Ch6

"speech"

'Thought'

"The Kyubi you say?" a man confirmed in the darkness.

"Yes, rumors has it that the Kyubi has been sealed into the son of Uzumaki Kaito, Uzumaki Naruto." Replied a second man.

"Haha, this is excellent. If we get him, we get a package deal of two for one," The first man laughed.

"I hear that he resides in the hidden village of Konoha, shall I go retrieve him right now?"

"The Konoha village, of all the places,"

"Something the matter?"

"The Konoha village consists of some of the most skilled ninjas there is. Have you heard of the white fang?"

"I have, the ninja with an unusual genius claimed to be nearly invincible was he not?"

"He was of Konoha."

"…"

"You see, with only this much in our clan, we cannot attack Konoha. The Hokage is the most strongest of all Kages and will not go down easily. It may take all three of us just to go against him. We'll wait until we get some more recruits, I'm thinking around 7 should be a good number."

"How?"

"There are supreme ninjas in every village, every country. They all are seeking or will seek one thing and that is more power. We can use this "weakness" as a tool."

"I suppose you have your eyes on someone already?"

"Yes, I hear there is an ingenious shinobi in Konoha, his name is Orochimaru. I have kept my eyes on him for quite some time now and I've noticed a different side to him. A more…darker side."

Naruto walked down the road with the orange sun behind him as it's rays diffused through the open sky. The chilly wind from the front contrasted the blazing heat that burnt the swirl of his jacket from the back. The day was coming to an end. Sounds of mother's calling their children home from another day of their great adventure of life. The young lad gave out a sigh as he watched the little ones extend their arms high into the air, grasping their mother's hand with a bright smile across their face. There was a certain envy and jealousy that he could not help but feel. Overtime, he has managed to learn to get use to this feeling but the pain was still there…now more than ever.

He found his way to 3 wooden poles. He stopped before the middle pole and shot a smile. 'It was here…it was here that my "Family" started.' A smile returned to his face, 'and now, that family has grown. Kakashi-sensei, Sakura-chan, Sasuke, Iruka-sensei, Ero-senin and…' His eyes suddenly cleared up, 'Wow, have I really been acknowledged by so many people?'

"Naruto," the voice of a young man came from behind.

Naruto didn't move. He gave a reply without turning, "What are you doing here Sasuke."

"I'm always here for training, the question IS what are you doing here," Sasuke asked narrowing his eyes.

"Just taking a walk," he whispered and turned around.

Sasuke's eyes twitched, 'are those…tear tracks?'

"I had some things on my mind and I thought a walk might help you know," he laughed trying to sound like his old carefree self. The attempt failed miserably as his voice began to break before he shut his mouth as a moment of silence followed.

Sasuke closed his eyes, understanding what was going on. Then opening them with a firm sight he chuckled, "You're strong Naruto."

Naruto looked up with some surprise before he pointed a thumb to himself, "I'm going to be the next Hokage, of course I am!" he laughed.

"Although you're still nothing compared to me," Sasuke gave a mocking smile.

"Oh really, care to test that out?" he dared.

"Bring it on," Sasuke accepted.

For the next few hours, the clashing of fists rang through the training ground as the sun lowered its figure behind the hills. The moon has glided it's way high into the sky before the melee finally seized. The two stood sideways upon the side of two tree trunks with a smile on their face as they breathed heavily to force as much air into their lungs as possible.

"It's getting late, I'll settle things with you another time," Sasuke said, brushing the sweat from his forehead.

"You're just running away, that's all," Naruto replied mockingly, "But I guess I'll let you off the hook for today."

The two jumped to the ground lightly. Sasuke glanced over at his tired rival, then with a twist of his head and his original cool hmf, he began his walk. 'The bastard gets stronger every time I fight him. Maybe I'm getting soft, but it looked like he needed some sort of stress relief.' He gave a few blinks before he realized the full content of what he had just thought and shot another few chuckles. 'Getting soft? Damn it, Heh, the bastard's got a knack for changing people.'

Naruto gazed into the night sky with a sigh of relief. There was something about his last fight that was all so satisfying, a bit painful but satisfying. 'Wonder what tomorrow will bring,' he smiled and started his walk.

The sun's rays shot it's way through the blinds once more upon the blond haired boy's face. 'I don't wanna wake…damn it, I gotta get me some better blinds.' He sat up with a yawn and looked about. 'So this is tomorrow huh,' he thought extending his arm to feel the air around him and glided it with few grasps into the empty space, 'it feels just like yesterday.' He gave a shrug and moved o his stack of noodles.

He looked down into his steaming cup as he waited for the 3minutes to pass.

The wave striker sword is said to hold great power.

He ate quietly, still thinking about the words of his mother.

'My bloodline…so they didn't just want me for the Kyubi inside me." He looked down to his hand, 'Do I really hold such power?'

