A Serendipitous Key of Hope

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Kingdom Hearts.

Manabu: We hope you didn't enjoy the last few fights, because this is when things start to kick up.

Yusei: But first, another omake. Yeah, we're gonna keep making these. If you have any ideas submit them.

- Omakey -

Naruto leans backwards and stretches. "That was delicious! Thanks Ayame-chan!"

"No problem Naruto-kun," says the ramen hostess as she collects his bowl.

"Maybe one more should do it," he says before getting up, looking over when he spots a familiar presence. It's the scary snake lady Anko who licked his blood back during the Chunin Exams. "Oh god, it's her."

He gets up and leave as she comes to the bar, before immediately being pulled back in the seat. "Hey, if it isn't Naruto-kun!" Anko snakes her arm around his, sliding dango down her tongue to the throat. "Haven't seen much of you since the war; come eat with me!"

"Actually, I just ate."

"Ah, don't be shy! It's not like you have a girlfriend to feed you." Ayame scowls as she speaks.

Naruto stares as she pulls out more dango sticks. "I don't wanna eat too much; I might get too fat to fight it off."

"That's retarded; shinobi are trained warriors who exercise daily. We don't get fat!" Naruto slips from her grip and uses the Henge Jutsu. In a puff of smoke he is revealed as an older, fatter Anko. "KYA!" Anko kicks him in the face. "Don't make jokes like that, ever!"

The VIII Keyhole: Across the Next Dimension

Zetsu rises up from the ground before a man wearing a spiral mask. He's busy flipping a ring. "Tobi."

"Oh, Zetsu-san!" says the man, distracted enough to drop his ring. "Ah!" He scrambles to grab it. "How's it going?! I'm playing with the ring you gave me!"

"Come on, let's not go through that now. This is important," says the black half of the ninja plant man.

The carefree aura of the annoying ninja turns over to Zetsu, speaking in a deeper tone, "Then you should know better to call me Ansem for such business."

"R-Right!" Zetsu corrects his posture. "Ansem, we have located the last three Biju."

"And what of the Princesses?"

"We're missing the location of three. Though, we have reason to believe one of them is in this world," he tells him.

"Good." He turns around to ask two-face, "and the Keyblade?"

…

"First you go zubaaan!, and then throw in a washa! and there you go," Naruto tells them as he demonstrates his skills with the Keyblade to Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon.

"Oh!" Konohamaru looks amazed at his techniques. Moegi and Udon however are a little confused by his explanation, because all he said were onomatopoeia.

"First up is something I like to call Blizzard Edge." Ice forms around the edge of his sword as he flips in the air and slices through a training dummy. It freezes over and explodes, leaving mist behind. "Cut the person and freeze them on the inside until they crack."

"How do you do that?" Udon asks. Naruto goes into his thinking face again cupping his chin, and the glasses wearing shinobi sighs realizing he can't explain it in a way that he can actually do it. He even doubts that they could actually do it.

"Must be a Kekkei Genkai thing or something," Moegi reasons with a fist pound to the palm of her hand.

Naruto then sighs when he realizes that it's impossible to teach them about his magic infused techniques. "Tell you what; we'll try something else."

"Okay, but first we gotta get lunch!" Moegi says to him. She, Udon and Konohamaru disappear to the townsquare.

"Get ramen!" Though he knows they won't, the blond Keyblade Wielder grins wide, enthused about teaching them more of his moves. "Once they get back I'll show them that Sonic Blade I've been working on."

"I'd like to see that." A puff of smoke appears around him, taking away his situational awareness. He swipes away at the smoke, revealing himself in a new world. Black skies, a red sunset, and a bleeding moon above with a face stares down at him.

"What the hell is going on?" Naruto shouts as he summons the Keyblade. "Who are you?!" In the shadows of the smog, a lone figure comes over to him. He squints his eyes to see that it's Itachi Uchiha. "Itachi!"

"Calm down. I'm not here to fight you." Naruto doesn't listen in the slightest and slashes at him, who grabs his arm and blocks him. "I'm here to talk."

