"Your stance is wrong."

The cold words hit Naruto as he was trying to swing a small blade toward Itachi. The words halted his movements. He didn't feel dejected, he just wanted to correct his stance. Itachi was upon him, a flick on the forehead and he dramatically fell on his back.

"I didn't say stop."

With a loud groan, Naruto jumped. He straightened up, held the sword with his right hand. And then leapt back to create some distance. As he landed, he immediately ducked as Itachi appeared in front of him, his right foot swinging toward his face. He then leapt backwards. But as he landed once more, a knee hit him on his chest. He felt the air leave his lungs and dropped the blade before coughing his gut.

The reality suddenly disappeared.

Naruto frowned. Itachi wasn't anywhere near him. He was sitting under a tree. He hadn't been struck. It was that damned Genjutsu.

"You used Genjutsu!" He pointed a finger at the Uchiha.

"Your awareness is still lacking."

"But you promised you wouldn't use Genjutsu during Kenjutsu training!"

Itachi glanced up at the green leaves for a second. They were healthy, full of life, just like Naruto. But they would soon wither and return to the ground. What of Naruto? Would he meet a withering end? Would he make himself better than what Konoha viewed of him?

Nothing was cast in stone. Nothing was given. Life had twists and turns. His father wouldn't have thought taking him to a war-torn bloody field would have resulted in this fate. Itachi had always thought he'd give the best for Konoha. Some had even whispered that maybe he would become the first Uchiha Hokage. In the end, life had other plans. The light that had once shined had faded into the darkness. But it was just the way he wanted. Just the way he viewed as the perfect sacrifice one could give for their village.

He glanced back at Naruto. Pouting at the unfairness of his use of Genjutsu. It was Naruto's weakness. The mass chakra pools the blond carried made it his enemy. He was nonetheless working on finer chakra control. He was just a little impatient. But he would get there.

"You must always be prepared for anything in battle."

"Yes… yes…" Naruto spoke carelessly. "Always expect the unexpected."

Shinobi did not play fair, huh? Naruto didn't know much about that, but it was the lesson Itachi advocated with a stern hand.

Kenjutsu wasn't his favorite. And even the Uchiha had himself admitted, his massive chakra pools meant he could be a ninjutsu specialist. But battles didn't always favour Ninjutsu. As the Uchiha often demonstrated with brutal fashion, knowing how to engage in all styles was important.

"Just swinging a sword is boring though," he frowned, walking over to the Uchiha. He'd already learned a fire jutsu. But Itachi would not teach him anymore.

"It depends."

"On?"

"Kenjutsu specialists do not just swing their swords. They develop skills that are special to them. It as the same as with Taijutsu. There are different styles and they each have their strengths." He paused, just to check it Naruto was listening. "Besides, sometimes, you'll be requested to do missions secretly. Jutsu expose who you are. But with a sword, anyone can swing it without leaving traces of their chakra behind."

"Is that what Anbu do?"

"Yes." Itachi nodded. "Your strikes are slow and lack strength. You just swing your sword. You must never just swing it. Each swing must have a purpose. An aim. A specific aim."

Naruto folded his hands. "That's difficult when you can't even hit your opponent and he cheats by using Genjutsu."

"Better your chakra control and eventually, you'll learn to recognize and counter it. You're not always aware of your surrounding."

Naruto smiled in thought – a bitter smile. He wasn't always careless. Back in the Leaf, he wad always aware of the events unfolding around him. He had a sixth sense. Eyes at the back of his head and a keen sense of chakra signatures. But here, there was peace. There were no glaring eyes.

He felt safe. With Itachi and being at his place he could now call home.

"I'll be careful."

Itachi nodded. "We don't talk much about Konoha."

"It's not like I miss the place," Naruto admitted. "I was only happy when I was eating ramen or having dreams."

"I understand that but it is still your home and after this training, you're going back."

"Will I be welcome there, Itachi?"

The raw emotion in Naruto's tone made Itachi hesitant for a second. "Things are not just going to change overnight. You need to understand that. But overtime, they can change."

"You're not going to return?"

"I already told you, I cannot."

Rogue nonsense. But if things could change for him, why couldn't they change for Itachi? "I've never had family. Always alone. I have someone now. Why must I go back to be alone?"

"My younger brother."

"He is not you." Naruto stared. "Why do you always look so sad, Itachi? When you talk about him, you always look sad."

Was it love? Was it something else?

Those blue eyes were highly perceptive. Not many could read him. In fact, Itachi thought he perfected the art of stoicism. Maybe he was letting his guard down a little because it was just the two of them.

"Sasuke is my younger brother. I miss him. He is alone in Konoha. Lost, maybe. As an older brother, I wish I could be there for him. But I cannot."

"You could have brought him with us."

"Circumstances do not permit."

Naruto wanted to argue on the point but he felt something move in his chest. He placed the palm of his hand on his chest. The heart beat was a little frantic. He ignored the welling emotions and spoke.

"I do know what it means to miss someone that I would be so sad about it. I suppose that what it means to love…" he smiled sadly. "He is very lucky. To be loved this way. I wish I also had someone who loved me this much."

They'd off-ramped. Itachi wanted wasn't sure he was getting anywhere with Naruto when it came to going back to Konoha. It wasn't that the blond was contemptuous to the idea. It was fear. Fear of being lonely and being hunted by the demons of the Leaf. He didn't want to suffer anymore.

It was a difficult thing to walk away from freedom into the hands if misery. But Naruto was still young. There was still time.

"You have the Sandaime. He was willing to make this sacrifice for your happiness… and you have me."

Naruto smiled happily at the last part. "True." He said. "But you're always thinking about your brother. And the Sandaime… well, I don't know anymore…" he emphasized by shaking his head.

It was the lies. Adults told lies. Itachi was like the Sandaime in that regard. He had told lies to his brother and he would continue to do so. But for Sasuke, it was for their clan and his salvation.

"Do you doubt the Sandaime's love for you?"

"I've always wanted to know the truth. About my parents. Why I was hated. I thought it would make me very happy. Maybe I thought they were still alive somewhere and if I knew, I wouldn't be alone. But I don't know anymore. The old man has always been there…" Naruto stared at Itachi. "You miss your brother and you love him. I know this much. But he is alone in Konoha. In his position, do you think he'd believe it if you just said you love him?"

