Wow I can't believe this story has now been going on for two years to this day. I still remember the day I posted it under the title 'One Major Difference' and barely broke 1000 words in my first chapter, even worse it was 3 solid blocks of text with almost no line breaks at all... Now it is the second highest favourite, followed and reviewed story in the Naruto/Tenten category which is still updated. Once again thank you all for sticking with this story and I hope I have your support in the future.
Now I know lots of writers say this but it is true.
We need your reviews.
Some writers just want lots of reviews and hold their stories hostage, although that usually doesn't last long anyway, however some of us (myself included) want your reviews to know if we are improving or not. For instance, if no one had told me to add more line breaks and make my chapters longer I would probably still be putting up 1000 word blocks of text. It doesn't take too long to write a review, even a simple 'good work' or 'nice chapter' means a lot to all the writers here. Quite frankly favourites and follows make us feel good too, after all knowing that over 700 different people have added this story to their favourites list makes me feel really good, but to have 700 people tell you what you are doing right and wrong as well as how to improve is much more beneficial as it helps a writer grow.
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SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.
Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Naruto anime/manga all I own are my original characters and plot twists.
'Talking'
"Thinking"
'Heavily demonic voice'
'Fox talking'
"Fox thinking"
*expression*
Jutsu
Flashback
Chapter 31 – Peace
'Yo Gaara, what's up?' Asked Naruto as he quickly surveyed his surroundings.
He was fifty metres in the air on a pile of sand controlled by Gaara while a guy who looked a lot like Ino but wearing an Akatsuki robe was floating on a white bird. Down on one of the rooftops of the surrounding buildings there was some nut job with medium-length silver hair that was slicked back and distinctive purple eyes that kept swinging a triple bladed scythe attached to a cable up into the sky trying to reach Gaara. He wore his Akatsuki cloak open with no shirt, only pants under it revealing a Yugakure headband around his neck and a strange amulet.
'Firstly Naruto, I didn't interrupt you when you were in the middle of something, did I?' Asked Gaara pointing at Naruto's pants.
Naruto blinked before looking down and noticing he still had an erection.
Naruto blinked once again before realising what Gaara had asked.
'No I wasn't doing anything… can you just explain what is going on?' Said a slightly flustered Naruto.
Gaara gave an almost unnoticeable smirk before speaking.
'Well as you might have noticed by now two Akatsuki members are attacking with this one utilizing clay bombs, while that one down there is, well, trying to swing his scythe up here.' Said Gaara sweat dropping at Hidan's attempts to reach him.
'Okay.' Said Naruto also sweat dropping at the foul mouth Akatsuki members attempts to attack Gaara while cursing repeatedly at each failed attack.
'So what did you need me for exactly?' Asked Naruto in confusion seeing no reason as to why Gaara couldn't handle this.
'Well a short while ago there was a large explosion at the main gate, shortly after which he arrived which has lead me to believe that there may be a third member of Akatsuki near the gate.' Summarised Gaara.
Naruto's eyebrows rose in surprise at this new development.
'Really how sure are you that there is a third member around?' Asked Naruto seriously.
'Well he has been cursing out and complaining about someone for the past five minutes.' Said Gaara pointing at Hidan.
Naruto turned his attention to Hidan in order to hear what he was saying.
'Fucking Sasori tried to hold me back with his crappy chakra threads. Who does that wooden geezer think he is getting in Lord Jashin's way? I will have to sacrifice extra people for him holding me back.' Ranted Hidan.
'So, I suppose that is a pretty good indication that there is a third member.' Said Naruto slowly after getting an earful of Hidan's swearing.
Gaara nodded while keeping his eye on Deidara, who surprisingly, had not made any move to attack Naruto or Gaara since Naruto arrived.
'You'll be fine here right?' Asked Naruto oddly hypnotised by Hidan's repeated failed attempts to reach them.
"Hey Kurama don't you think he would have figured out that he can't reach us by this stage?" Asked Naruto astounded at Hidan's stupidity.
The fox was oddly speechless having never seen someone so persistent in trying to do something which he clearly can't do.
"It's like watching an ant try to fly." Commented Naruto earning a nod from the fox.
'O-kay see you soon Gaara.' Said Naruto as he pulled out a three pronged kunai and threw it just past the main gate of the Sand Village before vanishing.
