Konoha's Weasel Prince
Summary: Itachi never got to use his Susanoo in his fight with Sasuke. As soon as the Kirin hit, he was sent back through time to the founder's era and it was up to him to ensure a safer and surer future for Konoha and the world at large. KisaIta TobiMada HashiMito others mentioned
"So, this is it, huh?" A wounded and exhausted Yamato mumbled against Kakashi as they stood protectively over Sakura trying to heal Gai. He had used too much chakra, opening the Eight Gate had overwhelmed his body, some of his bones were broken and cracked from fighting Madara and his skin was red from burns from both chakra overuse and how quickly he had been moving. He was immobile and barely conscious, but years of training kept him awake, despite the overbearing pain. "Well, at least we put up a decent fight. Not even the Hokage had been enough. Not even the Shodaime ... "
"It's not over yet, Yamato-taichou." Naruto insisted from a few feet in front of them, panting and barely standing on his own, yet still supporting Sai. All around them, the Konoha 11 was in various states of exhaustion, Hinata and Tenten supporting an injured Neji while Lee fretted over Gaara, the only one of the five Kage still in fighting condition. Tsunade had recovered with the help of Karin and Orochimaru had been working on keeping the two women safe as they tried to heal as many of the fallen warriors as they could before their injuries became fatal. Their numbers had diminished gradually while the other side remained unscathed. "While there is breathe still in my body, we won't stop fighting."
"Not even you and the Kyuubi can keep this up forever, Naruto." Kakashi admonished, refusing to meet his student's eyes in shame. He had failed his students, his sensei and his Hokage in the matter of a single battle. He had always been so much stronger than Obito through talent and training and his grief, but Obito was now twice as strong as Kakashi could ever get. His greatest asset, Obito's Sharingan, exhausted him every time he used it and before long, he, too, will be useless in this war. Yamato had also exhausted himself trying to keep up with the Shodaime and then even more to compensate for his loss when Madara pinned him down with one of those strange black rods he can produce. "They can't be killed and there are too many to be sealed, like we had planned. With Nidaime-sama and Shodaime-sama pinned down, Minato-sensei launched halfway across the battlefield and engaged by a small army all by himself and Sandaime-sama trying to hold an Uchiha division back, it's only us and we're all tired."
"If we could only free the Shodaime!" Ino protested but stopped as Shikamaru shook his head.
"None of us can touch those rods without decomposing like a year old corpse in the process, not even the Edo Tensei. Not even that Juugo guy can and he's all but made up of natural energy."
"If we could just kill that Kabuto creep." Kiba growled almost wistfully and they all nearly jumped when Minato appeared in their midsts, just in time to answer.
"That won't end the Edo Tensei. If anything, we'd never be able to undo it. Only the caster can cancel it out." The blond man explained, looking out at the battlefield. Despite having four of the world's greatest ninja ever on their side, the four Hokage who have been feared throughout the nations, they could still not beat the army before them. Konoha's Hokages might be reanimations and practically on god level, but it was only the four of them against an army of what are essentially immortals. And with the Akatsuki and the Uchiha brothers amongst them, just they are enough to hold the Shinobi Alliance back.
The Alliance had been so thrilled when Orochimaru and Team Hebi brought the four Hokage to the battlefield. There had been a dash of hope that they could win, that they could survive this, that the war can finally stop. But then Madara and Hashirama had clashed and the reality of the situation hit them. Uchiha Madara had been a though opponent even for the Shodaime even when they were both alive and Madara had the Mangekyo Sharingan, but now, as a reanimation and possessing the legendary Rinnegan, he was apparently a bit too much. Not even when the Senju brothers worked together could they stand up to the ancient Uchiha. Although, they did look rather hesitant when delivering their blows. All three founders along with their families were yelling rather strange things at each other and it almost sounded as though Madara didn't want to fight against the Senju brothers.
