There is a story
About a courageous and gutsy man.
It may be corny,
But the message is grand.
He searched for peace across the land.
What was his name again?
Naruto and Jiraiya saw pain rise far above the village. He put his hands out and they felt a tremendous force, "Dammit. Why did we leave the village?"
"Stop worrying about that now," he summoned Gamabunta.
"What's going on, Jiraiya?" He pointed to the man in the sky, "What does that mean?"
They both shrugged, "We're going to find out," the toad grunted as the two hopped on his back. He leapt towards the leaf village only to discover that it had been replaced by a large crater. They noticed the large pile of bodies in the distance.
"They're all..."
"Yeah. We can worry about it later, kid."
"I promised them..."
"We can worry about it later."
It was too much to handle. Every single one of them was lying there. Everything was gone. Naruto had promised them, on his own blood, that he would protect them. He had failed them all.
At that moment, they heard a piercing scream, "ITACHI!" They all looked in the direction of the scream. They saw a wall of black flames approach the six pains, and Sasuke leap through it, seemingly killing one of them. They saw as one of the paths carried the recently killed pain to a large mouth. The "dead" pain walked out moments later, good as new.
"We have to destroy that," Jiraiya spoke. Naruto was still distraught, "Naruto. There's still someone here. Fight for them. As long as one person of the leaf is alive, there are still people to protect," he shook the boy's shoulder. He was broken from thought and nodded.
They landed behind pain, "You. This ends now," he could barely contain his rage. He tried to remind himself to love, but it was barely short of impossible.
"Naruto... I-"
"Sasuke just stand down," Sasuke obliged and retreated to the crater. He caught a glimpse of his brother lying lifeless on the ground and winced.
"What's going on?" Tsunade broke the silence.
"Naruto and Jiraiya are here."
"Oh, okay. Why did you scream Itachi?" Sasuke looked down, "I see."
"Naruto Uzumaki. Have you discovered how to find peace yet?"
"It's not that easy. You can't just kill everyone to bring peace."
"It seems pretty peaceful right now."
"JUST SHUT UP ALREADY! You act like everyone will just blindly follow you until the end of time if you kill a bunch of people. What happens when people try to rise up against you? You kill them. How is that peace?"
"Order, justice, that is what that is. Those who wish to defy my goals are scum, they wish to continue the cycle of war. I never promised eternal peace, my goal is to achieve a relatively short period of tranquility that breaks that cycle."
Naruto shook his head. His ideas were so flawed, yet he stood by them, confident they would succeed. In a way, they were pretty similar. Naruto shook himself from that, the outrage at the man's philosophy filling him, "You're so blind! You make me sick to my stomach. To think a student of pervy sage could turn out like you."
"Turn out like what? I am fate. I am fear. I. Am. God," Naruto coated himself in golden chakra, creating the nine tails silhouette. Jiraiya and Gamabunta stayed behind Naruto. Jiraiya was preparing sage mode, and Gamabunta was acting as his shield. Naruto swung a glowing fist towards the group of pain, only to be blocked by some sort of barrier. He felt his chakra slowly decreasing. He quickly leapt back to Gamabunta. "Well? Have you gotten soft?"
"This'll be tougher than I thought. Pervy sage, how long until you're ready?"
"Just leave me to it, kid. You'll know when."
Naruto grunted, "You see, you have one glaring weakness," naruto began charging a tailed beast ball. The absorption pain tried to lift his hands, but realized he couldn't. All of the Pains held up a thumbs up, "What can you do if you can't move?"
"Shadow possession jutsu complete," he involuntarily turned to see a man looking over his shoulder. Now, the pains and the man behind them held up a middle finger.
'Thanks, Shikamaru,' Naruto continued to charge the ball.
Tendō stood in the same spot and smirked, "Well you neglected an important piece of information. This jutsu can be overpowered," the shadow disappeared, and Shikamaru scowled.
'How does everyone know about that?" He thought to himself.