'Before we continue I have to ask, is he mentally challenged?' Gaara asked Deidara while pointing to Hidan who was amazingly, still trying to swing his scythe at them.
'Nah he's just a little excitable, yeah.' Said Deidara not seeing anything wrong with Hidan's repeated failed attempts.
-line break-
Seconds after flashing to the kunai Naruto back flipped backwards to avoid a massive steel tail.
'What are you doing here?' Asked a gruff voice.
'I think the more pressing question is what are you doing here? Since when does Akatsuki attack in trios anyway?' Asked Naruto.
'Since when do two Jinchuuriki holders work together?' Retorted Sasori.
'Touché.' Said Naruto as he dropped down into his Demon Fox stance.
Sasori made no move to attack only lazily waving his tail behind his back. They held their positions for a while before Naruto disappeared in a burst of speed appearing above Sasori aiming a punch with his left hand directly over Sasori's back. Sasori blocked the punch with his tail which he then used to flick Naruto away sending him crashing into the sand.
'You have better reflexes than I expected.' Said Naruto before going through a few hand signs and launching a bullet of air right at Sasori.
Sasori dodged to the side before using a flamethrower from inside his right hand to launch a wave of fire at Naruto.
Naruto channelled wind natured chakra to his feet before jumping five metres into the air.
'Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bullet.' Said Naruto before launching a stream of flames from his mouth.
Naruto then raised his right hand up and swung it down to the right. The wind picked up around him before a sphere of wind natured chakra enveloped him, before he shot straight through his fire dragon bullet. This lead to the flames wrapping around the sphere surrounding Naruto, turning him into a superheated human fire bullet.
'Ninja Art: Flaming Human Bullet!' Shouted Naruto shooting headfirst, right arm clenched tightly into a fist behind him before he thrust it forward, slamming into Sasori at breakneck speeds kicking up a mountain of sand and black smoke along with the smell of burnt wood.
As the smoke slowly cleared Naruto picked himself up off the ground and looked around him. Smouldering pieces of timber were all that remained.
'Well I didn't expect for you to destroy my favourite puppet.' Said a soft voice.
Naruto turned in the direction of the voice and saw a red headed boy in an Akatsuki cloak.
'So I'm guessing you are the real Sasori.' Said Naruto with narrowed eyes.
'Yes, you just crushed my favourite puppet, Hiruko.' Said the childlike figure now revealed to be Sasori.
Chakra threads shot out from Sasori's hands and attached to pieces of Hiruko before he controlled the threads to bring the pieces back to him.
'But I suppose he can be repaired.' Said Hiruko sadly as he sealed away the pieces.
'That is assuming you live after this fight.' Said Naruto menacingly.
'Oh don't worry I will live, even if just barely.' Said Sasori calmly before looking at something behind Naruto.
Naruto followed Sasori's line of sight and slowly turned around to see what he was looking at before his eyes widened at feeling multiple needles stab into his back.
'Sorry about that just a temporary sleep and paralysis poison nothing the fox won't be able to fix in time, assuming you survive that.' Said Sasori referring to the object currently flying towards him.
'Art is an explosion!' Shouted Deidara.
-line break-
Earlier with Gaara
-line break-
'So is there any reason you let me and Naruto talk without making a move?' Asked Gaara as Naruto disappeared in an orange flash.
'You're my target not the nine tailed brat, yeah.' Stated Deidara.
'Very well then.' Said Gaara monotonously before sending out a wave of sand in the shape of a fist at Deidara.
Deidara's clay bird flew up to avoid the sand before spiralling down, in an attempt to lose the sand trailing it.
Gaara directed his sand to follow Deidara as he flew around the skies of the Sand Village.
'It's time.' Said Deidara as he launched six miniature clay birds at Gaara which tripled in size once Deidara released them.
Gaara raised both his hands up and spikes made from sand burst out from the cloud he was floating on before piercing each of the birds which then exploded.
'Hmm not bad.' Said Deidara.
'Hey you pansies better not forget about me!' Shouted Hidan from below.
'Ah Hidan you still down there, I almost forgot.' Said Deidara with a laugh.
'Oi pretty boy how about making me one of those bird thingies so I can fight too?' Requested Hidan.
'No problem Hidan my man.' Said Deidara before kneading a semi large amount of clay which he launched in Hidan's direction which expanded rapidly.
