Sometimes
I find myself
Among the weak and useless.
I try my best,
But my abilities are used less.
I must confess:
I've been holding back.

"Naruto. Hello again."

"Is that?"

"The fourth hokage," the chains on Naruto spread out from behind his back. They slammed into the ground where Minato was standing. In an instant, he was behind the susanoo, "I don't think he can get through here. Can anyone try to put him under genjutsu? That might immobilize him."

'Naruto, it's Shikamaru. You're not going to be able to kill any of the reincarnations. You'll have to seal them away somehow.'

'Got it,' Naruto batted away a kunai, "We can't kill him, we'll have to seal his soul somehow."

'You do realize he can instantly travel anywhere, right?'

'That's what I'm worried about.'

"Naruto," Sasuke spoke up, "How are we supposed to seal him?"

"I don't really know. I have a couple sealing tags, but he can move anywhere in less time than a blink. If I can wrap him in the chains," Naruto whipped them around in a circle, only for Minato to leap above, throwing a kunai behind him, and teleporting, "then I'll be able to easily immobilize him."

"But to do that..."

"We'd have to immobilize him in the first place. We're going to have anticipate which kunai he travels to," Naruto paused, "If he even touches the chains, I can completely drain his chakra."

"I've got a lot of questions when we're done, Naruto," Sasuke grumbled.

"Fine. Try to put him under a genjutsu, or do something," Sasuke put his hands to the ground.

"Zabuza, can you make some mist outside the susanoo?"

"Sure thing," Zabuza wove a couple handsigns and mist gathered around them.

"Chidori stream!" Lightning jumped through the ground, instantly connecting with the individual water droplets of the mist. Minato jumped from kunai to kunai, and was grazed by electricity, knocking him off balance for a split second. When he slipped, Naruto sent the chain towards him, just barely missing the mark as he jumped away.

"Keep it up Sasuke," Naruto sent a large wall of wind towards one of Minatos kunai. Sakura leapt into the path made by wind, and brought her fist down. Minato was there for a split second, saw the approaching fist, and teleported to another kunai. Naruto grabbed Sakura with one of his chains, making sure not to drain her chakra, and pulled her into the susanoo. Minato had marked the chain, and subsequently teleported to it, only to be completely drained of his chakra. Naruto wrapped him in the chain, completely immobilizing him. "Good job everyone. You all did well. Here," they all looked to Naruto, "cover him," he held out some sort of cloth.

"Uhh, why?"

"We need to put it on him so the sealing tag will work. Hold on for a second," Naruto brought Minato towards him. He placed his hand on his fathers cheek. He had seen him in the fūinnome dream, but it was a different feeling, seeing him in real life.

"Uh, Naruto, what are you doing?"

"Oh uh, Nevermind, it's nothing," he wrapped another chain around his ankle, releasing the first chain, "Be careful while you're wrapping him. If you so much as graze the chain, your chakra will be drained. I can't control who it steals chakra from.

As the group was wrapping up the fourth Hokage, Haku spoke, "Since we're done fighting for now, would this be a good time to do a q&a?"

"Sure. Shoot."

"What are the chains? How did you get these?" Sakura asked first. He told them all about his trip to Uzushio.

"Hm. What's with the susanoo?"

"Can I trust you all to keep this a secret?" The group nodded. He flashed his fūinnome sharingan, "It might not look it, but this is Itachi's mangekyō," he created a small black fire on the ground.

"But how?"

"It's not technically a kekkei genkai, I wasn't born with it, but it's my dōjutsu. I call it the fūinnome. It can completely copy anything, including kekkei genkai." Sasuke stared in awe.

"Hm. So Shisui was telling the truth."

"It's an S-rank secret. That's why you guys can't go around blabbing about it," Naruto began to walk towards the front gate, where he saw Shisui power down his susanoo, "Come on, let's go see what Shisui's up to."

