"Has it really been 4 years?" High on top of the Hokage Monument, Nanashi Uchiha stood looking down upon her home. She had changed quite a bit in that time, her long sleek hair was now more wild and slightly shorter, falling to just above her hips. The perfect length for a few jutsu she had learned in order to catch unsuspecting enemies off guard. She had to capture one of Jiraiya's toads in a game of tag to learn those techniques, but it was worth it in the end, having used it on more than one mission. "It feels like an eternity."
"Nanashi-San, Lord third has requested your presence immediately." Like dust in the wind the ANBU appeared behind her, then was gone in an instant. Quite rudely at that.
"No time for pleasantries, it seems." She stared out at her home for one last moment, watching as the sun began to set, before disappearing in a Shunshin.
When she arrived outside her leader's office, she immediately took in all the faces before her, and instantly felt on edge.
Kakashi Hatake stood in one corner reading his favorite book, beside him was his usual groupies of Gai, Kurenai and surprisingly Asuma Sarutobi, who was supposed to be in the Fire Capital guarding the Daimyo.
Nearby were the Hokage's Guard, RaidÅ Namiashi, Genma Shiranui, Iwashi Tatami.
The current Generations Ino-Shika-Cho formation also stood closer to the Hokage's desk, seemingly having a hush argument with the man.
Kneeling by the man's desk was two men as well, one she recognized as a semi-newer member of the Village name Yamato, as well as another shinobi who she couldn't name. Judging by his blank face and empty mask on the ground, however, she could tell he was a ROOT Shinobi, possibly a former member.
Several other veteran shinobi stood in the room as well, Ibiki Morino, Kosuke Maruboshi, Hane Umino, Hayate Gekko, and several more. It seems-
"-Like every active Jonin are in here today, huh, wonder what the issue is." Even though he sounded Jolly and ignorant of the tension in the air, Nanashi knew the man was probably more worried than a cat in the Inuzuka Kennel.
"Shisui." She gave him a small smile as the bubbly man walked up to her with his arms behind his head, that big goofy grin of his plastered across his face. "You're nearly right, its every active Jonin in the village, that is loyal to Lord Third and Lord Third only. Something must have happened."
"Good, it seems that everyone has arrived, then I shall begin." He made a handsign and the walls glowed with a blue light, as the windows grew dark. "ANBU, to me."
Like liquid shadows, nearly a dozen masked Shinobi stepped into the light, all flocked to the center of the room before kneeling, bowing their heads to their leader.
"Now that no one can hear us, I have something important to say. I... am a fool. I have given, and given, and given too many slaps on the wrist. Too many times I have turn the other cheek to those I believed were truly loyal to this village. Many here know of at least one of my many, many mistakes."
"Lord Third?" Hayate Gekko spoke up.
"Another of my mistakes has finally reared its ugly head, two days ago, Naruto Uzumaki, was kidnapped."
Dead silence rang throughout the room, until an angry shout rang throughout the room.
"Why didn't we know earlier!" Kakashi shouted.
"Because it was only discovered recently. Two hours ago, a spy of mine came to me, and informed that the group he worked under, was responsible."
"Who was it? Iwa? Kumo? Did someone discover his father was Lord 4th!" Kakashi's shout caused an uproar within the room, as those who hadn't known the boy's parentage finally realized the truth right in front of them.
"Silence!" Shikaku Nara shouted, "There are more important things happening, than who the child's parents are."
"Thank you, Shikaku. As I was saying, the group responsible, is Konoha, or more specifically, Danzo Shimura and his ROOT operatives. Three days ago, Naruto Uzumaki was kicked out of the Orphanage, the next day a ROOT Operative took the child off the streets and brought him to one of their main bases. They attempted to plant evidence to blame it on Kumo, and I nearly took the bait. Thankfully, a ROOT operative regretting his part in the plan came to another former member. Together they snuck into the main compound and gathered intel before bringing the information to me."
"What is the plan, Hokage-Sama," Nanashi spoke up.
"I have a count of every shinobi under Danzo's command. The entire compound is mapped out in detail. I have the locations of several prisoners, as well as the location of Naruto Uzumaki. But there is something I must ask all of you." The man stood from behind his desk, before walking around and standing before the assembled shinobi. He then slowly began lowering himself before the group, bowing his head.
