Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Author's Note: Yo!

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A punching bag, why the hell hadn't she bought a new one! She needed to release her anger, but to avoid destroying her entire house; she had bought a punching bag. Of course, it was a special one, resistant to her super strength. It still only lasted for a week, usually five days.

During the years, she had become equal to Shizune in medical Jutsu and was nearly as powerful as Tsunade. Chakra could only do so much, after all. Sasuke could still beat her in a one on one match, but it usually took him a long time to tire her out.

And then, Uzumaki Naruto appears and shows a growth even bigger than theirs. Of course, this was to be expected from the blonde Shinobi, who was already growing so fast when he was a kid.

And Hatake Kakashi was still more skilled than her and Sasuke. Only Naruto had surpassed him, it seemed.

How she had missed them when they were in the Sand. Now that they were back, they were difficult to approach. Naruto even more than Kakashi, while it should be the other way around. She had pondered visiting them, but predicted it would be quite awkward.

She checked herself in the mirror before she walked out the door. 'Today I'm off duty. Perhaps I should suggest to Kakashi-sensei to have some kind of reunion. It's difficult to reminisce during missions.' She thought. 'I would like to know what happened in the Sand that made them change so much.'

Sakura remembered her meeting with Hinata last night. 'So strange, it seems they make it a rule not to talk about each other.' She had asked Hinata what had happened to Naruto and Kakashi in the Sand, but Hinata had advised her to ask them herself.

"Sakura!"

Sakura's head whipped around after hearing her voice called with such urgency. "What's wrong, Ten-Ten?"

"We have a problem! We must search and destroy two Shinobis who have escaped from the Village!" She said.

Sakura stared wide-eyed at the female Jounin. "Search and destroy?" She repeated, frowning. Ten-Ten always exaggerated, she figured.

"I don't know what's wrong, only that I've received message that we have two traitors. An interrogation went wrong." The brown-haired woman explained. "But we can't discuss this! We must go now!" They both prepared to jump and head for the Gates of the Leaf, until a smoke cloud appeared in front of them.

"Yo!"

Both females stared as Kakashi suddenly appeared. "I could use your help." He announced as he stared at the both of them. "Morino Ibiki interrogated Uchiha Itachi this morning. They are both already outside of Leaf. We are to hunt down Morino Ibiki. As we speak, a Hunter-nin team has already gone after both of them."

---

This May, Be

Chapter 3: Hunting

---

Uchiha Sasuke was running towards the Gates of the Leaf after having witnessed a huge explosion in the east of the Leaf, where the cells were, he thought. After seeing quite a few ANBU rush over the roofs, over his own roof even, he concluded it must have to do with his brother. He went as far as to stop one member of an ANBU team and ask.

Just as he reached the gate, he was pushed back by an invisible force. Being confused, he immediately activated his Sharingan and saw Naruto stepping out of one of his gates. He didn't see the gate, but he did see Naruto step out of… nothing.

"I suggest you calm down." He said before he stared at the Uchiha. "You wish to fight your brother again?"

"Get out of my way, dobe." Sasuke warned. "I have to get to him before he's out of reach again."

Naruto regarded Sasuke, who was still on the ground, with a cool gaze. "This gate here behind me is one you'll have to go through, then." Naruto said as he grinned a little bit. "Uchiha Itachi is moving in a very high speed away from Leaf, heading towards Stone. I can still sense him, but his smell is too far away now. But because he's moving in a high speed, it'll take even more Chakra to be able to teleport you towards him."

"How?" Sasuke asked as he rose to his feet. "How can you do this?"

"If I can sense someone or something, I can teleport there." Naruto explained. "I suggest you move quickly. Sensing him becomes harder every second. Also, a Hunter-nin Team and an ANBU Team is pursuing him. I thought you wanted to kill him. You'll have to be quick if you don't want the others to kill him."

Sasuke glared at Naruto and stepped through the gate, without saying anything. Naruto felt the Chakra being taken away from him as Sasuke travelled towards Uchiha Itachi.

"Tcheh." Naruto deactivated his gate and sighed. 'This is not my problem.' He thought as he walked home.

---

Kakashi, Ten-Ten and Sakura were running after Pakkun, who used his nose to keep track of the ANBU Team going after Morino Ibiki.

"Ibiki has been underestimated." Kakashi said. "I suggest we kill him as soon as we see him."

The trio were running around the trees, dodging even falling leafs as skilled as they are.