While Naruto was dealing with lord fourth, Itachi and his group were dealing with the two Senju. One was much more discriminatory towards Itachi, "I knew it!" Tobirama said as he jumped up, avoiding Itachis blade, "You filthy Uchiha! You were there that day! You must've clouded these children's judgements."

"Would you knock it off?" Kiba shouted, "I wasn't even there, but I know Itachi isn't like that."

"Yes. He wouldn't have manipulated us, the reason is-"

"I'm not going to take attitude from a dog!" Shino dropped his head as Tobirama sent a blast of water towards the susanoo. Itachi went to block the water, only to realize his shield arm was being held down. He looked down and saw it completely wrapped in wood. He was knock back from the water blast, slashing at the wood as he was sliding backwards. He dislodged himself from the wood and regained his balance.

"TOBIRAMA! Stop blaming that Uchiha boy for this. We are the bad guys in this scenario."

"EVEN YOU, ELDER BROTHER?! YOU SIDE WITH THE MAN WHO SWAYED THESE CHILDRENS BELIEFS?!" A long stream of water shot out from his hand, wrapping around the off balance susanoos legs. It was sliced in half by a large wooden spear. They looked to their right to see a large group of anbu standing nearby, the one standing at the front was holding out the wooden spear.

"Thanks, Tenzō," Itachi and his susanoo regained their balance, "You take lord first," the lead anbu nodded before leaping towards the original wood style user.

"You have the wood style?" Hashirama asked, "Ah I knew it! Well done Nawaki! I always knew my grandson would be a powerful shinobi," the first Hokage held his hands out causing a large forest to grow. The branches sprouted in all directions and flowers began to bloom.

"Itachi! We have to destroy the branches. If those flowers bloom, we're toast," Tenzō and the anbu began slashing at the flowers as they began to bloom. Itachi brought his sword through the base of the forest, bringing it down in one fell swoop. All around Itachi, however, several massive hands sprung from the ground. He leapt up into the air just as the hands slammed down where he once was.

"Hinata, can you see any tenkutsu points?" The girl activated her byakugan.

"It's just the regular chakra network, nothing special," she paused, "They do both have massive amounts of chakra, it's not going to be easy to shut them down."

Itachi nodded, "Kiba, Lee, go provide support for Hinata, you three go after lord second. Shino stay with me, we'll help with the anbu below."

"Itachi, would it be a good idea to split the anbu forces between the two of us? After all we do not have this thing protecting us."

"That's a good point Lee," Itachi said as he rubbed his chin, "I trust you three, but it would be stupid to send you against a Hokage alone. You'll have anbu support, now get down there." The group of three nodded and leapt towards the sprinting second Hokage.

"So why am I still here?"

"I know you're capable of creating an effective strategy. I want you to be able to reach either side if they need help. Assess the situation and choose wisely who to help. I'm going to help the anbu. Think carefully." Shino created a floating platform of his parasitic insects and Itachi took off towards the fallen forest. Sadly, the massive forest had toppled partly into the village, destroying some buildings on the outskirts. It was relatively little damage, but still quite devastating.

"I need half of you with the group of three fighting lord second. Me, Tenzō and," he gathered a bunch of people into the susanoo, "these anbu will stay here. The rest of you go!" They did as they were ordered and leapt towards the glowing lion fists.

Hinata was holding back a constant assault of water. They were pinned down, only saved by the use of the protective eight trigrams, "What do we do?" She asked, getting only blank stares from the other two, 'I can hold my own, but I'm no leader. I guess we rely on Shino too much for that. Might as well give it a shot-ttebayo.' She blocked another water dragon, "Ungh, Kiba, tunnel underground with Akamaru, get him to turn around. Lee, uff, just do whatever it is you do," the boy winked and held out a thumbs up. Kiba and Akamaru did their respective transformations, and spiralled into the ground. Lee spun from the barrier and charged lord second.

