The Retelling of Naruto Shippuden

by Starra Uchiha

"When I died and came into the Naruto universe, I didn't think that I would be able to change much. I also thought that if I told anyone that they wouldn't believe me and I definitely didn't think that I would get a Kekkei Genkai either. But I was wrong on all accounts and I could not be happier." SEQUEL!

11. Invasion Of Konoha

Invasion of Konoha

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto; however I do own Akemi, Yukiko, Zero and Rukia. And the Shīringu is mine and mine alone!

Summary: "When I died and came into the Naruto universe, I didn't think that I would be able to change much. I also thought that if I told anyone that they wouldn't believe me and I definitely didn't think that I could get a Kekkei Genkai either. But I was wrong on all accounts and I could not be happier." SEQUEL!

I want to thank everyone that left a review, I found them interesting to read and see who you thought the spy was.

Here are who the viewers think are the spy so far:

Asura (Sakura's other teammate if you don't remember): 1

Yukiko: 2

The Elders: 1

Sakura: 4

Sai: 2

Haku: 1

I would also like to apologise in advance if you don't like the chapter, I understand that some people would like more fights but I feel that the way I've done this suits the mood of the story.

Enjoy!

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

To say Konoha was tense was a major understatement. Everyone was tense and on red alert for any suspicious activity. The first three days after Hidan told us was the worst, three days of Tsunade being on edge and her temper didn't bode well. It seemed that the tension between the Elders and Tsunade had reached a new level where Tsunade had actually threatened to get rid of the Elders since they wanted her to stop being so paranoid. The Elders didn't believe that there would be an invasion and was questioning Tsunade's loyalty because she listened to an Akatsuki member and the fact she isn't doing anything about Itachi's resignation.

There were guards twenty-four seven now. Usually the guards were pretty relaxed, but now they were as rigid as stone. Nothing went unreported. I don't know what Tsunade told them but I must say I felt a lot safer knowing how focused the guards were. There had been about two false alarms within the first three days, but it ended up just being travellers. I also knew about the barrier around Konoha too, which would alert someone if someone walked in.

Itachi was still locked away in the Uchiha compound and hasn't been seen since. A rumour had went around the village that he was under house arrest because he tried to go back to the Akatsuki, which I must say was dealt with rather swiftly. Itachi had gained quite a few admirers, male and female alike so they soon got rid of those rumours.

News of Sasuke and his activity in the Akatsuki was big news in the village too. Other Villages were now looking to kill the youngest Uchiha for his crimes, but Tsunade was doing negotiations with them to ensure they don't. But we don't know how long it will take before they decide that enough is enough.

As the fourth day rolled on, Tsunade became calmer. She had realised that her temper, no matter how impressive it is, will not help win this war. She realised that Hidan was in fact telling the truth, but she was still as vigilant as ever. Tsunade hadn't touched a sip of sake in this time, shocking near enough everyone who knew her. People who didn't know what was happening must have known that something was up because of the tense atmosphere in the village, even the civilians were on edge.

I had just finished teaching the girls how to heal. We had now moved onto trying to heal a fish first and most of them did well. There were a few plunders here and there but that was to be expected. It seemed that Tenten and Moegi had a natural touch when it came to healing which made me proud. The greatest part though was the fact the Elders were none-the-wiser to knowing what Tsunade was doing which was great.

I was now headed to Tsunade's for training. She was determined to teach me her technique, but I wasn't getting anywhere. I would be close to the rhombus forming on my forehead, but then it would disappear. Tsunade was patient though, she understood that it was a stressful time and thankfully I hadn't been scolded for it yet.

Now, I was on my way to Tsunade for a lesson. While I was jumping on the roofs of Konoha, I spotted something in the corner of my eye. Getting my Sais out, I stalk after the shadow, not knowing who or what it was.

The shadow jumped down and alley way and I followed behind it. The shadow had jumped down into a dead end and was now trapped. However, I couldn't see the shadow because of how dark it was in the alley, despite it being a sunny day.

"Show yourself!" I command them, my Sais at the ready in case of an attack.

The shadow slowly comes into the light, cautiously.

Only when I see what it was did I put my weapons away.

It was a toad, which had a weird combination of colours of pink and yellow. The toad was medium sized and appeared to be wearing a brown coat.

"Who are you?" I ask.

The toad glares at me. "None of your business."

The toad seemed defensive, too defensive. I notice the way the toad's was guarding its stomach, and now its eyes were darting back and forth trying to see if there were any threats. I wouldn't have noticed it, but the twitchy hands gave away how nervous the toad was.

"You belong to Jiraya, don't you?" I ask. It was a relatively easy guess, Jiraya was a Toad Master and he did use them a lot.

The toad seemed reluctant to answer this.

"Is he okay?" I ask with concern. Was this toad here to deliver bad news?

The toad ignores my question. "Who are you?" The toad demands.

I sigh, knowing I wasn't going to get anywhere if I don't answer him. "Akemi Nakahara." I tell the toad.

Recognitions shines in the toads eyes. "Then I entrust him in your care." With that said, the toad makes wrenching sounds and Jiraya slides out of the toad's mouth and onto the ground in front of the toad. Once Jiraya was on the ground, the toad disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

I ran over to Jiraya and checked to see if he was alive not taking any notice to the fact he was covered in saliva, checking his pulse I noticed that it was very weak and faint. Taking one look at him I knew he was in a critical state, he had multiple holes in his body and blood was everywhere. It looked like he had went all out with his fight with the Six Paths of Pain. I tried to pick Jiraiya up, but even with my strength, I couldn't pick him up. He was all dead weight, he was much larger and taller than me which made me picking him up and taking him to Tsunade impossible.

Realising that I needed help, I summon Enma. Appearing in a cloud of smoke, Enma looks at me with annoyance. "Wha-?"

"Not now!" I hiss at him with a glare.

