Chapter VI: The War with the Akatsuki Begins

Chapter I: Konoha Under Attack!

Near the gates of Konohagakure

A large explosion suddenly went off near the front gates of Konohagakure. Kisame, Hidan, Itachi and Konan, along with a whole army of hired mercenary nin, then appeared out of the explosion in their Akatsuki robes.

Itachi then turned to all of them with a serious look in his eyes. "Okay. You all know the plan. Konan, Kisame and Hidan are to provide a distraction in order to free Sasuke from the ANBU prison complex near the village. He then let out a long sigh. "My job is to free Sasuke from the prison and meet you at the Akatsuki safehouse."

Konan gave him a nod. "Sounds fair enough to me."

Itachi then shunshined out of sight. It wasn't long before the remaining Akatsuki nin found themselves surrounded by a whole army of Konohanian ANBU along with a large group of Shinobi forces behind them.

Tsunade had also appeared with them. "State your business here!"

Konan just glanced at her with a cold look in her eyes. "We aren't here to fight Fifth Hokage…if that is what you are asking."

Tsunade just glared at her intensely. She balled up her fists. "So…what? I'm supposed to just take this as a friendly visit then? I'm old not foolish." She then repeated her words. "I will say it one more time. What. Is. Your. Purpose. Here."

Konan then turned to the others.

They all gave him a nod. "We offer you a deal Fifth Hokage! You let us talk to Naruto Uzumaki and we won't attack the village!"

Tsunade's features then darkened a little more. If these terrorists think I'm going to hand them my adopted grandson…they have another thing coming! I will not hand over my precious Naruto! I'd rather die! "You want to talk to Naruto? Why? For what purpose?"

Kisame then grinned. "As you are probably aware Fifth...we are on the search trying to collect all of the Tailed Beasts. It is rather simple. We want to give Naruto the choice of joining us."

Konan then added. "The Hidden Leaf Village is full of traitors and conmen. The Village you protect has been mistreating the boy ever since he was born. The Yondaime Hokage…a brave and honorable shinobi of the Leaf…gave his life and sealed the Kyuubi in his own son in order to save the village he loved." She then pointed a finger at Tsunade. "And how do you Konohanians repay my only cousin...my only blood relative? You beat him and leave him for dead. You force him to live in squalor and filth. You isolate him from everyone out of fear. You never tell him of me or any of his family. You and your ilk left him to fend for himself. You Konohanians spit on the very memory of Minato Namikaze and his loving wife. "

Tsunade glared. "And what fate or gifts do you offer him Akatsuki filth? A chance to be a pawn in your little game of power?" She then charged her chakra to its full potential. The grass and trees swayed from the sheer exertion of power.

Some of the Konahanian shinobi and ANBU grimaced as they felt the power of one of the legendary Sannin.

Konan, however, remained unimpressed. She just crossed her arms at the busty blonde kunoichi shaking her head. "No. Naruto means more than that to me Fifth Hokage. He and I are the last remaining members of the long-lost Uzumaki clan. He is all the family I have left. We are working on finding a way to extract the Kyuubi from him that does not involve killing him outright." She then jabbed a thumb towards Kisame and the others. "They just want the Nine Tailed Fox."

Tsunade then crossed her arms in front of her chest grunting. "I..see…" She then cocked an eyebrow. "And what is you want?"

Karin just glared daggers at the blonde woman. "I just want to bring Naruto home with me where he belongs. I want my beloved itoko back." She then shook her head at the older kunoichi. "My terms are simple Fifth Hokage. Let me talk with my cousin…my beloved itoko and I will keep my comrades from razing your village to the ground." Her glare then intensified. "Refuse my terms and I will endeavor to do all I can to pry him from your cold dead hands!"

Tsunade then alllowed herself to calm down with a breath. "I see." The fighter part of me just wants to punch this bitch's lights out and be done with it. I think I have the power. The blonde woman looked around her and sighed. Thing is…I do that and all of these people…my people will die for no reason. They have families and wives here. I can't ask them to throw their lives away unless I have no other option. The guilt would be unbearable alone. Karin, getting a bit impatient, hissed. "What is it going to be Fifth? I'm getting impatient! You and your men aren't going to like what I'm liable to do if I get impatient!" Tsunade then shook her head. A single tear fell from her left eye. I'm sorry Naru-kun. You are so precious to me but I have to think of the village before I think of you. That is my duty. I know you'd understand if you were here. She then took in a deep sigh. "I need your promise that you won't harm him in any way."