"Gee, why don't I believe you? Oh, maybe because you and fish brains tried to cut off my legs the last time we met!" He jumps back, preparing a Fire spell. "This is fine actually. If I defeat you and bring you in Sasuke will stop wasting his time out there."

"That won't be necessary. Or possible, because we are conversing in your heart." He points downward, and Naruto looks in shock to see he's in his dive. The platform that had the images is there.

"How did you do this?!"

"I was helped by a sorcerer who knew you. He wanted to relay a task to you." Naruto thinks about the only possible person he knows strong enough to do that.

"Why are you trying to help me?" he asks him.

"You have the Keyblade, do you not?" Itachi walks encircling him. "That weapon is not merely an instrument of war, but is one of the sole instructors capable of bringing peace to the world."

"And since when do you care about that? After almost killing Sasuke and murdering your whole family!"

His Sharingan eyes focus on him. "Some things are not always as they seem. What may be real to you, can actually be fiction. The evil traitor who killed his entire family could actually be a hero who saved thousands of lives."

"Eh?"

"I guess it's okay you knew the truth; you're already keeping a secret." Naruto prepares himself for anything he could try. "There was a planned coup de..." Itachi stops, knowing full well Naruto would never get that. "The Uchiha clan were planning on a rebellion."

"Rebellion?" It soon hits him. "Wait, you mean Sasuke's family was going to attack everyone in Konoha?"

"They were. The Uchiha are a clan cursed with hatred, a hatred so strong it consumes them beyond reason and they only believe in what they see. So strong was this hatred that blackened their hearts made it so they were going to overrun Konoha and take command, killing whoever was in their way. My parents were involved too." Itachi closes his eyes.

Naruto looks at him, unable to believe in what he's saying. "Then... Why you?"

"Sarutobi wanted to find a peaceful way to end the struggle, but Danzo-" At that, Naruto draws a bit of a blank. "-he was persistent and had forwarded the request to have them killed before they could take action. They chose me, the only Uchiha who could not see the way they could; this way, they could brand one lone Uchiha as a traitor and preserve the image of their clan so the rest of Konoha and the world would not come to spite them. It was their attempt to end the curse of hatred..."

Naruto slowly manages to keep up with the story. Though he speaks well, he knows better than to trust people who talk too politely. "I don't believe this... I mean, you didn't even succeed! In the end you killed everyone but Sasuke. There's a hole in your story!"

Itachi opens his eyes staring at Naruto. "Sasuke was innocent in all of this; he had nothing to do with the revolt. Danzo wanted him dead too, but I couldn't bring myself to... Because I love him too much." His answer brings shock to Naruto's eyes, who could feel the light in his heart responding. "I killed my clan, branded myself a traitor, and left Sasuke alive not so he could become like them. But so he would rise up as an avenger to kill me; in the end, I would die as the villain who killed his clan and nothing more. That way, Sasuke would be seen as a hero and never abandon the village who supported him."

Naruto becomes stricken with awe for Itachi; all this he did, because he loved his brother. He's more of a brother than he thought. "And... When you came back to Konoha before..."

"... A reminder. As an Uchiha, Sasuke would be put at risk because they believed he may take up the mantle of revolution like the others, and they would want him dead. But I made a deal with them to keep this and everything he's done in the shadows a secret, so long as they don't touch him."

'So that's why he came back; he really wanted to pay his respects to Jiji, and to make sure they remember he's still alive.'

"It was surprising when Sasuke came and found me at that hotel, but I was glad I did; when I used the Mangekyou on Sasuke, I showed him images to improve his Sharingan and give him his own Mangekyou. Though I suspect he didn't realize it for a while."

"...Images?"

"Of him killing you." Naruto's eyes widen in shock. "Back in Konoha I used Tsukuyomi to incapacitate Kakashi, but also to learn of Sasuke's history after I left. There I discovered you were his best friend."

"Eh?"

"The secret to awakening the Mangekyou is grief, the only kind of grief that the death of your best friend would bring. Like it did me."

Whiskers flips out. "What the hell is wrong with your family?! What kind of power up involves killing someone close to you?!"