As the bird flew near Hidan he jumped on in glee.
'Finally I get to fight.' Said an ecstatic Hidan.
Gaara furrowed his eyebrow slightly at now having to deal with two Akatsuki members.
'I didn't want to do this but I guess I have to now.' Said Gaara before making a ram sign and focusing chakra.
Parts of sand swirling around Gaara begun to swirl and harden turning into various body parts of Shukaku such as his tail and arms. The arms were each about five metres long while the tail was ten.
Gaara then released the hand sign and pushed both arms out causing the arms of Shukaku to lunge at Hidan and Deidara who both barely evaded them on their respective birds.
'Deidara why is this bird running away, I can't kill him unless I get close?' Asked Hidan in annoyance.
'If we don't evade we will be crushed, besides if you fall from this height you may shatter something.' Reasoned Deidara.
'Just get this stupid bird close!' Ranted Hidan.
'Hmm my art isn't stupid, but I will let you get close, don't fall it is a long drop and you might die.' Said Deidara uncaringly.
'There you go talking about my death, just like Kakuzu talking about me dying but neither of you realises I can't be killed.' Ranted Hidan arrogantly.
"I never thought this loud mouth would be such a great source of information, although with Itachi now on our side he isn't really important anymore." Thought Gaara before sending his left arm of sand at Hidan's bird.
The bird swerved around the hand and spiralled around the arm getting closer to Gaara.
Gaara brought his tail of sand around waiting for the moment Hidan was right in front of him before swinging it around in an attempt to knock him off. Shockingly, Hidan jumped off the bird which exploded on contact with the tail forming a cloud of dust and sand. Hidan fell through the cloud and landed on the cloud of sand holding Gaara up.
'You're mine.' Cackled Hidan as he swung his scythe at Gaara.
Gaara stared at Hidan impassively as a wall of sand rose up stopping the scythe dead in its tracks. Gaara's sand slowly crawled along Hidan before covering everything below his waist.
'Oh this is bad, yeah.' Said Deidara seeing that Hidan might just get crushed by Gaara's sand.
Deidara pulled out a statue of clay which he then dropped causing it to rapidly increase in size once it was a few metres away from him.
'Oi Kazekage you better be careful or your whole village is going to become art.' Taunted Deidara who then winced seeing Gaara crush Hidan's legs.
'Damn you infidel Jashin is going to have your head!' Shouted Hidan after Gaara crushed his legs and let him fall to the ground.
As Gaara turned his attention to summoning as much sand as possible from the desert around him in order to blanket the entire village from the impending explosion, Deidara flew down and caught the falling Hidan on his clay bird before flying off to where Sasori was.
Simultaneously two large explosions went off, one just outside the gates of the Sand Village while the other occurred above the village itself above a layer of sand.
As Deidara flew towards the site of the first explosion he could only see the nine tails Jinchuuriki. As the dust faded Deidara spotted a new figure which he assumed to be Sasori, despite it looking nothing like the Sasori he remembered and only making the conclusion due to the figure wearing an Akatsuki cloak.
Deidara kneaded a large amount of clay in both of his hands before launching a massive dragon made out of clay at the tailed beast holder. The tailed beast carrier turned around, finally spotting Deidara's C2 dragon before multiple needles shot from Sasori's hand, plunged into his back.
As the dragon neared Naruto Deidara flew past him at which point Sasori shot out some chakra threads attaching to Deidara's clay bird.
'Art is an explosion!' Shouted Deidara.
The currently immobile Hidan, Deidara and Sasori now attached to the clay bird flying away rapidly from the site looked back before the massive dragon exploded, utterly decimating the surrounding area, destroying the monolithic front gates of the Sand Village and sending a still paralysed Naruto flying away at immense speeds in a north-eastern direction.
'Well that went rather well wouldn't you say?' Joked Deidara to which Hidan started cursing.
Sasori swung himself up and landed just behind Deidara on the bird next to Hidan.
'Well Sasori my man I had no idea you were just a kid.' Laughed Deidara.
'Just keep moving Deidara, the sooner we report this to leader the sooner I can repair my puppet.' Said a disgruntled Sasori in a soft tone of voice.
'Whatever you say Sasori my man, yeah.' Said Deidara as they flew off towards the east.
