Chapter 12
The attack on Konoha was half a year ago and Naruto was now a genin no more. As it so happens the Sandaime lived through the event but deemed himself too old to continue being Hokage. So, Tsunade was brought back from her hole of depression and self-pity and forced into the hat. She acted all bitter about it for a while but ended up taking her job seriously. Neji and Shikamaru had also made it to chuunin status along with him and Sasuke. At least he was no longer a genin anymore unlike last time.
The past months had been tiring for Naruto. With the attack on Konoha the village had been scrambling to assert its dominance once again so as not to be viewed as weak. The alliance with Suna was once again renewed despite the attack once it had been revealed they were manipulated. It was all for the better because without Konoha's protection Suna would be vulnerable at this time without a proper Kage.
Naruto sent a spinning kick at his opponent, who was thrown away a bit. It did not bother him at all that he was pondering these events while having a 'serious' spar with Hari. The man was leagues behind him in taijutsu considering he didn't have the benefit of years of training as well as controlled chakra to back him up. To be fair though he was doing well, especially when supplementing his abilities with magic. It's just that he was a brutal sparring partner.
"Are you okay?" He asked in concern. Hari waved him off while coughing. He sank back into his taijutsu stance. Naruto sighed. So far Hari had been sparring with Sasuke, who treated him like the inexperienced civilian he was. Naruto honestly didn't know why he insisted on him as a sparring partner today. He eyed the blooming bruises all over his body. "I think we should call it a day." Hari's answer was a fist to the face. Naruto resigned himself to it then.
Later that day Hari was still nursing his bruises. Sasuke was giving naruto dirty looks which the blonde methodically ignored while immersed in a conversation with Severus over tea. "Don't worry Sasuke-chan. I brought this upon myself." Sasuke huffed at Hari's words but said nothing more on it. Deciding to change the topic, Hari said. "The hospital contacted me yesterday about my potions. They believe the shinobi will benefit more on our potions than the civilians so we should give priority to them." Sasuke blinked. "They did? I thought they didn't believe the potions were that effective." Hari grinned. "I brewed weakened potions, remember. Apparently, I went about it the wrong way, so Severus and I decided to brew the potent stuff. Since the council has taken notice of us as well as the Hokage we will have no choice but to go on the long haul to explain ourselves, prove more of our potions work and patent the whole thing to Konoha before distributing it locally."
Sasuke frowned. "Can you brew that many potions?" Hari sighed. "Your concerns are valid. We can brew a small number of potions a day, not to mention those that need several days to brew. I would source out help but chakra isn't a substitute for magic even in potions. They are just muggles. I doubt people with the required affinity for potions can be found." "But Naruto and I can brew." "Only because I blood adopted you. You can't do magic but you have enough to brew, just like squibs." Sasuke wrinkled his nose at the term. "And we can't help you all the time." Hari nodded. "Yes. I can't adopt anyone just for potions brewing. The authorities will just have to accept these limitations."
Sasuke sat there in thought for a while then perked up. "Hey, you once told me about golems." Hari's eyes widened. "No! That's dark magic." "You told me the concept of dark and light magic was subjective." "I meant that in political terms. But distinctions between magic do exist. Dark magic taints one's self. I cannot indulge in it so carelessly." Sasuke soldiered on despite Hari's protest. "You've performed dark rituals to set up wards around the house multiple times." "I cleansed the room and myself with another ritual after that." "Then can't you do the same for dark spells?" Hari paused. Sasuke had a point and he hated it. The feeling of dark magic on his person was uncomfortably alluring. He wasn't sure about all this. "I'll talk it through with Severus. If, and I mean if, we go through with it we can create elf golems that will work on the potions as instructed. Of course, there's a limitation on the number of elves but it's better than nothing."
