"Hi." = thoughts
"Hi." = talking
"Greetings." = Biju speaking
"Lightning Style: Lightning Bullet." = Jutsu
{No Pairings}
(-) = finishing to a new situation
Bye.
Melancholically, he sighed, a dampened feeling reaching his rather ruthless expression. Menma Uzumaki hostilely glared, bitterness ambling around him.
He glanced spitefully at the merciless and barbaric legend. Madara Uchiha grinned, there was no exuberance, only a sinister smile.
Menma sourly stared, bodies razed the area he stood in, and he exhaled in concentration. "Sorry, Naruto, Sasuke." He whispered, genuinely apologetic.
Chakra coerced itself from his body. Crimson and turquoise whirled around him, this would be it, the final action, and his last decision.
Madara's grin shattered, becoming a ruthless curiousness. He walked, blurring forward. "Menma Uzumaki." Pausing, Madara idly waited for a response. None. "Well. Your brother and friends were challenging."
It was a hollow compliment, the two of them were aware. The Uchiha was the winner, and he would merely sleep peacefully in their blood.
Menma growled, his animalistic features altering. His purple eyes, his crimson hair, both rocked to the sides. He extended a hand, encompassed with cruelty, declaring. "Madara…You shall perish."
The Uchiha laughed flatly, the rings engrained on his Rinnegan giggling with him. Holding out a Truth-Seeking-Orb. Madara balefully answered. "Courageous. Before you come towards me…Look!"
Calmly, Menma complied, observing the shinobi, who battled respectfully well, dispersing into the death-desiring winds.
The Truth-Seeker-Orbs returned to Madara, resting underneath his arms. "Realize one detail of information. Uzumaki. I shall remain, while you disappear, all alone."
His hands rushed to each-other, forcefully sprinting through all required signs. Menma opened his mouth. Claret and Keppel sauntering near him. "Alone?" He askingly stared.
Raising his hands, Menma smiled insanely. All of his composure dispelling into his mind, latched away. "Of course! My determination was cracked ages ago!"
His form flew towards Madara, encasing his arm with a blue aura, Menma shouted hatefully. "Killing my brother and friends!"
"But no!" He continued, bringing an ominous leg at the Uchiha, his blood roaring with a longing of murder. "You killed the Shinobi forces working with one another."
A callous smile extended along his face, dodging the masterful swing of Madara's Truth-Seeking-Orb rod. "I, Menma Uzumaki, shall definitely fall, unable to awaken!"
"The only reason why I refuse to die…" He stopped his speech. Grasping all his fingers, he announced. "Is Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi and Gaara, and the others."
"Would certainly kill me if I lost this simmering courageousness."
Madara shook his head amusedly, shooting a punch shrouded by the ten-tail's chakra, which Menma deflected. Maliciously, the Uchiha's ghost responded. "Moments ago your confidence was enhanced of the opinion you could eliminate me."
Lifting his arms, Menma resolutely smiled, a lingering craziness relaxing around his presence. "Now. Like Sasuke calculated."
"Matatabi + Kurama. Using the chakra you granted me, I'm going to finish all of this," He reassured, the silence was comforting. "Ten-tails. When you formed only small bits of the 2 and 9 tails chakra made you, while the other beasts were fully combined."
Grinning madly, Menma's eyes widened in a lunatic-resembling manner. "You desire it all. Am I wrong?!"
Madara's skull leaned upwards, staring intently at the blood-smeared sky. He strolled towards Menma, who walked in the same fashion.
"Menma Uzumaki," He repeated, this time the tone was wild. Calling for him to approach. "My chakra…Belongs-…"
The crimson-haired child smiled slightly, unleashing the 2 and 9 tails from his seal, with his presence dimming compared to the strength and calmness the beasts' could bring.
"Madara," He stopped, again, his grin expanding onto him acceptably. "No. Ten-tails. Please, for Naruto and Sasuke's sake. Perish."
Grabbing his hands, Menma mused to himself, calculatingly. "I'm still alive. Kurama left a small mixture of his and Matatabi's chakra."
Madara purposely allowed the ten-tails to control him, with his interestedness growing by the second. Then, once the Kyuubi and Two-Tails became one with the 10, his strength would be unparalleled.
If only Menma was more mindful.
Menma collectedly stared, before grabbing his hands. Chanting indistinctly. "Hagoromo. Hamura-!"
The Uchiha mercilessly nodded, crimson and blue fists stabbing through his stomach. "It's fitting, being killed by the chakra of your own tailed beats."
"W-When?" He asked, blood squelching inside of him, while Madara laughed with shallowness. "I was ready to kill you."
