Hi guys... I'm not dead, at least not yet... (me shivers at the thought ) . I haven't updated the story because of a few health problems, a holiday and many other troubles... I read a few other stories during that time and reread a few times this story and I think I sorta over rushed things, overpowered a bit Naruto, neglected small details and had a bit too many mistakes here and there. I guess the first five chapters need rewriting. Anyways, I realised that it's not the number of the words of a story the thing that actually matters, but how good the story is written and what's the feeling that the one who reads it remains with. I'll try to keep this in mind from this chapter on. I am very sorry for the update rate, but this is how things are... I really need to schedule my activities, 'cause I get in lots of troubles lately.
Redlox2 Rinnegan is an ancient, mythical dojutsu, that has so many powers that it had to have some weaknesses such as: it cannot be deactivated, there is a minimum interval of time between the use of 2 consecutive gravity jutsus (Bansho Tenin and Shinra Tensei). Even in real Naruto series, I don't think I have seen either Madara, Nagato or Rikudou Sennin with Rinnegan deactivated (maybe for intimidation purposes).
Plums Yeah, as i said, i have overrushed things and did not focus on the little detailes. From now on, i'll do my best to take more time to develop carefully each detail. The story plot until know sort of backfired on me, i think i overpowered Naruto and if i continue this way the story will become boring or i won't know what to write. About Sasuke... well this is a thing of mine. In the actual series, (i might spoil those who haven't read Manga, so if you haven't read Manga, jump to the next paragragh.)Sasuke wandered aimlessly trying to revenge on each little stone that had a connection with his brother, that's until his meeting with the past hokages that put him on the right road. This whole Sasuke revenge stuff could have been avoided with a little bit of thinking. And Sasuke isn't a bad boy, he and Naruto represent the 2 suns of Rikudou Sennin and i believe that in Naruto series, only they can bring together piece.
.3 Soon :D . I'm not gonna hurry things in this story, not anymore. As for the pairing, i'm really set on naruto/yugito. I feel like there aren't enough naruto/yugito stories, fact that it's to be expected... since yugito isn't such an influent character in the naruto series (we get to see her in only two episods).
Thimond117 I tried a joke there with Shinigami and fangirls (I guess it wasn't so good). About the two ANBU , when I look back at that chapter, i have to agree, i sorta made the anbu look weak, extreamly weak. I guess I should have chosen two chunin like Kotetsu and Izumo instead of anbu. Anyways, I had to make Naruto get out of the graveyard quick and easy because he didn't have enough skills to fight an army of jonin and anbu.
Thanks a lot guys for your reviews! Hope you'll enjoy this chapter!
Italic thinking or quoting
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu jutsu
Demon speaking
Chapter 6- The path I choose
Unknown location
A Sharingan eye shining and spinning through the darkness, gazing through the night at what seemed to be a large shinobi village. Anyone could read the excitement and evilness in that look. The village seemed to be at peace. The streets were empty due to the late hour. However, from time to time, a few ninjas could be seen jumping from roof to roof either towards a big tower in the center of the village, or towards one of the gates of the village. No shouts, no cries, complete silence. Nothing out of the ordinary right? Well, looks can be deceiving, right?
"There are still three years before they'll make the move. What are you going to do?" suddenly spoke two different voices completing each other.
"Looks like I still got time to play and exercise my powers" answered the Sharingan owner, almost starting laughing evilly.
"Still... the rebels are soon going to start the fight" spoke the two different voices.
"I won't even worry about them. Their numbers don't even compare to our forces, they're also so much weaker than our shinobi. Keep an eye though on the eventual new incomers. Tobi's a good boy! Tobi wants to plaaaay moooore!" said the Sharingan wielder, ending with a childish voice compared to his normal one.
"Ok, it will be done. Anyways, I should be going, I heard some interesting rumors. If they're confirmed things will really get interesting from now on" they said, the last voice ending with a chuckle.
"Hmm interesting... What are the rumors about?" asked 'Tobi' emotionlessly.
"About Sasuke Uchiha... It seems he left the village again. And I heard he wasn't going to Orochimaru."
"Hmm, unimportant at the moment. Still, check him and his hideout"
"It will be done. Bye Tobi! Be a good boy!" chuckled the light voice.
"As always! Tobi's always a good boy!" answered 'Tobi' playfully.