Sasuke cocked an eyebrow. "Why elves?" Hari answered. "They are small but intelligent." "I thought golems didn't have independent thought." "Bigger golems don't. That was censored from most books to dissuade the notion of created them. Mindless drones are a hindrance in most things after all." "Couldn't they just make child golems?" "Some did." Hari agreed. "But even golems grow up. They in fact grow faster than your average human and would lose their intelligence within a few weeks. Besides, which child poses much threat in war, where golems are most useful?" Sasuke conceded his point.
~Scene Change~
As the months passed Hari got better and better at taijutsu. Soon enough Severus started him up on jutsu and Kakashi showed him the ropes on kenjutsu when he spared the time. He would occasionally spar with Sasuke or Naruto but the boys were so busy nowadays with their chuunin duties that they just didn't have as much time anymore. True to his word Hari spoke with Severus about the golems. To his chagrin, Severus agreed and now they had ten house-elf golems to work on potions in secrecy in the expanded basement. More complex potions they brewed themselves. Income was coming in steadily as shinobi now also used the potions in the field.
Now that Naruto was a chuunin the villagers took to ignoring him more and more instead of the whispered insults they used to throw his way. It made the Peverell content. He was currently on his way from the hospital after administering a potion to a critical patient. This one had a severe case of dehydration and malnutrition after the abuse dealt to her by her neglectful parents. Hari was glad the couple was found out before the child could die and had promised himself to do his best for her. The nutrition potions were first and later he would allow bone-strengthening potions and perhaps one day get rid of the physical scars that reminded of her trauma.
As he was pondering this he happened to spot something at the corner of his eye. Turning in that direction he saw a crow staring fixedly at him. He stared right back, not sure how to react. He ended up shrugging and continuing on his way home. The bird followed him. Getting tired of looking over his shoulder for the avian tracking him he stopped. He was now on the track leading home where there were few to no people. The crow decided to land on his shoulder. "Hey there. You were following me, do you have anything to say?" It felt awkward speaking to a bird but he heard of carrier birds before and figured it might be one. To his utter shock and horror, the crow regurgitated a small scroll that landed in the hand that had reached up to pet the black plumage and proceeded to burst into feathers in the wind.
He hurried the rest of the way home and deposited the scroll on the table. He cast multiple detection spells on the paper but they came back clean. "Okay then. Let's see." He opened it and as he read the message inside he became more and more shocked.
'To Hari,
This is Itachi writing to you. It's been a while, hasn't it? I'm sorry I haven't spoken to you in the time since we parted. I joined a group called Akatsuki as a spy, an organization supposedly formed for the purpose of bringing peace. I am unsure how they intend to do that but they have started moving. We have been taking more missions to increase our finances and have started capturing junchuriki for their tailed beasts. As you may imagine they end up getting killed in the process of extracting the demons' chakra. Soon enough Naruto will be targeted. I have already sent a message to the Hokage detailing all of this so hopefully, Naruto will receive more protection. The individuals in Akatsuki are mainly made up of dangerous missing-nin. I am worried about what may happen if they are not stopped. I'm still attempting to collect more intel on them but it's proving difficult. All I can tell you now is that the leader of the group is a rinnegan user called Pain and there is an Uchiha who calls himself Tobi but I suspect he is actually Madara Uchiha. He may come for Sasuke one day but I'll make sure Sasuke wouldn't come to harm by him.
I hope you are doing well and I wish you to send my regards to Sasuke and Naruto. I myself am well, there is no need to worry about me. I am currently close to Konoha and may drop by to greet you in person. I am working with a partner, however, and may not get the chance to slip away.
Itachi.'
Feeling happy and despairing at the same time Hari reread the letter before putting it away. He would let the others read it too once they are back. Though Itachi told him not to worry he couldn't help it. He understood that the job of a spy was a very dangerous one. He thought Madara Uchiha was dead; how come Itachi is convinced he is alive? How come Itachi couldn't write him earlier? He forced himself to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. Maybe he could see his boy again.
