(Bell's Point Of View)

I have just woken up from a nap to see that I was still in the cabin that Captain Yamato made for us when Naru finally stood up and stopped crying.

Feeling the Chakra around me, I feel that Kakashi-sensei and Captain Yamato were downstairs while Naru was in his room... But something was off. I felt an unknown Chakra in Naru's room which made me hurry and get up and run over to his room to open the door to see a masked Akatsuki member.

I looked at Naru to see that he has made a clone to make the Rasengan which made a huge hole in the wall, but it didn't hit the Akatsuki member, but instead, he was now on the roof.

The clone disappeared as I ran to Naru's side asking if he was okay for which he nodded as Yamato appeared and tied up the Akatsuki member in wood and made a caged wall to keep Naru and I sage from the man.

I see that Kakashi-sensei was right next to the Akatsuki member with a Chidori activated for which he would attack him if he made the wrong move.

"We won't let you get your hands on Naruto that easily, Madara Uchiha." The man answered, "You did just hear my last line, didn't you? No attacks work against Madara Uchiha."

Kakashi-sensei just stared at him, "I don't know if you are merely erasing your presence or if this is an astral projection, but I know it's necessary for you to manifest physically in order to capture Naruto. Otherwise, you couldn't actually grab him... We'll aim for that."

The Akatsuki member, Madara Uchiha, spoke, "This here is now my territory. I never thought it would be easy. You see, I have my own plan. But right now, I'd rather talk."

I narrowed my eyes confused as to why he just wanted to talk so I asked him and he answered, "Yes... What was it that made Pain, Nagato, turn into a traitor? Naruto... You have aroused my curiosity."

Naru shouted back at him, "Who cares about something like that?! What do you intend to do with Sasuke?! Tell me about Sasuke!"

He hummed once more, "Sasuke, huh? Very well. I'll tell you. About the man whose hatred of the ninja world runs through his bones to his very core. About Sasuke Uchiha. Sasuke's story cannot be told without mentioning Itachi. So first, hear the truth about Itachi."

Naru shook his head, "Where is Sasuke?! Answer me!"

That's when Madara Uchiha told us the story of Itachi...

**********Time Skip brought to you by 4 more days of school left**********

After hearing the story, I narrowed my eyes and looked down to the floor as Naru shouted, "You're lying! That's nonsense! No, it can't be... Stop joking around... Who'd believe that story!?"

I put a hand on his shoulder, telling him to be quiet as I looked back up at Madara Uchiha as he spoke, " It's not a lie. That's the truth about Itachi. He died for Sasuke's sake and for the Hidden Leaf Village."

Naru shook his head, "What does that mean? Even if it is true, if Sasuke is aware of this, why would he help the Akatsuki? Knowing him, he would return to the Hidden Leaf to carry on Itachi's will."

Madara Uchiha put his head slightly to one side, "As Sasuke's teacher and his friends, you might have assumed you understood Sasuke's true feelings. But you were badly mistaken... He's the real thing... A true avenger... That's what he is..."

I narrowed my eyes at him, asking if he turned Sasuke into what he is now for which he answered, "No, I didn't. Sasuke chose this himself. I took a gamble too. Would Sasuke carry on Itachi's wishes, or would he seek revenge against the Hidden Leaf? He chose vengeance... In essence, he was meant to be on our side. Sasuke's goal at this moment is to take revenge against the Hidden Leaf for what they did to Itachi and the Uchiha Clan."

Naru shook his head once more, "Why? Why him? Why did this happen? How could he turn to revenge?!" Madara Uchiha just stared at him.

"It was inevitable. It is the Uchiha Clan's blood-soaked destiny of hate. Like a curse that has been passed down through the ages. Yes. A curse of hatred, which started generations ago with the Sage of the Six Paths who is said to be the founder of the ninja. The Sage of the Six Paths? That's just a myth. The Rinnegan was no more than a mutation! Myths are born from truth.

Long ago, the Sage of the Six Paths preached the Ninshu and tried to lead the way to peace. But before he could realize his dream, time ran out.