"Ha! Whatever jutsu you throw at me will be instantly blocked!"

Lee smirked, "Good thing I have no ninjutsu. Otherwise I would not be able to hit you!" The man raised an eyebrow towards the oncoming boy. Lee ducked down low and kicked upwards. When he should have hit the man, he instead came up with air, "Oh, right. I forgot that you were in fact the creator of the flying raijin. This will be a true test of my YOUTH AND PURE SPEED!"

"You know, you're kinda weird, kid."

"You will not be saying that when I conquer the fasted jutsu of all time using pure speed alone. HYAAAA!" He rushed towards the man. A green aura began to glow around Lee as he charged the man. Both fighters looked like blurs, jumping from point to point seemingly in an instant. Kiba emerged from the ground and threw two smoke bombs where the two were fighting. Lee lunged into the smoke with a quick kick, "HAAAA!" Lee felt his leg connect with something cold, then he felt as though he was sicking. Someone grabbed onto his leg and instantly slammed him to the ground.

The second Hokage lifted a finger gun to Lee's head, "I'm very sorry, boy, I do not wish to do this. I am moving against my will. You were a strong opponent and UH-" his speech was interrupted by a boy and his dog spiralling into the smoke.

"YEAH! No if I'm going to be Hokage, I'm going to have to beat you first!" Kiba shouted as he knocked the man to the ground. At the same time, Hinata leapt into the smoke, two large blue lions surrounded her fists.

"Gentle step, twin lion fists!" She shouted as she began to strike the downed man, "2 palms! 4 palms! 8 palms," the girl continued until, "64 palms!" The man lie lifeless on the floor, the anbu arriving just afterwards, "We need to-"

"I can take it from here," a familiar voice said from nearby. They looked up to see Kakashi holding his headband, revealing his left eye. A swirl exited, and the second Hokage was gone. Kakashi rounded up the mans flying raijin marks, putting them all into his Kamui, just in case, "Well done you three. To take down any Kage is a tremendous feat," he paused and looked towards the gate, before looking back to Itachis susanoo, "You three come with me. Let's help out Itachi.

Itachi, Tenzō, and the anbu we're having a relatively easy time holding back the first Hokage. That was until, "Uhhhh, Uh oh. This isn't good," Hashirama said as he began weaving handsigns, dodging slicing blades and wood sprigs. Black marks appeared around his eyes and a black target on his forehead.

"Yeah, Itachi, he's right. This is the jutsu he used to beat Madara," Tenzō smiled, "I wonder if it can beat itself." The two wood release users hopped in front of each other. Similar, yet much thinner marks appeared on Tenzōs face.

"Why, Nawaki, you even learned sage mode? It is not yet truly equivalent, but still, incredible!"

"My name is not Nawaki. I am Tenzō if the wood release."

Hashirama's head dropped, a black shroud surrounded it, "You must be from one of my affairs. I'm sorry I was not there for your family."

Tenzō tilted his head before giving it a shake, "I don't think that's the case."

Hashirama, head still dropped, finished the handsigns, "true several thousand hands," he said with a sad tone. A large Buddha statue sprouted up behind him, and like in the name, several thousands of hands began to emerge.

Tenzō finished his handsigns, "True several hands," the same statue sprouted behind Tenzō, however, only 8 hands grew from his, "Uhhh, wha? This usually doesn't happen."

"Now's not the time for that, Tenzō," Itachi replied pulling him back into the susanoo.

"Top transformed Buddha!" A barrage of the hands began to lunge towards Itachi. He crouched down and raised the Yata mirror, expecting to be pushed back, but he felt nothing. He opened his eyes and saw no sign of the first Hokage.

"Kakashi saves the day again," he heard Kakashi say. He sounded drunk, "I need a nap," he fell into Hinatas arms, snuggling deep into them, "Wow Naruto was right, this is comfy."

