A/N: Hey friends, sorry for dying for second. Things have been crazy on my end but it's been getting better so hopefully I can get some new chapters out for you guys. Also thanks for the nice reviews! Here's your Naruto fanfiction:

Chapter 7: Classic Orochimaru :)

"Hurry up," Sasori demanded. Somehow, his large body was walking faster than his partner's.

His teammate was looking off into the night. The dark sky was lit up by moonlight but it was still impossible to see because of the amount of fog in the air.

"Will you stop looking dramatically off into the distance," Sasori snapped. "We have work to do."

"Ah, I'm sorry, but I can't help it," His teammate replied. "Say, do you mind if we make a quick pit-stop before we continue?"

"What!" Sasori growled. "You can't be serious, Orochimaru."

"I just want to take a quick stop at the Leaf Village," Orochimaru explained. "We'll be in and out, I promise."

"You're a fool to think that we can just walk in there and-"

"Sasori, please think of my dear old sensei… He did just pass away, don't you remember? I want to pay my respects."

Sasori stood in silence for a few seconds. "I'm not going," he eventually announced. "You can get caught up in whatever you want, that's not my business. But if you keep me waiting then I won't hesitate to end your life."

"I told you, I'll be in and out."

Naruto was playing with the pencils on the hokage's desk. This was the first time Jiraiya had called him into his office as hokage, and he wasn't even here. It would have bothered him if he had stuff going on, but it was too late in the evening to really do anything.

Jiraiya finally opened the door and sat at his desk. "Sorry, sorry."

"You're hokage now, you really shouldn't be showing up late," Naruto sassed.

"I've been doing this hokage stuff all day, give me a break," Jiraiya sighed. "Anyway, I have some things that I want to discuss with you."

"Sure, shoot."

"As you know, the Akatsuki have been keeping a very close eye on you. Orochimaru especially," Jiraiya explained. "I have reason to believe that the only reason he's in the Akatsuki right now is because he wants to get closer to you."

"What?" Naruto was flattered but confused. "Why me?"

"He wants your sharingan. The Akatsuki wants your tailed beast." Jiraiya answered. "It's a win for both parties."

"Huh, I guess that makes sense."

"That's not the only thing I want to talk to you about," Jiraiya said, folding his hands together. "You might want to take a seat."

"Uh, sure." Naruto sat down. "Lay it on me, Pervy Sage."

"I want to tell you about Itachi Uchiha."

Neji took a deep breath as he walked the empty streets of the village. No one seemed to be out at this hour. It was late, but he saw no reason to start heading home. He enjoyed the quiet.

As he made his way down the street, he noticed a slight movement behind him. Neji brushed it off as nothing, but he subtly activated his Byakugan, just in case. He could see a man in a black cloak seemingly following him.

This, however, didn't worry him. He walked on, figuring that the man would stray away, but he was persistent. The man seemed to get closer with every step. After a while, Neji stopped in his tracks. The man did the same.

"Why are you following me?" Neji asked without turning around.

"Oh? How long ago did it take for you to notice me?" The man asked.

"Long enough." Neji turned and faced him. "You didn't answer my question."

"My, we're a little impatient today, aren't we?" The man stepped closer. "My name is Orochimaru."

Neji immediately recognized the name. Everyone in the village knew about Orochimaru. What Neji did not know was why he was lurking around the village.

"I've heard a lot about you, Neji Hyuga." Orochimaru said, taking another step forward.

"How do you know who I am?"

"You've made quite the name for yourself. Becoming a jonin at such a young age is quite the accomplishment. Not to mention that you were able to master advanced Hyuga techniques without proper training," Orochimaru explained. "You're quite the genius."

"How the hell do you- That information isn't available to most people inside the village, let alone to an outsider like you." Neji got in a defensive stance.

"I also know about your family's strange hierarchy," Orochimaru continued. "You're from the 'branch family' as you call it, right?"

Neji tensed. *Nothing pissed him off more than the mention of his clan's revolting hierarchy.

"Now, now, settle down," Orochimaru patronized. "I want to help you."

"What are you talking about?" Neji spat.

"I said that I want to help," Orochimaru repeated. "Many people come to me seeking power. You are already a splendid ninja, but you could always be better. How about it?"

Neji let out a soft chuckle. "Sorry but power isn't something I'm looking for. I could have all the power in the world and I wouldn't be satisfied."