Konan grunted in anger. Does she care for my beloved itoko? Is it possible I've been misled by Obito? Could it be that perhaps…some Konohanians have come to care for my cousin. We'll have to see. She grit her teeth at Tsunade and grunted. "I promise on my word as a ninja!"

Tsunade gave her a nod. "Then I will bring you Naruto…as long as you keep your comrades from attacking my beloved village."

Karin smirked and turned to the comrades behind her. "You see? I told you the Fifth would listen to reason."

They all gave her a knowing nod.

Tsunade grunted in frustration. She then turned to Kakashi who was at her side.

He had heard the commotion and immediately jumped into action. "Kakashi…I need you to fetch Naruto immediately! Tell him it is a matter of life and death!"

Kakashi gave her a grunt in response, glared at Konan and shunshined away. Karin smirked at her. "And so we wait."

Uzumaki Compound

Minutes later

Naruto, Kushina, and Minato were all enjoying some family breakfast when they saw Kakashi shunshine himself in the family dining room.

Kushina's expression brightened when she saw him. "Kakashi-kun! It's so good to see you! It's been a while since you've bothered to come by!" She then rushed the masked nin and pulled him into a hug.

Minato, who was finishing a bite of pancakes, turned himself to meet his old student's eyes with a knowing half-grin. "Ah! Kakashi! So good to see you! To what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Kakashi felt as if the words couldn't leave his lips. "I'm afraid I'm not here to bring good news…Minato-sensei. The Akatsuki are at the village gates!"

Minato and Kushina's eyes immediately widened in shock.

Kushina could feel herself getting angry. Her famous temper immediately made its presence. "What…do...they…want?" Everyone cringed in fear when they felt the woman's chakra signature suddenly skyrocket. She was no Legendary Sannin but Kushina Uzumaki was no pushover either.

Even Kakashi, who was known to fear very few, recoiled a bit when he saw just how angry the woman had gotten. "They...want...to…talk...to…Naruto."

This was when Naruto rose his head up in shock. "They…want to talk to me? Not attack? Why?"

The masked shinobi then gave his former student a nervous glance. "I'm…not sure Naruto. They showed up with a massive army of mercenary nin behind them in force. There was one…she had red hair just like Kushina-sama. She told Lady Tsunade that they didn't come to attack Konoha. She said they wanted only to talk to you." His gaze then darkened. "She said that if Lady Tsunade refused her offer…she and her army would destroy the village in response."

Minato's gaze narrowed and he grabbed one of the special kunai he had left on the table. "How many are there Kakashi?"

Kakashi then turned to his old sensei with a frightened nod. "Too many Minato-sensei! Even for someone as accomplished as you!"

Minato nodded. He knew that his beloved student would never lie to him. He had trusted Kakashi's knack for intuition and strategy back during the Third Shinobi World War. That was why he had made the young Hatake descendant the captain of his old squad. If Kakashi said the enemy was too numerous…then they were."

Kushina, however, had other plans. She then glared at her husband with as much fury as she could muster. Her beautiful long hair was flowing all over the place. "Minato! You cannot be serious! I'm not going to hand my precious Naru-kun over to the damned Akatsuki! I spent years in heaven begging and pleading for the chance to be with my son again! I will not just sacrifice him for the sake of the village! We did that once remember and how did these snivelling bastards repay our sacrifice…they beat and starved him! Never again! You hear me?"

Minato let out a sigh. He had always admired his beloved wife's dedication to her family and her steadfast nature to defend them at all costs. However, as someone who was a former Hokage, he knew that the situation was serious. He put his hands on his loving wife's shoulders, got down on his knees and gave her a pleading look. "Kushina-chan…my love...they are going to destroy the village if we don't let our son speak with them. Think of Kakashi. Think of Tsunade-chan. Think of Hiashi-kun." He then made sure to look her in the eyes when saying this last name. "Think of Hinata…our daughter-in-law. They will all die if we don't do something."

