Chapter 3-Return to the Chaos
Naruto dodged a punch that came from Shiro before countering with a kick to the half-demon dragon's ribs followed up by a spin kick to the back of his head. This was how they spent the final day training as this was their final sparring session during the last 3 year when the Fox Prince wasn't training under Kyuubi's direction. During the time they had spent together, Shiro had told Naruto a lot about his past experiences when living in both Demon World and the Human World. How Shiro trained under a strong Fire Demon named Hiei and a Fox Demon Prince of Thieves named Kurama, who was a master plant manipulator like the Shodaime of Konoha was in his day.
In fact, according to Shiro, the Shodaime could very well have been of Kurama's human kin since on several occasions the demon blood mutated in their human descendants. It was a form of evolution in human's who were descended from demons so their powers would be able to surface so the demonic power locked away wouldn't eat at them from the inside. That was how blood diseases came up so much in the beginning when Clans were first being founded since not every child born in a Clan could activate their demon blood, but rather it would leak out slower then cells could handle causing a backing up of power within the cells. It caused the demonic cells that produced the bloodline traits to become poisoned thus resulting in many deaths resulting in "bad blood" as it was simply called.
Now though it rarely happened since humans had evolved to a point where such a thing rarely happened anymore among clans. A person with a bloodline that didn't activate it properly never fell victim to the disease due to the body's physical tolerance to it.
It surprised Naruto that Shiro when in the Human World had once developed a very solid relationship with the now dead member of the Sound Four known as Tayuya. It turns out that prior to Tayuya's way of life as a member of the Sound Four wasn't all that bad as Shiro made sure she was happy and helped train her to be strong.
However, when Orochimaru came around everything had changed and Shiro had told her that she had one choice that would decide her future in life and their very relationship. To either drop the Sannin to pursue something more beyond their friendship or stay with the deceitful Missing Ninja only to die under false pretenses when Orochimaru had no longer considered in his eyes that she was useful.
Her response was less then heartwarming.
Apparently the Curse Seal had also influenced the language center of Tayuya's brain as her response had quite a choice set of curse words added in for good measure. The Curse Seal had already bound her to Orochimaru's control thus ending whatever relationship the two could have had together. When Shiro learned that Tayuya was killed through his summons he always sent periodically to check up on her to see if she had left the Sannin or was even alive, it had broken his heart knowing that what he told her had become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Naruto had told Shiro he was sorry for his loss even though Shiro told him that he had no real reason to be sorry since Tayuya had made her own choice in life. Despite the tainted influence from the Sannin, the dragon half-demon knew that Tayuya had made the choice to go with him willingly. All Shiro could do now was ask Naruto was that when he did return to the Human World that the Fox Demon kill Orochimaru due to his Curse Seal poisoning her mind.
Naruto gladly agreed.
"I still can't believe it's been 3 years since you came here to Demon World," said Shiro, as they now sat down on a nearby hill looking up at the sky.
Nara Shikamaru's love for cloud gazing had apparently rubbed off on Naruto and now it had now rubbed onto Shiro as well.
"I find that time passes much faster when you are having fun with a friend regardless if its in Demon World or Human World," said Naruto knowing just how cheesy it sounded despite it being the truth.
"Indeed. To be honest I would go with you Naruto if I could, but when my Father passed away I was bound to fulfill my duties as his rightful heir to the Dragon Throne. The only reason it doesn't apply to you is because your Father is still technically alive albeit he's alive inside of you, but I think it's beside the point, said Shiro getting up followed by Naruto, who looked at his friend with concern.
"There is more you want to tell me, but you're hesitant to do so. Why?" said Naruto, as he was slightly worried at what his friend would say.
"Naruto...I want you to realize the ramifications one has in being a long lasting Demon Lord as you are technically immortal with the exception of dying at the hands of another. When you decide to settle down with the special person you must treasure her as if she held your very soul, your very purpose for existence inside of her, and protect her with everything you have. Unlike me, when you mate with a woman you love you will make her a demon like you and will fall under the same rules as you do in terms of immortality. However, the humans in Konoha and anywhere else you may have connections with are not so fortunate to be given this ability to live as long as a God does. One day they, along with the people around them, will ultimately die, and as they die one by one you will feel pain in your heart because of it," said Shiro wanting Naruto to be aware of this important fact.
"Father has reminded me on several occasions of this fact and I have made peace with the thought of outliving everyone I ever knew when I was human. However, as long as I have the memories of them in my heart when they pass on, I know they will never truly be lost to me," said Naruto having spoken to his Father about this several times during the past 3 years while his body slept and had accepted this knowledge painfully before shoving it in the back into the dark corner of his mind.
Shiro nodded before they both headed back.
(Human World-Konoha)
Tsunade was looking through various reports Shizune handed her and was not pleased with what she saw in the slightest from the Intel Jiraiya's spy network came up with. It had nearly been 3 years since the failed retrieval mission and Orochimaru had been busy molding Sasuke into his new vessel to use in knowing all the Jutsu's in the world. As it stood Tsunade believed it was foolish of the Council to wanting to pamper the Uchiha as they did when he was loyal to the Leaf Village and now it had come to bite them all in the ass.
Of course those old fools would never admit to being wrong and only stated that "Had the demon brat not made Sasuke feel inferior the boy wouldn't have left under false beliefs", which meant they blamed Naruto for the Uchiha's faults. As if Naruto had anything to do remotely with the Uchiha's defection and if it did it was because the spoiled boy wanted Naruto dead to gain the forbidden form of the Sharingan that Itachi had before killing off the rest of his Clan.
Liked her Grandfather and founder of Konoha the Shodaime Hokage, Tsunade never did like the Uchiha's when growing up, as they walked around all snobbish. As if they were the greatest clan in the world and all those compared to their Sharingan were weak or was inferior to them. If there was a bloodline out in the world that was equal or had surpassed the Sharingan, Tsunade had no doubt that the Uchiha Clan would have done one of two horrible things.
Marry into it or destroy it so no one could be there betters.