Enma looks taken aback and looks down to see the half-dead Jiraya. "Oh god…" He mutters, all traces of annoyance at me was gone and in its place was shock.

"Help me get him to Tsunade, now." I order, not caring about anything else. I needed to get him to Tsunade, without her Jiraya would die for sure. Usually whenever I tried to order Enma about, we would end up shouting at each other and nothing would get done, but I was hoping he would listen to me.

Without another word, Enma picked Jiraya up carefully and ran off with me following. As we ran, I was healing Jiraya trying to make sure that he lived. I do not want another person dying on me, I will not have a repeat of Asuma.

We didn't use the door, instead we opted for the window of Tsunade's office. Tsunade was sitting on her chair looking over reports when we burst through rather ungracefully if I must say.

Tsunade's head shoot up, she looked ready to kill at this point. "What in the name-?!" Tsunade stops when she sees Jiraya in Enma's arms.

"Tsunade, please he needs help." I plead with her.

Tsunade snaps out of her shock and rushes over to him within seconds. "Place him there." Tsunade orders Enma pointing to another room. There was a room connecting to the office for the Hokage to live there if they so pleased. However, Tsunade never used it and Sarutobi only ever used it if he got into an argument with his wife.

Without another word, Enma obeyed and placed Jiraya onto a bed carefully so not to injure him further. As soon as his body was on the bed, Tsunade began working on him. Her movements were careful and precise, she was in work-mode and she wasn't coming out until he was stable.

"Thank you Enma." I say quietly to the Monkey King.

Enma nods his head and disappears in a cloud of smoke. With him gone, I look to Tsunade. "Should I get Shizune?"

Tsunade nods her head, not looking away from Jiraya as she healed him. "And grab a few nurses, this is very extensive."

As I left, Tsunade whispers to Jiraya softly. "Come on you big pervert, pull through."

Shizune, I found relatively easily, but trying to stress to the nurses how much they were needed was very aggravating. It wasn't until Yukiko appeared and I explained the situation to her did the she get the nurses buts in gear. Three nurses were sent to the Hokage's building with Yukiko barking orders at them.

I followed back, hoping to dear god that Jiraya would be okay. Tsunade, Shizune and Yukiko were working on him all pumping chakra into his body, each working on something different to heal him quicker. The nurse were their backups, making sure Jiraya was stable and giving chakra to them is they needed it. The nurses were hooking Jiraiya up to machines, one of them being a heart monitor and another a drip to keep his fluids up.

Tsunade spots me and nods me over. I wordlessly join them and pump chakra into his system. It was then I saw to the extent he was injured. A lung had collapsed, his spleen had burst and he had suffered eight broken ribs, one of was digging into his remaining lung. The bones in his legs and arms were shattered, he had gaping holes in his chest and stomach and he had lost a lot of blood.

I don't know how, but he was still alive, barely.

Jiraya was literally hanging on by a thread.

Tsunade was visibly becoming tired, she was pumping the most chakra into him after all working to fix his collapsed lung and broken ribs. Two nurses comes over and take her place and mine. Tsunade observed them for a few minutes to make sure they were doing their job properly.

Only when she was satisfied with their work did she speak. "We need to speak." Tsunade tells me.

I nod and leave Jiraya, but not before sparing him one last glance.

Tsunade took me into her office while her teammate was being worked on. Sighing deeply, she sat down into her chair. "What happened?" She demands with a serious look.

"I was on my way here for a lesson when I spotted a shadow, I followed it down and alley way and saw it to be a toad. Only after I told the toad my name did he regurgitate Jiraya and disappear in a cloud of smoke." I tell Tsunade.

Recognitions shines in her eyes. "His name is Gorou, Jiraya used to use him to deliver people back to me if they need healing. Gorou has the ability to freeze time for the person while they are in his stomach."

I nod my head, that's who he survived. If he hadn't used Gorou he wouldn't have survived the journey from the Rain Village to here.

Tsunade asks me. "Is there anything else?"

I shake my head.

Tsunade sighs once more.

"Tsunade…" I say hesitantly, "how is he?"

Tsunade snorts and closes her eyes. "You saw yourself, he's on death's door." I knew that this was a front, she was putting on a mask so no one could see the hurt she was feeling from seeing her teammate in such a state.

"But will he live?" I press.

Tsunade opens her eyes and looks me directly in the eye. "Now that he is under my care, he will live. It won't be easy but I will do my best."

I sigh in relief. With the wounds that Jiraya suffered he should be dead, but thanks to Gorou he was alive.

"Tsunade-sama!" A nurse shouts bursting into the other room. Mine and Tsunade's head shots up to look at the nurse. "He's awake!" The nurse announces with shock on her face.

Tsunade was up in seconds and was already in the other room before I could even blink. I follow behind her and see that Jiraya was indeed awake.

"T-Tsu-nade…" Jiraya mumbled, his voice was just below a whisper and sounded hoarse.

Tsunade was quickly by his side. "Save your breath." Tsunade whispers to him softly.

Jiraya weakly shakes his head. "T-the sp-spy…" The heart monitor went crazy, shrilly beeping making my ears and heart hurt. Jiraya coughed harshly, causing blood to spill from his mouth.

"Jiraya!" Tsunade shouts as he falls unconscious.

I stood there in shock, Jiraya knew. He knew who the spy was, he wouldn't have mentioned it any other wise. Could Pain have revealed it knowing that Jiraya would die anyway? Is that why Jiraya was so determined to make it back, so he could tell us this. It looked like I wasn't the only person who thought this though, I and Tsunade shared a knowing look.

Tsunade dismisses me. "Go and rest Akemi."

I wanted to argue, but Tsunade sent me a withering look. There was an underlying warning not to disobey her, which I received loud and clear. I nod my head and went on my way back to mine and Haku's apartment.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Laying on the couch I stare at the ceiling. I hoped that Jiraya was okay, I don't think I could deal with another death. But Jiraya knew who the spy was, that's why he fought to come back. But why didn't he just send a coded message like in the anime? Didn't he trust it? Or was he scared that the spy may see it and try to get rid of it? The spy has to be someone close to us for Jiraya to be so desperate to tell us.

