*Okay, well so I was writing this for some time and about a month ago, I realized that I was literally re-writing the whole entire plot of the anime. So, first off, fuck that that's too much and it's honestly not necessary considering that you guys have seen the anime or read the manga, so fuck that. Again, not everything is cannon, so eyah enjoy!
In His Own Right:
Chapter Twenty:
He found himself choking on the air itself, the sight was too much. Everything was gone. This was far worse than Danzo's betrayal, it was on a whole entirely new scale of destruction, the village had been totally eradicated. All this while he and Ero-Sensei had been away. Naruto now feasted his eyes on the four obvious culprits. They watched him intently returning the dead stare. He took in their appearance, noting that they were in fact, Akatsuki and that whoever had been fighting them prior had put up quite the fight.
He was concentrating... His eyes gazed around what was once the Leaf Village.
Where was she? His eyes went back and forth, behind him...shit they went everywhere. He could feel hundreds of people's chakra. Sakura, Neji, Ino, Tsunade, Shikamaru, Hinata, Choji… But her. Where was she? There was a long moment of silence, his mind began spinning as his brain attempted to conjure up some explanation. She obviously wasn't in the village. Yeah, that would make sense. Izumi and Kakashi could be on some sort of mission, which would explain their absence of their Chakra signature. He was silent for a moment, his hands balled. Certainly, nothing had happened to them, right? Izumi was okay, she was an extremely powerful ninja after all. And Kakashi was definitely a top tier shinobi.
Naruto turned to Tsunade, his face concerned. "Baa-chan… Izumi-Chan…I can't sense her...nor do I feel Kakashi-Sensei. Where are they?",
The Hokage looked him dead in the eyes, the cold wall of reality shut on the two, her clean honey eyes filled with the weight of a million people. She looked away suddenly, looking down at the floor in dismay. Naruto waited, his heartbeat thumping faster and faster as he attempted to calm himself. Nothing could have prepared him for this. There was no denying this, it would be foolish to deny reality. Naruto broke away from her stare and gazed back at his opponents.
"I see…", he stated softly, he took a nice breath, his heart would be hollow, but he would live. Right now he had to keep his emotions in fact.
Kakashi-Sensei… Izumi...
"...stay back Baa-chan. I'll handle this myself.",
"Naruto…", She trailed off as if something was stopping her from finishing her statement.
"Hokage-sama, please come with me!", One of her personal Anbu stated, grabbing her arm and pulling the woman in his direction.
Deva Pain moved forward, he seemed to been chakra depleted. "So, the Kyuubi has finally revealed himself. How about we make this easier and you simply surrender to the Akatsuki?",
"I'm ending this. And I'm going to take all of you guys down, myself.",
The Deva pain just merely looked at Naruto. "I see you have no intentions of surrendering…Very well.",
Naruto felt one of Tsunade's slugs latch onto him and then crawl onto his shoulder.
"Naruto-san, a few warnings about them. It would seem that all four of them are connected through their Dojutsu, blind spot attacks will not work. They have increased vision through the Rinnegan, all being connected through their eyes. Be cautious, they are extremely power, both Izumi-san and Kakashi-san were unable to defeat them.",
The blond nodded, he would play this by trial and error and attempt to adapt to the situation. So, to start. The Jounin took no time to spring into action. He charged at the group head on, successfully separating the four as they dodged his fists and kicks. He moved quickly using their separation as a means to focus and pick off. He found himself wondering what ability the long haired one had, as he made a plan to defeat her, deciding that she would be first. She kept her distance from the seventeen-year-old, as he felt for the Tri prong Kunai in his hand. Perfect, the spring was set for his next actions! She stood completely still as he threw the Kunai faster than the blink of an eye.
He watched as the girl dodged his Kunai with mere ease, the Kunai coming extremely close to her forehead before she moved at the last second. He smiled, knowing that they wouldn't see this one coming. Naruto waited for the instant that the Kunai to passed the back of her head. He teleported to the Kunai, the girl body's Rinnegan eyes widened at his sudden appearance and she probably made an attempt to move. But it was too late and he was too fast, Naruto had summoned a large Rasengan to his palms the second he had teleported and with speed that should not be associated with a human slammed it into her back, forcing the girl into the ground below forcing a crater into the Earth. The girl let out a loud cry as the ninjutsu tore through her back and damaged her insides. Everything happened within a quarter of an instant and like that, there were only three bodies left.
"That Jutsu...", They gazed at him in awe. "...That is the Second and Fourth Hokage's technique, isn't it? Flying Raijin, and you're currently in control of Sage mode. How interesting, you've mastered something that even Jiraiya-Sensei has yet to do.",
"Jiraiya-sensei?", he lifted an eyebrow.
A cool breeze flew by, pushing his hair backwards long strands flowing into his eyes, the tails of his headbands flowed equally.
