Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, I probably wouldn't be doing this.
AN: Well…Yo. No, neither this story nor I qualify as dead. However, as I've told some of those who have reviewed/messaged me about it, outside life has been its usual annoying self. And aside from all the normal things that plague my time, in the last six or seven months I've gotten really serious about finishing an original novel I've been tossing around in my head for quite some time. To give you an idea, it's not finished and already longer than Oath (I'm excluding Author's Notes in that number), and probably going to be over three times the size of this story as of the chapter before this one. And unlike these fics I didn't really have fully developed characters, rules, or a world already in place when I started writing. So I'm sure you can see how it might be taking a bit of time.
Also, Kishi has been going interesting places lately. For the sake of anyone just joining us here, this story was started (perhaps not posted, but started) well before the manga even really got in to the battle with Pain. Actually, I was tossing it around in my head since way back when Sasuke was hunting down Itachi, if not a little earlier. So while I do plan to incorporate things that Kishi has revealed since then, it's safe to say that a lot may be saved or tossed out as I see fit to keep with my original plans. This includes pretty much anything from Sasuke vs. Deidara onward (Again, if not earlier), and anything revealed in the Third Databook…Though I admit, some of the things Kishi has done really, really work well with the story I had in mind and even if I haven't been working on the actual writing, I've been making notes and planning a few things for this fic in my downtime.
Demon/Inner Conversation
Naruto didn't have time to register what had happened before a simple but well played Genjutsu drew his mind into darkness. Danzou's head tilted toward the new arrival crouched on the window sill in greeting, unsurprised at his presence but less than pleased at the timing.
"So the dog has arrived at last." The young boy chuckled at the shinobi's barb.
"No need to be rude, Danzou-sama. I'm a child, after all. It's only natural for me to question my elders, no? I realized that you had some sort of interest in the Jinchuuriki of course, but I never thought you'd go out of your way to contact him. Well, not until you needed something destroyed anyway. Their kind has something of a talent in that department. So what are you here for?"
"Nothing of importance to you, boy. Do you have the package that I was promised?" The boy's mouth dropped in a playful imitation of shock and hurt.
"You doubted my skills? Why, I'm wounded to hear that you have so little faith in my-"
"Boy." The single syllable elicited a sigh.
"Oh, very well. Yes, I retrieved your little toys and they're safely stored away in the place we've agreed upon. And it was no walk in the park, let me tell you. Those Uchiha really keep their tombs well guarded. It must be annoying to have something as valuable as the Sharingan, what with the thieves and all." Several times throughout the raid on Kagami's tomb he'd been forced to resist his urge to take a few of the Uchiha for his own.
"No one who truly calls himself shinobi can deny that acts requiring…questionable…moral decisions are sometimes necessary for the security of the village as a whole. Even Hiruzen and those buffoonish apprentices of his understood this fact. My request is merely one of many necessities. I trust that you didn't leave any loose ends?"
"Of course not. Right now a loose end would bring quite a bit of fire down on us both. Besides, you know that I never leave a mess unless it needs to be left." He chuckled at his little joke, not caring that only he knew the true meaning behind the words. No need to clue the old man in any further. "But really, I must admit I'm surprised. I wouldn't expect you to even mention something like that in front of the kid."
"My reasons are mine, and mine alone."
"Now, now, is that any way to maintain a healthy relationship? How can you expect me to trust you with my secrets if you can't trust me with yours? And let's not forget who it is that's been putting himself at risk to maintain contact with our mutual friend. You can't contact him, so unless Madara intends to come personally explain his plans to you in detail then you need me to make nice with that little spy of yours." Save for a grunt of admission, the elderly shinobi ignored him.
"I assume you've dealt with the shadows."
"Hm? Oh, you mean the ANBU that the Hokage has watching the place? They're taking a little nap at the moment. You know, you'll have to stop ignoring me and changing the subject sooner or later." His expression shifted, his entire demeanor suddenly lacking in the cheery, youthful signals it had previously held.
