Naruto Fanfiction

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

Author's Note: I feel like writing. Oh yeah, Tenzou is Yamato... You should know... This fic is coming along...

---

"Kazekage-sama, Temari-san." Both Konoha Shinobis said as the two Suna-nins approached them.

"You two are training together? I didn't think you two would, ever again." Gaara said as he and his sister shook hands with the other two. "I came to offer my gratitude to you..." Gaara bowed. "Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto waved his hands and smiled. "Ah, no need, Gaara! I should thank you as well! You've gotten rid of a Shinobi capable of killing me."

"Hidan of the Akatsuki." Gaara spoke. "Quite the nuisance he was. It was but small compared to what you have done for me. In Suna, I have ordered the medical staff to study this 'Unsealing' of yours. Perhaps we will find something of use for you. I will let you know as soon as we do. Until then, you must promise to hold on."

Sasuke and Temari looked from Gaara to Naruto, both feeling the intense respect the two had for each other.

"Don't worry. Uzumaki Naruto won't be kicking it anytime soon!" Naruto declared. "Besides, there's still some unfinished business."

Gaara nodded his head. "Indeed." He then looked at Temari, who nodded her head. "We must go. I will see you soon, Uzumaki Naruto. Farewell, Uchiha Sasuke."

"I thank you as well, Uzumaki Naruto." Temari bowed. "Be sure to visit us in Suna soon."

Naruto nodded his head. "I will, I promise."

Gaara smiled and Temari followed suit. "Well, then."

And gone they were.

---

Walking the Road

- Chapter 8: Time Tells

---

"Uzumaki Naruto. I remember when I first met that guy. He represented absolutely nothing. A worthless Shinobi, even."

"I'm sure that's what he looked like when you met him. He even looked that way when I first met him. But would you have fought him at that time, using everything you have, you still would have lost. I'm not sure, because I wasn't there, but I've read his entire file up until now and... The entire squad you were part of back then, would stand no chance against him if he went fully out. The Sound Four, or Five, was it?"

Tayuya's eyes widened shortly at her teammate. "Heh, never would have guessed that."

Sai nodded his head. "Right now, Tenzou-taichou, me, you and Sasuke-kun combined wouldn't stand a chance against him."

Officially, Sasuke was part of this team, with Tenzou as the Captain, but more often the Uchiha was sent on missions with Kakashi. Lately, though, Sasuke was hanging out with Naruto and his team more often than with them or Kakashi. "That why he's training with Naruto?"

Sai shook his head. "Sasuke and Naruto used to be close acquaintances in the past."

"Close friends, you mean."

"Naruto is going to be dead soon." Sai said. "I think Sasuke wants to make amends for what he has done."

"He's going to die? He's got a disease or something?" Tayuya asked. "Heh, some Shinobi he is."

"Actually, he is probably the most powerful Shinobi of all Countries now, including every Missing-nin. His Forbidden Techniques are... impossible to overcome. To both user and target." Sai explained. "Fighting him means certain defeat."

Tayuya snorted. "I bet someone of Orochimaru-sama's level could trouble him."

Sai shook his head. "No, even ten Orochimarus would mean nothing when he goes all out now." Tayuya fell silent. "Naruto has reached a whole new level of Shinobi. Far above the level of the Sannin, the Akatsuki or the Kages."

"And in reaching that level, he's going to die soon, right?"

Sai nodded his head.

"Ah, I can sense Sasuke's Chakra. Tenzou's already there as well."

---

When Tayuya walked into the Training Field owned by Naruto's Team, she felt massive Chakra Presences all around them. She was impressed and she wasn't easily so.

"I know." Sai let out. "His team is more talented than ours."

Sasuke was fighting Naruto's team with his Sharingan activated and he was having quite some difficulty fending all the females off. Naruto just stood there with a grin on his face with Tenzou standing next to him.

"You've really gotten better, Sasuke. I didn't expect you to keep up with my team so well." Naruto let the Uchiha know.

Indeed, individually, Sasuke was actually better than all of them, but combined, the females were better. Even when using Kenjutsu, Naruto's subordinates had the upper hand. "Heh..." Sasuke was panting. "My team has arrived."

Naruto nodded his head. "I know. How about I spar with your team while you spar with mine?"