"Yes, he was my Sensei after all, which makes us both sibling students.",
Naruto found his words hard to believe. He kept a stern eye on the man. "You a pupil of Jiraiya? I don't believe it…",
"Ignoring the truth won't nullify it.",
His swirled eyes stared blankly, and Naruto had a cold feeling that this man wasn't the type to joke around. Meaning he probably wasn't lying, so Naruto didn't stay on the subject. The slug on Naruto's shoulder began moved to the floor, slithering off into the distance.
"Let's get shit straight, I want to know where the real Pain is, I wish to talk with him.", the Deva pain remained calm, his head tilting.
"So you've also figured it out. You leaf Ninja are impressively amazing. I was wholeheartedly surprised when Izumi-san had been able to stop one of my most powerful technique.",
Izumi…
"Anyone who can defeat two of the Six paths deserves recognition. She truly lived up to the name 'Izumi of the Sharingan'. However, like everyone else who stood up to the power of a God, she was judged.",
"Bastard...you bastard.", Naruto hissed. "What did you do to her?", He half-heartedly knew the answer. The man who proclaimed himself as a God gave no reply, only giving Naruto a look that said 'You know what I'm implying.'
"Enough games, you will be mine Kyuubi, this world will know true Pain, and you're going to aid me in my goal!", Naruto felt himself being pulled, the Deva Pain's hand come forward, he fought against the gravitational technique trying to overcome the Pain's pull. The remaining other two moved on the boy withdrawing their favorite weapons. See no other course of action naruto substituted with a boulder a few feet away.
"Don't take me for a fool!", Pain yelled at Naruto as he sent a powerful shockwave, the air around Pain expelled outwards the force slammed Naruto into the ground. He grunted as he felt his top teeth dig into his lip. Blood poured from the now open wound.
One of the bodies moved onto him in an instant the black rod lunging at Naruto. The boy dodged the attack before splitting it in half with a chop of his hand. With lightning-like speed, Naruto lunged the Kunai at the body. He dodged it, before using the now broken rod to combat the boy. The two weapons sparked brightly each time they made contact. He moved with cat-like reflexes. This exchange continued until both ninja were able to disarm each other in one quick movement. Now they would resort to straight taijutsu. Remembering Katsuyu's words, Naruto formed a plan. Light on his feet Naruto went straight for a blind side attack. The body of pain moved simultaneously. Naruto was quick, throwing his punch at the man. He seemingly dodged Naruto's attack his fist missing by mere inches. Which was exactly what the blonde wanted. He stepped back quickly a small smirk lining his features. His opponent stared at him cockily, before he found his cheek hit with an unseen force, the attack sent him airborne, moving a few feet backwards before he finally rested softly in the debris.
"That's enough!", The Deva Pain Shouted, his deep voice sounding frustrated as he appeared near Naruto. "Almighty Pull!", Naruto felt himself being tugged by the deva Pain. Naruto grunted as the man's hand wrapped around his neck and holding him into the sky. Naruto began to grab at his wrist, before finding himself being thrown into the dirt himself. The leader of the Akatsuki then summoned the rod-like object to his hand as the boy came into attack range. Naruto quickly teleported to his one and only three-pronged Kunai that landed feet away. He let out a loud exhale as he found himself being tackled to the ground with a bear like force. He rolled across the debris-littered floor, before getting to his feet. His face met with the bottom of sandals sending Naruto into a huge mound of boulders, he slammed into it with a bang. The back of his head became wet as liquid leaked from it. The blond fought to bring himself to his feet dazed by the attack, his eyes blurred a little as his legs become jelly like.
Abruptly a large figure ended up behind the proud sage, Naruto felt his bones crack as his body was caught in what could only be described as a Nelson hold. He let out a loud shout of pain as he felt his body being crushed by the unbelievable strength of the man. Shit, I can't move, he thought as he attempted to break free of his restrainer.
"You leaf Shinobi certainly are troublesome, no one has ever caused us so much trouble.", Deva presented himself towards Naruto, approaching him and making complete eye contact.
"This doesn't hurt, I don't feel a thing.", he grinned, tauntingly.
He had spoken too soon, without as much as a warning Naruto found another one of those black chakra rods lodged into his stomach. His eyes widened as the pain of the attack made itself present. Naruto coughed up blood, which proved to only make the pain worse.
"What do you feel now?", Naruto's eyes widened as the sudden feeling of looming eyes made itself present to him. Yes, he felt something, or rather he felt someone! More specifically, he felt the original Pain. His eyes narrowed, as he felt his sage mode deactivate. His strength, he felt it slipping.
The black rods, they were suppressing his sage Chakra. No… The rods were taking it.
"There is no longer an escape. You are mine and that's the end of that. The capture of the Kyuubi is now complete.",
Naruto took a soft exhale. "Captured, what makes you so sure?",
Pain rose an eyebrow. "You're persistent. I'm not sure if it's because you're bold or because you're just a fool.",
Naruto wanted to laugh, of course, he would think that. That's good because he wouldn't see what's coming next.