"What is it precisely that you want with the Jinchuuriki?" They stared at one another in silence until Danzou decided that it wouldn't hurt to give just a little. After all, a distrusting pawn was a less efficient pawn, and this one had potential.
"My intent was to confirm some recent suspicions regarding his power, and what he understands of that power. Now I suggest you run off to make sure your masters aren't checking in on their loyal little hound." And with that simple explanation the jovial youth returned.
"Heh. Right." He stepped over to the unconscious blonde on the floor, looped an arm around his waist, and flickered away. A moment later he returned, having deposited the boy in his room, and put a hand on his hip as the other moved in sarcastic wave at the older shinobi. "Just make sure you don't get the kid in too much trouble. He'll be useful to us in the future after all."
"…And just how might he be of use to a child such as you? Unless you intend to hand him over to your associates." He clasped his hands together over his lap, a relaxed posture to hide his hand's proximity to the kunai beneath his robe.
"How would I find him useful? It's quite simple, Danzou-sama; because that boy has a knack for causing trouble. And the world…" A lower, far more sinister chuckle erupted from his lips. The light haired boy made a show of pushing his glasses back into place, serpentine eyes filled with far more knowledge than those of a child his age should have contained.
"The world is so much more interesting when things are in motion, wouldn't you agree?"
"Kai." And the younger of the two disappeared, leaving the elderly shinobi alone in the apartment with the unconscious Jinchuuriki once again. The child had probably been well on his way back to his home by the time the Genjutsu had become noticeable. Clever boy, Yakushi-san. But this wasn't the time for that. No, he needed to have a word with Naruto Uzumaki, and it clearly wasn't going to be happening until he awoke. Yet he couldn't remain in the boy's apartment. It wasn't as though the Third Hokage had him followed—even now Hiruzen trusted him far more than he should have, all the more evidence that his ability to do what a leader must was fading—but it would undoubtedly draw attention if he disappeared around the home of the Jinchuuriki for any significant period of time. And Naruto's own shadows would be likely to notice if Kabuto didn't catch them early enough, or his jutsu wore off too soon.
Either way, they needed another meeting place, and he knew of one that just might work. If the vessel could actually reach it then it would only go to show that he was far more than he let on. If not…Well, he would have to ensure that Fuu and Torune tailed the boy to prevent anything unsavory from happening. It wouldn't do to lose access to one of their greatest assets, or worse yet, release the beast upon the unsuspecting Konohagakure.
Several hours later as the sun began to rise, when Naruto finally dragged himself back from the depths of his rather pleasant dreams of a bowl of ramen (And for some strange reason, a miniature version of Manda and Gamabunta dueling over an annoyed Katsuya with a set of chopsticks), he noticed the small piece of paper sitting on a section of his breakfast table that had been cleared off. One that he was certain hadn't been present before he'd…he'd passed out?
What did happen there? It seemed almost like a Genjutsu. Not that he was an expert. For all of the strength he'd gained over the years, Genjutsu was still easily his greatest weakness. He just couldn't seem to get a handle on the stuff, plain and simple, at least aside from breaking some weaker illusions. Either way, he hadn't seen Danzou do anything so maybe someone else had interfered…
He picked the paper up, turning it over in his hand a few times. Blank, save for a small marking identical to those used by ANBU. Not surprising though. The old man had always been a sneaky one, so the idea that he'd leave something in plain sight without any kind of special measures to make certain only the right people saw it was laughable. He began to flow his chakra through it and looked over the sheet again a few more times, a frown coming to his face when nothing appeared after a several minutes. That clearly wasn't what the old man was expecting him to do.
