Darui read through the files Ay-sama handed him, some confirmed details and a lot of conjecture about a specific Chunin; one Uzumaki Naruto. If even half of what the elite Jounin read were true, the boy would be a monster when he fully matured. Darui had no issues admitting as much, even if a mere boy mastering all five nature releases seemed highly doubtful without the aid of a kekkei genkai. But, once again, if even half of this were true now the boy was every bit the prodigy his father had been, assuming Minato Namikaze was his father.
A potential S-class shinobi or the identity of a Jinchuuriki were always things to be on the lookout for. Darui wouldn't deny this was valuable information, if true. However, Ay-sama was going to completely overreact given the information. Where Darui saw a child with a good deal of potential, Ay-sama saw the justification to follow his greatest ambition. An ambition with real costs, and what would be the justification? Konoha prepping a superweapon with a grudge against Kumo? Even if the kid did hate Kumo, not that Darui would blame him, that wasn't Konoha's way.
Ay-sama managed to convince much of the forces it was Konoha that attempted a doublecross during the Hyuuga incident but there were enough senior ninja to know that was a lie. Those that did felt a great deal of shame. Yes, a ninja does what they can to better their village and complete their mission but kidnapping a little girl under the banner of peace went beyond dishonorable. If you have no standards you're little better than animals and Darui believed there had to be some lines you wouldn't cross just for power.
"Say what you want to say, Darui," Ay demanded and his number two frowned in response.
"There is still time to call this off, Ay-sama."
"Why would I want to?" Ay asked but didn't wait for a reply. "Before the hidden villages my clan went where they pleased, conquered people and took lands. We were never meant to be holed up on some mountain. Hashirama and Madara changed the game, both too powerful to be opposed. We had to unite with others just to keep up. Tobirama, not as powerful but more intelligent and ruthless. Truly we were never as strong as we were then. How much of the Kinkaku Force did we lose to him? And who was his replacement? Sarutobi Hiruzen, the God of Shinobi. Only to follow up with Minato-"
"Whom you respected."
"I did respect him and acknowledged his abilities. Just like my father and the others did for the other Hokage. We've had to stifle ourselves because of it, because of them. But now, there is a short window. They are lulled by peace and won't protect their next generation as they should. We can cripple them and finally be the rolling storm we were always meant to be," Ay said, reveling in a sense of destiny, his chance to finally surpass his father by making Kumo greater than it ever had been.
"And lose a lot of good people to the cause. We have more than enough now and are under no threat from anyone," Darui pointed out.
"It's not good enough. Konoha has gotten to define the modern shinobi age for too long, it's time that's stopped. Kumo will be the uncontested best and we will prove it."
Darui said nothing in response, reasoning there was no point. Ay, the Jounin thought, had a false sense of destiny. He wanted to, again, go to war with Konoha for no reason and very little reward. The total destruction of a major hidden village hadn't happened yet for a reason and Konoha hadn't lost a war yet for a reason. Darui would fulfill his duties and tried to guide those under his command to the best of his abilities but he wished Ay would reconsider
The Sandaime had mellowed as he aged, seeing the value of a strong and secure Kumo. The man didn't dream of conquest, of triumph but the periods of peace they enjoyed. Ay ignored that, focusing on who his father was as a much younger man. It wasn't for Kumo. Ay was treating Kumo as if it existed for him, not as if he existed for Kumo but the power of self-delusion had convinced him otherwise. Darui would perform his duties and protect his comrades as Kumo was more than its Kage and his childish whims.
Onoki read over the file once more. Truly, he didn't care. It was a single boy from the most peaceful major village. He'd be more than happy to ignore his existence and if his shinobi should find out about the boy he'd order them to do the same. Iwa may hate the Yellow Flash but they had no time for a pointless grudge. It was war, the blond bastard only did what he should have. The problem, Onoki thought, was Kumo.
He knew Unruly Ay. The only leader that didn't demilitarize after the last war, one of the reasons Onoki used the Akatsuki. It wasn't easy to ignore the organization was housing a traitor to him and his village but they were useful for the most difficult jobs his forces weren't prepared for yet. Ay would likely see this as an opportunity. The man was predictable and that it hadn't gotten him killed was a testament to his power and Kumo's might. Iwa and Kumo could only ally because Konoha separated them, if not for that Onoki knows Ay would see him as a threat and target.
