A/N: Look, this is called FANFICTION not MAKE IT EXACTLY LIKE THE ACTUAL STORY FICTION. If it was that, it'd be called fucking CANON. If you don't like the way I write, don't fucking read it, I couldn't care less.

TigrezzTail: Yeah, sorry. My stories mostly somehow write themselves, so I don't even really know how things will go sometimes.

On an other note, which might cause a few of you to groan in annoyance considering I have Five other stories to work on, but I am starting a Homestuck story. Please, I encourage you all to check it out, along with all my other stories.

Chapter 30: Deviation

"Who knew Naruto could sing?" Sakura said as she sat at the table with everyone else, Inari having just described the song the blond had sung. Sasuke looked at the girl, then at the young boy who had told the story.

"I doubt that very much. I've never heard Naruto sing, and I've interacted with him the most."

"No, it's true! He was singing something about the ocean!" Kakashi tensed slightly at that.

"The ocean?" Sakura nodded vigorously. "was one of the lines 'On the Island of my birth'?"

"Yeah! How'd you know that?" Inari asked, his eyes wide. Kakashi sighed tiredly and rubbed the heel of his hand against his visible eye.

"That was an Uzumaki lullaby. Kushi-nee sang it all the time when she was pregnant. I guess it makes sense the song would be chronicled in the Uzumaki scrolls in the Library."

"Uzumaki scrolls?" Jozun said questioningly. Kakashi nodded.

"Yeah, you know, the scrolls in the display case that no-one could open? The ones with the the intricate wave design?"

"Oh those! Damn, I remember when Kisa and I tried opening those. Didn't end well, let me tell you. Kisa broke three Kunai and a nail." the silver-haired jounin hmm'd in amusement.

"They were coded to Uzumaki DNA," came the quiet voice that had apparently become Naruto's norm, from the stairway.

"I still don't see what's so great about the Uzumaki, honestly," Sakura said. "I mean, sure, they were good at seals, but an Uchiha could learn those easily." Naruto almost snapped at her, but stopped, noting that not only was she actually correct, but she wasn't saying it snobbishly, but as a matter of fact. He sighed.

"They could learn quickly, yes. But the quick way, the Sharingan, brings knowledge, it does not bring understanding. If they just learn the seal by copying, then they know that one seal, not each component, or how to use each bit individually. The Uzumaki, from a young age, were trained intensively in Fuinjutsu, and so had a deep understanding, so much so that it became ingrained in their blood. Seals are basically a Kekkei Genkai to Uzumaki. On top of that, Sakura, how many people did it take to wipe out the Uchiha clan?"

"One?" Sakura supplied questioningly.

"And was he injured?"

"No... but he did it at night, when everyone was asleep."

"An excellent point. He caught them by surprise, but the fact remains; Itachi-nii-chan wiped out upwards of five hundred people without a scratch. The Uzu invasion, actually was technically a surprise, considering the Uzumaki had mere moments to prepare, and yet, what happened?"

"The Uzumaki were wiped out... at the cost of over five thousand people. Trust me girl. As impressive as the Uchiha were, they couldn't hold a candle to the Uzumaki. I fought plenty of both, and truthfully? I'd rather fight an Uchiha," Zabuza put in, his face contorted slightly as he absently rubbed his leg.

Kurama, how about a demonstration of the Uzumaki Kekkei? A loud whine followed Naruto's mental request.

But kiiiiit! I don't wanna! I hate those things!

Kurama, I'm not using them against you. Hell, as soon as I can, I'm loosening the seal to give you more freedom, you idiot. Kurama grumbled under his breath about stupid monkeys and rude demands.

Fine, but let the record state I release this upon the world once more with the utmost reluctance.

Duly noted. Naruto waited a moment, before he felt a twinge in his muscular system, though it was nowhere near as painful as what he'd felt when he'd gotten his Rinnegan.

"Now, let's step outside for a proper demonstration, shall we?" everyone looked at him quizzically, and he flashed a feral grin, his purple-ringed eyes glinting. "I mentioned Fuinjutsu was basically a Kekkei Genkai for Uzumaki? Well, it happens there's an actual one." Kakashi's eye widened greatly and his mouth fell open, visible even through his mask.

"You're shitting me." his answer was a hollow laugh. Naruto merely turned and stepped out the front door, followed closely by the Cyclops, piquing the interest of everyone else, and so they also followed.

"Jozun, your headband please." He waited a moment for the item, then made a quick mental exchange with his tenant.

How do I actually use these things?

Visualize your Chakra manifesting as chains. Kushina did it quite often and I looked through her memories because I was so bored.

Thanks.

Hmm. Naruto tossed the Hiate-ate lightly, then used his Rinnegan.