Naruto had not answered his question. And the thought of his younger brother didn't make him feel better. Something had to change. But it was okay for Sasuke to hate him. For his growth and avenging the clan.

Maybe he was being selfish.

Itachi did not reply to Naruto's probing. "I have you at the moment. I feel that I have done something. If you can go back to Konoha and be a friend to him, then it wouldn't be for nothing."

The idea was that Naruto would go back to Konoha around the time Sasuke graduated. Itachi would fight for the blond to be placed in the same team. Then, they could be friends and Naruto would look after him.

For now, they had to survive the next couple of years.

Itachi stood up. "You have to always be conscious that Konoha is your home. You are preparing to face that challenge. Think about it…" he said firmly. "If you have fears, tell me about it." He glanced to the sides for a second before adding. "I'm going to leave you alone for a month. I need to get supplies. You're growing."

"Can't I come with?"

Naruto missed being around other people. Even though many of them had spit on him, he missed the feeling of being in the presence of hundreds of voices. Foreign lands didn't know him. He could maybe experience a little bit of normalcy in those lands.

"Maybe some other time. You need to continue with your training."

"Great."

Itachi stopped in front of Naruto. He ruffled his hair a bit and smiled. "I will take you out of the island."

"Promise?"

"Yes."

Naruto beamed. "Are you also going to see your brother?"

Itachi had a feeling if he denied that, he would get a look. And so, he just nodded.


Years later

'True shinobi are those who operate in the darkness.' It was Itachi's favored bedtime story. The masked men who masqueraded as angels of death were the heroes as far as the Uchiha was concerned. They sacrificed everything, as he did. They did not work for glory. No one recognized their efforts, and yet, they did more to protect their villages than the shinobi villagers worshiped.

When night came, it was their time. It was his time. He wore a blank mask. The Sharingan hidden under a genjutsu. A henge to camouflage his appearance.

He was in no noble mission. Itachi would be disappointed if he saw him now. But Naruto did as he pleased. Maybe in the after life, he would receive that condemnation. He doubted it nonetheless. Even as he taught, his teacher was of the opinion that everyone was free to make their choices. And he had said, he would love the brother he abandoned even if he attacked Konoha. If he looked at him with the eyes of condemnation, it just meant he was never loved.

"Five O'clock!"

Naruto glanced to the sides through the corner of his eyes as he darted through the dark streets in the village Iwagakure. Maybe he'd been feeling mischievous. Or maybe he just wanted to scare Iwa a little bit. But for some reason, he had felt the need to invade the village in its security to scare the Tsuchikage.

It wasn't just a random choice. This village was the same corrupt place that was filled with the villains who conspired to have his ancestral home destroyed. He wanted to see what pushed them. And maybe he was being a little mischievous.

His movements came to a halt at a dark alley. There were two men in front of him. One behind. And multiple more charging toward their location. It was like a dead-end.

Behind the mask, he smiled.

"You have nowhere to run to, intruder!"

Naruto help up both hands. "I'm going to end up being tortured if I get myself captured." He said to himself.

He came prepared, of course. It would be a betrayal of Itachi's teachings if he actually thought he could outrun Jonin level shinobi once they had spotted him. There was a method do escape in the blink of an eye. Just like the Yellow Flash. A magic trick, but if he did that, Iwa would turn on Konoha. That was his last card in case things didn't work out.

Still, this past couple of months had been interesting. Months living as an adult in a foreign land. Never removing his disguise. He had truly gained valuable information.

"Still, everything happened so fast. I thought with Deidara making a mess of tings, you'd be focused on him." he glanced up for a moment. "Well," he bowed. "It was fun…" he said.

The second he said those words, white clay birds dropped into the alley before exploding. The explosion tore through the walls, causing flames to pick up.

By the second the flames picked up, Naruto had already leapt away from the alley. He was sitting on a large bird, eyes below the panicking village.

"What is a brat doing here, hn?"

"This brat infiltrated Iwa and said hello to the Tsuchikage in his sleep."

"Hahahahaha…" Deidara burst into laughter. He was laughing at the image of Onoki. He could see the old man throwing a fit at this. "Are you really a brat?" he asked in serious tone.

"I may or may not be. But does it matter?"

"I just saved your life…"

Behind the mask, Naruto smiled. "Now, now, Deidara-san."

Deidara turned to stare at the brat. He had only done what he did because his actions made his job easier. Without him causing the trouble, it would have been tricky for him to get what he wanted and then leave. But the brat just called him by name and had just jumped onto his transport without saying a thing.

"Have we met before?"

"Maybe not. But why did you just do what you did?"

"I needed to get hold of this art."

"I can never understand how criminals think."

"Should you be saying this? The old man is going to put a search for you and will hunt you down until he finds you."

"He doesn't know me… unlike you." Naruto then stood up. "But I must admit it, I thought you'd be the one to give me cover. But I ended up giving you cover. Either way, I did what I wanted."

"How did you know?"

"Oh? I've been living in this village for the past three months." He replied indifferently. "Well, then, thank you for the ride. And may you survive well. Not only did you steal a scroll, you also conspired with someone who attempted to assassinate the Tsuchikage. Your crimes are great."

"Wha..!?"

"It was a pleasure being your accomplice. I'm sure we will meet again…" he bowed and was gone in the blink of an eye.


"How did this happen?!" Onoki shouted furiously.

He felt humiliated. But more to his frustrations was that Deidara had launched his own attack. This was stupid. How could a child get into the village, disable the trained shinobi with many years of experience and then get close to him? Not only him but Kurotsuchi and all at the same time? Either of them would have been dead if that child had any intentions of killing them.

That was what made the whole thing infuriating. And these men called themselves guards. Worse, they let him go. And they didn't even know who it was. His presence had completely vanished from the village. If they had those skilled Inuzuka, maybe they would get a scent. But they had nothing. It depended on getting Deidara and making him talk.

"How did it happen?!" He shouted once more. "Deidara another thing. It can happen. But not this!" he glared at the men in front of him.

"Genjutsu, Tsuchikage-sama."

"It took Genjutsu for him to enter the village and then casually wake me up?"