The Sage of the Six Paths decided to entrust the power and will of the Ninshu to his two children. The older son was born with the Sage's eyes. He inherited the Sage's chakra and mental energy, and believed that strength was crucial to peace. The younger son was born with the gift of the Sage's body. He inherited the Sage's life force and physical energy, and believed that love was crucial to peace. Ultimately, the Sage was forced to choose his successor from his deathbed.

However, his decision created a curse of hatred that has continued for generations. What do you mean by that? Instead of his older son, who sought strength, the Sage felt that the younger son, who sought love, was more suitable, and named him as his successor. The firstborn, who had long expected to follow in his father's footsteps, could not accept the decision.

Filled with rage, he challenged his younger brother. Even as time passed and new generations were born, the descendants of the two brothers, continued to battle.

The descendants of the older brother, came to be known as the Uchiha. And the descendants of the younger brother were called the Senju. As Madara Uchiha, my battle with the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was destined to take place. This is only the second time I've met you. But I can tell that you hold the Senju's Will of Fire within you. I can see the First Hokage inside you.

Even after death, he lives on. He, whom I admired, yet he was my rival. And the man I hated most. The Senju and the Uchiha.

The Will of Fire and hatred... Naruto and Sasuke... You both will probably be the next chosen by fate... The Uchiha was destined to be a clan of vengeance. Sasuke has shouldered the entire burden of the Uchiha's hatred and intends to strike the world with that curse. It is the most powerful weapon. It's his friend and source of power, this thing called hatred... And it is Sasuke's Ninja Way!

Naruto You will probably end up fighting Sasuke one day. RatherI will throw Sasuke at you. A battle that was predestined ages ago. I'll have Sasuke validate the existence of the Uchiha."

Naru's eyes narrowed, "Sasuke isn't your toy! Quit making selfish plans!" He just stared at Naru through his mask, " You think you can make Sasuke have a change of heart, like you did with Nagato? That's just as selfish, Naruto. Controlling people requires the skill to manipulate the darkness in their souls. Although, Nagato just happened to be easily influenced by others."

Naru's hands clenched, "Don't liken Nagato to yourself! His ways were different, but he truly wished for peace! But you're different!"

Madara Uchiha answered, "You're right. The existence of the Uchiha If that's all you want to validate, why hunt the Tailed Beasts?"

I looked up at him with anger in my voice, "Just what is your goal? What do you hope to accomplish?"

He hummed again, "Let's see If anything, it's to become complete..." We were all confused as to what he meant as he answered, "Talking to you is meaningless. I'll explain more in an appropriate place. Our conversation was quite fun... So long..."

With that he disappeared for which Captain Yamato undid his Jutsu so we were free from the cage and Kakashi-sensei undid his Chidori.

Captain Yamato fixed the wall and ceiling that Naru destroyed for which Naru was still angry so he jumped up onto the roof and started to meditate like he is gathering up nature energy or meditate like I do when I needed a clear mind.

I wiped the snow off of Naru as he just sat there, gathering up natural energy to go into sage mode as I felt familiar Chakra coming towards us and Naru, now in sage mode, figured it out as well.

I helped him stand up as we turned to see our friends from the leaf village... Naru looked confused, "Sakura? Sai, Kiba, and even Bushy Brows? Why did you all come here?"

All of us jumped down to confront our friends as Sakura spoke, "Naruto... I need to talk to you."

The words came out of her mouth shot my straight into the heart and ripped me in half... She said that she loved Naru...

Captain Yamato's and Rock Lees eyes widen as I felt a tear fall from my eye that Naru slightly turned to see but I just my head down waiting for his Naru's answer.

Naru looked at me then turned to Sakura confused, "Huh? W-What did you just say, Sakura? I think I heard wrong. Could you say it again?"

Sakura stuttered her words, " I said... I... love you, Naruto. Sasuke doesn' t mean anything to me anymore. I must have been crazy to carry a torch for him for so long. I know you love Bell, but I still have feelings for you!"

Naru shook his head, "But why? What for?! This isn't the place to be joking around. It's not funny, Sakura. What's going on?"

She shrugged, "Nothing really! I just woke up. Why should I love a Rogue Ninja who's a criminal? 'm not a child anymore... I can face reality... So Naruto, you can forget about that promise you made to me. You can stop chasing after Sasuke, all right?"