Kushina was torn and tears started to fall from her hazel green eyes. "But..my Naru-kun…I…"

Naruto finally stood up from his chair. He spoke with an air of authority none of them had heard before. "I'll do it!"

Kakashi, Minato and Kushina all looked at him with shock.

Kakashi's look soon turned to one of pride. He winked at his old student while letting out a sigh of relief. That's my student. I knew he'd come through for the village.

Kushina then rushed over to her son, grabbing him by the arms, giving him a desperate look. "Naruto! No! You can't go! You can…." She then started sobbing, speaking in between her tears, She was also shaking and crying into her son's chest. "Y-You can't leave me again! Do you know how long I waited to come back to you? M-Minato and I…got one chance. If you die out there…What am I supposed to do? What…am…I supposed to.. live for…" She then hugged her son for dear life. "Please…don't…go. My world will go back to being cold and lonely again." She then was now wailing. "Please! You are my everything!"

Naruto sighed and ran and hand through the woman's hair. "Mom."

The woman was too emotional to hear him. "N-No! No! No!"

Naruto then sighed and made the redhead look him in the eyes, speaking a little louder. "Mom."

This finally got Kushina to look her shinobi son in the eyes. She couldn't help but see something new in them. She saw courage. She saw determination. She saw that same Uzumaki fire and pride that Minato had said he once saw in her long ago. She was lost for words.

Naruto let out a sigh of relief. Finally got her to calm down. He then gave his mother a kiss on the forehead and wiped away her tears with a hand. "I need you to listen to me…please."

Kushina could do nothing but nod. "O-Ok."

Naruto smiled at her and took her hands in his. "Listen. I get it. I know you and Dad just want to protect me and keep me safe. I appreciate that love and safety more than you realize." He then sighed and offered his mother a faint smile "This village has hurt me. It has wounded me as much as it has healed me. I've had days where I've wanted to do nothing more than kill everyone in it out of spite." He then shook his head to focus his thoughts. "But I've also learned to love because of this village. I've found friends and even someone I consider my beloved for all time. I've learned to accept Kurama as a part of myself." He then gave her a serious look. "I also refuse to run! I am Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki…the son of the Fourth Hokage and the Red Habanero! I am nor will I ever be a coward!" He then helped his mother to her feet and glanced at his old sensei. "Kakashi-sensei once told me that a shinobi who breaks the rules of the Ninja World is scum."

Kakashi couldn't help but grin at the young shinobi's words.

Naruto continued. "...but a shinobi who abandons his comrades and countrymen is worse than scum! I will never do that as long as I live!"

Kushina then let out a long sigh and stared down at the floor. She knew Naruto was her boy and that he wouldn't be convinced to abandon Konohagakure even if she tried to force him to do so. A part of her filled with pride to see that her boy was sticking up for himself and making this decision despite what she wanted for him. She smirked to herself. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. He is my boy. Only an Uzumaki would be willing to stare me down in a battle of wits. She then allowed herself to calm down and looked up at him smiling. She then kissed him on the cheek smiling sweetly at him. "Alright sweetie. I think this whole plan is insane but I'm not letting you go out there alone! If you are intent on really doing this…I won't stop you but I'm going to be there right by your side! Is that understood?" She then stared him down with an intense look, almost daring him to say no.

Naruto nodded. "Understood."

Minato then got up from his seat and grunted. "Same goes for me Naruto. I swore to protect you when I came back to life! I plan on doing that regardless if you agree!"

Naruto then gave his father a nod. "Alright then."

The three of then went into adjourning rooms to change into their gear.

Near the entrance to Konohagakure

An hour later

Karin hissed impatiently as she looked around.

Neither side had made a move. Both sides were at a standoff.

One of the mercenary nin growled. "I say we just go in there and take the brat! I'm tired of waiting."

He then tried to rush past Karin but she managed to punch him square in the jaw. He was sent yards flying and crashed hard into a tree trunk far away. The force was so great that it knocked the tree out of his roots. The others behind her gasped in shock.

