AN: Okay, I'm aware of certain…developments in the Naruto story as of recently, but for the sake of those who don't know, I'm not going to reveal anything. So for those of you who do read the manga, I'm not ignorant I just don't want to be a spoiler. Some of you will know what I'm talking about, some of you won't… but whatever. Anyway…
Shizune, head of the Konoha Medical Corps, gasped in shock. "W-what is this thing?"
"That's what I want you to find out." The Fifth Hokage, Sakumo Hatake, spoke up, his fingers tented in front of his face.
Shizune looked at the corpse one more time. She shook her head, her short, dark hair swaying. "I've never seen anything like this… I'll need a few days to fully examine this…
creature."
"Take all the time and personnel that you need. This is of the utmost priority, and I want results as fast as possible. Spare no expense to find out as much as you can about this
thing."
Shizune nodded. "Where did you find this creature?" She asked.
"It was found by my son, Kakashi, and it was defeated by his hand. Otherwise, I have no clue as to its origins or background whatsoever. My son has informed me that the
human looking side of the creature is, in fact, Obito Uchiha, one of the members of Minato Namikaze's team that had supposedly died in the last war; I have no way of proving or
disproving this, so I hope you can clear up this matter."
"Hmm…" Shizune frowned. "He does bear similarities to an Uchiha…but I'll run a full diagnosis on his DNA and genetic makeup. This is something else, Hokage-sama."
"I know."
She looked up at him. "I'll start work immediately, and I'll give you a full report as soon as I'm finished."
"Good. If you need anything, don't hesitate to come to me."
"Understood. "
Sakumo turned to one of his ANBU guards. "Help Shizune transport the corpse to her operating facilities, please. Shizune, you're dismissed."
The ANBU saluted. "Yes, sir!" He picked up the body and left with Shizune.
Sakumo's thoughts were troubled. What was this creature's purpose, and what did it mean for Konoha's future? He couldn't help but feel that events were happening outside of
his control…
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Madara punched the wall, leaving a huge dent, and then proceeded to wreck his laboratory, overthrowing tables, spilling beakers, breaking lamps and glass pipes filled with
bubbling liquids. He kicked a chair, sending it spinning into the wall, where it fell into pieces. He roared in anger, punching the wall once more, oblivious to the pain as the bones
in his hand snapped.
Obito was dead! Zetsu was gone! Konoha was in possession of his precious experiment, and no doubt they were touching it all over with their corrupted, evil hands, probing it for
secrets. All that time, lost! All that training with Obito, for nothing! Listening to that poor child whine and complain and grovel, trying to come across as the understanding savior,
all the while harboring nothing but disgust for the sick, twisted being known as Obito. And what did he gain from it all? Nothing! He didn't even have the satisfaction of knowing
that the poor fool had killed someone before he was taken down. Probably the only thing the kid had managed to kill was a bird or two, and only because he was indiscriminately
spraying his Amaterasu everywhere!
Madara inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, slowly trying to regain his composure. He had thought for sure that Obito would have been able to at least kill the hokage's son Kakashi,
or maybe even the girl, Rin, but he had done nothing. Instead, he had given himself over to his hate and had attacked without poise, and he had lost badly. To his credit,
however, Obito might have been able to kill Minato, Rin, or Kakashi, if they all hadn't decided to work together. But, either way, he had lost, and in doing so, had made Madara
lose.
Madara hated to lose.
What am I going to do now? He thought to himself. I can't just sneak in and kill everyone to get Obito's corpse back… I don't have enough strength for that, thanks to Minato…
Maybe it was time to accelerate his plans…
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Rin watched the monitor, recoiling every time it beeped. Kakashi had been hospitalized, suffering from multiple cuts and bruised, a broken nose, and broken arm. His left clavicle
had also been fractured. While Rin had healed Kakashi to the best of her ability, she hadn't had time to perform a full healing, and his injuries had been too extensive for simple
healing ninjutsu. Added to that, the fact that he had gone back into battle after his healing hadn't improved his condition.
Kakashi lay on the hospital bed, sleeping soundly. His arm had been set, and his face was calm and peaceful, unmarked save for the vertical scar over his left eye. Unfortunately,
Rin knew the feelings that must be running through his mind. She felt terrible herself, and she could only imagine how much Kakashi was going through.
Rin had taken no physical damage, but inside, she was hurt. She had seen Obito's face, had seen his hatred. She had watched as he tried to attack Kakashi with his life blood
ebbing out, a last attempt at vengeance. As for Kakashi, he had taken physical damage, but mentally, she was sure that he was in bad condition. He had not only fought his
former teammate, he had been the one to ultimately kill him. He must have summoned all his strength and will to plunge that final chidori into his friend's flesh. The effort must
have taken a great toll.
