Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Bleach.

So now, we've moved from the Flashback Arc to the Hero's Comeback Arc. In essence, it now marks the beginning of the actions towards Akatsuki's and Aizen's ambitions.

Chapter 20: Hero's Comeback

Amegakure no Sato – Meeting Room

"Who is this, Madara," a man with spiky, orange hair, various face piercings, and purple, ringed eyes asked the masked Uchiha. He was seated on the chair at one end of the trio of chairs in the room's center with a woman with blue hair and amber eyes sitting by the chair adjacent to him. Seated across him was Uchiha Madara, his lone Sharingan eye shining through the single eyehole of his orange and spiral mask. By his flank and standing stiffly was Aizen Sousuke, smiling calmly at the Akatsuki de facto leader.

"This is the Shinigami accomplice I spoke to you about, Pein," Madara replied. "This is Aizen Sousuke."

Pein didn't show any other reaction than saying, "I see. So his defection was complete. What does he plan to do now?"

"He seeks to overthrow the one known as the Soul King and take his place as god."

His ringed eyes narrowed as he stared at the amused brunet. "He wishes to become god? He's welcome to try."

Aizen simply smirked. "Oh, I will try. Make no mistake. When I do, my alliance with Madara will be over and my sights will turn to this world, Pein. And the first one to feel my power would be you three."

Pein's chakra rose sharply when his female companion laid her hand on his shoulder. Then, he caught sight of Madara's narrowed Sharingan eye. Both her hand and his narrowed eye conveyed the same message. Don't. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Opening them again, Pein threatened, "Aizen Sousuke, as I said, you're welcome to try. However, know that, between our two realms, this side knows more about pain than yours."

Aizen twitched but regained his smile and said nothing.

"Anyway," Madara interjected, "our objectives as Akatsuki will not change. We will still acquire the Bijuu. However, our methods will grow to accustom the Shinobi world, the Human World, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo. To that end, after this, Pein, inform Akatsuki of this temporary alliance. Aizen will inform his own group, named Espada, of us, as well."

The brunet traitor turned around and said, "I will see you all in a few days. Until then…" He trailed off as he snapped his fingers, creating a dimensional tear, and walked through it. Once it closed, the three other people in the room waited for a bit.

Then, Madara said, "Zetsu, did you get the spores on him?" He looked to the ground beside him, where two flytrap appendages started to emerge. Between the appendages was a head with green hair that was split into one-half black and one-half white, both of which has yellow eyes. He too was wearing the Akatsuki cloak.

"Yes, we did." The white side spoke first. Then, the black side followed. "Pein deserves some gratitude. He helped out by his temporary bout of aggression. It brought the Shinigami's attention solely on him for the briefest moment. After all, the slightest distraction is a bad thing, no?"

"Nevertheless, I wouldn't put it past him to expect surveillance from us or to have some sort of surveillance kept on us." Madara turned to Pein. "As I said, you and Konan would inform the Akatsuki of Aizen. In a few days' time, we arranged a joint meeting between the Akatsuki and his Espada. So, in addition, tell them all to expect everything. These beings target the soul as well as the physical body, so you'd best caution them against such attempts."

"I assume that, since you know of Aizen, you have some information regarding him or his organization," Pein asked.

"He and I chatted a bit during our first encounter."

"He knows of your Jikukan-Ninjutsu, then."

"No. I learned not to rely solely on those abilities after my fight with the Yondaime Hokage. I increased my proficiency in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. I then used Aizen as a test of those abilities, without using a single Jikukan ninjutsu. I will tell you here and now that, even without using my Jikukan ninjutsu, I am still just as dangerous. As it stands, I highly doubt that he knew that I wielded such a technique. But a true ninja can never be too sure. Regardless, I caught onto his use of Jikukan techniques as he left for his realm and synced his interdimensional method of travel with my eyes. That's when Zetsu took the stage."

Konan hummed in thought. "I suppose it does make sense. If you and Aizen fought before, he might have been familiar with your energy signature."