Team Kakashi have gathered upon the bridge where they usually meet. All but one had arrived. Sakura folded her arms worriedly and everything was at a silence.

'Naruto still isn't here. It's not like him to be late let alone be more late than Kakashi-sensei.' She thought looking to the side where the boy usually runs from.

"We can't wait any longer," Kakashi said, "We need to go get our mission for today. If Naruto decides to show up then he can catch up. If he doesn't, well, I'll deal with him later."

"Kakashi-sensei, I think Naruto is…" Sakura said.

"I know Sakura, I heard," Kakashi replied cutting in before she could finish.

(In the Ninja Academy)

Three figures walked down the hall in silence. This was one day where there wasn't any chattering or flirting as they took their steps. Sakura gave occasional glances behind, hoping to see the bright face of the blond shooting some idiot excuse for being late but her hopes were replaced by disappointment each time.

"No absolutely NOT!" Tsunade's words came ringing through the school.

"It looks like she's in a bad mood today…again," Sasuke gave a sigh.

"Wonder what got to her today," Sakura added.

"Please, I have to! If I don't they could…"

"Naruto?" Kakashi looked up through his mask.

The three dashed to the room and opened the door just in time to see Naruto's fist coming down hard on the table as Tsunade glared back.

"Naruto, what's going on?" Kakashi asked.

Naruto flipped his head back to see the source of the question. "Kakashi-sensei!"

"He wants to leave the Konoha village," Tsunade answered.

"What do you mean leave?" Sakura demanded.

Naruto shifted his glance to the side, "I won't be gone forever. I just have some things that I want to clear up," he replied.

"Naruto," Tsunade said calming her voice, "I know you're going through some tough times right now and I know about your past as well. I saw the message your mom left you by reading the genjutsu without activating it. But knowing you, you're planning to go charge into the akatsuki's base by yourself once you get the sword…If they don't find you first. You and I both know that you're not strong enough to go against them yet."

"Then what," Naruto's voice grew with anger, "You expect me to just sit here and do nothing? I know that with that sword, I can do it!"

"You don't even know if the myth is real or not!" Tsunade exclaimed.

"Excuse me," Kakashi jumped in timidly, "what is this sword you guys are talking about?"

"Oh, Naruto wants to go find the wave striker. You've heard of it have you not?" Tsunade said.

"Yes, I hear that it is a legendary sword in the country of the mist said to be able to cut through an ocean with one slash. The sword did exist but did it not disappear years ago after it was stolen by someone?" Kakashi answered.

"It wasn't stolen!" Naruto bursted. Kakashi raised an eyebrow at the sudden response as did the other two beside him. Naruto looked down to the floor then continued, toning down his volume, "My mom took it to prevent it from falling into the Akatsuki's hands."

The word Akatsuki brought a shudder to the ones in the room, at least to the ones that knew what they were.

Tsunade looked to her schedual book pensively before she finally gave in. "Alright," she said, "I'll let you go get the sword. I will give you 2 weeks time and if you still can not find it, then you are to immediately return here."

A smile came to Naruto's face. "However!" she added, "I don't trust you to go alone. Therefore, Kakashi team7, that shall be your mission for the next two weeks."

'Geeze, but I guess this is better than our usual escort this person to this place where it always ends up with just a stroll in the forest,' Sasuke thought looking up.

(Outside the Academy)

"Naruto, I want some more details about this. What's this message that your…mom left you," Kakashi asked.

"I'll tell you it as we walk," Naruto replied.

(Tells the story)

"I see," Kakashi nodded.

'So that's Naruto's past huh…how sad,' Sakura glanced over at the smiling figure, 'But he don't look sad at all, I wonder what his thinking behind that clown mask of his.' She smiled with admiration.

They stopped their steps at the gate of Konoha.

"So, where are we off to?" Kakashi asked.

"I haven't got a clue," Naruto replied putting his hands behind his head.

The three nearly plopped dead on the floor. 'Obviously nothing much' Sakura thought as her eye twitched rapidly. "I think we should go to that old folks home," she answered, shaking her head to get the stupidity out of her thoughts, "The sword did belong to them right, then logically they should know something about it. Maybe your mother left something with them."

"Hey, that's a great idea!" Naruto exclaimed, "Let's go!"

'Once an idiot, always an idiot,' Sasuke shook his head and followed.

End…

And so the journey begins, what awaits them in the roads ahead? I hope you liked this chapter, the opening of "My version of Season Three" haha, I like that. Although I think the Akatsuki would die out in season two but hey, this is my story. I hope you guys liked this chapter

MelanieStar: Haha, thanks a lot for all your support and constant review. You're the only one that gives me a constant review too lol. I can't get on Fanfic all that often so I can't review all your chapters before your next one comes out but I'm reading them every chance I get, thanks again!

Anonymous: I shall continue.