But then that brought me back to my main question, who was it?

Sighing for what felt like the hundredth time, I force myself to get up and get a glass of water. I had been on auto pilot the last few days and I knew that needed to stop. I needed to be strong and healthy for when the invasion does happen. Gulping down two glasses of water, I hear a knock on the door.

Placing the glass on the draining board, I walk over to the door and open it.

"Hinata." I say, my face lighting up seeing my best friend.

Hinata smiles back. "It's been a while hasn't it?" We hadn't been able to see much of each other because of how busy we've been. Either her team is on a mission or ours is, and if not then her dad would drag her away to do boring things, like sit in on meetings.

"Come on in." I say opening the door wider for her to walk in. Hinata walks in and sits down on one of the couches. I follow her after shutting the door.

As soon as I sit down, Hinata asks me. "How are you?"

I send her a look. "What's with that question?" It wasn't just the question though, it was her tone. She sounded worried and she was looking at me in concern.

"I was wondering how you were dealing with Sasuke being gone." Hinata tells me, the worried look still there.

I wave her off. "I'm fine honestly."

Hinata sends me a look.

"Honest!" I exclaim in protest.

"Akemi-chan, you don't have to lie to me." Hinata says to me.

I frown slightly, I was lying to her. She was my best friend yet I hadn't told her my biggest secret of them all. An overwhelming feeling of guilt hit me like a train.

Hinata who was completely oblivious to my guilt continued to talk. "I know I felt terrible when Naruto-kun left…"

This bring me back. "Oh?" I arch and eyebrow with a suggestive look.

Hinata blushes. "S-shut up!" When she calms down she says. "But I am being serious."

I roll my eyes. "And so am I, besides there's a big difference between you and me."

Hinata tilts her head. "And what's that?"

"You're in love with Naruto-kun." I say plainly.

Hinata blushes so red her ears burn. "A-Akemi!"

While she calmed down from her heart attack, the guilt started to attack me again. Biting my lip, I made my decision. I was going to tell her, Hinata was the only person in my group of friends that didn't know and I valued her friendship very much. I just hope she isn't offended when she finds out that I didn't tell her first.

"Hinata, I have something to tell you." I say in a serious tone.

Hinata looks at me confused. "What is it Akemi-chan?" She was now back to her normal colour, the red receding quickly.

I take a deep breathe, "What I'm about to say may shock you, but can you please wait until I'm finished before you ask any questions." I say to her with a pleading look.

Concern filled her gentle features. "Is everything okay?"

It's now or never.

"I'm not from this world." I blurt out, forcing myself to tell her. No matter how many times I've said this to people I still feel nervous. I dread the feeling of rejection and claims that I'm mad, those comments hurt much more than expected. To be rejected by Hinata would be devastating, she is my closest friend. The guilt had been eating away at me for not telling her for ages.

No look of disbelief or confusion appeared on Hinata's face, in fact she looked happy. "I know." She says.

My eyes widen and all breathe leaves my body. "B-but how?!"

Chucking, Hinata answers me. "It was during the last round of the Chunin Exams. I knew you were in the medical centre so I went to see you. However, I saw you and Haku in there and I overheard everything."

I felt my jaw drop, Hinata had known for three years and hadn't said anything and but I felt relieved. At the same time I was cursing myself for my carelessness, anyone could have been listening in, I should have been more cautious.

"W-why didn't you say anything?" I ask quietly, still in shock.

Hinata looks at her lap. "I was waiting for you to tell me." Hinata looks up and I see the hurt in her eyes making me feel even guiltier. "Why didn't you just tell me?" She asks quietly.

"Knowing the truth can be more dangerous than being ignorant towards it." I tell her thinking about all the people who had got hurt, Sasuke's face flashes in my mind. I mentally shake my head trying to his face out of my head.

"I could have handled it." Hinata argues lightly. But I could tell that she wasn't offended, she knows I'm protective of my friends.

I grin slightly. "And Naruto-kun would have killed me for getting you into trouble." Naruto has never told me that he actually liked Hinata, but I could see the signs. After Hinata's fight with Neji I could see Naruto taking an interest in Hinata. They had bonded and had even sent messages to each other over the three years, which I'm still offended by! He was slightly more protective of Hinata too, he would ask me if she was okay and would sometimes ask me questions about her. Let me tell you know, I still ship them. Seeing it in person was even cuter, I had to stop myself a few times from squealing at their cuteness.

Hinata blushes and her head ducks down. "I-I'm sure if anything happened to you Sasuke would be worried too." Hinata retaliates still blushing.

I burst out laughing. "He would tell me it's my fault anyway."

Hinata shakes her head. "No, he'd be worried."

I send her look. "And how would you know?"

Hinata smiles. "You haven't seen the way he looks at you have you?" Hinata had seen the way Sasuke looked at me a few times. He watched my every move to make sure I didn't get into trouble or hurt. There was a protective look in his eyes that Hinata hadn't seen him with before. In the Academy, Sasuke always kept away from everyone, especially the girls. Hinata was the only one who didn't, and then I came along. Sasuke originally didn't care about me, but he soon became curious.

"He looks at me normally." I say with a confused look.

Hinata laughs to herself.

My eyes widen when I realise what she was insinuating. She was insulating that Sasuke liked me. "Y-you've got to be kidding me?!" I yell out, my face burning.

Hinata laughs harder, feeling satisfied she wasn't the one blushing for once.

I couldn't believe what she was saying, no Sasuke and I could never be. I didn't see him like that… did I?

I remember my first day at the Academy when I first saw Sasuke.

FLASHBACK

I stood in front of the Academy doors. I was waiting to be introduced by Iruka and was waiting for my cue to walk in. I took a deep breathe to calm down, this was what my training was for, the series would begin and I needed to be on top form.