~Scene Change~
"Hello, Naruto-kun." Naruto jumped at the voice. Behind him stood a man in an Akatsuki robe and that familiar straw hat. He felt his heart skip a bit, face momentarily scrunching up in recognition. "I thought you wouldn't make it." He informed with a soft tone, any higher and his voice would crack with emotion. Itachi's lips twitched into a smile. The blonde stepped forward into the raven's arms, a surprised Itachi wrapping him up in them. "I missed you, you insufferable idiot." "I thought as much." Naruto pulled away to sit in the chair behind him. Itachi took the bed. "How the hell did you even get into the house?" "I'm keyed into the wards, remember?" "New ones were erected and you weren't exactly here to be keyed into those." Itachi shrugged, "Ask Hari-kun then."
"You should leave Akatsuki." Itachi quirked an eyebrow at Naruto's serious words. "I can't, I'd be killed." "Surely the ring can be tricked; Orochimaru left with no qualms." "He must have transferred his soul to another body to escape the ring. I, on the other hand, don't have that luxury." Before he could finish that sentence a notebook was shoved into his face. He drew it a bit further to have a proper look at it. Then he blinked. Naruto smirked at the reaction. "This jutsu will make it so the ring would target an external body once activated. Instead of you being targeted some other poor stranger will be sacrificed. You don't have to suffer like this anymore." Itachi handed back the notepad and stood. "I can't." "And why not?" was Naruto's indignant response. "Because then I'd be leaving them behind." "Who is 'them'?" Naruto was confused. Did Itachi meet people he could care about that deeply while working for Akatsuki? There was a flicker of feeling in Itachi's eyes.
He handed Naruto a picture. Or rather, a sketch. It was neatly kept and Naruto could clearly recognize the individuals it portrayed. "Fuck no!" he shouted, outraged. "Calm down, Naruto-kun." Naruto took a deep breath to quell the anger in him. "Explain." Itachi nodded, a practiced impassiveness on his face. He sat down once again. "Not everyone in Akatsuki joined because they wanted to." Itachi stated. "I won't pretend they are saints, but they are not completely heartless either. Hidan's immortality comes with the cost of human sacrifice. His clan has lived this way for their entire existence before he killed them all in their moment of vulnerability. That way at least there is one of his kind. Obviously he is desensitized to the concept of death and killing gives him pleasure."
"Then why, pray tell, are you willing to protect him so much?" Naruto asked exasperatedly. "He is my friend. I didn't understand him at first but he wants to be free. For him, the leash Pein has on him is suffocating. Not to mention the things the ring does to him. He is immortal, yes, but the ring is specifically tailored to circumvent that. Should he try to defect his very soul would be destroyed. He would cease to exist, not even to go to hell. You understand how terrifying that can be." Naruto ran a hand through his golden locks tiredly. "And what's Deidara's story?" Itachi sighed. "Deidara is even younger than I am and more impressionable. I don't know what lies the leaders fed him but at first he believed this whole 'unite the world under the banner of pain' thing will work. Being a child who was ostracized for his kekei gengai he wants to be respected and recognized. Once he understood the depth of Pein's ambitions he wanted nothing to do with the organization. He can't leave however and makes the most of his lot in life. I want to help them but I can't."
"Not in a million years would I have pegged you for the bleeding heart type." Naruto said dryly. Itachi rolled his eyes. "You forget I'm only human." "Right. I still don't like this. I don't trust your new friends. But for your sake, I'll help you. I swear should they turn out to be the scum I think they are I will kill them without remorse." Itachi just stared at him until Naruto looked away. "When are you planning to tell Hari you've arrived? You're not exactly safe in this village." "In the morning. I managed to convince my partner I need to be away for the night and most of tomorrow." The raven replied. He stood to search the wardrobe for a spare futon. Naruto stood to help. The news of the two Akatsuki members' vulnerability was certainly new and shocking. He would have to trust Itachi though. If anything the man doesn't take unnecessary risks and is not easy to fool. Who else in Akatsuki is trapped like these three? Should they be freed would they stop being menaces to society? Naruto didn't know and was not very eager to find out.
