Archive

by windstorm16

All my deleted/discontinued stories are here, open for anyone who wants to adopt them or try the ideas out for themselves. Anyone who wants to adopt story must discuss their ideas beforehand.

90. Resurgence of the Cursed Clans

Hello all Storm here with a new story! Not much else to say other than hope you enjoy the story. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

'This was supposed to be a great night.' Thought Kushina Uzumaki, panting on her hands and knees while her newborn son, Naruto Uzumaki, was laid down in an altar beside her, and in front of them was Naruto's godfather, and one of her close friends, Minato Namikaze the Yellow Flash and Yondaime Hokage

With the spectral image of the Shinigami floating behind him, and the Kyūbi no Yōko pinned to the ground by her Adamantine Sealing Chains. Kushina taking in the sight of all this, knowing this isn't how she expected, nor did she want, this night to turn out. The Uzumaki woman still remembered how this all happened, after she had been ready to given birth earlier that day.

Having been taken to a secret location, due to her status as the Jinchūriki of the Kyūbi no Yōko, along with how a female Jinchūriki's seals weaken when they give birth. With Minato having been there as well to help maintain the seal, along with being her son's godfather. As while Kushina may not love him like he did her, she still saw him as a good friend.

When the birthing began, Kushina couldn't believe her friend Mikoto had actually gone through this twice, having difficulty just doing it once. Even more so, with the Kyūbi trying to break free and escape during the entire process. But eventually it finally ended, with Kushina being the happiest she'd ever been when she heard her baby's cries, even more so when he was placed next to her. Seeing he had dual colored messy, spiky hair, with it being the same red as hers in the front and black like his father's in the back. Along with three whisker-like marks on his cheeks, and while his eyes were closed, Kushina knew they'd either be purple like hers or crimson like his father's.

Then just as quickly, one of the best moments in her life, turned into one of the worst when that damn Masked Man appeared, killing the Anbu, Medic-Ninja, and Biwako Sarutobi. Before he then took Naruto hostage and would have killed him as well if Minato hadn't managed to get him away in time. Only for the Masked Man to then take Kushina hostage and extract the Kyūbi from her, while revealing he had the Sharingan. Which he then used to place the fox under his control and would have used it to kill Kushina, only for Minato to arrive and get her to safety.

After that, Kushina wasn't sure what exactly happened, only that Minato came back he teleported her and Naruto to where the Kyūbi was. With Kushina quickly restraining it with her Adamantine Sealing Chains before it could try to escape or attack them. Along with putting up a barrier as well, to make sure no one could get in and interfere.

That's when Minato revealed he planned to seal half of the Kyūbi inside Naruto and the other half back inside of herself, the former of which Kushina was vehemently against. Only agreeing since if the entire Kyūbi was sealed back inside her, it'd result in her death. And she wasn't about to leave her son an orphan, after he was just born.

"Seal…seal half back…into me first…I…I need more strength…" Kushina said weakly, doubting she'll be able to keep the Bijū restrained for long in her current state.

"Right." Replied Minato before going through handsigns as the Shinigami's arm shot out and grabbed hold of the Kyūbi, ripping out its Yang-half before placing it inside of Kushina.

"Eight Trigrams Seal! Seal!" Minato said, as Kushina gasped as she felt some of her strength start to return before she saw the now shrunken Kyūbi was making a move to crush Naruto.

"Don't even try it fox." Said Kushina as her chains immediately tightened around the Kyūbi, forcing it to the ground before the Shinigami grabbed it and sealed it inside of Naruto with the Eight Trigrams Seal as well.

With the contract now complete, the Shinigami took Minato's soul as payment for the sealing, with the Yondaime soon collapsing to the ground dead.

'I'm sorry Minato.' Kushina thought, looking at her deceased friend sadly, hating this happened and swearing to make that masked bastard pay for what he's done.

The redhead then smiled at her son and prepared to stand up and go to him, only to feel her strength immediately start to vanish and her vision become blurry.

"Wh-what…" Kushina muttered, not expecting this to happen, knowing she'd need to recover from everything, but had hoped that she'd be able to herself and Naruto back to the village beforehand.

'Have…have to do…some…thing.' Thought Kushina, not sure how long she'll need to recover, but knowing she likely won't be around for a while, though needed to do one last thing.

Going over to Naruto, Kushina unsealed a small glass container filled with greenish-grey liquid and inside were a pair of eyes. Though they weren't a normal pair of eyes, with anyone being able to tell what they were by the red color and the three tomoes.

"Your Tou-san wanted you to have these Naruto-kun, but I just hope you never have to use them." Kushina said, while smiling at her baby, before biting her finger and quickly drawing a seal on his forehead with her blood.

Once the seal was complete, Kushina placed the container near it, before they vanished in a puff of smoke, with the seal vanishing soon after. Set to release the eyes should Naruto ever awaken his own Mangekyō Sharingan, like his father had.

'I just wish you could be here to see our son grow up, Hiei.' Kushina thought, while thinking about her deceased lover and the last time she saw him.

*Flashback*

"And there's nothing that can help you?" Kushina asked sadly as she looked at Hiei, who was covered in multiple injuries and blood, it was a miracle he was even standing.

"No. Even if there was, it'd only cause more problems if Danzō learns I survived his little ambush, along with all his puppets I wiped out. The best thing I can do is die." Replied Hiei, not sounding perturbed at his inevitable death.

He had just returned from his most recent mission, along with contacting Kushina before returning to Konoha, asking her to meet somewhere secluded and make sure she wasn't followed. When Kushina had arrived, she'd been shocked and horrified at the state he was in, wondering who could have put him in such a state. Given that Hiei was seen as one of the strongest Ninja alive, even without using his Sharingan, he was someone you didn't mess with.

Only to learn that the mission had been a set-up by Danzō Shimura, a warhawk and member of Konoha's Council. Along with being known for his hatred of the Uchiha Clan and the power they possessed, thanks to their eyes. Seeing Hiei as one of the greatest threats, with the power he had and with his Mangekyō Sharingan.

Having set up an ambush for him for his latest mission, to ensure he never returned, even sending the majority of his ROOT Anbu to make sure he really died. The warhawk refusing to take any chances when it came to the "Master of the Evil Eye". Only for Hiei to massacre all of the Anbu sent after him but had still been overwhelmed by their sheer numbers. Before reducing the rest of them to ash with his signature Dragon of the Darkness Flame technique.

Though while he managed to kill his attackers and make it back to Konoha, Hiei knew he's dead either way, whether from his injuries or whatever Danzō does in retaliation at seeing he's still alive.

"And what what's best for Naruto?! Growing up without getting to know his father?!" Kushina demanded, while placing a hand on her stomach.

"I'm doing this for him. He's going to be descended from both the Uzumaki Clan and the Uchiha Clan, he'll be one of the few people that can become the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki and be able to fully control it, if he so desired. Even without the Kyūbi, his heritage alone would make Danzō more paranoid and erratic, even more so that he's our son. Combine them all together and he'll have a massive target on his back, which would only be bigger if I was alive to help train him. With me dead, it will at least make the warhawk believe he can be controlled." Said Hiei before pulling out a container, then to Kushina's shock, he actually pulled out both of his eyes without even flinching and placed them inside.

"In the event he awakens his own Mangekyō Sharingan, give him my eyes, so he won't have any fear of going blind. And to give him another weapon to use against his enemies." Said Hiei, with Kushina nodding sadly as she took the container.

*End Flashback*

'You're going to die Danzō, no matter how or when, you're going to die.' Kushina mentally swore as darkness took her, not caring how long it'll take, but the moment she wakes up, she's putting that mummy in the ground where he belongs.

With Kushina unconscious, the barrier she created soon disappeared, allowing the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and a team of Anbu to rush in. Only to find Minato's body, Kushina unconscious, and Naruto sleeping on the altar. Sarutobi mentally cursing at what's happened as he picked up Naruto, while the Anbu picked Minato's body for a burial and one checked on Kushina.

"Sandaime-sama, she's still alive, but it seems she's fallen into a coma from the stress of everything." Said an Anbu after using Medical Ninjutsu to check Kushina's condition, seeing she's still alive, but unresponsive.

'Damnit.' Hiruzen thought, knowing that just invited even more problems with Kushina left in such a defenseless state.

"Bring her to the hospital and make absolutely sure no one sees you, and only bring her to my personal doctors, as well as to a secure and out of the way room." Sarutobi ordered, the Anbu nodding before picking up Kushina and vanishing via Shunshin to the hospital.

*Timeskip-Two Days*

'What a mess.' Hiruzen thought, sighing as he sat in the Hokage's Office, which he's sure would soon be his office again soon.

After arriving back at the village, he headed straight for the Hokage's Tower, where he left Naruto being guarded by some of his most trusted Anbu. With him then heading to the hospital to check on Kushina, where she was placed on life-support until she would wake up. The Sandaime making sure that only his most trusted doctors and Anbu would be watching her, refusing to take any chances of anyone finding out where she is.

Along with setting up dozens of Fūinjutsu security systems, making it so only those keyed to the seals could enter the room, after proving who they were with a Blood Seal. While inside the room were seals that, anyone who wasn't keyed into them would immediately have their Chakra sealed away and rendered unconscious via a powerful shock, with Anbu then being alerted of an intruder. Finally a seal that would immediately teleport Kushina to a prepped and ready bunker, should anyone somehow get past the other defenses.

Sarutobi having taken no chances in making sure no one could get near the Uzumaki woman.

Once that was finished, then came time for the mass funeral of the deceased, including Minato himself, something that devastated everyone that Yondaime had died as well. With the Sandaime having also decided on keeping Naruto's Jinchūriki status a secret, after seeing how angry and vengeful the villagers were at the fox for the death and destruction it caused. Knowing if they knew Naruto had the Kyūbi inside him, he'd become a target of that hatred.

'The best thing to do is place Naruto in an orphanage.' Sarutobi thought, since not many knew who Naruto's father was, and he couldn't have Naruto taken in by the Uchiha Clan, since as a Jinchūriki he couldn't favor one clan over the rest of the village.

Sarutobi was pulled from his thoughts, when the office door opened and saw his old teammate Danzō walk in, the Sandaime frowning when his eyes immediately fell on Naruto sleeping in his crib.

"So, this is the Kyūbi Jinchūriki." Danzō stated, walking up and looking down at the infant.

"His name is Naruto Uzumaki, Danzō." Retorted Hiruzen, with the warhawk not reacting to this.

"He's a Jinchūriki, that's all that matters the moment a Bijū is sealed inside one of them. That and ensuring they are loyal to their village." Said Danzō.

"The answer is no, Danzō. You will not be taking Naruto to turn him into your personal attack dog." Hiruzen said, already knowing what he was thinking and planning to ask.

"The moment the fox was sealed inside him, he became a weapon for Konoha's use. I merely would ensure his complete loyalty to the village and wipe away any hints of treason. Especially, should he awaken those eyes." Danzō retorted.

"Or you could only end up pushing him over the edge and end up creating another Madara Uchiha, something that would only result in Konoha's destruction. As like you said Danzō, he's a Jinchūriki, and they're known to be rather…violent under emotional distress." Stated Sarutobi, making Danzō frown in annoyance.

Their attention then turned to the door, when it opened again and in walked Mikoto Uchiha, who went right up to Naruto's crib.

"Mikoto? What are you doing here? I'm in the middle of a meeting." Sarutobi said frowning, while Mikoto smiled at Naruto before picking him up.

"Oh don't worry, I'm just here to pick up my godson. Thank you for looking after him the past few days Hokage-sama, but I'll be taking him home now." Replied Mikoto, making both elders frown at hearing this.

"I'm afraid you can't do that Mikoto. Due to Naruto's status, he cannot be seen favoring a single clan, he would be required to put the safety of the entire village above all else." The Sandaime said, making the Uchiha raise a brow.

"And I'm afraid you can't stop me. I was made Naruto's legal guardian should anything happen to his parents, along with Minato unfortunately being dead as well. So, I am responsible for him, no matter what his status or position is." Mikoto stated.

"And how would we know you aren't just planning to use the Jinchūriki to finish what happened two days ago?" Retorted Danzō while looking at her with narrowed eyes, with Mikoto looking at him coldly as her Sharingan activated.

"Because, despite what you enjoy believing, no one in the Uchiha Clan was responsible. In fact, I recall you making sure the Uchiha Clan was kept away from the battlefield and the Kyūbi, so thank you for that alibi Danzō. And before either of you even think of saying anything, let me remind you that Naruto has Uchiha blood, so by right he's a member of the Uchiha Clan. Therefore, you both have no say in whether I take him or not, as that would be interfering in Clan Matters. So, I'll be taking my godson home and you can't stop me." Mikoto stated before exiting the office, while smiling at her godson, who had woken up showing his purple eyes just like his mother's.

While leaving both elders frowning at this, while Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at Danzō at what Mikoto first said, that he kept the Uchiha Clan away from the battlefield.

Knowing it was just one other thing he'll be looking into, and something told the Sandaime that list will only growing further over the years.

*Timeskip-Eight Years*

Eight years have passed since the Kyūbi Incident, with things having slowly gone back to normal, though with a noticeable tension between the Uchiha Clan and the rest of Konoha. Given how it's known that the Sharingan is capable of controlling the Kyūbi, many had begun pointing fingers at the Uchiha as being the ones responsible for the attack.

With things having only gotten worse when after three years, when Danzō had leaked the knowledge of Naruto's Jinchūriki status to the rest of the village. Leading to even worse relations with the Uchiha Clan, as people now started believing they were planning to unleash the Kyūbi again. Causing the Uchiha to be further discriminated and leaving them bitter at their treatment.

While Naruto grew up with a relatively normal life with his godmother and adopted family but had some trouble when his Jinchūriki status was leaked. With some of the Uchiha, like Yashiro Uchiha, even blaming and seeing him as a scapegoat for the discrimination. Though these Uchiha were few and far between compared to the rest of the clan, especially with his ties to the Clan Head's family. With Naruto also developing a close friendship, and mutual crush, on Fugaku and Mikoto's daughter, Satsuki Uchiha.

Naruto also grew up hearing about his parents from Mikoto, the Uchiha Matriarch telling him everything she knew about Kushina and Hiei. More so the former than the latter, given how his father was apparently a rather private person and mostly kept to himself, outside of a select few people.

However, there had been an incident after five years, when Naruto had been attacked by some villagers. Who's fear and hatred of Naruto being an Uchiha and the Kyūbi's Jinchūriki having spiked to the point, where they threw caution to the wind and attacked Naruto. Luckily, it was only an isolated incident, with the Sandaime and Uchiha Clan were able to put an end to things before it could become a bigger problem.

This incident also lead to Naruto awakening his Sharingan with beginning his training alongside Satsuki. With the two training together to learning the Grand Fireball Jutsu, a rite of passage all Uchiha took to be considered true adults in the clan. Along with both of them managing to master it, thanks to them pushing each other to be better and surpass the other.

In addition to that, Naruto also began training in his Sharingan and learning his father's speed-based fighting style, especially his Kenjutsu style, having heard that he was one of the fastest Ninja alive and a master at Kenjutsu. With some even believing he could teleport, only that Hiei was able to move fast enough to give the appearance he was teleporting.

Naruto had gotten some help in this from another Uchiha, one he came to see as an older brother like with Itachi, Shisui Uchiha, also known as Shisui the Teleporter. Who also had a reputation as a speed-based fighter and his mastery of the Shunshin. With Shisui having helped Naruto work on improving his speed to use his father's fighting style, along with helping him with his Sharingan as well.

So, while things could have been better, Naruto was happy with how his life has turned out so far, being able to grow up with a family and learning about his parents.

Unfortunately, things have recently begun taking a turn for the worse, as tensions were starting to grow between Itachi and the rest of the clan, which started ever since he entered the Anbu. Then when Shisui was found dead, apparently by suicide, though Itachi was suspected of having killed Shisui. Something that Naruto didn't want to believe but has noticed Itachi acting strangely and more distant than usual.