I couldn't let anyone get in the way of my mission. I would save Sasuke and prevent all the crap from happening. But I couldn't let my emotions compromise that mission. Getting into a relationship would only complicate things. Making my mind up, I decide not to get feelings for anyone romantically. Hearing my cue, I open the door and walk in. I kept myself together, I couldn't fangirl. Looking around the room, I see all people who I had watched for the good chunk of my life.

Everyone looked like they did in the anime, but my eyes were drawn to someone in the corner of the room.

Sasuke Uchiha.

He was brooding, as an Uchiha does. He was looking out the window, not paying attention to what Iruka was saying. But then again, neither was I. I have to admit, he was handsome, like really handsome. I would love to see what he would be like in Shippuden, I bet he's gorgeous. I could see why he had so many fangirls now, if I didn't have some self-respect I may have become one too.

Sasuke turns his head, feeling a gaze on him. I smile at him politely hoping that he wouldn't be as much as a douche as he was in the anime.

However, my hopes were dashed. Sasuke scowled at me and turned away.

Feeling my eye twitch I had to calm myself down.

That arrogant bastard.

My gaze was drawn to someone else in the room. Naruto was waving at me frantically trying to get my attention. He was leaning to the side too much and ended up falling over onto the floor.

Iruka stops his speech and sighs. "Oh Naruto…"

The rest of the class snickered, however I didn't. I didn't find it funny. I would have found it funny if the class was laughing with him, not at him. Shikamaru wasn't laughing, he just sighed and looked at Naruto with affection. Kiba and Choji were laughing too, but I knew that was good natured, they didn't mean anything by it. Hinata was looking at Naruto as though she wanted to go over to him, but was too shy. It was Sakura who was main person laughing, her laugh was the loudest and the most obnoxious. Sasuke's face stayed the same, but I think he may have eye rolled at Naruto though I can't be too sure. However, Naruto didn't seem to find this funny, there was a hurt look on his face and his fists were clenched. He was looking at the floor so no one could see the hurt look on his face.

Ignoring the class, I walk over to Naruto and offer my hand. "Need help Naruto-kun?"

Naruto looks up and his face lit up. "Thanks Akemi-chan!" He takes my hand and I pull him up.

Smiling I look around the room, most of the class was looking at me in shock. Some looked affronted while others were looking at me with disdain. I could hear some whisper about me, but I didn't pay them any mind.

I felt someone's gaze on me so I take a peak. I look around the room, scanning everyone to see who was staring at me. When I didn't catch anyone looking at me I turn back around, but I felt the urge to look at Sasuke. I spare a glance to the Uchiha to see he was looking at me.

I look at him and tilt my head.

His and my eyes met.

Onyx met hazel.

He may be an arrogant bastard, but he's a good looking one. I guess he did have to have a redeeming quality.

Feeling mischievous, I grin and pull my tongue at him.

Sasuke's eye twitches and he grits his teeth.

Score one for moi!

END FLASHBACK

I shake my head, getting the thoughts from my head. "It would never happen anyway, not like it would!" I add the last part quickly seeing the suggestive look on Hinata's face. I think she's been hanging around me too much.

Hinata looks genuinely curious, all teasing aside. "And why not?"

Sighing, I lean back. "He's destined for someone else." My thoughts stray to Sakura, he would more than likely get with her, I couldn't mess that up. Besides, I don't even like Sasuke in that way. I've already decided that I was going to live either alone or with Haku for the rest of my life. He may get a wife or live with someone else, but that would be fine. I nearly slap myself mentally, I couldn't be thinking about feeling at the moment. They get in the way and will distract me from my mission.

Hinata pulls me from my thoughts by talking. "It's Sakura isn't it?" Hinata guesses with a thoughtful look.

My eyes widen and I send Hinata a shocked look. "How?"

Hinata smiles, looking slightly smug. "Lucky guess."

I send her a look, making her giggle.

Hinata turns serious. "Sasuke won't end up with Sakura." Hinata says with a knowing look.

I arch an eyebrow at her. "Are you physic now?"

"Just trust me." Hinata tells me, the knowing smile still in place.

I waver her off, not taking any notice of her words.

"Oh and Hinata." I say getting her attention.

Hinata looks to me, "Yes?"

"If you see Naruto fighting anyone, don't jump in the middle of it." I say to her. I remembered what happened in Naruto's fight with the Six Paths of Pain. Hinata jumped in to help Naruto, which made me squeal when I watched it, but now I dreaded it. Hinata would get very hurt and it would cause Kurama to nearly be unleased. It was something I'd rather avoid happening.

This wasn't an anime, it was real life. This was something that I had realised in my three years away. I may know that things are going to happen, but when you see people you love get hurt or die, it affects you.

Hinata seemed oblivious to my mental monologue. "Sure." Hinata tells me with a curious look.

This makes me feel relieved.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

The fifth and sixth day passed and finally it was the seventh day. With no sign of the Akatsuki so far, people began to relax slightly, however not Tsunade. She knew that Hidan was indeed telling the truth, they would be coming. Over the two days, Tsunade had stopped my training. She had been with Jiraya healing him and making sure he was okay. But I was confident that he was going to live, with Tsunade by his side I had no doubt.

Early morning on the seventh day I was heading to Tsunade's office. I was going into see how Jiraiya was, ever since I had found him I had been worried.

Knocking on her door, I wait for her reply. "Enter." Tsunade says.

I open the door and see Tsunade behind her desk. There were piles of paper, which she had been neglecting for a while now. Ever since finding out about the attack, she had been focusing on the planning and had shoved the unimportant paperwork aside.

"Akemi." Tsunade says looking up.

I nod my head in greeting. "How is he?"

Tsunade presses her lips together. "He's now in a coma."

"Is that bad?" I ask worried.