"Yes."

"How powerful the damn Genjutsu that trained shinobi couldn't escape it?!"

"It was unlike anything we have seen before, my Lord."

Honestly, Onoki had nearly blown the roof of his house. He wasn't even going to be able to sleep now. He would just to go his office and start working on his paperwork. That child had woken him from sleep and then greeted him while holding a kunai. But he didn't attack. He just quickly disappeared as his presence became known.

But who was that powerful in Genjutsu to manipulate the shinobi guarding both him and Kurotsuchi? Genjutsu was powerful but it depended on the user. The young ones didn't know how dangerous facing the Uchiha was because of it.

"Both he and Deidara have fled."

"Well obviously." He snapped and glanced at Kurotsuchi. The girl had been spooked but she was quick to get over it and act all confident. "There is a serious flaw in our security. None of you are sleeping tonight. I want to know about how he came into the village and how he was able to do what he did and if he was indeed working with Deidara."

"Should we put out word?"

"You want to advertise to the rest of the villages that our security is so weak that a child managed to sneak into the village and had kunai on our throats?"

"I could have taken him."

Onoki ignored Kurotsuchi. "These is a secret. It must not leak out. If it does, heads will roll."


A week later

Naruto sat under a tree in front of one of the Uchiha hideouts within the Land of Fire. Little thrills for children were dangerous. Maybe he was itching for some action because he now longer had Itachi and Konohagakure was a no-go zone. That cursed village celebrated everyday he didn't step into its walls. Good riddance to the Kyubi brat. He would grant their miserable wishes and live his life. No matter what, he'd not dare accept anything, even if a whole gang of them came up to lick his boots.

Still, without a good village behind him, moving about would be dangerous. Especially now that he pissed off Iwagakure. Sure, they didn't know about him – but with this corrupt world, you never knew. Some things just seemed to work some if them who were cursed by the gods who wrote the scripts for their lives.

He could just go to Kiri. It was the perfect cover. The village was a mess. A blood thirsty tyrant that cannibalized on its children. Maybe he could start a revolution. It would be a good experiment on his current strength.

He held out his right hand, staring at the mask of the Shinigami. He had just retrieved the masks from the temple. And he had a far better idea of using them.

After all, one mask summoned the Shinigami and the other allowed one to take control of it. The danger with the latter was that the damage inflicted on it was inflicted on him. Basically, the being suffered no damage. And the other meant death to the user. But it was no matter. Naruto was going to devise a method for using both masks at once.

The ghost of the Uzumaki would haunt the shinobi world.

His train of thoughts came to a slow halt.

"Come out."

Slowly, Kabuto stepped out from the trees and walked up to him. "When did you notice I was around?"

"Does it matter?"

"You're no fun, are you?"

"Kabuto, huh?" Naruto glanced at the man and then back at his mask. He placed it on his lap and stared back at the rogue shinobi.

"Those eyes… then indeed, Itachi-san is dead…" Kabuto said with surprise. When he suddenly disappeared without a trace, there had been the thought. The fact that Naruto started to run a little more just meant that the blond was alone. He didn't know if Orochimaru was going go be happy or just indifferent to it.

"What do you want, Kabuto-san?"

"You made quite the noise in Iwa."

"How do you know about that?"

Kabuto chuckled. "We have been keeping an eye on you. Admittedly, I wasn't sure, but your response now just confirmed it."

"I see…"

Snakes. Slithering creatures that would dip their venomous poison into your blood stream the second you showed them your back. But according to Itachi, Kabuto was a good spy. One so expert in his role that Danzo even tried to have him killed, simply for knowing too much. Naruto could use such a person. He needed information. He couldn't afford to walk blind, lest this world swallow him.

"You still have not explained why you're here."

"My master wishes to see you."

"I see. Then he is coming. We better deal with this before he comes here."

Kabuto raised an eye brow. "Deal with what?"

"Ah… minor issues… don't worry about it…" he said, smiling.

Orochimaru showed up a couple of minutes later. The Sannin was as powerful as advertised. Just looking at him, Naruto knew this was not a man he wanted to face anytime soon. Of course, with the blessed eyes Itachi gave him, he could make things very simple for himself.

"Kukukuku… those eyes look so nice on you, Naruto-kun."

Naruto felt a chill down his spine. He really just wanted to get the hell out of this place. Those hungry and possessive eyes with which the Sannin looked at him didn't leave a good impression in him.

"I must respectfully state that I have not spoken to you before, Orochimaru-san. For you to speak to me so casually, it's a little unnerving. And I must state my desire to leave before poison comes out of either of you."

"No need to be so hasty. We have much to talk about it."

"I have nothing to say to you."

"Are you sure? Konoha is looking for you. Sensei is quite depressed because he cannot get hold of you."

"Sensei? You still call him that even after everything?" Naruto shook his head. "I really cannot comprehend how criminals think. At any event, I don't want to linger around here. That Konoha is looking for me doesn't really matter."

"Don't be hasty." Orochimaru said sharply. "You're holding an interesting mask. Do you even know what it does?"

"It is property of my clan. Is that all?"

"Hand it over…" Orochimaru said. "And I want to see what you can do with those eyes. If they are Itachi-kun's, I will be taking them."

"And I would just willingly hand it over?"

"You can try to refuse if you want…" Orochimaru grinned. "Where is Itachi's body?"

"Well, I do want to see how a Sannin fights. It will be a good thing for me to experience the power of a Sannin."

That was all Orochimaru heard before he saw a kunai flying toward him. He didn't see how the blond hurled it. Just when it was flashing toward him. He only tilted his head to the right and it whisked past him. The second it did, the blond was in front of him, driving the palm of his right toward his gut.

Almost lazily, Orochimaru stretched out his left hand and then caught Naruto's hand around the wrist.

"You're going to have to try a little better than this, Naruto-kun."

"Orochimaru, you're in my Genjutsu and yet you still grin madly without realization."

Orochimaru's eyes sharpened and he leapt away before disrupting his chakra. When he landed, Naruto was leaning against the trunk of the tree, the Mangekyo staring at him coldly.

"When did you put me under Genjutsu?"