With the dual-haired boy also feeling that something bad is going to happen soon but wasn't sure what.

This leading to the current moment of Naruto and Satsuki rushing home, after a long day of training at the Academy.

"Naruto-kun slow down! Why did we have to leave all of sudden?!" Satsuki asked while running alongside Naruto, having been confused when her adopted brother/friend/crush decided to go home when they were in the middle of training.

"Sorry Satsuki-chan, I just think we needed to get home before it got too late. You know that Auntie Mikoto gets upset if we stay out and train for too long." Replied Naruto, while trying to shake off the bad feeling he's been getting all day.

Satsuki nodded slowly at this, since their mother, adopted mother in Naruto's case, did get upset if they stayed out too long without telling them.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the Uchiha Compound, only to be set on edge at seeing how empty and quiet it was.

"Did…did everyone already go to bed?" Satsuki said in confusion and worry, as it wasn't late enough to where everyone would be asleep by now, not to mention that there were no lights either.

"I don't know, let's just keep going." Naruto said as they continued forward back home, only to be shocked and horrified when they rounded a corner to see a gruesome sight.

Blood.

Blood, bodies, weapons, and so much death, the two kids seeing dozens of bodies lining the street with blood splattered everywhere, along with weapons stabbed into the walls and ground.

"Wh-what h-h-h-ha-hap-happened? Wh-wh-who c-c-co-could've d-d-d-do-do-done th-th-th-thi-this?" Naruto stuttered in horror at seeing so many dead bodies, having felt something bad was going to happen, but nothing like this.

"I-I-I d-d-don't kn-kn-know…" Said Satsuki, just horrified, only for her eyes to widen in fear.

"KAA-SAN! TOU-SAN!" Satsuki screamed, immediately taking off running to her home with Naruto right beside her, both of them worried and fearful for their parents, adoptive parents in Naruto's case, while hoping that they weren't dead as well.

The two running as fast as they could back home, not even bothering to take off their shoes when they arrived, only running through the house to try and find anyone still alive. Soon heading towards Fugaku's study and barging inside, only to be met with the sight of Itachi standing behind their parents, about to bring his sword down on them.

"NO!" Naruto and Satsuki shouted, causing Fugaku and Mikoto's eyes to widen in shock, not expecting them to be back already, while Itachi immediately tensed at the sudden, and unexpected intruders.

With his fighting instincts taking over and reacting, instead of bringing his sword down on his parents, he quickly turned and brought it down on to Naruto and Satsuki. Only realizing who they were too late, as he was unable to stop his swing. The two children looking in shock and betrayal that not only was Itachi the one responsible for massacring the other Uchiha, but also planned to kill their parents, and now was about to kill them.

But before they could be hit, Fugaku Shunshined right in front of them, pushing them off to the side, leading to him receiving a deep slash across his chest before falling to the ground.

"TOU-SAN!" Satsuki screamed in horror at seeing her father be murdered, while Naruto looked at the body in shock, his Sharingan subconsciously activating before looking up at Itachi, who locked eyes with him and activated his Mangekyō Sharingan.

"Tsukuyomi." Itachi said.

*Tsukuyomi World*

Naruto suddenly found himself in a black and white world with a red sky, with Itachi standing across from him.

"What a pity that you both had to arrive before I could finish. Though I suppose it makes no difference, I had no intentions of wasting my time killing you two as well." Itachi stated uncaringly.

"You…you killed them…you were going to kill Auntie Mikoto and killed Uncle Fugaku…" Muttered Naruto.

"Yes, though I'll be sure to finish the job once you and my foolish little sister are dealt with. Then you both may continue your sad, pathetic lives alone, knowing you weren't worth the effort to even kill. But I'll at least show you how everyone else suffered before I killed them." Said Itachi as he prepared to replay the massacre repeatedly.

Only for his eyes to widen in shock, when Naruto's head snapped up and glared at him, while his eyes were no longer a regular Sharingan, instead they now possessed a black swirl design.

"Mangekyō Sharingan?!" Itachi muttered in shock, not expecting that before he looked around as his Tsukuyomi began cracking, with Naruto letting out a scream causing the entire Genjutsu to shatter.

*Real World*

Itachi suddenly gasped in shock and pain, as he looked down to see a large pike of ice protruding from his chest.

'Wh-what…' Itachi thought, not understanding what just happened, before looking at Naruto seeing the boy glaring at him with his Mangekyō Sharingan and his hand outstretched.

'H-Hy-Hyōton…h-h-ho…' Thought Itachi, wondering how Naruto could have the Hyōton Kekkei Genkai, before slumping on the pike as the last of his life had left him.

With Naruto soon passing out from the strain of what he just did, with Mikoto and Satsuki rushing to his side.

"K-Ka-Kaa-san, wh-wh-wh-what h-h-ha-hap-happened?!" Questioned Satsuki in horror and hysteria, with Mikoto looking at her sadly before wrapping an arm around her daughter.

"I promise I'll explain everything Satsuki-chan. But right now, it's not safe for any of us to stay in Konoha anymore, we need to get out of here and fast." Said Mikoto, before biting her thumb and going through handsigns, placing her hand on the ground, causing a puff of smoke to appear.

Though rather than a summon appearing, it was instead a seal, a special seal that Kushina had developed and given to Mikoto and Fugaku to seal away the Uchiha Compound in an emergency.

'For once, I'm grateful for how out of the way the compound is from the rest of the village.' Mikoto thought, before picking up Naruto, knowing they can get away while the compound seals itself away and she can resummon it, once they're somewhere safe and far away.

"Satsuki-chan, do you need me to carry you or will be able to keep up?" Mikoto asked, as Satsuki stood up on shaky legs.

"I-I c-ca-can k-ke-keep up, K-Kaa-san." Replied Satsuki, with Mikoto nodding, before motioning her to follow her as they escaped from the compound and began moving away from Konoha.

*Later*

By the time, the Hokage and Danzō arrived, the only thing they found where the Uchiha Compound once stood was a barren landscape, with even the corpses having all mysteriously vanished. The only sign that the Uchiha Massacre did happen, was the heavy scent of blood in the air, as scent that both veteran Shinobi were quite familiar with.

"Danzō, what have you done?!" Demanded Hiruzen, while glaring at his former teammate.

"For once Hiruzen, I had nothing to do with this. Perhaps Itachi had a change of heart and instead helped his clan escape. Merely showing that we should have simply wiped them all out in one fell swoop." Danzō retorted, believing Itachi had something to do with the compounds sudden disappearance.

"Do not play games with me, Danzō! I can smell the scent of blood, as well as your involvement in this! If this is your attempt at trying to get your hands on Naruto again, I will kill you right now!" Threatened Sarutobi, making Danzō scowl and narrow his eyes at him.

"As I said Hiruzen, I had nothing to do with this." Said Danzō.

"You best hope that's true, because if I find out you're lying, it will be the last time Danzō. You're only alive due to our past friendship, though as of this moment the Foundation is hereby disbanded, along with your position in Konoha's Council being revoked, but this is your final warning. The next time you step so much as a toe out of line, I'll have your head." Sarutobi warned, before looking back at the empty space, where the Uchiha Compound once stood.

'Damnit, I had hoped to hold off on using Kotoamatsukami for a more urgent matter. But I had to use it, otherwise Hiruzen very well would have killed me.' Thought Danzō, having had to subtly use Kotoamatsukami on the Sandaime, sensing he likely was going to kill him if he didn't, but not without losing his position in Konoha's Government.

Thankfully, he was able to buy himself some time, but now to plan out his next move and find out what exactly happened here.

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on who you ask, even with his Sharingan arm enhanced by Hashirama's cells helping to cut back on the recharge time for Kotoamatsukami. Danzō would soon learn that he should have just taken the swift death that Hiruzen would have given him. As the warhawk had forgotten one person, who had no hesitations or restrictions in wanting to see his head removed from his body.

*Hospital*

Meanwhile, in a secure and guarded room within the hospital, Kushina's eyes snapped open, before she sat up.

"I get the feeling; I'm going to be murdering someone very soon and very painfully." Kushina muttered as her eyes flashed red, feeling she's been asleep longer than expected and a lot has happened while she was gone.

And something told her, she wasn't going to be very pleased by what she hears.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we get a familiar scene playing out of Minato sealing the Kyūbi into Naruto, though with several differences, the first being the Yang-half is sealed back into Kushina, saving her life, and the Yin-half into Naruto, while Minato is instead Naruto's godfather rather than his father. With Naruto's father revealed to be Hiei Uchiha (Hiei from "Yu Yu Hakusho"), who died after being setup by Danzō, though not before giving his eyes to Kushina to pass on to Naruto should he ever awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. Along with Naruto being taken in by his godmother Mikoto, both as his legal guardian that he's a member of the Uchiha Clan, and with Kushina currently stuck in a coma. Leading to Naruto having a somewhat normal childhood, aside from some problems, is able to grow up with people who care about him. Only for things to take a turn for the worse when Shisui is found dead, followed by the Uchiha Massacre, with Naruto and Satsuki arriving before Itachi can kill their parents, only for Fugaku to die after protecting the two when Itachi reacted on instinct to the intruders. Leading to Naruto awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan, breaking free of Tsukuyomi when Itachi tries using it on him, before another revealing another surprise when he awakens his Hyōton, taking Itachi by surprise and killing him. With Mikoto then sealing away the Uchiha Compound and escaping with her children, while Danzō is forced to use Kotoamatsukami on the Sandaime to save his life, not knowing he's now on borrowed time with Kushina waking up from her coma. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out

Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre and Kushina waking up from her coma. With Naruto and Satsuki learning some secrets and Kushina learning what's happened to her son and loved ones. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

Satsuki and Mikoto looked over the burning bodies of their clansmen with downcast expressions, the two Uchiha currently standing on top of an Uchiha Clan Stronghold. One of several that the Uchiha had set up during the Warring States Era, which is where they had gone after escaping from Konoha. The stronghold was built on top of, and on the inside of, a terraced mountain, with a vast forest built on each level.

After they had arrived and gotten somewhat settled into the stronghold, the two had set up a large pyre to cremate all the deceased Uchiha. But not before Mikoto had removed Itachi's eyes and the eyes of her sister and Satsuki's aunt, who had awakened her own Mangekyō Sharingan during the Third Shinobi War. With Mikoto having awakened her own Mangekyō Sharingan, after Kushina fell into a coma after the Kyūbi Attack.

Once the process was complete, they gathered up all the ashes and scattered them across the area surrounding the stronghold, with Satsuki turning to her mother once they were finished.

"Kaa-san, can you please tell me what happened? Wh-why did I-Ita-Itachi k-ki-ki-k-ki-kill ever-ev-eve-everyone? Why did we have to leave the village?! Why did any of this happen?!" Satsuki asked while getting choke up at remembering the fact Itachi was the one who massacred their clan, before becoming slightly hysteric at wondering why this all happened in the first place.

"Satsuki-chan, I promise I'll tell you everything, but only after Naruto-kun wakes up. As both of you deserve to know why this happened." Assured Mikoto while hugging her daughter, calming her down a little as Satsuki nodded in response, also worried about her adopted brother, who hasn't woken up yet after what happened.

The mother-daughter duo went back inside the stronghold, going to the room where they had placed Naruto in to rest and wait for him to wake up. Though they stopped, when they noticed something glowing on Naruto's body, immediately rushing up to make sure he was okay. Before seeing that it was a seal that was glowing on his body, confusing them at where it could have come from.

"Kaa-san, what's that?" Satsuki asked, looking at her mother, wondering if she knew what the seal was, Mikoto looking at the seal closely.

"It's a…Storage Seal? One that's been set to release whatever's inside, at a certain point in time." Answered Mikoto, confused as to who could have put this on Naruto and for what reason, before she channeled Chakra into the seal to release whatever it contained.

Only to be surprised when it was a container appeared from it, one that held a pair of Sharingan eyes, with the Uchiha Matriarch soon realizing what they were and who they belonged to.

'You both made sure your son would be ready, didn't you, Kushina, Hiei.' Mikoto thought, knowing these were Hiei's eyes and why they were unsealed now of all times.

"Come Satsuki-chan, let's leave Naruto-kun to rest. Besides, we need to get started on your own training as well, in using your eyes." Said Mikoto, while looking at Satsuki, having seen that her own Sharingan had awoken as well after the massacre, with the girl nodding, while giving her brother one last look before they left the room.

*Timeskip-One Day*

Naruto gasped as he shot up with a jolt, remembering what had happened as the memories came back to him. Finding everyone dead, him and Satsuki running home only to find Itachi about to kill their parents, or adoptive parents in Naruto's case, before he then tried killing him and Satsuki before Fugaku to pushed them out of the way and was killed instead. After that Naruto, only remembered looking at Itachi before he was suddenly impaled on an ice pike, then everything went black.

'Where am I?! How did I get here?! Where're Satsuki-chan and Aunt Mikoto?!' Naruto thought, not recognizing where he was, while worried for his sister and godmother.

"Naruto-kun, Naruto-kun! Calm down, it's alright, you're safe." Said Mikoto, while putting a hand on his shoulder, with Naruto looking at her and calming down at the sight of her.

"A-Aunt Mikoto? Wh-where are w-we? Wh-where's S-Satsuki-chan?" Naruto asked, worried for his adoptive sister/friend/crush when he didn't see her as well.

"I'm actually a clone the original left to keep an eye on you, for when you woke up. And Satsuki-chan is fine as well. Come on, I'll take you two them." The clone replied, with Naruto nodding as he got out of bed and followed the Shadow Clone out of the room.

The clone lead Naruto outside of the stronghold, into the surrounding forest on the top terrace, where they soon found Satsuki and Mikoto training. The latter helping her daughter with mastering her newly awakened Sharingan, before they both suddenly stopped when the clone dispelled, transferring the memories back to Mikoto. With both Uchiha immediately turning to see Naruto awake, the two rushing over and hugging him, relieved to see he was awake.

"Naruto-kun! Thank Kami you're alright, we were worried after what happened." Mikoto said in relief at seeing her godson was awake.

"I-I'm glad you're alright and awake Naruto-kun." Said Satsuki, relieved that Naruto was awake and was fine after what happened.

"I'm glad you're both safe too, and sorry for worrying you both." Naruto replied as he returned the hug, glad that both of them are alright and safe.

With the three soon separating, with Naruto and Satsuki looking at Mikoto, both of them wishing to finally get some answers.

"Aunt Mikoto, what happened? Where are we? And why…why did Itachi do that?!" Said Naruto, wanting to know what happened and why Itachi massacred the Uchiha Clan, something that Satsuki also wanted to know, now that her brother was awake, making Mikoto gain a solemn expression.

Knowing it wouldn't be easy for them to hear, but also knew that they deserved to know the truth, after everything that happened and everything they saw.

"It's a long story, one going all the way back to when Konoha was first founded. While you both have seen that things between Konoha and Uchiha Clan were tense, especially in regards to you Naruto-kun. But the truth of the matter, is that Konoha has always feared and distrusted the Uchiha Clan, ever since Madara Uchiha went rogue and fought Hashirama with the Kyūbi under his control. Showing everyone just how powerful our eyes could truly be if they can control the Bijū. Even more so if we unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan. A level of the Dōjutsu that can only be unlocked at the feeling of great lost or intense emotional trauma, if not both, when their Sharingan is fully matured." Mikoto explained, shocking the two children at hearing this.

"It was also during the reign of the Nidaime Hokage, that he took steps to ensure the Uchiha Clan had no say in how Konoha was ran or ruled. The main step being the creation of the Military Police Force, putting the Uchiha in charge of keeping the peace in the village, something that seemed like a great honor and a sign of trust on paper. But it also made it so they couldn't be biased or have any say in Konoha's government, along with keeping our emotions in check and away from the battlefield, where it'd be less likely for us to experience the necessary pain to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, or even prevent us from awakening the Sharingan entirely. Along with even assigning a select unit of Anbu to keep an eye on us, should we do anything to "threaten" Konoha's safety. This continued as the tension between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan grew over the years, leading the clan to grow resentful of how the village they helped founded and served loyally had been treating them. Even going as far as to cover up any great deeds and accomplishments that the Uchiha Clan did for the village." Said Mikoto, before taking a breath and continued.

