Jesús: "One more chapter huh? Well, let's just get right to it..." [Disclaimer] "...This is a fan based story, I don't own Naruto. All credit goes to Masashi Kishimoto."
Chapter 2 (A Cruel Good-bye)
Normal POV
When back to safety, all Fugaku could do was explain to the Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, about what happened. Danzo immediately showed a face of discomfort seeing as Fugaku had disobeyed direct orders and even saved Minato and His child, even if Kushina had to be sacrificed. Sarutobi ordered his Anbu to immediately take Minato and his Son, Naruto, to Konoha's Hospital and get treatment right away. Both father and child turned out to be ok and safe from any kind of danger.
A couple weeks after Minato was discharged from the Hospital along with his Son and both moved into an apartment within the Hokage tower while his house was rebuilt. In the mean time Minato had to go back to work instantly, and the first thing he did was call Fugaku into his office…
"Did you call Milord." Fugaku asked and took the traditional stance for respect of a higher authority.
"Don't need to be so formal with me Fugaku…" Minato called "…There is something I've been meaning to talk to you since actually the day you were named the Chief of Police…"
"What is it?" Fugaku asked slightly confused
"Fugaku, how do you feel about the Police?" Minato asked
"Excuse me?" Fugaku asked not understanding the question.
"Well, is obvious that there is a need for law enforcement and so a police unit is highly needed. And I also understand that now is more of a tradition for the Uchiha to become members of the Police force, but tell me Fugaku, how do YOU feel about the Uchiha Police force?" Minato explained his question.
"To be completely honest with you, since soon after I joined the Police force I felt it wasn't right. Sure, we may be a group that keeps chaos from breaking within the Village, but it also gives us all the hatred of the villagers. To be honest I don't understand why Lord Second would create the Uchiha Police force." Fugaku answered the question.
"I knew it…" Minato replied as he folded his eyes shut and face the window of his office. "…Fugaku, what would you say if I was to Disband the Uchiha Police force, and replaced it with selected Anbu?"
"Are you serious?" Fugaku asked shocked at what Minato had said
"Fugaku, to be a leader you must be able to think as your enemy would, and the same applies for trying to understand your peers. Since we were young I could tell you didn't like the Uchiha Police Force, and one of the many things I've been meaning to do was disband that group and free the Uchiha from such a burden." Minato said and finally opened his eyes. "What do you say?"
Fugaku stayed silent, he didn't know how to react to this. Over 50 years of tradition would be destroyed with just this one choice. And it was his choice weather he continued to feel the strong pain of receiving no respect from those he protected, or free his whole clan from working in a job they most likely didn't want to do and maybe even be allowed to retire or rejoin the standard Shinobi Units.
"Sounds good to me." Fugaku finally spoke with an honest smile on his face, one not often seen by many. "Many of my men don't really enjoy the police work anyway, I'm sure they'd be glad to finally drop that part of their lives."
"In that case, I have another question…" Minato started and turned his face towards Fugaku. "…Fugaku, I've been thinking that I need a Right hand man in case something happened to me. Let's say that for example I had died during this last attack. I'm sure Lord Third would have taken office again until they found a replacement, but if I had a right hand man he could take office in my stead. Fugaku, it'd be my honor if you accepted the position." Minato finished and bowed his head respectfully.
"Milord, please raise your head. I'm unworthy of such trust." Fugaku started and quickly straightened Minato's standing position. "If you think I'm fit for the position then I'd be more than Honored to accept."
Soon after the Uchiha Police was replaced with Anbu the tension surrounding the Uchiha members lightened and now the villagers were feeling more comfortable with their Uchiha peers.
Fugaku and Mikoto helped Minato with Naruto's upbringing and soon enough he and Sasuke, Fugaku second Son, became good friends.