"My Lord!"
"Lord Third!"
"Hokage-Sama!"
"Please, help this old man fix his mistakes, I beg of you. Please!"
Everyone began shouting as their leader humbled himself before them. Nanashi moved forward, anger on her face, not at her Leader, but at the monster that had forced him so low. She stepped in between the still kneeling ANBU, before stooping low, kneeling before her leader. Behind her, she heard several other's following her lead. She took his hand and helped to rise him once more, before resting her arm atop her knee and bowing her head.
"My Lord... there is no need to beg anything of us... When do we move out?"
A quivering sigh escaped the man, "My friends, would you all truly help this old man."
"HAI!" The entire room snapped to attention, leaping to their feet in a salute.
"My... There is nothing I regret more in this life, then letting you all down."
"You have never let us down, Lord Third." Choza Akimichi spoke up, with several other's voicing their agreement.
"Then my friends, let us embark... on one last mission together, for Konoha, and the Will of Fire!"
"Hai! Hokage-Sama!"
Nanashi swept through the compound, keeping to the shadows, her Sharingan blazing as she kept her Mangekyo activated, watching and tracking each and every chakra signature in her immediate vicinity.
Her job was simple, locate and place High-grade explosive seals on 8 of the Compounds support beams. That was part one of her job, which was already completed. Each beam was close to the entrance, and the goal of removing them would be to force open a large enough entrance for their attacking force to enter. The next part of her job would be to locate and retrieve their main priority, Naruto Uzumaki. Once she had retrieved him, she would activate the seals, and the attack would start. Between them all there were 39 Loyalists attacking a compound of 107. Normally a force such as this would be hard pressed to overcome, yet at least 30 of the forces were children. Of course, they were to be captured, if possible, but were to be killed if necessary. Another 10 were already dead, falling to her hand as she swept through the building. The rest would fall against the onslaught of the loyalists.
"Will Jiraiya-Sama be a part of this?" Nanashi asked.
"He has already arrived at the target zone, he is gathering intel for us as we speak, and will show you the entrance."
"And you're sure 3 members are enough together?"
"All Shinobi in our village are trained from a young age to work in teams of three. As opposed to ROOT who are used to working in singles and Pairs. They mainly only ever work alongside the same person as well, very rarely does Danzo allow mingling among his ranks. With the way our teams are made up, I am hopeful casualties will be minimized tonight."
"I pray as well. Though with a team such as Kakashi, Guy, and Kurenai, I am sure they will sweep through ROOT on their own."
"Indeed, I am lucky to have such loyal friends among my ranks in these final days." Hiruzen stood as he finished adorning his battle armor.
"You speak as if you will not survive tonight."
"Whether I live or not, a new Kage will be announced by the end of the week. I have left a note with my former teammates that they are to open in 3 days if I do not stop them. You will be there for the announcement, I hope?"
"Of course, Sensei, where else would I be if not by your side."
"Perhaps warm in Shisui's bed?"
"Is that why you summoned Lord Jiraiya back to the village? Or named Kakashi as the commander of the raid?" She forcefully changed the subject.
"Well, I do plan on choosing my favorite student."
"Ah, mandatory unisex bath houses and Bikini Tuesdays here we come."
"Is that something you would order?" The old man laughed
"Ha, of course not, but we both know Jiraiya would declare it the second you pass him the hat. I think half the Kunoichi in the village would revolt by the end of the week though. I'm sure Kakashi would become his right hand during their short regime though. Hell, Tsunade-Sama might even come back to beat them senseless and overthrow them both."
"Is that how you think the announcement would go?"
"What, with a revolt? Hands down."
"I see... I see. Well, Nanashi I believe it is time, you have your orders."
"Hai, Hokage-Sama."
"Then rendezvous with Jiraiya to begin the mission. And Nanashi? I expect a safe return."
"Same to you, Lord Third."
"Well, well, well, I always knew you'd come back to me."
"Jiraiya-Sama, it is good to see you again."