"It was after the Third Shinobi War and the Kyūbi Attack, that the tension reached its worst. When your mother, Naruto-kun, Kushina married into the Uchiha Clan, due to her status as the Kyūbi Jinchūriki and one of the last surviving members of the Uzumaki Clan. Along with how Fugaku had been passed up on the chance to become the Yondaime Hokage, despite being recognized as a Shinobi on par with your godfather, Minato Namikaze, just because of the clan he was born into. Even when he had unquestionable loyalty and love for the village, to the point that he tried acting as a mediator and peacekeeper between Konoha and the Uchiha Clan for a while. And finally the Kyūbi Attack itself, which the Uchiha Clan were forbidden from aiding the village in, while also being blamed for the Kyūbi Attack happening in the first place, since it's common knowledge that the Sharingan can control the fox." Mikoto said, much to their shock.

"Then why did this happen?! Why did Itachi kill everyone?!" Said Satsuki, wanting to know why Itachi massacred their clan, when they were nothing but loyal to Konoha, with even her father using his position as Clan Head to try to keep the peace between the clan and village.

"Because the clan had finally had enough and were planning a coup d'état, one that Fugaku initially hadn't agreed with and tried convincing the others to not go through with it. But it was after he received some information from Yashiro Uchiha, that he finally agreed to go through with the coup." Mikoto revealed, shocking the two children further at hearing this.

"What information?" Naruto asked, with Mikoto shrugging in response.

"I'm not sure, but whatever it was, it was enough to convince him. Along with his already existing fear and worry about how the two of you and Itachi would be treated by the village, simply because of what clan you were born into. With the attempt on your life, three-years ago, probably not helping matters Naruto-kun, since it only validated Fugaku's fears and concerns. All of this lead to Itachi and Shisui becoming double agents for the village, hoping to try and prevent the coup from happening by finding a peaceful solution. But Fugaku and I suspected that Itachi may end up wiping out the clan, especially after Shisui's death." Said Mikoto, while Naruto and Satsuki looked at her in shock and horror.

"Th-that's w-w-wh-why…" Satsuki stuttered, remembering how her parents had just been sitting down while Itachi prepared to kill them, as if fully expecting this and not bothering to fight back.

"We hoped you both wouldn't be home, until much later." Mikoto said sadly, knowing it may seem cruel, but she'd prefer it if Naruto and Satsuki didn't have to see any of them die and Itachi would have left by then.

All while Naruto and Satsuki were horrified by everything they just learned, along with a deep resentment for Konoha being born inside of them. At how the Uchiha Clan had been mistreated and essentially turned into a self-fulfilling prophecy to be destroyed. And while they won't ignore the fact the Uchiha were planning a coup, something that they were wrong to do. They also won't ignore how they wouldn't have been pushed to such extremes, if not for how Konoha had treated them.

If they were so afraid of another Madara Uchiha rising to destroy Konoha, why did they treat them like that in the first place?! Why not treat them with kindness, respect, and love to encourage them to be loyal?! Instead, only seeing them as traitors and pushing them to the point where they can just say that they were always "right" about them being traitors!

Even with them knowing the truth about Itachi, it only intensified their resentment and disillusionment towards him, that he became nothing but a sheep for a corrupt village. As while they could understand taking out those that fully supported the coup, what about those that didn't. The men, women, and children that weren't even aware of the coup or those that were reluctant to join, but felt they didn't have a choice, with how the current government treated them.

"I'm sorry you both had to find out all this, this way." Said Mikoto, not wanting her children to learn all this, especially after what happened, having preferred if they found out when they were older and more willing to make their own decisions.

Now though, it's likely the villages actions have made their decisions for them.

"It…it's fine Kaa-san, we probably would have found out eventually, no matter what happened. But what about Naruto-kun? How did he make that ice appear, like it was Ninjutsu?" Satsuki asked, getting Naruto's attention as they both looked at Mikoto, curious of how he was capable of using ice-based Ninjutsu.

"That was something known as Hyōton, a Sub-Element based around manipulating ice and snow. Something that others can do by mastering their Water and Wind Affinities, while combining them together. But most people would only be able to manipulate pre-existing ice and snow. But what Naruto-kun did, creating it out of nothing and with no prior training, means that it's likely a Kekkei Genkai that he has. With the Hyōton being the Kekkei Genkai of the Yūki Clan, in the Land of Water. I'm not sure how Naruto-kun could have it, but my guess is that either Kushina wasn't a pure-blooded Uzumaki or Hiei wasn't a pure-blooded Uchiha, with one of their ancestors being a Yūki Clan member that married into the Uzumaki Clan or Uchiha Clan." Explained Mikoto, while wondering which of them could have been descended from the Yūki Clan, with the two children being amazed at hearing Naruto's descended from three different clans.

"Where's the Yūki Clan now? Would they be able to help me learn to use the Hyōton?" Questioned Naruto, only for Mikoto to sigh and shake her head.

"Unfortunately, it wouldn't be a good idea to go to the Land of Water. As a civil war is currently being waged there, along with what's known as the Bloodline Purges, where they've been wiping out any and all clans or Ninja that possess Kekkei Genkai. With the Yūki Clan being among the ones nearly wiped out, while even being seen as "cursed" by both the loyalists and rebellion. If we did go there to try and find any Yūki Clan survivors or anything left behind by them to help you train in your Hyōton, Naruto-kun, then we'd need to be careful." Mikoto warned, knowing if they went there, they'd need to be careful.

With Naruto and Satsuki traded an uneasy look, before turning back to Mikoto and nodded in understanding.

*Konoha*

Meanwhile, back in Konoha, Kushina was currently in the process of brutally murdering Danzō, Homura, and Koharu. While the former's ROOT Anbu guards laid on the ground around them, having already been ripped apart when they got in her way. With the three elders currently being bound by her Chakra Chains, sealing away their Chakra and leaving them helpless to Kushina's nonexistent mercy.

"You know, the first thing I wanted to do when I woke up, was get the chance to finally see my son, my goddaughter, and my best friend. To see how they were doing, and make sure the children were growing up alright. The second thing I wanted to do was then hunt down and murder the three of you, so I wouldn't have to deal with you fossils anymore. But after everything that's happened, you just got bumped up to number one on my to-do list." Said Kushina with a dark smile, while remembering her meeting with the Sandaime, not too long ago.

*Flashback*

Kushina looked at Sarutobi with an unamused expression, as he filled her in on everything that had happened since she fell into a coma. And he did tell her everything, knowing if he withheld even the slightest piece of information, then Kushina would simply find out for herself what he's keeping from her, in a way that would lead to a lot of bodies being left in her wake.

Once he had finished, Hiruzen wouldn't deny he was incredibly nervous with how Kushina just looked at him blankly, the only indication of what she was feeling being her eyes flashing red every so often.

"You are honestly nothing but a weak, pathetic old man, whose just a shadow of the man I once respected. Given from what you've told me, you had the chance to end all of this before it could even begin, by killing that damn warhawk when he tried assassinating you! Instead, you didn't, and now look at what's happened! The clan I married into is now destroyed, with my best friend, my goddaughter, and my son now being who knows where, if not dead as well!" Kushina shouted with her eyes turning blood red with slit pupils at the center before she stood up and marched towards the door.

"Kushina, what are you doing?!" Said Sarutobi in worry.

"To do what you've been too weak to do and put Danzō in the fucking ground, in as many pieces as I can!" Retorted Kushina, only stopping when several Anbu jumped down around her, ready to draw their weapons with the Sandaime joining them.

"I can't let you do that, Kushina. It won't change anything, except causing more problems than Konoha needs." Sarutobi said, knowing he couldn't let Kushina kill Danzō.

"Nobody let's me do anything; I do whatever the hell I want. Kind of like this." Kushina said before slamming her hand on the wall, causing a seal to spread out over the entire room, with the Anbu and Hokage suddenly finding themselves unable to move a muscle.

"Paralysis Seal, but don't worry, it'll wear off in an hour or two at the very least. Enough time for me to kill the warhawk and anyone that gets in my way, but not before having my fun in making them scream." Said Kushina while smiling sadistically as she went to leave again.

"Kushina! If you do this, you will be labelled a Missing-Nin, you'll be betraying Konoha! And with Naruto and the Uchiha Clan gone, we need you more than ever, due to you containing half of the Kyūbi inside of you and being the last known survivor of the Uzumaki Clan! If you leave, the village will be without a Jinchūriki!" Warned Hiruzen, hoping that could get her to stop, only for the Uzumaki woman to look at him coldly.

"I miss the part where that's my problem. And Konoha betrayed me first, long before this. First, when Danzō set up Hiei to go and assassinate several important individuals in Kumogakure's government and military, only to ambush him with his ROOT Anbu. And now again, with the destruction of the Uchiha Clan, the clan I married into when Hiei and I got married. Something that's now lost me my son, my goddaughter, and my best friend!" Kushina shouted while glaring at the Hokage.

"I tried being a loyal Ninja of Konoha, to live up to Mito's memory and honor her legacy. To be grateful to the village for taking me in after Uzushiogakure was destroyed by several other nations, all just because they feared our mastery of Fūinjutsu. But it seems recently, this village just keeps betraying me again and again, squandering the loyalty and gratitude I've had for this damn village!" Said Kushina while letting out all the anger and resentment that's been building up, since the first time Konoha betrayed her loyalty.

"As for the Kyūbi, Konoha's survived in the past without being reliant on a Bijū, so I'm sure they can survive without being reliant on one now. And if not, then I guess the village isn't as strong as everyone likes to believe. Now if you excuse me, I have a warhawk and a pair of vultures to kill, along with taking back everything that belongs to my clan." Said Kushina before taking her leave, leaving the Hokage and Anbu frozen until the seal wore off.

*End Flashback*

"And for the record, I'd make this last a lot longer, but I honestly have more important things to do than waste my time on you three any longer than I need to." Said Kushina, before her chains lifted Koharu into the air and turned her upside down.

The redhead then had two chains wrap around Koharu's legs before pulling them apart, but not stopping there as they continued pulling. The elder crying out in pain as the chains began ripping her in half. Kushina making it so they did so as slowly as possible, wanting the old hag to feel every second of her body being ripped in half.

The worst part being that Kushina had placed seals on all of them, ensuring the only way they die is from their hearts being ripped out or their heads being cut off. Making it so even when half of Koharu's body was ripped open, she stayed alive. Even when her organs began falling out and blood splattered everywhere, until finally with one jerk, the chains fully ripped her in half before tossing both halves across the room.

Kushina then turned her attention to Homura, walking up to the next elder and grabbed his head.

"Pl-ple-" Homura said in an attempt to beg for his life, only to scream in agony when Kushina jammed her thumbs into his eyes, only made worse when she channeled Fire Chakra through them.

"You really thought begging would help?" Kushina asked in amusement, even as she twisted Homura's head around, even when his neck snapped, he still didn't die as she twisted it all the way around his body.

After his head had fully rotated, Kushina brutally ripped it off his body, with the spine still attached.

"Then…there was one." Stated Kushina dropping Homura's head and turning to Danzō, who could only glare at the Uzumaki, unable to say anything after she cut his tongue out with a heated kunai, not interested in hearing any empty threats or pointless drivel from the warhawk.

Only interested in him finally being dead.

"But before that, this doesn't belong to you." Kushina said, ripping away his bandages and taking out Shisui's eye, along with cutting off the Mokuton-infused arm, seeing all the Sharingan implanted into it.

"I'm just gonna take a wild guess and say you got this from Orochimaru, since honestly, you aren't smart enough to make something like this." Said Kushina, while sealing the eye and arm away.

With that done, Kushina had spikes appear on the chains binding Danzō, stabbing them through his body, before she ripped the warhawks body into pieces with a swift pull.

'Now to collect everything belonging to my clan and return to Uzushiogakure.' Kushina thought, planning to return to her clan's village to rest and recover her strength, since she still spent nearly a decade in a coma, and it'd be a while before she's back to a hundred percent.

The only reason she was able to do what she did right now, was thanks to her Adamantine Sealing Chains and enhancing her body with the Kyūbi's Chakra to make up for its current state.

But once she is, Kushina had every intention to find where Naruto, Satsuki, and Mikoto were, refusing to lose the chance to see them again, if they are still alive. And anyone that gets in her way will learn just how merciless she can be.

By the time Hiruzen arrived with some Anbu and Jōnin, Kushina was long gone and saw that he was far too late to stop her.

"Can we track Kushina's scent to find out where she's going?" Sarutobi asked, looking at the Aburame and Inuzuka he brought, only for them to shake their heads.

"Our insects can't seem to pick up any scent belonging to Kushina, nor can they feel any of her Chakra." Said an Aburame.

"The same with us and our Ninken, the only thing we smell is the blood. And even that doesn't extend beyond this area, like it just cuts off past the bodies." An Inuzuka added.

"I'm afraid he also can't see traces of her Chakra or sense which direction she went, Hokage-sama." Said a Hyūga as they looked around with their Byakugan, with the Nara and Yamanaka's shaking their heads as well, not sensing Kushina's Chakra or seeing any hint of a trail.

'Damnit.' Sarutobi thought, having hoped to have something they could use to follow Kushina, but he also should have expected this, given she is an Uzumaki.

It wouldn't be surprising, if she had a seal that would prevent them from being able to track her. If anything, it would have been child's play for Kushina.

*Timeskip-Two Weeks*

*Land of Water*

Within the Land of Water, a young girl was kneeling on the ground by the corpse of her mother, while a small mob of villagers stood around her.

"T-Tou-san, pl-pl-ple-please." The girl begged, looking at the leader of the mob, her own father, with tears in her eyes.

"Shut it demon! You're no child of mine, you and that demon bitch have been lying about what you really are! Now you'll pay, just like she did!" Spat the man, glaring hatefully at the girl, who flinched in fear and pain at his words.

"Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing to her?!" Someone shouted, a young boy from the voice, causing the mob to turn to where it came from, only to see Naruto glaring at them.

"Why are you attacking her?! And what did you do you her mother?!" Demanded Naruto, angry at seeing these people attacking a defenseless girl and even killing her mother.

"This isn't a girl, they're nothing but Bloodline Demons! I saw her use her accursed Kekkei Genkai, and I'm gonna do what should be done to everyone like them! The demon that tricked me into marrying her has already been dealt with, now we're dealing with the one she tricked me into creating!" Said the girl's father, the mob shouting in agreement with his words, making Naruto scowl at realizing the guy wasn't only the woman's wife, but the girl's father as well.

That he'd actually kill his own wife and was about to kill his daughter as well, giving Naruto flashbacks to Itachi, with how he betrayed and murdered their clan and family.

"Then you're all nothing, but idiots!" Naruto yelled, silencing the mob as they now glared at him.

"What did you say boy?! If you're going to defend a demon, then you'll share its fate and die!" One of the mob shouted, the others voicing their agreement, refusing to tolerate anyone supporting "demons", no matter who they are.

"If you didn't hear me, then I guess you're also complete retards, as well as idiots then! Because the only demons I see, are you people!" Shouted Naruto as he activated his Sharingan, much to the crowds shock.

"He's a demon just like the girl!"

"Look at his eyes, he has a cursed power like her!"

"She summoned another demon to try and stop us!"

"Kill both of the demons!"

The mob turned their attention towards Naruto and prepared to attack him, only for them all to make their last mistake.

They looked into his eyes.

"Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes." Naruto said trapping the entire mob inside the Genjutsu, all of them immediately crying out in agony as they were pulled into the illusionary world, with the feeling of large stakes being stabbed into their bodies.

Not only immobilizing them, but also inflicting a large amount of pain on them as well.

Before all of them were immediately silenced as large spears of ice shot out of the ground and killed nearly the mobs, except for one. With the girl being shocked at the sight of the ice, seeing this boy had the same power she did. Along with the sole survivor of the mob, the girl's father, who Naruto bound with his Chakra Chains, forcing him on knees with his hands bound behind his back.

