Naruto smiled reassuringly.
"This is Nekomata's place, don't worry you'll feel better soon."
Setting the girl down he opened the door to the building and flipped on the light.
"Welcome to my home away from home."
Oltier marvelled as she saw the cozy looking Edo home filled with Ninneko.
"Koko-chan did you grab what I asked?"
A small black tabby with a pink bow ran over with a jar of medicine in her mouth.
"Hai Naruto-sama welcome back, who's your friend?"
Before he could answer a small grey cat with a green scarf ran over.
"Naruto-sama it's been too long."
Naruto smiled.
"Hey Koichi-kun."
Naruto scratched the Ninneko's ear, earning a pleased purr in return.
Naruto picked Oltier back up, setting her gently on the couch in the center of the room.
The grey cat Koichi hopped up in her lap and laid down.
Naruto took the medicine from Koko's mouth, thanking her with a gentle head pat.
Opening the jar of medicine he pulled the grey dust out and poured some of it into his hands.
"Open your mouth."
Oltier looked at him cautiously.
"W-what is it."
"Canephron powder, it'll make you feel better, please let me help you."
She nodded, opening her mouth weakly.
He funneled with the tips of his fingers pouring the powder into her mouth where it slid down her throat with saliva.
She coughed.
"W-why did you save me?"
Naruto smiled down at her pained sympathy on his face.
"I-I know what it's like to be a prisoner, it's the worst feeling in the world."
She nodded matter-of-factly.
"Being in that hole… it reminded me of when I was small."
Naruto looked at her curiously.
"When you were small?"
She looked away from him emotionally.
"I don't remember what it was like before, I'm told there was a time when I had a family, but, the first thing I remember is Orochimaru-san, he's the one who gave me that name, Oltier."
Naruto felt himself sickened at the thought of another life ruined by the Snake's influence.
"He put you in a prison?"
Oltier nodded softly.
"He told me that was my purpose in life, that's what my name means, 'one who toils in darkness.'"
Naruto felt his heart weighted down by the girl's words.
"How can you live like that?"
She smiled sadly.
"It's the only world I've known Naruto-san, even with Danzo-sama; he gave me a new name, a new purpose, but it was just another cage."
She folded sadly into her own knees.
"Sai-niisan told me that when someone lives in darkness so long they have to find a new source of light, so I did… but Danzo-sama worried that my attachment was a weakness,"
She looked at her feet thoughtless.
"He kept deploying Sai-ni on long term missions, he told me with each mission that I could see him again soon, but soon never came."
She started to tear up, coughing a bit into her hand which was stained red by the blood.
Naruto walked over, laying her down and placing a gentle hand on her head.
"Don't get too worked up, I've been watching your chakra since we arrived here, it seems your normal chakra is starting to return, but when you get emotional it spikes your other chakra."
He held her hand softly and she nodded up at him.
"D-do you think I'm going to die soon?"
Naruto shook his head.
"No, you're not, you still haven't seen your brother right, if you really love him, then you'll hold on for him, you just need to restore your health, and I'll help you do that, I promise."
She looked up at him weakly.
"Y-you promise?"
Naruto gave her a thumbs up and a bright smile.
"I promise for life, you won't die while I'm still here."
She closed her eyes, relaxing a bit and began to doze into a light sleep.
"Koko, Koichi watch over her while I'm not here."
The Ninneko nodded dutifully both curling up with the sickly girl.
Naruto sighed deeply, summoning himself back to the black site.
Naruto appeared in the center of the chamber where Sakura and Inoichi were.
"Naruto you're back, where's Oltier?"
"Resting, somewhere you'll never be able to reach."
Inoichi sighed.
"Naruto, what you've done is stupid and dangerous, that girls power is still beyond our understanding if she returns to Danzo w-"
"She won't return to Danzo, and even if she did, this is a fate worse than death, I'll never let it happen."
Inoichi looked at Naruto critically.
"We have Kakuzu of the Akatsuki in an identical site, do you intend to free him as well, or is this because of feelings you harbor for Miss Shimura?!'
Naruto looked at him bluntly.
"Kakuzu-san's prison won't give him a slow and painful death, and yes, it does bother me that he is being held in such a manner, but given his nature I understand why it is precient,"
Naruto sighed with a tinge of annoyance.
