Disclaimer:

I do not own Naruto or Star Wars.


Chapter 7: Fallen and Risen

It was a cold night in the village of Konoha. Many of the villagers lay sleeping in their beds. Some slept soundly while others slept in fear of what happened earlier that day. Fear of the rampage of the Kyuubi's vessel. Despite the incident and the chilling weather, there were only a few that were still awake during this late hour. One of those few was currently walking up a flight of stairs to the penthouse suite of the apartment complex he owns. An individual who was preparing to execute the final step in a plan that has taken months in preparation.

A plan to finally take control of the village's ultimate weapon and warrior.

Meanwhile in the penthouse a young boy was having trouble sleeping. He was constantly plagued with horrible dreams. Nightmares of lies, betrayals, and pain. Pain and suffering. It also wasn't helping that he hasn't gotten used to sleeping in this new apartment yet as he was still accustomed to resting in his old one. The old one that was burnt to the ground by the very people he swore to protect. All because of his curse.

His curse of being Naruto Uzumaki, the vessel of the Kyuubi.

Naruto, was at the moment wrestling with another nightmare in the long trend of nightmares he's had this night. It was the same one as many of the others before. They all had to do with that vision he had earlier that day. The vision of him and Sasuke fighting in some strange valley with two giant statues. They all ended the same way. They ended with him and Sasuke striking their jutsus at each other and causing a blinding flash of light before the dream would end and the Uzumaki boy would wake up.

This one was different though. This one went a little further beyond that point. With Naruto's entire vision being covered in fire and flames. He didn't know what it meant and wouldn't have the time to contemplate it as once again he bolted upright with his heart pounding out of his chest. The boy took deep breathes to try to settle himself and his pounding organ down.

After a few minutes he finally calmed down. He looked and saw that he was covered with sweat. It was hard for him to imagine that even this cold night wasn't enough to keep him from sweating from this night terror he was currently having. The genin pushed off the covers of his new bed and swung his legs out to get up and head to the bathroom.

Once inside he turned on the faucet and started to splash the cool liquid onto his face to clean off the sweat. After he finished he looked in the mirror at his drenched face and gasped to find that his eyes were glowing red and yellow! Naruto grabbed a towel and started to dry off his face; hard. Thinking that he must've still been half asleep and was still dreaming. When he put the towel down and opened his eyes, they were blue again.

Naruto would've breathed easier except that he noticed that the blue shade of his eyes seemed duller. Not as bright as they used to be. He figured it was just from him not getting enough sleep and was about to head back to bed until he heard a knock at the door.

Naruto grumbled and walked to the entrance and opened the door to once again find Palpatine. Naruto of course wasn't happy with seeing the old man at the moment. What with him still being angry and confused with him over their conversation earlier and the fact that it was the middle of the night. Still though Naruto will try to be courteous in sending the old man away even though the expression on his face looked as if he was desperate to tell him something of grave importance.

"Look Old Man Palp, I don't really want to talk right now and I'm really tired, so if you don't mind-"

"I'm afraid this can't wait, Naruto. Sasuke has left the village."

Naruto was stunned and his eyes grew wide with shock. He ushered the old man in and shut the door. He turned on the lights in his apartment while Palpatine sat down on the sofa. Naruto stood facing Palpatine without bothering to sit down since he was still processing what the old man said.

"Sasuke left the village? But…..that can't be. It doesn't make sense! WHY WOULD SASUKE LEAVE THE VILLAGE?!"

Palpatine looked at Naruto as he answered his question.

"He left the village to join Orochimaru."

Naruto gasped and stumbled backwards. He couldn't believe it! Sasuke left to join Orochimaru? That was insane! Beyond insane when considering what the vile villain has done and that he was after his body!

"HE LEFT TO JOIN OROCHIMARU OF ALL PEOPLE?! BUT...BUT WHY?!"

Palpatine looked at him as he prepared to answer that question as well.

"I'm sure you are familiar with Sasuke's obsession with killing his brother and avenging his clan are you not?"

Naruto nodded as he was blatantly aware of Sasuke's goal.

"It appears that Sasuke was not satisfied with the training he's receiving in this village and felt too humiliated in his defeat by you to the point where he chose to leave for Orochimaru, so that he could train under him. Train, so that he could become just as merciless and cruel as his older brother Itachi. He more than likely believes it is the only way he can defeat his brother and his rival."

Palpatine closed his eyes before opening them again to look at Naruto.

"You."

Naruto stood silent for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"So Sasuke chose to join Orochimaru, after everything he's done, because he wants to kill me and Itachi?"

Palpatine nodded solemnly.

"Yes."

Naruto closed his hands into fists and grit his teeth. The apartment began to shake. The various vases and decorations began to rattle while the windows cracked from the pressure of Naruto's power. Palpatine wasn't fazed by the boy's power at all however. It was only a fraction of what he wanted to see and as he reached into his robe he prepared to bring out the final instrument that was needed to break the floodgates of Naruto's power and his indecision.

"I'm afraid there is more my boy. It is with great reluctance for me to show you this, but you have more than a right to know the truth."

Naruto was confused as to what Palpatine meant as he placed a strange circular metal object on the coffee table. Moments after he did a blue light emanated from it which startled Naruto. Seconds later two objects formed in the light. They were humanoid in appearance and soon began to develop more in detail until Naruto recognized the two individuals as Sasuke and Sakura!

"What is this?!"

Naruto looked at Palpatine.

"It's a recording of Sakura and Sasuke from earlier. Right before Sasuke left the village. Just watch and listen then you will understand."

Naruto did as the old man instructed and diverted his eyes back to the two little blue glowing forms of Sakura and Sasuke. He saw that the small blue Sasuke was walking away from the small blue Sakura, who was in tears. Naruto listened intently as the conversation between them unfolded.

"Why Sasuke? Why won't you ever tell me anything? Why is it always silence with you? You've never shared a single thing-"

"Why should I have to tell you anything?"

Sasuke stopped walking away from Sakura.

"Just keep your nose out of my business! It's none of your concern."

Sakura turned her face away.

"I know you hate me. Even in the beginning you could never stand me."

She looked at Sasuke.

"Remember? Back when we made genin and we were assigned our three men squads? We were alone together for the first time. Right here on this very spot. You got so mad at me that day when I said that Naruto does whatever comes into his head. And the reason he was like that was because he didn't have parents to keep him from doing that. I said that he was selfish, bratty and all alone and that he was lucky for it."

Naruto's eyes widened and he felt as if his breathe was stolen away and he began to tremble terribly! Sakura actually thought and said those things about him? It wasn't true! It couldn't be true! It couldn't! Naruto didn't want to listen anymore! He didn't, but he continued to regardless because he had to know what else Sakura said to Sasuke.

"I don't remember that."

Sakura gasped at Sasuke's statement.

"Yeah, sure I mean it was so long ago right, but still that was the day it all began. It was the start of you and me. And Naruto. And Kakashi sensei. It was so much fun."

Sakura looked to the side again.

"I know about your clan Sasuke. I do. You're seeking revenge. That won't bring anyone happiness. Nobody at all. Not you and not me."

"I knew it."

Sakura looked at Sasuke with confusion to what he meant.

"I'm not the same as you. I'm traveling a path the rest of you can't follow. I know that the four of us have worked together and for a while I thought that I could take that road instead but in the end I've decided on revenge. That's always been my reason for living. I'll never be like you and Naruto."

"Don't do this Sasuke! You don't have to be alone! You told me that day how painful a thing solitude can be. I understand that pain now. I have a family and friends."

Sakura stepped forward holding her hands together over her chest.

"But if you were gone Sasuke it would be the same thing for me as being all alone!"

Sasuke didn't turn around to face her but still spoke to her.

"This is a new beginning. Each of us has a new path lying before us."

Sakura took another step to Sasuke.

"Sasuke! I'm so in love with you, I can't even stand it!"

Naruto gasped and took a step away from the recording.

"If you would only be with me! I promise I'd never let you regret it! Every day would be a joy! I can give you happiness! I'll do anything for you Sasuke, so please I'm begging you don't walk away! I'll even help get your revenge! I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen, I swear! So, stay here with me and if you can't then take me with you Sasuke!"

Sasuke finally turned to face her.

"You haven't changed. You're still annoying!"

Sakura stared at him like a deer caught in the torch lights of a cart while Sasuke proceeded to walk away.

"Don't leave me!"

Sakura ran towards him a few steps.

"If you go I'll scream and-"

Sakura was cut off as Sasuke suddenly body flickered to behind her.

"Sakura, thank you for everything."

Sasuke did a quick jab to knock her out.

"Sasuke…"

The tiny blue Sakura fell to the ground unconscious. The two blue images of his teammates dissolved and flickered away. Palpatine took the recorder off the table and put it away back within his robes. He then looked at the boy with sympathy in his eyes."

I am sorry, Naruto…. but it would appear that Sasuke and Sakura both…have betrayed you."

Tears were streaming down Naruto's face as he still trembled in light of what he just witnessed. His blue eyes dissolved into the infernos that they were earlier when he awoke. His fingers were digging into his palms so hard that blood dripped down out of his fists.

'She chose him…she chose Sasuke….and she tried to join him… she tried to join him and leave the village…..she tried to abandon me…..she tried to leave me here alone…..she chose him and tried to abandon me…she never loved me…..she never cared about me…..the comfort…..the hugs….the kiss…it was all a lie…IT WAS ALL A LIE!'

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Naruto screamed out all the rage and pain, from his teammates' betrayal, out of him and as a result all the windows and furniture within his new apartment were completely blown away! Nothing in the apartment was safe from the boy's wrath as everything was blown or ripped to pieces! All except for the sofa Palpatine was currently occupying.

Palpatine smiled as he witnessed the full display of Naruto's might. It was indeed impressive raw power, but it still required some control and further training which will be handled in time. It was also fortunate that Palpatine foresaw this reaction from Naruto and took precautions by using the Force to manipulate the Anbu stationed around the building to ignore any and all suspicious activity from it.

After finally emotionally exhausting himself, Naruto collapsed to his knees. The last precious person he had left in the village; the one person that he thought he could still trust; the girl that he has loved his whole life; betrayed him. Naruto didn't know what to do. He didn't know how to get away. To escape from this village; this curse; this pain. He felt even more lost than before.

"What do I do? Tell me what to do. Somebody please give me an answer…Somebody…please….!"

Naruto forgot that he wasn't alone in the room and didn't expect to receive one, so he was surprised when one was finally given to him.

"Fulfill your destiny, Naruto."

Naruto's eyes widened and he looked up as Palpatine rose from the couch. His face transforming back into its true state that was shown to Naruto earlier. His eyes changed into the orange glowing irises from before as well. He slowly approached Naruto as he continued to speak. His calm friendly voice taking more of a rough sinister tone.

"Leave this world and universe with me. Become my apprentice. Learn to fully know the Darkside of the Force!"

Naruto stared at the old man before him. This man has done nothing but shown him kindness since they first met. He's given him support and believed in him when no one else other than Iruka would. He has told him about the Force and its power. Given him gifts. Revealed to him the true nature and the lies of his other supposed precious people. Told him the truth of his parents, his heritage, and the reason why he was chosen to bear this curse.

It was no mystery what Naruto's answer was going to be as he stared back at the ground.

"I will go with you and I will be your student."

Palpatine's lips twisted into a smile.

"Gooood."

Naruto looked up at his new master with eyes still full of pain and tears.

"Just take me far away from this village and this world! I can't live here anymore after what it's done to me! There's nothing for me here, now! Nothing!"

Naruto's new master's face took on a more serious expression.

"To leave this universe, there is but one doorway that will allow it. But to open it requires power none from your world have ever achieved but if we work together I know we can unlock it and ensure our escape."

Naruto looked back up at the old man. He didn't care what doors or obstacles stood in their way. He will leave this hell no matter what. Naruto took more of a kneeling position in front of Palpatine.

"Then I swear on my life that I will do whatever you tell me to do. Learn anything and everything from you that I can. Until I have become a master of the Darkside like you."

"Good. Gooood."

Palpatine breathed in as he felt the light within Naruto drastically diminish. Giving way to the darkness that has been sleeping in the corners of his mind and soul for years. It felt so powerful and so potent. It was absolutely perfect.

"The Force is strong with you! A powerful Sith, you will become!"

Naruto looked up at the old man. Realizing that he was the one he witnessed and heard in that vision. However, that didn't matter to him at all. Except for one detail that has had him puzzled.

"What's a Sith, Old Man Palp?"

Palpatine opened his eyes and looked down upon the boy.

"From now on, you will call me master."

Naruto nodded and bowed his head back down.

"I'm sorry, master."

Palpatine smiled and accepted the apology.

"To answer your question my young new apprentice, the Sith is an order of Force wielders like you and myself whose goal was to learn everything there was to know about the Force and the Darkside, so that they could use its power to establish and maintain peace and justice throughout the galaxy."

Naruto's eyes widened as he listened intently more to the rest of the history of this Sith Order.

"However, the Sith had a natural enemy. A group of Force wielders that wanted to use the Lightside of the Force to impose their will upon the galaxy. These Force wielders were known as the Jedi. For thousands of years the Sith and the Jedi have fought each other for control of the galaxy. Many times, the tide turned for both sides, but the Jedi always had one advantage over the Sith; unity. Many Sith grew too seduced and hungry for more power and were unable to fully master the Darkside. This flaw caused them to kill each other which allowed the Jedi to gain the upper hand. It appeared as if the Sith would be wiped out completely until one Sith lord established a new legacy that ensured the Sith's survival. This Sith Lord was known as Darth Bane."

Naruto grew more and more captivated and fascinated with the tale as Palpatine continued.

"Darth Bane knew, that as long as there were too many Sith, the order would not survive, so he destroyed all the remaining Sith Lords with the exception of his own apprentice and from then on he established the Rule of Two. No more. No less. One master and one apprentice. Through this rule the order was able to survive in secret for a millennium. All the way from Bane and his student to myself and you now my apprentice."

Naruto was shocked. To think that Bane had to kill people of his own order to ensure its survival. It was insane but maybe perhaps necessary. There was one thing that still troubled the boy though.

"What about the Jedi? What happened to them?"

Palpatine looked to the side before back at his new apprentice.

"They believed that they won the war and so they grew in power and influence. Unaware that the Sith Order still survived. Waiting for the chance to strike a lethal blow and eradicate the Jedi threat. The order's chance came in the form of a young boy that was taken in by the Jedi. Like you Naruto, his power was feared, and he was fed nothing but lies by the very order he swore to serve and protect. This boy's name was Anakin Skywalker."

Naruto was once again shocked. With everything he heard about other universes and powerful force wielding orders it was no surprise. However, he didn't think that there was someone out there who was feared and lied to by his own comrades like he was. The closest he thought until now was Gaara, but this Anakin sounds like he went through the same horrible experiences he did.

"Anakin was a good friend. For years I attempted to help him open his eyes to see the order for what it really was. In time Skywalker suspected the Jedi Order was hiding things from him. Things he more than had a right to know when considering all that he had done for them. He became confused and distrustful of the order to the point where he actually came to my aide when a Jedi attempted to take my life when they realized who I really was and that I was trying to take away their 'greatest weapon', from them. When the assassin was dealt with I offered Skywalker my teachings and guidance in order to stop the Jedi once and for all. He accepted them and cast aside his Jedi status and became a Sith Lord. My former apprentice then attacked the Jedi Temple. Destroying many of the vile villains there while those who were away from the temple were dealt with. Most of them anyway. Thanks to the bravery and power of my former apprentice, I was able to build an Empire so that the peace and justice he restored to the galaxy would last forever, but it was not without great cost."

Palpatine closed his eyes.

"While he was away on an important mission I assigned, he was ambushed and viciously attacked by his former Jedi Master. The cruel man left his once apprentice and friend to burn and die a horribly slow death. My former apprentice's power and hatred were strong, but the damage to his body was too severe for him to survive. After his destruction, I found a door in my galaxy that led to your own. It was manageable to open it from my side, but it was far more difficult on yours. During my attempts to return, I discovered you. You, who were so much like Skywalker. It was then I took it upon myself to help and guide you as I did him."

Naruto was once again in a bewilderment. He couldn't believe that Anakin was killed by his own master like that. After finally freeing himself of the Jedi and their deceitful order and saving Palpatine's universe, he ends up suffering a terrible death. Naruto never even met him and yet he felt so sorry and angered for him.

Palpatine opened his eyes as he finished his tale.

"In honor of my former apprentice, I Darth Sidious the first benevolent Emperor of my galaxy, will allow you Naruto Uzumaki to claim the Sith Lord title, that Skywalker bore at the time when he stood at my side, once your skills have progressed enough through your training. When that time comes you shall henceforth be known as Darth….Vader."

Naruto bowed before his Sith master.

"I am honored to be able to one day use his title. Thank you, my master."

Palpatine reached into his robes and pulled out Naruto's weapon, that he dropped earlier after his fight with Sasuke, and held it in his hands.

"Rise."

The boy who was now a Sith in training rose before his new master.

"Your lightsaber, my friend."

Palpatine handed the weapon to the boy who gratefully accepted it back. Palpatine proceeded to walk through some of the wreckage of the apartment. Preparing to unfold the rest of his plan.

"Because Tsunade, the Leaf council, and your comrades never trusted you and have always feared you, I believe they will take more drastic measures towards you soon in response to your justifiable attack yesterday. And more than likely when they find out what is transpiring here they will kill us. For they would rather destroy you than allow you to escape from their power craving hands."

Naruto nodded to his master.

"I agree, Tsunade and the council's next move will no doubt be against us."

Palpatine reached behind his head and pulled a hood over himself as he turned to the boy.

"Every single Leaf shinobi including your friends, Sasuke and Sakura, are no longer trustworthy and are now your enemies!"

Naruto nodded.

"I understand, master."

"We must move quickly! Tsunade and her Leaf shinobi are relentless! They may be inferior to us but there are far too many of them for us to fight! Especially if they call for aide from any of the other villages! If we do not leave through the doorway soon it will be war and persecution without end! We also must get back to my home universe before any surviving Jedi attempt to retake control of it!"

Naruto nodded again. He understood the importance of their escaping rather than fighting. Still he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he wouldn't get the chance to defeat them all and make them pay for their lies, cruelty, and betrayal.

Palpatine sensed his apprentice's disappointment and smiled at him.

"Be patient, my young friend. Once the Jedi and the enemies of the Empire have been fully extinguished from my galaxy and your training is complete, you may be allowed to return here and have everyone in this village answer for their treachery against you!"

Naruto was satisfied with that. Truth be told there was still a tiny part of him that didn't want to fight the people he once regarded as precious. He hated that he still held some care for them and couldn't wait to rip out of himself.

Palpatine sensed the small conflict within the boy. It also annoyed him that the boy still had a little weakness for them, but it mattered not. Once the ritual and his training was complete he will no longer be anchored by any insignificant attachment to these people.

"First, I want you to go and deal with those Root Anbu that are gathering outside this building. If you strike now, you will catch them off balance."

Naruto looked at his master with confusion.

"Root Anbu?"

Palpatine further explained.

"They are a group of Anbu that serve an elder of this village by the name of Danzo Shimura. He was once a comrade of the late Third Hokage. For years, he's wanted control over the Kyuubi and has sought to take and strip you of your emotions and identity. Turning you into a loyal mindless puppet for him to use for his own benefit. The Third Hokage kept him at bay so that he would be the one to control you through timid false kindness and compassion. Now that he is gone, Danzo will not stop until he has captured and imprisoned you."

Naruto was angered that even the Third Hokage never trusted him and tried to control and use him as his own personal weapon and now this Danzo was after him?! How he wished this man was here now so that he could tear him apart! Unfortunately, he would have to be patient for the day when he returns to wreak vengeance upon this village!

Palpatine sensed his apprentice's rage and smiled.

"Good, Naruto! Let the hate flow through you! It will be instrumental for when you destroy his puppets before they can take and enslave you!"

Naruto looked at his master with blood lust in his raging crimson eyes.

"Do what must be done, my apprentice! Do not hesitate! Show no mercy! Wipe them out! All of them! By doing so you will become stronger with the Darkside and increase our chances of opening the door!"

Palpatine sat back down on the sofa as Naruto was about to query about an issue that was concerning him about Tsunade.

"What about Senju and the other Leaf shinobi?"

Palpatine answered his protégé.

"I will further investigate her plans for you, as well as any other Leaf shinobi that may knowingly be involved with them. A lesson when it comes to outmaneuvering your enemy, my young apprentice, is to know every single detail of their plans, strategies, and contingencies. How they think and react to your actions. Knowledge of your enemies can be a sharp and powerful tool at your disposal!"

Naruto understood. He was also eager to know how deep Tsunade's plans for him were. That and along with who else was involved in them. He couldn't wait to one day make them all pay!

"After you have killed all the Root agents outside. Wait for Shikamaru to arrive and recruit you for the mission to bring back your former teammate, Sasuke Uchiha, but do not let your guard down around him and the others taking part in this pointless mission! More than likely Tsunade has given them secret orders to subdue and even kill you if necessary once the mission is complete! Do not let them suspect what we are planning either. Have them believe that you know nothing of their intentions and that are you still loyal to this pitiful speck of a village! They will each no doubt become too occupied with fighting the Sound shinobi that Orochimaru has sent to collect the Uchiha. Once that happens Shikamaru will have no choice but to leave you to hunt down Sasuke; alone. Follow his trail to the Valley of the End and wait for me there. I will rendezvous with you and we will leave this accursed world behind us!"

Palpatine's face took a more serious expression.

"However, if Sasuke Uchiha stands in your way. If he persists on fighting you to satisfy his insignificant pride then you must kill him!"

Naruto felt himself stiffen with that order. Would he really have to kill Sasuke if he stood in his way to freedom? Naruto knows that his former comrade is eager to end his life and that he's desperate to escape from this village and curse no matter what, but still to kill Sasuke? He knows that he almost did it yesterday, but he did it because he couldn't control his rage. Naruto wasn't sure if he had it in himself to do it even if Sasuke was a hateful traitorous bastard.

"What if Sasuke doesn't fight me? What if he ignores me and goes on ahead to join Orochimaru? What then?"

Palpatine answered his apprentice.

"If the Uchiha prefers to hand over his body to Orochimaru then so be it. As long as he doesn't stand in your way then he should be no concern of yours, whatsoever. However, if he does stand in your way then you must strike him down, for he will do the same to you without hesitation!"

Naruto bowed to the Sith Lord.

"If that's your order then I will do it, master."

Naruto knew that his master was right. If Sasuke were to fight him then he must treat him like an enemy. An enemy that's out to kill him if he doesn't destroy him first. However, a small part of him couldn't help but hope the Uchiha turns the other way.

Palpatine smiled. He knew that once again his apprentice was struggling a little, but it wouldn't matter since he has foreseen Naruto and Sasuke's battle. The outcome is uncertain but he's more than confident his apprentice will rise victoriously and fully give into his rage and the Darkside.

"When we arrive in my universe, once more the Sith will rule the galaxy! And you shall finally have…. peace, my boy."

Palpatine smiled.

Outside on the nearby rooftops

They all noticed how quite it has been since they first arrived. After their comrade came back and reported to Lord Danzo of the jinchuriki losing control again, he immediately dispatched his best men to capture the weapon to bring back to him. It has been quiet since then, and their squad leader just finished relaying all of Lord Danzo's instructions on how they were to proceed. It would seem like an easy enough mission. That is if the child wasn't responsible for sending nearly a dozen Anbu to the hospital.

The squad leader stood before his men as he gave some last-minute instructions and reminders.

"Remember our orders are to take the jinchuriki alive, back to Lord Danzo. Use of any lethal jutsus is forbidden but don't take any chances with this child. He put many shinobi and Anbu in the hospital yesterday so don't give him the chance to get the upper hand. Lord Danzo expects us to succeed and that's what we are going to-"

VERRSHHH!

"AGH!"

The squad leader was cut off as a bright blue glowing blade stuck out from his chest! The squad commander only got out a small cry of pain as he fell to his knees! His men were cut off guard by the sudden loss of their leader and immediately began searching for the attacker! It didn't take them long though as the weapon suddenly pulled out of their deceased commander's corpse and flew through the air into the hand of a shadowy figure standing in front of the brightness of the moon!

The Root Anbu couldn't make out who the attacker was but went into their fighting stances as the assailant leapt down to the roof they occupied! As the figure approached them the moonlight shone upon him to reveal that it was their target; Naruto Uzumaki! The second in command unsheathed a tonto from his back and pointed it at the boy.

"You're coming with us, jinchuriki!"

Naruto spun his saber around before holding downwards across from his face.

"I doubt it since I'm surrounded by cowards and dead bodies!"

Naruto then lunged at the Root soldiers without intending to leave a single survivor.

Outside the village on the hilltops

Sasuke just left the gates of the village mere moments ago. He knew now that he was an official rogue ninja of the Leaf, but that didn't matter to him. What's done is done. He did feel a little guilty for knocking out and leaving Sakura on that bench though, but he didn't have a choice. She was in his way towards power and revenge.

"Well, look who actually showed up."

Sasuke looked and saw that the Sound Four were waiting for him at the top of the hill. He made his way to them as he wanted to get to Orochimaru as soon as possible. However, there was one thing that needed to be settled before they head to the snake and with the expectant look on the Sound Four leader's face it seemed that the matter would have to be handled now.

"Where is Naruto Uzumaki's head? Did you kill him like Lord Orochimaru requested?"

Sasuke looked at the Sound Four's leader with a stoic face.

"No, I won't kill Naruto. Orochimaru can have me if he wishes but Naruto doesn't have to die for that to happen."

None of the members of the Sound Four looked very happy to hear that, and Sasuke would have been a little nervous, since he was no match for them, but he knew that time was of the essence for both him and Orochimaru's lackeys.

"If you want to keep me from going to him until I get the job done that's fine. If you want to beat me to a pulp for not keeping that part of the deal that's fine too but I imagine that Orochimaru is expecting me to arrive very soon and I bet he also wouldn't be happy if any of you were to permanently damage me. Would he?"

Silence followed the Uchiha's bold statement. The raven-haired boy imagines that they're probably thinking it over on what to do about this unforeseen circumstance. While it was a predicament it didn't take too long for the team's leader to smile in respect.

"You're right on both counts. However, the Hokage will no doubt send a team to retrieve you. Perhaps one of the members will be your friend Naruto and if he manages to catch up to us before we reach the border, well…."

Sakon pulled out a package in wrappings and handed it to Sasuke.

"Then you should make good use of this gift from Lord Orochimaru."

Palpatine's apartment complex

It has been a little over 5 minutes since he sent his new apprentice to take care of Danzo's men, but Palpatine was not worried in the slightest. He could feel it. One by one they were all falling before the might and hatred of his apprentice. Finally, Palpatine opened his eyes and saw his protégé standing before him.

"Danzo's men have been taken care of; master."

Palpatine gave a crooked smile of approval.

"Well done, my young apprentice."

Palpatine rose up and patted his apprentice on the shoulder.

"Your power is growing by the second, my friend. You're already becoming more powerful than most of the shinobi on this planet!"

Palpatine's face became more serious.

"Shikamaru will be here soon, so in the meantime there is another lesson I must teach you before you go. This will help you in case you must do battle with Sasuke. It will ensure that your power will rise above his no matter how much he's increased it with his curse mark! Do you know what it is that I'm speaking of, apprentice?"

Naruto shook his head.

"No, I don't but I am eager to learn how this lesson will help, master."

Elsewhere in the village

The early morning was quiet despite the massacre that occurred on the rooftops earlier in the night. As such, two chuunins were heading to their temporary duties at the check in stand. Both talking about Naruto's attack on the Leaf yesterday.

"I still can't believe one genin was capable of all of that. It's insane, I tell ya."

His partner looked at him and agreed.

"I know right? He put Kotetsu and Izumo in the hospital and then to top it off he nearly wiped out a whole squadron of Anbu! That kid is something else man!"

The other chuunin put his hands behind his head as they continued heading to the stand.

"I just wish Kotetsu and Izumo didn't pick a fight with him cause now we got to handle their usual duties while they get to relax in a hospital!"

His partner gave him a scolding look.

"I don't see how they could possibly relax with the injuries they got from that Uzumaki kid! Izumo is still in a coma and Kotetsu is going to need physical therapy before he can even walk again!"

His partner shrugged.

"From what I heard Izumo's coma is nothing serious and he's expected to wake up soon. Also, Kotetsu is tough. If he can lug around that giant ass conch, he can handle without legs for a while."

The other chuunin sighed as it was hopeless to get through to him.

"You don't have a shred of human kindness in you."

His partner responded in slight annoyance.

"I do too! Just not for anyone who gets their workload dumped on me because they did something stupid!"

His partner sighed again before stopping in his tracks.

"Hey, look over there!"

The other chuunin looked to where his partner was pointing and saw a girl with pink hair lying unconscious on one of the benches. They hurried over to her to make sure she was alright. After they didn't find any visible injuries one of them shook her to wake her up.

"Hey, wake up! You alright? Hey, come one, wake up!"

The girl opened her green emerald eyes to find the two chuunins standing over her. She held her side in pain as it felt sore. Propping herself up with the help of the chuunin.

"Easy there. Now, what are you doing out here? This isn't a place to fall asleep. You should be in bed. Did something happen to you?"

His partner scoffed.

"She's been awake for 5 seconds and already you're giving her a lecture and interrogating her.

His partner's eyes became white and groaned a little from the embarrassment.

The girl's eyes snapped fully awake as she remembered what happened and suddenly grabbed the chuunin by the collar of this jacket.

"YOU HAVE TO GET THE HOKAGE! SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAS HAPPENED!"

The two chuunins' eyes were white, and they sweat dropped at the girl's sudden outburst.

Little later at Naruto's apartment

"So, now do you understand my apprentice?"

Palpatine looked at the boy after he finished telling him the lesson he needed to learn to be able to defeat Sasuke. Naruto looked at his master and nodded. He understood.

"Yes, master. If Sasuke stands in my way, I will use it to kill him."

The dark lord smiled at the boy.

"Good. Good."

There was a knock at the door.

"Naruto, it's Shikamaru! Can you open the door? I need to talk to you."

Palpatine looked at his apprentice and nodded. Naruto took the cue and headed to the door. He opened it while pretending to be sleepy and yawning.

"Hey, Shikamaru, what's up? What are you doing here so early?"

Shikamaru looked at Naruto up and down and was surprised that he was already dressed. He gave it no further thought though since now he wouldn't have to wait for Naruto to get ready before heading out to collect the others. He still wasn't sure about using Naruto for this mission, given what's happened lately, but Lady Tsunade was insistent that he take him.

"There's something I need to tell you, Naruto."

Shikamaru closed his eyes as he prepared to tell Naruto what happened while he was asleep.

"Sasuke has left the village."

Naruto's eyes widened and he gasped.

"SASUKE LEFT THE VILLAGE?!"

Shikamaru winced from how loud Naruto was yelling. Although in truth he actually expected the Uzumaki boy's reaction to be even greater and louder than this which was odd. However, he paid this no mind also. He wanted to get a move on things, so he gave Naruto the short version of what happened while answering his question.

"Yes, he left late last night. He went to go join Orochimaru and the Hokage wants us to retrieve and bring him back to the village."

Naruto's eyes were still full of shock before he nodded to Shikamaru.

"You're damn right, we'll bring him back! Just let me get a few things before we go!"

"Naruto, hold on!"

Shikamaru stopped Naruto before he headed back inside. Naruto looked at him confused while secretly was using the Force to levitate his lightsaber nearby behind the door. Preparing to use it if need be.

"There's going to be others on this mission besides us. I've decided to also take Choji and someone from Team 8. I'm thinking Kiba or Shino since Hinata is still recovering. It would also be a good idea to bring Neji since his Byakugan will definitely come in handy. Also…"

Shikamaru looked to the side as he struggled a little with trying to figure how to say this, since he was never good at expressing sympathy to anyone other than Choji.

"I just want to let you know, that I'm sorry for what happened to Iruka-sensei. I know you two were close and I really wish Sasuke's leaving didn't have to happen at a time like this for you. Still, I need to know Naruto. Are you up for this?"

Naruto looked to the side as he pondered what Shikamaru asked but not in any way that Shikamaru was thinking he was.

"Yeah, you don't need to worry about me. I'm without a doubt up for this mission. Believe it!"

Naruto had a determined look on his face which relieved Shikamaru.

"Okay, I'll wait out here while you get everything you need."

Naruto nodded and closed the door. Summoning his saber to his hand and headed back to the living room. Where his master sat waiting for him.

"Very impressive, Naruto. Your years spent in this village has indeed allowed you to develop your skills in deception."

Naruto didn't smile at that complement, but it still gratified him to hear it from his master.

"I learned from the best this village had to offer, master."

Palpatine nodded in approval before handing Naruto a new weapons pouch.

"Some new ninja tools for you, my young apprentice. When we leave this world, you will have no further use for them but for this mission one might never know."

Naruto, opened the pouch which contained kunai knives, shurikens, ninja wire and paper for paper bombs. He clipped the pouch behind his waist. Before heading out on what was to be his final mission for the Leaf, he knelt before his master again.

"Is there anything else you want me to do master?"

Palpatine nodded.

"You must reach the valley, as quickly as possible, my friend. It won't be long before Tsunade and the others discover your real reason for taking this mission. If they do find out while you are still making your way to the valley or if while you are fighting Sasuke, I have no doubt that they will come for you."

Naruto looked up at his master with rage in his eyes.

"Let them try!"

Later at the village gates

It was about to begin. Shikamaru had gathered everyone he needed for the mission. His first mission as a chuunin. Normally he wouldn't care about such a thing, but this mission was important. It was to bring back Sasuke from the clutches of Orochimaru's men. Shinobi, who were no doubt dangerous elites in the rogue Sanin's ranks.

He's already laid out his plans for their formation, how they will track them down, and how they will attack them. The plans were solid, but these were still high class shinobi they were up against, so there was no guarantee that it was all going to work. Nevertheless, they were going to bring Sasuke back. Now that everyone was up to speed on everything, there was one more thing Shikamaru felt he needed to say.

"Since no one has anything to add, I saved the most important thing for last."

Silence followed as the retrieval team waited to hear what final thoughts Shikamaru had to say before they left.

"For as long as I've known him, Sasuke and I haven't exactly been close buddies. In fact, I don't really like him at all."

Some of the members of the team gasped while Naruto just stood there with his arms crossed, waiting for Shikamaru to finish so they could leave already.

"All the same, Sasuke's a ninja belonging to the Hidden Leaf Village. He's a comrade and I'll put my life on the line to help him. That's the way of our village. I know I usually seem like a pretty lazy guy, but not today because now I'm responsible for your lives too."