With Naruto and the others
Naruto, Sasuke, the four Hokages and Kushina were jumping from tree to tree towards Wave country. An awkward silence fell upon them. Minato and Kushina were still thinking sadly about their son's awful childhood, Hiruzen was thinking about quite the same thing, but he was also thinking about Itachi and was looking at his brother, Sasuke. "It seems things have turned out for the good. I still think it's a miracle everything turned out this way. Normally Sasuke would have taken the avenger path. I guess Naruto told him something at the Valley of the End that changed his view. I haven't done anything about Sasuke's point of view, because that's what Itachi wanted...Even though I still don't agree with Itachi's way of making Sasuke take the avenger path, I had to comply". Naruto sensing Hiruzen's thoughts, started the discussion that Hiruzen wasn't looking forward to have
"Okay, Jiji, I think it's the time to tell us the truth about the Uchiha masacre. I feel there's something wrong about it. There's no way Itachi would have done that with no certain purpose, because "killing for proving his powers" doesn't sound like a normal man's purpose."
"How do you know so much about Itachi Naruto-kun?" asked Hiruzen.
"Oh, easy.. Remember Cat? The ANBU that used to watch me and protect me from the villagers that wanted to kill me? He used to chat with me after I had figured out he had been following me for a long time and had asked him what he wanted from me. He told me about the village and how much he loved it. I guess he was trying to make me not hate the village. He also told me about his younger brother, Sasuke and how much he cared about him and how proud he was of his little brother".
At this time seemed to stop for Sasuke. He almost fell from the tree he had just jumped on. He realised that something was off about this whole "Uchiha affair", but he didn't actually think about his relation with his brother. Hearing how Itachi spoke about him, that he was proud of him, that he cared a lot about him, made him really think about each moment he spent with his brother in his early childhood. He remembered Itachi carrying him after a session of training, how he used to poke his head with two fingers and he realised something else: Itachi almost all the time he spent with him he had a warming smile on his face.
"Uh.. you used to speak with Itachi?" asked Hiruzen showing his curiosity and wonder.
"Of course! Itachi was kinda the only friend I had. I think for a time, I have considered him a brother for the fact that he was protecting me" answered Naruto, now looking at the sky and thinking about Itachi.
"Wait a second... Itachi... I... oh my... isn't that my student Itachi Uchiha?" asked Kushina, astonishment present in her voice.
"Yes, yes he is. He asked for this mission for two reasons: first, he felt bad that a child was punished for something that he didn't do or have any connection with it and secondly, he felt that this way, he would take care of his sensei's legacy." answered Hiruzen a bit ashamed.
"Itachi, you made me so proud... I have to thank him one these days. And..." at this point her tone started getting darker, anger being clear from now on in her voice " while we're at the subject... have you taken care of Naruto as you promised?"
"Eh.. er... I.. the council didn't let me adopt or do more about Naruto's situation..."answered Hiruzen shivering and sweating.
"The last time I checked, the Hokage is the leader of a shinobi village, not a few dumb, mindless villagers!" yelled Kushina making everyone present shiver and back away from her.
"Yeah.. you're right... I know... I could have done more... I'm so sorry..." answered Hiruzen feeling down and ashamed.
"And while we're here... Has that good for nothing pervert done anything for Naruto?" continued yelling Kushina, her red hair standing up ready to attack anyone in its range.
"Uhm... Kakashi or Jiraiya?" asked Hiruzen.
"Firstly, I know Kakashi hasn't done anything except reading porn, being late and spending hours at the Memorial Stone. I'll make sure soon to shove that smut book up his ass, for not taking care of Naruto-kun!" "Oh ... my... good... Shikamaru you were so damn right about mothers... they're damn right frightening!" Naruto thought as he felt sweat drops leaving his face. (Back in Konoha: a lazy smart young shinobi sneezed... "Either my mom is cursing me now for not coming back for lunch, or a friend of mine is having problems" and then saying something along the line "troublesome women" he fell asleep) "But no!" continued Kushina." I'm talking about the smut books cow, Jiraiya! Has he done anything for our son?"
"Oh... you're talking about Ero-sennin" At this point Minato started laughing his ass off and even Kushina who was in "ready to kill" mood chuckled. "Even I couldn't come with a better nickname for Jiraiya-sensei" laughed Minato.
"Yeah... He trained me a bit in the month before the Finals" answered Naruto trying to hide the fact that he knows the Rasengan, to make a surprise later.
"And what has he teached you?" asked Kushina calming down a bit.
"Well, he teached me water-walking and gave me the summoning contract for frogs" told Naruto.