Bringing his hands away, Madara gestured at the deteriorating child. "Well. Methods are always there."
Menma crashed into the icy surface, the feeling of demise nearing him unemotionally. "Heh. Guess I was the one to withdraw after. Huh, Naruto?"
Standing in front of him, Madara stared ruthlessly. He massaged his hands, mocking Menma barbarically. "Speaking to the dead is pointless."
Menma grinned cruelly, his life finally completed, yet still, uncompleted.
(-)
Naruto crouched, confusedly inspecting his current location. Shutting his eyes, he attempted to garner nature energy. Clicking his tongue, Naruto collapsed.
He resided in a welcoming place. When he supposedly died, he was expecting something more sinister, callous. Or something beautiful, calming.
Instead, he was relaxing in a chair, from his old accommodation, where he and Menma stayed.
Wistfully smiling, Naruto observed his and his brother's smaller counterparts playing. Pillows being shot at the other and knocking their sofa towards the carpets.
"I guess, before I fully disperse. I can watch this." His pupils lowered, examining his life. "Goodbye Menma…"
Blurring, Naruto saw Sasuke and Menma arguing. Sharingan fighting the Sealing Chains. Illusions being dispelled, and chakra decreasing.
His kid-self stood near Menma, childishly grinning, while laughing peacefully. He could never really behave peacefully after what happened next on that afternoon.
Older Naruto remembered it well, his features unnaturally changed. His melancholic, sapphire-orbs rumbling in annoyance.
(-)
Naruto –kid- and Menma –kid- remained in place, unrelentingly glaring at the person who stood cunningly.
Danzo unkindly stared, sailing through numerous ideas and desires. "Naruto and Menma Uzumaki. While the Third Hokage is in his coma. You shall be sent to be Princess Tsunade's personal Anbu guards."
Menma grinned apathetically, he walked towards Danzo leisurely, scrutinizing him bitterly. "Lady Hokage was recently made, well, Hokage, there is no need for 13-14 year old children to work in the Anbu, unless, there's something else."
Banging his walking stick. Danzo's single orb drifted to Naruto, who casually rested on a branch. "Princess Tsunade wanted the -2 brats- for reasons beneficial to your growth."
(-)
Older Naruto realized his form was dissipating. He flew away from child-him, whispering. "If only."
(-)
Sasuke Uchiha faced his ancestor, Indra Otsutsuki emotionlessly. His hands in his pockets securely.
Indra ambled towards Sasuke, insultingly grinning. His Sharingan crashed into Sasuke's, with the latter enquiring. "Where am I?"
Casually, Indra exuded his chakra ruthlessly. Sasuke radiated his presence. The Uchiha's originator scanned his incarnation. "Hell." He sardonically answered.
Walking towards him, Sasuke and Indra's aura battled, desiring for the other to diminish permanently. "I want to return."
When Indra heard those words, he smiled with certainty, snapping his fingers. "You are going to return. Still, are you not curious on who I am?"
Instantly, Sasuke nodded, unfeelingly responding. "Who you are is of no significance. You're capable of helping me."
Laughing, Indra strolled away from Sasuke, glancing patiently. "What brought that guess?"
"Only I can understand myself," Sasuke answered heartlessly. His Sharingan disappeared into the sea of grey. "And you can only understand yourself as well."
Approaching Sasuke, Indra's chakra, which was Sasuke's chakra span around him, before attaching itself onto him, a mark appearing in his eyes.
Sasuke blinked, composedly accepting the gift, and Indra informed. "If you could speak with those two, would you?"
Exhaling, the Otsutsuki's reincarnation dispersed into specks of energy. "If only…"
(-)
Menma emptily smiled. He stared at the looming entities. His eyes seething with sadness, frustration. "Sorry. Matatabi. Kurama." He bowed his head, grief sizzling in his posture.
Growling, Kurama's energy formed a hand, forcing Menma up, and lifting him skywards. "Why are you sorry?"
Standing on the Kyuubi's chakra platform, Menma bitterly grinned, reducing the urge to yell, cry. "I failed. I swore I'd win."
Matatabi silently watched, while Kurama roared unsparingly. "Your oath was genuine! You were not the only one who failed. Naruto, Sasuke, they both failed!"
"Would they cry, bow?! No. The Uchiha, a bastard he is, would make his own path. While Naruto, your brother, would smile, and amble, reaching something importantly special!"
Menma placated Kurama's chakra, realizing in this peculiarly created realm, he and his partner were still linked.
He glared unrelentingly at the Kyuubi. His demeanour changing promptly. Rough and unemotional. "Kurama and Matatabi, what's your ambition, speaking to me like this?"