Kiba smirked.

"Wow, I never thought I'd see Shikamaru acting like a chuunin. Very impressive!"

"Okay, as soon as we check our gear we'll go. Show me your weapons."

They all took out their weapon pouches and opened them for Neji to examine. Naruto of course hid his lightsaber up his sleeve which fortunately had a little snap clip inside that was perfect for keeping it from falling out. All he had to do to release it was use the Force to open the snap and summon his weapon if need be.

While Neji began to take a mental inventory of their equipment and weapons Naruto began to think more on what he was about to do. He was going to leave his teammates to fight for their lives and abandon Sasuke, possibly even kill him, just so he could do the exact same thing Sasuke was trying to do. Abandon the village.

And abandoning his dream of becoming Hokage.

Was it too late to change his mind? Was it too late to refuse Palpatine's offer and stay in the village where he could continue to try to earn everyone's respect and gratitude for him? Naruto always preached on never giving up on one's goals and if he left now he would be a hypocrite and a quitter.

Maybe he could forgive Tsunade and the others for their lies and neglect. Maybe he could forgive his parents for what they've done to him. What the villagers have done to him.

Maybe he could let go of his hatred.

"Alright, let's move out!"

"WAIT!"

Everyone stopped heading out the gates and turned around to find their Cherry Blossom comrade, Sakura Haruno!

Naruto stood still with wide stunned eyes at the pink haired girl. Wondering why on earth she was keeping them from leaving. He was actually rather hoping that he wouldn't have to see or speak with her before leaving the village. Not when he was still mentally and emotionally wounded from her betrayal. Now that she was here, he couldn't help but wonder what she was up to.

Naruto had a feeling that whatever she was trying to do, he wasn't going to like it.

"Lady Hokage told me everything. I'm sorry Sakura, I can't take you on this mission."

Naruto looked at Shikamaru with narrowed eyes.

'Everything, huh?'

"I know you tried, but even you couldn't convince Sasuke could you? Now, our only option is for me to find him and force him to come back to the village. I'm sorry but there's nothing else you can do for him."

Naruto seriously did not want to be reminded of what happened between Sakura and Sasuke last night and was about to tell Shikamaru that they needed to leave now if they wanted to catch up to those Sound shinobi until Lee, who was seeing them off since he couldn't partake in this mission due to his recovery, spoke up.

"But that means…..did Sasuke turn his back on you, Sakura?"

Sakura looked down and began to weep. Tears flowed down her cheeks while dripping to the ground around her feet. Naruto saw this and couldn't ignore the emotional pain he was feeling and witnessing of her. Even after what she did, the girl still had a hold on some of his heartstrings.

However, that hold was going to break completely from what she was about to ask of him.

"Naruto, this is a….once in a lifetime request! Just bring him home! Please bring Sasuke back to me!"

Naruto's body stiffened and the rage he was suppressing within began to boil and turn over!

"I did everything I could! I tried, but I couldn't stop him from leaving the village! At this point there's only one person, who can stop him! Only one, who can save him! Naruto, it's all up to you!"

Naruto, was grinding his teeth and his knuckles cracked with how hard he was tightening his fists. Whatever doubts or second thoughts he had about leaving the village were completely swept away after hearing that! She would dare to ask him to bring back that Uchiha, after what she tried to do?! No, what she practically did?!

Naruto was slightly trembling from trying to keep his rage under wraps! He couldn't afford to let it out now and raise everyone's suspicion! Not yet! But trying to hold back all the hurt and betrayal she has dealt to him was like trying to hold back an ocean!

So, he did the only thing he could do.

"No."

The other members of the squad along with Lee gasped while Sakura looked up at him with shock wide eyes and responded with what sounded like a soft squeak.

"W-What?"

Naruto turned to Shikamaru, who like the others, was staring at him with disbelieving eyes.

"Shikamaru you and the others go on ahead. I need to clear up a few things with Sakura first. Don't worry, I'll catch up and we'll get them!"

Naruto gave him a big wide grin letting him and everyone else know that he was alright. Shikamaru had a bad feeling about this but they couldn't afford to waste any more time. The Sound shinobi already have too much of a head start on them.

"Alright, just don't take too long."

Shikamaru leapt into the trees while the others followed him though some of them hesitated due to still staring at the Uzumaki. After they all left, Naruto turned to Lee, who was also still shocked and confused by what Naruto was doing. The Guy clone could tell that Naruto was not himself.

"Naruto, are you alright? You look upset about-"

Naruto raised his hand and waved it in front of Lee.

"You will go do 100 laps around the village, using your hands."

Lee stared at Naruto's hand like he was mesmerized by it before turning around and walking away.

"I will go do 100 laps around the village, using my hands!"

Sakura was having a hard time believing what she was seeing, but it looked as if Naruto just put Lee under some kind of genjutsu or something. She would've asked him how he did it if she wasn't concerned about Naruto not taking this opportunity to catch up with the others to bring back Sasuke. She wondered what was so important Naruto had to say to her that he had to stay behind.

"Naruto, can't this please wait? You need to bring Sasuke back before something happens to-"

"NO!"

Sakura was startled by Naruto's fierce outburst. She was about to ask what he meant until she saw his face contorted with rage. It was full of such aggressive hate and anger. She didn't understand what caused it or why it was being directed at her.

"I will not bring that bastard back for you or anybody or anything!"

Sakura gasped! She couldn't believe Naruto was actually refusing to save Sasuke! He was their friend and comrade! That and he's never turned down a promise for her! She didn't know what was going on with him!

"Naruto, I don't understand! Why won't you bring him back?! You have to save him before Orochimaru gets his hands on him!"

Naruto crossed his arms and sneered at her.

"Let the snake have him!"

Sakura gasped again! This was just unbelievable! Naruto was actually okay with letting Orochimaru take Sasuke?! It was insane! Naruto wasn't pulling a prank on her was he? If he was, he picked the absolute worst time to revert back to his old antics! Sakura began to crack her knuckles!

"Naruto Uzumaki, I swear if this is some kind of joke or prank, I'm going to break every bone in your body!"

Naruto's eyes turned into the same crimson red fiery infernos that she saw yesterday, and he growled in response.

"I'm no longer your personal punching bag! You lay even one hand on me and I. Will. Kill. You!"

Sakura was beyond stunned by the blonde boy's threat. She could tell by the killer intent look in his eyes and the fierce cold chill she had throughout her body that Naruto was not fooling around. The feelings of anger she had moments ago felt like nothing compared to the raging storm she felt coming from him.

He was being serious.

Sakura started to reach out to him in an attempt to calm him down so that she could figure out why he was being like this.

"Naruto, why are you acting like this? I don't understand, you-"

SLAP!

Naruto slapped her hand away and startled her! Sakura retracted her hand back. Looking like a beaten pup.

"I told you not to touch me!"

Sakura couldn't believe Naruto slapped her! He actually slapped her! This was not the Naruto she knew! It was like he changed into a totally different person and she didn't like it at all!

"Naruto, what's the matter with you?! Why are you being so….so aggressive and stubborn?! You have to save Sasuke!"

Naruto tilted his head as he answered her.

"Why should I risk my life to save someone, who tried to kill me and still wants me dead?!"

Sakura pupils shrunk in response to Naruto's grim reasoning, yet she still tried to convince him.

"B-Because he's our teammate and friend!"

Naruto straightened his head back.

"He's no friend of mine!"

Sakura gasped again! She couldn't believe that after everything they've been through that Naruto would just cast Sasuke aside and not consider him their friend! This was definitely not the happy, loyal to a fault, Uzumaki boy that she knew and grew up with! Something was wrong with him! Terribly wrong!

"And I'll tell you this. If Sasuke tries to fight me again, I'm gonna do what I should've done yesterday when you intervened!"

Sakura gasped so hard she thought the wind was knocked out of her! Naruto was being serious by the murderous look in his eyes! Without a doubt he was going to slaughter their Uchiha friend if it comes to it!

"B-But you promised! You promised me you'd never fight Sasuke like that again!"

Naruto growled in response to her.

"I don't keep promises to scum like you!"

Sakura was shocked. She thought she misheard him for a moment, but it was clear that Naruto did indeed call her that word. The very word their sensei would describe those that would leave their friends behind. Sakura couldn't take not knowing what was causing Naruto's abnormal behavior anymore.

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"

Naruto unfolded his arms.

"TAKE A WILD GUESS SAKURA! MY WHOLE LIFE I'VE HAD TO DEAL WITH MY PARENTS CURSING ME TO BE HATED AND FEARED BY A VILLAGE FULL OF WEAK, UNGRATEFUL, BASTARDS! THE PEOPLE I THOUGHT I COULD TRUST AND CALL MY FRIENDS WERE NOTHING BUT LIARS AND SCUM, WHO COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME! THE ONLY PERSON WHO EVER CARED IS GONE AND IS NEVER COMING BACK! MY OWN TEAMMATE WANTS ME DEAD AND YOU….!"

Naruto pointed accusingly at Sakura!

"You lied to me as well! Didn't you, Sakura?!"

Sakura looked at him as if he's gone mad! She had no idea what Naruto was talking about! Maybe Naruto wasn't as recuperated, from Iruka's death, as well as she thought he was when she left his apartment last night. The girl tried calming him again.

"Naruto, that's crazy! I've never lied to you! If you're still upset about Iruka then I can help you! Just let me-"

"NO! I'm not falling for that tender loving act of yours ever again! I don't want your help! Not after what you did!"

"Naruto, what are you talking about?! What did I do?!"

Sakura was getting tired of this! What could she have possibly done to Naruto to warrant such anger and hate from him?! She was sure she didn't do anything at his apartment that would cause him to be so upset and hostile towards her, so what was it?

"It was last night….when you went to see Sasuke!"

Sakura still didn't understand. Was Naruto saying that her trying to keep Sasuke from leaving the village was an act of betrayal to him? That Naruto was upset at her for trying to keep their teammate here?

"Are you telling me your upset because I tried to keep Sasuke from leaving us and leaving the village? From turning his back on us?"

Naruto looked at her with even more annoyance and rage.

"No, I'm not angry with you because you tried to convince Sasuke to stay! It's what any shinobi would do to keep their comrade from making a serious mistake! At least that's what I used to believe! No, the real reason I am angry is not because you tried to keep him from leaving us!"

Naruto closed his ember eyes before opening them again.

"It is because you were trying to keep him from leaving you!"

Sakura gasped.

"W-W-What are you talking about?!"

Naruto walked slowly around her like a fox preparing to strike a defenseless rabbit.

"Don't bother acting like you don't know! I know everything that happened between the two of you, last night, Sakura! I know how you begged and pleaded him to stay because you couldn't handle the idea of not being with him! You were so desperate to keep him with you just so he could continue to insult and reject you over and over again! You told him how much you loved him and were willing to do anything for him! Even help him get his revenge and kill Itachi!"

Naruto began to breathe and growl heavily while trying to gather the strength to tell her the main reason why she's betrayed him.

"But when…that didn't work…..!"

Naruto closed his eyes and scrunched his face; almost as if he were in pain before opening them again.

"YOU TRIED TO LEAVE WITH HIM TO GO TO OROCHIMARU!"

Sakura gasped and stumbled backwards a few feet.

'HOW DOES HE KNOW ABOUT THAT?!'

"I…..I….."

Sakura didn't know what to say. She was shocked that Naruto somehow knew about everything that happened between Sasuke and her last night. Especially the part where she begged him to take her with him. The question is how did he find out?

Could he have been there, last night? No, if he was Naruto would've tried to keep Sasuke from leaving too. Hell, he would've jumped out and pinned Sasuke to the ground if he had to. There wasn't anyone else, who was around, when she and Sasuke were talking and if there were why was Naruto the only one they told? None of it made sense for how he found out.

Of course, none of it mattered now since Naruto knows the truth.

"You tried to leave your friends and your family behind so you could be with a guy who will never love you! Not to mention the fact that he was going to join the very person who murdered the Third Hokage and tried to kill your friends and parents too! Tell me, what was your plan?! To be with Sasuke even after Orochimaru took over his body?! To follow him even if Orochimaru used him for launching another invasion?! To help him murder the others and even your own parents?! WAS THAT YOUR PLAN?!"

Sakura looked down in shame. New tears began to pour down her face as Naruto's hurtful words pierced through her like needles through a cloth. It was true. She did try to leave the village. Leave her home and everyone she cared about behind just so she could be with Sasuke even if it meant joining Orochimaru. The man responsible for causing so much pain and destruction to their village. She could see why Naruto was furious with her for doing something so treasonous and stupid. Yet, he doesn't understand what it's like to love someone so much that you would want to do anything for them.

"That's right cry! Cry knowing that you tried to betray your village, for a guy who will never choose to be with you! Cry knowing that he chose to leave you stuck here with a selfish bratty boy whose all alone!"

Sakura's eyes snapped wide open and she looked at Naruto with horror!

"Surprised that I know about that too? Well, you shouldn't be!"

Naruto began to step closer to Sakura which caused her to tremble.

"You know….you are really….something, Sakura."

Naruto stopped in front of her as Sakura still looked at him with fear in her eyes. It felt as if there an unbelievably powerful whirlwind raging inside him and the closer he was the more terrifying and cold it felt! But it wasn't just the storm that gave her fear nor was it the possibility of Naruto harming her.

It was for what he was about to say to her next.

"Ever since I've known you, you've done nothing but insult and abuse me every chance you got! Whenever I was between you and Sasuke you would smack me aside like I was nothing! All the times I sparred with Sasuke at the academy, you and the others kept calling me nothing but a loser that would never be as good as him! That I didn't have any chance of becoming Hokage! Every time we all got in trouble you and everyone else would always blame me! I thought that when I became a genin and that we ended up on the same team things would be different! That you would treat me better and see me as more than just some annoying brat!"

Naruto took a breather before continuing.

"I was wrong. You only just became more obsessed with getting Sasuke's attention! Whenever we were on a mission it was always Sasuke you agreed with whenever he and I argued! It was always Sasuke you thanked for saving your life even when I was the one who did it! It was always Sasuke who was amazing! Sasuke who was the coolest! Sasuke who was the most handsome! Sasuke who needed the most help! I may as well have been goddamn invisible to you the entire time! Hell, even when we were in a fight with bandits or other shinobi, you would just stand there doing nothing but worrying about Sasuke while he and I did all the work! You only ever paid attention to me for when you would call me an idiot or would punch me into walls! The only time that was different was when we got back from the mission to the Wave country and you smacked me into some garbage cans!"

Naruto growled as he remembered that painfully humiliating experience.

"You hit me so hard that I got garbage all over me when all I wanted was to not be alone! To spend time with at least one of you guys because I felt guilty for what happened to Haku and Zabuza! You didn't care though because I wasn't Sasuke! Just like you didn't care when you yelled at me at Ichiraku and called me a loser and an idiot in front of my friend Palpatine! You didn't even apologize or felt guilty about it! You never do!"

Naruto turned his back to Sakura, who at this point was in even more tears than before, as he continued to tell her everything that she has done to him.

"You wouldn't even thank me after I saved you and the others from those Sound genin in the Chuunin Exams."

Sakura gasped in shock.

"Yeah, I lied about not remembering. The reason I did that was because I sensed your fear. You feared me and my power! You feared that I was becoming more powerful than Sasuke! Even when I saved your life from Gaara or risked my life when I brought Tsunade back to heal that precious Uchiha of yours, you never thanked me! You only continued to ignore and fear me!"

Sakura closed her eyes as the tears continued to run down her cheeks like little rivers. She wanted to tell Naruto that it wasn't true about her fearing him but that mattered little when everything else he said about her was the truth. She did insult him; she did abuse him, and she did ignore him.

She treated him like something she stepped on, found on the bottom of her shoe, and tried to scrape off against the ground. She wanted to tell Naruto to stop. She wanted to say that he's made his point.

But he was far from finished as he turned around and pointed at her.

"You're just like the rest of these weak-minded fools! No, actually you're worse than them! At least they have a reason for the way they've treated me! It may be a stupid one but at least it's a reason! You on the other hand have none! You were born with parents who loved you! Who gave you everything! You had friends that liked and envied you! Sure, they made fun of you at first because of your forehead but in the end they still became your friends! You had excellent grades and was always the smartest at the academy!"

The ground around Naruto's feet began to crack and some pebbles and rocks began to float around him. This didn't go unnoticed by Sakura. Yet, she was still preoccupied with what Naruto was telling her and her heart continued to break from his harsh but truthful words.

"Despite having everything, you always felt the need to put me down and even hurt me! Me! A selfish bratty boy that you thought was lucky to have no parents to lecture him on manners and respect! Well, let me tell you something, I would've given anything to have had parents to lecture me if I did something wrong! I would've given anything to come to my apartment and find my mom preparing supper for me and to welcome me home with a hug and a kiss on the cheek! I would've given anything to have had a dad to play ball with or even just to pat me on the shoulder and tell me how proud he was of me! I WOULD'VE GIVEN ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO HAVE PARENTS WAITING FOR ME AT HOME RATHER THAN TO OPEN THE DOOR TO MY APARTMENT AND FIND NOTHING BUT EMPTINESS AND LONELINESS INSIDE! TO HAVE PARENTS PICKING ME UP FROM SCHOOL, SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WATCH EVERYONE ELSE'S PARENTS PICK THEM UP AND GIVE ME GLARES WITH HATE AND MURDER IN THEIR EYES, BUT I DIDN'T HAVE ANY OF THAT! YOU DID! AND YET YOU CLAIM THAT I'M THE BRATTY, SELFISH ONE?! YOU REALLY ARE A STUPID, SPOILED, LITTLE BRAT!"

The ground cracked further, and the pebbles and rocks shattered! Sakura didn't even notice it this time though. She was too busy realizing the horrible truth that Naruto was right. She had everything and yet she was arrogant and stupid enough to think that he was the lucky one and she wasn't. She could only continue to weep and sob for how badly she treated and misjudged the Uzumaki boy.

Her heart breaking from the guilt and Naruto's harsh words.

"You know when you found me yesterday; when you took me in your arms like I was child who just lost a parent and when you told me that you were sorry for my loss and that you thought what the villagers did to me was wrong, I actually started to think that maybe you did care about me. When you said what we had in my apartment was a date and when you constantly smiled at me, I thought you actually liked me. When you hugged me all those times and...when we kissed, I thought that you were even…..starting to.…..!"

Naruto scrunched his face in pain and looked down to the side for he couldn't say the words.

"I should've known, none of it was true! I should've known that you didn't care about me! That you would always be in love with Sasuke! That you were willing to even abandon me, when I needed you most, for him! A guy that tried to kill me! I'm even willing to bet that yesterday when you screamed at me, for almost killing him, you were going to call me a monster!"

Naruto curled his hands into fists.

"But I ignored my instincts. I ignored how you really felt about me."

Naruto looked back up at Sakura.

"Because I was so blinded by loving you!"

Sakura gasped in shock and horror while placing her hand over mouth to Naruto's confession!

'Naruto…loves me?!'

It all started to fall in place! Naruto's constant pestering of her for a date; why he was always so nice to her; why he was always defending her! This boy was head over heels in love with her! He loved her and she didn't acknowledge him in the slightest which only made her feel even more horrible for the way she has treated him!

"Well, now I know the truth about how you really feel! A truth that I should've known from the beginning! You never cared about me and you never will! You tried to abandon me after fooling me into thinking that you…..that you.…. that you loved me…..and then you had the nerve to ask me to save Sasuke for you?! I will never forgive you for that!"

Naruto turned around and started to walk away while Sakura just stood there trembling. Both from the cold and realizing what she has done. It all began to come back to her. All the times she abused him in every way flooded into her mind! Every time she ignored him; insulted him; struck him and even tried to abandon him flashed through her mind like some horrible montage! And to top it off she even tried to beg him to save another boy, that she was infatuated with, who just tried to kill him!

She did all those awful things to him when all he wanted was her affection for him. She hurt him and it was all more than she could stand. Naruto was absolutely right about her! She was cruel and terrible to him!

What's worse was she broke this sweet innocent boy's heart.

However, there was one thing he was wrong about. She did care about him; she did like him, and she will do whatever it takes to make it up to him! She took a step forward as she summoned up her courage to tell him the truth!

"NARUTO, WAIT!"

Naruto didn't stop, so she began desperately running after him!

"YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT ME! I WAS CRUEL TO YOU! YOU'RE RIGHT ABOUT ME IGNORING YOU! YOU'RE EVEN RIGHT ABOUT ME TRYING TO ABANDON YOU, AND I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY FOR EVERYTHING, NARUTO! BUT I DO CARE ABOUT YOU! I SWEAR IT! I DEEPLY CARE ABOUT YOU, NARUTO! YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE ME!"

Naruto whipped around causing Sakura to halt in her tracks when she was only 2 feet away from him!

"LIAR!"

Naruto took a few steps towards her.

"YOU'RE WITH HIM! YOU CHOSE HIM AND WILL ONLY EVER CARE ABOUT HIM! AND YOU WANT ME TO BRING HIM BACK FOR YOU DESPITE ALL THE YEARS THAT YOU'VE TORTURED ME! YOU CAN'T HIDE YOUR FEAR FROM ME! YOU CAN'T EVEN HIDE THAT YOU WANT SASUKE TO KILL ME!"

Sakura was horrified that Naruto would even think she would want him dead.

"NO! THAT'S NOT TRUE! I'D BE DEVASTATED IF YOU WERE KILLED! I WOULDN'T BE ABLE LIVE WITH MYSELF IF ANYTHING HAPPENED TO YOU!"

Naruto took more steps toward her while Sakura stood her ground despite feeling the storm inside of him growing more cold and violently wild as he came closer!

"NARUTO PLEASE-!"

Sakura was cut off as she felt a sudden pressure on her throat and couldn't breathe! She grasped it in pain as the pressure continued to build around it! She was choking! She looked and saw that Naruto had his arm stretched out with his fingers almost curled into a fist! Sakura gasped and choked for air as she realized Naruto was doing this! She tried with all her might to tell Naruto to stop!

"Uck…..Ek….Naruto…..Ur….don't…do….Irk…!"

Naruto gritted his teeth as he felt Sakura's throat slowly being crushed within his grasp of the Force! Tightening its grip around her neck as he curled his fingers inward more! He was consumed with so much rage and pain towards her, he thought of just killing her and be done with it! It was what she deserved! She had taken his heart and stomped it to pieces! Naruto wasn't alone in considering this. For in the darkest depths of his soul he heard the voice of the Kyuubi goading him on.

'That's it, Naruto! Show her no mercy! Crush the life out of her! She deserves it for what she did to you! For what they all have done to you! It's her fault, Naruto! It's always been her fault, for your pain! Kill her, Narutooooo! KILL HER!'

Naruto couldn't shut the Kyuubi out. Not when all he wanted right now was to make her suffer and pay! All he had to do was close his fist and she will never hurt him again! She would pay the ultimate price! The Kyuubi sensed that Naruto was on the brink and goaded him further!

'That's it! That's it, Naruto! Now, do it! FINISH HER!'

Naruto growled and squeezed harder as he prepared to carry out his desire for vengeance! However, as he stared into her green emerald eyes, that were full of so much pain and terror, he felt it within him. A small light within the dark storm that was keeping him from finishing her off! He tried to overcome it! Tried to snuff it out! Only to find he couldn't!

It was too strong, and it was protecting her.

Naruto growled in irritation, along with the Kyuubi, as he released Sakura. The pink haired girl collapsed to the ground. Rubbing her sore throat and coughing to try to get air in!

Naruto looked down at the ground with his bangs covering his eyes.

"I'm done."

Sakura's eyes snapped open and she looked up at the Uzumaki boy, that she unforgivably hurt, with confusion.

"W-What do you mean by that?"

Her soft-spoken query was as quiet as a mouse squeaking, but Naruto heard her, nonetheless.

He answered her question by reaching towards his neck and ripping off the necklace of the First Hokage that Tsunade gave to him. Sakura watched with wide eyes as he let it fall from his grasp to the ground where it clanged a few times before settling down. Sakura looked up again and saw that Naruto was untying his headband. He stared at it, as it lay in his palm, before he tilted his hand and let it fall too.

Time seemed to slow down for Sakura as she watched Naruto's headband descend to the earth. Even when it finally landed, she could hear the clanging of the metal against the surface of the ground echo in her head. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, it settled down flat on the ground. Sakura's pupils dilated and she looked up at Naruto in fear of what this act of his meant.

"No…"

Naruto lifted his head so that his bangs were no longer covering his raging red golden eyes.

"Yes."

Sakura gasped.

"Upon doing this, I am no longer a shinobi of the Leaf! Once I walk out those gates, I'm leaving this hell for good!"

Naruto turned his back to her as he prepared to finally leave.

"One day, I will come back, and you all better prepare when I do because I'm going to make you all pay for your crimes and treachery!"

Naruto walked away as Sakura looked on at him with fear of what he was about to do.

New tears began to pour down Sakura's cheeks as her heart was straining heavily from Naruto's declaration! It was bad enough that Sasuke left but if Naruto were to leave too, she wouldn't be able to take it! She couldn't lose Naruto! There had to be something she could say to him! Anything to keep him from abandoning the village! It didn't take long for Sakura to remember the one thing that used to keep Naruto going for as long as she knew him!

His dream.

"NARUTO, YOU CAN'T GO! WHAT ABOUT YOUR DREAM?! Y-YOUR GOAL OF BECOMING HOKAGE?!"

Naruto kept walking undeterred from Sakura's pleas.

"Those were the dreams of a weak and naive genin, who no longer exists!"

Sakura's breathe was caught in her still throbbing throat. She couldn't believe it! Naruto was actually giving up his dream of becoming Hokage! This was all starting to feel like a nightmare!

"You know, Sasuke was right. This is a new beginning. The three of us have new paths that we must take, and I have taken mine!"

Sakura's heart felt like it was going to burst from the way it pounded against her chest! She couldn't let Naruto leave! She couldn't let him throw everything away! She already may have lost Sasuke, but she was not going to lose Naruto too! She has to fix this! She has to stop him! Sakura slowly rose up to her feet with a weighing heart and chased after Naruto once more!

"NARUTO, DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE! I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT! ANYTHING! JUST DON'T LEAVE!"

Naruto whipped around, just when Sakura was within arm's reach, and shoved his palm out.

Sakura's pupils dilated right before her body was pushed back! She flew through the air several meters before landing on the ground! The kunoichi rolled a few feet before finally coming to a stop!

Sakura dazedly looked up to see Naruto's arm stretched out with his palm facing her! Just like it was when he pushed her back on the rooftop a few days ago! Only this time it was much more powerful and violent!

"There was another thing Sasuke was right about."

Naruto lowered his arm and turned his back to her for the final time.

"You are annoying."

Sakura reached her arm out just as Naruto leapt into the trees and left the village.

Sakura's vision started to become blurry as she felt her mind beginning to slip into darkness. Being nearly choked to death, thrown like a rag doll and the pain of her broken heart was too much for her to handle. Her final coherent thoughts were of shock and disbelief that Naruto actually did it. He left the village and her behind.

And it was all her fault.

"Naruto-kun….."

Sakura finally collapsed and lost consciousness with her arm stretched out and her hand resting on Naruto's discarded headband.

Meanwhile outside the village

In the forest, outside the Leaf village, the other members of the Sasuke retrieval squad were leaping from branch to branch across the trees. All of them were eager to go at top speed so that they could close the already long distance between them and Sasuke. However, they were forced to slow down enough so that Naruto would be able to catch up to them. Although the issue of their current speed wasn't what was concerning them at the moment.

"It's been a while since we left, Shikamaru. Was it a good idea to leave Naruto back there with Sakura? He felt a bit off to me."

Akamaru barked in agreement with his master. Kiba and the pup weren't the only ones, who shared this feeling. They all felt that something wasn't right with their Uzumaki teammate when they left him at the village to speak with Sakura. He looked very stressed and agitated about something. Not to mention that grin he gave them, before they left, looked incredibly forced and unnerving.

"Yeah, and the way he refused Sakura's request like that. It almost seemed like Naruto had no intention of saving Sasuke at all."

Choji raised a valid point. None of them have ever known Naruto to turn down a request or promise from Sakura. They all believed such a thing was impossible. That is until they all heard it from Naruto's lips.

"You're all forgetting that Naruto said we were going to bring him back right before we left. He probably meant that he wasn't doing this for Sakura, but if that's the case then I'm still just as surprised as you all are."

Kiba and Choji looked at Neji. The Hyuuga prodigy was right. Naruto did say to Shikamaru and them that they were going to succeed. However, it still didn't make sense why he wouldn't be bringing Sasuke back for Sakura.

"I'll admit, I'm just as shocked as you guys about what Naruto said to Sakura, but we need to keep focused on our mission. Those Sound shinobi and Sasuke are still ahead of us and until Naruto catches up, we gotta maintain this speed. I know you guys are worried, but this is Naruto were talking about. I highly doubt that he's attacked Sakura or anything like that after we left. He just said he needed to clear some things up with her and I trust him."

They couldn't help but be puzzled, but Shikamaru was right. They needed to keep focused. They were after all tracking highly skilled and dangerous shinobi, for all they knew. However, there was one thing one of them thought needed to be acknowledged before dropping the matter entirely.

"Yeah, but Naruto hasn't really been himself lately since….well…..you know…."

They all knew what Kiba was referring to and knew he had a point. The incident with Naruto yesterday proved that the Uzumaki boy was struck gravely with the decease of their former academy instructor. It was very possible that perhaps their friend was still not emotionally stable and might've had a relapse when they left him with Sakura or could even have one in the middle of their mission.

"I thought about that being a possibility. That's one of the reasons why I went to recruit Naruto, for this mission, first. He was pretty convincing when I asked if he was up for this mission. Also, it wouldn't have mattered either way since Lady Hokage ordered me to take him on this mission."

Choji looked at Shikamaru with difficulty of understanding as to why she would order Shikamaru to do that.

"That doesn't make much sense to me. You'd think, after what happened yesterday, the Lady Hokage would keep Naruto away from missions, for a while. You know, so he could use the time off to recover from Iruka sensei's passing. Forcing him out into a mission like this so soon might not be a good idea. Especially since Sasuke's involved."

Shikamaru also had that reaction when Tsunade gave him that order at first until she explained why.

"I thought so too, but you see Lady Hokage gave me special orders where after we retrieve Sasuke we're to take Naruto and-"

"What are you guys talking about?"

They all looked behind them to find the Uzumaki boy himself, right on their rear. The other members of the squad were startled that Naruto was able to sneak up on them. That and at how he was able to catch up to them so fast.

"Glad to see you've finally caught up. I was just going over our squad formation again with the others. Some of them needed a little reviewing."

The other members looked at Shikamaru confused as to why he told Naruto that when that wasn't what they were discussing at all. Shikamaru gave the others an expectant look that they were to play along. It didn't take long for the others to understand the situation and drop the subject.

"Yeah, me and Akamaru had a little trouble remembering some of the details so we asked for a brief review."

Akamaru barked to confirm his master's statement. Naruto nodded in response and proceeded to his position in the formation. Though some of the other members still couldn't take their eyes off of the boy as they were curious as to what happened with Sakura. Shikamaru knew this and figured it wouldn't hurt to satisfy their curiosity a little before picking up the pace.

"Everything alright between you and Sakura?"

Naruto looked at Shikamaru.

"Yeah, I told her the reason I said 'no' was because I needed to tell her a few things before I made that promise to her."

Shikamaru nodded while some of the other members were surprised and realized that they should've known Naruto would never refuse anything from Sakura. Kiba couldn't help but be more curious though. Curious as to what Naruto said her.

"So, what did you say to her? Did you tell her you love her?"

Kiba made some puckering sounds with his lips to tease Naruto. However, the Uzumaki boy was hardly fazed by it which surprised Kiba since he expected Naruto to come on the defense like you usually does. Nonetheless Naruto answered his question.

"I just told her that, even though I'm not fully myself, I was going to do my best and bring Sasuke back no matter what!"

Naruto gave a big fox like grin to Kiba which help put the Inuzuka genin's mind at ease. The rest of the group however noticed something different about the Uzumaki boy. That he was missing something. Choji was the first to ask.

"Hey Naruto, where's your headband?"

Kiba suddenly realized, what everyone else already noticed, Naruto was indeed missing his headband. The dog boy was shocked that he didn't notice it early and that Naruto was not wearing it since he's worn it ever since he graduated. The only exception was during their fight in the Chuunin exams since the binding was damaged.

Naruto looked at the others; smiling and laughing a little.

"Sakura was a little worried about me going on this mission, so I gave her my headband and told her to hold on to it until I come back with Sasuke. I figured it would make her feel more comfortable knowing I would be more motivated to come back."

Kiba, Choji, and Neji nodded and thought that was a very thoughtful thing to do for his teammate, who was without a doubt upset over Sasuke's desertion. Shikamaru however felt something wasn't right with that explanation. He couldn't shake a nagging feeling that Naruto wasn't telling the whole story. He didn't think any further on it though since Naruto has finally caught up which means now they should increase their speed.

"Man, you really do have it bad for Sakura, don't you?"

Naruto held his hand behind his head and chuckled embarrassingly.

"Yeah, I guess I do!"

"Alright, that's enough. We should focus on increasing our rate of speed so that we can catch up to those Sound shinobi and Sasuke before they reach our country's border. Let's just hope this mission doesn't turn even more into a drag than it already is."

The other members of the team nodded and increased their speed to maximum while Naruto contemplated what he overheard Shikamaru said when he arrived. His master was right. Shikamaru and the others were already beginning to plot on how to subdue him when this mission was finished. It wouldn't matter though since Naruto had no intention of letting them have the chance.

Before he could think on the matter further, a familiar voice called from within him.

'I have to admit, Naruto. It's very impressive that you are able to so easily deceive Shikamaru and the others. You've become quite the manipulator!'

Naruto closed his eyes and found himself back in the Kyuubi's sewer prison where the great beast was sitting upright against the bars of his cage. The demonic fox was looking down upon him with a raging look despite his recent compliments. Naruto however could sense, what he already suspected, what the reason was behind the fox's agitation.

"Well, when you've been lied to your whole life by everyone you know, you tend to pick up a few things."

The Kyuubi's tails swished back and forth as it continued to stare down at the boy.

"Indeed, it's a shame that you have given up on your career and dream. Being a deceiver is good quality to have when you're a ninja striving to become Hokage."

Naruto crossed his arms at the fox. He didn't want to do this now. Not when he was so close to escaping from this world, but it was only a matter of time before he and the fox would have to discuss this, since his decision affected the Kyuubi as well, so he may as well get it over with.