"Wa-wa-wait! Pl-pl-pl-ple-ple-plea-please, d-d-d-do-do-don-don't k-ki-kill m-m-me!" The man begged, terrified at how quickly the roles were reversed, with him now being at the mercy of both Naruto and his daughter.

"I'm not going to kill you, because I'm not the one who gets to judge you. The daughter you betrayed and tried to murder, will be the one to do that." Said Naruto while looking at the girl, much to his horror and the girl's surprise.

"Pl-pl-ple-please, s-sw-sw-sweetheart, i-i-it's m-m-me-me, T-T-To-Tou-Tou-san! Y-yo-you w-w-wouldn't h-hu-hurt m-m-me? We-w-w-we're f-f-fa-family." The man stuttered, hoping that will stop her from killing him and let him go.

Let him go straight to Kirigakure and let them know what's happened here, so they can kill these abominations.

With the girl looking at him with narrowed eyes, angry and infuriated that he'd dare say they were family, after he formed a mob to help kill her mother, his own wife, and planned to kill her. All because of something they were born with and had no choice in having. But now that the tables have been turned, he's begging for his life, even daring to use the familial bond and love that he betrayed to save himself.

"You said it yourself, I'm not your daughter and you're not my Tou-san." Said the girl before picking up the same weapon the bastard used to kill her mother, refusing to think of him as her father ever again.

The girl then stabbed the blade into his body slowly, subconsciously using her Hyōton, channeling Chakra through the weapon and into his body. Causing the man to scream in pain and agony, as he was slowly frozen from the inside out. Feeling the ice spreading through his body and freezing his blood, his bones, his organs, everything until he could only let out a choking sound. Before ice sprouted from his mouth, with his body soon shattering, killing him.

Though soon, her anger and adrenaline began fading away, causing the girl to cry as everything that happened began sinking in. With Naruto looking at her sadly, before hugging her, letting her cry into his chest.

"I'm sorry this happened, you didn't deserve to go through something like this. And I know what you're going through, since someone I thought I could trust killed my entire clan, including my adoptive father. Leaving only me, my adoptive sister and her Kaa-san, my godmother. So I know what it's like." Naruto said, as the girl cried before pulling back and wiping her eyes.

"Wh-who are you?" The girl asked, wanting to know the name of her savior.

"I'm Naruto Uzumaki. What's your name?" Asked Naruto while smiling at the girl, who tentatively returned it.

"Haku, my name is Haku." Haku introduced.

"It's nice to meet you Haku. And I know this is sudden, especially after what happened, but would you want to come with me, along with my adoptive mother and sister? Since you and I are both members of the Yūki Clan, and that's why my family's in the Land of Water to begin with. To try and find any Yūki Clan survivors or artifacts to help me master my Hyōton. And it'd be great if you could join us." Naruto said, surprising Haku at the offer, before she nodded in acceptance.

"I'd…I'd like that, Naruto." Replied Haku, wanting to be with her newfound family members, no matter how distantly related they could be, making Naruto smile happily that she'll join them.

With the two kids first burying Haku's mother, before leaving to reunite with Satsuki and Mikoto.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Naruto waking up, with Mikoto telling him and Satsuki everything that lead up to the Uchiha Massacre, resulting in them resenting Konoha for what they did to their clan. Along with how Naruto could have the Hyōton, that either Kushina or Hiei are descended from the Yūki Clan, resulting in him awakening it and killing Itachi. Then we go to Konoha where we see Kushina killing Danzō, Homura, and Koharu, along with a flashback to her learning everything that's happened, now refusing to stay loyal to a village that's betrayed her loyalty time and time again. With her killing all three as painfully as she could before leaving along with taking everything that belongs to her clan. Finally we go to the Land of Water where we see Haku about to be killed by her father and the mob he gathered, only for Naruto to arrive and save her, and letting her get justice for her mother and herself, before choosing to go with her newly discovered relative. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out

Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be getting a timeskip from when Naruto met Haku and she joined him, Satsuki, and Mikoto. Along with getting a look at some other places to see how things have changed since their departure. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

"Has there been any luck in locating the Kyūbi Jinchūriki?" Questioned Konan as she and Pein looked at "Madara" when he appeared in the telltale swirling distortion.

"Unfortunately, it would seem the Kyūbi Jinchūriki and my remaining clansmen are proving more tricky to locate than I originally believed." "Madara" replied, having had no luck in locating Naruto, Satsuki, or Mikoto since they left Konoha, making Konan and Pein frown at hearing this.

"It's already been almost five years. Even if the Uchiha Clan can no longer pose a threat to our plans, even if we ultimately lost Itachi as an asset. Our plan will be meaningless if we can't seal away the Kyūbi." Pein said, not liking that they've failed to locate the Kyūbi Jinchūriki in five years, having vanished from Konoha along with Itachi's mother and sister.

They had tried locating them after learning of them fleeing Konoha after the Uchiha Massacre, only for them to fail in locating them. The Akatsuki having done their best to locate the Jinchūriki, but so far have come up empty handed, something neither Pein nor Konan liked, given how long it's taking to find them.

"Relax Nagato, Konan, I'm having Zetsu searching for them. There were also the reports of them being seen in the Land of Water for a time, until they disappeared again. I can only guess they're keeping their heads down and remaining out of sight, making it so even Zetsu, along with Sasori's and Orochimaru's respective spy networks, are having trouble finding where they're hiding. But rest assured, they can't hide forever. Eventually, they'll reveal themselves and then we will be ready to track them down and capture the Kyūbi Jinchūriki." "Madara" said, seeing how annoying the difficulty in finding them is, especially after all this time, but also knowing they won't stay hidden forever and will reveal themselves eventually.

"Plus, from what Zetsu has told me, it seems Konoha has recruited a child containing a fragment of the Kyūbi's Chakra sealed within him. So, if it comes down to it, he will serve as a suitable substitute for our plans." Added "Madara", having made sure to have a backup plan in case they failed to locate Naruto, with Konan and Pein frowning at this.

"Will it be enough to power the statue?" Questioned Konan, since a fragment of the fox's Chakra wouldn't guarantee to be enough for the Gedō Mazō.

"If it's not, then it's even better that they're also attempting to revive the Gold & Silver Brothers with the Edo Tensei, in order to transfer their portions of the Kyūbi's Chakra into the boy, Sora is his name, to give him access to more of the Bijū's Chakra. And from what my spies have heard, the Sandaime is having Jiraiya working in creating an Artificial Kyūbi from the Chakra fragments possessed by all three. So, no matter what, we'll have a Kyūbi to seal within the statue, no matter if it's the original or an artificial one." "Madara" replied, only to see neither looked convinced at this plan, despite his own confidence.

"And what of the real Kyūbi's Jinchūriki? Five years have already passed since his disappearance with the two Uchiha. There's no telling how powerful him and Satsuki Uchiha could have grown as Ninja, in that amount of time. What happens if they do reveal themselves and are capable of controlling the Bijū themselves?" Pein said, knowing that with how long they've been in hiding, both children could have grown immensely as Ninja, especially when they're being trained by a Ninja of Mikoto Uchiha's caliber.

There was a reason that the Uchiha Clan felt an arranged marriage between her and Fugaku Uchiha would be beneficial. Something that was proven true with the birth of Itachi Uchiha, who was regarded as one of the strongest Uchiha alive at the time, alongside Shisui Uchiha. Perhaps even strong enough to give most of their Akatsuki's members a challenge, if not surpass them by now, if he hadn't died.

"Agreed. The fact the Jinchūriki was able to kill Itachi with his Hyōton, something he awakened at that very moment, and has also likely taken great strides in mastering, given their time in the Land of Water. Combined with his heritage, he could become a very dangerous threat to the Akatsuki. Perhaps even a threat that can rival you, Madara." Konan added, seeing how dangerous both Naruto and Satsuki could have become already, and how dangerous they'll be as they grow, train, and gain experience.

"Yes, I haven't forgotten. But it seems you both have forgotten that young Naruto caught Itachi off guard with the Hyōton, as how was he to know that the boy was also descended from the Yuki Clan. Nor would he have expected him to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan as well, breaking through his Tsukuyomi, stunning him long enough to be left open and killed." Reminded "Madara", aware that Naruto must have awakened his own Mangekyō Sharingan in order to break free of Itachi's Tsukuyomi.

"But I also understand your concern. After all, with the heritage of three powerful clans, Naruto Uzumaki could very well indeed rival myself and Hashirama." "Madara" said.

'After all, I did use to be the runt of the Uchiha Clan, only to be able to challenge Minato-sensei.' Thought Obito, knowing more than anyone of the growth rate and seemingly limitless potential of the Uchiha Clan.

It had only taken a few years training with the real Madara and being implanted with Hashirama's cells, before he was capable of keeping up with his, now late, teacher. While Naruto was descended from the Uzumaki, Uchiha, and Yūki Clans; even without being a Jinchūriki, he truly did have the potential to rival Madara and Hashirama.

"For the time being though, Sora is our primary target for sealing away the Kyūbi. But you are more than welcome to see it that Naruto is dealt with, should you find opportunity." Said Obito, preferring to focus on the target they'll be more likely to locate and capture, than the one that could potentially be able to kill anyone they send after him.

"And what about Kushina Uzumaki, she also possesses half of the Kyūbi inside her. Should we attempt to locate her as well, just in case?" Zetsu asked as he rose up from the floor.

"Our attempts to find Kushina have proven unfruitful, having found no sign of her when we've combed through Uzushiogakure. Given the fact she was raised there for a good portion of her life, combined with her knowledge of Fūinjutsu, it's not surprising we've failed to find her as well." Replied Obito, aware that trying to find Kushina in Uzushio would be like trying to find a needle in a village-sized haystack.

That's not even counting that with how long she's been awake, Kushina's also likely regained her former strength after being in a coma for so long, perhaps even surpassed it by this point. And Obito honestly wasn't sure if he'd stand a chance against her, not unless they brough the full wrath of the Akatsuki down on her. And even then, there's no guarantee they'd be able to capture her alive, or without suffering major casualties.

"Even still, we are aware of where she is hiding. It would be better to launch a full-scale attack on Uzushio, forcing her out of hiding to be captured until it's time to extract the Kyūbi from her." Stated Pein, preferring if they went with the genuine Kyūbi, even if it's only half, rather than risk sealing an artificially created one into the Gedō Mazō.

"Do that, and the only thing you'll get is most of our organization being wiped out, with no guarantee that she'd live or allow herself to be captured. Don't forget Nagato, everything the Yondaime Hokage knew about Fūinjutsu, he learned from her. Tell me how confrontation between us and an Uzumaki Fūinjutsu Master would end?" Obito retorted, aware that it'd only end in a massive failure and blow to the Akatsuki.

As despite being able to give his former teacher enough trouble to stall him, Minato was ultimately able to gain the advantage and break down how his Kamui worked. If it hadn't been for the Kyūbi attacking Konoha, then Obito knew he could have very well died that night.

"Which all goes back to the boy in Konoha." Konan stated with a frown.

"Correct. Whether you two like it or not, Sora is our best choice, especially since we need to capture and seal the Kyūbi last." Said Obito before nodding at Zetsu as the two departed, knowing the conversation was over.

*Land of Iron*

Meanwhile, within the snow-covered Land of Iron, Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku were currently in the middle of a special type of training, with all three of them currently in their underwear. This being an advanced training exercise for the Hyōton, allowing the users to become more use to the cold, along with getting better at manipulating snow and ice. With it also doubling as a training exercise for the Fire Affinity, which is why Satsuki was taking part in the training. As it helps convert Chakra into Fire Chakra and circulate throughout one's body to keep them warm, which also helps strengthen their Fire Ninjutsu when outside of the cold.

Though while they've made great strides in the exercise, it wasn't easy for them to focus. Given that Naruto and Satsuki were both twelve, going on thirteen, and Haku was fifteen, meaning all three of them were in the middle of puberty, along with all the hormones coming from it.

Making it difficult for Naruto to ignore how attractive Satsuki and Haku looked with their developing figures, along with their surprisingly large breasts. With Satsuki having a low C-cup and Haku having a high CC-cup, not helped further when they first started stretching and bending over, further showing off their figures. While the girls couldn't help but notice Naruto's own physique, seeing his muscles on full view for them to admire.

"It's uh…it's getting pretty late, m-maybe we should head back now." Naruto stated, given they'd already been out here training for the entire day, with them having learned to tell the time despite the constant snow and clouds.

Plus, he wasn't sure how much longer he could last seeing Satsuki and Haku in nothing, but their underwear.

"Y-yeah, it is getting late and Kaa-san will come after us, if we don't get home." Replied Satsuki, also finding it difficult to not look at Naruto.

"Agreed, M-Mikoto can b-be rather scary when she wants to be." Haku added, relieved they'll be going back as well.

The three went over and grabbed their clothes before getting dressed, with Naruto wearing black boots, black pants tucked into his boots, two white belts which he normally carries his sword with, a pale blue sleeveless shirt, and a black cloak-like jacket with a white collar; with the Uchiha Clan Symbol on the back, as well as the Yuki Clan Symbol and the Uzumaki Clan Symbol on the chest.

Haku was wearing a skintight, long-sleeved black bodysuit, black sandals that went partway up her calves, a light, icy blue open vest with a cloth hanging down between her legs with the Yūki Clan symbol, a matching blue sash wrapped around her right thigh, opera-length black fingerless gloves with blue designs.

And Satsuki was wearing a black and red bodysuit that was black along her inner legs, her abdomen, and the underside of her breasts, red on the outside of her thighs, her hips and sides, the sides of her breasts, and her upper chest, a black sash wrapped around her waist along with a black waist cape with the Uchiha symbol on it, detached black sleeves attached to fingerless black gloves, and multiple red straps wrapped around her forearms.

Once all three were dressed, they made their way back to the Uchiha Clan Compound, which they made sure to unseal it in a more barren and out of the way part of the country. With them soon arriving at the Clan Head House, where they met Mikoto who was just finishing up dinner, with the woman smiling at the three.

"You three are just in time, I was about to come get you for dinner. How did your training go?" Mikoto asked as they began setting the table before they sat down and began eating.

"It went pretty good. I've gotten really used to the cold now, so it doesn't even bother me anymore." Replied Satsuki, having stopped feeling the cold with how far she's come in manipulating her Fire Chakra.

"Yeah, we've actually reached the point where we can generate blue flames with our Fire Style Ninjutsu. Also, Haku-chan and I are getting better at manipulating the ice and snow; we've even started reaching the point, where we're able to create ice without needing to use Handsigns or jutsu." Naruto said, with Haku nodding in agreement, since they've made great strides in improving their Hyōton.

"That's really great you three, but don't forget to rest and relax every once in a while. Since while training and improving yourselves is good at the level you're all at, it doesn't hurt to take breaks." Said Mikoto, smiling proudly at how far they've come, both from training under her, on their own, and when they were able to go on missions to earn real experience.

And after five years, Mikoto could safely say all three of them were now at Elite Jōnin-to-low-Kage levels. The Uchiha Matriarch having made sure all three of her children, having come to see Haku as another daughter, were prepared and ready for anything and anyone they encountered.

"It'll also be good, given we'll be leaving the Land of Iron soon, so it's good you three have come far in your training here." Mikoto added since they've already been here for six months and it was close to them needing to leave.

"Will be locating Tsunade once we leave?" Questioned Naruto, since after they leave the Land of Iron they needed to find Tsunade so she could transplant his father's eyes into him, with her being the only Medic-Ninja skilled enough to do so and make sure he wasn't unable to see as his eyes healed.

While the only reason they've waited this long to find her, was due to the fact that Naruto's been using Shadow Clones in order to train his Mangekyō Sharingan. Allowing him to still train in the abilities it granted him, without fear of his eyesight deteriorating at a faster rate.