-line break-
Somewhere in the sky above The Land of Wind
-line break-
"Oh art is an explosion huh? I don't believe this! That annoying block of fire wood stunned me and now because of that mad bomber I am flying across the sky." Ranted Naruto in his mind, still unable to move.
'Yeah, yeah hold on I'm trying to get rid of the effects of the paralysis poison.' Muttered Kurama.
"Although now I wish I had gotten rid of the paralysis poison before the sleep inducing poison so I wouldn't have to listen to his grumbling." Thought a disgruntled Kurama.
"Seriously I have literally flown ten kilometres through the air right now, unable to move and to make matters worse he destroyed my cloak, do you know how expensive those things are?" Raged Naruto.
'Well then put in reinforcement seals into your cloak next time, you still have another six anyway.' Lectured Kurama.
"Well yeah but still… so where am I now? Still in Wind or have I crossed a border?"Asked Naruto now having calmed down.
'I think so but you seem to be approaching a particularly moist environment soon given your current trajectory.' Said Kurama.
"Moist huh? Definitely not The Land of Fire… maybe The Land of Rivers?" Suggested Naruto.
'Well we will find out in about a minute at the speed you are flying.' Estimated Kurama.
-line break-
'What do you mean exactly, sent him flying?' Asked the Leader of Akatsuki to Deidara.
All the members of the Akatsuki were standing alone on separate fingers of a chained statue however only Hidan, Deidara and Sasori were really there while everyone else was a hologram.
'Well I used my C2 and sent him flying somewhere north, yeah.' Said Deidara.
'And what if you killed him?' Asked the leader as he narrowed, the only prominent feature of his holographic form, being that of his purple ripple-like patterned eyes.
'It was just C2, besides the Kyuubi would just heal any damage anyway, yeah.' Reasoned Deidara.
'Pray for your sake that he lives or our entire plan is ruined. The seal holding back the fox is unique as both souls, jailer and prisoner, are linked so if the vessel dies so will the beast and it will not reform, ever, as the Reaper of Death will claim its soul for eternity.' Said the holographic figure of the Leader of Akatsuki sternly.
'Trust me he is fine.' Said Deidara nervously.
'In any case, hearing that the nine tails came to aid the one tails suggests we need to gather more information before acting. While it is possible this may have been a coincidence due to the two tailed beast holders being friends based on Zetsu's scouting, it is also entirely possible that the Jinchuuriki have joined forces which will be most unfortunate. However for now continue with your assigned duties, however Kisame with Itachi's defection you will need a new partner.' Said the leader before a figure wearing an Akatsuki cloak and an orange spiral mask appeared on the finger.
'Hiya Kisame-senpai I'm Tobi and we're going to be working together from now on, although don't worry I won't be any trouble because Tobi is a good boy.' Stated the masked figure in a childish tone getting different levels of incredulity from the others.
'Really, this guy is a member of Akatsuki now?' Asked Deidara gobsmacked.
'Ah don't worry Deidara, at least he will liven things up a bit around this place.' Said Kisame cheerfully.
'Hidan you will now meet back up again with Kakuzu and hunt as many high bounty paying ninjas as possible.
Deidara and Sasori you will now head to Mist to hunt down the three tails, he has been laying low over the past few years but Zetsu has spotted him on one of the more desolate islands in The Land of Water, he mainly sticks to the northern ones, go.' Said the leader.
Hidan jumped down off his finger and limped towards the exit of the hideout, legs not fully healed yet, along with Deidara and Sasori while Kakuzu merely faded away. Once they had left Tobi, Kisame, Zetsu and the Leader of Akatsuki along with his angel were all that remained.
'Zetsu you and me will now go and meet up with our old acquaintance, Orochimaru, while Tobi and Kisame will track down Itachi, we need to get our rings back. Konan look after the village while I am gone, make sure no one manages to get inside.' Said the leader.
'Yes Lord Pein.' Said Konan the Angel of Akatsuki.
Pein nodded before looking at Tobi.
'Make sure you do not fail.' Said Pein before his figure vanished along with Konan's.
'Zetsu make sure he does not fail, his God complex is starting to take over his mind.' Said Tobi in a deep serious tone, a heavy contrast to his earlier childish tone.
'Well Lord Mizukage, fancy the two of us working together, eh?' Said a jovial Kisame.