"Let me guess, you're upset that I chose not to kill Sakura aren't you?"

The fox lowered his head down closer to the bars so that he was near eye level with his young jailor and bared his fangs.

"DON'T PRETEND, YOU DON'T KNOW! Of course, I'm annoyed that you chose to spare that worthless vixen, but that's not the reason I'm angry and you damn well know it!"

Naruto cocked his eyebrow at the fox before smiling and then glaring back at him.

"Funny, I thought you would be happy that I've finally woken up and chose to leave the village. That I've chosen to pursue real power and freedom! I've even decided to come back one day so that I could have my revenge against all of them and you're not happy at all are you?"

The fox slammed down his tails, causing the water to ripple and rise into waves up to Naruto's knees!

"OF COURSE, I WOULD BE HAPPY! I would be beyond satisfied to see you finally realizing how pointless it is to try to earn everyone's acknowledgement and respect! And I would give just about anything to watch this pathetic village reduced to nothing but rubble and dust! That is if you weren't trading one master for another!"

Naruto's eyes turned into flaming embers that stared into the ruby blood slit eyes of the Kyuubi.

"Palpatine isn't like the others! I trust him! He is my friend and new master whether you like it or not!"

The Kyuubi snorted steam out of his nose and mouth.

"Naruto, after all you've been through, you're still so naive! Palpatine or Darth Sidious, whatever you want to call him, is exactly like Tsunade and the others! Do you seriously believe that he's your friend?! He's not! He's just using you because he wants your abilities with the Force! He's not the kindhearted old man you think he is! I knew it from the moment I saw him! Believe me kit, that Sith lord master of yours is just as sinister and evil as I am! Maybe even more so! If you can't even sense that then you are completely deluded!"

Naruto growled and turned his back to the demon.

"Stop treating me like I'm stupid!"

Naruto proceeded to walk away which only infuriated the demonic fox as it roared and raked its claws against the water flooded floor!

"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND A THING! YOU'RE SO NAIVE!"

Naruto stopped in his tracks as the Kyuubi kept roaring his rants at him.

"DO YOU HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT PALPATINE IS GIVING YOU FREEDOM?! He's just making you into his personal slave to do his bidding! After all, he's the leader of an empire! You think empires last because their leaders are kind and beloved?! No, they last because of the slaves and servants forced into maintaining them which is exactly what you will be and what you will do if you go with him!"

Naruto looked at the Kyuubi with annoyance as he continued.

"If that's your plan, to have us be puppets and tools for some old man, who's clearly manipulating you, then I have no desire to sit back and let it happen! I will not allow myself to finally be free of this village just so you can have me help you serve him! Naruto, forget Palpatine! Release me! Free me and I will spare you and I will destroy this village with you!"

Naruto narrowed his eyes at the giant fox but listened to its offer, nonetheless.

"Think about it, Naruto! It may take years before you're able to finally return to the village! By that time someone else may end up destroying it! Taking away your revenge from you! But if you release me now, I will lend you enough of my chakra and we can head back to the village and destroy it together! We can make them all pay right now for everything that they have done to us! Just free me, Naruto! Tear off this wretched seal and I will make sure no one will ever lie or cause you pain, again!"

Naruto didn't say anything. It was a very tempting offer. Perhaps, together he and the Kyuubi did have the means to exact his vengeance. However, there was one thing the Kyuubi failed to understand about Naruto at this moment.

"That's not enough for me, Kyuubi. It's true. I do want revenge. But what I also want is to get as far away from the village and this world as possible! Even if I am a servant to an emperor at least he will teach and guide me to become stronger and my role within his Empire will help keep peace in his universe. Here, I'll just be fed one lie after another until eventually I'm either locked up or killed."

The Kyuubi's own eyes narrowed and it started to growl in frustration at the boy's stubbornness.

"Even if I did release you, and you and I did destroy the village, other villages and nations will be after me for my power! I'll be hunted for the rest of my life until I decide to let you free again! And that will continue to the point where we may end up destroying the whole world!"

Naruto fully turned till he was facing the Kyuubi.

"Wiped out or not, I can't stand having to spend one more second on this planet! In fact, when I do return, I plan to leave as soon as I've made Tsunade and the others pay! And another thing…."

Naruto crossed his arms and glared at the Kyuubi.

"You think I don't know what would happen if I release you? The second I do that, I die. For the same reason my mother was dying. Once a tailed beast is removed or escapes its vessel, the jinchuriki dies. You talk about how we'll gloriously wipe out the village, but you'll be the one to actually do it while I'll be dead. Maybe you are telling the truth about lending me your chakra, but I won't survive for long without you! Sorry, but I think I'll take my chances with my new master!"

The Kyuubi roared with fury and banged against the rusty bars of its prison! Causing the whole sewer to shake and tremble before its wrath! Naruto however stood firm in the face of its rage.

"HOW CAN YOU BE SO STUPID?! HAVE YOU HEARD NOTHING I'VE SAID?! PALPATINE WILL ONLY USE YOU TO ENFORCE HIS WILL! HE WON'T BE USING YOU FOR PEACE! YOUR PURPOSE WILL BE ONLY TO MAKE SURE THAT NO ONE CAN OVERTHROW HIM AND HIS EMPIRE! THINK ABOUT HIS ORDER! THEY ALL KILLED EACH OTHER AND WERE WIPED OUT BY ONE OF THEIR OWN! YOU THINK HE WON'T DO THE SAME TO YOU TOO!"

"SHUT UP!"

Naruto brought his hands down and the Kyuubi nearly collapsed onto the flooded floor! The demon struggled against this incredible power! It was almost like being bound down by the chains used by Kushina and her clan! However, as strong as he was, Naruto was still not even close to a match for the beast's own power and rage as was proven when the Kyuubi finally broke free of the invisible weight that tried to keep him down!

The Kyuubi glared down with such intense killer intent at the boy.

"YOU DARE?!"

The Kyuubi roared with greater intensity than Naruto has ever heard before! It was so powerful that Naruto was actually knocked off his feet and flew through the air! Smashing and splashing into the green sewer water!

When Naruto opened his eyes, he found himself back into the real world, still leaping in the treetops with his teammates.

'Fine! Go with Palpatine! Get yourself enslaved and killed, for all I care! Just don't expect me to help you when you find yourself in trouble, kit! You're on your own from now on!'

Naruto couldn't help but feel betrayed with that remark by the fox demon. Sure, he never trusted it, but he could always seem to count on it for whenever he was in a tight spot. He was about to try to enter his mind to express his outrage until Shikamaru spoke up.

"Heads up! It looks like those Sound shinobi stopped for a rest! This is the perfect chance for us to try to catch them off guard! We'll stop for a bit so that I can come up with a plan, alright?"

Naruto and the others nodded that they understood. Naruto decided to forget about the Kyuubi, for now. Everything was falling into place. He was now on the road to freedom from this cursed life on this world.

He couldn't wait till he reached the end of it.

Hours later back at the village

"HELLO?! IS ANYONE THERE?! CAN ANYONE HEAR ME?!"

In a vast dark void with nothing but empty blackness around her; Sakura was panicking! She didn't know where she was or how she got here! Everything around her was pitch black darkness! She couldn't see anything! She felt like she's been here for hours yelling for help! She didn't know what to do!

"PLEASE! SOMEONE HELP ME!"

"You're still annoying."

Sakura's eyes widened and she turned around to find her teammate; Sasuke Uchiha!

Sakura smiled with joy as she looked upon the raven-haired boy! Thankful that he came to rescue her! Perhaps he really did care for her after all!

"Sasuke, I'm so glad you came back for me!"

Sakura took a step forward to embrace the raven-haired boy.

"ARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!"

Sakura froze as she heard a high-pitched scream coming from somewhere nearby! She looked all around her but didn't see anyone other than Sasuke! She turned back to the Uchiha wondering if he heard the scream too.

"Sasuke did you hear that? It sounded like someone wa-"

"I couldn't care less."

Sakura watched in shock as Sasuke started to walk away from her again! She couldn't let him leave her! Not when she had a chance in getting him to come back!

"Sasuke, don't leave!"

Sakura took another step forward and another high-pitched scream filled the air! It sounded worse than the first one! Whoever it was sounded as if they were in a lot of pain! Sakura turned back to Sasuke hoping to convince him to help her find the source of the screaming.

"Sasuke, I really think there's someone that needs our help! We can't just-"

"If you want to go help him then that's your business! Not mine! I've got more important things to do then to go waste my time saving that Dobe!"

Sakura couldn't believe that Sasuke was just going to ignore that horrible scream! Whoever it was could be hurt or even dying! She had to try to convince him again!

"Sasuke, we can leave later but that person needs...…hold on. What did you mean by that dobe?"

Sakura's breathe caught in her throat as she asked him that. There was only one person in the world that Sasuke has ever referred to as Dobe. She hoped he wasn't referring to him. Anyone but him!

Sasuke stopped walking to answer her.

"Who do you think I'm talking about?"

Sakura's eyes widened with worry and shock.

"You can't mean-"

"SAKURAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

Sakura turned around to the source of the voice, as her worst fear of the identity of its owner was realized!

"NARUTO!"

Sakura was about to run towards where Naruto's voice was screaming until she noticed Sasuke was walking away again!

"Sasuke, please! Naruto is in trouble!"

Sakura took a step toward the Uchiha.

"IT HURTS! IT HURTS! PLEASE HELP ME, SAKURA! HELP ME!"

Sakura's head snapped towards Naruto's direction and she took a step back towards where his voice was coming from. When she did though she noticed that Sasuke was even farther away from her than he was mere seconds ago! Sakura didn't understand what was going on, but she knew she needed to get Sasuke's help!

"Sasuke, we can't leave Naruto! We have to help him!"

Sasuke continued walking without any care for her pleas.

"I'm an avenger, not a savior. You want to help him, go do it yourself!"

Sakura was horrified that Sasuke was just going to leave Naruto screaming in pain like that! He was their comrade! Their friend! Yet, he was still walking away like his painful screams meant nothing to him!

Sakura took another step towards the Uchiha.

"I'M BEGGING YOU, SAKURA! PLEASE, DON'T LEAVE ME! I CAN'T TAKE IT! I NEED YOU! DON'T LEAVE ME!"

Sakura snapped her head back to Naruto and continued whipping it back and forth between Sasuke and him! She didn't know what to do! If she went after Naruto alone then she would lose Sasuke! Not to mention that she didn't know what kind of trouble Naruto was in! She might need Sasuke's help to save him!

However, Sakura also knew that if she continued to waste more time trying to convince Sasuke to go with her then Naruto might end up dead before they get to him!

Sakura clutched her head with this burden of a dilemma! Naruto's screams where getting worse and worse with every second! She needed to make a choice!

She knew she couldn't do this without Sasuke. She needed him. She would always need him.

Sakura began running towards Sasuke to try to convince him again to help her!

"Sasuke, please! I need your help! I can't do it without you, Sasuke!"

Sakura was just within arm's reach of Sasuke but when her hands touched his shoulders he evaporated into nothing but shadowy smoke that slipped right through her fingers!

Sakura stood in shock of what happened but before she could think further another of Naruto's screams filled the air only this one was far worse than the previous ones!

Sakura knew she couldn't afford to wait anymore and ran towards the direction of Naruto's screaming!

Sakura ran as fast as her legs could carry her! She tried to push everything she had into increasing her speed so that she could get to Naruto in time! The screams were becoming louder and more horrible with each step she took! Suddenly, she could see a feint glow in the distance which relieved her that there was finally some light in this vast darkness! It looked like it was some kind of fire! However, as she got closer and closer to the flames, she began to see the source of it more clearly. Finally, when she got close enough she became filled with horror that was beyond any words.

"OH MY GOD! NARUTO!"

Sakura was frozen with terror written all over her face as she witnessed Naruto being burned alive with flames engulfing his entire body!

Naruto was thrashing around in agony as the flames consumed every part of him! Sakura rushed to him and ripped apart some of her red shinobi dress to help put the flames out! Yet, when she tried to her hands snapped back in pain as the flames burned through the cloth right to them! Sakura tried again by ripping another part of her dress but this one burned up too and her already burnt hands became worse from the second attempt! She tried it a third time only to be burnt again!

She finally realized that the flames were too hot for her to try to physically put them out! If she tried any further she would end up permanently damaging her hands! She wished she had some water or knew some water style jutsus! She could only sit there helpless as Naruto's body continued to burn from the fire!

Sakura tried to think of something! Anything to put out the flames! She didn't have time though as Naruto suddenly reached out and grabbed her by the collar of her torn dress and brought her to his burning face! His eyes were as red and fiery as the flames that were consuming him!

"Sakura….I….I…..I HATE YOU!"

Sakura was so shocked of Naruto's statement that she momentarily forgot that he was being burned alive! However, she was instantly reminded as he let go of her and howled with such tremendous agony and pain before eventually collapsing!

Suddenly the flames that engulfed Naruto's body grew in such size and intensity that Sakura had to shield herself from the immense heat! Moments passed before the flames and their heat slowly died down.

When Sakura lowered her arms and opened her eyes, they grew wide with disbelief and shock as before her was a pile of ash of where Naruto's body used to be.

Tears started to pour down Sakura's face as her trembling hands reached down into the ash. Picking it up as it slipped through her fingers back into the pile. Sakura sat there once again frozen. Dealing with the fact that Naruto was dead.

"No…no…..Naruto, no…You can't be…..You can't….You can't be dead…..You can't be…. NARUTOOOOOOOO!"

Suddenly the ashes in front of Sakura rose up! Knocking her off her feet onto her back! The Cherry Blossom kunoichi looked up and watched in shock as the ashes continued to rise upwards and take form!

A pair of what looked like legs sprouted from the mass of ash. Then next were a pair of ash arms as well! Moments after the arms grew hands! Then came a large bulky torso and behind it, at where the neck would be, a curtain of ash flowed down with the resemblance of a cape! Then soon, an ash head sprouted from the torso. However, the head began to morph even further into detail! As it continued changing it started to look oddly shaped and became more like a helmet! After it was finished, a face began to form within the helmet like head! The mouth opened into a triangular shape with two tubes extending out at the corners and a circular indent at the top of the triangle resembling a nose! And finally, two large oval shapes began to take form above the indented nose! It didn't take too much difficulty to figure out that the oval shapes appeared to be the eyes! The ash consisting within them began to glow with a burning orange red light! Almost like the ash was still flaming which made the figure's eyes very unnerving!

Finally, it was complete!

Sakura gasped at the dark looming ash figure that stood before her! It had to be at least 7 feet tall! She didn't know who or what this thing was, but she knew one thing and that it was it had an unbelievably dark cold presence! So much so that Sakura began shivering uncontrollably from both the cold and the fear she felt from being so close to it! She couldn't help but wonder though if it was even alive since it stood still as a statue. Those doubts were put to rest though as an ominous and unnatural sound breathed out of it.

HOOOOOOOOPUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR.

The breathing sound that came out of the figure was incredibly unnerving and sent chills down her spine! It almost sounded like it was more mechanical rather than a living creature breathing! Sakura began to fear for her safety and was considering running away until she heard a cackling voice speak out!

"Lord Vader."

The creature tilted its helmet head up in response to the voice.

"Yes, Master?"

Sakura gasped at the voice that came out of the ash figure! It sounded so emotionless and just as mechanical as the sound of its breathing. However, there was something about it that completely terrified her! It was more frightening than even how Gaara's voice sounded when he was mutating into that monster during the invasion!

"The Leaf shinobi girl that lies before you, eliminate her!"

Sakura's pupils dilated as the figured tilted its helmet down toward her.

"As you wish."

The ash creature took a step towards her and then another step! Getting closer and closer to her while the sound of its frightening breathing was still coming out of it! Sakura tried to move away but she was gripped with so much fear that she couldn't move! Sakura would have tried to use some kunai knives or shuriken, but she didn't have any on her! She was trapped!

"G-Get away from me! S-Stay away! Don't come any closer!"

The dark being stopped when it finally reached her. It looked down upon her while still breathing and exhaling that mechanical sound. Moments passed before it reached into its waist and pulled something out of it. Sakura couldn't tell what it was since it's whole hand was made of nothing but ash.

CHURRRRRRRR!

Sakura's eyes widened with shock as suddenly a crimson blade ignited out of its hand! It was similar to the one Sakura saw Naruto use against Sasuke only this one was different! It was almost as if someone took the same weapon and bled into it! Taking away that brilliant blue color and giving it the blood red glow that was now emanating from it!

The dark figure raised the blade high above his head preparing to bring it down on Sakura! The kunoichi genin began to panic and put her hands up in a futile attempt to block the impending attack! She didn't know what she could've done to provoke this being, but she knew one thing from what she could feel from it.

It was death.

"NO! NO, PLEASE DON'T! PLEASE!"

The creature's mechanized breathing was the last thing that echoed through her mind as it struck down its blade on her!

"NO!"

Sakura's green eyes snapped open and were blinded by light that was blaring down on her! She had to cover them until her vision adjusted to it. When it finally did clear up, she saw that she was back in the village!

Sakura looked around and saw that she was on the ground without any memory of what happened. She started to rise up when she noticed there was something in her hand. She looked down and saw that it was a black clothed headband.

She didn't know why she had it in her hand. As she began to adjust herself to stand up, she heard a clinking sound beneath her foot. When she moved it, she saw that it was a necklace with a beautiful green stone at its center.

Sakura picked up the beautiful neckwear. Looking back and forth between it and the headband knowing that she's seen them somewhere before. Sakura's eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat as the memory of what happened earlier rushed through her mind.

The Cherry Blossom kunoichi looked up towards the gate, as a gust of wind carrying leaves blew by, and saw that there was no one there. Tears began to roll down the genin girl's cheeks and her heart ached with pain again as it began to dwell on her that the boy was gone.

He left the village and her.

Sakura panicked and spun around running towards the Hokage Tower! She had to tell Kakashi sensei and Lady Tsunade what happened! She had to tell them everything!

Before it was too late to bring him back.

Meanwhile at Tsunade's office

"What?! Sasuke's left the village?!"

Kakashi has just recently finished a routine patrol when he was summoned to the Hokage's Tower. He knew whatever it was Lady Tsunade wanted to discuss with him wasn't going to be good. However, he never would have imagined it to be something as bad as this!

"Yes, I'm sorry Kakashi, but it would seem that Sasuke Uchiha has abandoned the village to join Orochimaru."

Kakashi's lone eye stared disbelievingly at the Hokage for a few moments before it settled down into a look of expectance and regret.

"This is my fault. I should've been paying closer attention to Sasuke after what happened yesterday. I had suspicions that he was becoming too obsessed with revenge, but I never thought it would result in him doing anything like this."

Kakashi started heading for the door.

"Kakashi, where are you going?"

The man with gravity defying hair looked back at the Hokage with determination in his lone eye.

"I'm going to bring my student back and he and I are going to have a long talk."

Kakashi turned back to open the door.

"There's more Kakashi. Sasuke may not be the only one of your students that's in trouble."

Kakashi turned back to the Hokage.

"What do you mean?"

Tsunade looked toward Jiraiya, who was leaning against the wall.

"Tell him what you and your contacts found out."

Kakashi looked to Jiraiya expecting an explanation as to what Tsunade was talking about.

"I just got word from my contacts in the Land of Demons. They checked everywhere and they haven't found a single building there owned by Palpatine. They also questioned every business, company and even small shop owners there and no one has ever even heard of Palpatine Sidosaki. As far as they're concerned he doesn't exist."

Kakashi's lone eye widened with shock.

"If he's not from the Land of Demons then where's he from and who is he really?"

Jiraiya closed his eyes and opened them again.

"I don't know. But one thing for certain is that we need to bring him in for questioning. The problem is…"

Jiraiya looked up toward Kakashi.

"He's nowhere to be found."

Tsunade looked back to Kakashi.

"We've searched all of the buildings owned by him and everywhere else here, but we haven't found any sign of him."

Kakashi had a hard time believing that a simple old man could evade the shinobi of this village like that. Which only further supported the theory that perhaps Palpatine wasn't some simple old man after all. Which still begs the question as to who was he?

"After I found out that he was a fake and his disappearance, I decided to check with my toad summon to see if maybe he saw Palpatine visit Naruto and overheard anything Palpatine might have said to him. When I got there though I found my summon was unconscious and Naruto's apartment was completely torn apart. It was like a hurricane went through it."

Kakashi's eye widened with shock again. This was becoming more unsettling by the second. He began to ponder as to what or who could've ruined Naruto's new apartment.

"Did a group of villagers somehow get in and cause this?"

Tsunade shook her head.

"No, the building was locked down tight. The only ones that were allowed in or out were Sakura and Palpatine."

"Not to mention that we're the only ones that knew I secretly left one of my toad summons there. If some villagers did somehow get passed the Anbu or were let in they wouldn't have known about my toad before he reversed summoned me there. Whoever knocked him out somehow knew he was hiding there which is surprising since I was very careful with making sure no one saw me when I did the summoning jutsu. Also…."

Jiraiya walked to the other side of the room.

"I'm pretty sure that the apartment was destroyed by Naruto's power."

This was definitely getting worse and worse by the minute in Kakashi's book.

"But why? Why would Naruto destroy his new apartment?"

The back of Jiraiya's head turned as he answered Kakashi.

"I don't know. But given everything that's happened with Naruto since Palpatine arrived in this village, his strange powers, the sudden change in his personality and that weapon of his, I'd say that they are all far from accidents or coincidences."

Kakashi's lone eye widened as he was hit with a moment of clarity.

"Does that also mean…."

"Yes."

Jiraiya fully turned to Kakashi.

"I think that Palpatine is the one who told Naruto about his parents."

Kakashi stared at the floor in shock.

"How? How could he have known about Minato sensei and Kushina?"

Tsunade answered.

"We don't know that either. However, it would make sense as to how Naruto found out about them."

Kakashi still couldn't understand though how Palpatine uncovered it. It was a very well-guarded secret and very few in the village knew about it. It would be impossible for someone like Palpatine to have found out.

"Which is why Jiraiya and I agreed to make a change in plans."

Kakashi looked up at Tsunade with half a mind as to what she was talking about but was still curious as to what changes she meant by.

"You and Jiraiya are to head after Shikamaru's team to assist them with their mission if they require it or rendezvous with them if they successfully completed it. Either way when their mission is over Jiraiya will take Naruto and train him for the next 3 years before bringing him back to the village."

Kakashi looked at Tsunade and understood.

"I see. In other words, we can't afford to wait anymore. Not even to allow Naruto to grieve for Iruka for one more day."

Tsunade looked down with regret.

"No, we cannot. It's obvious at this point that Palpatine is planning something for Naruto and whatever it is it's been happening right under our noses this whole time. If we're to keep Naruto safe we need to get him out of the village as soon as possible."

Kakashi didn't like the idea of not letting his student continue to mourn but his safety was more important right now, yet there was still one issue that worried him about his plan.

"There's still a good chance that Naruto won't go with you, Master Jiraiya. It's more likely he'd sooner fight us then listen to us."

Jiraiya sighed since he knew the copycat ninja had a point even though he already thought of a countermeasure.

"I've been thinking about that. If Naruto does resist, I'll put a seal on him to cut off his chakra. I don't know if it will work with this Force power...but in case it doesn't, and Naruto still stays conscious…."

Jiraiya pulled a small vile with a yellow substance in it out of his haori.

"What's that?"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade who answered for him.

"It's a powerful sedative that I've been developing since Jiraiya and I discovered Naruto's abilities in his fight with Orochimaru. It activates by dispersing into the air and when the target catches so much as a small whiff of it they're instantly knocked out. If that doesn't work it has a backup function where it's absorbed into the target's skin pores and can still knock them out, but it takes a little longer to work. It should be strong enough for Naruto."

Kakashi closed his eye and crossed his arms.

"I don't like the idea of having to restrain and drug Naruto like this despite the circumstances."

Tsunade understood Kakashi's reaction. Afterall they all cared for the Uzumaki child. However, there was too much at stake.

"I know Kakashi, but this is for Naruto's own good. We don't know what Palpatine has planned for him and the council members are just biding their time waiting for the chance to throw Naruto in prison while the villagers want him executed. We don't have a choice. Hopefully, one day, Naruto will understand this."

Kakashi opened his eye with a solemn look.

"I just hope that one day he'll forgive us too."

SLAM!

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn towards the door where Sakura Haruno was panting with her bangs covering her eyes.

"Sakura, what are you doing here?"

Sakura looked up at her sensei causing her bangs to reveal her eyes which were pouring with heavy tears and spoke with an extremely soft and disheartened tone.

"Kakashi sensei…..I did something terrible!"

Kakashi was about to immediately ask what until he noticed what Sakura was carrying in her hands. It was Tsunade's old necklace and a black headband that he was more than familiar with. He wasn't the only one as the two Sannin in the room also recognized the items she was carrying.

All three looked at her with eyes full of worry and fear.

"Sakura…...what happened?"

Valley of the End

Sasuke has been running and leaping for a while leading him here. Ever since he broke out of the seal container, that he's been carried in, the Uchiha could feel the power of the second level of his curse mark flowing through him. It felt so liberating and intoxicating! He loved it! He's never felt so free and powerful in all his life!

Still he needed a way to test it! A way to gauge just how strong the curse mark has made him! He needed a worthy opponent to try it out on!

And he knew the perfect candidate.

Feeling that they've covered enough distance away from the others, Sasuke landed on the statue of Madara Uchiha and waited for his query. It didn't take long when he heard a pair of feet land on the opposite statue behind him. Sasuke turned around with an emotionless expression despite the fact that he was all too eager inside for the battle to come and stood face to face with his former and soon to be late teammate; Naruto Uzumaki!

It was quiet. Neither of the two boys said a word. The only sounds that could be heard was the roaring of the great waterfall below them, as it poured into the mouth of the river running ahead, and the wind blowing through the branches and leaves of the trees surrounding the valley.

Finally, Sasuke spoke.

"I have to admit, I honestly didn't think you'd follow me all this way."

Naruto looked at the Uchiha with indifference.

"Well, you know me. Never been one to give up when chasing after something or in this case someone."

Naruto folded his arms across his chest.

"So, you're really going to do it, huh? You're really going to offer yourself up to Orochimaru?"

Sasuke nodded a little.

"Yes, I have to. He's offered me the power and means to achieve my goal for vengeance. I am an avenger!"

Naruto cocked his brow at the raven-haired boy's proclamation.

"Avenger? More like a traitor and a fool! You left your home and friends behind just to give your body up to some cowardly snake who's going to take it the second you arrive! You really think the first thing he'll do, when you show up, is teach you a new jutsu or something? He's not interested in helping you get your revenge; he just wants your body!"

Naruto cocked his head.

"Not to mention that Shikamaru and the others are risking their lives and are even willing to trade them just to get you back!"

Sasuke had no reaction to what Naruto said even though the Uzumaki didn't care at all.

"Well, wasn't that nice of them."

Naruto nodded.

"Yeah, it was nice of them. It's a shame that they're throwing their lives away to save a selfish entitled bastard like you but that's to be expected considering how our village raised them up."

Sasuke's eyes widened a bit for a brief second. Did those callous words really just come from Naruto? He didn't sound like he cared at all with what might've happened to Shikamaru and the others. Something was off about the dobe.

"You'd actually be okay with them being killed?"

Naruto shrugged.

"It's not my concern whether or not they survive. It has nothing to do with me or my mission."

Sasuke looked at Naruto's eyes. He could tell that there was no lie in them. The boy meant every word. He truly didn't care at all about the fate of the others. Perhaps losing Iruka changed him which wouldn't be unnatural since Sasuke was more than familiar with the effects of losing a loved one.

However, there was something else Sasuke could see in his eyes that was just as unexpected.

"You didn't come here to bring me back. Did you?"

A few moments passed along with a gust of wind before Naruto answered.

"No."

Sasuke folded his arms.

"I see. Well, if you didn't come all this way to take me back to the village then why are you here?"

Naruto chuckled. It wasn't full of the usual happy idiotic laughter it used to have. It was ominous and unnerving which only served to peak Sasuke's curiosity even more.

"Taking this mission was the only way I could get out of the village without having to deal with that witch of a Hokage sending Anbu after me!"

Sasuke was confused until he started to put the pieces together which made him stare wide eyed in disbelief at the Uzumaki boy, who was smiling at his reaction.

"You're not the only one, who's decided to abandon the village today, Sasuke."

Sasuke tried to compose himself so that he didn't look like he was showing any signs of being flabbergasted in front of the Uzumaki.

"So...you actually left the village. I'll admit that's certainly a surprise. Does that also mean you've given up on that stupid dream of becoming Hokage?"

Naruto lifted his right arm up and closed his hand into a fist.

"Yes, that dream is dead weight to me. Now that I've finally made it to the valley, all I have to do is wait for my new master to arrive and I can finally break free of the village's hold on me once and for all!"

Sasuke tried his best to hide his shock and surprise but it was very difficult. He couldn't believe that Naruto Uzumaki of all people was actually abandoning the village. Even with the Sharingan this was something the Uchiha didn't see coming at all from the former knucklehead.

There was also something else Naruto said that piqued his curiosity again.

"You have a new master now, huh? Who is it?"

Naruto chuckled ominously again.

"You wouldn't believe me even if I told you but let's just say he's offering me far more than that lying hypocritical excuse of a sensei of ours and that careless perverted old toad hermit ever did!

Sasuke grew more curious.

"And what has this new master of yours offered you?"

Naruto unfolded his arms.

"Things you couldn't even hope to achieve from Orochimaru! He's offered to make me into the most powerful being this world will ever know!"

Naruto looked down and closed his eyes as his face scrunched up a little.

"But he's offered me something even more important than that..."

Naruto looked up with eyes full anger and determination.

"Freedom!"

Sasuke looked at Naruto confused.

"Freedom? From what?"

Naruto scoffed at his former teammate's ignorance.

"Doesn't matter! You're so obsessed with your own goal for vengeance; you wouldn't be able to understand and it's not like you would really care anyway!"

Sasuke closed his eyes.

"You're right. I wouldn't."

Sasuke didn't entirely mean that. A part of him did care enough to want to know what it was that Naruto wanted freedom from so desperately that he was willing to abandon his dream and the village. However, Naruto was right. He didn't really care enough to want to know.

Naruto scoffed again.

"Just as I thought! Always thinking of yourself and your own problems!"

Sasuke looked back up at him.

"Even if I did care enough to want to know, it's obvious that you've made up your mind to leave, just like I have, so there's no point in asking you again."

Naruto chuckled again.

"Your damn right, I've made up my mind! We agree on that much!"

Naruto closed his eyes.

"Pity, Sakura did not though."

Sasuke slightly tilted his head up.

"Sakura tried to stop you?"

Naruto didn't laugh in response this time. In fact, he seemed rather annoyed with the question. Rather he looked as if the answer annoyed him.

"Yes, she did. She begged me not to leave like how she did with you. Except unlike with you, she didn't try to leave with me when she couldn't convince me to stay!"

Sasuke too reacted with a little annoyance as he remembered how she pleaded him to take her with him to Orochimaru. Sakura indeed was not thinking clearly at all last night because of that naïve crush of hers. That was part of the reason why he left her behind.

Sasuke was also surprised that Naruto knew what she tried to do. There was no way he was there last night so either Sakura told him what happened or someone else was spying on them. In the end it didn't matter either way to the Uchiha.

"So, she just let you go, huh? I'm surprised she didn't even try to raise the village's alarms to keep you from leaving."

Naruto looked up the sky as he recalled what he did earlier.

"Well, that's not exactly true. I took a page out of your book and knocked her out. Only my way wasn't as quick and clean as yours, but I wasn't really in a happy mood when she only chose to beg to me stay after she already tried to get me to promise to bring you back to the village."

Sasuke gasped a little again in shock. From what Naruto just said it seemed as if he really harmed Sakura! Something Sasuke thought he would never do in a million years! Sasuke should've disapproved or have been outraged despite his own recent actions but he didn't really care. In fact, he was actually a little impressed with how far Naruto was willing to go to leave the village and his reaction to Sakura was also understandable considering what she has done.

Which only enticed him further on what he had to do.

"When you spoke with Sakura last night, you were right about one thing. This is a new beginning. Each of us has a new path before us. Ones where we can't follow each other anymore. So, if you want to give your body to Orochimaru then you can go for all I care! I'm done with you, Sakura, our friends, and the rest of the village! I'm done with you all!"

Naruto proceeded to sit down on top of his statue's head with his back turned to Sasuke. The Sith apprentice then closed his eyes and proceeded to wait for his master. However, in his mind he could sense Sasuke's feelings. There was a great mix of things stirring within him. It was a little difficult to make out what was going on with his thoughts, but Naruto didn't really care in the slightest. He just couldn't wait for his master to show up and finally take him away from this world.

However, the Uzumaki's plans for freedom would have to be put on hold as Sasuke finally spoke up.

"Naruto, I need you to fight me."

Naruto opened his eyes and slightly turned his head towards the Uchiha.

"That would be a mistake, Sasuke..."

Naruto fully turned to him.

"The last one you would ever make!"

Sasuke wasn't fazed by the other boy's threats. He wanted this fight. He needed it. Not only just to prove himself but for something else.

"I need to fight you, Naruto. I need to kill you, so that I can become stronger!"

Naruto arched his brow at the raven-haired boy.

"And just how exactly is killing me going to make you stronger?"

A few seconds of silence passed before Sasuke answered.

"It's not important! Just fight me! You always talk a big game and act all high and mighty! Let's see what you really got!"

Naruto slowly got up and stared straight into the Uchiha's eyes. Eyes that were so determined for combat and the kill. Eyes no doubt that Naruto had earlier when he slaughtered the Root agents outside his apartment. However, as much Naruto wanted to put an end to the smug Uchiha, there was still a part of him deep down that didn't want to kill him. Despite the opposite of what he said earlier to Sakura he truly considered Sasuke a friend.

He would even go as far as to consider him as like a brother.

"Don't do this, Sasuke. You know what happened when we fought yesterday."

Indeed, the Uchiha remembered. He still felt humiliated that he was practically beaten and would've been killed had not Sakura intervened. He also didn't forget that power Naruto had. He could still feel the lingering faint effects of that lightening barrage throughout his body.

"Things are different, now! I'm much stronger than I was yesterday! You won't have a chance at beating me this time, Dobe!"

Naruto glared deathly at his lifelong rival.

"Sasuke, don't make me kill you."

The Uchiha took out a scroll and unraveled it in the air. It poofed into a puff of smoke revealing the contents to be a Kusanagi sword. The Uchiha grabbed the mighty weapon as it fell to his hand and unsheathed it. The sun brightly reflecting off the curved blade. At least what was left of its light as it was starting to become covered by dark clouds which were beginning to form over the valley.