"And another thing: my jutsu is ready." Naruto released the sphere. He held his hands out as the chakra ball approached him, "Shinra tensei!" The ball stopped and slowed down. It's direction was reversed and it was now heading towards Naruto at blistering speed.
'That's funny,' Naruto thought.
'Yeah, it reminds me of something. Can't quite remember...'
"Hey fart-uto, want some gum?" He spit a chewed up piece of gum at the boy.
"No thanks Jeremy," Naruto said.
Shisui, realizing what was about to happen, dashed to the wide open Shikamaru
'So this is it,' Shikamaru sighed in his head, 'At least I could be of use.'
Sasuke and most of the others were watching from the pit. They heard Naruto scream, "I DON'T LIKE THAT FLAVOR!" As he punched the ball of chakra towards pain, returning it at tenfold speed.
Sasuke chuckled, "Thanks, Jeremy."
Pain gave a confused look, both at the boy's comment and power, before every part of his being was incinerated, leaving only a few piles of ashes.
The crowd, after the chakra ball hit, looked to find the two other leaf shinobi. Heavy dust clouds swirled around the area. When they settled, the group saw a large green figure surrounding Shisui and Shikamaru. Shisui had his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder.
"You know, for a genius, you sure are stupid," Shisui said as he panted.
Shikamaru just laughed in response. He fell to a knee, realizing how close he was to death. He and Shisui also saw the pile of bodies far off in the distance. Shisui joined him on the ground, the susanoo fading.
"Alright Naruto, sage mode is- whaaa?"
"We got him," he gestured to the two others.
"Hey good work, you guys!" Jiraiya waved to the other two. Shisui didn't respond, and Shikamaru did with loud dry heaving.
"We're not done yet," Jiraiya tilted his head, "You can track chakra using sage mode, right?" Jiraiya nodded, "Can you find Nagato?" He paused, "Actually, I can sense a lot of hatred coming from over here," he leapt towards the sensation.
"Hey, wait up."
Naruto arrived at the entrance to the cave. It was blocked off by some sort of papier-mâché (ooh fancy). He tore it down and faced the man in the machine.
"Nagato," Jiraiya said as he landed next to Naruto, "What happened to you."
The redhead coughed up blood and spit it in the direction of Jiraiya, "Why would you care? Some job teaching you did."
"HEY. This wasn't from pervy sage's teaching. Don't blame this all on him."
"Is he really so great? Explain to me, Naruto, why is he so special to you?"
Naruto stood silent for a while, "He wants to find peace. He cares about me and my goal: the goal we share.."
"Finding peace and happiness, eh? Protecting your friends, family?" Naruto looked down, "Well you did a good job of that today."
"Nagato. I found my answer. I know how I will bring peace."
"Oh? Will you love everyone, or, no, maybe you'll forgive me for my crimes and repopulate the world with me."
"Nagato-"
"Stay out of this Konan. This boy doesn't understand a single thing about the world. About pain," Jiraiya cringed at that. It was just completely wrong. Where did he go wrong with Nagato. It seemed like something was consuming him. Maybe Jiraiya was in denial, but it didn't seem like Nagato to not consider someone's past.
He thought back to when Nagato killed for the first time.
It was a wandering Iwa shinobi, who attempted to kill his best friend. He showed so much remorse over that man's life. A man who came from the types of groups he loathed. A man who tried to kill his hero and brother-figure.
But when Nagato talked now, after wiping out a village of innocent people, his words held no care. He spoke cynically, each lip smack and tongue movement causing potent venom to be released instead of saliva. The man had become disillusioned with the world. Disinterested in any opinion but his own. An opinion that, if Naruto's ocular ability is to be trusted, wasn't even his own. He had been manipulated when he was t his lowest point, and had begun to believe the world could not be saved unless he was the one doing it.
"How can someone who speaks so much of peace be so full of hatred, Nagato?" Jiraiya finally asked.
He scowled, "What's your answer, Naruto? How will you find peace?"
"You're right, I was naive to say that people who commit crimes will feel guilt when shown love. That they would turn themselves in for justice," he looked down, "Damn it. I promised those people that I would protect them. On my own blood, Nagato," he fell to a knee, the realization of his failings hitting him, "I couldn't keep that promise. And it tears me up," he shook his head.