'Indeed, let's go Kisame.' Said Tobi in his serious tone before they both faded away.
-line break-
Naruto crashed down heavily in a dense forest with heavy rainfall.
'God that hurt.' Muttered Naruto as he shakily stood up and relocated his dislocated right shoulder.
'That was not fun at all.' Said Naruto grimacing in pain as he moved his right arm around to regain feeling in it.
'Well at least you can move again.' Said the Kyuubi helpfully.
"Sure I guess that is a good thing, landing could have been better though." Thought Naruto.
"Well might as well try and figure out where I am." Thought Naruto as he walked through the dense forest.
After two hours of walking Naruto was getting nowhere.
"Does it ever stop raining in this place?" Asked Naruto dryly in irritation.
'Well it seems you are either in or near The Village Hidden in the Rain.' Said Kurama thoughtfully.
"How would you know exactly?" Asked Naruto curiously.
'Oldest living thing still around, you work it out.' Replied Kurama sarcastically.
Naruto remained silent and eventually found a small cave.
"Might as well make camp here for a while until I can figure out how to get back, not to mention you getting rid of those poisons really tired me out." Thought Naruto sleepily.
Naruto set up a few traps, nothing elaborate just some kunai launchers triggered by ninja wire along with a few explosive tags scattered around.
Naruto went inside the cave which in total was only three of four metres deep and propped himself in the far left corner of the cave. He kept one hand near his kunai pouch strapped to his right leg and slept with his sword unsheathed in front of him resting between his legs which he held with his left hand.
"Night fox." Thought Naruto with a yawn before falling asleep.
-line break-
Konan was not particularly happy right now for three reasons.
The first was that Pein, or rather Nagato, her long time friend had decided that he would confront Orochimaru without her despite his deteriorating health.
The second was that Madara, or Tobi as he choose to be known by in Akatsuki was now no longer staying behind the scenes but was now getting actively involved in Akatsuki. This worried Konan immensely as despite Pein and his self proclaimed 'God status' Madara was immensely powerful and knew all of Nagato's skills: along with his weaknesses.
The third and final reason was mere hours after Pein, along with all the other Akatsuki members had left and were now significantly far away from Rain, an intruder had been detected in the southern forest. Unfortunately since her sensory abilities were not as good as Nagato's she could only pinpoint the general area of the intruder.
Thus Konan was now flying through the forest with her paper wings out trying to find the intruder.
"It can't be much longer I've combed through at least three quarters of this entire forest." Thought Konan stoically.
Konan was fairly confident that the intruder would not be any trouble at all. Konan wasn't arrogant in thinking this, but rather understood her capabilities very well and knowing herself to be at the very least, a mid S-rank ninja and would not have any trouble with anyone outside of the Akatsuki unless faced with either the eight or nine tailed Jinchuuriki.
"Really, a cave?" Thought Konan feeling the signature coming from the cave.
Konan dispersed her paper wings which broke down into multiple piece of paper before melding into her. Konan slowly walked up to the cave opening with her senses on high alert. In an instant a paper shuriken was launched seemingly from Konan's cloak which collided with a standard metal shuriken.
'I didn't come here for a fight.' Said a deep voice from within the cave which echoed slightly.
'You shouldn't have come here at all.' Replied Konan stoically.
There was a small pause before a chuckle was heard from within in the cave.
'Well you try controlling your flight path after being hit with sleep and paralysis poisons while being pushed by the explosion of a massive blob of clay.' Said the voice in annoyance with a hint of respect for those who got the drop on him.
'You… must be the nine tails Jinchuuriki.' Said Konan.
'Yes and you must be the paper style user of Akatsuki, Pein's Angel.' Said Naruto with a slight chuckle at the angel part.
Konan narrowed her eyes but made no move.
'So did you just come here to glare at me, granted it isn't something I am not used to… although you know I am not the fox… well? I already said I am not here to fight.' Said Naruto.
Konan remained unmoving while the rain continued to pour down.
'You can come in the cave if you want, I can't imagine staying in the rain for so long is fun.' Said Naruto.
Konan didn't even blink.
Naruto sighed and gripped his sword to sheathe it causing Konan to take a step back as multiple paper shuriken sprung up around her.
'Why so serious? I'm just putting my sword away to prove I am not going to attack you, remember it is Akatsuki that is hunting me and other Jinchuuriki down, not the other way around.' Said Naruto as his face hardened.