"Irrelevant." Naruto then pointed an index finger toward Orochimaru. "You're still under my illusion, Orochimaru."


Present time

"I wonder what limits humans have…"

Naruto muttered loudly, while sitting on the stairs of a hideout. The place was surrounded by long green trees. The sun hardly found way to penetrate through the leaves. It was perfectly hidden. One or two knowing its location, including that side kick of Orochimaru. Well, at least he was before they came across him.

"Mei feels grateful for all I have done for her village. But if I do some despicable things, will she still accept me?"

"Why are you wondering about that? Do you even care?"

"I don't hate humans. But I have seen enough that makes me think twice about trusting them. If no matter what, Mei still accepts me, then the love Itachi held for his younger brother was no a miracle. But a natural course for those who love."

As far as Itachi had said, even if Sasuke turned against the Leaf, he would still be loved equally. The man had murdered everyone else for Konoha's peace and left his little brother. Yet, if that little brother chose to destroy that peace, he'd still be loved. There was something wrong with that picture. Humans couldn't love unconditionally. Or maybe they could.

Would the Sandaime still love Orochimaru? No. If his memories have not been altered with, the image he had of the old man was that of a loving person. He didn't seem capable of harboring contempt, even for someone so evil like Orochimaru.

"Still, some people are rather complex creatures. It seems that a man can only excel in conflict with another. You're told to kill to protect those you love. But that just means you can also be killed by others who want to protect what they love. Regardless of motives, everyone has people who love them. Even Orochimaru…" Naruto smiled. "But how twisted must a person be to even love Orochimaru?"

"Is there even a difference between that Uchiha and the snake?"

"One did for duty and another for enjoyment."

"You humans always justify anything. To those suffering, your reasons do not matter. The fact is there is murder. The fact is even if you do not compel me to give you chakra, you still use it."

"The end is the same, huh? But when did this become about you?" Naruto asked and then looked ahead.

"Each time I have found you at this place, you always have that sword stabbed on the ground."

Sasori was walking toward him. One of the scums of life he has come across while he roamed the shinobi world. A person who fled his village. Killing many. Man without morals. Even to this day, Naruto had never seen Sasori's real body but just the puppet. A slow moving thing that competed with snails for marathons. And yet, it never seemed to bother Sasori.

"Protection."

"Against?"

"Anything…" Naruto shrugged. He glanced at his sword for a moment and then back at Sasori. "I was working on some seals for it."

"But you would rather have me believe you keep it for Protection when it doesn't matter where the sword is."

Naruto didn't reply. "I was not expecting to see you here."

"The Kazekage has increased his efforts to have me captured. I thought to hide here for a little while he is busy with Konoha."

"You can still go back. Humbly apologize and he will get over his feelings."

"I wouldn't put it past that man. He sees things based on value. In the current climate, my strength would be valuable to Suna… but in my view, his strength would be valuable in my arsenal."

The mother of his would frown upon looking at this. That her beloved son. The child she carried in her belly was now reduced to passing pleasantries with rogue shinobi without shred of human conscious. It was repulsing. But Naruto really didn't care. He wasn't a moralistic person. But he was conscious of the lines between good and bad. For now, he could play this game. Sit with such people and pass time.

Who else would he be talking to outside of Shinobi villages? Maybe he would have been giving Choujiro some lessons. Maybe chatting with Mei about the hardships of the shinobi world. Or maybe trying to reintegrate into the society of the Hidden Leaf.

He laughed at the thought. There was not even a fiber in his body that dreamt of wearing a Leaf's headband. He would put on Kiri's without a second thought. That Minato died for Konoha was irrelevant to him.

Each one with his life and ideals. Each with his responsibilities. He had Kiri and Uzu and that was all that mattered.

"I would have thought things would ease a little with Danzo dead."

"It is a little more complex than this. Suna's higher rates become more reasonable in such times. But the main problem for them is that they can't send shinobi into the Fire Country without careful consideration."

"Konoha cannot cover the entire country. And Suna's problem is that it doesn't have capable shinobi." Ah, rue being weak, Suna. For this world did not give sweets to the losers. It wiped them. After a little bit of suffering. "Iwa?"

"Watching. I wouldn't be surprised if they enter fray."

"Greedy hyenas."

"Everyone thinks what is best for their village. Just as you refuse to go back to Konoha because it is not best for you. We're all fundamentally selfish."

"Maybe. But greater is a man who lays his life for the sake of his village," Naruto smiled. Itachi's idea was different. It was that the true hero was one who wasn't known but worked in the darkness. Perfectly, imperfect the teachings of a certain War Hawk he sent to the afterlife. "We are all simply trying to survive."

Sasori didn't immediately respond, his mind working to understand the blond. He first met the blond while he was doing a job. And then a request for information. How he knew he was a spy master was still to be answered. Sasori nonetheless believed this was the work of Kabuto. The man was no longer a sleeping agent. Someone had undone his jutsu. Enter Naruto or Orochimaru. Between the two, he couldn't tell which Kabuto was loyal to. Obviously, if it is the former, Naruto had done something to Kabuto. Orochimaru's people didn't betray him. Not ones as loyal as Kabuto.

"What are you doing here?"

"This is my hideout, is it not?"

"Aren't you supposed to be in Kiri?" Sasori ignored the question. This hideout provided a safe haven. The barrier around meant he could drop his defenses and even be engrossed in his puppets without having to worry about someone stabbing him from behind.

"I was there a week ago."

"I see."

Silence fell for a minute or so.

Naruto stood up and picked his sword. He sheathed it and then addressed Sasori. "Tell me, does Suna intend to fight with Konoha?"

"No. the Kazekage knows he wouldn't win it. He just wants to pressure them into stopping receiving missions from the Wind Lord."

Not happening. Not in a million years. Suna was too small and weak to pressure the Leaf into such a drastic measure. But if Rasa was being manipulated by Danzo, couldn't he change it?

"Maybe I will make a stop there. And see what happens…" he said, walking past Sasori.

"Tell me, what did you do to Kabuto?"

"Nothing."

"Sharingan Genjutsu?"

"It would be great if my powers were that great to be able to control a mind like that of Kabuto." Naruto stopped and glanced at Sasori through the corner of his eyes. "I heard that Zabuza is in the Wave country. How true is this?"