Which was ridiculous, if you asked, well, anyone in the Shinobi Alliance other than maybe Tsunade, Orochimaru and Tobirama's remaining students, Danzo not included. Why? Well, because it's not really the winners that write history, but rather the survivors. And Danzo was not only a survivor but the one who stayed in the village the most. Unbeknown to most, he had written enough history books and spread around enough rumors that Madara was pretty much depicted as a traitor who tried destroying Konoha with the very Kyuubi that now fought for it. People simply believed this story, along with the one where Madara's vileness even made the legendary Konoha no Itachi-Ojii-sama flee, something Danzo actually actively blamed Madara for. And thus, one of Konoha's founders and greatest protectors was vilified and the clan he came from was put into question. The suspicion against the Uchiha indeed did come from Senju Tobirama's era, but the misinterpretation behind his actions and attitude towards the Uchiha all lay at Danzo's feet.
"There has to be something we can do!" Sakura protested loudly, as unwilling to give up as her blond teammate. "I know we need the Shodaime and Nidaime free, so is there any way to free them that you can think of, Shikamaru?"
The Nara narrowed his eyes and put his hands in a upside down triangle as he thought. Now that they knew of this habit of his, the others made sure not to disturb him, instead watching out for enemies or unsuspected attacks. "The best I can think of is that Yondaime-sama creates a Kage Bunshin whit the Sage Mode active and use those chakra hands to pull them out as quickly as possible." Shikamaru finally answered, meeting the blue eyes Naruto had inherited from this very man. "If you have any seals that might protect you from the backlash of when your clone is destroyed by them, it would be for the best. We don't know if these things can actually destroy completely an Edo Tensei, but it can hurt you as though you were still alive, so it's for the best to be cautious."
"Right," Minato nodded, already creating two Kage Bunshin and instructing them what to do. "Distracting Obito and Madara might be good."
"Leave that to us," Naruto replied with a grin that lacked its usual energy, which told everyone just how tired he really was. And that was the most worrying part. If Sasuke were to step into the fight right then, only Naruto would be enough to match him with his new eyes. The two have been somewhat evenly matched for the entire year so far, but with Naruto exhausted and beat up from fending off Madara, Obito and whoever else they threw his way - the reunion with Nagato and Jiraiya hadn't been the best one - Sasuke had an unfair advantage.
Minato nodded before joining his clones as they worked on freeing the first two Hokage. Sarutobi was finally there, too, looking concerned about the whole situation. The blond placed a hand on his shoulder to draw his attention away from the pinned forms of his mentors. "I could really use some help in separating my consciousness from the clones."
"I think I should rather be helping Naruto," the old man argued, looking over to where Naruto and Killer B had rushed off to distract the two Uchiha. "Madara-sama is not going to be an easy opponent, even with an army on Naruto's side. And let's not forget about the army on Madara-sama's side."
"You just need to get me free so I can get to Madara and yank out the controlling talisman." The albino Senju cut in before Minato could say anything. The clones had managed to yank out three rods so far but they were now decomposing like thousand year old corpses. They won't be able to take out any more. "I have him marked but not even Hiraishin can get me out of here."
"You seem oddly sure he will be on our side when he is - if he isn't already - set free." The Nara observed as he can to stand by the two latter Hokage. It was practically an accusation masked as an observation and Tobirama understood what he was implying. Hashirama did, too, and he beat him to the answer.
"Madara would never attack Konoha." He denied vehemently. "Konoha is as much his dream as it is mine. He died protecting the village! He would never willingly endanger our village."
"It is true." Sarutobi added when the young chuunin arched a skeptical eyebrow. "Madara-sama died protecting Konoha all by himself and a small group of ninja that were left over in the village."
"He died protecting me, so I know he would never attack us." Tobirama growled out with a glare at Shikamaru, who put his hands up in surrender, but before any of them could say anymore than that, Naruto landed right behind him, the rest of Konoha 11 landing further away behind the Hokage. They all looked up to see Madara and Obito back up on the Juubi, a frown on the ancient Uchiha's face while the two younger ones were looking on in glee. Kabuto was even chuckling in the manner he had picked up from Orochimaru, whom was glaring at him like he had never glared at anyone before.
"It's time to end this," Zetsu told the two Uchiha, an eager tone in their voices as they moved towards Madara. The Rinnegan user glared at him but could not move away with Kabuto's control still strong and firm over his body. "Finish it up quickly."