"I'm not losing my courage!" Menma yelled in response. Pitilessness emanated from his eyes alone. "Naruto's final words were for me to kill, not conciliate."
"Sasuke's Rinnegan was supposedly better than Madara's, he ripped Sasuke's eye before slicing him with the ten-tail's chakra," Menma explained inconsiderately. "Kurama, Matatabi. When was I gonna lose determination?"
Growling, once more, Kurama smirked amusedly. "You really are something else."
Menma hastily noticed he was falling, with Kurama dispelling his platform. Sadly, the Kyuubi wasn't allowing him to control his chakra, annoyingly. "Matatabi!" He yelled worriedly.
A flourishing blue hurricane neared Menma, keeping him inside the centre. Grinning, Menma comfortably seated himself onto the surface, relaxingly. "I can always rely on Matatabi, and, seriously Kurama?!"
Silence. Menma looked around, only to notice Matatabi's glimmering yellow and Kurama's wild crimson watching him. "If you could stop all this, would you?" He heard.
Sighing to himself, he stood. His shape dispelled with the winds. "If only…"
(-)
Hagoromo Otsutsuki floated patiently. His intricately grown Rinnegan uncomplainingly watching 3 forms blur into existence.
Indra was seated on a chair. Which appeared to match the appearance of his Susano', he grinned sinisterly. "A coincidental occurrence."
Hagoromo's orbs slid towards Indra calmly, both of them lacked the expected hostility. "If only you heard his cries." He remarked.
Smiling barbarically, Indra laughed, his pupils blasting to Hagoromo composedly. "Unfortunately, his cries were in silence."
Kurama and Matatabi lowered their skulls, and Indra sharply glanced. "Oh, Kurama! It's been a while."
Kurama snapped his attention to Hagoromo, impatiently murmuring. "Can you hurry up?"
Nodding, Hagoromo's fingers became intertwined before Kurama and Matatabi dispersed, their chakra lessening completely, escaping the realm.
Indra concentrated on Hagoromo, he scratched his chin intently. "I shall not reincarnate this time."
"Neither shall he," Hagoromo answered, shutting his eyes in a slumberous manner. "Well, Indra."
Dispelling his chair, Indra ambled towards the other Otsutsuki, grinning unkindly. "The game is now happening."
(-)
Menma drifted across the realm of death. Unstopping. He glided through the loneliness of the earth after death.
He was the only person, or ghost around. Ambling, he darted forward, habitually grabbing onto something.
His ghostly form was dispelling, he blurred into what was like a new, ruthless authenticity.
"Kurama? Matatabi?" He called quietly, drearily fighting the roar for slumber. "You near?"
Shouting, Kurama irritably responded. "We're near. Now, sleep, it's your bedtime anyway." He sarcastically mumbled.
Matatabi replied in a softer and kinder manner. "Of course. You earned your slumber."
Menma Uzumaki nodded, his sights distorting.
(-)
Currently, Naruto Uzumaki was groaning agitatedly. His own ghostly body was flailing around the realm of the after-earth.
He crashed into numerous, indistinct creatures of chakra. He coughed when his stomach was punched by a formless entity.
Coughing, Naruto grumbled in annoyance. "Seriously…What's happening?!" He mentally screamed, his hand approached his pockets.
"Are my weapons still there?" Reaching in, the Uzumaki physically felt a sharp edge. He brought out the Kunai which matched the shape of Minato's one. "Nice. Flying Thunder God for the win!"
Until, his fingers loosened the grab, when Naruto neared a lifeless looking branch. His Kunai hurrying away. "No," He mumbled. "Damn!"
Naruto, in frustration, decreased his consciousness.
(-)
His crimson spheres mirthlessly examined the area. Sasuke stood, his mind calculating the incidents which transpired.
Opening his eyes, the Uchiha walked calmly. A sword resting in his grasps. His chakra clicked into lightning, before slashing the claret-sullied stone.
Picking up the remains, Sasuke scrutinized them collectedly. He rubbed the stone against an arm, nodding satisfactorily, he dropped the small boulder.
"It looks like the other Uchiha coerced me into this place."
Sasuke glanced upwards, the stratosphere crashing onto him, he smiled unemotionally, before fading with the rocks surrounding him.
He supposed sleep would be kind.
(-)
Slowly and carefully, Menma woke up, he scratched his eyes promptly, confusion sauntering into him.
He was sure he died. Now, he was resting on top of his mattress from when he was a child, an energetic, rambunctious child.
Menma's intelligence resembled Minato's, with his appearance matching his mother's. Still, he shook himself from his remembrance.
"If you could stop all this, would you?"