The question became could he use this to benefit Iwa? He didn't need personal glory, he'd earned enough throughout his life but he couldn't avoid considering beneficial options. It was rarely easy, but war did offer opportunities if you were keen enough to see them. More importantly, the threat of war offered untold opportunities. Maybe it was time to form some new alliances.
Onoki couldn't make the first move, of course. Konoha and Suna would have to come to him. His ninja wouldn't like it, their pride still damaged after the last war. Onoki could understand this but pride was like anything else to a shinobi, to be useful until it wasn't and then ruthlessly discarded. A soft alliance with Suna and Konoha could be profitable. It would stop Ay in his tracks. It would also give Onoki time, time to train Kurotsuchi and plan his exit. His old bones had gotten used to peace. But it was a luxury and if war presented the better option for Iwa then he would take it. That was his duty, his burden.
His most loyal ANBU kneeled beside his desk. He must have been confused but he hid it excellently. Itachi truly was one of the best shinobi Konoha had ever produced. It was a source of both pride and shame for Hiruzen. Itachi could have been the first Uchiha Hokage if not for so many things, so many decisions. If only he'd been more resolute when dealing with Danzo, if only he hadn't allowed the Uchiha to isolate themselves. If only, if only. Nothing could change what happened, it was as trite an observation as it was true but since his resignation, Hiruzen had so much more time think. No, not think, process. To come to terms with the totality of his second reign as Hokage. Failure would be his assessment.
The Uchiha, Hizashi Hyuuga, Orochimaru and Naruto. He'd strained his relationship with Kakashi, another potential Hokage that Hiruzen failed to nurture. He'd fractured his relationship with Jiraiya; if not for, unintentionally, instilling the need for his approval, Hiruzen knows Jiraiya would have cut off all contact or flaunted his orders. So many wrong choices or, worst yet, situations he convinced himself he had no choice at all. Tobirama had been merciless in his brief talk and Hiruzen could see the disappointment in the man's eyes.
Hiruzen shook himself from his internal musings so he could receive Itachi's final report, "Speak, Itachi-kun."
"Sandaime-sama, as ordered, I tracked down where that large contingent of Oto shinobi traveled to," Itachi started. Hiruzen made sure to have people in Oto that could report their movements and when he received word that dozens were being ordered to the same location he knew his student was up to something. "On arrival, I found dozens of Oto ninja dead from various wounds. From the looks of the battle, it appeared they faced only one person. I noticed what appeared to be the remnants of noxious gases being emitted by the corpses. I continued my investigation of the Mountains' Graveyard and came to several conclusions upon finishing my search."
"And what are they?"
"I believe the location to be a base for the one that called himself Madara, the man that recruited me and killed most of the Uchiha. I believe Orochimaru somehow discovered his base and ordered an assault. I further believe she knew enough of his abilities to know those ninja were marching toward their deaths and she had them ingest a toxin of some kind that would be released should they suffer a flesh wound. As the alleged Madara was not there, I do not know if his body was disposed of or if she has it somewhere."
"So, she may have a fully functional Sharingan?"
"It is possible, yes."
"This… this isn't good," Hiruzen whispered. He wasn't one to panic but this was a worst case scenario if there ever was one.
"With due respect, Sandaime-sama, I disagree. Madara was both ruthless and powerful. He never left me with an opportunity to kill him or I would have. If Orochimaru has managed to subdue or eliminate him then that is for the better."
"Maybe so, Itachi-kun, but we do not know her motivation. Her with a Sharingan… I fear what she could do with such an ability. What she will do. If she grew adept enough she may be able to control Naruto-kun"
"Implantation of a Sharingan is not without detriments, as Kakashi-senpai has shown. Besides, I believe her motivations are quite obvious. As stated previously, she appears to be grooming Naruto-kun to be her lover. It was why she has shown such an intense interest in his development but given her psychological profile, she would not tolerate being second to him."
"The problem with that is while Naruto is talented, he hasn't demonstrated anything that should make him rival her. Maybe in several years with just the quantity but a large number of original ninjutsu wouldn't justify it as she has a large number of her own," Hiruzen argued back.