Silently, the Fifth Hokage felt Itachi had done Konoha a service that was long overdue since she learned that many of the Uchiha had been against Naruto being alive at all. She also had a suspicion it was not simply because of the Kyuubi sealed inside of him either, but with nearly all the clan dead, Itachi with Akatsuki, and Sasuke with Orochimaru she would never know.
She doubted the Council knew of such a secret reason behind the Uchiha's hate for her little brother and if they did they had no intention of telling her. They were most likely doing it just to spite her since she didn't believe in their policies for their own needs and their hate for the boy. She had sent Jiraiya to look for any information about Naruto in the hopes the kid should pop up during that time when the Sannin was trying to find out more about Akatsuki and a strange new yet small group that had made an appearance during the last 3 years.
It was uncertain who they were or what they looked like, but they were considered nearly as infamous as the demon hunting organization if not its equal. All that was known was they moved through the shadows and the mist receiving orders from someone, who was rumored to be their leader, but that person was an unknown at the time, and would have to be for a little while longer.
The three individuals all wore plain black cloaks with no symbols or designs on them to signify themselves as an organization, but clearly acted as if they were, hence the rumor of a shadowy fourth member, and leader. The first one to be identified of the group (with the witness later dying from blood loss from his encounter) wielded a large sword with a metal mask covering the lower half of his face from the nose on down. The hood having covered the remaining half made the individual an unknown and was said to appear like a ghost before killing his targets.
The second one wore a hunter mask with a soft voice that was said if the rumors were to be believed, to rival an angel's own, before you fell in a bloody heap of flesh. This figure was just as lethal if not more then the first, as the individual would kill you before you even knew you were dead, and at the hands of the two kodachi's he or possibly she used.
The third member was rumored to be the strongest of the three yet younger then the large Zanbato wielding Ninja, but older then the one, who was a double Kodachi user. This fearsome warrior was the silent of the three, had no seeable weapon to speak of, but was still considered deadly nonetheless, and never spoke a word around anyone around him. If he or she did it was too muffled to determine the gender, but it was rumored that the warrior was a man since the figure had been referred to as a "he". This unknown shadow of a warrior had a [air of eyes filled with so much hate, as it was rumored that by looking into them you could see your own death, and all the demons of hell were waiting to greet you on the other side to rip your soul apart.
They all went by apparent nicknames they gave each other to indentify one another and so they never had to go by their real ones during actual combat, as if the revealing of such knowledge was nothing, but a death sentence. One was known as "The Demon Ghost", the second soft talking individual was known as "The Black Angel", and the third quiet one was known as "The Sins of Mankind".
How did Tsunade know this?
Tsunade knew this because Jiraiya's spy network had learned that both the sides Akatsuki and Orochimaru had tried to recruit them to their separate causes.
The messengers that were sent by both groups were sent back the same day rumored to be nothing, but that of blood and remains of skin in a box meant to hold shoes. Tsunade also knew this aside from Jiraiya's spy network because one of Orochimaru's messengers was a Root member under the command of Danzo.
Of course Danzo had deeply denied any connection to the matter claiming the group had been disbanded for years now and that the deceased Shinobi joined the Sannin to be of someone's service. The Council bought it seeing no evidence to contradict the crippled man's words and with them supporting him as it was, Tsunade doubted that unless the man was alive, confessing his guts out in front of them, and pointed the finger at Danzo, it would make little difference.
However, what was more pressing was Danzo and the Council wanted Tsunade to send a team to do what Orochimaru or Akatsuki could not do by recruiting this group to the Leaf Village. They believed that such power would keep the enemies of Konoha at bay, but it would also sway Sasuke in coming back to Konoha for the power he was seeking to kill Itachi. The first reason the Council gave, Tsunade could understand since Iwa and Kumo had become quite restless as of late, but the second reason made the Hokage's blood boil at them wanting to bring the Uchiha back simply for his damn bloodline.
'Those idiots are going to be the end of this village if something isn't done soon,' thought Tsunade letting out a sigh of frustration at this situation and wished for some sort of aid whether it was intentional or not to help her in this time of need.
At a simple ramen stand a boy with short dark hair with an angelic face sneezed a little knowing that someone was talking about him and possibly two others.
"Are you all right sir," said Ayame hoping this handsome young man wasn't catching a cold.
"Oh yes it must be someone talking about me," said Haku smiling at her making the girl blush slightly from the affect it had on her before she unconsciously took the money he gave to pay for his meal as he left.
"Flirting with women again?" said Zabuza, as Haku made his way into the dark alley before dawning his cloak and mask once more.
"Would you have me flirting with other men Zabuza-san. Perhaps...with you?" said Haku knowing that it was always fun to poke at the man when it came to their past relationship.
"Shut up! I'm as straight as Kimimaro is albino now quit messing with me or I'll ram my sword down your throat," said Zabuza before the two left to meet with the said albino, who was currently looking at the Hokage archives for all the dirt on the Council he could give to Naruto later for leverage should he need it.
(With Kimimaro)
The albino Shinobi had taken a countless number of documents and stored them all away in storage scrolls with each document dating the Council's actions since the late Third Hokage had been reinstated. The secret meetings that took place involving Naruto's fate the day after the sealing, decisions involving him being denied his inheritance that lead him to being in the Orphanage for a few years before being kicked out, secret meetings the main Council had with the citizen Council to make sure the boy pay 3-4 times the amount for things that were outdated. It was all here and the Main Council was in on every aspect of Naruto's life. All with the plan to either have the boy killed, exiled, or in the case concerning Danzo, to be seen as a potential weapon for the village should any of the Kyuubi's chakra come out to make the boy hostile to his attackers on several of his birthdays.
'The fools dare try to destroy my master. I will give this to Naruto-sama when he returns and let him decide what to do with these power hungry morons that dare to challenge a future king of all demons!' thought Kimimaro before spotting the journal of the Third Hokage piled on top of several papers that were clearly supposed make the tiny book hidden should anyone ever enter the room.
"Find anything useful?" said Zabuza as he and Haku came out of the ice mirror that the boy had formed to get to the room.
"Yes and possibly more. I wish Naruto-sama to see what I have found before I can truly appreciate my work in giving him the information he seeks. I understand from the last fox summons that came to us two weeks ago that he is coming back soon and wishes to know of our progress with Akatsuki," said Kimimaro knowing that the organization had been a bane on his master's existence that needed to be wiped out before going after Orochimaru and the Uchiha puppet.