Sasuke nodded his head. "I'll go fully out, then."

Naruto shot him a glance as he walked towards Tayuya and Sai, followed by Tenzou. "Don't use Keppan, Sasuke, only do so in life-threatening situations."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah..."

Tayuya chuckled as Naruto stood in front of her and Sai. "So, we came here to have a spar with you, hm?"

Naruto shrugged, while Sai remained indifferent. "Yeah... I want to see how good you two have become. "

"We'd be really good if we could defeat Naruto right now." Tenzou spoke up. "So let's just do that."

Above them, another Shinobi appeared, on a tree branch. "Yo, Tenzou! You three are up against Naruto, huh?"

"Sempai." Tenzou greeted. "Care to join us?"

---

"Heh. You sure handled them. Even I can't deal with such numbers that quickly." Sasuke admitted as he was sitting on the ground and leaning against a tree with his back, eating an apple at the same time.

Naruto was simply standing close to him, with his arms folded over each other. "Well, Kakashi and Tenzou sure gave me a hard time... I'm a bit impressed by your team."

"And I'm not even the Captain." Sasuke muttered.

"True, but you are the strongest of the team."

Sasuke slowly nodded his head. "Your team kicked my ass... Taking on all four of them is harder than I imagined."

Naruto chuckled as he took a look at his four subordinates, all of them just talking to each other and resting from the spar a short distance away from them. "Yeah, my team has become truly powerful, as long as they're together."

"Naruto..."

Naruto turned his head down to see Sasuke frowning.

"If I use this... Keppan no Jutsu that you sealed on my eyes... What will happen?"

Naruto sighed. "The Sharingan will be strengthened, it won't eat your Chakra. You'll fall into a coma immediately after usage and you... die sooner than you actually would, in the end."

"Just like you."

The blonde Jounin Captain scratched the back of his head in discomfort. "Yeah... But I've reached what I wanted to reach. I've become known throughout all lands."

---

"Man..." Tayuya groaned as she was on the ground, looking up at the sky. She was completely broken, used all her might against Naruto, but nothing came close to even scratching him. "You could have warned me he had a Partial Blood Seal for Genjutsu, you know."

Sai shrugged as he was sketching some new designs in his sketch book. "I didn't know. This Partial Blood Seal of his is very convenient and ingenious. He has bestowed it upon his team as well, I noticed."

"Tcheh... I'm dead beat... I should have used the Curse Seal..." Tayuya said as she went into sitting position. "He's good alright." The redhead commented as she stared at the talking Naruto and Sasuke. "Hmph, you weren't exaggerating when you said he was the strongest of all the major Countries." She shook his head. "Unbelievable, he even makes Sasuke look like a weakling. And here I thought no one could do that."

"Kakashi and Tenzou fought well against him, after we were out of Chakra." Sai noted. "Of course, Naruto wasn't going fully out and they were..."

Tayuya nodded as her eyes darted from tree to tree, summoned by Tenzou. There were hundreds of them, all of them created in hopes of catching Naruto in the fight, an hour ago. Tenzou and Kakashi had left the battlefield about half an hour ago.

---

"Naruto, yo..."

Naruto turned around as he was shopping with Ino. It was their day off. Hanabi always was stuck with her father on her free days and Anko actually accepted a solo-mission while Ami simply decided to sleep in.

"Jiraiya-sama!" Ino exclaimed. "You don't see you around these days! You must be really busy, hm?"

Jiraiya chuckled like a madman. "I've been busy alright!! Hehehe!! "

Naruto frowned and Ino just smiled and shook her head. "Give it up. Whenever you're around, there's trouble or some weird advice on my seals or training. Spill it, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya gave Naruto an annoyed look before giving in. "Fine, fine. I know you think you've dealt the final blow to the Akatsuki, but... don't get too comfortable. From what I've read in the report and have seen, I say there are still a few Members left. I just want you to look out during missions. I already told the same to Gaara yesterday."

Naruto nodded his head. "Everyone died on the mission or years before that. We've seen them all die. Who could still be alive?"

"Uchiha Itachi for starters. And... my old students are a handful."

Naruto nodded his head. "They sure were a bitch to deal with, yeah... But I don't think they survived my Rasen Shuriken, Jiraiya."