"You want to go after him?"

"My question."

"Yes."


"With the kind of company you keep, I wouldn't be surprised if you end up being called a criminal."

Naruto shrugged. "I am in this position because some people decided to perceive me in a different way. I have stopped caring about how others view me."

"But not that woman."

Mei? That was an interesting suggestion. Naruto didn't know. The thoughts were split. He could make a case of a positive and negative perception. Maybe he cared. Maybe he didn't. It was the opinion of those close to you that bothered you the most. But even strangers could inflict emotional damage.

"A debate for another day." He smiled. "But I must admit, there is nothing inspiring about these connections. It would nonetheless be detrimental to push them aside. At least for now."

"Everyone has their uses, huh?"

"That is how things work in this world. We use each other for our own means. Even I will use you when the time comes. For now, only Konoha knows I'm a Jinchuriki. It is my belief that Kiri suspects or maybe knows but in Mei's fashion, have decided against saying anything until I say so." Naruto replied.


Wave

Naruto was informed the Wave was in a bleak state but not like this. Sources said Zabuza and his goons killed everyone who thought to escape, patrolling the bridge built by one of the people like a mad man. But Naruto hadn't thought the village would be in this state.

People pressed against buildings. Beggars, they'd become. Oppressed by a tyrant who only wanted to swindle the country of all its resources just so he could become richer. Rogue shinobi were for hire. He waved his money and they descended to this country, laying siege and demoralizing anyone who even thought of rising against him. There was no freedom. Just the hell the man in charge had created and he would not remove his fangs from this place until there was nothing left of it.

The town was like a ghost town. Beggars begged for change or even food from anyone who passed. Sadly, some of them may have even been business owners. A broke nation couldn't support its people. Economic activity could never be sustained when no one had money. And no one was allowed to become a little worthy.

Curse your weakness. Curse being born into this wretched world. Pray you were strong. But know, such meaningless practices only offered hope that would be brutally crushed one day. For as long as one remained weak, you'd continue to be at the mercy of the powerful.

After passing a couple of people, Naruto stopped at one old man. A broken person. Maybe on his last breaths. No demon did this. But another human being. Humans were truly worse than the demons they hated.

He summoned a bottle of water and helped the old man drink. After which, the Sharingan spun hypnotically and he asked some questions regarding the country. The old man gave him more than enough. He felt a little bad and decided to give him food as a reward.

"Killing him would have been mercy."

Words of a Bijuu that didn't concern itself with what to eat or drink. The struggles of humans were petty to it. But from its position, it was understandable.

"I'm not that cruel. Besides, the fact that he is still alive means he wants to live. Even at old age, people will crawl and beg just to be spared. Our lives can be taken easily. But it is such people that you realize, nobody really wants to die. The likes of Orochimaru venture into Kinjutsu because they want to overcome the fate of all man: death."

"What good is living in that form?"

"Hope. You hope things will change. You hope maybe something will happen." Naruto replied in a flat tone. "And maybe today, hope has arrived to put a little smile on this place."

"You're too nice," Kurama laughed. "Or maybe not. I wouldn't be surprised if you decided to put this village under your rule."

"You overstate my desires. But I am not that cruel. Cruelty is for the beast called the Nine Tailed Demon Fox. I am no more than just another human, caught up in a situation were I can land a hand."

All Villages would turn a blind eye on this. As long as it didn't affect them, they wouldn't do anything. Even the peace loving Sandaime wouldn't. A payment had to be made for the any village to accept a mission. There was no charity among shinobi.

"A title given by humans."

"And a tittle earned."

Kurama shrugged. Sure he killed humans. But he didn't go out his way just to kill and kill. He hated humans. That much without question and even if the Sage were to return, he would tell the old man that he hated humans. Sure, maybe that damn Tanuki would poke some fun into it, but that was the truth and he wondered if it would ever change.

Naruto looked up toward the Bridge. It was fully completed. It was supposed to be a symbol of hope for the villagers. A way into other nations. But Gato had let them complete it and then seized it to expand his shipping company, further plunging this nation into the depths of poverty and suffering.

Truly a shame.

There was no one at the bridge. Maybe if Sasori hadn't given him information, he would have come through here. Or maybe if he didn't make another move. He stopped by the bridge, leaned against its walls and stared down at the mist before closing his eyes.

His eyes flashed opened, narrowing behind. "Kiri's most famous Jutsu. Effective for assassination." Maybe it was out of principle or habit, but he had already hidden the Sharingan under Genjutsu.

"It's effective when the target doesn't realize it."

Naruto didn't turn around to face the stern voice. He turned his eyes down toward the water. "People are good at some things and others are not. And that also means exploiting the weakness of jutsu."

"Who are you and how did you get into this village? You were not hired by one of the nation's people, where you?"

Naruto laughed. "Does it look like there is anyone who is capable of hiring anyone? I bet they couldn't even afford a D-rank mission."

Zabuza joined him in laughter. "Well, they are all broke," his eyes narrowed.

Naruto turned around to face the man. His image was as expected. But what was laughable was the pathetic attempt to scare him by a killing intent. It was so pathetic that he laughed.

"I apologize," he said with his hands held high.

Zabuza narrowed his eyes. There was no sign of hostility. But how the blond even got into the country was a mystery to him. Worse, he had leaked his killing intent and he had responded by laughing. He was surely not a normal person or someone he could underestimate.

"Don't be on guard. I'm not going to attack you. At least not now."

Zabuza scoffed. "Be on guard? You don't even have a headband."

"Ah, shinobi wear headbands to identify themselves. Rogue shinobi wear scratched headbands. I was never a shinobi of any village. It would be wrong to wear the honors of a rogue shinobi." Naruto said calmly. "I must say, I expected more from a man named Zabuza. It is nonetheless a pleasure to meet you."

"You know of me. Did Gato hire you?"

"As if that midget could command me. It is also sad that the likes of you have fallen so low that you've relegated yourself to become bodyguards of such activities."

"It isn't like there was anything better in Kiri."

Naruto laughed. "I misspoke. You did worse in Kiri. You're the one who butchered everyone in your class after all. Making a couple of civilians suffer is nothing." He smiled. "I am Naruto Uzumaki. I have come for two things: to take that sword you carry and bury you."

