Thanks for all your massive support guys even during the break reviews, favs and follows kept rolling in it felt so good. 25 chapters down and 25 more to go Book 1 of my Naruto series is just now reaching the halfway point...things only get crazier from here...but more on that later for now SHOUT OUTS
Rose Tiger - Im back so expect updates at least every two weeks
Tonlor - Ive already got that part planned out I think its gonna be pretty awesome
Yamichaos27 - The contents of the scrolls will be reveal in later chapters just keep waiting and as far as the Tsunade Arc...its gonna be this whole crazy thing lol
Darth Syhnious - Thank you and there will be some kind of aftermath if it be big or small...you'll have to wait and see
Marblegirl - Im back and ill have more updates soon
Ninicere - response to Ch 20 review and ch 25 review Thanks alot for the OC love and of course the NaruHina love and I'm curious which of my other stories have you read? PM me
Alright guys just one more thing before we get started. Lets play a game I want you guys to listen to your favorite Naruto or Naruto Shippuden Opening before you read the chapter and your favorite Ending at the end of it. Idk I think would be fun and would make it feel like you're actually watching an episode and in your review of each chapter post which song you chose. You dont have to do it I just think it would be fun.
Any way on to the story
Chapter 26 A New Day and New Problems
The air was still and silent as Naruto stood in training ground 7 surround by the early morning mist. The blond hero took a deep breath and opened his eyes which revealed his dojutsu his crimson eyes piercing through the mist, his eyes looked left, right, up and down.
"Alright...let's go" he said as he lept into the mist soon many fists surrounded him all trying to clobber him as he dodged, blocked, punched and kicked at his targets the faint sound of popping could be heard.
Returning to his earlier spot he clapped his hands together "Futon: Reppusho" a powerful gust of wind erupted from Naruto core and popped the rest of the clones he was sparring with.
The mist surrounding him was gone and he stood there looking at the rising sun, thinking over the past day's events "Jiji..."
Elsewhere
High on the side of a mountain cliff alone shinobi was steady climbing up the rock formation with one hand behind his is back. This climb is meant to improve one's strength and discipline; he knew that as he climbed up and quickly grabbed the next jagged rock he could find. He stopped there panting for a second sweat dripped down from his damp black hair, pausing to catch his breath visions clouded his mind.
A man standing over him glaring at him with the same blood red eyes as his own...his singular motivation for the last 9 years...his brother
He starts back up the mountain...
A girl with long pink hair standing under a cherry blossom tree staring at him with love in her eyes...the one who actually makes him smile...his future
He continues up the path...
A sickly pale tall man with long hair who will do and say anything to have power...the one who wants body and eyes...his enemy
He slightly stumbles blinded by the mist but catches himself...
A young lad with bright blond hair a year younger then him but is steadily stronger than him...the one who pushes him further to become stronger out of pride not hatred...his rival
Sasuke let out a loud bellow into the mist filled skies and pushed his way to the top through the pain, through the loneliness, through the suffering and through the hate. As he reached the top he crawled over and laid on his back panting heavily, he knew what he had to do.
'I have to find a better way to stronger...I won't give in to the darkness within my heart...I won't' he thought as he rested there
Hyuga Estate
Hinata sat at a desk by a window in her room; she looked out of it and sighed thinking of the past day's events. She had gotten trapped and made utterly useless during the battle with Gaara, even if Naruto had told her that wasn't true she knew it was. She needed to get stronger and would definitely be training with Anko-sensei very soon; she had to in order to stand beside her love. Hinata then smiled looking down at the red scarf she was knitting in her hands. This winter clothing meant to keep the neck warm held a deeper meaning to the young kunoichi.
As she continued looking at the scarf she thought of all that they had been through, what Naruto had become to her and what the future holds for them.
Memorial Stone
A long figure stood in front of the great stone that was littered with the names of those K.I.A, he easily located the three names that stood out to him.
"Tou-san, Kaa-san, daifu-san (Godfather)..." Takeru clenched his fist "...I promise I won't fail you, I won't lose another of my loved ones on the battlefield...I promise"
In the trees surrounding the stone Yugao silently stood watch over her 'son' making her own promise to her fallen lover.