The Toad Hermit shrugged. "Just be careful. Someone with your power should always be careful."

---

"So, where are we going?" Naruto asked as he and Sasuke were walking through Konoha at night. "I never did like to wander the streets at night." He grimaced inwardly. "Bad memories."

"I can imagine." Sasuke shot him a short glance. "We're going nowhere. Just as you said, just wandering."

Naruto sighed. "You just want to talk about something important, hm?"

Sasuke nodded. "I have requested a Mission from Tsunade-sama. A Mission that is mine to take and accomplish."

Naruto sniffed the air once, making sure no one was around. "Uchiha Itachi?"

Sasuke nodded his head. "She told me I can't go alone, especially with Sound Hunters on my trail."

"Sound Hunters? But Sound Village is no more. How is that possible?" Naruto asked. "Missing-nins form the Sound?"

Sasuke nodded his head. "Probably. I couldn't care less. I'll obliterate them if they stand in my way. But Hokage-sama wants me to take a Medic-nin with me, as well as two other Shinobis. I'm the who can pick who."

"Of course you can't go alone, especially if you're going to use the Blood Seal." Naruto reasoned. "But you're picking me? Who says I don't have a mission tomorrow?" Naruto asked.

"I do. And how do you know the Mission starts tomorrow?"

"Because it's just like you to recruit someone a day before. How do you know I'm free?"

"I checked with Shizune-san." Sasuke answered. "I'm picking you, Sakura as the Medic and Kakashi."

Naruto snorted. "Is this for old times' sake?"

Sasuke grinned. "Perhaps. I don't know... It's my right to kill Uchiha Itachi, but... it just feels right to have the entirety of team 7 on my back."

---

That damned bridge.

Sakura was the earliest and she was really cursing herself to be here so early. 'I should have known.'

Kakashi wasn't here yet. She could already sense Sasuke approaching and the massive Chakra Presence close him surely was Naruto. Sakura sighed. 'I'm happy Naruto agreed to go with us on Sasuke's mission, but... What would it be like?'

"Yo." Sasuke greeted calmly as he landed on the small bridge, without a sound, next to Sakura.

Landing on the railing, also without a sound, behind Sakura, was Naruto. "Yo."

"Ah... Yo." Sakura greeted. "Nice to see you two on time. I wish I could say the same of-"

"Kakashi's still on a B-Ranked Mission with Shikamaru and Kiba." Naruto informed. "He'll be back soon. In the meantime, we can go over things? Sasuke?"

Sasuke nodded his head and Sakura was surprised to see Naruto and Sasuke getting along better than... usual. "Ah..."

"Our objective is either the capture, or the elimination of Uchiha Itachi. Knowing him, he'll probably be alone, especially after the destruction of the Akatsuki, but we have to be prepared for some extra... baggage on the way."

Naruto sighed. "Yeah... Those Sound-nin?"

Sakura looked puzzled. "Sound-nin? But-"

"Sound-missing-nin. Leave it to Naruto to complicate things with half a sentence." Naruto didn't respond and simply grinned. Things really did feel like old times. "Three of them. I know them all well as I've met them during my time with Orochimaru. They probably feel betrayed because I promised to kill Orochimaru and free them. Or, some of them."

Naruto snorted. "I bet it was around that time where you and Tayuya entered Konoha, completely out of breath and severely injured."

"Ah." Sasuke confirmed. "I couldn't defeat Orochimaru and Kabuto at the same time back then, even with Tayuya's assistance. Kabuto was a lot more powerful than I anticipated."

Naruto nodded his head. "He's sneakier than a snake, alright."

"The ones who are chasing me are definitely Suigetsu, a Mist-nin who came under Orochimaru's command in the Sound and Juugo, a murderous Shinobi, from whom this Curse Seal originates from." Sasuke said as he pointed at the back of his neck. "Killing him will get rid of this JuinJutsu."

"You know, the Blood Seal I gave you is also a JuinJutsu." Naruto said. "But my Blood Seal is way more complicated than this Partial Kekkai Genkai you received."

Sasuke shrugged. "Be that as it may... I don't know about the other one, but it could possible be a female Shinobi who was in charge of all the Test Subjects Orochimaru owned. If it is who I think it is, she might be the most difficult one."

Naruto grinned. "Sounds interesting. It's been a while since I've had a decent fight."

