KUMOGAKURE AND KIRIGAKURE SIGN TREATY:
THEIR WAR ENDS!
 by Chino Megumi, Umishinbun

The next day. Kiri.

"Will that be it, then?" Naruto asked.

In front of him, sitting in the Mizukage's seat, Terumi Mei gave him a bemused look.

"I get that you don't seem to care very much about Kiri." She said wryly. "But you could at least pretend to enjoy the fact that everything went off so smoothly."

"Smoothly?" Naruto asked, nonplussed. "Do you know how many ANBU I had to kill to get to him?"

And the fact that he, Karin and Yugito had hidden many shadow clones disguised as other people to pad their numbers out had likely helped a lot, too.

She waved it off. "Well, of course. Don't tell me you didn't expect it. These ANBU were loyal to him, more than the village. I have no need for them. It went well, considering."

Naruto grunted in answer.

"…Well, Kiri citizens were not going to say much about it once Ino showed them who the man the former Mizukage was colluding with really was." Naruto said dryly. "…And considering who you are. If anyone is qualified to lead this place, the woman who trained for it might be the best fit—"

"Oh me, oh my." She pretended to fan her face. "Such a flirt—"

"—If she really manages to kick off her opium addiction for good." He countered.

She glared at him.

"As you might have noticed, I quit entirely — what little I was actually smoking, and not simply pretending to. I owe complete lucidity to the village. But… we still have to do something about the madman in the sky."

"Yeah."

"And there's something else."

"What is it?"

"I'm still catching up on what my… predecessor did exactly, but apparently Nagato has been gathering followers, before that whole stunt with the castle in the sky."

Naruto's eyebrow rose.

"What sort of followers?"

"The sort that truly believes him to be a god." Mei continued. "A cult. Fanatics. They're gathering more people on their own, too. And they're of the mind that the villages should surrender the Bijū."

"Of course." He nodded.

He could already imagine the amount of pressure Umi and Kumo were about to be under, with Iwa and Suna clamoring for them to give up the remaining jinchūriki.

Konoha would likely keep their mouths shut, considering they still had one.

Well, there wasn't that much they could do about it besides whine and complain. If Nagato couldn't find the islands, neither could they.

"We will need to do something about it, before it grows too much. The fanatics are not the real threat... the people they will manage to convince that giving up the jinchūriki is the solution are the danger. But with the right information about Nagato and his actions being spread, it shouldn't be too hard to break the movement apart."

Naruto remained silent.

"I've compiled a list of the locations they're gathering at." She slid a scroll along the table. "Working together, with both Kumo and Umi, it shouldn't be too hard to stop this from spreading."

Naruto nodded.

"It shouldn't be too hard."

Naruto started from the top, with the biggest gatherings.

The first three were worse than he had expected.

Separated from the rest of the world, the people gathered in castles and abandoned places. Sometimes ruins.

Some of them seemed more or less sane. Those were the ones trying to spread the good word around. That the jinchūriki should give themselves up in order for the world to reach true peace.

And then there were the others. They didn't seem to eat, sleep, or do much of anything, besides waiting for… something to happen.

There was something seriously wrong with their minds. A trace of foreign chakra trickled into them from a spike embedded into their chests, close to their hearts.

And well...

They could speak, still, but it came out confused, as though they would have needed to plan it beforehand.

He had tried to reverse the effects of it, but had gotten nowhere. And trying to remove the spike itself would result in death, he was almost sure of it. Naruto knew the chakra it belonged to, on top of it.

Now, how had Nagato managed to do this, exactly…?

When he reached the fourth largest gathering, he thought he felt a familiar chakra. He went back to get Karin, in case.

The cool sea breeze washed across Karin as soon as they arrived in the eastern part of the Land of Earth.

"Where are we headed to?" She asked.

"To a fortress, something called Igarashi castle." Naruto said, walking ahead. "There are some enemies to take care of. I sent Anko to another, and same for Sakura."

"Enemies?" She frowned.

"Yes. I think Yakushi Kabuto is in there, right now." Naruto said, sounding icy.

He wasn't entirely sure, but the chakra was very similar to the one he had felt in the Konoha hospital. What was he doing here, though…?

"…For real?"

Naruto handed her the scroll, letting her read through the information as they moved forward.

They quickly reached the place they needed to be.

Like most castles, it was a fortress constructed primarily of wood and stone.

Originally conceived purely as fortresses, their primary purpose being military defense, Earth castles were originally placed in strategic locations, along trade routes, roads and rivers.