"-As for your implication that I might harbor romantic feelings for Oltier-chan I can assure you that is unfounded, I am in a serious relationship with Tayuya-chan."
Naruto looked away softly.
"I just see bits of Tayuya, and my past self in her, she's someone who needs me, and I won't fail her now."
Naruto offered his wrists.
"Take me to Tsunade, I'll face whatever charges she sees fit to impose, but I won't give you Oltier under any circumstances."
Sakura stared at him wearily.
"You can be a real headache for the people around you, Naruto, if Tsunade doesn't take this well we're all gonna regret it."
She bent down, placing ninja wire around his wrists.
Inoichi sighed as the girl escorted Naruto out of the base.
"Let's get this over with."
"You WHAT?!"
Naruto winced as the woman grabbed him by his shirt collar growling.
"I won't apologize, and I won't falter."
Tsunade stared him down.
"Is that so?"
Naruto stared defiantly.
Tsunade sighed, dropping the boy.
"You brat, why are you always so hot headed."
Naruto chuckled.
"I guess I'm just built different."
Tsunade pressed her fingers to her temple.
"Sakura, Inoichi, it's evident Naruto couldn't have been stopped or swayed with words, get him out of my sight before I lose my temper."
Sakura bowed gratefully, yanking the blonde by his ear.
On their way out Tsunade gave Naruto an intense stare.
"Naruto, if she becomes a problem, you're the one to clean it up, is that understood."
Naruto assumed a deadly serious tone.
"Hai Hokage-sama."
Current day…
Naruto arrived outside the compound opening the door and looking inside, Oltier sat on the couch holding a cup of hot tea, she smiled when she saw him.
"Hey... Naruto-san."
He looked at her, noting how much her health had improved, her white hair had regained streaks of purple, and her skin was darker, with her healthy curves returning to her body.
"You're looking good, Oltier-chan."
She nodded gratefully.
"I think your medicine really helped me, I'm grateful for the kindness you have shown me."
Naruto smiled gently at his surrogate little sister.
In their time together she had become someone very precious to him, and part of him understood how Itachi must have felt about him.
He felt like he could trust her especially after she had opened up about the invasive experiments on her body which awakened her power "Jikan"
Mutual trust had formed between the two of them in the weeks which he had taken care of her.
"Oltier, It's time you return to the village, not as a prisoner, but as a member of the leaf."
She looked at him surprised.
"But… will they welcome me back, I've done so much wrong."
Naruto nodded.
"I spoke with Tsunade and we came to an agreement, rejoin Team Kakashi help us capture Danzo, we need you for this, will you do this for me, for you, for the sake of the village?"
Oltier looked overwhelmed as she held her cup in her hands.
"I-I don't know Naruto, Danzo… he scares me, if I face him, I don't think I'll leave there alive."
Naruto placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"I promised you Oltier, remember, I won't let you die, with these two hands I'll protect you, until my dying breath."
He stuck his fist out passionately smiling at her with his crimson eyes.
She clutched her chest with her hand smiling and blushing lightly.
"O-okay, I'll do it."
Naruto nodded pleased at her.
"Let's return to the village, I'm sure you could use the air."
He offered her his hand and she accepted it.
'He's so warm… just like you… nii-san.'
She smiled, her amber eyes glistening.
The two returned to the village and Oltier unconsciously held Naruto's arm for reassurance.
She felt like a stranger, an enemy.
But it was Ino who they saw on the street who smiled at her.
"Oltier, you're finally back!"
The blonde wrapped her in a hug and she blushed.
"Y-you're happy to see me?"
Ino nodded, still smiling.
"Of course, we've all been worried about you, none of us blame you for what happened, that was Danzo who got in your head, the real you is the one who chose to save Naruto."
Naruto agreed, gripping the girl's arm reassuringly.
"You don't have to hide in the shadows Oltier, we're all here for you, we're your friends."
Oltier choked up a bit, tears welling up in her eyes as she bowed down.
"T-thank you, thank you so much."
"Excuse us Ino, we were just headed to the Hokage estate."
The blonde Yamanka bowed.
"I was just about to take Choji-kun out on a date to Yakiniku anyway, good luck on your mission guys."