'We are working to create peace.' Said Konan after her rather long silence.
'Peace? How so? A criminal organisation trying to achieve peace, that's new.' Scoffed Naruto.
'Through pain.' Said Konan gritting her teeth slightly.
'Not a bad idea, how do you plan to bring peace with pain?' Asked Naruto curiously catching Konan slightly off guard.
'Why?' Asked Konan through narrowed eyes.
'Well… I won't tell you unless you at least enter the cave.' Said Naruto.
Konan stared Naruto down for a good five minutes although Naruto didn't budge.
Konan gave an almost imperceptible frown before taking four steps placing her just inside the cave.
'My dream is to achieve peace as well.' Said Naruto as soon as Konan had fully entered the cave.
'You are foolish we will achieve peace, not you.' Said Konan evenly with a hint of condescension.
'Oh, well then why don't you elaborate on how you plan to do that?' Prompted Naruto.
'Why should I do that?' Replied back Konan evenly.
'Well how can you be so sure that you will achieve peace whereas I will not?' Asked Naruto staring down Konan.
Konan stared Naruto down as well once again plunging the cave into silence aside from the sound of rain hitting the roof of the cave.
'By creating a weapon, the ultimate weapon, one which can destroy a village in a second.' Said Konan.
'So I assume you plan to use the pain caused by, and fear of said weapon to prevent any future conflict, right?' Asked Naruto.
Konan's eyes widened in shock at Naruto discerning their plan so quickly.
'Well it won't work you know.' Stated Naruto flatly causing Konan's eyes to narrow once again.
'How would you know?' Asked Konan.
'Fine since you were so kind as to tell me your plan let me tell you why it will fail.' Said Naruto sarcastically.
'How much pain will you cause, do you know the exact amount? Which people will be harmed, do you know of their mental fortitude? More importantly though do you know how much pain people can take before they retaliate?' Asked Naruto staring Konan down while he spoke.
'It does not matter, all people will experience pain from this weapon and thus they will be fearful of ever causing another war, knowing a weapon exists which can destroy them in an instant.' Said Konan.
'That is why you fail.' Said Naruto firmly getting another barely visible frown from Konan.
'You see while inflicting pain on others may make them unlikely to retaliate in fear of retribution, you fail to take into account the fact that some people will not care. A man who has lost his family and friends will have no reservations about retaliating and will gather like minded people. These people will then band together and attack causing another battle. If you use that weapon again you may kill more innocent people who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Then family and friends of the harmed innocents will also rally and attack once again. Should you use your so called 'ultimate weapon' again the cycle will repeat itself.' Said Naruto before pausing and taking a small breath.
'What you fail to realise is that too much pain will cause others to retaliate and not enough pain will mean they won't fear fighting again, much like the result of the Great Ninja Wars. Lots of pain was inflicted upon people but after each war they still continued fighting. Your plan, instead of bringing peace will most likely cause another war.' Said Naruto looking at Konan.
'You can't know that.' Said Konan.
'True and I don't claim to be able to predict the future. Although can you guarantee that your plan will inflict just enough pain and fear to end all wars, yet not enough to start another?' Questioned Naruto.
Konan remained silent glaring at Naruto with a small frown now present.
'Let me tell you a story about two boys who endured pain.' Said Naruto with a frown of his own.
'One boy, since the day he was born, was marginalised. He wasn't allowed to go to any shops to purchase food as they refused to serve him and sometimes even chased him out or beat him. He wandered around on the streets for years until a kind old man gave him a place to live, of course this was not done purely out of the goodness of the man's heart, but rather because the old man knew the boy would be useful later on in his life. Children avoided him like the plague because their parents told them to; as a result he had no friends for a large part of his life. In fact for the most part absolutely no one acknowledged his existence. He was mocked, ridiculed and betrayed by those he felt he could trust but most of all he was ignored. People would not look at him and the few that glanced at him did not see him, but only saw what they wanted to. However despite this he never retaliated and eventually overcame his pain.
The second boy was also marginalised since the day he was born. People stayed away from him because they feared him. His own blood even feared him being uncomfortable in his very presence despite him doing nothing but trying to be helpful. The children didn't play with him either but even more worse, actually fled in terror from simply seeing him. After some time, multiple assassination attempts were carried out with all failing. Eventually, the one person this boy thought he could trust even tried to assassinate him however he failed. From this point onwards this boy hated all and killed multiple people, innocent or guilty, it didn't matter. He didn't overcome his pain.