Karin then raised her voice so that everyone could hear her. "Listen up you assholes! I called a truce! I don't give a damn how bloodthirsty you bastards are! You are not getting past our line!" She then turned back to the large group with a glare so strong it sent shivers down their spines. "Am I clear?" She spoke with almost deadly intent.

The others except the Akatsuki Six all barreled away in pure fear.

Karin then turned her attention to Lady Tsunade. "Where is my ikouto? I'm tired of waiting!"

Tsunade just glared back at her with equal ferocity. "He should be here soon!"

Then, Naruto, Minato and Kushina, along with Kakashi then shunshined in-between the two armies.

Naruto then slowly unsheathed the katana Kakashi had made for him and glanced between both Tsunade and Karin. "What is going on here?"

Karin's expression immediately changed to one of awe. "Are you Naruto Uzumaki?"

Naruto then turned over to her grunting. "Depends. Who's asking?"

Karin had to be sure it was her long lost blood cousin. "The Nine Tails! Let me see it!"

Naruto glared at her. "I'll show you the Nine Tails when you tell me your name!" Naruto had decided to wear a long black jacket that covered the whole back of his outfit. It had six kanji letters in blood orange chakra coloring. It flowed in the wind. His katana was sheathed under his belt.

Hinata, who had answered the call to arms when Tsunade called for backup, felt her face redden when she saw it. He looks so brave and handsome in that! Like some sort of Black Wind! The Black Wind of Konoha! Naruto's jacket then transformed into the humanoid version of Kurama. The female demon then turned over to Naruto with a smirk and kissed him on the cheek. "Naru-kun! Kit! So good to see you again sweetie! How are things?"

The teenage shinobi just shook his head. "Sorry to call you out like this Kurama. I've kind of got a situation."

Kurama's iris-less eyes widened in shock. "Naruto…sweetie…What do you m…" She then took one look at the Akatsuki army and at Tsunade's forces and immediately got the picture. She then placed a hand on his shoulder. Her voice suddenly turned dangerously low. "Is someone trying to hurt you sweetie? Would...you like me to burn the village again? I don't mind."

Everyone suddenly felt the energy in the field go down a couple of levels. They started to shiver in fear.

Naruto turned back to her shaking his head. "No. The Konohanians are fine. They've been treating me well enough."

Kurama then turned around and caressed his face with a hand. A small smile formed on her lips. "Happy to hear it sweetie." The fox demon then turned her attention to glare at the Konohanian side. "This time…it wouldn't be a misunderstanding."

Tsunade glanced at the fox demon in shock. Kurama…bonded with Naruto. How the hell did that happen? The last I remember learning…He was still dealing with her influence. This is…new.

Naruto then pointed at Karin and the men behind her with the blade. "That is what we're dealing with."

Kurama's eyes widened when she met Karin eye to eye. Those must be the Akatsuki I keep hearing about! Her eyes then narrowed. "I see! Don't worry! They won't be able to take you without a fight! Just let me guide you my vessel!" She then turned back into her jacket form.

Naruto then formed a hand sign.

Kyuubi no Kitsune: Demon Armor.

Everyone around him gasped in awe and shock as Kurama's chakra shot up from the ground, surrounding his entire body. As it dissipated, they saw that his eyes were now blood orange and turned into slits. His whole body was flowing with orange chakra. He gasped at himself. How is this possible? I feel stronger than ever before! Faster too! He then heard Kurama laugh in his mind.

"This is the first one of the many Jutsus I have at my repertoire! Now that you and I are one being…I can share my power with you fully! This is the first stage of the Demon Armor Jutsu. It is far from the most powerful stage but it should be enough to hand our new friends over there."

Naruto let out a chuckle. "Huh neat. Thanks."

Of course my child. I will always do all in my power to keep you safe.

Naruto then turned to Karin and the Akatsuki with a serious glare. "If you came here for easy pickings….I'm afraid you've picked the wrong village."

Kisame cursed under his breath. "Well fuck. This just got complicated. I didn't think the brat would actually join with the Nine Tails."

Karin turned to him smiling. "Easy Kisame. I've got this." She then spoke in a sweet tone. "Now Naruto…take it easy. We didn't come here to fight."