"Yes, but we'll also be taking more missions as well, ones that are more open than the ones we're used to." Replied Mikoto, since they've been taking missions, not only to give the three actual experience, but also as a form of income, with the missions being ones that couldn't be traced back to them.

"Does…that mean we'll be revealing ourselves soon?" Haku asked with some worry and hesitance, knowing that all of them will most likely have targets on their backs when they reveal themselves and their abilities.

"Yes, I know you three are hesitant about revealing ourselves, given it means we'll be getting a lot of attention. But we can't keep hiding forever, and it'll give you three chances to experience and see more of the world." Mikoto answered, given neither of the three have been able to do much besides interact with each other, train, and go on missions as a means to stay under the radar, not to mention setting up the compound in places that people barely visit to further avoid being found.

"And what if something happens? What if we're attacked or constantly hunted?" Questioned Satsuki, unable to deny she had some fear of losing her family again like during the Uchiha Massacre, not wanting to lose anyone again.

"Don't worry Satsuki-chan, nothing will happen to any of us. Besides, you three are stronger than most Ninja and by revealing ourselves, you'll only get more chances to grow and become even stronger. So, there's nothing to worry about, since we can handle anyone that comes after us." Assured Mikoto, knowing the four of them were stronger than most Ninja already, with only a handful being around that could give them trouble.

"I'd be fine with us revealing ourselves, since we'll be looking out for each other." Naruto stated, with Satsuki and Haku soon nodding in agreement, knowing they'll look after each other and take down anyone that cones after them.

With this making Mikoto smile, before they resumed eating.

Once they finished eating, the group sealed away the compound before Satsuki summoned a large hawk, having found the Hawk Summoning Contract during one their missions and took it for herself. With the four climbing onto it, before the hawk took flight away from the Land of Iron.

*Hokage's Office*

'This year's Genin Teams are looking to be promising ones.' Sarutobi thought, looking over the recent progress reports for three newest Genin Teams.

Team Ten consisting of Shino Aburame, Chōji Akimichi, and Ino Yamanaka under Asuma Sarutobi; Team Eight consisting of Hinata Hyūga, Kiba Inuzuka, and Sai, a former ROOT Trainee that'd been spared from Kushina's massacre, under Kurenai Yūhi; and Team Seven consisting of Shikamaru Nara, Sakura Haruno, and Sora under Kakashi Hatake.

So far, it looks like Teams Ten and Eight are coming along nicely in working together and growing stronger under their respective teachers. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said about Team Seven, something that made the Hokage sigh with each new report he got from the team.

'The three of them all have their own strengths, but those strengths also come with setbacks.' Hiruzen thought since the report was the same as the rest of the ones he's gotten.

Shikamaru, while intelligent and possessing a great Chakra Control and mastery of his Clan's Shadow Ninjutsu, he was also lazy and had zero drive to train. With it not happening that, with how he considers everything "troublesome" and having a mother like Yoshino Nara, he can come off as sexist. Which can put him into conflict with Sakura at times.

The thought of the Nara Matriarch made Hiruzen shudder, given how she could give even Tsunade and Kushina a run for their money with her temper, along with having a tendency to be rather strict and stern when pushing her son and husband to do something.

'Even to this day, it baffles me that she used be a famous Swimsuit Model, with a streak of being the cover girl 21 times.' Hiruzen thought, planning to give his copies to Konohamaru when he comes to age, given how those magazines are highly valuable collectors' items now, and Asuma has his own collection.

While with Sakura, ironically enough, she was the good one on the team, making many efforts to grow as a Kunoichi and to get along with her teammates. Unfortunately, the latter is a bit of a hassle, though she's been able to get along with Shikamaru at times, despite how his laziness and lack of tact can set her off.

'The real problem though, is Sora himself.' Thought Hiruzen, sighing again as his thoughts turned to the pseudo-Jinchūriki.

Sora was a problem child, to put it simply, with how he was treated poorly by the Fire Monks due to him having a portion of the Kyūbi's Chakra sealed inside him. Before he was then pawned off to Konoha, given they needed a Jinchūriki with the loss of Naruto and Kushina.

With Sora acting cold and hostile to everyone around him, even going out of his way to provoke people into attacking, just so he can fight them. Especially since the entire reason he was sent to Konoha was clear as day, they needed another weapon after losing their first two, with him being the "lucky" replacement. But despite these traits, he's shown to be a promising Shinobi, already having a mastery over his Wind Affinity, rivaling even his son's, and being able to go into the One-Tailed Cloak.

Unfortunately though, his lack of love for both his team and Konoha as a whole made him a flight risk, meaning if it came down to it, they'd need to find an Uzumaki survivor and extract the Kyūbi's Chakra from Sora, and put it in them.

'I can only hope it doesn't come to that; I truly hope so.' Hiruzen thought, hoping it doesn't come to that, not wanting to kill a child and condemn another.

Especially with how much Asuma cares about Sora, given he's the son of his former comrade and fellow Twelve Guardian Ninja member Kazuma. Who Asuma had been forced to kill him after he attempted to assassinate the Fire Daimyō and wanted to make up for it, by looking after his son.

Though despite how he may not want to, the Hokage might not have a choice in the end, not if Sora does anything to endanger the village.

Finally there was Kakashi, who while a great Shinobi and leader in the Anbu Black Ops, he had zero experience when it came to training Genin. Which is shown with how hands off he is with his team and focusing more on teamwork than their individual abilities.

'Perhaps I could see about Anko becoming a co-sensei, she'd be able to motivate Shikamaru to start training more, whether he wants to or not. She'd have plenty to teach Sakura and help her reach her potential as a Kunoichi. And perhaps even connect with Sora, due to their similar circumstances.' Sarutobi thought, knowing Anko has been wanting to have her own students, this could be a good test run for her to see how she'd do as a Jōnin Sensei.

And if the worst did happen, then he could have Anko take Sakura as an apprentice, while Shikamaru would either be Kakashi's apprentice or placed somewhere where his own talents would be of better use.

'A team that could potentially be the strongest, and yet it seems more like a disaster in the making.' Thought Sarutobi letting out a sigh, wondering if the team would have had a better chance if it contained different members.

This line of thought making the Sandaime's mind drift to the Uchiha Massacre; the disappearance of Naruto, Satsuki, and Mikoto; and Kushina awakening from her coma, before defecting from the village after killing Homura, Koharu, and Danzō. While Jiraiya has had no luck in locating any of them, as if they've all simply vanished into thin air.

'Strange, one moment you're on top of the world and the next you're just struggling to keep up an image of strength.' Hiruzen thought, knowing that despite the illusion they've been presenting, Konoha was no longer the strongest Hidden Village, due to all the losses they've suffered in recent years.

With the death of Hiei, the loss of Minato and the deaths of numerous Ninja during the Kyūbi Attack, then with the Uchiha Massacre and the loss of their Jinchūriki. In all honesty, Kumogakure is now likely the strongest Hidden Village in the Elemental Nations, given how they never truly demilitarized and had two Perfect Jinchūriki that could fully unleash their Bijū.

Which wasn't helped by the fact that Konoha was still technically at war with Kumo, which was why they attempted to form a peace treaty with them, to avoid any attack from them. Only for it to just be a plot to acquire the Byakugan, which ultimately lead to the death of Hizashi Hyūga, since Konoha wasn't in the state to enter an open war with Kumo.

'And if the reports are true, then Iwa is starting to get bolder and have begun building up their forces again, after Minato nearly wiped them out.' Sarutobi thought, letting out another sigh, since that's just another problem to the ever growing list.

If he were to rank the Hidden Villages; then Kumo would be at the top, Konoha and Iwa are fighting for second, then Suna, and Kiri in last due to the civil war they're currently in at the moment.

'The balance of power is shifting; it won't be long before the other villages began seeing it as well and that Konoha isn't as strong as we once were. And when that time comes, then the Fourth Shinobi World War will be on the horizon.' Thought the Hokage, wishing it wasn't true, but he had to accept that he may have to lead his village through another war, one they likely won't be coming out on top of this time.

The Sandaime was pulled from his grim musing when he saw Team Nine enter his office

"Team Nine here for another mission Hokage-sama!" Said Gai with a good guy pose.

"Ah good. I actually just received a new Mission Request, it's a C-Rank, so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to accomplish. Your mission is to escort the Bridge Builder Tazuna back to his home in the Land of Waves." Hiruzen replied, handing Gai the Mission Scroll, knowing it shouldn't take them long to complete the mission.

*With Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku*

Meanwhile, Naruto, Haku, and Satsuki were inside a Bounty Hunter/Mercenary Pub looking at the Mission Board to see what was available.

"How about this one." Haku suggested, pulling a request off the board, with Naruto and Satsuki looking at it.

"It's an assassination request, a rival company wants someone to take out Gatō of the Gatō Company, so they can claim his assets for themselves." Said Satsuki, reading the request and seeing what it was about.

"That sounds simple enough, and a good start to revealing ourselves. Plus, there should be a decent reward for a mission like this." Naruto said, Satsuki and Haku nodding in agreement, before taking the flier and exiting the pub to meet up with Mikoto and show her what mission they chose.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we get a look at the Akatsuki and they've been searching for Naruto, only to come up empty handed, along with how Orochimaru is still a member due to Itachi not joining and forcing him to leave. We also see that Sora has been taken to Konoha to act as their Jinchūriki in place of Naruto and Kushina, the latter of whom has been in Uzushio and hiding away from the Akatsuki while recovering her strength. Then we get a look at Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku seeing how the three have grown and what kind of training they're doing, along with how they've stayed under the radar, but know they'll be revealing themselves soon. Next we see Konoha and the new Rookie Nine Teams, with Team Seven now being made up of Sora, Shikamaru, and Sakura, all having their own problems which the Hokage has to accept the chance of having to deal with Sora, but hoping to fix it. Along with how Konoha isn't at the top anymore but is keeping up the illusion of strength, with the Hokage also accepting the chance of the Fourth Shinobi World War happening, before Team Nine arrives and are sent to the Land of Waves. Finally we see Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku are also going to the Land of Waves to assassinate Gatō. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out

Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing some changes with the Land of Waves, both with the different teams and the fact Zabuza doesn't have Haku with him this time around. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

Two days had passed since Team Nine had set out for the Land of Waves to bring Tazuna back home, only for them to quickly learn that the mission was more than just C-Rank. With them having been attacked by the Demon Brothers, Missing-Nin from Kirigakure, who had attempted to kill Tazuna, only for Gai to deal with them. Leading to Tazuna revealing that the true mission was to protect him and his bridge from Gatō. A corrupt businessman, who'd effectively taken over the Land of Waves and killed anyone that got in his way, while wanting Tazuna dead since his bridge would interrupt his business monopoly.

With Team Nine having agreed to continue the mission, both to help the Land of Waves and believing that Gatō should be taken care of.

Only for them to then encounter Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Mist and another Missing-Nin from Kiri. But while the swordsman proved to be a powerful opponent, Gai had been able to defeat him in the end. With the Ninja and their client then making it safely to Tazuna's home, where they met the bridge builders daughter Tsunami and grandson Inari.

Unfortunately, while the Demon Brothers and Zabuza were taken care of, there was still a solemn mood despite their victory, with only Tenten being excited at getting to keep Kubikiribōchō. While the others knew it was only a hollow victory, given once Gatō found out about Zabuza's death, he would only hire much stronger Ninja to kill Tazuna. So, they knew the fighting wasn't over yet and they'd have to be more prepared than ever for who Gatō will hire next.

Currently, Team Nine were sitting down with Tazuna's family having dinner, after a day of training and rotating between who was guarding Tazuna and the bridge.

"You're all going to die." Inari stated after remaining silent the entire time, getting everyone's attention.

"What was that Inari?" Lee asked, looking at the boy, only for Inari to look up and glare at the Ninja.

"You're all going to die and Gatō's going to kill you! It doesn't matter if you beat his Ninja, he'll just get more stronger ones that'll kill you! That's how it always is, the strong will always crush the weak! And none of you can beat Gatō!" Shouted Inari, making Gai, Lee, and Tenten look at him with wide eyes, while Tazuna and Tsunami looked at them apologetically.

"Then you're nothing but a fool." Said Neji, not looking phased at Inari's rant.

"What did you say?!" Inari demanded, glaring at the Hyūga.

"I said, you're nothing but a fool, if you believe something like that. Believing that the strong always win is foolish, the only thing that decides the victor is fate. It was Zabuza's fate to die against us, just like it will be the fate of anyone else Gatō hires. Because at the end of the day, everyone's fate is already decided from the moment they were born, when they die, what they will do, and who they will be. And from what I see, it was your fate to be nothing but a crying, pathetic fool." Neji said coldly, making Tazuna and Tsunami frown at him, while his teacher and teammates could only sigh.

"That's not true! No one is fated to die because…because…" Yelled Inari, only to trail off with tears in his eyes, making Tsunami get up and rub his back, knowing what he was thinking about.

"Because what, fool?" Neji questioned tauntingly.

"Because it would mean his step-father was fated to die the way he did!" Tsunami said, glaring at Neji for insulting her son and unknowingly her deceased husband, Kaiza.

"His step-father?" Tenten asked, hoping to change the conversation before her teammate said anything else.

"His name was Kaiza, and he was seen as hero here in the Land of Waves. He not only saved Inari from drowning, but also helped stop a flood, leading to Kaiza becoming a symbol of inspiration and protection to the people here. But when Gatō showed up, Kaiza tried standing up to him and make him leave the Land of Waves. In retaliation, Gatō had his men cut off Kaiza's arms and then publicly executed him in front of everyone, including Inari." Tazuna explained sadly, before looking at Neji with narrowed eyes.

"So, you saying that no matter what, Kaiza would have died that day." Said Tazuna, with the Hyūga not looking or feeling any remorse at the accusation.

"Then he's just another fool, and yes, he would have died that day no matter what. It's only more pathetic that he did so protecting such worthless sacks of flesh as the people of this land, rather than at least die with some dignity. After all, you people speak of wanting to be free of Gatō, and yet so many of the fools abandon building the bridge to save their own worthless lives. Preferring to live under a tyrant rather than try to fight for their freedom, even if it would be in vain and only end in their deaths. The fact remains, they choose to do nothing, because in the end it is their fate to be nothing." Neji stated with no sympathy for the Land of Waves or its people.

"SHUT UP! JUST SHUT UP! What do you know about suffering?! What do know about anything we've been through! You don't anything, you live in some big village, where you don't have to worry about anything! And if you like fate so much, then I hope it's your fate to be killed by Gatō and his men!" Shouted Inari, glaring at Neji with tear-filled eyes before running out of the house, ignoring his mother trying to stop him.

"Tsk, like I said, nothing but a crying, pathetic fool." Neji stated before standing up and looking at Gai.

"I'll be going off to train Gai-sensei, as despite now seeing how much of a lost cause this is, we still have our mission to fulfill." Said Neji, before leaving the house to go train.

"Please forgive Neji's most unyouthful words and actions! I swear that he is normally not like that!" Lee said, bowing his head to Tazuna and Tsunami.

"Uh, well he is like that, but usually not going that far." Added Tenten with a nervous smile, knowing that Neji does tend to tear people down with his talks about fate, but only going that far when he's really annoyed and angry.

"What's even up with that kid?" Tazuna asked, not liking what Neji said about Inari, Kaiza, and the people of the Land of Waves as a whole.

"It's not my place to say, but due to some personal experiences, Neji's developed a very warped view of life and people. I know it won't mean much, but I am sorry for what he said about your family and homeland. I've been trying to rectify his attitude and change it for the better, unfortunately I've had little success." Replied Gai, having hoped to change Neji's view on life, but the Hyūga has proven stubborn and far too set in his ways.

"It's…it's fine. The rest of you are at least willing to try your best to help our home." Tsunami said, not wanting to project her anger at Neji onto the Ninja who're actually trying to help.

"Yeah, while that kid has some issues and problems, we are thankful that you're all willing to stay and help us." Said Tazuna, with Gai and Lee nodding in response, while Tenten smiled nervously.