Rin touched Kakashi's cheek, feeing the cold skin with the back of her hand. "Kakashi…be strong." She whispered.
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Kakashi struggled against unseen ghosts, swinging his fists, fighting off the memories that haunted him. He wanted everything to just go away. It was his fault that Obito had
turned so evil, his fault that Obito had been trapped in the cave-in in the first place. He imagined his friend buried under heavy rocks, cursing those that he had once loved, his
mind changing, warping into something… else. Kakashi had never felt so guilty in his entire life, not even when he had taken his friend's eye; not even when he had left his
teammate to die in a dark hole.
The only thing that kept him sane was Rin. The thought of her was enough to help him fight off the memories and battle with the guilt, to defeat the ghosts that were plaguing
his dreams. She needed him, and he planned on being there for her. She would be battling her own demons, and he didn't want to be a cause of pain to her.
He struggled harder, but the ghosts kept coming.
Me? I'm a nobody, Kakashi. Just 'Uchiha's Black Sheep' come back from the grave.
This is me, in the flesh, Obito Uchiha!
Did they ever retrieve a body?
You're smarter than you look, Kakashi.
I really want to kill something right now, and it looks like you're the only thing available
That's when a light shined down from the sky, illuminating Kakashi's whole world, banishing the ghosts to the recesses of Kakashi's mind.
Kakashi…be strong.
Kakashi woke up with a start, his breath catching in his throat. He blinked his eye rapidly, gauging his surroundings. He remembered that he was in the hospital…
He felt a hand on his not broken arm. "Kakashi…are you feeling okay?"
Kakashi squinted his eye, although he clearly recognized the voice. "Rin…" He sighed. "Yeah, I'm fine. Rin sighed also, her eyes closing. "Good." Silence filled the room; however,
it was neither awkward nor uncomfortable.
Then, from Kakashi, "Hey, Rin?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for being here. My dad's been busy, and Minato-sensei couldn't be here all day… so thanks, I would've been lonely without you."
Rin turned away, trying to hide her blush. "It's nothing Kakashi, really-"
"No, Rin, it's not nothing." His fingers reached out and entwined themselves in hers. "I have to apologize for being so blind lately, for not telling you how much you mean to me."
"Kakashi, you don't have to-"
"Yes, I do. Rin, I know you've liked me since we were kids, but I've never really admitted any feelings for you. So let me do that now. Rin, you're an amazing, caring, kind,
beautiful person, and I don't deserve you."
"Kakashi, you can stop there-" Rin was now crimson.
But the young ninja didn't stop. "You're smart, compassionate, you're an awesome shinobi, and I don't deserve you. And let me tell you this: I'm so impossibly lucky to have
you, and I-"
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(ONE WEEK LATER…)
Shizune burst into the Hokage's office, a sealed scroll in her hand.
Sakumo looked up. "What is it?" He asked, his brow furrowing.
Shizune seemed out of breath. "The autopsy is completed, Hokage-sama. You have to read this."
Sakumo took the scroll from her outstretched hand. He unrolled it carefully, and as he set it on his desk, he began to read.
His expression managed to convey a multitude of emotions: anger, shock, surprise, worry, and bewilderment. Only by careful analysis would Sakumo's face betray another
emotion: fear.
When he was finished reading, he sat up. "Excellent work Shizune. The first thing I want you to do is burn everything you have on this project; every material that you used or
wrote on is to be destroyed, and I also want everyone that you worked with sworn to secrecy. You do realize that the implications of this report are somewhat grave?" She
nodded. "Good. Take the corpse and seal it away within the Vault; I don't want anyone to be able to access it except for me. Secondly, I want every researcher that worked on
the autopsy to be brought here immediately. And thirdly, I'm going to set up an ANBU guard to protect you for the next few days. There's no telling who might want you dead, or
worse. Understand everything?"
"Yes, sir, Hokage-sama!" Said Shizune, bowing.
As Shizune exited, Sakumo spoke to his ANBU bodyguard. "I want you to get Minato Namikaze here as fast as you can."
The ANBU nodded and departed in a swirl of leaves.
Sakumo never thought this creature that Minato had battled would become such a problem. To think, it was composed of plant cells…its creation insinuated that someone or
something was extremely knowledgeable of advanced medical, biological, and genetics skills. Sakumo had no idea how something like this was even dreamed of, let alone
actually accomplished, and although he was glad that the corpse had been recovered, he found himself wishing that he had simply burned it to ashes…
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Minato read the document once more, unbelieving. He sat in the Hokages office, shaking his head, totally shocked at the results of the autopsy on Obito-Zetsu.
Subject #1: A.K.A, "Zetsu."