Madara nodded. "I dropped Zetsu off in the realms without stepping out. Needless to say, he gained sufficient information about them. He will provide you with the details and then you will inform the others about them."

Hueco Mundo

"Aizen-sama, I've finally found you," Tosen asked his leader as the dark-skinned captain entered the throne room. "I've been looking for you around Las Noches."

"I've been meeting with Madara-kun."

Tosen scowled. "With all due respect, Aizen-sama, we shouldn't ally ourselves with that kind of man."

"Pray tell, Kaname," Aizen asked with a raised brow from his throne atop the platform, "what kind of man do you believe Madara-kun is?"

"He is more than willing to resort to bloodshed even if it doesn't affect his plans."

Aizen's face broke into an amused smile. "Am I so different that you do not condemn me as you do him?"

Standing ramrod straighter, Tosen exclaimed, "Yes, you are vastly different from him. To us, bloodshed is only necessary if it is required of by our goal. Our purpose is justice! His is discord."

If anything, the smile grew wider. "Yes…our purpose is indeed justice. But, even the justice of the world sometimes requires the aid of less just means hidden in the shadows to accomplish a goal. It is a necessary evil, Kaname. Wouldn't you agree?"

Tosen remained silent for a brief moment before he begrudgingly nodded. "I concede to your point, Aizen-sama. Forgive me for doubting you."

"Regardless, I want you to call the Esapda to the meeting room. It's time to inform them of this new development."

Crossing his arm across his chest, Tosen proclaimed, "As you wish." Then, he turned around and left.

Uzushiogakure no Sato

"Here's your order," the chef exclaimed to Naruto and his mentor, giving them their bowls of ramen.

"Thanks," his leader replied in kind, grabbing the chopsticks, with Jiraiya doing the same.

"So, what's your plan then, gaki," the white-haired Sannin asked. "Do you plan on visiting Konoha? Do you plan on telling them about Soul Society and Uzushio?"

"Nope," he cheerily exclaimed as he ate his ramen, "you are."

Jiraiya gaped at him. "What?"

He grinned. "You heard me, Ero-Sennin! You're going to tell Baa-chan!"

"Where is this coming from?"

"Out of all the shinobi who are aware of the other dimension, you and I are probably the ones who know the most. And you said it yourself, Ero-Sennin, Baa-chan must be made aware and both of us know that I can't step foot anywhere near Konoha without ANBU chasing after me. At least, I can't until my exile status is rescinded. And it would happen either by Konoha itself retracting that order or by being recognized as the Kage I am by the Daimyo, which would nullify that order. I'm in the process of informing the Hi no Kuni and Mizu no Kuni Daimyos about Uzushiogakure."

"Why Mizu's daimyo," Jiraiya asked. Before Naruto could answer, Jiraiya gave a lecherous smile. "Oh, it's about that engagement with the Mizukage, isn't it?"

Naruto chuckled. "Yes. Since Uzushiogakure's land was claimed by Mizu Daimyo, who gave the deed to Mei-chan, whom I am now in a relationship with amongst others, he should, at least, be made aware of the change of hands. Now, about telling Baa-chan, what do you say, Ero-Sennin? Shouldn't you, as Konoha's spymaster, report your findings to the Hokage?"

Jiraiya and Naruto stared at each other for a while before the former sighed. "You've truly got your father's tongue. Fine, you win. I'll tell her about this."

"But," Naruto turned serious, "make sure that you two are in a safe location."

His eyes narrowed at that. "Why?"

"It's best to be on the safe side. You never know when undesirables may be listening."

Jiraiya stared pensively at his still-full ramen. "I want to use your seals."

"Hmm," Naruto tilted his head in confusion.

"In the case where circumstances arise during a scenario that would not ensure us privacy, I would need some insurance."

"Alright, what seals do you want?"

"I would need the Tsukuyomi imitation. That's it."

"Huh, I thought you would need more."

Jiraiya snorted as he quickly devoured his ramen. "Who do you take me for, Naruto?! I'm the great and powerful Jiraiya-sama! My greatness knows no bounds! Not even the smallest things are safe from me!"