'I promise I'll watch over him Hayate-kun...I love you' she silently promised
Up in the trees above her sitting on a tree limb was the copy ninja Hatake Kakashi seemingly reading his smut like always, but he was actually doing what he always does when he comes here. He thought about his many mistakes in the past and the loss of his loved ones.
'Minato-sensei your son becomes stronger by the day...soon he'll surpass even me, even so I'll continue my promise to protect him and his will of fire' he thought as he closed his book saying he'd come back later and shunshined away.
Kakashi's Place
As he returned to his apartment he noticed she was still in his bed. "I know you are awake Anko-chan"
Anko who had been facing his window rolled over on his bed to face him, she sat up and stretched her arms upwards letting the sheet fall off her large breast "Hmmm will there ever be a morning where you actually stay in the bed?"
Kakashi chuckled "Not likely...will there ever be a night where you don't sneak into my apartment and attempt to have your way with me?"
Anko shrugged "Not likely, beside you can't say you don't love it" she said getting out of the bed and walking up to him wrapping her arms around his neck
"You know I do" he replied softly
She sighed "There you go getting all soft on me again Kashi-kun"
"Well would you rather me be stoic and oblivious like Asuma, would you rather us be like Asuma and Kurenai cause you know our relationship isn't exactly normal" he joked
She growled a bit "Nothing about either one of us is normal Kakashi..." that word striking a small nerve "... and I don't want us to be like them...they're taking too long, you know me I'm direct about what I want and how I feel, and you know I always get what I want" she purred the last part sliding her hands up to his face about to remove his mask when he stopped her.
Annoyed she looked up to see him staring out of the window "Hey...what's wrong?"
"I'm not sure yet, I just...have a bad feeling about something" he answered and if the chill that went down his spine was any indication something bad was about to happen. He continued looking out the window.
As the sun now stood high in the sky the people of Konoha started their day to being rebuilding and recovering. Many men and women shinobi and civilians alike pitched in to help rebuild the most damaged parts of the village. And so the day went on...
Sunagakure
After their failed invasion of Konohagakure, the shinobi of Suna found their Kazekage's body and the bodies of his assistants in the neighboring desert. The people of Suna now realized that Orochimaru, the man who originally proposed the invasion to the village, killed and impersonated the Kazekage to give the impression of support for the invasion. This revelation, coupled with Suna's devastating losses at the hands of Konoha's ninja, forces the village to surrender unconditionally, which they hoped Konoha accepts.
Konoha
With the sun shining and his morning training complete Naruto is casually walking through the village to meet his girlfriend for breakfast. Along the way he sees Konohamaru standing in the middle of the street staring at The 3rd Hokage's cracked stone face. Unknowingly they both shared the same thought as that moment.
'Jiji'
Naruto continued walking towards the kid "Hey Konohamaru what's up?"
Being brought out of his thoughts by an all too familiar voice he turned around a replied "Nothing much boss, you just get done training?"
"Yeah now I'm headed to breakfast...so how are you holding up?" he asked concerned for the little gaki
"I'm not lonely or anything, there time for stuff like that later. Everyone is helping to rebuild the village and right now I just wanna help do whatever I can" Kono replied quickly wiping away a tear before it shed
'Konohamaru' Naruto thought then he had another idea "That's good Konohamaru I'm proud of you so I'll tell ya what, whenever I get some free time I'll train you in a new jutsu one you can actually use in battle...how's that sound?" He simply smiled as he watched the boy's face light up with excitement at the prospect of learning a new jutsu.
'He is very much like you in that regard kit' Kurama pointed out from his resting position in Naruto's mindscape
'I have no idea what you are talking about Kurama-sensei' Naruto chuckled knowing his partner was right
"Alright listen up Kono..." he said calming down the hyper boy "...when I do teach you this jutsu you've got to promise me to train hard every single day for two reasons ok"
"Sure thing boss what are they?" Konohamaru asked excitedly
"The first reason is when you master the techniques I'm going to show you, me and you will have a battle royal for the title of Hokage and that's a promise dattebayo..." he paused to look up at the 3rd's face and he smiled softly
"...the second reason is so we can both make Jiji-Hokage proud of us, so you've gotta promise me you'll keep working hard ok?"