"Ah, but he might still have a few answers!" Sakura replied. "He must have found out more about Itachi."

Kakashi shook his head. "No, we already have all the answers we need."

"Are they accomplices?" Ten-Ten asked. "So unexpected."

"They're not accomplices." Kakashi shook his head again. "In fact, they're the biggest enemies."

"What happened?" Sakura asked, skilfully dodging a lost tree branch as the trio jumped through the forest. "I mean, did they attack each other?"

"Matter of fact… Yes, they did, after a full hour of interrogation." Kakashi started. "It seems Morino Ibiki is the reason why Itachi killed his entire Clan… But Ibiki was controlled as well, as far as I can tell he didn't even remember having used a Jutsu on Itachi when he attended the Ninja Academy School…"

Sakura's eyes widened. "Then… why is a Hunter-nin also hunting after Itachi?"

"He's the one who made the building explode." Kakashi answered. "He's mentally unstable and won't hesitate to kill any Leaf-nins. We have to bring him down as well."

"Where's Naruto?" Sakura asked. "Is he after one of them as well?"

Kakashi gazed at Sakura, and then shrugged. "I don't know. We lost sight of each other when the entire building collapsed. But usually, when it's not a mission… Uzumaki-taichou doesn't care."

---

Sasuke's eyes widened as he appeared in front of Itachi, surrounded by a team of ANBU, all killed. The older Uchiha seemed a little bit surprised to see Sasuke in front of him all of a sudden, but only for a split second. "Uzumaki Naruto sends his regards, right?"

Sasuke glared at his brother. "I will end everything now, Uchiha Itachi…" He said, rage apparent in his voice. "Sharingan!"

Itachi simply stared at him. "Foolish, little brother. What's wrong with your Sharingan?"

Sasuke didn't respond and rushed forward. 'He's using Genjutsu… This time I can see it!'

Itachi simply observed how his little brother went through Genjutsu after Genjutsu. 'Genjutsu is one of the weaknesses of the Sharingan. Even though it can see through it, observing a Genjutsu already takes a lot of Chakra from the Sharingan. Dispelling it using only the Sharingan takes even more.'

Itachi wasn't surprised to find Sasuke now rushing towards him. In fact, he was slightly disappointed it took him this long to find him. After a few blows, Itachi brought his fist down upon Sasuke's skull, sending him face down to the ground.

Sasuke was quick to get up and marvellously hit Itachi in the stomach with his right foot. Itachi didn't even seem to notice as he immediately grabbed the foot that hit him and sent Sasuke into a nearby boulder. After that, he immediately sent a "Katon, Goukakyuu no Jutsu!" in Sasuke's face.

Sasuke avoided the fireball and was currently descending upon Itachi. His kick was avoided as Itachi pivoted to the right and continued with a roundhouse kick to Sasuke's chin. Sasuke bent backwards and retaliated with a roundhouse kick of his own. Itachi blocked with his right arm and used his left hand to grab Sasuke's throat.

"You amaze me, little brother. Even after so many years, you are barely above Genin Level…" Itachi mocked as he lifted Sasuke up and punched him in the face with his right fist five times, before doing a single-hand seal. "Perhaps I should end it here…"

Sasuke, being choked, was trying to get the left hand that was wrapped around his throat away with both his hands. He finally used both his legs to kick Itachi in the face. After that, he landed on his back and rolled backwards to avoid a foot in the face.

"Kuroi Katon, Tsukamu!"

Sasuke's eyes widened as a huge hand made out of black flames surrounded Itachi's right arm. Itachi then reached out for Sasuke and the Hand of Black Flames tried to grab Sasuke. Sasuke jumped backwards and performed handseals as well.

"Kuroi Katon, Ryuusei!"

Itachi looked intrigued as Sasuke stretched all fingers out towards the sky. His little brother's fingers were surrounded by black flames. Itachi withdrew his arm to his side, making the Black Flame Hand rest at his side.

Itachi was a bit surprised as Sasuke began to shoot black fireballs from his fingertips towards Itachi. As Itachi dodged about twenty of them, Sasuke appeared behind him and kicked him in the back.

Itachi fell forward a little bit, before exploding, sending Sasuke into another tree. 'Explosive Kage Bunshin…' Sasuke thought.

---

"Uzumaki Naruto."

The blonde young man didn't respond as he opened his door. From the voice, he noted it was a woman. From the Chakra Signature he sensed, he figured it was a female Jounin.

