Naruto: Shoton of Konoha

by Arch-Daishou00

: For Stormy Rebel, miss you, Joachim, and thank you: "By the actions of the traitor Mizuki. Naruto awakens a rare Kekkei Genkai. And his path has now changed. And in the darkness awakens an ancient threat more terrifying than the Akatsuki, which only stirs thought of myths from a lost and forgotten age." : huge world expansion story, OC. Co-Author: Etheral-23

35. Godaime Hokage Act 1

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto

Co-author and Beta: Etheral-23

Chapter 35: Godaime Hokage Act 1

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

:Minato Namikaze:

Naruto kept reading the name on the tombstone over and over, unsure of how to really feel. He supposed he was sad, grieving in a way. It was weird to mourn for someone you never knew.

His father had given up everything for the village, to keep them all safe, at the cost of making his own son a Jinchuuriki. He had tried getting mad over it, but… honestly, the thought of getting angry about it just tired him out so much.

What was the point anyway? Getting a mad about something that happened long ago and there was nothing to do about it now. In the end he'd only feel worse. So instead he chose to hear everything his mother told him about his father. How his father had been a great man, honorable, kind, strong, smart, many times a complete wuss according to her, but a loving husband and would have been an awesome father.

His father had set a great example for ninjas of the Leaf to live by, even if he was too idealistic at times.

So Naruto had finally decided to accompany his mother, half an hour before the ceremony to honor all those who fell in the defense of the village. Lord Akiha had declared he would remain in Konoha for several days to help oversees the repairs on the village. Calling in resources and aid to speed up the recovery, and would be attending at the wake as well, to thank the brave fallen.

Kushina gently squeezed his shoulder. "Your father was one of a kind, bit of a dummy when it came to things that weren't ninjutsu. But thoughtful and patient as well" She chuckled. "He had to be to deal with an Uzumaki being his wife"

Naruto continued staring at the grave.

"He would be so proud of the brave son he had"

He held back his tears, but sniffed all the same. He ran the sleeve of his ceremonial dark shirt under his nose, as he shifted his wet gaze.

Kushina knelt, planted a kiss to her fingers before running them over his name. "I love you"

Naruto wanted to say something too, that he was so proud his father had been such a strong shinobi, the Hokage even, that he had been an even more honorable man. But right now, he just didn't have the words to express himself.

His mother understood, and smiled comfortingly at him before softly guiding him around the grounds as they walked away. "There is someone else I want to introduce you to"

Mother and son trekked through the cemetery, he idly gazed at a few other people strolling by, bringing offerings to the graves of the people they knew and lost.

They didn't take long to reach their destination, one more gravestone with Konoha's symbol engraved, a ninja's grave. There was no last name, only the word 'Haru'.

"This is Haru" Kushina said, voice full of melancholy and nostalgia. "He was our other teammate with Mikoto" Surprised etched on her son's face. "I think you would have liked him a lot" She knelt before the grave. "Haru was just… so full of life" She breathed out with nigh amazement as she remembered her late friend/comrade. "Always smiling and laughing, always trying to make other people laugh"

She touched the stone with care. "He grew up an orphan, and always said he wanted a family" Kushina smiled softly. "But he was never alone; Haru had this… light that managed to brighten up someone's day. He'd go out of his way to make someone laugh. Everyone in the Academy was his friend, and we; Mikoto, Sakumo-sensei and I… we were his family"

"…What happened to him?" Naruto asked warily. The tombstone was clear enough, but asked how it had happened.

The smile vanished from her lips. "It was on a mission, we got into something way over our heads. A rogue ninja, much more experienced and talented than us… Haru died saving Mikoto and I"

"And the ninja?"

"We killed him" She hollowly replied. "He was an Ichimonji, an old clan that should have died out long ago. Maniacs from the Clan War era" The redhead sighed heavily. "In a fight they would enter this… battle-lust that could not be quenched, masters of every conceivable weapon. Fighting even one of them is a nightmare…"

"They're still around?" Naruto wondered.

"Not as a full clan, no. Lots of other clans had tried destroying them long ago, but individual members still walk around the world, looking for a fight. They just refuse to die…" She closed her eyes. "Wasn't my last encounter with a member of the Ichimonji, years afterwards I met this… this woman, it wasn't just once. Time and time again over the years we just kept running into each other"

Kushina took a deep breath, slowly let it all out. "I hope I never see her again" She peered back at her son. "But that doesn't matter now. Your father too suffered a great loss, his teammates fell in combat. And so the old man chose to join our teams"

"The three of you were on a team together" Now Naruto finally understood.

"Yeah" Kushina reminisced fondly. "We were amazing together. We swore to always look after one another and to always remember the friends we lost" She focused on the tombstone once more. "Mikoto and I never forgot Haru, never forgot how he gave his life for us, but above all else, how much he could make us laugh, or how much he would just smile in the face of adversity"

Naruto stared at Haru's name, feeling a deep respect for this ninja he never knew. He sounded like the type of ninja he wanted to be like.

"This day, we remember the fallen" His mother addressed reverently. "Those who gave everything for us, so that their spirit will always live on… Come on, it's time we go to the ceremony"

And so they did, he met up with his team, and those of his generation. Everyone was dressed appropriately for the wake, staring solemnly as Akiha-sama spoke of the bravery and how he wished he could have known such valiant people personally. Maiyuri-hime said she had fought at the side of the ninja of their village, and how by that she knew that the warriors who had laid down their lives were people of immeasurable courage. The Land of Fire was lesser for their loss.

But they would strive forward; they would carry one as they always did, with the memory of their comrades, their own fires burning now within their spirits.

That was their Will of Fire after all.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

And the memorial service had passed. It was time for the living to continue on. And right now, there was a lot to take care of.

"So we are really going to through with this," Jiraiya asked blankly while he stared out through the large windows of the Hokage's office. His eyes surveyed the village as the evening sun slowly faded with nightfall's coming. "Finding her and trying to convince her to come home will take one hell of an effort."

Sitting at his desk, Hiruzen goes over several papers while smoking on his pipe; "If you like I could turn the position over to you or Kushina?"

That actually made the Gama Sannin pale as he shivered; "I'd rather have Naruto at that desk than either me or his mother."

A throaty chuckle came from the wizened Kage; "Even though Naruto takes after Kushina the most?"

"At least he's young. We could salvage him from becoming entirely like his mother..." Jiraiya grumbled. Honestly, he loved Kushina like a daughter and was an outstanding ninja who had protected their home with her life... but that woman had no control of her temper. Had she been Hokage she would have pissed off a lot of people and gotten into a lot of fights. Which Konoha definitely did not need.

After a brief laugh, a serious frown came upon the Sarutobi. "In all seriousness Jiraiya, I..." He sighed warily. "Each day that passes I feel like I'm less qualified to keep this job. Politics were never my forte, and my personal experience in dealing with foreign affairs leaves much to be desired" His eyes became downcast. "That's not even getting into domestic affairs..."

Jiraiya turned upon hearing the disappointment and self-loathing in his teacher's voice. "You did all you could"

"An entire clan dead says otherwise" Hiruzen says gravely. "Along with many loyal ninja who perished at the hands of my student..."

The Gama Sannin said nothing.

"I had been too soft in my duties, too hopeful, and often bowed to the demands of others in other to avoid conflict" The Hokage continued. "I authorized much wet work to further the village's agenda, and even aided people who in older days we would have never considered helping..." His old eyes meet his student's. "We need someone who can deal with the politics, strong willed and cunning, who won't bow their head the moment things turn difficult, but rather meet these problems head on"

"Not saying Tsunade doesn't have what it takes," His old teammate was a born leader unlike him. And it came from more than being a Senju or Hashirama's granddaughter. She could make the hardest decisions that even Jiraiya would never accept.

Tsunade could speak politics and could handle sitting at a table with any noble you throw at her. She had the intelligence and presence Jiraiya could honestly admit he sorely lacked. But from the toll of losing Dan, and her little brother when he was a kid... "She only stayed in the village as long as she did because of Kushina till we found out about Orochimaru and she stormed off."

"I remember," Oh the Sandaime never forgot how angry Tsunade was when she stormed into his office and screamed at him for letting Orochimaru go after seeing all those horrid experiments he had conducted. And then the following day she literally vanished from village with Shizune.

And both men remember vividly the warpath that Kushina was in upon finding out her mother had left Konoha without even a note to her or something. Not even Minato could calm his wife down. "I still remember how she was after I informed her about the Kyuubi attack" Jiraiya softly said. "It broke her heart, like any last thing that kept her tied to Konoha was gone forever..."

"Not all" Hiruzen pointed out, and thank the gods for that.

"Yeah, but she still refused to come back, even after I told her about Naruto" Jiraiya said without any judgement in his voice. He had done his part in keeping Naruto safe from his parent's enemies, but he had not been present when the boy was growing up. Kakashi had been a complete mess, and Hiruzen was caught between a hundred different responsibilities. And Tsunade in her heartbroken state could not bring herself to act or care anymore.

They had given her time, what happened wasn't easy on anybody, especially Naruto, but... "It's time she takes control of her life, and face her responsibilities once more" The Sandaime strongly addressed.

"And we both know the one person who will physically drag Tsunade back if she has to," The toad sage grunts; "I plan on bringing Naruto along but we both know Kushina will be coming regardless of what either of us say."

Sarutobi waved it off; "I'd rather have that firestorm outside of the village than inside it. And Kushina will likely get a few punches in before you can stop her. Just make sure she does not go overboard."

"We are talking about Kushina right?" Maybe Jiraiya should bring that Karin girl too. Perhaps both she and Naruto can keep the older Uzu woman calm…ish. Hey a guy can hope right?