Maybe this was all just some bizarre trick? Or maybe it really had just been a dream. No, no, he was certain it had been real—the presence of this note alone was enough evidence of that. Something was off. It had to be. While Danzou hadn't shown any signs of surprise in the quick glimpse he'd managed to get of the older man before passing out, somehow Naruto just knew he hadn't intended for their meeting to end so abruptly. But nothing seemed out of place, and the paper was almost completely blank. Even when he tried flowing chakra through it nothing happened. It was his only clue, but…Wait a minute! Man, I'm such an idiot sometimes. He should have thought of it before. He already had a perfectly good method of examining chakra signatures, so this could at least confirm whether or not Danzou had left something or if he was just becoming paranoid. The Jinchuuriki stood still, allowed the natural energy around him to flow and merge with his own chakra, and within seconds he could feel the change. And then he sensed it. The faint trace of chakra stored inside Danzou's clue. A chakra that he knew all too well.
That explains why I couldn't cause a change with my normal chakra. He dropped out of Sage Mode, instead focusing on drawing out the Kyuubi's power and lacing it through the paper. He wasn't disappointed. The dark force triggered the release of its counterpart sealed within the note, twisting and drawing the powerful chakra back into its rightful place within its current vessel. And as soon as it was gone a symbol appeared briefly on the paper, fading as words began to reveal themselves.
"If you wish to understand the truth of which I spoke, meet me in the following location one hour past midnight tomorrow. North of the village is a place known as the Forty-Fourth Training Ground, though you have likely heard of it only by its popular nickname: The Forest of Death. Ten kilometers toward the center of this forest is a tower. I will be awaiting your arrival within. Do not arrive late. Do not allow yourself to be followed." Naruto yelped as the paper sparked, going up in flames just as he finished reading.
Would he show? Damned right he would. Naruto didn't know what this "truth" that Danzou kept preaching about was, but it was bound to be interesting if the man was already making a move. Not to mention that he wanted to know just how the older shinobi managed to get his hands on some of the Kyuubi's chakra. He was no seal master, but Jiraiya had given him plenty of lectures on the subject and he'd never heard of someone drawing chakra straight from a Jinchuuriki that wasn't using the stuff, since it was typically safely locked behind some form of seal away from all but the Jinchuuriki itself. Well, aside from the Akatsuki, but between the ones calling themselves Pain and Madara the organization was an exception to the rule.
Besides, he would be bored out of his mind if he didn't try to help fix something he'd done wrong before and there was no way he'd let Gaara have all the fun. But for now, he needed something to do.
About four hours later, Anko Mitarashi came to a sudden halt on the way to the gate leading out of the village. She stood in the street, head tilted to the side and eyes narrowed.
"Yo, Fishn-" The call was silenced as Anko twisted around and grabbed the flying ball of orange chaos midair, then flung him into the ground at her feet with little more than a quirked eyebrow. Said ball of chaos rubbed at the back of his head while sending a glare at the young woman.
"Ow."
"Don't gimme that. The hell they teachin' you little maggots at the academy these days? What kinda ninja screams out his target's name when he's trying to jump 'em?" Naruto ignored the question and squinted his eyes at her appearance.
"…What?" She glanced down at herself. There was nothing showing and nothing all that different from her usual style. "Whattya lookin' at?"
He ignored her again, taking a moment to prod at the metal mesh on her abdomen with his fingers a few times.
"The heck is this stuff?" Oh he knew what it was, it wasn't as though Mitarashi was the only ninja in the village with the sense to wear some form of armor, but her responses were always entertaining. He hadn't known her very well in the past, but in the several instances he'd paid attention to her this time around she never really seemed to have that hidden anger towards him that many of the others did. He'd have to ask about that some day.
"Sorry brat, but since I'm about to go on a mission it's off with the net, on with the mesh. Afraid you're gonna have to get your jollies somewhere else today."
"Jollies? What's a jolly? Is it like some kinda candy or something?" If he were older he could have just flirted, teased her back, or something of the sort. As it was he was basically limited to trying to embarrass people.
"Eh?" Her eyes widened in embarrassment. It wouldn't have been so bad if this was one of her colleagues, but sometimes she tended to stick her foot in her mouth when she dealt with this kid. "I, uh, eheh…oops. I guess you might still be too young for that kinda thing. Just forget I mentioned it."