"You've become really rude, you know that?" The woman continued asking for his attention.

"I do not feel the need to have a conversation with you." Naruto explained as he considered shooting a glance at the woman standing in front of his house. He was a bit surprised, but didn't show it. He and this particular woman hadn't conversed often before.

"Really rude, indeed." Yuuhi Kurenai stated. "I'm here to inform you that we'll be having a mission together. You and an old subordinate of mine."

"Inuzuka, eh?" Naruto replied. "What's the mission?"

"We have to search for Yukio Ayamo." Kurenai said, trying to read Naruto's face. "Also, it is not Kiba-kun who's joining us."

Naruto seemed to snarl a bit. "Yukio Ayamo…" He whispered. "So Aburame Shino is joining us?"

"You are already acquainted with Yukio Ayamo." Kurenai stated, indicating she didn't know that beforehand. "You do not fear the possibility that she's become an enemy?"

"I am familiar with the woman. But if she has become an enemy, then she deserves to die." Naruto responded. "For such is the fate of any enemy."

"Uzumaki Naruto. The Fifth has chosen for you to choose the last member for this mission." Kurenai reported. "You will be the Captain."

Naruto seemed to think for a moment. "This mission… holds something important for Leaf, doesn't it? What rank is Aburame Shino?"

"Jounin." Kurenai answered. "I am Elite Jounin, as are you."

"A-Rank, then." Naruto reasoned with only Jounins for a mission. "Perhaps S-Rank. I want Inuzuka Kiba with us as well."

---

Kakashi, Sakura and Ten-Ten were petrified as they saw an entire ANBU Team retreat to Leaf, all of them screaming their lungs out. They didn't even seem to move as swiftly as usual, as they stumbled over stones, branches and slipped over leafs even…

"What happened to them?" Sakura asked.

"Torture Genjutsu." Kakashi answered nonchalantly. "We have to move; Pakkun has found Ibiki's scent."

Moving faster than any of them could, Kakashi leaped ahead, already seeing Ibiki running in the distance. "Hurry up! We can not afford to lose the target." He ordered.

Sakura and Ten-Ten were surprised to see Lee running past them and following Kakashi. "Sakura-san, Ten-Ten-san! We must hurry, if Kakashi-taichou thinks this one might be trouble, then he surely is very skilled."

Lee spotted Kakashi descending to the ground and followed suit.

The young Green beast landed next to Kakashi on the ground. In front of them, Ibiki was grinning at them. "Hatake Kakashi. You think you can stop me? I don't know what you've been doing in Suna, but there's no way you've reached above the Sannin Level."

Lee frowned. "You're Sannin Level?" He asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

Ibiki chuckled as Sakura and Ten-Ten joined his opponents. "I was Orochimaru-kun's master!"

"You delude yourself." Kakashi countered. "You've been fooled as well. A Jutsu put on you made you believe you were superior to the Snake Sannin. I don't think you were the one who has led Orochimaru." The grey-haired Jounin's eye narrowed. "You're the one having a master."

Ibiki shrugged. Kakashi could see Ibiki was confused. 'He probably doesn't even remember anything about Orochimaru's time in Leaf, or Itachi's. He doesn't even remember having feared Orochimaru for a while…' Kakashi revealed his Sharingan. "So you're Sannin Level?"

Ibiki narrowed his eyes at Kakashi's Sharingan. "I am far above Sannin Level!" He barked.

Kakashi nodded as he performed a single handseal. "I should hope so… Otherwise you wouldn't be a real challenge…" He announced his Jutsu… "Hijutsu…"

---

Sasuke and Itachi were both panting crazily as they squared off once again. Kunai hit Kunai, knee hit shoulder and elbow hit a palm of a hand. It went too fast to see who had hit who in the squabble.

Itachi moved blurrily as he penetrated Sasuke's defense and shoulder bashed him a few meters back. Sasuke retaliated by moving under Itachi's guard and upper cutting him a meter upwards. Itachi responded by sending a black flame downwards, covering the entire clearing.

Sasuke had no means of escape and surrounded himself with Black Fire, his ultimate defense…

Both were panting even crazier than before. "You've grown, little brother… But it's not enough." Itachi then seriously gazed at his sibling. "And if it goes on like this, I doubt it'll ever be enough."

Sasuke was panting too much to reply.

Itachi rushed forward and delivered a massive knee blow to Sasuke's face. Sasuke's flight was stopped by a tree trunk and he literally felt something crack with the impact. "Our next meeting will be our last. Disappoint me then, and I will end your life." He said, also slightly panting. Sasuke was on his back, too exhausted to get up. He heard Itachi take off.