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Hiruzen barely remembered the last time something like this had happened, after a long life of dealing with political schemes and negotiations some of it tended to blur together. Yet it was not every day not only the leaders of two villagers, and their lords, would gather at the same place.

It was thanks to careful maneuvering and the cards they held in their hand, namely Suna's jinchuuriki being their hostage, they managed to arrange a meeting at a safe bunker that was in close proximity to Konoha.

They sat around a rectangular table, standing in the middle of Konoha's delegation was the daimyo of Hi no Kuni, Lord Akiha Sasaki himself. The daimyo donned his regal robes and elaborate hat, he sat with a calm and soft smiling expression on his face as he fanned himself.

Hiruzen himself sat at his right, while princess Maiyuri sat at his left. The princess seemed to carry an air of resignation, quite the contrast to her usual spirited self, and the Hokage could guess why.

Sarutobi did not doubt the princess's freedom would be severely limited from now on. Yet Akiha-sama had allowed her to take part of the proceedings, as she had participated in the battle itself, and she still needed to be groomed for her future role once she inherited his place.

Next to Hiruzen sat Koharu, and at the other end of the table was Homura. Thankfully Danzo wasn't present, when it came to matters involving foreign affairs, the old ninja most often was absent. Which was for the better, his work was easier the less people knew of his presence and influence on Konoha. His former teammates kept a calm expression on their faces, but they no doubt were feeling vindictive. He couldn't blame them; Hiruzen himself doubted he might be able to forgive Suna anytime soon. But still, he had to help solve this situation so it wouldn't lead to a full out war.

Gods, he was too old for this job…

The wizened Kage casted a look at their entourage, standing up was Shikaku, their commander was flanked by various elite ANBU, who kept under their custody the three Sand siblings and their teacher. They would be the trump card for this negotiation, especially young Gaara. His heart went for the boy, truly, but he had to think of his nation first.

They steeled themselves when Suna's delegation arrived… but looked on in surprise when they realized it wasn't who they were expecting.

The warriors accompanying the diplomats weren't Sand ninja; they were the royal guard of the Wind Daimyo, armored warriors who wielded katanas, spears and bows. And the daimyo, well, most of the people present had met the Wind Daimyo before.

Lord Kuraseki Sayaka was an average heighten goatee man who had the strange disposition of both being highly religious like his clan and yet hedonistic. His policy of outsourcing various missions to Konoha instead of Suna, whose fee was higher than the Land of Fire's hidden village, made him very unpopular with the shinobi population.

This man wasn't Kuraseki. The man standing before them was a large man, with squinty eyes. In comparison to his face, his nose was rather small and inconspicuous. He had a thin mustache and a small pointed chin-beard. He also wore a necklace with a white sphere-shaped charm on it. The man in front of them was Tsukaru Sayaka, Kuraseki's brother.

And it was him who was donning the Wind Daimyo's robes.

"What is the meaning of this?" Homura demanded. "We requested for Kuraseki-sama to come"

Tsukaru sighed heavily; his squinted eyes looked at them solemnly. "My brother is dead" His response drew several gasped breath from those present, including the Sand Shinobi under their custody. "Upon my clan's right of succession, I inherited my brother's place as daimyo of Kaze no Kuni"

"Oh Heavens above…" The Fire Daimyo fanned himself in agitation. "I had no idea"

"We made sure word wouldn't get out until the Chūnin Exams were over" The large bellied men took a seat at the other side of the table.

Koharu noted something. "Where is Suna's delegation?"

Temari swore under her breath, she shared an uneasy look with Kankuro. Already things had fallen out of hand, just what the hell was happening in Suna?

"That… is one of the reasons I am here" Tsukaru explained. "Suna is currently under a military blockade by the capital's forces"

Baki drew in a sharp breath while terror was written all over the older siblings faces. Gaara merely closed his eyes in contemplation of this news.

"Tsukaru-dono" Hiruzen spoke up. "I think I speak for everyone with me when I ask; what is going on?"

The large man fiddled with his fingers. "Before we received reports of Sunagakure invading Konoha with the aid of Otogakure, effectively violating our treaty" He casted an angry glance at the Suna shinobi. "My brother was assassinated"

The princess's eyes widen in disbelief. "Assassinated?" And they were keeping a blockade on Suna, then that means; "You believe your own shinobi did it"

"It was easy to connect the dots" The Wind Daimyo replied. "Our shinobis were not pleased with my brother's policies, and seeing as the time-frames coincide, we feared Sunagakure was taking measures to overthrow us" He turned his gaze to the only senior shinobi of the Sand in the room. "Is that not what you had planned, Baki?"

He was drenched in sweat; Baki could not believe what was happening. Suna would have never executed the plan unless they had confirmation that Konoha had fallen, and with the number of ninja that withdrew from the battle-

"Baki" The newly crowned daimyo spoke with authority. "I order you to tell me the truth"

The Sand jounin swallowed the lump on his throat, and sighed in defeat. "Yes… It's true" Temari gasped in shock while Kankuro swore, they had no idea, and nobody told them this was part of the plan…

They could feel the killing intent coming from the royal soldiers on Kaze's side. They glared at Baki with murder in their eyes, silently crying accusations, labeling him 'traitor'.

"I see… so it is as we feared" The daimyo replied.

"B-But it couldn't have been us!" Baki quickly jumped in defense of his village; if they weren't careful then Suna would be put to the torch. "The plan would only be put into effect once we defeated Konoha! And nobody in our forces had any idea, only the council had debated it!"

Hiruzen could hear the desperation in his voice, he was telling the truth. He hated doing this, but losing Suna would affect the balance of power in the Elemental Nations. "If I may play the devil's advocate here" Everyone's attention turned to the Hokage. "It sounds like it was a sloppy work, you said you knew your brother was assassinated the moment you saw him?"

"Eh, yes" Tsukaru nodded. "A deep wound on his back, he had been stabbed on his bed"

"Hmm" The Professor narrowed his eyes. "The assassination of a daimyo, especially one from the Great Nations, isn't something to be done lightly. Suna would have taken steps to make sure the blame couldn't be placed on them, particularly with their known dislike for Kuraseki."

"You're actually saying it was someone else?" Tsukaru's eyes slowly widened.

"Yes"

Baki let out a sigh of relief, he couldn't belief that after what happened, and Konoha was willing to save them…

"I am surprised you would defend them, Hiruzen" Homura remarked gravely. "After they invaded our home and drew our people's blood on our own soil"

"Believe me, I have not forgotten, and I do not do this lightly" He replied. "But we should keep the peace and balance of the nations, otherwise we may have another Great War on our hands" Already they had reports of Iwa ninjas scouring their borders, their old enemy was already looking for holes in their patrols and defenses. It was better to keep the allies they could have.

"If it wasn't Suna?" Akiha wondered. "Then who was?"

His daughter's head perk up as realization dawned on her. "Perhaps the same person who killed their Kage"

Koharu growled with disgust. "Orochimaru…"

"That snake again" Homura spoke with pure venom.

Sarutobi sighed and closed his eyes.

"That… would make sense" Tsukaru stroked his chin. "He'd want us to be fighting among each other for his personal benefit" He pondered in thought for a few seconds. "I suppose Sunagakure couldn't have been responsible, not with the instability they had"

The shinobi of the Sand sighed, feeling their knees grow weak with relief. Only Gaara remained calm throughout the entire exchange.

"But make no mistake" Their daimyo spoke harshly. "All this was possible due to your actions, and don't think I will forget your council was actually planning on assassinating my brother. You have jeopardized our treaty with Konoha, one that provides our nation with much needed food and other resources" His gaze turned mournful, and they could see remnants of sympathy in his visage. "I could have helped you, I knew how much my brother's policies were hurting your village financially, I had spoken to some of your councilmen about it, even you Baki… I suppose that's why you planned on murdering Kuraseki, so I would take his place"

Baki's head bowed in shame.

"With time, I could have done something to change my brother's mind… but I guess it's too late for that"

It was a long while before anyone said anything. With a resigned sigh, Tsukaru joined his hands over the table. "Now, for the other reason of what I came here today; I am sure Konoha would like compensation for what happen. I am open to your terms so we can keep our treaty intact"

Baki would have protested to that, Suna's council wasn't here to speak for itself, but given the circumstances it was best that he remained quiet…

Akiha cleared his throat. "The Fire Court is willing to continue upholding our treaty, so long as Konoha's demands are mostly met" He turned to Hiruzen.

The Hokage nodded before speaking up. "We want monetary reparations for the rebuilding of our village. We are willing to return Sunagakure's jinchuuriki to them; so long as he keeps the new seal we placed on him for the holding of his bijuu"

Temari looked at their younger brother, her first instinct was to put a comforting hand on his shoulder, but refrained. She… wasn't sure how to act in this moment; she wasn't used to acting like a sister towards him.

"Hmm" The Wind Daimyo stroked his chin once more. "I imagine you want Suna to be the one who directly pays for the reparations"

"Yes" Koharu nodded.

Kankuro grimaced, this was bad. The reparations would take a lot from their budget, and they were already tight as is was, the one way they could pay was-

"We can use the gold dust to pay for reparations"

Baki let out a sharp gasp as everyone turned to face Gaara, who had spoken for the first time since they arrived.

The redhead had finally opened his green eyes and was looking at the delegation. "We have used the gold dust as a commodity to pay for expenses during times of dire economic strain. And I have no doubt we still have much of it stored in our reserves"

"But Gaara" His sensei spoke. "That gold dust is Rasa-Sama's weapon, an heirloom of your clan; it was with great pain that the choice was made to sell it in the first place. It's a symbol-"

"I too am a symbol" Gaara spoke, his voice was bereft the anger and murderous intent they had come to expect from him. "As a jinchuuriki, I am a symbol of our village's might, just like the gold dust, but we never hesitated to use such symbols when we needed it, be it for war or for the prosperity of our village. And now we must use it again, to make the first step so we can pay for our mistakes"

His siblings looked at him in disbelief. Was this… was this really Gaara? How much his fight against the Uzumaki had changed him?