"Um yeah, but while I wouldn't put the way Neji did…he does have a point with the pedestal you all placed Kaiza on. I mean, did anyone try helping him when he stood up to Gatō?" Tenten asked, not wanting to sound insulting, but Neji did have some actual points in his ranting, with Tazuna looking down mournfully.

"N-no…no one tried helping him. At the time, we all saw Kaiza as being invincible after everything he'd done, not thinking anyone could stop him. But in hindsight, I see now that had been mistake, especially after seeing the world we live in, first hand; with Ninja like all of you, Zabuza and those Demon Brothers running around." Tazuna replied, while wondering what it would have been like, if they did help Kaiza in standing up to Gatō.

Would he still be alive and they'd be free, or would someone else stronger and more dangerous than Gatō have shown up and still killed him. Whatever might have happened, it doesn't matter now, since Gatō is their main concern.

Him and whoever else he hires and sends after them.

*Gatō's Hideout*

Meanwhile, within his hideout, Gatō was meeting with the newest Ninja team he hired to take care of Tazuna. Only this time, rather than hiring Missing-Nin, he's gotten a legitimate Ninja Team, with them having come from Iwagakure.

The leader of the team was very tall and brawny shinobi. He has dark eyes and short dark-grey-colored hair as well as a beard and a bulbous nose. He wears the standard Iwagakure shinobi uniform with a left sleeve and a right lapel. He also wears his Iwa forehead protector in a bandanna style and bandages around his right arm.

Beside him was a large and imposing man, with dark eyes and black hair that spikes out at the back from underneath his bandanna-styled forehead protector. He also has large cheeks, and a plump nose which give him an overall look of constant joviality. He wears the red Iwagakure uniform which has both its sleeves, underneath his flak jacket, and accentuates it with a yellow scarf which he wraps around his neck.

On the man's other side was a thirteen-year-old girl with short, black hair and unique, pupiless pink eyes, which are accentuated by her eyelashes running upwards at the corners. She wears the standard attire of the Iwa-nin consisting of a red uniform with her right sleeve missing and a lapel over her right leg, the brown Iwagakure flak jacket, fishnet tights and a skirt over them. She also wears regular shinobi sandals and a pair of gloves.

Finally, standing behind the three is a very tall man, to the point he needs to crouch slightly just to fit in the room. He was also heavily armored, wearing what is called Steam Armor with a furnace on the back that emits steam. He had light brown eyes, had no eyebrows, and his armor extended all the way to the bottom half of his face, covering it up. Underneath the armor covering the bottom half of his face, he wore a white cloth which also covered both sides of his face and the top of his head. Aside from his red armour, he also wore a red conical straw hat over the white cloth and it seems to be composed of the same material of his armor and furnace. He wore his Iwagakure forehead protector on a black cloth, and over his armor, he wore a black gi, with the sleeves seemingly torn off and black gloves. He also wore what seems to be a bronze-colored ring around his neck which he wore over his red armor. Also, the armor covering his arms, legs and torso was plated.

"I must say Kitsuchi, while I'm thankful that Iwagakure has sent such a powerful team of Ninja. Are all of you really necessary to kill Tazuna?" Gatō asked with a smirk, pleased that he received not only a skilled Chūnin and two Elite Jōnin, but also a Jinchūriki as well.

And while Gatō wasn't familiar with a lot of Ninja stuff, he knew that Jinchūriki were supposed to be considered weapons of mass destruction, capable of destroying armies. Something that'd definitely ensure Tazuna's death, no matter what or who was protecting him.

"Normally a mission like this would only require either myself, Akatsuchi, or even just Kurotsuchi. But given who Konoha has sent to protect the bridge builder, all of us were sent, while Han is more or less insurance." Stated Kitsuchi, knowing with who was protecting the bridge builder, they definitely would need Han with them, potentially Roshi as well if he hadn't left Iwa to live in isolation.

"And just who did they send?" Questioned Gatō, only aware Tazuna has a team of Konoha Ninja protecting him and his bridge.

"Might Gai, seen as one of the best, if not the best, Taijutsu Specialists in the world with mastery over the Eight Inner Gates. And given the fact that his late father, Might Dai, had been able to fight the entire Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist single-handedly with the Eight Gates, and even killing four of their members, we felt it'd be better to be safe than sorry." Kitsuchi said, with his team nodding in agreement, given that Gai had likely surpassed his father in using the Eight Gates and they didn't want to risk the chance of pushing him to open the Eighth Gate without a means to counter it.

"Ah, so that's why you're here then. You're meant to be a counter for this Might Gai." Stated Gatō as he pointed at Han, who nodded in response.

"That's right. I'm able to magnify my physical abilities immensely with my Futton and my Bijū's Chakra." Han replied, given his fighting style revolved around Taijutsu and enhancing his strength with the Gobi's Chakra, to the point where he could cause an earthquake just by punching the ground.

And if it came down to it, he could also unleash his Bijū as well.

"Well then, I guess I have nothing to worry about." Gatō said with a pleased smirk, while the Iwa Ninja nodded before taking their leave.

"Zōri! Contact the Akatsuki and have them send a team of their members here." Ordered Gatō, planning to hire the Akatsuki as an extra insurance to see that Tazuna's dealt with, as well as a means to deal with the Iwa Ninja, too.

'Even better, if they all just kill each other, leaving me to collect the rewards.' Gatō thought, eager at all the bounties he could collect from the Ninja, along with any of the Kunoichi that survive and would fetch some nice prices.

*Coast*

While unknown to everyone in the Land of Waves, something was moving under the water towards the island, with it soon reaching the shore and rising up. Revealing a massive fox-like creature, with a long snake-like body. The creature having a foxes head with dark red scales covering its body while orange and black markings lined its sides, with matching red and black fur trailing down its back, and short arms with long claws and thumbs.

This creature was known as a Nguruvilu.

The Nguruvilu climbed onto land before opening its mouth with Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku walking out and onto dryland.

"Thanks for the help." Naruto said, looking at the Nguruvilu before sending it back to its Summon Realm, having gotten his own Summoning Contract, like Satsuki had the Hawk Contract.

The three then began moving inland to find somewhere they can use as a base for the time being, with Naruto also creating numerous Shadow Clones to survey the area and find out where Gatō's hiding, as well as any other information of importance.

"I think we just found something." Satsuki stated when they caught sight of a building in the forest, while sensing that no one was inside.

"It looks abandoned, maybe we could use it as a base while we're here." Suggested Haku, with Naruto and Satsuki nodding in agreement.

"Maybe. But stay on guard just in case anyone is hiding inside or shows up." Naruto said, with the girls nodding since they could never be too careful, before they approached the building.

Entering the building and seeing it really was abandoned, though they could see that it had been recently used. Leading to the three searching it to see if they could find out who had been staying here before them, finding that whoever used to stay here, they were Ninja, going by the weapons and scrolls they found.

"Huh, looks like this place used to be used by Zabuza Momochi and the Demon Brothers." Satsuki said in surprise, while finding some scrolls showing they were hired by Gatō to kill some bridge builder, named Tazuna.

"Well, at least we know who we'll be going against to get to Gatō." Said Haku, since that'll make it easier and less surprising when they locate and kill Gatō, not they would have had trouble given their skill level.

"Actually, they're dead, the Demon Brothers and Zabuza were killed by a Konoha Team that this Tazuna guy hired to protect him and his bridge, in order to free the Land of Waves from Gatō's rule. While Gatō's hired an Iwa Team to kill the bridge builder now." Naruto said after his Shadow Clones dispelled and transferred their memories back to him, with Satsuki and Haku frowning at this, considering how this will affect their mission, given the Iwa Team working for Gatō is likely even stronger than Zabuza.

Along with how, if Zabuza was under Gatō's employment, then he likely knows where this place is, making it less of a good choice to use as a base. Only to realize that's why it would also be a good base to use.

"Well if Gatō knows where this place is and knows that Zabuza's dead, then it's unlikely he'll think that anyone would use this place. Making it the best spot for us to use as a base." Satsuki said, with Haku and Naruto nodding in agreement, having had the same idea.

"Okay, while that's taken care of, and we have some details about what's happening. What should we do about the Konoha Team? Since we all have the same objective of taking care of Gatō. Should we about allying with them?" Haku asked, figuring that'd help the mission go faster, along with how they don't know how strong these Iwa Ninja with Gatō are.

"That wouldn't be a good idea. Just because two groups are after the same thing, it doesn't always mean that they'll be allies because they share a common goal." Naruto immediately said.

"Agreed. Plus, it'd only be giving the Konoha Team a chance to make a move and capture us. As our personal feelings towards the village aside, even if Naruto-kun and I didn't use our Sharingan, you'd both still have the Hyōton and I'd still be a powerful Kunoichi." Satsuki added, since aside from their own dislike of Konoha, they're still three powerful Ninja, and from what they've heard, Konoha's in desperate need of those, even more so those with powerful Kekkei Genkai.

Their words made Haku sigh, having figured they'd say something like that, but she didn't see the harm in asking if they could ally with the Konoha Team for a common goal.

"Okay, but that doesn't remove the chance of them trying to make a move, since we're possibly going to encounter them no matter what. So, it'd be good to find out more about them and what they're capable of, along with the Iwa Team." Said Haku, since if they won't work with the Konoha Team, it'd be better they're prepared for anything they can do.

"That'd be for the best. But for now, let's see about setting up a base here, along with putting up some protections, just in case." Naruto stated, with Satsuki and Haku nodding in agreement, before they got to work setting up the building as their new base and putting up some traps and seals to help protect and hide their location.

*Later*

After setting up some protections around their new base, Naruto headed out to get some training done, wanting to be as prepared as he can be against the Konoha and Iwa Teams. Not to mention, anything else Gatō could have planned, doubting he'd rely on a single team after Zabuza and the Demon Brothers were already defeated. Plus the fact that he was a corrupt businessman and criminal, who would most likely betray the Iwa Team after they finished the job.

Though after training for a few hours, Naruto began heading back to the base, only to tense at sensing someone behind him.

"Lava Style: Quicklime Congealing Jutsu!"

Jumping out of the way, Naruto saw a large glob of quicklime hitting the spot where he'd just been standing. Turning to see who had attacked him, Naruto saw Kurotsuchi standing on a tree branch with a smirk on her face.

"Isn't this a surprise, and here I thought all you Uchiha were dead. But I guess you'll make for a good warmup for dealing with those tree huggers." Kurotsuchi said before jumping down and rushing Naruto, while pulling out a kunai.

"I honestly have no business with you, so attacking me is rather pointless." Said Naruto while dodging her strikes, before blocking her kick after she slashed at him from the opposite side.

"Aaah, what's the matter? Is the little Uchiha too scared to-GAH!" Kurotsuchi taunted, only to suddenly gasp when he headbutted her, followed by slamming his foot into her chest.

"But if you're so insistent on fighting, I could use the added workout." Naruto added, while putting his hands on his pocket, making the Kunoichi scowl at being seen as a "workout".

"Okay, then let's see how you handle this! Earth Style: Earth Flow Spear!" Shouted Kurotsuchi, going through handsigns before slamming her hands on the ground, causing dozens of stone spikes to shoot out of the ground under Naruto, with the Uzumaki jumping up and landing on one of the spikes.

"Water Style: Water Trumpet!" Kurotsuchi said as she shot out a massive amount of water through her cupped hands at Naruto.

"Wind Style: Air Bullets!" Said Naruto, shooting out several condensed blasts of air that dispersed the water, only for Kurotsuchi to have jumped above the water and towards Naruto.

"Lava Style: Quicklime Congealing Jutsu!" Said Kurotsuchi, shooting another blob of quicklime at Naruto, this time succeeding in hitting him.

"Got you no-What?!" Kurotsuchi said, looking at Naruto only to be shocked when she only saw an Ice Clone in his place.

"He has Hyō-" Said Kurotsuchi, before grunting in pain when Naruto reappeared behind her, slamming his foot into her side, sending her crashing into a tree.

"Ice Style: Black Dragon Blizzard!" Naruto said, thrusting his arm forward and launching a large dragon made of black ice at Kurotsuchi, the Kunoichi being hit by the dragon which turned and launched her into the air.

"Fire Style: Fox Fire!" Said Naruto, creating ten blue fireballs around him in a circular formation, before launching each of them straight at Kurotsuchi.

Each fireball hitting and burning Kurotsuchi, before the final one hit her right in the chest, with the Iwa Kunoichi dissolving into a pile of mud, which hit the ground. With the real Kurotsuchi bursting out the ground right below Naruto to hit him with an uppercut, only for her eyes to widen when he grabbed her wrist, before flipping her over his shoulder and slamming her onto the ground.

Grunting at the impact and the grip on her wrist, Kurotsuchi looked up at Naruto, with her eyes widening again when she saw his eyes were still purple.

"You aren't using your Sharingan?!" Demanded Kurotsuchi, having thought he'd have activated his Dōjutsu by now.

"Why would I use it, when I've had no reason to activate it." Naruto replied with a raised brow, which only made Kurotsuchi scowl, believing that he's underestimating her.

"Don't you dare underestimate me!" Kurotsuchi said in anger, while managing to kick his legs out from under him and free her arm, only to grunt in pain when Naruto placed his hands on the ground smashed his foot into her face.

Stumbling back at the kick, the ravenette gasped when she suddenly found her legs kicked out from under her, followed by Naruto bringing his leg down onto her midsection knocking the air out of her. With Naruto then placing his hand on the ground, causing it to freeze under him and Kurotsuchi, leading to the Kunoichi sliding across the ice, straight towards a ramp that launched her into the air.

Kurotsuchi looked up and saw Naruto appear above her, with his fist covered in ice, which he then slammed right into her face, sending her crashing right back into the ground. The pink-eyed Ninja biting back a scream in pain, when she felt her arm be dislocated from the impact, along with feeling more than a few ribs were cracked.

Looking up, Kurotsuchi couldn't deny the tremor that went through her body, when she saw Naruto just standing on a tree branch, looking down at her. Not even looking interested in the fight, instead looking bored and uninterested. As if he could be doing something more important than wasting his time on someone like her.

'Is this how the old man felt?' Thought Kurotsuchi while gulping, having heard from her grandfather about his encounter with Madara Uchiha, how he and the Nidaime Tsuchikage Mu weren't even able to lay finger on the man.

Now here she was, in a similar situation, helpless and at the mercy of another Uchiha that didn't even bother activating their Sharingan against her.

"Well go on, end it!" Kurotsuchi shouted glaring at Naruto, while hiding her fear at how easily she was defeated and rendered helpless, with it now being likely that she was going to die now.

Naruto looked at Kurotsuchi, before glancing off to the side, sensing her allies approaching, and knowing it'd only cause more trouble if he killed her. With the dual-haired boy instead leaving via a Shunshin, making Kurotsuchi look at where he was in disbelief.

'He…he just left? Why did he leave?! Does he think I'm not even worth killing?!' Kurotsuchi thought, torn between anger and relief that he didn't kill her.

Her! The granddaughter of the Tsuchikage, the oldest living Kage, the rising star of Iwagakure!

She became a Ninja before anyone else in her year, she's already been a Chūnin for nearly two years, and she's already on her way to becoming a Jōnin! And yet that Uchiha bastard didn't even try to beat her and then just left, not even seeing her as worth killing!

'That smug son of a bitch!' Screamed Kurotsuchi mentally, before she got up, while wincing and letting out some groans of pain.

"Oh I swear this isn't the last time we'll see each other, asshole." Kurotsuchi muttered as she went to meet up with her allies, while swearing she's going up her training once they get back to Iwa, wanting to get even stronger.