---

Sakura's eyes were widened a great deal. 'I've never seen Kakashi-sensei fight like that!'

Ten-Ten was surprised as well. "That sword… I've never seen a sword like that." She turned to Sakura. "Does he always use that sword?"

Sakura shook her head. "This is the first time I've seen it."

Kakashi was slowly approaching them, leaving Ibiki's corpse behind. It had taken the White Fang's son only seconds to deal with Ibiki. "You've seen me fight at my best now…" Kakashi explained as he performed a single handseal and used a Jutsu on the sword in his other hand. The sword then disappeared.

'He's Sannin Level…' Sakura understood.

Kakashi turned away from the three before him and looked upwards. "Take the deceased Morino Ibiki back to Konoha. The body might still hold a few secrets."

From out of a tree, a Medic-nin shot out of it and landed in front of the corpse. "As you wish, Kakashi-sempai."

"What was that sword?" Ten-Ten asked, after shaking off the confusion and surprise of not having sensed the medic-nin, who had already taken off.

Kakashi regarded her as he hid his Sharingan eye. "A Memento…"

---

Uzumaki Naruto was lazily strolling through the streets of Konoha. He was heading towards the Hokage Tower, intent on asking for clarification of the mission he had received today.

Yuuhi Kurenai was a Genjutsu Specialist, Aburame Shino a tracking Specialist, as far as he knew. Inuzuka was one as well, so Naruto figured it would be an advantage to have two trackers.

Yukio Ayamo, a cold-hearted bitch, but one who would always watch your back. Suna Jounin, Naruto knew, missing over a year. What would Tsunade want with her?

"Come in!" Tsunade yelled as Naruto knocked on the door.

"Hokage-sama." Naruto greeted as he stepped in the office. "Explain the Yukio Mission, please." He bowed.

Tsunade frowned, still getting used to this different Naruto. "She has information regarding The Sealing. She has been spotted in the Earth Country."

Naruto nodded. "I already knew she knew of the Sealing. This has nothing to do with Konoha. Why are you interested in this? Who's paying for this Mission?"

Tsunade seriously regarded Naruto. "This mission will be paid by the deceased Sandaime…"

Naruto's eyes almost widened, but he didn't allow Tsunade to even get a glimpse of his confusion. "I see."

"I assume you realize how important this mission is now…" Tsunade commented. "Yukio Ayamo is connected to Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisame. They will perform the Gathering in the Stone, I am sure."

Naruto shrugged. "Even if they do, it wouldn't matter. The Sealing is nothing. Even Yukio admitted this to me."

Tsunade shrugged back. "I want you to take Yukio to Leaf or deal with her, as she might bring Leaf in danger."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "The Sealing has nothing to do with Konoha. If anything, I am more in danger."

"You are part of Leaf." Tsunade countered.

Naruto's narrowed eyes seemed to glisten. "Part of Leaf, you say?" He scoffed. "I wanted to be a part long ago and I might work under it now, but I won't feel like a part of Leaf thanks to the Village itself." He replied. "Don't say such ridiculous things."

"What is Yukio to you?" Tsunade asked, ignoring the hurt feeling after hearing Naruto express his thoughts. "Will you have problems killing her?"

Naruto snorted. "I'll kill her easily. She was my subordinate in Suna and became Jounin a year and a half ago. I don't care about the woman." He explained. "What are you insinuating, Hokage-sama?"

"Nothing. I just want to be sure that when it comes down to it, you're ready to strike her down." Tsunade responded. "Who's the one who'll join your team?"

"Inuzuka Kiba."

Tsunade shook her head. "That won't be possible. He'll be on a mission tomorrow." Naruto shook his head in annoyance. Tsunade just then realized he wasn't wearing the Konoha headband anywhere. "Where is your headband?"

"In one of my pockets." Naruto replied. "What about Hyuga Neji?"

Tsunade nodded. "The Hyuga is available."

---

"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura landed right next to the unconscious Sasuke. "Sasuke-kun…" She murmured as Chakra surrounded her hands, ready to heal the Uchiha.

"So Itachi got away." Kakashi concluded, seeing the many corpses around him. An entire ANBU Team out cold. "Lee, Ten-Ten, you two follow me. The Uchiha couldn't have gotten very far. After having dealt with an ANBU Team and Uchiha Sasuke, he should be out of Chakra, or almost. Sakura, you take Sasuke back to the Village." He ordered. "Let's go!"