"My goal is to bring peace and do what Jiraiya-sensei could not. Maybe I could convey my feelings my ideology… My Pain! But even then it wouldn't make much of a difference.",
The sunkissed ninja narrowed his forehead angrily. "Peace… Don't give me that bullshit, this isn't peace! This is destruction, chaos, mayhem, this peace you speak of is total bullshit, this isn't how you bring about peace! You're a monster!",
"Hm, some will call me a monster. Others a God, regardless you are now mine, Kyuubi.",
Naruto shook his head.
The natural chakra around him, he felt it's energy and its presence it was always there. He smirked, as he pushed the Natural chakra outwards, before praying for the results he had in his head.
A few things happened when Naruto did this. One he felt a quick surge of energy pass through him. And two, the Pain behind him fell to an unfortunate fate, his body completely changing and deforming, morphing into a frog like form becoming solid grey stone.
Naruto broke himself free of the Pain's grasp, shattering his now stone arms and quickly moving towards the last remaining body. He swung, his fist missing by mere inches as the remaining Pain sidestepped. A chakra rod coming into Deva's hand as he lunged at the boy. Naruto blocked it with his Father's Tri-pronged kunai. They broke apart with a clang, before reinitiating. Naruto slashed his weapon aiming for the man's throat, his Kunai again meeting nothing but the cold black rod. He moved again, being extremely offensive slashing again and again only to be blocked or dodged. His attacks were futile, Pain was still fast even without his counterparts. Naruto's offense stopped when the Deva Pain sent a devastating kick. Naruto attempted to block, his forearms absorbing most of the attack but the impact still sent him flying. He landed on his side, gliding across the rubble-covered ground. His body bled.
Pain was in front of him within seconds, his hand holding one of the chakra rods as he thrust downwards, no warning just straight action.
The sage blocked the attack with the tip of his Kunai, mere inches away from his stomach. Naruto watched irritably as he withdrew another one of those annoying weapons from his sleeve of the opposite hand, and with hawk-like speed, he lunged downwards. With desperation and quick action, Naruto caught the rod with his bare hand, keeping it away from his body. The two now remained at a stalemate. The two shinobi glared at each other, the two could feel their willpower alone emanating from each other. It was a powerful feeling indeed.
"I wonder how long you can keep this up.",
Naruto laughed. "All day actually, you must not know me.",
A small smirk crossed Pain's expression, something the man had not done the entire battle. "Are you sure?",
Naruto remained quiet.
"Because if I'm correct there is a certain time limit on how long you stay in Sage Mode.",
Naruto chuckled. "You think I need Sage mode to defeat you?",
"Yes, I do. Where else will you get a power boost equivalent to my own without it?",
"Shit, I don't know… let's find out!", He boldly proclaimed as he snapped the rod in his hand, changing the playing field and allowing the boy to get to his feet. Pain jumped back repositioning himself for the obvious fight that would recommence.
It was true, Deva Pain's words were true. Naruto would not be able to keep up Sage mode for much longer. This would have to be it, the pinnacle point. He would do this for all the innocent souls lost because of one man's greed. He would defeat this last body and then from there find the real Pain. It was time to finish what his comrades had attempted to, only Naruto could end this. And it will all have to be done by him alone.
The boy summoned two shadow clones, as his brought his right hand upwards and parallel with the ground. He summoned chakra to his palm as the familiar feelings of wind compiling into one. The distinct sound of the ninjutsu spinning at a high velocity could be heard for a good distance. The Rasen-Shuriken was ready.
"No one is to help Naruto.", The small slug stated from her position on Sakura's shoulder.
"What, that's ridiculous, he's fighting Pain alone!", The bushy-browed youth of the village state appalled.
"Yes, and he wishes that no one intervenes.",
The pink haired Kunoichi wasn't too surprised at Naruto's actions. He was just that type of person, and if anyone could defeat Pain it would be Naruto.
"But I can't just sit back and do nothing. I am a shinobi of the leaf!",
The black haired Hyuga, Neji agreed as he nodded his head. "I'm sure if we all fought with Naruto the number superiority will give us the advantage. Pain would stand no chance.",
Ino moved forward. "And as a shinobi, it's in your best interest to stay out of this fight. Look, Naruto is better off without any of you guys.", Ino explained, to which Sakura agreed wholeheartedly.
"How so? We see what Pain is capable of and what he's done. No, one should fight him alone!", Neji stated as a matter of fact.
It was Shikamaru who countered. "Naruto is in control of Sage Mode. He's on a whole other level than the rest of us. Look, if anyone's going to beat that guy, it's him. What we can do right now is wait and cater for the injured.",
Footsteps brought everyone's attention towards a figure walking away from the Battlefield. All eyes were on him, his usual smile no longer there and his walk seemed to be altered due to an injury. But, it wasn't the person walking that caused Sakura to choke on her saliva, no it was the person he was carrying on his back.