I narrowed my eyes as Naru spoke, "Sakura, did something happen? This is all so sudden." She shook her head, "Nothing happened! It 's obvious why I fell in love with you."

She walked up to Naru and hugged him which made my eyes widen as more tears fell from my face and I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder so I turned to see Kakashi-sensei who opened his arms and I gladly put my head into his chest as I heard Sakura speak.

"Sasuke keeps getting farther and farther away from me. But Naruto, you've always stuck by my side and cheered me up. Naruto, I finally realized your true self. Even that time with Pain... You returned when you were needed most. The hero who protected the village. Today, everyone in the village admires you. And I'm simply one of them now. You used to be a prank-loving loser. But now you've become a wonderful person. And I have witnessed it all, first-hand. Meanwhile, Sasuke keeps adding to his crimes, and breaking my heart. Always becoming more of a stranger. But you Naruto, I' m able to be close to you like this. You comfort me. I care about you, from the bottom of my heart."

More tears fell from my eyes, knowing that he was going to accept her but what shocked me is that she pushed her away shouting, "Cut it out, Sakura. This joke isn't funny at all!"

I looked at them with tears still flowing down my face and I see that Sakura looked confused, "Why are you so upset? I'm just telling you that I like you now instead of Sasuke. You know the saying, women are as fickle as the autumn weather."

Naru shook his head, "I hate people who lie to themselves!" She then looked angry, "I'm lying to myself? I'm the one who decides how I feel! If you hate me, just come out and say so! Don' t just make up a convenient excuse."

Naru grabbed her shoulders, "But it doesn't make sense! You came all the way out here just to tell me that?"

Sakura got angrier, ""Just" to tell you? "Just"? You don't think it's a big deal for a girl to profess her love?! I came all the way out here? Of course, I'd come all the way out here! Going after Sasuke and putting yourself in danger! You' re the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and the Akatsuki are after you! Worry about yourself for a change. I'm saying that it's not necessary to endanger yourself just to chase after Sasuke! I want you to come back to the village now, that's why I'm here... That's all!"

Naru narrowed his eyes, "I think it just sounds like a painful excuse... I know you pretty well, Sakura.

She shook her head, "Then why don' t you understand? I don't care about Sasuke now that he' s a criminal. So the promise between us doesn't matter anymore."

He shook his head, "It' s not just about the promise. I kind of understand more now, about why Sasuke has become obsessed with revenge and is causing so much damage. Sasuke loved his family and his clan. Because his love was so deep, it' s hard for him to forgive. If he were so devoted, why would he join the Akatsuki after defeating the unforgivable Itachi?"

She shook her head as well, "Do you understand? It doesn' t matter, even if there' s no promise between us anymore..."

Naru sighed, "I personally want to save Sasuke."

She scoffed then turned around, "Forget it! I'm going back. Let's go, Kiba, Lee, Sai!"

They all jumped away as Naru sighed and turned around and looked at me. I wiped away my tears and stared at him as his eyes soften at me then he turned around and started walking back inside.

I could understand why he was angry with Sakura playing with his feelings like that and how she wanted him to stop going after Sasuke which I knew that Naru was never going to do.

We were about to go inside but I turned to see Sai walking towards us and I told them that it was a clone of Sai which Kakashi-sensei nodded.

The clone of Sai looked at us and sighed then looked at Naru, "I'm going to tell you what Sakura really wanted to say earlier, but couldn't. Sakura didn't come to confess her love for you. The Hidden Leaf Ninja have come to a consensus and I'm here to inform you."

Naru looked down then grabbed my waist pulling my towards him which surprised me as he smiled at me, "I thought it was strange. So she was hiding something after all."

I smiled at him, happy that Sakura really didn't love Naru and he didn't love her back.

Sai looked at us, "I've come to understand her feelings. Why Sakura couldn't bring herself to tell you. The Hidden Leaf will deal with Sasuke. Every one of your comrades is committed to that and will act accordingly. As One's Friend The Hidden Leaf will deal with Sasuke. Every one of your comrades is committed to that and will act accordingly."