Subject's D.N.A. is composed of both human and botanical cells, implying a gene splice of the two cells into one sustainable cell. The cells seem to accomplish the purpose of
binding and combining with other cells, creating entirely new, complete, hybrid cells. Cellular structure indicates highly adapted tenketsu, once again implying that the subject's
purpose is to combine with other cells; tenketsu are amorphous and shapeless, so that they can take on the shape of the host organism's tenketsu. These chakra pathways allow
the subject to absorb and integrate the host's chakra nature and techniques, conforming the original cells to the host organism's D.N.A. Therefore, when Subject #1 received a
new host organism, the entire creature was capable of performing any and all of the host's techniques.
After testing, results indicated that Subject #1 has earth nature chakra; subject also possesses a peculiar Kekkei-Genkai. Researchers were only able to speculate on the exact
capabilities of the aforementioned Kekkei-Genkai.
Subject #2: A.K.A, "Obito Uchiha."
Subject's body was marred with many scars and other signs or both external and internal trauma, implying a cataclysmic event in subject's history. Subject's bones showed
multiple signs of fracture and resetting, possibly resulting from severe physical trauma and subsequent healing. Subject's blood was mixed with microscopic spores, as a result of
being genetically attached to Subject #1. Subject's blood also yielded an extremely high percentage of white blood cells, which could possibly show that the host's immune
system was rejecting the symbiotic relationship between Subject #1 and Subject #2. Other tests resulted in obvious conclusions: Subject #2 possessed the Sharingan and also
possessed the Uchiha Clan Kekkei-Genkai, confirming the reports of subject's Uchiha background.
Cause of death: massive internal damage caused by a fast moving, sharp object or jutsu. Evisceration of internal organs and subsequent internal bleeding ultimately cause organ
failure, which was the cause of death.
Note: I have never seen anything like "Zetsu" in my entire medical career. The creature seems to have been created from simple botanical cells, and then
spliced with human cells to give it self-awareness. I have not the slightest clue as to whose human cells were spliced, but as for the botanical cells, they seem
to resemble the cells of the First Hokage's Wood Style; the human cells also must be compatible with the organic ones, and so I believe the human cells were
possibly stolen from someone in the Senju Clan. This is all speculation on my part, however, because I have no way of proving or disproving my theory, as the
First Hokage's body seems to have gone missing… Anyway, I highly recommend further study so that we may be able to find out more about this organism
known as "Zetsu".
Head of the Medical Corps of Konoha,
Shizune
"We'll…what do you think?" Inquired Sakumo.
"I think the medical team did well in their examination." Minato replied. "Did you authorize further research?"
Sakumo shook his head. "No. I've ordered the team into secret, and I'm going to seal this scroll so that no one can open it but me. I've also ordered that all test material and
documentation be destroyed. I know that you can understand that this information is top secret, and so I would appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone, even your wife."
"Of course." Said Minato.
"Very well. On another matter, I've talked with Danzo and his ANBU root division, and I've authorized a full investigation on Madara Uchiha. Root will be out there searching for
him, and will report back to me on anything that they find. Now, I know that you're probably burning with the desire to find Madara yourself and punish him, but I have to ask
that you refrain from doing so. Everything is being handled properly, and I don't want tour personal feelings to make you do something foolish."
"As you order Hokage-sama," Minato clenched his fist. "I won't go looking for him."
Sakumo stared at him for a moment. "I'll hold you to your word."
There was a pause, which Minato broke. "Have you talked to Kakashi yet?"
Sakumo's face turned somewhat graver. "Yes, I have, and he's doing well actually, considering all that he's been through. Then again, what should I expect from my son the
jonin?"
Minato smiled. "He's definitely something to be proud of. I would have been in trouble if he hadn't come along when he did."
"Yes, Kakashi is quite the young man. Reminds me a bit of another young man I used to know… right Minato?"
Minato laughed. "I suppose, although I still consider myself a young man. I still remember your training sessions in the Academy too, Sensei-Hatake."
Now it was Sakumo's turn to laugh. "Good, good. I always thought you kids would hate me for being too hard on you back in those days."
"Well, to be honest, there were a lot of times I did hate you."
"Hey, at least my lessons helped you become who you are today right?" Sakumo asked.
Minato grinned. "Yeah, they did. So thanks, sensei." Minato stood up. "I think it's about time I go though. Kushina will want to beat me to death when I get home because I was
supposed to help her with dinner."
Sakumo chuckled. "Ah, to be young again."
Minato saluted. "Till next time, farewell, Hokage-sama."
"See you." Sakumo said as Minato vanished.
At times like these he missed his own wife…
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(IN THE LAND OF WATERFALL…)
Kakuzu released the two shinobi and watched as they crumpled to the ground, lifeless. These two ninja were wanted by the Land of Earth's daimyo for multiple murders, and
their bounty was fairly large. Unfortunately for Kakuzu, the two shinobi- if that's what they could even be called- hadn't put up much of a fight; in fact, at the end, they had
dropped their weapons and begged Kakuzu for their lives. Kakuzu didn't bother with taking their hearts, because they weren't strong enough for his tastes, but their heads… their
heads were worth taking.
