Chapter 3
The Five Kage Summit
The three of them jumped from tree to tree, chakra pumping into their feet. "So, what are we going to do exactly?" Naruto asked.
The girl with black hair stopped and turned to the two behind her. Both of them had also stopped on a tree branch. "You distract him while I have a …" she paused, juggling her words carefully. She hadn't told them what she was going to do. "Talk with Danzo."
"You two will keep Sasuke busy and I'll fight him when I'm done with Danzo," Rieka continued.
Sakura looked at her carefully, "Why do you need to talk with Danzo?"
Rieka was quiet for a minute. She had known the others wouldn't have let her leave the village if she told them that she was going to kill Danzo, so she hadn't said anything. She didn't think telling Naruto or Sakura was a good idea, either. So she would have to lie for now. "Danzo knows how to undo the jutsu that was put on Sasuke and my clan," Rieka said. "It'll be easier to stop Sasuke if he knows who I am."
The two nodded, understanding. Both had focused looks on their faces, Naruto looked up at her and asked, "But what if he doesn't release the jutsu? What'll you do then?"
"You don't need to worry about that," she said simply. Then they were of again.
Naruto looked on straight ahead of them, a focused look on his face. Sasuke, he thought as he looked at the girl in front of him. Will we finally be able to bring you back?
He remembered the words Rieka had said to Shikamaru when he had asked if she really believed she could bring Sasuke back.
*Flashback*
"Do you really believe you can bring Sasuke back?" Shikamaru asked.
Rieka was silent for a minute, looking up at the sky, "The bond of siblings is incredibly strong, but the bond of twins is even stronger than that."
*End of Flashback*
/\/\/\
"Shut up Suigetsu!" Karin screeched punching the white haired ninja.
Sasuke sighed inwardly as he continued his way through the snow covered trees. They had crossed over into the Land of Iron a while ago and were now making their way towards the building where the Five Kage Summit was held. Sasuke's jaw clenched as he thought about that place, and of who was there at this very instant.
Danzo Shimura.
He stopped abruptly as he felt something.
"What is it Sasuke?" Jugo asked.
Sasuke ignored him and looked around, searching for any signs of the chakra. Even though he had only felt it for a second, Sasuke immediately knew that it was strong. When he found nothing, he concluded that it was the chakra of the Five Kage.
"Nothing," he told Jugo and the four started moving again.
Though, even as Sasuke continued, he couldn't shake off the feeing of the chakra, and how it had felt oddly familiar.
/\/\/\
"Please remove your Kage hats," the man started, the symbol for Samurai hung above his head.
Each of the Kage did so as he continued. "In response to the Raikage's request, the Five Kage have assembled here. I am Mifune, your moderator."
The lights around the room came on, revealing him and each of the Kage. The symbol for each of their nations hung above them.
"The Five Kage Summit Conference is called in order."
/\/\/\
"Achoo!" Naruto sneezed, shivering. "It's gotten cold all of a sudden."
"Well, nah," Rieka said sarcastically.
As they continued, they began to feel an immense chakra. "The Five Kage gathered in one place causes quite the rumble, neh?" Rieka smirked as she watched animals scurry away in the opposite direction. Even they could feel their chakra.
"This is the first one since the time of Hashirama Senju, the first Hokage," Sakura informed them.
Rieka wasn't surprised. She had learnt about all the past Hokage and other Kage over the years she was in the dimension and she had come to respect Hashirama. Though she had a strong hate for his brother, Tobirama. He was the man who had moved all the Uchiha to one side of the village and was the reason for people's distrust in them.
/Rieka!\ Akara snapped her out of her thoughts. /Look!\
Rieka looked around and saw that they had neared a small clearing. In it stood four figures. Three men and a woman.
He eyes widened and she heard Sakura and Naruto stop behind her.
There stood Sasuke.
His eyes lifted up as he felt an unfamiliar chakra. He looked in their direction and they didn't have time to hide before his gaze landed on the three of them. Knowing that he had seen them, Naruto, Sakura and Rieka dropped into the snow. Rieka pulled up her hood and stood behind Naruto and Sakura.
"Naruto," Sasuke's eyes widened, and then his expression became blank. "Sakura."
/\/\/\
The Kage were silent, watching each other. Then Gaara spoke, "I shall speak first. Hear me."
The Tsuchikage snickered, "There's such a difference in Kage these days. To be a Kage at your age is quite an accomplishment, Lord Kazekage. It seems you father had thought you very well, except in the area of proper etiquette."
Kankuro tensed behind the curtain.