Tsukaru stared at Gaara with a mixture of surprise and admiration for what the boy was proposing just so their village could make amends. He had heard the boy was much different, a psychotic thing who lived only for the slaughter. But seeing him now... he couldn't believe this was the same boy.

Hiruzen smiled despite himself, feeling a renewed sense of hope for their villages.

Gaara himself didn't believe he was doing anything special; he was only doing the right thing. He told himself it was something Naruto would do.

"Would Suna abide by it?" Akiha asked.

"They won't have much of a choice" The redhead replied. "The military is ready to act if they need to, and I believe they will have the support of eager Konoha shinobi if it comes down to it"

"Hmph" Koharu said. "Of that you can be certain"

The Fire Daimyo fanned himself. "The Fire Court is also willing to lend aid personally if it is necessary, seeing as Konoha itself is not currently in a good position to embark on a campaign"

Gaara nodded. "Then they will abide, it's either that or destruction"

Nobody said anything for a moment. The sand shinobi merely accepted it; they had made grave mistakes and were now paying for them. This was the first step towards owning up to them, to Konoha and their nations.

"There is another matter" The Hokage brought up. "The seal on young Gaara, we want our seal masters to modify it to make more secure, as to avoid the possibility of the Shukaku breaking lose just by its host losing consciousness. We believe it would also aid with his mental stability"

"Hmm…" Tsukaru grew pensive. "It is true that we've dealt with too many unstable jinchuuriki in the past. I've always considered the risks of Bijuu's easy deployment to outweigh the benefits. So I will concede to that" The Wind Daimyo said, voice filled with relief. "I believe we have an agreement then"

As the details were ironed out, Maiyuri was lost in her own thoughts. She could only lament that such things like the jinchuuriki were practiced in the first place. Her hands tightened angrily at the feeling of impotence. Suna's actions towards their own leaders, shinobis going rogue left and right, a system designed to perpetuate and feed on conflict and chaos… It just couldn't remain like that, things had to change.

---

XxX ~ Next morning ~ XxX

---

Crunch. Crunch

Miharu's eyebrow twitched at the unnecessarily loud chewing coming from his sister. They were currently in Maiyuri's room, one that had been graciously provided to them with all the luxuries befitting someone of the princess' station. Very nice furniture and appliances, a large bed, all arranged in a very nicely cleaned room.

Which his sister was unceremoniously dirtying with all the empty plastic bags from snacks, not to mention the crumbs. She laid on a large couch, her hand reaching into a nearly empty back of cookies while the other held a manga, which she was very engrossed in.

While he wore a traditional kimono and tended to his sword, Namika saw fit to wear a very short shorts, and an oversized white shirt she had slept in.

No decorum whatsoever with her.

He tried to ignore the loud munching by focusing on their friend. Maiyuri was just sitting by a desk, her soft green eyes calmly going over the reports of the Suna-Oto invasion's aftermath, trying to learn all the names of the casualties.

That couldn't be healthy.

Miharu pondered for a way to reach out to her, to ease her burdens in this trying times. But the white tipped young man was beaten to it by his sister, who approached the matter in her usual matter.

"Sooooo" She spoke, her mouth dirty with crumbs. "You mad at your dad?"

Maiyuri looked at her startled, while Miharu hit his head against the floor. It helped, it dulled him to his sister's complete lack of tack.

"Um, n-no. I mean… I don't think so" The princess sighed to herself. "Miharu, Namika, do you think I'm childish?"

The siblings shared an uneasy glance. "Um, in what regard?"

"Me wanting peace for the countries, I know what my father says, but I just… I need to believe it can be done" That the price would be worth the pay.

"Maaaan…" Namika awkwardly scratched her head. "I dunno what to tell you, I have no idea what the lands really need" She prompted herself up in the couch, kneeling on it. "But if you want to go out there and kick some sense into people, you know I'll always have your back!" She flashed her a very toothy grin.

"What you want is not easy" Miharu added, "But whatever path you choose, you know we will be with you throughout it all"

Maiyuri could not help but smile, feeling immensely touched and blessed at having such loyal friends like them. From childhood playmates, to bodyguards, and comrades in arms, the princess knew that as long as they were at her side, she could take on whatever came her way.

But… that still did not ease her worries.

"Thank you both" She stood up, gathering her things. "But I think I need a time for myself to think"

---

XxX ~ Konoha main gate ~ XxX

---

Baki took a deep breath of the free air as him and his Genin team was now finally allowed to leave and return home. Absently he felt the few ANBU hidden in the shadows watching them closely. He would not blame them for being cautious. No doubt they will follow them till the border of Suna and return home...

Home, while he outwardly hid his emotions, his heart only felt anxiety. What awaited them back in Sunagakure? His visible eye shifted over to Gaara who was speaking to the young Uzumaki that had changed his life. Beside them was the Kumogakure team, Baki did not envy the youngsters when they had to report in to their Kage. He also took into account of Kushina Uzumaki standing close by, blankly keeping an eye on Kumo.

"So" The happy-go-lucky blond Uzumaki smiled widely at his fellow blond Jinchuuriki. "Guess this is goodbye then"

"Suppose so" Yugito said with a shrug of her arms. "Maybe we'll see each other again in the future" She smirked right back at him.

"Hopefully it won't be because of a war" Omoi pointed out.

His teammates gave him a deadpanned expression. "Oh you were born just to SUCK the joy out of any situation, weren't you?" Karui grunted out.

Shaking her head, Samui extended her hand for which her fellow blond shook; "You're cool Uzumaki."

"Thanks," parting hands Naruto looked to the Suna Jinchurriki; "Hope things are okay back home."

"So do I," Gaara returned in his usual monotone but held a softer tone.

The group noticed Naruto walking over to Baki who blinked when the blond extended his hand to him; "No hard feelings?"

A light snort came from the older man; "You are different Uzumaki," but shook the teen's hand; "I meant what I said. You will become a fine shinobi."

"Just don't go doing something stupid like this again and I won't need a reason to kick your asses"

Kankuro snorted. "Like you could kick my ass"

"Oh yeah;" Naruto snapped with a challenging smirk. "You wanna go right now? I took on the fricking Shukaku"

The puppeteer smirked at him with equal challenge. "Would like to see you try that without any dragon or bijū or other jinchuuriki helping you"

The two groups save Gaara only sweatdropped as the puppeteer and blond Uzumaki hit the ground via Temari's smoking fist; "Knock it off you idiots."

"Yes, ma'am," both males mumbled in the dirt.

Naruto grunted, it seemed like women hitting men when they did something they considered 'stupid' was a universal constant. After picking himself up from the ground, he looked at the red haired Jinchuuriki and smiled at him widely. He placed his hand forward for Gaara to shake it.

Soft green eyes stared at it unsure, he had seen the gesture plenty of times, knew what it supposedly meant... but nobody had ever shaken hands with him. Naruto's gesture was more than just one of goodbye; it was also one of acceptance.

Too long he had been in the darkness, lost, alone... now that he stood alongside his siblings, in front of this brave ninja who had given him a piece of 'light'. The same light that had saved Naruto himself.

Gaara grasped his hand as if he could grasp that same light, swearing to always carry it with him so that he might move forward as a proud ninja of Sunagakure.

As they shook hands, a smile adorned Kushina's lips at what her dear son had done for this poor boy. Yugito watched on happily. And Gaara's siblings and teacher could finally share in a moment of happiness with the redheaded boy.

The wind rustled the leaves on the trees.

Gaara's lips curved upward ever so slightly, so minuscule the others couldn't see it.

---

XxX ~ the following day ~ XxX

---

As the afternoon sun shone warmly over Konoha, in Naruto's usual training area said Uzumaki held a bokken in his hands as stared over at his uncle who also had a bokken. "Remember what I said Naruto."

"Hai uncle."

Close by Kushina and Karin watched with Soujiro sitting on the ground cleaning his sword. The spectacle wearing Uzumaki observed closely since she would soon be learning kenjutsu as well.

"Have you got faculties with a blade, Karin-san?" The young swordsman asked.

"I haven't really used close ranged weapons" Karin replied. "My sensory ability has always helped me avoid combat, or simply rely on ranged tactics to win"

Soujiro lifted his blade, inspecting it. "Perhaps ranged weaponry will fit you more then?"

Kushina tapped her chin. "That sensor skill of yours is easily the best I've seen, you could be quite the marksman if you get your hands on a bow"

Said sensory skill allowed Karin to pick up fiery and excitable chakra signature that was quickly closing in. Oh Aunt Kushina would not be happy...

Just as Naruto finished a kata from his uncle he was soon tackled into a bone tight hug via a Lyn Uzumaki; "Hello~"

Kushina felt her eye twitched while watching her son being smothered by Lyn's chest. Saito only sighed while Karin only looked wide eyed. "We are in the middle of training Lyn," Saito muttered dryly.

That made the buxom Uzumaki whine while still holding Naruto; "Oh, you can work out later."

Again Kushina felt her eye twitch.

"Right now there is something more important that must take precedence!" The wild haired Uzumaki said in a 'sophisticated' vernacular.

"Like what?" Naruto muffled voice questioned. His face stuck between Lyn's endowed breasts.

"Like, who is my favorite little nephew among the two of you?" She set Naruto down, placing her hand on his shoulders and flashing him that typical Uzumaki smile.

Karin sweatdropped. "Seriously?"

"Of course. How I am supposed to know on whom to spend money on their birthdays?"

