{April 21st, 071 - Flashback}
"So, tomorrow?" Itachi asked, sitting on the rooftops as he and his closest friend gazed out into the night sky.
"Yeah, Anko's pissed," Naruto sighed. "I really hope she understands. She means so much to me, ya' know?"
"You love her," the Uchiha stated simply.
"What the hell, Itachi?!" Naruto blushed.
"I don't see what's wrong with that. The three of us have been friends for years."
"Yeah, it doesn't change the fact that I'm eleven! I'm too young for that!"
"You can't be too young for love, Naruto. Besides, in this life, it is best to find things that bring you happiness and hold on tightly to them. Never let them go because you never know when you won't be able to hold them again."
"You've always been too philosophical for your own good, you know that?"
"I'm not sure I follow what you mean."
"Sure you don't, Uchiha. Why'd you call me out here anyway?"
Itachi sat in silence for a moment, simply thinking. "I wish to make a request from you, as my closest friend."
"Well...yeah. What's up?"
"Should anything happen to me, I want you to look after Sasuke."
"Wait...WHAT?" Naruto demanded. "What the hell do you think is going to happen to you, Itachi?"
"I don't know, Naruto. It's simply a feeling I have," Itachi replied simply, still gazing at the moon. "Perhaps the feeling means nothing, but I do fear for the future."
"Never thought I'd see the day," Naruto scoffed. "Fine. I'll keep an eye on that brother of yours. He really means a lot to you."
"He's my brother. It's my job to be there for him, even if it's only as an obstacle...even if he hates me."
"Tch. Don't go all emo on me."
"I apologize. It's just very important to me that Sasuke is safe. He's my brother. You know the pain of losing a sibling, even if it's one you've never met. While I sympathize with your pain, I cannot understand it, and I never truly wish to."
"Yeah…" Naruto admitted. "I mean, I never met her, but it doesn't mean it hurts any less, you know? I really did wish to meet her. That was what I wanted almost more than anything else."
"That's why I'm asking you. As my best friend and as someone who knows the pain of losing someone you love."
"Alright, you've got a deal, Itachi. Just do the same for me, ok? If I get in over my head, keep an eye on Anko. It would break me if something happened to her because I went off and got myself killed…"
"I understand." Itachi sat in silence for a moment before donning an uncharacteristic smirk. "I told you you loved her."
"DAMMIT, ITACHI!"
{February 8th, 072 - Flashback - Naruto's Mindscape}
"So, you are the Nine-Tailed Fox I've heard so much about," Itachi said simply, gazing up towards the fox with an impassive look.
"Filthy Uchiha…" he growled, blasting the young teen with the full might of his killer intent. "How are you here? You're far from strong enough to control me."
"I have no desire to control you. I've simply come to speak with you while Naruto is otherwise...preoccupied." Itachi gestured to Naruto who was standing and staring at nothing, his eyes glazed over blankly.
"If you weren't outside of this damned seal with the kit, I'd rip you to meat and bone."
"I'm surprised you aren't thankful. You seem to have an immense distaste for my clan."
"I'll thank you for ridding the world of those filthy ingrates by making your death quick."
"Very well, I shall speak my peace and then leave your presence. I want you to let Naruto implant a Sharingan into his left eye."
"WHAT?!" the fox roared, slamming himself against the seal. "HOW DARE YOU REQUEST HE PUT ONE OF THOSE VILE ABOMINATIONS INSIDE HIMSELF?"
"Because of what I've discovered," Itachi said simply. "You see, I've met Madara Uchiha."
"I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU AND HANG YOUR FLESH FOR THE VULTURES!"
"Madara assisted me in slaughtering the clan and offered me shelter in his organization, known as the Akatsuki," Itachi told him. "He said that the figurehead was someone very special, a direct descendant of the Legendary Sage of Six Paths."
"Damn you, Madara Uchiha…"
"I wish to give Naruto the chance to gain the power he needs. Not only will he need to be far stronger should Madara come to power, but if there is any truth to his puppet being a descendant of the sage…"
"The world as we know it will come to an end…" the fox growled. "Tell me, Uchiha, why I shouldn't send you to the gut of the Shinigami for being in my presence."
"Because, whether you admit it or not, you care for Naruto. I wish to ensure that he is safe."
"And that's why you've sent his mental state into turmoil," the Kyuubi said, gesturing to the mindscape around them. The sky was beginning to crack and the light was turning back into darkness.
"The truth of this day cannot be revealed to anyone. The rumors of the Uchiha coup d'etat were successfully quelled for all aside from Naruto and only my direct superiors know of my orders. I've done all that I can."
"And you expect me to listen to one of the vilest kinds of humans I've had the pity of laying eyes on? Especially one leaving to align with the human I despise more than every other human combined?"
"My allegiance is to the leaf, just as it has always been and always will be. I would like your assistance, though I do not require it."
"Begone, vile human. Leave my presence. Do not harm the kit any further."