Sakura also grinned. "With this team, I think we can handle just about everything."

"Don't get too cocky." Sasuke stopped them. "We might be powerful now, but the Shinobis were will be fighting on this missions use their brains more than their power. We should be prepared."

Naruto's grin simply grew. "Well, you, Sakura and Kakashi are all geniuses... So, leave it to me to compensate it with raw power."

Sakura shook her head. "Naruto... It's a fact all around the globe that your power equals that of the former Akatsuki Leader. Actually, your power surpasses his greatly. You only have to say your name and our opponent will be afraid."

Naruto sighed. "Yeah, but that's only if I use my Blood Seals. Those things are not to be used commonly, you know."

"Damn straight, they aren't." Sakura warned. "But even without them... You're practically... invincible."

Sasuke sighed. "As much as I hate to admit it, she's right. That's why I'm asking you not to interfere with my fight with my brother."

"Don't worry; Uchiha Itachi is someone I don't like to fight anyway." The blonde waved.

Sasuke stayed silent while Sakura just shook her head. "Anything else, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke thought a bit as his gaze turned absent. "We'll visit Suna after this Mission."

---

The future, the past and the present. He's used it so much he didn't even know where he was anymore. But he knew everything and everyone, and the price for this was complete insanity.

"Shisui..."

The world meant nothing for him anymore. Last year he already knew he would lose against Uzumaki Naruto this year. Ten years ago he already knew what would happen next week this year.

Yesterday, he already knew who would be standing behind him right now.

"Yo..."

They didn't know what happened, but next thing they knew, they were all in a world full of torture. And all three of them were crucified.

"D-damn!! What is this!!"

"This... Power..."

"You are..."

Uchiha Itachi was many things... but he was never caught by surprise. "You three are after my little brother."

"Uchiha Itachi..." Karin cringed in pain as she saw the anguish in the Uchiha's eyes.

"You have an interesting ability, woman." Itachi said. "And you..." Itachi turned to the tallest of the three. "Your curse has fallen on my little brother." Itachi turned away from the trio and let them stay crucified. "You three will assist me in dealing with a certain team coming from Konoha. They will find me in a week's time."

"You have no choice but to accept. Or of course, you can die." Itachi informed as he turned around and stared at them. "This is my world and I have perfected this technique. Turn against me and I shall break your soul. To the outside world, it will be as if you've fallen into a coma. But in reality, your soul has simply been eradicated by me..."

They all could feel the power coming from Uchiha Itachi. "You three will deal with the team along with me. You get what you want, which is Uchiha Sasuke is your next Orochimaru. Whatever that snake meant to you. And I get what I want... Uzumaki Naruto. You three understand me?"

The trio nodded.

"Good..."

As the three were still in Itachi's Genjutsu, from behind Itachi, two figures came...

"Good work, Itachi-san."

Itachi simply smirked at his equals. "Not at all, Nagato-san, Madara-san..." Inwardly, Itachi shook his head at his companions. Truly, they meant nothing to him.

Madara never owned the Mangekyou Sharingan. He was an Uchiha like his little brother. The legendary Madara would never know what kind of power Itachi was hiding and the day that he would find out was the day Itachi killed both him and his little brother.

That day was coming soon.

With time as his power, Itachi lost the emotion fear completely. Taking a look at the past and in the future showed him the weakness of everyone, even Nagato, or Pein, as he liked to be called. Pathetic, really. It's like asking for sympathy.

He had looked in many possible futures, but Uzumaki Naruto was someone who would always come back. The young Shinobi's demise would be by his own hands, thanks to his own Unsealing. Itachi was satisfied that only one person in all existence would be able to truly defeat him.

The others didn't stand a chance.

Even now, he already knew what attack his little brother will be using against him next week. The price for this was insanity, which was why he killed his entire Clan.

A measuring stick? Not really.

Merely a possibility of a future he wanted to see.

But even now, Uchiha Sasuke was a weak one, but still on equal grounds with Uchiha Madara.

Uchiha Itachi was more powerful than both of them. He would show them what power the Mangekyou Sharingan gave him. And it wasn't something like the incomplete one Hatake Kakashi owned.

No, he would show them, show them hard, long and without mercy.