Naruto deadpanned and sarcastically said, "I fear for my poor seal's safety."

"Aren't you the comedian? Anyway, give me the seal. I can think of many scenarios just with this thing alone." Naruto shrugged and handed him said seal, making him grin. "I almost can't believe it. You actually learned and mastered fuinjutsu, the most difficult and most patience-demanding art of all, bar senjutsu. I never would have imagined it."

He grinned back and finished his ramen. "Of course I could have done it, Ero-Sennin! I'm your student, aren't I?"

Jiraiya patted Naruto on the head and gave a proud smile. "Yes, you are. Remember, call me when you're going back again to Soul Society. I want to join you." He stood up and placed some money on the counter. "Well, I gotta go. I did plan to tell Hime but you didn't say when I would tell her. You never know when inspiration hits the great mind of an author!" He grinned perversely.

"Heh, try not to get too beat up, alright? There are still some kunoichi here who still want just as much to kick your ass!"

"As long as there are kunoichi who scream my name," he turned around and posed, "Jiraiya-sama will not rest until they are all satisfied!" Then, he disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

"That…was rather inappropriate," said the chef, taking the money and the empty bowl. "That would have been taken just as you explained it, Naruto-sama, and the wrong way."

Naruto smirked as he too paid for his ramen. "That's what's great about Jiraiya-sensei, ossan. He is just like me. We know how to twist things around to our liking to mask our true intentions."

Karakura Town

Nighttime in the simple civilian town was always quiet, Ichigo noted since he gained formal cognition. Granted, there were a few rumbles of cars that roam by various streets but, at this time of night, they were few and far between. He closed his eyes and turned his head upward towards the sky.

"It's beautiful, isn't it," a bass voice reached his ears. Ichigo recognized it as Yoruichi's cat form's voice. "The night here is always peaceful."

"Isn't it the same for Soul Society," he softly asked, not moving from his position.

"I don't know. I didn't notice. Before we were exiled to Karakura Town, I was captain of the Onmitsukido and being in such a position didn't exactly give free time." Yoruichi snorted. "Even if it did, I am still the captain of the Second Division. It's just as unlikely to give free time."

"I see. Does Urahara-san notice such things?"

"Of course he does. He notices things that most Shinigami don't. If he wasn't making inventions in the back of his shop or selling candy to passersby or brainstorming ideas varying from crazy to ingenious, he would get to the roof and stay there. I would often join him. We would just stay there, enjoying the quiet of the night." Yoruichi shook her feline head and asked, "Anyway, you already have your physical body back. Why aren't you going back home yet? Your friends are home by now."

"I'm just concerned because of what happened during my fight with Byakuya and I find that the silence of the night of Karakura Town helps me think."

Nervousness gripped Yoruichi. "What happened?"

"Something…dark controlled me. I was about to lose against him when it took over." He opened his eyes and gazed at his raised hands. "It dominated the fight and was about to kill Byakuya when I retook control. I talked to Naruto about it a few days before we returned to our dimensions and he said that I had a Hollow inside me." He looked at the wide-eyed cat. "Not exactly a jinchuuriki, since everyone has a dark side, consisting of a Shadow and a Hollow, but it is still worrisome. I'm thinking of what to do about it."

"W-well," Yoruichi stuttered out, "since Naruto knew about it, maybe he could help you."

Ichigo shook his head. "No. I've relied on him long enough and I don't want to add to the burden of his Kage duties by training me. He has his own life to lead, which he has held off for too long, and I have mine. I'm going to Urahara-san's place sometime. I'll deal with this problem myself." His lip move upward a bit and said, "Thanks for this talk, Yoruichi-san. It's nice to talk to someone during this time of night." He started to walk away. "Good night."

Yoruichi watched the teen turn a corner before she jumped off into the direction of Urahara's shop. There's something he needs to know.

Later

"To think that Kurosaki-san is hiding something so marvelous from me," Urahara laughed boisterously in the privacy of his underground area. "I assumed he would be so obviously secretive when I asked him about that event. He didn't even blink when he denied knowledge. Wow. I still can't believe it."