Naruto glared at her. "Why did you come here then"

Karin smiled at him beaming. "M-My name is Karin Uzumaki. It's a long story but the gist is that I'm your long lost second cousin."

Kushina's head picked up. "You're an Uzumaki? How is that possible?"

Karin turned to her with a shrug. "I'm not sure. I just know it was the name my late mother Kisigare had."

Kushina blinked. I didn't think there were any of my clan members left. It is possible that some of them survived. "Where was your mother from?"

Karin shrugged. "From Kusagakure no Sato…the Village Hidden in the Grass."

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "I thought Kushina was the last of the Uzumaki descendants left alive. I didn't know there were descendants born in other countries."

Karin spoke rather bitterly. "Shows how much you know Konohanian."

Kushina just went quiet for a moment to process her emotions at that moment. Tears went down her eyes.

Karin then turned her attention to Naruto smiling brightly at him. "Anyway Naruto. The short version is that I'm your second cousin by blood. I didn't think there were any more of us out there until I heard word of your name. I've traveled all over the Shinobi world to find you."

Naruto then nodded. "Okay. You've found me. What now?"

Karin giggled. "Well the answer is quite obvious isn't it? The time has come for you to join me and the Akatsuki."

Naruto's face then darkened and his eyes glowed blood orange for a moment. "Why would I do that? The last time I checked…you Akatsuki bastards have done nothing but try to hunt us Jinchuuriki down so you can use us. You all attacked my friend Gaara!"

Karin let out a heavy sigh. "Naruto…beloved itouko..I'm sorry to say you've been deceived by these damn Konohanians…all of them. Gaara…the Kazekage…was an unfortunate exception to the rule. We had no other way of trying to extract the Shukaku." She then shook her head. "My itouko...I want you to know joined the Akatsuki to keep you safe when we found you. We are trying to find a way to extract the Nine Tails from your body without killing you."

Naruto heard Kurama shout from inside his mindscape.

"No! Naruto! You must not let them separate us! Remember the promise you made me! Please don't let them! I love you like a son! If anyone else gets their hands on my power…there is no telling the damage they could do! I hesitate to think what a group of terrorists like the Akatsuki would do with such power!"

Naruto closed his eyes smiling. Kurama! Calm yourself! I'm not letting them do anything! I'm trying to figure out what they want with me! What they want with you! He then heard the demon fox sigh in relief.

"Thank you kit! I love you sweetie!"

I love you too Kurama! He then turned to Karin. "What does this entail?"

Karin smiled brightly at him and clasped her hands together. "We're…still working out the kinks itouko but I promise you it will work." She then offered the Konohanian shinobi a hand. "Come my itouko…let us go home."

Naruto shook his head. "What about my mother? She is Uzumaki by blood as well."

Karin smiled. "Of course! Your mother can come if she desires to."

Kushina then jumped to her feet, glancing at Naruto with a shocked expression. "Naru-kun! You can't be serious! These people are terrorists! The only reason they want you so badly is because of the Nine Tails!" She took his hands in hers and squeezed them. I admit I'm no fan of Konohagakure anymore but these people are terrorists! Monsters!

Naruto just turned to his mother winking. "Don't worry Mom! I've got this handled!" Naruto nodded. "I appreciate it...itoukou."

Karin giggled at the use of the honorific and reached for his hand again. He took hers and squeezed it smiling. "I..can't tell how happy it makes me to know I'm not the only Uzumaki besides my mother. I appreciate you coming all this way for me."

Everyone stood in shock.

Tsunade looked almost heartbroken as she fell to her knees.

Tears were falling from her eyes. No…Naruto. What are you doing? She's a terrorist! She's manipulating you! She is using your familial connection to manipulate you! She doesn't love you! Not like I do!

Hinata was also in shock with tears starting to roll. Naruto..why? I gave you my heart and all my love! This woman…is using you! Can't you see that?

Karin's eyes darted back and forth nervously. Itachi should be getting close to the prison. We don't have much time. "I'm so glad…itoukou. We..must go if we are to get back to the headquarters before nightfall." She tried to pull him over to her group but gasped when he pulled back hard. She turned around with a confused look in her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Naruto's gaze then darkened. "As touched as I am...you are part of the group that attacked the Kazekage…the one world leader besides Lady Tsunade that I care about."