"If you've got everything let's get the hell out of here before were all spotted and they put a bounty on our heads or something. We could probably take on this whole nest of arrogant weaklings no problem, but Naruto doesn't want that to happen just yet," said Zabuza sensing people coming down the corridor outside the room.
"In a moment Zabuza-san, I want them to know that someone was here and that someone knows their dirty little secrets. I think Naruto-sama would agree since it will put the fear of Kami in them if this information ever got out would make the village lose face with its allies," said Kimimaro smiling cruelly behind his hood before tripping the alarm meant for an intruder in the Hokage Tower.
"The only thing they need to and should fear worse then Kami is Naruto when he makes his return," said Zabuza before all three had entered the mirror and left without a trace of them being in the room.
(Hokage's Office)
"What do you mean someone stole from the restricted area of our archives?!" said a now angry Tsunade before she smashed one of the two ANBU through a wall with her fist.
"When we arrived to investigate Hokage-sama we found that the alarm was deliberately tripped as if to rub in our faces that they stole from under our noses," said the remaining ANBU Shinobi still standing to give the report.
"Find out what they stole, who it was, and do it fast!" said Tsunade glaring at the ANBU, who bowed before leaving in a puff of smoke.
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" said Jiraiya opening the window having heard the entire conversation between her and the one ANBU with the one being sent though the wall being sent to the Hospital for treatment.
"Where the hell have you been?" said Tsunade deciding to take her anger out on Jiraiya since he had been unable to find any information concerning Naruto or any regarding the mysterious 3 Shinobi that had been causing messes throughout a the Elemental Countries.
"What do you think? I've been trying to do my job in gathering the information that you keep demanding I try to get for you when I keep telling you its impossible," said Jiraiya looking slightly annoyed at Tsunade kept wanting to bring Naruto back and even though they knew that he was in Demon World she still persisted that she find out more about him during his absence in Konoha.
"It's nearly been 3 years since he left damn it! Surely you and that blasted spy network of yours discovered something about Naruto or those strange 3 ninja running around?" said Tsunade irritated that her most valuable and trusted asset in Konoha wasn't having much luck these days as she was.
"I have been looking for any sign of Naruto possibly popping up, but you know as well as I do that when it comes to training Naruto will do whatever it takes to get stronger, even if it means cutting himself off from all human contact. I know you want him back in your arms never to let free again Tsunade, but even if he came back I doubt he would want to be held in your embrace. I on the hand...," said Jiraiya only to be punched out the window by the woman, who knew what Jiraiya was referring to.
"Damn pervert!" said Tsunade before she returned to her paperwork much to her dismay at the size of it all.
(Demon World)
"So I guess this is goodbye for now," said Shiro holding out his hand, which Naruto took without hesitation knowing that it would many years before the Fox Prince returned to the land of Demons.
"For now as you said, but make no mistake I will return, and when I do we will pick up where we left off in our last spar," said Naruto in his newly modified fighting attire now nearly 5'8 to near a solid 6 feet with his steel toed boots, a black cape, black leather hat, and his sword with a crimson-black striped hilt Nodachi style sword strapped to his back with the top of the hilt turning slightly circular with a fox skull in the center of the circle.
Naruto's hair had also grown long and spiky yet he managed to bend it to his will while being compacted in the hat without giving him hat hair when he took the thing off. His face had become more "royal" with a sharp strong chin, yet with a fox like suave to it that would make women drool over him, and held a mischievous intent to all, who fell prey to his well calculated plans of attack.
"I look forward to it. Take care my friend and know you will always have an ally among the dragon demons here or in Human World as long as I draw breath," said Shiro, who knew that no form of dragon demon in either world would dare oppose his rule or who he considered an ally despite only being a half-demon.
Naruto nodded and opened the portal to the Human World before entering it to head back to right the many wrongs of the world...starting with Akatsuki.
But before he could do that he needed to send a message to a certain snake Sannin and one Uchiha Sasuke.
(Sound Village-Two Days Later)
"Danzo just sent us a message Orochimaru-sama. He wishes to form a more solid alliance with us in order to fully take over Konoha rather then destroy it. After such an event he wishes to use his new found power and structure to aid us in taking over the other Hidden Villages in the other Elemental Countries," said Kabuto handing his master the message for the Sannin himself to read.
"The fool is still consumed in the idea that constant wars with other will make the Leaf Village stronger. While I agree that only the strongest survive in war it's the unnecessary ones that I try to avoid. All the same this is something I cannot turn away from as such an alliance will most likely be a benefit in the end. Send a message back telling Danzo that he has his alliance in exchange that the Jutsu's they take become mine to have as a form of payment," said Orochimaru knowing that while Danzo did most of the work during a war his men could simply take what they want and on occasion send the weaklings of Sound to assist with the survivors being used for future experiments.
"Of course Orochimaru-sama," said Kabuto bowing before he left to set out on the task given to him by his master.
"Such an obedient servant don't you think so Sasuke?" said Orochimaru looking over at his prized vessel to be and grinned viciously at the Uchiha.
"Whatever. Its not like his existence matters to me. All that I want and matters to me is the power to kill my brother," said Sasuke not even remotely interested in the Sannin or in his minions, but rather in the power they wielded that he wanted to make his own.
"And you shall once the Uzumaki boy returns from wherever he is hiding and then you can kill him to get what you want to kill Itachi," said Orochimaru knowing that his vessel and the Kyuubi boy had unfinished business.
"Like that loser could ever be a match for me anymore," said Sasuke glaring at the snake Sannin though he was a little curious as to how strong the blonde haired kid had gotten since their fight at the Valley of the End.
The Uchiha had read the various reports from the spies in Konoha about what apparently happened to Naruto and frankly Sasuke didn't believe it one bit. How could some loser gain favor from a Demon Lord? As an Uchiha such acknowledgement should have gone to him and not some ramen eating nutcase, who couldn't even graduate the first or second time at the Academy.