Sasuke took a battle stance with his new bladed weapon.

"I'll do what I must, Naruto!"

Naruto was still staring at Sasuke with such killer intent. He tried to reason with him. Tried to give him a way out, but if the fool insisted on standing in his way to escape this world then so be it!

Naruto opened his palm, and something suddenly shot through his sleeve right into it! Sasuke recognized the object as the metal hilt of the weapon he wielded yesterday. Naruto pressed his thumb into the button to ignite the brilliant blue weapon!

"You will try!"

Naruto and Sasuke suddenly charged and leapt off their own individual statues! Lightning could be seen scorching across the sky as the pair of genin were flying towards one another! Both of them swung their blades causing their weapons to collide and send sparks everywhere!

The battle of the former heroic teammates has begun.

Back at the Hokage tower

Lightning and thunder could be seen gathering in the distance of the village as Sakura told them everything. She told them what really happened between her and Sasuke the night before and how Naruto found out about it. She felt sick to her stomach having to describe how Naruto reacted to her betrayal and how at this very moment he was abandoning his dream along with the village.

When she finally finished, she could see that Kakashi and Jiraiya both had looks of horror and shock on their faces. However, Tsunade's face was hidden by her yellow bangs. No one said anything or rather couldn't say anything.

Suddenly, Tsunade dashed towards Sakura at blinding speed! Grabbing her by the collar of her red dress and shoved her against what was left of the wall in her office! Holding her there tightly looking as if she was about to use her monstrous strength to rip the girl's head off!

"LADY TSUNADE, STOP!"

"STAY OUT OF THIS, KAKASHI!"

Tsunade shot Kakashi a deathly glare which put the Copycat Ninja in his place before turning her attention back to the genin she held tightly in her grip.

"You stupid, selfish, naïve, little brat! He has done everything for you and would've done so much more! He nearly died for you and this is how you repay him?! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!"

Sakura didn't struggle in the Hokage's grip. She knew without a doubt the Sannin could snap her like a toothpick if she wanted to. In fact, part of her was hoping that she would. It would certainly relieve her of the pain she felt in her heart over breaking Naruto's. The other reason she didn't fight back was because she knew she deserved this. She deserved to be ranted and screamed at for her sins towards the boy and the village. That and so much more.

Kakashi was about to try to intervene again until he saw that Jiraiya was heading towards the window.

"I'm going after him."

Jiraiya turned back to Kakashi and Tsunade, who ceased berating Sakura at the moment to look at her teammate.

"If I'm lucky and I catch up to Shikamaru and the others in time, Naruto might still be with them. I don't care if their mission to bring back Sasuke fails without him. I'm getting my apprentice back!"

Kakashi stepped forward.

"I'm coming too! If we do get to him in time I can take over and help with Shikamaru's mission while you get Naruto away and talk some sense into him!"

Jiraiya looked at Kakashi seriously.

"And if Naruto isn't with them?"

Kakashi looked down solemnly.

"Naruto needs us right now more than Sasuke does regardless."

Kakashi felt ashamed for even thinking of having to choose to save one comrade over the other. It goes against his code. The code set by Obito. However, this was an exception because he has gone on leaving Naruto to fend for himself long enough.

Jiraiya didn't like having to make certain of Kakashi's priorities. He understands his eagerness to try to save both boys, but the fact is that Naruto is first priority. They already know where Sasuke is heading and what Orochimaru's plans for him are, but they have no idea what Naruto is planning or where he's even going.

Also, there's still the danger of his true identity being revealed to the public. Anyone finding out while Naruto was still in the village was one thing but if it were to become public knowledge while he's outside the safe walls and confines of the village then the boy's life would be in even greater jeopardy since some of the other villages will no doubt be on the hunt for him. Not to mention that if the elders get wind that the boy has abandoned the Leaf they will without a doubt use this to try to imprison him or have him killed for treason!

"You two aren't going after him without me!"

Tsunade begrudgingly released Sakura from her grip causing the girl to slide down to the floor in shame as Tsunade turned her back on her.

The Slug Princess marched past Jiraiya and Kakashi towards the window.

"Tsunade, you can't come. You're the Hokage. Your duties are here in the village not out there."

Tsunade whipped around and glared at Jiraiya.

"THE HELL THEY ARE! The only reason I came back to be the Hokage was because that boy saved my life and convinced me to take the stupid job! I'm not going to sit by and do nothing while Naruto throws his life away! He's the only family member I have left, so it's time I treated him like it!"

Jiraiya stared at her for a few moments before he nodded. It was obvious that she has made up her mind and if there was one thing Jiraiya knew about Tsunade it was her stubbornness. He and Kakashi then proceeded to head out with Tsunade to bring back their knuckleheaded friend.

"WAIT!"

The three veteran shinobi stopped and turned around to find Sakura standing up before them with her head down.

"Take me with you."

Sakura looked up at the two Sannin and her sensei with eyes still full of tears but with also determination in them.

"I need to bring back Naruto too!"

Kakashi and Jiraiya looked at each other and didn't think it was a good idea. Timing was of the essence and the girl might slow them down. That and neither of them were in a very trusting mood with her. Kakashi was about to refuse her request, but Tsunade beat him to the punch.

"Do you really think that after what you did, we're just going to allow you to come?! You've not only betrayed Naruto but you've also betrayed the village! All for that obsessive infatuation you have for that Uchiha! I should have you thrown into a cell and wait for your punishment while we go get your teammate back!"

Tsunade marched towards the girl to do just that but Sakura stood her ground and protested.

"NO! NOT YET! If you want to punish me and lock me away forever, fine! But not before you let me help you bring Naruto back!"

Tsunade stopped in her tracks in surprise of the girl's courageous outburst.

"I have to be there! He has done so much for me! He saved my life, Sasuke's, and even the entire village! He's even given me his love! That idiot chose to fall in love with a girl like me who has done nothing but cause him pain!"

Sakura shuddered at the thought but forced herself to continue speaking.

"I've ignored Naruto's pain and suffering for so long! Now that I've seen it. Now that I know how far deep it goes; that I've looked underneath the underneath; I can't just stand by and do nothing! Not when I was the one who caused it when he needed me most!"

Sakura tears were flowing harder, but she didn't dare to try to wipe them away.

"I want him back! I want him in my arms again! To let him know that I do care and that I will never hurt him again!"

Sakura looked down, for what she was about to say next would be the hardest thing she has ever said.

"Sasuke...made his choice! He chose to go join Orochimaru! He chose to go chase after his vengeance! But Naruto...I...I...I drove him away!"

Sakura sniffled as she kept going.

"I hope we do bring Sasuke back too but right now Naruto needs me more than he does! I can't do anything to convince Sasuke to come back, but I'll do whatever it takes to convince Naruto to come back to the village even if it means giving up my career as a shinobi!"

Sakura stood boldly with her claim to the three-veteran shinobi. Kakashi and Jiraiya both couldn't help but feel impressed by the girls words and determination but still had more than a few misgivings for allowing her to come. They were about to deny her again until Tsunade bent down at eye level with the young kunoichi.

The Sannin was looking into her eyes trying to detect even the smallest hint of deception in them. Sakura knew what she was doing but remained firm. She was going to go with them no matter what. Even if Tsunade locked her up, she would find a way to escape and follow them herself!

"If I think for even a second that you're just using this as an excuse to chase after Sasuke rather than help Naruto it won't just be your career that I'll be ending!"

Tsunade grabbed the girl by her collar and pulled her close to her face.

"Do you understand me?"

Sakura showed no fear for she was prepared to accept whatever the consequences will be for her actions.

"Hai, Lady Hokage!"

Tsunade set the girl back down.

"Then lets hurry! We don't have much time!"

Kakashi was about to protest the Hokage's decision but Jiraiya held his hand up to let him know it was pointless.

"Shizune!"

Shizune appeared at the doorway with Tonton moments later.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade started marching towards the shattered window as she gave her orders to her apprentice.

"You're in charge until I get back!"

Shizune gasped with white wide saucer eyes.

"B-But where are you going?! Lady Tsunade you can't just-"

Shizune was unable to finish her sentence as the four-ninja leapt out of the window and headed after Shikamaru's squad.

Hoping to reach their friend before it was too late.

Meanwhile at the Valley of the End

Thunder bellowed and lightening pierced across the sky. It was almost as if the elements themselves were echoing the ferocity of the battle below. The battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha!

The both former members of Team 7 were in an epic standoff. Each refusing to back down as they attacked and parried their blades against one another. Both had their reasons for this fight. One was a complete selfish hunger to grow stronger for the purpose of revenge and pride. The other was a rage filled desire to be free of this world laden with lies, betrayal, and deceit.

Naruto attempted to slash Sasuke across the chest but the Uchiha dodged his stroke and punched Naruto several times with his free hand while his Curse Seal was activated! Naruto grunted in pain and annoyance as he realized that Sasuke wasn't exaggerating when he said he grew in strength since their last battle! Naruto attempted another attack by swinging his glowing blade down onto Sasuke's head and towards his left side! Both times Sasuke was able to block with his own metallic blade which gave Naruto an opening to kick Sasuke in the chest a few feet back! The Uchiha grunted and rushed forward with his new speed and caught Naruto by surprise as he performed his own kick which sent Naruto down into the water below!

Naruto landed on the water's surface using chakra on his feet! He looked up, wincing a little from the pain with blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. He saw Sasuke was holding up his weapons pouch as means of insulting him! Naruto paid it no mind since he had no use for ninja tools and weapons anymore! He jumped back up onto the statue and did a cross with his fingers as he summoned forth some shadow clones! Naruto however noticed that something was off with his copies.

'Wait, somethings wrong! They don't have-'

Naruto's thoughts were interrupted as Sasuke easily slew through the clones! Leaving nothing but smoke as he reached Naruto instantly and prepared to cut him down! But Naruto blocked the attack and the two became engaged in a saber lock!

"Guess you can't make copies of your fancy weapon, can you?"

Sasuke suddenly side stepped which caused Naruto to stumble forward before using the force on a nearby rock to keep himself steady! He spun around fast, but it was too late! Sasuke threw several shuriken around the Uzumaki! It took Naruto a second to realize there was ninja wire tied around them which bound him to the nearby rock!

Not wanting to make the same mistake as he did yesterday with this maneuver, Sasuke ignited the wire with a Dragon Flame jutsu which in turned scorched Naruto in a burst of flames!

Sasuke grunted with pain and was forced to let the curse mark recede back into his neck. The Uchiha knew that Naruto wouldn't go down that easily, and he was right as Naruto rose from the flames unharmed and landed a punch to the Uchiha's face! Sasuke pretended to act as if he wasn't fazed by the blow in an attempt to intimidate him but it only provoked Naruto into landing several more blows to his face!

Naruto ceased his barrage while his fearsome red golden eyes glared at the Uchiha as blood trickled and dripped from his face. While Sasuke did indeed feel pain he certainly didn't show it as he laughed at the other boy's efforts.

"Seriously? We both know you have more power than that! I'm not even using my Sharingan and I'm still winning this fight! If you want to do better, then stop holding back and fight like you mean it!"

"SHUT UP!"

Naruto shoved his hand out and pushed Sasuke off the edge of the statue! What Naruto didn't see coming was that Sasuke pulled out some extra wire and threw it around Naruto's ankle; pulling him down with him! As both combatants plummeted down, they exchanged further strikes and slashes with their swords!

Sasuke grabbed Naruto by the collar with his sword free hand and positioned himself so that Naruto would take the brunt of the fall which he did when both of them landed! Causing a cloud of dust explode! Naruto coughed up blood but didn't have time to recover as Sasuke then proceeded to ruthlessly beat him into the ground! Not letting up for even a moment!

Finally, after nearly a minute, Sasuke stopped and stared down at the battered boy. He felt a little dispapointed that it was over so soon but it didn't matter. He took his sword in both hands and prepared to plunge it into Naruto's heart!

A large lightning bolt streaked across the sky as Naruto's eyes snapped open and instantly batted away Sasuke's blade just before it could pierce his chest! Naruto then roared as a shockwave exploded from him which sent Sasuke flying off of him! The raven-haired boy crashed into the ground and rolled a few feet before he came to stop in a crouching position while holding his sword out in a low side angle!

Naruto rose from the crater, created by their fall, and took his own battle stance with his lightsaber.

"You think I care whether or not you use your sharingan? It doesn't matter to me at all. No, what's really angering me is the fact that you won't let me go. That you have to constantly stand in my way and for what?! To satisfy some pointless desire to prove your better?!"

Sasuke did some quick hand signs with his free hand.

"Fire style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"

Sasuke spat out a massive fire ball towards Naruto! Who merely responded by holding his hand out and used the force to shield himself! Forcing the giant fire ball to split around him which in turn caused the jutsu's flames to split around him and fly into the surrounding forest! It didn't take much for the trees to become completely engulfed by the flames of the Uchiha's diverted attack!

Naruto lowered his hand as he stared daggers at Sasuke who also glared back with bloodlust. As the fire continued to spread, so did the boys continue their fight. Once again both boys parried and struck with their blades. Both nearly catching the other off guard a few times. Their battle began to take them into the water where they were forced to use chakra in their feet to be able to stand and fight on its surface!

Sasuke attempted to slash Naruto's legs but the blonde jinchuriki jumped and flipped into the air over Sasuke's head! When he landed he attempted to stab Sasuke from behind! However, Sasuke dodged the blade and kicked Naruto in the gut! What Sasuke didn't noticed was that Naruto reached out with his fingers and used the Force to throw a rock, from the shoreline, into Sasuke's face! Bruising his cheek and cracking the bone underneath! Both boys took a few steps back to gather themselves before continuing!

Sasuke tried to cut at Naruto's throat but the jinchuriki blocked the slash and twisted his own blade with Sasuke's! Forcing the Uchiha to twist his arms into an awkward position which allowed Naruto to reach out and grab Sasuke's throat with his hand! Sasuke gargled and struggled for air as Naruto squeezed his windpipe! He then kicked Sasuke's weapon out of his hands and sent it flying into a nearby burning tree! Naruto then brought his blade up to chop off Sasuke's head!

However, Sasuke grabbed Naruto's arm to hold the blade back! Naruto grunted and growled as he increased the pressure on Sasuke's throat while pressing the blade down upon the Uchiha! Sasuke gasped and choked for air as the lack of oxygen was making it difficult to keep Naruto's blade back! The lightsaber was inching closer and closer to Sasuke's throat! Preparing to cut right through it!

That is until Sasuke kicked upwards into Naruto's back! Pushing the Uzumaki off him and splashing into the water! Sasuke took this chance to body flicker to his sword and ripped it out of the burning wood! Afterwards he rushed back to finish Naruto before he could pull himself out of the water! He was about ten feet away from where Naruto went in when suddenly Naruto shot out of the water and kneed Sasuke in the chin!

The surprise blow knocked Sasuke off his feet and caused him to splash into the water! Naruto then rushed towards Sasuke! When he got close enough he was about to cut his head in two until Sasuke swung his arm right under Naruto's leg! Forcing him to lose balance and to smack right back into the water while dropping his lightsaber!

Sasuke rose to his feet and prepared to do what Naruto attempted moments ago as he swung his blade high to bring it down through Naruto! Naruto however opened his palm and used the Force to summon his blade back to him! Just in time too as Sasuke's blade was about a foot from cutting him before his own blade reactivated and blocked it!

Sasuke pressed his blade down on Naruto's to try to break through! Naruto struggled but he held Sasuke's blade at bay while secretly using his other hand to summon more stones from the shore! However, Sasuke saw this tactic coming this time and cut through the stones right before they could strike him! Doing so allowed Naruto escape and put some distance between him and Sasuke!

Naruto and Sasuke stood upon the water and stared at each other. Neither one was out of breath from the fight thus far since they were both just getting started. The reflection on the surface of the water glowed with radiance from the burning forest! Between that and the burning trees and thunderstorm above; the battlefield look like it was taking place in some kind of hellish foresaken land.

"So, are you going to tell me how killing me is going to make you stronger or what?"

Sasuke pointed his sword at Naruto.

"I told you before that's not important now let's finis-"

"No, I want the truth! I deserve one after all the lies and crap everyone else in the village has fed me! So, tell me why out of all the people you chose to kill before Itachi it has to be me?! Why me?!"

Sasuke just stared at Naruto. He couldn't help but think that last question of his wasn't entirely out of just wanting to know why he wanted to kill him. He sensed there was more to it and also that it wasn't entirely being directed at him. Even so Sasuke lowered his sword and answered Naruto.

"Because believe it or not, you're the only friend, I've ever had. No one else as ever come close to forging the bond that you and I have. Not even Sakura. She has no way of understanding what it's like. None of them do. Except you."

Naruto knew what Sasuke was referring to all too well.

"Solitude."

Sasuke nodded a little.

"Precisely, it's the only thing we have in common and the bond that we share. That is why I have to kill you. So that I can break that bond and achieve the power I need to kill-"

"I know, I know, the power to kill Itachi and achieve your vengeance! I understand already! God, you're just as annoying as I was when I did nothing but constantly spout about becoming Hokage! Just knowing that I used to do that makes me sick!"

Sasuke couldn't help but laugh a little.

"You've gotten better with your insults, I see."

Naruto smirked at the Uchiha.

"Well, I did learn from the best!"

Sasuke smiled and laughed along with Naruto. Both boys laughed making it almost seem like a pleasant time between friends without a care in the world if it weren't for the valley burning around them and their intent on killing one another. After a few more chuckles, the laughter completely died and both boys went back to having serious expressions on their faces.

Sasuke quickly sheathed his sword and suddenly went through some hand signs before holding his right arm with his left! Naruto recognized the technique and deactivated his lightsaber before clipping it to his pants! He crossed his fingers and summoned a clone! The clone immediately proceeded to start raking and doing circular motions with his hands over Naruto's open hand! A tiny blue orb began to form in the middle of Naruto's palm just as electricity and the sound of a thousand birds chirping was cackling from Sasuke's arm!

The Blue orb began to grow bigger and bigger till it was the size of a soft ball in Naruto's palm! Naruto finished his Rasengan just in time as Sasuke finished charging up his chidori! The boys charged at each other while arching both of their individual jutsus back to strike!

"CHIDORI!"

"RASENGAN!"

Both Naruto and Sasuke clashed with their jutsus! Neither one was overpowering the other while the struggle of both jutsus against each other caused a white light to emanate in the middle! Without warning, the light exploded sending both Naruto and Sasuke flying in opposite directions! Crashing into the orange surface of the river!

Sasuke and Naruto climbed out of the water back onto its surface and engaged in another glare contest. Naruto was surprised and raging with how Sasuke was able to match his Rasengan. That and Naruto didn't understand why he still wasn't winning this fight. Was Sasuke too strong now or was Naruto somehow holding back and not even aware of it? Naruto couldn't figure it out as Sasuke spoke.

"You know, they say that when two shinobi are on a high enough level they can read each other's thoughts by exchanging blows and jutsus. So, tell me Naruto..."

The curse seal on Sasuke's neck activated and began to glow! The pattern began to spread out over his neck and part of his face! Naruto could feel Sasuke's lust for blood and battle rising along with the cold emptiness of his rage and madness! However, that did little to make the Uzumaki boy nervous or intimidated.

"CAN YOU READ MY THOUGHTS?!"

Sasuke went through some hand signs!

"FIRE STYLE, PHOENIX FLOWER JUTSU!"

Sasuke then spat out a volley of small fireballs; all directed at Naruto! Naruto reached out with his hand to use the Force to shield himself again only to have Sasuke suddenly body flicker to his position! The Uchiha grabbed Naruto's outstretched arm and threw him into the volley of flames! Naruto grunted and yelled with pain as his body collided with several of the flaming balls! Naruto attempted to barrel role in the air so that he could avoid any more incoming fireballs and get back onto the water!

However, just as he started to barrel down, something smashed into his face and broke his nose! The force of the impact sent Naruto flying in the opposite direction now! As he flew Naruto opened his eyes and saw that it was Sasuke! The cocky bastard still had his fist cocked from when he punched him in the face! Sasuke then body flickered to Naruto's right when he landed in the water and began to savagely beat him and slash him with his sword!

Naruto didn't know why he wasn't fighting back! It was like his body refused to move no matter how hard he tried to make it! He even dropped his saber into the water and couldn't even focus on summoning it back! All he could do was remain helpless as Sasuke continued his assault!

During the Uchiha's savage onslaught, Naruto's mind started to drift. For some reason he began to think of when he and Sasuke first met. How he hated and was glad to meet him and have a rival. His mind further drifted to the point where he started to wonder if he and Sasuke truly had a bond as the raven-haired boy claimed. The will to fight diminish in Naruto. He couldn't do anything to defend himself. He was too enveloped in these long-forgotten feelings of nostalgia and supposed friendship that he didn't even notice at first when Sasuke grabbed him by the collar and lifted him up.

Sasuke sheathed his sword with his other hand and then arched it as electricity began to chirp and build up in it! Naruto's eyes widened as the chidori was being aimed directly at his heart! Sasuke smirked as he prepared to finish off the Uzumaki once and for all!

"This fight is mine, Naruto! Goodbye, Dobe!"

PLORK!

Sasuke then struck out his chidori to pierce Naruto's heart! Using all of his strength; Naruto twisted his upper body at the last moment which forced the chidori to miss his heart but plunge clean through his right lung instead! Naruto felt as if all the wind was pulled out of him and tried to scream out in pain, but he could only cough up blood as Sasuke's hand was lodged in his lung! Sasuke couldn't help but feel impressed by the Uzumaki boy's persistence but he was only delaying the inevitable.

Sasuke pulled his arm out of Naruto's chest and held him up as the light started to leave his eyes. Naruto's thoughts were becoming lost in fog. He couldn't believe that after everything he suffered through with all the lies, betrayals, and the loss of his dear friend Iruka that this was how it was going to end for him. He was so close. So close to escaping this world and leaving all of that suffering behind. It seemed though that since the day of his birth he was always doomed to be cursed.

Doomed to be a failure.

'Failure...'

Naruto's eyes snapped wide open and the red and orange hues in his irises glowed brighter as his rage began to boil and turn over! Naruto then recalled all the times Sasuke insulted and humiliated him. Like when he called him a scaredy cat in front of Sakura and their sensei or when he humiliated him in all their sparring matches in front of the rest of their classmates and even Iruka sensei! How he had them laugh at him and call him a good for nothing loser and a failure!

'NO! I am no failure! I am the most powerful being in this entire world! And I will not let anyone stand in my way!'

Naruto grinded his teeth as the Kyuubi's chakra began to envelop him! He grabbed Sasuke's arm and pulled it away from his collar! Sasuke grunted as he tried to fight back until he felt Naruto dig his fingernails right into his flesh! Normally such a feeble attempt wouldn't faze him, but these fingernails were practically like claws! Sasuke screamed in pain as blood began to seep from the puncture marks of where they dug in! Naruto suddenly lifted Sasuke up by his arm and tossed him away like a ragdoll!

Sasuke bounced several meters across the water before coming to a stop! When the raven-haired boy looked up he was shocked to see the same red chakra that had Naruto had used yesterday! The flame like chakra roared and grew outwards from Naruto's body! The water around them began to violently roll over and churn from the power of this enigmatic chakra! Suddenly Naruto's saber flew out of the river and right into Naruto's hand and activated!

Sasuke couldn't help but feel frozen in the presence of this chakra. It felt so vile. So full of evil and rage. Even though he had these same reactions to it yesterday, it still felt so overwhelming and terrifying. In fact, for a brief moment it looked as if the chakra actually took the form of a gigantic demonic looking fox!

Naruto glared with a dark menace at Sasuke with his inflamed raging slit eyes while baring his fangs!

"SASUKE!"

Sasuke responded without his usual tone of confidence.

"What...What are you?"

Naruto took a fighting stance with his saber as the fiery chakra continued to wildly stretch out from his body!

"I'M YOUR ENEMY!"

Naruto then leapt forward to attack!

"AND I WILL KILL YOU AND LEAVE THIS PATHETIC WORLD! EVEN IF I HAVE TO BREAK EVERY BONE IN YOUR BODY TO DO IT!"

Elsewhere in the surrounding forest

Sakura gasped as she suddenly felt a violent cold chill run throughout her body! She and the others had been tracking Naruto for close to an hour while being led by Kakashi's dog summon Pakkun. Kakashi noticed Sakura's decrease in speed while trembling in her movements.

"Sakura, are you alright?"

Sakura looked at her sensei.

"I-It's nothing sensei. Nothing at all."

Kakashi narrowed his eyes at her a little before turning back to focusing on their task. Sakura didn't like choosing not to tell her sensei about this strange feeling she was having. She has already disappointed and disgraced herself to him, but she didn't know how to explain it to him. She just couldn't help but sense that something terrible was happening to Naruto right now. The same feeling, she had when he fought Sasuke yesterday and nearly killed him.

Sakura tried to shrug off the feeling and ignore it, but it wouldn't leave her be. It was like it was burrowed deep into her soul. Causing her discomfort and distraction to catch Tsunade's attention.

"If you can't focus and keep up with us then you should do us all a favor and head back to the village so that we can fix the problem that you caused!"

Sakura flinched at that remark by the Hokage. The Sannin's words were like poison needles that went right for the vital areas. It's true that this was all her fault. If only she had been smart enough to have realized Naruto's feelings for her and the sacrifices he's made then she would never have even dared to ask him to rescue Sasuke for her. She would never have even tried to leave with Sasuke.

The thought of Naruto being out there in suffering from her own actions gave such pain to her heart. She had to find him! She will find him no matter the cost! Her career as a shinobi was more than likely already over but if there was still a chance that she could redeem herself to Naruto and bring him back then she wasn't going to let it get away from her! With a newfound determination Sakura increased her speed to keep up with the others!

Tsunade noticed this sudden change in the genin. The girl's eagerness to fix her mistake and get Naruto back was more than a little unexpected. Tsunade was sure the girl would've been slowing them down the entire time, but she's been pushing herself to her limits and beyond just to keep up with them. If Tsunade wasn't so upset with her she might've even allowed herself to feel impressed by the young kunoichi.

Meanwhile Jiraiya leapt closer to her so that he could talk in private.

"I know you're angry Tsunade, but it isn't going to help us reach Naruto faster by constantly lashing out at Sakura whenever she's not moving as fast as you'd like. She made a mistake; we all have with him. You should cut her a little slack."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes at Jiraiya.

"That girl has had more than enough slack cut out for her! This isn't just about how she's hurt Naruto or betrayed the village! I've been reading over many of the mission reports of Team 7 and in many of them I've found that she's been practically useless the entire time! She doesn't even know any jutsus outside of the basic Clone Jutsu taught at the academy! Kakashi is an exceptional shinobi but he hasn't been keeping a tight enough rein with her training and her treatment of Naruto long enough!"

"You know I can hear you, right Lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade shot a death glare at the Copycat ninja behind them. Kakashi instantly sweat dropped under the temperamental Sannin's gaze and slunk back. Letting her know that he wasn't going to interrupt the "adults'" conversation again.

"If that girl thinks I'm going to let her off easy when this is all over, then she's got another thing coming!"

Jiraiya hummed as he understood.

"I see now. Your testing her, aren't you?"

Tsunade didn't confirm or deny Jiraiya's query. She didn't have to since the Toad Sannin knew her intentions all too well. Of course, he also knew what Sakura's punishment would be if she were to fail. If that were to happen then he wouldn't be able to help but feel sorry for her despite what she has done.

"LOOK!"

Everyone eyes darted to where Kakashi's line of sight was gazing at! In the distance over the tree tops they saw not only more thunder clouds but also smoke and a red glow! And it was in the direction that Pakkun was leading them!

"I've got a very bad feeling about this."

They all had the same feeling as Jiraiya that this had something to do with Naruto and increased their speed even further!

Unknown to them however was that a small metallic creature with multiple legs and a central red eye was following them above. Sending a signal to a hidden base miles away. Where the dark lord of the Sith was spying on their journey to save his apprentice.

"You may enter."

Just as he spoke a metallic door opened and an officer stepped into the dark throne room. The thin pasty looking man bowed before his great leader. Preparing to issue his report on their progress.

"We're halfway finished with loading up all our equipment and supplies my liege. It won't be long before we're ready to leave the planet."

Palpatine didn't bother to look at his subordinate but responded anyway.

"Good, very good."

The officer looked at the screen of the Leaf shinobi leaping across the treetops.

"Shall I dispatch a squadron to eliminate them, my Lord?"

Palpatine still didn't turn around for he was focusing on something or rather someone on the screen that was disturbing him.

"No, our troops would be no match for Tsunade and the other two high class shinobi she has with her. It would be best if I dealt with them, myself!"

The officer's eyes grew wide and he couldn't help but stutter in response to his emperor's bold statement.

"Y-You, my lord?"

Palpatine finally turned to face the young lieutenant. His menacing orange and yellow eyes narrowing at the feeble officer. The lieutenant stood at attention to try to show the proper respect that he failed to do moments ago.

"Of course, sir! B-But permit me to ask as to why bother wasting your time with these weaklings sir?"

The officer just held off his own execution for the moment, but his stupidity was still evident. Palpatine agreed that they were fools but they were far from weak. Only a true fool would believe they were. At least one who didn't wield the power of the Darkside of the Force. Nevertheless, Palpatine answered the young officer's question.

"I sense that there has been an awakening among them."

The officer cocked his brow.

"An awakening sir?"

Palpatine nodded before turning back to the screen. Focusing his gaze upon one individual in particular. He could sense their power. It was undeveloped now but if they were allowed to discover and use it they could become a threat to him and his apprentice in the future.

Better to destroy them now before they would have a chance to learn how to use it.

The officer prepared to leave to have the Emperor's personal transport ready so that it could intercept the Leaf shinobi until Palpatine suddenly spoke up.

"Lieutenant, inform the troops and everyone else that we are evacuating now and leaving behind any and all equipment of none importance and tell Captain Kargei to prepare my shuttle for immediate take off, for the Valley of the End."

The officer turned in confusion to his emperor's sudden change in request.

"My lord?"

"DO IT!"

The Emperor snapped at the officer who responded by running out of the room as fast as he could.

"YES, MY LIEGE, O-OF COURSE!"

Once the lieutenant was gone Palpatine focused more on the vision he just had. It was very similar to the one he had when his former apprentice Darth Vader had fallen on Mustafar. It was a vision of destruction and possibly death.

"I sense that Naruto is in danger."

Valley of the End

Naruto slammed his saber upon Sasuke's blade! The Uchiha grunted as he struggled to hold Naruto back! Both his strength and speed have increased dramatically! It was unbelievable!

Naruto kept batting away at Sasuke's blade like a madman trying to break through! Growing tired of this tactic, Naruto stepped back and deactivated his lightsaber before he reached with his hand out and grabbed Sasuke with the Force! He then proceeded to slam Sasuke into the rocky walls and through a few burning trees before pulling him back!

Sasuke suddenly felt the wind being knocked out of him as Naruto's fist slammed into his gut! It was so intense that a small shockwave could be seen, from the impact, on the ground! Naruto then headbutted Sasuke hard and sent him to the ground a few feet away! Sasuke attempted to get up to defend himself but Naruto was already upon him and began to savagely beat him with his fists!

Sasuke attempted a few times to block or counter but against Naruto in this state was far too difficult! Naruto then grabs Sasuke by the collar and throws him high into one of the rocky cliff walls surrounding the valley! Sasuke's body smashed through the stone surface; creating a crater! Several rocks and a cloud of dust exploded outward from the impact! Sasuke attempted to dislodge himself and get back into the fight only to look up and find that Naruto already body flickered to him and grabbed him by the collar again and pinned him to the wall!

"Have you finally come to your senses, Sasuke?! You can't win this fight! You can't stand against my power! GIVE UP!"

Sasuke glared at Naruto with hatred in his eyes. He wouldn't have dared to have told Sasuke to give up if he knew the burden he carried. The pain he carried.

"YOU CAN'T POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE! TO LOSE YOU'RE ENTIRE FAMILY AND CLAN! YOU'VE BEEN ALONE FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND THE ONLY PRECIOUS PERSON YOU LOST WAS OUR ACADEMY INSTRUCTOR! IT'S PATHETIC THAT YOU WOULD EVEN CONSIDER THAT A LOSS!"

Naruto stood with shock in his eyes at what Sasuke just said. Sasuke didn't even know why he said any of that considering that none of it was fair to the Uzumaki orphan. Naruto suddenly tightened his hold on Sasuke's collar and brought Sasuke's face close to his. Forcing the Uchiha to stare into Naruto's inferno eyes.

"I UNDERSTAND MORE THAN YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE! IRUKA WAS LIKE A FATHER TO ME! HE WAS EVERYTHING TO ME! HE WAS THE ONLY ONE IN OUR VILLAGE TO TRULY BELIEVE IN ME! HE GAVE ME COMFORT AND FRIENDSHIP WHEN NO ONE ELSE EVER HAD! AND IN THE END HE DIED! JUST LIKE YOUR PARENTS AND CLAN!"

Naruto then held Sasuke up and threw him back into the river! The raven-haired boy crashed through the water! Sasuke sheathed his sword and began to swim up back to its surface! However, when he did reach the surface he had to duck back down as two burning logs were flying towards him! Sasuke looked up beneath the surface as the logs sailed past his position and collided into the river! Their flames snuffing out as they did!

Sasuke swam back up onto one of logs, which was floating upended on the water, and stood on it catching his breath. It didn't take long before an orange blur landed on the end of the other log and stood upon it. Naruto and Sasuke stood on their individual platforms above the water while the fire continuing to burn the forest around them, and the storm raged above their heads.

"It's true. I have been alone from the very beginning. I never had any friends or parents to call my own, but you did. You had everything I've ever wanted. A clan, parents, a family, you had it all and I had nothing. NOTHING BUT HATRED FROM THE VILLAGE!"

The wooden log beneath Naruto's feet began to crack a little from the rage that was simmering within him.

"Then I had Iruka, Kakashi, Sakura, Jiraiya, Tsunade and even you. And for the first time in my life I actually felt as if I had friends. As if...I had a family.

Naruto lowered his head and started to remember all the good times he had with everyone.

"But it was all a lie! A cruel trick by whatever God up there who obviously enjoys torturing me! Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Tsunade lied to me about my parents and what they've done to me! Sakura lied and tried to abandon me! And Iruka...WAS TAKEN FROM ME!"

The log under Naruto continued to crack and moan a little as did some of the trees around them.

"And you, Sasuke. You know, despite all the times we argued and fought; you were like a brother to me. But now..."

Naruto looked up with his fiery eyes.