"Oh, that Sama is always so perfect to hear coming from those lips." He waved his arm infront of himself, directing her in the location they were moving to.
"Thank you, but I believe we have a mission to complete?"
"You're right I suppose, for once I can't actually seem to bring myself to joke around in this situation."
"You're worried about your Godson?"
"Hah! I knew the Old Man had told you about my relationship with the brat."
"It was quite apparent for a few of us."
"Well, I guess you're right, though, I'm worried for the brat, I had wanted to go in myself, but apparently the Old Man wanted me on the attacking force, he says I don't need a team and can watch my own back. Can you believe that? He could have at least put me with that purple hair bodacious girl, or that red eyed one, what was her name again?"
"Kurenai-San?"
"Ah Kurenai, how my heart soars through the air."
"Hai, they are both beautiful women."
"But not as beautiful as you, my dear!"
"Should I inform Tsunade-Sama that you are chasing after every woman you set your sights on again?"
"Bah, why'd you have to bring that old hag up!"
"Oh, you are no longer in love with Lady Senju?"
The white-haired man scoffed as they came to a spot with a small toad sitting in the middle of an open area. "Of course not, you never get over your first love kid. Of course, for you..." he waggled his eyebrows at her.
"Is this the spot."
The man grinned before moving through multiple hand signs and stabbing his right hand into the ground. With very little effort he raised the earth revealing a large cavernous area before.
"And here we have the ROOT Compound training grounds for their newer members. Of course, they just had graduation 2 months ago which means this area is unused and perfect for infiltration. They really should have spent more money on a thicker roof. Though I'd still be able to lift it."
"My thanks, Lord Jiraiya, my hero," She leaned over and gave the man a peck on the cheek before sliding into the hole and dropping into the compound. As she fell, she heard the man shout in shock, and couldn't help but laugh to herself.
She would be close to her target soon from the memorized map of the compound. Of course, as she finally reached the hallway he would be imprisoned in, there would be one last obstacle.
Standing across from the boy's cell were 4 Shinobi standing in a diamond formation, seemingly talking to each other.
She could take out the one on the left first from afar, no the right would be better. Move in and take out the back one, then the left. The front one would be easy to finish off.
She took a deep breath, before throwing a kunai with one hand, and flicking a marble into the middle of the group with the other. Her Mangekyo spun as the kunai stabbed into the neck of the ROOT on the right. She appeared within the middle of the group and stabbed the back Shinobi in the throat. She spun as the other two finally caught their bearings, but it was too late for the Shinobi on the right as she ripped the kunai from the neck of the first and stabbed him through his jugular. The 4th jumped back, hands coming together, forming multiple hand signs before landing on the Tiger sign, most likely a fire style attack. Her eyes spun once more as his chakra network flared to life, only for it to darken and dissipate. He tried to breath out whatever attack he had planned on using, but all that appeared was a puff of smoke. Before he could try or say anything, Nanashi was upon him, slamming a kunai through his heart.
She flipped 4 scrolls into the air as a group of clones appeared before her, catching them and proceeding to seal away the corpses.
The door before her was solid steel, several inches thick, and only the smallest hole was available to slip in food. Seals covered the walls as she ripped the door from its hinges. She stalked into the room, anger nearly boiling over as she saw the boy, Kushina's son, sitting on a bare cot with chains attached to his feet.
"Wow... your eyes are pretty." She hadn't even realized he was staring at her, and how did he see her eyes, she had placed a genjutsu over them to remove the glow. When had it... hmm.
"Oh, thank you, Naruto."
"You're Welcome! Jiji always says compliment's get friends."
"They do."
"Really? It never really works for me. But Jiji always insists. Oh, do you know Jiji?"
Nanashi moved forward and immediately began working on removing the chains around the boy's legs, "Of course, Lord Third is a good man."
"Lord Third?"
"The man with the funny hat. Who always visited you in the Orphanage."
"Yeah! That's him, you don't call him Jiji?"
"No, he is very important to me, but in a different way than how he is for you."
"Well... Since you already know my name... and I gave you a compliment. Does that mean we're friends?"
"Something like that I suppose." She gave him a small smile as she popped the shackle on his leg."
"Yatta! My first friend."