"Never underestimate your opponent Sasuke. It is what nearly the reason you nearly lost to Naruto if I remember correctly," said Orochimaru knowing that Sasuke hated to be reminded of that.
"The loser got lucky," said Sasuke believing that was the only reason Naruto was bale to stand up to him as long as he did.
After all what power could surpass an Uchiha?
Soon there was an explosion within Sound Village making Sasuke and Orochimaru leave the throne room to investigate the disturbance.
"Orochimaru-sama were under attack! A warrior dressed in black and wielding a massive sword is killing Sound Shinobi left and right. We tried to engage him as a group, but he cut us down like we were insects," said a Sound Shinobi approaching the Sannin with only one arm and several slashes across his upper body as well as some lower along the leg area.
"What?" said Orochimaru looking at the source of the carnage not far from them as the enemy had beheaded two of his minions in one stroke of his blade.
"Allow me to deal with this intruder Orochimaru-sama," said Kabuto knowing that while Sound Shinobi under the Sannin were not weak they were in comparison to Kabuto.
"Fine! Bring me his body to me intact for future study," said Orochimaru watching from the sidelines with the Uchiha, who was watching the movements of the fighter with his Sharingan, bout found he was incapable of copying them.
'How can I not copy it? I have the Sharingan so my eyes should make all power that is another's mine!' thought Sasuke fuming at this development wishing that he had the next stage of the Sharingan so he would be able to do anything he wished.
No sooner had Kabuto started entering the fray did a heavy thick mist surround the two warriors making the Sound Jounin tense at this wondering if this warrior was an agent of Mist.
"You seem nervous all of a sudden Kabuto. Why? Surely your skills given to you by the Sannin you serve are enough for you to handle a weakling like me?" said the figure with only the shadow of the figure appearing in Kabuto sight.
"Your mocking could use some work whoever you are. I am Orochimaru-sama's second-in-command and I am not intimidated in the slightest by your skills or your tricks," said Kabuto though he was slightly intimidated by the power he was now sensing from the man wondering just how far this well of power went.
"Your usefulness will be at an end soon and when that happens Uchiha Sasuke will take your place before becoming Orochimaru himself. How does that make you feel knowing that you are about to die and the arrogant prick the Sannin wants as his new body will soon take your place as Orochimaru's second?" said the figure fading deeper into the mist letting out a deep and seemingly inhuman chuckle as he did.
"You think I am some amateur that you can simply fool into believing your lies. I have no desire to die here and I will not be replaced as you claim. I also know from how Mist Shinobi acts that they strike from behind when performing the silent kill technique they mastered. Gotcha!" said Kabuto sensing someone was behind him and using his chakra scalpels to strike from behind only to find nothing, but mist before him without even a hint of his foe.
"You are an amateur if you believe me to be a Mist Shinobi," said the figure from behind Kabuto slicing off the man's right arm making the Medic Ninja scream in pain at the loss of the appendage.
"W-Who...who are y-you?" said Kabuto before letting out another scream as the ground was cut out from under him or rather his leg had been cut off above the knee from under him to be more precise.
"Don't you remember Kabuto? You met me when you tried to recruit Tsunade to healing the snake Sannin's arms after old man Hokage got through with him and in the process you nearly killed me by using your chakra scalpels on my heart!" said the figure moving from the depths of the mist revealing one Kyuubi Naruto towering over the badly injured Kabuto.
"You! But how? How did you...how could you get this strong in such a short time?" said Kabuto while trying to move away from Naruto with his one good leg only to find that too had been removed below the knee faster then the man could see.
"I don't share my secrets with the dead," said Naruto thrusting his sword into Kabuto's chest before ripping out the pierced heart thus ending the Sound Jounin's life.
Not even Kabuto could regenerate a heart he didn't have.
By that time the mist had cleared enough for Orochimaru and Sasuke to see Kabuto's life end right before their eyes shocking the two of them to no end. They had of course heard the screams, but thought nothing of them considering Kabuto's healing abilities with his chakra. Now they saw the Jounin on the ground with 3 out of 4 limbs cut off and a hole in his chest cavity where the heart once resided only now in the long sword his killer now wielded.
'How could he do that to Kabuto? The intruder should have fallen easily to the skills that Kabuto possesses,' thought Orochimaru seeing the figure turn to look at him and Sasuke before walking away casually as if they were insignificant.
'Damn it! If that mist hadn't appeared when it did I might have been able to copy some powerful moves to kill Itachi. How did that mist even come into existence when Kabuto fought him?' thought Sasuke scowling and seething with rage at this warrior, who had all this power, and had basically, manhandled Kabuto like he was a weak Genin.
"Do you want me go eliminate him for you Orochimaru?" said Sasuke casually, as if he were stronger then Kabuto.
"No. We need to repair the damage that was done to Sound. Besides from the way that he easily defeated Kabuto he would have killed you Sharingan or not," said Orochimaru not liking the eyes of the attacker.
"Are you saying that I'm weak Orochimaru?" said Sasuke glaring at the Sannin, who was walking away from him.
"After all the training I put you through you are much stronger without a doubt, but you are nowhere near Kabuto's league or mine for that matter. If that warrior could do that to someone of Kabuto's level imagine what will happen to you if you face him. I doubt he will give you a chance to use your Sharingan or your Curse Seal levels 1 and 2 Sasuke," said Orochimaru before heading back inside to let his Shinobi take care of the repair work while he planned to find out just who the hell that was.
'If I wasn't so sure of Orochimaru's power I would say the man was actually afraid of this guy,' thought Sasuke before walking off to do more training so should he encounter the individual that killed Kabuto, he would have the exclusive honor of killing him.
(Elsewhere)
"Did you enjoy killing Kabuto like that?" said Zabuza having created the mist to keep the Uchiha out, but was able to see what it was happening between Naruto and the Sound Jounin.
After Naruto had originally arrived at the rendezvous point the trio of Shinobi that were his followers gave him the dirty secrets of the Council and the Sandaime's journal. They were all pleased to be in the presence of their master as it had been 3 years since the boy now young man had been in the Human World. In fact, Naruto had only communicated with them via Fox Demon Summons that would relay messages back and forth from the two worlds.