Normally, Zabuza would scoff but the blond held knowledge about his past. He knew him. And yet, he said those words so elegantly, and without remorse it was like he was stating the obvious. It bothered him a little. He didn't allow it to bother him for longer as he grinned.

"Kiri sent you? It is the only village that would be after my sword."

"Indeed," Naruto said.

Zabuza noticed, the blond put a hand on the handle of his sword as he started walking toward him.

"You have killed many. It would be cruel to send you to the afterlife to meet those people without giving you the chance to prepare yourself…" He smiled. "I hope you will entertain me, Zabuza Momochi."

Zabuza frowned, noticing something wrong. He disrupted his chakra and saw that Naruto wasn't in his sight.

Genjutsu.

When? How long? When had the blond even put him on Genjutsu? How did he even do it? He didn't see him doing any hand signs.


Zabuza had always known that when the time came, Gato would hire some people to try to get rid of him. He'd always been conscious of that. And he had timed his move. Before the man decided to kill him, he would get him.

But still, it was quite humiliating that he had been reduced to taking orders from this kind of person. He didn't need to lift his sword to kill the midget. And yet because of money, he was forced to obey.

He comforted himself by telling himself that he was no different from shinobi villages. Even they would be hired to do any job. The difference was that they attempted to take a moral high ground and where organized. But fundamentally, mercenaries and shinobi were no different. The other was just loyal to money and the other to the village that paid him.

"Can't you handle this threat?"

"I'm telling you he wants me. I can handle it. But it will be my last job. You pay me all that you owe me and I leave this place. I have camped here long enough."

The trouble with being rogue was that you had Hunter-nin after you. And that wasn't enough. Bounty hunters were also after you. Those ones were the real pain. Regardless of power, they made their way. They only cared about the money they would get after killing you.

"We didn't talk about you leaving so soon." Gato said, glaring behind his glasses.

"We are talking about it now. I'm quitting this guard duty."

"And if I reject this?"

Zabuza laughed. "Don't think for once I won't kill you. You're my employer and I will listen to you as long as you pay me. But the moment you start thinking about to renegade on our agreement, I will kill you and take everything you have."

For effect, he leaked his killing intent, scarring off the bandit the man surrounded himself with.

"Bandits are not shinobi. You hired me because they are useless. Easy to control but useless when you are faced with shinobi," Zabuza put away his sword. "Look for a new rogue shinobi to hire. When I come back, it will be to collect what is due."


Naruto's eyes snapped open, sensing movement around. His Sharingan predicted movements of what appeared to be a large chain. He didn't consider taking out his sword but summoned two short knife like swords, holding them with both hands in a reverse grip. The large chainsaw like chain spread around him. But he stopped it from touching and its blades from wrapping around his body holding out his hands. The chains hit the blades of the swords.

Even as the brothers holding onto the chains tried to pull, he did not budge.

He had been enjoying his free time. There was time to consider what he would do to this village after killing Zabuza and of course, Gato.

But now he was being disturbed.

"Demon brothers, huh?" Naruto smiled. "The other is called the Demon of the Mist and his subordinates the Demon Brothers…" he laughed. "Such a mockery of demons. If you mere Chunin can be called demons, what of me?"

The Brothers detached their gauntlets and jumped back slightly.

Naruto stood straight. "Kiri could use your strength. Weak, but a good addition to the strength of the village. If you didn't attack me, I would let you live…" he paused. "Or maybe you can still leave to live."

Their response was to lunge at him.

"Hmm… these are enough for you." He said to himself, not bothering to glance at the two.

They were just chunin level shinobi.

He waited until they were just inches away from him. Time seemed to stand still for a moment, their arms reaching up toward him. He blurred out of view, appearing behind the two as they collided. He drove the sword he held with his right straight at the back of Gosu's neck, piercing through while grabbing the other brother on the shoulder.

He pulled the knife from Gosu, ignoring the blood that gushed out and then jumped back, pulling the other brother with him.

Naruto slammed the brother to the ground. There was enough force to completely bury him. He ignored the yelp of pain; a crunching sound as his foot slammed into the chest. The brother coughed blood.

"So, then," he leaned over. "What can you tell me about Zabuza?"


The Following Day

Naruto stared at his gloved hands, appreciating the work of Fuinjutsu. There were many secrets on the palms of both his hands. But the gloves shielded from any penetrating eye from seeing anything. The work of the Uzumaki were famous for was truly genius. The fact that he could seal anything meant he could also summon anything, to battle, in the blink of an eye without using the normal summoning methods. There was of course always a process. Nothing came out magically just by willing it. He intended to keep people thinking he just waved his hands and swords appeared. Secrets were conducive for a good strategy.

There were many weapons he held. But his sweet favorites were his long sword and the twins. The swords were steady. Sharp and rather durable. Though, not as much as his swords. The knives needed repairs. But with the right materials. Because they were specifically made to conduct wind chakra, coating them with the said chakra offered protection rather than harm as it would on a normal kunai.

He held out his right hand, holding one of his sword while lying on the ground. He played with it, twisting it a couple of times before pausing as he sensed chakra.

A thick mist started to gather.

If he wasn't used to this, he would jump for cover up in the tall trees. But for the past few years he had learned to train and fight while blind folded in the mist. Using the Sharingan was a cheat.

For a moment, he closed his eyes.

The wind shifted above him. Something was coming. A projectile. He rolled his body to the right and a second later, a sword pierced into the ground. It would have cut through his right shoulder had he not moved.

Zabuza landed on the Executioners blade's handle and stared down at the blond. The speed in which he moved to avoid the blade was impressive. All the more while he appeared nonchalant about it.

"Attacking within the Mist, huh? I suppose that is Kiri's preferred method." Naruto spoke without opening his eyes. "But before my eyes, Zabuza, your movements are light as day."

Zabuza quickly jumped, holding out his right hand to grab his sword the second Naruto opened his eyes. The sight of a fully matured Sharingan surprised him. There was no way he couldn't tell the Sharingan was a real deal.