Soujiro brought up. "My last birthday she gave me a card... it looked like it was written five minutes before she gave it me"

A scoff came from Kushina as she crossed her arms. "My, you really work on what to give people. Huh Lyn?" She snarked in smarmy tone.

Blue eyes slowly narrowed over at Kushina. "For your information, my job doesn't really pay up a lot of money. Usually there aren't many potential employers left alive after a first encounter with what I deal with"

"Oh," the condescending tone almost palpable from Kushina; "Now that is a feat even for you." Violet eyes soon glared into sapphire as Lyn was inches away from her face. "Oh stroke a nerve sweetie?"

The wild haired Uzu only glared for a moment before smirking; "You just still pissed because I look sexier than you. I mean look at these babies," Lyn held her large bosom in her hands; "DD's can't go wrong."

"Yeah, tell that to your back" Kushina snapped back as she was quite proud of her own breasts.

"That's what the exercise is for" Lyn smiled all too sweetly. "Though... I think I know what you're truly jealous about" She brushed a lock of messy hair behind her shoulder. "I mean, you became a shinobi while I actually followed on Tsukiko-baachan's footsteps"

That earned a growled from the former ANBU captain.

"That's okay, that's okay!" Lyn held up her hands as it to placate her, but every single gesture and mannerism was filled with mocking sarcasm. "I mean, not everyone is up for our little family tradition of demon-hunting..."

A savage cry from the former Jinchuuriki and suddenly both women were now barreling onto the ground.

Soujiro looked blandly at the scene while Naruto and Karin squinted. Saito did not look surprise nor disappointed. You had to have some semblance of hope to be disappointed after all.

"So uh..." Naruto awkwardly rubbed his arm as his mother and Lyn proceeded to beat on each other. "What's the deal with Kya? I've been trying to get close to her for months now and, well…" He'd have more luck finding feathers on a frog.

"Little ray of sunshine ain't she?" Lyn grunted as she grabbed Kushina from behind on a headlock. "Sorry about that, she's not what you call a 'people's person'" The wild maned Uzumaki let out a pained 'uuf' when Kushina elbowed her in stomach and threw her over her shoulder.

Recovering in mid-air the buxom Uzumaki landed perfectly on a tree which she used to spring board herself tackling her fellow redhead; "I can't really tell you what's she has been through to make her like that, it's her business and no one else's. But like I said before, Kya is a good person." Lyn growled out while both she and Kushina wrestled on the ground.

Naruto did believe Lyn in that, but just what hell did his fellow Namikaze go through to end up how she is now? "I looked through my dad's and my grandparents things; there wasn't much of anything about the Namikaze with them."

"Not unexpected given their strong nomadic nature," Saito spoke while blankly watching Kushina and Lyn were still fighting. "And as I explained, Kya is not as open with me as she is with Lyn regarding certain matters. That includes the Namikaze culture."

"Hate to break it to ya kiddo" The naginata user huffed as she and Kushina slowly circled around each other, waiting to see who'd make the next move. "But if you wanna know more about your other clan, then Kya is the only one who can help you" She dodged to left as Kushina struck, then blocked a kick with her own leg. The two locked arms after a quick trading of blows before coming apart again. "She still follows traditions, such as they are" Lyn paused for a moment, a thought occurring to her. "In fact, she is gonna visit a shrine of their clan in a few weeks"

Naruto arched a brow; "A shrine?"

"Yeah" Lyn nodded; "Old Namikaze shrine, built in the wilderness away from civilization. Kya goes every year" She explained. "I could convince her to take her with you"

"It is Naruto's heritage," Soujiro brought up as he sheathed his sword.

At hearing that the blond Uzumaki looked unsure; "Would she even take me?"

"Like I," Lyn grunted as she was thrown to the ground into a headlock; "said," she grunts painfully; "I can convince her. You're as much as Namikaze as you are Uzumaki."

"Hmm" The Shoton wielder didn't look convinced. "I don't know..." Kya did not seem interested in his company in the least.

Lyn grabbed Kushina and flipped her over, kneeling and keeping her on the ground as she twisted her arm. "Trust me kid" She smirked predatory. "Kya will listen to me; I can be very persuasive"

Karin and Naruto blushed at the tone she used, knowing full well what she meant by that.

Soujiro tilted his head innocently, his hazel eyes showing curiosity. "Is that a euphemism for sex?"

Saito refrained from rolling his eyes; "Yes, son. It is" It always was with Lyn...

"Oh" The young swordsman look too pleased with himself. "Got it one try"

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

"Think this is the first time I ever saw you excited," A deep male rough voice spoke with mirth.

The afternoon sun shone brightly overhead as two figures slowly strolled down the dirt road that would lead to Konohagakure no Sato. Both wearing matching black cloaks with red clouds and straw hats over their heads. The figure on the right being average in height while the other being quite tall with a large blade strapped to his back.

"You think so?" the average height figure responded in a calm monotone.

The tall figure snorted; "There's lightness to your steps. Can't say I blame you. How does anyone react when hearing a living legend is back from the dead not via from so creepy necromantic jutsu? And you considered her family, right Itachi?"

"It is none of your business, Kisame" The shorter figure replied with a firm yet soft-spoken tone. Among the tassels of his hat, a pair of blazing red eyes with three tomoes each peered through.

Shark-like teeth formed into a wide smirk. "That means 'yes'"

Itachi did not dignify that with a reply.

"Gotta say, I'm looking forward to it, always wanted to face off against the Red Death"

"You would prove a challenge with you strength, but Kushina-sama perfectly blends both immense strength with amazing speed. There is a reason she is considered almost as dangerous as Tsunade Senju. Even I would have difficulty facing her," Kisame rolled his eyes to Itachi's bluntness.

Count on his partner to not beating around the bush with his words. He soon lifted a brow; "Would you actually raise a weapon against her?" Again he was met with silence. "I mean with our mission and all."

"I would rather not have a confrontation in Konoha. But that may prove unavoidable. So we better not get the entire village after us and do not waste time."

Again Kisame snorted; "Worried about your little brother too eh?"

"...We are nearing the village, Kisame" The kin-slayer ignored his question. "Extra caution must be taken from now on"

"Ehhh;" Kisame didn't look particularly perturbed by that. "Well, with all they shit they've been dealing with lately security is gonna be tight" His beady eyes turned towards his partner with curiosity; "Unless you know a way in?"

Itachi's eyes slightly narrowed in thought; "There is a place that'll be bereft of security. We need not worry for witnesses spotting us either, there is nobody there. There hasn't been for years."

"Oh," the taller man quickly deduced "You think Uzumaki will be there?"

"If I know Kushina-sama, it goes without saying."

At that Kisame chuckled; "You're one cold bastard."

---

XxX ~ next day ~ XxX

---

"Why are you two here?" Sasuke had not even bothered in hiding the dry irritation in his voice upon opening the slide door of his home and seeing both Kushina and Naruto with matching grins.

The blond dressed in the new gear like he wore during the Chunin exams. Least it was better than that gods awful jumpsuit he used to wear. The said mother of the madman that is his teammate wore a similar attire but with red lining. It being her way to honoring her father, Daisuke Uzumaki as he recalled hearing from Sakura since after the invasion.

"We're having lunch!" Kushina exclaimed with utmost cheer, even throwing up her arms.

Sasuke gave a quick glance at the clock on the wall. "That is what people usually do at this hour, yes" He couldn't keep the snark off his voice even if he wanted to. But he didn't want to, so that was a moot point anyway. He found that sarcasm and dry wit always made dealing with these two much more manageable.

"No, you dummy" Kushina gently chided. "We as in, us and you as well~"

"...Yeah" Sasuke dragged out the word slowly. "No. Thanks" And closed the sliding door on their faces.

But he knew that wasn't going to be the end of it. Not by a long shot. Sure enough as he turned around the redheaded lunatic was standing in front of him, her smile never fading. The Uchiha could not hid the twitch in his eye; "I didn't invite you in."

"Who said I was taking no for answer?" His eye twitched more as he saw Naruto also inside his house leaning against the wall with smug grin.

"You're enjoying this dobe?"

"Oh slightly more than a lot teme."

"Now," Kushina put her hands together; "I am going to make us some lunch."

Sasuke only sighed as he slumped his head forward, seeing how Naruto's mother was already in the kitchen.

"I'll make you my special 'Kushina-Soba-noddles-with-chicken-breast-and-miso-roasted-tomatoes'!" The woman happily addressed before giving them both a warning look. "Trademark pending" She pointedly spoke.

"Wouldn't dream of stealing it..." Sasuke didn't bother to point out that dish already existed. He did point out though; "But I don't have half the things you want for that plate"

"That's okay!" She beamed, pulling out a scroll. "I always pack when I need it!" With a handsign, she unsealed a lot of ingredients.

"Respect for personal privacy is not among them I gather?" The young Uchiha deadpanned.

The redhead tapped her chin in thought; "Think Mi-Chan brought that up once," she shrugged as she went about cooking… Much to Sasuke's annoyance. Was this seriously going to be a reoccurring thing? Oh who the hell was he kidding? Of course it was.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Sitting outside in the courtyard the trio ate under one of the trees. As much as he hated to admit, not that he'll ever say it out loud, Sasuke did like Kushina's cooking. Might not be how his mother had made their meals, but a close second.

"Mmm~!" Kushina makes a delighted sound as she tastes her own food. "Isn't this nice? Spending time with people you hold dear-"

"Wrong" Sasuke quickly replied.

"Like?"

"Try again"

"Tolerate?"

"Better"

"...You're a stick in the mud you know that?"

Naruto laughed out loud, his mother's bluntness could be so hilarious sometimes. Still though, the blond Uzumaki had noticed a small change within his teammate. He couldn't place what it was exactly, but Sasuke seemed more approachable. He wasn't as closed off as he used to be. He wondered if was because of his mom?