"Yes, it was most enjoyable. However, he is, but a pebble on the pathway to righting the wrongs of this world. The time for mercy and talking to bring peace are over. The time has come for those wronged to feel justice and those who have done evil to others to be punished...painfully!" said Naruto his red eyes glowing as he spoke showing an unearthly like fire in them that was practically surreal.
"If you do not mind me asking Naruto-sama, but why did you not kill Orochimaru and Uchiha Sasuke while you were in the village? Your power far exceeded their own so why not end their lives sooner then later," said Haku, as he had been curious about that since the instant that Naruto came out of the portal from Demon World they knew he was at a level far beyond anyone else.
"Because Haku, it would have been too early in the game to kill the two of them since I will need them later on when Akatsuki is no more. Besides, in the 2 years to come we need to make our presence made known to all the people of the Elemental Countries. If we kill them now it would simply get their attention, but not the need to seek us out for possible employment. Before the next year is over I will make our group so infamous that even the Daimyo's themselves will wish to seek personal audiences with us and that my friends...is what I want to happen," said Naruto before leaping into the trees with his 3 followers right behind him.
There was work to be done.
(Akatsuki Base-3 Months Later)
The room was completely silent and empty in the darkness as that was how all nine of the members of Akatsuki preferred it when meeting in this manner. It became a sense of calm when they met to discuss the nature of the plans they created and the progress on them that would always go as planned.
However, right now things were not progressing as they had planned.
The projectors in the room on the ground were a total of nine with one being for each of the members of Akatsuki that were used to have their meetings when they were scattered throughout the Elemental Countries. At the moment the projectors started to activate only seven of the nine showed shadowy figures of the members meaning something happened to them.
"Sasori and Deidara are dead. This has become an unexpected development in our plans for the organization since they are now unable to retrieve the demon within Subaku no Gaara. Even more is that we do not know the identity of the attackers, who were the ones responsible for slaying them," said Pein clearly displeased with how things were going given the latest the organizations designs for the world.
"Could it be that new group we heard about 3 years ago? They sent our messenger back pretty nasty from what I understand," said Kisame thinking of the only people capable of being a threat to them.
"It is a possibility, but it is highly unlikely since they do not have a reason to attack us to begin with," said Konan, as she looked at the others in the room through her projection.
"One does not need a reason simply to strike another Konan-san, but merely a means to an end I'm sure," said Itachi looking at the projection of Hidan and Kakuzu frowning slightly as he did noticing they seemed to be looking back every once in a while as if they suspected someone was behind them.
"Do we have a problem Hidan? Kakuzu?" said Pein now glaring at the two projections as Itachi did, which drew the attention of the other members in the group.
"No Pein-sama it's just...," said Kakuzu before his form in the projection vanished as did Hidan in a somewhat gory like fashion if the way their forms in the projection splattered was any indication.
"What the hell?" said Kisame being the only one to say it outwardly since everyone else was thinking it.
"I'm afraid Hidan and Kakuzu are currently indisposed of at the moment oh distinguished members of Akatsuki. Would you like to leave a message for them with me?" said a now mysterious figure in a calm, almost serene like voice wearing a black hat, clothing, a dark cloth like mask covering the lower part of his face, and a very long sword strapped to his back.
"Identify yourself," said Pein frowning at this unknown and unforeseen foe.
"There is no need for that Leader of Akatsuki for you will know my identity soon enough when my associates and I come for each and everyone of you. However, I am not so rude or as heartless as you think I am for I will tell you one thing about myself you may find to be quite interesting," said the figure, who now was joined by his followers with each one filling an empty projector that once belong to the deceased members of Akatsuki.
"And what may that be?" said Itachi narrowing his eyes at the leader of the apparent four individuals that dared to oppose the greater majority.
"Like you Itachi-san, I am from Konoha and I too am marked to be killed by them should I ever be caught. However, unlike you Uchiha, I am not so weak that I have to hide like a coward behind an organization like this one simply to keep the Hunter Ninja's that our village would send out at bay. The same can be said for you as well Kisame, as you know fully well that if it weren't for Mist Village's still weakened condition due to the chaos of the bloodline civil war, you yourself would become hunted down like a stray dog. Each and every one of your late or currently at the moment indisposed of members are now all boxed up, sealed up, and about to be sent straight to the Elemental Country of their birth. The respected Daimyo's of each Country will receive a message with each box telling all of them just who did this to your pathetic little group. I want you all to know that I killed Orochimaru's right hand Kabuto and I am going to be responsible for your organizations downfall. I welcome all of you remaining here today...to your worst nightmare," said the figure whose eyes now glowed an eerie red before he and the other two figures with him disappeared from their own projectors.
"How could he or his group have done that so fast!?" said Kisame looking at the others in the room only to see them all deep in thought about the situation.
"They have been busy apparently. They must have gotten information out of Sasori and Deidara before they died knowing that those two would lead them to us. This has become most unsettling and must be dealt with swiftly with ruthless aggression," said Pein seeing that this force that opposed them was causing a great set back for him and Akatsuki.
"Who should go hunt for them? If they could easily get rid of so many of our members of Akatsuki that quickly, then it may require more then just a two man team to go after them all," said Konan looking at Pein's projected form, who turned slightly towards her.
"That probably would be the best course of action with this group considering our plans have been setback at such a pace that this can't be ignored. Very well you, I, and another recent recruit not here at the moment will pursue this group while Itachi and Kisame go track down the Kyuubi vessel as planned," said Pein before the images faded out one by one until only Pein himself remained.
"This is bad for our group," said Pein in the darkness apparently to himself.
"You forget that its quality not quantity that matters when it comes to fighting Pein-san and you have more then enough of both to handle them," said a figure in the darkness, but from any of the projectors.
"Forgive me Madara-sama. I am sure with your help under your disguised form that we will me able to destroy these rodents once and for all," said Pein to the true Leader of the Akatsuki.
"You can repent for your moment of weakness later by killing those that dared to defy us and more importantly the Uchiha way of life in submitting all to our power," said Madara his Sharingan eye glowing dimly in the darkness.
"Yes Madara-sama. I will meet you under your alias as Tobi at the rendezvous point with Konan," said Pein before his projected form soon vanished leaving only the founder of the Uchiha Clan to bask in all its glory.