"Kakashi-sensei!", Guy placed the man on the ground. The pink haired Jounin dashed to Kakashi's side, falling to her knees beside the grey haired Ninja. Everyone became silent as Sakura placed her hands on the man and attempted to desperately revive her teacher.
"I couldn't get to Izumi-san. I'm sorry.", Guy whispered, disappointment found in his words.
"I've already tried.", the small slug said from her shoulder, but the Pinket ignored her words and continued pumping healing chakra into the grey haired man. His hair was out of whack and his face as pale as the moon. His eyes were closed shut, and at the touch of his skin, he felt ice cold. Sakura continued this for five minutes in silence, no one stopping her or making an attempt, they all just watched her work in vain. Before finally, Sakura stood to her feet. Her eyes somber and her face blank. Everyone was quiet. She stood there for a moment, taking her eyes away from her motionless teacher, just staring out into the clearing. Pain, yes that's what she felt. Pain.
Her blond haired best friend was currently fighting the monster who caused all this and she prayed silently to the heavens that all this would end, that maybe somehow this was some sort of dream or there was a button that could fix all of this. This Reality was a bitch, and everyone was at the mercy of the bitch known as reality and knowing this was the worse pain of it all.
Sakura didn't even move when she felt warm arms wrap around her. It was Ino, attempting to comfort her friend with an embrace. How many people have died? How many more will feel the Pain of loss? Her fists clenched as small tears fell from her eyes. This was just so terrible, everything was terrible. She found herself yelling her lungs out. "Please...NARUTO!", It began with his name of course. "Beat HIM!", her voice trailed off into the wind.
Naruto held his most powerful form of the Rasengan in his hand, his two shadow clones standing loyally by his side. It was like holding his own child in a sense, he was proud of his ability to produce such a devastating ninjutsu. And now, it would aid in destroying this man.
"You want to end this, don't you? Fine by me, your blind persistence will be your downfall. Come on!", Naruto took that as an initiative to spring forward, with his Ninjutsu in hand and shadow clones taking the frontline. Pain did the same, his eyes narrowed and tense, he could see that he too was tiring, both shinobi were reaching their limits. His clones disappeared in a puff of smoke, as he came within perfect throwing distance. This was Naruto's chance! Pain kept moving forward in a straight line, daring Naruto to attack. The boy complied hurling the attack at the remaining Pain. It was going to hit, and this would be the first step in ending everything.
The man kept a forward progression before those words came out again.
"Almighty Push!", he said it with a huge reserve of effort, the force of the push threw Naruto like a piece of newspaper, he flew backwards as his attack made impact with Pain's technique resulting in a huge outward moving force. A dust cloud formed falling upon the area reducing vision significantly. Naruto found himself on the floor, on his back his eyes closed as sand beat against his eyelids and pieces of debris scraped his face. He bared his teeth at the irritating sensation, he could feel the Senjutsu chakra leaving his body.
He moved to his feet, gently pushing his arm over his face blocking gust of sand from getting into his eyes. Though it seemed to be settling now.
"Damn it.", the attacks cancelled each other out he realized. His blue eyes blinked, as he stood and began to cough a little as he did so.
Where was he? Naruto's eyes did a quick scan of the area. He was still alive, but where was he?
Suddenly his pupils caught him. The man fell from the sky itself, landing in front of the Uzumaki.
"Why… Why are you doing this?", he found himself asking before he could even think over his words.
Pain let out an almost inaudible noise. "Why?", he mimicked. "Hm, even if I tried to explain, you wouldn't understand. Maybe, my words can shed some light into those eyes of yours. I wish to bring true peace to this world, I'd like to free this world from its tribulations. Something Jiraiya-Sensei has yet to do. When you look at this world, all you will find is destruction iniquities and pain. I will be the relief of this world. ",
Naruto's fist clenched as he found himself shaking in anger. "Peace? Free this world of its tribulations? Shut the fuck up with that Bull-Shit already! How dare you talk about peace! Look around, do you see what you've done! You've destroyed my village, you've hurt my friends, killed my…my Girlfriend! So I don't want to hear none of that righteous crap!",
"So, tell what is your goal.", his words came out mockingly.
The Jounin responded instantly as the two continued their eye staring contest. "I'm going to kill you, and bring peace to this world!",
"Very high set goals. But do you understand that your village isn't as innocent as you leave it on to be, my village was destroyed much like Konoha is, myMy parents killed and my life shattered from the beginning. The fire country is too big, too much power centered in one specific region, it's something I'd like to extinguish.", he moved closer, Naruto backed being cautious. "Our goals are very similar. However, mine is more realistic. I have learned from my experience and I know that my way is absolute. Only I can change this reality.",
Naruto said little listening to the man's words carefully. It was true, Konoha has done very questionable things in the past. In all honesty, the life of a shinobi is an extremely dark and hostile one. To say things have been innocent within the ranks of Konoha would be a lie. Ninja were never innocent, history shows this all too well. However…
"No, I believe that one day people will understand each other, and there will be no need for war. Peace can be a reality. And I'll help find that reality! I'll become Hokage and I'll change this world!",
"Enough foolish talk! Words from someone as childish as you hold no substance.", Deva said angrily. "You are without your sage chakra and therefore no match for me. There is nothing you can do for the world besides, give me the power of the Kyuubi Nothing more and nothing less!",
In a flash of black and orange Pain attack, another chakra rod coming from his robe as he attacked Naruto. The boy moved to the side as the rod stabbed through his clothing and cut the side of his ribs. He slid backwards, getting into fighting stance.