Eventually these two boys would meet and the former turned the later away from his path of senseless killing and enabled him to overcome the pain he had faced.' Finished Naruto.
'What is the point of you long story?' Asked Konan with a neutral expression.
'To illustrate why your plan is flawed. If the first boy had never existed the second boy may have remained a violent killing machine. If you plan to use pain to achieve peace, you may just end up creating multiple monsters that will eventually crush you and your weapon and create much more pain and suffering afterwards. Should you inflict so much pain that everyone is pushed to the point of retaliating you will bring about the end of humanity.' Answered Naruto.
'What is your plan then since you seem to know everything?' Said Konan with a tinge of anger in her tone.
Naruto remained silent for a while Konan waited impatiently.
'I don't believe that you are entirely wrong with your theory, however you are going about it the wrong way.' Said Naruto causing Konan to raise her right eyebrow slightly in surprise.
'You see just like in the example of the two boys, pain will always have different effects. In one person they may use it as motivation to get stronger and in another person it may cause them to lash out at everyone. For that reason, I believe that true peace can only be achieved when people truly understand each other. Pain may create mutual understanding but the one significant flaw to this idea is that we, as humans, always believe that no one has suffered more than us. One person may say they have suffered the most due to never having had parents while another may say they have suffered the most due to having parents which were then taken away from them. This is the key factor that needs to be accounted for. While pain may breed character it can also breed insanity. All it takes to end the world is one person being pushed past their limit. For this reason I believe that peace can only be achieved without violence, by replacing the hatred of the world with love.' Said Naruto drawing a small scoff from Konan.
'Just how exactly can you replace the hatred of the world with love?' Said Konan questioningly.
'By taking the hatred of the entire world on my shoulders. I will take all the hate in this world and replace it with love allowing people to understand each other through love. Then if all the hatred of the world rests on me, then with my death, true peace will be achieved.' Answered Naruto passionately.
Konan's mouth dropped opened slightly as her eyes widened. She could not believe what she was hearing from this boy, no this man.
"While many would try to achieve peace through power or fear he actually believes he can achieve peace through love by shouldering the world's hatred all on his own." Konan thought in shock.
'You are a fool.' Said Konan having regained her senses.
'That may be, although if I am a fool who can bring peace to the world and end hatred, then I will gladly live and die like a fool.' Said Naruto with cheeky grin as he stared directly into Konan's eyes.
In Konan's mind a figure overlapped Naruto's face causing her to give a small smile.
"Yahiko this boy sounds a lot like you… have me and Nagato been going about this the wrong way? Yahiko, please give me a sign." Thought Konan.
'Oh look at that the rain stopped.' Said Naruto in surprise.
Konan quickly turned around and took a few steps outside and looked up. The rain had indeed stopped and the clouds were parting revealing the sun which bathed the forest in a golden-orange light.
'Well it was nice talking to you angel even though I still don't know your name, but I guess I will be off now that the rain has cleared and I've recovered enough chakra to go home.' Said Naruto as he fastened his sword tightly and pulled out a three pronged kunai before building up a large amount of chakra in his arm.
'Wait… before you go please take this.' Said Konan offering Naruto a flower made of paper.
Naruto stopped channelling chakra and looked at the flower.
'Uh what's this for?' Asked Naruto in confusion as he examined the flower.
'You see a friend of mine thought a lot like you… me and Pein thought we were doing what he would have wanted us to… now though I think we have been going about things the wrong way. That's why I am giving you this flower of hope as I believe in you and that you will bring peace, true peace.' Said Konan with a beautiful smile.
Naruto looked at the flower once again this time with a small smile.
'Thank you.' Said Naruto before he started building up chakra again after he stored the flower in one of his body seals.
Konan created a pair of paper wings once again and rose into the air about a metre or so.
'By the way, I am Konan.' She said before flying off.
Naruto smiled and threw his kunai in the direction of The Land of Fire.
'Thank you. Konan.' Whispered Naruto before he disappeared in a flash.
The twenty first Naruto Shippuden closing Cascade gave me the idea for the move Naruto used on Sasori but I added the fire to it.