"You're probably right. It's the reason why I can be here as Kazekage."
The old man laughed, "You certainly are cocky."
"Lord Tsuchikage, there's no need to make fun of him," the Mizukage interrupted. She then turned to Gaara. "Continue, Lord Kazekage."
Kankuro and Temari listened as Gaara spoke, Kankuro looking annoyed. "The nerve of that Tsuchikage!" the man hissed.
"Quiet!" Temari shushed him, she reach behind her for her fan, ready to intervene at any time.
"I am a former Jinchuriki," Gaara started. "I was captured by the Akatsuki, they took my tailed beast and nearly killed me. So I think of them as highly dangerous."
"I sought the cooperation of the Five Kage many times, but was ignored. Except by the previous Hokage. At a time when various lands have had their Jinchuriki stolen the response by this group had been far too slow!"
"Ha! How can the Hidden Villages of the Five Great Nations serve as an example when they allow their Jinchuriki to be taken?" the Tsuchikage asked. "It is an embarrassment. It is common sense to resolve this in utmost secrecy. Seeking the help of other lands just because of that is nonsense!"
"Saving face … Prestige …" Gaara listed. "What old-fashioned beliefs."
Such a brat, the Tsuchikage thought.
"Old fashioned beliefs aside," the Mizukage spoke. "I will acknowledge that as Mizukage I have delayed action. However, having our tailed beast stolen is no cause for immense fear. Controlling a tailed beast requires skill, knowledge and time."
"The Jinchuriki and the Tailed Beats must mature together and adapt to each other. And still controlling a tailed beast is difficult. It is not a simple task," the old man agreed, the turned to Gaara. "Isn't that so, Lord Kazekage?"
Danzo spoke before Gaara could say anything, "The only ones who were capable of controlling a Tailed Beast were Madara Uchiha and the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju. Also the Fourth Mizukage Yagura and the Raikage's younger brother Killer Bee. However …"
The man's fist clenched at the mention of Bee. He raised his fist, "Enough of this!"
The guards of each of the Kage appeared, pointing their weapons at the Raikage, Shee and Darui appearing in front of their Kage, protecting him.
Everything was silent as they watched each other's moves.
Mifune sighed, "This is a place of discussion. Please refrain from disruptive actions."
"Stand down, Foo, Torune," Danzo commanded.
"You two, Kankuro, Temari," Gaara told his siblings.
"Ao, Chojuro, I'm fine," Lady Mizukage said.
The Raikage pulled his fist out of the wood and sat down. The guards jumped back behind the curtains as they continued.
"Let us continue our discussion," Mifune said to them.
The Raikage began, looking at each of the Kage in turn. "Leaf, Mist, Sand, Stone, rogue ninja from your villages make up the Akatsuki! And that's not all! From our investigations we know that among you, including your previous Kage, there are those who used the Akatsuki!"
Gaara looked up, surprised. "Used them?!"
"I do not trust you," the Raikage said. "I had no intention of even discussing this with you. But the reason I conveyed this summit is to question your loyalty."
"What do you mean, "Used" the Akatsuki?" Gaara asked.
The Raikage raised an eyebrow, "You are Kazekage, yet you have not been informed? Ask the elders back home." He pointed a finger at him, "You used the Akatsuki in the past war!"
The Tsuchikage leaned back in his chair, "The Great Nations are heading towards uniform stability. They are moving from military expansion to military disarmament. As fear and the threat of war diminishes between the nations, Hidden Villages, which are the source of its military strength, become costly hindrances."
"And yet," he continued. "Carelessly downsizing the village poses a risk. What if a war was to suddenly break out? It would be a problem to depend on ninja who have no experience in war. It would mean certain defeat!"
"And one way to reduce that risk is mercenary soldier," Gaara caught onto what he was saying. "Namely, the Akatsuki?"
/\/\/\
Rieka struggled to keep her hood from falling as the wind and snow blew wildly around them. In front of her, Naruto and Sasuke stared at each other. Sakura stood next to Naruto, watching the two cautiously.
"Sasuke."
"Naruto."
The two men continued to stare at each other, not moving, not speaking.
"What are you doing here?" Sasuke asked, his hand resting on the hilt of his Katana.
"Stopping you," Sakura replied.
Sasuke's eyes moved to her. Rieka didn't miss how his eyes seemed to linger on her longer than necessary. Then he turned to look behind Sakura, right at Rieka.