"Shinra Tensai!" The metal plate went flying, causing Jozun to bark out a complaint, only to fall silent as blood-red chains shot from the blonds' outstretched hand and wrapped haphazardly around the cloth, then whipped it back so fast it impaled the dirt at the Jounins' feet, causing the man to blanch. Naruto frowned at the chain. It waved shakily, then slowly curled around his body, which everyone noticed was coated in a light sheen of sweat.

"You're tired?" Sasuke asked in shock. Naruto flicked his eyes momentarily to the Raven-haired teen, causing his new toy to dissolve as he cursed.

"The Uzumaki Physical Chakra... Ho-ly shit..." Zabuza whistled out. Naruto turned to him with a raised eyebrow.

"I saw a few Uzumaki use it during the Uzu invasion. Some were making swords or shields, other were making chains, or bow and arrows. The chains are the only widely known because the Bloody Red-Hot Habenero used them during the third war. It's actually not restricted to chains. You can manifest your Chakra physically in any inanimate form you choose." Naruto's eyebrows shot up to his hairline at this news. Then he focused intently on his hand for a few moments, when a Katana appeared in his grip, just as red as his previous manifestation. At this point, however, he was huffing slightly for breath.

"Kushi-nee said when it first happens, it's pretty Chakra intensive, and takes getting used to, even for someone with reserves as large as yours," Kakashi put in succinctly, his visible eye boring into the blond, who merely shrugged.

"I'll add it to my training regime. I still need to practice with my Rinnegan anyway." Here, Zabuza got a manic look in his eye.

"Need a sparring partner?" Naruto looked at him skeptically. "What? I've faced someone with the Rinnegan before. Almost died, but I faced the guy."

"You... what?"

"Yeah, the leader of Amegakure. Kept going on and on about Pain and a Cycle of Hatred or something and he wore this stupid black and cloak, but he was stronger than hell."

"...What color was his hair?" Everyone looked to the blond to see a dangerous gleam in his eyes as he reached forward and forcibly grabbed the taller man's bandage mask, forcing him down to eye level.

"Uh..."

"I said. What. Color. Was. His. Fucking. Hair." Zabuza began visibly sweating as he was forced to look the intense blonde in the eye.

"It was bright orange!" he stumbled back as he was released, falling on his ass.

"Kakashi!" the silver-haired man snapped to attention. "Take everyone here and get back to Konoha at fastest speed. Tell Hokage-jiji I needed to run a... personal errand. And to send Jiraiya to Ame as soon as he can. Inari!" the boy jumped in fright. "You are going with them, to continue your Shinobi training." Tsunami opened her mouth to protest, but was stopped by a scathing look from the blond who had so quickly taken charge.

"Either he goes and gets trained, or he dies the first time he tries fighting someone. Your choice." she snapped her mouth shut, looking torn between letting go of her child so soon and being protective, which she was used to. Naruto didn't stop to find out, because he blurred away as fast as possible, leaving everyone stunned.

"Wha... what the fuck just happened?" Jozun asked, to which everyone shrugged. Kakshi shook his head.

"Whatever just happened, we have to get moving. I'm not going against a direct order. Let's go everyone!" he said with false cheer, corralling the two Nukenin and the young boy and leading them away, leaving the Genin and the other Jounin to dazedly follow him.

With Naruto, already several miles from Wave Country, heading tot he center of the Elemental Nations

"Motherfucking kami-damned..." Naruto growled to himself under his breath as he rocketed from tree to tree, enhancing his leaps with the orange Chakra of his Tenant.

You have GOT to be kidding me. We are not going there! We will be WHOOPED.

Don't care. Family.

You realize he's apparently trying to kill you according to Itachi?

Don't. Care. Family.

You're going to risk both of our lives on the off chance this guy will actually see reason and lay down his mission, because you're related? You ARE an idiot!

Don't. Care.

Family, yeah I get it! For fucks' sake, after so long trying to stay ALIVE, I get offed because of a kid who misses his mommy. Kurama realized his mistake too late as Naruto froze instantly, his face contorting in rage.

Oh shi... Kit I didn't mean it! His words were cut off as Naruto entered his mindscape and faced the diminutive fox inside the temple. Naruto had long ago figured out a way to give the Kyuubi as much freedom as possible, by morphing the chins that represented the seal into a simple ring, worn over the foxs' adorable little paw. The tiny thing was trembling slightly, apparently having forgotten he was much stronger than this child.

"I didn't mean it!" he suddenly found a muzzle on his snout, at which he pawed and grubled.

"I will not hear a word from you until this is over," the blond bit out, then left his mind, continuing his rapid movement.

Several hours later

Naruto stood on the side of a building, adhering to the wall with Chakra, and looked at the two figures standing above him, parallel to his own body.