So that the next time she sees that Uchiha, he's going to be the one lying flat on his back.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see that this time around both the Demon Brothers and Zabuza have died, with Tenten keeping the Kubikiribōchō, but all of them knowing Gatō will hire another, stronger team. While Neji is less kind when Inari says they're going to die, insulting him, Kaiza, and the Land of Waves as a whole. Then we see Gatō has hired an Iwa Team consisting of Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Han, given the fact Gai is protecting Tazuna, Han is there in case he uses the Eight Gates. Next we see Naruto, Satsuki, and Haku arriving along with seeing Naruo has his own Summoning Contract for Nguruvilu, with them locating the Demon Brother's and Zabuza's old hideout, which they take for their own, along with learning the basics of what's going on. Finally we see Kurotsuchi find and attack Naruto, only for it to be incredibly one-sided in Naruto's favor, with him not even using his Sharingan, while sparing Kurotsuchi after sensing her allies approaching, which angers her while swearing to get stronger to defeat Naruto. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out

Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing more of the Land of Waves along with some new arrivals. So, without further ado.

I own nothing

Gatō couldn't keep the smirk off his face, as he looked at the two Akatsuki members that had been sent to the Land of Waves. Learning they were called Kakuzu and Hidan, apparently they were also known as the Zombie Duo due to their abilities.

"So, what exactly does this mission entail and what's the payment?" Kakuzu said, wanting to know what they're doing and how much they'll be paid.

"The mission is rather simple, you're to eliminate a team of Iwa Ninja I've hired to kill an annoying bridge builder and the Konoha Ninja protecting him; having hired them, after the previous team of Zabuza Momochi and the Demon Brothers failed. I want the Iwa Ninja dead after the job is complete, and should they fail then I want you two to kill the Konoha Ninja and bridge builder as well. As for payment, that can be discussed once the job is complete." Gatō explained, with Kakuzu narrowing his eyes at the crooked businessman.

"Fuck yeah! I'll get so many sacrifices bastards out of this for Jashin-sama!" Hidan said eagerly at the chance to make more sacrifices to Jashin.

"Who are the Iwa Ninja and Konoha Ninja?" Said Kakuzu, wanting more details before making any decision on accepting this job.

"The Iwa Ninja are called Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Kurotsuchi, and Han. While the Konoha Ninja, I'm only aware of the leader, Might Gai, while he has three brats with him." Replied Gatō, with both Akatsuki members perking up at the mention of a Jinchūriki being here, with Kakuzu also being interested in all the bounties he could collect from such high-profile Ninja.

"Very well, we accept the mission. But we'll also be claiming the bounties on Gai, Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, Han, as well as Zabuza and the Demon Brothers should the Konoha Ninja have kept their bodies." Kakuzu said, making Gatō frown, since he'd intended to collect those bounties himself once the Ninja were taken care of.

"I'm sure the reward for this mission will be…more…than…adequate…" Gatō said, only to trail off and gulp as Kakuzu walked up and looked down at him.

"I'm sure it will be, given who you're having us kill, but the bounties are for whoever turns in the bodies, which we'll be taking once we're done here. Unless there's a problem with that." Said Kakuzu, narrowing his eyes at Gatō, who gulped nervously.

"N-no, of course not, feel free to take them." Gatō replied, while knowing if things work out the way he wants them to, then it won't matter as they'll all be dead.

"Good. Is there anything else we should be aware of?" Kakuzu asked, wanting to make sure they didn't get any unexpected surprises or new arrivals.

"Only that I learned from the Iwa Team about an Uchiha having arrived on the island, not long before you both did. Apparently the Uchiha could also control ice, too." Revealed Gatō, which definitely got the Akatsuki member's attention.

"An Uchiha that has Hyōton. Well, isn't that interesting." Hidan stated with a smirk, knowing who that was, with Kakuzu nodding in agreement with his partner for once.

"Yes, very interesting. Let's go Hidan." Kakuzu said as they went to take their leave, knowing they learned some valuable information they needed to share with the rest of the Akatsuki.

*Later-Akatsuki Base*

After finding a hidden and deserted location in the Land of Waves, Kakuzu and Hidan contacted the rest of the Akatsuki through the Magic Lantern Body Jutsu.

"Kakuzu, Hidan what do you have to report?" Said Pein, knowing they must have learned something important in the Land of Waves.

"We've just arrived in the Land of Waves and accepted the mission from Gatō, learning that he's hired an Iwa Team to kill a bridge builder and Konoha Team, while we're to kill whichever side is left standing. With the Gobi Jinchūriki being among the Iwa Ninja, providing us an opportunity to capture them. Not only that, but the Kyūbi Jinchūriki is also here, as the Iwa Team encountered an Uchiha with the Hyōton." Kakuzu explained, surprising a few members at learning this, that two Jinchūriki were within the Land of Waves, with one of them being the missing Kyūbi Jinchūriki they've been searching for.

"If the Kyūbi Jinchūriki is in the Land of Waves, then ensure that you capture him if you can, even if it means missing the chance to capture the Gobi Jinchūriki." Ordered Pein, knowing that they can capture the Gobi Jinchūriki any time when they return to Iwa, but the Kyūbi Jinchūriki can't escape again.

If they saw a chance to capture the Uzumaki, then they would take it, given they may not get a chance like this again before the Kyūbi Jinchūriki disappears.

"Understood Pein-sama." Kakuzu replied, while nodding his head.

"Also, if you could, if Satsuki Uchiha happen to be with him, I would like it if you could bring her to me, alive." Orochimaru said, with the rest of the Akatsuki being fully aware that he intends to use the Kinjutsu he developed to take her body as his own.

"We'll see if the opportunity presents itself, though we won't make any promises." Kakuzu said, knowing that the Jinchūriki and the bounties that were present were the main priority, with there being no guarantee that Satsuki will survive, especially if Hidan ends up setting his sights on her and he doesn't care enough to keep him from killing her.

"And what about the midget bastard? If he's willing to betray one team he's hired, what do we do if the fucker tries betraying us?" Questioned Hidan, hoping for the chance to kill Gatō and his men as more sacrifices.

"If he does attempt to go back on the mission contract, then kill him as a message to those that would cross the Akatsuki." Pein answered, refusing to let anyone think they can double cross the Akatsuki and live.

Kakuzu and Hidan both nodded at this before everyone began vanishing until all the holographic images were gone.

'Well, isn't this the perfect irony.' Obito thought as he stepped out of the shadows, finding the situation rather ironic.

Given that just a few days ago, they were discussing trying to locate the Kyūbi Jinchūriki, and now he's popped up in the same place that they've just sent Kakuzu and Hidan to. Not only finally revealing himself, but also giving them the perfect chance to capture the boy as well.

'Five years of hiding and now you've finally revealed yourself.' Thought Obito, knowing they now had the chance to capture the Kyūbi.

The Uchiha remembering when Zetsu informed him of the aftermath of the Uchiha Massacre and Itachi's death. Having sent the plant-like creature to keep an eye on his fellow Uchiha, in the event he started having second thoughts about joining the Akatsuki or eliminating their clan. Only to be shocked at learning he was killed, not by the Hokage, an Anbu, or a Jōnin, but that he was killed by Naruto himself, who had also surprisingly awakened the Hyōton. With Mikoto having been spared from the massacre before fleeing Konoha with Naruto and Satsuki, as well as all the dead Uchiha and their eyes.

Unfortunately, he'd been busy bringing the Yondaime Mizukage and Kirigakure under his control at the time, leaving Obito unable to make a move to capture Naruto himself. Now it seems they'll finally be getting a chance to capture the Kyūbi, after all this time.

'And should Kakuzu and Hidan fail, then at the very least we'll get the chance to see how big of a threat he's become.' Obito thought before activating his Kamui and vanishing in a swirling distortion.

*With Iwa Team*

Meanwhile, the Iwa Team was currently within a clearing with Kitsuchi, Akatsuchi, and Han standing off to the side, watching Kurotsuchi as she trained. None of them having seen Kurotsuchi train as hard as she's recently been since her encounter with that Uchiha.

"I'm sure Tsuchikage-sama will be happy to see Kurotsuchi wanting to get even stronger; especially with her wanting to learn even more and improve what she already knows." Akatsuchi stated, knowing that while Kurotsuchi always trained, she was never this serious about it.

"Perhaps, but I doubt he'll be happy for the reason behind her sudden desire to grow stronger." Said Han, given it was only after being defeated and left at the mercy of an Uchiha that Kurotsuchi's begun training more intensely, given Ōnoki's own past experience with being defeated by Madara Uchiha.

"Well either way, it's good to see her wanting to improve, learn, and grow." Kitsuchi said, aware that his daughter could be rather arrogant and prideful in herself and her abilities, with how she graduated from the Academy early and then becoming a Chūnin soon after.

So, while he had been scared at how close she was to being killed, Kitsuchi was glad to see Kurotsuchi be knocked off her pedestal and now really started to improve herself. Knowing that sometimes, you need to lose in order to grow and become stronger.

"You know what else is good?! Having some peace and quiet, so I can focus!" Said Kurotsuchi, giving them all an annoyed look, since it was hard for her to focus on her training while they were talking.

"Of course. But before you get back to that, should this Uchiha reveal himself to us, either I or Akatsuchi will deal with him. Since he already beat you once, while not revealing everything he could do, nor can we risk his Sharingan being powerful enough to control Han and the Gobi." Kitsuchi revealed, since they didn't know why this Uchiha was here, so they'd need to be ready if he revealed himself again.

"What?! No way if anyone's fighting that bastard it's going to be me!" Exclaimed Kurotsuchi, refusing to let anyone else fight the Uchiha, since he's already hers to take down.

'It seems she's also found someone to overcome as well.' Thought Kitsuchi, seeing his daughter not only gained a desire to grow stronger, but also a rival she wants to overcome one day.

Something he'd normally be pleased about and find amusing, if it were under different circumstances, as well as the mission and their safety is a higher priority. Especially given that the next time they encounter the Uchiha, he may not be inclined to spare her again.

"My decision is final, if we encounter the Uchiha again, you'll leave him to me or Akatsuchi. Since he's already proven stronger than you, even when he's not trying, and next time he may not be willing to spare you. And right now, the main priority is the mission and our safety, not you wanting to settle a grudge against someone that can and will kill you if you give them the chance." Said Kitsuchi, making Kurotsuchi scowl before storming off.

Even though she can reluctantly see her father's points, this was still a matter of pride and self-honor for her, to beat that Uchiha and redeem her loss against him.

'But fine, I won't. This'll just give me more time to train for the next time I see him.' Kurotsuchi thought, already having a few ideas on ways to grow stronger so she can beat the Uchiha.

She planned to improve her control over her Fire, Earth, and Water Affinities to make her Ninjutsu stronger, along with learning more Elemental Ninjutsu and working on her Yōton as well. Along with Genjutsu as well, so she'll be able to better spot them and break out of any illusions.

'I'll also need to convince the old man to bring Roshi back, or let me go find him myself.' Thought Kurotsuchi, knowing that Roshi is the only one who'd be able to help make her Yōton even stronger and more powerful, given he's the Yonbi's Jinchūriki.

The Iwa Kunoichi swearing that the next time she sees that Uchiha, she'll be much stronger and prepared for any tricks he has; along with having more than a few of her own to use against him.

*With Naruto and Satsuki*

While that happened, Naruto and Satsuki were currently walking through town, both of them under Transformation Jutsu's as to not be recognized or draw attention to themselves. With Haku having gone off on her own to see if she could assassinate their target. All of them hoping to end their mission quickly before things got more complicated than they already were.

"This place looks like it's barely standing as it is." Satsuki said, frowning as she looking around the town, seeing most buildings were boarded up with people out on the streets, seeing firsthand the damage Gatō's presence has had on the Land of Waves.

"Yeah, but hopefully it won't be long before they can start rebuilding. And given Haku-chan is currently going after the midget, then I doubt he'll be a problem for much longer." Replied Naruto, confident that Haku will have killed Gatō and gotten back before the day was over.

"Haku-chan is pretty strong, so it won't be a problem for her to find Gatō and kill him, along with anyone that gets in her way." Added Satsuki, also confident Haku won't have any problems in finding Gatō and killing him.

Though their attention turned to an alleyway when they heard the sound of footsteps approaching. Looking, Naruto and Satsuki saw a group of children covered in dirt and grime, along with wearing ragged and torn clothing. The sight of them making the two frown, seeing that they were orphans, their parents likely having been killed by Gatō and his men.

Going up to the children, who baked away with fearful expressions, Naruto and Satsuki knelt down and smiled reassuringly at them, before pulling out a scroll. With them unsealing a few baskets of food and some bags of ryo.

"Here you go, this should keep you fed for a couple days and this will let you some more and some new clothes." Satsuki said, holding giving them the food and money, much to their shock none of them expecting this.

"W-why?" One of the children asked hoarsely.

"Because you all need it more than we do. And you won't have to worry about anyone taking it, since Gatō won't be a problem much longer." Replied Naruto, surprising the children again, before they smiled and gratefully took the food and money.

"Thank you!" Said the children, before running off to enjoy the food, with Naruto and Satsuki watching them go off.

"I hope she makes him suffer." Muttered Satsuki darkly, now wanting Haku to make Gatō suffer before killing him.

Given how easily she and Naruto could have become orphans if Itachi killed Mikoto, along with how Haku became an orphan after her father killed her mother then killing him, herself. Which also lead to her and Naruto doing everything they could to make Haku feel comfortable in joining them to becoming part of their family. Since they could have easily been in their position if they didn't return to the compound early that night.

"You know she won't. Haku-chan may hate people like Gatō, but she wouldn't inflict unnecessary pain." Said Naruto, since while Haku can easily kill someone without hesitation, she'd do it quickly rather than torturing them.

"Yeah, I know. She really is too nice." Satsuki replied with a sigh, knowing it was true, but also knowing she wouldn't want Haku to change, either.

Before she looked at Naruto, when he put a hand on her shoulder and smiled at her.

"But if by some chance Haku-chan fails, then that just means we'll get our own chance to kill the little bastard." Naruto added, since they were more than willing to kill people like Gatō in very painful manners.

Whether it's slow or quick, one thing was for sure is that they'd die in agony.

"You know just what to say to make a girl happy, Naruto-kun." Said Satsuki while smirking at him.

"When I know them well enough to know what they like to do." Stated Naruto, knowing what both Satsuki and Haku liked with how long he's known them, with Satsuki being the same for him and Haku as well.

The two looked at each other for a few moments, before blushing at how close they were as they quickly stood up and separated.

"We should uh…head back, since Haku-chan should be back soon." Naruto said, with Satsuki nodding in agreement.

"Y-yeah, so it'll be good to b-be there w-when she returns." Replied Satsuki, before they both set out to return to their base to wait for Haku to return from dealing with Gatō.

*With Haku*

Meanwhile, Haku had arrived at Gatō's base to deal with the crooked businessman, having staked it out for any signs of the Iwa Ninja, but didn't seem them. Only finding it guarded by two thugs wielding katana swords, who she guessed must have been Gatō's bodyguards.

The Hyōton user having dealt with them, jumping down on top of the first one and stabbing an ice kunai into his heart, causing it to freeze and shatter, before freezing the other one solid and shattering him.

'He really should have had better protection.' Haku thought shaking her head, figuring Gatō would have been smart enough to have more protecting with all the enemies he has.

Though she wasn't going to complain, as it made her mission easier to complete.

"Fire Style: Intelligent Hard Work!"

Hearing the sudden shout, Haku's eyes widened at the sight of a giant firestorm rushing towards, forcing the girl to jump back as the fire continued spreading, making her go through handsigns.

"Ice Style: Glacier Wall!" Said Haku as a large wall of ice rose up in front of her blocking the flames, with the Kunoichi managing to get some distance away from them when a black fist suddenly smashed through the ice wall, destroying it.

Looking to see who attacked her, Haku's eyes widened when she saw Kakuzu and Hidan standing there, recognizing their cloaks as belonging to the Akatsuki.

'Things just became a lot more complicated.' Haku thought, knowing if Gatō actually hired the Akatsuki as well, then things really became more complicated for her, Naruto, and Satsuki.

"Isn't this lucky, a perfect sacrifice has just arrived for Jashin-sama. Time to di-" Hidan said about to rush Haku, only for Kakuzu to hold out his arm and stop him.

"No Hidan, she's mine." Said Kakuzu, wanting to fight the girl himself, interested in seeing if it was possible for him to gain the Hyōton by taking her heart.