It has been roughly eight years since that day. Minato and Naruto are living a happy life back in the Namikaze household. And even though Naruto and everyone know who his father is he still asks on a daily basis…
"Hey Dad, How come your Last name is Namikaze yet I'm named Uzumaki?" Naruto asked
"Well Naruto, as I've always said. The Uzumaki were an amazing Clan of warrior. Among them one eternally beautiful woman made her way to this village. That Woman was you mother. She was Amazing; Strong, beautiful, funny…" Minato said
"What about smart?" Naruto asked
"Even she had her weaknesses…Not to say she wasn't but she jumped into action more often than thinking of her first move…Anyway, as you know. Your mother died the day you were born. She protected the village like a true Leaf Shinobi, but above all, she protected you. The Uzumaki had been wiped out when your mother was a teenager, and so to keep the Uzumaki's name alive we decided that we would name our first child Uzumaki, as well as every other child after that. Though that can't happen anymore…" Minato finished and looked slightly sad by the thought. "Anyway, back to happy thoughts. How have you been lately, I know you hang out with Sasuke everyday and you two go to the Park and play with Shikaku's and Choza's kids among others."
"Oh, yeah, we all promised to practice Shuriken throwing today. I gotta go dad." Naruto yelled and ran out of the front door.
Naruto, along with all of his friends, had just joined the Shinobi Academy. Minato was a little Hesitant at first since becoming a Ninja would be risking his life, but he knew that being the Kyuubi's Jinchuriki he couldn't afford to leave Naruto untrained for self defense at the least.
"Sure is full of energy. Like his mother wouldn't you say?" Minato said
"Sure is…" a voice came from a near window and then a man came into view.
This man was dressed in Anbu armor and had a dog mask. His hair was spiked slightly to the side and was Silver although not from age.
"So, what do you have to tell me Kakashi?" Minato asked finishing his breakfast and picking up his Hokage cloak.
"Just the Usual…" Kakashi said sounding very unconvincing.
"What's the matter Kakashi?" Minato asked and turned to the man.
"Sensei…There's actually something more important, but this…" Kakashi started and Minato raised a hand letting him know he understood.
"Let us go Kakashi. There's plenty of paperwork I have to finish still. We can talk later." Minato said giving a Message that they would continue the conversation in his office.
Soon after Minato made it to his office he locked the door and then placed a Sound barrier to keep anyone from listening in on anything in the office.
"Alright Kakashi. What is it?" Minato said, turning into a more serious tone of voice.
"This involves Itachi. He told me to let you know of this." Kakashi said
"Itachi? What's the matter?" Minato asked concerned for Fugaku's eldest son
The young Uchiha had shown amazing potential at the simple age of seven. Now at the age of 16 he was the third in command in Kakashi's Anbu unit. In fact Itachi showed the potential to become an outstanding Hokage at the early age of ten. Itachi had originally been a part of Root, and due to his admiration for Konoha he volunteered to be the Hokage's eyes within Root. Kakashi was his way of transferring the information to Minato
"It seems that Danzo has ordered something from Itachi." Kakashi started. "Something that is hardly Practical."
What would this be?" Minato asked
"It seems Danzo has Ordered Itachi to eliminate all Uchiha. His reasoning seems to be that within the Uchiha there are many sleeper agents and the sort that are just waiting for the right moment to strike. Since they can't pinpoint who exactly he said to eliminate everyone." Kakashi said
"What? What about Fugaku, does he know about this?" Minato asked
"I don't think so." Kakashi replied
"Inform him immediately. And Call Itachi here at once." Minato commanded
"Right!" Kakashi said and vanished
Minato stayed silent for a couple seconds and then a Younger Anbu showed up. This one had long black hair and wore a Weasel mask. Minato reset the sound barrier and then they began talking
"Did you call milord?" The Anbu said
"Kakashi just informed me of Danzo's Mission. Itachi, you can't possibly do it." Minato said
"I'm afraid he'll do something if I don't, specifically something to Sasuke. He agreed to not touch Sasuke so long as I did this." Itachi replied
"I understand what you're saying. If you were to do it you'd do it to protect your brother. That is admirable, but you don't have to worry. I hereby Nullify this mission. It is simply inhumane, even if there was some sort of Spy within the Uchiha, he would get spotted." Minato said
"Thank you Sir…" Itachi said and there was a tear drop coming from under the Mask.