"I will be destroying his left eye to...encourage...your decision." The fox growled at this. "A pleasure to meet you, Nine-Tails. I've always wanted to see you up close for myself."
{February 08, 072 - With Hiruzen Sarutobi}
"That wasn't part of your mission, Itachi," the Third warned.
"Naruto was not supposed to have returned yet. I hadn't anticipated his presence."
"Still...I'm sorry, Itachi," the old man sighed. "I never wanted you to have such a task."
"My allegiance is and always will be to the leaf, Lord Hokage."
"And you're sure of this?"
"It's far too late to turn back. I will do my best to report to Lord Jiraiya when I can."
"And what of Naruto? He's lost an eye, what do you expect him to do now? You know he'll have to leave ANBU."
"No, he won't," Itachi shook his head. "He has Shisui's eye."
"I had a feeling the two of you were involved. Why did you kill Shisui?"
"Shisui killed himself and asked us to protect his eye. Danzo took his right eye, while Naruto holds his left in his summons' possession."
"Danzo…" the Third growled. "I've had enough of his treachery. I'm disbanding ROOT."
"Push Naruto to accept the eye. I doubt he'll use it without any persuasion. Do what you have to."
"Goodbye, Itachi. And thank you for what you've done."
"I am a shinobi of the leaf, it is my duty. Remember to tell Danzo...I'll be watching. Do not renege on my deal."
"I know, Itachi...I know…"
{February 13, 072}
"Dammit, where is he!" Anko demanded. "I don't care what top-secret bullshit is going on, I want to see him!"
"Hey now, calm down, little lady! That is the Hokage you're speaking to."
"I don't care if it's Kami himself! Where's Naruto?!"
"Anko," the elderly Third replied. "You'll see him soon. You have to understand that this is a matter of village security. Even if all the clan heads came and demanded to see Naruto now, I wouldn't allow it. Only three people have access to his room, including myself and Jiraiya."
"I knew the kid would pick a feisty one," Jiraiya giggled.
"You! You're that old perv he keeps telling me about that takes him away on my birthdays!" she growled. "AND don't think I haven't heard of 'Ko' and 'Ruto' in that disgusting novel of yours!"
"Hey, now, calm down," Jiraiya broke into a nervous sweat. "No need to get vio-"
"HIDDEN SHADOW SNAKE HANDS!"
"AAHHH~!"
"At least keep her busy for a while, Jiraiya," the elderly Hokage sighed. "Just until we're ready."
Heading down to the secure top-secret medical ward in the Hokage tower, the old man passed by the two ANBU guards and entered the redhead's room.
"Old Man? Is that you?" a voice groaned. "Where the hell am I?"
"Naruto, I'm glad you're awake," the old man smiled. "How are you feeling?"
"I'd like nothing more than to spend the day beating Itachi with his own limbs," Naruto scoffed.
"I understand, but unfortunately, he managed to escape. He's been marked as an S-ranked missing-nin with an order to kill on sight. I'm sorry, Naruto."
"I see…" the redhead sighed. "Has Anko heard?"
"Yes. She's been quite adamant to see you."
"I'm surprised she's not broken up about it. The two were close."
"Not as close as the two of you were. I think she knows that."
"Ah." The room was quiet for a minute. "So what now? Itachi destroyed my eye."
"Well, as you know, any physical deficiencies require an honorable discharge from ANBU."
"...I see...so I have to give up my mask, do I?" Naruto sighed. "It's my own damn fault. I never learned what his Mangekyou did. I was overconfident that I could dispel his Genjutsu from my experience fighting against him. I apologize, Lord Hokage."
"Nonsense, Naruto. You were simply in a situation of extreme mental stress."
"I'll return my mask after I am allowed to leave, Lord Hokage."
"You know, we could attempt to find a donor for you. Medical Jutsu allows for eye transplants rather safely, you know. Kakashi had one done in the field."
"Ah…" Naruto whispered. "So, when did he tell you?"
"I'm sorry?"
"I'm not an idiot, old man. You know I have it. When did he tell you?"
"I'm not sure I follow, Naruto," he lied.
"Mark my words, Old Man," Naruto glared. "You know something. I know Itachi. He does everything for a reason. For some reason, he wanted me to use Shisui's eye. Whether this whole thing was a stage for me losing my eye or not, I don't know. But I know he wanted me to use it and that you're in on it."
"I cannot confirm or deny these allegations, Naruto."
"You know, no answer to that sounds sane," Naruto let out a mirthless chuckle. "I could accuse you of conspiring against the leaf. I could accuse Itachi of making my entire life into a Genjutsu. I could say Itachi went insane by the power of his Sharingan and took my eye on a whim. Somehow, I believe all of them and none of them all at once."
"..."
"I sound crazy, don't I?"
"Would you like to replace your eye, Naruto? The doctor who's been seeing you is one of my most trusted associates. He works on all of our high-profile cases that have to do with village security."