Orochimaru scanned him up and down. "Under your headband is the Caged Bird Seal, correct?"

Neji winced. "What about it?"

"Ah, I think I'm starting to finally get you, Hyuga." Orochimaru grinned. "You want freedom, not power. Well, that might be a tad bit trickier, but give me time and it can be done."

Neji stood there, confused. "I don't want anything you offer," he stated. "You're a criminal."

"What if I told you that I could completely erase the fate you were given?" Orochimaru asked. "I could wipe that seal off your forehead, then you would be treated like the Hyugas from the main family."

"That's impossible," Neji growled.

"Don't believe me? I've plenty of things that seem impossible."

"I'm not taking your offer."

Orochimaru's sinister smile faded. "Fine. If you won't come to me willingly-" Orochimaru lunged himself forward. "-then I'll have to force you!"

Neji thrusted himself out of the way, managing to dodge the Akatsuki member. He stiffened when he saw Orochimaru rushing towards him again. Except this time, Neji could tell it was a clone coming after him. Neji winded up his arm, but the clone dissipated before he could get a punch in.

"What are you playing at?" Neji called out. "What's your goal here?"

A snake slithered into Neji's field of view. It lifted its head to make itself taller. Its body unnaturally stretched until it reached Neji's height. It slowly morphed into a figure of a man. Before Neji knew it, Orochimaru was standing in front of him again, chuckling to himself.

"I know you want my help, Hyuga," Orochimaru hissed. "Why do you insist on making this difficult?"

Neji didn't reply. He was scanning his opponent. He could tell by his amount of chakra that the man before him wasn't a clone, but something felt off.

"Just picture it: you would be free to do whatever you want without the weight of fate holding you down." Orochimaru stepped closer. "Imagine if your father had the same offer."

Neji's stomach churned. His eyes wandered to the ground as memories of his father flooded his mind. If his father hadn't been cursed to a life of serving his twin brother, then maybe he would still be around today.

Neji yelped as he felt a sudden pain in his shoulder. The feeling of two sharp blades piercing his skin. A snake had bit him. Three dot-like markings appeared near the bite mark.

The snake slithered up to Neji's ear. "360 degree vision doesn't mean much if you're not paying attention." The snake had the same sadistic voice as the man in front of them. It slithered to its master and slid onto his shoulder.

Pain was starting to overwhelm Neji's entire body. He dropped down to his knees, firmly grasping onto his bite mark. His heavy breathing turned to panting as he writhed on the ground, yelling in pain.

"I look forward to working with you," Orochimaru said as he walked away. "That is, if you don't die from this."

Naruto stood in front of Jiraiya's desk with his mouth to the floor. He had just finished hearing the complete truth about Itachi. His stomach dropped as he thought about it.

"I know this is a lot to take in," Jiraiya consoled.

"Why?" Naruto's voice broke. "Why would anyone do something like that?"

"The world is a messed up place, kid."

"Itachi ended so many lives; he made Sasuke's life a living hell, and all because he was following orders?" Naruto raised his voice. "Old man Third just let that happen?"

Jiraiya didn't look up. "It was his last choice of action."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Don't tell me you agree with him!" he yelled.

"Of course I don't!" Jiraiya defended. "But it wasn't Lord Third's fault, it was Danzo."

"But he just let it happen! He oversaw the whole thing and did nothing to stop it!" Naruto gritted his teeth. "No one in the village even knows about this!."

"And it has to stay that way," Jiraiya muttered. "Like it or not, Itachi is on one of the most elaborate S-ranked missions in Shinobi history. With his help, taking out the Akatsuki will be a cinch. If the village finds out, information would leak, and his mission would have been for nothing."

"But it doesn't feel right for us to use him as a spy," Naruto whispered. "He killed so many innocent people."

"We can't change what's happened in the past. We didn't have a choice in the matter. What we can do is lead the future in the right direction."

Naruto chuckled. "You've gotten so wise since you've become Hokage." He couldn't believe this was the same guy who was sneaking into the women's bathhouse a few weeks ago.

"You understand that this information can't leave this room, correct?" Jiraiya shot a stern gaze at him.

Naruto's head was swirling with thoughts. He wanted to share his feelings and uncertainties but he knew how confidential this information was. "I understand."

Wow wacky. So yeah Orochimaru never left the Akatsuki, he's just chilling, living his best life.

I hope you're all having a good December so far. Thanks for reading!