Itachi debated whether he should violate this law or not. He believed the Sandaime needed a clear picture so he wouldn't continue obsessing when it wasn't warranted. He had a great deal of respect for the man but could see that his need to see Orochimaru as the ultimate villain was leading him to ruin.
"Sandaime-sama, do you know that Naruto-kun can use Lava Release?"
The questioned shocked Hiruzen, on top of everything else Naruto-kun had a kekkei genkai? "No, I didn't know he had a bloodline."
"He doesn't," Itachi responded. "Neither does he have the Hyoton kekkei genkai but I have seen him perform jutsu of each with no lava streams nor snow around to manipulate. Those breakthroughs I was unwilling to report was that, Sandaime-sama. Naruto-kun has found a way to use sub-elements without having a natural affinity for them. If I had not seen it with my own eyes or heard Orochimaru confirm Naruto's nature affinity didn't match with Yoton I wouldn't have believed it. This is why Orochimaru could see him as a rival, he's broken through a barrier we've all taken as law."
Everything inside the former Hokage wanted to reject Itachi's words. He'd tried to perform sub-elements himself, having peaked at his combination method. It was no small feat and very, very few shinobi could mimic it. That a mere boy could do what he'd failed to was almost unbelievable, except he knew Itachi to be impeccable and would not reveal this if he were not sure. It would make Itachi's argument make sense but Hiruzen was now more curious about how Naruto managed to hide it for so long. Surely someone knew and would have spread word. How did such an achievement go unreported? Was Naruto truly so isolated that no one could even spare a moment to see the remarkable?
No, someone had to know and kept it under wraps. The Sandaime recalled the mission debrief when Team 7 and 8 returned from the Land of Snow. Kakashi and Kurenai had hidden it well but they were trying not to reveal something and that Kakashi didn't allow his students to be there… as if he was concerned one of them would overshare. Kakashi used to be one of his most trusted agents, had he alienated the man to this point?
He cut off that train of thought, this was no time to indulge in guilt. He needed to think as this added a new wrinkle. Even if Itachi was right, and Orochimaru's goals didn't extend beyond her interest in Naruto-kun, it would still drive her to become more powerful if she managed to match his progress. At least now he could give Kabuto some direction in terms of what to look for, what to report on.
"Thank you, Itachi-kun, for everything. As Tsunade is the Hokage now, this will be your last assignment for me and as always, you maintained your enviable level of excellence. Please continue to do the Leaf proud, my boy."
"Thank you, Sandaime-sama," Itachi said before disappearing in a shunshin.
Naruto hurriedly entered the academy building, Mageela hot on his heels. Finalizing his project took a bit longer than he thought as he'd wanted to catch the Corps before class. He hoped Iruka wouldn't mind too much but he couldn't just wait until their classes ended, he'd be gone by then. Naruto traveled through the halls, none of the surroundings making him the least bit nostalgic for his academy days. Once he arrived at the desired classroom, he knocked three times and waited for a reply.
"Come in," Iruka called out and was surprised to see Naruto standing there in his Chunin uniform. "Can I help you, Naruto?"
"Hai, can I speak to Konohamaru, Udon, and Moegi briefly?"
"Class is in session, it'll have to wait," Mizuki spat and watched as Naruto just finally acknowledged his presence before dismissing it entirely. The red-haired Uzumaki looked back at Iruka and waited for his reply. The blow off was noticed by both instructors and some of the students.
"Normally, I'd agree but if you are here it must be for a reason so yes they can step out but please be quick."
"Thank you, Iruka," Naruto said as the trio made their way out to the hall. Naruto softly shut the door behind him as the tree waited in anticipation. "Hey guys, I'm sorry I had to pull you out of class for this but I don't have a lot of time," Naruto started.
"You going on an important mission, Boss?" Konohamaru asked.
"Yea, you going to rescue another princess?" Moegi inquired.
"Or overthrow a corrupt government?" Udon prodded.
"Sorry, nothing like that. I'm going on a training trip for a few years and won't be back in the village until it's over."
"WHAT!" they yelled, causing Naruto and Mageela to flinch at the volume.
"Owe," the panther said as she rubbed her ears and Naruto had to agree.