We all looked shocked as Naru spoke, "Did Sakura... Did Sakura really agree to that?! Sakura loves Sasuke so much! And yet... How could she?!"

I put my head on his shoulder as Sai answered his question, "After Akatsuki's attack on our village, the Hidden Leaf Ninja can no longer recognize Sasuke as one of their own, not after he supported the Akatsuki. Sakura is not a fool. She's not a child who wouldn't understand the difficulty of the situation. That's why we came here in person to try to explain it to you."

Naru shook his head as I took my head off his shoulder, "Then why didn't she just come out and tell me the truth!"

Sai just looked at him, " It wasn't that simple. You know that... She understood how hurt you would feel. But still... By telling you she's given up on Sasuke and declaring her love for you, she was freeing you from the burden of that promise you made. Naruto, this is a once in a lifetime request... And still, you insisted on rescuing Sasuke. I believe that's why she couldn't tell you the truth. Because she was thinking about your feelings. In fact, she probably expected you to say that. To be honest, Sakura made us promise not to tell you the truth. She said she would tell you somehow. She said it was her duty to do so."

I looked at Sai with a blank expression, "But if she was expecting Naruto's reaction, she never intended to tell him the truth, right? What is Sakura planning to do?"

Sai looked down in shame, "But I believe Sakuraâ ¦ She intends to kill Sasuke herself." Naru's eyes widen as he asked if that was true and Sai answered, "Probably. Please don't take it all on yourself. I feel the same way as you. So does everyone else. Sakura smiled and told everyone she would cooperate. But this time, I saw through her fake smile."

Naru shook his head, "No way. Sakura wouldn't do such a thing. She's crazy about Sasuke..." Sai shook his head, "It's because she loves him so much that she can't bear to watch Sasuke turn more and more evil. It's because she loves him so much that she wants to save Sasuke from this path of evil. Even if that means killing the one she loves with her own hands.

That is how committed she is to her love for Sasuke. And in doing so, Naruto... She's prepared to accept your hatred. It's her way of atoning for the lifelong burden she placed on you. Until now, Sakura relied on you too much. This time, she intends to resolve everything alone."

Naru looked up at Sai, "Sai... Why are you telling me all this?" Sai answered, "It wasn't my intention, but I'm partly to blame for provoking Sakura. That's why I told you. I couldn't ignore what Sakura's doing. And besides, I belong to Team 7..."

I softly smiled at him as I felt three familiar Chakra's heading towards us so I looked up to see the Sand Siblings jumping down and walking towards us.

Garra looked up at us, "There is something you must hear immediately. We will tell you everything that happened at the Five Kage Summit."

He told us everything that happened at the Five Kage Summit and how Sasuke invaded the building and tried to kill Danzo and the rest of the five Kage which shocked me promptly and that Madara Uchiha has declared war on all Five Nations.

Garra looked over at Naru with a blank expression and put a hand on the shoulder that was on the other side of me, "Naruto, this is a battle to protect the Eight-Tails and the Nine-Tails. Namely you. And it's also for the ninja world. As the Kazekage, I would give my life to protect you. If Sasuke Uchiha confronts the Allied Shinobi Forces as a member of the Akatsuki, I will show no mercy. Sasuke doesn't care about you. All he wants is darkness."

Naru brought up his arm and shoved Garra's arm off which shocked me because Naru usually doesn't do that to the people close to him.

Garra looked at Naru at spoke, "Naruto, you told me, "I am going to be the Hokage. " I have become the Kazekage. If you are prepared to bear the burden of being a Kage, then do what is right as Sasuke's friend."

Garra looked at his siblings, "We've said everything we needed to say. Let's go... We will return to our village. Kakashi Hatake... With the understanding that you will be Hokage, the Sand will take action. As allied nations, I pray that there will be no conflicting Intel between us."

Kakashi-sensei said that he understood as Garra looked back at Naru who kept his head down, "I consider you my friend. In the past, "friend" was merely a word to me. Nothing more, nothing less. But after meeting you, you made me realize that the meaning of that word is what's important. What does it mean? What can you do for Sasuke? Think hard about that. Let's go."

With that, the Sand Siblings left and Naru was just standing there as he took his arm off of my waist and put his hand to his heart.