"But I want some jollies." And to be completely truthful, he had no idea which one of them was more fun.
"Uh…"
"Come on, just gimme some jollies lady!" Though the sudden anxiety in the woman's expression as her eyes darted between the people walking about the street, several of which were sending them odd stares, was pushing it in favor of embarrassment.
"Ooh boy…" She dug into her pocket and pulled out some change. "Listen, how about you just forget this conversation happened and have some ramen on me? Sound good?"
"Ramen!" The money disappeared from her hand before she could blink. "Heck yeah! Catch you later Fishnet."
And ramen was had. Unfortunately, even the power of ramen noodles from the most excellent ramen master in the world could only keep him busy for so long. The rest of the day passed agonizingly slow, as if the world had slowed down solely to keep him from discovering whatever secrets Danzou planned to explain that night. Finally, after what felt like years of waiting, nightfall had come. Sneaking out from under the eye of his watchdogs wasn't difficult. A few simple shadow clone tricks and they thought he was walking either to his home or the market. Either way, they clearly hadn't caught the memo that someone who had a demonic fox locked in his stomach could probably come up with a double diversion.
Sneaking into the forest, likewise, posed little difficulty. They didn't really guard the place because no one was stupid enough to enter in the first place, much less alone, and even if they did odds were that most would cause enough of a ruckus to alert the night guards in the village to anything coming their way. Naruto Uzumaki was not most people. Between short bursts of Sage Mode and the Kyuubi's chakra, avoiding any of the forest's wildlife without drawing any attention to himself was one of the simplest missions he'd had that didn't involve pulling weeds. He was at the tower within the hour.
Danzou greeted him with a silent nod, waiting just as he'd said.
"You've come."
"Yep."
"Then you believe me when I say I have something of significance to tell you, something about your past?" Naruto gave his own nod in response. "Very well. But I must warn you, there is a condition that comes with this information."
"What kind of condition?"
"This condition." He held a small slip of paper, just a couple of inches long and slightly less wide, and held it out for the younger boy. Naruto glanced over it and turned suspicious eyes on the shinobi.
"A seal. You want to put a seal on me."
"Yes." Danzou's calm exterior didn't slip, likely having expected this from the start.
"What for?"
"The details I'm prepared to offer are not public knowledge for a reason. The Third Hokage, the Elders, and I agreed that it could be a potential threat to you and to this village if it were to be released. The only reason I'm presenting you with this opportunity is because you have proven far more capable than we expected; a foolish error on our part." His single eye opened only a small fraction, though the expectation in that tiny window of visibility was obvious.
"So this seal, it'll keep me from talking about whatever it is you're telling me?"
"Precisely." Naruto held the paper up to the light for a closer examination.
"Does it do anything else? Anything I might need to know about?"
"You don't trust me at my word?" Naruto paused, shook his head. He didn't plan to lie to the man. He didn't seem offended by the gesture. If anything, the admission seemed to please him. "Very good. I'd have been disappointed if you were naïve enough to make such a mistake, even more so after the skill you've displayed thus far. There is another effect that this seal is designed for. Not only will it induce paralysis should you attempt to discuss what I would tell you tonight, but it will allow me to track your location at all times."
"I'm not sure I like that idea."
"And you shouldn't. Very few people would appreciate such a restriction. However, I'm rather certain that you will find it agreeable once you've heard what I have to say. If you truly wish it, I could remove that particular restriction after we have discussed the matter which has brought both of us here. The silence, however, is non-negotiable." Naruto remained silent for several minutes, tossing the idea around in his head. Thankfully, Danzou seemed content with giving him the time to do so. On one hand, there was a good chance that the man was lying, or at least not telling him the entire truth. He'd even openly acknowledge that he didn't believe it would be wise to trust him. If the seal did more than track and silence him, if he'd bluffed about removing it…But on the other hand, he'd spoken of a secret regarding the past, his past. How many times had he wanted to know something, anything, about his family? His background? Maybe it wasn't some kind of fluffy story—orphans rarely had those—but at least it would be something. And if he was telling the truth…no, he couldn't let a chance like this just slip by.