Realizing the meaning of his partners' words. The crimson-haired shinobi's orbs expanded. "It's impossible…"
He raced out of his room hastily. Darting into his bathroom, Menma was in his 10 year old body. Specifically 6 years before the battle.
The battle where he lost but gained it all.
Menma's bitter expression became one of relentless cheerfulness. "Kurama, Matatabi? Both of ya meant this?"
All he heard was an annoyed grumbling, and a gentle laugh. "Kid," Kurama garnered Menma and Matatabi's attention. "I'm sure you're in denial-.."
"Huh? Why would I be in denial?!" He yelled, with unexpected calmness. Menma entered his seal, a graciously made plane relaxing before him. "You're my partners. Which makes me happy you still contain some confidence in me."
Now, Matatabi spoke, there was a grim and fickle feeling with the fashion the remark was announced. "Menma. This isn't the original timeline…"
Menma stopped.
(-)
Sasuke awoke. He was aware of what to anticipate. The Otsutsuki, Indra, was certainly helpful.
He was seated on a throne, only, when he stared at the blade resting on his side, he saw the appearance of a child.
Folding his arms indifferently, Sasuke nodded, Indra was playing with him. Mocking him, similarly to when Madara killed him.
Logically, Sasuke would be panicking, attempting to learn where he was. Grabbing the sword, the Uchiha's grey, steeled orbs were incapable of becoming his Sharingan, which was quite irritating.
Sasuke was successful in realizing what this residence was. He smiled icily.
Indra Otsutsuki's lair anciently bowed to him, his originator was indeed helpful.
(-)
Naruto always unappreciated loneliness. While sometimes he was a lone child. His brother, Menma, would unrelentingly stand with him.
He and Sasuke were like brothers, while Itachi, when Sasuke was 7, disappeared with all the Uchihas, Sasuke was alone.
Naruto grasped the in betweens of his chest and stomach. Clenching it ruthlessly. He was 10, 10 years old. Peculiarly enough, Naruto appeared unbothered by the understanding.
He suppressed his longing for a nice, warm bowl of Ramen, unfortunately, he was needed somewhere else.
A polite wind ambled by him, Naruto smiled softly. "Menma. Sasuke. Gaara and Kakashi-Sensei."
Naruto was in what looked to be a forest and his 10 year old-self was simply remaining there.
He was unable to recall any morning or afternoon where he entered the woods. Naruto shook his head, expecting himself to recount all of his life was impolitic.
Examining his surroundings Naruto guessed he was in one of the training area's woods. The forest of death contained creatures, entities which wanted to kill people sliding into their territory.
Nodding, Naruto's orbs snapped shut before he garnered nature energy. Again, his detection skills stayed the same.
Rubbing his chin, Naruto sprung upwards onto a branch. His contract with the toads was, at this age, annul, annoyingly.
Perhaps he was unable to handle the strength of Sage Mode, well, maybe Hiraishin could still aid him. "Where are dad's Kunais situated?"
His main aspiration was too learn where Menma and Sasuke were. He was perchance near Konoha. Which showed him worrying was unrequired.
Sighing wearily, Naruto leaped onto the grass, snapping his head to the pile of bushes, he noticed an outline. Watching him, completely quizzical.
Naruto was unsure of his prowess, he was weak, far too weak. Swiftly, he flickered to the tree-tops.
He glided through the air before checking his pockets, there were no weapons or scrolls. "What was I expecting?" He sarcastically mused.
Stopping, he rocketed along the leaf pile, before his hands whirled with signs. "Wind Style: Gale Palm…"
A quick, powerful surge escaped his appendage. Naruto noticed the person nearing him, he wasn't taking any chances, considering this was his second one.
The leaf stack span around the outline, who merely whizzed across, and Naruto sprinted, channelling chakra into his heels.
"Okay Naruto, enough," Grey eyes and blue stared. Naruto's ones widened in shock. It was impossible. "Seriously, enough!"
"Why, why him?"
Annoyed. Obito Uchiha's single orb simmered with frustration.
"Why?"
(-)
Menma's hands slammed into each-other. He confusedly stared at the beasts. "This is what's happened. I, unexpectedly, went to a different timeline, where anything which happened, happened differently?"
Nodding smartly, Matatabi answered with certainty. "You catch on easily."
"Of course," Menma grinned casually, despite being assailed by information. "Betcha Kurama's still shocked."
Bristling, Kurama growled in irritation. "You realize Matatabi was sealed in someone else when you were 10, and you only contained the Ying half of my chakra."
"Which shows you're quite dumb."