Nagato laughed, "So you admit peace is unattainable then?"
"Just shut up already," he stood up and pointed to the man, "I will walk the entire world, for as long as I'll live. I will bring peace. I'll find a way, dammit," he looked up and pointed to Nagato, "I will break the curse of eternal wars. I will not die until I find peace."
"That's hardly an answer! How can you guarantee you will never stray from your path? You said it yourself, you couldn't keep your promise to the hidden leaf."
"He doesn't say anything he doesn't mean, Nagato. He never goes back on his word."
Nagato smirked, "Then what of your precious village?" Naruto looked down, "Let's play a game, Naruto Uzumaki. If you're really telling the truth," he summoned the large mouth used to reincarnate pain. Naruto and Jiraiya braced to fight, "Go in there. It will know if you are being sincere. If you lie, then you are dead, got that?" Without hesitation, Naruto walked into the mouth. Jiraiya followed close behind. When the mouth closed, Jiraiya stood outside it, crossing his arms. Nagato spoke"How will you find peace?"
"I told you. I will teach every single person of this world to love and trust in each other. I will not stop trying until I die or find peace." There was a long silence before the mouth opened, and Naruto flopped out, exhausted, onto Jiraiya's back, "I never... go back... on my word."
"You know, he kinda sounds like you when you were young, Nagato," Jiraiya stood up, "He could have easily killed you. You destroyed everything he's ever known, yet he still listened to what you had to say," Nagato looked away from his sensei, "And don't assume that he doesn't know what pain is. Don't forget that he's had a demon inside him his entire life," Jiraiya walked toward the exit.
"Jiraiya-sensei," the sage turned around, "I... I have failed you. I was misguided. I am sorry."
"No Nagato, you shouldn't be sorry. As a teacher, I failed. But our apologies mean nothing now."
Nagato sighed. He slowly brought his hands together.
"At first, I thought he was nothing but a child. I've seen his strength. The fact that someone like him could have so much power, yet hasn't gone corrupt gives me hope. He said he wants to instill trust in the people of this world. Do you remember what I said about what an adult is?" Jiraiya nodded, "He is not and never will be grown up," Jiraiya scoffed, "But maybe that... Maybe that makes him pure."
"Geez, I thought I would've been the first to go crazy out of all of you," Jiraiya joked.
"An adult is someone who acts based on their own will, someone who fends for himself. I don't know what the opposite is," he shook his head, "Whatever he is, I trust in him. He speaks the truth. The pain I caused today was for no purpose other than to destroy. That wasn't what Yahiko, nor I fought for."
"A hero," Jiraiya spoke softly, "That's the word you're looking for."
Nagato smiled, "For this world's sake, I hope so. Thank you. Jiraiya, Konan, and to Naruto. I... I must give back," Jiraiya tilted his head and Konan looked down "Gedo art of Rinne rebirth."
The color from Nagato's hair drained, causing it to turn completely white, "What is he doing?" Jiraiya asked.
"He's reviving someone. I have no idea who exactly."
"Shall we go and see?"
"I would rather not show my face. I'm sort of ashamed."
"Well... I would be too," he turned to walk away. He looked over his shoulder, "You know I was right a long time ago," she tilted her head, "You really did grow up to be beautiful," she smiled as the man turned away, "Oh and one more thing. You need to destroy the Rinnegan when he's done. Do not let Madara get his hands on them," she nodded as the two left the cave.
"Hm? Are you awake?" Jiraiya asked as he walked through the woods.
"What happened? Where are we?"
"You're dead. Sorry, kiddo."
"WHAT?! That lying mouth! I was telling the truth!"
Jiraiya chuckled, "Just kidding, baka. We're heading home right now. You did well today, kid."
He buried his chin into Jiraiya's shoulder, "Not well enough to protect the village."
"You did what you could, kid. Don't worry about that."
"What do you mean don't worry-"
He was interrupted by loud cheers coming from in front of them. Jiraiya stopped and tilted his head.
