Chapter 3
'The reason Pain made it so far was because he played a taboo role... he assumed a position that no one should ever assume. Pain decided to play God. When Pain covertly killed Hanzo, the villagers of the Rain saw Pain as a godly figure, or as commonly named "The Savior of the World." The citizens of the Rain needed someone to lift their spirits, and Pain was that person, and he eventually began to see himself as such. But only he had the ability to perform and take on such a task. With the possession of the Rinnegan, Pain could be at multiple places at once with the Six Paths. Pain could revive the dead with the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. He truly did play God. Even Jiraiya-Sensei saw him as the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths. Alongside jutsu names such as Planetary Devastation and Almighty Push, these all factored into the facade that Pain played.'
3 months later...
It had been 3 months since Naruto returned to the Leaf and reunited with the remnants of Team 7.
Since then they had gone through several missions together, from boring C-rank to most recently the high S-rank mission involving the Kazekage Gaara.
Naruto thought back to that mission. They had managed to stop Shukaku from being extracted from Gaara, throwing a wrench into the Akatsuki's plans.
Unfortunately both Sasori of the Red Sand, and his partner Deidara managed to escape their grasp. It might've been better that way however, the idea of fighting S-class missing ninja didn't appeal to anyone, except for Naruto of course.
The Hokage had sent Team Kurenai along with Team Kakashi while Team Guy went as backup.
After rescuing Gaara he and Naruto had a conversation concerning his comrades. Naruto frowned as he thought back to that conversation.
Flashback...
Naruto had arrived at Gaara's office at his request.
"So what did you want to talk about Gaara?" asked Naruto
"I see the way you are around your comrades Naruto... you're very close to all of them." said Gaara
Naruto thought of his friends, his comrades. Shikamaru, Shino, Neji, Tenten, Ino, Sakura, Kiba, Chouji, and especially Hinata who he had been spending a considerable amount of time with.
"Of course i am! Even though we all sometimes can get into arguments or disagreements, there's no other group of people I'd rather have at my side in a pinch." he said "and that goes for you too Gaara as my fellow Jinchūriki."
"I appreciate that Naruto." said Gaara with a small smile before his face turned serious
"But I wanted to warn you." said Gaara.
"Warn me? About what?" asked Naruto genuinely confused.
"I believe you should distance yourself from your friends." said Gaara.
"What! Why?!" said Naruto angrily.
"Calm down Naruto, let me explain. First of all, who's hunting us again?" said Gaara
"The Akatsuki duh." said Naruto, confused as to why he would ask him such a simple question.
"Exactly. A mysterious organization composed of dangerous S-class missing ninja capable of attacking villages on their own." said Gaara.
"I know we just stopped those assholes." said Naruto not understanding where Gaara was going with this.
"Naruto they are ruthless. They will target the people closest to you just to extract our Tailed Beast. The reason I lost to Deidara wasn't because I couldn't defeat him. It's because he targeted the entire village, I had to split my power defending the village and fighting him." said Gaara.
Suddenly a look of understanding crossed Naruto's face. If he got too close to anybody they would by targeted by those dickhead Akatsuki members.
Gaara seeing that Naruto understood where he was going with this decided to continue.
"Second of all, you should also refrain from pursuing any romantic relationships with people, regardless of who they may be."
"Fuck..." was all Naruto could manage to say.
"Exactly. Naruto you have to understand, we are human sacrifices. We were made to serve our village as weapons or good ninja at best. While it is possible to be acknowledged and become Kage, things like love will forever be out of our reach. Because of our prisoners we will always be targeted. We are too dangerous to pursue romantic relationships." explained Gaara.
Naruto swallowed the lump in his throat. Everything Gaara said was true. Gaara unknowingly crushed Naruto greatest dream, which is not to become Hokage. What Naruto has desired more than anything in this world was to have a family. But that was robbed from him the moment the 9-tailed Fox was sealed within him.
"I understand..." he said barely above a whisper.
"I'm sorry Naruto, I just wanted to help you avoid more heartache." said Gaara.
Flashback End...
Since then Naruto had distanced himself from everyone, especially Hinata, much to her dismay.