Tsunade shakes her head. "No, it's a good sign. By being in a coma he will recover a lot faster. We tend to waste chakra while we are awake, and we regain it while we sleep. When you brought Jiraya to me, he virtually had no chakra in his body, which is very dangerous."

I slowly nod my head.

"While you're here there is something I would like to discuss." Tsunade says getting my attention.

"Yes?" I says.

"You are not to be involved with this battle." Tsunade tells me sternly.

My eyes widen, she couldn't be serious?!

Tsunade sees me shocked look and answers me. "I need you in the hospital healing people, I need your expertise."

"B-but why?!" I ask incredulously. "I should be fighting!"

Tsunade shakes her head. "I do not doubt you, but you haven't mastered this." She points to the purple rhombus on her forehead.

I frown, calming down.

"Besides, you are going to be a target." Tsunade tells me.

I look at her confused.

"Zero." Tsunade says to me simply.

The frown on my face deepens. Zero, the bastard that took Sasuke away. It was because of him that Itachi will more than likely not fight in this battle because of the promise with Zero. It was because of him that Pain would our strength and weaknesses and possibly the outcome of the battle. With Zero's knowledge it might be possible that we may not win this time around.

"But I need to fight." I argue.

Tsunade shakes her head. "I cannot allow that.

"But-!"

"I said no!" Tsunade shouts at me.

I look at Tsunade, closing my mouth. In this moment I could see her age, not on her face but in her eyes. They were just as wary as Sarutobi's were. She was stressed, which was an understatement in the situation that we are in.

"She's right." Says a new voice.

My head shoots up hearing the familiar voice.

"Naruto-kun!" Turning around I see Naruto standing in the door way. He had his red cloak on and the scroll on his back. This meant that he had completed his training. In the anime, he appeared after Konoha had been completely obliterated but now he was back earlier. He wasn't in Sage Mode, yet he looked serious.

"She's right, Akemi-chan." Naruto tells me again.

The frown appears on my face again. I knew that I was a target, Zero had promised that I would pay. I didn't plan on ignoring his words. I would have thought him to be nuisance if it wasn't for the threat he made about undoing everything that I have done. But Haku, Itachi and Naruto were targets. We were all targets and he knew our weaknesses, which was very dangerous.

"I know." I say in defeat.

Tsunade seemed to relax slightly at my words. Looking to Naruto, she smiles slightly. "You were nearly late."

Naruto grins, his seriousness gone. "I'm here now though. Where's Ero-sensei, I want to show him what I learnt?"

The office was filled with silence. Since Naruto had left to train, no one had told him about what happened to Jiraiya. Tsunade and I exchanged unsure look to each other, we were mentally debating about who would tell him. But I was the one who gave in.

"Jiraya is back." I tell him with an uneasy look. The last Naruto had seen of his sensei was when Jiraiya said goodbye to him before leaving to find Pain.

Naruto's eyes light up and the grin gets bigger. "Well where is he?"

Tsunade looks grim. "Naruto… he's badly injured."

Naruto's smile drops. "What do you mean?"

"Pain… nearly killed him." I say gently.

"But he was brought to me in time. He's in a coma right now, but he will get better." Tsunade tells him with a reassuring look.

Naruto looks to the ground, a shadow cast over his eyes. "He was meant to die, wasn't he?" He asks in a quiet voice.

I would have been shocked that he figured this out so quickly, but he was different from the Naruto in the anime. This Naruto, the one standing before me was a lot smart and more perceptive. "Yes." I answer him quietly.

"That's why you looked so worried when he left, that's why he said goodbye." Naruto utters, mainly to himself more than anyone.

Naruto looks up to me. "How did he survive?" He demands.

"I may have put some notes for him to read about Pain and his abilities." I say with a mischievous grin. Before he left, I had slipped in some notes that were coded. It was like what Jiraya did in the anime.

Slowly the grin on Naruto's face appears again. "Thank god." He sighs deeply and holds a hand over his heart.

Suddenly, a Jonin bursts through the door. "Tsunade-sama! They're here!" The Jonin looked out pf breathe and sweat was pouring from his face.

Right on cue, there were sounds of explosions and screams. Looking out the window I see large animals invading the village. I glare at them, the Animal Path certainly hadn't wasted any time, and neither did any of the other Paths from the looks of it.

Tsunade stands up, "Let's go!"

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Naruto was jumping around the village, looking to fight one of the Six Paths of Pain. Anger bubbled inside him when he saw the destruction to his home. He glares at the giant animals as they destroyed everything in their paths. He was tempted to summon his giant toads and let them deal with the animals, but he needed to conserve his chakra.

He stopped on a roof when he heard laughing. He turns around and see Zero standing there looking smug.

"You!" Naruto shouts and charges at Zero, intending to make him pay for what he had done.

However, Naruto didn't get far. A shadow appears in front of Naruto causing him to stop. He looks at the shadow and sees that Sasuke was standing in his path.

"Sasuke." Naruto mumbled, looking at Sasuke with a mixture of hurt and anger.

Zero laughs. "You'll have to get past him first."

Naruto's eyes widen. "You're going to make me fight him?"

Zero grins. "Of course. He's been pretty eager to kill you."

Naruto looks at Sasuke. "We don't need to fight Sasuke, we're friends remember?" Naruto was hoping that maybe he could talk some sense into Sasuke, maybe he could end up remembering.

Sasuke sneers at him. "Shut up." Sasuke unsheathes his sword and gets ready to attack.

Naruto spared one last glare to Zero.

"I'll just have to fight you to make you remember then." Naruto says, getting into Sage Mode.

Zero grins from where he was. Everything was going to plan. With Sasuke and Naruto fighting, it would tire the Uzumaki out and he wouldn't be able to beat the Six Paths of Pain so easily. Zero had already discarded the idea of 'putting everything back to normal' he was going to change the anime into his liking, starting with the execution of Akemi.