Everyone looked at the bright red girl. The only reason she was standing was because if she fell, then Kakashi would get hurt, "thank you," she breathed out.

"Neji! Go now!" Said jōnin launched a barrage of air, causing Hiruzen to leap around, dodging the attacks. Shikamaru chucked one of the chakra metal blades seemingly randomly into the forest.

Orochimaru was watching from the nearby forest as Shikamaru crouched down. He laughed, "Is the boy going to the bathroom? What is he doing?"

He continued to watch as Shikamaru got up, "Neji! Go now!" Large waves of air emanated from his hands.

Orochimaru nodded, "If only I could have got to Neji Hyūga before he was humbled. Could have easily manipulated him. What a shame, just another thing Naruto has ruined," Shikamaru chucked a blade into the forest. Orochimaru tracked the blade, "Now what could this stupid boy be- WHA?!" He saw a man sitting atop a tree smoking a cigarette. The blade was traveling towards the man. Orochimaru could barely react as the man deflected the blade towards him, "Ha! To think you could hit me with a normal attack," Orochimaru tried to raise his arm, only to realize he was completely stuck.

"You should have left my father alone," Asuma said as Orochimaru began running involuntarily.

"Shadow possession jutsu, complete," Shikamaru began running in the opposite direction, "Tenten, go!" Tenten unleashed a metal storm from all sorts of scrolls. Hiruzen twirled his staff around, blocking all of the frontal attacks. Tenten was able to weave a couple blades through Hiruzens defense, but barely grazing the man, "Ino get ready, he'll be coming soon."

'Okay Ino, relax. Remember, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Tiger, Dragon, Boar, Rat, Ox, Monkey, Tiger, Dragon, Boar, release. Phew. Stay calm stay calm,' Orochimaru burst from the woods. The shadow connecting him to Shikamaru was fading, "Mind transfer jutsu!" The connecting shadow almost completely faded before Orochimaru jolted upright, and Shikamaru released it, swiping sweat from his brow.

"Careful Shika," Hiruzen shouted, "I'm still acting out of my own will," he charged the now frozen pineapple. Tenten threw down a large metal sheet and Neji blasted it with air, sending it towards the Hokage at blistering speed. He jumped back, giving Shikamaru enough time to leap back into the susanoo.

Ino was in a completely black space. It was the darkest black she had ever seen. It hurt her eyes to stare at it, "Here we go. Rat, Ox, Monkey, Tiger-" she was interrupted when images suddenly appeared. These were memories. She had seen similar imagery when possessing others. These memories, however, were utterly chilling. Ino let out a gasp and she covered her mouth.

'You. Yamanaka girl. You are nowhere near strong enough to handle my mind,' children held in tanks, and cells filled with bodies appeared, 'You should get out now. So I can kill you and your friends.'

She was losing her vision when she heard a voice shriek from outside, "I swear, Ino-pig, if you give up right now you'll be the worst shinobi this village has ever seen! You'll never beat me at this rate."

'Huh? Billboard brow?" She stopped thinking about it after a moment. She took back control, 'I'm not going to let some pedophile ruin my reputation,' she stood back up.

'You're just mad because I've seen Sasuke's ACH-'

'I SAID SHUT UP YOU CREEP! Rat, Ox, Monkey, Tiger, Dragon, Boar, release!'

Outside of Orochimarus mind, Shikamaru had captured Hiruzen with a shadow possession jutsu. Shisui has deactivated his susanoo and sat down on the ground, "Phew. That's tiring."

The watched as Orochimaru wove a few handsigns, before completely freezing. Naruto and company arrived shortly afterward, carrying a cloth wrapped body with a chain, "What's going on? Why's Orochimaru-"

"Inos in there. Be ready, it looks like the jutsu is wearing off," everybody stood and braced themselves for the potential attack. Everybody but Sakura. All she did was groan, "I swear, Ino-pig, if you give up right now you'll be the worst shinobi this village has ever seen! You'll never beat me at this rate." Orochimaru tilted his head before growling. He completed the handsigns and shouted release. Itachi and his group landed at the same time, bracing to fight Orochimaru. The souls from the reincarnated bodies began to float up.