"You're not very good at being subtle, Old Man. I have to ask the fox first, you know. Give me a moment." The Old Man watched as Naruto went into a trance for several seconds before opening his eyes once more. "Looks like the fox knows what's going on."
"Really?" the Old Man managed to repress his fear.
"Yeah, but he won't tell me," Naruto narrowed his eyes. "This whole thing smells like a conspiracy. You can tell me, Old Man. I'm a leaf shinobi, through and through."
"Naruto, I cannot allow you to continue making wild and baseless accusations. Would you like to receive an eye transplant or would you like to be honorably discharged from ANBU and take a position as a jounin?"
Naruto narrowed his eye before flying through hand seals and slamming one on the ground, summoning the small fennec fox from before. "Get me the eye."
"Right away, my lord," the fox bowed and puffed away.
{February 14th, 072}
"Anko?" Naruto called. "Anko?"
"NARUTO!" she shouted charging the young redhead into a tackling hug. "You're ok!"
"Hey, calm down!" he chuckled. "You don't think I'd kick the bucket that easily, do ya?"
"Um, Miss Mitarashi-"
"Of course not, but it doesn't mean I was any less worried," Anko admitted, squeezing him even tighter. "First you disappear for nine odd months and then, the day you come back, Itachi kills his entire clan and then I hear you got wrapped up into it."
"Never thought you'd admit to being worried about me."
"Miss Mitarashi, I-"
"Of course I was, dumbass!"
"Well good."
"Miss Mitarashi-"
"WHAT?" she snapped, looking up at an ANBU agent. "Who the hell are you and how long have you been standing there?"
"Since before you tackled Fo-er Naruto," Cat replied. "You may want to take a look at him before you decide to smother him anymore."
"What are you-" she backed up and took a good look. "Oh...god...Naruto…"
"Hey, don't freak out it's not-"
"THAT FUCKING BASTARD!" Anko roared. "I'LL KILL HIM! I'LL FEED HIM TO MY SNAKES! I'LL RIP HIS LEGS OUT AND-"
"Cat, you can go, I'll be fine," Naruto sighed.
"Understood, Fox."
"-ONCE HIS KNEECAP IS OUT, I'LL USE IT TO FORCE FEED HIM OIL AND LIGHT HIS GUT ON FIRE FROM THE INSIDE! AND THEN I'LL-MMMPH!"
Naruto managed to stop the yells from her mouth...by covering it with his own. "Are you done now?"
"Uh…" Anko blinked a few times and turned a shade of atomic red...before she caught back up to what just happened. "WHAT THE HELL, NARUTO? DON'T JUST COME OVER HERE AND-MMPH!"
"You don't have to yell, you know?" Naruto chuckled.
"Dammit, Naruto! Stop that!"
"I don't want to."
"B-but that's- I mean we're just-"
"I figured it was about time," Naruto shrugged. "Pretty much everyone expects this anyway."
"What on EARTH are you talking about?"
"I love you."
"Wha-" Anko blinked.
"Of course I do, Anko. I've known you for years, how could I not? You're just...you mean everything to me. I can't imagine not living with you, wasting all my hard-earned ryo on your dango, or trying to prevent you from burning down my house."
"None of those are good things…" she deadpanned, but was still blushing bright red.
"But they're all things that I do for you. That makes them good things. So, is this ok? Think we can give us a shot?"
"You're a dumbass," Anko sighed, leaning forward and kissing him herself. "You did this now so I'd go easy on you, didn't you?"
"Wha~? Me? No," he denied, enjoying the purple-haired girl resting her head on his chest.
"So, that's it, huh? You're blind?" Indeed, Naruto came home with bandages covering both of his eyes. For the moment, at least, he couldn't see anything at all.
"Not quite. I tried to tell you earlier," he chuckled. "You seemed a bit busy planning your torture and execution of one traitorous Uchiha."
"Right…" she chuckled sheepishly before catching up. "Wait a second, if you're not blind, what the hell happened to your eyes?"
"It's kind of a long story. Mind helping me inside?"
"Lazy-ass…" she grumbled.
"Hey! I can't see anything!"
"Well then, you're lucky I love you, aren't you?"
"More than you could ever imagine, Anko...more than you could ever imagine."
{February 15th, 072}
"WHAT THE HELL?" Naruto shouted.
"Naruto?! What's wro-well...that's something you don't see every day." Initially, Anko was in a panicked rush, half breaking down the door into his bathroom after he screamed, but now...her tone was much more...intrigued.
"ANKO! WHY DIDN'T YOU KNOCK!" he shouted back, trying to cover his important bits with a towel. "DON'T JUST STARE!"
"Mmmmm," Anko licked her lips. "How old are we again?"
"ANKO! GET OUT!"
"Alright, alright. You'd think the student of Jiraiya would be less of a prude," Anko rolled her eyes, but turned around. "What the hell were you shouting about anyway? I thought you were being attacked or some shit."
"I'll show you after I get dressed."