"You willingly come to us, Kyuubi holder? Do you wish to die?" asked the deep-voiced man, who had piercing all over his face, his bright orange hair dripping rain as he looked at the boy. The woman next to him, who Naruto idly noted was rather shapely and had a nice-looking face, except for the scowl etched into it, glared at the blond. He blue hair seemed to ignore the laws of physics and nature, as it was completely dry and the knot she had didn't appear to be affected by gravity.

"I seek no death, save for one embraced by the waves. I seek no sanctuary, save for the crash of the surf. If I die this day, let my body be carried by the tide to rejoin the storm and strengthen the Maelstrom I serve," Naruto said quietly, but loud enough to be heard over the constant drumming of the rain. The man's eyes widened at the words, and his mouth opened slightly. He seemed about to say something, but the woman had apparently had enough chit-chat and sprinted down the wall at the blond, forcing him to dodge a kick aimed at his head. What followed was hell for Naruto.

The woman alternated randomly between kicks and different punches, aiming at his head and chest, and he was hard-pressed to walk away uninjured. He took several blows to the stomach, each hit causing him to slid farther and farther towards the ground. He was about to jump to another building, when the woman he was 'fighting' (getting his ass-kicking from) blurred in front of him. His eyes widened, finally allowing his Rinnegan to be fully seen, as he'd been squinting to keep the rain out of his eyes. The sight of his eyes seemed to enrage her further, and she planted a vicious kick into his abdomen, launching him to the ground, creating a crater several feet deep.

I can't keep up with her... I'm one of the fastest Shinobi in the Big Five, and this woman is beating me to a bloody pulp. How?

"Konan," came the man's deep call. The blue-haired woman froze and looked back up at the man, who was walking down the side of the skyscraper. He bypassed her and went to the ground, looking at the blond from the rim of the hole.

"You seem surprised that an S-Ranked Nukenin is faster than you." Naruto grimaced as he rose unsteadily, coughing up some blood, before wiping it away with his sleeve.

"I've personally encountered only three people faster than I am, Oji-san," he panted, wiping more blood from his mouth. "One of them is the Yondaime Raikage, with his Lightning Armor, The Sannin Jiraiya and a curious young man from Iwa are the other two."

"I am impressed my nephew is so confident in his speed, but the fact remains, you, a Jinchuuriki, willingly came to the proverbial wolves' den."

"I came for family, and would willingly die for such." the two stared at each other for several tense moments, their respective Rinnegan searching each other. Finally, the man smirked and walked down the side to stand in front of the teen. He held out his hand.

"My name is Uzumaki Nagato." Naruto grinned as he shakily reached out and gripped the offered hand.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

"Maelstrom. A fitting name for one born to the Main House of Uzumaki." Naruto shrugged slightly.

"I also enjoy the other meaning." Nagato guffawed.

"Yes, Ramen is a singular weakness we of Uzu share. Please, come up to my office and see me." Naruto quirked an eyebrow in question, causing Nagato to smirk again.

"This is not my body. I am controlling it to be my Deva Path."

"Ah. I forgot about the paths."

"Evidently." they were interupted by Konan splashing down next to them and slapping their still interlocked hands.

"Nagato! What are you doing!" the taller man turned a withering look on the bluenette.

"Greeting my family, Konan. We will discuss this further in my office." the woman opened and closed her mouth a few times, then nodded and turned away, gesturing angrily for the blond to follow her. It took ten full minutes of slogging, at a civilian pace no less, through rain, puddles, and mud for them to reach what was apparently their destination, at which point, the Deva Path body broke off to apparently go to an adjacent building.

As soon as he stepped into the lobby of the tall structure, he noted Konan was not only unaffected by the elements, but was glaring mightily at him.

"Don't drip on the carpet," she snipped. He just sent her a sideways look.

"Excuse the fuck out of me for not having mega thin wax paper to keep me from being covered in muck." she looked mildly surprised at his deduction. He just grinned and rubbed his nose slightly. She rolled her eyes in answer and began up the stairs.

"How many floors?"

"Twenty-nine."

"Yeah... fuck that." he began leaping off the walls, clearing all twenty-nine required floors on moments. Only to have the blue-haired she-devil appear next to him and smack him.

"You just got mud on the walls you fucking twit." Naruto shrugged and pushed open the doors in front of him, only to stop in shock at the sight that greeted him. This... was not what he was expecting.

"Yes, it is a bit much isn't it?" the man before him said, in a voice significantly deeper than Deva Path's. Before the blond teenager was the thinnest, saddest excuse for a man he'd ever seen. His ribs stuck out and his stomach was non-existant, his crimson hair hung in clumpy locks to his shoulders, and his face was so gaunt it looked like a bad painting. But from the waist down... he had a large mechanical set of four legs, giving him a slightly insect-like appearance, and his hands were wrapped into the setting, causing him to hunch over.