(Konoha-Hokage's Office)
"Is this information true?" said Tsunade looking at Jiraiya, who nodded with a frown of concern on his face.
He was concerned because of the quicken pace in which the enemies of the Leaf as well as the various Shinobi villages were dying. First, Kabuto's heart had been mysteriously dropped off at the Hokage's desk in a little wooden box with a note saying:
One less person for you to deal with Tsunade.
Signed
The Five Shinigami Shadows
Second, word had reached Konoha of a small group now targeting the nine members of Akatsuki and slowly killing them off one pair at a time. After each kill they were dropped off in front of their respected villages or at least parts of their bodies anyway. The rest of the remains went straight to the Country's own Daimyos, who were all glad to see these unwelcome thorns now fully removed from their sides.
Third, the now well respected Kazekage of Suna that was Subaku no Gaara was to have been rumored to apparently see the group responsible for Akatsuki's sudden and untimely weakening. It was further rumored that the vessel of Shukaku had even offered them his personal protection as well as the sanctuary of Suna if they ever needed it.
Whoever the members of the group were, they must have been powerful, and influential to earn the Kazekage's respect after one meeting.
"As true as your overly large breasts are real," said Jiraiya before he was sent into a wall via Tsunade's fist to his face.
"Perverted asshole!" said Tsunade though she probably should have seen that remark coming like all the others he used on her.
"Yeah I love you too," said Jiraiya getting off the hard wood floor he slumped down to after leaving his own imprint on the wall.
"Be serious with me this one time Jiraiya. Just how powerful and influential has this new group become?" said Tsunade looking at her old teammate with a serious expression.
"Its hard to say really. I know they met with the Kazekage and the Wind Daimyo, but for some reason they won't go to Iwa or Kumo unless they already did. It would explain the reason why Kumo is so quiet right now, but it's hard to say for certain. Its been rumored that Kumo lost a Shinobi shortly after rumors of their visit came, but who was apparently taken is short lipped by the hire ups there," said Jiraiya knowing that for the Raikage of Kumo to keep such information from getting out meant that this Missing Ninja and new member to this shadowy group must have been someone they didn't want free from their grasp.
Not willingly anyway.
"What about Mist?" said Tsunade knowing that people like them would and could thrive on the violence that village created.
"Not a chance. Mist Village is still trying to recover from its own fallings and right now is considered a continent of bloodshed so I doubt they will go there anytime soon to that place. I did hear several rumors that the Fire Daimyo wants to speak with them soon in regards to staying Orochimaru's hand with any possible future invasion with the death of Kabuto," said Jiraiya knowing that out of all of the Daimyo's in the Elemental Countries that Fire's was the most influential of them all.
The fact was that IF the rumors were true that their Feudal Lord wanted to see these four then they must have the power to rival all three Sannin themselves. It was actually a scary thought considering that they held allegiances to no one, but each other, and even then no one knew how far that rabbit hole went.
"Can you get one of your more reliable spies present during this meeting if it ever takes place?" said Tsunade knowing that Jiraiya's spies could always get in the most hard to reach places for necessary information.
"I don't know. From what I learned the meeting with the Wind Daimyo was just 6 people in the throne room with no bodyguards present. Apparently, the meeting was so secret that not even the guards outside the room knew what was happening and were tempted to find out just in case their Feudal Lord had been secretly assassinated," said Jiraiya, as that had never happened before when it came to meetings with people of such high stature.
"The Fire Daimyo is the most powerful and influential of all the Feudal Lords so I doubt he will have the meeting with them alone considering their power. He won't be as naïve as the Wind Daimyo in regards to this I can assure you," said Tsunade knowing that when you are in that kind of position with power you tend to have the means to protect yourself even against the slyest of Shinobi.
This group seemed to fit the bill perfectly.
"Well all I know is these guy's have made Akatsuki now direct their efforts on them and Orochimaru is keeping Sasuke in Sound for further training," said Jiraiya sighing at the last part wishing he had more time in training Naruto then he gave the boy.
Hell the man should have been there for the kid, but in his stupidity and perverseness the Sannin failed the boy in every sense of the word.
'Was this how Sarutobi-sensei felt when it came to Orochimaru?' thought Jiraiya, as he couldn't help, but think what was going on through the old monkey's head at the time.
"I was thinking of getting a small tactical team together to send after the group to hire to assist Konoha in its time of need against Orochimaru. With the Chuunin Exams coming up here in Konoha in two more years I figure it would be the perfect time for the bastard to strike us again," said Tsunade knowing that Orochimaru always did things twice with the second time being slightly different then the first.
"They will never go for it Tsunade and even if they did, the Council would try to demand too much from them in terms of working for Konoha. It would kill any future hopes of a stable contract to possibly use should they be needed again later in another dark chapter of Konoha. You know what the Council is like Tsunade when they try to get what they want and they threaten to use force to get it. They did it with Sensei, the Yondaime, and they will find a way to use it on you when they see the opportunity brought before them," said Jiraiya knowing how the Council acted when Tsunade informed them she was going to the Daimyo to appeal the order for executing Naruto and they threatened to remove her from the position of Hokage before marking her an S-Class Missing Ninja.
Her response was sending an elderly Council member through a wall and daring the rest to follow through with the threat. They wisely decided NOT to.
"Still I have nothing to lose and I need all the help I can get. I was thinking of using the Rookie's since they've been growing at a fast rate ever since they found out about what the Council tried to do to Naruto," said Tsunade her eyes showing sadness at the looks on all their faces when they were told.
She actually had to have ANBU keep them all at bay from going on a killing spree.
"Even more so when they learned what was sealed inside of Naruto along with the rest of the village, though from the looks on some of the younger generation when the news got out I'm willing to bet the parents broke the law before the ink even tried on Sarutobi's decree," said Jiraiya seeing some of the kids around Naruto's age not showing any kind of surprise at all.