"I think it's time we devastate their forces." They had managed to hold up against two Chibaku Tensei attacks from both Madara and Nagato but they were short the two Hokage who had stopped the attacks earlier on. But Sasuke didn't plan on letting outsiders finish off the village that had destroyed his family. He'll let them do it themselves, to fulfill the coup d'tat they had been planning for years before his brother had cut them down. He turned to Kabuto, a gleam in his eyes that was matched by the Snake Sage. "Set the Uchiha on them." Understanding his meaning, Obito and Kabuto grinned approvingly and Kabuto turned to look at his former master one last time. They had both wanted the power of the Uchiha and Kabuto now had it in spades. It felt awesome to one up Orochimaru.
"Attack." He ordered without much flair but his expression said it all as he watched the Uchiha killed in the Massacre charged forward with little resistance, closing in on the Alliance. The only ones who were dragging their feet were the ever stubborn Fugaku and his wife, as well as Shisui who refused to attack the village he had died for. They could not resist the pull, but they could fall back behind into the last rows. Kabuto let them, not caring who will be the first one to kill an Alliance shinobi. Said ninja had all backed away a few steps but they were exhausted and the field on which they fought was open and large and flat. There was no where to hide. The Uchiha were naturally built lean and the Sharingan required for them to build up some speed if they want to keep up with their eyes. They would catch them in a matter of minutes.
Orochimaru grit his teeth as he came to this very same conclusion at the same time Tsunade had. "So this really is the end, eh, Tsunade?"
"It almost makes me wish I had healed your arms three years ago so that you could have taken over that little prick." The blond Sannin replied, leaning heavily against her former teammate. Juuzo, Suigetsu and Karin had prepared for their last stand, the Uzumaki girl's Adamantine Attacking Chains rattling despite being only pure chakra.
"We should have just killed him from the start," Danzo grouched from somewhere in between the four Hokages and the two Sannin. He felt like this was a personal jab against him, the Uchiha whose deaths he had ordered coming to kill him. Itachi had apparently not done a good enough job.
"I just hope Fugaku-san will be kind and kill me swiftly," Kakashi muttered before closing his normal eye and focusing as much of his chakra as he could into the Sharingan one, trying to at least see where the attacks will come from. Everyone around him was tense, weapons at the ready, the rare dew who still had enough energy to knead chakra preparing to preform a jutsu as the Uchihas charged with a war cry and numerous katon jutsus spilling out of their mouths. The heat was reaching the front lines and people kind of just ... resigned themselves to their deaths, closing their eyes and standing where they were.
And then, when the flames were too close, so dangerously close, a wall of black fire sprung from the ground up, rising and rising and stopping the heat of the red, orange, yellowish or blue flames. The Uchiha who ran straight into the wall yelled in panic and shock as they started burning and never stopped, no matter what they or their companions did to try and take out the black flames. Zetsu, Sasuke, Kabuto, Obito, Jiraiya, Kagami, the Akatsuki, Orochimaru, Sarutobi and Danzo all froze in place when they saw that black all consuming fire, eyes widening in disbelief, anger, shock, hope, dread, relief and who knows what else, all different in each of the individuals. The flames could only be produced by one person and they knew who that person was. They had all seen it with their own eyes at one point in time or multiple times and the power behind these flames was terrifying, for they could burn for seven days and night and burn anything through. Water burned. Fire burned. The unsuspecting Uchiha had stood no chance.
Amaterasu was neigh unstoppable.
"Wow, what is that?" Madara whistled, studying the way the flames consumed every of the Edo Tensei Uchiha that had ran into it and prevented the reanimations from reforming like they should. They burned slowly but constantly while the rest that had been undamaged were now backing away from the hotter than the sun flames, Kabuto knowing they can't get through a wall made of that jutsu.
"That was awesome!" Izuna agreed down with the rest of the Edo Tensei, watching in relief how the threat to Konoha was stopped, even if they were fellow Uchiha. Hey, these guys were already dead and you should worry for the living and all that. ''What is this?''
"That is Amaterasu," Jiraiya said grimly but he was pleased his friends were safe, if only for now. "One of the deadliest fires you can find, anywhere. It can burn through everything until nothing is left. Not even ashes. And only one person can produce it."
"He is alive!" A startled laugh escaped the Sandaime's throat and he looked back to Tobirama. "Sensei, he is alive! He's alive!" He was so happy he looked ready to start dancing. If it wouldn't look so undignified, he might have actually went and done it, too, but it wasn't exactly the time nor place for such behavior.