The Uchiha did talk slightly more than his usual grunts.

And not once did Naruto ever think he be inside the Uchiha compound. Usually when she was alive Aunt Mikoto came to visit him when she could.

It just occurred to him how lucky he's been, how many blessing he's received in the recent times. He had been alone for so long, but now... now he had friends, he had a family, and a legacy to live up to.

But Sasuke was still alone... Sasuke who had everything stolen from him from someone whom he once held so dear.

It just occurred to Naruto how much it must have been hurting Sasuke on the inside, to see someone recover what they had lost, in spite of all odds. While every day he returned to empty home with no one to greet him. Mikoto was gone, his father was gone, countless relatives and kinsmen were gone.

It was then that Uzumaki realized just how much pain Sasuke always hid behind a mask of stoic-ness.

'Is that why,' Naruto gaze shifted to his mom chattering up the annoyed looking Uchiha heir while eating. 'Kaasan knew-' His cerulean soon narrowed along with his mother's violet and Sasuke's onyx as a dense fog slowly crept around.

'The hidden mist jutsu,' all three quickly stood with a kunai at the ready. 'Is one of the Kiri-nin doing this?' Haku and company had yet to leave, and the Mizukage had left a few of her ninja to help the village. Just who-?

"So it is true," A calm monotone male voice spoke hidden in the mist. "You really are alive Kushina-sama..."

Both his mother and Sasuke gasped at the sound of that voice. Their chocked breaths not only carried shock, but also recognition, for they knew that voice very well. Even though to Kushina it was different, much deeper, older, than last she's heard it; she was able to recognize it.

Steps were heard from within the courtyard, the limited visibility stops them from finding the source with their eyes, but as the steps grow louder, their heads snapped at the direction from where they were coming from.

From the mist, a dark figure appears. Adorned in a sinister black cloak with red clouds along with a large straw hat with white tassels, these and the large collar hid any discernible features.

A long sleeved arm rose, black polished nails stand out from amidst the whiteness of the mist, as a hand grabs the hat and slowly removes it.

Straight dark hair, a slashed Konoha headband, lines under his eyes... two Sharingan eyes.

Sasuke knew that face very well; it was a face he saw nearly every day whenever he closed his eyes. His teeth gnashed together in rage as his Sharingan instinctively activated. His entire being flooded with killing intent filled with the deepest of hates.

Kushina too knew that face, and just like the voice that belonged to that person, she too recognized it despite being much older.

"Itachi..." She couldn't stop the inflection in her voice as she saw the young man she remembered as little boy beside his mother. Naruto noticed his mother's hands trembled ever so slightly. "W-why are you here?" Kushina tried to steel her voice as best she could upon seeing her nephew in all but blood.

"We are here for business Kushina-sama," Itachi kept his eyes focused on the Uzu redhead; "At best I do not want to fight you, however given the nature of our visit you might object strongly." His eyes pan to Naruto; "We are here for you Naruto."

All three looked owly-eyed till something Itachi had said got Naruto's attention; "We?"

Soon a towering figure slowly came through from the fog making the trio tense up more; "Man whoever made this is a fucking good cook!"

It was then that they noticed this other figure had come out from the direction of Sasuke's house. Just like Itachi, he was wearing a dark cloak with red clouds, and had a large weapon wrapped in bandages, it had a long handle with a small carved skull at the handles end.

The man was... blue. His skin literally was blue along with messy blue hair, the markings under his blank beady eyes resembled gills, couples with the sharp teeth on his mouth gave him the looks of what could only be described as a sort of shark-man. On his forehead was a slashed hitai-ate from Kiri.

The description fit perfectly with the reports, Kushina knew who this person was. "Kisame Hoshigaki, the Monster of the Hidden Mist..."

In his hands he held a bowl and chopsticks, munching on some of the lunch Kushina had prepared. "Are there any spices around here? Don't get me wrong, it's great. But I like my meals with a little extra something" The trio blinked before face faulting; "Adding Jalapenos never fails," Kisame smiled showing his shark-like teeth while Itachi only sighed at his partner's antics.

"Focus Kisame."

"Oh I'm focused alright, focused on the fact I haven't eaten a goddamn thing since breakfast and I am hungry damn it!" The former Kiri Nin chowing joyfully into the food; "I could eat this stuff all day. Who made it?" the shark man queried brightly and Kushina numbly lifted up her hand; "Damn, so not only are you a bad ass Kunoichi. Your sexy as hell and you know how to cook, how you feel about dating guys formally from Kiri?"

Naruto and Kushina face faulted, (again), with a deadpan from Itachi. "Uh, sorry but I don't have a thing for fish-people..."

Kisame looked offended, and pointed his (stolen) chopsticks at her. "Hey, so said my dad, yet here I am"

"I see" The Uzumaki matriarch said in a doubtful which clearly meant she didn't see at all. The shark-man shrugged and continued eating... and just now did Kushina realize he had stolen some of the food she had so kindly made for her son and Sasuke.

She quickly shook her head; this wasn't the time or place to get distracted. Itachi was here, and Sasuke was pouring out so much killing intent he could most likely kill an elderly person or someone with a heart condition just with it.

"Itachi Uchiha..." He seethed with rage. "You have such a nerve coming back here, where you butchered your own family!" His fists shook. "Traitor, kin-slayer!" He bellowed with loathing.

Itachi did not react at his hate-filled words, Kisame just chew on the chicken before he uttered with a quip. "He cheats at cards too"

Kushina knew she needed to do something before Mikoto's youngest boy did something completely stupid, like charging at a much superior opponent without thinking.

By what Jiraiya had told her, Itachi was now a member of the freelance organization known as Akatsuki, acting as their spy. She had to swallow the bitter anger rising up at the thought of her nephew in spirit being used yet again after all he's been through. Their goals were inconclusive, reports showed they acted as mercenaries for the highest bidder, but Itachi's info had told them long ago they were interested in the Biju... they were interested in her son.

She needed to clear things up with Itachi to cooperate with her on this, she needed answers. He was always a smart boy, a simple message would do.

She brought up her hands and did a series of handsigns. Kisame tensed immediately, gulping down his food as he threw away his bowl and reached his blade's handle.

Itachi merely observed the movement of her hands; they were deliberately slow, though he could only tell thanks to his Sharingan. This wasn't a technique; it was a code Konoha still used to relay information. A bit outdated, but the message was clear.

'I know'

Hmm, so she had been told the truth. He honestly wasn't surprised at that. "Kisame, I shall deal with Kushina-sama," the tone of his partner's voice got the for Kiri Nin's attention and nodded as he smirked over towards Sasuke and Naruto.

"Well brats that leaves you two with me. Let's have some fun eh?" Naruto formed another kunai out of crystal which got Kisame to whistle; "I'll be damned, so you do have a Kekkai Genkai like I heard. Now this will be fun."

Kushina could see Sasuke was having none of that; he looked ready to charge at Itachi in a fit of homicidal rage. Her violet eyes quickly locked with Itachi's for a moment, and that was all the time the elder Uchiha needed.

Before her eyes the image of a spinning Sharingan flashed, and then there was darkness.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

The darkness was only momentarily, almost like having your eyes closed for a couple of seconds. For when she opened them, she was no longer in Konoha.

There was grass underneath her feet, gently rustling with the wind. Surrounded by mountains, she could see the edge of the earth stretching until it met the sea.

A sea surrounded by whirlpools.

"Uzushio," Kushina quietly whispered as she gazed over the island nation where she was born.

"Apologizes," she sharply turned at the sight of Itachi who stood a bit away; "You always spoke of about your homeland when I was little. I felt this would help you remain calm."

"Re-" The redhead shook her head; "Remain calm, Itachi... Was Mikoto a part of that coop?"

"Mother was aware of what father and the others were conspiring to do against the village. However she did not have the will to stop it. While not outwardly showing it, mother was suffering strong bouts of depression."

Kushina's heart ached at those words; "Depression?"

"You were dead" Itachi did not beat around the bush. Always the direct one as she remembered... "And she was left alone in a clan where her voice did not matter, she watched as everything crumbled around her because she simply had no reason to go on"

So insightful, Itachi had been born a wise old man in a young man's body. But the redhead wondered if that truly was a good thing sometimes.

"The best she could do was smile for Sasuke's sake and mine" His voice betrayed no emotion, which lead Kushina to ponder just for how long had Itachi had to hide it all away, all his pains and burdens. "But in the end, she was alone with a man she never loved in a marriage chosen for her long ago. Whatever the clan ordered, she obeyed for she no longer had the strength to do otherwise... I think she welcomed the end I delivered to her"

Kushina bit her lip, her hands twitched and trembled. A surge of tears threatened to burst through like a broken dam. For a brief moment, Itachi's eyes shifted and his gaze became solemn, for once showing the grief he carried due to his actions all those years ago.

"I think she never forgot you... Mother never stopped l-"

He softly gasped in surprise as the Uzumaki's body collided with his, eyes widening as Kushina tightly wrapped her arms around him. Kushina sniffed, unable to hold back her tears. She cried for Mikoto, for Sasuke, for Itachi... She couldn't imagine the pain he had gone through. Turned into a puppet in a power play, forced to choose a side only for him to slaughter his own kin. His own parents...

Itachi had gone far and beyond the call of a loyal ninja. Too far, Kushina thought. She cursed it all. She cursed Fugaku and his ambition; she cursed the Uchiha and their worthless pride. She cursed this fucking shinobi system which could only ruin lives...

And so she hugged him, because after all he's been through; being labeled 'traitor' and 'kin-slayer' for protecting his village. The little boy who would call her 'aunt' deserved a moment, no matter how short, to show him he wasn't alone, there were people who still cared for him.