Sakura watched the trio move away from her instantly. Her eyes turned back to Sasuke. 'He must feel terrible, even worse when he wakes up. He's been defeated by his brother again.'

The pink-haired woman lifted Sasuke on her shoulder and carried him back to Leaf. 'I wonder how powerful Uchiha Itachi really is…'

---

"Morino Ibiki has been dealt with. His body didn't hold any new secrets." A medic-nin reported in the Hokage's Office. The door opened to reveal Hatake Kakashi. He nodded his head towards the Medic-nin and then faced the Hokage.

"Uchiha Itachi got away." He reported. "What is Uchiha Sasuke's status?"

"He'll be fine... in a week." Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Hanabi-san, Kakashi and I have important matters to discuss."

Hanabi bowed shortly. The Hyuga had become Medic-nin, Torture Specialist second to Morino Ibiki and ANBU Captain. Kakashi respected the girl for coming so far.

The two Shinobis looked seriously as Hanabi had left the room. "I've given Sandaime's last mission to Naruto."

Kakashi nodded. "I assume you want me to take the other half of the Mission?"

Tsunade nodded. "Yes, you'll be expected in Water Country. Jiraiya will be there to receive you."

Kakashi nodded back. "I understand."

---

Sakura had a very surprising morning. She barged through the door of the Hokage's Office, as she did almost every morning, demanding a mission. This time, however, The Fifth complied, but with a warning.

"Fail as a medic-nin during this mission and it'll hunt you for the rest of your life. This Mission is S-ranked." Tsunade had said. "I want you to tell the Captain to pick up one more Shinobi for the mission."

Tsunade had told her where to go and that she would have to explain to the Captain why she was going along with the mission. She squinted her eyes to make up the figure in the distance and nodded as she confirmed it was really the Captain for the Mission.

"Hey, Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted as he turned around with a wide smile on his face.

Sakura's eyes widened, until she realized nothing of the sort really occurred. Naruto still had his back turned to her as she approached him. She had to admit that she really missed seeing the cheerful blonde. 'I wonder what it'll feel like to hear him say 'Sakura-chan' again…'

"Haruno… Why have you come to this place?" Naruto asked as Kurenai and Shino were approaching them in the distance.

"Ah, Hokage-sama told me to join you on this mission. To be the Medic-nin of the team." Sakura replied.

Naruto turned and regarded her with a reading look. He then turned to Kurenai, who had arrived. "You're not a Medic-nin?" He asked the older woman. 'So she only is a Genjutsu Specialist…'

Kurenai shook her head. "No. I'm not surprised Hokage-sama sent us one."

Shino, meanwhile, was analyzing Naruto, after feeling his bugs tremble in fear…

Sakura laughed insecurely and shortly at Kurenai and Naruto. "Well… We also have to pick up another Shinobi for this mission."

Naruto narrowed his eyes. "Six Jounins for one mission?" He spat. "Six is too many. I find five too many already."

"Tsunade-sama insisted."

Naruto sighed. "Who will be joining us?" He asked as Neji landed behind him. He nodded a greeting to the Hyuga before turning back to Sakura.

"Yamanaka Ino."

Naruto frowned, remembering the blonde. "Hmm, what's her specialty?"

Neji answered before Sakura could. "Interrogation."

Sakura nodded. "She brings interrogation to a whole other level…"

---

Kakashi took a look at the people that had gathered before him, ready to join him on the mission.

Hyuga Hanabi, Mitarashi Anko, Rock Lee, Temari and Uchiha Sasuke.

Kakashi nodded, this will do. A Medic-nin, Interrogation, Torture, Taijutsu Specialist and a Wind User… And two Sharingan users. It'll have to do.

Kakashi sighed and debriefed his team. The Mission he has been waiting for ever since Yondaime passed away…

---

TBC

Expect some Sasuke-bashing!

Nah, just kidding… Next chapters will be focusing more on Sakura and Sasuke.

Naruto and Kakashi will just be the leaders of the teams. But OMG! -GASP- What are these missions! If you ask me, I have no clue… -shrugs- Neh, I know, but you'll think it's farfetched. Anyway, ja ne!

Next Chapter: Nara Shikamaru returns to Leaf to immediately leave again with an S-Rank mission! The same happens to Hyuga Hinata…

Oh yeah! Here comes the real plot!