"Who is?" Naruto asked in confusion, not sure what would get the old man so excited. Halfway across the battlefield, Kagami was howling in celebration, laughing with palpable relief that confused all around him. "Who's alive, dattebayo?"
"You!" Sasuke snarled, a beam of lightning big and wide enough to kill three people standing side by side and strong enough to go through four rows of shinobi launched from his hand, only to be stopped by one flare of the Amaterasu flames, bringing the wall higher to protect all those behind it. Snarling like an enraged animal, Sasuke quickly took advantage of the heat the recent failed katon attacks had left to gather storm clouds and form a powerful Kirin. He didn't even bother aiming it and instead just sent it down on the Alliance as a whole, not caring who would die before his most powerful jutsu hit his target.
The lighting dragon, much like the flames, didn't meet their mark. This time, however, instead of black flames stopping the attack, it was a huge shield that didn't even cover the entirety of the Shinobi Alliance but absorbed the attack anyways with no difficulty. The orange chakra shield disappeared as soon as the Kirin was fully dissolved, leaving everyone speechless. Almost everyone was looking left and right, trying to find the source of their salvation but no one stood out. They all jumped out of their skins when five flaming red-orange shuriken like projectiles in the shape of three tomoe stuck together flew through the air and sliced half the Edo Tensei army before lodging into the Gedo statue in what must have been a very painful manner, for the hideous creature roared.
"What was that!?" Kiba yelped, getting up to his feet with Shino's help, staring wide eyed at the slowly reforming reanimations. Akamaru barked by his side but was ignored, for now everyone's attention was held by the approaching due, both of whom were wanted, dangerous criminals, one of them presumed dead for six weeks now. A whistle came from the one with blue skin, along with a comment how his partner should have used this jutsu more often. The shinobi of the Great Five Nations were tense and terrified as they parted like the Red Sea before Moses to let the two missing nin pass, the taller of the two grinning while the smaller one didn't look away from his goal, the four Hokage and Konoha 11. Orochimaru, not that far away, had dragged Tsunade to her feet with him when he stood up, paler than anyone thought possible. Kakashi just stared at the dangerous younger man as a behemoth of chakra formed skeleton, muscle and a sword and shield. Hashirama and Tobirama, though ...
A laugh bubbled up inside Hashirama when he saw their long lost friend, the adopted brother they have chosen for themselves in the center of the behemoth known as the Susanoo. Even Tobirama was grinning in a rather wild manner as the raven haired genius approached, the Susanoo's sword up high and coming down in a sweeping, horizontal slice that had everyone jumping back or into an attack on the supposedly dead Uchiha Itachi as his Totsuka blade easily sliced through the black rods pinning the first two Hokage down. Much to the shock of everyone present, the sword let out a pretty fire-like glow before the black rods were just ... sucked in as the sword returned to its gourd in the Susanoo's blade. Most people present ignored Orochimaru's incredulous and envious screech of "How did you get the legendary Totsuka blade!?", instead finding themselves flabbergasted when Hashirama sprang up with a speed that would have been rather useful in battle not long ago to envelop the Clan Killer in a tight hug.
"Itachi! You're alive!" The long haired Senju cried, actually cried in happiness as he near strangled the prodigy. "I thought we'd never see you again! You just left one day and no one ever saw or heard from you again! And look at your eyes! You are an Uchiha! Why did you leave? Are you really from this time? How did you come back into the past? Why didn't you stay? We were so worried for you! We searched everywhere! Is that Sasuke over there your Sasuke? Did you ever meet up with your partner? Did you ever-"
"Hashirama-san," Itachi wheezed, uncomfortably breathless, tapping the man's back as though they were sparring and he was giving in. "You may no longer need to breathe but I do."