Which brings us to where he is right now. Training with Jiraiya and attempting to finish his wind style Rasengan while the ANBU captain Yamato watched over him.
Yamato could use Wood Release, which was fundamental in helping control the 9-tails.
Naruto was close to a breakthrough but the Rasengan would always destabilize at the last minute.
"Fuck! This isn't working sensei!" yelled Naruto more than frustrated with the situation.
"You aren't focusing you brat! What's on your mind Naruto? You don't seem focused at all." asked Jiraiya.
"It's nothing Sensei." lied Naruto "I guess I'm just not feeling up for training today."
Jiraiya knew he was lying but decided to let it go.
"Alright we'll take a break for today. We'll pick this up tomorrow. You can go now Yamato." said Jiraiya. Yamato breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Jiraiya, see you later Naruto." said Yamato with a wave as he left the training grounds.
Once Jiraiya saw that he was gone he turned to Naruto. "Alright kid, tell me what's really going on."
Naruto stared back at his master. "You wouldn't understand." he muttered.
Jiraiya stepped forward and grabbed his student by the shoulders. "Naruto I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong. Whatever it is, I'll help you with it."
Naruto changed his gaze down to the floor. He put a hand over his seal. "Why me Sensei? Why out of everyone was I robbed of having a normal life!" he yelled as tears slid down his face. "Why couldn't I experience what it would be like to grow up with a mother and father who loved me?! Why couldn't I grow up having friends who would never abandon me?! Why did he put this bastard inside of me?! WHY?!"
At this point Jiraiya had grabbed Naruto in a tight hug. Sobs rocked Naruto's body as he let out his pent up emotions.
'I wish I could tell you kid. I wish I could tell you how much your mother and father loved you. How they sacrificed everything for you. How your father had no option but to seal the demon inside of you. How much I blame myself for not being there for you earlier.' thought Jiraiya as a solemn look came over him.
Once Naruto had calmed down Jiraiya grabbed him by the shoulders again "Naruto, I'm sorry that you were cursed with such a hard life, really I am. I'm sorry that I didn't find you sooner. But if there is one good thing that has come out of the curse the Fourth put in you is this: the power to protect your comrades and loved ones. I still firmly believe that one day you'll control that power, and use it to bring peace as well as protect your loved ones. And you wanna know something?" he said with a small smile and a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "Part of the reason why the Fourth chose you is because he, just like I, believed in you." finished Jiraiya.
Naruto stared back at his teacher and father figure. His words didn't heal the wound in his heart, but it was a start. A feeling of joy overtook Naruto as he shed a few more tears, but instead of sadness, they were of happiness.
"Thank you... Dad." Naruto whispered into his chest.
"Anytime... Son." replied Jiraiya.
"Now how about we get some Ramen? On me." said Jiraiya
"Thanks Sensei." said Naruto while wiping his eyes with his arm. "Let's go!" he said with his trademark grin.
As they were exiting the training grounds, Hinata who had been watching the training session made a small smile at the tender scene before her, but she was very confused. What was wrong with Naruto? Was it part of the reason the village shuns him? What does the Fourth Hokage have to do with it? What power does Naruto have?
Many questions but no answers.
She left the training ground much more confused, but one thing was certain: she still wanted to talk to Naruto and get him to be her friend again. 'Or something more than friends...' she thought blushing.
Later...
"Ahhh, that sure hit the spot! Thanks Pervy Sage." said Naruto as he patted his full stomach.
"You're welcome kid..." mumbled Jiraiya as he looked at the dent Naruto had made in his wallet.
"Seriously I don't know how you've survived all this time with the amount of food you eat. If I didn't know any better I'd think you were an Akimichi!" said Jiraiya.
"What? That was just a snack! What about desert?" asked Naruto.
"Hey I just offered you ramen I didn't say anything about desert. See you later kid." said Jiraiya as he started jumping from building to building. "And your ass better be ready for some real training tomorrow!" he yelled as he disappeared into the night.
"Heh guess I was trying my luck there..." said Naruto with a smile as he turned to walk home.
It was a quiet night in the Hidden Leaf Village, with a nice breeze to remind people that fall was fast approaching.