She couldn't move, her legs wouldn't move. She looked at her brother, her eyes stinging as tears threatened to fall. It felt weird seeing him the first time in ten years. Seeing him for real, not watching from afar. She could feel his chakra; it was so similar to Itachi's fire nature but had a mix of their dad's lightning chakra. Rieka had inherited father's lighting as her first chakra nature; her second was, surprisingly, not the Uchiha's Fire nature, but Water nature. She got it from her mother, who was one of the few that possessed both water and fire natures.
"Who're you?" Sasuke asked her. He watched her curiously. He remembered the chakra he had felt earlier, recognizing it as hers. Now that he was closer to her he could feel the intensity of her chakra. It was slowly getting stronger by the minute, like she was slowly releasing it.
/The meeting started a while ago\ Narume informed her. /We should get going\
After a moment's silence, Rieka spoke, but completely ignored Sasuke's question. "Naruto, Sakura, I'm going on a head. Give me a few minutes."
The two nodded, not moving their gaze from Sasuke. "What'll you do?" Sakura asked.
Rieka smirked beneath her hood, "Make my presence known."
Then she was off, flying through the trees at a great speed.
"Suigetsu, Karin, Jugo," Sasuke said.
They nodded and sped off, chasing her. "Oh no you don't," Sakura mumbled, smashing the ground with a fist of chakra. They stopped as the ground lifted and were tossed back.
Naruto sweat-dropped, slightly scared. Sasuke raised an eyebrow, impressed.
"I'll fight them," Sakura said to Naruto, watching as Suigetsu and Jugo rose up. She glanced at Sasuke once, and then ran at Suigetsu and Jugo, arm charged with chakra.
/\/\/\
"And one way to reduce that risk is mercenary soldier," Gaara caught onto what he was saying. "Namely, the Akatsuki?"
"It takes effort and money to train skilled ninja from you own village," the Tsuchikage explained. "But the Akatsuki, which makes war its livelihood, is made up of experienced professionals. Furthermore, they can be hired for cheap. Best of all they return exceptional results."
"Get serious Tsuchikage!" the Raikage demanded, annoyed by the old man. The Tsuchikage turned away, huffing. "The Sand used the Akatsuki to destroy the Hidden Leaf. I'm speaking of Orochimaru. It is not clear if he had broken away from the Akatsuki or not, but as a result your father the 4th Kazekage, and the 3rd Hokage Hiruzen, died. And frankly, it is hard not to rule out the idea that this war was someone's scheme."
He turned to Danzo, his eyes glaring. The old fox, he thought.
Then he turned to the Mizukage, "The most suspicious is the Hidden Mist! You Mist do not conduct diplomacy. There are even rumors that the Akatsuki originated there!"
Everyone was silent as the Mizukage looked down at the table. "Since we have come this far, I will speak honestly," she looked up. "There were suspicions that someone was manipulating Yagura, our 4th Mizukage. And there was a possibility that it was the Akatsuki."
She spoke with a sorrowful face, "No one wanted this to get blown out of proportion."
"Each and every one of you," the Raikage hissed.
"Hold your tongue Raikage!" Tsuchikage looked at him. "Ultimately it is because your village disregarded the disarmament efforts and sought powerful ninjutsu. We had no choice but to counter by hiring the Akatsuki!"
"What!" the Raikage stood up, but before he or the Tsuchikage could say anything, Danzo spoke.
"Before we start arguing about the situation, there is a statement I have been waiting to make."
"What is it?"
"The leader of the Akatsuki is probably Madara Uchiha."
/\/\/\
Sakura, Jugo and Suigetsu fought; their strength equal. Most of the ground had already been destroyed thanks to her. Naruto and Sasuke had taken to fighting in the trees, leaving Sakura to fight Jugo and Suigetsu. Karin hadn't done much; instead, she stood at the side, complaining and yelling when Sakura would hit Suigetsu or Jugo.
"That's Zabuza's sword," Sakura noted as she dodged Suigetsu's attack.
The man grinned, "I hear you, Sasuke and the blonde guy over there were the ones to beat him."
Sakura didn't get a chance to reply as Karin lunged for her, landing a fist on her face, making her fall back. "So you're the one that was on Sasuke's team, huh."
She eyed the pinkette with disgust, "Slut."
Sakura paused.
"What …" she rose from the ground slowly. "Did you …"
She raised her fist, making it glow bright with chakra. "Call me?!" she ran at Karin, punching her in her stomach. She didn't even have time to cough up blood as she was flying through the trees.
"Bitch," Sakura muttered dusting herself off. She then turned to a shocked Suigetsu and Jugo, her expression determined.
/\/\/\
The other Kage looked at Danzo in shock. Taking a minute to process this, they sat in silence.