"Can I watch?"
"NO!"
"Why is my own boyfriend cockblocking himself from me…" she mumbled.
"WE'RE TWELVE!"
"...What's your point?"
"Just…" Naruto rubbed his eyes. "At least wait until we're a bit older."
"And how long is that exactly?"
"I don't know, Anko! Fifteen? Sixteen? Kami, just let me change!"
"Well, alright, but if you ever want to start earlier-"
"ANKO!"
A few minutes of embarrassment later, Naruto managed to get changed without the purple-haired kunoichi jumping him.
"Alright, could you not panic when I come down?" he requested from the top of the stairs.
"If you're not down here in five seconds, I'll drag you down and investigate every inch of you until I figure out what's wrong," she warned.
"Alright, fine...whatever…" Naruto grumbled, trudging down the stairs. "Happy now?"
"What the fuck is wrong with your eyes?" Anko asked bluntly.
"I DON'T KNOW! IF I KNEW, I WOULDN'T HAVE SCREAMED!"
"WHY ARE WE YELLING?"
"I DON'T KNOW! Let's just…" Naruto groaned and slammed his head into the table. "Let's just have some breakfast, ok? I'll have a summon get the Hokage and maybe he can figure out...whatever this is."
"In the meantime, you can tell me the entire story of what happened with your eyes. Don't think you can distract me again like yesterday."
"R-right…" Naruto blushed at the extraordinary long make-out session the two had had the previous day after Naruto's surprise confession. It was all he could do to get Anko into her own bed instead of his. "Summoning Jutsu!"
"Yes, My Lord?" Aiko said, initiating her usual fox-like bow before noticing something. "If I may, what happened to your eyes?"
"That's what we're trying to find out. Could you go get Lord Third and tell him to come here? Tell him it's an emergency."
"Of course, My Lord," she replied, disappearing with a puff of smoke.
"Alright, now...I believe you have a story to tell."
{Timeskip}
"-AND THEN I'LL FLAY THE SKIN FROM HIS SCALP AND USE IT TO TIE HIM UP BY HIS BALLS ON THE HOKAGE MONUMENT! I'LL USE HIS FINGERS AS PINCUSHIONS AND HAMMER NAILS UNDER HIS TOENAILS! I'LL FEED HIS LIVER TO MY SNAKES AND HIS KIDNEY TO-"
Anko was, fortunately, interrupted by a loud knocking. "Naruto? It's me, what's the emergency?"
"Thank Kami," Naruto groaned, getting, frankly, a little grossed out by Anko's plans to torture and murder Itachi in revenge. "It's open! Come in and don't bring anyone with you!"
"Alright, Naruto. You heard him Cat, Boar. Stay out here and ensure no one enters."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
"What's the problem, Naruto?" the Professor asked, entering their humble home. "What was so important-oh my…"
"Yeah, no kidding. I screamed my head off this morning."
"At least I got a show out of it," Anko said, wiggling her eyebrows.
"Anko~," he groaned. "Old Man, do you have any idea what the hell happened to my eyes?"
"Actually, I do know what they are, but I have no idea how it happened," he replied, stroking his chin in thought. "Though, from what Jiraiya told me, yours are slightly...different."
"Will you just tell me why the hell my eyes look like this?" Naruto demanded, gesturing to the two orbs. Sure enough, they were much different than the last time. The right one was the same color, but instead of a bright blue orb with a black pupil, it was a bright blue orb with concentric rings surrounding the center. The right one, oddly enough, was the color of the sharingan, with Shisui's four-pronged shuriken design in the center, but also had the same concentric rings rippling out from the center.
"Well, Naruto, I believe you've awakened the Rinnegan, though I don't know whether or not you've retained the abilities of Shisui's eye. You'll have to experiment with that."
"What the hell does that mean?"
"Well, according to legend, the Rinnegan is one of the three great doujutsu, surpassing both the Sharingan and the Byakugan," he explained. "It was said that the first wielder was none other than the Sage of Six Paths himself."
"The sage of what now?" Anko asked.
"Anko, don't tell me you don't know the Sage of Six Paths," Naruto groaned, sounding almost disappointed.
"Hey, don't say it like that! I'm not an idiot, I just don't know who this guy is!" Anko whined. "Is he some sort of super hermit or something? What's so special about him?"
"He's-owww~!" Naruto groaned again, and grabbed his head. "Great, you pissed him off."
"Naruto, what's wrong? Are you alright?" Hiruzen asked, slightly panicking.
"Yeah, just...give me a minute. The sage is-oww~- somewhat of a sensitive topic for the fox. Just let me calm him down."
{Naruto's Mindscape}
"THAT WENCH DARES TO QUESTION THE MIGHT OF FATHER? I'LL FLAY HER ALIVE AND SEE HER BURN IN THE ABYSS! I'LL-"
"WOULD YOU SHUT YOUR DUMB FOXY ASS UP!" Naruto shouted, as the fox looked back at him almost shocked that someone had the audacity to speak to him like that. "You're giving me a splitting headache! First of all, I need to figure out what the hell happened to my eyes, then I need to spend some time figuring out what the hell just happened to my life, and then, and only then, can we deal with your whining!"