"This is why I had those said parents taken to Ibiki for questioning while I had Kurenai place their kids under a teaching Genjutsu Iruka created two years ago to deal with the trio of pranksters that are Naruto's disciples. It makes them all think they should go home to learn something taught at school that day and is normally used on the most misbehaved members of the class," said Tsunade smirking at Iruka's idea only to see the trio recover from it later and prank the poor man by planting a super fudge packed brownie right on his seat before he sat back down.
It didn't help that Shizune had just opened the door to speak to Iruka when he sat back up from sitting down; the end result made the medic Shinobi see what appeared to be a full grown man and Chuunin teacher losing control of his bowls putting the teacher in quite the embarrassing position looking like he had literally crapped right through his pants.
The Konohamaru Corps. were, not surprisingly "sick" for the next couple of days, most likely to avoid Iruka's wrath since he knew, and/or at least suspected it was them.
"What did you find out from them?" said Jiraiya knowing that the only people that knew about the Kyuubi in Naruto were the Council.
"I learned that those asshole adults had told their children in private about Naruto and the Kyuubi only in more exaggerated terms preferring that the 'safety' of their families came first over the Hokage's law to protect a demon. I made sure Anko had a go at them after that just for good measure just to teach them all a lesson before I had them executed for breaking it originally. The Council tried to argue saying that since the law was now void so should their punishment. I however, argued that since they broke the law when it was still in effect that the punishment being death was mandatory regardless of their protests on the matter," said Tsunade knowing that the Council had done this before with the Sandaime only with various other loophole laws when someone attacked her little brother.
"Well at least you made the public more wary of speaking ill of the kid knowing that if you don't get to them, his friends will," said Jiraiya seeing how Lee went on a rampage in the market district after he was considered healthy again to train.
Fortunately, the excuse that was used was that he had somehow gotten his hands on some sake making the spandex boy go all out on the people around him so no charges could be filed.
"That will only last for so long Jiraiya and when it does run out the public will demand that their would-be attackers be punished and they will look to the Council to do it," said Tsunade knowing that this form of mediocre justice for Naruto could only last for so long.
"It's still better then nothing Tsunade and in this case I think it's preferred. Anyway you get that little list of people together and when you feel you are set I'll round them up for the mission," said Jiraiya before leaping out the window while ignoring the now yelling Hokage to use the door like a normal person.
Sometimes the woman wondered if she should have the windows replaced by solid walls and just cast a Genjutsu to make it look like windows to make Jiraiya stop doing that.
(Capital of Fire Country-2 Weeks Later-Nighttime)
"I've never been to Fire Country before or at least its very capital where the Fire Daimyo resides," said Nii Yugito looking out passed the curtains of their hotel room on the higher up floors meant for the more expensive customers having snuck in as to not tell anyone of their presence in the Capital.
The former Kumo Shinobi and demon vessel of the Nibi Cat Demon was forever grateful for this group of roguish Shinobi that saved her back in her former village, as she felt her safety could no longer be granted there. The people in Kumo had always tried to hurt the young woman ever since she was a little girl, but such harmful attempts had been foiled by the Raikage, who was her legal guardian.
However, only recently did the Council of Kumo decide that Yugito had lived just long enough for their tastes and apparently (in their minds) the Raikage's amusement. The oh so honorable members of the Council had come together and ordered that she either be executed or be used as a way to breed a new bloodline for future use of the village due to the cat demon's chakra running through her coils.
Fortunately, the Raikage, despite having his hands figuratively tide behind his back in the matter, was able to convince them to let Yugito decide her fate. Since it would be the last true free will act she could have the Council didn't seem to mind and Yugito knew that no matter the choice the Council won in the end.
That was of course was before they showed up.
Yugito had only heard of them recently as the rumors spread through the shadows of the Shinobi world about them and she herself thought of them only as a myth. She had been mistaken when she later heard the rumors of a large portion of Akatsuki being eliminated by their hands thus freeing her from their potential capture and yet again upon all four of them entering the meeting room.
Several ANBU had tried to stop them, but were beaten really badly or were crippled into submission before falling at their feet. When the Council had demanded why they were in their presence Yugito noticed only the Raikage did not rise from his seat and remained a pillar of calmness. The leader of the group, she would later learn to be Konoha's former Shinobi demon vessel Uzumaki now Kyuubi Naruto silenced them with intense killing intent. The result made the Council members fall back into their seats grasping at their chests trying in some vain attempt to get the hearts in their bodies working again.
(Flashback)
"Despite our method of gaining your acknowledgement for this meeting we mean Kumo no harm seeing as your ANBU lying on the floor before us are still alive...if just barely. We are here to take Nii Yugito away from Kumo after having learned of what this place intends to do with her that we do not believe is your right to do," said Naruto walking right up beside Yugito before putting a comforting hand on her shoulder as she looked up at him.
"I see. How did you know what was happening here today if I may ask Leader-sama?" said the Raikage since he did not know the man's name.
"We have been in Kumo in secret for sometime watching, listening, and waiting for this day to happen Raikage-sama so that when it did we would act upon it. We see no possible future for Nii Yugito within your ranks considering you have failed to protect her today when she needed you the most. So after careful consideration among my followers, we agreed that the best solution to this problem is to extract Yugito-san from Kumo, and have her become our newest member," said Naruto smiling behind the part of his cloth mask that was hidden from view.
"She will never be allowed to go with you! I don't know, who you think you are, but you sir have no sway here despite what you may believe," said a Council members, who had been looking forward to this day for over a month and a half with every intention of the ends meeting the means of himself along with his fellow Council members.
"Actually I do. Prior to my visit here, I met with your Daimyo, and showed him some of your more sensitive documents you have stored away. You see I know the truth behind what happened in Konoha during that incident with your so called ambassador 13 years ago when the Council deliberately hid this bit of information from both the Daimyo and the Raikage himself," said Naruto throwing a scroll to the Raikage, who caught it with ease before opening it, and reading the contents of it while the Council members started to sweat nervously.
"You did this behind MY back!" said the Raikage losing his calm composure, as he rose up as he stared at the documents before him.