"Anything which happened, happened differently!" Menma cheekily responded, and continued amiably. "Meaning, all the incidents which happened before this, won't be helpful."
Bowing his head, Menma started formulating a plan, while Kurama and Matatabi waited in deep silence. Clicking his fingers, the Uzumaki's skull rose.
He explained intelligently. "Okay. I'm gonna need to withdraw from my room, and check Konoha, there's a chance there could be other Hokages now."
Matatabi glanced towards Kurama, who nodded curtly. "Menma, using up our chakra exhausted us, and there's a method for this to only hinder one of us."
Sharply, the 2-tails stared at the child, before announcing. "Kurama or I can slumber and recollect the lost chakra. If both of us work with one another our chakra can be regained quicker. Or one sleeps longer to gather up their chakra, and the other sleeps after they wake up."
Kurama roughly grumbled, picking up from where his fellow chakra-creation stopped. "An easier explanation is you either choose me or Matatabi to stay awake while the other sleeps."
Menma unhesitatingly shouted. "Matatabi!"
Supposedly not hearing him, the Kyuubi continued mumbling with sureness. "I'm aware you and I were partners longer, and this may be a decision of difficulty, still-…"
"You chose Matatabi?!"
Grinning with a rare childishness, which Kurama and Matatabi were happy to witness, the Uzumaki answered. "Come on, Kurama. You and I are partners, always. You desire the sleep anyway."
Cordially, Menma approached Kurama, a witting glimmer in his composed eyes. "Partners, anytime." Controlling Kurama's chakra inside the seal, a tail was formed.
Slamming his own tail into the other, Kurama growled amicably. "Anywhere."
"The sleep would be nice…"
"Matatabi," Kurama opened his mouth, preparing his words. "Menma's gonna annoy you all the time, and bother you when you're sleeping. Be careful." He sarcastically added in a whisper.
"Go to bed. Fur-ball!"
"Sure. It'd be great to get away from you."
"Are you going to simply stay unconscious when I re-enter the seal?" Menma asked, ambling towards Kurama. "Or are you resting somewhere else?"
Kurama shook his head dismissingly. "No need for you to worry."
Nodding, Menma watched Kurama's chakra whirl, before the Kyuubi disappeared, deeper into his seal.
Matatabi keenly scrutinized Menma and inspected his expression. "Why?"
Staring at the 2-tails, the Uzumaki sighed stressfully. "Kurama earned the rest and you want to aid me." Menma smiled, another tail forming.
Before entering slumber fully, the Kyuubi's lips extended. "Kid. You deserve your own relaxation." Kurama's consciousness blurred.
(-)
Sasuke stared towards his hand, melding his chakra, he silently dictated. "Fire Style: Fire-Ball…"
Presently, Sasuke was examining his restrictions, like his chakra amounts, he was no longer able to use his Sharingan, his Chidori was unusable, and he could only rely on basic techniques.
The warmth dissipated and Sasuke, attempting the Body-Flicker, whizzed forward.
His 10 year old body was quite healthy, which was unanticipated. He examined Indra's lair and exhaled aloofly.
There were only a few scrolls, irrefutably carrying the instructions for techniques, which could predictably create sections of relentless damage.
Sasuke was aware he couldn't waste any-time, only 6 years until Madara becomes the 10-tails container. Unrolling a scroll, the Uchiha nodded. "Menma, Naruto…My comrades. They shall not succeed."
"After all, I'm not the only one who returned," He glanced near the scroll. "Well, you're going to learn the same."
The Otsutsuki, was indeed. helpful.
(-)
Menma sauntered out of the bathroom, his eyes dimmed in indifference. His exuberance was indisputably unrequired.
After looking for Naruto in his apartment complex, he realized it was only designed for one person. Fortunately, his appearance was still purple-eyed and crimson-haired.
He walked into his bedroom, before relaxing onto the window sill. Currently, Konoha's atmosphere was energetic, excited yet there remained a certain lifelessness beneath.
Menma promptly flickered to the surface, inconspicuously reaching a passage-way between structures.
He was still comprehending the fact that anything he learned or was aware of, could be different now.
Ambling, Menma eyed the Hokage-Stone-Faces with graveness. "There's Hashirama. Tobirama. Geezer-Hiruzen. Of course," He mused bitterly, before noticing the other one. "There's Minato Namikaze, dad, and…"
His spheres widened at the 5th stone face, which wasn't really supposed to be there. "Orochimaru…"
He merely sighed. There was random change 1, the Snake-Sannin, Orochimaru, Sharingan appreciator, Orochimaru, was Hokage, leader of Konoha, and not out there torturing kids.