As Naruto was walking he was deep in his own thoughts.
'Maybe isolating myself from everyone isn't the right way to go about my condition... as long as I don't anyone get too close... yes that should be ok.' he thought
As he was thinking this Hinata's face flashed through his head.
'Man I've been a real jerk to her... I feel like I've ignored her the most out of everyone... we were becoming really good friends too. I should apologize to her the next time I see her...'
Just as he was thinking that he saw her walking by herself a couple of houses down.
'Speak of the devil and he shall appear...' he thought.
Hinata had just came back from team training, her body was tired but she felt good because she like she was getting stronger.
'I wish I could talk to Naruto like we used to...' she thought with a frown.
He had been distancing himself since the mission involving Gaara and it made her sad to think that maybe he didn't like her as a friend.
'I wish I had the chance to talk to him right now...' she thought
"Yo Hinata!"
She jumped as she suddenly heard his voice right behind her.
She spun around quickly only to be met with a pair of ocean blue eyes... his eyes.
"O-oh! Hi Naruto." she said quietly
"Uh hi Hinata..." Naruto said as he awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
They both stood there, not sure what to say to each other.
Naruto was the one who broke the silence.
"So Hinata uhh what are you doing out at this time?" he asked
"Um I just got done training with my team and I'm heading to the bakery for something to eat..." she said
"Oh well do you mind if I join you? We haven't hung out in a while..." he said
'And I did want some desert...'
"Sure Naruto." said Hinata with a small smile
"Cool! Let's get going yeah?" said Naruto as he started walking ahead of Hinata
Only to stop and turn around with a dumb smile on his face.
"Umm which is it again?" he asked
Hinata just giggled at him.
"This way Naruto." Hinata said as she guided him.
Later at the Bakery
"Damn Hinata you've sure been doing a lot of training, I'm sure you're much stronger than the last time I saw you fight." said Naruto
"Thanks Naruto. I'm sure you've gotten stronger as well." said Hinata trying to return the compliment
"Thanks for the kind words Hinata but I've actually hit a brick wall recently in my training." said Naruto with a sigh
"What's wrong?" asked Hinata as she took a bite out of her cinnamon roll
"Well my new jutsu that I still haven't finished is what's wrong." said Naruto
"I'm almost done with it, I know I am, I just need to get over that last bump." he continued
"I'm sure you can do it Naruto, after all you're the strongest person I know." said Hinata blushing
Naruto just stared at her in disbelief, then broke out into a grin
"Heh, thanks Hinata you always know what to say." he says with some pink dusting his cheeks
They both stared at each other for a while just enjoying the moment.
That is until Hinata saw the time.
"It's getting late Naruto I have to be home soon or my Father will get mad." she said in a hurry and she gathered her belongings.
"Do you mind if I walk you home?" said Naruto not wanting to leave her side just yet.
"Um no it's ok Naruto I don't mind." she said with a small smile.
'Ok Naruto's walking me home don't be awkward!' she thought to herself
They exited the bakery and began their walk to the Hyuga compound.
"So Naruto h-have you been on any interesting missions lately?" Hinata asked taking the initiative to start a conversation
"Hmm lemme think..." said Naruto
"No not really I've just been training for the most part but I'm expecting to be sent on one soon, how about you?" asked Naruto
"W-well the other week we had an escort mission for a wealthy client. We had to escort him to the outskirts of Wave Country... it was pretty dull really." she said
"Heh yeah I guess after that mission with the Kazekage it's hard to too anything that exciting right?" he said with a laugh
'Exciting? I was thinking more along the lines of dangerous...' Hinata thought
After that they didn't talk anymore, just enjoying the night and each other's company.
Soon enough the gates of the Hyuga compound came into view.
Once they reached them Hinata turned to Naruto.
"W-well this is my stop..." she said sadly not wanting to leave Naruto's side
"Yeah I guess it is..." said Naruto scratching the back of his head
'I should apologize to her before I go...' thought Naruto
"H-Hinata before you go inside I wanted to uh apologize..." said Naruto
"For what?" asked Hinata confused
"Well you know for kind of ignoring you recently... it wasn't my intention I've just been real busy." said Naruto looking down
Suddenly Hinata grabbed his hand.