"You've been laughing like that since we dropped him off. Didn't you hear what I said, Kisuke," Yoruichi, now in her clothed, human form, shouted at her long-time friend. "Ichigo has an active Hollow."

"Oh, I heard you perfectly well, Yoruichi-san. While it is rather surprising that Kurosaki-san was receiving secret ninja training while training with me at the same time, it makes me pleased that he would still visit me, considering his ninja mentor's power. I imagine that we wouldn't need the aid of Hirako-san and his companions. Naruto's training is all he would need to fight his Hollow." He then grinned.

"I know that look," Yoruichi spoke with exasperated abandon. "You're planning something." She paused for a brief moment. "You're going to talk to Naruto."

"Yup, I'm truly interested in him the most. While I am intrigued by the group of Shinigami-Shinobi that resides in Soul Society, I am more focused on Naruto-san. I would have to ask Kurosaki-san how to open a gateway between here and the Shinobi world."

Kurosaki Clinic

When Ichigo opened the door, he was alarmed. Why, you ask? He was expecting the dark hallway where his father would jump out on some area and try to attack him while shouting at the top of his lungs. However, he didn't get that. Instead, all he got was an empty and dark hallway. His more comedic, Isshin-sense didn't pick him up anywhere near that he could attack him. And his more serious sensory ability detected his father seated by the kitchen.

"Ichigo, come in," his father said from further inside. The son did so, closing the door behind him, and ventured to the kitchen, where his father's voice originated. Upon arriving, his eyes widened upon seeing his father seated on the kitchen chair and dressed in Shinigami garb. And it's not just any run-of-the-mill Shinigami attire either. That's just the plain and black shikakusho, nothing else. No. If the white cloth that was fastened on his left shoulder was any indication, his old man was a captain.

"Oyaji," he asked uncertainly, "what's this? Why are you wearing that? Is there some cosplay event or-"

"Naruto," Isshin replied. It was just one word and Ichigo froze like a deer in headlights.

It then hit him, the last words Naruto said to him before they split paths. When you get to your home, tell your dad it's time. Could this be it?

"I don't understand."

"I'm exactly what your eyes see me as. I'm a Shinigami, Ichigo." He sighed solemnly before looking at Ichigo's wide-eyed face. "I'm also a captain. Juu-bantai-taicho, Shiba Isshin, at your service," he gave a nod. Raising his head, both father and son devolved into silence. Neither made a move. Neither twitched the tiniest muscle.

Then, Ichigo quietly muttered, "Explain. First, how do you know Naruto?"

"We met when you were sick from exposure to demonic energy and a clone temporarily took your place. He visited the clinic one day. During that time, there were no other patients so it left me and him alone in the workplace. He started talking and eventually ended with the sudden statement that he knew what I was. He was stubborn, I'll give him that. He and I then talked…about the family. Then, when we came upon one topic of conversation, he and I had a disagreement and…clashed. I wasn't prepared and he defeated me. After yet another talk, he and I agreed that I will tell you what I could."

"Go ahead. Tell me."

"Sit."

Two commands and both were going to be followed. Ichigo, his face now set into a deep scowl, sat opposite his father.

Then, Isshin continued, "As I told you earlier, I'm a Shinigami captain, leading the Tenth Division, with my lieutenant, Matsumoto Rangiku, and third-seat, Hitsugaya Toshiro."

"That Hitsugaya Toshiro guy is now the captain. Shouldn't it be the lieutenant who should become captain first before the lower seats?"

"Ask anyone who knew Rangiku – hell, ask Rangiku herself – and they would answer the same thing. She is not cut out to be a captain. It's not harsh, just the truth. She is a free spirit, not meant to be confined in the office and doing paperwork. Granted, a lieutenant also has paperwork, and she never does those without being scolded," he added under his breath, "but it is considerably less than a captain's workload. Toshiro, however, is adaptable. He can work behind a desk or on the field, even though he prefers the desk. But I digress."