Though they continued to be built with these considerations in mind, they became homes for the daimyo, as well as other feudal lords. They served as a way to impress and intimidate rivals not only with the strength of their walls, but with their sheer size… their elegant interiors, architecture and decorations.

They used moats, to divert mountain streams. The buildings used thatched roofs, or sometimes, wooden shingles.

The main weakness of this style was that they were vulnerable. Thatch caught fire even more easily than wood, and weather and soil erosion prevented structures from being particularly large or heavy.

Eventually, stone bases began to be used, layers of fine pebbles, upon which larger rocks were layered. This support allowed larger, heavier, and more permanent buildings.

Igarashi castle, on the other hand, hadn't gotten the memo.

"First." Naruto said softly. "First, we need to figure out what the situation is like."

Karin nodded. "Let's get in, then. They can probably be negotiated with."

"I'll send a clone ahead." Naruto countered. "Lock on to Kabuto's signature, please. He shouldn't be too hard to find."

"…All right."

Naruto summoned his bow and shot something almost invisible to the heavens. To Karin's querying gaze, he simply answered. "Insurance."

The clone moved through the forest and into the castle, under a disguise.

The two of them waited for a long while. Naruto sometimes seemed far-away, in a place where it was hard to reach him. And he was like this right now, staring without seeing.

Karin wondered if he was seeing things that weren't really there again. And if there was any truth to them.

"…Naruto?" She asked, hating how hesitant she sounded right now.

He didn't answer.

The sun was setting behind the mountain. When he was in this sort of mood, Karin knew she wouldn't get much out of him. Naruto shook his head and started walking. Out of the forest and toward the castle.

She had a sinking feeling about this.

They walked toward the gates.

Two men blocked them, preventing them from going in.

"Move." Naruto warned.

"Naruto, there's no need to—"

"We know exactly who you are." One of them began. "Once Lord Nagat— Urgh."

He fell to the ground, his throat cut.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Karin hissed.

Naruto's sword flashed and the second guard fell as well.

It was hard to believe he was once a boy who had been hesitant about killing.

"I don't know if they warned Kabuto or worse... Nagato."

"So what?" Karin sounded angry. "We could have knocked them out. They didn't have to die."

"I'd rather not risk it."

Under the dim light of evening, Naruto's eyes looked bright. But his voice wasn't.

"Stay here, Karin." He said. "But go further away... in case anything happens."

"No way."

"If Kabuto escapes, there won't be a point to all this." He said, very softly.

"…All this?" She demanded. "What are we doing here, exactly?"

"Catching Kabuto." He said, so quietly he was almost whispering. "We can't risk him escaping. Stay outside of the castle but keep track of him, Karin, please."

"Is this an order…?" She asked.

He looked pained. "Please."

"…All right."

Naruto walked inside the castle.

A barrier rose up around the entire place, almost opaque. Likely a Four Flames Formation. Hashirama had been pretty fond of it. It didn't matter, as it wouldn't prevent Mada— Naruto from leaving anyway.

Nobody bothered to try to stop him. His footsteps reverberated on the stone floor of the arch he was crossing. There were no lights around here, and he could not see much more than people praying to roughly made altars of Nagato.

"Kabuto-sama is waiting upstairs." Someone said.

Naruto ignored them. He could have told as much. He continued to climb up, until he reached the fortress' highest point.

The chakra was thicker at the top. There was another barrier inside the first layer.

Yakushi Kabuto was waiting for him, sitting seiza-style, in the middle of the second barrier formation, eight guards around him. He greeted him with an affable smile that Naruto didn't return. Despite his false manner and the barrier, he seemed tense.

The only thing that kept him there was likely the notion that Naruto would not be able to capture him. Escape, yes. But without him.

Naruto sat in front of him silently.

There were more men in the room, standing around Naruto. They erected a barrier formation around him. Naruto felt like laughing.

Kabuto seemed to know it wouldn't prevent Naruto from leaving already.

"Uzumaki Naruto." He greeted genially.

Naruto gave him an unimpressed look. "You are a worm. Why didn't you try to escape?"

Kabuto smiled easily. "I know you. You're much faster than I am and you can track me. It wouldn't have done much, aside from isolating me."

Naruto smiled lightly.

"…How did you find me?" Kabuto continued.

Naruto shrugged. "I've got ears."