~Scene Change~
~Sasuke's POV~
Kaa-chan is very happy to see Itachi again. Even now, hours later, he doesn't want to let him out of his sight. Nii-san told him everything he found out while spying, okaa-chan didn't care much about it though. Not yet, not now when he has so much to tell him. He was very happy to show Itachi all the shinobi skills he's learned so far. Just like we are, Itachi is very impressed. He is leaving in the evening though. I still have so much to tell him.
"Why the long face?" I look up at Naruto's question. He is staring at me. I shake my head. "Nothing. I just missed Itachi-nii. I don't want him to go." "No one does." I agreed. "Why can't Kakashi-sensei come?" "Kakashi is still an ANBU though he took leave to be our jounin-sensei. Should he be found to have interacted with a missing-nin without bringing him in he would be in trouble." "I see." I understand that. I hear Kakashi-sensei was Itachi's superior in ANBU. I hoped they'd be able to understand each other.
Severus seems to be annoyed with my brother. It must have been something he said. Itachi-nii can be tactless sometimes, and he doesn't even notice. I smile at that. "Well." I stand up. "I think it's about time to steal Itachi for myself." Naruto smiles. "Don't take too much of his time. "Whatever."
"Kaa-chan, I think the potion you started yesterday is about ready." Naruto says. Okaa-chan perks up. "Right, of course. I'll be right back." Naruto follows him upstairs. I approach my brother. "Nii-san, let's go upstairs. I have lots of things to tell you." He agrees to come. I can finally talk to him in privacy. I tell him a lot. About my ninja career, that horrible chuunin exam where I lost my friend, about Orochimaru, my first C-rank mission. I tell him about Severus, how I got promoted to chuunin rank, that time when Naruto-nii got kidnapped, how weak I was. Itachi just listened in silence. I didn't mind though. I just had to get everything off my chest.
"You have an adventurous life, otouto." I laugh at Itachi's observation as I wipe a few stray tears. "You think so. I bet it's nothing compared to yours." For a second the Uchiha massacre flashes through my mind. How painful it must have been to be a part of that. It hurts to think about it. "It's not fair." Itachi seems to understand what I'm thinking about because he has a sad visage about him. "You must not dwell on it, Sasuke." "When okaa-chan told me about it, I wanted him to pay for what he did. Every time I see him, or even cross his path on the street, I'm filled with such rage I can't stand it." I clench my fists. "He doesn't deserve to live so freely, not after he ruined your life like that." Itachi places a hand on my shoulder. "Not all the blame can be placed on him. The Uchiha clan was planning to take over; it was never going to happen. At worst it would have just destroyed the village as a whole. I could not take the chance." "There must have been another way." "But not enough time to find it." Itachi countered. "Danzo is an awful man, even if his heart is in the right place. He would do anything to ensure Konoha's prosperity. Yes, he must answer for his crimes. Who will take him to task though?" He looks me in the eye. "Understand this Sasuke. Danzo will do anything for the village, he must live for now. Only when his actions would lead to Konoha's downfall can he be brought down. It's imperative." I grit my teeth against the unfairness of it all. "I get it, nii-san." "Good." Itachi pokes my forehead and I instinctively rub over the spot. "Don't be so sad, otouto. Everything will work out." "Hai."
A/N: Okay, so Itachi is back in the picture. If you've read some of my other stories you may know my heart bleeds for Deidara and Hidan. So I wanted to introduce them and see where it goes. I'm planning to make this story a bit darker, well as dark as my naïve mind can make it. That is to make Hari suffer a bit more.
Oh, and thank you to all those who have been reading this story. I appreciate your many follows and favorites. Your reviews also give strength to continue writing. I've received precious few and I don't want to come across as an ungrateful jerk. So thank you.