"...You have some major balls, kit, talking to me that way. I almost respect it...almost…"
"Well, now that we've both calmed down," Naruto sighed and plopped down on the floor. "I'm sure Anko didn't mean anything by it. If the two of you could get along even half as well as you and I do, it'd mean everything to me. Anko is my most important person and you're quite a close friend as well."
"I do not recall agreeing to you calling us friends."
"Oh, get over it, foxface," Naruto rolled his eyes. "You haven't had anyone close to you since the sage. I told you when we were with Jiraiya; I really don't want your power, but if you want to become partners, then I would be down with it. You're my friend whether you want to be or not and one day you'll admit that I'm yours."
"Tch."
"Anyway, since this Rinnegan has something to do with the Sage, think you can tell me about it?"
"And why should I-"
"Are we gonna do this again? You asking why you should bother, I'll give you a decent reason, we do witty banter, and then you crack and tell me? Or can we just get to it this time?"
"...Tch…"
"I knew it."
"Shut it, kit," the fox huffed, but started talking anyway. "The Sage-"
"I don't suppose I could get his name?"
The fox glared at him. "Hagaromo...Hagaromo Otsutsuki."
"Thanks, buddy."
"The Sage possessed the legendary eyes of the Rinnegan," the fox said, ignoring Naruto entirely. "Now, father told us many of the powers his eyes held, but not all of them. As you know, he was the strongest human or being to ever roam this earth, except perhaps the Ten Tails, as his brother was required to assist him in that fight. You also may recall that your hand seals and Ninjutsu didn't exist until his son, Indra, was born. This is because of his eyes, the Rinnegan, and because his mother was the first woman to ever possess chakra. The Rinnegan, like the Sharingan, allows for the possessor to see the flow of chakra, however, not in such minute detail as the Byakugan is said to. It also allows the user mastery over the five nature transformations with near perfect natural chakra control."
"Holy crap!" Naruto's jaw dropped. "That's incredible! No wonder he was such a powerhouse!"
"Tch. You can't begin to imagine it, kit. That's simply a byproduct of the eyes, it's not one of its abilities. You see, father's nickname comes from the eye's six powers. I can only presume that those six powers come with all Rinnegan users, but, as the Sharingan has demonstrated, it is possible that there are differences."
"That's...overpowered as shit…"
"Why do you think he was hailed as a god? You humans have no idea of the extent of his true strength," the fox shook his head.
"Would you be willing to tell me the other powers of the eyes in exchange for something?"
"And what could you offer me?"
"You like being known and feared, right? I'll get your name out there. I'll make it publicly known that I am the jinchuriki of you. I'll become so strong, mention of my name will be associated with you, and we'll send shivers down the spines of every enemy of the leaf to ever exist."
"...You know, that's almost disturbing coming from you, kit. I told you those Sharingan would turn you evil."
"I'm not turning evil, I just figured I'd offer you something. Telling me the strengths of the strongest doujutsu ever to exist is a lot more than just giving me your life story, you know. Besides, I'm kinda sick of this whole 'hide the fact that I'm harboring a giant fox' schtick anyway. It's kinda stupid. I'm not ashamed of you nor am I afraid of you. Why should I care what others think? The people that matter don't care that you're here. Well...excluding you, I guess."
"Tch. Humans and their sentimentality…"
"So, you gonna tell me what I can do or what?"
"I suppose I could assist you if only to boost the reputation of the fox clan even further," the fox sighed. "I did request you to make them feared, didn't I?"
"And, if we become partners, I could give you the reigns sometimes, you know? I heard the jinchuriki of the eight tails in the Hidden Cloud has perfect control over his Tailed-Beast."
"Tch. Control."
"Fair point. They're partners. You're not tools to be controlled. I shouldn't have said it like that," Naruto apologized, actually sounding sincere.
"I'll inform you of what I know of your Rinnegan, no more. We may discuss...terms...at a later date should I decide that it would be in my best interest."
"You're the best, Kyuubi."
"Tch," the fox scoffed, but began to explain the ocular abilities. "I'll only go through this once. As the Sage of Six Paths, father held six powers that were directly caused by his eyes. The first is the Deva Path; the realm of gods and bliss, homeland of the divine deities. This power was a favorite of father's, so I know the most about it. It is, essentially, the control over the natural forces of gravitation."
"That alone is incredibly powerful. Sweet Kami, how powerful was this guy?"
"I recall three techniques; Heavenly Subjugation of the Omnipresent God, Heavenly Attraction of All Creation, and Planetary Devastation, the final of which was used to an extreme degree to create what you humans know as the moon."
"Those are...really pretentious names...you know that?"