Itachi did not move in the slightest. He... had no idea how to react in this situation.

Slowly letting go Kushina tearful gaze looked into Itachi's blank orbs; "What can I do?" she nearly whispered.

Itachi shook his head; "I am in far too deep with my cover within the Akatsuki. I should also mention Kisame is also working for the Sandaime as a spy for us… Well, not exactly. I informed him the true intentions behind Akatsuki. He was… more than a little displeased. So he just follows me around. He is an ally." That made the Uzu woman looked visibly surprised; "He can be eccentric at best, but he can be trusted."

Kushina nodded as she rubbed her eyes; "I'm sorry I wasn't there..."

"You were indisposed... And by that I mean that we all believed you were dead. But that seems not to be the case" Itachi drew a curious gaze at her.

Kushina sighed. "It was a hasty split-second decision, lack of people we could tell at the moment, the Nine Tails rampaging, the circumstances were just terrible. Suffice to say it involved a scroll with a one-in-a-hundred chance it could work"

"I see" The older of the Uchiha siblings mused and left it at that.

"Why are you here, Itachi?" She gently questioned.

"Mostly to confirm if the rumors about you being true" He replied. "I am thankful that they were" There was a hint of relief in his voice. "You've been taking care of Sasuke" He noted.

"For Mikoto I would," Kushina stated resolute in her tone. Now she gave her nephew in spirit a stern gaze; "Why is the Akatsuki after my son?"

---

XxX ~ at that same moment ~ XxX

---

"Mom!" Naruto quickly dashed forward seeing his mother and Itachi. Sasuke also follow till both grunt painfully as they were smack hard with the flat side of Kisame's strange blade.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," the former Kiri nin playfully chided as both youngsters slammed into a wall with enough force making craters; "Let miss hottie and Itachi be kiddos. I'll play with ya till they're done."

Sasuke and Naruto both groaned as they hit the ground but slowly rose with fury in their eyes. The blond Uzumaki spat out some blood as he seethed; "Get out of my way you overgrown sushi!"

Kisame held his chest and gave a mocking hurtful expression before guffawing; "Or what brat?"

"Or we will make you move," Sasuke's doujutsu flared hatefully as he glared over towards his brother.

Kisame never lost his mirthful smirk; "By all means brats, show me what you got."

And so he did Sasuke leapt with all the strength his leg muscles would allow. His fist raised and poised to attack, he closed the distance between himself and the missing-nin of Kiri in what seemed a second. He'd get through this man in instant so he could face his real target.

And then Kisame backhanded him, knocking back so far his back collided with the walls of the house, which upon impact they cracked. Naruto could only stare at his teammate in shock at how easily he had been thrown like a rag-doll. Sasuke fell on all fours, groaning in pain as his body exploded with agony.

"Right" The blue skinned man drawled. "Guess I shouldn't expect much of a couple of kids who are still green. Even if they are an Uzumaki and an Uchiha"

Naruto growled in fury; "Don't you dare look down on us!"

"Merely stating the facts, boy" Kisame said, his tone quite laid back. It only made Naruto angrier that this guy didn't even consider them a threat in the least. "Come on, facing off against someone like me at your level" He clicked his tongue. "Think you still have a thing or two to learn"

For a millisecond, cerulean turned crimson which did not go unnoticed by Kisame who only smirked as he gave a hand gesture for Naruto to come at him. Growling, Naruto blurred as his enemy lifted his large weapon blocking a large red crystal sword that looked quite familiar to the shark man.

"OH! Been a while since I've seen Kubikiribōchō," Kisame whistled seeing how finely detailed the crystal sword resembled the original; "You Uzumakis can be deadly with kenjutsu, how about a lesson for free."

It might have been in moments, but with Sasuke's eyes he saw the former Kiri Nin slash through and shatter Naruto's crystal sword like it was cheap glass. But not done yet, a large sandal hit Naruto's chest dead on via a roundhouse courtesy of Kisame.

The force sent the blond flying hard into wall, having the same results Sasuke had moments ago. "A long way to go for both of you," Kisame rest his strange blade on his shoulder; "Talented, oh hell yes, but you're still rookie Genin."

Naruto coughed violently, a small trail of drool and blood ran down from the corner of his mouth. "Okay... this might a bit harder than I thought," he wheezed out. Defeating Gaara had been a hell of an ego boost. But he had to remind himself he had a lot of help that day.

"I don't care!" Sasuke seethed. "He stands before me and my revenge!" Lightning began crackling on his hand; it gave of a sound akin to many birds in flight. "So he dies!"

Sasuke once more charged at him, shouting as he did so. Kisame placed his bandaged blade in front of him to act like guard, but Sasuke did not care. His Chidori had pierced through Gaara's defense, a mere weapon like that would be no match.

The lightning struck the blade, bandages tearing and burning at the site of impact. His Sharingan eyes widened as he felt his technique... weakening?

In his hand the lightning grew dimmer, shrinking in size as if something was siphoning off its power. Yes, he could see it. His Sharingan allowed him to witness as the chakra left his technique and entered the blade.

Kisame grinned and with swing of his arm he pushed the young Uchiha away with his blade, but not strong enough as to leave any lasting damage. Sasuke spun in the air and managed to land on his feet next to Naruto, both teammates just stared in shock at what had transpired.

"What the-" The blonde Uzumaki stared stupefied. "How did...?"

"Hehehehe" The tall shark man chuckled, showing all of his sharp teeth. "My Samehada is one of The Seven Swords of the Mist. The most feared of all the blades, for your see" He showed them the side of the blade which Sasuke struck, to their further surprise, it was no metal what laid beneath the bandages, but a series of downward-facing scales. "This sword can consume chakra"

"Plus the physical damage if those scales struck," Kurama chimed in; "He'd shred you to ribbons with one shot."

Naruto snarled but he knew the old fox was right. Beside him Sasuke glowed with rage as his sharingan eyes burned with sheer fury at the tall smirking swordsman.

"Kisame," the trio turned as Itachi suddenly leaped out of the courtyard; "Our mission is done."

At that, the Kiri swordsman snorted; "Already? And here I wanted to fight the Red Death. Bah…" Shrugging he shunshined via water.

"ITACHI!" Sasuke was about to pursue, until he was grabbed by Kushina's steely grip.

"Another time little brother, Naruto-san." the older Uchiha also soon vanished via shunshin.

"You can't go after him," the redhead said sternly as she held onto the angry Uchiha.

"I had him! He was right here!" Naruto looked wide eyed as his mother slapped his teammate's cheek harshly.

"Had him?!" Kushina snapped with outraged eyes. "His teammate could have killed you a hundred times over and you think you 'had him'?!"

Sasuke just stood there; his expressions were a mix of anger, humiliation, frustration, pain. Naruto could see how it was all too much for the younger Uchiha. Sasuke looked about ready to explode, seeing his brother again, being held back like he was nothing and then easily dismissed as if he wasn't worth anyone's time... it was all too much for him.

He snarled, turning away from the Uzumaki woman as he jumped over the wall and further away from his residence. He needed to get away from... everything.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called out to him in concern.

Kushina sighed; her son noticed she looked so... wary. Her eyes carried great pain and grief, almost like she was ready to cry. Her shoulders sagged, burdened.

The Jinchuuriki stood conflicted, on one hand he couldn't leave his mother like that. But Sasuke... He knew his mother was strong; she could deal with whatever was happening to her, and could always see if he could help her another time. But Sasuke couldn't, he needed to be there for his friend.

"I need to go after him..."

Kushina did not look at him, but merely nodded stiffly. "Go"

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

A light breeze flowed through one Konoha's training grounds. Normally this would bring a since of calm for some, until they'd hear a loud war cry ring out as one the many trees surrounding the area descended harshly to the ground.

Glaring ahead, princess Maiyuri grips the hilt of her sword as her father's words rang in her head. "It can't be wrong, wanting a better life for my people can't be a childish dream" She thought fiercely.

There had to be a way, a way to bring the nations together, to finally put an end to all this senseless bloodshed!

…And yet, Maiyuri could find none.

One way or another, in her attempts to save her people, there would war. Not everyone would want peace.

Maybe she was just a child, reaching for impossible ideals that would only end up hurting her and others…

"Sasuke, wait up damn it!" Blinking, Maiyuri turned her head to see the last of Uchiha and young Uzumaki both had landed into the training ground.

"I don't want to hear it, just leave me alone Naruto," Sasuke glared towards his teammate

That earned a dry glare from the blond; "Yeah not happening, not while you're like this."

About to scream, the clearing of a throat catches the young teenagers' attention. It was then that the young boys noticed they weren't alone in the field. The princess stood there with a raised brow, dressed in her white short skirted tunic tied with a black sash, along with her black leather arm and leg guards, instead of her more traditional hakama. Coupled with the katana held in her grip, it was clear that she was here for training.

"Uchiha-san, Uzumaki-san" The soft pink haired royal greeted them with a nod each.

Naruto stammered in surprise, "Maiyuri-hime!" He promptly gave a short bow, remembering the proper etiquette when dealing with the nobility.

Sasuke didn't look like he cared much for formalities right now, but he too bowed for a moment. Before turning and moving further away from his teammate.

"Hey wait up!" Naruto exclaimed. "Look Sasuke, I know you're upset-"

Sasuke stopped in his tracks. "'Upset'?" The blonde bit back a curse, knowing he screw up. Then again, he was pretty sure anything would trigger Sasuke today.

Maiyuri merely watched on with wide eyes at the sheer level of anger in the Uchiha's voice. Just what had happened to get him this way?