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

Once I got to the hospital like I had been ordered to, I saw in how much chaos it was in. There were injured ninja laying on the ground, all looking half dead and mummified. The nurses were all frantic, not knowing what to do because there was no one to lead them. The hospital only had around thirty nurses, which was a good number for a peaceful Village, however not one for war. Any other medics were out on the field, like Shizune, Yukiko, Tsunade and Rukia.

A nurse spots me and gives me an unkind look. "Look this isn't a playground. Can't you see we're busy?"

"I've been ordered by Tsunade to lead the hospital." I tell her with a straight face. I was trying my best to stay calm, but I wasn't doing very well with it. Being told I wasn't allowed on the battlefield was frustrating enough and now being talked down to by this person was making me ready to kill someone.

The nurse laughs. "You? You're just a kid!"

Something inside me snaps. In a second I have that nurse slammed against a wall with my hand around her throat. "I've been ordered by Tsunade, our Hokage to lead this hospital. If you have a problem with that, go and find her!" I yell in her face, glaring at her murderously.

The nurse shakes in fear, her eyes wide and staring at me in terror. I move away from her and turn to the rest the hospital who was looking at me in slight terror.

"Listen up!" I shout, "I want four groups. One for minor injuries, the second for serious injuries and the third for critical injuries. The fourth group with be for retrieving any dead bodies, is that clear?!" I glare at anyone, challenging them to defy what I said.

"Yes ma'am!" The nurses shout in union.

I look to the nurse I had yelled at. She was now on the floor shaking, "I said is that clear?" I ask looking at her directly.

The nurse quivers again, but nods her head. "Y-yes ma'am."

I nod my head satisfied. "There will be ten in each group, you ten in group one, you ten in group two, you ten in group three and the rest of you in group four." I ordered, pointing to them as I went along.

"Now go!" I shout.

Within seconds, the nurses ran off to do what I told them. The injured Ninjas were now sorted and most of them weren't too bad. However, there were some critical people who were nearly dying, those ones were being treated immediately.

"Offer any assistance to the injured while you're out there." I tell the five nurses about to head out.

"Yes ma'am!" They shout running out quickly.

Soon enough, the staff picked up a routine. People would be brought in by the five nurses that went out. The other five nurses would then sort the patient out and put them into categories. Some nurses brought back dead bodies, and they were put in another room out of sight. We didn't need to panic the patients otherwise it would be chaos again. Once the patients were in the right group, the nurses in those groups worked on them. When some looked tired, I switched them. People who were healing would be switched with someone who was outside finding the injured.

"Nakahara-san!" A nurse shouts at me.

Turning my head away from a now fully healed patient, I see Kakashi laying limp in the nurses arms. All breathe leaves me, seeing Kakashi was this was a shock, but I quickly got over it knowing that he would be revived later.

"Put him over there." I tell the nurse pointing to another section of the room. Once he was laying on the bed provided in the room, the nurse went off to do her job.

With Kakashi here that means he beat the Asura Path. However, I could only guess. I wasn't on the battlefield, which I was still bitter about, but there was nothing that could be done about that. I had confidence in Kakashi though, he wouldn't have gone down without a fight. At least now he could reconcile with his father before he came back.

I walk up to Kakashi and assess his wounds. He looked like hell, he was covered in blood and he had multiple scratches on his body.

Hearing footsteps I turn my head.

I see Sakura stop and stare at Kakashi in shock. "N-no…" Sakura whispers looking at Kakashi with wide eyes.

"Sakura." I say calling her name.

"H-he can't be." Sakura whispers, either she couldn't hear me because she's went into shock or she's ignoring me. Tears formed in her eyes and sobs racked her body. She places her hands over her eyes as she leans on the door frame for support.

"Snap out of it!" I yell at her. Right now I was in what Tsunade called 'work mode', yes I was shocked seeing Kakashi dead, but I had the comfort of knowing he would come back to life at the end of it. Sakura, however did not. I couldn't let anything faze me at this point, I was probably going to see some gruesome sights, but I would need to get over that and help as many people as I could.

Sakura looks up with wide eyes, tears running down her face.

"I need you to focus Sakura." I tell her with a blank look.

Slowly, Sakura nods her head and wipes the tears away. "O-okay." She says.

I nod, "Now go to the critical injury area and help out there." I order her.

Fire burns in her emerald eyes at the order. "And why should I listen to you?" She demands looking at me with a glare.

I return the glare as I step away from Kakashi's body. "Tsunade told me to that's why, now do you have a problem with that?"

Sakura visibly winces at this. Tsunade had been her mentor for three years. She thought that maybe Tsunade would have given her this task, but she hadn't. So Sakura came to the hospital to offer her help. But to see someone else leading the hospital stung.

"I said do we have a problem?" I ask harshly when Sakura didn't reply instantly.

Sakura gives me a glare. "I understand."

I nod my head satisfied with the answer. Sakura left to go to the critically injured room as I had told her.

"Nakahara-san!" Said a low and feminine voice.

I nearly jumped, mainly because I suddenly felt something slippery crawl up my back and felt it stop on my shoulder. I turn my head and see Katsuyu on my shoulder. I tried to hide a look of disgust, I hated insects and bugs, and I hated slugs the most of all. Slimy and slippery… disgusting.

Quickly getting over my disgust, a sense of dread filled me. Seeing Katsuyu meant that Pain would be activating his Chibaku Tensei technique soon which would annihilate the entire village.

"How are things out that?" I ask while moving to go work on another patient.

"Not too great." Katsuyu answers me.

I grit my teeth as I healed another patient. There was a plan made, but I don't know what would happen when the Human Path found out about the plan, and once he found out every Path would know it too.

Originally, the plan was to try and immobilise each Path long enough for someone to remove the metal receivers in their body. That way Nagato couldn't send his chakra over or have control over the body, it would stop them in their tracks. The main target was the Naraka Path, because that one could revive any fallen Paths, only one at a time but it was still a nuisance to get past. However, if the Human Path found out about this plan then it is a high possibility that the Naraka Path would become more protected.