"Not so loud, dummies. Now, as I said, I'll be out of the village so I wanted to leave you all something to help you train," Naruto revealed three mid-sized scrolls; a black, a blue, and a red giving them respectively to Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon. "In those scrolls are some training guides that I tailored for the each of you. Now, you guys don't have to follow them to the letter, they really are just to help so if your interests change then pursue them. But I think you'll each find some useful information in there."
"Thanks, Boss," Konohamaru said as he went in for a hug, his two friends joining him. Naruto hugged his little friends and assured them he'd be back around their graduation and was excited to see their progress. The Corps each hugged Mageela and then returned to class. Summoner and summons both took off, they had several people to see today and needed to make up for lost time. Once existing the academy they traveled via shunshin to their next destination and saw Shikamaru and Shino looking at them expectantly.
"You're late," Shikamaru observed.
"Indeed. I deduce you lost track of time nerding out," Shino added. Naruto gained a tic mark at the Aburame's words.
"I was not nerding out and that's hardly a deduction, you just guessed, 'ttebayo."
"But I am right," Shino pressed.
"We don't have time for this you troublesome pair," Shikamaru interrupted as he walked past his teammates.
"You know, Shino, sometimes I think Shika doesn't love us."
"I, too, am met with a decided lack of love."
"Do you think it's just us?"
"Highly doubtful."
"So, you could say he's, maybe, lost that loving feeling?"
"Both of you need to shut up."
"It may be gon', gon', gon'," Shino said, ignoring Shikamaru.
"I am warning the both of you."
"Now he's starting to criticize the little things we do."
"It makes me feel like crying, why? Because, baby, something beautiful is dying."
"I'll never go to karaoke with you two again."
"But Shika you were really good. Who knew you had the voice of an angel," Naruto complimented.
"I'd deduce Temari," said Shino, causing Shikamaru to now gain a tic mark; it really was just a guess.
"When are you going to show Tayuya your special talents, Shino?" If the question wasn't startling enough, that it came from Kurenai made it that much more so as the boys hadn't noticed her arrival. She laughed when she only heard a faint buzzing. Shikamaru soon joined in, savoring the reversal. Naruto was quiet, wondering if and when it would be his turn. Kurenai noticed Naruto's anticipatory body language and simply stroked his cheek while smiling at him. He blushed and turned away, likely bemoaning how unmanly such a thing was.
The team sat down at their shared training grounds, the place they officially became a team. It was weird, being nostalgic over something that happened a year ago but Kurenai couldn't help it. She hadn't truly known what to expect when she took this team on, some part of her was concerned three adolescent boys wouldn't want a woman as their sensei or would be too welcoming of it for the wrong reasons. That hadn't been the case and she was thankful for that.
"We don't have a lot of time but I just wanted to say, I can't imagine having a better group of students. Each of you have made me quite proud in our short time together. I'll admit I'm sad one of you will be leaving for so long. I know Jiraiya-sama is your godfather and unquestionably a powerful ninja but I, selfishly, want more time for us to be a team."
"We'll always be a team, sensei. Why? Our bonds are not so easily severed."
"You're right, Shino. We didn't come together quickly nor easily but you all managed to overcome obstacles and have the potential to be one of the best teams Konoha has ever produced. Shikamaru and Shino I know I'll still be your captain but I wanted to share my thoughts with all of you before Naruto departed.
Shikamaru, your intellect is staggering and I have no doubt you will one day surpass your father. But you are not just your intellect. You are more and can be more. I'm glad you've found the motivation to do more than simply see every angle and pick the path of least resistance. I know much of the world must bore you but I'm glad you've seen fit to challenge yourself." Shikamaru simply nodded, not having anything to say in response.
"Shino, your clan is often isolated due to your allies and your logical manner. I'm elated you managed to open up with us and had faith we would not reject you. Seeing more and more of your personality come to the fore has been a treat and I look forward to what other facets you reveal in the coming years. I hope others get to see it as well because you are quite an interesting young man." Shino had no outward reaction but Kurenai heard a faint buzzing and knew what it meant.
"Now, my problem child-"
"Hey!"
"Distant, angry, resentful, guilt-ridden. You didn't want to be on a genin team, you thought it was an insult… and you weren't wrong. I'm sorry I didn't see through the Sandaime's games, that he used us to further his cover-up. However, I am ultimately happy you were on this team. I fear if you hadn't been assigned to me, to us, you would have grown to believe there was no one in Konoha you could trust. You would have fled and unjustifiably validated much of the bias against you.