Karin raised an eyebrow at her blood cousin. "I don't understand. How did you know Gaara…the Kazekage?"

Naruto then glanced down at the ground and back up at the redhead with hate in his eyes. The shinobi's eyes then turned a blood orange color and the black and orange cloak returned on his back. "He was a friend…and you called him an unfortunate casualty!"

Then without warning…the teenage shinobi uppercut his only relative hard in the stomach.

She screamed in pain. Naruto then landed a punch hard in the face that sent Karin flying into a rock cliff.

Tsunade then put her hands to her heart, smirking at him. So the brat was lulling her into a false sense of security. Very good Naruto. Very good! You had me worried for a moment there! It would have broken my heart to put my grandson in the Bingo Book!

Minato smirked at his son and patted him on the head. "Hah! Very nice! Using the powers of persuasion to your advantage! I'm indeed a proud father!" He then got in his fighting stance alongside his son.

Kushina then hugged Naruto and got into a fighting stance alongside him. Tears ran down her eyes. "I'm with you my boy! I'm so glad I didn't lose you!"

Naruto then felt Hinata pull him into a hug. "H-Hinata?"

Hinata then smirked and kissed him rather passionately before pulling away. "I have to say my beloved. You had me worried for a minute there. I thought I had lost you. That was very clever. I didn't know you had it in you to deceive your enemies."

Naruto smirked at her. "You always did say I had a way with people. I thought it would come in handy." He then heard Kurama chuckle. Heh. Not bad kit. I'm impressed.

The couple were then interrupted by the sound of an angry yell. They looked and saw an angry Karin glaring at them. "Why beloved itoukou? I was ready to bring you home. I was willing to even bring your mother! I'm your blood sister!"

Naruto closed his eyes and shook his head at her. "I'm sorry Karin. You may be an Uzumaki by blood but you aren't family! Gaara was like a brother to me! He and I are of the same life! The fact that you just stood by as your friends tried to kill him by removing the One Tailed Beast is something I can't forgive!"

Karin grunted. "So you'd rather side with the people who beat you and starved you until you were almost nothing? The people who seek to do nothing but use you because of your namesake? Tch. I didn't take you for a weakling."

Naruto grunted. "I chose to forgive…not become a weakling." He then squeezed Hinata's hand. "Hinata, Iruka-sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Lady Tsunade, Teuchi…I could name so many others. These people stood by me. They believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They have treated me like I was a real person." He then let out a sigh and held Hinata close to him. "You have obviously lived a hard life! You've let vengeance and hatred drive you to the brink! The Akatsuki are an obvious support group for you! I accept that you choose to join them!" He stared at her with a hardened gaze. "But I can't follow you! I can't willingly follow senseless murderers who murder at their own whim! I do what I do to protect the village I love and cherish! Can you say the same Karin?"

Karin then growled at him. "Your faith in these damned Leaf bastards will be your end! You've turned your back on me! You've turned your back on your entire clan!" She then shook her head, tears flowing out of her eyes. "The elders in Kasagure worked my mother to the bone. They demanded that she use her chakra to heal their wounded until there was nothing left to use. She…died being nothing more than a tool! I saw it in my own eyes!"

Kushina gave the girl a sympathetic nod. I may not agree with Karin's beliefs but I do have some sympathy. I sacrificed both myself and my son's happiness for the safety of the village I once adored. "I can sympathize with those feelings Karin." She then linked hands with Minato. "Minato and I sacrificed our lives…our happiness..to protect Konohagakure from the Nine Tails. We even sacrificed our son's future happiness by sealing Kurama in him." The redhead then jabbed a thumb towards Tsunade and the rest of the Konohanians. Her temper flared up and her ponytail reacted in response. "They repaid our sacrifice by abusing our boy and trying to kill him multiple times! I still haven't forgiven any of them for it!"

Minato crossed his arms, nodding. His expression darkened and his chakra spiked. "Neither have I! I gave Sarutobi-sensei strict orders that my son be treated as a hero for containing the Nine-Tails within him! They responded to said orders by treating him like garbage! I only came back to life for one reason! That was to protect my son!"