"No, Pain." The boy said softly. "It's you who are outmatched.", Naruto stood smirking at his confused enemy. He knew he shouldn't do this, but it was all he had left, all Naruto had left in his arsenal.
He could see Pain's eyes widened as the invigorating sensation consumed him. He became as bright as the sun as he began to glow orange. Pain stepped back, surprised at his the future Hokage could do was smile.
"This...is–", before he could reply Naruto was on him faster than you could say 'Al might', his fist coming into contact with his face. Pain flew backwards, but Naruto was quick his body moving again and catching the man by the leg and slamming him into the ground.
Pain coughed up blood as his back made contact. Pain Recovered quickly, dashing backwards. "I see, you can control the chakra of the Kyuubi. That's fine! It still won't be enough to stop a God!", Pain's fist then slammed into the ground, causing water to burst from within the earth. Naruto was taking no chances, he charged at the man. The orange haired shinobi began sprinting through the water, the Blond gave pursuit. Deva Pain dashed through the water, obviously wanting to use it to his advantage. Naruto didn't let up, catching up to the man easily. And casting a fist at him, Pain dodged the attack just in time responding with a neatly aimed attack. Naruto caught his kick before Pain broke free with a flip. Naruto charged again wanting to keep the man pressured.
"Almighty Push!", came the words Naruto dreaded as the attack sent him airborne. With his own will, Naruto fought through the force of the attack landing only a few feet away from a now wary Pain. He breathed heavily, as the water began to rise in level.
Like an aggressive boar, Naruto used his accumulated Kyuubi chakra to reach speeds that his father would be proud of, with that he caught up to Pain and pumped a fist into Pain's stomach. His enemy coughed up blood, Naruto showed no remorse. Quickly turning his body to his side and slamming a heavy sandal into the man's face, he fell to the ground actually rolling a bit. Naruto now had the advantage, it was a bittersweet justice in his opinion. Nonetheless, he continued, this time, he pounced on Pain, pinning him to the ground and instantly conjuring a Rasengan to his hand. It all happening with seconds. The last body of Pain struggled to escape, but Naruto refused to release his grip. Pain began to yell as Naruto's ninjutsu made contact with his stomach. Blood squirted from his mouth, as the ground below the blue eyed teen buckled and shifted. Pain yelled in agony, his insides being pounded by the power of his Rasengan, as the final stages of his wind style ninjutsu continued to hit him with complete force. Pain's Rinnegan eyes began to become motionless as the man let out one last exhale before the final body of Pain laid there stiff.
Naruto's breath was heavy as he looked down at the enemy. He was dead, and the siege of the Village was done for now. A cool breeze blew from behind the boy, as he deactivated what was called Bijuu mode. The power of the Nine-Tails left as he sighed and gazed at the sky. He felt so void just staring into the blue abyss known as the sky, there was little satisfaction in defeating the body. In all honesty, it was simply a necessity, something that had to be done in the name of shinobi and his village. But, the satisfaction was absent. The events of today could never be changed and even though Naruto had one, shit wasn't over yet.
The blond brought his face back to Pain, and he silently wondered just who this face he was looking at really was. Was he created by the original Pain or was he once his own soul?
Naruto cleared his mind of that thought, getting directly to what was more important. It wasn't over yet….
Naruto removed all the black rods from Pain, before there was only one left. He removed this one much slower, taking it into his hand and analyzing it for a second. He closed his eyes before plunging it into his right hand. He sat for a second, his eyes closed as searched for the man. The Original Pain.
"Got ya!", he said.
"You're leaving?",
Naruto's eyes quickly fell to the floor, Tsunade's summon the one who spoke to him.
"Yeah.", he answered bluntly.
"Then you'll need reinforcements.",
His hand came forward. "No, I'm going myself. Don't follow me, tell everyone to stay back.",
He stood for a moment, before performing a quick summoning Jutsu. A small toad appeared and Naruto wrote a code into the toad. "Send that message to Jiraiya-sensei.",
He took the slug into his hand before dashing into the forest. He knew exactly where the man was, and he also knew exactly what he was going to say to this Original Pain. Shit, Naruto was one hundred percent sure he hated the man and he had half the mind to try and kill him. However, he had a feel a small churning in his gut, that he needed to talk to the man and know his story.