"Now, you're nothing to me but an obstacle in my way to freedom! An obstacle I intend to overcome!"

Sasuke stood with a blank face though he was actually surprised that Naruto would consider him a brother. He actually felt even more empathetic to Naruto now than before. If he didn't need to achieve the Mangekyo Sharingan he might've considered letting Naruto go. But he couldn't. He needed that level of the sharingan to beat Itachi. No matter the cost.

There was also something Sasuke finally managed to figure out as well.

"You just mentioned being free again. Tell me, this freedom you keep talking about does it have to do with being free from the village and from everyone there whose caused you pain?"

Naruto crossed his arms at the Uchiha.

"Yes, and if there's one thing I've learned from everyone there is that it doesn't matter what kind of village a shinobi comes from because in the end they always end up doing terrible things for one stupid reason or another. That's why in my point of view shinobi are evil!"

"I see."

Sasuke finally understood as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his headband before tying it to his head.

"Come on then, Naruto! If what you say is true and we had that kind of brotherly bond then I intend to break it!"

Naruto got into a fighting position on top of his log.

"It's already broken! I destroyed it!"

Sasuke closed his eyes before opening again with his sharingan activated. Only something strange was happening to them. A third tomoe was now appearing in each of his eyes. Signifying that his visual kekkei genkai was fully mature. It didn't go unnoticed by Naruto but that wasn't what was on his mind at the moment.

"Which begs the question as to why you're even bothering to put that ridiculous thing on! You're not part of the village anymore and we no longer have any bond, so what gives Sasuke?"

Sasuke smiled at Naruto before answering him.

"Because I recognize you as my equal, Naruto. I used to think all we had in common was just the fact that we were both alone, but now I see that there's more to it than that. We both have lost everything. We've been betrayed by those we've held dear. And in the end the village has done nothing for us but slow us down. Even so..."

Sasuke pointed with his thumb at his forehead.

"You won't be able to even scratch my headband."

Naruto growled.

"I'll do a lot more than that to it by the time I'm done with you!"

Naruto charged forward while summoning a bunch of shadow clones! Sasuke however merely dodged the incoming blows of the clones with ease! Each Naruto attempted another strike or kick and even slash with their claws but Sasuke dodged each and every one of them! Sasuke then started to go on the offensive and began to easily dispatch the clones one by one!

Eventually he found himself battling the real Naruto! Naruto and Sasuke began to exchange blows once again all while Sasuke dodged and continued to eliminate any clone that tried to pull a sneak attack on him! Naruto narrowed his eyes as he realized that Sasuke's mature sharingan was going to be a problem.

Naruto then reached out with his hand and Sasuke suddenly found that he couldn't move again! What was left of Naruto's clones began to form a chain while the real Naruto lifted Sasuke up off of his feet! Naruto threw Sasuke into the grip of the clone at the top end of the chain! The clone dug it's claws into Sasuke's ankles causing Sasuke to grunt in pain while the chain of clones whipped and slammed Sasuke into the cliff wall! The clones disassembled the chain and landed on their feet before they poofed away while the real Naruto leapt towards Sasuke's location to finish him before he could retaliate!

But it was already too late as the Uchiha did some hand signs.

"FIRE STYLE: DRAGON FLAME JUTSU!"

Sasuke once again spewed out another fire projectile but this one was different from his usual fireball! This one was more narrowly focused and concentrated and it was heading towards a midair Naruto! Naruto attempted to barrel role out of the way, but the attack was coming too fast and so his body was struck by the flaming jutsu!

Naruto's body blew right through the flames and landed on the cliff wall near where Sasuke was! Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the cloud of dust and debris that exploded from Naruto's impactful landing! When it cleared he saw that Naruto's jacket and body were severely burnt by his jutsu. Smoke could be seen sizzling off of the Uzumaki boy's body which was as still as a statue. Naruto lifted his head showing that his face also suffered from burn marks. He also looked as if he was barely keeping himself conscious.

Sasuke couldn't believe that even after taking a blow like that Naruto was still standing. A normal ninja would've been down for the count. It was incredible and without a doubt impressive.

"Sas...uke...you won't win!"

Sasuke gritted his teeth at the other boy's stubbornness and leapt at him! He grabbed Naruto and leapt high off the cliff wall and descended to the ground below! Preparing to deliver his finishing move!

"IT'S OVER NOW!"

SLAM!

Sasuke pile drived Naruto hard into the ground with the impact creating a shockwave around them that caused some of the burning trees to creak and even the river to part way from their area!

When everything settled down, Sasuke watched as Naruto's body twitched in his grip before it went limp. The Uchiha then lifted Naruto's body out of the ground and threw it into the river! The spiky blonde hair boy splashed into the water!

Sasuke watched as the orange clad boy's body floated up to the glowing surface and along with the current. Naruto put up a good fight. Far better than Sasuke expected. He was a worthy opponent. In the end however Sasuke was the winner.

Or so he thinks.

As Naruto's body continued to gently float upon the surface of the river, deep in his mindscape he was lying unconscious upon the sewage water of the Kyuubi's prison. The great beast stirred and opened its bloodshot slit eyes. Gazing upon the boy that laid beaten and battered before him.

The demon couldn't help but snarl in disgust of the sight.

"How pathetic! Losing to that pitiful excuse of an Uchiha like that! Even with all your power and rage you truly are just another weakling!"

A red light began to glow behind the bars of the fox's cage as his chakra seeped through them into the unconscious child.

"You should be grateful to me and to your father the Fourth Hokage for sealing me and my power inside of a runt like you!"

The boy's body absorbed the chakra as it continued to draw itself into him.

"But know this, Naruto! This is the last time that I'm ever helping you! The only reason I am is because I refused to be done in by that arrogant Uchiha brat! So, you take my chakra and you finish him once and for all!"

Naruto's hand twitched in response to the Kyuubi's words.

"Finish...Sasuke..."

Flashback Naruto's apartment hours ago

"All Sith are driven by their passion; their strength; and their lust for power to maintain order in these chaotic cosmos. However, there are three things that truly give the Sith the means to triumph over all of their enemies!"

"And what is it master? What's the secret?"

Palpatine placed his hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Something you already possess, my friend, as I've told you already."

Palpatine took his hand off the boy.

"Rage, hatred, and pain!"

Naruto's eyes widened with surprise.

"What?"

The dark lord nodded.

"Yes. They are the very same things that have been driving Sasuke ever since he lost his clan. It is what has given him his skill and power! But your former comrade is an amateur! He lacks the means and will to truly harness his anger and hatred! He doesn't even know that he still holds a form of bond with this village! Not like you, Naruto!"

Sidious began to walk in a circle around Naruto.

"You truly know what it means to bear hatred and pain, my young friend! Your father and mother damned you to a life of misery and loneliness! Your allies have deceived you all your life for some cruel twisted means! Sakura, the girl that you loved and cared for, has betrayed you! The one person you could trust to even call a friend was taken from you!"

Sidious suddenly pointed at Naruto.

"Sasuke may have suffered the loss of his parents; the extermination of his clan; and the betrayal of his brother but he was still given everything that you were denied! Love, respect, and acceptance! However, they have only served to bolster his arrogance and pride! Pride you tore down with ease when the two of you fought! It didn't make him stronger it only made him weak! Whereas you Naruto have true strength; true hatred; and true pain!"

Palpatine held up his arms at his sides with his hands opened up.

"Know this, my new apprentice! Sasuke's strength will indeed increase soon because of that cowardly Orochimaru's curse mark! He will believe he is more than a match for you and will have you believe the same. But it is far from reality! You are stronger, Naruto! You have always been stronger! As long you throw aside whatever forms of attachment you had for the Uchiha and use the full might and power of your hatred and pain then the Darkside of the Force will ensure that you will never be defeated by the likes of him or by anyone else on this planet!"

Palpatine brought his arms forward and tightened them into fists.

"If he stands against you then you must harness your true power with the Darkside and strike him down with all of your hatred! Only then can you attain your freedom unencumbered!"

Palpatine placed both hands on his apprentices shoulders.

"I have faith in you, Naruto. Never forget that. And never forget..."

End Flashback

Naruto's tightened his fist so hard that his knuckles cracked. The Kyuubi's chakra continued to seep into his body. The water around Naruto began to churn and thrash violently as his power began to soar!

Naruto's fiery slit eyes suddenly snapped open!

"MY HATRED!"

Meanwhile in the real word Sasuke stared in confusion as the water around Naruto began to boil and simmer around him. Naruto's body slowly began to rise up as red chakra started bubbling and pouring out of him! Cracking his neck while flexing his claw bearing hands. Naruto's features were different from before! His whisker marks were even more defined, and his hair was wild looking and mangy! His fangs looked even sharper and more menacing along with his claws!

Finally, there was his eyes! They no longer even resembled that of a shinobi or even a human but looked more like that of a vicious raging wild animal! An animal that was ready to snap at the closest hand!

Naruto did just that as he suddenly appeared in front of Sasuke and punched him hard in the face! Sending the Uchiha flying and smacking into the base of the rocky cliff! When the dust cleared Sasuke had a bruise mark and a bloody nose to show for it. Grabbing at his face and groaning from the pain of the impact.

Sasuke couldn't believe the strength of that blow. That one punch felt like it was a hundred! Sasuke slowly got up as blood continued to drip from his nose. He watched in shock and interest as the blood red bubbling chakra pouring out of Naruto began to take shape!

Two strands began to form at the back of Naruto's head resembling ears while the chakra around his hands and feet took on the forms of giant claws! At the lower end of Naruto's back a large mass of chakra took shape into what looked like some kind of chakra tail! After the chakra was finished Naruto crept down into a very fox-like stance!

"SASUKE, I'M GOING TO DESTROY YOU!"

Naruto sprinted on all fours towards Sasuke to attack! Sasuke didn't have time to react as Naruto swatted him away with his chakra claw! Sasuke landed on the ground hard; coughing up a little blood! Sasuke opened his eyes in pain and they widened instantly as he rolled out of the way of Naruto's claw slamming into the ground! Naruto growled as he tried piercing Sasuke again only for him to roll a second time! It began to rain dirt and rock as Naruto repeatedly slammed his clawed fists into the ground trying to get Sasuke!

Sasuke attempted to get up so that he could put some distance between them, but he couldn't move! He looked up and saw that Naruto had his chakra covered clawed hand out! Sasuke attempted to struggle even though he knew it was no use as Naruto lifted him in the air and threw him towards the burning trees!

Sasuke smashed through several of the burning stocks before finally landing in a clearing that was surrounded by flames everywhere! Sasuke slowly rose up trying to get his bearings. His arms and legs covered with burn marks with some slight burns on his face. Sasuke had to cover his face from the intensity of the heat around him! It was so hot he felt as if his eyes were going to dry out of their sockets! That and it was hard to breathe! He had to get out of here fast!

Suddenly Sasuke tensed as he heard a twig snap! He got into a fighting stance and scanned the area! It was hard to see anything past the flames burning around him! They were so intense that he was surprised that the forest hasn't burned down by now!

Sasuke's eyes narrowed at what looked like an object was coming through the flames! His suspicions were confirmed as a massive burning tree trunk came flying towards him! Sasuke leapt high above the enflamed mass of wood as it collided into the burning trees behind him!

'That trick won't work on me twice, dobe!'

Suddenly the fire seemed to come alive as a giant flaming clawed hand shot out and grabbed Sasuke while he was in midair! Sasuke yelled in pain as the hand burned him! However, upon further inspection he realized that it wasn't a part of the flames at all! The clawed hand was made entirely out of the red chakra! Sasuke looked down the length of the chakra arm to find its owner Naruto on all fours with the chakra arm extending out of his back! The flames parting away from him as if in fear of the Uzumaki child!

Sasuke starred wide eyed with disbelief! He's never heard of anyone being capable of manipulating chakra like that! What was Naruto's secret?! Suddenly Sasuke remembered of the conversation between Jiraiya and his brother Itachi.

'You can't fool me. It's really Naruto you're after!'

'Yes, Naruto is the prize the Akatuski seek. We will have his power!'

Sasuke finally understood what his brother wanted with Naruto. It had to be this red chakra there was no other explanation. However, he didn't have time to ponder any further as the chakra arm suddenly arched back and threw Sasuke high over the flaming treetops!

Once he passed the burning trees, Sasuke started to descend to the river! Instead of crashing into the water his body actually bounced across the surface! His body bounced across all the way to the rocky shoreline! Sasuke's body finally stopped when he smashed into the base of the rocky cliff again!

Sasuke groaned in pain as he lifted himself out the crater his body made! If he was slammed anymore into the cliff it was likely going to come crumbling down at some point. The raven-haired boy still couldn't figure out how Naruto was able to control that chakra claw like that. It was almost as if this chakra was acting on its own!

The Uchiha's thoughts were interrupted again as something landed on the ground a few feet in front of him! He could already see the red glow of the chakra through the cloud of dust as it started dissipating. The red bubbling chakra claw, extending out of Naruto's back, began to slink back into the mass of chakra pouring out of his body! Sasuke realized that his suspicions were right, and that this chakra was seemingly acting on itself.

Like it had a mind of its own.

The cursed mark on Sasuke's neck began to glow as the dark patterns began to spread all over his neck and face.

'Let's see how he handles this!'

Sasuke went through hand signs at lightning speed before spewing out another massive fireball jutsu! Naruto immediately dodged and ran across the water on all fours avoiding the attack! Some of the trees near the river were completely obliterated despite the fact that they were already burning! Naruto suddenly changed direction and started heading towards the fireball!

The demonic apprentice bursted throught the fire jutsu! Heading right for the Uchiha! Sasuke didn't have a chance to counter again due to Naruto's inhumane speed and received another swat by Naruto's chakra enhanced clawed arm! Sasuke collided into the ground and rolled a few feet before coming to a stop against a nearby rock! Sasuke slowly rose while using the rock as support! His sharingan eyes glaring at the beastly Uzumaki.

Sasuke unsheathed his sword and dash towards Naruto at lightning speed! Naruto didn't even respond when Sasuke reached him and prepared to bring his blade down on him! He didn't need to as two red chakra arms shot out of his back and caught the blade in their claws!

Sasuke tried to press further down to break through the chakra limbs guard, but no matter how hard he tried they wouldn't give an inch! In fact, they were starting take an inch and slowly began to push Sasuke's blade upwards! At the same time Naruto began to rise himself. His hands cackling with electrical energy!

Sasuke noticed this and ceased trying to cut through the chakra arms! Watching as the small electrical sparks converging out of Naruto's hands were growing and intensifying! Before the Uchiha prodigy could attempt to come up with a way to counter or evade, Naruto already shoved his claw bearing hands out and the dark blue lightning shot of out his fingertips straight at Sasuke!

Sasuke roared with pain as he was once again being electrocuted by this strange lightning technique! The pain was just as great if not worse than the last time he was struck by it! His muscles and bones felt like they were on fire! It was almost as if his body right down to the core was being vaporized!

Naruto couldn't keep up the barrage for long, however! His fingers were still not used to this power and this enhanced level of the Kyuubi's chakra was starting to put too much strain on his body! The combination of these forced the Uzumaki to cease his attack! Watching as the steam rising from Sasuke's body evaporated while the Uchiha remained still with some small electrical currents still running about his person.

Suddenly Sasuke started laughing. Despite the immense pain he was in from the aftereffects of the attack, the raven-haired Uchiha rose up acting as if it did nothing but amuse him! Naruto growled in response! Angered that Sasuke would make light of the immense power he just displayed!

"You continue to both surprise and impress me, Naruto! It's clear that I'm no match for you in my current state! But this is far from my true power! I didn't think you would be capable of it, but it seems I have no choice but to use the second level of my curse mark to win this fight! It can't be helped I suppose!"

Naruto roared at Sasuke with such a primal animalistic rage!

"It doesn't matter what you do or use, Sasuke! You won't beat me, and you won't have Sakura to protect you this time when I kill you!"

Sasuke smirked at the Uzumaki with defiance.

"We'll see."

The curse mark patterns on Sasuke's neck and face began to glow and his body transformed! Sasuke's skin color became dark grey while his fingernails extended to resemble claws! His hair grew longer and changed from raven black to dark blue! Finally, a black star appeared on his face right where his nose was!

Naruto could sense Sasuke's power growing rapidly in both strength and darkness. It was far more sinister than it was just seconds ago. It was truly intimidating.

That is, it would be if Naruto's own power wasn't already consumed with darkness and hate.

Sasuke opened his bloody red sharingan eyes as his transformation was complete.

"You without doubt possess a special power, Naruto. However,..."

Sasuke got into a fighting stance.

"I am even more special!"

Sasuke chuckled again while Naruto glared at the mutated Uchiha.

"So you're special, huh? You won't be special for long!"

Sasuke continued to chuckle.

"You know, I have a feeling that I can't be beaten now or ever by you!"

Naruto roared with rage and charged at Sasuke on all fours! Leaping at him while arching his fist back! Sasuke also leapt at Naruto but didn't even bother to raise any of his hands in defense! The two former genins of the Leaf village clashed! Sending a cloud of dust and debris exploding and showering down!

When the dust settled, Naruto's hand was found being held back by a giant wing that was protruding out of Sasuke's back! Naruto pushed hard to trying to break through the disgusting mold of flesh! The wing however responded by extending further and pushed Naruto away! The bones in Naruto's arms broke from the pressure the wing was placing on his arm! Naruto didn't yell or grunt in pain though.

For it was nothing compared to the pain of his body wielding the Kyuubi's chakra.

Naruto's body shot across to the opposite side of the river! Landing on the opposite shoreline on both legs! Naruto held his limp arm in pain but didn't show any evidence of it on his face! Meanwhile Sasuke already had another wing tearing out of the back of his shirt! Both wings looked like giant mangled hands!

Sasuken then took to the air and flew towards Naruto with his sword still at hand ready to strike!

Naruto already sensed Sasuke's incoming attack and dodged while reaching up and grabbing Sasuke's leg with his good arm and with one mighty pull brought Sasuke down hard to the ground! Sending more dirt and dust up from the impact! Naruto didn't stop though as he pulled Sasuke up again and slammed him back into ground! He started repeating this several times almost like Sasuke was nothing but a rag doll!

Having enough he threw Sasuke into the air! Sasuke used his wings to halt his momentum and dived back towards Naruto! The Uzumaki boy opened his palm and lightning once again shot out! Sasuke saw the blinding electricity streaking towards him and brought both of his wings in front of himself to shield against the attack! The wings helped somewhat but Sasuke still felt the damaging effects of the electrical barrage as it shot him down straight back to the ground!

Naruto ceased his attack as his fingertips were starting to become seriously damaged! Sasuke slowly got up using his wings for support. The Uchiha took a deep breath as he willed himself to ignore the pain. Yet, there was one thing he couldn't ignore.

'If I take that attack again, I don't think my body's going to be able to hold out!'

Sasuke's body was already starting to feel strained from the transformed state of the second level of the Curse Mark. He remembered what Sakon warned him earlier about the damaging and lethal effects of remaining within this form for too long. Sasuke knew he was going to have to finish this fast.

He wasn't the only one that had the same line of thought.

Naruto also was beginning to weaken. Both from the enhanced potency of the Kyuubi's chakra and from using that dark Force ability that has been damaging his hands. He also knew that even with his power it would be difficult to fight with just one arm. So, Naruto lifted his arm as best he could and forcibly began close it into a fist. Forcing some of the bones back in place either physically or using the power of the Darkside to force and mend them back in.

It was a painful process and it took a lot of physical endurance, but he managed to get the arm repaired. At least enough so that he could use it to fight with. Sasuke saw this spectacle and thought it impressive but he also noticed that Naruto appeared to be weakening. It was likely due to this power he was using. Sasuke was happy about this outcome since it meant that Naruto probably wouldn't be able to use that technique again which meant it would make it easier to finish this quickly!

'I guess I can't afford to waist anymore time!'

"That power of yours! By using it you're taking a risk aren't you?"

Naruto growled at Sasuke in response. Judging by his reaction, Sasuke smiled as he hit the needle on the mark. Chuckling at the irony of how they both were in danger of being consumed by their own strengths.

"Look around, you know where we are? This place the Valley of the End is the perfect place for our battle, isn't it Naruto? Our final battle and all the battles we had up to this point!"

Sasuke immediately took the sky once again with his hideous wings and dived down with his sword again! Naruto took out his lightsaber and activated its brilliant blue blade! Just in time too as Sasuke already reached him and swiped his blade towards Naruto's head! Naruto deflected the attack with his own sword and the two began another blade on blade fight!

Sasuke held an advantage with remaining midair thanks to his wings, but Naruto held his ground firmly; thanks to Kyuubi's chakra and the power of the Darkside! The blow upon blow came from Sasuke's blade against Naruto's and vice versa! Each creating sparks and shockwaves from the forceful impacts!

One of Sasuke's thrusts left him overextended which left his wings exposed! Naruto took this as chance to cut the Uchiha down! Naruto swiped his blade towards the disgusting wings only to find Sasuke body flickering away! Naruto's eyes darted to the side and he sidestepped just as Sasuke's blade thrusted forward and cut through Naruto's jacket! Naruto jumped and flipped backwards over Sasuke and slashed his saber sideways! Cutting part of Sasuke's right wing! Sasuke groaned in pain and tried to turn around so he could slash Naruto just as he was landing only to find Naruto's palm shoving out towards his face and just like that Sasuke was pushed with such tremendous force across the river!

When Sasuke reached the opposite side, he shoved his blade down into the ground along with the sharp claw like appendages of his wings to stop his body from careening through the air! Sasuke looked up and saw Naruto standing up straight while spinning his blade around as if eager to continue.

Sasuke didn't understand it! A moment ago, it seemed like Naruto was weakening! Even now he could see his skin was peeling off from the chakra that continued to bubble out of his body! But now it felt as if at the same time he was getting stronger! Sasuke didn't like where this going and started to sense a foreboding danger!

As Sasuke rose to his feet panting he could swear that his eyes were playing tricks on him now. Because in Naruto's place the image of his older brother Itachi appeared! Sasuke stared wide eyed at the specter. His brother's distorted sharingan eyes pierced right into him. It filled him with fear and anger.

'You still don't have enough hate, Sasuke. And you never will!'

Sasuke gritted his teeth and shoved his sword back into its sheath and went through the proper hand signs at lightning speed!

'I'll show you!'

Naruto recognized the hand signs Sasuke was going through and held his hand out without even summoning a clone first! Sasuke's hand began to crackle and sound like a thousand birds chirping as the chidori cackled to life! Only this chidori was different from the previous ones! This one was as black as the darkest night and it sounded like a thousand birds flapping as well as chirping!

Sasuke's jutsu wasn't the only one that was drenched with dark energy as Naruto's rasengan was radiated with a shadowy violet color as it was infused with the chakra of the Kyuubi! If anyone could call it anything it would be a sort of Demon Fox Rasengan!

When both jutsus were finished charging both of the former members of Team 7 leapt at each other to prove once and for all who would be the victor!

"NARUTOOOOOOOOO!"

Sasuke arched his Black Chidori back!

"SASUKEEEEEEEEE!"

Naruto arched back his Demonic Rasengan!

And both attacks collided.

The whole valley shook and tremored from the massive intensity of Naruto's rasengan and Sasuke's chidori battling for dominance! The collision caused an explosion of red and blue chakra that formed a swirling black sphere of energy at the center!

Both Naruto and Sasuke grunted as they tried to put more and more of their chakra into their attacks trying to overwhelm the other's jutsu, but both seemed evenly match.

At least for the moment they were.

Naruto's hellfire eyes glared at Sasuke! He was so close! So close to getting the hell off of this world and being free of everyone and everything! Suddenly Sasuke's body began to flicker. Changing into someone else! Naruto thought Sasuke was trying to pull out another jutsu until the flickering continued and grew in frequency! To the point where Sasuke was indeed turning into another person! Finally, the flickering stopped, and Naruto stared in shock as to who replaced Sasuke!

It was a young man with yellow spiky hair that had jaw-length bangs and sky-blue eyes. He wore a white haori with flame motifs adorning the bottom edge of it. He wore a headband with the symbol of the Leaf village. Naruto instantly recognized the man before him. The man solely responsible for Naruto's cursed life and loneliness. The man who practically damned him to hell.

His father, the Fourth Hokage!

The utter shock in Naruto's eyes instantly turned into pure hatred and rage! Naruto roared so loud that now it felt as if his voice was causing the valley to tremble with fear! It was so intense that Sasuke felt completely overwhelmed by the sheer fury of it!

Still, he refused to let up.

Meanwhile a few miles away in the forest

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi and Sakura could all feel it. There was a massive built up of chakra ahead of them! The intensity of the chakra and the potency of darkness within it was so great that even the older shinobi felt the instinct to stop and not travel any further.

However, that was nothing compared to the raging cry they heard echoing from the source of this chakra! It was so loud that the birds nesting in the trees around them flew off in fear! And many animals below them stirred up from their holes and shelters and fleed for their safety!

The Leaf shinobi however didn't stop. Not when they were so close to reaching their friend. They wouldn't turn back now. They couldn't.

Sakura however was feeling cold chills right to the bone! It felt as if Naruto was being totally consumed by this raging storm within him! It was almost like a whirlwind at this point. Sucking away his very being and leaving nothing but the rage and pain within him.

It was both terrifying and heartbreaking for her.

Sakura didn't stop though. She pushed on with the others. Determined to save Naruto no matter what it takes!

'I'm coming Naruto! Just wait for me! I'm coming!'

Suddenly the ground and the trees, that the shinobi were using for traveling, shook violently! Forcing them to stop! The large mass of dark chakra that they all felt suddenly vanished! However, there was still a strong presence of it still there.

A chakra full of bloodlust, evil, and rage.

The Valley of the End

There was a large cloud of plume dust that filled the area around the valley. The fire still consumed the trees and forest on both sides of the river while the thunderstorm above was reaching its climax in preparation for showering rain down upon the battlefield.

A battlefield that finally found its victor.

Minutes passed before the massive fog of dust and debris finally settled down. The outline of two persons could be seen through it. One was standing and the other was on the ground; beaten and battered.

The victor slowly walked towards the defeated. A red glow could be seen around the outline of his body. Finally, the curtain of dust parted to reveal the victor to be Naruto Uzumaki!

Naruto slowly walked towards the defeated Uchiha. Sasuke had reverted back to normal as his chakra and body were spent to the point where he could no longer maintain the second level of the curse mark. The raven-haired boy's mind was in a complete state of shock in light of what just happened.

'I...I lost...How could...How could I lose to him? How could I lose to that dobe?'

Sasuke was neither angry nor in shame of his defeat because he just couldn't comprehend it. None of it made sense. He was an Uchiha. One of the last of one of the mightiest clans of the village. A prodigy. An avenger, who swore to walk the path of vengeance and power.

Yet, despite all of that he was still defeated by one who was once considered nothing more than a loser.

Sasuke finally took the effort to look up at his triumphant adversary. The red chakra around Naruto was changing. It began to take on a much darker shade of red. And the fox like appearance began to draw back into a bubbling outline around Naruto's body. The bubbling soon ceased and was replaced by dark red chakra flames that slowly rose from each part of Naruto's body. Naruto's eyes were glowing brilliantly with red, orange, and yellow hues around his irises and slit pupils.

The Uzumaki growled in a low gutteral voice.

"This is the end for you, my friend!"

Naruto took his lightsaber out for what would be the last time in this fight.

SCHHHURRRRRR!

The glowing blue blade shot out from the metal hilt and Naruto suddenly body flickered to where Sasuke was to strike him down! Sasuke however mustered up whatever strength he had left and grabbed his sword and blocked Naruto's blow! Sparks flew and a small light could be seen at the point of contact where both blades met! Naruto batted Sasuke's blade out of his hand to the side! Then he curled his hand up and lifted Sasuke up with the Force; choking him!

Sasuke grabbed his throat in pain as he felt his windpipe being slowly crushed by the invisible grip Naruto had on him! Naruto pulledd his hand back and with it Sasuke's body before shoving his palm outward! Sending Sasuke flying and crashing into a large burnt tree!

Sasuke coughed up blood as he felt some of his bones break from the impact! The Uchiha slowly lifted himself up from the ground. Wiping the blood away from his mouth. He had enough chakra for one more jutsu but not near enough to use the technique at its full power. Not to mention there was no way that he could catch Naruto off guard at this point.

Sasuke knew, he was dead where he stood.

"Sasuke, you've underestimated me and my power for too long! We settle this now!"

Naruto leapt high into the air! Holding his blade up above his head preparing the finishing blow! Sasuke closed his eyes as he waited for his imminent death. Muttering his last words.

"I'll see you in hell, Itachi!"

SPLORK!

"ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

Sasuke's eyes snapped open from the high-pitched scream Naruto was releasing! He looked up in shock as he saw blood raining down from Naruto's body! He looked closer and saw that the lower parts of Naruto's legs were completely severed from the rest of his body! Naruto landed hard on his chest! The red chakra completely vanishing along with the blue blade of his sword!

Naruto yelled as he struggled to lift himself with his arms but found it too difficult due to the unimaginable pain he was in! Blood poured out in pools from the two bloody stumps of where his legs used to be!

Sasuke looked and noticed that blood was dripping onto Naruto's back. The battered Uchiha looked up and saw an elongated blade, covered in blood, protruding in the air where Naruto was moments ago! The sword suddenly retracted and disappeared into the burning forest!

Suddenly two figures emerged from the flaming foliage! One was a stranger, that Sasuke didn't know, who was wrapped in bandages. The other he more than recognized with his purple shinobi outfit and shiny glasses.

Orochimaru's lap dog, Kabuto.

'Which means...'

Sasuke looked closer at the man wrapped in bandages.

"Kukukukuku, it's so good to see you again, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke's eyes widened as his suspicions were confirmed.

"Orochimaru?"

The man in bandages nodded.

"I was beginning to worry about you, so I decided to come to your aide. And just in time too!"

Orochimaru's eyes slowly drew to the bleeding and crawling Uzumaki child on the ground. Naruto looked up with immense hatred at the vile snake for pulling such a cowardly sneak attack like that! He couldn't believe he didn't sense that Orochimaru was nearby! He should've been able to!

"YOU DIRTY EVIL BASTARD!"

Naruto threw his saber out with the blade activated towards Orochimaru's head! Orochimaru and Kabuto dodged the spinning energy weapon which cut through a rock and a nearby tree before suddenly turning around and flying back towards Naruto's hand! However, before it could reach him Orochimaru body flickered to Naruto's position!

WACK!

"ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!"

Naruto's saber deactivated and fell to ground and with it Naruto's dismembered right arm! Naruto shrieked in pain again as he clutched the stump of where the rest of his arm used to be! Blood pouring out of it just like his dismembered legs!

Orochimaru sucked up his blade back into his mouth! Licking his disgusting lips before kicking the blood drenched Uzumaki boy over onto his back! Breaking a few ribs and causing the crippled child to cough up blood! The leader of the Sound then began gathering evil chakra! Summoning five purple chakra flames to his fingertips!

"Five Prong Seal!"

Orochimaru then shoved his fingertips into Naruto's stomach! The boy roared in pain as he felt the wicked chakra burn into his seal! Disrupting the Kyuubi's chakra, which was starting to heal him, and forcibly cutting it off from him!

"That should keep the Kyuubi from healing your wounds anytime soon!"

Sasuke's eyes widened and he looked at Orochimaru in shock!

'What does he mean about the Kyuubi treating his wounds?!'

Orochimaru looked over at Sasuke and gestured him with his hand.

"Go on, Sasuke! Finish him! Claim your victory and your first step towards your vengeance against Itachi!"

Sasuke just stood where he was looking at Orochimaru in shock.

"What are you waiting for? This is what you want isn't it? To kill Naruto and gain more power? Why hesitate, Sasuke? It's all waiting for you!"

It was true that Sasuke wanted to kill Naruto but not like this. Not with Naruto completely crippled and defenseless by someone else's hand. He wanted to prove he was better. He wanted to defeat and kill Naruto in combat. Killing him now would bring him no satisfaction and would just be a waste of his chakra.

However, the allure of greater power was too strong even for Sasuke to resist.

'In order to attain a power such as the Mangekyo Sharingan, it requires that you take the life of your best friend. You must kill him!'

Itachi's words echoed in his mind. It was right there. The power of the next level of the Sharingan was right there for the taking. Sasuke's muscles tensed as he approached his crippled former ally.

Naruto watched as the Uchiha slowly walked towards him. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't move and he was in so much pain that it was hard to concentrate and use the Force! And thanks to Orochimaru's seal he couldn't even summon up any chakra he had left!

He was completely helpless.

Sasuke looked down at Naruto. Looking into his ember eyes. He could see it even now. There was so much hate in them. So much pain. Sasuke felt more pity for Naruto now than ever before. Perhaps doing this would be a form of mercy for him. Mercy from the life that tortured him so.

Sasuke only hoped that he would die quickly.

Taking a deep breath Sasuke went through the hand signs and summoned what little chakra he had left to perform the jutsu. Naruto's normal pupils shrunk as he realized what jutsu Sasuke was planning to use. He tried to reach out with his good hand in an attempt to stop him.

But it was too late.

"FIRE STYLE, FIREBALL JUTSU!"

Naruto's vision became blinded by the fireball jutsu that Sasuke blew at him! He couldn't see anything! But he could feel the heat! The heat as the flames drew closer and closer to him! Until the flying mass of fire completely engulfed his body!

Naruto howled in agony as the flames of Sasuke's jutsu consumed his flesh! Every part of him from down to his severed legs to the tips of his fingers of his left hand burned and melted away! His hair caught on fire as well which made the flames burn even fiercer on Naruto's head and face! Naruto thrashed with his good arm in an attempt to try to put them out, but it was no use! His whole body was on fire!

Sasuke forced himself to watch as Naruto thrashed and screamed like a madman in the flames! He wished that he had simply used his sword to end the boy's life now. If the jutsu were at full strength, Naruto would've been wiped out in an instant. Sasuke didn't intend to prolong Naruto's death like this but it was too late now; the damage was done.

All Sasuke could do was watch and listen to Naruto's suffering.

Naruto continued to scream horribly! He has never ever in his entire life suffered this kind of pain before! Death would've been a far better option than having to endure anything even remotely this tortuous! The pain and heat were so extreme that it was getting harder and harder to breathe! In fact, Naruto found that he couldn't breathe at all anymore! All that came out of his mouth were guttural cries of agonizing torture! Even though this has only lasted a few seconds it felt more like an eternity!

Through the flames, that burned away the flesh on his face, Naruto could see both Orochimaru and Kabuto looking down pleasingly at his suffering. While Sasuke just stood as still as a statue doing nothing. Nothing as Naruto thrashed and rocked on the ground being burned alive!