But you see it now, right? Even if you don't fully trust it yet. You're winning more and more of the village over. They are seeing Naruto Uzumaki for who you are and not what you hold. You fought and fought and fought and now you're free of the Kyuubi's shadow. I have no doubt you'll grow under Jiraiya-sama's tutelage just don't have so much fun you refuse to return home, ok?"
Naruto simply nodded at his sensei's remarks, thankful Mageela broke up the silence with pleads that Kurenai say something about her, as the unofficial fifth member of Team 8. Her pleading was so cute that even Shikamaru laughed, which was even rarer than Shino doing so. Kurenai swooped the cub up and rubbed her head, saying some very heartfelt words about how the team could not function without Mageela's contributions. The panther looked absolutely smug as she soaked up the attention. All in all, it was a good final meeting for Team 8.
Kiba hit the ground hard, a dull thud echoing throughout the training ground. Akamaru gave a disapproving bark, not liking how his partner was being treated. Sasuke dismissed it, simply waiting for Kiba to return to his feet. It was taking longer than it should, he'd hit the Inuzuka hard but it wasn't that hard.
"Would you relax you bastard!," Kiba exclaimed from the ground, decidedly not getting up. Sasuke briefly wondered if he should kick him until he did. "Ever since that mission with Team 8 you've been a real piece of work," Kiba continued to bark out.
"So? Weren't you embarrassed? Weren't you shamed? A team the same age as us fought to S-class ninja and won with no permanent injuries. What the hell have we been doing because it certainly isn't what they've been doing." Sasuke had a lot of pride and it was hurt when Kakashi ordered them to stand down but more than hurt pride, he was inspired. There was obviously a level he and his team could reach if they worked harder, smarter, better.
"That Naruto kid is a freak, it isn't a fair comparison."
"He was a genin like us," Sasuke observed.
"Yea, and my clan thinks it's because the Sandaime had it out for him for some reason. He was a genin in name only, even Kakashi-sensei would agree." All three members of Team 7 looked to their sensei reading away in a tree, not remotely concerned about what they were doing.
"But Naruto didn't fight them on his own, Kurenai-sensei trusted her whole team," Sakura observed.
"Shikamaru is a freaky genius, though. And Shino isn't far off from him. Add them onto the kid that can summon lava from the ground-"
"Mah, mah, mah, Kiba-kun. The trees have ears so you shouldn't speak about things so breezily, ne?" Kakashi said in a light tone but Kiba heard the threat. They'd all been ordered not to mention Naruto's lava release to anyone as a trump card becomes less impactful if everyone knows about it.
"Besides, one jutsu doesn't make you ready to fight an S-class ninja," Sasuke said. "You need to train us better, Kakashi."
"As you are now, each of you could pass another Chunin exam with minimal problems."
"That's not good enough."
"Don't be so quick to put yourself in someone else's shadow, Sasuke-kun."
The Uchiha bristled at that. "I'm not, I just see what's possible."
"No, you don't. When you both entered the academy, by most metrics you have more talent for the shinobi arts than Naruto ever will," Kakashi relayed.
"But-"
"Naruto," Kakashi interrupted Sasuke's retort, "had to follow his own path because he had to. If he'd been forced to follow convention it would have stunted his potential in its infancy. The hawk sees no more potential in the shark as the shark does the hawk. Your path is different and if you remain diligent you will grow, Sasuke. Don't limit yourself making comparisons you don't understand."
Kakashi dismissed his team for the day, letting his problem child think about his words. Sasuke took the scenic route back to his house, attempting to make sense of his exchange. He understood that people had differing talents but Kakashi's words regarding Naruto simply made no sense. He would have struggled in the academy but was good enough to graduate early? It was a paradox.
"Your sensei is right," a disembodied voice said amongst the trees. Sasuke tensed as he hadn't noticed someone following him and still couldn't sense a presence around him.
"Who's there?" Sasuke asked, quickly drawing a kunai and getting into a defensive stance, Sharingan activated.
"Someone very old, old enough to have seen the start of your clan. Old enough to have served it for generations. I only emerge when needed and as the last of your clan, I am needed."