The second he tried pulling his sword, while still in mid-air, Naruto stuck the sword he held right through his sword's glaring hole. Momentarily, it brought him to a halt. But that was all the blond needed. He lifted his body, using the sword as balance and the force to stop him from pulling. Swiftly, hi upside legs rose while his head remained on the ground, his right hand touched the ground, and then lashed his right leg toward Zabuza's left shoulder.

Zabuza saw the attack coming, and then lifted his left arm, blocking the kick with his wrist. He gnashed his teeth as the kick connected. A lot more power than he expected but he still held on.

He glanced down, noting his eyes met with Naruto's. The blond was sucking in air. He couldn't move. Both hands held up. He could use his legs to kick the blond but not enough time.

"Water Style: Water Bullet!"

Zabuza decided he had to abandon his sword to get away from the blond. It was a careless move. But the sword was still blocking him from pulling it. And he couldn't take a hit head on while seeing it.

Naruto released two bullets from his mouth, both sped toward Zabuza. The bullets drilled holes through his chest after colliding with him but the man burst into a puddle of water.

Zabuza flashed in behind Naruto, sweeping his right foot across the face of the earth. Naruto reacted swiftly, using his arm to propel himself into the ground while flipping away from the man.

He landed a couple of feet away and then folded his hands. "Hmm… good movements. You recovered well to ensure it I didn't have time to get hold of your sword."

"Brat, you're too young to be lecturing me. I have killed hundreds of people. Seen more battles than you."

Naruto laughed. "That is indeed true. You are a man called the demon of Kiri after all. Infamous for butchering others in your class." He paused, waving his right hand. The sword on his hand disappeared, and the mist started disappearing.

"Oh?" Zabuza grinned. "Using wind to blast away the mist… and you do it without seeming like you're doing it. You're not bad… though, the Sharingan is a surprise."

Naruto shrugged. "Let us talk for a moment."

Zabuza noted, Naruto had no intention of attacking. The fact that he cleared the mist and put away his sword proved as much.

"You said you were coming for my head and this sword, is there anything to talk about?"

"That you will die is a fact. There is no need to rush it."

Zabuza laughed; it was either the blond was that confident or just arrogant. Either way, he really didn't have any intention of fooling around. There was no doubt that Gato was going to try to kill him if the chance presented itself at the end of this battle. There was nonetheless no harm in talking to the blond.

"I have asked myself since coming here if I should permit you to live or die. You tried and failed to kill Yagura, didn't you?"

Zabuza narrowed his eyes. The blond did say he was sent by Kiri. But he didn't wear a Kiri headband, so he was obviously not from the village. If he had the village, he had have some connection with Konoha. Or someone from the village.

"How do you know that?"

"Well, I have spent the better of the last couple of years in Kirigakure. And," he smiled a bit sheepishly. "I'm almost embarrassed to day this. But I succeeded where the Demon failed. In taking out Yagura, of course. And I was just a child when it happened."

The embarrassment was not on himself but for him. Zabuza scoffed. Was the blond scoffing at his title as the Demon of the Mist?

It was nonetheless hard to believe that this person could actually be responsible for the death of Yagura. The Hunter Nin he has met may have said the man was dead but Zabuza didn't believe it. He didn't think it was possible. Or maybe he just lost the desire to change Kiri.

"So he is dead." Zabuza smiled. "Well, that makes things simpler."

"Maybe," Naruto shrugged. "What mystifies me is how a person who butchered his entire class came to see the wrong in the way Kiri was ran and then decided to change things. I suppose even Kisame fled Kiri because of what he saw. Either way, how twisted was it that someone as twisted as you felt it was too crazy to let continue?"

This was certainly a world for the mad. People who shouldn't have morals given their past actions suddenly became monks and fought for the good side. Maybe Zabuza had a bit of lust of power or maybe he really did become disillusioned by what he was seeing of his village. Naruto really wanted to understand how someone who became infamous by taking advantage of the system suddenly came to hate it.

"I don't owe you an explanation. Let us just get this over with."

Naruto was displeased by the response. His displeasure evident in his expression.

"You want to die that quickly?" Naruto asked calmly.

"You're too green to be talking about killing me. When you have killed as many people, you get to talk."

Naruto snorted with disdain. "Nonsense!"

Zabuza braced himself as Naruto released a powerful wave of chakra. The birds within the trees flapped their wings, escaping to cover. He remained rooted. Now more than ever knowing that the blond wasn't just an arrogant brat.

"You have done nothing more than bully the weak. Killing. Killing. You're proud of your record but it is all just nonsense." He started walking toward the man. "I have no respect for your moniker. Or you as a person. But I will show you respect for your skills by not killing you with simplicity."

Zabuza laughed. "If that is how you show respect, what of disrespect?"

"Who knows?"

Zabuza was forced to place his sword above him to block a thundering swing from Naruto. It was literally thundering. The blade was coated with lightning chakra. When the blond held out his right hand, Zabuza knew something was coming and then leapt backward.

Nothing came in the form of a surprise attack.

But before he could even touch down the ground, the blond was upon him. Zabuza saw a swing from the blond's left hand, cleaving through the air toward the right side of his chest. He swiftly aligned his sword on the right.

Clang

The swords clashed. Sparks flew.

There was no letting up as Zabuza saw another swing while still defending against another. A long sword striking from the ground. He pushed Naruto's left swing away and then quickly dragged his large sword toward the incoming strike.

Clang

The tip of his sword collided with Naruto's sword. Zabuza quickly used this to try to launch an attack. He placed the palm of his right hand on the tip in his sword's handle, using it as balance to lift his body. He raised his right foot, swinging it toward the blond's left shoulder. But the second it collided, the blond burst into a murder of crows.

It took a second for Zabuza to recognize the Genjutsu. When his eyes flashed open to the reality, he saw a shining tip heading straight toward his head, just below his chin. It took battle experience to dodge the sword from piercing below his chin. His neck folded sharply to avoid the sword jab. He couldn't avoid it all as the sword grazed through ths side of his neck.

"Mphh!"

He yelped when Naruto pulled him closer, and then landed an elbow on his gut, sending him crashing down the ground. He crashed on his back but there was no attack that came.

He let loose of a long breath.

That's when he realized. He only did so because the blond didn't attack and permitted him. He frowned deeply and then got up.