"I am translating for you, you know. Language doesn't just stagnate for one-thousand years. He said Shinra Tensei, Bansho Ten'in, and Chibaku Tensei. Essentially, one is a gravitational push, one is a gravitational pull, and the final is creating an artificial point of supreme gravitational force that will rip the very earth apart."
"...How about Almighty Push, Heavenly Attraction, and we can keep the last one...those names are really confusing."
"Tch. Stupid human…"
"Right, anyway, how about the rest of 'em?" After quite a long discussion on the various paths of the Rinnegan, Naruto's head was slightly dizzy. "Deva, Asura, Human, Preta, Animal, and Naraka...sweet Kami...I could destroy the world…"
"I really hope you do, kit…"
"I was just joking! Calm down, fox," Naruto rolled his eyes. "So, before I go wild and test this shit, wanna tell me some drawbacks?"
"Like?"
"Come on...you're telling me I can bring back the dead with no side effects? Seriously?"
"Father was a god among men. If there were side effects, they were truly trivial," the fox scoffed. "...Barring the fact that the amount of time the person you are resurrecting has been dead will be taken off your own life…"
"There it is," Naruto sighed. "Well, that's not too bad, I guess. I wouldn't revive someone after more than an hour or so."
"Although it does rise exponentially after about an hour…" the fox mused. "Hmmm...this may be important...I don't really want to have to reform, after all."
"...What…"
"Well, let's put it this way. For the first hour, it's normal. After that, who knows. Let's just say don't revive anyone and leave it at that. Unless it's an emergency."
"Right. And you're gonna say that it's so you don't have to reform and not because you care about me?"
"Why would I care about you, kit? Tch."
"Love you too, foxface."
"I've given you more information than you deserve. Now go make my name feared or I'll eat you alive."
"I thought you weren't interested in that?"
"Where'd you get that idea from, kit? Nothing makes me more overjoyed than watching weak humans tremble in my presence as I devour them whole."
"I think this is the start of a beautiful partnership."
{Outside}
"Anko, if I have an ANBU go get you dango, will you please stop that?" the old man sighed.
"Of course!" Anko smiled, pulling back with her permanent marker. "Why didn't you start with that? I'll have three orders of…"
"Well, that's better," Naruto yawned and stretched slightly. "How long was I gone?"
"About half an hour. Are you alright?"
"Damn, that long?" the redhead blinked. "Anko drew on my face, didn't she?"
"You know me so well," Anko stuck her tongue out and draped herself over his shoulders. "But no, you woke up before I could."
"Could we please focus?" the elderly Hokage sighed. "What happened and why did it take so long?"
"Right, so, you're right about the fact that the Sage had the Rinnegan. Oh, yeah, and Anko, the Sage of Six Paths is kinda a big deal to the fox. He's the progenitor of chakra. He invented Ninshu, the Ninja Creed, which led to the creation of Ninjutsu and our Shinobi way of life."
"So, a super hermit?"
"Oww~, dammit Anko!" Naruto gripped his head. "Stop that!"
"I was just teasing, tell the fox to calm his tits!"
"Naruto! Focus!" Hiruzen practically shouted.
"Right! Anyway, apparently I have some rather...incredible capabilities now. The most basic power of the eyes is the potential to master all five elements and near flawless chakra control. That's not even getting into what the powers of the eyes do. That's like how the Uchiha all have a fire affinity and the Uzumaki have high chakra levels and lifespans." Neither Anko nor Hiruzen said a word for a long time, processing that statement.
"So," Anko started. "I have full claim over you, right?"
"Anko~," Naruto groaned.
"What? Just because I love you doesn't mean you aren't gonna become a hot commodity. I'm claiming you now. Though, if you're into it, I'm not opposed to some girl-on-girl if you are."
Before Naruto could sputter out any denials, which would obviously be a lie, the elderly Hokage shot backwards in a stream of blood from his nose.
"Great. You knocked the Hokage out."
"Hey, it's not my fault I'm this hot. Just wait a few years, these things," she enunciated, grabbing and puffing out her budding chest. "Can only get bigger and better, am I right?"
Naruto joined the old man on the ground right after, sporting an even bigger nosebleed.
"Well, if you two are just gonna lie there," Anko shrugged and dragged Naruto back to his bedroom. "I'll just leave you here and go get some dango! I'm sure you don't mind paying, do you unconscious Naruto? Oh, why thank you! I am the sexiest kunoichi in the leaf, so glad you noticed!"
{April 2nd, 072}
"Fire-Style, Grand Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water-Style, Water Encampment Wall!" Naruto answered, quickly forming a wall of water to protect himself.
"Earth-Style, Earth Dragon Bullet!"
"Lightning-Style, Electromagnetic Murder!"
"Water-Style, Water Bullets!"
"Fire-Style, Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Not quite!" his opponent shouted, as the water bullets quickly shot through his fire attack and collided with his chest. "The correct Jutsu was Earth-Style, Mud Wall."