Everyone except Tsunade and Kakashi let out an audible gasp at the Fourth Hokage's words.

Minato was regarded as the "hero shinobi" of the village. To hear him vehemently slander the village he gave his life to protect…was shocking to say the least. Tsunade just sighed and wiped at her wet eyes. She hated that in a way…she had let down her two closest friends so badly that they no longer held love for the village they once called home. Minato-kun. Kushina-chan. I'm so sorry. I-I should have tried harder to help Naruto!

Karin then smirked at the Uzumaki family. "If that is the case…then come with us…all three of you. Having a former Hokage in our ranks along with another Uzumaki descendant would greatly bolster our chances. She then smiled sweetly at Naruto. "Come now Naruto! Come with me and we will all be a happy family! We will wreck every village in our path on our path to revenge!"

Minato then spoke again raising a hand. "Now hold on a second. I said I was angry at the Hidden Leaf for hurting my son. I never said I would betray her borders! I still care for the people in this village! I was Hokage at one time in my life! I said I didn't intend on defending it, not that I wouldn't! "

Kushina nodded cuddling his right arm. "That's right. The Uzumaki clan is still aligned with Konohagakure! She then turned back to glare at the Konohanians. "As long as they don't betray or use us again!"

Tsunade smiled at her and just nodded.

Karin gasped. "You all…still want to fight for these Leaf bastards?"

Naruto nodded. "We do. The people in this village have harmed me greatly but I have no interest in acting my revenge upon them. If I do that…I would be doing nothing but proving to them that I am truly the monster they think I am."

Karin's eyes widened. "Naruto…listen to yourself. You still hold on to hope that the Konohanian people will change? You think they will just throw their hands up and accept you just like that? They will never fully accept you! You or your mother!"

Tsunade then rose up from her kneeling position and glowered at Karin. She knew it was risky of her to identify herself as his adopted grandmother but she didn't care. She wanted Naruto to know that he had people who supported him in the Hidden Leaf. She wanted him to stay. Life just wouldn't be the same without the kid around. I can't let him leave! He is part of my heart! She then put a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "That's where you are wrong terrorist scum." She then kneeled down and turned to Naruto smiling warmly.

He glanced at her confused. "Lady Tsunade! What are you…"

He was interrupted in his words when she gave him a kiss on the forehead before turning around to glare at Karin. "I love Naruto as if he were my own grandson! Kushina and Minato are my best friends!" She then took a deep breath. "I can't take back that I didn't do as much as I could for him in the past but I can endeavor to show him that he means the world to me! You will not have him!"

Hinata wrapped her arms around Naruto's neck with a fierce glare in her eyes. "And she isn't alone! Naruto is my beloved! As my beloved, he is an acknowledged and adored member of the Hyuuga Clan! I would do anything to protect him…even from my own countrymen! I'd rather die than let you Akatsuki bastards lay a hand on him!"

Kakashi then shunshined to Minato's left side. "Naruto, Minato, and Kushina are all dear to me! I would give my life for them! Naruto is one of the best students I have ever had the honor of teaching! I am proud to be his sensei!" He then gestured to Minato. "Minato-sensei was the one who taught me what it meant to be a true shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. He and Kushina both gave me the love and support I desperately needed as a young shinobi! I will be forever grateful for that!"

Kushina and Minato both gave the masked shinobi a warm smile.

Naruto turned back to his parents.

They both gave him a nod.

Naruto then glanced at Karin. "I guess you have your answer then Karin. I'm not betraying Konohagakure or its people!"

He then drew his blade and pointed it at her. "You want through here? You'll have to get through me!"

Karin sighed shaking her head. "Luckily we don't. We had a Plan B set in place in case you couldn't be convinced.

A sudden explosion finally went off inside the village.

Everyone then glanced back at the village.

Screams could be heard and a loud ploom of smoke started emanating from where the ANBU prison complex was.

Tsunade's eyes widened in shock. "That's the ANBU prison complex!"

She then turned to the ANBU forces. "Go find out what the hell is going on!"

The ANBU just nodded and shunshined.

Tsunade then turned to Karin with a scowl. "What have you done Karin?"