"Have any Paths been stopped?" I ask while concentrating on healing.

"One, the Human Path. Haku was the one to dispose of him." Katsuyu told me.

I felt myself become slightly giddy. I'm glad that Haku had stopped him, but how far did the Human Path get with finding out information before Haku stopped him? I know the Human Path wasn't suited for battle, more for interrogations but that still doesn't mean it wasn't a fearsome opponent. Its ability to take your soul was frightening.

"Is Haku okay?" I inquire.

Katsuyu nods from my shoulder. "He's doing fine."

I felt myself relax at this bit of information. He was fine, he hadn't been killed. One thing I know I wouldn't be able to deal with is if Haku ended up being killed. Revived at the end or not, seeing him that like would break me. I know I would eventually pick myself up, reassuring myself that he would come back in the end, but it's the process before that scared me. However, there was also a possibility that the souls may not be given back, now that Zero is here he could have made sure that it doesn't happen.

I look to Katsuyu, "How did he do it?" I ask the slug on my shoulder. I knew her and the others slugs could communicate with each other so she would surely know.

"He used his Kekkei Genkai. He then with his speed took out the metal receivers until they were all gone. He then sealed the body away in a scroll." Katsuyu tells me.

I grin, once Haku was in those mirrors, he was in his element. Over the three years, his speed had improved dramatically. If I thought he was fast on the Naruto Bridge then I was wrong. It was very annoying when we used to fight and he used his Kekkei Genkai because he would always win with it.

As for the scrolls, I had given Haku and a few others some special scrolls. The scrolls would only open for them and them only. With those scrolls they can seal the Six Paths of Pain away, but only once. After they use it, they cannot open it again, only I can. It took ages to make them and get them to work, but I managed it. I kept them a secret too and only gave them to who I think I could trust. The only people who have them are: Haku, myself, Tsunade and Naruto. Sasuke would have one but he isn't here and so would have Itachi.

Hearing another crash from the outside I curse loudly and turn around. "That's it!" I yell walking away from the fully healed patient.

"Nakahara-san, what are you doing?" Katsuyu asks in a rushed whisper.

Ignoring her, I notice the five runner nurses stop in with more bodies. Seeing an opportunity to get out of here, an idea springs to mind. "You guys stay here, I'll go and get the bodies instead." I tell them sternly.

"B-but Nakahara-san-!" A nurse exclaims in protest.

I look to Sakura, "You take over for now, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Sakura nods her head. "Hai!"

"Keep it up, you guys are doing great!" I shout running out the hospital.

The nurses stood there, looking rather confused.

Sakura yells out, "Get back to work!" She glares at them, waiting for someone to contradict or object to her. However, she received none as all the nurses rushed to get back to work.

Sakura looks out the window. 'Please okay.'

NARUTO SHIPPUDEN

"Nakahara-san, I must advise you to go back." Katsuyu tells me while sitting on my shoulder, "Tsunade-sama will not like this."

Now here was my dilemma, I knew what Katsuyu was saying was the truth. Tsunade would surely kill me if she found out that I had left the hospital. However, I can't just sit back and do nothing, Naruto was a target and he wasn't told he couldn't fight.

"I know she won't be." I say to the slug.

"We can still head back now." Katsuyu says trying to persuade me.

I look at her and grin. "Not gonna happen."

Katsuyu sighs and shakes her small head. "She's not going to like this…"

I mentally agree with her, but I needed to fight. If not fight then at least assist people by guiding or healing them, but I will not stand on the side-lines and do nothing.

Grinning, I bring out a scroll that I hadn't used much. It was a special scroll, gold and silver in colour. It was light, it didn't weigh much. Enma had given me this scroll as a present after I passed his training. His said that I deserved it and Sarutobi would have liked it if I had this. I felt so honoured when I found out what was in this scroll. After opening it on the ground, I made the hand seals and slammed down my hand. Smoke clouds my vision but only for a few seconds.

In front of me stood seven monkeys. They were all Enma's children and ranged from black, white, red, blonde and brown furs. They were all tall, even the female monkeys. Enma had three girls and four boys and he had entrusted them to me.

"Yes mistress?" Asks the oldest of them, Takahiro. He looked much like his father, but had black fur, dark eyes. He specialised in stealth and traps and was exceedingly amazing at them. I had been caught in his traps a few times. The Jutsus he specialised in were water techniques.

"I need you to route up any fallen ninjas." I tell them.

"They're here, aren't they?" Asks a feminine voice. Kora was the oldest female out of the lot, she had red fur and green eyes. Kora was a great help with my speed, she was fastest of them all. She drilled me on how to become faster and lighter on my feet. Kora's main element was wind, along with her and Haku they taught me some great Jutsus.

I nod my head and sigh deeply. "Unfortunately yes. Now go!"

In an instant, the seven monkeys were gone. They all listened to me, it was just their father that seemed to have the attitude with me. Enma told me that Sarutobi hardly used his family because when he gave Sarutobi the scroll, they were much too young and weren't trained. But now they were ready to fight.

Now ready, I ran through the village. It was at this point that I could see the extent of the damage to the village. I could still see the Animal Path's centipede running lose on the village, destroying anything in its path. I could also see the large bird in the sky, attacking people as it swooped down and destroying building.

"There you are." Said a voice from behind me.

The hairs on the back of neck stand. I turn around and see one of the Paths of Pain, the Preta Path. This path was large and bulky, he had two sharp metal receivers poking out where his cheek bones would be. On surface of his nose he also had another two metal receivers pierced through him. Below his lip and just above his chin, he had a line of metal receivers all pointing out and looking sharp. His ginger hair was brushed back neatly and Rinnegan eyes were staring at me.

"Nakahara-san, we need to leave." Katsuyu says to me in a panicked voice.