"WOOO! Hooray for Naruto!"
"Alright! The hero of the hidden leaf!"
"I always knew he had it in him!"
"Who's Naruto? Where am I?"
"Hey! You're pain! Get him!"
The sage and his godson surfaced out from the forest, to be welcomed by a large crowd. They noticed an orange haired man crawling backwards from the mob.
"NO! STOP IT HOLD ON! Yahiko?" Jiraiya walked towards his former student. The rods in his head had been removed and his eyes returned to his normal brown.
"Jiraiya-sensei? Where-where am I? I should be... Where are Konan and Nagato?"
"Come on. We might still be able to find her," Jiraiya helped the man to his feet and leapt back into the forest after handing Naruto to Itachi.
"You've gotten heavier, you know that?"
"Hey what's the big idea, I'm not fat-ttebayo!" Naruto looked around at the familiar faces. He was so happy to see them all happy and alive. He glanced over the crowd and noticed a particular face.
One that didn't so much fill him with happiness.
His eyes shot open and his jaw dropped. He pushed off from Itachi and began to shiver. He was panicking. Through this, as he was crawling backwards, he could only manage to say two words as he pointed to a man in the crowd.
"F-fi-Fire poker."
he repeated those words as he crawled closer and closer to the forest.
"Naruto? What's wrong?" Sakura asked. Naruto let out a shout before leaping to his feet and dashing back into the forest. Hinata followed him. The crowd shared a stunned silence. Tsunade clenched her fists and growled.
"You... you monster. I oughta-"
Shisui stepped in between the two, "Tsuna. Listen. Don't fight his battles," she stood still and clenched harder.
"I... You- I- URGGGH," She turned and slammed her fist into the ground, causing the biggest shockwave any of them had ever seen. Although it wasn't as big as pain's, it carried a certain rage that nobody had ever witnessed.
Naruto lie on his back in the glistening blue pond. He was distraught. He shed tear after tear, enough that he was no longer floating on the water that was originally there. He felt a hand on his face.
"I thought you might be here," Naruto sniffled in response, "Are you okay?" He continued to stare at the sky, "I'm sorry, Naruto-kun."
"You don't have to apologize."
"Right, sorry," she facepalmed and Naruto exhaled a nose laugh, "Would you come out of the water? I don't want you to fall in."
"I'm kinda stuck," Hinata chuckled as he kneeled down next to him.
"I love you."
He needed that, "I love you too." She smiled and lifted him out of the water, "Thank you, kehiban," he leaned his head on her arm.
"Of course. I'm here, Naruto-kun."
"Where could she have gone?"
Jiraiya shrugged, "Beats me kid," he caught a glimpse of the eyeless Nagato. It was bleak. Too bleak for him to look at, "If you have anything you want to say to him," he motioned to Nagato, "Here's your chance."
"His eyes... they're-"
"It's a long story."
Yahiko nodded. He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Jiraiya gave him a set of clothes, since his cloak was murdered. Yahiko smiled as he stood in front of Nagato, "Well I guess you can't be a big old crybaby anymore," he teared up, "I'm sorry... I- I probably put you through a lot, knowing how much you cared about me. You knwo, you were my hero that whole time," he sniffled and wiped his eyes, "I hope I'll see you again, Nagato."
One by one, shinobi made their way towards one of the only standing landmarks of the village. On the outskirts of town, near the river, a lone tree stood, providing shelter for all who were seeking.
"Fitting, huh?" Tenten spoke, "This is the only thing standing."
"I've told you, there's something magical about this tree," Sakura replied as she lie back.
"Yeah. I'm even starting to believe you," Shikamaru muttered as he lie down.
Hinata landed near the tree. Several of the shinobi noticed and stood up, "Naruto!" Sakura said as she brushed herself off. She ran to her friend, "Is everything okay?"
"More or less- ACK!" She punched his arm.
"You scared me," she looked away, embarrassed, "Thank you. For everything today."
The boy held out a thumbs up as they all looked out at the sunset yet again.