"Oh, well," Menma's hands entered his pockets, the child fixed his orbs forwards. "I'm quite sure Sasuke would run into the office and kill him, where are Naruto and Sasuke now?"
When he detected Matatabi was remaining wordless. The realization rocketed towards him. "Of course."
(-)
Sitting on a branch, Obito was drawling about the unexciting missions he was granted as a Genin, something Naruto could agree with, completely.
Still, he was forcing himself to not battle it out with him, he inhaled calmly, which wasn't really much, Naruto was far too boisterous and immature sometimes.
"Then, Kakashi grasped me and tossed me into a tree, and when I blasted a fire-ball, he dodged and grabbed me, and threw me into the burning bushes!" Obito recounted, his pace was slow, recalling all the details. "After your dad, or Minato-Sensei, appeared and I was in trouble!"
Naruto paused, hearing his dad's name, he wasn't supposed to learn his identity at this age, while Naruto was dumb, his fatuity was not too low.
Nodding like he was intently agreeing with Obito on why Kakashi was annoying, Naruto preferred Kakashi more than the person who announced war on the nations, confidently.
Obito finally stopped, massaging his hair in uncertainty. "Naruto, when could you use wind style anyway?"
The Uzumaki decided not to answer, and enquired rambunctiously. "Where's Menma?!" He needed to match his kid personality, while he grew up, the small bits of immaturity would stay.
Immediately, Obito stiffened, shutting his mouth before his lips opened. "Naruto. You and Menma were separated 4 years ago."
Kneeling, Obito grabbed Naruto's arm, and softly confirmed. "I understand you miss him, and Menma misses you. Unfortunately. We won't be returning in another 3 years."
Naruto's orbs widened askingly. "Why?"
Sighing, Obito explained, like this was an unexpected occurrence. "Lord Hokage granted me no reason. Only the order to watch you."
Naruto nodded, and Obito sprang onto the surface, indicating the Uzumaki, with a gesture for Naruto to follow him. "Come. Let's get some Ramen."
Stomach mumbling, Naruto blurred. "Menma, Sasuke, looks like I'm somewhere else!" He calculated.
(-)
His blade slashed through another boulder, Sasuke connected more chakra to the tip and rushed towards the rows of stones.
The lightning danced near the weapon, and it dug into the top of a rock, before a cracking sound played.
Sasuke leaped over one, and, using another blade, lacerated the other targets. Now, he was aware Menma and Naruto came with him, and to a new timeline.
When he was the age of 10, the Uchiha's chakra amounts were insufficiently low, he would need to work on his physical abilities more, like weapons and his battle skills.
Dispelling the lightning, the former-Sharingan user returned to his throne and smirked slightly. "Looks like I shall be reaching you soon."
Sasuke intended to learn what happened to Itachi and the clan this time.
He was training for about two hours and desired some sleep, after replenishing his chakra, he would escape the lair.
"My comrades are waiting…" While Sasuke's spheres drowsily snapped, he slumbered. "Indra, my originator. My gratitude is high."
(-)
Menma stood airily, grinning flippantly at the 5th Hokage, when he was a child, he always chatted to people with a casual attitude.
"Lord Hokage, this composed child awaits your words," He bowed sarcastically. "Sometimes messing with others is too amusing."
Matatabi, who was entertained by Menma's childishness, answered. "Agreed."
Orochimaru silently scanned Menma before laughing creepily. "Your disrespectfulness is far too much."
Amusedly, Orochimaru's Shadow Clone disappeared, and the Snake-Sannin relaxed onto his chair.
Gesturing Menma to numerous seats, the Uzumaki leaped into one, smiling calmly. "You need something?"
Menma was facing no issues staying in a manner which resembled him being affiliated with the Sannin, despite him barely speaking with Orochimaru prior to his death.
Drinking his tea, the Snake-User signalled one of his Anbu members and, in a blur, there was a single documentation.
Orochimaru settled the cup to the desk's corner before sliding the paper towards Menma composedly. "Considering your skill, this mission is being assigned to you."
Now Menma was confused, it appeared this time he was a shinobi, in this timeline, when he was 10, which was interesting.
"Of course," Menma grinned immaturely, grabbing the paper excitedly. "I shall be prepared soon." The Uzumaki darted away.
Orochimaru nodded at the child's quickness. "Well. The Crimson Killer is coming." He gleefully mused, consuming the liquid from his cup again.
(-)
Naruto and Obito were messily dining at a rather large restaurant, with there being stacks and stacks of bowls on their section.
While Naruto was determined to learn where Sasuke and Menma were situated they would need to keep their patience.
After all, Naruto and Obito were eating all the Ramen they could before needing to trip, and the Uzumaki wanted to be informed of where they would be going.