Then Naruto could see them! All of them! Every single person who has lied to and used him were standing around him; laughing! They were laughing at him! Naruto screamed from both the pain and the anger towards every single person there, whether real or not, before finally collapsing! It was just as he did that the flames finally died down and extinguished themselves.

Sasuke finally exhaled when it was finally over. He didn't realize that he was holding his breathe. He looked down and saw that his hands were shaking. Sasuke took a deep breath to calm himself down but all he could think about was Naruto's horrible screaming and thrashing which was only just seconds ago. Sasuke forced himself to look back at the charred body of his greatest rival and friend.

It was a horrible sight.

"Well done, Sasuke!"

Orochimaru placed his hand on Sasuke's shoulder in a display of pride for his new disciple's actions.

"Come, let us leave and begin your training immediately!"

Orochimaru and Kabuto walked away from the site. Sasuke picked up his sword and put it back in his sheathe and proceeded to follow until his eyes spotted the metal hilt of Naruto's weapon lying on the ground. Sasuke picked up and held the weapon in his hands. It was heavy but not too much where it couldn't be managed. Sasuke saw the button at the middle part of the hilt and pressed it.

SCHUUUURRRRRRR!

The glowing blue beam shot out of the hilt! Sasuke took a moment to admire the beauty and power of this weapon before deactivating it and taking it with him as an act of respect for Naruto. Following Orochimaru and Kabuto.

While deep in Naruto's mind the Kyuubi madly smashed against its rusty iron prison! In rage of Orochimaru blocking his power from helping heal Naruto! The giant beast shouted out to the boy in hopes that he could still hear him!

'DON'T YOU DIE ON ME, KIT! DON'T YOU DARE LET THAT SNIVELING SNAKE AND UCHIHA GET AWAY WITH THIS! YOU HEAR ME?! NARUTO!'

Naruto slowly stirred in response to the very distant calls of the Kyuubi. Lifting his scarred burnt head to see Sasuke and the others walking away. He couldn't believe that he was just going to leave him here like this! To die slowly of his wounds rather than give him a mercy killing!

After all the insults and humiliation, he gave him at the academy and on Team 7, as well as the fact that he and Orochimaru took his one chance of freedom away to satisfy his own selfish desires, the least he could do was kill him quickly to spare him of this horrible pain! It was what any true friend would do! Not to mention that a true friend and shinobi wouldn't take a victory that was handed to him on a platter by someone else! Naruto then began to realize that it was all a lie! Everything Sasuke said about him being his greatest rival and friend were just more filthy lies!

The Uzumaki grabbed a nearby rock in his hands and crushed it with rage! Blood seeped from his hand due to the damage of the fire and the pressure of the stone against his burnt flesh, but he didn't care! Sasuke needed to pay for this! He will pay dearly for this!

"S...Sas...Sasuke!"

Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks and turned around at the charred former rival. He starred in shock at Naruto's burnt disfigured face. It made him want to vomit both from the smell and how egregious it looked.

Naruto's crisped hand raked into the dirt. Scooping it and tightening his fist around it. Forcing more blood to drip from his hand.

"I...I...I..."

Every time he repeated that syllable Naruto sounded like a fish out of water. Raggedly gasping for air but not getting any. Orochimaru and Kabuto stopped in their tracks as well. Both surprised that the boy was still alive and still able to speak.

"You what, Naruto-kun?"

Orochimaru mocked the Uzumaki in his desperate attempt to just get another single word out. It angered Sasuke for him to make light of Naruto's injuries. Sasuke wasn't the only one as Naruto tightened his fist in response to Orochimaru's insult. Blood pouring out harder between his charred fingers. Glaring with pure burning rage in his red and yellow eyes at all three individuals in front him.

Before releasing a hellish screaming howl.

"I HATE YOU!"

Putting all of his strength into his left arm, Naruto catapulted himself off the ground towards Sasuke! The Uchiha was caught off guard by the crippled and burnt Uzumaki's display of strength! He didn't even have time to react as Naruto raised his hand high and raked his clawed fingers at a downward angle across Sasuke's headband and left eye!

Sasuke screamed and clutched his eye in pain as blood poured through his hand and fingers! Naruto collapsed onto the ground and coughed up for air as he spent the last of strength! At the same time Orochimaru and Kabuto rushed to Sasuke's side!

"NO! THE SHARINGAN!"

Kabuto placed his hand over Sasuke's face and began to try to heal the wound with his medical ninjutsu! His hand glowed bright green with chakra as he attempted to repair the damage! He went at this for a few more seconds before turning to his master!

"This isn't good, Lord Orochimaru! We need to get him back to the lab if were to save the sharingan!"

Orochimaru nodded.

"GO! DO WHAT YOU CAN TO SAVE IT!"

Orochimaru turned his attention back to the broiled crippled boy.

"I have unfinished business to settle!"

Kabuto nodded and led Sasuke away back to their base, beyond the border. The Uchiha followed while still clutching his eye and Naruto's saber. As soon as they were gone, Orochimaru knelt down to the boy, who was starring daggers at the ex Sannin, noticing that his claws had shrunken into ordinary fingernails.

"Well, well, it would seem that you had bit of the Kyuubi's chakra left in you when I cut you off from its power."

Orochimaru looked over Naruto's burnt body.

"I told you that I would pay you back for taking my arms, Naruto-kun. But it seems that once again you've crossed me, for the last and final time!"

Orochimaru knelt down closer.

"You prevented me from being able to take over Sasuke-kun's body today, so now I'll have to wait years before I can do so! And you may have possibly permanently damaged one of his sharingan eyes! You insolent little Leaf brat!"

Naruto suddenly reached up and grabbed Orochimaru by the throat! Squeezing it in an attempt to crush his windpipe! Orochimaru merely smiled, grabbed the boys wrist and yanked his arm away!

"My, my, such rage and determination! Truly awe inspiring! It's a shame really. I might've spared your life and even allowed you to join me if you hadn't interfered with my plans so frequently!"

Orochimaru smiled sadistically beneath the bandages covering his face.

"I should leave you here to die of suffocation and your wounds but I'm not without a bit of mercy."

Orochimaru pulled a kunai out and held it up.

"Kukukukuku, say hello to the Third Hokage for me!"

Orochimaru prepared to plunge the knife into Naruto's heart! Naruto braced himself for his imminent death until a blue light flickered in the corner of his eye! When he and Orochimaru turned to the source of it, the vile snake was struck down by a torrent of blue violet lightning bolts!

Naruto watched in shock as Orochimaru roared with pain from feeling his new body burn from the touch of this electrical onslaught! Orochimaru tried to see where it was coming from, but the lightning was so blinding that he couldn't see anything! Finally, the barrage ended; allowing the Leader of the Sound to rise up, albeit slowly, so that he could see who it was that would dare to ambush him!

Standing across from where Naruto lay was an old man wearing a black hood and robes. He had pale hands with veins bulging out. He had deep set red eye sockets and orange ember colored eyes, that were similar to Naruto's, with black obsidian pupils. Orochimaru didn't recognize this man at all but he felt a sense of evil and death from him.

"Who are you?!"

The mysterious man walked slowly to the boy. Naruto turned his head to the direction of his savior. Recognizing him within an instant.

"M-Master..."

Orochimaru looked at the crippled boy and then back at the old man.

"Master?"

The old man looked down at the child.

"Do not speak. Save your strength."

The hooded man walked past Naruto towards the still very confused Snake Summoner.

"OROCHIMARU!"

The hooded man grit his yellow egregious teeth while glaring with a murderous malice at the Snake Sannin! Orochimaru didn't know why but he actually felt a little fear of this old man. There was something dark and unnatural about him. Every fiber in his being was warning him to flee but the Leader of the Sound stood his ground.

The old man raised his pale sickly hands.

"FOR YOUR TREACHEROUS ACTIONS, YOU WILL NOW EXPERIENCE THE FULL POWER OF THE DARKSIDE!"

The old man's hands suddenly sparked to life as lightning shot out of his fingertips straight into Orochimaru! The Sound Leader screamed in pain from once again being barraged by this old man's attack! He couldn't believe that he didn't dodge it! It came at him so fast that even one who was once a member of the Sannin couldn't possibly evade it in time!

'WHAT IS THIS TECHNIQUE?!'

The pain was so intense! He has faced against many lightning jutsus in the past, but this was far greater than any of them! It felt like it was beyond lightning! Like it was pure energy that was consuming his very being down to the core!

"BEHOLD! TRUE UNLIMITED POWER!"

Sidious increased the intensity of the attack! Causing more pain to the Rogue Sannin and even his skeleton to glow through his flesh from the lightning's touch! Orochimaru had to think of something fast otherwise he was going to die here at the hands of some decrepit old man!

Still holding onto the kunai knife, Orochimaru threw it towards the old man! Sidious ceased shooting lightning with his right hand to use the Force to stop the knife in midair! Orochimaru hoped that he would use both hands to stop it instead of just one!

However, it looked like he was going to have to make do despite the pain he felt from the lightning that was still shooting at him! Orochimaru summoned up his chakra and poofed in a puff of smoke! Sidious disrupted his barrage as when the smoke cleared there was nothing but a charred log!

Sidious growled at the cowardly snake's cleverness!

"That accursed Substitution Jutsu!"

Suddenly a pair of footsteps could be heard coming through the burning brush! Moments later two Shock Troopers appeared! Coming to the aide of their leader! One of them approached his emperor ready to serve as need be.

"Your majesty, I will mobilize a squadron to pursue and eliminate the ninja!"

Palpatine turned to the clone officer.

"No! He is not worth the effort! Bring a medical capsule immediately!"

The clone stood at attention.

"As you wish, sir! Right away!"

The officer and the other trooper headed back to the shuttle while Palpatine looked down in disappointment at his new apprentice.

Months of careful planning, research and manipulation and this was the fruit of his efforts. Who would've thought that this boy were to suffer a defeat very similar to Vader's on Mustafar. It was inconceivable. It seemed as if fate was mocking him right now.

Palpatine considered just leaving the boy here to die. His power and potential with the Force has been severely limited due to his injuries and thanks to Orochimaru's seal there was no way for the child to access the Kyuubi's and most of his own chakra. Palpatine wasn't even sure he would survive whatever operation he would require to be able to properly serve him. Let alone the ritual.

Perhaps it would be best to just leave him here and find a new apprentice elsewhere in his own universe.

However, Palpatine wasn't ready to just throw away all the effort he put into the boy just yet. Even now he could sense it. A burning anger within the child. It's what's allowed him to survive this long despite his injuries. It was an impressive feat.

'Perhaps he may still be of some use to me, after all.'

Palpatine knew that with the right motivation, guidance, and further pain, the anger inside him could flourish into pure hatred that would do well to serve him and his Empire. If he could survive the operation and foster enough hatred then he will attempt to perform the ritual on the boy.

Palpatine knelt down and placed his hand on Naruto's forehead. Using the Darkside to influence the midichlorians in his body to keep him alive. Alive to fulfill his purpose.

To fulfill his destiny.

As Naruto felt a strange sensation within his body, that was somehow allowing him hold on longer, he began to lose consciousness. As he did he heard someone calling out to him. It wasn't the Kyuubi this time or Palpatine. The voice sounded strangely familiar to him, but he couldn't understand why. He didn't know anyone that it belonged to. All he knew was that it sounded remorseful and full of regret.

'Naruto...I never wanted this for you! I was only trying to protect you! None of this should have ever happened! This was not how it was supposed to be! Please,...forgive me!'

Elsewhere nearby

Tsunade and company had resumed their journey after the interuption from that large tremor. They were close now. Really close. It became obvious at this point that Naruto was fighting an opponent at the Valley of the End. They were convinced that it had to be Sasuke. Which only gave them further cause to increase their speed and to not stop for anything!

That is until they noticed a piercing red glow and smoke through the trees.

When they got closer they realized that the rest of the forest ahead of them was being consumed in a massive fire! It was so great that it was blocking their path to Naruto! Sakura didn't know how they were going to get passed it and looked to the older shinobi to see if they had any ideas. Tsunade looked at Jiraiya and nodded and the Toad Hermit nodded back in kind and then bit his thumb and went through some hand signs before slamming his hand on the ground!

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A pattern of seals spread everywhere on the ground from his hand before a large blast of smoke poofed beneath their feet! Sakura coughed and covered her eyes from the blast and intensity of the smoke! When it began to clear up, she looked and saw they were all standing on a very brown and bumpy surface! Suddenly the ground beneath them began to move and thunderous voice spoke up!

"Hey Jiraiya, this had better be good that you had to interrupt my personal saki time!"

Sakura had to cover her ears from how loud the voice was! And the surface around them kept moving which made a bit difficult to keep her balance! The others didn't seem bothered by it though. Jiraiya looked down and put his hand to his mouth.

"Sorry about that Gamabunta, but I wouldn't have summoned you unless it was extremely important! Could you put out this fire for us! Please, we need to get through it fast!"

Sakura couldn't help but wonder why Jiraiya was yelling down at the mysterious voice. She looked and saw nothing but clear sky. Then Sakura had noticed that weren't any trees in sight! She took a few steps on the bumpy, yet soft surface, and saw that there was an edge. When she looked down she gasped as she saw that they were standing on top of a ginormous toad!

She then realized that those bumps were not bumps but warts! Upon further inspection she saw that the toad was wearing a gigantic blue happi vest, had a massive dosu blade, and had a large kiseru pipe that he was smoking! The humongous toad lifted his head which caused Sakura to stumble a bit before steadying herself to its movements.

"Fine, but you owe me some saki for this, Jiraiya!"

The giant amphibian lifted its massive hands and went through what looked like some hand signs before his cheeks began to swell up!

"WATER STYLE, LIQUID BULLET!"

The great toad then spat out a massive ball of water into the burning forest! The great mass of water instantly doused out the raging fire! Leaving nothing but a smoking, charred, dampened forest! Sakura couldn't believe that anything would be capable of putting out a fire of such massive scale with such little effort!

"There! You're free to go on ahead! And Jiraiya I hope that whatever this emergency is that it was worth interrupting my leisure time!"

The toad then poofed away in a massive explosion of smoke! Sakura and the others fell but landed on the ground safely though for Sakura it was a bit hard since she's never had to land from such large drop before! They then pushed onward while being led by Kakashi's dog summon!

Most of the trees and branches were too damaged both from the fire and Gamabunta's water jutsu so they were forced to travel by foot on the ground! As they drew closer and closer to the valley, the trees began to part ways. Clearing up what was lying ahead which was more flames!

However, upon finally leaving the damp burnt trees they realized that the flames were consuming the other half of the forest on the opposite side of a river! They all looked to their right and saw the two giant statues of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju at the end!

Seeing that they have finally made it, the group of Leaf Shinobi and Pakkun made a sprint for the summit of the waterfall where the two statues were facing each other! When they reached it, Pakkun began sniffing the ground frantically trying to pick up Naruto's scent! However, raindrops began to tap down before moments later it suddenly became a showering downpour accompanied by thunder and lightning.

"It's difficult to say, his scent is all over the place and the rain is starting to wash up some of the stronger trails! Kakashi I think I'm going to need some back up here!"

Kakashi nodded and cut his thumb before going through the same hand signs again and slamming his hand on the ground.

"Summoning Jutsu!

The same patterns of seals spread on the ground before smoke puffed out of nowhere. Revealing more dog summons, each of a different breed, ready to help with the search of Naruto.

"Alright, we'll split up and cover the valley! We'll each take a dog summon while the rest of them search on their own! We'll meet back here in an hour!"

The others nodded to Kakashi's search plan. Tsunade, Jiraiya and Kakashi each took a dog summon and they and the other dogs headed off in different directions while Sakura stayed with Pakkun. The miniature pug resumed his tracking while Sakura followed.

As Pakkun kept sniffing up the ground, Sakura wrapped her arms to keep warm from the deathly cold. However, it was not the rain or air that was causing her this discomfort, it was this place. She didn't know but something about it felt wrong. Like it's been tainted.

Sakura looked around and saw various rocks, trees, and even some of the surfaces of the stone wall cliffs smashed to pieces. Sakura spotted a large rock with a slash mark on it. She didn't know why but she felt a tingling feeling when just from looking at it. She trailed away a little from Pakkun and approached the stone. Reaching out with her hand to touch the cut mark.

Suddenly, Sakura's mind was flooded with a series of images of Naruto and Sasuke savagely fighting each other! Exchanging blows, blades, and jutsus with such ferocity and hatred! Even drawing blood from one another! The visions began to grow more dark and violent as Naruto and Sasuke even transformed into what looked like monstrous beasts! She could even see them now as they exchanged jutsus once again with Sasuke bearing some kind of black chidori and Naruto a dark purple rasengan! The collisions of the jutsus caused an explosion that was so bright and intense that Sakura was forced to back away from the stone!

Sakura panted and trembled fiercely from the cold. Now, she knew what was wrong about this place. It was filled with so much fear, anger, and hate. All of them together felt like a deep dark abyss that was swallowing up this whole valley. Not even the glow of the fire burning in the forest nearby was enough to bring light to this dark cold void that was surrounding the valley. Sakura didn't want to be here any longer than she needed but she wouldn't stop until she found Naruto and brought him back.

She had to bring him back more than anything.

"Oh, my god..."

Sakura snapped out of her thoughts and saw that Pakkun was standing still a few yards ahead. He wasn't even sniffing the ground anymore but was frozen in place. Sakura realized he must have found a clue to where Naruto is and rushed over to him!

"Pakkun! What is it?! Is Naruto nearby?!"

When Sakura reached the small pug, he saw that his puppy dog eyes were staring wide with shock at something. Sakura followed his line of sight wondering what had the little dog so stunned. And when she found what he was staring at, her own eyes grew wide with horror and her breathe felt stolen away from her.

Meanwhile nearby Kakashi was searching through a small clearing, that he had to douse using the Water Dragon Jutsu, with another one of his ninja dogs. The dog picked up both Naruto's and Sasuke's scent here. There was some sign of conflict here as well due to what looked like a large tree log was thrown about, but other than that there was no sign of either of them.

"Let's retrace our steps and see if maybe they fought in another area close-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Kakashi was interrupted by a high pitched scream that echoed throughout the whole valley! Upon realizing it was Sakura, the Copycat Ninja dashed without thinking twice in the direction where he heard her screaming coming from! He wasn't the only one. Both Tsunade and Jiraiya also heard it and came sprinting from their own search areas in the same direction!

The other ninja hounds also heard the young kunoichi's distress and came running too! Eventually, all the hounds along with Kakashi, Jiraiya and Tsunade came upon the Cherry Blossom girl and the small pug Pakkun, who was trying desperately to calm her down! Kakashi grabbed Sakura by the shoulders and started to shake her to try to snap her out of her frantic screaming.

"SAKURA! IT'S ALRIGHT WE'RE HERE! WHAT'S THE MATTER?! SAKURA?!"

Sakura didn't hear him. She couldn't. All that she could think about was the horrible sight they found. A sight that was too horrible to erase from her mind.

Tsunade grew tired of this and marched over to the young kunoichi and the Copycat Ninja.

"Move Kakashi!"

Tsunade took the girl from him and slapped her across the face! It was a little harder than necessary but considering that Tsunade still wasn't happy with her, she got off easy. Sakura gasped for breath and panted hard before looking up at the Slug Sannin, who was staring down in annoyance of the girl's brief psychotic episode.

"You better have a good reason for dragging us over here and slowing down our search for Naruto!"

Upon hearing that name Sakura grabbed onto Tsunade's wrists and held them tightly. Looking up with heavy tears running down her face at the Slug Queen. Tsunade was caught by surprise with the girl's reaction and wondered what on earth has gotten into her.

"THEY CAN'T BE HIS! THEY CAN'T BE HIS!"

Tsunade was even more confused now since she had no idea what the girl was saying. She was starting to think that Sakura was losing her mind. Tsunade gently freed herself from Sakura's grasp and put her hands on her shoulders to steady the frantic young genin.

"Sakura, look at me! Tell me, what's wrong. Did something happen?"

Sakura didn't look at the Hokage. Instead, she looked back towards the dreaded spot on the ground. Tsunade slowly followed her line of sight as did Kakashi and Jiraiya. Until their eyes rested upon the area Sakura was staring at. Instantly, their own eyes grew wide with shock and they felt as if all of their blood turned to ice.

Tsunade instantly broke down and began to go frantic herself! Jiraiya rushed over and tried to settle her down though it was difficult due to her strength and considering that his own eyes were still plastered to the horrific sight before them. Sakura herself immediately started convulsing and cried out in madness! Kakashi held her in his arms to try to calm her but like Jiraiya he was having it difficult since he was trying to do same for himself at the same time.

For ahead of them was a small area that was burnt and filled with the thick scent of blood. But what was truly horrifying about it was that there was a severed arm and two legs on the ground and both legs were still covered by their former owner's pant legs.

And both of those pant legs were orange.

Kakashi watched as Pakkun and the other ninja hounds slowly approached the grisly sight. They each took a sniff at the disembodied limbs. When they finished they all turned towards Kakashi with a solemn look on their faces. Confirming that they were indeed his.

Sakura hands rose to her face which became gripped with terror! With newfound strength she broke free of Kakashi's grip and ran towards the edge of the forest. When she reached it she instantly began screaming her lungs out.

Screaming his name.

"NARUTOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Meanwhile on the Emperor's shuttle

'NARUTO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?! WHERE ARE YOU?! ANSWER ME, NARUTOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!'

Naruto stirred within the medical capsule aboard Palpatine's ship. He could hear someone else calling out to him, now. Only it wasn't that strange voice this time. No, it was a voice that he was more than familiar with. A voice that even now fills him with rage and pain.

'Sakura?'

The med droid, that was attending to him, was trying to keep the injured boy under control. It would've been easier if it could sedate him, but the Emperor gave strict orders to not put him under but rather to keep him awake. It didn't understand why but it obeyed his commands and kept Naruto conscious despite the agonizing pain he was in.

While up on the bridge, the self-elect ruler of an entire galaxy sat upon a thronelike chair as the pilots were taking the ship out of the planet's atmosphere. Once they broke through into the cold dark vacuum of space they proceeded to the coordinates set in their navicomputer. The destination was a specific small area a little further past the moon.

When they arrived, there was nothing there. Nothing but the vast emptiness of space. The pilots turned toward their leader.

"We've arrived at the coordinates my lord."

Palpatine nodded and rose up from his throne.

"Good, now step away from your posts."

The pilots looked at each other before doing as their Emperor commanded. Palpatine then reached out with his hand and concentrated. Feeling the presence of the dark energies lurking beyond normal sight in this region of space. It would be very difficult if not impossible for any normal force wielder to sense this pulsation but not for one who was a true Lord of the Sith with the Darkside as his ally. Then, Palpatine could feel it! The dark powers that pumped through this space like a pulsating organ!

Upon sensing it, Palpatine raised his other hand and with both of them reached out and took hold of this energy. Palpatine grit his teeth as he struggled against this awesome power, but he gained enough knowledge to know how to manage and control it. Which he proved as he started to spread his arms outward and doing so caused a bright violet light to pierce through the dark void of space!

The light grew larger and larger! It was beyond blinding! Eventually taking on a large triangular shape that cackled with dark energy and power! Finally, Palpatine held his arms completely outward and with it the doorway was fully opened!

Opened to his galaxy and Empire!

Knowing that it would not stay like this for long, the dark lord reached his hand out and took over the ship's controls. Having them direct the ship straight towards the doorway. As the ship began to slowly pierce through the bright violet wall of energy, darker violet waves pulsated out causing the ship to strain and some sparks to fly.

Many of the crew lost balanced and tried to hold onto something. The medical droid struggled to keep the power in Naruto's medical capsule functioning in response to these fluctuating waves. All of this was of no concern though since the ship remained stable as it continued to pierce through.

Till it completely entered the doorway.

Inside of the doorway was a tunnel of even brighter violet energies. Cackling and snaking around like serpants tunneling underground. This is where the journey would be even more difficult as Palpatine used the Force to manipulate the controls to fly the ship carefully through the tunnel.

The risks of anyone entering through this doorway were not to be taken likely. The cackling electrical dark purple energies that shot randomly in this tunnel could easily disable the ship beyond repair. That and if the ship strayed too close to the wall, where the bolts of violet energies were shooting from, it would be instantly destroyed. However, that wasn't what made this tunnel difficult to navigate.

No, what truly made it near impossible was that it was not just one tunnel but a whole labyrinth of them.

So many in this intricate maze that any wrong turn would send the traveler into the wrong universe or keep them here long enough where would they start to lose sense of where they are and become lost forever. Any lesser person would not dare to enter this place or hope to escape it. Not unless they had a death wish. But Sidious was no weak minded fool. He had the Darkside of the Force to guide him through this dark labyrinth.

Sensing when a bolt of energy would struck out and keeping the ship away from the edges of the tunnels. As well as feeling the flows of dark energies running through these conduits into the various dead ends and alternate universes. For him, it was just a matter of sensing and feeling the right path that will take him back to his domain.

And sensed it he did.

He carefully adjusted the controls as he took the ship through the tunnel that would lead him back to his Empire. Constantly maneuvering and coordinating the ship through the chaotic streams of energy shooting throughout the tunnel while taking care to stay in the middle of the path away from the edges as much as possible.

The tunnel turned and became narrower and narrower constantly. Until at last the ship reached the end of it. It would seem like a dead end, but the Sith Emperor knew better. Using both hands in the same manner as before he grabbed hold and stretched them out. Forcing a new doorway to open before him!

With the door to their universe open, Palpatine took hold of the controls one last time and sent the ship towards the exit. As the ship entered the doorway the same radiating pulse shot through the vessel! Shorting out some circuits and causing some third and secondary systems to fail but the primary ones remained intact as did the ship.

Which finally exited the portal back into the galaxy that was Sidious's Empire!

Palpatine lowered his hands while his pilots returned back to their stations. Checking to make sure that the ship didn't suffer any critical damage. When the system checks were complete the captain turned towards the Emperor.

"Shall I resume our course back to Coruscant, my liege?"

Palpatine responded to the captain's inquiry.

"At once!"

The captain nodded and put the coordinates in before taking their ship into hyperspace!

Palpatine sat back down in his chair. It was good to be back in his own universe. Even though he was in Naruto's for nearly a year there he was only gone for a few months in his own universe. That was another advantage of knowing how to navigate the portal. For it would not only allow you to travel between different universes but also different points in time in them too. Unfortunately, he hasn't found any tunnels that he could use to travel into the past of his own universe and the portal would be inaccessible now for at least two decades.

That was the price to pay for using it.

Minutes passed as the shuttle flew through the tunnel of blue swirls and cloud like formations until they finally reached their coordinates. The captain and co-pilot adjusted their controls and the ship jumped out of hyperspace to their destination. The home of the former Republic and newborn Empire.

The planet Coruscant.

"Take us to my private medical facility at once!"

The captain nodded and set the ship down towards the planet.

The Emperor looked upon his hard won trophy. It took hundreds of years for the Sith to conquer this planet, but the Jedi have always stood in their way. But no longer now for they were extinct or at least nearly so. Their numbers of over a thousand have fallen significantly low to less than a hundred or even lesser.

Even so Palpatine knew that the survivors would be a threat to him. Them and the children of the Force that they would train. If he did not hunt down and wipe out these survivors and did not either have these young ones serve the Empire or be destroyed then the Jedi Order might rise again and threaten his Empire.

Palpatine would not allow that to happen. Even with the loss of Vader he sought other apprentices who would take his place. However, none from the Inquisitorius were powerful or worthy enough to become his new apprentice. Not even the Grand Inquisitor himself even though he served well on his behalf. No, Palpatine needed someone of pure raw emotion and strength but there were none to be found.

That and even if he did find someone it would take years to train and have them master the dark arts for which he wouldn't have time since he would be too busy ruling the galaxy and overseeing the various projects at work; including project Star Dust. That and he wouldn't leave the training to any from the Inquisitorius. Not when there's a possibility that they might turn his new apprentice against him.

It was then Palpatine decided that the best course of action to take, if he found a new student, was to perform the ritual. An ancient and dark tradition of the Sith that has only been attempted a few times and was rarely successful. Most often than not the vessel's body would end up destroyed by the raw pure energies of the Darkside.

However, Palpatine was confident that Naruto could survive if he manages to endure the surgery. He could still feel the boy's pain and suffering now. Both of which were still constantly growing.

And as they grew so did his hate.

After the ship broke through the planet's atmosphere, they were welcomed with the site of the city of Coruscant. However, it was not the normal glimmering and shiny metropolis as they knew today. Thunder and rainstorms have gathered over much of the planet. Showering the sleek metal buildings and speeders with endless rain.

The silver metal shuttle flew over the cold drenched skyscrapers to another more private area of the city. It took no time at all before the ship approached the Emperor's private medical tower with the best medical droids and care in possibly the whole galaxy. The captain and co-pilot adjusted the controls to fold up the shuttle's wings and release the landing gears as it settled on the platform. As the shuttle doors opened, a whole squadron of clone shock troopers were waiting outside. Securing the area for the Emperor as he disembarked his ship with the troopers that have accompanied him and Naruto's medical pod.

While inside the pod Naruto looked through his glass capsule at the sight. Through the water pouring down on the glass he could see these strange beings all around him wearing some kind of armor that he's never seen before. They were all holding these strange black objects of various sizes. Past them he could see what looked like a city. It was massive and had all these weird objects flying around the buildings. It stretched as far as his eye could see.

But as amazing as of all that was it was of little interest to him. All he could think about was his pain and defeat. To think that after all he struggled and suffered with that this was how it would end for him? To be a disfigured cripple for the rest of his life. If what he had left could even be called a life anymore.

Then everything around the boy grew darker as his capsule entered the tower along with Palpatine and his guards. He could see nothing but cold metal hallways and somewhat bright white lights beaming down from the ceilings. Suddenly, his capsule stopped moving. The boy turned his head as best as he could and saw that his master was talking to some unnerving looking metal creature with orange glowing eyes with beeping lights and unnatural looking arms poking and sticking out of its body.

The strange metallic creature looked towards the boy and a door suddenly opened on its own behind the metal being. The boy's pod moved towards the doorway and with it the creature of metal. One of its pure orange eyes grew brightly. Bathing over the boy's entire body. The boy had to shut his eyes from the bright light. It only lasted a few seconds before it dissipated and the creature turned back and headed towards his master.

The boy watched as they started to converse again. Not being able hear anything they were saying. Of course, it wouldn't matter since the door closed moments later.

The boy tried to look around the dark room as best as he could, but his neck was damaged, so he only had limited movement. He could make out a bright central light coming from one part of the room. There appeared to be some kind of metallic table with strange metal objects around it. Unless his eyes were deceiving him these metal objects were also moving just like the one from before. The boy wasn't sure he liked where this was going.

He was not sure at all.

Meanwhile outside the medical droid was discussing his scan results and the procedure that would have to be done for the boy.

"He has third degree burns all over his body. Along with extreme nerve damage and blood loss. Unfortunately, his lungs were also severely damaged. He won't be able to function without a breathing apparatus. We'll need to provide that and cybernetic replacements for his limbs, as well as-"

"JUST DO IT!"

Snapped the Emperor. He didn't care about what needed to be done to save the boy. He only cared about it being done as quickly and efficiently as possible. The droid scuttled back a few inches in fear of the Emperor's temper but nonetheless complied.

"As you wish, my lord."

The droid proceeded to head into the surgery room until the Emperor stopped him.

"And doctor make sure that he's kept awake through the surgery. Every last second of it!"

The droid turned around to the Sith Lord.

"But my lord, this procedure will be extremely invasive and painful for his body. He could go into shock or possibly die from it. I have to insist that it would be preferable-"

"DO AS I SAY!"

The droid rolled back in fear once again before complying and heading into through the doors.

"As you wish, my lord."

The doors closed and Palpatine proceeded to wait. Keeping him awake would serve as a suitable punishment for his defeat. The dark lord also knew by doing this his apprentice's pain will grow to an enormity and with it his hate. Both of them together will be enough to raise his power and connection to the Darkside.

And just in case his power and connection were still too weak.

Palpatine looked at the holotransmitter in his hand. The contents it contained would help ensure that his apprentice's rage and fury will rise without any doubt. Making him powerful enough to survive the ritual and to fully embrace his destiny.

"Be strong, my apprentice. For your journey as Naruto Uzumaki...nears its end."

Meanwhile back in Universe Kishi

Dark clouds gathered over the Village of the Hidden Leaf. No one was out in the streets for fear of being caught in the soon to come raging storm. Everyone was inside taking shelter. Though for some it wasn't the rain they needed shelter from.

Unfortunately, there was no shelter for what was plaguing them.

Tsunade and the others were in her office. They had just returned from their search for Naruto. Despite their horrific findings in the Valley of the End, they didn't find any other trace of him. They looked everywhere in and around the valley but found nothing. Which only further deepened their greatest fear of what might've happened to the poor Uzumaki boy.

Shikamaru and his team arrived before them and several of their members were in critical condition. It was thanks to Lee along with Gaara and his siblings that they were able to make it back alive. They haven't been told yet about Naruto's desertion though or his possible ill fate.

Of course, the latter hasn't even been confirmed yet, but all the evidence seems to point to it.

Tsunade sat at her desk, that Shizune had replaced while she was gone, and looked down with her blonde hair bangs covering her eyes but not her tears. She did nothing but stare down at the wooden surface of her new desk. There was nothing on it save for the folder containing the details of Iruka Umino's death, which she has yet to have read, along with Naruto's headband and the necklace that she gave to him.

Standing in front of her was Jiraiya, Kakashi and Sakura. All of whom were weary with sorrow and very much toil.

"I sent more of my ninja hounds to search the valley in case there was something we missed, but...well...it doesn't look good, I'm afraid."

Kakashi wished he had better news to give. He could tell that Tsunade was still barely holding it together after that grizzly sight. They all were.

It was a long trip back to the village. They didn't really have the urgent need to make a hasty return. That and they had to stop a few times so that Sakura could throw up. Kakashi suspected though that it was more of an emotional reaction on her part rather than from what they found.

Tsunade didn't complain once though. None of them said a word the whole trip back to the village. It was as if they were all too afraid to say anything or rather lost too much hope to say anything.

How could they at that point? They were so full of shock and despair it was a wonder how they made it back to the village before the day ended. Each of them felt responsible in their own way for Naruto. They were supposed to keep him safe and they failed.

They all failed the boy.

"Master Jiraiya is it possible that maybe Naruto summoned a toad to help him escape?"

Jiraiya slowly turned towards the Copycat ninja with eyes that were red from exhaustion and grief.