"Ugh~," Naruto groaned. "Couldn't be bothered to hold back, could you?"
"Well, do you want to get better, or do you want to not be in pain?" Kakashi gave him one of his eye smiles.
"I want to take a break."
"Never thought I'd see the day you ran out of energy," Kakashi chuckled.
"I'm not out of energy! I've been training nonstop for almost two months ever since I got these stupid eyes! Damn them, regardless of how awesome they are!"
"Well, lucky for you, you're back on duty tomorrow. You can have the rest of the day to recuperate."
"Thank Kami," he sighed in relief.
"Oh, one more thing. After a few missions, you're taking Itachi's spot."
"And…?"
"Oh, that's right, you were gone. Well, after you left, an opening came up for a captain, so I gave the position to Itachi. You'll be captain of your own ANBU squad, Naruto. Congratulations."
"That...sounds terrible."
"I'm afraid you'll have to deal with that. See you tomorrow, Naruto."
"Fine, whatever, Captain," Naruto sighed. This really was not his day.
"Yo, red and broody!" Anko called.
Naruto smiled. 'At least I have Anko…'
"Come buy me some dango! Some guy named Ibiki came to talk to me about something!" Perhaps he spoke too soon...
{May 4th, 072}
"Fox, from this day forward you are squad captain. What would you like your team name to be?" the old Third Hokage asked, filling out the document.
"Team Deva, Lord Hokage," Fox answered.
"Team Deva. Understood," he nodded. "Very well. Eagle, Salamander, Bear. The three of you are to serve on Team Deva under Captain Fox. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" the three replied with a salute and quickly vanished.
"Fox, you may remove your mask," the elderly man said with a smile. "Naruto. I'm so proud of you."
"Is that right, Old Man?" Naruto grinned, his multi-colored eyes glowing in the lowlight.
That in and of itself was a whole new discussion. They had quickly realized that the so-called 'demon child' had returned with terrifying eyes was not something they wanted, so Naruto rarely left home without his ANBU mask. When he did, it was for training or taking Anko out on dates. For the former, he wore the mask until he reached the training ground, while for the latter, he pulled a Kakashi and covered his red eye with his headband, only leaving the blue one out in the open. Surprisingly enough, no one commented, though that was likely because the only people who would have noticed already knew what happened. No one else cared about him enough to pay any attention.
Although, the people that did recognize him, were now even more hateful than before. Naruto had formally requested the end to the Third's Law, which would unban the open discussion of Naruto's jinchuriki status, and the old man had reluctantly agreed. Being in the ANBU in addition to being a powerhouse of his own, Naruto was more than capable of defending himself against outside threats, and if Naruto wanted the younger generation to know, who was he to stop them?
"Indeed. If Minato and Kushina were here, they'd be just as pleased."
"Thanks, Old Man, but are you sure about this? I'm kinda young to be a captain, ya' know?"
"That does seem to be a lesson you haven't learned yet. Naruto, age is a simple number. It doesn't have anything to do with your skill or abilities. Only in specific case does your age truly matter, especially in the life of a shinobi."
"I guess you're right," Naruto sighed. "It's just a lot to take in, ya' know? All at once, too. My best friend betrays the village, or something, I lose my eye, I gain a new set of freaky legendary eyes, and now I'm an ANBU captain."
"Don't forget Anko," the Third teased.
"Right," he blushed slightly. "It's just a lot."
"I get that, Naruto, but I'm sure you'll be fine. I won't necessarily recommend you listen to this advice, but it may be good advice to have. Find yourself a vice."
"A what?"
"A vice, Naruto. A distraction. Something to do in your downtime. It may not be something necessarily good for you or healthy, but something to forget your troubles with. I have my dear pipe, Jiraiya writes his wonderful novels, Kakashi reads those novels,-"
"As do you."
"Ahem," the Hokage turned slightly red. "My point is, find something to distract yourself with."
"I'll see what I can do, Old Man. Perhaps I should delve into my old ramen habit..."
"Good. Now, since you're a new captain, you're on my guard detail for a few months to break everyone in. Is that acceptable?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Good. Dismissed. I'll see you tomorrow, Fox."
{October 24th, 072}
"Happy Birthday, Anko!" Naruto announced with a huge grin as the purple-haired thirteen-year-old stumbled into the kitchen.
"Huh?" she asked, clearing the blurriness from her eyes.
"I got you breakfast!"
"Is it dango?"
"Of course."
"Have I mentioned that I fucking love you?" Anko grinned devilishly and pounced onto her redheaded boyfriend. "Now hand over the dango! Anko is a hungry girl!"
"Sometimes I worry you love dango more than me," Naruto fake pouted, handing her the breakfast.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"HEY! You're supposed to say something like 'that's not true!' or 'I'd never think that!'"
"I didn't think you'd want me to lie to you," Anko shrugged, chowing down more on her dango.
"You're the worst…" he grumbled.