"Naruto has defeated the last Pain.", those were the words that Katysuyu, Tsunade's summon said. At her word's everyone's eyes filled with the same emotion, relief. But, Sakura however, felt another emotion accompany that relief. It was a feeling of helplessness and void. The Pinket knew that it was a good thing that Pain had been defeated but the damage, it had already been done. Her emerald eyes fell to Kakashi's motionless form for a split second.
"Naruto…. Is he alright?", it was Hinata who had asked this, the Hyuga girl had arrived a short while ago in with intentions of joining in some sort of counter attack. Sakura nodded in question knowing she was just about to ask the same question.
"He's fine...he's just fatigued. However, he's going to go find the real Pain and speak with him.",
When the slug spoke those words, it seemed as if everyone was on the same page.
"Alright, let us catch up with him then, we stood back with the fight now is our turn to contribute!", Lee moved youthfully.
"I couldn't agree more.", Sakura heard the prodigal Hyuga agreed. And she found herself also agreeing, the idiot probably got himself really messed up and he could probably use some of Sakura's heals.
"No, Naruto has instructed everyone that he is going alone.",
Silence, Followed by the blow-up.
"What, that is an outrage! I endured staying away from the fight and now I have to let our comrade Naruto go off by himself against the real enemy. Who knows how powerful the dude is?", Lee cried.
"The smartest and course of action would be to follow Naruto and reinforce him whether he likes it or not.", Neji positioned himself so that everyone could see him. "I'm putting myself behind that call. Please Guy-sensei, this is extremely reckless of him.",
There seemed to be a universal agreement between the group. "Right!", The elder ninja stated.
"Katsuyu-sama, please lead us to Naruto.", The slug gazed at them, not moving from her position. Neji looked down, a bit surprised at her actions from the look of it.
"Hold on now, I think there's something we need to address.", Shikamaru approached in all his glorified laziness. "I have known Naruto for quite a long time. Now, the boy is rash, reckless and can be a total idiot sometimes. But, the fact that he fought Pain gives him a good reason as to why he should talk to him. Naruto wouldn't do something unless he believed it to be the right choice.
"Shikamaru, you're only giving reasons as to why we should catch up to him!", Neji retorted.
"No, I'm explaining why he's entitled to seeing the enemy himself. Something happened during that fight obviously if he wishes to speak with the enemy, we should respect his wishes.",
Neji grunted but nodded at his statement. Lee and Guy also looked disapprovingly but said nothing.
Through the darkness, came a small orange flame. Her legs moved instinctively towards the small flame, her dark eyes reflecting the orange light. She was no longer in the land of the living. Now, she moved without a direction through the unknown.
It was getting bigger, the light now seemed to touch her face, she could feel the heat of the fire on her. She moved closer and closer until her eyes could make out the distinct features of a man.
Finally, she had made it to the fire, two logs placed there as if she were expected to be there. Her eyes fell upon the figure. Brown, sharp hair that stood tall defying gravity, her eyes widened a bit, as she felt a nostalgic feeling overcoming her.
"Izumi, it's been so... long.", he stated.
"Tenma…", she said softly.
He was a grown man now, seeming to be a bit older than her, the age he would have been if he had survived, despite his young and unsightly death.
"I'm so sorry Izumi, I've never made it up to you…",
She sat on the log. "Trust me, you've done enough. I should be the one apologizing.",
He smiled, his eyes gleaming. "It's nothing serious, really. I've come to peace since.",
She watched as his fast twisted curiously. "Will you tell me about it?",
She inhaled slowly. "About what?",
"Your story of course.",
Her story, huh? "Sure, It would seem as if I'm staying.",
"That's looking at the bright side, Izumi!",
Nagato's words touched Naruto, sincerely. Everything he felt, all the hardship he had gone through seemed to have been similar to Naruto. His life had been extremely harsh and his view on the world darkened through experience. He felt it…
"How...how can you sit here and tell me that you will never stray from the path of peace. You don't believe that eventually, you'll stray from that path, that the devil's hand won't find it's way into your world? Life is a cold reality and you have to realize that not everything goes as it should or as you wish.", Nagato roared.
The boy looked down, his eyes slightly closing. "Because… I've felt pain–", Nagato's mouth remained closed, his Rinnegan starring heavily.
"And there will be Pain down the road, but that doesn't mean I won't stop going. Life is filled with Pain, and like the hero of this book Naruto, I can't give up. I'll find peace even if I die trying.",
"You...you really are an intriguing individual. You're similar to him… Yahiko.", Nagato moved his arms a bit. "I stopped believing in Jiraiya-sensei's words a long time ago. And I never thought I'd change my ideology…however I believe I should put my faith into you.", his arms moved from the machinery, his hands coming together. "I can still make a change…",
"No, Nagato you can't!", Konan's voice became concerned.