Sasuke couldn't believe what he'd heard, there is no way someone could be that old. It was, frankly, impossible but insulting a potential enemy you couldn't trace was foolish so he decided to play along. "If what you say is true, I have been the last of my clan for some time."
"Wrong. Excluding the traitor Itachi, there was another but he perished."
"Who?"
"Madara-sama. He managed to survive his fight against Hashirama but lived in seclusion. He thought day and night about how he would save his clan, his people but ran out of time as his age finally caught up with him."
"What do you mean, save us?"
"The Senju found strength in bonds and they passed that ideology down throughout Konoha. The Uchiha found strength in solitary trials, the individual pushing him or herself to the limit. Madara feared the Senju way was weakening the Uchiha and Itachi proved him right. You are the most talented of your generation and yet are outclassed by a Hyuuga and an Uzumaki, which is essentially a Senju as they were cousin clans."
"So, how do I become stronger? How do I reach my potential?"
"Continue to gain all you can from your allies. I will be in contact and eventually all will be revealed. Stay strong, Sasuke-sama."
"What's your name?"
"You, my lord, may call me Zetsu."
He arrived alone to her manor, letting Mageela go back to the Uzumaki estate until it was time to leave. He could have simply sent her back to her land but knew she'd enjoy Karin and Tayuya spoiling one last time before the trip. It didn't surprise Naruto that Kabuto opened the door, the boy's false cheeriness on full display. He didn't know why he thought it fake but he did and didn't trust Orochimaru's longtime subordinate. He never voiced his reservations as they weren't based on anything but he always watched himself around the medic and never allowed the bespectacled shinobi to remain behind him. Kabuto wasted no time leading him to his former shishou and departed swiftly afterward, wishing Naruto safe travels. Naruto didn't believe he meant a word of it but there was nothing to do for now.
"Well, what a welcomed surprise," she said from behind her desk, working diligently, a smile adorning her face. "And what brings my former student here?" Naruto just looked at her, wondering what her angle was this time. She enjoyed her games and seemed to really enjoy making him the target of them. Normally, it was mildly embarrassing. Pubescent hormones and all that but give his reason for being here, it'd only make it worse if he didn't stop her now.
"I had some things I needed to say before I left, 'ttebayo," Naruto reached into his holster and pulled out a green-lined scroll. "I spent much of my time alone. Training helped me forget that feeling, to run from it. It helped me grow strong and give me something to be proud of. But I couldn't have done it without help. I don't know why you initially sent those scrolls to me and whatever your motivations were I don't care. Anyone else that could help me was too afraid of the Old Man to do so but you risked exposure to do it.
More than just furthering my training, they gave me a sense that someone cared. Someone noticed me and wanted to help and that often meant more than the actual content of the material. And then you gave me the means to meet my mother, to find out about my past. Because of you, I have an actual family and a clan. You even trained me to survive against the Akatsuki, which I doubt I could have without your help. And again, I don't know why you did it but I don't care.
I'll always be grateful for what you've given me and I don't know how to repay you, fully, but I hope this could be a start," Naruto placed the scroll on her desk. "This is the full collection of my thoughts and chakra and its applications; my chakra theory. It isn't much but I thought you might like to see the culmination of your support."
After he finished his spiel he really just wanted to turn and flee, he felt weird and anxious. It shouldn't have been a big deal, except any serious jutsu creator has their own theories for why things work. The insights built up over the years, it's more than a look into how they view chakra but often how they view the world, often operating more philosophy than science so he was sharing a very important part of himself. Even those who take students rarely share the entirety of their collected knowledge, only guiding them.
Orochimaru understood the significance of the gesture, maybe even more than Naruto did himself. Her maelstrom never stopped surprising her and in a rare departure, she wouldn't make a joke of it or somehow dampen the emotion. She swiftly, gracefully stood up and rounded her desk until she was beside Naruto, gently rubbing his whiskered cheek. "Thank you, Naruto," she said softly and the boy just nodded. She soon pulled her hand away, both briefly missing the contact. "You know, after three years I'll expect you to have grown significantly in skill,"
"I kno-"
"And hopefully in stature," she said and watched the brief flash of annoyance enter his eyes. "Seriously, Naruto, I wish to challenge you upon your return. I promise you I won't have stagnated in your absence."