Ichigo then said, "I doubt that Shinigami captains can just get out of service that easily. Something must have happened to make it so that you could leave your spot."

"It's your mother. I met her one rainy night in Karakura Town after I volunteered to hunt down a very powerful Menos-level Hollow, was wounded by an invisible and reiatsu-masked Aizen Sousuke, overlooked by the Hollow, and saved by a Quincy whom the Hollow looked over for." His son's face showed that he found it difficult to comprehend. "It's not easy to believe, is it? But it is true." He then proceeded to give the details to his son. He started with his encounter with the Hollow. When he reached to the part where he was saved by the Quincy, Ichigo's face shifted into shocked horror.

"Kaa-san's a Quincy," he asked in disbelief.

"Yes. And she's a pure-blooded one, one of the best in the art."

"I thought Quincy were extinct by then."

"No. The vast majority may be wiped out but the Quincy line still lived on, under constant watch by Soul Society. Now, you could say that they are all but wiped out. The only Quincy left are the two Ishidas, Ryuken and Uryu, and the former has all but denounced his involvement in the Quincy arts, living the rest of his life in powerless obscurity."

"As long as one member still lives and considers himself a member of his bloodline, a family line won't die out."

"True, but one member hardly constitutes a clan, more so if that one member has no intention of repopulating and resurrecting the bloodline."

"Speaking of bloodlines, you said that Kaa-san was a pure-blooded Quincy. That means that they have some sort of blood purity system like those nobles of ancient times and, if my memory serves, purebloods are required to marry another pureblood to maintain that purity." His eyes darkened with rage. "Who was she supposed to marry?"

"I never pegged you as someone who would know the politics of the olden days." He chuckled a bit. "Her suitor was Ishida Ryuken," replied his father, making him stiffen, "her close friend."

"Wait…you said 'was'. How did you manage to break off the engagement?"

"Well, as it turns out, when she saved me, she didn't emerge the victor completely unscathed. She was wounded by the Hollow before it was destroyed. It was a few days after she and I parted ways and I returned to Karakura Town, to make sure that no other Hollows like that one returned, that I discovered that the Hollow somehow 'poisoned' her, evidenced by a hole opening on her chest. She was being carried by Ryuken to what I assumed to be a Quincy healer when we met with Urahara Kisuke. I saved her and Masaki was then considered Gemischt, mixed-blood, and their engagement became null and void. So, she stayed with me and one thing led to another and we had you three."

Ichigo slumped on his chair, his head bowed down. "So…I have the blood of a Quincy and a Shinigami." His head shot up. "Wait, so does Karin and Yuzu!"

"Shh!" Isshin's eyes flashed with annoyance before relaxing. "Yes…you three have Quincy and Shinigami blood. However, it was due to the Hollow's efforts that your Quincy blood would not surface for a very long time, if not ever, leaving your Shinigami blood unimpeded and waiting for release. That was the reason for your awakening as a Shinigami. But Kisuke assumed that your Quincy power is still within you, albeit taking a long time to awaken. The same goes for Karin and Yuzu. However, neither of them should ever be involved in this. I already failed in protecting you from the knowledge of the other world. I won't fail in protecting them. Will you help me?"

His son nodded with a determined look in his eyes. "I will. They still have a big future ahead of them. Nothing will stop them from getting to it."

"Thank you, Ichigo." He took a breath and said, "It's already late, Ichigo, and all this heart-to-heart removed and placed a weight on my shoulders at the same time. Let's get to sleep. Next time we have some privacy, we can talk about your experience with Soul Society." Father and son stood from the chairs and were about to walk up the stairs when Ichigo placed a hand on Isshin's shoulder. "Yes?"

"How could this talk relieve and burden you?"

"I'm relieved because I don't have to hide this big secret from you anymore. But I'm burdened because I did all I could to make sure that you didn't get involved in this Shinigami business only to fail."