"Itachi. Go back home. Take the rest of the day off. Talk with your father about this. The two of you can relax. I'll see so that Danzo stop this mission from becoming official even to his Ninja." Minato said.
"Thank you…" Itachi said and then he vanished like Kakashi did earlier.
Minato succeeded in stopping the Massacre of the entire Uchiha Clan. But he didn't stop Danzo from whatever crooked plans he had.
"That does it. Even if I have to do this myself. I'll get my hands on the Sharingan…"
A few weeks passed and Minato was sitting in his office looking at paperwork. Among the many sheets of paper a single paper stood alone, secluded from all the others. Minato finally reached for it and started reading it for the hundredth time...
"No matter how I look at it, it's not just a mission..."
Minato got up from his desk and started pacing back and forth behind his desk. This mission was top secret. Only the Hokage and the person that was to take this mission were to know of it. The dangers were far beyond any mission ever released, as far as his knowledge went. And if the person taking this mission was to decline taking the mission after hearing the information for it, they were to get their mind wiped from the Mission's information.
"I can only trust him...or someone among his men...but they're currently out of the village..." Minato finished walking and came to a sudden stop.
He began a set of hand sings and then tapped the ground which made a small frog appear in front of him.
"Yo! What's up Minato?" the frog said saluting his summoner
"I need you to give a Message to someone." Minato said
"Who is it? I'll take your message quickly and efficiently." The frog said
"Kakashi Hatake. He's currently out of the village and so I need you to find him and give this message to him." Minato said and handed a scroll to the frog.
"You got it. I'll see ya around." The frog finished and vanished into a smoke cloud.
At the same time Kakashi and his men were resting near the border to Mizu no Kuni. Everyone was polishing their weapons and maintaining their equipment. Kakashi then raised his head.
"What's the matter Senpai?" Yugao, one of the few women in his team asked
"hmm...I'll be right back." Kakashi said and got up from his spot and walked away from the group.
After a couple minutes he came to a stop.
"Can I help you with something?"
"Sharp as ever. In fact I thank the fact only you noticed me." A voice came and then the frog that had been in Minato's office emerged from a bush. "I have a Message from Minato."
Kakashi received the scroll and quickly read the contents in it.
"Do you know what's written in here?" Kakashi asked the frog.
"I'm a Messenger, unless the message is to me I don't peek my nose on anything." The frog said "In any case, I'll be leaving now."
Kakashi closed his eye for a second and then he made his way back to his team.
"Tenzo, Yugao, Itachi. Follow me..." Kakashi said and lead the three away from the rest of the group.
Once everyone was out of ear or eye shot Kakashi started speaking..
"Minato-Sensei has something to talk to us. Only one of us of course. He said it was about a mission and that only the one taking the mission should know about it."
"What kind of mission is it?" Tenzo, a man with a pale face and wide eyes asked.
"Considering the small bit of information he gave me on the message I believe it might be something extremely dangerous. And something he'd rather not involve a Clan head with."
"Then he wants us to choose who takes the mission?" Yugao asked
"I'll read his message..." Kakashi started and reopened the scroll.
"Kakashi, I'll be brief about this as to not take up too much of your time. I have a new mission and I need a Ninja qualified for it. Amongst all the Ninja in the village those in your unit are the most qualified for this. This mission will be too dangerous and I don't want just anyone taking it. The person to take this has to volunteer for it since I also don't want to force anyone on it. I leave the Choice for the candidates up to you." Kakashi read and then put the scroll away in his Shuriken pouch.
"I see..." Itachi said
"What's the matter?" Tenzo asked the young Uchiha.
"I'll take the mission." Itachi said with determination in his face.
"What?" Tenzo asked confused "We haven't even started discussing what this could be about or how dangerous this could be."