"That's why we are cursed; this power of darkness we hold in our hearts is the source of it all..." Itachi points to Naruto's weapon. "Know this; Akatsuki knows that you can use the Keyblade, and the true ruler will no doubt come for you. It's the only way we can stop them from their true plans."

"And, what do you want from me? Why help me?"

"It's truly three reasons. It is because you have the Keyblade that I want to help you. It is because you are the only friend Sasuke still has that motivates me. And finally, it's because you can save those three."

"Those three?" Itachi takes out three slips of paper, showing pictures of a blue haired beauty, a familiar orange haired person, and a white haired pale male. "Who are they?"

"Konan, Yahiko and Nagato. Two of them are being manipulated, and only one of them can set the others free. To stop them, you have to travel to other worlds and rescue the Princesses of Heart, seven women with hearts devoid of darkness. They're the cornerstone of their plan, to fill the worlds with darkness."

"Wow..." Naruto says before taking the photos. He's still stuck on Yahiko's picture, feeling he's seen him before. "I'll do this, but I still don't fully believe you."

"Of course not. Just enough." Itachi walks backwards, before exploding into crows. "I will lend you some power. Seek out Yen Sid, and you will fine your first target." One crow flaps forward at Naruto, pecking his heart before flying away.

Naruto feels his chest, something throbbing a bit. 'What was that?'

He then blinks, realizing he's back in reality. Whatever it was, it's over. He looks around standing in the training grounds he last remembers being in. "Yen Sid knows about Itachi?" Naruto asks himself. He then realizes that there must be something more going on he doesn't know about.

A thought hits him; what if he can help him stop Akatsuki? This may be something he should go into, to stop whatever terrible plan they may be up to.

"Naruto!" He comes out of his thoughts quickly when he hears Konohamaru coming with bento boxes. "We got the bento!"

He's far away, his mind barely registering them until he looks at them. "Konohamaru..." He reaches out and grabs his box before disappearing in a flash, leaving the kids bewildered.

"Eh? Where's he going?" asks Udon in shock.

"Whatever it is, it better be important! I was hoping to learn all that Zubaan stuff!" The others sweat drop at Konohamaru's response.

Naruto appears in the Hokage's Office, where he approaches Tsunade drinking as she searches through paperwork 'against her will'. "Baa-chan, we need to talk!"

The inebriated beauty flings her drink in the air. Naruto instinctively grabs it, his grip shattering it so hard the shards cut into his hand. "Ah! Too hard."

"Oh, it's just Naruto." Tsunade grumbles as she continues with her work. "What are you doing here? You don't have any missions."

"I just might." This gets her attention. "I have to leave the village."

"That's a no." Her response, though slow, is firm and dignified. "I can't just release a soldier out to do whatever he wants."

The blond almost jumps to her desk. "It's about my Keyblade duty."

"Naruto, you know my duties as well; you're a ninja of this village, not just a Keyblade whatever. Even if this thing is important, you can't just leave..."

"Can't you just say I'm on a long mission?" Tsunade glances up at him. "What?"

"How long?"

"I don't know how long... It may take forever. But I know this has to do with " He looks down with strain sadness. It may end up being as arduous as Itachi's mission, if that were true; traveling across worlds to save his own, sounds more lonely and dangerous than anything he's ever done.

"Then, go ahead." He raises his head, surprised at her sudden approval. "You said you're the only one who can do this right? Then do it, come back, and fulfill your promise to everyone. You're the only one who can take my place."

Tsunade's words manage to pump him up. "Thanks Baa-chan!" He rushes off to his home, dodging shards.

"Quit it with the name too!"

Sliding down the side of the building, Naruto flips off and jumps from building to building reaching his house in a matter of seconds. "It's gonna be a long trip. I'll start with clothes and then tools. And ramen." He gathers his items in a hurry.

But as he grabs his noodles, his senses twitch. 'Oh no.' He draws the Keyblade and swings, knocking aside a Shadow. He then watches the other Heartless appear one after another. "They really have followed me here. As long as I have the Keyblade I guess..."

He gathers flame magic around the Keyblade and swings, releasing a stream that burns down it and the rest of the monsters. Though his apartment gets set ablaze in response. 'Balls.' "Freeze!" He unleashes Blizzara upon the flames, putting them away in an instance.

