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"If Itachi was working for Konoha, what happened with the coup de tat?" Naruto's questioned echoed through the group. All the shinobi turned to Tsunade for answers. Tsunade looked blank.

"I don't know. Sensi was Hokage then. He must have kept the truth hidden but why?" Tsunade questioned. All eyes turned to where Rania stood with the four newcomers. Turning, she and the others joined to group.

"They tried to kill us!" Ino shrieked. Rania lifted an eyebrow at Hidan and Kakuzu. Hidan looked down at his feet and Kakuzu looked away.

"Well, did you?" Danok asked.

"It was only an act. We knew that we had to make it look good so we tried to kill them. If we hadn't, then Pain would have."

Kakuzu reasoned. A slender hand smacked them.

"Owww! That hurt!" the two said looking at a mad Hinata. Hiashi was taken aback.

"Y...you tried to kill us and steal N...Naruto from us!" Hinata said. Once again, the duo looked away. Before she could continue, Itachi stepped in.

"It is true they did but Pain is a harsh, cold human. He would have killed without remorse. I tried to kill you too." Itachi reasoned. Hinata looked away.

Naruto spoke.

"Hinata, they tried but didn't. Leave in the past. Besides, I'm curious as to how my cousin knows them." Naruto said. Rania smiled.

"Hidan and Kakuzu are two of my spy network that I have all over. They were apart of a slave caravan that sold young men to black magic workers. They used them to try to appease spirits that they had angered as well as sending other beings to kidnap and murder citizen of Geno, a small island kingdom. Trent, Vilis, Beha, and myself were sent to stop the killings. They worshipped a creature called Jashin. They tried to kill us several times before we found the lair. Hidan and Kakuzu were still alive and still themselves. In order for them to survive, they had to bond themselves to another person for life. I bonded them to me because I believed that they were still good at heart. When rumors arose of the red cloud wearing Pain, I sent these two to join him. Their job was to destroy from within. Then Pain decided to go after the Bijuu. That's when I told them to protect Naruto and others." Rania explained. Naruto looked confused.

"So, they have been spying on Pain for you?" Jirayia said. Rania nodded.

"As I have been for you, Jirayia-sensi." Itachi said softly. Jirayia nodded sagely. Naruto then turned to Itachi.

"Dud you know that we are cousins, too? Your mom and my mom were sisters. Nice,huh?" Naruto told Itachi. Itachi looked amazed.

"I always thought Mother was an Uchiha as Father was."

"No," Rania began," your mother was Kushina's younger sister. The marriage, as was Minato's and Kushina's, was held here. Witnessed by another shinobi of your village. The Sandaime was the only one in Konoha to know of your mother's hertiage besides this person." Rania said. Itachi looked at Naruto with sad eyes.

"I am sorry, Naruto, had I known of our blood tie, I would have never abandoned you or Sasuke. I am truly at fault for all that has befallen you in the past years." Itachi said. Naruto just smiled.

"Don't worry, you can't change the past. Besides, you've got to explain things to Sasuke, too." Naruto said. Itachi blanched.

"He must know that I did not kill our parents. Father was aware of the coup de tart by the elders, so he and I decided to end them. I camr back from the execution of my half of the group to find my mother and father dead and Sasuke caught in Genjustus. Before I coukd release ut, ROOT showed up and sounded the alarm. Sandaime told me to seek out Jirayia. The rest you know." Irachi said, eyes locked on Naruto's.

"I believe you but Sasuke may take a little more convincing." Naruto said.

"No, I won't. Itachi has never lied to me, ever. I'm beginning to believe that ROOT killed our family. Why?" Sasuke said from behind.

"To control us, our bloodline. To breed a new shinobi. Father knew that this would lead to trouble. So ROOT killed our clan to make themselves more valueable. Besides, Father was helping to clear out the vermin. Mother-I never knew until now of her lineage-was to meet us with you. I killed my half of the traitors. Father and Mother were already dead when I got there. Mother's last wish was written in blood-Take care of Sasuke, Itachi." Itachi said sadly. Sasuke walked up and hugged his brother. Naruto grinned.

"What about Mother's lineage? I thought she was an Uchiha since birth." Sasuke said. Naruto's grin got even bigger.

"Not exactly, Sasuke. You see, my mom and your mom were sisters. So that makes us cousins." Naruto said. Sasuke's eyes widened.

"NANI?!"