"No, Naruto" Sasuke's voice seemed calm, his rage was no longer seething in hot anger like before, but now it had been replaced with an equally strong cold frigid fury. "I am something far more than 'upset'"

"Okay you're pissed off, but we're not ready to face guys like those two," Naruto finally had gotten that just from Kisame sending him into the wall again and shattering his Kyuubi charged crystal sword like it was firewood.

"I don't care about rank, I could have ended it right there."

"Really?" that earned a deadpan from the blond; "and what ass kicking were you watching? That shark dude wasn't even trying. He was playing around."

'Shark dude,' Maiyuri mentally filed that in for later as she listened on.

"But he was there" Sasuke hissed through his teeth. "He was right there and I... and I couldn't a fucking do anything"

"And what would you have done?" The Uzumaki prompted. "Just... charge at him and hope to kill him?"

The princess couldn't be any more confused.

"Anything!" The dark haired boy snapped. "I don't care what; I just want it to end it!" He spoke with desperation in his voice.

"You say that as if either of us could have actually done anything" Naruto reprimanded. "Look, I know it's odd coming from me, but just charging head on without thinking will get you killed. I understand what you're going through-"

"No" The words weren't spoken with the same force of before, yet they stopped Naruto all the same. "You don't know what it is. To have suffered at the hands of someone you... you..." He couldn't even say the words. "And to be powerless while you lose it all. To spend day after day being reminded of it, to feel so powerless..." His fists shook as he clenched them.

Naruto looked offended at that. "I don't understand? You think you're the only one who has suffered? I've been alone for-"

"Are you alone now?"

Naruto's breath was caught in his throat.

"Your mother is back" The Uchiha said with grief and jealousy. "You found your relatives; you still have a clan, a family..." He looked at him in the eye, and Naruto saw all the pain and loneliness he once felt being reflected back on him... Yet that pain lingered in him no longer.

Naruto had been blessed more than any person could ever hope for... but fortune hadn't smiled on Sasuke any single day. For all his skills and potential, Sasuke didn't have anything of true worth in his life.

"Naruto," the raven haired boy could not stop the inflection in his tone; "Believe me when I say I am glad that you're no longer alone. Believe me I am, but there is no one waiting for me when I get home. My mother, my father, family who I treasured more than I ever admitted. And I will regret every day I never told how much they had all meant to me."

The blond said nothing as his teammate breathed heavily; "That's why I can't rest till that bastard is dead."

The Uzumaki wanted to say he understood, he thought he did. If there was one person he hated most of all in the world, it was that masked man who struck the night of his birth, unleashing Kurama and lying great devastation to their village.

The man was responsible for the life he had lead as a Jinchuuriki, but above all else, that man was responsible for the death of many, including his own father.

Naruto hated that man, he hated him more than he thought possible to hate someone... but he couldn't put a face to him, not the way his mother could. A 'face' not in the sense of identity, but rather something he could truly hate on a personal level. Right now the masked man was more of a concept to him, as he was someone he had never met.

His mother truly hated that person, she hated him with the intensity of the sun, and her hatred was pure. Focused. With a clear target.

The focus of Sasuke's hatred... that was another tragedy in itself, as the face which belonged to the object of his hatred was none other than the face of someone whom he had once loved more than any other.

"But you're not alone," Naruto said quietly. "Ever since mom met you she has been visiting you when not busy."

"Because she was a friend to my mother."

The blond shook his head; "She's not doing out of obligation and you know it. Mom cares about you; your team cares about you. However way you see me, you are my friend."

The Uchiha didn't know how reply. It was true that lately that pain, while it hadn't eased, had become more... bearable. Kushina pestered him night and day, but he couldn't deny there was warmth to her actions, the kind one felt when another person cared for you.

He honestly couldn't remember last time someone had cared for him like that.

And his teammates? The ones who opened up to him and invited him to be part of something greater, something crazy and obnoxious yet welcoming and filled with a sense of camaraderie.

He didn't admit it out loud, but he felt at home with them. They provided a sense of belonging which he lacked.

He just wished he wouldn't feel so impotent in the face of Itachi, how his struggles to catch up to those stronger than him felt like trying to swim against the violent currents of an endless ocean. He felt weak, and he hated that feeling. He hated the thought that whenever something came to take that which he cared about he would be unable to do anything once again.

Sasuke's eyes solemnly fell to the ground, and Naruto let a heavy long dragged out breath. For now, they had said all they wanted to say.

Maiyuri had stood awkwardly in the sidelines, baring witness to their exchange. It had all been so sudden, shocking, and confusing that she couldn't even leave to give them space.

The silence was turning unbearable, so she cleared her throat. It was then that the young ninja realized that she was still present, much to their embarrassment. "This may be none of my business" She quipped tactfully. "But, are you alright Uchiha-san? To say you appear shaken is a massive understatement. What happened?"

Uh, the raven haired teen scratched his head before eyeing his blond teammate who looked wide eyed at him. Finally he sighed; "A long story Maiyuri-hime."

"Perhaps I could help in some manner, help take your mind off things."

That made the Uchiha raise a brow; "Like?"

"A friendly spar, with both of you." Both young teen look wide eyed; "What?"

"Um, wouldn't your dad like," Naruto looked several shades pale; "cut our heads off for hitting you?" Sasuke also thought the same thing but kept quiet.

"What my father does not know" She replied in a somewhat salty tone. "Does not hurt him" With a complete tonal shift, her lips form a smile. "Besides, it's a simple spar. I spar with a lot of people"

"Hmm" Naruto scratched his head, still unsure on how to proceed. Well, she did say it'd be alright. Sides, from what he heard the princess was all kinds of badass, and he wouldn't say no to a fight with a strong opponent. That and he really needed to unwind after today's horrible affair.

Sasuke, for his part, had briefly mused on the whole spar just for taking his mind off things. But then his eyes subtly widened as he remembered something.

The princess was called strong, on the same level as him.

He needed to know if that was true, he needed to know how much of a gap lay before him and his objective.

"Maiyuri-hime" Sasuke took a step forward, speaking in a respectful tone. "I accept your proposal" He bows slightly. "But I ask one thing from you"

She raised a regal brow. "Which is?"

"Don't go easy on me" His request surprised both his teammate and the royal. "I want to face you seriously"

Maiyuri was understandably taken aback. "Why is that?"

"Because others said you are... on his level" He looked at her in the eye, his posture humble yet his words proud even in his request. The boy was an Uchiha, alright.

Though he didn't spoke the name, Maiyuri suddenly understood. "I see..." She paused momentarily. "Your brother was here, wasn't he?"

Sasuke's body stiffened, but he nodded nonetheless.

The princess closed her eyes, meditated about his petition for a brief moment. When she opened them, soft green eyes looked at them with great intensity.

"Very well" Sheathing her blade, Maiyuri took on a stance; thrusting her palm forward and having it face up. "Come on"

He needed to understand.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Time itself felt still within the Hokage's office, pure disbelief and slight terror shone in both Hiruzen's and Jiraiya's eyes as Kushina stood in front of the desk, her expression grave. Even the ANBU hidden in the room froze as their former captain had barreled in started speaking of her encounter with Itachi and Kisame within Konoha.

But when she uttered that name...

"...Madara Uchiha," Sarutobi nearly dropped his pipe from his mouth from uttering that name before taking several calming breaths; "A bold claim that I highly doubt."

"Itachi feels the same," Kushina agreed; "For all he knows this guy could be anyone with an implanted Sharingan." But still, Tobi... She finally had a name to the bastard that ruined her family's life.

Jiraiya also grunted as he crossed his arms; "And the Akatsuki were more of threat than even I thought."

"Itachi went to great lengths to figure out his plan" The redhead sighed, massaging the bridge of her nose. "It's just absolutely bonkers. A Ten-Tailed beast..."

The words once more sent a shiver of dread down the older ninja's spines. "It's just like Gamamaru-sama said" The Toad Sage muttered. "The beast the Sage of Six Paths and his brother defeated"

"The monkeys once told me that tale long ago" Hiruzen spoke with wariness. "I never paid it much mind before; the affairs of the present always took greater priority. But now that maniac seeks to bring back a piece of history that should be left forgotten"

Jiraiya once more was reminded of the Elder Toad's words before, the past once thought lost returning... If he hadn't been told about that age then he'd be sure this Tobi's plans regarding this Jūbi creature was what the great sage had foretold. But alas, Jiraiya was certain there was more going on. Regardless, Tobi was a threat and he had to be dealt with.

"Did Itachi tell you anything else?" Hiruzen prompted.

"Yes..." Kushina's voice wavered; making both men pause as her tone became filled with grief. "Itachi... he..." Her fists clenched tightly and she bit her lips.

Both Kage and Sannin softly gasped when tears welled up in her eyes.

"He's sick," She nearly whispered but audible; "my nephew is dying..."

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

"So let me get this straight" Kushina slowly responded. "You were planning on making Sasuke devoted to killing you by horrifically torture him psychologically with a fucking genjutsu."

Itachi considered himself a composed person, very calm and serene, able to keep his calm on the direst situations... But the look Kushina was giving him made the hairs on the back of his neck rise.

"Essentially"

The redhead took a deep breath... and then smacked him in the head so hard the earth crumbled beneath them and dust picked up like a cloud. Now, on any other situation, that would have hurt. But as they were in her mindscape, meaning everything that happened there wasn't real in the physical sense, it did not. Thankfully.

The redhead then picked him up and snarled much in the manner of a dragon. "Why the fuck did you think that was a good idea?!" Grabbing Itachi by the collar she shook him collar angrily; "You and I both know about the dangers of your dōjutsu. You would have turned Sasuke into a murderous vengeful lunatic!"

By the gods what the hell was wrong with him?!

"I..." Hmm, so this was a strange thing. Being at a loss for words was not something that happened to him often. "Sasuke needs to kill me"

"WHY?!" Kushina cried out incredulously.