"Only Water-walking and Summoning contract!?" yelled Kushina, going berserk. "Oh I'm so gonna teach that old good for nothing pervert a lesson when I see him" said Kushina preparing to punch him. Minato was angry and sad too, but he refrained himself from showing it, unlike Kushina.
"Anyways, back to where we started... Jiji tell us what really happened" Naruto said trying to distract his parents from the painful subject, saving at the same time Hiruzen from the incoming punches that threatened to hit him.
"Fine, but don't think we're done Hiruzen" Kushina said with a deadly sickly tone coordinated with threatening smile.
Hiruzen sighed, wordlessly thanking Naruto for the save. "Wave country is still a few hours from here, so I guess this way we'll make the road less boring" Hiruzen said meaningfully and everyone agreed, but they didn't know how right he was."It all started when Itachi came after a mission a bit late. I asked him why he was late and he told me that we should talk about that in private. So I dismissed the ANBU that stood behind me and used the special seal preventing eavesdropping. And now about what Itachi told me..." Hiruzen made a pause to take a deep breath, preparing to drop the bomb. " He wanted to tell me about something that the Uchiha plan we're planing" At this point the first two Hokages could guess what they we're planning and sighed. "They were planning a coup d'etat" said Hiruzen dropping the bomb.
The first to react was Sasuke: "Nnno... ittt cann't bbe possibble...!" stuttered Sasuke. "We were always learned to love Konoha, to fight for Konoha and to die for Konoha"
"This is what Itachi told me and he had no reason to lie. As days passed, from what Itachi told us the danger became clear. Don't think it wrong. Not all the Uchiha wanted the coup d'état. For example, Shisui was against it too. He and Itachi helped us by spying on the Uchiha council. Itachi and the elders could only come up with only one solution, one I was completely against.." told Hiruzen.
"Killing every Uchiha clan member..." said Sasuke as he started shaking
"Yes... This was the only way so that we wouldn't have a civil war. I was still against it, but Itachi said there's no other way and requested to be the one to do it, alone, so this way the clan won't completely lose it's honor. So the only solution was applied and everything that you found out now, was made a S-rank secret between me, Itachi and the elders. Still, he made a special request, that he would leave alive an Uchiha member, you Sasuke. He loved so much Konoha, that he would give his life for the village, but I guess he loved you so much more, he couldn't kill you, his little brother. I guess he wanted you to kill him, so he keeped you alive to judge him. The burden of killing his own family, his own clan was too big for him. He then left Konoha, becoming an S-rank missing nin and acting like a double spy from Akatsuki for Konoha. I still think it wasn't a good idea... but this is how it all turned out" said Hiruzen feeling ashamed.
Now each piece of the puzzle was in it's place... Now it all made sense: why he Itachi killed the clan, why he didn't hurt him, why he replayed all the masacre in his mind ( to make him hate his brother so much, that he would judge him and kill him), why he did shed a tear right the last moment he saw him. At that moment it was too much for Sasuke. He broke down crying. Kushina was imediately by his side and hugged him. "I know it's a lot and hard to take and believe, I myself, can't believe it... but, this is the way it all happened." spoke Kushina softly.
"Why.. why everything for the village ... how can you love a village more than you're familly... why did he kill our familly for the sake of the village?!" cried Sasuke, getting angrier. Hashirama put a hand on his shoulder, instantly calming him. "Your brother's will of fire was the greatest I ever heard of, even greater than mine. To make you understand and make it all sense, let me tell you about the world before Konoha. There weren't villages, there were only clans fighting against each other. Peace was word that everybody dreamed of, but no one achieved. We, the Senjus were at war with the Uchihas. We were the strongest 2 clans in the world. Every day so many people died , hatred rising between us, so much suffering... We lost the notion of time, the only goal: kill the Uchiha/Senju that killed my mom/dad/brother/etc. When we realised this, the hatred was already unbearable. To stop the war, we made an alliance and formed a village, so that our children wouldn't have to die, or to see deaths. We made a place were anyone could make friends, learn, eat and work. The village was the bridge between all the clans, the place where everyone lets aside their hatred, where we fight for the same thing, for our home, for a place were our children could live, learn at peace, a place we could all call home. And the will to protect and die for our home is called 'The will of fire'. Itachi understood what danger was upon the village and did what was to be done. I hate that it all came up to this, I guess the will of fire has been extinguished over the time... That's why we have to reignite it in people, to give them something to believe in, to make them realise once again how important the village is" told Hashirama.