"Oh fuck you, Kakuzu! This bitch isn't one of our targets, so I can sacri-" Retorted Hidan, only to be cutoff when Kakuzu slammed his fist into the Jashinists face, sending him flying into a tree and hearing the distinct sound of his head splitting open.

"Just because I can't kill you, doesn't mean I can't silence you." Kakuzu stated, knowing Hidan will get back up after he heals in about an hour, more than enough time for him to deal with the girl.

'That was…unexpected.' Thought Haku, not expecting him to suddenly kill his partner, but going by how nonchalant he was, something told her he wouldn't stay dead for long.

Though Haku didn't have time to think on this, when Kakuzu moved with surprising speed for his size, slamming his darkened fist down on top of her. The Kunoichi just barely having enough time to switch places with an Ice Clone, which promptly shattered into pieces.

"Water Style: Thousand Flying Water Needles of Death!" Haku said, turning the destroyed ice into water needles, which she launched towards Kakuzu.

"Lightning Style: Electromagnetic Murder!" Said Kakuzu releasing a stream of lightning from his hands, destroying the water needles before they could hit him.

With Haku taking the chance to get in close to the Missing-Nin, covering her hands with ice knuckles and punching Kakuzu in the face, making him stumble back.

"Not bad." Kakuzu commented before kicking his leg out and slamming it into Haku's stomach, knocking the wind out of the girl and sending her crashing into a tree, making the Kunoichi gasping and coughing at the kick.

"Water Style: Torrent Bullet!" Said Kakuzu creating a powerful vortex of water, which he launched at Haku.

"Ice Style: Whirlwind!" Said Haku aiming her hands at the vortex, before shooting shards of ice at it rapidly until it was trapped in a whirlwind of ice before it was frozen solid.

Haku then quickly went through handsigns again as she condensed the moisture in the air into multiple ice swords which she launched at Kakuzu. The Akatsuki members hands turning black again before he punched the ice swords, causing them to shatter.

'Whatever Jutsu he's using to hardened his skin, it's harder than any ice I can make, not to mention it's not hindering his speed; given how he was able to get so close to me. I have to find a way to restrain him or limit his movements.' Haku thought before she was forced to jump back, after Kakuzu finished destroying her swords and rushed her again.

Coating her arms in thick ice, Haku grunted as she blocked a kick from Kakuzu, before she managed to grab hold of his leg and began making handsigns with her other hand.

"Ice Style: Snow Maiden's Touch." Haku said before ice began spreading across Kakuzu's body from where her hand touched him, with the Missing-Nin quickly placing his hand on the ground and kicking his other leg out at Haku, forcing her to release him.

Jumping back once he was free Kakuzu looked at the ice spreading across his leg and went to break it, only to find his body not responding and moving at a painfully slow state.

'Wh-what i-is this? I…can barely…m-move…m-my b-body…' Kakuzu thought as he felt himself move even slower, before realizing that the ice wasn't just spreading on the outside of his body, it's spreading on the inside too.

"D-damn…i-it…" Said Kakuzu as he tried accessing his Fire Heart to quickly spread Fire Chakra throughout his body and melt the ice.

But before he could, Kakuzu grunted in pain as Haku quickly took the chance to rush him and drive an ice sword through his heart. The Kunoichi letting out a sigh of relief at seeing he was dead, before looking at his downed partner.

'If he has some form of immortality, then he'll likely be getting back up soon. But I doubt he'll be getting up, after being frozen from the inside out and then broken into pieces.' Thought Haku before wincing as she held her side, feeling her ribs were either cracked or broken from Kakuzu's kick earlier.

Doubting she'll get the chance to kill Gatō now, as the fight would have undoubtedly drawn attention, she'll at least be able to deal with these Akatsuki members.

"Wind Style: Pressure Damage!"

Haku's eyes widened in shock at the voice before crying out as she was hit by a high density tornado-like mass of wind. The Hyōton user crying out as she hit with the wind and thrown around, until she gasped when she crashed through a tree, barely able to roll out of the way to avoid being crushed. But before she could get up, she was grabbed by numerous thick, grey tendrils that lifted her into the air before throwing her across the forest.

The girls gagging as a darkened fist buried itself into her stomach, with Haku coughing up spittle and blood before slumping to the ground. Looking up weakly, Haku's eyes widened in disbelief at seeing Kakuzu standing above her, still very much alive despite how she knew that she stabbed him in the heart.

"You must be a truly exceptional Ninja for your age, I can't remember the last time someone succeeded in killing me." Kakuzu stated, willing to admit she had talent to destroy one of his hearts, while he was lucky it was his Water Heart, allowing him to still melt her ice with his Fire Heart.

"But that also means I'll be needing a replacement, and yours will be more than suitable." Said Kakuzu before having his threads thrust into Haku's chest to extract her heart.

Only for Haku to suddenly turn into an Ice Clone, much to Kakuzu's annoyance at seeing she managed to escape as he shattered the clone.

"Just perfect." Kakuzu muttered before looking over at the bodies of Gatō's guards, before groaning at seeing the state that their bodies are in.

Meaning that he won't be able to use either of their hearts as a substitute, until he can get a new Water Heart.

*With Haku*

While Haku managed to used the Substitution Jutsu to switch places with an Ice Clone in time, before Kakuzu could kill her, with her wondering just how he survived her attack.

'I know I stabbed his heart, and even if that didn't kill him, then his body should've stayed frozen from my Jutsu. But…he said he needed a replacement; did he mean a replacement heart? If so then, that means he could potentially have more than one heart.' Haku thought before mentally groaning, realizing that she should have gone for the head, which would have definitely killed him.

Before she winced at her injuries, knowing most of her ribs were now definitely broken, not to mention she couldn't feel her left arm and her right leg flared with pain when she put pressure on it. And she's pretty sure that she has a concussion as well, from hitting her head.

'I have to get back and…warn Naruto-kun and Satsuki-chan…have to…' Thought Haku as her vision started becoming blurry before she soon collapsed and lost consciousness.

*Later*

When Haku regained consciousness, she groaned at the pounding in her head and her body feeling sore.

"Easy, I managed to patch you up, but you're still pretty banged up from whatever happened." Said a female voice, making Haku tense at not recognizing who it was before she looked and saw Kurotsuchi sitting close by.

The sight of the Iwa Kunoichi that attacked Naruto made Haku internally freak out, before realizing that she didn't seem to be restrained. And like Kurotsuchi said, she had bandages wrapped around her injuries.

'She doesn't know who I am.' Haku thought, realizing Kurotsuchi must have found her, not knowing who she was and tended to her injuries.

"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you, it'd be counterproductive to heal you, only to hurt you." Kurotsuchi assured, seeing Haku look at her warily, with the Hyōton user relaxing slightly.

"Wh-why did you help me?" Questioned Haku, with the Iwa Kunoichi shrugging.

"You needed help and I wasn't just going to leave you out there alone." Replied Kurotsuchi, knowing she wouldn't have been safe, especially with Gatō's hold on the island.

While she and her team may be working for the bastard, that didn't mean Kurotsuchi liked it, since these people were only trying to do what's best for their home. Something she couldn't fault them for, given she'd be doing the same if it was Iwagakure and the Land of Earth. But Kurotsuchi also accepted that sometimes, Ninja had to do things they don't like for their village.

Though her father did say if Gatō tried betraying them after the mission was completed, they'd get to kill him.

"What were you doing out here alone, anyway?" Kurotsuchi asked, looking at Haku with a raised brow.

"I had been out collecting herbs when I was attacked by Gatō's men, I barely managed to escape with my life, but I lost the basket I was using." Replied Haku, with Kurotsuchi raising a brow.

"You do know it's not safe to be wandering around here alone, right." Stated Kurotsuchi, with Haku nodding in response.

"I am now. But I'm a traveler, and I only arrived here a few days ago; so I wasn't aware of the danger on this island." Haku answered, with Kurotsuchi nodding at this.

"I'm Kurotsuchi by the way, a Ninja from Iwagakure." Kurotsuchi introduced.

"My name is Haku, it's nice to meet you Kurotsuchi." Said Haku as she managed to sit up.

"So…are you travelling alone or with anyone?" Questioned Kurotsuchi, while looking at the other girl.

"I'm currently travelling with two people I consider very precious to me. They found me when I was young and took me in, treating me as a friend and family." Haku replied, smiling at the thought of Naruto, Satsuki, and Mikoto.

"I'm guessing something happened to your family." Kurotsuchi stated, with Haku nodding.

"Yes, my Kaa-san was killed in front of me, when I was a child, and my Tou-san…he abandoned us." Said Haku telling a partial truth, since as far as she was concerned her father did abandon her and her mother, simply because they were different.

"Oh…I'm sorry you had to go through that. And I know the feeling of losing a parent." Kurotsuchi said sadly, making Haku look at her.

"What happened, if you don't mind me asking." Haku said.

"What usually happens to Ninja, my Kaa-san was killed on a mission that went wrong, not long after I was born." Said Kurotsuchi, having been saddened that she never got a chance to know her mother, only hearing about her from her father and grandfather, while wishing to become a Kunoichi like her.

"I'm sorry that happened, it's never easy to lose a parent, even more so when you never get the chance to meet them." Said Haku, since both Naruto and Satsuki also knew that feeling.

"But I've learned that those we lose aren't truly gone, as long as we remember them. And that while we can never replace them, we are still able to find people to care about and consider precious to help fill the void they leave behind. Tell me, do you have those that are precious to you?" Haku asked, looking at Kurotsuchi, who nodded.

"Yes, I have my Tou-san and my grandfather, despite how stubborn the latter can be on refusing to retire, even one of my idiot teammates, who's far too happy all the time. Even my former sensei before I was promoted, despite how he can seem like a loner and can be pretty intimidating based on his appearance. And I consider my village precious and want to do everything I can to protect it." Replied Kurotsuchi, making Haku smile.

"That's good, to have those you consider precious. I believe that true strength comes from when you have something precious to protect." Stated Haku, with Kurotsuchi looking at her in surprise.

"Huh, I prefer having a goal to reach, to push one to get stronger to reach it." Kurotsuchi said, while thinking about her own goal, which had been originally to become Tsuchikage.

And while she did want to become Tsuchikage, her new goal to reach was now to beat that Uchiha, refusing to accept how easily she was defeated. But also knowing she needed to train harder than ever before if she wanted to stand a chance against him. Since as much as she hated to admit, he was far stronger than her with how he didn't seem to be even trying.

"That's still a good way, as having a goal to reach is also a good motivation to become stronger. Especially if the goal seems impossible, which would only push you harder to reach it and gain new strength." Haku said, since that was also a good way to become stronger.

"Thanks, and I definitely won't be giving up on this goal any time soon." Said Kurotsuchi, determined to grow stronger then find that Uchiha and beat him.

"Though I should be heading back to my team now, since otherwise they'll come looking for me. Will you be alright?" Kurotsuchi asked, standing up and looking at Haku, who nodded as she felt her wounds didn't hurt as much as before.

"I should be fine, thank you for your help Kurotsuchi." Replied Haku while smiling at her, which Kurotsuchi returned.

"No problem, it was nice meeting you, Haku. Maybe we'll see each other again. But until then, see ya." Said Kurotsuchi, waving at the Hyōton user before jumping away to return to her team.

"See ya, Kurotsuchi." Haku said waving in the direction the Iwa Kunoichi jumped off in, before heading back to base.

Thankfully, it wasn't long before Haku arrived, with her immediately being embraced by a worried Naruto and Satsuki.

"Haku-chan! Are you alright?! What happened?! Who hurt you?! We got worried when you didn't return!" Said Satsuki as she looked Haku over, while even activating her Sharingan to make sure she didn't miss anything, worried at the state she was in and angry at whoever hurt her this badly.

"I'm fine Satsuki-chan, really. I just ran into some…problems while going after Gatō." Haku replied before Satsuki hugged her again.

"I'm just glad that you're finally back and safe." Said Satsuki, simply glad that Haku's still alive.

"What problems did you encounter?" Naruto asked, looking at her in worry, knowing it must have been powerful Ninja to put her in such a state.

"It seems that Gatō's hired the Akatsuki, from their descriptions I would say they're Kakuzu formerly from Takigakure and Hidan a Jashinist formerly from Yugakure, and both of them are very dangerous. Though I only fought Kakuzu, I can only guess Hidan's just as strong as him, but what makes them really dangerous is that I was able to stab Kakuzu in the heart but he just got back up. I can only guess that he seems to have multiple hearts and all of them need to be destroyed to kill him. While Hidan also seems to have some form of immortality, since Kakuzu hit him hard enough to crack his skull open, but he seems aware that he'd recover." Haku explained, much to their shock, along with further being relieved that Haku managed to escape.

"Then we're really glad you were able to get away from them, Haku-chan. And I'm sorry that we didn't go with you to help." Said Naruto while hugging Haku, shaken at how close they were to losing her, but thankful she escaped.

"You don't have to apologize Naruto-kun, we couldn't have known Gatō would go as far as to hire the Akatsuki. I was just lucky to Substitute with an Ice Clone; but even then, I didn't get far before passing out. Thankfully, I was found by that Iwa Kunoichi you fought, Kurotsuchi." Revealed Haku, making them tense.

"Did she hurt you?! Did she know who you are?!" Satsuki asked quickly.

"Did she try interrogating you or take you captive?!" Questioned Naruto, swearing he'll rip her apart if she hurt Haku.

"No, no, she didn't hurt me or interrogate me. She's actually the one who helped heal and bandage me up. Kurotsuchi's also pretty nice when you get to know her, and you also seem to have left quite an impression on her Naruto-kun." Haku said, smiling at the Uzumaki, being able to guess that Kurotsuchi's new goal is likely to defeat him after losing their fight.

"Well…at least she didn't find out who you are." Said Satsuki with her eye twitching at Haku being friends with the Iwa Kunoichi and being on a first name basis with her.

While Naruto remained silent at this information, though was annoyed on the inside.

'I spared her on a whim, now I'm indebted to her for helping Haku, just perfect.' Thought Naruto in annoyance, as if there's one thing he values above all else, it's his family and loved ones, making him very protective of them; especially after the Uchiha Massacre.

Now learning that Kurotsuchi not only saved Haku, but also healed her, left him in in a bit of a conundrum. Since he intended to kill her if she and her team got in their way. But he couldn't since he owed her for saving Haku, and even if he repaid that debt, he doubts he could kill her with the friendship that Haku's seemed to have developed with her. And the last thing he wanted was to hurt one of the girls he loves by killing a friend she's made, possibly her first real friend outside of their group.

'But Gatō and the Akatsuki on the other hand, they're free game.' Naruto thought, swearing to make them pay for hurting Haku, though knowing he may need to use his Mangekyō Sharingan against Kakuzu and Hidan, along with having some strong backup just in case.

But either way, they're going to regret hurting someone he cares about, along with anyone foolish enough to get in his way.

So, what did you think, good. Yep we see Kakuzu and Hidan have arrived in the Land of Waves and learning what their mission, along with Naruto's presence on the island which they inform the rest of the Akatsuki about, with us also seeing Orochimaru's still a member of the organization with no Itachi around. Then we see the Iwa Team with Kurotsuchi having begun training even harder for her rematch against Naruto along with how she intends to improve herself for when she faces him again. Next we see Naruto and Satsuki walking through town while giving some food and money to some orphans as well as hints of their feelings for each other and mutual feelings for Haku. Before we go to Haku killing Zōri and Waraji to get to Gatō, only for Kakuzu and Hidan arriving leading to a fight between Haku and Kakuzu, and while she manages to destroy one of his hearts she still loses and is forced to retreat only to pass out from her injuries. With her having an unlikely savior in Kurotsuchi, who's unaware of who she is, leading to the two starting to develop a friendship before going their separate ways, with Naruto and Satsuki being relieved to see her before learning what happened. With Naruto being annoyed at Kurotsuchi saving Haku so he now owes her as well doubting he'd even be able to kill her now without hurting Haku. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.

Storm out