Karin then smirked. "We're bringing someone back. An old acquaintance of ours."

Itachi then shunshined next to the Uzumaki descendant with Sasuke over his shoulder. "I've got Sasuke! Let's go!"

Naruto immediately howled in frustration. "Sasuke!"

The cloak then appeared on his back again and his eyes glowed that blood orange color.

He tried to rush over to stop them but was stopped by Hinata. "Naruto don't!" She could see that he was getting upset. He was losing control for the first time in a while.

Naruto's Mindscape

Kurama was screaming at the television in front of her. Kit! Kit! You have to calm down! You are drawing on too much of my power! It's going to overwhelm you! Please!

Near the gates of Konohagakure

Kushina quickly kneeled down, placing a hand on his left shoulder. "Naruto! Naru-kun! Please calm down! You're losing yourself! You have to calm down!"

Karin Uzumaki watched as they tried to calm down her cousin from afar and sighed ruefully. "I'm sorry Naruto." She and the Akatsuki 6, then turned to the mercenary army. "Cover our escape with your lives and meet us at the safehouse!"

Many roars were heard amongst the men as they charged the Gates of Konoha.

Karin, along with the Akatsuki Six, then started retreating from the gates.

Tsunade glared at them, looking back at her forces.. "Chase after them! Do not lose them!"

The squads gave her a nod. "Yes ma'am!"

The massive army of Konohanian shinobi then clashed with the mercenary army.

Noticing that the situation was at least handled, Hinata then made Naruto look her in the eyes. She could see the darkness of the Fox Demon overcoming him as he grunted in frustration trying to break out of his parents' hold as Kushina and Minato were both holding him back from chasing Karin

Hinata let out a sigh and held his face in her hands. There's only one thing that could possibly bring him back. I have to do it to save his life. She then gently pressed his lips against hers.

Naruto just stood there stunned and flabbergasted.

After a while, Hinata broke the kiss. "Naruto…beloved…can you hear me?"

Naruto blinked at her. "H-Hinata? Is that you?"

Kushina, Minato and Hinata all let out collective sighs of relief.

Hinata smiled at him and caressed his face with a hand. "Yes. It's me." She then sighed. "It's okay beloved. Everything will be alright. The ANBU and Shinobi army Tsunade-sama brought with her is handling the mercenaries. Everything will be all right." She then gently squeezed his hands and brought them into hers. "I need you to do two things for me okay?"

Naruto blinked at her. "W-What?"

Hinata smiled warmly. "I need you to relax yourself. Take a few deep breaths. Close your eyes. Calm yourself. Think of something happy…a memory perhaps."

Naruto stuttered out and nodded. "A-Alright! I-I'll try!" He closed his eyes and thought of the first date the two had together. As he breathed in and felt himself grow calmer, the cloak of orange chakra slowly dissipated until it was totally gone. His eyes slowly turned back into their normal blue color.

Hinata nodded and spoke in a soothing tone. "There we go. Your eyes are returning to their usual color. I can sense your heartbeat calming down to a normal level."

Minato and Kushina glanced at each other confused.

Hinata smiled at both of them. "You two can let go of him now. He'll be fine. He's calmer."

The mother and father nodded and let go.

Hinata then pulled her boyfriend into a tight hug with his face in her chest. She felt her own heartbeat calm down as she held him in her arms. She smiled to herself. "Oh my beloved! I was so scared I was going to lose you just then!"

Naruto could only respond in incoherent sobs and cries.

Hinata just rubbed his back while whispering in his ear. "I love you so much. I've got you. Just let go."

Kushina smiled down at the couple and turned to Minato with a smirk. "They really are like you and me aren't they? I remember you doing the same for me when you rescued me from those Kiri kidnappers."

Minato turned to her, smirking back. "Yes indeed."

Naruto's Mindscape

Kurama felt herself calm down as she watched her vessel and his intended embrace one another. She was watching them from a television screen. She let out a happy sigh of relief.

"Oh Kami! I was so worried for a minute there! I was worried I'd lose Naruto to his anger. I definitely need to teach him to up his tolerance to my chakra! We are definitely going over that!" She then took another sip of her wine glass.