Konohamaru felt the sting of the tears but had enough willpower to will them away instead he looked at his mentor, his rival...his big brother. "I promise Naruto-sensei, I'll keep working hard so I can kick your butt!"
Naruto smiled and laughed rubbing the boy's head "That's the spirit squirt but it's never gonna happen"
The two laughed for a while unbeknownst to them someone had been listening to Naruto's pep talk. Ebisu heard the who thing, he knew how hard losing Lord Sarutobi was for Konohamaru but seeing and hearing him smile and laugh once again all because of a boy who carried a demon...it made him see Naruto in a new light.
The two talked some more before Udon and Moegi showed up and Naruto watched the three head off to help rebuild the school. He then made his way to Ichiraku's for his breakfast. Upon arriving he saw Hinata standing outside of the ramen stand.
"Good morning Hina-chan, sorry I was I was...helping out a friend" he said approaching her with his hands behind his head
"Good morning Naruto-kun it's alright I just arrived myself" she said smiling at him the two joining hands much to Hinata's delight as they entered the eatery.
Mountain
Sasuke still lay in the same spot he was upon reaching the top of the cliff. The same visions following through his mind each locked in a tug of war within his mind, and just when he was about to crack from the mental assault a familiar sound brought him out of his maddening thoughts. He heard the caw of a hawk and sat up as he knew who it was from.
"Tch...Kakashi what the hell does he want?"
He stood up and lept off the edge of the cliff, using ninja wire on the trees below to slow his decent. Once he landed he slowly made his way to search for his scarecrow of a teacher.
Elsewhere
"Oooh yes that's it that's it he he oh baby I'm telling ya gotta love Konoha the girls here are off the charts" the white haired sage spoke as he looked at a hot spring full of naked woman for his...research
"Still playing the hapless idiot I see"
He jumped slightly not because he was snuck up on but because of who's voice it was. "He he just doing a little research that's all, so Old man Homaru and lady Koharu-sensei what could you two want with me"
"Don't play games you know exactly why we are here" Homaru replied back the three older shinobi staring at each other in silence
Jiraiya hating long pauses spoke up "Oh come on why the long faces, from what I hear the talks with Suna went very well."
Homura explained that Suna publicly announced that Orochimaru was behind everything and with Konoha having managed to repel the invading forces, was also illy affected by the invasion as well, losing many of its ninja forces and it's Hokage.
"...so there betrayal is a moot point as of now" he finished
Koharu explained that because the village is now without a leader they brought together an emergency shinobi council and along with the fire daimyo named Jiraiya as the 5th Hokage.
Jiraiya however quickly declines the offer, saying that another of the Third's pupils would be better suited for the job: Tsunade. But because Tsunade's whereabouts are unknown, Jiraiya offers to go and find her.
"Very well then...but we'll be sending along 3 of the Anbu Black Ops to back you up on your search" Homura sighed
Jiraiya smirked "You don't have to worry I won't make a brake for it, besides your men will just get in my way...although there is one guy I wouldn't mind having with me along for the ride..."
In the Marketplace
Several stores that weren't hit badly were open for business along with several restaurants. Outside of a Dango shop Kakashi stood nearby 'reading' the latest Icha Icha novel as he noticed Asuma and Kurenai approach him.
"Hey guys...you two are looking very chummy lately" he said closing his book at turning to them
Kurenai blushed "Shut up baka I was just running so errand and happen to run into him
Asuma quickly wanting to change the subject "What are you doing here...aside from catching up on your reading." he jabbed
Kakashi eye smiled "Oh well I needed to pick up something to put on a grave, plus I'm meeting somebody here..." he turned his one visible eye towards the two cloaked figures inside of the Dango shop "...I'm just waiting for Sasuke to arrive."
All three Konoha shinobi noticed the quick shift of one of the men inside. Keeping up with the act Asuma chuckled "It's not like you to be waiting on somebody, so is it for Obito?" he asked
Kurenai was a bit dumbfounded at the name as it kinda sounded familiar "Obito?"
