Chapter 38: Uchiha hunt
Naruko was lost in thought as the past two weeks since, her return from the past she is bitter and frustrated mostly at Minato for essentially sacrificing his son to a horrible death. She couldn't wrap her mind around it that the brave man that saved her could brush off his son's death as a product of destiny something she was beginning to loathe. She went to the hokage to talk about this and was surprised with how she took the news of her trip into the past. Instead of shock that she was expecting she was met with a calm curiosity with how the trip went but, what through her for a loop was that she agreed with Minato's decision to not tamper with history. Naruko tried to explain that because of his actions Kushina, many of the citizens of konoha and the man himself died because he wouldn't take actions to prevent the kyuubi attack and ultimately committed his son to an early and horrifying death. But, the hokage says by changing things would have endangered those people anyway by altering the future they could have suffered a worse outcome. Naruko pointed out that in the end it would have left a better outcome for those close to him and they should of been his main priority since, wasn't a hokage yet. The hokage says that a hokage looks toward the good of the village constantly even before they're selected to the position just as he had done. All in all it left her disillusioned with the role the hokage play in the security of the village for willing to risk the village safety from a certain threat to avoid a possible worse threat that can't be even imagined was an eye opening experience and realized that Minato sacrificed people's lives for the sake of the village out of fear of something worse happening to the village. It was a sobering feeling and left her disappointed in the man she looked up to since she first met him. It left her wondering much of the village you could sacrifice to protect it without sacrificing the village's soul. She wandered into the Uzumaki compound and saw Mikoto and Izumi talking also, victims of the no sacrifice is too great a mentality of the village. Realizing the Uchiha massacre was just another sacrifice to the 4th hokage she decides to talk to Mikoto about Itachi. When Izumi leaves to tend to Sarada for Mikoto Naruko decides to talk with Mikoto.
"Mikoto can I talk to you?" Naruko says on edge
"Sure Naruko what do you want to talk about." Mikoto says with a smile
"It's about Itachi." Naruko says with a grimace as Mikoto's smile fell into one of sadness
"Alright if we must what about him do you want to talk about?" Mikoto says sadly
"You know that Sasuke plans to kill Itachi despite having you alive." Naruko says calmly
"Yes it was mentioned to me by Sakura after she returned from the mission." Mikoto says sadly
"What I want to know is are you comfortable with letting Sasuke pursue Itachi with the intent to kill him." Naruko says with seriousness
"No, I'm not really ok with Sasuke chasing Itachi to the death. But, Itachi chose this path for himself and for Sasuke when he killed the clan and knowing Itachi he plans to die by Sasuke's hand." Mikoto says grimly
"That's just it do you really think that Itachi deserves to die after what he did for the village." Naruko asks
"He killed an entire clan Naruko there's no way around it even if he did it for the village he still has blood on his hands and that of his kin it's too much for him to bear and he just wants to die but, not before doing something for his brother." Mikoto says tearfully
"What does he intend to do for Sasuke?" Naruko asks
"He intends to set up Sasuke as a hero and one who can restore honor to the Uchiha name as part of konoha." Mikoto says in tears as Naruko gives her a hug.
"I can't let Sasuke kill Itachi knowing he intends to be just another sacrifice for the village." Naruko says
"Naruko the only way to talk Sasuke out of killing Itachi is tell him the truth about the massacre and if you do he will turn his vengeance toward the village and that will undo everything Itachi has worked toward which, includes the unification of the Uchiha into the village." Mikoto says holding onto Naruko.
"I know but, with you and Itachi in his life he will have to accept the actions of the village and either give up on his feelings towards you two and pursue vengeance anyway or he will calm and return to the village." Naruko says
"It's not likely to stop him from pursuing vengeance since, he carries the curse of hatred in him as had many Uchiha." Mikoto says sadly
"Love can overcome hatred if it's given the chance Mikoto I'm proof of that by my very existence." Naruko says with a smile
"Naruko…" Mikoto says looking at Naruko in hope
"Don't worry I'll bring your sons home to you so they can meet their baby sister." Naruko says with a smile
"Thank you Naruko Thank you" Mikoto as she sheds tears of hope. Both of them did not know that Izumi had heard everything and finds the determination to bring Itachi home.
Naruko later gains a summons by the anbu to head to the hokage's office. When she arrives she finds team Kakashi there as well.