"Uh... let me take my time to think this out. I could never think of destroying the Konoha my brother fought so much to protect and I shall stick with you guys, because here are two of the last Uchiha alive, you Naruto and your father. I still have to talk about this with Itachi and settle evering out..." told Sasuke in a clearly down mood.
"You will always be welcome in our family Sasuke. Mikoto, your mother, was my best friend, she helped a lot back then, so i can at least be here for her son." spoke Kushina.
"Thanks... a lot" replied Sasuke. "You said Itachi acted as a spy for Konoha from within Akatsuki. Do you have any idea how i can meet him?" he asked the Third Hokage.
"I guess I know... From time to time he gave the informations he got to one of Jiraiya's spys at Otafuku Gai." Hiruzen answered.
"That's a hour and a half from here!" Minato said. "So what should we do?"
" I guess we could wait there and maybe even find Itachi." answered Naruto
"I guess that's a good idea. But I think we should hide. I don't think it's a good idea if four of the past hokages were to be seen. Neither you Naruto, there are many spies in the Fire Country, I don't think it will be a good idea if Konoha finds out your alive, nor you Sasuke, you should be a missing nin by now." said Tobirama.
"I think I and Sasuke should use Henges and you will hide at each gate of the village as scouts to find out when Itachi arrives." Naruto thought out loud.
"Well that's a plan Naruto-kun. We should be close to Otafuku Gai by now, right Minato-kun?" asked Kushina entering her position as a mother. "So this is the feeling you get when you have a family... I feel something warm inside my heart that makes me jump out of happiness." Naruto thought. "Yeah... you're so damn lucky Shinigami chose to help you... but I still don't get it why he helped you" spoke Kyubi. "Hmm Kyubi! You were quite silent for a long perioud of time. Wanna chat or what?" "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE TALKING TO BRAT!" "Yeah Yeah I know... You're the mighty not scary at all fox with nine fluffy red tails" At this point Kyubi started growling and cursing out loud "YOU THINK YOU'RE BADASS?! COME HERE MOTHAFUCKER! LET ME KICK YOUR FUCKING ASS FLESHBAG!" "Oh I'm sorry I said you have fluffy tails and I'm sorry that you're not scary at all. " "WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK ARE YOU TALKING WITH?!"roared Kyubi. "OH CALM DOWN! I WAS JUST JOKING! Ah by the way... I never asked you... What's your name?" asked Naruto kindly. "Wh..wait what?" "Oh common.. if i'd be tailed beast I would be angry to be called by my number of tails. I would sure have a name. So what's your name?" This completely silenced the fox. No one had ever said that before. No one had ever asked for his name. Everyone called him just "Kyubi". No one ever tried to joke or act different with him, at least not since Rikudou Sennin 'till now. "You're an interesting fleshbag...It's Kurama". "Glad to know you Kurama, you already know I'm Naruto. Oh I should come back to reality, see ya around! Bye" Naruto said as he cut the connection leaving the fox astonished.
Back to real world
"Yeaaaaaah! We're almost there! I can see the gate! Yeah!" almost screamed Hashirama in a happy-go-lucky way just like Naruto, that startled Naruto, Kushina, Minato and Sasuke. Tobirama sweatdropped, while Hiruzen chuckled , remembering his sensei's way of being.
"Yahoooo! You can say that again dattebayo! I can wait to go to a hotspring or lay down a bit!" replied Naruto in a similar fashion, making everyone present sweatdrop. "Looks like I lost the bet, Mito... There is someone else as happy-go-lucky as Hashirama is" thought Tobirama almost chuckling.
"Oh daaamn you! You get to stay in the town, while I have to scout a gate..." said Hashirama crying anime tears, making everyone once more to sweatdrop.
"If you'll be a good boy (at that moment a certain Sharingan wielder sneezed) , I think we can get you a bit in the town to a hotspring" said Naruto laughing, making everyone except Hashirama to laugh. "Anyways, we're here. From what I remember, there are 4 gates situated at North, West, East and South. I suggest each Hokage go at one of these gates, while Kushina, Naruto and Sasuke enter the town" suggested Hiruzen and everyone agreed. "Look for someone that looks like an older Sasuke. He will eventually wear a dark cloak with red clouds, that's the specific cloak for Akatsuki." added Naruto.
Akatsuki meeting
Each member of the Akatsuki was standing on a specific finger of a statue, waiting for the meeting to begin. Suddenly Zetsu appeared on an empty finger.