"Well yea kind of..." he answered eye still trained on the two men then he noticed Sasuke's presence
"Kakashi, it's not like you to show up early what gives?" Sasuke asked annoyed
"Well sometimes I do" Kakashi nonchalantly answered watching as the two fled this going missed by a confused Sasuke
"Whatever let's eat somewhere else I don't have much of a sweet tooth" the young Uchiha replied
"Hmm is that so" Kakashi kept dragging the conversation along enough to glance at Asuma and Kurenai. Asuma nodded as he and Kurenai quickly gave chase leaving a very confused Sasuke, but before he could ask what was going on an Anbu appeared next to them.
"Pardon my intrusion but Uchiha Sasuke you are needed at the Hokage Tower" the boar masked Anbu told him
Sasuke knew something was up with Kakashi but sighed and decided not the press the matter. "Very well let's go" he said putting his hands in his pocket and shunshined away with the Anbu.
Elsewhere in Konoha
On a bridge leading to another part of the great village the two cloaked men casually walked, until they were confronted by Kurenai and Asuma. Once confronted about their presence in Konoha, the two reveal themselves to be Kisame Hoshigaki, a renegade ninja from Kirigakure, and Itachi Uchiha, the man who singlehandedly murdered the entire Uchiha clan. The fact the Itachi has returned surprised Asuma and he and Kurenai prepare for battle.
Ichiraku's
Teuchi and Ayame watched as their favorite blond and his little friend enjoyed some ramen. They were both happy that Naruto had found someone that made him happy, they had watched him grow up so fast and struggle through everything he'd been through. As Naruto and Hinata were talking about ways to increase their training Teuchi added another bunch of noodles to Naruto's ramen.
"Huh what was that for?" the blond asked
"Consider it a gift for doing such good work it's on the house kid" the old man smiled as he offered some to Hinata who declined with a smile
Before the two could finish their conversation the flap to the restaurant opened and in walked Jiraiya. "Well I had to see it with my own to eyes...you do eat nothing but Ramen."
"Oh it's you Ero-sennin what's up?" the boy asked
Hinata blushed at hearing the name and this made the sage sigh "Can you not call me that, beside what would your girlfriend think of such talk" he smirked...until his heard a low growl and saw he pupils blood red eyes looking back at him. Holding his hands up, this causing Hinata to giggle he pleaded his case "I'm just messing with you gaki...seriously though I need to speak you about something could you come with me?"
Naruto sighed and looked at his girlfriend really not wanting to leave her company; Jiraiya noticed this and smiled "Of course Hinata you may join us as well"
Oh how he would regret these words...
Hokage Tower
Many of the civilians franticly complained to Koharu and Homaru about the appearance and disappearance of the Kyubi. They are now holding a meeting with the shinobi and civilian councils to decide what to do about the situation...things where not going well.
"Why are we even having this meeting you need to contain the demon and kill it" a random civilian council member yelled out with full support of his fellow council members.
A hand slammed down on the table on the shinobi side "You are threatening to kill shinobi of Konoha I would watch your mouth, if what is stated in this report is true that that pup the one you call demon saved all of your lives"
"Lady Tsume calm down please we are here to discuss this matter peacefully." Koharu pointed out
Homaru cleared his throat "The report was written by Hiashi-sama who was in the area close enough to see what went on...however there is another who watched the entire fight between Naruto and Gaara..." he paused "...please bring in our guest"
The room went silent as the doors opened and in walked Uchiha Sasuke. "Thank you for joining us Sasuke-san."
"What do you want with me?" he asked rather rudely
A voice that had been silent up till now spoke up "Please young Uchiha tell else everything that happened during the day of the invasion regarding your fight with the Suna-nin Gaara and the appearance of the Kyubi no Yoko" asked a man with half of his face and body bandaged holding a cane as he stepped out of the shadows
I think we all know who that is anyway as soon as this is posted Im already working on Ch 27 you'll also notice that small nod to The Last Naruto the Movie there will be plenty more were that came from as I have seen the movie and I squee like a fangirl everytime I watch my favorite ship sail lol anyway until next time review, fav and follow - ShadoKing out