"Love you too," she chuckled, turning and giving him a kiss. "So, what has my foxy boyfriend prepared for his snake princess' birthday?"
"Er...I got you a present?"
"And…?"
"Dango for breakfast?"
"...there'd better be more on that list…"
"Uh…" Naruto was slightly nervous. "I could...uh…"
"You got Hana and Kurenai to come have a girls night while you serve us dango and from now on you let me sleep in your bed?" she finished for him.
"...sure…"
"How did you ever know what I would want?" she sighed dramatically. "So romantic."
"I should go find them, shouldn't I…"
"If you value your health, yes. Yes you should."
{Timeskip}
It was a fairly low maintenance get together. Hana got her a fresh new set of kunai, which was terrifying to Naruto considering how much she always seemed to carry around, and Kurenai invited her to go clothes shopping later that week on her. Ibiki even had some sake brought over for her to try...an action Naruto would never truly forgive him for.
Naruto himself, on the other hand, got her a silver necklace to replace the tags she usually wore. As an ornament, it had an intricately detailed snake with its jaw open and fangs showing. Needless to say, Naruto found himself on the receiving end of the 'Anko special.' Well, the one he actually enjoyed that involved lots of tongue, not the one that prisoners feared which involved mostly kunai and snakes.
Having received her gifts from everyone, Anko prepared to have her special girls' night, which involved kicking Naruto out unless they needed him to bring refreshments, so they could talk about whatever it is girls talked about. In this case, and in many cases one may presume, it was about boys.
"So, Anko, it's been over half a year now. Still going strong?" Kurenai asked. The red-eyed Genjutsu specialist had met Anko after her return to Konoha following the incident with Orochimaru. It was primarily her that helped her over the eight-odd months Naruto had been away with Jiraiya for the second time. Needless to say, the redhead wasn't winning any awards with the Genjutsu mistress, who wasn't a fan of men in general...aside from one particular cigar-smoking Jonin, not that she'd admit that.
"Well, duh!" Anko rolled his eyes. "Have you seen the guy? He's half pretty boy and half rugged bad boy. Anko likey."
"Have you two...you know," Hana wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
"Ugh. He's such a prude! It's always 'Anko, we're too young!' 'Anko, knock first!' 'Anko, stop staring at my massive-"
"I think we get the point, Anko!" Kurenai interrupted, blushing heavily.
"Prude…" she grumbled. "Besides, we've got the whole 'everyone hates us' schtick in common, so that's nice."
"What? Why's everyone hate Naruto? Isn't he in ANBU?" Hana asked. "Plus he's Lord Fourth's son!"
"You'd think that second thing is what they'd focus on. But people just call him the 'One-eyed Demon Brat' now. Fucking irritating! I'd string them up by their guts and let my snakes have their fun if I could…"
"Oh, that's right!" Kurenai's eyes widened. "Anko, are you sure you can trust him? I mean...you never know if-"
"If you finish that sentence, I might just have to cut off your feet so you can find where your brain ran off to."
"I'm...not following," Hana admitted. "Why does everyone call him that?"
"The Third lifted the law just a few months ago, you didn't hear about it?" Anko raised an eyebrow.
"Er…"
"Right. Well, my absolute stud of a boyfriend just so happens to be the jailor of the strongest Tailed Beast to ever exist," she said in a cocky tone. "So, he's basically got a monster made of chakra in his belly."
"Naruto is the jinchuriki for the Nine Tails?!" Hana practically shouted. "What the hell? How did I not know about that! Oh, Kami, mom's gonna flip."
"Well, if she doesn't want to be near him she doesn't have to," Anko sneered. "Naruto says the fox is chill and I trust Naruto more than some old monkey."
"You should be more respectful of the Hokage, Anko," Kurenai scolded.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Naruto likes the old man, but I just think he coulda done more for him. You know Naruto's godfather is Lord Jiraiya of the Sannin? And he didn't even show up until he was already a Chunin!"
"Oh, is he?" Naruto was not gaining any points from Kurenai today. She was well aware of the white-haired toad sage's reputation. "Well, I suppose that's a good thing. We don't need another pervert running around…"
"Oh, lighten up, Kurenai! He could stand to be a bit more of a perv, I'd say! Besides, once we're good and comfortable, wouldn't you want to join us~," she suggested in a sing-song voice, quickly getting behind Kurenai and groping her suggestively. "I'm sure Naruto would have no problems after a little convincing."
"ANKO!" Kurenai shouted. Hana just sat on the other side laughing.
"And what are you laughing about, hmmm? Ever wondered if foxes do doggy-style, too?"
"I'll...come back later…" Naruto had never regretted walking into a room without knocking so much as he did now. A simple check to see if they needed anything turned out into...this... He wouldn't be able to look Hana in the eyes for weeks.
"Unless you're down for a foursome, you can come back later," Anko winked at him.
"ANKO!" Kurenai and Naruto shouted together, while Hana just turned tomato-red. Anko sat by cackling. Oh, how her life just got better and better!