"No. I already checked with them and it turns out Naruto hasn't summoned any of them since our encounter with Orochimaru."

Kakashi looked at the ground with more hopelessness and despair before looking back up at the Toad Hermit.

"Is there a chance that maybe he could've-"

SLAM!

Kakashi was cut off as Jiraiya slammed his fist into the wall. The toad Sannin's arm quivered but not from the impact. No, it was from the pain and disappointment that he had with himself.

"Damn it, I don't know! I just...I just don't know..."

Silence followed before Tsunade picked up the necklace that she gave to Naruto. The same one that she gave to her brother Nawaki and her beloved Dan. All of whom had the same dream when wearing this accursed thing. Slowly she let the neckwear fall back onto the desk.

"I should never have come back to this village and taken this stupid job! I should never have given him this necklace! Not when he had that...that...that damn dream of becoming Hokage!"

Sakura looked up a little in reaction to Tsunade's words with her bangs covering eyes while her hands tightened into fists.

"Tsunade, you can't pin it on the necklace or your title. Naruto was my responsibility. It's me you should blame for what happened to him."

Tsunade looked at Jiraiya before scrunching up her face trying to hold back tears.

"No! He was my family, Jiraiya! If I had come back and taken him away from this village when he was young and raised him myself, he would've been safe and still...!"

Tsunade couldn't stop the tears from coming out this time. It was too hard and unbearable. Jiraiya felt he should've tried to comfort her, but he couldn't even do that for himself right now despite the fact she was in worse shape.

"It doesn't change the fact that I'm also responsible for what happened."

Kakashi looked with his lone eye at the floor again.

"Lord Third should never have entrusted me with Naruto's training and safety. I can't protect any of my comrades. I never could."

They all blamed themselves. They all believed that they were doing right by the boy when they had no idea they had done the opposite and now they have paid in full for their sins. Naruto was gone.

And they were starting to believe he was never coming back.

SLAM!

The two Sannins' and Jōnin's eyes were drawn to the desk where Sakura had just slammed her fists. The girl's bangs still covered her eyes as she slowly reached below the back of her head and untied the knot of her headband. When it loosened, she placed it on Tsunade's desk.

Kakashi looked at the girl and figured he should've seen this coming. Sakura was no doubt ridden with guilt and grief like them and it didn't seem likely her shinobi career was going to last any further beyond this point. Even so despite what she did that drove Naruto away, Kakashi knew that Sakura was just young and made a mistake.

Everyone makes mistakes when it comes to love. However, one of the most important rules, when it comes to being a shinobi, was to never let yet your emotions cloud your judgment and to always remain loyal to the village. And she broke both rules. Perhaps this was for the best.

Still, Kakashi felt he should at least give some comforting words to the Cherry Blossom girl.

"Listen, Sakura sometimes-"

Kakashi didn't finish as he watched Sakura reach over and gently pick up Naruto's black headband. Watching as she held it in her hands for a few moments before tying and fastening it around her head with the black strands hanging low behind her back. She then reached over and picked up the necklace and put that on too.

The girl then let her arms fall to her sides with her hands still in fists before finally speaking.

"Lady Tsunade...I want you to train me."

Kakashi and Jiraiya's eyes widened at the girl's bold request while Tsunade just narrowed her eyes at her.

"I need you to train me, so that I can get stronger and be able to find Naruto and bring him back!"

Kakashi and Jiraiya looked at each other. The girl was actually being serious. However, they felt she was also being foolish. It was highly doubtful Tsunade would even consider allowing this girl to be a student after what she had done to Naruto.

Not to mention the fact that the boy may not even still be alive.

"Sakura, I understand your need to fix this but...you have to consider that Naruto might not have survived. That he might be-"

"I refuse to believe it!"

Sakura cut Kakashi off as she further explained.

"We didn't find a body and there's no way in hell Naruto would let two missing legs and an arm stop him from reaching whatever goal he has! He's too strong and stubborn for that! He's not dead! I...I can feel it!"

Jiraiya cocked a brow at the girl.

"It's going to take a lot more than just a gut feeling to get you through whatever training Tsunade would have in store for you. That's if she would even allow you to train under her."

Sakura looked at the Toad Hermit.

"It's not a gut feeling! It's...It's...I can't explain it, but...I just know that he's alive!"

Jiraiya looked at Tsunade who in turn looked back at him. Like they were confirming with each other about something. Tsunade then redirected her gaze to the girl with the same anger in her eyes but with some curiosity as well this time.

"Leave us."

Kakashi didn't like the look Tsunade had on her face and tried to intervene on Sakura's behalf. Jiraiya however put his hand on his shoulder to let him know that it would be unwise and to trust him. So, the two left and closed the door behind them.

Leaving Tsunade and the Haruno girl alone.

"You've got a lot of guts asking to become my student after what you pulled!"

Tsunade slowly rose from her desk and walked around it towards the genin girl.

"What makes you think that I would even consider teaching you?"

Sakura looked at the Slug Queen with a determined fiery spirit in her eyes.

"I don't expect you too. In fact, I'm already thinking of other ways to grow stronger and develop my skills in case you don't. I need to improve! I'm no good to Naruto the way I am now. That's why I need your help!"

Tsunade cocked her brow at the girl.

"And what makes you think I won't just throw you in a cell and lock you up forever?"

Tsunade expected the girl to flinch or to lose her nerve but she remained strong and unafraid.

"Then I would just have to build myself up in there. At least till I'm good enough to escape on my own and then find someone else who can train me so that I can help Naruto."

Tsunade bent down so that she was at eye level with the Cherry Blossom girl.

"What if I just chain you up with chakra suppressing seals? What then?"

Tsunade had her now. She knew that there was no way in hell a genin girl with limited abilities like her would be able to think of a way out of that. However, Sakura still showed no fear or weakness in front of the Slug Queen.

"Then I'll just find another way out somehow. It may take months, years even, but I will get out! Besides we both know you won't do it."

Tsunade grabbed her by the collar and lifted her up to her glaring face.

"And why is that?"

Sakura looked her right in the eye and said.

"Because you want him back just as much as I do, and like you I'll do whatever it takes to bring him back! No matter the cost! I swear upon my life!"

Tsunade narrowed her eyes.

"And what if you do find him? What then? How will you get him to come back?"

Sakura looked at Tsunade with a little bit of tears in her eyes and spoke softly with her voice breaking a little bit.

"By showing him that we all do care about him! And that even friends and loved ones make mistakes with the people they care about and will do anything to fix them!"

Tsunade was actually touched by the girls words but still remained unconvinced.

"And what if your wrong about Naruto still being alive? What if he is dead and Sasuke was the one responsible? What then?"

Sakura looked down a little till her bangs covered her eyes again. She didn't say anything. Making Tsunade think she's called her bluff. But then she looked back up at her with a more determined and rage filled look in her eyes.

"Well...if I am wrong then I'll find Sasuke and bring him back so that he will stand trial and pay for his crime! Even if I have to beat him into a bloody pulp and drag his ass back here! I don't care how badly he wants revenge against his brother because if he was the one responsible...for what happened to Naruto...then I'll make him regret it! All the way through his trial and his execution! I swear it!"

Tsunade looked deep into the girl's emerald eyes. Searching for even the tiniest mistruth or weakness in them. After seconds of that, she slowly put Sakura down and stood to her full height and walked back to her desk.

"Your training will begin tomorrow at 6 AM sharp! If you ever slack off and fall behind then you can forget about me or any other shinobi in this village teaching you anything! Believe me when Jiraiya said earlier that it will take more than a gut feeling to get through my training regimen, he was right and then some! I'm going to put you through hell, little missy! So, you better head home now and get some rest cause you're going to need it!"

Tsunade sat back down as Sakura bowed to her Hokage and now new master.

"Hai, Lady Hokage!"

Sakura then proceeded to head to the door and was just about to open it till Tsunade stopped her.

"And Sakura there are two things you need to know. One, no one but the four of us can know about Naruto's abandonment of the village. You can't tell your parents; your friends; not a single soul. You've already witnessed how cruel the villagers were to him. If they were to find out he committed treason then Naruto's life here, regardless if he comes back or not, will be over. The village elders would show him less mercy than they would Sasuke. Do you understand?"

Sakura turned slightly to the Hokage and nodded.

"Second, my threat from before still stands. If I start to believe you're really doing all of this to help Sasuke and not Naruto...then I'm going to end you! Do I make myself clear?"

Sakura still didn't fully turn around but didn't hesitate to answer.

"Yes, Lady Tsunade."

She then opened the door and closed it behind her.

Tsunade then exhaled and sat back in her chair. Thinking that this day couldn't possibly get any worse. Her eye caught the envelope that contained the details of Iruka's Umino's mission and death and figured that now was as good a time as any since she needed something to focus on to take her mind off of this horrible day.

She picked up the file and began to read and study its contents. As her eyes read line by line, taking in the information, slowly her expression began to change. First to one of curiosity then confusion and then shock. She put the file down for a moment to absorb everything she read so far.

"He never requested us to send Iruka?!"

The report contained a letter, from the Hoshikage, replying to Tsunade's earlier reply to his request. In it he explained in detail that he and his village, the Village Hidden in the Stars, never requested her to send Iruka or any other shinobi to help educate and train their genin and children. Which meant if that were true then the original request was a fake!

But then who would go through all the trouble of sending a fake message requesting Iruka to be sent on a mission?

Could it have been that rogue academy instructor that Naruto and Iruka captured? No, he was in prison and under strict guard. It had to be someone else but Tsunade couldn't even think of any other enemies Iruka would've had. He seemed like a nice enough young man and was always so good to Naruto.

It suddenly dawned on Tsunade.

Iruka was good friends with Naruto so it's no doubt that someone in the village would've wanted him sent out on a fake mission! Perhaps they did it because they figured no one but Iruka would try to stop them or alert her when the boy's apartment was set on fire! That had to be the reason!

Tsunade scanned through the rest of the files at a fast pace! Trying to find any other inconsistencies in the documents that might prove her theory. It didn't take long before she came upon Iruka's death certificate, which while may not have any inconsistencies, it definitely had one detail that was very peculiar.

Apparently Iruka died a very slow and painful death of having his entire body fried and burned by a very strong and powerful electrical current. So powerful in fact that the medical coroners and even Shizune have never seen anything like it. Tsunade was shocked to read that since she trained Shizune to be able to recognize and diagnose countless different ways a shinobi could've died from most kinds of jutsu. Even if just a well educated guess on her part.

She began to read further in the document under the section that was personally written by Shizune. It stated that she and the coroners found that what was even more confusing was that there weren't any traces of chakra from the jutsu lingering on the body. That didn't make any sense for a jutsu as powerful as that to not leave some kind of residual trace on the victim. It would require that the attack itself to not even consist of chakra in the first place!

"No chakra..."

Tsunade's eyes widened as she remembered the Anbus' report from yesterday on how Naruto attacked them with an intense lightning technique that didn't seem comprised of any chakra! It was the first recorded instance of Naruto usinge such a technique, and this was after Iruka was already dead! Not to mention that there's no way in hell Naruto would ever harm his Academy instructor! Which could only mean one thing.

As this revelation came to her, she dropped the document and its contents on the floor.

"That would mean that..."

Tsunade then bolted out of her office to find Jiraiya! She had to tell him, what she discovered, fast because if all the evidence and her new theory were correct then Iruka's death and Naruto's rampage were not just mere coincidences! Someone was behind both of them and this someone was capable of using the Force or a power just like it!

And she had an idea who that person was!

Elsewhere

In a dark dim lit room, that was in a hidden lair, far outside the borders of the Land of Fire, Sasuke Uchiha laid on a bed recovering from his battle and bittersweet victory.

He laid there contemplating Naruto's death as Kabuto finished wrapping the bandages around the part of his face and eye that the Uzumaki boy clawed out. After Kabuto finished, his hands glowed with green chakra as he examined the rest of Sasuke's body for injuries he might've missed. When there weren't any he then left the room; closing the door behind him.

Outside, a little down the hall, Orochimaru was waiting for his report which he didn't hesitate to give.

"Sasuke's left eye has suffered complete permanent damage. He can no longer use it or its sharingan. Other than that, he has nothing more serious than a few broken ribs and bones that I've already taken care of."

Orochimaru sneered in outrage.

"Curse that Uzumaki brat!" I should've killed him in the Forest of Death when I had the chance!"

Orochimaru couldn't believe that just when he had Sasuke in his clutches that Kyuubi brat managed to take away one of the Uchiha's sharingans! Now, he only has one left which means his visual jutsus will only be half as strong as they would've been with two! Even though with the right training Sasuke's visual prowess could still greatly improve and become useful to him it would've still been better if he had both Sharingan eyes!

Kabuto realized that his master was beyond frustrated but still needed to ask him one more time.

"Please, explain it to me again, my lord. What exactly happened?"

Orochimaru looked at his faithful servant.

"I'm not quite sure what to make of it yet, myself, Kabuto. All I know is that whoever that old man was, Naruto referred to him as his master. And he has a power that's more terrible and incredible than any ability I, my former comrades and even my late sensei have ever dreamed of wielding!"

Kabuto shifted his glasses as the light of the nearby torches reflected off them.

"Was it the same power Naruto used against you last time? This Force ability?"

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"I don't know. Possibly, but one thing is for certain. Sasuke and I put a stop to whatever plans he had for Naruto. There's absolutely no way he'll be able to survive from those injuries. Not without the Kyuubi or Tsunade. Naruto is as good as dead."

Orochimaru proceeded down the hallway with Kabuto in tow.

"Still, we must be cautious. We can't afford to make any mistakes that might jeopardize our operations or Sasuke's safety. Not with someone with abilities such as that on the loose!"

Kabuto has never seen his master, one of the former Sannin and the same man who's slain both the Fourth Kazekage and the Third Hokage, so intimidated like this. He could see it in his eyes. Whoever this person was, if he's capable of causing this kind of fear to Orochimaru of all people.

Then he wasn't someone to be trifled with.

Back in Sasuke's room the Uchiha tossed and turned as he tried to rest. He couldn't, not because of just the pain in his eye but also because of Naruto's screams. Those terrible screams as he was being burnt alive kept echoing and haunting Sasuke's mind. It was so horrible and torturous.

Sasuke began to grab his good eye as it seared with pain! It felt like Naruto's screams were pouring right out if it! As Sasuke remembered how they grew in pitch and volume so did the pain in his eye.

Sasuke couldn't take it anymore and let out a scream himself. Both from the pain and to try to drown out Naruto's screaming inside of his head. Finally, the pain stopped and screaming died down to feint echoes inside his head.

Sasuke opened his eye and suddenly found his vision much greater than before. It was like he could see everything in super detail around the room. Nothing could escape it not even the spider in the corner of the room hiding in its webbings.

Sasuke grabbed a mirror from his nightstand and examined his reflection. The pattern of tomoes in his sharingan have completely changed! They were straight and resembled pin wheels!

That was when Sasuke knew he had gained it. The power he desired to achieve by killing Naruto. The very power he needed to kill Itachi.

He had awoken the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Meanwhile in the village of Konoha

Rain was pouring down hard upon the streets of the Leaf Village. The roads were muddied by the heavy downpour. Most of the residents were safe and warm inside from the cold raging storm.

All except for one.

A young girl was walking in the muddied puddled streets of the village. Without any coat or umbrella to help shield her from the piercing ice cold water falling upon her fair but pale skin. She didn't feel bothered by it though. In fact, she welcomed it.

She knew she deserved far worse after happened today. After what she had done. Sure, she was determined to redeem herself for her sins, but she knew she would never find peace with herself until she did.

Not until she had him back within her arms again.

The girl was on her way home. Taking the advice of her new teacher to get some rest. Of course, she doubt she would get any. Not with her mind constantly playing back the betrayal she had committed. Over and over it tormented her. Haunted her. And it may continue to do so for the rest of her life.

She was so absorbed with her guilt and grief, the young kunoichi didn't even hear her name being called out.

"Sakura! Sakura! SAKURA!"

The Cherry Blossom of the Leaf was snapped out of her deep thoughts as she heard a familiar voice calling out her name. She turned around and saw someone with blonde hair running towards her! Her heart began to soar for joy thinking it was him! That he actually came back!

However, as the person drew closer she saw that their hair wasn't really blonde, but platinum and it was smooth and long. It was not the Uzumaki boy she yearned to see. It was her friend, Ino Yamanaka.

Ino stopped in front of Sakura catching her breathe. She was wearing a violet raincoat and had a matching umbrella. Sakura wasn't really in the mood for a chat and kept on walking. Until Ino grabbed her wrist. Forcing her to stay.

"Is it true?! Did Sasuke-kun really abandon the village?!"

Sakura looked down towards the side and nodded.

"Yes."

Ino gasped and placed her hand over her mouth in horror. Sakura really didn't want to deal with Ino panicking about Sasuke of all people and tried to tug her wrist out of Ino's grip. But the Yamanaka girl wouldn't let her free until she knew everything.

"What about Shikamaru and the others?! Did they make it back alright?!"

At least Ino changed the subject away from Sasuke. In fact, Sakura wasn't sure she ever wanted to hear that name again. At least not for a very long while. Sakura looked back at Ino and answered her question.

"They made it back but several of them are in very bad shape. They've been placed in critical care."

Ino gasped again and her eyes began to tear up as they quivered with trying to process what she just heard.

"Do you know which of them were injured?!"

Sakura answered.

"Choji, Neji and Kiba are the ones in critical care. Shikamaru from what I heard is waiting in the reception room with Temari. You should go join them."

Ino nodded and let go of Sakura's hand. Allowing the Haruno to resume her walk home. But before she could even get a whole yard away from her, Ino asked about another of their friends.

"What about Naruto? Is he alright too?"

Sakura froze in her tracks upon hearing his name. Suddenly her mind became bombarded by everything that happened between the two of them today. Everything Naruto said to her and how he left her shattered her mind like a stone through glass.

Tears began to roll down her cheeks again. The salty liquid mixed with the rain as it showered her face. Making it hard to tell if the girl was even crying.

Of course, Sakura knew that Ino would be able to tell.

Not wanting Ino to see her like this, Sakura suddenly bolted and ran for her home! Leaving a stunned Ino behind and calling out to her! The pink haired girl didn't stop though! She wouldn't stop for anything!

It took minutes before Sakura finally reached the steps of her home! She fumbled a little with her keys before she opened and slammed the front door behind her! Her parents were away for the rest of the week, so she had the house to herself. Normally, she would be ecstatic to not have her pushy mother or her annoying father around, but she would feel no joy from it today.

After kicking her shinobi sandals off, she ran up to her room and slammed the door shut! Sakura stood with her back to its hard wooden surface as she began to sob. Sliding down until she was now sitting on the floor. Crying her heart out.

Crying for him.

"Naruto...I'm so sorry...I'm...I'm so sorry, Naruto!"

Sakura continued sobbing over what has happened the past couple of days. If only she didn't let her foolish crush on Sasuke rule over her mind so much then she never would've gone to see him. If that hadn't had happened then Naruto would still be in the village. Not forced to leave from being heartbroken over her actions on top of everything else the poor boy has been through these last few days.

Having his apartment burnt down by the villagers; finding out about his parents; losing Iruka and now being betrayed by the girl he loved. It was no wonder he left her and the village. Naruto's life here must have been an absolute hell!

And she didn't do anything to help. All she did was play with his affections for her before smashing them to pieces. Sakura gasped as she remembered something else she didn't do for him.

"I never even got to tell him, happy birthday...OH GOD!"

Sakura sobbed and cried harder more than she's done ever before in her life! All the other times she did were over meaningless things compared to this! She knew she was the absolute worse!

She knew she was a monster.

'ARRRGGGHHHH!'

Sakura immediately ceased her sobbing when she suddenly heard someone screaming. It sounded faint but close by. She looked around her room before standing up and opening door. Wondering if someone was in the house.

"Hello? Is someone there?!"

Nobody answered so the Haruno girl closed her door. Thinking she was starting to become delirious with her grieving. She started to approach her bed to get some rest before she heard the screaming again.

'AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHH!'

Sakura froze from hearing another scream echoing. She recognized these howls. They were the same dreadful screams she heard in her dream earlier.

That horrible nightmare of flames and monsters.

Sakura suddenly began panicking and started to cry out his name.

"NARUTO IS THAT YOU?! NARUTO, WHERE ARE YOU?!"

She was responded with another guttural scream that was more horrible than the last! Sakura didn't know what to do! The screams didn't sound like they were coming from anywhere inside the house or even the village and yet they sounded like they were really close!

Sakura began to clutch her head in pain and fell to her knees as she continued to hear what sounded like Naruto screaming horribly in pain!

"NARUTO, PLEASE ANSWER ME! PLEASE!"

'AAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!'

Sakura was once again responded with another scream! It was the worst one of all! It sounded like Naruto was being tortured to death! Sakura clutched her ears from the sheer intensity of the boy's painful bellowing! So much that she let out her own pleading howl!

"NARUTOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Suddenly, Sakura's room began to shake and rattle! The mirror on her nightstand cracked and shattered into pieces! Sakura didn't even notice though because she felt so overwhelmed from witnessing what looked like a giant tidal wave of pure light and dark coming towards her! She could still hear Naruto's terrible screams echoing despite the roars of the wave approaching her.

The waved drew closer and closer before it completely swept over her!

The Cherry Blossom girl's eyes snapped open as the wave disappeared and the echoing screams finally ceased. She gasped from the shock and started hyperventilating a little before trying to slow down her breathing. When she calmed down enough she looked around her room and saw that it was a complete mess. It was as if that giant wave she saw was real and crashed through her bedroom.

Sakura began to slowly and shakily get up off the floor. Wondering what in the name of the First Hokage was going on. She took a few steps around her room examining the damage. Being careful not to step on any of the broken glass on the floor.

She couldn't figure out what caused this. Was it an earthquake? If that's so why hasn't the village gone into an emergency alert. None of what was happening made any sense.

Her thoughts were interrupted without warning though as another sound began to echo around her; only this time it wasn't another horrible scream of Naruto's.

No, it was that dreadful cold mechanical sound.

HOOOOOOOOPUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR.

Sakura began to shake violently from hearing that horrible sound again! She felt completely gripped with fear and this sudden ice chill over her body! She let herself fall onto her bed and grabbed hold of the covers to wrap herself up in them!

Trying to find shelter from both the cold and the sound of the monster's breathing.

Universe Lucas on Coruscant

Palpatine has been pacing back and forth for hours. Despite the fact that he was now ruler of an entire galaxy, he couldn't help but feel impatient. He wanted his apprentice ready and to proceed with the ritual at once. With every second wasted unforeseen enemies would gather and plot against him. He needed the boy ready so that he can wipe them out and provoke fear across the galaxy.

Hence the pacing.

He noticed for a while now that the operating room has been silent. He hasn't heard his apprentice's cries and screams of pain for quite some time. It likely meant the surgery was almost complete since he could sense that the boy was still alive.

Finally, Palpatine ceased his pacing as the doors finally opened with the head medical droid rolling through.

"He is ready, my lord."

Palpatine followed the droid into the medical lab. Several other medical droids were gathered near a table that was covered in steam and luminated by a central light. The table slowly began to rise up. As it did Palpatine observed the figured that was confined to it.

Clad in black clothing with a silver black striped armored chest plate and armored boots. Flashing lights and switches on his belt and on a panel covering his abdomen. A long black cape, flowing down behind his back, attached to a metal chain around his neck. And finally, a shiny black armored helmet and a mask with the faint resemblance of a skull with two tusks protruding out at the corners of where the mouth was.

HOOOOOOOOPUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR.

The thing looked and sounded more machine like than a living person. That mattered little to the Sith Emperor though. For what was truly important was that the boy was alive. Alive to do his bidding.

But was he strong enough to do it?

As the table finished rising, the masked Sith apprentice slowly tilted his head down before raising it up to properly take in his surroundings. Palpatine stepped closer to his apprentice. Sensing the fear and confusion in him.

"Apprentice, do not be alarmed. You are safe."

The figure's helmet turned toward the Emperor.

"Master?"

Palpatine nodded.

"Yes, I am here my friend."

The figure tried to move but his arms were still restrained. He looked down and noticed that something felt very wrong with his limbs. The boy's helmet stiffened up as he was stunned to see that they were restored.

And yet they didn't feel like they were.

"My arm...my legs...!"

Palpatine placed a hand on the armored shoulder of the boy.

"I have given you new limbs to replace the ones that were taken from you."

The boy's black charcoal colored helmet looked at his master with shock and confusion.

"You what?!"

HOPUR!HOPUR!HOPUR!HOPUR!

The cybernetically enhanced child began to struggle and panic as he began to find it difficult to breathe! Tasteless sterilized air was being forced into him! When he tried to fight it, he couldn't breathe at all!

Palpatine placed both hands on his apprentice to steady him.

"Do not fight the mask, my friend! Let it breathe the air into you!"

HOPUR!HOOOPUUUUR!HOOOOOOPUUUUUUR! HOOOOOOOOPUUUUURRRRRRRRRRR...

The armored clad Sith apprentice's struggles began to slowly cease and his breathing began to return to its normal rhythm as he obeyed his master's instructions. Allowing the sterile air to force its way into him. Even though he's calmed down somewhat he couldn't help but look over his body in horror of what it has become.

"W-What have you done to me?!"

Palpatine removed his hands and explained.

"I have rebuilt you, my friend. If I had not then you would have surely perished from the wounds you've suffered at the hands of Orochimaru and Sasuke Uchiha!"

The boy tightened both of his hands into fists upon hearing that name.

"Uchiha!"

The metal walls in the laboratory creaked while some of the droids began to shake with the lights, resembling their eyes, flickering a bit in response to the boy's slight surge in power.

Palpatine smiled at this reaction. It was a start, but he knew that it wasn't enough. In order for his apprentice's power to rise so must his anger and rage and he knew just the push the boy needed.

"My friend, I must tell you that I have discovered the plot that Tsunade and the others have been formulating without your knowledge."

The boy's head tilted up before looking over at his master.

"I'm afraid their treachery with you runs far deeper than even I expected."

The boy's helmet tilted slightly down.

"What do you mean?"

Palpatine reached into his robes and pulled out the holodisk he's been saving. The circular metal object levitated from his hand. Floating over onto the floor in front of the table where his protégé was still confined.

Moments later blue flickering images of Tsunade and Kakashi appeared. The boy leaned forward with eagerness. Wanting to know what other secrets his "friends" have been hiding from him.

And what these same secrets had to do with him.

"We've found no sign of Naruto, Lady Tsunade. I'm afraid he's escaped during the retrieval mission."

The image of Tsunade growled in annoyance.

"I told Shikamaru and the others to keep an eye on him! They were supposed to take him out once the mission was over!"

She then turned her back to the image of Kakashi.

"I see, so you decided to end his life after all."

The table creaked and moaned as the boy's body lurched forward upon hearing this.

"You better damn well believe I did! I'm tired of that brat whining and complaining about having to be our secret weapon! If only his damn father hadn't had interfered with our plans to take the Kyuubi out of his mother and place it into a more obedient vessel! I didn't think he would've had the guts to choose protecting the village over his own flesh and blood!"

The boy's cybernetic body stiffened as he continued listening.

"Yes, Minato sensei always has been stubborn and hopelessly in love with the village. It's one of the reasons why Lord Sarutobi chose him as his successor."

Tsunade growled as she turned around.

"Well, he was not nearly as stubborn and idiotic as my old sensei! He should've come to me for the position of Hokage after Minato died! Instead he chose to take it back for himself despite my birthright! Of course, the old greedy fool paid for it with his life when we had Orochimaru trick the Sand into helping him and his new village attack the Leaf!"

Kakashi nodded.

"It wasn't easy to keep the other shinobi from suspecting we were behind it. Me and master Jiraiya had to make our battles with the Sound and Sand shinobi pretty convincing. Even had to take some of their lives but it was worth it."

Tsunade swiped her hand in front of her.

"Until that Uzumaki brat interfered by defeating the Sand's jinchuriki! The plan was to have him desolate the village and kill all of Sarutobi's and Minato's followers! It would've made my transition much more smoothly!"

Kakashi shrugged.

"The plan still worked. You got to become Hokage and we even saved costs on rebuilding the village."

Tsunade scoffed.

"It still would've been better if more people died! Oh well..."

Kakashi tilted his head and gravity defying hair to the side.

"I bet what's really upsetting you is that little show you all had to put on for Naruto when he and master Jiraiya came to ask you to take the job."

Tsunade sighed in irritation.

"You have no idea! That brat was such an idiotic little loudmouth! I wanted to strangle him the second he said that I wasn't worthy of being Hokage, but foolishly thought he was! He was too damn much like my brother and former fiancé! So arrogant and smug! I would've killed him the same way I did them! The only reason I didn't was because that his power along with the Kyuubi's could've been of use to us!"

Kakashi straightened himself.

"I see, his power caught your eye and master Jiraiya's when he fought Orochimaru."

Tsunade nodded.

"The plan was to fool the boy into thinking that I didn't want the job, so he wouldn't suspect anything. Then when we fought Orochimaru, Naruto was supposed to have been knocked out so that we could extract the Kyuubi out of him! I didn't think the little bastard was capable of summoning enough power to defeat Orochimaru! That's when I was beginning to think that maybe he wasn't so useless after all."

Tsunade turned her back again.

"But then afterwards he was becoming too difficult to control!"

Kakashi hummed in agreement.

"Yes, and him finding out about his parents and that we knew them certainly didn't make things easier. But at least he didn't find out that we were behind releasing the Kyuubi out of his mother."

The boy suddenly rammed himself back into the table before lashing out again. The table's metal restraints creaking and loosening against his enhanced strength. He growled and felt his anger boil at Tsunade and the others' betrayal. With everything that he now knows of what they have done, he didn't think they could've done anything else that was more despicable and vile.

He was about to be proven wrong.

"Yes, if he found out about that then we would've surely lost control of him. We nearly did when he attacked the village that's why we had Sakura calm him down and try to seduce him so that we can get him back under our thumbs."

The boy's helmet snapped up in response.

"I didn't account for the little bitch not being able to keep her emotions for the Uchiha in check however and that blew our plan right out the window when Naruto found out!"

Kakashi sighed.

"Master Jiraiya did say we should've waited before letting Orochimaru convince Sasuke to leave the Leaf village."

Tsunade narrowed her eyes in annoyance at the copycat ninja.

"Spare me the old Toad Hermit's criticism! Orochimaru was getting impatient with waiting for us to honor our deal for having him attack Konoha and to stage that little fight of ours for Naruto! Besides it's your fault for not disciplining her enough to ignore that childish infatuation of hers!"

Kakashi shrugged.

"What can I say? Sarutobi dumped her and the other two on me even though I was never interested in training them to begin with."

Tsunade scoffed.

"But you were supposed to keep an eye on them!"

Tsunade growled in irritation before crossing her arms over her bosom.

"So, what's the plan now?"

Tsunade had a look of cold murder in her eyes.

"We can't afford to let Naruto grow stronger or fall into the hands of another village, so I'm ordering all our shinobi to hunt him down and bring him back! It will be under the premise that he's traitor for attacking the villagers and abandoning the village! They'll think we're doing this to execute him when we're really planning to extract the Kyuubi out of his body and put it into a vessel that's easier to control and far more obedient!"

Kakashi nodded.

"Well, since he will die anyway from having the Kyuubi taken out of him we are in a way executing him."

Tsunade smirked.

"It will certainly be a nice little bonus for us considering that it will be a very slow and painful one!"

Kakashi's lone eye grew serious.

"We'll have to be careful though when we have Naruto in custody. Danzo will likely try to attempt the same thing we are by having the Kyuubi sealed inside one of his own followers."

Tsunade closed her eyes.

"Or try to brainwash Naruto into being loyal to him like how we tried to do."

Kakashi nodded again.

"There's also the little matter of what to do about Sakura."

Tsunade opened and narrowly looked at the corner of her eyes at Kakashi.

"When she couldn't convince Naruto to try to bring back Sasuke, she came crying to me to do it. I told her it was out of my hands and she went chasing after him, herself. If Naruto were to run into her and he finds out that we ordered her to seduce him, it could make things more difficult and complicated, Lady Tsunade."

Tsunade growled.

"And these genins are supposed to be the future of the Leaf! They can't even do something as simple as doing nothing!"

Kakashi pulled his hands out of his pockets.

"You want me to take care of her?"

Tsunade fully turned to him with curled fists.

"No, I'll do it myself! She's going to learn what happens to little bugs like her that cross me when I crush her head beneath my heel!"

Tsunade cracked her knuckles.

"Just like I did to Iruka!"

The boy's upper body and head snapped straight up in shock.

"In that case count me out. I was there when you splattered Iruka's brains everywhere and I couldn't eat for days."

Tsunade scoffed.

"What are you complaining about? Shizune was the one that had to clean up my office! Besides the bastard deserved it when he refused my orders to try to deceive Naruto and even tried to warn him about our plans!"

Kakashi shrugged again.

"Oh well, but don't you think that's bit much for Sakura? She is just a child. Maybe a clean death would be better?"

Tsunade raised an eyebrow at him.

"So what if she's young? The second she decided to become a shinobi she became a pawn for whoever holds the most power in this village! And now the one that holds the most power is me! And the thing about being a shinobi is that it's always a messy business...with a very messy ending!"

Tsunade's lips curled into a cruel smile.

The blue images of Tsunade and Kakashi suddenly began fiercely flickering and were shutt off completely as the disk itself sparked and short circuited before being completely crushed!

"No...more!"

The boy's upper body straightened itself stiff while his head tilted downwards to the side.

HOOOPUUUUURRRRR! HOOOPUUUUURRRRRR! HOOOPUUUUURRRRR!

"They have all taken everything from me! THEY WERE LIARS AND MURDERERS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING AND I DIDN'T SEE IT! I DIDN'T...SENSE IT! I FELT NOTHING FROM THEM! NOTHING AT ALL! THOSE BASTARDS!"

The boy tilted his helmet upwards towards the ceiling. He moaned and growled lowly with anger! Upon this, the room began to shake violently in response!

One of the medical droids' body completely compressed while the various blood vials around its torso shattered! A nearby metal pillar began to collapse in on itself from the weight of his power and rage! Another droid lights began to flicker while it's head began to indent at various points while the vials of medicine and antibiotics shattered like the previous droid's! The head medical droid started to panic before its own body began to spark from being compacted and compressed! So much so that the droid exploded into pieces!

Everything in the room, save for Palpatine, fell victim to the rage of the boy's power by sparking, shattering or were becoming crushed completely in its wake!