"I also don't think you're the most qualified among the four of us." Yugao said "I mean, yeah. You're a young man with the ability to use the Sharingan. But I don't think you have the years of experience just yet for a possible Suicide Mission."
"Itachi..." Kakashi started and looked at Itachi's eyes.
Itachi's eyes showed an empty void surrounded in darkness, but deep within the void Kakashi could see a small glimmer of light.
"Why do you want this mission?" Kakashi finally asked making everyone go silent.
"You see..." Itachi started.
Three day's passed and Kakashi and his men were now just relaxing, but within Konoha something grim was about to happen...
"Are the preparations ready?" Danzo asked
"Yes sir. We're just awaiting your orders." A cloaked Anbu replied while keeping his head down.
"Perfect, Move out and wait for just the right moment." Danzo said and then the Anbu vanished.
Nakano Shrine. Originally, the place most Sacred to the Uchiha Clan, but it was also in which they kept their secrets plans for a coup d'état. Long since had those plans been abandoned. Now, the Nakano Shrine was the most known and most trusted Shrine among young and old for all sorts of Miracles. Fugaku and His wife, being the heads of the Clan, were in charge of cleaning the Shrine and maintaining the place as well.
"Good evening Lord Fugaku." A young Uchiha man called out to him as he passed by.
"Evening." Fugaku replied and continued to gather the leaves that the surrounding trees had dropped.
More people started gathering and before long...
"Lord Fugaku watch out!" the young man from earlier yelled and got in front of Fugaku.
The man then fell to the ground. Fugaku turned the man to see Many Kunai and Shuriken stuck in the man's chest. Shinobi started appearing surrounding everyone in Nakano Shrine and everyone in it.
"What do you all want?" Fugaku called trying to get an answer out of these men.
None of them replied, but instead they attacked. Each person within the premises of the Shrine fell to the ground dead, Uchiha or not. Fugaku and Mikoto were the last two standing. Mikoto was clearly exhausted since she had not been in a battle for nearly 15 years now. And Fugaku, he was just being overpowered by the enemy.
"Give it up..." Fugaku heard. "...There's no way out of this one for you..."
"Danzo...I should have known this was your doing from the beginning." Fugaku roared at the old man.
"Still, if this is all you could do, I wonder how you made it to clan head. Good bye Fugaku..." Danzo said and then two Anbu appeared behind Mikoto and Fugaku landing a final hit on them.
Fugaku and Mikoto died within seconds after and then Danzo and his men retreated.
Within the Hokage tower Minato rested after having just finished all his paperwork for the day.
"Man, where's Fugaku? He said he'd be back before sundown and is already long past..." Minato then shivered. 'Something's not right...'
"Sensei" Kakashi appeared
"What's the matter?"
"There...something horrible happened..." Kakashi said and lead Minato out of the office.
Minato and Kakashi reached Nakano Shrine and noticed about 37 corpses lying all over the area; among them were Fugaku and Mikoto as well as several other Uchiha.
"Who could have done something like this?" Minato asked though deep within his mind he had a strong guess of who.
"This way of assassination, is the same way Itachi has." Kakashi said inspecting one of the corpses.
"No, there's no way he could do something like this." Minato said pushing that possibility out of the way.
Kakashi and Minato called for a medical unit and they "cleared" Nakano Shrine of the corpses. Medics and other Ninja examined the dead trying to figure who did such a thing. Right on the next day Itachi showed up into Minato's office.
"Lord Fourth..." Itachi said and lowered his head respectfully.
"Itachi, is there something you need to talk to me about?" Minato asked
"Is about the Mission you talked about." Itachi asked
"Oh, that. I was wondering what this was about. Also this is good timing, I...also have something I must inform you about..."
"You go first sir..."
"Well, something horrible happened last night. Only few people know of it as of right now, but I wouldn't doubt the news spreading by tomorrow at the earliest. Someone attacked Nakano Shrine. About 40 people were found dead there and among them were...your parents."
Upon hearing Minato's words Itachi's face paled and his eyes went wide with shock.