Naruto smiled, looking at his former master with absolute confidence, "That's fine. I'm going to win regardless."
"Oh, not just impress me but win outright? Sounds like a statement begging for a wager."
"I'm so confident we don't even need to set the terms."
"A blind bet? Meaning I can demand you do anything I want if you should lose? Some would call that foolish."
"Maybe, but I trust you. Besides, I'm not going to lose, 'ttebayo!"
"Kukuku, I look forward to it," Orochimaru said. Soon she heard an alert, someone was at the door. She knew who it was and cursed the lummox's timing. She gestured for Naruto to follow her and they headed for the door. Upon arrival, they were greeted by Jiraiya, carrying two knapsacks.
"I figured you were here, gaki. C'mon, we're burning daylight," Jiraiya said, before nodding at his fellow Sannin.
"Yea, yea," Naruto replied before turning to Orochimaru and giving her a quick hug. "I'll see you in three years, Shishou so be ready to make good on our bet."
"Kukuku and you make sure to do the same." She watched as godfather and godson departed into the village and then parts unknown. Once cleared, Orochimaru made her way back to her study, heading for the bookcase directly behind her desk. She pulled out a book, The Way of Tea, and activated a seal within it, opening a door to a secret passageway. Orochimaru entered the hall, the door closing behind her and the hall lights activating as she approached. She soon reached a hatch and descended down to a sub-basement known only to her.
As she reached the bottom, now standing in her most secret lab, she watched as the once dark room light up. All the standards for a lab were present but the most important additions were the white Zetsu suspended in larger, glass chambers preserved by a liquid concoction. Two Sharingan eyes were stored for later use. Lastly, on a metal table, his one remaining arm and both legs strapped to it laid "Madara" or who, thanks to a blood test run by Karin she knew to be Obito Uchiha laid helpless. His chakra sealed as this was not the time for hubris.
She climbed on top of the man, sinister smile gracing her face. She could have simply killed him but there was something about him she found fascinating. He was a causal chain in leading Naruto to her. Under Minato and Kushina's care, he'd have been a different person, a less interesting person most likely. She lent down, her forearms placed on his chest, propping her up and forcing him to carry her weight. He gave a grunt, the only sign he was awake and alert.
"I'm curious, Obito-kun," she paused and watched his reaction and the grimace let her know he wasn't pleased to be called by his name, "Was making a deal with me really so awful? Was giving me what I want so distasteful you couldn't even consider it? I wonder if it is a flaw of your gender, you gain great power and dismiss any woman in your path. Pein did that and Konan-chan slit his throat. You did it and are now at my tender mercies. Why? I really want to know."
"No deal made would have been respected. If you didn't come for me, that boy would have with your help."
"Kukuku, fair enough. I was never going to let you extract the Kyuubi from Naruto-kun but your outright refusal hastened your downfall."
"My delay in killing you did that."
"So… why'd you do it? Why kill your sensei?"
"... It doesn't matter. Just kill me."
"Don't be in such a rush, Obito-kun. Your end will come soon enough but only after my curiosity has been satisfied."
Hours pass as day turns to night. In a remote clearing inside the Land of Fire, Naruto and Jiraiya lay around a fire. The Uzumaki was winding down after a long day of goodbyes. Tsunade-obachan, Shizune-neechan, and Hinata were all there to see them off; Hinata even giving him a letter to read sometime in the future. Jiraiya and he hadn't talked much as they traveled, choosing to move speedily for their first day of travel.
Jiraiya looked deep in thought, finalizing what he wanted to tell his godson. They had a lot to accomplish during their training trip, not only making Naruto stronger. He wanted to develop a real relationship with Naruto, to be a fraction as close to him as he was to Minato. He wanted to do a lot, to show the young man the world free from violence and betrayal. He couldn't, however, ignore that Naruto was potentially in danger so he had to start there.
"Naruto?"
"Yea, Pervy Sage?"
"First, stop calling me that! At least don't do it around any pretty women."
"I can agree to that. So, what's up?"
"Well, kid, I've got some bad news. The Kazekage planned to use information about you to blackmail Konoha into a better alliance agreement. When he was killed that information was sent to the other three major nations. Nothing is happening now but we are in a state of cold war while we see what Kumo and Iwa do."