"So the sins of the Uchiha can die with me and Sasuke may redeem the clan"

The Uzumaki could only stare at him, mouth gaping, she blinked several times. "...That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard" She let go of him, too astounded to actually hit him again. "I-I can't" She groaned into her hands. "I can't believe what I'm hearing"

"I thought Sasuke would become more focused if I motivated him enough to hate me"

Kushina raised a pair of fingers to stop him. "Or, and hear me out on this, OR" She growled through her teeth. "You would have turned him into a raving murderous psychopath!"

"...That was also a possibility" Itachi was forced to acknowledge.

"Oh good gods, Itachi..." Kushina threw her head back, letting out a long suffered groan. "And you're supposed to be a genius! Guess that means when it comes to common sense, geniuses are just really dumb people who have no idea about how normal people behave"

The spy suddenly felt like he was four again, and was being scolded.

It was then that Kushina gave him a new piercing gaze. "You have the Mangekyō don't you?"

"I do"

She rolled her eyes, briefly raising her arms and letting them fall in exasperation. "And suddenly everything makes sense. Itachi, you are NOT thinking straight. And I think you haven't been for a long time" Before he could even defend himself Kushina flicked him right in the forehead while glaring at him; "Don't you dare give me some weak excuse, young man."

"...Yes ma'am..."

"The Mangekyō, any advanced stated of the Sharingan, cause imbalances with the brain chemistry. It can lead to irrational behavior and thought process, in worse cases extreme paranoia and psychosis. Not to mention the blindness," Rarely in a long time had Itachi shown surprise in his expressions; "Seriously, don't give me that look; your mother was my best friend. She told me everything about that dōjutsu."

With a small sigh Itachi nodded; "I try to use it as sparingly as possible."

"Not enough considering your dumb ass idea for wanting Sasuke to kill you," Kushina retorted bluntly.

"There was also another reason..." Now came the truly hard part. "I am… dying."

Suddenly, everything stopped. The rustling of the grass, the roar of the whirlpools, everything stopped moving, freezing in place like in a picture.

"What?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"I'm not sure how long I have left, a year, perhaps two" Itachi shook his head; there was no urgency in his voice, just mere acceptance. "If I'm going to die anyway at least I'll make sure Sasuke goes through a better path than the one I walked... at least, I thought I knew how" Those last words were filled with regret.

"No" Kushina slowly shook her head, eyes wide with disbelief. She refused to believe what she was hearing. After everything he went through, oh gods please not this, not this too. "No, no, no, no" Her face was horror struck. "No, please no" She grabbed him by the shoulders, shaking him. "You can't, you j-just can't-" She couldn't even say the words. Kushina cried out in grief at the injustice of it all.

Seeing her breaking down like this, it stirred pain and lament inside his heart. "It's alright" He tried to say soothingly. "I've accepted it, and I have no regrets about my life"

His words only made her cry harder.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Kushina let out a chocked breath; she ran her thumb under her eyes, clearing away her tears.

Hiruzen and Jiraiya could only look at her with horror-struck expressions. "Fucking hell..." The Sannin cursed. "Itachi... there is no justice"

The Hokage could feel his regrets re-surging, becoming stronger than ever.

The Uzumaki matriarch sniffed, futilely trying to stop the tears by running her palms over her cheeks. Her heart ached in agonizing grief. After all Itachi had been through, his life couldn't end on this note, hated by his brother and haunted by the world. She couldn't allow it. She would not allow it.

But Kushina knew there were only a few things she could do... There was only one person who could save Mikoto's boy.

"Tsunade..." She muttered. "We need my mother, we need to find her immediately, and she can save him. She can save Itachi" She gazed at the two men pleadingly with tear filled eyes. "Please" Her voice sounded so weak, a sound which was simply wrong coming from her mouth.

"We will find her," The old Kage responded in a soothing tone. Now it was truly the time for his estrange student to return home. She had run away from the world long enough and her family needs her.

Jiraiya, though despite not being the most heartfelt type, came around the desk and hugged the crying redhead who did not resist the action as she buried her head in his chest. She gripped his shirt so tightly her knuckles were white. 'No more running hime. You're coming home no matter how many times you kick my ass.'

Just seeing Kushina like this made his stomach knot up.

"I am not losing Itachi," Kushina's eyes became steely and resolute; "Minato, Mikoto; I am not losing anyone else. So whenever you're going to find my mother I am coming along." She let go of the old sage to gaze at him.

And just like Jiraiya figured, "You got it. Was planning on asking Naruto and that Karin girl to look for her, knew you would regardless"

Taking several calming breathes, Kushina looked back to the old Kage; "There is more. And it concerns Danzo."

That had gotten both Hiruzen's and Jiraiya's attention.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

She didn't know how long she was crying, or how long it took her to calm down. Time seemed to have no meaning in this place. But Itachi gave her all the time she needed, he let her recover.

Well, 'recover' was not the right word. But there still something Itachi needed to tell her, something he should have told anyone a long time ago. But didn't because of fear of what that person might do to Sasuke.

"Danzo?" Kushina replied astonished. "H-He just... took Shisui's eye?" She couldn't understand it. Already trying to grasp Shisui had had in his possession such a powerful technique was baffling, but to hear the sheer idiocy on Danzo's part... "Did he want the coup to happen? It's almost like he was looking for any reason mistrust the Uchiha"

"Danzo trusts no one, and his loyalty to the village is overshadowed by his own ambitions" The missing-nin addressed. "He claims to have the village's best interests in mind, but so far I have little reason to believe it"

"And now he has in his possession what's probably the most powerful genjutsu in existence" Kushina murmured as she roughly ran her hands through her red locks. "Oh gods, the things he must have done with it. Bad enough he has that ROOT branch serving him. What else does he have in his control? The Shimura clan?"

"Doubtful" Itachi denied. "From what I understand, Danzo no longer interacts with his clan"

"I see" Kushina sighed before looking at her nephew with untold sadness. "Itachi... I am so sorry. For everything you went through and all-"

"Lamenting what's in the past doesn't help me" The Uchiha cut her off, though not unkindly. "Right now, I need you to look after Sasuke" For a brief moment, his eyes softened, showing a very, very tired person who looked for older than he actually was. "Please"

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

"Shisui's eye" Both men chorused in pure disbelief.

"Think we can all guess that bandage isn't covering old wounds on his face. And from what Itachi told me that genjutsu is more powerful than anything. Who knows who he had manipulated or controlled over the years while using that damn eye!"

Jiraiya rubbed his chin as he thought; "Danzo isn't an idiot. He'd have used that eye for certain situations that benefits his plans. No matter how long it took." He was a crafty old bastard.

A blurry image flashed before Hiruzen's eyes, he groaned softly and rubbed them.

ob̛è͡͝y̡͠

"You know..." Kushina mused as a thought occurred to her. "We still haven't found a lead on the 'ANBU' that let Sand and Sound in during the invasion" She gave Jiraiya a suspicious look. "And it's odd that Danzo didn't come to the village's defense"

Jiraiya's eyes widened at that declaration. "Are you saying...?" She didn't need to; everyone present was thinking the same thing. "...Oh that bastard"

Hiruzen immediately jumped to his former teammate's defense. "No, Danzo wouldn't betray us"

The two looked back at him as if he had grown a second head. "Uh, were you asleep when I told you that Danzo had literally ensured the Uchiha coup happened by forcing to get out of control"

Hiruzen felt a nagging sensation on the back of his head. The blurry image appeared once again.

ờ͜͝b͏̧̢̛͜ȩ̸̵̷͝y̡̨̛͏

"I know what Danzo is like to most people" He replied. "But I know he truly cares for this village"

"He doesn't give a shit for anyone here!" His student snapped back. "He only cares about his own power!"

It was true; Danzo had gone against his back numerous times...

The image flashed, spinning.

o͙b̓̉̅҉͉̗̩̱̭ͅe̶̘ͪỹ̟̙̐̍̚

...But he was too useful an asset to lost, "He is too valuable"

"You sound as if you don't believe it yourself" Kushina noted with concern. "Come on old man, with his actions in the past, it's more and more likely he betrayed us in the invasion"

Danzo had betrayed them...

Hiruzen fought back the headache forming as the image flashed with greater intensity.

...Danzo was loyal to the village.

Jiraiya shook his head in exasperation. "Just why are you defending him? It's clear as day, we need to arrest Danzo!"

Danzo had to be stopped...

A spinning trio of tomoe flashed intently, trying to reign in his line of thought.

Ọ̯̦̘̬͓͚̝͇̜̙̑ͤͥ̓̔͌ͨ͛̒ͤ̄͒̀̚B̀͒ͬ̂͗̓̓̈̀͏̦̲͇̗͓̪͚̫̬͕Ȩ̨̨̣̗̱̺̺͈̼̲̣̺̗̯̪͕͔̘̂̓̒ͩ̿̿̚͢Y̛̹͇̰̹̗̞̜̎̀ͨͭ͑ͨ̑̂͊͋͋ͦ̕

Danzo... Danzo had to...

"Old man?" Jiraiya asked in concern, noting how pale his teacher looked. Kushina too gave him worried look. The Hokage was sweating, his breathing was ragged.

"I... I..."

The headache grew unbearable, the presence in his mind clashed against his thoughts. The truth fighting against a foreign impulse installed upon his psyche. Hiruzen held his head on his hands as he stood, he screamed out in pain. One step forward and he stumbled, falling unto the floor.

"Old man!"

The last thing he saw was a blazing Sharingan before darkness overtook him.

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Danzo's visible eye snapped open as he felt it. Kotoamatsukami had been broken.

"Pack everything you can quickly" He ordered his subordinates around him. "We're leaving"

---

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

---

Coming up will be Act II!