"Do it." Danzou nodded and took the seal. "Hold out your tongue."
Naruto complied, fighting against his nerves as the one-eyed shinobi placed the seal near the back of his tongue. There was a quick flash of unfamiliar chakra as it activated, a feeling of numbness, and then he was back to normal. Danzou pulled the paper away as it sparked much as his note had, all traces gone in a flash.
"Now, we have much to discuss, young Namikaze."
"Stop calling me that." Naruto jabbed his thumb into his chest. "I'm Naruto Uzumaki, the Number One Unpredictable Ninja of Konoha and—"
"And you are the son of the late Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
"I…I don't—"
"Did you truly not notice the similarities? Even carved in stone, the likeness is remarkable. Surely you've looked in a mirror before, seen the resemblance between your faces."
"Y-yeah, I guess we look kinda alike, but that doesn't mean—" It couldn't be, could it? It would be impossible, insane, but at the same time…"How could no one know? How could no one say anything?"
"As I've said, a great many things have been kept from you, but not without reason."
"Then tell me!" He cried out, arms flung to the side and voice strained. "Tell me why I couldn't even know my own father's name!"
"Do you know what it is to be Hokage?"
"Huh?"
"A Hokage's life is battle. A Hokage's life is sacrifice. Not only was your father a man of the highest rank achievable by any shinobi, the face that every nation will see when they think of their rivals in war, but he was a legend on the battlefield long before he attained that title. Do you believe such admiration and fame came without a price?"
"Well no, but…I just don't understand. Why couldn't you tell me who he was?"
"No matter your control you are still just a child, and there are many who could and would have taken advantage of this fact. Minato Namikaze had many enemies. There are many who would gladly take their vengeance out on his son if the opportunity were to arise, or worse yet, who would capitalize on the legend to turn a child such as you into a weapon against this village. We could not allow that." Naruto sat on that for a moment, considered the older man's words. That…actually sounded pretty reasonable. Danzou was probably just trying to manipulate him, he expected that much, but he couldn't spot any flaws in his reasoning so far.
"But-but what about my mother? Why haven't I ever met her? If…" He swallowed the lump in his throat. This was the question. His father, well, he supposed that if his father really was the previous Hokage then it was understandable. They did it to protect him. But his mother, what was her excuse? There had always been a hope deep inside of him that she was alive, yet at the same time it brought up the horrifying possibility that she simply didn't want him.
"Your mother died in childbirth."
And that was it. Dead. Gone. He could feel the pain in his gut, the tremble of his shoulders, the wetness in his eyes he tried to wipe away along with the knowledge that he would never meet her. But he knew. Finally, after so many years, there was an answer. But Danzou was speaking…
"Her name was Kushina Uzumaki."
Kushina Uzumaki…It was a beautiful name. And it was her name; his name.
Danzou watched patiently for several minutes of silence passed as Naruto sorted through everything he'd learned so far. His mother, Kushina Uzumaki. His father, Minato Namikaze. His father, the Fourth Hokage. But wait, that means…!
"The Fourth Hokage—my father—sealed the fox in me!" He could feel the anger building; An incredible fury that his own flesh and blood, the man he'd admired most and dream of meeting more than any other, had made his childhood a living hell. What might have been the most important man in his life, the one who had taught his sensei, been the apprentice to his other sensei, the successor and friend of a man he thought of as a grandfather, was responsible for that—that thing sealed inside of him.
"Yes." Danzou nodded, unaffected by the blonde's growing rage.
"Why?"
"…Allow me to tell you a story of sorts." He ignored the flash of confusion on the blonde's face.