He watched as Naruto slumped. "It's always something, isn't it?"
"People hate and fear your dad, he was too good at what he did. There's too much hatred in this world in general. I've long desired to do something about it but have come up short. Maybe you can figure it out if I fail."
"Sure, not like that's a big ask or anything," Naruto said, rolling his eyes.
"It is. More than becoming Hokage, this is the most ambitious goal a shinobi could have but tell me, what else do you have to do?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"What are your goals, Naruto?"
"To be the greatest ninjutsu inventor ever and the strongest shinobi in Konoha."
"Well, you've accomplished the first one and by the end of this trip, you'll be damn close to the second. Congrats! Is that it? Seems kind of hollow for someone like you."
"Can't be the leader of a place that hates you."
"They don't hate you, Naruto, not anymore. They are never going to throw you a parade or collectively apologize. It isn't fair, it isn't right but that's the truth. Many have changed their minds and they may even realize they were always wrong and feel guilty but their acknowledgment of that fact won't be explicit."
"So what, no one glares at me anymore and we call it even?"
"I know it's not perfect-"
"It's a lot more than less than perfect. What if I don't agree? You say they won't acknowledge their wrong, what if they didn't have a choice?"
"So, you'll terrorize people weaker than you? I thought you were better than that."
"They sure as shit didn't mind terrorizing me when I was weaker than them! And you don't know a fucking thing about me. You could have but you let some old man convince you to betray your word and abandon me so don't act like you have a read on my character."
"That sounds like revenge, Naruto."
"No, that's justice. They should be punished for mistreating a child. They should be forced to face what they did and own it, just like I have to own it. I don't get to pretend my childhood wasn't what it was."
"But you could be better."
"Yea, the Old Man used to preach that crap while he was lying to my face every day. Imagine how convincing it is from the man that left me alone."
"Do you hate me for not being there?" Jiraiya asked, really needing to know and watched Naruto shrug.
"Just because you cared about my father means you give a shit about me. I'm guessing you didn't think being a godfather would amount to much so when the worst happened it was just easier to obey the Old Man. You did your thing, I did mine. I don't hate you because I didn't even know you existed but I am pissed. Why? Are you going to tell me I shouldn't be?"
"No. This is good, we need to clear the air. You're right, I wasn't there and I didn't think being a godfather would require much. Listening to Sensei, contrary to your belief, wasn't easy in the slightest. I was the failure of my team, Naruto. I was a screw-up, try hard. A late bloomer surrounded by geniuses and because my talents emerged late our roles were set by the time I started matching Orochi and Tsunade. I was desperate for Sensei's approval and even at this stage of my life, I still reflexively seek it. It's shameful I allowed that to override what I promised Minato and owed you but never think it was easy or I simply didn't care.
As for the villagers, I know it may feel unsatisfying to simply forgive them. Like they simply get away with it but they weren't completely at fault- wait!" Jiraiya said seeing Naruto was about to interject. "They are ultimately responsible for their behavior. From my understanding, the Kyuubi attack was terrible beyond imagination, a widespread trauma with no outlet until your status was revealed. I place the blame for that on Sensei. He should have been a more forceful leader, he should have been the beacon of hope to see them through. Instead, he played the kind grandfather when he was capable of more. They suffered from a lack of leadership, from trauma, and ignorance, and a lack of character.
They couldn't endure and had no one to truly show them the way. That's what a Hokage is, a symbol of the village's best self. An example of what they could be. One reason Orochi couldn't be Hokage, regardless of her history with Sensei, is that she didn't inspire people. You can. You can show them grace, Naruto. You can show them what it is to endure and come out better, stronger, smarter for it. I'm only asking you to show the villagers the same Naruto that the people of Ishval, Wave, and Snow got to meet. That Naruto is something special."
"What if I can't?"
"Part of the reason for our training trip is to give you time away to come to terms with everything, to find peace within yourself. You still see them as an extension of Sensei."
"How could you know that?"
"I've spoken to Kurenai and Orochimaru. I've kept track of your career, Naruto."
"I can't make any promises. Besides, why is it so important I forgive them anyway?"
"Because Naruto, I believe the only people that can truly change this cycle of hatred are those strong enough to stand against the logic of this world. Someone like you."