"Shhhh, we need to get you back to... Jiji, ok?"
"Oh, we're leaving already? I thought I was supposed to stay here?"
She frowned as she lifted the boy into the air and help him against her chest, "And who told you that?"
"Eh, I forget his name, but he was and old man with a lot of scars and seemed really boring."
"Ah, Danzo I presume."
"Yeah, that guy!"
"Shhhh," He really had no sense of when to be quiet or not. She wondered if he would be like this when he grew older. Just like Kushina was, "Well thank you for telling me, Naruto-San."
"You're welcome. Hey, when we get back home, can you get my stuffed animal from the M-ma, from the old lady? She won't give it back."
He didn't appear traumatized by his experience at all. Seemingly thinking it was supposed to be his new quarters or the like.
"Of course, and then I'll buy you a few more myself. A Child should have many stuffed animals to play with."
"You think so? Everyone else calls me an idiot for liking them."
"Well, I tell you a secret, Naruto. Growing up I wasn't allowed them either. My Grandfather said I shouldn't waste my time on such trivial matters. But a few years ago, my Sensei gave me my first one. I've since started a small collection. If you'd like I can share mine with yours."
"Really? That would be so cool, Gama could hang out with yours and they could be the best of friends!"
"Shhh," she hushed him once more, "I understand your excitement, but we're not out of the compound yet."
"Oh, right, but don't you think that would be cool?"
"I'm sure it will be. Now sleep." She pressed a hand to the back of his neck and pulsed a small amount of chakra into the boy's system, activating a sleep Genjutsu. He almost seemed unaffected, before giving a large yawn and flopping lifelessly over his shoulder.
Gama huh, she'd have to bring that up with Jiraiya-Sama, though it was most likely him that sent it to the boy in the first place. If so, they should definitely talk to this Old Lady who had stolen the toy. Together. And perhaps bring Kakashi along with them. Maybe he could summon his dogs.
Hiruzen Sarutobi stood before his old rival with anger clear on his face.
"Everything I have ever done was for this village, Hiruzen." Danzo shouted at him.
"Then I have truly failed in allowing you to live, Danzo."
"You are a fool, too soft and weak to truly rule the village. You should have stepped down after that fool died, and allowed me to lead!"
"You are the fool, Danzo! Lord First and Second would be ashamed of you. They both wanted peace in our village, and wish for the world to come together under one banner! And you have done nothing but bring us to ruin. Kidnapping innocent children! Turning them into your weapons! Raising and army against your own Kage! Starting the 3rd Shinobi War! Yes! Do not act shocked you fool! I know everything, and today, is the day you will fall."
"I will reiterate, everything I have done, was for the betterment of our home! You would see it brought to ruin! Forcing our best shinobi into retirement, allowing them to turn down missions because they are too weak to do what is necessary. You have even allowed our greatest enemy to become your newest apprentice!"
"My greatest enemy? The Uchiha? No, you stand before me now as the greatest enemy that I should have erased long ago."
"You know I have spies everywhere, Hiruzen, I have heard the words, listened to their recordings! The Uchiha Elders order her near daily to gain your trust and move against you. She is only following you to gain your secrets, and bring the Uchiha back to their so-called rightful place! You are being deceived by the girl! And once I have dealt with you! I shall bring that clan to ruin."
"You know, Danzo. You stand here, saying this, and yet, I do not doubt you. However, while the Uchiha leadership may be saying this, I know Nanashi Uchiha will not be swayed by them!"
He felt the chakra before seeing her. In a burst of chakra Nanashi appeared beside him, kneeling to the ground having switched places with a random Kunai in the ground.
"Naruto Uzumaki is safe, Lord Third." She rose to her feet, decked head to toe in armor similar to his, her Konoha Headband moved from its usual spot on her neck to being proudly displayed on her head. She placed a bo-staff over her shoulder, and glared at Danzo with her Mangekyo spinning in anger. "Let us proceed with the final step of your place. Burrn out the diseased Roots of our Great Tree!"
"You see Danzo," The Third spoke, his voice hardened to steel, "I do not need to look over my shoulder every day, worried who will betray me next! For I have those who will always stand by my side!"