"I'm not going to say that I'm happy that I became a Shinigami because I'm like Yuzu and Karin, someone who has a human future ahead of him. But, I won't say I'm angry at this either. It's because of my becoming a Shinigami that I have gained the power to protect those I care about. I am more than willing to let that future go if it means securing the future of my friends."

Isshin smirked and said, "Don't go saying stuff like that, boy. Don't forget that I still draw breath. As long as I'm still around, your future isn't going anywhere. You may be willing to forget yourself to ensure your friends' future. But I am here to ensure your future." With that, he ascended the stairs and Ichigo followed soon after.

Konohagakure no Sato

"Welcome back, Jiraiya-sama," Kotetsu greeted.

"Yo, Kotetsu, Izumo," the white-haired Sannin replied. "How's guard duty going?"

Izumo sighed. "It's still as boring as ever." Then, he perked up. "You wouldn't happen to have some news about your upcoming Icha Icha, would you?"

"Now, now," he laughed, "I don't give freebie spoilers to anyone. You'll just have to wait until this book hits the shelves." He moved to enter the village and waved goodbye. "Bye!"

Both Chuunin slumped at his statement as they gave this mental statement at the same time. He couldn't even give us a teaser. What a letdown.

Jiraiya chuckled upon sensing those two's reaction to his zipped mouth but didn't focus on them too much as he had a more important task in mind. He needed to visit his other student, his more recent student. Tsunade would have to wait. Heck, even his research would have to wait. His Konoha shinobi student needed more of his attention because his well-being was still in the works.

After a long trek to his student's house, he opened the door, removed his sandals, and fully entered the house, not even raising a brow upon finding his student seated with one book on each side and a third in his hands.

He sat down opposite his student and cleared his throat. The book was lowered and revealed a pale face with onyx black eyes and matching black hair that is spiked to the back with bangs framing his cheeks. "I see you're back," he said to Jiraiya. "What brings you here? It's been a long time since your last visit to this place. You usually send some ANBU to tell me about training."

"Well, I'm not here for training. I'm just here to make sure that the mark on your neck is still sealed and isn't giving you treacherous ideas."

He frowned uncomfortably as his hand went over to the left side of the base of his neck. "It's still fine. Whatever seal that is, it did its work well. I don't hear whispers any more than I did back before I got the stupid mark. My mind is as clear as then."

"Still, hatred is a funny thing, Sasuke. You never know when it would come back and blind you again. Besides, that mark is but a fan to the flame that is your hatred for your brother."

"Former hatred," he corrected almost immediately. "After reading these three journals countless times, my hatred for him is gone. Instead, all that's left is this…emptiness. Now that I've been told the truth, I…I don't know anymore."

"What made the change?" Jiraiya knew that this is the pinnacle of Sasuke's psychological crossroads. What he would say to him would make or break him as the shinobi that Itachi wanted him to become.

"Itachi did what he had to do because of his loyalty to Konoha. I want to know why. What is it about Konoha that makes him sacrifice his clan and himself for it? Is the village that important?"

"Is that your only question?"

"I have lots more," he hissed, his eyes turning red with three comma-like markings surrounding the pupil. "But that question is more important right now. I want to know why."

"As you said, you read the journals. Didn't the Sandaime, your mother, and your brother write their thoughts in them well enough to grasp?"

"Quite the contrary, they wrote their turmoil well. The problem is that I'm not them. I can't understand them through these mere words. The Uchiha was planning a coup against Konoha because they were ostracized. The Sandaime was holding them off from performing that coup all the while holding off the decision by the council to purge them. Even if the Sandaime wrote that Shimura Danzo was the one who pushed for them to die, Itachi wrote that even if he didn't offer, he would be the one who would do so. WHY?! If it was just the old man who offered, then the blame would be on him. But why would have Itachi done the deed regardless? Doesn't our family, our clan, mean anything to him?"

"It did. However, their planned coup endangers the village. Between the clan and the village, Itachi chose the village."

"How could it place the village in danger? As much as I hate to say it, the Uchiha was alone in their plans. If they went up against the village, they wouldn't survive against the combined might of the Hokage, ANBU, ninja force, and other clans defending the village. In the end, Konoha would still be on top."