He was breathing hard so I put my hand on his back, asking him if he was okay.

Right then, Naru fell to the ground, hyperventilating, for which the four of us called out his name as he passed out.

I sighed as I picked him up, bridal style, and carried him to his room and laid him on the mat.

I started to do medical Ninjutsu on his forehead to help feel better when he woke up and Captain Yamato came in and told me that Kakashi-sensei went after Sakura with the Sai clone.

I nodded as he asked if he could go take a nap for which I nodded as he went to the other room and went to take a nap.

I did more medical Ninjutsu, after a few minutes, to wake Naru up from him bring passed out.

Once he woke up, he woke up panting and sat up rapidly like he was having a nightmare.

I put a hand on his shoulder as he looked at me then closed his eyes and looked down at the floor, "I was dreaming about Sasuke..."

I nodded as he looked back at me and asked where Captain Yamato and Kakashi-sensei has gone for which I answered, "Captain Yamato is taking a nap while Kakashi-sensei is chasing after Sakura."

Hearing what I said, he stood up and went over to his ninja pouch and put on his headband while saying, "I'm going after Kakashi-sensei and Sakura..."

With that he jumped out the window and I sighed and jumped after him.

Once we landed on the ground, he turned to look at me, saying that I can't stop him from going after them. I walked up to Naru and put a hand on his shoulder while smiling.

"I'm not stopping you Naru... I'm coming with you... You need help finding them anyway, and you don't have sensory Chakra like I do..." He smiled at me and hugged me while softly saying, "Do you know how much I love you..."

I giggled as I got out of his hold and told him that we had to catch up with Kakashi-sensei, so I turned on my sensory Chakra and found them about five miles away from us.

Once we got there we saw that Sasuke was about to slice Sakura with a kunai, so Naru jumped down and intercepted the attack by grabbing Sakura but getting cut by the kunai in the process.

Naru put Sakura down for which I knelled beside her, asking if she was okay for which she nodded.

Naru started to walk next to Kakashi-sensei who was in front of us and he spoke, "Sasuke... You are a fellow ninja from Team 7..."

Sasuke scoffed, ""Was" a fellow ninja. I no longer belong." Kakashi-sensei then spoke to us, "Now do you understand, Naruto, Bell, Sakura? His intent to kill is real. Sasuke is no longer the same person as before."

I narrowed my eyes as Naru looked down then looked back at him and spoke, "Sasuke... I heard the truth about Itachi from a guy named Tobi. The truth about Itachi? I don't know for sure if what he said is really true or not. But it doesn't matter. What you've been doing is understandable."

Sasuke just stared at him, "Naruto... I told you before... You don't have parents or siblings, so you couldn't possibly understand me. So outsiders can keep their mouths shut!"

I looked at Sasuke with no expression and spoke, "Do you know what Naruto has gone through for you? No matter what rumors we hear about you, he never stops thinking of you as a friend. While everyone targeted you, Naruto alone tried to rescue you! Even now..."

He scoffed again, "Rescue me? From what?" Naru looked at him, "Well, from... From revenge... I swear I'll save you from the chaos of vengeance..."

Sasuke stared at him and smiled, "There's no need for that. The stage has already been set for my vengeance to happen! Just awhile ago, I finally got to take revenge on one of Itachi's enemies."

This made my eyes widen as I thought about Sasuke killing Danzo all by himself as he spoke again, "I've never felt like this before. I feel the tainted Uchiha name becoming cleansed. I feel the Uchiha getting free from this rotting ninja world. You guys couldn't begin to understand.

And isn't what I'm doing exactly what you Leaf ninja wanted all along? You've always snubbed and put down the Uchiha. So I'll help erase the Uchiha from your memories. I'm going to kill all of you, and destroy the Hidden Leaf! Severing all bonds to the Hidden Leaf is the ultimate purification! And that shall lead to the Uchiha's true restoration!"

Kakashi-sensei spoke, "Naruto, Sakura, Bell... Get out of here. If you stay, you'll see things you do not want to see."

Naru narrowed his eyes, "Kakashi Sensei, this "something" I don't want to see... Are you going to kill Sasuke?"