---

"Naruto... you have fought my brother before. What skills does he have?"

Kakashi was leading the group, with Naruto and Sakura behind him and Sasuke in the rear.

"The Mangekyou... It's the same as yours and Kakashi's as far as I can tell..." Naruto pondered. "Although it seems for him, using Black Fire, is less taxing than it is for the two of you. It's almost like..."

All of them looked at him.

"Like he's always holding back what he can really do. I don't like to fight him, he's like me; Unpredictable."

Kakashi nodded his head. "He is a true Uchiha, he knows the weakness of the Sharingan."

Sasuke snorted. "The weakness of the Sharingan is the Sharingan itself. My brother has acquired the Mangekyou in a different way than us. Perhaps his differs from ours?"

Kakashi pondered this. "We'll find out."

"But it's true." Naruto started again. "I've never seen Itachi go all out."

"How many times have you fought him?" Sakura, who was jumping beside him, asked.

"I don't know... Maybe four times? Along with all of the Akatsuki." Naruto answered. "I'll tell you one thing, though. When we fought in the past, Sasuke, it's a whole different feeling than when fighting Itachi."

"How so?"

"He's fighting for something else. Not for recognition or to protect your comrades, like me and most Shinobis." He said. "Or revenge, like you." He added dryly. "He doesn't even fight for himself, like Gaara used to do."

Sasuke nodded his head. "And he doesn't fight for fun either."

Naruto nodded his head. "But he also doesn't fight to find someone strong enough to kill him."

"He fights so he can show he is superior." Kakashi finished. "To show he was right all along. A true Uchiha, albeit disturbed."

---

"So we just wait here?"

"Be patient, they're coming already!"

"..."

"Damn it, this bastard is losing it again!!"

Karin grinned. "Good timing!"

Before Juugo could unleash his wrath upon the two Shinobis beside him, four Konoha Shinobis attacked them head-on...

She didn't feel it before and how could she have missed it? These guys... they were far too powerful for them...

Uchiha Sasuke stood in front of Suigetsu, Lightning surrounding his entire body. "You should know better, Suigetsu..." Came the voice of the Sharingan user. "You don't stand a chance against an Electricity Type-Shinobi."

Sakura and Kakashi stood in front of Karin, who already knew she was done for...

And Naruto was frowning at the shivering Juugo, who seemed about ready to charge at him again. "It's best that you stay down, Sound-nin." Naruto suggested. "You don't look too well."

Juugo started chuckling as he went to Curse Seal Level Two. "You're strong!! I'll kill you!!"

Before he could move, Naruto was behind him, Kunai already slashed through both his shoulders. "This Juin Jutsu... If I kill you, will it relieve Sasuke of its curse?"

Juugo turned around in speed that would make a Jounin look like a slug, but for Naruto... it still looked like a slug...

Which was why Juugo was slammed into the ground by Naruto's elbow. "Look, you were no chance for your previous master Orochimaru. And I'm the one who killed that snake bastard. Give it up."

The effects of the Curse Seal were going away as Juugo looked at Naruto with shock in his eyes. "You killed Orochimaru? I thought it was Sasuke-sama!"

Naruto shook his head. "No, it was me. And what is it with this Sasuke-sama? It's just Sasuke, damn it!" The blonde said as he tightened his grip on the Kunai in his right and left hand.

"Stop!!" Karin suddenly yelled. "It's a trap!! Suigetsu, Juugo, I'm sure you can tell already, these guys can kill us in seconds! That Itachi sent us here to die!!"

"Itachi?" Sasuke's Sharingan was activated as he tried to see Chakra Trails from his brother all around him. "Where is he?" He glared at Karin, who, under the spell of the Sharingan, couldn't help but answer.

"Behind you..."

---

TBC

Next Chapter will have lots of fights!! And after that, a visit to Suna!!

Man, I feel really bad for leaving a lot of stories of mine hanging... So, I've decided to get back into gear and start moving these silly fingers of mine! I hope you enjoyed it! Oh yeah, it's almost time for romance!You might be wondering what Sakura and Naruto were talking about after that late visit in the last Chap, hm? Well, it'll come back in a Flashback, just like that Genjutsu Escape Naruto taught his team a few Chapters back!

Well, Gotta go to sleep, early day tomorrow! Seeyaaaa!