"Don't worry Konan…", she stepped back her eyes looking into Naruto's, she seemed to be analyzing him deeply.
"Wait, what Jutsu is he performing?",
Konon answer softly. "Samsara of heavenly life. The revival Jutsu.",
Naruto's eyes shot towards Nagato, his hands together as she seemed to be straining himself as he performed whatever Jutsu he was pushing outwards.
Everyone became frantic as the green needle-like objects began to pour from the sky like rain. Sakura's equally emerald eyes looked upwards as the objects fell down. Instinctively, Sakura put her arms up covering her face desperately, assuming the worse. However, after a moment the girl realize that none of the objects even touched her, but instead dissipated after connecting with Kakashi.
"What is this?", Rocklee questioned. Ino, Sakura and Hinata stood together speechlessly. As they watched the strange phenomenon occur. Everyone spectated, no one exactly sure of what to do or what was happening. That was until.
A gasp was released from the lifeless grey haired shinobi, as he shot forward. Eyes shot open widely watching this. Was she imagining things, was this reality? The pinket shook her head running towards Kakashi and embracing her sensei. The copy ninja looked down at his hands, seeming to be surprised to be back in his earthly body.
"Kakashi!",
"Kakashi-sensei!", Both Guy and Sakura yelled respectively the grey haired man turning slowly to the girl. "Sakura...Guy.",
"My eternal rival, you are alright!", Guy began to cry happily, at his words.
"Don't move.", Sakura instructed. "Your body is still stiff.", The girl didn't know what was fuck was going on. But shit, Sakura was sure whatever happened, it was the doing of Naruto.
"You died a hero, I knew you would be an extremely powerful ninja. Hell, everyone knew!", Tenma cheered for her.
"Your life sounds interesting, and this Naruto guy sounds like a real swell guy, sorry it had to be like this.", he place a hand on his chin.
"Yeah.", she said bluntly.
"Well, I'm proud of you. And I'm sure you didn't lose your life in vain either.",
She was silent, her eyes just gazing into the small camp fire.
"It must be hard for you, to leave everyone behind. I felt the same.",
Izumi shook her head. "It's not that, as a shinobi death should always be expected. It's not the fact that I died and left everyone, it's the thought that I never got to tel—", her words were cut short as a green beam surrounded the Uchiha.
She gazed at herself as she felt a tug on her body, she was being pulled.
"It looks as if it wasn't your time after all.",
"How is that possible?", she questioned.
"I'm not sure. But, your story doesn't end here, this is just another chapter. Izumi, thank you for letting me see you again. It was good talking,!Friend.", he stated this as Izumi levitated into the dark air.
She wasn't sure what was happening but apparently she was being revived. Izumi watched helplessly as she became higher and higher and eventually the light from Tenma's fire disappeared. And then suddenly, there was light!
She woke with a gasp, her lungs hurting as she took in the air that she so desperately needed. Her eyes burned, from the bright sun. She sat up in her position looking around the destroyed village attempting to find someone. She attempted to move only to find that her joints were stiff. Was this all real? Her mind swirled in question. Obviously, this was some sort of revival Jutsu, but there was no one Izumi could think of that had such a Jutsu. And was she the only one who got revived or was it, multiple people? Izumi forced herself to her feet. She would find out sure enough. The Uchiha girl dashed upwards as she began her search for anyone with an answer.
It didn't take her long to find a group of people. She landed next to Kakashi, all eyes on her as she appeared.
"Izumi.", Kakashi was the first to address her.
"Kakashi… What's going on? You and I, we were both-", Kakashi shushed the girl with his hand.
"Don't worry about it Izumi, Naruto saved us.",
She stepped back. "Naruto?", She felt her heart skip a beat, as her chest filled with pride.
"Naruto defeated Pain, he saved everyone. ", Sakura explained.
"And then convinced him to revive all of those that fell!", Katsuyu added.
Izumi was speechless, thinking everything over. Naruto had been on a trip with Jiraiya-sama. So, how did he get back so fast? Unless, of course, he used the fourth Hokage's technique. That could be possible if he had left one of the sealed Kunai in the village.
"Naruto…", his name came out softly.
"I'm going to get him.", Kakashi said suddenly. "He's probably tired. I'll bring him back before he faints of something, it shouldn't be long.", and like that Kakashi dashed away, leaving everyone to watch the man.
"We should meet them when they come back. Katsuyu-sama, tell everyone of Naruto's actions, please. Everyone should know.", Sakura stated, before moving over to Izumi.
"Are you alright, you're not stiff anywhere are you?",
She shook her head. "I'm fine.", She was quiet and didn't show it, but Izumi was extremely proud. Naruto had beat Pain, he had done what she had failed to do and even revived her and everyone that had lost their lives. Again he was amazing, Tenma was correct Naruto was an amazing guy.