"If the Uchiha went through with their plan, the other villages would capitalize on that and strike at us after the Uchiha coup, where we're recovering from the damage. Heck, they might have even attacked during the coup d'état. That would leave Konoha and its inhabitants, Uchiha or otherwise, defenseless as all those involved would be weakened. And it is not just some what-if scenario. It is certainty. Konoha may be the strongest of the five hidden villages but that doesn't mean we are invincible. Orochimaru's allied attack with Sunagakure proved that. Also, you've just said an important point."

"What?"

"The clan won't survive against Konoha's combined might. So, regardless of the clan attempting their coup or not, the Uchiha would still die out, to very few living members. Now, I know sensei and I know Danzo. Both of them would refrain from harming any Uchiha younglings because they are still part of Konoha and the complete loss of the Uchiha clan would be a blow to the village's strength." He then added in his mind: Of course, Danzo might put up the illusion of killing the younger Uchiha while actually kidnapping them for whatever sick purposes he has. "You would be safe from the onslaught, and possibly so would other children. Now, if they, and you, found out that Konoha was responsible for the death of their family, what would the reaction be?"

Sasuke furrowed his brows and said, "As one would expect, I guess. They would hate Konoha."

Jiraiya nodded. "That's exactly it. The younger generation won't understand the reason for their family's death and would instead focus their hate on Konoha. That would yet again spark another inevitable Uchiha revolt in the years to come. The cycle would repeat over and over until something or someone ends that cycle. That someone was Itachi. He killed his clan to pre-emptively stop the formation of the cycle of hatred and pain and, subsequently, bore the hatred and pain himself."

"Is Konoha worth doing that much for? Is Itachi so loyal to the village that he would do that?"

"What Itach has is more than loyalty. It's faith. He believes in Konoha and he believes in what it stands for, the Will of Fire, so much that he is willing to endure the weight of his sins on him if it is to maintain that belief. That is what being a shinobi means, Sasuke. It takes more than learning jutsu and becoming infamous to become a shinobi. It takes faith. That is why Itachi did what he did."

Sasuke's eyes were shadowed by his hair. Then, he asked, "Why was the Uchiha unwanted? It can't be because they are afraid of the Sharingan. I need to know the root of the clan's hatred."

"The Kyuubi no Yoko attacked 16 years ago," Jiraiya slowly started. "No one knew why it appeared in the village but according to sensei, he, the one who went up close and personal against the Kyuubi to divert its attention to him, saw the Kyuubi's eyes. They were not the usual red eyes with slit pupils that one would associated with the Bijuu. Instead, while the eyes were red, the pupils were circular, like a human's, but it had three tomoes circling it." Sasuke froze. "An Uchiha controlled the Kyuubi that night, an Uchiha with eyes powerful enough to control it. He told only me about it and no one else because, regardless of him telling the other elders, it doesn't change the fact that its sudden appearance, without any warning whatsoever, could only mean that it was controlled and summoned. The three elders didn't take kindly to that fact and turned their eyes to the most likely suspect: the Uchiha. Sensei tried to change their views but they couldn't be swayed. I can tell you, however, that only those three rode that train of thought."

"So the Uchiha clan faced the fallout of this rogue Uchiha's actions. Who is it?" Sasuke narrowed his eyes. Jiraiya opened his mouth but Sasuke continued, "Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for the Sandaime's attempt to assuage their fears but I still hate those three for their fear of what they don't know. And," he swallowed heavily, "I am a bit disappointed in the clan as well. They didn't even try to change how the elders saw them. They instead confirmed it. I understand now how Itachi could see the clan as he did. However, I know that it won't change the fact that they're gone. Let those three old geezers live with their paranoia. I want no part of it. Instead, I will look to the one who caused all this: this traitorous Uchiha. I'll make him pay for what's he's done, for what he made the clan and Konoha do to each other. I know that he won't stop with that. He used the Kyuubi against the village for a reason. He will come back to this place again and I will be ready. Itachi killed the clan for Konoha. I will kill the traitor for that same reason."