"Are you sure of that?" the Mizukage asked.
Gaara backed up her question, "Hasn't he been dead for several decades?"
"He's right." The Tsuchikage agreed, a trickle of sweat falling down his face. "He died long ago."
"I don't know the details, but the information is quite reliable."
"Are you saying that he's immortal?!" the Raikage asked, shocked.
"Perhaps."
The Tsuchikage's eyes widened, "To think … that he was really a monster."
They all sat back, silent. Madara Uchiha was alive, and was the leader of the Akatsuki. It was hard to process.
Mifune cleared his throat. "I want to speak on behalf of the neutral nations."
The Kage turned to look at him. "The leader of the Akatsuki was able to read the times well. Despite stabilization, nations he private suspicions and the Akatsuki took advantage of that weakness to amass its power."
"What are you trying to say?" asked the Raikage, his words held an accusing tone.
"Calm down," Mifune spoke calmly. "Turn calamity into good fortune. It's extremely rare for all five Kage to assemble. What do you say? Until the Akatsuki is eliminated, why not establish the world's first Allied Shinobi Forces of the Five Hidden Villages?"
"An allied force?"
"That is a fine plan," Danzo nodded. "We are in an emergency state. Cooperation is crucial."
It's going perfectly.
"Going forward, we must determine a chain of command," Mifune watched the Kage. "We must avoid any further confusion."
The Tsuchikage tilted his head, curious as to what the man would say next. "So? Who will we chose to lead the allied forces?"
"Leaving that to you five will only result in arguments," Mifune replied. "So I ask that you respect that position of the neutral nations and allow me to come up with a proposal to decide who among you five Kage is most suitable."
He looked at each of them in turn.
A small, evil smile appeared on Danzo's face. This spells the end of Tsunade's era.
"Presently, only the Hidden Leaf Village has a Jinchuriki, the Nine-Tails. The key is how to utilize it. How about granting the supreme authority of the Allied Shinobi Forces to the Hokage?"
/\/\/\
"She's changed," Sasuke said. He was talking about Sakura.
"Yeah," Naruto agreed. "She was training with Granny Tsunade for 3 years. Some people say that she's already surpassed her. In both strength and medical ninjutsu."
Sasuke already knew this. He had heard about a ninja who had become the apprentice of Tsunade Senju, one of the Legendary Sannin. He had only recently found out that it was Sakura. She had healed Kankuro from a deadly poison and even defeated one of the Akatsuki. He had to say, he was impressed. The Akatsuki were strong. Deidara had nearly killed him when the two fought (though Sasuke would never admit that to anyone)
Sasuke charged at Naruto, Katana in hand. The blonde countered it with a kunai.
This fight wasn't serious. Both of them knew that, they hadn't fought much since they had left Sakura and Sasuke's team. They had just talked, well, Naruto had mostly. He told Sasuke about the village, whenever he said something about coming back, Sasuke would attack him.
"Chidori Senbon!" hundreds of small needles charged with lighting came at Naruto. He jumped out of the way and made the hand sign for the shadow clone jutsu. Five clones of him appeared and ran at Sasuke. Sasuke destroyed them with his katana.
He about to run at Naruto, when a sudden wave of chakra stopped him. The pure intensity of the chakra knocked the breath out of him. He knew this chakra; it was the same chakra as the girl who was with Naruto and Sakura earlier. There was something about it that he recognized; something he couldn't quite figure out. He looked at Naruto and saw that he had also felt it. His eyes were wide with shock.
Sasuke's eyes widened when the wave came again. This time he remembered where he had felt this chakra. It was when he was 6 years old, right before …
Before what?
Sasuke brow furrowed and he clutched his head as a headache came. Wave after wave of chakra came at them, getting stronger after each one.
"Sasuke-" Naruto was interrupted as Sasuke jumped off the tree branch and towards the waves of chakra. Naruto chased after him, Shit! She told me to keep him distracted! She's and Sakura are going to kill me!
/\/\/\
She could see the huge gray building ahead of her. As she came to the end of the trees she stood on a tree branch, from where she could see men in silver armor standing guard. The Samurai hadn't seen her yet. Rieka jumped down from the tree, her feet sinking slightly in the snow. She wore wooden sandals that she had taken from a shop on the way to the leaf village, so the snow touched her bare skin.
She started walking towards the samurai, slowly letting her chakra loose. Back when she was in the dimension, she hadn't been able to use it well, but now that she was in the real world, she could use it freely. She sent wave after wave of chakra out, letting go of everything she had been holding in.
It is time for my revenge, Danzo.