As the room felt the wrath of his anger, the boy's restraint on his right arm began to creak and weaken as he pulled hard against it! It took mere seconds before it completely broke free of the table! He then pulled with his other arm! It took more effort and even caused him pain, but he didn't care as he pulled with all of his might! Then it too broke off!

With both of his arms free, the raging Sith apprentice took his first step with his new cybernetic leg! The second his foot touched the floor he nearly fell over as he struggled with the weight of his armor and the unnatural feeling of walking with these new legs! It was almost as difficult as when he took his second step! By the third step he stopped completely as his upper body rocked and bent over from the sheer weight!

However, he wouldn't allow a mere thing like that stop his maddening reaction to this betrayal, as he straightened his upper body upwards! His arms spread out at his sides as if they themselves were struggling to support the weight of his power and unmatched fury! He tilted his mask upwards towards the ceiling and let loose a raging howl of pain and anger!

"ARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!"

The cybernetic former Leaf shinobi finally caved to the weight of his armor! Falling to his knees as he still released his scream of outrage! However, that wasn't nearly enough to sate him as he raised both of his fists upwards before slamming them onto the floor!

A massive shockwave exploded from the impact! Causing sparks and machinary all over the room to fly everywhere and even destroying what was left of the droids! It was so awesome in power that Palpatine himself was sent flying backwards and collided into the wall!

As he slid down he couldn't help but smile and marvel at his apprentice's display of power and anger. He had no doubt now that it was more than enough to help him survive the ritual. All he needed to do was convince his apprentice to allow him to perform it which he had little doubt he will.

The boy finally calmed down enough as his power began to settle down. Inside however he was being consumed by his hatred and pain.

All this time they've been lying to him about everything! Not only just about who his parents were but the facts that they were behind the Kyuubi's attack; their deaths; the Sand and Sound Invasion; the Third Hokage's death; Everything! What's worse is that they were the ones who were behind Iruka's death! His one and only friend from the village died a horrible death at their hands!

And then there was Sakura.

He knew that her feelings for him couldn't possibly have been true and yet he still fell for them! When all along she was just following Tsunade's orders to seduce and deceive him! He should've seen right through her! He should've seen through them all!

Just like how he should've killed Sasuke at the very beginning of their fight!

If he had followed his master's instructions by releasing his anger sooner then Sasuke would've been long dead before Orochimaru interfered! But he didn't! He held back! Not for good sport or because he didn't think it was necessary! He did it because he still felt attachment for the Uchiha!

But whatever attachments he had left for him were incinerated in the flames that consumed him!

He hated Sasuke! It was all his fault! He chose to take his victory rather than earn it! The Uzumaki knew the Uchiha was many things but he never suspected him to be a liar and coward as well! He was just like the rest of them! It was all their fault too! Orochimaru, Kakashi, Jiraiya, Tsunade, the Rookie Nine, and especially Sakura and his parents! They all shared in the blame for his pain, suffering and humiliating loss!

But there was one above them all who was directly responsible for his defeat! The one person that has given him nothing but delusions of friendship, love and grandeur! Who has been nothing but a pathetic worthless weakling! The one who has allowed their lies and betrayals to go on for far too long and not suspect a thing because he was too naively obsessed with his goals and dreams! How he hated him! How he hated even just the mere memory of him! How he hated his love for Sakura and the village! How he hated his obsession for his dream! How he hated that foolish laughter and smile of his!

How he hated Naruto Uzumaki!

Palpatine sensed it. He was being taken over by so much of his rage and pain. His former self was being drowned in it. He could sense that Naruto Uzumaki was no more for there was only the darkness within him that remained now.

Palpatine rose up and approached his apprentice to place a hand on his armored shoulder.

"I am sorry, my friend. It horrifies and saddens me deeply to see the lengths they have all went through to see you suffer and enslaved. More than you can imagine."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"But now is not the time to grieve or fall into despair. You must prepare yourself for our enemies, my friend."

The cyborg Sith looked up at his master.

"Enemies? You mean the Jedi?"

Palpatine nodded.

"Yes, as we speak the survivors are plotting to overthrow me and take away the empire that I have worked so hard to create to establish peace across the galaxy. Not only will they try to destroy me, they will also try to destroy you as well because of what you are now. A member of the Sith!"

The boy's gloved hands closed into fists.

"Those cowards!"

Palpatine nodded again.

"Indeed, they are, but unfortunately they are also powerful in the Force. As strong as you are, I'm afraid that with your power significantly reduced by your injuries along with your access to the Kyuubi's power and much of your chakra sealed away, you won't have much hope in defeating them."

The Sith cyborg grabbed hold of Palpatine's arms firmly.

"Then train me! Train me to overcome my injuries and weaknesses! Show me how to truly tap into the Darkside so that I can destroy them! I didn't come all this way and cheated death just so I could be killed by cowards who claim to be powerful yet hide themselves!"

The boy tilted his helmet down.

"Also, I need to become stronger so that one day I can return to my galaxy and planet! Where I can have my revenge against Sasuke, Orochimaru and all of the Leaf village!"

Palpatine gently took the boy's arms off of his own.

"I'm afraid that governing and keeping watch over the galaxy will take up much of my time, apprentice. It will make it very difficult for me to properly teach you. I have servants, called the Inquisitors, who could help but they are former Jedi and are just now learning the power of the Darkside themselves, so they will be of very little use."

Palpatine held his finger up.

"But there is one method we could attempt to help you grow stronger more quickly..."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"What method?"

Palpatine answered.

"It is a very ancient and powerful ritual that allows a Sith's essence and power to be transferred into another Sith."

The boy's cybernetic body stiffened.

"You mean that it's...a sealing ritual?"

Palpatine nodded.

"In a sense, yes, but not like ones used for sealing away Bijuu into you and Gaara. No, this ritual doesn't imprison one Sith's soul into another's body but rather...fuses their souls."

The boy's helmet tilted.

"It fuses them?"

Palpatine nodded.

"Yes, their souls become one inside the second Sith's body. but the ritual is very dangerous. It is extremely painful and risks the host's body being destroyed. In fact, it's rare for it to have been successful without failure."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"But it can help me become stronger?"

Palpatine nodded again.

"Yes, it can, if it is performed correctly."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

The young apprentice gave it some thought before asking his master another question regarding a concern with attempting this ritual.

"If we do this, whose soul would we use master? You told me that you are the last of the Sith and I am not even a Sith Lord yet. So how would we do it?"

Palpatine smiled.

"By using the soul of my fallen apprentice; Darth Vader."

The boy's body stiffened.

"Vader? But I thought he lost his life in combat against his former master?"

Palpatine nodded again.

"That is true, he did. However, by the will of the Force I've come to possess an ancient Sith artifact that has kept his spirit intact and allowed it to remain here in the living realm."

While that certainly explained how Vader's soul could be used, there was something that still didn't make sense.

"Why would you keep it all this time?"

Palpatine sensed the boy was becoming suspicious but gave him a reassuring smile.

"I must confess that I was planning from the very beginning to perform this ritual on you, my young friend. I am sorry for not telling you sooner, but I was afraid if I did you would not have joined me and left your village. You are a great warrior, but your injuries have left your potential greatly reduced but that is not the only reason for the necessity of this ritual. Your knowledge of wielding a lightsaber is very limited and there are things about the Force you do not know that he does. That and you know nothing of my universe. You do not know how to negotiate and make settlements. How to communicate with the hundreds of lifeforms that do not speak in our tongue. How to work with droids. How to pilot a starship. How to command forces. How to fight battles and wars with strategy and win them. You know none of that and so much more. However,..."

Palpatine raised his hand and closed it into a fist.

"Vader does and with the ritual all of his power, skills, knowledge and experience will be yours as yours will be his! The both of you combined together will have the might and power to crush our enemies and ensure peace and prosperity for the Empire!"

Palpatine held a finger up.

"As well as to ensure your return to your universe to exact your revenge!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

The boy began to give it more thought. Even with the risks involved, it sounded very promising indeed. Having Vader's spirit fused with his could certainly help him adjust faster to this new universe as well as raise his power against their enemies.

But there is one thing he needed to know before making his choice.

"If I do this, master, will I still have my mind? Will I still be myself?"

Palpatine's face took a serious expression as he answered.

"Yes, and no. You will both be of one mind. One body. His thoughts will be your thoughts and your thoughts will be his. It will be as if you've been reborn into a new different being. A more powerful one that has the mind and memories of both you and Vader. In short, you will not be the same person you were before, but you will be a Sith Lord!"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

That was more than enough to help the boy make his decision.

"Good, then let's get started!"

The boy rose with his enhanced body to his new full height. Stopping just at Palpatine's shoulder. The dark lord smiled as his plan was coming full circle.

Hours Later on a Planet in the Outer Rim

The shuttle set down upon the burning rocky terrain of the planet. Near the destination that Palpatine instructed to the pilots. Steam poured out of the vents of the ship as the door opened. Out that stepped forth was the Sith Lord himself and his new apprentice.

Palpatine then led the way as the boy followed. The cyborg child took in his surroundings with a bit of awe. This world was much different than the one they just left. The ground was rough, with steam and smoke bellowing out of it and was devoid of any plant life as far as the eye could see. There were rivers and pools of lava everywhere and volcanoes stretching far and wide. The sky itself seemed to be on fire along with the rest of the planet.

"What is this place, master?"

Palpatine answered the curious boy's question.

"This is Mustafar."

The boy continued looking around as they walked. His helmet's visionary receptors showed what looked like odd creatures standing on the rivers of lava taking pieces of burning rock out of it. It was strange. However, what was even stranger was what he was feeling.

Palpatine sensed his apprentice's confused mind and spoke.

"You're wondering why you feel cold despite the fact that we're standing on a world riddled with fire and ash."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Yes, master."

Palpatine answered to quell the boy's confusion.

"The reason why is because the Darkside is strong on this planet."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Where exactly are we going, master?"

Palpatine answered.

"There is an ancient cave up ahead that the Sith have used for rituals, such as this one, for thousands of years. It's...a nexus if you will, for channeling the power of the Darkside to its upmost comprehensible limits and beyond."

The dark cybernetic apprentice understood. It certainly made sense to perform the ritual here if it would help increase their chances. However, there was still one thing that the soon to be Sith Lord was curious about as he starred at the red triangular object in Palpatine's hands.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"And what is that you're holding master?"

Palpatine answered his apprentice's last query.

"This is the artifact that I told you about earlier. It is called a Sith Holocron. They are ancient devices that we, Sith, use to store our records, knowledge, and wisdom of the Darkside. The Jedi have similar artifacts, but we are able to do so much more with ours. Some Sith Holocrons, like this one, even have the capability to store and preserve the soul of a Sith Lord but there were only a few made. Many have searched for and tried to use them as a means for immortality."

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Immortality? That's impossible, master."

Palpatine looked at the boy.

"Ah, my young friend, you have much to learn. As I said before, the Darkside has no limits with the possibilities of what one could achieve with it."

Having the ability to never die and live forever sounded too good to be true. Although Orochimaru is attempting to achieve it by jumping from body to body like the parasite he is. Oh, how he couldn't wait till he grew strong enough to wipe out their enemies so that he could return to his universe and have that snake along with all those other fools on their knees to pay with their lives.

They deserved that and so much more.

"We are here."

The Sith cyborg looked and saw the entrance to the cave his master described. The opening was small but not too much so. The boy could sense many things of this cave. It was so cold and full death and what also felt like...life. Unnatural life. The things he sensed coming from this cave felt so wrong and if he were the same boy that he was mere days ago, he wouldn't want to be anywhere near this place. However, he has come too far and lost too much to turn back now.

Palpatine entered the cave first. A moment or too passed before the boy entered as well. Ready to claim the power that was promised to him.

Ready to claim his destiny.

The walls of the cave were covered with strange symbols the boy didn't recognize. He was able to see them thanks to the glow of the small streams of lava running along the edges of their path. Up ahead he could see a large round stone slab. It was obvious that was where the ritual was going to take place.

He was proven correct as his master stopped in front of the slab and gestured with his hand.

"Lie here, my friend."

The boy did as his master instructed and lied upon the slab. Even though it was large his body didn't quite fit on top of it without his limbs hanging off the side making it uncomfortable. The boy didn't care, though. He would be lucky if that was the only inconvenience for him to take part in this ritual.

Sidious then held the Holocron up and was about to begin the transfer.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Wait..."

Palpatine looked at the boy.

"Are you reconsidering your choice?"

The boy turned his helmet towards the old man.

"No, but there is something I want that you promised me."

Palpatine arched his brow.

"And that would be?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"You said that when my training was complete I could have your former apprentice's title. Now, your saying that with this ritual I will become a true Sith Lord."

Palpatine then understood.

"Ahhhhh, I see...You want his title."

The boy nodded his helmet head.

"Yes, when we are one, I want us both to be called by his title and his alone. I never want to hear the name, Naruto Uzumaki, ever again! Uzumaki was a weak naïve child that no longer exists!"

The dark apprentice turned his head towards the ceiling.

"I killed him!"

The dark lord smiled upon hearing this declaration.

"So be it, Darth Vader."

The Holocron then raised out of Palpatine's hands above the boy. The Sith Emperor then began chanting in a strange language while the Holocron began to open apart like a puzzle box. The tip of it opened up as Palpatine hands cackled with electrical energy!

Then the Emperor shot streams of lightning into the artifact! The triangular box glowed and flashed with a bright red hue before it suddenly shot bolts of red cackling energy into the vessel that was the apprentice! The symbols on the walls around them began to glow bright red the same as the Holocron!

Outside the volcanoes erupted with explosions of smoke and lava! A massive storm of thunder and lightning began to engulf the sky! It was as if the very planet was threatening to tear itself apart!

And the same could be said for the boy.

The boy roared with immense pain as his body felt like it was being ripped to shreds! Somehow, this felt even worse than when he was being burnt alive! However, even if it was a thousand times worse he was not going to let it be his demise! No, his story would not end here, it would only be the beginning!

The beginning of the end for all of his enemies!

Vision

Suddenly, the pain was gone, and the apprentice found himself standing in darkness with nothing in his surroundings. Then a white light flashed around him and he began to see images. Visions of another's life that was not his own. Visions of happiness, courage, kindness and love. Before turning into ones of pain, anger and loss.

They were the other's memories.

'Are you an Angel?'

'What?'

'An Angel, I heard the deep space pilots talking about them. They're the most beautiful creatures in the universe.'

'You're a slave?'

'I'm a person and my name is Anakin!'

'You're a Jedi Knight, aren't you?'

'What makes you say that?'

'I saw your laser sword. Only Jedi carry that kind of weapon.'

'Perhaps, I killed a Jedi and took it from him.'

'I don't think so. No one, can kill a Jedi!'

'I wish that myself.'

'There's so many! Do they all have a system of planets?'

'Most of them.'

'Has anyone been to them all?'

'Hmmm, not likely.'

'I wanna be the first one to see em all!'

'Remember, concentrate on the moment. Feel, don't think. Use your instincts.'

'I will.'

'May the Force be with you.'

'Well, done Ani! You brought hope to those who had none! I'm so very proud of you!'

'I will come back and free you, mom! I promise!'

'Be brave and don't look back. Don't look back.'

'Anakin Skywalker, meet Obi-wan Kenobi.'

'I made this for you.'

'It's beautiful, but I don't need this to remember you by.'

'Many things will change when we reach the capital, Ani, but my caring for you will remain.'

'I care for you too. Only I...'

'You miss your mother.'

'I sense much fear in you.'

'No, he will not be trained.'

'He is the Chosen One, you must see it!'

'Hmmmm, clouded this boy's future is.'

'Stick close to me and you'll be safe.'

'Hey, wait for me!'

'Anakin, stay where you are! You'll be safe there!'

'But I-'

'Stay in that cockpit!'

'And you, young Skywalker. We will watch your career with great interest!'

'What will happen to me now?'

'The council have granted me permission to train you. You will be a Jedi. I promise.'

'Ani? My goodness you've grown!'

'So, have you. More beautiful I mean.'

'We will do exactly as the council has instructed. And you will learn your place, young one.'

'They've finally given you an assignment. Your patience has paid off.'

'Your guidance more than my patience.'

'You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time you will learn to trust your feelings then you will be invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi, I've ever met.'

'We used to lie on the sand and let the sun dry us.'

'I don't like sand it's course and rough and irritating and it gets everywhere! Not like you.'

'I will not let you give up your future for me!'

'You are asking me to be rational. That is something, I know, I cannot do!'

'Believe me, I wish I could just wish away my feelings! But I can't.'

'I will not give into this.'

'We could keep it a secret.'

'We'd be living a lie. One, we couldn't keep even if we wanted to. I couldn't do that. Could you, Anakin? Could you live like that?'

'No, you're right. It would destroy us.'

'You had another nightmare last night.'

'Jedi don't have nightmares.'

'I heard you.'

'I saw my mother. She's suffering, Padme. I saw her clearly as I see you now. She's in pain. I know I'm disobeying my mandate to protect you, senator, but I have to go. I have to help her!'

'I'll go with you.'

'I'm sorry, I don't have a choice!'

'I'm here, mom!'

'Ani? Is that you?'

'I'm here, mom! You're safe!'

'My son...my grown up son. I'm so proud of you, Ani!'

'I missed you.'

'Now, I am complete.'

'I love-'

"Why did she have to die? Why couldn't I save her?!'

'Sometimes there are things no one can control. You're not all powerful.'

'Well, I should be! Someday, I will be! I will be the most powerful Jedi ever!'

'Anakin...'

'I-I killed them. I killed them all! They're dead! Every single one of them! And not just the men...but the women and the children too! They're like animals and I slaughtered them like animals! I HATE THEM!'

'To be angry is to be human.'

'I'm a Jedi! I know, I'm better than this!

'Don't be afraid.'

'I'm not afraid to die. I've been dying, a little bit, each day since you came back into my life.'

'What are you talking about?'

'I love you.'

'I truly...deeply...love you and before we die, I want you to know.'

'You're going to pay for all the Jedi that you killed today, Dooku!'

'Brave of you boy, but I thought you would've learned your lesson!'

'I am a slow learner!'

'I'm Ahsoka, Master Yoda sent me.'

'You're reckless, little one. You never would've made it as Obi-wan's padawan, but you might make it as mine.'

'Doing what the Jedi Council says, that's one thing. How we go about doing it, that's another.'

'It is done.'

'And now...I die...my heart broken...but knowing...the role...you will play...'

'And what is that?'

'You...are...the Chosen One...you have brought balance...to this world...stay on this path and...you will do it again...for the galaxy...but beware...your...heart...'

'Ahsoka, I am so sorry! For letting you go! For letting you get taken, it was my fault!'

'When I was out there, alone, all I had was your training and the lessons you taught me and because of you, I did survive. And not only that, I was able to lead others to survive as well. Thank you, master.'

'Don't worry about a thing, sir. We'll have the city under Republic control by the time you're back.'

'Master Krell, this is Rex. My first in command. You won't find a finer or more loyal trooper anywhere!'

'The Jedi Order is your life! Ahsoka, you are making a mistake!'

'Maybe...but I have to sort this out on my own. Without the council and without you.'

'I understand. More than you realize. I understand wanting to walk away from the order.'

'I know.'

'I sense great fear in you, Skywalker! You have hate! You have anger! But you don't use them!'

'Good, Anakin, good! Kill him. Kill him, now.'

'I shouldn't.'

'Do it!'

'You did well, Anakin.'

'Leave him or we'll never make it!'

'His fate will be the same as ours.'

'Are you alright? You're trembling. What's going on?'

'Something wonderful has happened. Ani, I'm pregnant.'

'That's...That's wonderful!'

'What are we going to do?'

'We're not going to worry about anything, right now, alright? This is a happy moment. The happiest moment of my life!'

'You die in childbirth.'

'And the baby?'

'I don't know.'

'It was only a dream.'

'I won't let this one become real!'

'These visions, you have?'

'They're of pain; suffering; death.'

'Careful you must be when sensing the future, Anakin. The fear of loss is the path to the Darkside.'

'What must I do, Master Yoda?'

'Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.'

'You're on this council, but we do not grant you the rank of master.'

'What?...How can you do this? This is outrageous! It's unfair! How can you be on the council and not be a master?!'

'Anakin, I am on your side. I didn't want to put you in this situation.'

'What situation?'

'The council wants you to report on all the Chancellor's dealings. They want to know what he's up to.'

'They want me to spy on the Chancellor?! That's treason!'

'We are at war, Anakin.'

'The Chancellor is not a bad man, Obi-wan. He befriended me. He's watched out for me ever since I arrived here.'

'That is why you must help us.'

'You're asking me to do something against the Jedi Code! Against the Republic. Against a mentor and a friend, that's what's out of place here! Why are you asking this of me?!'

'The council is asking you.'

'Sometimes, I wonder what's happening to the Jedi Order. I think this war is destroying the very principles of the Republic.'

'Have you ever considered that we may be on the wrong side?'

'What do you mean?'

'What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists? And the Republic is becoming the very evil we've been fighting to destroy?'

'I don't believe that and you're sounding like a separatist!'

'If they haven't included you in their plot, they soon will.'

'I'm not sure I understand.'

'You must sense what I have come to suspect. The Jedi Council want control of the Republic. They're planning to betray me.'

'I don't think-'

'Anakin...search your feelings. You know, don't you?'

'I have to admit my trust in them as been shaken

'Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Plagueis the Wise?'

'No.'

'He had such a knowledge of the Darkside that he could even keep the ones he cared about...from dying.'

'He could actually...save people from death?'

'The Darkside of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some would consider to be unnatural.'

'Is it possible to learn this power?'

'Not from a Jedi.'

'Master, I've disappointed you. I haven't been appreciative of your training. I've been arrogant and I apologize.'

'You are strong and wise, Anakin, and I am very proud of you.'

'Obi-wan, may the Force be with you.'

'Goodbye, old friend, may the Force be with you.'

'I feel lost.'

'Lost? What do you mean?'

'Obi-wan and the council don't trust me.'

'They trust you with their lives.'

'Something's happening. I'm not the Jedi I should be. I want more and I know I shouldn't.'

'Only through me can you achieve a power greater than any Jedi! Learn to know the Darkside of the Force and you will be able to save your wife from certain death.'

'What did you just say?'

'Know the power of the Darkside. The power to save Padme.'

'You do know, don't you? If the Jedi destroy me, any chance of saving her will be lost.'

'You must choose!'

'Don't listen to him, Anakin!'

'I'm going to end this once and for all!'

'You can't! He must stand trial!'

'He's too dangerous to be left alive!'

'It's not the Jedi way! He must live! I need him! NO!'

'POWER!'

'What have I done?!'

'You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin.'

'I will do whatever you ask. Just help me save Padme's life! I can't live without her!'

'Henceforth, you shall be known as Darth...Vader!'

'Obi-wan told me terrible things!'

'What things?'

'He said, you turned to the Darkside. That you killed younglings!'

'Obi-wan is trying to turn you against me.'

'Anakin, all I want is your love!'

'Love won't save you, Padme! Only my new powers can do that!'

'At what cost?! You're a good person! Don't do this!'

'I won't lose you the way I lost my mother! I am becoming more powerful than any Jedi has ever dreamed of and I'm doing it for you. To protect you.'

'Come away with me! Help me raise our child! Leave everything else behind while we still can!'

'Don't you see? We don't have to run away anymore! I have brought peace to the Republic! I am more powerful than the Chancellor! I can overthrow him! And together you and I can rule the galaxy! Make things the way we want them to be!'

'I don't believe what I'm hearing! Obi-wan is right you've changed!'

'The Jedi turned against me! Don't you turn against me!'

'Anakin, you're breaking my heart! You're going down a path, I can't follow! Stop! Stop now, come back! I LOVE YOU!'

'LIAR!'

'You have allowed this dark lord to twist your mind until now. Until now, you have become the very thing you swore to destroy!'

'Don't lecture me, Obi-wan! I see through the lies of the Jedi! I do not fear the Darkside as you do! I have brought peace; freedom; justice and security to my new empire!'

'You're new empire?'

'Don't make me kill you!'

'Anakin my allegiance is to the Republic! To democracy!'

'If you're not with me then you're my enemy!'

'Only a Sith deals in absolutes. I will do what I must!'

'You will try!'

'I have failed you, Anakin! I have failed you!'

'I should've known the Jedi were plotting to take over!'

'Anakin, Chancellor Palpatine is evil!'

'From my point of view, the Jedi are evil!'

'Well then you are lost!'

'This is the end for you, my master!'

There was a blinding flash of light once again and the black armored apprentice found himself standing on a hill overlooking a lava river. He could see two people at the bottom. One was standing on the slope of the hill while the other was standing on what looked like a metal raft floating on top of the lava.

"It's over, Anakin! I have the high ground!"

The boy suddenly realized that this must've been the climatic moment of their fight and how Vader would lose.

"You underestimate my power!"

"Don't try it!"

Vader suddenly leapt into the air trying to barrel roll over his opponent, but the Jedi swung his saber and cut off Vader's legs and left arm!

The boy stood shocked as he watched Vader scream while tumbling and rolling down to the edge of the lava! He stopped just before he reached it by digging his right hand into the burnt soil! The Sith Lord's eyes were burning with the same fiery colors as the lava that threatened to swallow him!

"YOU WERE THE CHOSEN ONE! IT WAS SAID THAT YOU WOULD DESTROY THE SITH, NOT JOIN THEM! BRING BALANCE TO THE FORCE! NOT LEAVE IT IN DARKNESS!"

The boy watched as Vader's former master walked away. Picking up his predecessor's lightsaber before looking back down at him.

"I HATE YOU!"

Vader continued climbing up as best as he could with his one arm on that loose slope. The boy figured this would be point where his former friend and master would strike him down. For there was no way he would be able to free himself out of there and it would be cruel to leave him like that.

He was about to be proven more wrong then he thought could've been possible.

"YOU WERE MY BROTHER, ANAKIN! I LOVED YOU!"

Vader suddenly lost his grip and slipped too close to the lava! The stumps that were his legs smoked and suddenly caught fire! He screamed horribly as moments after his whole body became engulfed by the flames!

The boy felt as if he was looking in a mirror showing exactly what happened to him when he fought Sasuke. The same screams; the same betrayal; the same pain! It was more than he could stand!

As he watched the Jedi walk away leaving Vader to suffer like that, he became consumed with blinding rage!

"YOU LYING BASTARD!"

He became so engulfed with rage that he tried to reach out and choke the Jedi with the Force! He was just like the Uchiha! Claiming to be friends, even like brothers, yet leaving Vader there to burn and die slowly! The Jedi kept walking away unaffected by the boy's fury!

Vader continued screaming even as the flames died down! When suddenly, he began to slide down even closer to the lava! He was just about fall in when his body for some reason stopped moving!

The fallen Jedi looked up with his burning eyes to see a person wearing black clothing and armor standing over him with his arm stretched out!

"Who...Who are you?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Someone who has suffered the same pain and betrayal that you have! Someone who wants vengeance against those who did to me what the Jedi have done to you! The question is...do you? Are you just going to do nothing and let him get away with leaving you here to burn and die?! He needs to pay! They all need to pay!"

The boy lifted Vader so that he was farther away from the lava before offering him his hand.

"Join me! Become one with me! Do it and together we'll both have our revenge and take hold of our destinies! It's your only chance! TAKE IT!"

The former Jedi looked at the boy clad in black. His mask and helmet were unsettling to him yet so familiar. However, he couldn't think of any other way out of his current situation.

Thus, he took the boy's hand.

Both of their hands cackled with red bolts of electrical power the second they touched! The dark ball of energy spread between the two of them! Coating their entire bodies in its dark aura!

Then another blinding flash of light erupted from their bodies and left nothing but darkness after.

The Cave

Sidious watched as his apprentice lied motionless. The ritual had been finished for the last few minutes and yet there still wasn't any sign of life from the boy. He began to think perhaps he overestimated his power.

That was until he heard that sound.

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

He was alive but now the real question is did the ritual work? The old man stepped closer to his apprentice. Peering down at him.

"Lord Vader...can you hear me?"

HOOOOOOOPUUUUUUUURRRRRRRR.

"Yes, master."

Sidious smiled as Vader lifted himself off of the slab. He looked around the cave they were in. Recognizing it from the boy's memories when they touched.

"How long have I been-?"

"Not long."

Vader stood up on his legs. Looking at his hands and body. Feeling the mask covering his face.

"This feels...strange. Nothing has changed and yet-"

"Yet, it feels as if everything has changed?"

Vader nodded while putting his hand over the forehead of his helmet.

"Skywalker and Uzumaki's memories...our memories...they feel the same and yet different. We both know the same pain. The same anger. Still, this all feels...chaotic and unbalanced."

Sidious nodded.

"That will pass in time. But first, I want you perform a small test for me."

The resurrected Dark Lord looked at his master.

"What test?"

Sidious held up his hand with his fingers bent upward.

"I want you to create a rasengan."

Vader stood confused for a moment not understanding what his master meant. Until he lifted his left hand up on instinct. A small swirling sphere of chakra formed in the palm of his glove. It was the size of a pebble before it completely disappeared.

HOPUR!HOPUR!HOPUR!

"I cannot! Orochimaru's seal on my body has cut me off from too much of my chakra! I am unable to even communicate with the Kyuubi!"

Sidious nodded in understanding.

"It was an effort, but I suspected as much. It will take time for you to become adjusted to the seal and be able to access adequate portions of your chakra for combat. As for the Kyuubi, it is probably for the best. I cannot imagine the beast being overly cooperative during the ritual what with having another soul within that body."

Sidious proceeded to head for the exit.

"Be patient, my friend. The Darkside will aide you in your challenges and perhaps may even offer a way to remove the seal."

Of course, if there was a way Sidious will make sure his apprentice never finds it. He wouldn't want his apprentice to grow too powerful to challenge him and take control of the Empire for himself. His only purpose was to serve him and the Empire. Nothing more. And serve it, he will.

Or be destroyed.

Vader followed his master out of the cave. When they came out the exit, the Dark Lord looked around his environment. He recognized it as the very planet where he suffered his first greatest defeat to Obi-Wan. His second was to the Uchiha in that other universe.

He didn't care how long it would take. He would grow stronger and have his revenge on both of them! On all of them! However, his thoughts for vengeance soon dissipated as he searched around their suroundings for something.

Or someone.

"Master...where is Padme?"

Vader could not see that his master was smiling upon hearing his question. He was hoping he would ask him of what became of Amidala's fate. For the answer would be the final instrument to ensure that any trace of the Jedi, Anakin Skywalker, would be gone forever just like with the Leaf shinobi, Naruto Uzumaki.

Leaving only the Sith Lord, Darth Vader, in their place.


FINALLY FINISHED!

My god this chapter took forever to write! I'm telling you! Over 230 pages! I may as well have written a whole fanfiction story in this chapter!

Also, I gotta say I really hated having to copy that moment in the anime where Sakura begged Sasuke to stay. God, that moment was so pathetic and stupid! Also, I want to apologize for the Naruto vs Sasuke fight as I said before I'm terrible with writing fight scenarios and I haven't watched that fight in a long time, so I might've gotten some details, that I was copying from the anime, wrong.

Now, a few things to let you all know about. First, is that I haven't read through this whole chapter yet to check for errors, conflicting information or statements, and repeated ideas or thoughts or shit like that. I'm uploading this chapter the second I finish typing this part here. I'll make corrections and update it as I do.

I've kept you guys waiting long enough for this chapter and Christmas is already over so consider it a slightly late Christmas present! Unless you're Jewish then Happy Hanukah!

The second thing is that I am not planning on writing anymore chapters, that are more than 100 pages, anytime soon! I'm sorry but anything more than that will just take too long to write and will make me start to lose track of what I already have in the chapter! In fact, I may even try to set the limit lower but in the end it depends entirely on what I want in a chapter.

The third thing is that after watching Rise of Skywalker, which I enjoyed along with the other new trilogy movies so deal with it, my ending for the story is going to be slightly altered. Won't say how cause that would be telling.

Well we finally reached it. Naruto has become Darth Vader. Now without getting into too much spoiler territory I'm going to let you guys know that he will act like Vader, when he returns to the Leaf, for the most part. Now, as to what that means that's up to your imagination, but it will make sense in the coming chapters when I explain further into detail.

I can't believe it took me a little over a year to get to this point in the story. And I'm really thankful for having so many supporting fans all the way up to this point. Now, I suspect though that many will be disappointed with this chapter and may even drop the story. All I can say is that I did my best to follow my vision for it and to try to please you guys but like with the movies people are going to bitch that's the way it works. Just please keep your comments respectful and if you can't then don't bother writing anything at all. We don't need haters or trolls around here.

We got enough hate coming from the Sith.

Anyway, for the last bit I have below what could be called a deleted scene of the moment between Naruto and Sakura. This was originally how I was going to have this moment end with them, but I thought that it was...too mellow. Too mushy and not enough of Naruto being angry and just totally done with Sakura's BS. However, I put so much effort into it that I couldn't really bring myself to delete it so I'm putting it here for you all. If you like how this moment between them ended more than the other then you could choose this to be what really happened. To avoid confusion this is when Sakura is running towards him for the last time to keep him from leaving.

Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

Naruto turned around in irritation but was caught off guard to find that Sakura was already upon on him!

'How did she-?!'

Naruto's thoughts were cut off as Sakura wrapped her arms and pulled him into a tight bear hug to keep him from leaving! Naruto didn't even bother to struggle as he looked into her teary emerald green eyes that were looking into his red and yellow fiery ones. Sakura pulled him in tighter as she rested her chin on his shoulder and whispered into his ear.

"Don't leave me! Please, I beg you! I can't take it! Please! If you still love me then please stay!"

Naruto didn't say anything to her. His bangs covered his eyes as he looked down in pain. The jinchuriki slowly wrapped his own arms around Sakura. Pulling her in close till there was no space between their bodies. Sakura smiled and closed her eyes in content and relief.

She had finally gotten through to him.

"There was another thing Sasuke was right about."

Sakura's eyes snapped open again and she looked at Naruto confused until she saw that the anger and hate still remained in his inferno eyes. She looked down and saw Naruto was pressing his palm into her abdomen. Sakura looked back up at Naruto's face as it suddenly dawned on her what was about to happen.

"You are annoying."

Sakura's pupils dilated right before she was pushed back! Her body flew through the air several meters before landing on the ground! It rolled a few feet before finally coming to a stop! Sakura dazingly looked up to see Naruto's arm stretched out with his palm facing her! Just like it was when he pushed her back on the rooftop a few weeks ago! Only this time it was much more powerful and violent!

Sakura reached with her arm out to Naruto in one last desperate but pointless attempt to keep him from leaving.

Naruto lowered his arm and turned his back towards her in response.

"Goodbye, Sakura."