"Place we're hiking too?" He asked, ingesting his food exuberantly. "I wanna get some training accomplished."
"Restless," The Uchiha murmured, sliding his bowl into the pile. "We're going to the Sunakagure now."
Naruto grinned cheerfully, connecting his fingers as numerous clones formed, bringing the bowls towards the main desk.
"Shadow Clones for the win!"
Obito's eyes scanned each clone, he nodded confusedly. "Wind Style and now this," He mumbled.
"You mimicked me, huh?" Obito rhetorically questioned, leaning deeper into his chair. "Your randomness is scary."
"Let's go with me noticing him using it then, this makes it all easier," Naruto decided, ignoring Obito's explanation based on Kakashi, which was getting annoying. "Okay. To Suna now!"
Ruffling Naruto's hair, Obito smiled, with the former flinching slightly, he was still the one who announced war and ruined and killed countless people.
"Sure." Clenching Naruto, Obito's Mangekyo shined in initiation before they disappeared in a writhing energy. "Well, it won't take too long."
If only he watched Naruto with more attention.
(-)
Sasuke strolled through the passage-ways of Indra's lair, he approached a sealing-encased gate.
This made the Uchiha quite contented, Menma was successful with showing him a few methods to eliminate sealing marks.
Shooting his chakra into his hand, Sasuke pressed it onto the symbols before his limb glimmered with energy, and the seals dispelled.
While Sasuke spent a small amount of time becoming used to his body, more problems would occur if he couldn't stop them soon.
Well, he would be stopping those issues with Menma and Naruto, he was certain they were all weakened.
Opening the gates, Sasuke noticed the complicatedly riding sky. He nodded, concentrating on his surroundings.
He appeared to of been sent to a temple, and the monuments were memorialising the Otsutsuki, who made all this happen.
The memorial was situated inside the woods, shutting his eyes, Sasuke could feel no other presences.
Unlatching his orbs, Sasuke neared the gate before returning the seals to normal, permanently, unless he wanted, dissipating the chance of someone stumbling upon the lair.
He would still use the base, he and Menma and Naruto would require a place to discuss anything of significance. Now, Sasuke would need to sharpen his skills.
Entering any nation, which watched him as an enemy, would be preferable.
Blurring, Sasuke disappeared.
(-)
Menma learned his apartment contained a cupboard filled with Kunais, Shurikens, and scrolls.
Astoundingly enough, Menma was in possession of an Anbu mask, and a little smile reached his lips.
"Matatabi, looks like changing it all won't be too easy," He remarked cordially, attaching the mask onto his head. "What's my codename?"
"There's a chance it's Kitsune from your status as his container, which the public appears to be unaware of," The 2-tails guessed. "It could be anything."
"Well, no problems. My physical ability may be lessened." He paused, before nodding to himself speedily. "My Sealing Chains and skills are still the same."
"Now," Menma sighed, dropping onto a chair. "Elimination mission." He continued, his pupils gliding along the paper. "Of…Matatabi who's this."
Using Menma's sights Matatabi exhaled, reminding him wearily. "It's Shukaku's container."
"Gaara?!" Menma mentally yelled, eyeing the image incredulity. "Sorry Matatabi, his hairs longer, and he's smiling, Gaara's expression is like a boulder."
"Still, looks to me it's Suna we're going to."
The Uzumaki breathed out deeply, placing the documentation into his Anbu cloth's pouch. "Another change. Good to learn he's sane now."
"Of course," Matatabi smiled, uncertain if Shukaku was residing in Gaara, currently. "No time to waste."
Nodding in agreeance, Menma's fingers connected, blocking out the feeling of Matatabi's chakra, if people learned he held the 2-tails that would be problematic.
Menma sprang through his window before escaping his accommodation, he shot at the gates of Konoha and dissipated.
With Matatabi's chakra enhancing him, the Uzumaki could make it under 23 hours if he remained unstopping.
"No need to worry," Menma mused amiably, darting along the branches. "You can sleep and I shall deal with this."
He would soon be reasoning with Orochimaru on why it's greater if Gaara stays in this earth and not the one after.
(-)
Sasuke ambled across the stony path, all of his attention was detecting whether anyone else would be approaching him.
He desired to meet with Naruto and Menma. Unfortunately, that would need to wait, there was something Sasuke wanted to witness.
While there wasn't anyone nearing him, of course, there were still presences lingering in the area.
Unsheathing his blade, Sasuke whizzed away from the settlements, if there were any shinobi, he expected them to hinder him.
Realizing the people stayed immobile, the Uchiha sighed, and he wanted to become aware of which country the lair was made.