"…"

"So, tell me." Naruto began casually. "Why do all of these people have a piece of Nagato's chakra close to their hearts…?"

"Ah." Kabuto said. "So you've noticed."

Naruto waited for him to elaborate. Something in his eyes apparently made Kabuto decide to do so.

"These are small chakra receivers. They make people more… receptive to Nagato's suggestions."

"It makes them mindless slaves, then." Naruto said with some distaste. He knew a few things the receivers could do already.

"I guess you could see it this way." Kabuto shrugged.

Naruto smiled. "I don't think there's another way to see it. Nagato needed eyes throughout the world. And he also needs people who aren't quite as mindless, because he wants to push the remaining jinchūriki to give themselves up. Why...? Because he can't find them."

"Basically, yes." Kabuto shrugged, the light glinting off his glasses.

"You're pretty forthcoming with information." Naruto said.

Kabuto smiled a razor sharp smile.

"The way I see it, I have precious, vital intel about Nagato and his methods."

Naruto pursed his lips. This fucking coward.

"I assume you came here to kill me." Kabuto said, shrugging.

"Right." Naruto said dryly. "I don't think there's enough incentive in the world for me to spare you."

"How about the way to stop Nagato, as well as the full scope of his plans?" Kabuto asked.

Silence stretched.

"You may want to work on your expression." Kabuto said casually. "I can see that you want to murder me, still."

"Oh?" Naruto asked softly. "Whatever makes you think that way?"

Kabuto smiled. "It doesn't exactly take a genius."

"Apparently not."

"Now… I have been a spy for a long time." Kabuto ignored the barb. "And Nagato helped me put blocks on my mind. I know what you're thinking, and the Yamanaka won't be able to remove them. Kill me… and you lose that."

"Hmpf." Naruto grunted.

"Torture won't cut it either."

"Are you so sure about it?" Naruto looked at him pointedly.

"We won't have to find out." Kabuto smiled. "So let's talk about how to stop Nagato."

"…What would you gain out of it?"

"Surviving, for one." Kabuto barked a short laugh. Then he looked Naruto straight in the eye. "Besides, I know you and your… entourage have plans for the world. I want in."

Bemused, Naruto looked at him.

"You really have a big mouth, for somebody in a losing situation."

"But am I really? Kill me and you lose this fight entirely. You can't fight against Nagato." Kabuto assured. "Not without my help."

You don't need him. The voice said, promising power and might beyond comprehension.

Kabuto smiled like a shark.

"And I assume you just want some piece of power…?" Naruto asked dryly.

"Why, yes, of course." Kabuto smiled. "Of course, I would require a binding oath from you, assuring me of my freedom. We will work out the specifics, once I am assured you won't kill me."

Naruto's fingers drummed on the floor.

"Then… I would free these poor people from Nagato's hold, of course. They only listen to him… and the other members of Akatsuki. Like me. But they only understand direct orders." Kabuto said, dripping sincerity. Too much of it, and it disgusted Naruto. "And I would give you everything I know about the Five Nations. Taking over would be child's play."

Naruto sat there, deep in thought.

"What do you say, friend?" Kabuto asked genially. "Shall we save the world?"

"I've met people like you before." Naruto mused, drumming his fingers on the floor.

"Oh… Did you?" Kabuto asked. Everything about him was fake.

A man like you, isn't he…? The mask hides another.

"You know… the only part of this whole thing that sounded truthful…" Naruto began. "Was the fact that you think we can't win against Nagato."

Kabuto stiffened.

"Not without my help." He said. "If I tell you what I know—"

Naruto snorted. "You don't believe in that either, because you think he's genuinely unbeatable."

For you, he is. But I can…

"You're wrong on that." Kabuto adjusted his glasses.

"Oh please, cut the bullshit." Naruto laughed.

"There is no ruse here, I assure you."

"Kabuto… You forget one thing." Naruto said softly. A shadow fell over his eyes.

"…And what is it…?"

"I can feel your intentions. I can only assume you're either Nagato's man to the end… or simply an opportunist. You are a treacherous snake, nothing more than this."

Silence.

"The very moment I let your leash slip, you will turn against me. No matter how long it takes you. Months, years, decades. I don't know how much of you being willing to betray Nagato was real, but it is clear to me you have no intention of cooperating. It's almost a game to you."

Kabuto scoffed. But he was starting to look nervous.

"You're making a mistake here." He motioned for the people around them to put themselves between him and Naruto. Kabuto stood up, slowly moving toward the open window. The barrier around him still shimmered purple.