Naruto and Oltier walked to the Hokage estate and Sakura waited outside the gate.
"S-Sakura-san…"
Oltier flinched as the girl quickly swiped out with her arm.
To her surprise Sakura opened her hand revealing a scroll.
"It's for you, Gaara wrote to you while you were away."
"He did?"
Oltier blushed taking the scroll gratefully from the girl's hand and opening it.
'It's been long since our last correspondence, I do apologize for this Oltier-san, so much has happened since last we wrote, I've been named the Fifth Kazekage, and my position allows me little room for luxuries such as this;
Still, long you've lingered on my thoughts, you seemed troubled in your last letter, and I almost made a trip down to Konoha to check on you, my brother urged against this though, Temari said "Follow your heart." Cryptic as ever…
But I've hoped for you, that you find your way in these troubled times, so that one day we can smile and laugh again;
When next I visit, I would want to take you to this place Baki spoke of... to eat together, would that be okay with you? I anxiously await your reply. - Your faithful swimming partner, Gaara.'
Oltier felt her heart skip a beat as she stepped back clutching the letter to her chest.
'G-Gaara-san…'
Naruto and Sakura stared at her expectantly and she blushed.
"S-sorry, he's doing well, please, let's see the Hokage."
The trio headed into the office and Sasuke, and Kakashi were waiting.
When Oltier saw Kakashi she fell to her knees bowing tearfully before the man.
"K-Kakashi-sensei, I'm so sorry, please forgive me I'm begging you."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she clutched his pant leg sniffling.
Kakashi looked at her with his warm onyx eye, feeling a pang in his chest, he looked away aloofly.
"Yeah, well, I suppose just this once I can overlook it…"
Sakura rolled her eyes.
'That big softie, trying to act cool.'
Tsunade watched the display and sighed looking at Naruto.
The two shared a conversation entirely through eye contact.
'I suppose you were right, she seems genuinely remorseful and wracked with pain.'
'I told you, she just needed someone to understand her and genuinely care.'
Tsunade cleared her throat as Naruto helped the girl to her feet wiping her tears off on his jacket.
"Well, Team Kakashi your mission is as follows Find Danzo and-"
An urgent knock was heard on the door before it was flung open a messenger corp ninja running in with a scroll.
"Tsunade-sama urgent report, The Akatsuki infiltrated the sand village, Danzo was seen among their numbers, and they've captured the Kazekage!"
The room froze all recoiling in shock at the sudden declaration.
Each had a different reaction.
Anger for Naruto and Tsunade, horror for Oltier, sympathy from Sakura, and unreadable tension for Kakashi and Sasuke.
Tsunade nodded.
"Thank you return to the cypher corp. we'll handle it from here."
The man bowed excusing himself.
Tsunade redoubled her focus on the squad.
"Team Kakashi, head to Sunagakure, meet with the Kazekage's band and find Danzo,"
Tsunade folded her hands with an intense gaze.
"-Your new mission is to rescue Gaara before it's too late, and eliminate Danzo; if he's joined the Akatsuki he's too dangerous to let live."
Kakashi and the others bowed.
"Hai Hokage-sama."
They rushed from the room with urgency.
Tsunade buried her head in her hands.
"Danzo you bastard… What is your plan?"
A few hours earlier… Sunagakure
Smoke billowed from the ruins of the village as Danzo leisurely walked from the wreckage carrying a battered and unconscious Gaara on his shoulder.
Behind him Sasori and Deidara flew on clay dragons looking dissatisfied at the carnage.
Sasori brushed red hair from his face staring back at the fallen form of his grandmother he felt remorse building in his chest and was forced to bury it deep beneath his duty.
'Chiyo-Baa-chan…'
Deidara also sighed, staring at the ugly ruins of the scorched village.
'This isn't art, but Madara gave us our orders.'
Danzo for his part was satisfied, having no space for pity when it came to rival villages.
"Now that we have the Shukaku, your leader will help me retake the leaf from that feeble princess,"
Danzo smirked his wrinkled lips.
"-you Akatsuki will be worthy allies, you've shown today that you have what it takes to crush a village."
Gaara groaned sand falling from his face and leaving a trail behind them.
Sasori noticed this from the corner of his eye, but chose to ignore it, for reasons unknown to him.
X END X