The brunet winced sheepishly and eased up, but didn't let go. "Sorry, sorry." He pulled back enough to look the younger man over, a grin splitting his face again. Itachi was still dressed in the combined outfit the three big clans that had adopted him had made for him. He looked good in the Uchiha style long robes, a white sash around his waist and red ribbons around his biceps, long black pants under the robe. On the back of the robe, all three clan symbols intertwine, the Senju double pitchfork-like design connecting the uchiwa and the whirl together as they stood over each of his shoulder blades. A katana was strapped to his waist along with a weapons pouch, his thigh holster filled with shuriken and a few kunai. Around his wrists there were still proudly wrapped white straps with seals written in them, one for a protection shield-type barrier Mito and Tobirama had diligently worked on since that time Itachi was kidnapped along with Kagami, all those years ago. The other one was a healing charm embedded with Hashirama's and Mito's healing chakra, should Itachi ever get a relapse - something he had spent all six years assuring them won't happen - or get seriously injured but being too far away to get help or move on to somewhere safer to tend to his own wounds, enough of their chakra stored there to last Itachi six years if he were to fall ill again or a lifetime if he remained healthy. (Itachi had always secretly thought that he'll mostly use it up for his eyes if he were to return to the future alive and in the possession of his things.) His hair was still in the red tie Mito and Toka had bought for him. Hashirama was glad to see that he looked as healthy as ever, except- "Is that a hickey?"
Itachi flushed a brilliant red at that, looking away only to meet the eyes of his self proclaimed best friend from the past. Tobirama took hold of his brother's armor and yanked him off of Itachi only to gather the younger man up in his own arms for a hug he had never gotten when Itachi left without a word. "I knew you were an Uchiha." He mumbled into the younger genius' hair, hold tight. "You're not leaving my sight, this time."
"I'm sorry I left," it was a relief, hearing that voice. Both Senju brothers relaxed, despite how grave the situation was. With Itachi came the calm and clarity and opportunity that had allowed peace last time. ''I'm sorry I never said goodbye. And I'm sorry I never told you the whole truth.''
''We don't really care.'' Both Hokage reassured, taking in Itachi, never letting their eyes stray from him as though fearing he would disappear. Kisame did the same and Itachi didn't really blame them. ''How did you come into the past if you're from around here, though?''
Itachi shook his head, nodding towards the battlefield. ''We can discuss that later, after we deal with them.''
''You got a plan, kouhai?'' The Uchiha nearly got a whiplash as he turned around to look at Kakashi in surprise. The silver haired man looked both weary at his appearance and somewhat happy, relieved. Itachi didn't know what to make of that, but one thing he did know was that Kakashi won't hunt him anymore. Kakashi had written off his kouhai as dead the day Itachi had killed his clan and fled. That he was calling him that now ... It might have something to do with Obito being his enemy and Minato being a reanimation.
Nonetheless, Itachi nodded, looking towards Tobirama. ''I know you marked us all after peace was established, so I know you can get to Madara-san at any time. Please wait until I deal with the Uchiha down there before coming for me and taking me up there. While you free Madara-san, let me deal with Kabuto.''
''Two birds with one stone. Nice.'' Hashirama commented with a hum. The rest were just quietly watching and listening. In truth, they really didn't know what to make of this situation or how to act so they did nothing. They'll figure it out as they went.
''There's little chance they'll let Madara stay still while you fight off your clan for the second time, Itachi-san.'' Kisame reasoned, completely ignoring the strange look Tobirama was sending his way. He didn't understand it and he didn't really care what it implied. He had more important things to worry about. ''Everyone knows you can take them down.''
''I marked Obito.'' Minato offered, coming up to Itachi and looking his godson over, marveling at how many years have passed and how much he had grown. Sure, he had Naruto and Kakashi as a reference, and even Sasuke, but Itachi was the first, even before Kakashi and Obito. Kakashi had just been put under his wing a few weeks after Itachi was born. ''Even if Madara comes down from there, I can still Hiraishin us back up there.''
Itachi nodded. ''We'll need a distraction for Sasuke.'' He said as he saw his baby brother jump off of the Juubi, no doubt about to run over to fight Itachi. He heard the cracking of knuckles and looked over to the first three Hokage and the two Sannin.
''Oh, we'll keep him distracted alright, Itachi-jii.'' Tsunade said with a wicked gleam in her eyes that she had definitely inherited from her Uzumaki side. Her teammate, sensei and relatives looked as eager as she was and Itachi began fearing for Sasuke. He sighed before turning his sights on the battlefield.
''Just don't kill him.''
''We can work with that.'' The five said. Kisame grinned in approval and unstrapped Samehada.
Itachi had a feeling a headache will start blooming in his head soon.