"Hey sport," Minato said as he chuckled, "Sorry if I embarrassed you, I've just always wanted to say that," he looked around, "Do any of you know who Hinata is?" Everyone looked at the surprised girl who began to stammer, "Well I'll just assume you're Hinata. Wait, why are you carrying Kakashi?"

At the mention of his name, Kakashis head bolted up, "M-Minato-sensei? Why're you here?"

Minato put his hands on his hips, "Kakashi, are you drunk?" Minato tapped his foot on the air.

"No I'm jus reeeeally tired."

"Sure sure," he shook his head, "Anyway. Hinata, I think Naruto has a crush on you." Said boy grew a tick mark.

"Yeah, dad, she already knows-ttebayo! Were you just going to embarrass me in front of the whole village?!"

"Oops," Minato shrugged, "Hinata, can I trust you to take care of Naruto? And while you're at it, Kakashi too," he pointed to the passed out man.

"Of course. I'll take care of Naruto. Kakashi will be fine," they both chuckled.

"Hey what's that supposed to mean?!" Everybody laughed at Naruto's expense.

"Now that everyone has had their turn making fun of Naruto, I just want to tell you all that I am happy the village is in your hands. I trust you to protect the will of fire, and pass it down to your children," he paused before looking at Naruto, "Naruto, I trust you to take care of Konohamaru. Make sure he grows into a fine young shinobi." Naruto nodded, tears forming in his eyes.

"Of course gramps. Goodbye old man, you too dad. I'll miss you both." The two waved as they flew up into the sky.

"Younger brother, why were you so upset at those children?"

"WHAT WAS THAT ELDER BROTHER? I CANNOT HEAR YOU, YOU ARE TOO FAR AWAY."

"YOUNGER BROTHER, WHY WERE YOU SO UPSET WITH THOSE CHILDREN?"

Tobirama seemed to stare at him for a moment, "WHAT?"

"UGH, NEVERMIND!"

"Hey, Hinata, why are you carrying that Baka?" Naruto asked, pointing to Kakashi.

"Yeah, I'm kinda surprised," Kiba added.

"Wait what? What do you mean?" Naruto aside, "Hinata's the strongest Kumo icha in the village, no one even comes close."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY NARUTO?!" Sakura rolled up her sleeves, "I'll show you strong!"

"Sakura-chan, please calm down," Hinata tried to ease the situation.

"Relax, kehiban, you have the chest, the boyfriend, the clan reputation. Just let me have one thing."

"Sakura-chan," Hinata spoke softly, yet the voice sent shivers down everyone's spine, "Don't."

Sakura went completely white. She looked up to see a glowing red aura surrounding Hinata. Kakashi noticed too, yelping and falling off her back. Sakura and Kakashi squeaked and scurried behind Sasuke, "Oh Sasuke, protect me." Naruto crawled towards Hinata and the aura faded, allowing everyone to ease up. She knelt down and helped the boy to his feet. When he stood up they both embraced.

Sasuke kicked Sakura and Kakashi off his legs, "You two are pathetic." Deep down he was actually scared to his core. He had never seen Hinata be mad about anything, even that one time Jeremy called her a whore. He wouldn't mess with Hinata, or Naruto for that matter. He was fine with living instead.

Ino stared off into the forest. She had just awoken from making Orochimaru run as far as she could from the village. It was taxing, being in his mind for so long. A hand landed on her shoulder, "Ino," she turned to see Itachi holding a single clematis flower, "It symbolizes ingenuity and mental strength. Good work." He turned and left. Her mouth was agape as she looked at the flower. She twirled it in her hand. 'Maybe I could go after another Uchiha.'

Xoxo
Jerry