An inky black, ropy tendril shot out and decapitated the two corpses in one swift stroke. Kakuzu tied the two heads together with his tendrils and slung them over his shoulder.
With his free hand, he pulled out a map with his and looked for the quickest way to the Land of Earth, but he closed the map when the space in front of him began to warp and
contort.
A masked man cloaked in black stood before him, looking nonthreatening enough, but pouring out malicious chakra that, compared to Kakuzu's, made the bounty hunter look
like a slack-jawed genin. Kakuzu's hearts began to beat a little faster, not because he was afraid, but because he was excited…maybe this man would put up a good fight.
"You're Kakuzu of the Waterfall, right?" The masked man asked with his hands at his sides.
"Who wants to know?" Kakuzu bit back. This man could be a bounty hunter too; everyone knew that Kakuzu of the Waterfall was a highly wanted figure. "How about you give me
your name first?"
"Hmph." The masked man snorted, folding his arms across his chest. "My name…is Madara Uchiha."
Kakuzu held back a response, although top be honest, he was working harder to hold back his shock. He didn't know if the man was lying, or simply wanted to scare him by
claiming to be the Uchiha clan's most powerful figurehead. He shook his head. "Anyone can claim to be anyone. Show me some proof, 'Uchiha'."
Kakuzu's eyes were drawn to the right side of "Madara's" mask, where a black eye-hole seemed to emanate a reddish light. Kakuzu narrowed his eyes, as the red light intensified
and hypnotized him.
"Sharingan!" Madara said, and his eye spun.
Kakuzu found himself in another world, where everything was made of money. The grass was made of money, the trees were silver, and their leaves were sheets of beaten gold.
The sea was made up of golden coins, and the dirt itself was filled with sparkling diamonds. Kakuzu was in paradise.
He reached down and tried pulling out a clump of money-grass, but as soon as he touched it, the grass turned to stone. He tried again in a different spot, with the same result.
He dipped his hands in the sea of coins, only for the whole sea to petrify into stone. He hugged a silver tree; it turned to stone. He grabbed at the golden leaves, and they turned
to stone in his hands. Only then did Kakuzu realize that this was not paradise, it was his worst nightmare! Nothing had value! Everything he touched was worthless! And all he
could do was look at the world around him, but anything he laid hands on became insignificant, petty, nothing.
He screamed in frustration and anger. He smashed his fist against the ground, leaving a huge crater; then he looked at his own hands, and saw that they too, were turning to
stone before his eyes.
"Gugh!" He gasped out, and sank to his knees, as the genjutsu around him was released.
"Is that proof enough, Kakuzu of the Waterfall?" The masked Uchiha asked smugly.
Kakuzu launched a fist at the man, his black tendrils following the fist in a squirming line; but the fist only went through Madara, hitting empty air. Kakuzu withdrew the hand,
and it passed through the Uchiha again.
"What are you?" Kakuzu demanded. "And how can you possibly be Madara Uchiha?"
Madara chuckled. "Kakuzu…you of all people should know that men can live longer than is natural…how many shinobi hearts do you carry now?"
Kakuzu growled threateningly. How does he know? He thought, for no human that had ever fought him had lived to tell his secrets.
Madara held up his hands pleadingly, palms out. "I'm not here to fight you or start a conflict with you; I'm here, because I have a proposition for you."
That got Kakuzu's attention. "Go on…" He prodded.
"I'm starting an organization…one that will need to gather a large amount of money. I'd like you to be our official treasurer."
"What do I get out of this?" Kakuzu asked, although, truth be told, his interest was definitely piqued.
"You'd be able to hunt any and all bounties that you come across, plus you would have the chance to battle incredible shinobi and, well… add them to your repertoire. I would
also give you a percentage of the organizations funds as payment for your services as treasurer. Added to that, you would have the full protection of our organization; I can tell
right now that fighting alone will eventually catch up to you. I'll give you a partner of your choosing, and all I ask is that you follow my commands when I give them. Otherwise,
you can do whatever you want, as long as it doesn't draw too much attention to our organization."
Kakuzu thought for a moment. True, he was getting tired of always being on the run, hiding from the hunter-ninja sent out to kill him. A partner might be nice, and he would be
making more money than he was now…
It was most definitely the money that decided it for him.
"Well…?" Madara inquired. "Do we have an agreement?"
Kakuzu rose to his feet, his hand extending. "You have an agreement." He said.
Madara accepted the hand and shook it; all the while his smile was hidden behind his spiral mask…