"Yes they did Raikage-sama. You see the Kumo Ambassador you sent had been given a second set of orders from the Council despite you and your Daimyo wishing for peace to happen between both Kumo and Konoha. This Council ordered the man to kidnap the Hyuuga Heiress or at the very least a Main Branch Family member of the clan. Since his status as ambassador would be able to allow him access within the Hyuuga Compound during his time there the man went right for the Hyuuga Heiress. When he was killed, the man died of a small dosage of poison after biting down on a pill hidden in a fake tooth in his mouth after he was struck by a Gentle Fist attack that hit his chest. The small amount of poison used would be undetectable unless you were the Slug Sannin Tsunade, who at the time was NOT in Konoha," said Naruto eyeing the Council members with a great deal of hate knowing they were the ones that caused both Hinata and Neji's side of the family so much problems.
"I told you I wanted peace due to the low amount of Shinobi we had while there's still outnumbered us by a small, but significant number," said the Raikage looking down at the quivering members of the Council, who knew they were in for a world of hurt.
"R-Raikage-sama...please...," said another old Council member only to be backhanded by the infuriated Kage.
"I've heard enough from all of you. Guards!" said the Raikage as a new set of ANBU Shinobi came into the room.
"Yes Raikage-sama!" said the ANBU Captain looking slightly at Naruto behind his mask wondering what his Lightning Shadow would want.
"Arrest all the Council members before you on the charges of treason while attempting to usurp the orders of the Raikage and Lighting Daimyo," said the Raikage nodding towards Naruto, who nodded right back as a show of respect, and understanding between them.
(End Flashback)
In the end, all the Kumo Council members were killed immediately since a trial would be pointless to have since they were guilty as hell. The Raikage out of gratitude had granted the request made by Naruto on the grounds that Yugito's identity as their newest member stay only with him since they preferred to keep to the shadows of the Shinobi world. The Lightning Shadow agreed before hugging the young woman goodbye since he had always seen her as the daughter he never had.
"None of us have Yugito-san, but were here now anyway on account of the rumors flying around about the Fire Daimyo wanting to see us, which I confirmed with a fox summons a few hours ago. I sent Zabuza and Kimimaro out to scout around while Haku is spying in his civilian clothing since he can blend in easier then the other two," said Naruto since no one would suspect the boy from being a Shinobi with a face like his that would make you think the boy had such an angelic face.
If they only knew Haku was not the good kind of angel, but rather the darker one.
"It does make sense since albinos are quite rare no matter where you are and the sight of one would surely draw attention that you don't need," said Yugito before she turned to face the young leader in question.
"We would be the correct term here Yugito since I think about the group as a whole more then myself, which is the case here. Zabuza is infamous no matter the area we are in, but he's sneaky as hell so I can trust him to get out of tight situations if he's ever in one. I am also well aware he can't be seen in public since he was declared dead and Kimimaro was the former bodyguard of Orochimaru, who the Sannin believes died during the attempt of getting Uchiha Sasuke over to his side. For now I want the world to continue seeing them as just that, until the time is right to reveal ourselves to the world, and what we can do," said Naruto knowing that his time spent with his group travelling the Elemental Countries getting stronger, meeting old friends that thought you were dead, and killing off Missing Ninja's scattered all over that didn't deserve his mercy for the hefty sum could be hellish in itself.
"My apologize Naruto-sama," said Yugito hoping she didn't infuriate her new leader to the point he struck her for her stupidity.
"There is no need to apologize Yugito-san since you are new to the group. But for now we need to give you a nickname that will inspire fear in our enemies," said Naruto, as he thought of what to name her.
"How about...'Hell's Feline'?" said Yugito offering her own since it would seem fitting given her current status as a demon vessel of the Nibi Cat Demon.
"That's quite good actually. Hell's Feline it is Yugito-san," said Naruto now with a smile hidden from view, though Yugito could still see it from the way his facial muscles moved from the upper exposed part of his face.
He then handed her a dark cloak with a cat ANBU mask he took from the Raikage, who gave it to him to further help conceal her identity from those the group may encounter.
It wasn't long before Haku returned via doorway after knocking 3 times to confirm it was him while Kimimaro and Zabuza entered via partially opened window under the henge of birds. From what they gathered the Fire Daimyo was well guarded and had a considerable strike force of Konoha Leaf Shinobi all ranked Jounin or ANBU recently transferred to keep an eye him. Apparently, Tsunade didn't trust them with the Fire Daimyo as far as she could throw Jiraiya with one of her punches and considering how strong she was that was saying something.
"She probably believes she can have her Shinobi with the Fire Daimyo while we have our meeting with him," said Kimimaro trying to think on the matter how Tsunade would try to have a solid reason for the Shinobi near the Feudal Lord.
"That's what I want you, Zabuza, and Haku to take care of them all tomorrow while I and Yugito-san speak to the Fire Daimyo to help clear up certain political matters that need to be brought to his attention. Just disable them, but no killing unless it's unavoidable," said Naruto since it would help leave a better impression with the old hag if the Shinobi were sent to the Hospital rather then the morgue.
Granted they would probably be put in the Hospital Wing for those in critical condition, but at least it wasn't in a body bag for Tsunade to inspect back in Konoha.
"Yes Naruto-sama," said the three former Water Country born Shinobi bowing to the man before they all decided it was time to sleep since it was getting late.
(A/N: YAY! Another chapter done for all of you to read. I hope that you enjoyed it since I felt this was one of my better chapters to write considering things will get good later on. In case you can't tell from the description I gave Naruto's style of dress is a mix between Ryu from Ninja Gaiden and D from Vampire D: Bloodlust. Think Ryu's black ninja suit mixed with D's hat, cape, boots, and sword from the movie. Let's face it the guy had a kick ass blade and in the hands of Naruto well...I mean do I have to explain it anymore then that? Anyway I hope you enjoyed this. I don't know which fic I should go to next since I feel in a writing mood this week. I want to finish up Star Wars, but C&D needs to be done as well, but that may take a while since I have to read every single chapter I have out to cover everything I've done so far. How troublesome. Then I have to work on my Teen Titans fic (WHICH ONLY ONE PERSON HAS REVIEWED!), and then of course there is my Bleach fic, which is the first ever to be a KenpachixHarem (thank you thank you) so what do I do? Hmmm...I can't really think about it right now so I'll let my muse decide later. Until next time...PEACE!!!)