"What..." Naruto swallowed to wet his throat. "What happened to you?"

"War. War that ravaged my home of Amegakure. Every time the Five Great shinobi nations wage war, Ame is their battleground, and we get caught in the middle, forced to fight for our lives against a foe we cannot defend against. With every war, we lose loved ones, and our hate for the larger nations grow."

Naruto remained silent, his face becoming so stoic it was telling to his elder.

"You are from one of them." he got merely a nod, followed by the boy uncomfortably crossing his arms. "Which Village raised you to die for it?" he asked, cocking his head to the side.

"Konohagakure," the blond whispered. He felt rather than saw Nagato's rage at the statement.

"And how far have you gone for it?"

"Officially or realistically?" another wave of anger.

"Officially, of course."

"Officially, I am only a Genin, with some D-Ranks and a less than desirable Academy Record to my name."

"And Realistically?"

"Realistically, I was first choice for ANBU Commander. I have become feared throughout the Elemental Nations as Kage, and have a flee-on-rumor order in all Bingo Books."

"To what end?"

"To protect the people I love." Naruto looked up to see Nagato looking startled at the response. "Sandaime Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and his son, Asuma, adopted me into their clan. I do nothing for Konoha. I do what I do for them, and my cousin, Konohamaru. The few friends I have gained were hard-won, and are well trusted. I have taken lives, but never for that damned Village. Why should I serve those who would hate me? I do nothing against them, unless in self defense, but I do nothing for them," Naruto cast a knowing look at the older man. "What would that accomplish? They will never accept me as one of them, and so long as they leave me be, I am content to do the same. Retaliation leads to more hate."

"An endless cycle of Hate..." Nagato whispered to himself, but loud enough to be heard. "So that is your answer to this vicious cycle? To live and let live? To ignore injustice?"

"No, never to ignore injustice. But to ignore ignorance, Nagato-oji. If they break my arm, it will hurt, true, but what do I gain by getting revenge? They would just hate me even more and hurt me more. The cycle would continue endlessly. It serves no purpose. Forgiveness, I say, is the key. Forgiveness and love. Strength is a necessary component, yes, but if one focuses solely on love OR strength, then nothing is solved." the red-haired man stared at the teen before him contemplatively for a long while.

"It seems," he finally stated, his deep baritone voice filling the room, "that you are far wiser than your years, and far more perceptive than most people alive in the Elemental Nations today. Truly the Uzumaki are in great hands." Naruto cocked his head to the side in confusion, causing Nagato to chuckle. "You are the only living descendant of the Main Branch of Uzu. By rights, the title of Clan Head is yours. With Permission, Naruto-sama, I would give my service as a bodyguard." Naruto straightened.

"I think, Nagato-sama," the man frowned at the address. "That your abilities would be better served as Uzu's spymaster." Now, the purple-ringed eye visible around the crimson curtain widened. "I have for years had the singular purpose of rebuilding Uzushiogakure. The issue was finding other Uzumaki to help do so. Now, however, I have found one. And, given that you have made me Clan Head, my directive is for you to find more."

"And what of my Akatsuki?" Naruto paused and tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Re-purpose them. Have them atone for their crimes, that they can join Uzu as free men, and not wanted criminals." Nagato frowned once more.

"Not so many of them will wish to do so, and in truth, two or three answer to Madara."

Naruto's eyes gleamed with a playful mischief.

"I have plans for Madara," Nagato couldn't help but shudder at the hidden malice in the blonds' voice. "And what say have they when facing the might of TWO Rinnegan? I need a bit of training in mine, true, but you are more than capable. When the time is right, we will give them a choice; Join Uzu and swear fealty to the Uzumaki, or be considered enemies of two of the most powerful people alive."

"They essentially already are, Naruto."

"Ah, but you see, when I declare someone to truly be my ENEMY, it comes with the knowledge I will hunt them until they die. It goes against my fundamental beliefs, but in this case, several S-Ranked Nukenin are assured to have no-one left to truly mourn and avenge them."

Nagato regarded the teen with a new look.

"You are one devious little shit."

"I didn't become first choice for ANBU Commander based on my stunning good looks and charming personality."

"Clearly... speaking of, why AREN'T you ANBU Commander?"

"I turned it down. Too much paperwork for my underdeveloped teenage brain to deal with at the moment," Naruto turned his face to the side and crossed his arms, but his smug grin was all too visible.

"You just prefer action to sitting on your ass." the blond shrugged.

"That is also true."

"Very well, I will give the order to the others."