"Using your swords like that is tricky." He said, lifting his large sword and then placed it above his shoulder. "You only attack with one and then blind side with the other."

"It's not tricky when you know there is a second strike coming."

"Yeah, but your sword is too heavy. It is not the strike itself; the sword is damn heavy." Zabuza grumbled.

"I have permitted you to breathe. I guess I will not see the extent of your abilities. My swords are too much for you. I'll try one more attack…" Naruto said.

Zabuza sharpened his eyes when Naruto suddenly hurled his sword toward him. The way it moved. The thing was indeed heavy. He placed his sword in front if him, aligning it to deflect the strike.

Clang

Naruto's sword hit the side of his blade just in front of him. However, before it could be deflected to the side, Naruto suddenly appeared. Zabuza had not taken his eyes of him. There was no way that was purely speed. The blond had to have teleported in front of him.

Naruto grabbed the tilt of his sword but he did not swing it. His secondary sword appeared on the palm of his left arm, and he jabbed it straight toward Zabuza's gut. The man tried to leap backwards to avoid the blow, but failed to successfully avoid it.

Zabuza winced when the sword pierced through the side of his gut. It wasn't a fatal blow. But it still hurt like crap. As he touched down, his t-shirt was already bloodied.

He glanced at Naruto, ignoring the pain. "Heavier than before. You can alternate the weight of your sword in battle."

"Hmm…" Naruto nodded. He held both swords, showing Zabuza their sides. There were glowing marks engraved on the blade itself. "The beauty of Fuinjutsu. How do you carry the weight of a brick but not carry the brick itself? By sealing it and then transferring the weight to the seal. Simple, huh?"

Damn Fuinjutsu. Zabuza was now certain even those earrings held some secrets in them. But it was now apparent, Naruto wasn't just swinging his sword relying on the brutal strength behind his strikes.

"I said I would try one more attack. I have done so." He said as both swords disappeared. "So, I won't use them anymore. You have my word. I will not use them. You can attack freely without worrying for them."

"That's mightily generous of you." Zabuza said with a laugh before stabbing his sword to the ground.

"Suiton: Mizu Bushin."

"Now that is disrespecting me. I have already said I won't use my swords…" Naruto said in a thoughtful tone, watching the shadow clones charge toward him along with Zabuza.

He did hand seals, and held his hands across his mouth while sucking in air. "Fire Style: Great Fireball no Jutsu!" He then released an intense ball flames from his mouth. The blames expanded into a monstrous fireball with intense heat, and rushed toward their targets. The flames burnt down the grass below and consumed Zabuza along with his clones.


Zabuza was just glad he managed to avoid those flames. The blond then was able to fight using all means. Then again, the Sharingan could copy abilities.

He was even happier because the jutsu allowed him to use it as cover to launch a sneak attack from behind.

Along the wind, he blurred into existence behind Naruto, waving his large sword through the air. He was already screaming got you, seeing his sword cut through Naruto's shoulders.

"Got you!"

His sword hit the blond, cutting through him. But then, Naruto suddenly burst into a puff of smoke.

The real blond flashed below him. Caught him by his trousers and with some impressive display of strength, dragged him for a second before slamming him into the ground

Boom!

Zabuza crashed, head first into the ground. He didn't even manage to make airs as he was pulled out of the ground and then hurled toward the trees.

He flipped several times and landed before he could crash into the tree. In all that, Naruto took his sword. The blond was now just standing a distance away. Staring at him coldly. Unmoved by everything he had seen.

Zabuza came to appreciate something – he may just die in this battle.

When his sword was flung toward him, he reaffirmed his thoughts.

The blond was staring at him with a look of disappointment. "You really don't look like it but you really pack some physical strength." He said. So far, he was unharmed. There was no damage. But he had yet to breach Naruto's defenses.

"For a demon, you do not leave up to your standards. Oh well, let us end this," he said, holding out his right hand he summoned one of his swords.

The atmosphere became completely different. Zabuza came to realize something. Through all this time, Naruto was just waving his swords around. Did he not know any sword skill?

"Ah, yes. I know some skills. I was playing around…" He said with a shrug. "You've become corrupted and you have bad heat. Even if you were willing to go back to Kiri, you'd only be a problem for Mei. We must do away with the old things. You must thus die…"

"You have to cut me." He replied arrogantly.

Naruto laughed. "I developed some skills. My sword can also conduct all five basic elements. Two strikes…" he nodded to himself. "Hmm… it will do… First strike: Lightning."

Zabuza blinked as he heard a buzz of lightning. Naruto was standing in front of him. His sword covered in lightning. He quickly tried to leap backwards to avoid being cut.

"Second Strike: Wind."

Those simple words, said in a whisper sent a chill down his spine. True, Naruto had appeared like lightning that he didn't even see a thing. But when did he launch the first strike? If he was launching the second, then the first had to be already done.

When Naruto's sword moved, he stared it. Noticing its form changing. The lightning disappeared. Zabuza was still in mid-air, when the sword was swung in a horizontal slash, shifting toward his waist. He tried to move his left hand to block the sword with his sword but to his horror, blood gushed out of his shoulder. Intense pain shot through his spine as his shoulder separated from the rest of his body. In is shock, the second strike cut through his waist as if it were paper.

Zabuza swore. This couldn't be his end. He still had dreams to pursue. When he glanced over at his shoulder, it was still attached to his body. Genjutsu?

Pained screams, Naruto just put on expressionless face. The blood that gushed out did not bother him. Not when Zabuza's halved body hit the ground, followed by some swearing.

This was a scene he had seen two often.

He closed his eyes, stabbed his sword through the ground.

"Neat skill, huh?" He asked calmly.

"Y-you want me to a-admire your shitty skills while I'm like this?!"

"Have no fear of death. You have killed people. Today, it is your turn. Who knows, tomorrow it may be mine."


End of chapter

The Kenjutsu skill Naruto used in this chapter goes up to three or four strikes. It depends on the opponent:

If the opponent has a weakness in Genjutsu, the first strike is an illusion. And second strike is the real one. But if the illusion is noticed, he can't proceed with the remaining attacks. This is what he did against Zabuza. Of course, he would still need to be super fast. I don't have a name for it yet.

The Omnipresent Sage