Jiraiya narrowed his own eyes. This conversation didn't go the way Jiraiya envisioned it. He is still filled with hatred. As he thought, it would take more than three journals and one heart-to-heart session to change Sasuke's ways.

Sasuke then changed the subject. "My house-arrest would be lifted soon, right? What would you do with me then?"

"I told Tsunade-hime that I would watch over you after Naruto brought your vengeful ass back here. So I'll still be honoring that statement. But I'll do it my own way. The psychological evaluation and your on-and-off training with various jonins for a brief time won't cut it for me. After your detainment, I will have you be my official apprentice!"

The Uchiha's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"

"I'm serious as I am in research, gaki! I'll use the same tactic I used on Naruto on you. And since you'll be my apprentice, you and I will be away from the village often. Of course, you won't be with me all the time. I'll drop you off in Konoha, if my spy network needs my undivided attention for a while."

"I…don't know what to say. I thought you'd wash your hands off me afterwards."

Jiraiya snorted. "Please. I'm not that petty about what you did to Naruto. True, I was pissed at you but that alone wouldn't justify leaving you to the mercy of politics. Besides, you're just like Naruto. Even if you are a pain in the ass, you kinda grew on me."

"Don't go soft on me. It makes me uncomfortable," Sasuke mumbled.

"Hahaha," he laughed as he stood and patted Sasuke on the shoulder. "Don't worry, kid. I'll try not to be too soft on you. Now, if you don't mind, I have to meet with Hime about a few things. You should probably meditate on what I've told you. It helps. Trust me."

Jiraiya turned to leave and already had his sandals on when he heard Sasuke speak again. "I keep forgetting to ask, damn it." He turned to Sasuke, who had an oddly irritated look on his face. "Have you had any contact with Naruto lately?"

The Sannin raised a brow. "What makes you think I am in contact with him?"

"You yourself said that I was like him in that we both grew somewhat on you. I suspect that you gave me these journals as a favor to Naruto, since I doubt you would come to that decision on your own. That means that you and he are close to that extent. Also, he was your student longer than I was. There's no way that you wouldn't, at the very least, make sure that he can protect himself out there."

"Fine, you win. Damn you brats. You all seem to connect the dots so easily. Yeah, I've had some contact with him. Why? What do you want with him?"

"I want to ask him something." He then took out the journal that Jiraiya recognized as Uchiha Mikoto's and took out a folded piece of paper from a hidden compartment at the back cover. He flapped it open and Jiraiya's brows rose to his face upon seeing what was on it. It was a crudely-drawn picture, as if made by a child. It featured some black-haired woman with matching black eyes in some sort of brown apron over a dark blue blouse holding the hand of a blond, spiky-haired boy whose eyes were closed and mouth wide open in a toothy grin. "Why does my mother have a picture made by Naruto of them both hidden in her journal?"

"Oh," Jiraiya lamely started, "I…don't really know how or why it's there. The only one who can really know is Naruto himself and he's gone back into hiding after he and I met."

"When you take me as your apprentice," he insisted, "take me to Naruto sometime. I'll ask him about this."

"Haha, I'll see what I can do." With a smile, he then left Sasuke alone in the house. However, his head was giving an imaginary pat to Naruto. Naruto, my boy, you really are a goldmine. To think you were close to the Uchiha matriarch to the point you drew a picture of you two, that's almost the motherlode!

That's the end of this new chapter.

So, I'll say it now. This is not necessarily a 'Good Sasuke' for now. He still has his hatred and it will indeed cloud his mind at times. As Itachi said, Sasuke can be 'dyed any color.' In a way, his color changed from Itachi to Tobidara.

In other news, Ichigo now knows of his heritage as a Quincy and Shinigami. But, unlike his sisters, he has one more: Hollow. As I understand it, the Hollow presence didn't completely leave Masaki when she was saved by Isshin. Instead, it remained in her, dormant, until she had Ichigo, where it moved hosts from her to him.

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