"Your mother was arrogant, she refused to do as she was told, she started fights repeatedly, and when she didn't start a fight she jumped in to the fray at every opportunity. She was brash, rude, loud, obnoxious," Naruto's fists tightened, anger rising with every insult Danzou threw at his dead mother. He clenched his jaw, prepared to speak out in her defense—
"However, she cared very deeply for this village and its inhabitants, no matter how greatly she may have disliked certain individuals such as myself. Her skill in the art of Ninjutsu was pitiful in most regards, but her style was unique and effective. She had no lack of skill in Taijutsu and Genjutsu, and her mastery of sealing techniques was nearly unsurpassed—No doubt a result of her heritage and upbringing as a member of the Uzumaki. But most importantly—" The eye opened, focused on the child before him, engrossed in every word, aware on some level that the man was telling the truth, that he had an answer.
"Kushina Uzumaki was the last Jinchuuriki to hold the Kyuubi no Yoko."
Naruto had once read Jiraiya's books. They'd always seemed so cheesy, so lame. One of them had included a big revelation, a surprise for the hero described as world-shattering and life-changing. He'd snorted and tossed it aside. Revelations weren't like that in real life.
He was wrong.
"What? What did you just say?" He couldn't believe it, wouldn't. The Kyuubi attacked the village the day he was born. His mother died in childbirth the day he was born. His mother was the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi. That meant his birth was…
"I cannot claim to know the exact details of that night. No one can, save for those who were present when it occurred, and to this day only one may live." Naruto's head shot up, intent eyes returned to the aging warrior.
"The seals which trapped the demon fox within your mother became weaker during the birthing process. Her status as a Jinchuuriki was not well known, but some of the select few who knew of her condition were also aware of the threats posed to the seal. Your father and the Third Hokage's wife were among them, and both were masters of sealing techniques. However, something went wrong: One man, a powerful warrior calling himself Madara Uchiha."
It took all of his willpower not to reel back at the name. Madara. The man who had attacked his village. The man who worked alongside Pain and the Akatsuki. The man who, though Danzou had not flat out confirmed it, had been responsible for the deaths of his mother, father, and many of those loved by his closest friends. There were few people in the world who Naruto could claim to hate, but there was now one name which had solidified its position at the top of that list.
Madara Uchiha. He would die. Maybe not today, maybe not this year, but he would die, and it would be at Naruto's hands.
"This man, the Uchiha who betrayed this village and attacked the First Hokage, forcibly removed the Kyuubi from your mother and led it on a rampage against our people. As you know, the Third and Fourth Hokages led the battle to push it back. I only learned of the details afterwards, from Hiruzen himself, but you will have to settle for secondhand knowledge." Naruto nodded, unable to form the words.
"Your father could not allow Madara and the Kyuubi to continue. Even with the might of the entire village and his summoned allies, the Kyuubi was pushing our forces back. So your father teleported himself and the Kyuubi to your mother, who was barely clinging to life, and doing what she could to protect yours. She possessed a unique chakra that made her ideal as the Kyuubi's host, one which allowed her to create chains of chakra capable of restraining it, even if only for a short time. Your father knew that their time was limited, and so he chose someone with whom he believed he could trust the power of the Kyuubi." The tears began to appear again, to pass through the shock as Naruto understood, truly understood what he was being told.
"You. His only son. The last legacy of the Namikaze and Uzumaki. The Fourth used an immensely powerful seal to permanently bind half of the Kyuubi's chakra where it could not be reached at the cost of his own life, and sealed all that remained within you. So tell me," He stood, hunched on his sword as though it were a cane, his features…not quite gentle, but perhaps in camaraderie as one man who had lost a loved one through sacrifice to another.
"Do you still hate him?"
No.
"No."
"Then I have nothing more to say on this matter. I think we have discussed enough for tonight. I'm afraid I know little of their personal lives, so I cannot tell you any stories or facts beyond their careers."
"I understand." He needed some time alone anyway. Time to process; time to mourn properly. Naruto turned to leave, stopped only just as he reached the door.