I ignore her. "Where you looking for me?" I ask the Path.

The Preta Path chooses to ignore my question and instead he starts to talk. "Come with us and the village will be spared."

I send him a look. "And what about Naruto-kun?"

"He will be captured soon enough." The Preta Path says emotionlessly.

"Well the answers no." I tell the Path.

The Preta Path says no more and charges at me. I bring out my Sais and brace myself. I needed to be cautious, he could absorb chakra in any form using the Blocking Technique Absorption Seal. I know that this body was mainly defensive, but it was still capable of absorbing Ninjutsu-based techniques. Which meant it could nullifying its effect. It also meant that there could be a barrier around the Pain's entire body, allowing them to absorb attacks from all directions. One thing was sure though, I couldn't let him touch me. He can absorb through physical contact, this meant that my chakra shield wouldn't work.

Just as the Preta Path was in arm's length, a shadow darts out from the corner of my eye and throws kunai in our direction.

Both and I and Preta Path jumps out of the way in time. I turn my head to see who it was, preparing myself for an attack against two Paths of Pain.

My eyes widen slightly, "Itachi?" I say in shock. I thought he was still locked away in the Uchiha compound, so what was he doing out?

Itachi glares at me with his Sharingan eyes.

I grin at him sheepishly, he was angry. There was a silent fury behind his eyes. He and Sasuke were the same in that retrospect.

"Itachi Uchiha." The Preta Path says getting our attention.

Itachi raises his kunai, ready to throw at a moment's notice. "Get out of here." Itachi hisses at me, not looking away from the Preta Path.

I open my mouth to object, but I was interrupted.

"I will be back," The Preta Path says, disappearing before us.

When he was gone, I look to Itachi. "What are you doing out?"

Itachi arches an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same?"

"I couldn't stand by and not fight." I say to Itachi honestly.

Itachi studies me for a moment before nodding his head. "Looks like we're in the same boat."

"But what about your promise to Zero?" I ask. The whole reason he went into hiding was because he didn't want to cause any harm to his brother.

A smirk appears on the older Uchiha's face. "He said I was not allowed in on any missions and I will retire as ANBU captain. I have done exactly that and Tsunade hasn't set us any missions to fight back. I am simply helping to protect my home."

I felt my mouth drop slightly. He had found a loophole!

"And the outfit?" I ask looking at his ANBU get up. He was dressed in full uniform except he wasn't wearing his mask.

"He said not to be ANBU captain, he never said anything about still being a normal member though." Itachi says.

"As an ANBU you need to be able to find loopholes if you don't like the situation." Itachi tells me, the smirk still in place.

I return the smirk.

Just then, an explosion goes off in the distance.

The smirk falls from Itachi's face. "You need to get back to the hospital."

"But I need to see Haku." I say in protest. I just needed to make sure he was alright, even though Katsuyu had told me he was fine, though a bit exhausted. I still needed to see him.

Itachi glares at me and I stare right back at him.

"You won't listen to be regardless, will you?" Itachi asks, still glaring at me.

"Would you if it was Sasuke?" I fire right back at him.

Itachi sighs deeply, giving in. "Make it quick."

I grin, "Thank you."

Itachi nods his head and goes to jump away, but I stop him.

"Take these." I say handing over two scrolls.

Itachi looks down at them.

"They're to capture the Paths." I explain to him.

Recognition shines in his eyes. Before he had went into hiding, I had told him what I was planning with the scrolls. He was the one who suggested that we needed to trap the bodies somewhere and that's where I got the idea from.

Itachi takes them and pockets them. "Go to Haku and go back to the hospital." Itachi tells me with a stern tone.

I nod my head. "I will."

With that done, Itachi jumps away, going to join the fight.

"You will go back to hospital after finding your brother, right?" Katsuyu asks me cautiously.

I nod my head, I had almost forgotten she was there. "I will."

Katsuyu sighs. "He's straight ahead."

I grin and pat her slimy head. "Thank you Katsuyu."

Now knowing where he was, I made my way over. I found it easier to jump on the roofs of the houses because people were battling on the ground. I kept an eye out for any Paths just in case they tried to attack me. It seemed that the Preta Path was either called back, for reasons that were still unknown to me.

It didn't take long for me to find Haku. He was currently fighting Konan, and their fight seemed to be pretty intense. Konan looked like she was struggling slightly and Haku looked worn out. Looking further afield, I see Sasuke and Naruto fighting not too far away from Haku and Konan. Now their fight was certainly intense, the ground near them was completely demolished and Naruto was in Sage Mode. Sasuke seemed to be coping well against Naruto's new power and was fighting him with equally powerful attacks. Seeing Sasuke fight against Naruto made me angry, Zero was using Sasuke to fight his own friends.

My attention was drawn back to my brother though, seeing Haku alive made me sigh in relief. He was fine, but he didn't seem to have a Katsuyu with him.

"Why hasn't he got one?" I ask Katsuyu.

"He refused one." Katsuyu tells me in her gentle voice. Nodding, I turn away intending to go back to the hospital and hope that Tsunade doesn't find out. Let's just hope that Katsuyu, Itachi the nurses and Sakura can keep this little adventure a secret.

But, that's when I notice something out of the corner of my eye.

It was a shadow at first in my peripheral vision, but as I turn my head I see Pain, the main Pain. He was looking down at the scene much like I was and didn't seem to have spotted me.

"We need to leave, now!" Katsuyu tells me in a low, panicked voice.

I ignore her though. "What's he doing?" I mumble to myself watching him.

Pain jerks his arm out, and a metal long receiver appears in his hand. The metal receiver had a jagged end and blood was smeared on the weapon. Pain jumps from the roof that he was on and stalks down.

I look to Naruto, thinking that Pain was heading for him. It would make sense, the whole reason why they were here was to capture Naruto, and somehow I've been roped into this.

But I was wrong. Pain didn't have his sights set on Naruto.

His sights were set on Haku.