The Jinjuriki stepped outside with a newly found respect for the man who had caused so much harm. He walked away as, the tree he had just been within disappeared in a flock of white paper. Nagato died doing something good after all, and Katsuyu had explained to him that people were being revived all over the village. He was glad, though now he was completely exhausted. The blond felt his legs just give up on him and he began to fall forward, only to find himself landing into a soft back.
"Good job.", the familiar voice cheered.
"Kakashi-Sensei.", Naruto stated resting into the man's back as he took off into the trees. The day had been so eventful, between defeating the ninetails and Pain Naruto wondered how all of this happened in the span of one day. He smiled, he fixed everything. Everyone who had died in the mayhem and the destruction of the village they would be back. And seeing that Kakashi was here only enforced this. He began to wonder where Izumi was.
His eyes widened when they finally reached the end of the clearing. There were lines and lines of people standing and cheering, people jumping up and just rejoicing. "Everyone has been waiting.", he got off of Kakashi's back.
He could see that. His eyes glittered as he watched the crowd cheer loudly, some chanting his name and others just screaming with joy and grace. He smiled at it all. Was Izumi out there watching him right now? This was something that he had only dreamed of, to be recognized for the people of the village to actually take an interest in him. It all was hitting him right now. Naruto was a hero, he had saved everyone! Sure, people had begun to like him a bit more since he joined team seven. But, now they seemed to absolutely adore him.
"I've told everyone of what happened.", Katsuyu informed.
Naruto heard this just as a group of kids rushed the boy. Their questions ranged from "What was the enemy like.", to bold statements like "Wow you're awesome!", it was actually a bit overwhelming for Naruto, especially when he found himself being pushed back and forth.
"Hey quit it!", he stated, grumpily. But it didn't help much, he supposed it was fine, they were just kids after all. They stopped their constant pressuring as a figure approached. Naruto's eyes shot up, gazing directly into her black eyes.
"Izumi…", he greeted stepping away from the group and walking up to her. He had to remind himself not to be affectionate in front of the large crowd who had all their eyes on him.
"Naruto…", she stated softly. "Words can't express to you how proud I am.", she explained taking him into a huge embrace. He accepted the hug happily, taking in her natural scent, and enjoying the feeling of her body on his. He was happy that she was alright and that he had saved her. Then suddenly, the unexpected occurred. It was possibly the most unexpected event or rather actions by someone he had witnessed the whole entire day, which was definitely saying something. At first, Naruto didn't register it at first, but all he remembers were small soft lips crashing into his. His eyes widened a bit when he finally understood that Izumi had just kissed him in front of everyone. Why? Literally the whole entire village. His eyes closed as he took in her lips, regardless of the crowd. He felt his heart rate skyrocketing as they finally pull away. She was silent but kept her dark eyes on him.
He looked at her with beaded eyes. As he began to notice that the crowd had began to cheer even louder.
"Thank-you.", she finished.
"Wh– you... sai– I thought... Man, I'm confused.",
a small giggle escaped her mouth, accompanied by a smirk. "Forget what I said.", she held both his shoulders looking him directly in the eyes. He stood silent, almost mesmerized.
"I knew it! I freaking Knew it!", Naruto's eyes moved towards the excited blond jumping erratically, while holding onto the excited pinket. "Didn't I tell you, I told you! Hell, I wouldn't lie!", Sakura shook her head, she seemed to be embarrassed. Well, at least she wasn't the center of attention.
The couple smiled at each other, their secret out and everyone save. Sure, the village was destroyed but everyone was okay. He held Izumi for a moment the two staring at each other happily. No words had to be exchanged, the look she was giving him said it all, and it made his heart skip beats. She loved him. They let go of each other as the crowd grew closer, everyone crowding Naruto. He didn't even see her disappear into the crowd but the next thing he knew she was gone.
His blue eyes searched for her as the crowd literally took him to their hands and threw him cheerfully. He wasn't worried about her, he knew he'd see her soon. So, Naruto enjoyed the praise and let the rest of the day commence.
His relationship and the secret of it were out and in all honesty, it was a relief. The only issue, the only problem Naruto could possibly think of at this defining and historical moment.
Just what would Sasuke think about all of this?
*Hello guys it has been some time hasn't it? And look, we've made it to Chapter 20, YAY! Shit, I can't believe I've actually stayed with this story for so long, I'm really proud of myself. Anyways... this chapter right here, yeah it concludes this arc. So from here I believe I can take some requests for side plots within the next few chapters, which will really progress Naruto and Izumi's relationship. Like that will be the main focus for the next few chapters, I promise. I know you've been waiting, and I've only reached the tip of the iceberg on them, sorry I suck. and then.. all I can say Sasuke' :), oh man this will be fun.
*And that's really all I have to say on this, just being short as usual. Please leave a REVIEW and don't be scared to tell me how terrible this chapter came out. Thank you and good reading. Oh wait, if there are any Good Naruto/Fem!ita stories or any fics you guys would like me to read or just think are good, don't be scared to Private message me, I would appreciate it. THANKS!