"Alright Baa-chan what's going on?" Naruko asks
"We have received reports that Orochimaru is dead." the hokage says
"It was Sasuke wasn't it." Naruko says
"That's what the reports are indicating and top it off we've picked up the trail of Itachi." the hokage says
"So, Sasuke is finally making his move huh." Kakashi says
"It would appear so." the hokage says
"What should we do lady Tsunade?" Sakura asks
"That's up to you to decide since, Sasuke is in pursuit of Itachi they will eventually come to blows the question is do you guys want to get in Sasuke's way." the hokage says
"I think we should pursue Itachi to prevent a fight." Naruko says with seriousness
"But, Naruko if we get in Sasuke's way then, we'll only be seen as enemies by him." Sakura says worried
"It's worth the risk because, if he fights Itachi and wins then, he may direct his vengeance elsewhere and cause chaos. This is our only chance to stop things from spiralling out of control." Naruko says with grim seriousness
"Very well I'll have a team assembled for you to pursue Itachi you'll leave in the hour at the south gate you're dismissed." the hokage says as the team heads out to prepare for the mission. The Itachi pursuit team consists of team kurenai lead by Kakashi and Team Kakashi lead by Yamato along with Izumi who convinces them as Itachi's former lover that she needs to face him herself. They leave the south gate and pursue the trail of Itachi. The team splits up some distance from Konoha and begins to try and locate Itachi. Naruko and Izumi form a pair and head deep into the forest following a flock of crows to Itachi.
"Itachi!" Naruko shouts
"Naruko it's been sometime and Izumi I see you're alive as reports indicated." Itachi says
"Itachi please come quietly we know why you killed off the clan and I forgive you." Izumi pleads
"If you know the truth matters little I've committed a grave sin and the only way to atone is with my life." Itachi says somberly
"You don't need to atone for anything you didn't have a choice in what you did." Naruko says with seriousness
"I could have let the clan rebel and let innocent blood be spilled, but, I chose to shed it in their stead this way the clan can be reborn as part of Konoha." Itachi says
"What honor is there in sacrificing yourself to sate someone's vengeance." Izumi says sadly
"There's honor in atoning for one's decisions and that is what I intend to do." Itachi says sounding at peace.
"Your mother wants you to come home Itachi she doesn't hold a grudge and neither will Sasuke if you tell him the truth." Naruko says
"The truth will only tarnish the Uchiha in the eyes of the village if I return and it's revealed to the public." Itachi says
"The clan tarnished itself the moment it decided to rebel." Izumi says desperately
"For Sasuke's sake I must face him so that he will become the hero of the village for slaying Orochimaru and me the traitorous Uchiha." Itachi says calmly
"Sasuke doesn't need to be a hero what he needs is his brother." Izumi says
"Sasuke doesn't need me I'm only an obstacle for him to overcome and surpass and with my death he shall." Itachi says as he unleashes his crows putting the two of them in a genjutsu.
"Please I'll do anything to have you back Itachi I'll give you a family that you could only dream of just please come home with us!" Izumi says tearfully
"Naruko I leave Sasuke to you and some of my power." Itachi says as he sends a crow down Naruko's throat.
"Itachi please think about what you're doing and reconsider for your mother's sake." Naruko says pleadingly
"Goodbye Izumi Naruko" Itachi says as he disappears into a flock of crows and the genjutsu ends.
"Damn it!" Naruko shouts as Izumi falls to her knees and sobs. Naruko holds onto her as she vents her grief. They sit there for awhile, when suddenly they feel and see a huge explosion in the distance. They pick themselves up and head toward the explosion that has left a huge crater in the middle of it is Manda dead with burns all over its body. The rest of the pursuit squad arrives and Kiba picks up Sasuke's scent so, the squad moves out as Naruko looks back at the summons and sighs.
"What's the matter Naruko?" Sakura asks concerned for the blond
"It's just I can't imagine throwing away the life of one my summons sure Manda was a bastard and I can't imagine throwing his life away for Sasuke's so, that means Sasuke used his Sharingan on him to make him obey and be a shield for him." Naruko says
"Sasuke is changing in ways that we can't understand." Sakura says sadly
"Yeah I fear the next time we meet he'll be unrecognizable to us." Naruko says grimly
"Then, that means we have to capture him here and now right Naruko?" Kakashi says
"Yeah right let's hurry the longer we delay the closer Sasuke gets to Itachi." Naruko says with seriousness. They follow Sasuke's trail to a town a couple days later. There they find he has already left and when they pursue his scent it suddenly scatters according to Kiba and Akamaru. The squad splits up with Naruko creating shadow clones to scour the area. The clones come across animals with strips of clothing with Sasuke's scent on it. One of the clone's catches up to Sasuke and places a hiraishin seal on the ground summoning the real Naruko. Who catches up to Sasuke and his team.