He remained on a branch for a few seconds, contemplating what actions he would decide.
Walking along the trees with chakra, Sasuke quickened his pace, bringing himself into a small town.
Incapable of using his Sharingan, the Uchiha needed to examine his abilities against the shinobi of this era. He would regain his strength and speak with those two once more.
His grey irises reached a bar, and Sasuke silently strolled, unbothered by the worried stares of citizens, scared as to why a child, with a weapon, was alone with no adults.
His nose picked up on a drunken stench, and he ignored the fragrance, he brought out a decent amount of coins. The bandits were quite annoying before he reached this area.
Sitting on a stool, Sasuke sent the coins towards the waiter, who placed them into a bag. "What would you desire, sir?"
Sasuke flatly eyed him before answering with certainty. "Water, a simple child I am."
The waiter appeared bored of Sasuke's remark, grabbing a cup and filling the mug with the requested liquid.
Nodding, Sasuke slowly gulped in the water, finishing about a half, the Uchiha placed it onto the desk before pointing towards a pile of newspaper.
Once again, Sasuke dropped a few coins into the butler's hands and examined it with curiousness. "Appears to me I'm in the country of lightning, not too bad."
Icily extending his lips, Sasuke finished his drink, before he left the establishment there was a noisy clattering sound.
He recognized the chakra, the 5th Hokage of his era was screaming at the waiter.
"Naruto fought with her, there's a chance I could too." The Uchiha sat onto his chair, again, and heard the screams calmly. "What's occurring anyway?"
Staggeringly, Tsunade's hands crashed into the desk. "The Sake was disgusting! What business are you running?!"
Composedly, the waiter responded with patience. "Ma'am, all the alcohol you drank needs to be paid for, if you come with me, we can discuss another method of you paying for these drinks-…"
"Excuse me," Sasuke interrupted with indifference. Strolling towards the waiter, who needed some aid. "I can pay for the drinks."
Drunkenly, Tsunade hiccupped, staring at the Uchiha incredulously. "Go annoy someone else kid. The adults are speaking."
Aloofly, Sasuke opened his hand, where a stack of coins rested, enough to pay for the expenses and buy more. Genuinely, the bandits, who were beaten up by him, were helping him considerably.
Tsunade sat onto the stool, and glanced towards Sasuke, examining him with uncertainty. "You want something."
Handing the coins to the waiter, Sasuke calmly responded. "Of course."
"Currently, I'd like a spar."
Laughing, Tsunade questioned stumblingly. "That's all?"
Nodding, the Uchiha ambled towards the door, confirming. "Of course." He repeated.
The Sannin walked out of the bar, stopping a good distance before Sasuke, remaining confidently still.
While Sasuke brought out the blade from the Otsutsuki's lair. He entered a posture which contained years of strength and calmness.
Blurring, Sasuke's lightning shined onto the weapon, slicing Tsunade with skilfulness. He leaped upwards, dodging the clenched hand, which could shatter the surface.
Reaching a roof-top, the Uchiha emotionlessly nodded, before shooting at the Sannin's stomach, his intention was to slash, not too murder.
Deflecting Sasuke's weapon's tip, the healer grabbed his head, only for the Uchiha to drop the blade, and manipulate his chakra into an unwelcoming warmth.
Mentally, Sasuke announced apathetically, concentrating on the battle. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullets!"
A surge of wind dispelled all of his heat, and Sasuke's head was grabbed, roughly. "The Sannin are still strong it appears."
Placing Sasuke onto the surface, Tsunade dusted her clothes, which were slightly burned from Sasuke's technique, and he merely watched.
"Kid, where are your parents anyway?" Tsunade asked, checking the town for casualties. The people were decently okay. "Need you to return-.."
"My parents passed away a while ago." Sasuke indifferently answered. Grabbing his blade unworriedly. "I'm simply going where the earth wants me."
Sighing, Tsunade nodded, children like Sasuke were normal, and Tsunade came to the realization but still wanted to make sure.
"Well," Smirking, Tsunade tossed Sasuke forward, the latter sticking to a structure promptly. "You're coming with me and my aid."
Sasuke confusedly glanced. Remaining on the structure's side. "Why would you bring a kid who wanted to battle you with you, now?"
"You can make one hell of a fortune with your skills."
"Guess she figured out the reason for all those coins," Sasuke calculated, nearing Tsunade composedly. "Okay."
"Name?"
"Sasuke. I'm unaware of my surname." He replied readily. "Which can be annoying."
It worked out greater than anticipated as well.
(-)
While Menma stared.
(-)
Sadness.
A/N: Bye, carefully.