"I-it's okay Naruto, I know you had a good reason so don't worry about it." she said smiling at him
'Naruto's hand is so warm...' she thought
Naruto just looked at their intertwined hands then looked up at her and smiled.
"Thank you Hinata... I promise we'll hang out more often from now on... I swear." said Naruto with a big smile
"I'd like that." said Hinata
"W-well is better get going, I don't want Father to be mad at me." said Hinata letting of Naruto's hand
"W-wait Hinata..." said Naruto as he grabbed her hand again
He then pulled her in for a quick hug.
"Good night Hinata." he said
"G-good night Naruto..." said Hinata blushing
As soon as Naruto let go Hinata rushed into her house blushing like a tomato.
Naruto just stood there chuckling to himself.
"She's so weird... but really cool at the same time." he said to himself
Later at Naruto's Apartment...
Naruto walked into his apartment with a smile on his face.
'So glad I got all that sorted out.' he thought with a yawn
"Man today has been exhausting..." he said out loud as he took off his clothes to prepare for bed.
After he changed into a pair of shorts he promptly laid down on his bed.
He stayed up for a little just recounting what had happened throughout the day.
'I sure hope I get a mission soon... Kakashi-sensei is still in the hospital so I haven't been getting a whole lot of action. Hopefully that changes soon.' he thought as he slowly fell asleep.
In the Hidden Rain Village
"So you failed to capture the one tailed spirit." said the man with the Rinnegan
"Uhh well if it wasn't for those stupid Hidden Leaf ninja we could've at least killed the host and then captured the spirit later when it reappeared..." said a man with a blond ponytail
The man with the Rinnegan closed his eyes then opened them again.
"I don't tolerate failure, Deidara, Sasori." he said in a stern voice
"We understand, Pain. This will not happen again." said another man with short red hair
"It better not, for now I'm assigning both of you to capture the 3 tails. Don't fail me again, understood?" said Pain
"Yes Pain." they said simultaneously.
He dismissed them with a wave of his hand.
Once he turned around he came into contact with Konan, as well as another person in the shadows.
"Naruto Uzumaki... He's no long just a kid." the shadowy figure began. "He's mastering formidable jutsu and has many comrades. It won't be easy. He even prevented Sasori and Deidara from capturing the One Tail and destroyed Sasori's Hiruko shell."
"Spare us your words of warning and of fear. They are wasted on us. Pain has never lost a single battle." Konan said
The shadowy figure began to laugh.
"Hm that is true." he said as he walked and grabbed a black coat to put on.
"We're done here. Be certain to tell the other members to hurry with the remaining Jinchūriki." he said
"I know, I will." said Pain
"Soon, very soon all our goals shall be achieved." he said as he walked by Pain. "When that happens then everything will be restored to it's rightful place." he said as he walked out into the balcony of the tower they were in, one that overlooked the entire Rain Village. Heavy rain and lighting were both present.
As he turned around his face or rather mask came into view. An orange spiraling mask with a single eyehole over the right eye. The man wore the standard Akatsuki cloak albeit with a hood. His bright red Sharingan glowed in the darkness.
"The true power of the Sharingan, it belongs to me! Madara Uchiha!" he roared as he leapt off the balcony and disappeared with the flash of lightning.
"Once again the sky is weeping... Pain are you...?" Konan asked
Author Note: Yooo so i know most of y'all probably thought I was dead buuut nah I'm good. Yeah I know it's been damn near 2 years since I last updated but you know, life and shit. Plus I had mostly lost my motivation to write tbh. But recently I was going through some review and kind messages people had sent me so I decided to finally finish up and publish this chapter, which by the way I had for so long I just hadn't finished it. I rewrote so many parts and made the chapter longer than I originally intended but I hope you guys enjoy. I don't know when the next chapter will be out but don't expect it any time soon. Though I do know where I ultimately want to take the story. Anyways give me a review or whatever. Stay safe guys.
(Btw, has anyone been listening to Juice Wrld's new album?? That shit is fire.)