/\/\/\
"Let the Hokage lead the Allied Shinobi Forces?!" the Raikage said, enraged.
"If you approve, I will accept this appointment," Danzo watched the Kage.
Each of them stared back, unsure of what to make of this proposal. The Raikage stood, anger coursing through his body. "Why the Hokage?!" turning to Danzo he added. "He is synonymous with the dark side of ninja! We cannot let him take charge!"
Mifune looked at him, "Then who would you suggest?"
"None of the Akatsuki came from my village! This important post requires trust! I should be the one to-"
"I cannot agree to that," Mifune interrupted.
"What?" the Raikage spat.
Mifune pointed to the table, which the Raikage had punched earlier, leaving wood sticking up around a large hole. "I'm well aware that passion and strength are essential in bringing the strong together. However someone like you, who lets his emotions rule his use of power, would send the Allied Forces into disarray like the top of that desk."
The Raikage growled at the man, glaring.
"I am simply making an objective, rational observation as a representative of a neutral nation. Lord Kazekage is much too young to wield such power. He does not yet have much pull with nations. His title of Kazekage alone is inadequate. Lord Tsuchikage, on the other hand, is too advanced in years, and gives the impression of one whose power has waned. And, he used the Akatsuki too much. He is lacking in trust the most. Lady Mizukage's Hidden Mist is said to be the birth place of the Akatsuki. There is a dear that inside information will be leaked to them. There are also suspicions, that there are spies. We do not know why the Akatsuki are gathering tailed beasts or what they intend to do with them. But we cannot let them have the Nine-Tails. The Nine-Tails belongs to the Hidden Leaf. Hence I believe the Hokage is a logical choice."
This angered the Raikage, "First of all, I refuse to recognize an Allied Shinobi Force that would compromise the security of my village!"
From behind the curtains, Ao watched a cautious expression on his face. Something doesn't feel right. I'd better check.
"Chojuro," he whispered. "Be prepared for battle."
The man activated the Byakugan hidden behind his eye-patch. He turned his gaze over the room and his eyes landed on Danzo. As they did, he gasped.
Sweat trickled down his face. Th-this is … what is the meaning of this?! That right shoulder and right arm ... and the color of his right eye …
His eyes widened as he recognized the color. There is no mistake. It's the color of Shisui Uchiha's eye! He was a formidable foe that I fought against once. I'll never forget the color!
In seconds, Ao was by Lady Mizukage's side, facing the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage," he spoke. "I ask that you show us your right eye underneath that bandage!"
All eyes turned to Ao and the Hokage tensed, "What is going on?"
"I believe you stole Shisui Uchiha's eye and transplanted it into your right eyes, did you not?"
Gaara watched Danzo, "Shisui … Uchiha?"
The Tsuchikage's eyes widened in horror as the Mizukage asked Ao, "The man praised alongside Itachi Uchiha as the Uchiha's most gifted in the use of the Ocular Jutsu?"
"Yes," Ao nodded. "Shisui's particular Ocular Jutsu allowed him to enter others' minds, make them go through phantom experiences and manipulate them. The victim would be totally unaware that he was being manipulated. It was an Ocular Jutsu of the highest class."
"Hokage," the Raikage hissed threateningly. "Don't tell me Mifune is being …"
Mifune's eyes widened, "But … that's …"
Ao continued, "My right eye is also a precious spoil of war, from a battle against the Hyuga. So like you, I am not really one to talk. But you cannot fool my eye, which undid the genjutsu cast upon the Fourth Mizukage! And-"
He was interrupted by the Raikage, who roared in rage. "Why you-"
He was interrupted as a man stumbled into the room. Blood trickled down his face as he fell to the floor. The two men who stood by Mifune rushed to his side, helping him up. They recognized him as one of the samurai on guard, but what was he doing without his armor on?
"What is this?" Mifune asked. "What has happened to you?"
The man coughed as he stood up with the help of the two men, "A girl, she-she came out of nowhere and attacked us."
The Kages' eyes widened as he continued, "She took down all of us and burned away our armor."
"One girl?" the Raikage spat in disbelief.
All the Kage were standing now, "Do you know who she is?"
The man nodded, "She's waiting outside and she … she after you, Lord Hokage."
He turned to the said man, "Her name is-"
He couldn't finish as a wave of chakra rippled through the room and the force of it sent him falling to the floor. Danzo's eyes widened as he recognized the chakra. It was much stronger than last time, but he knew whose chakra this was. He would never forget it.
"Rieka Uchiha."
And at that time, Danzo felt an emotion he hadn't felt in many years.
Fear.