"There is one thing that I shall leave you with before you go." He turned, hand shooting up to grab the object coming towards him. He flipped it upright, looked it over, and turned to Danzou in confusion. It must have shown on his face.
"A tool of your father's. A special form of kunai used by him, and him alone. I felt it was appropriate."
"…Thank you." Danzou acknowledged it with a nod, finally allowing Naruto to return to his home.
Two weeks earlier…
"Hm?" He pressed upward on the hilt, letting loose another chuckle when the young boy's eyes narrowed slightly in frustration, though without any true signs of pain. "And what might that be?"
"You're betrayal wasn't the first."
And the snakelike eyes widened as a familiar voice spoke quietly from behind him.
"Long time no see, Orochimaru."
"That voice…I know that voice." He turned around to glance at the newcomer, double-taking as he caught sight of just who it was, certain his eyes must have been deceiving him.
"Wait! You're-" The cry was cut off as a hand shrouded in flame stabbed through his abdomen, sending a stream of crimson splashing across the boy against the pillar before the serpentine member of the Legendary Three could react. "B-but how…you…aren't you Sa-"
The fist twisted inside of the infamous shinobi's chest, forcing him to stop as though liquidy coughs drove another spray of blood from his lips. Even though it had only been a few moments since the struggle had begun he seemed far weaker, paler than before.
"I'm sorry to cut the fun short so early, but I'm afraid I've run out of patience. Good night, Orochimaru of the Sannin." An inhuman screech filled the air as the legendary shinobi's body was enshrouded with flames. The man—the boy really—sauntered over to the annoyed Uchiha and ripped out the Kusanagi with a wet crunch. Bones cracked and muscle tore away from his fellow conspirer's palms at the action, a smirk mirroring that of the Sannin's passing across his lips for a moment.
"Well, that was rather fun eh?"
"Have you not had enough games?" Itachi's face had gone white, eyes finally showing the signs of exhaustion concealed when Orochimaru was present. He dropped to a knee with a grunt, hands resting lifelessly as red streams flowed to the earth.
"Oh, you're no fun. Though I suppose I wouldn't be very pleasant if my hands were falling apart either." The younger boy ignored the jab, forcing himself to stand again.
"I take it you've already made contact with Danzou-sama."
"But of course, Ita-chan. He was pleased to hear from us—"
"Don't call me that."
"-and I'm sure he has plenty of tasks ahead for his little pawns in the future."
"With the way you've been acting, everything you've told me, I assume you've concocted some kind of plan to deal with our mutual enemy?" He flexed a hand, wincing at every movement and eliciting a sigh from the other boy.
"Would you just sit still for a moment? Here, give me those." The light-haired shinobi raised a hand, a slight glow enveloping the Uchiha's palms as healing chakra ran through his flesh, bones repairing themselves, muscle and skin stitching back together.
"As for my plan? I don't have much in the way of a plan, to be honest." He released a low, rumbling chuckle. With a tilt of his head, three figures dropped from the trees above them, standing slightly behind their master. Itachi's eyes widened in a rare, open display of emotion; though whether in shock or terror he wasn't certain. He knew these people. The first two were clad in the famous armor they'd worn in their warring days, nearly unstoppable and revered by friend and foe alike. The third, a young woman, was dressed in an elaborate kimono. Her fiery red hair was twisted into two buns and decorated with seal tags, topped by a shimmering tiara. Any shinobi that had lived through the Great Wars, or even paid the slightest attention to the history of those wars, would have recognized these people…and likewise would have recognized that they should have been dead for decades.
"But I figured I'd start here," A twisted smirk etched itself across Kabuto Yakushi's features as he gestured to the Senju and Uzumaki trio—present at the courtesy of the infamous forbidden technique created by the Second Hokage—with his free hand.
"And see where things go from there."
AN: There's the next one. Like I said, my original work might make updates pretty scarce but I'll try to fit them in here and there. I hope that there have been some visible improvements in my writing and, above all else, that you guys enjoyed.