"Wait up Sasuke I need to talk to you!" Naruko says hastily
"Naruko I've already warned you if you get in my way I'll kill you." Sasuke says coldly as he keeps jumping ahead.
"Sasuke I need to talk to you about Itachi." Naruko says quickly
"I don't care I'm going ahead Suigetsu, Jugo, Tamaki keep Naruko entertained will you as I face Itachi." Sasuke says
"Sure thing Sasuke." Suigetsu says turning to face Naruko along with Jugo and Tamaki. They charge Naruko who blocks Suigetsu's sword with her tri pronged kunai. She then dodges a blow from Jugo who uses jet boosters on his shoulders. Naruko summons some shadow clones to fight as she makes an attempt to head after Sasuke but Tamaki interfere's and place's her in a genjutsu that she breaks out of in time to dodge a slash from Tamaki's triple bladed claws. Jugo and Suigetsu make quick work of the clones so, Naruko performs wood release: All creation on the three but, Suigetsu becomes water and Jugo busts out of the roots binding him by transforming. Naruko performs lightning release: Lightning dispatch against Suigetsu that shocks him. Naruko then dodges the blows of Jugo who is flying at her with jet boosters from his shoulders Naruko performs wood release; wood dragon Jutsu to counter the charging Jugo and it collides with him and carries him back in it's maw sending him flying through the forest. Tamaki gets free of the roots binding her and attacks again but, Naruko ducks her swipes and hits her with a runt ball rasengan sending her flying into a tree. Suigetsu tries to cut through Naruko through the back so, Naruko uses hiding like a mole technique to dive into the ground. Avoiding the swipe and using earth release: rending drill fang hitting Suigetsu in the face turning into water as his head reforms Naruko uses lightning release: ball lightning to hit him with a series of lightning balls. With him stunned Naruko dashed through the woods and meets up with her squad who has converged at a single point as a Akatsuki member holds them off to prevent them from going forward.
"Is this guy giving you guys a hard time?" Naruko asks as she looks at the masked man with a single eye hole.
"Yes" Kakashi says as he tries to think of a way to get around this opponent.
"Let me handle him Kakashi." Naruko says
"What's the rush things are just getting fun." the masked man says
"Who are you anyway?" Kiba asks annoyed
"My name is Tobi and I'm a good boy that is letting Itachi play with his brother." the masked man says
"We don't have time for this!" Naruko says forming a rasengan and charging Tobi and she passes right through him.
"What?!" Naruko says shocked
"What a bad girl charging ahead like that." Tobi says cheekily
"How about this then!" Naruko shouts as she forms adamantine sealing chains and launches them at Tobi who simply lets them phase through him.
"Is that the best you can do?" Tobi asks with a yawn irritating Naruko.
"How about this!" Kiba shouts as he and Akamaru perform fang passing fang but, Tobi simply dodges them.
"Let's try this" Shino says as he unleashes his bugs toward Tobi who is covered head to toe but, the insects can't absorb any chakra from him.
"Nope not going to work." Tobi says as he appears outside the outline of bugs as a tri pronged kunai flies through his head and Naruko teleports in front of him with a rasengan in hand and tries to hit him with it but, simply phases through it.
"This is getting us nowhere." Naruko says frustrated at her inability to hit the man.
"You're not nearly as good as the 4th hokage with that jutsu." Tobi says
"What do you mean by that!" Naruko says curious
"Oh nothing" Tobi says as a venus fly trap appears from a tree branch next to him and opens up to reveal a man's head.
"The battle is over Itachi is dead." the plant man says
"Good Zetsu did you record the fight?" Tobi asks
"Of course" Zetsu responds
"Then, we best be on our way see you all later." Tobi says as a distortion in the air forms and he is sucked in disappearing.
"Come on we have to hurry to Sasuke!" Naruko says running ahead with the squad following behind till they come across a wall of flames that surrounds the area. Yamato uses earth release: earth flow divide to split the earth to clear a path for the squad as they head to the center of a destroyed building to a wall that remained standing with blood on it and is where they lose Sasuke's scent as it starts to rain. Nobody notices a small white snake slithering away from the area through the flames. With the trail lost and Itachi dead the team decides to head back to Konoha. Naruko teleports them all back with the Hiraishin jutsu leaving the explaining the results of the mission to the hokage to Kakashi and Yamato.