After breathing a sigh of relief, he rushes outside of his home. "... Should I say goodbye first?" He shakes his head. "Nah, Baa-chan got that covered. If Akatsuki's after the Jinchuuriki and the Princesses of Hearts then they'll be safer if I'm gone."

Naruto jets towards the abandoned building that led him to Yen Sid's tower. He takes out the Keyblade and opens the gateway, entering Yen Sid's office. "Hello? Yensei?"

"Must you call me that?" He turns around to face the arcane sorcerer. "I'm sure I know of your presence here... You've met with Itachi and learned of the fate of the worlds, haven't you?"

"... He said I could save those three. What did he mean?" asks the blond shinobi as he stands before him at attention. "And how do you know him?"

"Itachi Uchiha once came before me years ago. At a time when he had left his home for a mission. Though it was by complete accident, he met with those three while under the tutelage of their master Jiraiya."

"Eh?"

"They too held the Keyblade, ones different than the Kingdom Chain you hold, and were masters of the heart in ways that surpass you. But even they were no match for the power he held..." Yen Sid stays quiet for a moment. Naruto notes the ominous look he's giving, his heart stricken with curiosity. "Naruto, you don't have the power to save Yahiko, Konan or Nagato at the moment. Only after you become a Keyblade Master will you be able to save them. Defeat Akatsuki by finding the Princesses of Hearts, and sealing the Keyholes in the worlds you visit."

"All by myself?"

"You won't be alone. I'll be sending help down your way. Go to Traverse Town and seek out a boy name Yugi; he will lead you on your path." Yen Sid holds out his hand, gesturing to the window. Naruto looks out, and sees a large ship.

"... Is that a ship made of legos?"

"Gummi Ship, is what it's called," says the aged sorcerer. "Inside, there will be pilots to take you to your destination. Do not be frightened by their appearance."

"Appearance?"

"You'll know when you see them." Yen Sid then smiles, something he rarely sees. It then turns into a frown. "Naruto, there are two things you should know before you leave; when you go to other worlds, you must not let others know that you're from another world, nor must you interfere with their affairs. Unless it involves the Heartless, you must stay out of the way; it is also the duty of the Keyblade user to protect the world order."

"I understand... Sort of."

"Then, there's one more thing." His eyes gaze deep into Naruto's. "There are certain worlds out there that are different than others. Different, because they're more like your world than you think. You may think you're back in your own, but it's still another world. Should anyone, and they will, recognize you, and you vice versa, you mustn't let them know the truth. Now go, Keyblade Wielder Naruto."

Though he doesn't fully understand, Naruto nods before rushing over to the ship outside. He opens the window and hopes on the ship before stepping inside...

And is met with a wrench to the face. "Hey, keep your feet off the seats!"

"You know how hard it is to clean polyester?" Naruto tries his best to search out the source of the squeaky, tiny voices. Though upon looking down, Yensei's words make sense.

Before him are two little anthropomorphic chipmunks. "... Are you guys like Gamakichi and the others?"

"What? How rude, calling me a Gamakichi whatever!" says the first chipmunk. "What is that anyway?"

"My name is Chip, and that's my brother Dale," speaks the second. "We're here to help you save the worlds, but that doesn't mean you have to be a disgusting slob."

"I'm not disgusting!" Naruto rubs his nose from the wrench before placing his bag in the back.

Dale takes a moment to sniff the bag. "Mm, I smell noodles!"

"Yup, and you can't have any," he responds quickly, before taking a seat. "Let's go!"

Chip and Dale go to the front, starting up the ship's engine. "So, what's a Gummi Ship anyway?"

"Oh, that's easy. You see-"

"Blast off!" Chip shouts, and the ship takes off. They disappear into the night sky, a star among family in the Corridors of Darkness known as space.

Yen Sid looks on out the window, almost giving a sad look. "Travel the stars and set all that was wrong right, Naruto Uzumaki."

Alger: And that finally ends this chapter. Maybe we should retire from this.

Julia: Next time, Naruto visits another world just as his friends realize his disappearance.