"What? You mean..."
"Yeah, they as well as everyone in that incident were assassinated for an unknown purpose. And whoever did it intends to put the blame on you. Everyone seems to have been killed in a way you would do it. Kakashi and few other Ninja in the T&I group came to the same conclusion. Of course Kakashi and Myself believe your innocence, but that doesn't means others believe the same."
Itachi's eyes started watering and soon enough tears began to flow. Once Itachi opened his eyes they were in their Sharingan state and not just the Sharingan, but the Mangekyou Sharingan.
"First Shizui and Now my parents...I know who did this, but I can't prove their guilt." Itachi said
"I believe we're both onto the same person. But I don't have any proof either." Minato said and then looked Itachi in the eyes. "Itachi, having heard this information. Are you sure you want to take this mission?"
"Yeah." Itachi replied and wiped his eyes clean from the tears.
"Now Itachi. Why is it that you want to take this mission rather than let someone else take it?"
"I've...Throughout the years I've been a part of the Anbu I've gone through several medical examinations. Many different doctors too. I don't have too long to live, every doctor says that I may have about 10 years. I want to be of use to the leaf as much as I can in that time." Itachi explained
"I see, but knowing about what happened to your parent's you'd be leaving Sasuke alone." Minato explained "I mean, I was planning to take both you and Sasuke into my house until you two felt ready to live alone again. But if you take this mission you will not be able to even meet him."
"I've made my decision, I know that at least he'll be in good hands by staying with you." Itachi answered
"I see. I'll honor your decision and accept you as the person for this mission." Minato said and placed the barrier on the room and then pulled the mission slip from the drawer.
"This mission is far beyond a Suicide Mission. In this mission you will have to infiltrate a criminal organization called Akatsuki. This group is made up of S ranked criminals and they've been doing many shady things as of late. Your mission is to join them and report back to me any vital information. I will take full responsibility for any crime you commit..."
"No, I'll take the burden with me, no matter how grave the crime or doing. I'll do it and take it with me to my grave" Itachi said with a face that clearly showed he was ready for anything.
"I see. You'll more than likely be branded a criminal due to this mission and thus you'll be a rouge Ninja. If you're detected into the Village barrier you're more than likely to be captured and maybe even killed on the spot. Here, this is the Barriers formula; you can enter and exit the village as many times as you want with this."
"Thank you." Itachi said and took the scroll.
"Itachi what about Sasuke? I'm sure he'll surely believe of you as the criminal." Minato asked
"Let him think so. The Uchiha gain power from Hatred, or so is been said for generations...If Sasuke comes to hate me, he'll become stronger. But in truth he'll only know of a false strength, and that's when I'll tell him the true secret of strength." Itachi replied
"I see, in that case. You can leave Sasuke's well being in my hands. And Itachi, Sorry for putting you through this." Minato said
"Is ok. And don't try to lift the guilt from me about my parents. I'm sure that'll make me joining this Akatsuki group more believable."
"Understood. Good luck."
Right as Minato finished these words Itachi vanished.
The next day everyone in the village started spreading the word about "Itachi's doing" and the one hit the hardest was none other that Sasuke.
"Sasuke..." Naruto whispered as he noticed his best friend curled up in a ball while leaning on a tree and crying.
"I won't forgive him. I'll avenge my parents and make him apologize to them. I'll defeat him, even if it means Killing him..." Sasuke said and raised his face to the sky as his tears flowed down his face.
Sasuke's eyes had awakened a new power. They were not the standard dark eyes he normally bore, but red. Crimson red in fact and in his right eye there was a tomoe, the sign of the Sharingan.
"Sasuke...Your eyes..." Naruto whispered and saw his friend in amazement.
Jesús: "That's it for the second one. As you can all more likely tell I'm trying to keep as Canon as I can to the original story. Sure, many things will be original, but I'm trying to keep facts, facts. In any case, I hope you all enjoyed it. Please leave a review telling me what you all think of this story, and I'll see you all next time.