I see Sasuke make a Chidori and Kakashi-sensei screamed at us, "Go! The three of you!"

I see Naru make a shadow clone that kept Kakashi-sensei in his place by pinning him down as Naru made a Rasengan and charged at Sasuke.

We all called out his name as their Jutsu's collided then they were both shot back and Kakashi-sensei got out of the clone's grasp and caught Naru while he was in the air and safely brought him back to the ground.

I see that Madara Uchiha appeared next to Sasuke and said something that I couldn't understand because I was to far away and Naru looked up at Sasuke and started to spoke.

"Sasukeâ ¦ Do you remember? Do you remember what you said to me long ago in the Final Valley? The thing about high-level shinobi. When two shinobi are of a high enough level, they can read each other's thoughts through no more than a trade of blows. They don't need to say a word. Sasuke... Were you able to read what was inside of my heart? And you saw it, didn't you?

That if you and I fight... we will both die. Sasuke... If you attack the Hidden Leaf, I will have to fight you. Save your hatred until then. At that time, throw all of your hatred at me. The only one who can handle all that hatred is me. Only I can fulfill that duty! And on that day, I'll bear the burden of your hate and die with you!"

I was shocked by Naru's words and my eyes saddened, me not wanting Naru to die...

Sasuke started to shout at Naru, "What is it with you, Naruto? Just what the hell do you want?! Why are you so fixated on me?!"

Naru smiled at him, " Because you're my friend! Sasuke... I knew from the moment we first met that it was going to take more than just ordinary means to understand you. Exchanging fists is how we understand each other. That's for sure... Like I said just now... It means we've become high-level shinobi. Once we understand each other, your hatred will go away. The same way that I changed after meeting Iruka Sensei. I'm not giving up yet. I'm taking you back to Hidden Leaf Village! That's something I'll never give up on!"

I felt a tear fall from my face as Naru continued on with his speech...

"Well, I've rambled on enough. Damn it. A poor talker like me lecturing you, it's not my style. If we both end up dying... You won't be an Uchiha and I won't be the Nine-Tail's Jinchuriki. We'll be free of all our burdens... And we'll finally be able to understand each other in the next world!"

Sasuke just stared at him, " I don't plan on changing. Nor am I interested in understanding you. And I don't plan on dying! You're the one who's going to die."

Naru shook his head, "If I die, we both die, Sasuke." He scoffed, "Fine then! I'll kill you first." Naru scoffed as well, "It's clear you still haven't acknowledged me yet."

Kakashi-sensei spoke up, "Enough, Naruto. I'll take Sasuke on. You have your precious dream of becoming the Hokage. I can't let Sasuke take you down with him."

Naru shook his head, "How can I become the Hokage if I can't even save one friend?! I'll fight Sasuke! Naruto stands here with clear resolve. I'll bear the burden of your hate and die with you!"

With that, Madara Uchiha disappeared with Sasuke and Sakura stood up, "Naruto... Thank you, as always! Because of you, I can still hope for the day that we'll laugh together again as Team 7."

I saw Naru turn purple as he started to fall for which Kakashi-sensei caught him and saw a cut on his cheek as Sakura started to freak out, "It's from the poison-dipped kunai knife I used earlier."

Kakashi-sensei nodded and said that we needed to find an antidote quickly, once we get back to the village.

Sakura then turned to me and she look sad in her eyes, "Bell... I have to apologize to you... I know how much you love Naru, and it was rude of me just to come in, unexpectedly, and... And."

I wrapped my arms around her which shocked her as I spoke, "It's fine Sakura... I understand why you did it... You don't need to apologize..."

She wrapped her arms around me and spoke, "You are the greatest friend to have, Bell!"

I smiled as I let go and walked over to Naru as he was laid on the water and I used my medical Ninjutsu to heal the cut and took some poison out, but kept it so we could make an antidote.

Helping Naru up, he said that he felt really nausea's which made me smile, happy to know that he was back to his normal self...

Now we just need to wait to see what holds in the future...

Hey Guys!

There is just one more chapter left before the Triquel that is going to happen after this book, so be prepared for that!

The episode's used in this chapter were Naruto Shippuden Season 10 Episode's 5 - 20!

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