He was hiding his face from Naruto.

"They won't come back from this." Naruto replied. "Their minds are destroyed already. Removing the source of the influence won't save them. That's why all they can do is pray to Nagato, now. And obey your direct orders."

Kabuto stiffened.

"…It is the truth, isn't it? To me at least, killing them is a mercy."

Truth or not... It doesn't matter. A whisper.

Kabuto seemed to see something in Naruto's eyes. He cursed, and started to back away from him. But he didn't leave his own barrier.

A sword appeared in Naruto's hands.

"Don't you trust your barriers, Kabuto?" Naruto stood up.

The Storm came to Naruto, shielding him. He grabbed his sword with two hands and thrust it into the ground. A glyph appeared around him.

The sword in the sky, the one that had been accumulating energy steadily, answered his call. Naruto roared.

"Heavenly Light: Rending Thunder!"

Karin saw a column of light burn through Igarashi castle.

The air seemed to bend around the pillar of energy. It was pure power.

There were close to a hundred presences right before.

Now there were two left.

"Oh no."

The shockwave hit Karin, and she held on using chakra. Behind her, trees rattled and fell. There was no more castle, only dust and… a crater. Just like Kumo.

Karin dashed in, feeling her insides twist.

She found Naruto standing in the glassed ruins of the castle, over a charred corpse that was… still crawling away? Yes. Yes, it was. Charred skin peeled away, revealing raw muscle and tendon. It was bubbling, hissing… and reforming.

Naruto turned to look at her. So many lives, ended in a single instant, and he simply sounded a bit winded.

"Why… What have you done?" She breathed out, over the horror she was feeling. "There were people in here. Men, women."

"Mindless slaves." Naruto shook his head. "To break this barrier, subtlety doesn't do. You need overwhelming strength. I did what I needed to."

"Needed? Which part of this was needed?!" She retorted hotly.

"Nagato had them under his thrall. Worse even, they were under this worm's thrall." He pointed at Kabuto with his sword, who was still trying to crawl away. "They wouldn't have lived, once we removed the compulsion and the spike."

"You don't know this!" She roared.

"They would have." He replied softly. "Their minds are gone, at this point. It's not just the spikes, they've been listening to men like Kabuto's poison since the moment Nagato started this. And who knows how long it's been."

"We could have done something about this, given enough time!"

"Are you sure about this?" He sounded weary.

Karin realized she felt the same way around him, as of lately. Tired and on edge.

This was not the sort of action he could simply take and never think of again. Naruto needed help, but she didn't think she was enough for this.

Umi.

"Well. I guess it's time to see if you're still willing to talk, now."

"…Go to hell." Kabuto spat.

"Well, then. Let's see how long you remain unwilling to talk, instead."

Kabuto was currently being suspended in the air by a set of chains shackled to his wrists, his chakra wrestled away from him. He was entirely whole again.

"It's a really interesting healing ability you have." Naruto remarked absentmindedly. "Too bad it won't get you out of here."

"Where are we…?"

"This is Orochimaru's old spire. I see the name rings a bell. No wonder, if you were a Konoha spy — and spying on Konoha — for years. We are in Umi, yes. Your old buddy is in a cell not too far from here. His legs don't have the advantage of regrowing, though."

"…Old buddy?" Kabuto asked with bleary eyes.

"Yes. Uzumaki Ryujin."

"…He was caught, too? Him?!" Kabuto knew he sounded incredulous. Because he was.

"Sure was. Before you, too. We're keeping him alive for now, too."

"What is the point of keeping him alive if you can just go through his corpse…?"

"I guess empathy really isn't your strong suit, huh." Naruto laughed.

"…You call being trapped like this a mercy?" Kabuto spat. "And empathy? After what you've just done…? Please!"

Naruto shrugged. "I wouldn't know. This is better than what Kumo offered me. At least, you won't get the beatings."

A woman with pink hair entered the room. Kabuto knew who she was, of course. Haruno Sakura, who had—

She opened her left eye, revealing the Sharingan.

Uzumaki Naruto's words started slowing, warbling as the Sharingan spun.

"She's going — to see if we can — get more of you alive — than dead."

There were a few items Naruto needed to forge.

If he really wasn't likely to live through this, Naruto felt no reason to hold anything back.

Power. He needed to attain ultimate power.

He would make himself as strong as possible, get rid of Nagato, and then only…

Naruto would take his leave.