"So, everyone is here" started the leader. "Zetsu tell us the news"
"Sasuke has left Konoha again! But this time, Orochimaru is not involved" Zetsu said.
"Why are we interested in what is Itachi's brother doing hmm?" asked Deidara.
"We're not interested in Itachi's brother, but that traitorous snake. Where's Sasuke, we might find Orochimaru and with him, the ring" answered Kakuzu.
"Also, we believe that he has left Konoha with someone or for someone" completed Zetsu.
"Keep us posted Zetsu. Anyways, we can't start hunting jinchūrikis for another 2 years and a half, but we still have to find the whereabouts of each tailed beast. Each one go for a specific tailed beast." spoke the leader
"Hai!"
Back at Otafuku Gai
Hashirama was at the North Gate, Tobirama at the West Gate, Hiruzen at the South Gate and Minato was at the East Gate, while Kushina, Naruto and Sasuke were looking for a place were they could eat. They had henged earlier so that they couldn't be recognised that easily. Naruto had now long red hair, purple yes and no whisker marks, Sasuke had short blonde hair with blue eyes, while Kushina has only changed her hair colour, now brown.
"Damn... I haven't eaten ramen for so long!" thought out loud Naruto.
"Ramen huh?" wondered Kushina.
"Yeah, that's the only thing he used to eat back in Konoha" sweatdropped Sasuke.
"Of course! It's the food of the gods!" he answered almost feeling the taste of the ramen back at Ichiraku's and crying anime tears thinking that he will never get to eat ramen good like that anymore.
"Is he always like this when it comes to ramen?" asked Kushina sweatdropping. "Yes..." spoke grimly Sasuke.
"Raaaamen!" he almost yelled as he detected a smell of ramen , running ahead. "Naruto wait!" yelled Kushina. "Damn! He disappeared... "
"Yeah... Just like Naruto.. Let's found a normal place to eat around" suggested Sasuke. "I guess that's a good idea, we'll search for him right after that.
With Naruto
"Uh! Here it is guys! Guys? Kaa-san? Sasuke?" he asked looking around. "I guess they remained behind. I'll search for them after I eat." he said as he entered the ramen stand.
He then ordered 10 bowls of miso ramen and started eating astonishing the cook with his speed. "Oh my good! How can he eat thaat fast?! Let's hope he'll have enough, or I'm afraid he'll eat me". When he was at the sixth bowl, a girl, about Naruto's age, entered the ramen stand. "I would like 10 miso ramen bowls" she said with a cat-like voice. "J-Just a-a s-second!" he stuttered. "Damn! Curse me and my luck... two hungry ninja... if this cat-girl eats as fast as the other one... I think I'm gonna die today" . When Naruto heard what she ordered and how much she ordered, he glanced quickly at her. At first, he side-glanced at her, but he ended studying her more carefully. She had blonde hair held in a long ponytail that fell along her back, just like a cat tail. She had an oval face, with red shiny lips, small, but a bit pointy nose and dark, deep eyes. Just as he was going to study her formes, he realised she was looking at him. "Hey you! Henged guy! What do you think are you doing?" she asked. "Uh? You realised this is a henge?" he asked dumbly.
"Of course! Any normal ninja would realise that! Now drop the henge!" she ordered.
"Why should I?" he asked.
"Ugh, fine! Kai! " she said, effectively dropping the henge.
"Oh common... was that really necessary?" asked an annoyed Naruto
"Yes!" she said now glancing at his look. He had blonde short spiky hair, with weird purple eyes that had concentric circles. He had weird whisker marks that made him look like a cat or a fox. She shook her head dismissing any thought about the way he looked and asked " Why were you staring at me?" she asked.
"You mean exactly the same thing you were doing with me right a few seconds ago?" he asked a bit teasingly.
"N-no" she said as she blushed a bit embarrassed.
Yeap, that's it for today!
Hope you enjoyed reading it! I'll try to update as fast as I can this time.
Sorry again for not updating for such a long time.
Naruto: "Yeah! You were an asshole for not updating!"
alexandruvful: "You really want to kiss Sasuke again, do you?"
Naruto: "You can't! Bayern won! You promised I will not be paired with Sasuke!"
alexandruvful: "Remember one thing: I'm writing this story! I'm doing what I want!"
Naruto: "That's just... not fair...!"
alexandruvful: "Heh just deal with it!"
'till next time!